I suddenly had this weird idea of writing a story and I dashed ahead. But failed to give it a meaningful end. Slogged over it for hours and then thought "What the heck? Lemme just post it."
Am really out of touch, but just thought to try something.
Meanwhile, a very Happy Diwali to all of you.
Best Wishes,
Poet
.........................................
A Diwali Surprise
It was late in the evening when a car honked in front of the gates of the Lal residence. As the gatekeeper ran to open the imposing gates, the driver sat in benign silence, as if mesmerized by the shimmering beauty of the haveli which was shining with the light of hundreds of lamps.
"Chhote maalik Aap?" the gatekeeper beamed as he opened the door enough for the car to pass inside.
Rajbir smiled at him and answered
"Yes Ratan Singh. I finished my work early to reach home in time."
"Should I inform Lalaji that you have returned?" Ratan Singh asked, wanting to spread the happy news while Rajbir parked his car.
The person concerned simply shook his head in the negative.
"Let me give them a surprise" he said as he drove towards the garage.
……….
Kranti stood in the Puja room, surveying all around. The light from the lamps bestowed an ethereal glow to the room and she was happy. A few moments before, Chaiji and Buaji had also come to the Puja room and were happy with the decorations as well as the Puja arrangements. They were now waiting for others to assemble so that the Puja could be conducted.
As Kranti stepped out of the Puja room, she looked all around her and felt happy. The glimmering diyas had completely transformed the house and freed it from its mundane existence; she was happy that Bauji and Chaiji had given her the responsibility to arrange the Puja and to look after the decoration bit too. It was a big responsibility, since Kranti's sister-in-law, Madhumati was indisposed in the sixth month of her pregnancy.
"Kranti puttar" Chaiji called out "Please check if the lamps in the balconies are already lit or not. And also the lamps in the terrace? After that you go and get dressed for the Puja, I have kept a new dress and some jewellery on your bed."
"Ji Chaiji" Kranti called out as she ran up the stairs. There was a lot to do and she was already getting late.
…………..
Kranti entered her room and closed the door behind her. She was a bit tired but she was happy. Parjaiji and Kewal Bhaisaab were on the terrace lighting the lamps, their faces shining with joy – the joy of impending parenthood, Kranti realized, as she recalled their glowing faces. Her lips curved into a smile as she remembered the way Kewal supported his wife protectively, his arms around her shoulders, supporting her every step. Madhumati had also shown Kranti the golden necklace that Kewal had gifted to her on occasion of Diwali and her joy knew no bounds. Kranti was genuinely happy for them and wished that she wasn't alone on that day.
Yes, she was happy to be with her family members but she wished that Raj wasn't away from home and family during Diwali.
She looked at the royal-blue colored dress and the jewellery set that Chaiji had kept for her; but somehow she didn't feel happy anymore. And she didn't know why.
…………
The air felt crisp and chilly, as Raj walked towards the main door. The garage was a bit away from the main residence and Raj was enjoying the walk, his hands safely tucked inside the pockets of his trouser, a scarf roughly thrown around his neck, the smell of wild roses wafted in the slight breeze. From a distance, he looked the house again; the flickering lights were beckoning him like an oasis. He quickened his steps; he was dying to meet everybody, especially his wife.
…………..
A knock on the door broke Kranti's trance, and she realized that she was sitting in a trance with the new dress in her hand.
She opened the door hurriedly and Buaji barged into the room. Taking stock of the situation, Buaji caught hold of Kranti's hand and sat down on the bed.
'What's the matter dear? You are not ready as yet? The Puja is about to start.'
'I am sorry Buaji' Kranti said. 'I zoned out a bit. I will get dressed quickly and come down for the Puja.'
"You are missing Rajbir, right?" Buaji asked all of a sudden.
Kranti got up from the bed and walked towards the almirah.
"No, why should I miss him? Did he tell me where he has gone? I got to know from Chaiji that he has gone to Jalandhar for a case. If he doesn't care about me, why should I care about him?"
Buaji smiled at Kranti's back. "These two are always at loggerheads, but probably they do not know what they mean to each other." she thought.
"Ok ok" she said. "But Raj did tell you where he was going?"
Kranti fumed
"Yes only when he was leaving the house. I think he thought that it was enough."
Nodding her head imperceptibly, Buaji got up from the bed and walked towards Kranti. She turned her around and held her chin with her fingers; she could see Kranti's eyes glistening with unshed tears.
She said in a serious tone
"Kranti you mean much more to Rajbir than probably you could even think of. Now I don't want you to be sad on this auspicious day. Please dress up quickly and let's go down for the Puja. We will deal with this later."
Kranti looked mortified, she definitely didn't want to tell about her personal equation with Rajbir to anyone, lest of all Buaji. She said,
'Oh yes Buaji. I will be down in a few minutes. I shan't keep you all waiting."
Once Buaji left the room, Kranti picked up her dress and walked towards the washroom.
…………
Fifteen minutes later, Kranti re-entered her room and threw the towel on a settee along the window. She had to get dressed hurriedly; the others must be waiting for her downstairs. Straining her ears, she could hear several joyous voices speaking together, and gathered that the guests had arrived.
A pleasant scent reached her nose and she looked around for the source – she saw a bunch of wild roses kept on the bed stand and was puzzled, she surely didn't remember seeing them when she came to the room earlier.
A lone lamp stood glittering on the table where she had kept her jewellery; as she walked towards the lamp, the light in the room suddenly went out and even the balcony outside subsided into darkness. But only for an infinitesimal second, it seemed. The night was no longer dark as the light from the hundreds of diyas lit up the house like an exuberant bride.
With bated breath, Kranti stood transfixed at the spot; she could see her ghostly image on the mirror. Sensing a slight movement behind her, she wheeled around, her heart thudding against her chest.
Only to come face to face with her elusive husband.
"Happy Diwali Kranti" he murmured, as his fingers traced her cheek slightly and his other hand pulling her closer.
"Oh Rajbir" Kranti shrieked. "How dare you scare me like this?" her fists pushed at his chest. Raj tried to catch hold of her hands but she was livid with rage.
A few seconds, she collapsed and Raj held her against his chest. After a while, he realized that her body was shaking, he felt guilty. He hadn't expected his joke to have such an after-effect.
Gently prising her away from his body, he lifted her chin up to look into her eyes. He was taken aback to see tears there; at that moment, he felt his heart breaking into a hundred pieces. Holding her face in his hands, he whispered
'I am so sorry Kranti. I always end up making you cry though I always promise to keep you happy. I never thought that you would get so upset. I …"
Before he could continue, Kranti said
"Why didn't you tell me where you were going Rajbir? I was so worried about you. I hate you so much for doing this to me."
After a precious moment, she added
"And I missed you so much."
Raj gently wiped her tears and said,
"Kranti I know you wouldn't want to believe me so easily, but I promise you that this won't happen again. I missed you too."
Kranti took hold of her husband's hands and brought them closer to her lips. She then kissed them lightly and said
"I want to believe you Raj and I know that we have to work hard to see us through. But you see I believe in us and know that it's possible. We don't have to suffer anymore."
She looked up at Raj, her eyes now shining with her proclaimed love and more.
Raj looked at her as if she was an apparition; he couldn't believe his eyes and ears. This is what he has been waiting for so long; and had hoped since eternity for things to be right between them. He wished to rub his eyes to check whether he was dreaming or not, but he knew that this was it. The basic truth – the only fact beyond which nothing existed in his universe. Their universe!!!
He pulled Kranti to himself, her soft frame molding against him. Cupping her face once again, he bent down slightly and covered her lips with his. Kranti's hands went around his neck as one of his hands held her slightly across her waist.
………..
Buaji's eyes swept towards the entrance of the Puja room, as Raj and Kranti entered it. Kranti was looking resplendent in her new dress while Raj had changed into a new kurta-pajama and had shorned his English avatar.
As the couple took their place amongst others in the Puja room, Chaiji's eyes locked with Kranti's. It seemed that her daughter-in-law was beaming with joy. She was a bit disappointed when she noticed that Kranti was not wearing the jewelry that she had gifted her. Her eyes rested on the simple golden chain that Kranti was wearing – a simple diamond pendant resting innocently against her chest. Rajbir's gift – Chaiji thought. She was relieved.
Kranti felt Chaiji's eyes resting on the chain that she was wearing – she looked at her in trepidation, but was relieved when she saw Chaiji smiling warmly at her. Her hand moved up surreptitiously to touch the chain for a spilt second, and then she turned her attention to the prayers, a smile playing across her lips.
The last few seconds ran through her mind.
…………..
Kranti extricated herself from Raj's greedy grasp
"Raj, everybody's waiting for us downstairs for the Puja. We can't afford to be late."
Raj sighed and said in a mock hurt tone
"There is no peace at all. Can't a man spend some time with his wife?"
"Of course" Kranti replied, grinning widely. "But the fruit of patience is always sweet."
"Oh is it?" Raj asked, in a seemingly innocent tone. "And for how long do I need to be patient?"
Kranti did not answer. She turned around and reached for the switch.
"Let it be Kranti" Raj said, as he came forward and hugged Kranti, his head resting on her shoulder. "You are so beautiful."
Kranti's blush was appreciable in the semi darkness. She reached out to pick up the heavy necklace lying on the dresser but Raj stopped her. He fished out a small packet from inside his pocket and opened it. Kranti's eyes widened in surprise as Raj lifted out a simple gold chain from the small box.
"Raj, you didn't have to …" Kranti started saying.
Raj answered
"I wanted to. Please don't say no."
As Raj fixed the chain around her neck, Kranti noticed the diamond pendant. She hadn't seen it earlier; Raj must have slipped it on when she wasn't looking. She was overwhelmed.
She turned around and said
"But Raj, I have not got anything for you."
Raj smiled at her and said
"You don't worry. I will exact my gift from you at the right time."
Kranti blushed furiously and looked down; Raj smiled at her and pecked her cheek lightly.
"Let's go down dear. Everybody's waiting."
Kranti arranged her dupatta around her head; Raj guided her out of the room, but not before he whispered into her ear
"Happy Diwali Kranti !!!"
THE END
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