Hey, you all! Thank you for all your continuous support and responses – It really means a lot to me. And gosh, I’m so terribly sorry for such a late update. I’ve been wanting to upload since a long time, but I just had a lot of things to have me preoccupied. But thank you to everyone who reached out, I really appreciate it. Here’s the next episode, Happy Reading!
PREVIOUSLY, Twinkle and Kunj spare themselves an intimate moment; Twinkle and Kunj get married
EK TUKDA PYAAR – EPISODE 22
Twinkle tapped her fingers against the screen furiously, alternately engaging herself between phone calls and text messages. It’d been a week since she’d been assisting Saanjh over the case of Kunj’s business and she’d been waiting for the concluding statement since the past half an hour – her impatience overwhelming her.
She looked up at the dark sky, noticing the clouds that filled the expanse of the sky and massaged her temple. She was so certain the meeting had ended, but she hadn’t been able to contact Saanjh since a long time.
Aarohi (walking out to the balcony): Maa! Can we go up to the terrace garden?
Twinkle (turning around, but looking at the screen of her phone): Why?
Aarohi: Why not? (looking at her mother for a long second, her brows furrowing slowly) Are you busy?
Twinkle: No, no, tell me. I’m listening. (looking at Aarohi and scrunching her face) Did you finish your homework?
Aarohi: I did. (pausing briefly and staring at the floor) When will Papa come tomorrow?
Twinkle: The usual; Why?
Aarohi (shaking her head and smiling): Simply. Maa, can we please go to the terrace garden?
Twinkle locked her phone and shoved it in the pocket of her jeans, trying to calm herself and settle the overwhelming thoughts in her mind. She figured, Saanjh would call her as soon as possible and she needn’t worry herself till then. She tightened the hold of the band around her hair and knelt down on the floor – her hands weaving around Aarohi’s shoulders.
Twinkle: You want to go to the garden? (she looked at Aarohi and smiled) Did you ask if anyone else wanted to go with you?
Aarohi: No, I wanted to go with you. (pausing shortly) Are you going to be busy? We can go some other…
Twinkle (standing up and interrupting): No, c’mon. We’ll go now.
She ruffled Aarohi’s hair and smiled when she heard the usual gruntled noise as they weaved their way toward the terrace garden. Twinkle was acutely aware of the time she’d spent with her daughter in the past two weeks – after the marriage. Despite being free at times, she’d tried staying away from her, allowing her to mingle with the other members of the family.
When they stood amidst the potted flower plants, Twinkle embraced the softness of the wind that grazed her skin and inhaled the scent of the flowers, letting the freshness fill the insides of her. Over the past two weeks, she’d wanted to come here several times, but she’d been hesitant – contemplating several times if she’d hurt anyone’s sentiments.
Aarohi (levelling herself to the flowers): Do you miss Nani, Maa?
Twinkle: I do. She is my mother, Baccha. I can’t grow used to her absence so soon, na.
Aarohi (whispering): Same.
Twinkle: Same, what?
Aarohi (standing up and shaking her head): I miss Nani. (turning around toward Twinkle) You think we can call her?
Twinkle nodded her head but as she began drawing the phone out of her pocket, the chiming of the ringtone wavered in the air – a surge of panic rising within her. She knew this was the call she’d been expecting. She swiped her finger across the screen, accepting the call and looked at Aarohi.
Twinkle (holding up a finger): I’ve to take this call, but you stay here. We’re going to call Nani after this.
Aarohi (in a protesting voice): But Maa, we…
Twinkle brushed her fingers against Aarohi’s cheeks in an endearing manner and turned around, whispering into the phone. She knew after they’d gotten the inspector involved in the case, they’d almost majority of the chances of winning, but she yearned for the confirmation.
When the words uncoiled over the line, an unknown satisfaction settled within her. But as Kunj’s voice echoed in the background, the muscles in her stomach clenched – a nausea filling within her. Her patience was on the brim of exhaustion and she was uncertain if she could bear Kunj’s secrecy for any longer.
She disconnected the call, a heaviness settling on her. But as she began pondering over Kunj’s closed-off personality, Aarohi’s scream echoed in the emptiness of the surroundings and she turned around, a terror uncoiling within her.
Aarohi was settled on the floor, coiling into a wrenching bunch with her knees pushed closer to her chin while she wiggled her toes between her fingers. Twinkle crossed the distance in between and flumped before her daughter, quickly pulling Aarohi’s leg over her lap.
Twinkle: How did this happen?
Aarohi (whimpering): Something sharp pierced into my foot, I think – Ah!
Twinkle (in an indignant voice): Why can’t you take care, Aarohi? You knew where the lights were, you could’ve switched them on.
Aarohi (trying to pull back her leg): I’m fine, Maa. You should get back to work.
Twinkle (glaring at Aarohi to quieten her): Ekdum chup. Let me see. (tsking at Aarohi) You should take care na, Aarohi. C’mon, get up now. We’ve to go downstairs and aid to the wound.
She pressed her palms on the floor trying to pick herself from the floor, but a shard of glass poked into her palm and she flinched immediately, staring at the shards of glass strewn around. Her face puckered in question, trying to determine what had broken but as Aarohi’s aching voice wavered in the air, she turned toward her – a sadness clinging onto her features as she stared at the droplets of blood pooling in the crevices between her toes.
Twinkle (stretching her hand forward): Get up, Aarohi. We’ve to aid to your wound.
Aarohi (stretching both her hands and smiling cheekily): I can’t walk.
Twinkle shook her head and picked up Aarohi from the floor, balancing the adding weight on both of her feet. She wrapped her hands around Aarohi’s waist, holding onto her tightly and wrapped Aarohi’s hands around her shoulders, asking her to tighten her hold.
Twinkle (shaking her head and smiling derisively): Bas, natak karwa lo iss ladki se.
————
Twinkle stirred the turmeric in the milk and walked up the stairs, making her way toward Kunj’s mother’s room. After she’d aided to the wound, Aarohi had spent most of the time in everyone else’s company – cherishing the attention – while listening to the stories that Kunj’s mother narrated to her.
She’d been in awe for the entire evening, admiring how her daughter was slowly beginning to mingle with everyone in the family. Almost each day, she reminded herself that Aarohi’s happiness and acceptance was of utmost importance and she tried to provide her ample time, letting her spend time with others in the family.
When Twinkle walked inside the room, she saw how Aarohi was cuddled up-to Myra as the two of them listened to the story with great interest. She stood at the door and smiled to herself, quietly observing the way Aarohi enjoyed the nooks that she’d always yearned for, ever since her own divorce.
Her eyes flickered to Kunj, who sat at the corner of the room, furiously typing at the laptop but looked up almost each minute to check upon the others in the room. Despite wanting to talk to Kunj tonight, Twinkle knew she couldn’t fathom herself or her rights, yet. Especially, after all Kunj was doing for the two of them, she knew she couldn’t fall short of appreciating his efforts.
Twinkle (standing beside the bed and stretching her hand): Aarohi, drink this. I’ll tuck you to bed after that.
Aarohi (looking up): After you bandaged my foot, I’ve been good. I don’t need the milk.
Twinkle (in a stern voice): Aarohi!
Aarohi: Please Maa! I’m really all good. (looking back at Kunj’s mother) And Maa, please don’t disturb na. This is a very good story.
Twinkle: Aarohi, it’s getting late. Let everyone sleep, and – (pulling the blanket from her) – you will also go sleep, now. Papa will come tomorrow morning; he shouldn’t have to wait.
Aarohi (sliding down on the bed): I’m sleeping. I want to listen to the stories that…
Twinkle: that Dadi is narrating?
Aarohi (nodding her head): that DADI is narrating.
Twinkle smiled, a speck of satisfaction settling within her. She knew Aarohi had been very apprehensive of addressing everyone in the family with terms of endearment, but as the addressal spilled past her lips, she looked at Kunj’s mother and observed the smile that stretched the corners of her lips.
Usha (wrapping her fingers around Twinkle’s wrist): Keep the glass on the table, I’ll make sure she drinks it before sleeping. (looking at Aarohi) And she’ll be no trouble, you and Kunj can leaver her here.
Twinkle: Are you sure, Mummy?
Usha: Haan, Beta. Myra will also be here; you don’t have to worry.
Aarohi: Haa, Maa. Good night!
Aarohi waved a hand at her mother and smiled cheekily. Twinkle shook her head and placed the glass of milk on the table and kissed Aarohi’s forehead, softly murmuring a good night and asking her to not trouble anyone in the room.
When she stood up straight and turned around, she felt Kunj’s penetrating gaze sweep over her – a warmth settling within the insides of her. She walked toward him, a small smile lifting her lips. She stood behind Kunj’s chair and looked over his shoulder, staring at the screen. Resting her elbow on the top of the antique chair, she leaned closer and a whiff of his expensive cologne brushed the base of her nostrils.
Kunj: You should go sleep, Mrs. Sarna.
Twinkle: Do you’ve work to finish?
Kunj shut his laptop and picked it up from the table, tugging it in between his torso and arm, and stood up from the chair. He tilted his head and looked at Twinkle, a look of affection sweeping over his features and his eyes softening.
Kunj: I do. But I’ll be in the study, so you can sleep, easily.
Twinkle: I’m not sleepy, yet. Can I help you with something?
The two of them walked out of the room, dimming the lights on their way, and silently appreciating the scenario. When they stepped into the hallway, the softness of the lights fell upon the two of them and Twinkle noticed the shade of the stubble that lined Kunj’s jaw.
Kunj (chuckling): You don’t have to. Yuvraj will be here in the morning and you’ll have to be up early again. Get yourself some rest.
Twinkle: You also come and sleep now. Finish off the work in the morning.
Kunj (shaking his head): I have work to finish…
Twinkle (interrupting): Kunj! We aren’t arguing about this.
Kunj: But…
Twinkle: I said it, Kunj.
Kunj sighed defeatedly and looked down at the floor, shaking his head. Twinkle looked at him, smiling satisfactorily and walked toward their room, letting the silence envelop them. She knew the two of them didn’t spend a lot of time in each other’s company, but these small, fragile moments were etched into her mind so brilliantly – she couldn’t forget the distinctiveness of any of the moments.
Twinkle (waiting at the berm of the door): You go inside, first.
Kunj: Why?
Twinkle: I don’t trust you. What if you decide to fool me?
Kunj shook his head and stood beside Twinkle, his rich cologne clouding her senses and she shut her eyes, relinquishing the smell. He leaned in closer to her, his breath brushing the bareness of her skin and she scrunched her face, waiting for his words.
Kunj (whispering): Becoming Mrs. Sarna, are we? How dutiful!
But as Kunj walked inside the room, the muscles in Twinkle’s stomach clenched and she avoided the nausea that began filling her. She couldn’t ignore the sadness that complimented the nausea and her lips quirked into a frown, wanting to erase the thoughts out of her mind.
————
As the raindrops splattered against the railing, Twinkle stretched her hand forward and relished the cold that brushed her fingertips. She’d never been a fan of rains, but she’d always enjoyed the splattering of raindrops against her skin while it drizzled. When it began pouring heavily, she was always cooped inside the house, watching the scenery outside.
The wind blew past her, blowing the loose strands of her hair and she began gathering her hair, trying to tie the strands together. As she began twisting her hair, she felt the brushing of skin against her fingertips and her hold loosened, an electrifying sensation bubbling within her.
Kunj: Kitni baar kaha hai, leave it open. It suits you better.
She felt his breath nibbling her skin and shut her eyes, her hands falling on the sides and her hair falling in waves over her shoulders. She figured, he was so close to her that if she turned around, she could see the charcoal freckles in his eyes.
When his fingers brushed against her shoulders, she blinked her eyes open and tilted her head. He pushed her hair to the front and trailed his finger against the back of her neck, scorching her skin. She fisted her fingers on her sides and stilled herself, trying to avoid the way his touch overwhelmed her.
Twinkle: Raat ke barah baje, I don’t care how I look, Kunj. (stepping forward to the railing and turning around) It’s going to start raining; we should go inside.
Kunj (stepping forward): I think we should wait here, in fact. Rains are good. (looking around) Look at how pleasant the weather is.
Twinkle: Right. And then, after you catch a cold tomorrow morning, you’ll know how pleasant everything is.
Kunj (pinching the bridge of his nose): You’ve always been like this, right? Hamesha zyada practical.
Twinkle: Well, there’s nothing wrong in being practical. (walking toward the room) I’m going to go sleep, Mr. Sarna. You can enjoy the baarish ka mausam, if you wish.
Twinkle walked toward the room, wiping the droplets of rain that covered her skin. She shook her head and lifted her hands, tying her hair in a loose, messy bun. But as she walked past Kunj, his fingers curled around her wrist and she craned her neck, looking over shoulder.
Twinkle: Kunj, I’m not staying outside anymore.
Kunj (stepping toward her): One day, Mrs. Sarna, you’ll know how pleasant rains are.
Twinkle (freeing her hand and smiling): Okay. Tab tak ke liye, I’ll let you enjoy the pleasantness. (turning away and walking inside) Good night, Mr. Sarna!
She heard him chuckle over the distance and smiled softly, a warmth filling the insides of her. She was beginning to get too close to him, almost beginning to grow habitual of him, and she didn’t know what she’d do if circumstances were ever against the two of them.
She knew, she couldn’t battle the fierceness of another havoc in her life.
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Alright, that’d be it for this episode. Who remembers “Bas baatein karwa lo iss ladki se”? Haha, thank you for reading!