🖤 Jaan 🖤

They came downstairs, in the hall.

"So, what did you decide, beta?" Shiv's mother asked Devi with a smile filled with hope.

"She said Yes!" Devi's aunt chimed in before Devi could even say a word.

"She is ready, we should prepare for the wedding" she again said with a fake cheerful face.

Her tone? fake But, so good in acting that nobody could even grasp it except Devi... and Shiv.

"Ji, ye to bohot achhi baat, I am really happy for both of you" his mother said while looking at Devi and Shiv. She chuckled in excitement and happiness.

"So, can I call you Bhabhi now!" Aarav, Shiv's brother said in a teasing tone. And she just blushed.

"Are beta, I didn't even introduce you to all the family members" Shiv's mother said while hitting her head softly, chuckling on her own forgetfulness.

"So, this is Aarav, Shiv's younger brother" She pointed towards a man, who might be in his early 20s.

He grinned towards her politely and she smiled back.

"And he is your father-in-law... oh soon to be father-in-law."

"Hello beta, don't think I am a cold, strict sasur-OK!"

Sanjay Singh Rathore, Shiv's father said not in a cool tone. while adjusting his suit in a funny way.

Devi couldn't control, She giggled at his cuteness. Shiv looked at her with a soft smile.

"And... "Before Vasundara, Shiv's mother could say, his dadi Said in a sharp tone

"I am Damini Singh Rathore, your grandmother-in-law." her words hurtful as if filled with disgust.

"Ab khadi khadi kya dekh rahi ho. pair chhuo hamare!"

Devi hurried to touch her feet.

"Bs Bs. Ab formality ki jarurat nhi h!" She said without even glancing at her.

"koi baat nhi beta." Vasundara came and patted her head, then she signalled Aarav to give her 'shagun ki chunni'. She took it and draped it over Devi's head.

"kisi ki najar na lage, meri bachi ko!" She puts kalla tika behind her ear.

Devi's heart swelled with happiness. She felt like her mother is talking to her.

She smiled at her polity Then She hugged devi and kissed her forehead.

"Ab tum bs jldi se humare ghar aaoo, hmari bahu bake" she said and looked at her bua. "So, you should come to our house tomorrow, hum vahin shaadi ki date fix kr lete h. Kyu?"

"Ji bilkul, kyu nahi" bua said.

After some more chit chats, Shiv's family stood at the door greeting them before leaving.

Shiv Looked at Devi one last time. His eyes filled with love. Like they were promising fur "we will meet again. Soon." He smiled at her.

Devi quickly averted her gaze towards his mother, like she didn't saw him. She quietly waved back to his mother.

"let's go bhai, aur will you dig a hole in her with your eyes? Aarav teased him by hitting his arm with his own аrm.

Shiv slapped his back lightly, not hard.

And they all sat in their particular cars

Devi Iooked at him, her eyes filled with confusion, and...

fear, fear of Unknown,

why did he came ?

why did he stared at her like this?

Or This was all just a coincidence?

Devi was sitting on her bed, Her thoughts filled with him.

Those strange questions kept running in her mind .

when suddenly her phone rang.

She picked her phone in her hand and a smile appeared on her face when she saw the caller I'd.

Devi's pov

"Noor" I whispered to myself.

Right at the time. I needed her teh most at this moment. My only friend. My soul sister. The only person I trust in this world.

"Hello..Noor." I said on the phone.

" Kbse call kr rhi hu mai, why didn't you pick it up?" She responded.

" Noor, I want to tell you something." I said , my voice sounded like a mere whisper.

"Kya hua?..kuchh hua h kya? Bua ji ne kuchh kaha? " She showered me with her endless questions, her voice now serious and filled with care.

"Nhi, tu ghar aajana please!" I requested her as I wanted to tell her every single thing that happened.

But not on the phone.

"Ok, I am coming." She replied and hang up.

I waited for her and after about 15 minutes,

I heard bua taunting " lo aagyi dusri bhatakti aatma"

I came out of my room.

" Bua ji, Devi kaha h? " Noor asked her politely despite her taunt.

" Hogi maharani apne kmre me , mere sir pe to baithi nhi h" Bua said sarcastically.

Noor didn't reply and marched towards my room.

I saw her coming towards me. Her eyes filled with care and curiosity.

"Kya hua tu thik to h na?" She asked me when she reached me.

I pulled her inside the room. For some moments I remained silent, sitting on the bed with her on my side.

"Bol na kya hua?" She asked eagerly.

" I am getting married" I uttered suddenly and fell silent, letting my word sank into her.

Her eyes widen in shock.

"What? How?... I mean when? who?.. " Her voice filled with confusion

"Relax Noor" I cutted her.

"Aaj rishta aaya tha" I said while looking at her.

"kiska?" She asked.

"Shiv Singh Rathore. "I said as my heart tightened in my chest just by taking his name

"Shiv singh Rathore?... I know him" she said and My eyes narrowed in confusion.

"How ?" I asked her.

"He is a famous businessman, I saw him on TV once and in newspaper too" She replied.

"I don't know much but we can definitely find out about him on internet" She replied further.

I nodded.

"But how? Did they came with rishta? I mean His family?" She asked

"Yes..... But I have met him before" I replied, my gaze lowered when memories of the temple strike into my mind.

"what? when?" She asked in enthusiasm.

"Mandir me" I replied. And told her how I met him.

" And today he asked me if I want to marry him, he even said I can take time" I said as my heart filled with a strange happiness, I was feeling like I mattered, my choice, my decision mattered... to him.

"Green sign No.-1" she said while looking at me with a wide smile

Hmm?" I hummed not understanding what did she say.

"He care about your choice, and its a good sign." She said cheerfully.

I nodded She was true. He cared about me. But I didn't even know him properly. But He did, His words did show it he cared But...

My inner turmoil was interrupted by Noor.

" Give him a chance, Atleast you'll be free from here, from Bua".

"But what if he would be just as her? cruel?"

I said, my voice shaked with this thought.

"But it doesn't look like that." She said trying to convince me.

I stared at my own hand, biting my lower lip - my habit.

Drifting into the deep thoughts "Should I give a chance?" This thought lingered in between my other thoughts. "But does it even matter? I will have to marry him in any way."

Knock! Knock!

There was a sudden knock on the door. Noor stood up to open the door. The door opened to reveal two men in black suit, sunglasses on, dressed like - bodyguards? But what do bodyguards have to do in our home?.

"Mam, Shiv Sir sent us to take you with us for shopping." One of man said. And forwarded a note towards me.

"And he told me to give this to you."

A note? From him? My heart beat faster wanting to know what is written in it. I took it from him. And opened it.

"Buy whatever you like, jaan!"

A simple note just saying 'buy whatever you like' but my heart screamed JAAN!. I imagined how will it sound if it came from him in reality.

"Shall we go Mam?" The man asked.

I looked at Noor. She said "Bua se puchh ke chalte hain"

I nodded. But suddenly the man said "we have already told her. Mam!"

I said "ok" and followed them outside the house.

He opened the door of a black car. We both slipped in the car. Noor said "Jiju to abhi se apne paise apni pyari biwi pe udane lage."

And I blushed hard. My cheeks turned cherry red.

Noor giggled. "Sharma gyi Mohatarma?".

I said "Ruk ja tera bhi number aayega."

And we both laughed, like I do with her always. She is my only safe place with whom I could smile freely without caring about anything else.

After about half an hour, we reached outside a luxurious store. That man opened door for us. We both came out of the car and followed them inside. The staff greeted us politely and we did the same.

Soon we started selecting sarees and some other things. And then my eyes fell on a beautiful maroon Saree. It was heavenly beautiful. Royal Maroon colour along with golden jarri work. I told that woman to show me that saree.

"You will look breathtaking in it" Noor said.

I smiled looking at her. we bought a few sarees.

A maroon and red one for me and Noor chose a blue saree with silver work and a white simple saree that had net work on it.

Devi's sarees

Noor's sarees

Helpful in imagining, 😉. Btw these sarees are so beautiful ❤️

Author's Pov

Devi stood at the counter waiting for the sarees to be packed. And then Shiv Singh Rathore entered the store. His eyes landed on Devi. Her back towards him. Noor saw him, her lips parted to say something but she stopped as he signalled her to stay silent. He took steps closer to Devi until he came just behind her.

"Done, jaan?" he whispered, his lips just a few inch away from her ear. Devi shivered as she felt his breath against her ear.

Her breath hitched as he spoke and she knew it was him.

She turned to look at him and just as she turned, she saw him dangerously, close to her, bending down to her level.

His eyes staring into her soul. A soft smile on his face. when he saw her again lowering her gaze. He loved her shyness.

He again asked "Chale?"

Devi said replied with a soft "ji".

"you can go, they will come with me" Shiv ordered his men.

After the clothes were packed Shiv picked the bags and Devi and Noor followed him. He opened the front door for her.

"May I sit with Noor? Please? "Devi asked him politely.

"You don't have to ask, jaan" Shiv said with a soft smile.

He put the bags on the seat and opened the door of backseat.

Devi and Noor sat inside the car.

"Aap kon?" He asked Noor while looking straight at road while driving.

"Ji, I am her friend" Noor replied politely.

"Bestfriend" Devi cleared her. Shiv smiled still looking at the road.

Noor talked to Devi. But Devi was somewhere else, lost in his eyes. She kept looking at his eyes in rear view mirror.

She thought "why am I not able to look in those when he looks at me?" when suddenly he looked at her through the mirror. Their eyes met.

Her heart beat ran faster, she felt a strange feeling in her stomach. She couldn't hold it anymore and looked downwards.

Breaking the eye contact, as if he gave answer with his eyes. She can't because it feels too overwhelming but it feels hers whenever he look into her eyes, she feels like he is only hers. and she is his.

He smiled at her shyness, falling harder and harder. He placed his elbow on the window scratching his forehead lightly.

He was blushing? Damn!

At her shyness.

He couldn't believe himself, he was blushing at a simple act of her. And it wasnt even special. She just lowered her gaze and

He fell completely.

They reached her house. Shiv held the door open for her. Noor and Devi came out. Noor took the bags.

"Bye jiju" Noor said, waving at him.

"Bye, saali sahiba. By the way what's your name?" Shiv asked.

"Noor, call me Noor, jiju" Noor replied with a smile.

Shiv's smile widened "Noor... beautiful name just look you" He said, then his gaze lingered on Devi.

"Bye jaan" he said.

Devi's heart lightened. "B-Bye " She muttered.

He smiled at her and waved back to Noor.

Devi's Pov.

We came back into my room.

"Yaar, jiju to bahat cute h aur handsome bhi!" Noor said while sitting on the bed.

"Wah ji, abhi to bs ek baar mili h unse aur abhi se gungaan shuru?" I said while pouring water in a glass and forwarded it to her.

She took it from me and said "why not? After all he is my jiju"

"Abhi h nahi" I corrected her.

"To bn jayenge" She said and drank water.

I shaked my head at her stubbornness. But she is cute. I chuckled.

"Sun... Tu bhi chal na kl, mere saath" I requested her.

if she will be with me, it will be easier.

"Are ye bhi koi puchhne wali baat h" she said.

I smiled and thanked her.

We selected our sarees to wear tomorrow. I will wear the maroon saree and she will wear the blue one.

"Sleep here na, please!" I requested her, as it is already late for her to return back to home.

"OK, I will tell papa. wait I will be back soon after making a phone call" she said and I nodded.

I lay on the bed, thinking about tomorrow. She was right.

I should give him a chance. He is.... good and cute and handsome and respectful and caring and... ah stop it Devi. I covered my face with my saree pallu, which was all red now. Finally I will have a happily married life. I pray. I hope for it.

I should change, I got up and changed into something comfortable and also gave something to change in to Noor.

Noor and I were talking when suddenly Bua came.

"Aagyi maharani shoping krke? Pehle se hi apne pati ke paise barbad krne lagi huh?" She said in her usual tone.

"Nhi Bua. Unhone..." She cutted me by saying "Whatever, Your uncle will come tomorrow, he will go with us"

"And be ready early, You have to do the house chores before we leave. Smjhi?"

"Ji" I replied. and she left.

"Don't worry, I will help you" Noor said and

put her hand on mine assuring.

I smiled. "Fufa ji bhi aarhe h kl" I said even though she listened to Bua.

Uncle is in army, so he do live far away from us most of the time. He isn't that bad as Bua, Atleast he let me Study till 12th.

Noor nodded and said " now sleep , we have to wake up early tommorow" I nodded and we slept.