Chapter 23

Woh apna haath upar karke sabko back out karna ishaara karta hai. Pathan ek-ek kadam aage leta hai aur ETF ek-ek kadam peeche leti hai. Pathan Lalita ko dhaal banakar car tak pahunch jaata hai uska admi uske saath hi hai drive karne ke liye. Pathan darwaaza kholta hai lekin utna mein Ayesha dickey ke peeche se aakar use kick karti hai. Pathan, ladki aur gun teeno gir jaate hai. Ayesha immediately uski gun lekar uske driver ko shoot kar deti hai. ETF aage baakhi bache admiyon par shoot kar deti hai. Pathan Lalita ko pakadne ki koshish karta hai lekin woh dar ke maare jitni jaldi ho sake utni jaldi uthkar bhaag jaati hai. Ayesha Pathan ko pakad leti hai. kuch hi pal mein Sameer aur Chotu bhi aa jaate hai uski help ke liye. Woh use arrest kar lete hai. Shree aur Chotu use lead karke le jaate hai

Rathore: good job Mrs. Rathore

Ayesha: I know

Rathore smile karta hai lekin Ayesha ignore karke chali jaati hai.

Woh log Vikram ko inform karte hai toh woh bhi khush ho jaata hai aur Pathan ko ETF office le jaane ko kehta hai.

Aur aise hi unki raat aur raat ki neend dono khatam ho jaati hai.

Conference room-

Saare juniors pair faila kar baithe hai. Liza aur Sakshi bhi raat bhar unka wahi wait kar rahi thi aur office mein hi so gayi thi. Dono baakhi sabko coffee dekar refresh karte hai aur Shree, Chotu puri kahani batate hai.

Sakshi: ek minute! Toh ab Arjun…

Ayesha(tired): nahi Sakshi chup! Bilcul chup! Tum kuch nahi bologi….main soyi nahi hu, mera dimag fat raha hai. Mujhe Sameer par gussa aa raha hai. agar tumne Arjun sir ka naam liya ya fir firse unke aur Riya ke rishte ke baare mein kuch bhi kaha toh main tumhara murder kar dungi samjhi tum!!

Sakshi: paagal ho kya? Us Riya ne khud apne sar par hathoda maar liya Arjun ke paas jaane ke liye, main chahe kisi ko kitna bhi pasand kyun na karu, meri jaan se zyaada aur kuch keemti nahi hai mere liye…uski Riya usi ko Mubarak!

Shree(amused): chalo shukar hai bhagwan ka, kam se kam kisi ke maathe toh kuch pale pada

Sakshi: oh hello, mere maathe humesha sab kuch pale padta hai.

Liza sarcastic smile deti hai: ha Sakshi, tum toh bahot samajhdar ho

Sakshi: ha toh…of course hun

Tabhi Rathore conference room mein aata hai.

Rathore: ye kya hai?

Shree: kya sir?

Rathore: Chotu tumhari tabiyat theek haina?

Sab confuse hote hai.

Chotu: ha sir kyun?

Rathore: nahi mujhe toh laga yaha par buffet intezaar kar raha hoga mere liye

Chotu: on the way hai sir, canteen mein bol diya hai

Rathore: very good!

Chotu(khush hokar): thank you sir!!!

Ayesha ke ilawa sab haste hai.

Ayesha apni irritation control karne ki koshish karti hai: Sameer, ek baat puchu?

Rathore: pucho na jaan

Sab Sameer ko stare karne lagte hai. koi aur mauka hota toh ab tak Ayesha sharam ke maare kahi chup gayi hoti par…

Ayesha: Sam it’s serious

Sameer apni coffee peet-peete rukta hai: tum pregnant ho?

Ayesha(confused): what? Nahi!!! Dammit Sameer!

Sab apni hasi chupane ki koshish karte hai

Sameer(thoda upset): acha toh kya baat hai?

Ayesha(angrily): kya hua? Riya kaha hai? aur Arjun sir kaha ? Vikram sir ne kya kaha? Kuch toh boliye…Aap Sab Itna Normal React Kar Rahe Hai Jaise Ki Kuch Hua Hi Nahi!

Rathore serious ho jaata hai: Vikram sir ne kaha ki woh for the time being Arjun ko suspend kar rahe hai, jaha tak mera maanna hai waha tak is case ke khatam hone tak

Is baat se sabko shock lagta hai.

Ayesha(incredulously): par….Sameer! aap….Sameer, Sikandar ne Arjun sir ki wife ko maara hai, Unhe Is Case Mein Involve Hone Haq Hai!

Shree: ha sir, agar wahi nahi rahenge toh is case ka kya matlab?

Liza: sir, hum sab jaante woh thode impulsive hai lekin…

Rathore sabki baat ko kaat deta hai: Ayesha ye faisla mera nahi Vikram sir ka hai, unhi se pucho toh behtar rahega! Aur uske bagair ETF pehle bhi chalti thi aur aage bhi chal sakti hai! rahi baat Riya ki toh mujhe nahi pata..tumne dekha na usne kya kiya? Paagal ho gayi woh uske chakkar mein…(uski kadvi yaadein us par haavi ho jaati hai) aur agar aisa hi chalta raha toh kisi din woh bhi apni jaan gava baithegi!

Ayesha ke ilawa kisi ko samaj mein nahi aata ki woh kya keh raha hai par koi react kare isse pehle…

Darwaaze se: Meri Jaan Ki Fikar Aapko Karne Ki Zaroorat Nahi Hai!

Sab mudte hai, Rathore automatically Riya ko dekhkar apni seat se uth jaata hai.

Rathore: Riya…

Before he could say another word Riya marched upto him and slapped him hard, shocking everyone.

Ayesha(angrily): Riya!!

Riya(equally angry): Mujhe Kuch Bhi Kehne Se Pehle Ek Baar Apne Pati Ke Daaman Mein Jhaank Kar Dekho Ayesha (Glaring At Rathore) Daag Na Dikhe Toh Mujhe Gol Maar Dena!!!

Ayesha(sarcastically): Acha? Aisa Kya Kiya Unhone?

Riya: mujhse puchne ke bajaye isi se puch lo, Pucho Ki Unhone Jaan Buchkar Arjun Ko Suspend Karwaya Ya Nahi?

Ayesha (confused): jaan buchkar?

Riya stares back at Rathore: ha jaan buchkar!! Aap Arjun ko apna badla nahi lena dene chahte haina? Yahi Kaha Tha Na Aapne Unse?

Sabko ek aur jhatka lagta hai.

Riya held his collar: AB JAWAB DIJIYE! CHUP KYUN HAI?? KAHA THA YA NAHI?!?!

Rathore (taken aback): ha kaha tha lekin….

Another slap resonated through the space as Riya’s hand came in contact with his cheek again.

Ayesha(shocked): WHAT? Sameer…Aapne…KYUN??

Riya: jawab tum khud jaanti ho Ayesha! (controlling herself) khair! Main yaha aapko sirf itna batane aayi hun ki Arjun abhi tak lapata hai aur agar unhe kuch bhi hua (threatening) Toh Unke Bagal Mein Aapki Chita Jalegi! Yeh Vaada Hai Mera! SAMJHE?

She turned to leave but her hand itched again. She balled her fist and suddenly spun around and punched Rathore on his face sending him stumbling behind much to everyone’s shock. His nose bled.

Riya (angrily): aur ye! Mere Arjun Ka Dil Dukhane Ke Liye!! Agli Baar Agar Unse Unchi Awaaz Mein Baat Karne Ki Koshish Bhi Ki Toh Woh Haal Karungi Ki 100 JANAMO TAK APAHIJ RAHOGE!!!

She stormed out of the office without waiting for a reaction. Ayesha was still unable to comprehend that Sameer could stoop so low.

Ayesha(angrily): Sam! How Could You Do This? APNI EK PREJUDICE KE LIYE AAPNE EK CRIMINAL KO COMPROMISE KAR DIYA? ARJUN SIR KO SUSPEND KARWA DIYA?

Sameer: nahi!! Maine aisa kuch nahi kiya Ayesha…tum toh mujhe samajhne ki….

Ayesha: KYA SAMJHU MAIN? AAPNE KHUD ABHI ACCEPT KIYA KI AAPNE ARJUN SIR KAHA KI AAP UNHE SIKANDAR TAK NAHI PAHUNCHNE DENGE!

Sameer: Ayesha aisa nahi hai! Please listen to me!

Ayesha: Aur Kya Safayi Dena Chahte Hai Aap Sameer? MAINE KABHI SAPNE MEIN BHI NAHI SOCHA THA KI AAP AISI HARKAT KARENGE!!!

Sameer(desperately): Ayesha, Woh Sirf Ek Misunderstanding Hai. Tumhe Toh Pata Hai Kal Humara Jhagda Ho Gaya Toh Usi Dauran Main Gusse Mein Use Keh Diya Tha…I Didn’t Mean It!!! Main Tumhari Kasam Khaata Hun…Main Chahe Usse Jitni Bhi Nafrat Kyun Na Kar Lu Iska Matlab Yah Nahi Ki Kisi Masoom Ko Insaaf Na Dilau Aur Sikandar? Sikandar Jaisa Haivaan Sirf Faasi Ki Fande Par Hona Chahiye! Main Gusse Mein Tha!  Aur Mere Muh Se Nikal Gaya That’s It!!! I Didn’t Mean It!!!

Ayesha sighed as she recognized the truth in his eyes: ab kya faayda Sameer? Arjun sir pata nahi kaha gayab ho gaye hai and Riya….ab tak itna toh hum sab samaj chuke hai ki woh kitni determined hai, bhagwan na kare agar Arjun sir par kharoch bhi aayi toh woh pata nahi aapka kya karegi….(firmly) Ye Galti Aapki Hai Sameer, Main Use Nahi Rokungi!

Sameer too started feeling guilty: I didn’t mean it Ayesha, maine gusse mein kuch bhi bol diya… maine nahi socha tha uska Arjun par itna asar hoga, agar pata hota toh aisa kabhi nahi karta…please believe me

Ayesha: I believe you par aapne ye jo raita failaya hai ise saaf karne mein aapko bahot mehnat lagegi aur Main Aapki Bilcul Madad Nahi Karungi Ye Yaad Rakhna!! You’re Wrong This Time!!!

Ayesha stormed out the room and Silence prevailed for the next moments.

Sameer mv “ye mujhse kya ho gaya? Usne Naina ke saath galat kiya lekin main toh kabhi kisi ke saath galat nahi karta fir bhi maine uski saza Arjun ki biwi aur Riya ko de di. Mujhe apni galti ko sudharna hoga…par kaise? Kal jo hua uske Vikram sir Arjun se bahot naraaz hai…par bhadkaya bhi toh maine hi tha...lekin…agar kisi tarah se unhe mana bhi lun toh Arjun ka pata kaise lagaunga? Aur agar laga bhi liya toh kya woh aayega? (he took a deep breath) Ayesha sahi kehti thi, mera gussa mujh hi par bhaari pad jaayega.”

He almost collapses in his chair confused at what to do and how to do. He fished out his phone and dialled Vikram…

Riya’s house-

Arjun squints as the curtains fly to let the sunrays hit his eyes. He turned to the other side to continue sleeping. His moment of peace almost immediately turned to horror. His eyes shot open. He was alone on the bed.

Arjun immediately looked around: Riya!

But she was nowhere to be seen. He sat up straight and panicked.

Arjun: Riya?.....Riya!! RIYA!!!!!!

On the other hand Riya had just returned from office and entered the house. Hearing him shout, she rushed to him.

Riya(sitting on the bed): Arjun sir kya hua?

Arjun hugged her tightly and scolded her: kaha chali gayi thi tum? Ek pal ke liye aisa laga jaise….

Riya: jaise main aapko chod kar chali gayi?

Arjun hung his head as he drew apart. Riya smiled.

Riya: sir, agar mujhe aapko chodna hota na toh kal ghar ke andar hi nahi ghusne deti….aap baar-baar mujh par shak kyun karte hai?

Arjun: aisa nahi hai Riya, mujhe tum par pura bharosa hai….bas apni kismat par nahi hai. par tum gayi kaha thi?

Riya lied to him: are woh baarish ke mausam ki chakkar mein dusre row ke ek ghar ke baahar gutter ka paani leak hone laga tha…bahot din se colony waalon ne complaint ki thi lekin kuch ho hi nahi raha tha abhi subah finally workers aaye toh bas wahi dekhne gayi thi…

Arjun(confused): itni subah..BMC waale? kaise?

Riya: are maine hi irritate hokar unhe dhamkaya tha, isliye

Arjun : hmm..tumne dhamkaya fir toh pakka ab tak kaam khatam bhi ho gaya hoga

Riya: of course

Arjun smiled lightly and entwined his fingers with hers. Riya gripped them further.

Riya: acha ab aap ready ho jayiye, mein naashta banati hun fir baad ki baad dekhenge, hm?

Arjun: hmm

Riya left to the kitchen and Arjun to the washroom. Arjun had no idea what Riya had done and Riya was still in her thoughts despite focusing on the stove in front of her mv “I hope atleast Ayesha Rathore sir ka dimag thikaana par laa sake aur Arjun sir ka suspension ruk jaaye warna shayad main bhi unhe nahi sambhal paungi. Unki duty unke liye bahot maayine rakhti hai” she suddenly realizes she had been on call with Amod the previous night. Cursing her forgetfulness she picked up her phone and called him.

Amod: good morning

Riya: hi sir!

Amod smiled: hmm, ab lag raha hai Riya se baat kar raha hun

Riya laughed: kya sir aap bhi

Amod: are seriously, kal toh aisa lag raha tha jaise bas tumhari chat se kudne ki der hai

Riya: please huh Amod sir, ye thoda zyaada ho gaya..acha woh sab chodiye, Arjun sir ghar aa gaye

Amod: ha woh maine sun liya tha tumhari meethi awaaz mein

Riya: achi baat hai

Amod: acha Riya…sab theek haina? As in Arjun? Is he ok?

Riya raised her eyebrow: kya baat hai? aapko kab se itni fikar hone lagi?

Amod sighed, he knew she wasn’t going to leave him so: Riya, main maanta hun, tum sahi thi, main galat tha, aur kuch?

Riya laughed: kaha tha na maine, ek na ek din aap bhi samaj jaayenge

Amod: ha baba, ab sawaal ka jawab bhi dogi ya fir time paas hi karti rahogi?

Riya: he’s fine…a little shaken but….he’ll be good

Amod: acha hai, tum apna aur Arjun dono ka khayal rakhna theek hai? main baad mein baat karta hun, Kinjal bula rahi hai

Riya: okay, bhabhi ko mera pyaar dena

Amod: ha kyun nahi, Mere ilawa sabko pyaar karo tum

Riya hasti hai: aapke ego ke liye acha hai.

Amod rolled his eyes: bye!

Riya: bye sir!

Call disconnect

Arjun arrived in a few more minutes. Riya laid the table and they sat for breakfast. However, Riya noticed Arjun was still in some thought which was pricking him. She was about to ask when he voiced it out himself.

Arjun held her hand: Riya

Riya: ha

Arjun: woh…. kal… kal raat jo hua, hum… humne, I mean…maine…. mera matlab… tum…. tum kahi upset hokar toh ghar ke baahar nahi chali gayi na?

Riya had expected a lot of things but not such a question. Yet, the mention of their private moments made her flush.

Riya: Arjun sir, aap firse mujh par shak kar rahe hai?

Arjun(horrified): nahi! Main bas…main bas tumhe hurt nahi karna chahta, you mean the world to me Riya. tum hi meri duniya ho…bas isliye

Riya blushed further: main jaanti hun…I love you

Her reaction brought a smile to his lips and embraced her: I love you too!.....so much!

He felt his heart would burst with emotions. Despite wanting to say so many things to her he wasn’t able to search for the right words. He gazed at her in his arms. Seeing her blissful face, he fell in love all over again. There was only one way in which he could convey his feelings to her and that’s what he did.

Arjun:

Hai Kash, Kash Yu Hota

Har Sham Sath Tu Hota

Chup Chap Dil Na Yu Rota

Har Sham Sath Tu Hota

Guzara Ho Tere Bin Guzara

Ab Mushkil Hai Lagta

Nazara Ho Tera Hi Nazara

Ab Har Din Hai Lagta

Hale Dil Tujhko Sunata Dil Agar

Ye Bol Pata Bakhuda

Tujhko Hai Chahta Ja

Tere Sang Jo Pal Bitata

Waqt Se Main Wo Mang Lata

Yaad Karke Muskurata

Riya smiled and snuggled closer to him hearing his soulful voice. To their dismay, they were suddenly interrupted by Arjun’s ringtone. Arjun’s muttered a curse under his breath against whoever disturbed them, Riya giggled at his reaction. He removed his cell phone and frowned seeing the caller ID.

Riya: kya hua? Kaun hai?

Arjun just showed her the screen. Commissioner sir flashed on the screen. Arjun was in no mood to talk to him and was still contemplating whether to reject the call or let it go as missed call, when Riya Grabbed the phone from him.

Arjun: Riya tum kya…

Riya: shh! Aapko meri kasam hai aap phone khatam hone tak ek shabd bhi nahi bolenge!

Arjun’s eyes widened sure that something evil was cooking in her brain…………………………