Mish' Fiction

“Dr. Nidhi. Aapne ye mangwaya tha,” Radhika came to hand over a report to Nidhi.

“Haan. Thanks Radhika.”

“Dr. Nidhi…”

“Yes?”

“Aapko dhanyawaad dena tha. Hamein pata chala ki aapki wajah se hi hamein ye naukri mili hai… Aapne hi Dr. Ashutosh…”

“Iski koi zaroorat nahin hai Radhika. Unhein kissi na kissi ko to kaam par rakhna hi tha. Tumhein rakh liya. Ismein kaun si badee baat hai…”

“Aapke liye nahin hai. Lekin mere liye…”

Suddenly Radhika covered her mouth and looked like she was about to puke. She ran away from there. Worried, Nidhi also went after her.

“Tum theek ho?” Nidhi asked after she had relieved herself.

“Ji.”

“Tabiyat kharaab ho to chhutti le lo.”

“Nahin. Nahin. Ye to bas aise hi…”

“Radhika. Tum jab se aayi ho, tabhi se mujhe lag raha hai ki tumhari tabiyat theek nahin hai. Mujhe check up karne do. Tum yahan kaam karti ho. Paison ki chinta karne ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Nahin Dr. Nidhi. Hamein pata hai na…”

“Tum check up kyon nahin karwana chahti?”

“Hum bilkul theek hain,” Radhika tried to evade her and made to go.

“Ek minute,” Nidhi stopped her and held her wrist without waiting for her permission. She looked at her watch and made a rough estimate of her pulse rate. “Tum pregnant ho kya?” The wide-eyed, expressionless stare from Radhika made Nidhi think that she did not understand her question. “Tum pet se ho?” she repeated in Hindi.

“Hum jaante hain aap kya kah rahi hain? Lekin Dr. Nidhi. Bhagwaan ke liye aap kissi ko batayen nahin. Hamare liye bahut mushkil ho jayegi…”

“Ye kya bewkoofi hai?” Nidhi didn’t have patience to put up with her careless behaviour now, “Kissi ko bataogi nahin to… Apne bachche ko maarne ka iraada hai kya? Tum x-ray unit mein kaam kar rahi ho. Ye khatarnaak hai…”

“Nahin. Nahin. Dr. Nidhi. Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? X-Ray to karte hain na bachchon ka. Hamare gaon mein woh pata laga lete the ki ladka hai ya ladki.”

“Oh God! Woh ultrasound hota hai Radhika. Illegal hai, lekin x-ray nahin. Tumne hamein bataya kyon nahin pahle? Aur tumhare ghar waale? Woh tumhein is haalat mein at all kaam karne hi kyon de rahe hain? Kissi ko is bachche ki parwaah nahin hai kya?” Nidhi’s bitterness about irresponsible parents was at the fore again.

Radhika got tears in her eyes, “Aisa mat kahiye Dr. Nidhi. Apne bachche ke liye hi to hum zinda hain… ye sab kar rahe hain… Lekin kissi ko pata lag gaya to…”

“Tum logon ko batane mein itna kyon ghabra rahi ho? Ismein sharm mahsoos karne ki kya baat hai?” Nidhi calmed down a bit seeing her tears. But Radhika did not reply and started cyring openly.

“Kya hua Radhika? Bataogi nahin to koi solution kaise milega? Tumhein ghar mein koi support nahin kar sakta tumhein?”

“Ghar waalon se hi bacha kar to ise yahan laaye hain hum.”

“Kya matlab?”

“Unki izzat jaati hai is bachche ko duniya mein laane mein.”

“Lekin kyon? Aur tum bhi aise behave kar rahi ho jaise… Radhika… Kya kissi ne tumhare saath zabardasti ki thi? Rape hua tha kya tumhara.”

She shook her head.

“Phir is bachche ka baap kaun hai?”

“Mar gaya woh ise aur hamein bachane ke liye,” Radhika sobbed.

Nidhi supported her and found a place to make her sit.

“Shaant ho jao. Tum is bachche ke liye sab kar rahi ho na. Agar aise pareshaan rahogi to bachche par bura asar padega.”

That immediately had the desired effect on Radhika. She wiped her tears.

Nidhi prodded her to get more information out of her. Radhika had fallen in love with a boy in her village. He was college-educated and had a good job in the nearby town. But he belonged to a lower caste and her family could never accept it. As soon as she turned eighteen, they tried to get her married to someone from their caste. She was left with no option, but to run away with her lover. They escaped to the town he worked in, where his family had also migrated to, got married and had started settling into their new lives, when Radhika’s family contacted them. The told her that they had accepted their marriage and begged her to come back once. They were dying to meet her and their son-in-law. She was missing her childhood home and family and agreed readily. Neither she, nor her husband realized that it was a trap. The family was planning to kill them even before they reached the village. And they succeeded in killing her husband. But before dying, he managed to keep them at bay for long enough to allow her to escape. He made her promise that she would save their unborn child. She had known some of their attackers and had tried to plead with them for her unborn baby’s life hoping to save them all. But that did not arouse any sympathy in them. In fact, they became even more blood-thirsty for the “dogla”, she was carrying. So, she had to leave her dead husband behind and escape. She came to Lucknow. She remembered Dr. Ashutosh and Kotnis and came there for help.

“Tum apne sasural wapas kyon nahin gayi?”

“Unke bete ko hamare ghar waalon ne maar daala tha. Kya munh lekar jaate hum wahan? Aur hum wapas jaate to shayad unki jaan par bhi aafat ban aati.”

“Phir tumne Dr. Ashutosh ko apni pregnancy ke baare mein kyon nahin bataya? Kam-se-kam hum tumhare liye koi safe job dhoondhte.”

“Woh hamare baare mein kya sochte Dr. Nidhi? Ek akeli, garbhvati ladki ke charitra par kaun vishwaas karta hai? Hum ye khatra nahin utha sakte the. Unki madad hi hamara ek-matra raasta tha. Agar unhone hamein…”

“Dr. Ashutosh aise nahin hai Radhika. Lekin khair… Abhi mujhe nahin lagta ki tum kaam karne ki halat mein ho… Hum Gyneacology mein chalte hain. Tumhara checkup karwate hain. Kabhi check-up karwyaa hai tumne? Koi dawai wagerah le rahi ho?”

She shook her head. Nidhi sighed. She was doing all this for her child. And she was too naive and young to know how to protect her child.

“Mujhe bas das-pandrah minute lagenege wapas aane mein. Main ward ka kaam khatm kar loon. Aur x-ray mein bhi inform kar doon ki tum baaki ke din kaam nahin kar sakti. Phir tumhare saath chalti hoon. Tab tak yahin rahna. Theek hai?”

“Ji.”

—

Nidhi came back home late that day. There was a lot of work followed by an interns get-together. Ashutosh had come back earlier. When Nidhi entered the house, she saw him sitting with Siddhi and Rahul. He was teaching them some chess moves. The scene before her made her smile and she felt better despite her exhaustion. Ashutosh felt her gaze on him after a few moments. He looked up from the chess board and raised his eyebrows in a silent question asking what happened. Nidhi shook her head smiling and sat down beside him on the sofa. Siddhi and Rahul were engrossed in understanding the chess position and did not say anything.

“Khane mein kya bana hai?” Nidhi asked after Ashutosh had finished explaining the position to Siddhi and Rahul and asked them to play a game on their own.

“Tum kha kar nahin aayi?”

“Nahin. Maine socha ghar par hi kha loon.”

“Hiraman Kaka ki tabiyat kharaab thi. To maine unhein cook karne se mana kar diya. Khaana order kar diya hai. Aata hoga thodee der mein.”

“Hmm…”

“Bahut thak gayi ho?”

“Haan.”

“Haath-munh dho lo.”

“Ji,” Nidhi said and got up.

When she came back, Siddhi and Rahul were still engrossed with chess. She saw Ashutosh bringing two cups of tea and putting them on the dining table. The dining table was slightly far from where Rahul and Siddhi were sitting. Ashutosh indicated to her to come there.

“Aapne banayi chai?” she asked sounding a little surprised.

“Aata hai mujhe,” Ashutosh replied with fake coldness.

“I know. Aapko sab kuchh aata hai. Thanks for the tea.”

“You are welcome,” he smiled.

“Dr. Ashutosh!” Nidhi said while sipping the tea.

“Hmm?”

“I think Hiraman Kaka ki ab umar ho gayi hai. Hamein kitchen ke kaam ke liye kissi aur ko rakh lena chahiye.”

“Nidhi. Ab main unhein aise nikaal to nahin sakta? Itne saalon se…”

“Nikaalne ki baat kaun kar raha hai. Hum unke saath kissi aur ko rakh sakte hain. Unhein bhi thoda aaraam mil jayega.”

“Ah! Okay. Good idea! Dhoondhna padega koi…”

“Mujhe pata hai kise rakhna hai…”

“Okay. Baat kar lo phir tum…”

“Dr. Ashutosh…” Nidhi suddenly interrupted.

“Yes?”

“I think… I want a baby…” she spoke hesitatingly.

Ashutosh looked around sheepishly as if he was likely to be caught doing something inappropriate. “Now?” he asked looking genuinely embarrassed.

“Dr. Ashutosh,” she hit him in mock anger and he chuckled.

“Hansna band kijiye,” she whined.

“Okay. Okay Baba. Lekin ye nek khayaal suddenly tumhein kaise aaya?”

“Aap mera mazaak udaana band karenge, to main kuchh bataungi.”

“Nidhi,” he pressed her hand, “Tum achchhi tarah se jaanti ho ki agar tum serious ho to mujhse zyada khush aur koi nahin hoga. Lekin mere liye ye ensure karna zaroori hai ki tum itna bada faisla kissi frivolous reason se nahin badal rahi ho.”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Mujhe mahsoos hua ki main irresponsible aur incompetent parents ko kuchh zyada hi ahmiyat de rahi thi apni life ke faislon mein. Aur un parents ki or nahin dekh rahi thi jo ki apne bachchon ko bahut pyaar se paalte hain, unke liye kissi bhi had tak ja sakte hain.”

“Jaise?”

“Aap.”

“Nidhi!”

“Rahul itna chhota tha, jab aapne akele uski responsibility uthayi. Itne chhote bachche ko bina Ma ke paalna aasaan to nahin ho sakta. Lekin… Look at him…” she looked at Rahul fondly, “Uske saath paanch minute baith kar hi kissi ko bhi pata chal jaayega ki uski parvarish kitne achchhe se hui hai. Preeti ki Mom bhi kah rahi thi…”

“Nidhi. Apni taareef sunna mujhe bahut achchha lag raha hai. Lekin tum mujhse aur Rahul se aaj hi pahli baar to nahin mili ho? Kuchh aur hua hai, right? Batao mujhe.”

She sighed, “Aaj Radhika aayi thi ward mein.”

“Okay?”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Uske parivaar waale gaon se bhaag kar nahin aaye hain. Woh unse bhaag kar aayi hai. Akeli. Apne bachche ko bachane ke liye.”

“Bachcha?” Ashutosh was surprised.

“She is pregnant.” Then she went on to tell Ashutosh her entire story.

“Oh my God!” Ashutosh exclaimed when she finished, “Nidhi. Use x-ray unit mein kaam nahin karna chahiye. Oh! I see… Tum use hi ghar par rakhna chahti ho, right? Kitchen ke kaam ke liye.”

Nidhi grinned foolishly.

“Nidhi. Mujhe bahut khushi hogi tumhare is faisle se. Lekin main abhi ise final nahin maan raha. Ek to main chahta hoon ki tum thandhe dimaag se soch-samajh lo. Doosra this is too early for you. Abhi tumhari internship khatam hogi. Tumhein PG karna hai. Specialize karna hai…”

“Lekin woh sab karne mein to bahut der ho jayegi…” Nidhi looked agitated.

“Are. Abhi kal tak to tumhein bachche chahiye hi nahin the. Aur ab itni jaldbaazi…”

“Jaldbaazi mujhe nahin hai…” she retorted, but stopped and bit her lips.

“To mujhe hai?”

“Nahin hai?” she asked innocently.

Ashutosh laughed out so loud that it drew the attention of Rahul and Siddhi too. “Kya hua?” they asked in chorus.

“Kuchh nahin. Tum log continue karo.”

Rahul was still distracted and wanted to know more, but Siddhi shrugged and pulled him back to the game.

“Dr. Nidhi Verma,” Ashutosh addressed her a low, amused voice, “And I am emphasizing on the ‘doctor’ here. Biologically men have a little more leeway in terms of time. So, don’t worry. We have a few years to do this. Agle five year plan mein bhi chalega.”

Nidhi rolled her eyes faking anger at his joke, but finally smiled.

—

6 years later…

Dr. Nidhi Verma, now a pediatric surgeon, opened her eyes on the hospital bed to see her husband, Dr. Ashutosh Mathur, gently swiinging a baby’s crib near her bed.

“Dr. Ashutosh…” she called him in a weak voice. His eyes shone as he looked at her. He sat down beside her, the crib still within the reach of his other hand, and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Congratulations Nidhi,” he smiled.

“Baby?”

“Baby ko tumhein doonga to mujhe kya milega?” he said with a playful smile on his lips.

“Ab aap abhi bhi mujhe chidhayenge?”

“Hamare ek darzan bachche bhi ho jayen, to bhi main tumhein chidhaunga.”

“Please!”

“Chalo. Is baar tum sasti chhoti. Kyonki my little girl was really, really waiting for her Mommy to wake up.” Ashutosh picked the baby up from the crib and handed it carefully to Nidhi. Nidhi held the baby apprehensively. It was sleeping peacefully.

Nidhi smiled nervously, “Mujhe bahut dar lag raha hai.”

“Pagal ladki. Darne ka time to chala gaya. Ab to sirf maze karne ka time hai,” he patted her head assuringly, and sat down beside her. “You will be a great mother Nidhi. Trust me.”

Nidhi rested her head on Ashutosh shoulder, while pulling the baby close to her heart.

“Di!” Siddhi barged into the room just then, Rahul following her closely, “Tumhein hosh aa gaya. Tum theek ho?”

“Itna parehsaan kyon ho rahi hai? Operation hona tha ye to pahle se hi pata hi tha.”

“Haan. Lekin…”

“Siddhi bahut dari hui thi,” Ashutosh told Nidhi.

“Pagal. Main bilkul theek hoon.”

“Can I hold her, Di?” Siddhi asked about the baby.

“Pahle main,” Rahul interrupted.

“Bilkul nahin. Tum chhote ho,” Siddhi wasn’t letting him have his way that easily.

“Agar tum ise pahle logi to iska naam main rakhoonga,” Rahul was ready with the bargain.

“Are. Naam kab soch liye aapne Rahul?” Ashutosh asked, “Nidhi se to poochh lo ki pasand hai ya nahin.”

“Rahul ki aur meri baat ho chuki hai Dr. Ashutosh. Iska naam Rahul hi rakhega,” Nidhi interrupted, then handed the baby to Siddhi, “Le Siddhi. Aur sambhaal kar.”

“Thank you, Nidhi Auntie,” Rahul pretended to pull up his collar in pride, while Siddhi picked up the baby carefully.

“Di. Kitni khoobsoorat hai. Ye bhi actress banegi.”

“‘Ye bhi’ ka kya matlab hai? Tu kab ban gayi actress? Pahle padhai khatam kar apni.”

“Tum bahut boring ho Di. Tumhara wash chale to ise bhi apni hi tarah night-duties mein laga do har roz.”

“Nidhi Auntie boring nahin hai,” fourteen year old Rahul was still childishly protective towards Nidhi.

“Nahin Rahul. Tumhari Nidhi Auntie mein kuchh bhi gadbad kaise ho sakta hai?” Siddhi teased him. While Rahul glared at her, everyone laughed.

“Are Di. Main bhool gayi. Radhika ne tumhare liye ye kuchh ghee ka halwa bheja hai. Aur koi totka bhi hai. Supposedly buri nazar se bachane ke liye.”

“Radhika aur uske totke!” Nidhi shook her head with a smile, “Lekin chal. Baby ko chhua de, warna use bura lag jayega. Ab Rahul naam to bata do iska. Kab tak baby kah ke bulate rahenge?”

“Anushree!” Rahul said excitedly, “Ismein A, N, S aur R sab aate hain. Ashutosh, Nidhi, Siddhi aur Rahul.”

“Wow!” Siddhi exclaimed.

“Anushree,” Nidhi and Ashutosh repeated with a smile.

– The End –

P. S. Everyone who has read the story, even if you have not commented till now, please do so on this update and let me know that you have been reading 🙂 I know from the traffic numbers that far more people are reading than are commenting. That is fine! But would be nice to know once in a while 🙂 And what better time than the conclusion of a long story?

“Ab batao,” he said after they settled down with their juice glasses. While he had gone to fetch the juice, Nidhi had been thinking hard about what to tell him. But she could not make up her mind.

“Aap to mujhe interrogate karne lage,” she said.

“Aur main bahut achchha interrogator hoon. You can’t distract me!”

“Baat kuchh bhi nahin hai Dr. Ashutosh… well… aap challenge jeet gaye… Lekin main aapko aapke naam se nahin bula sakti…”

“Koi baat nahin. Main dubara challenge le sakta hoon. Aur zindagi bhar leta rah sakta hoon. I loved winning the challenge the way I did it,” he smiled meaninfully.

“You did?”

“Ummhmm. You didn’t?”

Nidhi gulped.

“We are talking like friends Nidhi. Please talk to me.”

“I… I just am not sure of how I behaved.”

“How did you behave?”

He only got a harder gulp and downcast eyes in reply. A small frown appeared on his forehead as he tried to think what was bothering her. And then it dawned upon him.

“Hmm… So, you are worried that you lost the challenge…”

“Nooo…”

“That you could not resist me and were tempted to the point of desperation…”

“Desperation…” she repeated the word in a small voice.

Ashutosh grinned, “You surprise me Dr. Nidhi Verma. You are a doctor and such a competent one. And you really think there is something wrong about being sexual?”

Nidhi gulped hard again. When he put it that way and spoke so rationally, her worries did seem ridiculous. Till now she was worried, even ashamed, about having behaved rather ungracefully and desperately under the influence of her hormones.

“You just know how to put things the right way.”

“Nidhi. You better start seeing things the right way. Because you have no idea how desperate I am to push all the boundaries with you.”

She blushed hard. Ashutosh took her juice glass from her and kept both their glasses on the side table. Then he turned back towards her, put his arms around and pulled her close to him. “Pagal ladki,” he mumbled, “But I love even your madness.”

She rested her head on his chest. “I love you.” There was some moisture in her eyes. But she blinked them back. They were the tears of happiness, but she did not want to worry him any further.

“Nidhi,” he spoke after a while.

“Hmm?”

“Shaadi kar lete hain?”

“Abhi?” That was sudden and Nidhi was surprised.

“Nahin,” he laughed, “Ek-aadh hafte mein.”

“Aise achanak?”

“Hospital mein sabko pata hi hai. Main to uski wajah se hi tumhari internship khatam hone tak rukna chahta tha. Lekin ab koi wajah nahin hai. Agar tumhein aitraaz na ho to…”

“Mujhe kyon aitraaz hoga? Aapko lagta hai ki main English movies waali dating kar rahi hoon itne dinon se?” she quipped drawing a laughter from him.

—

2 months later (Nidhi and Ashutosh are happily married)

“Suniye,” Nidhi was interrupted just after she had signed in the register at the reception and was making her way into the ward. Ashutosh had come to the hospital early in the morning to attend a complicated surgery.

“Yes?” she turned around to see a young girl, barely eighteen or nineteen, standing there. She looked pale, tired and almost sick.

“Dr. Ashutosh Mathur yahan kaam karte hain?” the girl asked in a strong Avadhi accent.

“Ji. Aap kaun?”

“Hamein unse milna hai. Bahut zaroori hai.”

“Woh to abhi surgery mein honge. Aapka naam?”

“Radhika.”

“Radhika Ji. Aap… Are… Kya hua?” Nidhi held her as she stumbled. She did not faint, but it was clear that she was unwell, “Aapki tabiyat kharaab hai? Main…”

“Nahin. Hum theek hain. Hamein bas Dr. Ashutosh se milna hai.”

“Dekhiye. Unhein der ho jayegi aane mein. Tab tak koi aur aapka check-up kar dega…”

“Madam. Hum bilkul theek hain. Bas thoda paani mil sakta hai kya?”

“Ek minute. Aap baithiye yahan,” Nidhi escorted her to a nearby bench and made her sit down. Then she asked a wardboy to get a glass of glucose water. She offered it to Radhika and it made her look visibly better.

“Bahut bahut dhanyawaad.”

“Aap kahan se aayi hai?”

“Hamara gaon yahan se thoda door hai…”

“Dr. Ashutosh ko kaise jaanti hain aap?”

“Ji. Ek chikitsa-shivir laga tha hamare gaon mein, koi teen saal pahle. Logon ka muft mein ilaaj ho raha tha.”

It took Nidhi a moment to realize that she was using the Hindi word for medical camp.

“Radhika Ji. Yahan par kai achchhe doctors hain. Aapko Dr. Ashutosh ka intezaar karne ki zaroorat nahin, apna check up karwane ke liye. Agar paison ki chinta hai to…”

“Nahin. Nahin. Hum apna ilaaj karwane nahin aaye hain. Hamein kuchh aur kaam hai.”

Nidhi was getting impatient and thought of letting the girl know that she was his wife and she could tell her whatever she wanted to tell Ashuotsh. But she controlled her impatience. That was one thing she had been trying to do these days to keep Ashutosh happy. Not that he ever said anything to her, but it definitely bothered him if she didn’t treat people with some patience.

“Theek hai. Main Dr. Ashutosh ke liye message chhod deti hoon. Woh jaise hi free honge, aapse mil lenge. Tab tak agar aapko koi problem ho to reception par kissi se bhi kahiyega ki Dr. Nidhi Verma ko bula dein. Ye mera naam hai. Theek hai?”

“Ji. Bahut-bahut dhanyawaad. Hum yahan intezaar karenge.”

—

Nidhi walked into Ashutosh’ cabin during a break and saw Radhika there. He had a frown on his face, as if trying to think very hard.

“Main baad mein aaun?” Nidhi asked.

“No. Come in Nidhi. Ye Radhika hain…”

“Main mil chuki hoon. Aapke alaawa kissi se checkup karwane ke liye taiyyar hi nahin ho rahi thi,” Nidhi gave a teasing smile to Ashutosh. But he remained serious.

“Radhika. Aap kahan ruki hain?” Ashutosh asked the girl.

“Ji. Ek dharmshaala hai…”

“Wahan koi phone hoga?”

“Phone to nahin hai Doctor sahab. Lekin aap hamein bata dijiye kab aana hai. Hum wapas aa kar aapse baat kar lenge.”

“Radhika. Main yahan ek doctor ki haisiyat se kaam karta hoon. Yahan aur logon ko kaam par rakhna mere haath mein nahin hai. Main aapko koi waada nahin kar sakta.”

Radhika looked disappointed, but didn’t give up.

“Hum ek-do din mein phir aayenge Doctor sahab,” she said and greeted him with folded hands before leaving.

“Kya hua?” she asked.

“Main iske gaon gaya tha kuchh saalon pahle. Hamare hospital ne free medical camps lagaye the kuchh gaon mein. Iske father mukhiya the gaon ke. Unke ghar par hi ruke the hum log. I remember her as a very lively and healthy child. Abhi bata rahi thi ki gaon mein kuchh problem hui hai aur iski family ko bhaagna pada. Yahan aa kar kuchh kaam dhoondh rahi hai. Strange turn of fate. Her family was very rich and strong in the village.”

“X-Ray unit mein kuchh vaccancies hain, I think. Abhi-abhi main wahan se aayi hoon. Woh log baat kar rahe the.”

“Par woh trained thode hi na hai?”

“Nahin. As far as I know technicians nahin chahiye unhein. More like helpers – bhaag-daud ka kaam karne waale log. Utna to kar legi.”

“Haan. Bata rahi thi ki Inter tak ki padhai bhi ki hai usne. Lekin… aise kissi ki sifarish…”

“It’s not a big deal Dr. Ashutosh. Koi aisi badee post thode hi na dilwa rahe hain usko, jo woh deserve nahin karti ho. Inter tak padhi hui hai, shayad over-qualified hi ho.”

“Hmm… Achchha. Suno. Dekho agar woh chali na gayi ho to rok lo. Abhi hi baat kar lete hain.”

“Main dekhti hoon.”

Nidhi found her on the bench, where she had made her sit earlier. Radhika hadn’t left and looked extremely dejected. As if this was her last hope. She brought her back. Ashutosh spoke to the hiring manager and she got the job.

—

To be continued

(P. S. Next part is really going to be the last part :D)

“Nidhi. Sabke saamne to hansi-mazaak zyada ho jaata hai. Isliye main tumse akele mein baat karna chahti thi.”

“Ji?”

“Bas ye kahna chahti thi ki main samajhti hoon ki in saari complications ka, Nandu ke decisions – bold, but immature – chahe shaadi ka ho, chahe suicide ka – in sabki wajah se jisne sabse zyada problems face kiye hain, woh tum ho. Siddhi ko tumne sambhaal liya, lekin tumhein khud ko sambhaalne waala koi nahin tha… Aur ye sab nahin hua hota agar Nandu ki family, meaning hum log – mere husband aur father-in-law – supportive hote. Unfortunately she was stuck with her decisions. Ek baar – bas ek baar- baat ki thi usne mujhse… Woh wapas nahin aa sakti thi… I had told her ki bachche hone ke baad cheezein better ho jayengi… Obviously that was a wrong advice. I just wish ki uske paas wapas aane ka mauka hota… Aaj main tumse maafi maangne ke alaawa kuchh kar nahin sakti…”

“Mrs. Singhal,” Nidhi had figured out that she liked the woman, despite her past failings and weaknesses, “Mujhe nahin lagta ki aapko doosron ki galtiyon ke liye khud ko zimmedaar samajhna chahiye. Mummy-Papa ke suicide ko lekar mere man mein bahut bitterness thi. Lekin uske liye kissi aur ko blame kar ke, kissi aur ke liye bhi bitterness paalne ka kya fayda hai? Aur waise bhi,” she added with some humour, “Agar Mummy mere paida hone ke pahle wapas chali jaati to bhale hi unke aur bachche hote, biologically speaking main to paida nahin ho sakti thi.”

Priya chuckled at that. Then Nidhi added seriously, “Aur past jo bhi tha – tab maine socha kai baar ki kyon hamein paida kiya unhone, lekin aaj main khush hoon apni life se. Siddhi ko kuchh samay ke liye mujhe sambhaalna pada tha, lekin aaj woh mera sabse bada support hai. Dr. Ashutosh aur Rahul – well main kya bataun… Unke pyaar ki wajah se meri zindagi mein past problems ke liye jagah hi nahin bachi hai.”

“Bahut chhoti ho tum mujhse, but I am proud to say Nidhi that you are an inspiration. You are independent like your mother, but also mature, which she wasn’t. You are the inspiration that Nandu could not become.”

“Thanks Mrs. Singhal…”

“Auntie? Mami? Something like that?”

Nidhi smiled warmly, “All right. Mami?”

“God bless you,” she tip-toed and kissed Nidhi on her forehead.

“Ye kya hai?” something had fallen off from Priya’s clutch and Nidhi bent down to pick it up.

“Oh! Ye mujhe de do,” Priya hastily took it back from her.

Nidhi looked at her curiously, though did not ask anything. Priya noticed it and decided to answer the question Nidhi did not ask, “Nandu ki ek purani photo thi mere paas.”

Nidhi took it and had a look, “Ye to ekdum Siddhi ki photo lag rahi hai.”

“Haan. Tab woh Siddhi ki umra ki hi rahi hogi, ya shayad thodi badi. Main laayi thi tumhein dene ke liye. Lekin phir mujhe laga ki…”

Nidhi thought for a moment, then said with a smile, “Aap Siddhi ko de dijiye. She would like it.” And she felt happy after that. She could now tell Ashutosh that she had moved on from the past – truly. And it did not bother her!

—

“Tum Siddhi ko kitna bhi daantne ka natak kar lo, use farq padta nahin hai. Tumhari taang kheenchne se baaz nahin aati hai woh?” Ashutosh and Nidhi were in Ashutosh’ room at night, relaxing on the bed.

“Aapki tarah woh bhi jaanti hai ki woh meri kamzori hai. Main use kuchh kah nahin sakti aur woh mujhse kuchh bhi karwa leti hai.”

“Meri tarah? To main bhi tumhari kamzori hoon?”

“As if aapko pata nahin hai.”

“To iska matlab hai ki… tum mujhe kuchh kah nahin sakti aur main tumse kuchh bhi karwa sakta hoon?” he snuggled up closer to her.

The meaningful smirk on his face was impossible to miss. “Aap kya karwana chahte hain mujhse?”

“Tum mujhe rok thode hi na sakti ho?”

“Dr. Ashutosh…”

“Shh… Ek minute,” he opened the drawer on the side-table and took out a silk scarf. “Aankhein band karo, and no cheating…”

“Aap kya kar rahe hain?”

“Aankhein band Nidhi…”

She sighed and closed her eyes. Ashutosh tied the scarf around her eyes. She waited for his next move, but nothing happened for several seconds. She became restless.

“Dr. Ashutosh…” she called his name and tried to reach him with her hands. Ashutosh smirked again, sitting on the bed just outside her reach. But she could not see him smirking this time.

Next she felt his hands on her nape. She was startled at first, but welcomed the familiar touch in soon after. He had some game in mind. It was little unnerving to not know what it was, but she was sure she would enjoy it. She expected him to take out her hairband as he usually did, but he let it be, enjoying the access to her nape and shoulders instead. The top of her night dress had buttons in front. He undid couple of them and slid the top slightly off one of her shoulders. It was bare beneath the top. He bent over her shoulder licking and biting it to his heart’s content, while driving her heartbeats up to dangerous rates. He knew by now what her most sensitive parts were and how best to use them to drive her to the edge.

When he moved away this time, she called him more desperately, “Dr. Ashutosh.” He came back after only a few seconds, but it felt like hours to Nidhi. This time his hands came up from behind and undid the remaining buttons of her top, slipping it completely off her body. He then let his hands roam all over her upper body, paying special attention to her breasts. She wanted to touch him back, but was unsure of exactly where he was. Groping around in the air would have been embarrassing. She clenched her fists hard to suppress her urge. And then he disappeared again, leaving her even more frustrated than earlier. She forgot about the embarrassment it would cause and groped around, hoping to find him. “Dr. Ashutosh!” She failed. Not knowing what else to do, she lied down to calm herself. But before her breath could return to normal, she felt him again, this time on top of her completely pinning her down under her weight. If his game was to completely disorient and frustrate her, he was surely winning. But to what purpose? She expressed her protest when he let her lips go after a furiously passionate kiss, “Kya kar rahe hain aap?”

“Intezaar kar raha hoon ki tum mujhe kissi aise naam se bulao ki phir main wapas ja na sakoon.”

“Kya?” her mind was foggy with desire and arousal and whatever he said made no sense.

“Apna challenge yaad hai na?” he whispered in her ear and the busied himself with her neck, while his hands caressed her around her waist – another sensitive part of her body.

“Oh God!” The arousal and realization of what he wanted made her almost cry out.

“God is unlikely to help you,” he whispered again. And then left.

Nidhi hardly had any resistance left in her, but she tried, “This is unfair.”

No reply. He had her! Not only had this man charmed his way into her heart, he had her at practically his mercy in the bed. Outside of it, she could outwit him, but here… Her hormones dumbed her down. And he knew it!! He just had more control than she did. He was exploiting it. She hated it… But then she loved it… What was she thinking when she challenged him? Not this…

Ashutosh was preparing for another round of sweet assult on her, when he heard it. In a low desperate voice. “Ashutosh… Please….”

He had planned to tease her more. Make her say it again and again. But hearing his name from her drove him unexpectedly over the edge. He could not wait and jumped back on the bed. If she said anything after that, he wasn’t in a position to hear or understand.

—

Ashutosh propped up on his elbows to take a good look at her. She was fidgeting as she lied beside him and he wondered if she was uncomfortable about something. When she did not meet his eyes, his suspicions were confirmed.

“Nidhi,” he used his free hand to hold her chin and make her look at him, “Kya baat hai?”

“Ku… Kuchh bhi to nahin.”

He sat up and helped her sit up as well. Then he held her hands, “Nidhi. Somehow hamara rishte ki dynamics aisi hai ki… mujhe tumhein pareshaan karne mein, challenge karne mein mazaa aata hai… Lekin of course, main ye sab usee extent tak karna chahta hoon jahan tak tum bhi ise enjoy karo. Aur agar main kabhi galti se koi limit cross karoon, to tum mujhe bata sakti ho. Aaj zyada ho gaya kya?”

“Aap… Aap bekaar mein pareshaan ho rahe hain…” Nidhi tried to avoid his question.

But Ashutosh was not giving up, “Nidhi. Tumhein yaad mere birthday ka din… Jab maine tumse kaha tha ki tum friends kyon nahin banati, to tumne kaha tha ki hum dost hain.”

She nodded. There wasn’t a single moment in their journey that she didn’t remember.

“To tumhara lover, fiancee ya husband banne se zyada important mere liye tumhara dost bane rahna hai Nidhi. Main nahin chahta ki ye koi bhi aur rishta, hamari dosti ko khatam kar de.”

“Aap aisa kyon kah rahe hain?”

“Shayad tumhare man mein abhi koi aisi baat chal rahi hai jo tum us insaan ke saath share nahin kar sakti jiske saath… you have just had sex. Main chahta hoon ki tum use apne dost ke saath share karo. Let’s compartmentalize, okay?”

“Aap…” Nidhi was surprised at first, then smiled helplessly. She had a magician in her life. There was no other way, he could have understood so much, just from her silence.

“Let us get dressed up and talk,” he said and started gathering the discarded pieces of his clothing. “In a minute,” he said and went to the bathroom to get cleaned and dressed dup.

“Juice piyogi?” he asked after he came out.

She nodded. She could definitely use a glass after the exhausting, even if fulfilling, physical exercise they had been through a few minutes back.
—

To be continued

P. S. Do not expect grand wedding in the next update. That isn’t my specialty. In fact, I am going to completely escape that part and move on to another small track, which will mark the end of the story 🙂

“Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Yes Siddhi?”

“Aap poora Europe ghoome hue hain na?”

“Main tumhein koi wandering gypsy dikhta hoon? Poora Europe nahin ghooma hua hoon. Lekin haan – kaafi saare popular tourist places dekhe hue hain and some more – for conferences and all.”

“Aapne apni medicine ki padhai bhi to London mein ki thi na?”

“Haan.”

“Aur phir US mein bhi?”

“Haan.”

“Dr. Ashutosh. US better hai ya Europe?”

“Umm… Depend karta hai ki tumhein karna kya hai?”

“Matlab?”

“Science, engineering in sab ke liye US relatively better hai. Arts wagerah ke liye Europe bhi achchha hai. Zyada kaam karna hai to US jao. Aur…”

“Main padhai ki baat nahin kar rahi thi Dr. Ashutosh?”

“Phir?”

“Masti ki…”

“Siddhi. Ye kya Dr. Ashutosh… Dr. Ashutosh laga rakha hai? Thake hue honge Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi entered with the tea-tray. Ashutosh had dropped Rahul at one of his friend’s place for a birthday party and had come to Nidhi’s house. They were planning to leave for a dinner at night from there and would pick Rahul up on their way. Armaan would meet them at the restaurant after his work.

“Sahi kah rahi ho. Main aapko Dr. Ashutosh kyon bulati hoon?” Siddhi said.

“To aur kya bulayegi?” Nidhi asked slightly confused.

“Jijaji? Nahin?”

Nidhi’s face colored while Ashutosh laughed.

“Aapko bahut mazaa aata hai Dr. Ashutosh iski aisi harquaton par?” Nidhi addressed Ashutosh with fake irritation.

“Aur tum bhi kab tak inhein Dr. Ashutosh bulaogi?” Siddhi was brazen.

“Are! To ab main kya bulaungi inhein?”

“Woh to tumhare aapas mein decide karne ki baat hai. Lekin Dr. Ashutosh? Ye boss ko address karne ke liye theek hai, husband ko nahin.”

“Shut up Siddhi.”

“Lo. Achchi advice ki to koi kadra hi nahin hai. Khair mera kya…”

Just then the doorbell rang.

“Ja kar dekh kaun hai.”

“Haan. Haan. Bhaga do mujhe!”

“Waise Nidhi,” Ashutosh pretended to be serious when Siddhi left to check the door, “Tumne Siddhi ko daant to diya. Lekin baat to woh sahi kah rahi thi.”

“Kya?”

“Tum mujhe kab tak Dr. Ashutosh bulaogi?”

“To main aapko aur kya bulaungi?”

“Ashutosh? Ashu?”

“Impossible.”

“Kyon?”

“Main… Main aapki bahut respect karti hoon Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Ditto.”

“Ji?”

“Main bhi tumhari bahut respect karta hoon. Tumhein shayad idea nahin hai, itna. Tumse pyaar karne se pahle se tumhari respect karta hoon. Lekin that is a completely tangential discussion. It has nothing to do with what you call me.”

“Aap… Main aapko Dr. Ashutosh ke alaawa kuchh nahin bula sakti.”

“Ye nahin chalega.”

“Achchha. To mujhse kuchh aur bulwa kar dikhaiye,” Nidhi grinned naughtily.

“Challenge kar rahi ho?”

Nidhi nodded, still grinning.

“Di!” they were interrupted by Siddhi, “Preeti aayi hai. Aur uski Mom.”

Ashutosh and Nidhi turned back in surprise.

“Preeti? Kaisi ho tum?” They had been worried about her earlier. Since the day Nidhi had given her the medicines and later the drama had unfolded at the hospital, she hadn’t been coming to the school. Siddhi had tried calling her up , but they always declared it to be the wrong number when she asked for Preeti. Thinkgin that they recognized her and were snubbing her, she had even gotten couple of other girls from the school to call. But the result was the same.

“Main theek hoon Dr. Nidhi. Mom aapse milna chahti thi.”

“I’m sorry…” Priya Singhal, Preeti’s mother, started speaking, when Ashutosh interrupted, “Aap log please baithiye na.”

“Haan. Please,” Nidhi also hastily supported him, thankful to have Ashutosh around. He remembered social protocols. She hadn’t had much chance to practice those for several years now and was prone to making mistakes.

“Thanks.”

Nidhi took a good look at the elderly, but smart-looking woman before her. When she spoke, she came across as an educated, aware woman. This wasn’t the picture of a meek woman and helpless mother that Nidhi had in mind.

“I am sorry, Dr. Nidhi. Main bina bataye aa gayi. Lekin mujhe laga ki jo mere husband ne kiya, uske baad agar main aapse baat karne ki koshish karoongi to shayad aap mujhse milne ke liye kabhi nahin maanengi.”

“Aisa kuchh nahin hai,” the situation was awkward, “Actually hum sab log Preeti ke liye worried the. Tumhare ghao theek hain ab?”

“Ab better hai,” Priya replied instead of Preeti, “Hum doctor ke paas gaye the. Unhone bataya ki agar aapne samay rahte use dawai nahin di hoti, to infection ka khatra tha. Thanks a lot.”

“That’s all right. Woh mera farz tha… Waise Siddhi ne kai baar Preeti ko call karne ki koshish ki thi…”

“Preeti aur main ghar par nahin the.”

“Ji?”

“We have left that horrible house and family behind Dr. Nidhi.”

“Aap log kahan rah rahe hain?” Ashutosh asked.

“Mere bhai ke saath. He has been incredibly supportive.”

“That’s great.”

“Main aapko thanks kahne aayi thi. For several things…”

“Mujhe?”

“Haan. Pahle to Preeti ki treatment ke liye. Main itna dari hui thi ki use doctor ke paas bhi le kar nahin gayi… Jab woh dawaiyan le kar ghar aayi tab mujhe mahsoos hua ki how I was failing her as a mother. Aur phir later in the day Ramesh ne word-by-word mujhe bataya ki hospital mein kya hua tha. Aur mujhe bahut intensely ye mahsoos hua ki main kitne ghatiya aur self-centered, narcissist insaan ke saath rah rahi thi. Itna sab kuchh hone ke baad bhi unhein nahin lagta ki unhone kuchh galat kiya. Phir maine ye bhi socha ki aap itni young ho kar apno ke liye itni fiercely protective hain. Aur main aaj tak na to apne beton ko sahi raasta dikha paayi, na hi apni beti ko protect kar payi. Pata nahin main itne saalon se kya hope kar rahi thi, ki kya badal jaayega. Kuchh nahin badalne waala hai us ghar mein. Beton ke liye bahut der ho chuki thi. Isliye beti ko le kar nikal aayi.”

“Aapne sahi decision liya Mrs. Singhal,” Ashutosh said, “Preeti ke future ke liye yahi sahi hai. I don’t know aapke aage ke kya plan hain, but if you need any help… A lawyer…”

“Thanks Dr. Ashutosh. Lekin nahin. Maine itne saal barbaad kar diye, us insaan ke saath rahne ki koshish mein. Ab us par aur samay barbaad nahin karoongi.”

“Lekin Preeti aur aapka financial right hai…” Nidhi spoke suddenly, but did not complete it. It might be too intrusive.

But Priya smiled. “Yahi cheez to mujhe aur bhi guilty feel karwa rahi hai, Nidhi. Money was not a problem. Meri family khud hi financially bahut strong hai. Warna tumhein lagta hai meri shaadi us pariwaar mein hui hoti,” she laughed slightly at this and continued, “Aur mere father sufficient property aur shares mere naam kar ke gaye hain. Main paison ki kami se nahin, us social aur moral pressure se bandhi hui thi, which was taking me nowhere. Your mother was different.”

“Aap Mummy ko jaanti thi?” Siddhi asked expectantly.

“Of course,” Priya smiled sadly, “Aur jab tum hamare ghar aayi thi, tab tumhein dekhte hi mujhe shaq hua tha ki tum… Dekhne mein Nandu bilkul tumhare jaisi thi aur rebel karne mein bilkul tumhari sister ke jaisi thi. Ramesh ko itne saalon pahle usne jawaab diya tha, aur ab itne saalon ke baad Nidhi ne.”

Nidhi looked on, not knowing how to feel.

“Tum log Nandu ko bahut miss karte hoge, right?”

“Nahin,” Nidhi said sharply,”Nahin miss karte hain hum unhein. Kyon miss karein? Abne bhai se, apne father se rebel karne ki himmat thi unmein. Hamare liye zinda rahne ki himmat nahin thi…”

“Nidhi!” Ashutosh pressed her hand silently asking her to not get agitated.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

“No. I am sorry,” Priya said, “I am sorry Nidhi ki tumhari Mummy ko immaturely rebel karne ki zaroorat padi. She did it for the heck of it, you know. Kyonki ghar ka mahaul itna repressive tha. She didn’t take the right decision. But really – she never had any chance. She was an independent spirit. Us ghar mein woh sahi direction mein develop nahin ho sakti thi.”

“I know… Itna to ab mujhe samajh mein aa gaya hai… Preeti ki halat dekhi to… Khair rahne dijiye. Main purani baaton ko yaad nahin karna chahti. Abhi hamein is baat se khush rahne chahiye ki Preeti won’t become another Nandini. Right Preeti? You are out of that hell. Now you can live your life with independence, but also with maturity.”

“Yes Dr. Nidhi.”

“You know something Preeti. Dr. Nidhi is your cousin. Fine – we are related through a man who none of us is proud of. But does that need to affect our relationship?”

“I… guess… not…” Nidhi replied slowly looking at Ashutosh for confirmation. He nodded slightly giving her a go-ahead.

Everyone smiled and Preeti said, “Pata hai. Mujhe Siddhi se bahut jealousy hoti hai. Uske paas aapke jaisi sister hai. Kahti hai ki meri Di mere liye kissi ki jaan bhi le sakti hain.”

“Really Siddhi?” Nidhi pretended to chide Siddhi, “Tu sabko ye kahti rahti hai kya? Agar maine sach-much kabhi kuchh kar diya, to mujhe nahin lagta ki tera koi bhi dost mere favour mein testimony dega. Sabko bharosa hoga ki main jaan to le hi sakti hoon.”

Everyone laughed and Siddhi retorted, “Main galat kah rahi hoon kya Dr. Ashutosh? Jaan to le sakti hai na ye?”

“I agree!” Ashutosh was totally by Siddhi’s side.

“Ramesh will agree too,” Priya also joined in, “Nidhi ne bilkul yahi dhamki di thi unhein. Right Nidhi?”

“Aapko kaise pata?”

“Main kaha na. Ramesh ne verbatim mujhe bataya. He is an egoistic man. Apni insult ka ek lafz nahin bhoolte. You said something like ki agar Siddhi ya Dr. Ashutosh ke saath unhone kuchh kiya to tum apne haathon se unhein maar daalogi.”

“Oh God!” Nidhi hit her forehead in embarrassment, while everybody else laughed.

“To mera point ye tha ki kya main bhi aapko Di bula sakti hoon?” Preeti asked earnestly.

“Uske liye to tumhein Nidhi ki nahin, Siddhi ki permission leni padegi. Ye to uska haq hai,” Ashutosh said jovially.

“Oh. Don’t worry about me Preeti. Mujhe koi problem nahin hai. Meri Di ekdum Mother India types hain. Bahut bada dil hai inka. Sabke liye jagah hai,” Siddhi grinned.

“Aap sab log mere peechhe kyon pade hue hain?” Nidhi was flustered with everyone’s leg pulling.

“Aur koi mujhe meri baat poori karne kyon nahin de raha?” Preeti also had a complaint, “Mere sawaal ka jawaab kya hai?”

“Of course. Bula sakti ho Preeti,” Nidhi answered with a smile.

“Thanks!” Preeti also smiled.

“Chalo. Ab hamein nikalna chahiye. Bina inform kiye hum aa gaye aur kaafee time barbaad kar diya sabka…”

“Nahin Mrs. Singhal. Chai to pee kar jaiye,” Nidhi objected.

“Nahin Nidhi. Takalluf ki zaroorat nahin hai…”

“Please. Main bas do minute mein laati hoon.”

“Achchha. Chalo, main tumhari help karti hoon.”

“Lekin…”

“Chalo to…”

—

To be continued

“Most people just used to leave me alone, jab main itna hostile behave karti thi. Lekin aapne… aapne mujhe samjha. Jab maine kuchh nahin bataya tha, tab bhi aapne samjha. You never meddled with my life, but you did not leave me alone either. And I was very grateful for that. I still am.”

“Stop Nidhi.”

“Nahin. Mujhe bolne dijiye. Maine kabhi aapko thanks nahin kaha uske liye. Aaj bolti hoon. Aur ek baat. Dr. Ashutosh – tab main grateful thi aur aapse usse zyada aur kuchh nahin expect karti thi. Tab aapke paas ye mauka tha ki aap mujhe apni zindagi mein nahin shaamil karte. Main aapka faisla accept kar leti. Lekin ab cheezein badal gayi hain. Ab main sirf grateful hi nahin feel karti. Ab main aapke oopar apna haq bhi maanti hoon. Aap ye haq mujhse kabhi cheenne ki koshish mat kijiyega. Main nahin cheenne doongi.”

“I won’t dare,” Ashutosh smiled lovingly, “And I don’t want to dare!”

Nidhi sighed and suddenly changed the topic, “I pity Peeti though. Poor girl. How is she going to survive in that family…”

“Nidhi. Unfortunately duniya mein bahut bachche bahut bure circumstances se guzarte hain. Tum sabki zindagi theek nahin kar paogi. Lekin hain kuchh lucky bachche jihein tumhari parvarish mil rahi hai. Rahul. Siddhi. Aur tumhare apne bachche to inse bhi zyada fortunate honge…”

“Main bachche paida nahin karna chahti Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi interrupted agitatedly, “Log jaise apne bachchon ko treat karte hain… Mere parents ne hamein chhod kar suicide kar liya. Ranjeeta ji Rahul ko do saal ki umra mein chhod kar chali gayin; aur Ritesh ke saath jo kiya – the less said the better. Aur phir ye Preeti ke parents hain. Uske Papa to poore jallad hain. Aur Mummy helpless. Kyon bachche paida karte hain log? Mujhe to nahin lagta ki karne chahiye.”

“Nidhi!”

“I… I am sorry,” she suddenly realized the implication of what she said, “Ye koi faisla nahin hai. Obviously, is baare mein koi faisla mera akele ka nahin hoga…”

“Nidhi. I would love to bring up a child with you. Lekin woh meri zindagi ka aim nahin hai.”

“Dr. Ashutosh…”

“Nidhi. Apni zindagi ki kuchh hisson ko maine khatam kar diya tha, maar diya tha. Ye sochna bhi chhod diya tha ki main unhein jee sakta hoon. Aaj jo main tumhare saath ye khushiyon ke pal bita raha hoon na, ye possible nahin hota agar tum itni loyal, patient aur persistent nahin hoti. Apne pyaar ko le kar. Ye jo meri zindagi hai na, sapno ke jaisi, woh tumhari di hui hai. Aur main ye tumhare tareeke se, tumhare pace par, tumhari khushiyon ke saath jeena chahta hoon. Isi mein meri khushi hai.”

Nidhi’s eyes moistened, but she smiled. Ashutosh pulled her in an embrace and she happily surrendered.

—

Siddhi could not speak for several moments, when Nidhi told her what had happened.There were too many things to be digested. She looked disturbed at the wickedness of it all.

“I’m sorry Siddhi,” Nidhi said at the end, “Ye sab bahut sickening hai. Tujhe na batana padta to behtar hota. Lekin this man – supposedly our uncle – is so manipulative, ki tumhein pata hona zaroori tha. Kal ko kuchh aur karne ki koshish karein to you should not fall in that trap.”

“Of course, Di. Tum mere liye itni chinta mat karo. Waise bhi – tumhare rahte mera kaun kya bigaad sakta hai. Tum pahle hi uski jaan nahin le logi?” Nidhi was surprised. She hadn’t told Siddhi about her angry threat to Mr. Singhal. How did she say exactly the same thing?

“Kya hua? Aise kyon dekh rahi ho?” Siddhi asked.

“Ye jaan lene waali baat tune kaise kahi?”

Siddhi giggled, “To tumne sach much unse ye kaha tha?”

“Shut up, Siddhi,” Nidhi pretended to be angry to hide her embarrassment at having been found out.

Siddhi laughed out loud, “Oh my God, Di! You can be so cute sometimes. I love you.”

Nidhi had to smile at that. She kissed Siddhi on forehead.

—

Ashutosh was surprised when he came out of his bathroom. Nidhi was asleep on his bed, comforter drawn all the way up to her chin. How did she fall asleep so quickly? They had been chatting till just a couple of minutes ago.

“Nidhi,” he called her softly, but she didn’t buzz. It was diasppointing for him. He was looking forward to spending the night with her after so many days. His plan was to not even let her go back to Siddhi’s room later. But he decided not to wake her up. It must have been an emotionally exhausting day for her. He would be content with her sleeping beside him. He could hold her. Close! Ashutosh tried to pull the comforter over himself and in the process it slipped off Nidhi’s shoulder. Her shoulder was bare except for a thin lacy strap. His heart skipped a beat and more. This bewitching woman. She was pretending to sleep. He could see a naughty smile forming on her lips, even though she kept her eyes closed. He threw away the comforter and was greeted by a breathtaking sight of Nidhi in the negligee he had bought for her.

Nidhi sat up, a shy smile playing on her lips.

“To tum mujhe pareshaan kar rahi thi?” His scorching gaze was lust-personified and Nidhi could feel herself burning under it.

That didn’t stop her from replying though, “Mere sone se aap pareshaan ho jaate hain?”

“Tumhein aise dekh kar ho jaata hoon.”

“Woh to aapki problem hai na?”

“Lekin meri pareshaani ki sazaa to tumhein hi milegi.”

“Woh kaise?”

“Sone nahin doonga tumhein aaj,” he hissed and jumped on her in a way that was as good as attacking her, “And I will eat you up, Dr. Nidhi Verma.”

She would definitely have had a befitting reply for him, but he didn’t allow her to speak as he attacked her lips furiously. It was a night like none before. Nidhi had never seen him so aggressive, rough and passionte. And she wasn’t complaining.

“Aap…” she started saying something while lying in his arms later and then stopped. How was she to ask him what made him that way?

“Kya?”

“Aap theek to hain?” she blurted not knowing what else to say.

“Main? Haan… Oh God! Did I hurt you?”

“Nahin, nahin. Main to bas…”

Ashutosh smiled. She was a bold seductress, but definitely terrible at pillow talk. He volunteered information, “Nidhi. Aaj main… bahut different feel kar raha hoon. Bahut achchha feel kar raha hoon.”

“Kyon?”

“Sabke saamne apne rishte ko accept kar lena… I think main kahin na kahin bahut anxious tha ki woh moment kaisa hoga? But now it’s done. Ab mere man mein koi complications nahin hain.”

“Aaj to hum aise hi aa gaye the hospital se. Logon ko to kal face karna padega.”

“Jo log matter karte hain, woh the wahan par…”

“Well…”

“Haan… Admittedly tumhare colleagues nahin the. Tumhari problem abhi khatam nahin hui hai.”

“Mera koi kya kar lega? Aapko pata hai na, aapke alawa people leave me alone,” she smiled and propped herself up on her elbows.

“I thought ki tum ab kaafi social ho gayi ho.”

“Hah! Tabhi tak jab tak log mujhe pareshaan na karein.”

Ashutosh laughed at that, “Right. Aur I think meri Jhansi ki Rani ko pareshaan karne ki zyada logon ki himmat nahin hai.”

“You have no idea.”

“I do. Mere to hosh hi ud gaye the jab aaj tum mere oopar chillayi thi.”

“You totally deserved it.”

“Main khud ko defend karne ki koshish bhi nahin kar raha. Lekin phir bhi. You can be scary.”

“Main scary lagti hoon aapko?” Nidhi pouted.

“‘Can be’ kaha maine, Nidhi.”

“Rahne dijiye. Aapko meri scary shakal dekhne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Main ja rahi hoon…”

“Uff… Nakhre dekho inke,” Ashutosh pulled her back as she made to get down from the bed, “Kahin nahin ja rahi ho tum aaj raat. Samajh gayin?”

Nidhi smiled and leaned towards him so that their foreheads touched.

“This is perfect, Nidhi.”

“Perfect!” she agreed as they eased back on the bed.

—

To be continued

Nidhi barged into Dr. Asthana’s cabin. She was not surprised at seeing who was there, but he was startled.

“Mr. Singhal!” she roared.

“Nidhi.”

“Agar aapki in twisted aur ghatiya harqaton ki wajah se Siddhi ya Dr. Ashutosh ko ek pal bhi aur pareshaani hui na, to I swear ki main apne haathon se aapka khoon kar doongi. I don’t care ki uske baad meri zindagi ka kya hoga. Yaad rakhiyega.”

Ramesh Singhal was a well-built man and his appearance oozed confidence. But Nidhi’s ferociousness and its suddennes left him speechless. He even stepped back unconsciously.

“Siddhi ki shakal hamari Mummy se bahut milti hai. Zyada dikkat to nahin hui hogi aapko apni mari hui bahan ki shakal pahchanne mein. Nandini Verma nee Singhal, right? Lekin this blood, Mr. Singhal, is much, much thinner than water. Aapko hamari life mein interfere karne ka koi haq nahin hai. Aur agar ye haq aap chheenna bhi chahenge to main aapko aisa karne nahin doongi.”

Nidhi stormed out of the room as furiously as she had came in, not giving Ramesh Singhal a chance to react. He came back to his senses after a few seconds and followed her.

—

Nidhi barged into a room without permission a second time. This time it was conference room number 3.

“If I am not wrong, aap sab log mil kar meri koi pareshaani discuss kar rahe hain?” the bitterness and sarcasm was not lost on anybody.

“Nidhi?” Ashutosh was surprised to find her there. She glared at him.

“Dr. Nidhi. This is inappropriate behavior…” the chairman of the board said rather unconvincingly.

“Yeah? Aur kissi ko meri us complaint ke liye zimmedaar banana jo maine ki hi nahin hai, how appropriate is that?”

“Dr. Nidhi. This is ridiculous. Hum log is maamle ko itni discreetly aapki request par handle kar rahe hain, aur aap yahan tamaasha bana rahi hain?” It was Dr. Ashthana.

“Aur main aapse kab mili, ya request kab ki?”

“Aapne apne Uncle ke through application bhijwaya tha.”

“Can I see it?”

“Of course,” the chairman handed her the letter.

“Mr. Ramesh Singhal aapke dost hain na Dr. Asthana. Kya aapko ye nahin pata hai ki woh kitne manipulative hain, ya aapki Dr. Ashutosh se student life se chal rahi rivalry ne aapko aankhein band karne par majboor kar diya hai? Aapne hospital ke kissi document se mere signature match kar ke dekhe?”

“Excuse me?”

“Is application par jo signature hain, woh mere nahin hain. Aur ye pata karne ke liye aapko kissi handwriting analyst ki zaroorat nahin hai. Ek bachcha bhi bata sakta hai. Mr. Singhal mere guardian nahin hain. Kuchh dinon pahle tak hamein ek-doosre ki existence ke baare mein pata bhi nahin tha. Aur I didn’t know until this morning that he is, unfortunately, related to me. Is jhoothe application par woh mere signature copy karne ki koshish tak nahin kar sakte the kyonki unhone kabhi mere signature dekhe hi nahin hain. Aap log itminaan se mere signature saare documents par dekh sakte hain, aur match kar sakte hain. Lekin mere khayaal se aap mujh par bharosa kar lijiye. Kyonki Kotnis ka board ek mentally sick aur manipulative insaan ke haathon ki kathputli ban jaaye – ye kaafi insulting situation hogi hum sab ke liye. Nahin?”

“To kya Dr. Ashutosh aur aapke beech…” Somebody started asking to confirm, but his voice trailed as the awkwardness of the situation dawned on him.

Nidhi did not reply to that incomplete question. She looked at Ashutosh. She needed him to speak up at this point of time. It was mostly his decision that people at work should not know about them.

“Dr. Nidhi and I are engaged. To be married,” Ashutosh spoke firmly drawing reactions of surprise from everyone.

That was all Nidhi needed to hear to complete the announcement, “Aap logon ki personal opinion jo bhi ho is baare mein, lekin na to hamare desh ka constitution, aur na hi is hospital ke koi rules, do adults ki relationship ko, unki engagement ko, ya unki hone waali shaadi ko koi crime maante hain. Right?”

There was a pin-drop silence in the room. She spoke again, “I will leave you all to formally dismiss the meeting and also the charges on Dr. Ashutosh.” Nidhi walked out of the room and found Ramesh pacing up and down in the receiption area near the conference room.

She intended to ignore him, but he stopped her, “Tum jo kar rahi ho sahi nahin kar rahi ho. Main tumhari bhalai ke liye…”

“Aur mere liye koi bhi faisla lene waale aap kaun hote hain?”

“Tumhari Ma ne bhi yahi galti ki thi.”

“Meri Ma ke saath, honestly, meri zyada sympathy nahin hai. Mere Ma-Baap dono ne hi bahut galtiyan ki thi. Usnki shaadi bhi ek galti thi. Lekin ab mujhe realize ho gaya ki woh galti Mummy ki nahin thi.”

“Usne ghar waalon ke khilaaf ja kar shaadi ki thi…”

“Aur agar unki parwarish aise ho rahi thi, jaise aapki beti ki ho rahi hai, then I am proud of her ki she rebelled. For good or for bad. Nobody deserves to be treated like an object Mr. Singhal, which is what you and your family seem to think of your daughters.”

“You are too immature. Ye insaan tumhein bahka raha hai, tumhara istemaal kar raha hai, aur tum use bhagwaan maan baithi ho.”

“Get out of our lives. Unless you want me to sue you for forgery…”

“Nidhi…”

“Doctor. Dr. Nidhi Verma. Mr. Singhal, maine aapko mujhe first name se bulane ki izaazat nahin di hai. Aur strangers ki betaquallufi mujhe pasand nahin hai.”

“Nidhi!” It was Ashutosh’s soothing voice, “Thanks…”

She turned towards him and shouted, “Aap to baat mat kijiye mujhse.”

“Are. Mujhse kyon naaraaz ho rahi ho?” Ashutosh was flustered with her reaction. She ran away from there and Ashutosh went after her. Ignored by both of them, Ramesh Singhal made his way out. His plan clearly haddn’t work out.

—

“Nidhi!”

“Maine kaha na main aapse baat nahin kar rahi,” they had reached her favourite place in the hospital – the terrace.

“Lekin kyon?”

“Aap… Aap aisa soch bhi kaise sakte hain mere baare mein? Ki main aisi bhaddi harqat karoongi? Aise complain karoongi?”

“Are… Maine aisa kab socha Nidhi?”

“Nahin socha? To mujhe ab tak pata kyon nahin tha? Plan tha kya aapka?”

“Oh God, Nidhi! I will explain, lekin pahle ye batao ki tum itni jaldi meri kahi hui baat bhool gayi?”

“Kaun si baat?”

“Ki I trust you. Infinitely.”

“Aapko ye sab skills aati hain. Diplomatically baat karna, kuchh kah kar bhi nahin kahna… Gussa aa raha ho, tab bhi chup rahna… Aur man ki baat zubaan par na laana… Mujhe nahin aati. Aapko trust tha mere oopar, to mujhe bataya kyon nahin?”

“Meri baat sunogi? Please.”

“Nahin. Nahin sunungi.”

“Stop behaving like a brat Nidhi.”

“Why should I stop behaving like anything? I will behave like whatever I want to behave like. Mujhe nahin maanni aapki baat.”

Ashutosh broke into a smile. Her whining was incredibly cute. “Theek hai. Mat maano meri baat. Lekin sun to lo. Agar sunogi hi nahin, to nahin kaise maanogi?”

“I hate you.”

“Abhi to poore board ke saamne hamari shaadi announce kar ke aayi ho,” Ashutosh was enjoying it now.

Nidhi pouted unable to reply to that. Ashutosh went forward and held her by arms, “Rahul ko tumhare paas bheja tha maine Nidhi. Tumhein koi aur proof chahiye ki main tum par trust karta hoon ya nahin?”

“Mujhe bataya kyon nahin?”

“Do reasons. Poori baat mujhe khud nahin pata thi. Ramesh Singhal ne plan kaafi airtight banaya tha. I didn’t know that he was involved. Aur jitna mujhe pata tha woh… main tumhein bata nahin paaya. I was feeling very awkward, Nidhi. I’m sorry.”

“Aap mere saamne awkward feel kar rahe the?”

“I know. Nahin karna chahiye. Kar bhi raha tha, tab bhi tumhein sab bata dena chahiye. Aur future mein aisa hi hoga. Bas is ek baar maaf kar do… Is baar situation thodi to exceptional thi na? Thoda raham karo Nidhi, please.”

“Aur agar mujhe nahin pata chalta to? Aapka plan kya tha?”

“Conference room mein ghusne se pahle mera koi plan nahin tha, kyonki poori baat pata hi nahin thi mujhe. Bas mujhe Dr. Surana ne vaguely warn kiya tha. Aur baad mein ye bhi bataya tha ki tumhara naam ismein aa raha hai. Itna to clear tha ki koi hamari relationship ke baare mein jaanta hai aur uska fayda uthane ki koshish kar raha hai. Lekin despite trying hard main pata nahin laga paaya ki kaun hai ye.”

“Phir?”

“Phir Dr. Asthana ne woh letter produce kar diya. Obviously tumne nahin likha tha. Lekin maine bhi kabhi dhyaan nahin diya ki tumhare signatures kaise hain. To main kuchh obvious point out nahin kar pa raha tha ki kyon woh letter forged hai. Baaki ka letter typed tha. I was requesting them ki tumhein bulayein meeting mein. Lekin Dr. Asthana was insisting ki you were really terrified of me and that was the reason unhein dicreetly application bheji gayi thi etc. Bahas chal hi rahi thi ki tum khud aa gayin. What should I say? My knightess in shining armour?” Ashutosh chuckled slightly.

“Aap bahut bure hain.”

“Lekin maaf to tumne mujhe kar diya hai, right?”

“Meri kamzori ka fayda uthate hain aap.”

“Ab ye batao ki tumhein kaise pata chala?”

“Poori puzzle solve kar ke,” Nidhi explained to him what all had happened since yesterday. Ramesh talking to Siddhi about her and Ashutosh, asking her about their mother, meeting Preeti that morning, hearing her aunt’s story, which was clearly Nidhi’s mother’s story, “Main almost bhool hi gayi thi. Lekin jab usne apni bua ka nickname bataya Nandu, tab puzzle ke saare pieces fit ho gaye. Nandini Singhal. Mummy ka maiden name tha. Halanki woh kabhi ise use nahin karti thi, lekin mujhe pata tha. Phir wapas hospital aayi aur aapse milne ki koshish ki to Dr. Rangnath ne bataya Dr. Asthana aur mere supposed Uncle ke baare mein, jinke through maine aapki complaint ki hai… You owe him one Dr. Ashutosh. Agar unhone nahin bataya hota to… Theek hai. Ultimately sab theek ho hi jaata. Lekin wahan meeting mein jo humiliation hoti aapki, woh bardasht kar paate aap?”

“Thanks Nidhi. And I am sorry. I really am. Maine tumhein bahut pareshaan kiya hai. But this really is the last time.”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Ek baat kahun?”

“Hmm?”

“Aaj maine jaise behave kiya, mujhe purane din yaad aa gaye. Aapne meri bahut badtamiziyan tolerate ki hain.”

“Aisa kyon kah rahi ho Nidhi?”

—

To be continued

P. S. Mu ha ha ha ha (Evil laughter). I know some of you would not talk to me again for this cliffhanger. But come on. A writer deserves to give cliffhangers 😛

“Rahul?” It wasn’t Siddhi at the door.

“Nidhi Auntie. Main aaj yahin rahoonga. Auntie mera saamaan la rahi hain.”

Nidhi saw Rahul’s maid bringing a bag out of the car. Rahul didn’t have paitence to wait for her. He had ran towards the house and rang the bell.

“Kisne bheja tumhein?” she asked surprised.

“Papa ne kaha ki unhein kuchh kaam hai aur aap akeli hain. Isliye unhone mujhe aapke paas bhej diya.”

“Andar aao,” she brought him inside. His maid followed with the bag. “Madam,” she addressed Nidhi, “Aap Rahul Baba ko rakh lengi na? To phir main jaati hoon.”

“Chai pee lijiye.”

“Nahin Madam. Agar yahan kaam na ho to main ghar jaungi. Mere beti-daamaad aaye hue hain.”

“Theek hai phir. Rahul yahin rahega. Koi problem nahin hai.”

“Ashutosh Sahab ne kaha hai ki driver kal subah aa jayega, Rahul Baba aur Siddhi Madam ko school le jaane ke liye.”

“Theek hai.”

It didn’t matter how hard she tried, she could not suppress her grin from time to time. What had she done to deserve such a sweet man? Whatever the problem was, he hadn’t stopped thinking about her.

Nidhi had barely settled Rahul in, unpacking the new game he had brought excitedly to play with Siddhi, when the doorbell rang again. It was Siddhi.

“Oh God Di. Kya creepy family hai. Main wahan phir nahin jaungi.”

“Tu theek to hai? Kya hua?”

“Main theek hoon, Di. Lekin woh Preeti ke Papa bade ajeeb insaan hain. I think he doesn’t like Dr. Ashutosh. Unke aur tumhare baare mein aise baat kar rahe the… I didn’t like it one bit.”

“Mere aur Dr. Ashutosh ke baare mein?”

“Yeah. As if Dr. Ashutosh somehow tumhara fayda utha rahe hain…”

“What the hell! Aur woh jo bhi sochte ho, tumhein kyon bata rahe the?”

“Wahi to. Preeti ko kamre se bahar bhej diya, snacks laane ke liye. Aur phir… Maine unhein kah diya ki unhein itna zaroori hai baat karna to tumse ya Dr. Ashutosh se karein.”

“Theek kiya. Ab wahan jaana mat dubara. Mujhe Dr. Ashutosh se baat karni hogi. Mr. Singhal apni limits cross kar rahe hain. Pahle bhi… Tu ja haath-munh dho le. Kuchh khayegi?”

“Nahin Di. Aur haan – woh Mummy ke baare mein poochh rahe the.”

“Mummy ke baare mein? Hamari Mummy ke baare mein?”

“Haan. Maine bol diya ki main bahut chhoti thi. Mujhe kuchh yaad nahin hai.”

“Okay… Khair. Rahul aaya hai. Tera wait kar raha hai.”

“Ohho! Haan. Tum itne dinon se wahan ruki nahin ho raat ko. Use neend kahan aa rahi hogi apni Nidhi Auntie ke bina?” Siddhi teased Nidhi good humouredly, “Dr. Ashutosh se zyada I am sure ye tumhara beta tumhari shaadi ka intezaar kar raha hai.”

“Shut up Siddhi. Waise bhi, abhi woh tujhe dhoondh raha hai. Usne koi naya game khareeda hai. Kuchh Anemia… nahin… ye kaise naam hoga…”

“Anomia? Really? Wow… Mujhe laga tha ki India mein milta nahin hai. Maine dekhti hoon.”

“Munh-haath to dho le…”

“Baad mein Di,” Siddhi rushed inside forgetting all about whatever was bothering her after visit to Preeti’s house.

—

Nidhi looked at her watch after disconnecting the call. Siddhi had called from school. She wanted her to come there during 11 ‘o clock recess.

“Di, Preeti ko bahut buri tarah chotein lagi hai. Lekin woh kissi ko batana nahin chahti. Please ek baar aa kar use dekho lo. It is really scary, Di.”

“Batana nahin chahti maltab?”

“Uske ghar par kuchh hua hai, Di. Main abhi baat nahin kar sakti. Class mein wapas jaana hai. Recess ke time par aana, Di. Warna usse milna mushkil hoga.”

Nidhi was worried and confused. Who the hell was this man – Singhal – and what did he want in life? What had happened at home to injure Preeti? And why had she not been given treatment for that? Why was Siddhi asking her to come and treat her secretively? She couldn’t hold any grudges against Preeti though and hence decided to do what Siddhi wanted. She tried to reach Dr. Rangnath to inform him that she would be late, but he did not pick up his call. She left a message with Priyanka instead.

—

“What the hell? Kissi ne stick se maara hai tumhein?” Nidhi was horrified when she saw the wounds on Preeti’s palms.

“Di. Kuchh to lagana hoga na is par. She is not able to user her hands at all,” Sidhhi asked.

“Yahan aas paas koi pharmacy hai?”

“Haan. School ke bagal mein hai to.”

“Main dawaiyan le kar aati hoon.”

“Lekin Di, recess khatam na ho jaye.”

“Ye ek pain killer mere paas hai. Abhi kha lo Preeti. Relief milega. Aur ye thodi dawai hai is tube mein. Aur sun Siddhi. Ye dawaiyaan khareed lena pharmacy se school ke baad. Paise hain na tere paas? Maine details likh di hain is par. Chemist samjha dega kaise aur kab use karni hai,” Nidhi scribbled the names of the medicines on a paper, “Lekin Preeti. Ye hua kaise? Ghar par kissi ne kiya?”

“Papa ne,” she almost choked on her words.

“That’s horrible,” Nidhi exclaimed loudly, then realized that she was criticizing her own father before the girl, “I’m sorry Preeti. I didn’t mean to…”

“No. Please. Aap sorry kyon kah rahi hain? Thanks for all the help.”

“Hua kya tha?”

“Kissi ne mere bag mein ek… love-letter rakh diya tha. Mujhe pata bhi nahin tha. Lekin mere bhaiya ke haath lag gaya aur…”

“To kissi ne roka nahin tumhare Papa ko? Tumhari Mummy?”

“Woh kya kissi ko rokengi? Mom to khud hi kaise zinda hain us ghar mein, pata nahin… Bolti hain ki ye ghar hamesha se hi aisa tha. Lekin jab se Bua ne sabki marzi ke khilaaf shaadi ki, tab se sab log kuchh zyada hi pagal ho gaye hain…”

“Bua ne?”

“Bahut purani baat hai. Maine to dekha bhi nahin hai unko. Mere sabse bade bhaiya bhi tab chhote the.”

Nidhi looked alarmed, “Kya naam tha tumhari Bua ka?”

“Mummy to Nandu kah ke baat karti hain unki. Mujhe pata nahin hai real naam kya tha…” The bell to annouce the end of recess went off.

“Siddhi. Ise dawaiyan zaroor dila dena… Aur sun. School ke baad akele mat nikalna. Dr. Ashutosh ki car mein hi jaana. Okay?” Nidhi looked alarmed.

“Kyon Di?”

“Abhi time nahin hai. Class ja, aur jo main kah rahi hoon woh kar. Take care Preeti.”

“Thank you so much Dr. Nidhi.”

—

Nidhi was agitated as she reached the hospital and walked towards Ashutosh’ cabin.

“Dr. Nidhi,” she was stopped on her way by Dr. Rangnath.

“Dr. Rangnath. I’m sorry. Main late ho gayi. I was unable to reach you. Maine Priyanka ko inform kiya tha…”

“Aap Dr. Ashutosh se cabin mein kyon ja rahi hain?”

“Kya matlab?” Nidhi got irritated, “Woh mere boss hain. Mujhe unse milne se manahi hai kya? Kuchh kaam tha, isliye ja rahi thi.”

“Hmm… Lekin woh to board members ke saath meeting mein hai. Afternoon mein thi, lekin prepone ho gayi.”

“Oh!”

“I am not supposed to talk about it Dr. Nidhi, lekin aapko Dr. Ashutosh se kya problem hai?”

“Aap kaisi baatein kar rahe hain Dr. Rangnath? Mujhe Dr. Ashutosh se koi problem kyon hogi?”

“Phir aapne unki complain kyon ki?”

“Maine? Complain? Dr. Ashutosh ki? Dekhiye Dr. Rangnath. I appreciate your sense of humour and all that. Lekin abhi main bahut pareshaan hoon. It is not a good time to crack jokes…”

“Dr. Nidhi. Dr. Ashutosh abhi board ke saath meeting mein hain. Dr. Asthana – he is also a board member, you might know, has brought this up. Unki aur Dr. Ashutosh ki rivalry ke baare mein sabko pata hai. Chun kar aapke Uncle ne unse baat ki thi…”

“Mere Uncle ne?”

“Haan. Abhi bhi Dr. Asthana ke office mein hain. Dr. Nidhi, Dr. Ashutosh ko hum sab jaante hain… Unke jaise insaan rare hote hain… This doesn’t make sense… Sexual harassment? Why would you do something like that?”

“What?” Nidhi almost jumped in shock. Then the understanding dawned on her and she added calmly, but firmly “Aap sahi kah rahe hain Dr. Rangnath. This doesn’t make sense. Aur ye nonsense ab nahin chalega. Dr. Asthana ka office kidhar hai?”

“Internal Medicine ground floor par hai. Room number mujhe yaad nahin…”

“Main pata kar loongi. Board meeting kahan chal rahi hai?”

“Conference Room No. 3”

“Thanks Dr. Rangnath. Aap pareshaan mat ho. Sab theek ho jayega…”

Rangnath looked on confused. He had huge respect for Dr. Ashutosh. He had worked under him for several years. Dr. Nidhi had also never appeared to be the manipulative kind. She was competent as a doctor and had a no-nonsense attitude. Hers and Dr. Ashutosh’ relationships were never strained either. So, when he had come to know what was going on in the hospital, he could not help talking to Nidhi. He wasn’t supposed to. But some things were worth risking insubordination. Nidhi’s reaction showed that she had no intention of creating any troubles for Ashutosh, but she did know what was going on and could solve it. He felt relieved, though he continued to keep his fingers crossed.

—

To be continued

(As you can guess, it is going to a fiery, fiery Nidhi in next update :D)

“Nidhi. Kaafi raat ho gayi hai. Tum logon ko nikal jaana chahiye,” Nidhi had been helping Rahul with his homework after Siddhi’s birthday party and had just come to Ashutosh’ room.

“Hum log aaj ruk rahe hain,” Nidhi replied cheerfully and sat down beside him.

“Nahin. Tum ghar chali jao.”

“Ji?” Nidhi was surprised.

“Haan… Woh mujhe kuchh kaam hai…”

“To… Aap kar lijiye apna kaam. Main aapko disturb nahin karoongi…”

“Nahin Nidhi. Ghar jao. Please.”

This was a first. Nidhi was flustered. “Aap mujhese naaraaz hain kya?” Her trepidation surprised her too. She felt absolutely terrified.

It was impossible for Ashutosh not to notice her reaction. Guilt overcame him immediately. Her held her and reassured her, “No. No Nidhi. Aisa kuchh nahin hai. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Pareshaan mat ho. Please.”

It took Nidhi a few moments to calm down. Feeling overwhelmed she hugged him tight. She looked like a scared child clinging hard to a parent.

“Nidhi!”

“Main bahut dar gayi thi Dr. Ashutosh. Please aisa kabh phir mat…”

“Calm down, Nidhi. Aise dar kyon rahi ho? Maine kaha na – I am sorry… Mujhe aise nahin…”

“Mujhe khud nahin pata tha ki main… It’s probably stupid. Lekin ek pal ke liye meri jaan nikal gayi thi.”

“Itna chahti ho mujhe?” Ashutosh asked very seriously.

“Aapko ashcharya ho raha hai?”

“Nahin… Bas pray kar raha hoon ki zaroorat padne par main tumhari aur tumhari feelings ki is intensity ko match kar paun.”

“Aap pareshaan hain kissi baat par? Kal se hi… Kya baat hui thi aapki Dr. Surana se?”

“Kuchh khaas nahin. Don’t worry.”

Nidhi could sense that he was hiding something, but she did not insist right then. “Main aapko aur pareshaan nahin karoongi. Lekin I really hope ki ek din aap bhi apne man ki baatein mujhe batane mein utna hi comfortable feel karenge, jitna main aapko batane mein karti hoon.”

“Nidhi. Aisa kuchh nahin hai…”

“Maine Siddhi ko bol diya tha ki hum ruk rahe hain. Isliye main wapas nahin ja rahi. Waran woh bekaar mein hazaar sawaal poochhegi. Aap so jaiye. Good night.”

“Good night, Nidhi.”

She nodded and got up to leave.

“Nidhi,” Ashutosh stopped her and got up. He hugged her gently and then kissed her on forehead. “Good night,” he said in a soft and sincere voice. It made a chill run down Nidhi’s spine. She could melt in his arms right then. She was so madly in love with him. But she just smiled and left. That was not the time!

—

It was Sunday afternoon. Nidhi was off-duty. Siddhi had gone to Preeti’s house. Preeti had not been allowed to come to Siddhi’s house. But she had invited Siddhi instead. Siddhi had obliged.

It had more than a week since Siddhi’s birthday. Ashutosh had arranged everything on the day. It had been the grandest bithday Siddhi had ever got. She was super-excited. But Ashutosh was only putting up an act of excitement. Something was eating him up. Nidhi hadn’t offered to stay at his house all these days. And he hadn’t asked her either. It was like back to old days, when he hadn’t accepted their relationship. She spent a lot of time with Rahul at his home and otherwise. But he was restrained before her.

He wasn’t ignoring her. If anything, he was overly sensitive of her needs. If she looked tired, he made sure she went home and slept early. If she missed a meal, he would blast her over it. Once she had a minor cut and he had raised such hell over it that even Rahul had been surprised. “Papa. Band Aid laga dijiye. Theek ho jayegi. Aap Nidhi Auntie ko itna daant kyon rahe hain? Aisi chot to mujhe bhi lagi hai. Dekhiye.”

He had apologized to her later, “Mujhe tumhein bachchon ke saamne aise nahin daantna chahiye tha. I am sorry.”

“Aap achchhi tarah jaante hain ki aapki daant ka mujhe bura nahin laga. Taqleef is baat ki hai ki aapne mujhe isliye daanta ki aap pareshaan hain. Aur mujhse share nahin kar pa rahe hain.”

“Tumse kuchh isliye nahin kah raha hoon kyonki mujhe khud nahin pata ki main kya mahsoos kar raha hoon. Mujhe maaloon hai ki main tumhein ek baar phir se pareshaan kar raha hoon. Mujhe maaf kar paogi?”

“Aapko mujhse maafi maangne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Aur agar hui bhi to meri kamzori ye nahin hai ki aapko maaf nahin kar paungi. Mujhe to dar is baat ka hai ki main kab tak aapka lihaaj kar ke patience rakh paungi. Shayad zyada dinon tak nahin. Ho sake to mere patience ka imtihaan mat lijiye Dr. Ashutosh. Mujhe bata dijiye.”

“I’m sorry, Nidhi.”

Ashutosh was frustrated with himself. What he was doing made no rational sense. Yet he was unable to speak it out before Nidhi. Dr. Surana had told him about a rumour amongst the board members that someone was blaming him for sexual harassment at work. He didn’t know what the source was and who was the supposed victim. He had just asked him to be cautious. There was a possibility that he would be questioned. Ashutosh was not scared. How could something that did not happen be proved? But he cared about people’s opinions. So, he was offended that people in the board, who had known him for years, could even remotely think of something like that being true. He would have told Nidhi about it. He was sure that she would laugh it off. She didn’t care. And she might have helped him relax as well with her go-to-hell attitude. He had finally decided that he’d do it after Siddhi’s birthday party. But just before the party, he had received another piece of information. Apparently people were talking about Nidhi. What the hell! Was somebody aware of their relationship and trying to use it against him? It was sickening. He maintained some distance from Nidhi as a precaution. Whenever he thought about it, he felt sure that Nidhi would know how to deal with it and would not let it affect her. He did not need to be over-protective about her. And yet when it came to doing it, he could not bring himself to talk about it. He wished he was like her. That a sightly awkward topic did not make it impossible for him to talk. And yet… He had hoped to find out what was going on and fix it. But he had made no progress at all. He knew that Nidhi’s patience was wearing out and it was unfair on his part to keep her in a limbo like that. He decided to talk to her. Just then his phone rang. It was Dr. Rangnath. Was there an emergency?

“Yes Dr. Rangnath. Koi problem hai?”

“No Sir. Hospital mein sab theek hai. Lekin Mr. Khandelwal ka phone aaya tha.” Mr. Khandelwal was the chairman of the board.

“And?”

“Sir. Kuchh selected board members aapse milna chahte hain kal afternoon.”

“Kis liye?”

“Sir. Unhone mujhe bataya nahin, mere baar baar poochhne par bhi. They insisted that it is confidential.”

“Theek hai. Anytime after two is fine. Aap exact time fix kar ke mujhe bata dijiye.”

“Right Sir.”

So the day had come. He would fix everything tomorrow. But him not telling Nidhi should not give her a wrong signal, when she did finally come to know. While talking about the issue to her remained difficult for him to do, he decided to tell her something else.

—

Nidhi came out of her reverie, as her phone rang.

“Dr. Ashutosh? Sab theek to hai? Rahul theek hai na?”

“Nidhi. Calm down. Main kya tumhein phone nahin kar sakta?”

She fell silent.

“Nidhi?”

“I’m feeling very lonely Dr. Ashutosh. I miss you,” her voice quivered even as she blinked back her tears hoping not to choke.

“Nidhi. Ye pahli baar nahin hai ki mere indecision ki wajah se tum suffer kar rahi ho. Lekin main kahin gaya nahin hoon. I am just waiting to fix something. Aur shayad kal tak fix ho jayega.”

“Kya main aapki help nahin kar sakti?”

“I promise ki iske baad kabhi bhi tumhein kissi cheez se door nahin rakhoonga. Lekin bas is baar… thoda sa patience rakho. Thoda sa intezaar karo.”

“Aapka intezaar to main zindagi bhar karne ko taiyaar thi Dr. Ashutosh. Agar aap majboor karenge to phir se wahi karoongi. Mere paas aur koi option nahin hai.”

“Come what may. Nidhi. Main chahta hoon ki tum ek baat yaad rakho.”

“Kya?”

“I love you and I trust you. Infinitely.”

Nidhi was overwhelmed. She broke into sobs over the phone itself.

“Tum ro rahi ho? Nidhi please. Main… main aata hoon wahan.”

“Nahin. It’s okay,” she hastened to assure him, “Aap jis bhi cheez ka intezaar kar rahe hain, main bhi uska intezaar kar loongi. Ek baat aap bhi yaad rakhiyega.”

“Kya?”

“Zindagi mein bahut kuchh maine khoya hai, aur bhi bahut kuchh kho kar bhi zinda rahne ki himmat rakhti hoon. Lekin main aapko nahin kho sakti. Agar aisa hua to…”

“Shh… Ek shabd nahin. Maine jo kaha hai woh yaad rakhna. Phir tumhein darne ki zaroorat nahin hogi.”

The doorbell rang just then. “Siddhi wapas aa gayi hai, I think.”

“Theek hai. Rona band karo bilkul, warna woh pareshaan ho jayegi. Hum baad mein baat karte hain.”

“Ji.”

—

To be continued

“WHO is involving local NGOs to sustainably carry on this project. Aur idea ye hai ki in NGOs ko fundraising mein bhi help ki jaaye.” Armaan explained over breakfast on Sunday morning.

“That’s why the black tie dinner and all?” Ashutosh asked.

“Haan! And Ashu. I am counting on you to come and lead the donations,” Armaan grinned.

“Jaana to padega hi. Donations ka nahin pata,” Ashutosh laughed good humouredly, “Tum chalogi, Nidhi?”

“Main wahan kya karoongi? Na to main black tie pahan sakti hoon, na hi donate kar sakti hoon?” Nidhi smiled.

“Donation ki fikr mat karo. Armaan will exempt you,” Ashutosh replied jokingly, “Aur black tie ka substitute ek nice, formal dress hai. Chalo. Let’s buy one for you.”

“Kya? Aise…”

“Aur kaise? Dress to khareed kar hi laate hain, nahin?”

Nidhi smiled. He wanted to take her shopping. Why not?

—

They bought a black, formal dress for Nidhi and then started looking at other dresses. Nidhi was surprised at how involved Ashutosh was shopping for her dresses.

“Ye dekho Nidhi. Ye color tum par bahut suit karta hai,” he picked up a top and showed it to her, “What color is this? Something between green and blue?”

“Sea green,” she said, “Aapko pasand hai?”

“Tum try kar ke dekh lo. Tumhein pasand aaye tabhi…”

“Try to main kar loongi, lekin hum kitni dresses khareedne waale hain?”

“Itni kahan khareedi hain?”

“Chaar dresses, teen tops aur ek salwaar-kameez already hain is shopping bag mein.”

“To tum kyon pareshaan ho rahi ho? Carry to main kar raha hoon na,” Ashutosh quipped.

Nidhi shook her head smiling and did not say anything. She took the top from him and made to go to the trial room.

“Ek minute Nidhi,” he stopped her and took something out from the shopping bag, “Ye bhi try kar ke dekho?” Bundled in his hand was something made of lacy cloth.

“Ye kya hai?”

“Try kar ke dekho,” he did not unbundle it and handed it as it was to her.

Her face colored, when she looked at it in the trial room. It was a beautiful babydoll negligee, made of sheer cloth with laces at the hems and straps. If their age difference was going to negatively affect anything in their life at all, it certainly wasn’t going to be the romance. She felt so aroused that she would have ran out directly into his arms, if it wasn’t practically impossible given where they were.

—

“Ab billing karwa lete hain,” she came out with the top as well as the negligee and pushed them inside the shopping bag he was carrying. She wasn’t meeting his eyes. Ashutosh knew that she was very bold. So, when he managed to make her feel so shy, he particularly enjoyed it. It was like pushing the boundaries!

“Sure. Tumhein kuchh aur nahin chahiye?”

“Nahin.”

Ashutosh smiled, but did not try to tease her. Nidhi asked for an extra bag during the billing. Ashutosh was curious, but did not ask her the reason. But he found out as soon as they reached their car after shopping. Nidhi fished around the bag of her new clothes, took out the negligee, stuffed it in the extra bag and put it inside her handbag. Although Ashutosh did not ask, she explained her curious action, “Siddhi itni saari shopping dekhegi to jaate hi toot padegi aur sab dekhna chahegi.”

And she was right! Siddhi was all over the dresses they had bought exclaiming how chic something looked, or how something would have been nicer in a different color. Ashutosh left the sisters to themselves and went to his room to change.

“Kya hua Di?” Siddhi asked after a while, “Tum to bilkul bhi excited nahin lag rahi ho?”

“Nahin to…”

“Dr. Ashutosh ne kuchh kaha kya?”

“Nahin Siddhi. Woh kyon kuchh kahenge. Bas… Sun. Tujhe agar ismein se kuchh pasand aaye to rakh le.”

“Pahli baat to mujhe ye fit nahin aayengi. Doosre agar aati bhi to main kyon rakhoon? Tumhein pasand nahin hain kya?”

“Pagal hai kya Siddhi? Main kya apni napasand ki cheezein tujhe doongi?”

“Pagal hamesha mujhe kahti ho. Pagal to tum ho gayi ho. Khair ye batao – aaj shaam ye pahanne waali ho?” Siddhi picked up the black dress and asked her.

“Haan. Khair. Main nahane ja rahi hoon. Lunch ka time ho raha hai,” Nidhi got up looking rather lost. She didn’t notice that Ashutosh had come back after changing and was listening to their conversation standing slightly afar. He came to Siddhi after Nidhi had left and whispered something in her ears. Siddhi’s eyes shone and she nodded in agreement to whatever he had suggested.

—

“Kya hungama kar rahe ho tum log?” Nidhi heard Rahul’s and Siddhi’s excited voices on entering the room after taking a bath.

“Di! Dekho Dr. Ashutosh mere liye kya laaye hain?”

“Kya?”

“Wii!!”

“Are… Lekin…”

“Tum bhi khel sakti ho Di! Aao…”

“Nahin. Tum log khelo. Main dekhti hoon lunch ready hua ya nahin.”

As she turned towards the door to leave, she saw Ashutosh standing there smiling. They came out of the room together.

“Life ko itna complicated banane ki zaroorat nahin hai Nidhi.”

“Ji?”

“Siddhi jab tumhari dresses dekh rahi thi to tum itna pareshaan kyon ho gayi thi?”

She looked at him surprised. How did he know?

“Nidhi! Tum khud ko indulge karne ke liye guilty feel kar rahi thi?”

He had figured it out. So, Nidhi confessed, “Haan – maine Siddhi ko kabhi aise indulge nahin kiya hai… Aur suddenly apne liye… Khareedte waqt socha nahin. Lekin jab use itna excited dekha to…”

“Agar main tumhein indulge kar sakta hoon Nidhi, to Siddhi ko bhi kar sakta hoon.”

“Woh to dekha maine. Aapko kaise pata chala ki use Wii chahiye tha?”

“Thankfully woh tumhari tarah chhoti-chhoti baaton ko complicate nahin karti hai. Usne mention kiya tha…”

“Aapko tang karne ke maamle mein bahut comfortable ho gayi hai woh.”

“To achchha hi hai na?”

Nidhi smiled and nodded.

—

“Dr. Ashutosh. Dr. Nidhi,” Nidhi and Ashutosh were caught unawares when they ran into Ramesh Singhal at the fundraiser.

“Mr. Singhal. Hello. How are you?” Ashutosh greeted him courteously even as Nidhi stiffened. She just forced a smile to acknowledge him.

“I am fine. And you look very fine too, Dr. Ashutosh. Nice to see you again Dr. Nidhi.”

“Same here,” Nidhi found it difficult to be civil to Ramesh. But she remembered her conversation with Ashutosh after their last encounter and curbed her rudeness.

“Nidhi. Why don’t you pick up a drink or something. I will join you later,” Ashutosh suggested relieving Nidhi of Ramesh’ company. Although she hadn’t left Ashutosh’ side throughout the evening, she accepted this suggestion.

“It is very nice of you Dr. Ashutosh to take care of her,” Ramesh said once Nidhi left.

“Excuse me?”

“Youngsters, especially girls, are prone to making mistakes in life. When they do not have elders to guide them, or when they refuse to listen to them.”

“I see…” Ashutosh wondered if he should ignore him or get into a debate with him.

“She reminds me of my sister. She made some bad decisions when young. It didn’t end well for her.”

“I’m sorry about that, Mr. Singhal. But I don’t think that any one person’s experience applies to all. Dr. Nidhi is very mature and independent. I don’t go around telling her what to do and what not to. And that’s what I would suggest to anyone interacting with her,” Ashutosh spoke with a smile, but very firmly.

“You are very close to her, obviously?”

“Yes. But I have to ask. Why are you so curious about her?”

“Just… feel some connection.”

“I see,” Ramesh had given a very odd reply and Ashutosh wasn’t sure what to tell him, “Anyway. Excuse me. I have to catch up with some other people.”

“Sure. Dr. Ashutosh. See you later.”

“Nidhi. Is there any chance ki Mr. Singhal tumhein pahle se jaante ho?” Ashutosh asked Nidhi as soon as he found her.

“Main to unse pahle kabhi nahin mili. Kyon?”

“I don’t know. His curiosity about you is getting on my nerves too.”

“Kya poochh rahe the?”

“Rahne do. Maine taal diya.”

—

Ashutosh was thoughtful when he got off the phone.

“Kaun tha Dr. Ashutosh?” Nidhi entered his room just then.

“Dr. Surana. Tum jaanti ho?”

“Dr. Harshvardhan Surana?”

“Haan.”

“Of course. The famous orthpedic surgeon. Kotnis ke board mein bhi hai na?”

“Haan. He has been a mentor to me. Always guided me.”

“Wow. Mujhe nahin pata tha. Lekin… Koi problem hai kya? Aap pareshaan dikh rahe hain?”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Aap yahan baithe hain? Hiraman Kaka ne kaha hai ki Orion Palace Hotel se aapke liye phone aaya tha. Woh log aapka mobile number try kar rahe the, lekin woh busy aa raha tha.”

“Oh! Right. Main abhi unhein wapas call karta hoon. Hamein number of guests confirm karne the. Don’t worry. Tumhari birthday party mein koi problem nahin hogi. Tumne apne saare friends ko invite to kar liya hai na?”

“Haan. Sab aa bhi jaayenge. Preeti ko chhod kar.”

“Kyon? Preeti ko kya problem hai?” Nidhi asked.

“Uski family ajeeb hai Di. 18th century mein rahte hain woh log. Use schhol ke baad kahin aana-jaane ki permission nahin hai.”

“Are?”

“Maine kaha bhi ki driver to rahega hi.Woh hamesha car se aati-jaati hai, lekin phir bhi taiyaar nahin hui.”

“I can’t say, I am surprised though,” Nidhi mumbled.

“I pity her, Di. Pata hai – use dance ka bahut shauk hai. Seekha bhi hai usne. Lekin stage par perform karne ki permission nahin hai use. Log uska bahut mazaak udaate hain. Kuchh din pahle kuchh ladkon ne use chidhane ke liye uski seat par ek burqua rakh diya tha, ki use to burque mein rhana chahiye. Uski aankhon mein aansoo aa gaye the.”

“Oh!” Nidhi exclaimed, but could not say anything else.

“Siddhi. You should try this. Tum use ghar par invite karo to use aane ki permission mil jaye. Bahar hotel mein party hai. Iski wajah se kuchh parents zyada paranoid ho jaate hain,” Ashutosh suggested, “Birthday par to party planned hai hi. Lekin tum use kabhi aur invite kar sakti ho.”

“Try karoongi. But I really doubt. Aur Di. Tumhein tumhara promise yaad hai na?”

Nidhi sighed, “Haan. Yaad hai. Chal abhi hi jaate hain. Kal party ki preparations mein time mile na mile.” Nidhi had promised Siddhi that she would take her to parlour for complete beauty treatment before her fourteenth birthday. She had never allowed her anything other than a hair cut in the parlour earlier.

“Okay. Main taiyaar ho jaati hoon.”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Koi problem hai kya?” Nidhi resumed their conversation after Siddhi left.

“Nahin. Kuchh khaas baat nahin hai,” Ashutosh avoided replying to her, “Tum Siddhi ke saath jao.”

He sank down on a chair after she left. What Dr. Surana had warned him about had left him with a bad taste. He was glad to be left alone. Else he might have reacted inappropriately before Nidhi.

—

To be continued

Siddhi went to see if Rahul was awake when she woke up in the morning and found Nidhi sleeping there. Nidhi woke up while Siddhi was still there. “Siddhi,” she called her.

“Tum yahan so rahi ho?” Siddhi asked awkwardly. Had she been too presumptous? What she did last night had felt right, even if a bit naughty, then. But now she wasn’t so sure.

Nidhi looked at Rahul before responding. He was fast asleep.She got down from the bed and came near Siddhi.

“I am sorry, Di. I was…”

“Siddhi. Tu sab samajhti hai. Main tujhse khul kar baat kar sakti hoon, right?”

Siddhi nodded.

“You were very sweet Siddhi. Aur main kuchh aisa claim nahin kar rahi ki tune jo mere aur Dr. Ashutosh ke rishte ke baare mein socha woh galat tha. Aur main personally zyada kuchh society ke rules, shaadi ke rituals wagerah mein bharosa nahin rakhti. Lekin Siddhi… Rahul abhi chhota hai. Sab nahin samajhta. Ghar ke andar koi problem nahin hai. Lekin agar ghar ke bahar apni maasoomiyat mein hi usne kissi ke saamne hamare rishte ke baare mein kuchh kaha aur use kuchh ulta-seedha sunne ko mil gaya to ye sahi nahin hoga, right?”

“Maine itna socha nahin, Di…”

“Itna sochne ki tujhe koi zaroorat bhi nahin hai. Tune jo socha, galat nahin socha. Lekin kuchh pretenses dooron ka khayaal kar ke hi sahi, hamein banae rakhne pad sakte hain.”

“I know. Tum mujhse gussa to nahin ho?”

“Nahin pagli. Lekin please. Jab hum agli baar yahan rukein, to mujhe apne kamre mein sone dena. Rahul ka bed thoda chhota hai.” Siddhi smiled. “Ab chal,” Nidhi added, “Jaldi se taiyaar ho ja. Ghar chalna hoga. Tere school ka saaraa saamaan yahan nahin hai. Mujhe bhi ghar jaana hai hospital jaane se pahle.”

“Okay Di.”

—

School’s drama group was presenting their annual play and parents were also invited. Nidhi went backstage after the play was over to help Siddhi and Rahul change and bring them back.

“Bahut achchha tha Siddhi. Especially the comic parts – you did really well,” she told Siddhi.

“Thanks Di. Lekin ab jo ‘but’ tumhare dimaag mein chal raha hai, woh bhi bata hi do,” Siddhi grinned.

“Pahle scene mein tu apne dialogs bhool gayi thi.”

“Really?” another girl standing there exclaimed, “Mujhe to nahin pata chala.”

“Preeti. Di ko pata chal jaata hai jab main stumble karti hoon. Although I tried not to let it be obvious. Di. This is Preeti. Recently hamari class mein join kiya hai. Her father knows Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Nidhi Auntie!” Rahul came there just then and ran towards Nidhi. Nidhi hugged him. “Maine kaisa perform kiya?” he asked eagerly.

“Brilliant. As usual,” she kissed him on forehead. Then they all got out to join Ashutosh.

After Rahul and Siddhi got their share of appreciation from Ashutosh, he introduced them to the man he had been talking to.

“Dr. Nidhi. This is Mr. Ramesh Singhal. Earlier he used to work with Star Logistics. Baba ki company ka kaafi business inke paas hai. Now, he has joined his family business though. Right, Mr. Singhal?”

“Yeah. Mere father ki death ke baad, I had to carry the legacy.”

Ashutosh grinned, “Unfortunately, mere Baba iske liye mujh par rely nahin kar sakte. Business chalana mere wash ki baat nahin thi. I am just a passive shareholder now. Khair. This is Dr. Nidhi Verma. She works at Kotnis with me. And that’s Siddhi, her sister.” Nidhi thought Ramesh was startled to see Siddhi, but it was only a fleeting expression and so she could not be sure of it.

“And that’s Preeti, my daughter,” Ramesh said pointing to the girl standing next to Siddhi, “Jiske mid-term admission mein you helped so much Dr. Ashutosh. Thanks a lot.”

“That was no problem at all. So, Siddhi and Preeti already know each other. That’s great.”

“We are in the same class Dr. Ashutosh,” Siddhi explained.

“By the way, aapke parents nahin aaye?” Ramesh looked at Nidhi and Siddhi.

Ashutosh felt uneasy. Nidhi spoke before he could, “Our parents passed away long back. We take care of each other now.” Her voice was cold.

“I’m sorry,” Ramesh said.

Ashutosh hastily changed the topic, “So, Preeti. Are you also interested in drama?”

“Me?” she smiled. Her smile appeared sad, “No. I can’t act to save my life. I did help in backstage preparations though.”

“That’s great. Acting is just part of the whole exercise. All the preparations that go with it are equally, even more important.”

“Thanks Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Anyway. It’s getting late. We should leave for home now,” Ramesha said, “Chalo Preeti. Aap logon ko lene ke liye kaun aayega?” Ramesh asked Nidhi.

“Ji?” Nidhi didn’t understand his question.

“Aap kiske saath rahti hain?”

“Hum log kissi ke saath nahin rahte. Aur hum khud chale jaayenge,” Nidhi could not hide her annoyance.

“Aap log akele rahti hain? Two young girls? That’s not good…”

“Mr. Singhal,” Nidhi was straightforward and curt now, “I do not welcome this intrusion of privacy. We are fine on our own.”

Ashutosh got worried. Not because of her rudeness to Ramesh, but because of the realization that it did not take much for her to get back to her bitter self.

“I will see you Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi gave a cryptic message to Ashutosh and started to leave with Siddhi. They were supposed to go together and Nidhi would wait for him in the parking lot. But neither of them wanted to divulge that information to Ramesh.

“Main bhi chaloon aapke saath Nidhi Auntie?” Rahul asked.

“Nahin Rahul,” Ashutosh intervened, “Aap mere saath chalenge.”

“I am sorry Mr. Singhal,” Ashutosh addressed Ramesh, “But she values her independence. So, her reaction is understandable too.”

“No problem,” Ramesh replied, but he didn’t look too happy about the entire incident, “Waise inke parents ka naam kya tha?”

“I don’t know,” his uninvited curiosity was getting on Ashutosh’ nerves too, but he wasn’t lying in response. He actually did not know her parents’ names. Though he should, he thought inwardly. He decided to look up the documents in the hospital.

Ashutosh took his leave from Ramesh after exchanging formal pleasantaries. He and Rahul met Nidhi and Siddhi near his car.

“Chalein?” he asked pleasantly, not referring to the incident with Ramesh Singhal. As planned earlier, they had dinner in a restaurant and then went to Ashutosh’ house. It was a friday night and Nidhi and Siddhi had planned to stay there for the night.

Siddhi was in her room, when Nidhi came out after putting Rahul to sleep. Ashutosh was reading a book sitting on the sofa in the hall. She sat down beside him and let out a sigh.

“Kya hua?” Ashutosh kept the book aside and turned towards her.

“Aap to mujhe daant nahin rahe. To mujhe voluntarily hi maafi maangni padegi.”

“Kis liye?”

“I was very rude to Mr. Singhal. Woh aapke dost hain. It would have been embarrassing for you…”

“Woh mere dost nahin hain. Only a business acquaintance. The only reason he got in touch with me was ki unhein apni beti ke mid-term admission ke liye meri help chahiye thi. He has come back to this city only recently. Today he was unreasonable. Isliye mujhe is baat ki bhi parwaah nahin hai ki tumne unhein kaise treat kiya.”

“But kissi aur baat ki parwaah hai?” she asked.

“Haan. Mujhe tumhari parwaah hai.”

She looked at him questioningly.

“Ya shayad main presumptous hoon,” Ashutosh spoke deliberately and slowly, “Kyonki I want to believe ki tum khush ho. Apne past se aage badh gayi ho. Ab woh tumhein bother nahin karta.”

“Main aapke saath bahut khush hoon Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi was alarmed at what he said and implied; so hastened to assure him.

“Phir ye bitterness kyon Nidhi? Don’t get me wrong. I love your fighting spirit. You won’t let anyone harm you or your loved ones. Lekin bitterness khud ko harm karti hai. Fighting someone who is going to harm you is good. Fighting every random jerk is wasteful. I think you that, right? Just ignore them. Kissi ke kuchh kahne se tum badal to nahin jaogi.”

“Aap sahi kah rahe hain.”

“Nidhi,” he took her hands in his, “Main tumhein katghare mein nahin khada kar raha. Main koi missionary bhi nahin hoon ki tumhein transform karna chahoon. I just want to… make sure that you don’t feel alone.”

“I don’t Dr. Ashutosh. Meri bitterness bhi shayad meri aadat ho gayi hai. I will try ki woh khatam ho jaye.”

“We will try together,” Ashutosh said with a smile and gently kissed her on the forehead. Nidhi smiled even as she silently wondered what had made her that bitter in the evening. She hadn’t been this rude to anyone for quite some time. She hadn’t felt the need to be rude even to Ranjeeta until she practically forced her to. Something was different about Ramesh Singhal’s intrusion. She couldn’t put her finger on what it was.

“Bahu dinon ke baad tum yahan ruk rahi ho, Nidhi,” Ashutosh’ changed tone and hoarse voice brought her out of her thoughts.

She blushed knowing what he wanted, but still continued the conversation boldly, “Bahut din? Main pichhle weekend bhi yahin thi. Aur uske pahle week mein bhi…”

“Ek addict ke liye woh dose bahut kam hai,” Ashutosh was not to be outwitted so easily either.

She smiled and gave up. “I know!” she said. Both of them got up from the sofa and walked to his room. Later in the night, Nidhi sneaked back to Siddhi’s room.

—

To be continued