CHAPTER 2
The quiet gentle breeze slowly lifted her hair as she stared out of the window. In her hand was a cup of hot coffee. She was sitting on the window couch, curled up cosily. She at times glanced in the direction of the kitchen where her friend was preparing something. A little girl of 5 years was running around. Gunjan smiled at her, observing the child's naughtiness.
Mridula came out of the kitchen with bowls of chicken salad for her and Gunjan and a bowl of chocolate yoghurt for the child.
Mridula- Gunjan! Aa jao! Lunch ready!
Gunjan got up and smilingly came up to the dinning table. The little girl climbed up on her little chair with excitement. Mridula handed over the bowls accordingly and the child joyfully attacked her yoghurt. Gunjan gazed at her fondly and Mridula smiled on observing that.
Mridula- Gunji. Yeh Mariam kaun hai? Meera yeh kehne ke liye subhei subhei aayi thi!
Gunjan looked at her friend and sighed- Mere ex-jiju Mayank ki saathi.
Mridula- O woh! Brian ki mum?
Gunjan nodded- Haan.
Mridula rolled her eyes- And you accidentally called your jiju?
Gunjan- Mujhe kabhi kabhi lagta hai ki kuch gadbad hai and I want my Di to be happy.
Mridula- Gunji. Please. Dont do it. Tumhari di ab kissi aur ke saath hai. Am sure khush hai woh!
Gunjan- Pata nahin... (Looked at the girl) Mridi, Pari ko kya hoga?
Mridula- Meri behen-jiju aa rahe hain Yaha pe transfer ho jaayega. Pari yahi Mumbai mein hi rahegi.
Gunjan looked happy- Ashwini yaha aakhir chale aayenge?
Mridula nodded her head smiling- Aur mere gharwaalein khush hai issi faisla sunke. My fiance Guru's family also.
Gunjan- Am sorry tum iss haalat mein ho. Agar main hoti toh...
Mridula stopped gunjan- O come on Gunji. Dont. Pari ki mausi usse pyar karte hain.
Gunjan- Yeh presswaalein tumhe aur tang kar rahe hain.
Mridula- Jaanti hoon. Lekin koi farq nahi padta. (She looked at the clock behind her on the wall) O freak! Ek ghante main hummein location pahuchna hai!
Gunjan- Relax Mridi. Meera ne kaha ki shooting thodi delayed hoga aaj.
Mridula- O! (Relieved) Thank god! (Relaxed herself)
Gunjan then looked at Pari and laughed- O! Look! Absolutely like her dad! Poori yoghurt ek jhalak mein khatam. (She stopped and looked at Mridula) Er. Sorry. Mujhe aise nahi kehna tha.
Mridula assuringly nodded and the two women continued to observe Pari as she licked her spoon.
Suddenly Gunjan's phone rang and on glancing, she groaned- O no! Bui!
Mridula rolled her eyes and Gunjan reluctantly answered- Jee Bui?
Bui- Kaha ho tum?
Gunjan- Shooting mein.
Bui- Accha? Meera ne toh kaha shooting baad mein hoga? Toh iss waqt kaha pe ho tum?
Gunjan- Bui main shooting pe jaa rahi hoon... Thodi dere mein...
Bui- Gunjan. Iss waqt kaha ho tum?
Gunjan- Mridi ke pass.
Bui- Accha. Theek hain. Mein Guarav ko wahi bhej diti hoon.
Gunjan leapt up- Kya! Kyon!
Bui- Badtameze! Aise koi chillata hai kya?
Gunjan- Bui aap Gaurav ko yaha kyon bhej rahi ho!
Bui- Ab tum tumhari didi ki tarah bartav mat karo. Bhaiya ke kehne pe main tujhe akele cchod diya, tumhe acting karne ki anumati bhi di hai. Ab shaadi ki time aaya hai. Bado ki baat maanaa tumhari farz hai!
Gunjan was on verge of desperate tears- Bui please. Gaurav ko yaha mat bhejiye! Mein abhi abhi shooting ke liye jaa rahi hoon
Bui hung up and Gunjan slowly plopped into the chair.
Mridula looked at her with concern- Gunzi are you okay?
Gunjan- Mujhe yaha se nikalna hoga Mridu! Gaurav yaha aa raha hai mujhe lift dene ke liye. I dont want to meet him!
Mridula- Gunjan. Chalo. Hum abhi iss waqt nikalte hain.
Gunjan nodded her head- Aur Pari?
Mridula- Play school mein drop karungi. Baad mein Kamla Bai usko yaha le ayenge.
Just then the door bell rang and the two looked at each other with a sinking feeling.
Mridula got up to open the door while Gunjan looked away, her eyes shut tightly, her palms rolled into fist. In a while a hand touched her shoulder and she wildly jerked it off, moved away roughly, looking away, loudly and sharply saying Dont touch me!'
A voice- Gunjan?
Gunjan opened her eyes in wonder and turned around and stared- Dia!
Dia smiled and the sisters tightly hugged each other.
Gunjan- Dia tum yaha!
Dia- Haan. Meera ne kaha ki tum yahi pe ho (Turning to Mridula) Hello again Mri!
Mridula smiled back- Hi again Dia!
Dia then saw Pari. The little girl was staring at the entire going-on with wonder, her finger in her mouth. Dia waved a tiny hello and Pari broke into giggles. Gunjan looked on happily while Mridula was amused.
Dia looked at Gunjan- Gun, tum kisko expect kar rahe thi?
Gunjan (Her smile vanishing)- Bui Gaurav ko yaha bhej rahe hai mujhe shooting pe le jaane ke liye. Mujhe abhi yaha se jaana hoga!
Dia- Toh theek hai. Main tumhe drop karti hoon! Chalo!
Gunjan- Mridu...
Mridula- Gunjan tumhe jaana hoga. Jao. Mein baad mein aaongi.
Gunjan nodded her head and rushed off to get ready.
Dia smiled, looked at Pari and then turned to Mridula- Mri. Thanks a lot. Agar tum yaha nahi hote, toh pata nahi Gunjan kis haalat mein hote.
Mridula (Suddenly tense)- T-tumhe sab-b kuch pata chal gaya hai?
Dia looked puzzled-Kya pata chala?
Mridula's face cleared- Erm kuch nahi... Bas yuhi pucch rahi thi.
Dia- Kuch hai kya?
Mridula shook her head- Par tum mujhe kis baat ke liye thanks de rahe ho?
Dia- Yehi ki Gunjan ki bhai-behen ke absence mei tumne ek behen ki tarah uski saath de rahe ho. Mein toh Delhi pe hoon, Nupur Australia aur Dodo Goa pe. Gunjan yaha bui-Tauji ke saath akeli pad gayi hai, atak gayi hai. Agar Sammy yaha hota toh Gunjan kitni kush rehni hoti.
Mridula smiled and nodded her head. Her phone rang and she excused herself. Dia then turned to look at Pari, and suddenly went deep into her thoughts.
Gunjan reappeared and shook her sister out of her thoughts- Chalein Dia! (Desperately seizing her arm) Please jaldi chalo!
Dia assuringly touched her hand and Gunjan yelled a goodbye to Mridula and almost reached the door when she turned and looked at Pari. She whispered- Bye Pari... (She turned to the door)
The cousins then sat in the car.
Dia (Starting to drive)- Gunjan... Yeh Pari Mridula ki beti hai kya?
Gunjan (Startled)- Haan. Hai. Kyon?
Dia- Kuch nahi. Aise hi puccha.
Gunjan- Toh Dia tum yaha? Mumbai mein?
Dia- Bhai ke shaadi jo hai! Goa mein hi hoga lekin taiyaari ab se shuru karne hai.
Gunjan (Excitedly)- Isska matlab Uday bhaiya, Benji, Tasha sab yaha hai?!
Dia smiled and nodded- Haan. My mum and dad's families bhi aa rahae hai Mumbai mein. Unke liye bahut kuch karna hai. Divorce ke baad, jab mum humko cchodke chale gaye, tab se dad yehi chaahte thei. Dodo aur meri shaadi yaha hogi aur woh bhi dhoom dhaam se.
Gunjan- Par Uday bhaiya ka...
Dia- Haan shaadi Goa pe, lekin kuch functions yaha pe bhi hoga!
Gunjan was smiling widely and then- Di aa rahe, hai na?
Dia nodded.
Gunjan- Mariam yaha aa rahe hai.
Dia put her car on a loud brake- What?!
Gunjan (Startled)- O sorry Dia! I didnt mean to tell you like this.
Dia- Gunjan. Mayank aur Brian bhi aa raha hai kya?
Gunjan- Pata nahi. Mariam ko phir se yaha pe bulaaya gaya hai costume design banaane ke liye. Brian apne mum ke saath shayad aayega... Jiju ke baare mein maloom nahi hai...
Dia stared at the road ahead of her. She thought to herself- Shayad Dodo ke shaadi pe kuch accha hoga...Things are getting repeated! Kahin iss baar waakeyi kuch... (She thoughtfully drove on)
After her shooting got over, Gunjan was getting ready to go home. Mridula was with her in her makeup van, and Gunjan was happily telling her how happy she was to have the house full once more. Suddenly Meera knocked and came in.
Meera- Bui aur Gaurav yaha hain.
Gunjan paled and before she could react, Bui came in.
Gunjan- B-bu-ui...
Bui (Glaring)- Ab dekhte hai Gaurav se kaise bach sakte ho tum. Chalo (She grabbed Gunjan's arm) Maine tumhe saafh saafh kehdiya ki Gaurav tumhe meet karega aur yaha lekar aayega!
Gunjan (Trying to open Bui's firm hand)- Bui please! Haath cchodo Bui!
Mridula (Rushing to Gunjan's help) Buaji please! Yaha pe tamasha mat kijiye! Yeh ek public area hai! (As Bui turned to glare at her, Mridula quickly thought of something) Aapki izzat aapki haath pe hain. Agar uncle ko pata chal jaayega, unka izzat pe kya sawaal paida hoga?
Mridula's confused logic somehow worked. Bui thoughtfully looked at Mridula, let go of Gunjan's hand and icily told her she and Gaurav would be outside in the car park.
With that Bui left. Gunjan's eyes welled with tears. Gently clasping her hand, she tried to contol her tears. Meera and Mridula held her and sat her down. They heard her constantly whispering, longingly, Samrat why didnt you take me away with you...' They looked at each other and sighed.
Later in the evening Dia was surprised to see Bui returning alone.
Dia- Bui, Gunjan kaha hai? Gunjan ko lene gaye thei hai na?
Bui- Haan par pehle maine Gaurav ke pass gaye thi maafhi mangne liye. Usne Gunjan ke pass gayi thi lekin woh waha thei nahi. Issi liye mein khud Gunjan ko Gaurav ke pass cchod diya. Gaurav Gunjan ko waapus le aayenge.
Dia rolled her eyes- Bui. You are too much. Nupur aur ab Gunjan.
Bui glared back- Aur sun. Tum ab koi tamasha shuru mat karo. Accha hua ki woh dono ladke nahi hai yaha. Pehle Nupur uss jhootha ko shaadi ki aur uske baad khud dhoka khaya. Agar humaare baat maankar Babloo ko shaadi karte toh aaj yeh naubat nahi aata. Aur ab kaha hai Nupur? Kissi ek aur sheher ka ladke ko chup chupke shaadi ki. Aur tum? Yeh Bheneji ekdum sheher ke hai. Gunjan toh bach gaye. Accha hua meri baat sahi nilka. Bhaiya ka aankhei khul gaye. Kaise Gunjun ke saath rishta tod diya us kamina ne!
Dia- Bui! Gunjan Sammy ko cchod diya, Sammy Gunjan ko nahi!
Bui- Bahut accha hua ladki ko akkal aayi, tum aur Nupur ki tarah behosh nahi hai woh!
Dia glared and Bui continued- Gaurav bahut accha ladka. Sheher ki nahi woh. Katni se hai woh, yaha pe ek bada company mein kaam karte hai woh.
Dia's nose scrunched up- Eeww Katni? Woh village MP mein?
Bui- Haan. Gaurav bahut shaant hai, accha insaan hai. Bartaav acche hai, bharosawala hai!
Dia tuned out as Bui kept on praising Gaurav till she mentioned the word Shergill. Her ears perked up- Kya Bui?
Bui- Kissi bade log Shergill naam hai.
Dia's eyes widened in amazement- Shergill?
Bui nodded.
Dia- Gaurav kya karte hai?
Bui- Ussi company ka MD hai woh. Yehi kaha tha mujhe. Shayad. Haan MD.
Dia looked rather stupefied- Bui Uska boss ka naam kya hai?
Bui- Mujhe kya pata! (She hurries off, busily) Bhaiya ko kuch kehna hai... (Left, talking to herself)
Dia stared after her. Deep inside her a hope sprung up. She wished the company Bui was talking about turned out to be the company she knew about.
Gunjan was nervous. Guarav took her for a drive and constantly talked about himself. She was not listening. She kept glancing at her phone to see assuring message updates from Meera that a production unit car was still following Gaurav's car.
Suddenly Gaurav stopped the car. The road was desolate and Gunjan got startled.
Gunjan- Yeh kaha lekar aaye tum mujhe?
Gaurav silently turned off the engine and looked at her. He smirked at her- Mein tumhari mangekar hoon Gunjan. Darro mat.
Gunjan looked around panicked and then tried to open her door, but it was auto-locked.
Gunjan- Yeh kya kar raho ho tum! Mujhe jaane do!
Gaurav- Tum akeli kaise jaaoge? Mein hoon na!
He then touched her hand and she jerked it off. He smiled at that, thrilled. He touched her knee and she shook off his hand. He joyfully laughed and kept touching her on the face, hair, shoulder, arm and she kept shaking his hand away. He then grabbed her hands and moved forward, trying to kiss her lips while she fended him off, resisting strongly. Suddenly there was a loud knocking on both sides of the car and Gaurav stopped. He looked around to see Meera at Gunjan's window and a production guy at his window. Gunjan looked relieved and tried opening the door.
Meera (Calling out loudly)- Agar issi waqt tumne yeh darwaaza nahi khula toh mein police bulaongi!
Gaurav shouted back- Chaabi mere pass hai!
Suddenly he heard the sound of a tyre being deflated. He looked at the production guy gleefully holding up a huge iron nail. Gaurav was speechless and Gunjan snatched the keys. She threatened him with the pointed edge of the key chain and he felt cornered. He unlocked the car door and Gunjan gasped as she jumped out of the car. She hugged Meera, who led her back to the car that was following behind. The production guy threatened Gaurav and then left. Gaurav sat there still, feeling flustered. Then he dialled a number.
Meera brought in a shaken pale Gunjan to the Bhushan house. Dia, Uday, Benji were shocked to see her in this state. Meera had already called Dia to inform her about the incident. Bauji-Bui were also there.
Bui looked incredulous and kept defending Gaurav, saying that he had called her, saying that he was framed. Bauji stood silent and he watched Dia take Gunjan to her room. Little Tasha also joined her mother.
Bauji then turned to Meera and thanked her- Tum waakeyi Gunjan ki accha khayal rakhte ho. Uss Rathi se zyaada.' Meera acknowledged and left.
Bui was about to interrupt but Bauji silenced her and told her to call Gaurav and his parents next day to discuss the incident. Bui nodded her head and then was about to go in the direction of Gunjan's room. Bauji stopped her and told her to leave his daughter alone.
Uday and Benji stared after the two elders as they left, then turned to each other.
Uday- I hope my sweet sister theek hai.
Benji- I hope so too.
In London, Samrat received a call from the Mumbai branch of his and Suhaani's merged business company, who requested the Shergill siblings to come to Mumbai for some important meetings.
Samrat- Mumbai? Par kyon Soham?
Soham- Bro, Company ka Mumbai branch ki kuch zaroori dealings poori karni hai aur ek gadbad yaha ho raha hai jo maine tum logo ke saath personally share karna chaahto hoon.
Samrat became thoughtful.
Soham- Sam?
Samrat dreamily sighed- Haan Soham mein sun raha hoon.
Soham- Dude mujhe pata hai ki tum Mumbai kyon avoid kar rahe ho. Lekin business ki silsile mein kaam toh aage barna hai...
Samrat- Haan. Jaanta hoon. Tujhe bata dunga. Chal ab rakh.
Soham- Okay! See you!
Samrat hung up, left his cubicle and went towards his sister's cubicle on the same floor.
Suhani looked up as her brother entered with a knock. A small baby in a pen also looked up and gargled on seeing his uncle- Samuncle!
Samrat smiled and picked up little one year old Mickey from his pen and gave him a cuddle. Suhaani smiled, amused.
Samrat sat in a sofa, the kid in his lap. He looked at his sister. Suspecting something amiss, Suhaani immediately got up and sat near her brother- Haan Bhai. Hua kya?
Samrat told her.
Suhaani silently nodded her head- Bhai, you okay?
Samrat- Pata nahi. (He grumpily gazed at Mickey who was playing with Samrat's fingers)
Suhaani sighed- Bhai. If you want, only I will go.
Samrat- Soham ne kaha ki hum dono ke zaroorat hai.
Just then Riana's call came. Samrat sighed and answered.
Riana- Sam. Next month my cousin is getting married. India mein!
Samrat's ears perked up- Oh! Aur mera dost bhi!
Riana- Kya? Tumne mujhe bataye kyon nahi?
Samrat- Baby tumhe pata hai...Mere jaane ki man nahi kar raha hai...
Riana- Oh...
Samrat- Par mujhe abhi abhi kaam pe bulaay gaya hai Mumbai pe... Par... I just dont feel like it.
Riana- Baby. I think you should go with me to India. Come on. Meet your friends. Kya pata tumhaari Chashmish tumhaari intezaar kar raha hoga!
Samrat- Nahi. Uski family uski shaadi karwaa rahe hai.
Riana went silent and took a deep breath- Darling. Please chalo mere saath! Ussi bahaane main mein Viren se milungi!
Samrat smiled- Okay baby sochta hoon...
Riana- Honey. You have done so much for me and just a few more months and I will be eternally grateful to you!
Samrat- Rins. I will continue being there for you.
Riana- Then for my sake and for work's sake please come to Mumbai with me!
Samrat- Okay babes. I will let you know. Lekin agar kuch ho jaaye...
Riana- Aagar hota hai toh hum us musirbat ko saamna karenge!
Samrat smiled- Theek hai...
After Samrat hung up, he looked at Suhaani- Suhaani. Kya mere India jaana theek hoga?
Suhaani pointed upwards- Uparwala dude ko puccho!
Samrat amusedly laughed- Kya baat hai! Tum dono ne mere saath mere bhaasha mein baat kar raho ho? Kuch pakda hai kya?
Suhaani smiled- Nahi bhai! Mein bas tumhe hosla de rahi hoon. Shayad humaare jaana waakeyi accha hoga. Shayad tumhaara kismat phir se badal jaayengi! (Sbe looked at her watch) Oh! 2Pm! Chalo bro lumchtime almost kahatam hua hai! Mickey ko bhi bhook lagi hogi!
Later that night Samrat lay down on his sofa in his bedroom. His dog Nachos crept up to him and nuzzled him. Samrat cuddled the dog and started speaking to him random stuff. The dog wagged his tail and Samrat then made him lie next to him. Then facing the ceiling, arms crossed on chest and legs crossed as well, Samrat stared into the space. He began to analyse the possible effects of his going to Mumbai-
Kya hoga agar mein jaaon? Ek tarafh Riana. Cousin ki shaadi ki bahana pe jaa rahe hai. Shayad Viren ab mil jaayega. Dusri tarafh Dodo ke shaadi aur waha shayad Chashmish aur uski fiance honge. Kya mein khudko sambhal paonga? Kya mera bardaashth hoga? Kaisa hoga agar mein nahi jaaon? Lekin agar mein jaaoon toh shayad mera paanch saalon ka jawaab mil jaayegat... Nups toh khud kaha ki Chashmish mujhe galat samjha shayad. Lekin mujhe kuch nahi maaloom. Kya hua kaisa hua... Kya meine koi galti ki? Mujhe pehle se pata karna chaahiye tha lekin uss Bui ne mujhe uss raat...
His thoughts got interrupted by a knock on the door. Nachos pricked his ears and lifted his head. So did Samrat- Haan?
A voice asked- Beta main andaar aaoon?
Samrat got up with reluctance and opened the door to see Indira Shergill, his mother.
Indira's maiden name was Shergill hence she was still using the surname. Samrat and Suhaani now merged their parents' respective businesses and became partners. Indira was now just a retired lady living with her son. She had accepted Adhiraj, who was now handling his own start up business of marketing sports and health goods for women and children. He, his wife and children lived next door amd often dropped in for lunch.
Indira- Beta. Suhaani ne kaha ki tum Mumbai jaane ke liye taiyaar nahi ho?
Samrat put his hands into his pockets and silently nodded- Hm.
Indira- Beta. I know ki tum mujhe poori tarase accept nahi ki toh mere tumse kuch kehna bekar hai... Lekin...
Samrat was looking at his door- Just say what you want to say.
Indira- Beta. Agar tum usko itna hi pyaar karte ho toh mat jao.
Samrat stared at Indira.
Indira- Riana acchi ladki hai. Bahut sweet hai. Aur agar tum ab India jaaoge toh shayad Gunjan tum dono ke beech...
Samrat interrupted her- Mom stop! Main waha Riana ki verjade jaa raha hoon! Riana ne khud kaha!
Indira- Shayad she is testing you.
Samrat- O please. Riana waisi ladki nahi hai. Dil ki saafh hai woh. Dusri ladkiyaan se alag hai. Not like you!
Indira- Beta. Maine issi liye kehri hoon ki tum mat jaon! Riana se pyaar karte ho toh mat jao.
Samrat suddenly looked at her and realised that his mom was referring to his love for Riana and not Gunjan.
Indira looked at her son suspiciously- Samrat, kya tum abhi bhi Gunjan ko yaad karte ho?
Samrat suspiciously looked at his mother- Kyon? Kya tumne hum dono ke beech kuch daarar daal de thei?
Indira looked shocked- Beta! Kaise baat kar rahe ho? Hazaar baar bol chuki hoon ki mujhe bhi nahi pata Gunjan tumhe kyon cchoda! Mere koi lena dena nahi hai!
Samrat rolled his eyes- Pata nahi. Kaun kya bolta hai. Sirf Nachos pe bharosa kar sakta hoon. Koi bharosa karne ki laayek bhi nahi hai! (He went into his room and slammed the door shut)
Indira stared at the door and sighed and slowly turned and left.
Samrat sat on his bed, his head in his hands. Nachos sat in front of him, his head tilted, his eyes on his master. He lifted a paw and kept it tenderly on Samrat's knee. Samrat looked up at his dog. Nachos got up and put his front paws on Samrat's knees and licked his face. Samrat cupped the dog's face and lovingly rubbed behind the dog's ears. The dog continued licking him and soon his anger ebbed away.
At dinner time he apologised to his mom, and Indira full heartedly accepted.
Samrat- Mom, Riana chaahte hai ki mein uski saath jaaoon. Mom. Riana aur mere beech kya hai tum nahi jaante ho. Baad mein pata chal jaayega.
Indira was perplexed- Matlab?
Samrat- Waqt ke saath tum bhi jaan jaaogi.
Just then Adhiraj and Suhaani entered for dinner.
Suhaani- Yes mom. Bhai aur Riana ki beech kuch aur hai, kuch special hai. Tumko baad mein pata chal jaayega.
Indira was mystified.
Adhiraj- Sam. I hope ab tum India jaane ke liye convinced ho. Ab toh bachne ki koi raasta nahi hai! Kismat se! (He winked)
Suhaani dug her nail into Adhiraj's knee under the table and fiercely whispered- Ma ki saamne chup raho kam se kam!
Indira- Adhiraj. Tum kehna kya chaahte ho?
Adhiraj looked slightly sheepish- Kuch nahi mom. Main bas yuhi bakwaas kehraha tha! (Just then his phone rang) O. Mere dad ka call. (Looked at Suhaani) Toh hum jaa rahe hai, hai na?
Suhaani nodded her head- Haan mujhe toh kaam ki silsile mein jaana hai aur Uday ke shaadi ke liye bhi!
Adhiraj got up and moved aside after excusing himself and answered his father's call.
Meanwhile Suhaani looked at her brother- Bhai. Toh faisla kya hua?
Samrat- Will decide.
Indira- Mujhe kuch theek nahi lag raha hai. Tumhe jaana nahi chaahiye!
Suhaani was surprised- Kyon?
Indira- Pata nahi beta.
Samrat- Please ab bandh karo. I am going. (He looked at Suhaani) I am letting Riana, Soham and Dia know.
Suhaani smiled happily- That's great bhai!
Indira- Par beta tumhara man nahi kar raha tha!
Samrat- Haan. Par agar tumhe kuch theek nahi lag raha toh isska matlab shayad mera jaane ki koi faida hoga!
Indira- Beta I care for you! Whenever I dont feel right, you at once assume something good will happen?
Samrat- Exactly. Tum mera khushi mei sirf apne interests dekhte ho.
Suhaani interrupted- Mom. Bhai. Please. Let's stop! Mini aur Mickey kissi bhi waqt yaha aa jaayng! Apne Maama aur Nani ko ladte hue nahi dekh sakte hai! Please!
Her children came in, Mini's dog following. Samrat calmed down and heartily greeted his niece and nephew. Indira tried to smile at her grandchildren and then turned to her plate, a little saddened. Suhaani sighed out of relief.
Later Indira called Riana.
Riana- Hello Aunty!
Indira- Hello Beta!
Riana- Pairipona aunty!
Indira- Jeete raho... Puttar, kya tum chaahte ho Samrat India jaaye?
Riana- Haan aunty!
Indira- Sab jaante ho! Uske baawajud!
Riana- Jee aunty!
Indira- Kaisa ladki hai tu? Tum jaante ho Mumbai mein kaun hai, hai na?
Riana- Absolutely yes, aunty! Mujhe sab kuch pata hai. Samrat ki Chashmish wahi pe hai yeh mujhe maaloom hai.
Indira- Samrat pe poora bharosa hai? Agar tum dono ke beech Gunjan...
Riana- Waisa kuch nahi hoga. Main chaahti hoon Samrat usse mile, baat karein aur apna peace of mind ke liye yeh bahut zaroori hai. Kab tak Samrat yaha pe beithenge aur pareshaan hoge?
Indira- Tum mera bete se pyaar karte ho hai na? Lekin itna bharosa mat rakho! Kabhi bhi kuch bhi ho sakta hai!
Riana- Aunty. Jo hoga wahi hoga. Mujhe Samrat aur Gunjan dono pe poora bharosa hai!
Indira- Tum Gunjan ko mili bhi nahi! Kaise usko...?
Riana- Aunty. Please. Jo hoga acche ke liye hoga.
Indira was more stupefied and she turned around from her table to find her son glaring her.
She quickly hung up- Samrat beta?
Samrat- Tum kyon mera picche pad gaye ho? Kyon?
Indira- Samrat. Main nahi chaahti hoon ki tumhaari dil phir se toot jaaye! Aur Riana... Bahut sweet girl hai and I dont want her to feel hurt!
Samrat- Back off mom. Seriously. You dont know many things about me and Riana! Suhaani ne kaha na ki tumhe sab kuch pata chal jaayege!
Indira was on verge of tears and Samrat moved his face away, his hands akimbo- Ab mujhe tumhaari tears mat dikhao mujhe! Please.
Indira- Mujhe tumahara fikar hai. Ek baar toh bataa do baat kya hai aur main tumhe support karungi beta! Mujhe tumhaari ma hone ek mauka do beta! Please!
Samrat's eyes filled with tears- Tumne mujhe dad ke pass cchod dya aur sirf Suhaani ko leke gaye. Dad kabhi bhi mere saath time spend nahi ki. Mom. Mein akela bade hue thei aur aaj bhi mera life mere terms mein jeeoonga. Please mera life pe dakhal mat do. Maine tumhe accept ki lekin poori tarase nahi. Kuch maamlo mein tumhe mujhe akela cchodna hoga. This is my life mom.
Indira nodded her head- Haan beta... Jaanti hoon... Issi liye main tumhe har waqt support kar rahi hoon... Just tell me and I wont worry for you. Please. Paanch saal ho gaya hai... ab toh mujh par bharosa rakho! Main iss baar tumhe khona nahi chaahti hoon. Hazaar baar kechchuki hoon maine bahut badi bhool ki tumhe akela cchod di... Tumhaari Gunjan hum dono ko saath laayi hai... Kam se kam uske liye...
Samrat shut his eyes tightly, his hands rolled into fists- Maine kaha na. Tumhe khud pata chal jaayega. Riana aur main India jaa rahe hoon. Yeh mera aakhri faisla hai. Support or not, respect my decision and stop keeping tabs on any one of us. Tumhari koi help zaroori nahi hai ab. (He then left the room)
Indira sadly stared after him.
Mayank and Marium met their favourite restaurant. Over a hot lunch of Spanish delicacies, they exchanged pleasantries. Then Mayank asked Marium about her apparent assignment in Mumbai.
Marium looked at Mayank, surprised- I thought I will tell you today. How do you know?
Mayank- Meri ex-saali. She is acting in the show for which you are hired.
Marium- Phir se?
Mayank nodded his head.
Marium- My god.
Mayank- Marium Goa pe Uday ke shaadi hoga. I am invited.
Marium- Wow. Isska matlab Nupur.
Mayank nodded- I am not keen on going. Nupur left me. Why will i follow her.
Marium- Ek baar pata bhi nahi karoge?
Mayank- Ooltah toh usko mere pass aana chaahiye.
Marium- You did let her down a bit Mayank. You are wrong too.
Mayank sighed, cooling down.
Marium- And meri verjade bhi kuch misunderstanding hui. You should have cleared it with her instead of sending her the divorce papers!
Mayank looked away- And she signed it. USA jaane ke pehle usne mujhse divorce maangi lekin maine usko manaa liya. Lekin jab maine bheja divorce papers, usne ek baar bhi mere pass nahi aayi baat karne ke liye.
Marium took his hand- Just once talk to her Mayank. Please come with me to Mumbai. Am sure she wants to clear it with you too! I will help...
Mayank- Tum Mumbai jao. Mere man nahi hai.
Marium- Come on Mayank! Mere liye nahi Nupur ke liye nahi par Shilpa aunty ke liye toh Mumbai jaa sakte ho! Aunty har baar aati hai par iss par tum India aao mere saath! Hum wedding attend karenge, Aunty se milenge...
Mayank- Haan. Nupur ke verjade mere man nahi hai. Ma ki tabiyath thoda kamzor hain. CJ aksar Ma ke saath baat karte hai... Ma ne mujhe kuch nahi batayi lekin CJ mujhe ma ki khabar dete hai...
Marium- Ma se nahi miloge? Aunty will feel better on seeing you! Waise yeh CJ tumhari college friend hain na?
Mayank nodded his head- Haan. CJ ek multinational company main kaam karte hai. Shaadi hui hai aur ek beti bhi hui uski.
Marium- Is she also invited?
Mayank nodded his head.
Marium- Mayank... Please dont look so confused. Gunjan called you. Your mom expects you. Everyone wants to meet you. Please chalo! Main tumhare saath hoon.
Mayank sighed- Let me see.
The two then drifted to the topic of Brian and his schooling.
Mayank dialled his mother's number later in the night.
Shilpa's tired voice pepped up at once when he said hello ma, kaise ho?'
Shilpa- Mayu! Tum! Main toh bilkul fit hoon! Aur tum?
Mayank- Ma kyon jhooth bol rahe ho?
Shilpa- Jhooth? Maine kya kiya?
Mayank- Ma. Cj ne mujhe sab kuch bataati hai. Kaise tum bahut hospital jaate ho. Kaise bahut saarein tests karwaate ho.
Shilpa- Beta. Agar tumhe yeh sab pata tha toh chalein kyon nahi aaye?
Mayank went silent.
Shilpa sighed- Oh Nupur. Uski verjade tum paanch saal ke liye apne ma ke pass India nahi aaye.
Mayank- Am sorry ma... Main sirf accha pati aur papa nahi hoon, main ek accha beta bhi nahi hoon (He felt like crying)
Shilpa closed her eyes- Toh aa jao na beta mere pass! Iss baar mein America nahi jaongi... Tum aa jao...
Mayank silently nodded his head.
Shilpa- Yeh meri aakhri iccha hai.
Mayank- MA!! Please! Aisa mat kaho!
Shilpa- Beta I have a weak heart.
Mayank was shell shocked on hearing this- Nahi. Yeh nahi ho sakta hai! Ma mein aa raha hoon!
Later Cj got a call from Mayank.
Mayank- Ma ko heart problem hai aur yeh baat tumne mujhse cchupayi!
CJ- Mayank. Main kya karti. Aunty ne mujhe majboor kiya hai tumhe na bokar. I- I am sorry Mayank...
Mayank- Main Mumbai aa raha hoon.
Then Mayank called Samrat.
Mayank- Samrat. Tumhare ek bahot accha dost hai ek heart specialist?
Samrat- Haan. Dr. CJ.
Mayank- Ain?
Samrat- Nahi tumhari CJ nahi. Yeh Chirag Jain hain. Saare world pe uska demand hai... Par hua kya?
Mayank- I need to meet him. My mom has developed a bad heart.
Samrat- Kya! Aunty?
Mayank- Haan. Aur haan Samrat, kissiko bataana zaroori nahi hai.
Samrat- Toh tum Mumbai jaa rahe ho? Par aunty toh Bangalore main hain... Hai na?
Mayank- Thi waha pe. Do saal pehle Mumbai pe relocate kiya. Mere dost CJ ma ki neighbour hai issi liye mere fikar thoda kam pad gaye... Par ab ma ko mera zaroorat hai... Accha pati nahi ban saka, accha papa nahi ban saka leikn ma ko fail nahi karunga (Suddenly he broke down)
Samrat was stunned to hear Mayank of all people breaking down- Mayank. Dude. Sab theek ho jaayga. Main bhi Mumbai jaa raha hoon. Hum dono milke aunty ko dekhbaal karenge. Now calm down. Main Dr. Chirag se baat karunga aur tumhaara number bhi dunga. Relax...
Mayank- Theek hai Samrat... Thanks dude...
Samrat- Dude dodo ka shaadi bhi miss mat karo... Kya pata kuch...
Mayank- Pehle Gunjan uske baad Marium aur ab tum. Ho kya gaya tum sabko? Nupur ko milna nahi chaahta hoon main!
Samrat- Gunjan? Uski phone aayi thi?
Mayank (Realising)- Er. Haan. Woh... Kehre thi ki Nupur ko ek baar miloon.
Samrat (Quietly)- O. I see.
Mayank- Dude... Woh... Main...
Samrat thought to himself- Bas ab ek hi raasta hai issko shaadi pe laane ki.
Mayank- Samrat?
Samrat- Haan dude main yehi pe hoon. Main sab kuch theek karunga. Sab kuch.
Mayank (Suspiciously)- Matlab?
Samrat- Matlab mein Dr. Chirag se baat karunga.
Mayank- Thanks dude...
Mayank hung up and called Marium. Mariums's sleepy voice greeted him- Kya hua Honey?
Mayank noticed the time- O sorry! Time nahi dekha! Woke you up? O haan woke you up. Kal baat karunga.
Marium- Mayank Mayank Mayank... Just say it.
Mayank took a deep breath- Ma ki weak heart hai. Main tumhaari saath Mumbai jaonga.
Some weeks later.
Nupur landed at Mumbai airport, Raj and Rounak tagging along. Nupur's hands trembled and almost froze as she reached the gate of the airport. For five years, she was hardly in Mumbai, except for very short business visits. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and blew out her cheeks. She was finally here. Apprehensive but determined to face it all. She nodded to herself- Nupur tum theek ho. Kuch nahi hoga tumhe. You are perfectly fine'. As her companion settled the bags on the trolley and little Raj stuck to her hand, she counted till fifty. Rounak looked at her encouragingly and she smiled at him. And then the couple and the child walked to the exit, right into the waiting arms of Dia, Benji and Uday.
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