FF: Intehaa Pyaar Ki: Th.4.Ch-14p-105, NOTE p-124 - Page 29

Originally posted by: gargpoo

di i m online only for ur update...😃post soon...

Originally posted by: deepa17

Shirley are you ready?

"Main, Ashu, Mallika aur Suman, hum sab ek hi college me padte the. Woh, mujhse ek saal junior thi. (Getting a lost, faraway, love-filled look in his eyes) Suman.. jaisa naam, waisa hi roop. Bilkul phool jaisi. Komal si, apni khushboo se, apni khilkhilaati muskurahat se apne aas paas sab kuch mehka dene waali, sab kuch khila dene wali, rote ko hasa dene wali aisi thi meri Suman. Use dekho toh mann kare bas dekhte hi raho, woh kuch bole, toh uski woh madhur aawaaz seedhi dil me ghar kar leti thi.."

Anji is looking at him with a soft expression, when he realizes that he is talking so lovingly about Suman in front of Anji. He says guiltily, "I am sorry, I didn't mean to..uh.."

"Armaanji, there is nothing to be sorry about. I know she was your past, and I think I need to accept that. Jhooth nahi bolungi ' haan, mujhe thoda sa khatak raha hai, the way you are talking about her, but everything is so new, so recent for me. Lekin mujhe ye bhi dikh raha hai ki agar itne saalon baad bhi you can talk about her like this, means that you are capable of loving someone so deeply. Aur phir, I know, she may be your past, but I am your present and future."

"Anji aap jaanti hain, mujhe aap ki yehi baat sab se achchhi lagti hai.. ki you are very practical, but perceptive and caring at the same time. Most practical people are also cold hearted. You are both sensible and sensitive."

She just reciprocates with a serene smile, not wanting to break his chain of thoughts about Suman. He continues, "So, college me.." he again stops abruptly and looks at her with a gulty and onfused expression.

"Kya hua?"

"Anji, main bhi kaisa ajeeb insaan hoon na? Aaj hamare rishte shuruaat hui hai. And the first thing I am gifting you is my painful past (she just listens silently). Anji, I'll definitely tell you about Suman. Indeed you have every right to know about my past. Lekin aaj shayad sahi mauka nahi hai. So, what do we do? How do we celebrate our uh.. love today?" he tries to smile towards the end.

"You are asking me?"

"Yes, aise kyun pooch rahe ho aap?"

"To phir jo main kaahoongi wohi karenge hum?"

"Of course, Bilkul"

"Toh phir sabse pahle let's order one more coffee each"

Though puzzled, he immediately calls the waiters and orders two more coffees."

Anji takes a deep breath and begins, "Armaanji sabse pahli baat toh ye ke you are not gifting me your pain, but your confidence, your trust. It's not easy to share something like that, so, if you feel like sharing it with me, bura lagna toh door mujhe toh bahut sukoon milega ye sochke ke hamare rishte ki shuruaat trust pe hui hai, ye sochke ke aap mere saath itna open, itna comfortable feel karte hain ke apne dil ke itni aziz baat aap mujhse share kar sakte hai. Lekin, agar aap ko sahi lage toh hi"

He thinks for a while and then says, "Aap theek kehti hai. Maybe unburdening myself of my past is a good way to begin our relationship. And maybe it will give you an idea about whether I can actually move on from Suman and give you the place you deserve in my life"

She laughs, "You don't need to bother about that. I trust you fully on that"

He sighs, "Thank you"

Just then, their coffee arrives and he takes a small sip and closes his eyes to collect his thoughts, while she waits patiently.

He opens his eyes, "Well, in a typical college romance style, we fell in love and decided to get engaged, thinking we will get married after college. She always wanted the best of things, the most expensive clothes, the latest branded accessories, the best cars, diamond and platinum jewelry. Un dino, India me kuch khaas brands nahi milte the. Lekin uski ek cousin Dubai me rehti thi jo har saal India aati thi, usse who sab kuch mangwati thi. (He gets a rueful look on his face) Us waqt main sochta tha ke ye age hi aisi hai, once she grows up a bit, these materialistic won't matter to her that much. Besides, I never had a problem with her spending. Thankfully, even then, we were quite well-to do. We were both only children of our respective parents. Moreover, we were both studying Law and we had plans to set our own office and we were so confident we would do really great as Lawyers. You know Anji, hum kabhi kabhi hawa me mahal bana baithte hain.. aur waqt ane par zameen pe aise girte hain ke.. anyways, so, we thought lets get engaged, shaadi baad me dekhenge.. So, I talked to my parents. They did not mind much as they trusted my choice, of course, Ashu and Mallika also pitched in.. but they agreed. They wanted to meet her. I told her to come and meet them.

Lekin vo taalti rahi, ye kehke ke phle vo apne parent se baat karegi. Un dino, who kuch badli badli si nazar aayi mujhe lekin maine poocha toh boli ke ghar me koi tension chal rahi hai.. lekin the strange thing was that who tense nahi balke kuch zyaada hi khush rehne lagi thi.. only she was getting indifferent towards me. Finally ek din usne mujhe apni shaadi ka card diya, she was getting married in a very well known business family. She was on the seventh sky when she gave me the card.

(Getting a bit agitated) I asked her if she has lost it, or has her family forced her into this. She said no nothing like that. Usne kaha, 'jara socho Armaan, is shaadi se mere saare sapne poore ho jaayege. I will get the best of everything in life. I will travel around the world. Can you imagine Armaan? Vikram, you know, my fianc, has already booked 2 trips for us. We are going to Bahamas for honeymoon and then a month later, hum Paris jaa rahe hain'' (Armaan looks up at Anji) Anji, can you imagine? She was just going on and on, woh bhi mere saamne, as if she never loved me. Mujhe aisa lag raha tha jaise woh Suman nahi koi aur ho. I shook her, I asked her, what about us? Did she never love me? You know what she said? (Anji looks at him and shakes her head slightly. He sighs and closes his eyes, before opening them again) She said, 'Armaan, pyaar se kuch nahi milta life me. Pyaar sirf sapne dikhaata hai, unhe poora nahi karta. Love can happen to anyone, but jo opportunity mujhe mil rahi hai, woh rare hai. I love you, but I can't let go of this opportunity to live my life the way I always dreamt of, for a mere thing like love. I am sorry Armaan, please try to get over me. Aur agar mann kare toh shaadi me zaroor aana. Aisi shaadi tumne kabhi nahi dekhi hogi' And, she left me without a backward glance. She even left her education mid-way t get married"

Armaan's eyes brim over with tears that have collected over the years, while Anji holds his hand in silent support and presses it gently. He continues, "Jin saaf aankhon me mujhe apna chehra dikhta tha Anji, us din un aankhon me mujhe sirf materialistic cheezon ki chamak dikhayi di! And it all happened so suddenly. Here I was, waiting to take her to my parents. Jab main apni aakhon me humari aanewali zindagi ke sapne saja raha tha, tab who apni ek alag hi duniya basaane ki taiyaari kar rahi thi. Aur main.. I felt like such a fool.."

Then he fell completely silent, his eyes having a far-away look. Anji kept holding his hand in both his hands. Her instinct told her there was a lot more in the story still to be said and heard. And perhaps most painful aspect was yet to come.

Anji felt, he was controlling himself with great difficulty. She understood that he had perhaps not shared it with anyone in a long long time, perhaps never told it like this to anyone. And being a public place, it was not right for them to continue there. She signaled the waited for the bill and was about to pay, when he silently paid the bill and got up.

They both walked to his car. He asked, "your vehicle?"

"I came in a cab today since it was raining in the morning."

"Okay, toh phir, kahan chalna hai?"

"Kahin bhi. Yahan se toh nikle, phir dekhte hain. (he nods)"

He passes her the keys, "Anji, would.. uh.. I mean, aap drive karengi please?"

She immediately nods and they both take thir seats and Anji starts the car. As soon as she gets the car out of the traffic zone and on a secluded road, she looks sideways at Armaan and sees him silently shedding tears. She stops the car by the side of the road and gently placed her hand on the on his thigh. At that gesture, he breaks down completely. She releases both their seat belts and takes him in his arms. In the warm comfort of her embrace, he finally let's go of the pain accumulated in his heart since years.

Having had his cry, he moves out of her arms and looks at her with gratitude. She hands him a water bottle and he gulps it down in one go and said, "You know, how much I hated her that day! Lekin, phir after some 8 months, I got her letter in post, her suicide note, to be precise!"

Anji gasped, "wwh..what?"

He nodded sadly, "Pahle toh dil me aaya ke, padhu hi nahi uska letter, faad ke phenk doon. Lekin phir rah nahi gaya. Padha toh mere pairon tale zameen khisak gayi. That letter contained her story of abuse and exploitation of the worst kind. She wrote, 'Armaan, maine tumhe, tumhare sachche pyaar ko chhod ke is son eke pinjre ko chuna toh phir mere saath yehi hona tha.' Her husband.. us.. used her and abused her as he pleased. She was like a toy for him. Her wishes, her emotions aside, even her basic dignity was crushed under his lust. She had to agree to his perverse ways whenever and wherever he wished, he would take her to discos and suddenly take her to a corner, undress her and have his way there and then with her.." by the end, his lips were trembling.

Anji closed her eyes in sheer pain ' just the imagination of what Suman must have gone through filled her with utter disgust and made her heart ache for the poor girl. As she opened her eyes, Armaan continued with great difficulty, "Woh sab kuch sehti rahi, chup chaap. Lekin us din, Vikram ne haivaaniyat ki saari hadden paar li. He.. he supposedly took her to a get-together. But wahan pe sirf uske male friends the.. he literally threw her to them, and they all.. (his whole body shakes and he is covered in sweat).. one by one.. AND THAT BRUTE OF HER HUSBAND ' all that bast**d did was to stand by and laugh!"

Anji gasps. By now, even Anji is in tears and her face reflects first total inability to comprehend, and then profound shock and disgust. She is completely shaken.

He takes a deep breath before getting it out at a stretch, "After that, who do-teen tak hosh me hi nahi thi.. Jab woh hosh me aayi, she decided.. she .. she could not stand any more. She wrote that letter to me, in which she revealed everything, asked my forgiveness and even told me that she was going to jump from the terrace of her 4 story mansion. Obviously, by the time I got the letter.." He breaks down again.

"OMG!" This was too much even for Anji to stand! But she got a reign on herself and again took him in her arms, gently moving her hand on his upper back, shoulders and head.

After two minutes or so, he again backed out from her and continued, "Tab tak, mera LLB poora ho chuka tha, and I was about to join my masters. I realized that the letter, the suicide note could be a powerful evidence. I decided, Suman ko toh main bacha nahi paaya, lekin I will get justice for her. You know, her death was touted as an accident. I decided, I will prove it was a suicide and will atleast put that scoundrel behind bars for a long long time."

Anji was listening to it all without even blinking her eyes, "Phir?"

He said with a helpless look in his eyes. "These rich people can buy everything. Kanoon, media, sab kuch! Today the law and the media are much more powerful. But those days.. it was.. "

"Wh..at? What happened?"

"I went to her parents with the letter, a big mistake..they wanted to hush up the matter. Aur mere dekhte hi dekhte, they simply burnt the letter. I tried to prevent it from buring completely, but her father physically held me back."

There was complete silence while "Of course, main bewakoof phir bhi court ke darwaaze khatkhata baitha. Aur Court ne preliminary hearing me hi case dismiss kar diya. I wanted to appeal to the high court, but her parents begged me not to. They said usne dhamki di hai, ke if I persue the matter further, he will prove that even after her marriage, Suman had an affair with me. I was not bothered about my own self, but her parents didnt want their dead daughter's name being dragged into the mirth."

Anji remained quiet and Armaan continued with a kind of grim satisfaction, "Lekin woh kehte haina, jahan insaan nahi pahunch paata wahan kudrat pahunch jaati hai! Thode mahino baad, Vikram kahi jaa raha tha and his private jet crashed."

They were both silent. Then Anji said, "I know itni aasaan maut ko hu insaaf nahi keh sakte, lekin phir bhi agar aap sochen, toh atleast woh kisi aur ladki ko toh exploit nahi kar paaya!"

"You know Anji, I .. I feel I'm responsible for her exploitation and her untimely death. I regret that maine Suman ke decision ko itni easily accept kyun kar liya. Why didn't I shake her up? Why didn't I drill sense into her, why didn't I slap her and say, 'tum sirf meri ho. You can't marry anyone else', why the hell didn't I .." and he banged his fist on the dashboard.

Anji immediately took both his hands in her own hands. They stayed like that for sometime, him taking short shallow breaths and she just holding his hand, trying to calm him. Finally when she finds him calming down, she says, "Can I say something if you don't mind?"

He looks up at her and nods. She says in a low, even voice "Armaanji., the fact is there was no way, you could have prevented her from marrying him. You need to understand and accept this. You were in no way responsible for whatever happened with her!"

He looks at her as if she is talking in some foreign language. She says again, "I tell you, ye daulat ka joo nasha hota hai na, who kisi ke kehne par nahi utarta..Nidhi ko hi dekh lijiye. Main use bachpan se samjha samjha ke thak chuki hoon. Lekin woh hai ki.. Anyways, lekin aaap samajh rahe haina main kya keh rahi hoon, (She looks straight into his eyes and blinks once in assurance) Jo hua usme aapka koi dosh nahi tha. YOU UNDERSTAND?"

He nods weakly, not very convinced, "I think.. I think you.. may be uh.. you may be right Anji"

She cups his face in both her palms, "Not may be, I AM RIGHT"

This time, he nods more sure, "Yeah, I guess, I need to accept that.. I was probably helpless"

She wisely leaves it at that, starts the car, and asks with a smile, "so, kahan jaana hai?"

He too smiled, "Jahan aap le chalen. (But then, he gets serious) lekin aap.. aapko ghar nahi jaana? Kaafi der ho gayi hai?"

"Nahi actually, mere ghar pe abhi koi nahi hai.. Mom dad ek shaadi me gaye hain.. raat ko der se lautenge."

"I see, toh phir? Kahan chal rahe hain?"

She thinks for a while, then suddenly her eyes light up, "idea!"

"Kya?"

She gets in a teasing mood, "Ab kya haina Armaanji, aap ki gaadi mere haath me hai. Meri marzi! Main jahan chahe le jaoon aapko! Mujhe kaun rokega?" she winks playfully.

"Arre gaadi kya, I have given my life into your hands!(she looks up at him with love-filled eyes), and he tried tto lighten the mood) So, it's gonna be a surprise?"

"Uh huh"

"Great! I love surprises!"

She smiled and concentrated on the road. She put on the music player and it played a soothing instrumental music and he just dozed off, since he was so emotionally exhausted.

He opened his eyes as soon as the car stopped and it took a while to get his bearings. But as soon as he realized where they were, he exclaimed, "Anji, aap mujhe yahan kyun leke aayin?"

"why you have a problem?"

"Anji, aaj hi humne ijhaar kiya hai. And you only said na ke ghar pe koi nahi hai. No Anji, I can't come to your house when we are alone. Especially, till your parents agree to our match."

"Armaanji woh bhi maan jaayenge. I am sure"

"Okay, lekin hum kahi aur chalte hain, please. Aap ke ghar nahi"

She decides to take another approach with him. She looks at him with mock anger, "Oye mujhe aisi waisi ladki samjha hai kya jo kisi shareef aadmi ko akele ghar bulaake uska fayda uthaungi."

He laughs out aloud, "Toh aap maanengi nahi?"

She shakes her head, "umm hmm, bilkul nahi. Chaliye na. I trust you, phir what's the problem?"

He shakes his his head as if to say 'you win' and gets down. She opens the lock and both go in. She closes the main door and says, "the restroom is to the right, if you want to freshen up.. I will.. I mean, main abhi aati hoon."

"Sure! Take your time!"

She went to her room to freshen, while Armaan went to the restroom indicated by her. He splashed water on his face repeatedly. While wiping his face he realized he felt good. He had actually never felt this light in years.. Sahi kehte log. Dukh baantne se kam hota hai. Is it only that? No, I think it's got to do with Anji. It feels so good to have someone in life who belongs to you.

Anji was already in the drawing room waiting for him, when he came out. "What do we about dinner? Main kuch bana doon ya kuch order Karen?"

"Whatever, actually I want to eat something light today.. Uh, I know aaj we should actually celebrate, but.."

"Celebrations ke liye toh poori zindagi padi hai, haina? (he nods, pleased at her taking things so positively) would you like to eat daal-rice?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to eat. How did you know?"

She just shrugged and smiled, "aap tv dekhiye, tab tak main bana deti hoon"

"Would you mind if I accompany to the kitchen?"

"Of course not."

They both prepared the dinner together, with him helping her and both sat on the dining table to eat. They were almost done, when Armaan asked, "Nidhi Rohan ke saath ghumti hai.. ye Rohan ki image toh ek flirt ki hai. I mean, I am not sure how safe she is with her"

"Sach bataoon Armaanji toh darr toh mujhe bhi lagta hai. Lekin jahan tak main Rohan ko jaanti hoon, he is too much of a coward. He is a flirt, true, but he charms most girls to his b.. (she says rather uncomfortably) you know what I mean? (He nods solemnly) I mean, he won't do anything like that without her consent. Aur Nidhi me chaahe laakh buraai hon, but she is really particular about her character. Besides, maine bhi uske dimaag me ye baat achchhe se daal di hai, ke he won't marry her if she allows such liberties now."

He nods in understanding, and she continues, "Lekin sach bataoon? Aaj aap ki baaten sunne ke baad, I am really scared for Nidhi. Especially since I can very well guess, that Rohan sirf uske saath khel raha hai, he had never intended to marry her, aur ab toh koi sawaal hi nahi"

"Anji, can't you do something about it?"

"Main kya karoon? She does not listen to anyone."

"Anji waise toh main nahi chahta ke Suman ke baare me zyaada logon ko pata chale, lekin phir bhi, if you think, by telling her about Suman you can make her understand.."

She looks at him gratefully, "I can see what you are saying, but no it won't help. She will be shocked and all that, but her reply would be, 'Rohan is not Vikram'. She won't understand the seriousness of the issue. (she thinks for a while) Agar usko koi rok sakta hai, toh it's only her husband."

"Ashu? Forget it! Woh toh Nidhi pe apna koi haq hi samajhta!"

"Then it's high time, woh uspe apna haq jataayen. I am calling him here right now. Please unka number dijiye."

He gives her and she dials, but he takes it and cuts it, "Anji you are calling him here now? When we are alone in your house?"

She says tongue in cheek, "I see, so you don't anyone else here today? Toh pahle bolna tha na?" she winks.

He is mortified, "Anji aap bhi na, har baat mazaak kaise sujhta hai aapko?"

"Armaanji, problem kya hai. You don't want to disclose about us to him?"

"Anji you know its not that. In fact, he would be the first person I tell it to. Yahan se nikal ke I would have gone to his house to share my joy. I thought you might feel awkward.."

"Nahi, aur waise bhi, I think hum dono mil ke unhe samjhaayenge toh better rahega."

He nods and she calls Ashutosh. Though surprised, he said he is coming right over, since Anji said she had some important matter to discuss with him.

Ashutosh rang the bell, and Anji opened. "Hi", she said.

"Hi. Bahar Armaan ki car padi hai, woh bhi yahan hai kya?"

Anji blushes a bit, while Armaan speaks up while patting his back, "Yaar Ashu, tu lawyer hoke aisa question kaise poochh sakta hai? Meri gaadi yahan hai, toh obviously, I would be here too"

"hi Armaan, tu yahan kya kar raha hai?"

"Sab batata hoon, pahle baith toh sahi"

He looks aound, "Sir aur madam kahan hain?"

"ghar me koi nahi hai, tabhi toh main yahan hoon" he says mischievously.

Ashutosh looks at him in total incomprehension. Armaan looked at him with a naughty smile, while Anji just didn't know where to look so she settled for ground.

"Wait!..But this is impossible! Are you both seeing each other?"

Armaan nods while Anji goes to the kitchen saying "Aap dono baaten kijiye. Main chai banati hoon." I never thought, I would even blush, ye mujhe kya ho gaya hai?

Ashutosh hugged Armaan, "Armaan congrats buddy! IS THIS TRUE? Mujhe toh yakeen hi nahi ho raha? Kab se chal raha hai, ye .. ye sab? Aur baat kahan tak pahunchi?"

"Ashu Ashu, thode theher jaa mere bhai, sab batata hoon."

Then Armaan tells him everything, how their vehicles collided that day, then how they met repeatedly during his marriage preparations, then how both purposely went to that restaurant to have coffee, every Tuesday and Friday, and behaved as if they met there coincidentally. He told him how they had confessed their feelings today itself.

Just then Anji came with the tea and Ashutosh heartily congratulated her. She served the tea and they all sat down. Then Anji and Armaan got down to business and told Ashutosh everything about Rohan, and how Nidhi wanted to marry him for his money and lifestyle.

Ashutosh listened in thoughtful silence and was quiet for a long time. Anji broke the silence, "aap itna soch kya rahe hain? Aap Nidhi ko is galat raaste pe jaane se rokenga na?"

He replied helplessly, "Anji, much as I want to, I don't think I can do anything about it. I think her father or your parents can only stop her."

She gave a sad smile, "who stupid ladki sab ke haath se nikal chuki hai. Ab agar koi kuch kar sakta hai toh woh aap hain."

"Main kya kar sakta hoon. Abhi thode time me toh we are going to file for divorce"

Armaan got angry, "Abbe oye, ab tune ek bhi baar divorce ka naam tak liya na toh mujhse baat bhi mat karna, tujhse bada idiot maine duniya me nahi dekha. Tu usse pyaar karta hai, lekin jatata nahi, aur divorce ki baat karta hai"

Ashutosh too shouted, "Toh main kya karoon. Jab use mere koi feelings hi nahi hain, toh do you want me to force myself on her?"

"Haan! Toh tu kya usko chhod dega? So that she can ruin her life? Rohan ya Vikram jaise logon ke haathon sirf uski zindagi tabaah ho sakti hai"

Anji too butted in, "Armaanji bilkul theek keh rahe hain Jijiaji (Ashutosh looks up sharply since this is the first time Anji addressed him thus). Haan ab se main aap ko jijaji bulaoongi. Kyun ki aap ab se har sense me Nidhi ke husband hain aur rahenge."

Ashutosh still looks at them both pensively. Armaan spoke up again, "See Ashu you have been too complacent, too reticent, too laid back all your life. You have taken things as they came. But it's high time, that you take charge. Be a man Ashu, and woo your woman! Go after her with everything in you!"

Ashutosh took in everything that Armaan said and had a new determined light in his eyes, "Yes Armaan, main Nidhi ko nahi chhodunga, chahe kuch bhi ho jaaye. She is mine, only mine. I will make her mine!"

Armaan heaved a sigh of relief, while Anji cheered "Ye hui na baat Jijaji"

He looked at Anji with a teasing smile, "Anji, aap toh mujhe jija kahengi, lekin main aap ko kya kahoon? Saali sahiba ya bhabhi"

Armaan laughed at this, while Anji blushed inspite of herself, but made a comeback, "Kya haina Bhaisahib, ke mujhe saali banane me aap ka hi fayda hai."

"Mera fayda? Woh kaise?"

"Kamaal hai, itna bhi nahi samajhte? (She winks at him) saali ke saath aap flirt kar sakte hain"

Ashutosh is taken aback and gives an embarrassed smile, but Armaan laughs, "arre Anji pahle ye apni biwi se toh flirt karna seekh le, tab tak aap mujh se hi kaam chalaiye"

Anji says, "Chaliye ye bhi theek hai. Pahle aap se toh jee bhar loon, phir jijaji toh reserve me hain hi"

Armaan says, "Yaar agar meri saali sahiba bhi yahan hoti toh mazaa aa jaata. Nidhi kahan gayi hogi us Rohan ke saath?"

"I think kisi disco me gayi hogi. Main abhi phone karke pata karti hoon." she dials Nidhi.

Nidhi is delighted to receive her call for the first time after their argument that day. She was missing her too much.

"Hi Anji!"

"Hi Nidhi, how are you?"

"Tera phone aa gaya, ab I m great!"

"Acha Nidhi, ye sab chhod. Tujhe ek good news deni hai."

"Kaisi good news? Finally tune uncle ki baat maan ke ek car le li kya?"

"Nidhi, teri daur sirf cars aur jewellery tak hi kyun rehti hai? Life me in cheezon ke siway bhi kaafi kuch hota hai"

"Anji, don't talk in riddles. Seedha seedha bata na baat ya hai"

"Nidhi, phone pe nahi. Tu jaldi yahan aa jaa."

"Abhi? Abhi toh main Rohan ke saath disco me hoon! Tera phone aaya toh baat karne ke liye bahar aayi hoon. Aur main apni car bhi nahi laayi."

"Nidhi, tu kaunse disco me hai? (she tells her) Okay, tu 15 minute me bahar khadi reh, jijaji aa rahe hain tujhe lene."

"Jijaji?"

"Ashutosh Jijaji, aur kaun?"

"tu unhe kab se.."

"Nidhi abhi time nahi hai, you come out in 15 minutes, bye"

Anji turned to Ashutosh, "Jaiye le aayiye use us Rohan se door. (Then she turns serious) Jijaji ab tak aap ye toh samajh hi gaye honge ke the direct approach won't work on Nidhi. If you tell her directly, toh koi fayda nahi hoga. Ulta, she will take undue advantage of you. You will need to handle her with tact. Don't be too available for her. Kuch aisa kijiye that she realizes your value."

"Anji, you don't worry. Just leave it to me."She nods and he leaves.

At the discotheque entrance:

"Rohan, tum andar jaao na? koi baat nahi, woh bas aate hi honge."

Rohan says with a teasing smile, "Kyun baby? I think, let me meet your temporary husband." And laughs a bit.

She gets irritated, "Rohan please, don't talk about him like this. I don't like it. He is my close friend."

"Arre yaar, maine kya galat kaha? He is your tempo.."

Nidhi sees his car, "Arre woh aagaye" and she runs towards the car. Ashutosh gets down and seeing Rohan ignites a kind of fire in him. He hugs Nidhi, "Hey sweetheart" and places a feather light kiss on her forehead, looking defiantly at Rohan. Rohan looked at him with a smirk.

Nidhi, though surprised at his peck didn't seem to mind it, but said, "Kumpel, ye Rohan mera friend hai, iske saamne, there is no need to put up a show."

"Oh I m sorry, I didn't know. Chalen?"

"Haan ek minute, let me introduce you to Rohan."

He nods, but neither man crosses the distance. Rohan stays put near the main gate while Ashutosh keeps standing near his car. Finally Ashutosh waves to Rohan, "Hi Rohan, nice to meet you. Sorry is waqt (with an inflection in his tone) hum zara jaldi me hain. You take care, okay?"

Rohan simply waves back and goes inside, and they get into the car. Nidhi says, "Anji ki good news kya hai? Aap ko pata hai? (he nods) Jaldi bataiye na. (He shakes his head) Please please bataiye na.."

"Ye good news Anji ki hai toh use hi batane do."

"Kumpel, please. Aap mere dost haina phir bataiye na."

"Nidhi tum bhi na bilkul bachchi ho. Can't you wait for 10 minutes?"

She pouts and stays quiet. The rest of their drive is silent. He is thinking how to go about courting her, while she is thinking about his hug and the peck on her forehead, a few minutes back. We have hugged each other quite a few times, especially in public ' it was needed to give credibility to our story. But this hug was more.. personal? And why did he kiss me on my forehead? He is never done something like that before. Phir aaj kyun? Aur mujhe bilkul bura kyun nahi laga? I have never allowed anyone to take such liberties with me. I have never allowed even Rohan to do that, even though he wanted, and tried a number of times. (she shakes off her thoughts) Main itna kyun soch rahi hoon? Ek forehead peck hi toh tha. Maybe he got carried away in the drama.

They reached Anji's house and Nidhi was even more surprised than Ashutosh was to know about Anji and Armaan. She congratulates them both, and then drags Anji to the kitchen under the pretext of wanting water.

"Anji ye tu kya kar rahi hai? You really want to marry Armaan Sir?"

Anji nods solemnly. She continues, "But why Anji? You can get a millionaire. You are beautiful, smart, why do you want to settle for.."

Anji gets miffed. "Stop Nidhi. Isse aage ek lafz nahi. Millionaires tujhe mubaarak. Tu agar apni life materialism se jeena chahti hai toh theek hai. For me love is most important in a marriage."

"Anji main bhi toh ye hi samajh nahi paa rahi, how can you fall in love with someone who is so much elder to you?"

Anji looks at her with pity in her eyes, "Nidhi until you understand love, you can't understand ke pyaar me na umra, na darja, na bank balance aur na hi kuch aur dekha jaata hai."

"Anji, meri samajh me nahi aata ye pyaar vyaar. Lekin teri aankhon ki chamak dekh ke lagta hai, ke shayad itni buri cheez bhi nahi hai ye."

"Nidhi, tu samjhegi toh nahi lekin phir bhi let me tell you. Love is the most beautiful thing to happen in one's life. If you love someone and he reciprocates that love, toh bas lagta hai ke life se aur kuch bhi nahi chahiye."

"Really? Wow. Lekin mujhe Rohan ke liye aisi feeling kabhi nahi aayi" she rues.

Anji is again frustrated hearing Rohan's name. But she says calmly, "Nidhi, tu na rehne de. Tujhe ye nahi samajh me aayega. You can't tell your heart to love a particular person. Only people who are lucky get love. Tu chhod. Paani pee" and she gives her water.

Nidhi is still in thoughts when they come to the drawingroom. They chat for a while, and then Armaan suddenly says, "Anji can we have a dance."

She is surprised, "Dance? Abhi?"

He nods, looking surreptitiously at Ashutosh and Nidhi. She gets the message and says "sure." She arranges the music. Anji also SMSes Ashutosh, "Jijaji, if she asks you to dance, don't give in so easily."

He is confused, but nods surreptiously.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLA35bxWG-k

Armaan extends his hand and Anji puts her hands in his, but says, "Nidhi, why don't you two also join us. Tujhe toh dance ka shauk hai and its also your favourite song." And then she starts dancing with Armaan.

Nidhi says, "Haan chaliye na Kumpel, hum bhi dance karte hain. Kitna mazaa aayega."

"Nahi mujhe nahi karna."

"Please Kumpel, I so love to dance."

"Then you dance na"

"But how can I dance alone, these two are dancing with each other."

"But, Nidhi, these two are in love Nidhi, so they look good dancing on a romantic number. Hume kya zaroorat padi hai. Inke saamne toh koi naatak karni ki bhi zaroorat nahi hai"

"Here I am just asking you for a dance and you are.. Please Kumpel, I so love to dance."

"But I don't like to dance at all"

She pouts dejectedly and he looks at Anji, but Anji and Armaan are totally lot in each other. He looks again at Nidhi and she looks at him pleadingly. He finally gives in and extends his hand, "chalo"

She immediately puts her hand in his and says, "You are so sweet, Kumpel." He leads the dance, making her dance to his moves and his eyes do not leave her face for even a second. The way he commands the dance, she is totally lost in him. She doesn't even realize when the music stops and everyone stops dancing, so lost is she in his eyes. Anji and Armaan are delighted to see her so lost. Both smile at each other in understanding and Anji nudges her, "Nidhi shall I put the music again?" She comes out of her trance and says "nahi"

She tells Ashutosh, "You say you don't like to dance, but you dance so so well."

Before he can reply, Armaan says, "Arre Nidhi, tumne kabhi Ashu ka gaana suna hai? (She shakes her head) Kabhi sunna phir kehna if he dances or sings better."

Finally, Armaan decides that they should leave before Anji's parents come back.

In the car, while they are driving home, she says, "Kumpel, I still can't believe. Anji and Armaan Sir?"

"Actually even I was very surprised."

"Pyaar bhi kitni ajeeb cheez haina?"

He nods, "Ajeeb bhi aur duniya ka sabse khubsurat ehsaas bhi hai ye"

"Sach me?"

He nods and concentrates on the road. She asks after a while, "Do you actually believe in love?"

"Pahle toh, even I did not believe in love, but now I do."

"Now means? Aisa kya hua?"

"You have to experience it yourself to believe it."

"Really? You mean, aapko bhi kisi se pyaar hai?"

He nods solemnly.

"Kisse? Do I know her? Kaun hai woh?"

"Chhodo na Nidhi, tumhe kya?"

"Kuch toh bataiye uske baare me"

"I can only say this ' woh mere paas rehte hue bhi mujhse bahut door hai"

"Hmm, interesting. Kuch aur bataiye na unke baare mein. Ek kaam karte hain, Armaan Sir kehte hain ke aap gaate achchha hain, toh kuch gaake sunaiye na? Please."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUtXdIRvwNo

(chhuukar mere man ko

kiyaa tuune kyaa ishaaraa

[chhuukar mere man ko

kiyaa tune kyaa ishaaraa

badalaa yah mausam

lage pyaaraa jag saaraa) (2)

chhuukar mere man ko ..

tuu jo kahe jiivan bhar

tere li_e mai.n gaau.N (2)

giit tere bolo.n par

likhataa chalaa jaau.N (2)

mere giito.n me.n

tujhe Dhuu.NDhe jag saaraa

chhuukar mere man ko ..

aajaa teraa aa.Nchal yah

pyaar se mai.n bhar duu.N (2)

Kushiyaan jahaa.N bhar kii

tujhako nazar kar duu.N (2)

tuu hii meraa jiivan

tuu hii jiine kaa sahaaraa

chhuukar mere man ko ..]

That night Nidhi keeps thinking about Ashutosh, about their dance and how she lost herself in his arms. I felt so secured, so safe, so tenderly cocooned in those arms. I wished the dance never ended. Aur unka gaana? Main toh kho hi gayi thi unki awaaz me. Jaise koi jaadu tha unki aawaaz me. Woh ladki kitni lucky hogi na jisse Kumpel pyaar karte hain? Woh hai kaun? Ajeeb baat toh ye hai ki mujhe Rohan ke liye kabhi aisi feelings nahi aayi. Ulta aaj toh I found him a bit irritating.

Rohan ne aaj kitna ajeeb behave kiya. Pahle jab maine use bataya ke mujhe jaana hai, he got irritated saying I ruined his evening. Aur phir jab hum bahar khade the, toh who Kumpel ke baare me kaise baat kar raha tha. Use ho kya gaya tha aaj? Coudn't he atleast walk upto the car to meet Kumpel.

The next day, again she was having lunch with Rohan, when Ashutosh called her and told her that he had to leave for tour. She immediately says, she is rushing home, so that she can meet him when she comes home to pack. He says there is no need and hangs up.

She gets up, "Rohan, sorry mujhe jaana hai. Kum.. I mean, Ashutoshji tour se pe jaa rahe hain"

"Toh tumhe kya karna hai usse? Did he ask you to come? Don't tell me you have to pack his bag for him", he laughs.

"No, he said there was no need, but I want to see him before he goes off." And she leaves before he can say anything else. He is highly annoyed with her behavior. But then, he gives himself a cruel smile. Toh janaab tour pe jaa rahe hain? Good chance Rohan!

By the time she gets home, Ashutosh has already packed. She enters their room and sees that he is about to leave.

"Hi Nidhi, tum kyun aa gayi, main toh bas nikalne wala tha."

"Ji maine socha aapko bye kardoon"

"Okay, chalo, I'm leaving. You take care."

She hugs him, "you too. Kal tak aa jaayenge na?"

He hugs her back. "Nahi do teen din lagenge."

At that, she instinctively tightens the hug and he too hugs her tightly, "Kya hua?"

She leaves him, "Kuch nahi."

"Okay chalta hoon, bye"

She nods, "bye and all the best for your work"

"Thanks."

He leaves and she slumps on the bed. Ye mujhe kya hua hai? Ye sochke mera mann kyun baitha jaa raha hai, ke main 2-3 din Kumpel se nahi miloongi? Why did I feel like stopping him? Ye aaj kal main un ke baare me itna kyun sochne lagi hoon? Mujhe lag raha hai, I have gone crazy.

That early evening, she gets Rohan's invitation for a friends' night over at his farmhouse. She gets ready and leaves. When she reaches there, she says, "Arre Rohan, yahan toh koi nahi hai? Baaki sab kahan hai?"

"Arre baby, woh bhi aajaayenge. I thought first let's have an exclusive dinner, so I called the others a bit later."

Just then, Anji calls her and gets extremely worried to know she is alone with Rohan at his farmhouse. She knows no one else is going to come. But how does she make Nidhi see sense?

Scared, she calls Ashutosh, who listens calmly and tells her not to worry, that he would do something.

Nidhi and Rohan are having dinner by the poolside. Nidhi is getting a bit uncomfortable for the first time in Rohan's presence. Why is it so dark here? I am not scared of darkness, but..His demeanor is changed. Why is he looking at me like that?

She can't eat much. Suddenly she drops her spoon, "I am done."

"Arre tumne toh kuch khaya hi nahi"

"Nahi bhookh nahi hai"

"Sweet dish?"

She shakes her head. He calls the servant to clear the table. Then, he says, "Okay, chalo, lets take a look at the swimming pool. Tumne theek se dekha nahi na."

And before she can protest, he leads her to the swimming pool, with an arm around her waist. He keeps talking, "You know ye pool aaj hi saaf karaya hai. Weekend pe pool party thi." Bas baby, thoda aage chalo, and in a moment, we will both fall in the pool. Now, if our feet collide and we fall into the pool, how am I to blame for it? And poor you! You can't even swim! Don't worry, main hoon na bachane ke liye?

"I see" she said. He is about to kick her feet, when her phone rings. She rushes to the table where she left it. Rohan grunts and barely manages to balance himself.

"Hi Kumpel, how are you? Theek se pahuch gaye?"

"haan I reached safely, I am in my room at the hotel now, aur tum? What are you doing?"

"Actually, main ek friends night over ke liye aayi hoon."

"I see.. actually Nidhi, I called to ask about Baba's health." Sorry Baba, I have to do this.

"Baba? Kyun unhe kya hua?"

He sounds worried but tries to shrug it off, "Arre nahi, kuch hua nahi, bas main aa raha tha tab kuch dheele lag rahe the, of course I did not say anything to him. He gets unnecessarily hyper when I say something about his health."

"You are sounding really worried Kumpel?"

So, my plan is working, "Arre nahi Nidhi aisi koi baat nahi hai. Socha tum se poochh loon, toh tassalli jaayegi bas. But since you are out, toh theek hai, main rakhta hoon. You enjoy with your friends"

"Nahi Kumpel, I am going home right now."

He closes his eyes in relief. Yes! Go home Nidhi. I hope that guy won't restrain you physically. "Nahi Nidhi, no need to spoil your program. You enjoy!"

"Kumpel, how can I enjoy when you sound so worried?"

"Lekin tumhare friends?"

"They will understand."

"Okay, thanks a lot. And Nidhi, Baba se kuch mat kehna. Just check his forehead, and generally see if he looks okay."

"I understand. I am just leaving,"

"Okay"

She hangs up the phone to look up at an angry Rohan. He looks at her, "What your damn husband's problem? Jab bhi tum mere saath hoti ho, uska phone aajata hai and you just leave me high and dry."

She too shouts, "Problem unki nahi hai tumhari hai Rohan. You can't see a simple thing? His father is unwell and he is just worried about that. He didn't expect anything from me. I told him of my own accord that I am going him."

"That's precisely what I am saying Nidhi. When he does not even expect, phir bhi tum daudi chali jaati ho? Kyun?"

"Rohan, I don't want to argue about it, I am leaving. That's it."

"Meri baat ka koi jawab nahi haina? Let me tell you the reason. You have fallen for him!"

"W..hat? Do you know what you are saying Rohan?"

"Yes! (He sneered) Tumhe us oldie se pyaar ho gaya hai. Tumse kitne saal bada hai? 15 ya 20 saal?"

"Shut up Rohan, you are talking nonsense and you know that. I am leaving. Mujhe ek lafz aur nahi sunni tumhari bakwaas." And she left without a backward glance.

She reached home and went to her father-in-law's room. He was reading a book. She touched his forehead under some pretext and talked to him for a while.

Ashutosh heaved a sigh of relief, when he saw Nidhi's call. They talked for a while and then hung up.

Nidhi could not sleep and felt restless the whole night. She was obviously upset at her quarrel with Rohan and his insinuation about her falling in love with Ashutosh. Aaj kal har koi pyaar ki hi baaten kyun karta hai? Aur Rohan has gone crazy. Mujhe pyaar? Woh bhi Kumpel se?

She was restless the whole night. More than Rohan, she missed Ashutosh ' she missed his company, the chess games they played together, the movies they watched together, the time they spent just chatting about nothing.

She tried to watch tv, surf net, watch movies, but she did not enjoy anything. She felt restless and spent a sleepless night.

Next day Anji had an off. So, she spent the entire day with Nidhi, to ensure that she stays away from Rohan. Luckily Rohan was too angry to even call her. Anji was glad to see that Nidhi talked about Ashutosh most of the time. After a long time, Anji was not too irritated in her presence. They spent a good day together.

The next night again she talked to Ashutosh for a while and began missing him terribly again. After freeting about for 2 hours, she finally got on the diwan and hugged his pillow. Within a minute, she relaxed and went to a sound sleep.

She awoke at 9:30 the next morning. She was startled to realize that she dreamt that she had slept in Ashutosh's arms. Kya ajeeb sapna tha.

While freshening up, she kept thinking about it. Kahin Rohan sach hi toh nahi keh raha tha? Am I in love? With Kumpel? But ye kaise ho sakta hai?

She calls Anji.

"Haan Nidhi, anything important? I am in college."

"Anji, I .. I think I am in love! With my husband"

Anji does a double take, "What? Kya baat kar rahi hai?" Oh God. Let it true!

"Haan Anji. Do din unke bina nahi reh paayi. Unke baare me hi sochti rehti hoon. Raat ko neend nahi aati because he is not here."

It takes every bit of control on Anji's part not to shout out aloud, "Nidhi, tu aur pyaar? Have you lost it?"

"Haan ajeeb lag raha hai na? Lekin pichle kuch dino se, I felt something, but could not put a finger to it. Lekin yaar, I really feel that I am in love."

"Aur Rohan? Tera dream lifestyle? Uska kya?"

"Frankly, aaj kal na mujhe Rohan bahut irritating lagta hai. He is nowhere near Kumpel. Aur lifestyle, jab I can't stay 2 days without Kumpel, toh phir us lifestyle ka main kya karoongi? Aur he buys me everything I ask for."

"Nidhi I think you need to think again, aaj tu aisa bol rahi hai, ho sakta hai kal tu repent kare?"

"Nahi Anji. I won't repent."

"Nidhi.. I don't think it's love" I know main jitna na bolungi, utni hi tu sure hoti jaayegi.

"Why Anji?"

"What about your age gap?"

"What about it? You only said that these things don't matter in love."

"Meri aur baat hai Nidhi"

"Kyun?"

"Nidhi Nidhi, you can't take rash decisions. You need to be sure."

"I am. I am very sure Anji. Aur woh aayenge, tab main unhe keh doongi. Bas"

"Nahi, itni jaldi nahi kar. Thoda soch le."

"Tune socha tha?"

"Nidhi, I was sure."

"So am I. I am going to tell him that I love him. Phir unhe jo sochna ho sochen. Dekhungi, woh kaise accept nahi karte mera pyaar." And hangs up the phone angrily. Anji thinks, Yes, Nidhi go for it. Main jijaji ko bataaoon kya? No, now I won't interfere.

After two hours, Nidhi gets Ashutosh's call, "Hi Nidhi, I have just landed in Lucknow."

She literally squeeled, "Great! Toh ghar kitni der me pahunch rahe hain? Mujhe aapse kuch bahut important baat karni hai!"

"Kya hua? Bahut khush lag rahi ho?"

"Haan aap aaiye toh sahi."

"Okay see you in two hours."

"Yeah. I can't wait!"

Just then, Hiraman comes and says, "Nidhi bitiya, Bade sahib ka khaana bahaar hai. Aur woh door jaa rahe hain toh main bhi saath jaa raha hoon. Ashu beta bhi khaane tak aa jayega. Toh tum dono ka khana bana ke rakha hai, kha lena."

Oh wow, this is perfect. Hum dono akele honge? "Ji kaka, waise kaka, unki favorite sweetdish kaunsi hai?"

"Sooji ka halwa. Main bana doon?"

"Nahi kaka, aap jaaiye. Lekin please uske liye jo bhi chahiye woh sab kuch nikaal ke rakh dijiye platform pe, aaj main banaoongi."

"Theek hai bitiya."

After the two leave, she google the recipe and makes sooji ka halwa. Then she goes to her room and opens her wardrobe, Kya pahnoon? Evening gown? Nahi, unhe saaree jyaada pasand aayegi."

She gets ready with great care. The doorbell rings, and she rushes to open the door, "hi Kumpel," she hugs him.

He hugs her back, "Hey Nidhi, kahin bahar jaa rahi ho?"

"Nahi toh"

"Toh phir ye sab, itni ban than ke kyun baithi ho."

"Abhi batati hoon. Pahle you go and freshen up. Tab tak main dinner lagati hoon."

He is surprised. She never offered to lay the table before. But she is behaving differently today. "Okay"

By the time he comes, the table is laid. Both sit down. She says, "Pahle ye taste kijiye. Maine banaya hai." And serves him.

"Wow. Sooji ka halwa?" he takes a spoonful. "Really delicious. Waise Nidhi aaj itna chahak kyun rahi ho? Tum phone ke bhi keh rahi thi that you have something important to tell me."

She blushes for the first time in her life, "Ji.. woh.. I .. I .. I lo.."

Just then the door bell rings. He gets up, "Main dekhta hoon."

Originally posted by: deepa17

Just read it.. Cliff hanger again.. Woh bhi Mallika,?