Heylo people,
Yes ! I am here finally..
I know its too late to update. Apologies for that. I am back After almost a month. Its my laziness. I was numb to pen down anything.
Hope things get better...
Enjoy reading ♥️

****

Arjun reached office to get the details regarding Pratap shinde's recent business deal with one of the business group from Europe via Middle east. They were sure that the deal was done originally with AJ and Shinde was being only the benami. And in return, AJ provide the materials of the same worth needed for Shinde's company.

It is a crucial point in the case as this would establish a solid connection between AJ and Shinde group. But the financial dealings were not so easy to crack.

Ashutosh and team were split up and was behind Shinde monitoring all his close aids. They knew that keeping Dhruv under their custody for a long time will be a risky business. So Shinde had to be in front of them for the interrogation asap.

The team had no doubts on Shinde and he was just another business partner of AJ like many others. But all of a sudden he came to the picture when Shinde's men attacked Arjun and abducted Vaidhehi.

Shinde tortured and took her life for Mr X as per AJ's orders to avenge for his brother's life. AJ just wanted to eliminate the person who became the reason for Marko's death and unfortunately it was her: Vaidhehi !

***

Arjun transferred the data to the team and returned home asap. He peeked in to see where Mohini was as silence prevailed in the house. He didnt expect her to do anything. But he didnt like the darkness and silence either.

He found her sitting aloof in her room, staring at something. He went near her and found that she was holding on Vaidhehi's frame in her hands. A different kind of emotion reflected her eyes that he couldnt decipher.

Mohini sensed his presence near him and quickly placed it back on the table.

"Its weird when it comes from me. But, she is pretty." Mohini told.

Arjun took the frame from her and caressed the picture.

"Indeed."

"Where is she now?" She asked.

He dint dare to look at Mohini who was eager to know about his love.

"I lost her. Forever..." He closed his eyes in pain.

Mohini was shocked beyond words.

"Wh... what... How?" She managed to ask.

He breathed deep. "Its time to reveal the remaining story..."

Mohini couldnt react. He headed to the same place, Balcony. And she simply followed.

"Life was blissful with her being my side. She was my strongest support, biggest motivator and the one who loved me unconditionally. Like none else. I never missed my family after meeting her. Felt like being the most blessed person in this whole universe when she professed her love for me. The insecurities I had in my life was effirtlessly wiped out by her. I was into an important mission of finding the face behind one of the biggest threat to our country. So we decieded to tie the knot after finishing it. Vaidhu was also working hard for her project which was supposed to be completed by that time. And upon father's and Ashutosh sir's insistence we got engaged."

Mohini noticed the smile that formed when he mentioned about his love.

"Vaidhu was never a nagging fiance. She was patient, supportive when it comes to our personal time. She knew about the risk involved in contacting me. Though we talked often. She was aware of the mission I was working on. About 7 months later, our team found out the person behind the terrorist attack happened in our country. Mr. X, as they fondly address its mastermind.
It was our same team along with Mahesh found that AJ group is directly linked to the deals happened in Indian region.
Marco Joshua, the younger heir of AJ group ended up in suspected list of persons being Mr.X after he attended a business conglomerate's party in London. That person who happened to be an ISI agent himself. Their frequent visits to the former's business sites and parties were the primary reason that generated doubts on him. Apparently Marco was incharge of company's India region. Hence, our target was fixed: Marco !!!
Around this time, Vaidhu's project was completed and we planned to buy an apartment to live post wedding. And she came to this city for arranging the same. This team, it is unlike the other teams I have worked with. We all were like a family and they wanted to meet Vaidhu. You also might have noticed the bond we share?" He paused and she nodded in return.

"It was fun when we gather together off work. They were so excited to finally meet Vaidhu." He smiled thinking about their meet.

****

"Hi Vaidhehi, I am Zoya.. so here I finally met my sis in law." Zoya was the most excited one. She jumped in first to introduce herself.

There were two reasons. One that she was the only girl in the team and she badly needed company. Second, she was close to Arjun the most and they shared a brother sister bond.

"Hi Zoya." She hugged her.

"Please Call me Vaidhu. Glad to meet you too finally. Aju always tells me about you all. Especially this little sister he have got here."

"Hahah Yes Sure ! Vaidhu is a lovely name. And its Zoe for you then. Okay?"

"Haha Yes Zoe."

"Excuse me madam. We are also here. Please let us meet our Bhabhi too.." David chided her.

"Ohh Yeah Sir. I know. Here she is."

"Hi Bhabhi.. I know technically you guys arent married but we would like to call you that. I am .."

"David right? Hi.. Aju have told me about each and everyone of you. You guys are his family..." Vaidhu smiled at him whole heartedly.

"Hi Mahesh Ashok" She greeted the other two men standing next to David. "And... Ashutosh Sir !" Vaidhu was surprised to meet him there.

Ashutosh stood behind everyone carefully observing the girl infront of him. He was experiancing an emotional turbulence. A million thoughts crossing his mind at the moment.

She quickly bend down to touch his feet. Ashutosh was taken aback at this. And quickly pulled her up from shoulders.

"Aju always tells about you. He told me everything." She was so happy.
Ashutosh turned to Arjun cluelessly. He denied through eyes and Ashutosh was relieved.

The meeting was most special for him. Although he have seen his daughter from distance, this one being so close was totally a different feeling. His heart wished to yell the truth infront of the world. Somehow, he controlled himself.

Ashutosh smiled at Vaidehi and blessed her.

"Vaidehi... So finally... Good to meet you. Arjun told me everything about you two. God bless you my child."

"Thank you Sir." She was happy to meet him.

Rest of the evening passed in smiles, laughter and teasings. All of them gelled well in no time. Like they have known for so long. Arjun was quite happy about it.

***

Arjun and Vaidhehi decieded to stay at their new apartment untill she go back. It was like planning their days ahead together in their new home. Vaidehi wanted to furnish their home on her own including their personal touch in each and everything.

It was first time after so long that they were staying together under one roof. This time not just as best friends but officially as fiances. Arjun being the notorious one after engagement never missed a chance to tease her taking advantage of engaged status.

Setting up a new apartment is never easy. It is quite a big task and the couple had just started doing it. They were done with their first day of work.

"Vaidhu... I am dead tired. My eyes are drooping." Arjun complained.

"You lazy ass. Okie I am leaving you as this is first day. We can sleep now. Have to wake up early and prepare food. I cant take outside food anymore." She whined.

"Nothing doing. I am not allowing you to cook. Dont argue."

"But why? You know that I can manage right. And we are going to be together. So why not?"

"See I already asked you not yo argue. But you never listen. Hmm why because.." He wrapped his hands around her from back and kept his head on her shoulder. She shivered at his touch.

"Because I dont want my fiance to take the pain of everything. Planning, sourcing, and setting up our home itself is a big task. You know you are just the best in all this. So I can help with cooking until you become my wife officially. Well, I dont want my fiancee to take the workload. What if she leave this poor man." He kept a sad yet funny face.

Vaidhehi turned around and pulled his cheeks. "Ohh so that is the reason. This poor boy is scared of being left alone. Ahaan..."

"Yeah..." He smiled with naughty glint.

"Okay. I agree. You take care of the kitchen part and Ill take care of every other thing until we are officially Mr and Mrs ! Happy?"

"Yes!! Thats my girl." He dint expect her to agree this fast.

"But I have a condition. After wedding If you are at home,You have to be there in the kitchen with me while I cook. Dont worry I just need your presence and will not make you work. Deal? "

"Yes my highness!! I will always be at your service. Anything else?" He bowed down infront of her.

Vaidhu laughed at his antics.

"Ahm ahm. No ! This would be enough for now. Will let you know if there is more."

"Achaa..." He pulled her towards him and placed a soft kiss on her lips. Vaidhu felt jitters yet she was calm. Afterall he was her man. There isnt need to feel awkward. She slowly reciprocated the kiss. Could feel her heart and soul melting away and meeting his. They pulled apart after a fair amount of time. And he hugged her.

"Hmm.. Aju. Its time to sleep. Good night." She was blushing and wanted to run away from him hiding the adrenaline rush.

"Where are you running away madam? And do you really wanna sleep in the guest room? Ahem. We are engaged. Technically i dont see any issues here. I mean we can sleep in one room. I wont do anything. I am a good boy, I swear. You just have to control yourself." He teased her.

She gave a smack and went to her room. Closing the door half, she stood looking at him.

"You have become shameless. Single track mind, bad boy!!"

"Hahah baby I am bad boy, can you be my bad girl? Tudu too doo doo du.." He hummed.

"No thanks !

"Ouch that hurts...How boring !! We were better off as friends." He made face.

"Gosh this Man ! We were better off as friends, Really?? But friends dont kiss like this na." She stuck out her tounge teasing him.

"Ahaan.. So Who is shameless now!?"

"Fine ! Good Night Aju..." She closed the door and opened again.

"Enough teasing me you bad boy. Even if I agree to stay in the room, I know you wouldnt entertain that. So good night Mister Husband to be." She gave a flying kiss which caught and kept in heart.

"Good night Wifey to be. I love You!!"

"I love you tooo" she closed the door, leaned on it. Life is beautiful, she thought.

***

Few days passed with Vaidhehi being busy in organising the things and Arjun working with the team. They were on the plan to get the details out of Marko. And Ashutosh was supposed to meet him at their home. It was actually Arjun's plan to make him meet Vaidhu. He knew her father's unsaid agony. And for making them spend time together, he called Vaidhu to his place in the pretext of new apartment.

Ashutosh was nervous to meet her after years. He wished he had some strength earlier to tell her the truth about them. But his fears, insecurities never let him do so. He felt the distance to be safe for her future. Away from all the dangers that surrounded him. But, today he regret doing it. He lost some precious years with his baby girl. He missed all the milestones in her life. And Arjun on realising his feelings always does all the possible things that would bring them close to each other.

Vaidhu had been told about his relation with Arjun and how helpful he was. Both on personal and professional front. And that already created a warm feeling for him inside her heart.

Ashutosh had been welcomed by Arjun and Vaidhehi. They were spending some time telling about their childhood stories, wedding preparations and work. And Arjun excused himself to attend a call and the duo was left alone.

"So are you from Hyderabad Sir?" Vaidehi asked casually.

"Ah.. hmm.. No.. ahh Yes. I mean I have been born and brought up in Maharashtra but had started and spend my early days of career from here. So yeah I can say I am from Hyderabad though my roots are'nt."

"Oh.. Aju always speaks high about you. This team has been his family. And he is so proud of it. But he have only told me about your professional life. So, your family is here? I mean your wife and kids. I would love to meet them Sir" Vaidhu was curious. She noticed his face changing immediately. He stared her face. She couldnt decipher its meaning.

He gently lowered his head staring at his own fingers and took out his wallet. He pulled a picture which is kept inside of it. He looked at it. A small smile crept up his lips.

"Padma. My wife .." He handed over the picture to Vaidhu. She curiously took it from him.

"Gosh.. She is Gorgeous. Padma.. Indeed She looks as fresh as a lotus. Look at her eyes. What a grace! I am sure she must be as good as she looks. You are so lucky Sir." She was all thrilled to see his wife's picture, not knowing who she was for her !

Ashutosh couldnt help bt smile with tears. For anyone, this is just a casual scenario. But for him, its as crucial as anything in his life. The two ladies in his life. This must be the first time his daughter is seeing her own Amma. He smirked at his own fate.

"Indeed. She is... Graceful as one could ever be.. my Paddu."

"Aww.. such a cute name. Hmm lemme guess. It must be a love marriage right?"

"Huh.. why did you ask so?"

"Ahem.. Look at that face. How come none fall for it. And it becomes an arranged marriage."

Ashutosh just smiled.

"Yes. It was indeed love marriage. Padma is a malayali. Born and brought up in Mumbai. I met her when I was during my graduation. We were college mates. Since I was also half malayali from my maternal side, it helped me getting close to her. Slowly we became friends, fell in love and then I joined the force, she waited for me. There werent much hurdles. Families talked and we got married."

"Aww so sweet. Pretty much same like us. He joined force, I waited. Since we had no families, convincing part wasnt there. By the way, where is she? I am soo excited to meet her. Would need her tips on how to manage a raw agent. Haha.. That idiot Aju never told me that You have such a pretty wife." She was excited.

"By the way is she a dancer by any chance? Her eyes are soo strong."

Ashutosh was amused at her statement.

"Yes. She was..." He paused for a second and continued.

"I saw her dance performance during our college fest. She danced ao gracefully that I noticed her." He had a blush reminiscing their first meet.

"Wow ! See I knew it... oh God ! I cant wait. Now at any cost, I wanna meet her. You know sir? I love dancing. I used to participate in dance programmes in schools and colleges too. But never got an oppurtunity to learn. I would love to be the student of such a pretty teacher." Vaidhu winked at him innocently.

"She would have loved to do so." Ashutosh sighed recalling the conversation he had with his wife. She used to say the same. If they have a baby girl, she would teach her to dance. But, fate had other plans. His life turned upside down and dreams were shattered in no time.

"Why? Wouldnt she do it now?" She asked.

"No!"

"I can make her understand. Dont worry Sir. I will impress her and make her do it. I have my ways." She was confident.

"No. My child... you cant do it."

"But why? Dont you believe me?"

"I do... who would agree to this innocent face! My paddu would hv too. If only she was alive. She left me alone in this world during the delivery of our first born."

Vaidhehi was too shocked to react. She simply stared at him. Ashutosh had a grim face.

"And the baby?" She managed to ask.

"I lost her too." He dint know how to  utter truth. Fearing her reaction.
Probably his illfate that he is telling a big lie to his babygirl. The truth about her. He was surprised with the emotions Vaidhu developed with her Amma just by seeing her photograph.

Vaidhu lost it there. She was guilty of asking him about his family. And ding know what to say further.

"Paddu was right. We had a baby girl. Just as pretty as her. We had weaved many dreams about the life with our baby. She wanted to raise her as a strong lady with a beautiful heart. It took only a few moments. Our life was torn apart. Fate was cruel. More than what I can describe right now. It shattered my dreams, ruined everything. And I was seperated from my girls. Left alone here. I miss both of them." His voice reflected excruciating pain.

"My baby girl.. Her initial days, her growth, her every firsts, graduation, her wedding. Every achievements in her life. I missed everything. Me and Paddu dreamt of it like every other parents. But we were so unfortunate to live that life. I dont know what sin I did to bear it all.

A teardrop fell from her big eyes feeling his pain. It stabbed her heart. She felt it to be very personal, Oblivious to the truth. Here she and Aju lost their parents, Ashutosh lost his wife and child. Is God really cruel? She wondered !

"I... I am sorry. Sir..."

"For what my child? Don't be. You dont have to feel bad. You didnt remind me of it. As I never forgot them." His voice was deep.

Silence prevailed for few moments.

"Sir, Aju always said that you are more like a father to him. He lost his parents at a young age. And I never had a father figure only. So, I dont know how it will be... I.. Is it fair... I dont know..." She stammered and Ashutosh was clueless although it pained to see her uteer words like that.

"What is it?" He asked.

"I dont know if it make any sense. Still.. Forgive me if its wrong. You told you couldnt live upto your  dream life with your daughter. Shall we compensate that? From the moment you said about your family, it created a strange feeling inside my heart. An unknown pain. Its not any sympathu. Please dont misunderstand me. I dont know why. This feels so personal. I also know your pain cant be removed. But I can reduce the pain to an extend. Can I ask something?"

Ashutosh was confused. But asked her to proceed.

"Will you give my hand to Aju during our wedding? As my father..." Her question was pretty straight forward and Ashutosh was shocked beyond words.

It was his dream infact. And he could'nt ask to anyone for this. Now that his daughter herself is asking for it. He stood there non chalant. Not knowing how to react.

"Sir... I am sorry if its too much. I blurted out what came in my mind. Its ok. I understand it must be painful... I..."

"I will do it !" He declared. And Vaidhu was surprised.

"I dont have any problem. Infact, I am extremely happy. Arjun is like my own son." He paused.

"But I guess its time to change that. Now that you are my daughter, he will be my son in law. Right?" He tried to lighten the mood. Obviously to hide his nervousness and over excitement.

"I will do your kanyadaan. You arent less than what I dreamt of." He said honestly. "But only upon one condition."

Vaidehi raised her brows. He smiled at this. She was replica of his Paddu. Expressing her emotions through eyes and brows. He stood up and kept a serious face. She followed. He turned around, faced her.

"You shouldnt call me Sir anymore. Call me ... Papa!"

"Papa?" She whispered inaudible to anyone else.

"Mm hmm.. will You?" His voice hid his deep emotions and longing. The word he longed to listen from her.

Vaidhu took a few seconds to register the emotions going through her. And slowly uttered it.

"Papa..." Her voice felt magical to him. Ashutosh couldnt help but lost it there.

Tears flew from his face. It was such an emotional moment for him. The right she was denied off by him was finally given back to her. Vaidhu too felt different at that moment. And seeing Ashutosh in tears moved her. Fresh tears formed in her eyes. He pulled her in a side hug, keeping  one hand over her head and the other one hugging her. They dint feel it awkward somehow.

Arjun who came back by then was stunned by the scene infront of him. He was standing there since the time Vaidhu asked him to give her hand during wedding. He, himself was surprised at her words. His Vaidhu never had such feelings to anyone. She never expressed her grief for not having her own family or parents. May be instincts, he thought.

No matter what, he was the happiest one to witness such a great development between them like he wished. His teary smiles was the proof. Perhaps, God thought of helping him for this and he thanked almighty in his mind.

****

Thats for today...
Now thats my Vaidhu's family... I really love Lalettan - Shobhana mam together... Hope you liked it too..

Some of you might say story isnt moving forward. But, most of you know too... I cant do that. Dont know why !!! ☹️

Pic credits: google, insta and respective owners.

Hope you liked it..
Please do vote and let me know your take on this..
- Love Apz ♥️