Hi guys. ...hope you like this chapter. ...will have more of Swadarsh in the next part.
CHAPTER 9
Jaya was standing in front of Ahuja mansion with Abhay . She thought it would be better if she met Simmi when her mother in law wasn't in town.She very well knew Mom would be unhappy about it. Mom would be back in two days and so she had insisted on meeting Simmi that very day.
"Bhabhi mujhe Simmi ko bataane ka time nahin mila. I hope she is home. "Abhay said as they entered the house.
The house, Jaya felt, was very luxurious and beautiful. She saw two servants hustling about cleaning the house but no one seemed to instruct them. Her mother in law wouldn't like that.
She saw a young woman sitting on the sofa reading something.
" Hi Abhay. " She said smiling as she saw them come in.
Jaya stopped in her tracks. This couldn't be Simmi. This couldn't be Abhay's girlfriend. She was the girl Adarsh had liked a few years ago at Shraddha's wedding. Jaya didn't remember her name but she thought the girl was a Tamilian, Shraddha's relative. She had noticed Adarsh trying to talk to her a number of times at the wedding and she had felt that they might date each other but she hadn't Adarsh about it. She had reached the wedding venue late that day and saw her mother in law furious. Mom had told her how the girl's father had slapped Adarsh due to a misunderstanding. After that she had forgotten all about the girl.
But was she Abhay's girlfriend?
" Bhabhi. " Abhay called her breaking off her thoughts.
"Tum? " Jaya asked Swadheenta absent mindedly. " Tum Simmi nahin ho sakti. "
"Yeh Simmi ki best friend hai, Swadheenta. " Abhay said introducing them .
Jaya was relieved. She noticed Swadheenta looking at her embarrassed and surprised. She must have sounded rude
Abhay too was looking at her curiously.
Before she could explain Abhay came to her rescue "Bhabhi ne shaayad news mein tumhari photo dekhi hogi tumhare pehle case ki time. Tum toh famous ho gayi thi. Isliye achanak tumhe dekh kar surprise ho gayi meri Bhabhi. " Abhay said light heartedly.
Jaya smiled in agreement. Swadheenta blushed . Perhaps Swadheenta doesn't recognise me , after all we never even got a chance to talk, Jaya thought.
Simmi who had just come down from her room was surprised to see Jaya and Abhay. Abhay always spoke fondly of his Bhabhi . Seeing Jaya suddenly Simmi had no idea how to react. She was planning to dash back to her room when Abhay saw her.
"Thats my Simmi. " He told Jaya pointing to where Simmi was standing.
Simmi came forward smiling nervously. Swadheenta signalled to her to relax. And a few minutes later Simmi knew she was right. Jaya Sinha was one of the sweetest and kindest women she had met . Simmi was sure they would be good friends. Even Swadheenta liked Jaya. She was sensible and mature. Someone who could perhaps take care of her best friend.
A little later Abhay told them that he had to go the station urgently. Jaya too was leaving.
" It was a pleasure meeting you girls. I hope I will see you soon. "Jaya said giving them both a hug. And she meant it. Simmi was very immature but amiable. Someone she could pamper a little. Swadheenta on the other hand was a beauty with brains. She was quiet and shy yet assertive.
" Bhabhi, mujhe aapse kuch poochna hai." Abhay said as he got her a cab to take her home.
" Mujhe Simmi acchi lagi. Yahi poochhna tha na? " She asked smiling.
" Woh toh mujhe pata chal gaya hai. Main aapse yeh poochhne wala tha ki aap Swadheenta ko dekhkar shock kyun ho gayi. Sach boliye. Main jhoot aasaani se pakad leta hoon. " Abhay said.
" Adarsh ne tumhe nahin bataaya? "Jaya asked surprised .
Abhay looked at her clueless. Jaya told him everything. She expected Abhay to laugh or tease Adarsh but Abhay looked serious as she got into the cab.
*********
Jaya wasn't headed home. She had asked the driver to take her to Jai ' s office. She wanted to talk to him. As much as she liked Simmishe knew it wasn't goingto be easy to convince Mom.
She had never opposed any decision taken by mom. Mom liked her choices and she agreed with Mom in every decision. This situation was new to her and she had no idea how to approach it. So she had decided to talk to Jai. With her he might be cold and indifferent but he loved his brothers and he would never let Abhay get hurt. She had a feeling he knew about Simmi much earlier. When she had told Jai about it on the day Mom found out, he hadn't been surprised at all. So she decided to talk to him.
Just when the taxi reached Jai ' s office she saw his car leaving . She could see someone in the seat beside him. She wondered where he was going and who was with him. Could it be the woman whose earrings Adarsh had found in Jai ' s car? A part of her wanted to follow Jai. Another part told her to trust him. She thought about it. This was her only chance to clear things. She was travelling in a taxi, so Jai wouldn't even know she followed him.
"Mumma hamesha kehti hai shak ko jhad pe hi khatam kar dena chahiye. "She mumbled to herself and directed the taxi driver to follow Jai ' s car.
After a few minutes the car drove into a middle class residential area. Jaya was surprised . What was he doing here in the middle of the day? Jai stopped the car at a turn. Jaya asked the taxi to stop a little behind and asked the driver to wait. Then she hid herself behind a wall.
Jai got out of the car and opened the door for his companion smiling. A young woman got out and thanked him. Jaya was surprised. Jai never smiled at her like this. Tears filled her eyes. The woman looked gorgeous. She wore a bright but simple saree and long earrings which reminded Jaya of the earrings Adarsh had found. So this was her.
She moved closer to listen to them.
" Tum pareshan mat hona. Main sab kuch handle kar loonga. "Jai told the woman.
"I know Jai aur main pareshan nahin hoon. Aap bhi pareshan mat hona. "She said squeezing his hand and added " Agar itni tension lenge toh aap jaldi aged ho jaayenge. "
Jai laughed hearing that. The woman said bye and was about to leave when Jai stopped her.
"Ek minute. Main toh bhool hi gaya. " He said fishing his pockets and handed her a chocolate.
She smiled and replied " Tum kabhi nahin bhoolte ho."
Then Jai got into the car and left. The woman turned and walked towards a house. Jaya stood rooted at her place with tears in her eyes. She scrambled back to the taxi and directed him to her home.
" Mere saath aisa kyun kiya Jai? " She thought with tears streaming down her face.
***************************
Abhay was sitting in the lawn . He loved the place, fresh air and silence all around him. He had wound up a case and that made him cheerful always. He just longed for some company and wished his brothers were around. At that very moment he saw Adarsh's car . However he didn't want to disturb Adarsh in case he was tired. But Adarsh came towards him and sat down by him.
" Tu aaj jaldi aa gaya? " Adarsh asked him.
" Nahin. Aap aaj kal late aate ho bhai. Mere donon bhai bahot busy hai aaj kal. " Abhay replied.
" Aaj main mom ke wajah se late ho gaya . Unhone mujhe ek file court pahunchane ko kaha aur waapas aate waqt main Swadheenta se mila toh hum coffee peene chale gaye. " Adarsh said.
" Bhai, did you tell her about Vanshika? " Abhay asked looking serious.
" No. " Adarsh said confused at the question.
" Kyun nahin? " Abhay asked.
" It just never came up. "Adarsh replied.
" Woh aapki patni banne wali hai bhai aur aap keh rahe hain "it never came up. " Abhay said.
" Main tujhse kitni baar Vanshika ke baare mein baat karta hoon? It just never came up. Aur Swadheenta ka inn sabse kya lena dena. " Adarsh tried to reason.
"Is that it bhai? Are you sure? " Abhay asked again.
" Chottu, tu kya kehna chahta hai? Kyun achanak yeh sab poochh raha hai? " Adarsh asked confused.
" Ok bhai . Here is the thing. Mujhe aapse kuch poochna hai. Aaj Jaya Bhabhi ne mujhe bataaya aapke aur Swadheenta ki mulakaat Shraddha di ki shaadi mein hui thi. Aapne mujhe yeh kyun nahin bataaya? " Abhay asked.
" Mujhe laga tu meri taang kheechega. Pehle hi tum mujhe Swadheenta ke naam se tease kar raha tha
Isliye nahin bataaya. " Adarsh replied.
" Theek hai. One last question. Kya aap Swadheenta se pyaar karte ho? " Abhay asked.
Adarsh looked at him shocked. He thought Abhay was teasing him but he looked dead serious.
" No. Woh bas ek infatuation tha." Adarsh said looking at the ground.
" Haan. Tab infatuation hi tha shaayad. Par ab. After meeting her again? " Abhay pressed.
Adarsh didn't know the answer either. He hadn't thought about it or rather avoided thinking about it.
"No. She is just a friend. Vanshika hi meri life partner hai. Topic closed. " Adarsh said sternly.
" I hope you are not lying to yourself bhai. " Abhay said quietly.
" I don't get it Chottu. Kal tak tum Swadheenta ko apni Bhabhi banana chahte the. Aaj kya hua? " Adarsh asked.
" Haan bhai. Main chahta hoon ki Swadheenta meri Bhabhi bane kyunki woh aapke liye sahi hai. Par Vanshika Bhabhi aapki fiancee hai. Mom ki choice. Aur mujhe nahin lagta mom aapko yeh shaadi todne degi. Kal tak main bas aap logon ke saath mazaak kar raha tha par jab pata chala ki aap use kabhi pasand karte the toh mujhe dar lag raha hai. Thats all. " Abhay said.
" Don't worry Chottu. "Adarsh said.
" Waise tu kal free hai kya? holiday hai na? Mujhe ek gift lena tha. " Adarsh continued.
" Kiske liye? " Abhay asked amused.
" Suraj. Uski shaadi hai. " Adarsh replied.
" Wow. Aapka boyfriend shaadi kar raha hai? Ab aap raat bar kis se baat karoge? " Abhay teased him.
Adarsh smacked him and went up to his own room.
A few minutes later he was lying on his bed. The conversation with Abhay played in his mind. Why hadnt he told Swadheenta? There had been so many chances. Why? Did he fear losing her? But why would he lose her? She was just a friend right?
" God I am going crazy. " He thought turning off the lights.
********************************
Hindi TV Shows
Ishaani
Tum Se Tum Tak
