“From your family, all that my Advay has ever got is beating to half death!”
Venom spurt out from Maasi’s suddenly roused anger towards Shikha's family.
“Maasi, we. are. Shikha’s. family!........ She has no connection whatsoever with the troubles given to Bhai; so I request you once again, let us all enjoy good family time without dwelling in the past.”
Veer spoke, his voice stern yet calm, like a protecting mountain.
There was pin drop silence , a storm impending!
And then, the silence was broken by a happy chirping of Pooja.
"Chhodo Kalaki Baatein , kal ki baat puraani
Naye desh mein likhate hai , milkar nayee kahaani
She twirled Miku smiling happily, then with him she took Chandni out from kitchen and also made Shikha join in……then she continued
“Hai na, Shikha-Chandni, hai na, Shikha-Chandni!”
(Leave your past behind, past is old and pale,
In this new country, let’s together write a new tale……..
right, Shikha-Chandni?)
The tension passed away and everybody sang with Pooja to cheer up Shikha and Chandni.
This was Pooja.....artless at heart, astute in mind....... building bridges, bringing smiles...pondered Advay and Darsh both.
Pooja held Shikha by her shoulders lovingly and spoke with a smile.
“Why are you letting yourself be sad?......... You know what’s the best gift God has given us? It’s life!”
Her entire being warmed.
“Yes, Life itself! You never realize it, as life flows by with time; yet you still feel as if you’re part of every moment………Sometimes, there are turnovers…….. And it’s nice to start over, you know?. Learn how to become someone new…..aspire for that new you.”
Pooja’s simple yet very wise words mesmerised Shikha. The concept of starting over….. becoming someone new……she felt thrilled…..injected with life blood!
Chandni had forever felt indebted to Pooja from her first day in Mumbai. She had experienced the purity of Pooja’s soul from her entry in Raizada mansion…..so very genuine at heart, so giving and always forgiving!
“Pooja Di Hai Sabse Sayani! Ab kuchh khaane milega, bhabhi Chandni!” Veer created his own comical lines and Pooja laughed at him.
(Pooja di is the smartest of all. Now will I get something to eat?”)
Her laugh echoed through the air. Darsh and Advay were watching her from their sitting places with smiles on their lips.
Darsh stared intently. She had the most wonderful laugh he ever heard, light and throaty, as if she had been drinking champagne........ In past, he had always enjoyed the sound of her laugh, open and infectious!
Unfortunately, She didn’t laugh as much around him anymore. She was too buttoned up and afraid to show any emotion in few personal encounters recently they had had.
“Hey DD, Thanks for coming here! Huge thanks!” Advay spoke almost whispering to Darsh.
Darsh jerked up from his reverie, “For what? For the mission?”
Advay laughed, the openness of his laugh matching the one his sister possessed.
“You know I wouldn’t thank you for the mission though it’s important........" He stressed on his words.
"I am thanking you for coming…… because of Pooja. I have been worried for her." His voice had suddenly grown serious.
"She’s changed so much from her earlier self in youth. I wanted to see that 'happy at heart' Pooja from our college days.....You know, I couldn't the turn the wheel alone, that’s why I called you. ……Those days of ours were some real happy time…. A world of just three of us!”
“Feels like a dream, doesn’t it?”
Advay nodded; but the two men were on completely different plateaus, though both going down the same memory lane!
“What’s the plan for today?” Pooja enquired during breakfast.
“We all go on a daylong cruise on River Seine. I have reserved a boat for us!” Advay promptly replied.
“What?” Darsh barked, “We?” Had Advay forgotten about the meeting with suppliers?
“Yes! We!” Advay spoke firmly; his eyes fixed on Darsh and giving subtly the message to keep quiet for the moment.
Murli noticed his look. It was the same as Bhaiyya gave him while in Allahabad haveli on 'mission Chandni'. But what could it mean now?
“Chandni, Shikha come, let’s get ready! Ma and Naani, you must join us today. It won’t be tiring. After coming to Paris, we haven’t gone any place together."
Advay was getting frustrated waiting for Chandni to arrive. As always, she was late and the rest of the family had gone ahead. Worst, she had shut the door and had sent him away saying she would join shortly.
In Impatience, he turned back towards the house and stood transfixed. What stood in front him was a diva……A sensual mermaid…..His own fantasy personified!
Chandni was draped in an aqua blue sari, designer style and elegance both combined to perfection. Her curly strands slid over her neck and shoulders...... tumbling down her back in wild gypsy waves….. He knew the feeling of fire trapped in satin when he threaded his fingers through them. The sunlight illuminated the pearl sheen of her skin, left bare by the low-cut designer blouse.
Advay let his gaze linger on her slender, pretty figure. She was fortunate that they were in the middle of a crowded street, he thought with a private smile, or she would have found herself snapped up and devoured by him in the back seat of car.The last time’s memory, vivid in his mind, brought a wolf whistle from his lips.
Chandni prowled towards him knowing her female prowess to entice him and taking pride in it.
“You insisted on traditional yesterday, So here I am, all traditional! For Your Eyes Only!” She walked past him, her backside brushing his centre ever so lightly.
Advay clenched his teeth as his pants became suddenly very tight and his entire body screamed out for the primitive satisfaction of claiming her, picking her up and carrying her to the soft leather of car seat. For just a moment he let himself dwell on the idea …lowering himself to her writhing body, tearing her blouse, kissing her soft mounds.
Advay shook his head to clear it, troubled by the direction of his thoughts. He had a mission on his plan today. And yet the fantasy was too potent to ignore. With an effort, he bludgeoned the barbaric impulses back into submission.
Of all the days, she had to choose today to look like this! It was a crime……. Committed to make him feel guilty for ditching her in the middle, especially when she was herself on cloud nine looking forward to spending an entire day in his company…..
Now, he would have to commit the crime of letting down her expectations……Advay hated himself in such moments. He put up a smile and opened the car door for her.
In the car, he chose his music……
Dil kyun ye mera shor kare
Idhar Nahi Udhar Nahi Teri Or Chale
Advay started whistling wolfish, taking perverse satisfaction in her discomfiture. The whistle caressed her ears like a primitive animalistic mating call, taking her mind in all forbidden directions..... The music, the voice, Dev’s whistling…..all combined together….suddenly, she couldn’t bear it anymore!
“Devvvvvvv…..!” She pleaded wanting to stop his torture.
“Phirse kaho! Say again!”
“Kya? What?”
“Mera naam!” He smiled.
She looked at him in puzzlement.
“My name!” He explained again.
“Devv!”She complied, still puzzled.
“dekha jo aapko toh saath rehna meri jaroorat sa laga
Apne Hothonse jo liya aapne mera naam khubsoorat sa laga!”
(When I saw you, staying together with you became my need
When you spoke my name with your lips, I had a beautiful feel)
The uncomfortable blush spread over her cheeks; but she desperately held on to her cheesy swag!
“Shaayari and all! Corny!”
“For you, lady! Just for you! Tumhaare pyaar ke liye maine kya kya kiya hai……”
Advay was out to kill, “Pata hai, tumhare liye, tumhari mosiyon ko bhi pataaya tha…..shaayari suna ke!”
(What all I have done for your love..... you know, I have flirted with your maasis using Shayari)
“Really?”
“Really!”
“Mere liye?" Chandni stressed the words to tease him, "Mere saath toh hamesha Akhadu Atarangi Rowdy Professor bane rehate the!”
(For me? With me, you always behaved like snobbish, weird, rowdy professor)
“Pyaar ki adaa thee, jaaneman!” (A style of love, Sweetheart!)
Chandni threw her head back and laughed, at his boyish tone more than his words! Advay smiled. He couldn’t guarantee a little later, but at least for now, he had made her happy.
Everybody got onto the boat….Advay turned to Darsh suddenly on the pier and spoke a bit too loud,
“Whattt? You don’t want to go? You don’t feel too good? You are allergic, is it?”
Darsh was dumbfounded. Where had this sprouted from? AD could have warned him at least. But AD had always been like that, right from childhood days and with DD specially!
“Hey Guys! Darsh is not feeling too well. I’ll stay back with him.”
“What’s the matter? Should we all come? We can cancel!” Chandni was worried and turned back from the entry.
“No.NO ! Not at all! You people proceed on the cruise. Enjoy yourselves.” Advay almost pushed her back. “It must be some small tummy upset. He’ll be OK with rest. I’m enough keeping him company. We’ll just cool our heels!”
Murli realized his hunch during breakfast wasn’t wrong. For a moment, his heart grew sad. Bhaiyya had always shared all his plans with him; but today somehow he hadn’t. What could it be?
“Murli, you keep everybody entertained and Miku, responsibility of family on you. Take care of them.” Advay made sure both had assigned tasks to keep them engaged.
Darsh looked at Pooja. She knew something was not right and she was clearly angry.
“Sorry, Pooja!” He pleaded.
“Are we getting habituated to this?" In anger her tone became sarcastic, "You saying sorry and me getting used to your not being there; when needed the most!”
Ouch! That hurt! Pooja was really upset…… not just for today; but for all those times earlier, too!
He wanted to tell her he loved her……to appease her wounds!
The declaration hovered on his lips, just like it had all those years ago, when she had perhaps expected something bigger from him.......Something to believe in their future......Something to make her stay and wait for him.
And once again, he said nothing!
He thought she would understand!
“Come fast, let’s get away from here!” Advay hurried Darsh, almost pulling him by arm.
“Hey!Hey! What’s up, Man? I know about the supplier meeting. The way you acted in the morning I thought , you decided to postpone it.”
“No, DD! Sending them on day long trip was the only way to avoid questions on our whereabouts. Sorry, buddy! Didn’t get the time to update you earlier; because we came in separate cars. As such, I wasn’t sure whether we could pull it through; without their catching us.”
“How are we going to pull it now? In these cruising clothes, a formal meeting with heads of companies?”
“We go to the hotel where we are meeting them. My men are bringing our formals. We change in Men’s room.” Advay’s tone had a finality which came with his full proof plan.
While Advay went inside to change, Darsh lingered outside, desperately needing a moment to gather himself.
On one side, AD said, he was happy that Darsh came and Pooja turned a bit to her older happy self.......
On other side, Pooja made him feel that perhaps he should not have arrived again in her life! .........
The more he was around her, the more he wanted her. Her cheery astuteness forever should have been annoying....at least in youth, he would have chided her for it! But now, somehow it had given him unexpected pleasure to watch her getting more mature.....There was something about her, something . . . As the French called it- esprit, a liveliness of mind and spirit. And that face of hers. . . innocent and knowing, and open.
Why couldn’t life be simple for him, ever? He was even ready to accept just a happy holiday in her company……but was that possible between them with the kind of undercurrents flowing currently? And what was he supposed to do in all this mess?
Advay came out buttoning himself, “Hey! What’s the matter? Go, change fast!”
Darsh quickly went inside and Advay spoke through the doors, “I felt horrid today leaving Chandni halfway like that. She was looking forward to spending the whole day on water with me.”
‘You’re telling me??? You didn’t see the look in Pooja’s eyes! I feel burned!’ Darsh thought to himself while changing.
Oblivious to Darsh's turmoil, Advay continued, “Poor girl! The worst part is that she doesn’t even complain. Back at home, it’s work, work and work! Here on honeymoon also, I don’t wholly dedicate time to her!”
“Hey AD! You’re not the sort of guy to feel too bad. Just take her someplace nice in the evening and make it all up to her! Now let’s handle our supplier giants first.”
DD came out and punched his shoulder to bring him out from sullen mood.
As both were proceeding to the lifts, Advay received a call.
"Shit, DD! The customer group is also available today itself! Do you think we can make it after this meeting?"
"Won't be justice to either! " Darsh spoke out Advay's own opinion.
"Should I arrange it for some other day then?" Advay suggested, frowning contemplatively.
"No!" Darsh exclaimed, "We are short of time to do that! Let's do it this way. You go ahead and meet the suppliers, I'll handle the customer group."
"Shit, Man! I don't want to put you alone in front of those vultures!" Advay felt guilty leaving Darsh alone.
Darsh appeased Advay's worry with his confident tone.
"Alone, each of us, can tackle a flock of vultures!"
"Precisely, that's what they are! You will not even know, when they outmanoeuvred you right under your nose."
"Who's side are you exactly on?" Darsh scowled at his friend for not showing faith in him.
"For me, there's no side, but yours!" Advay's eyes were filled with concern. He genuinely didn't want to put Darsh in any kind of risk.
Darsh hugged him, his comradeship, his confidence in himself and AD both evident in that tight hug, "Let's do it! We shall meet directly at apartment afterwards!" His faith in their success was fascinating..... assuring!
Advay's mood relaxed, "Apartment kyon kehata hai re tu? Ghar nahi keh sakata?"
(Why do you call it apartment, and why not home?"
"Gharwali nahi na abhi!" Darsh winked and Advay roared in laughter.
(No homemaker till now!)
"Hogi kaise? A wife and a melon is hard to choose!"
Out came the smart retort but then Advay looked away,instantaneously losing himself in morning images of Chandni.
"Get the right one, DD! Best thing that can happen to you!"
Advay's mind was not really not on DD at the moment otherwise he couldn't have missed the forlorn look in DD's eyes reminiscing Pooja images.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anjali di hai Badi Sayani..... This is Barun's superb line in IPK1..... The way he delivered them in both real intense scenes, simply captivating! Can never forget his face, neither his voice. Do you remember the 4 line poem between Anjali and Arnav from IPK1 temple scene?
Here, it's Miku, our favourite prankster saying it; so remix in the lines.
Advay's dialogues in the car with Chandni...... That's my favourite Haider reciting his shaayari..... so beautifully delivered that even Gorky M the director admired it. Couldn't resist using it here. Do enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz5HiepEogw&t=3s
Chhodo Kal ki battein is a song by Mukesh. Great music and tune that it always stays with you..... The family has used songs in the past when Advay was angry, now Pooja is wisely using it to calm down Veer and avoid argument between him and maasi.
The song which Advay chose to woo Chandni........ beautiful voice and sensual music..... In your mind's realm, imagine Hrithik with his subdued persona screaming sensuality on car infotainment screen ......matching whistle and humming in his sexy husky voice Advay...... No wonder Chandni couldn't take the sensual torture any more
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maKDIvUVkQo
Advay was keeping Chandni in Good mood with a purpose, will he succeed? What might just happen later? Keeping fingers crossed!
Link: Advay flirting with Maasis, Do enjoy fun post
Advay and Darsh have launched a risky mission. It's known in Advay's concern. Risk has a way of its own to materialise when least expected. What can happen in future?
Do keep reading, new track to open.
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AnnDan @AnnDan
4 years ago
Thanks Neha! I really like the philosophy of Puja. She is a very nice woman who gives everyone warmth and at the same time she is so strong inside. Somehow I hadn't thought about it before