Darsh kept talking about some data trying to sound as convincing as possible till he entered his room and closed the door safely behind him.
“Yes AD, speak now! I am alone.”
“How did your concert go, DD?” Advay started casually.
“Saale, yeh bolane ke liye tune mujhe room mein laya?(you brought me in seclusion to discuss this?) I could have told you about the concert outside as well.” Darsh was miffed. “Anyways ….. Concert was very successful….. exceeding expectations actually…… some fans demanded Hindi song so I sang one and it became superhit…… now the organisers want me to do one separate only Bollywood songs concert.”
Darsh did not mention that he had in advance requested the fans to demand Bollywood song on his cue …..he did not mention the crucial incidents in the concert….. he just gave enough details to put Advay at comfort.
“Wow! Congrats, Yaar” Advay was genuinely happy for his friend, “Then what’s your thought? Going to do another show?”
“Nah!.... you know these organisers, poora nichodke apna faayda nikalenge (they'll squeeze out their benefit from you)…… But the time investment from my end and from my team is so huge….. and then again, I am here to support you in our plan….. not for concert after concert…. I want to dedicate my time and my resources to our mission.”
Advay loved the way Darsh referred to the mission as our mission. This was what was great about their friendship. Even when Darsh didn’t have any personal benefit in the task, he was totally involved and committed.
“How is your work coming along?” Dev knew the pair had had enough chit-chat. It was time to discuss the real stuff.
“You were right, DD.”Advay spoke quietly earlier enthusiasm draining from his voice completely.
“What do you mean?”
“I may not be inclined to admit I was wrong; the least that I can do is admit you were right.”
“Those people trapped you!”
“You struck oil, DD.”
“Tell me the details…..is it illegal business or illegal work?”
“Currently no, it’s not….. I made it a point to look into their data and inspect it for illegal stuff or narcotics…… I took the care to put Government approval sought by them as pre-requisite…. But still, they managed to trap me. They want IP rights.”
“Shit!” Darsh understood the consequences of that condition.
Just then his cell buzzed with message alert. “Hold on, AD”
It was CD messaging him ‘Huge best luck to you. I am on your side.’
‘Thanks’ DD replied and returned to AD’s call, “Your wife is one hell of a smart woman.”
In spite of the stress, Advay laughed, “I know that….. but why so?”
Advay had realized Chandni’s smartness from the very first meeting. She had dazzled him with her quiet intelligence. When he had jeopardized her rituals with Indrani’s chosen groom, she had met him face to face retaliating every move of his tit-for-tat. She hadn’t hesitated to put nails under his feet to stop him from the ritual but later she had kind-heartedly brought Malham for his wounds.
“She loves you like hell and wants to know every little detail about you.” Darsh broke his reverie.
“True that! But don’t let yourself succumb to her smart tactics. This is something strictly between you and me.” Advay laughed but then his tone grew serious, “This IP right business can destroy my entire life’s reputation earned. I am so nervous.”
“Don’t be, AD. We both are true to our souls. You know we inherit this earth. The universe is with us. You will strike some way to safeguard your principles.” Darsh’s voice had steel in it.
But then his voice grew soft. “You remember Ammi was so fond of you, she used to tell us…. Never be afraid to accept what you are and face the consequences. That’s what will be our destiny.”
Advay remembered every word of Ammi. Darsh was right! If Advay was not wrong in his soul, then his work would never get illegal.
“Don’t stress. We’ll work out something. You just focus to finish stuff there ….. and return fast…..everybody here is missing you.”
“Yes DD! Even I miss everybody. Ciao. Take care!”
“Jee haan Aapa, Miku se baat hogi toh main jaroor bata doongi use.” Ammi bade goodbye to the neighbour. ( Oh Yes Sis, when I speak with Miku, I'll tell him)
She turned back to the kitchen smiling ear to ear. She had recently hung one of his earlier pic on kitchen wall so that she could always see his face.
“Mere bachche ki najar utaarani padegi….. Poore Allahabad mein sab log in do bhaiyonka hi naam le rahe hai…… Ek vakt tha ki har koi mere bete ko taane maarata tha…. Par Ab dekho, college banava raha hai….. Itna khubsoorat ki najar nahi theharati…Bade bade lecture hall, bada sa playground… Aur Aspataaal bhi toh banava raha hai…… ”
“Bhai Miku ki Ammi, ek pyaali chaay milegi?…. Khud se hi kya badabadati rehati hai aap?” Abbu just returned home.
“Badbadaye mere dushaman.” Ammi was vexed, “Main toh apne bete se baat karati hoon.”
“Roj toh phone kar letahai voh….. tab baat poori nahi hoti aapki?”
“Kya poori hogi bhala?Ek toh mera beta itna masroof rehata hai.”
Abbu smiled. He was genuinely happy with how his son had matured and was now leading all development programmes in Allahabad.
“Voh toh Sach hai. Fakra hota hai mujhe mere bete par.”
“Kya? Kya kaha aapne….Jara doharana toh!” Ammi had a teasing smile on her lips.
“Suna toh hai; phirkyun doharana chahati ho?”
“Voh aap hi the na; johar vakt mere bete ki khaamiyan nikalate rehate the aur uske peechhe pade rahete the.”
“Tab harkatein bhi toh vaisi hi karata tha…. Chirkut banaata phirta tha….Tumhe bhi havalat ki hava khilayi thee usne.”
“Voh toh Shikha ki vajah se hua tha.” Ammi wasn’t very sure about Shikha yet. She found something amiss in her future daughter-in-law.
“Uss bachchi ka kya kasoor? Tumhare bete ki karatoote hi vaisi thee.” Abba still believed Shikha was always right in her stance.
“Lo…. Shuru ho gaye phirse….. aapse toh mujhe baat hi nahi karani.” Ammi was miffed.
“Baat chahe mat karana, par chyay jaroor pila dena” Abba laughed knowing that his wife’s anger was always short-lived.
Pooja was peeved the moment she entered the kitchen hearing the song Chandni had put on while cooking.
Muhobbat hai kya Cheej, humko batao
Yeh kiss ne shuru kee, humein bhi sunaao
She put the music off in annoyance. “What nonsense you listen to, Chandni?”
Chandni turned from what she was doing and cupped Pooja’s shoulder lovingly, “Dee….. Come and sit.”
She made pooja sit on the kitchen high stool. “Never seen you so riled up, Di?...... What’s happening? Why are you letting circumstances control your mood?........ You have been so very stressed since the concert, it is affecting everyone. And then, you are the arbitrator of the family, aren’t you? You were the one who always stood up for me against your own Bhaiyya because you sincerely believed in true love, didn’t you?” Chandni spoke in quelling tones as she poured a cold drink for Pooja.
Chandni continued as she passed the drink to Pooja and urged her to take a sip. “Love is the most beautiful thing gifted to us by the creator…… Why do you think the eastern horizon goes all pink when the sun rises? Why do you think the earth blooms in every pore when it rains? Why does the cuckoo sing? Why does the peacock dance?..... Just imagine, God has lavishly spread this attribute of love in nature everywhere…… then why would he leave human beings out of the blessing of love?”
Pooja gave a heavy sigh agreeing with what Chandni was saying to her.
“Di, life is like a flowing stream……It needs to flow or life stagnates….. let things happen, don’t block yourself….. you have all control over your standpoint.” Chandni urged further in genuine concern.
“Chandni, I requested no more discussion on this topic.” Pooja went curt again the moment she saw the discussion flowing towards her love life.
“Yes, and I promised, too. I am sorry, I won’t ask any questions. I won’t force you into anything.” Chandni had her fingers crossed behind her back; as she had already put her plan into action.
Miku, Shikha and Aadi had left for the market to get groceries. Chandni had urged Shikha to buy new dresses as a celebration of her success. She had also told Aadi, he could get an ice-cream for himself. All-in-all Chandni had ensured that they would be all out at least for two hours. She had also messaged DD that Di would come to him soon.
Purposely, Chandni took the flour out and started kneading the dough. She waited till Pooja finished her drink.
“Di, would you please check if DD finished his plate? Otherwise, parathas might have gone cold in Dev’s call.”
“Send Shikha.” Pooja spoke dispassionately.
“Oh Di, Shikha went to give herself a treat for her success.”
“Miku and Adi?”
“I thought an outing and ice cream would help Adi to get his mood better. Poor boy…. He’s been so cranky since morning.” Chandni spoke with feigned innocence.
“You go.”
Chandni turned and showed her hands full of sticky dough, a helpless expression on her face.
Pooja knew she was being trapped…… but what the hell! What could possibly happen? She just had to check the plate and bring it back. She left and Chandni immediately texted DD “Now!”
When Pooja reached DD’s room, he wasn’t there neither was any plate. She heard him singing in his attic studio…… the voice was soft but sweet as she started climbing the steps.
Kehate hain:
Khuda ne iss jahaan mein
Sabhi ke liye kisi na kisi ko hai banaaya
Har kisi ke liye
Tera milna hai uss rab ka ishaara
Maano mujhko banaya tere jaise hi kisi ke liye
Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta
Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta
Kaise hum jaane, hume kya pata
Kuch toh hai tujh se raabta
Pooja halted at the door, knowing the song was meant for her. She could see only his back. Had he known, she was coming, Pooja wondered. The sunlight trickled through the window and drenched his frame in a golden glow.
“E khuda, kudrat haiaapki…..Yahaan din upar chadh aaya aur meri dehalij pe chand utar aaya hai.”His voice was husky and smooth like silk.
Nerves fluttered in her stomach, but she ignored them. Silently, she entered.
“E khuda, inaayat hai aapki….. Jannat-e-phirdaus pe bahaar aayee ki baad-e- nasim mein itra sa ghul gaya hai” DD continued his game relentlessly.
Pooja’s temper flared up, but she controlled herself. Chandni had been right. She couldn’t let things take a toll on her all the time. If this was a game of nerves, she wasn’t going to lose. She walked ahead and faced him, her hands clamped against her chest.
“Oh! So, what’s the plan? A little romantic shaayari …..a sentimental dialogue maybe….. add a dash of remorse further and I’ll jump right in your lap?” Pooja spoke acerbically.
“Very Nice Idea!” His smarmy smirk was back in full force.
That colossal conceit of him! She could kill this man! Her brain madly rushed through the options as she crammed her hair into a half-hearted bun and looked for the plate around.
“Bandho mat. Tumhare khule baal jab leharate hai; bade achche lagatehain.”
“Oh my God!... I can’t believe you can be so cheezy!” Pooja whined, shaking her head in incredulity as he laughed sympathetically at her.
He stood up from his piano and came to stand next to her, towering her. Both were extremely conscious of their vicinity.
“Where’s your plate?” She refused to look at him and suddenly saw the plate on his Piano side table. One paratha was left on the plate.
She walked towards the plate wanting to put distance between them, but he followed her. He reached out and opened her bun behind her letting her hair fall free, noticing the shiver run through her.
“You deny the attraction between us?” Darsh’s voice was pitched deeper than usual.
Pooja set her jaw in determination. “I deny that one’s rational will can be undermined by physical sensation,” she said. “One’s brain is always in charge.”
“Why did you leave this paratha?” She continued in a desperate attempt to bring their conversation to normal.
“For you! I know you don’t eat when you’re stressed. I saved it for you. I would love to feed you like old times.”
The memories came rushing back. Every time Poojahad college finals, it was Bhaiyya’s duty to teach her maths and physics; while Darsh taught her biology. The whole family would be concerned about her. But it was always Darsh who had the sensibility and the privilege to bring her dinner and feed her lovingly when she refused to eat during exam stress. Everything felt so good, then…. So very right! ….. Hell’s teeth! This going down memory lane was turning out to be a habit. Pooja steeled herself.
“Not on my watch!” Pooja lifted up the plate and walked out.
Darsh stared at her retreating back…… He knew this deeper-than-his-bones connection with her. He could exactly gauge the memories were as alive in her as in his heart. He would have gone behind her and pursued her further, but his cell rang. It was Baba!
“Paay laago, Baba.”
“Jeeta rah, puttar. So, what’s the status of your love life, Danish? Did you tell Pooja you love her?”
The whole world called him Darsh….. He liked it that way. Ammi used to call him Darsh while Baba always called him by his Islamic name Danish.
“Yes, Baba!” Darsh smiled happily at his father’s enthusiasm.
“How did you say? What did you say? What did she reply? Tell me all details” Baba was getting impatient.
“I’ll share the recording with you, Baba”
“Recording?” Baba was confused.
“Yes, baba! She came for my concert, and I sang out my love to her…… My own style…. Style that she put in me!”
"Whaatt?" Baba's shock and displeasure was evident in his voice.
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