------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The soft thumps continued to ring into louder ones,as the
couple chose to ignore it.Sameer whimpered and pulled Naina closer. An attempt
to diminish the miniscule of distance,if at all it existed.Tonight they wanted
absolutely no interruptions, such was resolve in mind and fire in heart.
"MUMMA...Darwaza kholo...PAPA..MUMMA"
The words hit like feather yet were potent enough to jerk
them.Naina wrenched away her lips from Sameer,while Sameer groaned at the loss
of contact. With few more thumps and requests that flowed into the room, Naina
pushed Sameer warily, whining at his desperate attempts to not let her get away
from him.
"Sameer!Nisha hai." Naina said, rolling off the bed.
Naina gathered her discarded night robe, blushing into
shades of fresh strawberries.Quickly donning and belting it ,she cast a glance
towards Sameer.He had his eyes closed, and had pulled the covers to his
chin.Yet she could see his ragged breathing and hint of smile curving at his
swollen lips. She knew that she had been panting too.She just hoped Nisha would
not ask her some inappropriate questions,for which she shall have no proper
justification.
"Shawl odh lo.. "She heard him say and quickly checked
herself in the mirror.The hickeys were turning into purple shades at the deep-
V of neckline.She looked flushed till toes. Heeding to his words she quickly
draped the shawl and tied her tousled hair in a messy knot.
Naina opened the door and to her utter dismay and worry,
Nisha was crying with drops of blood trickling down her lips. Naina kneeled
down infront of Nisha,closing the door behind her.Nisha hugged Naina ,quickly
and tightly, sobbing hard.
"Kya hua mera bacha?Dikha." Naina pulled away from the
embrace and realized Nisha's milk incisor tooth has broken.A quick relief washed
over her.She took Nisha to the bathroom,rinsed her mouth and stuffed a ball of
cotton in the bleeding area.The cotton ball soon absorbed all the leaking blood
and was trashed.Naina again rinsed Nisha's
tiny mouth,taking care not to hurt much.
"Mumma!Main yeh Papa ko dikhake aati hun." Nisha said,
forwarding her palm to show the broken tooth.Nisha scampered away from bathroom
to the bed,but Naina was utter quick."Nahin..Papa so rahe hein ab.Jagaoge to
gaali padegi.Lao mujhe do.Jab uthenge tab dikha dungi." Naina snatched the
broken tooth and rolled it into a tissue.
"Bhabhi!Nisha hai yahan?" Naina heard Namrata mumble and
found her standing at the door.She looked sleepy,with occasional yawns she
tried to stifle.
"Haan hai.Daant tut gayi thi isliye aayi thi." Naina
clarified and once again checked Nisha's mouth for any leak of blood.Satisfied,
she gestured Nisha to go with Namrata. Namrata took away Nisha muttering some
inaudible apologies.
Naina closed the door,switched off the lights and returned
to the bed.She found his eyes opened.There was a longing,pleasure and need in
his eyes-an irresistible combination.
"Neend nahin aa rahi hai?" She asked; forwarding to switch
off the bed side lamp.
He shook his head,then got up,grabbed her and kissed
her.There was no prelude,just him gathering her in his arms,wrapping his arms
around her as he claimed her mouth with his own.His possessive and impatient
acts thrilled her and she twined her fingers in his hair.They kissed
deeply,passionately,with no pause for breath.
Her fears gone,stress relieved,she felt her body heated and
her muscles losing their ability to support her.A sense of weakness sipped into
her bones. He saw her looking all flushed,her long hair again cascading down
the shoulders. Her breathing was heavy,eyes were shut in a blissful daze yet
there was a glow to her face.The dim bedside lamp failed to hide the shine;the
fiery glow of love.He still held her gently and now lowered her on the bed.She
rolled and cuddled closer to him.His hands moved up and down her back, exploring
her, touching her through the satiny fabric.
In a quick growl, throaty groan he rolled off on her and she
lay sprawled across him.In a swift move,he tangled one hand in her hair and
claimed her with a searing kiss, making her toes curl.She parted from him,took
his other hand and placed on her robe belt. He looked at her with a question
and she welcomed him with her dark eyes locked with him.Her skin was on fire,
her heart hungry and all the flowing fluids had turned hot.She wanted his hands
everywhere,touching her,taking her ,claiming her, making her his ; anyway
,every way possible.
"Sure?" He asked , trailing his long fingers, moving slowly
over her skin. She nodded with a happy smile.He could not say if that gesture
was cute or beautiful. He ducked down and kissed her nose.She giggled and soon
that turned into a gasp,as his fingers unfastened the belt.He stroked her bare
back, lazily tracing the curves of her rear.He kissed her faint bruises on
arms, all caused by Vikram's knuckles.A wave of possessiveness influxed in him.
She felt a surge of delight ,bolting in her insides.One
moment there was fabric,then an interlude. Soon followed by whisper of cool
air.She clutched at the sheets as she felt the wet yet warm sensation of his
lips and tongue.The wanting was unbearable.The movements stretching into
restlessness.Each sensation overpowering the former.
He moved his lips all over her,sliding from her breasts to
drifting lower ,kissing her sternum,down to her belly. With a languid mix of
soft kisses,lazy kisses and nibbling kisses,he anointed her and worshiped her
body.Pleasure,tension and deep hunger spiralled inside her.Her mortal
elementals entreating for more,more and more.
His fingers soon found her womanhood and she gave out a
surprised gasp. It was not that she didn't anticipate but she wasn't braced.His
whimpers and manly moans eased her and teased her. She felt her opening to him
like a flower from bud,the sensation amazing all over.The rhythm changing from
hot and wet,fast and slow and everything in between.He reached above and kissed
her deep,pushing her to the extremes like the oscillating pendulum.
In a moment she felt she would faint,the other moment
feeling alive with his ministrations. Her breath came in quick pants.She felt
strained,her brain fuzzy with sensations, taking her on a drive higher to
higher.The intensity of his pace stunned her. She nearly became breathless. He
still was not inside her,had not claimed her ,yet she felt her whole body
shaking,high tides raging in blood,powerful waves crashing through her.
He felt her body violently shaking and stopped.He brought
himself to an agonizing yet necessary stop. The pleasure was too powerful, too
dominating to fade away.With hunger still evident in his eyes, yet satisfaction
chiselled on his face;he looked at her. Sweat beads had covered her in a fine
sheath.Her breathing seemed irregular.He raised,laid on his back and pulled her
to him.He pulled out his handkerchief from the jeans pocket.In a quick
enlightening moment he realised he had not changed into his night
wears.Well,that was not much of importance now.
The doctor's words ringed at back of his mind---
"She is now like a
porcelain crockery.I don't know the reasons but wo internally bahut weak
hai. Take care of her and handle with care."
He raised her head and slowly yet lovingly wiped away her
sweat beads. Grabbing the AC remote from the nightstand he increased the
intensity of cool air, decreasing the temperature.He turned towards her,all his
attention on her.''So jao''. He whispered. In a blurry moment, he found a lone
tear escaping her eyes.He understood the reason and quickly planted a kiss on
her cheek."Sameer..Sorry.."She began only to feel his finger on her lips."Sorry
kyun?Pyar ka matlab sirf yeh nahin hai.Kal hospital thoda ghum aayenge.Sab
theek ho jayega."He said and she nodded.He got up from the bed,covered her with
the blanket and changed into his comfortable night wears.Drawing the curtains
of windows,he quickly dropped a message of appointment to the doctor.Then he
was again back to her.
She opened her eyes,gave a satiated smile.He held her gently
in his arms while she stroked his shoulders,his back and ran her fingers in his
hair.Soon sleep dawned over them with vows of endless bliss.
The sun peeked out of eastern horizon,sprinkling its
golden,warm rays all around.Sameer,however,woke up to find no warmth near him.He
found himself neatly tucked in blanket,the sound of shower running in bathroom
and the reason of him getting up.The knocks on the door.He let out a grunt of
frustration.
Throwing away the blanket,stretching himself a bit,he opened
the door.Ramdhari stood with a worried expression and a plate holding two cups
of tea.'''Kya hua?Pareshan kyun hai?'' Sameer asked taking away the plate.
"Aap aur Bhabhi ab tak uthe nahin the isliye pareshan ho
gaya tha.Aapke Nanaji aapko dhund rahe the.Wo factory gaye hein.Aap itni der
tak kabhi sote nahin isliye.. "Ramdhari said and saw Sameer relaxing.
"Thak gaya tha bahut isliye so gaya itni der.Tu jaa hum
pahunchte hein table par.Nisha uth gayi?" Sameer asked, taking the sip from the
cup."Haan wo jaldi uth gayi hein aaj. Unki daant tut gayi hai isliye Bhabhi se
puchna tha ki ab kya banaun unke liye. "Ramdhari looked confused yet Sameer
felt happy to see the genuine of love and care of him."Tu doodh boil ke rakh
le.Baaki Naina bata degi.Ab tu jaa.Thank you iske liye." Sameer said and took
another sip of hot,morning tea.Ramdhari nodded and went away whistling a happy
tune from some yester year movie.
"Didi!Uss line ka matlab batao na." Nisha requested for
umpteenth time."Nahin Nisha.Mana kiya na.Abhi nahin baad mein bata dungi." Namrata dodged the question and concentrated on cornflakes bowl.Sameer saw Namrata's
slightly irritated face,wrinkling in
uncertainness and the sulking face of Nisha.He could n't control his curiosity
and asked "Kya hua Namrata?Kiska matlab?"
"Papa!Dekho na Didi gaane ka matlab nahin bata rahi hai. "Nisha complained,sulking all the way.Sameer relaxed in his chair.Smiling at
Nisha's antics,he pulled out his hands and said "Bas itni si baat.Aa jao mere
pass."Nisha ran to Sameer and climbed over him.Sameer made her sit comfortably
on his lap,putting a spoonful of cornflakes in her tiny mouth.
"Ab batao kounsa ganaa?Kiska matlab?"
Nisha thought hard
and bit her fingers.Few lines were mixed up but with few more minutes of
careful remembering ,she got the lines.She screamed in a silent joy and said "Line
tha "Cowboy dekhe mujhe,playboy chede mujhe.Iska matlab kya hai?" Nisha asked
with all innocence visible in her small doe shaped eyes.
Naina dropped her spoon,Namrata smiled a' I knew-it'
smile,Namrata's mother gaped hard while Sameer felt no knowledge of music
and its theories would come to his
rescue now.Nisha nudged him to explain and fumblingly Sameer started "Hmm...Yeh
line hai.Iska matlab..aisa hai ..matlab "..Namrata's mother could not wait and
enquired immediately "Namrata!Yeh sab gaane tu sunti hai bachi ke saamne?"
The question from her mother irked Namrata a bit.And she
immediately replied back "Aur kya bhajan kirtan sunu?''Her mother though was
angry a bit couldn't agree that Namrata had no fault in this.
Nisha got curious of the silence and tried again.It was
strange that her both parents were clueless of her question,and perhaps for the
first time.
"Papa batao na.Mumma aapko to pata hoga.'' Naina never knew
she would one day feel herself in Taiji's place. It was unexpectedly
surprising.She was at her wit's end as to what justification of the lines to
give.She realised why Taiji had slapped her hard and she could feel the raged
emotion.It was fortunate for her that Nisha didn't go around asking the meaning
of the song's lines,unlike her.She was in her own thoughts when she heard Sameer
trying to explain."Wo Nisha.Dekho.Cowboy matab jo cow ke saath hote hein.Rashte
pe dekhi hogi cows ke saath kuch boys ko.''Sameer added "To wo cowboy hein to
dekh rahein hein.'' to make the sense more clearer.
"Okay.Samajh gayi.Par Papa Play boy kya hai? ''Nisha nodded
and gave a Thumbs Up.Naina observed this is a trait Nisha had picked up in few
months of association with Sameer.But the question she was putting,Sameer
looked at a loss of words.
Sameer tried again and came up with the explanation ."Playboy..Umm..wo
..jo boys play karte hein. ''Namrata giggled hard and Naina felt relieved that
the final meaning of the line was done.
"Acha ..jo play karte hein games wohi boys play boy hein?''Nisha
asked trying to clear her doubt and learn the two words she heard for the first
time,by heart. As her Nandita Miss says,they must learn new words every day to
be able to write good essays in higher classes.So understanding everything is
important.
Sameer nodded and put another spoon of cornflakes in Nisha's
mouth.A drop of milk trickled down,which he wiped with back of his hand.Nisha
still in her thoughts,dilated her pupils wide as realization hit her.
Perfect.
"To iska matlab Rishav Playboy hai.Wo bhi game khelta
hai,boy hai aur mujhe chedta bhi hai.'' Nisha asked looking at Naina, earning a
face palm from Naina,slight giggle from Sameer,a shocked glare from Namrata's
Mom and a wicked smile from Namrata.
Naina nodded in uncertainty; mumbling under breath "Hey
bhagwan..Niru ko jaake bada wala sorry bolungi.Uski bache ko Playboy bana diya
hai.''
The breakfast done,Naina gestured Nisha to get ready. Nisha
got the cue and went to dress up.Namrata's mother suddenly asked "Tum log kahin
jaa rahe ho kya?''
"Wo aaj Sunday hai na..Isliye Nisha ko leke church jaayenge
phir hospital mein appointment hai.'' Naina clarified as she resumed in briefing
Ramdhari about the lunch.
"Naina! Tum aur Sameer hospital chale jao.Hum Nisha ko
church le jaayenge.'' Namrata's mother said getting up to prepare herself.
"Par Mausi ji..aap Church jaayenge?'' Naina was not quite
sure about the religious inclination of Namrata's mother.Namrata's mother
smiled and cupped Naina's face before saying "Bhagwan to ek hai bas murat alag
hai.Toh Mandir ya Church.Kya farq hai? Yehi sikhati hai na Nisha ko?'' Naina nodded
and understood the implication.Namrata's mother assured "College ke time pe do
teen baar church gayi hoon.Thoda bahut pata hai.Ab thoda apni bhi fikr karle.Khayal
rakh apni. ''Naina understood the implicative meaning and blushed hard.She had
truly found a mother figure in Namrata's mother ,after Bela Chachi,Naina
gleefully realized.
Sameer checked the
fuel tank and quickly delivering some tips to Prakash and Namrata , got inside his
car. The other car drove ahead of them and as they parted at a juncture;Nisha
waved enthusiastically at her parents.Her joy had doubled at the thought of
visiting "Appu Ghar' after coming from church.It was Namrata's idea to give
Nisha a fun filled Sunday and keeping her busy while her parents were away.Naina
agreed to the plan since that would make her worry less about Nisha and Nisha
would have fun too.Sameer though was apprehensive about the safety of Nisha in rides and games in the amusement park. It was
after assuring words from Namrata's mother and Namrata he had finally agreed.
"Pata hai Sameer..Aaj Nisha ki tarah main bhi ek baar aisa
masoom sawal puchi thi.'' Sameer's mind diverted from the rally of thoughts on
going in his head. He looked at her and saw Naina smiling remembering the day.The
smile had a genuine chirpiness and an unexpected warmth rushed through him.
"Kounsa gaana ka puch
li thi?'' He asked, keenly interested in the conversation.Meri line thi Aag
barashti hai sawan mein pani ka hai naam.Aur yeh mein humari padoshi Megha Ben
ko puch li thi.'' Naina said remembering the fateful and memorable episode of
her 11th class life.''Seriously?Tumne yeh sawal padoshi ko puch liya?
Thank god Nisha ne yeh nahin kiya. Usey apne Papa pe bharosha aayi.''Sameer said
and tittered.Naina chuckled and said "Haan haan yeh line ka matlab Papa ya
Tauji se puchti to shayad aaj yahan nahin baithi hoti.Usi din mujhe swargbasi
kar dete.Waise bhi jab Megha Ben ko puch rahi thi,Taiji ne sun li.Bas milgaya
jawab.'' Sameer,adjusted the gear,and returning to her asked "Taiji ne kya jawab
diya? Naina gave a short laugh before saying "Thappad mila'' .Sameer looked at
her and broke into laughter.
"Badi hasi aa rahi hai..Ek to jawab nahin mila upar se
thappad bhi pad gaya.Teen din tak thappad ki nishan chupake ghum rahi thi school
mein. ''Naina revealed and Sameer chuckled adding "Tumhari gharwale antique
pieces hein.Gaane ka matlab puchne par thappad koun lagata hai.''
"Bhajan hota to shayad ye naubat nahin aati.Par itna sensous
line ka meaning puch li to isliye Taiji ko laga hoga ki main bigad gayi
hun.''Naina assumed and Sameer nodded in agreement.Suddenly a question popped in
his mind.He could not help but ask her "Naina!Yeh gaana tumne kahan suna?
Chitrahar pe tha kya?''
"Nahin.Wo school ki canteen mein ek ladka aaya tha.Humari school
ki nahin tha.Uniform nahin tha to mujhe pata chala.Munna,Pandit ke saath
tha.Antakshari khel rahe the shayad.Phir uss ladke ne yeh gaana gaya tha.Maine
chehra dekhne ki koshish ki par Swati ne awaaz lagayi ki Lochan Sir bula rahein
hein. Bas phir kya tha..Uss ladke se to na mil paayi par uski gaane ki line ka
bhavarth ke chakkar mein thappad pad gayi mujhe.'' Naina said, chuckling at the
turn of events of that day.She had completely failed to see a sense of lost on
Sameer's face.There was a faint hint of recognition and confusion,clearly
etched on his face.
"Tumhe itne ache se wo din yaad hai? Itne saal ke baad bhi?'' He asked ,not sure if he was joining the dots right.
"Yaad matlab kabhi bhuli hi nahin.Uss din canteen mein
kisine meri aloo paratha bhi chura li thi.Swati to apni Madhuri Dixit ka kasam
le li ki usne nahin khayi hai, ab wo aloo paratha chor bhi ek mystery hai.Pata
nahin kis bhukkad ko meri hi tiffin mili thi churane ke liye.'' Naina grumbled
and saw a huge smile on Sameer's face. She nudged him and gestured as to what
made him grin so hard.
"Naina!Agar main bolun ki wo aloo paratha maine churayi thi
to maaf karoge?'' Sameer asked and Naina looked at him with confusion.She didn't
feel convinced enough to believe the words from him.A logic soon crept into her
mind.
"Kuch bhi bolte ho.Tum tab tak admission nahin li thi humari
school mein.Yeh sab tumhare ane se pehle ki baat hai.Mujhe pura yaad hai.''Naina
said with certainty.
"Munna ka wo dost,antakshari gaane wala ladka aur aloo
paratha churane wala ek hi ladka hai Naina.Sameer Maheshwari.''Sameer concluded
and pulled hard the car in front of the hospital.
Naina rewinded the events of the day,her complaining words
to him and his words. It all eerily felt so strangely fitting together.She was
at a loss of words as she could not think how destiny had time and again
brought them together and had entangled them in a series of interesting and
memorable moments.She remembered the conversation they had how he was the one
who had accidentally put the chewing gum in her hair. Another loop of mystery from yester years closed and again it
ended with him being the man behind it.She didn't believe in magic much but
this was something she knew no scientists or any Nobel laureate would be able
to explain.
"Chalein?'' He asked bringing her back from her thoughts.Soon
they were seated in a private cabin of Dr.Joseph.He was on official round and
was expected to return soon.
"Sameer! Mujhe abhi realise hua ki jabse tum meri life mein
aye ho meri life mein thappad ki silsila chalu hai.'' Naina spoke with a
sigh,with a curt smile etched at her lips. It all still felt unreal to
her.''Acha! Zyada past mein jaane ki zaroorat nahin.Waise tumhein mere wajah se
thappad padi iske liye Sorry.'' He said ,holding his ear and Naina nodded Its
fine.' Sameer then leaned towards her and whispered "Ab thappad ki silsila
nahin pyar ka silsila hai.''Naina pushed him lightly, saying "Thappad to main ab
tumhe dungi.Public place mein hein.''
Sameer brushed his hair,chuckling "Pakka Rakesh Agarwal ki
beti hai.''Naina heard and punched him
lightly on his upper arm,for the comment he made.He put his arm around her
shoulder,she shifted into his warm embrace.''Naina!Rakesh Sir ab kaise hein? ''Naina heard him ask and jerked from the embrace.She did not want to feel
anything at the moment.Not guilty,nor angry.It had been so many years but yet
she was to decide if the decision of running away from home was truly
justified.
"Sorry.Maine aise hi puch liya.Chalo kuch different baat
karte hein.'' Sameer uttered,seeing her going gloom for few seconds.He mentally
smacked himself for broaching the topic.Naina nodded and was glad that he
decided to divert the topic.
"Naina!Main soch raha tha ki humara aise hi ek baby boy hoga
to family picture perfect lagega.Tumhara kya khayal hai?'' Sameer asked looking
at the taped portfolios of cute babies in the doctor's cabin.''Baby boy? Pagal
ho tum.'' Sameer protested "Kyun pagal hun? Zara socho..Tum,Main,Nisha,phir
humara baby boy aur saath mein ;centre mein Nanu.Kitna acha photo aayega. ''Sameer said and tried making Naina imagine the picture already conjured in his
mind.
"Ek shaitan tum ho,phir ek shaitan aayega to meri band baj
jaayegi. Baby girl ho to acha.Nisha ko sambhal ke thodi experience ho gayi hai,
to easy hogi mujhe.'' Sameer pretended to sulk at the explanation and added
"Aisa hua to main akela pad jaunga teen ladkiyon ke bich.Mere team mein koun
hoga phir?'' Naina laughed and taking his
hand in her,she entwined their fingers.''Baby boy ho ya girl,humara hoga
na.Humara pyaar to utna hi rahega dono ke liye.'' Naina voiced and Sameer agreed,
tightening the grip.He planted a kiss on her cheek and quickly hugged her.
"Naina!Humare bachon ko kabhi humari pyaar ke liye tarasna nahin padega.Unhe
kabhi hostel nahin bhejenge..kabhi apne se dur nahin karenge.Wo sari khusiyan
denge jo hum dono ko kabhi nahin mila.'' Sameer voiced,his words choking at his
throat,sounding emotional to her hears.The small sound he made was pure
emotional as he sank into her embrace.She held him tight,her heart beating
against his.How love could be so different feeling at different times,she could
never understand.She could be only grateful for having found love finally.Naina
stroked his back and hugged him tighter in approval of his words.She would
cherish the moment.Cherish him for lifetime.
They sat for a while before the nurse took her insides for
tests.Sameer gave her a thumbs up that everything will be fine.The apprehension
gone,Naina was ready for another test.
***********************************************************
Preeti sat in the Staff Room looking at the gifts that were
piling slowly on her side table.Her birthday had never been such an extravagant
affair.Not at home atlest and after that she had stopped celebrating her
birthday.Sometimes the work load even made her forget until the reminder goes
that its her birthday.But this first year at FTTI and the day has become
memorable for her in several ways.To suffering from food poisioning in morning
to going on to attend important meeting in staff room to be greeted with
glitters and a 2 layered cake.If she thought that was the end, Shilpat Rao had
come to take her to the auditorium of the institute in the evening.She was
appalled to see the whole college was present like some eventful
day.Staff,students and ofcourse she could not miss the one person who was
running errands,sweating hard.Everyone's PT and Her Pandit.
Her'? Her heart
teased and mind questioned;while Preeti chose to focus on curling her already
curled locks.
Shilpat Rao could not control his tongue and had already
informed her that it was Pandit who had arranged for the party.He had been
running since morning contacting the event organizer and caterers.Shilpat Rao even
had commented that Pandit never had been so enthusiastic about college fest ,where
he was paid even handsomely.
"Preeti!Tum yahan kyun khadi ho,jaake wahan chair pe
baitho.Abhi 10 minute mein stage set up khatam ho jaayega.Yeh event manager
pitega mujhse ''Pandit said ,grumbling in slow anger and gestured a student to
get Preeti a chair.Preeti didn't realise when the ten minutes were over and
when she had climbed the stage with rose and marigold petals showering on
her.She was in a daze until she felt
Pandit's fingers close over hers;assisiting her in cutting the voluminous cake.
She swallowed hard,trying not to burst into tears.This all felt so
overwhelming.''Happy Birthday Preeti '',she heard him whisper as she blew the
candles.Before anything,she heard the violins and saxophones break into some
melodious tunes wishing her a happiest birthday.
The world faded for her, she let go off her heart and soon
lost control of her head too.She hugged him.She knew not what happened
afterwards for she for first time in several years felt completely alive.Pandit
put his arms around him,though hesitantly.He knew she was overwhelmed but could
not muster courage if he was doing it right. Still he cocooned her in his
embrace.He felt an unusual calmness in his otherwise chaotic life.Suddenly,as
if the rotating globe has come to a standstill.There was an unusual serenity
with the osmosis of feelings both felt.Both would have forgotten that they were
in a middle of celebration and would have prolonged the hug to eternity.Had it not been the Dean who
patted Pandit ,both would not have jerked and would not have become utterly
conscious beings.
"Sir..wo thoda emotional ho gayi thi.School friend hai
mera. ''Pandit tried explaining and the Dean gestured to quickly carry on the
celebrations. After quite a deliberate hide and seek,both came to face to
face.''Sorry..wo aise sabke saamne.. ''Preeti stammered and Pandit nodded with a
wide smile. ''Tension mat lo.Khana khaya ya laa dun?Tabiyat kaisi hai?'' He
asked,bringing a chair for her to sit.''Tum sach mein badal gaye ho ya acting
kar rahe ho? ''Preeti asked in a whim.She saw a flash of hurt across his
face.She instantly realised her whimsical folly.Then he was gone, had meddled
in the crowd and disappeared from her sight.It was not until the end of
celebration,she saw him instructing the event manager to clear the mess and
asking few students to help putting the gifts in a polythene bag to be handed
over to her later.He caught her sight and flashed a short smile.He waved her a
bye and soon Shilpat Rao appeared before her.''Madamji chalein? Kaafi der ho
gayi hai.'' Preeti had nodded and had tried to talk to him,but destiny was in no
mood to give her a chance.She decided to call him later and say a well deserved
Thank You'.
It seemed that he was
too tired with all running around and had gone snoring,as soon as he hit the
bed.8 missed calls and 12 message texts from her had gone unanswered.She
awaited for the next day in the college.It had been since two hours of arriving
in the college, unmindful reading of the Greek Dramatics, vain strolling in the
corridors yet there was no sign of him. She had even got the news of rumours
going round about both of them in relationship.She laughed to herself thinking
about the rumours.She knew the hug from previous night would give fodder to few
more cooked up, baseless stories for staff room and students common room
gossips.She better not get affected and so should he.But where is he?
************************************************************
The day felt over so quick,yet both Sameer and Naina didn't
know what surprise the evening held for them.Naina heard the words "Bhabhi!Bade
Sahib bol rahe the Vishakha Memsahib khane pe aayenge.Kya banaun?'' A pure shock
flashed across her face and Sameer
stumbled at the doorstep.Naina looked at him and saw him walking away to the
room.His demeanour gone completely rigid.
Naina didn't know how she spent the few hours in kitchen.It
was a blessing that Ramdhari was preparing most of the dishes.She was mystified
thinking of the future turn of events.Sameer's mood,Visakha's words,the whole
reception,the aftermath...''Bhabhi! Utni cheeni kaafi hai.Jyada meethi ho
jaayegi. ''Naina heard Ramdhari's alert
voice and realised she has been holding the sugar container,and adding it to
the Kheer'.She tried focusing on preparing the dinner,struggling to keep the
ill thoughts at bay.
Sameer sat in the darkness of room.The lights were off and
so was his mood.A few minutes of pindrop silence was what he needed that
moment.Naina accurately fathomed the silence before storm.So the only solution
was Nisha.
"Papa..Daadi aa gayi hai.Chalo aap milne.Dinner bhi khana
hai.'' Nisha pulled Sameer by his arm.''Main baad mein jaunga.Tum jao.Kha lo. ''Sameer said,still unmoved.''Nahin aap chalo.Mumma ne bola hai ki apko leke hi
main jaungi.Aap nahin chaloge to main bhi yahin rahungi. Chalo na Papa.Mujhe
bhookh lag rahi hai.''Sameer could not deny and came downstairs with
Nisha.Sameer didn't fail to see the twinkle of victory in Naina's eyes.Sameer
touched Visakha's feet,a bit reluctantly though.Visakha thumped a quick pat on
his back.The formalities were done.Soon they were seated for dinner.
"Pata hai Shriyaji!Rohan iss baar board meeting lead ki.Bahut
ache se sambhala.Uske Papa bahut khus hein.London mein naya ghar kharid raha
hai.Isliye Tuscany mein party bhi diya hai.Incredible house just like him.Abhi
company ka... .''The words of Visakha came to a halt as a fork flew across the
table,landing helplessly on the floor.
"Sameer! Kya hua?Ruko..Mummy ji ..please aap baat kijiye Sameer
se. ''Naina pleaded and Visakha nodded,going after him.
The void in Sameer's chest was beginning to fill with
resentment.The quiet,defeated anger that guaranteed,assured him the right to
hurt ,and the belief that none would ever understand the hurt. "Aise badtameezi
ki wajah jaan sakti hun main?'' Viskaha asked only to be cut halfway
through.''Aapko bhi pata hai kya reason hai.Naya reason nahin hai.Jabse aayi
hein Rohan Rohan..Rohan ki
meeting..Rohan ki ghar..Rohan ki party..sirf Rohan aur Rohan.Aap yeh mat
bhuliye ki ab aap iss waqt Sameer Maheshwari ki ghar ki guest hein Rohan Somani
ki nahin.''Sameer shouted,pushing a pile of files.
Vishakha swallowed hard and replied.''Jabse main aayi hun
tune do sabd bhi bole hein?Tu aisa feel karwaya hai ki main kiski ghar ki guest
hun?Rishte do log saath chalne se banti hai,aage piche chalne se nahin.''
Naina entered the room to hear the bombards of allegations
and counter-allegations. Though she didn't want to interfere but could not hold
back herself.No relation is broken and broken families are a myth,Naina
believed in.Its all in heart.Until the ties are in heart,no matter how much
hatred is spilled,the relation still survives,still family exists.
"Sameer!Mummy ji! Ab aap please gussa chodke kuch baat kar
lijiye please.''
Sameer bit his tongue to keep the anger in check.Still the
words came out real harsh.''Naina!Tum dur raho yeh sab se.Yeh rishta kati patang
hai aur rahegi bhi.''Visakha listened patiently.Turning away from Sameer,she
decisively uttered "Acha!Phir thik hai.Mujhe bhi koi dilchaspi nahin patang
wapas jodne ki .Jis din tujhe khud realise hoga ki kitni ghatiye tarike se apne
saare rishton ko treat karta hai..usi din shayad sab tere pass laut aayein.''
Naina almost shrieked in helplessness.Visakha walked out of
the room.In an urgent,swift move Naina held Visakha's hands.''Mummyji!Please aap
suniye meri baat.Wo gusse mein hai thoda.Aapko pata hai na.Please aap aise mat
jayiye.Dekhiye na sabko second chance milna chahiye.Please aap ruk jayiye.''
"Nahin Naina.Usko bahut chances mil chukka hai.Lekin usko
parwah hi nahin.''
Naina pleaded again,trying her way to stop Visakha from
leaving."Aise baat nahin hai Mummyji.Wo apki parwah karta hai...Sabki karta
hai.Bas jaata nahin pata.Please Mummyji.Aap aaj chale jaayenge to shayad meri
aur Nanaji ki koshish bekar chali jaayegi.'' Naina was in tears now.The
helplessness of loving some one but the inability to help made her shed more
tears.She didn't care how wretched she looked,she was not ashamed of how
pitifully she cried.She only wanted her sentences to make sense to Visakha.This
relation of a mother and child can't simply be given up.
"Naina!Main kal bhi boli thi tumko and aur aaj bhi bol rahi
hun.Iss aag ko bujhane ki koshish mat karo.Khud jal jaogi.Maa bete ke chakkar
mein apni rishta ko khatre mein mat daalo.Khush raho''.Visakha uttered
,caressing Naina's head and putting off Naina's hand off her.
"Nanaji! Please Mummy ji ko rokiye.Mausiji! Aap to kuch
boliye.'' Naina urged,breaking into more tears.The car moved out the
vicinity,while Naina looked on with defeated tears."Use jaane de Naina.Tu
Sameer ko jaake sambhal.''Nanaji advised,as Naina ,weeping hard, hugged him.
"Didi! Daadi chali kyun gayi itni jaldi?Mujhe unko batana
tha mere liye chocolate lane ke liye Priya ki Daadi ki tarah.Ab kaise bataun? ''Nisha stood transfixed with the turn of events.A family reunion had suddenly
felt like family farewell.
Namrata ,though was at wits end, tried convincing."Wo Daadi ko
zaroori kaam yaad aagayi isliye.Kounsa chocolate chahiye?Main laa dungi meri
princess ko.''Nisha seemed unconvinced.The description quite did not fit with
the illustration of morose events that
followed before her eyes."Phir Mumma kyun ro rahi hai?Papa gusse bhi hein
shayad.Mujhe kuch samajh nahin aa raha.''
"Yeh sab badon ka mamla hai.Tu chal hum dinner khatam kar
lete hein. Phir ek acha sa movie dekhenge.''Namrata said,diverting Nisha's
attention to supposedly finer things of life.
Naina returned to the room.She remembered all the bitter
events that had transpired until then.The fanciful trapping,the pretences of
drifting can never douse the fire of reality.It has to hit hard one day,it will
burn down for sure."Mil gayi tassali?Pad gayi dil ko thandak?Ho gaya Maa Beta
ka maha Milan?'' Sameer asked Naina,his anger came camouflaged as a question.
Naina still trying to cope with the emotional
onslaught,voiced wearily."Sameer!Har chiz ke liye waqt aur mehnat dono lagti
hai..aur yeh to meri pehli koshish thi.''Sameer's anger now sharper then blade
,reflected in his words."Naina ..Main bol raha hun tumse,hazar koshish bhi kar
lo..tab bhi yeh rishta aisa hi rahegi.Isliye iss mamle mein tum chup raho aur
dur bhi.''
"Thik hai.Main chup rahungi.Dur bhi rahungi.Mujhe aur
koshish hi nahin karni.Yehi gussa pasand hai na tumhein bahut?Raho iske saath.'' Naina shoved the promise.Shakespeare was right.Men in rage strike those that
wish them the best.
"Namrata!Meri aur Nisha ki Almora jaane ki tickets books kar
lena please.'' Naina ordered,calling Namrata to the room.Namrata stood perplexed
with another twist in tale.She for a flash of second thought if the whole
evening was jinxed or some black sorcery has been practised."Par Bhabhi main
soch rahi thi aap Bhaiya ke saath London jaane wale ho.''
Sameer gave a forbidding look at Namrata."Koi London mere
saath nahin jaa raha hai.Kaam ke liye jaa raha hun,honeymoon karne nahin.'' Quickly Naina retorted ,"Humein bhi hazar kaam hai karne ko,honeymoon karne ka
shauq nahin hai hume bhi.Namrata jaldi karna.''
"Kya hua Namrata?Sameer aur Naina theek hein?'' Shriya;Namrata's mother asked seeing Namrata coming out of their room,visibly
unhappy."Mummy!Rahul aur Anjali ka phirse jhagda.Bhabhi Almora nikli hai aur
Bhaiya London.Aap plan kar rahe the honeymoon pe bhejne ka..Bhul jao aur so
jao. ''She spoke as she went to catch on the movie,she had left in middle.
"Hey Sherawali..Kya karun inn dono ka.?Aise mein iss shaadi
ka kya hoga?'' Shriya worried,as she resumed reading the magazine in her hand.
"Namrata!Kya aaj main yahin so sakti hun?Main adjust
karlungi.'' Namrata looked astonished seeing Naina at the their room.However she
quickly masked her surprise with a sweet smile."Haan Bhabhi..Koi problem.. ''Namrata's
words were cut,kicked with a sweet yet authoritative voice"Problem hai.Kyun
tumhari to apni room hai,bed bhi hai..phir yahan kyun sona?''
"Wo Mausji.. ''Naina asked astounded.This was unanticipated.
"Kya Mausiji?Ab Miya Biwi jhagda ki ho to milke baat karo
aur so jao..yeh humare kamra hai,dharmsala nahin.''Shriya said,trying to mimic
the gray shaded characters of old movies.Naina batted her eyelids, feeling
thrown into an icy centre.The feeling was only cold disbelief.
Shriya quite well understood the numbness that was slowly
cluttering in her insides.She held Naina by hand and brought her to the lounge
area.Making her sit comfortably,Shriya chinned up Naina."Naina!Tu meri beti
jaisi hai.Wo bachi jisko maine kabhi nahin dekhi''."Main samjhi nahin.Namrata
hai na apki.'' Naina asked,failing to concentrate and connect.
Shriya continued "Haan wo to hai..lekin uski ane se pehle
bhi meri ek bacha tha.7 mahine ka hogaya tha.Bahut khush the hum.Par jo chiz
mujhe sabse jyada pasand thi wohi zindagi bhar ki ansoon de gayi. Wiping a
weak trail of tear,she added "Meri sabse favourite aadat thi gussa karna.Maa
Baba ki eklauti bachi thi.Chaar bachon ki paida hote hi guzar jaane ke
baad,bahut tap jap karke main zinda bach gayi.Isliye ankhon ki tara thi.Zid aur
gusse se saari duniya mano meri kadmo mein thi.Aur yeh aadat kab manhoos chayya
ban gayi pata hi nahin chala.Shaadi ke baad kayi baar gussa hoke mein apni
mayke chali gayi hun.Phir Deepak,Namrata ke Papa aate the mujhe lene.Yeh
silsila chalta rehta tha.Phir uss din bhi main jhagda karke,gusse mein bus
pakad li.Unhone rokne ki bahut koshish ki par main nahin maani.Gusse ka junoon
sawar tha.Bus accident ho gaya.Chaar din baad hosh aaya to pata chala mera
bacha mera saath chod chukka hai.Anshuon ke bich dekhi Deepak ka haath mere
haath mein thi,aur unka saath bhi.Wo ek hafta hospital bed pe pade pade yeh
ehsaas hua ki agar zindagi mein koi adaat banana hi haito sirf pyaar karne ki
aadat honi chahiye.''
"Gusse ki wajah se maine jo khoyi hai ,mere dushman ko bhi
yeh dukh na mile.Jab bhi Sameer ko gusse mein dekhti hun mujhe bada dukh hota
hai.Aur ab tu bhi meri tarah galti karne jaa rahi hai.Aise gusse se rishte
khatam ho jaati hai beta.'' Shriya counselled.
Naina understood the cause of Shriya's worry.She held
Shriya's hand and said "Mausiji!Mujhe sach mein Almora jaana hai.Nisha ki agli
month hi exams hai,phir ab uski school,meri college... ''Shriya interrupted "Main
tujhe Almora jaane se rok nahin rahi.Bas itna chahti hun ki jaane se pehle koi
kadvahat na rahe tum dono ke bich.Zindagi bahut choti hai beta.Aaj ki pal kal ki
yaadein ban jaati hai.Yeh pal ko aise bekar mein kat jaane mat de.Jaa beta.Main
jaanti hun Sameer teri intezaar kar raha hoga.'' Naina nodded and got up to
leave.She casted a long glance at the closed room.She heard Shriya say "Nisha
ki fikr mat kar.Uski movie khatam ho jaayegi to main sula dungi use.Good
Night.''
Naina went to the room,deciding not to be involved with any
ugly conversation with Sameer.She would curl up on one side of bed,reading her
favourite parts from her favourite novel.If not anything,sleep is the best
solution to everything.
Sameer heard the door being latched, and looked at her from
the pages of file.She looked strong yet tired.Tired of looking strong and
always having to do right things.He chuckled to himself "Masterni''. He saw her
pulling out a short,yet thick paperback from the suitcase.He knew what she was
upto.She was totally withdrawing herself ,shutting herself in her world of words
and imaginations.He whined in frustration and remembered something to pull her
attention to.
"Wo Vikram ki Confidential file hai?'' He asked as she tried making
her comfortable on the bed.She hummed feebly,turning pages to concentrate. ''Us
mein ek paper mili.Yahan aake dekho zara.'' He asked,pulling the file from other
end of the table.She seemed least interested.He quickly added "I think its
important.''
That did the trick.Naina put down her book, shifted the
covers and went to the table.She leaned onto the file,brushing against his
arm.This dangerously sent sensations throughout him.He had realised that in
anger,he has spoken words so wonderfully rude.It was his good fortune Naina had
not slapped him.Well he had self smacked himself for hurting her.She only
wanted to knot together the severed relation,but in the process she received
the bluntest attacks
"Naina!Umm..Sorry.'' Sameer confessed and Naina visibly felt
melting.But she tried remaining cold and unaffected''Idhar dekho.Aye Masterni! ''Sameer cupped her face,cajoling to look at him.Naina finally relented,looking
at his eyes.The eyes which she knew would drive her mad,would wear down all her
mask,all her faade.The eyes that would make her in fall in love
again,unconditionally,unfathomably.
He held his ear in apology,sincerity reflecting in
them.''Gusse mein tumhein hurt kardi.Main hun hi pagal.Sorry.Maaf nahin karoge?'' He asked and she hugged him in response.He held her tight and cucconed.They
required no words to confess or convey.The tears on his shirt did all the
talking for her.He pressed a kiss at the parting of her hairline.The hug came
as warmer than blankets and meaningful than meaningless tirades.
They pulled away,yet he held her taking to the bed.Wiping
the tears,she asked "Kya important tha?'' He showed her the paper that had sowed
seeds of suspicions in him.The paper looked more of a rough note taking
paper.Few numbers and alphabets were scribbled,that absolutely made no
sense.Naina took a keen look at the entries.
" 5,23 AD
7,21 R
4,27 E
8,26 D..''
"Yeh kounsa list banwaya hai.Kiska code hai?'' Naina asked
scratching her head.Sameer equally had no idea.''Sameer!Iska ratio nikalte hein.Shayad
kuch nikal aaye pattern.'' Naina suggested and Sameer decided to follow the
favourite student of Shanti teacher.Naina pulled her diary,lying by the bed
side and was immediately busy calculating.Sameer looked at her,marvelling the
beauty with brain beside him.The expert in Mathematics since his school
time.The subject he underperformed in.
"Mujhe dekhna band karo aur socho'' She nudged him with the
pen and he chortled.''Chehre se nazar hat ti hi nahin.Kya karun?'' He said,his
voice turned into whisper.''Uff!Cheezy lines Mr.Maheshwari.Focus.'' She tipped
down his head and showed the futile calculations.As a brainwave passed by,she
shivered at the aftermath.Still she turned her mind steel like and feebly
uttered.''Sameer!Ek baat bolun..gussa to nahin hoge?''
He jerked with the words.What was she going to reveal which
would again pitch him to the extreme.He decided to listen it all patiently and
calmed his mind to deal effectively.He gestured her to carry on.''Wo jis phone
call pe Vikram ne party ke liye invite kiya tha mujhe.Usmein usne bola tha ki
Nisha ke liye foreign party 50,000 Dollar dene ke liye taiyar hai.Iss baat ka
kuch relevance hai?'' Sameer heard the words and his blood curdled.If fiercest
anger could kill he would have killed Vikram by now.However he checked his
rage,and voiced hoarsely "Uski itni himmat?Pehle kyun nahin batayi?Saale ka muh
tod dunga.Mere biwi bache se kya shouq hai use?Milne do ek baar...''
"Isliye nahin batayi.Khatarnak hai wo.Kisiko hurt karne se
pehle dobara nahin sochega.Uska kuch hoga ya nahin,par tumhein kuch hogaya to
meri aur Nisha ka kya hoga?Nanaji ka socho.Isliye main chahti hun Vikram ko hum
legally handle karenge.I am sure kuch to bada hera pheri chal raha hai uska.''
Sameer agreed and looked at the paper in the hand.Something
made unearringly sense.Nisha..foreign..dollar..His eyes widened in happy yet
shocking realization.''Naina!I love you. ''He said,quickly kissing her.Naina
giggled,taking away the paper from him.Hmm.''Bas romance ka bahana dhundo.Kya
decode kar liya jo topper Naina Agarwal na kar paayi?'' She asked rotating the
paper to analyse from various perspectives.
Sameer took the paper from her and gestured her to see his
points.''Yeh dekho...Iss column pe entries 10 se niche hein.Iss column ki entries
20 se upar lekin 30 ke niche.Iska matlab hai yeh sab age hai.Jaise Nisha ki age
7 years.Aur yeh AD,R,E,D koi ainvayi alphabets nahin.Currencies ke initials
hein.Like American Dollar,Rupee,Euro,Dinar.Iss sab ka matlab samajh rahi ho?'' Sameer asked ,while Naina gave a frightened nod.
"Yeh kamina child trafficking and human trafficking mein
involved hai.If I am guessing it right then yeh sab 20 se 30 ke bich ladkiyan
hein.''
Naina let a shocked gasp.The white paper looked like coffins
of white horror and terror.This was some horrendous crime.She even could not
bring herself to think of the plights of children and girls involved in
trafficking.''Tum sahi guess ki hai shayad.Yaad hai wo bachon ki medicine usne
kharida tha us din?I think kisi bache ke liye hoga jiska sauda yeh karne wala
tha..now it all fits..Hey bhagwan!'' Naina clutched Sameer as wave of unknown
fear gripped her.He stroked her,calmly saying "Mujhe ASI Anupam se iske baare
mein baat karni padegi.I will ruin this idiot.''
"Sameer!I love you.'' Naina said as kept neatly folded the paper
and placed in his blazer pocket.He held her like a soft feather,because he knew
some moments,some scars can only be healed with the company of each other.''Bas
ab jaldi thik ho jao..Mujhse control nahin ho raha hai.'' He voiced,earning a
playful slap from her "Ek number ke despo ho tum.Control.Mat bhulo ki ek bachi
ki baap bhi ho.''
He broke into a fit of short laughter.Wiggling his
eyebrows,he replied back "Acha!Bachi ki Maa to badi responsive hai.'' Naina
blushed,turning into pink shades of candyfloss.''Tum na.. ''He didn't give her a
chance and silenced her with the kiss of love.
Exactly after three evenings,Sameer knew not how would he
deal with the miscellany of emotions coursing in him.The feeling of
responsible,to a sense of loneliness,from an emotion of unhappiness to a void
of emptiness.Each over powering other.He could never think going away from
Delhi would bring him some salty tears even.London had been his gate away
place,free from loneliness and emptiness of relations.But it was the first time
he didn't have the heart to go.If it would not have been for the scholarship
programme,he would have assisted Naina and Nisha to Almora.Time and Luck play
their own games.
Nisha was inconsolable with the thought that she would not
be able to see both her Mumma and Papa together.The fact that she would not be
able to meet Sameer for three long weeks made her burst into tears."Nisha!Papa
ko bye bolo.Check In karna hai.''Naina said,bitting back the tears.Her insides
were quiet in sharp contrast to the chaos of large terminal of Delhi International
Airport.
Nisha held her mother's hand and walked away from
Sameer.Sameer saw two figures going into the dark.He felt his heart breaking
into tiny fractured mirrors.The darkness is ready to engulf him,but its their
memories that would keep him alive throughout.He wiped the hazy,blurring tears
and turned on heel to leave for the Terminal 3.
"PAPA! ''Sameer heard the familiar voice.For a millisecond,he
thought he is hallucinating.The same voice with greater intensity hit him.He
turned around and saw Nisha running towards him.Stumbling,panting,puffing.He
knelt down and soon Nisha engulfed him in a tight hug.Sameer clutched her tighter,his
tears brimming.''Aap jaldi aa jana Papa.Der mat karna''. He heard Nisha
say,muffling against his blazer.''Haan mera bacha.Main jaldi aa jaunga.Tumhari
bina dil nahin lagega Papa ka.'' Sameer said,wiping the tear stained cheeks of
Nisha.Nisha wiped the tears from Sameer's eyes with the back of her soft,short
hand.Sameer planted a long,caring kiss on both her cheeks.He looked upto see Naina
standing at a little far.He knew she was crying too.She was vainly trying to
wipe the unbarred tears.Nisha went away again,waving back,holding her mother's
hands.Sameer felt the magic of his life slowly vanishing behind the barricades.
Next day in School
"RISHAV!'' Nisha squealed and rushed to hug Rishav.Rishav's
family had been away for a relative's wedding.Rishav's father had come to meet Nandita.Nisha
had missed Rishav in Delhi,on her way back to Almora,after reaching Almora
even.Meeting Rishav at the end of school hour was surely a pleasant surprise.It
was not planned and that thrilled Nisha more.Her bestfriend never fails to
cheer her gloomy day.
"MOTI!'' Rishav hugged her back,planting a sloppy kiss on her
cheek.''Ghar chal phir dher saari baatein karenge.'' Rishav said and asked Nisha
to wait at the gate.Raunak called Rishav,so he went away asking her to wait ,so
that they can all go together back home.
"Nisha!Aa jao ghar chod dunga ''A man in middle twenties
called Nisha as she came out of the school gate.Nisha looked at the person in
question,not remembering seeing him anytime before.She absolutely felt no
connection with him.
"Kya soch rahi ho?Tumhari Mumma ne bheja hai tumhe lene ke
liye.Aa jao jaldi.''The man specified,and hurried.Nisha was confused whether to
go with this person or with Rishav's father.Still in a dilemma,she asked "Aap
college se ho?'' The man nodded."Haan Naina ji ki friend hun.Yeh chocolate lo.Aa
jao mere saath." The man lured.
"Nisha!Koun hai yeh?'' Raunak shouted.Nisha hurriedly rushed
to Rishav's side,a strange fear churning in her insides.A sense of lost
feeling.The man hastened away and Raunak stood shocked as the realization hit
him.
Naina didn't know her afternoon would look so dark and lost
as it was outside.The grey clouds of hill station were congregrating for some
greater lash of rains.Naina still could not reel from the sharp blow of
words.The grim voice of Raunak saying her "Aaj
Nisha kidnap ho jaati.''Naina felt her heart skip a beat again.She clasped
the railings of window to derive some strength.
She looked at the clock,still several hours before Sameer
reached London.She didn't know which words to chose to inform him.After hours of
debating with heart and mind ,to inform or not to inform..she finally came to a
relieving conclusion.She would inform as promised him before.
Waiting for him was difficult,painful and was stretching
into measureless eternity.
(To be Continued)
P.S.:Thank you for reading.Would love to read all your feedback.π³
WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
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