Ch-18
The Silent Chimes
“Oh of course, because
you are the almighty God, aren’t you Dadi?”
Every
eye in the room turned to the door and to say that they were all shocked at who
the speaker was, would probably be the understatement of the century… because
there stood in all her fierce glory ASR… Anjali Singh Raizada, the woman who
was lost several years ago… had finally found her way back.
“Anjali
bitiya, you don’t even know what she has done.” Mami tried to make her case.
“Oh
right, I am sure Payalji has been plotting this all along… that to not be able
to experience the joys of motherhood has been her lifelong dream. Right Mami,
Dadi…” she paused for a second before adding another name “…Nani”
“Is
this the way to talk to your elders Anjali? I can see that the ill-bred members
of this family have changed you for worse.” Dadi tried twisting the argument.
“Are
you seriously going to lecture me on manners Dadi, when not a minute ago you
were taking sadistic pleasure in ripping apart the woman who has already lost
too much?” Everyone and everything fell silent,
‘Di
was making sense and accepting truth, for once in her life! It sure was one of
Devi Maiya’s greatest miracles.’ The thought crossed Khushi’s mind, however she
had the good sense of keeping it to herself.
“Khushiji,
please help Payalji to her room and stay with her.” Anjali had taken command in
every sense of the word and Khushi did just that.
“Anjali,
aap…”
“That’s
enough Dadi! There is nothing to discuss here. Once Aakash is back, and I hope
someone called him, we’ll talk about all this. We’ll definitely go for more
medical opinions before arriving at any final conclusion and making any future
plans, and even then it’s going to be Aakash and Payalji’s decision.” With that
said she looked at Nani, the woman was simply sitting with her head drooping,
seemingly oblivious to anything. Anjali moved to her,
“Nani,
you need to keep it together. You are our rock. We need you… Aakash and Payal
need you. Nani please…” the older woman then hugged the younger woman and
finally broke down.
“Nani…” Anajli’s voice broke a little as she
hugged her back. Still she kept herself together… telling herself she needed to
be strong for Nani, for Aakash, for Payal…
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Khushi
was tightly hugging her Jiji, as if she could shield her from everything. She
couldn’t fathom that such miseries would taint her precious Jiji’s life. She
could do anything for her and Devi Maiya knew, she had… repeatedly, and so
right now, at this very moment, she felt helpless, more so than ever in her
life. What could she possibly do to make it all okay? And to think that she was
away having the weekend of her life, with the love of her life, just when her
Jiji needed her the most? How could the gods be so cruel and to such a lovely,
innocent creature? A tear rolled down her cheek.
Khushi gently rocked Payal, as grief and
helplessness and guilt assaulted her, holding her in a tight embrace… as if
she’d never let go… only… it escaped her that her Jiji wasn’t holding her back…
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“We
are surprised Mr. Raizada, and pleasantly so. After the last presentation, we
were quite sure that we wouldn’t really stumble upon anything better, but
thanks to AR Designs, we did.” Arnav shared a smile with Aman and Sheetal,
after all they were the ones who had handled everything from scratch. Hiring
Sheetal was turning out to be a wise decision.
“The
contract is yours Mr. Raizada. We just need to fulfill some formalities, but
for all practical purposes, the decision is made.” The middle-aged European
shook hands with Arnav, making it official… in an unofficial manner, that is.
“Aman,
Sheetal, good job! Keep up the good work!” Arnav bestowed them with a tight-lipped smile
and Aman felt like he had won the employee of the year award (well, of course
he never had, considering AR didn’t have such cheesy awards). Sheetal had a
more subdued response, employee of the year, wasn’t really her agenda. Yet, she
congratulated herself a little, small victories, right?
“Now,
I want the both of you to head the entire project. Aman, you will handle the management
and Sheetal shall be the in-charge of designing. I am sure you’ll do a good
job.” And with that Arnav left the office and headed home.
Aman
was in seventh heaven, he was proud of himself, pretty sure that if AR did have
an employee of the month award, he’d be sure to win it.
Sheetal, however, felt a little let-down. She
had hoped that this would give her the opportunity to work with Arnav, and here
she was stuck with this what-the-bloody-hell-he thinks-of-himself-Aman. But
again, small victories, eh!
______________________
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Arnav
was at a loss of words.
He
was standing a Payal’s door. The two entwined women in front of him. One
sobbing, the other still… one holding on, the other had let go already…
He
didn’t know what to do, or even say. The fates had dwarfed the unreachable
Raizada all over again.
“Arnavji
aap?” Khushi’s voice brought him out of his trance. He didn’t say anything
though; he simply started walking towards them. When he reached the foot of the
bed, he halted. Payal was still staring into nothingness, oblivious to anyone
and anything. But for the first time in his life, Arnav saw her… really saw
her. He saw how slight she was, how ordinary, and how broken. He was reminded
that he had glimpsed quiet strength in her in the past, which was missing now. He
wanted to reassure her, tell her that everything will be alright, that he was
there for her, but as always words failed him…
Payal felt something, a warm, reassuring hand on her head;
an alien one though. She lifted her head to see Arnav Singh Raizada’s figure
towering over her. She knew he wanted to comfort her, to reassure her of his
presence and yet the only person whose presence could even attempt to comfort
her, was no where to be found…
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AN: So, how was the update? I have always felt that the characters of Payal and Anjali were underplayed in the show as were so many others. So, this is my attempt to redeem these characters.
