Chapter 43

 

                              ***************CHAPTER-5***************

 

 

EPISODE- 43

 

Rajveer and Navin were sitting in Navin's room discussing some official matters. Navin had to report his comeback at the Army Headquarters. But their conversation was interrupted by the sudden opening of the door. It was Neetika. They looked at her.

 

"Raj mujhe Navin se kuch baat karni hai. Please excuse us."

"Sure. Main tumhare room mein hoon." Saying this Rajveer left them alone.

 

5 minutes later, there was a power cut. Naina was in her room. She tried to find a candle but could not get one. So she went to her mother to get a candle.  She brought 3 candles but lit only one. She saw from a distance that here was some light coming from Navin's room. Obviously he had found one but Neetika's room was dark. So she went to her room to give her a candle. As she opened the door and stepped inside she saw Rajveer sitting there.

"Tum yahan?"

"Haan... Neeti ko Navin se kuch baat karni thi."

"Oh."

"Waise mujhe lagta hai even we need to talk."

"But mujhe nahin lagta."

"Kyun?"

"I don't owe you any explanation Raj."

"But I need one."

"I am sorry Raj."

All this while Rajveer didn't take his eyes off her even for once but Naina didn't even looked up at him. He stepped closer and blew away the candle. They stood there in dark.

"Yeh kya kiya tumne?"

"I thought you had a problem facing me. Now it's too dark for you to look at me."

"What do you want Raj?" She was getting irritated.

 

 

"Kya ab hum baat kar sakte hain?"

"I hurt you... didn't I?"

"A lot."

"But believe me... I never intended to."

"But that cant change the fact that you did hurt me."

"I know but still I think you should...."

".... Walk out of the relationship.... Why Navin?"

"Come on Neeti, Get real."

"Navin tumne hi mujhse promise kiya tha that you wont give me choices in life for a life partner other than you... whether I like it or not."

"Haan kaha tha. Par tab haalaat alag the."

"Ab bhi kuch nahin badla hai Navin... Siwaye tumhare nazariye ke."

"Badla hai Neeti... I am a handicap."

"And I am pregnant."

"Jaanta hoon isiliye to..."

"Isiliye decide nahin kar paa rahe ho whether to hold on to the relationship or let me go."

"Neeti don't get me wrong."

"Listen to me Navin. Hum dono strong hain aur independent bhi. Lets be each others' strength and not weakness. We can take care of ourselves and what we are looking in this relationship is emotional support. Ab hamari relationship woh KMA days ki immature relationship nahin hai."

"Exactly Neetika... Time ke saath relationship changes... the way you perceive it and the way you live it."

"And now you don't want to live it."

"But I can't walk out of it like that either."

"Great. Navin I am not gonna force this engagement on you. You are free to walk out. You don't even need to think at this baby. It's my child and I can take care of it. Waise aaj tum mujhe chodna chahte ho who knows you might feel like disowning the child at any point of time." Neetika was furious.

"Neetika stop over-reacting."

"Over-reacting? No Navin not me.... You are over-reacting. You are trying to run away from your responsibilities."

"Neeti why don't you understand. Even I don't want to run.... neither from my responsibilities nor from this relationship. But I think this is the best option for you."

"Navin may be you have confusions regarding your decision but I am absolutely clear about mine. It's either you or no one."

"But Neetika....."

"Period."

Both of them looked at each other... silently.

 

 

"You can't ignore me like that. I refuse to take the entire blame for whatever happened that night. Both of us got carried away. But still if you want I am ready to apologize... but that is only if you want."

"Fine. Hum dono galat the... I agree. So... ab kya karein? What do we do about it?" Naina was almost shouting.

"Stop being so cold. Naina jo bhi hua lets face it and accept it. There is no point running away from that."

"Raj I can't." Saying this she broke down into tears and fell on her knees. She hid her face with her hands. Rajveer immediately lit the candle and sat next to her on the floor.

"Naina if you have any guilt inside you and crying helps you out of that then go ahead. But please get over it. Tumhare cold behavior se I feel guilty."

Sirf mere behavior se Raj. Aren't you guilty of what you did?"

"No." She was stunned at that answer.

"I mean... Naina woh ek weak moment tha and ek impulsive act. Uski wajah se main hamari itni purani friendship ko ruin nahin hone de sakta. You are very precious to me. Please try and understand... You mean a lot to me."

She was looking at him without blinking. She had stopped crying. His words were making sense. Even he was precious for her.

"Are we still friends Raj?" She asked in a weak voice looking lost.

"We will always be."

She closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. She started blubbering. He took her in his arms.

"Don't ever leave me alone Raj. I need you."

"I promise."

Even his eyes were moist. He was happy to have her back in her life.... though only as a friend.

 

 

"Alright Navin... You have to take your final decision now." Saying this she gave him her hand.

"Take this engagement ring out if it's all over for you."

For a while Navin gazed silently at the ring with teary eyes. A drop of tear trickled down as he laughed.

"You are very smart Neetika. Tumhein pata hai na ki main apne haaton se yeh kaam kabhi nahin karoonga."

A big smile came on her face and she hugged him tightly.

"Iske baad agar mujhe chodne ke baare mein socha bhi to I'll kill you."

"Uski zaroorat nahin padegi. I know I'll die without you. I missed you sweetheart."

"I love you."

He held her face and brought it closer to his own.

"I love you too."

Saying this he immediately reached for her lips. Their kiss still had the same fervor. But their love for each other had increased many times.