Previously on Mumbai Blues...
Scene: A Reality check
He caresses her head softly with tears in his eyes, "Jhanak, ho sake to please muze maph kar dena!"
He leaves the room closing the door behind him.
Anirudh dials a number on his phone, "Haan main bol raha hoon, Main kal aa raha hoon..."
Reader’s note : I have written a different version of Kashmir Night, and this is what I am going to base my FF on whenever I refer to night in Kashmir. There was no consummation and definitely not a pregnancy...
Runak OS: The Confession Night
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Next Morning - Anirudh's Apartment
Anirudh knocks on the bedroom door and opens it after a few moments to see if Jhanak is awake. He enters with a tray of food, medicine, and water.
Jhanak is still asleep. For a few moments, Anirudh stands by her bedside, simply watching her asleep, his face softening with the quiet contentment of seeing someone he loves so deeply close to him.
"Jab aap kisi ko jee jaan se pyaar karte ho, aur unhe paas paate ho... tab lafz nahi, aankhein bolti hain"
"When you love someone with all your heart and you have them close to you... then words are not needed; the eyes speak."
He approaches Jhanak and gently caresses her head, trying to wake her up.
"Jhanak...."
"Hmm..." Jhanak slowly opens her eyes and finds Anirudh sitting beside her.
"Ab kaisa lag raha hai Jhanak?", Anirudh asks, gently checking her forehead for any signs of fever.
Jhanak nods slightly, still groggy.
"Fever to nahi hai, par phir bhi davai lelo, ek course complete karana zaroori hai!"
"Aur aapaka fever?" Jhanak quickly asks, her concern evident.
Anirudh looks at her for a moment, thoughts swirling in his mind, "Jhanak aur tum kehati ho tumhe mere liye koi feelings nahi? Phir itani phikr kyu? Kal laga jaise tumhara aakhari alvida tha, tumane hamesha muze thukaraya, aur aaj itani phikr? Aur store room me jo hua? Aakhir tumhare dil me kya hai Jhanak?"
"Aise kyu dekh rahe hai?" Jhanak snaps him out of his thoughts.
"Kuch nahi... tum ye davai le lo aur kuch khalo!", he says, helping her sit up on the bed.
"Sirji, aapane davali li?", Jhanak persists.
"Haan kal li thi, aaj le lunga. Pehale tum kuch khalo"
"Muze aapase kuch kehana hai..."
"Haan bolo, Jhanak"
"Kal ke liye shukriya. Aapane phir se muze musibat se bachaya. Aapaka ek aur ehsaan rahega muz par."
"Jhanak tum aaj bhi meri har madad ko ehsaan manato ho? Shukriya ada karake phir se muze door kar rahi ho?" Anirudh's expression hardens slightly.
Jhanak is taken aback by his directness.
"Ehsaan nahi hai Jhanak, nahi ki kabhi tha. Jo bhi kiya dil se kiya, pehale bhi kaha hai maine tumase."
Jhanak looks at Anirudh, confusion clouding her thoughts. She’s torn between the care he’s showing now and the indifference he showed when she was almost incriminated for life under a false accusation.
"Sirji, aap aakhir kya sochate hai mere bare me? Aakhir aap chahate kya hai?" Jhanak wonders silently, as Anirudh feeds her a piece of fruit with a fork. It takes a moment for her to realize she’s eating from his hand. Suddenly, she becomes aware of the situation—she’s getting pulled back into the "daldal" she’s tried so hard to escape.
"Sirji, muze chalana chahiye", she says, trying to push him away.
"Kya? Bilkul nahi! Tum kahi nahi ja rahi Jhanak, pehale breakfast finish karo", Lo...", Anirudh holds the spoon to her mouth.
"Aap ye sab kyu kar rahe hai, Sirji?"
"Tum isaka Jawab janati ho Jhanak!"
"Nahi janati! Aur muze nahi khana!", Jhanak pushes away Anirudh's hand.
"Jhanak please zid mat karo. Tumhari tabiyat thik nahi hai, please khalo!" Anirudh requests again holding the spoon to her mouth.
"Maine kaha na muze nahi khana!", Jhanak pushes his hand away more forcefully this time, causing the spoon to fall on the bed.
Anirudh, determined, picks up the spoon again and offers it to her. Tears well up in his eyes as he stubbornly holds it out.
"Aap aisa kyu kar rahe hai?", Jhanak asks, her voice breaking.
Anirudh being adamant holds the spoon to her mouth. Reluctantly, with tears streaming down her face, Jhanak eats from the spoon, unable to hold back her emotions any longer.
"Kya naam dena chahati ho meri phikr ko? Jo tumhe thik lage , jo naam tum accept kar sako dedo! Meri aadat, mera pachtava, mere zinda rehane ki vajah ya phir .... mera pyaar!", Anirudh’s voice trembles, a raw vulnerability seeping through.
Jhanak is stunned by his words. She feels herself falling for them again, just as she was on that fateful night in Kashmir. But she steels herself, determined not to let her heart betray her again. She shakes off those thoughts and replies firmly, "Kuch naam nahi dena! Kyu ki ye phikr muze chahiye hi nahi! Maine aapase kaha na aapako maphi mangane ki, pachtane ki ya meri phikr karane ki aadat palane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Apane phikr aur pyaar apane paas rakhiye. Aur Jo hua use bhool jaiye!", She turns her face away, closing herself off.
"Nahi bhool sakata aur nahi bhoolna chahata hoon!" Anirudh’s voice breaks through her defenses, filled with an intensity that leaves her shaken.
Jhanak looks at him, disbelief mingling with a flicker of anger, "Kyu nahi bhoolana chahate? Itana kyu zaroori hai aap ke liye ye sab? Aakhir kya lagati hoon main aapaki?"
"Jhanak Kashmir maine jo kaha tha... jaan kar bhi anajan ban rahi ho Jhanak?"
"Bus kijiye Sirji!" Jhanak explodes in anger at the mention of night in Kashmir. "Nahi janati main kuch bhi, nahi samazana muze kuch bhi aur. Aap Arshi didi ke sath shadi hone wali hai , bus kush rahiye unake sath! Ab isase zyada muze aur kuch nahi chahiye!" Her voice rises with frustration as she tries to push away the memories that are flooding back. She gets up, intent on leaving.
But before she can go any further, Anirudh grabs her hand, his grip firm yet gentle.
"Kuch saval mera bhi hain, Jhanak!"
He stands up, still holding her hand, refusing to let her escape.
"Samaz to main tumhe bhi nahi pa raha Jhanak. Aakhir tumhare dil me hai kya?"
"Kya matlab?" She turns around and glares at him, her heart pounding with a mixture of anger and something she can’t name.
"Muze har baar thukarati ho, lekin aaj bhi muze ek nazar dekh kar hi samaz gayi ki main bimar hoon, muze bukhar hai! Muze chuye bina kaise samaz gayi Jhanak?", His eyes lock onto hers, searching for the truth she’s hiding.
He takes a step closer, his gaze never wavering, "Mana ki kal musibat me thi, yaha aane ke aalawa tumhare pas koi option nahi tha, lekin raat ko tumhe banho me utha kar room me lane se rok bhi to sakati thi!"
His questions are only met with silence from Jhanak but her eyes are unable to keep mum.
He steps closer again, his presence overwhelming her, "Kal raat main khana nahi khata, bhukha rehata, bimar pad jata, tumhe kya phark padata, Jhanak? Muze khana khilane ki meri zid ko tal bhi to sakati thi!"
He takes yet another step closer. With each step, the space between them shrinks. He’s standing so close that she can feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, "Chipakali se darr laga, lekin meri banho me aane se khud ko rok sakati thi!"
His fingers glide through her hair, sending a shiver down her spine while she stands. there helplessly lost in his eyes, "Chalo man liya meri meri banho me aane ka karan chipakali ka darr tha, lekin aate hi door bhi to ja sakati thi! Meri banho me khud ko yoon hi kyu rehane diya Jhanak?"
His voice is soft, almost a whisper, but it carries the weight of a thousand unspoken emotions. Jhanak feels her layers crumbling, exposing the emotions she hid so well this whole time in front of him.
He places her hand he has been holding on his heart. "Muze door bhejane ka ek mauka nahi chodati ho, hamesha thukarati ho, lekin muze itana kaise samaz ti ho? Mere sath khud ko kyu mahphoos mehsoos karati ho? kabhi apane dil se pucha hai?"
He pulls her closer by the waist softly and leans in as if he wants to kiss her. Jhanak under the spell closes her eyes instinctively feeling nervous and breathing rapidly. Anirudh moves closer to her ears and whispers softly, "Main itana karib hoon ki tumhari saanse gin sakata hoon, tumhari dhadake ne mehsoos kar sakata hoon, phir apane itana kareeb kyu aane diya Jhanak? Apani aankhe kyu bandh kar li Jhanak?"
Jhanak snaps open her eyes hearing his words and looks at Anirudh with guilty eyes as if she was caught in an action. Anirudh looks at her and continues, "Tumhara hath mere dil par hai, meri dhadake mehsoos kar sakati ho, muze itana karib pa kar muze door kyu nahi bhej rahi jo Jhanak?" He reminds her how she has allowed him to hold her hand against his heart this whole time but has been rejecting him with her words.
Jhanak glances at her hand in his hands on his chest and immediately slides her hand out of his hand and steps back.
She then looks at Anirudh with discomfort and shock. She asked herself the same questions last night, but never got a response. She has closed doors to her heart forever, she has made the decision to never open her heart to whatever she feels for Anirudh, never acknowledge it, then why? Is her resolve breaking? She can't let that happen again and get hurt again!
"Nahi Jhanak, ye sahi nahi hai!" She thinks to herself.
"Aap inn bato ka galat matlab nikal rahe hai! Aap ki tabiyat ke bare me pooch liya, isame kaun se badi baat hai? Main sirf aapaki izzat karati hoon, issi liye apako ab tak nahi roka. Aur store room me , main sirf aur sirf chipakali ki vajah se ..." Jhanak takes a pause and sighly in frustration, "Khair, muze koi safai nahi deni... aapaki soch par mera koi kabu nahi hai. Lekin main kya sochati hoon, ye main acchi tarah se janati hoon! Muze yaha nahi rukana, main ja rahi hoon!"
Anirudh grabs Jhanak’s hand again, pulling her close with just enough force to make her stumble into his arms. His hold is firm, but not forceful, his hands resting securely on her waist. Jhanak’s palms land on his shoulders as she steadies herself, her eyes wide with shock and anger.
"Ye aap kya .."
"To sirf respect hai! Tum apani baato par khud yakin kar pa rahi ho? Muze kaise yakin dilaogi?",Anirudh cuts her off, his voice low but intense, his eyes never leaving hers.
Anirudh Continues, "Khair, ek baat jaan lo Jhanak, main ne meri raah chun li hai. Der se hi sahi, par ab jab chun li hai to tumhare dil me kya hai ye bhi main jaan kar rahoonga! Kuch dino ke liye Kolkata ja raha hoon, ek zaroori kam pura karana hai. Lekin jab wo pura ho jaye, phir tum hi meri manzil ho. Tumhe apani manzil chunane ka pura hak hai, lekin muze meri manzil pe chalane se tum nahi rok sakati! Talent show ke liye audition and application ki deadline aa rahi hai, don't miss it! Tumase se wapis aake milane ka intzar rahega! "
His words hit her like a storm. Jhanak's mind races as she processes what he’s just said, but her heart flutters at the intensity of his gaze. He releases her waist, but he doesn’t step back, leaving her standing there, her hands still on his shoulders. Jhanak stands motionless dumbfounded by Anirudh's changed demeanor unaware that she is free to move.
Anirudh lets her stay unaware to enjoy this proximity a little longer. It's been too long since either of them has broken the silence, but he can see Jhanak struggling to find the right words. Instead of responding, she decides to scold him, "Aap aise muze pakad nahi sakate.. jane dijiye muze...", she snaps, her voice tight with nerves.
Anirudh raises his hands slowly, a soft, teasing smile playing on his lips, "Kisane kisako pakada hai Jhanak?", he asks, his voice gentle yet provocative, his eyes locked on hers.
Jhanak’s breath hitches as she glances down, realizing her hands are still resting on his shoulders, while his hands have already let go. Her heart races, embarrassed by the truth of his words. Flustered, she pulls her hands back quickly, stepping away.
"Baate ghoomana bandh kijiye, pehale aapane muze khincha tha!" She scolds Anirudh pointing fingers at him.
Anirudh puts his hands in his pockets, and without an ounce of sincerity he speaks, "Sorry, agar tumhe uncomfortable feel karavaya ho to!"
Jhanak breathing heavily in anger, turns around to leave.
"Jhanak!"
She stops, her face red with irritation hearing Anirudh's voice.
Anirudh steps closer, his presence commanding yet tender. Without asking, he gently slips a key into the pocket of her trousers. "Ye iss apartment ki spare keys hai. Main kuch din yaha nahi hoon. Jab tak tumhe koi hostel ya room nahi mil jata, feel free to use it."
Jhanak immediately pulls out the key and holds it out to him, "Muze isaki zaroorat nahi padegi. Main apana dekh lungi! Waise bhi aaj hostel room mil jayega muze"
"Phir bhi Jhanak, keep it! Agar koi emergency hui, aur main bhi yaha nahi hoon..."
"Maine kaha na, main khud dekh lungi! Main aapaki koi chiz nahi rakha chahati!"
She turns around to leave again.
Anirudh clears his throat and asks teasingly with a hint of sarcasm, "To mere kapade ...?"
Jhanak pauses, her breath catching in her throat as she realizes she’s still wearing his clothes. She bites her lip in slight embarrassment before spinning around.
"Ji, yad karavane ke liye shukriya. Abhi badal ke de deti hoon!" she says sharply, walking toward the bed to gather her own clothes and change out of Anirudh's trousers.
Anirudh holds her hand again stopping her, "Jhanak! natak bandh karo! Office nahi jana? Ya phir aaj sirf ye natak karane ka irada hai? Jake shower lelo, I will go grab your bag from the car!" Anirudh rushes out of the room.
Jhanak watches him go, her mind spinning with the clash of emotions. Anger, irritation, embarrassment ...
True to his word, Anirudh returns a few minutes later, handing her the bag with a lingering glance. With only 30 minutes before she needs to be at the office, Jhanak pushes her frustration aside and hurries to the bathroom to get ready. While she was getting ready, Anirudh secretly slipped the keys to his apartment into her bag.
She leaves for the office, and Anirudh quietly heads for Kolkata, and bids each other silent goodbyes.
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Regency's office
Later in the morning, Jhanak receives a message on her phone later in the day from Anirudh, "My apartment spare keys are in the front chain of your bag!"
Jhanak glances at the message, then looks toward Anirudh's now-empty cabin. Her heart momentarily falters, but she quickly steels herself, thinking, "Nahi Sirji, iss baar nahi! Pata nahi aaj subha aap kis bare me baat kar rahe the. Main aapaki manzil kaise? Muze aapake shabdo ka matlab nahi samazana. Pehale bhi aise shab sune hai aapase aur apane dil ko bohot dard pohancha chuki hoon. Agar majboori nahi hoti to ye job bhi chod deti."
She takes a deep breath, her thoughts hardening with resolve."Lekin ab jab aap phir se meri zindagi me aa gaye hai, muze phir se iss daldal me mat dhakeliye. Maine aap se door rehane ka phaisala kar liya hai sirji, aur ab main sirf aur sirf apane bare me sochana chahati hoon! Mere dil me aapake liye jo bhi hai, wo main aapako kabhi nahi bata sakati!"
Her decision feels final. No matter what words Anirudh throws her way, she won’t allow him to shake her focus. Not this time.
With a determined exhale, Jhanak straightens in her seat, setting her phone aside. She shifts her attention back to the tasks at hand, pushing all thoughts of Anirudh to the farthest corner of her mind. Whatever storm he brings, she won’t let it derail her path again.
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Unity Girls Hostel
Jhanak enters the hostel, her nerves on edge as she walks down the corridor filled with unfamiliar faces, all casting curious glances at her. Her anxiety heightens when she accidentally bumps into a woman, her bag slipping from her hands and colliding with someone walking toward her, causing a scene on her very first day at the girls' hostel.
“I'm so sorry!” she stammers, apologizing to the woman she bumped into. She turns quickly, her eyes darting around for her bag. Her heart sinks when she sees three women glaring at her, the one in the middle holding her bag with an air of casual authority. She’s dressed in tomboy-style clothes, gum popping between her teeth as she eyes Jhanak with indifference.
Jhanak swallows her nerves and softly says, “I’m really sorry, aap ko lagi to nahi?,” as she reaches out to take her bag back.
Another woman, dressed in a cute, preppy outfit complete with a sparkly hairpin, steps closer to Jhanak and gives her a slow, deliberate once-over. Jhanak immediately feels self-conscious under the scrutiny.
Anum speaks up cheerily, "Oh, I like your hair! Cloths... can use a little work but still pretty! Suits ya!"
Jhanak has never had good experiences with strangers before. She feels confused when she hears a compliment instead of harsh words, "Ji?"
Before she can process the comment, a younger-looking girl Sohini, jumps in excitedly, "Oh you are so pretty! Hi! I am Sohini! This is Anum and that is Fero! We three are roomies and best buddies, #BestBudsForever! Aur aapaka naam kya hai?"
Jhanak’s eyes flick to Fero, the girl with the gum, who’s still staring at her with an unreadable expression. Hesitant, she hesitates to answer.
Sohini, noticing Jhanak’s unease, bursts out laughing, "Oh aap Fero se dar rahi ho? Daro mat inaka cheraha thoda sakht hai par dil se bohot acchi hai! #Coconut! You know?"
Fero raises an eyebrow at Sohini, "Soh! tumane muze coconut bulaya? Aaj kal kuch zyada hi himmat badh gayi hai lagata hai". She steps toward Sohini with mock menace," idhar aao tumhari khair nahi!".
Sohini squeals and darts behind Anum for protection, the hallway filling with laughter. As they laugh and joke, Fero walks over to Jhanak, offering her hand. "Hi, I am Fero! Aur tumhara naam kya hai? Koi naam hai bhi yaa BagWati rakh de?"
The others laugh, easing the tension. Jhanak smiles shyly, shaking Fero’s hand, "Jhanak! Mera naam Jhanak hai!"
Fero grins, "Oh, Jhanak! To tum ho hamari forth and last roommate!"
Sohini squeals with excitement, "Oh wow! This deserves a post! #NewRommie! Jhanak tum insta pe ho kya?" She grabs Jhanak, snapping a selfie before Jhanak even realizes what’s happening. "Tumhara ID kya hai! I will tag you!"
"Use saans to lene de meri insta-queen!" Anum interrupts and pulls Sohini away from Jhanak. She continues, "Don't mind her! Ye hamari hostel ki hashtag queen hai! 24-hour insta pe milegi! Hum sab me sabase choti hai! Hi, I am Anum! Chalo main tumhe hamara room dikhati hoon!"
The three of them lead Jhanak down the hall, their chatter and laughter lifting the heaviness from her chest. For the first time in this strange new city, Jhanak feels a sense of belonging. She takes a deep breath, letting the warmth of their friendship seep into her heart.
When they reach their room, Jhanak looks around. The walls are covered with pictures, posters of Bollywood stars, twinkling fairy lights, and some small flowers arranged around the room. It feels unexpectedly cozy and homely. Out of four bunk beds, one bed stands out, neat compared to the others, and she realizes that must be hers.
Sitting down on her new bed, Jhanak giggles, feeling an unexpected surge of happiness. The room feels alive with warmth and care. As she starts to settle in, her new roommates are already buzzing with curiosity about her.
Sohini sits beside her, a mischievous grin on her face, "Jhanakkk... hamare room ki ek special tradition hai!"
"Kaisi tradition?", Jhanak asks, her curiosity piqued.
"Yahi ki dinner ke baad direct sona allowed nahi hai!" , Anum plops down on the other side of Jhanak.
"Main kuch samazi nahi!"
"Haan, hamare special adde me particiapte kiye bina sona allowed nahi hai!"
"#NoAddaNoSleep!" Sohini adds with a wink.
"Adda?"
"Haan adda!" Anum says with a playful flourish, standing up as if holding a mic, "Din bhar ki thakan, dil ki pukar aur dilbar ka intzar inn sab ka ek hi ilaj , hamara adda! Jaha hum shayari karate hai, baate karate hai, geet gate hai, patte khelate hai aur kabhi kabhi thoda sa pee bhi leti hai!" She gives Jhanak a conspiratorial wink.
"Tum dono sach me pagal ho!" Fero rolls her eyes. Jhanak laughs at the scene, with the rest as Anum and Sohini tease Fero and the fun continues. Jhanak is starting a new journey in an uncharted horizon , if she makes some friends along the way the journey will be easier.
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After dinner adda
After dinner, the four girls gather around their makeshift "adda," a cozy corner of their hostel room where their evening tradition of sharing stories, laughter, and sometimes tears took place.
"Aaj hamare adde me ek new member add hua hai! To aaj ka adda Jhanak ke naam! To Jhanak shuru ho jao, apane baare me hume bhi kuch batao!" Anum announces with a playful grin, gesturing for Jhanak to take the floor.
"#KuchTumKahoKuchHumKahe!" Sohini adds, ever the social butterfly, already thinking of how to hashtag the evening.
"Mere baare me...." Jhanak opens her mouth to speak but hesitates. The weight of the past few months crashes down on her, clouding her mind. Where could she even begin? The sorrow that had wrapped itself around her life now surfaced, suffocating her words.
Sohini notices the shift in Jhanak's expression and gently shakes her, "Kaha kho gaye Jhanak di?"
"Kya hua Jhanak? Aise ek dam shant kyu ho gayi!" Fero asks seeing Jhanak's downcast eyes.
"Haan Jhanak. Ab itana sharamao mat, jaldi batao. Are kuch to batao! Tum kaha se ho, kya karati ho, tumahre parents kya karate hai? Aur koi love interest?" Anum teases, trying to lighten the mood.
Each question seems to dig deeper into Jhanak’s heart, dragging out the buried pain. She finally speaks, "Main Kashmir se hoon!"
"Wow Kashmir!! No wonder you are so beautiful Jhanak!" Anum’s face lights up.
Jhanak manages a small smile.
"To aap Mumbai me kya kar rahi ho?" Sohini, ever curious, leans forward.
Jhanak responds, "Ji Mumbai me main yaha Regency entertainment me kam karati hoon.."
"Oh, Fero! Same company as us!" Anum exclaims.
"Aap log bhi Regency me kam karate ho?" Jhanak looks at them, surprised.
"Haan, main aur Fero dono! Sohini is in her second last year in college! Ye to badhiya hai! Hum tino sath me office jayenge! How exciting!" Anum says, high-fiving Fero.
Sohini, feeling left out, "Are to sirf main hi akeli jobless! #NeverEndingStudies!"
Anum lightly smacks her on the head, "Hum sab ne padhi complete ki hai, to tumhe bhi to karani padegi na Soh! #NoDegreeNoJob!"
"So what about your parents and family Jhanak, sab kashmir me hai?" Fero, sensing a shift, asks cautiously,
Jhanak's face darkens as she quietly says, "Ji mera ab iss duniya me koi nahi hai!" Pain is evident in her voice.
Her voice wavers as memories of her mother floods her mind, followed unexpectedly by thoughts of Anirudh. She scolds herself silently, "Jhanak phir se sirji, nahi Jhanak mat soch! Bohot hua tera!"
The room falls silent. The three girls exchange glances, not knowing what to say.
Anum breaks the silence and speaks softly, "Sorry Jhanak, hume nahi pata tha!"
Sohini chimes in, "Yes, we are sorry! #NoTearsPlease! "
Jhanak shakes her head, "Nahi aap log kyu maphi mang rahe ho? Isame aap ki koi galati nahi hai!"
Fero, who rarely opened up, adds, "Maine bhi apane papa ko khoya hai. I can understand your pain."
Anum, sensing the need for levity, "Haan, ye hamari hostel ki sabase himmatwan ladaki hai! Do bhai behan hai inase chote, aur unn dono ka, aur apani mom ki responsibility inn par hai!" Anum praises Fero, pressing her biceps as Fero raises her hand to let her press them proudly.
All three laugh, bringing a much-needed break in the tension. Jhanak, despite her sadness, smiles along with them.
Sohini, ever the empathetic one, moves closer and says, "Jhanak di, aap ko kuch share karana ho , aur apana dil halaka karana ho to we are all ears!"
"Aur agar nahi karana ho to bhi thik hai! Koi compulsion nahi hai!" Fero intervenes.
"Haan Jhanak jo tumhe thik lage..." Anum adds.
Jhanak’s heart softens at their kind words. For the first time in a long while, someone was asking her about her pain, her story. Overwhelmed, her eyes well up with tears. She tries to speak, but the words are stuck, and the tears come instead.
Sohini sitting next to her, hugs her and consoles her as the rest comes closer to calm her down. Jhanak cries out loud for some time as others sit close to her helplessly wiping her tears and trying to calm her down.
Jhanak gets hold of herself and finally speaks, "Sorry maine aap sab ka mood kharab kar diya. Muze aap thik se janate bhi nahi hai aur main aise hi rone lagi, aur aap logo ko bhi uncomfortable kar diya!"
"Are nahi Jhanak! Aisa kuch nahi hai! Dekho ye hamare sham ke adde me hasane ke sath sath rona bhi allowed hai!" Anum tries to lift up the mood.
"Yes, di! #YeShamMastaniParAapakiKhani" Sohini holds up an imaginary mic to Jhanak, trying to lighten the moment.
Jhanak smiles at Sohini’s playful hashtag, gently patting her on the head. She takes a deep breath and begins again, "Muze nahi pata aap logo se mil kar muze ek ajeeb sa apana pan mehsoos ho raha hai! Aisa mera sath pehale bhi ek baar hua hai!" Jhanak is reminded of Kashmir and the first time she met Anirudh and the connection that grew instantly between them as if she had known him for a long time.
Jhanak gets lost in her thoughts, and Sohini, ever the impatient one, shakes her lightly, "Di! aap phir kho gaye! Aage bolo na! Muze sunana hai!"
Anum again smacks Sohini on her head softly, "Aooch, Anum di!! Lagi muze!"
Anum puts a finger on her mouth and signals Sohini to keep quiet and to not force Jhanak.
(song for this scene where Jhanak is reliving the past ... time heals the pain, but the love you once felt for someone does not go away easily ...
Aise kyu... gazal version by Rekha ji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjllO7-K9k4)
Jhanak resumes her story, "Thik to main aap sab ko aaj sab kuch batati hoon! Meri puri kahani!"
Jhanak tells them about her life in Kashmir with her mom, her mom's sudden death, Anirudh and their secret wedding, escaping from Kashmir overnight and coming to Kolkata to save herself from Tejas, her life in Kolkata and all that happened, and how she came to Mumbai.
Each word lifted a weight from her chest, and the girls sat in stunned silence, their hearts aching for her as they listened to the tale of heartbreak, loss, and resilience. They cried helplessly feeling Jhanak's pain in between, and stayed up all night.
Finally, for the first time in her life, Jhanak got to talk about her painful journey with someone. All the sorrow, the struggles she had kept bottled up for so long, came pouring out. As her heart feels lighter with the pain of the past leaving her soul, the thought of Anirudh creeps in as if it were waiting to enter. She lets her heart savor his memories and let her mind fill with his image. Feeling the warmth of her new friend's company, subconsciously she misses the warmth she felt in Anirudh's company.
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Bose House
Anirudh reaches the Bose house leaving everyone in shock with his sudden arrival.
Shubho asks him in disbelief, "Anirudh? tum yaha? iss vakt?"
Tanuja asks with concern, "Kya hua beta sab thik to hai na? Tum achanak se Kolkata kyu aaye? Hum me se kisi ko kuch bataya bhi nahi?!"
Anirudh walks into the family room and speaks in a firm voice, "Muze aap sab se kuch kehana hai!"
Thammi speaks nervously, "Haan bolo beta... kya kehana chahate ho?"
Choton draws closer to Anirudh putting his hand on his shoulder, and asks in a concerned voice, "Sab thik to hai na Ani?"
Anirudh nods solemnly before making his declaration, "Main Arshi se shadi nahi karane wala!"
The room falls into a profound silence as Anirudh’s words echo through the space. Shock and confusion are evident on everyone’s faces as they exchange bewildered glances, trying to comprehend Anirudh’s sudden and unexpected decision.
"What? Hosh me to ho? Ye kya bakwas kar rahe ho?" Shubho raises in shock and anger.
"Kya kaha tumane Ani?" Tanuja, unable to comprehend, holds Anirudh by the shoulders and repeats,
Looking at her mother, Anirudh speaks with an unwavering voice, "Wahi jo aapane suna mom. Main Arshi se shadi nahi karana chahata."
He looks around at the stunned faces of his family with a determined face and speaks again in a clear loud voice, "Nahi... Main Arshi se shadi nahi karoonga. I am not going to marry Arshi Mukharajee!"
The declaration hangs heavy in the air, leaving everyone stunned. The weight of Anirudh’s decision is clear, but the reasons behind it are yet to unfold, leaving the Bose family grappling with the shock of his unexpected stand.
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To be continued ...
We will get to witness their love even more closely! Thanks Vira for including us 🤩
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