Posted:
kya hoo gaya aap koo di?!😆
Thx😳
riu i read GAG...but very late...i could not comment on it...reading ur stories i discovered wht n amazing writer u r dear...
kya hoo gaya aap koo di?!😆
Thx😳
riu i read GAG...but very late...i could not comment on it...reading ur stories i discovered wht n amazing writer u r dear...
Chapter 29
Raghu's POV
I don't remember that how long I was standing there at the side of column like a dumb looking towards the door. The silence of the empty room seemed like death and for the very first time I was afraid, was irritated with the death silence.
"Mere momma pappa bhi angel ban gaye hain..." her voice continuously echoed in my ear making me numb. My worst fearful assumption about antara came out true. Last night I badly wished that it shouldn't be true. But bappa didn't seem merciful to me at that moment. My one hand was still feasted badly on the column body at my side. My other hand moved limply above as if like it was not my own body part. The finger feasted over my hairs to let out the frustration.
"Arey raghubhai!! Aap aa gaye?!!" Buntiya's voice gave me a huge jerk in my nervous system. I quickly looked back and find him standing at my side. "Raghubhai.. kab ayein aap?! Ajji see mile kya?! Nahin mile hoo too mil lena ek baar. Unko kuch kaam hain aap se." Buntiya prompted hurriedly. I was still feeling blank and couldn't understand a single word of him. "Raghubhai?!!" Buntiya said a bit loudly which made me broke my trance. I jerked my head to clear my senses. "Bhai aap thik too hoo naa?!" Buntiya asked incautious voice. "Haan apun thik hain... Tu kat le idhar se." I chuckled and indicated him to go twisting my shoulder. Buntiya went scratching his hairs. He might have detected some fishy thing in my expression. I took a deep breath after he was gone. My lungs felt so empty which made me realize that I was not breathing for long. With slow pace I moved towards ajji's room continuing to rub my neck and scratching my hairs. My feet seemed so heavy and unable to move for some reason. I was feeling so low as if a huge stone was set upon me. Something was pinching hard inside me. I stopped for a moment and let out my wallet. I felt my hands were trembling a bit. As I opened the bag the old photo kept inside got into my view, my ayi and a little me smiling together standing at each other side, the only photo of my mother which I had. As I stared at ayi's smiling face my eyes suddenly burned a bit. I thought something had got into my eyes. As I rubbed my eyes I felt moist in my hand. I quickly closed the wallet and looked away from the photo. I bit my lips hard so that I could control the flow. "Abey kar kya raha hain raghunath... Agar idhar terekoo kissi nee rote huye dekha too breaking news hoo jayega yaar!" I tried to console myself and keep my grip. But even that sarcasm didn't work. waiting some moment I moved towards ajji's room with heavy heart.
"Arey aa gaya chintu?!" ajji was arranging her closet while I reached at the doorstep of her room. my mind was still full with abrupt depressing thoughts so I was not at all concentrating on her talks. Even she was not noticing me as she was busy in arranging clothes. "Woo ruksana kahe rahi thi ki arshad kii bakery mein jhamela chal raha hain. Jis ilake mein bakery hain wahan ke kuch lake arshad koo dhamki dee rahe hain.." Ajji said. "Hmm..." I just buzzed in unconsciousness. My eyes were stuck to the wall. "Tu jaa kee zara unn larko koo samjha dena. Bas samjha dena... this hain... pahele see char mat jana.. har jagah par haddiya torne kii zarurat nahin hain. Samjha?!" Ajji said in ordering tone. "Hmm..." I again just buzzed. "Kya tab see hmm hmm kare jaa raha hain re?! Tujeh sunayi too de raha hain naa joo main kahe rahi hoon?!" Ajji's voice sound confused. That time i just nodded without giving any answer. I was not feeling like talking to anyone. "Chintu!!" I heard ajji's concerned voice. I was still lost on my own thoughts. Though I listened to her call I couldn't answer them due to my disturbed mind. I heard the sound of closet's door and at the next moment I felt a light pat on my shoulder. Starling by the touch I snapped my head and found ajji standing next to me. Her eyes looked worried and concerned. "Haan woo ajji... Arshad bhai kaa mazra mere koo pata hain. Tu tension mat le... Apun samhal lega." I assured her. Ajji's eyes turned affectionate. He lifted my chin with her warm fingers and said, "Woo sab too thik hain par pahele yee bata kii tere thobre ki batti gul kyun hain. Kya huya hain?!" she asked in concern. I quickly looked away from her face. "Kya yaar ajji. Tu buddhi hoo gayi hain. Chasma lagaya kar. Mere koo kya hoga?! Kuch bhi too nahin. Apun ekdum woo bole too... hatta katta hain." I said curelessly. "Idhar dekh.." ajji ordered me and I couldn't deny her. As I looked towards her again her lips were twitched in her usual thoughtful glint in eyes. "Chintu, iss budi akhon mein itni roshni to zaroor hain kii tera chehera par sake." She said. "Kya ajji... Apun kee thobre par tujeh kaun see tere mere likhayi dikhayi deta hain joo tu humesha par leta hain. Kahan naa kuch nahin huya mere ko. Woo bas thora thak gaya hoon... Bahut laamba rasta tha naa aaj." I said yanking. "Dekh chintu agar tujhe nahin batana too mere koo tere see ugalwana atta hain. Yee achi tarah see jaanta hain tu." Ajji said rolling her eyes. "Kya ajji..." I said scratching my head. Ajji smiled and caught my hand. "Idhar aaa..." she led me to the bed and we sat facing each other. My eyes were fixed to the ground. I didn't know how I will tell everything to her. What she would think about that."Haan ab bata kya huya hain?!" Ajji asked me keeping her chin on her folded knees. I didn't said a single word and looked straightly to her eyes. Ajji detected something in my stern gaze and became worried. She patted my chicks lovingly. Her touch felt so warm. She was the only one in this house from whom I could get a bit of motherly affection which quenched my thirst for ayi's love a bit. Though I consider Mai as my own mother now and my whole life was dedicated to her but I never had such amazing comfort zone with her like ajji. Ajji was the person with whom I could share everything and she understood. But that day the guilt was really biting hard inside me so that even I was feeling hesitant and ashamed to share with her. "Chintu bol naa kya huya?! Kisi nee kuch kahan kya?! Uss mendak satya nee too kuch nahin kahan hoga.. Woo too abhi bhi bistar pe latka huya hain... Too kya baat hain?" she asked me trying to get the conclusion. "Nahin ajji... Waisey bhi uss sahib kee baton kaa koi asar nahin parta mere pee. Us key baton kaa kya bura maan naa... Par ajj apun nee kuch bahut bara... galti kar diya!!" I said in low guilty voice. "Kya kiya tune aaj?!! Fir see kissi kaa haddi tor kee ayya?!" ajji said with a bit harsh voice. A small painful laugh came out from my lips. "Naah... Haddiya too apun itne dino see tor taa aa raha hain ajji.. Par aaj apun nee kissi kaa dil tpr diya ajji... Bahut chot pauchayi hain uss kee dil pee.." as I looked to ajji's face after prompting those words her eyes looked hell confused and as well as amused. "Par ajji apun nee jaan bujh kee nahin kiya yaar... Mere koo pata hii naii tha kii meri batein ussey itna chot paucha raha hain... Mere koo pata hota too apun kabhi nahin kaheta woo sab." I said with helpless voice. ajji gauzed my expression for a while. "Hmmm..." she buzzed, "Antara kee sath jhagra hoo gaya kya?!" as she said those words. I felt huge current on my nerves and I snapped to her with wide eyes.
"Oye... yee akhein faar faar kee kyun dekh raha hain?!" ajji said frowning, "Chintu.. tere koo kya laga?! Budi hoo gayi hain too ajji koo kuch dikhayo nahin deta?! Sab dikhayi deta hain. Kaise antara kee samne ate hii tu ekdu statue kii tarah khara hoo jata hain. Kaise chuo chuo kee ussey dekhta hain. Ab bata baat kya hain?! Kya huya tum dono kee beach mein?!" Ajji asked demanding an answer. "Arey ajji tu kuch jyada hoii soch rahi hain.. aisa kuch nahin hain..." I said trying to clarify the things. "Too baat kya hain chitu jii?!!" ajji seemed a bit irritated. I huffed and understood that she would start her usual imagination if I wouldn't tell her the whole truth. "Bata yee hain ajji ki apun... apun antara koo bahut pahele see jaan taa tha... Uss kee iss basti see ane see bhi phele.." ajji's eyes widened at the information. "Kya baat kar raha hain chintu... Itna agey pauch gaya tu?!" Ajji said making an O face. "Oye ajji thamba thamba... Apne soch koo helicopter kii tarah urane mat suru kar... aisa koi baat nahin hain.. apun bata ta hain ki huya kya tha.." I narrated the story shortly to ajji about our first meet in Kashmir. "Too issi liye antara koo janmastami ke din dekh kee tu bokhla gaya tha?!" ajji concluded. "Arey mere koo kya pata tha kii woo shrinagar see sidha idhar apne basti mein aa kee land kargi... Aur fir uss key baad..." I stopped and scratched my head trying to detect how to tell ajji about the incidents further. "Chup kyun hoo gaya?! Bata naa..." Ajji suddenly looked enthusiastic. I sighed and told her about our bitter encounters after that incident. How her words used to boil my head all time and we ended up in worse fight. "Par pata hain ajji... Mere koo humesha lagta tha kii woo apne andar koi bahut baraa dukh chupa rahi hain. Uski akhein naa ajji... hunesha bahut udaas raheta hain... Par mere koo pata nahin tha kii uski udassi ki wajah kya hain... Lekin jab uss raat apun nee uss kee maa baap kaa naam leke ussey toka... uss kaa chehera ekdum achanak see such gaya ajji... aisa lag raha tha ki meri baton nee uss kii jaan nikal li hoo." I sighed for a moment. "Chintu... yeda hain tu..." ajji stroke my head with a bit harsh voice. "Kissi ke maa baap kee barein mein aysa kaheta hain kya?!! Tujeh too yee sab pata hona chahiye kii logon koo kitna dukh hota hain yee sab sun kee." Ajji said scolding me a bit. "Arey ajji... woo kala kee barein mein sun kee dimag kharap hoo gaya tha.. BP char gaya tha unko dono larkion koo news pe dekh kee." I informed. "Apne dimag pee naa thora kaboon rakha kar chintu.. Tera sab kuch thik hain.. bas tera jab dimag khisakta hain naa too sath mein tere hath aur zuban dono control se bahar hoo jate hain." ajji said making a face. I sighed. "Par ab mere koo samajh mein aa raha hain kii kitna bara locha kar gaya apun. Aaj pata chala ki..." My voice suddenly stumbled. "kya pata chaalaa?!" ajji asked in doubtful tone. I gulped hard to clear my throat as I felt the lump there. Finally I gather up the courage somehow. Looking straightly in ajji's eyes I said in low voice. "Kii uss kee maa baap bhi... Off hoo gaye hain. Woo bhi anath hain... bilkul meri tarah." I somehow managed to say.
Ajji's eyes became stone in shock for a while. I knew the shock would be huge for her like me. For a huge moment no one could be able to talk. "Chintu..." ajji's voice was chocked as she spoke, "Kyaa kahe raha hain tu?! Woo bachi... Woo anath hain?!" she was still in state of shock. I told her about the conversation of Mili and Antara which I heard secretly. I punched on the bed in frustration, "Tab see apna dimag satke laa hain ajji!! Samhal naii paa raha hain apne aap koo... Andar ajib saa jalan hoo raha hain ajji... jaise koi keera kant raha hoo. Mere koo bas yahin kahye jaa raha hain ki agar mere koo koi apne maa bap kee naam pe kuch kaheta too sayad abtak apun kitne lashe gira deta... Par usne kuch nahin kahan!! Kuch bhi nahin... EK baar mooh khol kee bataya bhi nahin ki ussey kitna dard huya jab maine uss sey woo sab ulta sidha kahan." I said those words in a single breath and looked towards ajji who was looking towards me worriedly. "Kuch samajh mein naii aa raha hain kya karoon..." I said with a sigh. Ajji smiled a little and said, "Ab tune galti kiya hain too ussey sudharna bhi too parega naa?!" her voice was affectionate which made me relaxed a bit. "Woo kaise?!!" I scratched my head in confusion. "Kya ree... Ab yee sab bhi mujhe hii sikhana parega?!" ajji rolled her eyes, "Jaa kee sorry bol antara se... Agafr woo tujhe maaf kar de naa... Too dekh naa tere dil kaa yee joo pathar jaisa bhari bharakkam bojh hain naa... woo ussi waqt halka hoo jayega." Ajji assured me like a specialized doctor. "Sorry bolun?!! Par sorry kaise bol tee hain ajji?! Aaj tak too log mere koo sorry bolte aa rahe hain. Apun nee too kissi koo nahin kaha!!" I became more confused. "Woo mere koo nahin pata, Abb sorry kahena hain too yee tu thik karega ki kaise kab aur kahan bolna hain. Samajh gaya?!" she asked keeping that frown intact in her face. "Haan barobar..." I said nodding my head obediently. I was a bit worried. Saying sorry wouldn't be easy for me to antara. she lityerally didn't like me and also I said beyond my limits. But however I had to clean up the mess I created and if I had decided to do something I wouldn't stop until I finish it. "Thik hain. Abb jaa kee aram kar lee... Jaa" ajji caressed my face and kissed on my forehead lovingly. I felt a bit relived. "Ajji aap mere see naraz too naii ho naa?!" I asked cautious voice. ajji smiled and nodded in no. I smiled and woke up. While moving out of ajji's room with thoughtful face ajji called me from behind. "Soon..." I turned back at her voice. Looking at my face she smiled wide and said, "Chinta mat kar. Woo maan jayegi." She assured. I smiled and moved out of her room.
Ruksana's POV
As saroj aunty opened the door the fresh smell of pea kachauri filed my nostrils. "Arey aa gaye tum dono?!" saroj aunty said with a huge smile. "Arey aunty kya karoo... Aap kee kachauri kii khusboo nee mujhe khichta huya yahan lee kee a gaya." I said with an amused voice while my mouth filled with water. "Haan haan... Tumhare liye hii khass banayi hain mami ne." Antara said from my side. "Arey rani saheba, aunty jii too special mere liye hi banayengey naa, akhir main hoon hi itni special unke liye." I said proudly lifting my collar. "Begam saheba... idhar khare khare khane kii khoodboo lena hain yaa fir andar jaa kee khana bhi hain?!" antara said rolling her eyes. "Arey sahebaan... Jayengey too zaroor... hayree meri matar kachauri... Mere intezaar mein taras gaye... Main ayi mere janeman!!" I said and took the smell inside letting out a deep satisfactory breath. Antara and saroj aunty both giggled at my antics. "Aa jao andar..." saroj aunty moved away from the door giving us space to move inside. As we both reached at the dine table the smell of delicious food almost caught me off guard. "Haye aunty, aise jaan lewa khusboo aap kahan se lee ate hoo apne dishes mein. Mujhse too abb aur door raha nahin jata table se." I said with dreamy voice. "Bas bas ruksana... itna maska mar ne ki zarurat nahin hain... tum dono hath dho ke aao... main khana laga deti hoon." Saroj aunty said. "Acha mami, main apne kamre se frsh hoo kee ti hoon." Antara proposed to saroj aunty. "Thik hain, jaidi aa naa!" saroj aunty said as antara moved upstairs to her room. the moment was actually a big opportunity for me. I wanted to talk to saroj aunty personally. I had some unanswered question which only saroj aunty could answer. I couldn't ask those questions to antara. It would hurt her more. I could never forget the broken expression and blankness in her eyes while she was talking to Mili about her parents. I never knew that a bubbly, fun loving and with a huge smile on face whatever happened would be hiding such a huge pain in her.
"Aunty, Bura naa mano too humein aap see kuch poochna hain. Woo baat thori personal hain. Sorry agar aap koo bura lage too." I already apologized for my eviction in their personal matter. "Haan ruksana bolo kya baat hain?" Saroj aunty asked in her usual affectionate tone arranging the plates. "Aunty woo..." I took a deep breath and composed myself, "Aaaj mujhe antara kee parents kee barein mein pata chala." I said in cautious voice looking towards saroj aunty's face. Her eyes widened for a while and then it stilled on my face. I felt bad for mentioning about the fact but I had to know anyhow. With another huge sigh I continued. "Aunty I am sorry. Main jaanti hoon ki mujhe koi haq nahin hain aap ke family ke personal batein aise poochne ki. Main fir see mafi mang rahi hoon. Jab mujhe yun achanak pata chala antara kee atit ke barein mein too main bhi chauk gayi. Main soch bhi nahin paa rahi hoon, kaise woo larki joo humesha hasti raheti hain aur dusron koo hasati raheti hain... woo apne andar itne bara gham lee kar jee rahi hain." I prompted hesitantly. Saroj aunty smilled mildly towards me and said, "Aisi hi hain woo..." her eyes moved upwards towards antara's room, "Hum logon kee samne humesha khus raheti hain, hasti hain. Par humein pata hain ki woo abhi bhi sadme see bahar nahin nikli hain. Apne family koo khone kaa gham abhi bhi nahin bhooli woo. mayusi aur udashi abhi bhi us kee akhon mein saaf jhalakti hain chahein woo kitni bhi chupane ki kousis karein. Uss ka chehera aine kii tarah sab bayan kar dete hain" as saroj aunty said so many words unconsciously I got the glimpse of a huge tragedy they were hiding for so long. "Aunty yee sab kab huya?!" I couldn't stop the question came out from my mouth. Later I understood that I might not ask that so soon. However saroj aunty didn't seem offended but she looked sad. "Humein bhi thik se pata nahin Ruksana. Bas suna hain ki ek car accident mein woo sab chal base. Teen mahine bhi nahin huye hain iss baat ko. Hum log thik se pooch bhi nahin pate ussey. Jab bhi uss didi ur jija ji ka zikr hota hain woo ekdum jaise sun (numb) hoo jati hain. Kuch kahe bhi nahin pati thik se. Uss ek hadse nee uss kii zindagi badal di. Kya thi aur kya ban gayi hain. Jis larki koo aaj states yaa London mein hona chahiye tha... woo aaj yahan apni zindagi see lar rahi hain." saroj aunty's eyes flickered the immese pain. "States mein?!!" I was a bit shocked learning that. For an ordinary girl like me, going to those far distanced countries would always be a dream. Aunty smiled and enlightened some others facts about antara which I never knew. I just knew about her singing and dancing talents farther but I never knew that she was one of the finest students of her batch who topped in university exam and owed gold medal. Saroj aunty also informed me about the prestigious scholarship she got which very few students of our country get. With the help of that scholarship she was set to get admitted in London's university for her further study in astrophysics. I didn't even know about that subject at all. Something related to physics I presume. Even the 11th std physics books of my brother spin my head badly when I just flipped some pages accidentally one day. so I didn't asked saroj aunty about that thing but studying in abroad university, that was not at all some usual thing. I understood what a great opportunity she lost just because of her ill fate. She didn't belong to the place actually, she was the bird born with wings to touch the sky and fly much further but the fate smashed and bruised her wings badly. I was literally feeling heavy in heart as saroj aunty was informing me about antara's past. How was she, what was she, her dreams. I understood that the girl whom I saw was just a mere shadow of real her. I never felt so bad for anyone. I remind about the moment long ago when I came to know about raghu's dreadful past. After that no one could make me feel so low till I came to know about antara. "Ishan aur antara kee siwaaa ab koi bacha nahin hain unn kee family mein. Antara koo mazburan yahan pee naukri karne anna para apne aur apne bhai ke parayi kee liye. Hum logon nee kitna samjhaya tha antara koo ki woo London chali jayein aur apna sapna poora kare. Par Antara nahin mani. Maanti bhi kaise, bilkul jija jii kee tarah khuddar hain. Kabhi kissi see ek paisa bhi nahin legi, chahein hum see bhi kyun naa ho." Saroj aunty sighed and looked towards my face. I was looking dumbly towards her face. she smiled and brushed my chicks to clean the tears. I didn't even know that I was crying silently. "Ruksana maine kabhi kissi koo antara kee atit kee barein mein nahin bataya. Par tum uss kee bahut ache dost ban gaye hoo itni kam waqt mein. Maine dekha hain ki tumhare sath rahete waqt woo kitna khus raheti hain. Bas ek hi baat kahungi. Uss kee samne aisi koi baat mat karna joo ussey chot pauchaye." Saroj aunty said in pleading tone. "Arey aunty, aap aisi batein mat kijiye. I promise ki main humesha khayal rakhungi ki meri kissi bat see ussey chot naa pauchey.. Aur aaj kee baad to main uska extra khayal rakhungii. Kyun kii mujhe aaj pata chala ki meri dost kitni special hain!" I assured her with a smile. Saroj aunty looked relieved after my words. We heard footsteps on the stairs and quickly composed ourself. Antara came down fixing her dupatta. As she approached near the table she smiled towards us. "Kyun, khud sari kachauri kha liya?! Mere liye kuch bacha hain ki nahin?!" Antara asked me rolling her eyes. "Oh madam... Aunty jii kee kachauri par sab se pahele haq mera hain... Iss liye agar main sara kaa sara kha loon too bhi tum kuch nahin kahe sakti... samjhi?!" I said making a funny face. "Acha?! Tumhare pass mami ke kachauri kaa copyright hain kya?!" Antara also made a funny frown keeping her hand on her waste. "Haan bilkul. Aunty ne ekhud mujhe copyright di hain.. Kyun aunty?!" I looked towards aunty. "Tum dono khana khane baithoge ku nahin?! Sare ke sare kachuari thandi hone ke baad khana hain kya?!" saroj aunty said trying to stop her laughter. "Bilkul nahin!!!..." Me and antara both said in unison and rushed to the table. As saroj aunty brought two plates with hot kachauri and aloo kaa dam we both concentrated on the delicious dish.
When it comes to saroj aunty's kachauri, we didn't know when the time flew so quickly. Soon I was to leave and antara came to bid me adieu at the door. She suddenly handed me a jar full of my favourite apple cookies made with her own hands. "Apple cookies!!" my eyes brightened, "Haan, aaj subha hi banaya hain. Pata nahin kaisa hoga. Yahan kee apples Kashmir kee apples jaise nahin hote." Antara said with bit insurance. "Arey koi nahin. Apple jaisa bhi hoo... Bana nee wala to ek hi hain naa. Mujhe pata hain ki taste bilkul waisa hi hoga." I smiled to her. She smiled too widely. Antara really had best smile I ever saw. A smile which could melt your heart at any moment! It was so pure and vibrant. We both hugged each other like always before getting apart. As we broke the hug after prolonged moment with huge grin in our face, I told her, "Antara ek baat bolun...". Antara looked a bit conscious. "haan bolo..." she asked. "Antara, ek baat yaad rakhna.. Chaein kuch bhi hoo.. Apne aap koo kabhi akela mat samajhna.. Yaad rakhna.. aur koi tere tumhare sath hoo yaa naa hoo.. yee begum saheba humesha tumhare sath rahegi." I said holding her hand. Antara's eyes turned so tender and affectionate as I said those words to her. Her confusion again turned into a small and pleasant smile. "Thank you!!" She said gratefully. "Abhi kahediya.. agey mat kahena!" I said rolling my eyes. she giggled pleasantly and bid me adieu. I came out at the road. it was already dark outside and I stepped towards my house at the other side of road. In the way my eyes fell on machmach's garage and I saw two lads there. I smiled and moved towards the garage.Chapter 30
"Jyada nahin bas itna gila hain aap se
Hum chot bhi dete hain too aap bata tee nahin "
Raghu's POV"Bhai arshaad bhai kaa mamla too apun log handle kar lengey. Par uss shetty kaa kya karein. Uss kaa too abhi bhi khoon chara huya hain sir pe." Machmach told from side of jeep checking the parts. My hand feasted on the handle of the bike which I was repairing. My head was jumbled up inside the house due to the sudden revelation of antara's past. So I came at machmach's garage at evening and got involved into work to clear my mind. But still it didn't help much. "Ek to upar see woo yedi antara aur ruksana nee bhoja aur kaluya kaa dhajiya ura diya public ke samne, aur fir tune uss kee admi koo pita. Takla pahele see hi pagla sand bana huya tha... abb too suna hain ki gusse see uske hathi jaise kano see dhuan nikal raha hain..." as MM said the words we both laughed a bit at his antics. "Suna hain usne kahan hain jabtak tujh se badla naa lee tabtak dana pani nahin khaayega. Total hunger strike mein chal gaya hain." Machmach informed me. "Acha hain, isiii bahane uss kii charbi thori kam hoo jayegi." I said rolling the spanner in my hand and bend down on my knees to check the oil tanker. "Arey bhai rahene de... Woo too tera baal bhi nahin baka kar pata hain..kabtak bhookh bardast karega?! Apun gurantee kee sath kaheta hain.. kaal subha hii kachauri aur samosha mangwayega apne admion see." Machmach said making another joke. I just smirked keeping up my work. Shetty would never understand after all. "Par mereko ek baat ki fikar hain bhai. Dekh apun log too safe side mein hain. Par uss yedi antara ka kya?!" my hand froze on the oil tanker's knob as machmach said those words. "Nayi ayi hain iss sahar mein. Josh mein aa ke shetty see bhir pari. Suna hain tere warning ke baad bhi takla nahin mana. Abhi bhi ussey chot pauchana chahta hain." Machmach said worriedly and my hand automatically feasted on the knob. Who told her to be such reckless?! Couldn't just she leave the matter?!
"Bhai!! Margaye... bakbak machine aa re laa hain idhar!!" I heard machmach's worried voice and looked up. I saw ruksana coming towards the garage with her usual toothy grin. "Ab idhar kayekoo aa re la hain yee ruksana?! Fir see us ki banayi huyi rayta taste karwane laa rahi hain kya?!!" He panicked. I nodded my head in disappointed and got into work. Machmach was always worried about ruku's hand made dishes. She always found machmach as scrape goat to taste her special rayta. And it taste... Nothing to say about that!! I heard ruku's footstep approaching inside. "Machmach..." Her extra sweet voice echoed inside the garage. I kept busy in work keeping tab on both of them. "Eee ruksana kya baat hain?!! Tu achanak idhar kaise.. Aur tere gale pee itna mithas kayeko?!" Machmach asked in cautious voice scratching his head. Ruksana rolled her eyes , "Kyun kii main tum logon kii tarah mooh mein karela lee kee nahin ghumti. Samjhey?!" she answered back with attitude and machmach literally backed off. Poor machmach almost backed off by her loud voice. I really felt bad for him and suppressed my laugh. "Arey ruksana.. kitni baar kahan hain apna loudspeaker thora dhime chalaya kar." Mm complimented. "Kya kahan tumne?!!" Ruku kept her hand on her waist and she was back in her usual fight mode. "Arey kuch nahin kahan meri maa. Ab tu mere koo aise mat dekh."machmach said poorly. "haye allah!!" ruku stroke her forehead, "Kya samjhaoon main in nalayako koo..." she stated and her eyes fell on me. I was noticing everything with the corner of my eyes. "Lo ab inhe dekho... Ohh raghu mia!! Ghar mein mahemaan ayein too ussey hi hello kahena chahiye. Par aap too bike koo pakar ke aise baithe hain jaise woo bike nahin aap ki girlfriend hoo." She commented. "Eee ruksana!!" I snapped to her, "Apna bakwas tu machmach ke sar pe daal.. Mera dimag kharap mat kar samjhi." I said in irritation. "Loo jii kiskoo kahe rahi hoon. Raghu mia.. kabhi too ache see baat kiya karo.. app kaa hi bhala hoga." Ruku said in her full too advice mode. I huffed and jumped up from the ground taking a hanky to clean my hand. Rubbing my hand I moved near them. "Thik hain woo sab chor..." I said, "Aur haan.. ajji nee merekoo sab bataya hain. Arshad bhai koo bol tension naa lee apun dekh lega." I assured ruku. The huge grin was back in her face. "Sukriya..." she said gratefully. "Chal abhi tu kat idhar see... kaal apun arshad miya see bata kar lega." I said trying to take her out of the place. "Arey jaa too rahi hoon. Par uss sey pahele... maine tum logon kee liye kuch laya hain." she said in excited voice. "Kya?!!! Apun logon kee liye..." MM almost jumped at my side. "Dekh ruksana.. merekoo tera rayta fir see nahin kahna.. pichle mahine jab khilaya tha uss kee baad apun ek hafte tak kuch nahin kha paa raha tha... abb too chor dee meri maa." MM almost pleaded to her. I stroke my head in irritation. Their antics would never change. "Haan haan main samajh gayi.,..." ruku made a face, "Par janab, yee mere banayi huyi rayta nahin hain.. Yee too kuch aur hii hain!!" ruku's eyes gleamed in naughtiness. "Rayta nahin hain?!! Abb aur kya khilane layi hain tu?!" Machmach again panicked. Ruku danced her brows and showed us the jar full of cookies. We both jumped like mad seeing at the jar. God for so long I didn't get that thing. Before MM coukld take that I quickly grabbed the jar from Ruku and in no time I was chewing the crispy cookies in my mouth as my mouth filled up with its awesome taste. Usually I didn't prefer those swet things but man those cookies were something else. There was something else in that which always made my mouth water whenever I see that. "Arey bhai mere liye bhi rakh..." MM uickly let out another one and soon we jumped on the jar like mad. "Arey arey, jo le kar ayya uss koo bhi too mauka doo... sab apne pet mein supply mat kar dena." Ruku said from our side. "Woo kya hain naa ruksana. Jyada mitha kha nee see suger bar jata hain. Too aab rahene dee.. tu baad mein kha lena.." I said slipping another cookie in my mouth. "Waah waah kya baat hain... jab main apna rayta le kee ati hoon tum dono ko khilane too pure garage mein bhagte rahete hoo. Aur yee cookies mila kii nahin kuchi minute mein sab gul." Ruku said in disappointment. "Too ek kaam kar naa ruksana... Tu bhi aisi cookie bana naa sikh lee. To hum bhi tere hatho kaa khana kha lege." Machmach said. Ruku smiled mildly, "Abb mujhe sikhne ki kya zarurat... Banane wala too khud basti mein aa gayi hain.. Too ussi see pooch loo naa." Ruku prompted. "Kya?!!" Both of our eyes pooped out. Ruku giggled hard. "gadhe hoot um dono kee dono..." she couldn't stop her laugh as we scratched our hairs. "Abb apun logon nee kaun saa gadho wala kaam kar diya?!" I asked her. "Tum logon koo pata nahin kya ki yee cookies kaun banati hain?!" ruku asked. "Arey pata hain. Rhea Kashmir see lee ati thi... aur unn logon see utha kee tu apun logon koo khilata hain. Yahin naa?!" Machmach shrugged. "Arey nalayakon.. abhi bhi pakar nahin payein tum log?! Kashmir see kaun ayya hain govind uncle ke ghar mein?!" ruku suggested us. "Arey aur kaun.. Woo yedi... ANTARA!!..." as MM stated the name both of our face made a perfect O and we looked towards each other in shock. was that really possible?!! I looked towards the cookie's jar in my hand and then looked towards ruku's naughty eyes. I was in huge shock that I couldn't talk for a while. "Kyun?!! Mooh khulla rahe gaya naa?!" ruku asked giving naughty frown. "Matlab yee cookies... Woo Antara..." MM stumbled from my side. "Jii haan janab. Yee cookies bana nee wala koi aur nahin balki Rhea ki Antara Di hi hain. Wohi banati hain yee sari cookies aur rhea koo deti thi. Aur tum dono itne dino tak ussi cokkies kee piche pare the." Ruku informed. I gulped hard at the information. I just couldn't digest the fact. Even before we meet each other in Kashmir, I was somehow connected to that girl. I was mad about these crunchy cookies which ruksana brought me every month from rhea's house. I almost finished a full jar most of the times. Those all cookies were made by antara!! I was gazing towards the jar like dumb!! May be that's why those cookies tasted so different to me, cause it had her hand's touch.
"Chalo abb idhar do." Ruku quickly took the jar from my hand to save the remaining cookies. I was still in trance and couldn't say a word. "Ruksana.. yee cookie.. yee woo yedi antara banati thi?! Mast hain yaar, ussey arshad miya kee bekkery mein rakh lee naa, aise cookies bekery mein bikengey too bekkery faous hoo jayegi!!" MM said. "Tum too chup hii raho..." Ruku suddenly hit had on his shoulder. "Maar kyun rahi hain?!!" Machmach said in irritation. "Kis kee barein main kya batein karni hoti hain yee kab sikhoge tumlog..." ruku's voice suddenly turned a bit sad, "Pata hain, aaj antara kee pichle zindagi kee barein mein bahut kuch pata chala. Sunkar bahut bura laga mujhe... Hum humesha sochte hain ki humare life mein itni problems kyun hain.. Par humein pata hi nahin hota ki dusre kee life mein aur bhi jyada problems ho sakte hain. Fir bhi woo dusron kee khusi kee liye apne gham koo chupa kar poori duniya ke samne haste rahete hain." ruksana's words didn't help but made me more and more numb. I had started to feel an unknown cold wave in my spine as I remind about antara and mili's conversation this afternoon. Ruku sighed as we both remained silent, "Antara humesha khus raheti hain. Humlogon aur bakio koo khub hasati hain. Kitne din huye hain ussey humari dance class join kiye huye. Itne kam waqt mein sab ki itni achi dost ban gayi hain...Uss larki kii bari si mushkan dekh kar kaun kahega kii teen mahine bhi nahin huye uss kii maa-papa kii maut hoo gayi road accident mein!!" though I came to know about her parents death earlier but the new information gave me another doze of shock. She lost hert parents in road accident and it was not even three months from the incident!! Even machmach was a bit shocked. Ruku sighed, "Saroj aunty kahe rahi thi ki sadme see abhi ubhar nahin payi hain antara. Aur sach bhi hain. Maine us ski akhon mein ajib si ek udashi dekhi hain aur aaj us ski wajah pata chali." Ruku's every word was hitting me hard inside. I didn't know why but each and every painful truth about antara tightened my chest more and more and it was becoming difficult to breath. "Antara koo too yahan hona hi nahin chahiye tha. Pata hain woo collage mein apne batch ki topper thi woo bhi gold medal wali... itna hii nahin.. Bidesh (abroad) mein jaa kee parne wali thi woo... ...Humlog kabhi woo sab soch bhi nahin saktey!" ruku informed with gleaming eyes. "Woo jaisey sahib bidesh mein jaa kee parke ayaa..." MM scratched his head. "Nahin budhu... Sahib too apne maa ki paiso see parne gaya tha... par antara... ussey too scholarship mili thi... socho kitni achi student rahi hogi naa?!!..." ruku said wondering. "Dekh mere koo jyada too nahin par thora bahut samajh mein aa re laa hain... Matlab kii woo uss nalayak satya see bhi achi thi... yahin naa..." MM said scratching his head. "Satya see kahin hazar guna achchi hain woo machmach. Uss mendak see too antara koo compare hii mat karo." Ruku said a bit loudly but again her face darkened. "Itna bura lag raha tha naa yee sab sun ke... Kismat bhi kya khel khel jata hain naa. Uss ek hadse nee us ski puri duniya idhar see udhar kar diya. uss accident mein uss key family kee sare log chal base. Koi nahin bacha hain, uss key ek chotey bhai ke siwaa. Ussi kee parayi ki kharach utha nee ke liye antara koo apna bidesh jane kaa sapna chor kee yahan naukri karne Mumbai aa naa para. Warna aaj woo yahan nahin hoti." Ruku said with a voice full of remorse. I couldn't stand there more. My whole feature was shaking in unknown anticipation. The load of invisible stone which I could feel on my heart from the afternoon became unbearable at that moment. Before I could lose my hold again, I rushed out of the place all of a sudden without looking back for once. I heard MM's voice from behind. But I couldn't look back cause my eyes were already started to burn slightly and I quickly sipped the out coming overflows before pushing the front gate of naik sadan.
Antara's POV
Another new day for me, and I again hopped that the day would be better for me. Ruku didn't show up that morning while I was feeding pigeons. I was missing her. The girl really made an important place in my heart. I loved hoe she consoled me yesterday. She seemed much matured than her appearance. I had a vital presentation on the office. The deal was really vital for aman sir so we would try our best to get the project. I still remembered that fakeer like looked of aman sir in that station. I didn't get a chance to meet and ask aman sir about that. I might get a chance after the presentation today. However I got ready and prayed to god for being with me like always. I stood near the wind chrime silently for a while. If my momma pappa was there I would take their blessings before going. But I knew that their blessing was always with me. A small warm breeze came from nowhere and ruffled my hair. I smiled wide as I remembered my pappa's unique style of blessing. He always stretches his pals and blew my hairs while I seek for her blessing. As if like I could feel his secure warmth in the breeze, like he was there with me. I smiled and touched the bells tingling in wind. For the very first time, my parents memory didn't made me sad, rather than it gave me some new amount of strength. "I know u all are here with me." I said keeping my fingers on the bell. I knew everything would be fine someday, though the hope was very much small but on that day, it felt like everything would be fine at last.
Rhea's school was closed on that day and sleeping beauty was still busy in taking nap. Guessed I have to go alone. Without disturbing her I came down gathering my things. "Good morning!" Mami greeted from the dining table. "Morning mami!! Please, can u give me breakfast quickly? I had to go earlier." I said looking towards my watch. "Off course...everything's prepared! I knew u had presentation today" mami assured and left for kitchen. "Yeah mami and it's really important one! So we thought to go earlier for preparations." I told her. "Antara, if u had time, u should visit to basti's ganesh temple before leaving for office. Bappa's blessing would surely bring you success." Mami said with a smile as she served me. "Sure!! Will try my best!" I smiled towards mami.
I left much earlier cause I planned to visit ganesh temple on the way to office. The temple was just at the opposite side of the entrance of basti and all people from basti visited there once in a day if they get time. I came here only once before with mami, pandit ji was quite known to me. I quickly take a packet of four laddos for temple from the nearby sweet shop and rushed to the temple's stair steps. As I was about to step on the steps I felt a pull on my dupatta. I turned back and saw a little boy and a little girl standing at my back and the boy was holding my dupatta. Their clothes were very old, unclean and tore. Their dry face and ruffled hair showed me that they were the ill fated little kids who were seen almost in each public places, living their life as beggars. "Didi.. aap kee pass kuch kha ne koo hoga.. meri choti bahen koo bahut bhookh lagi hain." the little boy said poorly. I felt bad for them. The boy must be of ishan's age and the girl is much smaller than that. without playing around with other kids or going to school their whole childhood was being ruined like that. "Main paise de deti hoon. Aap log kuch kharid kee le loo..." I said smiling to the little boy. "Nahin didi... paise mat do... pappa le lengey." The boy almost panicked. "Kyun?!!" I was a bit confused. The boy looked a little embarrassed. "woo bahut pee te hain didi... khud kee paise naa hoo too humare paise le lete hain. Hum naa dete hain too zbardasti lee lete hain. Humein maar te bhi hain!" he informed. My hed boiled up. I felt so much disgusted towards those kinds of man. howver I calmed myself for a moment and handed over the full packet of laddos to them. Their eyes gleamed, "Yee humare liye hain?!!" the little boy said with so much happy face. "Bilkul!" I said with a smile. they grinned widely. "Sukriya didi!!" they both jumped in happiness and moved down the stairs like two happy birds. I smiled and check out my watch. I didn't have time left to bring another packet of laddos. So I rushed upstairs to reach at the temple premises all empty handed. I had nothing to offer to ganesh ji rather than my faith, devotion and prayers.
I reached at the premises of temple. The people were scattered at random places like always. I find pandit ji standing at the middle looking straight towards me. We smiled at each other. "namastey pandit ji!!" I greeted him. "Khus rahi bitiya, tumne too sare ke sare laddo un bachoo koo de diye." Pandit ji indicated towards those poor kids who were now busy with ladddos seating on the steps. They looked so happy and content with the small food they got. I smiled towards them. "Haan pandit ji. Bhagwan jii kee bhog kee liye layein the woo laddo. Par bechare bhhokhe the... Dekh kee bura laga too maine de diye... Aaap koo bura too nahin laga?!" I asked cautiously. Pandit ji smile. "Bilkul nahin beti. In garib bacho kaa seba karna bhi too bhagwan kee sewa karne kee saman hota hain. Joo dusron kaa bhala karte hain bappa uski sari icha poori karte hain. Dekhna tumhare bhi poorey karengey..." pandit jii assured me, "Tum yahin ruko beti... main tumhe mandit kee bhog see prashad de deti hoon. Thik hain?!!" pandit jii left the place. I looked towards ganesh ji's smiling statue and smiled. The place looked so peaceful and I could feel content so much. I felt like everything would be better from the moment. My pappa used to say, serving poor people's always gives u the ultimate satisfaction. He always tried to help his poor patients however he can. I joined my hands and closed my eyes. "Aaap koo bura too nahin laga?!!" I asked ganesh ji in mind. I always used to do that from childhood. It might sounds crazy but I talked to bagwan ji whenever I got time. I felt another small breeze touched me just like the morning. I smiled, "Mujhe pata hain aap koo bura nahin laga!!..." I again started to talk in mind. "Momma, Pappa aur noor appa ka khayal rakhna...abb too woo log aap kee pass hi hain. Unn see kahena kii hum unhe bahut yaad karte hain!!" my heart saddened a bit while saying those words to ganesh ji.
"Antara bitiya!!!" pandit ji's words broke my trance. I opened my eyes and found pandit ji standing at my side with a pot full of suji halwa. "Bitiya.. Yahan jitney sare log hain un koo yee Prasad bant do...aur joo bachengey... woo apne liye rakh lena." Pandit jii said. "Jii!!!" I nodded and took the pot. All the visitors of temple sided and stood at a line. I started to distribute prasad to all. I was in hurry. So I was quickly moving ahead distributing prasdas. Suddenly in the middle, I came along a hand, rough and dark skinned. The tentacles and vein line on the arms showed how much powerful the hand was. The strong wrist was wrapped with a leather belt and hanky. My hands froze just inches above from the broad palm. My eyes widened as I recognized him. Out of shock I stood there motionless staring wide to that hand. Even he didn't respond and waited patoently. With a deep breath I looked up and met two pairs of deep black orbs, almost unreadable and full with mystery, still hold a little chink of guilt.
Wouldn't there be a single day in the earth in which I don't have to face this man?!
PS: happy hug day to all🤗
comment:
p_commentcount