Chapter 6 - Ajab Sa Risk Hai

Angad knocks on Deepak Tiwari’s cabin door. Deepak the Assistant Police Inspector and the second in command of their station is not only superior officer to Riddhima and Angad, but also like an elder brother who offers both of them guidance and support. That is why Angad has come to him now.

Deepak: Are Angad. Abhi tak ghar nahi gaye tum?

He looks at his watch to see the time.

Angad: Ji bas nikal hi raha tha. Lakin aapse kuch zaruri baat karni thi. Socha jaane se pahele karke jayu.

Deepak closes the file he was studying. Angad’s manner tells him that he has something quite important to discuss with him.

Deepak: Baitho.

Angad sits on a chair opposite him.

Deepak: Batao. Kya baat hai?

Angad starts hesitatingly.

Angad: Sir Pahele aap ye dekhiye.

He hands Deepak a file. Deepak takes a look at it.

Deepak: Ye tumhe kisne diya?
Angad: Kisine diya nahi sir. Maine hi Kalash Juneja ke office phone karke kaha ke mujhe ye mail karde.
Deepak: Of course. Warna Kajal tumhe apna resume khud se to kabhi nahi degi.
Angad: Exactly sir.
Deepak: Lakin tum ye mujhe kyu de rahe ho?
Angad: Kyuki sir main chahta hu ke hum Kajal ko yaha as a technical expert hire kare. We have a shortage here. Aur Kajal is position ke liye perfect hai. Woh Kalash Juneja ke company me bhi isi position pe kaam karti thi.
Deepak: Angad. I appreciate your gesture. I really do. Lakin tum jaante ho hum aise…
Angad: Sir please. Main samajh raha hu ke aap kya kahe rahe hai. Lakin is ladki ke saath system me bohot nainsafi ki hai.
Deepak: I know Angad. Lakin…
Angad: Sir please. Aap jaante hai humari society kaisi hai. Kalash Juneja ka jurm sabit hone ke bawajud bhi is ladki ko itni asani se in sab se chutkara nahi milega. Aisi situation me ye job uske bohot kaam ayegi.

He pauses for a second and looks at his superior officer.

Angad: Aur sir aap ek baar soch ke dekhiye. Kalash Juneja ke case ki wajay se police department ki bohot negative publicity hui hai. Agar hum Kajal ko hire karte hai to woh bhi thoda minimize ho jayega.

Deepak gives Angad a sharp glance.

Deepak: Tum ye sirf mujhe convince karne ke liye kahe rahe ho.

Angad smiles.

Angad: Lakin sir maine kuch galat to nahi kaha na.
Deepak: Nahi. You are right. Hiring Kajal can actually do some damage control. Lakin Kajal yaha naukri karne ke liye raazi hogi? Mujhe nahi lagta.
Angad: Koshish karke dekhte hai sir. Is waqt use job ki bohot zarurat hai.
Deepak: Thik hai. Agar woh maanti hai to we can do this. Tum baat karke dekho usse.
Angad: Thank you, sir.
Deepak: Don’t thank me yet. Let’s see this through first.

#

Sarda Rai looks at the wall clock anxiously. It is almost 12 am and Riddhima still hasn’t returned home. It is not like her, to be late and not inform her mother. Her eyes shift from the clock to the picture of her late husband on the wall. A wave of fear passes through her mind, but she shakes it of quickly. There is no reason to think the worst. Riddhima can be late for a lot of reasons.

The doorbell rings. Sarda opens the door quickly. It is Riddhima.

Sarda: Kya hua? Itni late kyu ho gayi?
Riddhima: Sorry Ma. Woh raaste me kuch kaam agaya tha.

She enters the house.

Sarda: Kaunsa aisa kaam tha ki tujhe itni der ho gayi?
Riddhima: Tha kuch.
Sarda: Phone to kar deti beta. Chinta hoti hai.
Riddhima: Sorry Ma. Dhayan nahi tha.
Sarda: Accha chal koi baat nahi. Tu fresh ho ja main khana lagati hu.
Riddhima: Ma. Maine kaha hai na aapko ke agar mujhe der ho jati hai to aap khana kha liya karo.
Sarda: Aur maine bhi kaha hai na ke beta ke tere bagair mujhe raat ka khana khana accha nahi lagta. Ab jaldi jake fresh ho ja.

Riddhima sighs and heads to her room. She takes a quick bath. As she steps out of the bathroom, wiping her hair with the towel she finds herself thinking about Kabir again.

Chhua Tune
bahe gaya main…

A smile appears in her face again. She strides to dressing table and the drops the towel on a chair nearby. She picks up a comb and starts combing her hair, still thinking about him and smiling.

“…aapko dekh ke lag raha hai aapko bhook bohot lagi hai. To main le aya.”

The thought of the playfulness and care in his tone makes her heart flutter. Her smile widens. The images of his eyes and his smile flash before her eyes and she feels drawn to them. She can’t figure out why. This is first time something like this is happening to her.

She suddenly realizes that she is smiling like an idiot, thinking about a guy. She quickly composes herself.

Riddhima: Kya kar rahi hai Riddhima? Ab bas bhi kar uske bareme sochna. Bara ghante hi hue hai bas usse mile hue.

She quickly finishes combing her hair and turns to leave the room, but she stops as she see her mother standing on the door.

Sarda: Der ho rahi hai jaldi kar.
Riddhima: Ha Ma. Main to ja hi rahi thi.
Sarda: Chal

They both head toward the dining room. Sarda saw Riddhima smiling and she can guess the reason, but she decides not to poke her about it. Riddhima will herself tell her when she is ready.

#

The next morning.

Jenny stands in front of the door nervously. It has been five years since the last time she was here. Nothing has changed during this time. The nameplate, the doorbell, the welcome mat, everything is still the same. All these things stir up the memories. She has always missed this part of her life and longed to have it back, a feeling which has become stronger now that she is here. But at the same time there is an also urge to run away and never look back. She slowly, almost unwillingly presses the doorbell. After a moment the door is opened by a woman in her early 40s. Jenny smiles nervously looking at her.

Jenny: Hi Bhabi. Kaisi hai aap?

Barkha Sharma looks at the woman standing in front of her, astonished. She can’t believe her eyes. Although she has always hoped to see Jenny again, this is surprising to her that Jenny has come to her house. She never expected that.

Barkha: Oh my God, Jenny.

Barkha takes a step ahead and hugs Jenny.

Barkha: Mujhe to yakin hi nahi ho raha hai ke tum ho. Chalo. Andar chalo.

She takes Jenny’s hand to lead her inside but Jenny resists. Looking at her Barkha realizes why she is hesitating.

Barkha: Kabir ghar pe nahi hai. Woh iswaqt café hota hai. You know that.
Jenny: Bas sure ho rahi thi.

Barkha closes the door after Jenny enters.

Barkha: Tum baitho. Main tumhare liye coffee le kar ati hu.
Jenny: Are nahi Bhabi aap rahene dijiye na.
Barkha: Are itne dino baad tum ayi ho. Main tumhe aise hi to nahi jaane dungi.

Barkha goes to kitchen to make some coffee. Jenny thinks about following her but then decides against it. It is not the same as before. A lot has changed since the last time she was here. The distance she created over the last five years should remain; otherwise it won’t be good for her.

She walks around the drawing room nervously. She is too anxious to sit. Although she knows that Kabir is at the café and there is no reason for him to come home now, she can’t seem to be relaxed. What if something comes up and he decides to come? It is not impossible. She takes a deep breath to calm herself down. She tells herself it wouldn’t be the wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world if Kabir sees her here.

Suddenly her eyes land on the famed pictures hanging on the wall. One particular picture catches her attention, a selfie of her and Kabir, almost 10 years ago on the day of Dhruv and Chandni’s wedding. It wasn’t a big event, just their little family. But they were all so happy that day. Finally, they were able to unite Dhruv with his love, against all the odds and welcome a new member in their family, Chandni.

Barkha: Dekhna, ek din tumhari aur Kabir ki shaadi isse zayada dhum dham se karwaungi main.
Jenny: Bhabi!
Barkha: Kya Bhabi? Tumhe kya lagta hai? Ke kisiko kuch dikhayi nahi deta? Sabko dikhta hai.

She was only 20 years old then, hadn’t sorted out her feelings yet. But she knew that Kabir was more than just a friend to her. And Barkha’s words had addressed those feelings. The memories can be too cruel sometimes.

Barkha brings the coffee and sees Jenny looking at the pictures.

Barkha: Kabir tumhe bohot yaad karta hai.

Jenny turns to Barkha and Barkha hands her the coffee. Jenny looks at the mug. It is same mug in which she used to have her coffee when she frequently came here.

Barkha: Woh to Chandni ne rok ke rakha hai. Warna Kabir kabka tumhe manane chala jata.
Jenny: Kabir aur mera koi jhagra nahi hua tha Bhabi, naahi main usse naraz hu, ke mujhe manane ki zarurat pare. Bas situation aisi thi ke mujhe usse dur jana para.

She takes a sip of her coffee.

Barkha: Sirf Kabir ke wajay se tum sabse dur chali gayi. Tumhara rishta sirf usse to nahi tha na. Hum sabse tha. Dhruv jitna Kabir ka dost hai utna hi tumhara bhi tha. Chandni bhi. Maine kabhi tumme aur Lily me fark nahi samjha. Tumhe bhi apni chhoti bahen mana. Aur Vikram. Woh to tumhare mentor the na.

Jenny smiles.

Jenny: Journalism ke bareme mujhe jo bhi pata hai woh maine unse hi sikha hai.
Barkha: Aur tum hum sabko chhorke aise hi chali gayi.
Jenny: Jana zaruri tha Bhabi.
Barkha: Jenny, Kabir….
Jenny: Nahi Bhabi please. Main jaanti hu aap kya kahena chahti hai. Lakin aisa nahi hai. Main jaanti hu.

Barkha doesn’t say anything anymore. But it is clear that she is disappointed. She misses Jenny and wants her back like old times. But for Jenny, it is impossible. She can’t be back here.

Jenny sighs and takes another sip of her coffee.

Jenny: Coffee bohot acchi bani hai.

Barkha smiles eventually.

Barkha: Kabir jitni acchi to nahi hogi. Uski coffee ka swaad hi alag hai.
Jenny: I know. Main na kabhi kabhi apne office me kisi aur se café me phone karwake ek do chize mangwa leti hu agar mera bohot mann kare khane ka to.

Barkha laughs.

Barkha: Pata hai mujhe. Kabir ne bataya. Did you really think ke use pata nahi chalega?
Jenny: Usse kuch bhi chhupana namumkin hai.
Barkha: Ha.

Jenny finishes the coffee.

Barkha: Waise tum yaha itne dino baad aise hi to nahi ayi. Kuch zaruri kaam hi hoga.

Jenny makes a serious face.

Jenny: Ji Bhabi. Mujhe yaad araha hai ke Vikram Bhaia ke kuch files dekhe the maine aapke paas. Aur unke saath unki ek diary bhi thi. Jaha woh important chize note karke rakhte the.
Barkha: Ha.
Jenny: Aapke paas abhi bhi hai woh?
Barkha: Ha hai.
Jenny: Mujhe woh files aur diary chahiye.

This catches Barkha by surprise.

Barkha: Woh saari chize 12 saal purani hai. Tum ab inka kya karogi?
Jenny: Ek case me thodi madat chahiye.
Barkha: Thik hai.
Jenny: Bhabi ek aur baat. Aap please kisko batana matt ke main yaha ayi thi? Specially Kabir ko.
Barkha: Jenny!
Jenny: Please Bhabi.
Barkha: Fine!
Jenny: Thank you.
Barkha: Chalo ab. Tumhe jo chahiye woh storeroom me rakha hai.

#

Kabir is in the kitchen, working the dough with his hands. But his mind is filled with thoughts of last night, of Riddhima, her eyes, her smile. Her can’t get her out of his mind.

Chandni enters the kitchen and sees Kabir barely going anywhere with the dough. She smiles mischievously and goes to him.

Chandni: Kya hua? Riddhima ke bareme soch rahe ho?

Her voice brings Kabir back to reality. He looks at her and gets embarrassed for getting caught.

Kabir: Nahi. Main bas…
Chandni: Kal raat ko sapne aye uske? Woh siphon saari me aur tum suit me paharo ke upar….
Kabir: Shut up yaar.

Chandni starts laughing. But Kabir doesn’t seem to be in a mood for joking.

Kabir: We have to be very careful Chandni. This girl is no joke. She is smart. Use already shak hai ke Kalash ke suicide itna simple nahi hai. Hume use humari zindagi se dur rakhna hoga.
Chandni: Ye tum kya kahe rahe Kabir? Kal raat ko to tum…
Kabir: Kal raat mujhse galati ho gayi. Mujhe use woh coffee aur muffin pack karke dena chahiye tha. Uske saath baithke itni baate nahi karni chahiye thi.
Chandni: Lakin Kabir…
Kabir: Lakin kya? You didn’t expect ke main uske saath jake ghar basalu did you?

He divides the dough into small portions and rolls each piece in his hands while talking.

Chandni: I just wanted you to give it a chance Kabir.
Kabir: Tumhe apni baaki zindagi jail me bitane ka shauk hai?
Chandni: Who says ki aisa hi hoga?
Kabir: To aur kya hoga? Agar use sach pata chal gaya to tumhe kya lagta hai ki woh kya karegi? Ake mujhe gale lagayegi aur kahegi ke “It is okay Kabir. I understand”?

He looks at her inquiringly but she doesn’t answer. She doesn’t need to. Her face says it all.

Kabir: Come on yaar. Tumhe sachme aisa laga hai?
Chandni: Ha. Kyuki uske aakho me maine jo tumhare liye dekha woh maine kabhi kisi aur ke aakho me nahi dekha except…

She doesn’t finish the sentence, but he knows who he is talking about.

Kabir: Jenny.
Chandni: Ha.

Kabir continues making small balls from the dough.

Chandni: Aur tumhari aakho me bhi maine Riddhima ke liye wahi dekha.
Kabir: I just met her yesterday.
Chandni: To? Dhruv ko to mujhse paheli mulakat me hi pyaar ho gaya tha.
Kabir: That was different Chandni.
Chandni: Situation alag ho sakti hai Kabir. Lakin feelings alag nahi hai.
Kabir: Aur Jenny, uska kya?
Chandni: Woh kaha se agayi beech me?
Kabir: Agar use pata chal gaya is bareme to woh abhi jitni dur hai, usse aur bohot zayada dur chali jayegi. Ye jaante hue main kaise…

Chandni puts a hand on his shoulder.

Chandni: Kabir maine tumse pahele bhi kaha tha Jenny ka ab tumhari zindagi me wapas ana possible nahi hai. I know tumhe uski bohot yaad ati hai. Hum sabko ati hai. Lakin woh jo tumse chahti hai woh tumhare paas nahi hai use dene ke liye. Tum usse pyaar nahi karte, at least waise to nahi karte, jaise woh tumse karti hai.

Kabir doesn’t reply, just continues working.

Chandni: I know is waqt tumhe bohot overwhelming feel ho raha hai. But you have to accept your feelings for Riddhima. And trust me. Woh kabhi tumhe ya unlogo ko jo tumhare liye mayine rakhne hai, nuksaan nahi pohochayegi.

Kabir doesn’t argue anymore. Like Dhruv, he also knows that Chandni is stubborn and there is no point in arguing with her. But he has decided in his mind that he won’t pursue Riddhima at all. It is too dangerous. She will definitely destroy him if she finds out that Anjaan is none other than him.