Advay lay awake in his bed a thousand thoughts surfing through his mind, while he checked out the channels. Just a while back, he had chatted with Pooja. Since he had already spoken to Naani and Miku, Pooja was his next choice to connect to. She had informed him that Darsh had arranged the trip so Naani, Maasi, Murli and Shilpa had left. Tonight, it was just Miku, Shikha, Pooja, Aadi and Chandni at home. He had cleverly found out about Chandni, only to know that she hadn’t sat with the family to eat and instead had chosen to take just a fruit plate to her room. Aadi had been happy to connect with his CM and related him the entire day’s happenings happily.
He had this constant urge to call Chandni….. somehow reach out to her…..But Naani had refrained him….. Thoughts of Chandni haunted him constantly...... He had wanted her here, with him…… smiling, laughing …. Teasing, tantalizing….. Their very own private world…. As it had always been from their childhood… A world of innocence…..their own private hiding place….. their height measuring…. Their code language for private personal communication secluding them from the rest of the world…..Their games as grownups….their frolicking and rollicking and then later their lovemaking….. He felt stirring in his veins! His heart sang......
Lusty lonely, coz you’ re the only
One that knows me and I can’ t be without you
Lusty lonely, coz you’ re the only
One that knows me and I can’ t be without you
Hai kya yeh jo tere mere darmiyan hai
An-dekhi ansuni koi dastaan hai
Yes their tale was truly one-off. Everybody found love. But theirs was so different. For them finding love didn’t actually just limit to a mere happily ever after……rather it was a journey, an incessant tale of love….. but in that journey currently he was without her…..lonely, empty!
Lagne lagi ab zindagi khaali hai meri
Lagne lagi har saans bhi khaali
Bin tere, bin tere, bin tere
Koi khalish hai hawaon mein bin tere
Bin tere, bin tere, bin tere
Koi khalish hai hawaon mein bin tere
bin tere koi khalish hai hawaon mein full song HD1080 I HATE LUV STORY - YouTube
He looked around in the room, somehow, he could not connect to anything. Everything felt alien… the air felt alien … his own breath felt alien!
He couldn’t bear that empty feeling any more. Sleep completely alluded him. In a jiffy, he got up, got dressed and went down to the bar ….. Just anything to keep away from the terrible lonely feeling.
He chatted with the bartender….. He took few drinks while watching TV for local news. It was important to know what was happening in local political scene. It could lead to some clue about what could be on his plate next day.
He had just polished off his drink when an old acquaintance came there and both were surprised to see each other after a long time. She had been one of his long line of girlfriends. Advay in his lonely mood welcomed her company with a smile.
“Oh Advay! You forgot all of us completely ….. never came for the reunion also……. Come on, we had a good time when we were together, don’t deny that.”
That part of his life, Advay was not too happy about. Rather now being with Chandni, he felt guilty and regretted the past. There wasn’t any point explaining this to her. His relation had been only at physical level, his treatment of her like a harlot. He didn’t want to encourage her now, neither hurt her. “Depends on what’s the definition of good time.….to each his own.” He grunted disdainfully.
She was in her own happy bubble and didn’t understand the deeper meanings of his words. She continued, “Heard that you got married recently,…..is it true? The ASR is now a married man, hum?”
A happy smile lighted up Advay’s face as he nodded, “Yes of course! To the love of my life. Happily married now.”
Somehow the mention of Chandni took his mind back to her…. his boundless need for her returning….. alienating him from the whole world around.
She gave her mobile to the bartender and asked to take a pic of both of them. Advay was not ready but she persuaded him as one last memory of a long lost friend. She held onto his arm, a friendly gesture. The bartender asked him to put his hand around her. When he hesitated, she laughed and tiptoed up to peck on his cheek. The bartender clicked. Advay was not happy about all this; but he knew that he had conceded only because he carried a guilt in his mind about the way he had treated her.
Darsh felt revived in his practice. Earlier, while leaving everybody, Pooja had bidden him bye wishing him luck.
“Thanks! I need it badly this time.”
“Oh, Come on DD! You sing very well, you know it!” Pooja chided him.
“Singing in a programme in front of huge crowd is different, Pooja.” Darsh explained his side. “I don’t want to disappoint the listeners, neither the programme managers.”
“Don’t worry, DD!” Inadvertently she touched his heart lightly with her fingertips, “Just sing from your heart….. Sing whatever comes to your heart…… It will be wonderful……And sing it for your heart…. Geet jab swayam ke liye ga jaata hai, toh sangeet ban jaata hai.” (When you sing for your soul, it becomes music)
How artlessly she had spoken, chatting casually. When she had noticed stress on his face, she had thrown out words in bright clusters, as if she were scattering confetti….. trying to cheer him up…..She had radiated a kind of cheery astuteness that should have been annoying, but instead it had given him unexpected pleasure……yes! Completely unexpected! Somehow her words touched him… Her smile encouraged him….. He genuinely felt renewed while practicing.
Miku sat in front of the TV pondering over Naani’s words. Just a while back, while having dinner, Shikha had refused to look at him, continuing her chat happily with Pooja and Aadi. As Naani mentioned, maybe he had angered her…..maybe even hurt her feelings.
He rubbed his brow at the thought. Naani had been right. He needed to amend the situation before it got rotten.
Miku was not a man to fritter away time, he sprang into action and went to Shikha’s room. She opened the door in her obdurate moue, “Did you want something?”
“Everything!” His face relaxed into a playful grin, at which she merely frowned. Wanting to proclaim her chosen alienation, she stood stubbornly there without moving or allowing him to enter.
His smile widened looking at her night shirt.....it was perfect for her character.... She was truly the queen….. The queen of his heart…. The one and only without whom he couldn't live….. The thought made a sharp dart of pain run through his veins….. artlessly, he moved forward and hugged her.
“I’m sorry!”
A lovely hug… a silent entreaty….remorse entering his eyes…His hand moved up her hair…..that soft caress narrating his genuine remorse to her.
Still keeping his hold around her, he moved a little and gazed at her intently. Her banked anger shot out at him in sparks….. She had felt neglected and she would never ever tolerate being a second fiddle.
“I always thought…” She let the sentence die, but he knew where it was headed.
“You are my lifeline, Shikha.”
“Then why do you always behave like I am not important for you?”
“Do I?.......... I always believed that we both know how very much in love we are!”
“It’s not about love…… It’s about……Oh Hell’s teeth!” She got exasperated as she couldn’t word her frustrations. “Let it go for now! And don’t behave like this ever again, OK?”
Miku held his ears, “OK!....... But what is it that troubles you so much?” He coaxed her to let her anger out.
“I said, let it go, didn’t I?” Her pitch rose as her anger got fired again.
“Fine. I’ll let it go. For now.” He conceded knowing now was not the right time to discuss their relation.
She let out a breath. “Thank you.”
He nodded and deliberately took her hand in his. Her gaze was pure stubbornness, as if she was deciding whether or not to allow him to keep touching her, but then her muscles relaxed and a hint of a smile curved her lips.
No words…yet a beautiful chat, just through looks and smiles…. Between two souls who genuinely loved each other. She made no efforts to retreat her hand.
Good. It was time she learned he wasn’t going anywhere….. or to anybody else.
She had one of those smiles that seem architecturally impossible. It slayed him even after all these days and months. He hugged her again and lost himself in her wine-sweet breath! The moon smiled on the couple.
When the doorbell rang, Chandni opened the door thinking it was Pooja and Aadi returning back from their early morning outing. But to her surprise, there stood an elderly man with kind eyes. Chandni frowned wondering who the man was. He was momentarily surprised to see her but he collected himself immediately and greeted her with folded hands.
Namaste! I have come to meet Danish…… I mean Darsh-Danish. Is he there?”
Chandni folded her hands in respect, “He is not here at the moment. May I know who you are?”
“I am his father.” Came the easy reply.
“Oh!” Chandni’s eyes lit up with genuine pleasure, “Paay Laago, Chachaji!” She bent to touch his feet but he stopped her holding her shoulders.
“Jeeti Raho! No need to touch feet. I have my shoes on. It’s OK. Who are you?”
“I am Chandni. Mrs. Chandni Advay Singh Raizada. Please come in!”
“Chandni?......”He looked puzzled for a moment, and then later recognition dawned “Oh! It’s you…. I am sorry, I didn’t recognize you…… I hadn’t expected you like this! .....In the portrait you looked different.” He spoke in his usual easygoing nature as he entered and sat on the sofa.
Chandni smiled wider feeling relaxed with him, “Yes! .... It happened with Darsh, too!”
“Where is he?”
“He went to his studio yesterday and then he stayed there itself last night. He mentioned he is quite busy with his practice, so he would stay there till his show.” Chandni informed cheerfully and then turned back to notice Miku coming over. He looked chirpy as ever, a questioning look marking his face with raised eyebrows as he silently gestured the question “Who?” to Chandni.
Chandni smiled wide calling him out, “Miku, come! Meet Chachaji, Darsh’s father.”
Miku smiled wide and bowed to touch his feet but Chachaji stopped him interim and stood upholding his shoulders. Staring into Miku’s vibrant eyes, the old eyes blinked in bewilderment. “You are Miku? Advay’s brother?”
As Miku nodded happily, Chachaji’s loving eyes glistened with tears. Perhaps it was old age that the man could not control his emotions, thought Miku.
Bursting Miku’s bubble, Chachaji replied cupping his cheek, “Everyday I have seen Advay pine for you. What strife he did to search you, but in vain. But now see…..you, Chandni are all together with him. Advay’s happiness must not be having any bounds now.”
understanding why tears had suddenly moistened Chachaji’s eyes, “Yes, Chachaji. Bhai told me that when we met as brothers.”
Chachaji raised his forefinger and shook it in denial, “Your brother calls me Baba. I am no Chachaji. I am your Baba.”
Now it was Miku’s turn to get emotional. He hugged the old man tight, his lips whispering “Baba”
Chandni was watching this interaction. Tears shimmered in her eyes, too.
When the two separated, Baba turned to Chandni, “Same goes to you, beta. You haven’t seen me much but I have known you from Advay’s eyes for years. Even when he was all that angry young man, all I could see in his eyes was his burning need for you. You are his……what they say??….. yes right! chuddy-buddy love! That’s what you both are.” Baba laughed.
“Bhai’s the angry young man even today, baba!” Miku joked.
“Yes! His anger doesn’t leave him…. always laced with whispers from his past….. a past that never leaves him” Chandni spoke plaintively.
“Angry or otherwise, the two stunning parts of him that hit the jugular was his love for you both!” Baba consoled her. “I am happy that all of you are together today. So much must have happened in the interim, I kind of lost touch with everything.”
He knew himself that he had truly lost touch with the normal world for a very long time. But these kids were young, not knowing anything about him... no point in explaining them anything further.
He diverted the topic, “Have just three of you come? Where are Naani-maasi and Leela Behan and Pooja?”
“All have come. Naani and Leela Maasi have gone for a trip with their friends. Pooja di has taken Aadi out for breakfast. He refused to have homemade Parathas.” Chandni informed cheerfully but was immediately miffed with her own carelessness. Parathas reminded her that she had not offered anything to Baba.
“Baba, please be seated. I’ll bring Parathas for you. Do you prefer tea or coffee?”
“Oh No! I have eaten my breakfast on plane. I can’t have anything more now. I am sorry I am short of time today; I have to leave.”
“Oh No! You can’t come and just leave like that. You must stay with us. Meet everybody.” Chandni said earnestly.
“I wish, I could.” Baba replied wistfully, “I myself would love to meet Naani-maasi and take her blessings. It’s been a very long time after she took off to India without telling anybody of us…. But perhaps next time……. this time I am really pressed for time. I didn’t know all of you had come. I thought it was just Advay and Danish meeting here. I have given time to some business friends. Please tell Naani-maasi that I shall call her later and do give her my regards.” He looked at his watch. “Now let me take your leave. It’s been a real pleasure meeting both of you.”
As he was stepping out, he noticed the potted plant in the doorway. His wife had smiled so happily while potting it. The plant had grown, their children had grown…… everybody was there, just not his love!... or was she? Right here, behind him? Watching that small plant grown happily…
He turned around so quickly, startling Miku and Chandni following him to the door…. But there was nobody for him there. He felt completely estranged from them.
Ever since her death, he couldn’t stand being even with close family. It felt so bizarre. The family were all around him, right here….. He knew there would be noise, voices, footsteps, and laughter, but instead there was nothing. It felt like being in a huge void, a void that seemed to engulf him, pull him down. He felt suddenly ambushed… As if he hadn’t seen it coming, hadn’t sensed this empty feeling hitting him….. He was becoming insane, he could see that….. But he felt so damn tired, he would perhaps welcome insanity than feel so hollow without her.
Miku and Chandni watched him silently, expecting him to say something. They could not fathom why he suddenly stared at them like he didn’t know them. But he said nothing and left abruptly.
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What's happening? Who was this lady suddenly emerging from Advay's past? Is she innocuous? Wise readers will know nothing happens in this story just like that.... keep guessing.... or tell me what might happen later some day?
Miku is a man of action same like his older brother. But will he be able to maintain this peace or will the waters continue to be turbulent again and again?
Will Darsh sing from his heart like Pooja told him to?
And a new entry.... Darsh's father......A lonely soul..... what role is he going to play in this saga?
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