Chapter 22

Part 22 [NOCOPY]

When their eyes feel dry, the couple separate from each other. He cupped her face and kissed her forehead to make sure she was still there.

Arjun: tum…tum pakka mujhe chodkar nahi jaogi na?

She shook her head: maine kaha tha na, dobara kabhi nahi

He nods while gripping her hand. He kisses the ring, holding her tightly. After staying like that for a few moments, he slowly stands up. She grabs his hand to follow. She wipes away the remnants of her tears and sniffs to regain composure.

Arjun straightens himself: hume andar chalna chahiye

Riya(taken aback): I don’t think that’s a very good idea

Arjun: jo bhi ho, bas aaj khatam ho…please? Main firse nahi seh paunga

She nod. They start walking towards the mansion again. As they reach the door, Sameer hugs him tightly.

Sameer(whispering): tu theek haina?

He hummed in reply. He nods and steps away.

Sameer: chalo toh fir chalte hai

Arjun: nahi! main aata hun, ruko

Sameer: Arjun please ye mat kehna ki tum andar jaa rahe ho

Arjun: theek hai nahi kahunga

Sameer: Arjun, woh nahi apnayenge tum dono ko

Arjun: dekhenge

Sameer: Arjun what is….Riya tum hi samjhao ise ab!

Riya: use tasalli lene do Sameer

Sameer: tum iski side le rahi ho?!!? Seriously?!?!

Arjun: tu kyun itni tension le raha hai?

Sameer: Kyunki Tu Mera Dost Hai!! 

Sakshi: ha Arjun, Sameer sahi keh raha hai, abhi tumhara jaana theek nahi, atleast abhi nahi

Chotu: ha sir, ye sahi waqt nahi hai

Arjun: main faisla le chuka hu

Sameer: lekin…

Arjun: please Sam… I am tired

He glared at him and grumbled: kar jo karna hai!!

Arjun: thank you

He turned to ring the doorbell. The sound of the lock opening made them shudder. He held Riya’s hand.

Armaan: bhai!!

Shweta looked up from where she was sitting. She is enraged seeing Riya there.

She stomps towards them: Tumhari Himmat Kaise Hui Yaha Firse Aane Ki?!?! Mera Ghar Tod Ke Chain Nahi Mila Tumhe?!?!?

Riya lowered her eyes.

Armaan: maa please…aise mat bolo

Arjun: maa….ek aurat hokar aap aisa kaise keh sakti hai? isme uski kya galti?

Shweta glares at them: ye ladki is ghar mein nahi aayegi! Yahi Mera Faisla Hai!!!!

She attempts to break their hand but Arjun tightened his hold.

Arjun: Nahi!! main use pyaar karta hun…

Shweta: pyaar karte ho?!? isne Surya ko fasaya aur tum…

Arjun: Riya ne fasaya? Aapko abhi bhi unka gunaah dikhayi nahi de raha hai?

Shweta: Bas! Bahot Hua, Ya Toh Ye Ladki Yaha Aayegi Ya Fir Main!!

Arjun stiffened: how could you maa?

Shweta(sternly): ab tum decide karo, ki tumhe maa chahiye ya biwi

He felt her grip loosen as her fingers left him. He tightened his hold and glared at Riya. She looked back tearfully. He shook his head.

Arjun: theek hai maa, agar aisa hai… toh yahi sahi. Aaj ke baad…aapka sirf ek beta hai

Her eyes widen. Arjun leaves with Riya. This time, Armaan doesn’t try to stop him. Shweta falls to the ground, crying. He rushes to support her.

Later that night-

Riya was sitting on her bed. The girls were with her in hope to provide support. It was 11 p.m. They had barely spoken in all these hours but the silent solidarity was enough for her. Liza was still eating the last of her dinner. She kept her plate with the others once she was done.

Liza: main inhe canteen mein rakh kar aati hu

Riya: Liza, ek bottle paani leti aana please

She hummed as she took away the plates. A knock resounded confusing them.

Ayesha stood up to open the door: ye abhi toh gayi fir…(the knock sounded again) ye darwaaze se nahi hai

The girls looked at each other in bewilderment. Riya looked around. The sound repeated.

Riya pointed to the opposite wall: woh khidki!

She was about to go towards it when Sakshi held her back, indicating to Ayesha. She had removed her gun and was treading forward. She paused before the window. Then, she forced it open at lightning speed, pointing a gun at the intruder.

Arjun looked back poker faced.

Sakshi and Riya rushed forward.

Ayesha(shocked): aap?

Riya: tum yaha se kaise?

Arjun: 10 baje ka baad allowed nahi na? peeche waale gate par Savita Tai pehra nahi deti

Riya: par…par waha toh humesha taala…

He hopped into the room: kudne mein kitna time lagta hai?

Riya: tumhe pata tha fir bhi…kabhi use nahi karte the?

Arjun stared at her: zaroorat nahi padi

Ayesha cleared her throat: ha waise…uh, late ho gaya, hum chalte hai

Sakshi: ha mere parents bhi wait kar rahe honge, good night Riya, good night Arjun

Riya: good night

Ayesha closed the window securely before leaving with Sakshi.

Arjun turned to Riya: kya aaj raat tumhare saath reh sakta hun…please? (She nodded) thanks

His droopy shoulders screamed at her. Shutting off the voices in her head, she took his hands in hers and led him to the bed. He rested his head in her lap. She gently stroked his hair. Silence remained for a few minutes before he spoke up.

Arjun: I love you

Riya: I love you too

He took her other hand and stared at the engagement ring. Hugging it to himself, he snuggled closer to her. She closed his eyes and he drifted off into sleep.

Next morning-

Arjun shifts a little. Rubbing his eyes, he yawns. He blinks rapidly to catch hold of the surroundings. He finds a hand entangled with his and another on his head. He looks up to find Riya had fallen asleep in the same position, with her head on bed rest. A small smile came on face. Careful, not to wake her up, he separates from her. He shifts to one side. Arjun gently picks her in his arms, just enough to lie her down properly. He pulls the blanket over and sits there admiring her face and caressing her hair.

But the touches wake her up with a start. She was about to scream when she realized it was him.

Riya: tum uth gaye?

Arjun: hmm, dar gayi?

Riya lowered her eyes: nahi…nahi toh

Arjun: jhooti

Riya sighed: I didn’t realize it was you, neend mein thi

Arjun smiled bitterly: how does it matter? Khoon toh wahi…

She sits up with a jerk, putting her hand on his mouth: Arjun you are not your father! Please apne dimag mein se ye baat nikaal do

Arjun removes her hand: kya nikalu Riya? ki woh mera baap hai? ya fir ye ki mera baap ek…

Riya: Arjun, jo bhi hua usme tumhara koi dosh nahi hai, khud se nafrat karke tumhe kya milega? Kya jo hua woh badal jaayega? (he lowered his eyes) nahi na? fir kyun khud ko takleef de rahe ho?

Arjun teared up: woh aisa kaise kar sakte hai? woh maa ko kaise cheat kar sakte hai? aur tum…tumse toh nazre milane mein bhi sharam aa rahi hai mujhe

His words tug at the strings of her heart. Her eyes started burning. Controlling herself, she cups his face making him look at her.

Riya: nahi Arjun, tumhari nazre nahi jhuk sakti. Tumhe kyun sharam aa rahi hai? Arjun agar tum nahi hote main aaj bhi waha hoti, you pulled me out, jab mere maa-baap tak ne, mera saath chod diya, tumne mera saath diya, puri society ke khilaaf mujhe judge karne ke bajay meri choices ko respect kiya, jab maine saare Armaan kho diye the toh tumne mujhe unhe firse jagaane ki himmat di… tumne mujhe zindgi fir jeena sikhaya hai Arjun aur meri nazar mein tum humesha wahi Arjun rahoge jise…jise main pyaar karti hun

A tear rolls down his eye and she wipes it off shaking her head. Resting her head on his chest, she hugs him.

Riya: I will always love you

Arjun embraced her. He kisses her forehead, pondering over her words. Deep down, he knew if he continued to bring it up they would never be able to live happily. He closes his eyes. He had to get out of it, for her, for their future.

They stayed like that for a long time in silence, consoling and comforting each other. Though there was serenity, their minds were boggled. Arjun was stuck in between.

Arjun: Riya?

Riya: hm?

Arjun: kya tum…kya tum complaint karna chahti ho?

Riya: kaunsi complaint?

Arjun: file a case? Against him?

She looked up: nahi

Arjun: kyun?

Riya sighs: tum ye mere liye puch rahe ho ya fir khud ki tasalli ke liye? (he doesn’t respond) Arjun, tum kya ek-ek admi ko dhundhte firoge? Aur ye toh socho prove kaise karoge?

Arjun: par…ye waala haina?

Riya: Arjun I am out, I am not going back ever! Mujhe past ki kisi bhi cheez se koi lena dena nahi rakhna, it’s over!

Arjun takes a deep breath and nods. He speaks again after a few minutes.

Arjun: main unhe kabhi maaf nahi kar paunga

Riya: mat karo lekin ye yaad rakho ki unse badla lene ke chakkar mein tumhare man ki shaanti nahi jaani chahiye, unse nafrat karne mein, tumhara dil pathar nahi banna chahiye

Arjun sighs: you are talking like a shrink

Riya: ha woh kya haina, wisdom trauma ka side effect hota hai

Laughter forced itself through his lips: please yaar, bhaari joke mat maaro

She smiles: joke nahi, fact hai

His eyes moisten again as his shoulder droops down.

Arjun caresses her cheek: I love you…so much

Riya: I love you too!

He leans forward to kiss her. Her eyes close automatically as she melts in his hold.

ETF office-

The team was sitting with paperwork. However, their minds were somewhere else.

Sakshi: Sameer, ek baar Arjun ko phone karke pucho na

Sameer: nahi Sakshi let him rest, bahot dhakka laga hai use

Sakshi: karne do rest par ye toh pucho ki woh kaisa hai? kal raat ko aise lag raha tha jaise duniya ka bojh ho uske kandho par

Sameer: I understand Sakshi lekin agar woh thoda bahot bhi theek hai toh I don’t want to rub it in

Shree: toh sir! Riya ko call kijiye na, mujhe lagta hai woh behtar position mein hai

Sameer: par aise kaise use…

Ayesha: ha Shree sahi keh raha hai, please call, atleast ye toh pata chale ki dono theek hai ya nahi, mujhe fikar ho rahi hai

Sameer sighed: theek hai

He removes his phone and dials her number. The ring goes. She doesn’t pick up. Sameer is about to disconnect when she answers.

Riya: hello?

Sameer: Riya? hi!

Shree gestures him to put it on speaker. He nods.

Riya(confused): hi?

Sameer: woh uh…kaisi ho?

Riya: I’m good, kyun?

Sameer raised his eyebrow mv “kyun? seriously?” He clears his throat.

Sameer: bas aise hi…um woh uh ek baat puchni thi actually, woh….Arjun ka phone nahi lag raha toh tumhe idea hai woh kaisa hai?

Riya: phone nahi lag raha toh kaha hai pucho na, kaisa hai kyun puch rahe ho? ruko ek second

She puts the phone on speaker as well.

Arjun: ha Sam?

Sameer: tu wahi hai?

Arjun: hmm

Sameer: hm, upset ho?

Arjun: nahi naach raha hun

Sameer smiles: obviously engagement jo ho gayi, kam se kam ab Riya tere saath rahegi toh tu office se toh gayab nahi ho jaayega

Arjun: kyun tu firse bedroom se record room pahunch gaya?

Ayesha face-palmed. Sameer rolled his eyes.

Sameer: shut up!

Arjun smiles sadly: I’m fine, bas thoda man halka karna chahta hu

Sameer: take care

Arjun: hmm

Sameer: Riya ka bhi

Arjun: ha

Sameer: leave de du aaj?

Arjun: pata nahi, baad mein mood ho toh shayad aaunga

Sameer: theek hai…bye!

Arjun: bye!

Call Disconnect

Riya: I told you

Arjun: kya?

Riya: you have good friends

Arjun smiles: ha, I do

He takes a deep breath and rubs his eyes tiringly.

Riya: main fresh ho jaati hu, tum tab tak thodi der aur so jao

Arjun: ha, thakan si lag rahi hai

Riya: jaanti hu (she laid him on the bed and pulled a blanket over him) so jao thoda, aaram milega, shareer ko bhi aur man ko bhi

He closed his eyes. She stayed by the bedside, stroking his hair till he drifted into sleep. Making sure he had fallen asleep, she went to the washroom……………………..