#chap42 #chroniclesoflife #Sagas_by_Irvika #sweetlovestory

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There was pin drop silence as all waited for her to begin. It was a soul stirring song, having fantastic music and amazing lyrics. Her voice resonated in the huge bungalow, owing to the high pitches in the song. She had a habit of shutting her eyes while singing and would completely get lost in her own world, detached from her surroundings. She opened her eyes to a thundering round of applause. There was a curious look on everyone’s face… just as she was about to get up, she realised something and had a look of  stupefaction.

To be continued….

She did a quick turn and there he was. She couldn’t believe her eyes and screamed, “When did you come? Why did you not tell me?” “Atharva… tu toh gaya.” She looked at her cousin Chintan who said it and warned him,  “Don’t you dare scare him!” He teased, “Arey tigress se toh koi bhi darega… nai?” She tried to defend herself and eventually all started laughing. Atharva grinned looking at her reaction, and loved to see that look on her face.

Atharva was in for a surprise himself, rather more of a cultural shock to see elders talking so casually. She was talking to him in soft tones, “Even yesterday evening I asked you to come, tabhi bol dete?” He shook his head, “What if I wouldn’t have been able to make it? Then you would have bitten off my head… just like a tigress,” he teased and then continued, “Frankly, I wasn’t sure at all. So didn’t want to unnecessarily raise your hopes. And on top of it, I would have missed the chance to see you looking totally nonplussed.” She nodded, too happy to argue. She wanted to enjoy these few hours as they were anyways returning back in the evening. He looked a little better than what Rohan had described, but the fatigue was obviously visible. She, like a mother hen, insisted him to eat properly, which brought a smile on his face.

It was a huge family and everyone chatted for a long time. Atharva took the opportunity to personally discuss about the progress with Mr Verma, although they had been in touch almost daily. In the afternoon, post lunch the elders retired for a while to rest, as they would be traveling in the evening. Atharva and Shruti stayed back as they hadn’t got any time to be alone. The youngsters also gave them space, and with a tacit understanding all left.

Atharva looked tired and exhausted, making Shruti feel sorry for him. He asked, “Shruti… do you have a paracetamol? I am having a bad headache.” She very lovingly offered, “Should I give you a head massage? See if it works.”

He loved the idea, and immediately lay down his head on her lap. She was shocked at the way he was taking liberties and said so. He returned, “Rehne de… tere gharwale sab mujhse do kadam aage hai.” She grinned, knowing he must have had an attack hearing the elders talking. Anyways, the place was deserted at present, so she didn’t mind. She started pressing his temples with just the right amount of pressure which made him murmur with appreciation, “Hmmm… Shru, you are too good at it!” She smiled and continued talking about something or the other, to realise that he was just obliging her for a while with a murmur here and there and gradually fell into deep slumber. She kept gazing at the one face that had become her life.

There were hundreds of questions running in her head. She had avoided asking so far since she knew that he had been overworked. She felt bad about the mental agony he had gone through. Just like her, Minish had insisted him to go to the resort at  night, but Atharva was one stubborn person who refused to listen. Minish and Shankar used to be in touch, but the problem was since Shankar was tied up in Delhi, Minish had to handle all the work in Mumbai. She couldn’t understand though as to why didn’t he let his parents know.

He lay asleep for a little more than half an hour. All this while, Shruti had been absent-mindedly running her fingers through his hair, brooding on her thoughts. He got up with an apologetic look and said, “Sorry… didn’t realise when sleep took over.” She shrugged and pacified him, “That’s ok Atharva. Can imagine how tired you must have been. Hope your headache has been cured by the way.” He beamed, “Yeah… my fiancé has a lot of hidden attributes. You were too good jaanu… thank you.” She smirked and said airily, “High time you appreciate me.” He said in a very practical tone, “Dekh.. I haven’t been bestowed with any talent but all I can say is….” And just like that, he started singing tunelessly, “Main shaayar toh nahi… magar ae hasin… jabse dekha… maine tujhko.. mujhko… shayari aa gayi.” At first, Shruti was taken aback to actually hear him sing, but then she couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

Atharva made a pseudo sad face and said with a heavy heart, “Idhar toh kisi ko kadar hi nahi hai.” Shruti commented, still giggling, “No wonder Isha doesn’t come near you! Practice kar lo, humaara turn aayega tab tak thoda bahot manage kar loge.” She realised exactly what had she spoken a full minute later, that too when Atharva kept staring at her. She bit her tongue and tried to run away, but he held her hand and pulled her down. “Come again? Kya kaha?”

She was saved from answering him as her bua came in at that moment. She quickly joined her and peeped a look at Atharva, asking him in a fake tone, “Arey! You woke up? Hope you had a good sleep.” He knew he had been cornered. Although he was itching to give her back, but then refrained as he wasn’t sure how her bua would take it. She gave him a triumphant look and asked if he wanted to have coffee. He nodded and sat thinking that this girl had the knack to reverse the tables. He sat casually chatting with bua and in a while, everyone started pouring in.

By then, she had learnt to make his coffee according to his precision. Still, she would wait every time for him to take a sip and confirm whether it was fine. All had tea or coffee alongwith some onion and potato bhajjis for snacks.

Her relatives tried to involve Atharva as much as possible, while he sat absorbing the entire scenario. He got talking to Ishaanbhai, who had always been quite a bit into management courses and discussed with him at length about it. Rohan and Abhay also joined in while Shruti heard them converse as it sounded quite interesting.

It was time to pack up and leave. Mr Verma had some business in Mumbai first thing in the morning, after which they would be traveling back to Nashik. For the first time, Shruti couldn’t wait to leave Lonavala as she and Atharva would be traveling alone till Mumbai. There was enough place for everyone in the other cars. Her parents didn’t mind... as such, Atharva had come all the way just to spend time with her. However, all agreed to drive one behind the other on the highway.

While on the way, Shruti filled him with all the details about her work, and was happy to see him much more relaxed. She thought of broaching up the topic, albeit a bit hesitantly. She knew he was not comfortable talking about it, but he had to get it out of his system, since he had sounded so hurt. She began haltingly, “Atharva… can I ask you something if you don’t mind?” He sensed her discomfort and asked warily, “What?” She steadied her voice and said, “Look… I know you guys are not free with your parents. But how come they were not aware about the situation at all? How come you didn’t let them know that you were staying at the factory itself and were so tensed?”

He took in a deep breath and began, “It isn’t that he was completely unaware about the issues that came up. It’s just that we brothers had decided long back to avoid getting into too much details with papa, owing to his health. He had suffered a lot after he parted on a sour note in business with his elder brother. He cannot take too much stress; starts getting severe bouts of asthma. He knew there were problems, but nothing beyond that. Your dad came in at the right time and helped a lot, otherwise we would have been in a soup right now. As far as not telling them about sleeping at the factory, well, I didn’t want them to be bothered. Of course they would have insisted had they known. It was just that I didn’t feel like leaving factory even for a minute.”

Shruti couldn’t say a word related to their conversation, merely nodded with understanding and decided to end it over there. The rest of the journey passed away quickly. They were as if racing against the clock. She said in a teary voice, “These long distance relationships are very difficult ya. I envy those for whom it’s just a matter of a phone call and they can be together.” Atharva said understandingly, “I know, it’s not easy, but we are doing a good job Shru… I many a times feel that it would have been better if we could have married early. But trust me, this is a wise decision. Let me concentrate on the project right now so that I am all set by the time we are married and I can spend quality time with you.” She nodded, trying to get a grip on herself.

Atharva tried to cheer her up. “Hey! We shall be meeting up again in another 10 days… for ganpati festival.” Shruti’s face brightened up. She knew it was a big thing in Shah family, but she was going to witness it for the first time and couldn’t wait for it.

To be continued
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