Chapter 7- Pure fun...
Unaware of what was happening Suman and Vandhana were showing the horoscopes of Arjun and Saanj to a pandit. As he looked through them Vandhana continued to twist the white and pink duppata while Suman continued rubbing her sweaty hands with the yellow block printed saree the dark brown leaf pattern set of by the brown blouse. "Kya hua pandit ji, donon ki kundali main koi dosh hai kya?
"Saanj aab thak apna pyar ka izhar tho nahi kiya hai na? Pandit ji asked, Suman replied, "Issiliye aap ko dhika rahe hai kundali. Aap dhek kar bathaiye na undonon ki zindagi kaisi hogi? Agar meri beti ko yakeen miljayegi ki Arjun aur uski kundali mil gayi hai tho vo zaruur baath aage badayegi.
"Dhekiye... main donon ka kundali dhek chuka huun. Arjun ki zindagi main tho bahoth saare badhalv aane lage hai. Uski kadham tho tharaki, shaan aur shohroath ki tharaf badne lagi hai. Bahoth jaldh havaon ke badhalthe rafthar ke saath Arjun ka zindagi bhi badhalne vaala hai. Vo jiska bhi haath thamega, us ladki ki puri zindagi ban jayega. Ma, baap, dosth saab kuch lekin kisi aur ko apna aur us ladki ke beech aane ka ijazath nahi dhega. Uski deewana hoga! Vandhana and Suman smiled happily at those words but it faded upon hearing the next words, "Paranthu shadhi ke wath us ladki ke dil par Arjun ke liye koi pyar nahi hoga, pyar tho sirf Arjun ke tharf se hoga. Vo bhi beyhadh!
"Yeah kaise ho saktha hai? Saanj tho bachpan se pyar karthi hai Arjun ko. responded Vandhana shocked. The astrologer continued his speech rubbing his head with the cloth around his neck, "Saanj ki dil main aaj thak jo bhi thi aab saab badhal jayega. Apni zindagi main ek bahoth ladayi ladne vaali hai lekin aap himmath rakiye, apni ladayi main vo vijay hokar aayegi. Kyunki uske baath Saanj ko deevar bankar kadi hone vaali hai ek boli si zindagi aur ek bahoth kaala saya ke beech. Us insaan ke liye jaan dhe bhi sakthi hai aur le bhi sakti hai. Jaise jaise koi bahtoh badi badhlav aathi hai aap mere paas aasakte hai. Bahoth jaldh ek bahoth badi badhlav hone vaali hai donon ki zindagi main. Main aap logon ka jo madhath kar sakun vo karunga.
Happiness filled their hearts for Arjun's development as prophesied. The pandit sighed rubbing his hands on the yellow kurtha he wore as he overhered the laides speaking, "Lagtha hai Saanj Arjun ki zindagi main aane vaali kala saya ko rokne vaali hai. Kithni aachi baath hai na Vandhana?
Aap ko kaise samjaun? Arjun aur Saanj ki zindagi judi tho hai, lekin ek dusre se nahi balki kisi aur se hai. The couple in question were seated in their usual Shanthi spot he had changed into a gray sweatshirt and black jeans. She into her long length and long sleeved dark maroon dress printed with yellow zig-zacs all over it. Both glad that the house was empty when they returned for they were not alone. Maya was with them, her hair wet from the shower. The checked skirt and butterfly skirt were replaced by white overalls-skirt and a purple colored tshirt. Her eyes still flowing with tears staring away at no were... she was seated down near the roof area. Leaning on it and seeing the sky, both of them on their usual spot on the wall. Neither knew what to do, Aayan unaware of the intensity of the situation marched up, "Bai, Saanj, lekar aaya huun Raju ka chai aur biscuts. Chalo Maya ji kathe hai, vaise bhi aap ne kabhi ye saab nahi kaye honge na?
"Maya ji kehene ki zarurath nahi hai Aayan. Sorry I was a little rude before, vo thodi disturbed thi. she added moving into a sitting position. He instantly sat down next to her wrapping his arms around her tightly not allowing her to move further, "Aare aare utne ki zarurath nahi aur sorry ka tho bilkul nahi. Waise aap jaisi pataka ko kisne rulaya. Muje laga patakon dusron ko jalathi hai kudh rothi nahi.
"Aayan. snapped an angry Arjun but Maya (finally smiled) at his words, "Thank you. Actually I lost someone today seedhe hospital se aarahi thi. Ithni upset thi tho Arjun aur Saanj ko muje ghar jaane nahi dhepaye. Meri ghaadi ko liya aur yahaan aagaye. Arjun what about your jeep vo tho-
"Jab aap bathroom main rorahe the thabi lekar aagaya tha bai ne. Kaafi waqth le liya aap ne. a sadder smile crossed Maya's eyes again, as she pushed her hair behind her ear. Saanj poured tea into the cups handing them out, tentatively offering the tea-biscuits to Maya, "Try kijiye ma'am yeah hamare Raju ka famous chai-biscuits hai.
"All right. Agar tum kehethi ho tho risk lena tho padega. Ma'am nahi Maya. Saanjn smiled and replied, "Maya aap ki hobbies kya hai?
"Hobbies - cooking, baking, music, driving around hmm painting, reading, teaching, chess, kabhi kabhi tailoring. I gusse sabse zayadha apni building blocks ke saath kheelna. the three of them laughed, "Building blocks ke saath khelna seriously Maya?
"Aaj na kal tume meri saachai tho jaane ka aadhikar milega Saanj. Aaj hi kyun na ho actually mumain ek problem hai. Isko partial arrested physiological development kehethe hai - mathlab meri andhair ek ka bacha aab thak bada nahi hopyaa. Aab bhi vo zinda hai aur jeethi bhi hai lekin control main. Samjo ke andhar deed saare kamre hai, jaisa ek ghar par hai. Hume baitkar baath karna hai ya tv dhekna hai tho hall main karthe hai. Vaise hi sone ke liye ya kapde badhalne ke liye chalthe hai bedroom ke andhar aur bhuuk lagi hai tho kitchen. Right? Vaise hi mere andhar kaafi thara ki personalities hai. Kuch ek bussiness woman ka tho kuch ek environmentalist ka... tho kuch ek didi ka un bachon ke liye jisko main padathi hoon. Yeah personalities tho mere control ke andar hai lekin vo saab meri control main hai. Jab main chahathi huun unki isthimal kar sakthi huun khas kar issi liye kyunki unki development ek controlled atmosphere par hua. Lekin jo compartment bachpan se judi hui hai lekin bachpan ka aspect controled nahi hai vo jaisi hai vaisi hai. Kuch logon se ya ja Issiliye apni zindagi main bachpan aab bhi hai kai na kai roop main lekin haan iska mathlab yeah nahi ke main pagal huun yaah underdevelopment. I just feel safe in that space and I stay there. Issiliye mere sare hobies thodi bachkaniyath dhikayegi aur kabhi kabhi meri behaviour bhi. Jo samajthe hai vo samj pathe hai. Personally mere liye meri partial arrested physiological development mere liye aachi nikli. Kyunki yeah ek developmental disorder nahi hai bas kuch aspects ruk chuki hai and the rest just grew around it. Isivajay se main jo huun main huun including my success!
Arjun noticed again she did an air quote upon the word, success. A habit she seemed to maintain constantly. Taking his chance he finally asked, "Maya aap humesha success bolthe waqth air quotes kyun karthe hai?
"Kyunki mere liye kuch cheezon ka mathlab duniya ki mathlab se alag hai. Aur un baathon ke liye air quotes use karthi huun. she replied, a point even Saanj made a mental note of as the conversation continued. Unlike expected she felt no need to be different around Maya today. She sat next to Arjun as usual, "Tho vo sari social work vo kaunsi category main hothi hai?
"Masti tho nahi hai, aur na vo social work hai. Main vo saab issiliye karthi huun kyunki muje aacha lagtha hai. More importantly jisko tum social work kaha na vo kisi ka sapna tha aur mere saath unke rishtha ka akri nishani. Aayan gently wiped the tears which continued to flow down Maya's eyes when her phone rang, "Hay Ashwin... Yeah I am fine. Arjun, Saanj aur Aayan ke saath huun... Kaafi ro liya... I will be... Kaab? Oh ok fine, yeah I will order in... nahi kuch banane ka maan nahi hai. They were prepared. Haan ja rahe hai Jaya aur Deepak ko bathakar lekar aane kye liye. Nahi ja sakti Ashwin, they need their own time.
"Maya! they turned around to find Prem standing there hugging her tightly. "Aacha hua tum in logon ke saath thi. Chalo aaj ka dinner mere saath. seeing Maya hesitate, "Aare soch kyun rahi ho? Aab tum tho Saanj ki dosth ban chuki ho, tho aane ke liye dharne ki zarurath nahi.
"Aunty ko kyun pareshan karna. she replied, Prem laughed wrapping his arm around her, "Suman ko kya pareshani hogi. Kaana main banane vaala huun aur vaise bhi jo hum log kaayenge vahi tume bhi dhenge. Tum in logon se mil chuki ho, bas Shub se milna hai. You will fit right in - Vandhana ji tho bahar gayi hai tho indonon ko bhi hamare saath hi kaana padega.
Biting her lips as she listened to him Maya finally spoke, "All right, agar aap muje aap ko help karne dethe tho.
"Done deal! agreed Prem taking Maya along with him, signaling the other three to stay there behind her back. "Prem uncle aap ko kaise patha tha?
"Aswin ka phone aaya tha. Come on in Suman bahar gayi hai Vandhana ji ko drop karne. Unki maasi ki thabyath karab hai tho gaye hai unse milne ke liye. Pake saheliyan hai donon bina kuch bole ek dusre ki baath samjlethe hai. Sadness filled Maya while she remembered a person with a similar relationship, changing the subject she asked, "Tho aaj dinner par kya banayenge?
The evening went smoothly while Prem played some songs with Maya singing along. He was surprised she knew some very old songs and even more that she knew the recipes for the dishes better than him. When Suman walked back in both of them were in the middle of clearing while the stove cooked the dishes. "Suman yeah hai humari Arjun ki Maya. Maya meri mohobath Suman.
"Namasthe. she smiled folding her hands, hesitantly Suman returned the greeting, "Namaste beta Prem, Saanj kahaan hai?
"Arjun aur Saanj shanthi spot main hai. Shub ka maths tution katham hone par waqth lag jayega. Dinner almost thiyar hai, Aayan gaya hai chips aur icecream lene ke liye.
"Aunty aap please jakar freshen up kijiye main Saanj aur Arjun ko bulakar lathi hoon. Maya added going out but Suman stopped her, "Beta aap guest hai. Prem tumne issi se dinner ka kaam karvaya.
"Aunty ismain uncle ki koi galthi nahi hai. Main hi ithni upset thi ki cooking ke zariye distract karna pada. Main Arjun aur Saanj ko bulakar aathi hoon. she ran out before Suman could say anything. "Arjun! Saanj! Dinner.
Arjun who was lying down on Saanj's lap on the parapet wall instantly got up blushing. Maya though was distracted by a kite some of the neighborhood kids were flying. "Waw kithi aachi hai vo pathang.
"Aap ko pathang pasand hai? Maya nodded, "Choti thi than Naveen biya aur Ishiqa bhabhi lekar jathe the. Akasar unke yaadh aati hai.. Anyways chodo dinner tanda hojayega.
Dinner was a great affair with the combined dishes made by Maya. Suman munched away the dishes quietly recognizing a great deal of Maya's handy work in the dishes while Aayan could not stop praising her, "Kithni aachi hai aap ki aaloo mutter ka tha javaab nahi hai. Aise mixed raitha maine kabhi nahi khaya, butter chiken ka tha javab hi nahi. Upar se aap ne phulka aur jeera vaala pulaoo bhi - in saab ko kaunsi cheez ke saath khaye?
"Donon ke saath kalena, beta. Actually papad ko chod kar, patha hai Maya aaj thak yeah loog mere haath ka khaane ka thareef karthe the. Aur aaj tumne hari haath ka kaana kakar mere kheer, pappad, onions aur pickle ke baare main tum logon ne ek bhi shab nahi kaha. Prem teased, Maya took another bite of the mango pickle, "Prem uncle aap ka thaarif tho roz hothi hai na, peheli baar inlogon ne meere haath ka kaana kharahe hai. Waise bhi kal se aap ka thareef hi hothi rahegi.
"Bath karna koi tumse sike. Prem pinched Maya's cheek, Suman who was sitting opposite to her fuming, turning to Arjun she said, "Arjun agar tum chaho to tumhare liye kal se main lunch pack karsakthi huun.
"Aur Maya ki khaana miss kare? Bilkul nahi. shot Arjun, "Mere kyal se na duskey ko bhi fashion in the city par aana hai lunch ke liye thaki Maya ki haath ka nashtha milsake.
"Actually Arjun I love the idea, Saanj tume Fashion in the city join kyun nahi karthi. Jahaan thak maine suna hai Mr. Malkani ne aachi salary nahi dhete yahan aisa koi problem nahi hai. Aur uupar se lunch bhi tum donon keliye lunch bhi de sakthi hoon. Kam se kam Arjun ka ideas ki barasath se bach jaungi.
"Maki isko salary nahi dethe. Arjun corrected her, she shot back, "I was being polite!
"Awwu! He responded continuing to eat seeing Arjun did not defend himself Suman asked, "Saach main thang kattha hai kya?
"Raath ki do baje call kaiya ek topic ka idea aagaya tha janab ko. Kabhi kabhi dobut hojathi hai ke agar boss main huun yah Arjun hai. Koi legal issue aagaya, email thiyar hone se pehele phone karke problem solve kardetha hai. Ek location ka problem hogaya tha - ek ajeeb location ko hold kiya aur phone ko haath main dhabakar kaha book it teen din main shoot hai. Model, designer, assistants se lekar saab fix kartha hai aur email bjiwatha hai if your free shoot hosaktha hai please confirm. Haan ke sivya kuch nahi bol sakti thi kyunki Riya ne meri meetings ko issi ka hisab se thiyar kiya. When Maya finished Aayan praised, "Issiliye mera bhai aab chief photographer ban chuka hai vo bhi apni cabin ke saath.
"Lekin in saab main Saanj ka kya connection? Shub asked, Maya got exited at the idea of being close to her goal continued, "Hai na - muje apni team ko mazbuuth karna hai thaki main fashion in the city ko next level par lekar ja sakthi huun. Tum package ke baare main soch rahi ho tho-
"Nahi package nahi, bas thodi nervous hoon. Main aap se kaafi rude thi issiliye. Saanj replied, "Exactly Saanj sirf tum Purab aur Arjun ke paas himmath hai meri galthiyon ko bolne ke liye. I really want you in my team.
Finally Saanj nodded, a happy Maya rushed and hugged her around the neck thanking her. Arjun who was next to her pulled the child like girl away, "Use saans tho lene do Maya!
Suman spent the rest of the time asking Maya about the kind of work Saanj would have to do. After dinner Saanj and Aayan were clearing the table - Arjun took Shub inside to help him complete a project. While Prem was about to bring out the fruit salad the bell rang, "Ashwin!
Prem shook the man's hand, "Aao na, baito.
After a quick round of introductions by Prem they sat down. Maya unceremoniously dumped her self on his lap starting to speak before Prem could get one more word, "Asiwin Saanj said yes. Jaldhi vo humari legal department ko sambal legi.
"Superb aab Arjun ka late night calls ke saath muje iska bhi calls jhelna padega. Am I going to get any time with you? he laughed, Prem too laughed while Suman (worried) touched his arm gently while addressing Ashwin, "Bhai saab hum bas fruit salad khaane vaale the aap bhi lenge na?
"Teek hai bhabi ji. Tera kaam hai Maya baby? Maya gave a sheepish smile. Prem followed Suman to the kitchen where she angrily whispered, "Yeah Ashwin Meherothra hai na. Tum humari Saanj ko iski companany main kaam kaise karne de sakthe ho? Jail ka hava khaane ke baath bhi nahi sudhra, beti ki umri ki ladki ko apni godh main bita raka hai. Dhek main boldungi Saanj aur Arjun ko us naurkri se bahar aane ke liye. Tum bhul chuke hoge lekin main ne aab thak Janvi ko nahi bhula payi.
Prem finally sighed and took the space to speak up, "Suman vo apni beti ki umari ki ladki ko apna godh main nahi bitaya. Apni beti ko godh main bitaya hai. Maya Ashwin aur humari Janvi ki beti hai.
Suman's eyes teared up for a second, "Hamari si Janvi ki beti?
Chapter 8 - a little history lesson
It had been close to a week but for Arjun the time seemed longer. Time and again he had watched as Maya suddenly wept or buried herself in work. It hurt him to watch her be like that... in pain. Yet despite everything he stood by her, supporting her and at times taking over a trunkload of her work. At times when she kept working without eating he stepped in and force fed her the food. At times Riya told him she did not eat breakfast properly and thus needed extra care... he hoped today was one such day. Going inside though his feet got froze... Maya was not alone in her office. She was sitting in the single couch on the lap of that man again. On the triple seater was the auditor with records in front of him. Unaware of what to say or do he sighed, "I am sorry ma'am.Main baadh main aatha huun.
"Tum Arjun ho na? Come on inside. Arjun looked towards the side across the door. A woman stood there dressed in a beautiful kashmiri cotton saree. The light cream was set with a dark maroon floral work with dark embroidery work throughout. She wore a dark maroon, sleeveless blouse set it off especially the way she had pinned it up. The multilayer gold chain with the floral thick side pendent and matching earrings... additionally her makeup too was set to perfection. Light pink eye shadow with a thick eyeliner and red lipstick. Her hair was braided in a simple style... in her hand was a half eaten sandwich, "You are right on time. Maya ko breakfast killane ki koshish kar rahi thi. I am sorry we have not met have we?
"I am afraid not ma'am. he replied walking inside and closing the door, " Accountant saab namasthe, aap ithne subah subah?
"Dheka Arjun bhi kehera hai bahoth jaldhi hai meeting ke liye. Meri bechari bachki ko breakfast bhi nahi dhiya. Maya laughed and said, "Aare Shipra une waqth nahi thi issiliye ithni subah aane ke liye kaha. Chodo na!
"Tum chup chap apna breakfast katham karo. the lady walked up and fed Maya another mouthful. Arjun's eyes trailed on her for a minute indeed she looked beautiful in the full length white and blue checked sleeveless dress. Topping it off was a simple formal white jacket. The dark eye shadow and the cream lip gloss made her more stunning. On her neck was a close necked silver necklace and a simple drop earrings to match it. Her hair was again pined back with catches! Seeing her he nearly missed the question directed at him, "Sorry ma'am maine dhyaan nahi dhiya.
"Maine pucha kya tum hamare saath baitkar yeah records double check kar sakthe ho? Aadhe se zyadha tumhari department ka hai. Kabhi models tho kabhi kabhi equipment. Uupar se accessories ka bills aur jo pucho Maya ka tho ek hi javaab hai. Arjun se pucho - aare main tho bul gayi. Tum muje nahi jaanthe ho na? Arjun shook his head, the lady smiled giving Maya another mouthful, "I am Shipra Meherothra, Aswin ki biwi aur duniya ke liye Maya ki stepmom.
The man who had Maya on his lap stretched his hand, "Hi Arjun, Ashwin Meherothra. Maya's father, ussi dhin milna tha par mil nahi paya. I am sorry.
"Hello sir. the way Arjun's eyes lit up knowing he was her father. A point which was noticed by both Ashwin and Shipra. "Main bag rake aatha huun, uske baadh kaam kare?
"Kyun? Bag yahi par raklo na. replied Maya, Arjun nodded and began working out the accounts while Shipra continued to feed her the breakfast. At one point Maya stopped her, "Shipra bas.
"Kya bas, ma'am aap sandwich ko muje dijiye. Juice kahaan tumhari? Maya pointed towards her main desk. Picking it up he fed her a few sips, "Aab khalena!
Shipra picked her coffee and sat opposite to Ashwin. Leaning back with her elbow on the armrest while sipping, silently observing as Arjun kept a balance between the work and feeding a fussy Maya too. "That was for Reksha's shoot multiple dresses, family look. That was for our own personal cover shoot. That was the navarathri shooting. Designs are under process - vo aab bhi humare paas hai. Yeah bill tho Ragav ka studio... haan vo agle hafthe ka cover ke liye hai. Iss bill ko hold kar dhena, delivery aab thak nahi hui hai. Princess, aap ki breakfast katham hua aap jayie aur company chalayie. Waise bhi yahaan se saab mera departmet ke vajai se. Waise bhi aap apni aadhe se zyadha bussiness apps ke zariye chalathe hai na? Tho apni pyari si aap main dhekar bathao aaj ka weather tho teek hai kya? Shoot humari kaliyun ka chaman ke saath hai.
"Kaliyon ka chaman? Ashwin repeated while Arjun washed his hands in Maya's washroom, "Sir vo ek model hai Prathiba, thodi si... umm thodi si bholi bali hai.
Maya put him at ease by interrupting, "Ashwin Prathiba ka naam humne kaliyon ka chaman rakdhiya. Jaise vo gaana vo ladki hai - soft, sexy and naughty. Lekin kaafi nakre karthi hai, kabhi kabhi ithna nakre karthi hai ki hum saab thang hojathe hai. Aaj outdoor is set, dont worry about anything. Hum saath chalenge.
"All right. I will see you around ma'am. Maya aap ki conference call se pehele aap ko kuch dhikana tha. Maya nodded, he came back in an instant upset, "Maya meri diya hua area ko kisi ne khali karvadhiya. Mera sari ideas...
"Tumhari cabin main hai. Congratulations Mr. Sharma you have been promoted to chief photographer. Shipra handed him a promotion letter which he did not even open. A surprised Arjun looked at Maya, "Maya iski kya zarurath thi? I mean aap ka dosth main promotion ke liye nahi bana.
"Janthi hoon - yeah promotion tumhare liye nahi mere liye. Tumne ithna aache thara kaam kiya tho muje laga kyun na tume uske related powers bhi dhiya jaye. Jiske paas ithna aacha ideas hai usko ek project photographer ke role main nahi chief photographer hona hai. I want you to start taking over a few projects for fashion in the city and muje apna personal projects main dhyan dhene ka mauka milega. Maya replied smiling at him, "Tumne letter dheka bhi nahi? Kya hua kaam aacha nahi laga kya? Koi aur offer milchuka hai kya?
"Kya - Arjun asked finally coming out of the trance he was in, "Sorry sorry sachi? Ithna aacha package? Saal ka?
"Umm mahine ka. Ashwin corrected, Arjun's excitement made him bounce on his feet, "T-thank you. Thank you so much patha nahi aap ko thanks kaise kahungaaa.
"Apna cabin main jakar kaam shuru karke. Maine saare formalities shuru karvadhiya. Tume bas contract accept karna hoga. Happily he nodded, "Aur haan tumhari email dhekna lekin attachment dhekne ke liye waqth nahi mila. I will do it now. Main tumhare liye coffee bejne ke liye boldhiy!
Once Arjun was out Ashwin and Shipra turned to Maya who was speaking on the intercom, "Arjun bahoth aacha ladka hai na bache?
"Haan hai aachi family bhi. Maya added continuing to see the tab, "Kyun?
"Tumhara kaafi aacha kyal raktha hai na? he nodded, "Haan aacha dosth hai aur kuch nahi. Muje teek se nahi patha but I think he is in a relationship with Saanj. Prem uncle ki beti. Bachpan se dosth hai, she loves him.
"Kya tum ne undonon se? Maya shook her head, "Nahi Ashwin kabhi nahi. Ithni muskil se ek dosth mila usko kaise... aur uske baath Aayan aur Saanj ne bhi mujse dosthi karliya. Lekin achanak kyun puch rahe ho tum yeah saab?
"Kuch nahi Maya baby Shipra ke siva koi aur tumhari nakre ke waqth kaana kilaya tho ussmain kuch tho hoga na? Maya smiled, "He is a charmer and he uses it. Chahe dosti ke liye ya phir chahe kaam ke liye. He is a great guy.
Shipra and Ashwin agreed and left the office. Shipra finally asked the quistion which was churning his mind, "Kya tum ne bhi vahi dheka jo maine dheka?
"Shipra darling maine tho kab se dhek chuka huun. Arjun's work is not about work, issi liye vo ithna kaam kartha hai. Ideas nahi bahana dundtha hai Maya se baath karne ke liye. Use patha hai office ka kaam tho Maya baath karegi it's just an additional benefit. Shipra who listened to the whole thing nodded, "Ek bar us ristha ke bahane se tho Arjun se baath karke dheklethe hai. Waise bhi aaj Mathur's ka aniversary hai na?
"Haan Maya ne Saanj ko promise kiya ke vo Arjun ko shoot se seedhe lekar aayegi. Kal Saanj aur Prem aaye the aur tum chai banane gayi thi thabi Saanj ne Maya se pure hak ke saath party ke kapde aur accessories dhene ke liye kaha aur Maya tho
"Haan - I forgot to tell you. Kal Saanj ne Maya se kaha accessories aur dress dhedo, aur kal vahi par change karo. Maya agreed in a second. Main soch raha tha kyun na Arjun ke saath saath Saanj ka bhi test lele. Hume yeah tho patha chalega ke humari beti ne sahi team set kiya ya nahi. Added Ashwin opening the car door for Shipra, "Tum aaogi na?
"Ofcorse aaungi. Muje Saanj se milna tha vo aab thak notice period main hai na? She asked, starting the car, Ashwin sat next to her nodded, "Maine Prem se bhi baath kardhiya. Shipra, dhyan rakna hoga tume, Maya ke liye vo ek employee nahi dosth hai.
"Jaanthi hoon Ashwin. Aur yeah bhi janthi hoon Maya apni dosth ke saath koi bhi bewafai nahi karegi. Janvi aur Arishabdh ne usko vahi sanskar dhiya hai. Humari koi bhi baath vo nahi manegi. she replied, "Lekin Arjun se tho baath karni padegi, mauka dhek kar. I can't have him approaching her without the warning before hand. Varna saab kuch bigad jayega aur uupar se Maya ne undonon ko saari medical sachai batha chuki hai.
"Sirf medical sachai? Shipra sighed, "Agar puri sachai patha chala na jo pyar maine Arjun ke aankon main dheka vo ek blink main chala jayega. Tum bas dhekthe raho vo tho chumanthar hojayega. Aur tumhari sachai tho puchna bhi math. the smile faded from Ashwin's face, as his mind went down memory lane... the years before when he first saw Janvi.
Mumbai twenty twenty five years ago... while he and his gang sat with their friends. That was when he first saw her, walking into collage dressed in a long yellow chudidar with orange and red thread work. Her wrists had a simple gold bangle in one, the other a black strapped watch. Her sandals were also simple. The only thing which seemed facing about her was the gajra on her hair. She had set it from under to above, "Vo kaun hai?
The men who sat with Ashwin followed his gaze including Prem. The person who was giving a treat for the birth of his first child indeed the girl was a refreshing site against the dry stone scabbed tables. The spot which he enjoyed.
"Janvi Sanjeran. Scholarship student hai. Apni family main peheli ladki hai jo collage thak pahonch chuki hai. Ashwin nodded simply watching her, as Prem answered the question, "Aise math dheko vo ladki pategi nahi. She is very serious about her studies.
"Tume kaise pata hai? Ashwin retorted, "Meri ghar ke paas hi rehethi hai. Suman ki dosth hai bachpan se. Aksar aathi hai milne ke liye... lekin mujse bhi zayadha bath nahi karthi. Bas namasthe aur ji aathi hoon.
Another friend, Vashist another friend of his smiled at him. His thick eyes had ran across the girl in question before he turned to Ashwin his thin lips with a slick smile, "Tume aisi ladki ko patha sakte ho kya?
"Dhekthe hai. Ashwin replied stretching his hands as the other man shook it with his own stiff ones. That was when it began... The memories related to her just kept moving up. Night and day... with no results... all efforts of friendship turned down. All until that day when he finally lost all sense of control and in that drink state broke all barrios. It had been twenty five years since that day but till date Maya faced for the crimes he committed. A lone tear flowed down his eyes, Shipra's hand came and wiped the tears, "Tume jakar aaj phir se baath karni padegi un bachon se Ashwin. Are you willing to relive that part of your life again?
"I am willing to relive it every day of my life Shipra if it means another Maya will not be born. Main apni beti ka saath huun is ladayi main. Shipra smiled, "I am with the two of you. Jab bhi main tum donon ko dhektha huun na aisa lagtha hi nahi ki ek ki zindagi main galath hui thi aur dusre ki zindagi galthi se shuru hui hai. I tell my rape victims the same thing.
comment:
p_commentcount