Part 17:
Evening:
Arjun - Pehla din kaisa tha?
Sakshi - Acha ta. Actually bahot acha tha.
Arjun - Aarav kaha hai?
Aarav came with his group of friends who parted at gate to their parents. Aarav ran to Sakshi and Arjun.
Aarav - Pata hai aaj teacher ne mujhe bada sa chocolate diya hai.
Arjun/Sakshi - Good.
Aarav continued his narration of day. Sakshi and Arjun heard him nodding, smiling and playing along.
They reached home. That was a perfect day of perfect family formed by undefined relations. Our society does not believe in it.
***
Two weeks passed being busy with work and happy time at home. Weekend brought plans and they landed in the mall for a movie, games and shopping.
After a animation movie and one hour games they walked out of game zone laughing and giggling. As they walked ahead Sakshi realized they left Arjun behind. As she turned, Arjun stood numb and angry watching someone.
Sakshi - Arjun.
Arjun - Ghar chalo Sakshi.
Arjun walked out leaving there. He didn't even turn back at least once to check them. This never happened till now. He is very protective and caring.
***
House:
Arjun sat numb not answering any of the questions. Sakshi didn't trouble him. She understood he needed some space and time. She even asked Aarav not to disturb Arjun and asked him to go play with his friends in apartment.
Sakshi was tensed watching Arjun whose emotions ranged from anger, sad, depression and frustration. At right time Nidhi came.
Nidhi - Hello guys!
Sakshi - Nidhi.
Sakshi went and hugged her.
Sakshi - Tum trip se waapass kab aayi?
Nidhi - Kal.
Arjun wished Nidhi. He didn't chat much. He was silently blankly staring at TV. Nidhi spoke about her trip to Sakshi ans Arjun. Nidhi could sense something wrong. She went to Sakshi who is preparing dinner.
Nidhi - Bhai ko kya hua?
Sakshi - Bahar se aaye hai. Tab se aisa hai. Aisa lag raha hai jaise koi uska gala daba raha hai. Jaise usko gutan ho raha hai.
Nidhi - Bhai kabhi kisi ko kuch nahi batata hai. Sab kuch kud ka andar he rakhta hai. Share karne se problem kum hota hai na.
Sakshi thought for a moment.
Aarav - Mamma!
Aarav came in. He met Nidhi and was really excited to meet her after days.
Arjun - Sakshi.
Arjun - Mein bahar jaa raha hoon. Tum sab dinner karlo.
He said and left. He didn't even wait for Sakshi's reaction.
***
After having dinner, Aarav was put to sleep. Nidhi and Sakshi sat and continued there chat.
Nidhi - Sakshi abb mein chalti hoon.
Sakshi - Nidhi thodi daer aur rukho.
Sakshi looked tensed and concerned.
Nidhi - Kya hua Sakshi?
Sakshi - Arjun abhi tak nahi aaya. Yeh bhi nahi pata kaha gaya hai.
Nidhi - Don't worry Sakshi. Bhai aajayega, unhe aadat hai.
Sakshi - Par itne dino mein, mein ne usse aisa kabhi nahi dekha. Phone bhi nahi utta raha hai.
Nidhi - Tum tension matt lo. I will stay till bhai comes.
It is going to be 11 and their is no sign of Arjun. Sakshi grew restless. Sakshi grew restless.
Sakshi - Arjun case ki wajah se late aata toh bhi call karta.
Nidhi - Teekhe. Ek kaam karte hai. Sameer bhai se baat karte hai. Unhe zaroor pata hoga.
Nidhi ringed Sameer.
Nidhi - Sameer bhai nahi utta rahe hai.
Sakshi took phone from her.
Sakshi - mujhe do. Mein try karti hoon.
Sakshi dialled twice and Sameer answered.
Sameer - Hello Nidhi.
Sakshi - mein Sakshi.
Sameer - Sakshi?
Sakshi - Arjun kaha gaya kuch pata nahi chala. raha. Humesha batake jaata hai. Phone bhi nahi utta raha hai.
Sameer - Calm down Sakshi. Case mein hoga.
Sakshi - Phone bhi switched off Aa raha hai. Shaam se bahot upset tha.
Sameer - Teekhe mein dekhta hoon.
Sameer disconnected call.
***
Sameer tried contacting him and enquired team about his possible investigation places but everything failed. Now even Sameer was worried.
Nidhi's phone rung.
Nidhi - Hello Sameer.
Sakshi was watching her expressions. Nidhi disconnected call.
Nidhi - Sameer Bhai ko doondne jaa rahe hai.
Sakshi held her breath for a moment.
Sakshi - Mein bhi jaati hoon.
Nidhi - Iss samai tu akele kaise jayegi.
Sakshi - mein kuch karungi. Tum Aarav ke saath rahoge?
Nidhi - Don't worry about him. And take my car and one bodyguard.
Sakshi nodded and left.
***
Nidhi informed Sameer about Sakshi. Sakshi and Sameer met and they resumed search together.
Sameer - Call track nahi ho raha hai. Switched off hai phone.
Sakshi - Arjun teekh hoga na?!
Sakshi questioned worried.
Sameer - Don't worry. He will be fine.
After 2 hours of search Sakshi and Sameer found him. Arjun saw Sakshi and Sameer walking towards him worried and fuming. As he got up Sakshi came running to him.
She hugged him like her last wish is to see him safe. Arjun was surprised and couldn't understand how to react. Sakshi closed her eyes losing herself in him to feel every bit which give her a proof that he is there with her. His hours of disappearance felt like an eternity. Arjun felt good to see her wishing his safety. To see someone worried for him.
Arjun - Sakshi. I am fine.
Hearing him Saksji released him from hug. She was embarrassed for a moment. She didn't understand wether her genuine concern seemed over-reaction or a friendly affection.
Sameer - Tum pagal hogaye ho kya. Phone switch off kar rakha hai and kisi ko nahi pata tum kaha pe ho.
Arjun - Phone silent pe tha. Dekha nahi.
Sameer - Tum teekh ho?
Arjun - ha.
Sameer - Chalo abb.
Arjun - Tum jao. Mujhe abhi akela rehna hai. Sakshi tum bhi jao. Mein aajaunga.
Arjun sat there letting Sameer and Sakshi leave.
***
After 5 min:
Sakshi - Arjun.
Arjun - Tum gayi nahi?
Sakshi - Jab mein ne maanga nahi, tab tumne meri madatt ki. Abb tumhe chodke kaise jaati?
Arjun sat silent and so Sakshi. Sounds of waves and wind filled the space.
Arjun - Mein ne aaj usse dekha hai. Mall mein. Uske family saath. Kush lag rahi thi. Shayad usse mein yaad bhi nahi hoon.
Sakshi placed hand on his shoulder.
Sakshi - Kaun Arjun?
Arjun - Meri maa. Usse maa baneka haq he nahi hai. Jab mein chota tha tab maa aur pappa roz ladte te. Ek din woh ghar chodke baagh gayi. Pappa yeh boolne ke liye peene mein lag gaye. Din aur raat peete te. Mein ek hoon, iska kisi ka koi matlab nahi tha. Sabke taane sunte sunte pappa ne suicide kar liya. Mujhe akela chod diya iss duniya mein.
Sakshi rubbed his hand comforting.
Arjun - Bachpan se akela tha Sakshi. Koi nahi tha. Chachu tha. Jitna madatt Kar sake unhone kiya. Woh ek hai aur Sameer, jo mere bare mein sab kuch jaanta hai. Mein kushi mein akela tha. Har aasu ko akela mehsoos kiya tha.
Sakshi - Arjun. Abb tum akela nahi ho. Mein hoon tumhare saath.
Arjun looked into her eyes which proved that she is saying that from heart. They are deep enough to drown him forever into happiness.
Sakshi - Mein aur Aarav rahenge tumhare saath.
Arjun snapped.
Arjun (Sad laugh) - Mein ne aaj tak kisi ki godh mein sarr rakhe nahi soya. Koi nahi tha jo meri baal mein haath rakh kar bole, mein yahi hoon. Tum sojao.
Arjun continued to speak. He spoke his heart out for the first time. He started feeling lite being there. He don't know when he placed his head on her lap. She ran fingers in her hair soothing him. There was some magic cast by sea winds on them. They did not remember anything except each other at that moment.
***
Arjun's House:
Nidhi opened door for them. It is already 2 A.M.
Nidhi - Bhai. Kaha gaye te aap. Kitne pareshan hogaye hum. Sakshi toh..
Sakshi (Interrupting) - Aarav so gaya?
Arjun looked confused.
Nidhi - Ha so gaya. Chalo tum dono aagaye toh mein chalti hoon.
Sakshi - Itni raat ko?
Nidhi - Tension Matt lo. Protection hai mere liye. I will leave.
Nidhi hugged both of them and left.
***
Arjun changed into his tracks and t-shirt. He comforted on his couch when Sakshi came there.
Sakshi - Tumne kuch nahi khaya. Dood pee lo.
She kept it on side table and left from there.
Arjun drank milk and lay to sleep when his phone rung.
Arjun - Nidhi.
Nidhi - Mein ghar pahonch gayi.
Arjun - Teekhe.
Nidhi - Sakshi ne kuch khaya?
Arjun - Sakshi ne kuch nahi khaya?
Nidhi - Nahi. Sirf mein aur Aarav khaye te. Woh toh aapke pareshaan mein saas tak nahi le rahi thi. Khana toh dhoor ki baat hai.
Arjun - Teekhe.
Nidhi disconnected call wishing him good night.
Arjun went to kitchen and opened fridge. His and Sakshi's food is covered and stored. He checked for milk but tin is empty. He thought, she must have drank but there is no empty glass.
Arjun - Aakhri glass mujhe de di aur bina kuch khaye so gayi.
Arjun was overwhelmed sensing her gesture. Their is someone in this world to take care of him. After these many years, their is someone to look after him. He stood at door pushing it a bit. He saw Sakshi sleeping peacefully beside Aarav.
Arjun - Thank you Sakshi. Thanks for everything.
He said and left from there.
***
Pre-cap:
Sameer - Arjun tum dono ek dusre ke bare mein Kya sochte hai, the mujhe nahi pata. Par Sakshi jitna khayal koi nahi rakh sakta.
Arjun - Par Sameer.
Sameer - Mujhe jawab nahi chahiye. Kud se poocho, tum kya sochte ho uske baare mein.
**
Independence Day - Outside school:
Sakshi - Arjun, meet Karan. Physics teacher.
Arjun - Hai.
Karan wished and smiled.
***
Thanks for reading. Please do like and comment.
Edited by VindhyaMounika - 8 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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