SS: Tum Hi Ho - Page 3

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 18. Never Say Never

"Kya hua hain meri bachchi ?..."

"Kyu ro rhi hain ?..."

"Bta na.. itni raat ko... tu ghar chodke ?..."

"Kya hua hain Nikki ?..."

Rama was doing everything she could, to console her daughter.

It was fortunate that Ramesh was out of town for work, otherwise, he would have been devastated to see his beloved daughter in this state.

Since the moment she arrived, Anokhi has been sobbing uncontrollably on Rama's lap.

She never expected him to behave with her this way.

"Nikki..."

"Mera bachcha..."

"Idhar dekh na..."

"Bta kya hua hain..."

"Apni Mumma ko nhi btaayegi ?...", Rama was almost in tears.

"Mu... mma..."

"Mu... mma... Shaurya..."

"Shaurya... vo... me... mere saath-...", she couldn't say any further.

She didn't want to speak out against him. She holds no grudge against him. It's just that the way he told her everything hurt her. The fact that he wanted to get rid of her caused her pain.

All she wanted was to cry her heart out.

"Haan bol..."

"Shaurya ji ?..."

"Aage ?...", Rama tried to find out.

"K... kuch nhi Mumma..."

"Muj... mujhe bas rone do...", she clung to her even tighter.

Seeing her daughter not wanting to reveal the matter, Rama didn't force her any further, instead let her cry in her embrace.

She continued to stroke her back and Anokhi was trying to calm in her mother's arms.

She recalled what had happened a few hours before and how she arrived in Kapurthala.

◀ Flashback starts ▶

She was aimlessly walking down the street.

The rain had stopped, but her tears hadn't.

A park was the only place she was familiar with. She had little knowledge of the area during those six months.

She can't return to her home.

Home???

"That house" was no longer her home.

Her relationship with the person with whom she shared a home was destroyed today.

She found a bench in the park and sat down. Her clothes were slightly wet, and she was shivering.

All she could think about was "him".

She was completely broken at the time, and there was no one nearby with whom she could share her feelings.

Right now, she needed her Mumma.

She really wanted to go to Kapurthala right at the moment, but she didn't know how.

"Agar unhe itni pareshaani thi mujhse... toh... toh pehle kabhi mujhe iss baare mein kyu nhi btaaya...", her eyes brimmed.

"Mere saath rehna nhi chaahte... toh in chheh mahino mein kyu kuch nhi bola..."

"Vo sach mein ?... Sach mein mujhse chhutkaara paana chaahte the ?...", she cried even more.

"Par in chheh mahino mein aisa kuch to mujhe kabhi mehsoos nhi hua..."

"Humare beech normal couple jaisa relation bhale hi nhi tha... par jo bhi tha usse kabhi unko aise takleef mein toh nhi dekha..."

She buried her face in her palms and burst into tears.

But a minute later, she was taken aback when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She was frightened, and when she moved her hands aside to see who it was, she was shocked.

"Bhabhi...", he said softly.

"Ahir ji???..." she exclaimed, startled.

"Bhabhi... aap yaha itni raat ko akeli..."

"Aise andheri raat mein aap yaha ek sunsaan jagah mein akeli baithi hui hain... Aapko pta hain kitna risky hain yeh...", he expressed his possessiveness as a brother.

"Aapko pta bhi hain hum kitne pareshaan ho gaye the..."

"Hum ???...", Anokhi asked, suspiciously.

Ahir mentally scolded himself letting his tongue slip.

"Vo... vo..."

"Kuch nhi Anokhi Bhabhi..."

"Pehle aap chaliye..."

"Ghar chaliye jaldi..."

Anokhi immediately recognized who "hum" referred to.

"Aap... aap chale jaaiye Ahir ji..."

"Main chali jaaungi baad mein..."

"Bhabhi please!..."

"Aapko seriously lagta hain main aapko yaha akele chodke chala jaaunga ???... Main kahi nhi jaane vaala... Aap mere saath hi jaayengi..."

"Nhi Ahir ji..."

"Mujhe kahi nhi jaana..."

"Main subha hote hi Kapurthala chali jaaungi..."

"Bhabhi..."

"Aap bhaai nhi maanti mujhe apna...", he sounded hurt.

"Nhi Ahir ji... Aisi baat nhi-..."

"Toh fir aur koi baat nhi..."

"Main khud aapko Kapurthala chod dunga..."

"Aap chaliye mere saath..."

"Aap ?... Mujhe ?... Lekin itni raat ko aapko takleef hogi..."

"Bhabhi... Maine kaha na..."

"Jab tak aap safely ghar nhi pohonch jaati... main kahi nhi jaa rha aapko chodke..."

"Ab bas bohot hua... Mere saath chaliye..."

Anokhi still sat there silently staring at him.

"Apne bhaai ka kehna nhi maanengi aap ?...", he said upset.

Anokhi stood up like an obedient child, a faint smile on her face at his brotherly nature.

Ahir too smiled seeing her listening to him.

He had always looked at her like his younger sister, but he was also hurt. Shaurya had informed him of everything, and they were both frantically looking for her.

Shaurya felt guilty and worried about what would happen if he couldn't find her. But, eventually, Shaurya was reminded that the park was a place she frequently visited to meet her friend and that she needed to be there.

Finally, they discovered her there, crying silently.

Shaurya knew she would never go with him or Ahir if he was present, so he sent Ahir alone to take her safely.

But now, when Anokhi said she wanted to go to Kapurthala, Ahir didn't deny it because he couldn't leave her alone in the desolate place as he knew she won't return to his house.

Finally, they made their way to Ahir's car.

While one person was silently peeping on them, and Ahir had seen him as well from the mirror. It was his "buddy" making sure Anokhi was okay.

Shaurya was relieved that she could now live a happy life in Kapurthala, rather than with him in Chandigarh.

He stood there silently crying as the car drove away.

Maybe it was the last time he saw her because their relationship was over.

She'll never come back.

But NEVER SAY NEVER!

Isn't it ?

Who knows if he himself would be the one to go to Kapurthala just to bring her back to keep her close to him forever ?

Anokhi was unaware that Shaurya was also present at the park. She couldn't deny Ahir, nor did she want to be in the park alone; she needed her mother right now.

She sat in the car, sobbing on the inside quietly, but she didn't tell Ahir anything.

She didn't know if Ahir was aware of their conflict. But she was sure that he had sent Ahir to check on her.

It was a completely silent journey.

However, when they arrived at Anokhi's house in Kapurthala and Anokhi was bidding him farewell after thanking him, Ahir finally spoke up.

"Bhabhi..."

"Ek baat kehni thi...", he sounded serious yet calm.

"Jee Ahir ji..."

"Aaj jo bhi kiya Shaurya ne... vo galat tha... bilkul galat tha..."

"Main khud usse naaraaz hoon uske liye..."

"Lekin Bhabhi... usne jo bhi kiya... voh dil se nhi kiya... ", he said, looking her in the eyes.

Anokhi averted her gaze as if she didn't want to hear anything about him.

"Uske aisa karne ke peeche ek vajah thi Bhabhi..."

"Lekin main sirf ek baat kehna chaahunga..."

"Shaurya ne yeh mujhse kabhi nhi kaha..."

"Par main jaanta hoon...", he sounded gentle.

"VO AAPKE BINA NHI REH SAKTA BHABHI..."

Anokhi looked at him, dumbfounded, and a single tear fell from her eyes.

"Main aapko force nhi karunga...

"Lekin..."

"Bas ek wish hain aapke iss bhaai ki aapse..."

Anokhi was working hard to keep her emotions under control.

"Ek baar vo vajah jaanne ki koshish zaroor karna..."

"Main hoon aapke saath humesha..."

"Chalta hoon Bhabhi..."

He ignited the engine and went away leaving Anokhi staring at it in daze.

"VO AAPKE BINA NHI REH SAKTA BHABHI..."

"Ek baar vo vajah jaanne ki koshish zaroor karna..."

These words resounded in her ears.

◀ Flashback ends ▶

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 19. Broken Souls

A new day had dawned, but two unhealed souls with broken hearts sat in their bed, teary-eyed.

Shaurya and Anokhi were both in their respective places but neither had slept the whole night.

Shaurya had been crying the entire night, recalling her departure.

How rash he was with her.

How hurt she would have been.

Throughout the night, her teary face was flashing across his eyes.

Those tears were solely due to him!!

"Mujhe nhi pta tha aapko meri vajah se itne mahino se itni takleef sehni padi..."

"Aa... aap mujhe... mujhe pehle hi bta sakte the... ki aapko mujhse chhutkaara chaahiye... main pehle hi chali jaati..."

She was blaming herself for ruining his life, but he couldn't even tell her the truth.

He was afraid that if he revealed the secret then she might have left him, so before that happened, he himself told her to leave him so that it won't hurt him later.

Why didn't he try to figure out why it would hurt him if she left?

Why didn't he try to tell her the secret matter for once?

This was his biggest mistake!

He had no idea that the woman he was thinking about loved him to such extent that she would have happily left him for his sake if he had asked her to do so, but only if he had given her valid reasons, not the way he had treated her the day before.

He was wondering what he will tell Shaan and Aastha upon their return.

How will he justify his actions?

He was ashamed of himself.

Will he say that he made her compelled to leave the house on a rainy night?

What a bad guy he was.

The whole night he was alone and the "her pillow" was his only companion in this sorrowful time. This was the only thing Shaurya could weep on right now.

In memory of her, he didn't let go of the pillow for the entire night.

What was he going to do with the rest of his life without her then?

"Ano... khi...", he wept.

"I'm sor... ry..."

"I'm sorry...", he cried.

"I'm so sorry..."

"Maine jo bhi kaha kal... vo gusse mein... kaha..."

"Mujhe nhi pta ki main kyu ro rha hoon..."

"Mujhe nhi pta ki tumhaare jaane ka mujhe dukh kyun hain..."

"Mujhe nhi pta ki mujhe tumhaari yaad kyu aa rhi hain..."

"Main bas itna jaanta hoon ki maine tumhe hurt kiya bohot..."

"Uske liye sor... ry...", he buried his face in the pillow, feeling as if he were in her embrace. Now it's his only companion.

He didn't know why he was crying.

He didn't understand why her tears affected him.

All he knew was that he had purposefully hurt her.

⁂

Anokhi sat in bed, her knees clasped to her chest, her face buried.

She had been thinking about him all night.

She spent the entire night wondering if she was so awful that he couldn't stand her.

"VO AAPKE BINA NHI REH SAKTA BHABHI..."

Even though the words he had spoken the day before had hurt her, all she could think about now was how he would live without her.

She was well aware that if he couldn't look after himself, how could he possibly be okay?

She had noticed that he too was crying the day before.

Why was he crying when he himself had told her to leave?

She was still thinking about him after being so badly hurt.

"M... main toh yaha aa gayi... Vo... vo kya kar rhe honge?... "

"Abhi toh... abhi toh unka office jaane ka bhi time ho gya... unhone apne kapde nikaal liye honge ?... Ya fir vo bhi... meri tarah... aise...", her tears stream down her cheeks.

"M... main kyu sochu unke baare mein?..."

"Main nhi sochungi... Ab... ab toh humaara koi rishta nhi rha na..."

"Ab se toh sab kaam unhe kh... khud hi karna padega na..."

"Main nhi sochungi... nhi sochungi iss baare mein..."

"Lekin...", she cried out.

"Vo mere bina kaise rahenge...", she squealed in tears.

"Main to jaanti hoona na... vo apna khayal rakhne mein kitni laaparvaahi karte hain... To... toh fir vo mere bina...", she sighed, closing her eyes to keep the tears at bay.

She felt a gentle hand on her head after a while. She looked up.

"Mumma...", she collapsed in her arms.

"Nikki..."

"Bachcha kya hua hain..."

"Ab toh bta de... Teri Mumma ko chinta ho rhi hain puttar..."

Now Anokhi felt compelled to say something, to provide a valid reason for leaving home late at night.

"Vo... m... me... ra... mera Shaurya ke saath jhagda ho gaya...", she said in a crackling voice, turning her face.

"Kya baat hui thi Nikki ?...", Rama held her face.

"Shaurya ji ne tujhse kuch kaha kya ?..."

"Nhi!...", exclaimed Anokhi.

Now Anokhi was in a dilemma. She didn't want to tell them her Shaurya had told her he didn't want to live with her anymore. Her Mumma would be upset if she found out, and she herself was somewhere not able to believe that Shaurya told it heartily.

So she dodged her question.

"Mumma..."

"Unhone mujhse kuch nhi kaha..."

"Bas... m... main ab vaapas kabhi nhi jaaungi...", she sobbed.

This came as a shock to Rama.

"Nikki puttar ?!..."

"Yeh tu kya keh rhi hain..."

"Vha kabhi nhi jaayegi matlab ??..."

"Kis baat pe tum dono ka jhagda hua ki aise raat mein tu Chandigarh se yaha Kapurthal aa gayi ?..."

"Aisa kya hua hain jo tu humesha ke liye ghar chodkar aa gayi beta..."

"Mujhe bta na..."

"Main hoon na tere saath...", she was tensed.

Anokhi didn't want to say anything else, so she got out of bed and said, "Koi baat nhi hain Mumma..."

"Bas itna samjh leejiye ki humaara rishta ab khatam ho chuka hain..."

As she said this, she ran out of the room in tears, leaving Rama stunned.

"Rishta khatam ho chuka hain????..."

"Yeh Nikki kya kehke gayi mujhe...", she was on the verge of crying.

"Hey Matarani..."

"Mujhe nhi pta ki meri bachchi aisa kyu kar rhi hain..."

"Main bas itna jaanti hoon ki vo Shaurya jee se bohot pyaar karti hain... "

"Unko chodkar aayi hain... isiliye toh yeh aansu hain..."

"Jabse aayi hain tabse sirf roye jaa rhi hain..."

"Matarani..."

"Aap sab kuch theek kardo..."

"Meri bachchi aur Shaurya ji ki zindagi mein sab kuch pehle jaisa ho jaaye...", she cried as she folded her hands.

She knew everything there was to know about her daughter because she was a mother.

She also knew how Shaurya was. He was a gentle man she knew. He may not have intended to hurt her daughter.

She had always seen Anokhi's concern and love for Shaurya in her eyes.

Though she has no idea what happened between them, she knows one thing for certain: her daughter misses him despite whatever quarrel she mentioned.

She too got up and left in hope that slowly, things will fall back to its place...

⁂

The bag fell on the floor from Shaan's hands and Aastha stood there in shock.

Shaan grabbed Shaurya's shoulder right away.

"What is this Shaurya?????..."

"Tum... tum kya keh rhe ho ye ???!!..."

"Meri beti ghar chodkar chali gayi ??..."

"Aisa kaise ho sakta hain ??..."

Shaurya stood there with his head bowed down.

"Sh... Shaurya..."

"Meri Anokhi... vo... vo chali gayi ?...", Aastha said as her eyes welled up.

Shaurya put on a brave face and said, "Haan!!..."

"Maine bhej diya use..."

"Mujhe nhi rehna uske saath..."

"Tang aa chuka tha main usse..."

"Shaurya!!...", Shaan screamed.

"Yeh kya bole jaa rhe ho tum ???... Haan?!..."

"Hum kuch dino ke liye baahar gaye aur... aur ghar mein yeh ho gaya ?...", Shaan was enraged.

"Tumhaari himmat kaise hui Anokhi se yeh sab bolne ki ?..."

"Aakhir kyun kiya tumne aisa Shaurya?!..."

"Vajah aap dono jaante ho...", Shaurya said.

Shaan and Aastha's eyes widened.

"Iska matlab..."

"Iska matlab Anokhi ko vo baat pta chal gayi ?... Isiliye... Isiliye vo chali gayi ?...", Shaan was unable to believe while Aastha stood there in tears.

"Nhi...", Shuarya answered.

"Maine use us baare mein kuch nhi btaaya..."

"Aap sabhi jaante ho..."

"Maa... Dad... Vo yaha mere saath khush nhi thi... Toh aap use mere liye sacrifice kaise karne de sakte ho ??..."

"Maine khud hi use bola ki main... main yeh rishta nhi rakhna chaahta aur... aur isiliye maine use keh diya ki vo chali jaaye..."

"Maine use ye ghar chodne ke liye majboor kiya..."

"Shaurya tumhe andaaza bhi hain tumne kya kiya ?!...", Shaan was too angry.

"Vo maasoom si bachchi ko tumne aise chot pahunchaaya..."

"Pta bhi hain tumhe... tum uske liye kitna maayne rakhte ho ?!!...", he yelled at the top his lungs.

Shaurya looked up with teary eyes.

"Tumne use sach bta kyun nhi diya Shaurya?!... Ek baar bta ke toh dekhte... Vo tumhaari baat samajhti... Tumhe uspar itna bhi bharosa-...", Aastha was cut in middle by him.

"Main nhi chaahta meri vajah se kisiko sacrifice karna pade..."

"Vo chali gayi..."

"Ab vo vha khushi se reh sakti hain..."

"Aur tum??!...", Shaan cut in.

"Tum reh loge uske bina?...Poori life ?..."

"Haan!... Reh loonga main...", Shaurya snapped back but couldn't muster the courage to look them in the eyes.

"Ab mujhe iss baare mein aur koi baat nhi karni Maa... Main jaa rha hoon office...", he yelled as he stormed out.

Aastha kept staring at his disappearing figure.

"Sh... Shaan..."

"Yeh... yeh kya ho gaya..."

"Mere bachcho ki zindagi mein yeh kaisa toofaan aa gaya..."

"Ab... ab kya-..."

"Main khudko kabhi maaf nhi kar paaunga Aastha...", Shaan said in agony.

"Agar hum pehle hi Anokhi ko vo baat bta dete... toh jo hona hota pehle hi ho jaata... Aaj aise Shaurya aur Anokhi ko ek doosre se door hone ka dard nhi sehna padta..."

"Lekin ab kya Shaan?!...", Aastha cried out.

"Meri beti kabhi vaapas nhi aayegi ?..."

"Main... main kaise... Mera beta kaise rahega uske bina ???..."

"Muje nhi pta..."

"Kuch nhi pta...", Shaan lamented as he went upstairs.

Aastha kept looking at his retreating figure with blurry eyes.

"Ek baar usko bta ke toh dekhte Shaurya..."

"Mujhe vishvaas hain vo us vajah se khudko tumse door kabhi nhi karti..."

"Lekin tumne... tumne khud hi apne aap ko usse door kar liya...", Aastha stood there alone in the drawing room, tears streaming down her face and onto the floor...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 20. Tujhse Naaraaz Nhi Zindagi...

Ahir was working on his laptop and was almost over with his work.

He cast a glance at Shaurya, who was sitting there lifeless with the laptop, staring at the screen blankly but doing nothing.

He was also upset with him for doing this to Anokhi. He hadn't expected that he will throw her out of his life this way, that too without revealing anything to her.

Shaurya justified his actions by claiming that what he did was right and that she would grow to accept it and be happy as he no longer desired the relationship, but did he consider where her true happiness lay?

The answer was NO.

He recalls the conversation he had with him the night before when Shaurya called.

◀ Flashback starts ▶

"What ??!!!..."

"Anokhi Bhabhi ghar chodkar chali gayi ??..."

"Tu aisa kaise kar sakta hain unke saath ?!..."

"Tune itna bura bartaav kiya unke saath... I can't believe it Shaurya... Tu...", he yelled.

"M... maine... maine majboor kiya tha use..."

"Uski koi galti nhi hain... Tu bas use dhoondne mein meri madad karde... please..."

"Vo itni raat ko... baarish mein... pta nhi kaha hogi vo..."

"Use kuch ho gaya toh main khud ko kabhi maaf nhi kar paaunga... Please... use dhoond de... Please...", Shaurya begged, crying.

"Achcha achcha okk!..."

"Tu phone rakh..."

"Main bas abhi aa rha hoon..."

It was then that he arrived at Shaurya's house, and the two of them began looking for her, eventually finding her in that park.

◀ Flashback ends ▶

He was in no mood to talk to Shaurya, so he stood up and left without even telling him goodbye.

While Ahir's departure jolted Shaurya out of his stupor, he too sighed deeply and closed the laptop.

However, as he stood up, he realized that when he returned home, he would be welcomed by an empty room.

A room, where he might not be able to see her again.

Furthermore, his parents were disappointed with him for his actions toward Anokhi.

Even Ahir had stopped speaking to him soon after his arrival from Kapurthala.

He felt very lonely because, first and foremost, he was an introvert, and this was causing him a great deal of pain.

But only he was responsible for it. As a result, he didn't dwell on it any longer and walked away.

On his way to the parking area, he was thinking just one thing.

"Kyu humesha mere saath hi aisa hota hain?..."

"Life mere saath aisa khel kyun khelti hain?..."

"Mujhse tumhaari koi dushmani hain kya?...", he inquired about his life.

"Do saal pehle bhi-...", he didn't complete as tears gleamed in his eyes.

Tujhse naaraaz nahi zindagi

Hairaan hoon main

Ho...

Hairaan hoon mai...

He cried silently the entire way back to his house in his car.

He rang the doorbell, and Aastha opened the door. Her eyes were puffy, and he knew it was because of him.

Aastha was upset with him, but he was his son, after all. She could see the pain in his eyes as well, so she tried to let go of the grudge.

"Haath- mooh dho lo Sahurya...", she tried to sound normal as he entered in.

"Main dinner laga deti hoon..." she was about to turn, but he stopped her.

"Naaraaz ho mujhse Maa?..." he asked, his voice cracking.

Aastha took her hand out of his grip and said, "Tumne kaam hi aisa kiya hain..." before walking away.

Shuarya stood there, teary-eyed, at her departing figure.

"Koi mujhse baat nhi kar rha... Sabhi mujhse gussa hain...", he muttered, feeling lonely and sad.

And then he went upstairs.

⁂

When he entered the room, the pin drop silence killed him.

Does he has to experience it for the lifetime?

How is he going to handle it?

Jeene ke liye socha hi nahi

Dard sambhalne honge

Muskuraaye to muskuraane ke

Karz utaarne honge

Nevertheless, he took off his watch and putting it on the dressing table, he looked at the mirror.

He used to look at her in the mirror at times. He remembered it with tears in his eyes and smiled.

Is he not going to see it again?

Muskuraun kabhi to lagta hai

Jaise hothon pe karz rakha hai

Ho...

Tujhse naaraz nahi zindagi

Hairaan hoon main

Ho...

Hairaan hoon main...

He was about to go to freshen up when he realized he had to take his clothes out of the almirah himself from now on.

He sarcastically smiled, because everything he was about to do reminded him of her.

He went downstairs after a quick shower.

⁂

He was not in the mood to eat, but he knew Aastha would force him to, so he had no choice.

He sat on the chair and and there was a tension in the air.

Shaan's attention was fixed on his plate. He was clearly upset with him, as evidenced by his facial expression.

Shaurya attempted to converse with him.

"Dad..."

Instead of speaking, he stood up and left the dinner in the middle.

"Shaan..."

"Mujhe force mat karo Aastha...", he said as he walked away.

It hurt Shaurya even more. He couldn't take it any longer.

"Maa..."

"Mera bhi ho gaya...", he walked away.

Aastha sat alone there, her eyes welling up.

"Anokhi..."

"Tumhaare chale jaane se dekho kya ho gaya..."

"Ek baar bhi apne iss Maa ke baare mein nhi socha...", a lone tear escaped her eyes.

She, too, stood up and cleaned up the half-eaten food before heading for her room.

⁂

Shaurya was alone in his room with his one and only "pillow companion".

"Pillow..."

"Tumhe pta hain..."

"Jabse tumhaari maalkin yaha se gayi hain... tabse... tabse sabhi mere saath aisa behave kar rhe hain..."

"Lekin... lekin main... main aur kya karta..."

"Mujhe yahi sahi lga tha tab...", he began crying.

"Mera dost Ahir bhi mujhse naaraaz hain..."

"Maa bhi udaas hain... aur Dad bhi..."

"Pillow..."

"Tumhaari maalkin toh mujhe... mujhe chodkar chali gayi... Maine use khud chodne par majboor kiya... Par... par kya vo kabhi vaapas nhi aayegi?... Ek baar mujhe daantne bhi nhi aayegi?... Main uski daant sun loonga... par bas ek baar agr... vo... vaapas...", he cried out.

He was sobbing quietly, and he soon closed his eyes in tears and fell asleep.

Aastha came in later and burst into silent sobs when he saw his son clinging to Anokhi's pillow.

She was a mother, after all.

How longer could she stay angry on him?

She didn't even call Anokhi because his stubborn son had requested it.

She walked over to the bed and sat down next to him. His face was stained with tears.

She couldn't take it any longer. She raised her hand and placed it on his forehead. She ruffled his hair with her fingers.

"Mera Laddoo...", she sobbed.

"Kyu kiya tumne aisa Shaurya..."

"Itni takleef hogi uske bina... yeh jaante hue bhi use itna dard kyun diya tumne..."

"Main... main phone bhi nhi kar sakti usko..."

"Tumne jo mana kiya hua hain mujhe..."

"Aur... aur Shaan toh kisi se bhi nhi baat kar rha..."

She took a sniff.

She caressed his head for a few moments before standing up to leave.

He grabbed her hand just as she was about to walk away.

"Mat jaao na Maa...", came his trembling voice.

She turned back.

He sat up and drew her in closer with his hand.

"Please mat jaao..."

"Aaj... aaj mere saath koi nhi hain..."

"Koi mujhse baat nhi kar rha... Mujhe bohot akela lag rha hain..."

"Sabhi mere saath aisa kyun kar rhe hain..."

"Please aap to baat karo mujhse Maa..."

She couldn't take it anymore and drew him into a tight hug.

She began to cry as she said, "Shaurya..."

"Kyun karte ho aisa tum Shaurya..."

"Gusse mein aakar itna bada faisla... bina soche-samjhe le liya..."

"Nhi Maa!..."

"Sab kuch soch samajh kar hi kiya hain...", he cried.

"Aap... aap bas mere paas rahiye aaj raat..."

He placed his head on her lap and said like a child, "Mujhe apni godi mein sone deejiye... Mujhe chodkar mat chali jaana raat ko..."

Aastha was shattered seeing her son in so much pain. She had had enough of his grief and had finally let go of her rage.

Shaurya was still crying and had his face buried in her lap.

She stroked his head constantly, and he soon fell asleep remembering HER...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 21. Jiyen Kyun

Shaan sat silently in the chair, staring out the window.

"Shaan..."

"Hmmm...", he didn't turn.

"Tum Shaurya se baat nhi kar rhe... Aisa karke tum apne bete ko dukh pohoncha rhe ho... Maana ki usne galti-..."

"Galti meri hain...", he cut in.

"Kya keh rhe ho Shaan..."

"Haan Aastha..."

"Galti meri hi hain... Galti humaari hain..."

"Jab vo dono shaadi karna chaahte hi nhi the... hume bhi tab zabardasti nhi karni chaahiye thi..."

"Meri vajah se... meri beti Anokhi ko kitna dukh pohoncha..."

"Usse phone pe baat karne ki himmat bhi nhi hain mujh mein..."

"Shaan..."

"Main jaanti hoon Anokhi ke saath galat hua... Shaurya ne jo bhi baate usse boli... usse use bohot chot pahunchi hogi... Mujhe khud apne aap par gussa aa rha hain ki bevajah meri bachchi ko itna sab sehna pad rha hain... "

"Lekin main... main chaahti hoon ki vo vaapas aa jaaye..."

Shaan turned around and looked at her.

Aastha continued, "Lekin Anokhi bhi galat nhi hain... vo apni jagah bilkul theek hain..."

"Jab Shaurya ne vo kadvi baatein bolkar use yaha se jaane ke liye bol diya... usse rishta tod diya... Toh vo apni self-respect ko chodke yaha vaapaas kyu aayegi..."

"Lekin... lekin Shaan ek baar... ek baar Anokhi se hum baat karke toh dekh sakte haina..."

"Vo baat hum use bta dete haina... "

"Kya pta sab theek ho jaaye... Kam se kam Anokhi ko yeh pta toh chale ki Shaurya ne us din vo baatein dil se nhi kahi thi... Vo iss shaadi ko koi galti nhi maanta...", she said with hope.

"Main jaanti hoon main selfish ho rhi hoon apne bete ke khushi ke liye...."

"Lekin main yeh bhi toh jaanti hoon na... ki vo dono ek doosre ke bina nhi reh paayenge...", she cried.

"Kaise baat karunga main Aastha?..."

"Main toh gunehgaar hoon uska... Mujhse nhi ho paayega...", he sobbed.

Aastha stared helplessly at him.

They can't help but wait to see what fate has in store for them.

⁂

Anokhi sat in bed, her face buried in her knees and her hands clutched tightly around her knees.

Since the day she arrived in Kapurthala, she has been in this state.

She didn't eat well, nor did she communicate well with anyone.

She sat alone in her room all day remembering HIM, and whenever her Papa ji or Mumma inquired or said anything to her, she would dodge their questions.

Her parents were too worried because they couldn't find out what actually had happened.

They wanted to know that what exactly the reason was ?

Why did she return to Kapurthala forever?

What happened between them that prompted her to act in this manner?

But they were unable to obtain answers because she remained silent, only stating that they had a disagreement and that she no longer desired the relationship.

They were astounded when they heard it because Shaurya and Anokhi had both arrived there a few days before and everything appeared to be fine, so what happened all of a sudden that she took such a big step ?

They, too, were helpless like Shaan and Aastha.

They were tensed what was going to happen now.

They tried to persuade her that quarrels between couples are normal, but it was in vain.

They even told her that they would talk to Shaan and Aastha to solve the problem, but she immediately denied them, saying that if they did, she would be upset with them.

"Puttar..."

"Baat ki hain... yeh toh bta..."

"Hume chinta ho rhi hain puttar... Kuch to bta apne Papa ji ko...", Ramesh asked concerned.

"Maine kaha na Papa ji... mujhe koi baat nhi karni..."

"Bas mujhe akela chod do mere room mein..."

"Lekin Nikki puttar..."

"Hume kuch to bta... aise hume bohot chinta ho rhi hain..."

"Humaari bachchi aise ghar chodkar aa gayi humesha ke liye aur hum aise chup-chaap baithe rahenge ?... Kya hua kuch toh bta... Hum Shaan aur Aastha ji se baat karenge..."

"Nhi !!...", Anokhi immediately cut him in middle.

"Aap... aap unse... unse koi baat nhi karenge..."

"Meri unse koi naaraazgi nhi hain... Please... meri ek hi request hain ki unse kuch mat kehna..."

"Bas mujhe yaha mere room mein akela chod deejiye...", she sobbed.

They, too, like Shaan and Aastha, were powerless and had no choice but to wait for destiny's plan.

⁂

It's been days since they saw each other.

Days were passing by in remembrance of each other.

Like every day, Shaurya returned home from work and went to his room.

The moment he stepped inside, he was jolted to his core.

There she was, near the almirah taking out clothes for him.

"Anokhi...", a gasp left his lips with a lone tear escaping his eyes.

He took inadvertent steps towards her, but just as he was about to place his hand on her shoulder, she vanished into thin air.

He looked here and there in haste.

"Anokhi?..."

"V... vo yahi thi..."

"Maine dekha ... vo yahi thi..."

But then he was confronted with reality.

"Nhi..."

"Aisa kaise ho sakta hain..."

"Vo to chali gayi haina..."

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he said, "HUMESHA KE LIYE..."

He walked over to the almirah, and just as he was about to take his shirt out, his gaze was drawn to the side.

Her folded clothes were placed there.

With tears in his eyes, he smiled.

Whenever her absence kills him, he comes there and touches them, as it reminds him of her presence.

Her pillow, her accessories, her clothes -- only these materialistic things are his companions now, with whom he can share his feelings.

"Uska pillow hain..."

"Uske gehne hain... "

"Uske kapde hain..."

"LEKIN VO NHI HAIN...", tears wept as this pierced his heart.

He went to freshen up, tears bubbling up in his eyes.

After dinner, he returned to his room.

Just as he was about lay down on the bed after taking off his slippers, he heard the soft voice.

"Davaai lena bhool gaye na..."

He shifted his gaze to the bedside table, where she was taking out medicine from the cabinet.

"Anokhi..."

He stood up and walked towards her, saying, "Tumhe... tumhe yaad tha..."

"Tum mere liye aayi hona... mujhe davaai dene... Mera khyaal hain tumhe abhi bhi... ", he smiled through tears.

"Tumhe yaad hain na... toh mujhe yaad rakhne ki koi zaroorat kya...", he said, smiling, but she evaporated just as he was about to hold her hand.

When he looked around, the reality smacked him hard in the face once more.

With a gloomy expression on his face, he opened the drawer, took out the medicine, and gulped it down with water.

As he closed the drawer, he leaned down against it slowly, not able to control his emotions anymore.

"Aisa kyu kar rhi ho tum Anokhi..."

"Kyu baar-baar mere saamne aake... aise... mujhe...", his tears rolled down.

"Ek baar jaane se pehle mujhe tumne daanta bhi nhi Anokhi..."

"Saamne nhi... toh phone kar ke hi daant deti... Main sun leta...", he smiled sarcastically.

He realized he'd never be able to hear her again, not even on the phone.

He'd never be able to hear her scolding.

He'd never be able to see her reflection in the mirror.

He'd never be able to wear the clothes chosen by her.

He'd never be able to catch a glimpse of her in the kitchen, stealing glances from him as he walked down the stairs every morning.

He'd never be able to see her serve him the breakfast so close to him.

He'd never be able to see her in bed at night.

He'd never be able to see her in his vicinity.

He'd never be able to see her during day, noon and night.

Na aaye ho, na aaoge, na phone pe bulaoge

Na shaam ki karaari chai, labon se yoon pilaaoge...

Na aaye ho, na aaoge, na din dhale sataaoge

Na raat ki nashili bye se neendh mein jagaaoge...

He would never be able to see her again.

She was gone but her memory lives on.

Gaye tum gaye ho kyun...

Yeh raat baaki hai

Gaye tum gaye ho kyun...

Saath baaki hai

Gaye tum gaye hum tham gaye

Har baat baaki hai

Gaye kyun...

Toh jiyein kyun...

He struggled to his feet and laid down on the bed, her pillow close to his heart.

He closed his eyes, but all he saw in the darkness was HER.

Under his eyelids, he could see her teary face, smiling face, pouty cute face, and innocent radiant face.

His sleep was stolen.

And the reason was HER.

After all, he couldn't sleep because of what he'd done to her.

Aankh bhi tham gayi... na thaki

Raat bhi na bati... na kati

Raat bhi chherti marrti

Neend bhi lutt gayi... chhin gayi

Raat bhi na sahi... na rahi

Raat bhi laazmi... zaalmi

He closed his eyes several times, but to no avail.

He shuffled around the bed all night, imagining the angelic sleeping structure, and feeling disgusted with himself for wounding that innocent soul.

The night kept him haunting.

Gaye tum gaye ho kyun...

Yeh raat baaki hai

Gaye tum gaye ho kyun...

Saath baaki hai

Gaye tum gaye hum tham gaye

Har baat baaki hai

Gaye kyun...

Toh jiyein kyun...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 22. Kaisi Vajah?

For almost a week, Anokhi has been in Kapurthala.

Every day, before waking up, she thought of him. Every night, before going to sleep, she thought of him.

Despite her sadness, one thing that was always hunching in her mind these days was Ahir's words.

Even though she was deeply hurt by his actions, she couldn't believe how that everything he did to her was heartily.

He wasn't the type of person to inflict such pain on others.

He wasn't someone who hurt others on purpose.

So,why did he do that to her ?

She pondered each of Ahir's words for a long time.

"Uske aisa karne ke peeche ek vajah thi Bhabhi..."

"Ek baar vo vajah jaanne ki koshish zaroor karna..."

He had explained that there was a "reason" for Shaurya's actions.

What reason he was talking about?

Didn't Shaurya himself tell her that he wanted to get rid of her, that he no longer wanted the relationship, that it was his biggest mistake in life, so what's the other reason?

She was well aware that Ahir and Shaurya had a strong friendship, and that Ahir undoubtedly knew something. He wouldn't lie to defend his friend, after all, he was like her brother. He, too, wished her well.

She sat up and wiped her tear-filled eyes.

"Kaisi vajah?..."

"Aisi kya vajah hain jo Shaurya mujhe nhi bta paaye ?..."

Her eyes welled up as she said, "Unhone... unhone hi toh khud mujhse kaha tha na..."

"Mere saath vo nhi rehna chaahte..."

"Isiliye toh mujhse jaane ke liye bola..."

"Toh fir ?..."

"Toh fir aur kya vajah ho sakti hain ?...", she was perplexed and depressed.

"Aur... aur us din baar-baar vo mujhe aisa kyu bol rhe the ki main unke liye sacrifice kar rhi hoon ?..."

"Maine aisa kab kaha ?..."

"Maine kab kaha ki main vha khush nhi hoon ?..."

"Toh fir kyun mere saath unhone aisa bartaav kiya ?...", she sobbed.

"Mujhe... mujhe jaanna hoga..."

"Aisa kyu lag rha hain mujhe ki koi baat mujhse chhupaayi gayi ?..."

"Mujhe jaanna hoga... Mujhe jaanna hoga ki aisi kya vajah thi jiske liye unhone mujhe vo sab kaha tha us din..."

She got out of bed and went to freshen up.

Her mood was low like everyday, but today, she was determined to figure out the true reason.

Every word he said hurt her, but still somewhere, she didn't want to believe them.

Something was hounding her from somewhere.

The manner in which Shaurya's sudden outburst came out that day, was making her suspicious.

Was everything he said to her true ?

Was there anything he didn't want her to know?

She wished she had all the answers right away, but she had to wait.

She knew "the person" who could only assist her in answering these questions.

Her eyes were puffy when she emerged from the bath.

She dialed that person's number right away.

⁂

Ahir quickly packed his laptop, but Shaurya interrupted him just as he was about to leave.

"Kaha jaa rha hain ?..."

Even though they weren't on speaking terms, Ahir used to respond to him in one word.

"Ghar..." he said sternly.

"Itni jaldi ?..."

"Haan...", he walked away without even looking at him.

Shaurya kept staring at him, flummoxed and sad.

⁂

Ahir walked over to the parking area and dialed a number.

*Ring*... *Ring*... *Ring*

"Hello..."

...

"Jee main bas abhi nikal rha hoon..."

...

"Hmmm...", he hung up the call.

He sat in his car, determined to accomplish an "important work" today.

He was thinking something as he steered the steering wheel.

"Tu toh kuch karega nhi Shaurya..."

"Mujhe hi kuch karna padega...", he said as he drove towards the destination, shaking his head in disbelief.

⁂

After a several-hour ride, Ahir finally reached his destination.

The place for completing that "important work".

The place where the "secret" would be revealed.

"Aaj main unhe sab kuch bta doonga Shaurya..."

"Aur wait nhi karva sakta main Anokhi Bhabhi ko..."

He got off the car and entered the restaurant. He cast a glance around and then saw her.

There she was, sitting on the corner table, with a glum expression on her face.

Pain and hurt were visible in her eyes.

He walked slowly over to the table and took a seat. It was then, her gaze shifted to him.

"Boliye..."

"Aapne mujhe yaha kyu bulaaya ?...", he inquired, despite the fact that he was well aware of the reason.

"Ahir ji..."

"Aapko yaha aana pada mere liye... uske liye sorry..."

"Use chodiye Anokhi Bhabhi..."

"Aap btaaiye... Main aapki kaise madad kar sakta hoon ?... Aapko meri help chaahiye aapne kaha tha..."

"J... jee... Mujhe aapki help chaahiye..."

"Vo... Sh... Shaurya... kaise ?... Theek... haina ?...", she fumbled over words.

Ahir realized that she was asking about Shaurya.

He was astounded that despite being so badly hurt; she was inquiring about the well-being of the person who was the reason behind her such state.

How much she loved him, Ahir thought.

So he answered, "Shaurya theek nhi hain Bhabhi..."

And this time, a lone tear escaped her eyes.

"Vo aapke bina theek kaise reh sakta hain...", Ahir continued.

"Vo aapke jaane ke baad se aur bhi akela ho gaya hain..."

"Main bhi usse naaraaz hoon... Apna khyaal nhi rakhta vo... Bas ghar se office... office se ghar... Par poore din bohot dukhi rehta hain... Khaana bhi time par nhi khaata mujhe Aastha aunty ne btaaya tha..."

"Uncle aur Aunty bhi ki bhi aisi hi sthiti hain... Vo aapko bohot yaad karte hain..."

"Aap... aap Uncle - Aunty se milne bhi nhi jaayengi ?...", Ahir asked with hope.

Anokhi was struggling to keep her emotions under control.

First, he was not well, it pained her; Shaan and Aastha's matter broke her even more.

She wiped her tears and said, "Maa aur Papa se meri koi naaraazgi nhi hain... lekin... lekin vo... vo mujhe vaapas vha nhi dekhna chaahenge... isiliye main bhi vha kabhi nhi jaaungi...", she said with heavy heart.

"Bhabhi... aapko maine btaaya tha na... Usne jo bhi kiya uske peeche ek vajah-..."

"Kaisi vajah Ahir ji?... Kya vajah thi unke aisa karne ke peeche?... ", Anokhi cut in.

"Aap jaante hain vo vajah Ahir ji ?... Agar haan toh mujhe kabhi kisine kyun nhi btaaya ?...", she cried out.

"Anokhi Bhabhi..."

"Main jaanta hoon vo vajah...", he said.

Anokhi looked up in his eyes.

"Toh fir btaaiye Ahir ji..."

"Mujhe bhi jaanna hain..."

"Kya mera hak nhi hain jaanne ka ?...", her voice quivered off.

"Hain..."

"Shaurya ko nhi pta ki main yaha aapse milne aaya hoon... Lekin main bhi ab chup nhi reh paaunga..."

"Aapka hak hain... aap uski wife hain... aapko bhi vo baat pta honi chaahiye..."

"Lekin pehle aapko ek vaada karna hoga mujhse...", he said calmly.

"Kaisa vaada ?... Mujhse aur intezaar nhi ho rha Ahir ji...", she was becoming restless.

"Aap vaada keejiye... ki... ki aap Shaurya ko galat nhi samjhengi..."

"Maine us din bhi aapko btaaya tha Bhabhi... usne jo bhi kiya tha vo galat tha... lekin asal mein baat yeh hain... ki usko lagta hain yeh vajah jaanne ke baad aap... aap uske saath yeh rishta tod deti... aap use chodkar chali jaati... Vo darta tha ki agar aisa hua to vo seh nhi paayega... isiliye yeh baat usne aapko kabhi nhi btaayi..."

"Suniye Anokhi Bhabhi..."

"Yeh uske past ke baare mein hain..."

"Past?...", Anokhi exclaimed, astonished and completely baffled.

"Hmmm Bhabhi... Past..."

"Yeh baat jaanne ke baad aapko hairaani hogi... kyunki... kyunki aapko iske baare mein Shaurya ne kabhi jaanne hi nhi diya..."

Anokhi was taken aback.

"Do saal pehle ki baat hain...", Ahir began to reveal.

With a tense heart, Anokhi began to listen intently...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 23. The Truth Comes To Light

Shaan, Shaurya, and Ahir were seated nervously in front of the desk. They were waiting for the doctor to complete checking the test reports.

Shaurya's heart was pounding in his chest. He'd been under a lot of stress for days.

His heart was in verge of popping out due to the numerous medical tests he had undergone and the fact that he was now waiting for the doctor's response.

"Mr. Shaurya...", the doctor said as he placed the reports on the table, removed his spectacles, and looked at them intently.

"J... jee doctor...", sweat beads dripping from his brow.

"I checked the reports..."

"As you were having bone pain, weak flow of urine, and blood in the urine... These are the symptoms of disease which I had suspected. And that's why I had suggested you for a urine test to check for a urinary tract infection (UTI)..."

"J... jee", Shaurya's voice quivered.

"Those reports are fine Shaurya..."

Listening to this, everybody present there felt as if a huge stone had been lifted off their shoulders, but the very next moment, what the doctor said left them dumbstruck.

"But...", the doctor paused.

"But ?...", Shaurya stammered as he swallowed the lump in his throat. He won't be able to take it if his suspicion turned out to be true. He had no idea how he would cope up with it.

"But your prostate biopsy reports are positive Shaurya..."

"Cancer cells were seen in the biopsy samples..."

"Your have been diagnosed with prostate cancer...", the doctor finally spilled the beans.

And that was it !

The reality of their situation hit them hard, and they were blown off.

The room was filled with a deafening silence.

Shaurya's thread of hope had worn down, and a veil of water had formed in his eyes. His suspicion ultimately turned out to be true.

Shaan couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was shattered. He turned his face around to hide his tears.

Ahir was heartbroken as well, but he knew he had to stay strong because he was his friend. Shaan and Aastha were already broken, and now who would handle Shaurya if he broke as well. He rested his hand on Shaurya's shoulder but didn't look him in the eyes.

"A... ab aage k... kya doctor ? ...", Shaurya said, his eyes misty and his voice clearly hopeless.

"Listen Shaurya..."

"When a biopsy confirms the presence of cancer, the next step is to determine the level of grade of the cancer cells..."

"A higher grade indicates a more aggressive cancer that is more likely to spread quickly. So, before that happens, we need to conduct some additional tests to determine the best course of action..."

"See Shaurya..."

"Don't be afraid... Don't give up hope... "

"You must be patient..."

"Be positive..."

"I'm right there with you..."

"First, we need to determine the stage of the cancer, and then we'll recommend the most appropriate treatment method..."

He wrote some tests for him and gave them to him.

Anokhi sat there dumbfounded, her face expressionless.

Ahir looked up at her nervously. He knew it hurt her to know he was in pain.

"Bhabhi...", he himself was emotional recalling the incident.

After a few moments of silence, she uttered only one word.

"C... C... Cancer..."

She'd been completely caught off guard.

She knew nothing about it.

He was afflicted with cancer!

She couldn't stand the thought of it.

Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes at any moment.

She was unable to think.

She was gob smacked by the revelation.

Now tears finally made their way down her eyes.

"Itni badi baat... unhone... mujhe... mujhe kisi ne kabhi nhi btaayi..."

"Ahir ji..."

"Unhe cancer ?

"Kab ?! "

"Kaise ?! "

"Kaha ?!...", she was flabbergasted, she couldn't believe it.

"Bhabhi... please shaant ho jaaiye..."

"Kaise shaant ho jaau main ?!!"

"Unhe... unhe kuch ho jaata toh... Vo theek... abhi theek hain ?... Mujhe kyun kuch nhi btaaya ? ...", she said, jerking her arms around frantically.

"Bhabhi Bhabhi Bhabhi...."

"Please...", he said as he held her shoulders to calm her down.

"Meri poori baat toh suniye..."

"Shaurya abhi bilkul theek hain..."

Anokhi looked up at him as she listened to it and calmed down a little.

"Vo abhi theek haina ?... Unhe kuch hoga toh nhi na ?... Mujhe btaaiye please Ahir ji...", she wept.

"Main bta raha hoon... par pehle aap shaant ho jaaiye Bhabhi...", he said gently.

Anokhi wiped her eyes with her handkerchief and nodded.

"Dekhiye Bhabhi..."

"Shaurya ab bilkul theek hain..."

"Uske operation ke baad se sab theek hain..."

Anokhi looked up, totally shocked.

She shuddered as she said, "Operation ???..."

Ahir gave a nod.

"Jis din cancer ka pta chala... uske kuch dino ke baad ki baat hain yeh..."

"Shaurya..." said the doctor.

"PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) reports have arrived... And, as expected, it's above the normal range..."

Shaurya and the other members looked up genuinely tense.

"Shaurya... I told you be positive..."

"You're fortunate that the cancer was detected at the right time... It's curable you know... ", he said with a slight smile to lift up Shaurya's spirits.

"Matlab ?...", Shaurya speculated.

"See..."

"I wanted to say that metastatic prostate cancer, what we call the "advanced form of cancer" is the stage in which cancer cells have spread beyond the prostate, to other body parts, and it has no cure, but it is often treatable for quite some time..."

"But in your case... It's not advanced, which means it hasn't spread to other areas of the body..."

" Your cancer cells haven't extended beyond the prostate gland and are thus not metastatic..."

"The cancer is still in it's early stage Shaurya...", the doctor explained, offering a ray of hope.

For Shaurya, this was like a ray of light in the darkness.

"We need to begin with the further treatment as immediate as possible..."

"J... jee doctor... Bilkul... Aap btaaiye hume aage kya karna hoga ?...", Shaan said hastily. He couldn't afford to waste any more time endangering his son's health.

"Mr. Sabharwal... After much deliberation, I came to this decision..."

"I've considered the option that I believe will work best in your situation..."

"Which option doctor ?...", Shaurya asked.

"As the cancer cells haven't spread beyond the prostate and the disease is still in its earlier stages... And also based on some other factors, such as your age, overall health, life expectancy, and personal preferences while looking at the treatment options... I came to the conclusion that the radical proctectomy operation is the best option for you..."

"We need to remove your entire prostate, Shaurya..."

Everybody looked on shocked.

Anokhi was sobbing profusely. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. He had to endure a lot of pain. She can't bear thinking about it.

"Anokhi Bhabhi..."

"Please... please khudko sambhaaliye.."

"Main jaanta hoon... yeh sab sunna bohot dardnaak hain... lekin... lekin ab toh sab theek haina Bhabhi... Operation successful tha... Ab vo bilkul sahi hain..."

"Lekin...", he paused abruptly as the secret was yet to be revealed.

"Lekin ???...", Anokhi looked up in terror.

"Lekin kya Ahir ji ?..."

"Please btaaiye... unhe... unhe kuch hoga toh nhi na ? ... Aapne abhi-abhi toh kaha ki sab theek hain... Please btaaiye na...", she begged, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Vo... baat..."

"Aap jaanna chaahti thi na vo "vajah"..."

"Vo asli vajah abhi tak maine aapko btaaya hi nhi..."

Anokhi looked at him, puzzled and in tears.

Was there anything else left ?

She assumed he was a cancer patient and that was the real issue, but Ahir insists there's more to it.

"Aur kya vajah hain Ahir ji ?..."

"Btaaiye..."

"Main... main batata hoon..."

"Lekin aap... aap apne vaada yaad rakhna Anokhi Bhabhi..."

"Yeh baat aapse chhupaayi gayi thi yeh galat hain... lekin jaisa ki maine aapko btaaya uske chhupaane ke peeche reasons the..."

"Aage suniye...", Ahir continued.

On hearing the Doctor's recommendation of removal of entire prostate, they all were shocked.

"I know Shaurya... it's hard to believe, but we don't have any other options..."

"You should be aware of the entire procedure... So pay close attention to what I'm saying..."

"Radical prostatectomy is main type of surgery for prostate cancer.... This is the most common surgical approach used by urologists...

"We will remove the entire prostate, the seminal vesicles, and a small part of the bladder... The prostate cancer is removed by removing as much of the prostate as possible..."

"For 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, you will need to use a catheter that is a hollow tube to pass your urine..."

"By one month after surgery, your life should start getting back to normal..."

"But before going for it... you must be aware of the consequences..."

"K... kaise consequences doctor ?...", Shaan asked.

"Short term complications of radical prostatectomy include bleeding after the operation, urinary leaks, infection, narrowing of the urethra blocking urine flow..."

"Less than 10% of men experience complications after prostatectomy, and these are temporary... so no need to fear from it..."

"But there are two more serious things I'd like to mention..."

"What doctor ?...", Shaan asked in broken voice.

"Shaurya... You may develop erectile dysfunction (ED) within 5 years of treatment..."

Everybody was stunned.

"Listen Shaurya..."

"Erections are controlled by 2 tiny bundles of nerves that run on either side of the prostate... You won't be able to have erection after removal of these nerves... And with ED, it is hard to get or keep an erection that is firm enough for sexual intercourse..."

Everyone sat there with a blank expression on their face. They couldn't help but be patient as they listened.

They were at a loss for words.

They didn't know how to react.

They didn't know what to say.

"This was the first thing... and the second thing is...", the doctor's voice trailed off.

"Is ?...", Shaurya was broken.

"Second issue is infertility..."

It had now shaken them all to their core.

"Shaurya... As I previously stated... we must remove the entire prostate gland plus some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles..."

"And you know that the main function of the seminal vesicle is to produce most of the important ingredients used in the creation of semen in the male reproductive system... About 70% of the total semen volume is provided by the seminal vesicle..."

"The prostate produces the fluid that helps keep semen liquid... Once the prostate is removed a man no longer has the ability to make semen or ejaculate semen... so infertility is an unavoidable and permanent consequence of surgery..."

"Your testicles will still make sperm, but they can't leave the body as a part of the ejaculate... "

"This means... you... Shaurya... you won't be able to father a child in the natural way... You won't be able to become a biological father...", he finally revealed.

His heart was shattered into innumerable pieces.

Shaurya was left with nothing.

"Shaurya... Shaurya isi baat ke vajah se aisa hain Bhabhi..."

"Vo introvert toh bachpan se hi tha... lekin... lekin yeh incident ke baad se us par aur bura prabhaav pada..."

"Uska self-esteem low hain iss vajah se..."

"Aapko toh pta hi haina vo kahi baahar bhi nhi jaata ghar se office ke alaava... Use zyaada logo se milna pasand nhi..."

"Ye... Ye hi reason hain iske peeche... Use lagta hain ki usme kami hain..."

Ahir sighed a deep breath and he didn't meet his eyes with hers for once. He feared what her reaction would be.

"Samaaj is cheez ko dekhti hi aise nazro se hain Bhabhi... Shaurya ki bhi isme kya galti..."

"Maine use bohot samjhaaya ki yeh koi kami nhi hain... Usne koi galti thodina ki hain jo vo aise khudko doosro ki tulna mein chhota maanta hain... Lekin fir bhi... kahi na kahi vo is cheez ko bhool nhi paata aur khudko doosro se kam mehsoos karta hain..."

"Use lagta hain ki vo... vo aapke "expectations" kabhi poora nhi kar paayega... Aapko ek normal married life nhi de paayega jaisa har ladki ka sapna hota hain..."

"Isiliye use lagta tha... agar usne yeh baat bta di toh... aap... aap yeh rishta..."

Ahir finally looked up and saw a single tear escaping her eyes, which she quickly wiped away. But he was confused that she didn't say anything this time. She was completely silent.

As a result, he emphasized that point once more.

"A... aap meri baat samjh rhi haina Anokhi Bhabhi ?..."

"He...", Ahir's voice trembled.

"He is..."

"HE IS STERILE..."

"Toh?!!...", came the stern reply.

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 24. Rishta

"Toh ?...", Ahir looked confused.

Wasn't she bothered by the fact that Shaurya was sterile and impotent?

"Toh kya Ahir ji ?!!...", she exclaimed, a single tear escaping her eyes.

"Voh STERILE hain... Toh kya??... Usse mujhe kya??..."

"Vo sterile hain toh main unhe chod doongi... Aisa soch bhi kaise liya unhone!!...", she yelped.

"Bhabhi... Mai... main samjha nhi..."

"Lekin main sab samajh gayi...", she said petulantly, tears streaming down her face.

"Mujhe ab sab samajh aa gya...", she said angrily.

"K... kya hua hain Bhabhi?... "

"Kya hua hain ??...", she sarcastically asked through tears.

"Aap btaaiye mujhe Ahir ji... Thodi der pehle aap kya keh rhe the ?... Meri "expectations" poore nhi kar sakte vo ?...", she was too hurt to say this.

"Kaunse expectations Ahir ji ???..."

"Meri expectation jaanne ki koshish ki kabhi unhone ?..."

"Unhe toh bas jo theek lagta hain kar dete hain... Humesha apni manmaani karte hain..."

"Bina soche samjhe kuch bhi bol dete hain... Main "sacrifice" kar rhi hoon... main "compromise" kar rhi hoon... main vha khush nhi hoon... Haina ?!!...", she let the tears flow.

Ahir finally understood what she was talking about.

"Bhabhi... aap-..."

"Bas bohot ho gaya Ahir ji... Aur ... aur kuch nhi sunna mujhe... Sab sun liya maine... Saare javaab mil gaye mujhe...", she wiped her tears with the back of her palm.

She got up because she couldn't take it any longer.

"Unhone mujhse yeh baat chhupaayi isse mujhse koi fark nhi padta... Humaare beech toh kabhi aisa bond tha hi nhi ki vo apni koi personal baat... ya main bhi apni koi personal baat share karu... Isse mujhe koi naaraazgi nhi hain... Isse mujhe thoda sa bhi dukh nhi pohoncha..."

"Lekin... lekin unhe mujhpe... unhe mujhpar kabhi bharosa tha hi nhi... Iss baat se mujhe bohot dukh pohoncha hain..."

"Unhone toh mujhe kabhi pehechaana hi nhi... Unhe... unhe mujhpar zara sa bhi bharosa nhi tha ki main unhe iss vajah se kabhi chodkar nhi jaati... Main kabhi is vajah ke liye rishta nhi todti... Vo m... mere baare mein aisa sochte hain... Main itni buri hoon unki nazron mein ...", she sobbed.

"Ahir ji...", she wiped her tears.

"Aa... aap mere liye yaha tak... itni door aaye... uske liye shukriya... Bohot- bohot shukriya..."

"Ab mujhe chalna chaahiye..." she said as she turned to walk away, tears in her eyes.

He tried one last time, "Bhabhi..."

"A... aap..."

"Aap vaapas nahi aayengi ?... Iss rishte ka kya hoga ?...", he enquired, holding out one last ray of hope.

She smiled as she turned around.

The smile that carried a lot of pain with it.

The smile, which carried a lot of emotional baggage.

She put on a brave face to conceal her pain.

"Rishta???..." she sarcastically laughed.

"Kisi bhi rishte ki buniyaad bharosa hota hain..."

"Kis bhi rishte ka aadhaar vishvaas hota hain..."

"Aur vo vishvaas toh hain hi nhi unhe mujhpe..."

"Jis rishte mein bharosa nhi..." she said after a brief pause, "Vo rishta koi rishta nhi..."

She ran out of there, her tears splattering in the air.

Ahir kept standing there, staring at her disappearing figure.

A smile made its way to his lips after a few moments of contemplation of her entire speech.

He finally realized why she was named Anokhi.

He finally realized why she was called Anokhi.

He was glad that Shaurya had such a precious person in his life, but the truth was that he didn't care for it and instead left it for someone else to be better care for.

He was content at that moment because he realized she loved his soul, not his body.

⁂

Anokhi came running in her room upstairs.

She closed the door with a thud, and leaned down against it crying.

"Kyun ?!!!..."

"Kyun kiya aapne aisa ?..."

"Kyun khud ko akele aise takleef pahunchaaya ?..."

"Kyun ek baar bhi mujhe btaane ki koshish nhi ki ?..."

"Yeh baat aapne sochi bhi kaise ki... main... sirf... sirf aap infertile ho... is vajah se main aapko chod dungi... Itna bura sochte hain aap mere baare mein ?... Itna sa bhi bharosa nhi tha kabhi mujhe mein ?...", she burst down in tears, burying her face between her knees.

She was hurt.

She was too hurt.

He didn't had faith in her, this hurt her deeply.

More than this, the "cancer thing" was still haunting her.

"Unhe... unhe cancer tha...", she broke into tears, her body shivering.

She again forgot her pain remembering "his pain".

That person, who she couldn't even bear coughing a little, had been through so much.

The mere thought of pain he must have endured during the procedure shattered her.

Even after being hurt by his actions, all she could think about was again HIM.

She remembered Ahir's words.

"Use lagta hain ki vo... vo aapke "expectations" kabhi poora nhi kar paayega... Aapko ek normal married life nhi de paayega jaisa har ladki ka sapna hota hain..."

Who said he couldn't meet her expectations?

After Ahir's revealation, she was able to comprehend everything.

Everything was now making sense to her.

The "compromise", the "sacrifice" and all those useless stuffs which he was saying that day, actually referred to the expectations.

She understood exactly what he meant when he said "expectations".

Expectations were meant in the context of pleasing her, fulfilling her sexual desires, and sharing a close relationship with her.

And this was his biggest mistake.

Is this the only thing that matters in a couple's relationship?

Is satisfying sexual feelings the only way to make a couple's relationship work?

Isn't there something more to it?

Isn't there something outside of it?

Has she ever demanded anything from him in this manner?

The answer was NO!

Then how come he ever come to think this?

She did, in fact, have expectations.

Only one expectation.

It was just him, only him, and nothing else.

To care for him... To be there for him... To be with him in his hardships... To spend her entire life with him, was her sole expectation, but he instead of considering for once over this, acted impulsively and destroyed the relationship with his own hands.

Despite her opposition to marriage, Anokhi had gradually come to accept it and had grown accustomed to it.

She had started liking him the way he was despite his flaws.

She'd gotten to know the person behind the introverted exterior personality.

She had grown fond of the man hidden within that tough soul.

No one is perfect, and no one needs to be perfect; if everyone were perfect, what would the meaning of individuality be?

She liked him the way he was.

She liked him with all his flaws.

She liked him with all his imperfections.

She liked him whatever he was.

And with this, she did fall for him without her own consciousness.

She still doesn't know how much she loves him; all she knows is that she wants him to be well forever.

She wants his goodness.

She wants his better being.

She wants his well-being.

But he, on the other hand, misunderstood her.

And this was the most painful return gift she ever got.

This was something she couldn't forgive him for.

"Ma... main nhi sochungi unke baare mein... Nhi sochungi..."

"Aur kabhi bhi nhi sochungi..."

"Sab khatam ho chuka hain..."

"Ab hum... humaare beech kuch nhi rha..."

"Mere liye vo... Unke liye main... kuch bhi nhi hain...", she lied to herself.

"Unka khyaal main apne dimaag mein kabhi aane nhi doongi..."

"Kabhi nhi...", her voice trailed off in the air.

She made a promise to herself not to think of him.

She promised to herself that she would not think about their relationship again.

She promised to herself that she would not let his thoughts consume her mind.

She promised to herself that she would not dwell on his memories.

But, did she know one thing?

The person whom she was promising herself to wipe away from her mind forever had already taken up permanent residence in her heart to be forever, and was never going to be erased in any way...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 25. Galti?

It was next day and while working, Ahir was thinking of the previous day.

He was content knowing Anokhi truly loved Shaurya. Though she had stated that the relationship was meaningless to her, he had hope that it would reform for the better over time.

Perhaps they both need time to recognize their true feelings.

But now he wanted to tell Shaurya that Anokhi knows everything, and what a huge mistake he made by not exposing his past to her.

He finished his work and cast a sidelong glance at Shaurya, who was sitting there with an emotionless face as usual.

"Mujhe yeh baat btaani hogi...", he thought.

He called him, "Shaurya..."

He turned to face him and said, "Hmmm..."

"Mujhe tujhse zaroori baat karni hain... Mere saath chal...", he stood up.

Shaurya stared at him blanky for a while before standing up.

"Chal...", he began slowly.

They arrived at the canteen and took a seat.

"Toh... Kaisa chal rha hain aaj kal?... Sab badhiya na?..." Ahir asked, clearing his throat.

Shaurya looked up at him and realized that he was still upset with him.

"Ahir-..."

"Maine bta diya!...", Ahir cut in.

Shaurya looked confused.

"Bta diya ?... Kisko kya bta diya?...", he asked.

"Maine Anokhi Bhabhi ko sab sach bta diya...", he spilled the beans.

Shaurya jumped to his feet, startled.

"Y... yeh tu kya keh rha hain Ahir ?... Tu mazaak kar rha haina ?...", he muttered indignantly.

"Mazaak ?... Seriously ?... Tujhe lagta hain main abhi tere saath mazaak ke mood mein hoon...", he stood up as well.

"Aur kitne dino tak chhupakar rakhta ?..."

"Isiliye maine unhe sab bta diya..."

Shaurya tried to control his emotions. His eyes were starting to tear up.

What had been her reaction?

Did she feel betrayed?

"K... kya... b... bola usne ?...", he inquired, his voice trembling.

"Vhi bola jo mujhe unse ummeed thi...", Ahir said confidently.

"M... matlab ?..."

"Matlab tujhe bohot pehle hi btaaya tha maine... par tune kabhi suna hi nhi... Har baar ek hi baat bolta tha ki tere liye vo sacrifice kar rhi hain... tere liye vo compromise kar rhi hain... tu unke expectations poore nhi kar paayega... "

"Lekin ek baar kabhi yeh socha bhi ki asal mein unke expectations hain kya ?..."

"Nhi... nhi socha tune... aur yeh hi teri sabse badi galti hain..."

"Tune itni maasoom si jaan ko chot pahunchaaya... unpar thoda sa bhi bharosa nhi rakha... Ek baar btaane ki bhi kohish nhi ki... Yeh sab teri hi galtiyaan thi..."

"Mujhe toh pehle se hi pta tha ki Anokhi Bhabhi aisi hain hi nhi jo yeh baat jaanne ke baad tujhe chodke chali jaati..."

"Unhe jab maine yeh baat btaayi toh pta hain vo kitni hurt hui thi !!..."

"Unhe iss baat ka zara sa bhi bura nhi laga ki yeh baat unse chhupayi gayi..."

"Lekin tujhe unpar kabhi bharosa tha hi nhi... Iss baat se vo bohot hurt hui... "

Shaurya looked up, his eyes filled with guilt and tears. He couldn't take any more of it.

"A... aisa nhi hain Ahir... Bharose ki baat nhi hain... Mujhe uspar bharosa kyun nhi hoga bhala ?... Vo... m... meri... wif-..."

"Tum... tum sab galat samajh rhe ho mujhe... "

"Ab kya faayda Shaurya?!!... Unhe toh yahi laga na...", Ahir said.

"Aur pta hain unhone mujhe jaane se pehle ek bohot important baat btaayi..."

"J... jaane se pehle ?...", Shaurya was taken aback.

"Haan... kal main Kapurthala gaya tha unse milne..."

"Yeh poora matter jaanne ke baad vo jab vaapas jaane vaali thi... tab... tab maine ek baar last baar poocha ki kya vo vaapas nhi aayengi..."

"K... kya kaha usne ?...", Shaurya inquired, his eyes filled with tears but hopeful.

"Unhone kaha... kisi bhi rishte ki buniyaad bharosa hota hain... aur vo bharosa toh tujhe unpar kabhi tha hi nhi..."

"Aur jis rishte mein bharosa nhi... vo rishta koi rishta nhi samjha!..."

Shaurya's tears finally made their way down his face.

He failed her.

He betrayed her.

He lost her and thus lost himself.

"Vo... vo kabhi vaapas nhi aayegi ?... Kabhi bhi nhi ?...", he asked in cracking voice.

"Vo kyun aayengi ?!...", Ahir retorted.

"Jiske liye yeh shaadi uske life ki sabse badi galti hain... uske liye vo bhala vaapas kyun aayengi... Vo zabardasti tujhe iss rishte mein baandhke thodina rakhengi..."

"Tujhe chhutkaara chaahiye tha unse... Ab finally mil gaya... Ab khush haina tu ?!...", he taunted in order to make him understand.

Shaurya couldn't take it any longer and walked away from there.

"Shaurya..."

"I hope ki tujhe apni galti ka ehsaas bohot jald ho..."

"Mujhe aasha hain ki tu ek din khud unhe Kapurthala lene jaayega..."

"Ek din tujhe ehsaas hoga ki tune ek bohot keemti cheez ko nakaara hain... Aur uske baad tu kabhi use apne-aap se door nhi hone dega...", he said to himself.

⁂

Aastha was constantly stroking his hair to console him.

He had been crying endlessly since he returned home from work, resting his head in her lap.

She was too hurt to see him in that state, but what could she do in front of his adamant son ?

"M... maa..."

"V... vo mujhse nafrat karti hain... haina ?..."

"Vo ek baar mujhse milne bhi nhi aayegi... haina Maa ?..."

"Use... use mere baare mein pta chal gaya hain... Aur... aur usse us baat se koi fark nhi padta Maa..."

"Dekha na Shaurya tumne... Maine pehle hi kaha tha na... Anokhi us vajah se kabhi yeh rishta nhi todti... Lekin tum..."

"Toh aur kya karta main Maa ?!... "

"Main selfish ban jaata ?..."

"Apne liye uski khushiyaan chheen leta ?..."

"Main jaanta hoon... vo aisi nhi hain ki mujhe mere infertile hone ki vajah se mujhe chod deti... L... le... lekin vo toh better deserve karti haina Maa ?...

"I... is... isiliye toh m... maine use jaane ke liye bol diya... t.. taaki use koi mile jo use mujhse zyaada khush rakh paaye... jo uski ichchhayein poori kar paaye...", he sobbed and buried his face in her lap. He was too hurt to say this line, but said it anyway.

Aastha was silently hearing everything until he said that he was being selfish, and the last line enraged her.

She was disappointed that he was letting her go instead of keeping her close and safe to himself.

He was making a mistake.

She was now certain that both of them had feelings for each other but hadn't realized it until now.

And who said he didn't deserve her?

Now she finally spoke up.

"Shaurya !..."

"Tum yeh baat samajh kyun nhi rhe ho !", she was annoyed.

"Tum baar-baar uski khushi ki baat kar rhe ho... Lekin kya ek baar bhi tumne yeh sochne ki koshish ki... Uski khushi aakhir asal mein hain kisme ?!..."

"M... main tumhe isse aage kuch bhi nhi bolungi Shaurya..."

"Tumhe khud hi yeh baat samajhna hoga..."

"Tumhaari galti aakhir hain kya... yeh tumhe khud pta lgaana hoga..."

"Aur Anokhi bhi shaayad tumhe tabhi maaf kar paayegi... jab tumhe apni galti ka ehsaas hoga..."

He sat up right away.

"Galti ?..."

"Galti ka ehsaas ?..."

"Kis galti ki baat kar rhe ho Maa ?..."

Aastha stared at him silently.

"Main nhi btaaungi Shaurya..."

"Tumhe khud dhoondna hoga..."

"Tumhe khud pta lgaana hoga ki kya galat kiya hain tumne..."

"Abhi tak jo bhi baatein tumne mujhse kahi... uspar ek baar gaur karke dekhna... Yeh jhaankne ki koshish karna ki vo baatein tumne aakhir kyun kahi..."

"Ek baat yaad rakhna... Kabhi-kabhi khud ke liye bhi selfish banna padta hain... Kyunki iss selfishness se kisiko koi chot nhi pahunchegi..."

"Ek baar yeh sochna ki jab yeh rishta tum chaahte hi nhi... to tum uski khushi ke baare mein bhala soch hi kyu rahe ho ?..."

"Aur jis din tum yeh pta lga loge na Shaurya... Uss din... Mujhe vishvaas hain... Us din tum meri beti ko khud is ghar mein vaapas lekar aaoge...", she stood up and cried her way out of there.

Shaurya was perplexed as she stared at her receding figure in tears.

"M... main use vaapas lene jaaunga ?..."

"Nhi!!..."

"M... main nhi jaaunga..."

"Nhi jaaunga main..."

"Chaahe kitni bhi takleef ho mujhe... m... main reh loonga uske bina... Sab seh loonga main... Lekin usko vaapas yaha nhi laaunga jaha vo khush hi naa rahe...", tears fell down his eyes.

"Lekin... lekin fir Ma... Maa kis baare mein bol ke gayi mujhe ? ..."

"Galti ka ehsaas ?..."

"Khud ke liye kabhi-kabhi selfish banna padta hain ??..."

"Maa ne kaha ki main apni baaton mein jhaanku ?..."

He tried to recall everything he had said to Aastha.

"Toh aur kya karta main Maa ?!... "

"Main selfish ban jaata ?..."

"Apne liye uski khushiyaan chheen leta ?..."

"Isme jhaankne vaali baat kya hain ?...", he was confused.

"M... maine theek hi toh bola... main usse uski kushi kaise-..." he paused just then.

"Ek minute!...", he exclaimed as he realized something.

"M... main uski khushi... uski khushi ke baare mein maine socha ??... Lekin baat toh sahi hain... main uski khushi ke baare mein kyun soch rha hoon ?... Vo to chali gayi na... ab jaha bhi rahegi khush hi rahegi... Mujhe kya ?..."

"Lekin..."

He remembered more.

"V... vo mujhse nafrat karti hain... haina ?..."

"Vo ek baar mujhse milne bhi nhi aayegi... haina Maa ?..."

He felt a sting in his heart as he said, "Vo?... Nafrat?..."

"Main kyun soch rha hoon bhala ki vo mujhse nafrat kart hain ya nhi... Agar karti bhi hain toh mujhe... mujhe bura kyun lag rha hain ?...", he couldn't understand.

"Aur main kyun chaahta hoon ki vo vaapas aa jaaye?... Jab maine hi khud use jaane ke liye bola... toh fir ab main kyun chaah rha hoon ki vo vaapas aa jaaye..."

"Nhi!..."

"M... mujhe nhi pta..."

"Kuch nhi pta mujhe..."

"Use maine kho diya hain..."

"Ab vaapaas kabhi nhi haasil kar paaunga main use...", he broke down in tears, closing his eyes.

He had no idea that he would soon realize where her "true" happiness lay, and that once he realize his mistake, something unexpected would happen...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading

Tum Hi Ho

⁓ Inkling ⁓

Days were passing by.

Their yearning for each other was growing high.

Life was going on.

But the two broken hearts were still waiting to be joined on.

It was going to be almost a month since they were living apart.

It was going to be almost a month since they had been living with a broken heart.

But these few days were like so many years for the two souls.

And in these days, he had come to know what was his goal.

In these days, something significant had shifted in him.

Every night, he used to think deeply in the light dim.

From being oblivious to come to know about her true happiness.

He had come a long way these days.

It wasn't easy for him to cover this long way.

And now he wasn't going to back down anyway.

Step by step, slowly and slowly, he realized where he was at fault.

His useless thoughts had finally come to a halt.

He realized what exactly his mistake was.

He realized what the thing that caused her pain was.

He realized why did she not return.

He realized his useless thoughts were a dangerous pun.

He realized what exactly her expectation was.

She wanted to be with him because.

He realized what wrong he had done by pushing her away.

He was never going to do that again... no way.

He realized he committed the biggest mistake of life by letting her go.

In front of her, he should bow.

He realized he had to keep that precious person in his life, in vicinity of him safely.

He was now going to do it determinately.

He realized... IT WAS TIME TO RECTIFY HIS MISTAKE.

But he doesn't know, what would be her take.

He doesn't know what's written in fate.

He only knows, for him, she has no hate.

He doesn't know what is in store of future.

Be it reconnect of the bond, or be it rupture.

He doesn't know what the result would be.

Be it succuss or fail it be.

A chance was all what he wanted.

If given, it would be like as if a huge wish granted.

He only knows one thing, just one thing, and that is to put all his efforts to sort out the huge blunder.

On its way, is a huge thunder.

He is determined to do it.

He is going to do it.

He will put all the best.

In her hands only, is the rest...

Tum Hi Ho

Chapter 26. His Realization

Many days had passed since their separation.

In these days, Shaurya had come a long way.

With each passing day, Shaurya was stepping towards his realization of fault.

He had covered a long way by introspecting the facts.

It's been almost a month since they've been apart.

In all these days, he not for once forget her.

The memories of her care, her belongings, her concern, and her pillow were his constant companions.

Every day, something would occur that would raise a question mark in Shaurya's mind.

He wanted answer to all those questions.

All of the questions that had been circling in Shaurya's head had irritated him so much that he decided to ponder them thoroughly today.

In the dim light, he lay down, staring at the ceiling, recalling all the events that happened in the course of this one month.

••◆••

It was their 7th month anniversary day.

What an irony!

This time he remembered it, but she wasn't there.

And she remembered the previous occasion, but he had no idea back then.

Shaurya returned home from work and was greeted by the lifeless room, as was usual.

He entered, freshened up, and walked towards the almirah after putting on his clothes.

Her belongings were still there. He had kept them so safely in memory of her.

He opened the door slowly, and his eyes fell on her pink dupatta.

It is the thing he returns to when he wants to remember her.

He kept it in his hands.

He took it out and shut the door behind him.

The dupatta still had aura of her. It made him feel of her presence.

He closed his eyes and delicately moved his palm over the fabric.

In the darkness, she was the only one he could see.

His hands slowly raised and came to rest near his face. He unknowingly placed his lips softly against the fibre.

"Aaj humaari 7th month anniversary hain An... Anokhi...", a lone tear escaped his eyes.

That was the first day he admitted to himself that, yes!... he missed her.

But why ?

••◆••

He opened his eyes, and came back to the present.

"Us din... us din main kyun ro rha tha ?... Main kyu miss kar rha tha use ?..."

"Miss toh main roz karta hoon..."

"Lekin kyu ?..." he questioned himself.

"Iska matlab... iska matlab toh yeh hua ki main use apne pass chaahta tha... Main use har roz apne paas chaahta hoon..."

He was shocked when he discovered the answer to his own question.

But he didn't come to any conclusions, so he moved on to the next event.

••◆••

He was running late for work one day.

He had to choose his own clothes, which added to the delay.

"Meri green tie... meri green tie firse gaayab ho gayi... Ag... agar Anokhi hoti toh-...", he left it to finish on its own.

He pulled out another tie, which wasn't according to his choice, but he didn't have any other options.

He dashed downstairs and hurriedly began eating breakfast.

"Shaurya dheere khaao... itna bhi late nhi hua..."

He didn't listen to Aastha and kept going, and his throat got stuck at one point.

*cough*... *cough*... *cough*

"Tch..."

"Dekha naa Shaurya..."

"Bola tha maine... Meri baat sunte kaha ho...", Aastha made him drink the water.

This immediately caused his eyes to flash back to her.

She used to get worried about him with a simple cough.

If she had been present, she would have done what Aastha was doing.

It was something he wished for.

He expected her to appear near him and drink the water from her hands.

He sarcastically smiled to himself, as if fate was playing a joke on him.

When she was there, he didn't care.

And now she isn't, he could do nothing but lament.

But why was he craving for her care?

••◆••

Returning back to the present, he questioned himself.

"M... main us din... us din uske haatho se paani kyun peena chaahta tha ?... Main toh khud bhi pee sakta hoon na..."

"Iska matlab toh yeh hua ki... Vo meri care kare... main yeh chaahta tha..."

"Mujhe achcha lagta hain jab-jab vo meri care karti hain..."

He thought more deeply and slowly, a smiled curled up in his lips.

"Haan... lagta hain..."

"Lagta hain mujhe achcha...", he smiled to himself as he patiently came to this conclusion.

He went on to the next event.

••◆••

Ahir and Shaurya were eating in the canteen one day.

Ahir looked at Shauyra who was just stirring the spoon here and there in the plate. He wasn't in a mood to eat but Ahir had forced him. Aastha had made a request to him to keep an eye on his stubborn son.

Although he had been upset with him, he was his best buddy after all.

He couldn't stay mad at him for long. So, finally they had sorted out things. He had a hope, on day, Shaurya would realize his mistake.

"Shauyra...", Ahir drew his attention to him.

"Hmmm..."

"Abhi bhi apni galti ko sudhaarega nhi ?... Aise berang zindagi jeeta rahega ?... Khudko jaanboojhkar takleef deta rahega ?..."

"Tu kyu kar rha hain aisa Shaurya ?..."

"Kya milega isse tujhe ?... "

"Itne din ho gaye ?... Abhi tak tujhe iss baat ka ehsaas nhi hua ?..."

Shaurya was listening everything silently. He knew his every word was right, but what could he do ?

But the next what Ahir said, made him shook his thoughts.

"Ek baat bta Shaurya..."

"Tune kaha tha na ki unhe koi aur tujhse "behetar" mile... isliye tune unhe chod diya..."

"Toh... iska matlab toh yeh hua na... ki Anokhi Bhabhi meri Bhabhi nhi rahengi...", he tried to put some brain in Shaurya's mind.

"Ma... matlab ?...", Shaurya asked bewildered.

"Matlab yeh... ki jab tera unse koi rishta hi nhi rahega... toh mera kaha se rahega ?... Vo toh meri Bhabhi nhi rahengi..."

"Koi aur hoga na... jo unko Bhabhi kehkar bulaayega..."

"Tujhe koi problem nhi hogi ?... Agar sach mein unhone apne liye "kisi aur" ko dhoond liya toh..."

Shaurya was taken aback listening to Ahir.

But the reality was that he himself had said this to her.

Then why it was shocking and hurting him now?

"Mujhe samajh nhi aa rha tu kya keh rha hain...", he tried to dismiss it.

"Arre !... Tu samjh nhi rha... yaaaaaa... samjhna nhi chaahta ?..." Ahir snickered.

"Dono!...", Shaurya replied, annoyed.

"Fir toh main kuch nhi kar sakta bhai..."

"Bas ek baat hi bolunga tujhe..."

"Keemti cheezo ki kadar hum khud karte hain... naaki kisi aur ke bharose chod dete hain...", Ahir stood up after saying this and left.

Shaurya sat there stunned.

"Kisi aur ke bharose?..." he wondered aloud.

••◆••

"M... mujhe... mujhe yeh sochkar achcha kyu nhi lag rha ki koi aur hoga jo uski kadar karega ?.."

"I.. Is... Iska matlab toh yeh hua ki... ki main khud use khush rakhna chaahta hoon... Main chaahta hoon ki main khud uski kadar karu... naaki koi aur kare..."

"Main khud use paas apni care mein rakhna chaahta hoon...", his voice trembled and his heart fluttered with a slight smile on his lips.

One by one, he was reaching towards the realization.

He again closed his eyes, moving on to the next one.

••◆••

One day, Shaurya was organizing his almirah.

As she was no more with him, his almirah had turned into a junkyard.

He was thinking about her the entire time he was arranging his clothes.

Soon, he found an epinephrine injection there.

When he saw it, he was immediately reminded of that reception party's incident.

Shaurya broke down again as he realized how much she cared for him.

He was so careless with his own health, but she never forgot about it.

He remembered her crying for him and his mind raised a question.

"Mujhe kuch hote dekh... vo kyu ro rhi thi ?..."

••◆••

"Vo mujhe dard mein dekhkar kyun ro rhi thi ?..."

"Iska matlab... m.. mujhe dard hota hain... to... toh use bhi dard hota hain..."

"Vo mujhe dard mein nhi dekh sakti...", his tears made their way down his face.

He was reaching towards the conclusion.

He was so close to accomplishing his realization.

There was only one more step to go.

"Saare javaab mil gaye... le... lekin ek javaab abhi bhi baaki hain..."

He recalled the day he'd quarreled with her.

The day, he saw her for the last time.

"Bass keejiye Shaurya !..."

"Aapko kisne kaha main khud se samjhauta kar rhi hoon ?!..."

"Aapko kisne kaha main khush nhi hoon ?!..."

"Aap aise bina soche samjhe kuch nhi bol sakte!..."

"Yeh baat to sahi hain..."

"Usne mujhe kabhi nhi kaha ki vo khush nhi thi... Toh main... main har baar yeh baat kyun sunata tha use ?..."

"Us din Maa ne bhi mujhse kaha tha..."

"Tum yeh baat samajh kyun nhi rhe ho !..."

"Tum baar-baar uski khushi ki baat kar rhe ho... Lekin kya ek baar bhi tumne yeh sochne ki koshish ki... Uski khushi aakhir asal mein hain kisme ?!..."

"Maine kabhi yeh baat sochi hi nhi ki asal mein vo mujhse kya expect karti hain... Main toh bas... mujhe jo laga vo humesha bolta gaya... kabhi iss baat par zor daalke socha hi nhi..."

"Us din Ahir ne mujhe kya btaaya tha...", he tried to remember Ahir's words.

"Mujhe toh pehle se hi pta tha ki Anokhi Bhabhi aisi hain hi nhi jo yeh baat jaanne ke baad tujhe chodke chali jaati..."

"Unhe jab maine yeh baat btaayi toh pta hain vo kitni hurt hui thi !!..."

"Unhe iss baat ka zara sa bhi bura nhi laga ki yeh baat unse chhupayi gayi..."

"Lekin tujhe unpar kabhi bharosa tha hi nhi... Iss baat se vo bohot hurt hui... "

"Use mere infertile hone se koi fark nhi padta..."

"T... toh... is... iska matlab...", something clicked his mind.

"Iska matalb... iska matlab m... Main jaisa hoon... Anokhi ko main vaisa hi-...", he didn't finish, and instead jumped out of bed, tears in his eyes and a wide smile on his lips, as he finally realized the fact.

He paused to consider his thoughts once more.

"Maine usse yeh baat chhupaayi... usse is baat se fark nhi padta..."

"Main infertile aur impotent hoon... isse bhi use fark nhi padta..."

"Lekin maine use yeh baat yeh sochkar nhi btaayi kyunki mujhe darr tha ki vo mujhe iss vajah se chod degi... Iss baat se use bohot fark padta hain..."

He finally explained everything to himself.

"M... main samjah gaya!..."

"Mujhe samajh aa gaya!..."

"Maa ne... Maa ne sahi kaha tha..."

"Meri galti mujhe samajh aa gayi..."

"Maine use khud se jaanbhoojhkar door kar diya..."

"Vo meri khushi ke liye... mujhse door jaane ke liye raazi ho gayi... kyunki maine use bola tha mujhe usse chhutkaara chaahiye... maine iss rishte ko ek galti btaaya tha..."

"Maine ek baar usse jaanne ki koshish nhi ki... ki asal mein use is rishte se kya ummeed thi..."

"Usse bina kuch kahe yeh rishta maine tod diya... Aur vo khudko doshi thehraati rahi..." his eyes moistened.

"Maine kabhi uski aankhon mein m... mere liye itni chinta jo dikhti hain... uske peeche ki vajah jaanne ki koshish hi nhi ki..."

"Jab jab main roya... vo bhi royi..."

"Jab mujhe dard hua... tab use bhi dard hua..."

"Jab bhi mujhe kisi ki zaroorat thi... usne mere bina kahe hi meri zaroorat poori kardi..." his throat chocked.

"Usne humesha mera saath nibhaaya..."

"Lekin maine hi kabhi yeh samajhne ki koshish nhi ki... ki kyun vo mere itne bure behavior ke baavjood mera saath humesha nibhaati hain...", he fisted his palm in anger.

"In chheh mahino mein... ek baar bhi usne kisiko shikaayat ka mauka nhi diya..."

"Na kabhi mujhse kuch demand kiya... naa kabhi kisi se kuch expect kiya..."

"Humesha khushi-khushi mera saath nibhaaya..."

"Aur main ???...", he sarcastically laughed.

"Maine kya kiya ?..."

"Maine apne life ke sabse important insaan ko itna chot pahunchaaya..." He took out his rage on himself.

"Meri hi galti thi humesha..."

"M... mujhe aaj samajh aa gaya..."

"Vo... vo humesha mera... mera saath nibhaana chaahti thi... mere saath rehna chaahti thi... Uski "expectation" toh asal mein yeh thi...", he smiled through tears as he realized the selflessness of that woman.

"Suna tumne??!!... ", he exclaimed as he turned to look at the walls.

"Vo... vo mere saath rehna chaahti thi...", he uttered, his heart bursting with joy.

He remembered Aastha's words once more.

"Ek baat yaad rakhna... Kabhi-kabhi khud ke liye bhi selfish banna padta hain... Kyunki iss selfishness se kisiko koi chot nhi pahunchegi..."

"Ab... ab mujhe samajh samajh aa gya..."

"Selfish... matlab Maa kehna chaahti thi ki main Anokhi ko jaane dekar galti kar rha tha... Vo... vo toh mujhe chodkar jaana hi nhi chaahti thi... lekin maine hi use zabarsadasti yeh kadam uthaane par majboor kiya..."

"Main bhi toh use jaane dena nhi chaahta tha... Main bhi toh humesha usi ke saath rehna chaahta tha..."

"Main chaahta hi nhi tha ki kabhi vo mujhe chodkar chali jaaye..."

"Lekin maine use khud se door kar ke khud ko hi chot pahunchaaya... Jabki mujhe use apne-aap se door jaane hi dena nhi chaahiye tha... Aur Anokhi bhi yahi chaahti thi... "

"Mujh mein jo kami thi... usse use koi lena-dena hi nhi tha... Vo bas... Use bas mera bharosa chaahiye tha... mera saath chaahiye tha..."

"Aur... aur maine...", he sobbed as he remembered his rash attitude towards her.

"Mujhse galti ho gayi... Bohot badi galti ho gayi Anokhi..."

"Maine tumhe chod diya..."

"Khud koshish karne ke bajaaye maine... maine soch liya ki koi aur mujhse behetar insaan tumhe mil jaayega... Lekin tumh... tum to mujhe chaahti thi...", he smiled through tears.

"M... mujhe apni galti samjhne mein der ho gayi... "

"Lekin ab aur nhi!..."

"Ab... ab main... ab main yaha nhi baitha rahunga..."

"Tumne humesha apna saath diya... Ab meri baari hain..."

"Mujhe samajh aa gaya hain ki mujhe kya karna hain...", he smiled determinately.

"M... Maa ne kaha tha mujhe... agar mujhe apni galti ka ehsaas ho jaayega... toh vo mujhe maaf kar degi..."

"Main tumhe khoya nhi hain Anokhi...", he said, his eyes twinkling with hope.

"Main tumhe vaapas haasil kiye bina rukunga nhi...", he said confidently, smiling.

Now he does know what he has to do.

He knows what his next step is.

He is definitely going to do it.

He knows it won't be easy, but he won't give up like he did the last time.

He has fire in his eyes this time, and he intends to do what he wants.

Now he is not going to back away.

Now he is never going to do this type of mistake ever again.

Never Ever!

Be ready...

He has realized his fault.

Now it's time to get her back!...

To be continued...

Thank you for reading