A/N: Here's a MaAnVika special update. Hope you like it. Flashbacks in blue font.
Part 16
Devika's eyes went from Anuj to Anupama as she registered the surprise.
"Oh God! Tumlog.. date kar rahe ho?!" she squealed.
"Yes! Finally! Can you believe it?"
Devika shook her head as she burst into tears.
"Devika.. Tu aise royegi ne toh main bhi ro padungi! Tune jitna kiya hai humare liye uske saamne thank you bohot chhota sabd hai! Kanhaji ne mujhe behen se bhi badhkar saheli di hai! Aur.."
Devika wiped her tears.
"Bas, bas Anu! Break lagaa! Ab tu rona mat shuru kar dena! Tujhe jitna rona tha tune kya.. tum dono ne ro liya! Ab toh tumhare khush rehne ke din hain! Agar koi second chances aur sachcha pyaar deserve karta hai na toh woh tum dono ho! Tu bohot zyada lucky hai Anu! Anuj ke jaisa devoted lover toh laakhon me ek hota hai!"
"Sach me!", she nodded in the affirmative.
"Tere kehne ka matlab hai ki main lucky nahi hoon?"
"Tu kitna lucky hai woh toh maine college me hi tujhe bata diya tha! By the way, tumlogon ne kya socha hai? Matlab.. shaadi ka koi plan hai kya?"
"Plan toh hai par filhaal nahi!"
"Jab hoga ne tujhe sabse pehle pata chalega!"
"Ha, woh toh pata chal hi jayega! Main isiliye poochh rahi thi taki main loudspeakers taiyar rakh sakoon."
MaAn turned to look at each other, utterly confused.
"Kya bol rahi hai tu?"
"Kuch bhi! Tu speaker taiyar rakhegi?"
"Ha! Tumhari suhaag raat pe kamre ke baahar se loudspeakers par humma humma gana main hi toh bajaungi!"
Anupama was too flustered to notice the look that passed between Anuj and Devika.
"Kyun Anuj? Shehnai aur drums dono hain us gane me, hai na?"
"Sorry to burst your bubble! Tujhe yeh sunehra mauka nahi milega! Mujhe Ahmedabad me suhaag raat manane me koi interest nahi hai!"
"Areh! Mujhe toh laga tha ki tere naye hotel ke honeymoon suite ka inauguration tumhare.. shubh milan se hi hoga!"
"Devikaaa! Band tha/Chup ho ja!"
"Not a bad idea! Uska inauguration hum kar lenge lekin suhaag raat Ahmedabad me nahi hogi! Way too many potential intruders around us!"
"Actually! Good decision! Location disclose karega ya.. undisclosed location pe hi.. discovery karne ka irada hai?!"
"Aaplog hi baatein karo. Main ja rahi hoon!"
Anuj caught her hand before she could run away.
"Areh nahi, nahi, nahi! Baitho yaheen pe! Sorry!"
"Ruk, ruk! Tu kahan bhag rahi hai?! College me bhi yeh hi karti thi!"
"Tu kaisi baatein kar rahi hai?"
"Main jo keh rahi hoon uska ek reason hai, jo tujhe nahi pata! Batati hoon.."
...............
"Jab humare college ke trustees visit pe aaye the, tab tune solo dance kiya tha na? Us din maine pehli bar Anuj ko tujhe nihaarte huye dekha tha! Phir maine class me bhi kain bar dekha. Par jaise meri nazar is pe gayi isne tujhse nazar hata li! Hadd tab ho gayi jab uske agle din main tujhe kathak class ke liye pick karne aayi."
"Main toh cycle par jati thi class me.."
"Us din teri cycle ki chain nikal gayi thi isiliye tune mujhe bulaya tha. Main mopet lekar aayi toh ise teri gali ke bahar dekh liya! Isne bhi mujhe dekha par ignore kiya."
"Tu jis tarah se ghoor rahi thi mujhe laga ki abhi aakar mera collar pakdegi! Par tabhi Bunty Jagu se milkar aa gaya aur hum nikal gaye!"
"Agle din college me maine iski khabar li.."
........................
"Oh, Mr secretary!" Devika called loudly as Anuj stepped out of the parking area.
"Ha, bol.." he nodded with a straight face.
"Mujhe tujhse baat karni hai.."
"Theek hai. Class ke bad mujhe auditorium ke peechhe mil."
"Abhi chal! Mujhe urgent baat karni hai."
"Tu ja. Main pahuch raha hoon.."
When Anuj reached the auditorium, Devika scowled at him menacingly.
He ignored her and spoke calmly, although he knew too well what she wanted to talk about.
"Kya baat hai?"
"Tu bata kya chal raha hai? College me padhne aata hai ya Anu ko dekhne? Class me maine dekha, ek nahi kayin bar ki teri nazar blackboard par kam aur Anu pe zyada rehti hai!"
"Main us se pyaar karta hoon, Devika!"
"Achcha? Toh use bataya kyun nahi?"
"Uske saamne aate hi mera brain freeze ho jata hai! Maine koshish toh ki lekin.. main nahi bol paya!"
"Waise toh pura din bakbak karta rehta hai! Lekin uske saamne "brain freeze" ho jata hai!? Phir toh usko dekhkar tere pair bhi freeze ho jane chahiye na? Par woh toh uski gali tak pahuch jate hai! Kal Anu ki gali ke baahar khada hua tha na, Bunty ke saath? Tera friend class representative hai toh tu uska galat fayda uthayega aur ladkiyon ke address nikalvayega?"
"Tu mujhe galat mat samajh. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki Anupama wahan rehti hai. College ke bad main aur Bunty guitar seekhne saath me jate hain. Use Jagruti se milna hota hai isiliye main gali ke bahar scooter pe wait karta hoon. Ek din Anupama ko kathak class jate huye dekh liya toh pata chala ki woh wahan rehti hai!"
"Theek hai. Tujhe us din "accidently" pata chal gaya. Phir tu kal wahan kya kar raha tha? Wait karne ke liye kahin bhi wait kar sakta hai na? Uski gali ke bahar hi kyun? Jagruti ka ghar toh peechhe wali gali me hai! Bada Darr ka Shah Rukh bana ghum raha hai!"
"Darr ka Shah Rukh!? Kya bak rahi hai?!"
"Independence Day pe tune mujhse dosti ki. Phir dance competition me humare group ko suggest kiya. Aur ab toh Anu ke peechhe uski gali tak aa gaya? Yeh sare stalker ke lakshan hai! Pankhil ki complain ki thi na maine aur Anu ne waise hi teri bhi complain kar dungi agar tu nahi sudhra! Yeh jo cultural committee ka secretary bana phirta hai na us position se bhi haath dho baithega! Sabse pehle toh main Anu ko bata dungi!"
"Use batana mat! Please Devika.. Main koi stalker nahi hoon jo Anupama se obsessed ho! Main sach me us se pyar karta hoon! Aur yeh baat main khud use batana chahta hoon, apne tareeqe se. Ruk ja."
He opened a fullscape notebook and flipped the pages.
"Yeh dekh le. Yeh shayariyan maine us pe hi likhi hai. Meri handwriting tu aage wale pages se milakar dekh sakti hai. Main use dekhta hoon toh meri nazar hi nahi hat ti hai! College me 5 ghante dekhkar bhi man nahi bharta isiliye gali ke baahar use kathak class jate huye dekh leta hoon. Par kabhi tumhari class tak nahi aaya. Usko embarrass karne ka mera koi irada nahi hai!"
"Main kaise maan loon ki yeh shayariyan tune likhi hai? Kahin se copy kar di ho.. Mujhe kya pata!? Teen mahine huye nahi college khule huye aur tujhe usse itna pyaar ho gaya ki tu shayari likhne laga?!"
"Ha, toh?! Pyaar koi time dekhke hota hai kya? Jab hona tha ho gaya! Dance competition me tumhare group ko suggest karne ke liye bhi mujhe Bunty ne hi kaha tha, Jagruti ke liye! Main manta hoon ki maine tujhse dosti ki. Tere zariye Anupama se baat karna chah raha tha kyunki uske saamne aate hi main bohot nervous ho jata hoon! Woh bhi bohot shy hai. Isiliye maine socha tu.."
"Samajh gayi main! Par tu yeh mat samajhna ki jaise Darr me Shah Rukh ne Juhi Chawla ke kareeb jane ke liye Sunny deol se dosti ki, waise tu mujhe use karega aur mere zariye us tak pahuchega! Bhool ja! Meri friend ke level ka hi nahi hai tu! Stalker kahin ka!"
"Shut up! Kabse bakwas kare ja rahi hai! Stalker, stalker! Kabhi maine uska rasta roka, ya haath pakda ya sabke saamne I love you kehkar use embarrass kiya? Use threaten kiya ki use mujhse hi pyar karna padega? Use poochh lena ki kisine usko blank calls diye?"
"Uske ghar me phone nahi hai!"
"Mujhe toh yeh bhi nahi pata tha! Kabhi uske saamne achcha impression jamane ke liye bhi out of the way jakar kuch nahi kia maine!"
"Karta tab bhi woh tujhe ghaas nahi dalti! Tere aas pass jo apni class ki aur seniors ke class ki ladkiyan mandraati rehti hain na unke jaisi nahi hai woh!"
"Main janta hoon! Woh bakiyon jaisi nahi hai isiliye mujhe pasand hai! Tune mujhe dekha hai kya un ladkiyon ko ghaas dalte huye?"
"College me toh obviously nahi dalega! College ke bahar kya karta hai, mujhe kya pata!"
"Galatfehmi ka koi ilaaj nahi hota hai! Main janta hoon ki main usse pyaar karta hoon aur mere parents bhi jante hain! Meri ma toh kabse mere peechhe padi hain ki woh uske ghar jakar humara rishta formalize karna chahti hain! Par maine hi unse kaha ki final year complete ho jane tak wait karna chahiye. She's such a bright student! Main chahta hoon ki woh apni padhai pe aur dance pe puri tarah se focus kare."
"Ya tu yeh chahta hai ki teri independence pe, aiyaashi pe koi break na lage! Engaged ho jayega toh ek se committed rehna padega na? Tere parents ko kya pata ki tere peechhe kitni ladkiyan padi huyi hain?! Ladkon ko yeh hi sab toh pasand hota hai!"
"Generalize mat kar, haan! Bohot ho gaya tera!"
"Exactly! Teri aashiqui bohot ho gayi! Tera aur uska koi match hi nahi hai toh zyada udd mat! Woh tujh jaise ladke ko kabhi pasand nahi karegi!"
Her words stabbed Anuj like a dagger.
"Koi comparison hai tum dono ka?! Kahan woh class ki sabse shaant ladki, sweet, sanksaari, toppers me se ek, graceful kathak dancer aur kahan tu! Teachers ki nakal karne wala, ladaai, jhagde karne wala, back bencher, gaaliyan bakne wala, chhapri dancer! Padhai ka toh waise bhi koi thikana nahi hai aur aaye din complains aati rehti hain! Saal ki shuruat me toh aadhi classes bunk kiya karta tha par jabse Anu me interest aaya hai tabse regularly classes attend karne laga hai!"
"Don't judge a book by its cover! Kal free period me sab antakshari khel rahe the tab toh galaa phaadke humma humma gana ga rahi thi na? Puri class ko suna rahi thi ki tujhe Bombay film ke gane kitne pasand hain!"
"Ha, toh? Uska is baat se kya connection hai?"
"Shallow thinking walo ko na deep connections samajh nahi aate hain! Us gaane me shehnai aur drums dono hai. Ek traditional songs me use hone wala instrument toh doosra modern songs me. Lekin jab dono saath aaye toh gana achcha laga na?! Unka fusion ho sakta hai toh chhapri dance aur kathak ka bhi ho sakta hai aur dancers ka bhi!"
"Nahi ho sakta! Sun le kaan khol ke! Anupama Darshan Pathak se bohot pyar karti hai aur woh bhi Anupama se bohot pyaar kar.. ta hai!"
Anuj felt the earth move beneath his feet as he nearly stumbled.
"Kaun.. Darshan Pathak? Apni college ka hai? Kahan rehta hai?"
"Tujhe kya karna hai yeh sab jaankar?"
"Bata toh sahi! Kaun hai yeh Darshan?"
"Anu ka mangetar hai! Apni college se nahi hai, woh Bhavnagar se hai! Anu ki mummy chahti hain ki use nazar na lage isiliye kisiko kuch nahi bataya. Aur kuch!?"
He mutely shook his head, too devastated to reply.
"Ab tujhe pata chal gaya na toh us se door rehna!"
"Sorry! Really sorry! Mujhe.. koi idea nahi tha. Pata hota toh main kab ka peechhe hat jata. Tu tension mat le Devika! Main.. main use kabhi nahi bataunga ki main kya feel karta hoon! Aaj ke bad uski taraf dekhunga bhi nahi!"
"Meri nazar rahegi tujh pe! Kuch bhi kiya na toh main seedhe Trivedi sir ko complain kar dungi! Aur yeh jo shayari likh raha tha usme kahin Anu ka naam.."
"Don't worry. Maine kahin bhi uska ziqr nahi kiya. Main.. kuch nahi karunga.. Main.. Usse door ho jaunga."
He dragged himself away while struggling to blink back tears.
........................
"Tune mamaji ka naam lekar jhoot bola Devika?! Bhuj ki jagah Bhavnagar kar diya!"
Devika shrugged her shoulders in response.
"Mujhe jiska naam soojha maine le liya! Jab yeh complain ki baat se aur secretary ki post khone ke dar se bhi nahi dara toh mujhe laga ki isse.. peechha chhudvane ke liye kuch bada bolna padega! Isiliye teri sagai ka jhoot bola. Secondly, mujhe pata tha ki yeh Bunty ke through find out karvane ki koshish karega ki Darshan wali baat me kitni sachchai hai. June me tu mamaji ki beti ki sagaai ke liye Bhavnagar gayi hi thi na? Toh bas maine 2 +2= 5 kar diya!"
"Aur hua bhi woh hi. Main toh tabhi ghar chala gaya. Wahan bhi ro, ro kar bura haal tha! Jab Bunty music class ke liye lene aaya toh maine use sab bata diya. Bunty iske jhanse me nahi aaya!"
........................
"Bas havey! Shanti raakh ne Anuj! Aa Devika nakki hoshiyari maare chhe/Yeh Devika pakka oversmart ban rahi hai! Mujhe nahi lagta ki Anupama kisi Darshan se pyaar karti hai!"
"Tujhe sach me aisa lagta hai, bhai?"
"Aur kya!? Yeh Anupama class me toh kisi ladke ki taraf dekhti bhi nahi hai! Baat karna toh bohot door ki baat hai! Ek din main register pe uski sign lene gaya aur passport size photo bhi collect karna tha. Jahan baat karni chahiye thi wahan bhi usne sirf sar hilaakar kaam chala liya! Uska kahan koi boyfriend hoga! Sagai ki haath me koi angoothi hoti na? Tu yaad karke bata, uske haath me hai aisa kuch?"
"Nahi. Uske haath me dhaage hain aur moonstone wali angoothi hai, woh bhi silver ki."
"Phir? Tu kyun us Devika ki baaton me aa raha hai?"
"Par woh keh rahi thi ki aunty is baat ko chhupana chahti hain, taki use buri nazar na lage. Ho sakta hai isiliye woh angoothi nahi pehenti hain, phir sab poochhenge aur nazar lag jayegi! Aur isiliye woh.. kisi ladke se baat nahi karti, kyunki woh pehle se committed hai?"
"Ha. Yeh ho toh sakta hai par ek bar confirm kar lena chahiye. Main Jagu se indirectly pata karvata hoon. Agar woh buri nazar wali baat sahi hai toh Anupama ghuma phira ke hi sahi, par bata toh degi.."
"Kuch bhi ho use yeh pata nahi chalna chahiye ki main.. kya.. feel karta hoon."
"Ha bhai ha! Tu tension mat le aur ummeed mat chhod! Sab achchha hi hoga!"
........................
The next day Anuj did not have the strength to go to college.
When Bunty came to meet him after college his morose expressions confirmed his fear.
"Sagaai ki baat sach nikli?"
"Woh toh pata nahi par Anupama ne yeh kaha ki woh kisi family function ke liye June me Bhavnagar gayi thi. Jagu ne koshish ki lekin aur kuch pata nahi chal paya kyunki Devika wahan aa gayi."
"Woh pakka sagai karne hi gayi hogi!"
"Nahi yaar! Pata nahi mujhe kuch sahi nahi lag raha hai. Sagai ho gayi hoti toh uske saasre wale usko ghar pe bitha dete na? College kyun aane dete aur, more importantly, kathak kyun karne dete?"
"Ho sakta hai wohlog broad minded ho.. Unko uske padhne se aur kathak karne se problem na ho. Saasre wale hain toh narrow minded hi honge aisa zuroori nahi hai. Devika jhoot kyun bolegi yaar? Woh Anu ki sabse close friend hai, jo usko school se janti hai. Kal ko teri aur Jagu ki sagai hogi toh tu kisi aur ko bataye ya na bataye mujhe toh batayega na?"
"Obviously yaar! Tujhe toh sabse pehle bataunga! Par main phir bhi bolunga ki tujhe haar nahi maanni chahiye. Woh Darshan toh uske ma, baap ke kehne pe Anupama se shaadi karega. Tere jitna pyaar thodi karega use! Tu ek baar Anupama ke man me kya.."
Anuj intervened, outright opposing his idea.
"Nahi Bunty! Uske moonh se na sunne ki himmat nahi hai mujhme!"
........................
"Uske bad Majnu Kapadia sudhar gaya! Teri taraf dekhna band kar diya jaise tu class me ho hi nahi. Teri gali ke bahar bhi nahi dikha. College bunk karna phir se shuru kar diya isne! Bunty mujhe gusse me ghoorta rehta tha par isne koi reaction nahi diya. Maine decide kiya tha ki main ise kuch dino tak observe karungi. Agar yeh nahi sudhra toh tujhe bataungi."
"Tujhe pehle hi bata dena chahiye tha. Sach me Anuj ki jagah koi stoker hota toh?"
"Ha yaar par mujhe laga ki tu panic mode me chali jayegi aur aunty ko bata degi. Phir woh bhi tension me aa jayengi. Kahin tera college jana band na ho jaye isiliye maine pehle khudse niptane ki koshish ki. Aur koshish kamiyab bhi ho gayi. Sorry Anuj! Tujhe bohot hurt kiya aur tere 10 din bhi kharaab kar diye maine! "
"Don't be! (sighs) Tune ek tarah se mujhe aanewale 26 saalon ki dress rehearsal karva di!"
Anupama reached across to hold his hand.
"Tumhara haath dukh raha hoga. Lao, phone mujhe dedo."
"Jara bhi nahi!"
"Areh, do toh.."
He locked his gaze with her while taking the phone from her hand.
"Aap theek hai ne?"
"Hmm.." he nodded.
"Main bhi hoon yahan pe aur mujhe sirf ceiling dikh rahi hai!"
"Ruk na, kabaab me haddi!"
"Ha! Woh haddi jiske bina tera kabab kabka latak gaya hota!"
"Bas kariye aap dono! Devika, tu aage bol ne.."
"Ek hafte bad mujhe headache hua toh maine socha main last lecture bunk kar ke jaldi ghar chali jaun. Tu toh kabhi ek bhi lecture bunk nahi karti thi isiliye tu ruk gayi. Jab main gate ke pass pahuchi toh Anuj ko kuch ladkon se ladte huye dekha aur tera naam lete huye bhi suna. Maine chhupkar suna toh pata chala ki woh ladke tujhpe line mar rahe the! Tera peechha karne ke liye tera rasta dekh rahe the. Anuj ne akele un dono ko bhaga diya. Phir woh gate se andar ki taraf gaya. Mujhe laga ki woh pakka meri absence me tere saamne show off karega! Isiliye main bhi peechhe peechhe gayi lekin woh toh canteen me jakar baith gaya. As usual, usko dekhte hi ladkiyan aa gayi lekin usne kisi ko bhaav nahi diya! Jab class khatm hui aur Bunty aaya toh dono scooter pe nikal gaye. Agle din college me observe kiya toh usne jatana toh chhod, teri taraf dekha bhi nahi! Mujhe doubt hone laga ki maine usko galat toh nahi samajh liya? Do din bad isne mujhe bulaya.."
........................
"Devika main.. kuch lautana chahta tha.."
"Mujhe toh yaad nahi aa raha hai ki maine tujhe kuch diya tha?"
"Tune nahi.. Anupama ne.. bhi nahi. Woh.. gir gaya tha toh maine rakh liya."
He removed the blue magnet from his pocket.
"Yeh kahan mila tujhe?"
"Canteen me mila tha, teen hafton pehle. Tumlog uthkar gaye uske bad main.. us hi table pe baitha tab yeh mujhe mila. Maine.. pehle pyaar ki nishani samajhkar rakh liya! Mujhe us hi din tujhe lauta dena chahiye tha par.. main nahi kar paya. Sorry! Mera is pe koi haq nahi hai! Tu Anupama ko de dena."
He stared longingly at the magnet for a moment before giving it to her.
He was most surprised when she returned it.
"Apne pass hi rakh! Yeh uske bhai ka tha. Jab usse kho gaya toh usne apne bhai ko doosra dila diya."
The smile that lit up his face was brighter than the sunlight.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
He promptly placed it in the safety of his pocket.
"Tu tension mat lena ha! Maine pehle ki tarah Anupama ko.. dekhna chhod diya hai!"
"Aur woh.. shayari likhna?"
"Woh nahi chhoda! Uspe toh mera haq hai!"
"Dikha zara, kya likha hai! Kuch aisa waisa toh nahi likha uske bare me?"
"Itna sa bhi vishwas nahi hai na tujhe mujh pe!? Khud hi dekh le.."
While shuffling the pages Devika noticed illegible words scribbled with pencil outside the margin on one of the pages.
"Yeh pencil se chhota, chhota kya likha hai?"
"Woh praas, anupraas nahi baith raha tha isiliye try kar raha tha."
"Anupraas.. Kya hota hai?"
"Alliteration.. Figure of speech?"
"Mujhe yeh sab nahi samajh aata!"
She read one of the shayaris written on the adjacent page.
Kitna mushqil hai is sach ko apnaana
Ki adhura reh jayega pehle pyar ka afsaana!
Kaash ban paata mera dil uska thikaana,
Jiske saade husn ne bana diya mujhe
deewaana!
Jiske saade husn ka main ban gaya deewaana!
*Glossary: afsaana- story, thikaana- residence, husn- beauty
........................
She frowned at the line which he had stricken off with pencil.
"Yeh last wali dono lines toh ek jaisi lag rahi hai."
"Ek jaisi nahi hai, farq hai! Jo upar wali line maine kat di usme aisa lag raha hai ki main Anupama ko accuse kar raha hoon ki usne.. mujhe deewana bana diya! Jab ki usko kuch pata bhi nahi hai! Neeche wali line me maine correct likha hai ki main uska deewana ban gaya. Mujhe.. pyaar hua usme uski kya galti?"
Devika was moved by the sincerity in his words.
"Agar teri jagah koi aur ladka hota toh uski khushi ki jagah apni khushi ki parvah karta! Apna pyaar pane ke liye hungama kar deta! Par tune shayari me bhi us par ilzaam nahi lagaya? Maine tujhe stalker kehkar galti kar di! Tu toh sach me.. Anu se bohot pyaar karta hai!"
"Pyaar me chhoti baatein karna Anuj Kapadia ne kabhi seekha hi nahi! Aisi bewakoofi woh hi log karte hain pyaar ko pane ki zidd me itne andhe ho jate hain ki khud hi apne pyaar ki badnami ka kaaran ban jate hain! Mere bare me tujhe jo samajhna hai tu samajh sakti hai! Mera dil janta hai ki main.. Anu se kitna pyaar karta hoon! Notebook de.."
"I'm sorry!"
"It's okay. I know tu uske liye worried hai. Main kabhi bhi.. uski life me interfere nahi karunga!"
He turned around to leave when Devika stopped him.
"Sorry kyunki maine.. tujhse jhoot bola tha. Anu ki.. sagai nahi hui hai. Darshan Pathak uske.. mamaji hain!"
........................
When Anupama turned towards Anuj his smile broadened to a grin.
"Aapne Devika ko jhatt se maaph kar diya hoga!"
"Ha, zaahir si baat hai! Lekin Bunty uske peechhe zuroor bhaga tha!"
"Phir yeh Majnu mode me wapis aa gaya! Maine ha toh keh diya ki tujhse uski dosti karvane me madad kar dungi lekin warning bhi di- Tujhe jis se pyaar hua hai woh duniya ki sabse sanskaari ladki hai! Tera kaam bohot mushqil hoga kyunki yeh toh movie me bhi kissing scene dekhti hai toh meri aur apni aankhein band kar deti hai!"
Anupama was flabbergasted, to say the least.
"Devika, wayidi! Tune.. inko bhi bata diya?"
"Ha, tere inko toh batana hi tha! Uske kaam ki baat hai!"
"Chup thai ja ne! Mere bachchon ke saamne bhi aisi-waisi baatein karti rehti hai!"
"Tere bachche ab itne bhi chhote nahi hain!"
"Meri Sweetie toh chhoti hi hai!"
"Uski baat chhod, aaj teri baat karte hain! Main kabhi nahi bhool sakti ki hum jab Bombay film dekhne gaye the tab tune.."
"Devikaaa.." Anupama whined to no avail.
"Areh, tere inko sab pata hai, baba! Board exams khatm hone ka maza kirkira kar diya tha tune sharma, sharma ke! Mere mummy papa se main utna nahi sharma rahi thi jitna tu sharma rahi thi!"
"Tumlog parents ke saath film dekhne jate hi kyun the?" Anuj laughed.
"Nahi jate toh philm dekh hi nahi pate! Iske mummy, pappa ya Toral ke mummy, pappa ke bharose hi toh ma mujhe bhejti thi. Varna woh kabhi nahi bhejti!"
"Teri love story me main mediator kab bani yeh toh maine tujhe bata diya. Uske aage ki kahaniyan tu apne boyfriend se aaraam se sun lena!"
"Theek chhe. Thank you!"
"My pleasure! Waise maamla abhi bhi.. work in progress hai kya?"
Devika nodded at Anuj who clicked his tongue.
"Finito!" he replied while darting a quick glance at Anupama.
"Wow! I'm so happy! Annu.. You're killing it, baby!"
"Kya? Aaplog isaare, isaare me kya keh rahe ho mujhe toh kuch samajh me nahi aa raha hai!"
"Tab hi toh keh rahe hain! Waise bhi ab toh main unofficially Anuj ki saali hoon! Jeeja saali ke beechh yeh sab chalta hi rehta hai!"
"Of course! Saali matlab aadhi gharwali!"
He winked at Devika who winked right back at him.
"Bohot bure hain aap dono!"
"Areh, tu kyun bura maan rahi hai?! Bas yeh hi poochh rahi thi main ki.."
"Tu rehne de! Main bata dunga!"
"Achcha toh woh.. Manisha Koirala wali baat bhi bata dena! Aur yeh bhi bata dena ki tujhe Anu ka magnet kaise mila? Matlab tu us table pe kya karne gaya tha jab tune magnet dekha?"
"Yeh toh mujhe abhi janna hai, Anuj!"
Anuj scratched his forehead with his index finger.
"Woh.. Tum jab bhi cold drink leti thi toh bottle kabhi finish nahi kar pati thi. Hamesha usme thodi si baki rakh deti thi jo.. tumhare jaate hi main woh.. pee leta tha!"
Anupama was too awestruck to speak.
"Woh.. kehte hain na ki jhootha khane se pyaar badhta hai toh.. bas waise hi! In fact, wapis aane ke bad bhi maine.. ek bar yeh kiya tha!"
He mentioned casually how he drank from the same bottle of milk from which she had taken a sip.
"Un bachchon me se kisine dekh liya hota toh?"
"Toh kya!? Woh toh waise bhi humein couple hi samajh rahe the!"
"Tu mahaan hai maate! Badon se sharmaati hai, bachchon se bhi sharmaati hai par please.. mujhse mat sharmana! Mere samne zara apne boyfriend ko pyaar se hug toh kar!"
"Chal, hatt!"
"Main teri baa ki umar ki nahi hoon, teri hi umar ki hoon! Mujhe kitne saalon se tum dono ko hug karte huye dekhna tha yaar! Aaj meri wish puri kar de na Anu!"
Anupama relented, wrapping her arms around Anuj's waist.
Devika frowned when Anuj placed one hand on her head.
Then she noticed the short sleeve of Anupama's blouse and understood his hesitation.
"Great! Anuj.. Tere jaisa pyaar toh kisi ka ho hi nahi sakta! Ek baat poochhun tere pyaar ke bare me? Tu ha ya na me jawaab dega?"
"Ha, poochh na!"
"Tera pyaar toh hai hi bohot khaas! Aur aaj tera pyaar.. kafi sexy lag raha hai na is blouse me!?"
Anuj was bowled over by Devika's googly.
"Ha bol! Na bol ke dikha!"
She wiggled her eyebrows, thoroughly enjoying at his expense.
Anuj showed her a 👍🏼 after running his finger across his lips, thereby zipping his mouth.
"Smart move! Tujhe pata tha ki teri khinchaai toh main karungi hi, tu chahe jo bole! Aur Anu, tujhe sofe me sikudne ki zaroorat nahi hai, kyunki teri shaqal pe likha hai ki Anuj is t shirt me kitna sexy lag raha hai!"
"Ab tera majaak band kar ne Devika! Mujhe tujhse ek jaruri baat kehni thi."
"Mujhe bhi ek zaroori baat kehni thi par tu pehle bata."
"Anuj ne mujhe sab bataya, saadi wale din jo bhi hua tha. Tu.. Bunty ko meri taraph se thank you keh dena! Jab koi Anuj ke saath nahi tha tab, waise musqil samay me, Bunty ne Anuj ko sambhala! Uske liye main unki bohot, bohot, bohot aabhari hoon!"
Anuj was overwhelmed with a rush of memories.
He tilted his head back and sighed heavily.
She pushed his tears away from his eyes with the back of her hand.
"Sirf sambhala hi nahi, Bunty ne Anuj ki maar bhi khayi thi!"
"Maar.. kyun? Anuujj.. Woh bhi aapke saath phight me the?"
Anuj shook his head as he passed the phone to Anupama.
"Nahi Anu. Use apni class representative ki position bohot pyari thi isiliye woh kabhi fights me pada hi nahi. Usne mujhe tumhari shaadi ke bare me nahi bataya isiliye main usse naraz ho gaya.."
...................
"Gadhedo! Bey paisa ni akkal nathi! Tu roz mujhe dekhne hospital aaya par tune mujhe Anu ki.. shaadi ke bare me bataana theek nahi samjha?"
"5 dino tak toh tujhe hosh hi nahi aaya tha! Phir jab hosh me aaya toh teri aisi haalat nahi thi ki.."
"Maine roz tujhse Anu ke bare me poochha aur tune roz mujhse jhoot bola!"
His hands shook as he grabbed Bunty's collar.
"Isiliye nahi bataya! Mujhe pata tha ki tu uthke daudega aur gusse me pata nahi kya karega! Doctor ne hosh aane ke bad bhi tujhe discharge nahi diya kyunki teri haalat theek nahi thi."
Bunty freed himself and calmly held his shoulders.
Anuj brushed off his hands in the same instant.
"Ma aur papa ko kyun nahi bataya tune? Woh jakar aunty se baat karte toh shayad.."
"Kaka, kaki pehle hi tujhe lekar pareshan the. Tujhe koi idea nahi hai ki college me kitna bawaal kiya hai Kevat ke pappa ne! Kaka ko principal sir ne bulaya bhi tha. Tumlog dismiss hone se maand maand/baal baal bache ho! Kaki toh tere sirhaane baithkar bas jaap karti rehti thi. Jis din tujhe admit karvaya uske bad wale din college me Devika ne mujhe aur Jagu ko Anu ki shaadi ki khabar di. Tab mujhe nahi laga tha ki tujhe theek hone me pure 10 din lag jayenge. Mujhe bata yeh sab karne ka kya fayda hota? Anu toh aise bhi is rishte se khush hai aur waise bhi.. khush hi hoti! Chahe tu, main, kaka, kaki koi bhi kitna bhi bol dete par uski khushi toh uske pati ke saath hi hai na?"
When Anuj closed his eyes Anupama's cheerful face flashed in front of him.
"Tu.. sahi keh raha hai. Sab meri galti hai! It's all my fault!"
He blamed himself incessantly for getting involved in the fight while Bunty patiently heard him, giving him the space to release his pent up frustration.
"Maine pehle jo galtiyan kar di so kar di par ab main koi galti nahi karunga! Hockey ko uthakar phenk dunga!"
"Ekdum sahi socha tune! Waise bhi dismiss hone se jaise, taise bacha hai. Ab sudhar ja aur padhai me man laga.."
"Ab main college nahi jaunga Bunty!"
"Su undhu, chhatu bole chhe/Kya ulta, seedha bol raha hai!? College nahi jaunga matlab?"
"Ha, nahi jaunga! Anu ko.. kisi aur ke.. sindoor aur mangalsutra me.. main kaise..?"
His lips quivered and his eyes burned, flooded with tears.
"Anu ab se.. college nahi aayegi! Usne apna.. admission withdraw kar liya hai."
Anuj was horrified. His head throbbed with pain and rage.
"Uske saasre wale uski.. padhai band karva rahe hain!? Arehhhh.. Un paagalon ko pata bhi hai ki Anu kitni intelligent hai, kitni achchi student hai! Final exams me teen mahine hi toh bache hain. Woh toh dene dete usko!"
He struggled to maintain his balance on his wobbly knees.
"Sambhaal ke! Unko in sab baaton se koi matlab nahi hai, bhai! Unko apni vahu ko co-ed college me nahi padhana hai. Jagu bata rahi thi ki wohlog Jamalpur darwaza ke pass jo women's college hai na, wahan uska admission karvayenge.."
"Par woh toh agle saal hi ho payega na? Ek saal waste ho jayega bichari ka, woh bhi bina uski galti ke!"
"Ab hum kuch nahi kar sakte Anuj, sivaay Kanhaji ko prathna karne ke! Tere man me jo bhi hai sab Kanhaji se keh de! Woh sab achchha hi karenge!"
He placed his folded his hands on his forehead.
"Kanhaji please.. main Anu ko.. jitni khushiyan dena chahta tha woh.. sab use mile! Aapka aashirwad uspe banaye rakhna!"
He passed out due to sheer exhaustion.
......................
Anuj removed his spectacles as tears blurred his vision.
Anupama passed her strength to him through her hug, rubbing his arm gently and kissing his hair.
Devika waited till they returned to her screen.
"Dekh Anuj, main bohot achche se janti hoon ki tu aaj bhi Bunty ko miss karta hai! Yeh bhi pata hai ki parso raat ko jo shayari tune apne messenger status me post ki thi woh uske liye hi ki thi. Tu use contact karne ki koshish kyun nahi karta?"
"Haath uski taraf badhaya jata hai jo haath thaamne ke liye taiyar ho! Usne mujhe block karke rakha hai matlab use mere saath.. contact me nahi rehna hai."
"Main pehle bhi poochh chuki hoon lekin phir se poochh rahi hoon.. Main teri taraf se koshish karoon?"
"No, thanks! Ab hum college me padhne wale bachche nahi hain, Devika! Tu jab use Annu ka message degi toh use pata chal jayega ki ab hum dono saath hain. Phir dekhte hain.. Agar usne contact kiya toh theek hai aur nahi kiya toh bhi.. theek hai. Main use force nahi karunga! 14 saalon se mujhe use jo bhi kehna tha main Kanhaji se kehta aa raha hoon, aage bhi Unse hi keh dunga!"
"Theek hai. Main use Anu ka message de dungi. Aur Kanhaji se pray karungi ki humari class ke Karan Arjun phir se mil jaye!"
"Bunty Amdavad me hi rehte hain kya?"
"Nahi. Woh toh Hyderabad me hai."
"Aur Jagruti?"
"Woh dono ab saath nahi hain.."
"Anuj ne bataya tha. Abhi kahan hai woh? Reunion me bhi nahi aayi."
"Shaadi ke bad se Dubai me settled hai. Uski family me kisi ki shaadi thi isiliye woh nahi aa payi."
"Uska number bhejna mujhe. Mujhe use bhi thank you kehna hai."
"Pakka! Ek aakhri baat bataakar tum dono ko romance karne ke liye akela chhod dungi!"
"Tu 26 saalon ki qasar aaj hi nikalegi na?"
"Uske liye toh pura hafta kam padh jayega!"
"Seedhe seedhe bol ne!"
"Jab college ka first year khatm hua toh sare friends movie dekhne gaye the. Papa kehte hain.. Tum dono ko bohot miss kiya humne! Anuj ko toh.. specially tab miss kiya jab woh gana aaya- Ghar se nikalte hi.. Anuj, Anu ke liye uske chaar lines ga de na! Tera bhi mood theek ho jayega."
She was elated when Anuj readily agreed.
"Ghar Se Nikalte Hi,
Kuch Door Chalte Hi
Raste Main Hai Uska Ghar.
Kal Subah Dekha To
Baal Banati Woh
Khidki Mein Aayi Nazar!"
Anupama returned his smile, basking in the warmth of his adulation.
"Masoom Chehra,
Neechi Nigahain,
Bholi Se Ladki
Bholi Adaayein!
Na Apsara Hai,
Na Woh Pari Hai,
Lekin Yeh Uski Jadugari Hai!
Deewana Kar DeWoh
Ek Rang Bhar De Woh
Sharma Ke Dekhe Jidhar!"
She found herself blushing as the lyrics resonated in her ears.
"Thank you so much yaar!" Devika cheered him.
"Aapko gaano ke sabd kaise yaad rehte hain? Nahi, matlab mukhda toh phir bhi yaad reh jata hai par antara bhi?"
"Jab gana hazaar bar suna ho aur har bar puri feeling se gaya ho toh yaad reh hi jata hai!"
"Absolutely! Chalo, ab main rakhti hoon. Tumlog lage raho! Apna dhyan rakhna. Have a great, romantic weekend! And Merry Christmas!"
"Thanks and wish you the same! Tu bhi apna dhyan rakh. Jaipur me bohot thand hogi."
"Totally loving it, bro!"
"Tu wapis kab aa rahi hai?"
"2nd Jan ko aa jaungi. Phir mujhe treat chahiye!"
"Tu jahan bolegi wahan! Anytime you want!"
"Done! Chalo.. Bye, bye, bye!" Devika left the love birds to their company.
......................
"Woh.. Devika kya keh rahi thi, Manisa Koirala ke bare me?"
"Kya? Kuch bhi toh nahi!" he frowned as if he was trying to remember.
"Jyada baniye mat! Nahi batana ho toh saaph bol dijiye ne ki aap dono ka secret hai!"
"Ha, kuch waisa hi samajh lo!"
He riled her up further when he leaned closer and nudged her.
"Ab pata chala mujhe kaisa lagta tha jab tum aur Devika mere samne team up kar lete the!"
"Rehva do! Mujhe jaanna hi nahi hai!"
"Areh, suno toh! Jis din usne sorry kaha us din baaton baaton me maine use kaha ki Bombay film me Manisha Koirala jitni sweet, simple aur sundar lag rahi thi real life me tum waisi hi lagti ho! Use waisa dikhne ke liye make up karna padhta hai but you are a natural beauty!"
He placed an open mouthed kiss on her cheek.
"Woh jo.. doosri baat keh rahi thi Devika.."
The husky note in his voice sent shivers through her body.
"Woh toh paagal hai! Kuch bhi bol deti hai!"
"Sahi toh keh rahi thi!"
"Aapke bare me.. aisa kehti toh main.. maan jati!"
"Indirect compliment ke liye thank you!"
He kissed her lips softly and she returned his kiss without any hesitation.
His eyes glazed with a mixture of desire and longing.
He held her gaze while framing her face with his hands.
"I find you very sexy, Anu! Sirf aaj nahi, ya college ke dino me nahi.. Hamesha!"
She tangled her arms around his neck.
"Aap bhi.. Hamesha hi.."
She inched her face closer to satisfy her craving of kissing him and being kissed.
"Say it, please.." he murmured, nibbling gently on her lower lip.
Her lips trembled as she whispered "I find you very, very, very sexy!"
She melded into him as fireworks began in her heart.
As they kissed, she tried to recall if she had ever felt so desired in her life but could not think of even one occasion.
Never before had she given any importance to feeling desired either.
Her married life had never been satisfactory at any point, on any level.
But Anuj made her feel loved and desired every second that he was with her!
She melted with the realization.
How did he love her so dearly, more than she loved herself?
And to think that he did so even after being away from her for close to three decades!
She was right. She was indeed the luckiest woman on Earth!
They broke away to catch a breath or two.
Though it was a brief moment she caught the desire pooling in his dark eyes.
Her spine turned to jelly when he pulled her into himself by her waist and kissed her hard.
All thoughts escaped her mind as she lost herself in the passionate play of tongues.
.....................
Hope you liked this update! Please ignore mistakes.
P. S. Shayari by yours truly.
Cheers,
Noorie
Part 17 on pg 55
Edited by Noorie17 - 3 years ago
Health and Fitness
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