Part 19
"Gadi main chalaun?" asked Anupama, shortly after they left the hotel.
"Tumne kabhi highway pe drive kiya hai?"
"Nahi. Par toll naka/plaza aane tak chala sakti hoon. Waise hi, Amdavad seher me pahuchkar phir chala lungi, toh aapko jara kam chalana padega. 6 ghante ka saphar koi kam thode hi hota hai!"
"I don't mind!" Anuj replied while parking the car outside a commercial building.
"Ek aj minute! Yeh saree jara.. lasar-pasar/ slippery hai ne! Toh gadi chalane se pehle pallu theek kar leti hoon."
"Hotel me kyun nahi kar liya?"
"Aapki vidaai ke liye itni bheed jama ho gayi ki mujhe kuch poochhne ka ya karne ka mauka hi nahi mila!"
"Meri vidaai?!" He gave a hearty laugh.
Meanwhile Anupama gathered her pallu, wrapped it around her waist and tucked it in the front.
"Ab gear badalne me musqil nahi hogi!"
"Oh.."
Her gaze went to his mouth and she couldn't help admire the perfect O formed by his shapely lips.
"Kya soch rahi ho mere bare me?"
He caught her staring and couldn't resist asking.
She tore her gaze away and blinked rapidly.
"Beechh sadak pe kitni baatein karni hai aapko?! Baithiye.."
"Batao! Saree, vidaai aur yeh sab kaun bol raha tha?"
She ignored him as she got into the driver's seat.
.................
"Aap mujhe batate rehna kis taraph lena hai. Yeh navigasan dekh kar chalane ki aadat nahi hai mujhe.."
"Of course! Abhi 1.5 kms tak seedha rasta hai. Phir.. Highway tak jane se pehle ek detour lenge."
"Kya le lenge?" She frowned in confusion.
"Detour. Yahan se thodi door Ambe ma ka mandir hai. Wahan chalkar darshan kar lete hain. Phir highway pe chalte hain?"
"Dopeher ko mandir band hoga."
"Nahi hai. Maine online check kiya tha."
"Aap yatra se pehle darsan karna chahte hain yeh toh bohot achchi baat hai!"
"Baat woh nahi hai.. Tum keh rahi thi na ki tum Chotila jane ke naam se aayi thi aur nahi gayi? Mataji ke naam pe jhoot bola tha.."
She nodded with her eyes on the road.
"Toh isiliye maine socha ki Chotila na sahi, Ambe Mataji ke mandir me darshan kar lete hain. Taki tumhare man me guilt na rahe!"
His words touched her heart.
She turned to him and blew a kiss before swiftly turning back to the steering.
"Agli bar jab Rajkot aayenge tab agar rope way shuru ho gaya hoga ya 600 seedhiyan chadhne jaisi tumhari haalat hogi toh Chotila jakar aayenge!"
"Chaukkas/pakka! Waise toh Samar hum dono ki taraph se darsan kar ke aaya tha. Aap mere man se pachhtava nikalna chahte hain yeh dekhkar mujhe jitna achchha laga Mataji ko bhi utna hi achcha lagega!"
"Main nahi chahta hoon ki hum koi bhi negative feelings ke saath nayi shuruat kare."
Anupama echoed his sentiments.
.................
Anuj took the wheel after they reached the state highway.
"Agar tum sona chahti ho toh seat ke neeche lever hai. Use peechhe kar lo aur aaram se so jao."
"Nahi, main theek hoon."
"Teen ghante bad Limbdi pahuchenge. Wahin tea break le lenge. Is beechh washroom jane ke liye kahin rukna ho toh bata dena."
She nodded while sipping water.
"FM radio chalaun ya ghazal sunogi?"
She caught the hint of a smile at the corner of his lips.
"Baatein sunungi! Aur sunaungi bhi!"
"Okay! Toh batao, tum usually apna Sunday
kaise spend karti ho?"
"Pehle toh Ravivar ka matlab hota tha aaphat!"
He could not believe his ears.
"Huh? Aafat kyun?"
"Teeno bachche aur pati ghar pe hote the toh mera kaam teeguna hua karta tha! Pura din mummy, mummy.. koi na koi aawaj deta hi rehta tha! Kisiko bajaar le jao, kisi ke liye spesal khana banao toh kisi ke saath baithkar poject karo! Ravivar kahan nikal jata tha pata hi nahi chalta tha!"
She heaved an exasperated sigh.
"Par ab main aaram karti hoon. Subha thodi der se uthti hoon. Nasta ya toh Bhaves dekar jata hai ya phir main wahan jakar unke saath nasta karti hoon."
"Nice!" said Anuj while adjusting the rear view mirror.
"Pure haphte jo kaam taale huye hote hain woh karti hoon jaise jaale utarna ya maadiye/lofts saaph karna."
"How boring!" He made a face.
"Dopeher ko khana nahi banati hoon,mithai aur sukha nasta banati hoon!"
"Achchha.. Matlab pure hafte ka stock Sunday ko hi ready kar deti ho?"
"Has toh! Pure haphte time kahan milta hai? Radio sunte, sunte karti hoon toh samay ka pata bhi nahi chalta hai! Naste me methi puri, khakhra ya chivda banati hoon aur mithai me laadu ya chikki.. Jo bhi ho, us hi waqt thoda, thoda kha leti hoon! Taki alag se khana na banana pade!"
"Smart!" he replied while perching the aviators above his nose.
"Dopeher ko TV pe Gujarati philm dekhte, dekhte sophe pe hi pasar/so jati hoon! Saam ko bapuji, Sweety, Samar aur Nandini ke saath law garden ghumne chali jati hoon. Nihal aur Bhaves seedhe wahin milte hain humein. Pav bhaji, pani puri aisa sab, chattar-pattar kha ke, Sweety ko chhoti-moti sopping karvake ghar wapis! Raat ko sar me garam tal lagakar champi karti hoon. Phir so jati hoon! Ravivar khatam!"
"Hmmm. Khane ki baat nikli hai toh poochh hi leta hoon. Aaj ka lunch pasand nahi aaya na?"
"Chawal pasand nahi aaye! Woh.. kya tha?"
"Risotto" he nodded understandingly "Thoda bland hota hai."
"Ha, woh hi! Chawal me cheej tha ya cheej me chawal samajh me hi nahi aa raha tha!"
"Itna bhi cheesy nahi tha!"
"Par har cheej me cheej tha ne toh pet jyada hi bhar gaya hai. Baki achcha tha.. Pehli bar khaya toh.."
"Isiliye keh raha tha cold drink pee lo.."
"Pehle chai phir khana phir cold drink.. Jyada ho jata isiliye mana kiya!"
"Sab se achchha kya laga?"
"Woh laddoo the ne, chhote, chhote se..?"
"Yahan bhi laddoo!? (smiles) Struffoli kehte hain use."
"Ha, woh hi! Humare yahan jitne bhi prakaar ke laddoo bante hain sab me ghee ke saath gud ya toh sakkar jata hi hai. Main pehli var ghee vagar na, madh wada laadu khada!/Maine pehli bar bina ghee ke honey wale laddoo khaye!"
"Yeh Italy me Christmas me khaye jate hain. Unka riwaaz hota hai. Mujhe bhi kafi pasand hai!"
"Aap uska naam SMS kar dena. Main internet par vidhi dekhkar banana seekh lungi."
"Kya zuroorat hai? Sab kuch tum hi kyun banakar khilaogi?"
"Aapko mere haath ka khana pasand hai ne?"
"Tumhe bhi toh mere haath ka khana pasand hai!"
"Khana toh khana, Ganes Chaturthi pe modak bhi kitna achchha banaya tha aapne!"
"Areh, abhi toh tumne mere haath ka kuch khaya hi kahan hai, meri jaan! Tum kuch dino tak ghar me rahi par tab meri haalat waisi nahi thi ki main kuch bana pata. Next time pakka!"
Her forehead creased in a delicate frown.
"Neksht time matlab?"
"Matlab jab bhi tum overnight stay ke liye aaogi tab! Main kehta hoon next weekend hi aa jana! Saturday ko New year saath me celebrate kar lenge! Aur Sunday ko main tumhare liye khana banaunga!"
"Wah, wah! Kaka se kya kahenge?"
"We'll figure out something! Kuch na kuch soch lenge! The point is ki ab tak toh majboori me tumhare bina Sunday nikalna padhta tha."
"Aem? Nikalna padhta tha!?"
"Biju su/Aur kya!? Next Sunday tum ghar toh aao! Main apne haathon se struffoli khilaunga tumhe!"
"Kyun nahi! Waise aapko Italy ke riwaj ke bare me kaise pata ki woh log kab, kya khate hain?"
"Jab tak ma, papa aur GK US shift nahi huye the tab tak main faiba aur fua ke saath rehta tha, New Jersey me."
"Wahan toh bohot Gujarati rehte hain ne?"
"Ha aur jahan hum rehte the, Fairfield me, wahan Italians bhi bohot the. Mera bohot achcha dost tha, Riccardo. Usne actual Italian food se mujhe introduce karvaya tha."
"Toh aapke phaiba aur phua ab..?"
"Nahi rahe.." He solemnly shook his head.
She folded her hands in prayer.
"Kanhaji unki divya atma ko santi de! Unke bachche?'
"Woh nisantaan/childless the."
"Oh.. Ek saal tak aap unke saath rahe phir?"
"Jab papa log yahan se shift huye toh humne ghar rent pe le liya. New Jersey me do saal rahe tab tak mera bachelor's complete ho gaya. Phir New York shift ho gaye. Ma aur papa ke guzar jane ke bad main aur GK New York se Illinois, Chicago chale gaye. New York aur Chicago me ab bhi humare ghar hain. Rocky mountains hai Colorado me, wahan humara five star resort hai. Jab tum mere saath US chalogi na toh hum in sab jagah rahenge, especially resort me!"
"Ha! Aap jahan bolenge wahan!" She assured him with a smile.
"Mere saath papa ki bhi bohot ichcha thi wahan resort banane ki. Par unke rehte woh resort nahi ban paya.. Isiliye shayad main bohot attached hoon us jagah se!"
...............
There were a few moments of silence during which Anupama placed her hand on top of Anuj's hand.
"Aap theek hain?"
"Hmm. Tumne mujhse poochha hi nahi ki main apna Sunday kaise spend karta hoon?"
"Ha, toh.. aap bata dijiye! Chhutti ke din aap apna samay kaise bitate hain?"
"Movie dekhta hoon. Book padhta hoon. Waise bhi mujhe reading ka shauq hai. Main sone se pehle kuch padhna pasand karta hoon. But Sunday ko thoda zyada time mil jata hai, suqoon se padhne ke liye!"
"Philm Angreji ya Hindi, kaunsi pasand hai?"
"Usse farq nahi padhta, achchi movie honi chahiye. That's all that matters! Guitar lekar balcony me baith jata hoon.."
"Guitar toh aapne reunion me bhi bajaya tha. Bohot achcha baja lete hain aap!"
"Thank you! Gana toh main koi aur bhi gana chahta tha lekin ga nahi paya!"
He turned to give her a look which she could not comprehend.
"Aaj ga dijiye! Us din sanjog/luck nahi bana par aaj toh sujog/mauka mil raha hai! Toh uska phayda uthaiye!"
"Kya baat hai! Sanjog, sujog.. wah! Chaliye aapki farmaish puri karte hain!"
She was delighted when he started humming.
Tune mujhe pehchaana nahi
Jaana main koi anjaana nahi!
Aashiq hoon main tere naam ka
Deewana hoon main, deewana nahi!
Anupama closed her eyes as his soothing voice serenaded her.
Kaanta na tha jo nikal gaya,
Kaagaz na tha jo kho gaya,
Likha hai yeh dil pe mere,
Tu hai meri, main hoon tera!
She opened her eyes and returned his smile.
"Mere Sunday rituals me se ek tha tumhe miss karna! Guzra hua hafta tumhare saath kaise beeta uske bare me sochte rehna.. Waise aaj yeh ritual badal gaya! Subha uthte hi tumhe call jo kiya tha!"
"Par maine uthaya nahi, sori!"
"No issues! Aaj sone se pehle sochunga, pichchle kuch dino ke bare me!"
"Main bhi sochungi!" she admitted. "Aur bataiye.."
"Sundays ko main aur kaka kitchen se chhutti manate hain! Saturday dinner me hi dono time ki cooking kar dete hain toh Sunday ka lunch arrange ho jata hai. Dinner bahar se order kar dete hain!"
"Aur naste ka kya?"
"Sunday ko mujhe drive karna pasand nahi hai."
"Main samajhti hoon. Ek din toh gadi chalane se chhutti milni chahiye!"
"Exactly! Morning walk ke liye main GK ke saath ghar ke pass wale garden tak jata hoon. Wapis aate waqt hum garden ke bahar fresh juice pee lete hain aur pas wale dughdalay/mithai ki dukan se rabdi, jalebi khakar aate hain!"
"Areh! Aaj kaka ki rabdi, jalebi toh reh gayi. Main ek kam karti hoon, Kinjal ko bol deti hoon. Woh humare liye raat ka khana bana degi aur kaka ke liye bhi."
"Hum on the way kuch kha lenge na."
"Theek hai par hum toh 10 baje pahuchenge. Kaka ke liye bana degi woh aur Tosu dekar aa jayega."
"Pehle tum Kinjal se poochh lo. If it's not a problem for her.."
.................
Anupama turned to Anuj after having a word with Kinjal.
"Kinjal aur Tosu toh Rakhi ben ke ghar khane pe ja rahe hain. Par Nandini kaka ke liye khana bana degi. Samar de aayega."
"That's very sweet of her! GK abhi so rahe honge. Jab uthenge tab call kar dunga."
"Theek chhe." she replied while adjusting the glares.
"Yeh aapke goggle bhi aapke chasme ki tarah dheele hain. Ghadi, ghadi nak pe chadhana padhta hai!"
"Sorry! Par pehen kar rakho. Aaj dhoop hai."
"Ha. Sardiyon me aisi dhoop ka alag maja hota hai, nahi?"
"Woh toh hai!"
"Bachpan me maa mujhe 5 baje se pehle khelne nahi bhejti thi. Use dar tha ki dhoop me mera rang sawla ho jayega! Jaise hi uski aankh lagti thi main aur Bhaves chupchap deewar taap/kood ke bhag jate the!"
"Achchha, achchha! Tab hi us din saree pehenkar deewar taapne me tumhe ek minute nahi laga! Bachpan se practice ki hai!"
"Us din toh phir bhi kursi ka sahara liya tha. Bachpan me toh aise hi kood jati thi!"
"Main kabhi agal, bagal wale doston ke ghar gate se nahi jata tha! Deewar taapne me jo maza hai woh gate se jane me kahan!"
"Saachej! Ma kabhi pakad leti thi toh pitaai ho jati thi! Ma kehti thi ki ladkiyon wale koi sauq nahi the mujhe! Mujhe na khana banana pasand tha na silai, kadai!"
"Toh tumhe kya pasand tha?" he asked, clearly inquisitive.
She mentally turned back to her childhood.
"Kitabein padhne ka bohot sauq tha! Kanchey khelna, stapu/hopscotch khelna pasand tha! Train me ghoomne ka intejar rehta tha! Mama ke ghar jate waqt bohot maja aata tha! Aadhi raat ko bhi koi taisan/station aata tha ne toh uthke khidki ke bahar jhaakne lagti thi! Patang udana toh Diwali vacasan se hi suru kar deti thi!"
"Humare kafi common interests hain. Jaise mujhe bhi kitabein padhne ka, travelling ka aur patang udane ka utna hi shauq hai!"
"Saras! Pata hai jab 13-14 saal ki huyi ne toh.. sabse anokha sauq chadha tha- attar/itar banane ka!"
"Par uske liye toh distillation karna padhta hai aur tel dalna padhta hai. Woh sab.. ghar pe kaise karti thi?"
"Waisa kuch nahi tha mere pass! Main toh tehvar pe aise hi, purani tambe ki tapeli/pateela me phoolon ko pani ke saath ubalkar attar banaya karti thi."
"Okay. Gulab ka ya mogre ka?"
"Na havey! Phool khareedkar kaun banaye! Humare ghar me harsingar/night jasmine ka ped tha. Uske phool bhor/dawn hote hi apneaap gir jate hain. Main aur ma toh jaldi uthte hi the toh phool lekar aa jate the."
"Uski khushboo toh bohot meethi hoti hai!"
"Ha! Jab Holi aati thi toh kesuda/flame of the forest ke phool bhi usme dal diya karti thi!"
"Par kesuda me toh khushboo nahi hoti hai. Ma Kanhaji ko Holi pe kesuda peeskar uska rang lagaya karti thi. Isiliye mujhe achche se yaad hai."
"Ha, khusboo nahi hoti hai par rang toh hota hai ne! Rangeen attar, jaise bajaar me rangeen perphume milta tha, waisa banane k liye kesuda dala karti thi!"
"Oh wow! How creative, Anu!"
"Thank you! Phir pedh par chadhkar kachchi keri todna pasand tha! Ek toh Bhaves chhota tha aur gol-matol! Toh pedh pe chadhne me use jara taqleeph hoti thi. Isiliye main hi Bhaves ke liye keri todhkar lati thi aur uske badle me sabse badi keri main hi khati thi!"
Anuj was amused to see her childlike glee.
"Goras aamli/jungle jalebi khane me bohot maja aata tha! Khatti, khatti si, mast!"
She hit her tongue against the palate.
"Tumhe toh waise bhi khatti cheezein pasand hai!"
"Ha! Goras aamli ke pedh pe kaante hote hain toh main pathhar markar use girati thi!"
He tried to quell the wave of nostalgia that hit him.
"Maine bhi gulel maarkar bohot phal tode hain! Kachchi keri pe ma kala namak lagakar deti thi toh uska swad badh jata tha! Ma se yaad aaya.. Jab next time tum ghar aaogi na toh ma ka saamaan dikhaunga tumhe."
"Ha, jaroor! Aur unke kisse bhi sunana."
"Bilkul! Unke saman me ek vintage matlab purani crystal perfume bottle hai. Papa lekar aaye the. Ma ko attar banana nahi aata tha aur woh ready made perfumes hi use kiya karti thi. Isiliye woh waisi hi padi reh gayi. Ab tumhare kam aa jayegi!"
"Maine bohot saalon se attar banaya nahi hai par ab botal ka lobh/temptation de rahe hain toh phir se banaungi!"
"Ha, kyun nahi? Suno.. Mere liye bhi banaogi?"
"Ha! Aapke liye chandan wala attar bana dungi."
"You're a sweetheart!"
"Aapke bachpan me kya sauq the?"
"Khelne ka bohot shauq tha! Badminton, volleyball, basketball yeh sab khela karta tha."
"Ha.. Jagruti bata rahi thi ki.. Aaplog school me.. bohot hi.. ajeeb tarah se basketball khelte the!"
He chuckled when he realized what she was hinting at.
"Ajeeb kuch nahi tha usme! Jab ek hi school ke ladkon ko do teams banakar tournament ke liye practice karna ho toh kaise karenge? Uniform toh common hi tha. Isiliye.. ek team shirt pehenkar khelti thi aur doosri, jisme main tha, bina shirt ke khelti thi!"
"Tab hi aap logon ka match ladkiyan khidiyon se, gallery se, har jagah se dekha karti thi!"
He nodded while grinning from ear to ear.
"Ha, unko match me door, door tak koi interest nahi tha! Khair, under 17 boxing champion tha yeh toh maine pehle hi bataya tha. Travelling ka bhi maine bataya. School se humein camp pe le jate the. Kabhi Panchgani toh kabhi Rishikesh. Usme sabse zyada maza aaya karta tha! Especially bonfire me!"
He spoke in such vivid detail about his camping trips that Anupama could imagine everything clearly.
"Phir toh jab college me study tour rakha tha tab aap gaye honge ne?"
He clicked his tongue "Nahi!"
"Main nahi gayi thi isiliye ya aapko "study" se koi matlab nahi tha isiliye?"
"Woh dono reasons the. Par jagah kaisi choose ki thi unhone! Mujhe nahi pasand aayi."
"Kyun? Udaipur kitni achchi jagah hai! Mujhe ma ne bheja nahi varna main jaroor jati!"
"Maine toh pehle hi dekha hua tha. Udaipur Ahmedabad se sirf 4.5 ghante door hai! Usme kya maza aana tha! Maza tab aata hai jab bohot door jana ho, overnight journey ho!"
"Barabar hai. Agar main study tour pe jati toh kya aap tab bhi nahi jate?"
"Tab toh agar Ahmedabad se Baroda lekar jate toh bhi main chala jata! Main Bunty ki tarah thode hi tha! Jagu nahi gayi phir bhi woh study tour pe chala gaya!"
And just like that the smiles disappeared from their faces. Anuj realized that he had judged his friend wrongly.
"Maine Devika se subha poochha tha par tab tak uski baat nahi ho payi thi Bunty se."
He nodded in response.
She swiftly changed the topic.
"Socha nahi tha ki kabhi woh seekhne ka sauq hoga jo aaj ho raha hai."
"Kya?" he asked softly.
"Angreji! Bachpan se kabhi Angreji bolne me ya seekhne me koi ruchi/interest nahi thi."
"Aaj achanak kyun hui? Kisine.. spa me ya hotel me.. koi comment kiya kya?"
"Nahi! Spa me jo ladki massage kar rahi thi ne woh thet Assam se aayi thi, bolo! Woh mere Samar ki umar ki hogi. Maine bola kahan Assam aur kahan Rajkot, toh usne kaha ki kaam ke liye ghar se door jana hi padhta hai!"
"That's true. Jahan opportunities milti hai wahan jate hain, kya ladkiyan aur kya ladkein!"
"Ha. Woh Angreji toh bol hi rahi thi par saaph Hindi bol rahi thi. Usne online app par Hindi seekhi, kyunki uske prades ke bahar Hindi kaam aati hai! Us se mujhe prerna mili!"
Her confidence was audible.
"Apne kaam ke liye uski laagni/lagan dekhkar mujhe laga ki woh Hindi seekh sakti hai toh main bhi Angreji seekh sakti hoon! Mujhe toh Amdavad se door kahin jana bhi nahi hai. Angreji toh main phone pe seekh lungi!"
"Thats great! I'm so glad to see the change in you!"
"Aapne restaurant ke dastavej/documents Hindi aur Gujarati me banvakar diye hain. Par agar Angreji seekh jaungi toh mere kaam aayegi ne?"
"Definitely Anu! In general bohot zyada kaam aayegi! Tumhari jo existing social skills hain, logon ke saath itni freely interact kar leti ho tum.. Jab tum English bolne lagogi na toh aur zyada logon ke saath interact kar paogi, especially jo Hindi ya Gujarati me fluent nahi honge.."
"Ha. Jab main aapke saath Amreeka jaungi toh mujhe koi musqil nahi hogi!"
"Ha, woh bhi hai! I'm so proud of you, baby!"
He brought their entwined hands to his mouth and kissed her hand.
.................
It was almost 7 pm when MaAn reached Limbdi.
Anuj stopped the car near an overcrowded highway joint.
"Yahan toh parking milna bohot mushqil hai."
"6 baje jahan ruke the wahin pass me tapri dekhi thi. Maine kaha bhi tha aapse, wahin chai pee leni chahiye thi."
"Woh jagah utni hygienic nahi lagi mujhe. Yeh saaf hai par bheed zyada hai."
"Ab yahin ruk jaiye ne. Aaj Ravivar hai isiliye har jagah aisa hi hoga."
"Theek hai. Thodi aage park karna padega."
..............
"Chai ke saath kya khaogi?"
"Sev mamra/murmura."
"Wahan board laga tha ki dal vada bohot achcha milta hai!"
"Pet me jagah bhi honi chahiye ne! Aap rukiye, main chai, sev mamra aur aapke liye dal vada lekar aati hoon."
"Tum rehne do. Main jata hoon."
She held his hand to stop him as he unlocked the door.
"Aaj chhaapa/newspaper padha tha aapne?"
"Ha, padha tha. Kyun?"
"Batati hoon. Jara peechhe se woh lal bag denge?"
He passed the jute carry bag to her and waited till she removed three newspapers from it.
One after the other she read the headlines concerning him.
"अनुज कपाड़िया ने गुजरात के प्रमुख शहरों में कौशल निर्माण के लिए समर्पित युवा स्कूल स्थापित करने का संकल्प लिया/Anuj Kapadia pledges to set up dedicated youth school for skill-building across major cities in Gujarat"
"Kapadia phaundation/foundation, the philanthropic unit of AK ventures to start dedicated skill school"
"Anuj Kapadia a Rajkot ma vyavasayik taleem darmiyaan yuvano ne protsahit karya/ Anuj Kapadia motivated the youth during a vocational training program in Rajkot"
"Tum yeh sare newspapers kahan se lekar aayi?"
"Hotel se! Har bhasa me aapke bare me hi chhapa hai. Aap wahan jayenge toh aadhi bheed aapko dekhne aa jayegi! Isiliye rehne dijiye, main lekar aati hoon."
"Woh main samajh gaya. Par in papers ka tum karogi kya?"
She replied while placing the carefully folded newspapers in the bag.
"Sambhal kar rakhungi! Aapke bare me jis chhaape me jo bhi chhapta hai use main kaatkar, gadde ke neeche rakhti hoon."
He leaned closer to her.
"I see! Pakhi ne dekh liya toh?"
"Woh gadde ke neeche kabhi nahi jhankti hai! Waise bhi, thode dino ki baat hai.."
"Main soch raha tha ki hum Samar ki sagai ke bad sabko apne bare me bataye toh kaisa rahega? Pehle bata diya toh uski sagai pe sara attention humein milega!"
"Main bhi woh hi soch rahi thi. Par.."
"Par kya? Tum kuch aur soch rahi ho toh batao.."
"Naye saal me hum ma, Bhaves, Kinjal, kaka aur bapuji.. Itne logon ko bata de? Baki sab ko Samar ki sagai ke bad kabhi bhi bata denge. Aap kya kehte hain?"
"Theek hai. Bata denge. Waise bhi mera concern in me se koi nahi hai. Mere ghar hi bula lete hain sabko, next Sunday dinner pe? Law garden le jane ke bajaay unhe mere ghar le aana."
"Achcha sujhaav hai! Agle Ravivar ko Sweety apne doston ke saath party me jane wali hai. Par Kinjal saayad.."
"Use alag se milkar bata dena."
"Ha, aisa hi karungi. Ab main jaun?"
"Ha, jao. Jaldi ana.."
"Phataphat aayi!"
He took comfort in the smile that she left him with.
......................
Samar opened the door when MaAn reached Anupama's house around 10 pm.
"Jai Shri Krishna beta!"
He appeared dazed as he surveyed his mother.
"Mum.. my! Yeh.. Aap hi ho na?!"
She turned deep red not just because her son was gaping at her with an open mouth but mainly because Anuj's gaze swept over her in silent appreciation.
"Kitne achchhe lag rahe ho aap! And sorry, main kehna bhool gaya. Jai Shri Krishna!"
When he bent to touch her feet, he was amazed to find lavender nail polish on her toes, a far cry from the usual silver nail paint.
"Nail polish bhi bohot achchi hai!"
"Yeh sab spa ka kamaal hai! Woh.. Anuj ne mujhe aaj spa bheja tha. Wahan do ghanton me meri itni khatirdari hui ki main tujhe kya bataun!"
When Samar turned to Anuj he found his attention was focused solely on Anupama.
"Thank you so much Anuj! Aap mummy ko special feel karvane ka koi mauka nahi chhodte hain!"
"Pleasure! Woh.. Pakhi aane wali thi na, sleepover ke liye?"
"Use maine mana kiya. Bohot der ho gayi hai ne.."
"Okay.. Right. Kal uska school bhi hoga."
"Ha. Tab hi ba ne mujhe bhej diya! Par main aap logo ko disturb nahi karunga. Main ja raha hoon Varun ke ghar. Jab aapki baatein ho jayengi tab aap call kar dena, mummy. Main aa jaunga."
"Bhaley. Kaka ko samay pe khana de diya tha?"
"Ha mummy. Aur ghar ki safaai bhi kar ke rakhi hai maine, varna aap aate hi jhadu, poncha lekar shuru ho jate!"
Anuj patted his shoulder.
"Kitna achcha beta hai!"
"Sach me! Aisa beta naseeb se milta hai! Maro Kanudo/mera Kanha!"
Using the tip of her small finger she smudged her kohl and applied a small dot behind his ear.
"Ja. Sambhal kar bike chalana, ha beta?"
"Samar.. Main kuch laya hoon tere liye.."
He removed a small gift box from his laptop bag.
"Iski kya zaroorat thi, Anuj?"
"Just my way of saying thanks buddy! Take it.."
He accepted the gift on Anuj's insistence.
"Kholkar dekh toh sahi!"
He opened it to find a digital watch from a high end brand.
"Yeh main.. kaise le sakta hoon?"
"Kyun nahi? Maine kaha na yeh mera thanks hai! Teri wajah se mujhe aur Anu ko Ahmedabad se door, saath me time spend ka mauka mila! Please take it.."
Samar glanced sideways at Anupama who nodded.
"Thank you so much!"
"My pleasure! Pasand aayi na?"
"Ha, bohot achchi hai! Main bohot khush hoon ki aap dono saath aa gaye!"
They shared a group hug.
"Mujhe ek aur favour chahiye tujhse.."
"Ha, boliye na.."
"Kal sham ko ek ghante ke liye teri bike milegi? Mujhe Anu ko humare college lekar jana hai."
Samar was surprised as well as elated to hear that.
"Of course! Aap mujhe time bata dena. Main aapki office aakar de jaunga."
"Hum kahin midpoint pe mil lenge. I'll drop you a text."
"Sure! Bye. Goodnight."
"Goodnight buddy. Drive safe."
"Dhyan rakhje Samar.."
..................
"Pani doon? Ya chai peeyenge?"
"Nahi Anu. Main aadhe ghante se zyada der tak nahi ruk paunga. Aaj mere pass ghar ki chabi nahi hai."
"Koi baat nahi! Aap neeche baithenge?"
She gestured at the rug lying on the floor.
"Main toh phir bhi thodi der so gayi thi par aapko jara bhi aaram nahi mila. Main aapke kandhe daba deti hoon. Itni der tak gadi chalakar akad gaye honge."
"Theek hai."
She pushed the coffee table to make space for Anuj.
He sat on the rug near her feet as she settled down in the sofa.
"Aap ko koi poblem nahi ho raha hai ne?"
"Nahi. I'm fine.."
She rubbed her hands together to warm them.
Anuj removed the wallet and phone from his pockets.
She massaged gently at first, curving her hands around his shoulders, stroking them.
Then her deft hands kneaded his shoulder blades, easing his sore muscles while building a different kind of tension.
He leaned into her as she drew circles around his collar bones with her finger tips.
She massaged the back of his neck and shoulders alternately.
He pressed his lips together to prevent himself from moaning.
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders at the end of the massage.
"Ghar jane ka man nahi kar raha hai?"
"Tum aise massage karogi toh mera kabhi man nahi karega tumhe chhodkar jane ka!"
She placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Mera toh waise bhi kabhi man nahi karta ki aap jayein!"
"Sach me?" he asked, dropping kisses on her hands.
"Hmm! Aapki sangat ka asar hai!"
"Should I take it as a compliment?"
"Yes! Jaise Kanhaji ki bansuri sunkar gopiyan mohit ho jati hain ne waise main aapki baatein sunkar mohit ho jati hoon!"
"Bas baatein sunkar?"
"a.. Aur a.. aapki sayari.. sunkar bhi!"
"Aur?" he prodded.
"Aur.. aapki aankhon me dekhkar! Kabhi, kabhi aisa hota hai ki aap chup rehte hain par aapki.. aankhein bolti hain!"
"Hmm. Tareef ke liye shukriya! Ek.. baat poochhun?"
"Ha, poochhiye ne."
"Maine waiters ko tip dene se pehle tumhari nazar utari per tumne meri nazar nahi utari. Tab laga ki nikalne ki jaldbazi me tum nazar utarna bhool gayi. Par tumne abhi meri taareef ki, Kanhaji se compare kiya phir bhi nazar nahi utari. Kyun?"
"Maine tay kiya hai ki abse main aapki najar nahi utarungi!"
He turned questioning eyes on her while shaking his head in disbelief.
"Ab se nazar nahi utarungi matlab? Kyun? Maine kya kiya hai?"
"Jiske haath aur pair me kala dhaga ho aur.."
"Ek minute, ek minute! Pair ka kala dhaga tumne kab dekha?"
"Maine kal dekha jab ABC hall jane se pehle aap joote, moje pehen rahe the."
"Achcha ji!"
"Ha ji! Aur us se bhi badi baat, jise Kanhaji ne janam se najar ka teeka lagakar bheja ho uski najar utarne ki kya jarurat hai?!"
Bending over, she kissed the mole near his lip.
"Maine galat kaha kya?"
He pouted while shooting her a scathing look.
She kissed him lightly on his pout.
He arched himself while pulling her down for a kiss.
Their sighs mingled as their lips united.
..............
"Aaj se pehle Thu Thu Thu karte waqt kabi aapko yeh nek khayal kyun nahi aaya?"
"Jaise aap sayari me jawab dete hai ne main aapko kahawat me jawab deti hoon- Jaagya tya thi savaar/Jab jago tabhi savera!"
"Very funny! Tumne shayari se achchha yaad dilaya. Main apni red diary tumhe de dunga."
She stared at the man perched at her feet with a mixture of confusion and horror.
"Kyun? Sayar Kapadiaji.. aap.. sayari likhna.. chhod rahe hain kya?"
"Nahi, nahi!" He gave a soft laugh.
"Haash! (sighs) Main toh dar hi gayi thi!"
"GK kabhi, kabhi meri diary uthakar padhne lagte hain! Abhi unhone kholi aur dekha ki gulab nahi hai toh samajh jayenge! Isiliye maine socha tumhare pass rakh jaun. Tum keh bhi toh rahi thi na ki tumhe shayari padhni hai.."
"Ha. Theek chhe. De dena.."
"Tumhare ghutnon me dard na ho toh main.. panch minute ke liye tumhari godh me sar rakh doon?"
"Jitni der rakhna ho rakhiye!"
Turning around, he placed his head on her lap while resting his arms below his chin.
Raking a hand through his hair she cupped his cheek with the other hand.
Time whizzed by as sand slips through a sandclock.
He sighed while gazing up at her.
"I can't thank you enough for giving this relationship a chance! Aur agar tum meri baat mankar Rajkot me nahi rukti toh pata nahi aakhri do din main kaise nikalta?"
She smiled wistfully thinking of their time together.
"Woh.. kya kehte hain aap? Pleajure is all mine!"
She rubbed his stubbled cheek with her thumb.
"Ab main.. chalun?"
She simply nodded in the assertive.
He pressed on the rug with both hands to raise himself.
"Gadi sambhalkar chalana. Aur ghar jakar garam pani me pair dal dena. Aaram milega!"
He nodded before flinging his arms around her.
.................
Later that night, Anupama groaned as she got into bed.
"Jyada hi thakaan ho gayi hai! Anuj toh ab tak so bhi gaye honge. Adha ghanta ho gaya phone kiye huye."
She yawned while grabbing her phone.
"Saam se message dekhe hi nahi hai!"
She was bombarded with notifications as soon as she switched on the mobile data.
Much to her disappointment, there were no messages or calls from Devika.
"Pata nahi Bunty se iski baat hui bhi hai ya nahi?"
She left her a message before going through the notifications.
Among the various messages, what caught her attention were two unread messages from an unknown number.
She had also missed three voice calls from the same number.
"Yeh kaun hai? Aakhri missed call 8 baje kiya hai."
She could not recognize the bearded, well built man from his profile picture.
The first message from him read "Hi! Jai Shri Krishna!"
The second read "Saumil here.. Saumil Suchak."
"Saumil Suchak?" she repeated while trying to recall if she had heard the name before.
She copy pasted Jai Shri Krishna from his message and sent it immediately.
As she was typing "Sorry! I missed your calls" as Samar had taught her, she recieved another message from the same sender.
"Odkhi gaya/pehchan liya?"
She sent a curt "na" after sending the first message.
Her droopy eyes snapped open upon reading the next message "Bunty".
................
A/N: So I've deliberately chosen the name Saumil Suchak for Bunty because Saumil means friend. While Suchak is a common Gujarati surname it also means messenger! Hope you like this part.
Cheers,
Noorie
Part 20 A and B on pg 72
Edited by Noorie17 - 3 years ago
Writers Corner: Books, Stories & Poems
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