027

The Tripathi were the traditionalist. They were the one who uphold the traditions no matter whether it would considered orthodox in today's time or not, for them nothing matters more than to honour the tradition of their forefathers.

Sneha, naturally falls victim of it.

As the daughter of the family, whose mother isn't able to provide the 'heir' to her husband, she lived a childhood deprived of her father's affection, her mother's attention and of her relatives taunts.

Even now, as her father fixed her marriage it was of without her consent. She was just told that she need to doll up and be at best behaviour while visiting the Chaudharys.

The Chaudharys. Who don't even knows about them.

For her father, it was an honour bigger than his life to have connections made with that powerful family. While her father didn't lack in the wealth, he carved the social status and symbol his connection with the Chaudharys will bought.

So much so..that even after hearing about the rumors about his would be son-in-law, Mr Tripathi refuses to question the family, brushing those rumors away instead of interrogating. He didn't even said anything when Meenal Chaudhary demanded a hefty dowry, and a separate house for her son and the daughter-in-law.

It made Sneha question, just what is going in the family?

Why would Meenal Chaudhary will demand for a house when the Chaudharys are more than capable of owning not one but the ten houses. Why she felt the need of doing that?

And then there was her would be husband..a man she knows nothing about, has met only one time, isn't allowed to have any chats or phone calls with him because "the propriety didn't dictate that.."

A man with whom she will have to spend her whole life with is a man about whom she knows nothing about.

If these things were less of her worries, then her sister's added whines about Achintya Chaudhary sealed the package deal for her. Because it gave the idea to his father..that it would be quite advisable to propose his younger daughter's hand in the marriage for the Achintya Chaudhary.

"Think about this didi..for our whole life we both will stay together." Sonam has said. But Sneha knew her sister better than she knows herself and so she was more than aware of the infatuation of her with the Achintya Chaudhary.

The man will possibly be the best pick of the god's creation, all the Chaudharys are, but Sonam's obsession with him has reached a new height when she came to her room to show her the latest paper cut-out of the man from the day of the election.

As she watches the obvious excitement on Sonam's face, Sneha couldn't help but to pray that the Lord indeed heard her prayer and write Achintya's name in Sonam's destiny. Because if that won't happened..with Sonam's ambitious nature she inherited from their father, it would be the real hell to manage her once the reaction came.

_

The semester break was supposed to provide the relaxation to the students, which Niyati was thankful for because her fever choose the correct time to break out and gave her the time to heal.

It also provided her the excuse of dumping every possible thing on being sick ; lost appetite, because of her fever. Her cranky nature, because of the weakness. The need to stay in her room and not wanting to socialize, because she isn't feeling too well.

Roopa kaki accepts all her demands, her mother on the other side would not stop glaring at her.

Niyati on the other hand, couldn't care less about anything. Her mind was occupied with the possibilities of having her heart broken by him, of how there is a huge chance that she'll soon need to part away from him. Not able to catch a wink of the sleep, her overthinking mind keep reeling different possibilities that sleeping at this point has become a chorus.

Two weeks. Two weeks has gone by and she has not seen Achintya - seeing him there at the poll would not even be considered as the seeing- they both only went this long without meeting one another when Niyati choose to break the ties with him. Even then, she would catch the glances of him, enough to soothe her heart, now, now she was confined in her home, lying in the bed, crying and punching her pillow.

Because of her fever keep spiking up, Radha made Maithli sleep in her room now giving the whole space to the sick Niyati.

Niyati watches the sun setting in the sky from the terrace of her house..it is after a whole week that she is able to conjure the strength and walk up to the terrace where she sat on the broken plastic chair watching the blue and orange coloring the sky.

Soon it will turn too cold to be here and then she will have to rethored back to the solidarity of her room. The fresh air provided her the relief, composing her distress soul but even that now is becoming unbearable as the warmth of the sun was gone and the darkness was slowly spreading its wings.

Nowdays, all of her thoughts are filled of him. She would speak his name before going to the bed and then after waking up, his name has become the first word coming out of her lips.

The temple bell rang and Niyati's eyes went there, joining her hand she closes her eyes praying to the goddess that instead of punishing her in bits and bites, give the verdict at once.

If her heart is supposed to be broken and her soul to be shattered, then let it be in a one clear stroke than this ; the slow agonizing pain that made it hard for her to breathe sometimes and cry most of the times.

_

The news that the Tripathis are considering their younger daughter's hand in the marriage for the Achintya Chaudhary spread like the fire in the jungle.

Instantly becoming the hot topic among the people, with everyone ready to provide their opinion and experience and advice.

"It wouldn't be acceptable. Marrying two sisters in one house..the Tripathis are really the greedy fellow.." someone said..

"Yeah..yeah..but I heard their younger daughter is really very beautiful and it is Achintya Babu himself who asked for her-"

The other one added,

" No..no..it is not true. Trust me, I know. My niece works in the haveli and she told me that it is Tripathis who sent the proposal. "

Another replied.

"Really? If it is true then what your niece said further on this topic? Are the Chaudharys considering the -"

As the women continued the discussion on the ongoing topic, a figure passed by their side,the head hung low, face obscured by the hairs, unnoticed by anyone .

Niyati came to the temple to find the peace in the solidarity of the place, but that peace is now destroyed by the words of those women. Is it a sign given by the goddess herself? To make her leave the house after so many days, and the first thing she heard is about the marriage proposal sent to the man she is madly in love with.

The December air was crueler to her. The sun playing hide and seek behind the clouds providing no relief to the people from the harsh cold, and Niyati blamed the trembling of her body on that, when a concerned Radha walked to her touching her forehead.

She herself had no idea how she manages to lie to her, again, -all the lies from the past are paying her now- but she did. Even sat down in the hall pretending to be interested in the talk of her mother's friends who came to their house, if it provides relief to her mother.. Niyati would do that after giving her the so much unnecessary tension.

Radha watches her daughter returning to her previous self bit by bit..her fever was indeed bad and even with doing multiple tests and medicine it was still unknown what causes it. The doctor said it must be cold and a viral infection, the women around the locality saying it occured from the black eye, Radha didn't know much.

But she did everything everyone suggested, took Niyati to the best doctor she knew, perform a ritual for removing the black eye, performed the Pooja in the temple on her daughter's name. And it is paying her now, as she saw a giggling Niyati sitting with a laughing Maithili watching a movie in the TV when she came to give them the snacks.

Finally.. everything is turning all right.

_

Everything has turned upside down.

A proposal?

He has gotten a proposal? It explains. It must be why Achintya forgot about her. All the promises about her being the most important person of his life were fake. Every smile passed between them a lie. Those sweet moments an illusion her mind has came up with.

Nothing matters now.

Weeks are about to pass, and Achintya didn't came finding her? It never happened before. And now it did. There was the time when he was at her door after hearing about the injury of her by the Asha and now-

Is he even aware that she is also alive. Waiting for him, or has he completely forgotten her in the wake of getting the proposal. It must be that girl who came knocking on his door..he said she was the bride's sister and with the talk of the two sister getting married- it all indicates her.

Was she preety? Preetier than her? Niyati didn't even remember properly how she looked, but if her name is joined with him..then she must be one true beauty.

Niyati knows that jealousy never suited on her, and yet at a time like this..she couldn't help but to let that negative emotions take over her.

Pressing a fist over her mouth..her body trembled with the sobs shaking her fragile figure badly,what she has done to deserve this? Is the goddess punishing her for the time she hurted him by severing the ties, but then, even then, Niyati felt the same pain as him.

With now it looked that she was the only one who is affected with Achintya turning deaf ears and forgotten of her existence.

from here on..she could not see any light, the light that could bought her out of this abyss she fallen into.

_

In between of all the chaos of her life, Niyati's result came in the form of a squealing Reecha who announced that she went to the college, checking the notice board and how they both passed their exams with flying colours.

When asked, about Asha.. Reecha told Niyati about how she gotten the supplementary in one of the paper and will write the exams again.

For an ecstatic Radha..all that meant nothing because both of her daughters Shivangi and Niyati has passed their exams and nothing matters more than that.

To celebrate it all, she sent Maithili to the other house saying that the dinner will be at their house.

_

Niyati and Reecha were discussing some matter when Radha came from the kitchen "Amu..the milk I put on the gas has split. Can you go to the dairy and brought extra milk?"

"Now maa?" Asked Niyati glancing outside in the dark.

"Yeah.. Reecha could take you to the market in her scooty..I can't send Maithili because it has gotten late..but I have already prepared everything to make the kheer.."

"Okay.. okay. Don't ramble. I'll go. But just so you know..the dairy near to us will be closed now so I have to go to the main market and that will take some times -"

"Yeah..yeah.. fine. We have some times in the hands..now hurry up."

_

The dairy around her house usually closed around the six. Thus, they both went to the main market 20 minutes away from the home. Reecha's mother already called multiple times asking her to hurry over before her father came home.

"Aish..I'm already late..and this traffic won't clear.." whines Reecha stuck in between the vehicles. She couldn't help but to notice the SUV behind her "Niyati..don't you think that car-"

"Is following us. Yeah. I did. " Completing her sentence Niyati too looked in the mirror that shows the brand new SUV that was following them the moment they left from the market. "I told you..we should not stop earlier,if you had listened to me before -"

"I was hungry and the pani-puri stall was right there.."

"And that car is following us from there too. What we should do now Reecha?"

Really her friend can be dense sometimes. Even after Niyati told her to hurry over Reecha took her time enjoying the pani-puri and now only God knows what will happen with the SUV and this late time.

Radha wouldn't worry about her much knowing Niyati is used to with this type of timing from her time in the Indore but Reecha's mother isn't gonna be easy on her.

As the traffic cleared a bit, Reecha speed the scooty overtaking a car and accelerating at the top speed. And yet, they couldn't throw back the SUV behind them whose glaring light shows that it was still behind them.

With the fear gripping their chest, "yrr..it isn't leaving.." Reecha exclaimed.

"You know what..stay at my house and then ask your father to come pick you. Tell him you stayed for the dinner-" Niyati suggested. Her house is nearer and what if the vehicle followed Reecha to her home. She would be alone, making the situation even more dangerous.

As they turned towards her house, the suv at some point had left them behind "it's gone." Reecha said ecstatically observing the mirror. "Look Niyati, it's gone. I think..we were just getting paranoid thinking it was following us-"

"It was Reecha. "Said Niyati worriedly. The vehicle leaving them does not ease her concern. She had a feeling it was about to show up again and that too in great fashion and so she told Reecha to hurry up.

And it did..just they crossed the fork road, Reecha's scooty coming from the left, suddenly the SUV was infront of them obscuring their way way, parked in the middle of the road.

"come on..come on..Reecha take the detour-" Niyati hurriedly tapped the Reecha who stood freeze with her feet down and the scooty light still on. "Reecha.. Reecha...it is not time for-"

Chanting a prayer in her mind, Niyati's feet touched the ground, if it comes to that..she will took Reecha's hand and run away since the girl seems too preoccupied to handle the scooty. But her friend didn't make it easier, as her feet remained planted on the ground, her hand gripping the handle, cold sweat on her forehead..when the SUV door opened..

And their blood runs cold.

_

Niyati has thought this many time.. how she will react when she will see Achintya after all these days. Will she cry with relief and run straight in his arms she craved to be in or will she have the complete breakdown even before he holds her or will she be too elated that her happiness will bound her to the ground..

What she didn't expected was..the hot anger pulsing in her veins ready to take over her in the form of her hand connecting with his cheeks.

"Reecha.. Reecha..REECHA-" came the yell bringing the other girl out of wherever she was lost in. "Take the detour..we are leaving."

"Huh..!" Like an owl, her friend blinked at her and then to the frozen figure of the Achintya Chaudhary and then again to the livid Niyati.. "but he is there-".

"And your father soon will be at the home too, did you forgot that? Anyway..hurry up. Take the detour..we are leaving."

Stuck in the middle of what to do and what not.. Reecha looked from one person to another. She can't leave when Achintya Chaudhary is standing infront of her with clenched fist but she also want to leave as soon as possible because Niyati was right here, glaring dagger at her face.

"But Niyati -"

"We are leaving. That's final."

In the end, thinking Niyati will indeed kill her in the cold blood if they leave.. Reecha turned the scooty and they both left.

_

Achintya stay rooted where he was, thinking what happened?

Fucking not seeing her for weeks and the moment he did..it was..as if..she was there for a moment and then.. gone.

What the fuck!

He has gone weeks without seeing her, without inhaling her coconut induced smell that calms his mind,has not heard her tinkling laughter, her jibes, her voice, his arms feels empty without having her familiar weight pressed against them..

All this whole time..when swapped with work,the thought of seeing her was his sole comfort. He might have deliberately didn't seek her out early..as to throw Shekhar's advancing efforts off, and then the things got violent after the election leading to the higher up to be involved and few of his members going to jail, and if that wasn't enough..the lord decided to add the added burden of the Tripathi's daughter..

It was just too much. Even with his standards. The only good thing that happened..was Durga Devi returning home in full health. The old lady has now recovered from the surgery albeit not fully but still enough to be her previous bossy self.

So much so, that she stopped Meena kaki when she thundered upon them hearing about the Sonam's proposal sent for Achintya. "..and he suddenly is interested in the marriage. Knowing Achintya, who is always after anything good that happens to my son..it isn't anything new. But still low-"

"Choti Dulhan. I would advise you to choose your next words correctly- " the old woman advised. But it felt more as the warning that Meena also didn't ignored and left the home after hurtling more insults at him but under her breathe.

He admits, admits that in between everything happening around him, he might have neglected Niyati, didn't explained to her the reason behind the days of the separation but..now, now he was here. Ready to give his side of the explanation, to make her understand, to see the large picture.

Except, all he got, was, an angry Niyati storming her way not towards him but away from him.

"FUCK.." the loud scream echoed in the silence as he aimed a kick on the tyre taking out his frustration along with it. Clutching his hairs in a tight grip Achintya paced from left to right..fucking timing..

Niyati has to show her tempers just when his own are running high.

This won't do. This..fucking won't do.

The door closed with the force behind him as the SUV takes a sharp u-turn .

_

"Why you did that?"

"Did what? "

"Well..I don't know..but Achintya Babu was right there and instead of meeting him -"

"Please Reecha. I don't want to talk about that-"

"But why?"

"Please -"

"No tell me why?" She insisted pressing the matter making the other girl snap. Niyati's feeling were already running on the single plank bridge and so it didn't take much effort from the Reecha's side to bring the outburst from her.

"Well.. let's see..he didn't remembered that he has me..who is waiting for him. Days after days..I waited, thinking I will see him today, or maybe tomorrow, or the day after that..instead all I met was with.. disappointment. Achintya made..zero..zero efforts towards me in the last few days and suddenly the news about his marriage proposal is circulating all over the Begusarai. Imagine what must be going on me? How am I feeling? No one..no one bloody cares about my well being..neither him nor you..who is my friend. So please Reecha.. please..let's not talk about him-"

The words were laced with the hurt, distress, anger and offense making Reecha sees from where Niyati was coming from. Her friend was sick for days and now she thinks she didn't heard Achintya's name from her lips since the first day of their exam. Does he really not made any efforts to meet her? If that is true..then Niyati's reaction also seems appropriate.

Niyati wasn't someone who whines or complains a lot. She was good at keeping things to herself -she manages to trick the whole Begusarai with her lie- doesn't like to show what's going inside her and that makes it hard for Reecha to understand her. In all these days, she never once said any things..infact she never showed any sign that how she is going through so much turmoils.

She really was tough even if the fragile manner of hers didn't shows that. Afterall, it took great strength to remain graceful in the tough situation and not react as if slaved to one's emotions.

_

The detour they took was a silent alley mostly hidden in the dark because of the lack of the street lights and any houses or shops. It was the road leading to the local alcohol shop, and thus, forcing people to not take this one alley as many times people can encountered the drunk people roaming the street.

But since the situation called, Reecha has turned the scooty to this alley, cursing the lack of the light here as it made hard for her to drive and then there was the biting cold making her breathe freeze.

"Yrr..it is so col- Ahhhh..." With her heart in her mouth she pulled the brakes suddenly, as Niyati's hand clutches her shoulder in a tight grip.

"Reecha..what-" and before Niyati could continue her eyes went to the brand new SUV and the man standing against it. In the light of the SUV, his pissed off expression quite clearer.

Surpassing an internal groan, Niyati sent a prayer to the above almighty that for today..

Just for today..the Goddess gives her the strength to handle the situation better, and if it comes to that..let her heart to break break gently.

A silent show down went between them, as they both stay rooted to their place ; him leaning against the hood, her standing beside the scooty, not even one of them ready to accept the defeat and surrender their heart.

As intense as it was.. Niyati didn't wanted to drag Reecha in all this. Not yet ready, to show this ruthless side of his to her. The need to defend him even now,was higher in her even after her anger was slowly trying to overpower it.

"Reecha..you should go home. " But the decision of that was taken out her hands when his voice echoed in the otherwise silent alley making the spark ignite in her eyes.

"No. I meant..we are both going home-"

"Go on. Be my guest. But only when..you are ready for the scene I'll create later barging in your house where your whole family is-"

How he knows that?

"You won't. "

"Try me. Promise, I wouldn't disappoint you."

Is Niyati ready to gamble that? Put her stakes ? The answer was, no. She's isn't ready for that type of the situation that involves her family seeing this side of her. Yet.

His family member already think so low of her, she can't afford to become the villian in her own members' eyes.

So at the end, heaving a sign, Niyati turns to the flabbergasted Reecha and said "go. Give me a call when you reach home."

_

The silent showdown continued with none of them ready to give up first. Niyati stood in the middle of the road, the cold packet of the milk in her one hand and the other clenching by her side.

Achintya's habit of imposing his will on other is such a headache inducing trait. Really..what he thinks of her? Does he thought that providing her the space will go against the wish of the God? She made it clear that right now she didn't wanted to see him and yet, yet he has to force his will on her.

Fine. If that is what he wants. Then fine. All good for her. Niyati won't say anything, won't react to him, and after that she'll tell him on his face that she is getting late and he will have to let her go.

Because..having a conversation means..him confessing things. What if he said he came here seeking for her after the days so that he could..end this all. For good. No, if she won't listen she can delay the inevitable.

Looking at her feet Niyati shifted the milk packet from one hand to another, rolling the small stones under her feet. Her sweater was definitely not enough for warding off the cold and she was thankful that she bought the thick shawl along with her.

A sudden pressure, and the milk packet was taken from her hand as she felt herself being pulled and then stopped as they reach the SUV. The milk packet then was tossed on the dashboard,landing there with carelessness. The gentle swipe of the handkerchief followed right after wiping her hands gently with care, as if, if the force increases behind it she would shatter.

Her wide eyes were focused steadily on where their hands were connected -and it is not..how can he? Days has been spent after seeing a glimpse of him, of being around him, hearing his voice when all this time..he didn't even remembered her..and suddenly he's here. Here..wiping her hands pretending to care. It was too much..too much for her fragile heart, she only controlled herself with so much effort from crying her heart out, telling herself to charge her hurt in the rage, but one action..

One small action from his side, and it..it was all ready to shatter..

She can't afford that. No, she really can't..

Achintya looked at her face as she jerked his hands away, taking few steps back and..and watching him with her wide open eyes..that were laced with hurt. Unshed tears shimmering in them ready to draw out of them if she even blinks them close.

With clenched teeth, she wipes her cheeks getting rid of the moisture before his hand can.. "don't. "

"Don't what? You have to-"

"I said don't.."

"Atleast listen to me jaan-"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT. DON'T..CALL ME THAT." and he stayed rooted shocked hearing her scream. A push came from her, as she pushed his chest with her fist and it was the shock that caught to him as his back pressed against the cold door..

"Don't call me your fancy nickname when you are getting proposal to get married. When were you planning to tell me Achintya? Were you even planning to tell me? "

And really.. Niyati didn't wanted to let her emotions take the control over her again. She has decided that when they will meet.. whenever that faithful day will arrive..she'll give him a chance to explain himself, give him the opportunity to clear the doubts brewing in her heart.

But then the news of his proposal came..and all the rationality flew out of the window in the face of the jealousy. The green eyed monster which took control over her mind do not demands answers but want to inflict the same pain to him she was in for days.

"I asked something..answer me. Answer me Achintya.." another slap landed on his chest and soon she was close to him. Closer that instead of yelling her words has turned to a chilled whispered. "You were gone for days..days..and I was waiting for you. Did it occurs to you what must be going in my head after..after what happened at the hospital? After everything Mithilesh sir said to me..his allegations against me..of how I would be feeling? "

"Where were you? I get so sick thinking about all that in my mind that it did not remained the safe place for me anymore. And then..and then if it was not enough..the talk about your proposal dropped on my head and really..really after that.. I don't want to listen to anything else."

Her heart was beating so loudly it made everything around her turned quiet and hushed. Noiseless to the point that when she put her head on his chest the only thing she could hear was his heartbeat. Loud and clear. As if..grounding her to him.

Hands coiled around pasting her to his body, there was a warm wait on her head of his resting cheeks and the warmth filling her inside from the kiss that was pressed in her hair "I am sorry. Extremely so." Comes the sincere murmur.

What does this apology stands for?

Before she could ask..the phone in her purse ringed aloud breaking the silence as her hand reluctantly reaches for her purse.

Creating the space -more than it was needed and making him frown- but still in the spaces of his arms she turns her body a bit and answered the call "hm..yes Mummy..on the way..hm..bye."

"I..I have to go." Even if she tried.. Niyati was not able to get out of the circle he drawned her in with his arms.

"Look at me." Comes the order from the above. "Look at me and I'll let you go."

And it was exactly what she not wanted. Because no matter how much she pretends and how much angered she get..she herself couldn't deny the fact that..it was in his arms..with him..in the warmth radiating from him..does she finds the peace. With the burden off her chest Niyati felt quite light, she didn't wanted to burst like that but his one word..one word was enough to bring her to the edge.

How much she missed being called that. Of being called Jaan means being his. And it was..her favourite thing in the whole while world.

"Jaan.." he must have understand that fact too..-nothing remains hidden from him for too long anyway. And when it comes to him..her face has always turned in the open book easier to read-

With the hand around her chin she raised her head looking in his eyes and finding..the same pain reflected in them..as if the pain she suffered is affecting him in the same degree. It brought the solace to her jealous, traitorous heart.

"I'm sorry for the worry I caused you. But you have to listen to my explanation and then you could decide whether you want to hit me more or forgive me. The day after tomorrow..I'll pick you from the spot near your home. Be ready. "

_

Hush..another emotional chapter. Why all these misery won't leave from Niyati's life? Is her outburst justified or not?

.

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I really fears Achintya and his mind sometimes, who knows what he will do now. Any suggestions?

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