The Yellow Umbrella - (The Last Part Begins)

Recap:

Ankita went silent for a second, she could now connect the dots. She cant believe that Bindiya aunty and Rishabh had planned this. She thought, 'Maybe Destiny was giving her 2nd chance to make things right.

Ankita hugged her and said, Happy birthday Nitya, Can I come in"? I don't think so, Rishabh is joining us. It's going to be Us, I guess.

And at that very time, Nitya got a text from Rishabh saying, "Hi, Sorry, got stuck in-office meeting. Cant come. Happy birthday, Nitya. Stay blessed. Keep smiling and inspiring everyone around you. I hope you'll enjoy the company. Shall catch up post office meeting. Bye.

Nitya saw the text smiled and said, 'Thank you Ankita. Yes, please come in, we have a lot to talk about.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Well, after entering the home, Ankita noticed, that not only did Nitya have a beautiful house but it was a well-maintained house.

"Beautiful house", Ankita said to Nitya. How do you manage to stay alone?

She smiled and said, "Thank you, once upon a time, this very house was filled by the laughter of my beautiful family, but now it's just me.

No, actually I don't stay totally alone. One of my aunts ( actually my mom's friend) keeps visiting me and sometimes she stays with me too.

Ankita could sense the sadness in Nitya's tone, she felt guilty for making her sad.

She noticed there was a beautiful family picture frame on the side table. She picked that picture frame and said, "Nitya, Your parents must be really proud of who you turned out to be.

Ok. I am such an idiot, going on blabbering, let's cut your birthday cake first.

She placed the cake on the table and handed over the knife to Nitya to cut the cake and said, Go girl, Cake is waiting for you.

As Nitya blew the candles on the cake, Ankita sang "Happy Birthday".

Post this, she handed over the gift and bouquet to Nitya. She was initially reluctant to take it, but Ankita insisted she have to keep it.

When they sat down to have cakes, Nitya was surprised that the cake was so yummy and tasty, she asked from where did you get this cake,

Ankita smiled and said, "This cake has been baked by my Bindiya aunt with lots of love. Post mom's departure she actually took care of me. She is a motherly figure to me.

Nitya said You are so fortunate Ankita. You have amazing people in your life who care and love you with a full heart. Bindiya aunty sounds so amazing, full of warmth and care and your best friend Rishabh, Oh, My God, He is so amazing, I really wished I had a friend like him.

Ankita gave her the look, smiled and said, Oh, Ho, Sounds like someone has a crush on Rish!!. Nitya smiled and nodded No.

Well, jokes apart Nitya, Yes Rish is my best buddy and Bindiya aunty is great. But Nitya life is more than that.

But before anything else, I really want to apologise from the bottom of my heart for the way I behaved with you that day. That was totally not me. I don't know what got me.

Thanks to Bindiya aunt and Rish who planned our meeting, else my guilt was seating me up so badly I thought I could never face you.

How could I have hurt you so badly, when you were kind enough to call me for the umbrella I left and actually noticed my pain.

Nitya noticed Ankita's expression changed and so she said, Oh, don't bother yourself so much. It's all bygone. I know something was troubling you and what you said you didn't mean it. I forgot that long back. So, don't worry about it.

She further said, Ankita, I don't know, how but I felt a strong connection with you. I overheard your conversation with your fiance and there was so much pain in your eyes that I told you, which was totally not my business.

Ankita said, No Nitya, you were right. It's just that I am going through a mess and I am just not able to sort things out.

Nitya said, I really don't have a friend circle and let me admit after a long time someone has backed cake for me. So that definitely put us in "Friend's Category" so trusting that, why don't you share what's actually bothering you.

And trust me, I am not going to judge you.

Can you give me your friendship, your trust as my b'day gift, this would mean a lot to me?

Ankita smiled and said, You know you are a female version of Rish. Very good with words and a golden heart.

Ok, I generally don't share my feelings with everyone, but with you, it just feels different.

Well, my life definitely took a u-turn on my mom's sudden departure. I forgot to share. My Dad is a businessman, always busy, no time for me and well my elder brother "Mayank", Dad keeps him occupied too. So though we are living under the same roof, yet we are disconnected. My brother to a certain extent shows his concern and love towards me, but Dad behaves as If I Don't exist

Me, Rish and Vaibhav have known each other for a long time. Rish was always my best friend and well with Vaibhav, I don't know, how but we fell in love with each other.

They both were there for me post mom's departure and well much to our surprise Dad accepted my and Viabhav's relationship. We both were on cloud nine and things were going pretty smooth when again my Life was hit by another storm in form of my "Car Accident".

This accident had such a bad effect, that it put me in a wheelchair. We got all the treatments done, but it seemed, I shall never be able to get up from this wheelchair.

It was not only a physical loss for me, but it took an emotional toll on me

It changed me Nitya as if this accident took away everything from me. My personality, my existence, my confidence, my relationship, everything.

It left me shattered and completely broken.

All I could see in everyone's eyes was sympathy for me, and that made me feel more and more miserable.

I don't know whom to blame, but my relationship with Vaibhav changed too. He got busy in his good modelling career and well for me I got lonely and lonely.

Even when I am with him, his presence makes me feel miserable. His attitude towards me changed and now it has taken such a bad turn I don't know if I need this relationship?

Nitya consoled her and said, Well Ankita you are wrong about one thing. I don't see a miserable lady sitting in front of me, rather a strong girl. Well before even you ask why let me tell you, it takes a lot of courage to talk about what's troubling you?

Well first thing first Ankita, Stop feeling sorry for yourself. I know being in a wheelchair is not easy, but feeling miserable does no good too. The only person who can help you to pull you out from that ditch is YOU.

My dad always used to tell me, Acceptance makes life easier. All through our life, we struggle to forbid ourselves to accept.

Life has a funny way of testing you, and maybe this pain is a blessing in disguise. Think about it?

What would have happened, if you had been married and this accident took place later? What would have been Vaibhav's stand? How you would have dealt with this?

See, I am not judging Vaibhav here, but it's very important to give acceptance and acknowledgement to your feeling.

It's very important how you feel about him? Yes, the accident has changed your relationship with him, but at the same time, isn't it a reality check?

The relationship is supposed to make you feel stronger and grow, not make you feel miserable. If he can' trust you and believes in your potential and intentions, it's not worth it.

You should be able to stand up for yourself and support yourself.

You told me he Loves you, well Ankita Love is nothing but understanding, and if he can't understand the way you want him to understand, is it still Love?

Just because you are going through a certain phase of life, doesn't mean you are not an emotionally strong person.

See, I am not saying that you depend on him to solve your problems, your problem is your's and you need to find a way to solve it.

But Yes, at the same time, it's good to have someone who believes that you'll get through this.

You told me, he expects you to change and adapt to his current lifestyle, sorry to break your heart dear, but don't change for anyone.

Don't lose your uniqueness, just to transit from 'I" to "We"

And this "wheelchair" doesn't define you, Ankita? You are much bigger and stronger than this.

Let me remind you again, you are blessed to have some wonderful people in your life, you are not alone in this, you just need to change your thoughts of process.

You are much bigger and stronger than this.

Life is yours's so it's very important to be in control of your own mind and emotions and hence I would suggest having a talk with Vaibhav and figuring out what you really want.

I don't know the outcome of this talk, but I am sure of one thing this talk is going to change your life.

I remember Rishabh told me you are a writer, you write stories and poems, why did you just give it up? He told me, you were about to publish your own book, why did you stop it?

I am sure, writing was your passion, how could you pause your passion, passion acts as fuel and especially when you are questioning your existence, your passion would have shown you light on this journey?

Don't hesitate to walk on this path, this may seem difficult, but every step taken would be worth it.

Ankita said, Wow, Nitya, it was so wonderful and beautiful what you shared. You made it sound so simple. Why do we keep making things complicated?

It was not as If these thoughts didn't cross my mind, but as you said it's a challenge that we don't want to accept.

Yes, I need to accept that though the wheelchair has become part of my life, then again I always have a choice to think beyond this.

How could I easily give up on myself, when I am surrounded by some wonderful people who trust and love me for who I am. It doesn't matter to them, I am in a wheelchair or not? They have been there for me, and what I was doing was pushing them away instead of feeling blessed to have them in life.

My focus was on what I didn't have, instead of focusing on what I have and what lessons Life is trying to teach me.

Well, I promise you Nitya, I am going to talk to Vaibhav and instead of running away from taking a strong/ tough decision, I'll face it. And I know after that I'll have to give a lot of explanation to my Dad and brother as well, but that's okay.

But before I promise, I need a return bday gift.

Nitya was shocked and said, Yes, Of course, you tell me what you need, I'll get it for you.

Ankita said You'll tell me how are you planning to get back your father's restaurant from that evil person?

Nitya said, Oh, my God, Ankita I never thought that apart from me, anyone else would be bothered to even ask this question?

She said, Nitya, You know your eyes speak a lot. And I have seen the pain in your eyes for the restaurant. I can't even imagine how have you been living, post your father's demise, then losing your brother and the most important thing in your life your restaurant to that guy.

Your father would have never willingly handed over the restaurant to him, I am sure this was something he had planned.

Nitya signed and said, Yes, Ankita. You know when you trust someone soon, and they ditch you it hurts you in an imaginable way.

Raghu had joined our restaurant a few months back and even I didn't realise when I fell in love with him. 

Well, I loved Raghu with my full heart, we got engaged and life seemed perfect and happy. We were in the process of deciding the wedding date when the devastating news of my brother's demise reached us. This news had a devasting effect on my father and well he got really sick. At that time Raghu, who was managing our restaurant, came one day to ask for my father's signature on some papers.

I had to get some medicines for my father and since Raghu was there, I left to get the medicines.

I was halfway through, when I got a call from Raghu, saying I should hurry back, as my father had taken his last breath and was now no more.

I was not even able to grieve properly for my brother my father left me to. I was not in the emotional state to go back to the restaurant and work. I was in such a state that I didn't realise Raghu had started avoiding me. I was happy that atleast Raghu was managing the restaurant in my absence.

After post few months, one day I decided to visit the restaurant and much to my surprise the restaurant board read as "Raghu's Restaurant" instead of the original name 'Home Delight".

I stormed inside the restaurant and asked Raghu the explanation to take such a big decision.

He said, I am the owner of the Restaurant, and I can name it as per my wish. Who are you to question it?

I was shocked to listen to his answer and he showed me the papers where my father had transferred the restaurant in his name.

Raghu showed his true colours and told me, I can still retain you as the waitress in this restaurant if you want. And yes, can you give back that fake diamond engagement ring I gave you?

I got angry, fought with him, but everything was in vain. Finally, I decided to stay there so that at least I can save my father's restaurant reputation. 

Ankita was furious listening to all this, she said, Nitya, I know this has been a difficult ride for you so far since you were alone, but not anymore, I still feel your father would have not easily transferred the property to him, there must be something more to it. Have you seen the contract papers by yourself, stating the property is in his name?

Actually Ankita, he just showed me one page of the contract, I was in a bad state that I didn't opt for legal advice also, I know I may sound stupid, but I readily gave the restaurant to him.

No worries, Nitya, did you do some background checking about Raghu before or post? Ankita asked

No Ankita never thought about it. Nitya replied. Ankita thought for a second and said, I feel if we get our hands on the contract paper and do some background checking on Raghu, we may find the solution to your problem.

But Raghu shall never share the contract paper with me, Nitya replied.

Ankita smiled and said, I know, but guess what I have some plan to get it done. Let me call up Rish and even before Ankita could dial the call, the doorbell rang. She smiled and said, Go Nitya, open the door, That little devil is here.

As Nitya opened the door, she saw a big bouquet of flowers and behind that was Rishabh with a smile and said, Happy birthday Nitya.

As three of them seated down, girls briefed him about everything. He smiled and said, I knew you both, shall be able to sort things out. 

Ankita smile and said, Well, I owe a sorry to you too, Rish. But hats off to you and Bindiya aunty for all this planning. I must say I am really impressed.

Rishabh smiled and said, You know how much we both love you Anki.Anything for you. Now, tell me what's your plan, let's get Nitya's restaurant back.

As Ankita shared her plan with both of them, Rishabh said, Anki, I am so proud of you. Nitya said Ankita, the plan sounds amazing, would Raghu take this bait, he is a very selfish and cunning guy.

Ankita said, Nitya, you just keep some of your engagement pics ready and rest you leave on to me and Rish. Rest we'll handle. From today, don't consider yourself alone, me and Rish are there with you.

Nitya got up and said, Thank you, Guys. This is my best birthday ever. Would you guys wait so that I can cook dinner for you both? It would be my pleasure.

Ankita and Rishabh looked at each other and said, It would be our pleasure Nitya. Now common, let us help you to cook.

Before Ankita and Rishabh left for home, Ankita said, "Nitya today was a life turning moment of my life, blessed to know someone like you. It looks as if destiny brought us together for a purpose. Let's fulfil that purpose.

Nitya smiled and said, The feeling is mutual Ankita. Yes, let's do it together.

Rishabh looked at both of them, smiled and said, "Seeing you both I recall a famous quote here " She needed a Hero.So that's what she became"

So guys tomorrow let's go and close this Raghu's chapter first and then let's introduce Vaibhav to reality. 

Let justice be served.

Neither Raghu nor Vibhav had any clue about the storms that were headed their way.

To be continued...........