Dev's POV:

We finally reached the circuit house. This was mainly a kind of a guesthouse reserved for politicians and VIP guests in as we were very much in the area nearing dense forests!

We entered the circuit house and there seemed to be an old man who looked quite traditional as he had the huge Gujrati Saafa on his head and his granddaughter who was probably managing the stay.

They welcomed us saying...

'Namaste Sir... Bikram ji as well as Maharaja ji called us to make arrangements for you both... We have the cottage.. please come in...' he said and let us to a decent room.

They organized a cottage for us both which had a living room, 2 rooms, a kitchen a small balcony which had view of the dense jungle.

Ishaani looked at the cottage asking can't we get 2 normal rooms?

To which the girl replied...
'Sorry Mam all rooms are full...this cottage is permanently booked for Maharaja ji and his guests...so as we were told his grandson and would be daughter in law is joining us tonight we thought you would be ok with the cottage. We completely understand customs and values so we have two seperate bedrooms for you both. I hope you both have a goodnight Sir and madam.

Ummm oh ya... Please place order for dinner by 9 pm if room service or join us in the garden for buffet. We have people playing traditional folk music tonight' saying she left.

Ishaani was shocked.

She looked at me in a state of shock!!!

I gulped my saliva...

I understood that "daughter in law" statement came as a shocker to her!!!

She went upstairs without uttering a word!

After the Dhabha incident her playfulness has all gone... even mine...

So I thought of clarifying her before she misunderstood....

'Ishaani... Naanasa must have just told this here to avoid any questions or queries from the old man or other localites. They all seem pretty traditional... I .... I hope you...you understand!!!' I told her...

She didn't turn back...

Simply nodded and kept climbing upstairs...

Soon I got a call from Naanu and I picked the call...

'Ghani Khamma (Greetings) Nanu'

'Khamma Ghani Tabar (Greetings child)'

Naanu quickly asked...
'Hows Ishaani Bitiya Tabar'

'Hmmm she's ... she's fine Nanu...I think she is still in a state of shock... '

'Thank god you reached there on time Dear...I can't even imagine what the child would go through...I have spoken to Bikram already... everything will be taken care... She's our family and no one dares to even keep their finger on my family!!!' Nanu sounded really angry.

'Ummm Nanu... Can I ask you something...I mean... the manager here told me that ...you and your future Daughter in....I mean... Ishaani'

'Why... You still have an issue? I thought you like her don't you' Nanu asked...

I was shocked and speechless...

'Nanu....how did you'

'She was the same girl right Tabar whose heart you broke 3 years back!!! '

I was shocked...😳

'I had my doubts in Heli's engagement itself the way you were behaving... So I asked Heli.. she told me everything... Oh ha..also looks like Ahana bitiya isn't happy at all that you both were here... She has created a big scene back home! Your daadi had called me saying to keep you away from Ishaani on the night of Heli's engagement!!!'

'And you still??? Sent us on a trip from Jaipur to Bangalore nanu????' 😳😳😳

I was shocked as well as overwhelmed for my Nanu's support...

'Tabar... Im 81 year old! Your Nanima and me we both got married when we were 18 and 16 respectively. I was completely against this wedding. I was studying in Britain then...I didn't want to marry a simple village girl although she was a princess she hadn't seen the world. I belittled her, she tolerated everything only when one fine day my hell broke loose I left her in her mom's place. For complete 6 months!!! Everyone thought I will remarry but something inside me couldn't let her go. The minute I got to know she is travelling on a Teerath yatra for an year long I realised I can't let her go...I went all Gaga to get her back...you won't believe...I literally shifted to my father in law's haveli for 3 big months to get back your Nani!!! But I won her back! After that we stayed together in a 62 years of marriage and finally death parted us! But I still feel her with me Tabar... she's in my heart...my soul... I still love her...even after she's gone...I only love her... maybe my love is undying for her... ofcourse I miss my bed tea her hugs and our long walks but she's still here ..with me...
Tabar... sometimes...you have broken people's hearts it doesn't mend easily...they will be out of love...but your love needs to be poured into their hearts so much that at some point of time the broken heart mends!

Fill her life with so much love that you get her back forever Tabar...

I know you broke her real bad...but god gives chance to everyone and in your case god has been very kind!!!

Go on Tabar... Make her yours!

Show the world you are my grandson!!!

And haan don't pick your Daadi's calls she's got the news of your roadtrip! Im also avoiding them... she's one hell of s lady.. punjabi pungent blood 🤣🤣🤣 he laughed...

I laughed out loud too!!!

'I promise you Nanu...I will not let her go... and...

I love you Nanu... Nanima was one hell of a lucky lady 😉' must say I said...

'Oh tell me something new' he said

We both laughed out loud.

We were disturbed by the calling bell...I opened the door and there was a man with first aid kit.

***

I went upstairs

Our rooms were opposite to each otherm

I knocked the door but got no response from her...

I slowly turned the knob and went inside... The door was open!!!

I heard the shower was on!!!

I saw the bathroom door was also open!!!

I didn't know if I should look there...

But I remembered what state of mind she is😢

So I turned around to look at her!!!

She stood under the shower shock struck!!!

She was in the same clothes!!!

My shirt on her was also still on!!!

She looked like in some sort of a trans!!!

😢

I slowly took steps towards washroom and towards the shower area...

'Ishaani' I called her...

But she didn't respond!!!

I saw the water was freezing cold!!!

'Are you mad Ishu...stop it!!!'

I tried to switch off the shower...

But she didn't respond...

Finally I touched her...

She literally jumped in shock and moved back...

'Its me Ishaani Dev... please...'

The next minute she cried like a baby... I hugged her tightly...

'Ishaani... please ...you are safe darling...see I'm with you... See here...look at me' but her grip on my torso was so tight!!!

I held her warmly and comforted her!!!

I lifted her chin up and told her...
'Angel...i hate to see women cry... and it kills me when it's you... But today...I am telling you sweetheart...cry it out!!! Come on... Finish it off!!'

That minute she cried out hard clenching my collars tightly...

I comforted her!!! Finally she calmed down...

I took her out...I opened her bag and picked up warm pair of clothes for her and asked her to change!

I waited outside the room!

Soon she came out wearing the white offshoulder top and white skirt I picked for her.

I saw she covered herself with a big shawl.

I asked her if she's feeling cold!

To which she replied she's fine!

Soon the shawl slipped her neck and I noticed the teeth marks on her neck and shoulders!!!

Tears pricked and burnt my eyes seeing her hide that pain 😢

I pulled her inside and insisted her to remove the shawl...

But she was adamant...

In one go I pulled out the shawl...

I made her sit on the dressing table stool and slowly applied ointment on her neck and shoulders...

She hissed in pain 😢

I controlled my tears everytime I applied the cream on her wound...

Slowly I moved her hair to which she was hesitant...

I was hellbent and moved her hair and saw a few multiple cigarette marks!!!

My blood boiled 😡😠

I could literally kill those bastards brutally... I controlled my tears and applied antiseptic cream there too while something on her right shoulder corner near her back caught my eye...

It looked like a tatoo!!!

I was about to check while she quickly flipped her hairs...

I wanted to ask her about it... She said...
'Lets go...I'm hungry'

And quickly covered herself with shawl!

***

On the dining table there were so many people of different age groups enjoying the traditional music.

Although Ishaani was still dull she looked a little better on seeing the puppet show they had organised...

Soon there were people who were singing and dancing...

While there was guitar... I thought of an idea to make Ishaani smile..

So I picked the guitar and started singing...

🎵🎶
Musu Musu Hasi, Deu Malai Lai
Musu Musu Hasi Deu
Zara Muskura De, Muskura De
Zara Muskura De, Aye Khushi
Gham Baat Le Tu Apne
Humse Tu Le Hasee
Ho Gaye Hum Abh Tere
Tu Ho Gayee Apni
Musu Musu Hasi, Deu Malai Lai
Musu Musu Hasi Deu
Zara Muskura De, Muskura De
Zara Muskura De, Aye Khushi
Jawan Dil Ki Rahon Mein
Jaise Khilti Hai Kali
Tere Hoton Pe Basee
Aisi Halki Si Hasee
Jawan Dil Ki Rahon Mein
Jaise Khilti Hai Kali
Tere Hoton Pe Basee
Aisi Halki Si Hasee
Phir Kyoon Chupp Rahi Ho
Dil Ki Baatein To Bataoo
Goom Soom Se Na Raho Tum
Abh Jaana Muskuraoo
Haan Haan, Musu Musu Hasi, Deu Malai Lai
Musu Musu Hasi Deu
Zara Muskura De, Muskura De
Zara Muskura De, Aye Khushi...

🎶🎵

While there were cute kids there...I held them and started dancing with them around her...

I asked the kids to tickle her and finally she started laughing 😊😊😊

😍

With that pretty smile and her cute little dimple 😍

I melted ❤️