Chapter 36

EPISODE-36

 

Rajveer still could not believe that he was in love and that too with his best friend's sister who happened to be another great friend. But that one weak moment was enough to drift them apart. Their freindhip was strained. They didn't want to face each other.  They didn't had the guts to do that. But they didn't had the luxury to make choices. They had to remain together till they return and that too without Navin getting a whiff of all that had happened.

 

Rajveer came back inside the room. Only 15 minutes were left. They had to leave. Rajveer and Naina decided to ignore each other's presence and focus on their mission. Their priority was Navin. Their issues could be sorted out later. But still there was one thing that Rajveer wanted to know. He wanted to know what was in Naina's mind. He had found out the answer to his questions but was wondering if Naina had similar questions and a similar answer. But he didn't had time to ponder over it. They packed their bags and were all set to leave. They thanked the old man and the doctor for all their help. Doctor volunteered to help them and Rajveer accepted.

 

Rajveer had parked the car at the same place outside the village where he usually did. They had to support Navin to reach there. They had to be his crutches. It took them 45 minutes to reach there which otherwise used to be a 15 minutes walk. Rajveer helped Navin get inside the car and Naina supported him from the other side. They were all trying to balance themselves since they had to manage Navin's weight as well. But Naina got a little imbalanced and her hands went on Rajveer's hand to look for a support. As their hands touched each other, they looked up, in each other's eyes. But next moment Naina moved back and slammed the door. Rajveer also closed the door after making sure that Navin is comfortable. He came on the wheels and Naina took the co-passenger's seat. Doctor left after the three of them had left.

 

"Waise Raj yeh to bata ki aage ka plan kya hai."

"Yahan se hum is car mein sirf next town tak jaayenge. Tujhe abhi rest ki zaroorat hai. Isliye we will take up the journey in parts. Kal early morning hum wahan se Raiwind ke liye niklenge... By Bus. Kuch din wahan ruk ke we will continue."

"What?" Naina freaked out as she heard that."By bus? You are kidding me Raj. Bhaiyya is haalat mein bus se journey nahin kar sakte. We can't exert him."

"I know kafi exertion ho jaayega but we will have to take those chances. Waise bhi Navin ko Raiwind mein poora rest milega. We will be staying there for a few days. Aur yeh car hired hai. Agar owner ne track karna shuru kiya to hum problem mein aa sakte hain. There will be higher chances of being tracked down. Isliye humein yeh car raaste mein hi chodni hogi."

"Raiwind mein rukna safe hoga?" Naina's voice had hesitation.

"Haan. Meri Alekh aur Abdul se baat ho gayi hai. Abdul kal subah tak Raiwind pahunch jaayega. He will take us to the same place where he took us last time. Wahan stay karne ke arrangements bhi hain."

 

They reached there in next one hour. Rajveer dropped Naina and Navin at the bus stand and drove away. He left the car at a distance of two kilometers and came back in 20 minutes.

 

"2 and a half hours to go now. Tab tak humein yahin ruk kar bus ke liye wait karna hoga. "

 

They sat under a tree waiting for the bus. Navin was sitting between Naina and Rajveer. All of them sat quietly. Rajveer and Naina were lost in their own thoughts. No matter how hard they tried, they could not get over that incident. They sat like that quietly for about an hour until Navin spoke up.

"Naina tu theek to hai na?"

"Of course Bhaiyya. Mujhe kya hua hai?"

"Wohi to pooch raha hoon. Tu itni chup-chaap kaise hai?"

"Kyun main chup nahin reh sakti kya?"

"Well jahan tak main tujhe jaanta hoon...Nahin. Kyun Raj?"

He just smiled.

"Things change with time Navin and so do people."

"What? Tum dono ka koi jhagda hua hai kya?"

"Amm...Nahin toh. Kyun?"

"Kyun kya kyun.... Naina chup baithi hai....tu philosophies suna raha hai...isnt that a bit weird?"

"No it's not." Naina said in a bit hyper tone. Navin was a bit taken aback at her sudden change in behaviour. But before he could figure out that something is not right she immediately controlled her temper and making an innocent face said to Navin, "Mujhe yahan tension ho rahi hai aur aapko mazaak soojh raha hai. It's a long journey. Aap kaise jaaoge?"

"Acha baba...Theek hai. Nahin bolta tujhe kuch. Lekin tere tension lene se mushkilein aasaan nahin hongi. So just relax. Jo bhi problem hogi use hum sab mil ke face kar lenge.Okay."

 

She nodded her head in yes and hugged him. Again they sat quietly waiting for the bus. As the bus came they boarded inside. Rajveer helped Navin take a seat and himself sat behind Navin leaving the space for Naina. As Naina was taking her seat Navin stopped her.

"Naina tu Raj ke saath baith jaa. I need some leg room."

Rajveer and Naina looked at each other. Rajveer got up and took the seat right opposite to Navin. He signaled Naina to move inside and reluctantly she did. In fifteen minutes they began their journey.... together yet alone.