CHAPTER - 4
~Of late meetings & other things~
The well recognized art gallery of Bhopal had been a topic of discussion since morning. Through television and radio, it was let out that renowned painter Ragini Sharma was all set to exhibit her paintings; 'Personified expression of self' which was the theme of her exhibition. Ragini Sharma, who was not only recognized for her intellectual yet sentient artistic moves, but for her grace and classy aura as well. Paintings are a mere contemplation of the inner self, a thought process from within -- the believer of these, she always appraised herself as an artist rather than a painter. The exhibition gallery was decorated daintily, but the only difference which made this painting exhibition more beautiful was that it was taking place in an open podium. The Palladian porch which was the grand venue was glistening gorgeously. The white pillars were enfolded with sky blue curtains, and on both sides of it two glasses fimbria were hung, which swayed and sometimes chimed through the balmy breeze. In the middle of this porch, the paintings were covered in veils and were hung one by one in an organized way. Suddenly a black suited man entered on the spot in a nervous flurry, while the last minute decorating and checking was taking place."Saari taiyariyaan ho gayi hai? Hum abhi exhibition shuru karenge." Everyone turned to hear that sudden voice while a girl from the decorating crew came running towards him. He was the head of the painting academy and Ragini's senior as well. "Yes sir, everything is done, but.." she mumbled.The man frowned, "But kya? Sab theek hai na?" he asked in a worried tone."Sir, Ragini ma'am abhi tak aayi nahi." She replied keeping her head down."Aayi nahi matlab, call her, kaha hai dekho. Hume abhi ye exhibition start karna hai jo uske bina possible nahi hai." His voice elevated, the girl dialed her number instantly when the remaining crew members looked at the door and one of them stated, "Sir...Ragini Ma'am aa gayi." Everyone looked at the entrance at once, Ragini was standing there. Her presence had some steadiness yet delicate essence, her white anarkali and loose hair added some more serenity to her personality. "Arre Ragini kaha thi tum..." The man came towards her immediately, "Sir mein thodi late hoon, par samay se pare nahi hoo...abhi bhi 5 minute baaki hai." She replied with a confident smile. The old man nodded.They both came to the front yard where a podium was situated. The expectant people were there. Seeing her there on the podium, they welcomed her with applause. She gave a little introduction about her paintings and the theme related to it. And the exhibition took off with the removal of the veils from her paintings.
"Tara tu theek hai na?" Seher's worried voice mildly asked her. Tara was standing there still gazing at the pathway. Her eyes were smeared with gloominess yet her face still had some marks of rage.
"Tara..." Seher asked again in a gentle but worried tone. But Tara stood there in her immutable pose. Seher couldn't understand what to tell her. She looked at her with an anxious face.
"Tune mujhe kyun roka?" Tara's sudden reply made her startled.
"Tara aisa jaruri nahi hai na ki hamesha har cheez mein tujhe bolna hi padega, aur tune toh bola bhi par koi suna kya?" She tried to calm her down. Tara stared at her for a few minutes and said, "Aaj car ke samne main thi, kal koi aur aa jayega, aur agar woh bhi aise hi teri tarah chhod diya...toh ho gaya kaam tamam." She replied in an irritated tone and shook her head.
"Chhod, gussa chhod de Tara, jo hona tha ho gaya...ab hume jana bhi hai, chal wahaan se auto le lete hai." She said holding her hands gently. Tara wiped her face and nodded her approval. She began walking without saying a word. Tara was fearless from her childhood, but somehow she always invited problems with her. Thus, it was very essential to stop her. Sometimes people have to perform something for a dear one's sake, despite their anger so that in the near future they won't get confabbed within a labyrinth. Seher heaved a sigh of weal.
When Mrityunjay reached his father's office, he was exhausted and miserably late. He felt a bit disappointed with himself while coming down from the car. He never arrived late; but he was responsible for this situation. Neither would he have taken so much time in thinking about the conversation nor would he have gotten late. He removed his shades and his eyes stuck on the plank of their company, the golden syllable of 'Shekhawat Group of Industries' which was engraved into a brown colored board and was shining brightly. His proud lips curved in a smile and he went in.
The conference room was all set, the delegates were occupied in the chairs. The table was full of laptops and files, a projector was situated on the table and a screen was covering one side of the wall. The only person who was restless and constantly looking at the time was Jairaj, and the other person who was keeping an eye on him was his business partner Mrs. Gauri Raichand. Though they always dealt a cold relationship, they both are straightforward, which had helped them to remain partners for so long.
"Mr. Shekhawat ab or kitna wait karna padega." A voice lifted high, everyone looked at Jairaj, they all wanted to know the answer.
"Dekhiye, Mrityunjay se meri baat ho chuki, woh traffic mein atak gaya hai...bas abhi aa jayega... aap log, please thoda co-operate kijiye." Jairaj replied, to satisfy the people of the room, while a confident and calm voice arose.
"Mr.Shekhawat, Mrityunjay itna laparwahi karega maine kabhi nahi socha tha..."
Jairaj turned his look at the source of the sound. Gauri stared at him with a dissatisfied look on her face.
"Mrs. Raichand..." He closed his laptop and looked at her, "Main manta hoon use der ho rahi hai par ye intentional nahi hai, traffic, aapko toh pata hi hai... " he added.
"Aap aapke bete ki itni tarafdari kar rahe hai ki bhool rahe hai hum yahan pichle 45 minutes se baithe hue hai." She frowned and went on saying, "Aur manti hoon ki traffic hai lekin use ye toh pata hona chahiye tha na ki ye presentation kitna important hai..." Her steady voice raised a bit higher. She restrained herself as the remaining members were staring at her.Jairaj looked down and grinned, "Maaf kijiyega, par aap bhi koi waqt se nahi aayi thi, yeh log 45 minutes se wait kar rahe hai, aap nahi. Aap kuch hi der pehle aayi hai aur aap ne bhi traffic ka hi excuse diya hai...agar aapke liye woh valid reason ho sakta hai toh mere bete ke liye kyun nahi hoga? Yahan aap to khud ki hi tarafdari kar rahi hai." The slight smile was still there. Gauri's jaw got stiff, "Dekhiye Mr. Jairaj... " Before they could say anything the door of the room opened and everyone in the room looked in that direction at once.
For some houses, happiness can be felt from outside also; Rashi's house was quite like that. Apart from the grandness and elegance, there was an extra something in the gentle wind, which could make anybody happy from within. Though Tara was not at all overcome from the previous incident, but even she felt some calmness and her face rejuvenated with a childlike smile. Tara and Seher spent some golden bits of their adulthood here, the large front yard, the flowery walls, the unlined flower pots which were placed through the front pathway, everything had some past memory intertwined with them. From the main gate to the front yard was a pathway covered with gravel. The sound of the smashed gravel under her feet always got her to smile and even today, she was smiling like a child. As much as the outside of the house was calm, the interior was that much classy, a soothing atmosphere existed there, but they couldn't find anybody in the house. Tara was peeping and prying repeatedly, but their efforts went in vain."Koi dikhayi kyun nahi de raha?" Seher whispered in Tara's ears. Tara shrugged her shoulders, "Aunty ne toh kaha tha Rashi Di ghar par hai..." she replied in the same whispering tone. "Tara...Seher." A sharp cry splintered the calmness of the house and compelled them to look at the stairs, where Rashi was standing and grinning like a school kid. A navy-blue palazzo was suited her well, she was looking dynamically cool. "Rashi Di!" They both uttered together her name in an extreme high tone, it was actually difficult for the trio to control their excitement. Rashi came downstairs quickly and they shared a hug.
Mrityunjay entered the room and the room fell silent at once. Every eye in the room was turned on him. He was taken aback for a second, but his sonorous voice started instantly,"Sorry...meri wajah se aap sabko itni der wait karna pada...I'm truly sorry." Jairaj got up from his chair, "Main ek baar mere bete ke taraf se maafi mangta hoon...ab jab Mrityunjay aa gaya hai, hum presentation shuru kar sakte hai." Mrityunjay's brows frowned at once, everyone from the room nodded and imbricated whispers started flying over the room. Jairaj gestured him to a place."Dad...aap ne abhi tak shuru nahi kiya. Maine toh phone pe kaha tha shuru kar dene ke liye." He asked in a surprised tone while sitting beside him. "Mrityunjay, tumhe pata hona chahiye tha ki ye presentation tumhare bina nahi ho sakta hai" Before Jairaj could say anything, Gauri answered on behalf of him. Jairaj turned on her. "Mrs. Raichand aapko nahi lagta aap kuch jyada hi bol rahi hai, Mrityunjay aa bhi gaya maafi bhi maang liya...aapko phir bhi tasalli nahi hoti...ye toh galat baat hai." He said fixing his gaze on her. Gauri kept her eyes down, "Dekhiye mera aap logon se koi personal dushmani nahi hai...main wahi bol rahi hoon jo sach hai..." This time Mrityunjay stopped his Dad, "Aunty, I'm really sorry...aage se dhyan rakhunga." Gauri nodded. "It's ok beta," she smiled.
And with Jairaj's speech, the conference began.
"God! Kitne dino baad tum logon ko dekh rahi hoon." The hall was sparkling with their uncontrollable happiness. After such a long time, the trio was here all together. Later on, when their excitement subsided, they sat on the couch. "Maine tum logon ko kal kaha tha aane ke liye, tum log aaj aa rahe ho." Rashi said accusingly. Tara and Seher looked at each other and smiled. "Are Rashi Di main toh kal hi aana chahti thi...par ye maharani..." She signalled at Seher.Seher was drinking water, she put the glass on the table, her smile suddenly vanished, because she knew what would be the next question. "Rashi Di actually I was not feeling well...isliye nahi aa payi thi, aapko bura laga ho toh I'm sorry." She replied in an abnormally serious tone. She noticed that Tara was looking at her and smiling. She smiled back; but what she didn't notice was Tara's anxiety which was expressed in her eyes. Tara surmised something was passing around them, especially around Seher. Rashi too was on a question after hearing her sudden reaction. The room had suddenly became dreadfully still. The uneasiness was enveloping the surroundings. Seher tried to smile, but it couldn't come across as a happy grin. "Arre itne dino baad mile ho, itne sannate mein kyun baithe ho?" Startled, they all looked behind, Sameer was frowning at them. Rashi's eyes sparkled at once, Tara and Seher smiled and greeted him. "Jeeju kaise hai aap?" Sameer looked at Tara. "Main theek hoon...bas kaam kaam yehi zindegi hai ab." He shook his head. Rashi frowned, "Toh main kaha gayi?" Tara and Seher smirked. "Ohhh..." Sameer nodded, "Galati ho gayi...actually ye line hona chahiye tha bus kaam kaam our Rashi...yehi zindegi hai ab." They both burst into laughter while Rashi gave a thin smile. "Accha tum log, baat karo...mujhe nikalna hai." Sameer smiled and departed.
The room lit up with a huge round of applause. The presentation was over, everyone along with Gauri was satisfied with Mrityunjay and his execution. Jairaj was happy to see his success. A proud father's smile dazzled on his lips. A man stood up from his chair."Mr.Shekhawat, the presentation was fantastic. Hamari taraf se ye venture aapke company ko jata hai. Congratulations!" Jairaj smiled and shook hands with the man.Gradually everyone left the place, complimenting him for the success of his new project. Gauri took her files and when she was going to leave, she saw Mrityunjay in the doorway. She came and put her hand gently on his shoulder. He turned at once."Congratulations...mujhe pata tha iss project ke liye tum bahot jaruri ho...aur tumhare wajah se hi ye venture hume mila hai." She smiled. Mrityunjay noticed for the first time that the way she pretended to be in front of all, that was not really her. Somewhere in her rigidness, the brand of warm and delicate motherly touch was there."Thank you...woh subah.." But Gauri stopped him, "Subah ki baat bhool jao, tumhare dad aur mere beech toh hamesha se hi tu tu main main rahi hai...jab do log sidhi baat sidhi tarah se bolna shuru kar dete hai tab anban toh hoti hi hai...khair, saare files Mr.Shekhawat ke pass hai aur soft copies bhi..." Mrityunjay nodded. She smiled and turned to leave.
The place was almost preened; the organizers were gone and the paintings were safely gone with them as well. The empty porch was looking destitute, only the dim lights were shining mildly on the grim background. Ragini was sitting in the front yard. Ever and anon the mild breeze gave her relief, though it couldn't help her restless mind become tranquil. She gazed at her wristwatch, and then in a defeated manner got up to go away when her eyes caught up with a car, which stopped there instantly with a quick brake. Ragini shook her head in a disappointed way and got her bag from the ground. The man who got down from the car, gazed straight away where Ragini was standing like a white statue. The radiation of her anger he could feel from this distance. Ragini was already walking towards the main road, when Aman reached there. "Theek hai main thoda wait kar leta hoon." Ragini was walking, but Aman's voice made her stop. She looked back at him."Kya?" she asked in an annoyed tone.Aman was walking with her."Nahi mujhe tumhe explanation dena hai...toh tumhara gussa utar jaane tak wait kar leta hoon." He said in one breath. But his statement couldn't create any impact over her except her enhanced walking tempo. "Yaar bol do na ki mar jao...main shauq se mar jayunga...tumse milne ke chakkar mein khana tak nahi khaya aur yahaan tum chala chala ke mar rahi ho..." he said whackedly. Ragini stopped and folded her hands. "See, aaj office mein meeting tha, jo shuru hone mein waqt laga toh quite obvious khatam hone mein bhi waqt laga...ab meeting ke beech se toh uthkar nahi aa sakta tha na..." But his speed of talking slowly reduced because of Ragini's no reply look."Ho gaya? Done?" she asked in a frigid voice."Pata nahi tumhe samjha paya hoon ki nahi but matter yehi hai," he gave a sad smile. Seeing his expression, Ragini almost smiled, but she controlled herself and in an angry voice she said, "Pehle toh tumhe mujhe subah yahaan drop karna tha jo tumne nahi kiya, aur ab tum pakka do ghanta late aye ho." She started walking towards her car again."Are Miss. Painter, suno toh..." he almost ran to make her hold back. "Dekho kitni khoobsurat raat hai, dheemi dheemi hawa hai, main aur tum ho...""Our main gussa hoon." Ragini's sharp voice called down, diminishing his expression."Are baat yehi hai na ki tum gussa kyun ho. Galati insaan se hi hoti hai aur insaan ka dharam hota hai use maaf kar dena." He started in a filmy manner with a slight grin and an innocent face. Ragini stopped."Actually you are right, maaf insan ko kiya jata hai, tum jaisa stupid aur idiot ko nahi." She boarded into the car."E...pehle decide karo mein stupid hoon ki idiot, ek insaan do cheez nahi ho sakta." Aman said holding the car's door."Go to hell!" she shouted, and closed the door with a bang."Oops" he said instantly and pressed his hand in his mouth at once. Ragini shook her head and the car proceeded.
"Kadus painter," he grumbled.
"Kya saab jagda hua hai kya?" the boy from the roadside tea stall asked while making tea.
"Mar khana hai kya?" he replied mockingly looking at him. The boy looked down at once.
"Puri duniya ka khunnas akela main hi chukau...waah...kya baat...clap...clap..." He clapped looking up at the sky and sat on the front seat of the car and went along.
"Tara ab hume chalna chahiye." Seher said looking at Tara.
"Haan Rashi Di, ab hum chalte hai, shaam ho chuki hai, dad bhi ghar aa jayenge." Tara said and stood up from the couch.
"Accha toh phir tai raha, kal hum bahar meet kar rahe hai, aur uncle ko bolna main aur Sameer unse milne jaldi aayenge." Tara nodded. They shared a final hug and went to their respective houses.
The inside of the car was still, except the light music which was emanating from the music box.
"Beta aaj itni khushi ka din hai, tum itne chup kyun ho? Koi pareshani hai?" In between happiness there was a sign of qualm in Jairaj's look.
"Nahi kuch nahi, bas main khush hoon ye venture mila hai hume...waise dad main soch raha tha files aur soft copies hamare pass na rakh ke agar..." But he ceased to hear him smiling.
"Uski chinta tum mat karo beta...main saare important cheeze kisi aur safe place pe rakh diya hai." Mrityunjay was surprised.
"Kaha? Kaunsa safe place?" he asked.
"Govind ke pass." He answered, "You know beta, Govind jitna purana worker hai utna hi loyal aur faithful hai..." Mrityunjay smiled and nodded. Jairaj turned his face.
"Chal Seher, main chalti hoon...kal time pe aana..." Tara got down from the auto. "Tu is auto mein hi chali jaa."
Tara brought out her purse, while the auto driver's rough voice stated, "Madam uss taraf nahi jayunga...aap yehi utar jaiye." Tara stared at him.
"Kyun nahi jaoge?" she asked in a high pitch.
"Tara chhod na...main paidal chali jayungi...bhaiya aap jao." She said and got down.
"Aree...par..." Tara wanted to resist, but she knew that in front of Seher it was quite impossible.
"Tu ghar ja...main chali jayungi." Seher smiled and went walking. Tara stayed there for a minute and then left.
Seher halted, and with her the sound of the footsteps also stopped. She gulped and stepped forward again; her sixth sense signaled her that there was someone behind her. She clasped the bag which was falling from her shoulders. From here her home was almost seven to eight minutes away. The sound of the footsteps again started to haunt her, she stopped and turned around at once, there was nothing except dark. She was breathing heavily, as if she will be seized there in any moment. But the fear is something which haunts you until you kill it forever. This thing was not happening for the first time with her, rather from two to three days, and that was the only reason why she cancelled yesterday's program at Rashi's house, but if today she had behaved abnormally while the auto was gone, then Tara surely would have found out that something was freaking her out. Seher started walking hastily, almost running when she reached in front of her house. She was almost drenched. Entering at once, she locked the main gate. She was panting heavily. She closed her eyes and sat there, but instead of relaxing she was tensed. For how long would this go on? Now she had to tell Tara about it. Only she can facilitate her in this matter. Seher wiped out the sweat and pressed the doorbell. Outside, the sound of shed leaves rustled in the gloomy moonlit night.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Edited by mon.sayan17.com - 9 years ago
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