Chapter 22

Vidhi's POV



" Yeah... You are right Vikram, we must thank Shubh for all this. I will not forgive Raichand for coming up with this alliance. How dare he to come up with this idea of getting his criminal son married to my daughter. I will not spare him for that. I don't want any business with them."

" Right dad, but relax now... Everything is under control now. " Bhai said.

I could not control my tears now. I was frustrated and ashamed of my behaviour.

Dad hugged me and said, "Don't cry beta, I am sorry, I should have been more careful. But, it is over and no harm was done... Thanks to Shubh for that. So don't worry. "

Harm has been done, dad... Harm has been done. How would I face him or bhabhi??

We came out of his room and I went to mine. Bhai followed me.

My tears kept flowing. Bhai hugged me. I hid my face in his chest and cried like a child. He patted my back.

" It's ok, Vidhi. But please grow up. The world around us is not as good as you think. You must be careful. Why did you ignore what Shubh said?? I mean how much do you know Dhruv to trust him over Shubh?? "

" I am sorry Bhai... I just thought that he was getting overprotective as usual. His overprotective nature irritates me and even bhabhi. "

" But don't you think, that he is overprotective because he cares. Tell me one thing, have you ever seen a man who is as protective for his cousin as he is? He is a fabulous man. Sandhya is very lucky to have him. "

" Bhai I am feeling very bad. I am sorry that I slapped him. Will he forgive me ?? "

" I think so... But you need to apologise him and then say thanks for his care. " Bhai said and I nodded.

" See he would be coming tomorrow to pick up Sandhya for the Pag phera ( a ritual where the brother of the new bride comes to take the bride to their home for the first time after her wedding.), you can talk to him at that time. I will also talk to Sandhya about it. "

" Bhabhi would also feel bad when she would find out, what I did. "

" Yes... But she is very sweet, she forgave me for my mistakes. This was just nothing as compared to that. Just don't worry, we will say sorry to both of them. " Bhai said and I shed a few more tears.

He kissed my head and went away. But I kept thinking about Shubh. Would he ever accept my apology and my love??

*******"

It was morning and I got ready in the superfast speed. Shubh was coming to take bhabhi to her parent's place for Pag fera. I would apologise to him.

I went to bhai's room, bhabhi was getting ready, I went near her and before she could say anything, I said, " Bhabhi I am sorry, I am stupid and childish... I should not have done that. "

" Hmmm, you should not have."

" Ok, do one thing... You slap me in return. "

" What?? Why would I do that?? "

" Why? You are not angry with me, I slapped your elder brother? "

" I am not angry with you. But I am feeling bad, you should have listened to him. I know, he gets a bit irritating at times. But that's his way of caring. "

" Sorry bhabhi, but if anyone had done that to my brother, I would have... " I said but she just smiled.

" Listen this is between you and him. Both of you are dear to me. You slapped him, now you talk to him by yourself."

" Ok, then tell me what he likes to eat. "

" You will cook? "

" Hmmm "

" Do you know cooking? "

" Oh, God !! No... " Her face paled.

" Vidhi... how will you make ?? Drop the idea. "

" But I have to say sorry... Shall I buy him some gift?? Ummm... Sorry gift. "

" Say sorry only... It would be enough. He won't like the gift. "

" Are you sure?? "

" Yes... " She said and I hugged her she smiled brightly.

" You are such a baby," she said and shook her head.

*****



Shubh's POV



I had to go to their place to bring back Sandhya for the ritual. But I didn't want to go because of Vidhi. I just wanted to stay away from her.

But the brother goes to his sister's house to get her back to their house for this ritual.

I decided to maintain my distance from her.

I went there, aunty and uncle welcomed me in their house. Vikram Ji and Sandhya came shortly. She was looking so happy and beautiful. I just prayed to God to keep her blessed.

" Beta, we can't thank you enough for what you did for us," Uncle said and I got embarrassed.

" Uncle, please don't say that I am just like your son. You don't need to thank me, it was my duty. "

" But still... " he started saying again.

" Uncle, please don't embarrass me. "

" Ok... So what are your plans now?? I mean your MBA is almost complete. Right? "

" Ji uncle, I would join dad's business of course. I have some new ideas, I want to implement them and I am sure, they will bring good results. I want to take the business to the new heights. "

" I am sure you will. I can see that in you. You have that quality in you. I wish you all the success in your life. "

" Thank you uncle. "

Just then I saw her coming. Why was she looking so pretty? Not again Shubh, Ignore her... Don't go on that path again.

She smiled at me sweetly but I gave a faint smile and ignored her.

She kept trying to get my attention but I was hell-bent to ignore her. The helpers came with tea and snacks. But I refused to touch anything.

" What happened beta, why are you not taking anything? If you want anything else, please tell us. " Aunty said.

" No aunty, I can not eat anything. As you know according to our traditions, I can't even drink water at my sister's place. "

" What nonsense Shubh !!! That tradition is really outdated. We don't follow it. " uncle said.

" Please aunty, uncle... "

" Listen Shubh, if you won't eat right now, I would also never eat or drink anything at your place. " Vikram Ji said.

" That is not fair Vikram Ji. You are our Kanwar sa. "

" No... It is final. If you can't have even water at our place, I would also not drink even a drop of water. "

" Please Vikram Ji don't do that. It's in our traditions. "

" Shubh, some traditions need to be changed. There is no logic about it. It is inconvenient and unnecessary. There is no logic to it. In olden times in such cases, people used to ask their neighbours to provide food and beverages to serve to the guests from the daughter-in-law's family. That is funny. Do you want me to go and request my neighbour to prepare tea and snacks for you? "

" What ?? No !! Please... "

" We must drop such traditions. You give your daughter or sister in a family and then you can't even drink water there?? That is illogical. No Shubh, it is not done. Now, It is up to you. Break this tradition or I will start a new one. "

" Yes, beta Vikram is absolutely right. You are a young boy. You should try to change the traditions which are outdated and does not bring any positivity. " Uncle said.

" Ok uncle, I understand... Even I agree that those traditions should be discarded which creates problems. I didn't realise that if I don't accept the tea, you might feel bad or would have to arrange it from elsewhere. That is so inconvenient. I would like to have tea If you all insist... "

" That's like a good boy. " Aunty said and smiled. Sandhya was also smiling like anything.

She got up to serve me tea and snacks. She was pouring tea for me and I smiled at her. Just then Vidhi came and started serving snacks to me with a smile.

My heart felt a jolt to see her beautiful smile. But I controlled my heart and looked at Sandhya again. She was trying to control her smile.

I glared at sandy but she kept smiling. Why was she smiling?