Part 21:
Next Day Morning:
Vapours leaving the hot coffee filled flavour in the room. Arjun whose eyes were closed an hour back fluttered. He sat straight and looked around restlessly. He released a breath of relief seeing coffee on the table, however, it disappeared as the thought of her departure appeared in mind. Sakshi came there smiling.
Sakshi– Utt gaye! Accha Kiya. Mein bahar jaa rahi hoon. Aarav room mein hai, Nidhi aarahi hai. Usse pehle mein supermarket jaake aati hoon.
BeforeArjun could reply, Sakshi left in a hurry. Arjun enjoyed every sip of the last coffee by Sakshi in his home. Hot coffee running down his throat increased the room temperature too. After morning chores, he decided to spend some time with Aarav.
Arjun– Good morning Aarav! Kya kar rahe ho?
Aarav was sitting with his head resting on palms. He looked up.
Arjun– Kya hua? Itna udass kyun baete ho?
Aarav didn’t reply. Arjun sat beside him.
Arjun– Kya hua? Mujhe nahi bataoge?
Aarav(low sad tone) – Mujhe yaha se nahi jaana. Mamma bhi raat ko ro rahi this.
Arjun was shocked yet an involuntarily shine of happiness appeared on his face.
Aarav hugged him.
Aarav– Mamma ko roklo na please. Woh sirf isi liye jaana chahti hai kyun ki sabhi aunty ne bahot bura kaha. Uss din bhi mamma ro rahi this.
Nidhi came in.
Nidhi – Hey! Darwaaza khol ke tum dono andar kya khel rahe ho.
Arjun wished her and walked out of room happy.
Arjun (To himself) – Meri respect ke liye Sakshi mujhe chod ke jaa rahi hai. Mere liye usne phir se apni kushi kurbaan kar diya.
***
Kitchen:
Sakshi was setting things in place when Nidhi entered.
Nidhi– kya kar rahe ho Sakshi? Ye sabb?
Sakshi– Arjun ko problem ho jayega. So jaane se pehle sabb laake rakh diya.
Nidhi– Woh chote bacche thode hai. Waise bhi, pehle woh ghar mein kum office meinzyada rehte te. Tumhare aur Aarav ke aane ke baad woh ghar pe dikte te. Tumharejaane ke baad, pakka phir se ghar pe taal he lagega.
Nidhi rolled her eyes up. Sakshi just smiled. They heard the bell ring.
***
Arjun opened the door and invited Karan and his daughter inside.
Karan– Hai
Arjun invited him inside.
Karan– woh mein isi taraf se jaa raha toh, soch Sakshi ko madatt kar loon.
Arjun gave inadequate smile. Aarav joined Karan’s daughter. She cheered Aarav and started playing. Sakshi and Nidhi joined them in the living room.
Karan– Hai Sakshi. Mein iddar se he jaa raha tha. Socha tumhe koi help chahiye hogi.
Sakshi– Thank you Karan. Par sab kuch taiyaar hai. Hum bas 10 min mein nikal he rahehai.
Karan smiled and nodded.
Sakshi– Rukho coffee leke aati hoon.
Karan– Koi zaroorat nahi.
Sakshi didn’t listen to him and left from there. There was an air of awkwardness which is taking longer to settle. A pin-drop silence engulfed the moment. Clock ticking on the wall is the loudest till they heard Sakshi’s ‘ouch’. Arjun ran into the kitchen. Sakshi stepped on a fork which poked her half healing wound on feet. She sat stopping the flow of blood. He could not look her in pain. Without a second thought, he lifted her in arms. Pain drained in startle as she stared into his eyes. There are questions unanswered and fear.
Arjun– Nidhi, first aid box leke aana.
***
Everyone assembled in the room and enquired her health. Arjun is tending to wound.
Sakshi– Mujhe kuch nahi hua hai. Mein teekh hoon. Tum log pareshan matt ho. Pattihone ke baad nikal jayenge.
Arjun– Kahi jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Sakshi stared at him.
Sakshi – Arjun..
Arjun– Mera matlab, iss gaav ke saath kaise jaoge. Hum pehle hospital jayenge.
Sakshi– Daer hojayegi Arjun.
Arjun– Tumhe itna jaldi kyun hai?
Others in the room were spectators to the silent song. A hum finding its words and music.
***
On the way to hospital, Arjun struggled with overwhelming emotions. There is arising sun clearing fog in his heart. He could see the path to future surrounded by chirping birds, buds blooming and animals hopping. Amidst the could see Sakshi standing there watching Aarav playing in the garden. As he reached there, she turned and hugged him. They held each other’s hand and stood there when Aarav came running to hug them. He saw three of them happily standing together. That’s what he yearned for, a happy family.
He was jerked out of thoughts with car screeching before the hospital building. He saw Sakshi sitting silently beside him. As she carefully got down, he drove to the parking lot. He silently walked into the hospital where Sakshi is waiting. They were silent with no words exchanged. After check-up the document at receptionist back.
He remembered his dilemma in the last visit. Parent/Guardian/Husband. A sign on the file failed him. Now, he has an answer, something he will cherish forever. A cheeky smile spread on his face gave all the answers to his questions. He signed as a husband. He found the lyrics to his song. He is in Love. The ACP ArjunRawte is in love. Now, he knows she is not going anywhere. He will not let her go
.
***
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