Chapter 9

Part 9 - 'Aabaad Barbaad'

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It's New years Eve and everyone has assembled at Sai’s home for the party. Sai is missing Virat terribly but cannot show it as he is away on special duty. Everyone is having a good time and enjoying the food, music and games. Gauri and Karishma tease her but she brushes it away. Although she wonders if she can call and wish Virat New year.

At 11.55 pm, Sai’s phone rings.. It's Virat. 

“Sai.. tumhare liye ek surprise hai… thik 12 baje niche jaana tumhare gate pe”

Sai, suddenly excited, wants to ask if Virat would be there but he cuts the call immediately.

After informing everyone, Sai rushes downstairs only to find no one there. 

She starts looking here and there and suddenly lets out a squeal when somebody holds her hand and pulls her. 

Virat is hiding behind a vehicle and has pulled her towards him. 

“Modak.. Ye kya hai tarika hai? Kitna dar gai thi main”

Virat just chuckles and keeps holding her. Her hands are on his shoulder and his around her waist. They are suddenly aware of how close they are and Virat can see her blushing even in such a dim, dark night. With one hand, he moves away a hair strand that has fallen on her face, his fingers lightly touching her cheek. 

Sai is flushed and even though she knows that she should move away from his embrace, doesn't want to. 

Virat is lovingly looking in her eyes and she is reading all sorts of emotions in them. In a low, deep voice he asks her.. “Tumhe pata hai na New year wish kaise karte hai?”

Sai, who has understood what he is hinting at, shakes her head in a “no”. 

Virat in a mischievous smile says “Uff Sai… Kiss karke”. Sai gapes at the suggestion, her mouth in a big ‘O’ and Virat's eyes immediately move to her lips. 

The countdown is heard and Virat tilts his head forward but instead kisses the top of her hand without breaking eye contact. 

Sai who was expecting something else is shocked to say the least and punches him on the chest and says “Aap bahot bure hai”.

 This earns another chuckle from Virat and he says “Kyun tumhe kuch aur chahiye tha kya?” with a wink.

Sai is too flustered at what she has blurted, leaves him and Virat goes into another peal of laughter.

“Acchha par apna gift to lelo” says Virat and produces from the car the candy floss he has brought for her. 

Sai jumps at joy seeing this and plants a kiss on his cheeks and whispers in his ears “Mujhe ye wala bhi chalta” and before he can react, runs to the building shouting “Happy New Year” leaving a stunned Virat standing in awe.

All through the next day, Virat has a smile pasted on his face, finally happy that Sai has given a hint on moving forward. He decides to pick her up from the hospital and go on a date.

 In the evening, Virat is waiting patiently but Sai is running late. Just as he is about to call and ask her, he sees Sai and Ajinkya coming out of the hospital. Sai giggling at something Ajinkya has said and lightly hitting him on the arm. Ajinkya is looking at her and laughing with her unaware that Virat is watching them both.

They reach outside and they see Virat standing there with an expressionless face. Both are suddenly worried about how Virat would react and are remembering the last meeting and how it ended.

Sai sheepishly comes near Virat and asks him “Aap bahot der se ruke hue hai kya? Sorry vo baatein karne main time nahi pata chala”

Ajinkya is standing behind Sai at a safe distance and looking seriously afraid of Virat.

Virat looks at their faces but extends his hand towards Ajinkya for a handshake with a slight smile. Ajinkya is taken aback but quickly shakes hands and smiles.

Virat asks him how he is and has a general conversation about studies/career and even says sorry for the previous encounter. Ajinkya visibly relaxes and leaves after saying goodbye to Sai and Virat.

Sai who is in a state of daze has been listening to this conversation like a tennis match viewer. Virat notices her astonishment and opens the car door for her to sit.

Virat sits in the car and looks towards Sai. She is still in shock and just staring at him. Virat realizes why she is reacting like this and pinches her nose.

“Owwww..” says Sai and finally comes out of trance.

“Dhyan kaha hai tumhara? Kuch pooch raha hun?” asks Virat

“Kya.. Kya.. Kya hua?”

“Date pe chale?”

“Hain????”

“Date pe chaleeeee???”

“Kya hogaya hai aapko? Mujhe laga main late ho gai to gussa karenge… upar se main Ajinkya ke saath thi.. Bappa… mujhe to laga aaj jwalamukhi phatega…how can you be so cool???”

Virat is chortling at her behaviour and her comments and Sai is just looking at him astounded.

He finally cups her face in both his hands and says,

“Are meri Gadchiroli Express, ruk jao… maine kaha na main badal raha hun… I don't want to repeat those mistakes again… ab to yakeen karlo”

Sai is still in shock aggravated by the sensation his warm hands are generating. She quickly controls herself and shifts slightly. Virat too realises this and removes his hands.

They sit quietly for some time when finally Sai asks him again “Aap kuch bol rahe the?”

Virat wants to know if she heard him and teases her.. “Ghar chalne ko pooch raha tha?”

“Nahi.. aapne to kuch aur bola tha?”

“Kya bola tha?”

“Aap…. rehne dijiye… kuch nahi”

On the way, he again puts on music system and Arijit Singh is crooning “Aabaad Barbaad”

Itna ehsaan kar do

Poore armaan kar do

Lab pe aakar jo ruke hain

Dhai wo harf keh do

Meri saanson se judi hai

Teri har saans keh do

Mushqil aasaan kar do

Ya to barbaad kar do

Ya phir aabaad kar do

Virat too starts singing and drops her home. As she is getting down from the car, he calls her,

“Oh Mirchi…. (as she turns to look at him)... Dhai vo harf kehdo” and gives her a flying kiss before zooming past a stunned Sai.

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Virat is trying to overcome his jealousy and has finally understood that he has a special place in Sai’s heart. He apologises to Ajinkya as he has realised his mistake.

The song is ‘Aabaad Barbaad’ from Ludo