Part 8
Shantanu beta , His Pathan baba cried as he hugged him tight in his arms as he was still standing on the doorway in his thoughts.
Pathan Baba kaise hain aap , Aap bahot weak lag rhe hain , Sab theek hain na.. Concerned Shantanu took the old man inside and made him sit comfortably.
Tum aa gaye ho na.. Ab sab theek ho jayega.. Said the old man visibly happy for his children, finally after a whole year his Shantanu had come to take his Puchki bitiya. He knew why it took so long for Shantanu unlike his Puchki who had no idea what Shantanu had gone through in the last one year. Shantanu had asked him not to say anything to Puchki but Pathan baba has been aware of Shantanu's struggle without his Surname in an another city with his mother. Shantanu had to take responsibility for fixing many things back at Majumdar house and then later coming out of that shadow to finally stand on his feet. But this journey of his was unknown to his bondhu as He chose to keep it a secret and had taken promise from his Pathan baba for the same. Chanda Ma had often shared her woes with old man on telephone and they had often prayed together for their children. He knew the hardships and resilience that Shantanu had shown all through this while making his mother and his Pathan baba proud of himself.
Baba , Puchki bahot naraz hain , Shayad mujhe maaf nahi kar paye , Jab main apne aap ko hi maaf nahi kar paya toh use kya kahun jisne hamesha hamari dosti aur hamare pyaar k liye itna kuch kiya.. Shantanu had often remembered the times where Puchki kept coming back into his life and he used to keep her away , how she fought the world for her friendship and then her love , her marriage and what he had done in return. This guilt had not made him sleep peacefully in past one year.
Toh ab tumhari baari hain Shantanu , use woh pyaar aur dosti yaad dilao.. meri bachi bahot badal gayi hain Shantanu , bina pyaar aur dosti ke who ek pathar ban gayi hain.. Old man broke down as he recalled the moments where he has seen his Puchki suffered silently. Shantanu consoled him and assured him that he will make things alright, he had to for sake of his Puchki now.
At other end of the city , Asmita was busy fuming at her officers for small things , reprimanding them for little issues , whole staff around could sense that Madam had a bad mood that day and anyone crossing her path would have to listen to some pretty heavy amount of lectures.
As clock striked 7 in the evening, Asmita dreaded going home. Will he be still there.. or gone.. One part of her wanted him to be there and was yearning to meet him and other predominant part was little skeptical to go home and come face to face with the person who took her everything and left her with only unforgettable memories , some bitter and some sweet..
Madam, you are not going home. Asked his Junior Inspector Jay in a quiet tone.
Why are you so concerned? If you are done with that file of that Mahim case , you can submit that and leave else don't bug me.
There were whispers around, Jay thought it was wise to just run away from there before his boss would take out that licensed pistol and aim at him for that dare to question her.
Asmita stayed in the office late but soon her worry for Pathan Baba came in and she decided to finally face the man if it means by going home. She started for home, lot of thoughts flashing across her mind, her sweet memories with her childhood friend.. Their unlucky love and that marriage which was never acknowledged to the world. What was he doing here? Was he back to take her along? Was he there to avenge what she did a year back? It was still easy to go away from him that time without facing but she knew that someday she had to face him for the decision that she took for both of them.
Shantanu had learnt about Pathan Baba's medical history from the nurse that was in the house. He was worried for him and little upset too as Baba never made him aware of his deteriorating health but now when Shantanu complained, his Pathan Baba had taken promise from Shantanu that he will take care of Puchki if anything happens to him. Shantanu just pulled his hand and gave him assurance that nothing will happen to him and he will be there to bless Shantanu and Puchki together for a beautiful life that he wanted to build for them. Old man was relieved and had gone to sleep in his room when Shantanu heard a noise and he knew that his Puchki had come home and after what had happened in the morning, he knew that she might not like seeing him still there. But still there were so much to say, from past one year he had so much to share to his bondhu and so much to listen to also. What if they were miles apart, still they were reeling in same pain. He knew that they had to talk to ease out that pain she carried in her heart. Her heart had to heal for his heart to beat again if only she could understand!
He came out of Pathan Baba's room and saw her in the hallway. She looked at him as their eyes met. They had just few steps in between but it felt like hundred miles. Without saying a word she left for her room and shut the door loudly enough to make Shantanu realize his place. Shantanu was somehow expecting that response, he knew she was hurting and for her sake he thought of leaving that night but he had just promised his Baba and he knew that he had to stay and try. He sat down on sofa in the hall noticing the trophies his Puchki had won in this past year. A smile came on his lips as he took her photograph out of the showcase lying there. He caressed it gently as if feeling his Puchki after so long.
Kya tum mujhse baat nahi karogi haan bolo.. pta hain bachpan mein tum ek baar mujhse naaraz ho gayi thi ,poora din tumne mujhse baat nahi ki thi, yaad hain tumhe kya haal hua tha mera .. Aaj poora ek saal ho gya Puchki.. his voice trembled as he spoke .. He just wanted to hear her voice.. her silence was killing him deep inside .. He wanted her to yell at him .. to say nasty things ..but complain to him .. She was near the door as she heard his voice break.. It should not have made her weak.. but it was making her .. She didn't want to make it that easy for him.. but it was not getting easy for her too as she opened the door finally to face the man she has been running away from.. !
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