Chandini

Nithra devi ditched me by taking my sleep away. I was sitting by the window facing the bright moon swimming between dark clouds. That is how my life has become now. I am like the moon outside, having a bright hope of my life with Arjun and ever loving Anu Di by my side .Just like dark clouds Pradeep is choking me making my life living hell. It is difficult to hold myself and push away Arjun from my life. Never in my life was I associated with such strong feelings for someone. If someone would have said few days back that I will dream my future, I may fall in love, I will desire for a family for myself, I would have laughed at them. Just in 3 days he changed my entire thought process making me want to have something which I cannot have.

This evening will be forever etched in my memory. He made me at ease. He took out his time to take me to the place I would love to be in, that was something that no one did for me. He is a charmer, making me fall for him. Out of impulse for the things he done, I hugged him for a second while bidding bye.That has muddled my brain even further. Do I love him? I don't want to answer my own question now.3 days is too short for me to decide something. But one thing I am sure is Arjun is someone whom I cannot have, not only because of Pradeep but even because of me. He don't deserve someone tainted, abused and have a medical condition to live with .If Pradeep comes to know that am roaming out with Arjun, he will do anything to make his life messier. Though I love to have Arjun in my life, I am no selfish to make him and Di suffer for my desires. By tomorrow I will say about Pradeep to him and ensure we never meet again.

Arjun will always be my unattainable love!!

The next morning when I woke up, his eyes greeted me. The sketch I have drawn after my airport collision with him.

"Mr. Charmer, I don't think you and your eyes are going to leave me sane anymore " I mused at my own thought.

I wrenched away from his thoughts to check my mobile. I have missed a call from Kavya and a message from Anu di. I opened Di's message which stated to meet her at our usual spot, temple.

Deciding to call Kavya on my way, I started getting ready to meet DI.

She was walking with her husband from parking towards where I was waiting for her, near the steps of temple. I was visibly alerted thinking if her husband is going to accompany me. I am not yet ready to mingle with strangers, that always has surprised me how naturally I was comfortable with Arjun and his presence.

Di greeted me with a tight hug and big smile. Her infectious smile involuntarily spread on me too.

"Mithu, leave the poor girl. Don't choke her with your hugs" Di's husband teased her. She hit his arms and introduced me to him.

"Pranav, this is Chandini, my sister I was talking about to you and the one who gave me a sweet surprise with cake ordered for me "I gave her a smile, looking how fondly she is talking of me

"Hello Chandini, I am Pranav-husband of your new found sister. "

He winked at her and proceeded on a serious note "Thank you so much, for saving my Jhansi rani on that day .She can be careless sometimes"

His voice depicted the depth of his love towards her, I gave him a genuine smile. I wonder how Anu di could be surrounded by people who love her too much. I was not jealous that everyone loved her, but only parched throat knows the value of water droplet.

"You don't have to Thank me, she is my DI after all "I said half hugging Anu Di

"You know she made both of her brothers go crazy without letting your name out, who ordered a cake for her. They were jealous over you on our family lunch because Mithu said them you care for her more than them. "He said air quoting the word jealous

I laughed at the thought of Arjun jealous on me.

"Don't worry Arjun, we both can equally love your sister"

My mind as usual butted on Arjun and his thoughts. I shooed away my thoughts and bid bye to Pranav who was late for his hospital

After our dharshan, I and Di was sitting by the bleacher when di pulled my leg and tied a black thread around my ankle.

"This is for warding off any evil eyes Chandini. Do not say no, I found you didn't have one so got this for you. My Amma used to say, a girl should have this and being the gorgeous one, it is obvious you need one right? Didn't your Amma believe in all this?"

I was clogged with emotions right that moment so shook my head and hugged her tight as teardrops made its way out of my eyes.

"Oi Chandini, what happened?" she parted me and asked with worry in her face.

"I don't have anyone as mine Di, I am an orphan"

"Shh shhh who said you are an orphan Chandini, you have me for you .I am your new found sister remember" she joked using Pranav, her hubby's words to lighten the situation.

"Devi ma, gifted me with such a caring sister. So Di how is my lil niece? "I diverted the topic just as both of us wished

"Aha you want a baby girl, at least you are by my side. My both brothers wants a lil champ from me. I will tease them more and make them jealous saying you are with me on this" childishly she said.

I was really surprised to see the serene place that di had taken me to. It was so calm and peaceful, that once inside no one will believe it's in mid of the buzzing Mumbai. When Di said me she is taking me somewhere I thought we will be going to some shopping but she had got me to this rest home for geriatrics. Once inside she was surrounded by group of grey-haired fellows congratulating her for the good news. The love each one had di for was pouring from their eyes. She introduced me too every single person from the rest home and everyone was happy to have someone added into their family.

After spending some time with them she led me to the garden that surrounded the two storey building which stood tall up. Sitting by the gazebo, Di was looking at the building.

"This NEST is the gift for me from my husband before my wedding, this is one of the reason I love him more" she said looking at the building. Knowing that she wanted to share something I listened intently to what she was saying.

"My parents are the greatest example of a lovely couple. Any one will feel envious, seeing the love and understanding they share. Not to make the fact a sham they died together in an accident. I made sure Bachu doesn't feel left out or orphaned so I juggled upon 2 jobs to give him the good education he deserved. Soon Adi become one member of our family. Though I had two brothers who could give me anything I missed the warmth of a mother and guidance of a father. So just to come out of my loneliness I started visiting the rest home for geriatrics. These people who were thought to be burden by their own family was left in the old age home I serviced part time. Each time a new person joined there I felt how unlucky where the people who pushed them here. They doesn't understand what they are losing in their life, love of the matured people. Soon everyone have become part of my life.

During one of the most crucial part of my life, when I thought there was no one with me except for Bachu and Adi, these people are the one who opened their arms for me. They believed in me like they believed their own child. They stood up for me and became inseparable from my life. That is when I met Pranav for undergoing a treatment, he had fallen for me even after knowing how messier my life was back then. He pulled me back to life from the dark depth I was fallen in. At the time we were about to get married, the old home these people were in was taken up by an ugly business man stranding them. Pranav, gave his own house for NEST. Thus his ancestral home has turned to be the home for 100's of people here. His parents supported his decision saying that, they are going to get back to their native and settle there. Pranav moved back to my home which I was sharing with Adi and Bachu. By that time Adi has got a penthouse and bachu started sharing it with him to ensure giving privacy for us. Don't you think I am lucky to have this much people around me who loves me selflessly Chandu?"

"yeah Di indeed you are lucky." I felt happy seeing Di got the love she deserved. Also I realised that how stupid I have been to think there was no one to love me. Di taught me a lesson indirectly to make orphan people into a family.That is why she is surrounded by people who love her. I then decided I will be visiting NEST every day until I am here to be one among them

"See we lost track of time in my ranting's, come we shall go inside." Di urged me inside. I also realised she tactfully avoided the reason she fell into depression, though I was tempted to know much about her future I decided to wait for her to reveal it by herself.

I picked up the call seeing Arjun name blinking in my mobile screen. The stupid smile adorned its way across my lips.

"Seems like someone did not miss me, I am hurt " he dramatically said

"Good evening to you too Arjun" sarcasm was dripping in my words.

"You did not replied any of message so I decided to interrupt your busy schedule" he said in a mock hurt tone dodging my sarcasm.

With Di by my side, I didn't see my mobile thus missing Arjun's messages. "Oops sorry Arjun, I was busy out today" though I wanted to say it was his sister I was hanging out with I decided to surprise him and see his reaction when I reveal that I was his Di's sister she talked too high about.

"How about meeting at 8 Chand?" he came straight to point and his voice seemed stiff. Did he felt bad thinking I ignored his messages? Not to upset him I accepted the same. I saw 8 messages from good morning till asking if I am free by evening to meet him. I chided myself for being careless and not noticing his texts.

I turned around to see Di standing beside me, did she hear I was talking with Arjun, oops my surprise will be spoiled. Her next question cleared my doubts that she didn't hear my talks.

"Is it your Bf Chandu?" her eyebrows were raised giving me an eager look.

I did not say yes or no, just smiled goofily. After spending few more minutes with her,I bid bye to all the elderly people there and left NEST to meet Arjun.

I wish to let him know clearly this is not going to happen between us.

That did not surpass the excitement of meeting him.

***

Arjun

I was enraged totally, I sent her 8 freaking texts and didn't get reply for even one. Is my plan landing in a pit? Has she regained her senses that she is committed to that pig and decided to ignore my advances? So many questions were huddling my brain, unable to withstand these thoughts I decided to call her.

Enthusiasm in her voice cleared all the negative thoughts in me. She is still not off the hook. Next second when she said she was busy today, all my energy drained. I was mad with fury, she must be out with that bastard enjoying their courtship. Regaining my control I hoped upon hope and asked her to meet me.

Arjun behave yourself and don't let your senses wander in her citric fragrance. Mind that you are here to woo her and not the other way around.

I was reminding myself to be in control, when she entered our usual dining room in our restaurant greeting me with that killer smile of hers.

I remained intact making her realise that she hasn't replied my texts.

"Aww, someone is angry. Arjun you look grumpy with that angry face. Smile nah? I am sorry for not replying your texts "she said in her cute voice sensing my anger.

I turned my face around, "Really Arjun, promise I didn't see your texts." She pinched her throat promising me.

Awwe Girlie stop being cute!!!!! I wanted to pull that chubby cheeks of yours.

The next thing she did baffled me into laughs. She was doing sit-ups just like I do before Anu, if I do any mistakes. Before I could stop her Adi bashed into the dining room, with a frown. Chand looked startled. Adi felt embarrassed for barging him but looks in his eyes said it is something important.

"Sorry man, your secretary directed me here when you didn't pick my calls. You carry on let me take a leave" Adi tried to ease the situation

"Cool buddy. This is Chandini Sawant, um my Girlfriend I said you about." Adi donned a smile masking the surprise in his face at the word girl friend

"Chand, this is Adith Jadhav, my best buddy and partner" she nodded with a grim smile

Chand looked uneasy at his presence, and there was a thick layer of silence. I cleared my throat looking at Adi for explanation on his arrival. He whispered, that it was regarding our new themed restaurant launch and how we need to have an urgent video conferences on same with Singaporean experts Adi has met in his last trip.

Chandini sensing the importance eased me saying "Arjun, please go I will meet you tomorrow"

Though I was hesitant to go, I realised the meeting is important and bid bye to her

***

A/N:  

I am shorieee  :( I have been busy so unable to update for a while **Holding ears just like chandini**

  So sweet readers how was the update?Was it good/bad?what do you feel about Anu-Chandu bond?

Read,vote,share and comment <3

Much love,

Rami <3