Barve Residence

Akash had come to pick Ankush and Priyanka to their house as usual.

Priyanka used to leave for her hospital in the morning dropping Ankush at the Barve residence.

So, when they prepared to leave for their apartment in the city, Mrs. Barve came to convey that she wanted to discuss some matters with the family.

In the living room

Radhika Barve was finding it difficult to express her thoughts with her family. She fiddled with her phone on the table. Pradeep Barve held her hand and asked her the reason for the sudden family meeting.

"I.I want my Pia to get married asap," Radhika Barve managed to speak.

Everyone were happy with the decision except Pradeep Barve who knew his wife. So, he told her to further clarify her decision.

"I want all of you to search for a suitable boy for my Pia and get her married within 6 months," Pia looked at her mom and saddened at her words. She looked down deciding to not utter a single word.

Pradeep Barve said "But-but Radhika, you know Pia is to be betrothed with Harish from their childhood. The eldest son of the Joshi family as per our elders verdict,"

"I don't know that. I just want my Pia to be happy. I don't want her to end up with the same fate as Harshini tai*. I won't sacrifice my daughter's life for the wellbeing of that selfish family!" Radhika told with tears in her eyes.

(*tai - elder sister )

"Radhika! How can you say such a thing?! You know they love and care for her! How can you be so judgemental just because something unpredictable happened in the past?!!" Pradeep asked her angrily.

Radhika got up and told "Because I have seen my tai suffered for long and that family didn't do anything to save her. On the contrary, they insulted her more by bringing that..." She couldn't finish her statement and clutched the table sharply.

She looked at each and every family member stating "If my Pia is not married within the next 6 months, I will break all the ties with this family!"

Saying so, she left from the living room to her bedroom.

Pia stood there like a rock not uttering a single word. As she knew that whatever her mother spoke was the eternal truth.

Priyanka came to her and rubbed her shoulders knowing that her youngest will never go against her parents will.

Pia lightly smiled at her sister and removed her hand from her shoulder moving to her room on the first floor.

Pia's room

Pia entered her room and closed the door. She clutched the door and slide down crying badly.

She sat on the floor crying silently. She knew that if her parents have decided to find a life partner who is not her Shri, then it is for own good. But what about her heart, what will she do to mend it?

She had waited for 10 years to finally meet her love.

She had seen his turmoil and the hurt he had felt which pained her heart.

His pain, his tears, his laugh and even his heart was hers.

But now...

She got up from the floor and went towards her mirror table. She opened one of the drawers and took out a box.

The box of her memories with her Shri.

https://youtu.be/3bQcEDC2I04

His first flower when she was 5 years old. He gave that to her when she cried to go to school for the first time.

His first chocolate when she went to her first picnic away from her family for the first time. She had saved the chocolate wrapper and kept it in a neat manner. She was only 8 years old.

His first kiss on her hands before he left to his boarding school in Shimla. She was 10 years old but she was smart enough to understand her heart missed her Shri from that day onwards and would wait for him.

His first letter from the boarding school. He wrote the letter explaining that he missed his Pia and will come back asap to be with her forever.

She clutched each and every memory and cried remembering them.

After some time, she kept them in the box and moved it to the far end of her closet were on one would find it, not even her.

She looked herself in the mirror and wiped her tears.

She smiled and spoke

"You are a strong, smart and confident girl. You don't need a man to define yourself. I am my best and I will make someone the best version of himself. I will love and care for my partner with my everything, without regret. I promise myself,"

She clutched her dress and looked down with ever flowing tears.

She then went to the washroom to do her night routine.

She thought to sleep to calm herself down and start with a new life. A new Prathibha.

The next morning

Pia got up with a heavy heart as she knew that from now onwards, she had to think only about her family.

The family who has loved her, raised her and taught her the good teachings which has made her a sensible being.

After finishing her morning routine, she went to have her breakfast.

Dining table

The Barve family were having their food quietly than the usual hustle bustle which quizzed her. She had never seen her family so sad and depressed.

All this was for her.

They were sulking as they saw their beloved to be sulky. So, it was her duty to bring her family back in track.

She straightened herself and strode in a mischievous manner to the table and sang

"Na jao sanya chuda ke baiya, kasam tumhari main ro padungi...ro padungi*!" she put her hand on her forehead and tilted her head towards them.

(*Please don't leave my beloved. Else I would cry I swear)

They all were quizzed to see her doing a cinematic pose by singing a sad song.

Then burst into a loud laugh and clutched her stomach rolling here and there.

Priyanka came near her and asked her behaviour by touching her forehead.

Pia pursed her lips and spoke

"Then what am I supposed to say! You all are behaving as if I am going to go today itself. Hello people! I have to still find my groom, spend time with him, know him and then marry him...which will take roughly 5-6 months, right! So, relax! I have enough time with me, hm..."

They all looked at how their Pia was trying to make everyone happy with her delightful personality. They wished that their Pia would always stay so happy and cheerful lifelong.

They all laughed at her antics and resumed to have their breakfast in a happy mood.

But her mother knew her pain who was smart enough to hide them just like her.

Pia moved out of the house to take her scooty. Radhika called her before she could go.

"Pia!"

Pia stopped and looked down as she knew that her mother would have understood her acting.

"Why?! My child, am I that bad that I am not allowed to think good for my own flesh and blood, huh? Tell me?" Radhika held her hand and asked her.

"No mom, you are not bad. I am. I was so engrossed in my dreamland that I forgot that I have my family that needs me. Care for me and I should not disappoint them. As they have done everything to make me who I am today. So, I should do what is my duty. Be your responsible daughter. And that's what I am going to do, Mom," Pia said to her mom clutching her hand tightly assuring her.

Her mom felt so proud of her upbringing. She knew that Pia was a strong-willed girl but never thought that she would sacrifice her heart's desire for her family. Her dreams, her love, her Shri.

She hugged her daughter tightly and cried caressing her hairs. She kissed her forehead and wiped her tears saying

"I promise you that you would much happier if you agree to my wish to get you married to a suitable boy who will pamper you, love you for the wonderful woman that you have turned into, my child!"

Pia lightly nodded looking down. She promised her mother that she would do exactly what her family desires. She would never go against their will ever.

Pia told her that she would visit the Joshi family only in the morning. As she was supposed to give Dadu his morning medicine and instruct his nurse to give him his afternoon medicine.

Radhika agreed to her little wish as she trusted her daughter to not stray away from her promise.

In the University

In the library, the students were rounded by the librarian to convey an important announcement.

"Listen all! We have made one and only one rule that none of the students will be allowed to borrow a specific book for more than a week. Then why am I not having any of you return the books that you have taken within a week?! Huh?"

"Mam, we did return it back! You must have mixed up the log entry wrongly. Please check it and let us leave! We are missing our classes!" one of the students whined looking at his phone.

"No! not until I get an answer for my query!"

"Mam, Relax! Its just a book, not the constitution that you are so worried for! Humph!" One of the students spoke her frustration earning a spat on her arms by her friend who tried to shush her.

"Ardhana Mam, Dean sir was calling you to discuss the new rule inclusion!" one voice made its way to the librarian who perked at the word 'rule' and moved to the person.

He gave his best smile and took her towards the Dean's chamber.

He assured her that he will monitor the library in her absence. The librarian had full confidence at him as it was mostly a part time job kind for the chap.

His friends and classmates blessed his soul and hurriedly moved out of the library in jet speed.

"Dude! That was sleek! I mean she definitely fell for that one! Guess our Lucky does know how to wring people in his little finger, huh!" his friend patted his shoulders earning a smirk from Lucky.

Lucky was waiting for his bestie near the corridor of her class.

11:10 am

11:12 am

11:15 am

Tring! Tring!

Pia came out of her class talking to her friend regarding their project for the Drama club.

Pia was the president of the major students clubs and council which she earned with her perfect academics and of course all-round talent.

Lucky hugged his bestie earning a giggle from her. He smelled her vanilla scent relaxing his muscles and caressed her hairs.

She was the happiest with her bestie.

He was her solace,

Her partner in crime.

Her soulmate.

She knew that if no one, her bestie would always support her.

"Lucky, lets go to the canteen. I am hangry. Ms. Raina gave us a headache with her Wages Act pedagogy! I don't understand her! I mean if you really want to release your frustration, are we the students your target? Huh?!" Pia waved her hands mimicking her professor making Lucky laugh at her antics. Lucky grabbed her shoulders and moved to the canteen.

Lucky pursed his lips and took her to have a hot cup of Tapri Chai in their canteen.

The tea maker there used to make the most delectable tea in the whole world! - as vividly explained by our Pia.

So, Tapri Chai it was!

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