Thank you all my dear friends for the lovely wishes on my birthday.It meant a lot.This update is a return gift from me.Hope you all like it.😳
Here is the update.Read On.
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"Hello.Tu kon aahes?(Who are you?)'' a girl asked impatiently on the receiver.The pressure cooker on her stove was blowing urgent whistles.''Raju kahan hai?Main uska maalik''. A gruff voice emerged from other end.The girl bit her tongue,put down the receiver and rushed to kitchen.Sudip held for few seconds before checking the connection with another 'hello'.
"Aho! Saab ji!Bhau to Dilli gaya hai.Mahatvache kahi?(Anything important?)'' The girl asked sensing that his brother was again to some real bad business.She prayed to her Ganpati to save her brother from wrath of several people out there.
"Use phone karke jaldi bula wapas.Warna mere haath uski jaan jaayegi.'' The phone went dead so as the expression on the girl's face.''Bhau!Tu he ka kartos?'' (Bhai!Why you do this? )She wailed in despair before dialling the phone.
Sudip rocked in his rocking chair, contemplating on his decision.Few hours back,he put 2 and 2 together and realised what transpired under his nose.The boy he had sent to Sameer's house,impersonating as Paresh Dewan,the polio vaccine worker had tried kidnapping Nisha.No doubt Raju,the real name of the boy got fascinated by the rich mansion of Sameer Maheshwari. Kidnapping Nisha would have filled his pockets with enough ransom money to last for years together.The plan was foiled much to relief of Sudip and frustration of Raju.
Rohan rushed to Sameer,as Sameer looked in bewilderment.Crushing Sameer in a brotherly hug,Rohan gleefully said "Sameer Bhaiya!Aap yahan? Chalo ghar chalte hein.'' Sameer broke away from the hug and looked at Rohan. An unwelcoming heat flashed through Sameer's eyes.He expected encounters, old and new, when he left India.But this was unexpected and not a pleasant surprise.Rohan sensed the hidden words behind Sameer's silence.Without wasting a second,he began.''Rita aapko dekhegi to bahut khush ho jaayegi.''
"Bilkul khush nahin hogi.Aur shayad Mr.Somani aur humari Mummy sunke bhi jyada khush nahin honge.Waise bhi tumhara timetable bigad jaayega.Mera ghar aana tumhari planner mein to nahin hoga na.?Am I right Mr.Rohan Somani?'' Sameer asked and turned away to check for the train name that flashed.Rohan felt a pinch in his heart but camouflaged the hurt with a smile.''Papa ka gussa mujh pe nikal rahe ho na Bhaiya?Mujhe nahin pata unke dil mein kya hai aur aapke dil mein kya hai.Bas itna pata hai ki main dil se aapko apna bade bhaiya samajhta hun.Aur Amrita bhi. Kya hum saare kadvahat bhulake ek pal ke liye khusiyan nahin mana sakte?''
"Apna naya ghar dikhana chahata hai na? Sidhe bol de.Acha businessman hai tu.Customer ko kaise convince karte hein ache se padhaye hein tujhe tere Harvard wale professors.Yeh chalaki apne tak rakh.Mujhe kisi aur ke ghar jaana hai.Mera bhi kuch timetable aur planner hai.'' Sameer finished.He saw Rohan's face fall.But a moment of sympathy was overpowered by years of bitterness.He could not bring to see happiness on the face of the person who kept him away from his mother,for years together.He can't share a good evening with a person who was fathered by the most shrewd and manipulative person of his life.
"Thik hai Bhaiya.Main apki timetable ko disturb nahin karunga.Par ek request hai.London se jaane se pehle ek baar ghar aaiyega zaroor.Yeh raha mera card.Aap ko time milega to bas call kardijiyega.Main khud lene aaunga.Aap kahan pe thehre ho?'' Rohan asked handing over his visiting card.Sameer didn't know why he accepted the card surprisingly not tearing it into pieces.He was surprised how he mumbled 'The Mandeville,Marylebone' immediately.He didn't know why he hugged back Rohan when Rohan quickly hugged again before meddling in the crowd again. Sameer's trance broke as his train arrived,and he knew its time to move on.
"Bela Ben!Aap Delhi se wapas aa gayi?'' ''Naina mili?Damad ji kaise hein? "Arey Bela!Suna hai Maheshwari se byah kar li hai Naina.Kahin usike saath to bhaag nahin gayi thi?'' "Arey Sushila ki Maa!Naina ko hoshiyar samajh rahe the hum,wo to chant nikli.Kaafi acha nishana lagaya hai.Main to kehti hun shayad wo doodh piti bachi jisse saath laayi thi..Usi Maheshwari ka kiya dhara hai.Aaj kal ke jawan chokriyon ka ke kahein?'' Bela ascended the stairs amidst the nonsense assumptions and gossips of the neighbouring ladies.None of the talks affected her.The only thought revolved in her mind was how soon she would get a train ticket for Almora and meet her daughter,after what seemed an eternity for her.
Bela unlocked her door and placed her duffle bag on the sofa.''Bahu! Tum aur Anand Naina se milne Delhi gaye the?'' Bela jerked from her seat ,hearing Tauji's voice. Immediately she pulled her palloo over her head ,nodding a yes.''Newah!Bela!Tu bhul gayi? Pichli baar wo kulakshani Naina ka naam ghar mein li thi aur badi josh mein humse rishta tudwane ki baat ki thi to ghar se nikalne ki naubat aa gayi thi.Yaad hai na?Arey usi kalmuhi ne humare sanskaar,humare khandan ke muh pe kalank laga di hai.Haaye!Haaye!kisi ko muh dikhane ki layak na rahe hum.Upar se wo bachi .Pata nahin kiske saath milke yeh kaalik likh di humari maathe pe.''Taiji blabbered before settling on the swing to catch her breath.''Bahu!Anand ko bata dena aur tum bhi samajh lo.Agar Naina,uski pati ya phir uski bachi se kisi bhi tarah ke sambandh rakhne ki koshish ki to zaydad aur rishtein..dono se bedakhal hoge.Yeh meri aakhri chetavni hai.Chalo Beena.''
" Bhaisahab! Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye ,main aur Preeti ki Papa ne yeh faisla liya hai ki hum Naina se milne Almora jaa rahe hein. Baaki ki baatein Preeti ki Papa jab office se aayenge to aapko bata denge.Bahut saal iss ghar ki choti bahu ,Bhabhiji ki devrani bankar reh gayi. Ab mujhe ek maa aur Nani ban ne ki baari aayi hai.Aur yeh khusiyan main phirse khona nahin chahti. '' Bela concluded and turned away to go to her kitchen.''O Bai!Dekha Parlay ke papa.Sabki jawan kaise kainchi ki tarah chalne lagi hai.Jisne naak katwayi samaj biradri mein usi ki Maa ban na hai ise. Aur wo paap se jo paida hui hai..usi jaraz ki Nani ban na hai ise..kya din aa gaye. ''Taiji gave a howl before leaving,much to Bela's solace.
Naina washed Nisha's feet and led her to the puja room. Procuring a mat from the shelves, she gestured Nisha to occupy it.Nisha watched Naina soak a wick in ghee,which later produced a fierce,tall flame.The heat of the flame spread across the room.Naina lit the camphor and another flame lighted up the room.This heat was intense.Naina waved the camphor lit sambrani stand over the deities' framed photographs, intoning a hymn in praise of the lords.Nisha heard the puja ghanti ringing,chiming along with her mother's glass bangles.Nisha sat entranced by the magical scene spread before her eyes.She only entered the puja room to call her mother or in mischief to pull away the cotton ear plugs.But this spectacle left her enchanted.The dark room lighting up slowly with several other lamps.
"Nisha!Haath jod aur apni aankhein band kar le.'' Nisha saw Naina join the palms of her hands and close her kohl-lined eyes.Ab main jo bolungi,use repeat karna. Naina said and loudly sang the praise hymn.Nisha obliged her.
Aum Bhoor Bhuwa Swaha
Tatsavitar Varaniyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo Na Prachodayat
"Nisha!Yeh Gayatri Mantra hai.Sabse powerful mantra.Jab bhi kabhi akele mein dar lage yeh mantra yaad karna.Saare evil devil bhaag jaayenge.Samjhi? ''Naina asked, stamping a thick line of sandalwood paste on Nisha's forehead.Nisha nodded and went to rehearse the mantra for she misspelt few words of mantra.All this looked to her a festive moment.The only difference was that she was not in her new dress.She found Naina mumbling few more hymns under breath. Nisha could only catch the words like Hanuman', 'Chalisa' and 'Trayambakam'.
The calling bell went up on shrills.Naina served a bowl of Maggie to Nisha.She looked at the wall clock,it was 7.30 PM.She shivered a bit and knew it was not because of the chilly weather.She was not expecting any visitors.Nirupama was out of town, on an urgent meet to her mother.However the frantic shrills made her rise and check on the door.Naina opened the door and gasped.It was no dream,she pinched herself to confirm.
"Chachaji!Chachiji!AAP?'' Naina reeled in shock and complete surprise.In a frenzy of haywire emotions,she touched both their feet and let her engulfed in a crushing hug.''Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye,Kitni badi ho gayi hai meri Naina.''Chachiji cried and Naina was too choked with emotion to be able to talk.Chachaji asked the cab driver to bring out the two suitcases.Naina crashed into Chachaji's hug.''Naina! ''He could not say any more.Naina felt his warm tears dropping on her hand.She didn't know what to say.Her words failed and tears flowed.
After a long silence, Chachaji broke the hug.Chachiji wiped her tears and rolled the suitcases inside the house.Nisha sat surprised with a lost feeling on her face.Her Maggie was done. She expected her father to come and lift her up in his arms.But these were new faces and surprisingly all were crying. Guests are welcomed with genuine or fake smiles..she had known.But tears?
"Nisha! Nana aur Nani ko pranam kar.'' Nisha heard Naina command.She leaped from her seat and touched the feet.Chachaji lifted her and Chachiji peppered her with kisses.Nisha,however,could not kiss back.Her lips still had traces of tomato ketchup.''Main muh dhoke aap ko kiss karungi.'' Nisha said and all broke into giggles.Nisha got down from Chachaji's arms and patted on Naina's bangles.''Kya hua?'' Nisha gestured Naina to bend down.Lifting herself to her mother's height,Nisha whispered.'' Yeh koun hein? ''Naina smiled.''Yeh mere Mumma Papa hein.''
Next few hours went like some entertaining movie.Tears,laughter ,gloom,gifts filled the room.Nisha was thankful to God that without writing wishes on kite ,she got so many chocolates,so many dresses.She even got a pencil box and crayon set.What more could one ask for? She could not wait to show these to Rishav.What a fun it would be to paint together.
Chachaji roamed around the house and seemed pretty pleased with the way Naina had decorated it.Nothing was fancy but everything was creative and artistic.But one thing troubled him.No matter how hard he tried to convince himself otherwise,the feeling didn't wear off.The broken glass of the window.It seemed repaired ; and that intensely troubled him.It took no mind of detective to find how the floral design differed from rest of the designs of the house.
Who had broken into the house?How did Naina handle it?Did anything happen to Nisha?
There was still a faint splash of red on western horizon. Sameer saw the watchman at the gates of the Academy stand and take a final survey.All the people who had come for evening strolls were gradually returning to their homes.At far,he could see Rohan involved in a slight talk with Dylan. Much to discomfort of Sameer,it seemed Rohan had made it a mission to take Sameer to his home,to his wife Amrita.No matter how much Sameer hated this mission,hated the fact that he was going to spend time with Mr.Somani's son,he could not refuse.Rohan had popped in the Academy,had waited three stretched hours under the years old Oak tree before requesting Sameer and pursuing Dylan to convince Sameer.Finally,much to Rohan's win and joy,Sameer had accepted the invitation.
Sameer's thoughts drifted to Naina.She had n't picked up her last call.And what seemed his night call,awoke her from the deepest slumbers.Her voice still sounded shaky.Though she had asked him not to worry,he could not forsake the troubling thoughts. Even the quiet and cool air or the moss encrusted path of Academy didn't help calm him a bit.What on earth was delaying the end of three weeks? Sameer paced up and down, startling few pigeons into flight.
Rohan appeared soon, apologizing for the late,and expectedly earned an angry stare from Sameer.Bhaiya!Chalein? Rohan asked and led to the car.Sameer found it impossible to sit still longer.Avoidable talks are so difficult.Sameer looked at Rohan.He looked tired,he thought with a pang.How much he had heard from Visakha's braggings ,it seemed to be true that Rohan had taken on a lot recently. Sameer tried to sympathise with Rohan's growing burdens ,the memory of hug melting him down by degrees. But a part of him could not forgive immediately. The years long abandonment and hardships that had led him to succeed when everyone else was waiting for him to fail, wiped all the warmth.Sameer fixed his eyes on the roads,as they sat in an absolute silence.
"Rohan!Ek florist ke pass rukna.'' Sameer ,though spoke belligerently,had love under laced.Rohan steered to roadside.Parking it right ,he followed Sameer.Things looked brighter for him in this relationship.He knew Sameer has not forgiven him,but sounded lot calmer.That's more than expected.He saw Sameer conversing with the old lady at store, punctuating the conversation with smiles.As Rohan finally appeared before Sameer,Sameer looked at him.The look was more of a questioning glance.''Stargazer Lillies'' Rohan said most objectively.Sameer looked confused with the term,while the lady quickly fetched few and decorated them in a bouquet.''Any special message,Gentlemen?'' The lady asked at the counter.''Best wishes Amrita.From Sameer, Naina and Family.'' The lady obliged while Rohan stood bemused.Only a name ringed around his mind Naina'?
"Kya puchna hai?''Sameer asked,still his demeanour rigid. Sameer noticed that since the time they have left the florist ,Rohan wanted to ask something.He was holding back with difficulty.For a boy who cleared his doubts immediately it was near impossible to sit mum.''Wo..Naina..Koun? Girlfriend?'' Rohan asked and saw Sameer's face relax.Biwi hai meri. Rohan felt like he would lose grip over the steering wheel.
His Sameer Bhaiya was married already? Why didn't anyone let him know?
"Mumma ne kuch bataya nahin mujhe.Kab ki shaadi?'' Rohan asked,not knowing how he has unknowingly triggered the forgotten memories again.''Jab Mummy tumhare saath thi aur tum Tuscany mein party de rahe the.'' Sameer ended curtly.Rohan sensed the air inside the car turning too hot.He didn't prod any more questions.It has been a private affair and that his parents didn't attend.Rohan reached at conclusion.
"Par Chachiji..Aap yahan aaye hein Taiji aur Tauji ko pata hai?'' Naina asked as Anand,Bela and Nisha,all congregated around the bonfire.Not attuned to chills of hill station, Anand and Bela found it difficult to feel warm.Naina quickly arranged for some dry woods, twigs and some old newspapers. Stacking all in a pyramid shape,she lit the fire,and the fire slowly began to rise.As Chachiji drew some heat from the burning flame,she said "Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye beta,Unse saare naate rishte khatam kar li hai.Bahut ho gaya unki manmarzi.'' Naina looked upset more than surprised.No doubt,Chachaji and Chachiji sacrificed one relation to save other. Chachiji went on how Taiji and Tauji were adamant,how they visited Delhi to find her address,how they decided to sacrifice their relationship with Taiji and Tauji for good.Naina ,however, didn't feel much pleased at the turn of events.
Was she responsible for this falling apart in family?
"Naina!Main jaanta hun tum kya soch rahi ho.Ismein tumhari galti nahin hai.Tumne apni khusiyan aur zimmedari ka socha.Aur hum apne.Isliye dukhi mat ho.'' Chachaji cajoled Naina,seeing her crestfallen face.''Chachaji!Maine aapko bahut miss kiya.'' Naina hugged Chachaji while Chachaji consoled.''Thand badh rahi hai.Andar chalte hein'' Chachaji asked as he rolled up the carpets.Nisha had fallen asleep long ago on Naina's lap. Chachiji had taken her insides.
"Aap chaliye.Main thodi der baithke jaati hun.'' Chachaji cast a glance at Naina.He waited ,but she said no more.He went insides,offering Naina ;her much required solitude.
The horrifying thoughts from past few days,the constant fears,the nightmares,the unhappy tales of Ahmedabad.Naina poked the fire with a stick,feeling drained of tears,worries and worn down as a rugged yet wearing off old tire.She looked up at the distant sky.The starlit sky. All looking like dots and points of light.These very seemingly distant points come together to make a picture,a pattern in the sky.These pictures in the sky, the burning flame on earth,and each would turn a storyteller.People would sit around till dead hours and make up stories: bears,dogs,ploughs and hunters.Many other things,many other zodiac things.Could these distant, non related fairy lights of sky decide human being's destiny? Are these stars responsible for making wishes come true? Are these responsible for brings storms in sky and lives?
Naina sighed.The sky doesn't change.Neither the stars or pictures in the sky.The moon grows from fuller to thinner and thin silver to a round ball of glow.And in between plunges into nothingness.When everything goes in a pattern and absolutely nothing changes,why do feelings change? Relationships undergo sea change? A thought wandered in Naina's mind. Are the stars some bonfire in distant sky? Would the bears.dogs and hunters be seating around the bonfire of stars and discussing human fate?How transient human life is and so also its relationships?
The chill grew.The fickle flames of bonfire began to recede to slow burns.Naina clutched the shawl tighter around her.The shawl did little help to terminate the growing nips in air.She thought of Sameer.The icy exhilaration she felt with the thought of him,left her feel empty within.A sudden sense of grief and longing doubled over her.It had been two weeks since she had touched him,had been loved by him,but the memory of their moments was still vivid and tactile.She remembered his smell,the dry- softness of his lips,the taut muscles of his back, the athletic built of his pectorals,the utter love and trust in his eyes.She felt again the aching void of his absence.
Naina rolled up her mat,doused the living flame.She smirked how the flame had transferred itself from the logs to insides of her body.She grinned at the thought;how the flame of bonfire would douse away.Not the blazing flame of her insides.The spark somewhere has now turned into a blaze.
Naina locked the door behind her.A gush of air left her lungs.A feverish feeling tingled in her bones.She knew it was not the weather,it was just her hormones. "Really Naina? You are a mother.Chachaji and Chachiji are just a wall apart.It might rip you accidentally off your only thing that you preserved. Naina's mind tried reasoning.But the mind's voice did little to calm down the tensing of her insides,the tingles in her spines,the burning .Was this flame so potent,so formidable? The night was going to be long and sleepless.Like the pebbles dance away when waves hit them,the night alone would make her sleep dance and not reach her soon.
Naina clutched the pillow ,as tightly she could.Few moments later,her eyes flew open.Sleep was n't coming and she didn't want to see nightmares.The possible solution was to get rid of this ache.For the second time in years,she pulled out a small card board carton.The carton was stacked with lots of trash papers and some small pieces of thermocole too.Naina dipped in her hand and pulled out the solution of hour;a battery operated object,that promises pleasure.
She held the object in her hand,remembering how Suzanne had gifted her.How Naina had dropped it once she had opened the package,like a hot potato.Naina vividly remembered how Suzanne had said that it was best mate for single mothers and those who wish for celibacy for this lifetime.Naina had rejected the gift ,that questioned her upbringing,her sanskaars .Suzanne had explained how the primal urges of human body never adhere to sanskaars and values. Human body has its own needs and demands,which are not satiated by any rules or values.Naina's fears, hesitations had even made Suzanne laugh.Suzanne had even gone to say,Naina was behaving like forced into some prostitution, while she was asking to use a simple object only.Naina had accepted it and had locked it away in the farthest corner of closet.
However, it was weeks after the gift had been left unused,Naina found it useful one night.But the aftermath had left a bitter taste in her mouth. A thorough amateur in using it,she had ended up rubbing off the object at wrong places.The tiny thing had driven her crazy.Not much of pleasurable sensation that both Suzanne and the object promised. Though it had stimulated her enough,had brought down the tingle between her thighs to a satiated end, Naina had resolved that she would not use it ever. Without a question,Naina had thought of going for morning walks,atop the hillocks.A wandering and empty mind is devil's workshop.And she would dissipate all her thoughts into proper channels.So was the promise to self,resolve for years.
The promise had to be broken tonight.The resolve has to absolve.
Stripping herself of the night robe,she got inside the sheets.She thought it all insane and felt her cheeks turning hot.Was she feeling embarrassed? Why should she be at first place? Suzanne's voice still ringed in her ears.Its all part of normal human life,unless otherwise one decides to be saint in Himalayas. Naina made her erratically beating heart calm, and reached for the object. Switching it on, Naina traced it along the inner thighs.She felt pleasantly aroused,powerful some times later.The thing didn't bother much like last time.Or was she high on libido? A thought flashed by her mind.But the thought didn't last long,as the object did a fine job.In less than few minutes ,Naina felt like the sensualist woman ever lived.The object turned her on to core, and she let out some throaty moans.Was it easy to not to fall into a habit with this object? This thought persisted longer until the object vibrated against lips of her womanhood.Naina clutched the sheets in one tight fist as she held the vibrating object in other.It was a pleasing torture.Naina thought and felt her stomach lurch.The sensations rising, mounting;creating pleasant havocs inside her.When the object finally found its way through her insides,she felt herself rise with a gasp and moan "Sameer.A sharp ecstatic release rushed through her and she fell from a high.
The object lay switched off of its vibration,insides her for few more minutes.She would have fallen asleep in the same position,had she not realised that she was bare;without a single thread. Her overactive imagination didn't fail to imagine Nisha banging the door,while she awoke to find herself rubbing herself against the object.Or more than that ;still in half sleep,feeling wet and turned on,groaning for Sameer.
All the imaginations shook her,pulling her down from peak of gratification.She rose,put on her discarded night robe and took the object for a wash.She didn't intend to switch on the lights,lest anyone would wake up.Thankfully for her,Chachaji and Chachiji were in deep slumber,all because of exhaustion from long train journey.She switched on the bathroom light and quickly latched the door.A gush of water flowed from the tap,wiping away all the traces of a pleasurable session. Putting away the object on basin cabinet,Naina leaned against the bathroom wall.A sense of incompleteness gripped her again,strangely.She knew it was not physical,it was more of emotional.A need to just pour herself,empty herself of what she has been holding insides. The object lying at far,had surely brought her to end of physical satiation,but could not eliminate all other wants.Without a thought,she turned the knob of shower. She had not realised how accidentally she had turned on the geyser switch too. Lukewarm water flowed, giving way to hot shower next.Closing her eyes,Naina forgot herself.Her desperation were nailed back by sheer force and spirits lifted to her soul.Her control regaining.Minute after Minute. The vapours swirled around the tiny room,rising the temperature within.What seemed after an hour, she made her way out of the bathroom. Like the vapours became volatile in the room,colours from Naina's face evaporated likewise.
"Chachiji!AAP?'' Naina asked,in a disbelief.Was her eyes betraying her too,like her body did few hours back? ''Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye beta!Itni raat ko naha rahi thi? Wo bhi itni thand mein?'' Chachiji asked, her eyes wandering to the object of curiosity,clutched in Naina's fists.''Wo..Chachiji..Mujhe neend nahin aa rahi thi.To sochi ki ..'' Naina's line was interrupted with "Yeh haath mein kya hai?Sabun to nahin hai.'' Naina shook with fear.How on earth she can reveal the secrecy of this object?The only way was fooling Chachi a bit.She can do it like pro.
"Ohh! Yeh! Ise cleanser kehte hein. Sabun ki jaisa hai lekin electric hai. ''Naina explained and Chachiji tried eyeing it properly.The shape had already disgusted her. She wondered which soap company came with idea of manufacturing soaps like parts of human genitals.How disgusting as well shameful it is.Most importantly how Naina got hold of this outrageous piece?
"Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye beta! Iss sabun ka shakal surat kuch thik nahin lag raha hai.Nisha bhi rehti hai ghar mein.Ab teri Chachaji bhi hein.Phir damadji bhi aayenge.Isse chupake rakh.Tu samajh rahi hai na?Aise shakal ke sabun se to acha hai na hi istemal karo.Aur jaldi jaa baal poch le.Thand lag jaayegi.'' Chachiji said and saw Naina obliging,going away to her room. Chachiji thought before calling;''Naina!Neend nahin aa rahi hai to main sone aa jaun tere pass?'' Naina heard Chachiji call and a smile appeared on her face.It would be after so many years,finally she can sleep in safe cocoon of her mother.A mother's embrace is stronger than mountains and warmer than sunlight.She wanted to feel loved and saved.She didn't want to miss the warmth,miss the moment,miss the luck.
Pushing away the secret object to its farthest cornor,Naina changed the bedsheet.Checking for any traces of her own private session,she welcomed Chachiji inside her bedroom.Chachiji looked around the room. Several sketches of Nisha were pasted on the walls,while a frame of baby Nisha sleeping hung high. Two frames adorned the nightstand, one of Sameer and other of Nisha,clicked on her first day at school.Chachiji noticed a stain of magenta lipstick on Sameer's frame.Naina found Chachiji smiling and wondered what is that made her Chachiji blush? "Kya hua Chachiji?'' Naina asked and was soon replied "Kuch nahin.Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye bahut neend aa rahi hai.Chal sote hein.''
Amrita put down the fashion magazine she was reading.The bell at door confirmed her that Rohan was back.Quickly,she clipped her hair,and opened the bolt of the door.Rohan flashed a smile and Amrita quickly hugged him.''I missed you so much today.'' Rohan heard her say and was sure her boss had acted as an absolute headache.'A living poison' as Amrita quotes him.Sameer stood few steps away, unrecognizable under the fused portico lamp.He deliberately had stepped few backs away,trying to give some privacy.He hated Rohan now more,for bringing him home ,when his wife wanted to spend some moments after a bitter day,so as it seemed.''Sameer Bhaiya is here.'' Rohan whispered in Amrita's ears and Amrita jumped into a gleeful jig.''Sachi?Bataya kyun nahin pehle?Special kuch bana leti.Andar bulao.Main kitchen main jaa rahi hun.'' Amrita said,taking away the briefcase for Rohan.
"Sameer Bhaiya! Andar chaliye''. Rohan asked, volunteering to carry the bouquet and Sameer's briefcase inside.Sameer entered the house and found a cheerful looking girl,looking as much as of Naina's age,welcome him touching his feet.Sameer jumped back and asked "Kya kar rahi ho?'' Amrita smiled.''Mummy apni jeth ji ki pair aise hi chuti hai.Toh main bhi wohi kar rahi hun.Bhaiya!Aapko pata nahin aapse milne ke liye kab se intezaar kar rahi thi.Barshon baad Rohan ke chehre pe khushi dekhi aaj. ''Amrita gleefully said,serving two cups of British tea.Sameer could not believe it all.It all seemed to be a beautiful dream,from which he would rise soon.And rising from the sleep he would find a really successful Rohan Somani taking over business,not recognizing him as half brother and his wife flaunting in a snobbish tone her accessories and contacts.But this..it all felt so pleasantly strange.
"Bhaiya!Chai pi jeeye na? Thandi ho gayi hai kya?'' Amrita asked bringing in some more accompaniments to go along with.She was already on her dinner preparations,opening the Indian recipe book by some Indian chef.She frowned seeing few of main ingredients missing from her vegetable counter.Rohan should have informed her.She can't just serve salads and sandwich in dinner.''Rohan! Kitchen mein aao jara.''Rohan heard Amrita call,and felt thankful.Since few minutes,Sameer and he were again sharing a painful silence. "Do minute'' Rohan said to Sameer,not knowing why he informed.His presence or absence hardly mattered to Sameer,for the silence they were keeping.
"Ullu ke pathe ho tum.Ab Bhaiya ko ghar le aaye, ghar mein jyada kuch hai nahin.Yeh list banayi hai,jaldi jaake le aao. ''Amrita thrust the list,concentrating on chopping red cabbage.''Rita!Bhaiya wahan..I mean'' Rohan started and it didn't take Amrita to understand the meaning behind his short, clipped words.''Fikr mat karo.Grocery laa do.I will handle him''. Rohan went cheerful and left not before kissing Amrita.
"Amrita!Yeh tumhare liye.'' Amrita's eyes twinkled seeing the stargazer lilies,her favourite.She accepted the lillies,and put them in the glass cut vase.It was then she saw the note.She knew Sameer,but who was Naina?Rohan had never mentioned about her.It seemed she was as important as Sameer to family. The last time she had met Vishakha,Vishakha had fretted over Sameer rejecting yet again one more potential proposal.But then who was this Menka who enchanted this Vishwamitra-in-penance.''Badi pyara naam hai'' Amrita said as she cleared the tea cups.''Wo bhi pyaari hai. ''Sameer responded.''Shaadi kab hai? Mujhe milna hai unse jisne finally aap pe jadoo chala di.'' Amrita said,a happiness of satisfaction and anticipation ;clearly etched on her face. In a faint tone,Sameer replied "Shaadi ho gayi hai.'' Amrita felt her heart break again.
Growing up as a single child she had been a pampered kid,and even Rohan tried keeping her like an absolute queen.But this was not what she dreamt of,wished for in future as a dreamy teenager. Severed relationships,broken house and smashed happiness is not what she had asked for.In one year of marriage,she had only seen Rohan calming his mother, busy in closed door discussions with his father and returning to her depressed, tired and yet hopeful that may be tomorrow will be better.
"It was a very private affair.Kisiko bhi nahin bulaya tha.'' Sameer said and that did little to bring the cheer on Amrita's face.Few hears passed in a haze,Amrita cooking and Sameer finding out that Rohan was trying hard not to involve the business into a merger.There was no great losses yet not big profits even.Several debts awaited to be cleared,several merchandise to be assured for continuity of partnership.Whatever may be the reason,Sameer could finally see the ice breaking.Rohan asked for few advices and Sameer was happy to help with choices.No matter how much he hated Somanis,his heart melted for the boy sitting infront of him. Sameer could see himself in that position,few years back.The histories are different,but the struggle is similar.The struggle for existence and prosperity.
A bird singing in bush or tree didn't catch Sameer's attention.Not even the rosebush blooming at front of the house.His eyes were focused on zig zag trails the taxi was taking him.The instructions to give,turn left,take right kept him attentive though. A nearly anaesthetic smelling fragrance hit him,as he opened the door.The door to his surprise was slightly ajar.Naina sat on a tool,her back to the door. Sameer leaned against the entrance door ,taking in the scene.Naina,busy in combing Nisha's hair and pleating in French braid.Alongside,she was making Nisha rehearse some Kabir ke Dohe,Sameer realised.''Mumma!Yeh wali Papa ko suna dungi.Wo khush ho jaayenge.'' Nisha quipped and Naina immediately chuckled.''Teri Papa ko yeh dohe samajh nahin aate.Phir bolenge,Nisha!Hindi mein bolo na.'' Nisha listened and both burst into laughter.''Papa budhu hein.''
"Acha!Meri burai ho rahi hai?'' Sameer asked rolling his suitcase inside.Naina startled before the reality sunk in.Has he really arrived?How? Was not he supposed to come after two more nights?It was not expected,it's truly a surprise.However, Nisha didn't wait and jumped on Sameer,Screaming in joy 'PAPA'.Sameer lifted her in air and brought down,touching their foreheads.Nisha quickly kissed his cheeks,hugging him as tightly she could.The half complete braid was in a mess now. Sameer held Nisha,feeling her soft heartbeats against him.''Nisha!Papa thak gaye hein.Utar jaa.'' Naina called and Nisha ignored.''Rehne do''Sameer said as he carried Nisha to the sofa. Sameer took her fingers and kissed.''Kya hua mera bacha?'' Sameer asked,kissing her forehead.''Aap ko bahut miss kiya.Dar lag raha tha.'' Sameer heard and consoled Nisha,who was on verge of breaking into sobs.
"Nisha!Dekh ke aa jara Nani chhat pe hai kya?'' Naina said and immediately Nisha took to feet.She remembered her Nani saying about showing her some gardening. As Nisha left, Sameer rose from seat,and Naina hugged him.''Sameer'' Naina screamed a little,and started crying.''Main aa gaya hun na.'' Sameer said,leading Naina to bedroom.Naina didn't say anything and hugged him tighter.Letting her know,everything is alright,Sameer realized at same time how small she felt in his arms.He cupped her face and wiped the tears.''Mrs.Maheshwari and Ms.Maheshwari itni emotional hein.Mujhe to yeh pata hi nahin tha.'' Sameer started playfully and Naina smacked him a little.She looked tender yet trite. Sameer noticed.
"Damadji! ''Sameer heard Chachiji call and gave a surprised look.But his surprise wiped away as he spotted Chachaji behind her. He had seen Chachaji back in school,accompanying as her guardian.Munna Pandit had shared that Naina's father was really a frustrated soul and it was her Chachaji who was her guide.Later Naina had confirmed about her upbringing and the bonds she shared.But then the bet incident had followed ,severing all relations and conversations.''Sameer!Chachiji aur Chachaji aaye hein Ahmedabad se.'' Naina said and Sameer nodded.
He got up and touched their feet.Chachaji hugged him asking about the trip and other details quickly.Chachiji asked Naina to prepare something quick and healthy immediately.Naina had rushed to kitchen while Nisha hunted in the suitcase to find her gifts.Chachiji briefly asked about his family and revealed their visit to Delhi.Sameer patiently replied,explained,divulged facts but his eyes were on Naina.He was sure,she had lots to talk to him,a lot more to share.
The day rolled into night,soon the whole of terrace plants danced under bright moon light. Dinner was done,and Nisha was tired of playing with the Super Mario Galaxy' Video game Sameer had got from London.Chachaji and Chachiji had gone to visit nearby temples and few famous points,and looked terribly exhausted as well.All had retired to bed except for two souls.Naina sat with her head resting on Sameer's shoulders.Sameer could see few Deodars in the distant snow.the spot seemed to be lovely to spend a night there.Naina's hot tears trail broke his trance.His thoughts converged back to her.
"Batayi nahin kaise Sharad Bhaiya aur Sudip dost se dushmani mein badal gayi.Batana nahin chahti toh thik hai.But please mat ro.'' Sameer said,wiping her tears with his thumb.Naina hiccupped and began.
"Sharad Bhaiya aur Sudip pakki dost the.Ekdum Munna ,Pandit jaise.Phir ek manhoos zameen ne sab kuch khatam kar di.Bhaiya jis broker se zameen kharida tha aur publication agency bani thi who zameen fraud tha.Bhaiya ko jab asli owner ne call kiya to Bhaiya decide kiye ki wo Publication Agency ko band karke sirf book selling karenge jab tak mamla sulajh na jaata.Sudip tab New York mein tha.Jab wo wapas aaya aur Bhaiya ne yeh baat batayi,pata nahin use aisa kyun laga ki Bhaiya ne use dhokha diya hai. Bhaiya ne samjhaya bahut lekin usne Bhaiya ko saare paise lootne jaise gandi ilzaam lagayi.Bhaiya ne bahut mehnat se wo zameen ko phir se kharida lekin publication agency chalane ke liye paisa na tha.Tab in dono ke alawa yeh baat Vikram ko pata tha.Iss baat ke kuch din baad, Nisha ko main sula rahi thi tabhi Nikita Didi ne bataya ki Bhaiya ne Nisha ke naam pe 30% usi zameen ka will kar liye hein.Tab yeh baat ajeeb lagi thi ki ek saal ki bachi ke naam will kyun karwaya jabki maa baap zinda hein.Par shayad... ''Naina broke down and Sameer shushed her.Controlling her tears,she added "shayad..Bhaiya ko pata tha kuch bura hone wala hai.Mujhe kabhi kuch bataya nahin,dono ne aur phir ek din..Bhaiya ne aisi galti kyun ki Sameer.Ab humari bachi pe kitne toofan mandra rahe hein.Main thak gayi hun ladhte ladhte. ''Sameer hugged her with a fervour.He could not come up with one coherent answer to her questions.He could not think of anything,he felt rattled."Aur kuch bolna hai?'' He could feel the tension in her body.
"Kiss me.'' Naina uttered and untied her hair from the tight bun.Sameer didn't ask,and traced the fullness of her lower lip with his thumb pad.He wiped the traces of lip balm,ducked down,took her mouth in his.Naina's fingers shivered in his hair.Sensations and emotions made her feel dizzy.Sameer kept the kiss light,plunderings limited to lips than tongues.It was more of comfort than lust.''Naina!Andar chalte hein'' Sameer said,brushing his untameable hair.Naina looked at him and said "I loved you and still do.'' Sameer kissed her forehead as he led her to bedroom,all the while Naina thinking;she was turning cold and Sameer was her campfire.
(To be Continued)
P.S.:Thank you for reading.😃 Would love to read all your feedback.😳
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