Category: Hinglish

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 43

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

It was the last class for the first day of her PG programme. Nidhi was feeling tired. Settling in a new city hadn’t been easy for her. She had had no experience of running a household before. Although Kaka had shifted with them, but he also felt unsettled in the new city and didn’t know his way around.

Ashutosh had been there of course, but then it was just the two of them. Not Baba, Chhote Sarkar or Dadi Bua – who almost always seemed to know how to do things at home. God knows why the institute had decided to start the semester on a Friday. If they had started on the Monday, she could have relaxed over the weekend.

Anyway, right now she was just looking forward for the class to get over, so that she could go back home. She was yawning when the instructor walked in and she got the shock of her life. she rubbed her eyes to make sure she was right. Dr. Mallika?? How could it be? What was the name of the instructor for this course, she consulted her notebook. Dr. M. Shergil. Mallika Shergil? Oh God! Everyone always referred to her by her first name in KGH. Nidhi hadn’t thought of her surname till now. And even if she had, how on earth could she have expected her to be here? She was in Mumbai, wasn’t she?

Nidhi had entered the class a little late and thanks to the excitement of the first day amongst the students, she hadn’t gotten a seat in the first few rows. She was thankful for that now. Nidhi could hardly concentrate on the class. The only good thing was that Dr. Mallika didn’t seem to have noticed her.

Nidhi sighed in relief after the class was over and rushed home. True to his reputation, Ashutosh had started his work full-fledged from the very first day and he didn’t come back until 8 in the evening.

He found Nidhi pacing up and down in the hall.

“Nidhi. I thought ki tum aaraam karna chahti thi. Ye evening exercise kyon kar rahi ho?”

“Achchha hua aap aa gaye. Aaj…” she was about to tell him, when she realized that he must be tired. “Aap haat-munh dho lijiye, phir baat karte hain.”

“Koi problem hai kya?”

“Main Kaka se chai laane ko kahti hoon. Aap fresh ho jaiye,” she ignored his question.

Ashutosh sensed her unease, but decided to do what she asked him to.

“Kaisa raha classes ka pahla din,” Ashutosh asked her as they sat down to have tea.

“Theek tha.”

“Kuchh hua hai kya?”

“Dr. Mallika yahan hain.”

“Tumne dekha?”

Nidhi nodded, “You don’t look surprised.”

Ashutosh also nodded in reply, “Maine aaj kissi ko dekha tha hospital mein jo door se Mallika jaisi lag rahi thi. Lekin tab maine socha ki mera waham tha. Lekin ab tumne bhi confirm kar diya. Lekin woh yahan kaise?”

“Hamari Neonatology ki class le rahi hain.”

“You… you mean she is posted here,” Ashutosh was surprised.

“I guess so. Tabhi to class le rahi hain.”

“Usne tumse kuchh kaha?”

“Unhone shayad mujhe notice nahin kiya class mein. Thankfully main thoda peechhe baithi thi.”

Ashutosh looked thoughtful and also a little disturbed. That unsettled Nidhi.

“Ab kya hoga?” she asked fearfully.

“Kuchh nahin hoga Nidhi. Hona kya hai? She must be all right. Tabhi usne yahan join kiya hai. This is all just a coincidence.”

Nidhi nodded. But she still looked unsure and scared.

“Hey. Nidhi,” Ashutosh pressed her hand, “Don’t worry. Agar koi problem hui bhi to, main hoon na? Bharosa hai na mujh par?”

“Of course,” Nidhi smiled and looked visibly relaxed.

—

“May I come in Dr. Mallika?” Ashutosh said warmly standing at Mallika’s office’s open door.

“Ashutosh? Dr. Nidhi?” Mallika looked genuinely surprised, “Aap log yahan?”

“Precisely yahi sawaal to main tumse poochhne aaya tha Mallika. Mujhe to pata chala tha ki tum Mumbai mein ho.”

Mallika smiled sadly, “Yeah. I took a break. Aditya and his family were supportive for a change. Phir zindagi to aage badhani hi thi. Aur ye offer aaya to I thought – why not?”

“Of course, Mallika.”

“Khair. Congratulations to you two. I am guessing that you are married.”

“Yes Mallika,” Ashutosh smiled somberly, “Thanks.”

“And… I know ki main maafi ke layak nahin hoon. Lekin shayad hamari itne saalon ki dosti ki khatir tum mujhe maaf kar doge Ashutosh, jo maine kiya uske liye. Lekin Dr. Nidhi…”

“Mere man mein gile shikve nahin hain Dr. Mallika. Trust me.”

“Thank you Dr. Nidhi. Waise aap log yahan kaise?”

“Nidhi ne PG mein admission liya hai. Aur mujhe bhi yahan offer mil gaya to…”

“PG mein. Is saal? You mean…”

“… main aapki class mein hoon. Aapne shayad notice nahin kiya kal.”

“Oh! I am so sorry. I guess itne saare naye chehre aur maine aapko expect nahin kiya tha…”

“Ismein sorry kahne ki kya baat hai,” Nidhi smiled, “Aap log baatein kijiye. Meri classes ka time ho raha hai. Bye.” Nidhi left them alone.

“Bye Dr. Nidhi. And all the best.”

“Thanks.”

Mallika turned to Ashutosh after Nidhi left, “Baitho na Ashutosh.”

“Yep.”

“Aur batao Ashutosh. Kaise ho tum? Khush lag rahe ho?”

“Haan Mallika. Khush hoon. Aur meri khushi aur bhi badh gayi tumhein yahan dekh kar. Safe and healthy.”

“I am also so happy Ashutosh. Lekin ek dar hai. Kahin mere yahan hone se Nidhi ko to problem nahin hogi. Kahin tumhare rishte par…”

“No. No Mallika. Nidhi bahut mature ladki hai. Uski umra par mat jao. Don’t worry about that.”

Mallika smiled.

“And Mallika…”

“Yes Ashutosh?”

“I really am very happy to see you. Sirf tumhare liye nahin. Khud apne liye bhi. Main aaj bhi tumhari dosti ko bahut importance deta hoon aur aage bhi deta rahoonga.”

“Thank you Ashutosh. You know that it means a lot to me.”

“Chalo phir. Baad mein milte hain. Abhi ward mein jaane ka time ho gaya hai.”

“Yeah.”

—

“Ashutosh. Aapse ek baat poochhon? Dr. Mallika ke baare mein,” Nidhi asked Ashutosh that night when they went to the bed.

“Poochho.”

“Aap mujhe galat mat samajhiyega. Bas curiosity ke liye poochh rahi hoon.”

“Spill it out Nidhi. Tumhein mujhe itne explanations dene ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Yeah. Aap aur Dr. Mallika itne purane friends hain. Aur obviously aap unki dosti ki kadra bhi karte hain. To kabhi aapne unhein apne life partner ki tarah kyon nahin dekha? Kya aapko nahin lagta ki achchhe dost achchhe life partners bhi ban sakte hain?”

“Hmmm,” Ashutosh sighed, “Tumne to kaha tha ki sawaal Mallika ke baare mein hai. Tumne to mere baare mein poochh diya Nidhi.” He laughed slightly.

“Maine aise hi poochha. Agar aap nahin batana chahte hain to koi zabardasti nahin hai,” she smiled not wanting him to feel uncomfortable.

“Nahin Nidhi. Aisa kuchh nahin hai. Baat to ye hai ki maine kabhi is baare mein socha hi nahin. But ab tumne poochha hai to let me think… Mallika meri dost thi kyonki hum log ek doosre ka dard samajhte the. Lekin meri aur Mallika ki dosti do registanon ki dosti thi. Ek registan doosre se paani to nahin maang sakta. Hum ek doosre ki tanhaiyan share karte the, lekin un tanhaiyan door nahin kar paye kabhi. Kabhi ek doosre ko andheron se roshni ki taraf nahin le ja paye. Life partners ki dosti registaan aur badal ki dosti honi chahiye. Sookhe registan ko badal paani de sakta hai. Aur jab badal ke liye paani ka bojh zyada ho jaye to registan use apne mein sokh sakta hai. Life partners ke beech dosti to zaroori hai Nidhi, lekin ye bhi zaroori hai ki woh ek doosre ko complement karein, ek doosre ki strength banein. Mere liye to ye tumhi kar payi Nidhi. Tumhare liye main kar paya ya nahin, ye to…”

“Of course. Kar paye aap. Meri zindagi kitni aimless thi. Abhi to hanste, khelte, shaitaaniyan karte beet jaati. Lekin kuchh saalon baad to mahsoos hota na ki kuchh useful nahin kiya life mein. Aapne mujhe is profession ke liye serious bana kar, sirf mera career hi nahin bachaya. Balki meri life ko meaningful bhi banaya. Now I am sure ki life mein kabhi peechhe mud kar dekhne par mujhe koi afsos nahin hoga. Mujhe bharosa hoga ki maine apni life ka sahi istemaal kiya hai.”

Ashutosh smiled, “Ek baat aur bhi hai Nidhi.”

“Kya?”

“I think life-partners mein ek doosre ke liye respect hona bahut zaroori hai. I mean, aisa nahin hai ki main Mallika ki disrespect karta tha. I mean I always thought she was a very good doctor. But as a person, I never really looked up to her.”

Nidhi sat up on hearing that, “Aapka matlab hai ki you…” Nidhi stopped. Ashutosh knew what had surprised her.

“Yes. Dr. Nidhi. I look up to you,” Ashutosh had also sat up, “Jaanna chati ho kyon?”

Nidhi nodded.

“Kyonki you are a good person Nidhi. Tumhein shayad idea bhi nahin hai ki how rare that is.”

“Aur aapko andaazaa nahin hai ki aapne kitni badi baat kah di hai. Mujhe nahin pata whether or not I am a good person. Lekin agar aapko lagta hai to I will definitely try to be.”

“Just be yourself. Tumhein phir try karne ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

Nidhi felt overwhelmed. She leaned towards him for a hug and he happily obliged.

“Aur mujhe aapko ye batane ki zaroorat to nahin hai ki how much I look up to you? I always have.”

Ashutosh patted her back in the hug to convey his assurance that he knew!

—

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 42

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

“Ab aap to wapas hospital jayenge aur main ghar par bore ho jaungi. Internship khatam hone ke baad hospital mein kaam nahin kar sakte kya?”

“Well… Kar to sakte hain Nidhi. Lekin mera suggestion ye hai ki tum abhi kuchh din aaraam kar lo. Phir PG ki padhai aur ward-duties shuru ho jayengi. Bahut hectic hota hai. Uske baad tumhein koi aaraam nahin milne waala.”

“Ye bhi theek hai. Waise aapne AIIMS mein director se baat kar li hai?”

“Haan Nidhi. Maine baat kar li hai. Main tumhare year ki koi class nahin loonga. No conflict of interest, okay?”

“Thank you,” Nidhi smiled. They had discussed this earlier. Nidhi had been worried about the possibility that Ashutosh may be assigned on of her classes there and that might be awkward. Especially if her class-mates got to know about their relationship.

“Achcha ye batao ki honeymoon par kahan jaana hai?” Ashutsoh’ sabbatical was starting one month before Nidhi’s classes began at AIIMS. They had decided to use first half of that month for the honeymoon and the second half for settling down in Delhi. And they still had two months in hand before their honeymoon began. So, they were planning for it only now.

“Umm… Mussourie.”

“Mussourie?” Ashutosh laughed slightly, “Woh to bagal mein hai Nidhi. Kabhi bhi ja sakte hain. I was thinking ki kahin India ke bahar jaate hain. Europe ya at least Mauritius.”

“Okay. Aap travel agent se baat kar lijiye.” Nidhi said, but Ashutosh sensed that she was not really happy.

“Kya hua? Koi problem hai?”

“Nahin to.”

“Lekin tumhein ye idea pasand nahin hai. Mussourie kyon jaana hai, batao mujhe?”

“Aap hasenge to nahin?”

“Hansne waali baat hogi to hansoonga hi.”

“Phir main nahin bataungi.”

“Are. To hansne mein kya burai hai? Nidhi. Isiliye to tum mujhe itni achchhi lagti ho. Kyonki tumhare saath main hansta hoon. Khush rahta hoon. Ab batao mujhe.”

“Theek hai. Main batati hoon. Lekin main apni aankhein band kar rahi hoon. Agar aapko hansna hoga to yahan se chale jaiyega.”

“Nidhi,” Ashutosh laughed out loud, “Okay. Okay. Aankhein band kar ke batao. Lekin ab jaldi batao. Main sach mein bahut curious ho gaya hoon.”

Nidhi actually closed her eyes before speaking, “Pahla reason to ye hai ki Mummy aur Baba bhi apne honeymoon par wahin gaye the. To uska mujhe fascination hai. Aur doosra…”

“Doosra?”

“Doosra ye ki agar kahin bahar jayenge to ghoomne phirne ki bahut zyada jagahein hongi. To poora time ghoomne mein hi nikla jayenge.”

“To?”

“Main… main thoda samay shanti se… aapke saath bitana chahti hoon,” Nidhi blushed hard.

Ashutosh smiled lovingly. He bent forward and planted kissed on her closed eyes. She opened them, looking anxious. But his smile drove her anxiety away.

“Mussourie it is then. Main travel agent se baat kar leta haoon.”

“Nahin,” she said hastily.

“Kyon?”

“Maine sab… pata kar rakha hai… Main bookings karwa loon?”

Ashutosh was floored. It took him a few moments to reply, “Of course. To tum mujhe kuchh bataogi ya sab surprise hone waala hai?”

“Surprise, of course,” Nidhi’s happiness was oozing out.

—

Ashutosh smiled appreciatively when they got down at the luxurious, secluded holiday cottage.

“It’s beautiful Nidhi,” he complemeted.

“Thank you. Lekin andar to chaliye.”

“Yeah. Chalo.”

The place was spacious with a huge garden, a private swimming pool and lots of greenery apart from the spacious rooms. The staff offered them the welcome drinks and carried their luggage inside. Then they were left alone.

“Nidhi. Taiyaar ho jao. Hamein dinner ke liye jaana hai.”

“Kahan?”

“Jab tak hum yahan hain, dinner mera surprise hai.”

“Wow!” Nidhi was excited.

Ashutosh had planned dinner at different places in the city, offering different cuisines and their own unique experiences. The only common thing was that it was always private, the two love birds left to themselves.

“Aapne itni saari jagahon ke baare mein pata kaise lagaya?” Nidhi asked feeling surprised after coming back from an exquisite Chinese dinner.

“Well. I have to keep up with you. Thodi bahut Internet search mujhe bhi aa gayi hai Nidhi,” he laughed at his joke and Nidhi joined him.

“Lekin ye saari jagahein restaurant nahin thi,” Nidhi’s curiosity was not satiated.

Ashutosh sighed, “Apna trade secret batana padega?”

“Of course.”

“Maine kuchh chefs se baat ki, hired them for an evening and rented a suitable place.”

“And staff to serve?”

“Yes!”

“Aapne ye sab kab kar liya? Aap to poore time hospital bhi ja rahe the.”

“Nidhi,” Ashutosh tunred to face her and held her hands, “Ye jo experience hai na. Hum-tum, ek saath, without a care in the world, without any interruptions, ye ek timeless experience hai. Jab tumne kaha tha ki honeymoon par tum mere saath waqt bitana chahti ho, zyada ghoomne phirne ki jagah, tab mujhe mahsoos hua ki hamare paas ye ek bahut achchha mauka hai. Mauka aise experiences banane ka ki aage zindagi mein agar hamare saamne koi bhi pareshaani aaye, kabhi hamara vishwaas tootne lage to we can look back at this time and know that things can be beautiful for us. We only have to work towards it. Tumne poori koshish ki is samay ko khoobsoorat banane ki. To maine bhi bas thodee si koshish apni taraf se kar li.”

“Wow! Maine to itna nahin socha tha,” Nidhi said innocently.

Ashutosh laughed again and hugged her affectionately.

—

On their first night of honeymoon, Nidhi finally wore the pink silk night dress Anji had gifted her. It was a three-piece night dress with a noodle-strap top, knee-length skirt and a full-length gown over it. Since she had not been able to wear it on their wedding night, she had decided to keep it for the honeymoon.

Ashutosh had gone to the reception to discuss some housekeeping issues. He was surprised to see Nidhi in the night dress when he came back, but he did not let it on. He did not say anything to her and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

Nidhi was anxious for his reaction and felt disappointed when he didn’t say anything.

Ashutosh saw her standing near the window, looking outisde. Her disappointment was written all over her face. He could figure that out even from the profile view he had of her. He smirked. He always found her seduction attempts rather cute.

He walked up to her and surprised her by hugging her from behind. Before she knew it, he had pulled open the belt of her gown and slipped it off her shoulders. Nidhi trembled visibly.

“Ye gown, kamre ke ander pahanne ke liye nahin hai Nidhi,” he said in a way that made her gulp hard. He had very much noticed the dress. But he knew how to manipulate his reactions to catch her off guard.

He planted kisses on her exposed shoulder and neck before turning her around to face him and asking, “Kab khareedi ye dress?”

“Khareedi nahin thi… Anji ne gift ki thi… Shaadi mein…”

“To itne dinon se chhipa kar rakhi thi?”

“Nahin… Woh…” What was she going to explain?

“Aur aisi dresses khareedni padengi.”

“Kyon?” she asked without thinking.

Ashutosh smiled meaningfully and it told her the answer. She lowered her eyes as she felt too shy to meet his.

“Janna chahti ho?”

“Nahin,” she bit her lips.

“Lekin tumne poochha tha to batana to padega hi,” he bent and kissed her on her lips, “Bahut different lagti ho. Bahut zyada khoobsoorat. Very… womanly. And…” he paused for a while, kissed her all over her face before concluding, “very sexy!”

Nidhi hid her face in his chest, as he led her to the bed.

—

“Come on Nidhi. The swimming pool is nice and well maintained. Swimming karte hain,” Ashutosh told Nidhi.

“Aap kijiye. Mujhe swimming nahin aati hai.”

“To chalo. Main sikhata hoon. Swimming is a very good exercise. Aur bahut achchhi skill hai. Sabko aani chahiye.”

“Lekin mere paas costume bhi nahin hai.”

“Mere khayaal se there is a reason ki hamare paas ye private pool hai.”

“Ji?”

“Ji. Come on.” Ashutosh pulled Nidhi towards himself and started undressing her.

“Ye aap kya kar rahe hain? Koi aa jayega.” Nidhi was nervous.

“Tum bhi jaanti ho ki koi nahin aayega.”

“Lekin…”

“Shh… Nidhi. Main hoon na? Ghabrao mat.”

Ashutosh undressed himself too and led a very anxious Nidhi to the pool. She was scared initially as he made her stand at the edge of the pool. Then he started teaching her how to kick with her legs. Soon, she was completely enjoying her lesson, learning things rather quickly. She became so excited that after a while Ashutosh had to admonish her, “Bas Nidhi. Ek din ke liye kaafi hai. Thak jaogi.”

“Main nahin thaki abhi. Kitna mazaa aa raha hai,” she resisted.

“Abhi pata nahin chal raha hai tumhein. Baad mein poore shareer mein dard hoga. Swimming bahut tiring hoti hai.”

“Nahin hoga,” she was persistent.

—

Nidhi regretted later not listening to Ashutosh.

“Main yahan se hil bhi nahin sakti Ashutosh,” she cribbed lying on the bed.

“Baat to maanti nahin ho. Abh bhugto.”

“Mujhe swimming sikhane ka idea aapka tha.”

“Lekin pahle hi din professionals ki tarah ghanto swimming karne ka idea mera nahin tha.”

“Whatever!”

“Achchha. Suno.”

“Aur lecture nahin, please.”

“Lecture nahin de raha Nidhi. Tumne parson ke liye hamara massage book karwa rakha hai na?”

“Haan.”

“Main unse poochhta hoon, agar hum use aaj ke liye prepone kar sakte hain.”

“Thank you,” Nidhi said with a childish pout.

But Ashutosh came back after a few minutes and announced that their massage slots were all booked for the day, and there was no way they could accommodate her.

“So, Dr. Nidhi. You will have to do with an amateur’s massage today.”

“Matlab?”

“Matlab here is the magical oil these guys use in their spa for massage. And here,” he pointed towards himself, “is your pediatrician turned physiotherapist cum masseur.”

Nidhi was embarrassed, “Aap? Nahin, nahin. Iski zaroorat nahin hai. Main thodee der aaraam karoongi to theek ho jaungi.”

“Sorry Nidhi. But I can’t wait,” Ashutosh said meaningfully, “I need my wife to be up and about, healthy and ready for me.”

“Aap bahut shararati ho gaye hain.”

“Koi problem hai?” Ashutosh asked, as he undressed her for the massage.

“Nahin,” she said with a blushing smile.

Ashutosh massaged expertly and Nidhi drifted off to sleep under its effect. When she woke up late in the evening, she was feeling well enough to go for their daily surprise dinner ritual.

—

It was raining when they came back from their dinner on the last night of their honeymoon. Nidhi was wearing a white chiffon saree Ashutosh had bought for her when they had gone for shopping to buy gifts for everyone back home.

Nidhi was about to go to change, when she noticed Ashutosh looking out of the window.

“Kya dekh rahe hain?”

“Bas achaanak Baba ki yaad aa gayi. Bachpan mein mujhe baarish mein bheegne ka bahut shauk tha. Aur mujhe sardi bahut jaldi lag jaati thi. To Baba bahut gussa karte the. Lekin mujhe unhein chidhane mein bhi bada mazaa aata tha. In fact bade hone ke baad bhi, jab tak Baba the to main kai baar bas unhein chidhane ke liye barrish mein bheegne lagta tha. Badaa mazaa aata tha.”

“To chaliye abhi bheegte hain.”

“Abhi? Are nahin Nidhi.”

“Mazaa aayega. Chaliye na? Aur ab aapko sardi ki chinta karne ki bhi zaroorat nahin hai. You have a doctor for a wife!”

“Nidhi. Suno to…”

But she wasn’t to be stopped now that she had the idea planted in her mischievous head. She dragged him out on to the terrace. He saw her closing her eyes and extending her hands to play with the drops. He smiled and did the same himself. He enjoyed it, just like he used to, when Baba was alive. When he opened his eyes, he saw Nidhi looking at him with a loving smile. Both of them were drenched. Nidhi’s saree clung to her body revealing more than hiding. The wet hair on her foreheard seemed to scream out to Ashutosh to touch them and move them away from her lovely face. He moved towards her almost in a trance, slipped her hands around her waist and pulled her close for a kiss. The water, her lips, the night – everything was intoxicating. He didn’t care for her weak protest as she reminded him that they were out on the terrace.

The next day as they left Mussourie, both of them were sneezing continuously and they kept laughing recalling their last night’s adventure.

—

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 41

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

It was four in the morning, when Ashutosh and Nidhi were woken up by Ashutosh’ mobile ringing.

“Kaun hai is samay?” Nidhi was alarmed.

Ashutosh looked at the number, “Hospital se?”

“Hello… Yes… What happened… Oh… Dr. Sinha ne… Unreachable hain… Okay… Main abhi aata hoon… Tab tak agar pain zyada hai to injection de dijiye pain killer ka…”

“Kya hua?”

“Nidhi. Mujhe abhi hospital jaana padega. Ek patient ka case Dr. Sinha ko hand over kar ke aaya tha, lekin usmein kuchh complications ho gayi hain aur woh unreachable hain.”

“Main bhi chalti hoon aapke saath.”

“Tum? Theek hai. Chalo. Jaldi.”

—

Ashutosh was extremely anxious as he drove the car. Once they barely managed to avoid a minor accident.

“Car rokiya, main chalati hoon,” Nidhi offered. Ashutosh did not resist and gave her the driver’s seat.

They rushed to the ward on reaching the hospital and Ashutosh looked at the patient’s chart.

“Sister. Jin medicines par maine ise rakha tha woh band kyon kar di gayi?”

“Ji Dr. Sinha ne kaha tha ki uski zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Aisi misdiagnosis…” Ashutosh picked up an injection from the table to administer it to the patient. Nidhi hastily stopped him.

“Rukiye. Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Kya hai Nidhi?” he was irritated.

“Aap galat injection de rahe hain. Naam to dekhiye…”

Ashutosh was stunned and felt embarrassed. Nidhi scribbled the name of the correct injection on a paper and got Ashutosh to sign it.

“Sister. Aap please ye store se le kar aaiye,” she handed over the paper to the nurse. She turned to Ashutosh after the nurse had left, “Main injection de doongi. Aap apne office mein jaiye. Aur kuchh karna hai?”

“Haan… Woh.. half an hour mein…”

“BP normal nahin hua to ek aur injection dena hoga.”

“Yes,” Ashutosh said blankly. He was not at all like himself.

“Theek hai. Aap jaiye. Main half an hour mein aapko report karti hoon.”

Ashutosh did not say anything and walked to his office. Nidhi looked thoughtful behind him. Why was Ashutosh being so nervous and so unlike himself?

—

“Stable hai. Doosre injection ki zaroorat nahin padi,” Nidhi walked into his office and informed him.

“Good,” Ashutosh said, the usual punch in his voice still missing.

“Kya baat hai? Aap itne… itne…” Nidhi searched for the right word for a second, “anxious kyon hain? Aise nervous?”

“Bas… patient ki halat dekh kar ghabra gaya tha.”

“You want me to believe that?” Nidhi smiled, “Maine aapko itni badi badi crisis handle karte dekha hai without blinking an eye. Ye to… Ye to main bhi handle kar sakti thi.”

Ashutosh sighed.

“Kya baat hai?”

“Nidhi. Tum ghar jao. Sab log uth jayenge to ghabrayenge. Main ek-do ghante mein aata hoon patient ko observe karne ke baad.”

“Lekin…”

“I am fine Nidhi. Jao tum.”

Nidhi wasn’t sure about leaving him, but he was right about everyone at home getting worried.

“Theek hai. I’ll wait for you.”

Ashutosh smiled. But it was sad smile, Nidhi thought.

—

Baba had just gotten up when Nidhi reached home. He was surprised to see her coming from outside.

“Nidhi. Beta subah subah kahan gayi thi? Ashutosh kahan hai?”

“Baba. Hospital mein kuchh emergency ho gayi thi. Isliye hamein jaana pada. Dr. Ashutosh abhi wahin hain. Nashte ke time tak aa jayenge.”

“Ye kya baat hui?” Nidhi hadn’t noticed Dadi Bua hearing their conversation, “Shaadi ke time par bhi chain nahin de sakte ye aspataal waale? Aur doctors nahin hain kya? Rasmein tak poori nahin karne di aur murdaghar mein chale gaye? Shagun-apshagun ka koi khayaal hai ki nahin?”

“Dadi Bua,” Nidhi got irritated, “Hamari shaadi ke liye kissi ki jaan chali jati to ye bahut bada shagun hota kya? Thank God ki patient safe hai. Baba. Main thaki hui hoon. Thodee der aur aaraam karoongi.”

“Of course. Tum jao kamre mein,” Baba sent her off and braced himself for his Bua’s tantrums.

—

Ashutosh came back in time as he had promised. After that Dadi Bua had a slew of rituals lined up for them and they did not get any time to talk alone. Ashutosh was looking happy enough to everyone and no one doubted that something was disturbing him. But Nidhi noticed that he had to try hard to look that way. He was still bothered.

“Patient theek hai na?” Nidhi managed to ask him in the afternoon.

“Haan. Woh theek hai.” Ashutosh assured her. He felt her penetrating eyes on him, but ignored its questions.

—

Nidhi had to endure some teasing from Anji about the wedding night, before she could retire for the night. She came in and saw Ashutosh lying on the bed, his eyes were closed. She walked around without making any sound. After changing, she climbed on the bed beside him. She lightly caressed his forehead. Ashutosh opened his eyes. He wasn’t asleep.

“Thak gaye hain na aap?” she asked softly.

Ashutosh smiled and sat up, “Ab thakaan chali gayi.”

Nidhi smiled, “Romantic baatein bhi aap theek-thaak hi kar lete hain Dr. Ashutosh!”

Ashutosh raised his eyebrows and Nidhi realized her folly, “I mean… Ashutosh.” She blushed hard as she said that. Ashutosh put his arms around her as they sat on the bed with their back resting against the headboard.

“Nidhi. Is bhaag-daud mein tumhein batane ka mauka nahin mila. Maine shaadi se ek din pahle Mallika se baat karne ki koshish ki thi.”

“Kaisi hain woh?”

“Usse to baat nahin hui. Uske number nahin hai mere paas. Maine Sandeep ko phone kiya tha.”

“Kya kaha unhone?”

“Mallika stable thi, after few months of treatment. Lekin ab woh Delhi mein nahin hai. She and Sandeep have separated. Woh Mumbai chali gayi hai.”

“I am sorry to hear that. Lekin ye to hona hi tha. I guess Dr. Mallika ne us rishte ko kabhi apnaya hi nahin tha. So, it was not fair on Mr. Bagchi.”

“Yeah. You are right,” Ashutosh sighed.

“Maine bhi Rohan se baat ki thi.”

“Aur?”

“Baba ne use invite kiya tha to usne bola tha ki woh Lucknow mein nahin rahega shaadi ke samay. But I knew ki woh bahana bana raha tha. Maine phone kiya use. Usne aane se mana kar diya.”

“Aur kuchh kaha?”

“Kuchh naya nahin. Use ab bhi yakeen nahin hai ki maine sahi faisla liya hai. Usne kaha ki woh isi wajah se nahin aana chahta.”

Ashutosh gave half a smile.

“Kya baat hai?” Nidhi asked feeling concerned, “Aap phir se in baaton se…”

“Nahin Nidhi. Kissi aur ki baaton se nahin. Main… Main khud bahut dar gaya tha aaj.”

“Achchha hua apane khud hi baat shuru ki. Bataiye – kya hua tha subah? Itne pareshaan kyon the aap?”

“Nidhi. Shayad ye baat tumse karni nahin chahiye. Lekin tumhare alaawa kissi aur se main kar bhi nahin paunga.”

“Agar aap meri permission maang rahe hain to aap mujhse koi bhi baat kar sakte hain. Main aapki baaton ka kabhi bura nahin maanoongi. Zyada se zyada gussa ho sakti hoon thodi der ke liye. Lekin usmein to aap mujhe mana lenge.”

“Yeah. I know,” Ashutosh smiled.

“To bataiye.”

“Nidhi. Kitne saalon se maine apne aap ko apne kaam mein poori tarah duba liya tha. Meri koi personal life nahin thi, koi personal commitment nahin thi.”

Nidhi seemed to make out where this was going and she grew thoughtful. Ashutosh continued, “Hamari shaadi ke liye, itne saalon mein pahli baar main apne kaam se, personal cheezon ke liye, itne din door raha hoon. To jab subah mujhe pata chala ki meri absence mein ek patient critical ho gaya hai to main bahut dar gaya. Mujhe laga ki kahin ye kismat ka ishaara to nahin hai ki main dono cheezein sambhaal nahin paunga. Tumhare saath meri nayi zindagi aur apne kaam ke liye meri committment. Mujhe laga ki maine ek aisi zimmedaari utha li hai jise maine pahle kabhi jaana nahin, samjha nahin. Baba ne mujhe paala-posa, lekin unhone bhi to apne parivaar ki zimmedaariyon se munh mod liya tha. To kya main ye sab sahi kar paunga?”

Nidhi felt scared to the core. Her eyes moistened. He was scared of their day old marriage? She held his hands and said in a trembling voice, “Nahin. Aapko meri wajah se pareshaan hone ki zaroorat nahin hai. Main waada karti hoon ki aapke aur aapke kaam ke beech mein kabhi nahin aaungi.”

Ashutosh smiled fondly, “Mujhe pata hai Nidhi. Mujhe tumhari wajah se pareshaan hone ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Ye dar mujhe subah pareshaan kar raha tha. Kuchh had tak din mein bhi. Lekin abhi jab main thodi der is kamre mein akela baitha tha, aur tumhare na hote hue bhi tumhein apne chaaro or mahsoon kar raha tha, tab mujhe sab cheezein saaf saaf dikhayi dene lagi Nidhi. Jab subah-subah phone aaya to tumne mujhe roka nahin, balki mere saath chal padi. Jab mere haath kaampe, tab tumne mera haath thaam liya. Jab mera dimaag kaam nahin kar raha tha, tab tumne mujhe us patient ko galat injection dene se bacha liya. So, now I know Nidhi ki tumhare aane se meri life koi conflict nahin aayi hai. Balki ek bahut majboot sahara aaya hai.”

The tears that had moistened her eyes in fear, now started running out of them because she was overwhelmed. She leaned on him and soaked his t-shirt in her tears.

“Bas… Bas Nidhi. Ro kyon rahi ho? Bura lag gaya meri baat ka?” he caressed her hair.

“Nahin. Lekin aap pagal hain Dr. Ashutosh… I mean Ashutosh” she said through her tears without breaking her half hug.

Ashutosh laughed slightly, “Haan. Tumhare saath rah kar ho gaya hoon. Waise maine tumhein apna naam Dr. Ashutosh se chhota kar ke Ashutosh karne ko kaha tha. Tumne use aur bhi bada kar diya hai – Dr. Ashutosh. I mean Ashutosh.”

They laughed slightly. He shifted on the bed to lie down, still keeping his arms around her and pulled up the bed-cover over them. Exhausted, emotionally and physically, they drifted off to sleep in the same position. If the last night was about passion and desire, this was a night of comfort, love and companionship. It completed their relationship.

—

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 40

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

At Ashutosh’ wish, the wedding had taken place in the house they intended to make their own after the wedding. Her Nana’s house. Family members were also put up there.

Nidhi read and re-read the note Ashutosh had sent to her in the afternoon as she waited for him in the bedroom on their wedding night.

“Nidhi,

Maine suna hai ki bahut strong ladkiyan bhi shaadi ke waqt ghabra jati hain. Main bas ye batana chahta hoon, ki aaj tumhein apni dulhan bana kar, apne nahin, hamare ghar mein la raha hoon. Isliye ghabrane ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Sirf tum nahin, aaj hum dono mil kar ek naya safar shuru karne waale hain. Aur main chahta hoon, aur meri poori koshish rahegi ki tum is safar ko enjoy karo.

Tumhara

Ashutosh”

She smiled, folded the note and kept it on the table. She looked around at the decorations wedding planners had insisted on putting up. She wondered if they were needed. He had once told her that those parapharnellia were not needed for her to seduce him. She herself was enough. She blushed as she remembered. ‘Make no mistakes Nidhi. Jis din apne man ki karne par aaunga, tumhein bahut sataunga….’

She took a deep breath and tried to calm down her excited nerves. He was taking forever. She would die in anticipation. She went to the window and stood there. The cool breeze was helpful.

She turned around on hearing the sound of the door opening. There he was! She forgot to breathe for a moment. Though he had been in the sherwani the entire evening, and she had herself selected it for him, she was stunned by how handsome he looked in it. He had washed his face and the freshness there added to his charm.

He smiled at her and moved closer. He held her hands and started saying, “Nidhi tum…”

“Ab agar aapne ek baar bhi mujhse ye poochha na ki main comfortable hoon ya nahin, to main yahan se bhaag jaungi.”

Ashutosh was so taken aback that he just stared at her.

“Main bilkul bhi comfortable nahin hoon. Bahut ghabrayi hui hoon main,” she continued, “Lekin I am sure sabhi hote hain. Aap bhi honge.”

Ashutosh burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that he could not speak for a while.

Finally, still between the fits of laughter, he managed to say, “You are right Nidhi. Nobody is comfortable. Aur waise bhi ye itne bhari-bharkam kapdon mein koi kaise comfortable ho sakta hai?”

The expression on her face, made him realize that he had unintentionally said something with a double meaning. He smiled.

“Let’s help you take off the jewelry,” Ashutosh said, his voice becoming husky, “We need you to be comfortable.”

He took his time in taking off her heavy jewelry. Nidhi stood there with bated breath and let him do it. Her heart was pounding. After he was done, he kissed her on her forehead.

“Change kar lo Nidhi. Comfortable rahega,” he said naughtily.

Nidhi smiled shyly and nodded. She opened her suitcase and sighed. She had forgotten the silk night-dress Anji had secretly gifted her. Probably it was in some other suitcase. This one only had her usual cotton pajamas and t-shirts.

“Kya hua Nidhi?”

“Nahin. Kuchh nahin.” She reluctantly took out a pajama and a t-shirt and went to the bathroom.

Ashutosh had also changed into comfortable pajamas and a cotton shirt, by the time she came out after changing and washing her face. He was sitting on the bed with his legs stretched out and back supported by the headboard. He indicated to Nidhi to sit beside him.

Nidhi gingerly climbed on the bed and sat there. Ashutosh also sat up and looked at her smiling. Nidhi looked down and waited for him to say something. But when he didn’t, she had to speak, “Aise kya dekh rahe hain?”

“Yahi ki Noodles ke bina tumhara chehra kaise utra hua sa hai?”

“Ji?”

“Ji.”

“Maine Noodles khana chhod diya hai.”

“Kab se?”

“New year waale din se.”

“Oh!” Ashutosh felt guilty. The imaginations of his insecure mind had forced her to give up on the simple pleasures.

“Chalo. To phir se khana shuru kar dete hain.”

“Ji?”

“Ji. Mujhe bhi bhookh lagi hai.”

“Aap mere saath noodles khayenge?”

“Roz khane ka waada to nahin kar sakta. Lekin aaj in rituals ke beech mujhse dinner theek se nahin khaya gaya. To aaj to khaunga noodles.”

“Abhi hum noodles kaise banayenge?”

“I thought tumhein aata hai banana.”

“Haan. Lekin abhi hum kitchen mein jayenge?”

“Kyon nahin? Hamara ghar hai. Hum jahan chahe ja sakte hain.”

“Haan. Lekin sab log hain abhi yahan par. Koi dekh lega to?”

“Koi nahin dekhega. Sab thak kar so chuke hain. Chalo ab.”

Nidhi was amused to see Ashutosh taking out two packets of noodles from the cupboard. He had actually planned this! He, then, dragged Nidhi to the kitchen. Everyone did look asleep. Nidhi started boiling the water.

“Nidhi Bibiji. Dr. Ashutosh? Aap log yahan kya kar rahe hain? Kuchh chahiye tha to hamein bata diya hota,” Chhote Sarkar startled Nidhi and she went red in face. She looked at Ashutosh, but before either of them could say anything, Chhote Sarkar noticed the noddles.

“Aap phir se noodles banae lag gayin? Laiye hum bana dete hain.”

“Na… Nahin Chhote Sarkar. Aap to jaante hain ki main hamesha khud banati hoon.”

“Theek hai. Jaisa aap kahein,” he made to leave.

“Chhote Sarkar,” Nidhi called him and said sheepishly, “Kissi ko bataiyega nahin.”

He grinned, “Ye bhi koi kahne waali baat hai. Itne saalon tak nahin bataya to ab kyon batayenge.”

“Thank you!”

“Kamre mein le chalein?” Nidhi asked Ashutosh after the noodles were ready.

“Haan. Chalo.”

—

“Waise aapko pata hai. Kal koi khana banane ki rasm hone waali hai. Agar Dadi Bua ko pata chala ki maine aise raat mein ghus kar already kuchh bana liya hai aur woh bhi noodles, aur aapko khila bhi diya to woh to scandalize ho kar suicide kar lengi.”

Ashutosh laughed, “Waise mujhe ye personal rasm zyada pasand aayi.”

“Aapko kuchh banana aata hai Dr. Ashutosh?”

“Excuse me? Aap mujhse kuchh kah rahi hain?”

“Ji?”

“Mujhe to aisa laga ki aapne apne boss se, senior se kuchh kaha.”

“Aapka joke zyada complicated ho gaya. Mujhe samajh mein nahin aa raha.”

Ashutosh kept his noodle bowl aside and also took Nidhi’s away from her, “Dr. Nidhi. Main abhi ek bahut hi personal kaam mein busy hoon. To main apne subordinates se baat karne ke mood mein bilkul nahin hoon.” He made her stand up and led her to the bed, “Main nayi nayi wife apna ek purana waada poora nahin kar rahi hai. To mujhe usse nibatna hai.”

Nidhi blushed. She realized what he was referring to. She felt Ashutosh holding her waist and his hands slipping under her t-shirt. He started caressing her back. He started gently, but it soon became rough, urgent and demanding. Nidhi grabbed his collar to support herself, closed her eyes and let herself drown in the sensations his touch was evoking. She had felt attracted to him for so long. If he had not drawn a boundary for their physical relationship till now, she would never have been the one to do it. And finally when he was so close, what she was feeling was beyond any dreams she has had. She would have no recollection later of when he made her lie on the bed and undressed both of them. He kissed, caressed and explored her entire body. Soon she was writhing under him on the bed.

“Please,” she hissed. The urgency and desperation in her voice was not lost on Ashutosh.

“Tum jaanti ho ki main kis baat ka intezaar kar raha hoon,” he told her in no uncertain terms, while continuing to inflict the sweet torture on her and on himself.

She bit her lip and finally got herself to say it, “Please Ashutosh!!”

That was it! He had heard her calling his name once earlier and had almost lost his control. Today, there was no need to control. Both their needs were too urgent.

It took him a while to catch his breath. Then he propped up on his hand and looked at Nidhi. She was also panting. Her eyes were closed and there was a slight smile on her lips. He bent down and kissed her on her forehead. She opened her eyes, then suddenly felt very shy and hid her face in his shoulder. Ashutosh found this childlike shyness, extremely endearing. He put his arms around her and lied back on the bed.

He spoke after a while, “Nidhi?”

“Hmm?”

“Kya soch rahi ho?”

“Aap khush hain na?”

Ashutosh pushed her back a little so that he could look into her eyes.

“Main bahut khush hoon Nidhi. And you know it. Still… I love you.”

Oh! The three magical words. Nidhi physically felt the effect on her body as he uttered those words. In reaction she hugged him tight.

—

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 39

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

“To batao. Kya gift chahiye tumhein?” Ashutosh asked Nidhi. They were at his house spending the evening together.

“Aap gift kyon denge mujhe?”

“Are. Tumne itna achchha perform kiya exam mein. Your deserve it.”

Nidhi laughed, “Achchha. Lekin mujhe to kuchh nahin chahiye.”

“Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? Har kissi ko hamesha kuchh na kuchh to chahiye hi hota hai.”

“Haan. Lekin woh hamesha gift to nahin kiya ja sakta na.”

“Nidhi!” Ashutosh saw her getting sad.

“Kuchh nahin,” she tried to smile.

“Come on. Mujhe nahin bataogi.”

“Mujhe doctor banane ka sapna Mummy ka tha. Ab ban gayi. Internship bhi poori ho gayi. PG bhi shayad ho hi jayegi. Abhi agar Mummy hoti to…”

“Yeah…” Ashutosh understood her pain, “Unhein to main gift mein nahin la sakta.” Ashutosh smiled sadly.

“Aur usse closest jo aap la sakte the, woh to aapne mere liye bina bole hi la diya.”

“Kya?”

“Unke gahne.”

“Haan… Uske baare mein bhi baat karni thi tumse.”

“Kya?”

“Nidhi woh gahne to hain hi. Maine isliye sambhaal ke rakhe the ki… obviously they are emotionally very precious for you. Lekin tumhein shaadi par woh pahanne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Tumhare liye hum naye banwa lenge.”

“Lekin kyon?”

“Tumne hi kaha tha… ki purane style ke hain. To…”

“Maine kab…. Oh!” she recalled that she had said so when she had decided to sell them, “Aapko yaad hai?”

Ashutosh just smiled and did not say anything.

“Woh to maine aise hi kaha tha taki aapko bura na lage ki main woh gahne bech rahi hoon. Main shaadi mein wahi gahne pahnoongi. Naye banwane ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Lekin main chahta hoon tum naye banwao. Shaadi mein na pahanne hon, to reception mein naye pahan lena.”

“Aap maanenge nahin?”

“Bilkul nahin,” he said softly. He took up his wallet lying on the table and continued talking, “Nidhi. Main saari shopping mein to tumhare saath nahin aa paunga…”

“Pata hai. Meri internship khatam hua hai aapki job nahin. Lekin aap chinta mat kijiye. Anji hai na. Use kuchh kaam-waam nahin hota hai apni job par. Bas aise hi style maarti rahti hai. Woh karwayegi na shopping.”

“Yes. To isliye, ye credit card rakh lo. Maine ek add-on card tumhare naam se banwa liya hai…”

“Kyon?”

“Kyonki number one – main nahin chahta ki shaadi ki wajah se Baba par koi financial bojh aaye. Aur number two – main jaanta hoon ki tumhein bhi iski chinta hai. Lekin main nahin chahta ki uski wajah se tumhari khushiyon mein koi kami rah jaye.”

Nidhi was overwhelmed, “Aap… aap kitna sochte hain!”

Ashutosh cupped her face, “Tumhare liye nahin sochoonga to kiske liye sochoonga?”

“Main aapse apna gift maangoon?”

“Of course!”

“Aap kabhi mujhse door mat jaiyega. Kuchh bhi ho jaye. Please.”

“Kabhi bhi nahin,” he pulled her in an embrace, “Aur tumhara gift coupon isse expire nahin hua. Ye gift mein maangne ki zaroorat nahin hai tumhein.” Both of them laughed slightly at the joke.

—

“Dr. Ashutosh. Aur cheezon se matlab nahin hai mujhe, lekin jewelry khareedne aapko mere saath aana hi padega,” Nidhi had to go to buy jewelry and she had just informed Ashutosh that he was to come with her.

“Main aane se mana nahin kar raha Nidhi. Lekin main tumhari help nahin kar paunga.”

“Kyon? Pearls khareedne mein to ki thi.”

“Woh aasaan tha Nidhi. Yahan agar main kuchh pasand karoonga to shayad thode purane style ke honge. Tumhein confusion hi hoga. Achchha suno. Main chalta hoon. Lekin Anji ko bhi saath le lo.”

“Ji Nahin. Jewelry to aapki pasand ki hi khareedi jayegi.”

“Kyon bhai? Baaki to tumne mere kapde bhi mujhe nahin select karne diye,” Asutosh was perplexed.

“Kyonki…” Nidhi started speaking but stopped.

“Kyonki?”

“Kyonki ye jewelry main sirf aapke kahne par, aapke liye khareed rahi hoon. To aapko ye kaise lagte hain mere oopar, sirf yahi matter karta hai.”

Ashutosh could not fight off that innocent, loving pursuation. He agreed to go with her. But she was surprised when he asked her to drive. He never did that normally. But she complied. She saw him fiddling with his phone on the way to the jewelers.

“Kya kar rahe hain aap phone par?”

“Nidhi. Kuchh important e-mails bhejne the, administrative kaamon ke liye. To wahi bhej raha hoon. Isliye tumhein drive karne ko kaha hai.”

But Nidhi sensed that he was lying. She surprised him by suddenly pulling over and snatching the phone from his hands. He was searching the Internet for the latest jewelry design.

He grinned like an idiot as she checked his browsing history.

She gave him a you-are-a-fool look.

“Aap bhi na. Iski zaroorat nahin hai. Chaliye aur jo pasand aaye woh dila dijiye.”

“Tum mujhe meri skills bhi improvise nahin karne dena chahti?”

“Bilkul nahin. Ye aapke liye surprise quiz hai.”

Nidhi had expected Ashutosh to be uncomfortable during jewelry shopping. But he surprised her by not only taking genuine interest there, but also by talking intelligently about the different choices.

“Nidhi. Main soch raha tha ki yellow gold ke bajay hum white gold le sakte hain. I think it is more elegant aur tumhari reception waali dress ke saath bhi jayega.”

“Ismein hum stones ki jagah diamonds lagwa lenge.”

“We should buy it, but not for the reception. Uske liye bahut light hai.”

Finally when they had selected the designs and ordered it with their alterations, Nidhi couldn’t help asking him, “Aapne ye itna saara research abhi apne phone par kiya?”

“Nahin Nidhi,” Ashutosh admitted with some embarrassment, “Main tumhare liye kuchh khareedna chahta tha. To dekha tha pahle bhi. Tum khud hi mujhe saath le aayin to achchha tha. Lekin tumne mujhe designs pasand karne ko kaha to main sure nahin tha.”

Nidhi smiled almost in disbelief. The look of contentment and happiness on her face told Ashutosh that the effort was worth it.

“Bahut achchhe designs select kiye hain aapne.”

—

They were stopped at the gate of her home by the conversation between Dadi Bua and Baba.

“Dekh Yograj. Abhi bhi samay hai. Soch le. Nidhi ke saamne main kuchh nahin bolti. Woh to abhi bachchi hai. Lekin tum to samjho. Ashutosh usse bahut bada hai.”

Ashutosh and Nidhi both fidgeted and did not look at each other.

“Bua. Hum pahle bhi is baare mein baat kar chuke hain. Woh dono ek doosre ke saath khush hain, ek doosre se pyaar karte hain. Isse aage kissi cheez se koi farq nahin padta.”

“Dekh Yograj. Ye pyaar-wyaar na filmon mein hi achchha lagta hai. Zindagi ke faisle soch samajh ke liye jaate hain.”

“Achchha! Agar umra mein farq hai hi Bua to usse kaun si aafat aa jayegi?”

“Yograj. Main munh khol kar kahna nahin chahti thi. Lekin tu samajhne ko taiyaar nahin hai to kahna padega. Umra bhar ka saath chahiye hota hai auraton ko. Hamare zamaane mein kar dete the shaadi buddhon se ladkiyon ki. Aur phir poori zindagi vidhwa ban kar bitati thi. Bhagwaan na kare…”

Nidhi shuddered. She looked at Ashutosh, but he did not look back at her. He was obviously uncomfortable and Nidhi was embarrassed about Dadi Bua’s behaviour.

“Bua. zindagi mein kissi ka saath milna umra par depend karta hota to itne saalon se main akela nahin hota, Nandini mujhe itni jaldi chhod kar nahin jaati. Lekin Bua, agar mujhe aaj bhi apni zindagi dubara jeene ka mauka mile, tab bhi main Nandini ke alaawa kissi aur se shaadi nahin karoonga. Kyonki kissi ke saath kitna samay guzaara, usse zyada zaroori ye hota hai ki uske saath kaisa samay guzaara. Main chahta hoon ki meri beti khush rahe. Aur uski khushi Ashutosh ke saath hai. Baaki kismat mein jo hoga, use main badal nahin sakta,” Baba got up and walked away.

Nidhi smiled and slipped her hands in Ashutosh’. He took it and pressed it slightly. They didn’t need to talk further.

—

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 38

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

Nidhi was not on duty that day. So, Ashutosh had not seen her all day. The study discipline imposed by no one other himself meant that they hardly spent any time together these days. Even when he visited her, he tried to keep the concentration on her studies and exam preparation.

He was now missing her badly. He wondered if he should give her a call and relax the discipline a bit for the day. Probably go out for a dinner. Just then his mobile rang. Who else could it be?

“Hi Nidhi. Main abhi tumhare baare mein hi soch raha tha.”

“Achchha! Thank God. Mujhe to laga tha ki aaj kal aapne PG medical entrance ki coaching chala rakhi ahi, jismein main ek student hoon aur exam aur result ke beyond aap mere baare mein sochte hi nahin.”

“Come on Nidhi.”

“Dekhiye. Aaj meri duty nahin thi. Maine din bhar padhai ki hai. Plan ke hisaab se revision poora kar liya hai. Aaj aap mujhe dinner par le jayenge. Bas.”

“Kahan jaana hai aapko?”

“Shaam-e-Awadh. Kitne din ho gaye kissi achchi jagah par gaye hue.”

Ashutosh was about to give in, but checked himself. He didn’t trust himself. If he gave in today, he might himself crave more and more for her company in the days to come. The entire discipline regime had anyway more been for himself than for her. He was afraid that if he let himself go, he would take up so much of her time that her studies will be affected.

“Ghar sabse achchhi jagah hoti hai Dr. Nidhi Verma. Aur ghar ka khana best hota hai. So, stay at home.”

“Dr. Ashutosh! Aap bahut bure hain.”

“Bahut der se realize hua tumhein. Bye Nidhi,” he said and disconnected the call. Then an idea struck him. He called up Chhote Sarkar, asked him not to cook the dinner and drove to Shaam-e-Awadh.

—

“Chhote Sarkar. Ghar par koi hai nahin kya? Baba kahan hain?” Ashutosh asked Chhote Sarkar when he opened the door for him.

“Woh to evening walk par gaye hain. Aur Dadi Bua mandir.”

“Nidhi kahan hai?”

“Nidhi Bibiji apne kamre mein hain. Lekin saawdhaan! Bahut kharaab mood mein hain. Hum abhi coffee dene gaye the, lekin unhone daant kar hamein wapas bhej diya. Ab hamein kya pata ki unhein coffee nahin peeni hai. Roz peeti hain is samay.”

Ashutosh smiled, “Ye coffee mujhe dijiye aur ye khana kitchen mein rakhiye. Aaj sab log yahi khayenge. Bas woh “hara bhara kabab” – uska ek packet khol kar Nidhi ke kamre mein le aaiye.”

—

“Nidhi,” Ashutosh entered her room with the cofffee.

“Aap?” Nidhi was at first excited to see him, but quickly remembered that she was also mad at him, “Aap kya kar rahe hain yahan? Mujhe aapse koi baat nahin karni hai.”

“Are to uske liye coffee kyon nahin peeni? Dekho Chhote Sarkar ne kitne pyaar se banayi hai.”

“Aap jaiye yahan se.”

Ashutosh just sat beside her on the bed and smiled. Nidhi sat stiff for a while, but Ashutosh sitting there, all smiles, was distracting her.

“Kyon muskura rahe hain aap?”

“Ye gusse mein jo tumhari naak fadakti hai ba, bahut cute lagti hai.”

“Aur gusse mein mere haath mein jo bhi cheez aati hai na, use utha kar main saamne waale par phenk bhi deti hoon.”

“Dekhoon to zara, tumhare gaal laal ho rahe hain ya nahin? Gussa sach ka hai ya natak kar rahi ho?”

“Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi gave up and said in a resigned voice, “Aap bahut bure hain.”

“Ummm…” Ashutosh saw Chhote Sarkar coming with the kabab as he had asked him to, “Itna bhi bura nahin hoon. Thank you Chhote Sarkar,” he took the plate from his hands and Chhote Sarkar left.

Nidhi looked at him surprised, “Ye…”

“Shaam-e-Awadh se tumhara favourite starter. Baaki ka khana bhi hai. But its too early for that.”

Nidhi had to smile, “Lekin aap phir bhi bahut bure hain.”

“Yahi sahi!” He picked up a piece and fed her.

“Hum bahar kyon nahin ja sakte the?”

“Aaj chale jaate to mera kal phir jaane ka man karta, aur parson phir. Nidhi. Tumahre saath mera life ko enjoy karne ka man karta hai. Lekin kuchh dinon ke liye usko hold par rakhna zaroori hai, tumhare career ke liye.”

Nidhi smiled, “Itne bure bhi nahin hain aap. Mera favourite starter to le hi aaye hain.” She fed a piece to him too.

—

“Kya hua Baba? Nidhi kahan hai?”

“Apne kamre mein hai aur pagal hui ja rahi hai. Kuchh karo Ashutosh. Warna she will have a nervous breakdown.”

Ashutosh had come running from the hospital, leaving earlier than usual, after Baba called him.

Ashutosh went to her room followed by Baba and saw Dadi Bua getting even more nervous than Nidhi was. That wasn’t helping Nidhi. Ashutosh shook his head in disbelief over Dadi Bua’s antics. He indicated to Baba to take her outside. Baba did that.

“Dr. Ashutosh. Ye poora idea hi bura tha. Mujhse nahin hoga ye sab. Main exam nahin de sakti. Mujhe kuchh bhi yaad nahin hai.”

Ashutosh sighed. Tomorrow was her PG entrance exam and she was getting extremely nervous.

“Shaant ho jao Nidhi. Sab theek hoga.”

“Kaise theek hoga? Aap samajh nahin rahe hain. Mujhe kuchh bhi yaad nahin hai. Dekhiye – mere haath tak kaamp rahe hain. Main likhoongi kaise?” She showed him her hands. She was right. Her hands were trembling.

He took her hands in his and pressed them.

“Dekho. Ab nahin kaamp rahe na? Main hoon na tumhare saath. Phir kyon pareshaan ho rahi ho?”

Nidhi started crying, “Mujhe exam nahin dena hai. Main achchha perform nahin kar paungi.”

“To kaun sa aasmaan gir padega agar achchha perform nahin kar paogi? Nahin kar payi, to nahin kar payi. Uske liye exam kyon nahin dena hai?”

“You will be disappointed in me,” Nidhi spoke in a small voice.

Ashutosh smiled, “Pagal Ladki. Iske liye apni ye halat bana rakhi hai? Nidhi. I can never be disappointed in you. Never. Do you get that?”

“Ji.”

“Kya time hua hai?” Ashutosh looked at the clock in the room, “Achcha time hai. Chalo. Kahin coffee peete hain.”

“Bahar? Aaj?” Nidhi was surprised.

“Kyon nahin? Aaj se mujhe aadat lag bhi gayi to koi problem nahin hai. Kal se to main tumhara poora time le sakta hoon.”

Nidhi smiled and relaxed.

“Chalo phir,” Ashutosh said again, “Coffe pee kar aate hain. Then you will have an early and light dinner and go to sleep. Kal subah examination centre jaane ke liye, I will pick you up.”

“Aap chalenge?”

“Ji haan. Maine bahut pahle se iske liye chhutti le rakhi hai.”

—

“Nidhi. Kal tumhari halat dekh kar mujhe mahsoos hua ki maine tumhein kuchh zyada hi pressurize kar diya tha. Ekdum Indian parents ke tarah,” Ashutosh said after he picked Nidhi up to take her to the examination centre.

Nidhi smiled nervously.

“So, let me try to undo the damage. Main tumhein bata doon ki tumhein exam hall mein bilkul bhi result ke baare mein sochne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Achcha hoga, kharaab hoga, kharaab hua to main kya sochoonga, Baba kya sochenge – kuchh bhi sochne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Okay?”

“Ji.”

“Tumne apni taraf se poori mehnat ki hai. Ab iske aage sab kuchh kismat par hai. Tumhein ghabrane ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. I am already proud of you.”

“Thank you!” Nidhi said and Ashutosh laughed.

“Pagal ladki. Chalo. Pahunch gaye hum. Aur centre ka gate bhi khul chuka hai. Sab kuchh hai na tumhare paas? Admit card, pen…”

“Ji haan. Sab kuchh hai. Main jaati hoon. Bye,” Nidhi’s tone assured Ashutosh that she was relaxed.

“All the best Nidhi!”

“Thank you Dr. Ashutosh.”

—

Nidhi was getting frustrated trying to see her result on the Internet. As always, the site was overloaded with requests and was extremely slow. The connection broke down several times. Dadi Bua was frustrating her even more with her constant chants to Lord Hanuman. Baba was pacing up and down in the room. Anji was fidgeting. For a moment even Ashutosh lost patience, “Ye to hamare time mein hi better tha. Paper mein result aate the ya letter pahunch jaata tha.”

“Dr. Ashutosh!” Nidhi’s voice pleaded to him to not irritate her further.

“All right. Sorry. Calm down Nidhi. Ab jo hona hai woh to ho gaya hai na. Abhi nahin to ghante bhar mein pata chal ja..ye…ga… Pata chal gaya!” The result had appeared on the screen. 4th Rank. Nidhi stared at the screen for a moment not believing what she saw. Then she suddenly jumped up screaming with joy!

Ashutosh was also feeling elated, “Congratulations Nidhi!” His eyes were almost moist when he said that.

“Congratulations to you, Dr. Ashutosh. Ye sab aapka hi kiya-dhara to hai,” she laughed slightly. She touched Dadi Bua and Baba’s feet and soon had her mouth stuffed with sweets!

“Nidhi. Tumhein AIIMS mein admission aaraam se mil jayega,” Ashutosh said on the breakfast table. None of them had had their breakfast in the tension of the results. Ashutosh had also reached her home early in the morning to be there when she sees the result.

“Haan… Lekin… Mujhe nahin jaana wahan.”

“Kyon beta?” Baba said, “Ashutosh ne to kaha hi hai ki woh tumhare saath jayega.”

“Baba. Main aapko chhod kar itni door nahin jaana chahti.”

“Are. 45 minutes ki flight hai Lucknow se Delhi aur train bhi overnight. Aur Ashutosh tumhare saath to ja hi raha hai. Do saalon ki baat hai. Aise emotional ho kar career se samjhauta nahin karte. MBBS mein to maine tumhein zabardasti daala tha. To Lucknow mein hi theek tha. Lekin ab jab apni marzi se career bana rahi ho, to you must go for the best.”

“Baba theek kah rahe hain Nidhi,” even Anji agreed, “Though I will really miss you.”

“To phir kyon agree kar rahi hai?”

“Kyonki main teri friend hoon aur tere liye hamesha achchha hi chahungi.”

“Aur Nidhi. Abhi to tumhari internship bhi khatam ho gayi hai to tum poora time aaraam se Baba ke saath bitao. Abhi admission mein time hai,” Ashutosh added.

Baba laughed, “Ab kahan time milega apne baap ke liye ise. Shaadi ki shopping ke plans already ban rahe honge.”

“Baba!” Nidhi blushed and so did Ashutosh.

—

 

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 37

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

Ashutosh put a Ghazal CD given to him by Nidhi to play in the background and poured two glasses of wine and the spread of snacks Kaka had made for them. They made themselves comfortable on the floor resting their back against the bed.

They sipped wine for a while in silence.

“Maine zyada pee li to?” Nidhi asked suddenly. She was already relaxing under the effect of wine.

“Problem nahin hai. Tum mere saath ho.”

“Achchha. To aapke saath tequilla shots ke competition lagane mein problem nahin hai?”

“No. Dr. Nidhi Verma. That’s not how it works with me. Mere saath ho, to tequilla shots ka competition lagane nahin doonga.”

Nidhi grinned, “Pata hai aapko? Aapki daant se mujhe bahut dar lagta hai. Baba ki daant se bhi kabhi nahin laga itna.”

“Mujhe bhi tumhari daant se bahut dar lagta hai,” Ashutosh laughed.

“Jhooth. Main aapko kahan daant sakti hoon?”

“Kyon nahin daant sakti?”

“Aap mujhse bade hain.”

“Does that stop you? Abhi office mein kya kar rahi thi? Dr. Ashutosh – Answer me – Aaj main koi evasion bardasht nahin karoongi,” he mimicked her.

“Woh daant thode hi thi? Main gussa thi.”

“Achchha! To tum gusse mein nahin daanti ho? Pyaar se daanti ho?”

“Right!” she giggled. She had drunk the wine a bit too fast.

“Right. To bade pyaar se tumne mujhe daanta tha us baar – Dr. Ashutosh. I don’t want to be like you. Isliye main resign kar rahi hoon. Main aapse nafrat nahin kar sakti. But I refuse to take your hatred. I refuse to be like you,” he mimicked her again.

Nidhi started laughing and Ashutosh also joined her. He figured he didn’t mind her being drunk when she was in his company. She was too lovely… and lively. And safe with him.

“I refuse to be like you. I refuse to be like you Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi mocked her own statement and laughed hysterially.

“Waise you know something Dr. AShutosh…”

“Hmm?”

“Jab aap gussa karte hain na to…”

“To?”

“Bahut handsome lagte hain.”

Ashutosh smirked, “Aur otherwise?”

“Otherwise… otherwise… pata nahin.”

“Pata nahin?”

“Jab aap hanste hain to ekdum cutie lagte hain?”

“Kya?” Even though they were alone Ashutosh squirmed at that word.

“Yes!” she suddenly jumped on him and sat on his lap, her legs spread across his stretched out legs. Then she pulled his cheeks, “Cutie. Cutie pie.” She almost shouted.

“Hushh… Nidhi. Kaka jaag jayenge.”

Nidhi started whispering, “Aur ye jo aapki dimple waali smile hai na…”

“Nahin sunayi de raha Nidhi.”

She bent towards him bringin her lips close to his ears, “Ye jo aapki dimple waali smile hai na, uski wajah se hospital mein saari ladkiya aap par fida rahti hain. Lekin unhein shikayat ye hai ki aap zyada smile karte nahin hain.”

That made Ashutosh blush. And he also became very conscious of her proximity. Nidhi did something that drove him even crazier. She moved her lips away from his ear towards his face and closed in on him. She gave a quick peck in his lips. Ashutosh’ control gave way. He pulled her closer and sucked her lips furiously. They lost sense of anything beyond each other as they caressed and kissed each other madly. Ashutosh stopped himself from going all the way. Slowly the madness subsided, but they didn’t separate. They slept off on the floor in each other’s arms, their clothes on their bodies, but completely crumpled by their explorations of each other.

—

Nidhi woke up first in the morning. She looked at Ashutosh and smiled. Then she realized that she was not dreaming and became confused. Then she vaguely remembered last night and blushed. She got up and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

When she came back Ashutosh was also awake. There was a moment of awkwardness when their eyes met each other, but that went away soon and they both smiled.

“Mujhe lagta tha ki aap drink karna pasand nahin karte,” Nidhi said.

“Haan. Koi khaas pasand nahin hai mujhe. Lekin pasand ho kar bhi tumse sambhalti nahin. Waise I guess… I like drinking with you.”

Nidhi bit her lips, “Main kuchh zyada ulta pulta bol rahi thi kya? Mujhe yaad nahin hai…”

“I hope ki jo tum bol rahi thi woh ulta pulta nahin tha.”

“Matlab?”

“Matlab ye ki tum meri kaafi taareef kar rahi thi.”

Nidhi blushed hard. Just how much of her feelings had she revealed to him. What kind of praises was she showering on him?

Suddenly Ashutosh was reminded of something, “Oh God! Nidhi. Main kaise bhool gaya? Baba ko pata bhi hai ki tum kahan ho? Woh pareshaan honge. Aur yahan…”

“Chinta mat kijiye. Anji raat mein hamari ek common friend ke yahan rukne waali thi. Wahi plan mere liye bhi main Baba ko bata kar nikli thi. Aur maine Anji ko message kar diya tha.”

“Thank God!”

Ashutosh was sitting on the bed and Nidhi sat down beside him, “Mujhe to lagta hai ki aap mujhse bhi zyada Baba ki parwaah karte hain. Thank you!”

“Ismein koi thanks bolne ki baat nahin hai Nidhi. Tumahre saath mujhe finally ek parivaar bhi mila hai. Aur woh mere liye bahut maayne rakhta hai.”

Nidhi nodded with a smile.

“Nidhi!”

“Ji?”

“Main soch raha tha ki aaj shaam ka dinner hum sab log yahan karte hain. Baba, tumhari poori family, Anji and her family. I mean agar unka pahle se koi plan na ho to.”

“I don’t think hai. Aap Baba ko aur Solanki Uncle ko phone kyon nahin kar dete?”

“Kar doonga.”

“Aur Nidhi?”

“Ji?” Nidhi was amused now how he was saying one thing at a time.

“Main Baba se aaj hi shaadi ki date ki baat bhi karne ki soch raha hoon.”

“Ohh!!”

“Ji! Mujhe pata hai ki aap help nahin karengi. Lekin aap chaunk na jayen, isliye bata raha hoon.”

Nidhi grinned.

“Aur Nidhi!”

“Yes Dr. Ashutosh!” Nidhi was about to laugh now.

“Tumhare PG entrance exams nazdeek aa rahe hain. To aaj ke baad saari parties aur ghoomna-phirna band. Duties ke baad tum diligently padhai karogi. Okay?”

Nidhi looked disappointed. Then an idea struck her, “Main yahan aa kar padhai karoon?”

“Bilkul nahin. Yahan tumhari padhai hone se rahi. Ghar par karogi.”

“Lekin aap yahan meri madad kar sakte hain na?” She wasn’t giving up.

“Meri madad ki zaroorat hui to main tumhare ghar aa jaunga.”

“Not fair Dr. Ashutosh!”

“Shut up Dr. Nidhi!” Ashutosh said in the same tone.

—

“Happy New Year, Nidhi,” Rohan came to her room and greeted her.

“Happy New Year, Rohan,” Nidhi stiffened as she recalled her conversation with Ashutosh last night about Rohan.

“Raat mein tum kahan thi?”

“Sleepover. Anji ke saath ek friend ke yahan.”

“Anji to party se mere saamne hi nikli thi. Tum to uske saath nahin thi.”

“Rohan. Tum mere guardian nahin ho.”

“Dost to hoon.”

“Aur dosti ki ek limit hoti hai.”

“Tum gussa kyon ho rahi ho? Dr. Ashutosh ne kuchh kaha hai?”

“Rohan. Tum itna intrude kyon kar rahe ho?”

“I am sorry… Main bas ek dost hone ke naate…”

“Rohan. Ek dost hone ke naate main bhi tumse kuchh kahna chahti hoon.”

“Zaroor.”

“Rohan – hamara kuchh feel karna koi gunaah nahin hota. Hum jiske liye jo bhi feel karna chahein kar sakte hain. Lekin with the understanding ki woh feelings reciprocate ho ye zaroori nahin hai. Aur agar reciprocate nahin hoti hain, to unhein kissi par force karna bhi sahi nahin hai.”

“Agar use reciprocate karna saamne waale ki liye achchha ho phir bhi nahin?”

“Saamne waale ke liye kya achchha hai, kya bura, ye tum usse behtar jaante ho – aisa samajhna to bahut presumptuous hai Rohan. Agar tum uske baare mein aisa sochte ho, to tum shayad use bahut bewkoof samajhte ho. Aur ek bewkoof insaan ke liye tum kyon aisi koi feelings rakhna chahoge.”

Rohan sighed, “All right. Ye batao. Kal to tum party mein aayi nahin. Aaj raat chalogi? Dr. Ashutosh bhi…”

“Aaj raat hum sab log Dr. Ashutosh ke yahan invited hain. Tum bhi.”

“Meri taraf se unhein sorry bol dena. Main nahin ja paunga. Between me and you, I prefer partying to Dr. Ashutosh’ boring company,” Rohan winked. Although she could see the sadness on his face, it was for his own good. So, she didn’t say anything as he left.

—

“Baba. Aap Dr. Ashutosh se kahiye. Main ab aaj aur padhai nahin karoongi,” Ashutosh was having dinner with Nidhi’s family and had asked her to complete the chapter she was studying on the same day.

“Baba kuchh nahin bolenge Nidhi. Humne exam se pahle sab kuchh revise karne ka plan banaya hai uske hisaab se tumhein aaj woh chapter khatam karna hai.”

“Main pak gayi hoon padh padh kar.”

“To thodi der relax kar lo. Phir padh lena.”

“Baba! Please…”

“Bhai. Mujhe nahin maaloom ki tum logon ne kya plan banaya tha. Aur mujhe doctori ki padhai ke baare mein kuchh nahin pata hai. To main is jhagde mein nahin padne waala,” Baba bailed himself out.

“Right Baba,” Ashutosh gave Nidhi a triumphant look.

“Haan theek hai,” Nidhi was not going to give up, “Aap to abhi ghar chale jayenge. Phir Baba to check karne nahin waale ki main kya kar rahi hoon.”

“Main tab tak yahan se hil nahin raha jab tak tum apna chapter khatam nahin kar leti. Aur agar kal main der se utha aur hospital jaane mein der hui to uski moral responsibility aapki hogi Dr. Nidhi Verma.”

Nidhi pouted.

“Are… Rohan beta. Aaj itni der kaise ho gayi?” Dadi Bua asked as Rohan entered the dining room.

“Woh. Dadi Bua. Kuchh kaam tha. Dar-asal main office ke baad kuchh ghar dekhne chala gaya tha.”

“Ghar?” Baba was surprised, “Lekin tumhari posting final ho gayi hai kya?”

“Uncle. Officially to final nahin hui hai. Lekin woh log koi date bhi nahin de rahe hain. To I think uske liye rukne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Aisi kya jaldbaazi hai beta. Aur agar ghar dekhne bhi the to akele kyon chale gaye. Tumhein kahan pata hai kuchh shahar ke baare mein,” Dadi Bua said, “Nidhi ko saath le jaate.”

“Nahin Dadi Bua. Actually main ghar finalize kar aaya hoon. Agle hafte shift ho jaunga.”

“Itni jaldi?”

“Bua,” Baba interevened, “Ye aaj kal ke bachchon ko apni privacy bahut pyari hoti hai. Rohan tumhein yahan koi taqleef ho rahi hai?”

“Are nahin Uncle. Maine kaha na – woh log koi final date bata nahin rahe the ki posting change hogi ya nahin. To maine bas socha ki office ke paas shift ho jaun. Travel ka time bachega aur thakaan bhi kam hogi.”

“Chalo theek hai. Aao khana khao.”

Nidhi didn’t say anything during the entire conversation. She and Ashutosh exchanged glances silently.

“Tumne Rohan se kuchh kaha tha?” Ashutosh asked when they walked to her room after dinner.

“Use ghar se jaane ke liye nahin kaha tha.”

“Phir?”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Maine usse sirf ye kaha tha ki hamari saari feelings reciprocate honi zaroori nahin hain. Aur agar feelings reciprocate nahin hoti hain, to unhein kissi par thopna bhi sahi nahin hai. I guess he understood.”

Ashutosh smiled, “You express yourself very well Nidhi.”

“Thank you. Agar Baba ne mujhe zabardasti doctor nahin banaya hota to main poet hoti.”

“I am sorry. Lekin abhi tumhari kismat mein poetry nahin, Endocrinology ka aadhaa bacha hua chapter hai.”

Nidhi pouted, but opened her book to study.

—

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 36

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

The unease Nidhi had felt during the picnic continued into the next week. Ashutosh avoided Nidhi’s company even in the evenings by telling her that he needed to meet Armaan. The couple of days they did spend together, Nidhi felt that he was avoiding any intimate talks with her, mostly balbbering on about inane stuff, asking about her family, discussing about hospital and… talking a lot about Rohan.

“Bahut funny hai Rohan, nahin?”

“Haan. Har cheez ka, har kissi ka mazaak banata rahta hai.”

“Tumne kabhi bataya nahin ki woh karta kya hai?”

“MBA kiya hai usne isi saal. HLL mein Marketing Trainee hai. Abhi finalize nahin hua hai woh kaun se office mein kaam karega. Isliye usne ghar nahin liya hai.”

“Chalo achchha hi hai. Tumhein bhi company mil jati hogi.”

“Ji?” Nidhi felt that his tone was not quite right, when he said that.

“Noodles khane ke liye,” Ashutosh laughed slightly.

It still didn’t feel like a joke to Nidhi, but she smiled.

“Achchha Nidhi. Mujhe All India Medical Convention ke keynote speech ke liye preparation karni hai. Din mein to time nahin mil paata. Tum aisa karo, ghar jao. Yahan bore ho jaogi.”

“Theek hai,” her mood was spoiled and she did not want to say anything to him in anger or frustration.

Rohan tried hard, but he could not cheer Nidhi up that night. Nor did she eat noodles with him.

—

It was 11.30 at night on the new year’s eve. Ashutosh was sitting in his office with lights off. His legs were perched up on the table, head was resting on the chair back and he had used his arms to cover his eyes, blocking even the little light that had made its way through the creeks.

He was startled when the lights of the room went on.

“Nidhi?” he stood up surprised.

“Aap surgery ke liye nahin gaye?”

“Woh. Actually postpone ho gayi kyonki…”

“To aapne mujhe bataya kyon nahin?”

“Nidhi. Mujhe laga ki tum logon ne already plan bana rakh hai. Kahin tum meri wajah se cancel na kar do.”

“Koi surgery planned nahin thi Dr. Ashutosh. Sonali ke patient ki surgery Christmas se pahle ho chuki hai.”

Ashutosh averted his eyes.

“Mujhe usi din laga tha ki aap… aap jhooth bol rahe hain. Lekin main… mujhe laga ki aap mujhse jhoothi nahin bol sakte. Aakhir baat kya hai? Aap kyon mujhe aise… avoid kar rahe hain?”

“Nahin Nidhi. Aisa nahin hai.”

“Phir jhooth? Aur aap pichhle hafte Dr. Armaan se shaam mein kabhi nahin mile hain?”

“Tumne Armaan se poochha?” Ashutosh asked guiltily.

“Main koi jaasoosi nahin kar rahi thi. Woh jab aapse milne kal hospital aaye the, tab baaton-baaton mein unhone kaha ki Christmas ke baad woh kal aapse pahli baar mil rahe the.”

Ashutosh was silent.

“Unhone ye bhi kaha ki aap bahut tense aur lost lag rahe the, which I agree to. Kya mujhe poochhne ka haq hai ki kya baat hai jo aapko itna pareshaan kar rahi hai?”

“Nidhi please. Aise mat baat karo. Of course, tumhein haq hai. Tumhein saare haq hain… Main to bas apne haq ke baare mein sure nahin hoon.”

“Kya matlab hai iska?”

“Nidhi. Main… Main tumhein khush nahin rakh sakta Nidhi. I am just too old for you. Tumhare pranks, tumhare games, tum mere saath kabhi enjoy nahin kar sakti. Jo lifestyle tumhein pasand hai, woh tum meri wajah se chhodne par majboor ho jati ho. Aur… Nidhi main tumhare liye sahi nahin hoon.

“Achanak aisa kyon…”

“Main ye sab cheezein bhool sa gaya tha. Tumhein le kar apne sapnon mein kho gaya tha. Lekin jab Rohan ke saath tumhari relationship dekhi to mujhe ahsaas hua ki woh natural hai. Hamari relationship nahin. Is relationship ne kahin tumhein baandh sa diya hai, aisa lagta hai. Iski wajah se tum apni zindagi khul kar nahin jee pa rahi ho. Main apne swarth ke liye tumhein, tumhare liye koi galat faisla nahin le sakta. And I think Rohan… Rohan is in love with you.”

“Aur isliye aapne hamara rishta todne ka faisla le liya?” Nidhi asked with restraint in her voice.

“Main tumhein aazaad karna chahta hoon Nidhi.”

“Aap mujhe aazaad karna chahte hain. Shayad Rohan mujhse pyaar karta hai. Lekin kya is wajah se aap dono mein se kissi ko bhi mujhse poochhe bina mere faisle lene ka haq mil jaata hai?”

“Nidhi?”

“Aap samajhte kya hain apne aap ko? Bahut bade doctor honge, bahut intelligent aur mature honge, lekin bhagwaan nahin hain aap. Main kya chahti hoon ya kya sochti hoon, ye decide karne se pahle mujhse confirm kar lein to behtar hoga. Samjhe aap?”

Ashutosh was stunned and just stared at her as she fired away at him.

“Waise meri aankhein khol di aapne. To aapke liye mera wajood mere pranks, mere games, meri partying aur mere friends se hai, right? Those are the things that make Nidhi Verma. Great. Aapne bhi usi Nidhi se pyaar kiya hai kya? Agar haan – to theek hi faisla liya aapne is rishte ko todne ka. Kyonki woh sab main nahin hoon Dr. Ashutosh. Samjhe aap? Main woh sab nahin hoon. Aapko agar mujhse door jaana hai to isliye jaiye ki aap aisa chahte hain. Don’t reduce me and my happiness to all that. Please. Don’t insult me like that.”

Nidhi’s strength gave way and she was about to break down. So, she ran out of the room.

Damn! What had he done? Ashutosh gathered himself together and tried to follow her. He could not see her in the corridor. But he knew where she would be.

—

He sat beside her on the dusty bench on the terrace. She was crying silently.

“Nidhi. Sorry is a small word. Too small a word. Isliye sorry kahne se pahle ek confession karna chahta hoon. Sunogi?”

“Boliye,” she was cross, but ready to listen.

“Nidhi. Tumhein le kar maine hamesha insecure feel kiya hai. Aur shayad zaroorat se zyada reponsible bhi. Mere man mein ye baat atki hui thi ki pata nahin tum apne liye sahi faisla kar payi ho ya nahin. Main tumse bada hoon. To maine tumhein sahi faisla lene diya hai ya nahin? Isliye pahle bhi apni feelings ka ehsaas hone ke baad bhi tumse door rahne ki koshish ki thi. Lekin tum kahan maanne waali thi. Pata nahin kis kone se udti hui titli ke tarah meri band zindagi mein aa gayi. I gave in Nidhi. The attraction was… is too strong to not give in. Lekin insecurities kahin gayi nahin thi. Aur pahla mauka milte hi they resurfaced. Insecurity, guilt, anger, hatred – ye aise emotions hote hain Nidhi ki insaan ki rationally sochne ki takat khatam kar dete hain. Aur main bhi… I am sorry. Pahle gusse aur nafrat mein, aur ab insecurities aur guilt mein, maine superficial cheezon ke liye tumhara dil dukhaya. Lekin nahin Nidhi. Tum mere liye bas koi pranks karne waali, games khelne waali ladki nahin ho. Tum mere liye meri zindagi ho. Tum woh ho jisne mujhe zindagi ke sabse important lessons sikhaye hain, hansne ki, khush rahne ki value sikhayi hai, nafrat ke pahle pyaar ko dekhna sikhaya hai.”

“Lekin aap mujh par bharosa nahin karte? Aapko laga ki main Rohan ke saath…”

“Nidhi. Agar main itni clearly sochta to ye bewkoofi nahin karta.”

“Question evade mat kijiye. Mujhe jawaab chahiye. Aaj Rohan hai. Kal koi aur hoga. Rohan ka to pata nahin, lekin ho sakta hai ki kal ko koi aur mujhse pyaar karne lage. To kya har baar aap aise hi hamare rishte par, meri fidelity par shaq karne lagenge.”

“Nahin Nidhi. Maine tum par shaq kabhi nahin kiya tha. Believe me. Mujhe bas itna laga ki agar Rohan jaisa koi ladka tumse pyaar karta hai to tumahre liye behtar kya hoga. Shayad woh.”

“Aur Rohan mujhse pyaar karta hai ye aapne kaise conclude kar liya?”

“Jis din tum dono ko pub se le kar aaya tha us din woh behoshi mein baar-baar bol raha tha. Aur waise bhi, it is obvious ki he is trying to get your attention.”

“Agar ye theek bhi hai to mera kya? Main Rohan ke saath hans-khel leti hoon, parties mein chali jaati hoon, isliye aapko laga ki main bhi usse…”

“Kabhi kabhi mujhe aisa bhi laga ki tum uske saath jitni comfortable ho, jitni baatein share kar sakti ho, mere saath nahin kar sakti.”

“Kyon?”

“Shayad meri bewkoofi thi.”

“Bataiye mujhe – aaj main koi evasion bardasht nahin karoogni.”

“Rohan tumhein kissi baat ko le kar chidha raha tha. Tum mujhe batate batate ruk gayin. Phir phone par bhi kuchh baat hui thi tumhari, tum gussa ho rahi thi, par poochhne par bhi tumne mujhe nahin bataya.”

Nidhi hit her forehead, “Rohan mujhe baar baar chidhata tha ki aapke saath rah kar main bore ho gayi hoon. Kuchh fun nahin karti hoon. Isi chakkar mein maine us din utna drink kar liya tha. Aur phone par bhi wahi bol raha tha to main use daant rahi thi. Maine aapko nahin bataya tha ki kahin aapke dimaag mein ideas na aane lagein. Aur pub waali baat par aap waise bhi gussa the. Mujhe dar lag raha tha. Lekin jis cheez se main bachne ki koshish kar rahi thi, wahi ho gaya.”

Ashutosh smiled in embarrassment as it became clear to him that he was reading too much into trivial things. He looked at his watch. It was exactly midnight.

“Happy New Year, Nidhi.”

“Khaak happy new year. Bahut achchhi shuruat ho rahi hai New Year ki meri. Aap chahte kya hain?”

“Sorry? Tumse maafi maangna chahta hoon. Ki bina wajah tumhara dil dukhaya.”

“Meri samajh mein nahin aata ki bachchi main hoon ya aap bachche hain? Agar aapke man mein koi baat aati hai to aap mujhse discuss nahin kar sakte? Bata nahin sakte mujhe? Bolna nahin aata aapko? Akele baith kar, man hi man, poori kahani banani zaroori hai?” Nidhi was still irritated.

Ashutosh gave a guilty and resigned look to Nidhi.

“Is that the sorry?” she asked with a pout.

“Yes. A big sorry and a promise to never ever do it again.”

“Lekin aapki is bachkani problem ki wajah se hamara new year eve to barbaad ho gaya na? Hum kissi achchhi jagah party karne ja sakte the na?” his childlike Nidhi was back. He knew how to make her happy!

“To chalo. Hum party karte hain. To make it up, I will throw a party. Just for you.” Ashutosh recalled the vintage wine Armaan and Grace had brought for him. It was the time to put it to use.

—

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 35

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

“Hello. Nidhi. Kya kar rahi ho?” Ashutosh called up late at night.

“Noodles kha rahi hoon,” Nidhi replied with her mouth full of noodles.

“Kha rahi ho? Itni raat ko? Dinner nahin kiya tha?”

“Kiya tha na? Lekin uska midnight noodles se kya matlab hai?”

“Midnight noodles?” Ashutosh laughed, “Tumhein bhi bhagwaan ne single piece mein hi banaya hai Dr. Nidhi Verma.”

“Nahin. Double piece to banaya hai. Rohan bhi kha raha hai mere saath.”

“Achchha!”

“Haan. Aur maine kuchh nahin kiya. Ye pahle se uski aadat thi. To ab hum dono roz raat ko saath mein noodles khate hain. Are… Rohan… Mere hisse ka mat khaana.”

“Roz? Nidhi – this midnight eating is not a good idea… For health.”

“Arre Uski chinta mat kijiye. Jab se gas jalana seekha hai, main roz bana kar kha rahi hoon. Pichhle aath saalon se. Abhi tak to kuchh nahin hua.”

“Okay Baba. Theek hai. Tum khao aur Rohan se apna hissa zaroor wapas le lena. Good night.”

“Good night Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Nidhi. Not fair. Tumne hamara secret Dr. Ashutosh ke saath share kar diya,” Rohan complained.

“Shut up Rohan. Noodles do mujhe. Aur Dr. Ashutosh ke saath main sab kuchh share karti hoon.”

“Bahut pyaar karti ho unse?”

“Bahut hi zyada Rohan. Tum imagine nahin kar sakte jab tak tum khud kissi se itna pyaar nahin karne lagte.”

Rohan smiled with some skepticism that Nidhi didn’t notice, “Par sach sach batao. Thoda odd nahin hota tum logon ke beech? I mean age difference is not just a number. Thinking different hoti hai, interests different hote hain. Nahin?”

“Differences hain bhi aur nahin bhi. Ab I am sure Rohan ki tumhari tarah woh mere saath baith kar aadhi raat mein noodles nahin khayenge. Lekin mujhe rokenge bhi nahin. Aur phir hamara past connection hai Rohan. To hamare bahut saare shauk milte hain. Tum ghazhalein sunte ho?”

“No way! Ek to samajh mein nahin aati hain. Aur doosre music bhi bahut boring hota hai.”

Nidhi smiled, “Main bhi sunti hoon aur Dr. Ashutosh bhi.”

“He is a lucky man!” Rohan rued. Nidhi didn’t pay attention as she was busy slurping her noodles and thinking about Ashutosh.

—

“Nidhi. Raat mein noodles ke chakkar mein main tumhein batana bhool gaya. Sandeep is taking Mallika back to Delhi with him. She is stable for now. Uska treatment aage wahin hoga.”

“That’s good news. I hope she recovers.”

“Yeah.”

Just then Nidhi’s phone rang.

“Hi Rohan…. Umm… Ek minute… Dr. Ashutosh. Rohan shaam mein pub jaane ko kah raha hai. Aap chalenge?”

“Nahin Nidhi. Tum jaanti ho main nahin jaata. Lekin tum jao.”

“Sure?”

“Yes.”

“Haan… Rohan. Dr. Ashutsoh to nahin aayenge. Par main chaloongi… Nahin. Main ghar jaungi. Change karna hoga. Shaam ko milte hain. Bye.”

“Ja rahi ho. But remember not to drink too much,” Ashutosh told her.

“Yes Boss!” Nidhi smiled and left to go to the ward.

—

Ashutosh waited till late for Nidhi to come back from the pub and call him. When she didn’t, he decided to call her himself. But his calls went unanswered repeatedly. He got worried. It was past midnight. Just then he got a call from Baba.

“Ashutosh. Nidhi tumhare saath hai kya?”

“Nahin Baba. Woh to Rohan ke saath…”

“Haan. Lekin dono abhi tak laute nahin hain. Aur phone bhi nahin utha rahe hain.”

“Oh! Aap chinta mat kijiye. Main ja kar dekhta hoon. Ho sakta hai unhein time ka dhyaan nahin raha ho. Aur music mein phone sunayi na de raha ho. Main aapko phone karta hoon.”

Ashutosh reached the pub and looked for Nidhi and Rohan. He found them sitting on a small table, pitch drunk. There were uncountable number of empty tequilla shot glasses on the table. When he reached closer, he found both of them totally out of their mind.

“Main jeet gaya Nidhi…” Rohan was blabbering.

“Main jeeti Rohan….”

“Kya kar rahe hain aap log?” Ashutosh asked sharply. Nidhi saw him and tried to get up, but she stumbled. Ashutosh made her sit again, “Dr. Ashutosh… Rohan… is wrong… I swear… he is…”

“Yes I know,” Ashutosh mumbled angrily. What was he to do with these two now? If he dropped them home, Baba would be scandalized. Finally he decided to take them to his home. He paid their bill and one by one led them out into his car. At home, with Kaka’s help, he put them to bed.

—

Nidhi woke up in the morning, feeling sick and groggy. She looked around confused and found Ashutosh in the room, sitting on a chair and reading the morning newspaper.

“Dr. Ashutosh?” she was surprised.

He looked at her angrily and said, “Neembu pani rakha hai side table par. Pee lo.”

It took her a few moments to comprehend where she was, “Oh God! Main yahan hoon… Baba ko…”

“Bata diya hai unhein maine. Drink it, freshen up and come to my room.”

“Ji,” she said sheepishly.

—

“Kya kar rahi thi tum kal raat?” Ashutosh fired at her as soon as she entered his room.

“Woh… Rohan mujhe chidha raha tha… To hamara competition chaloo ho gaya…”

“Shut up Nidhi. Ye kaisa excuse hai? Agar main wahan nahin pahunchta to kya hota? Tum dono mein se kaun drive karne ka plan bana raha tha? Tumhein pata hai ki Baba kitne worried the.”

“I am sorry,” Nidhi was already embarrassed, “Baba ko pata hai?”

“Nahin. Unhein maine sirf ye kaha hai ki tum log party ke baad idhar aa gaye ho aur raat mein yahin rukoge. Lekin sorry is not enough Dr. Nidhi Verma. Main tumhein mature samajhta tha. But last night was too much.”

Nidhi didn’t say anything and Ashutosh was unable to contain his anger, “I am telling you Nidhi. Agar dubara aisa hua to Baba kuchh kahein na kahein, I will ground you. Kahin nahin jaane doonga tumhein. Samjhi?”

“Ji,” her resigned and close-to-tears face softened Ashutosh. She wasn’t replying back to him. She was obviously sorry for what had happened.

“Look Nidhi. Tuhein shayad bura lag raha hoga ki main… tumse aise… baat kar raha hoon. But you know that I am right.”

“I know. I am really sorry. Please mujhe maaf kar dijiye.”

Ashutosh smiled, “Its okay. Achchha ye to batao Rohan tumhein aisi kis baat par chidha raha tha ki tum is competition par raazi ho gayin?”

“Woh… Nahin. Rahne dijiye. Bachkani baat thi. I won’t fall for it again.”

“Lekin tha kya?”

“Please. Rahne dijiye.”

“Theek hai. Tum nashta kar lo aur ghar jao. Drive kar logi?”

“Ji.”

“And report for your duty in time. Rohan jab jagega to main use bhej doonga. Taxi mein.”

—

“Nidhi. Kitna mazaa aaya na kal?” Rohan called Nidhi from work.

“Khaak mazaa aaya? Baba ko pata chal jaata to? Aur tumhein pata bhi hai ki Dr. Ashutosh mujh par kitna gussa hue the?”

“Mujh par to nahin hue?”

“Tum par kyon honge? But he was so furious. Bol rahe the ki dubara aisa kuchh hua to I will be grounded.”

“Grounded?” Rohan sounded incredulous, “Ek baat batao Nidhi. Ye Dr. Ashutosh tumhare boyfriend hain ya guardian?”

“Woh mere role model hain. Aage se aisa nahin hona chahiye.”

“Nidhi. Main ekdum sach kah raha tha kal raat. Tum unke saath rah kar ekdum bore ho gayi ho.”

“Main bore nahin hoon. Aur agar ho bhi gayi hoon to unke saath jaisi hoon theek hoon.”

“Are Nidhi. Suno. Tum to naaraaz ho gayin. Main to mazaak kar raha tha.”

“Rohan. Aage se mat karna.” Nidhi disconnected the call in a huff and turned around to find Ashutosh there.

“Aap? Aap kab aaye?”

“Abhi abhi. Kya baat hai? Tum kis par gussa kar rahi thi?”

“Kissi par nahin. Koi kaam tha?”

“Main free tha to socha tumhein dekh loon. Coffee peeni hai?”

“Chaliye. Aur… Aapse kuchh poochhna tha.”

“Kya?”

“Anji Christmas ke din picnic par jaane ka plan bana rahi thi. Sab log chalenge. Baba, Dadi Bua, Anji ki family. Aap chalenge na?”

“Umm… Haan. Tumhari chaperoning ke liye to chalna hi padega mujhe. Warna phir pata nahin kya kar baitho?”

“Dr. Ashutosh please. Main already bahut sharminda hoon.”

“Theek hai. Aur pareshaan nahin karoonga tumhein. Chalte hain picnic par.”

“Dr. Rangnath bhi aa rahe hain. Main Dr. Armaan aur Grace ko bhi invite kar leti hoon. Ab tak to woh log apne naye ghar mein settle ho gaye honge.”

“Haan. Sure. Armaan ko phone kar lena.”

—

Ashutosh joined Nidhi’s family for dinner that night. He observed Rohan closely and felt uneasy. Anji was also there. Rohan, Nidhi and Anji were discussing the picnic plans with excitement. Ashutosh felt left out.

—

They started playing Antakshari after lunch during the picnic. Rohan, Nidhi and Ashutosh were in one team. Armaan, Anji and Rangnath in the other. Others decided to play the audience and referee in case of disputes! The game was being led by Rohan, Nidhi, Anji and Rangnath primarily. Ashutosh and Armaan pitched when the younsters could not remember a song. Nidhi’s team finally won when Ashutosh managed to sing an old song for a letter for which the other team could not think of any. Rohan and Nidhi literally jumped in joy. Rohan hugged Nidhi. Nidhi then turned to Ashutosh and was about to hug him in excitement. But she saw Ashutosh’ discomfort about hugging in public, felt shy herself and stopped. Ashutosh gave a small smile.

“All right guys. Celebration time,” Grace announced and unpacked the cake she had baked for the occasion.

Nidhi jumped on it first, took a bite and exclaimed, “Yummy Cake Grace. I want to learn baking from you.”

“Sure darling.”

“Taste kijiye Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi made him bite the same piece. Suddenly Rohan came up to Nidhi and smeared some cake on her face.

“Rohan. I will kill you,” she shouted and ran behind him to take revenge. Anji and Rangnath joined them too and soon all their faces were smeared with cake! Baba and others were laughing hard at their antics and Ashutosh forced a smile on his face. He recalled the night when Nidhi had smeared some cake on him. He had been too stunned. He didn’t react correctly. He didn’t play the game right!

Ashutosh saw that Nidhi was running away from Rohan who was trying to smear more cake on her. In trying to get hold of her, Rohan put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her back. Nidhi stumbled. She was laughing unaware of Ashutosh’ eyes on her. Suddenly she saw him and stopped laughing. She made Rohan take his hands off her, “Bas Rohan. Bahut ho gaya.”

Rohan stopped on hearing her somber, serious voice. Nidhi washed her face and came to sit near Ashutosh. She tried some chit-chat with him, but he was clearly not there.

“Hey Nidhi. New year eve par kissi party mein chalna hai na?” Anji came to her and asked.

“Pata nahin Anji. Koi thodee quite se jagah ho to…”

“Nidhi. Don’t worry about that,” Ashutosh intervened as he realized that she was saying so because of him, “Main waise bhi nahin aa paunga. To tum log apne hisaab se jagah decide kar lo.”

“Kyon nahin aa payenge aap?” Nidhi was disappointed at the idea of not spending the new year eve with him.

“Woh Nidhi. Dr. Sonali ka ek patient hai. Uski surgery honi hai aur unhone mujhse request ki hai ki main wahan rahoon. She was a little nervous about it. Anji. Nidhi tum logon ke saath jayegi,” he turned to Anji and told her.

“Okay. Cool,” Anji said and left.

Nidhi was staring at Ashutosh, not quite believing what he had said, but not being able to accuse him of lying either.

“Excuse me Nidhi. Main thodi der Baba ke paas baithta hoon.”

“Ji.”

—

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 34

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

“Doctor banne mein ye bahut problem hai Dr. Ashutosh ki itni saari padhai karni padti hai.”

“Woh to hai.”

“Ye gadbad hai na. Main aise to zindagi bhar padhai hi karti rah jaungi.”

“Nahin. Mujhe nahin lagta ki tum fail hoti rahogi. Ek-aadh papers mein problem ho bhi gayi to supplementary exams se kaam chal jayega.”

“Aapko mazaak soojh raha hai.”

“Maine kuchh galat kaha?”

“Main fail nahin houngi.”

“Phir kya problem hai?”

“Problem ye hai ki phir bhi itne saalon tak padhai karni padegi.”

“To kaun sa tumhari zindagi nikalti ja rahi hai. Ye to samay hi hai padhai karne ka.”

“Aur hamari zindagi ka kya?”

“Hamari zindagi? Hamari zindagi mein kya problem hai?” Ashutosh smiled.

“Aap… aapko… offo… Rahne dijiye. Aap kuchh nahin samjhenge,” Nidhi was irritated and she got up from her chair to go away.

“Baitho. Bhadak kyon rahi ho? Shaadi karne ki bahut jaldbaazi hai tumhein?” Ashutosh said as if talking about weather!

“Kya… nahin… main…”

“Baith jao Nidhi.”

“Aapko honi chahiye thi jaldbaazi. Lekin aapko to jaise koi matlab hi nahin hai.”

“Tumhein pata hai ki that’s not true Nidhi. Lekin main ye nahin chahta hoon ki tumhare liye koi galat faisla ho jaye.”

“I know,” Nidhi pouted, “Lekin itni uncertainties bhi to hain. Agar mera PG mein admission yahan nahin hua to?”

“Hona bhi nahin chahiye. You must do well in the exams and go to AIIMS for PG.”

“Delhi?”

“Haan.”

“Aur aapko usse koi problem nahin hai?”

“Dr. Nidhi Verma. Aisa hai ki thodi bahut reputation to apne professional career mein maine bana li hai. To kissi bhi shahar ke ek achchhe hospital mein mujhe job mil sakti hai. Aur yahan se sabbatical milne mein bhi koi problem nahin hai.”

“Ji? Matlab aap chalenge mere saath agar main…”

“Yes Ma’am. Bharosa nahin hai?”

“Sach mein nahin ho raha.”

“Okay then, Dr. Nidhi Verma! Apni internship aur PG entrance exam khatam hone ke baad, will you marry me? Taki aapko jahan bhi jaana pade, main aapke saath ja sakoon?”

Nidhi stared at him blankly for a few seconds, as if unable to comprehend what he said. Then, she replied with a blushing smile, “Yes.”

“Lekin sach sach batao. Tumhein jaldbaazi hai na shaadi karne ki?” Ashutosh teased her.

“Aapko khushiyan der se mili hain Dr. Ashutosh. Aur main nahin chahti ki meri speed se chalne ki koshish mein aap unhein jee na sakein. I want to catch up with you, to be beside you.”

“Bahut cleverly tumne sab kuchh mere sar par daal diya Nidhi. Lekin thank you!”

“Thanks kyon?”

“Mere dilemma se mujhe nikaalne ke liye aur decision lene mein madad karne ke liye.”

“Baba se baat karni hogi.”

“Haan. Aur mujhe pata hai ki mujhe hi karni hogi. Aap to hamesha ki tarah wahan se bhaag jayengi.”

“Dr. Ashutosh!”

“Nahin. Nahin – ab yahan se mat bhaagna! Please.” Ashutosh laughed.

—

“Men, I say Nidhi. They are useless.”

“Kya hua Anji?”

“They seriously have a single track mind. Mauka milte hi they would drag you to the bed.”

“Dr. Rangnath ne aisa kya kar diya? Kya hua hai?” Nidhi asked naughtily.

“Ab… maine kab kaha ki kuchh hua hai?” Anji suddenly became defensive.

“Nahin? Kuchh bhi nahin hua? How sad!”

“Nidhi. Tu mujhe provoke mat kar. Ya phir main bhi poochhoon ki Dr. Ashutosh ke saath kya haal chaal hain? Ab to Baba ka bhi ashirwaad hai tumhare sar par?”

“Dr. Ashutosh?” Nidhi laughed slightly, “He is on the other extreme Anji. Always a gentleman.”

“Really?”

“Haan. Aur mujhe to bachchon ki tarah treat karte hain. Jaise ki main naabaalig hoon or something like that. Haath pakadne ke liye bhi poochhenge ki main comfortable hoon ya nahin.”

“Kya?”

“Fine. That was an exaggeration. But you get the point.”

“Waise Nidhi. Ye problem aani to natural hai tumhare beech.”

“Kya matlab?”

“Ab umra ka faasla to hai na?”

“To kya hua? Main koi bachchi thode hi na hoon.”

“Behave to tu unke saamne bachchon ki tarah hi karti hai. To woh bhi tujhe waise hi treat karte hain.”

“Main unke saamne waise behave karti hoon, jaisi main hoon.”

“Well – in that case, learn to behave a little mature. May be even look a little mature. Ye college girl waali dresses unke saath kaam nahin karengi.”

“To main roz saree pahnoon?”

“Roz nahin. Kabhi kabhi pahan. You know seduction bhi relationship mein important hota hai.”

“No wonder tu abhi thodi der pahle itna badbadaa rahi thi. Pahle tu Dr. Rangnath ko seduce karegi aur phir jab woh aage aayenge to gussa karegi. That’s unfair Ms. Anjalika Solanki.”

“Tujhe to main abhi batati hoon. Main teri help karne ki koshish kar rahi thi aur tu ulta mujhe hi…”

“Ouch!” Nidhi screamed as Anji threw a pillow on her.

—

Though Nidhi had made a joke out of Anji’s suggestion at that time, the idea was stuck in her mind. She did feel at times that they had become great friends and companions. He clearly cared a lot about her and was also very protective. But did he ever desire her? The way she did! Or did her childish behaviour get in the way of that.

There were a couple of times when she had seen a glimpse of that desire in him. The first was when she had surprised him at his home with a dinner and cake made by her. He had told her how much he wanted to bring her to his home. Their hug that day turned passionate. But darn! He had said sorry about that. It was sweet, but… And then the day Mallika had her breakdown. He had kissed her. But that too after asking for her permission, Nidhi recalled and shook her head smiling. And then he had been really broken that day. He needed support. After that… Nothing.

So, should she think about the art of seduction after all? To let him know that she was the woman of his life and was mature enough to play that part?

—

“Nidhi. Ye sab kya ho raha hai?” Ashutosh entered his room to find stack of candles and flowers. Nidhi was perched on a aluminium ladder trying to place something on the wall, or the roof, he couldn’t tell.

Nidhi was so startled that she stumbled the ladder, but was prevented from falling because Ashutosh held the ladder in time.

“Aap… Aap itni jaldi kaise aa gaye. Aap to surgery attend karne waale the na?”

“Haan. Lekin bachche ka blood pressure control mein nahin aa raha tha to surgery postpone karni padi. Lekin ye sab… Kya haal bana rakha hai tumne apna?” Nidhi was sweating even with the AC on. She had clearly been working hard. She had decorations and flowers stuck to her hair and was looking very hassled.

“Aapko abhi nahin aana tha. Aise nahin dekhna tha mujhe… Main aapke liye…”

“surprise plan kar rahi thi? Lekin ye candles, phool – tum karne kya ja rahi thi Nidhi? Kya Anji se koi interior decoration ki training le kar aayi ho?” Ashutosh laughed.

Nidhi was irritated, “Aap nahin samjhenge…” She ran out of the room.

“Are… Nidhi…” Ashutosh called her, but she did not stop.

Ashutosh took off his coat and made to go after her, when he noticed a packet lying on the bed. He opened it to find a saree in it. Of the color he had said looks good on her. He hit his forehead. Why was he being so thickheaded? She was trying to…

—

He found her sitting in the garden looking sad and frustrated. He sat beside her.

“Nidhi. Gussa mat ho please. Main chaunk gaya tha.” She didn’t reply. So, he spoke again, “Achchha suno. Main wapas jaata hoon. Aur ek ghante mein lautta hoon. Tum jo bhi kar rahi thi, poora kar lo. Main phir aaunga. Okay?”

“Koi fayda nahin hai. Aap use bhi mera bachpana samajh kar hansenge hi.”

“Main nahin hansoonga. Bachpana to hai lekin. Kyonki jo tum chahti ho uske liye ye sab karne ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Aapko kya pata ki main kya chahti hoon?”

“Agar tumhari mujhse ye shikayat hai ki main tumhein bachcha samajhta hoon, to tum bhi kam nahin ho. Bilkul bewkoof samajhti ho mujhe?”

“Ye kaisi baat hai?” Nidhi got worried if he thought she was insulting him.

“Andar chalo. Phir batata hoon.”

—

Nidhi looked at him with apprehension and curiosity when they went back to his room.

Ashutosh went to his cupboard and took out a packet, “Change kar lo. Lekin ye pahno.”

“Ye kya hai?”

Ashutosh handed her the packet. She opened it to find a Saree in it. A white chiffon Saree. She looked at him surprised.

“Last week meri nazar padi ek store ke showcase mein. And the only thing I thought of ki ye tum par kitni achchhi lagegi. Aur jab se khareedi hai, tab se pata nahin kitni baar tumhein ismein imagine kiya hai. Pahan ke to dikhao ki meri imagination kitni sahi thi?”

Nidhi smiled and blushed. He did know what she wanted. And he was telling her that he also wanted the same.

“Main aata hoon thodi der mein.” He went out to let her change. Nidhi sat on the bed for a minute to try and control her increasing heart beats. Then she went to the bathroom to freshen up. She decided to take a quick shower instead, dressed up and waited for him to come back.

She was sitting in front of the dresser, combing her wet hair when Ashutosh entered. She gulped hard as she saw him locking the door from inside. She kept the comb back on the dresser and sat still at her place.

Ashutosh came to her and made her stand up.

“Nidhi,” his voice was husky, “Mujhe seduce karne ke liye tum khud hi kaafi ho. In sab cheezon ki zaroorat nahin hai,” he indicated towards the stack of candles and flowers.

Nidhi went red on hearing him say that word – ‘seduce’!

“Aur ye jo tumhara bachpana hai na Nidhi, ye tumhein aur bhi attractive banata hai.”

He seemed to be answering all her unasked questions.

“Aur jab tum zidd karti ho, gussa karti ho to pata hai mera kya karne ka ji chahta hai? Mera ji chahta hai ki tumhein apni baahon mein kas loon aur tab tak tumse pyaar karta rahun jab tak tum mujhse haar na maan lo.”

Nidhi felt her heart pounding. Just his voice was enough to send her to seventh heaven. She bit her lips hard to bring herself back to the real world and to keep herself from swooning.

Ashutosh saw her shivering and held her to provide support.

“Main khud ko rok leta hoon Nidhi kyonki mujhe dar lagta hai ki kahin jaldbaazi mein tumhein chot na pahuncha doon. Lekin…”

“Main koi bachchi nahin hoon,” Nidhi felt she had to say it lest he went back to his ways of treating her like a child again.

“Yes,” Ashutosh smiled, “Tum bachchi nahin ho. And I feel sorry for myself ki itne dinon tak maine iska fayda nahin uthaya.” He was being naugty.

That was so atypical of him! Even in her current state of mind, it surprised Nidhi so much that she looked up at him wide-eyed.

Ashutosh noticed her reaction and laughed slightly, “Make no mistakes Nidhi. Jis din main apne man ki karne par aa jaunga, tumhein bahut sataaunga. Lekin iski shuruat us special din hongi jab tum mujhe mere naam se bulaogi.”

Nidhi blushed. He had read through her desires. She felt extremely shy as well as embarrassed at that realization. She found it difficult to stand so close to him or to meet his eyes. She ran away from him. But the door was locked. With nowhere to go, she just stood near the bed facing away from him.

Ashutosh understood and smiled. He decided to tease her a little more. He approached her, removed her wet hair from one of the shoulders, bent down and planted a kiss on her neck. Nidhi breathed so hard that it made noise.

“Kya hua Nidhi?” Ashutosh asked innocently while caressing her shoulder and neck with his hand. Nidhi turned around to face him and replied, “Kuchh nahin. Mujhe chalna chahiye.”

“Nidhi,” Ashutosh stopped her, “Dinner par chalte hain kahin.”

She nodded.

“Aur tumhari is Saree par kaisi jewelry achchhi lagegi?”

“Pearl,” she replied without thinking and then felt embarrassed, “Uski koi zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Pearl it is then,” Ashutosh did not listen to her, “Chalo.”

—

“Real pearls ki zaroorat nahin hai Dr. Asthuosh,” Nidhi protested when Asuhtosh stopped the car in front of a famous jeweler, “Kissi mall mein ja kar khareed lete hain. Aritficial…”

“Nidhi. Pahli baar tumhare liye jewelry khareed raha hoon. Kuchh to aisa hona chahiye jise tum sambhaal kar rakh sako.”

Nidhi smiled and gave in. She selected a set with ear-rings, necklace and bangles.

“Ek minute Nidhi,” Ashutosh stopped Nidhi from getting into the car after they came out of the shop.

“Kya hua?”

“Tumne koi jewelry pahan bhi to nahin rakhi hai. Ise abhi kyon nahin pahan leti?”

“Okay.”

“Pata hai Nidhi. Aur cheezon ka to nahin pata, lekin tumhare kaanon mein ear-rings dekhne ki aisi aadat ho gayi hai, ki na rahein to kuchh missing lagta hai. Hamesha pahanti ho na tum? Apni dress se match karte hue?”

He notices! Dr. Ashutosh notices what she wears! Even a small accessory like an ear-ring. He had noticed that that was one accessory she always wore. She liked ear-rings. She had one matching with every dress she owned. She remembered the time when he had returned her ear-rings left on the patient’s bed to her.

Nidhi opened the box and took out the ear-rings. She was about to put them on when Ashutosh took the box from her. He started putting the jewelry on her himself. First he put the ear-rings one by one, followed by the necklace and the bangles.

Even as his touches sent shivers own her body, Nidhi could not help but feel emotinoally overwhelmed. He was playing the role of a lover to the T today. She hadn’t expected that from him. She had never been unhappy that he did not behave like a young boy in love with her. She loved him for how he was and how he cared for her. But today, when he did behave like that, she felt extremely elated and happy.

“Thank you,” she said genuinely.

“Nidhi,” Asuhtosh held her hands, “Hum dono ke beech jo ye umra ka faasla hai, use main jaanta hoon. Lekin samajhne mein shayad bhool kar baithta hoon. Mujhe kai baar nahin pata chalta ki tumhein kya achchha lagega, kya nahin. Lekin I want you to know ki main koshish kar raha hoon, aur karta rahunga ki tumhein woh sab kuchh mile jiski tum haqdaar ho aur jisse tumhein khushi milti ho. Aur agar main tumhein woh sab nahin de paya to tum meri class le sakti ho,” he laughed slightly towards the end.

Nidhi also smiled, “And I want you to know ki aap jaise hain, waise hi mujhe bahut achchhe lagte hain. Mujhe khush rakhne ke liye aapko itni mehnat karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Main bahut khush hoon aapke saath.”

“Chalo phir. Baaton se pet nahin bharta. Dinner karte hain,” Ashutosh said and made his way towards the driver’s seat.

—

To be continued