Aarti and her mother in-law came through the door.

"Speak up, son, who has gone where?"

Vikram cleared his throat "Nothing just-

"What nothing bade kuwarsa.. they have a right to know" uttered panibai.

"Vikram what is she saying?"

"Mother they..that girl!"

"What are you saying ji which girl?"

"Durga! She has run away and taken your precious son with her!"

Everyone heard panibai but didn't say anything as they didn't understand.

"Wait what mujhe kuch samaj naha araha why would she do that?"

"Aarti lets go inside and talk"

"Durga, ran away and Anurag, it doesn't make any sense"

"If you were forced to marry Rajesh then wouldn't you?"

"Kya?" asked dadisa

"Kya woh usse kyu shaadi karegi?"

"Anubhav when elder are talking youngsters should butt out!"

"Aarti, woh..

"Bade bindri i'll explain to you woh Durga she-

"Panibai stop who is going to believe that Durga went over to Rajesh's house and instead of coming home she spent the night with him no one will listen so-

"She what?

"Haan badi bindri what even he is saying is the truth"

On the otherside Durga and Anurag came off the train.

"Welcome to Mumbai navdurga" he smiled.

"Kuwarsa, Navdurga? you haven't called me that since we were kids" she grinned then caught on..

"Mumbai hum Mumbai mein hai?" Her jaw dropped.

"yes sweetheart" he kept his arm around her shoulder as they walked out of the station.

"Wow kuwarsa i always wanted to see this city" Anurag chuckled seeing her talk in excitement.

"I know this" he smiled "So here we are"

"But where are we going to go from here, kuwarsa? I mean i don't have"

"Hey it's okay i'm here na i will take care of everything" he said as he pulled her closer.

"Yo Ans" he turned and saw someone.

"Hey Ragz" he smiled and hugged the guy.

"Durga this is Raghu..he introduced him to her.

"This is the famous Durga nice to meet you"

"Namaste" she responded.

Then she and Anurag went inside Raghu's car they didn't have any suitcases so it was not a squeeze to sit inside. As the car moved he made sure she was comfortable, keeping his hand on his. She nodded with a subtle smile. This was all new to her new town new people. Shortly they reached his house Durga was quiet throughout the drive so was Anurag but Raghu was very chatty.

"So bro you both stay as long as you want" he told him.

"no..no we won't stay i've booked an accommodation"

"Ans what yaar.. your in my city after how so long"

"I know but some other time for sure" he told him.

"Okay as you wish" he didn't push it. "I'll get some thanda you both relax.

"Kuwarsa..woh..um.. she looked around the big lounge.

"Bolo Durga all okay?" His tone, soft and comforting.

"Woh washroom"

"Oh tumne jana hai..

"Here we go..what's this you both are standing?"

"Rags where is your washroom?"

"Washroom is just across there"

"Ok thank you" Durga said and hurried off. Anurag eyes followed her direction he had become quite protected over her.

"Ans..she'll be fine although i couldn't help notice her limp. Are you both fine?"

Anurag sighed "As fine as we can be"

"Meaning? Listen yaar you can tell me"

"There is nothing to tell just handling the curve ball life throws..sun where is the nearest shopping mall around here i need to do some shopping for us especially Durga"

"Yes actually your bhabhi will be home in like 10 she can..oh wait i think she has come early.

Durga came out of the washroom and walked near the hall.

"Hello?"

"namaste"

"Who might you be?"the girl asked she looked not that much older to Durga.

"I..mein i've come with Anurag"

"Oh yes he was talking about picking up Anurag from the airport so you're Durga right?"

She nodded, adjusting her shawl. "yes mein Durga hu"

"Nice to meet you mein ,Tanya hu ,Raghu's wife"

"So you both have met then? that's great"

"Yes just now she passed me in the hall"

"Yo Tans"

"Hi Anurag bhai, how are you?" They talked for a few minutes as they all knew each other from university.

"Babe they want to go shopping"

"Yes the Oberoi mall isn't far we can drop them off"

"Yeah sure no problem" he told them. They guys talked whilst Tanya, took Durga, with her.

"Come.. this is my wardrobe, what do you want to wear?"

"No Tanya.. i.

"Durga" she held her hands "please look i don't know what's happened but there's blood on your ghagra"

"Oh..Durga looked down.

"Listen, you can borrow something from here and I can wash this for you?"

"Okay if there isn't any difficulty for you"

"Areey it's seriously no problem" said Tanya, in a genuine tone.

"Thank you that's really kind of you"

"Anurag is a great friend to me and my husband so it's my pleasure Durga.. Okay i'll give you some space"

She let Durga get ready and left the room. "Durga went to the cupboard. "What shall i wear..i only wear these types..Kuwarsa ko puchu kya?" No..no he is feeling troubled enough i'll just pick something"

Tanya, came back into the lounge "Where is Durga?"

"She is just getting changed i thought it would be uncomfortable for her to do shopping in ghagra choli"

"How thoughtful is my wife" smiled Raghu.

"Yeah it's better, i appreciate your help"

"Your welcome Ans, Durga seems like a sweet girl"

"She is the sweetest, most kind caring girl" he smiled just thinking about his Durga.

"You both are together?"

"Of course they are Tans, Ans wouldn't just force a girl to runaway with him"

"We are engaged," he told them.

"Wow man congratulations you both are childhood sweethearts tio"

"Yes, Durga and i more or less grew up together..speaking of my angel" he said, hearing footsteps. He turned and saw her wearing a lilac salwar. Anurag grinned seeing his girl.

"It looks really nice on you Durga, fits okay..she asked, walking over.

"Yes Tanya it feels normal"

Anurag gave her the 👌 hand making her blush. "My mangetar looks gorgeous" he said walking over and held her hand.

*
"Really Vikram i just can't believe this"

"Me too aarti i had so much trust on that girl, i did everything for her, bringing her up as one of ours, giving her proper education!"

"Calm down Vikram, mujhe abhi bhi yakeen nahi horaha hai Durga aur woh Rajesh chii"

"Jatka toh mareko bhi laga..she was around your kids but her blood is still of her tribe"

"Panibai, enough now we don't want to hear that girl's name in this house!" said dadisa.

"But where is Anurag, where is my son?"

"Don't worry Aarti my men should find them soon," he told her.

*
Durga and Anurag were shopping. "Kuwarsa yeh wala?"

"(Tut) Durga we are shopping for you chalo" he took her hand " lets go over there" he pointed to the women's clothes section.

"Haan..but this t-shirt will look nice on you"

He grinned "Tume pasand hai then i'll buy it" she smiled with a nod.

They went over and saw many clothes. "Yeh wala?"

"Dresses, yeh..

"Sorry, you choose what you will feel comfortable in"

"Haan i haven't worn clothes like this na aadat nahi hai"

"Koi baat nai navdurga, we can find some salwars that side hmm?"

"Haan kuwarsa yeh theek rahega" she replied.

Durga looked at some salwars... "Tumhe kon sa pasand hai?"

"Oh..you want to wear one that i like?"

"Yes..it will feel nice akhir you are my mangetar so..

He grinned giving her a side hug "So sweet of you but we are already married na"

She giggled "yes thank you for reminding me kuwarsa"

"This one is nice, this colour, this style all will suit my sweetheart" he said taking them.

"Do you want to try them on?"

"no..we can just buy it if that's okay?"

"Haan as you wish Durga"

"Kuwarsa you need some more clothes too chalo i'll help you choose them" he nodded with a sweet smile. Hand in hand they went to the mens section.

She chose him many pants, t-shirts, and shirts. Then she realised something.

"Durga kaha khogaye?"

"Bade papa, bade maa how must they be?"

"Papa did ring but i let it go to voicemail..listen we will think about this later but right now..areey now where are you lost?"

"Kuwarsa um..i need some other clothes you know wear ahem ander"

"Oh..haan um i guess they will be further down the women section shall i help you?"

"No kuwarsa mein manage karungi!"

"Kya Durga, why are you getting angry at me? I only asked to help you," he pouted.

"No..i didn't mean to shout" she cupped his chin " sorry" she apologised.

He kept his hands on her waist and pressed her close. "Kya kuwarsa we aren't alone.. she shyly removed his hands then went to choose the clothes she needed.

"He chuckled "Actually even I need ander ke kapde" he went quickly and picked up some stuff then waited in the general women's clothing area.

He kept an eye out for Durga whilst he waited. Ten minutes passed. "Where is she?" He looked around now feeling slightly worried.

*
"Anubhav beta come here"

"Yes bade maa"

"Any news from your brother has he got in touch?"

Anubhav cleared his throat and walked over. "Nai bade maa bhai hasn't called me.

"Your bade papa has tried many times but he isn't taken his call beta" she stood up from the table.

"Maybe you can try then we can

"Aarti no need for that now my men have spotted them now it won't be long till Anurag is home"

"And bade papa Durga too?" Asked Anubhav.

They both glared at him. "Thareko bade chinta hai regarding Durga"

"Nai bade papa i was

"Beta, that girl brainwashed my son seems like she has done a number on you too" spat Vikram.

"Vikram, he considered Durga as his sister thoda upset toh hoga na"

"And you Aarti why so much sympathy for that girl after what she did?"

Before you could answer Vikram recieved an incoming call.

"Hello..yes..i'll send them shortly" he smiled.

"Kaun tha line pe"

"Aarti don't worry about it and Anbhav call Paanibai to tell Rajesh to get ready

"For what bade papa?"

"Mera beta theek toh haina?" asked Aarti.

"Woh mil gaya they will soon reach home"

"That's great news and i was thinking once he comes we should start looking for him potentials i mean"

"Excellent idea Aarti i was thinking the same thing" he smiled.

Anubhav sneaked away..he quickly called Anurag. "Come on bhai pick up the call"

Tbc

Hindi version

Aarti aur unki saas darwaze se andar aayi.

"Bol beta, kaun kahan gaya hai?"

Vikram ne gala saaf kiya, "Kuch nahi, bas-"

"Kya kuch nahi, bade kuwarsa? Inka haq banta hai sab jaane ka," Paanibai boli.

"Vikram, yeh kya bol rahi hai?"

"Maa, woh... woh ladki!"

"Kya keh rahe ho ji, kaunsi ladki?"

"Durga! Woh bhaag gayi aur tumhara laadla beta bhi saath le gayi!"

Sabne Paanibai ki baat suni, par samajh nahi paaye.

"Ruko, kya? Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha. Woh aisa kyun karegi?"

"Aarti, chalo andar baat karte hain," Vikram ne kaha.

"Durga bhaag gayi aur Anurag bhi? Yeh toh samajh nahi aata."

"Agar tumhe Rajesh se zabardasti shaadi karni padti, toh kya tum nahi bhaagti?"

"Kya?" Dadisa ne pucha.

"Kya? Woh usse kyun shaadi karegi?"

"Anubhav, jab bade log baat kar rahe hote hain, toh chhote bich mein nahi bolte!"

"Aarti, woh...

"Badi Bindri, main samjhaata hoon. Woh Durga... usne-"

"Paanibai, bas karo! Kaun maanega ki Durga Rajesh ke ghar gayi aur wahan se ghar aane ke bajaye raat uske saath bitaayi? Yeh koi nahi sunega, toh-"

"Woh kya?!"

"Haan, Badi Bindri, yeh sach hai jo woh keh raha hai."

---

Doosri taraf, Durga aur Anurag train se utar chuke the.

"Welcome to Mumbai, Navdurga," Anurag muskaraaya.

"Kuwarsa, Navdurga? Aapne mujhe yeh tab bulaaya tha jab hum bacche the," Durga hasi aur fir samajh gayi.

"Mumbai? Hum Mumbai mein hain?" Uska moonh khula ka khula reh gaya.

"Haan, sweetheart," usne Durga ke kandhe par haath rakha aur station se bahar nikle.

"Wow, Kuwarsa! Main hamesha se is sheher ko dekhna chahti thi!" Durga excitement mein boli.

"Mujhe pata hai," Anurag hasi, "isliye toh yahaan aaye hain."

"Par ab kahan jayenge? Kuwarsa, mere paas toh-"

"Hey, it's okay. Main hoon na? Sab sambhal loonga," usne kaha, Durga ko apne paas kheenchte hue.

"Yo Ans!"

Anurag ne mudkar dekha, "Hey Ragz!" Usne dost ko gale lagaya.

"Durga, yeh Raghu hai," usne Durga ko introduce kiya.

"Yeh hai famous Durga? Nice to meet you!" Raghu bola.

"Namaste," Durga sharmaate hue boli.

Phir Anurag aur Durga Raghu ki gaadi mein baithe. Unke paas suitcase nahi tha, toh easily adjust ho gaye. Anurag ne ensure kiya ki Durga comfortable hai, uska haath apne haath par rakha. Durga ne halka sa smile kiya. Sab kuch naya tha-nayi jagah, naye log.

Raghu ke ghar pahuchkar Durga ne washroom ki baat ki. Tanya, Raghu ki wife, ne Durga ko apne wardrobe se kapde diya aur uska ghagra dhone ka offer kiya.

Durga aur Anurag shopping ke liye Oberoi Mall gaye. Durga ne Anurag ke liye kapde select kiye.

"Kuwarsa, yeh wala theek hai?"

He smiled "Durga, hum tumhare liye shopping kar rahe hain. Chalo, women's section mein chalte hain."

"Par yeh T-shirt aap pe acchi lagegi."

He grinned "Agar tumhe pasand hai, toh main le leta hoon."

They go to the women's section and pick salwars for Durga.

"Kuwarsa, tumhare liye bhi kuch kapde lene chahiye."

Holding her hand "Haan, le lenge. Par abhi tumhare liye pehle."

"Tumhe meri pasand ka suit pehenna hoga."

He chuckled "Main pehen lunga.

Anurag ne uska bahut dhyan rakha, uske choice ka khayal rakhte hue.

"Kuwarsa, bade papa aur bade maa kaise honge?" Durga ne soch mein pucha.

"Durga, abhi iske baare mein mat socho. Sab kuch sambhal jayega. Tum bas mere saath raho," Anurag ne kaha.

Wapas ghar mein, Vikram ne apne aadmi se call par suna ki Anurag aur Durga ka pata lag gaya hai.

"Aarti, chinta mat karo. Jaldi hi Anurag ghar lautega," Vikram ne kaha.

"Aur Durga, bade papa?" Anubhav ne poocha.

Vikram aur dadisa ne gusse se dekha. "Woh ladki? Uska naam is ghar mein mat lena!" Vikram gussa hokar bola.

"Bade papa aur bade maa kaise honge?"

"Papa ka call aaya tha, but I let it go to voicemail. Durga, abhi in baaton ka time nahi hai. Hum baad mein dekhenge. Arey, ab kahan kho gayi tum?"

"Kuwarsa, mujhe kuch aur kapde chahiye... woh... ander ke." She said in hesitation.

"Oh... haan, umm... shayad women's section ke aage honge. Shall I help you?"

"Nahi, Kuwarsa. Main manage kar lungi!" She said feeling rather shy.

"Kya, Durga? Kyun gussa kar rahi ho? I was just offering help." (pouts)

Durga: "Nahi... mujhe aise chillana nahi chahiye tha." (cups his chin) "Sorry."

(Anurag keeps his hands on her waist and pulls her close.)

"Kya Kuwarsa? Hum akelay nahi hai!"

Durga, shyly, removes his hands and goes towards the women's section to pick her clothes.

"Waise mujhe bhi ander ke kapde chahiye." He followed her.

He quickly picks up a few items for himself and waits in the general area, keeping an eye on Durga.

Ten minutes pass.

Anurag looking around, worried. "Durga kahaan gayi?"

---

At the Haveli

"Anubhav beta, athe aao."

"Ji, dadisa."

"Anurag ka koi message aaya? Kya uska call aaya?"

"Nahi,. Bhai ka call nahi aaya."

"Tumhare Bade Papa ne kitne calls kiye, par woh phone nahi utha raha."

Aarti: "Shayad tum try karo, Anubhav."

"Aarti, ab iski zarurat nahi. Mere logon ne unka pata laga liya hai. Bahut jald Anurag ghar wapas hoga."

"Aur Durga, Bade Papa? Kya woh bhi..."
Vikram and Dadisa glare at him.

"Tujhe Durga ki badi chinta ho rahi hai?"

"Nahi, Bade Papa. Main toh bas..."

"Beta, us ladki ne mera beta ka brainwash kar diya hai. Lagta hai tere saath bhi wahi kar diya!"

"Vikram, woh usse apni behen manta tha. Thoda upset hona toh banta hai na."

"Aur tum, Aarti? Us ladki ke liye itni humdardi kyun hai? Jo kuch usne kiya, uske baad bhi?"

(Before Aarti can reply, Vikram gets a call.)

Vikram (smiling): "Hello... haan... theek hai, main bhejta hoon."

Aarti: "Kaun tha phone par?"

Vikram: "Aarti, tum fikar mat karo. Aur Anubhav, Paanibai ko bolna ki Rajesh tayar ho jaye."

"Tayaar? Kisliye, Bade Papa?"

(worried): "Mera beta theek toh hai na?"

"Woh mil gaya hai. Bas ab woh ghar pahunchne hi wala hai."

"Yeh toh acchi baat hai. Main soch rahi thi ki jab woh aaye, toh uske liye koi rishta dekhna shuru kar de."

"Excellent idea, Aarti. Main bhi yahi soch raha tha."

(Anubhav sneaks away and quickly dials Anurag's number.)

Anubhav (whispering): "Come on, Bhai. Pick up the call."

How was it?
vote comment Support the story.

Precap: Karwachauth