The Aftermath
He gathered every ounce of courage standing outside flat no. 802 of the Riverine Apartments. Continuously rehearsing every line that he was going to say. Every sentence, every word. Again and again. Till he felt confident and deflated. The process repeated. Going back to stage one. Finally after 4 cycles, he rang the doorbell.
A young boy, barely out of teens, opened the door. He scowled on seeing him. He had zero intentions of letting the man in.
He spoke as politely as he could: Sameer Rathore aapka yaha koi kaam nahi hai
Rathore put his foot in between the closing door: Dharam mujhe Ayesha se baat karni hai
Dharam: didi so rahi hai
Rathore: woh itni jaldi nahi soti, mujhe bas 2 minute…
Dharam: aapko ek baar mein baat samaj mein nahi aati? Jao yaha se!
Ayesha entered the living room: kaun hai chote?
Dharam sighed. Sameer grabbed the opportunity and barged inside taking her by surprise.
Rathore: Ayesha main tumse…
Ayesha stiffened: tum yaha kyun aaye ho?
She glanced at the corridor leading inside, worried that her parents would come out.
Rathore: Ayesha meri baat suno, main…
Ayesha: mujhe kuch nahi sunna! Itna sab kuch karne ke baad bhi tumhe chain nahi mila? Chale jao yaha se
Rathore: nahi! main tab tak nahi jaunga jab tak tum meri baat nahi sun leti!
Ayesha was about to raise her voice but refrained thinking about her parents. Clenching her fists, she controlled herself.
Her voice strained: Sameer, get lost!
Rathore: Ayesha maine tumhe koi dhoka nahi diya! Tum samajne ki…
Ayesha: shut up! Jo apne dost ko dhoka de sakta hai use mujhe dhoka dete hue der nahi lagegi.
Rathore: Dammit woh mera past hai!! tumhare bhi toh boyfriend rahe hai
Ayesha glared at him: mera koi bhi boyfriend shadi-shuda nahi tha!!! Aur tum shadi-shuda chodo, apne hi dost ki biwi? Disgusting!
Rathore: Roshni meri dost pehle thi!
Her patience broke: THAT DOES NOT JUSTIFY YOUR BULLSHIT!!!
Sameer: Ayesha tum meri baat toh sun…
Her parents came out hearing the commotion. Confused at the presence of their ex-son-in-law.
Ayesha: Nahi sunna mujhe kuch Sameer!! Tumhare muh se nikli hui har baat jhoot hai, fareb hai!!
Sameer: maine kabhi tumse jhoot nahi kaha aur na hi aaj keh raha hun! Tum itni aasani se humara rishta kaise tod sakti ho? (tearing up) Pyaar karti ho na tum mujhse? Main tumhe vaada karta hun Ayesha, tum jo chaho mujhse karwa lo par please mujhse dur mat jao! Main aisa kya karu ki tumhe mujh par yakeen ho? main sab kuch karne ke liye taiyaar hun! Main kabhi tumhe dhoka nahi dunga Ayesha, pyaar karta hun main tumse
She crossed her arms: toh batao, kyun kiya tumne aisa?
He looked at her questioningly.
Ayesha: kyun dhoka diya tumne Arjun sir ko? AISI KYA AAFAT AA GAYI THI KI TUMHE APNE BEST FRIEND KI BIWI KE SAATH AFFAIR KARNA PADA?
Sameer stared at her, tight-lipped. Frozen.
Why? The question remained. Why did that happen? Why did he end up with Roshni? She had just been a friend, hadn’t she? He was happy when she and Arjun had decided to get married. Then why? How did the palace come crumbling down? Arjun had trusted them. Arjun had trusted him! Never once questioning the amount of time the duo spent together regardless of his presence or absence. Then why?
Ayesha: nahi haina jawab? Mein deti hun. Iska jawab ye hai ki both of you are cheaters! Matlabi aur ghamandi, jise itne saalon baad bhi apna gunaah nahi dikh raha hai. Jinhone apne maze ke liye ek Masoom ko tadapne ke liye chod diya!
He remained silent. His head hung. He didn’t have any answer for her. A sinking weight in his chest.
Ayesha (calmly): get out Sameer! Aur dobara kabhi bhi yaha aane ki jurrat mat karna hai. I will never trust you!
Tears streamed down his face. Shuffling with heavy steps, he quietly left. Defeated.
Ayesha’s parents attempted to speak but she asked them to go. Dharam was a silent spectator all the while. He took a seat on the sofa. Ayesha waited till the door of their room closed before collapsing next to her brother. The dam broke.
Dharam hated to see her in the state: didi
She cried incessantly on his shoulder.
Dharam: didi ro mat na
Ayesha: vishwas tutne par bahot dard hota hai chote
He just hugged her tight as she continued to cry in his arms.
On the other hand, Sameer shuffled to his car. The weight of the world on him. Everything was perfect and in a split second everything had turned topsy-turvy. His life had changed for a complete 180 degree turn. He was back in the Anti-Corruption Bureau heading a team. He wouldn’t have minded the transfer if it was a routine one but this was stinging him. The inability to communicate with Ayesha was stinging him to be more precise. It has been 2 weeks now. Ayesha hadn’t responded to any texts or calls. If he was in office, he would have more chances to talk to her but now he couldn’t do that. The commissioner had warned him that his presence anywhere near the ETF would be dealt with severely. Initially, he had decided against showing up at her home due to her family’s presence. He didn’t want to create unnecessary drama there but he had crossed that boundary today. But it didn’t give him any help. Frustrated, he kicked under the steering wheel.
But wait, there was one person he could catch hold of. Even Ayesha would pay attention to her.
Determinedly, he started the ignition and sped off.
Flat no. 1103 of Jalaja Apartments was silent except for the TV. Riya was sitting across it giggling at the comedy movie sprawled comfortably across her sofa. Saturday nights were always relaxing. She took the liberty to stay up till late and skip her work out on Sunday mornings.
The doorbell rang. She was confused. The maid had already left. Who was it now? Groaning, she paused the movie and opened the door. She regretted opening it the second she did.
Sameer: andar aane ko nahi kahogi?
She was taken aback. Firstly, what was he doing there? Secondly, being in front of her ex-senior in a casual t-shirt and shorts wasn’t her ideal situation. Thirdly, she wasn’t sure if letting him in was a good idea.
He saw the conflicting emotions on her face and prodded again.
Rathore: kya main andar aa sakta hun Riya?
Deciding against her conflict, she gave him way. She gestured to sit. Riya didn’t even bother to ask him for refreshments. She wanted him gone as soon as possible. But she did the courtesy of giving him a glass of water.
Rathore: mujhe paani nahi chahiye Riya
She sighed: aap yaha kya kar rahe hai?
Rathore: main chahta hun ki tum Ayesha se baat karo
Riya: What?
Rathore: ha. Woh meri baat sunne ko raazi nahi hai. Use samjhao ki main usse pyaar karta hun
She took a minute to wrap her head around what he was saying. Why exactly was she a part of this?
Riya: ek minute, aap chahte hai ki main Ayesha se baat karu? Kyun? aur main aisa kyun karungi?
Rathore: kyunki woh tumhari baat maanegi
Riya: hum itne bhi gehre dost nahi. Agar hote toh bhi main nahi karti aur waise bhi (crossing your arms) aapko yaha nahi aana chahiye tha.
Rathore: kyun nahi aana chahiye tha? Tum mere liye itna nahi kar sakti?
Riya: What is wrong with you? Itna sab kuch hone ke baad…
Rathore: itna sab kuch nahi hua! Rawte ne rayi ka paahad bana diya iska matlab…
Riya: rayi ka paahad? Aapne unhe dhoka diya!
Rathore: And that has nothing to do with Ayesha!! Maine Ayesha ko dhoka nahi diya.
Riya: really? That’s your justification. You know what? Aapko yaha se jaana chahiye.
Rathore: kyun? Tum toh criminals mein bhi achayi dhundhti rehti ho. Unhe sudharne ki chah rakhti ho. Aur just because dusri taraf Arjun hai toh tum meri help nahi karogi? Maine toh koi crime bhi nahi kiya.
She stood rooted to the ground. Unable to make sense of things.
Rathore: Pyaar karta hun main usse. Puri zindgi uske saath rehne ke sapne dekhe the maine. Aur ek din achanak mere past ki wajah se woh mujhe chod kar chali gayi.
Riya: aap… main…
He pressured her further: Kyun mujhe dusra mauka nahi mil sakta? Tum criminals ko dusra chance dena chahti ho toh mujhe kyun nahi? Sirf isliye kyunki meri ladayi Arjun se hai? (angrily) you’re a hypocrite Riya!
She was still reeling under the weight of his words when the doorbell rang. She groaned. She better not regret opening the door again.
Arjun held up a parcel: ice-cream party ho jaaye?
To his surprise, instead of getting happy, she just stared at him in disbelief.
Arjun: kya hua? Aise kyun dekh rahi ho?
She sighed and gave him way. His mood changes instantly upon seeing Rathore inside. He fumed, glancing at Riya who was busy taking the parcel from his hand. His gaze went back to Rathore. What the hell was he doing there at night alone with her?
Arjun gritted his teeth: ye yaha kya kar raha hai?
She threw her hands in the air: Mujhe nahi pata!
Arjun kicked himself mentally, coming back to his senses. How could he even think of doubting her? No wait, it wasn’t her. It was him. She started walking into the kitchen to keep the ice-cream in the fridge. Behind her, Arjun and Rathore engaged in a glaring battle. Each more furious than the other. So much so that they were ready to charge at each other.
Riya called out from the kitchen: ye mera ghar hai! khabardaar agar kisine bhi ise boxing ring banaya hai toh!
Arjun clenched his fists: Tumhari Himmat Kaise Hui Yaha Aane Ki?
Rathore: Mujhe Apni Junior Se Baat Karne Ke Liye Tumhari Permission Ki Zaroorat Nahi Hai Rawte!
Arjun: Woh Ab Tumhari Junior Nahi Hai!
Riya arrived after placing the ice-cream in the fridge.
Rathore ignored Arjun: Riya main tumse baat karna aaya hun, isse nahi
Arjun: Rathore…
Riya intervened before things got out of hand: Arjun sir, please aap shaant ho jayiye aur Rathore sir aap, main aapki koi madad nahi kar sakti
Rathore: Riya tum…
Riya: Aapne shayad sahi kaha sir ki meri hichkichahat ki wajah Arjun sir hai. Lekin Rathore sir, jis insaan ko maine apna senior, apna role model maana tha woh bharosa tut chuka hai aur ha iski wajah Arjun sir hi hai. I value him more than I do you. Rahi baat dusre mauke ki, toh woh bhi aapne sahi kaha. Second chance har kisi ko milna chahiye lekin use paane mein main aapki koi help nahi kar sakti. Aap ye kyun nahi samajte ki Ayesha aapka second chance nahi banna chahti? She is not willing to accept your past. Aur aise insaan ke saath rishta rakh kar bhi kya matlab? Main aapse request karti hun ki aap yaha se chale jayiye
Rathore: Riya…
She gritted her teeth: isse pehle ki main apni haddein paar karu, main aapse request karti hun ki aap yaha se chale jayiye!!
He clenched his fists, staring at her.
Arjun: tumhe sunayi nahi diya usne kya kaha?
He glared at him and marched towards the door. He turned before leaving.
Rathore: mujhe tumse ye umeed nahi thi Riya. You’re dead to me
He stormed off, banging the door shut. Startled at the upheaval, her eyes moistened. She quickly wiped them off.
Riya: main ice-cream lekar aati hun
He grabbed her arm, pulling her to himself. She didn’t meet his eye. He raised her chin.
Arjun: kya main tumhe behtar mehsoos karane ke liye kuch kar sakta hun?
She smiled lightly: aap already kar chuke hai (he looked at her questioningly) ice-cream laa kar
He smiled, shaking his head. They settled on the couch with ice-cream bowls and the movie with his arms around her. And she did feel better. A part of her had been feeling sad, feeling betrayed by her Rathore sir but it was good that he had shown up. It gave her closure. She felt satisfied. She hadn’t expected the harsh disdain from him as he left but it was probably for the best.
Riya: I hope Ayesha theek ho
Arjun hummed: waqt lagega Riya, itna aasan nahi hota (she agreed wordlessly) ek baat kehni thi tumse
Riya: kahiye na
Arjun: woh uh I’m sorry
Riya: kyun?
Arjun: use dekhkar mere dimag ne kaam karna band kar diya tha. Tumse rudely baat ki maine
Riya: sach kahu toh maine notice bhi nahi kiya. Main itni confused thi. Mera dhyaan bas ice-cream par tha
He shook his head: acha hua na main lekar aaya, (sarcastically) tumhara dhyaan bhatak gaya
She giggled: sach mein acha hua, main andar gayi toh mera dimag thoda firse kaam karne laga. (her smile faded) aap gussa na ho toh ek baat kahu?
Arjun: tumse toh mera gussa shaanti ho jaata hai Riya, kaho na
Riya: woh bas, jab woh baat kar rahe the. Shayad ek tareeke se socha jaaye toh unki baat sahi thi. Ki Ayesha ka is sabse kya lena dena? Woh galat decision tha, bevkufi thi jo bhi tha, unka kal tha. Main bahot confuse ho gayi thi. Aur ye bhi sahi hai ki Ayesha ko apna decision lene ka haq hai. Woh un par bharosa nahi kar sakti toh kisi ko use force nahi karna chahiye. aur agar woh pyaar ke liye use ignore kar bhi de par shak ka beej humesha rahega na? Aise rishte mein dono chah kar bhi khush nahi reh sakte
He did not comment. He was not surprised that she said that. He would have been surprised if she had not. Everybody could always count on her to sympathise with people the world stood against. After all, He was one of them too.
Riya: aap chup kyun hai?
He smiled: kya bolu main?
Riya: kuch bhi, ab aap mujhe confuse kar rahe hai
Arjun hugged her closer: Riya main kya kahu? Har kahani ke do pehlu hote haina? Ye baat sabse zyaada maine tumhi se seekhi hai. Tum mujhe puch rahi ho? jise bas sahi aur galat dikhta hai?
She thought for a moment. Then she shook her head.
Riya: shayad kabhi-kabhi bas sahi aur galat hi dekhna zaroori hota hai. Is situation mein wahi dekhna behtar hai. Agar main aapke aur unke baare mein na bhi sochu toh bhi mujhe toh unhe dekhkar yahi yaad aayega ki mera role model beimaan hai. Aur mujhe beimaani bardaasht nahi. Shayad Ayesha bhi waise hi soch rahi ho. Sahi aur galat ke beech ki baatein har baar har kisi ke bas ki baat nahi
Arjun: hmm, punch maarne ka idea toh tumne hi diya tha
Laughter forced itself through her lips: Arjun sirrr!!!
Arjun: yaar mere itne paas hokar sir mat bola kar karo
She laughed more: maine kaha tha na aadat jaate-jaate jaayegi. Tab toh bada keh rahe the (mimicking) Riya main tumhare liye puri zindgi intezaar kar sakta hun, samjhi ya samjhau?
Arjun: ha toh ye kaha tha ki intezaar kar sakta hun, ye nahi kaha tha ki bina complain kare intezaar karunga
Riya: Arjun ye kya baat hui?
Arjun: sach-sach hota hai madam (raising his collar) aur Arjun Suryakant Rawte kabhi jhoot nahi bolta, samjhi ya samjhau?
Riya: ha baba maan liya, dhany hai aap
He joined in the laughter and hugged her close. The movie and Rathore long forgotten as they basked in their love, laughing and enjoying their ice-cream.
Officially The End………………………..
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