Guddan and Akshat - Made for Each Other

Chapter 17 - The Responsibilities - Part 3

Akshat agreed to Guddan's proposal of letting Saraswati amend her own mistakes, after witnessing the unexpected public apology. He knew Saraswati, it was uncharacteristic of her to admit her own fault, that too in front of the whole world. He decided to give Guddan another chance to carry out her responsibilities. He also agreed to let Vardhaan and Lakshmi complete their trip. Saraswati continued to work in the restaurant under Guddan's strict supervision. Guddan had given her a stern warning not to mess things up this time, or else her misdeeds will be out in the open. On the other hand, Durga was at a loss of words at the turn of events. Saru's mistake was a golden chance for her to humiliate Guddan, that got out of her hands. Also, Saru's betrayal was a matter of shock for her.

One morning, in the room, Guddan is lighting the lamp in front of Antara's photo. Akshat enters the room. Guddan sees him enter the room but says nothing. Akshat keeps pretending to choose his coat from the cupboard, then keeps on rearranging the things on the table, while trying to talk to Guddan. He looks at Guddan and when she looks at him, he turns away awkwardly. After sometime -

Guddan - Kya hua? Tabse dekh rahe hain. Aapko kuch kehna hai?

Akshat - Nahin.........Haan........Woh Vardhaan ka call aaya tha, kafi khush lag raha tha.

Guddan (making a sad face) - Acha. Itne din ho gaye Lakshmiji ko gaye hue, humein toh ek baar bhi call nahi kiya. Aur Vardhaanji ne bhi nahin. Bhul gaye hain dono humein.

Akshat - Par......... Maa to tumhe ek pal ke liye bhi nahi bhulti. Humesha Guddan Guddan karti rehti hain.

Guddan (happy and excited face) - Haan woh toh hai. Maaji toh humse itna pyaar karti hain, humara itna khayal rakhti hain, ki kabhi kabhi hum sochte hain ki, humari Maa agar zinda hoti, toh shayad woh bhi humara itna khayal nahi rakh paati.

Akshat - Tum bhi toh Maa ka itna khayal rakhti ho. Jabse tumhare saath morning walk pe jaane lagi hain, cholesterol aur blood pressure kafi control mein rehne laga hai. Jabse tum iss ghar mein aayi ho, Maa bahut khush rehne lagi hain.

A broad smile appears on Guddan's face. After all, for the first time, he was praising her.

Akshat - Aur.........a....... Saru Bahu aajkal kaafi zimmedari se kaam kar rahin hai. Rahul se jyada behtar kaam kar rahi hain woh. Tumne sahi kaha tha, unhe ek mauka dekar sahi faisla liya tumne.

As he was about to leave, Guddan blocks his way.

Guddan - Rukiye, Rukiye. Kya kaha aapne? Humara faisla sahi tha. Matlab aapka faisla galat tha. Hai na? Chaliye aapne aakhir apni galati maan hi li.

Akshat (flustered face) - Ai.....aisa maine kab kaha?

Guddan (suppressing her smile) - Aur nahi toh kya? Ya toh hum sahi thhe ya toh aap?

Akshat - Kuch bhi bolti rehti ho. Mujhe der ho rahi hai, bahut kaam hai. (and he leaves)

Guddan (smiling) - Inko chidhhane mein mazaa toh bahut aata hai. Kaisi shakal bana li thi. (imitating him) Maine aisa kab kaha. (giggles)

After some days, Lakshmi and Vardhaan returned from their trip. Durga handed over Lakshmi's stolen jewelleries back to her and told everything about Saru's theft. Durga had already stopped talking to Saru. Now, Lakshmi also did the same.

A few days passed, Saru was exhausted from working long hours at the restaurant and utterly lonely from Durga and Lakshmi's cold shoulder during her time in Jindal Bhavan. Guddan had noticed this. She decided to talk to Durga and Lakshmi.

Guddan - Humein pata hai ki aapko Saru Bahu ki wajah se bahut chott pahunchi hai. Hum yeh bhi maante hain ki unhone bahut badi galati bhi ki hai. Par galat toh aap logon ne bhi humare saath kiya hai na. Jab se hum iss ghar mein aaye hai, aap teeno humare khilaaf kuch na kuch karti rahi hain. Aap log samajh rahe hain, ya hum detail mein bataen. (Both nodded) Aur kyunki unn sab galatiyon ke liye humne aapko maaf kar dia, hum yeh chahte hain ki aap badle mein Saru Bahu ko maaf kar dein. Har insaan ko sudharne ka mauka milna chahiye. Aap logon ko bhi mila hai. To kya aapko nahi lagta Saru Bahu ko bhi milna chahiye. Milna chahiye na. (Both nod their heads) Toh aaj raat tak humein aap teeno pehle ki tarah saath saath dikhni chahiye. Thik hai? (and she leaves)