Pallavi did all the rituals mechanically.
But all through the ceremony she felt Arjun’s compassion. She felt it in the
way he held her hands for the pheras, the way he smiled at her after making her
wear the mangalsutra and the solemn look in his eyes after he filled her maang
and he saw her eyes getting moist. He had held her trembling fingers in his
hand then and never left it till her bidaai.
After moving to London, it took her time
to be his wife in the truest sense. But Arjun showed unconditional patience
with her; as promised, he was a good friend to her. In the following years
Pallavi slowly settled down with Arjun. The new environment, different
lifestyle gave her the much needed respite. Time healed her wounds to an extent
and she simply went with the flow with respect to her marriage.
Pallavi was never really interested in
anything else than acting. Though Arjun tried to encourage her she never took
up a different profession. In the meantime Arjun went through some difficulties
in his career and decided to switch to business. Pallavi invested her hard earned
money from film world in his event management company.
They had their share of ups and downs in
marital life and didn’t exactly have a dream run. But slowly Pallavi did start
feeling for Arjun, in a way she didn’t expect and in a way Arjun always
expected. Slowly and steadily their relationship took a shape. It was not an
easy road, but they made it.
**************
Ayaan Janaki Malhotra marks his birth date
as 1st February, 2018. After a long time, Pranav and Janaki
experienced true bliss in their lives with his birth. They effortlessly fell
into the patterns of parenthood. They withdrew divorce petition mutually and
decided to focus on their son and enjoy the joys of parenthood for now.
*************
A year later, Pallavi got pregnant.
Since she is asked not to travel, her mother came and stayed with them to take
care of her. Her in-laws still despised her though Arjun maintained contact
with them. She delivered a baby girl on 10th July 2019 and named her
as Avni Saxena. But a tragedy awaited them in India.
Heavy flood hit their hometown washing
away their home and everything they earned over time. Veer Nanda suffered
another attack seeing the destruction and passed away. It took them some time
to cope with the tragedy. Her mother shifted base with Pallavi and family since
her elder daughter couldn’t take up her responsibility. The arrival of new born
helped all of them move on with time.
**********
2021
Life never remains the same. Pallavi’s
happily-ever-after found an abrupt end when Arjun died in a car accident
leaving behind their two year old daughter. Once again her life went through a rollercoaster.
Her in-laws washed their hands off her and Avni completely, when they came to
know Arjun’s business is in loss and they’ll become a liability to them. His
parents lived with their other son and had to abide by his decision.
Pallavi sold majority of her remaining assets
to settle the debts. She never really took interest in working, since cinema is
her only passion; but she had to take up Arjun’s event management company’s
responsibility. But her inexperience ultimately took her to a road end. She had
no other choice but to wrap up their life abroad and return to Mumbai since
that was the only property left in India to their claim.
The financial crunch put her in a spot,
to find work. But she knew her lack of degree and inexperience in other lines
of work will not get her a good job. Jasmine came to her help though; but a
help which Pallavi is not sure if she should accept.
************
Initially
it was difficult with inquiries about my husband’s death and widowhood from
seemingly ‘sympathetic’ relatives and acquaintances. But I had Avni; she is the
silver lining of my life; the only reason why I am alive. I always wanted to be
a mother and was eager for a daughter. I’m glad with my life in that sense.
But
now I’m her only parent. Never did I think money will be an issue in my life,
since I earned a lot for myself. But that’s how strange fate is. We have enough
to survive; but then I do need a job to keep myself going, to be an inspiration
to my daughter and for a more secure future for her sake. Life is momentary,
who better than me know that. One can
take love, affection, care, concern from someone else but not money; Arjun
taught me this. He always used to say we should be independent for our expense.
Jas
has been trying to convince me to come back to my career. Yes, she’s right,
that’s my world; something that can charge me with life again. But the way I
had to leave, I’m not sure if I have the courage to take it up, again. But she’s
persistent and it’s not like I have an alternate plan as of now.
My
life with Arjun gave me every bit of happiness. The only thing I missed was the
drive, ambition, adrenaline rush I feel when I’m in front of camera. Now Jas is
giving me a road back to it. Should I…..?
*************
2022
Pallavi Nanda once again faced camera.
She’s shooting for Mohan Karta’s directorial debut. Jasmine has used her clout
within industry to land her this project. She’s doing camera for the film too.
But things were not really smooth. Producer Ravi Kapadia was not keen on
casting Pallavi since her come back is a gamble. But since the character needed
a supreme talented actress, with Jasmine’s persuasions he gave in.
Shooting started with Pallavi and Nikhil
as leading pair. Though Nikhil was a good co-star and friend in the past, she
found his behavior on this set bit odd. It became clear when he openly asked
her out. He wanted more than friendship with her though he’s today a married
man. His indecent proposal did put her off, especially since he had been a
friend once. She denied him in a polite and firm manner. That gave rise to next
problem for her.
Nikhil threatened to walk out of the
film, if Pallavi is not removed from it. Jasmine tried to handle the situation
but Nikhil stood his ground. Pallavi didn’t want to get a whole unit suffer
because of her, so she gracefully opted out of the film.
Shyam Nadir is also pulling strings to
ensure Pallavi find it difficult to make a comeback, unless through him. But
she didn’t want to compromise. Jasmine tried her best to support her but she
couldn’t get through with the likes of Shyam and Nikhil working as a road
block. That is when she got a visit from Viren Sinha.
*******
“What brings you here Mr.Sinha?”
“It’s Viren for you”
He winked at her with his boyish grin
and she rolled her eyes not wanting to deal with him. She had her plate full.
“Listen, if you have any good enough
reason for coming here, then spill it. I don’t have time for your flirting”.
“Point noted. But do let me know when
you have time for my flirting”.
Before she can jump on him, he revealed
the reason for his visit. He handed out a file to her.
“This is the reason I’m here”.
She threw him a suspicious look and took
the file and went through some pages.
“This is Suraj sir’s last script which
he wanted to do with Pranav and Pallavi. Before he passed away, he had given me
this script as I was his favourite disciple you know”.
His smile turned serious soon enough.
“He was sure one day Pallavi will be
back to films, since she’s born for this. And then he wanted her to do this
film…with Pranav”.
“Are you kidding me? Do you know how
much I had to persuade her for Karta’s offer? And you think she’ll agree to act
with Pranav?”
“And that is precisely why I’m at your
doorstep Jasmine. I want to help Pallavi and I also want to fulfill my guru’s
wish. Help me”.
“Pranav send you, right?”
“Whatever I said until now is true, but
yes he is also a reason why I’m here to meet you”.
“What does he want now? Please ask him
to be satisfied with his wife. He’s done enough damage already”.
“Hmm Jasmine, I’m not here to fight.
Pranav just want to help. Shyam and Nikhil are making sure Pallavi doesn’t get
a second innings and you know that. If she has to start again, countering their
efforts, she needs a strong back up like Pranav. He is the only one who can
help her right now”.
She kept looking sternly into his eyes.
“You know the state of my production
house after Dad’s death. I can only direct this project for them. Pranav can
financially back this project indirectly via my production house. This subject
and Pranav-Pallavi coming back together will give Pallavi the sure shot return
she needs. No Shyam can stop her after this. You know that”.
“It’s not that easy Viren. Pallavi….she
is a different person today. I don’t know if she’ll agree to this”.
“She doesn’t have many options either
right?”
“Will Mrs. Malhotra be okay with it?”
“Pranav has promised his commitment”.
“I hope he doesn’t have ulterior motives
behind this ‘help’. I don’t want my friend to go through another circus. This
project alone is one; I don’t want her to carry extra baggage with it, that is
if she agreed to do it”.
“I’ve had this conversation with him
already Jasmine. And if I wasn’t sure, I wouldn’t have gone ahead with this.
Pallavi is my friend too”.
“But Pallavi…”
“We will tell her this was Suraj sir’s
last wish that both of them do this project. And you and I will be associated
with this film. So she can trust on us to handle it all sensitively”.
Jasmine is zooming through the pros and
cons of this move while Viren checked out the interiors of her office.
