Evening, Puja time

Sachin is dressed in new clothes. He is playing with Aakash. Purvi is all dressed up and goes to the kids room. She opens the door slowly and sees that Aabha has a sullen face and is upset with the househelp who is tying her hairs.

Aabha: nahi nahi…aise nahi…meri mummy isse achaa hairstyle karti hai.

Househelp (frustrated): toh apni Mummy ko hi bolo naa…aadhe ghante se pareshaan kar rakha hai..

Purvi (stepping in):Kya baat hai Aabha? Kuch help chahiye? Main baal banaa doon

Aabha (sharply): Nahi…

Househelp: acha hua aap aa gayi…aap hi iske baal banaayiye..main jaa rahi hoon…she leaves..

Purvi picks the comb and approaches Aabha. Aabha doesn't meet her eyes.

Purvi: Aabha…kya aapki nanny aapka hairstyle kar sakti hai?

Aabha (no other option): mujhe choti nahi chahiye magar..

Purvi (suppressing a smile): theekh hai..iss dress me ek sundar si Fishtail braid banaa deti hoon.

Purvo combs her silky hairs gently and using matching hair accessories makes a beautiful hairstyle. She then takes her duppata and sets it up. Aabha is looking very pretty, just like her mom/mausi Purvi.

There is a knock on the door. Its Aakash and Sachin.

Aakash: kitni der laga rahi hai Aabha…chal naa jaldi phataake jalaane hai..

Sachin (looking at both Purvi and Aabha): Wow…you..you are looking like a princess..

Aabha(happy):Thank you Papa..chal Aakash..mujhe ladoo khaana hai…the kids run out.

Sachin (smiling at Purvi): Tumne Aabha ko bahut sundar tarike se dress kiya hai..

Purvi (smile): Aabha hai hi khubsurat…

Sachin (low voice):Bilkul apni Maasi ki tarah..

Purvi (confused):Ji?

Sachin (smile): Aabha ke features tumse kaafi milte hai Purvi..

Purvi (laugh): haan woh toh hai…thodi bahut meri tarah hi hai Aabha..gussail..hahaha..

Sachin (coming closer):aur dil ki bahut saaf, doosron ki madat karne waali aur….

Purvi (looking into his eyes): ar….

Sachin (lifting a finger to touch her cheek) : aurrr…

Aakash (interrupting): chaliye naa Mummy…..Papa…pleassseee..

Sachin and Purvi separate and both go out of the room. Purvi helps in doing the pooja with Sachin and kids.

Aakash: Chalo chalooo…pataakhe jalaate hai..

Aabha (excited): Main bhi jalaoongi..

Purvi: Sambhalke Aabha..main bhi aati hoon..

Aabha: nahi…main Papa ke saath jalaaoongi..

Purvi (to Sachin): Aap please Aabha ka khayal rakhiyega…

Sachin: hmm…Purvi prepares to go inside..Purviii…

Purvi (stopping): Ji

Sachin: ladoo wakai me bahut ache hai..world best..

Purvi (smile): Aakash bhi yehi kehta hai…

Sachin: haan…meri aur uski pasand kaafi milne lagi hai..

Purvi: Apne papa pe gaya hai shayad..she smiles..she again starts to leave..

Sachin: Purviii..ek min…

Purvi: Ji..

Sachin (coming closer): Aakash keh raha tha…ki…uski Mummy bahut sundar lag rahi hai aaj…yeh saree bahut achi hai…

Purvi (looking down): acha..

Sachin (smile): hmm…aur mujhe lagta hai…woh bilkul sahi bol raha tha… he picks a ladoo from the plate and walks out to join the kids.

Purvi watches him as he picks up some sparklers and bursts crackers with the kids. She takes out diyas outside and is placing them on various spots in the lawn.

Aabha(excited): Wowwwww..kitna mazaa aa raha hai..Papa ek aur anaar jalaaiye naa..

Purvi watches as Aabha jumps up in excitement and squeals. It's the first time she is enjoying this festival. Her weak lungs never permitted her to partake in most festivals. She smiles as Aabha is now playing with sparklers.

Aakash:Papaaa..chalo naa…woh rocket jalaate hai…

Sachin moves with Aakash to light the rockets. Aabha picks up another sparkler and runs to the nearest diya to light it. She doesn't notice but her dupaata is trailing in the wind and has slowly caught fire. Aabha merrily lights the sparklers.. her dress catches fire quickly. She feels hot and screams loudly, scared by the sight.

Sachin and Aakash turn at the screams of Aabha and before he can reach her, Purvi holds the duppata with her hands and dusts out the flames with her bare hands.

Aabha (scared):Mummyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…..aaaaaagggg…Mumyyyyyyyyyyyyyy..

Purvi (hugging her, taking her inside):Kuch nahi Aabha…kuch nahi huaa…okay…ghabrao mat…she hugs the crying and shivering girl tight.

Purvi rushes to the kids room and removes Aabha's burnt dress and immediately places her hands under cold water. The kid is not burnt but she feels calm because of the water.

Purvi: Aabhaaa…darro mat…kuch nahi hua tumhe..okay…tum bilkul theekh ho..chalo baahar chaloo…she takes her out and picks out her night clothes.

Sachin and Aakash: Aaabhaaaaa….Aabha ko kya hua? kahin jalaa toh nahi naa..Sachin is very concerned.

Purvi (making her wear clothes): Nahi kuch nahi..Aabha theekh hai..halka saa haath chil gaya hai..abhi dawaai lagaati hoon..

Sachin picks up Aabha and hugs her, making her sit on his lap. He is wiping her tears.

Sachin: koi baat nahi Aabha…dikhaao aapka haath?

Purvi comes in with ointment and bandages. She holds her hand gently and blows air gently

Purvi: aabha bahut brave hai..hai naa..bass yeh halke se dawaai lagaa deti hoon..aur yeh patti baandh deti hoon..

Sachin and Aabha watch Purvi as she controls the situation and bandages Aabha's hand.

Sachin (confused):Purviii…yeh..yeh pattiyon me khoon?

Purvi (panic):khoon…hey bhagwaan…Aabha ek minute haan..she removes the bandages to check Aabha's wound.

Aakash (surprise): Aabha ke haath me toh koi chot nahi hai..phir yeh bandage pe khoon?

Aabha (scared voice): Mummmyyyyy..aapke haath me…she points a trembling finger towards purvi's hands..

Purvi opens the palms of her hand…there are severe burn wounds in her hands! She got severly injured while saving Aabha, but she doesn't even realise it. She is busy attending Aabha.

Sachin (shock): Oh My God….Purviiiii…tumhe pata kaise nahi chala..baithooo..baithoo yahan..

Purvi (surprised): yeh…yeh choti chot hai…Aabha tumhara haath dikhaooo…Sachin…Aabha ko hospital le chalte hai..

Sachin (holding her hand):Hospital jaane ki zaroorat tumhe hai…Kaakaaaaa..he calls his servant

Kaaka: ji Maalik..

Sachin:bacho ka khayal rakhna..main Purvi ko hospital le jaa raha hoon..

Purvi (protesting): Hospital? Mujhe? nahi mujhe koi zaroorat nahi hai..main theekh ho jaoongi…

Sachin picks her up swiftly and rushes down the stairs to his car.

Purvi (protesting): Sachin pleaseee..mujhe neeche utaariye..sab log dekh rahe hai..

Sachin (angry): dekhne do..mujhe parwaah nahi hai logon ki…iss waqt tumhe ilaaj ki zaroorat hai..chup chaap gaadi me baitho…BaiThoooo..he yells..

Purvi obeys him and Sachin drives her to the hospital. He watches with concern as the doctor applies medicines and bandages her arms. She also receives a painful injection.

Doctor:it's a case of medium burns..teen-chaar din ke liye bandages rahengi…aapko roj dressing ke liye aana hoga..

Sachin: Thank you doctor..

Purvi feels the pain and her eyes are closed as Sachin drives back home. Tears are flowing.

Sachin: bahut pain ho raha hai kya?

Purvi (wiping tears): nahi..pata nahi Aabha kaisi hogi..

Sachin:Purviii..chot tumhe lagi hai..aur tum yahan Aabha ki fikar kar rahi ho..woh bilkul theekh hai thanks to you..

Purvi: usne bahut takleefe sahi hai apni bimaari ki wajah se..aaj pehli baar woh pataakhe jalaa rahi thi aur yeh sab…she starts to cry.

Sachin:Purvi please…ronaa mat..kahin Aabha tumhe dekhkar ghabra naa jaaye…hmm

Purvi (wiping tears): haan..aap sahi keh rahe hai…Thank you Sachin..

Sachin:Maine kya kiya?

Purvi: aapne itni jaldi mujhe hospital pahunchaya…mera khayal rakha..

Sachin:Mujhe tumhari fikar hai Purvi..aakhir tum meri..he looks at her..dost ho naa? Purvi smiles back and acknowledges their friendship.

Sachin (mind): tum hamari dosti ko toh maanti ho..magar aaj tumhari woh haalat dekhke…meri toh shaayad jaan nikal gayi…isliye toh bina soche samjhe tumhe aise uthaa liya..he smiles remembering that image..him carrying Purvi bridal style to the car….tum meri sirf dost nahi ho Purvi…tum kuch aur ban rahi ho..kuch aurr….he looks at her..she has closed her eyes again..

Sachin house

Aabha and Aakash have not yet eaten food or slept. They rush to the door on hearing the noise of car. Aakash rushes to hug Purvi. He is very scared.

Aakash:Mummyy..aap theekh ho naa? Aapko kya ho gaya Mummy..

Purvi: Mujhe kuch nahi hua hai Aakash..main bilkul theekh hoon..tum dono ne khaana khaaya?

Aakash: nahi..

Purvi: chalo phir…sab log khaaana khaalooo..

Purvi makes Aakash sit on the chair. Aabha is watching everything silently. Purvi gets the plates and food. Her hand pains but she doesn't show it.

Sachin:Purvii…yeh tum kya kar rahi ho…baitho tu khaana khaane…Kaakaaaa..aap paroso sab ko..Sachin goes to answer a phone call.

Purvi picks up a spoon, but it pains her hand. She drops it and hisses in pain.

Purvi(pain):ouchhhh…

Aakash (scared): Mumyyyyyyyy..kya ho gaya?

Purvi:kuch nahi..tum..tum khaoo beta..

Purvi tries to pick a spoon again. Its of no use. She then sees a small hand near her mouth. The hand has a small piece of roti dipped in sabji..

Purvi (tears): Aabhaaa..

Aabha: jab mujhe fever hota tha aap mujhe aise hi khana khilaati hai naa..aaj aapko haath pe bandage hai…khaaaloo naa Mummy….she has tears in her eyes.

Purvi eats the morsel of food offered by Aabha. Aabha starts crying out of guilt. Purvi hugs her and places her on her lap.

Purvi: aaabhaaaa…shhhhh…shaant bachaaaa..

Aabha (sobbing): I am sorry Mummyyyy….tum hi meri asli waali mummy ho…I am sorryyy..

Purvi: rote nahi Aabha….bass baasss….Mummy ko khaana nahi khilaaogi?

Aabha gets down from her lap and takes another piece of roti and starts to feed purvi.

Purvi: bass Aabha..ab tum khaana khaalooo…main baadme khaa loongi…

Sachin (joining them):Baadme kyun? Abhi khaana khaaloo..aaj main sabko khaana khilaaonga…he picks up a plate and starts feeding the kids first.

Aakash: abhi Mummy ki baari..

Purvi (uncomfortable): Nahi..nahi..main..baadme..

Sachin offers a morsel with love to Purvi.

Sachin (softly): Le loo naa Purvi..pleaseee..

Sachin and Purvi and the kids finish the remaining meal with love and laughter.

Purvi room

Sachin knocks on her door.

Sachin: Purvi..tumhe kuch chahiye..

Purvi:nahi..kuch nahi..woh main manage kar loongi…

Sachin: dekho aaj Diwali hai..toh sabki chutti hai..isliye sirf main, tum aur bache hai…baaki sab kal dopahar tak aayenge..

Purvi (struggling to tie hairs): yeh baal…baal nahi bandh rahe hai..

Sachin: main baandh doon?

Purvi gives space to him, Sachin combs her long silky tresses. He feels their silken touch in his hands. He gathers them neatly and takes a rubberband. He puts the hairs in a pony and as the touch her back, he fondles them. Purvi feels a tingle on her spine.

Purvi (suddenly): Ho gaya…thanks..she prepares to lie down.

She feels cold, Sachin sees this.

Sachin:chadhar odhaa doon tumhe? He takes the soft blanket and places it gently covering her chest. Purvi immediately feels the warmth. She pushes her legs…its her habit to get the blanket below her feet. She struggles.

Sachin:Kya hua?

Purvi: Wohhh….meri aadat hai blanket paav (feet) ke neeche laana..ab ho nahi raha..

Sachin (smile):Main kar deta hoon…she watches as he reaches the foot of the bed. He picks her feet, she feels ticklish, she squirms. He can feel her soft feet, they are buttery. He takes the edge of her blanket and gently places them beneath her feet.

Purvi (feeling tingles): thank..Thank you..

Sachin (smile):You are welcome…agar raat me kuch bhi chahiye..toh mujhe bula lena..Good night..

Purvi:Good night…Sachin switches the lights off of her room. he reaches the door.

Purvi:Sachinnn…

Sachin: haan Purvi…kuch chahiye?

Purvi: Sweet dreams…she smiles..Sachin mumbles the same and goes out of her room. he reaches his room and shuts the door and stands against it. He brings his hand up and touches his face, imagining Purvi's' silky hairs travelling on his face.

Sachin (surprised): Oh godddd..Purvi…..yeh..yeh kya ho raha hai mujhe…he sits down and thinks..meri life me kitni ladkiyan aayi aur gayi..magar aisa kabhi kisike liye feel nahi kiya….yeh kya hai? He lies down on his bed and spends the night thinking all about it..

Purvi (heartbeats fast): Yeh mujhe kya ho raha hai..kyun Sachin ki hassi baar baar yaad aa rahi hai..she remembers the way he took care of her today…aaj tak…aaj tak kisine itna khayal nahi rakha mera…she looks at the bandages…she is remineded casually of Aabha, Aakash and suddenly – Nirvi…

Purvi gets up with the remembernce of Nirvi..She remembers Nirvi's pain, her misery..

Sachin mujhse pyaar karta hai…Main bhi Sachin se bahut pyaar karti hoon…who aayega…mere paas zaroor aayega..

Purvi is reminded of her bitter past – the difficult life they lived, the taunts, the diificulties..

Purvi (angry, confused): yeh main..yeh main kya soch rahi hoon..Sachin Nirvi Di ka pyaar hai…uski wajah se Di ne kitna kuch sahaa…she is equally reminded of how Sachin helped her, helped Aabha and Aakash, accepted them..

Purvi (confused):Mujhe lagta tha Sachin..Sachin bura hai..magar usne meri sirf madat ki hai…bacho ko bhi apnaya hai…main kya karoon..Sachin kaisa hai yeh tayy nahi kar paa rahi hoon….

Sachin is falling in love...Purvi is confused...what next? Keep reading and reviewing:) Love you all :)