Mish' Fiction

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Ye kya hai?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She nodded.

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

“Main bhi chalti hoon aapke saath.”

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

She nodded again.

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

—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Tumhein kitchen mein aane ki kya zaroorat thi?”

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

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

They all smiled.

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

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

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

“Ji.”

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

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

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

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

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

—

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

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

“Haan. Hamare pas abhi ek ghanta hai.”

“Nidhi,” Ashutosh said and then fell silent.

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

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

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

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

“Kuchh nashta banaun?” she asked.

“Nahin. Chalo kahin bahar karte hain.”

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

“No regrets. Come now…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—

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

“Nidhi… Iski kya zaroorat hai?”

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

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

“To kya hua?”

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

Nidhi was overwhelmed and could not speak for few moments.

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

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

“Lekin…”

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

“Jaadugar again,” Nidhi laughed.

“So be it!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nidhi laughed out loud and Ashutosh looked on fondly.

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

“Bolo.”

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

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

“Nahin. Darasal…”

“Bolo na Nidhi. Hichkicha kyon rahi ho?”

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

“Kar sakte hain. Lekin koi khaas baat?”

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

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

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

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

“Me too,” she whispered.

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

“Kya?”

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

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

—

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—

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

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

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

“Main bahut khush hoon Nidhi.”

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

– The End –

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

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

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

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

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

Ashuotosh, Nidhi and Baba laughed out loud.

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

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

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

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

“Ye kya hai?”

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

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

—

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

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

“Khush ho?” Ashutosh asked.

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

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

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

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

“Ji.”

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

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

“Haan.”

—

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

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

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

“Zabardasti nahin, majboori hai…”

“Kaisi majboori?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Ji?”

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

Nidhi smiled gratefully, “Lekin Baba nahin maanenge.”

“Woh tum mujh par chhod do.”

“Aap to jaadugar hain, jaise!”

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

—

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

“Nahin. Main to koi farq nahin maanta.”

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

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

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

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

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

Nidhi stared at him wide-eyed.

“Kya matlab?” Baba did not understand him.

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

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

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

Nidhi looked at Baba expectantly.

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

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

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

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

Baba smiled at his clever words.

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

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

—

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

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

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

“Oh! Right.”

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

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

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

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

“Aapko ho kya gaya hai?”

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

“Ji.”

—

“Hum kahan ja rahe hain?”

“Kyon? Tumhein dar lag raha hai?”

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

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

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

Nidhi blushed at first, then looked thoughtful and embarrassed.

“Kya hua?” he asked.

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

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

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

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

“Aapko mujhse koi shikayat nahin hai?”

“Nahin hai, Jaanti ho kyon?”

“Kyon?”

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

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

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

“Chaliye.”

—

To be continued

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

“Kya hua Nidhi? Itni subah subah?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Maanti nahin hai meri baat,” Baba murmured.

—

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

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

“Yeah… Lekin aapko wait karna pada…”

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

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

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

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“Ji.”

“Itna hadbada kyon gayi thi?”

“Aapko late karna pasand nahin hai…”

“Tumhein yahan tumhare boss ne nahin bulaya tha.”

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

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

“Main theek hoon.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Aapka apne liye kya faisla hai?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Shaam mein kahin chalogi?” he asked.

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

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

“Ji. Theek hai.”

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

“Ji.”

—

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

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

“Hmmm…”

“Aap kya roz roz mere driver bane phirenge?”

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

“Lekin…”

“Itna mat socho. Chalo.”

—

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

“Hmm?”

“Aapne jo subah kaha…”

“Yeah?”

“Kya aapko mujh par bharosa nahin hai?”

Ashutosh applied brakes and stopped the car.

“Maine aisa to nahin kaha, Nidhi?”

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

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

“Phir?”

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

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

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

Nidhi nodded thoughtfully and they drove on.

—

“Tumhein music pasand hai?”

“Haan. Music kise pasand nahin hota.”

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

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

“Ghazals?”

“Bahut pasand hain.”

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

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

“Phir to aur bhi badhiya hai.”

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

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

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

“Kahan?”

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

“To ismein embarrass hone ki kya baat hai?”

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

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

Nidhi nodded.

“Kuchh kahna chahti ho?”

“Main Sunday bhi yahan nahin rahungi…”

“Dadi ke paas jaana hai?”

She nodded.

“Main bhi chalta hoon.”

“Ji?”

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

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

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

“Thank you. That will be very helpful.”

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

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

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

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

“Kya hua?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Are you sure, Nidhi?”

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

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

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

—

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

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

“Chalo achchha hai.”

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

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

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

—

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Main bhi chalti hoon,” Nidhi said.

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

“Ji.”

—

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

“Aapse kuchh baat karni thi Mr. Verma.”

“Boliye Dr. Ashutosh.”

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

“Ye kyon de rahe hain aap mujhe?”

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

“Main samjha nahin.”

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

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

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

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

“Aap rukiye. Main jaata hoon.”

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

“Kya hua Baba?”

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

“Ji?”

“Tumhein Dr. Ashutosh se shaadi karni hai.”

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

Baba smiled seeing her nervousness.

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

“Baba!” Nidhi grew emotional.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Chalo. Bahar chalein.”

—

To be continued

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

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

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

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

“We need to talk,” he said again.

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

“Kya woh sach tha?”

“Let me go, Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Mere liye jaanna zaroori hai.”

“Kyon?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

—

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

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

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

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

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

“Kahan chalenge?”

“Tumhein immediately ghar to nahin jaana hai?”

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

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

Nidhi nodded.

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

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

She looked up, “Ji?”

“Kahan khoyi hui ho?”

“Kahin nahin…”

“Kuchh bol hi nahin rahi ho?”

“Main… kya boloon?”

“Apne baare mein kuchh batao.”

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

“That’s not true.”

“To poochh lijiye jo nahin jaante hain.”

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

“Mujhe nahin pata…” Nidhi said nervously.

“Nahin pata?” Ashutosh raised his eyebrows.

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

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

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

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

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

She just nodded.

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

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

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

“Kuchh kahna chahti ho?” he asked.

“Aapko kaise pata?”

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

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

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

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

“Kya laga?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Someone like you? Matlab?”

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

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

Ashutosh smiled. They were done with eating.

“Chalo. Tumhein ghar chhod deta hoon.”

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

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

“Main hamesha akele hi jaati hoon.”

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

Nidhi smiled coyly and nodded.

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

“Sure. Lekin usse pahle ek request thi.”

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

“Kal subah hospital jaldi aa sakti ho?”

“Kyon?”

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

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

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

“Ji.”

—

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

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

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

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

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

“Armaan!”

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

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

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

“Shut up, Armaan.”

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

“I think so.”

“Abe tujhe pata hona chahiye.”

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

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

“Yeah.”

—

To be continued

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

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

“Ji.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Sure. Chaliye.”

—

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

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

“Kaise pata tha aapko?”

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

“Strong to aap bhi bahut hain.”

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

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

“If you say so.”

“Waise aapke Baba ab theek hain?”

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

“Are to aapne mujhe bataya kyon nahin?”

“Kya?”

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

“Baba accountant nahin hain, Sir.”

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

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

“Main pahunchte hi baat karoonga.”

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

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

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

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

“Ji. Theek hai.”

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

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

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

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

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

“Aapne Nidhi ko bataya hai.”

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

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

Nidhi looked at her Baba and Ashutosh and finally smiled.

—

“Ashutosh!”

“Armaan. Tum pahle pahunch gaye?”

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

“Kya?”

“Propose kiya?”

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

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

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

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

“Armaan!”

“Ashutosh!”

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

“Ismein ridiculous kya hai.”

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

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

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

“Kyon?”

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

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

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

—

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

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

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

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

“Itni lambi duty?”

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

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

“Ji?”

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

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

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

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

“Sach.”

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

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

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

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

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

—

To be continued

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

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

“Bas aise hi… Kuchh… pata chala…”

“Dr. Ashutosh ne kuchh kaha?”

Nidhi was startled, “Aapko kaise pata?”

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

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

“Aapne mujhe bataya kyon nahin, Baba?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Zevar bech kar?” Yograj looked uncomfortable.

“Kya hua Baba?” Nidhi asked.

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

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

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

—

“Aapne mujhe bulaya, Sir?”

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

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

“Well. Maine aapke zevar khareede the…”

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

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

“Sir. Please. Aapne jitna kiya hai…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Aur apne liye?”

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

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

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

—

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

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

“Poochhiye Dr. Nidhi.”

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

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

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

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

“Kya matlab?”

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

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

“Yes.”

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

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

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

“Kya matlab?”

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

“Achchha. Kaun?” Ashutosh asked amusedly.

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

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

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

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

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

“Itna bhadakta hoon kya main?”

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

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

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

—

To be continued

“Sir. Aapne mujhe bulaya?”

“Yes. Dr. Nidhi. Please come in. Meet Dr. Armaan Malhotra. He works with WHO. Kal hi India aaye hain, ek project ke liye.”

“Hello Dr. Malhotra,” Nidhi shook hands with him, “Nice to meet you.”

“Same here Dr. Nidhi. Waise Ashutosh aapko ye batana bhool gaya ki main iska bachpan ka dost bhi hoon.”

“I am not surprised. Dr. Ashutosh apni personal life ko hospital se bilkul door rakhte hain. I think isliye he is so admired professionally.”

“All right. I am sorry,” Ashutosh said, “Dr. Nidhi. Armaan mere bachpan ka dost bhi hai.”

Armaan and Nidhi laughed.

“To ab kaam ki baat shuru karein?” Ashutosh said.

“Yes Boss,” Armaan said. Nidhi noticed that he was clearly a very jovial person, unlike the serious, even if caring, Dr. Ashutosh.

“Jaisa ki maine tumhein bataya tha Armaan ki Dr. Nidhi to experience hai gaon mein kaam karne ka…”

“Mujhe Sir?” Nidhi was surprised, “Mujhe kahan experience hai? Abhi dedh mahine pahle to maine internship shuru ki hai. Aur poore time yahin kaam kiya hai.”

Armaan looked at Ashutosh and Nidhi.

“Don’t worry Armaan. Confidence is not her strong point and she is humble to a fault. Dr. Nidhi – aap already phone par apne gaon ke logon ki beemariyan diagnose kar rahi hain, right? Chhota sa tele-medicine center to aapne khol hi rakha hai. The other day, Armaan, she had shown me pictures that were sent to her mobile by someone in her village. Those were of a child, who could be suffering from small pox. We diagnosed from the photos that it was indeed small pox and asked the parents to take him to the hospital. Otherwise gaon mein woh kuchh jhaad-phoonk karwate rahte aur bachche ki jaan chali jaati.”

“That’s great,” Armaan looked impressed.

“Dr. Nidhi,” Ashutosh addressed an embarrassed and baffled Nidhi, “Dr. Armaan is hoping to implement a tele-medicine project here as an effort from WHO to make medical services accessible to all.”

“Really? That’s a great idea!” Nidhi was clearly excited.

“Of course, shuruat feasibility study se hogi. But we are working to make Kotnis General Hospital a part of the initiaitve where the diagnosis will be done remotely and medical care suggested accordingly. We will form a team of doctors for that. Mujhe laga ki main pahle aap se poochh loon kyonki shayad aap interested hongi.”

“Yes Sir. Sure Sir. I mean… Yes Sir.”

Armaan smiled seeing her flustered like that. He also did not miss how Ashutosh was looking at her in adoration.

“Okay Ashutosh,” he said, “Main abhi chalta hoon. Dr. Nidhi – aapka phone number main Ashutosh se le loonga aur jab is project par kaam shuru hoga – I will get in touch with you.”

“Sure Dr. Armaan. Thank you very much.”

“See you.”

Nidhi also got up to leave after Armaan.

“Dr. Nidhi,” she stopped when Ashutosh addressed her, “Aapki Dadi ke paas sugar monitor pahunch gaya tha?”

“Yes Sir. As expected unka sugar level bahut high hai. Lekin khaane mein kuchh bhi parhej karwana bahut mushkil hai unse.”

“Aisa kyon?”

“Bina cheeni ke chai nahin piyengi. Aur din mein kam-se-kam paanch baar chai ki zaroorat padti hai unhein. Apne ghar mein mithai na bhi layen, lekin kabhi kissi ki shaadi, kabhi kissi ke bachche ka janm, wahan munh kaise nahin meetha karengi. Bahane hain actually. She has got a sweet tooth – mujhe pata hai. I think chai ke liye to main unhein sugar-free bhijwa doongi. Lekin ye mithaiyan, doodh-dahi… Bolti hoon cream nikaal kar doodh piyen, unka BP bhi high rahta hai. To kahengi ki ghar mein koi akaal pada hai kya ki doodh bina malai ke loon.”

Ashutosh laughed, “Ab mujhe samajh mein aaya aap bachchon ki zidd kaise handle kar leti hain itni aasaani se. Aapko bahut ziddi patient ko handle karne ki aadat pahle se padi hui hai.”

“Bilkul. Badmash se badmash bachche bhi unke saamne to mujhe angel hi lagte hain.”

“Good. Carry on. Aur haan – agar aap WHO ke project par kaam karti hain, to aap uski jagah ek trimester hospital ki duties se off le sakti hain. You will get the credit.”

“Agar zaroorat padegi to le loongi, Sir. Waise bhi abhi ise shuru hone mein to time lagega.”

“Haan. Abhi to kuchh mahine lagenge. Armaan is working on some feasibility studies right now. But he may contact you once in a while for some work.”

“Sure Sir. No problem. Main chalti hoon.”

“All right.”

—

“Good afternoon, Dr. Mallika,” Nidhi was in the common room during her break, when Mallika walked in.

“Hello Dr. Nidhi. Kaisi hain aap?”

“Main theek hoon. Aur aap?”

“Main to theek hoon Dr. Nidhi. Lekin mujhe Ashutosh ki bahut fikr ho rahi hai in dinon.”

“Kyon kya hua unhein?” Nidhi got anxious.

“Lagta hai ki aapko bhi bahut chinta hai unki.”

“Agar chinta ki koi baat hai to honi hi chahiye. Hamein apne aas paas ke logon ki chinta nahin hogi to kiski hogi?”

“Mujhe lagta hai ki unke past ke zakhm phir se ubhar rahe hain, ya ubharne waale hain.”

“Kaise zakhm?”

“Apne khaandaan ka pata na hone ka zakhm. Uski wajah se apne pyaar ko kho dene ka zakhm.”

“Khaandaan ka pata na hone ka zakhm?” Nidhi laughed slighly assuming that Mallika was joking, “Ye kaisi baat hui? Unke Baba to…”

“Oh! Aapko nahin pata? Unhone kabhi bataya nahin? Woh Ashutosh ke real father nahin the. Unhone Ashutosh ko adopt kiya tha.”

“Kya?”

“Haan. Aur yahi baat jab Niharika ke ghar waalon ko pata chali to woh unke rishte ke liye raazi hi nahin hue.”

“Kya? Lekin aaj-kal in baaton ko kaun maanta hai?”

“Pyaar kane waale maane na maane, unke ghar waale to maante hi hain. Aap apne ghar waalon se poochh kar dekh lijiye. I’m sure unka bhi aisa hi nazariya hoga.”

“Aapne naam kya bataya? Niharika? Dr. Niharika Asthana?”

“Aap jaanti hain unhein?”

“Main Mumbai mein convention mein mili thi unse.”

“Achchha. Waise aapki Mumbai trip kaisi rahi?”

“Achchhi thi. Bahut achchhi thi, in fact. Kai famous aur senior doctors se milne ka mauka mila.”

“Achchha hai. Interns to mostly ghoomne-phirne ke liye jaana chahte hain. Lekin aapne Ashutosh ke paise barbaad nahin kiye.”

“Matlab?”

“Jo unhone aapki business class ki flight aur five star hotel ka kharcha sponsor kiya tha. Are… Main bhi kahan baaton mein lag gayi. Mujhe ward jaana hai…”

With this Mallika walked out hoping that she had sown enough seeds of confusion and questions in Nidhi’s mind to make her stay away from Ashutosh or confront him about his intentions behind sponsoring her trip. Even if she had stayed, Nidhi would not have known what to tell her. Her head was buzzing with the piece of information she had just obtained. Ashutosh sponsored her trip. He lied about hospital sponsoring it. How could she be so naive about it? Of course, hospital did not sponsor it. If it had, she should have gotten her tickets from Dr. Rangnath or someone in the admin. Not from Dr. Ashutosh himself. The letter Dr. Rangnath had given was right. The trip had to sponsored by… Oh my God! What should she do now? Confront him? Return him the money? But how? She didn’t have that money. And why on earth did he do something like that? She would have to talk to Baba.

“Hmm,” Baba thought for a moment, when Nidhi told him what had happened. Then he broke into a smile, “Unhone tumhare saath wahi kar diya, jo hum tumhari Dadi ke saath karte hain.”

“Woh to hai Baba. Lekin Dadi hamare parivaar ka hissa hain…”

“Haan beta. Lekin unhein confront kar ke koi fayda nahin hai. Kya bologi tum unhein? Unhone tumse jhooth bola kyonki woh tumhari khuddari ko thes nahin pahunchana chahte the. To tum bhi ab unhein confront kar ke unki bhavnaon ko thes mat pahunchao. Haan – ye pata zaroor karo ki unhone kitna kharcha kiya hoga. Aaj nahin bhi to jab bhi possible ho, hamein unhein lauta dene honge. Aur aage se dhyaan rakhna. Kissi ka ehsaan jaante-boojhte baar-baar lena theek nahin hai.”

“Theek hai Baba. Jaise aap kahein. Main ticket aur hotel ke prices dekh loongi. Waise pata hai Baba, Dr. Ashutosh ki life bhi bahut complicated hai.”

“Kyon?”

Nidhi told him about him being adopted and what Mallika had told him about his broken relationship with Niharika.

“Lagta hai isi wajah se unhone phir shaadi nahin ki. Aur abhi bhi akele hain,” she concluded.

“Zindagi bahut ajeeb hoti hai Nidhi. Lekin woh bahut achchhe insaan hain. Jitne unhone tumhare liye kiya hai… Mujhe vishwaas hai ki unki zindagi mein bhi khushiyan jaldi hi aayengi.”

“I hope so Baba. Main khana laga doon?”

“Haan. Chalo. Kha kar so jaate hain.”

—

To be continued

Ashutosh had been restless the entire day thinking about Nidhi. She would be alone again. What if the fever got bad again? Her Baba’s employers appeared the most inconsiderate kind. They wouldn’t hear of him taking a leave even when his daughter was ill.He was itching to go to her home. But going there everyday would be awkward. He had spent the entire day staring at his phone. Should he call? Would she call? But why would she call?

He jumped out of his chair, when the phone finally rang in the evening and it showed Nidhi’s name.

“Hello. Dr. Nidhi? Aapki tabiyat…”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Main Nidhi ka father bol raha hoon. Disturb karne ke liye maafi chahta hoon. Lekin meri samajh mein nahin aa raha kya karoon?”

“Kya hua?”

“Nidhi ka bukhaar bahut tej ho gaya hai aur woh bilkul hosh mein nahin hai. Badbada rahi hai cheezein behoshi mein. Kabhi apni Ma ke liye, kabhi Dadi ke liye, kabhi mere liye. Maine thandhe paani ki patti daali hai, lekin…”

“Aap rukiye. Main abhi wahan pahunchta hoon.”

—

He brought Nidhi to the hospital with him. He found a room for her and gave her injections to bring her fever down. But she was still sleeping. He asked her Baba to go back home as people were there to take care of him. He left teary eyed feeling frustrated at his helplessness. If only it were possible for him to leave that job! His daughter would not have to suffer in loneliness.

“Sir. Aap ghar nahin ja rahe?” Ashutosh was brought out of his thoughts by a nurse asking. He was still sitting in Nidhi’s room.

“Nahin. Main apne office mein hoon. Aap please Dr. Nidhi par constantly nazar rakhiye aur jaise hi inki neend khule mujhe inform kijiye.”

“Sure Sir.”

Ashutosh left the room realizing that if he stayed there the entire night, it would look odd to the staff. At the same time he could not leave her in the hospital and go back home. He would have to call up Kaka in the morning and ask him to send fresh clothes for the next day.

—

“Better feel kar rahi hain aap?” Ashutosh came to her when the nurse informed him that she was awake.

“Ji Sir. Baba?”

“Raat ka samay hai. Woh ghar par hain.”

“Mujhe unhein phone kar dena chahiye. Woh pareshaan honge.”

“Itni raat mein? Woh so rahe honge…”

“Unhein neend nahin aayegi, Sir.”

“Okay. Main thodi der mein aata hoon,” Ashutosh left her to talk to her father alone.

“Ji Baba… Aap pareshaan mat hoiye… Good night Baba,” she was finishing her call when he came back.

“Thank you, Sir,” she said as soon as she saw him.

“Kis liye?”

“Baba ne mujhe bataya ki aapne kitni madad ki…”

“Come on Dr. Nidhi. This is a hospital. It’s routine.”

“Aapko khud jaane ki zaroorat nahin thi. That was not routine.”

“Aap dopahar se behosh padi thi. Aapko kuchh khane ki zaroorat hogi. Aapke dinner to thandha ho gaya hai. Ye biscuits kha lijiye,” Ashutosh did not reply to her and changed the subject.

Nidhi took the biscuit packet from his hand.

“Sir. Main ab theek hoon. Aur night duty par log hain hi. Aap ghar chale jaiye.”

“Hmm,” he resisted the urge to tell her that he was not leaving and walked out. He gave instructions to the nurse about her care and left for home.

Nidhi lied down on her bed after finishing the biscuits. She vaguely remembered him feeling her forehead time and again for temperature while she lied unconscious in the hospital. She felt a warmth in her heart as she recalled what Baba had told her about Ashutosh’ help and care for her. He definitely wasn’t a hardstone at heart. On the contrary he was very soft, very caring. He just wore a mask of detachment and sternness. Why? She wondered.

—

“May I come in, Sir?”

“Yes. Dr. Nidhi? Aap theek hain?”

“Yes Sir. Main ghar ja rahi hoon. Ab mujhe yahan rukne ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes Sir. Ab fever nahin aa raha. Bas thodi kamzori hai.”

“Okay. Take rest for a day or two…”

“Yes Sir. Aur Sir agar aapke paas aaj shaam mein thoda time ho to… dar asal Baba zidd kar rahe the ki aap chai par hamare ghar aate.”

“Dr. Nidhi. In formalities ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Main koi aisa kaam nahin kiya hai…”

“No Sir. Formality ki baat nahin hai. Hamein – mujhe aur Baba ko sach much bahut achchha lagega agar aap ghar aayenge to. But of course, only if you have time… Agar aapka schedule disturb ho to…”

“Nahin. Aisi koi baat nahin hai. Main aaj shaam mein aata hoon.”

“Thank you very much, Sir.”

Ashutosh could not help getting affected by her genuine happiness at his acceptance. He also smiled after she left.

—

“Bahut mehnat karti hai ye Dr. Ashutosh,” Baba told Ashutosh while Nidhi was in the kitchen preparing tea, “Yakeen nahin hota kabhi kabhi ki ye meri wahi beti hai jise khilane ke baad daant-daant kar munh pochhne ki zaroorat padti thi. Iske 12th ke exam tak maine ise sirf padhai par focussed rakha. Lekin uske baad se zid kar-kar ke saare kaam apne oopar le liye hain isne. Pahle medical ke padhai aur ghar ka kaam. Ab itni thakaane wali duties aur phir bhi agar saamne hoti hai to mujhe chai tak nahin banane deti hai.”

Ashutosh smiled, “She is very hard-working and sincere. Kaam par bhi. I am not surprised.”

“Bahut bura lagta hai mujhe Dr. Ashutosh. Kuchh kar nahin paata iske liye. Beemaar padi thi, phir bhi ghar par akele chhod kar jaana padta tha…”

“Aisi baatein kyon kar rahe hain aap? Aapne hi to paal-pos kar bada kiya hai unhein. Apne pairon par khada karwaya hai. You should be very proud.”

Baba smiled, “Main bekaar mein apni baaton se aapko bore kar raha hoon.Bas kabhi kabhi nikal jaati hai man ki baat…”

“Aap mujhe bilkul bhi bore nahin kar rahe. Mujhe bahut hi achchha lagta hai aapki family bonding dekh kar. Dr. Nidhi aapki Ma, apni Dadi ke baare mein bhi bata rahi thi.”

“Are haan. Ye dadi-poti ke beech mein pata nahin kya chalta rahta hai. Ab woh sugar monitor utha layi hai aur mujhe zidd kar rahi hai ki gaon ja kar de aaun. Khud to beemaar pad gayi thi. Abhi uska jaana theek nahin hoga. Ab main de to aaun Dr. Ashutosh lekin use istemaal karna kaise sikhaun?”

“Kyon meri shikayat kar rahe hain Baba?” Nidhi entered with tea and snacks in a tray and spoke as she kept it on a table, “Maine kaha to tha ki aapko main sikha deti hoon, phir aap unhein sikha dijiyega. Ab agar aap nahin seekh payenge to Dadi se seekhne ki ummeed kaise hogi?”

“Bhai mujhse nahin hona ye sab…”

“Ye sab inke bahane hain, Sir,” Nidhi addressed Ashutosh, “Sach ye hai ki inhein mujh par bharosa nahin hota. Inhein lagta hai ki main sui zyada chubho doongi testing ke waqt. Aapse zyada brave to Dadi hain Baba.”

Baba grinned, “Pakad li isne meri chori. Baat to sach hai Dr. Ashutosh. Dimaag jaanta hai ki ye doctor ban chuki hai, kaabil hai. Lekin jab woh sui le kar aati hai na to mujhe to wahi chhoti se bachchi yaad aati hai, jiske chhote-chhote komal haath pair chalne ki koshish mein idhar-udhar girte padte rahte the…”

“Baba!” Nidhi chided him for getting emotional.

“Chaliye koi baat nahin. Main sikha deta hoon aapko,” Ashutosh said.

“Aap Dr. Ashutosh? Nahin, nahin, taqleef ki zaroorat nahin hai…”

“Ismein koi taqleef nahin hai Baba,” Nidhi spoke before Ashutosh could, “Aapne achchha idea diya, Sir. Main abhi le kar aati hoon Machine. Aur Baba ab aap is Sunday ko ye gaon le jayenge. Bas. Final.”

“Waise aap kya doctor apni Dadi ki wajah se bani?” Ashutosh asked Nidhi, when she brought out the machine.

“Nahin. Doctor to main apni Mummy ki wajah se bani?”

“Woh kaise?”

“Woh aise ki mere Nana doctor banna chahte the. Lekin unke ghar waalon ne unhein support nahin kiya. Unhein lagta tha ki ye chaadar se bahar paon phailane waali baat hai. To unki wajah se meri Mummy doctor banna chahti thi. Lekin unhein support karne ke liye Nana the nahin. To finally ye sapna meri jholi mein aa gaya. Aur Baba ne mujhe bahut support kiya. Unhone meri padhai ke liye mujhse zyada mehnat ki hai.”

“Interesting!” Ashutosh was genuinely impressed.

He had tea and snacks, taught Baba how to use the sugar monitor and the left feeling very refreshed and happy.

—

“Tum kal shaam mein kya kar rahe the Ashutosh?” Mallika asked him the next morning.

“Kuchh khaas nahin.”

“Hospital mein to nahin the.”

“Hospital mein nahin tha to…”

“Apne ghar par ya Jeevan Prabha mein bhi nahin the Ashutosh.”

“Tumne kya jaasoosi ka side business shuru kar diya hai Mallika? Itni kam salary to nahin dete hum Kotnis mein apne senior doctors ko?” Ashutosh joked, still not taking her seriously.

“Karni padti hai Ashutosh agar aapka itna purana dost, jiski aapko bahut parwaah hai, apni zindagi ki sabse badi galti duhraane ja raha ho.”

“Kya matlab hai tumhara?” Ashutosh asked sharply.

“Tum kal Dr. Nidhi ke saath the, ye mujhe pata hai. Lagta hai ki tum Niharika ke saath apna experience bhool gaye ho…”

“Main kuchh nahin bhoola hoon. Lekin Niharika ke experience ka Nidhi se kya talluk hai? Waise bhi main uski family ke saath tha.”

Mallika smiled condescendingly, “Achchha! Apne kitne colleagues aur juniors ki family ke saath tum chai peete ho. Unmein se kitno ki tabiyat kharaab hone par khud car le kar unke ghar bhaagte ho aur kiske liye…”

“Enough Mallika. Tum hadein paar kar rahi ho. Woh ghar par akeli thi. Use help ki zaroorat thi. That’s it. Aur zarooratmandon ki madad se main kabhi peechhe nahin hatta – ye tum achchhi tarah se jaanti ho.”

“To ek baar ye bhi soch lena ki apne aas-paas ke kitne logon ke baare mein tumhein pata bhi hota hai ki woh kitne akele hain. Ashutosh. Tumhari bhalai ke liye hi bol rahi hoon. Aur kuchh na bhi socho to ye dhyaan rakhna ki woh ek intern hai, abhi-abhi graduate hui hai. Aadhi umra ki hai shayad tumse!” She stormed out of his room with this leaving Ashutosh baffled and disturbed. Was it so obvious? And if it was, what did Nidhi think of all this?

—

To be continued

“Achchha. Aap apne kamre mein jaiye. Mujhe bahar thoda kaam hai. Mujhe der ho jaye to aap dinner kamre mein order kar lijiyega,” Ashutosh told her in the evening after the conference, when they reached their hotel.

“Ji Sir.”

Ashutosh decided to buy the machine right away so that he could produce it from his office as soon as they got back to Lucknow. He had lied again. Even if some MR had given him a machine at some point of time, it was no longer with him. And she had said it wasn’t available in Lucknow. So, he had to get it in Mumbai only.

Why am I doing this, telling so many lies, he wondered. But what option did he have? She wouldn’t accept help from him otherwise. She had too much of self respect for that. Just like her queer Dadi. He thought about her Dadi’s tales and smiled in amusement.

And he wanted to help her. Why?

He asked her whether she had dinner when he came back.

“No Sir. Ye to… bahut zyada mehanga hai…”

“Kya?”

“Sir ye prices… Mujhe to lagta hai ek-do zeroes zyada laga diye hain.”

“Dr. Nidhi! Kya farq padta hai? Hospital pay kar raha hai na…”

“Sir. Itna mehanga khaana mujhse to hajam nahin hoga, koi bhi pay kare.”

“Oh God! Don’t be an idiot. Achchha – kal hum bahar ja kar sasta khaana kha lenge. Abhi please order karein? Mujhe bhi khaana hai. Bhookh lagi hai.”

“Okay… Sir. Aap hi order kar dijiye.”

“Aapko kya khana hai?”

“Ji… Roti… Sabzi… I guess.”

“Roti, Sabzi? All right. I guess sabzi main hi choose kar loon to fast hoga, right?”

“Yes Sir!” she was visibly relieved. Ashutosh felt amused, but did not show it.

—

The next day Ashutosh pushed Nidhi to interact with speakers and other doctors on her own. He watched her from afar when Dr. Niharika Asthana interrupted him.

“Kahan khoye hue ho Ashutosh?”

“Tum?” Ashutosh’ face stiffened, “I didn’t expect you here.”

“Well there are overlaps. You know… between gynacology and pediatrics. I am presenting a paper on neonatology.”

“Great. Now, if you will excuse me…”

“Aaj tak naaraaz ho Ashutosh…”

“Naaraaz?” Ashutosh laughed bitterly, “Naaraaz apno se hua jaata hai Dr. Asthana, strangers se nahin.”

“Ashutosh. Tumne kabhi mujhe samajhne ki koshish nahin ki…”

“Kya farq padta hai? Samajhne ya na samajhne se kuchh badal to nahin jayega…”

“Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi came towards him just then, “Aap lunch…” She stopped as she watched their flushed faces, “I… I am sorry. Main shayad disturb kar rahi hoon…”

“No Dr. Nidhi,” Ashutosh said promptly and matter of factly, “I am done here. Let’s go for lunch, but let me introduce you to Dr. Niharika Asthana. Gynaecologist at…”

“Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.”

Ashutosh laughed, “Don’t tell me aapne inse bhi e-mail par contact kiya hua hai.”

“No Sir. Lekin neonatology mein India specific issues par maine inki book padhi hain. Very nice to meet you Ma’am.”

Niharika shook hands with Nidhi, but looked curiously at Ashutosh. His laughing had surprised her.

“Dr. Nidhi Verma works at Kotnis General Hospital,” Ashutosh formally introduced Nidhi.

“Which deparment?”

“I’m an interna Ma’am. Is trimester main pediatrics mein posted hoon.”

“Intern. Oh!” Nidhi discerned a hint of insult in Niharika’s tone, but she ignored it.

“Let’s go Dr. Nidhi,” Ashutosh said and left quickly with her.

—

Ashutosh was unusually quiet during the lunch.

“Sir?”

“Hmm?”

“Aap theek to hain?”

“Mujhe kya hoga?”

“Aap disturbed lag rahe hain. Aur logon ke saath lunch karne bhi nahin baithe…”

“Dr. Nidhi,” Ashutosh was suddenly back to his stern, almost rude self, which he had shedded recently in front of her, “Agar aapko aur logon ke saath baithna hai to aap ja sakti hain. You are not bound to sit with me.”

“Maine aisa to nahin kaha, Sir,” Nidhi replied firmly, but calmly. Surprisingly, his admonition did not scare her as it used to do earlier.

“Phir kya kahna chahti hain aap?”

“Main wahi kahna chahti hoon jo maine kaha. Aap disturbed lag rahe hain. Aap nahin share karna chahte hain to its fine. Lekin share karna achchha rahta hai.”

Ashutosh looked at her in surprise. Where did that confident reply come from? Had he trained her too well?

“Aap apni problems kiske saath share karti hain?” he asked curiously.

“Baba ke saath. Ya phir doston ke saath. Khaas kar Anji ke saath…”

“Anji?”

“Meri best friend. Hum bachpan se dost hain.”

“Apni Dadi ke saath nahin karti?”

“Dadi bahut sweet hain Sir. Lekin hum ek-doosre ke saath identify nahin kar sakte. Unke saath main problems share nahin kar sakti.”

“Right Dr. Nidhi. Hum problems unhi ke saath share kar sakte hain, jinke saath hum identify karte hain.”

“To kya aapki zindagi mein koi aisa nahin hai?”

“Nahin,” he said and got up from the table indicating that he was done with the lunch.

—

“Dr. Nidhi. Please meet me in my cabin before leaving for the day,” it was their first day back in Kotnis General Hospital.

“Ji Sir.”

As instructed, she knocked at his door in the evening and went in after his permission.

“Sir. Aapne mujhe jaane se pahle milne ko kaha tha.”

“Yes. Ye Blood Sugar Monitor. Aapko chahiye tha,” he handed the box to her, “Ismein 50 strips bhi hain. Khatam ho jayen to bata dijiyega. I will order more.”

“Oh! Thank you so much, Sir. This is really helpful.”

“No problems.”

“Aur Sir…”

“Yes?”

“Sir – shayad jaane-anjaane I might have overstepped my limits in Mumbai. I am really sorry for that. It won’t happen again.”

Ashutosh appeared surprised with her apology. He hadn’t expected her to remember the incident; at least not be bothered about it. He did not say anything in reply though, just nodded his head. Nidhi left after that.

—

After finishing his work at Jeevan Prabha, Ashutosh did not return home immediately. He sat there in his office leaning back on his chair. He was thinking about the last few days of his life. And he remembered welcoming yet another group of interns to the hospital. The nervous girl sitting in a corner, she turning out to be Dr. Nidhi Verma, scoring highest any intern had ever scored in his test, Nidhi stopping her colleague from giving wrong medicine to a patient, stuttering and dropping things around him, turning pale due to turbulence during the flight, furiously taking notes during the talks in the convention, discussing animatedly with the speakers, asking him why he looked disturbed and… He shook his head to get out of the chain of thoughts filling up his head. Something had changed in his life. He couldn’t put his finger on it. Or he didn’t want to. It was tempting, but it also scared him. It was unexpected. It couldn’t be good, he decided. He had to control himself. But will he be able to?

—

“Dr. Rangnath,” Ashutosh stopped him when he was leaving after discussing some administrative matters with him, “Dr. Nidhi Verma ki aaj duty nahin hai?”

“Duty to thi, Sir. Lekin unka phone aaya tha. Unki tabiyat kharaab ho gayi hai.”

“Kya hua?” Ashutosh asked so eagerly that Rangnath was startled for a moment.

“Kuchh khaas nahin, Sir, Kah rahi thi viral hai. To teen-chaar din lagenge wapas aane mein. Koi kaam tha, Sir? Main phone kar sakta hoon unhein.”

“No. No – its okay. Jab woh wapas aayengi main baat kar loonga. I guess Mumai trip tiring ho gayi unke liye.”

“I think so, Sir.”

—

It took a while for the door to open.

“Sir? Aap?” Nidhi was surprised to find Ashutosh at the door, “Please andar aaiye, Sir.”

“Aap… akeli hain, ghar par?” Ashutosh had come there because he was feeling restless. But he grew conscious after reaching there.

“Ji. Baba ko job par jaana tha.”

“Aur aapki Ma?”

Nidhi smiled sadly, “Meri Mummy nahin hain Dr. Ashutosh. Woh… Unki death ho chuki hai kaafi pahle.”

“Oh! I am… I am really sorry.”

“It’s okay, Sir. Sir, aap do minute baithiye. Main aapke liye chai bana kar laati hoon.”

“No. No. What are you doing? You should be resting. I’m sorry, maine aapko disturb kiya…”

“Aise kaise, Sir. Aap pahli baar ghar aaye hain. Chai to peeni hi padegi.”

“No. Look Nidhi. This is absurd. Main chai peene ke liye phir aa jaunga, jab tum theek ho jaogi. Right now tell me where is your room? You should be your bed, not out here attending to the guests. Please.”

“Sir.”

“Don’t make me scold you Dr. Nidhi.”

She gave up with a sigh.

“Come. Let me see you to your bed,” Ashutosh said and followed her to her room. He saw couple of cold water strips on a stool beside her bed, “Ye kya hai? Aapko zyada fever hai kya? Aap khud hi thande paani ki patti kar rahi hain?”

Before Nidhi could say anything, he felt her forehead. She was running a very high temperature. “Oh my God! Aapne mujhe bataya kyon nahin. I am surprised you are not delirious already…”

“Sir. Main theek hoon. Aap please…”

“Lie down Dr. Nidhi. Right now!” his voice was so firm and stern that Nidhi could not disobey him. She lied down, as he put the wet strips on her forehead. Her fever came down and she drifted off to sleep. Ashutosh felt awkward sitting in her bedroom and came out in the hall. He would have to wait until either she woke up or someone came. He couldn’t leave her alone in that state.

The two things he was waiting for happened together. The doorbell rung and that made Nidhi wake up.

“Sir? Aap ab tak yahan hain? I think Baba aa gaye hain.”

“Aap baithiye. Main darwaza kholta hoon.”

Nidhi introduced Baba and Ashutosh to each other. After a while Ashutosh made to leave.

“Sir? Main to poochhna hi bhool gayi. Aap kissi kaam se aaye the?”

“Nahin. Main bas aapko dekhne aaya tha. Aapka bukhaar tej tha, isliye maine socha akele chhod kar jaana theek nahin hoga.”

“Bahut bahut shukriya Dr. Ashutosh,” Baba said as Nidhi stared at Ashutosh, “Main chah kar bhi ghr par ruk nahin sakta tha. Chhutti manzoor nahin karte office waale. Achchha hua jo aap yahan ruk gaye. Warna itne tez bukhaar mein…”

“Aap please takalluf na karein Mr. Verma. Take care Dr. Nidhi and get well soon.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Nidhi. Dr. Ashutosh waise sakht insaan to nahin lage jaisa tumne bataya tha,” Baba asked Nidhi after Ashutosh had left.

“Haan Baba. First impression shayad hamesha sahi nahin hota.”

“Sahi kaha tumne.”

“Baba. Woh blood sugar monitor bhi to gaon le jaana tha.”

“Abhi tumhein aisi halat mein chhod kar main gaon kaise jaun beta? Theek ho jao. Phir dono log saath mein chalenge.”

“Ji Baba. Main chai banaun aapke liye?”

“Pagal mat bano. Abhi itni der tumhare boss tumhari pahredaari kar ke gaye hain. Aur main tumhein kitchen mein bhej doonga. Aaraam karo. Main chai bana loonga.”

“Baba. Main itni beemaar nahin hoon,”

“Woh to Dr. Ashutosh ne bataya hi abhi ki kya halat ho gayi thi tumhari. Jao. Andar jao aur let jao.”

—

To be continued