𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐢 ~ 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐟𝐞 |𝟏𝟖+| - Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Author's POV:-
Sakshi quietly began serving breakfast to everyone at the dining table.
The atmosphere was unusually silent as everyone focused on their food.
'Ji aur du thora khichdi aapko?' she asked Arjun gently to which he gave a small nod.
(“ Jii would you like some more khichdi?”)
'Bas thora sa de..' he replied, and she smiled faintly, carefully scooping a little more khichdi onto his plate.
("Yes, just a little..")
She had made plain khichdi with a generous amount of vegetables, keeping both of their taste and health in mind.
Sakshi looks at Lata who is eating khichdi but leaving the vegetables in one corner of the plate. She then silently started to smash the vegetables and mix it with her khichdi making her pout.
'Aise kya muhh bana rahi hain?? Khale sabzi, sehat k liye acha h bacha' she said feeding her one bite.
("What?? Why are you making such faces?? eat the vegetables, it's good for you health bachaa")
Buaji was staring occassionally at Arjun, as if trying to speak through her eyes. But Arjun didn't so much as glance her way.
"Arjun beta, tu aaj kaam pe jaa raha hai kya?" she finally asked, unable to hold herself back.
(“Arjun beta, are you going to work today?”)
Arjun frowned, raising his eyes to her. "Haan, jaise roz jaata hoon."
(“Yes, like I do every day.”)
Buaji gave a small chuckle, trying to keep her tone light. "Woh toh pata hai mujhe... par aaj chhutti le sakta hai kya? Veer ghar aa raha hai na..."
(I know that… but can’t you take a day off today? Veer is coming home, after all…”)
"Haan toh aane do na Veer ko. Uske aane se mera chhutti lena ka kya sambandh hai, buaji?" he asked, clearly irritated.
(“So let Veer come. What does his arrival have to do with me taking leave, Buaji?”)
Sakshi glanced at both of them, choosing to remain silent.
Buaji looked at him, shocked. "Yeh tu kya keh raha hai, beta? Veer tera chhota bhai hai... itne dino ke baad ghar aa raha hai. Tu usse lene nahi jaayega?"
(“What are you saying, beta? Veer is your younger brother… he’s coming home after so long. Won’t you go to pick him up?”)
Arjun leaned back slightly, giving her a tired look.
"Nahi buaji, main chhutti nahi le sakta. Aur waise bhi Veer koi chhota baccha nahi hai jise haath pakad ke ghar lana pade. Pura sheher ghoomta hai akele, maze mein. Ghar aane mein kya dikkat hogi?"
(“No, Buaji. I can’t take leave. And besides, Veer’s not a child who needs to be brought home holding hands. He roams the city alone, having fun. What’s the difficulty in coming home?”)
"Arjun!" Buaji raised her voice, unable to tolerate another word against her son.
"Woh sheher mein maze karne nahi jaata! Apni padhai ke liye jaata hai... college mein padhta hai woh."
(“He doesn’t go to the city to have fun! He goes there to study… he’s in college.”)
"Haan haan, mujhe sab pata hai. Kitni padhai karta hai waha jaake. Isiliye toh aaj tak ek baar bhi apne pariksha k fal theek se nahi bataya," Arjun scoffed, looking away, his voice laced with sarcasm.
(Yeah, yeah, I know. I know exactly how much he studies there. That’s why he hasn’t even once shared his exam results properly,” )
Buaji looked down, quietly pushing her food around on the plate.
"Veer tujhe kitna samaan karta hai... kitna pyaar karta hai. Aaj bhi usse dukh hota hai ki woh teri shaadi mein nahi aa paaya... apni nayi bhabhi se nahi mil paaya... aur tu hai ki bas uska burai hi karta jaa raha hai..."
(“Veer respects you so much… loves you a lot. Even now, it hurts him that he couldn’t attend your wedding… couldn’t meet his new bhabhi… and here you are, just criticizing him…”)
"Thik hai, mat ja usse lene... par ek gaadi toh bhej sakta hai uske liye?" Buaji asked, her voice almost pleading.
(“Fine, don’t go pick him up… but can you at least send a car for him?”)
Arjun sighed, clearly annoyed.
Sakshi lightly placed her hand on his back, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Ji... bhej dijiye na gaadi. Itna keh rahi hain..."
(Please… send the car. She’s requesting so much…”)
He turned his gaze towards her. Her eyes, gentle yet firm, pleaded for him to let the matter end here.
After a beat, he sighed again and said,
"Thik hai, gaadi bhej raha hoon. Par uske alawa mujhse koi umeed mat rakhiyega"
(“Fine, I’ll send the car. But don’t expect anything else from me.”)
Buaji’s eyes lit up, grateful and relieved.
A few hours later, the sound of a car honking came from outside.
Buaji quickly got up, hurrying toward the temple.
"Are suniye ji! Lagta hai Veer aa gaye hain! Aap neeche aa jaiye!" she called out excitedly to her husband.
(Ji listen! I think Veer has arrived! Come downstairs!” )
Sakshi stood still, wiping her hands on her pallu. She startled to see Arjun descending from the stairs.
'Aap abhi tak kaam pe nahi gaye ji??' she asked.
(“You haven’t left for work yet?”)
'Jaunga kaam pe lekin thori der baad...' he said wrapping his arms in his chest.
('I"ll go but after a while..')
Kajal opens the door, and a person in his early 20's came...he was wearing a black kurta and patiyala down ...he was having large suitcase in his hand.He looks very similar to Arjun with his well build body structure and height...
'Aree Veer beta...kitne dino k baad tujhe dekha...apne maa ki yaad nahi aati kya tujhe haa??' Buaji said emotionally taking him into a hug.
(“Veer beta… seeing you after so long… don’t you miss your maa??”)
Veer groans,
'Aree mataji..abhi abhi toh aaya...ghar mein kadam tak nahi rakha..aap abhi se mujhe kya upar bhejne ki taiyari kar rahe kya??'
(“Maata ji… I just arrived… haven’t even stepped inside the house, and you’re already preparing to send me up?”)
He joked, earning a playful smack on the forehead from her.
Sakshi was startled by how casually he spoke to his mother.
“Chup kar, aisi baatein muh se nahi nikalte, beta,” she chided gently, caressing his cheek as he grinned mischievously.
(“Its not good to say such things, beta,”)
Veer then bent down and touched her feet, and Buaji performed his aarti. He proceeded to greet his father with respect.
“Kaisa hain mera laal?” his father asked, patting his back.
(“How are you, my son?”)
“Bilkul badiya, baba! Ekdum mast!” Veer replied, raising a thumbs-up.
(“I’m great, baba! Absolutely fantastic!”)
“Chal jaa, apni bhabhi se toh mil le,” Buaji smiled.
( "Now go and meet your bhabhi..")
Veer’s eyes landed on the petite woman standing beside his brother. He scanned her from head to toe, his brows arching in amusement.
'Are wahh mere bhabhi toh bilkul bachi nikli..yeh toh mujhse bhi choti h umar mein lagta hain..par jo bhi hain, manna parega bhaiya k pasand toh ekdum padhaka hain..' he smirked biting his lips lightly.
(“Oh wow, my bhabhi looks like a little girl… probably younger than me. But still, I must say, bhaiya’s choice is quite something")
Sakshi gave a hesitant smile and pulled her pallu further over her head.
“Arey toh aap hain meri bhabhi ji?” he said, stepping toward her with arms open for a hug.
(“So, you’re my bhabhi ji??")
Her eyes widened, but before he could touch her, Arjun firmly placed a hand on his chest and pushed him slightly back.
“Kya bhaiya!” Veer whined.
("Bhaiyaa!!!")
“Bhabhi hai tera, college ki koi dost nahi... jo aise gale mil raha hai. Pair chhoo apni bhabhi ka,” Arjun said sharply.
(“She’s your bhabhi, not your college friend… touch her feet respectfully..”)
Sakshi glanced at Arjun, then at Veer.
“Oh haan!” Veer laughed, scratching his forehead.
("Ohh yess")
“Woh kya hain na bhabhiji,... maa, baba, aur bhaiya ke alawa maine kisi ke pair nahi chhue aaj tak... toh aadat hi nahi raha.”
("“Bhabhiji, the thing is… other than mom, dad, and bhaiya, I’ve never touched anyone’s feet before… so it’s not a habit.”)
'Jaisi maa , waisa hi beta..' Arjun mutters staring at his eyes.
("Like mother like son..")
Sakshi looked down awkwardly. Veer then bent to touch her feet—but instead of a respectful touch, it felt like a deliberate caress.
'Wahh!! bhabhi ne payal bhi pehani hain?? Sayad bhaiyaa ne diya hoga apne biwi ko..chote-chote safed pairon mein toh bohut jach raha hain' he muttered smirking
(“Wow! Bhabhi is wearing anklets? Bhaiya must’ve gifted them… must say looking beautiful on her little white feet,”)
Sakshi quickly pulled her feet away, clearly uncomfortable.
“Mujhe zarurat nahi hai karne ki, Veer,” she said softly.
(“There’s no need for that, Veer,”)
Her toe finger curled up in his touch.
Still bent, Veer looked up with a sly smile.
“Kya bhabhi ji? Aap toh meri maa jaisi hain… aapko pranam karna mera haq hai, hai na bhaiya?”
(“What, bhabhi? You’re like my mother… it’s my right to touch your feet, isn’t it, bhaiya?”)
Arjun gave a nod, but Sakshi clutched her pallu tightly, turning her gaze away.
Why was Veer's gaze making her so uneasy?
He then touch Arjun's feet as he hug him softly in return.
'Chal mera beta...tu abhi aaram kar le zara..meine tera kamra ache se kajal se saaf kar di hain..hath muhh dho le..' buaji said patting his back.
(Come on, my son… go rest for a while. Kajal cleaned your room nicely. Wash up,”)
'Haa maa, bohut thakawat sa mehasoos ho raha hain..aur bhook bhi laga hain zoro se..' he said in dramatic voice.
(“Yes, mom, I’m feeling very tired… and I’m super hungry,”)
'Are haa beta, tere liye aaj mann pasand nashta bana hain...tere bhabhi ne banayi hain..' she said with a pride.
("Haa beta, your bhabhi has make your favourite breakfast today..")
'Are wahh!! Sachme bhabhi ji??' he asked looking at her surprise.
(“Really!! Bhabhi ji??”)
“Bas, abhi laati hoon.”
("Yes, I am bringing it for you..")
She went to the kitchen, closing her eyes for a moment as she leaned against the counter. Then, she began preparing his plate.
“Kyun mujhe aisa ajeeb mehsoos ho rahi hai?” she whispered, wiping her suddenly sweaty forehead.
(“Why am I feeling so strange?”)
“Aisa toh kabhi nahi hua aaj tak... Veer bahut hi ajeeb hai...”
(“This has never happened before… Veer is really strange..”
Just then, Arjun entered the kitchen and saw her.
“Kabse tujhe dhoond raha hoon, aur tu yahan kaam kar rahi hai?” he said playfully, startling her.
(“I’ve been looking for you, and you’re here working?” )
“Ji? Aap yahan? Kuch chahiye tha aapko?” she asked, regaining her composure with a shy smile..
(“Jii? You’re here? Did you need something?”
“Nahi, bas batane aaya tha ki kaam pe jaa raha hoon,” he said gently, adjusting her pallu.
(“No, just came to say I’m leaving for work,”)
She nodded and held his wrist,
“Kal jaise phir se der mat karna ji... chinta hoti hai.”
(“Don’t be late again like yesterday… I get worried.”)
“Haan, jaldi aa jaunga. Apna khayal rakhna.”
(“I won’t. I’ll come back early. Take care.”)
“Ji...” she replied softly as he left.
("Yes")
It was evening when Arjun returned home on time. Sakshi was working on the kitchen arranging Arjun's plate to take it in their room. Today he was occupied with some work and asked Sakshi to bring it upstairs.
Buaji comes there and saw her arranging the plates..
'Kya kar rahi hain tu bahu ?? Kis k liye yeh saja rahi hain itna??' she asked curiously.
(“What are you doing, bahu? Who are you setting this up for so nicely?”)
Sakshi turned with a soft, respectful smile. "Ji buaji, woh unke liye... Arjun ji ne kaha aaj woh upar hi khayenge. Kaam mein thoda vyast hain."
(“For Arjun ji… he said he’ll eat upstairs today. He’s a bit busy.”)
Buaji’s face lit up. "Bahu, ek kaam karegi? Veer ka bhi plate bana de aur upar de aa uske kamre mein."
("Bahu can you do one thing? Make a plate for Veer too and take it to his room upstairs.”)
Sakshi’s smile faltered a bit.
"Par buaji, maine neeche sabke liye plates taiyaar kar di hain. Veer sabke saath nahi khayega?"
("But buaji..I already arranged the plates downstairs..will veer not eat with everyone??")
She asked, trying to mask her hesitation.
'Are bahu woh na thora thaka hua hain..bol raha hain tabiyat thikh nahi lag raha.... Isliye upar hi khayega..woh tujhe bola hain upar de aane ko...thora baate bhi kar lena jaak usse..'
("Well, bahu, he’s a bit tired… says he’s not feeling well. That’s why he wants to eat upstairs. He told you to bring it to him… also, go gossip with him a little,")
'Baate??' she asked hesitatingly.
("Gossip?")
'Haa baate..abb nayi-nayi bhabhi mila hain usko..ab mann nahi karta kya apne pyaare ek lauti bhabhi k sath gappe-shappe maarne ka?? Tu hi bata... akhir devar hain tera..' she laughs loudly
(Yes, gossip! He’s just got a brand-new bhabhi—of course he’d want to have chat with you, right? After all, he’s your devar")
'Apne khud k bhaiya j sath hi thik se kabhi baate nahi ki shaadi k pehale ek hi ghar mein reha k...yaha mein apne devar k sath kya hi gappe karu ?? Mujhe koi gappe-wappe nahi karni, bas Arjun ji k paas jana hain..' she said in her mind.
("I never even spoke properly with my own brother before marriage, despite living in the same house… what am I supposed to chat about with him? I don’t want any gossip—I just want to go to Arjun ji…" )
She glanced down at the lovingly-prepared plate for Arjun.
"Arjun beta toh kaam hi kar raha hai... Thoda der se khayega toh kuch nahi hoga. Pehle Veer ko de aa. Bechara bhook se tadap raha hai upar," Buaji said, her eyes already eyeing Arjun’s plate as if urging her silently.
("Arjun beta is working anyway… it won’t hurt if he eats a little late. First, go and give it to Veer. My poor boy is starving upstairs,")
'Jii buaji..' She sighed covering his food with another plate so that it doesn't get cold.
("Ok buaji..")
Then, she slowly began to prepare another plate—this time for Veer.