5 Years later…..
Mohit gets down from a black Mercedes, opens the door to the other side and extends his hand. A girl holds his hand and he helps her come out, she is revealed to be Rishika. Wearing a blue anarkali suit, matching with Mohit’s tuxedo with a baby bump, she walked the carpet holding Mohit’s hand. The nuptial chain in her neck, the red pigment in the partition of her hair and the baby fat were making her look prettier than ever. Mohit stepped back making her gain all the attention!
After the interview, he held her hand and carefully took her inside the venue.
“…..and the award for best new actor male goes to…..Mohit Chavan for the film ‘Tum Hi Aana’!”
Mohit got up to receive the award, hugged his wife and the other people involved with the film, and ran to the stage to receive the award!
“Woah! Best new actor male! I wasn’t actually expecting it, so, I didn’t get to prepare a speech, and I…am a bit nervous right now. My wife is gonna scold me because she had asked me to prepare the speech, just in case. I would firstly thank my vahini, who is not between us, but I always feel she is somewhere near me and is proud of me for reaching here. She would have been the happiest and would have run across the whole house with this trophy. Vahini, wherever you are, are you proud of me? Next, my director, producer and my co-actors for believing in me and taking the risk of casting me, the music composers, singers, writers, directors and all the crew members who worked hard day and night to make this character come to life. Lastly my family, my wife and my little one who is yet to come to this world, I am a nobody without you, I know that I have your back and that is my biggest strength! Thank you”
Before Mohit could come back to his seat, a thundering applause broke out in the hall!
“I’m proud of you, and di would have been too, and even the little one will be proud of their dad.” She whispered keeping hand on her belly.
“I will try to be the best husband and father”
“You already are one, and there is no superlative to the best!”
Mohit’s film received award in many other categories.
That night changed Mohit’s life, he was now the first choice of every director and in no time achieved great heights in the film industry, winning several awards and holding a record for 0 flops!
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Bhavani, Sonali, Ashwini, Ninad and Omkar were waiting outside the labor room. Mohit rushed inside the hospital
“I am sorry, I am late. Even if I try to come the earliest, I can never beat the Mumbai traffic. How is she?”
“She is still in the labor.” Sonali, who had a few visible white hair and wore a pair of glasses said coming towards him
“MOHIT CHAVAN….YOU BASTARD…I WILL MAKE YOU DELIVER BABIES IN THE NEXT LIFE……FVCK YOU…..I WILL KILL YOU IF I DON’T FIND YOU AFTER THE BABY COMES!!” They could hear Rishika cussing on the top of her lungs while delivering.
Rishika’s cussing soon stopped and they could hear the baby cry. The nurse came back with the baby and handed over to Mohit. It was not the first time, he was in this position, but it was his first child! The baby smiled as soon as it saw him.
“It’s a girl” The nurse said and walked away.
“My princess!” Mohit said bringing her close to his heart.
“What name did you think for her?” Sonali asked
“If I name her without Rishika’s consent, she will bury me alive!” Mohit imagined Rishika burying him on the ground and shook his head to come out of the imagination!
They all went to Rishika, who had gained consciousness. Mohit carefully handed her the baby and she smiled looking at her “Did you think of a name for the baby?”
“I wanted to….consult you”
“Do you have a death wish Mr. Mohit Chavan? I delivered the baby, you could at least have thought of a name!”
“How about Raavi?”
“Too tacky!”
“Then, Mohi??”
“Please…..No…eeewww!!”
Mohit kept suggesting names to Rishika and she kept frowning and rejecting them. The whole family was silently standing in a corner witnessing their banter.
“Mishika!” came a voice from behind. They all looked back and saw Virat standing at the entrance.
“You are late Mr. SP Virat Chavan!” Rishika said crossing her arms
“And I’m ready to bear any punishment you give me, Dr. Rishika Rastogi Chavan. I swear to God, I fear her more than my own seniors!”
“She will still forgive you, you should have been here to witness her cuss me!” Mohit whispered to Virat, who chuckled.
“I liked ‘Mishika’, so I will spear you for now, but, that doesn’t mean I forgave you! And you Mohit, you are literally useless, you can’t even search for a proper name for your daughter!”
“Thank you, your highness” Virat bowed!
“Mishika R. Chavan” Mohit announced!
******************************
“Sayi…Sayi please wake up” Samaira said coming towards a room
2 little hands came out of the blanket indicating a 10 “10 minutes more please”
“No! We will get late”
The little girl removed her blanket and sat on the bed rubbing her eyes
Samrat is pacing in the hall, wearing a navy blue kurta and pajama set!
“Samaira, we will get late and then Rishika will literally kill me!”
“Samrat just 2 minutes let me help Sayi get ready! You know na, how much time does it take for her to get ready”
Samaira walked in with the little girl, who wore a white frock and matching white cloth shoes. The moment she saw Samrat, she went running to him with her tiny steps. He picked up his daughter in his arms. The background had a huge framed picture of Sayi, Samrat, Samaira and Rishika from his marriage day and Sayi’s picture was kept below it on a table, Samaira picked up the garland that had fallen and put it back on the picture, she, then closed all the lights and joined Samrat and little Sayi to go to Chavan Niwas!
*********************************
A lot changed after Sayi left! Rishika vented it out on Virat, blaming him for killing Sayi. She didn’t even let him attend Sayi’s funeral and did not let him touch a single belonging of Sayi. Virat wanted her to come with them to Nagpur, so that they can take good care of her, and it, took Virat and over a week to convince her, who agreed at once on Samrat’s saying. The Chavans received the shock of their life on finding Samrat alive, Samrat vented his frustrations and counted their mistakes, he scolded each one of them for every wrong they did with Sayi. They all sank in guilt on realizing their mistake, and found themselves responsible for Sayi’s demise.
They welcomed Rishika and Samaira with open heart! They found a glimpse of Sayi in Rishika and handled all her tantrums with love and care.
Samrat went to stay away with Samaira, who within a year gave birth to a little girl, whom Samrat decided to call “Sayi”
Moved by the gestures of repentance of the Chavans, Rishika forgave them and allowed to mourn for Sayi. She then went to Virat and gave him Sayi’s belonging. She handed him a bracelet at the end “Di, always used to wear this as if it was a part of her. They found it at the construction site, I don’t know why did this bracelet mattered to her so much, but, this was without a doubt, her prized possession!”
Virat took the bracelet and brought it close to his heart “This was the first gift I gave to her on our second anniversary.”
Rishika, in no time, bonded well with every member of the family. Samrat would come to check on her every weekend and she would threaten him whenever he failed to visit her due to work.
Rishika took great care of Arush and taught him values through poems. He developed a soft corner for her, and ended up convincing his mother to get him married to Rishika as he was too scared of her to propose to her.
He ended up proposing her in the grandest possible way on a live broadcast!
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The Chavan Niwas was decorated in the shades of purple and white. Bhavani was instructing the workers
“Nani” a girl in her teens came running to her wearing a lavender colored lehenga and Bhavani immediately hugged her.
Pulkit and Devyani came from behind, both bent together to take blessings from Bhavani “May you both live a long life” she said keeping her hands on their heads. She then, picked them both by their shoulders and hugged them together.
Devyani had turned normal with Pulkit’s love and care, Bhavani realized her mistake and confessing all her deeds, apologized to her daughter and son-in-law. Pulkit asked Devi to forgive her mother as he had already accepted them his family long ago.
Samrat and Samaira too entered with little Sayi and Samrat sighed in relief “Thank god! We are on time!”
“Yes! Thank god! Because the Chavans only fear one person and that is Dr. Rishika Rastogi Chavan!” Devi made fun of him! “I so wanted you guys to come late and get a scolding from her!”
Little Sayi ran to Harini the moment she saw her both of them went together to play!
Mohit came holding his daughter in his arms with Rishika beside him holding the hands of a little boy. They came down and were made to sit on a swing that was covered with Rishika’s favorite lilac!
“Arush!” Harini called the little boy, who looked towards Rishika and she nodded yes! He didn’t waste a single second and ran down the stage to his sisters. The three kept running around the whole place!
Soon, the guests began to come and by the time the sun had gone to sleep, the whole hall was filled with people talking, enjoying the food and drinks. They took turns to go to the stage and bless the baby! Arush, Harini and little Sayi were dancing on whatever music was being played, and were soon joined by the other members of the family!
“Where is Virat dada?” Rishika questioned scanning the whole place “He will be a dead meat if he doesn’t come within 15 minutes”
“Areee…baap re…” Virat’s voice came from behind! “I dare not miss the function Mrs. Rishika Rastogi Chavan…”
“Dr. Rishika” she corrected
“Yes, Dr. Rishika. I went to buy this for our little one!” he said directing towards a crib, which was shaped like a doll house and had toys hanging on the top!
“OMG! It’s beautiful. Thank you so much dada” Rishika jumped in excitement
“Dada knows to fool her pretty well now, I saw him receive it 2 days ago!” Mohit mumbled to himself and gave a look to Virat, who shook his head to no pleading Mohit to keep his mouth shut.
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6 Months Later……
“Rishika, Mohit, Vahini, where is everyone? We will get late!” Ashwini shouted coming at the centre of the hall, calling everyone.
“Ashwini, I get you are excited, for your son is getting an award, but, have some patience.” Bhavani said descending from the stairs
“Vahini, I can’t believe my Virat is getting this big award.”
Soon, everyone joined them in the hall
“Where is Ninad?” Ashwini whined
Ninad came from behind and fixed a gajra in her hair. Everyone started to hoot, while, Ashwini buried her face on Ninad’s chest shying. Everyone smiled seeing them.
“Ashwini, don’t you, think we are getting a little late” Bhavani said trying to suppress her smile.
They reached the venue in 3 cars, Samrat, Samaira, Pulkit and Devi were already waiting for them!
Virat received the bravery award for carrying a successful rescue operation by saving the lives of people from the terrorist without any casuality!
He receives the award and shows it to the sky!
Ashwini wanted to celebrate the day, but Bhavani asked her to postpone “Today was the day, Sayi and Virat got married and separated (Their divorce got finalled)! He is never home on this day! We can host a celebration after a week”
Everyone including Ashwini agreed to her suggestion
“But, where is Virat?” Ashwini said looking around
“I saw him go away.” Shivani interrupted.
Virat is riding his bike to some place. A board signs ‘Gadchiroli 1 km’
He reaches the house where Sayi used to stay with her aaba. He had bought it when the owner wished to sell it and maintained it throughout, as it was when Sayi used to stay. He kept his trophy near a picture of Sayi, where he had kept all other trophies he had received! He walks around the house and reminisces the moments, he spent with her and Kamal. He visits all the places that hold his memories with Sayi, even if he was there with her for a single second!
He donated cloth and money to the temple where he had married her and stands at the exact place he first met her! Searching his pocket, he takes out the nuptial chain, brings it to his eye level and looking at it whispers “Happy Anniversary Dr. Sayi Joshi!”
He goes back to his house at night, it starts to rain. He stands under the sky in the garden area.
Rishika sees him from the terrace “Dada, get inside, else you will catch cold!” She screams as loud as she could.
“These rain drops make me feel her presence” He replied spreading his arms and looking up!
“But dada….”
“I find peace in the rain”
Bohot aayi-gayi yaadein, magar iss baar tum hi aana….
********************THE END ********************
I had initially planned 4 more chapters excluding this one, but that would have been a drag, so I decided to end it here!
I suck at romance, which is probably the main reason I am short of ideas for ‘The Caged Bird’. For some reason, I’m more comfortable with this genre (Tragedy) I have a thousand ways for a sad ending, separation tracks and all that angst and stuff, but, for me, the real challenge is when it comes to writing romance! I hope, I will get through it, but, you can expect more tragedy from me in future than romance!
This is the second ever fiction, I tried writing and the first one to complete!
I can’t thank you enough for the support you have given to me!
I think, I will be able to reply to the comments tomorrow, I want to reply to them ASAP, but, I’m stuck with classes and assignments and lab works and all that college stuff!