Epilogue
5 years later-
The doorbell rang. Riya goes to open the door. The second the door opens, she is engulfed into a hug by her husband. She giggles.
Riya: kya hua?
Arjun: thak gaya, bahot kaam tha aaj
She strokes his hair with one hand and uses the other to push the door close.
Riya: chalo, haath muh dho lo, main khaana laga deti hu
Arjun: kya hai khaane mein?
Riya: bhindi
His face lights up: bhindi?! (he kisses her cheek) Riya I love you!!
He rushes to the kitchen before she could say anything else. She shakes her head in disbelief and follows.
Riya: Arjun tum kya…
Arjun starts eating from the pan: Riya you’re an amazing cook!!
Riya: are kya kar rahe ho? jal jaayega (pulling him away) jao jaa kar haath dho kar aao pehle
Arjun tries to bypass her: mujhe khaana hai
She blocks his way: haath dho kar aao Arjun
Arjun: Riya!!!
Riya snakes her arms around his neck: Arjun
Arjun(lost): hm?
She leans on him: aisa mat karo na… (he closes his eyes in anticipation) tum mere pyaare se pati hona? (pushing him away) jao haath dho kar aao
Arjun(shocked): Riya!!!
Riya: Go!
Arjun: yaar this is not done!!! mujhe bhook lagi hai!!
Riya: ha toh kha lo
Arjun: ha toh…
She places the ladle on his chest: haath dhone ke baad!
He looks at her innocently. She glares at him.
Arjun grumbles: fine! Jaa raha hun! Huh!
Giggling, Riya shakes her head as she watches him go.
They sit for dinner while talking randomly about their day.
Arjun:…fir finally pata chala ki usne toh kuch kiya nahi hai, asal mein uska chacha hi khooni tha, pura shehar ghumna pada us idiot ke chakkar mein
Riya: hm, dikh raha hai, tumhari shakal par 12 baje hai
Arjun: puchna bhi mat
Riya (chuckling): oh I have to show you something!!
She reaches for her phone and shows him a picture. A few days old baby was in her lap. Arjun looked at her in confusion.
Riya: cute haina?
Arjun: ha…lekin kiska hai?
Riya put her phone on the side: pata nahi, subah jab main meeting ke baad office se nikli toh mila, main taxi dhundh rahi thi, itne main ek bache ki rone ki awaaz aane lagi lekin aaspaas koi nahi tha, fir footpath par ek cardboard ka box dikha, andar se kuch hil raha tha. khol kar dekha toh bacha tha
Arjun: box ke andar?
Riya: wahi toh, yaha tak ki air hole bhi nahi tha, aise chod diya tha raaste par, fir main use lekar Jeevan Nirmal chali gayi but hum soch rahe hai ki police complaint kar de, aise bache ko marne ke liye kaise chod sakta hai koi? Had hoti hai logon ki!! Agar use kuch ho jaata toh? (shaking her head) aise logon ke liye toh jail bhi kam hai, tumne dekha na kitna pyaara hai? (Arjun furrows his brow at that but she doesn’t realize) and the weird thing is ki ladka hai, usually aise hume ladkiyaan milti hai, koi itne cute bache ko kaise chod sakta hai? tum kuch bol kyun nahi rahe?
Arjun: tumhara bolna band hoga toh main bolunga na?
Riya: You!!
She lunges at him.
Arjun: Riya! haldi wale haath, meri white shirt!!!!!
She glares and sits back. He chuckles.
Arjun: waise tumhe bigadne hai toh bigad do lekin yaad rakhna use fir saaf tumhe hi karna hai, meri safayi tumhe nahi pasand
Riya: koi zaroorat nahi hai, tumhare kapdo se khoon ke daag chale jaaye wahi kaafi hai
Arjun: Riya tum toh aise bol rahi hai jaise main koi serial killer hun
Riya: mujhe kya pata? Hote toh bhi bologe thodi? waise agar tumhe victims ki kami mehsoos hona toh mujhe bolna, main tumhe purane chehre yaad karke bataungi
Arjun choked on his food: Riya please bhaari joke mat maaro
Riya: joke nahi, fact hai
Arjun: tum nahi sudhrogi
Riya smiles: bilcul bhi nahi
He shakes his head in disbelief as she laughs. Arjun crashes onto the bed as soon as dinner is over.
Arjun: Riyaaaa!!!!!
Riya replies from the kitchen: aayi!!
He shouts again: RIIIIYAAA!!!
She comes in haste: kya hua?
He pulls her to himself.
Riya(surprised): Arjun tum..
Arjun: kya kar rahi ho tum?
Riya: are bartan…
Arjun: bartan?! Riya! tumhare liye bartan pati se zyaada important hai?
Riya rolls her eyes: Arjun you’re a drama queen!
She tries to leave but he pulls her again: mat jao, aa jao
Riya: Arjun…
Arjun: dekho, main subah se tumhe miss kar raha hun ab tum kitchen mein jaa kar mat baitho
Riya: are lekin..
Arjun lays her on the bed: lekin wekin kuch nahi!
Riya raises her eyebrow: acha? Abhi toh keh rahe the ki Riya bahot thak gaya hun
He caresses her cheek: are jaan tumhe dekhkar main sab bhul jaata hun, thakan kya cheez hai?
Before she could say anything else, he captures her lips with his. His hand switches off the light as they drown in their love.
Next morning, Rawte mansion-
Shweta, Armaan and his wife Mahima were at the breakfast table. They were discussing the celebration that was going to happen the following week for Armaan’s birthday.
Mahima: acha Armaan, tum bhau aur vahini ko…
Armaan immediately swallowed the food in his mouth: ha Mahima mujhe yaad hai, main tumhare saare bhai-bhabhi ko bata dunga, Nagpur waale bhi, Delhi waale bhi, US waale bhi…
Mahima(confused): are nahi main apne nahi…
Shweta looked up.
Armaan: ha, ha tumhare muh bole bhai ko bhi bol dunga (discreetly glaring) sabko bol dunga, tum kyun tension le rahi ho?
Shweta: muh bola bhai? beta tumhara muh-bola bhai kaha se aaya?
Mahima: uh woh…
Armaan: are maa, muh bola hai, kahi se bhi aa jaata hai…tum fikar mat karna Mahima ok? chalo late ho raha hai, office jaate hai
Shweta: are use khaane toh do
Armaan: are aur kitna khaayegi? Ho gaya na? maa, aap ise mota kar dogi (Mahima glares at him) chalo jaate hai
He grabs her hand and rushes out to the car.
Mahima: Armaan tum kya…
Armaan: shush!
He starts the ignition and speeds out of the compound, reducing his speed only after he was considerable distance from home.
Mahima(irritated): Armaan! Kya hai ye sab?
Armaan: kya hai? meri ma! maine tumse kitni baar kaha hai ki maa ke saamne dono ke baare mein baat mat karo
Mahima: are lekin agar woh aayenge toh unhe pata toh chalega na
Armaan: nahi Mahima, woh nahi aayenge aur nahi main unhe aane ke liye kehne waala hun
Mahima: kyun? (Armaan remained silent) chal kya raha hai ye sab? Jab humari shaadi tay hui thi tab mujhe ye bhi nahi pata tha ki tumhara bada bhai hai, jab tumne milaya tab pata chala, ghar mein unki koi photo tak nahi hai…
Armaan mv “kaha se hogi? Tumhari pyaari saasu ma ne sab jala daali”
Mahima:…humari shaadi ke time bhi woh aaye aur chale gaye, maa se kabhi nahi mile, shaadi ke baad bhi in 6 mahino mein woh kabhi ghar nahi aaye, jab bhi hum milne jaate hai toh maa se jhoot bol kar jaate hai, what the hell is going on?!
Armaan: are yaar, kitne sawaal karti ho tum?
Mahima glared at him: mujhe jawab chahiye!!!
Armaan pulled over to talk to her in peace: dekho, woh sab bahot complicated hai, usme mat pado (holding her hand) bas itna yaad rakho ki maa ke saamne unke baare mein baat mat karo
Mahima: lekin kyun?!
Armaan: main tumhe kya samjhau Mahima, main…
Mahima: jo sach hai woh!
Armaan takes a deep breath. His brain fires wondering how to tell her and what?
Armaan: see, story bahot lambi hai aur jaise ki maine kaha complicated, short form sunna hai toh bolo
Mahima sighed: fine! Bolo
Armaan: mere baap ko bhai ki naukri nahi pasand thi toh unhone use ghar se nikal diya, interval?
Mahima(confused): ok?
Armaan: aur meri maa ko unki biwi nahi pasand isliye unhone ghar chod diya, the end
Mahima: maa ko Riya vahini nahi pasand? Kyun? woh kitni achi hai
Armaan: ha woh bahot achi hai lekin zaroori nahi na ki sabko sab ache log pasand aaye, saari saans ko apni bahu nahi pasand (She tries to say something) isse zyaada mat puchna, main tumhe nahi samjha sakta…please?
She nods making him smile. He restarts the car as Mahima goes back into thoughts, wondering what was keeping Arjun and Riya away from home.
Police Station-
Riya and Kinjal were trying to lodge an FIR but the inspector was least interested, giving them unnecessary excuses and trying to get rid of them. The girls try to reason with him but fail.
Inspector: dekho! Is sab mein hum kuch nahi kar sakte, ab time waste mat karo humara, aur bhi kaam hai humare paas
He stands up to leave.
Riya flares up and follows his steps: kuch nahi kar sakte? Kuch nahi kar sakte toh fir wardi kyun pehen kar rakhi hai! koi ek chote se bache ko marne ke liya chod gaya aur tum…
Inspector: Ae Chup! Tujhe Bola Na Ek Baar, Samaj Mein Nahi Aata?
Riya: nahi samaj aa raha! Duty karni nahi hai toh yaha kyun baithe ho? wardi nikal kar fek do kahi
His ego hurt. He steps closer to her. Riya’s throat ran dry but she kept a brave face.
inspector: kya re? bahot shauk hai tujhe samaj seva ka huh? (caressing her arm) thodi humari bhi seva kar de
Disgusted and angry, she pushes his hand away and slaps him across the face. The entire police station looks on shocked.
Kinjal mv “oh god! Riya sambhal kar”
The inspector glares at her. She steps back in fear.
Inspector: police waale pe haath uthayegi? Teri toh!
He grabs her hand. She screams trying to free herself. He tightens his grip and tries to pull her to him.
Shocked, Kinjal rushes forward: please use jaane dijiye!
Inspector: Ae Chup! Pakdo Re Ise Bhi!
Following orders, two constables effectively block Kinjal.
Riya struggles: CHODO MUJHE!!
A voice resounds from inner sanctum: Itna Shor Kyun Macha Hua Yaha Par?
They turn to see Arjun, Sameer and the Superintendent of the station. Arjun glares at the man touching her. Riya jerks free from the inspector and runs to Arjun, throwing herself in his arms. He comforts her whispering sweet nothings into her ear.
The Inspector’s freezes. Sweat beads form on his forehead seeing the two ACP’s and his senior. Did the woman know who Arjun was?
Sameer glares at the constables. Fearing his wrath, they step away. Kinjal instantly slides upto them.
Superintendent(angrily) : Pande! Kya Ho Raha Hai Ye Sab?
Inspector: woh….woh, sir…woh…
Riya calms down. Arjun slowly separates her from him and gestures to her to stay with Sameer.
He looks at Pande. Pande shuts up seeing the fire in his eyes. He stalks towards him like a predator.
Pande: saab…woh… main bas…
A punch lands on his face. He falls behind but Arjun grabs his collar.
Arjun spews venom: KAMINE!! TERI HIMMAT KAISE HUI MERI BIWI KO HAATH LAGANE KI?
His eyes widen in shock mv “biwi?” He doesn’t get a second more to dwell on the fact as Arjun starts beating him up mercilessly. The other policemen look on in shock but who had the courage to stop ACP Arjun Rawte?
Riya turns to Sameer a few minutes later: Sameer roko ise, mar jaayega woh
Sameer scrutinizes the man: uh…. (judging if he had been punished enough, he nods) yup!
He goes forward to hold Arjun back: Arjun bas kar…chod use!
Arjun: Nahi!
Sameer pulls him behind: Arjun Enough! Stand Back!!
He jerks out of his hold but stops, still glaring at the man. A bunch of constables rush to him for support.
Sameer orders: Lekar Jao Ise!!
They didn’t have to be told twice. The constables quickly take Pande away to a safe place.
Arjun turns to the girls: Kya Ho Raha Tha? Aur Tum Log Yaha Kya Kar Rahe Ho!?
Kinjal: kal Riya ko ek bacha mila tha, box mein band, bas usi ki complaint likhane aaye the lekin ye likh hi nahi raha tha toh uska aur Riya ka jhagda ho gaya, usne badtameezi karne ki koshish ki toh Riya ne use thapad maara…
Rathore and Arjun look at each other in shock and then at Riya.
Arjun: Riya ne thapad maara?
She lowers her gaze: uh…woh…ha
Arjun admires her: wow, I’m so proud of you
She fidgets with her hands as blush crept up on her cheeks. She looks up to see Arjun gazing at her with pride. Her blush deepens as their eye lock with each other.
Sameer clears his throat: kaam khatam kar le?
Arjun glares at him: ha, kyun nahi, record room jo intezaar kar raha hai tumhara
Sameer clenches his eyes shut and mutters curses under his breath. He was never going to let go of it, was he? Arjun smirks. Sameer glares at him.
He shifts his focus to the Superintendent: aur koi hai uske ilawa jo complaint likhega?
Superintendent: uh ji sir (he looked around and called the sub-inspector) Mayank, madam ki complaint likho
Mayank: ji sir, ayiye ma’am
He leads the women to his desk and starts lodging the FIR. Arjun and Sameer finish their formalities with the SP and leave.
That Night-
Arjun and Riya were sitting on the bed, watching a movie with his arm around her and her head on his chest. He was stroking her arm absentmindedly making her smile. Just then, his phone rang.
Arjun: ha Sam?..... oh ok, fir bhi ek baar khud dekh lenge…. ha theek hai, chal good night!
Riya asks him as he disconnects: jaana hai?
Arjun: are nahi, woh SP ka phone aaya tha, Pande ke khilaaf report darj ho gayi aur action bhi le liya
Riya: oh
Arjun: acha hua yaad aaya, (teasing her) mujhe toh abhi bhi yakeen nahi ho raha ki tumne use thapad maara
Riya flushed: are yaar, ab maar diya gusse mein
Arjun chuckled and kissed her forehead: tumhe pata hai, woh sunkar mere man mein shehnayi bajne lagi thi, (squeezing her to him) I am so happy and proud of you!!! (she lowers her gaze) waise itna gussa kaise aa gaya tumhe?
Riya: toh aur kya karti, woh report likhne ke liye hi taiyaar nahi tha, agar us bache ko kuch ho jaata toh? (Arjun scrutinizes her expressions) agar maine nahi dekha hota toh? koi kisi chote se bache ke saath aisa kaise kar sakta hai? by definition it would be murder aur woh aise behave kar raha tha ki….ugh! upar se fir usne haath lagaya toh mera dimag hyper ho gaya, mujhe toh pata bhi nahi chala ki kab aur kaise main use thapad maara, maarne ke baad ehsaas hua
Arjun mv “pehle toh kabhi kisi bache ko lekar itna emotional nahi hoti thi, is baar kya hua?”
He treads forward carefully: tum… us bache ko bahot pasand karti hona?
Riya: pasand kaise na karu? tumne dekha tha na? kitna cute hai, agar main contract killer bhi hoti na, toh uski shakal dekhkar contract dene waala ka hi khoon kar deti
Arjun raises his eyebrow at that.
Riya: par tum kyun itna puch rahe ho?
Arjun: woh uh…main, main soch raha tha ki, agar… I mean… use adopt karna hai?
She lifts her head with a start.
Riya: tumhe… bacha chahiye?
Arjun: agar, tumhe chahiye toh… I mean..
Riya: Arjun if you do, we can…
Arjun clarifies before further confusion was created.
Arjun: main tumhari baat kar raha Riya, maine tumhe isse pehle kabhi itna emotional hote hue nahi dekha, agar tum use attached ho toh hum use adopt kar sakte hai, mujhe koi problem nahi hai
Her posture relaxes: nahi woh toh… pehli baar maine khud kisi ko sadak par, se uthaya isliye, aisa kuch nahi hai
Arjun cups her face: sach mein?
She smiles and hugs him again: mere liye tum kaafi ho
Arjun smiles, embracing her tightly: mere liye bhi (kissing her forehead) I love you Riya!
Riya: I love you too Arjun!
Officially The End…………………....
Kumkum Bhagya
886