Introducing

Sonia Kaur as Jasmeet
& Amardeep Jha as her own character Shankari thai

It was nerve wracking to wait in anticipation for her Dadi...and to be frank ...her step cousins..
And she had imagined that Abir will be at her side ...!
Even though She was secure in his love and couldn't begrudge his enjoyment with the rest of the guests ...that particular girl irritated her to no end..

Yesterday Kuhu and Kethu had come up to Abir's room to take her back to the melee of guests arrival from groom's side ... Ofcourse..with their usual subtleness of an Ox ..as she stood protesting embarrassingly when kuhu blatantly declared she need to redo her lipstick.!!

Abir had scooted into the bathroom the moment the girls charged in...muttering his need to freshen up urgently..!

And then the girls had given her the whole bio of THAT girl..

Jasmeet Kaur... Second cousin of Neerav Jiju...now in US as a software consultant of an Indian firm....age 24 and as per Saksham eagerly looking for a prospective groom..!
She had shrugged off the fierce possessiveness she felt then...
But now as she waited anxiously for her father's side to arrive she felt a bit forlorn..

Till now she was  bubbling with elation after Abir's avowal of love...
Feeling ridiculously warm and loved as she felt his eyes on her all the time ... even though both of them were interacting with others..

Kunal had decked up Mark in Indian attire and Abir and Nihaal was having a fun-filled time along with Saksham at poking innocent fun at Mark..

Mishtii was busy with Ananya's friends from work helping out them and giving them the general idea about the ceremonies to follow..

Mishtii had a prickle of uneasiness when she spotted Jasmeet..aka Jassi .It was cemented  when they all assembled in the large banquet hall meant for icebreaking and  Neerav's Dadi made an off hand comment on how Jasmeet,'s parents were searching for a son in law...Dadi was even effusive towards her as she was made to sit near to her and asked about her accident and studies and looking at Saksham conspiratorially..

Mishtii endured her open nature and slipped from there at the first available opportunity.. to go and sit beside Rajshri...

" Badimaa aap theek ho... na?.."

" Mishtii mein theek Hoon beta...."

Rajshri's eyes seemed to probe into the smile Mishti had plastered on her face... understanding her inner turmoil..

" Kya Tum  theek ho....?"..

Mishti nodded briskly but then her eyes spotted someone at the  decorated doors of the banquet hall and she stilled...

Dadi..!!!

Devyani Singhaniya stood there with Indrajeet Singhaniya..!

Mishti's eyes gritted with the burn of unshed tears...and she stood up ... feeling lost again... unaware of eyes swinging her way in slight pique and open curiosity..

Her feet seemed rooted to the spot and Devyani spotted her in the next few seconds..

" Mishtii!"

She saw her Dadi's lips moving and willed her mind to suppress the old memories and wrongs done to her ...she had vowed to be indifferent ...and now realising in a hard way that she was not made like that...!

Abir sensed a change in the ambience of the get-together and looked around ... seeing Neerav's relatives looking at the newcomers with intrest and noticed the way the elderly man held the lady's arm in an act of compassion and reassurance. Then  his eyes zeroed in at Mishti''s lost look...

She had broken her eye contact with them and was frantically looking around..

And the moment her eyes found what they were looking he held her frightened eyes...!

The understanding that flowed through their eyelock did have a conversation of their own.

"Abir...I can't face them...."

" Yes you can Mishti....you can do anything and everything..."

" I don't want to remember ..."

" No you don't..just remember me ... beside you.. with you... always..I am sure they love you and want you happy..."

Abir looked on with bated breath as Nihal slightly patted his shoulder.

She seemed to relax and his reassuring wink made her to take a deep breath and move towards the lady.

The fraction of a second communication was obscure to all but a sigh escaped Meenakshi as her eyes registered the exchange...

The reunion was not without tears as Devyani fiercely embraced Mishti as she bend to take her aashirwad...
Indrajeet too patted her head with misty eyes...

his grandchild by law..

More tears were shed as Devyani and Indrajeet met with Rajshri...her Ill health shocking Devyani to the core...
After hasty introduction to Meenakshi  , Devyani was welcomed by Neerav's Dadi and Ananya was by Mishti''s side ... holding her hand with Kuhu and Kethu ready to bolster her at any time.
The dhol beat started changing the whole atmosphere and  brought a smile to all the faces and accompanying music  made the youngsters to join the fun and excitement.
The Punjabi wedding song..

Saksham and Nihaal  brought in the dhol with none other than Jassi and just every body with a swag and rhythm joined the fun...

A hand pulled Mishti to the side and her surprised look gave way from a rueful smile to a full bloom laugh as Abir shouldered her playfully..and twirled her to the music...

Mishtii forgot her woes in the shimmering happiness in Abir's face and matched his steps with equal zest....

And she didn't even mind when Jassi claimed Abir's attention...and she moved to the edge of the melee.
Saksham moved to her and whispered loudly.. with a wholesome grin..

" You don't mind huh...? "

Mishtii shook her head laughingly...

" Great...he have eyes for you only...!"

" Tell me about your happiness Saksham . You are glowing and I hope it's not just successful business that brought about this contentment in you...?"

They had moved to the adjacent balcony facing the city lights.

" I am happy Mishti... because after all these years finally I feel like being loved for myself..not as a friend with benefits.."

He smiled self depreciatingly at the horror displayed on Mishti''s face..

" Piya.?"

Her shocked tone was received with a nod.

" Not that anything is as simple as that when she is concerned and after being single minded person all these years I think she wants to change and finally seeing me as I see her ..."

Sakshams voice was whimsical.... showing how much he wished Piya to acknowledge their relationship...

" You invited her for this marriage and she declined..!"
Mishtii asked him pointedly..

" Yeah...and umm strangely ...I was happy that she took that decision..we need some more time together to make her realize that I love her and putting her in front of Dadi now would surely scare her off..."

Saksham said indulgently and Mishti could see that happening...

" I only told you this Mishti because you truly have a knack of seeing things within a person and you trusted me with my truth last time....I can't let Neil or Abir know this now..it's her decision to keep things at a slow pace so..."

Mishtii could not stop pressing his arm in reassurance..

" Mum is the word though I am so happy for you..."

Let's walk back...I'll rescue Abir from Jassi now and give him back to you.."

Saksham said mischeviously and Mishti shrugged happily.
As they went back Abir spotted her and came to her in a hurry...

" Aisa bhi koi saath chod dete Hein Kya...!"

Mishtii looked at the smirking face of Saksham as he milled into the center of the enjoying crowd...

" I didn't see you complaining Abir....you were enjoying with Jassi...!!"

She said mocking Abir a bit ...

" But I wanted to dance only with you....and when I palmed her off to Nihaal and turned you were gone..."

Mishtii looked up into the golden eyes reflecting faint reproval at her supposed defection and went into his arms laughingly as the beats changed to that of " Dilliwali girlfriend.."
The ebullient enjoyment lasted some time as they danced with changing partners.  The DJ scored the mood of the mixed crowd and put slow songs while caterers arranged for dinner at the quiet end of the melee..

Just as dinner started on full swing......Abir pulled Mishti to the secluded balcony  signalling Nihaal to cover for him...
Mishtii rolled her eyes seeing the exchange and darted a glance at the knowing smile of Kethu and shook her head which made Kethu's smile wider...!!

***

"..I missed this the whole day.....And I am very hungry...!"

Mishti smiled at Abir's antics as she held her plate .. she knew very well about his intentions..

" I just saw you fill your tummy okay...kitna drama karoge tum..!!.."

Abir looked affronted..

" Lekin ..tum toh jaanti ho..."

" Ki mere haath se khaane se hi tumhara pet bhar jaata Hein...I know...ab drama band Karo aur muh kholo..."

Abir's face lit up like the moon that reflected in the ripply water...
Mishti felt the rush of love to this man who despite being capable of finding happiness in every expensive things in the world found ecstatic enjoyment in simple enough act like having food from her hands and making no bones about his happiness as he licked her fingers clean...!!!

A bit later the  soft brush of his hot lips on her exposed back through the dori  .... made Mishti feel as if they were alone in the universe...

" Abiir...we can't...there are people just across these curtains and anybody can walk into us..."

" I don't care Mishti.. anyways .we are going to make it official after this wedding...if someone sees us and reach at a definite conclusion then I am more than happy...I am.even ready to declare it now..just don't want to overshadow Neerav and Ananya's special days... moreover I am pretty sure that our families are more discreet than us... every one knows how I feel about you.."

Mishtii was listening but then her eyes fell on the drooping head of Rajshri... through the swishing curtain movement..

" Badimaa is tired Abir ...I will take her to her room and make her rest..nahin toh Kal haldi mein woh baith nahin paayengi..!"

She moved to Rajshri and Abir walked with her ..
" I'll come and help you to put her to the bed..

Mishtii noted with a frown that even though she could see indrajeet with nanu , Meenakshi and Devyani were not seen. Parul Massi was seen engrossed in talks with Neerav Jijus Aunt..

Abir had brought in the wheelchair by the time Mishti softly awakened Rajshri as Parul told her that she hadn't realized Rajshri di was tired...

" No problem massi aap yehin baithiye...hum Badimaa ko room mein le jaate Hein.."

She said and Parul nodded clearly embarrassed to have let herself down in taking care of Rajshri..

" Mein theek Hoon Mishti aur Parul mere saath hi toh Hein...bas ekdum see thakaan aagaya aur aankh lag gayi.."

Rajshri looked at Abir...

" Aur tum donon aise mere aageypeechey mat ghoomo...Shaadi Hein ..woh bhi pehli baar India mein ..kuch mauj masti Karo ...mere baare mein tension mat lo".

" Humein humesha aapki tension rahega Massima...ab aap chup chaap humare saath chaliye aur theek see rest kijiye..."

Abir pushed the wheelchair as Rajshri nodded to Parul.Just then Saksham called out for Abir.
asking him to join Neerav's friends..
Mishti met his rueful eyes ..

" Tum jao ..I will take care of Badimaa...and come back fast.."

" Let me call Kunal and kuhu..."

Abir looked around but Mishti touched his arm reassuringly.

" It's okay...un donon ki nokjhok ke chakkar mein badimaa ka neend udd jaayegi...mein yoon gayi aur yoon aayi..."

" I promise to let him out at the earliest Mishti.."

Saksham grinned and Abir too smiled as he thumped his friend's chest mockingly..

" Chal..!"

****

After ensuring that Rajshri took her meds and her companion had the food Mishti waited till Rajshri was comfortably sleeping.

" Kal subah haldi Hein...I hope Badimaa will be up and ready by 8 for breakfast .."
She said in a low voice...to the nurse as she walked towards the door with her..

"Rajshri behn subh jaldi hi uth jaayegi Mishti bitiya..tum apni tayyariyaan dekhlo...inhein mein time pe haldi keliye laoongi "

Mishti was about to thank her but was alerted by Meenakshi's voice coming from the next room.

****

" Duevyani ji itna Sab kuch hogaya Hein Mishti ke saath ..ab mujhe dar lagne laga Hein ... Shayad woh humare faisle ko nahin maanenge..lekin aapko dekha toh mujhe laga ki aap Mishti ki aagey ki zindgi ke baare mein thoda pareshaan Hein..."

A totally unfamiliar voice interfered and Mishti stiffened as the lady went on..

"Are ismein pareshaani ki Kya baath Hein...ladki jawaan ho gayi Hein ...ab uski zimmedari ek ache see ladke ko saump Dena chahiye... Shankari ka yehi man na Hein...!
Apna toh Singhaniya parivaar se barson ka nata Raha Hein...lekin Sach boloo Devyani , Mishti bitiya ka bhaag kisi ko na mile...pita choota maa bhi choot gayi...Jo pita saman Hein unhein bhi kho Diya...aur ab .. Rajshri behn ki haalat toh mujhse dekhi hi nahin jaati....kitni khoobsoorath aur narmsheel thi...ab ek parchayi banke reh gayi Hein....ab ladke wale toh sau sau sawal karenge ..jawab toh mujhe Dena hi padega na...!
Waise Meenakshi Ji...bura mat maniyega... Shankari ki aadat Hein saaf saaf  poochne ki...Mishti bitiya ko aap apni bahu kyun nahin bana deti..? .aapka bhi ek beta Hein .. shadi ke laayak Hein na woh...ya..bitiya mein koi khot Hein ...ya aap Mishti bitiya ko apne ghar se door karna chahthi ho...?"
" Shankari Tai...yeh kaisi baatein Kar rahe Hein aap... Meenakshi ji inke baaton ka bura mat maanna... shankari Tai...hum yahaan Mishti ki rishthe ke baare mein baat Kar rahe the na...Rajshri behn itne saal Meri beti ki zimmedari akeli li...ab mujhe unko unki Dil ki bhoj see aazaad karna Hein...agar Meenakshi Ji keh Rahi Hein ki Mishti ki Shaadi jald see jald hona chahiye toh aap apne karamath dikhayiye....Naitik ki bapu ke Shaadi se Singhaniya parivaar ke har Shaadi aapki hi karamat se Hui Hein,. Mishti ko bhi Naira ke jaisa ek acha sa jeevan saathi mile toh  hum Sab ek chain ke saas le sakthe Hein .."
" Haan Shankari ne Jo Jodi banayi woh toh rab da Jodi hi niklega,. Meenakshi Ji...lekin Mann mein Jo sawal aaya toh mujhse Raha nahin Gaya...."

Shankari Tai looked at Meenakshi clearly anticipating an answer to her candid question.

" Mishtii Meri hi bachi Hein aur agar mein use apni bahu bana sakthi aur Khush bhi rakh paati toh mein zaroor kisinakisi tarah un donon ka Shaadi bhi karwate...lekin...aisa nahin hoga... Mishti ki Khushi mujhe sabse zaroori Hein..waise Mera beta Abir Mishti ka khayaal sage Bhai se zyada hi rakhtha Hein..."
Meenakshi's words made shankari Tai frown a bit...
"Mein samjhi nahin..aap keh rahe Hein ki agar aisa hogaya toh Ghar ki Khushi mein baadha pad jaayenge..acha...toh aap bhi kahin na kahin Mishti ki manhoosiyath ki shikaar ho gayi Hein...

Meenakshi wanted to slap the lady who was trying to put words in to her mouth...

" Shankari tai aap se meine aisa kab kahaan.? Aap sirf itna dhyaan rakhiye ki ladka Mishti ke saare Sach jaanne par bhi uska poora zimmedari lene ko tayyar ho...aur jaldi se...

Mishti felt something scalding fall on to her arm , which she was holding rigidly to her body.... clamping her mouth not to let out even a whimper when her whole being was crying out in pain...
Chotima doesn't want her in her home anymore...and Abir....
She felt as if someone trod on her heart...smithering her already broken heart...!
Now if Abir went against chotima... she'll be making her belief  true .

Ghar ki khushiyan bikhar jaayega!!

******

Guys so sorry for not updating for a long time...I am having a terribly busy schedule and I donno if i can keep coming up with any more updates ..but I will try..and love you guys for waiting patiently and poking me occassionally..
I will try my best