Mish' Fiction

“Ma? Ye scooter?”

“Armaan ko dikha tha, shopping complex mein. Woh le aaya, doosri chabhi use kar ke.”

Ananya and Kabir, who was following her, stopped in their tracks. Just then she noticed Ronnie and Richa and was even more shocked.

“Hum chalte hain,” Ronnie said and they left leaving Ananya and Kabir with Mrs. Kashyap. Anaya saw Armaan standing at his bedroom door, wringing his hands nevously.

“Ma. Main…” Ananya tried to break the awkward silence, but words failed her.

“Agar tujhe mujhse chhipaane ki, jhooth bolne ki zaroorat padi, to tujhe nahin lagta ki tu kuchh galat kar rahi thi?”

“Aap sahi kah rahi hain, Mrs. Kashyap,” Kabir came forward, “Humne galat kiya. Lekin yakeen maaniye. Ye galti bachkanepan ki wajah se thi. Aapko dhokha dene ke iraade se nahin.”

“Bachkanapan? Bachchha tum dono mein se kaun hai? Tum to nahin to, Kabir? Aur ye – jab bachchi thi to aasaan tha. Ab to badi ho gayi hai. Itni badi ki–”

“Ma. Please. Ek baar meri baat to sun lo.”

“Theek hai, Kabir. Main apni beti se baat karna chahti hoon.”

A silent look passed between Ananya and Kabir.

“Ji. Aur main aapse waada karta hoon ku main aapke beech mein kabhi nahin aaunga. Aapse ab tak chhipaane ki galti ke liye main aapse maafi maangta hoon aur bharosa kijiye ki jismein aapki khushi nahin hogi, waisa kuchh bhi karne ko main Ananya ko kabhi nahin kahoonga. Main chalta hoon.”

Ananya waited for his to leave before speaking, “Ma. Tumne Richa aur Ronnie ko ye discuss karne ke liye bulaya tha?”

“Main kya karti, Ananya? Tu to apna bhala-bura sochne mein kissi ki salaah le nahin rahi hai. Mujhe hi poochhna pada.”

“Ma. Kabir bahut achche insaan hain. Aap ek baar unhein jaan logi to–”

“Jitna jaana hai, suna hai, tere hi doston se, usse to mujhe yahi lagta hai Ananya ki woh kissi ko bhi impress kar sakta hai. Aur ye khatarnaak hai.”

“Ma!”

“Ananya. Aisi kya jaldi padi hai tujhe. Kya tujhe ek achchha jeevansaathi nahin milega? Itna oob gayi hai humse ki bas mauka milte hi–”

“Kaisi baatein kar rahi ho, Ma? Main kya tum logon ko chhod kar kahin ja rahi hoon?”

“Ye woh zamana to nahin raha, Ananya, ki main tujhse zabardasti karoon. Ghar bitha doon tujhe. Lekin main apni sahmati nahin de sakti is rishte ke liye.”

“Ma tumhari acceptance ke bina main kuchh bhi nahin–”

“To phir teri choice clear honi chahiye.”

“Tum mujhe apne aur Kabir ke beech chunne ke liye kah rahi ho?”

“Aisa hi samajh le.”

“Tum jaanti ho ki main tumhare oopar kissi ko nahin chun sakti. To theek hai, agar tumhari yahi zidd hai. Lekin main bhi tumhari beti hoon. Meri bhi zidd hai. Aur main abhi hi tumhein bata doon. Ki agar Kabir nahin rahenge meri zindagi mein, to koi aur bhi nahin aayega. I hope tum khush ho.”

She walked listlessly to her room.

“Khaana bana hua hai,” her mother called.

“Bhookh nahin hai, Ma!”

—

“Didi!”

“Armaan?”

“I am really sorry, Didi.”

“Sorry kyon bol raha hai?”

“Ye sab meri wajah se hua. Mujhe bilkul pata nahin tha ki tumhara scooter wahan kyon tha. Main ghabra gaya aur Ma ko phone kar diya.”

“Teri galti nahin hai, Armaan. Main hi bewkoofi kar rahi thi. Aaj nahin to kal, ye hona to tha hi.”

“Lekin Didi. Tum apna relation khatam to nahi kar dogi na. Ma aur Richa Didi chahe jo sochein, mujhe bharosa hai ki Kabir Sir bahut achchhe insaan hain.”

“Thanks, Armaan. Richa Ma ke kaan bhar rahi thi?”

“Woh Kabir Sir ko bilkul pasand nahin karti.”

“Aur Ronnie?”

“Woh Kabir Sir ko defend kar rahe the. Lekin he was alone.”

“Theek hai, Armaan. Tu so ja. Tujhe guilty feel karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Dekhenge. Kuchh na kuchh ho jayega.”

“Good night, Didi.”

“Good night.”

—

“Kya hua?” Kabir picked up her call imediately.

“Ma gusse mein hain. Pata nahin Richa ne unhein kya-kya bol diya hai?”

“Richa?”

“Richa. Kya kiya hai aapne uske saath, Kabir? Kyon woh aapko itna napasand karti hai.”

“Ananya!”

“Mazaak kar rahi hoon. Kis-kis ke liye roti rahoon. Ma ne bola hai ki unke aur aapke beech mujhe choose karna hoga. Maine bola ki unhein nahin chhod sakti. Lekin meri zindagi mein koi aur bhi nahin aayega.”

“Sab theek ho jayega, Ananya. Hamine patience rakhne ki zaroorat hai.”

“Mujhe to rakhna hi hai. Aap bhi rakhenge?”

“Poori zindagi, agar zaroorat padi to.”

“I hope uski zaroorat nahin pade.”

“I hope so too. So jao, Ananya. Apni neend mat kharaab karna.”

“Good night, Kabir.”

“Good night, sweetheart!”

—

“Ananya!” her mother said while she was picking up her scooter keys, “Tujhe ek car le leni chahiye. Woh jo FD agle mahine mature ho rahi hai–”

“Nahin, Ma. Use wapas invest kar do, short-term ke liye. Armaan ke college ke kharche ke kaam aayega. Mujhe car nahin chahiye.”

“Lekin–”

“Nahin, Ma. Aur main raat mein der se aaungi. Tum mera wait mat karna. So jaana.”

“Kabir ke saath ja rahi hai?”

“Ma!” she turned to face her mother, “Aise treat mat karo mujhe. Haan woh bhi rahenge. Lekin hum kaam se ja rahe hain, date par nahin. Aur bhi log rahenge.”

“Ananya. Mera dil ghabra raha hai. Koi risky operation hai kya?”

“Kabir hain, Ma. Tumhein chinta karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Professionally to unhein trust karti ho na?”

—

“Ananya!”

“Ronnie. Hi!”

“Auntie gussa hain?”

“Richa ne ensure kar diya woh to. But Kabir ki side lene ke liye thanks.”

“Richa ki baat nahin hai sirf, Ananya. Auntie khud bhi convinced thi. Isliye to unhone Richa ki baat suni aur meri nahin. Teri bhi nahin sun rahi.”

“Lekin Richa to meri bachpan ki dost hai na, Ronnie. Use to meri madad karni chahiye thi.”

“Bachpan ki dost hoon,” Richa appreared behind them, “Isliye tujhe gaddhe mein koodte nahin dekh sakti.”

“Richa. Tu unke baare mein kuchh nahin jaanti hai. Aur ab main batane ki koshish bhi nahin karoongi. Kyonki mujhe nahin lagta tujhe sach jaanne mein koi interest hai. So thank you! Tu meri life mein dakhal mat de. Main sambhaal loongi jo jaise bhi sambhaalna hoga.”

She left in a huff.

“Ronnie, woh kuchh samajh nahin rahi hai.”

“Tu bhi uski life aasaan nahin bana rahi, Richa.”

“Tu to uske pyaar mein aisa pagal hai ki uske bhale ke liye bhi use contradict nahin karega.”

“Shayad main teri tarah convinced nahin hoon ki Kabir itna bura insaan hai.”

“Too bad! Ananya ko jab tak pata chalega, tab tak kaafi der ho chuki hogi.”

“Achchha sun. Abhi hum log jhagda nahin karte hain, please?”

“Maine kyon jhagda karoongi tere se yaar? Mera Ananya se bhi koi jhagda nahin hai.”

“I know. Chal ab.”

—

To be continued

“Tarini se milogi?”

“Zaroor.”

“Main use call karta hoon. Abhi hi mil sakte hain.”

They went to a coffee shop. Tarini was already there. She smiled and extended her hands to Ananya. But Ananya felt overwhelmed and hugged her instead. Tarini was taken aback, at first. Then she smiled.

“Sorry!” Ananya stepped back, embarrased at her over-reaction, “Main, pata nahin–”

“No!” Tarini smiled and pressed her hands, “Thank you, Ananya. Sab kuchh samajhne ke liye.”

Later that night Tarini called Kabir, “Tumne use sab kuchh bata diya?”

“Tumhare baare mein? Haan.”

“Aur?”

“Shreya ke baare mein thoda-bahut. Baaki bhi bata doonga.”

“Aur?”

“Aur kuchh batane ke liye der ho gayi hai, Tarini. Jis moment par maine bina soche samjhe use propose kar diya tha, tabhi maine us sach par hamesha ke liye taala daal diya tha.”

“Agar woh mera aur Shreya ka sach samajh sakti hai, to poora sach bataoge to woh bhi samjhegi, Kabir.”

“Ho sakta hai. Lekin ab main use khone se bahut darta hoon. Main risk nahin le sakta.”

—

“Ma. Kabir Sir,” Ananya introduced him to her mother when he went to pick her up the next morning.

“Hello, Mrs. Kashyap.”

“Hello, Mr. Sharma,” she greeted him and shot a puzzled glance at her daughter.

“Woh kal mujhe Tinu drop kar ke gaya tha na. To mere paas scooter nahin tha. Isliye Kabir Sir mujhe pick up karne… aa… gaye…” she faltered towards the end on realizing that it was a lame excuse for an editor-in-chief to pick up a junior reporter.

“Bahut achchha hua ki aap ghar aaye. Please baithiye. Lekin Ananya. Tu cab kar leti. Inhein pareshaan karne ki kya zaroorat thi?”

“Koi baat nahin, Mrs. Kashyap. Actually hamein waise bhi field mein hi jaana tha office se. To hum yahin se chale jayenge. Isliye main idhar hi aa gaya. Main baithoonga nahin abhi–”

“Pahli baar ghar aaye hain–”

“Formality ki koi zaroorat nahin hai, Mrs. Kashyap. Agar Ananya ready hai to hum nikalte hain. Der ho rahi hai. Main phir aa jaunga. Please don’t worry,” he noticed her brows knitting and added, “Kya hua, Mrs. Kashyap?”

“Abhi aapki aawaaz sun ke achanak laga jaise ki bilkul yahi cheez main kabhi pahle suni hai. I think TV par aapki aawaaz sunne ki aadat hai.”

“Déjà vu hoga, Ma? Hum chalein?”

—

“Tinu! Seriously? Tinu ne drop kiya tha ghar tumhein?” Kabir was having a laugh riot at Ananya’s expense.

“Ab main kiska naam leti? Ronnie ka leti to turat hi pakdi jaati.”

“Jooth aisa bolo ki koi bharosa kare.”

“Ma ne bharosa kar liya. Abhi ke liye, at least,” she sighed and leaned back.

“Kya hua, Ananya?”

“Mujhe nahin pata Ma kaise react karengi jab unhein pata chalega to.”

“Kya main kuchh nahin kar sakta unhein convince karne ke liye?”

“Logon ke prejudices hote hain, Kabir. Khair. Dekha jayega.”

“Rest assured, Ananya. Mujhe jo bhi karne ki zaroorat hogi main karoonga.”

“I know,” she smiled.

“Lekin ye pickup aur drop ka tumhein kuchh karna hoga, Ananya. Tumhara scooter hamesha hamare beech nahin aata rah sakta.”

“Aaj main ghar par le aaungi. Kal se main ghar se nikal kar use paas waale shopping complex mein park kar doongi. Aap mujhe wahan se pick kar lijiyega.”

“Teenagers waale kaam kara rahi ho, Ananya. Aise bahane maar-maar ke, chhup-chhup ke milna.”

“Sorry!” she made a baby face at him.

“Ab aise shakal banaogi to maine teenagers kya babies waali harquantein bhi karne ko taiyaar ho jaunga.”

—

“Mujhe to lagta hai na,” Ronnie said in the canteen, “Ki Ananya ka chakkar Tinu ke saath chal raha hai.”

“Kya?”

“Tinu tujhe aaj kal kuchh zyda hi ghar drop nahin karta.”

“Sach mein?” Richa grinned.

“Haan. Aaj kal to hardly kabhi apna scooter laati hai ye. Kyon Ananya?”

“Ronnie, tu pagal ho gaya hai.”

“Achchha. Tinu se nahin chal raha tera chakkar. To kya Kabir se chal raha hai?”

Ananya paled.

Richa stared at her. “Kabir Sir? Ananya, kya ye sach hai?”

“Tu humse kyon chhipa rahi hai, Ananya?” Ronnie asked seriously.

“Chhipa nahin rahi, Ronnie, yaar. Bas ye soch rahi thi ki kab aur kaise bataun? Ye sab itna–”

“Isliye tune resign nahin kiya?” Richa asked.

“Well – partly – yes–”

“Aur jab woh tujhe dhokha dega, tab kya karegi? Phir se resign karne ki sochegi?”

“Richa. Aise kyon bol rahi hai tu, yaar? Tu jaanti kitna hai unke baare mein?”

“At least main andhi nahin hoon teri tarah.”

“Calm down girls,” Ronnie tried to intervene.

“Ronnie yaar. Tu samjha ise.”

“Tu over-react kar rahi hai, Richa.”

“Main? Main bas ise iske dreamland se utaarne ki koshish kar rahi hoon–”

“Guys!” Vinod peeked in, “Meeting time. Kabir, Malvika aur Khalid already meeting room mein hain.”

Their conversation, therefore, ended on that uncomfortable note.

—

“Hello Auntie!”

Ananya’s mother had called Ronnie and Richa home. She had asked them to come when Ananya was not around.

“Hello Ronnie, Richa. Aao baitho. Main paani laati hoon.”

“Auntie. Aapne hamein aise kyon bulaya?”

“Batati hoon.”

She brought water for them and then sat down.

“Tum log uske dost ho aur uska bhala chahte ho. Isliye please mujhse jhooth mat bolna. Ananya aur Kabir – kya chal raha hai unke beech?”

Ronnie and Richa were stumped for a moment. Then Ronnie broke the silence.

“Auntie. I think aapko chinta karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. I’m sure Ananya jaanti hai ki woh kya kar rahi hai.”

“I don’t think so, Ronnie,” Richa objected, “I don’t think Kabir Sir uske liye sahi insaan hain. Woh andhi ho gayi hai pyaar mein. Us bande ki poori history hai…”

“Mujhe bhi yahi dar hai,” Mrs. Kahsyap concurred, “He is a divorcee, isn’t he?”

“And a womanizer and a flirt. Ananya bhi jaanti hai.”

“I think aap log zyada judgemental ho rahe hain,” Ronnie objected.

“Ronnie!” Mrs. Kashyap addressed him, “Woh apne Papa ko bahut miss karti hai. Shayad use ek father figure ki zaroorat hai. Kabir is older, experienced. Professional mentor hai uska. Almost hero-worship karti hai woh uski. Aur profesionally he is capable. Lekin iska ye matlab nahin hai ki uski persoanl life clean hai. Mujhe Ananya ki fikr hai.”

Ronnie fell silent after that. How far could he defend Kabir? Despite his own heartbreak, he did think that Kabir genuinely loved Ananya. But he didn’t know him well enough to stand up for him against such skepticism.

Just then they heard a click at the door and Ananya entered opening it with her own key.

—

To be continued

“Scooter?” Kabir caught up with her in the canteen while she poured herself a glass of water.

“Scooter,” she replied.

“Aaj chhod do office mein.”

“Kal kaise aaungi?”

“Agar main tumhein drop kar sakta hoon to tumhein pick bhi kar sakta hoon.”

“Aapko aur koi kaam nahin hai?”

“Kal to nahin hai. Ghar se seedha office aana hai. To tumhein pick karte hue aa sakta hoon.”

“Sab log notice karenge.”

“Lekin tumhari shakal dekh kar mujhe lag raha hai ki you know a way around it”

She blushed.

“Mera scooter bahar parked hai. Main use andar kar deti hoon. Phir main aapse woh mall waale mod par milti hoon.”

“Fifteen minutes?”

“Okay.”

—

“Ananya?”

“Ronnie!” Ananya gulped hard and then plastered a smile on her face.

“Tu scooter andar kyon le ja rahi hai?”

“Woh bahar itni dhool ja jaati hai na?”

“To ab ghar nahin jaana hai?”

“Haan. Bas nikalti hoon.”

“Scooter andar le ja kar?”

“Nahin woh Tinu…”

“Tinu?”

“Tinu mujhe yahan milne waala hai. Ek banda hai, usse mujhe milwayega. Ek lead hai. To main uske saath hi jaungi. Phir late ho jayega to woh mujhe ghar drop kar dega.”

“Tinu tujhe ghar drop karega?”

“Haan. Kyon?”

“Nahin. Aise hi. Chal maine tere saath yahan wait kar leta hoon, jab tak Tinu nahin aata hai.”

“Nahin! Nahin Ronnie. Pata nahin Tinu kitna time lega. Tu ghar ja. Der lagi to main wapas office mein ja kar wait kar loongi.”

“Achchha, achchha! Waise Kabir nikal gaya hai?”

“Pata nahin. Kyon?”

“Aise hi. Chal Good night. Aur Tinu na aaye to scooter le kar ghar chali jaana.”

“Haan. Okay. Bye.”

—

“Oh God!” Ananya exclaimed as she slumped on the passenger seat, “Lagta hai Ronnie ne kuchh guess kar liya hai. Aaj meri itni taang kheench raha tha parking mein. Mujhe laga ki main aa hi nahin paungi.”

“Are – Ananya!” Kabir displayed an exaggerated shock.

“Kya?”

“Tumne Ronnie ko nahin bataya? Woh tumhara best friend hai. Kitna bura lagega use?”

“Haan. To bata doongi main. Ab thoda to sochna padega na. Kissi stage par chadh kar announce thode hi na kar doongi–” she noticed him smirking, “Aap taang kheench rahe hain meri?”

“Taang kheench raha hoon. Lekin doston se chhipana bhi to theek nahin hai.”

“Haan. Main bata doongi. Pahle khud ko to aadat aur bharosa ho jaye.”

“Okay. Take your time. Lekin Ananya. Meri ek dost hai jise sab pata hai. Main tumhein usse milwana chahta hoon. I think tumhara milna zaroori hai. Professionally as well as personally. Woh hamare sting operations mein hamari madad karegi. Aur shayad tumne kuchh suna ho uske baare mein jo–”

“Tarini?” Anaya asked looking nervous and scared.

“Tarini.”

She leaned back in her seat with a sigh and stared ahead.

“Agar past mein kuchh aisa hai jiski wajah se aapke oopar zimmedaariya hain, to main unke raaste mein nahin aaungi–”

“Kuchh nahin hai past mein. Yahi samajhna zaroori hai tumhare liye. Aur zimmedaariyan zaroor hain meri. Lekin isliye nahin ki meri koi majboori hai. Isliye ki maine woh zimmedaariyan uthai hain.”

“Anurag kaun hai?”

“Tarini ki bhai.”

That made Ananya sit up and look at Kabir curiously.

It was his turn to lean back. He spoke slowly.

“Mere divorce ki wajah, prima-facie, mera Tarini ke saath affair tha. Lekin sach ye hai ki divorce ka mere affair se koi lena-dena nahin tha. Divorce to hona hi tha, hamari shaadi itni dysfunctional thi. Woh sab kabhi aur bataunga. Important baat ye hai ki mera Tarini ke saath koi affair nahin tha.”

“Phir?”

“It was somebody else. Mujhe zyada kuchh yaad bhi nahin hai uske baare mein. We both knew what it was. Affair bhi nahin tha. One-night stand tha. Maine khud hi confess kiya tha, Shreya – meri ex-wife –  ke saamne. Kyonki uske liye nahin, lekin shaadi ki maryada ke liye main guilty feel kar raha tha. I have no idea why she took it in her head that it was Tarini. Woh bhi ye jaanti thi ki hamari relationship waise bhi apne breaking point par pahunch chuki thi. Lekin publicly use ek villain chahiye tha apne ego ko intact rakhne ke liye. So, she went with the story of my affair with Tarini to anybody who would listen. It was too juicy a story for anyone to drop. Meri wajah se nahin. I was a nobody then. But Shreya was a well-known socialite. Us dauraan mujhe pahli baar do cheezein realize hui,” Kabir looked at her with a sad smile, “Ek to ye ki industry mein kitne log hain jo ki relish kar-kar ke gossip tabloids padhte hain. Aur log bina wajah kitne vicious ho sakte hain.” He stopped, his face contorted as if in pain.

Ananya reached out and squeezed his arm. He clasped her hands and spoke again, “Agar mera Tarini ke saath affair tha bhi, to usse kissi aur ko kya farq pad raha tha. Mera divorce hua, meri life mein problem thi. Lekin friends, colleagues sab log directly aur indirectly taane maar kar Tarini ka jeena haraam kar rahe the. Sachchai pata karne ki kise padi thi. Aur jo ek kaam main nahin karna chahta tha woh kissi ka bhi naam publicly lena. Jiske baare mein poori story thi uska bhi nahin. Kyonki Tarini ko bachane ke liye kissi aur ki life ko aise pubicly uchhalna bhi to sahi nahin hota. What had made it even worse was ki Tarini ki khud ki life mein tab bahut problems thi.”

“Kaisi problems?”

“She had just come out of an abusive marriage. Usne apne husband ko chhoda tha, ye baat to maano logon ke liye aur bhi bada saboot ban gayi ki woh guilty thi. Usi samay uske parents ki bhi death ho gayi thi. To uske oopar Anurag ki responsibility bhi thi. Woh tab kitna chhota tha. Apne husband ko chhodne ke baad usne tabhi-tabhi nayi job shuru ki thi. Anurag ke ilaaj ke kharche ki wajah se financial crisis bhi face kar rahi thi.”

“Isliye aapne Anurag ki responsibility li?”

“Dono ki. Main khud hi financially bahut secure nahin tha tab. Lekin usse behtar kar sakta tha. Maine tab ye kiya to apni guilt ki wajah se tha. Lekin aaj Tarini meri bahut achchhi dost hai. Sach ye hai ki jitna maine uske liye nahin kiya, usse kahin zyada usne mere liye kiya hai. Meri life ke lowest moments mein usne mujhe sambhaala hai. Agar tum Tarini aur Anurag ko accept karogi to mujhe khushi hogi, Ananya. Ab to Tarini bhi achchha kar rahi hai. Meri financial commitment ab bhi hai, lekin itna to ab hai mere paas ki uski wajah se mujhe kabhi meri life mein compromises nahin karne padenge–”

“Kabir. Mere oopar bhi to Ma aur Armaan ki responsibility hai. Maine to kabhi aapse permission nahin maangi?”

He clasped both her hands and brought them to his lips. “Thank you,” he said.

“Aap bahut achchhe insaan hain. I am proud of you.”

—

To be continued

“Ananya. Main koi doodh ka dhula nahin hoon. Koi aise grand claims nahin kar sakta ki maine kabhi jhooth nahin bola hai, ya kissi ka dil nahin dukhaya hai, jaisa ki shayad tum kar sakti ho. Maine woh sab kuchh kiya hai jo mujhe karne ki zaroorat padi hai professional life mein aage badhne ke liye. Logon ko kuchla hai maine apna raasta saaf karne ke liye. Logon ko flatter bhi karta hoon, aur when they care for it ladkiyon ke saath flirt bhi karta hoon, apna kaam nikalne ke liye. Shayad tumse bhi jhooth bola ho past mein, maine hisaab to nahin rakha. Lekin Ananya, abhi main jhooth nahin bol raha. Main tumse bahut pyaar karta hoon. Aur bawzood iske ki mujhse past mein galtiyan hui hai, meri ye womanizer waali image sahi nahin hai. Main aur kissi ki nahin to apni to itni izzat karta hoon ki… Agar kabhi is image ko fight karne ki koshish nahin ki to woh isliye ki main care hi nahin karta tha ki log mere baare mein kya sochte hain. Balki shayad fayda bhi hota hai mujhe meri is ruthlessness ki image ki wajah se. Mujhe nahin pata tha ki iski wajah se mujhe ek din pachhtaana padega. Kyonki aaj tum mere baare mein kya sochti ho ye mere liye bahut important hai. Mujhe apni public image se khud ko different saabit karne ka ek mauka do, Ananya. Please?”

Tears ran down her cheek, as she sat still.

“Thoda to care karti ho na mere liye?” he held his walking stick and walked towards her, “Hospital aayi thi tum. Tumne khud kaha tha. Pata nahin bina mile kyon chali gayi? Shayad maine kissi tareeke se tumhein offend kar diya.” He sat down beside her, “Lekin jo bhi hua ho, Ananya, trust me koi galatfahmi thi. Past jo bhi raha ho, aaj meri life mein kuchh aisa nahin hai jo mujhe tumse chhipana pade. Mat jao, Ananya. Na to office se, aur na hi meri life se. I love you.”

She rested her hands on his shoulders and leaned forward. Then suddenly threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. He responded happily. When they separated, she said, “I love you, too.”

He cupped her face and planted a kiss on her lips.

“Ye sab… kya ho raha hai?” she said after a while.

“Unexpected, unplanned… ”

“Aap kyon mujhe avoid kar rahe the itne dinon se?”

He sighed, “Mera past… Bahut kuchh hai jo tum nahin jaanti ho. Shayad woh jaanne ke baad tum itne bharose se khud ko mere hawaale nahin kar dogi. Main dar raha tha, abhi bhi darta hoon–”

“Aapne kaha na ki aapke present mein kuchh bhi aisa nahin hai jisse mujhe problem ho.”

“Agar past ko present se dissociate kar sakte hain to nahin hai–”

“To phir bhool jaiye past ko. Mujhe kuchh nahin jaanna hai. Maine apni zindagi ke aath saal past ke obsession mein nikaal diye. Ab present mein jeena chahti hoon.”

“Bhagwaan par bharosa nahin karta hoon main, lekin aaj usse pray kar raha hoon ki tumhari wishes poori ho.”

“Meri wishes to poori ho gayi hain. Aaj main yahan kitne bleak plans bana kar aayi thi. Aur ab dekhiye?”

—

“Ananya! Dekh tu resign nahin kar sakti hai. Na koi planning, na koi aim, aur bas aise hi apna career thode hi na chhod dete hain,” Richa was back to her preaching ways with Ananya. Since she had announced her decision to resign to her friends, they had all been like that.

“Haan to nahin kar rahi hoon.”

“Kya!” Richa, Trisha, Ronnie and Sunny exclaimed in chorus.

“Kyon?” Ronnie asked.

“Are. Abhi tak to tum sab log itne reasons de rahe the ki mujhe kyon nahin resign karna chahiye. Ab mujhse poochh rahe ho ki kyon resign nahin kar rahi.”

“Kuchh baat hai jo tu hamein nahin bata rahi?” Ronnie eyed her suspiciously.

“Arre chhod na, Ronnie!” Trisha intervened, “Samay rahte akal aa gayi ise. Ab aur kya chahiye?”

“Ananya Madam. Aapko Kabir Sir ne bulaya hai,” the office boy informed her.

She couldn’t help the paleness that enveloped her face following this public summon! Would everyone know?

Wordlessly, she got up and walked towards his cabin with Ronnie’s eyes following her.

“Aapne aise mujhe sabke saamne kyon bulaya?” she whined, once inside.

“Ms. Kashyap. Main office mein abhi bhi aapka boss hoon, aur mujhe aapse kaam karwana hai.”

“Haan to…” she tried to retort but stopped on noticing that he was serious, “Khair. Kya kaam tha?”

“Kaam thoda confidential tha. Woh us shelf par ek neeli file rakhi hai, woh nikalo.”

Ananya went to the left corner of the office he indicated to.

“Yahan to koi neeli file nahi dikha rahi–”

“Oh! I am sorry,” he hissed right into her ears from behind. She realized that this corner of his cabin was not visible from outside, “File to main pahle hi nikaal laya tha.”

“To phir aapne mujhe yahan kyon bheja?”

“Aap intelligent hain. Take a guess, Ms. Kashyap.”

He closed in on her for a kiss.

“Malvika!” she gasped making him jump back. He looked at the door in alarm to find nobody there. Ananya burst out laughing. “Kitna darte hain aap Malvika se?”

“Apne liye nahin,” he growled, “Tumhare liye. Agar use pata chal gaya hamare baare mein to tumhara jeena haraam kar degi.”

“Woh to aapki sabhi female fans karengi.”

“Sabhi KKN ke owner ki betiyan nahin hain.”

“To ho woh owner kei beti. Mera boy….” She stopped, flushing in embarrassment.

“Tumhara?” Kabir teased her.

“Hamare editor-in-chief bhi to owner ki hi choice hain. Aur main editor-in-chief ki choice!”

“Granted. But I think kuchh dinon ke liye hamein hamare relationship ko office mein low profile hi rakhna chahiye.”

“Socha to maine bhi yahi tha Mr. Editor-in-Chief. But now you have given me ideas.”

“Ananya?”

“Anyway, aapko kuchh kaam tha ya hamari relationship ko low-profile rakhne ke liye sabke saamne mujhe bulaya tha.”

“Tameez se, Ms. Kashyap. Office mein main ab bhi aapka boss hoon.”

“Achchha! To bahar main boss hoon?”

He smiled fondly, then handed her the file. “Ise dhyaan se padho. Potentially hamara naya investigative project.”

“Elections se pahle churches ko vandalize kar ke communal issues ko raise karne ka plan chal raha hai?” she looked up at him surprised.

“Kaafi sinister plot hai, aur bahut khatarnaak log.”

She nodded.

“Shayad main duniya ka akela boyfriend hounga, Ananya,” he rued, using the word, which have made her blush and stop a while back, without hesitation, “Jo ki apni girlfriend ko dangerous situations mein daalta rahta hai. Baaki sab log to protect karna chahte hain.”

“Saare boyfriends apni girlfriends ke liye inspiration bhi to nahin hote. Main to lucky hoon. Mujhe inspiration aur protection dono ek hi insaan se mil jaate hain. Protect karne ke liye bhi to aap pahunch hi jaate hain,” she smiled, looked around to ensure that they were still in the hidden corner, tip toed up and planted a quick peck on his lips. Then she left the cabin aware of his fond, smiling eyes following her.

—

“Ananya!” It was late at night. Most people had left, except those on duty for night shows. Ananya was in sitting in the canteen still, all alone.

“Ronnie!”

“Kya hua hai? Ro kyon rahi hai?” he asked in his usual manner.

“Ronnie. Tera badla to mujhse Bhagwaan bhi le raha hai. Maine tera dil dukhaya hai na. Apne best friend ka. To woh mujhe punish karne mein koi kasar nahin chhod raha.”

“Oye! Kya bakwaas kar rahi hai? Kaun punish kar raha hai tujhe?”

“Oopar waala mujhe ehsaas dila raha hai ki dil tootna kise kahte hain. Jis insaan se main pyaar kar baithi hoon woh ek compusive flirt hai, ek womanizer hai. Shayad apne kissi purane flame ka saalon se istemaal kar raha hai. Aur itna hi nahin, mujhse nafrat karta hai, kyonki use lagta hai mere Papa ek criminal the.”

“Criminal? Woh ye decide karne waala kaun hota hai?”

“Shayad woh sahi hai ye decide karne mein. Maine aaj hi courthouse se us case ke paper nikalwaye hain. Papa ne suicide kiya tha.”

“Ananya!”

“Woh aisa kaise kar sakte the, Ronnie? Kaise woh hame bhool kar apni jaan le sakte the?”

Ronnie went forward and embraced her. She sobbed uncontrollably.

“Bas kar, Ananya. I am sure kuchh galatfahmi hai. Sach ye nahin hai, Ananya. Tu aise himmat mat haar. Maine hoon na, tere saath. Tera best friend. Phir…” He murmured soothing words to her until she calmed down.

—

“Ananya!” Malvika called her to PCR, “Kabir aaj apna bulletin khud hi padhega. Hospital se. Wahan saara setup kar diya hai. Tum jo footage layi ho, us par use brief kar do.”

“Kar deti hoon,” she replied and made a call to him from outside the room.

“Ms. Kashyap!”

“Aap kaise hain?”

“Aapko kya farq padta hai? Aapka boss, aapka dost hospital mein hai, lekin aap to ek baar dekhne bhi nahin aayi.”

“Main aayi thi–”

“Ananya? Ho gaya? We have to test the setup and go live in ten minutes.”

“Bas do minute, Malvika. Sir. Ye incident aapke hospital ki bagal waali building par hua tha–”

“Tum aayi thi yahan?”

“Ek ladka building ki chhat par chadh gaya tha aur wahan se kood kar suicide karna chahta tha. Main kissi tarah oopar pahunchi aur usse baat karne ki koshish ki. It turned out ki he loved someone, but did not think she loved him back. Itna desperate tha ki usne bina us ladki se baat kiye hue hi suicide karne ka decision le liye tha. I persuaded him to talk to the girl. And to his surprise she also loved him. So, they are together now. Woh log phone par rahenge. Aap live interview kar sakte hain.”

“Meet me, Ananya!”

“Good night, Sir.”

—

“To aa gayi tum, finally?” Kabir opened the door to find Ananya at his doorstep.

“Hospital gayi thi. Pata chala aap discharge ho gaye hain.”

“Andar aao,” he was still walking with the help of a stick.

She walked in gingerly. He noticed her clutching a folder, but decided not to ask.

“Chai, coffee?”

“Nahin Aapko waise bhi abhi aaraam ki zaroorat hai. Please baith jaiye. Mujhe aapse kuchh baat karni thi. Office ke kaam ke baare mein nahin tha. Isliye main yahan aa gayi. I hope aap disturb nahin hue.”

They sat across from each other with a coffee table between them.

“Disturb to main hota hoon, lekin tumhare aane se nahin. Batao. Kya baat karni thi?”

“Kya mere Papa se suicide kiya tha?”

His face paled.

“Ye kyon poochh rahi ho tum?”

She deposited the folder she was carrying on the table between them. “Main itne saalon tak Papa ko wapas laane se obsessed thi. Kabhi ye pata hi nahin kiya ki unke case ka hua kya. Recently koshish ki to pata chala ki woh case supposedly unke suicide ke baad close ho gaya tha. Kya unhone suicide kiya tha?”

“Tumhein kya lagta hai?”

“Suicide ya to kamzor log karte hain, ya gulty. Aap shayad unki guilt se convinced hain, lekin main nahin maan sakti ki woh kamzor ya guilty the. Woh hamare wall the. Rock solid.”

He sat up straight, “Tum ye kyon kah rahi ho ki main unhein guilty maanta hoon? Woh aritcle maine hi likha tha, tumhein pata hai ye.”

“Aur uske baad aapne kuchh nahin likha–”

“Main jab dubara unse milne gaya, unki bail ke baad, to woh appointed jagah par nahin aaye. Baad mein mujhe pata chala ki unki death ho chuki thi. Main aur kuchh kaise likhta? Mujhe kuchh pata hi nahin chala.”

“Kya unhone suicide kiya tha?”

“Mujhe pata nahin hai, Ananya, lekin mujhe nahin lagta. Shayad unki death ek accident thi. Ek pahadi se gire the woh.”

“Unki body?”

“Nahin mili.”

She sat silently for a while, her eyes glued to the floor. Then she looked up.

“Ye office ki baat hai, lekin main abhi hi aapko bata deti hoon. Main resign kar rahi hoon.”

“Kyon?”

“Mera motivation khatam ho gaya hai.”

“Tum pahle doctor banna chahti thi.”

“Papa ne bataya tha aapko? Haan. Main doctor banna chahti thi. Lekin Papa ke jaane ke baad maine reporter banne ka faisla kiya. Kyonki main unka sach pata lagana chahti thi. Aur ek baar hi sahi, lekin sach ek reporter ne bola tha.”

“Ananya!”

“Pata nahin main ye sab kyon bole ja rahi hoon.”

“Tum meri wajah se…”

“Reporter bani.”

“To main to hoon abhi yahan. Tum mere saath kaam nahin karna chahti? Kyon resign karna chahti ho?”

“Aap? Aapne woh article bhale hi likha tha. Lekin tab se… Aapne uske baad kuchh nahin likha, Delhi Kranti chhod di, aur jab se aapko pata chala hai ki main Sudhir Kashyap ki beti hoon, aap mujhse katrate phirte hain, ek criminal ki beti se associate nahin karna chahte, nafrat karte hain–”

“Ananya, nafrat nahin, main tumse hadd se zyada pyaar karta hoon!”

She froze and he realized after speaking what he had spoken. But despite his misgivings, he felt relieved. At least one truth was out in the open.

She spoke after a long time, “Nahin. Ye sach nahin hai. Aap bas… Main shayad ek achchhi employee hoon. Aap ye bol kar bas mujhe rokne ki koshish kar rahe hain. Jo ki aap sabke saath karte hain – kissi se interview lene ke liye, kissie se sting operations karwane ke liye, kissie se–”

—

To be continued

“Coffee lao koi,” Kabir yelled as he entered the studio, his tie askew and the top button of his coat undone.

“Is he drunk?” Ronnie asked in astonishment as he saw him stumble onto his seat.

Malvika shot him a worried glance and rushed into the studio. She set his tie and coat button right even as he protested.

“Kabir. Tum bulletin padhne ki halat mein nahin ho. Hamein Manav ko bolna chahiye…”

“Leave me to do my job, Malvika,” he said curtly even as his voice slurred.

He read the bulletin, but its dullness didn’t escape anyone’s notice. Trisha was getting ready for reading the weather news, when he stumbled back into the green room.

“Sir? Aap theek hain?” she had watched the bulletin and his unsteady walk confirmed his drunkennes.

“Oh, shut up, Ananya! As if you care.”

“Trisha! I am Trisha, Sir,” she replied staring at him questioningly.

“Right. Trisha. You should go now. It’s time for your bulletin.”

“Yes Sir. It is.”

—

“Ronnie!

Mujhe pata hai ki main tujhse selfish demand kar rahi hoon. Mera ye chahna ki sab kuchh pahle jaisa ho jaye shayad unreasonable hai. Lekin yebhi sach hai Ronnie ki hamari dosti mere liye bahut important hai.

Mujhe nahin pata ki main kissi aur se pyaar karti hoon ki nahin. Mujhe ye bhi nahin pata ki agar kissi se main pyaar karti hoon woh mere liye sahi hai ki nahin. Lekin Ronnie, agar woh sahi nahin bhi hai, to iska matlab ye to nahin ki main tere pyaar ko backup option ki tarah use karoongi. Ye to hamari dosti ki insult hogi na, jahan par teri jagah koi nahin le sakta.

Maine bahut akeli ho gayi hoon, Ronnie. Tu to hum sab se zyada samajhdaar hai na. Tujhe to pata hoga ki ye sab kaise theek karna hai.

Please mujhse baat kar, Ronnie. Mujhe mere best friend ki zaroorat hai.

Teri dost
Ananya”

Ronnie folded the letter back and dropped it on his table, as Trisha watched him from a distance. Then he left and Trisha made for his desk.

—

“Ananya!”

“Trisha? Aa. Thodi der baith ja. Phir lecture sunana aur jhagda karna.”

“Aise kyon bol rahi hai?”

“Kya boloon, Trisha? Richa aur Ronnie mujhse gussa hain kyonki main Ronnie ko apna best friend maanti hoon, lekin honestly use ek lover ki tarah nahin dekh sakti. Unhein lagta hai ki main Ronnie ko Kabir Sir ke liye reject kar rahi hoon. Aur Kabir Sir to mujhse baat bhi nahin karna chahte. Nafrat karte hain woh mujhse–”

“Nafrat? Woh tujhse kyon nafrat karenge? Tu to unki favorite hai.”

“Favorite?” she chuckled bitterly, “Thi shayad. Jab tak unhein ye nahin pata tha ki mere Papa kaun hain. Ab unhein lagta hai ki main ek criminal ki beti hoon. Lekin chhod na. Kya farq padta hai ki woh kya sochte hain, jab mere dost–”

“Farq nahin padta kya? Tu pyaar nahin karti unse?”

“Rahne de na yaar, Trisha. Kyon life complicate kar rahi hai–”

“Tujhe pata hai kal raat unka accident hua hai. Drink kar ke drive kar rahe the. Hospital mein hain woh.”

“Kya!” Ananya flung out of her chair. “Kab? Kahan hain woh? Is he all right?”

“I think tujhe ja kar hi dekhna padega. Apollo hospital mein hain.”

“Mujhe us area mein hi jaana hai aaj news cover karne. Main… main jaldi nikal jaati hoon. ”

She rushed out.

—

Kabir was lost in recalling his conversation with Trisha that morning. She had visited him in the hospital on her way to the office.

“Kaise hain aap, Sir?”

“Zinda hoon. Dekh rahi ho.”

“Aur jiski wajah se ye halat hui hai aapki, use pata hai ki aap yahan hain?”

“Excuse me?”

“Jab Ananya ko ye pata hi nahin hai ki aapki kya halat hai to how will she care.”

“Kya bakwaas kar rahi ho, Trisha?”

“Main to kuchh dinon mein ja hi rahi hoon, Sir. Isliye risk le sakti hoon bakwaas karne ka, badtameezi karne ka. Zyada-se-zyada nikaal hi to denge na aap mujhe job se.”

“Shaadi kar ke bahut log pagal ho jaate hain. Tum usse pahle hi ho gayi ho.”

“Aap bhi. Agar aap Ananya se pyaar karte hain to batate kyon nahin?”

“Ananya Ronnie se pyaar karti hai.”

Trisha smiled, “Ronnie Ananya se pyaar karta hai. Ananya – well – main kyon bataun ki uske man mein kya hai. Itna pata hai mujhe ki woh Ronnie se pyaar nahin karti hai. Ye lijiye. Main aapke liye, especially, Ronnie ki desk se ye Ananya ka letter chura kar layi hoon. I hope ki iske badle mein mujhe ek coffee date to mil jayegi aapke saath.”

“Tum pagal ho, Trisha. You expect me to read somebody else’s letter.”

She shrugged. “Main late ho rahi hoon, Sir. Chalti hoon. Get well soon. I want to dance with you at my wedding.”

“Kiski yaadon mein khoye hue ho Kabir?” Taraini came in, breaking his reverie.

“Tumhari, aur kiski?”

“Jhoothe! Mera naam Ananya nahin hai. Kya halat hai pairon ki?”

“Pairon se hi pochho. Ye meri to sun nahin rahe.”

“Tumne kissi ki suni thi, drink karne se pahle?”

“Sab taane de chuke hain, Tarini. Tum to chup ho jao.”

“Kaise chup ho jaun, Kabir? Tumhein wapas se us depression mein jaate dekh kar kaise chup ho jaun? Tum Ananya se baat kyon nahin karte?”

“Uska mujhme sirf ek interest tha, Tarini. Ki main use uske Papa tak ya unki sachchai tak pahuncha sakta hoon. Woh dono hi ummedein uski khatam ho chuki hain. Ab use mujhme interest lene ki koi zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Agar jo tum kah rahe ho woh sach hai, to uski jagah main to kabhi woh baingan ka bharta nahin laati itni raat mein apne ghar se. Woh bhi tab jab mujhe pata bhi nahin hota ki main kiske liye le ja rahi hoon. Use sirf ye pata tha ki tum kissi ke liye chahte the.”

“Mere aur uske beech sirf ye sawaal nahin khada hai ki woh mere liye kya feel karti hai. Mere aur uske beech ek past bhi khada hai. Jiske liye woh shayad mujhe kabhi maaf nahin kar payegi. Mere chup rahne se kam-se-kam woh mujhse nafrat to nahin karegi. Pyaar kare ya na kare.”

“Shayad woh samjhegi. Lekin you won’t know unless you talk.”

—

Ananya retreated her steps from the door of Kabir’s room. Tarini was there; she recognized her from the sting operation’s video. The way she sat near him and fussed over him authoritatively left Ananya in no doubt that they were close. Perhaps Richa was right. He hadn’t married Tarini, but was using her for all these years. The man she had fallen in love with was a compulsive flirt and a womanizer. Not only that, he hated her for no fault of her own. For no fault of even her father, she was sure of that. And the time had come to move on from her grief of losing her father, and to start trying to find out the truth.

—

To be continued

“Tujhe dikhta nahin hai ki woh apna kaam nikalwane ke liye har ladki ke saath flirt kar sakte hain. Malvika ho ya koi socialite jise woh interview karna chahte hain. Yahan tak ki mere aur Trisha ke saath bhi. Jab tak saamne waala samajhta hai ki kya chal raha hai, tab tak it is harmless fun. Lekin… Tujhe pata hai ki unka divorce kyon hua tha?”

“Mujhe nahin pata, aur mujhe pata karna bhi nahin hai. Chup kar ab tu.”

“Nahin. Main teri dost hoon, aur tujhe meri baat sunni padega. Unka divorce isliye hua tha ki unke extramarital affairs the. Poori duniya ko pata hai ki apni ek junior ke saath… Tarini naam hai uska. Ab bhi unke saath hai. Jo sting operation kiya tha unhone Nidhi Kapoor ki story ke liye, usmein wahi thi video mein. Kya pata? Shayad aaj bhi uska use hi kar rahe hon? Kyonki shaadi to ki nahin usse! Lekin shayad ek bachcha bhi hai unka.”

“Mujhe nahin pata ki main ye sab at all kyon sun rahi hoon. Richa. Main apni life se hi bahut pareshaan hoon. Mujhe doosron ki pareshaani apne sar par nahin leni hai.”

“Mera irada tujhe pareshaan karne ka nahin tha, Ananya. But I just hope for your sake ki tu sahi decision le. Main chalti hoon.”

Ananya still had an hour to go before she had to leave for her next assignment. So she stayed put. Ronnie joined her there after a while. He didn’t bring up the topic. She wondered if she should stay silent too. But that would have meant keeping a cruel hope alive for him.

“Ronnie!”

He smiled nervously, reading in her voice what she meant to discuss.

“Ronnie. Hum best friends hain, aur ye rishta mere liye bahut maayne rakhta hai. Kya hum ise aise hi nahin rakh sakte. Main ise complicate nahin karna chahti.”

The crestfallen look on his face brought tears to her eyes.

“Ronnie please!”

“Wajah jaan sakta hoon, Ananya? Is rejection ki?”

“Rejection? Ronnie – ye rejection to nahin hai. Hamari dosti to hamesha ke liye affirmed hai na…”

“Kabir ki wajah se?”

“Ronnie, please! Koi aur ho na ho meri zindagi mein, jo teri jagah hai woh koi aur nahin le sakta…”

“Thanks, Ananya! Mujhe zyada din suspense mein na rakhne ke liye.”

“Ronnie, please, mujhse baat kar–”

But he left without glancing back at her.

Dejected and tired, she buried her face on the table.

“Ananya!” She looked up on hearing Kabir’s voice, “Kya baat hai? Are you okay?”

“Ji.”

“Do baj chuke hain—”

“Yes Sir. I’m sorry, Sir. Main nikal hi rahi hoon.”

“Are you unwell?”

“No Sir.”

Kabir looked on, concerned, as she left.

On the way to her desk, she saw Richa with Ronnie. The hostility in her eyes made her feel all alone. For the first time in her life!

—

“Office ka mahaul kaafi rangeen bana hua hai aaj kal,” Malvika walked into his cabin.

“Kya matlab?” he had just noticed Ananya trying to talk to Ronnie, while he seemed angry and rebuffed her.

“Vinod aur Shirin ka kuchh chakkar chal raha hai. Ananya aur Ronnie mein lovers’ tiff chal rahi hai.”

Kabir controlled his expressions with difficulty.

“Tum mujhe office ki gossip sunane ke liye yahan aayi ho?”

“Sab tumhari tarah professional nahin hote na, Kabir. Khair. Khalid wants to meet both of us. To discuss the recruitment progress.”

“Chalo.”

—

People from all departments had gathered to discuss the coverage of a controversial breaking news related to the rape of a minor.

“Given the sensitivity of the issue,” Kabir addressed them, “Main ye chahta tha ki hum sab log kuchh basic guidelines par clear ho, is news par kaise report karna hai uspar–”

His phone vibrated and when he looked at it his face softened. “I am sorry, but I must take this,” he said apologetically and picked up the phone. He moved away from the group, but did not leave the room.

“Anurag beta. Kya baat hai?” he was audible as he talked.

Despite herself, Anaya looked at Richa and found her staring back with an accusing look in her eyes.

“Okay, okay. Let me find out. Agar abhi kahin se deliver ho sakta hai to mai karwa doonga. Otherwise shaam mein. Abhi ke liye pizza bhijwa doonga. Fine? Please apna homework kar lena. Bye. Be a good boy.”

“Guys!” Kabir turned towards the people assembled for the meeting, “I know this is ridiculous, but aap mein se koi jaanta hai koi aisa restaurant jo baingan ka bharta delivery karta ho. South Delhi mein?”

A few people chuckled, while others stared at Kabir, expecting him to explain that he was joking.

“Ananya!” Trisha spoke, “Tu layi thi na kal baingan ka bharta.”

Anaya flustered and replied angrily, “Meri Ma ne banaya tha. Mujhe nahin pata ki koi restaurant deliver karta hai ya nahin.”

“Okay. Sorry everyone. Let’s get back to work,” Kabir ended the discussion.

—

“Ronnie. Please mujhse baat kar, ek baar…” Kabir stopped short at the canteen door on hearing her voice.

“Ananya. Mujhe akela chhod de, please. Feelings ka koi switch nahin hota ki jab man ho on kar diya, jab man ho off kar diya.”

“Ronnie main jaanti hoon ki maine tera dil dukhaya hai, lekin kya aaj tak jo bhi tha hamare beech–”

“Ananya. Don’t!”

Kabir hastily stepped behind the door on hearing Ronnie approach. He left and a distraught Ananya ran to the washroom. Perhaps to let her anguish take form of tears in privacy.

‘Lover’s tiff,’ he recalled. If only he could take Ronnie’s place! He would never leave her to cry.

—

“Tum?” He was surprised to find her at his doorsteps.

“Ye. Baingan ka bharta hai. Agar chahiye ho to–”

“Andar aao, please.”

“Kaun hai?” Anurag asked from inside.

“Tumhare liye to fairy hi hain,” Kabir told him, smiling, “Ananya. Baingan ka bharta layi hain.”

“Aap hain Ananya Didi? Maine aapke baare mein bahut suna hai.”

Ananya smiled, uncomfortably.

“Achchhi flattery kar lete ho, Anurag. Ananya, tumhein itni taqleef uthane ki zaroorat nahin thi–”

“Maine bas Ma se poochha to unhone jhat se bana diya. Unhein aadat hai, dikkat nahin hoti.”

“Aapki Mummy ko aur bhi cheezein banani aati hain?” Anurag asked, excited.

“Haan,” Ananya gave him a more relaxed smile this time, “Tumhein aur kya-kya pasand hai?”

“Ananya, rahne do. Iski farmaishein shuru ho gayi to–”

Ananya’s smile disappeared and she looked embarrassed, as if she had been adminished for overstepping a limit.

“Main chalti hoon.”

“Nahin—”

“Aap meri banayi coffee nahi piyengi?” Anurag interrupted the awkward conversation.

“Tum banaoge coffee?” she could not help a warm smile at his innocent question.

“Haan.”

“Iska matlab hai,” Kabir said sheepishly, “Ki iske kahne par main banaunga. Tum please baitho.”

“Nahin, kaafi raat ho chuki hai–”

“Please, Ananya Didi.”

“Ruk jao, thodi der, Ananya.”

She sat down and he brought two cups of coffee, which they sipped in silence.

“Maine sapne mein bhi nahin socha tha ki tum meri is request to itni seriously logi,” Kabir spoke after a long pause, “Warna main–”

“Lagta hai mere yahan aane se aap bahut uncomfortable ho gaye hai. I am sorry.” She ran out and Kabir could only look on, helplessly.

—

To be continued

“No Richa and Trisha! You can’t take off. Ananya madam already nahin aayi hain. Ronnie ne bhi bas ek text bhej diya hai ki woh nahin aayega. Ye koi college nahin hai ki tum log mass bunk kar ke movie dekhne chale jaoge. Jao wapas apne kaam par.”

“Malvika, please aap hamari baat to suniye–”

“No means no–”

“Malvika!” Kabir entered her cabin, “Jaane do in logon ko. Aaj koi emergency nahin hai. Aap log bas apne news padhne ke time par yahan aa jayen.”

“Yes Sir. Hum dono ko hi evening mein news padhna hai. We will be here well before that. Thank you so much, Sir.”

“Ye kya tamasha hai, Kabir–” Malvika burst out at him as soon as Richa and Trisha had left.

“Ananya ko kal raat pata chala hai ki uske father, jinka woh aath saalon se intezaar kar rahi thi, zinda nahin hain.”

“So?”

“So? Ye log uske dost hain, Malvika. Abhi use unki zaroorat hai.”

“Tumhein nahin lagta ki tumehin uski kuchh zyada hi chinta hoti hai–”

“Malvika please. Main bahut thaka hua hoon. Kal main der raat lauta tha sting operation se, aur tab se soya bhi nahin hoon.”

“I’m sorry,” Malvika suddenly took a placating tone, “Main thoda stressed out thi. But tumhari halat bahut kharaab lag rahi hai. Tum mere saath mere ghar kyon nahin chalte, Kabir? I will take care of you, I promise!”

“Malvika. Abhi to tum aise behave kar rahi thi ki Richa aur Trisha ke ek din ki chhutti lene se KKN band ho jayega. Aur ab tum chahti ho ki hum dono bhi office se nikal jayen.”

“Kabir. Tumhein aaraam ki zaroorat hai. I just care for you.”

“Na to tum naadaan ho, Malvika, na maine tumhein kabhi koi galat hint diya hai. Hamari relationship professional hai. I am haapy to be friends with you, kyonki jin logon se saath hamein din-raat kaam karna ho, woh agar hamare dost ho to achcha hota hai. Lekin isse zyada main kuchh aur nahin dekhta hamare beech. I am not looking for a relationship, Malvika. I am sorry that I have to spell that out for you. Anyway. Main tumse kuchh prodcution changes dicuss karne ke liye aaya tha. But let’s talk tomorrow.”

—

Kabir saw Ananya coming to his cabin. These days he had made it his habit not to speak to her alone. So, he made his way out so that she ran into him in the corridor itself.

“Kabir. Dr. Sinha ne finally apna statement de diya hai. Unhone admin-in-charge, Dr Kapoor, ko confront kiya tha, kuchh major irregularities ke baare mein. Unki beti ne apne Papa ko bachane ke liye Dr. Sinha ko is controversy mein phansa diya. Phir Dr. Kapoor ne unhein unki beti ko le kar threaten kiya…”

“Hamesha ki wahi kahaani hai!”

“In dinon admin-in-charge ki beti, jisne accuse kiya tha, woh bhi college nahin aa rahi. Tinu ne pata lagaya hai, woh aaj kal shahar ke bahar ek farmhouse mein rah rahi hai.”

“Hamein woh papers chahiye, jisse irregularities clear ho. Phir hum news break kar sakte hain.”

“Ji. Hopefully hum Dr. Sinha ko persuade kar lenge hamare saath woh share karne ke liye.”

“Theek hai. And Ananya.”

“Ji?”

“Hamare kuchh field reporters chhutti par hain. So I need you to do live reporting for sometime. Hamare investigative projects abhi hold par rahenge.”

Ananya knew he was lying. Nobody was on leave. She was aware of his attempts to keep her away from him. Now he was sending her back to live reporting to keep her away from the office too. But what was she to do about it?

“Ji,” she acquisced without confronting him.

—

“Ananya! Kahan hai tu?” Ronnie called her in the evening.

“Field mein thi yaar, poore din. Chai peene chalna hai?”

“Haan, chalte hain. Mujhe tujhse kuchh baat bhi karni thi. Tu seedhe wahan pahunchegi?”

“Haan. Aadhe ghante mein.”

“Done.”

—

“Itna thak gayi hoon main, Ronnie. Waise bata. Tujhe kya baat karn ithi.”

“Tera mood theek nahin lag raha. Baad mein karte hain.”

“Arre nahin, yaar. Tere saamne kya mood theek nahin hoga. Bol na.”

“Pakka?”

“Itna format kyon ho raha hai yaar, Ronnie? Ab kya stamp paper par likhwa ke lega?”

Ronnie chuckled, “Nahin. Lekin… Ananya. Dhyaan se sunna…. I… I love you, Ananya.”

“Arre to? I also love you.”

“Nahin. Tu samajh nahin rahi…”

He went down on his knees.

“Ronnie!”

“Ananya. Tu mere liye sab kuchh hai. Jab se tujhe jaanta hoon, tab se tujhe pyaar karta hoon. Rah nahin sakta main tere bina. Jaan de sakta hoon tere liye. Tu… tu sun rahi hai na meri baat.”

She barely nodded, staring at him in confusion and indecision.

He stood up and sat beside her again, “Maine tujhe surprise kar diya hai. Tujhe abhi jawaab dene ki zaroorat nahin hai, Ananya. Tu time le, jitna time lena hai le. But promise kar ki tu sochegi iske baare mein.”

She nodded, barely.

“Tujhe bata kar hi main itna khush hoon. Jab… Khair. Ghar chalein?”

“Main scooter layi hoon,” she finally found her voice.

“Dhyaan se jaana. Good night.”

—

“Ananya. Tu theek to hai?” Richa caught up with her in the canteen the next day.

“Pata nahin.”

“Kya hua?”

“Ronnie ne mujhe kal propose kiya.”

“Really? Finally!”

“Finally? Tujhe pata tha ki woh…”

“Don’t tell me, Ananya, ki tujhe pata nahin tha.”

“Woh mera best friend hai, Richa. Lekin maine kabhi–”

“Kya bola tune use?” Richa grew alarmed.

“Abhi tak kuchh bola nahin hai, lekin main ye nahin kar sakti…”

“Kyon Ananya? Ronnie itna achchha ladka hai. Tum dono ek doosre ko itne achchhe se samajhte ho–”

“I know, Richa. Lekin maine use is tarah se kabhi nahin dekha. He means a lot to me. Lekin–”

“To ab dekhne ki koshish kar le. It will be good for you.”

“Nahin Richa. Ye nahin ho sakta. Mujhe use mana karna hoga.”

“Kyon Ananya? Kiske liye? Kabir ke liye?”

“What? Kabir Sir beech mein kahan se aa gaye.”

“Main andhi nahin hoon, Ananya. Ronnie ke man mein kya chal raha tha ye bhi dikhta tha muhe. Aur tere man mein kya chal raha hai, ye bhi dikh raha hai. Lekin tu andhi hai. Na tujhe Ronnie ki sachchai dikhti hai. Na Kabir Sir ka fareb.”

“Kya fareb? Tu Kabir Sir ke baare mein kya bole ja rahi hai?”

—

To be continued

“Bathroom kidhar hai? Main pahle ise dho leti hoon,” she said on reaching his home.

He motioned towards the guest bathroom and slumped on the sofa. He could feel exhaustion in his bones. While he waited for her to come out, he remembered the locket and took it out of his pocket. A small piece of paper peeked out of it. Curious, he picked it out and unfolded it. The content made him sit up. What could this possibly mean? He heard the bathroom door open and quickly folded the paper back.

When Ananya came out, she looked as pale as him. She was so distraught that she hardly noticed his state. “Mera locket…” she felt for it around her neck, “Woh jungle mein–” Her eyes fell on his hands and she let out a cry of joy. “Thank God! Ye aapke paas hai.” She snatched it from him and pressed it close to her heart.

He looked away for a moment to control his expressions, then asked. “Ye locket… Ye itna important kyon hai tumhare liye?”

“Ye locket mujhe mere Papa ke kareeb rakhta hai, Kabir. Woh mere strength hain.”

“Tumhare Papa? Kahan hain woh?”

She became somber, “Aath saal se gayab hain. Duniya ke liye villain hain, lekin mere liye to hero hain. Shayad aapko yaad ho. RG Pharma waala case. Aath saal pahle…”

“Tum Sudhir Kashyap ki beti ho?”

She nodded.

“Excuse me,” he said and strode towards his bedroom.

—

“Annie!” he hissed at his image in the bedroom mirror, “I should have known!”

‘Maine ek bahut hi ordinary life ji hai, Kabir, lekin meri beti ke liye main hero hoon. Agar mujhe kuchh ho jaata hai to kam-se-kam Annie ko bata dena ki main galat nahin tha. Lekin usse pahle ye ensure kar lena ki use ya meri family mein kissi aur ko koi khatra na ho.’

He took a deep breath, grabbed the first aid box and went back to her.

He was aware of her penetrating eyes on him as he dressed her wound. He paled, but was not surprised, when she finally asked, “Aap ka hi likha hua hai na woh article? Aap the Delhi Kranti mein, hai na?”

He didn’t reply and continued dressing.

“Mujhe nahin pata ki aap kyon nahin maanna chahte ye. Ye aapka aakhiri article tha Delhi Kranti mein. Shayad aapka bhi vishwaas uth gaya hoga Papa se. Shayad aap apne is article ke liye sharminda hain ab. Lekin main aapko kuchh vishwaas dilane mein interested nahin hoon, Kabir. Main aapko sirf isliye dhoondh rahi thi itne dinon se kyonki shayad aap hi hain jo Papa ko dhoondhne mein meri madad kar sakte hain. Aath saalon se hum unka intezaar kar rahe hain. Even if aapko lagta hai ki woh galat the, phir bhi hamein unse milne ka, unse baat karne ka haq to hai na?”

He finished dressing and stood up. She followed the suit and stood in front of him, stubborn and insistent.

He held her close and looked into her eyes for a long time.

“Annie!” Him calling her by that name brought tears to her eyes. “Tum aath saalon se apne Papa ke lautne ka intezaar kar rahi ho?”

She nodded.

“Main tumhein thodee si khushi dene ke liye dhokhe mein nahin rakh sakta. Tumhare Papa is duniya mein nahin rahe. Aath saal pahle hi…”

She stepped back from him, looking crestfallen.

“Aisa nahin ho sakta. Ma ko poora bharosa hai… Nahin. Aap jhooth bol rahe hain. Aap abhi tak mujhse apne baare mein jhooth bol rahe the. Ab Papa ke baare mein bhi bol rahe hain. Mujhe nahin pata ki aap aisa kyon kar rahe hain, lekin…”

“Annie–”

“Mat bulaiye mujhe is naam se. Aapko iska haq nahin hai.”

She made to run out of the house, but Kabir yanked her hand and stopped her.

“Main tumhein ghar drop kar raha hoon.”

“Mujhe jaane dijiye.”

“Ananya!” On a whim he turned her towards himself and pulled her in a tight hug. She broke down and sobbed for a long time in his arms.

He sat her down on the sofa after she stopped crying and sat across from her. They sat in silence for a long time.

At last she said, “Mujhe ghar jaana hai.”

“Chalo,” he stood up and picked the car keys.

They drove to her home in silence.

She broke it only to thank him for dropping her.

“Ananya,” he responded in a trembling voice, “Please take care.”

She nodded and left. He waited until she entered her home, then turned his car around.

—

Kabir paced in his study, while Ananya sat on her windowsill with her father’s photograph pressed to her bosom.

Ananya felt her father’s presence again.

“Papa. Aaj bharosa toot gaya mera.”

“Par tu nahin toot sakti, Annie beta. Tujhe Ma aur bhai ko sambhaalna hai.”

“Main kya karoon ab, Papa? Itne dinon se bas isi maqsad se jee rahi thi ki aapko dhoondhoongi.”

“Sach ki khoj to baaki hai na abhi, beta? Sach tujhse aur mujhse bahut bada hota hai. Uske liye hi main mara aur use liye hi tujhe jeena hai.”

Kabir directed his restless ramblings to an absent Ananya.

“Annie! Kaise mod par mili ho tum mujhe? Kitna sach bataun tumhein aur kaise? Jitna samjha hoon tumhein, sach bata diya to tum kood jaogi uski ladai mein. Khatre mein daal logi khud ko. Aur mere haath aise bandhe hain ki main tumhara saath bhi nahin de paunga. Mujhse nafrat karogi tum. Dono hi baatein mujhe manzoor nahin hain. Tumhein poora sach to main nahin bata sakta. Kam-se-kam abhi nahin. Tumhein mujhe maaf karna hoga iske liye.”

—

“Kabir Sir?” Armaan opened the door for him. The boy looked tired and forlorn.

“Armaan. Ananya hai ghar par?”

“Ji. Aap please baithiye. Maine bhejta hoon Didi ko.”

His stomach churned on seeing Ananya’s condition. Disheveled hair, puffed eyes, dispirited walk – he had never seen her like that. Not even last night. It looked like as the reality had sinked in, life had been driven out of her.

“Armaan. Paani laana,  Kabir Sir ke liye,” she asked her brother.

“Nahin!” he objected hastily, “Uski zaroorat nahin hai. Ananya – tum… Tum beemar lag rahi ho–”

“Meri hi bewkoofi thi. Deep down, jaanti to thi main, ki Papa agar zinda hote to itne dinon tak humse mile bina nahin rahte. Lekin Ma ki zidd thi, aur samay ke saath maine khud ko bhi unki zidd ka bharosa dila diya tha.”

“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Agar main kuchh bhi kar sakoon…”

“Ma ko aapse mil kar achchha lagta. Aapka woh article… But I am sorry. Abhi woh aapse milne ki condition mein bilkul nahin hain.”

“That’s fine. That’s totally fine. Tum bas ye ensure karo ki woh theek rahein. Aur tum bhi…”

“Ananya!” Ronnie was at the door.

“Ronnie!” Ananya ran to him and broke down in his arms. A pang of jealousy and a stab of guilt hit him simultaneously. For a short while last night, she had sought that comfort in his arms. Now she was distant from him. It was hardly the time to grudge her the support she really sought. But he felt lonely, isolated, forgotten. He tried to slip out quietly, but Ronnie called him.

“Kabir Sir!”

He looked up, “Ananya aaj office nahin aa payegi…”

He nodded and left.

—

To be continued

Their captors left a young boy to supervise them. He looked out of place in that gang and his nerves were obviously frayed.

“Bandhe hue to hum hain,” Kabir decided to strike a conversation with him, “Pareshaan tu kyon ho raha hai?”

He didn’t reply and tried to appear stern.

Ananya helped in the game Kabir was trying to play, “Kabir. Ye kahan phans gaye hain hum? Kaun hain ye log? Unhein humse kya dar hai?”

“Pata nahin, Ananya. Phansa hua to ye bhi lag raha hai. Tera naam kya hai, bhai?”

“Tum log baat karna band karo,” his attempt at intimidating them was clownish at its best.

“Sun. Hamein zinda to rakhna hai na. Thoda paani pila de. Bahut zoron se pyaas lagi hai.”

He looked uncertain, but gave in. “Laata hoon.”

As soon as he was out of earshot, Kabir turned to Ananya. “Sit still, Ananya,” he hissed and closed in on her.

Confused, and her heart beating absurdly hard for the dire circumstances, she sat like a statue and expected a kiss to land anytime on her cheeks. Instead Kabir removed her spectacles, threw it beside him and grinned at her. “Chashma suit nahin kar raha tha tum par.”

“Abhi aapko mera chashma…”

“Hush!” he shifted around to smash her spectacles with his sole. Then picked up a piece of broken glass and shifted once again to position their backs against each other. Soon he had cut the ropes off her hands. She began to untie him, but could not finish it before the boy appeared with water.  She put her own hands behind her and pretended as if they were still tied. Kabir struggled with his half undone bonds and by the time the boy reached them he was also free, but continued to pretend like Ananya.

“Ab haath to bandhe hain hamare. To pila bhi de paani,” he told the boy.

Uncomfortable, but resigned, the boy leant forward towards Kabir. Kabir used this opportunity to jump on him. He held him captive with one of his hands, while his other he pressed around the boy’s mouth to keep him from screaming. Ananya fetched the rope, whose one end was still tethered to the tree and tied it around the boy’s feet. Now Kabir only needed to make sure that the boy didn’t scream and draw attention to himself. With the seocnd rope, Ananya also managed to tie his hands despite his struggles.

“Meri side pocket mein ek rumaal hai,” Kabir told her, “Nikalo use. Iska munh bhi band karna hoga.”

She hesitated. For two reasons. “Kabir. Bachcha hai…”

“Abhi hamari maut hai ye. Aur munh hi band kar raha hoon. Maar nahin raha. Jaldi nikalo, please.”

Utterly aware of touching him this close through the tight jeans pocket, Ananya wriggled the handkerchief out.

Once they had the boy all trussed up, Anaya wondered, “Ab kya karein?”

“I hope Vinod aur uski team hamein GPS se track kar rahi hai. Itna time ho gaya hai to shayad police ko bhi bula liya ho aur woh hamein dhoondh lenge. Lekin yahan se jaane ki zaroorat hai.”

“Aur ye ladka?”

They saw him struggling and whimpering.

“Tujhe yahan dar lag raha hai?” Kabir asked him.

He nodded, fear evident in his eyes.

“Inke liye kaam karna hai, ya hamare saath chalna hai? Police ki madad karni hai?”

His gutteral response was undecipherable.

“Hamare saath chalega?” Kabir simplified his question.

The boy nodded.

“Chal phir.”

They didn’t untie or ungag him immediately.

“Hamein yahan se thoda door jaana hoga. And then let’s hope ki police hamein dhoondh legi,” Kabir explained.

“Ji. Chaliye.”

As they made to leave, Kabir noticed an open locket lying on the ground. He didn’t want to stop just then. So, he picked up the two parts of the locket and pocketed them without asking Ananya about it.

They walked away from the area for about half-an-hour, then stopped. They ungagged the boy and asked him questions about himself. His name was Suraj. He was recently orphaned and one of the neighbors had enrolled him in the gang. He was scared of staying with them and equally scared of running away. Kabir assured him that he would place him a children’s home he volunteered at and he would be taken care of there.

Vinod’s team and police soon found them and escorted them out of the jungle.

—

They went to the police station first. Then Khurana took the responsibility to dropping Suraj to the children’s home.

“Ananya. Maine tumhein ghar drop kar deta hoon,” Kabir offered.

“Ji,” she climbed into the passenger’s seat. “Ouch!” she yelped when she tried to pull the seat belt.

“Kya hua?” He examined her arms and they found long scratch on it. “Ye kab hua?”

“Mera dhyaan nahin gaya tha abhi tak,” she said, looking shocked.

“Hospital jaane ki zaroorat to nahi padegi. Lekin ghar jaate hi iski dressing kar lena.”

“Ma ghabra jayengi, Kabir. Hospital hi chalte hain, dresing karwa lete hain. Please.”

He hesitated for a moment, before proposing, “If it’s okay, mere ghar chal sakte hain. Wahan thoda fresh bhi ho jaana aur…”

She thought for a moment, then agreed and smiled, “Thank you.”

“Iske liye thank you ki zaroorat nahin hai. In fact, I am sorry, Ananya. Maine tumhein itne dangerous situation mein daal diya tha.”

“Hum sirf apna kaam kar rahe the, Kabir.”

He smiled, “Adrenaline junkie ho tum bhi. Mazaa aata hai tumhein?”

She tilted her head and returned his smile, “Bas Ma ki chinta rahti hai. Isliye unhein mat bataiyega. Lekin mazaa to aata hai.”

He chuckled and drove off.

—

To be continued