KTLK FF:Mere Jeewan Saathi [TH:3] Epilogue -Pg110 - Page 65

Chapter-15

The Mathur family reached the party area, where, the Vermas too had been invited. Both the families had been mixing up, while the Vermas were showering up all their love on Aishaani, the apple of everybody's eyes, when a lady in her 50's came up to the Vermas with a young and smart boy with them. Folding her hands, joining her palms in a greet she addressed Shyama Verma-

Lady: Namaste Shyama... Pehchaana?

Shyama Verma looked at her for a moment and then exclaimed-

SV: Arrey Vandana... Vandana Saxena?... Tum? Lucknow mein kaise?

V: Arrey kya bataau yaar... College ke baad shaadi... Aur phir wahin busy...(Then turning sideways, and pulling the young man to her) Isse milo Shyama... Mera beta... Vivek...

Vivek: Namaste Aunty...

Vandana: Doctor hai yeh... Cardiologist hai... Bas iske liye hi ladki dekhne aayi hu Lucknow...(Vivek makes an embarrassed face) Tumhari family mein sab? Pata hai, tum Verma Industries ke ghar ki bahu ho... Phir bhi introduce toh karwaao...

Shyama: Haan-haan... (She introduces all, from her MIL to Nidhi, Ashutosh and his family) Aur ye Neeti hai... Mere dewar ki beti hai, par mere jigar ka tukda hai... Intern hai Kotnis mein...

While Shyama, kept telling about her family to her college friend, Ashutosh and Vivek began talking, both being from the same fields... Neeti excused herself from the scene joining Nidhi and others.

Ashutosh excused Vivek for a moment, as Nidhi called him, when Vivek's ears caught his mother's conversation-

Vandana: Shyama, mujhe apne bete ke liye tumhari neice Neeti bohot achhi lag rahi hai... kya tum log plan kar rahe ho, uski shaadi wagairah ke baarey mein?

Shyama: Haan... soch toh rahe hain... Par...

Vandana: Shyama, tum apne ghar waalo se iss baat ka zikr karna... Aur phir mujhe bataana... mera number le lo...

Hearing the conversation as his earshot, Vivek, looked up at Neeti, a glimpse, taking in, who is that girl, his mother likes for him... She seem decent to him... A simple girl... looks good... Can sense manners in her behaviour... A good girl in total...

That is how Rohan saw, Vivek looking at Neeti... A sensation of burn and anger shot him up... He didn't like any boy seeing her with scrutinising eyes... That he felt was his right... He so wanted to go and ask that guy to stop staring at someone whom he likes...

Suddenly his mind kicked him... he thought to himself- "And who told u, that she likes u now? You know the fact very well Rohan, you had broken her heart earlier... Now with what right are you going to reprimand any random boy in a party...? No... Stay mum!"

Rohan held his mouth shut and continued with the party...

Soon all had returned to their respective homes after the party...

It was next day evening when Nidhi's excited voice in the hall caught everybody's attention at the Mathur Mansion... She was on call, and talking while walking all about the hall... The smile on her face told, she is very happy hearing the news on call...

Later, she told the entire family that, The Saxenas that they had met last evening, are coming to the Verma Mansion, to have a talk over Vivek and Neeti's marriage proposal, and thus, she is going to her parents house, to be there...

The entire Mathurs were ecstatic hearing the news. While Nidhi and Anji were going to get ready, when Anu softly held Nidhi by her hand for a moment, and said-

An: Nidhi, beta, mujhe sach mein bohot khushi hai, ki Neeti ke liye tum sab aagey badh rahe ho... Agar Neeti apni life mein settle ho jaati hai, toh mere dil se ek bohot bada bojh halka ho jaayega... Rohan ne jo jaane-anjaane kiya, iski thes Neeti ko bohot zyada lagi hai. Achha hoga, if she moves on in life...

Rohan, stood fixed to his spot, right from the moment Nidhi had announced the news. As if the ground under his feet had shifted. His entire world, that he had thought to build, seems to shatter into small pieces... How does he tell anyone that his throat is clogging up with some unbearable pain? How does he tell, that he felt like screaming and crying his heart out to the world, that the girl they are trying to engage with someone else, is his love? How to tell, that he wants to woo her back? He felt utter helpless, that all he had wanted to win back, is slipping out of his hands.

Rohan ran to his favourite place in the house... the terrace... some involuntary tears came to his eyes. After he had spilled those necessary tears, he wiped them off, and with a determined look stood up...

Ro: Main bina ye jaane, ki Neeti kya chaahti hai, haar nahi maanoonga... Usse pehle ye jaanna zaroori hai, ki kya Neeti iss rishte se khush hai? Kya wo mujhe bhool ke aagey badhna chaahti hai? Nahi... I need to ask her... chaahe uske liye mujhe kuch bhi karna pade...

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There in the Verma Mansion, Neeti too was shocked at the news that The Saxenas are coming to see her. Neeti thought to herself-"That the boy was not bad actually, but, why is it so, that this thought of choosing anyone else seems such a difficult one? Why can't she look beyond the imagination of her and Rohan being together? Neeti simply wasn't able to digest the fact that the Saxenas are really coming to her home to talk for the proposal.

How will she say a yes, it is beyond her thoughts... But how to say no? How can she simply deny any decision made by her family, with simply no grounds to negate? No-no-no-no...!!! I need some time to think. Not actually think, but to postpone the decision making. I shall ask so, and I'm sure they will give me that much time..."

With these thoughts, Neeti wore a simple Anarkali suit, getting ready for the guests. Nidhi came in with Anji and Avantika (Armaan's wife), and helped her dressing up, with some teasings and banters, making sure that they purposely fit a fact that, this is surely gonna happen and Vivek is an awesome guy, and they shall be a wonderful couple, making Neeti all the more miserable...

Later that night, the Vermas and the Mathurs were having dinner together at the Verma Mansion, on call by the Vermas for the get together. They were all discussing the gist of the Saxena's visit, and they seem happy with the boy's yes, but had Neeti requested sometime, to think, which was gladly given. On the dining table, Nidhi and Ashutosh were closely observing Neeti and Rohan's body language, and as they had thought, both seemed gloomy. They spoke the least, only when they were asked to. Clearly visible, that both weren't happy with the turn of events today. Both found this unexpectedly heart breaking. But weren't able to express their hearts out.

After the Dinner, the family sat in groups. The elders in one and the siblings and their spouses... Ashutosh had sat with Nidhi and was taking care of Nidhi and Aishaani in a manner, that seemed heart touching, as well bringing smiling tears in Nidhi's eyes too... To change the topic and make the environment light, Rohan said-

R: Isi baat pe ek sher arz hai... (Unknowingly, saying something, that is going to turn out a sad word for him)

Ishq wo dariyaa hai, jiska sahil nahi hota,

Ishq wo dariyaa hai, jiska sahil nahi hota,

Har dil pyaar ke qaabil nahi hota...

Ishq wo dariyaa hai, jiska sahil nahi hota,

Har dil pyaar ke qaabil nahi hota...

Rota wo bhi hai, jo doobta hai ishq-e-saagar mein,

Aur rota wo bhi hai jise pyaar haasil nahi hota...

Not knowingly, initially his eyes were fixed on Ashni, but at the end, his eyes gloomingly turned and got fixed on Neeti, who was looking fixed at him with his words, feeling the impact of his words, and that pain hit her again... Where the rest of the siblings and spouses were busy appreciating his poetry doing Waah-waah', Neeti simply rolled her eyes and uttered a sarcastic "huh!!!" to gain everybody's attention...

Neeti: Ji arz kiya hai... (Everybody insisted with "Irshaad-irshaad" while Neeti's eyes held up the pain)

Humne unhe paake kabhi khona nahi chaaha,

Humne unhe paake kabhi khona nahi chaaha,

Judaayi mein unki kabhi rona nahi chaaha...

Humne unhe paake kabhi khona nahi chaaha,

Judaayi mein unki kabhi rona nahi chaaha...

Unhone hi humein sambhaal ke nahi rakha,

Warna humne toh kisi aur ka,

Kabhi hona hi nahi chaaha...

Though the poetry was said infront of all, but it seemed, it was said only for Rohan... Neeti's accusing eyes were fixed directly on Rohan, accusing him for all the pain she has been till date. The family that were enjoying till now, got what both of them have been doing... Leaving aside the fun they were having, they looked at both Neeti and Rohan. Neeti had her eyes filled with tears, and because the pond of her eyes were giving away, and her tears spilled out, she got up and ran to her room. Rohan kept looking at her for one instant, and then realised, what has happened... And without any other thought, he was on his toes. The only thought he had, been- Now or never...

He immediately ran behind Neeti, covering up the distance in time, before she locks her door, leaving bewildered families behind... And as he had tried, he reached near Neeti, before she could close the door, and entered the room...

Neeti: Rohan, just leave ok? I just don't want to talk to you.

Ro: Neeti, please, mujhe ek baar meri baat kehne do... I just want to clear some points, and I'll go I promise.

Neeti was simply not feeling like listening, but just crossed her hands on her chest, and looked elsewhere, giving him his chance to speak.

Rohan tried to take Neeti's hands in his, but before he could proceed more, she shrugged his hands off her. Rohan felt all the more helpless, seeing her quietly wiping her tears off... He sat on his knees infront of her, his eyes too pouring tears. He began saying-

Ro: Neeti, jab se hum friends bane, tumhe humesha apne dost ki tarah dekha... Being one idiot of my own kinds, I just could not look at you, the way you looked up at me... Phir meri Zindagi mein Mallika ji aa gayi, and I simply did not give you that thought. But jis din maine Mallikaji jo ghar mein introduce karaaya, uss din tumhari aankho ne wo sab keh diya, jo tum mujhe batana chaahti thi kabhi. Sach maano, toh I felt really bad breaking your heart, but going behind you and picking up the same topic then, I felt breaking your heart further, isliye kuch kaha nahi. Phir jald hi zindagi ne mujhe naye-naye sabakh sikhaaye, and I learnt the difference between Mallika ji and you. Ye mat sochna ki kyuki ab mere paas koi nahi hai isliye aisa keh raha hoon, but isliye, kyuki mujhe kehna tha. Tumse toh kehna hi tha. Lekin phir I started thinking about you, the way you thought about me, and if I tell Neeti, that I am falling for you, will you accept me?

Neeti kept weeping silently, not uttering a word... Just kept on crying... Rohan got up on his feet and asked her again...

Ro: Neeti, bas ek baar bata do, do you still love me?

Neeti just did not look at him, and made a straight face, gaining her strength-

Ne: No! No Rohan... I just do not love you... ok? I do not like you...

Ro: Just look into my eyes and say, that you don't love me... Look at me Neeti... Just say it to me... (Rohan had held her by her arms and had been lightly shaking her again and again agitating her...)

Neeti finally looked up with tear filled eyes, anguish filled, agitated...

Ne: YES!!! I do not love you... Because I fear another heart break... Because I hate you, cause you have taken my heart somewhere, and have with no way returning... I don't love you Rohan, because, you are the worst sweetheart one can ever have. You are simply bad... you just do not understand the value of time. You simply keep pondering over your thoughts somewhere, and come up with heart attacking announcements... Sometimes, when you bring someone else in your life, and sometimes telling me that you have been loving me, ever since, and letting me know at the last moment, when some boy is ready to come my door and take me away... Then you come...!!! (Neeti sits on her knees crying bitterly) What if Rohan, you have another change of mind? Main toh ab zinda nahi reh paaungi... I just can't bear it anymore... I can't have it again... So, I just don't love you... ok?

Seeing her crying histeically, Rohan too sat on his knees, tears flowing continuously...

Ro: If I promise you... A promise for lifetime... That I'll love you, and only you forever as my love... Will never look at anyone else in that direction... Will not do anything that displeases you or our families... if I promise that all...? will you forgive me?

Neeti looked up with a little hopeful eyes: Promise?

Ro: Pakka promise...!!!

Ne: Ok! I forgive you...

Ro: Now do you love me?

Ne: No...

Ro: Please?

Ne: (Looking innocently) Ofcourse! You stupid...!!!

Ro: Will you marry me?

Ne: Oh yes!!!

Before they could stand up, the room reverberated with sounds of many whistles together... Both looked up to see the family there, and Ashutosh, Ranga and Armaan whistiling a shrieking sound on the victory of their love... Both Neeti and Rohan stood up embarrassed, at the family standing infront, knowing all they both would have told them...

All clapped in happiness at the joyful union... Finally they began saying one by one... The elders blessed them while Nidhi clapped with an unusual excitement looking at Ashutosh, and when she said, caught Neeti and Rohan's attention astonishing them...

Nidhi: Wow! Ashuji... Aapka idea kamaal ka tha... I did not know, this will work so good, and shall be excecuted so perfectly...

Rohan: Kaun sa idea bhabhi?

Ni: Tum dono ki chintaa mujhe khaaye jaa rahi thi, kaise tum dono ko milaaya jaaye, tab tumhare Ashu Bhaiya ne mujhe idea suggest kiya Neeti ke rishte ke bare mein... He thought, this will surely open you both up, and would think in this direction quickly... And see, this is where we all wanted you both to be...

Nidhi and Ashutosh were grinning with the rest of the two families, while Rohan was rubbing his hair, as in getting caught red handed, while Neeti was jaw-dropped...

Neeti: How mean of you Di and Jeeju... Aap logon ne mujhe kitna rulaaya...

They were interrupted by dadi preaching Neeti...

Dadi: Arre ladki..! Tujhe ye nahi dikh raha ke tumhari Didi aur Jeejaji ne tere liye kitne paapad bele... Tujhe uss ladke se milaaya, jiske saath tera dil tha... warna humein kyat ha, humein jahan sahi lagta, wahan tere rishte ki baat chalaate... shaadi toh tujhe kabhi na kabhi karni hi thi na? Kyu? Arre Thank you toh bol de apne didi aur jeeja ji ko...

Neeti gratituously went to her elder sister and brother-in-law, and hugging them both in a group hug... uttering a small Thank you' to both of them... The scene was again changed by Anu Mathur...

Anu: Chaliye... Mujhe iss baat ki khushi hai, ki mere mann ki muraad poori ho gayi... Main Alok se kehti thi, ki kaash humaare ghar ki teeno bahuein Isi ghar ki ho... Chalo, humari teesri bahu bhi yahin se hogi...

All gave a hearty laugh... This time fully heart filling... All were really happy...

Nidhi: Maa... Mere khayaal se, humein abhi, ghar mein hi, inn dono ki sagaayi kar deni chahiye... Kya khayaal hai aap sab ka? Humne rings bhi ready kar rakhi hain...

Anu: Haan-haan... kyu nahi... Kyu Maaji aur Shyamaji?

The Vermas gave a heart concent... Within a few moments, Neeti and Rohan were sat on the Sofa and made to exchange rings... As soon as the exchange was done all clapped and threw flower petals on them... While Nidhi filled with fun and ecstacy sang-

Waah-waah Ramji,

Jodi kya banaayi,

Dewar aur dewraani ji,

Badhaai ho badhaai,

Sab rasmon se badi hai jag mein,

Dil se dil ki sagaayi...

Aapki kripa se ye,

Shubh ghadi aayi,

Dewar aur dewraani ji,

Badhaai so badhaai...

The entire family blessed this youngest couple of the familes, with blissful smiles on each ones faces... Having a happy union for life...

Hope you had a good read... Thanx a lot for reading and maintaining patience with my story...

Will give the epilogue as soon as possible...

Regards,

Aazeen...