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Merry Christmas to all of you ! I hope that you are enjoying the last days of 2016! This is a little gift from me , it has been a while since I last wrote something but you amazing people inspired me ! This is based on episodes 115/116 , when Sumo is sleeping and our boy is awestruck by her 😆
ShraMan OS: Memories
He stood there. In front of the house of his childhood. A memory, long buried in the cemetery of his heart. The very house he grew up in, with the one who gave meaning to his life. His soulmate, Sumo.
He tried hard, but sleep had left him staring at the ceiling of his room and fidgeting with the rubik cube, nothing to do, he had to go. It was like an invisible pull, something pushing him, towards this house, towards her.
Her tear stricken face was constantly haunting him, she had looked so fragile, so vulnerable at that point, letting her guards down, something she never did. The strong and independant woman he knew had taken a back seat, leaving a six year old child, who had lost way too much.
The urge to engulf her in his arms was so sudden, that he had to clench and unclench his fists, several times and take a deep breath. He wanted to hold her, like she had done it in the past, to tell her, it was going to be okay, that he was always going to be there no matter what, but their relationship had reached a stage, where if he tried to hold her hand, she would probably flinch, taking away his last hope and honestly, his heart was not ready to take the fall, yet again.
So, he just sat there and listened silently, something he always did. This was their relationship, this was how they worked, despite the anger, the hurt, the distance, they would always reach out for the other, words were not needed, promises were not required.
As much as he hates to admit it, her sobs wouldn't stop to echo in his mind and here he was at one am in front of the house of the thief who had snatched his sleep. Now that he was here, some steps away from her, he could not get himself to move forward.
Realization hit him. Hard. He would always love her. Even if she didn't. Every time, she would cry, be it ten years ago or now, there was this restlessness he felt inside of him, a dull ache, a scar forged by years of loneliness, regrets and wait. Loving her was hard, consuming and at the same time, it made him feel alive, it made him want to scream it at the top of his lungs. Deep down, he knew that she was the one, he had never imagined a life without Sumo in it, he might be unsure about certain things, but she was a constant, always was, always will.
Reaching the main door, a fleeting image came back to his mind how she had slammed the door, the first time, he came back after ten long years, so much had changed since that day, sometimes he wished to be the old Shravan, the one who had no barriers, no boundaries to respect, the old Shravan for whom the whole word turned around his parents, Tiwari killa and... Sumo.
How many times he had run into this house, screaming her name, it was their refuge, their safe heaven amidst the chaos of the big world, a place where they belonged to each other, wher her image or reputation did not matter. A refuge from his parent's daily's fights.
If only, he could go back in time and mend his broken relationships, if only.
After Mausi opened the door, he went straight away to Nanaji's room, the only one who mattered after her. His treacherous heart came alive as his eyes got stuck to her face, her hair fanning on her face. She seemed at peace, serene, nothing like the awaken Sumo, who was finding reasons to fight with him these days.
He shook himself of his trance. Remembering the fight they had in the evening, how conveniently she had sidelined him implying that she was the sole soul who cared about Nanaji as if he was some stranger.
She looked so tiny though wrapped in that duvet. Sometimes he wanted to take her away from all this, to give her the life she really deserved, a little world of their own, where there will be no compromises only them. Some dreams were too far fetched to be attainable.
Glancing a last time, towards those peaceful faces, he finally left with a smile on his face, at least he would now be able to catch some sleep.
Next Morning
Tiwari Killa was busting with activity in this early morning, after all it was the wedding of their beloved daughter. While the men were busy decorating the house, taking care of the last minute details, women were negociating prices for jeweleries and clothes and the bride, well she couldn't seem to get off her phone, and the blush of her face was everlasting, courtesy the groom. A delicious aroma of semolina and butter filled the four corners of the house, Suman Tiwari was stirring the thick mixture since a while now, her mind preoccupied by the groom's brother. Her whole time was spent between organizing the wedding and supervising PCT and both were taking a toll on her, moreover her recent equation with Shravan was not helping.
These days, the only thing they seemed to do was fight and it was breaking her hope of ever getting her love, her best friend back in her life. She was losing him and she couldn't do anything, just the thought of it was so overwhelming, it reminded her of his impromptu departure to London. That was the most difficult period of her life, she had to cope up with the loss of her best friend and at the same time, she kept maintaining a brave front in front of her family members, not giving away the sadness and emptiness she felt.
Between responsabilities and happiness, she had to chose the former, she would always be Suman, that was the price of being an orphan. She belonged nowhere, she was just a burden which was tossed here and there. The loneliness and exhaustion she was feeling for the past couple of days were making her heart hurt and there was no one to whom she could go and cry her heart out, in these moments, the void of a mother was felt vividly
"Suman beta, Babuji ki dawai ka samhe hogaya hai dekar to aao zara !" Mami ji yelled across the living room.
She brushed the tears off, it was not the time to fall apart.
"Nanu ye lijiye aapki chai aur aapki dawai, koi bahana nahi sunna mujhe." She said with a smile on her face.
"Accha de."He drank the medicine in a go. She sat beside him and started massaging his feet.
"Ye bata ke tayaarian kaisi chal rahi hain ?"
"Bohot acche mandap sajh chuka hai, decorations complete ho chuke hai aur aaj to preeti ka joda bhi aagaya hai, bohot hi pyaara hai, bohot khush hai wo."
"Aur tu ? Tu khush hai ?" asked the patriarch, looking towards his precious granddaughter, the reflection of his daughter. He had sensed, her restlessness and he could not help but notice the missing glint of her eyes. Life had been tough on her, but she was a brave child and his greatest achievement.
For a moment, she wanted to tell him everything, but she could not risk his health for the sake of her happiness, this was something she had never learned, crushing other's happiness for her own.
She squeezed his palm into her small one."Bohot khush hoon, bas aap jaldi se theek hojaye, bohot pareshan thi main, mujhe laga aap bhi mujhe chor ke chaale jayo ge." The vulnerability in her voice reminded him of the little girl, she was.
"Are pagli, jab tak teri shaadi nahi karwata kahi nahi jaa raha main." He said, gently patting her head.
"Nanu aap bhi na !" They smiled through tears, after a long time.
"Waise Nanu aapne raat ko jagaya kyon nahi mujhe, aapki dawai ka time tha ?"
"Tu kyon itni fiKar karti hai, dawai kha liti mene, Shravan aaya tha."
"Shravan aaya tha ? Kab ?"
"Raat ko, bechara kafi pareshan lag raha tha, puch raha tha ke tabyat kaisi hai, dawainthi phir chala gya. Jab tak tum dono dost mil kar iss bhure Nanu ka khyaal rakhoge, mujhe kuch nahi hosakta."
She left the room, pondering over the conversation she had with Nanu. Shravan had come in the middle of the night, just to take care of him and she had sidelined him from his right, repeatedly, in attempt to fulfill her promise to Ramnath Uncle, she had hurt him, made him feel unwanted and what not, but now it was time to make amends !
At Night
Malhotra Mansion
Shravan was anxiously pacing the length of his room. Sitting behind him, Pushkar was having the time of his life.
"Bhaiya, why don't you call Sumo and ask her directly about Nanaji's health ?"
Shravan turned towards his brother, who had a smug look on his face.
"Kyon ? Main kyon phone karoon ? Wo bhi to kar sakti hai. Actually, nai kar sakti wo kya haina Suman Madam ki ego hurt hojaye gi, usse kya agar koi tension se pagal horahe to."
Pushkar shook his head in dismay. These two were impossible, if she was the epitome of stubborness, he was two steps ahead of her. He had grown up to admire their friendship, indeed he had spent the last ten years, being the only source of information for both the parties, he had noticed the wide smile which used to grace Sumo's face whenever Shravan Bhaiya or his achievements were mentioned. On the other hand, his brother never uttered Sumo's name, but he never missed the hint of longing and curiosity in his eyes whenever his estranged best friend was the subject of conversation.
Their relationship was one of a kind. They would fight with each other, for each other, but they would always fall back and no one could ever get in between of them. They are each other's need.
He sighed. " Bhaiya, aap dono hamesha ladte kyon hai ? Aur wo bhi itni choti si baat pe. Agar Sumo ne aapko nahi bulaya, to aap jao uske paas, haq jamao aapna, akhir wo aapke nanaji bhi hain."
Shravan just huffed in annoyance and crossed his arms defensively on his chest, like the child he really is. Pushkar tried another approach.
"Ya shayad aap usse daarte ho ,iss liye to subah se idhar udhar ghoom rahe, agar himmat hoti to seedhe Tiwari killa jaate."
"Tu kehna kya chahta hai, haan ? Main kyon daroon ga usse, abhi jaaon ga Tiwari Kill, waise bhi mujhe uski permission ki zaroorat nahi hai, Nana ji ka khyaal rakhne keliye."
"Bohot pyaar karte ho na ?"
"Kya bol raha hai tu ? Main Sumo se pyaar nahi karta." He looked down annoyed, was he that obvious ?
"Mene Sumo ka naam kab liya ?" Pushkar said with a hint of a smile.Shravan opened his mouth to say something then closed it.
"Sab ko deekh tha hai Bhaiya, phir chupane ki koshish kyon karte ho. Jeetna aap Sumo se pyaar karte ho, utna koi nahi karsakta, mat roko khudh ko. Main janta hun, aap ne life main bohot kuch dekha hai, jiski wajah se aap logon par, auraton par aasani se trust nahi karpate. Lekin yahan pe Sumo ki baat ho rahi hai, maanta hu, jhalli hai wo, bachpan main bohot si ghaltiya ki hai uss ne, lekin ek baar wo kisi ka haath thaam le to zindagi bhar saath deti ho, wo apko chor ke kabhi nahi jayegi. Kya wo iss baat ka proof nahi de chuki ? Kya usse ek mauka nahi milna chahiye ?"
He remembered how she held him, took care of him, when he thought that his father had left him. When she was ready to take her life, just so she could gain his trust, she wanted him in her life as much as he wanted her.
"Daas saal se intezaar kar rahi hai wo aapka, aap se kabhi kaha nai, shayad iss wajah se ke aap iss baat ko maante nahi, lekin ab uske intezaar ka waqt khatam ho chuka hai. Jao uske paas, don't let anyone come between the two of you, kyon ke aap dono ek duje ke vaaste hi bane ho. Aur ek baat me dawe ke sath keh sakta hun, jitna aap Sumo se pyaar karte ho, usse kahi zyada wo aap se karti ho."
With a smile on his face, his heart finally at peace, he took the road to reach his destination ; Sumo.
This time he knocked, three knocks, three times. He never felt that euphoric and anxious, not even while giving exams and God knows he had given plenty of them. He strated playing with his ring. Finally his wait came to an end, there she stood, in front of him clad in a shawl, her hair up in a messy bun. For a long time, they kept staring at each other, not knowing what to do. Her eyes reflected something, something he had seen somewhere, it was relief. They averted their gaze as Mausi told Shravan to come in, walking next to each other, they would occasionally steal glances at the other
"Babuji to so rahe hain, Suman ek kaam kar Shravan ke liye ek cup coffee bana kar le aa. Tum dono dosto, yahin lounge me pee lena."
"Nahi !" He interjected, she looked at him stunned by his sudden refusal."Koi zarurat nahi hai, main waise bhi khane nahi aaya tha, Sumo se kuch kaam tha, shaadi ka, hum chaat pe baat karle gen " He said the last sentence looking directly at her
" Main intezaar karoonga."
She quickly runned in the kitchen warming up the mong ki dal ka halwa, she had made for him. A smile kissed her face as she remembered Preeti Bhoj's night, that night that marked a new beginning of their relationship. He had taken the first step and this time she would make sure that she was not left behind !
"Shravan" She called out standing at some distance, a bowl in a hand.
"Aagayi tum, tumhare intezaar karwane ki adaat kabhi nahi jayegi naa, He teased, in a light tone. She looked at him, really looked at him, he seemed happy, his stance was carefree, his hair were a little disheveled like the old Shravan, her chashmich. She sat next to him on the railing.
"Ye lo khao, tumhare liye banaya hai."
"Nahi main kha ke aaya hoon, bhook nahi hai."
"Oh, I see !" She was disappointed to say the least for the first time he had refused to eat something made by her, but the feeling was short-lived as she could soon hear gurgling, both of them looked at each other from the corner of the eye, trying hard to suppress their laugh, but finally gave into their inhibitions. She was beautiful to him, the way her head was slightly thrown back as soft giggles echoed from her, her eyes twinkling. He had missed her and seeing her like this, all carefree, warmed his very being. She gave him the bol and he ate, to his heart's content.
" Bhukkad ." She whispered soflty, she doesn't know what came over her, as her fingers slowly brushed his hair away from her forehead, then traced his face, as if trying to memorize him. Something shifted between them, the atmosphere changed, both of them realizing the gravity of their situation. A hour ago, they wouldn't even look at each other in the eye.
"Bohot intezaar karwaya na mene ?"
"Wo to hamesha se karti aayi ho. But that's what good friends do, isn't it ? They wait for you." Her demeanor changed hearing his words, she looked down, her shoulders slighly slumped down.
"I was never a good friend to you." She said her voice low, as she finally mustered the courage to look up at him. He looked stunned and was staring back at her, his expression painful.
"Sumo, mera wo matlab nahi tha." He held her by her shoulders, his hand holding her chin.
Please let me speak today. Bohot dinon se main tum se ye baat kehna chahti thi paar kabhi himmat hi nahi huwi. I am sorry Shravan, for everything. For the girl, I was back then, who used you, who made you feel unwanted. Lekin phir bhi tumne kabhi shakayat nahi ki, tum phir bhi aapni dosti nibhate ge aur main uss dosti ka fayda utha thi gayi. Tumhe jab meri sabse zyada zaroorat thi mene tumhe insult kiya, tumhe aapni zindagi se nikal diya, I made you feel unworthy and then you left and I was alone again. I know, ke abhi ye saab bolne ka koi matlab nahi banta, mere ye sab kehne se tumhari wo takleef kam nahi hogi, tum auratoon par utni aasani se trust nahi karpao ge but I really really need you to know that there was not a day where I haven't missed you.
So when you came back and asked me to be your friend again, I was happy and at the same time, I was scared kyon ke Shravan main tumhe deserve nahi karti, mujhe hamesha darr laga rehta hai, ke main koi aisi ghalti na kardoon jisse tum mujhse door chale jao ge. I just wanted you to be happy... with me. Mene tumhe Nirmala Aunty se milaya, taake tumhare andaar ki gharwahat bahar aasake, so you could trust me. Hamesha ki tarah mene sirf apne baare main socha, main kabhi samajh nahi paayi ke tum kya chahte the, koshish hi nahi ki ."
She left a humorless chuckle, as some tears made their way out, she reached out to take his hand into her small palm.
"Aage jaake bhi shayad main bohot si ghaltiyan karoon, to tum daanta mujhe, ladna mujhse, baat karna chod de na, bas mujhe dobara chod ke mat jaa na, please, pichli baar jaise taise sambhal liya tha agar iss baar tum mujhe chod ke chale gaye to mai-" Her voice cracked, as she cried freely, sobs wreaking her body, he came closer to her, his own eyes filling up, as he wiped her tears, his fingers caressing southing circles on the skin of her cheek.
"Kisne kaha ke tum mujhe deserve nahi karti ? Haan ? Soch kaise liya tumne ye ? Sumo, main tumhe kaise samjhaon, ke tum mere liya kya ho. Meri zindagi ka marquaaz ho tum. Tumhare ilawa, meri zindagi main kisi aur ki jagah nahi hai. Main tumhe chod kar nahi jaa sakta, pichli baar ghusse me chal paraa , yaadon ke sath guzara kar liya, lekin iss baar main apni Sumo ke beghair kahi nahi jaaonga, yahi hoon tumhare paas, tumhare saath."
"Wada ? "
" Wada. "
"I love you Shravan, main tumse bohot pyaar karti hoon."
I love you too Sumo, hamesha se."
He hugged her, his strong arms around her waist, her face in his chest, his cheek pressed against her hair, she could feel his heart hammering against her hand, this was their safe heaven, they had found home. They spent the night, whispering sweet-nothings, giggling smiling and holding each other, they were not worried about the future anymore, they had found each other and it was more than enough.
Once again Merry Christmas to all of you , I hope these last days are filled with happiness and laughter
ShraMan OS: Memories
He stood there. In front of the house of his childhood. A memory, long buried in the cemetery of his heart. The very house he grew up in, with the one who gave meaning to his life. His soulmate, Sumo.
He tried hard, but sleep had left him staring at the ceiling of his room and fidgeting with the rubik cube, nothing to do, he had to go. It was like an invisible pull, something pushing him, towards this house, towards her.
Her tear stricken face was constantly haunting him, she had looked so fragile, so vulnerable at that point, letting her guards down, something she never did. The strong and independant woman he knew had taken a back seat, leaving a six year old child, who had lost way too much.
The urge to engulf her in his arms was so sudden, that he had to clench and unclench his fists, several times and take a deep breath. He wanted to hold her, like she had done it in the past, to tell her, it was going to be okay, that he was always going to be there no matter what, but their relationship had reached a stage, where if he tried to hold her hand, she would probably flinch, taking away his last hope and honestly, his heart was not ready to take the fall, yet again.
So, he just sat there and listened silently, something he always did. This was their relationship, this was how they worked, despite the anger, the hurt, the distance, they would always reach out for the other, words were not needed, promises were not required.
As much as he hates to admit it, her sobs wouldn't stop to echo in his mind and here he was at one am in front of the house of the thief who had snatched his sleep. Now that he was here, some steps away from her, he could not get himself to move forward.
Realization hit him. Hard. He would always love her. Even if she didn't. Every time, she would cry, be it ten years ago or now, there was this restlessness he felt inside of him, a dull ache, a scar forged by years of loneliness, regrets and wait. Loving her was hard, consuming and at the same time, it made him feel alive, it made him want to scream it at the top of his lungs. Deep down, he knew that she was the one, he had never imagined a life without Sumo in it, he might be unsure about certain things, but she was a constant, always was, always will.
Reaching the main door, a fleeting image came back to his mind how she had slammed the door, the first time, he came back after ten long years, so much had changed since that day, sometimes he wished to be the old Shravan, the one who had no barriers, no boundaries to respect, the old Shravan for whom the whole word turned around his parents, Tiwari killa and... Sumo.
How many times he had run into this house, screaming her name, it was their refuge, their safe heaven amidst the chaos of the big world, a place where they belonged to each other, wher her image or reputation did not matter. A refuge from his parent's daily's fights.
If only, he could go back in time and mend his broken relationships, if only.
After Mausi opened the door, he went straight away to Nanaji's room, the only one who mattered after her. His treacherous heart came alive as his eyes got stuck to her face, her hair fanning on her face. She seemed at peace, serene, nothing like the awaken Sumo, who was finding reasons to fight with him these days.
He shook himself of his trance. Remembering the fight they had in the evening, how conveniently she had sidelined him implying that she was the sole soul who cared about Nanaji as if he was some stranger.
She looked so tiny though wrapped in that duvet. Sometimes he wanted to take her away from all this, to give her the life she really deserved, a little world of their own, where there will be no compromises only them. Some dreams were too far fetched to be attainable.
Glancing a last time, towards those peaceful faces, he finally left with a smile on his face, at least he would now be able to catch some sleep.
Next Morning
Tiwari Killa was busting with activity in this early morning, after all it was the wedding of their beloved daughter. While the men were busy decorating the house, taking care of the last minute details, women were negociating prices for jeweleries and clothes and the bride, well she couldn't seem to get off her phone, and the blush of her face was everlasting, courtesy the groom. A delicious aroma of semolina and butter filled the four corners of the house, Suman Tiwari was stirring the thick mixture since a while now, her mind preoccupied by the groom's brother. Her whole time was spent between organizing the wedding and supervising PCT and both were taking a toll on her, moreover her recent equation with Shravan was not helping.
These days, the only thing they seemed to do was fight and it was breaking her hope of ever getting her love, her best friend back in her life. She was losing him and she couldn't do anything, just the thought of it was so overwhelming, it reminded her of his impromptu departure to London. That was the most difficult period of her life, she had to cope up with the loss of her best friend and at the same time, she kept maintaining a brave front in front of her family members, not giving away the sadness and emptiness she felt.
Between responsabilities and happiness, she had to chose the former, she would always be Suman, that was the price of being an orphan. She belonged nowhere, she was just a burden which was tossed here and there. The loneliness and exhaustion she was feeling for the past couple of days were making her heart hurt and there was no one to whom she could go and cry her heart out, in these moments, the void of a mother was felt vividly
"Suman beta, Babuji ki dawai ka samhe hogaya hai dekar to aao zara !" Mami ji yelled across the living room.
She brushed the tears off, it was not the time to fall apart.
"Nanu ye lijiye aapki chai aur aapki dawai, koi bahana nahi sunna mujhe." She said with a smile on her face.
"Accha de."He drank the medicine in a go. She sat beside him and started massaging his feet.
"Ye bata ke tayaarian kaisi chal rahi hain ?"
"Bohot acche mandap sajh chuka hai, decorations complete ho chuke hai aur aaj to preeti ka joda bhi aagaya hai, bohot hi pyaara hai, bohot khush hai wo."
"Aur tu ? Tu khush hai ?" asked the patriarch, looking towards his precious granddaughter, the reflection of his daughter. He had sensed, her restlessness and he could not help but notice the missing glint of her eyes. Life had been tough on her, but she was a brave child and his greatest achievement.
For a moment, she wanted to tell him everything, but she could not risk his health for the sake of her happiness, this was something she had never learned, crushing other's happiness for her own.
She squeezed his palm into her small one."Bohot khush hoon, bas aap jaldi se theek hojaye, bohot pareshan thi main, mujhe laga aap bhi mujhe chor ke chaale jayo ge." The vulnerability in her voice reminded him of the little girl, she was.
"Are pagli, jab tak teri shaadi nahi karwata kahi nahi jaa raha main." He said, gently patting her head.
"Nanu aap bhi na !" They smiled through tears, after a long time.
"Waise Nanu aapne raat ko jagaya kyon nahi mujhe, aapki dawai ka time tha ?"
"Tu kyon itni fiKar karti hai, dawai kha liti mene, Shravan aaya tha."
"Shravan aaya tha ? Kab ?"
"Raat ko, bechara kafi pareshan lag raha tha, puch raha tha ke tabyat kaisi hai, dawainthi phir chala gya. Jab tak tum dono dost mil kar iss bhure Nanu ka khyaal rakhoge, mujhe kuch nahi hosakta."
She left the room, pondering over the conversation she had with Nanu. Shravan had come in the middle of the night, just to take care of him and she had sidelined him from his right, repeatedly, in attempt to fulfill her promise to Ramnath Uncle, she had hurt him, made him feel unwanted and what not, but now it was time to make amends !
At Night
Malhotra Mansion
Shravan was anxiously pacing the length of his room. Sitting behind him, Pushkar was having the time of his life.
"Bhaiya, why don't you call Sumo and ask her directly about Nanaji's health ?"
Shravan turned towards his brother, who had a smug look on his face.
"Kyon ? Main kyon phone karoon ? Wo bhi to kar sakti hai. Actually, nai kar sakti wo kya haina Suman Madam ki ego hurt hojaye gi, usse kya agar koi tension se pagal horahe to."
Pushkar shook his head in dismay. These two were impossible, if she was the epitome of stubborness, he was two steps ahead of her. He had grown up to admire their friendship, indeed he had spent the last ten years, being the only source of information for both the parties, he had noticed the wide smile which used to grace Sumo's face whenever Shravan Bhaiya or his achievements were mentioned. On the other hand, his brother never uttered Sumo's name, but he never missed the hint of longing and curiosity in his eyes whenever his estranged best friend was the subject of conversation.
Their relationship was one of a kind. They would fight with each other, for each other, but they would always fall back and no one could ever get in between of them. They are each other's need.
He sighed. " Bhaiya, aap dono hamesha ladte kyon hai ? Aur wo bhi itni choti si baat pe. Agar Sumo ne aapko nahi bulaya, to aap jao uske paas, haq jamao aapna, akhir wo aapke nanaji bhi hain."
Shravan just huffed in annoyance and crossed his arms defensively on his chest, like the child he really is. Pushkar tried another approach.
"Ya shayad aap usse daarte ho ,iss liye to subah se idhar udhar ghoom rahe, agar himmat hoti to seedhe Tiwari killa jaate."
"Tu kehna kya chahta hai, haan ? Main kyon daroon ga usse, abhi jaaon ga Tiwari Kill, waise bhi mujhe uski permission ki zaroorat nahi hai, Nana ji ka khyaal rakhne keliye."
"Bohot pyaar karte ho na ?"
"Kya bol raha hai tu ? Main Sumo se pyaar nahi karta." He looked down annoyed, was he that obvious ?
"Mene Sumo ka naam kab liya ?" Pushkar said with a hint of a smile.Shravan opened his mouth to say something then closed it.
"Sab ko deekh tha hai Bhaiya, phir chupane ki koshish kyon karte ho. Jeetna aap Sumo se pyaar karte ho, utna koi nahi karsakta, mat roko khudh ko. Main janta hun, aap ne life main bohot kuch dekha hai, jiski wajah se aap logon par, auraton par aasani se trust nahi karpate. Lekin yahan pe Sumo ki baat ho rahi hai, maanta hu, jhalli hai wo, bachpan main bohot si ghaltiya ki hai uss ne, lekin ek baar wo kisi ka haath thaam le to zindagi bhar saath deti ho, wo apko chor ke kabhi nahi jayegi. Kya wo iss baat ka proof nahi de chuki ? Kya usse ek mauka nahi milna chahiye ?"
He remembered how she held him, took care of him, when he thought that his father had left him. When she was ready to take her life, just so she could gain his trust, she wanted him in her life as much as he wanted her.
"Daas saal se intezaar kar rahi hai wo aapka, aap se kabhi kaha nai, shayad iss wajah se ke aap iss baat ko maante nahi, lekin ab uske intezaar ka waqt khatam ho chuka hai. Jao uske paas, don't let anyone come between the two of you, kyon ke aap dono ek duje ke vaaste hi bane ho. Aur ek baat me dawe ke sath keh sakta hun, jitna aap Sumo se pyaar karte ho, usse kahi zyada wo aap se karti ho."
With a smile on his face, his heart finally at peace, he took the road to reach his destination ; Sumo.
This time he knocked, three knocks, three times. He never felt that euphoric and anxious, not even while giving exams and God knows he had given plenty of them. He strated playing with his ring. Finally his wait came to an end, there she stood, in front of him clad in a shawl, her hair up in a messy bun. For a long time, they kept staring at each other, not knowing what to do. Her eyes reflected something, something he had seen somewhere, it was relief. They averted their gaze as Mausi told Shravan to come in, walking next to each other, they would occasionally steal glances at the other
"Babuji to so rahe hain, Suman ek kaam kar Shravan ke liye ek cup coffee bana kar le aa. Tum dono dosto, yahin lounge me pee lena."
"Nahi !" He interjected, she looked at him stunned by his sudden refusal."Koi zarurat nahi hai, main waise bhi khane nahi aaya tha, Sumo se kuch kaam tha, shaadi ka, hum chaat pe baat karle gen " He said the last sentence looking directly at her
" Main intezaar karoonga."
She quickly runned in the kitchen warming up the mong ki dal ka halwa, she had made for him. A smile kissed her face as she remembered Preeti Bhoj's night, that night that marked a new beginning of their relationship. He had taken the first step and this time she would make sure that she was not left behind !
"Shravan" She called out standing at some distance, a bowl in a hand.
"Aagayi tum, tumhare intezaar karwane ki adaat kabhi nahi jayegi naa, He teased, in a light tone. She looked at him, really looked at him, he seemed happy, his stance was carefree, his hair were a little disheveled like the old Shravan, her chashmich. She sat next to him on the railing.
"Ye lo khao, tumhare liye banaya hai."
"Nahi main kha ke aaya hoon, bhook nahi hai."
"Oh, I see !" She was disappointed to say the least for the first time he had refused to eat something made by her, but the feeling was short-lived as she could soon hear gurgling, both of them looked at each other from the corner of the eye, trying hard to suppress their laugh, but finally gave into their inhibitions. She was beautiful to him, the way her head was slightly thrown back as soft giggles echoed from her, her eyes twinkling. He had missed her and seeing her like this, all carefree, warmed his very being. She gave him the bol and he ate, to his heart's content.
" Bhukkad ." She whispered soflty, she doesn't know what came over her, as her fingers slowly brushed his hair away from her forehead, then traced his face, as if trying to memorize him. Something shifted between them, the atmosphere changed, both of them realizing the gravity of their situation. A hour ago, they wouldn't even look at each other in the eye.
"Bohot intezaar karwaya na mene ?"
"Wo to hamesha se karti aayi ho. But that's what good friends do, isn't it ? They wait for you." Her demeanor changed hearing his words, she looked down, her shoulders slighly slumped down.
"I was never a good friend to you." She said her voice low, as she finally mustered the courage to look up at him. He looked stunned and was staring back at her, his expression painful.
"Sumo, mera wo matlab nahi tha." He held her by her shoulders, his hand holding her chin.
Please let me speak today. Bohot dinon se main tum se ye baat kehna chahti thi paar kabhi himmat hi nahi huwi. I am sorry Shravan, for everything. For the girl, I was back then, who used you, who made you feel unwanted. Lekin phir bhi tumne kabhi shakayat nahi ki, tum phir bhi aapni dosti nibhate ge aur main uss dosti ka fayda utha thi gayi. Tumhe jab meri sabse zyada zaroorat thi mene tumhe insult kiya, tumhe aapni zindagi se nikal diya, I made you feel unworthy and then you left and I was alone again. I know, ke abhi ye saab bolne ka koi matlab nahi banta, mere ye sab kehne se tumhari wo takleef kam nahi hogi, tum auratoon par utni aasani se trust nahi karpao ge but I really really need you to know that there was not a day where I haven't missed you.
So when you came back and asked me to be your friend again, I was happy and at the same time, I was scared kyon ke Shravan main tumhe deserve nahi karti, mujhe hamesha darr laga rehta hai, ke main koi aisi ghalti na kardoon jisse tum mujhse door chale jao ge. I just wanted you to be happy... with me. Mene tumhe Nirmala Aunty se milaya, taake tumhare andaar ki gharwahat bahar aasake, so you could trust me. Hamesha ki tarah mene sirf apne baare main socha, main kabhi samajh nahi paayi ke tum kya chahte the, koshish hi nahi ki ."
She left a humorless chuckle, as some tears made their way out, she reached out to take his hand into her small palm.
"Aage jaake bhi shayad main bohot si ghaltiyan karoon, to tum daanta mujhe, ladna mujhse, baat karna chod de na, bas mujhe dobara chod ke mat jaa na, please, pichli baar jaise taise sambhal liya tha agar iss baar tum mujhe chod ke chale gaye to mai-" Her voice cracked, as she cried freely, sobs wreaking her body, he came closer to her, his own eyes filling up, as he wiped her tears, his fingers caressing southing circles on the skin of her cheek.
"Kisne kaha ke tum mujhe deserve nahi karti ? Haan ? Soch kaise liya tumne ye ? Sumo, main tumhe kaise samjhaon, ke tum mere liya kya ho. Meri zindagi ka marquaaz ho tum. Tumhare ilawa, meri zindagi main kisi aur ki jagah nahi hai. Main tumhe chod kar nahi jaa sakta, pichli baar ghusse me chal paraa , yaadon ke sath guzara kar liya, lekin iss baar main apni Sumo ke beghair kahi nahi jaaonga, yahi hoon tumhare paas, tumhare saath."
"Wada ? "
" Wada. "
"I love you Shravan, main tumse bohot pyaar karti hoon."
I love you too Sumo, hamesha se."
He hugged her, his strong arms around her waist, her face in his chest, his cheek pressed against her hair, she could feel his heart hammering against her hand, this was their safe heaven, they had found home. They spent the night, whispering sweet-nothings, giggling smiling and holding each other, they were not worried about the future anymore, they had found each other and it was more than enough.
Once again Merry Christmas to all of you , I hope these last days are filled with happiness and laughter
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
