Chapter 12

Part 12: Romeo and Juliet

Sameer was grateful for friends like Munna and Pandit. They had stood by him like a rock. Sometimes Sameer felt they repented more than him (if it was even possible) about hurting Naina. Munna had become formal and respectful towards Swati too. Sameer felt guilt, that in addition to his own jeopardized love life, he had invariably put Munna's in trouble too. Sameer knew till the time Naina forgives him, if she ever does, Swati too would not forgive Munna. He admired the bond she and Naina shared. Much like what he shared with Munna and Pandit. "Sameer, tujhe Naina se pyaar ho gaya tha na...isliye tune shart se haar maan li thi? they had confronted him once. Seeing him so broken, even a fool would have understood what was there in Sameer's heart. Sameer had been silent for a while at those words. He had sighed and nodded. "Yaar pata hi nahi chala, kab, kaise...aur main use satane chala tha...kya nahi kiya usne mere liye...meri itni fikr to meri sagi maa ne nahi ki, jitni us ladki ne kuch mahino ki pehchaan me kar li...Main bahot bada gadha tha yaar. Main samjha hi nahi ki main khud usse door nahi reh paa raha hu. Kya kismet hai meri, pehli baar kisi se pyaar kiya aur usi ka dil tod diya. Pandit had comforted him, "Himmat rakh Sameer, tere aur Naina ke liye hum khud bhagwan se prarthana karenge!

***

The night had dawned. Sameer was lost in thoughts of Naina, when he turned on the radio. He listened to the announcement, "aaj ki farmayish hai... Guide film se... geet hai- Din dhal jaye, raat na jaaye'... geetkar hain Shailendra... sangeet diya hai Sachin Dev Burman ne...  aawaaz hai Mohammad Rafi ki. And the song started, Din dhal jaye hai raat na jaye, Tu to na aaye teri yaad sataye...Din dhal jaye...'. Sameer was listening desolately. For him, it was a reflection of what he'd been feeling these days. He was missing Naina like hell. Little did he know; Md. Rafi seemed to have been the choice for all heartbroken people that night. There Naina had tuned into her radio at the same time and was listening to the same song. Tears welled up in her eyes as she heard the first stanza, Pyar mein jinke sab jag choda, Aur hue badnaam, Unke hi haathon haal hua yeh, Baithe hain dil ko thaam, Apne kabhi the... ab hain paraye..., Din dhal jaye hai raat na jaye, tu to na aaye teri yaad sataye...'. Why had Sameer betrayed her? She was in this condition only because of him, thought Naina, listening intently to each and every word. There, Sameer's misery intensified as the song progressed, Dil ke mere paas ho itne, Phir bhi ho kitni dur, Tum mujhse main...dil se pareshan, Dono hain majboor, Aise mein kisko kaun manaye...'. Both Naina and Sameer wept, remembering each other, as the song concluded... Din dhal jaye hai raat na jaye, Tu to na aaye teri yaad sataye...'.

***

The winter break had started. There was no school to look forward to now. Both Naina and Sameer were dealing with their own set of problems. Naina was finding it difficult to face her family for the entire day and act normal. And Sameer, he wasn't able to think about anything, anyone other than Naina. He would spend the day looking at her pictures and the nights in her dreams. The day Sameer had been spared of cutting his hair- he couldn't forget the look on Naina's face. She had seemed a bit forgiving. But Sameer knew his girl well- it wasn't easy to win her trust back. She was extremely righteous and he was proud of that fact. Still Sameer couldn't stand being away from her- not being able to look at her sweet, innocent face. He missed her smile. He missed her chirpy voice. Munna and Pandit had come over to Sameer's place that day. They were listening to him practicing for the competition. Sameer really was talented, they thought. And his music helped him voice his pain, his angst and his love for Naina. By the time he had finished, they too had their eyes moist along with Sameer. Sameer looked at them, and spoke, his voice heavy, "Yaar usse milna hai... The pleading in Sameer's eyes was so intense, Munna and Pandit couldn't say no. They were willing to take the risk of being caught by Safari suit. The trio hatched a plan.

The phone rang in Agarwal residence. One ring, two rings...was it him? Thought Naina...Three rings, four rings...No, she thought dejected. Chachaji picked up the phone. It was a wrong number, someone was asking for a person named Ravi. "Ji ye wrong number hai, yahan koi Ravi nahi hai, chachaji answered as he put the receiver down. There at Kabra residence, "Sheh, the trio sighed at the failed first attempt. "Pandit tu aawaz achi nikalta hai vaise, giggled Munna. Sameer redialed the number. This time Preeti picked up the phone. "Hellooo...Kaun? Pandit put a hand on the mouthpiece, "Yaar ye to teri wali ki jagah meri wali aa gayi, he said, amused. "Hello, kisse baat karni hai aapko? Preeti's voiced sounded again. "Ji, karni to Ravi se thi...lekin aap hi se kar lete hain, Pandit said in his typical cheesy tone. "Badtameez! Preeti put down the receiver in disgust. Five minutes later, the phone rang again. "Yaar ye kaun gadha hai, baar baar wrong number dial kar raha hai, said Preeti exasperated. They heard chachiji call, "arey Preeti phone dekh na kiska hai...sab kaam hum hi dekhein? Preeti nudged Naina, "Naina, tu dekh! Mujhe nahi baat karni usse. Naina agreed and picked up the phone. "Ravi..., said Pandit, expectant now. "Ji aapse kaha na wrong number hai, started Naina. At this, Sameer snatched the receiver from Pandit and spoke, "Bilkul right number hai... Naina was stunned to hear Sameer's voice at the other end of the line. "Tumm...tumm..., she started. Before she could get angry and cut the call, Sameer quickly said, "aaj raat 11 baje, balcony ke bahar...tumhe meri kasam. And he cut the phone. Beep beep. Naina looked at the receiver. Why did he want to meet her now? And meri kasam! What did he expect? She was piqued. She didn't love him anymore, she thought. Why would she care for him now? "Kaun tha Naina? she heard Preeti call. "Arey koi nahi...wahi Ravi wala, lied Naina.

The clock struck 9.30. Everyone had retired to their rooms for the night. Naina couldn't get any sleep. Partly due to Preeti's blabbering, partly because she was anxious- what if Sameer really comes? What should she do? Naina heard the wall clock outside chime 10. Preeti had fallen asleep now. So had Pooja didi. Naina tried to sleep. She didn't care if he came or not. She didn't want to see him. But sleep had deserted her tonight. She waited for the clock to strike 11. She checked her watch...it was 15 minutes to go...10 minutes...Finally around 10.55, she couldn't take it anymore. Preeti and Pooja seemed fast asleep. She sneaked out to the balcony to check if he was there. The street was deserted. There was no one in sight. Angered at her own foolishness, she was about to go inside, when she heard some whispers. "Chup baith panauti..wo aayegi, Munna was reprimanding Pandit. And then someone coughed twice. She leaned and much to her shock, saw Sameer trying to scale the pipe to her balcony. Sameer's face lit up with a smile as she turned to face him. "Aa gayi..., he whispered to Munna and Pandit waiting down, making sure there was no one around to catch them. "Hiii..., he mouthed, waving his hand at her. Naina was mildly impressed. Like Romeo scaled the wall to come to Juliet's balcony, her romantic side thought. Then irritated at her own wishful thinking, she made a stern face again. She didn't reply to his wave or Hi. Sameer was at the balcony railings now. "Naina... He had held out his hand for her. She could see he was finding it difficult to maintain balance and come across to the balcony. "Naina, please haath do na..., he pleaded again. She ignored him. And at that moment, his hand slipped slightly. Naina got frightened. "Sameer..., she let out involuntarily. Worried that he might fall, she took his hand in hers and helped him pull himself inside. The jolt that she felt as her hand grazed his! It had been a long time since she'd touched him. And for Sameer, it was as if an electric current had passed through him. They looked at each other briefly and then Sameer climbed onto the balcony. Once he was inside, he sighed, "Thanks...haath dene ke liye...aur...aur yahan aane ke liye... Naina was eyeing him. He did seem earnest. But the pain of having lost in her first love was too much for her to bear. She couldn't stand to see him in front of her, and think about how he'd broken her heart. She then realized his hand was still ensconsced in hers. And Sameer had made no attempt to move away. Suddenly, Naina became conscious and immediately withdrew. Sameer was sad to see her move away, but then he did not want to make her uncomfortable.  

They stood there, lost in each other's eyes for a while, before Naina finally spoke. "Sameer...please, tum ab mere piche kyun aate ho? Dekho please mujhe akela chod do. Mujhe tumhari maafi, tumhari hamdardi nahi chahiye..., she said, tears streaming into her eyes. Sameer made to touch her face, and then stopped. She tried to gather herself, but this was the first time she had felt helpless in front of him- the guy who had betrayed her. But she had bottled up her emotions for long enough. Before she knew, she was crying uncontrollably, "Aisa kyun kiya tumne Sameer...aisa kyun kiya...? she questioned him through her tears. He again made for her face and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Sach sunogi...ek baar pura...? he asked, his voice sober. Naina was sobbing, but fell silent on hearing this. Sameer started, "Jis din main school me aaya, tumhe yaad hai hum dono ek dusre se almost takra gaye the...us waqt kuch pal ke liye main tumhari un aankhon ke siwa sab bhul gaya. Fir achanak se mujhe hosh aaya ki ye main kya kar raha hun, aur agle hi pal, maine ye khayal dimag se nikal diya. Us din jo main Pankaj ko maarne ke liye bhaga tha, wo isliye, kyunki usne meri mummy ko gaali di thi. Lekin tumne puri baat jane bina, principal sir ke saamne meri complaint kar di. Mujhe suspend kar diya gaya. Mujhe tum par bahot gussa aa gaya tha Naina. Phir usi sham hamare joote exchange ho gaye dukaan mein. Tab maine dekha tumhare gharwale tumhe kitna daant rahe hain jooton ke kho jane ko lekar. Mujhe laga ye tumse badla lene ka acha mauka hai. Isliye maine Nanaji se kehkar firse isi school me admission karwaya. Khair- acha hi hua, varna main tumhe jaanane ka mauka kho deta.

Sameer was leaning on the balcony now. "Agle din school me, maine hi tumhare joote churaye. Naina was shocked at this revelation. She had thought Sameer was the one who had found them, twice. "Haan, he added in response to her shocked glance. "Pura din koshish ki maine. Ant me, wo paani ka tap khula chodne ka idea bhi mera hi tha. Bada maza aaya tha mujhe tumhe tang karke. Maine socha mera badla pura hua. Lekin tabhi pata chala, maine tumhare joote jis scooter ki dikki me chupaye the, wo tumhare papa ka tha. Main bhaaga wahan se joote nikal ke kahin aur chupane ke liye...beech me mera pair fisal gaya aur tum mere saamne aa gayi. Maine tumhe joote de diye aur jhoot bola ki jhaadi me mile the mujhe.

Sameer paused for a while and then resumed, "Anyways, wo sab ho gaya, hisab barabar tha. Lekin fir tumne mujhe padhana shuru kiya. Wo mere liye bahot badi baat thi. Mere liye head boy banana bahot zaruri tha- main apni mom aur sautele papa ko dikhana chahta tha ki main bhi zindagi me kuch kar sakta hun. Aur isliye maine wo challenge liya. Ye jaankar bhi main tumhare sage bhai ke khilaaf khada hun, tumne padhai me meri maddad ki. Aur meri umeed sirf tumse thi. Lekin fir us din tumhare papa ne aakar mujhe sunaya...bola ki maine tumhe behkaya hai. Aur tum chup rahi. Kuch boli nahi unke saamne. Mujhe fir gussa aaya ki Naina ne sara ilzaam mujh pe laga diya. Sirf padha to rahi thi tum mujhe. Usme kya badi baat thi. Keh deti. Lekin mujhe tab tumhari family ki situation ka andaza nahi tha. Tum mujhe padha nahi saki, to mujhe meri umeed khoti huyi dikhi. Ye dekh kar Munna aur Pandit ne library ki chaabi churayi aur mujhe laakar di. Lekin maine wo chaabi use nahi ki Naina. Maine Nanu ko promise kiya tha ki main kabhi cheating nahi karunga. Aur jitna bhi bura kyun na hu main, Sameer promise nahi todta apna. Lekin tumne mujhse ek baar bhi pucha nahi us chaabi ke baare mein. Seedhe aakar mujh par chori ka ilzaam laga diya. Kisi ne meri nahi suni. Main sach bol raha tha, par mere sautele papa ne mujhe bahot dutkara, meri maa mujhe chod kar chali gayi...uske baad unhone ek phone tak nahi kiya na hi kabhi aayi. Main toot raha tha Naina. Wo to bas mere Nanaji ne mujhpar vishwas rakha. Socho Naina, jab pyaar ki aakhiri umeed toot jaati hai to kaisa lagta hai. Meri maa se meri ye ummeed toot gayi thi us din!

Sameer continued, "Pure school me mera mazaak banane laga. Maine bahot koshish ki tumse baat karne ki, tumhe samjhane ki ki maine papers ki chori nahi ki. Lekin tumne mujhe gunehgaar samajh liya tha. Isi beech mujhe pata chal gaya ki mujhe jo blank calls aate the, wo tum karti thi. Sameer added with a tinge of guilt in his voice, "Aur itna to main bevakoof hun nahi. Main samajh gaya tha ki kahin na kahin tum mujhe like karti ho. Fir tumhare papa aaye, aur unhone bataya ki tumne mujhe cricket team se suspend karwaya hai...aur mere character par, meri parvarish par mujhe bahot sunaya. Main bahot gusse mein aa gaya Naina, aur main bahot hurt hua ki tumne mere sath aisa kiya. Pehle tum meri help kar rahi thi aur fir ye sab. Sirf tumhare us aadhe sach ki wajah se. Tab maine socha ki jab Rakesh sir ki beti khud kuch galat karegi, tab unka unki parvarish par se ghamand tootega. Haan Naina...main jaanta hu tumhe ye sab sunkar bahot dukh pahunch raha hai. Par yahi sach hai. Maine Pankaj aur uske doston ke sath shart lagayi ki tum sabke saamne mujhe I Love You bologi, wo bhi...wo bhi gale lagakar, he added hesitantly. "Aur nahi to main apne baal katwa dunga..., said Sameer, his head now hanging in shame and eyes moist with regret.

Naina was listening to all this silently. He looked over at her. Her innocent eyes conveyed her hurt. Sameer ignored the lump in his throat and continued with resolve. "Aur isliye maine tumse dosti badhayi. Meethi meethi baatein ki. Tumse milna shuru kiya akele mein. Tumhe apne birthday pe specially invite kiya. Aur tum aayi. Tumhe pata hai Naina, jab tumne mujhe mandir me bulaya, usse pehle main life me sirf 3 ya 4 baar hi mandir gaya tha. Mujhe to bhagwan pe bharosa hi nahi tha. Lekin tumhare liye main har Monday ko subah uth kar mandir jaane laga. Sameer, jise itni subah uthana namunkin tha, wo sirf tumse milne ke liye wo sab karne laga jo usne kabhi nahi kiya tha. Main tumse baat karne ke bahane dhundhne laga. Tumhare phone ka intezaar karne laga. Mujhe sach me tumhare sath waqt bitana acha lagne laga Naina. Main tumhari madad karne laga. Jaise jaise maine tumhe jaana, mujhe lagne laga ki tum bahot achi ho Naina- ek bahot achi dost, ek bahot achi insaan. Main samajhne laga tha ki maine wo shart laga kar galti ki hai. Aur phir, tumne wo kiya jo main kabhi soch bhi nahi sakta tha...apna debate chod kar, mere nanu ki jaan bachayi. Unhe apne nana ki tarah samjha. Naina tum kitni achi ho, aur main kitna bura. Sameer was finding it difficult to control his emotions now. "Aur jab hum Mount Abu gaye, tab tumne mere liye sweater buna. Main sochne laga Naina ki tumne kitni mushkil se raaton ko jaag jaag kar, sab se chup chupa kar, apne jode huye paise kharch kar mere liye wo sweater buna hoga. Mujhe laga main kitna bura insaan hun Naina, ki tum, jo mere liye itna sab kar rahi ho, main tumse dhokha kar raha hu. Meri itni fikr to kabhi meri sagi maa ne nahi ki thi Naina, lekin tumne ki. Main seh nahi sak raha tha Naina. Maine decide kiya ki main ye shart puri nahi karunga. Mujhe laga ki bas tumhe sach bata dun aur bahot koshish bhi ki maine. Us din mandir me, Mt. Abu ke aakhiri din pe...bahot baar himmat bhi jutayi...lekin bas bol nahi paaya yaar...kabhi darr lagta tha ki tumhare chehre ki hasi chali jayegi...kabhi lagta tha tum jaisi dost ko kho dunga...aur jab tumhe batane hi laga tha, to Pankaj aur uske saathi aa gaye, aur tumne mere muh se sunne ke bajaye, unse sun liya. Aisa hona nahi chahiye tha Naina. Agar mujhe ek mauka mile waqt me piche jane ka, to main kabhi bhi ye shart na lagaun. Sameer had concluded. Naina could see there were tears in his eyes as well.

"I'm sorry Naina! Ho sake toh mujhe maaf kar do. Bas main chidh gaya tha ki tum hamesha sach bolti ho, meri complaint kar deti ho, said Sameer. "Acha complaint karti hun? Naina's anger had been re-ignited. "Tumhe pata bhi hai Sameer, ki main kabhi jhoot nahi bolti thi, kisi se bhi, kisi ke liye nahi. Lekin jab se tum meri zindagi me aaye na- maine jhoot bolna shuru kiya. Jab tumhe school se suspend kiya tha, to tumse zyada main udaas thi. Ye samjha tumhe? Idiot! Jab tumne cigarette pi ke chemistry lab me feki thi, tab kisne tumhe bachaya tha haan? Maine! Us din Naina Agarwal ne pehli baar jhoot bola tha. Aur pata hai kyun, kyunki main tumhe door nahi jaane dena chahti thi. Tumhari khushi ke liye. Haan maanti hun, papers ka galat ilzaam lagaya maine. Wo meri galti thi, aur uske liye main bahot sharminda bhi hun. Lekin kya uske liye koi shart lagata hai? Pyaar ka naatak karta hai? Haan...bolo? Kyun kiya pyaar ka natak...haan aur itna badh ke? Mujhe kyun mehsoos karaya ki tum bhi mujhse pyaar karte ho, jab sab ek dhong tha haan? Dost maanene lage the na, to bol dete mujhe! Main khud tumhe is shart se bacha leti! Kyun kiya natak haan? Naina was almost shouting at him amidst the tears. "Haan kiya maine pyaar ka naatak bas! Kiya...par iska matlab ye to nahi na ki sach me pyaar nahi kiya? Aisa bhi to ho sakta hai na Naina, ki naatak karte karte mujhe sach mein tumse pyaar ho gaya ho? exclaimed Sameer in exasperation. Naina looked up at him. Sameer was staring right back at her. His eyes had a yearning which she hadn't seen before. Today, there was love- sheer love shining in his eyes. Their eyelock continued for a minute, and then Naina saw Sameer go down on his knees. He fished inside his jacket pocket and took out a beautiful red rose. Sameer held the rose in front of Naina and looked straight into her eyes. He said, "Main school play me Romeo sirf isi liye bana tha kyunki tab Juliet tum thi; aur aaj bhi Romeo isiliye bana hun kyunki aaj bhi meri Juliet tum hi ho...Naina Agarwal, main tumse pyaar karta hu...aur is baar main bilkul sach bol raha hu...I Love You Naina...us din campfire me bhi jab maine tumse ye kaha tha tab bhi sach tha...aaj bhi sach hai...tum jaanti ho- sota hun to tum sapnon me aati ho...jaagta hun to har jagah tum hi tum dikhti ho...din raat sirf tumhare khayalon me khoya rehta hun..tumhare ye cute sa chehra...pyaari si smile...tumhari chehekti huyi aawaaz hamesha mere kaanon me goonjti rehti hai...main to pagal tha Naina...maine samjha hi nahi pyaar kya hota hai...jasbaat kya hote hain...lekin tum aayi to aisa laga ki zindagi ke saare rang, saare khwaab zinda ho gaye...aisa lagta hai tumhari in masum aankhon se badhkar duniya me koi khushi hi nahi...aur tumhari khushi se badhkar kisi ki khushi nahi...tum bahot achi ho Naina..tumse acha, tumse saccha koi nahi hai mere liye Naina...I Love You...I really love you, uttered Sameer. Naina was astonished to hear Sameer propose her. She blushed slightly through her tears. But she was still angry, still confused...how could she trust him...again? What if he breaks her heart one more time? Should she or should she not give him another chance? "Main jaanta hu Naina ki main tumhara pyaar, tumhari dosti deserve nahi karta. Lekin agar kahin dil ke kisi kone se aaj bhi tum mujhe chahti ho, to please ek baar soch lo. Maine jo galat kiya hai, main wo sab theek kar dunga. Tumhe duniya ki itni khushiyaan dunga ki tum hamesha muskurati rahogi. Please Naina, ro mat...tum muskurati huyi bahot achi lagti ho.

Naina tried to absorb all this. It was too much for her to bear in a day. "Mujhe sochne ke liye waqt chahiye Sameer. Main tum par bharosa kaise karun pata nahi, she said. "Tum jo kahogi, main wo karunga Naina. Aur haan, tum jitna waqt chaho, utna le sakti ho. Main tumhe kisi cheez ke liye force nahi karunga, kabhi bhi. Tum mere sath raho na raho, main hamesha bhagwan se prarthana karunga ki tum khush raho, muskurati raho, Sameer said and stood up to leave. He held out the rose for Naina to accept, "Ye to le hi sakti ho. Naina hesitated, but then gave a slight smile and took the rose from his hand. This cheered Sameer a little. As he was about to climb down the balcony, he suddenly remembered, "Acha ek sach batana bhul gaya... Wo...wo mujhe wo tumhari brown bhalu wali dress bilkul pasand nahi. Please tum wo mat pehna karo, he grinned a little and held his ears in sorry. Naina couldn't help smiling at this. Sameer then whistled to Munna and Pandit, who helped him climb down. Naina saw him reach the ground safely. She saw him get on his bike, Munna and Pandit behind him. He looked at her and then at Munna and Pandit. The duo understood and immediately looked away. Sameer looked at Naina, smiled and sent her a flying kiss. Naina flushed with embarrassment. He gave her one long, last gaze and waved his hand. Naina waved back at him as he sped out of sight.

It was around 12.30 when Naina came back to her room. She lay down on the bed, thinking about Sameer and his confessions. He said he loved her. Should she give him another chance? She was absorbed in her thoughts, when Preeti coughed. "Naina! Preeti was wide awake. Naina looked at her in shock. "Arey tu soyi nahi? she stammered. "Tu bhi to nahi soyi Naina, Preeti replied.  "Wo...wo..., Naina started. "Main jaanti hu, Sameer aaya tha, said Preeti. Naina looked at her in surprise and fear. Did she know about everything? Preeti smiled. "Ghabra mat. Kisi se nahi kahungi. Vaise manana padega Naina Agarwal. Tune to mujhe jhatka hi de diya- tu aur pyaar- wo bhi Sameer ke sath. Ek baat bolun, wo Sameer...itna bhi bura nahi hai jitna tu soch rahi hai. Naina looked at her in search of answers. Preeti told Naina how she had woken up to go to the bathroom, and when she didn't see Naina, she went to search for her. And then she had seen her with Sameer on the balcony and overheard a part of their conversation. Naina started to cry on Preeti's shoulders. "Bas bas...dheere dheere. Pooja didi uth gayi to musibat ho jayegi, consoled Preeti. Naina told her everything that had happened between her and Sameer. "Naina...kamal hai...tune jhoot bola uske liye. Waah. Kuch to baat hogi usme. Kya tu ab bhi usse pyaar karti hai? she asked. Naina's silence was answer enough for Preeti. "Use dekh. Use parakh. Aur fir decide kar, she advised her. "Par manana padega Jija ji ko...kya style tha...balcony pe aake propose karna..., Preeti laughed and hugged her sister.