In the Lives of Mr. & Mrs. Saxena Sequel to ‘The Love Game’ Season 3 Episode 10 Season Finale

 

What an open conversation can do can never be done in silence.

2am

Prantik and Jahnvi were laying in bed and discussing nothings together. He was finally telling her how difficult it was to reach the position at work he was at today.

Jahn, it takes discipline and focus. I was so embroiled with work the whole of last year since Raylon nominated me as the next in line for partnership at the firm in the succession planning at work that I was entirely consumed with work. I thought my personal life is set. My wife’s there for me and we’re all set to plan a baby. What you thought as me ignoring you, honestly I was planning the next stage in our life.

I’ll tell you what happened to me without you paying attention – The uncertainty of survival came back. I was distraught without you when you escaped to Arizona without telling me. I didn’t know life without you. So when you brought up the stability issue, I thought I was lost without you again. It’s this emptiness I have without you. I don’t hate stability, but I can’t imagine moving on without you.

That’s the reason I fled a few years ago. I just got the feeling that we were too attached. You’re so vulnerable without me babe. I was scared about our future. I needed to know that you’re going to man up when time comes, if, God forbid, you ever have to do without me.

Okay Prantik, I have now, this minute, completely understood that I am secured with you. But I need to know to be independently happy without you too. I’m going to focus on the regularity in our marriage, even if it means without you. The thing is, if this hadn’t happened with us, I would forever be holding onto you for stability. I need to bring stability in my life without you. That’s not through wayward ways of stimulation through Tinder or smoking.

Yes, and you also need to know that I will leave you enough to be comfortable for the rest of your life so feel safe and know that boo is forever going to be with you. If not on earth then my spirit will forever guide you.

Yes love. Okay now goodnight, gotta wake up early and guide Neetu to make enchiladas for lunch.

Lol, sure babe, I’ll be stuck grabbing a sandwhich from the canteen or something but I know this is your normal – To transform Neetu into a Michelin star chef! You both get on Youtube and turn the kitchen into a hotel.

Ya boo ya that’s my normal in the mornings when you’re at work.

With that they fell into deep slumber together wrapped in each other’s arms.

9am

Prantik was on his side of the bed, sleeping without a care in the world!

Boo wake up, you gotta head to work.

Jahnvi literally had to shake Prantik off the bed.

Jahnvi had woken up early, showered and prepared breakfast for all three. Even Neetu was chilling in her room.

After 20 minutes, Prantik got out of the shower and saw Jahn from across the room, instructing Neetu to get groceries.

All was normal in the Saxena household again.

He hurried towards breakfast, didn’t want to be late again. He asked Jahn what was there for breakfast, she served him idlis and sambhar and then he teased her, “You’ve made Neetu a nervous wreck, go with her to the mall na you lazy bum.”

Jahnvi was sitting from across Prantik at the dining table and she put her feet up on the chair and stuck her tongue out.

Babe, nobody taught you to respect your husband na? Whatever man, I am gone. Meet me at Sim’s at 10 tonight.

With that Prnatik left for work happily after kissing Jahn good day.

12:30 pm

Jahnvi was busy writing the first draft of her book in her study when Neetu knocked. “Yes Neetu?”

“Madam the courier boy needs your signature, you’ve got a parcel.” Neetu said to her favorite at home.

Jahnvi signed to accept the parcel and opened it. Then she remembered that Prantik had asked her to watch out for the mail last night. Excited, she opened it and read the note attached to the gift.

“This is from our future Kid’s education fund. Request you to wear it on repeat.” – Love, Mr. Saxena.

Jahnvi laughed and unwrapped the present. It was the ruby she’d asked Prantik to buy her! She carefully wore the necklace and sent a picture to Prantik.

He said, “You’re beautiful! Wear it tonight. Gotta go, on call with a client.”

Jahnvi returned to her study and continued to write the first draft to her book based on the tenets of success.

She later packed away the necklace in their locker and swore she’d call this ruby a heritage piece and save it for either her daughter or daughter-in-law.

“Time to grow up,” Jahnvi said to herself satisfied with her life as God would want it.

Like this and every day more than today, Mr. & Mrs. Saxena lived happily ever after!

Note: As the author of this terrific love story, I hate to end it here but how I wish I am struck with an idea to continue 'The Love Game' forever! 

 

 

 

 

In the Lives of Mr. & Mrs. Saxena Sequel to ‘The Love Game’ Season 3 Episode: 8

 

When you’re in love, the spark is always alive! – Butterflytalkies

“Prantik put me down you jerk!” Jahnvi said now completely stripped off her guard. She felt a queasy feeling of warmth all over her. Prantik and she fell on the bed together and he was on top of her. He looked at her for a good five minutes or more and then they both started kissing each other passionately. Her bun had come off and they began searching in each other the treasure of peace that eluded them for weeks. Hands everywhere and fighting for every single breath apart from each other’s mouths, they relegated their entrenchment tied to the promise of an everlasting and solid harmony with each other.

 Fighting for space to cover with kisses, they submerged with a sinking ship of passion and welcomed the hot fluids of erotica covered and laced with the light of the presence of only one another and nothing else existed for that time. It stood still, lighting a caressing blessing on them while they sensed their perseverance to achieve their fill. So lost were they, toiling and turning in bed, tripping on one another,  covered with nothing but the dignity of their marriage, lust so wild that it scared them out of their livng daylight! Prantik stopped and Jahnvi opened her eyes to see her husband holding her hands while supporting himself on her.

There was complete stillness for a few seconds while they savored the fire of sensuality that overwhelmed them in their need to consume eternal bliss! Then Prantik rode, rode like a horse in a race and Jahnvi, writhing in pleasure moaned a lifetime again. They covered the seven heavens and twisting and turning, Prantik holding on tight, they breathed in unforgivable sins of mankind. Alas! They came and they came together and held on in their journey to explore each other a second time over.

Mr. & Mrs. Saxena, half in disbelief of the pleasure they obtained from one another, screaming and husking, savored every step of the divine guilt away. Then Prantik fell on Jahnvi in peace.

Prantik sighed with satisfaction and relief, his hand against the headboard, resting on his head and relishing the after effects of sunshine in God’s name. He said, “Ha… Babe, you sure know how to keep the fire burning.”

Jahnvi was laying on her side of the bed, she was completely overwhelmed and very shy suddenly. She lay flat on the bed with her hands crossed on her belly, hair falling loosely on the pillow, she felt over the moon. It was like, there wasn’t any problem anymore. She felt eternal peace with this man known as her husband! She reached out to scratch Prantik’s mostly bald head of his U-cut when it came to her.

“So are you talking to any other girl on Tinder?” Looking up at the ceiling of their bedroom, both speared over the bed, she asked the most obvious question out of her vanity of the actual matter.

 

 

The Love Game, Season 2 : Episode 6

 

After three weeks

There's something magical about the sea. It washes away all the negative energy. The salt water treatment we pay at spas for a steep price to relax is nothing but the salt and water concoction that is compounded by nature to elevate good moods. 

It was a pretty sunset at the beach, 1km away from the wedding venue at Anjuna in Goa. Lost in thought, Jahnvi was enjoying this change after a long time. It was Nishant's wedding weekend and the merriments were on since Friday. Her friend was perhaps the happiest grooms she had seen. He tied the knot with his long time girlfriend, Sara, of 5 years. An architect and interior designer, they made the perfect couple. She was so happy for her friends. 

In a backless racer cut white long dress, Jahnvi looked stunning with her waves dancing in the soft breeze. She was at the beach since the day-sangeet got over. It was a Sunday evening and she just wanted to make the most of her beach time before heading back to the bay tomorrow night with the wedding brigade. 

Unnaturally calm around Prantik, she had enjoyed him being around her the whole time. Around as in present at the wedding. An ex couple happily moving on. She didn't feel uncomfortable around him. He was so friendly and he emanated only happy vibes. 

She was glad they had that confrontation at Sim's party. The fact of clearing the equation of her situation without him had somehow released some repressed serotonin levels that helped to see things as they were at the moment. He hadn't cornered her again to get back after the party and yet he was somehow fantastically profound in her interactions with her. Talking to him courteously was easy and they shared a positive camaraderie. 

She walked the beach with an inner peace achieved after years of struggling to let go of her helplessness of the last three years and she had come to a renewed state of being after the party. Somehow the confrontation with him had made it easier to let go of her bondage of love she had been fixated with for so long. She had received the closure needed to move on. She finally let go. 

Taking the pain from her past that had matured her, reveling in its lessons and calmly welcoming a baggage less future motivated her today to go back home and write. Just write and write and meet her long forgotten friends once again. Take each day optimistically and live life again. she felt fresh. 

She looked up at the orange sky and wished to the setting sun to set her spirit free. She smiled a satisfied smile and turned to exit towards the hotel. Just as she was walking away, she saw a dark frame filling her vision. A rugged, 5/7 figure with dark hair and rusted beard, dressed in blue shorts and a white open shirt was walking towards her. It was Prantik. He smiled and she waved back. 

Dude you're here, everyone's looking for you. We're clicking pictures and entertaining ourselves with digital shenanigans. Come! 

Wow, but I've been clicked at the sangeet enough dancing to ‘Say na Say na’ with the bride tribe and I just wanted to catch the setting sun so quickly took a chance escape to my favorite beach. 

Anjuna, the glory of all the spiritually fun souls! You could have asked me, I'd have accompanied you. Now that we are here let's stay for a while. What say? 

Works with me. I would give my wealth away to laze at the beach, you know me. 

Yea I know you and I even know that you absolutely love the classic chicken bad burger at Curlys. Come let’s have a quick bite before heading back. 

You remember! Jahnvi laughed nostalgically remembering her beach vacations with Prantik when they dated.

Jahn's waves were flowing freely from her face and her heavy eyelashes purred every time she smiled and that backless dress did it to captivate the moment that made her look so surreal. She was beautiful. Prantik nodded and they both walked to the cafe at the end of the beach. 

Just before entering the cafe, they both noticed a Rastafarian and his girl fighting in French. Prantik and Jahnvi looked at each other and burst out laughing. 

Gone are our days, Prantik said ruefully. 

Jahnvi smiled and said, "I remember having pillow fights with you and punching you in the gut to let me go and wander in search of inspiration. You never let me go alone." 

How could I? This portrait of God's desire, alone on the lone streets of Goa? No way! Prantik said half joking, half serious. 

They both took their seats at the table directly overlooking the sea. The table had a candlelight in the center and despite herself, Jahnvi was lost in his eyes for a minute. 

Prantik averted his eyes, fully aware that Jahnvi too was thinking about all their romantic candlelit dinners. 

So should we order? Jahnvi said drumming her tummy. 

Hahaha, Prantik laughed at how his Jahn just loved food. Yes please. 

They cautioned the waiter and ordered as he approached them. 

Then they sat in silence, enjoying each other's company and plaintive comfort they found naturally in each other. 

So all set to get back to the bay tomorrow? Prantik asked casually. 

Absolutely! I have let go off my past and I am ready to begin again. Jahnvi said passionately. A little beach therapy is all I needed. 

You bet! Prantik said happy for his love. 

Their order of two big bad burgers arrived with coke and they gluttoningly finished every last piece of even the fallen tomatoes. 

So I was thinking, what if we have moved on, we can still go out and hang with each other? Prantik asked hopefully. 

Yes, definitely, honestly I didn't think I would love your friendly companionship so much but you've been great at the wedding and after our confrontation at the party and like I said, I feel renewed so bring it on Mr Saxena! 

Damn girl, Mr. Saxena? Took my heart away. Prantik said joking. 

Lol, are you flirting with me? Jahnvi said relieved that both of them held nothing against each other after so long. 

What do you think? Prantik said winking at Jahn. Come lets go back before they set out a search party for us. 

You're right, tomorrow wedding and then I am looking forward to connecting with my girl gang again. Mom will be really happy to know that. 

I am so happy to know that Jahn.. Jahnvi sorry, Prantik said correcting himself. He was so happy to spend this time with her that he forgot his limits for a second. 

It's okay Mr. Saxena, you can still call me Jahn, she said amicably. 

Is it okay if I even get away with pinching your glowing pink cheeks? Prantik said with no hope but in a friendly manner. 

No way, you pull them so hard and then it hurts me Prantik, Jahnvi said making a cute puppy face. 

Okay okay, be ready Wednesday night, we'll hit the club with some of my friends from my new workplace, Prantik said confidently. 

Roger that sir! Jahnvi said as they both reached the hotel to join their friends gathered near the pool for some fun and games through the night. 

The mad lovers joined the celebrations without an ounce of heartache or guilt and thoroughly enjoyed the rest of the wedding, Jahnvi constantly catching Prantik catching glimpses at her as usual. 

All was well in their world. Jahnvi couldn't wait to begin again! This time, with the love of her life alongside her as a friend she could only wish for. 

 

 

 

 

The Love Game, Season 2: Episode 5

 

Somewhere far away,

In another galaxy,

The truth of love will unfold.

It won't only take away the heartache,

It will release her from the bondage of her habitat

"What would happen without you Prantik? I was a zombie for two years. I became indifferent to people. I saw a world with uncaring people, I lost track of time and suffered a writer's block. I started dating randomly just to push your thoughts away from me. I put on unhealthy weight and my wishes dried up. I became cold and lifeless, just like the blossoms on trees in winters and I still love you."

Jahnvi's painful cry reverberated in Prantik's ears. Her cry took over his entire being. It was 2 am and a day after the party. He had joined Joyce and Wreathes, an engineering firm in Panvel. Prantik lived in town and the long travel from work to back was taking a toll on him.

It was a Sunday and he didn't feel like getting out at all. He just wanted to rest it out. He tried to relax in bed but Jahnvi's confession of her life without him was ringing constantly in his ears. What had he done?

The sense of loss, the overwhelming loneliness, detachment from human connections and relationships over a period of two years had rocked Jahnvi's boat in his absence. She was no longer the same sweet Jahnvi he had known. She had definitely matured and for the unfortunate like him, she had become cold to proximity.

Thinking about her state of mind, Prantik shivered for a second because he had noticed the change in her behaviour in a matter of minutes, the change in her tonality towards him and the way she had said cautiously, "It's too late Prantik, I am not the same Jahn."

He bolted from his bed suddenly realizing that in trying to make her independent inorganically, his absence had somewhere cut through her heart and stripped her apart.

Generations of women in India were born to get married and live a life dependent on their Husbands. Yet, Indian women were moulded in a perplexed manner where, in spite of their husbands calling the shots, they had an apparent sense of strength that showed in the way they brought up their kids and maintained the harmony at home. Their values, their culture, their traditions they learned from their mothers all transcended into them becoming the silent warriors of a man's domestic legacy.

When their counter parts pass away, they aren't broken into pieces but are taught to pick up the pieces and start a new life all grounded in the circumference of their children and relatives. In the case of modern women, they found that circumference in their work and friends. Protected like calves all their lives, they show their true grit when their husbands or children falter. However modern, an Indian woman will truly and always remain the bespoke power of her life and that of her husband, her children and her family.

Then who was he to try and change his Jahn? Her quiet strength that he was thinking about and saw in American woman was right there with his Jahn all along. He misunderstood her love for attachment and now he was responsible for turning her into a cold hearted young woman.

His uncalled for interference in the way she was had changed her to become indifferent because now she didn't trust humanity or even for that matter his love for her.

Can you challenge a woman to live without a man and she will succeed? The answer is yes. But can you expect a man to live without his woman? The answer is no.

Jahnvi had seen the cruel reality of life instead of tasting good freedom because all of this time she was burdened with his love. Had he passed away after marriage, would she have been so cold and indifferent? The answer came and slapped him on his face - No!

He had expected her to be righteous and independent knowing he was there in the periphery. His intent was not wrong but his way was wrong. Why did he expect her to mature before time? Why did she lose control of her life in his absence was because what he had done was unexpected.

He was wrong. And Jahnvi had paid the brunt of his wrong. He had not only pushed her into stop loving him but he had thrown her over the edge of a cliff where she wasn't able to love anybody else as well!

Do you know what it means to love someone and not have them around you? He could now understand what Jahnvi was going through. The cerebral shift from wanting something to a sudden sense of loss without any reasoning had dimmed her light. Had restricted her progress in her writing. (The one thing he knew was her way of life.) she was born to write. And like any true writer, her sense of loss had prevented her from imagining her stories for the longest time.

Prantik, now sitting upright on his bed, could not even fathom the mammoth sense of deprivation of her right to be happy that Jahnvi felt without him. For fuck sake, if he wanted to test her independence, he could have broken up with her. He could have parted his ways for sometime but cutting off for two years without notice had submerged her feelings and emotions.

The psychological battle she must have fought to grieve his loss or the inferiority she must have felt to think she wasn't enough for him made him crawl in his bed with shame. He thought, "Why did he want to change something about Jahnvi when she was functioning perfectly well organically?!" Prantik didn't think he could take the fact of ruining her life any minute.

Jahn was battling depression. She was suffering from acute loneliness, she was fighting their sense of broken relationship and she had faced the challenges of escapism through Tinder. What Prantik's one misguided step had done was to cut a rose from its roots.

That's why she turned cold at the party. What she must have gone through without him must have ruled her memory and now her trauma was not letting her see the brighter side of life. She had become a log of wood, just flowing in the river forest like water.

Instead of wanting her back and pleading her to forgive him, he had to heal her. He had to take the responsibility to protect her healing phase now. He would do it. Just like how he now promised to protect her dearly after marriage, he would go all out and become her friend. Not want anything in return. If she wanted, they would part ways forever and he would never intrude her privacy. But right now his Jahn needed to heal. She had to see the positive side of life, she had to see the optimism in every moment and become her happy self again.

That minute, all Prantik wanted was to heal his girl. Even if he lost her in transition, never mind, he would happily give her away to the best suitor there was for her. He would live alone for the rest of his life because loved he had only her.

It was Nishant's wedding getaway in a few weeks and Jahn would be there. He would take it from there.

 

 

The Love Game, Season 2: Episode 4

 He didn't know how precious she was to him until she turned around and caught him staring at her with a gaze fit for the fairies. 

After a week

There was music, there was dancing and it was so romantic! Khar gymkhana was lit. The party had just begun and it was time to celebrate Sim's 30th birthday! All her friends were invited and everybody was looking forward to party till the wee hours of the morning.

It was 10 pm and Jahnvi, after rigorous dieting for some time now had not lost all the weight but she was getting there and tonight she looked every bit Prantik’s peach cobbler he could imagine.

Dressed in a wrap around skirt of mahogany red and a white top with pale pumps, Prantik wanted Jahnvi to stay close to him. How he wished he could cuddle with her like old times! He just wanted to kiss her all over, that's how cute she looked. Happily dancing with their friends and smiling and laughing, she didn't have a care in the world tonight.

Although, Prantik was with Jade and Jahnvi was with Sahil, there was a spark between Prantik and Jahnvi that night. He kept pretending to ignore her, still furious about their brunch date gone awry, but his roving eyes always seemed to rest on her chubby cheeks. Then he thought, when Jahn would be pregnant with his kid, she'd look so cute! All bubbly and strawberry with her natural pink complexion. She didn’t put too much makeup and he loved that flawlessness about her.

That minute when Prantik, standing at the far corner of the room tried to look at Jahnvi, Jahnvi looked back at him. Time froze. They kept staring into the depths of each other's souls and made a silent promise of always loving each other. Jahnvi looked away and pretended to enjoy dancing with Sahil who was very supportive in this stupid payback game since two weeks. He said, "Can't take your eyes off him, can you?" Then Jahnvi burst into tears and fled the room.

Prantik whose eyes were glued to both of them in jealousy saw what happened and rushed behind his doll. Sim noticed what happened and silently prayed that something should break the ice between her dearest friends tonight.

Tears flowing down her cheeks, Jahnvi tried to calm herself in the restroom. All of the good times with Prantik flooded her memory and all she could wish for was Prantik to carry her in his arms right now and take her away somewhere they would die in each other's arms for eternity.

She calmed down after 15 minutes and told herself that she would not play the pay back game anymore. She couldn't pretend to be oblivious to Prantik anymore. She loved her boo and she missed the two together badly. She also told herself that it wasn't possible anymore and bracing herself to face the worst, she was about to leave the restroom when she saw Prantik waiting outside.

She smiled a quiet smile at him, forgiving him for everything that minute and was about to walk away when he held her hand and pushed her against the wall in the deserted area of the gymkhana. "You're hurting me Prantik." Jahnvi said crying again. He lifted her chin and stared deep into her eyes with some sort of unexplainable aggression. Before his lady love could say anything more, he picked her up in his arms and took her to the ground floor stairway corridor. 

"What do you want from me, jerk?" Janhvi cried out loud. She brushed her hand on her cheeks to wipe her tears and Prantik came close to her and kissed her hard on her left cheek. She looked up at him surprised. 

"I want you Jahn. I want you. I’ve  never wanted anybody else in my life but you ever since I met you three years ago." Prantik said breathless, lost in the scent of her natural, perspiring perfume. Her big cheeks glowed luminously under the halogen bulb of the stairway and he couldn't take his eyes off her. 

"Then why did you run away? Why did you leave me wondering, for two whole years that I wasn't enough? Why did you leave me all alone to cope without you making me believe there was no more of us?" Jahnvi shrieked in unrequited love feelings she had held back for so long. 

Jahnvi's knees buckled and she was going to fall when Prantik held her back up gently and pulled her right into his arms. What followed was a deep and longed for kiss that ripped right through his consciousness and then resting his head on   Jahnvi's chest he said defeated, "I wanted you to be universally independent. I wanted you to be a hero without me. You were so attached to me that it scared me to think what would happen of you without me, so I left."

"What would happen without you Prantik? I was a zombie for two years. I became indifferent to people. I saw a world with uncaring people, I lost track of time and suffered a writer's block. I started dating randomly just to push your thoughts away from me. I put on unhealthy weight and my wishes dried up. I became cold and lifeless, just like the blossoms on trees in winters and I still love you." Jahnvi said feeling helplessly calm with Prantik in her arms. 

"I know Jahn, I know everything. I am sorry. I am so sorry baby. Please forgive me. I won't ever leave you alone again. Let's get married and you be my wife and I'll be your husband and we both will live happily ever after." Prantik said wiping Jahn's cheeks tenderly. He brushed his face to hers and took in the ultimate scent of her to last him a lifetime. He couldn't lose her anymore. He just wanted to hold her and take care of this princess forever. 

Suddenly Jahnvi remembered the lonely nights, the unforgiving writer's block and the empty feeling of sleeping with Jay and the hazy morning after walking all alone on her way back home that morning and Jahnvi pushed Prantik away. 

Before walking off, back to the party, an indifferent Jahnvi taking over her. She turned around one last time and said, "It's too late Prantik, I am not the same Jahn anymore. Goodbye." 

Prantik felt his spirit lost, hearing Jahn talk like that and with tears in his eyes he called out her name in pain, "Jahn, Jahn, don't go. I am sorry. Your boo is sorry. Please come back."

He was all alone on the stairway, losing complete control of sanity before something inside him screamed, "Win Jahn back. She is your life." Prantik pulled himself together and called Sim downstairs. 

They both discussed the payback plan and Prantik was ecstatic that Sahil was married. He made a resolve to play no games no more and win his love back truthfully and courteously. He would make her Mrs. Jahnvi Prantik Saxena that year. He would. He kneeled on the floor and prayed to God to help him out.