Ye Jeevan Hain - Page 7

PART 44

PART 45

Next Day..(Morning) [Shiraz Apartment]

Somu slumped down onto the couch to listen to chachu......Chachu was crying like a child while informing about his doting chhotebaba & bahurani--somubabaaaa....na jane...kya...ho gaya.......kiska buri nazar lag gaya dono ke upar....He was sniffling miserably while talking----ek dusre ke elaba......jo log...pani bhi....nehi peete hai.......woh log...alag hoke.......kaise.....kaise jiyenge???..bolo.....
Somu was stunned..speechless..totally flabbergasted & utterly shocked to hear that Smita left Daya forever.......For about five minutes....he couldn't utter a single word.....Though chachu kept grizzling---kitna pyar tha dono me.......ek dusre ke liye....kitna .....kitna ...shraddha tha......vishwas tha.....thik waisa.....jaisa main...babajee......aur....aur....bhabiraani ke andar......dekha karta tha....Achanak.......ye kya ho gaya Somubaba...ye kya ho gaya??......He kept whimpering until....Somu asked----Daya....kaha gaya hai......woh kya....tumhe.....
--pata nehi somubaba....pata nehi...Itni salo me....main..chhotebaba ko...aise rote huye.....kabhi nehi dekha....woh jaise.....koyi ghor me tha.....aur us ghor me hi.....nikalke.....na jane..kaha....chala gaya....
Somu was cogitating something very deeply with frowning eyes....His face went stern ..& grim.....
Chachu kept sobbing his heart out---bachpan se....chhotebaba...bohot dukh dard sahna hai....par....isbar....is bar..woh....sah nehi payega Somubaba.....woh sah nehi payega.....mar jayega woh....isbar mar jayega.....
His heart-rending yell was reverbrating everywhere to make the atmosphere more elegiac...
Somu's face was getting more hard..his jaws were getting visible...After a long pause...he asked---kya....kal subha se...tumhe....kuchh ajeeb sa laga??matlab...aisa laga ke....Smita kuchh...udas lag rahe hai...
---nehi Somubaba..nehi....Chachu yelped out in pain...& continued with a tremor in voice---bazar se wapas ake....main to use....kitni khush dekha......woh bohot khush thi Somubaba....Mujhe.....apne hatho se....khana diya....raat ke liye.....khana banaya apne hatho se.....aur.....he burst into tears again.....
--uske baad koyi aya tha....ya....ayi thi? Somu was sounding like an investigator....
chachu wiped his eyes off...& answered---jab tak.....main ghar me tha....tab tak to........koyi nehi aya.....mujhe....dopahar me.....nikalna para....to....
Somu got up....& came infront of chachu to console him---chinta maat karo chachu....har bar main......Daya ke sath.....aisa hone nehi dunga chachu......aisa hone nehi dunga....he was murming the last words....in excitement....His eyes were glistening exceptionally.....He felt the moisture in his eyes..& quickly stormed out of there.....

6.00 p.m

Daya was returning to the home ......with sluggish & tired steps after nearly twenty four hours......He was shambling slowly & almost grasping for breath while heading...towards the main door of his flat....
As Chachu opened the door...he nearly stumbled over him.....Chachu shrieked out in fear & immediately clasped him with his two arms......Daya was feeling extremely dizzy...Everything around & inside him was dangling sharply....Chachu gave him the support to make him traipse..& tried to mave him laid onto the couch....but Daya didn't wish to lay instead..he staggered to his foot..to go towards ..Smita's room...Chachu tried to stop him but he was unstoppable.....His eyes were getting closed...his throat was yet to receive a drop of water....his stomach was churning up with severe humger.......his breath was getting strangled.....his lips were denying to obey himself whenever he was trying to utter.......his tired legs were revolting with strain.....still....he was shuffling..desperately....to reach at his beloved wife's room...to find her...to get the touch of her aroma.......
As he entered there....the darkness of the room as if threatening him to masticate....He was scrabbling for switch to put the lights on...closing his eyes to shun from the stark darkness....but......someone...smirked at him to say---andhera to tumhara mann me hai Daya.....aur.....tumhara...zindegi me...,kaise......mitaoge use??.....Daya started panting with excitement...& opened his eyes....but now the empty room....was snarling at him.....The empty baby cot.....the empty bed..& couch...& chair.... the mirror.....& the dressing table...which was embellished with..Smita's cosmetics......Daya was watching everything ..with rapt attention....Everything was scattered there...her comb, her hair-clip, her kajal &.......Daya slowly picked up the comb.....to collect a bunch of torn hairs..of his wife.....& slowly......tried to sniff the aroma of the hair before placing the bunch..within his pocket.......He slowly was going towards .....Smita's wadrobe.....& as he opened it....a known fragrance shoved upon him.......There....Smita's clothes had been kept with care.....Her sari...& salwar....everything she kept neatly...& didn't take anything......
Daya felt warm tears were streaking down his cheeks..as he saw those clothes.....With shivering hands...he touched a sari of his wife.....&..started patting it gently...with care.....His imploring eyes were being satiated to see the clothes of his wife......He was feeling the intense touch of his beloved....by touching ........a sari....very gently....& slowly....he was trying to sniff the fragrance of it...into his heart....to feel her...with the core of his heart......but within a minute.....he slumped down....onto the floor..swaddled himself with the sari......Even he hadn't the power....& energy...to sob....to express the extreme torment of remorse....he was enduring........Within a stupor.....he was having a blurry image...of Smita...infront of him......which was eventually getting trailed away.....slowly & slowly.......His eyes were getting closed........with dried lips....he once tried to call her--sssmmm........He couldn't.......as his face stooped down .....& he fell onto the floor.....being unconcious...

PART 46

PART 47

Dev was totally embarrassed..A bitter guilt had pervaded his whole face...a tint of crimson hue was there as well....To see Nehal infront of him......he became totally befuddled ....though he wished to ask him about Daya...but couldn't....Everytime...his shivering lips betrayed him.....Finally when he left all his efforts to as him anything...Nehal himself asked him---andar aaiye na bhaiya.....
Dev was hesitant,disconcerted & ashamed....How could he enter so easily here???...How could he enter into the house of his brother whom once he discarded from Deepa Villa???.....Some unseen force was making him remembered....how he impelled them to go away from Deepa Villa....just after the eleven day of papajee's death.....Daya's woeful, lugubrious helpless face, Diksha's scare & fright to see him raving like mad......everything was coming into his mind...like a slide show...Dev wasn't being able to endure....He closed his eyes forcefully....to disguise his pain.....
Nehal was being able to twig...the mental state of Dev....His apologetic eyes...his wrinkled contrite face....was reflecting the utmost helplessness.....
Dev slowly cringed his face down......& tried to splutter something...but before that Nehal asked him again very modestly---bhaiya....andar aaiye na....
Dev now feebly mumbled--nehi.......mmain......bas......Daya ka.......haal puchhne aya tha....woh......chachu bilwa ko bataya to ...........................pata chala..................
Nehal now answered in a sombre voice----Daya.....thik nehi hai bhaiya.......hum bas ......
Dev's face muffled with sheer worry....With wavering voice....he asked again ----kkya.....huya hai use???
Nehal sighed in dejection....& said----bukhar...........
---behosh to nehi hai???......Dev asked holding back his breath.....
Nehal slowly nodded his head with sheer distress.....& further said----pichhle teen din se.......dabai lenese thora kam ho raha hai......par pher wapas araha hai.......
Dev was stunned..shocked & totally jarred by the words of Nehal......He was squirming inside with severe guilt.....it was seeming to him...that some unforseen force was trying squirt out from his heart.....otherwise he wouldn't get peace even not for a moment.......He again asked......but a little hesitantly------Daya ki.....patni ???...
Nehal cowered his head down......Dev was waiting with bated breath for Nehal's reply......but before Nehal could say anything.....Diksha asked him---kaun hai Nehal???.....Ruby ayi hai???....
Dev felt a chinking pain within his chest...as he heard the crooning soft voice of his doting sister.......After so long he heard it....In the past three years....how he yearned....how he craved to listen to their voices...........how could he make them understand???.......
Nehal again asked him---bhaiya.....please andar aaiye na.....Daya ko......ekbaar...dekh ke to............jaiye..............
Dev entered into there....with a heaps of shame...& hesitation.........& finally face .....Diksha......after three years.......Dev wished to gaze at her..........to see his younger sister..who had growned up into a woman from a chirpy vivacious girl in just past three years......Dev's eyes were getting moistened .....as the affection & the sneaking love started melting inside his heart......Diksha was standstill for some moments......slowly she started shivering......her face became fretful & scared.....Dev was going to call her...but before that she quickly turned back & ran away from there........Dev couldn't stop her.....even Nehal's repeated plea couldn't stop her......,
Dev was looking somewhat dejected, shattered.....& chagrined......He contemplated at the way Diksha went away......vacantly.......
Nehal now tried to be normal....& asked him----bhaiya....aiye....Daya aapne kamre me hai....
Nehal went towards Daya's room...Dev followed him with slow sluggish steps.....disconcertingly.......
Daya was lying in the bed with delirious state......Dev was familiar with that....He slowly went beside him....& looked upon the face of his doting brother.............his shrivelled, pale face.....was reflecting the sheer anguish he had borne ..& still was bearing.....Dev kept gazing at the face of his brother...& thus lost into the reverie...to wander through the past days.....He recalled how Daya used to grasp him during those days when he had been suffering from fever......Normally he had been a very obedient & quiet child...but during the days when he had fever..he used to become a little defiant, Dev recalled how he used to lull him taking him in his own lap.....& those innocent croon of Daya------bhaiya......ma ki pas jaunga.....bhaiya ma ki pas le chalo.....bhaiya.....Tears were brimming his eyes & started to flood his cheeks....he quickly wiped off his face....& slowly started to pat over Daya's ruffled hairs.......After so long....he touched his brother.......Dev was trying to take Daya's every pain by his gentle touch.......Very feebly he mumbled---bhai......uth bhai.....aur gussa maat kar.....................jo saza...........tu....mujhe dega.................main lene ke liye...........................taiyaar hun bhai.....................par..................He took out his specs......& again wiped his face..........& then turned his face being a little composed.....& asked him----dabai bagera ka.....zarurat pare to......
Nehal asnwered immediately---kuchh der pehle hi Dr.Ruby akae injection deke gayi hai.....teen char ghante observation karne ke liye kaha hai..agar tab tak hosh na aaye....to pher.........hospital pe hi......Nehal cringed his head down.......Dev too sighed in dejection....& then slowly came out of the room with slow steps......& sat on the couch in the hall room...........He murmured within himself----aab main....tujhe chhorke........kahi nehi jaunga bhai........kahi nehi....chahe tu mujhe........kitna hi saza kyu na de de.....shayad....yehi hai...mera prayaschit.....Eventually his glance stucked with the wall photograph....of his parents......Both were smiling at him......as if they were getting to see everything around them....Dev couldn't repress anymore...but burst into a heart rending sob....slputtering out----maa.....mujhe maaf kar do maaaaaaa.....maine........maine.....mere do nanhe bhai behn ki sar pe.....saaya nehi ban saka maaaaa....saaya nehi ban sakaa..........gunegarh hun main...maaa.......dono ko ....bahar ki dhup se..............raksha karne ki jagha.........maine hi.......un dono ko.............dard pauchaya maaaaaaaaa..........agar saza dena hai....to mujhe do maaaaaa......Daya aur Diksha ko maat dooooo..................................main tumhara...............gunegarh hun......mujhe do maaaaaaa....mujhe saza do....

[One hour later]

Siddharth Singhania came into the hall room to entertain the guest...as the maid informed him....but as he entered there....he left gobsmacked to find there....none other than ....his one time classmate....Somesh kumar Saxena......Somesh too was very calm & composed infront of Siddharth....Since childhood he never liked this funny & talkative chap of his class....& more he used to avoid him...because of his title....Saxena...a waris of saxena family.....& the cousin brother of........Daya Saxena....it was enough reason for him to avoid this guy.....To see him just infront....he smirked at first & said---wah!!! kya baat hai/??...aaj Somesh kumar ko....is Siddharth ka zarurat par gaya???...kahi sapna to nehi hai ye???
Somesh answered with firm yet calm voice--zarurat ......tumse nehi....balki....Hema se hai....
Siddharth smirked again & curling his eyebrow he flinched--really???...
Somesh again answered firmly--haa....
Siddharth turned back on his toe....& then said with a demeaning smile---par....Hema to ...har kisise ..mil nehi sakti hai.....khas taur pe....agar woh ....Daya Saxena ka ...bhai ho...
Somu wished to slap him tightly...he was getting restive...& at the same time....perturbed..for Daya's health....but he checked himself back....& chose to play safe----dekho Siddharth.....main....Hema ki zada waqt.....nehi lunga....bas....kuchh bohot zaruri baate karke ....chala jaunga.....aur...
he couldn't finish..but jolted to hear from Siddharth---Hema ko....tumhe dene ke liye.....zada ya kam....koyi waqt nehi hai.....
Somesh tried to be gentle---dekho Siddharth.....aab......ye to tumhe pata chal hi gaya hai........ke.....Daya...shadishuda hai.....uska...patni hai..bachchhi hai......
Siddharth's jaws were bobbing up & down....Somesh once squinted his eyes at him....& then again continued---aab.....main bhi ye chahta hun.....ke....Hema........hum se...dur hi rahe.......
Siddharth now turned his face to look at Somesh....& with glowering eyes...he nearly bawled----to pher yaha pe kyu aye ho???....kya chaiye tum logo ko???....is khandan ke ek beti ki zindegi barbaad karke tasalli nehi huyi tum logo ko????.....
Somesh was surprised inside him...but he didn't reveal it...instead...he again said in a calm voice---Siddharth......abaad.....ya barbaad to....sirf uparwale hi kar sakte hai....koyi insaan ..kabhi kisiko chahkar bhi.....barbaad nehi kar sakte hai......He threw some oblique remarks....at him a bit intentionally......
Siddharth was gritting his teeth in anger....& was about to shriek out....but before that Soemsh again said..this time with a tint of scoff in his voice---Siddharth.....ye maat bhulo.....jab dadi beemar thi.....tab Daya .....unhe dekhne gaya tha......tumhare chacha ke kehne par.......
Sid's face went stern..but he couldn't answer him.....
Now Somesh smiled a little wryly....& again told---itna to kritagyata hai tum logo ka.....ya pher...woh bhi......
Sid was snarling at him....in enraged rave....He raised his hand to stop Somesh.....& then went inside........

Hema took five minutes...to come into the hall......Her wrinkle,dried face was seeming more pale to Somu......He gave her a titter at first......
But Hema asked him with a grim face without any introduction---kya baat karna hai Somesh??.....jaldi bolo.....mera bohot kaam hai.....
Somu was hurt...& at the same time was quite astonished to see Hema's attitude...rather....the change within her......Once even it came to his mind....that Daya couldn't be able to endure.....this drastical change within Hema....& might it be possible that was the main reason of all these......It was touch for him..to believe that who was standing in the hall along with him....was Hema....How could it be possible???....three years...& everything had changed .???...or was it her pretence???....but why?? why the hell she had the need of pretending someone else???...why the hell she had...
--kya huya???....agar koyi baat nehi karna tha...to pher aya kyu???..Somu was startled to get Hema's sharp voice.....He tried to be a little composed...& said----Hema.......Daya....bohot beemar hai......
Hema turned her face to look at Somu.....& stared at him ....to hear more....
Somu was trying to read...the hidden expression within her face.....but as Hema glanced at him...he again continued---bukhar se.......behosh hai....teen din se........saline bhi...chal raha hai.....aur.....he stopped , his eyes were getting squinted...as Hema turned her face away.....but couldn't hide her anxiety ....&......pain.......Silence was reighning the room.....& the long silence kept her awakened...she again looked at Somu...trying to be hard..& composed---to.....mujhe kyu....bata rahe ho??.......meri....waha kya zarurat hai??....Though she tried a lot..but couldn't hide her choked voice....while speaking the last words.......
Somu was silent....but his eyes were wandering through her face like an investigator.......& his investigating eyes discovered the glistening corner of the eyes...of Hema......Hema was losing herself within a deep muse...lowering her eyes.....but feeling the unbearble silence within the room...she quickly turned back....to hide her face...& said in tremulous voice---chinat kyu kar rahe ho Somu???...use aab meri zarurat nehi paregi.........patni jo hai.....uske paas.....
Somu sighed.....& after a while he finally said---nehi....patni pas nehi hai.......
Hema gulped .....& asked again in a shaky voice----maike gayi hai???....
Somu was still watching her.....& finally told---nehi....woh........woh.....Daya ko chhorke.........hamesha ke liye........chali gayi hai......
Hema turned at Somu with her toe....her eyes were getting goggled..she slowly gawked at Somu with stark surprise.....& after some seconds..she could react---kkkya???.....woh.......hamesha ke liye.......she couldn't say more.........immediately a reddish hue spreaded over her face....& at the same time.....eyes brimmed with sheer repentance.......She wnet speechless......& within some minutes......tears started to spill over her cheeks........Somu was watching all these...minutely....& now he said again----isliye....main ye socha.....ke......kash tu jayegi.........to pher.....
--to pher kya??.....Hema was hissing within profound agony.....
--to pher shayad.....use .......bachaya ja sakta hai.....
Now suddenly Hema plunged over Somu....& snatching his shirt collar with her whole energy...she shrieked out--jhuuuuuuuut.....jhuuuuuuuuut bol rahe ho tum......aisa ho nehi sakta hai......aisa ho nehi sakta hai.......agar Daya.....itna beemar hota.....to pher...tum....tum aise ....shant kaise reh sakte the??? haaaa???>....Her eyes went so wider..as if she would exude the fire from her eyes.....& Somu was getting nervous to look upon her.......With much difficulty....he managed to disengage himself from Hema.......& now he told cowering his head down----dekh Hema.......jab aisa hota hai na.....ke...samne ....ek samundar par jaye.....aur...tujhe...par hona hota hai.....tab..darr...dard.....bebasi.....sab bhag jate hai.....bas ek hi manzil rehte hai.....us samundar ko par hona....thik waise hi....mujhe.....kisi bhi haal me....mere bhai ko....thik karna hai....chahe mujhe.......kisiko bhi.....dhunke...uske samne.....khara karna pare.....main....Somu felt a stand of pain in his chest....his voice quavered just once....but he controlled to continue---main.....woh....karunga....Hema.....main woh karunga.......
Hema was standing there.....like a stiffened immovable stone....only the flooding tears from her eyes...were indiacting that she was alive.....
Somu too was getting drenched.....with overflowing emotion...which he pent up ..for long.......But they got alarmed...as the clock ticked....loudly....to make everyone aware of the passing time.....
Somu jolted....& said quickly----Hema....phir main chalta hun......maloom tha mujhe......shayad tu....ayegi nehi.....phir bhi.......agaya tha......ye ummed se......ke.....
---bas karoooooooo........Hema yelped out in pain....& continued to whimper until.....Somu kept his hand over her straggling hair......
--bas karo Somu bas karo.....main.....tumhare sath chalungi Somu........mujhe......jana parega.......She tried to quiten herself....& wiped off her tears.......& at last simpered at Somu to say--tum paanch minute baitho....main abhi ati hun.......She was about to go inside..but just at that moment.....Sid came there & snatched her hand--tu kahi nehi jayegi......
Hema firmly disengaged her hand from Sd's tight clench that left a reddish scar marks in her hand..& said in a low yet firm voice---aaj....mujhe koyi nehi rok sakte hai Sid......Insaan to kya....aaj..Bhagwaan bhi mujhe rok nehi sakte hai.......Her face contorted with bitterness....she turned her face away..& asked Somu--chalo Somu....

PART 48

Harish & Shinku took time to find the address of Miss. Mithu Kedia....& when they finally reached at the womens' hostel near bandra..it was almost dusk.....Harish hesitantly entered there ....looking everything around.....& asked Shinku whispering ----tu pehle kabhi yaha ayi hai???...
Shinku shaked her wrinkled face negetively......
In the entrance hall there was a reception..A middle aged lady was sitting there...& to notice Harish & Shinku...she immediately asked in sombre voice---yes??...how can I help you??
Shinku was so much tired, distressed, & nervous..that she couldn't answer..but looked upon Harish helplessly...
Harish gulped once & then tried to answer modestly----Madam.....actually...hum....ek..ladki ko....dhun rahe the....
The lady immediately retorted back in a bitter voice---excuse me...hum kisi ke bareme bata nehi sakte hai...sorry.....
Harish became a little nervous..he didn't expect this.....but he retried---par hume...Miss. Mithu Kedia se milna bohot zaruri hai.......
The lady now frowned once & then asked---Mithu se???.....
--jee haa....Harish immediately answered back...
The lady now started interrogating---par aap log kaha se arahe hai??..kaun lagte hai aap Mithu ki??...aapko details batana parega...barna.....hum hamare girls se kisko milne nehi denge ..I'm sorry...She now turned her face away & concentrated on some files & paper in the table...
Harish was feeling helpless...but he was determined too.....He told now...in a low voice---dekhiye.....darasal....Mithu ..jee.....mere behn ki....saheli hai....to.....
----to???...behn ghar se bhag gayi hai???....a sharp shrill voice asked him...Harish was totally boggled..He didn't expect ever that one day he had to bear this question......He went russet in shame & insult....but still he kept his patience ..to say further...but before that the lady again threw comments---pati pitega to aur kya karegi ......phir bhi aurat shaadi ka naam sunte hi pagal ho jate hai......disgusting.......
Shinku couldn't bear anymore...now she said in firm voice---meri jeeju aise nehi hai.....kyu sare ke sare mard ko gali de rahe hai aap??.....Harish was totally befuddled....& tried to quieten Shinku......
The lady's reaction couldn't be understood ..because she was watching Shinku minutely..with bitter facial expression though...but just at that moment...a lady entered there...wearing blue salwar..a vanity bag was dangling from her hand....straying hairs were flying here & there.......
To see her..the middle aged lady said--Mithu..tumhare paas ye log aye hai....dekho.....
Harish sighed in relief to meet Mithu at last...Mithu too was a little embarrassed....& asked being very humble---mere pas??..achchha aap log aaiye...aaiye..andar aaiye.......She went inside a room ...Harish & Shinku too went along with her....& after entering into the room..Mithu locked the door.....& asked Harish-----kahiye....kya baat hai????
Harish & Shinku..exchanged their glances..........

Shishu Niketan Anath Ashram

Dusk was approaching slowly.....& the chilly air was passing by ........through the dusty leaves.......a shaft of moon had become visible.....The flowers were swaying lightly for their share of water......
Smita was giving water ....onto the dried trees......to drench them......one by one........so many flowers.....of so many colours......as if all were trying to make her happy....All were smiling at her...beaming with ebullience...to wipe out.....the profound agony....she was bearing silently......but.....how could she make them twigged....that every colours....had been effaced ....from her life......No....no one was responsible for that except she herself.......Something was pulling her strongly.....some unforseen force........Smita stared at the sky.....birds were returning to their nests......immediately she started feeling...a twinge of sharp pain....inside her....as if a sharp thron was hurting her from the core.......She tried to divert her mind.....& concentrate on the trees....& flowers......she went ahead....to shower the drops of water....&............... noticed...the tree.....swathed with.....bunch of red roses.......Smita..tried to smile....but....her smile....even....squeezed out her tears.....to drench the flower....Smita....very slowly.....touched the rose petal......A soppy tune was floating along by the breeze.....Smita closed her eyes.....& thought---mere dil ki kahani.......kaun ............kaun..gunguna rahe hai??
Aap ka gham jo...is dil me...din raat agar hogaaaaaaaaa
Sochke ye dam ghoot ta hai...pher kaise guzar hogaaaaaaaaa
kash na ati....apni judai...maaut hi aa jati
koyi bahane chain hamare...ruh to pa jatiiiiii....

Roses, trees,roads, sky...everything had becoming blurred.....Smita was feeling dizzy.....& at the same time very weak.....but she continued to pour water upon the trees.....The tune was still coming
Ik pal hasne kabhi....dil ki lagi ne na diyaaaaaaaaaaa
zahar bhi chaha agar......peena to peene na diyaaaaaaaaa.....
Smita again stared at the roses......so many roses of so many colours..red, yellow, orange, off white.....Within the off white roses.....she discovered..someone's smile.......the smile....exuding a child's innocense.......the smile...like the gleaming moon.....Smita startled...& went ahead....she was having perspiration.....even in late december........but......it was too a rose tree......red petals...were as if.....offering her gentle kiss.....She closed her eyes.....& went ahead....again...yellow roses.....grinning at her......as like as.........
The carrier filled with water had been flopped....from her hand.....she was panting.....in unbearable pain.....& ...excitement.......She quickly took the carrier & started running towards the opposite side......There......the ground had been strewn with.....sheuli.......as she tramped oe..unintentionally.....she heard someone's wince.....she closed her eyes....& saw within closed eyes...every scene ....of that day....no..that was a normal day..not a very special one....Someone ......gathered numerous sheuli flowers....within his palm....from the ground......& when he returned home........she asked ---itniiiii sari sheuli phool??.....kis liye ??...
He went abashed.....cowered his head......looking arounf like an embarrased one...turned his face to hide his flush......& then answered...with lot of fumble--woh..woh......Bhagwan ke liye...laya tha..Bhagwan ke liye........
She had smiled on that day...without realising ....that what a special moment.....she had been spending........but..hadn't forgotten....to save ...the abashed,embarrassed, russet, naughty & squirm face.....of .....her.....husband.......Smita stooped down....to pick up a sheuli...& then....she took the fragrance into her heart......It wasn't only the fragrance of the flower.....it was the frafrance.......of that evening....it was the fragrance....of.....the abashed face...it was the fragrance of the embarrassment....& the sheer......bliss......it was the fragrance........of her .........husband.........Smita was sinking ....within the fragrance...clsoing her eyes.....minutes were passing....but she was sitting there.....until....heard the febrile whisper--heyyyyyy......Smitaaaaa....
--hh...Smita winced....& opened her eyes.....
---smita.....
--ahhh...Now..someone's warm deep breath was touching her.......
--smitaa....
--ahhhh......Smita's face distorted in pain........she was looking around.....with stark fidgety.......& .......thus......her eyes......stucked.......as she noticed...............Daya.......everywhere.....in every single place.....He was grinning at her..........Smita...tried to close her eyes........but couldn't.......Daya was raising his hands....to call her....She pressed her two ears with hands......& closed her eyes.......A storm was blowing inside her..which made her totally speechless......now she heard again----akhe band karne se.....kya hoga Smita??........Dil.....me to.........main......hi......baitha hun na...hmmm??...Smita was trying to curb the the excruciating pain she was having........she slowly , very slowly tried to open her eyes.....& to avoid seeing anything...she looked upon the starry sky.....cirrus clouds were sailing smoothly across the sky......she kept staring at ...with her red-rimmed eyes.....until.....Daya's dolorous face flickered infront of her eyes......within the vast sky.........he was rasping in pain----mujhe akele phek ke..............kaha chali gayi smita???....agni ke samne sath nibhane ka.. jo wada kiya tha....kaise use jhutla diya smita???..kaise??..saans lene me....kitna taqleef ho raha hai mujhe smitaaaaaa....seene me...............bohot dard ho raha hai smita..............aa jao.....
Tears were flopping from his eyes...& those tear drops were becoming glittering stars within the sky........
Smita was getting crumpled with pain........as if someone was squeezing out her heart......She was nerly gasping for breath.........& busrt into a heart rending wail even after a rigorous try to repress it....

Womens' Hostel

Mithu: haa...woh..mere pas ayi thi............
Harish sighed & said---ayi thi??....to aab woh kaha hai???he was very eager & excited as well
Mithu: maaf kijiye....ye main aapko keh nehi sakti hun....
Harish frowned...& stared at her for a few moments ..& then he again asked---keh nehi sakte hai matlab??
Mithu was silent...she didn't answer Harish....
Harish again asked---aapko maloom hai woh kaha hai is waqt???
Mithu was silent....Now Shinku pleaded with folded hand----didi please....ye pata karna hamare liye bohot zaruri hai...please bataiye woh is waqt kaha hai....
Mithu said calmly----par maine to use wada kiya hai....ke main kisiko uska ata pata nehi bataungi...
now Harish was getting excited...he asked a bit loudly----kyuuuu?? kyu aap aise wada kiya usse??....
Mithu answered--kyuki......usne mujhe kahi thi...
Shinku: kya kaha didi ne??
Mithu: ke....agar koyi bhi use dhun ne aye....to main na kahu..ki woh kaha hai.....
Harish gave a blow on his own hand by the other saying---damn....pagal ho gayi hai woh......He quickly looked upon Mithu & said assertively- --dekhiye....hume isi waqt usse milna hai...isi waqt.....
Mithu answered a bit roughly----dekhiye...maine kya diya na.....main apne dost se kiya huya promise ko aise tor nehi sakti hun...
Harish was getting restive now....he once winced in helplessness..but again regain himself.....& said sharply---to nibhaiye dosti...nibhaiye aapki promise....chahe isse uski zindegi barbaad kyu na ho jaye....
Mithu didn't answer..only looked at him somewhat askance......
now Harish again told ...trying to gentle..& sensible-----dekhiye, smita ki pati bohot beemar hai, serious hai, kya aap chahenge ...............ki use ye maloom hi na chale??....
Mithu was thinking something deeply......
Harish was trying his best to persuade her----agar dost koyi galti kare....to us galati ko sudhar dena..kya dost ka farz nehi bante hai??...bataiye??.....
Mithu now again glanced at him suspiciously & let out----main kyu yakeen karu..ke smita koyi galti kar rahi hai??
Harish sighed in distress..& said----main.....smita ki bhai lagta hun....ye...smita ki behn hai...ghar me bure maa peetajee hai....jin logo ko...abhi ye pata hi nehi...ki smita ghar chhor ke chali gayi hai......uski pati beemar par gaya hai.....abhi shayad hospital me bhi le jana para hai....itna kuchh sun ne ke baad bhi aap yehi kahenge....ke hum log uski bhala nehi chahte hai???....
Mithu now was getting semi-convinced.....she told-----maine smita ko kuchh puchha to nehi thi....woh.....bohot pareshan lag rahi thi....mujhe laga.....ke...........husband ke sath kuchh aisa ho gaya.....jisliye.............woh ghar chhorne ke liye majboor ho gayi......par.......
----par kya???....didi thik to haina??..now Shinku asked in choked voice.....
Mithu sighed & said-----thik hai.....mujhe thora waqt dijiye......
Harish was astounded & could only let out-----waqt???...par hamare pas to waqt nehi hai Mithujee....
Mithu said now gently-----aap logo se kuchh bhi kehne se pehle mujhe ekbaar Smita se milna bohot zaruri hai....please.....mujhe waqt dijiye.....kal subha tak...shayad main aap logo ko uski pata de sakungi.........
Harish & Shinku both were somewhat dejected....they cringed down in despair......Mithu again said-----ye hai meri card, rakh dijiye, jab bhi zarurat pare..to call kar lijiyega.....
Harish took it slowly.....& headed to go away with sluggish tired steps......but he stopped...came back...& asked in tremulous voice----Smita.......thik to haina??...
Mithu said----waise to thik hi thi.......par mujhe lagta hai..mentally .....bohot upset hai........
Shinku's eyes brimmed over with tears....Harish quickly checked himself back...& headed to go away clenching the hand of Shinku......

PART 49
Hema was running gustily....without noticing anything....& on

the way she bumped against a lot of people...Somu was trying to

clasp her..but she was unapproachable this time....Somu had in

a little dilemma....He was a little relieved to see Hema as she

was in the past...but at the same time her yearn was getting

him tensed..for Daya's marital life........Hema just plunged

over the door gasping for breath...& gave the door

bell........violently & repeatedly......Somu too reached there

within a moment..& tried to quieten Hema...but.......she was

within in a trance....as if no words was getting reached at her

ears......
After some stifling moments.......Nehal opened the door......&

got totally baffled........to see...................Hema

there.......
Hema was panting for breath....& at the same time..she too

stared at Nehal....for some moments..before pushed him away

violently to go inside........But....she stopped....to see

............Dev there.............Dev was sitting on the

couch........& Hema's....unexpected storm like entrance ..made

him totally speechless.......floundered...& confused....
Hema.....slowly came infront of Dev.....with glowering

eyes.......Dev too....was watching her..minutely..........Both

of their eyes were questioning the

other......Hema.....felt..the abyss of surprise...&

contempt...for a cheater..within Dev's eyes....while...Dev

found.....sharp abhorrence...& loathing..within her

eyes.........Hema's face was getting distorted...with sheer

hatred....towards her brother-in-law......Dev quickly turned

his face away..& went away through the main door........
Hema was still panting....a sharp anger was wreathing her

mind........she stepped ahead..but this time...she got

restricted.....by..none other than....her one time friend

Diksha............Hema gazed at her.....Anger was getting

melted as tears....to see..her childhood friend with whom..she

had spent so many special moments..........She wished to run

into her to cuddle up against

her...........but................Diksha was flaring.....in

excitement....& hatred.....Her twitched face was reflecting

sheer disdain for her childhood friend.....She came just

infront of her......her wandering eyes were mocking

Hema..sharply........Hema slowly lowered her eyes..to hide the

intense pain...........
Diksha now opened her mouth.....to interact with Hema...after

nearly three years...------kyu aye idhar?????
Hema couldn't toss her eyes up.....to face

Diksha............Did she ever think...that one day she would

have to hide her face from Diksha??........A sharp lump of pain

was cracking her heart into pieces..........
but she had to get startled.....to hear the yelp of

Diksha-----kyu ayi hai idhar???......
Hema shivered a little to get the yelp.....& tossed her guilty

eyes up......
Diksha's lips were quivering........tears started to

descend..over her cheeks......face contorted in pain....within

a minute..she burst into tears...........& yelled within her

vehement cry-----kyu meri bhaiya bhabi ki

zindegi..............aise............barbaad

karne...........wapas agayi tu?? kyuuuuuuuuu???.............aab

kya chaiye tujhe?????
Hema bit her lips to repress her pain....& turned her

tear-flooded face away..........
Diksha was inconsolable...Nehal ran into her to subdue her

intense pain...but Diksha just pushed him away with sharp

excitement..& yelped--aaj mujhe kehne do Nehaaaaal...mujhe

kehne doooooooo......Teen sal pehle............agar tu mujhe

mil jati naaaaaa..............she was rasping in pain...&

continued with difficulty---------to...main tujhe..........main

tujhe.......mar dalti Hemaaaaaa.....mar dalti main

tujheeeee........
Hema slowly undid the scarf from her head..& wiped her

face.........but within a moment......her face ...........again

swamped with tears..............
Diksha continued to rasp----abhi abhi

to................throi........si.......khushi mila tha

useeee.............aur............aur..tu........woh....bhi

chhin liya Hema???.....woh bhi chhin liya???.....
Hema was wavering with agony....
Diksha was heaving-----dekhi hai tune???....kaise bitaya

woh..ek ek pal???...zahar se bhara huya...woh ek ek

pal..........jo zahar..................tu.....tu uske zindegi

me..............bharke chali gayi thi....???...
Hema was getting drenched..by her own tears.......some force

was throttling her breath.....
Diksha continued to snipe her-------ehsaas hai tujhe woh tamam

palo ka..........jab woh........akele .......apna tanhai ki

sath din guzara???...haaaaaaaa????
Hema was trying to repress her pain..but

couldn't.........anymore.........
Diksha again yelled out--chup kyu hai Hema???...bol na???
--haaaaaaaaaa...haaaaaaaaaaaa..now Hema wailed out loud..she

was breathing shallowly..to

speak--------haaaa.....main........buri hun.........dhokebaaz

hun................aur...........her voice was getting choked

to utter-----aur....bewafa bhi hun...........par...teri

bhabi???....teri bhabi bhi...kya bewafa thi??...........woh

apne pati ko is hal me chhorkeeeee.............kyu chali gayi??

bol??..she was heaving in excitement..but in just next moment

Diksha retorted back sharply---------chup kar Hema..chup

kar.... ....
Hema's tearful eyes were glistening with a mixture of surprise,

pain & furore......
Diksha's face distorted with hatred...she bawled out

loud-----mere bhabi ki bare me ek labs maat bolna Hema.....tera

haq hi kya hai uski bare me baat karne

ka??.....aur.......aur........janti hi kya hai tu uski bare

me???.....
Hema's face went stern....she shrieked in pain-----agar woh aaj

idhar hoti.............to...........mujhe.......yaha ana nehi

parta.......woh..ek patni hokar bhi.......apne pati ko

chhorke......chali gayi hai
--haaa..chali gayi hai...Diksha now came closer to Hema....&

glanced at her sharply....& then murmured..gritted her

teeth--pata hai tujhe kyu?? haa???...tere waja se.......
Hema went standstill....her eyes forgot to bat.....& lost the

parlance........her breath went stopped.....for some

moments....she kept gawking at Diksha.......
Diksha again groaned -----yakeen nehi ho raha hai

tujhe???...haaaa.....tere liye hi chali gayi hai woh....tere

liye.....tujhe..aur bhaiya ko......ek dekhne ke liyee.......
Somu & Nehal were taken totally aback..to hear Diksha.....Somu

goggled his eyes & kept gaping at Diksha with sheer

astonishment.........Her groan eventually converted into a

painful moan....she again started sobbing her heart......&

grizzled------kya janti hai tu uski bare me???.......janti

hai....tere liye....uski dil me....kitna shraddha

tha???......kitna vishwas tha...........Maine jab jab

tujhe.........nafrat karna chaha...........bhabi

ne...........mujhe rok liya.............ye

kehke................ke.......................teri koyi

majboori...........tujhe Daya se dur le gaya.............Tu ek

bewafa nehi hai...........She was whimpering accutely to say

all these----Daya jaise insaan............jisse...........itna

pyar karta hai........woh....woh kabhi bhi...........bewafa

nehi ho sakte hai.............
Hema's eyes were getting again brimmed over...but...the

furore...the excitement..ebbed away....&..........slowly......a

sharp guilt....was pervading her face...to crumple her

up...with exquisite agony.......
Diksha continued within whimper-----janti hai

tu.......................kaise...........in pichhle ek saal

me.................patni hokar bhi....................apne pati

aur tere puja kiya hai woh???.......aur har pal

me...........sirf...yehi prarthana kiya

hai........ke..........tu wapas

ajaye...............aur......................Daya ke

zindegi................phir se..............khushi

se....................abad kar de.??.....Mujhe......uski baate

sunke...............darr lagta tha

Hema.........par.............use jaise..........ye yakeen

tha..................ke tu

ayegi.......aur................samhal legi..........apni

sansar...............ye sab.................ye sab

kuchh.......woh..........tere liye hi.............chhor gayi

hai Hema...........ye ghar

bar...........sab..............sab.....................woh....t

ujhe deke gayi hai....................
aur sirf................yehi nehi....................ek saal

baad.......................jab...............jab tu bhaiya ke

sath ghar

basaigi..............to...............apni...........beti

ko.bhi.....................woh................Diksha wasn't

able to bear the excruciating pain anymore..but still she

continued.------chhor jayegiiiii...................Daya ke

kahtir................
Tear drops were falling from Hema's still contrite

eyes.......she flushed in russet in sheer angst......
Somu & Nehal were totally astounded, shocked...& stiffened like

stone......Diksha continued to blubber ........until they heard

constant noise of someone's groan......Nehal & Somu ran into

Daya's room....& discovered him semi conscious...........He was

moaning with feeble voice.....Somu said excitedly-----hosh aya

hai Nehal....hosh aya hai..
his eyes became moistened ......Nehal quickly sat beside

Daya..& started patting his hairs..with a bit cold water.....&

told Somu---Somu...tum jake Dr.Ruby ko bulakar lao....jao jaldi

jao...Somu nodded & ran towards the main door....Meanwhile

Diksha too came beside Daya & started sobbing

---bhaiyaa...bhaiyaaa..bhaiyaa..akhle khol

bhaiya....main...main....Diksha.....main..hun bhaiya...tera

kuchi........Hema was standing within the hall.....being

shocked....& standstill.........she wasn't being able to take

such a blow.....Eventually..some scenes were splashing out

infront of her eyes...The day..she first came into the

house....those croony words of Smita----Daya.....main......pas

me....Nidhi Ke ghar me jati hun......Hema closed her eyes....&

now she could elicit...why she told that....on that

day........She tried to open her eyes..but couldn't.....as the

innocent face of Smita again flashed infront of her....& her

soothing croon----Hema....aaona...andar aao........She could

misbehave with her on that day....after knowing that.....she

had been her husband's lover....she had cheated with her

husband.....but..........Hema felt groggy....& handled herself

clinging onto the couch.....It seemed as if someone was trying

to snatch her breath...every moment.....

Daya was moaning feebly....& started groaning

too---ssmm....iiiiitaaa.....siiiita........sssmitaaaaa......ahh

h.......
Nehal & Diksha exchanged fretful glance with each other.......
Daya continued with

fervour----Ddik....sh...a.....dikshaa...dikshaaaa....
Diksha quickly clenched the palm of Daya & presed it to

say----haa...bhaiya....main yaha hun..tere hi

pas......yaha.....
Daya bumbled very

feebly---tteri....bhabi........bhabi.........teri bhabi........
Tears were dripping from the corner of his eyes.......he tried

to be loud----teri bhabiii.....teri

....teri...bhabi..........teri bhabiiiiiiiiiiii.......Diksha

got frightened............Now Nehal slowly

murmured---Dayaaaa.......dekho.......Hema ayi hai......
hema..........hema ayi hai............
Daya was gasping-----hhheemaa....heh......hehhmmma........
Nehal ran into the hall...& jerked Hema----Hema.......
Hema was almost in trance.........& got sopped by her

tears......She startled ....to hear

Nehal----chalo......Hema...Daya tumhe dekhne cha raha hai...
A frisson of unbearable agony was getting her weakened...She

gritted her teeth..to gather her energy.........& then slowly

headed towards Daya's room...........

Daya was rasping in pain-----hhhhemmmaaa......Hema just plunged

onto the bed..& clasped Daya's hand eagerly....but she couldn't

repress her pain anymore..........but busrt into an heart

rending yell......touching him....after so long....
Daya kept groaning----hhemmaa...........rroo maat

....dekho.......ssmmmitaaa....chali gayi hai...chali gayi

hai......woh.........hamare liye....he was trying to

smile...but it converted into a grievous whimper.......
Hema's heart was tearing apart.....but Daya was speaking in

frivolous voice---chali gayi woh...chali gayi.............chali

gayiiiiiii...........aur............aur.........nehi

ayegiiiii............kabhi nehi

ayegiiiiiiiiiiiii...kabhi...kabhi

..nehiiiiiiiiiiiii................
he tried to burst with a loud guffaw...but

couldn't.......again.....his face distorted.....& slowly..he

started sobbing......& at the same time

.......reciting..........
shyam ....aur radha ki........adhura

...kahani..........adhura....nehi rahega....isbar......
milenge woh............kisi.......shubh ghari

me......duniya............maan jayegiiiiiii.........har....
Hema stopped yelling.....& was listening to Daya...with her

whole heart....Daya was breathing shallolwy...while continue to

recite it
Us....madhur....raat ki......madhur gunj

me............meera...basegi...........dono ki......pyar

me......
Diya ......bankar...........kisi ek...kon

me..............dhun legi.........apni..........sansar........

Daya had a rueful, lugubrious smile.....within his

face....still he was speaking ..but with....much

difficulty---woh....meera banke.................meri..zindegi

ki..........sari.....sari..............zahar.......pee.....liya

hai Hemaaaaa.....
hemmmmaa........yee......woh hi.....woh hi

to..................likhi.......thi...........par..............

..mujhe...........diya

kaha??............hhemmma......dekho...................woh....n

eela..........neela.............ho gayi hai.......zahar

se............zahar........
zahar ke

elaba....................maine........maine..............use...

............kuchh na ..kuchhh na ...diya

......woh......woh..........haste

haste....................pee....gayi.................
Hema's face...distorted with exquisite agony..............she

even lost the energy to sob........
Daya..still continued to pant ----woh..........nehi

ayegiiiii......aur kabhi.....ye ...........ye.........nehi

kahegi...............ke..............Daya.............kha

lo........Daya......dhup me.......maat

jao.....daya.......dayaa......kabhi bhi........kabhi

nehi..........pukaregi.....woh ........mujhe............His

face twitched with pain.....tears were still dripping ......
Hema groaned suddenly----nehiiiiiii....nehi Dayaaa....woh

ayegii.............woh ayegi

Dayaa...........tumhe......pukaregi........radha...aur

meera.....kya..........alag hai????.....she burst into a woeful

sob.........to surge up & down with ineffable pain..........but

within a minute...she ran away from there...........& bumped

against Somu......Dr.Ruby hurriedly went towards Daya's

room........Somu was totally floundered........& Hema busrt

within the arms of Somu----mujhe..Ssmita ke pas le

chaloooooooooooo...Somuuuuuuu.....le chalo mujheeeeeeeee.......

hey nice story 😊 update soon[/QUOTE

PART 50
[Next day] [4.30A.M]
Smita....was sitting ..within the garden....Chilly wet air was

shoving upon her....to stray away her long tresses.....Dews

were getting her drenched.....Sunlight was yet to penetrate

through the thick layer of fog.....her fingers were freezing in

cold.....but....she was trying to gaze at the above

sky....through the dense mist......& wreathing

herself....within the fog..it seemed to her....that.....she had

been caged.....by....the circumstances...of her life....just

like ..that little boy....whom she noticed again last

night....wearing yellow kurta...& white pyjama....he had been

cooped up....with thick ropes brutally .....but....last

night...along with the child....she........too...had seen

......someone.....at a glimpse........penned by ropes..from the

chest to toe....tossing & turning with hunger,thirst.......&

fatigue....Her eyes were getting moistened....a flickering pain

started to chink...within her heart.......She didn't want to

believe....that......whom she saw last night...........was

her....husband.......Yes...he was wirthing...in unbearbale

agony.....His eyes were losing the glance....his dried parched

lips were losing words....he was gasping..for breath....wearing

yellow kurta..&..white........Smita burst into a

sob.....cloaking her face with her palms.....to revealed out

the profound sting ......she was bearing since the past

days......& eventually......those memories were floating across

her mind....how she had coped with the intense pain....on that

night....by the gentle touch of

...........Daya.......Daya....her wretched husband....her

sensitive, emotional, caring husband......his perky grin..when

she used to ruffle his unruly hairs......his abashed...flushing

face.....his mischivous eyes....& puckish

chuckle.,.....his.....dolorous.....guilty face,...his ...huffy

puffy childlike face,...his...brimming eyes.......
Smita yowled suddenly...not being able to silent....as a

surging pain started clobbering her repeatedly......Tears

clouded her eyes....but soon she rubbed her eyes......to mope

her eyes out.....& her mind...stucked....with a wandering

flamingo.......that was wailing like mad.....&....wobbling here

& there..probably losing something ..something very

precious....in his life.....The sharp yell of that flamingo was

making Smita...shivered....with a sharp twinge of

affliction........She kept staring at the flamingo....& praying

for the flamingo's peace...........& within a minute......her

prayer had been listened....when she noticed...a goose...to

come from another side....wobbling through the opposite side of

the garden.......As the flamingo got his goose....he started

cooing...& coddling his goose....with all his

affection.......Smita could sense...the sheer happiness of the

goose..as she fluffed herself....to get coddled by her

flamingo.........Smita's eyes were getting wet......The

flamingo got back his goose....but.............her

flamingo???.......she closed her eyes.....to swallow a lump of

pain.......She wiped her wet eyes with her aanchal...& folded

her two hands to pray...staring at the

sky-----Bhagwan.......tum......Hema aur.............Daya

ko.......ek kar do.......taqi...........woh dono

bhi...........ye..hansa...aur hansini ki tarha.....khushi

se....khil paye..............
she got up......& with slow tired steps...went inside........

Harish's residence [6 A.M]

Somesh was sitting on the couch cringing his head down....with

a doleful grim face....& Harish...was standing infront of

Hema's inquisitive,surprised eyes....cowering his head

down........Shinku was sobbing badly hiding her face within a

small pillow......
Hema now again sharply asked Harish----Harish bhaiya....tumhe

Mithu ki paas se..aise laut nehi ana chaiye tha....ye....do

zindegi ki sawal hai...do kya....her voice trembled......but

she still continued---teen teen zindegi....
Harish said helplessly----hum unhe samjhane ki bohot koshish

kiya....par woh to....
--woh to kya???..Hema asked in bated breath...
Harish sighed in distress...& again said---woh to samajh hi

nehi rahi hai.....ke.....situation kitna serious hai..aur...
--main samjhaungi.....Hema told with excitement.....
Somu tossed his eyes up...& looked at Hema with sheer

surprise.......Harish too was silent....
Hema again said more assertively---mujhe...waha pe le

chalo...Harish bhaiya........
Harish & Somesh exchanged their glances....
now Hema nearly pleaded with tremulous voice---le chalo mujhe

waha pe Harish bhaiya.......mujhe le chalo.....hath jorti hun

main.......Her eyes got moistened....face twitched with

pain.....& she murmured----jo pap.......maine kiya

hai......uska prayashchit to mujhe.....karna parega

na.....Tears were descending over her cheeks.......
Harish was looking at her with sheer surprise....questions

those were churning up within his mind...he couldn't

utter...but...Hema herself uttered the answer-----mere waja se

hi........woh chali gayi hai..Somu....haa......main hi zimmedar

hun......main...main...sirf main...........main

hi................barbar............barbar..................Day

a ka...........dukh ka karan ..................ban jati hun

Harish bhaiya...main....hi..............now she started

blubbering..........
...Shinku came up....infront of her......with puffy swollen

eyes & tear-flooded face....& asked her ..again bursting into

tears-----kyuuuuu???......kyuuuuuuu tumne aisa

kiyaaaaaaaaaa????...meri didi

to................kabhi................uski...........dushman

ki bhi....burai nehi chahti hai............to pher.......
----galati ho gaya hai behn.......Hema apologised wreathing her

face with severe repentence.....& continued within

blubber-----par behn............main wada karti hun........ke

........tumhari didi ko.............main

wapas....laungi........zarur..wapas laungi.......she pulled

Shinku..within her arms.....
Somesh was gazing at Hema..with surprise.....Harish too was

dumbfounded.....Shinku was blubbering to get the

warmth.........
Hema kept patting Shinku's hairs.....& said in an impassioned

voice----Harish bhaiya.....mujhe le chalo waha.......jaldi

chalo Harish bhaiya.....
Harish agreed..silently.......& prepared himself....

[Shiraz Apartment] [9 A.M]

Daya was lying in bed.....with two still apathetic

eyes.....staring at the ceiling.....Nehal just checked the

fever with thermometer......still he had fever but.....not too

high.....Chachu was weeping sitting beside Daya.....Very

slowly......he rumpled his hairs....&

asked---chhotebaba.......dhudh pee lo.....
Daya's eyes filled with tears...very feebly...he could only

bumble-----Ssmmmitaaaaaaaaa..........
Chachu again said----chhotebaba.......tum.....bohot kamzor ho

gaye ho........ye lo baba...pee lo....dekho....sab.....
--ssmiitaaaaaaaaaa.....smitaaaaaaaa......Daya could utter

..only one word......
Chachu kept weeping ........Nehal came back....& kept his hand

upon chachu's head to console him.......& asked him to go

away.......Chachu went out with heavy heart....& Nehal sat

there.......He tried to smile...& then said very

gently------Dayaaa......sun pa rahe

ho???......main....main...Nehal.........he took a palm of Daya

within his own.....& tried to interact with

him---Dayaaa......kya dekh rahe ho??......chalo to...uthkar

baith jao.........tumhe aisa leta huya dekhne

me......hume........achchha nehi lagta hai Dayaa.....na

mujhe....aur na .......na..tumhara behn

ko........chalo....jaldi thik ho jao Dayaa.......aur......
---smitaaa..........smitaaaaaa....smitaaaaaaaaaa....Daya

started shaking his head from one side to another in sheer

perturbation....to utter only one word....& that

was....---Smitaaaa.....smitaaaaaaaaaaa......His painful

helpless yelp was shoving..at everyones' hearts...before being

lost in the nature.......
Tears again started to drip through the corner of the

eyes.....eyes were getting red-rimmed....lips were getting

dried......Nehal tried to him give a little water....but he

sharply....recoiled it.....& continued to

yowled---Smitaaaaa...........smitaaaaaaa....smitaaaaaaaaaa.....

......
Nehal ran to Diksha.....& informed her----Diksha....lagta

hai..phir se bukhar aa raha hai....niche se Ruby ko bulau???
Diksha was in the puja ghar......since the last night......She

didn't say anything to Nehal...& again plunged at the feet of

the lord......to snivel------meri bhabi ko.....la do

bhagwaan....meri bhabi ko kahi se bhi wapas la

dooooooooo...............un do dilo pe....thora rahm karo

bhagwaaaaaan...thora rahm karoooooooo................

Shishu Niketan Anath Ashram.....[ 9.30 A.M]

Harish,Somesh,Shinku, Hema, along with Mithu....entered there

with the small tiny bamboo made gate clustered with jasmine

tree......Everyone was watching the natural beauty of the wide

garden & pasture of the Ashram.....
Mithu took them into the reception.....where a lady was busy

with some files....To see Mithu she smiled & said--arey

Mithu??...kya baat hai?? sab thik haina??...
Mithu once looked at the gang she had brought with a little

uneasyness....& then asked her mildly--woh......Smita ...thik

to haina??....
The lady's face became a little worried...she sighed &

answered---nehi...kal....woh baag me...behosh ho gayi

thi.......bohot kamzor bhi hai....aur phir......utna chhoti si

bachchhi...aur....
Shinku started cying....Harish too felt his moistened eyes....&

Hema......she was standstill...........tear drops were falling

from her wide eyes straight onto the floor........& through her

teary eyes ......she was watching..a blurry image....where....a

lady....wrapped with a shabby sari...was hobbling with

diffuclty.....to take her child....within her lap......her

dried , melancholic face....getting gleamed...as she started to

lull the baby......within her lap......She had lost

everything....except the ineffable delight

of...........motherhood.......
Hema's face distorted with agony....but she tried to subdue the

storm inside her.....
By that time Mithu asked the reception

lady------kya.....hum....Smita se abhi...mil

payenge.??..matlab....
Hema quickly folded her two hands & pleaded----main...milna

chahti hun pehle.......please...Harish bhaiya.....She was

looking at everyone..with imploring begging glance.......until

everyone nodded....to give her the permission....
The receptionist lady got up....& took Hema inside.....There

was a narrow plave through which they reached at an exit....Now

the lady told Hema----woh raha......Smita ki ghar..yaha se

chali jao......
Hema noticed there was a little hut with asbestos roof.....She

stared at the sky.....& by her silence.....she tried to say to

the Almighty---wah...kya khel hai tumhara bhagwaan...jise....ek

raani ki tarha...deepa villa me....chhoti bahu ka maryada

leke....rehna chaiye tha.....use..tum..yaha le aye......Eyes

were trying to squirt tears out......but she repressed

it.......& went ahead.......with heaving heart.......

PART 51

The door was ajar.......Hema slowly...& hesitantly came infront of the door....& was going to tap it.......but before that....she noticed Smita.......She was sewing something sitting infront of a tiny window.......but she wasn't being able to......do it properly.....& thus was wiping her eyes ..with shabby aanchal........Her straggling rugged drenched hairs were dangling upon her back......The wail of an infant she could hear..& also noticed Smita.....She hurriedly took her baby.....& started dandling her.....The infant was still wailing....but Smita was trying to lull her.....by her soft croon----mere rani betiya......kya ho gaya?? hmmm???.....papa ka yaad .....araha haina tujhe??.....haa???...bohot yaad araha hai????....achchha thik hai.....jayegi..na tu papa ke pas......ek saal baad hi......to jayegi tu.......apne papa..........aur..........apni........ma ki pass...Her voice was flickering with vehement emotion...but she was trying to quell it...& again continued-----jayegi na maa........jayegi........apne maa papa ke pass.......Hema closed her eyes forcibly....she was crumbled into pieces.........unable to resist her unbridled whimper.........
The baby was purring contendly....to get lulled by her mother...& slowly...she went silent.....Smita....made the baby lied on the bed.....gently....& then wiped her eyes off.......& very slowly.....shuffled towards a pitcher.....& took a glass of water...to drink......& after drinking the full glass....she sprinkled some water upon her face......& then again came back beside the baby....to sew some clothes probably..for her weeny daughter.....
Hema stared at her....with mute astonishment....& sympathy.......She was bearing abyss of agony.....silently....for the sake of......Daya.........His happiness.....his reunion..with his lover......for which..she had squeezed out.....every drop of happiness..out of her life.........Singeing with intense anguish.....like an incense....she was trying to lighten....the life....of her......husband.........Hema reposed her face over the wall....& kept sobbing silently..to release out....the profound agony........but....she couldn't be silent anymore.......Smita's woeful,grief-stricken face...was bludgeoned her heart to death......& suddenly.....she squealed out....unable to bear the pain.......
Smita quickly turned at the door.......& ...........got totally bamboozled...........to find ...Hema....infront of her.........For some time...she was speechless..in...shock....& surprise.........Hema was blubbering more.....as she faced Smita......
Smita came closer of Hema.....& clasped her two hands to support........Hema....wasn't being able to speak .....not a single word.....but she folded her hands together.....& looked upon Smita....with an imploring glance......Smita's face was getting worried...& full of angst......She clenched....Hema's folded hands within her.....& was looking at Hema.....with her two beseeching eyes.......Tears were flooding her face too.......About two minutes...they clammed up....like this...& then.....Smita....tried to mollify..her emotion.....& asked....in ...a unsteady voice----Hema.....tum??........Kaisi ho???.....
Hema clinched Smita within her arms....& continued to blubber miserably.......
Smita again closed her teary eyes....but spouting tears weren't being obedient.....niether the supressed pain..listened to her.....that was melting ...as tears.........
----mujhe.......mujhe...........maaf kar doooo....Smitaa..........main......Hema could very feebly mumble those words...within her vehement yell...of pain......
Smita's lips were quivering violently which she tried to appease by biting her lips....& said...tried to be a little composed----kis baat ke liye Hema??...tumne......tumne to.....koyi .......gunah ....nehi kiya hai.......Both of their tears were getting them drenched.......Now Smita...a bit forcibly.....cupped.....Hema's face ..within her palm.....& said murmuring the words------tumne.............pyar kiya hai Hema........
Hema's tearful eyes were wandering ...through ...Smita's pale, grief-stricken tear-flooded face.....The intensity of her cry..had been appeased a little.....as she heard-----kisika..tanhai ko.......tumne hi to....door kiya na...aapne daman se.......Smita continued with fervour----aur......unka...sara dard bhi............tumne.........apne hasi se............apni......khalbalati bato se.................aur apni.....mamta se................hatha diya..........to behn............kis baat ke liye..............maafi mang rahi ho tum??......haa??....She patted her hairs....& wiped her tears off........Hema was getting dumfounded..speechless......Smita's gentle touch was melting....her every pain.....her soothing presence......was seeming...a shield......against the scorching glare.....of this cruel world.....Smita.....now...held Hema's hand ...& took her towards the bed......where...her tiny daughter was sleeping...with peace.......Hema sat there....along with Smita...within a trance........but before Smita could say anything....Hema spluttered out within the daze----tum........tum.....kaise.......mujhe......janti ho Smita??....
Smita smiled a little.....which couldn't hide the unebearble agony she was bearing.....& then murmured with impassioned voice staring somewhere vacantly--------Daya se.........She remained silent...gazing deeply at the floor.....with glistening eyes......for soemtime........Hema was ...only watching her.......her pale,tired , exhausted face....was indicating...how she had fought.....against the squirting pain..within her heart......to diminish Daya's existence......from her life..........Her straying,tousled, dried hairs were indicating...how apathetic she had become...about herself......The thick black streaks under her two wide eyes was indicating.....how....she had lost ..her sleep........Her..............no....she couldn't see more....properly.....as ..everything infront of her was getting blurred.....Her lips were revloting to utter word...shivering violently with pain....but....she...gently touched Smita's chin.....& with a flickering voice....tried to uttered----mujh se......kya..chhupaoge Smita??..hmmm??......Tears were getting dropped from her eyes..without a pause...She sniffled once...& then got up....to say------main bhi..........ek.....aurat hun Smita..........Tumhara dil.........mujhe..........saaf.....dikhai...de raha hai........
Smita crinkled ....in an unknown scare.......her eyelids were getting batted...repeatedly with less intervals......She stammered-----mere dil......jo bhi kahe..........par.....
---par kya??......tumne soch kaise liya.....ke...main tumhari beti ko......woh mamta aur pyar dungi??...Hema now asked in a bit loud voice...to show her feighned anger.....but....Smita was calm.....she smiled....& said----karogi Hema.......Daya ka beti ko........tum pyar na karke.......reh hi nehi payogi.......
Hema was shivering inside...& was getting prepared to retort.. back her a good answer.....but Smita again said with a frivolous voice----jo kuchh....Daya ka hai.........woh......tumhari bhi hai Hema............
A frisson of pain was shaking Hema from inside....She came back to Smita....& clasping her with her arms..she said ..tried to be angry------tumne kya socha hai Smita??...tumhari qurbaani se aise main aapna zindegi basa lungi???....
---ye meri qurabaani nehi hai Hema ye meri qurbaani nehi hai...Smita said with bated breath........Hema kept gazing at her.....being totally astounded....& bemused.......Smita continued after some moments..with fervour----maine......dekhi hai Hema............use ...tarapte huye.............tumhare liye...................pagal ki tarha.......aapne akho me ......kayi sawal leke.......ghumta tha woh.............na jhel pata tha us dard ko..............aur naa..........labso se.........ugal sakta tha........She was panting in excitement while speaking........Hema forgot to breathe....forgot to bat her eyelids....her eyes were brimming with sheer veneration......for the woman.....who was standing infront of her.....Smita continued again with impassioned voice-----uski saanse.....tumhare liye...dharak ta tha Hema....ha tumhare liye......uska bechain do akhe....har jagha me.....sirf tumhe hi dhund ta tha Hema.....uska bikhre huye bal...........bas ...tumhara ek.....sparsh ke liye.......tarapta rehta tha.........woh tahai.....woh akelepan.....woh bechaini....woh tarap.....woh...........chhatpahaat.......She was gasping for breath...while Hema grasped her to assuage her febrile emotion......but she still continued within trance-----woh.......intezaar........jo....uske do ghane akho me.....chalakta tha.......woh........itna dardnak tha Hemaaaaaa.....itna dardnak tha..............jaise....jaise........meri.....kalija...kaa...........hazar tukre karke................kisine........phek raha ho...........she started to whimper vehemently..........Hema was patting her straggling hairs....as tears were getting them drenched.......
Smita couldn't stop----aur.................aur...tab aisa lagta thaaaa....ke main........cheekhu..cheekhu.uuuuuuu..chillau......tumhe pukaruu....Hema ....aaaaa..tumhe..pukaruuuuuuu.......aur kahu.............Hemaaaa...ajao.........tumhare ek pal ki hasi................use hasa sakte hai..........ajao tum......is duniya ki....jis kone me bhi ho..............Her face distorted with pain....but she was unstoppable----aur.........aur.................aur......dekho......Bhagwaan jee.....meri baat suni hai.......unhune.....manzur kiya hai.....meri parthana ko.................tum agaye............aur.....Hema pulled Smita again within her arms....& tried to subdue...her intense pain......by her gentle touch........& stroke..............For about two minutes.......they clammed up....just trying to quieten the other......Then ...Hema took Smita's face within her two palms....& gently whispered-----Dayaa.............sirf......tumhari hai Smita...
Smita starled....& disengaged herself from Hema.....& turned back.....to hide her face.....& said hurriedly----aisa maat kaho Hema....kyu mujhe..........aise...baatein karke...............tum.........bechain kar de rahi ho?........
Hema came to Smita....& again cupped her chin.....to croon..with flickering voice------pata hai Smita.......mujhe.......sabse zada ghamand.....kis baat pe tha???......
Smita's eyes were sauntering through Hema's face to find the answer by her own......but Hema spluttered spreading a tint of woeful smile within her face-----is baat pe....ke....main.......Daya ko..........bohot .....pyar karti hun........aur......mere elaba......koyi bhi.....use.................woh pyar.....de nehi sakti hai........
Smita said in a soothing voice-----tum ...thik hi to sochti ho Hema.....tumne use jo diya.......woh.....koyi bhi to....nehi de payegi......
Hema was musing something deeply after finishing her words.....but got wakened by Smita's words...& she again came closer ...to murmur----main to.............Daya ke liye.......is duniya ko chhor sakti thi.........Smita smiled lightly being sated.....Hema again cupped her cheeks....& whispered within fervour------aur tum........tum to Daya ke khushi ki khatir..........Daya ko hi chhor sakti ho.........
Smita's eyes were reflecting worry....& perturbation.......but before she could say anything....Hema again murmured----tum.....aaj.....meri ghamand ko.........chur chur kar diya Smita.......mujhe ye dikha diya.......ke......main.....aur meri ghamand ........kitna andha tha.......aur ye bhi dikha diya....ke....
--nehiiiiii....Smita interrupted her placing her plam over Hema's lips......& said with a vexed face-----aisa maat kaho Hema........tum....wapas jao........aur...........aur........Daya ke sath......ghar basake.........apni sapna ko.......pura kar lo...jao Hema......
Hema's wandering eyes were getting brimmed.....she spluttered......after a couple of minute later-----main...aisa nehi kar paungi Smita.......agar tum......yaha se....wapas nehi gayi............tab bhi nehi.....
Smita was getting restless...she started panting-----par......Hema.......Daya......Daya sirf.....tumhari hai......sirf...........she again glanced at Hema...but she was staring vacantly without any expression.........
Smita now started pleading-----tum...meri yakeen karo Hema.......hum.....bas......do ....dost ki tarha.......hi......pichhle ek saal guzara.............Hema was silent.....& Smita was getting more perturbed to see her silent......She kept begging-----Hema......bhagwan jee ka saugandh khake keh rahi hun.................woh mujhe...........kabhi bhi...........ek pati ki tarha.....chhuya nehi..........
----par tumne??.....tumne use chhu liya hai Smita....Smita was just jolted to listen to Hema.....& stared at her with sheer surprise..............Hema's imploring eyes were getting her astounded.....Hema muttered in a persuading voice-------jake dekho Smita.......kaise ...tumne.....uska aatma ko chhu liya hai.......aur..........
Smita's eyes filled with tears......she tried to repress it.....but got more baffled...to hear Hema----aur..........meri aatma ko bhi..........Smita kept riveted there like a stiffened stone....only the flowing tears were indicating that she was alive..........Hema was again on the verge of crying...she engulfed Smita with her arms....& cooed affectionately----behn...........jis chhatpatahat....jis bechaini , jis betabi ko kam karne ke liye....tu mujhe aur Daya ko.....milana chahti hai.............jake dekh.....woh chhatpatahat....woh bechaini........tere pati ko.......kaise...jala raha hai....jaa behn..........jake dekh.......dekh...............kaise paanch din se.......bukhar me behosh hoke para hai woh.....now she started whimpering...& continued----kaise ........bhukhe aur pyase hoke bhi.....khana..aur paani ko......tere khatir........inkaar kar raha hai....kaise.......har sawal ka jawab .....sirf ek hi shabd se de raaha hai......aur woh shabd...........bas ...teri hi naam hai pagliiiii...teri hi naam...............andha hai tuuuuuuu??.....jiske liye aapne aapko.......aisa saza de rahi hai tu.........dekh.......woh saza.......kaise pal pal me...zahar ki tarha....mar raha hai..useeeeeeee??.......ja behn...........tu jaaaaaaa..........she burst into vehement cry...before saying---barna.......samajh lungi...........ki maine hi...............teri....aur .....Daya ka..zindegi....tabha..kar diyaaaaaaaaaaa....ja behnnnnn..jaaaaaaaa....she slumped down on the floor....crying her heart out.........
Smita gazed at the floor.....being confounded...totally floundered............a twinge of pain was bellowing within her..........which she couldn't alleviate......in any way.....An unseen force was smothering her breath.....into death.......within a moment......she felt ...everything was dangling infront of her............& could only some feeble words------babyyy..baby..areyyyyyyyyyyy...............kkk...........

PART 52

Smita opened her eyes slowly.....everything was seeming blurry...& some feeble voices....she was listening to as well....She stared vacantly...untill the images infront of her had become prominent.......A lot of faces were stooping down upon her...chachu, Diksha,Shinku, .....Harish......All were trying to interact with her.....
With sheer dizzyness......she heard namy voice---bahuraanii..bhabiii..didii...Babyyyy.......
Within a fraction of second....she got back her sense..& got up...roughly with a bustle to scream---Dhritiii....meri Dhritiii...meri bachchhiiii.....She was looking at everywhere..with a petrifying glance....but jolted to hear the voice..of ..Hema.....She was dandling the child within her lap with care......& now she came to Smita & said..glancing at the baby...with deep affection------ye lo Smita....tumhari beti ko.....
Smita was getting bamboozled....Slowly one by one...everything was coming into her mind...every words..she said to Hema....sometime back......She clenched her fists....in shame...unable to look at ...the people...who had showered unconditional love...upon her....in the past one year....With lowered eyes..& a little pant.....she remained silent.....but chachu was inconsolable....he started weeping----bahuraaniiiiii....kaha chali gayi thi betiiiiiiiii.....kahaaaaa???.....chhotebaba ko chhorke.......tum kaise ja saki bahuraniiiiiiiiiii......kaiseee..
Smita closed her eyes in shame.....& diffidence......Her cheeks went russet....heat was passing by her ears......but she startled....to get a soft touch....& as she opened her guilty eyes slowly....she found....Diksha.....sitting ..beside her.....engulfing her with her two soft arms........Smita tossed her contrite eyes slowly...at her.....She was heaving in pain....& within a moment..burst into tears....clinging against her......Smita....lost..the parlance ...to soothe her loving sister-in-law.......Her warm tears were getting her drenched.....Smita started patting her hairs...very slowly.......& now Diksha....murmured with drenched shaky voice---chhorungi nehi main tumhe....nehi chhorungi........nehi chhorungi.....dekhti hun....kaha jate ho tum......mujhe chhorke.....The guilt...pain...shame.....everything was getting melted...as tears....

Hema ..was gazing at them...with sheer eloquence......Harish as well was watching the intense love...between Smita & Diksha...& his eyes were getting moistened to think.....that his sister ....had won everyone's heart.......

Diksha was still whimpering her heart out----bachpan me ma chhorke chali gayi mujhe......par.....tumhe main....jaane nehi dungi....
Smita was trying to assuage....her intense pain...but...her lips were denying.to utter any word........
Diksha continued with unsteady voice----gehre andhera se....tumne..bhaiya ko hath pakarke chalna sikhayi......use .....roshni diya bhabi.....aur phir se.....use jeene ki maatlab sikhayi.........uska.....nadan dil ko........aapne..pyar aur mamta se.......samhalke rakha tumne........tumhara begair......bhaiya.....kaise jeeyega bhabiiiiii??....
Smita now breathe out --nehiii...nehi saheli.......tumhari bhaiya.....to...
Hema wiped her eyes off....came there to sit beside Smita.....& told her very gently---Diksha....bilkul sahi hai Smita.....Tum nehi hoti....to.....woh......Her nostrills flared..just for once....but she checked it..& again said tried to be smiling-----woh......pata nehi....aab......kaise rehta......kis haal me.......
Smita's face crinkled.....in continuous turmoil.....She hadn't even the power..to speak up.......
Diksha..slowly disengaged herself....from Smita......& kept patting her hairs lovingly....until heard Hema's voice---jao Smitaa.....Daya ke paas...
woh.......neend me......so rahe hai.......her voice turned febrile....as she continued----jao...Smita.....Daya ko.......tumhara..zarurat hai......
Diksha was gazing at Hema.....with surprise....& at the same time...the sneeking love...which had been hidden...within the dirt of reality....was getting burgeoned....within her heart.....
Smita went shrivelled..crinckled.....& ashamed...Her mind was oscillating violently....between the two extreme......making everything spinning around her.....she pressed her head...with one hand....& Hema now came closer....of Smita....& cupping her face..within her palm....she murmured----radha......aur meera......alag nehi hai Smitaaa....
Smita tossed her eyes immediately..with full of surprise....
A tint of smile..flickered in the corner of Hema's lips....she again told in a persuading gentle tone of voice----radha.....aur meera......dono hi....ek atma ki ansh hai .....alag alag sharir me
Smita's wide eyes were wandering through Hema's face...her glance...her lips.....her starying hairs......her hissing words.....everything she was watching intensely......
Hema continued---hey...tumhari aur meri......manzil to....ek hi haina.....hmmmm??.....she looked at outside...with secluded eyes...& murmured again----Daya ka khushi ke elaba......hum.....aur kya chahte hai Smita??......She again glanced at Smita..with deep respect....& muttered slowly----aur.....is waqt pe khare hokar......agar dekhu.......to mujhe saaf dikhai deti hai.......she stopped....took a pause....& then again continued----ke....tumhari sath hi ....uska zindegi hai Smitaa.....
Smita's eyes were getting stiff....her breath was getting raised.....
Hema continued----tum ho......to....woh hai.....barna.....she stopped.....got a little composed....& again cooed....with a rueful smile----Daya......thik hi...kaha tha Smita.......
--kya kaha tha Hema??..after long....Smita spluttered with wavering voice
Hema smiled to see Smita's cravings.....she took Smita's fingers within her own to twiddle.....& after sometime...she again crooned---woh kaha tha.....agar Bhagwan jee chahenge.....to hum zarur milenge....chahe...is janam me ho...ya pher.....Her breath was getting throttled...but she managed to hold it......& continued---ya pher.......kisi aur janam me......She remained silent..& Smita remained as well....Both of their eyes were brimming ....with a strange ray of glow......The glow of....care...& love for someone....from the core of the heart......After about three minutes....Hema ..again cupped Smita's chin....& whispered in ardour---is janam me......Daya.....sirf .....sirf tumhari hai Smita......sirf tumhari.........Smita was silently gazing at Hema....with a tint of poignance.....within her eyes......Hema kpet staring at Smita..for sometimes.....& then held her hand..to say---chalo.....Daya ke pass.....chalte hai...chalo....
Smita became wrinkled....she cloacked her face...within her two palm...to hide her gult-filled , ashamed, repentant face.....Now Hema asked Diksha----Dikshaa....tu Smita ko pakar na....main bhi pakarti hun...barna ye to sharm ki maare..gir hi jayegi.....She started giggling...
Diksha was watching her friend with rapt attention....untill got a sharp loud reprimand from Hema--arey..dekh kya rahi hai??...apni bhabi ko pakar naa....bohot weak hai woh....Diksha hurriedly clasped Smita....& took her into Daya's room......
Daya was lying on the bed....within a deep sleep......Chachu & Shinku was sitting beside his bed.....Hema & Diksha..made Smita to sit there....& immediately Hema told in a hillarious voice--chachu, Shinku....sab bahar jao..jao.....Chachu &* Shinku immediately went out being ashamed.....Diksha too went out....after looking at her sleeping brother's face.....
Smita was getting oblivious....about everything around her......The blanched,shattered..dismal .....face of her husband....was scrumbling her heart into pieces......tears immediately started squirting out...from her wide eyes....but...she startled....as Hema held her hand....& Daya's hand too..... to place both of their palms together.....she murmured-----ye hath.....kabhi na chhor na Smita...kabhi na chhor na....bolo....nehi chhorogi na??....Tears were flooding her cheeks....slowly.....her face getting distorted.....but....she hurriedly wiped off....& said---ye aasu....khushi ki hai paagli.......khushi ki hai.....
Smita started to sob.....Hema gently wiped her eyes off...& then breathe out..in drenched voice----par haaa......sirf.......saat janam ke liye......chhor rahi hun .......main Daya ko.......aatwa janam me.......woh.......woh.......meri hogi.....Smita.....Smita burst into tears snuggling up against Hema.........Hema was stroking her gently to squeeze out the profound agony she was bearing........& after about five minutes.......she said with a bustle..whispering---arey??....aab to tumhe...sirf Daya ko dekhna chaiye na?? hmmmm....lo....baitho unke pas....aur.......aur.......mujhe.....izazat do smita........
Smita disengaged herself...from her.....but clasped her hand..tightly....with imploring eyes.....
Hema lowered her eyes ..& spluttered----jaane do Smita......barna....Daya uth jayega.......aur.......mujh me....woh himmat nehi hai.....ke main......uska....samna ....phir se.....she couldn't utter more...but bit her lips......Smita slowly....recolied her hand...from Hema's.....
Hema ..gazed....at Daya's....sleeping face......for some seconds..before started going back.....she kept looking at Daya.....& finally turned violently to go out of the door....slamming the door...loudly...

Diksha was staring at her friend Hema....with brimming tearful eyes.....unable to sputter a word......Hema was infront of her childhood buddy...After so long both were watching the other ....Hema had a light smile within her face....She had cut her hair into short.....Everything had been changed....in the past three years...but..still now...her eyes were as gleaming....& wide....as they were in the childhood.....Hema slowly kept her palm...over Diksha's....& about ten seconds later...she said--ja rahi hun Diksha....Nehal bhaiya...aur tu...hamesha...achchha rehna....Diksha's face shrivelled in pain..& guilt...She snatched Hema's hand....& said with lowered eyes---mujhe.....tujh se....bohot..sawal puchhna tha....
Hema again tried to smile.....& said with a low yet calm voice---mujhe bhi......bohot sawalo ka .....jawab..dena tha Dikshu...
Diksha frowned...& glanced at her surprisingly.....
Hema continued with a calm voice---par.....aab...sare sawalo ka jabab...mil gaya hai Diksha....
Diksha kept staring at Hema....with surprise.....
Hema again smiled a little ruefully & spluttered---Smita khud hi....sare sawal.....mita diya hai Diksha....
Diksha sighed & lowered her eyes...
Hema kept staring vacantly...for some seconds...before muttering out within a deep muse----Diksha....tujhe yaad hai...hamara woh Shimla tour ki baat??
Diksha frowned at first....& then answered hurriedly--haa haa..yaad hai....woh hum....sab milke.....gaye the...Her voice trailed away to utter the last words....
Hema said--waha pe....ek din....main aur Daya.....ek mandir me gaye the....
Diksha still was gazing at her eagerly waiting to hear more from Hema....
Hema continued with a dejected voice..& a tint of agony within her lips---us din....hume mandir ki pujarijee....bataya tha...ke hum.....kabhi bhi...is janam me...pati patni nehi ban payenge....
Diksha's eyes were getting goggled....she asked with bated breath---ppar....tune to.....kabhi...ye baat batayi nehi??...
Hema now looked at Diksha with her wide woeful eyes ..spreaded a lugubrious pale smile..within her face....& said--haa...kabhi batayi nehi.....kyuki....mujhe vishwas tha...aapna pyar pe.....mujhe ...naaz tha.....aapne pyar pe....aur mujhe...ye lagta tha....ke.....mere pyar ko....mujh se....koyi...chhin nehi sakta hai......
Diksha stared at Hema...with mute sympathy..& compassion.....
Tears were waiting at the brink of hema's eyes....After some stifling moments....she murmured---par.....shayad....is duniya me....wohi hota hai....jo...uparwala chahte hai.....unhune hi....is pavitra rishtey ko banaya hai.....Mujh se dur hone ki gham ko.....unhune hi..daya ki zindegi se...dur kiya hai.....Smita ko bhejke......tears were descending through her cheeks....she roughly wiped off her face...& then again said---aur pher.....mujhe bhi....mere khamiya....sudharne ki......mauka diya hai unhune.....she glanced at the up...with teary eyes...........Now Diksha clasped her..with her arms...& tried to pacify.....but Hema quickly recoiled herself...& said in a strangled voice---na..Diksha naa....mujhe tasalli maat de.....main...bohot bohot khush hun......haaa...yakeen kar....
Diksha's face contorted ..with pain....Hema continued in frivolous voice--mujh me....woh...samarpan......kaha tha??....pyar ki matlab........kitna gehra hai......ye......ye to...mujhe......aab pata chala Diksha.....she remained within trance...for some moments....before...Diksha again tried to subdue....her overflowing....Hema quickly regained herself..& told in a curt voice checking back..her emotion----par ..ye yaad rakhna Dikshu.....Dev kumar Saxena ko.....main kabhi bhi....maaf nehi karungi....kabhi bhi nehi.....she was hissing in pain---isliye nehi.....ki woh....meri didi se....divorce le raha hai.....balki isliye.....ke ....woh...tujhe....aur.....Daya ko.........she was panting in excitement......
Diksha was totally taken aback..she gawped at Hema ..with sheer astonishment......Diksha muttered within herself--Dev....aur Mitali......!!!!!!!......
Hema once touched Diksha's cheek lovingly...& whispered---bye....achchha rehna.......Before Diksha could react...she strutted out of the room.....