Pooja was busy rummaging through her bags to find her outfit.
“Diiii!!”Chandni scolded Pooja throwing stuff in frustrated anger, “Don’t spread everything!”
“Uff, Chandni! I can’t find my one special dress. I remember having packed it. But this Aadi!” Pooja rolled her eyes, “To find one shirt, he’ll pull everything out and throw anyhow.”
She pulled out a huge bundle of his clothes and put it on the bed. Chandni sat folding those, “Diiiii….”
Chandni’s voice was tentative and Pooja was lost in searching.
“Hummm?”
“Did your Bhaiyya call from Spain?” Somehow, Chandni mustered the courage and spoke.
Pooja turned from what she was doing......... both arms on her waist, fists curled.
“Uff Bhabhi! You haven’t called him yet? What’s this going on between you two? I understood your not accompanying him but there’s no harm in talking on the phone.” She continued further as she saw the worried look on Chandni’s face, “He did call! The day before yesterday. He said he was going to be very busy as he had daylong meetings with top-notch people.”
Chandni busied herself in clothes wondering why hadn’t her husband called her at night. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she missed him like hell every minute of the long day.
Pooja wanted to divert her mind. “Chandni, do you think everything is all right with Miku and Shikha?”
Pooja’s trick worked as Chandni controlled her thoughts and looked up, “Why, Didi?”
Pooja scrunched her nose, “Shikha seems just a little off…..something different than her usual cheery self.” And then rolled her eyes, “And our Miku…. I haven’t seen him doing his Chirkut pranks lately.”
Chandni nodded, “Miku has changed after promising his Bhai about sharing Mahant's responsibilities. Poor sweet darling devar of mine!” She spoke lovingly, “He is trying to take the business load off too; so that his bhai gets free time in whatever he is doing….." She made a face at Dev's thought.
Pooja laughed, "Bhaiyya is doing everything else than what he is supposed to do."
Chandni couldn't agree more. She continued. "Miku seems to be busy on phone calls mostly conferencing with office managers or otherwise with his project team in Allahabad. Development work is also in full gear in Allahabad. I just hope all this work and work and work doesn’t rob him of his innocent chirpy happy self.”
“True!” Pooja walked to the dressing cum bathroom, her outfit in her hand.
Chandni had just finished tidying everything when Pooja came out beaming in a stunning Indian traditional peach-coloured kurta with chickenkaari weaving on it. “How do I look?”
“Wow Di! You look smart and chick!....... but why this Indian dressing for an English concert?” Chandni rose her eyebrows in total perplex.
Pooja tapped her finger sideways on her head “Because everybody else will be dressed western! Smart, isn’t it? ... He can notice us easily in bright Indian outfits. You do the same… Go run and send Aadi, I’ll dress him up.”
Pooja, Aadi, Chandni, Miku all gathered in the hall dressed up but there was no sign of Shikha.
“Where’s your girl? Go call her or we’ll be late in her fashion dress up” Pooja laughed teasingly.
Miku blushed at the mention of his girl as he went to knock on Shikha’s door.
She sat on the bed dressed in regular house clothes her face crowded with worry.
“What happened, Shikha? Is everything all right? Why aren’t you dressed?” His voice was tender as he sat next to her wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
“What dress up? Here, my heart will stop any minute! We have our college results today. Mihir has promised he will call.”
Miku threw his head back and laughed, “My Sherni is worried over a trivial result? You’ll ace it! Stop worrying and get dressed…. It’s apna DD’s concert. Let us all go.”
“You Go!” Shikha’s voice rose in anger as she shrugged his arm away, “It’s such an important day for me and all that you think about is Darsh’s concert.”
Miku tried to reason, “No Shikha, it’s not like that. I do care! ... And I care a lot….It’s just that I am not worried because I am so very sure of your success.”
Somehow his words miffed Shikha further rather than appeasing her. Her voice was irritated, “If so sure then go and celebrate! .....If I lose my rank and cry; then Mihir will wipe my tears.”
Miku knew Shikha was saying that just to prick him and didn’t mean anything. He knew Mihir was just a college friend. Miku remembered his Bhai had gone and found out all details about Shikha and Mihir and confirmed that Mihir was only a friend for Shikha. Yet Miku scowled, for the thought of Mihir comforting Shikha in his absence still rankled.
“I’ll stay with you. I’ll just inform Di and be back.” He spoke quietly his head hung down and averted from Shikha.
“What’s the matter, Miku? Isn’t our Queen of Allahabad ready yet?” Chandni asked her hand on her waist in question.
Miku was apologetic, “Sorry, Bhabhi! I won’t be able to come. Shikha is waiting for her results.”
“Oh, Come on, Miku! You were so excited in the morning. And it’s not even her final results; just mid-term!” Chandni got impatient and took a step forward but Pooja held her back holding her elbow.
“It’s OK, Miku! You stay back. We can manage.” Pooja smiled sweetly at Miku, no trace of any grudge on her face.
“Didi, you take all the security men with you. We don’t need any here.”
Pooja laughed, “Oh please! Don’t fuss like Bhaiyya, now…We’ll take one, more than enough.”
“Shikha has always been like this. Jab bhi iss ka result aata hai, poora ghar sur pe utha leti hai! Poor Miku, he missed his chance.”(Every time it’s her results, she makes the whole house jump)
“It’s OK, Chandni!” Pooja appeased her, “Miku will get his chance someday. DD has many concerts always. You enjoy; it’s your chance today.”
Chandni was mesmerised when they reached the concert ground. The night had come alive. The concert was so huge, the entirety of which Chandni could not fathom completely. Everything felt surreal …. The flashing lights, the fast music, Huge screens displaying stage close-up ……Thousands of youngsters swayed to the music waving their hands in the air and cheering Darsh……
He sang passionately on the dais surrounded by his band of musicians.... guitarists, pianists, drummers….. so many different instruments playing in a symphony. They all looked like experts and Darsh gave them full chance to showcase their talent. Yet every time his words came out, everybody just saw him. He possessed a dark vitality and masculine vigour that caused him to stand out in any gathering.
The moment they reached, someone from the concert organizers came to guide them towards the front seats which were reserved for special guests. Chandni kept processing the blur of emotions whirling through her….. pride, excitement, thrill ….. But what she felt most was happiness. To be in this moment with a sweet friend like Pooja by her side was more than she could ask for……
She remembered the young Chandni who could not dare to step out of the house, that Chandni who got a panic attack in crowds ….. How far she had come from that Chandni!......today she was moving through this excited throng of people with equal excitement and happiness…Chandni knew this was all Dev’s doing. With his unwavering support and dedicated love, he had managed to transform her persona; build her confidence for independence.
She walked holding Adi’s hand in tow. But Aadi complained he could not see anything due to his height so she picked him up. Pooja walked ahead with the organiser and the security guy behind the group, his eyes watching around like a hawk.
Darsh smiled when he saw them acknowledging their presence with a nod of his head. When his song was over, he walked in front and asked the crowd, “What next?”
Some Indian fans stood in the front and cheered loudly, “One Hindi song!”
Darsh cued his people and suddenly the screen flashed a song from his recent music video.
His band sang in a chorus.
Kaise Bataaye Kyun Tujhko Chaahe
Yaara Bata Na Paaye
Baatein Dilon Ki Dekho Jo Baaki
Aankhein Tujhe Samjhaaye
Tu Jaane Na Aaa
Tu Jaane Na
Tu Jaane Na Aaa
Tu Jaane Na
How do I tell,
Why I love you,
O friend, I'm unable to tell..
see, whatever talks of hearts is remaining,
the eyes explain to you
you don't know..
you don't know..
Then Darsh’s melodious voice rose, piercing through everybody’s heart.
Nigaahon Mein Dekho Meri
Jo Hai Bas Gaya
Woh Hai Milata Tumse Hubahu
Darsh pointed his finger to Pooja, his voice high with a passion that spelt reverence.
O O O Jaane Teri Aankhein Thi Ya
Baatein Thi Wajah
Huye Tum Jo Dil Ki Aarzoo
that who's stuck in my eyes,
that looks exactly like you,
I don't know whether your eyes or talks were the reason,
that you became the wish of heart,
Yes! He was madly in love with her eyes… so clean and pure….. deep like an ocean …..reflecting her soul…. equally genuine…. And always showering love on him…. seeking him in every crowd….. possessing his soul…. Yes! The eyes never failed to mesmerise him.
Or was it her incessant happy chatter?
Every evening she came to his place to study with him and the moment they were alone, she would start narrating every small detail of her day…. Completely irrelevant to him; but still, her voice filled his heart’s emptiness… Her stray tendrils falling on her face, again and again, tickling his heart as she pushed them behind.... He enjoyed listening to her….He could go on listening to that voice full of the unfettered joys of spring.
But later that spring had wilted from his life.
Tum Paas Hoke Bhi
Tum Aas Hoke Bhi
Ehsaas Hoke Bhi
Apne Nahi Aise Hai
Humko Gile
you, even though near,
you, even though wished for,
even after being a feeling,
are not mine, why do I have such complaints,
Khayalon Mein Lakhon Baatein Yun Toh Keh Gayaaaa
Bola Kuch Na Tere Samne
Oooo Hue Na Begaane Bhi Tum Hoke Aur Ke
Dekho Tum to Mere Hi Bane
Yes! In his thoughts, he had always told her so many things..... Rather everything! But whenever she stood in front, his lips stayed zipped.
And how fate had played its games .... In spite of marrying another man, she wasn't alien to him..... Rather destiny had brought them together again.... this time with the knowledge that they belonged to each other!
Afsos Hota Hai Dil Bhi Yeh Rota Hai
Sapne Sanjota Hai Pagla Hua Soche Yeh
Hum The Mile Tumse Na Jaane Kyun
there is grief, the heart cries too,
it cherishes dreams, gone mad, it thinks
why I met you,
His Chocolate brown eyes…..slightly moist and shimmering …… An unfathomed longing in them.
The chorus continued…… A lifetime unveiling in a song ….. She had truly gone and married someone else but things hadn’t worked out…. Frustration, pain agony engulfing both of their lives making them regret their past actions….. And now, after so many years, somehow fate had brought them face to face reviving their deep friendship, their unspoken love!
People hooted, cheered and clapped incessantly. So did Chandni and Aadi! While clapping happily Chandni turned to Pooja and saw her gaze fixed on Darsh. Chandni followed her gaze to Darsh who stood in front of the dais staring at her, unblinking!
They were both in a daze, mutually occupied with a question that couldn’t be asked!!.... An answer that couldn’t be given!!
There was a startled pause while Chandni digested that observation. At that instant, a stunning thought struck her with more force than a bolt of lightning could have done. Darsh and Pooja!
Chandni smiled with pure joy. She felt so happy and excited, she just prayed it would happen. Imagine the two of them together, married with Aadi by their side.
But then she would have to employ all her options A B C for it.
The first step was to give them privacy. She turned to Aadi, “Come Aadi, let’s go and get ourselves some ice cream.”
“Noooo” Aadi wailed, “I want to stay here and listen to my buddy.”
“Pooh!.... He’s singing Hindi songs… Let’s go, get ice cream and we shall come back when English rock starts……” Chandni coaxed him, “Pleaaase Aadi. I want ice cream and I can’t go alone. I get scared.”
Somehow her plea tugged at Aadi’s heart, “Okay then, pick me up and two scoops for me.”
Smiling broadly Chandni picked him up and gestured to security to follow them.
Darsh watched Chandni walking away with Aadi and the security guy. He smiled at her as she gave him a thumbs up. He realised what that best luck was for. She had purposely given them privacy for their intimate love moment. Darsh knew it was now or never! Somehow he would have to muster the courage. He looked at Pooja.
Dazed, Pooja stared at him in a trance. She thought, he watched her like one of those ambushing sorts of predators. The kind that lie in wait before they spring.
The next song had started and people cheered and hooted at him singing in his mellifluous voice with a single guitar as the background music.
Heart beats fast
Colours and promises
How to be brave
How can I love when I'm afraid
to fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
Because there wasn't much noise behind, his words came very clear as he walked in front and stepped down from the dais.
Pooja’s hand drew into a fist against her midriff, and she struggled to catch up with her own breathing. She held still as he approached her, while her heart pounded with a dizzying mixture of dread and excitement.
The song went into its second verse, with Darsh’s passionate vocals reverberating through the speakers.
Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything, take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath, every hour has come to this
One step closer
Years tore away and fell apart from Pooja’s being. She felt like an anxious child whose favourite soft bunny had been set out of reach. For a moment, she looked like that same teen Pooja who had longed for her Darsh…..
And that caused an odd, painful twinge in Darsh’s heart. His steps hastened to stand close to her.
Pooja swallowed hard and tried to look everywhere but at him, which wasn’t easy when he stood right before her. She blanched as she became aware of the multitude of gazes on them. It was one thing for the singer of the concert to sing briefly at a girl in the audience. It was something else entirely for him to directly address her. He knew it, and he didn’t give a damn.
He looked self-possessed but cautious, the ever-present calm indifference in his piercing eyes replaced by something she couldn’t identify. Something new...... Something Gorgeous and enigmatic......
They were both motionless, their gazes locked.
Darsh continued the song! The words were not easy to sing….It was his honest confession…coming from his heart.....The way she had wanted..... Something that he wanted to tell her for a very long time.
A gust of wind entered and wrapped around them...... creating a place away from the crowded world around them..... Just two souls.... completely emotionally connected.... an oneiric moment!
I have died every day, waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Darsh loved her! His admission was so real, so raw, so vulnerable!!
The words affected her so much, she shook from a sudden onslaught of emotion. Her soul practically shuddered with satisfaction...... He'd held some secret part of her heart for all these years and had given it back tonight...... In a moment, she was once again that same young Pooja who had so ardently loved him. She wanted to throw caution away and hug him....... break the cocoon of her fear and engage in the taste of forbidden fruit! Her lips trembled in the unfulfilled longing.
Darsh saw it! Something happened to his heart, you could see it in his eyes. The knowledge he could make her feel such an experience affected him in a way he never expected. Overcome by possessiveness, he knew he could make this woman truly belong to him. But it was more than that. It wasn’t just sexual fulfilment … it was her heart that he sought….. She needed to trust him completely and give her heart to him.
Darsh waited for her to return the words and end the complicated game they'd been playing for too long… but she stood there, just stunned!
He coaxed further,
And all along I believed, I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more
Her body still trembled, just at the sound of Darsh’s voice, the look in his eyes. The anger seething inside of her was on the edge of sexual desire, and she knew it could be turned with just a touch. The knowledge that this man had such great power over her after all the long years made her want to run from him as fast as she could. Where she would be safe.
But where could she run? In his arms? For a brief moment, she wondered what it would feel like to know he was the man who could give her all that she wanted. To hold her, keep her safe, ...... finally let someone she trusted into her world. But it was only a mirage, not meant for people like her. especially not with someone like Darsh.
Pooja glared and blinked in his direction, her gaze not quite focused.
"Why me?” was all she could manage.
“Because you’re genuine and beautiful. Because saying your name makes me smile.
Pooja’s heart bloomed….. He was so sincere, so candid… Yes, if ever with anybody, he was the man with whom she could start her life afresh…. She could live again….Feel the love that she had all these years hoped for!
Hope was deadly.
Pooja suddenly plummeted into the sane world. She was Aadi’s mother and he was the sole purpose of her life. She was not supposed to feel anything…. Not supposed to hope for anything.
She drew on the deep well of control and discipline she learned throughout the years. “I need to find Aadi”
She flew on her heels…trying to get away from him, putting a distance between the two. The next time she saw him, she’d be clear about her intentions.
“Chandni!” Her voice came high-pitched as she called Chandni to inform her that she was leaving, “Bring Aadi with you and make him sleep in your room today.”
“But Di…. ” Thoroughly perplexed Chandni tried to question.
“No questions, Chandni…Please…. And you’ll not mention anything of today to anybody at home. Promise me that!” Pooja urged.
“Ok di… Don’t worry. I’ll bring Aadi home.”
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
150th episode. Simply beautiful, wasn't it?
Pooja Darsh Love Saga at a very crcial juncture now. Darsh has taken cue from his father and confessed his love.
But will he be able to make Pooja confess her love?
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