Mish' Fiction

Ashutosh could not believe how much he enjoyed the picnic with Nidhi. She had put the i-pod to play songs in as high a volume as his speakers could support and forced him to dance to the rock music. He had hesitated initially, but Nidhi wasn’t going to give up. And before he knew it, he was completely into it even teaching her a dance step or two. Nidhi was tired and was silently slumped on the passenger seat while they were driving back, and Ashutosh was smiling continuously recalling how pleasant the day had been.

Their car stopped suddenly. Ashutosh tried to restart it, but it won’t start. Nidhi looked at him worried.

“Don’t worry Nidhi. Main dekhta hoon,” Ashutosh got down from the car and walked in front. He opened the bonnet and started checking for the problem.

It was turning dark and the road was deserted. Nidhi was uneasy. She got down from the car and came near Ashutosh.

“Kya hua Nidhi? Shaam mein thandh badh rahi hai. Tum car mein hi baitho.”

“Nahin. Main yahin theek hoon.”

“Kya baat hai?”

“Mujhe…. dar lag raha hai,” Nidhi admitted reluctantly.

“Are! Main yahin hoon. Dar kyon lag raha hai?”

“Aap dikh nahin rahe the,” she clearly hated admitting her weakness.

Ashutosh nodded his head and smiled. Hardly an hour back, she was confidently ordering him around. And now she felt scared just because she could not see him behind the car’s bonnet.

“Achcha. Ruko ek minute,” he went around the car and took a jacket out from the back seat. He put it on her shoulder.

“Ye jacket?”

“Maine rakh li thi, just in case.”

Nidhi smiled appreciatively and wrapped the jacket tighter around herself.

Ashutosh bent down to work on the car again, “Bas ye fuel cap dheeli rah gayi thi. Jahan servicing ke liye deta hoon, unki ye major problem hai. Hamesha kuchh na kuchh dheela chhod dete hain. Pichhli baar laaya tha to ek ghante ke andar spark plug change karwana pada…” Ashutosh was balbbering on about the possible problems with the car and Nidhi looked on partly exasperated, partly amused. First he wanted to see a movie on Dr. Kotnis on the weekend and now this lecture on car on the deserted road after dark. Next he will start on some medical topic, she was sure!

Ashutosh looked back when he did not get any response from her and saw her looking amused. He fell silent and restarted working on the car. After a while, he said casully, “Ye jacket achchhi lag rahi hai tum par.”

Nidhi smiled as she recalled the time when he had told her rudely that his coat did not fit her.

“Chalo. Car theek ho gayi. We are all set to go.”

“Haan. Chaliye. Der ho rahi hai. Baba pareshaan honge.”

“Main tumhein seedhe drop kar deta hoon.”

“Nahin meri car aapke ghar par hai.”

“Nidhi!”

“Hmm?”

“Hamein Baba ko bata dena chahiye.”

“Main unhein bol kar aayi hoon ki doston ke saath picnic par ja rahi hoon.”

Ashutosh laughed, “Main uski baat nahin kar raha.”

“Phir? Oh!” she realized that he was talking about their relationship.

“Haan…. Par…”

“Abhi chalte hain. Tumhein drop bhi kar doonga aur Baba se bhi baat ho jayegi.”

“Nahin… Abhi nahin…”

“Kyon? Koi tension hai?”

Ashutosh was fairly confident because he thought Baba already had an inkling of their relationship. If he had anything against it, he would have stepped in by now. But Nidhi was not so sure.

“Nahin. Aisa kuchh nahin hai… Baba mana nahin karenge. Woh meri khushi ke liye maan to jayenge hi. Lekin phir bhi… Pata nahin unka first reaction kya hoga. Main nahin chahti… I mean… pahle main baat karungi.”

“Tum nahin chahti ki agar woh gussa hon to mere saamne hon.”

Nidhi nodded.

Ashutosh smiled at her protective instincts, “Nidhi. Ye faisla hum dono ka hai. Aur iska jo bhi result hoga woh humme se koi akele to nahin jhelega. Mujhe bura nahin lagega agar Baba gussa hue to. Isliye agar ye zyada comfortable hai ki hum saath mein baat karein, ya main baat karoon to main woh karne ke liye taiyaar hoon.”

“Nahin. Iski sach mein koi zaroorat nahin hai. Pahle main baat karoongi.”

“Theek hai.”

—

Priyanka spotted Nidhi when she stepped in Royal Cafe with her family.

“Hi Nidhi,” she came to her, “Yahan kya…” she stopped in her tracks as she noticed who Nidhi was sitting with. Nidhi also turned pale and Ashutosh was speechless. All of them stared at each other for few moments. Priyanka came back to normalcy first, “Hello Sir.”

“Hello Dr. Priyanka. Why don’t you join us?” Ashutosh invited her courteously.

“Nahin. Mere parents visit kar rahe hain to main apni family ke saath aayi thi. Aap log… you carry on. I just dropped by to say ‘hi’. Bye Nidhi,” she said and moved away from them.

Nidhi sunk back in her chair, “Ab kya karein?”

“I don’t know,” Ashutosh replied.

“Aapko bhi nahin pata?”

“Matlab? Main koi almighty thode hi na hoon Nidhi?” Ashutosh tried to control his exasperation.

“Yeah…”

“Nidhi. I think hamein ye luka chhupi ka khel khatam kar dena chahiye aur sabko bata dena chahiye. Jab sabko sach pata hoga, to rumours mein koi power nahin hogi.”

“Lekin Baba ko batane se pahle…”

“To tum Baba se baat karo na…”

“Haan… Woh…” she looked uncomfortable.

“Ya phir mujhe karne do.”

“Nahin.”

Suddenly a thought struck Ashutosh, “Nidhi. Ghar chal kar baat karte hain.”

“Abhi? Der ho jayegi?”

“Bas thodi der ki baat hai. Chalo please.”

Ashutosh never insisted for her to stay late. He was always worried about Baba’s reaction. So, when he insisited this time, Nidhi had to give in.

“Kya baat hai?” Nidhi asked anxiously when they entered his home.

“Nidhi. Mujhe realize hua ki maine… maine shayad… I have ended up taking this relationship as granted. Jabki maine tumse waada kiya tha ki faisla tumhare comfort ke hisaab se liya jayega. To agar tum sure nahin ho, aur Baba ko nahin batana chahti ho, to main tum par zor nahin daaloonga. Bas mujhe bata do ki tum kya mahsoos karti ho.”

Nidhi was looking at him in awe, when he finished, “Aapko aisa laga… I… I’m sorry Dr. Ashutosh. Main…” She paused and smiled, “Aap bahut zyada care karte hain. Bahut hi zyada. Lekin nahin… Mere man mein koi unsurity nahin hai. Koi dar nahin hai. Ye wajah nahin hai ki maine Baba ko kuchh nahin bataya hai…”

“Phir kya wajah hai?”

Nidhi sighed and rubbed her forehead as if not knowing how to handle this.

“Koi pareshaani hai Nidhi? Batao mujhe.”

“Pata nahin ye aapko batana chahiye ya nahin…”

“Come on Nidhi. Ab ye samjhaana padega tumhein? Apne man ki baat mujhe nahin bataogi to kise bataogi?”

“Maine Baba aur Dadi Bua ko recently kai baar baat karte suna hai. Dadi Bua meri shaadi ke kharche ke baare mein pareshaan rahti hain.”

“Kya?” Ashutosh looked incredulous, but Nidhi did not notice.

“Pahle to Baba unki baaton ko mazaak mein uda dete the. Lekin aaj kal pareshaan ho jaate hain. I think jab se business mein problem hui hai, tab se shayad unka financial confidence thoda kamzor pad gaya hai.”

“Aur gahne bhi nahin hain tumhari Mummy ke,” Ashutosh added.

Nidhi didn’t want to bring that up, but when he himself mentioned the jewelry, she nodded.

“Pagli,” Ashutosh smiled and took her hands in his, “To agar woh pareshaan hain to chup rahne se kya fayda hoga. Unse baat kar ke unki pareshaani kam karni hogi na.”

“Lekin agar main abhi unhein hamare baare mein bataungi to kahin woh aur pressure mein na aa jayen ki unhein shaadi jaldi karwani hai.”

“Nidhi. Tum bhi anpadh ladkiyon ki tarah baat kar rahi ho. Are unhone tumhein padhaya-likhaya hai, apne pairon par khada karwaya hai. Ab bhi unhein tumhari shaadi ke kharche ki chinta karni padegi? Come on. I thought you knew better than this.”

“Mujhe pata hai Dr. Ashutosh. Lekin Dadi Bua ka kya karoon? Aur Baba bhi pareshaan ho jate hain aaj-kal. To main… mujhe pata nahin. Itni badi badi baatein main Baba se nahin kar sakti. Pata nahin woh mujhe seriously lenge bhi ya nahin. Main bahut confused hoon,” Nidhi was indeed terribly confused.

“Achchha. Abhi shaant ho jao,” Ashutosh did not want to pressurize her.

“Maine aapko bol to diya tha ki main baat karoongi, lekin mujhse nahin ho pa raha hai,” Nidhi finally admitted.

“To ismein kaun si badi baat hai Nidhi. Maine kaha to tha tumse ki main tumhare saath jaunga. In fact, chalo. Hum abhi Baba se baat karenge.”

“Lekin…”

“Ab kuchh lekin-wekin nahin Nidhi. Tum khud bhi pareshaan ho rahi ho aur apne ghar waalon ko bhi pareshaan kar rahi ho.”

“Unhone aapko kuchh kah diya to?”

“To?”

“To mujhe bahut bura lagega. Main na Baba ko kuchh kah sakti hoon. Na hi aapko koi kuchh kahe, ye bardasht kar sakti hoon.”

“Tumne pahle hi doom predict kar liya hai. Kuchh na kuchh to karna hoga na Nidhi?”

“Haan.”

“To jab tumhein samajh mein nahin aa raha ki kya karna hai, to jo main kah raha hoon woh karo.”

“Kyon?” She looked extremely cute when she tried to hide her embarrassment and defeat with her outward rebellion, Ashutosh thought.

“Offo. Kyonki main tumse bada hoon. Isliye kuchh cheezein tumse zyada samajhta hoon.”

“Theek hai. Chaliye. Lekin Baba se baat main karoongi,” she was still making an effort to keep her word.

“Theek hai. Ab chalein?”

“Ji.”

—

“Aap doctor kyon bane Dr. Ashutosh?”

“Tumhein maaloon hai. Kyonki Baba chahte the.”

“Bani to main bhi isliye hi thi. Kyonki Baba chahte the. Lekin aapko is profession mein achchha kyon lagta hai?”

“Tumne Dr. Kotnis ki kahani suni hai Nidhi?”

“Nahin. Kya kahani hai?”

“Second world war ke time ki baat hai…”

“Second world war?” Nidhi was surprised, “Ye hospital itna purana hai?

“Nahin. Iska hospital se kya matlab hai?”

“Dr. Kotnis is hospital ke founder nahin hain?”

“Kya?” Ashutosh was taken aback, then burst out laughing, “Tumhein lagta hai ki Dr. Kotnis… He bhgwaan. Nidhi! Tumhein is hospital mein internship kisne de di? Kisne interview liya tha tumhara?”

“Dr. Mallika aur Dr. Gupta ne.”

“Tabhi accept ho gayin tum. Maine liya hota to kabhi nahin accept karta tumhara application. Doctor Kotnis is hospital ke founder hain?! Oh God! Nidhi. You are too much.”

“Aap mera mazaak udaana band kijiye. I’m sure kissi bhi intern ko pata nahin hoga. Is criterian se aapko ek bhi intern nahin milta. Ab humne medicine ki padhai ki hai. History ki nahin. Second world war!”

“That’s a bad excuse Dr. Nidhi Verma. Aapko ye nahin pata hai ki aap jis hospital mein kaam karti hain uska naam kiske naam par pada hai?”

“Mujhe pata hai ki woh Dr. Kotnis ke naam par pada hai. Bas kahani nahin pata.”

“Achchha? Poora naam to bataiye Dr. Kotnis ka? Kotnis unka first name tha ya surname?”

Nidhi stomped her foot, “Main ja rahi hoon. Mujhe aapse koi baat nahin karni.”

Ashutosh held her hands, “Kahan jaogi? Bahut der ho gayi hai mujhse door jaane ke liye.”

Nidhi was still pouting.

“Ab kahani janni hai? Ya zindagi bhar bewkoof bane rahne ka irada hai?”

“Janni hai!” she said in a childlike, resigned voice.

“To suno. Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis Pt. Nehru ki appeal par China gaye the, 1937 ke Japanese invasion ke waqt. And despite difficult circumstances, woh paanch saalon tak,apni death tak wahan rahe. Unke saath gaye kuchh log wapas aa gaye, lekin woh apne patients ko chhod kar wapas nahin aa paye. Aur war ki conditions aur stress mein kaam karte karte hardly 32 saal ki age mein hi unki wahin death ho gayi.”

“Oh!”

“Tab se ab tak, of course, India-China ke relations bahut change ho gaye hai, bahut bure ho gaye hain in fact. Lekin Dr. Kotnis ki kahani dono nations ke possible friendship ki nishani hai. Abhi bhi China ke log, aur politicians bhi, Dr. Kotnis ko bahut respect dete hain.”

“Wow!”

“Ye profession insaanon ki zindagi bachane ka kaam karta hai Nidhi. Aur insaan ki zindagi ko importance dena civilization ki, peaceful existence ki neev hai. Isse zyada satisfying aur kaun sa profession ho sakta hai.”

Nidhi smiled and nodded.

“Waise Dr. Kotnis ki life par ek book bhi hai, aur us book par ek movie bhi bani hai. Book to pata nahin kahan milegi, lekin movie ki CD shayad hai mere paas. Hum dekh sakte hain is weekend par.”

“Weekend par baith kar hum Dr. Kotnis ki life par bani movie dekhnege?” Nidhi asked.

“Haan. Kyon?”

“Sir! Main internet par padh loongi unke baare mein. Weekend par better movies hain dekhne ke liye.”

“Oh! Yeah… Right…” Ashutosh was a little embarrassed and laughed at himself as he realized that he was being too unromantic about weekend plans, “Chalo batao phir. Kya karna hai weekend par?”

Nidhi smiled sweetly, “Is saturday hum dono log free hai na? Aisa karte hain Dr. Ashutosh ki us ghar mein jaate hain aur picnic karte hain. Ab tak to safai bhi ho chuki hogi na uski.”

“Picnic?”

“Yes.”

“Nidhi. Safai to ho chuki hai ghar ki, lekin wahan funitures wagerah nahin lage hain.”

“Ab picnic ke liye kaun se furnitures ki zaroorat hoti hai?”

“All right. Picnic then. Hiraman Kaka ko bolna padega khana…”

“Aap uski chinta mat kijiye. Main karwa loongi. Between Hiraman Kaka and Chhote Sarkar, hamein khane ki kami nahin padegi.”

—

“Namaste Baba,” Ashutosh greeted Yograj Verma.

“Dr. Ashutosh. Aao aao. Bade dinon baad mulaquaat hui. Tum to bade busy rahte ho. Aur Nidhi ko bhi busy rakhte ho.”

“Kya karein? Hamara kaam hi aisa hai.”

“Baat to sahi hai. Waise Nidhi to abhi ghar aayi nahin?”

“Pata hai. Uski abhi duty hai. Main to aapse milne aaya hoon.”

“Kya baat hai. Dil khush kar diya tumne. Baitho phir. Coffee-woffee peete hain aur gappein ladate hain.”

“Ji bilkul. Isiliye to aaya tha.”

Ashutosh had lied. He had a different motive in coming there. After Nidhi had proposed picnic, Ashutosh had wanted to buy a gift for her. But he just could not figure out what could he buy to make her happy. He had ended up calling Armaan for advice. But that guy had been useless. He just kept laughing on phone over Ashutosh’ predicament. There was no one else he could have talked to. Kaka had asked him couple of time about what was bothering him. But what help would Kaka have been? Taking a leaf from her lifestyle, he had even searched Internet for it. But the suggestions there seemed too ordinary for her. He could buy her a truck load of jewelry. But that wouldn’t express what he wanted to express by his gift. That he cared for her and thought about her.

“Waise aapki shikayat bhi sahi hai. Nidhi aaj kal kuchh zyada hi kaam kar rahi hai. Oopar se padhai,” Ashutosh concentrated on his conversation with Baba.

“Haan. Ek samay par night duties ka silsila tha. To aaj kal din ki duties bhi badi extend hoti rahti hain uski.”

Ashutosh gulped. That meant she had been making the alibi of “extended” duties too often!

“Ji. I think kai doctors aaj kal chhutti par hain. To Dr. Rangnath ke paas koi option nahin hai. Jo log hain, unko zyada mehnat karni padti hai.”

“Chalo koi baat nahin. Yahi to umra hai jab insaan jitna chahe kaam kar sakta hai. Ek baar haath pair dheele pad jayen meri tarah to phir kahan kuchh ho pata hai.”

“Aapke haath pair kyon dheele padne lage? Bilkul tandurust hain aap.”

“Haan. Tum doctors ko abhi jaldi phir se apni karigari dikhane ka mauka nahin dene waala. Lekin sach kahun Dr. Ashutosh, to is umra mein taqleefein ya khushiyan apni nahin rah jaati. Bachche badi ajeeb cheez hote hain Ashutosh. Unke saath jaise koi adrishya, invisible connection hota hai. Jab use itni mehnat karte dekhta hoon, night duties ke baad thaka hue dekhta hoon, to kuchh kahin chubhta hai. Lekin phir samjhata hoon khud ko. Ki chhoti si to rahi nahin ki poori duniya se bacha kar rakhoon. Apni zindagi to jeeni hi hai use. Bas khush rahe, itna hi chahta hoon main.”

“Khush to mere khayaal se hai woh apni zindagi se. Lekin haan – aapki taqleef kam karne ke liye main usse itna zaroor kahunga ki har samay kaam na kare. Kabhi relax bhi kare. Apni hobbies par time bitaye,” Ashutosh said with a slight laughter, “Waise uski hobbies hain kya?”

“Hobbies to bas photography hai. Aur gaane sunti hai. Kabhi apni Maa ke collection ke aur kabhi woh… kya kahte hain… rock – haan rock sunti hai.”

“Rock pasand hai use?” Ashutosh was surprised.

“Haan. Itne ashcharya ki kya baat hai?”

“Nahin kuchh nahin.” Somehow they had never talked about it. But he hadn’t expected her to be fond of rock. That felt like something people of his generation did. Youngsters these days were into things like hip-hop and he didn’t like those. He had the right idea for a gift now.

—

“Dr. Ashutosh!” Nidhi was very excited as she entered Ashutosh’ house on Saturday. But she found Hiraman Kaka first.

“Ashutosh to taiyaar ho raha hai beti. Lekin ye lo. Jo jo tumne pakane ko kaha tha woh sab taiyaar hai.”

“Thank you so much Kaka. Main yahin wait karti hoon.”

Nidhi saw Ashutosh coming out of the bedroom. She smiled. He was looking even handsomer than usual in his casual attire of t-shirt and jeans. But that was not enough for her. She had something else in mind.

“Ye kaisi boring t-shirt pahan rakhi hai aapne,” she went on an offensive immediately.

Ashutosh was startled. “Kyon? Kya problem hai. Achchhi nahin lag rahi?” he asked sheepishly.

“Aise buri nahin lag rahi. Lekin isse better lag sakti hai, agar aap uski jagah ye pahnein jo main layi hoon.”

“Tum… mere liye t-shirt layi ho?”

“Haan. Chaliye change kar ke aaiye,” she handed him a bag.

“Dekh to loon,” Ashutosh said and too the t-shirt out of the bag. It was bright red, way too bold for Ashutosh’ taste.

“Ye?” he asked incredulously.

Nidhi’s spirits were not dampened, “Haan. Ye. Aap pahaniye to sahi. Bahut smart lagegi. Maine Anji ki help li hai ise select karne mein. Use in sab cheezon ki bahut pahchaan hai. Aap ghabraiye mat.”

“Achchha!” Ashutosh was not enthusiastic. But seeing Nidhi’s excitement, he did not have heart to say ‘No’ to her.

He came out wearing it, feeling self-conscious.

“Nidhi. Ye thodi chhoti nahin hai?” he asked.

The t-shirt was a bit tight fitting, although it was only serving to make him look even more appealing given his well toned body. But Nidhi could not get herself to say that.

“Haan. Thodi to hai. Lekin maine to aapke size ki li tha.”

“Tumhein… mera size pata hai?” Ashutosh asked hesitantly.

“Maine dekha tha. Aapki ek t-shirt padi the bed par, us par.”

How much did she observe him, Ashutosh could not help wondering.

“Lekin. Thodi tight to hai hi. Size brand to brand vary karta hai. Agar aapko nahin sahi lag rahi ho to badal lijiye,” she said, but her face had fallen. Ashutosh did not like that. He was going through the entire exercise of picnic only to see her happy. If she wasn’t happy, what would be the point?

“Achcha ye batao ki tumhein theek lag raha hai?” he asked.

“Mujhe to bahut achchha lag raha hai,” she said trying not to get too hopeful.

“To phir theek hai. Aur kaun dekhne waala hai mujhe?” he smiled.

“Sach!” she literally jumped with joy. Ashutosh found her childlike excitement so lovely that he wanted to hug her right then. But Kaka could be around!!

“Achcha Nidhi. Main bhi tumhare liye kuchh laaya tha.”

“Kya?” the idea of getting a gift excited her even further.

She snatched the packet from him and started unpacking it immediately.

Ashutosh looked on fondly as she finished unpacking and jumped yet again, “iPod!!” she was bursting with happiness, “Oh God! Dr. Ashutosh. Aapko kaise pata ki mujhe i-pod chahiye tha. Main Baba se nahin maangna chahti thi, business problems ke baad. Main khud paise bacha rahi thi. Lekin aapne… You are the best Dr. Ashutosh. I love you!” Nidhi wasn’t conscious of what she was saying in her overjoyed state, until she said those three words! She stood still for a few moments after she realized what she had said.

Ashutosh himself was taken by surprise and could not react immediately. Then he smiled and saw a nervous, embarrassed smile forming on Nidhi’s lips too.

“Use kar ke to dekh lo,” he changed the topic to her relief. She browsed through the collection loaded and was pleasantly surprised again.

“Rock? Aapko pata tha? Maine to nahin bataya… Aur aapne kya itunes ka saara rock collection khareed liya hai?”

Ashutosh laughed, “Nahin. Saara browse kar ke khreedne ka mere paas patience nahin tha. Lekin jo mujhe achchhe lagte hain utne maine khareed liye hain.”

“Thank you,” she said and it looked like she really mean it.

“Aur agar tumhein kuchh chahiye ho to tum mujhe bata sakti ho. Har waqt mera guess karna zaroori nahin hai.”

Nidhi smiled and didn’t say anything.

“Chalo chalte hain,” Ashutosh said.

“Ek minute!” Nidhi stoped him, “Aapke paas speakers hain?”

“Haan. Honge shayad. Laptop ke saath khareede to the.”

“To le chalte hain na. Wahan gaane sunenge i-pod se.”

“Okay.”

—

To be continued

“Nidhi. Ab kahan ho tum?” Ashutosh called her after coming out of the bathroom. She was nowhere to be seen.

“Nidhi. Shararatein bahut ho gayin. Mujhe bhookh lagi aur der bhi ho rahi hai. Jaldi aao. Khana khate hain.”

His phone rang and it was Nidhi. Had she left already?

“Hello. Nidhi. Kahan ho tum?”

“Aap mujhe promise kijiye ki aap mujhse badla nahin lenge,” she whispered, “tabhi main aapke saamne aaungi?”

“Kaisa badla? Aur tum aise… aise kyon bol rahi ho?” Ashutosh was exasperated. She had that effect on him often. Though the exasperation changed into amusement all the time. This time it was no exception.

“Aap mere face par cake nahin lagayenge, promise?”

Ashutosh had to smile, “Nahin lagaunga baba. Ab saamne aao. Aise whisper karte hue tumhari baat samajh mein aana bahut mushkil hai.”

Hardly had he finished his sentence that he saw Nidhi emerging from nowhere other than his own bedroom. His heart skipped a beat. It felt so natural to see her coming out of there that it was strange. Nobody had invaded his private space with such authority as Nidhi did. And to top that he liked it!

But he pulled himself together and got back into the playful mood. He approached her and surprised her by holding her hand and turning her around pinning her hand at her back. He was standing behind her so she could not see the smirk on his face.

“Ye aap kya kar rahe hain?”

“Ensure kar raha hoon ki tum bhaag na jao jab tak main ye sochoon ki tumhari shararat ki sazaa tumhein kaise di jaye?”

“Ye kya baat hui Dr. Ashutosh. Aapne mujhse waada kiya tha ki aap mujhse badla nahin lenge. Apni baat se peechhe hatna aapko suit nahin karta.”

“Dr. Nidhi, maine sirf itna waada kiya tha ki main aapke chehre par cake nahin lagaunga.”

“This is not fair Dr. Ashutosh. Chhodiye mujhe. Dard ho raha hai,” she complained.

“Achcha!” Ashutosh knew very well that the way he was holding her it couldn’t be hurting her, “Theek hai. Chhod doonga. Lekin tab jab tum mujhe mere naam se bulaogi.”

“Kya?”

“Mera naam.”

“Main ye nahin kar sakti.”

“To mujhe kuchh aur sochna padega. Soch lo. Woh zyada mushkil ho sakta hai,” his voice was suggestive and naughty.

Nidhi felt nervous for the first time during the evening. She gulped so hard that Ashutosh could hear it. His own heart started beating faster.

“Theek hai.” Nidhi said in a small, shaking voice, “Ashutosh. Please mera haath chhodiye.”

His grip had loosened just by hearing his name from her. She didn’t even need to complete her sentence.

As she turned around to face him, they felt how close they were standing to each other. Ashutosh held her by her shoulders as if in a trance and suddenly pulled her in a bone crushing hug. Nidhi responded with a fervour as if this was the moment she had been waiting for all her life. Their grip tightened around each other and soon they were caressing each other’s back passionately.

Ashutosh was the one to come to his senses first. He suddenly broke the hug and stepped back. The silence prevailed as they looked around at everything except each other for few awkward moments.

“I… I am sorry,” Ashutosh broke the silence and looked at Nidhi guiltily.

Nidhi looked at him a little surprised, “Aap sorry kyon bol rahe hain?”

“Nahin… Nahin Nidhi. Don’t get me wrong,” he hastened to clarify as he realized that his sorry could be misinterpreted, “Mera ye matlab nahin hai ki kuchh galat hua hai. Just that… we should be careful. Jaldbaazi mein kabhi kuchh aisa nahin hona chahiye jiska aage ja kar pachhtava ho. I hope tum samajh rahi ho,” he laughed nervously, “Shayad main thode purane khayalon ka aadmi hoon…”

“Nahin,” Nidhi was back to her assured self, “Aap bahut hi nek khayalon ke aadmi hain. Aur isliye main aapki itni izzat karti hoon. Aur aap par itna bharosa karti hoon.”

Ashutosh looked at her in admiration. How simply and easily could she express herself. He didn’t have that ability. He always fumbled for the right words, always worried that he would do it wrong. But thankfully despite all that Nidhi did not misunderstand him.

“Waise tum ghar par bata kar to aayi ho ki tum yahan ho?”

“Nahin. Maine kaha hai ki hospital mein duty extend ho gayi hai.”

“Kyon?”

“Baar baar Baba ko bolna ajeeb lagta hai ki main aapke ghar par hoon.”

“Nidhi. Ye sahi nahin hai. Meri wajah se tumhein ghar par jhooth bolna padta hai…”

“Sahi to nahin hai. Lekin abhi koi chaara bhi to nahin hai. Jab tak Baba se baat na kar lein… Ya uske baad bhi…”

“Tum sahi kah rahi ho Nidhi. Lekin ek kaam to hum kar hi sakte hain na. Ki aise samay mein milein jab tumhein koi bahana na banana pade.”

“To phir hum dinner saath nahin kar sakte hain?” she pouted again.

“Lunch to kar sakte hain?” Ashutosh smiled patronizingly.

“Lunch ke liye chhip kar alag alag nikalna padega. Aur phir bhi log notice kar sakte hain. Too risky! And too much tension.”

“Tumhein satisfy karna mushkil hai. Theek hai. Hum dinner kar sakte hain saath mein. Lekin early dinner karenge, jab bhi karenge. 7 baje tak shuru kar denge, taki tum 9 baje tak ghar ja sako. Okay?”

“Okay!” Nidhi made a face, but accepted.

Ashutosh smiled. They did manage to work it out every time.

“Lekin…” Nidhi started saying, but stopped.

“Kya hua?”

“Aapne ye kyon kaha ki mujhe satisfy karna mushkil hai. Aapka man nahin hota…”

Ashutosh sighed. “Mera man, Nidhi?” he said in a dreamy voice, “Mere man ki sunne se to main darta hoon. Main to kissi ke saath ke liye, pyaar ke liye, dosti ke liye itna tarsa hua hoon ki man karta hai ki tumhein aaj hi apne saath apne ghar le aaun.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Lekin ye practically sahi nahin hai. Isliye main koshish karta hoon sab kuchh tumhari speed se aage badhe.”

Nidhi’s heart was pounding as she heard him bare his heart. Their companionship had grown strong, but this was the first time he had given words to his need and desire for her. It had an affect on her that she didn’t know what name to give. She didn’t realize that her cheeks had gone red. Not did she notice how hard she was breathing and how she had goosebumps all over. But Ashutosh did.

He smiled, “Tum ghabra rahi ho?”

“Nahin… nahin…” Nidhi flushed and spoke hastily.

“Chalo bhai,” he suddenly changed his tone to bring the comfort back in their conversation,”Ab khana khate hain. Mujhe bahut bhookh lag rahi hai. Dekhoon to kya kya order kiya hai tumne? Waise Kaka kahan hain?”

“Woh kha kar so chuke hain.”

“Achcha hai. Unhein bhi aaraam mil gaya.”

—

“11 baj gaye. Chalo main tumhein ghar chhod aata hoon,” Ashutosh said after they had finished dinner.

“Nahin. Mere paas car hai na. Woh wapas le jani hogi.”

“Theek hai. To main tumhein tumhari hi car mein chhod doonga. Wapas aate hue auto le loonga.”

“Bilkul nahin. Itni raat mein aapko auto kahan milega?”

“Aur itni raat mein main tumhein akele kaise jaane doon?”

“Ye kya baat hui? Main koi bachchi nahin hoon.”

“Nidhi! Har baat par zidd karna zaroori hai?”

“Nahin. Lekin ye bilkul genuine baat hai.”

Ashutosh sighed, “Theek hai. Tum apni car mein jao. Main apni car mein tumhare peechhe rahunga.”

“Aage se aapko mujhe ziddi bulane ka koi haq nahin hai. Aap khud kuchh kam nahin hain.”

“Tumahre saath ki wajah se ho gaya hoon. Chalo ab!”

Nidhi had to give in.

She didn’t know that Baba was still awake when she reached home and he had seen Ashutosh’ car following hers. She was too absorbed in Ashutosh’ declaration of love and desire. Everytime she recalled his words, she blushed and smiled. She was sure she would have sweet dreams that night.

—

To be continued

“Good morning Dr. Rangnath.”

“Good morning Dr. Nidhi. Lekin Dr. Ashutosh to abhi tak aaye nahin hain. Raat mein ek emergency ko le kar der tak yahan the.”

“Mujhe pata hai. Main aapse milne aayi hoon.”

“Mujhse? Kaisi baat karti hain Nidhi ji! Aap meri naukri chhudwayengi kya?”

“Kya matlab?”

“Agar boss ko pata chala ki aap mujhse mil rahi hain unke peeth peechhe to meri naukri kya, jaan bhi aafat mein aa jayegi. Hamare liye woh abhi bhi Dr. Hardstone hi hain.”

“Dr. Rangnath!” Nidhi pretended to glare at him.

“Are are. Ye to raksha mein hatya ho gayi. Main to boss se apni jaan bachane ki soch raha tha. Lekin aapko khafa kar doonga to bachne se rahi. Aap please baith jaiye aur bataiye ki main aapke liye kya kar sakta hoon.”

“Dr. Rangnath. Aapko please meri baat seriously sunni padegi. Please! Warna problem ho jayegi.”

“Kya hua Dr. Nidhi? Kya problem hai?” Rangnath was finally serious.

“Dr. Rangnath,” Nidhi had told Ashutosh that she will talk to Rangnath, but now was finding it difficult to broach the topic, “Thoda odd hai.” She said nervously and then fell silent.

“Okay Dr. Nidhi. Kuchh serious baat hai. Aap mujhe bata sakti hain. Mujhe pata hai ki meri koi serious type ki image nahin hai. Lekin thodi bahut samajh hai mujhme. Aap mujhe behichak bataiye jo bhi aap kahne aayi hain.”

“Dekhiye Dr. Rangnath. Dr. Ashutosh ki reputation ke liye, aur mere career ke liye, ye zaroori hai ki hamari personal relationship, professional cheezon ke beech mein na aaye. To isliye aapki help chahiye,” Nidhi spoke it out before she could feel the hesitation again.

“Mujhe aapka chaperon ban kar chalna hoga kya hospital mein, taki aap Dr. Ashutosh se na milein?” Rangnath, compelled by his nature, couldn’t stop himself from taking a dig at her.

“Dr. Rangnath,” Nidhi was irritated this time, “Aapne promise kiya tha…”

“Okay. Okay. Aap in chhoti-moti baaton se parehsaan mat hua kijiye. Meri to aadat hai. To bataiye ki mujhe kya kana hai?”

“Aapko ye ensure karna hai ki aap meri duty Dr. Ashutosh ke saath normal se zyada na lagayen. Taki logon ko kuchh ajeeb na lage. In fact, ho sake to thoda kam hi lagaiye.”

“Okay. Lekin meri ek shart hai.”

“Kya?”

“Jo Dr. Ashutosh ke saath aapki duty ka time main bachaunga, woh duty aapko mere saath karni padegi.”

“Anji ko bataun main?”

“Are nahin nahin. Kaisi baatein karti hain aap? Chinta mat kijiye. Aapka kaam ho jayega.”

“Thank you Dr. Rangnath.”

“Hayee! Itne pyaar se zara ek baar aur kahiye.”

“Boss ke saamne boliye ye kabhi!”

Rangnath pretended to have a heart-attack on hearing this and they laughed.

—

Ashutosh entered his cabin after the surgery and picked up his phone to find eighteen missed calls from Nidhi.

‘What hell has broken lose now?’ he wondered and smiled. Her duty would have been over by now. Was she still waiting for him?

He dialled her back.

“Dr. Ashutosh…” he heard a pained voice on the other end of the phone.

“Nidhi! Kya hua?” he got worried.

“Woh… Main… gir padi aur mere sar par chot lag gayi hai.”

“Kya?” he was horrified, “Kahan… kahan ho tum?”

“Aapke ghar par.”

“Mere? Mere ghar par?” What was she doing at home this late? He looked at his watch. It was 9 pm, “Hiraman Kaka nahin hain kya wahan? Unhein phone do.”

“Woh kissi kaam se bahar gaye hue hain?”

“Oh God! Nidhi tum ghabrao mat. Main.. main abhi pahunchta hoon. Aur khoon nikal raha ho to use kissi kapde se kas kar baandh lo. Okay?”

—

He rushed inside the house leaving the car on the road.

“Nidhi!” he cried after opening the door with his keys. He was surprised to see that the hall was dark.

“Nidhi! Kahan ho tum? Yahan andhera kyon hai?”

Just then he saw a matchbox being lighted, using which she lighted up several candles on a table.

“Welcome home, Dr. Ashutosh,” she said.

He ran towards her, “Ye sab kya hai? Tum..” He touched her forehead, “Tum to theek ho?” He looked confused.

“Kaisa laga surprise?”

“Surprise?” he was angry as he realized that she was joking, “Nidhi. Ye kaisi bachkani harqat hai? Tumhein ye sab mazaak lagta hai? Bahut hi ghatiya mazaak tha ye!”

Her face fell. He was angry at her prank.

“Aap… aap bahut ghabra gaye the?”

“Aur tumhein kya lagta hai? Main bahut khush hota ye sun kar ki tumhein sar par chot lagi hui hai aur tum yahan akeli ho? It was not funny Nidhi.”

This brough tears to her eyes, which she blinked back. But her voice choked when she said, “I am sorry.”

When he heard the voice, he realized that now she was hurting no less than him.

“Nidhi!” he said helplessly, “Look. I am sorry. I really am. Please don’t cry. Mujhe tumhein daantna nahin chahiye tha. Bas… Oh God! Baar baar mujhse ye ho jaata hai…”

“I am sorry. Main bas aapko surprise karna chahti thi. Mujhe nahin pata tha ki…”

“Nidhi. Mujhe bas apno ko khone ka dar bahut sataata hai. Kuchh apno ko to maine kabhi jaana hi nahin. Aur Baba ko bhi maine kho diya. Ab agar tumhein kuchh ho jaye, ye soch kar bhi main… main bahut dar jaata hoon Nidhi. Lekin I understand… ki mujhe apne issues tumhare oopar gussa karke nahin nikalne chahiye. Aur main ab iska dhyaan rakhoonga…”

“Please mujhe maaf kar dijiye,” she was dying for his forgiveness.

“Mujhse baar baar maafi maang kar mujhe sharminda mat karo. Please.”

Nidhi nodded.

“Ab apna surprise nahin dikhaogi?” Ashutosh smiled slightly and wiped her tears which she was not able to hold back any longer.

“Main aapko bahut pareshaan karti hoon na?”

Ashutosh laughed slightly, “Pata hai yahi sawaal maine ek baar Baba se poochha tha bachpan mein.”

“To unhone kya kaha tha?”

“Unhone kaha tha ki Ashu beta – insaan apno ke liye hi pareshaan hota hai. Agar koi pareshaan karne waala na ho, to iska matlab us insaan ke paas koi apna nahin hai. Woh akela hai. Tab ye baat meri samajh mein nahin aayi thi. Lekin aaj aa gayi hai.”

“Achcha! To aap akelapan na mahsoos karein, iske liye mujhe aapko pareshaan karte rahna chahiye?” she asked with a straight, innocent face.

He laughed out loud and she smiled seeing the desired effect on him, “Tum mujhe jitna chaho pareshaan kar sakti ho Nidhi. Lekin please… apni khairiyat, apni well being ke baare mein kabhi mazaak mat karna.”

“Nahin karoongi. Promise.”

“Chalo. Ab dekhein tumhara surprise kya hai? Oh God! Itna saara khana kab bana liya tumne?”

“Nahin…” she pouted and looked embarrassed, “Itna sab mujhe banana nahin aata. Ye to maine bahar se mangwaya hai.”

Ashutosh laughed again.

“Lekin sweet dish maine banayi hai,” she added with suppressed excitement.

“Wow! To phir usse hi shuruat karte hain,” he went forward and saw that she had baked a cake. He was about to take out a piece when he remembered, “Main haath dho kar aata hoon.”

“Rukiye,” she stopped him, came to the table, picked up a piece of the cake and extended her hand to feed it to him. Ashutosh hesitated instinctively, but then smiled and took a bite.

“Bahut achcha hai. Pahli baar mein tumne itna achcha kaise banaya?”

“Ek hafte se try kar rahi thi. Kabhi zyada bake ho kar biscuit ban jaata tha. To kabhi kam bake ho kar halwa. Aur cheeni sahi karne mein mujhe chaar din lage.”

“Kya? Itni mehnat kyon…” He was surprised by how much she was doing to make him feel loved and cared for. But before he could complete his question, she had extended her hand again. So, he opened his mouth to take another bite. This time he was in for a surprise. Instead of feeding him, she smeared the cake on his face and started laughing hyterically.

He couldn’t react for a moment and then grumbled, “Nidhi! Ye kya hai…”

That didn’t scare her as she continued laughing. He also got affetected by her childlike spirit and said, “Abhi batata hoon tumhein.” But she ran away, before he could catch her.

Ashutosh shook his head smiling, as if unable to believe that this was happening to him, but happy that it was. He decided to clean his face first and then figure out what to do with his charmingly naughty lady-love!

—

To be continued

Armaan was leaving India. His project was over. Ashutosh, Nidhi and Armaan went out for dinner the day before he was due to leave.

“Dr. Armaan. Aap India aate rahte hain?” Nidhi asked him.

“Is baar to kaafii dinon ke baad aaya. Ab dekho kya projects milte hain is par depend karta hai.”

“Aapko aate rahna chahiye. Dr. Ashutosh ne zyada dost to banaye nahin hain zindagi mein. Koi to aas paas hona chahiye inke.”

“Armaan. Tumhein aate rahne chahiye. Lekin Nidhi, come on! Tumhara accusation sahi nahin hai,” Ashutosh protested.

“Accusation kya hai, fact hai.”

“Bilkul nahin.”

“Achchha to bataiye. Kaun dost hain aapke? Ek Dr. Mallika thi jo shaadi kar ke gayab ho gayin. Aur jab woh thi bhi to… khair. Aur kaun hai?”

“Tum mere oopar pressure create kar ke mujhe nervous kar rahi ho.”

“Chaliye. Isi bahane aapko pata to chala ki pahle din hospital mein interns kaisa feel karte hain. Dr. Armaan. Aap hi bataiye. Main galat kah rahi hoon kya?”

Armaan was laughing by then, “Bhai. Zindagi ne mujhe itna sikha diya hai ki miyan-biwi ke jhagde mein nahin padna chahiye. Tum log to sulah kar loge. Main bekaar mein bewkoof ban jaunga.”

Him referring them as ‘miyan-biwi’ made both Nidhi and Ashutosh blush. Nidhi recovered and said, “Kahir. Bottom line ye hai ki aapko India aate rahne chahiye. To ab bataiye ki next kab aa rahe hain? Sir aap bhi to kuchh boliye.”

“Tum log apni shaadi ka invitation bhejo aur main agli hi flight le kar chala aaunga. Lekin ye to batao Nidhi ki tumhara iraada kya hai?”

“M… Mera irada?” Nidhi was already embarrassed at the mention of wedding and Armaan suddenly had put her on the spot with his question.

“Zindagi bhar is Ashutosh ke bachche ko boss bana kar jhelne ka irada hai kya tumhara?”

“Main kuchh samjhi nahin?”

“Okay. Imagine this. Tum log honeymoon par ho. Aur tumne kaha – ‘Sir. Mujhe aaj bahar nahin jaana hai. Hotel mein ruk sakte hain, please?’ To Ashutosh bolega – ‘No. Dr. Nidhi Verma. We must stick to our plan. Life mein discipline bahut zaroori hai.’ To ab apne boss ke saath to tum jhagda nahin kar sakti.”

Nidhi was going red in face hearing Armaan. Ashutosh put his hand on his forehead and laughed as if what was he to do about the silly conversation.

“Bas Karo Armaan,” Ashutosh said still laughing, “Kyon use pareshaan kar rahe ho?”

“Aha! Badi chinta ho rahi hai. Ya tumhara upper hand khatam ho jayega, isliye chinta ki disguise mein mujhe roka ja raha hai Ashutosh? Nidhi, iski chaalon mein mat phansna. Khair ab samjha kar kya fayda. Phans to tum already chuki ho. Lekin phir bhi, meri advice ka dhyaan rakhna. Sukhi rahogi.”

Nidhi had also overcome her embarrassment by then. She replied with slight laughter, “Ji. Dhyaan rakhoongi. Lekin Shakeshpeare kah gaye hain ki What is in a name.”

“Chhodo. Main bhi kahan tumhari bhalai karne nikla tha? Tum to iska hi saath dogi.”

—

“Waise Armaan theek hi kah raha tha,” they had gone to Ashutosh’ house after dinner and then he was dropping Nidhi home.

“Kya theek kah rahe the?”

“Tum mujhe kaise address karti ho – us baare mein.”

“Oh!”

“Tum mujhe Ashutosh kah kar bula sakti ho. Itna bura naam nahin hai.”

“Nahin. Main ye nahin kar sakti.”

“Kyon nahin?”

“Aise hi. Ab jo aadat pad gayi hai, so pad gayi hai.”

“Itna mushkil bhi nahin hai. Dr. Ashutosh se sirf Dr. hi drop karna hai.”

“Mujhse nahin hoga.”

They had pulled up in front of her home. She got down from the car quickly.

“Good night Dr. Ashutosh,” she said emphasizing ‘Dr.’ and ran away from there laughing. Ashutosh was also smiling as he drove away. Her stubbornness and naughtiness were charming.

—

“Hello everyone,” Nidhi entered the common room where other interns were sitting. She noticed that everyone suddenly fell silent, “Kya hua? Tum log aise chup kyon ho gaye?”

“Ab tu aa gayi na Nidhi. Ab bhala kissi aur ko bolne ki zaroorat kya hai?” Priyanka made an alibi.

“How mean Priyanka! Mujhe laga tha ki tu meri dost hai.”

“Dosti, dushmani ka kya hai Nidhi,” Kamal replied, “Kab dost dushman ho jaate hain, aur kab dushman dost – pata bhi nahin chalta.”

“Kya baat hai? Kissi ne dump kiya hai kya tumhein? Itni gyaan bhari baatein kar rahe ho Kamal?” Nidhi teased him.

“Nahin Nidhi Ma’am. Hamari zindagi itni interesting kahan hai. Dushman to dost aapki zindagi mein bante hain, nahin?”

“Shut up Kamal,” Priyanka intervened as Nidhi looked at them questioningly.

“Kya paheliyan bujha rahe ho tum log?” Nidhi asked.

“Kuchh nahin Nidhi. Ye aise hi teri taang kheench raha hai aur hamein bore kar raha hai,” it was Priyanka again, “Tu kuchh entertaining baatein kar na. Ye bata Dr. Rangnath aur Anji ke beech kya scene hai?”

“Badhiya hai sab kuchh.”

“Badhiya hai? That’s it. Arre kuchh gossip to suna.”

“Ji nahin. Doosron ki personal life ka gossip banana achchha nahin hota hai.”

“Kya baat hai? Tu badi sensitive ho rahi hai,” Sonali said, “Teri life mein bhi kuchh gossip-worthy chal raha hai kya?”

“Kya matlab?” Nidhi was startled, “Tum log aaj definitely pagal ho gaye ho. Mujhe apna dimaag nahin kharaab karna hai. Main ja rahi hoon.” Nidhi walked out of the room with an extra cup of tea.

“Dr. Ashutosh ke saath nahin piyegi to chai hajam kaise hogi,” she heard someone whisper when she was out of the door. She almost spilled the tea on hearing that. Were people talking about them already? And did they really think she was out of the hearing distance when they whispered that or did they want her to hear that?

In the ups and downs of last few days, she had hardly had time to think about others. Probably it had been going on for a while, but she was too busy with her life to notice it. She didn’t know how to react to it.

She walked into Ashutosh’ cabin with the tea, “Dr. Ashutosh….” She stopped in her tracks as Ashutosh was sitting with some other senior dotors and probably discussing some administrative issues. Everyone sitting there started staring at her.

“Yes. Dr. Nidhi?” Ashutosh asked in a curt tone.

“I… I am sorry. Main baad mein aati hoon,” she managed to say and went out.

—

After taking her rounds, Nidhi felt the need to stay alone for a while. So, she went on the terrace. But Priyanka came looking for her.

“Nidhi? Kya hua? Yahan akele kyon baithi hai?”

“Kuchh nahin Priyanka. Bas aise hi. Tu mujhe dhoondhte hue yahan aayi?”

“Haan Nidhi. Lekin…”

“Kya baat hai Priyanka?”

“Tera mood already kharaab hai. I think main baad mein baat karti hoon.”

“Tu aisi paheli bujha kar phir mujhe poori baat nahin batayegi to main peacefully baithi rahungi kya? Bata na Priyanka. Dara mat mujhe.”

“Nidhi. Main… Dekh Nidhi bura mat manna. Teri bhalai ke liye hi bol rahi hoon.”

“Priyanka. Dekh. Mera mood already kharaab hai. Ab tu aur nakhre karegi na to main ro doongi.”

“Tere aur Dr. Ashutosh ko lekar rumours fail rahe hain hospital mein.”

“Kya?”

“Tu recently Baba ko lekar pareshaan thi, shayad tera dhyaan nahin gaya hoga. Lekin tera aur Dr. Ashutosh ka milna julna bahut badh gaya hai. To…”

“To isse logon ko kya matlab hai Priyanka?”

“Well… Nidhi. Waise to hum sab dost hain, lekin ek tarah se dekhein to competitors bhi to hain na. Kiska review kaisa hoga, kise recommendation milegi aage job ya studies ke liye, sabko ye chinta khaye rahti hai. Aur Dr. Ashutosh hamare boss hain. To tu thoda dhyaan rakh. Log kaafee mean baatein kar rahe hain.”

“Mean?”

“Yeah… I mean… ki tu unse favours lene ke badle…”

Nidhi was horrified!

“Priyanka. I don’t understand this. Meri baat chhod… Dr. Ashutosh ki professional reputation to sabko pata hai… Phir…”

“Nidhi. Ab logon ke kahne ka jawaab to main nahin de sakti. Main to bas tujhe bata dena chahti thi so that you are not caught unawares. Baaki sab tujh par hai. Ya to thodee sawdhaani barat, ya phir agar log kuchh kahein bhi to un sab par dhyaan mat de.”

Nidhi sighed, “Thanks Priyanka. Tu to…”

“Main tujhe jaanti hoon Nidhi. Don’t worry.”

Nidhi smiled.

“Achchha. Main chalti hoon. Ek patient ki report lani hai lab se,” Priyanka said and left.

Nidhi’s mobile rang after Priyanka left. It was Ashutosh. She picked it up, but before she could even greet him, he spoke, “Nidhi.”

“Ji?”

“Ye kaisi harqat ki tumne aaj? Mere office mein din mein log aate jaate rahte hain, itna to tumhein pata hai na. Kam se kam knock to kar ke aati!”

Nidhi’s already down spirit practically died.

“Kissi ne kuchh kaha kya?”

“Kaha nahin. Lekin ye sab…”

“I am sorry,” Nidhi was on the verge of crying and Ashutosh felt that in her voice. He regretted his rashness in scolding her.

“Nidhi…” he softened, “No. Listen. I am sorry. Please tum itna pareshaan mat ho. Mujhe aise nahin daantna chahiye tha tumhein. Suno. Tum kahan ho?”

“Terrace par.”

“Main abhi aata hoon.”

“Nahin…”

“Kyon? Kya hua?”

“Aise hi. Mujhe abhi ward mein wapas jaana hai.”

“Tumhari duty kab khatam ho rahi hai?”

“Ek ghante mein.”

“Theek hai. Phir canteen mein milte hain.”

“Actually… agar aap free hain to bahar mil sakte hain.”

“Umm… haan… kahan chalna hai?”

“Main Royal Cafe mein rahungi 6.30 par. Aap wahin aa jaiye.”

“Saath hi chalte hain.”

“Nahin.”

Ashutosh was puzzled, but agreed.

—

“Naaraaz ho mujhse?” Ashutosh asked as he sat opposite Nidhi in the cafe.

“Naaraaz? Nahin to!”

“Phir saath mein kyon nahin aayi?”

Nidhi stayed silent.

“Kya hua Nidhi? Kissi ne kuchh kaha hai?”

“Meri wajah se aaj aapko embarrass hona pada apne colleagues ke saamne…”

“Bhool jao Nidhi. Koi itni badi baat nahin hai. Aage se dhyaan rakhenge. Bas.”

“Haan.”

“Koi aur baat hai. Batao mujhe. Come on!”

“Main kabhi nahin chahungi ki meri wajah se aapki reputation ko koi nuksaan ho.”

“Lekin aisa hoga kyon?”

“Ho raha hai… already…”

“Kya bol rahi ho Nidhi?”

“Log baatein bana rahe hain Dr. Ashutosh. Hamare baare mein… Aur…”

Ashutosh laughed slightly, “Usse dar rahi ho tum? Well… ye to hona hi hai. Aaj nahin to kal.”

“Baat woh nahin hai. Ab main aapko kaise bataun,” Nidhi felt irritated at her inability to speak out the horrible thing Priyanka had told her about.

“Kya baat hai Nidhi? Kissi ne kuchh kaha hai?” Ashutosh asked patiently.

“Doosre interns or shayad aur staff ko lagta hai ki aap mujhe favour kar rahe hain, ya karenge. Aur main aapke favours ke badle…” she fell silent.

Ashutosh grew serious and looked thoughtful. It worried Nidhi. “Ab hum kya karenge?” she was agitated and felt scared for the future of their relationship.

“Calm down, Nidhi. Koi aasmaan nahin fat pada hai.”

“Okay,” she said with a childlike innocence, relieved that he wasn’t that worried and might have a solution. It made Ashutosh smile with affection.

“Mujhe pahle hi sochna chahiye tha is baare mein. Lekin kya karoon? Main bhi thoda inexperienced hoon,” Ashutosh joked.

“Inexperienced? Kyon? Mujhse pahle bhi to aapki zindagi mein koi aaya hoga?” Nidhi asked matter of factly.

Ashutosh laughed out loud, “No. Dr. Nidhi.”

Nidhi’s eyes widened in surprise. She had assumed that he would have had a relationship in past, “Really?”

“Really Nidhi. Shayad yakeen karna mushkil hai, lekin main sach kah raha hoon. Trust me.”

“Of course, I trust you,” Nidhi said and then blushed thinking about what this meant for their relationship and how special she must be for him.

“Okay. Coming back to the problem jisne meri chatterbox ko itna dukhi kar diya hai…” Nidhi pouted at being called chatterbox and Ashutosh laughed again. Then he continued, “Dekho Nidhi. Itna pareshaan hone ki zaroorat nahin hai. Humne pahle dhyaan nahin rakha. Lekin aage se dhyaan rakhenge. Hospital mein apne behaviour ko lekar. Let’s maintain a distance and keep it professional there. Okay?”

Nidhi nodded.

“Chalo. Ab coffee order karein?”

“Ji,” Nidhi said and Ashutosh saw that the brightness in her eyes were back. He smiled in satisfaction. They will work things out.

“Waise hamein Dr. Rangnath se bhi baat karni hogi,” Nidhi said while sipping her coffee.

“Kis baare mein?”

“Mujhe lagta hai ki woh meri duty aapke saath kuchh zyada hi lagate hain.”

“Hmm… Dr. Rangnath bhi… Theek hai. Main… baat karoonga unse…” Ashutosh said, but Nidhi could see that he was uncomfortable at the idea.

“Actually aap rahne dijiye. Main kar loongi.”

“K… kyon?”

“Aise hi. Aapka bolna theek nahin hoga.”

“Achchha? Kyon?” Ashutosh understood what she was trying to say, but asked just to tease her.

“Isliye ki… Bas aise hi. Aap aap hain,” Nidhi again couldn’t figure out how to say it and got irritated. She did not want him to risk his reputation and hold on his subordinates by discussing personal matters with them.

“Okay, okay. Ab phir se apna mood mat kharaab karo. Main bas tumhari taang kheench raha tha.”

“Zyada mat kheenchiye, warna main aapse lambi ho jaungi.”

“Haan?!” Ashutosh was surprised and then laughed out loud. Nidhi also joined him.

—

To be continued

Baba had a heart attack. It was a minor one and things were in control. But Nidhi was shattered. As soon as she was allowed in his room, she had run inside and refused to come out. Ashutosh checked with the cardiologist and confirmed that there was no danger. An emergency case had come in and Ashutosh had to rush to attend that. He asked Anji to take care of Nidhi.

The emergency case was that of the accident of a minister’s eight years old son and was blown out of proportion. Apart from handling the medical emergency, Ashutosh also had to take care of the security arrangements and the media. He returned after five hours and saw Anji pacing up and down in the corridor.

“Kya hua Anji? Sab theek to hai?” she clearly looked worried.

“Achchha hua aap aa gaye Dr. Ashutosh. Nidhi ki…”

“Kya hua Nidhi ko?”

“Woh tab se Baba ke paas baithi ro rahi hai. Na kuchh khaya hai, na piya hai. Wahan se hilne ka naam hi nahin le rahi. Dr. Gupta ne to kaha hai ki yahan kissi ke rukne ki bhi zaroorat nahin hai. Lekin woh maan hi nahin rahi hai.”

“Main dekhta hoon.”

Ashutosh went inside the room and saw Nidhi sitting exactly how Anji had described to him. He gently patted her shoulder. She looked at him, but turned back and started staring at Baba again. Seeing her tear stained face tore his heart. Why were so many things going wrong in her life? One had hardly been sorted, when the other problem came up.

He whispered so as not to disturb Baba, “Bahar chalo Nidhi.”

She nodded negatively.

“Please. Tumse baat karni hai.”

She got up and followed him.

“Ye kya halat bana rakhi hai tumne apni? Tum khud doctor ho. Itna to samajhti ho ki agar tum khud beemaar pad gayi to Baba ki dekh bhaal kaun karega?”

“Mujhe kuchh nahin hoga,” Nidhi said stubbornly.

“Nahin. Tumhein kyon kuchh hoga? Tum to super woman ho na,” Ashutosh paused before continuing, “Look Nidhi. Maine Dr. Gupta se baat ki hai. Minor heart attack tha. Ab koi khatra nahin hai. Tum ghar ja sakti ho. Kal aa jaana.”

“Main Baba ko aise chhod kar nahin ja sakti.”

“He is under sedatives. So rahe hain aaraam se. Tum yahan ruk kar kya karogi?”

She did not reply.

“Nidhi. Tumhein mujh par zara bhi bharosa hai ki nahin? Main tumse kuchh galat to nahin kahunga na?”

She nodded in agreement.

“Tumne jo ye apna haal bana rakha hai, usse sab kitne pareshaan hain tumhein pata bhi hai? Anji tumhari wajah se yahan se hil nahin rahi hai. Uske parents pareshaan hain. Dadi Bua pareshaan hain. Isse kya fayda hai? Meri baat maano. Abhi ghar chalo aur aaraam kar lo. Subah apna achchha sa, hansta hua chehra le kar Baba ke saamne aana. Tumhari aisi thaki hui, roni shakal dekhenge to usse unki tabiyat aur kharaab ho jayegi. Samjhi?”

She nodded and followed him.

—

Anji got coffee for all of them at home.

“Baba ke ghar aane ke baad mujhe chhutti chahiye hogi. Kam se kam ek-do mahine ki.”

“Kyon?” Ashutosh asked.

“Main apni zindagi mein aisi mashgool ho gayi thi ki mujhe Baba ka dhyaan hi nahin raha. Pata nahin kab unki tabiyat itni kharaab ho gayi aur ye halat ho gayi. Unhein meri zaroorat hai. Kam se kam do mahine tak main unke saath rahungi aur unhein koi kaam nahin karne doongi. Pata nahin kitna stress lete hain.”

“Tum zyada se zyada ek hafte ki chhutti logi, aur kuchh nahin.”

“Kyon?”

“Kyonki Baba se zyada tumhare patients ko tumhari zaroorat hai. Nidhi – ye minor sa heart attack tha. Ek hafte mein woh bilkul fit ho jayenge. Aur waise bhi yana unka dhyaan rakhne ke liye aur log hain. Tum bhi alternate days ghar par rahogi. Phir kya problem hai?”

Nidhi spoke after a while, “Aap shayad theek kah rahe hain. I am sorry. Main bhi kabhi kabhi bachchon jaisi harquatein karti hoon.”

“That’s not a problem,” Ashutosh smiled affectionately, “I love kids.”

—

“Aao Nidhi. Baba ko hosh aa gaya hai,” Ashutosh was already in the hospital when Nidhi reached here.

“Aap poori raat yahin the?”

“N… nahin to. Main bas abhi aaya hoon.”

“Jhooth bolne ki umra chali gayi hai aapki Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi said making him smile.

“Achchha baba. Main pakda gaya. Ab jao Baba se mil lo.”

“Ji.”

—

An acquantance of Yograj Verma had come from Canada and had given him the proposal of exporting clothes to a big Canadian retail chain. It was too big an order for his company, but at that person’s insistence, he had taken up the project. He had to take a loan from the bank for this. Later it turned out that the person had cheated. He had sold off the clothes in the local market and had gone back to Canada with the money. No payment ever reached Yograj Verma.

Baba’s manager told Nidhi the entire story, “Woh aapko nahin batana chahte the beta. Lekin abhi unki ye halat hai to kissi ko to kuchh karna hi padega na. Bank ke paas bhi ye khabar pahunch gayi ki unhein paise nahin milne waale hain. To unhone bhi notice bhej diya. Us dhokhe se to woh pahle hi shock mein the. Ab ek mahine ke andar bank bhi loan ka disbursed amount wapas chahta hai. Jab bank manager ka call aaya, usi ke baad unki tabiyat kharaab ho gayi.”

“Kitna amount hai loan ka?”

“Ek crore.”

“Ek crore,” Nidhi’s eyes widened in shock. How will she ever arrange for that money?

Ashutosh was sitting beside Nidhi as she heard the entire story. Nidhi said after manager had left, “Baba ki life style bahut healthy hai aur unka regular check up bhi hota tha. Mujhe pata tha ki koi aur hi baat hui hogi jo unhein heart attack aaya hoga. Ab itne paison ka intezaam kahan se hoga?”

“Nidhi. Tum uski chinta mat karo. Amount bada hai, lekin main intezaam kar sakta hoon…”

“Nahin. Baba iske liye kabhi nahin maanenge.”

“Nidhi…” he started to insist, but realized that not only Baba’s, but her own self respect also meant a lot to her. So, he changed his reasoning, “Nidhi. Tumhein yaad hoga ki Baba ke ghar ke liye maine tumhein isse zyada ka offer diya tha. Tum woh ghar mujhe bech do.”

“Kaisi baatein kar rahe hain aap? Woh ghar aapka hai. Main uske liye aapse paise kaise le sakti hoon?”

“Tum ye kaisi baat kar rahi ho Nidhi. Woh ghar Baba ne tumhein diya tha. Pyaar se. Unhein is baat ka dukh tha ki woh apni beti ke liye kuchh kar nahin paye. Ab agar is museebat ke samay mein unka diya hua ghar tumhare kaam aa jaye to shayad unki aatma ko shanti milegi.”

“Aap bahut intelligent hain. Achchhi reasoning kar lete hain. Lekin woh ghar main pahle hi aapke naam kar chuki hoon. Bas registrar ke paas jaana hai. Main uske liye paise nahin le sakti aapse.”

“Nidhi. Ya to apna samjho. Ya gair samjho. Agar apna samajhti ho to mujhe madad karne do. Agar gair samajhti ho to ghar bech do.”

Nidhi sighed, “Theek hai. Agar koi aur intezaam nahin ho paya to jo aap kahenge wahi karoongi. Lekin mujhe koshish kar lene dijiye. Please.”

“Theek hai. Lekin tum apna khayaal rakhogi aur iske liye chinta kar ke ke apni tabiyat kharaab nahin karogi.”

“Promise.”

—

“Koi intezaam hua Nidhi paison ka?”

“Ji. Dadi Bua ne bataya ki Mummy ke gahne locker mein rakhe hain. Dadi ke diye hue the. Unhein bech kar kuchh paison ka intezaam to ho hi jayega.”

“Tum apne khaandaani gahne bechne waali ho?” Ashutosh asked in disbelief.

“Aise bhi khaandaani nahin hain. Dadi ne Mummy ke liye hi banwaye the. Phir ban jayenge. Main kaun sa unhein pahanne waali hoon. Purane style ke honge.”

“Lekin… Achchha theek hai. Tum market mein uska price pata karwa lo. Lekin bechna mat. Meri jaan pahchaan mein hai koi. Wahan se shayad better valuation mil jaye.”

Nidhi thought for a moment and said, “Theek hai.”

—

“Ab kaisi tabiyat hai aapki?” Ashutosh was visiting Baba at home.

“Itne saare doctors ke aas paas rahte mere dil ki kya mazaal jo kuchh idhar udhar kar jaye.”

Ashutosh laughed as Baba continued, “Waise thoda tadap zaroor raha tha ye?”

“Kyon bhala?” Ashutosh was still smiling.

“Tumhein thanks bolne ke liye.”

“Mujhe thanks kyon?”

“Paison ke intezaam ke liye…”

“Usmein maine kya kiya. Gahne aapke the.”

“Sawa crore ke the?”

“Ji. Uski pahchaan to mujhe nahin hai,” Ashutosh laughed nervously, “Jo daam mujhe bataya gaya woh maine Nidhi ko dilwa diya.”

“Ye bhi theek hai. Lo bhai. Nidhi ki coffee aa gayi. Waise aaj kal chai bhi banane lagi hai. Improvement hai tumhari sangati mein rah kar. Bua bahut khush hain.”

Ashutosh and Nidhi looked at each other nervously. Ashutosh knew that Baba was aware of the tension house issue had created beetween them. Nidhi didn’t know even that. And Ashutosh wondered if Baba knew more than that. About their relationship? What else could that remark mean?

—

To be continued

Ashutosh slumped back on an arm-chair kept in the garden. Armaan had already come back. He joined him.

“Ashutosh?”

“Armaan. Tumne kaha tha na ki WHO ke Mumbai center mein ek vacancy hai. Aur woh mere liye sahi rahegi. Kya woh position abhi bhi available hai.”

“Haan hai to. Par kyon?”

“I want to take that up?”

“Ashutosh?”

“Kuchh mat poochhna Armaan. Main kal hi sabbatical ke liye apply kar doonga. Milne mein problem nahin hogi. Within a month, I can join.”

“Professionally it will be great for you Ashutosh. Aur main to hamehsa se chahta tha ki tum hamein join karo. Lekin tab mujhe pata nahin tha ki personally…”

“There is no personal life for me look forward to Armaan. Mera yahan se chale jaana hi achchha hai. Mere liye bhi. Doosron ke liye bhi.”

“Nidhi se koi baat hui?”

“Haan.”

“Kya kaha usne?”

“Woh bhi mujhse door jaana chahti hai. Aur kyon na jaana chahe? Itni nafrat kaun bardasht kar sakta hai. Main thodee der akele rahna chahta hoon Armaan.”

Armaan, though worried, left him alone.

Her words were echoing in her mind, “Aapne kabhi ye samjha Dr. Ashutosh ki aapko woh mila jo meri Mummy se chheen liya gaya tha. Apne Baba ka pyaar… Humne to kabhi unse nafrat nahin ki Dr. Ashutosh. Kabhi aapse nafrat nahin ki iske liye ki jo pyaar hamara tha, woh aapko mila. Main nahin kar sakti Nana se ya aapse nafrat. Kyonki mere liye pyaar zyada badi cheez hai…”

The girl whom he was accusing of inexperience was probably more mature than himself. She had love in her heart and tolerance in her nature. She still didn’t hate him and he? Armaan was right. He has killed his happiness at his own hands. And worse still, hers too. He didn’t deserve her. And she deserved better than him.

—

Nidhi received the call, heard what Armaan was saying and then disconnected without saying a word.

“Kya hua Nidhi?” Anji asked worried.

“Kuchh nahin,” Nidhi tried to appear non-chalant, “Dr. Ashutosh Mumbai mein WHO ka office join kar rahe hain. Yahan se ja rahe hain.”

“Kya? To tu unhein rok Nidhi.”

“Main kyon rokoon unhein Anji? Mere haathon mein hamare rishte ka faisla nahin hai.”

“Nidhi. Ye koi ego battle ka time nahin hai. Tu unse pyaar karti hai.”

“Haan. Main chah kar bhi nafrat nahin kar sakti. Lekin unke liye unki nafrat pyaar se badi hai. Jaise Nana ki liya apni ghoomne phirne ki azaadi apni beti ke pyaar se badi thi. Aur mera self-respect mujhe unki nafrat nahin jhelne dega Anji. Apne pyaar ke liye main apne swaabhimaan ka khoon nahin kar sakti.”

Nidhi and Anji were unaware of Baba overhearing their conversation.

—

Yograj Verma had known for a while. His daughter’s life and feelings had always been transparent to him. She had not realized, but her changing feelings for Dr. Ashutosh had been noticed by him. He didn’t want to interfere until she told him. But now the bomb had dropped. He had his duties as a father to at least try and set things right for her.

“Dr. Ashutosh. Main tumhein disturb to nahin kar raha.”

“Arre aap? Aaiye na. Please,” Ashutosh welcomed him.

“Main idhar se ja raha tha. Socha tumse milta chaloon.”

“Ji bahut achchha kiya. Main theek hone ke baad kaam mein thoda busy ho gaya, isliye aa nahin paya.”

“Nahin. Kaam mein busy hona to tumhari problem nahin thi.”

“Ji?”

“Nidhi ne to apne purane rishton ko kabhi jaana nahin. Unse use koi matlab nahin tha. Na hi use us ghar se emotionally ya monetarily koi lagaav tha. To maine socha…”

“Nidhi se aapse kaha…” Ashutosh interrupted him.

“Nahin,” Baba laughed slightly, “Badi ho gayi hai na. Ab apni pareshaaniyan nahin batati mujhe.”

“To aapko pahle se pata tha.”

“Haan. Kaafi pahle se.”

“Aapne kabhi bataya kyon nahin?”

“Bata sakta tha. Lekin maine socha ki apne issues tum log khud hi solve karo to behtar hoga. Purane rishton se naye rishte tootate hain ya bante hain, ye ab tum logon ke haath mein hai. Mujhe nahin pata ki Mathur Sahab ke man mein kya tha, jo woh aisa kar gaye. Shayad woh apne do parivaaron ko kareeb laana chahte ho.”

Ashutosh didn’t look at him. He was overwhelmed with guilt.

“Chalo main chalta hoon. Ghar par aana kabhi.”

“Ji,” Ashutish barely managed to say.

“Nahin. Main intezaar karoonga,” Baba said and got up to leave. Ashutosh saw him off till the hospital gate in silence.

—

Nidhi drove to the house. She parked the car outside the gate and got down to unlock it. She was surprised to find it unlocked. She walked in. Who had come here? Dr. Ashutosh? Only he had the key. She suddenly saw him standing in the garden. He smiled at her and held his hands out for her. She reached out to him and he disappered. She had been hallucinating! ‘Nidhi. Sambhaal apne aap ko. Tu yahan aayi hi kyon?’ she told herself. But continued walking in.

And then she saw him again. Standing on the Veranda. She was hallucinating again! She walked past him, only to feel someone holding her hands.

“Aap? Aap sach much yahan hain?”

“Pichhle check up mein aapki aankhein to bilkul theek thi Dr. Nidhi,” Ashutosh said.

Nidhi was reminded on the episode, when Ashutosh had called in the eye-surgeon and asked him to check her eyes. She ended up smiling, but sadly.

“Ya shayad jab main nahin tha, tab bhi tumhein dikh raha tha? Hallucinate kar rahi thi?”

Her smiled vanished and she did not reply. Ashutosh spoke again, “Nafrat nahin kar sakti, itna pyaar karti ho. Phir Armaan ke phone ke bawzood mujhe rokne kyon nahin aayi?”

“Aapke kahne par kiya tha unhone phone?”

“Nahin. Kiya to usne apni marzi se kiya tha. Mujhse chhip kar. Lekin maine sun liya tha. Kyon nahin aayi Nidhi?”

“Mere pyaar mein itni taakat nahin thi ki aapki nafrat ko khatam kar sakta.”

“Under-estimate kiya tumne khud ko.”

Nidhi looked up at him with childlike, pleading eyes, “Paheliyan mat bujhaiye. Aapne jo bhi faisla liya hai, mujhe saaf saaf bataiye. Agar main kuchh galat samajh baithi aur koi jhoothi ummeed laga baithi to uske tootne par bahut roungi. Aap Mumbai jaa rahe hain? Mujhe chhod kar?”

“Main kahin nahin ja raha. Aur na hi tumhein kahin jaane doonga.”

Nidhi smiled, feeling overwhelmed. Tears came to her eyes and she did not try to stop them. Ashutosh’ eyes were also moist. Time stopped for them as they naturally lost themselves in each other’s embrace.

They separated when Nidhi’s mobile rang.

“Haan Anji.”

“Nidhi, kahan hai tu? Jaldi ghar aa.”

“Main thodii door hoon ghar se Anji. Kya baat hui hai?”

“Tu akeli hai wahan?”

“N.. nahin. Par kyon?”

“Kaun hai tere saath?”

“Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Phone de unhein.”

“Kya hua hai Anji.”

“Time nahin hai mere paas Nidhi. Phone de unhein.”

“Anji… aapse baat karna chah rahi hai,” she gave the phone to Ashutosh. Though surprised, he did not ask anything and took the call.

“Oh… Anji tum chinta mat karo. Hum abhi pahunch rahe hain. Haan… haan… unhein le jao. Hum pahunch rahe hain. Main Dr. Gupta ko phone kar deta hoon. He will take care.”

“Kya hua?” Nidhi asked after he disconnected the call.

“Nidhi. Baba ki tabiyat thodi kharaab hai. Unhein hospital le gaye hain. Hamein turat pahunchna padega.”

“Kya hua Baba ko? Dr. Gupta ko kyon phone kar rahe hain aap?” Nidhi panicked. Dr. Gupta was a cardiologist.

“Chalo abhi. Aise ghabraane se kuchh nahin hoga. Sab theek ho jayega.”

Ashutosh drove her back in his own car.

—

To be continued

“Is ghar mein maine sab kuchh khoya hai aur sab kuchh paaya hai Nidhi,” Ashutosh and Nidhi were standing in front of the house, “Baba ke jaane ke baad ye ghar hi mere liye unki aakhiri nishani tha. Lekin ye unhone apni us naatin ke naam kar diya jisse woh kabhi mile tak nahin. Aur jise bhi unke pyaar ki koi kadra nahin thi. Main nafrat karta hoon us ladki se Nidhi jiske paas ye ghar hai. Bahut zyada nafrat karta hoon.”

Nidhi was startled, “Nafrat? Kissi se bina mile usse itni nafrat kyon Dr. Ashutosh?”

“Kyon milta main usse? Woh ladki mere aur Baba ke beech mein aayi. Mujhe uski shakal tak nahin dekhni hai,” the anger and hatred on Ashutosh’ face and his voice scared Nidhi. She hadn’t come prepared for this. Ashutosh noticed her reaction.

“I am sorry Nidhi,” he said softly, “Main tumhein bekaar mein dara raha hoon…”

“Bekaar mein nahin,” Nidhi said sadly, “Main to aapko aapke Baba ka pyaar lautane aayi thi.” She unfolded a handkerchief she was carrying to reveal a set of keys.

“Ye ghar mere Nana ka hai,” she said finally and fell silent.

It was Ashutosh’ turn to be shocked. He stepped back in anger, disbelief and shock. He walked towards the car, opened the door to the passenger’s seat and sat on the driver’s seat. He waited for her to come to the car without saying a word. He drove so crazily that Nidhi was genuinely scared of getting into an accident. She looked at him time and again hoping to start a conversation. But the fury on his face and body language did not let her try. He dropped her home and drove away.

—

“Nidhi? Kya hua?” Anji was shocked to see a listless Nidhi walking into her room.

Nidhi sat down and sobbed for a long time. When she finally managed to talk and tell Anji what had happened. Anji was also shocked.

“Nahin Nidhi. Main nahin maanti ki woh tujhse nafrat karte hain.”

“Karte hain Anji. Bahut saalon se karte hain.”

“Woh koi aur ladki thi Nidhi. Jisse woh mile tak nahin the. Woh tujhse itna pyaar karte hain.”

“Jab maine unhein chaabhiyan di Anji, to mujhme unhein woh ladki nazar nahin aayi, jisse woh pyar karte hain aur jo unse bahut pyaar karti hai, jo unhein unki zindagi ki sabse important cheez gift karna chahti thi. Unhein woh ladki nazar aayi Anji jo unke aur unke baba ki us ghar ke beech mein itne saalon se khadi thi. Agar aisa nahin hota to woh mujhse kuchh to kahte, mujhe ek baar to rokte.”

“Dekh Nidhi. Woh is samay shock mein hain. Unhein thoda time de. Gusse mein insaan rationally nahin sochta hai. I’m sure jab woh ek baar thandhe dimaag se sochenge…”

“I hope teri baat sach ho Anji. Lekin jo nafrat aaj maine unki aankhon mein dekhi hai…”

“Nidhi. Tu mujhe promise kar ki tu unse ek baar baat karegi.”

“Theek hai Anji.”

—

Ashutosh reached home. As he was about to get out of his car, he noticed the house keys lying on the passenger’s seat. She had left it for him. Or forgot it. He couldn’t help picking them up. But when he looked at them in his room, they only increased his anger. He took those heavy keys and threw them at the mirror with all the strength he had. The mirror broke and made so much noise that Kaka, Armaan and Rohini came running to his room.

“Kya hua Ashuotsh?” Armaan and Kaka asked in chorus.

Then they looked at the mirror and ran towards him. He was sitting on the bed with his face hidden buried in his hands. The were all confused for a moment. Then Armaan silently asked Kaka and Rohini to step out. They obliged.

Armaan sat down beside him and patted his shoulder, “Kya hua Ashutosh?”

“Baba ka woh ghar Nidhi ke paas hai Armaan.”

“Kya?” Armaan was shocked at first. Then he smiled, “Ye to bahut achchhi baat hai. Saari problem aap hi solve ho gayi. Ab woh ghar to tujhe dahej mein hi wapas mil jayega.” Armaan laughed.

“Stop it Armaan,” Ashutosh shouted.

“Tum itne gusse mein kyon ho?”

“Tumhein pata hai Armaan ki main nafrat karta hoon us ladki se?”

“What?! I mean, haan mujhe pata hai. Lekin Ashutosh maine tumse pahle bhi kaha tha ki kissi ko bina dekhe, bina jaane ye nafrat paal lena bewkoofi hai. Aur ab? Ab to tum bhi jaante ho ki tum usse pyaar karte ho. Nidhi jaisi ladki se tum nafrat kaise kar sakte ho Ashutosh?”

“Rahne do Armaan. Tum nahin samjhoge.”

“You are right. Main ye bewkoofi kabhi nahin samjhoonga. Aur tumne Nidhi ko bhi bata diya hoga ki tum usse nafrat karte ho. Wonderful! Ab kabhi apni kismat ko dosh mat dena ki woh tumse khushiyan chheen leti hai. Khushiyan tumhare darwaze par knock hi nahin kar rahi thi, ghar ke andar tak pahunch chuki thi Ashutosh aur tumne unhein bhaga diya hai.”

“Leave me alone Armaan. Plesae.”

Armaan left exasperated.

—

They had to go for the survey of the health facilities in the nearby villages the next day. The meeting for the final planning and work division was organized at Dr. Kotnis General Hospital, which all the team members from different hospitals had to attend. After the meeting, when they broke for tea, Armaan took Nidhi aside.

“Kaisi ho tum Nidhi?”

“Theek hoon.”

“Theek nahin ho, ye to main dekh sakta hoon. And I am sorry agar main tumhare zakhm kured raha hoon. Lekin shayad apne dost ke liye selfish ho gaya hoon.”

When Nidhi didn’t say anything, Armaan continued, “Kya tum meri request par ek baar Ashutosh se baat karogi? Please. Jo woh apni khushiyon ka yun apne haathon se gala ghot raha hai woh mujhse dekha nahin jaata.”

“Shayad nafrat mein hi unhein khushi milti hai Dr. Armaan.”

“I hope not Nidhi. For his sake, I hope not. Please ek baar usse baat karo. Tumhare baat karne se hi mujhe koi ummeed hai. Aur kissi ki to…”

“Theek hai. Karoongi.”

—

Nidhi knocked on the door of Ashutosh’ office. He could make out her silhoutte and did not reply. She knocked again and on not receiving a reply came in without waiting further. She kept a cup of tea on his table.

“Dr. Ashutosh. Aapse kuchh baat karni thi.”

“Mujhe abhi ek meeting mein jaana hai.”

“Main baad mein aa jaun?”

“Dr. Verma. Mujhe aapse koi baat nahin karni hai. Na abhi, na kabhi aur.”

Her cheeks reddened at the insult. She turned away to leave.

“Suniye.”

“Ji?”

“Ye chai le jaiye. Mujhe zaroorat nahin hai.”

It brought tears to her eyes and she ran out of the room to hide them.

Behind her, Ashutosh buried his face in his hands. He was unable to think straight. He wanted to destroy the entire world.

—

“There is a small change in the plan,” Armaan announced when everyone met for the visit to the villages, “Humne pahle socha tha ki do groups mein divide kar ke survey kar lenge. Lekin maine yahan ek gaon se sarpanch se baat ki hai. Unhone travel time ka jo idea diya hai, uske hisaab se do groups se kaam khatam ho nahin payega. To hum aath log chaar groups mein bant jaate hain. Mere saath mere WHO ke colleague Mr. Ramachandran hain. Iske alawa teen hospitals se do-do log hain. To aap log apne colleagues ke saath ek-ek area cover kar lein. Ye hai revised area coverage plan. Har group ke saath ek local volunteer hai. To aap logon ko jagahein dhoondhne mein pareshaani nahin hogi.”

Ashutosh and Nidhi stiffened at the announcement. Spending the entire day with each other? Ashutosh glared at Armaan, but he ignored him.

—

For most part of the day the volunteer was with them. That helped avoid the awkwardness. They spoke only when needed. After finishing the last village, the volunteer explained them the way back to the main road where their car was parked and took their leave. They had to walk a couple of kilometers to reach there. Nidhi was tired.

“Aap thak gayi hain. Apne instruments mujhe de dijiye,” Ashutosh said.

“Main theek hoon. Mujhe aapki madad ki koi zaroorat nahin hai.”

After they had kept their stuff in the car, Nidhi silently handed an envelop to Ashutosh.

“Ye kya hai?”

“Mera resignation.”

“Kya?” Ashtosh was shcoked, “Kyon?”

“I don’t owe you an explanation.”

“Yes, you do!” Ashutosh was agitated.

“Kyon?”

“Kyonki… Kyonki main aapka boss hoon. You career is my moral responsibility. Aap aise internship se resign kar dengi to… you won’t even complete your MBBS. Your career will be finished.”

“Aapko iski chinta karne ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Lekin tumhein mujhe batane ki zaroorat hai. Kyon resign kar rahi ho?”

“Aap sach sunna chahte hain ya jhooth?”

“Sach, of course.”

“To meri doctor banne ki motivation khatam ho gayi hai.”

“Tum personal aur professional life ko mix kar rahi ho.”

“Kyon na karoon?” Nidhi burst out, “Kyon na karoon main? Main to kabhi doctor nahin banna chahti thi. Baba ne zabardasti ki thi. Lekin phir jab mere saamne choice thi to maine doctor banna choose kiya. Kyonki main aapko idealize karne lagi thi. Aapki tarah banna chahti thi. Logon ki care karna chahti thi. Lekin ab mujhe mahsoos ho gaya hai ki maine galat kiya tha.”

“Nidhi…”

“Maine aap me woh insaan dekha tha jo apne patients ki itni care karta tha, apne under kaam karne waale interns ko achchha doctor banana chahta tha. Isliye main bhi aapki tarah banna chahti thi. Lekin mujhe pata chal gaya hai ki main kitni galat thi. Aapke andar to itni nafrat bhari hui hai ki aapko pyaar, care kuchh dikhta hi nahin hai. Main apne andar nafrat nahin bharna chahti. Aap mujhse nafrat kar ke khush hain, to yahi sahi. Main aapki khushi chahti hoon. Lekin I refuse to accept your hatred. I refuse to reciprocate it. I refuse to be like you. Mujhe aapki tarah nahin banna hai Dr. Ashutosh. Mujhe doctor nahin banna hai.”

“Tumne zindagi nahin dekhi hai Nidhi. Tumhare ander itna experience nahin hai ki tum meri nafrat ko samajh sako. Jab zindagi mein koi itni kareebi cheez chhin jaati hai to kya mahsoos hota hai ye tum nahin samjhogi.”

“Aapne kabhi ye samjha Dr. Ashutosh ki aapko woh mila jo meri Mummy se chheen liya gaya tha. Apne Baba ka pyaar. Zindagi bhar woh apne pahle aath saalon ki yaad se apne Baba ki kami poori karne ki koshish karti rahi. Unke shauk ko, music ko, gardening ko apna kar apne Baba ko apne kareeb mahsoos karne ki koshish karti rahi. Doctor banne ka jo sapna unke Baba ne unhein dikhaya tha, woh khud poora nahin kar payi to mere through poora karne ki koshish karti rahi. Mere baba ki aur meri zindagi bhi us sapne ke hawaale ho gayi. Humne to kabhi unse nafrat nahin ki Dr. Ashutosh. Kabhi aapse nafrat nahin ki iske liye ki jo pyaar hamara tha, woh aapko mila. Main nahin kar sakti Nana se ya aapse nafrat. Kyonki mere liye pyaar zyada badi cheez hai. Aur aap kisliye sazaa de rahe hain mujhe? Isliye ki ek insaan ke marte samay apni beti ko yaad kiya? No Dr. Ashutosh. This is not right. And I don’t want to be like you.”

Ashutosh was stunned and speechless. He didn’t utter a single word and silently sat in the car. Nidhi took the passenger’s seat.

They drove back in silence. When they pulled up in front of her house, Ashutosh finally said, “Tumhein resign karne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Tumhein mujhse door rahna hai, uska intezaam main kar doonga.”

—

To be continued