Arnav and Kushi have settled into their
new life. Their careers are at peak. But they managed to balance it so
that they have time for their kids. Ayaan used to meet Pallavi and Avni when he
spends time with his father but Pranav made sure his son got his exclusive
time. Ayaan is formal with Pallavi and their equation never really developed
beyond it. He still could not accept her as family. But Avni is included in his
downtime with his father. The children bonded well over the years. Amidst all
the chaos their parents has created, they care for each other like blood
siblings.
Janaki’s business flourished beyond
measures and it kept her on toes. But despite a successful business and Ayaan’s
presence, at times she did feel emptiness caving in on her. She is a kind of
person who thrived on love and in the absence of it, she suffered. She
needed someone to share her life with. So finally after lot of contemplation,
she got serious about dating.
Like all those who search for the
right man in a string of dates, she experienced disasters and disappointments
in ample amount. She did get physical gratification and some fun time as well.
But this time she wanted more. Two years into her efforts, she is nowhere close
to finding the perfect company for herself.
She concluded that she will have to make do without a man in her life; no
point in wasting time on something that is never destined!
She started feeling bouts of anxiety and
depression over time. Her life pattern bored her. Ayaan did get affected by the
changes in his mother. It did worry Pranav too. Owing to their concerns she
sought medical help. After a year or so she slowly came out of that phase,
thanks to her father’s dream project of a shelter home for the orphaned and
needy.
Her father dreamt of building a shelter
home that incorporated orphaned kids, old age people, and animals all together
under one roof. He did start working on it but then his untimely death and
Janaki being busy in her own life put an abrupt end to the project. It had been
at the back of her mind and in one of her counselling sessions she revealed it
in a random conversation with her doctor. On his encouragement she worked on
it; which became a huge turning point in her life.
It engaged her fully and when it
finally evolved and is filled with orphaned kids, old people and stray animals
it became a ‘home’ more than a shelter. People, who are not related to each
other, set up their own families inside it. Kids got parental guidance and care.
Elders who were abandoned by their family found happiness and a new life with
these kids. And stray animals found a place of care as well.
The love and care between the members of
the shelter inspired Janaki. They considered her as a member of their family and
Janaki finally found the feeling of belonging she chased in life! It gave her a
deep sense of satisfaction. Ayaan is also their favourite. Finally Janaki have
a family, which she always craved for.
**************************
Pranav and Pallavi are relaxing for the
weekend at their farmhouse, in the outskirts of Mumbai. Avni and Ayaan are with
Laxmi and Janaki respectively. Pranav is leaning on the headrest of the bed
with Pallavi lying on his lap. He is running his fingers through her hair.
“Pallavi?”
“Hmm”
“Is it time to think about our kids?”
She stilled and opened her eyes facing
him.
“You want kids?”
“Don’t we?”
“We have Ayaan and Avni”
“Yes, but you don’t want kids of our
own?”
“No”
“Why?”
“King, we have built this life on the
ashes of your relationship with Janaki. She is just getting stable from her
depression and is still alone. Even now I hate myself for doing this to her. We
don’t have to add to the list a child that is yours and mine”.
Pranav is silently listening to her
perspective.
“Also, what about Ayaan and Avni? It’s a
surprise that Ayaan could accept Avni in his life. It is more than I expected.
We don’t need to burden the child with more siblings whom probably he doesn’t
want. Also Avni! She is small now, but when she grows up there might be
insecurities in her mind too. So I think its better that we don’t plan for
anymore kids. We got what we wanted; we are together now and we have our
children. That’s enough King”.
Pranav stared at her for a while before
swooping down to kiss her forehead.
**********************
Janaki is in a supermarket doing her
monthly purchase. Her servants did the major part of it but for her personal
things, she prefers going herself. She went to the rack where sanitary pads are
kept. She saw a man there who is confused and pulling out many brands of it.
She felt his behaviour weird. When he saw a lady there, at first he felt
embarrassed and moved away slightly. But then, he came near her and whispered
softly.
“Excuse me ma’am. Can you tell me which
the best one is?
Deducing him to be a pervert Janaki
snapped.
“What?”
“Huh…please...please don’t misunderstand.
It’s just that.....my daughter just had her first period.....and hmm.... I
don’t know which of these to buy....she is at home...restless...I need
help....please.... if you don’t mind...”
“Where is her mother?”
He became silent.
“She is no more”.
Janaki realized the situation. She took out a sanitary pad brand and gave it
to him.
“Thank you so much...I really meant it”.
“Wait a minute, Mr...”
“Ajith. ...Ajith Sharma”
“Can you let me talk to your daughter
over your phone?”
He hesitates.
“I think she needs some help. I guess
there is no other elder female at home?”
“Yeah, ok one second”.
He had forgotten his phone at home, so
he gave his residence number. Once the call connected he spoke to his daughter
and then connected her with Janaki. He murmured a thank you and left.
Arti Sharma is just 11 year old and is
dead scared about what is happening to her. Janaki calmed her down and
instructed her about what she has to do. She also offered the kid her number
and encouraged her to call if she has any more doubts or needs. Arti thanked
her and Janaki felt good after talking to her.
The next day she got a call from Arti.
She thanked Janaki profusely and even asked her some doubts hesitantly. Janaki
patiently cleared all her doubts. Arti asked her out for an ice-cream treat;
though Janaki politely refused Arti’s persistence finally made Janaki agree.
So that Saturday they met up at the ice
cream parlour. Ajith and Ayaan accompanied them. Arti and Janaki hit it off
really well. Janaki gave some necessary advises and also engaged in casual
banter. Meanwhile Ayaan bonded with Ajith who shares his same interests in
sports. When the children finally went to get their ice creams, Ajith once
again thanked her.
“ I know that you helping me in the supermarket might be a small thing but
even without asking you called up my daughter and helped her in that situation.
I really cannot thank you enough”.
“It’s ok Mr. Sharma. It is not a big
thing. But if you don’t mind I would like to say this. Arti is growing up and
she might need some female around her to help her out”.
He smiled.
“You sound like my mother!”
Janaki smiled back at him.
“My mother always used to say the same
thing. After Anju died, she was always behind me to get me married again citing
the same reason. But somehow I could not”.
Janaki sighed.
“Till last year I didn’t have to worry
because she was there for Arti”.
“Don’t worry. Arti have my number. I
have told her she can contact me anytime for anything”.
He nodded. They remained silent for few
minutes until Janaki felt like asking him something personal.
“How is it to live without Anju?”
Ajith is silent for a moment collecting
his words.
“It was difficult, of course. We lost
her quite unexpectedly. We both taught at the University. One day I was down
with fever and she went to work alone. She drives well but a car that came
breaking rules hit her scooter and....”
Janaki gave him time to collect his
emotions.
“I couldn’t believe she has gone for
many days. It seemed so surreal to me. But her absence in my life made it
evident”.
“How old was Arti?”
“Four”
Janaki winced.
The
child is motherless from such a young age. She probably did not even remember
her mother.
“Why didn’t you remarry?”
“Because I still love her”.
They shared a meaningful glance and none
spoke after that. Kids joined them soon and the table filled with their talks
and laughter.
Janaki felt it easy to connect with
Ajith. He too found comfort in his conversations with Janaki. Slowly a
friendship bloomed between them. They belonged to the same age group and
similar life situations which helped them bond with time. Arti and Ayaan also
jelled well helping their friendship to sustain.
****************
A hilltop that offers an overview of Bangalore
city at night
A car is parked a little far away from
the edge of the hill. And on the car bonnet sits Jasmine and Viren having their
dinner, some special dish of Bangalore city. They like exploring different cuisines
whenever they can. Jasmine is shooting for a film in Bangalore and Viren is
visiting her during his break from shoot in Mumbai. They are chatting nineteen to dozen and
licking their fingers finishing the dinner. That’s when Viren popped the
question.
“Will you marry me Jasmine?”
Jasmine stills for a moment before laughing
hard.
“Marry you? Are you crazy?!”
“I’m, about you”.
“How cute! Now stop this drama and let’s
leave. It’s getting late”.
“Aww! So eager to sleep with me huh?!”
“As if you will have anything new to
offer”.
“Oh believe me baby. You have a lot yet
to see”.
He winked.
“Is that so?! Then why are we waiting?”
“Because you still haven’t given me a
reply. When are you going to marry me?”
“Ok. I did not want this conversation
tonight but if you are not letting it go, take it from me that we are not going
to be married, never ever. I prefer a live-in, if you are up for it, then I’m
in. Otherwise let’s end it here”.
They gazed at each other in silence.
Finally Viren broke the spell dramatically.
“Thank God! I thought you might get
convinced. What a nightmare it would have been; married to The Jasmine Elvis”.
He shuddered for effect. Jasmine thinned her lips in annoyance. She
started hitting and pulling his hair and he screamed for help. It continued for
a while and when he felt she is not going to stop, he yanked her to him and
kissed her. Their tongues carried forward the push and pull game. After a while
Viren pulled back and they tried to catch breath. He tucked her loose hair
tendrils behind her ear lovingly.
“For now, this is enough for me. But one
day if you feel you need more, tell me. And if I need more, will you marry...”
Jasmine did not let him complete the
sentence; she pulled him towards her and kissed him full on mouth again. They’ve
found a base finally.
