Chapter 37
Naa jane aaj kya huya kii dil yun dharakne laga
Naa jane kyun gham mein bhi yee lab muskurane laga.
Antara's pov
"Antara... Jaldi darwaza khole.. Emergency hain..." Mamu's terrifying voice hit my ear and I quickly moved downstairs weeping the stress of tears from my eyes. As soon as I opened the door mamu rushed inside running like hell. "Mamu?!!.." I stood near the door with startled face. In front of my eyes mamu quickly opened the door of washroom and closed that with a bang. I stood near the door dumbfounded but when I heard the sound of flush from inside I understood what the emergency was and even after being in a very biter mode I couldn't stop my laugh. God!!! Mamu would never change!!! The laughing doze made my mode light. I peeped out the door and seemed like mami and Rhea didn't come back with him. I hope they were alright. I heard my mobiles sound from my room upstairs and rushed there closing the door. It was no doubt mami. "Hello mami... Yup, mamu reached just a moment ago, safe and sound." I answered giggling before mami asked anything from other side. "Ohh thank god!!..." I heard mami's relieved voice and just after that her volume pitched up, "I really don't know what to do with this man you know. Each and every time he would repeat the same thing. You know, we were just near the main road searching for a taxi then suddenly his stomach started to ache and as usual you know what happens after that. So I tell him to go back to the house and I am taking rhea to sibam's house." Mami said in irritating voice from other side. She really seemed mad. "Okk okk saru darling cool down! First of all tell me youand rhea are okk naa?!" I asked mami as they both were alone in the road and it was quite late at night. "Don't worry antara we both are fine. Rather than taking taxi we got a bus and its quite crowdie even in this late hour so it's all okk...also sibam's house is not far away." Mami assured me. "Thank god! Okk whatever, be careful on the roads. Give me a call after reaching there." I told mami. "Okk okk my nani amma. Don't use my own dialogue on me..." mami teased a bit and I laughed. "And yes, just let me come back to house... I sware I won't leave your mamu darling today and you won't come in the middle." Mami's voice rose again. "Haww sarru darling!! Who am I to come in middle and who told you to leave mamu? He is already fully yours from more than 20 years!" I didn't leave the chance to tease. "Haan haan... ab chup hoo jaa... rakhti hoon phone." Mami quickly cut the phone and I laughed a small imagining mami's face. God mamu!! He again... it took me a huge moment to control my laugh and finally when I was able to stop myself holding my aching stomach. I took a huge sigh and looked around. The tulip was just there, beside me, placed on the bed. It didn't move an inch. I looked towards the flower a bit. The petals were trembling so mildly in small air. A pleasant smile came on my lips. The tulip actually brought happiness to me! I laughed so much after a long moment forgetting my all worry at once. Even the tulip seemed happy seeing my smile and expressing itself through those slight trembling petals.
The tragedy was that the tulip flower was brought by none other than but rghu!!
The thought faded my smile and lowered my mode again. If it was not him then I would be the happiest to get the tulip from anyone. I again looked at the vibrant petals and again an old memory hit my mind. I was probably eight or nine years old then. Pappa and I went to visit tulip garden in a random weekend. While I was coming out from the garden an old fellow brought some tulip to me and pappa in hope that we would brought some. I was felling so uncomfortable seeing that fellow's unclean tore dress and dast covered hands. But pappa brought those tulips and took them from the same hand which I was looking with so much yucky feelings. When we were coming back to home I couldn't stop myself to ask pappa, "Pappa, Why did u bring that tulip from that old man?". Pappa was a bit confused by my question, that's because I never asked such kinds of question before. "Well, the old man really looked poor and he needed money. So I thought buying tulip would help him a bit and also and besides the flower looked really lovely." Pappa answered me adoring the red tulip in his hand. "But pappa..." I asked him with a bit annoyed tone, "didn't you observed the man properly? Pappa his hands were so dirty and his clothes were just so yucky..." as I stated those words pappa gave me a stern look and I stopped abruptly. I knew that posture of pappa really well. I immediately understood that I made some wrong statement. Pappa never scold or screamed on me, cause his one gaze was enough to convey me everything. I lowered my gaze and pappa sighed. "I really didn't expect this from you antara. But also... you are so little to understand those facts." The disappointment is clear in his voice. "I am sorry pappa." I said in a grieve little voice. Pappa gazed towards my saddened face and told me something after that which I could never forget. "Antara it is true that cleanliness is the sign of purity. We should keep ourselves and our surrounding clear, but it's not true that if someone is deprived of good and clean clothes then he becomes untouchable. Never think of that antara. Coastly clothes shiny accessories they may look good but at the end they were nothing but show off till you doesn't have good moral value you can't be a good human being." Pappa used to tell me. "Pappa, what do u mean by good moral value." My little curious mind asked him instantly after that. "Well you are so little to understand the depth of the morals. But for now I can make a bit clear about the fact. Antara did you noticed that how happy was the man when I brought the tulip and he got some money. The amount was so little for us but that money may help him to feed his little children or family or help in many other ways. Just think antara, a little help from us can bring happiness to so many people. Always remember this antara that bringing happiness to others life will always make you content than your own happiness. So always try to help others okk?!" pappa used to say with smile. "So helping poor is good moral value?" I was always curious as usual. Pappa's smile turned to grin at my words, "Hmm.. there are much more aspects of the moral values and humanity but for now it's enough for your eight years old head." He used to caress my head with those words and I smiled feeling his warm touch, "And remember one thing antara, don't judge people by their clothes. Clothes were just like a shell which will fall with time. Actually which values at the end is humanity and inner beauty. If you are good at heart then whatever may be your social identity, you are always a good human being." Pappa told me something like that. I couldn't understand that fully though but it sounds really good. "And besides..." pappa observed those tulips in his hand, "When you are getting such wonderful and beautiful flowers then it is like an insult to Mother Nature if you don't accept them with open hand. It shouldn't matter that whose hand brought you that. The thing important was the thought behind giving those flowers. Phool dene walon kii niyat dekhi jati hain antara naa kiii yee ki woo kaun hain. Whenever life offers you happiness just invites it with your open arms. Cause happiness so rare in this world."
My hesitation washed away as I remembered those wide words of pappa. I smiled and took the flower in my hand. It didn't matter that who brought the flower to me but the thing mattered was that the magic of this angel in disguise had brought happiness to me and I could never deny that, cause somehow it remembered me and connected me with my beloved pappa. I touched the flower and hold that in front of my eyes. looking at its slow dance in wind my smile turned into a huge grin. There was a slight moist like feel in the corner of my eyes but still the moment made me so content.
Raghu's POV
Without making further noise I moved inside naik sadan avoiding the people around. I thought I would silently go to my balcony and lay myself on the bed. But alas, as soon as I was moving through 1st floor I saw mai coming from the other side. I sheepishly moved towards her direction as there was no chance for me to avoid her.
"Raghunath!!" Mai's eye brow curled in confusion as he saw me there. "mai..." I quickly bend down and took her blessing. She blessed me but still her face was doubtful. "Woo mai, machmach nee sara locha thik thak samhaal liya naa. Apun nee ussey bheja tha wakeel kee pass. Apun nee phone kar kee bhi poocha. Machmach nee kahan sab thik hain." I stated the word uncomfortably standing in front of mai's stern gaze. she was observing me thoroughly as if like she could see through me with her utterly cold eyes. Mai used to say that she could look through the mind of her companion and followers specially me.
"Main tere nas nas se wakeef hoon raghunath. Bachpan see pala hain tujhe, Mai hoon tera. Iss liye mujhse jhooth mat bolna. Mujhe pata chal jata hain." mai told me once when I said some little lie to her. So I had to prepare long for getting excuse for the days leave.
"Raghunath, main hayran hoo gayi jab machmach nee aa kee mujhe wakeel ke sare kagzat diye. Usne kahan kit u kisi kaam see gaya hain..." her confused voice made me gulp a bit. I hoped my lying ability improved a bit and I could manage the situation somehow. "Haan mai woo.. Kuch kaam par gaya tha. Issi liye apun nee machmach koo bhej diya." I answered. Mai gauzed me silently for a while, "Aisa kaun saa tera kaam aa para raghunath ki tune meri baat nahin mani?! Maine tujhsee kahan tha naa wakeel see milne kee liye? Too tujhe hii jana chahiye tha naa?!" Though mai's voice was cold and emotionless it indicated that she was disappointed by me. I lowered my gaze and stood silent as the guilt pinched me a bit. "Bol raghunath, aisa kaun saa kaam aa para tera?!" Mai asked again. "Mai woo apun arshad bhai kee bakery kee bareib mein pata kar raha tha. Woo kuch log pareshan karte hain aaj kaal unhe." I said in hesitant voice. I was not fully a plain lie! During the tulip search I also inquired about Asrahd mia's bakery matter from my men but it was not the main reason for my absence for whole day and I didn't know why I felt like that, but I couldn't tell that to mai that I spend a whole day in search for a tulip.
"Offo raghunath!!" mai said with a bit disappointed voice, "Too yee baat mujhe nahin kahe sakta tha. Main manohar yaa fir kissi aur see kahe kar yee batein nipta leta." She said. I became a bit furious listening to manohar kakka's name, "Kakka?!! Mai woo aaj tak koi kaam thik see kar paya hain joo arshad bhai kee bakery kee mamle koo suljha payega. Woo too chink chink kee mamla aur bigar deta..." I said in annoyance. "Raghunath!!" mai's voice turned harsher, "Apne mai kee upar baat kar raha hain? Mai koo sikha raha hain kya galat hain kya sahi?!!" her words stunned me for a while. "Nahin mai apun woo..." but mai stopped me lifting his hand. "Mujhe aur kuch nahin sun naa raghunath..." His words silenced me and I again stood there silently bending my head down. I understood that I said much more than I should. I never ever questioned mai's words. It was probably the first time I offended her. She sighed looking at my lowered gaze. I felt her hand touching my head and caressing my hairs. "Raghunath, kitni baar samjhaya tujhe. Aise chote mote kaam tere liye nahin hain. Yee sara maamla koi bhi samhal lega par tu mera raghunath hain, mera sab sey bharosemand admi. Bachpan see maine tujhe paal kar pathar kii tarah mazbut banaya hain taa kii tu mera woo sare kaam kar sake joo koi nahin kar sakta hain. Daya Naik kaa dahina hath hain tu raghunath, aur yee baat kabhi mat bhoolna kii dahina hath sirf apna sareer kaa gulam hota hain aur kissi kaa nahin. Waisye hii raghunath, tu sirf aur sirf apne mai kaa manta hain.. hain naa?!" Mai asked me with her usual dominating voice. I didn't know why I felt bitter at that moment by her words. If mai asked me the same question before some months I would surely agree on her every words but I didn't know what change occurred in me on those days. As I looked towards mai's stern face I wanted to ask that why I couldn't do anything on my own? Why I couldn't have my own will, my own free movement without controlled by her. Mai always told me that I was like his own son. But that day I felt like I had became nothing but a mere slave to her. Mai sighed and said, "Chalo khair... Kaal bahut sara kaam hain. sayad humein pure din basti see bahar rahena parega." As I heard mai's word the first thing flashed in my mind that I wouldn't be able to see antara for the whole day. Strange!! There were so many things in my life to think about but only her face flashed in my mind. I was getting shocked that how much she was occupying my mind every time! face All of a sudden a little smile flashed in mai's, "Sahib bhi abb thik hoo gaya hain. kaal see woo fir see apne payron pe chal payega!!" She informed me.
Damn!! Not again that satya!! He was better in bed rest. The mention of his name made my mode bitterer. "Sahib kaa khayal rakhna raghunath. Yaad rakhna woo mera beta hain, 5 saal baad wapas aaya hain aur ussey yahan koi takleef nahin honi chahiye. Aur mujeh pata hain, raghunath apne mai kee bete kaa puri tarah see khayal rakhega. Kyun maine sahi kahan naa?" Looking at mai's expectant face I just nodded my head in bitter agreement. "Ab mujhe bahut chain mili raghunath. Humein pata hain ki tere rahete huye satya koo koi choo bhi nahin sakta." Mai said and once again caressed my hairs and left. I stood silently for a while felling stunned and as well as so bitter inside. I had to take care of that satya, someone who always made fun of me from the very childhood days. He couldn't even stand me. It's not like that I didn't tried to solve the matter between us but latter I understand that he was not worthy of that. He was someone with whom I could never ever fix up and I didn't even want to come in terms with such disgusting person like him.
I turned around and saw mai moving inside her room. With a big huff I at last moved towards the stairs and soon I found myself in my balcony. Gulping mouthful water from bottle I settled myself on the bed. My mind was really exhausted and frustrated after the hectic day and the mention of that satya was like the last nail on the coffin. In frustration I poured the whole water from bottle over my head drenching myself upto my chest. "S**e koo chain nahin milta kya?! Kyun wapas aayya idhar?!!" I said in annoyance. I remembered the day of janmashtami and that epic fall of satya flashed into my mind. I smirked remembering the moment. I shouldn't fellmockery on someone's bad condition but seeing satya in that state was like a impossible dream for all of us. I really didn't feel any mercy for him, he really didn't deserve. I felt a huge shock when I came to know that antara was the one who was behind satya'a fall. My smirk increased as I remembered the fact.
But again another worry rose into my mind. If somehow satya came to know that antara was the one behind everything then... I suddenly felt a shiver down my spine. As much as I knew satya he wouldn't let go antara that soon. After all he was none other than satya naik!! No it shouldn't happen. Antara must not come to satya's notice. I wouldn't let that happen. That girl might have quite ego problem with me, she never failed a chance to throw bitterness on me but one thing I came to know surely that whatever she do she didn't deserve that!! At least not that selfless girl!!
I felt a strong determination inside for didn't know why. Weeping of my wet lips with my wrist tied hanky as I looked forward the balcony came to my view as usual. The balcony door was still open through which I escaped a few min ago. I could have a good view of the inside of that room through that balcony door. The view stunned me for a while. I found antara seating on the bed holding onto my gifted tulip flower. Her eyes were fixed to the flower and even from the far I could detect the twinkling happiness in them. There was also a pleasant happy smile in her face. Seeing her, my all bitterness was gone in an instant. My lips crept into a small smile automatically as I kept staring at her. on those days it seemed like my fav pastime, seeing antara and observing her every minute details. I didn't know why I became so eager to know about her more and more.
"Chalo, kam see kam sukhi ghass ke thobre pe hasi ki phool too ayi..." I commented ruffling my hairs. I felt something really good inside. She might not forgive me still but at least I could bring that smile on her face. The pale saddened face which I saw while I badmouthed her referring her parent's name was haunting me day and night but it felt like finally I would get rid of that guilt a bit. Still I was not totally convinced until I got forgiveness from her. But at least it satisfies me a bit that unknowingly though I became the reason for her smile.
The balcony door of her room moved back and forth violently in a sudden violent wind. Her eyes moved towards the balcony door and she frowned a bit. Leaving her bed, she moved towards the balcony door and closed that with a small sound. I sighed and crushed myself on the bed with a satisfactory smile.
PS: This chapter is just a filler part and just continuty of prev chapter. i planned to write a bit more but then the upcoming incident won't look good if i mix them up with this chapters. stay tuned for next chapters. till now it was just the stage preparation of drama the main act is just about to start.😉
Edited by ifians - 10 years ago
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CID
