Part # 12
Adil is in the office'.working in his usual serious way!! But if observed carefully'.one will realize'.he is more disturbed than usual. He is in fact thoughtful'.as he slips into sum thoughts in btwn his work.
Just then'.there is a knock at the door'and Shekhar enters the cabin. Adil looks at him hopefully'.as soon as he comes to him. Shekhar's eyes melt towards him as after a long span of tym'..Shekhar had seen this look in those eyes. Such craving in those eyes'..was not usual'.as 'practically' Adil Raichand didn't need to crave!! However Shekhar just tries to assure him wid his eyes'.that everything was going accordingly and they shud get the desired result!! At this'.Adil is a lil disappointed'but still maintains his composure!!
Shekhar: Wo Adil'.kuch aur kaam tha tumse!!
Adil: Haan kaho!!
Shekhar: Hamara jo naya project hai'.wo Jodhpur wala'.. we have to check out the site before we start the work'.and kaam ek hafte me shuru ho jayega!! So I was wondering'.if U will be going there'.or'
Adil: (narrows his eyes a bit) Me? Why me?
Shekhar: Actually mujhe laga'.ISS WAQT'.tum Jodhpur jana chahoge!!
Even before he cud answer'.Rashi who was standing at the door'.intervenes in her excitement!!
Rashi: Wow AB'.to aap bhi Bhabhi ke paas jaa rahe ho'.
Adil looks at the sourse of the words'.in shock!! Never before had he frowned so much at his lil sister's habit of not knocking while entering his cabin. He looks stuck'.and doesn't reply to her or even greet her!!
Rashi: AB!! Are u lost already?
At this Adil shoots his gaze back towards her'.and she stops giggling'.though the smile was still there!!
Rashi: Achha baba'.u can get lost wherever u want to'.but pehle'meri madat kijiye!!
Adil suddenly looks concerned'.to hear such a plea from her!!
Adil: Kya hua tujhe?? Are u alryt?
Rashi: Arre AB'.am alryt'..mujhe bas thode paise chahiye the!!
Adil: Paise?? Wo to bahar se hi mil jate'.mujhse kya chahiye?
Rashi: Actually'thoda bada amount chahiye'..am refreshing my wardrobe!! (she states sheepishly)
Adil shakes his head'.takes out the check book from his drawyer and signs her a check!!
Adil: Pehle bank jaa ke'cash karwa le'.
Rashi: Aww'.thank you AB'.I love you!!
Adil: Hmm'..take care ok!!
Rashi: Ok AB'.bye. Bye Shekhar Bhaiya'.
Shekhar: Bye sweetie'.
Rashi: Arre haan'..(to Shekhar) mujhe aapse puchhna tha'.aap ghar kyun nahi ate?
Shekhar: Samjha kar yaar'..main yaha ka kaam karke apne ghar pohuch jata hu'yehi bahut hai!!
While Adil glares at Shekhar, Rashi giggles at his words'and turns to leave'but then turns back again.
Adil: Kuch aur chahiye?
Rashi: Wo aapse puchhna tha'.kya main Bhabhi ko bata du ki aap waha aa rahe hai'.or is it a surprise for her?
Adil: (frowns) Tujhe kisne kaha main waha jaa raha hu?
Rashi: Arre'abhi abhi Shekhar Bhaiya ne kaha'.aap logo ka koi project hai Jodhpur me'.and kisiko site dekhne jana hai'.to Aap hi jayenge na AB?
Adil: Tu kabse hamari baatein sun rahi hai?
Rashi: Arre'bas itna hi suna'.coz isse pehle aap log kuch bol nahi rahe the!! (she giggles while Adil just stares at her in disbelief'..the girl was actually intentionally hearing their convo)
Adil: Rashi!! Don't u think'u owe me an apology'right now!!
Rashi: Yeah'.I do'and am sorry!! But c'mon'.ab bataiye na'.main Bhabhi ko batau ya nahi?
Adil: (says instantly in frustration) No!!
Rashi: (smiles) Okay then'.its a surprise for her'but main na'Maa ko bata deti hu'.wo khush ho jayengi'.waise bhi she wasn't happy wid the idea of you not accompanying Bhabhi. Ab Maa bhi khush ho jayengi'aur Bhabhi ko bhi kitna achha lagega'wow!! (now she grins at the thought of the 'surprise') Achha'.ab main chalti hu'..bye'...and thanks for the check AB!!
And Rashi leaves'.leaving behind a frowning Adil'.whereas Shekhar continues'
Shekhar: Tab to main'kal subah ki arrangements karwata hu....subah subah nikal jaoge to hi achha hoga!!
And now even Shekhar leaves'.while Adil looks unsure abt everything!!
That day'.in the evening'.Ashna talks to Rashi'.and finds her behavior a lil strange!! She was constantly abt to blurt out the 'surprise' and then wud control herself!!
Ashna: Rashi'are u ok? Koi baat hai kya'.jo mujhse share karna chahti ho'.or sumthing like that?
Rashi: No Bhabhi'.aisi koi khaas baat nahi hai'.
Ashna: Why do I feel u r fumbling wid ur words'or rather lies?
Rashi: Ahh'actually aapke liye na ek surprise hai!! (she blurts out and then realizes she shudnt hav told that)
Ashna: Surprise?
Rashi: Haan'wo'actually'. (just then driver enters wid a shopping bag of hers which she had forgot in the car. He looks at Rashi'.while she signals him to put the bak on the sofa and leave)
Ashna: Rashi? Kahan kho gayi? Kuch bata rahi thi tum mujhe'.
Rashi: Haan wo Bhabhi'.maine na apna wardrobe change kiya hai'.and when u get bak'u r gonna find me in a new look'.u see'..thats gonna be a surprise for u'..!!
Ashna: Ohh'.ok!! Seems u r very much excited!! And yeah'.I wud surely see ur new collection'.
Rashi: Oh yes'.am super duper excited!! And actually'.aapke ane ke baad'I can share these things wid you'to achha lagta hai!!
Rashi states genuinely while Ashna feels touched!! She feels touched at the way everyone had accepted her'.the way everyone cares for her'.the way everyone takes her as a part of the family!! They never really let her feel the void ness of not having anyone in the world. She sumtyms wonders wat she wud hav done'all alone'after her father's departure. Cud she handle things all alone? No'and she knew the answer from always!! That's why she gave in to Adil's demand'.quite easily'.didnt she?
Rashi: Bhabhi!! Bhabhi'.are u there??
Ashna: Huh?
Rashi: Ab aap kaha kho gayi thi?
Ashna: Ah'kahin nahi!! Waise'ab main rakhti hu'tum sab apna khyal rakhna ok? Will talk to u later!! (and they hang up)
Next morning Adil leaves for Jodhpur'.he wasn't sure abt this whole sudden 'surprise' visit out there!! He knew'Ashna wud not be pleased to see him'.nor was he sure abt others' reaction to find him there all on a sudden'.when he had clearly told Heer'.he cant come!!
"This looks so awkward!! And again'wat am I gonna do there? Uff'is it possible I don't reach there at all'and then join Ashna in the return trip? Ah'how can I forget'Mom n Rashi'.photos dekhna chahenge ..'gosh!!"
Few hours later'.Adil stands at the doorstep of Heer's house'.the door is actually open'and everyone is seen busy'.running here and there'..today was perhaps the Mehendi ceremony!! Adil literally cursed the moment Shekhar had mentioned abt Jodhpur!!
However Adil was thinking'how to bring an attention towards him'so that he cud actually enter the house. Just then'.a girl'.takes a notice of him'.and as soon as she does that'.her big striking eyes go bigger'.and she opens her mouth to say sumthing!! But she doesn't'.and instead she keeps staring!!
Adil who was already feeling awkward seeing so many ppl buzzing in the house'.now starts to feel conscious as the girl keeps gazing at him. However he decides to break her away from her 'trance'!!
Adil: Excuse me!!
Girl: (comes towards him) Yes pls'.
Adil: Ah'..I am Adil Raichand'.main'Ash'(he was abt to say Ashna'.but the girl cuts him off)
Girl: Main hi Ashlesha hu'.aap mujhse milne aye hai??
Adil: What?? (he feels a lil outrageous) Listen'main Heer ki dost Ashna'ka pati hu!! And'
Ashlesha: Yeah'I knw!! In fact sabhi jante hai'. (and she sighs)
Adil: In that case'.dont u think'aapko usse bulana chahiye'.
Ashlesha: Kisse?
Adil: (rolls his eyes) Meri 'Biwi' ko!!
He intentinally stresses on the word 'Biwi''.so that the girl cums back to her senses'and stops giving him such 'looks''.It was actually high tym since he faced such encounter wid a girl. Everyone around him'knew abt his roughness and didn't dare to stare at him wid such 'batting eye-lashes' kinda look!!
Just then'Heer was passing by'and she recognized Adil of course!! And knwing her cousin Ashlesha'.she knew why Adil looked so trapped. Ashlesha was always interested in gud looking guys'.and Adil Raichand was her first crush''since the first tym she saw his photo in a magazine!! However Heer intervened btwn them'
Heer: Umm'Mr. Raichand ryt?
Adil: (recognizing the voice) Heer??
Heer: (nods wid a smile) Waise'aap to ane nahi wale the na?
Adil: Haan wo'.bas plan me thoda change ho gaya'.but if u say'I can go back!!
Ashlesha: Arre'.nahi nahi'.wapas kyun jayenge aap?
At this Adil just shifts his 'not so frndly' gaze towards her'while Heer gives him an embarrassed smile.
Heer: I didn't meant it like that'.and pls aap andar aiye na'.pata nahi kab se khade hai!! Sorry for the inconvenience!!
Adil: Pls don't bother abt that'.
Heer: (smiles) Am actually glad u came'.Prem ko aap se mil kar bahut khushi hogi'he really admires u!!
Adil acknowledges the appraisal wid a gentle nod'and a slight smile'.though he cud hardly manage that!!
Heer: Waise'.Ashna ko pata nahi hai na'.ki aap aa rahe ho?
Adil: Nahi'.
Heer: Hmm'thought so'warna wo bata deti mujhe'.aur agar usse pata hota'to wo itna gumsum bhi nahi rehti'..I think she misses u too much!! (and this Adil looks at her swifty while she stops her chattering) Uff'.main bhi na'kab se aap ko rokke rakha hai'.(now she points at a room)'.Ashna uss room me hai'aap bhi jaiye'.u must be tired'.
Adil nods at her'and turns to leave'.but he finds his way blocked by Ashlesha'who was still drooling over him!! Adil narrows his eyes at her'.while Heer realizes the situation'and literally drags Ashlesha out of his way!! Adil finally gets the chance to move upwards'to his wife!!
As Adil reaches upstairs'.he finds the door open'.yet he knocks and enters'but the room is empty!! He keeps the bag on the bed'.and loosens his tie. Just then'.Ashna emerges from the other side of the dressing table. She is startled to find Adil there and lets out a slight scream.
Hearing that'Adil looks up'.and finds her there!! He is already a bit pissed off'.becoz of the encounter he had downstairs'.so the sudden scream annoys him.
Adil: Why on earth are u screaming??
Ashna: Wat on earth are u doing here?? (rubbing her eyes) Are u for real? (he rolls his eyes at her question'.and she makes a face) Arre seriously'.tum yaha kya kar rahe ho? U r not supposed to be here!!
Adil: I knw'.and am not here'becoz of You!! Mujhe Jodhpur me kuch kaam hai'.and I hav been almost sent here'.
Ashna: Matlab?
Adil: Rashi pagal hoke pure ghar me chilla rahi thi'. AB Jodhpur jaa rahe hai'.isse Mom bhi excited ho gayi'and they both packed and parceled me here!! I cud hav gone elsewhere as well'but then'.may be they wud hav wanted to see pics and all'.isliye socha'..yaha aa jana hi better option hoga!! Any more questions?'.like mujhe yaha kya kaam hai'.or rather YAHIN pe kyun kaam hai'or sumthing like that??
Ashna: Arre'.maine puchha kya itna kuch?? Khud hi to bake jaa rahe ho'.
Adil just shakes his head and leaves to freshen up. As he gets back'.he finds her fidgeting wid her ear-ring. He keeps looking at her through the mirror'' as she looks enchanting in her light orange colour saree.
He suddenly feels this urge to stop the time right there'.that very moment'.so that she was always before him wid her cute arrogance and innocent beauty''..so that he cud always see her and soothe himself.
But suddenly'he hears a shriek and cums out of the trance'.He finds her holding her ear'and wincing in pain. He quickly reaches her in two strides'..and moves her hand from her ears.
Adil: Kya kar rahi ho?
Ashna: Ye ear-ring!! (and she shows it to him) Ye pehna nahi jaa raha hai'dard ho raha hai'.
Adil: (takes the ear-ring in his hand) Tumhe kuch dikhta nahi kya??
Ashna: (confused) Kya nahi dikhta??
Adil: Ye portion curve ho chuki hai'. (he shows the portion to her) How can u wear this?? Aur phir kaan hai tumhara'.why were u fighting wid it?? Kisi cheez ka dhyan nahi rehta kya tumhe??
Ashna: Ahh'.ab lecture mat do!! Ek to meri ear-ring ki ye haal hai'upar se tum baatein suna rahe ho!! (and she takes her hand to her ear-lobe where it hurt)
Adil: Ek minute'.mujhe dekhne do'. (and he removes her hand while tugging the few hair strands behind her ear'.he takes an observing look and finds it fine) Its f9'.but I wonder'.tumhe abhi ear-ring pehenne ki kya zarurat aa pari??
Ashna: Why wudnt I?? Ear-ring pehenne ke liye hi hoti hai na?
Adil: Oh yes'absolutely!!
And now Adil turns to leave when she stops him'
Ashna: Tumne lunch nahi kiya hoga na?
Adil: (turns around) Ahh'.wo'I had sum snacks'.bhookh nahi hai'
Ashna: But u don't look f9 enough'.why don't u hav sumthing? Maine bhi lunch nahi kiya hai'.usike liye niche jaa rahi hu'.tum bhi aa jao'thoda kuch khaa lo'.
Adil: Actually am tired''
Ashna: Oh yes'.of course!! Mujhe lecture dene ki energy hai bas'.hai na?
At this Adil just keeps looking at her'.while she stares at him back'.in the eye!! He cud see the 'concern' in her eyes'.and he had this urge to comply wid her words. Her eyes also held a hurtful anger and sumhow he felt it was for him!! Not pondering much over all this'he decided to join her!! So taking his eyes off her'.he turned to leave'..as he didn't want to look into those eyes anymore!!
Reaching downstairs'.he found that he was being looked at wid a lil extra attention. Some were whispering among themselves and then smiling at him cordially!! He knew'.wat all they were talking or thinking abt!! He was used to such alien behavior towards him. But still'it felt a lil awkward'..as it was their wedding house'and he was merely a guest there'.still he was being observed like an antique piece in the museum.
He looks here and there'.trying to find a person who seemed normal enough to treat him like a normal person. And just then'.Heer comes there'..though Ashlesha follows her wid a grin!! Heer takes them along wid her for lunch'and now Adil n Ashna were sitting together.
Adil didn't eat much'.he was truly tired for that'.whereas Ashna had her usual kinda diet!! However'.suddenly Adil notices'.pickles were being served to Ashna wid extra care and happiness'.while she had them in excitement!! He just brushes away the thought'.and finishes his meal.
After a while'.they were in the room. Just then'.there was a knock at the door. Ashna opens it'..Adil sees Heer's mom gave sumthing to Ashna'.patted her head affectionately and left!! When Ashna turns around closing the door'.he finds a can of pickles in her hands.
Adil: Ye kya hai?
Ashna: Kyun? Dikhayi nahi deta kya?? Achaar hai!!
Adil: Arre ye kyun hai? I mean'.aunty tumhe ye deke kyun gayi?
Ashna: Coz I love to have pickles'.
Adil: W8'.tum ye jo pichhle kuch dino se yaha ho'.u r constantly having these?
Ashna: Yeah'almost!! Actually'aunty ke haath ka bana achaar bahut delicious hota hai'.and meri mom to hai nahi'.so I hardly get to hav such things'.to bas yaha aake aunty se keh diya'ki mujhe unke haathon ka bana achaar chahiye!! Isiliye de gayi wo'samjhe?
Adil stares at her in disbelief''was she actually so nave?
Adil: Tum sach me iti be-akkal ho'ya mujhe pareshan karne ke liye'natak karti ho?
Ashna: Wat?? Mind ur tongue ok??
Adil: U mind ur taste!! Do u realize wo kya soch rahe hai?
Ashna: Kya soch rahe hai ha? Aunty mujhe bhi beti jaisi maanti hai'.agar maine unse kuch maang liya'to kya ho gaya?? Aur phir achaar hi to maanga hai na'.unki property thodi chhin rahi hu'.huh!!
Adil: Yeah right'.shaadi ke 6/7 mahine baad'.tumhe achaar khane ka shauk chadha hai'.Based on this fact'.anybody will assume that'.
Ashna: That?
Adil: I need to spell it to u or wat? Gosh'.Ashna!! Kya karu main tumhara?? Tumhe ye chhoti chhoti baatein bhi samajh me nahi ati'..how do u expect to live life?
Ashna: Tum mujhe bataoge bhi ki hua kya hai? Or do u plan to lecture me throughout the whole evening?
Adil: (sits on the bed tiredy) They think u r pregnant!!
Ashna: (gasps) Wat rubbish? Stop thinking such nonsense!!
Adil: (lies down) Yakeen nahi ata'to aaj shaym ko hi dekh lena. Aaj mehendi ka function hai na'..just see if they let you dance and all'.
Ashna looks at him in utmost horror'.as she now realizes'why she isn't let do much work!! He was definitely right!!
Ashna: Uff'.ab kya achaar bhi nahi khaa sakti'just becoz am married!! Huh'.why do ppl need to speculate things??
Now she sits on the bed wid a thud'and keeps sulking!! She was basically irritated wid the whole thing!!
Ashna: Ye sab na'tumhari wajah se ho raha hai'tumhe kya zarurat thi yaha ane ki? Kya main kuch din shanti se nahi reh sakti? Kyun aa gaye tum?
And she turns around to find him asleep''he did look exhausted. But then he was always used to such tiresome schedule. He never really fell asleep at this hour. So she thought of checking.
As Ashna reaches him cautiously, she realizes how soothing he looks wid his eyes closed. She bends down a bit and touches his forehead. He did have a slight temperature'..but even before she cud be sure abt that'..he opens his eyes'.and in a reflex jerks away her hand. He sits up straight while she backs away a bit.
Ashna: Ouch'aise koi haath jhatakta hai kya?
Adil: (rubbing his forehead) Am sorry'.by reflex maine haath jhatak diya'.sorry abt that!!
Ashna: Hmm'.waise tumhe thoda temperature hai shayad'
Adil: (rolls his eyes) Tumhe hamesha hi aisa lagta hai kya??
Ashna: Well'I wasn't wrong before'.to iss baar bhi main sahi hu samjhe?
Adil: (shakes his head) Bukhaar nahi hai mujhe'.it'll be f9'. (Ashna narrows her eyes at him'.not really taking his words in'.so he convinces her further) Sach keh raha hu Baba'.its nothing!! Mera temperature hamesha hi thoda high hota hai'.seriously its nothing!!
He replied her genuinely'.while she felt compelled to blv whatever he said. The way he looked at her'.it felt impossible for her to blv otherwise!! She still doesn't knw wats there in his eyes'.that she feels so weak whenever they look at her!!
Adil: Anyways'.I'd get sum sleep now'.and guess tumhe bhi rest kar lena chahiye'.aaj tum ladkiyon ko kaafi kuch karna hoga na'.mehendi, sangeet and such things'..
Ashna just nods at his words'while he gets back to sleep. Ashna now walks to the other side of the bed'..but her eyes were fixed on him. She slowly sits on the bed'.and leans back on the head rest. She keeps looking at him for a while'.and then shifts her gaze in the front'.at nothing in particular!!
"Sach me sab kuch tumhari wajah se ho raha hai Adil'..aur mujhe achanak se darr lag raha hai'.ki mera har bahana tumse judta jaa raha hai (shutting her eyes) Why does it hurt to hurt you Adil? Whats this thing? Uff'.watever it is'..I shud just ignore this'.I seriously shud!!"
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Edited by sumaiya wahid - 14 years ago
Cricket
267