Part VI
There was silence in the hall… Alekh was standing with the head down… Indo was angrily staring Vasu… Vasu was having I-don't-care look on her face…
In: Enough…. I won't tolerate anymore… If I remained quiet that doesn't mean I am afraid of you… Now, I'll show you what I can do…
Indo left the hall in a great wrath… Alekh went to his room, sad and depressed…
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The phone rang, Sadhna picked it up…. It was Alekh at the other end…
Sa: Hello, Alekh.. What's up?
A: (in a low voice) May you meet me?
Sa: Ofcourse, in the evening at "The Caf" right?
A: Can't we meet right now?
Sa: Hmm….
A: Please….
Sa: Alekh! Is everything alright?
Alekh cut the phone without any reply… Ragini entered the room and found Sadhna confuse…
Ra: Hey….
Sa: He was very tensed.
Ra: (a little confused) Who?
Sa: Alekh…. I have to go jiji…
Ra: Wait… I have to go to the dance class, we should leave together…
Sa: Alright….
Ra: And if something is very serious then call me at the dance class.
Sa: Okay..
Both of them left… Sadhna was worried.
Ra: Don't worry Sadhna…. Everything will be fine…
Sa: I hope so.
Sadhna reached the park where they usually meet in the mornings. She saw Alekh sitting alone on the bench…
Sa: Hi…
Alekh didn't answer… He was crying, continuously…
Sa: Auntie was mad at you because of your decision.
No answer again…
Sa: Alekh! I am getting more and more worried…
Alekh lifted his head. Tears were rolling down. There was a strange pain in his eyes… He was looking sad, indeed.
Alekh hugged Sadhna and cried a little more… Sadhna too had tears in her eyes…
Sa: Now, tell me please, what is the matter?
A: Mom and dad had a fight yesterday and that was because of ME… I was responsible for it… Dad was very angry, yesterday. They didn't talk in the morning too. It's all because of me… Only because of me… Why I hurt them? Why? I must have agreed to marry Anita…
Sa: C'mon it's not because of you, you know quite well how auntie is, she need some time to cool down and then everything will be okay..
A: Nothing will be okay… I have seen them fighting since my childhood… You know all that smile which they had on their faces while being together is FAKE… I am living a fake life… I am not happy…
Sa: It's not like that… You are sad, that's why you are saying this…Otherwise,
A: Whatever may be the reason, the point is that I have spoken the truth…
Sa: Try to understand…..
A: You should try to understand….
Sa: Hey…
A: Dad always tries to understand mom but all his efforts went in vain… He never shares his feelings with anyone… He rarely did with us… I am fed up of living this high-profile life… Seriously, all these parties and all… I hate this… Why can't I live a simple life? Where there are no problems of ego. Where, there is love between the family members…
Sa: I never knew this… I mean…
A: I never let you know… When I am with you and Ragini, I feel so relaxed… Out of every tension… But the minute I stepped in the house, I feel a strange feeling… I…I….am so ALONE… Have I hurt you?
Sa: Never, why are you asking such question?
A: Those who hurt others can never be happy, so if I did, I am very sorry for it…
Sa: Don't talk nonsense…. Now listen to me, EVERYTHING will be okay…. Trust me… Hey, today is Priya's birthday party; jiji is not going so I dropped the idea… Will you join me please? I wanna go…!
A: Sadhna….
Sa: I am not asking your decision, I am ordering you…
A: But……..
Sa: Before completing your work, what did I say….!!! Do you remember that? Terms and conditions… And this is part of it…
A: Okay…
Sa: Now smile… 1…2…3….4….Alekh, smile….
Sadhna whispered something in Alekh's ears, Alekh laughed at this….They both share some time together and they went to their respective homes…
It was evening and Sadhna was getting ready…
Sa: Jiji, which top is more better?
Ra: Hmm, first tell me what the matter…was
Sadhna told Ragini everything briefly…
Ra: Oh….
Sa: That's why I am taking him to the party, otherwise I am not interested in going to birthday party of Priya especially…
Ra: Don't be rude…
Sa: Ah… Now tell me what I should wear, please!
Ra: Hmm, this purple top will suit you…
Sa: Fine, I am going to get ready…
Sadhna was doing each and everything hurriedly; Kaushalya entered the gals' room…
Ka: Ragini…You aren't ready yet…?
Ra: No maa, I am not going to the party.
Ka: Then I won't let Sadhna to go alone…
Ra: Maa, she is going with Alekh.
Ka: Is Alekh going too?
Ra: Yeah maa… He will be here in no time to pick Sadhna…
Ka: Oh, then I should hurry to make tea and other snacks for him…
Kaushalya went to the kitchen…And prepared snacks for Alekh…
"Everything is ready!"
The door bell rang and Vinu opened the door… Alekh greeted Vinu…. Bauji and Kaushi were sitting on the sofa… Alekh greeted them….
Ba: How are you, son?
A: Perfectly alright.
Ba: How is everyone at home?
A: (with a fake smile) Everyone is fine.
Ka: Wait Alekh, I will bring you tea.
A: Auntie there is no need of it.
Ka: I am not asking your advice…
A: (smiled) But….
Ka: No ifs no buts…
Ba: You are a bad cook that's why Alekh is not willing to eat…
Ka: Whole life you have eaten food cooked by me and now when daughter-in-law is coming you are saying bad stuff about it…
Ba: (laughed while looking at Alekh) That was a compromise…
Kaushalya laughed…
Ba: Hey Alekh don't take my words seriously…
Alekh was deeply feeling the love between Kaushi and Bauji….
"If mom, had been in auntie's place then I think our home would be no more less than a battle field."
Ba: Alekh…!
A: Yes….Yes uncle…
Ba: You seem quite confuse…
A: No uncle, it's nothing like that…
Kaushalya brought tray with snacks…
A: Auntie…It's too much…
Ba: Now, you know what the reason of my health…is
Alekh, Bauji and Kaushi laughed…
A: Where are Ragini and Sadhna?
Ka: They are upstairs, I'll call them…
Ba: Have something son!
A: Yeah, I am having it….
Ragini came downstairs….
"Hello Alekh! How are you?"
A: Good…How are you?
Ra: Better than yesterday, worse than tomorrow…
Ka: When will you learn answering directly?
Ra: Maa….
Ka: I thought Vinu would be more like than you people…
"Anyone will be like Vinu bhaiyya, if he will be going to marry Malti bhabhi…"
Ka: Ragini…
Ra: Yeah…
A: These women take a lot of time to get ready…
Ra: It's nothing like that….
A: Then….
Sadhna came downstairs….
Sa: Let's go…
A: Hmm…
Ka: Sadhna, is this a way…
A: It's alright…
Ka: Anyways, do pay a visit at our place some other time…
A: Of course…
Alekh and Sadhna reached at Priya's place… They went inside… The place was nicely decorated… They meet their college friends…
Priya: Hi guys…!
Sa: Hi…
Pr: Come, join us on the dance floor…
A: Sadhna…. No dancing please…
Sa: Alekh…
They went on the dance floor…
"Tu Meri Dost" From Yuvvraaj was playing…
Aaja Mein Hawaon pe Bithake Le Chalun
Tu Hi To,Tu hi to Meri Dost Hain
Alekh stared at Sadhna… She nodded her head as assuring him that she is with him ANY TIME…
Aaja Mein Khalon Mein Uthake Le Chalun
Tu Hi To Meri Dost Hain
Awaaz Ka Dariya Hoon
Behta Hoon Mein Nili Raaton Mein
Main Jaagta Rehta Hoon
Neend Bhari Jheel Se Aankhon Mein
Awaaz Hoon Mein
Alekh and Sadhna came closer to each other… Both were looking into each other's eyes…
Raat Mein Chandni Kabhi
Aisi Gungunati Hain
Sunn Zara Lagta Hain Tumse
Awaaz Milati Hain
Mein Khayalon Ki Mehek Hooon
Gungunate Saaz Par
Ho Sake To Milale
Awaaz ko Mere Saaz Par
Everyone enjoyed their dancing…
O Kabhi Dekhe Hain Saahil
Jahan Sham Utarti Hain
Kehte Hain Samunder Se
Ek Pari Guzarti Hain
Woh Raat Ki Rani Hain
Sargam Par Chalti Hain
se ra se ra se ra
sa re sa sa re sa
Alekh came closer to each other and Alekh picked up Sadhna.. She blushed and was smiling…
Aaja Mein Hawaon pe Bithake Le Chalun
Tu Hi To, tu hi to Mera Dost Hain
Aaja Mein Khalon Mein Uthake Le Chalun
Tu Hi To Mera Dost Hain
Awaaz Ka Dariya Hoon
Behti Hoon Mein Nili Raaton Mein
Main Jaagti Rehti Hoon
Neend Bhari Jheel Si Aankhon Mein
Awaaz Hoon Mein
Alekh and Sadhna came closer to each other… Both were looking into each other's eyes… They were lost in their own world… The song was finished… Everyone clapped for them… Then only they came back from their thoughts…Sadhna was shy…
Pr: You guys were awesome…
Alekh smiled…
Salekh went to have snacks… They sat together… Alekh looked into Sadhna's eyes…
"Thank you so much"
Sa: Don't be formal…
A: Thanks for making my day… I won't forget this…
Sa: Neither I…
They stared each other…
"I was with Sadhna many times…But why I am feeling strange today…"
"Alekh…I am glad that you are glad now…But I am happier than you… I mean…Oh God what is this strange feeling"
Sa: Alekh shall we go…
A: Fine… We should tell Priya first…
They went from there…They reached at Sadhna's place…
A: Hmm, I don't wanna say good-bye…
Sa: We'll meet tomorrow…
A: (unwillingly) bye…
Sa: Bye…
Both went. They were having smile on their faces and something strange….!!!
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