Hey guys iam back with second shot of Love makes life beautiful, thanks for all the encouraging words…
Ur words make me write more… thank u so much for all the comments… yes iam late as usual I was not well for past few days so not able to make it early.. sry for the delay…here comes the next shot…
Love Makes Life Beautiful – 2
Radhika :
“Yes yes iam getting ready, if u didn’t cut the call now iam sure I will miss the flight “ I replied to nivi’s non-stop banter
“OK ok ping me once u reach here” she disconnected the call
I sighed after checking for necessary stuffs in the suitcase for the last one time
I pulled down the suitcase and went to Hall pulling it
Arjun was sitting there playing with Maya.. She was giggling all time playing with her father….
“Finally all set arjun…” I announced
“Cool… “he replied averting his gaze towards me
“Arjun are u sure… can u take care of Maya…. ” I asked him one last time
“Radu I have said million times I will take care…more than me Nandu is here if I have any problem” he replied assuring me
“Ok fine… be careful arjun..” I took Maya from his hands
She cooed at me talking something which she only understands
“See Maya mama is going to ur aunts marriage so papa and Nandu ma will take care of you… my pari is good girl so u shud not trouble them deal” I cooed back at her in baby voice
“Radu I will take care u go and get ready”…. Arjun pushed me into the room taking Maya from my hands
I came out after wearing a pink colour salwar and my hairs braided….
I looked at me once seeing Arjun looking at me with wide open eyes…
“What happened arjun? Why are you looking at me like this?” I questioned him in annoyance
“Why salwar suddenly?” he questioned me back
Ya nothing to get surprise in his shock reaction I have stopped wearing salwars long back…
“Yes salwar… u want me to go with t-shirt and jeans … my mom will kill me…” I answered him checking the hand luggage
“Radhu … there is no need to get scared about ur mom…u r radhika arjun ok…” he came near me holding maya in his hands…
I extended my hands towards him inviting Maya into my arms… but to my shock she turned her face to his side looking at me like a stranger…
“Pari come to mama … “I tried pulling her from him
Her face changed and she started crying holding his shirt….i looked at arjun in confusion
“Radhu…I think princess also dislikes this avatar of urs… “he said trying to calm her
“What? Also …” I stared at him
He shrugged his shoulders in response….
I went in and changed into a lavender colour Kurti pairing it with a white jeggings, securing my locks in a ponytail….
“WOW!!! Now u look like Mrs.Arjun” he exclaimed seeing me…
“But something is missing” he scrunch his nose looking at me
“Princess let’s get ur mom ready…” arjun asked to maya to which she nodded at him as if understanding him…
“Dats my princess…” he pecked her cheeks making her giggle
He came near me and pushed me into our room holding my shoulder….
Arjun what are u doing… I will miss the flight….i tried to convince him
Suddenly I felt another hand over me … I turned back only to see maya smiling ear to ear pushing me with her right palm on my back….
I sighed at the father daughter duo….
Arjun placed maya on the dressing table and made me sit on the chair facing opposite to the mirror…
He moved another chair towards the dresser and sat facing me…
“Ok let’s start” he winked at me…..
Maya giggled extending a kajal pencil to him… surprising us
“My princess in more happier than me in getting her mom ready… “Arjun cooed at her taking the pencils from her
I allowed them to do whatever they want with my face… sitting silently before him like a kid….
It’s about 10 mins… finished … he dusted his hands looking at me
“Now you can see the mirror madam…”he announced
Are u sure? U guys didn’t make me like joker right? I asked them raising my eyebrow
Arjun and maya looked at each other… then looked at me shaking their head in negative…
Adorable they are…. I smiled seeing them
“Pari u r always teaming up with ur dad na… bad girl…” I asked maya with fake glare
She looked at me and arjun moving her gaze to and fro…
“Da…da…” she extended her hands towards arjun making me gasp
Arjun lifted her up swirling her in air making her giggle… “my princess is good girl…. So only she is teaming with me” arjun announced proudly hugging her closer to his chest
“Yes na princess” he asked her
She nodded looking at me babbling something like “gooth…gilll” (good girl)
“Ok ok see the mirror then only u will know our talent” arjun said pulling his collars up
“let me see if u have done any mischiefs then u two will be punished severely” I pointed both of them
Maya blinked while arjun made faces at me
I turned to see the mirror… I was awestruck seeing myself… everything is perfect…
These two changed me fully… I smiled at the father daughter duo… turning towards them
Both of them are looking at me for my response…
“Good job” I said crossing my arms
“Cool… what about our payment” he retorted
“What payment? Arjun stop playing iam getting late”… I pushed him and tried to move from there
He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him locking my hand at my back…
“Arjun…” I chided
“No escaping… we want reward for our work… what u say princess? “ He questioned maya to which she nodded positive
“You little devil… “I Snapped at her
“Stop snapping at my princess…”he tightened his hold over my hand
“Ouch arjun u r hurting me…” I faked a yelp
“Agree to our demand…”he ordered
“ok…” I agreed
He released his hold on me chortling
“What do u want now?” I questioned looking at them
He pulled me to him looping his left around my waist….
“How about a kiss?” he pointed at his right cheek winking at me
“What? Don’t behave like a teenager arjun…”I complained
“who? Me?… u r the one behaving so..” he replied signing me to look at maya….
I turned my head to see maya sitting on the table pointing her left cheek and fluttering her lashes trying to wink
“Copycat…” I lifted her and kissed her cheek hugging her between us ….She giggled as a response….
“Now my turn… princess close ur eyes….”he stated showing his right cheek to me
Maya closed her eyes placing her palms over her eyes….
“U taught her these things…”I retorted
Arjun smiled proudly seeing her….
“Ok come on iam waiting…”he showed his cheek
A slight blush appeared on my face as I covered the little distance between my lips and his cheeks closing my eyes
My eyes shot open when my lips landed on his lip rather than his cheeks… I withdrew next second
“Arjun…”I whined
He rolled his tongue over his lips… making me blush more
“Strawberry flavour… I loved it” He whispered near my ears
We moved our gaze to maya when we heard her clapping seeing us
“See my princess is cheering for me…” he pulled her up kissing her right cheek
She looked at me showing her left cheek as if asking for a kiss
I kissed her left cheek…she babbled “mama…dadda…”
Both of us are surprised that she pronounced more clearly…
“Pari one more time say mama…dadda” I cooed at her
She again babbled mama… dadda after blinking at me for few seconds
“My princess started speaking….” arjun shouted in happiness
Yes I was so happy seeing her uttering some words… which is more for her age…
We had a family hug…. I looked at arjun and maya cooing at each other….these two changed my world…no no these two became my world….a content smile appeared on my face
“Can we join ur hug…”
We turned towards the direction of voice….
Sam and Nandhini were standing near the door ….
“What question is this… u r always welcome” I extended my hands towards them
Sam walked past me to arjun taking maya from his hands… I pouted at her….
“How is neil …” arjun enquired to sam
“That idiot is doing fine…”she replied without looking at him
“No respect for my brother…”he retorted only to get glares from her
Yep sam is not only my friend she is married to arjun’s cousin Neil…
“U guys are getting late…”Nandhini di made us to hurry up
We moved towards the hall… I went to pick my luggage but shocked to see one more bag… I looked at others in shock
“That’s for me and my princess…” arjun clarified
“What?” that’s all I can utter
“We are going…its decided” Arjun declared moving out holding maya in one hand and pulling the trolley bag in another hand
I looked at nandini di worried…
“He will take care don’t worry…”nandini di hugged relaxing me
I followed him pulling my suitcase with no other option…..
We reached the airport and boarded the flight … the whole journey was quite for me….I was immersed in thoughts… on the other hand arjun and maya were enjoying, playing …..
I came back to reality when the announcement for landing came…
I looked at arjun he was already looking at me…. Some weird feeling erupted inside me
He pressed his palm over my palm calming me and gave an assuring nod…
We finished all the checking and came out of the airport to receive by the car driver…
He have already booked a car for our use during the stay…
We hopped into the car…
Only two hour of journey we will reach my home town ….
I was growing anxious as we crossed each kilometres…
Maya was sleeping on my lap while arjun was seeing outside as this is his first visit
“It’s very hot here…”he stated unbuttoning the top 2 buttons of his shirt
Yes Iam used to this hot climate but I too started sweating…I don’t know whether it’s because of my fear or because of the climate…
Yes to be open iam fearing about my parent’s reaction after seeing me…
My phone ringed flashing “nivi calling”
”nivi on the way will reach there in 15mins…” I replied after attending the call
I can hear her announcing my arrival to someone at her back
“Radhu iam waiting outside to welcome u and mamu come soon…” she bubbled in joy
“ok” I disconnected the call
“What happened to u radhu? I am here so no fear…we can handle don’t behave like this to her” he cheered me
I looked at him in worry
“Smile…” he asked
I put a fake smile on my face…
“Not like this…” he started tickling me
“Arjun stop…what are u doing…don’t wake maya…”I warned him but no use …I burst into bits of laughter wriggling when he tickled me more
He stopped after seeing me laughing whole heartedly…
“That’s my wifie…” he smiled
“Arjun don’t do like this…this is not Mumbai… “I warned him pointing to the driver
“Mani Do u have any problem if I make my wife laugh…” he asked the driver next second making me gasp
“No sir…”the driver smiled at him looking through the mirror
“U know him before…”I asked in surprise
“Yes he worked for us some years ago…” he replied
My heart started beating fast wen our car entered the village…. I directed the driver to my house….
“Stop….”I yelled as our car reached the our street
Car came to halt with a jerk…. driver turned to see us… Arjun looked at me in shock….
“Arjun pls… I…don’t wannnnnt to ggggggo…” I stammered
“Radhu… I don’t know y u are scaring this much… as I already said iam with you whatever happens we can handle…” he tried to convince me
“No arjun u don’t know about my father…”I tried to explain him
“Radhu there is no backing off…”he signed the driver to move….
Arjun:
I asked the driver to stop the car after seeing nivi….and signed radhika to get down after lifting maya from her lap
Radhika looked at me again… her eyes shows her inner turmoil … I nodded at her once and we get down from the car
I intertwined my fingers with her fingers sensing her hands shaking… she was gulping looking around…
I can see some women standing in the neighbouring houses talking something pointing us …
Nivi came running to us and hugged radhika thanking her for coming…
I can also see their family members behind her but all stopped near the huge steal gate in hesitance
I can identify some faces… her mom, nivi’s mom, and few girls may be their cousins…
My gaze is diverted to nivi as she shook me
“Mamu how is my place? So beautiful right? How was the journey? Where is maya?….” she stacked her questions
“Nivi stop take a deep breath… cant u ask the questions one by one… I pity Aakash now…”I replied chuckling only to get glares as her response
“ok madam don’t burn me into ashes… now pity on me this is the first time iam visiting my in laws house… and that too after a long tiring journey so stop ur investigation session and get us inside… I promise u I will answer all your questions…”I said her in single sentence
“Oops sorry mamu I forgot… come inside…radhu u too come…” she pulled our hand
I look at radhu who is standing like a statue looking at one direction, I moved my gaze to that direction there radhika’s mom was standing looking at her I can see her tears clearly… radhika’s were also filled with tears…
“Radhu…”I called her in a calm voice
“Radhu…come…”nivi pulled her again
“Amma…Raj….” She called her mom and brother sensing our hesitance
Her mom came towards us and invited us to come inside….while raj picked one of the luggage from driver’s hands and smiled at me asking me to come inside…
We too followed them after picking sleeping maya from the back seat….
The whole place was very silent… I can feel the sense of hesitance in each and every face present their….
And radhika was standing like a statue without any expression in her face…
I took a deep breath…
“So…” I asked little bit louder to get every ones attention
“What…mamu…”nivi was the one to answer
“Are we gonna spend the rest of days like this?”I questioned again looking at all
All blinked at me
“Nivi can u do the honours…” I signed her to introduce me to others
“Yes yes… I forgot…. “ She chirped
Then she pulled me to everyone and introduced me as radhika’s husband…. They were bit hesitant at first then started to converse normally after I initiated the conversation…..
But radhika was still standing like a statute in Centre of the hall hugging Maya’s sleeping form to her left
I went near her and pulled Maya into my arms she looked at me worried
I signed nivi to do something…
“ Hello do you guys want me to introduce radhu also “ she said looking at everyone keeping her hands over her hips with wide open eyes
Nivi’s mom Shanti aunty is so sweet she was the first one to break the silence… she hugged radhu caressing her head which made radhika to relax….
I can see tears forming in their eyes… I know the bonding between them… for radhu shanti aunty is also like her mother
Nivi signed her cousins next second all the girls were jumping on radhu hugging her…..
Within 5 minutes the whole place was filled with laughter, radhika was laughing her heart out talking to everyone….
I searched for radhika’s mom and found her near one of the pillars leaning to it looking at radhika her eyes were covered with tears but I can see the love she have on radhika through that eyes
Her gaze suddenly moved towards me… I was shocked for a second then gathered myself giving a slight smile… but her face was void of expression I can feel some disappointment on her face… I traced her gaze on me and found that she was trying to see maya’s face….
I moved to my left making maya’s face visible to her… a small smile covered her face
Suddenly I sense someone’s presence and turned Shanti aunty was standing there with a smile… I smiled back at her…
“ that’s ur room” she said pointing one of the room… “go and take some rest… how long will you stand like this holding… ” she paused for a moment… “Maya her name is Maya” I replied
she caressed maya’s head and asked Raj her son to show me the room
I looked at radhu before moving… her eyes were shimmering in happiness…
I nodded at her and signed her to continue…
I moved to upstairs behind Raj…
He opened one of rooms switched on the lights, fans and asked me to come inside… I placed Maya on the bed and looked around the room…
“this is radhu’s room… she was using this before she left…. No one entered here after she left… we made this ready after Knowing ur arrival” Raj gave me a small introduction about the history of the room…
The room was so neat and clean it has all features of a girl’s room…painted in pink and i can see all girly stuffs around, bangle stand, mirror with some bindis on it,nail polish stain on one of the table…i can get that no one have used this room after radhu… radhika’s childhood photos were hanged everywhere….they have maintained it so neatly that it looks like she left yesterday only… I went near each photo and inspected it…. Radhika looks similar to Maya in her childhood… of course because Maya is her daughter I chuckled at my own thoughts… most of her photos were with her dad… some with nivi and her other cousins, some with whole family…. I can clearly see the bonding between her and the family in the photos, especially her bond with her father… she was smiling ear to ear in most of the photos with her dad… Is that possible to girl who loved her family and dad this much to leave behind all and came to me and lived a life like an orphan? Not even once in these 3 years she talked about her family…
Even when she was pregnant I myself asked her to talk to her mother but she refused… only after maya’s birth nivi told about this to radhika’s mom until then no one knows about it… what made her to do these things? Am I that good for her? What made her do this sacrifice? Am I worth for this sacrifice?
My mind was full of questions… I can’t even answer for one…
I moved my gaze over the walls that’s when I noticed that…a part of the wall remained old while other looks like newly painted…
There was a drawing more of a scribble… a house and 4 figures standing next to the house with a caption my world in an illegible handwriting
I looked at raj to know about the history ….
That was drawn by radhu when she was studying 1st std periyyapa (Dad’s Elder brother) never allowed to whitewash that wall… he is treasuring that art like a precious thing… I traced my fingers over the wall… yes this is precious… I don’t know whether I can do the same with maya… this wall shows the love dilip uncle had on radhu…
“My world…” the caption did something when I read that…
I turned to raj hearing his voice…
“Call me if u need anything…” he said smiling at me
“Sure…”I smiled back to him
Raj moved out closing the door…
I fell on the bed next to maya… memories of last 5 years flashed in front of me….
I dozed of promising myself to get back her family….
********
That’s it for today…. Sry if it was boring, I lost the draft so I typed for second time poor me
Many of u liked the first shot I don’t know whether I did justice for ur hope…
sry if i was not up to ur expectation… rotten tomatoes,eggs are accepted 😛
Pls comment ur views…