~:Chapter four:~
"Jaise koi tez tuffani hawa aa ke guzar gayi
Tum saamne ayein to jaise duniya tabah ho gayi"
Antara's pov,
I dressed in my casual violet anarkali and a grey dupatta. The only accessories I was wearing were the jhumka's on my both ear lobes and a wristwatch. Rhea left in the morning and the house became suddenly so empty. She was my all time partner in crime. "Antara are you ready?!" momma came inside and asked me. "yes.. let's go.." I said. noor apa also came behind my momma. "arey antara ye kya?!! Arey laarke wale aa rahe hain tujhe dekhne aur tu hain ki aisi sade kapron mein unke samne jaa rahi hain.." noor apa said. "appa.. hum bas ek formal meeting ke liye jaa rahe hain... mere engagement party mein nahi..." I giggled. "chup ho jaa badmass larki... didi aap hi samjhao naa issey.." noor apa said in miffed voice. momma smiled widely, "tum fikar mat karo noor.. antara kuch bhi pahen le humesha bahut sundar dikhti hain...aur main nahin chahti ki meri beti dusri larkion ki tarah chalti firti make up ki dukan ban kar wahan jauein.." momma lovingly caressed my chicks. "I love you momma.." I hugged her tightly and gave a side kiss. "thik hain thik hain... ab aap log chaliyein... bhaisahab niche intezaar kar rahe hain.." noor apa said from side and we hurried towards the door.
"Antara be careful.. watch your steps!" momma said as I stepped into the luxury house boat from the shikara. Bajaj family had arranged our meeting in this houseboat. It was just a few miter away from the shore. We came at the wide balcony of the boat from where a broad area of daal lake could be seen. The mountains which was surrounding the daal lake in every direction, I could also see the small shankaracharya temple situated at a high peak, at a very far distance. From the lake, it looked like a small needle situated above the peak. The houseboats were situated in a horizontal line after one by another. The shikaras were moving abruptly on the calm water making some spontaneous waves. The shoreline and the chaos and vehicles on the road could be seen from there. All in all, the view was really mesmerizing. "you know, mr bajaj was saying that they booked this house boat in so short notice. Actually a very well known businessman mr mansukhani had booked the houseboat for his b'day party. But he canceled at last moment and mr bajaj got the chance." Pappa informed us. We all found bajaj family at the center table situated at the mid. They all greeted us and we greeted back. we introduced each other and sat on the table. I saw pratim at a side wearing formals. He didn't talk much. Mayank was right. He seemed to have a bit attitude but first impression was not always last impression. I didn't want to jump the conclusion so soon. Bajajs were so reach and reputed businessmen. And I don't want to create any issue between our family for my stupidity. I remained quiet and enjoyed the chill breeze of lake.
Raghu's pov.
Oh shit!! It's really damn cold!! My leather jacket was not enough to prevent me from the chill weather of lake. I should wear some warm woolens but I hate wearing them. Those felt so tight and it felt like almost impossible to even move your body parts. But truly I was regretting my decision now. Holding my hand tight around my chest I waited for the shikara tio reach at the destined houseboat. At my front, the small gift box was kept. The gift which daya mai send for mr mansukhani in his b'day. I was quite surprised when mai asked me to deliver his gift to Kashmir in mansukhani's b'day party. Actually mansukhani was in hiss Kashmir trip and Daya mai wanted to send him her wishes in b'day along with the gift. But she could also send the gift through that... what does it called... yes courier service. But mai said that it was a very special gift and it should be taken with utmost care. Otherwise it would break. So mai wanted me to deliver the gift. I never questioned on mai's order. She was the person who adopted me and gave me a new life from a roadside boy. If people respect me it was all because of her. the whole Mumbai city knew me as mai's most obedient person and I am not ashamed of that. I could do anything for her. "cgaliye bhaijaan.. aa gaye hum.." the man who was managing the shikara told me. I paid him and moved inside the houseboat making sure that no one watched me. Mai said that it was a surprise gift and no one should watch me while placing the gift on right place. I moved inside the boat without making a sound. To my luck no one noticed me. I came at the 1st floor through the wooden stairs and heard some sound of voices. They must be nearby. But I was a bit surprised. Mansukhani's party shouldn't be that much soundless and calm. But everything seemed formal. However I moved inside and searched for a place to keep that gift box so that Mansukhani or any one from his family could get that.
Antara's pov,
"I think mr kaul, pratim and antara should have some time alone... what do you say?" mr bajaj offered. "well we don't have any problem. If they want to spend some quality times they are welcome." Pappa said genuinely. "yes mr and mrs kaul... my son is so eager to talk with your daughter... pratim also planned to take her in date. Right pratim?!" mrs bajaj almost pushed her son. Ptratim didn't seem a bit interested. It was clear to me that he was not at all a bit enthusiastic to have any communication with me and he seemed hell bored. I had already taken my decision but I shut my mouth at that time cause that was not right time to talk. "pratim!!..." mrs bajaj said a bit loudly almost pushing his son. "oh yes!.. miss antara kaul, would like to join me?" he said in indifferent voice. I looked at him with quite gaze and looked back to my momma and pappa. Both of them nodded with a smile giving agreement. "okk! but can I have a few mins. I have to go to washroom." I said. "okk...!" pratim said. I moved towards the 1st floor of houseboat where the washroom was. I came downstairs and moved inside the washroom. I wiped my face and arranged my dupatta. That pratim had really got iver my nerves and I need tio refresh my mind of if I had to spend time with him. Then I was about to come out of the washroom when two hands dragged me at side. I was hell shocked when I found them standing at my front shooting their usual frown towards me. "ALIYA!!!... AMIR??!!!" I almost jumped as both of them let out their wide grin. "heyaa!!.." aliya said. "what are you doing here?!" I frowned towards them. "we are on mission to save our BFF from that bhondlu!!" Amir said making a face. "hey please guys don't create any issue here." I warned them. "and since when we started to listen to your words antara?! listen girl... you may be dumb but we are not.. and we are going to say ashok uncle that whatyever happens you are not going to marry that mr bhondlu!!" aliya said ad was about to go but I caught her hand. "aliya .. aliya olease listen to me once.. trust me I know what you are talking about... and I will talk to my father..but it's not the right time when two families are talking to each other... I will talk to pappa and momma immediately after leaving the place. Honestly guys, how did you think that I could marry someone like pratim?!" I asked. "antara.. we know that you could never like pratim... but what if pratim started to like you and decide to marry you.. no way madam.. we can't take risk... come on aliya.. aaj to hum uncle se baat karke hi rahengey..." amir said and rushed ti the stairs leaving me behind startled. After some moment when I got back my senses I rushed behind them. "aliya, amir.. stop it please.." I ran like hell behind them as both if them had reached further upstairs.
Raghu's Pov,
I put the box at a place and got ready to keave the place. I saw the gathering near the table. But mr mansukhani was not there. might be he was in his room and didn't joined the party yet. I moved back to the stairs and was about to go down. At that moment I suddenly saw a boy and a girl rushing madly upstairs. They were giggling hard. They were about to collide with me but at the nick of time I cornered. They didn't even notice me. "Antara... catch us if you can." The boy said loudly and rushed upstairs with the girl. "ajib hain... naa sorry kaha naa ruka.. mooh utha ke chala.." I said in irritation and moved straight to go down. "Aliya, amir... stop.." suddenly a girly voice reached in my ear and someone bumped into me. My whole vision was darkened as her heavy thick hair fell on my face.A very sweet and charming smell reached inside my nose. But I was hell irritated that the smell didn't make my irritation go. As I couldn't see anything my feet slipped on the stairs and I was about to feel from the stairs. At that moment, the hairs jerked down from my face and before I lost my balance, a hand pulled me up and saved me. I composed myself and took a deep breath. I felt a very tender palm on my rough skin which was holding my hand in its grip preventing me from falling. "I am sorry!! You okk?!" that same girly voice which I heard a moment ago rang on my ear. My head boiled. Couldn't they even watch that where they were heading too? I turned back to give a full too doze of my anger and then I saw her face. She was standing just two steps above from me holding my hand and looking towards me with her apologetic look. A young girl, most probably of my age or younger than me! She was wearing a simple but aristocrat violet salwar suit which matched her fare skin perfectly. The thing was really noticeable that she didn't put so much make up or ornaments like other girls of her age. Her attire was simple, sober and moderate but still she looked fresh, eye soothing and I would say really gorgeous. Her sharp nose, long eyelashes, tender lips with a bit touch of gloss and the long hair falling at the side of her face, each and everything looked perfect. I looked inside her eyes. They looked really warm, innocent but also hold some persona and attitude. The deep beautiful hazel, whose mere glance was enough to pierce through anyone's soul. I forgot that I was about to make her listen some harsh words. I literally forgot everything. I forgot the reason for which I came and also that I should be hiding from peoples' eyes. I just stood there dumb possessed by those powerful hazels looking to her face. I saw her lips were moving and might be she was telling some apologetic words to mine but true to say I didn't heard anything!! I didn't know how and where the time ran past silently.
Antara's POV..
My whole concentration was on aliya and amir. So I didn't notice the guy coming downstairs from the opposite side. That's why when the stairs were taking a turn I didn't saw him coming down and bumped into him. a little scream escaped from my mouth and somehow I managed to keep my balance holding the side railings of the stairs. As I turned behind quickly I saw he was about to fall. I quickly caught his hand to save him. I saw him taking deep breaths. "I am sorry.. you okk?" I asked in worried and as well as apologetic tone. He turned towards me. I assumed that he was quite miffed by me so I quickly started apologizing from him. "Listen, I am really really sorry. I didn't saw you... I know it's all my fault but trust me, I didn't do it any purpose.. hey, are you listening?!" suddenly I understood that I was blabbering for past few mins and he didn't say a single word. Did he really that angry on me?! I looked at his face sheepishly. Surprisingly he didn't seem angry. Rather than he seemed dazed. Also a slight tenderness was in his expression. It surprised me. Before I could observe him thoroughly I heard a sound of whistling. I looked above and saw aliya and amir looking towards me with their naughty smile. "what a pose antu madam... DDLJ 2.." aliya said. "Aliya you idiot!!!" I said loudly and left his hand with a jerk. "margaye... amir bhago.." aliya said and bith of theem rushed above. "wait you two... just let me get you then I won't leave you!!.." I said loudly and rushed above behind them.
Raghu's pov..
She jerked out my hand and rushed upstairs. I bumped on the side railing and caught them tightly to gain my balance back. She didn't even look back for a moment and my gaze continued to follow her till the border of her grey dupatta vanished on the turn of stairs. Taking a deep breath I lowered my gaze and folded my hand on my chest. still I could hear her loud noise which was fading slowly from my ears. After a long moment there was nothing without the sound of my heavy breath and my uneven pounding heart. She was gone with her all presence and suddenly the place seemed so empty. I swear, I met so many girls in my life and some of them also had thrown seductive glances to me. But no one could have the impact she had over me in some half munities presence. I looked at my hand which was in her hold just a moment ago. As if I still could feel her tenderness on my rough hands, a breath escaped from my chest. I didn't know why a small smile occurred on my lips. Suddenly my cell phone rang breaking my trance. Man that sound of cell phone seemed so irritating. I was thinking about cutting the call but resisted myself as I saw daya mai's name on the screen. "haan mai bolo.." I said. "raghunath.. tu wahan se nikla ki nahin?!" daya mai asked. "bas nikal raha hoon mai..." I informed. "kar kya raha hain tu... Jaldi nikal wahan se aur nikal ne ke thik adhe ghante baad mujhe phone karna.." mai informed me. "jee mai.." I obeyed her orders and cut the phone. Before going down, my eyes suddenly moved upstairs and peeped above. I was having a vague hope of getting a glance of her. then I laughed on my behavior and scratched my head in confusion. I just met a girl whom I didn't even know properly. Why I was so eager to meet her again? "chal beta raghu khisakle idhar se.."I said to myself and rushed downstairs.
Antara's pov,
"aliya, amir?!!" momma said with cheerful voice. all of my family member was surprised to find them there. When I reached at the balcony again I saw my dad introducing aliya and amir to mr and mrs bajaj. "oh noo!!.." I stroke my head. "ohh antara.." my mother looked towards me, "why didn't you told me that you also invited aliya and amir here?!" she asked. "I gave a hard look to them and reply they just winked with mischief. "antara beta.. pratim is waiting for you downstairs. he was ready to take you out." Mrs bajaj said. "okk..." I gave a dry smile to her and about to leave. "antara remember... if thar bhondlu got impressed with you then we will surely be in jail in charge of pratim bajaj's murder case." Amir's teasing voice roamed in my ear. "shut up!!.." I said under my breath. God I got the craziest bunch of friends in this whole universe.
After some few hours,
Pratim and I was seating inside a restaurant situated inside Neheru park. The beautiful park was situated just at the side of daal lake. The restaurant was not noisy and less people was there which i always liked. But trust me, I was having the worst hours of my life with that pratim bajaj. I was regretting that why I didn't let aliya and amir to kill him back at the houseboat. Seriously he was a bhondlu!!... actually worse than any bhondlu!! Come on man, you are with your would be wife. We should discuss about our life, our likes and dislikes, our friends, our future plans and that's how we would get to know about each other. But all the time he just continued to say about his family's royalty, it's glory, their business which was on the top, his multinational company, his five fig salaries which was soon to reach at six fig after promotions... blah blah blah!! Man I am here to marry you.. not your bank balance!!! That's enough!!.. I couldn't bear that bhaondlu anymore!! I was silent all the time just for my family reputation, for my momma and pappa's sake, but not anymore. I was going to deny him instantly on his mouth. "so antara.. thus..." he was blabbering all the time. "pratim!! I am sorry.. I just..." I couldn't finish my word and at that moment his phone rang. "one moment please.." pratim received the phone. It was from his office and he got into business chats. I sat there with a hell irritated mind trying hard not to fall asleep at the spot.
Raghu's pov,
I didn't got a shikara for long. So at last when I saw a shikara coming towards the houseboat, I stopped that. But there was passengers and they were heading towards Nehru park. I decided to take the path through Nehru park and asked them for a lift. They got agreed. As soon as I reached at Nehru parak, I jumped out of shikara and moved on my own way. I was moving at the side of a restaurant. As I moved near a glass window and suddenly my feet resisted. I peeped inside the window and there she was. The same girl of the houseboat who saved me from falling! How did she reach there? I saw a boy seating at his front and talking continuously in his mobile. The girl was seating keeping her chin supporting by her palm and she was almost about to fell asleep but trying hard to keep herself awake. I laughed silently. The girl was hell bored no doubt. But why she was seating there silently without saying a single word. the guy excused himself and got outside. He stood just a few inches away from me. I couldn't afford myself to listen to his words. "What can I say dany.. you know my mom and dad naa.. sidhe delhi se Kashmir le ayein... kissi larki se mujhse milane ke liye.. and the girl is just yackyy!!... bilkul simple types.. I don't know what happened to mom and dad.. didn't they know my standard. Woo mere liye aisi larki kaise pasand kar sakti hain?!!" that guy said and no doubt he was talking about the girl. So that's the story!! He came there to see the girl!! But I didn't know why I wanted to go and give a tight punch on his face for saying those words about her. my hand was already curled into feast but somehow I hold myself. He got a bit further and I couldn't hear what he was saying but I didn't need to hear anymore.
Antara's pov..
Pratim had gone outside for quite long. I was feeling hell bored inside so thought to visit outside for a while. I found pratim at a distant still busy in talking. I didn't bother to even call him or go near him. It was enough for me. I walked aimlessly and came at a lone corner behind the hotel. That part of the hotel was still under construction and the piece of bricks and stone chips were scattered on the ground. the place was lonely. I decided to come back. but suddenly someone pulled my hand with so much force and I couldn't resist it. a small scream escaped from my mouth but no one was there to hear that. I felt two strong hands around my body and after a moment I found myself pinning against a wall and pressed by a really hard and powerful corpse. "hey you!!..." I jerked up with hard face giving a high dose of my anger but surprised to find the face leaning close to me. I identified him, the guy whom I saved from falling back in the houseboat. I was hell confused and irritated as well. What was he doing there and why ho startled me like that. he was breathing heavily and his eyes were all fixed on me. A small smirk was playing on his bulky lips. At that time I got the chance to notice him thoroughly. From the weight and force by which he was pinning my wrist and body ti the wall it was clear to me that he was really really strong. His lean but hard muscular frame, biceps all were visible over his black shirt and grey leather jacket. The sword locket shinning on his neck was something very unique and complimented him. The small face situated above his strong neck and shoulder seemed so little and somehow a bit childlike!! Specially, the way his mischievous black eyes were gleaming towards me gave the indication of his childish nature. His skin was dark and hard jaw covered by stubbles. The shabby hair cut and that smirk playing on his lips was really looking just perfect. All the hole he rally appeared to be... handsome??!!!! "Ohh shut up antara!!" I slapped myself inwardly, "that guy just kept you forcefully on your hold and you think he is handsome?!!" my head boiled up again. "hey mr what is this?!!" I said loudly. he squeezed his eyes tight and made a bit irritated face. "baap re... kitna chillati hain..." he said. His voice was deep and manly. "what is this?!! why did you pull me?!! What is going on..." I continued to blabber and let out my frustration. "eee chup!!...khalipili angrezi jhar rahi hain... abey angrez kab ke desh chorke chale gaye... hindi mein baat karne se problem hoti hain kya?.. juban dard karta hain?!!" he asked in irritation. "huh?!!..." I asked in confusion. ":aur nahin too kya?... chal time waste nahin karne kaa aur sidhe point pe ate hain... naam bata apna..." he asked me in a demanding voice. "what?!!" I shouted in confused voice. "abey yee.. what..watt naii.. naam puch raha hoon tera.. ab yee mat bata na ki naam yaad nahin.." he said again. "excuse me.. kaun ho tum.. aur main tumhe apna naam kyun bataon..." I was hell angry and my anger was increasing time by time. "dekh.. apne pass time nahin hain.. jaldi se idhar se nikal ne ka hain... to ab naam bata de jaldi..." he said in demanding voice. "main nahin bataungi... kyun bataon main tumhe apna naam..." I said hardly. He suddenly leaned closer startling me. I didn't know why my mouth became dry in some unknown worry. His deep dark eyes with some kind of intent look was really giving me hard time. "naii batayegi... to thik hain... jab tal tu nahi batayegi tan tak aise hich idhar khara karke rakhega... choot nahin milegi tujhe apun ke hathon se jab tak naam nahi bata ti..." his deep detetrmined voice and that wild smirk really shook me all over. "kya zabardasti hain yee... choro mujhe..." I said composing myself and keeping my sense intact. "naii.. pahele naam bata..." His voice became huskier and his warm breath rushed through my hair giving some unknown shiver in my spine. I felt his hold on my wrist became harder. "ANTARA!!!..." I suddenly heard a scream. It was aliya's voice. God I was saved. I was about to scream taking aliya's name but he anticipated my action and clamped my face tightly with his palm. I wiggled in his strong hold to free myself. He forcefully dragged me at a hidden corner of the under construction building. "Antara!!.." I again heard amir and aliya's voice. just after some moment I saw both of them outside the alley. They were searching for me. I tried hard to free myself and call them but alas, his grip was so strong to me. I couldn't even turn a single fiber under his hold. just after some moment they looked everywhere confusingly and went away from the place. I looked helplessly to their fig moving away. After some moment when they were nowhere to be seen he loosened his grips. I shoved away his hands from me in utter disgust. "yee dono tere dost hain naa?!" he asked me. I didn't even bother to look at his face. my head was burning in extreme anger. "Antara!!... yahin hain naa tera naam?!!" his voice became deeper and somehow tender. I shot him a hard gaze. He was still looking at me with that smirk. I was about to go out from the alley when suddenly his hand clamped the wall at my front resisting my way out. I looked back to him and I was sure that my anger was clearly visible in my utterly disgusted face. but he kept on smirking and twitched his face a bit keeping his gaze on me. "ek free advice de raha hoon... ussey sun ne ke baad chala janna... apun nahin rokega" he said. I looked away from his face twitching my lips in irritation. God if I had the gun in my hand at that moment I would literally shoot him!! but alas it was not with me!! "uss larke se shadi mat karna..." he said suddenly. "excuse me?!!" I looked back to him with confused frown. "abey kissmiss-fissmiss nahin karwa karela hain ekdum... waisey bhi tu too so rahi thi uss sey dang kha ke.. agar itna hi bore hone ka shauk hain too purani black and white firl dekh na.. uss sample ko kahan se utha ke laya.." he utterly laughed while saying that. how did he know that?!! ohh forget that!!.. who was he to tell me what should I do or not?! He literally took the test of my patience and it was enough for me. I looked here and there and noticed the broken jar kept at the open window seal at the side. he was busy in laughing so didn't noticed me. I slowly took the jar on my hand and splashed the mud mixed water on his face. he git startled and I took the opportunity to escape. I ran out of the alley and rushed with my full speed. In the midway, I didn't know what happened to me that I looked back. he was standing there supporting the wall and looking straightly towards me with that same smirk. His wet face and the water dropping from his bangs had make his face more irresistible. He wiped his face with wet lips with the hanky wrapped around his wrist still keeping his gaze to mine. I gave him a last hard look and ran out of the place wishing that I never meet him again in life.
Raghu's pov,
She was long gone. Still I was standing there supporting the wall silently looking at the grass through which she stepped and went. Her angry hazels, her twitched lips, her heavy breaths were still so clear to my vision, my senses that I almost felt him. what happened to me?! Why I was so drawn to her just in some few hours. I ran down my heads through my hair and smiled like a fool. Yeah it was true that I never met a girl like her before. She looked innocent but still she had so much guts and no doubt she was clever enough to got out of my grip, raghunath naik's grip!! i turned back and came out of the place. Thinking about her I smiled and walked slowly through the road. After half an hour I was far from the shore of lake and called mai. As soon as I dialed mai's number I heard a very small sound so far. The sound seemed so much loud but as it seemed so far I came blurred to my ear. However I didn't concentrate on that and talked to mai. "mai kaam ho gaya..." I said. "thik hain... ab jalsi se shrinagar se nikal aa..." mai ordered me. "par maai... aaj hi?!!" I was a quite surprised. "aaj hi!!.. bahut sara kaam oar gaya idhar..." mai said. I cut the phone and suddenly understood that I would nit get a chance to find about that girl antara. Damn it.. if I got a single day more!! I didn't know why I was so ager to know about her. she seemed so interesting. But however, Kashmir anna jana to laga hi rahega... mai mahine mein ek baar mere ko Kashmir bhejta hi hain kaam ke liye... I smiled widely looking at the road behind.
Antara's pov,
I rushed and bumped into someone. After some moment I realized that it was none other than but aliya. "antara?!!! you here.. we were searching for you everywhere?!!" aliya said. "sorry guys, got involved into some issue.." I said. "we even tried yoyr phone but it was coming switched off. Also mr bhondlu.. pratim had already left.. and his family also..." amur said. "thank god!!" I sighed. "I told you naa... that pratim is not a single bit match to you... come on.. uncle aunty and noor apa are still in houseboat and waiting for you.. where were you yaar?!" aliya asked. "donlt ask me..." I said in irritated face and at that moment a big sound of boom almost made all of us deaf. The sound was so huge and devastating that it made us numb for more than a min.. after some moment we heard the people screaming about bomb blast and rushing towards the lake shore. Again a blast?!! We all turned back to to the lake and at that moment ground slipped from my feet. Just some few feet away I saw a houseboat which was burning devastatingly like furnace. The flames were engulfing that houseboat allover and black smoke was coming out from that. It was the same houseboat where we all were just some moment ago!! The houseboat where my whole family was supposed to be then!! I felt numb and didn't find power on my limbs, on ,my head. I looked towards the devastating dance of flame on the water slowly turning the boat into nothing but ash!! Suddenly I got back my sense... "PAPPPAAA!!!!!..." the deadly scream came out from my mouth startled everyone present there. without thinking a bit I rushed towards the water like a maniac.
Ps: first of all a big soryyy!!!!!!!! For again another long one.😭 God I always try to make the thing shorter and it came outlike that🤢... sorry guys... and now I am as usual ready for ur joota chappal.. shoot me!! 🤢😭
Edited by ifians - 10 years ago
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