Fan Fiction – Page 10 – Mish' Fiction

Partner

Posted May 31, 2013 MishLeave a commentPosted in Fan Fiction, Hinglish, Maneet (GHSP)

“Maan! Hamein ek baar client se baat to karni chahiye.”

“Kya baat karni hai Geet. Humne unhein kuchh promise kiya tha aur woh hum deliver nahin kar paye. Ab unhein poora haq hai ki woh apna project kahin aur le jayen.”

“Lekin Maan. Project mein genuine problems aa gayin thi, jo hamare wash mein nahin thi. Aisa to hai nahin ki kuchh ho sakta tha aur humne nahin kiya. Aapne khud saare options try kiye hain.”

“Ye samajhna client ki zimmedaari nahin hai Geet. Main kissi se bahane sunta nahin hoon. Aur main kissi ke saamne bahane bana bhi nahin sakta.”

“Lekin Maan ye koi bahana nahin hai. Achchha ye bataiye ki agar woh apna project kahin aur le jayen, to kya woh log is problem ko kissi jaadu ki chhadi se solve kar denge?”

“Nahin. Problems to unke liye bhi wahi hongi.”

“To phir aisa to hai nahin ki hamse project wapas le lene se clients ki problem solve ho jayegi. Balki koi nayi company is par kaam shuru karegi to shayad project mein aur delay ho jaye. Ek baar to client se baat kijiye.”

“Geet. Main ye nahin kar sakta. Khurana Constructions kissi se bheekh nahin maangta projects ke liye. Main client se baat nahin kar sakta.”

“To mujhe karne dijiye.”

“Geet!”

“Maan. Mujh par bharosa kijiye. Main jaanti hoon ki ye company aur iski izzat aapke liye kitni maayne rakhti hai. Main waada karti hoon ki kuchh bhi aisa nahin kahoongi jisse Khurana Constructions ke rutbe ya izzat par koi bhi aanch aaye. Hum kissi se bheekh nahin maang rahe hain.”

“Theek hai. Lekin mujhe tumhare saath to rahna padega na?”

“Aur aapke liye us meeting mein rahna mushkil hoga?”

“Geet. Main…”

“Koi baat nahin Maan. Mere paas iska bhi solution hai.”

“Tumhein koi jaadu ki chhadi mil gayi hai Geet?”

“Nahin. Maine bas aapse bahut kuchh seekha hai.”

—

“Good morning Mr. Sharma. Main Geet Khurana. Maan dar-asal traffic mein phans gaye hain aur woh nahin chahte the ki aapko intezaar karna pade. Isliye mujhe ye meeting attend karne ko bola unhone.”

“Lekin aapse hum pahle to kabhi is silsile mein mile nahin hain. Phir itne important matter ke liye bina Mr. Khurana ke…”

“Mr. Sharma. Main aapse nahin mili hoon pahle, lekin main Maan ke saath har project par kaam karti hoon. Mujhe is project ke baare mein bhi sab pata hai. Aap chinta mat kijiye – Khurana Constructions gair-zimmedaar harquatein kabhi nahin karta hai. Maan jaise hi yahan pahunchenge, woh bhi meeting mein aa jayenge.”

“Jo hamare project ke saath ho raha hai, use dekh kar to aap logon ke zimmedaar hone ka zyada bharosa nahin hota. Naam to humne bhi market mein bahut suna tha Khurana Constructions ka. Khair – abhi aapko kya baat karni thi?”

Geet heaved a sigh of relief that Maan was not there in this room. Else he would definitely have lost his cool at such remarks and any further discussion would have been impossible. And she was not wrong at all. Maan was infuriated sitting in the other conferencce room. The video-conferencing equipment in both the rooms was on. But the screen was switched off in the room where Geet was meeting the clients. So, Maan was able to see the meeting, but they could not see Maan.

Both Geet and Maan had struggled in accepting this arrangement, as it looked like cheating the client. But finally they decided to go ahead, as this was harmless. And it was the best way of handling things so that Maan could see what was going on without having to be there.

Maan had a strong urge to just barge into the meeting room, grab the client by his collars and throw him out of his office. But Geet had started replying to him by then.

“Mr. Sharma. Aapka gussa jayaz hai. Lekin aap please thandhe dimaag se ek baar meri baat sun lijiye. Uske baad aapka jo bhi faisla hoga, hum bina kuchh kahe maan lenge.”

“Boliye.”

“Thank you. Aapko ye to pata hi hai ki project labour problems ki wajah se delay hua hai. Us ilaake ke saare labourers hadtal par chale gaye hain. Hum unke leaders se baat kar rahe the kaafi dinon se, lekin woh hamara koi bhi offer nahin le rahe the. Humne Delhi se labourers ko wahan le ja kar bhi kaam shuru karwane ki koshish ki lekin un logon ne unhein bhi itni dhamkiyan di ki woh wahan rahne ko taiyaar nahin hue. Pichchhle ek-do dinon mein hamein pata chala hai ki in sabka hamare project ya Khurana Constructions se koi matlab hi nahin hai. Unhein hamse koi shikayat nahin hai. Ye wahan ki do local political parties ka jhagda hai, aur unmein se ek poore ilaake ki activities disturb kar rahi hai. Labourers ki hadtaal bhi usi ki wajah se hai.”

The client was listening intently to her, “To ab aapka kya proposal hai?”

“Ise suljhane ke liye hamein politicians ki hi madad leni padegi. Maan aaj wahan ke MP se baat karne waale hain. Hum aur bhi logon ko contact karne ki koshish kar rahe hain, jo hamari madad kar sakte hain. Agar inmein se koi bhi successful ho gaya to agle do hafton mein kaam dubara chalu ho jayega. Mr. Sharma, antim faisla aapka hai. Agar aap project wapas lene ka faisla karte hain, to hum koi legal loophole dhoondh kar, ya kissi bhi tarah se aapko pareshaan kar ke aapko nahin rokenge. Khurana Constructinos aise tareekon mein vishwaas nahin karta hai. Lekin ye problem bahut local hai. Agar aap kissi aur ke bhi paas jayenge to unhein yahi problem hogi. Aur hum ab us problem ko suljhane ke bahut kareeb aa gaye hain.”

“Mrs. Khurana, mujhe apni team se baat karni hogi is baare mein koi bhi faisla lene se pahle. Hum apni taraf se bhi investigate karenge. Agar aapki baat sahi hai to hamare us ilaake mein kaafi contacts hain. Shayad hum bhi ye problem suljhane mein aapki madad kar payen.”

“Bilkul. Aap apni team se baat kar lijiye aur apni taraf se poori tasalli kar lijiye. Hum kaam dubara jaldi se jaldi shuru karwane ki koshish kar rahe hain. Hamein aapke phone ka intezaar rahega.”

Just then they all noticed Maan standing near the door of the conference room.

Geet was surprised, “Maan aap kab aaye? Main abhi, abhi Mr. Sharma ko…”

“Maine unki baat sun li hai. Mr. Sharma, is delay ki wajah se aapka jo bhi direct monetary loss hota hai, uska fifty percent Khurana Constructions bear karega. Ye aapko assure karne ke liye hai ki project hamare liye bhi utna hi important hai jitna aapke liye.”

“Thank you Mr. Khurana. Hum aapko phone kar ke bata denge.”

With that the clients took leave and Geet looked at Maan unsurely.

Maan asked, “Kya hua Geet?”

“Woh… Aap achanak yahan kyon aa gaye? Mujhse kuchh galti ho gayi kya?”

Maan suppressed a chuckle and turned serious, “Aur kya Geet? Tum kya bolti ja rahi thi? Mujhe tumhein chup karwane ke liye aana hi pada.”

“Lekin… I am sorry… Maine kya galati kar di? Phir aapko pahle aana chahiye tha na?”

Maan moved towards her, “Kya galti kar di? Tumhein pata bhi nahin chala tumne kitni badi galti kar di? Jo kaam Maan Singh Khurana kabhi nahin kar sakta tha, woh kar diya tumne.”

Maan had reached very close to her and in her nervousness she was rooted to her place, “Aap please bataiye na aisa kya kar diya maine… Maine to unhein kuchh bhi aisa nahin kaha…”

Maan silenced her by putting his hand on her mouth, “Chup Geet. Abhi bhi bolti ja rahi ho.”

Maan finally could not suppress his smile. Few minutes ago, this woman was bravely fielding cynical questions from the clients. And now, with just one little trick of his, she is scared like a kid waiting for her punishment for not doing the homework. He was not wrong in his assumption that life with her will always be interesting and unpredictable.

“Aap muskura kyon rahe hain ab?” She still hadn’t realized that he was pretending to be disappointed with her. But she realized this as soon as she had asked the question.

“To aap mujhe phir se bekaar mein pareshaan kar rahe the?” She pouted and started to leave in a huff. But Maan caught her wrist and pulled her into his embrace. He continued to smile and look at her lovingly.

“Kya hai?” Geet had not melted.

“Thank you Geet.”

“Thank you kisliye? Abhi pata bhi nahin hai ki client project wapas le raha hai ya nahin.” Geet continued to be irritated.

“Thoda mere experience par bharosa karo. Ab woh log kahin nahin ja rahe.”

“Achchha hai. To ab mujhe jaane dijiye.”

“Lekin Geet. Tumne itna achchha kaam kiya hai. Iske liye tumhein eenaam to milna chahiye,” Maan said naughtily and moved his lips towards hers. But she pushed him back by putting her hand on his protruding lips and said, “Mr. Khurana. Aap shayad bhool rahe hain ki ye office hai aur hum ek conference room mein khade hain.”

“Mrs. Khurana. Aap shayad bhool rahi hain ki mere paas ab shaadi ka certificate hai.”

“Aapko MP ko call karna hai. Aap chaar minute late ho chuke hain.”

Geet managed to distract Maan with this information and broke free of his grip giving him a triumphant look. Maan gave her a “I will show you later” stare and left for his cabin to call the MP up.

—

“Geet. Mr. Sharma ka call aaya tha. Un logon ne kuchh contacts nikale hain project waale area mein. Unki details aur introduction mere e-mail par aane waala hai. Jaise hi woh bhejein, Adi se kahna ki unke saath follow-up kar le. Us party ko kuchh donation dena pade to bhi theek hai.”

“To Project hamare paas hi rahega?” Geet was delighted.

“Haan,” Maan did not reciprocate her delight and continued in a matter of fact tone, “Mujhe Noida waali project ki site par urgently jaana hai. Tum ghar chali jana doosri car mein.”

“Noida mein kya ho gaya achanak?”

“Ghabrane ki koi baat nahin hai. Main wapas aa kar batata hoon.” With this Maan immediately left her cabin leaving her to wonder about several things.

“Aa kar bataunga? Pata nahin kya ho gaya hai. Babaji – koi badi problem na ho. Main wahan chali jaun kya? Nahin, nahin. Agar kuchh gadbad hui to unka gussa bhadak jayega. Kabhi kuchh dhang se batate nahin hain mujhe. Aur baad mein jab kaam badh jayega to mujhe kahenge ki main kuchh yaad nahin rakhti hoon. Babaji! Kya karoon main inka? Aur haan. Subah to mujhe itna pareshaan kar rahe the. Usmein bada mazaa aa raha tha. Ab jab project mil gaya hai, to aise baat kar rahe the jaise ki koi badi baat hi na ho. Zara si taareef nahin kar sakte the? Khair. Chaddo. Unka to roz ka yahi kissa hai. Ab pata nahin kahan chal diye hain – aa kar batata hoon – ghar bhi akele jaana padega. Raaste bhar koi baat karne ke liye bhi nahin hai. Babaji!”

—

When Geet entered the bedroom, it was was very dimly lit. She looked around to see the special lighting arrangement that was done in the room to give it a very cozy feel. She smiled. So, this was his important work on Noida project.

As her eyes adjusted to the light, she noticed the wall near the headboard of their bed. It said “Thank you” written with the glow-in-the-dark stars. Geet moved towards the bed and spotted a packet lying there. With it was a note that said, “Meri Mishti ke liye” written with the glow-in-the-dark stars again. She opened the the packet to find a hand mirror with beautiful and intricately carved silver frame lying there. There was another note beside the mirror. She read it, “Is aaine mein jo chehra dikh raha hai, woh duniya ki sabse khoobsoorat ladki ka hi chehra nahin hai, woh meri zindagi ka bhi chehra hai.”

Geet smiled again and put the note down. She brought the mirror in front of her face. Though the room was only dimly lit, she could very well see her smiling, blushing face in it. Suddenly two strong arms hugged her from behind. She knew the touch too well to be scared by their sudden appearance. Maan whispered in her ears, as if continuing the note she had just read, “Ye us ladki ka chehra hai, jisne mera akelapan hi door nahin kiya; mere adhoorepan ko bhi mita diya hai. Is ladki ne meri saari kamzoriyon ko, khamiyon ko bematlab kar diya hai. Jab se ye ladki meri zindagi mein aayi hai, meri partner bani hai, tab se mere liye kuchh bhi karna possible ho gaya hai. Jo taqat mere paas pahle kabhi nahin thi, ye ladki meri woh taqat ban kar aayi hai. Ab main duniya jeet sakta hoon. Lekin agar poori duniya ko gawa bhi doon, to bhi jab tak ye mere saath hai, mujhe koi gham nahin hoga.”

Geet turned in his embrace to face him and buried her face in his chest, “To ye tha aapka zaroori kaam?”

“Isse zyada zaroori aur kya ho sakta hai? Maine kaha tha na ki itna achchhe kaam ka inaam to milna hi chahiye tumhein.”

“To main jab bhi kuchh achchha karoongi to aap mujhe aise hi inaam denge?”

“Agar tum chaho to tumhre bina kuchh kiye bhi de sakta hoon.”

She looked up at his face and both of them smiled.

“Chalo,” Maan put his arms around her shoulders and led her to the other side of the bed. There was a pedicure vessel there with massaging rollers and heating feature. The water was already warm to a confortable temperature. There was a huge, comfortable leather chair in front of it. Maan made her sit on the chair and kneeled in front of her. He took off her sandles one by one and placed her feet in the pedicure vessel. Then he started the massaging rollers. After the initial tinkling in her feet subsided, Geet found herself getting relaxed. She leaned on the back of the chair. Maan came behind her and undid the dori of her kurti followed by opening the hooks at the back. This made Geet gasp. For a moment his hand caressed her bare back, but then he turned his attention to her shoulders. He slipped the kurti slightly off her shoulders leaving them bare. Then he picked up aromatic oil from the table nearby and started giving her a relaxing and sensual shoulder massage. During the massage he took the opportunity to let his hands roam around to her neck, nape and front. Next he took the rubber band off from her hair letting them lose. He ran his fingers through her hair and then gave her a very soothing head massage.

She felt him moving away and opened her eyes to look at him. He was wearing his usual night dress – the black vest and the black pajama. And as usual, he looked incredibly attractive to her in that. He had moved away only to switch off the rollers in the pedicure vessel. Then he came back and lifted her out of the chair in his arms. She put her arms around his neck, happy to let him decide the course of the evening. He took her to their huge bathroom. The bath-tub was already filled with warm water and rose petals. He lowered her into the bath tub, stood up and looked at her intently with his passionate and lust-filled eyes. This made her feel conscious. And she asked nervously, “Aise… Kya… dekh…rahe hain?”

“Apne inaam ko dekh raha hoon. Aur woh tumhare inaam se bahut zyada achchha hai.” He said suggestively and joined her in the bath-tub for a long sensuous session of love-making.

—

“Maan!” Geet called his name when they were lying in the bed later that night.

“Bolo Geet,” he turned towards her with a smile on his face and pulled her even tighter into his arms.

Geet tried to say something but hesitated and finally stopped.

“Kya baat hai Geet?”

“Kuchh nahin. Bas Thanks bolna tha.”

“Thanks? Kis liye?”

“Ye sab karne ke liye.”

“Oh! Woh to main dubara bhi kar sakta hoon,” saying this he tried to get on top of her, but Geet pushed him away laughing.

“Badmashi mat kijiye Maan.”

“Ab agar tum in cheezon ke liye thanks bologi to mera hausla to badhega hi na,” then Maan changed his tone from naughty to serious, “Lekin Geet. Tum kuchh aur kahna chah rahi thi. Hai na? Batao mujhe.”

“Maan! Mujhe ab bhi kai baar bharosa nahin hota ki meri zindagi mein itni khushiyan hain. Ki aap jaisa insaan mujhse itna pyaar kar sakta hai. Aisa to kuchh bhi nahin hai mujhme. Main ek chhote shahar ki ek bahut hi saadhaaran ladki hoon. Kyon itna pyaar karte hain aap mujhse?”

“Saadhaaran ladki? Kitni saadhaaran ladkiyan apne vishwas ke liye poori duniya se lad jaati hain Geet? Lekin main tumhein sirf bravery award dene ke liye tumse pyaar nahin karta.” Maan laughed slightly and this sentence made even Geet smile.

“Sabse badi baat ye hai Geet ki tum har mayne mein mere liye sachchi ham-safar ho. Tum mujhe poora karti ho Geet. Mujhe Business chalana aata tha, logon ko control mein rakhna aata tha, lekin mujhe zindagi jeena nahin aata tha, purani baaton ko bhool kar aage badhna nahin aata tha, mujhe muskurana nahin aata tha, pyaar karna nahin aata tha, woh sab tumne mujhe sikhaya. Aur meri adhoori zindagi ko poora kiya. Aur aaj jo office mein hua usse to mera wishwas aur bhi badh gaya hai ki tum is duniya mein mere liye hi aayi ho. Jin logon ko mujhe control karna nahin aata, un par tum apna jadoo chala dogi, hai na? Sach ye hai ki jaise tumne client ko handle kiya, woh bilkul sahi tha. Lekin main jaisa insaan hoon, main woh kabhi nahin kar paata. Pahle hi gussa kar ke sab kuchh khatam kar deta. To main apni is sachchi partner se kyon ne itna, aur isse bhi zyada pyaar karoon?”

Geet smiled and snuggled up closer to him to hide her face in his shoulders. He stroked her hair and said, “Waise Geet. Agar yahi sawaal main tumse poochhoon to? Tum kyon mere jaise khadoos aur gussail insaan se itna pyaar karti ho?”

“Maan. Mujhe pata hai ki main aise bahut bolti hoon. Lekin itni badi badi baatein main nahin bol paungi is sawaal ke jawaab mein. Bas itna pata hai ki mere liye poori duniya aap hai. Shuruat mein main aapki ahsaanmand thi, kyonki aapne har kadam par meri madad ki thi. Aur ye ehsaas kab badal kar pyaar ban gaya mujhe pata hi nahin chala. Shayad aapne mujhe bahut sar par chadha liya tha, tabhi main ye himmat kar baithi.”

“Himmat? Himmat ki to tum baat mat karo Geet. Mujhe abhi bhi yaad hai ki kitne papad belne pade the mujhe tumse tumhare man ki baat kahalwane ke liye.”

“Achchha! Aur aapne kaun si apne man ki saari baatein kah di thi? Hamesha mujhse uljhaye rakhte the.”

“Geet tum mujhe gussa dila rahi ho.”

“Woh kaun si nayi baat hai. Waise aap mere saath kya kar rahe hain? Mujhe bhi gussa aa raha hai.”

The moon on their window must be smiling at this perfect closure of their evening. They fought like kids, using pillows and bed cover as their weapons, till they were tired; then made up with a smile and went to sleep.

– The End –

Acceptance

Posted May 30, 2013 Mish2 CommentsPosted in Fan Fiction, Hinglish, Maneet (GHSP)

Note on the OS

Another look at how Maan and Geet reunite after Geet has left Khurana Mansion and come to Amritsar.

—

She was wandering around aimlessly near the Golden Temple. What was left in her life now? There was nothing to live for. The baby was gone. The one man who had taught her how to live with self-respect, the one man she had thought would trust her beyond anything had trashed her self-respect. What was she to do with her life? Live for herself? That was something she hadn’t learned to do. She had never done it in the past. When she had left her family, it was still for the sake of the baby. When the baby was gone, she still had Maan in her life. Who was she to live for now?

It was possible that Maan didn’t really mean what he had said. He was just angry. One of his uncontrolled bursts. Yet, how could he say those horrid things to her? Could she forgive him if he apologized? Should she give him a chance? No! Not again. She will not show her weakness, not even to him. If she could not live for herself, if life became meaningless, she would rather end her life than forgive that insult. He had always promised that he would control his anger, but he never did. And now she would not take it any longer. So what if she would remember him every living moment of her life; So what if her life could have no meaning without him! She would not go back to him. She would not forgive him.

It was an open area with some trees here and there. People were sitting under the trees. Some were praying, some chatting with their family members and friends. She looked at the group close to her. It was a group of wandering Sanyasis – both men and women were there. They were discussing something. Many people who looked like they did not belong to the group were also sitting there listening to their discussion devotedly. For Geet, going somehere else was as good as spending some time with this group. What did anything matter anyway? She walked towards the group and sat with others in the audience.

One Sadhu, who looked elder than most others in the group, was explaining, “Insaan duniya mein jo bhi karta hai, khush rahne ke liye karta hai. Jiski samajh mein khushi jismein hai, woh wahi paane ki koshish karta hai. Logon ko lagta hai ki paise mein khushi hai, parivaar mein khushi hai – isliye paise kamane mein jaan laga dete hain, shaadi karte hain, bachche paida karte hain. Lekin ek na ek din sabko ye ehsaas hota hai ki sachchi khushi in sab cheezon se nahin mil sakti. Sachchi khushi insaan ko pyaar se milti hai. Main us pyaar ki baat nahin kar raha, jo hum apni suvidha ke liye karte hain ya samaaj ke bandhanon mein karte hain. Balki Woh pyaar jismein kisi cheez ki ichchha nahin hoti, koi shart nahin hoti. Woh pyaar jismein pyaar karne waala aapko waise sweekaar karta hai jaise aap hain. Woh pyaar jismein kissi ko kuchh sabit karne ki zaroorat nahin hoti. Lekin aisa pyaar is duniya mein nahin milta. Aisa pyaar insaan nahin kar sakte. Jeevan ki bhaag-daud mein pis kar hum jinse pyaar karte hain, unki bhi khaamiyan dekhne lagte hain. Unhein apne tareeke se dhaalne ki koshish karte hain. Unse kuchh pana chahte hain. Ismein kissi ki koi galti nahin hai. Jeevan hai hi kuchh aisa. Isliye ek na ek din sabko us pyaar ki khoj mein oopar waale ki or dekhna padta hai. Bas wahi hai jo hamein hamari saari khamiyon ke saath, saari galtiyon ke saath bhi apna sakta hai. Bas uski sharan mein jaane ki zaroorat hai.”

Something struck Geet very hard on hearing this. She was unable to gather her thoughts coherently; so she felt the urge to be alone and think it over. She got up, left the group and kept walking until she found herself alone, away from people, even though they were strangers and would not have disturbed her. She sat on a bench nearby. She remembered the accident they had while returning from Shimla. The one which had taken Maan to his death-bed. The thought made her tremble. And it had happened only because of her childish demand. Wanting to drive the car on the highway. When he was out of danger after the accident, she had asked him feeling horribly guilty, “Main aapko bahut pareshaan karti hoon na?” And what was his reply? “Thoda, thoda. Par Geet, achchha lagta hai.”

Yes – that’s what he had said. Even after they had taken him so close to the death, he loved her antics, her childish stubbornness. He entertained them, even when they were against his basic nature. He not only accepted her faults, he not only loved her despite them, he loved her even for them. Could she not at least accept one fault of his – his anger? One fault of the man who had always supported her, who had been her strength when she was weak, who had been her mentor when she was lost, who had saved her when she was helpless, who had loved her unconditionally, who had gone against even his own family for her sake, whose anger was also only due to his concern for her well-being. That Sadhu was wrong. Humans can love like that. At least her Maan could. No! Only Maan could. And she was the woman who he loved like that. She had found that ultimate love on this earth itself. She had to look nowhere else. Fate had been too kind to her. It might have happened in the disguise of miseries, but fate had treated her like its favourite child. Fate had given her Maan. How could she be stupid enough to leave him?

She stood up. She would learn to love him not only for his strengths, but also for his faults. She might not be able to reach that level of unconditional love that he had, but she could at least make a beginning. She could accept his faults and not let it come between them. She could learn to ignore anything he said in anger.

She rushed towards the temple. She had to get her Babaji’s blessings before she started her journey back. Back to Maan. Back to her love, her life, her world! She had just entered the prayer area, when she saw him. His tall figure kneeling on the floor, his head covered with a white handkerchief, his eyes closed, his entire being lost in prayer. The man who did not believe in God, but had started believing because of her. She was overwhelmed and could not look away from him. She also kneeled down, but she was not facing the shrine. She was facing him. She hadn’t closed her eyes, she was looking at him with tear-filled eyes. There were no questions in her heart, nor surprises in her mind at seeing him there. She was not thinking at all, she was only drinking his presence to her content.

He opened his eyes, got up, turned to leave and suddenly saw her, still kneeling on the floor and looking at him unwaveringly. He was taken by surprise. His movements brought her out of her trance. For some reason, hordes of doubts flooded her mind. Why was she assuming that he was there for her? He did not even know she was in Amritsar. How did she know he did not really mean what he had said and he still trusted and respected her like earlier? She became unsure. She was scared of her weakness for him. What if he wasn’t even thinking about her and she broke down. Should she go away? She silently asked Babaji to give her the strength to turn away.

But before she could turn away, she noticed his eyes. They were filled with tears now. There was that hardly discernible smile on his lips and his face showed a gratitude towards Babaji for listening to his prayers immediately. He walked towards her, as if he was in a trance. When he came close to her he lifted his hands to touch her, to hold her hands in his. But he stopped. The guilt came back to haunt him and he wasn’t sure she would allow him to touch her. He was about to take his hand back, when she held it. In a split second, the expression on his face changed from disappointment to grateful happiness. He put his other hand also on top of hers and led her away.

She did not look back to even offer thanks to Babaji. But somewhere the Creator was smiling looking at His two favourite children, walking together happily.

—

Maan stopped the jeep somewhere on the outskirts of the city. They hadn’t spoken a word since they met at the Golden temple. He got down from the jeep and Geet followed his lead. He walked around the jeep to come in front of her.

“Geet! Pichhle do dinon se main bhagwaan se bas ek hi prarthna kar raha tha ki bas ek baar tumse mila dein. Mujhe poora bharosa tha ki tum ek baar mere saamne aa jaogi to main kissi bhi tarah tumhein mana loonga, tumse maafi maang loonga. Lekin ab…” he paused before continuing, “Ab jab tum mere saamne ho to mujhe kuchh samajh mein nahin aa raha hai ki kya boloon, kaise boloon. Mujhe to pata bhi nahin Geet ki mujhe maafi maangne ka haq hai ya nahin. Lekin Geet, main bheekh to maang sakta hoon na tumse, apni zindagi ki, apni…”

Geet stopped him from speaking further by covering his mouth with her hand, “Maafi to mujhe maangni chahiye Maan. Maine to khud ko aapko saump diya hai na? Aapke saath jeene-marne ki kasmein khayi hain? Mujh par to aapka haq hai. To aapko mujhe kissi se, mujhse bhi maangne ki kya zaroorat hai? Mujhe koi haq nahin tha aapko chhod kar chale aane ka…”

“Geet,” Maan interrupted before she could apologize, “To tum mujhse naaraaz nahin ho?”

“Bilkul nahin. Mujhe pahle hi naraaz nahin hona chahiye tha. Mujhe to pata hai na ki aapko gusse mein koi hosh nahin rahta. To gusse mein kahi gayi baaton ko mujhe dil par lena hi nahin chahiye tha. I am sorry.”

Maan didn’t know how to express his happiness. He pulled her in a tight hug and she reciprocated. He could not stop a few drops of tears that filled his eyes. Even though they were tears of happiness, he did not want to alarm her. So, he wiped them off before breaking the hug and looking at her adoringly.

He spoke after few seconds, “Geet. Main khud ko badalne ki poori koshish karoonga. Waada karta hoon.”

“Maan! Gussa kisi ke liye bhi achchha nahin hota. Isliye main ye chahungi ki aap itna gussa karna band kar dein. Lekin mujhe ye bhi ehsaas ho gaya hai ki ek rishte mein hum kissi ki har chhoti-moti khaami ko lekar naraaz nahin hote rah sakte. Isliye agar aap gussa karenge bhi to main aapse kabhi naraaz nahin houngi. Ye mera waada hai.”

The way Geet was talking actually took Maan by surprise. He smiled as he tried to tease her, “Kya baat hai Geet? Do hi dinon mein meri bholi si Mishti itni samajhdaari ki baatein karne lagi hain?”

“Kya karoon? Jab aapke paas hoti hoon to aap apne pyaar se mujhe bigaad dete hain. Do din alag rahi to akal thikane aa gayi.”

At the mention of her having been alone for two days, all the worries of last two days came back to Maan, “Geet! Tum do dinon se akeli thi. Tum theek to ho na Geet? Tumhein kissi ne pareshaan to nahin kiya? Kahan ruki thi tum? Tumhare paas paise the?”

“Maan,” Geet stopped his non-stop questioning, “Main bilkul theek hoon. Mujhe kuchh nahin hua hai. Sach mein. Dekhiye main aapke saamne hoon. Aap please shaant ho jaiye.”

Maan was overwhelmed by his protective instincts and not knowing what to do he pulled her in a hug again, caressing her all over, as if trying to convince himself that she was indeed there and he had not been dreaming all this while.

“Maan. Maine bahut pareshaan kar diya na aapko in do dinon mein?” Geet spoke while still in the hug.

“Geet. Tumhein mere saath rah kar mujhe jitna pareshaan karna ho karo. Bas aise door mat jaya karo Geet. Meri saansein ruk jaati hain.”

“I am sorry Maan. I am really sorry. Main ab kabhi aisi harqatein nahin karoongi. Kabhi aise pareshaan nahin karoongi.”

Maan broke the hug and looked at her. Her guilt was visible on her face. He couldn’t see her like this. He thought for a second and said, “Mujhe meri bigdi hui, nakchadhi Geet bahut achchhi lagti hai. Bahut zyada samajhdaar mat ho jaana Geet, warna mujhe pareshaan karna waala koi hoga hi nahin. Phir to zindagi ekdum boring ho jayegi.”

Geet could see what he was trying to do and she couldn’t help smiling. She hit him slightly on the shoulder and he smiled too.

She changed the topic of the conversation, “Waise Maan hum yahan, is sunsaan jagah par kyon aaye hain?”

“Woh – kuchh nahin Geet. Woh to main waise hi drive karta gaya. Hum chalte hain, kissi hotel mein check in kar lenge.” Maan’s face and hesitant tone made it clear that he was hiding something. But before Geet could quiz him, drops of water started falling on them. They looked up instinctively. It had started drizzling. It was unexected as neither the season, nor the weather could have justified the rains then. It seemed like water had come to seal their bond again. They looked at each other and smiled.

But Maan soon got worried that Geet will fall ill, “Geet. Bheeg gayi to beemaar pad jaogi. Chalo andar chalte hain.”

“Andar? Yahan kahan andar jayenge? Chaliye achcha hai aapke paas car bhi nahin hai. Ab to aapko mere saath baarish ka mazaa lena hi hoga.”

“Geet,” he smiled arrogantly and almost dragged her from there. After walking a few meters, they came near a tent.

“Oh! To ye baat hai. Mujhe pata tha ki aap kuchh to chhipa rahe the. Ye bataiye ki aapko har shahar mein camping karne ke liye ye akeli, sunsaan jagahein kahan se mil jati hain?”

“Geet. Jab tum nahin hoti ho to mujhe akelepan ko dhoondhna nahin padta. Woh khud hi mere paas aa jata hai. Lekin ab tum aa gayi ho, to iski koi zaroorat nahin hai. Hum kissi achche se hotel mein check in kar lenge. Lekin abhi andar chalo. Baarish mein bheegna theek nahin hai.”

“Nahin. Main bhi dekhna chahti hoon ki aapki camping mein aisa kya mazaa aata hai. Hum kam-se-kam ek din to yahin rahenge. Lekin hum andar baarish mein bheegne ke baad hi jayenge.”

The drizzle was slowly converting into the rain and Maan got worried, “Geet! Chup chap andar chalo warna main tumhein zabardasti le jaunga.”

“Achchha? To pahle mujhe pakad ke dikhaiye?” saying this Geet ran away from there.

“Geet! Tum Maan Singh Khurana ko challenge kar rahi ho. Haar jaogi. Behtar hoga ki meri baat maan lo aur andar chalo.”

“Aap to challenge shuru hone se pahle hi dar gaye,” Geet provoked him.

Maan knew what she was doing, but he played along because he enjoyed her innocent games too. He started chasing her. But in that open area it was indeed more difficult to catch her than he had imagined. He couldn’t corner her against a wall or somthing. He had his athelatic body, but she was also light on her feet. She was giving him a hard time with her agile movements. He realized that he could not win this with mere power. He needed to be strategic. So, finally he made a movement from which she thought he was going to his right towards her. So, she changed her direction. But he moved opposite to what she had guessed and in a split second he was close enough to her to grab her hand. He pulled her hard towards himself and she fell into his embrace.

Both of them were drenched in rain by that time and the closeness made them very aware of each other’s bodies. Geet’s face was very close to his chest, Maan could feel the warm air every time she breathed out. Maan tightened his grip around her and one of his hands wandered to her nape, which he caressed roughly. Then he grabbed her hair with the same hand and pushed her face away from his chest. He looked at her face with water dripping from all over. She looked so vulnerable and desirable that he felt an uncontrollable desire surge within him. He had to take a deep breath and consciously tell himself that he needs to be slow and gentle. In the heat of his passion and urgency of his needs, he should not end up hurting or frightening Geet.

Her eyes were open initially, but she couldn’t survive the intensity of his gaze for long and soon closed them. The rain had stopped by this time. His lips moved towards her eyes and drank in the drops of water on her eyelids and eye lashes. Geet gulped hard when his lips touched her skin. Maan repeated the same gesture with the tip of her nose, her chin, her cheeks and her forehead, each time kissing her and licking her while ostensibly just drinking the drops of water. Her heavy breathing, trembling hands and increasingly unstable body were enough to tell him how much he was affecting her and how she wanted him as badly as he wanted her. But he must still be careful and gentle, he reminded himself. Irrespective of how aroused she was, hers was a young, timid and vulnerable body. She may not be able to withstand the passion of the animal roaring inside him at the moment.

He looked around and saw a tree close to where they were standing. He led her to the tree and made her lean against the tree. This gave her some support and now he could use his hands for more important things. He took out the rubber band from her hair and brought her hair in front of her over her left shoulder. He held her hair his right hand and went on his knees. Geet looked at him with curiosity. He turned his face up with eyes closed and squeezed the water out of her hair on his face. He drank whatever went into his mouth with such movements of his lips as if he was having the tastiest drink of the world. Geet smiled, overwhelmed by his feelings for her. This strange gesture of his had a difficult-to-find mix of love, desire, lust, adoration and devotion. She silently thanked her Babaji, an overdue thanks from when she had found him in the temple and wondered what was so great in her that this gem of a man loved her to death like this.

When he got up, he found her looking at him with love, gratitude and happiness in her eyes. She hugged him once again and he reciprocated as usual.

He broke the hug first and said in his usual seductive voice, “Geet. Bahut badi pareshaani mein daal diya hai tumne mujhe.”

Geet asked hesitantly, pausing after each word, “Ab.. maine kya… kiya hai?”

“Tumhein kuchh karne ki zaroorat hi kahan hai Geet? Tumhara yahan hona hi kaafi hai. Dekho na, meri aankhein chahti hain ki main tumhein dekhta rahoon, aur mera dil chahta hai ki tumhein baahon mein le loon. Ab main inmein se kiski sunoon?”

Geet blushed heavily, “To aap apni aankhon ki hi suniye.”

“Isse to insaaf nahin hoga Geet. Ye aankhein hi to dil ki gunehgaar hain. Inhone hi to dil ko itna majboor bana diya hai. Inhein to apne kiya ki sazaa milni hi chahiye. Waise tum mujhe ye kyon nahin batati ki tumhara dil kya chahta hai? Sach sach batana Geet?”

Geet felt shy and turned away before she replied, “Kya farq padta hai? Hoga to wahi jo aap chahte hain.”

Maan smiled and caressed her shoulders with his hands. Her hair was already over her left shoulder, leaving the right side of her neck bare, except for the barrier created by her dupatta clinging around the base of her neck. He got rid her dupatta by slipping it off her right shoulder and planted a passionate kiss there. Geet bit her lower lips and leaned on the tree to steady herself.

Maan’s words sent another sensation through her body, “Achchha? Aur tum mujhe rokogi bhi nahin aisa kuchh bhi karne se jo main chahta hoon. Hain na Geet?”

He obviously was not looking for an answer from her. It was just his style of telling her that he was going to have his way. So, she kept silent and waited for his next move. Maan took off her dupatta completely and acting on a urge smelled it deeply. Geet saw him doing this over her shoulders as she was still facing away from him. There was something very erotic about this act of his and they both felt the effect on their bodies. He hung her dupatta on a branch of the tree, which was low enough to be easily accessible.

Then he turned his attention to her body again. He noticed, not for the first time, how her drenched clothes had become almost transparent and were clinging to her shapely body. He felt the urge to rip them off immediately, but he again reminded himself to be gentle and slow. He started undoing the buttons of her kurti at the back.

“Maan,” Geet interrupted him for the first time.

“Kya hua Geet?” Maan asked without stopping what he was doing.

“Hum bahar hain. Koi aa jayega.”

“Kal se ek parinda bhi nahin aaya yahan Geet. Mujh par bharosa hai na?”

Geet did not resist even once after this and just nodded. She knew how possessive and protective he was of her. He would never put her in any embarrassing situation. She trusted his words blindly.

He was done with the buttons and moved towards her shoulders to slip the kurti off. But suddenly a sense of lack of privacy stopped him. He had convinced Geet a few moments ago and he knew for sure that they were completely by themselves. And yet – he was an extremely private person. This, in particular, was their own sacred moment. It deserved a more guarded place. He looked at her, her eyes closed, lips quivering, body trembling and face showing immense contentment and happiness – ready to submit to him. This woman deserved more protection from him. He took her dupatta off from the tree and covered her back with it. She opened her eyes, startled and turned to look at him.

“Andar chalo Geet.” He put her arms around her shoulders and took her inside the tent. She was confused but comfortable.

Suddenly Maan asked her in a matter of fact tone, “Geet! Tumhare paas change karne ke liye kapde to honge nahin?”

Geet replied, unsure, not knowing where this question suddenly came from, “Nahin. Mera saamaan to us dharmshala mein hai jahan main ruki thi. Par kyon?”

He changed his tone to the seductive one, “Tumhare kapde geele ho gaye hain na, utarne padenge. To achchha hi hai.” He wrapped his arms around her wet body. She felt too shy at his naughty remark to even smile properly. She gave a slight, nervous smile and started looking down.

What pleasure did he derive by embarrassing her like this? He must be a sadist. But deep down she knew she enjoyed this naughty side of his. It made her feel wanted as a woman.

He removed her dupatta and let it fall on the floor this time. They were in their own private space now. Slowly he underssed her and himself, before taking her to the make shift bed made with a plain bedhseet over a layer of hay. Due to the rains, she was feeling cold. He used a blanket lying there. But soon she was hot and sweaty naturally, as he worked on quenching the thirst which was troubling his body and his heart for several months now. He was nowhere close to being done. This was just the beginning of the fulfillment of his desires. But as he lied besides her sleeping form, he was content with the journey he saw ahead of them.

– The End –

Helpless Makeup

Posted May 4, 2013 Mish4 CommentsPosted in Fan Fiction, Hinglish, Maneet (GHSP)

Note on the OS

This is supposed to happen when Geet has left’s Khurana Mansion, angry at Maan’s insult, and has reached Amritsar. Maan comes behind her to get her back.

—

He was experiencing a deja vu. It was at the same place where he had found her the last time in Amritsar. She had worn white even on that day. She had looked devastated then too. But he wasn’t bothered then. Or he wasn’t letting himself be bothered. He only cared about getting his land papers signed. What had happened to her was none of his concern.

But today… Today he wanted to be bothered. He wanted her to come to him, shout at him, blame him for her miseries, for her devastation, punish him – do anything to him. Anything, but staying away. She was standing there, lost and sad. What was she thinking about; or rather whom was she thinking about? He knew the answer. It was him. Nobody else mattered to her. She had done the unimaginable, only to be happy with him, for him. And he had lost her.

No. That could not happen. He might not deserve her after how he had behaved. But he was sure that where she was concerned, fate was kind to him. Irrespective of what happened, she was destined to be with him. He should not and would not take her for granted. But the fate will not punish him so badly for this mistake of his.

“Geet!” He went beside her called her name.

She turned and showed no surprise. But she looked at him blankly. As if he wasn’t there. She took a step back.

“Geet! Mujhe pata hai ki main tumhein nahin rok paunga. Main kuchh bhi…”

“Aap sach-much yahan hain?” She asked while taking another step back.

He was surprised. What did that mean? She had been hallucinating about him? And that’s why she wasn’t expecting him to be really there, even when she saw him? Why did his heart skip a beat? Didn’t he already know just how much she loved him? He might have hurt her so bad that she decided to leave him. But she couldn’t think of anything, anyone except him.

“Jab tum yahan ho Geet, to main kahin aur kaise ho sakta hoon?”

He could see in her eyes what her heart really wanted. She wanted to be in his arms. But her self-respect was hurt. She was strong. She would stand for her self-respect and would not let her heart give in.

She would have turned away, but he wasn’t going to let go of the chance he had got. He might have been an absolute idiot in how he treated her. But he was Maan Singh Khurana. He knew when to act. And he acted.

“Nahin Geet. Munh mat modna. Main jaanta hoon Geet ki main tumse kuchh bhi aisa nahin karwa sakta jo tum nahin chahti ho. Kyonki tum mujhse bahut zyada majboot ho Geet. Maine jo kiya, uske liye to main maafi maangne ke layak bhi nahin hoon. Main to swarthi hoon. Main chahta hoon ki abhi tumhein apni baahon mein utha kar apne saath le chaloon. Lekin tum nahin chahogi to main kuchh kar nahin paunga. Aur aaj mere kahne se tum mere saath wapas bhi nahin aaogi. Geet – mujhmein bahut khaamiyan hain. Tum meri baat nahin maanna chahogi. Lekin Geet – apni kismat ka kya karogi?”

He paused. She was surprised, she did not ask anything, but did not move away either.

He continued, “Tumhari kismat achchhi nahin hai Geet. Usne saari khamiyon se bhara hua ye insaan hi tumhari zindagi se jod diya hai. Usne ye tay kar liya hai ki tum chahe to is insaan se naraaz ho jao, is par gussa karo, ise badi se badi sazaa do, par tum isse door nahin ja sakti. Haan Geet. Ye kismat mere oopar bahut meharbaan hai, aur usne tumhare saath zyadati ki hai. Lekin tum apni kismat se nahin bhaag sakti Geet. Koi nahin bhaag sakta.”

“Chup rahiye aap,” she shouted suddenly startling him. His heart sank because she had started stepping back, moving away from him as she continued, “Bilkul chup. Ek shabd aur nahin bolenge aap. Aapko kya lagta hai? Ki aapki jab marzi hogi tab mujhe ulta seedha suna denge, jab marzi hogi tab zaleel kar denge, hamare rishte par sawaal khade kar denge? Phir aap aa kar apni meethi-meethi baaton se mujhe mana lenge aur main pighal jaungi? Yahi lagta hai na aapko?”

“Geet! Main…”

“Suna nahin aapne maine kya kaha? Ek shabd nahin sunna mujhe aapse,” She had stopped moving, “Har baar mujhe khwaab dikha kar unhein choor-choor kar dete hain, har baar aapka gussa aapke liye mere pyaar se zyada zaroori ho jaata hai. Itna ki aap meri baat tak nahin sunte hain aur ulte-seedhe ilzaam laga dete hain. Aur aapko lagta hai ki main phir bhi aapki baatein sun kar pighal jaungi?”

She paused, but Maan could not speak a word. Then she started moving towards him and it seemed that she did not realize it herself. Maan was so joyed by that subconscious gesture of hers that he could not suppress a slight smile. But that vanished as soon as she started speaking again.

“Ismein muskurane ki kya baat hai? Band kijiye muskurana. Aapko lag raha hai ki main mazaak kar rahi hoon? Aap bas mere kareeb aayenge, apni meethi-meethi baatein karenge aur main sab kuchh bhool jaungi?” She had come close to him by then and grabbed his collar. She shook him as she asked, “Bataiye – yahi lagta hai na aapko? Ab bolte kyon nahin hain? Yahi lagta hai na aapko? Ki aap meri kamzori hain? Ki main aapse naraaz nahin rah sakti, chahe aap mujhe kitni bhi chot pahunchayein? Ki pooja karti hoon main aapki? Ki aapka kiya koi bhi kaam, aapki boli koi bhi baat mere liye galat nahin hoti? Ki aap bhagwaan hain mere? Yahi lagta hai na aapko?” she lost control and started crying out loud while leaning on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and let her cry. Even though it was tearing him apart seeing her cry like this, he knew that she was hurt and she had to vent out. She made no efforts to break free of his arms for a while.

Suddenly she broke free, but still held on to his collar. She started speaking again, still angrily, “Sahi samajhte hain aap. Aap ek baar pyaar se mera naam bulayenge, aur main sab kuchh bhool kar aapki baahon mein sama jaungi. Hain aap meri kamzori. Hain aap mere bhagwaan. Lekin kya is baat ki sazaa mujhe zindagi bhar milti rahegi? Kya is wajah se aap mujhe hamesha satate rahenge? Jaan le lenge meri?”

Maan found his voice back and silenced her by putting his hand on her lips, “Chup Geet. Bahut bolti ho.” Then he removed his hand and went down on his knees. He bowed his head down and said, “Geet. Main koi bhagwaan nahin hoon. Main to tumhari tarah ek nekdil insaan bhi nahin hoon Geet. Main tumhara gunrhgaar hoon. Jo bhi sazaa dogi woh mujhe manzoor hai. Bas mujhe chhod kar mat jao. Warna main kabhi apni khaamiyan door nahin kar paunga Geet. Main apne andar ke andhere aur gusse mein poori tarah doob jaunga.”

Geet also bent down to face him, “Mere bhagwaan ko is tarah chhota banae ki galti mat kijiye. Lekin haan – agar aapne dubara mujhe aise chot pahunchayi to achchha nahin hoga. Main aur kuchh bhi bardasht kar sakti hoon lekin aap mujh par bharosa na karein ye nahin bardasht kar sakti. Samjhe aap? Dubara aisa kiya to main apni jaan doongi…”

“Nahin Geet. Chup ho jao. Galti se bhi aisi baatein apni zabaan par mat lana.”

They both smiled and got up together. They hugged and closed their eyes just feeling the warmth of their togetherness. Suddenly they felt water drops falling on them. The opened their eyes to see that it had started raining. They broke the hug slightly and looked at each other. Water had come again to seal their bonding. The gave a smile of understanding and hugged again. All was well with their world!

The Loss

Posted May 3, 2013 Mish2 CommentsPosted in Fan Fiction, Hinglish, Maneet (GHSP)

Their baby! He had a connection with the baby even when he did not know of its existence. Everytime he had saved Geet, he had saved the baby too. In the twisted ways of the fate, the baby had become the reason why Geet had come to his life. Even if he had not developed any other feelings for the baby, he would have given it his life for this one favour! He had hated Geet when he first came to know of its existence; at least he thought so. But even then, he had felt a sense of responsibility towards the baby. He had not been able to leave Geet when she was pregnant. He had scolded her everytime she ignored her pregnancy and acted childishly. When he had accepted her in his life with her past, he had assumed the responsibility of the baby. He was doing it for Geet’s sake and he did not realize when the sense of responsibility had turned into care and then immense love. He did not realize when he had started looking forward to the baby’s arrival in their lives, not just for Geet’s happiness, but for his own as well. He did not realize how, but all of this had happened. He had started feeling enthusiastic about becoming a father. And finally he was happy with his life, with his small family.

And then the accident happened. He was heart-broken. He had never felt this helpless in his entire life. He wasn’t sure what was tearing him apart more. His own grief or Geet’s heart-breaking pleas to bring her baby back! At that moment, they had cried in each other’s arms.

But later…

He looked up to see Geet standing in the balcony. His Geet! He felt like he not only had lost his baby, but he was also losing Geet. She was completely oblivious to her surroundings. Even to him. His presence did not affect her any longer. He remembered the time when she would sense his presence in the house even from far. The time when she had come running to him after his return from Chandigarh, not caring about her dupatta that had caught fire. The time when simply by going close to her, he would have her weak in her knees. Now she walked past him as if he did not exist.

If there was one thing which could have helped him come out of the grief the baby’s loss had brought, it was Geet’s chatter. If only she would talk to him. He would have happily listened to anything she said; if only she would talk. But he was not able to do anything to make her talk. She had talked to him properly only once. When he had tried to clear up the things from the baby-room he had decorated so enthusiastically. She had accused him of trying to take away baby’s memories from her, which was all she was left with. How hurt had he felt! But what could he do? Whom could he blame? Definitely not Geet, who had become practically lifeless. He could not be mean to her. He had been a witness of her struggles for the baby. He had understood that the baby was more important to her than even himself and he had accepted it. But what was he to do now? For her, for himself? He was in a double whammy. The loss of the baby had hurt him deeply. And seeing Geet like this was tearing him apart. In trying to give strength to Geet, he was not able to even grieve for the baby openly. There was no respite for him.

He shuddered as the thought occured to him once again – he was losing Geet too. He was losing his most precious possession. Life was slipping out his hands like sand.

—

“Khana kha lo Geet. Tumne breakfast bhi nahin kiya tha.”

She just pushed the plate away and got up to leave.

“Ruko Geet. Meri baat to suno.”

She had barely eaten one chapati since yesterday. She was already weak after the accident. This way she would kill herself.

The thought made him shiver again. Where had she gone? She had to eat, even if that meant him force-feeding her. He decided to go and look for her.

She was wandering in the garden. From a distance, he saw Dev approaching her. This had him worried. He did not want to shout from there, lest it disturbed her. He walked faster, but Dev was already talking to her by the time he reached there. He overheard him, “Geet. Main tumhara dukh samajh sakta hoon. Woh mera bhi bachcha tha…”

“Dev,” Geet shouted at him with such force in her voice that not only Dev, but Maan was also scared for a moment, “Agar tumne dubara mere bachche ke saath apna naam liya to main tumhara khoon kar daaloongi. Bhool ke bhi aisi galti mat karna.”

She was trembling in anger. Her eyes looked mad and murderous. She looked like she’d actually make good of her promise of killing Dev. Dev silently retreated as Maan went to her and held her.

Without saying anything, he directed her towards the mansion and she complied silently. There was something in her violent demeanour that troubled Maan. His instincts were warning him. Geet was not fine at all. He managed to feed her one chapati, but she would eat no more. That should give her some energy at least, he told himself. He asked her to take rest and went out on the terrace to clear his mind.

—

Annie saw him going to the terrace and just then she spotted Dadi Ma.

“Dadi. Aapko nahin lagta hai ki Geet ke miscarriage se na sirf dono log dukhi hain, balki unka rishta bhi bikharta ja raha hai? Geet ko to jaise pata hi nahin hai ki Maan bhai uske aas paas hain. Aur Bhai bhi apne man ki baat kar nahin pa rahe hain. Aapko nahin lagta ki hamein Geet se, ya un dono se baat karni chahiye?”

“Annie beta. Aapki baat to sahi hai. Ye bahut hi mushkil daur hai inke liye. Lekin beta, humne it dono ko shuru se dekha hai. Jab ye log ek-doosre ke liye apne ahsaason ko maanne ke liye bhi taiyaar nahin the, tab bhi ek doosre ki kitni fikr karte the, ye hamein pata hai. Bahar se dekhne mein chahe jaisa lage ki ye hamesha jhagad rahe hain, ya ek-doosre se baat nahin kar rahe hain, lekin inke beech mein kissi bhi teesre insaan ke liye jagah nahin hai. Hamare ya aapke liye bhi nahin.”

“Lekin Dadi, abhi kuchh zyada bura waqt nahin hai?”

“Ham jaante hai Annie ki aap kya kah rahi hain. Lekin hamara yakeen maaniye. Ye jab jhagadte hain, to isliye kyonki ek doosre ki awaaz sune bina rah nahin sakte. Ye agar chup rahte hain to bhi ek-doosre ki khamoshi padh lete hain. Inke rishte ke har utaar-chadhao ko inhone khud hi suljhaya hai. Abhi bhi bas ek doosre ki hi baat samjhenge. Kissi aur ke kiye kuchh hoga bhi nahin. Rishte to humne apni zindagi mein bahut dekhe hain beta, lekin inke beech kuchh alag hai, kuchh bahut gahra hai, jise aam taur par log samajh bhi nahin sakte. Kabhi kabhi to hamein bura bhi lagta hai, lekin aapne bhi to dekha hai na ki Maan ko Geet ke saamne kuchh aur nazar nahin aata hai. Hum bhi nahin. Aur Geet bhi Maan ke liye kuchh bhi kar sakti hain. Maan ki kaisi kadwi baatein jheli hain inhone ek samay par. Inka pyaar, nafrat, khushi, gham sab kuchh ek doosre se jude hue hain.”

“Theek hai Dadi. Jaisa aap theek samjhein. ”

—

When Maan came back from the terrace Geet was not in the room. He wasn’t sure why, but he panicked. He checked the bathroom and the balcony. She was not there. He rushed out of the room. He saw Nakul going down the corridor.

“Nakul, tumne Geet ko kahin dekha hai?”

“Bas abhi-abhi kitchen ki or gayi hain.”

“Kitchen?” She hadn’t shown interest in anything, including kitchen and cooking, since the accident happened. Why to the kitchen suddenly? Water was already there in the room.

Maan spotted her as soon as he reached the kitchen door. He was horrified and cried out, “Geet!”

Geet looked up to him. Her eyes, which always spoke to him, were strangely empty. She was holding a meat knife close to her wrist. A single wrong movement and she would have harmed herself.

“Ruk jao Geet. Tumhein chot lag jayegi.”

“Maan! Mere paas mat aayiye. Mujhe mat rokiye aap.”

“Kya kar rahi ho Geet tum?”

“Main apne bachche ke liye jee rahi thi. Ab mujhe nahin jeena hai. Mere paas mat aayiyega Maan. Mujhe rokiyeha mat.”

Her face showed a madness that scared Maan.

But he realized the gravity of the situation and forced himself to think with his mind and not heart.

He suddenly said, “Dadi Ma. Aap yahan?”

Geet got confused because he was looking past her towards the kitchen shelves. How could Dadi Ma be there? She looked back instinctively and Maan used this opportunity to jump towards her, grab the knife and throw it away. He held her tightly lest she took the knife back and harmed herself.

When she realized what had happened, she started struggling in Maan’s grip, “Chhodiye mujhe Maan. Mujhe zinda nahin rahna hai. Mujhse meri zindagi bardasht nahin hoti hai…”

“To pahle mujhe maar daalo Geet. Agar tumhein kuchh hua to kya main zinda rah paunga? Pahle mujhe mar jaane do,” Maan cried.

The mention of Maan dying gave a jolt to Geet. She stopped struggling and looked up at him horrified. Her eyes were no longer empty; they showed immense pain. Pain at the loss she had already suffered. Pain at the potential loss of Maan, that he had just told her about.

Maan felt exhausted and he kneeled on the floor in desperation while holding Geet’s hands, “Geet. Main jaanta hoon ki maine apna waada toda hai. Hamare bachche ko main nahin bacha paya Geet. Mujhe tumhein chhod kar nahin jaana chahiye tha. Mujhse bahut badi galti ho gayi. Aur iske liye tum mujhe kuchh bhi sazaa de sakti ho. Lekin Geet – agar khud ko mujhse door karne ki sazaa dogi to main bardasht nahin kar paunga. Itni badi sazaa mat do Geet. Mera saath mat chhodo. Maine apne bachche ko kho diya hai. Ab agar tum bhi mere saath nahin rahogi to main kaise jee paunga?” His voice was sad and he looked defeated.

Geet did not say anything, but her tear-filled eyes told him that she understood him, finally! He got up, held her by shoulders and took her towards their room. She leaned on him slightly and he tightened his grip around her.

Annie noticed them together in the corridor and smiled.

—

Geet woke up in the middle of the night to find Maan awake. He was watching her.

“Kya hua Geet?” He asked all worried.

“Kuchh nahin. Bas pyaas lagi thi.”

“Oh!” He poured water for her.

After drinking the water, she asked, “Aap soye nahin Maan? Raat ke do baj rahe hain.”

“Haan. Woh Geet – main soya tha. Lekin achanak neend khul gayi.”

She knew he was lying. She thought for a moment and said, “I am sorry Maan. Maine aapko bahut pareshaan kiya. Mujhe pata hai ki aap dar gaye hain ki main phir se… I am really sorry. Main apne dukh mein itna doob gayi ki aapki tadap dekh hi nahin paayi. Main…” she started crying. She had understood Maan and had realized that she was being unfair to him. But her heart was still bleeding for her baby and she could not hold back. Maan did not try to stop her from crying. Just hugged her and few drops of tears escaped his eyes too. They couldn’t have wished away their grief. They could not have stopped themselves from crying. But they could at least do it togeher, in each other’s arms. And then one day they would be strong again!

– The End –

Discovering Love (Part 15)

Posted May 2, 2013 Mish3 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

Nidhi took a look at the house, as she entered it.

“Bahut bada hai,” she said suddenly feeling very nervous, “Aur khoobsoorat bhi.”

“Bada to hai. Pata nahin Baba ne kya soch kar hum do logon ke liye banwaya tha. Lekin khoobsoorat ye us din hoga jab tum yahan aaogi.”

“Dr. Armaan bhi aapke saath hi rahte hain na?”

“Haan. Lekin aaj woh shahar se bahar hai. Hiraman Kaka bhi rahte hain. Ghar ki dekh-bhaal karte hain. Lekin woh khana bana kar so gaye honge.”

Nidhi smiled and shivered a bit realizing that she was practically alone with him in that huge house.

Ashutosh led her to the dining table, where Kaka had kept the food before retiring to his room. They had dinner mostly in silence or amidst some general chit-chat.

“Aapka kamra kaun sa hai?” Nidhi asked curiously after they were done with dinner.

“Chalo. Dikhata hoon,” he led her to his bedroom. Nidhi smiled and blushed thinking of the days to come which she would spend in this room.

Suddenly she saw Ashutosh taking something out from a drawer in the table. He came to her and gave the red colored, velvet box to her, the kind used to keep jewelry.

“Ye kya hai?”

He opened it for her, “Tumhare liye. Hamari engagement to aise achanak ho gayi ki main tumhein kuchh de hi nahin saka.”

Nidhi looked at the necklace and ear-rings set in the box and said, “Bahut achchhe hain, lekin…”

“Ye mat kahna ki inki zaroorat nahin thi. Har cheez zaroorat ke liye nahin li jaati Nidhi.”

Nidhi blushed at how accurately he predicted what she was going to say. “Mujhe aadat nahin hai in sab cheezon ki…” she said in embarrassment.

“To aadat daal lo kyonki main tumhein bahut pamper karne waala hoon,” Ashutosh said while picking up an ear-ring from the box, “May I?” He asked. Nidhi gulped hard, but nodded.

He tucked her hair behind her left ear and took out the ring she was wearing. It took him some time to unhook it and in the process he could see her goose-bumps, coloring cheeks and hear her laboured breath. After putting the new ear-ring on her ear, he repeated the act with her other ear. Nidhi was going weak in her knees and had to clutch the box hard to keep it from falling off her hand. After putting both the ear-rings, he picked up the necklace with one hand and with the other hand moved her hair over one of her shoulders leaving her neck exposed. Nidhi looked like she would faint. He saw her hold on the box weakening, took it from her and kept it on a nearby table. Then he went back to her, asked her to hold her hair as he put the necklace on her and hooked it at her nape. As his hands brushed against her skin, her breathing was audible. He had not planned it, but seeing her so affected drove Ashutosh mad. He held her shoulders, bent down planted a kiss just below where her necklace was hooked. Nidhi twitched and shivered, and clenched her fist in an unsuccessful attempt to hide what effect his proximity was having on her physically. He turned her around and kissed her forehead. Then as if losing control over himself, he kissed her all over her face like a mad man, finally finding peace in her lips. As he thrust his tongue deep into her mouth, he found her also letting go and respond furiously.She put her hands around him and caressed his back, sometimes digging her nails into his skin. He went a step further and undid the zip at the back of her top, getting access to her bare back.

They were suddenly interrupted by his mobile ringing. They separated hastily and looked embarrassed. Ashutosh went out in the balcony with his mobile. Nidhi went to the dresser and tried to smoothen her dress and hair. When Ashutosh came back after attending the call, he saw her struggling with the zip at the back of her top. He walked to her and zipped it up, making her gasp and blush.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Hospital se phone tha. Emergency hai, mujhe jaana padega.”

“Main bhi chalti hoon aapke saath.”

“Nahin. Tum bahut thaki hui ho. Abhi yahin aaraam kar lo. Main wapas aa kar baat karta hoon.”

She nodded again.

It was 2 am by the time Ashutosh came back. Nidhi had fallen asleep on his bed. He looked at her sleeping peacefully and smiled dreamily. He pulled the bedcover over her, adjusted the temperature of the AC and went to sleep in the other room.

—

Nidhi woke up early in the morning as was her habit. She was confused for a moment about her surroudings. Then she remembered the last night’s events and smiled. Then she felt confused again as she did not know how to start her day. Finally she went to the attached bathroom and washed her face. She smoothened her crumpled clothes, walked out of the room and went towards the kitchen. She found tea and milk and decided to make tea. Just as she was pouring the tea in cups, she heard someone from behind, “Aap kaun hai?”

She was startled and spilled some hot tea on her hands. “Ouch!” she cried out loud.

“Are. Kya hua?” Hiraman Kaka ran to her and open the tap in the sink beside her, “Paani ke neeche haath daaliye. Aap Dr. Nidhi hain?”

“Ji,” she said, still flustered as she put her hands under running water.

“Maaf kijiyega. Mujhe pata nahin tha… Maine aapko dara diya.”

“Main theek hoon,” she smiled, “Aap Hiraman Kaka hain?”

“Haan. Waise aapko kitchen mein aane ki kya zaroorat thi. Main bana deta chai.”

“Bas aise hi,” her hand felt fine by now. She took it away from the tap, closed the tap and dried her hand with the hand-towel, “Main uth gayi thi to socha bana loon.”

“Kya ho raha hai subah-subah?” Ashutosh had heard the commotion as he was sleeping in a nearby room and had come there.

“Dr. Nidhi ne apne haath jala liye,” Hiraman Kaka informed him.

“Kya?” his sleepiness disappeared in a moment and he rushed to her, “Kya hua? Kahan…”

“Calm down, Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi was a little embarrased at the commotion created, “Main theek hoon. Zara si chai gir gayi thi. Kuchh hua nahin hai.”

“Tumhein kitchen mein aane ki kya zaroorat thi?”

“Wahi to main bhi kah raha tha,” Kaka added.

“He bhagwaan. Aap log please shaant ho jaiye. Meri roz ki aadat hai kitchen mein jaane ki. Kuchh nahin hua hai. Ab koi bachi hui chai peene mein interested hai? Warna thandhi ho jayegi.”

They all smiled.

“Tum log jao dining hall mein. Main chai le kar aata hoon,” Hiraman Kaka said.

Ashutosh gestured to Nidhi and she walked out of the kitchen with him.

“Main munh dho kar aata hoon. Tum baitho.”

“Ji.”

“Muhje ghar jaana hoga,” Nidhi said while they were having tea.

“Thodee der ruko. Main taiyaar ho jaata hoon. Phir saath chalenge.”

“Aap raat mein der se aaye the. Aaraam kar lijiye. Main chali jaungi.”

“Nidhi!” Ashutosh sounded irritated and bored at her repeated insistence of doing things on her own.

“Okay. Sorry. Main wait karti hoon,” Nidhi smiled and gave up.

—

Ashutosh waited as Nidhi took bath at her home and got ready for the hospital.

“Aaj samay se pahle hospital jaane ki zaroorat nahin hai,” Ashutosh told her as she came back to the living room.

“Haan. Hamare pas abhi ek ghanta hai.”

“Nidhi,” Ashutosh said and then fell silent.

“Kya hua?” Nidhi was surprised seeing his hesitant.

“Nahin. Kuchh khaas nahin. Bas… Nidhi. I don’t want you to hurry into anything you are not comfortable with. Kal raat jo hua bedroom mein… I… Maine kuchh pahle se nahin socha tha… I don’t know how you felt…”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Please!” Nidhi interrupted, “Aapko haq hai.” She said confidently, although her cheeks colored.

Ashutosh looked at her looking obviously relieved and happy, “Thank you.”

“Kuchh nashta banaun?” she asked.

“Nahin. Chalo kahin bahar karte hain.”

“Aap to mujhe sach-much spoil kar denge.”

“No regrets. Come now…”

They were about to leave, when there was a knock on the door.

“Abhi kaun hoga?” Nidhi wondered. Her eyes widened in surprise as she opened the door, “Dadi? Aap?”

Baba had returned from the village a day earlier and Dadi had accompanied him.

“Ye to miracle ho gaya Baba. Aapne Dadi ko yahan aane ke liye kaise mana liya?”

“Ab poti ki shaadi to karwani hi padegi na. Aur Yograj kah raha tha ki hamare daamaad ji ko badi jaldbaazi hai.”

Ashutosh and Nidhi blushed at that. They took blessings from Baba as well as Dadi.

“Aap log fresh ho jaiye. Main abhi nashta hi banane ja rahi thi,” Nidhi looked at Ashutosh, silently asking him not to talk about their intention of going out. Ashutosh nodded slightly assuring her.

Nidhi made breakfast and tea for everyone and then they left for the hospital.

—

“Dr. Ashutosh. Baba ka phone aaya tha. Woh kah rahe the ki aaj dinner aap hamare saath karein.”

“Nidhi… Iski kya zaroorat hai?”

“Matlab? Kya hua? Aapko kaam hai kuchh?”

“Nahin. Bas… Phir saari cooking tum khud hi karogi. Aur aise formal invitation hai to kuchh elaborate hoga.”

“To kya hua?”

“Bura mat mannna Nidhi. Main tumhari family ke against kuchh nahin kah raha. Lekin mujhe nahin achchha lagta hai tum din-raat, ghar ke andar-bahar itna kaam karti rahti ho. Kam se kam meri wajah se tumhara kaam aur badh jaye, ye main nahin chahta.”

Nidhi was overwhelmed and could not speak for few moments.

“Achchha. Ye aakhiri baar hai. Mujhe lagta hai Dadi ka idea hoga, formally shaadi ki date fix karne ka,” she finally explained.

“To hum aisa karte hain. Agar formally milna hi hai, to main unhein invite kar leta hoon apne yahan. Wahin baat ho jayegi.”

“Lekin…”

“Don’t worry. Main Baba ko phone karta hoon.”

“Jaadugar again,” Nidhi laughed.

“So be it!”

“Waise aapki baaton se to lagta hai ki shaadi ke baad aap mujhe kitchen mein ghusne bhi nahin denge.”

“Of course, nahin ghusne doonga. Kitchen hi nahin, ghar ke kissi bhi kaam ko haath lagane ki koi zaroorat nahin hai tumhein.”

“Zindagi bhi ajeeb hoti hai Dr. Ashutosh. Ladkiyan shaadi ke baad ki zimmedaariyon se darti hain. Mujhe to lagta hai ki shaadi ke baad meri rahi-sahi zimmedaariyan bhi khatam ho jayegi.”

“Tumse milne ke baad maine mahsoos kiya Nidhi ki zindagi har kissi ko apne apne hisse ki khushiyan aur gham, akelapan aur company deti hai. Kis order mein deti hai, woh vary kar sakta hai. Shayad tumhare liye responsibilties aur freedom ka order baaki logon se ulta hai.”

“Waise agar main kabhi aapke liye kuchh banana chahun to?” Nidhi asked teasingly to make the mood lighter.

“Hmm,” Ashutosh pretended as if he was thinking hard, “Uske liye once a month tumhein kitchen mein jaana allowed hoga. Lekin only after a thorough review of your proposal.”

Nidhi laughed out loud and Ashutosh looked on fondly.

“Waise aapse kuchh baat karni thi,” she suddenly grew serious.

“Bolo.”

“Aapko zyada elaborate shaadiyan to pasand nahin hain na?”

“Mujhe to tumhein sirf apne ghar laana hai, jaldi-se-jaldi. Mujhe koi farq nahin padta ki shaadi kaisi ho. Lekin agar tum chahti ho ki shaadi elaborate ho, to sab kuchh waise hi hoga jaise tumhein chahiye.”

“Nahin. Darasal…”

“Bolo na Nidhi. Hichkicha kyon rahi ho?”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Main soch rahi thi ki kya hum court-marriage kar sakte hain.”

“Kar sakte hain. Lekin koi khaas baat?”

“Otherwise Baba aur Dadi apne means se bahar ja kar kharcha karenge. Aur meri baat nahin maanenge woh log. Aap bhi kharche ki baat karenge to unhein bura lagega. Lekin agar aap court marriage ke liye insist karein to baaki problem apne aap hi solve ho jayegi. Aapko woh mana nahin karenge.”

Ashutosh smiled, “Your Baba should be proud of you, Nidhi. Maine to achchhe-bhale prosperous gharon mein bhi shaadi ke samay ladkiyon ke kharche se maa-baap ko pareshaan hote dekha hai aur tum… Listen. Mujhe pata hai ki thoda mushkil hoga. Lekin sirf isliye ki Baba par financial pressure padega, main nahin chahta ki tumhara koi bhi shauk adhoora rah jaye Nidhi. Kharche ke liye main unhein mana loonga…”

“Aapko pa kar, mere saare sapne, saare shauk poore ho gaye hain. Aur waise bhi aapko pata hai na ki mujhse zyada kharcha nahin kiya hota. Mumbai ke hotel ka woh dinner mujhe aaj tak nahin pacha hai,” she joked.

Ashutosh got up from his chair, went to her and hugged her tight, “I love you Nidhi and I am proud that I love you.”

“Me too,” she whispered.

“Bas ek problem hai,” Ashutosh broke the hug and said.

“Kya?”

“Court marriage ke liye kam se kam ek mahina wait karna padega. Procedures!”

Nidhi blushed, “Aapne kaha tha ki aap intezaar kar sakte hain.”

—

Ashutosh convince Baba and Dadi that neither he, nor Nidhi could take long break from the hospital and that he did not like elaborate rituals. So, they should opt for court-marriage. One and a half months later, Nidhi and Ashutosh signed on their wedding papers in registrar’s office in presence of Dadi, Baba, Anji and Armaan. Ashutosh had arranged a small reception in the evening at a hotel where their hospital colleagues, Nidhi’s friends, Baba’s colleagues, friends and relatives were invited. Since they were not allowed to spend on the wedding, Baba and Dadi spent all their savings on buying clothes and jewelry for the couple. Nidhi and Ashutosh had to let them indulge themselves that much for their happiness.

Baba was to shift to Ashutosh’ house after Dadi had gone back to the village. So, he went back to his house with Dadi after the reception. While Ashutosh and Nidhi came back to his… their home along with Armaan and Hiraman Kaka.

Ashutosh looked shocked when he walked into his room with Nidhi. Nidhi was pleasantly surprised to see the entire room decorated with flowers for their wedding night.

“Aapne ye sab bhi plan kiya tha?” she asked blushing hard.

Ashutosh looked confused, “Actually… maine nahin kiya tha. I have no idea…”

He saw a bouquet on the table and looked at it. There was a note from Armaan telling them that it was a small gift from him and Hiraman Kaka and wishing them a happy married life. He showed the note to Nidhi and said, “Ab kissi ne itni mehnat ki hai to is gift ka use to karna hi hoga na.”

“Achchha. Kaise karenge iska use?” Nidhi teased him as she walked to the dresser and made to take off some of her jewelry.

“Aaj ki raat,” Ashutosh spoke in a heavy voice as he stopped her from proceeding, “tumhein kuchh bhi meri marzi ke khilaaf nahin karne de kar.”

Nidhi smiled nervously and did not made an attempt to reply or resist him. He made her sit on the stool in front of the dresser and started by slipping her saree off her head. Then he took off her maang-teeka, followed by ear-rings and necklaces. He took his time with each piece of jewelry, caressing and rubbing her skin which was bared after the jewelry was taken off. After taking off all her bangles, he led her to the bed and made her lie down. He pushed up her lehanga to access her ankles. He kissed them near her payal and then slowly took the payals off as well. What followed after that was a sweet assault to all her senses as he kissed and caressed her entire body and drove her mad with desire.

“Dr. Ashutosh. Please,” she hissed finally letting go of her shyness and inhibitions and pulled him close to her urging him to take that step forward and make her his own forever – in mind, soul and body!

—

“You drive me mad, do you know that?” he told her after they have caught their breath, “I was not in such a hurry. Maine socha tha ki tum thaki hogi. Hum dono thake hue hain. Lekin tumhein itna kareeb pa kar…”

“Achchha! Mujhe to laga ki aapne is decoration aur gift ki wajah se…” Nidhi was growing bolder.

“If you think so Dr. Nidhi, you are in for surprises in the nights to come,” Ashutosh said meaningfully. She blushed and pretended to hit him in mock anger. He pulled her close and kissed her on forehead.

“Main bahut khush hoon Nidhi.”

“Main bhi,” she replied and snuggled up even closer to him.

– The End –

Discovering Love (Part 14)

Posted May 1, 2013 Mish3 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Mujhe to pata hi tha,” Dadi boasted when Baba told her about Nidhi and Ashutosh.

“Achchha. Main to inhein roz dekhta tha aur mujhe pata nahin tha. Aapko kaise pata tha Ma?” Baba argued good-humouredly.

“Are. Pichhli baar aaye the, tabhi se mujhe pata tha.”

“Dadi,” Nidhi interrupted, “Tab mujhe bhi pata nahin tha.”

“Padhai-likhayi aur doctori ke chakkar mein tu filmein nahin dekhti na. Yahan hum khoob dekhte hain. Jis tarah se ye tujhe dekh raha tha jab tum pichhli baar yahan aaye the, kissi andhe ko bhi pata chal jaye.”

Ashuotosh, Nidhi and Baba laughed out loud.

“Mujhe nahin pata tha ki filmein itni educative hoti hain,” Ashutosh said.

“Achchha suno,” Dadi said, “Ab jab tum log yahan par ho hi, to hum yahin sagai karwa dete hain.”

“Sagai. Abhi kaise hogi Ma? Abhi hamein nikalna hai. In dono ko kal hospital jaana hai. Mujhe bhi…”

“Haan. To main shaadi ke liye thode hi kah rahi hoon. Ruko.” She went inside and came out with two gold rings.

“Ye kya hai?”

“Maine banwa kar rakhe the kuchh zevar iski shaadi ke liye. Ab hamare samay mein to ye angoothiyan pahnane ke riwaaz nahin hota tha. Maine to bas yun hi banwa kar rakh li thi. Lekin ab jab hai hi angoothiyan aur dono log hai yahan to phir kya samasya hai. Kuldevi ka ashirwaad bhi mil jayega. Ruko. Sunaar ko bulwaati hoon, size sahi kar dega.”

Within next half an hour, the children of the village were sent around, goldsmith was called to adjust the size of the rings, sweets and fruits were delivered, Ashutosh and Nidhi exchanged the ring and were officially engaged. They prayed to the kuldevi in the small temple in the house and left for Lucknow.

—

“Tum log baatein karo. Main bahut thak gaya hoon, sone ja raha hoon,” Baba said when they reached home and left them alone. Ashutosh and Nidhi smiled realizing that he did that on purpose.

Nidhi looked at her ring and started playing with it feeling too shy. Ashutosh stopped her by holding her hand, then brought her hand closer to his lips and planted a kiss on her ring finger. Nidhi blushed hard.

“Khush ho?” Ashutosh asked.

“Ye bhi koi poochhne ki baat hai. Lekin sab kuchh aise achanak…”

“Tumhari kismat hi aisi hai. Sab cheezein achanak hi hoti hain tumhari zindagi mein.”

“Yeah,” Nidhi smiled remembering the evening when they had confessed their feelings for each other. That had also been so sudden.

“Main chalta hoon. Kaafi raat ho gayi hai.”

“Ji.”

“Kal se to tumhari duty doosre department mein hai.”

“Ji,” Nidhi said with regret, “Lekin subah milenge na…”

“Haan.”

—

“Neend poori nahin hui tumhari?” Ashutosh asked when he saw Nidhi yawning.

“Kal wapas aane mein der ho gayi thi na gaon se. Aur subah jaldi uthna pada, ghar ke kaam ke liye.”

“To mujhe bata deti. Aaj nahin aati duty ke pahle. Koi zabardasti thode hi na hai…”

“Zabardasti nahin, majboori hai…”

“Kaisi majboori?”

“Hum sirf aapki wajah se to nahin milte hain. Mera bhi man hota hai. To sirf aapke maan jaane se kya hota, mera man to majboor tha.”

Ashutsh was overwhlemed. He got up and made her stand up too. He held her close.

“Let’s end this Nidhi. Ab ye bardasht nahin hota. Aise door rahna. Sab log taiyaar hain. Agar tumhein koi aitraaz nahin hai to main jald-se-jald tumse shaadi karna chahta hoon. Karogi mujhese shaadi?”

Nidhi smiled. She wasn’t surprised at his proposal, but instead of replying, she withdrew.

“Kya baat hai? Agar tum sure nahin ho to…”

“Nahin. Baat hamari nahin hai. Lekin Baba… Unke baare mein to maine socha hi nahin. Woh akele rah jayenge…”

“Baba akele kyon rah jayenge.Woh hamare saath rahenge.”

“Ji?”

“Maine tumhari zimmedaariyan share karne ki baat ki thi Nidhi, tumhein unse door karne ki nahin.”

Nidhi smiled gratefully, “Lekin Baba nahin maanenge.”

“Woh tum mujh par chhod do.”

“Aap to jaadugar hain, jaise!”

“In chhote-mote kaamon ko agar tum jaadu maanti ho, to haan. Main hoon jaadugar.”

—

“Baba,” Ashutosh was having tea at Nidhi’s house one evening, “Ye bataiye. Aapko lagta hai ki bete-beti mein koi farq hota hai?”

“Nahin. Main to koi farq nahin maanta.”

“Kya aisa kuchh bhi hai jo aapne Nidhi ke liye na kiya ho, lekin uski jagah aapka beta hota to karte?”

“Bilkul nahin. Kar thoda kam paaya hoon, lekin kabhi bhi kuchh is wajah se nahin chhoda ki woh beti hai, beta nahin.”

“To aapko is baat se koi farq nahin padta ki aapki ek-matra aulaad beta thi ya beti?”

“Bilkul nahin. Lekin tum ye kyon poochh rahe ho Dr. Ashuosh?”

“Dekha Nidhi. Maine kaha tha na ki Baba koi farq nahin padta. Beta ho ya beti. Woh tumhare saath rahenge. Hamesha. Jaise bete ke saath rahte.”

Nidhi stared at him wide-eyed.

“Kya matlab?” Baba did not understand him.

“Nidhi ko ye chinta ho rahi thi ki agar woh mujhse shaadi kar legi to aap hamare saath nahin rahna chahenge. Maine usse kaha tha ki Baba bete aur beti mein farq nahin karte. Aur main shart jeet gaya.”

“Lekin…” Baba was baffled. Where did that come from?

“Lekin-wekin kya? Nidhi. Tumhari problem solve ho gayi?”

Nidhi looked at Baba expectantly.

“Main yahan theek hoon Dr. Ashutosh,” Baba protested.

“Lekin Nidhi to wahan theek nahin rahegi aapke bina. Uska dhyaan hamesha aap par laga rahega. Aur agar aisa hua to mere saath bahut na-insaafi hogi. To please. apni nahin, Nidhi ki nahin to meri khaatir, aapko hamare saath rahna hi hoga.”

“Tum baatein banane mein bahut zyada chatur ho Dr. Ashutosh. Lekin mujhe thoda samay do. Ye thoda to ajeeb hai hi na.”

“Aap samay lijiye. Lekin faisla karte samay aap ye zaroor sochiyega ki sawaal aapse zyada Nidhi ki khushiyon aur man ki shaanti ka hai.”

Baba smiled at his clever words.

“Please maan jaiye, Baba,” Nidhi said after Ashutosh left, “Dadi hamare saath rahne ke liye nahin maanti hain to hamein unki kitni chinta rahti hai. Unke paas to phir bhi gaon ke sab log hain. Aapke liye to mujhe hamesha chinta lagi rahegi. Balki agar mujhe aapko chhod kar jaana pada to main shaadi nahin kar paungi Baba.”

“Kuchh to achcha kiya hoga maine apni zindagi mein beta, jo mujhe tum mili beti ki tarah. Aur tumahre jeevan-saathi ke roop mein bhi Dr. Ashutosh jaisa insaan mila,” Baba grew emotional, patted her head affectionately and then went away from there.

—

“Hum aaj shaam ko kahin chal sakte hain,” Nidhi told Ashutosh enthusiastically.

“Kyon? Baba ko baasi khaana khilane ka iraada hai?” Ashutosh joked.

“Dr. Ashutosh. Aap bhool gaye? Aapne doosri car apne driver ke saath bheji hui hai. Baba ko gaon le jaane ke liye. Woh parson wapas aayenge.”

“Oh! Right.”

“Neki kar dariya mein daal ko kaafi literally le liya hai aapne!”

“Baba nahin hain, to tumhein manmaani karne ki chhoot mili hui hai,” Ashutosh teased her to change the topic.

“Aap mujhe aise chidhayenge to main kahin nahin jaungi, aur aapse baat bhi nahin karoongi,” she pouted.

“Aisa gajab mat karna Dr. Nidhi Verma. Cardiology ward waise bhi thoda bhara hi rahta hai hamare hospital mein.”

“Aapko ho kya gaya hai?”

“Kuchh nahin. Bas tumhein chidhane mein mazaa aata hai. Khair. Main shaam ke liye kuchh plan karta hoon.”

“Ji.”

—

“Hum kahan ja rahe hain?”

“Kyon? Tumhein dar lag raha hai?”

“Kaisi baatein kar rahe hain aap? Mujhe aapke saath kyon dar lagega?”

“Ye?” Nidhi looked at Ashutosh questioningly when he parked the car in front of a house.

“Ye mera ghar hai Dr. Nidhi Verma. Aur bahut jald hamara hone waala hai,” Ashutosh smiled.

Nidhi blushed at first, then looked thoughtful and embarrassed.

“Kya hua?” he asked.

“Nahin… Bas yun hi… Soch rahi thi ki maine aaj tak aapka ghar bhi nahin dekha tha. Main aapko time nahin de paati hoon na bilkul bhi? Shaam ko Baba ke liye, weekends par Dadi ke liye…”

“Hospital duties ke liye, padhai ke liye, WHO waale project ke liye,” Ashutosh interrupted

“Mujhe lagta tha ki main aapka akelapan door karoongi. Lekin maine to kabhi aapke liye…”

“Aur in sabke baad bhi, neend poori ho ya na ho, tum subah-subah uth kar, ghar ke kaam nibta kar, bhagti hui mujhse milne chali aati ho. Pagal ladki. Stop being so hard on yourself.”

“Aapko mujhse koi shikayat nahin hai?”

“Nahin hai, Jaanti ho kyon?”

“Kyon?”

“Kyonki bahut jald main tumhein apna bana kar, haq se, is ghar mein laane waala hoon. Phir tumhari saaree zimmedaariyan meri hongi, aur tumhari first priority main. Zindagi ke itne saal maine bitaye hain intezaar mein, jab mujhe pata bhi nahin tha ki mujhe kiska intezaar tha. Thoda sa aur intezaar kar sakta hoon. Kyonki ab to mujhe pata hai ki is intezaar ka phal bahut meetha hai.”

Nidhi blushed hard and did not say anything as she felt she would choke on her words.

“Ab andar chalein, ya yahin poori Ramayan khatam karni hai?” Ashutosh joked.

“Chaliye.”

—

To be continued

Discovering Love (Part 13)

Posted April 30, 2013 MishLeave a commentPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

Nidhi got up earlier than usual and finished all the housework. Baba was surprised to find her in the kitchen already by the time he woke up.

“Kya hua Nidhi? Itni subah subah?”

“Baba. Hospital mein kaam hai thoda. Jaldi jaana hai.”

“To rahne do na thode kaam. Main kar doonga.”

“Nahin Baba. Uski koi zaroorat nahin hai. Kaam hota hi kitna hai?”

“Zyada nahin hota hai, to mujhe hi karne diya karo.”

“Baba! Aap fresh ho jaiye. Main aapki chai bana deti hoon.”

“Maanti nahin hai meri baat,” Baba murmured.

—

“I’m sorry Dr. Ashutosh. Mujhe pahunchne mein der ho gayi. Woh darasal bus…”

“Calm down. Nidhi – ye koi duty par report karne ka time nahin tha.”

“Yeah… Lekin aapko wait karna pada…”

Ashutosh smiled. Seeing her so baffled, he couldn’t have told her that he had come to the hospital even before she had called about leaving from home.

“Sit down. Aur saans le lo zara,” he directed her to a chair and sat down himself on one opposite hers. He took a good look at her and figured that he should offer her water, which he did.

“Thank you,” she said and gulped it down in one go.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“Ji.”

“Itna hadbada kyon gayi thi?”

“Aapko late karna pasand nahin hai…”

“Tumhein yahan tumhare boss ne nahin bulaya tha.”

“Ji,” she looked embarrassed, “Aadat nahin hai na…”

“Yeah,” Ashutosh smiled, “Waise ye sach hai ki main besabri se tumhara intezaar kar raha tha. Lekin main nahin chahunga ki uski wajah se tumhari jaan par aafat aa jaye.”

“Main theek hoon.”

“Good. Waise main tumse kuchh baat bhi karna chahta tha. I’m sure, tumne bhi kaafi kuchh socha hoga, kal shaam ke baare mein, apne baare mein, mere baare mein…”

Nidhi blushed. Of course, she had. And after all the thinking she had felt like she was floating in the sky. It was as if all her dreams had come true.

Ashutosh saw her blushing and continued in a thoughtful tone, “Ek baar maine Armaan se bhi kaha tha. Ki hamari feelings jo hain, woh hain. Unka koi kuchh nahin kar sakta. Aur hamare liye ye achchha hua ki humne woh express kar di. Lekin zindagi ke faislon mein feelings ke alaawa aur cheezein bhi matter karti hain.”

He found her looking at him curiously when he paused, “Compatibility matter karti hai, common interests matter karte hain. Aur ye sab cheezein age se affect hoti hain, jiska faasla hamare beech mein bahut zyada hai.”

She looked scared as she asked, “Aap kahna kya chahte hain?”

“Kuchh bhi aisa nahin jisse tumhein darne ki zaroorat ho. Maine duniya dekhi hai Nidhi. Mujhe itna experience hai ki main apni feelings ko samajh sakoon, unki stability par rely kar sakoon. Lekin tumhari zindagi abhi shuru hi ho rahi hai. Isliye main nahin chahta ki tum apni zindagi ka koi faisla jaldbaazi mein karo. Tumhare saamne kai options honge, ya aage aayenge. Tum aisa koi bhi faisla jazbaaton mein bah kar mat karna jisse tumhein baad mein pachhtava ho.”

“Aapka apne liye kya faisla hai?”

“Mere liye mera ye faisla hai ki main tumhein kho nahin sakta. Tumhein apni zindagi mein rakhne ke liye mujhe jo bhi karna hoga karoonga. Tumhein mere saath jo bhi rishta kabool hoga, main usmein khush rahunga, even if it is not the best I had hoped for. But you must be happy!”

“Aap kabhi apne baare mein nahin sochte kya? Har waqt meri fikr?”

“Main to apne alaawa kissi ke baare mein sochna nahin jaanta tha Nidhi. Agar thoda bhi seekha hai to tumse hi seekha hai.”

“Phir to guru gud, chela cheeni ho gaya.”

Ashutosh smiled. They looked at the watch. Their duties were about to begin.

“Shaam mein kahin chalogi?” he asked.

“Main Baba ke liye dinner bana kar nahin aayi hoon…” Nidhi looked embarrassed.

“Koi baat nahin,” Ashutosh hastened to assure her, “Aaj ki tarah kal subah…”

“Ji. Theek hai.”

“Aur shaam mein duty khatam hone par mujhse mil kar hi nikalna.”

“Ji.”

—

“Chalo. Tumhein ghar chhod doon,” he said when she came to his office in the evening.

“Isliye aapne mujhe mil kar jaane ko bola tha?”

“Hmmm…”

“Aap kya roz roz mere driver bane phirenge?”

“Tumhare saath thoda samay bitane ka tareeka hai. Agle hafte se to tum ward mein bhi nahin rahogi.”

“Lekin…”

“Itna mat socho. Chalo.”

—

“Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi said during their ride back home.

“Hmm?”

“Aapne jo subah kaha…”

“Yeah?”

“Kya aapko mujh par bharosa nahin hai?”

Ashutosh applied brakes and stopped the car.

“Maine aisa to nahin kaha, Nidhi?”

“Main aapke jitni mature nahin hoon shayad, lekin I am not fickle…”

“Hey. Wait. You know what. Tum mujhse zyada hi mature ho. Jitni calmly tum apni problems, apni life ko handle karti ho, jitni kam umra mein tumne apne oopar itni saari responsibilities le li hain, aur unhein nibhaya hai, I don’t know anyone else… No. I didn’t mean anything like that.”

“Phir?”

“Jo maine kaha tha, tum use meri insecurities samjho. Main sure nahin hoon ki main tumhein khush rakh paunga ya nahin, tumhari pasand-napasand mein tumhara saath de paunga ya nahin, tum apni umra ke logon ke saath jis tarah ki cheezein enjoy kar sakti ho, jaisi zindagi ji sakti ho, waisi main tumhein de paunga ya nahin. Meri baat samajh rahi ho na.”

“Aapko kaise bharosa hoga ki main aapke saath khush rahungi.”

“Pata nahin. Lekin shayad mera dil ya destiny mujhe bata degi.”

Nidhi nodded thoughtfully and they drove on.

—

“Tumhein music pasand hai?”

“Haan. Music kise pasand nahin hota.”

“Well… you will be surprised! Kaisa music pasand hai tumhein.”

“Har tarah ka. Kuchh samajh mein nahin aata, lekin main to classical bhi sunti hoon. Indian, Western – sab.”

“Ghazals?”

“Bahut pasand hain.”

“Great! To ek concert hai aaj shaam mein. Chalogi?”

“Wow! Maine kabhi koi live concert attend nahin kiya hai.”

“Phir to aur bhi badhiya hai.”

“Ye aaj hi hai kya? Kal chal sakte hain?”

“Haan. Chal sakte hain. Lekin aaj kya problem hai?”

Nidhi smiled in embarrassment,”Aapko bhi lagega ki mera record hamesha ek hi jagah atka rahta hai?”

“Kahan?”

“Baba ka dinner bana kar nahin aayi hoon. Kal subah hi bana doongi…”

“To ismein embarrass hone ki kya baat hai?”

“Nahin. Bas aise hi… Main aapko sufficient time nahin de paati…”

“I know Nidhi. Aur main to chahta hoon ki tum 24/7 mere saath raho. Lekin tumhein pata hai na ki I love you for what you are, how you care for your family and everyone else. Main nahin chahta ki meri wajah se tum apni responsibilities mein chooko. Main unmein tumhara saath dena chahta hoon. Lekin jab tak tumhare Baba ko pata nahin hai, aisa karna thoda mushkil hai.”

Nidhi nodded.

“Kuchh kahna chahti ho?”

“Main Sunday bhi yahan nahin rahungi…”

“Dadi ke paas jaana hai?”

She nodded.

“Main bhi chalta hoon.”

“Ji?”

“Tumhare gaon. Dadi se milne. Koi problem hai?”

“Nahin. Bilkul nahin. I am sure Baba aur Dadi bahut khush honge.”

“To main Sunday subah tumhein aur Baba ko pick kar loonga.”

“Thank you. That will be very helpful.”

“Come on. Ismein thank you ki kya baat hai?”

“Actually jab se Baba ko heart-attack aaya hai, mujhe dar lagta hai unhein aisa crowded buses mein le jaane mein. Car will be much more comfortable for him.”

“To tumne aaj tak mujhse kaha kyon nahin? Agar main kabhi nahin bhi ja sakta hoon, to driver tumhein le ja sakta hai.”

Nidhi got tears in her eyes and got up from the chair. Ashutosh got worried and also got up.

“Kya hua?”

Nidhi suddenly hugged him and he was startled for a moment, then hugged her back.

“Tum theek ho?” he asked after she broke the hug.

“Main bahut thak gayi hoon. Sab kuchh khud se karte-karte. Mujhe aapka saath chahiye.”

“Nidhi!” Ashutosh was surprised at the way he was expressing herself.

“Aap Baba se baat kijiye. Hamare baare mein.”

“Are you sure, Nidhi?”

“Aur baar-baar ye sawaal mujhse poochhna band kijiye. Bahut der ho chuki hai. Agar aap ab unsure bhi hain, to main aapko peechhe nahin hatne doongi. Aapko mera saath dena hi padega.”

Ashutosh also became emotional. He cupped her face, wiped the tears that had been flowing from her eyes with his thumb and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“Tumne mujhe bata diya, bas ab tumhari tension khatm. Main baat karoonga. Okay?”

—

“Dr. Ashutosh. Nidhi aapko zabardasti to nahin le aayi hamare saath? Pagal hui padi thi ki bus mein pareshaani hogi,” Baba asked Ashutosh during their ride to the village.

“Ji nahin. Mera khud ka man tha aane ka. Pichhli baar bahut achchha laga tha yahan aa kar. Aur phir aapki Maa bahut dilchasp hain. Maine socha ki mil loon ek baar aur unka checkup bhi kar loon.”

“Chalo achchha hai.”

Baba kept them busy through out the journey by pointing out the local landmarks and any stories associated with them.

“Baba. Itne kisse to mujhe pata nahin the?” Nidhi was surprised by the time they entered the village.

“Bachpan mein to hum log kitni-kitni door paidal hi jaate the. Sab cheezon par nazar padti rahti thi Nidhi. Ab buses ki bheed-bhaad mein kya dikhata tumhein, aur kya batata.”

—

As expected Nidhi’s Dadi was surrounded many village-woman and children, when they reached.

“Dadi. Dekhiye to kaun aaya hai,” Nidhi said.

“Are. Dr. Ashutosh. Aao bhai aao. Bahut achcha hua jo tum aa gaye. Yahan kuchh bachche bahut beemaar pade hue hain. Zara dekh lete to achchha rahta.”

“Ma. Dum to le lene do,” Baba was embarrassed.

“Nahin,” Ashutosh interrupted, “Hum doctors hain. Jab koi beemaar pada hua ho, to humse aaraam nahin kiya jayega Mr. Verma. Kahan hain bachche, Dadi?”

“Aas-paas hi ghar hain. Poonam – zara inhein le to jao dono gharon mein.”

“Main bhi chalti hoon,” Nidhi said.

“Dr. Nidhi. Maine dawaiyan aur tools car mein rakhe hue hain. Unhein nikalwa lijiye please.”

“Ji.”

—

They came back after treating the children and had elaborate meal preapred by one of the neighbours. Baba decided to lie down for a while before leaving for Lucknow. Ashutosh went behind him.

“Aapse kuchh baat karni thi Mr. Verma.”

“Boliye Dr. Ashutosh.”

Ashutosh handed him a box. Baba recognized it as the box containing the jewelry Ashutosh’ Baba had left for Nidhi.

“Ye kyon de rahe hain aap mujhe?”

“Kyonki main inke badle, rather inke saath, aapse inse bahut zyada keemti cheez maangne ja raha hoon.”

“Main samjha nahin.”

“Main aapse aapki zindagi ki sabse keemti cheez, aapki beti maangna chahta hoon. Main Nidhi se shaadi karna chahta hoon.”

“Kya?” Baba was extremely surprised, “Aise? Achanak? Mujhe to… Nidhi ko pata hai?”

Ashutosh smiled, “Main aur Nidhi ek-doosre se bahut pyaar karte hain. Aur isliye…”

“Haan. Obviously. Main bhi kaise bewkoofi waale sawaal poochh raha hoon. Main Nidhi ko bula kar laata hoon.”

“Aap rukiye. Main jaata hoon.”

Ashutosh returned with Nidhi to the room. He hadn’t told her what the matter was.

“Kya hua Baba?”

“Mujhe mahsoos hua ki meri bachchi bahut badi ho gayi hai.”

“Ji?”

“Tumhein Dr. Ashutosh se shaadi karni hai.”

“Ji?” Nidhi was baffled and looked from Ashutosh to Baba and back, “Aap… Aapne Baba ko bata diya?” She asked nervously.

Baba smiled seeing her nervousness.

“Tumne to meri sabse badi zimmedaari khud poori kar di Nidhi. Main kahan se tumhare liye Dr. Asuhtosh se behtar dulha dhoondhta.”

“Baba!” Nidhi grew emotional.

Baba went forward and put Nidhi’s hand in Ashutsoh’, “Main bahut khush hoon Dr. Ashutosh. Main ise kabhi kuchh nahin de paaya. Balki chhoti si umra se zimmedaariyan hi utha rahi hai. Lekin mujhe poora vishwaas hai ki tum ise woh sab de sakoge, jiski ye haqdaar hai. Ise khush rakhna. Jisne apne boodhe, kamzor baap ke liye itna kuchh kiya hai, mujhe poora vishwaas hai ki tumhein woh kabhi shikayat ka koi mauka nahin degi.”

“Bas kijiye, Baba. Aap aise kyon kah rahe hain? Agar aapne mere Baba ke khilaaf ab ek aur shabd kaha to main kabhi shaadi nahin karoongi.”

“Pagal ladki!” Baba smiled and patted her head, “Chalo. Achchha mauka hai. Tumhari Dadi ko bhi khushkhabri de dete hain.” He walked out leaving Nidhi and Ashutosh alone for a while.

“Aapne mujhe bataya nahin ki aap Baba se aaj hi baat karne waale hain?” Nidhi complained.

“Agar bata deta to tum poore time nervous aur tense rahti.”

“Aap…” Nidhi tried to reply, but realized that he was right. She smiled shyly.

“Chalo. Bahar chalein.”

—

To be continued

Discovering Love (Part 12)

Posted April 29, 2013 MishLeave a commentPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Ashutosh! Go!!” Armaan urged him and he came out of his stupor.

“Yeah,” he mumbled and ran after her. She was going towards the bus stop, when he finally caught up with her.

“Nidhi,” he had to catch her by her hands, when she did not stop, “Kya kar rahi ho?”

She turned towards him, when he tugged at her arms, but did not reply, nor did she meet his eyes; just fidgeted in embarrassment.

“We need to talk,” he said again.

“Uski koi zaroorat nahin hai. Dr. Armaan ne jo kaha…”

“Kya woh sach tha?”

“Let me go, Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Mere liye jaanna zaroori hai.”

“Kyon?”

“Kyonki…” Ashutosh sighed and waited for a few seconds before continuing, “I love you, Nidhi.”

“Don’t do this Dr. Ashutosh. Ye ek aisi cheez hai jo main aapko isliye nahin karne de sakti kyonki aap mujhe aur Baba ko lekar guilty feel karte hain, ya kyonki aap meri madad karna chahte hain. Mujhe Nana ki property nahin chahiye. Please, let me go…”

“Ye ek aisi cheez hai jo main guilty mahsoos karne ki wajah se ya kissi ki madad karne ki wajah se kar nahin sakta, Nidhi. Warna jaisa tumne bhi suggest kiya tha, main bahut pahle Mallika se shaadi kar chuka hota. Lekin nahin kiya. Kyonki ye kaam main kissi ka dil rakhne ke liye, kissi ki madad karne ke liye nahin kar sakta.”

Nidhi started crying on hearing him. He wiped her tears.

“Tumhein bura na lag jaye, aur us wajah se kahin main tumhein kho na doon, isliye maine tumse kuchh kaha nahin. Lekin… ab teer kamaan se nikal chuka hai. Tum mere sawaal ka jawaab do, Nidhi.”

Instead of saying anything, she went forward and hugged him tightly hiding her tear-stained face in his chest. Overcome by emotions, his own eyes became moist as he hugged her back.

—

“Mujhe laga nahin tha ki you were capable of this level of deception,” Ashutosh said playfully after breaking the hug.

“Ji?” Nidhi did not realize that he was joking and was scandalized.

He smiled “Kabhi tumne apne man ki baat mujhe pata hi chalne di?”

“To aapne kaun sa…” Nidhi started to reply, but suddenly felt shy and bit her lips.

“Chalo kahin aur chal kar ye jhagda nibtate hain,” Ashutosh smiled as he understood her unfinished statement.

“Kahan chalenge?”

“Tumhein immediately ghar to nahin jaana hai?”

“Main Baba ko bol kar aayi thi ki main dus baje tak lautungi.”

Ashutosh looked at his watch, “Abhi do ghante hain hamare paas. Dinner karna chahogi?”

Nidhi nodded.

Ashutosh took her to an Indian restaurant and they found a table for two in a corner. Initially they busied themselves with ordering the food and then succumbed to an awkward silence while waiting for the food to come. Nidhi wasn’t even meeting his eyes for most part. He felt amused.

He made a slight sound by tapping his spoon on the table to draw her attention.

She looked up, “Ji?”

“Kahan khoyi hui ho?”

“Kahin nahin…”

“Kuchh bol hi nahin rahi ho?”

“Main… kya boloon?”

“Apne baare mein kuchh batao.”

“Mere baare mein kya bataun? Aap to aap sab jaante hi hain.”

“That’s not true.”

“To poochh lijiye jo nahin jaante hain.”

That made Ashutosh laugh, “Achchha to pahle to jo sawaal maine poochha tha, usee ka jawaab do. Armaan se jo kaha tha woh sach tha ya nahin?”

“Mujhe nahin pata…” Nidhi said nervously.

“Nahin pata?” Ashutosh raised his eyebrows.

“Matlab maine utna… socha nahin tha. Bas aapne kaha, isliye aa gayi party mein.”

Ashutosh noticed her sweaty palms and how she was fidgeting, “Tum nervous ho, Nidhi?”

She was startled by this sudden question. “Na… nahin,” she said out of courtesy at first, but gave in immediately afterwards, “Haan. Main… meri kuchh samajh mein nahin aa raha hai, main aapse kya baatein karoon, kya kahun, kya poochhoon. Aise achanak sab…”

“Hey. Wait,” he shifted his chair so that he could sit next to her, instead of opposite her and then took her hand in his, “Calm down. Tumhein ghabraane ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Kuchh badal thode hi na gaya hai. Main wahi Ashutosh hoon jise tum pichhle teen mahino se jaanti ho, right?”

She smiled in embarrassment and nodded. He continued, “Aur tumhein aaj raat koi apni zindagi ka faisla nahin karna hai, Nidhi. I know it has all been so sudden. Aur shayad tumhein dheere-dheere is baat ki enormity ka ahsaas ho raha hai. Tumhare man mein bahut saare confusions honge, sawaal honge. We will take it easy, take it slow aur sab sawaalon ke jawaab milne ke baad hi hum koi bhi kadam uthayenge. All right?”

She just nodded.

“Tum please pareshaan mat hona, Nidhi,” Ashutosh said somberly, “Tum pareshaan na ho, mujhse naaraaz na ho, isliye hi to maine apne man ki baat kabhi zaahir nahin hone di. Bas ye ek cheez main…”

“Main aapse kabhi naaraaz nahin ho sakti,” she spoke so surely that Ashutosh was surprised.

Just then the waiter brought and served the food. They started eating in silence again, when he noticed her body language.

“Kuchh kahna chahti ho?” he asked.

“Aapko kaise pata?”

“Maine kaha na, deception is not something you are capable of. Isliye to maine surprised tha ki tumhare man ki baat aaj tak mujhe pata kaise nahin chali? Batao. Kya baat hai?”

“Main sapne mein bhi nahin soch sakti thi ki aap… aap mujhse… How is that possible?”

“Apni taareef sunna chahti ho?” Ashutosh teased her.

“Nahin. Main seriously poochh rahi hoon. Mujhe to hamesha aisa laga…”

“Kya laga?”

“Ki aap kabhi apne man ki baatein, apni pareshaaniyan mujhse share nahin karna chahte. Agar main kabhi poochh leti thi to aap naraaz ho jaate the…”

“And yet Dr. Nidhi Verma, mere baare mein, meri zindagi ke baare mein, meri khushiyon aur pareshaaniyon ke baare mein jitna aap jaanti hain, utna koi aur nahin jaanta.” Nidhi stared at him. He continued after a pause, “Aur unhein jitna sensitively aap handle karti hain, aur koi nahin karta. Sawaal tumhara invalid nahin hai, Nidhi. Aakhir jab maine pahli baar ek intern ko kone ki chair par nervously baithe hue dekha tha to mujhe thode hi na pata tha ki teen mahinon ke andar I would want her in my life more than my life itself.”

“Lekin… aap to.. aapne mujhse to kuchh… kaha nahin…”

“Pahle to main… accept hi nahin kar raha tha. To tumhein resist karne ki koshish ki. Phir mujhe laga ki tum mujhe accept nahin karogi. To isliye maine is baat se santosh kar liya ki tum thi meri life mein. Rishte ka koi naam nahin tha, shayad dost ki tarah se, at least. Main usse zyada paane ki koshish mein tumhein khone ka risk nahin utha sakta tha.”

Nidhi looked at him, her emotions clearly showing in her eyes, and smiled, “You are being so humble.”

“No. I still can’t believe that you didn’t vehemently oppose what Armaan said in the party. Nidhi, How on earth did you fall for someone like me?”

“Someone like you? Matlab?”

“Well… Dr. Hardstone. Strict, rude, boring…”

“Competent, professional, caring… Hardness ka mask laga rakha the jisne, apne dard aur akelepan ko chhipaane ke liye. Mujhse behtar kaun jaan sakta tha?”

Ashutosh smiled. They were done with eating.

“Chalo. Tumhein ghar chhod deta hoon.”

“Nahin Sir. Aapko ulta padega. Mujhe auto mil jayega.”

“Don’t be an idiot. Itni raat mein tumhein akele nahin jaane doonga.”

“Main hamesha akele hi jaati hoon.”

“Not any longer Nidhi. You will have to keep your ego aside and humour me on this one. Tumhein idea nahin hai ki maine kitni baar tumhein akele bhaag-daud karte dekha hai aur khud ko sirf isliye roka hai kyonki mujhe haq nahin tha. Lekin ab hai. Please!”

Nidhi smiled coyly and nodded.

“Sir. Baba se mil kar jaiye,” Nidhi said when they pulled up in front of her home.

“Sure. Lekin usse pahle ek request thi.”

“Request?” Nidhi looked embarrassed at his use of the word, “Request kyon kah rahe hain. Boliye na.”

“Kal subah hospital jaldi aa sakti ho?”

“Kyon?”

“Bas aise hi,” Ashutosh said with slight embarrassment, “Agar pareshaani na ho to…”

“Haan… Nahin…” Nidhi realized that he just wanted to spend time with her and stammered in the embarrassment of not understanding earlier, “Koi pareshaani nahin hai. Main aa jaungi. Kitne baje?”

That question made Ashutosh laugh, “Ghar se nikalne se pahle mujhe phone kar dena.”

“Ji.”

—

“Dost, dost na raha…” Armaan welcomed Ashutosh home dramatically singing the song completely out of tune.

Ashutosh blushed, but did not take the bait and did not say anything to him.

“Lo bhai. Thank you tak nahin. Ashu. Mujhe tujhse ye ummeed nahin thi.”

“Thank you thoda chhota word hai Armaan, kissi ki zindagi badal dene ke badle.”

“Aaye-haye. Kya se kya ho gaye, Dr. Nidhi ke pyaar mein. Tum to shayar ban gaye bhai. Achchha batao, kya baatein hui?”

“Armaan!”

“Ab itna jaanne ka haq to banta hai mera, after what I did,” Armaan said with a mock frown.

“Koi baat nahin hui. Woh bahut zyada ghabrayi hui thi, Armaan.”

“Haan. Ghabrana to padega hi. Bechari Dr. Hardstone ke pyaar mein jo pad gayi hai. Zindagi barbaad hai ab to.”

“Shut up, Armaan.”

“Okay. Okay. Ab serious. Woh khush hai?”

“I think so.”

“Abe tujhe pata hona chahiye.”

“I know. But this was all too sudden for her. Armaan – uske dil mein jo bhi tha, lekin it seems woh meri taraf se kuchh expect nahin kar rahi thi. To usne zyada kuchh socha nahin hai is baare. Tujhe uski halat dekhni chahiye thi. For a moment to mujhe sach mein laga ki kahan phansa diya use. I told her to take it easy and slow. Phir thoda relaxed hui.”

“Hmmm. I am not surprised. She is young. Tujhe uske saath thoda patient hona padega. Don’t hurry her into anything.”

“Yeah.”

—

To be continued

Discovering Love (Part 11)

Posted April 28, 2013 MishLeave a commentPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Dadi. Ye Dr. Ashutosh hain. Maine bataya tha na. Mere boss.”

“Achchha. To ye tumhare liye kaam karti hai.”

“Ji.”

“Are to ye batao ki kaisi doctori padhate ho tum log ye aaj kal ke ladke-ladkiyon ko. Inke hisaab se to saari jo takat dene waali cheezein hoti hain, woh khani hi nahin chahiye.”

Nidhi chuckled as Ashutosh asked in confusion, “Aisa kya kah diya inhone?”

“Ab suno iski naseehatein. Doodh-dahi se malai nikaal kar khao. Chawal mat khao. Roti bhi jwar-baajre ki khao. Are itne bure din to nahin aaye kabhi ki gehun ke aate ki roti bhi naseeb na ho. Aur kya – mithaiyan na khao. Zyada cheeni nahin, zyada namak nahin. Are koi jail ka khana hai kya? Aur kuchh khayen hi na, to haddiyon mein dum kaise aaye?”

Ashutosh smiled in amusement, but did not laugh out loud as a respect to the old lady, “Lekin ye sahi kahti hain Dadi. Aapko diabetes aur BP ki problem hai na. Isliye zaroori hai parhej baratna.”

“Bura ho ye machinein banane waalon ka. Na machinein hoti, na ye duniya jahan ki beemariyon ka pata chalta.”

“Ab to ban gayi Dadi. Aur pata chal bhi gaya,” Nidhi said, “To ab koi chaara nahin hai. Aapko sawadhaani baratni hi padegi. Ab ye bataiye, camp kahan lagana hai.”

“Kahan kya? Koi Ramleela ka manch thode hi na banana hai. Yahin dwar par aa jayenge sab log. Tum log deewan par baith jao. Abhi Laxman ke bete ko bolti hoon ki sabko bata de tum log aa gaye ho.”

“Achchha Dadi. Sir, hum log tab tak set up kar lein?”

“Sure. Chaliye.”

—

“Wakai aapki Dadi kaafi interesting hain,” Ashutosh said while returning back in the evening.

“Mujhe pata tha ki aapko unse mil kar achchha lagega.”

“Kaise pata tha aapko?”

“Different context mein. Lekin woh bhi aapke jaisi hi hain. Strong. Confident.”

“Strong to aap bhi bahut hain.”

“Main Sir? Kyon mazaak kar rahe hain. Aapko to pata hai. Mujhe to naye logon se baat karne mein bhi hichkichahat hoti hai. Balki dar lagta hai.”

“Use nervousness and shyness kahte hain Dr. Nidhi, weakness nahin.”

“If you say so.”

“Waise aapke Baba ab theek hain?”

“Haan. Kuchh zyada hi theek hain. Maine kitna mana kiya, lekin already nayi job ke liye chakkar laga rahe hain.”

“Are to aapne mujhe bataya kyon nahin?”

“Kya?”

“Jeevan Prabha mein ek accountant ki zaroorat hai. Main to intezaar kar raha tha ki aapke Baba theek ho jayen to…”

“Baba accountant nahin hain, Sir.”

“Degree se nahin hain. Lekin itne saalon ka experience to hai. Dekhiye Dr. Nidhi, agar aapko aisa lag raha hai ki main koi bahana bana kar, ya jhooth bol kar aapki madad kar raha hoon to aisa nahin hai. Jeevan Prabha mein sach much problem hain. CAs aate hain aur kuchh mahinon mein chale jaate hain. Unhein lagta hai ki ek non-profit, charity organization mein kaam karne se unki market value kharaab ho jayegi. To hamare paas ek hi chaara hai. Kissi aise insaan ko recruit karna, jisne experience se cheezein seekhi ho. Koi aur aayega, to Baba bhi aa sakte hain.”

“Mujhe nahin pata Sir. Aap Baba se hi baat kar lijiye. Agar unhein sahi lagta hai to mujhe kya problem hogi?”

“Main pahunchte hi baat karoonga.”

Ashutosh went to meet Yograj, when he dropped her home.

“Dr. Nidhi. Mujhe pata hai ki aap bhi thaki hui hain. Lekin mujhe chai ki sakht zaroorat hai. Mil sakti hai please.”

“Zaroor Sir. Ismein kaun si badi baat hai. Main bas abhi haath-munh dho kar banati hoon. Baba aap bhi piyenge?”

“Haan. Agar bana rahi ho to mere liye bhi bana do.”

“Ji. Theek hai.”

“Mr. Verma. Mujhe aapki madad chahiye,” Ashutosh spoke when Nidhi went inside.

“Meri madad? Agar main aapki koi bhi madad kar sakta hoon Dr. Ashutosh, to samajh lijiye ho gaya.”

Ashutosh explained how they were having a problem in recruiting an accountant at Jeevan Prabha, just like he had explained to Nidhi.

Baba smiled, “Aap mujhse madad maang rahe hain, ya meri madad kar rahe hain?”

“Main bilkul wahi kar raha hoon, jo maine kaha hai. Mere manager pareshaan ho chuke hain is position ko fill karne ke liye. Aur ab financial year end aa raha hai, to unhein bahut dikkat hone waali hai.”

“Aapne Nidhi ko bataya hai.”

“Haan. Aur unhone faisla aap par chhoda hai. Mr. Verma. Agar aapko meri baat par bharosa nahin hai to aap wahan ek-do mahine kaam kar ke dekh lijiya. Agar aapko lage ki wahan par aapke liye kaam nahin hai, to aap chhod dijiyega. Lekin please ek baar koshish kijiye. Dekhiye. Apni nahin to Nidhi ki khaatir. Aap jaante hain ki aapki har pareshaani se woh bhi kitna pareshaan hoti hai.”

Yograj sighed. Just then Nidhi entered with tea and snacks. He looked at his daughter for a moment. Then turned to Ashutosh, “Theek hai. Aap mujhe Jeevan Prabha ke manager se milwa dijiye. Jab se woh kahenge, main aa jaunga.”

Nidhi looked at her Baba and Ashutosh and finally smiled.

—

“Ashutosh!”

“Armaan. Tum pahle pahunch gaye?”

“Haan. Mujhe to survey kar ke wapas aana tha. Tumhari tarah na kissi ki Dadi ko impress karna tha, na hi kissi ko propose karna tha.”

“Kya?”

“Propose kiya?”

“Kya? Kisko? Survey ke chakkar mein desi tharra chadha kar aa gaye ho kya?”

“Nahin. Desi tharra Lucknow mein kaafi sahi milta hai. Uske liye itni mehnat karne ki kya zaroorat hai. Are main tumhari aur Nidhi ki baat kar raha hoon.”

“Meri aur Nidhi ki kya baat kar rahe ho?”

“He bhagwaan! Ashu miyan. Aap Nidhi se pyaar karte hain. Kul mila kar pandrah din bache hain aapke paas, jiske baad unki internship doosre department mein shuru ho jayegi. To ab aap abhi nahin bolenge unse, to kab bolenge?”

“Armaan!”

“Ashutosh!”

“Armaan. Main kya feel karta hoon, ye maine tumse nahin chhipaya hai. Kyonki apni feelings ka koi kuchh nahin kar sakta. Kitni hi ridiculous ho, unke saath hamein rahna padta hai. Lekin un feelings par ridiculously act karne se hum khud ko rok sakte hain. Aur main aisa hi kar raha hoon.”

“Ismein ridiculous kya hai.”

“Armaan. Woh meri bahut respect karti hai. Woh samajhti tak nahin hai meri feelings.”

“Are to koi bewkoof thode hi na hai. Baat karo. Samajh jayegi.”

“Yahi to baat hai Armaan. Bewkoof nahin hai. Phir bhi jo baat tumhein obviously samajh mein aa gayi, jo Mallika ko bhi saaf-saaf dikhti hai, woh nahin samajhti. Pata hai kyon?”

“Kyon?”

“Kyonki this idea is so ridiculous ki woh soch bhi nahin sakti is baare mein. Do you realize ki woh mujhse kitni chhoti hai. Uski life mein koi achchha ladka hoga, nahin hoga to aa jayega. I just don’t fit in.”

“Ashutosh. Tum ye maan baithe ho ki woh nahin samajhti hai. Tumhein kaise pata? Agar samajhti bhi hai to how likely it is ki ek ladki khud aage badh kar apne man ki baat tumse kahegi? Woh bhi Nidhi jaisi nervous aur shy ladki?”

“Use lagta hai ki mujhe Mallika se shaadi kar leni chahiye. Aur ye baat usne aaj mujhe boli bhi hai. Aisa to nahin hai ki woh mere liye kuchh bura soch rahi thi. Care karti hai, isliye bola hoga. Lekin ye care us pyaar mein nahin badal sakti Armaan, jo main usse karta hoon. Heart-break to main sah sakta hoon. Lekin agar maine kuchh aisa bol diya jo use manzoor nahin hua, to woh shayad mujhse baat bhi nahin karegi, door chali jayegi mujhse. Waise hi meri bewkoofiyon ki wajah se use kabhi woh sab nahin mila jo uska tha. Aur ab jo bhi thodi bahut madad main kar sakta hoon, woh bhi lena band kar degi to main to guilt se mar jaunga. For God’s sake, Armaan, ye baat kabhi apni zubaan par dubara mat laana.”

—

“Dr. Nidhi. Kya hua – aap bore ho gayin?” Armaan followed Nidhi when she noiselessly slipped out of the party hall to sit on a bench in the open lawn. Armaan had thrown this party to bring together all the people working on his WHO project.

“Nahin, nahin. Party to bahut achchhi hai. Bore kyon houngi? Bas thodi suffocation ho rahi thi – itni bheed hai na. Isliye thodi der ke liye bahar aa gayi.”

“Phir party mein aana kyon nahin chahti thi aap? Kya aapko koi shaq tha ki party achchhi nahin hogi?”

“Nahin Dr. Armaan. Kaisi baatein kar rahe hain aap? Main bas thaki hui thi. Tees ghanton ki duty kar ke aayi thi.”

“Itni lambi duty?”

“Dr. Mallika ki meharbaani hai mujh par,” she laughed slightly.

“Khair. Mujhe to aapse baatein manwaane ki trick pata hai.”

“Ji?”

“Ashutosh! Jab usne insist kiya tab aap mana nahin kar payin, right?”

“Well…” Nidhi did not know what to reply.

“To sach-sach bataiye mujhe ki aap Ashutosh ki baat kyon nahin taal sakti?”

“Dr. Armaan. Meri kuchh samajh mein nahin aa raha. Aap kya sunna chahte hain?”

“Sach.”

“Kitne dramatic ho rahe hain aap?,” Nidhi laughed slightly, “Dr. Ashutosh mere boss hain. Aur main unki bahut izzat karti hoon. Isliye jab unhone insist kiya ki main party mein aaun, to main aa gayi.”

“Ya phir, jab usne insist kiya tab aapko realize hua ki Ashutosh party mein aa raha hai, jo ki woh normally nahin karta. Aur ek hafte mein aapka department change ho raha hai. Uske baad usse milne ka aapke paas koi bahana nahin rahega. Isliye Ashutosh ke saath thoda waqt guzaarne ki hope mein aap yahan aa gayin. Lekin jab itni bheed mein Asuhtosh aapke paas nahin aa saka, aapse baatein nahin kar saka, to aap disappoint ho kar bahar chali aayin. Aur shayad wapas jaane ki bhi soch rahi hain.”

Nidhi looked like she had seen a ghost. Armaan had described what had happened so accurately that she found it impossible to deny it. She was caught off-guard and was completely speechless. She averted her eyes.

“Kyon? Maine aapko aur aapki feeilngs ko sahi samjha na Dr. Nidhi? Itna mushkil nahin tha, right? Ab agar aap Ashutosh ko na batane ki zidd par adi rahengi to mujhe batana padega.”

“Kyon mera aur meri feelings ka mazaak banana chahte hain aap Dr. Armaan?” Nidhi was pained and choked on her words. “Please don’t do this,” she managed to say before she got up and turned to leave. To her horror, she found Ashutosh standing hardly a couple of feet away from them. He was looking at Nidhi in astonishment. Tears filled her eyes due to embarrassment and she ran away towards the gate of the venue without saying anything.

—

To be continued

Discovering Love (Part 10)

Posted April 28, 2013 MishLeave a commentPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

“Baba. Aapko Nana ka naam pata hai?” Nidhi asked Yograj.

“Kyon. Achanak apne Nana ke baare mein kyon poochh rahi ho?”

“Bas aise hi… Kuchh… pata chala…”

“Dr. Ashutosh ne kuchh kaha?”

Nidhi was startled, “Aapko kaise pata?”

“Unka naam Aloknath Mathur tha. Aur Mathur sahab ka naam Lucknow mein bahut famous tha – ab bhi hai. Mujhe andaaza tha ki shayad woh tumhare Nana hi honge. Lekin maine kabhi is baare mein zyada socha nahin. Jab woh apne parivaar ko chhod kar aa gaye the, to phir kya zaroorat thi unki zindagi mein dakhal dene ki. Aur phir kissi ameer insaan se rishta nikaalne ki koshish ko hamesha sandeh ki nazaron se hi dekha jaata hai. Hai na?”

Nidhi nodded and he continued, “Main chehre se nahin pahchaanta tha unhein. Isliye jab hamare ghar ke paas unhein heart attack aaya tha, tab main nahin jaanta tha ki woh kaun hain. Hospital pahunch kar naam pata chala. Lekin un logon ye bhi kaha ki unka parivaar hai. To phir main confuse ho gaya. Mujhe laga ki shayad koi galatfahmi hogi. Bas naam milte hon do logon ke. Ya doosri possibility ye thi ki unhone dubara shaadi kar li ho. Us case mein unse door rahna hi achchha tha. Kissi ke parivaar mein dakhal dena to sahi nahin hota. Lekin jab kuchh dinon pahle tumne bataya ki Dr. Ashutosh adopted hain, to phir main almost sure tha ki ye tumhare Nana hi hain.”

“Aapne mujhe bataya kyon nahin, Baba?”

“Mujhe pata nahin tha ki tum ya Dr. Ashutosh kaise react karenge. Tumhari professional life mein koi problem na ho – isliye maine kuchh kaha nahin.”

“Dr. Ashutosh bata rahe the ki woh… Nani ke gahne mere liye chhod kar gaye hain. Unhone dikhaye bhi.”

“Sach?” Yograj was surprised, “Maine suna to tha ki tumhari Nani ne unhein apne gahne diye the. Aur woh use lekar jo gaye, phir wapas nahin aaye.”

“Phir itne saalon baad kyon? Dr. Ashutosh ye bhi bata rahe the ki jis din unhein heart attack aaya tha woh humse hi milne aa rahe the.”

“Zindagi ke antim palon mein insaan ko apna achchha bura, sab yaad aata hai beta. Ho sakta hai un dinon unhein guilt mahsoos hua ho, ki apne parivaar ko woh yun chhod kar aa gaye, kabhi sahara nahin diya, apni beti ki to shakal bhi nahin dekhi. Aur uski bharpai ke liye…”

“Dr. Nidhi,” they were interrupted by Armaan’s voice.

“Dr. Armaan, please aaiye,” Nidhi said and Armaan and Ashutosh walked in. Armaan asked after Yograj’s health and left after a while. Ashutosh, Yograj and Nidhi were left behind with Ashutosh and Nidhi struggling to start a conversation.

“Lo bhai,” Yograj spoke finally, “Guzre hue kal ka ek connection nikal aaya to tumhara rishta aur majboot hona chahiye tha. Lekin tum log to aise behave kar rahe ho jaise ajnabi ban gaye ho.”

“Ajnabi to nahin Mr. Verma, lekin gunahgaar zaroor ban gaya hoon,” Ashutosh replied.

“Nahin Dr. Ashutosh. Aisa nahin karte. Hum sab apne hisse ki zindagi jeete hain. Jin cheezon par hamara wash nahi hota, unko lekar guilt mahsoos karna sahi nahin hai. Ab Mathur sahab ne apni zindagi jee hi kuchh is tarah ki hamare beech ajeeb se haalaat paida ho gaye hain. Lekin unmein burai dekhne ki jagah achchha dekhte hain ab. Nidhi ki Nani ne unke liye kabhi shikayat nahin rakhi apne man mein. To phir hum log kyon rakhein. Humme se kissi ko parivaar ki kami nahin hui hai. Aur aapke hone se main to Mathur sahab ke liye bhi khush hoon. Ki unhein apni zindagi akele nahin kaatni padi. Kyon Nidhi? Tum to badgumaan nahin ho apne Nana se?”

“Nahin Baba. Main kaise ho sakti hoon? Aakhir unke sapne hi ne to mujhe doctor banaya hai? Aur shayad Dr. Ashutosh ko bhi.”

Ashutosh smiled sadly and nodded, “Lekin main chahta hoon ki Nidhi ko uska haq mile…”

“Nahin Sir,” Nidhi objected, “Please ise complicate mat kijiye. Main apni zindagi se khush hoon aur aise hi jeena chahti hoon.”

“Baaki sab chhodo. Lekin woh zevar tumhein lene padenge. Abhi unhein bech kar hi Mr. Verma ki problem ka solution ho sakta hai…”

“Zevar bech kar?” Yograj looked uncomfortable.

“Kya hua Baba?” Nidhi asked.

“Beta. Woh tumhari Nani ke zevar hain. Aise kaise bech sakte hain. Zevar rahne do. Main dekhta hoon. Kuchh intezaam ho jayega.”

“Aap mujhe bech dein,” Ashutosh interrupted, “Main inhein sambhaal ke rakhoonga – mera vaada hai. Please iske liye mana mat kijiyega. Please… Warna main kabhi khud ko maaf nahin kar paunga.”

Yograj and Nidhi looked at each other. Then he nodded. Nidhi smiled weakly, “Aap hamesha apne man ki kar hi lete hain Dr. Ashutosh.”

—

“Aapne mujhe bulaya, Sir?”

“Yes. Dr. Nidhi. Ye aapko dena tha,” he gave her a white envelope.

“Kya hai ismein,” the envelope was not sealed and Nidhi immediately took its content out. It was a cheque in her name. She didn’t look at the amount and asked him, “Ye kya hai?”

“Well. Maine aapke zevar khareede the…”

“Aap pahle hi apne lawyer ke through paise company ko de chuke hain.”

“Woh sirf 80,000 the Dr. Nidhi. In zevar ki market value…”

“Sir. Please. Aapne jitna kiya hai…”

“That’s not fair Dr. Nidhi. Woh zevar aapke the. Main aap par koi ahsaan nahin kar raha…”

“To phir jo aapne mere Mumbai jaane par jo kharcha kiya tha…”

“Come on Dr. Nidhi. Ek to mujhe pata nahin ki aapko ye baat kisne batayi. Aur agar bata bhi di, to woh maine aapko kuchh bataye bina kiya tha. Jo cheez aapne khud borrow nahin ki, use lautaane ki zimmedaari aapki kaise hui?”

“Main aapse bahas nahin kar sakti, Sir. Aur na hi aapko ya aapke intention ki insult karna chahti hoon. Please aap bhi meri baat samjhein aur mujhe itni mushkil situation mein mat daalein.”

“Mujhe pata hai ki aap bahut khuddar hain. Apni Dadi ki poti hain. Lekin kya apne Nana ki aap koi nahin hain?”

“Mujhe unse koi shikayat nahin hai Dr. Ashutosh. Jab Nani ko aur Mummy ko nahin thi, to mujhe kyon ho? Lekin ye bhi sach hai ki jab woh Nani ke aur Mummy ke nahin hue, to mere kaise ho sakte hain? Unhone unke liye, aur mere liye bas sapne chhode the, unhein poora karne ka sahara nahin. Woh sapne maine poore kar liye hain… I think so… Usse zyada kuchh accept karna mere liye mushkil hai. Unfortunately kismat ne jhatka hi aisa diya ki main ye nahin kah sakti ki maine unka sahara nahin liya. Lekin aur nahin… Aur waaise bhi main ye aapki madad maanti hoon, unki nahin.”

“Kya apne Nana se ye aapki jo ye berukhi hai, woh mere liye bhi hai?”

The question startled Nidhi, “Aap kaisi baatein kar rahe hai Dr. Ashutosh? Aapse mujhe koi shikayat, koi berukhi kyon hogi? Aap… aapne to hamesha mera bhala hi kiya hai, mere liye achchha hi socha hai, meri madad hi ki hai… Achcha. Agar aapko koi shaq hai to main aapse waada karti hoon ki agar sach much zaroorat padi, agar bhagwaan na kare lekin Baba ya Dadi ki tabiyat kharaab hui, to main definitely uske liye aapse ye paise le loongi.”

“Aur apne liye?”

She smiled, “Meri fikr karne ke liye Baba hain na. Itne dinon tak unhone hi to sab kuchh kiya hai. Aage bhi kar lenge.”

Ashutosh was annoyed with himself for the situation he was in with Nidhi. If he had done this in time, if he had taken the jewelry to her right when he had found out about Baba’s intention, she might not have refused it. But at this stage, her self-respect was not letting her do it. Even the small amount he had paid on her behalf to her father’s employers, she probably considered it a debt to be repaid to him. And he could not blame her for behaving the way she was behaving. He himself was to be blamed. Baba would be so disappointed in him.

And with or without Baba! If there was one person he would have wanted to have that jewelry, that money, it was her. She did not deserve all the trouble, all the hardships she had faced and was facing. If only he had that relationship with her, that right over her, with which he could have forced her to accept it, with which he could tell her that everything he owned was hers too… But no! He had no rights. No rights at all…

—

As a part of the feasibility study for Armaan’s project, Ashutosh and Nidhi were driving to her village. They were to do a survey of the health facilities available in the village, common medical problems that people suffered from and what were the local remedies availble. Armaan had recommended going to her village, as with her Dadi’s influence, it will be easier to get the cooperation of the villagers. Armaan had gone to some other villages with other volunteers.

“Ek baat poochhoon, Sir. Aap bura to nahin maanenge.”

“Poochhiye Dr. Nidhi.”

“Aap ye mat samajhiyega ki main aapse koi shikayat kar rahi hoon, ya aapko blame kar rahi hoon. Bas ye sawaal mujhe aksar kuredta hai. Agar Nana aapko kah kar gaye the, aur aapke lawyer ko hamara pata maaloom tha to aapne kabhi humse milne ki koshish kyon nahin ki.”

Ashutosh sighed and spoke after a moment of silence, “Achchha hua jo aapne poochh liya. Main khud bhi batane ke liye, apni safai dene ke liye betaab tha, lekin…”

“Main koi safai nahin maang rahi aapse. Agar aapko aisa lagta hai to rahne dijiye…”

“Nahin. Nahin Dr. Nidhi. Aapke oopar mujhe koi shaq nahin hai. Main achchhi tarah se jaanta hoon ki aap kabhi kissi se koi shikayat nahin rakhti, kissi se naaraaz nahin rahti. Apni kismat se ladti rahti hain, bina shikayat kiye. Aur main aapki ye quality bahut admire karta hoon. Unfortunately, main aisa nahin tha. Kissi ka gunaah saabit ho jaane par bhi aap shikayat nahin karti. Aur maine bina sach jaanne ki koshish kiye hue hi aap logon ko gunahgaar maan liya tha.”

“Kya matlab?”

“Mujhe jab Mr. Kapoor ne bataya ki Baba ki koi aur family thi, to mujhe bahut gussa aaya. Shayad jealousy sahi word hai. Mujhe laga ki jaate-jaate Baba ka pyaar bant gaya tha. Aur phir unhone bataya ki heart attack waale din woh un logon se milne gaye the, to maine bas ye maan liya ki unke kuchh karne ya kahne se hi Baba ki tabiyat kharaab hui hogi. Mujhe nahin pata tha ki…”

“Ki woh humse mil bhi nahin paaye. At least waise nahin, jaise milna chahte the.”

“Yes.”

“Lekin ab aapko nahin lagta ki aapko ateet ki nafratein bhula deni chahiye.”

“Ab maine kaun si nafrat paal rakhi hai? If at all, main bahut guilty hoon…”

“Hamare liye nahin Dr. Ashutosh. Apni zindagi ke liye.”

“Kya matlab?”

“Sab log ek jaise nahin hote. Sab log itne bure bhi nahin hote. Mumbai mein mujhe nahin pata tha, lekin ab mujhe pata hai ki Dr. Asthana se aap itne naaraaz kyon lag rahe the. Lekin us naaraazgi ki wajah se poori zindagi akele rahne ka faisla to sahi nahin hai. Aur log hain jo aapki care karte hain…”

“Achchha. Kaun?” Ashutosh asked amusedly.

“Dr. Mallika, for example. Unhein aapki bahut fikr rahti hai.”

“Come on Dr. Nidhi. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Ismein ridiculous kya hai. Aap dono itne purane friends bhi hain.”

“Aapko Niharika ki baat aur mere adopted hone ki baat Mallika ne batayi thi?”

“Woh jisne bhi batayi ho, main uska naam aapko nahin bata rahi. Aapko kissi ke oopar bhadakne ka mauka nahin dena chahti.”

“Itna bhadakta hoon kya main?”

“Aur kya? Jab pahli baar aapne mere saamne Namrata ko daanta tha, to mere to hosh hi ud gaye the. Mujhe laga ki agar aap aise mujhe daantenge to mujhe to heart attack hi aa jayega.”

Ashutosh laughed out loud, “Yeah. Mujhe yaad hai aapki shakal. Aisa lag raha tha kissi ne poora khoon choos liya ho.”

Ashutosh had changed the subject and Nidhi realized that. But she didn’t have the courage to start the topic again. He, obviously, did not want to talk about it. He had been a saviour for her, but probably did not think of her as someone he could share his problems with. As someone so junior, she could not cross her lines.

—

To be continued

Mish' Fiction

Fan-fiction, Inspired and Original Fiction

Category: Fan Fiction

Partner

Acceptance

Helpless Makeup

The Loss

Discovering Love (Part 15)

Discovering Love (Part 14)

Discovering Love (Part 13)

Discovering Love (Part 12)

Discovering Love (Part 11)

Discovering Love (Part 10)