Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 35

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Achchha!”

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

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

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

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

“Good night Dr. Ashutosh.”

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

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

“Bahut pyaar karti ho unse?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yeah.”

Just then Nidhi’s phone rang.

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

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

“Sure?”

“Yes.”

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

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

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

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

“Ashutosh. Nidhi tumhare saath hai kya?”

“Nahin Baba. Woh to Rohan ke saath…”

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

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

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

“Main jeet gaya Nidhi…” Rohan was blabbering.

“Main jeeti Rohan….”

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

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

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

“Dr. Ashutosh?” she was surprised.

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

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

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

“Ji,” she said sheepishly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Lekin tha kya?”

“Please. Rahne dijiye.”

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

“Ji.”

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

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

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

“Mujh par to nahin hue?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Aap? Aap kab aaye?”

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

“Kissi par nahin. Koi kaam tha?”

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

“Chaliye. Aur… Aapse kuchh poochhna tha.”

“Kya?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Sure darling.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Okay. Cool,” Anji said and left.

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

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

“Ji.”

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 34

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

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

“Woh to hai.”

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

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

“Aapko mazaak soojh raha hai.”

“Maine kuchh galat kaha?”

“Main fail nahin houngi.”

“Phir kya problem hai?”

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

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

“Aur hamari zindagi ka kya?”

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

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

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

“Kya… nahin… main…”

“Baith jao Nidhi.”

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

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

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

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

“Delhi?”

“Haan.”

“Aur aapko usse koi problem nahin hai?”

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

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

“Yes Ma’am. Bharosa nahin hai?”

“Sach mein nahin ho raha.”

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

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

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

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

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

“Thanks kyon?”

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

“Baba se baat karni hogi.”

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

“Dr. Ashutosh!”

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

“Men, I say Nidhi. They are useless.”

“Kya hua Anji?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Really?”

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

“Kya?”

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

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

“Kya matlab?”

“Ab umra ka faasla to hai na?”

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

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

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

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

“To main roz saree pahnoon?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Aapko kya pata ki main kya chahti hoon?”

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

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

“Andar chalo. Phir batata hoon.”

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

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

“Ye kya hai?”

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

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

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

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

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

Ashutosh came to her and made her stand up.

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

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

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

He seemed to be answering all her unasked questions.

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

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

Ashutosh saw her shivering and held her to provide support.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She nodded.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Kya hua?”

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

“Okay.”

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

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

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

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

“Thank you,” she said genuinely.

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

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

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

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 33

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

“Aap thodi der so kyon nahin jaate?” Nidhi said, when they reached his room.

“Nahin Nidhi. Main tumhare saath rahna chahta hoon. Pichhle kuchh dinon se maine…”

“Main yahin hoon,” Nidhi smiled with assurance. When Ashtosh started taking off his coat, Nidhi helped him with it. The ease and familiarity with which she did it made him feel comfortable. He lied down and Nidhi sat beside him. She ran her hands over his eyes in a motherly gesture, making him close them.

He slept for about an hour. When he got up, he saw Nidhi sitting beside him on the other side of the bed. Her back was resting on the headboard, her head supported by a pillow. She was listening to something on her i-pod. Her eyes were closed. Ashutosh sat up slowly so as not to disturb her. She was enjoying the song very much.

The song must have finished, because Nidhi stirred and took the i-pod in her hand to change something, when she noticed Ashutosh. The look in his eyes was different from what she had seen till then. It wasn’t the usual fond or affectionate look he gave to her; not even the exasperated or the protective look that her antics or her problems evoked. Still she recognized the look instantly. It was a look of desire. A desire that she herself felt very strongly, but could not express until he initiated it. Today he was looking at the woman he was incredibly attracted to, not just a companion he was comfortable with.

“Aap… uth gaye. Main chai laati hoon aapke liye.”

Ashutosh nodded. Somewhere in her heart, Nidhi felt disappointed. She was hoping that he would stop her and take her in his arms right then. Her heart ached for his proximity. But he was too much of a gentleman! Always! She let out a sigh as she went out of the room.

Ashutosh was standing near the window staring outside, when Nidhi came back with the tea.

“Kya soch rahe hain?” she kept the tea on the table.

He turned back and stared at her. The same look! She felt nervous.

“Kya hua?” she asked not meeting his eyes.

“Soch raha tha ki jo maine uthne ke baad dekha tha woh sach tha ya sapna?”

“Ji?”

“Maine tumhein kabhi bataya Nidhi ki tum kitni khoobsoorat ho?”

“Khoobsoorti aur care to dekhne waale ki aankhon mein hoti hai na?”

“Un aankhon ko sahi training bhi to milni chahiye. Agar kabhi khoobsoorti dekhi hi na ho to aankhein kya pahchaanengi unhein.”

Ashutosh had come very close. Nidhi felt so shy that she closed her eyes. She clenched her fist in an effort to avoid showing what effect he was having on her. But he did not stop. He held her and kissed on her closed eyes. Her fists opened and she lifted her hands to hold him. She needed support.

Her hands instinctively caressed his shoulders and upper arms. The touch drove him mad. He cupped her face and kissed it senselessly all over. Her forehead, her cheeks, chin, tip of the nose, her eyes. Again and again! He was about to kiss her lips when he stopped. Was he going too far too soon?

“Tum mujhe rokogi nahin Nidhi?” he asked in a husky voice still holding her close to himself.

Nidhi opened her eyes and looked at him for a moment, wondering if he was somehow judging her. But she saw nothing like that in his eyes. So, she replied honestly, “Main aapko kabhi nahin rok sakti. Kabhi kissi cheez ke liye mana nahin kar sakti.”

“Lekin tum kya chahti ho?”

“Ye bhi… batana padega…”

“Haan. Main janna chahta hoon.”

“Shayad aapne meri speed aur comfort ko underestimate kar liya hai.”

Ashutosh smiled and bent down to brush her lips with his. She shivered and it drove him crazy. He attacked her lips furiously and thrust his tongue deep into her mouth. Nidhi responded with equal fervour. They were out of breath by the time they finally broke the kiss.

“Chalo. Chai peete hain. Phir bank jaana hai,” Ashutosh suddenly said and went towards the table.

“Bank?” Nidhi was confused and still out of breath.

“Haan. Kuchh kaam hai.”

Ashutosh did not tell Nidhi what he brought back in a box from the bank, even when she asked about it. He drove to her home.

As they were about to get down from the car and enter her home, Ashutosh’ mobile rang. It was Sandeep Bagchi again.

“Sandeep… I am sorry. Main abhi aapse nahin mil sakta… Lekin Mallika hospital mein hai… Psychiatric ward mein… Aap doctor ka naam note kar lijiye… Ji haan… Nahin… Woh theek hai…”

Ashutosh looked sad and tired after disconnecting the call.

“Aap phir pareshaan ho gaye? Agar aap jaana chahte hain to…”

“Nahin Nidhi. Meri zindagi mein ab priorities clear hain. Chalo. Baba se baat karni hai.”

“Baba. Aap kuchh beemaar se dikh rahe hain?”

“Bilkul nahin. Ekdum tandurust hoon.”

“Maine aapke maathe ki jhurriyan gini thi. Do-chaar zyada dikh rahi hain. Koi pareshaani hai?”

“Sawaal hi nahin paida hota hai. Jhurriyan koi nahin hain mere maathe par.”

“Lekin pareshaani to hai. Aur mujhe pata hai ki kya pareshaani hai.”

Baba didn’t say anything, just looked at him questioningly.

“Baba. Main bas ye kahna chahta hoon ki Nidhi ki parvarish aapne bahut achchhe se ki hai, aur uski taraf aapne apne saare farz bahut achchhe se nibahye hain. Ab aapko uski chinta karne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai. Kam se kam,” he paused to take a breath, “uski shaadi aur uske intzaam ki to bilkul nahin.”

“Ye baat achanak…”

“Baba. Pahli baat to shaadi ki koi jaldbaazi nahin hai. Abhi uske saamne bahut se kaam hain. Internship hai. PG ki taiyaari hai, phir uski padhai. In sabke beech mein shaadi ki tension nahin honi chahiye. Aur doosre, jab bhi shaadi karni hai, tab aapko kuchh karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Uske liye hum log hain. Aap bas use ek cheez de dein, jisse use saari khushiyan, saare aashirwaad mil jayenge.”

Ashutosh got up and gave the box he had brought from the bank to Baba, “Uski Mummy ke gahne.”

Baba didn’t say anything for a few moments. Then he started to speak, “Ashutosh…”

“Nahin. Kuchh mat kahiye,” Ashutosh stopped him.

Baba smiled, his eyes moistening, “Main to kuchh nahin kahunga. Mujhe to andaaza tha. Lekin is pagli ko to dekho. Kuchh bhi nahin pata tha ise. Dekho kaise aankhein phaad phaad kar dekh rahi hai aur ro bhi rahi hai.”

Ashutosh looked at Nidhi. Baba’s description was accurate. Nidhi was overwhelmed and crying.

“Ek aur locker par kyon kharcha kiya jaye. Inhein wahi rakh do Ashutosh jahan ab tak rakhe the. Iske hain, ise hi de dena. Mujhe to kuchh nahin kahna. Shayad ise kahna hoga,” Baba said and went inside leaving Ashutosh and Nidhi alone in the hall.

“Hey Nidhi. Kya hua?” Ashutosh said in a soft voice. He went forward and wiped her tears, “Ro kyon rahi ho?”

Nidhi started smiling and crying together. “Aapne… ye sab… kyon kiya itna kuchh?”

“Look who is talking. Pagli. Tum mere Baba ka ghar mujhe bhi bechne ko taiyaar nahin thi. Main tumhari Mummy ke gahne kissi aur ko kaise bech deta. Ab rona band karo. Come on.”

She leaned forward and hugged him tight. He hugged her back.

They were disturbed by someone coughing. They hastily separate to see Rohan coming in.

“Excuse me? Dr. Ashutosh. Dhokha to kal aapne mujhe diya tha. Dinner se bhaag kar. Aur make-up Nidhi ke saath ho raha hai? Not fair.”

Ashutosh smiled in embarrassment, but Nidhi replied, “Aisi koi problem nahin hai Rohan. Dr. Ashutosh tumhein bhi hug kar sakte hain.”

“Nahin… nahin ji. Main aise hi theek hoon. Aap hug offer karti to aur baat thi. Ab jab aap khush hain to inhein to maine aise hi maaf kar diya.”

“Lekin as a compensation, next time meri taraf se dinner,” Ashutosh said.

“Kab?”

“Kal hi chalte hain.”

“Aaj kyon nahin?”

Ashutosh and Nidhi exchanged a glance. They had not talked about it, but Ashutosh wanted to take Nidhi out and she understod that.

“Rohan!” Nidhi chided him.

“Okay ji. Bilkul okay. Main aaj kabab mein haddi bilkul nahin banoonga. Aap log achchhe se make-up kar lijiye. Mere liye Chhote Sarkar ka hi khana theek hai.”

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 32

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

“Ashutosh!” Armaan was waiting for him, when Ashutosh came back.

“Armaan. Tum abhi tak jage hue ho?”

“Nidhi se baat ho gayi?”

“Haan. Thanks Armaan. Samay par mere hosh thikaane laane ke liye,” Ashutosh smiled.

“Ashutosh. Main Grace se baat kar raha tha. I think tumhein usse apni situation discuss karni chahiye.”

“Situation?”

“Mallika ke saath jo halat ho rahi hai tumhari, woh bahut healthy to nahin hai?”

“Main kya karoon Armaan? Nidhi ko main dukh nahin pahuncha sakta. Lekin Mallika ki ye halat dekh kar use bhi to apne haal par nahin chhod sakta. Woh meri itni purani dost hai Armaan.”

“Grace has some ideas Ashutosh. Ek baar usse baat karo.”

“Abhi? Woh jagi hui hai.”

Armaan laughed slightly, “Pahli baar aise duniya ke doosri or aaye hai na. Buri tarah jetlagged hai. Abhi ekdum awake and fresh feel kar rahi hai.”

“Mallika went to a pub and then took the sleeping pills?” Grace interrupted Ashutosh to confirm while he was narrating the story.

“Yes.”

“Doesn’t that sound odd? Why would she go to a public place and to commit suicide.”

“She said she was feeling anxious alone at home and hence had gone to a pub. And then…”

“carrying all those pills?”

“I don’t know what do you mean?”

“I can’t say for sure, but she might be trying to get your attention Ashutosh.”

“But I wasn’t there. She knows I don’t go to pubs. Why would she…”

“Right. But, she did reach you. What would have happened if Nidhi wasn’t there?”

“I don’t know. Someone would have…”

“tried to find out who she is, who are her friends and family and they would have informed them.”

“Yes.”

“So, was she carrying any identification with her?”

“No… I mean I don’t know. She was carrying a purse, but… Wait! Nidhi would know. She had checked her purse. Let me call her.”

“Nidhi. So gayi thi kya?”

“Neend aayi nahin thi abhi? Kya baat hai? Aap theek to hain?”

“Haan. Main bilkul theek hoon Nidhi. Lekin mujhe tumhari help chahiye.”

“Kaisi help?”

“Nidhi. Tum bhadakna mat. Main bas cheezon ko samajhne ki koshish kar raha hoon.”

“Itna bhadakti hoon kya main?”

“Nahin Nidhi.”

Nidhi chuckled, “Aapko pareshaan karna bahut aasaan hai. Khair, I guess Dr. Mallika ke baare mein hai. Bataiye.”

“Haan. Nidhi. Us din jab tumne Mallika ka purse khola tha aur usmein sleeping pills dekhi thi, to purse mein kuchh aur bhi mila tha?”

“Kya matlab?”

“Koi identification? Koi address? Koi contact?”

“Ohh!!”

“Kya baat hai Nidhi?”

“Aap abhi kyon poochh rahe hain?”

“Main tumhein phir batata hoon Nidhi. Abhi bas batao. Kuchh tha kya?”

“Ji. Usmein ek paper tha jispar emergency contact kah ke aapke naam aur number tha.”

“Tumne kabhi ye baat batayi kyon nahin?”

“Us samay main unki halat dekh kar ghabrai hui thi aur phir kabhi baat hui nahin us baare mein. Mere dhyaan se utar gaya.”

“Theek hai. Main tumse baad mein baat karta hoon.”

Ashutosh looked thoughtful after disconnecting the call.

“What happened Ashutosh?” Grace asked.

“Yeah,” he wa startled as if he had forgotten that he had been talking to Grace before that, “Grace. She was carrying a paper in her purse where she had given my name and number as emergency contact.”

“I guess it makes sense to you now, doesn’t it? Nidhi being there was a mere coincidence. Mallika would have reached you in any case.”

“And she had taken the pills in the exact quantity to make her pass out, but not cause death. She is a doctor. She knows the exact effect. Oh God! She needs psychiatric help,” Ashutosh said more to himself than to Grace.

“I think she does.”

“Aap yahan?” Nidhi was surprised to find Ashutosh waiting in his car when she came out of her house to leave for the hospital the next day.

“Baitho.”

Nidhi took the passenger’s seat and looked at Ashutosh questioningly. He smiled and picked something up from his lap. Nidhi was surprised to see that it was a red rose. It made her blush.

“Aap ye mere liye laye hain?” she couldn’t help asking.

“Haan Nidhi. Maine socha ki sorry kahne ka isse behtar tareeka nahin ho sakta.” He handed the rose to her, “I am sorry. Jo kal raat hua aur jo itne dinon se hota aa raha tha, un sabke liye.”

“Mere paas rose nahin hai. Lekin I am also sorry. Mujhe aapse aisi badtamizi nahin karni chahiye thi.”

“Nahin Nidhi. Tumne achchha hi kiya. Meri aankhein bhi khol di. Jo ho raha tha woh kissi ke liye sahi nahin tha. Na to hamare liye. Na hi Mallika ke liye.”

“Ji. Lekin aap karenge kya? Dr. Mallika is not ready to come to terms with the reality. She blames everyone except herself.”

“Usne tumse bhi kuchh kaha?”

“Haan. Lekin aap woh mujhse mat poochhiye. Main nahin bol paungi.”

“Tumne mujhe bataya kyon nahin?”

“Jaisi ghatiya baatein unhone kahi thi, aap unse woh expect nahin karte hain. Aapko bekaar mein dukh hota. Aur…” she suddenly stopped.

“Kya hua Nidhi?”

“Main aap dono ke beech mein to nahin aayi hoon Dr. Ashutosh?” Nidhi asked. Even though she knew that it was not the case, self doubt did trouble her once in a while.

“No. No Nidhi. Oh God! What gave you the idea?”

“Dr. Mallika ko hamesha se yahi lagta hai.”

“Nidhi. I need you to know this…”

“Nahin,” she interrupted, “I am sorry I asked. Aapko kuchh explain karne ki zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Ek baar bol lene do Nidhi. Uske baad na to tumhein dubara is baare mein sochne ki zaroorat hai, na hi mujhe kuchh kahne ki. Mallika se meri dosti bahut purani hai. Aur main uski kadra karta tha. Usse zyada mere man mein kabhi kuchh nahin tha. Aur maine Mallika ko bhi kabhi andhere mein nahin rakha. Usne apni zindagi ke saath jo kiya woh uski choice thi. Usmein mera ya tumhara koi role nahin hai. Samajh rahi ho na tum?”

“Ji.”

“To ab mujhe tumhari pyaari si smile wapas mil sakti hai?”

Nidhi didn’t have to try to smile when he said that. It automatically came to her.

On the way to the hospital, Ashutosh’ mobile rang. Nidhi saw it, but the number was not stored in the phone.

“Main pick kar loon?”

“Haan. Kar lo.”

“Hello.”

“Hello. Dr. Ashutosh se baat ho sakti hai?”

“Woh drive kar rahe hain, isliye phone nahin uthaya. Aap kaun?”

“Main Sandeep Bagchi bol raha hoon. Aap please unse meri baat karwaiye. Urgently.”

“Sandeep Bagchi? Dr. Mallike ke…”

“Haan. Dekhiye mera Dr. Ashutosh se baat karna bahut zaroori hai.”

Ashutosh had stopped the car by then on hearing Sandeep Bagchi’s name.

“Kya baat hai Nidhi?”

“Aapse baat karna chahte hain?”

“Hello,” Ashutosh took the phone and spoke in a curt tone.

“Dr. Ashutosh. Kya Mallika Lucknow mein hai?”

“Ye main aapko kyon bataun?”

“What do you mean kyon bataun… she is my wife. I have been worried to death…”

“Wife? Mr. Bagchi, Hindu and Civil marriage acts ke hisaab se ek spouse ke rahte doosri shaadi invalid hoti hai. She is not your wife.”

“No!” Sandeep sounded incredulous, “She has told you the same story.”

“Story?”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Main pahle se shaadi shuda nahin hoon. Pata nahin ye shaq ka keeda uske dimaag mein kahan se ghus gaya hai. I tried to get her psychiatric help. Lekin woh ghar chhod kar pata nahin kahan chali gayi… Look Dr. Ashutosh. I really need to meet her. Please. Woh Lucknow mein hai.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Okay. Main next available flight se Lucknow aa raha hoon. It is clear ki Mallika wahin hai. Why did I not think of it earlier? Aap usse bas ye poochhiye ki usne meri so called first wife ko dekha hai? Aur kahan rahti hai woh?”

Ashutosh was completely confused when he disconnected the call.

“Kya hua Dr. Ashutosh.”

Ashutosh explained to her what Sandeep had told him.

“Ye kahani itni ulajhti kyon ja rahi hai? Kaun sach bol raha hai kaun jhooth – ye kaise pata lagayega koi?”

“Pata nahin Nidhi. Ye to sach hai ki Mallika kabhi uski first wife se mili nahin hai. Uske hisaab se woh US mein rahti hain. Khair. Main pahle tumhein hospital pahuncha doon. Tumhari duty ka time ho raha hai. Phir dekhta hoon.”

“Waise aap apne boss hone ka poora fayda uthate hain, nahin Dr. Ashutosh? Aapki koi duty timings to hoti nahin hain?”

“Behave yourself Dr. Verma. Insubordination ke liye aapko suspend kiya ja sakta hai,” Ashutosh continued her joke and they broke in to a laughter.

“Ashutosh! Kahan the tum?” Mallika stormed into Asuhtosh’ office without paying any attnention to Rangnath sitting in the outer office or Anji who was visiting him.

“Mallika?”

“Subah tum aaye kyon nahin mujhse milne?” Mallika was furious.

“Aisi to koi baat nahin hui thi Mallika. Main busy tha.”

“Mujhe pata hai tum kahan busy the. Nidhi ke saath busy the na tum? Tumhari samajh mein nahin aata Ashuotsh ki woh ladki tumhein phansa rahi hai. Tum uske liye mujhe chhod kar kaise aa sakte ho? Kaise aisa kar sakte ho tum?”

“Tamasha mat karo Mallika. Please shaant ho jao.”

Rangnath heard some noises, which sounded like Mallika was throwing things around in Ashutosh’ office. He rushed and opened the office door. Ashutosh looked relieved to see some help.

“Dr. Rangnath. Please help me. She seems to have a psychotic fit,” Dr. Ashutosh whispered trying to not let Mallika hear it.

“Yes Sir,” Rangnath understood the situation and made calls from his office.

Immediately two nurses came there and tried to control Mallika who was getting more and more violent. A doctor from the psychiatric ward also walked in. They tried to calm her down. But to no avail. Finally the doctor injected a sedative and the nurses carried her out of Ashutosh’ office.

Meanwhile, Anji had gone to look for Nidhi to inform her of what had happened. Ashutosh sank in his chair after Mallika was taken out. Rangnath was standing there and did not know what to say, when Anji and Nidhi walked in. Nidhi saw Ashutosh who had buried his face in his hands. He was clearly very disturbed at what had happened. Nidhi silently indicated to Anji and Rangnath to leave them alone and they complied.

Nidhi walked to Ashutosh and kept a hand on his shoulder. Ashutosh looked up and on seeing her got up from his chair to face her. He took her hands in his.

“Mujhe pahle hi samajhna chahiye tha Nidhi. Agar main tumhari baat pahle samajh jaata to ye naubat nahin aati. I am sorry.”

“Aap khud ko kyon blame kar rahe hain? Jo sab mujhe pata tha, ya jo kuchh unhone mujhse kaha tha woh aapko pata nahin tha. Main aapko bata deti to aapko bhi andaaza lag jaata.”

“Lekin tum mujhe isliye nahin batana chahti thi ki mujhe bura lagta.”

Nidhi nodded, “Aise hi aap logon par bharosa nahin karte. Main nahin chahti thi ki aapka ek aur bharosa toote. But I didn’t see it coming to this.”

Ashutosh felt overwhelmed at her love. He brought her hands up, bowed a little and kissed her hands one by one. Nidhi froze to her spot and gulped hard. But Ashutosh did not stop there and pulled her in a hug. Nidhi reciprocated. He needed support.

But she pulled away after a few seconds, “Hum… office mein hain,” she said gingerly.

Ashutosh smiled in embarrassment, “Yes. Dr. Nidhi. Hum office mein hain.”

“Lekin hamara office mein rahna zaroori nahin hai,” he suddenly spoke again after a pause.

“Ji?”

“Ghar chalte hain Nidhi. Mujhe thoda sukoon chahiye, jo abhi yahan nahin mil sakta.”

Nidhi’s heart melted when he said that. For the first time since she had known him, he looked tired. At that moment she felt like making him lie down with his head in her lap and caress his hair until he fell asleep.

But there were realities of life, “Meri duty…”

“Koi emergency nahin hai to main Dr. Rangnath se baat karta hoon. Woh kissi ko depute kar denge.”

“Main… main baat karti hoon.” She could never forget her concern about his reputation.

“Okay,” Ashutosh nodded, “Main car mein tumhara wait kar raha hoon.”

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 31

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

“Rohan. Tum car le kar ghar jao. Dr. Armaan. Main aapke saath chal sakti hoon? Mujhe Dr. Ashutosh se thoda kaam hai.”

“Sure. Lekin raat kaafi ho jayegi.”

“Koi baat nahin. Rohan. Tum Baba ko bata dena ki main Dr. Ashutosh ke yahan hoon. Thodi der ho jayegi. Chaliye Dr. Armaan.”

“Nidhi. Tum yahan? Mujhe laga tum seedhe ghar jaogi. Kaisa raha dinner?”

“Dinner aapko Rohan se milwane ke liye tha Dr. Ashutosh. Aap wapas aa gaye to kaisa rahega uske baad?”

“I am sorry Nidhi. Mujhe aana pada. Mallika…”

“Kya hua Dr. Mallika ko?”

“Tum jaanti ho Nidhi…”

“Main to jaanti hoon. Lekin meri ye samajh mein nahin aa raha ki aap jaante hain ya nahin ki Dr. Mallika kya karne ki koshish kar rahi hain? Woh baar baar mere aur aapke beech mein aa rahi hain. Do minute chain se…”

“Come on Nidhi. Tum jaanti ho woh pareshaan hai. Use ek dost ki zaroorat hai.”

“Aur kab tak chalti rahegi ye pareshaani?”

“Nidhi. Tumhein pata hai na uske saath kitna bada dhokha hua hai. Sandeep pahle se shaadi shuda tha aur…”

“Agar unhein logon ki, relationships ki pahchaan nahin hai Dr. Ashutosh to uski punishment mujhe kab tak milti rahegi?”

“Nidhi. Kya, ho kya gaya hai tumhein? I thought you were more mature than that.”

“And I thought ki you understood people. You could see through them. But no. Aap to andhe ho gaye hain Dr. Mallika ke aansuon ke saamne. Aapko kissi aur ki parwaah nahin hai. Meri bhi nahin.”

“Nidhi!” Ashutosh also lost his cool, “Ye kya tareeka hai baat karne ka. Tum mujhse aise baat nahin kar sakti.”

“Kyon nahin kar sakti? Kyon nahin kar sakti main? Isliye ki main aapse chhoti hoon? To kya mujhe aapse kuchh kahne ka haq nahin hai, kuchh poochhne ka haq nahin hai? Aapse woh jawaab maangne ka haq nahin hai jo log mujhse maangenge?”

“Chup ho jao Nidhi. Tum apne hosh mein nahin ho. Badtamizi kar rahi ho tum.”

“To kya karoon? Itne dinon se patiently intezaar kar rahi thi. Ki cheezein theek ho jayengi. Lekin aaj… aaj aap doosron ke saamne mujhe chhod kar aa gaye Dr. Ashutosh. Main kya jawaab doon kissi ko? Kaise explain karoon ki Dr. Mallika apni dosti ki duhai de kar zindagi bhar hamare beech aati rahegi? Aaj Roahn ke aankhein sawaal poochh rahi thi. Kal ko Baba poochhenge, Dadi Bua poochhengi. Main kya jawaab doongi kissi ko?”

“Na to tumhein kissi ko koi jawaab dene ki zaroorat hai. Na hi mujhe tumhein.”

“Agar aapko aisa lagta hai, to aap ek baar apne dil ko tatol kar dekhiyega. Kahin aapne mujhse aise waade to nahin kar diye, jo aap poore nahin kar sakte,” Nidhi said and ran out of his room.

Armaan was tense and was pacing up and down in the hall. He saw Nidhi running out. She was crying. He tried to stop her, but she didn’t listen. He rushed to Ashutosh.

“Ashutosh. Kya hua? Nidhi is tarah se kyon chali gayi?”

“Jaane do use Armaan.”

“Kaisi baatein kar rahe ho Ashutosh. Jhagde to hote rahte hain. Roko use.”

“Main kyon rokoon use Armaan? Tumne suna nahin hai ki woh kitni badtamizi se baat kar rahi thi mujhse.”

“Oh God! Ashutosh. Woh tumhari subordinate ban kar tumse baat nahin kar rahi thi. Agar badtamizi se baat kar rahi thi, to uske haq hai. Naaraaz hogi kissi baat par. Jao aur ja kar roko use.”

“Main nahin jaunga.”

“Theek hai. Car ki chabhi do. Main jaata hoon.”

“Koi nahin jayega.”

“Tum pagal ho gaye ho kya? Kya time ho raha hai pata hai tumhein? 11.30 baj rahe hain raat ke. Uske paas car bhi nahin hai. Kaise jayegi woh?”

“Kya?!” Ashutosh suddenly came out of his maddening rage, “He bhagwaan! Ye main kya kar diya? Main… Main ja raha hoon Armaan.”

Ashutosh picked up the car keys and ran out.

Before getting into the car, he looked around to check if he could see Nidhi. She was nowhere in sight. Ashutosh almost panicked. He quickly started the car and started driving in the direction of her house. Thankfully, within 3-4 minutes of driving he located her. She was walking fast down the road, almost running. Ashutosh saw her back, but could sense that she was crying. His own heart break. What did he do? If she lost her cool, at least he should have maintained his own. He couldn’t see her like that. He must make amends immediately.

When the car pulled up beside her, Nidhi was at first scared. But she recognized the car immediately and stopped walking. Ashutosh got out of the car and walked towards her.

“Car mein baitho Nidhi. Main drop kar deta hoon.”

“Kyon aaye hain aap?” she was cross.

“Tumhein pata hai na. Itni raat mein main tumhein akele nahin jaane de sakta hoon.”

“Agar aap islye aaye hain ki raat mein main akeli nahin ja sakti, mujhe kissi ki madad ki zaroorat padegi, to uski koi zaroorat nahin hai. Main ja sakti hoon. Mujhe dar nahin lagta. Kuchh nahin hoga mujhe. Aur agar hua bhi to usse aapko kya?”

“Nahin Nidhi,” Ashutosh was calm, “Main isliye nahin aaya hoon ki tumhein kissi ki zaroorat hai. Main isliye aaya hoon ki main tumhein akele nahin jaane de sakta hoon. You are too precious for me to take that risk.”

“Jhooth bol rahe hain aap.”

“I am sorry Nidhi ki maine tumhara dil itna dukhaya ki tumhein abhi meri baat jhooth lag rahi hai. Lekin tum jaanti ho ki ye sach hai. Jaanti ho na?”

Nidhi didn’t say anything.

“Chalo. Car mein baitho. Bahar thandh hai bahut. Baith kar baat karte hain. Please Nidhi.”

Nidhi still did not look happy, but she did what Ashutosh asked her to do.

“Nidhi. Mujhe ehsaas ho gaya hai ki maine tumhare saath galat kiya hai. Mujhe nahin pata hai ki kaise, lekin main promise karta hoon ki sab kuchh theek kar doonga. Please trust me.”

“Mujhe aapse badtamizi karne ka koi shauk nahin hai,” Nidhi was also feeling guilty now and this was her way of apologizing.

“I know. I know that very well Nidhi. Main woh moment kabhi nahin bhool sakta jab tum Baba ke paas daudi aayi thi ki aap Dr. Ashutsoh ko kuchh mat kahiye… Tum to unka bhi mujhse kuchh kahna nahin bardasht kar sakti ho, to khud to…”

“I am sorry.”

“No… No. Tumhara gussa jayaz tha. Iski zaroorat nahin hai.”

Nidhi smiled finally and Ashutosh felt relieved.

“Ab ghar chhod doon tumhein?”

She nodded.

Ashutosh kept looking at Nidhi through their silent ride to her house. He stopped a little before reaching there.

“Kya hua Dr. Ashutosh?”

“Tum ab bhi pareshaan ho?”

“Nahin to.”

“Koi baat to hai Nidhi. Tumhari shakal par kuchh to likha hai.”

“Anji bhi aise hi bolti hai. Main usse kahti hoon ki shakal par likha hai to padh le…”

“Ye shakal waali language thodi limited hoti hai Nidhi. Ye to bata deti hai ki insaan kaisa mahsoos kar raha hai, lekin ye nahin batati ki kyon. To uska jawaab chahiye mujhe.”

“Abhi rahne dijiye. Aap waise hi bahut pareshaan hain.”

“Nahin Nidhi. Tumse alag na to meri koi pareshaani hai, na hi koi khushi. Duty ho sakti hai, obligation ho sakti hai, lekin kuchh aur nahin.”

Nidhi smiled. That was a very meaningful thing he had said.

“Main aapse baat karna chah rahi thi kuchh dinon se…”

“Lekin maine tumhein waqt hi nahin diya.”

She nodded.

“Ab bata do.”

“Baba phir se pareshaan ho rahe hain.”

“Phir se? Shaadi ko lekar?”

“Ji.”

“Lekin ab kya pareshaani hai unhein. Unhein pata hai…”

“Mujhe nahin pata. Unke man mein kya hai. Lekin woh Dadi Bua se kuchh to discuss kar rahe the aur clearly tense the.”

“Main unse kal hi baat karoonga.”

“Sach?”

“Jhooth mein baat kaise karte hain, ye mujhe aata nahin. Tum sikha do to woh bhi kar loonga.”

“Dr. Ashutosh!”

“Waise ye achchha mauka hai, apni baat manwaane ka.”

“Kya matlab?”

“Main soch raha hoon ki main tab tak unse baat na karoon, jab tab tummere naam se ye Dr. drop nahin kar deti.”

“Ye kya baat hui?”

“Mere man ki baat hui.”

“Ye sahi nahin hai.”

“Bilkul sahi hai. Bas bata do ki kab drop karne waali ho?”

Nidhi sighed, “Karoongi. Ek din zaroor karoongi.”

“Kis din?”

“Ek special din.”

“Kaun sa special din Nidhi?”

“Aapko kuchh samajh nahin aata kya? Har kuchh munh khol kar batana padega?”

“Are… Oh!” it suddenly struck Ashutosh that she meant she would do it on their wedding day. He smiled broadly.

“Okay. Main tumhare is promise se abhi kaam chala loonga.”

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 30

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

“Hello Dr. Nidhi,” Mallika startled Nidhi by coming into Ashutosh’ office.

“Dr. Mallika? Aapki tabiyat kaisi hai?”

“Uski chinta aapko kyon hai?”

“Main ek doctor hoon. Khair. Dr. Ashutosh to kissi meeting ke liye bahar gaye hain. Yahan hain nahin.”

“Pata hai mujhe. Bataya tha Ashutosh ne,” Mallika said meaningfully, “Lekin aapne uske office par apna haq jama liya hai.”

“Mere paas time tha to main yahan padhai kar rahi thi. Disturbance na ho isliye.”

“Padhai?”

“PG entrance ke liye.”

“Achchha bahana hai.”

Nidhi felt furious, but checked herself from bursting out, “Aap yahan wait kar lijiye Dr. Ashutosh ka. Main chalti hoon.”

“Main Ashutosh se nahin, tumse milne aayi thi Nidhi. Dr. Rangnath se poochha to unhone bataya ki tum yahan milgoi.”

“Mujhse?”

“Haan. Kuchh baatein karni thi tumse.”

“Boliye.”

“I think pahle to mujhe tumhein thanks bolna hoga, meri jaan bachane ke liye.”

“Uski zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Kyon? Kya tum pachhta rahi ho?”

“Ji nahin. Thanks bolne ki zaroorat isliye nahin hai ki main kissi par koi ehsaan nahin kar rahi thi. Ek insaan aur ek doctor hone ka farz nibha rahi thi.”

“To ye farz tum Ashutosh ke saath kyon nahin nibhati?”

“Kya matlab?”

“Kyon uski zindagi barbaad kar rahi ho Nidhi? Main bhi jaanti hoon aur tum bhi, ki tum kissi bhi tarah se Ashutosh ke layak nahin ho.”

Nidhi sighed, “Meri kaabiliyat par to aapko yakeen nahin hai, ye samajh mein aata hai Dr. Mallika. Lekin lagta nahin ki Dr. Ashutosh ki soch-samajh par bhi aapko zyada bharosa hai. Aapko nahin lagta ki Dr. Ashutosh ko itni samajh hai ki woh decide kar sakein ki unke liye kya sahi hai aur kya galat?”

“Ashutosh bhi ek mard hain. Aur kuchh cheezein unhein andha bana deti hain. Tumhein to ye achchhi tarah se pata hoga na Nidhi?”

Nidhi felt disgusted, “Ya to aap apne hosh mein nahin hain, ya phir… Khair. Kabhi thandhe dimaag se sochiyega ki aap kitni ghatiya baatein kar rahi hain. Main aapke munh nahin lagna chahti.” Nidhi stormed out of the room with her books.

“Baba. Ye kamra kyon saaf karwa rahe hain aap?” Nidhi asked.

“Nidhi. Bua ki jaan pahchaan ke koi hain. Unke bete ki yahan job lagi hai. To jab tak woh apne ghar nahin dekh leta, hamare saath rahega.” Baba replied.

“Bahut achcha ladka hai. Main mili hoon usse,” Dadi Bua interrupted, “Itni padhai ki hai, lekin phir bhi ekdum sanskaari. Mitti se juda hua.”

“Baba. Hamein ye floors ki tiles ukhadwaani padengi,” Nidhi said.

“Kyon?”

“Ab mitti se jude hue insaan ke liye kamre mein mitti to chahiye hogi na.”

Baba and Nidhi laughed out loud, while Dadi Bua left murmuring some angry words.

“Bua ko gussa dila diya tumne Nidhi. Tum to hospital chali jaogi aur main office. Bechare Chhote Sarkar par din bhar badbadayengi.”

“Uski chinta mat kijiye Baba. Chhote Sarkar ka bhi khana hajam nahin hota jab tak Dadi Bua unhein do-chaar baatein na suna dein.”

Nidhi had not been able to talk to Ashutosh the entire day. Mallika was in his office all through the day. She breathed easy, when finally they met in the evening at his house.

“Nidhi. Tumhein pata hai, Armaan wapas aa raha hai,” Ashutosh informed her excitedly.

“Are wah! Ye to bahut achchhi khabar hai. Kaise?”

“Pichhli baar jo survey usne kiya tha, uski findings ke basis par WHO sponsored ek bada health care project yahan shuru hone ja raha hai. Lucknow hi base rahega unka. To is baar long term plan hai. Apni wife ke saath aa raha hai.”

“Lekin unki wife to American hain na?”

“Haan? To?”

“Woh yahan rah lengi?”

Ashutosh laughed, “Dekho. Apparently woh India ko le kar bahut curious hai.”

“Waise unki wife counsellor hain na?”

“Haan. Kyon?”

“Yahan kissi ko zaroorat hai.”

“Kise?” Ashutosh asked wondering if she was taking a dig at him.

“Dr. Mallika ko.”

“Nidhi!” Ashutosh thought she was making fun of her.

“Main unka mazaak nahin uda rahi hoon,” Nidhi clarified, “I am serious. And you can see that, right? She is being self-destructive.”

Ashutosh sighed, “I know Nidhi. But be kind to her. She is depressed and bitter. Main bhi aisa hi tha. Lekin meri kismat achchhi thi jo mujhe tum mil gayin.”

“Nahin,” Nidhi said, “Aap unke jaise kabhi nahin the.”

Ashutosh looked at her curiously, “Kuchh baat hui hai kya Nidhi?”

Nidhi wondered if she should tell Ashutosh. But before she could decide or say anything, Ashutosh’ mobile rang. It was Mallika.

“Ashutosh…” It was Mallika crying at the other end of the phone.

“Mallika. Kya hua?”

“Please. Tum yahan aa jao Ashutosh. Mujhe akele mein bahut ghabraahat ho rahi hai. Main… main kuchh kar na baithoon…”

“Kya bol rahi ho Mallika?”

“Ashutosh please…”

“Theek hai, theek hai. You calm down. Main abhi aa raha hoon. Okay?”

“Kya hua?” Nidhi asked.

“Pata nahin Nidhi. Mujhe abhi uske ghar jaana hoga.”

“Lekin…”

“Later Nidhi. Baad mein baat karte hain. Kahin woh kuchh kar na le,” Ashutosh said and ran out. Nidhi looked on sadly.

“Ya to aapki life mein koi problem hai. Ya aap ek poetess hain?” Rohan startled Nidhi by suddenly coming up to her.

“Kya matlab?”

“Matlab ki raat mein aise terrace par khade ho kar chaand ko nihaarne ka kaam insaan inhin do cases mein karta hai.”

“Achchha! Aur tumhara inmein se kya case hai? Tum kyon terrace par aaye ho raat mein?”

“Main to tumhara peechha karte karte aaya.”

“Aur tum mera peechha kyon kar rahe the?”

“Kyonki mujhe midnight noodles khane ke liye ek partner ki zaroorat thi. Aur woh aap hi ho sakti hain.”

“Tumhein kaise pata ki mujhe raat mein noodles khane pasand hain?”

“Woh noodle lovers ka na ajeeb sa connection hota hai. Dil se ek aawaaz aati hai jab aapko koi noodle lover mil jaata hai…”

“Rohan?”

“Chhote Sarkar ne bataya.”

Nidhi smiled, “Chalo. Noodles khate hain.”

“Pata hai – ye sirf Chhote Sarkar ko pata hai ki main raat ko uth kar noodles khati hoon. Baba ko bhi nahin pata. Aur Dr. Ashutosh ko bhi nahin…”

“Dr. Ashutosh?”

Nidhi bit her lips. She had no intention of telling Rohan about Ashutosh, but her tongue slipped.

“Haan. Woh… mere boss hain,” she said.

“Aha! Aur aapke boss ko ye kyon pata hona chahiye ki aap raat ko uth kar noodles khati hain?”

“Nahin. Unhein nahin pata hona chahiye. Aur unhein pata bhi nahin hai. Wahi to main kah rahi thi.”

“Hmm… I think ab mujhe pata chal gaya ki aapke chaand ko nihaarne waala case kya hai. Kya baat hai? Koi jhagda hua hai kya in Dr. Ashutosh ke saath.”

“Kya matlab? Nahin to.”

“To phir lagta hai mulaquaat nahin hui. Lekin aap chinta mat kijiye. Ab main aa gaya hoon na. Agar aapko cover ki zaroorat ho to main hoon. No tensions.”

“Thank you Rohan,” Nidhi mocked him, “Lekin iski koi zaroorat nahin hai. Baba ko pata hai.”

“Ah! To iska matlab hai ki baat to hai, aur woh itni aage bhi badh chuki hai. Wow! Aapko dekh kar nahin lagta tha ki aap itni fast hain. Kitne din hue hain aapko internship shuru kiya hue?”

“Rohan!” Nidhi said in a threatening tone.

“Are. Aap daant kyon rahi hain? Ab kareebi doston ko to aisi kahaniyan jaanne ka haq hota hai.”

“Jumma jumma chaar din hue nahin hain yahan aaye hue tumhein, aur kareebi dost bhi ban gaye tum?”

“Pahli baat to jumma jumma chaar nahin, aath din hote hain. Aur doosre – ye noodles connection logon ko bahut jaldi kareebi dost bana deta hai. Is par shaq pat kijiyega, haan! Warna Noddles Baba naaraaz ho jayenge.”

Nidhi had to laugh at that.

“To kab milwa rahi hain Dr. Ashutosh se?”

“Mil lena kabhi bhi. Ghar aate rahte hain.”

“Ghar par… Boring hai. Aisa hai ki mujhe aapko treat to deni hi hai.”

“Tumhein mujhe kyon treat deni hai?”

“Are. Meri job ki treat. Meri pahli job hai.”

“Achchha!!” Nidhi gave a knowing smile.

“Haan. To unsmein aap Dr. Ashutosh ko bhi invite kar lijiye. Kahin bahar milte hain, thodi masti karte hain.”

“Achchha! Theek hai. Treat ke liye to main unhein bula loongi, lekin ye masti ka program thoda curtail karna hoga.”

“Kyon?”

“Dekho Rohan. Woh mujhse bade hain. Actually 12 saal bade hain. To obviously unka masti ka idea, hamare masti ke idea se thoda different hai.”

“12 saal?” Rohan was surprised.

“Haan. Ab aise aankhein phaad phaad kar dekhna band karo. Bas kuchh aisa plan mat karna jismein woh comfortable nahin hon. For example, no disco – okay?”

“Okay Ma’am!” Rohan pretended to bow before her.

“Good night.”

“Good night Nidhi.”

Rohan shrugged, finding it difficult to believe what Nidhi had just told him about the age difference between her and Dr. Ashutosh.

“Nahin Rohan. Aaj nahin ja sakte hum dinner par,” Nidhi called Rohan from the hospital, “Woh. Dr. Ashutosh ko kuchh kaam hai.”

“Aise kya kaam aa gaya ki woh tumhare saath nahin aa sakte?”

“Offo. Baat ka batangad mat banao Rohan. Unhein Dr. Mallika ke saath kahin jaana hai.”

“Dr. Mallika?”

“Unki dost hain. Pahle yahin kaam karti thi.”

“I see.”

“Main tumse ghar par milti hoon. Bye.”

Nidhi had assured Rohan that it wasn’t a big deal. But she wasn’t comfortable with the situation. Mallika was clearly being too clingy to Ashutosh. And Ashutosh, burdened by either some guilt or his duties as a friend, was obliging her. Nidhi did not want to put more pressure on him by complaining about it. At the same time, she was not sure that it could go on.

“Hi Nidhi,” Dr. Armaan brought Nidhi out of her thoughts.

“Dr. Armaan. Aap aa gaye. Kab pahunche?”

“Kal raat hi pahuncha. Ashutosh ne bataya nahin?”

“Unse baat nahin hui meri. Baithiye na.”

“Nahin. Main bas Ashutosh se hi milne ja raha tha. Kaam shuru karna hai.”

“Already? Abhi to aap jetlagged honge.”

“Use khatam karne ka yahi tareeka hai ki yahan ke samay par kaam karna shuru kar doon. Shaam mein milte hain?”

“Aaj shaam to Dr. Ashutosh busy hain. Lekin milte hain jaldi hi.”

“Okay Nidhi. Take care. Bye.”

“Bye Dr. Armaan.”

Rohan, Nidhi, Ashutosh, Armaan and his wife Grace were chatting over dinner. Half way through it, Ashutosh got a call.

“Armaan. Really sorry yaar. Tu taxi le kar ghar aa jaana. Mujhe abhi ghar jaana padega. Very sorry Grace. I have to go. Nidhi. Tum to Rohan ke saath chali jaogi na?”

Before anyone could ask anything, Ashutosh had left. All of them stared at each other awkwardly.

“Nidhi! Kya hua Dr. Ashutosh ko?”

“Dr. Mallika ko koi problem hui hogi,” Nidhi tried to appear non-chalant, but her annoyance showed through.

Rohan looked at her questioningly and Nidhi averted her eyes.

Armaan tried to lighten up the situation, “Are Nidhi. Koi baat nahin. Ashutosh chala gaya to kya. Lead actor kuchh scenes mein nahin bhi ho to supporting actors se kaam chala sakte hain. Kyon Rohan?”

“Bilkul Dr. Armaan. Hum log mil kar masti karenge.”

“Aur achchha hi hua Ashutosh chala gaya. Bada boring insaan hai Rohan. Pata nahin Nidhi jaisi ladki kaise phans gayi uske saath,” Armaan joked, but Nidhi’s smile was strained.

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 29

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

“Nidhi? Badi der ho gayi beta?” Baba asked with concern, when he noticed Ashutosh, “Oh! Dr. Ashutosh. Tum bhi saath mein the. Chalo phir to chinta nahin hai. Aao, andar aao.”

They all sat in the hall.

“Aur din kaisa raha tum logon ka?”

“Achcha tha. Aapki tabiyat to theek hai?” Ashutosh said and looked at Nidhi. Nidhi was so obviously looking nervous and was tongue tied.

“Baba!” she suddenly spoke.

“Haan?”

“Woh… Aapse… Dr. Ashutosh ko aapse kuchh baat karni thi. Main… main coffee le kar aati hoon,” Nidhi ran away from there leaving a baffled Ashutosh behind.

“Are… Nidhi…” he tried to stop her, but she didn’t listen.

Baba was curiously watching them.

“Well… That was awkward…” Ashutosh said with a nervous smile.

“Baat kya hai?”

“Baba. Mujhe aisa lagta hai ki aapke liye surprising nahin hoga. Hopefully… Main… Actually hum, mera matlab hai main aur Nidhi aapko ye batana chahte the ki…”

“Tum aur Nidhi mujhe batana chahte the ki?” Baba’s voice or face did not give anything away.

Despite staying confident in front of Nidhi, Ashutosh was genuinely nervous now. All the insecurities, uncertainties that had bothered him at some point of time or the other started clouding his mind together. What does Baba think about him? Their age difference? Their relatinoship?

Ashutosh gathered all his courage and decided to speak it out, “Main aur Nidhi ek doosre se bahut pyaar karte hain aur apne rishte ke liye aapka ashirwaad chahte hain.” He said in a single breath.

Baba’s face still didn’t give anything away. As Ashutosh waited with bated breath for his reaction, he suddenly got up and shouted, “Nidhi! Yahan aao.” Ashutosh also got up nervously.

Nidhi ran in immediately. She was obviously listening to their conversation standing right outside the hall, “Ji Baba?” She and Ashutosh exchanged a nervous glance.

“Ye sab kya ho raha hai?”

“Baba. Woh… Baba ismein Dr. Ashutosh ki koi galti nahin hai.”

“Galti?” Ashutosh murmured. That didn’t sound like the right thing to say at all.

“Ji Baba,” Nidhi continued hastily, “Aap please Dr. Ashutosh ko kuchh mat kahiye.”

“Kyon na kahun?”

“Baba please!” Nidhi almost had tears in her eyes and Ashutosh was feeling helpless.

“Waise theek hi kah rahi ho tum,” Baba continued in the same tone, “Ab apne daamaad ko koi kya kah sakta hai?”

“Ji Baba,” Nidhi spoke without thinking over the second part of what Baba said. Then realized her folly, “Ji?”

Baba laughed out loud, “Lekin tumhein to ghar mein mithai ka intezaam kar ke rakhna chahiye tha na? Ab munh kaise meetha karwaun?”

Ashutosh sighed in relief and Nidhi turned red, “Baba! This was not funny.”

“Of course, it was not funny. I am serious.”

Tears of happiness started flowing from Nidhi’s eyes and she smiled through them. Baba extended his arms and hugged Ashutosh and Nidhi together.

“Ab dekho ghar mein kuchh meetha hai ki nahin?” Baba said patting Nidhi’s head.

“Chocolate hai. Laati hoon,” Nidhi said with a happy pout.

“Waise Nidhi,” Baba asked, “Tumhein sach much lagta tha ki mujhe pata nahin hai?”

“Aapko pata tha?” Nidhi’s eyes widened.

Baba shook his head smiling, “Maanta hoon ki badi ho gayi ho tum Nidhi, lekin Baap ki nazarein hamesh bachchon ki khushi aur hifaazat par lagi rahti hain. Waise bhi jab beti ki itni extended duties lagne lage to sochna to padta hi hain na?”

“Baba!” Nidhi blushed heavily.

“Par bharosa tha ki tumhare faisle sahi hain, isliye maine kabhi interfere nahin kiya.”

Nidhi and Ashutosh smiled and exchanged a happy glance.

“Main abhi aati hoon,” Nidhi went out of the hall to get the chocolates.

“Baitho Dr. Ashutosh,” Baba addressed him after Nidhi had left.

“Ashutosh. Sirf Ashutosh bhi achchha naam hai, nahin?”

Baba laughed, “Haan Ashutosh. Achchha naam hai. Mujhe kuchh kahna tha tumse.”

“Ji?”

“Nidhi ke liye mujhe chinta nahin hai. Umra se zyada bachpana hai usmein. Aur tumme use ek jeevansaathi ke saath saath ek guardian bhi milega. Lekin tumne apne liye bhi socha hai na? Ek jeevan saathi ka tumhare saath chal paana bahut zaroori hai. Kahin kabhi tumhein aisa na lage ki tumhari jeevan saathi tumhein samajh nahin sakti hai, usmein bachpana hai…”

“Baba. Aapne sahi dekha ki usmein bachpana umra se zyada hai. Lekin maine ye bhi dekha hai ki usmein maturity hai. Aur woh bhi umra se zyada hai. Aap meri taraf se befikra rahiye.”

“Mujhe bharosa hai ki tumne soch samajh kar faisla liya hoga. Phir bhi maine apza farz samjha tumse poochhna.”

“Bilkul. Aapka farz hai aur mera haq,” Ashutosh replied sincerely.

“Aap ghar pahunch gaye?”

“Haan. Main normally drive karte hue phone par baat nahin karta Dr. Nidhi Verma.”

“Baba ne to meri jaan hi nikaal di thi,” Nidhi didn’t respond to his joke.

“Tum to bilkul darpok nikli.”

“Achchha. Aapko dar nahin laga tha?”

“Main uski baat nahin kar raha. Yahan se to seena thok kar nikli thi ki Baba se main baat karoongi. Wahan mujhe unke saamne chhod kar bhaag khadi hui, chhup kar tamasha dekhne ke liye.”

“To kya hua?” Nidhi tried to hide her embarrassment by appearing non-chalant, “Ab to sab theek ho gaya hai na.”

Ashutosh laughed and teased her, “Tum bahut unreliable ho Dr. Nidhi Verma. Tumhari baaton ka to ab main bilkul bharosa nahin karoonga.”

“Ye kya baat hui? Bas ek baar hi to gadbad hui hai. Pahle bhi to maine logon se baat ki hai?”

“Kisse? Hamein aur kiski permission lene ki zaroorat hai,” Ashutosh was still mocking her.

“Permission nahin. Lekin problem to ho sakti hai na. Dr. Rangnath se maine baat ki thi ya nahin? Aur ab Priyanka se bhi karoongi.”

“Achchha. Chalo. Hisaab barabar ho gaya.”

“Barabar abhi hai. Jab main Priyanka se baat karoongi to phir mera palda bhari hoga.”

“Number one – Baba se baat karna dus aur logon se baat karne ke barabar hai. Number two – ab tumhein Dr. Priyanka se baat karne ki kya zaroorat hai?”

“Of course, zaroorat hai. Ab sabke saamne ye sab announce hona bhi to zaroori nahin hai.”

“Chalo granted. Lekin palda abhi bhi mera hi bhaari hai.”

“Ji nahin.”

“Ji haan!”

“Nahin!”

“Haan!”

Then they laughed together.

“Aap khush to hain na Dr. Ashutosh?”

“Haan Nidhi. Aur tum?”

“Main to itni khush hoon ki mujhe raat bhar neend nahin aayegi.”

“Oh God! Aisa mat karna Nidhi. Warna pata chala kal children’s ward ke patient ko injections ki jagah saline water de rahi hain sleepy and tired Dr. Nidhi.”

Nidhi hit her forehead. That was the best he could come up with when she talked of inability to sleep. Then she smiled. She knew what she had gotten into. And she loved it that way.

“Theek hai. Phir main so jati hoon. Warna kal koi mujhe naukri se dismiss kar dega. Good night Dr. Ashutosh.”

“Good night Nidhi.”

But it took both of them a long time to fall asleep. The excitement was too much to be able to sleep easily.

Nidhi had gone out with some of her friends from college. They were planning to spend a good part of the evening at a disco.

“Aap aayenge mere saath?” Nidhi had asked him.

“Nahin Nidhi. Main… thoda out of place feel karoonga.”

“Theek hai. Phir main unhein mana kar deti hoon.”

“Are nahin Nidhi. Tum kyon mana karogi. Tum jao aur enjoy karo.”

“Lekin…”

“Nidhi! Agr tum nahin jaogi to mujhe bahut bura lagega. Meri wajah se tum koi aisi cheez enjoy na karo jo tumhein pasand ho, ye sahi nahin hoga.”

He had sent her, but was now feeling very lonely in the evening. After they had informed Baba, they didn’t have to worry about her getting late. They spent most of the evenings together. When she did go back early, Ashutosh accompanied her and had dinner at her home. Now, he was missing her badly. So, he hadn’t even gone home and was idling around in the hospital, when his phone rang.

“Hello Nidhi. Tum wapas aa gayin?”

“Dr. Ashutosh. Aap please jaldi se Gemini pub mein aa jaiye. Hazratganj mein hai, chaurahe se…”

“Mujhe pata hai Gemini pub kahan hai. Lekin baat kya hai? Tum aise hadbadayi hui kyon ho?”

“Dr. Mallika. Dr. Mallika yahan hai aur unki halat bahut kharaab lag rahi hai.”

“Mallika is in town?” Ashutosh was surprised.

“Aap please jaldi aaiye. Mujhe kuchh samajh mein nahin aa raha.”

“Main abhi nikalta hoon. Tum ghabrao mat.”

Nidhi brought an uncosncious Mallika out with the help of pub staff when Ashutosh reached there. They settled her in his car. Ashutosh checked her quickly.

“I think she is drunk,” Nidhi said.

“More than drunk Nidhi. Ise hospital le jaana hoga. Jaldi baitho,” Ashutosh said.

“Mallika ka purse check karo Nidhi,” Ashutosh said as he drove towards the hospital.

“Kyon?”

“Ek baar dekho to sahi.”

“Oh God!!” Nidhi was horrified as several empty and some full packets of sleeping pills came out of her purse.

“Kya hai?”

“Sleeping pills.”

“I thought so.” Ashutosh said sadly.

“Ye kaisi harquat ki tumne Mallika? Agar Nidhi ne tumhein nahin dekha hota to?”

“Bahut badkismat hoon Ashutosh. Apni khushiyan paani chahi to Dr. Nidhi beech mein aa gayi. Aur marne bhi gayi to wahi beech mein aa gayi.”

“Stop this nonsense, Mallika. Ek doctor ho tum. Insaan ki zindagi ki keemat jaanti ho,” Ashutosh was furious.

“Ek insaan bhi to hoon. Ek aurat bhi hoon. Kab tak jheloon apni ye zindagi?”

“Kya baat hai Mallika? Sandeep se koi jhagda hua hai?” Ashutosh calmed down a little, “Aur agar koi problem hai bhi to uska solution jaan dena to nahin hota.”

“Rahne dijiye Dr. Ashutosh. Ye samajhna aapke wash ki baat nahin hai.”

“To samjhao na mujhe. Kam se kam share to karo ki kya problem hai?”

“Kyon share karoon tumhare saath Ashutosh? Kyon jaanna chahte ho?”

“Kyonki main tumhara dost hoon.”

“Ab bhi?”

“Haan. Dosti maine nahin todi thi Mallika. Aur kabhi nahin todoonga. Tumne mere e-mails ka reply karna aur phone calls uthana band kar diya tha.”

“Kabhi socha tumne ki aisa kyon kiya maine?”

“Mujhe laga ki tum apni nayi zindagi mein busy ho gayi ho…”

Mallika smiled bitterly.

“Obviously main galat tha. I am sorry Mallika. Lekin… Waise Sandeep ko pata hai ki tum yahan ho? Mujhe number do uska, use phone karta hoon.”

“Uski zaroorat nahin hai. Ab main ghar ja sakti hoon?”

“Haan. Chalo main tumhein ghar chhod deta hoon.”

“Dr. Nidhi bhi hongi saath mein?”

“Nidhi ghar ja chuki hai. Chalo ab.”

To be continued

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 28

Posted 2 CommentsPosted in Ashni (KTLK), Fan Fiction, Hinglish

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.”

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 27

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

“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

Dhoop Kinare (Adaptation) – Part 26

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

“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