Chapter 26

Part 26 [NOCOPY]

The funeral was arranged a day later. A car stopped outside the premises of the cremation ground. Arjun and Riya stepped out. A short distance away, another car was parked. Sameer was standing outside waiting for them. He walks up to them.

Sameer: hey

Arjun: hi

Sameer: Aunty aur Armaan tera wait kar rahe the, late ho gaya?

Arjun: traffic, time hai?

Sameer checks his watch: bas abhi taiyaari khatam ho rahi hai, kaafi log bhi aaye hai. I didn’t let the others come, I’m not sure agar tum chahte toh

Arjun nods: acha kiya

Sameer nods his head: andar chale?

Arjun: ha

The trio enters the premises. Shweta and Armaan see them coming. Riya stops short before entering the ground.

Riya: main…uh I am gonna wait here

Sameer: and I am gonna wait with you.

Arjun requests Sameer: please do, main aata hun

He enters. The pyre was set up. A pandit was checking if all the necessary things were present. Armaan steps toward him. Arjun turns his face away.

Riya sighs: Sameer tumhe uske saath hona chahiye tha

Sameer: Riya woh fir bhi sambhal lega lekin tumhara Aunty ke saamne hona, khatre se khaali nahi hai

Riya: jaanti hun, lekin mujhe dar tha ki Arjun nahi aayega isliye saath aayi

Sameer: tum dono ko time laga toh honestly kuch pal ke liye mujhe bhi aisa hi laga

She was about to say something when they heard the pandit chant mantras. He beckoned Arjun closer to start the rituals. Reluctantly, he puts his foot forward. He instructs Arjun through the pre-cremation rituals and finally ignites fire. The Pandit extends his hand to give him the torch.

Arjun raised his hand but stopped midway.

“ek regular customer ne mujhe dekh liya…”

“he was the one who dropped me back…”

Arjun: Armaan!!

The sudden change of events confuses everyone. Armaan goes forward.

Armaan: ha bhai?

Arjun takes the torch and hands it to him, shocking everyone. Though they thought it was because Arjun wanted to give his brother the right as well, Shweta, Armaan, Sameer and Riya knew why he didn’t want to do it.

Tears cloud the widow’s vision. Her gaze sharply turns to Riya in accusation. She looks down. Sameer places a protective hand around her shoulder gazing back at Shweta. Not angrily, just firm enough to deter her. She looks away. Riya glances at him appreciatively. He blinks in assurance.

Arjun stepped behind. Armaan gulped the lump in his throat. He grips the torch and steps forward. The pandit recites the mantra and he lights the pyre. Arjun looks on with crossed arms and zero emotions on his face.

Later-

Outside, Riya, Sameer and Arjun were walking back to the cars.

Arjun: Manohar ka kuch pata chala?

Sameer: nahi yaar, abhi tak gayab hai, humne ghar waalon ke phones tap karke rakhe hai, dekhte hai

Arjun: hmm, main do ghante…

A voice called out to him: Bhai!!!!

Arjun balls his fist and ignores it, continuing to walk ahead. Sameer and Riya glance at each other.

Armaan calls out again: Bhai!!!!

Arjun continues to ignore him. Riya subtly gestures to him to run and so he does. He sprints towards them.

Armaan(turning Arjun to him): Bhai!!! (looking at his blank face) aap…aapne dekha kyun nahi? main awaaz laga raha tha

Arjun: jao yaha se!

He turns again but Armaan goes in front.

Armaan: aap mujhse kyun aise baat kar rahe hai?

Arjun: Tujhe Ek Baar Mein Batayi Hui Baat Samaj Mein Nahi Aati?

Armaan: lekin maine…

Arjun: Jao Yaha Se!!!

His indifference fuels him: Nahi Jaunga!!! KYA PROBLEM HAI AAPKI?? Mujhse Kyun Aise Baat Kar Rahe Hai?? MAINE KYA KIYA?? MAIN PAPA HUN? Nahi Na!!!! Ekto Jab Se Aap Gaye Tabse Papa Depression Mein The, Khaana Peena Sab Band Kar Diya, Maa Bhabhi Se Gussa Hai, Aapse Naraaz Hai Kyunki Aapne Unhe Chuna Aur Fir Ye Sab, Pura Business Mere Sar Par Aa Chuka Hai, Aur Aap Hai Ki EK BAAR MUDKAR DEKH BHI NAHI SAKTE!!! Hospital Se Bhi Bina Bataye Chale Gaye (tears flew out of his eyes) Mere Baare Mein Koi Nahi Sochta!! MAIN KYA KARU?!!? KAHA JAU?!?!? MAIN KYUN PISU AAP LOGON KE BEECH?!?!? Roka Aapko Us Din? Nahi! Kabhi Phone Kiya Maine Aapko? Nahi!! Kabhi Waapis Aane Ke Liye Kaha? Nahi Na!! Kyunki Main Jaanta Hu Aap Par Kya Beeti LEKIN MERA KYA?!?! Bachpan Se Aap Mujhe Humesha Raasta Dikhate The Aur Ab Jab Mujhe Sabse Zyaada Zaroorat Hai Toh AAP MUJHSE MUH FER RAHE HAI??!? KYUN?!?! MAINE KAUNSA GUNAAH KIYA HAI?!?!

Arjun is taken aback by the sudden outburst: Armaan…

Armaan: Lekin Nahi!! Aapko Kyun Yaad Aayegi Meri? Main Kaun Lagta Hun Aapka? AAPKO TOH SIRF UN DONO SE MATLAB HAI!!

His eyes burn: Armaan aisa nahi…

Armaan: TOH FIR KAISA HAI??!!? KYUN MUH FER RAHE HAI AAP MUJHSE? KYUN MERI AWAAZ AAPKE KAANO PAR NAHI PADTI?!?!!? JAWAB DIJIYE!!!

Arjun: Mujhe Nahi Pata!!! Tumhe mujhse raasta chahiye Armaan? Lekin Sach Yahi Hai Ki Mujhe Nahi Pata, Main Nahi Jaanta Mujhe Kaha Jaana Hai! ek taraf main unse nafrat karta hun aur dusri taraf ye baat khaaye ja rahi hai ki mera baap mar chuka hai! Unki Laash Bhi Dekhta Hun Toh Dukh Se Pehle Riya Ki Cheekhein Yaad Aati Hai Mujhe! (tears rolled down his cheeks) mujhe nahi pata Armaan, main bas… main bas (looking at Riya and Sameer) in dono ke sahare hue abhi, aur kuch nahi

Armaan hangs his head. He bit his lip to prevent a sob. Arjun places a hand on his shoulder. He looks up, devastated. Unable to see him in that state, Arjun hugs him. He breaks down in his embrace.

Sameer and Riya look on tearfully.

Armaan(sobbing): I’m sorry

Arjun: I’m sorry too bacha, mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha

They separated after a while, wiping their tears and regaining composure.

Arjun: mujhe maaf kar de

Armaan: theek hai lekin, ek shart hai meri (Arjun furrows his brow) aap mera number unblock karenge aur mujhse baat karenge aur milenge aur apni shaadi mein invite karenge aur jab main shaadi karu tab bhi aayenge aur jaise aapne mujhe bigada hai waise mere bachon ko bhi bigadenge aur mujhe bhi aapke bachon ko bigadne denge

Arjun: Armaan maa…

Armaan: unhe batane ki koi zaroorat nahi hai! aapko shart manzoor hai ya nahi?!

Arjun: manzoor hai

He smiles and hugs his brother again.

Sameer: uh…sorry to interrupt par, maybe Armaan ko bhaagna chahiye

They separate and look at him quizzically. He looks in the opposite direction. They turn to see Shweta glaring at them while storming towards them.

Armaan: oh god, main unhe delay karta hu

Arjun grabs Riya’s hand: Chalo Riya…Sam bhaag

Sameer: yup!

Within seconds they dispersed. Armaan interrupts his mother bearing the brunt of her anger while Arjun slips away with Riya.

Jeevan Nirmal-

Riya(getting out): bye!

Arjun follows her: Riya?

Riya: ha

Arjun: aane ke liye thanks

Riya: rishte nibhana ke liye hote hai Arjun, pyaar karti hun tumse

Arjun: main bhi

Riya: jaanti hu (they stare lovingly at each other) waise…Niharika sahi kehti hai, mujhe kabhi zyaada samaj mein nahi aaya par she was right

Arjun: kis baare mein

Riya: yahi ki kabhi-kabhi shock mein hue insaan ko dusra shock baahar nikal sakta hai, tumhara bhai expert hai, waise bhi demo mein zyaada aasani se samaj aata hai

Arjun: Riya please…bhaari joke mat maaro

Riya: joke nahi, fact hai

Laughter forced itself through his lips.

Riya: dekha, ab finally tumhe mera humour samaj mein aana laga hai

Arjun: Riyaa!!!

Riya: ha Arjun?

Arjun laughs: please yaar baksh do mujhe

Riya: jao chod diya

Arjun bows: thank you

Riya smiles: khayal rakhna apna

Arjun: ha, filhaal toh change karke office ja raha hun, man behel jaayega

Riya: hm, bye, take care

Arjun: bye Riya

She went in and Arjun drove to his home.

As the days go by, things slowly revert to normal. Armaan takes charge of the business. Unknown to his mother, he still is in contact with Arjun. Arjun on the other hand, has Sameer and Riya to lean on. They manage to bring out his old self from the trauma. He busies himself with ETF duty as well, conveniently distracting himself and spending rest of the time with the love of his life.

Jeevan Nirmal-

Arjun and Riya were on the swing, with her head on his chest and his arms around her. They were enjoying the light evening breeze in the garden. He breaks the silence.

Arjun: Riya?

Riya: ha?

Arjun: woh….main kya soch raha tha, hum…shaadi kar le?

Riya looks up: achanak kyun?

Arjun: achanak nahi, karne hi waale the na, us pandit ne bhi toh do mahine baad kaha tha…. baad mein baat hi nahi hui humari us baare mein toh isliye

Riya: ha woh toh hai….I don’t mind par

Arjun: par kya?

Riya: kaise karenge?

Arjun(confused): matlab?

Riya: matlab kaha, kab…?

Arjun: acha waise bolo na (he answers thoughtfully) mandir mein kar le?

Riya: I don’t mind

Arjun: theek hai toh main…intezaam karke tumhe batata hun

Riya nods

Arjun: ek baat puchu?

Riya: pucho na

Arjun: tumhare koi icha thi kya? Pehle? Ki tumhe kaisi shaadi chahiye?

Riya rolls her eyes: main bhaagti thi pyaar aur shaadi se

Arjun: really?!?

Riya: ha toh

Arjun: kyun?

Riya: kyun kya kyun? mujhe toh sab time waste hi lagta tha (Arjun stares at her in disbelief) are sach mein, tumhe pata hai, meri ek close friend thi Divya. woh humare group mein se hi ek ladke Hiren ko date kar rahi thi, woh dono itna drama karte the na ki pucho mat! har hafte break up aur patch up karte rehte the. randomly aadhi raat ko mujhe call karke rone lagti thi kyunki Hiren ne uske message ka reply nahi kiya. Class mein ek aur ladka tha, har do din mein use sacha waala pyaar hota tha, jiske bagair woh jee nahi sakta tha (Arjun smiles in amusement) aur bhi bahot kisse dekhe hai maine, itna irritate ho jaati thi main ki pucho mat. in fact na ek baar pure college ke saamne, band ke ek ladke ne apne crush ko propose kiya, college ke event mein aur fir (laughing) fir pata chala ki woh ladki principal ki beti thi

Arjun: oh god!

Riya: haa!! Bichara ki jo band baji us din, pucho mat

Arjun: aur woh ladki?

Riya: ladki ka kya?

Arjun: uski ha thi ya na?

Riya: kise pata? Woh kuch bole isse pehle principal ki khunkar awaaz mike pe aa gayi

Arjun: bichara, pata bhi nahi chala ki ladki ke man mein kya hai

Riya laughed: tumhe badi daya aa rahi hai us par

Arjun: aayegi hi na, tumhe patane ke liye itne papad jo bele hai

Riya raised her eyebrow: acha?

Arjun: ha toh, kitne bahane, kitni mehnat, uff!

Riya: you’re a drama queen, you know that?

Arjun(shamelessly): haa!!

She shakes her head in disbelief as he chuckles. Arjun pulls her closer.

Arjun: acha ye toh batao ki…ab kya khayal hai tumhare?

Riya: kis baare mein?

Arjun teases her: pyaar ke baare mein? ….shaadi ke baare mein…shaadi ke baad ke baare mein

She pretends to think: uh….ek taraf kua dusri taraf khaayi

Arjun(shocked): kya?!?!

Riya(suppressing her laugh): ha!

Arjun squints at her: acha? Ruko tum!

Riya breaks free from his hold to run away.

Arjun gets on his feet: bhaag kaha rahi ho? ruko tum!! Chodunga nahi tumhe toh main!!

She laughs as she runs around the garden with him trying to catch her………………………