Part # 13
Its evening tym'..and Adil is lying on the bed''resting his head on his right arm'.while his eyes r fixed on the ceiling!! He woke up just a while back'.and finding the room empty'..he knew Ashna was downstairs. It was the ladies' function going on there!! However Adil doesn't make an effort to get up'..quite unlike him though!! But'..he suddenly wanted to stop'.and heave a breath of calmness'.amidst his fast paced schedule of lyf. He felt tired'.not physically but mentally!!
But that's when his phn vibrates'..bringing him out of his thoughts!! Relaxation was perhaps not meant for him!! Getting up from the bed'.he took the call.And after hanging up, his attention shifted to the music played downstairs. The Sangeet ceremony had started!!
Without thinking much, his feet took him outside the room'..and he had a glance at the celebration from upstairs only!! Unknown to him, his eyes searched thru the crowd'.and as soon as they spotted HER, his gaze rested upon her!! There she was'..in that light orange coloured saree'..that she has been wearing since noon!! Adil wondered in the back of his mind'.why she needed to get ready so early!!
However he finds her getting up'.planning to groove on the beats!! And as he had said'..Heer's mom did forbid her. But she had her answer ready "Aunty'.aap to aise behave kar rahi hai'.jaise main buddhi ho gayi hu, ya to bimaar hu'.ya phir pregnant"'.and she giggled after delivering her well rehearsed line.
The wrinkles on Adil's forehead automatically became smooth'.as he watched her. He cud sumhow understand wat she had said!! And he knew'.she had prepared for it. No, it wasn't like he cud hear her from upstairs nor was he trained in lip-reading'..But when it concerns HER'..quite unknwn to himself, he just knws it all.
Just then the music starts'.and Adil cums out of his thoughts!! He looks a bit pensive'.abt whatever was going in his head. But pushing it all at the back of his mind'.he turns around to get inside the room again. Yet'..giving her a last look thru the corner of his eyes'..was rather compelling for him!!
Downstairs the ladies r having fun'.and Ashna was also enjoying herself. But she was also a lil irritated'.as sum addressed her as 'Mrs. Raichand'. Now she was applying henna on Heer's hand'..and again she heard sumone taking the name 'Mrs. Raichand'!! The pissed off look on her face was so evident that Heer cudnt help laughing out!!
Ashna: Hasna bandh kar'..ye sab tune shuru kiya hai!!
Heer: Maine?? Maine kya kiya?? In fact'.main to tujhe shuru se samjhane ki koshish kar rahi thi'.that ur hubby dearest is addressed like this only'in the outer world!! (she winks at Ashna'..while discomfort is seen on Ashna's face at the mention of 'hubby' "DEAREST"'.but nonetheless'.she composes herself)
Ashna: Yeah ryt'.ye sab uski ghalti hai'.khudko Mr. Raichand kehelwata hai'..isiliye aaj sab mujhe aise typically address kar rahe hai'.I hate it!!
Heer: Arre wah'.ab ghalti unki?? Tu bhi na'.Ashna!! And again'.mujhe to laga tha'.tu bahut khush ho jati hogi'.jab bhi koi tujhe Mrs. Adil Raichand bulata hoga!! Actually pata hai'.jab mujhe koi wud-be Mrs. Prem Juneja kehke chidata hai'.tab main chidne ka bas natak karti hu'..it actually feels nice'.to be denoted as a part of him!!
At this Ashna simply stares at Heer'.for two reasons!! Firstly'.she admired the love Heer held for Prem'..it was evident from the way she talked abt him'.and blushed everytym she took his name!! Ashna knew her frnd was truly and deeply in love'..well the kind of love'.Ashna herself blvs in!!
And secondly'.Ashna was pondering over the thought of being denoted as a part of HIM!! Well, she didn't feel 'nice' as Heer said'..but then what did she feel whenever she was addressed to be His wife?? Did she feel Irritated? Angry? Frustrated? Disgusted?? Wat?? Or did she feel simply Nothing?? Well, after going briefly thru the previous options'.she zeroed on 'Nothing''..not realizing the fact that a feelong of 'nothing' doesn't keep one's heart restless and mind thoughtful for so long!!
Heer: Wah'.ab maharani soch me dubi hai'.Ashna'.(she waves her hand) dekh mehendi lagi hai hathon me'.main chutki nahi baja sakti'.sidhe sidhe wapas aa jaa'
Ashna: Uff'.overacting mat kar!! Main kya wonderland me chali gayi thi'.jo wapas aane ko keh rahi thi'.huh!!
Heer: Who knws?
Ashna: Dekh'.abhi mujhse panga mat le'.teri mehendi ki band baja dungi'..phir pata chalega tujhe'..Ashna 'Raichand' kya cheez hai!!
Heer: Yeah yeah'..Mujhe achhe se pata hai'.Mrs. Raichand. (and Heer gives her a teasing wink'.while Ashna joins her eye-brows, makes a face and eventually gives in to the laugh)
Here'..closing the doors of the room behind'.Adil walks towards his laptop'.and sits on the bed wid it. It was not like'.he had sumthing important to do'..its just he had nothing to do other than that!! But still'.he cud not detach himself'.from her thoughts!!
Quite unknown to himself'..he cherished that smile of hers'..and wanted it to remain as it is'.forever!! He might not be pleased wid the level of her naivety''but he cud not help admiring her for having that kind of purity!!
"You shud not be with me Ashna'.not with me!!!"
The next morning, Ashna wakes up to find another side of the bed empty and cold!! He had woken up'..quite long ago!! But he was not seen in the room. Ashna wondered where he was'..as he had nowhere to go!! And then'.she noticed the balcony door slightly open. So he was there!!
Ashna just shrugs her shoulder and turns her side on the bed. But she cant help looking bak at the slightly opened door. She had an urge to go there'.and see wat he is doing!! There was not much of a reason''perhaps she was just being curious!!
So Ashna gets off from the bed'.and peeps in the balcony. He was standing against the wall'..holding the railing wid the left hand'''' perhaps being tired of standing straight without any support!! She found him gazing in the front'.and she knew he was looking at nothing in particular!! She had seen him like this many a times'.when he wud simply be lost in his own thoughts'.so much that the always serious and alert person wudnt even notice sumone present near him!!
Suddenly'.a shadow of deep thought cud be seen on Ashna's face too''as she walks towards the bed and sits on it. She was keen to knw abt his thoughts'..which managed to bother him all the time!!
"Ab aisa bhi kya hai'..jiske bare me tum hamesha sochte ho Adil? Kya koi baat itni pareshan kar sakti hai'.ki koi muskurana bhul jaye? (smirking to herself) Kitni ajeeb baat hai'.jisne meri muskaan chin li'.aaj uske naa muskurane ki wajah janna hai mujhe!! This 'curiosity' thing'.is strange Adil'.but mujhe bas janna hai. That's it!!"
Now Adil enters the room'.and finds her awake'but lost in thoughts!!
Adil: I thought tum aaj der se uthogi.
Ashna looks up at him. He was simply looking at her'.but no'.she cudnt read those eyes. And it was disturbing for her'..that she cud never see thru him whereas she felt that he always knew how to deal wid her!! He just simply knew her'.while she didn't knw him at all'.!!
Adil: Ashna!! Kis soch me gum ho gayi?
Ashna: (comes out of her thoughts'.but decides not to look away) Tum kis soch me gum the?
Adil: Main?
Ashna: Haan'tum!! Kuch der pehle'..soch me hi to gum the tum!! Hai na?
Adil: Oh'.to tum meri soch ke bare me soch rahi thi!! Interesting!! But take my advice'.do something better!!
Ashna frowns at being caught like this'and looks away!!
Ashna: Stop being so self-centred!! Tumhe kisne kaha main tumhare bare me soch rahi thi? I seriously have better things to do.
Adil: Wahi to keh raha hu'.do the better things!!
Ashna: Uff'.pareshan mat karo mujhe'.jao yaha se!!
Adil: Yaha se kahan?
Ashna: Tum yaha kaam pe aye ho na'..to wahi chale jao!!
Adil: Well, jo site main dekhne aya hu'.wo sheher ke dusre end pe hai'..so shaadi khatam hone ke baad hum waha jayenge!!
Ashna: Hum?? Oh no'.u have such innovative ideas to torture me!! Tumhare saath ek minute nahi rehna chahti main'.but har jagah har pal bas tum hi mil jate ho!!
Just then there is a knock at the door'.and Ashna opens it to find Ashlesha standing there!!
Ashna: Hi Ashlesha'.
But Ashlesha doesn't greet her back'.she was in fact looking beyond Ashna wid a broad smile on her face. As Ashna follows her gaze, she finds Adil stood there looking at the ground. Ashna moves to her left a bit'.blocking her view'.and waves her hand before Ashlesha.
Ashna: Tumhe kuch kaam tha kya??
Ashlesha: Haan wo'.Heer Dii aap dono ko bula rahi thi'.for breakfast.
Ashna: Okay!! Hum aa rahe hai''u pls leave!! (she added wid a smile'and closed the door) Breakfast k liye bulaya hai'.main kuch der me aati hu'.. (he nods and she leaves to get freshen up''but he doesn't meet her eyes)
The rest of the day passes by as the last minute wedding preparations r done in full swing!! Adil cannot help noticing the excitement and happiness all around. Even Ashna was seen laughing around and having fun'and that was not a usual sight for him!! Again the sense of contentment and affection on Heer's parents' face was not missed by Adil. Their only daughter was getting married'.and he cud tell how happy as well as sad they were!! And then there was Heer'.whose face had an amazing glow'..and Adil knew how blessed she felt.
Not being used to such family gatherings'.Adil surely wasn't much confortable here. But he cud no way deny the fact that'..it felt gud to see everyone so cheerful and excited around him''it was nice to see such a grand wedding filled wid customs n rituals''it was soothing to see everything happening in a true sense'.and emotions coming from the bottom of the hearts!!
The next day was the marriage day'.
Adil:
Ashna:
Prem had a lil chat wid Adil before the wedding started. Ashna was also there.
Prem: Main aapko bata nahi sakta'.aap se mil kar main kitna khush hu!!
Adil: (shaking the hand) It's a pleasure on my part as well'.
Prem: Jab se Heer ne mujhe bataya that u r here'..I hav been excited to meet u since then'.
Ashna: Arre wah'..apni shaadi ke mauke pe'.all u cud remain excited abt was meeting HIM!! I'm sure'.Heer is not gonna like that (and she winks teasingly)
Prem: (blushes) Arre nahi'..aap bhi na Ashna!! But seriously Sir'.I hav always wanted to be sumone like u'..and to meet u like this'.is more than just a pleasure!!
Adil: Why someone like me? Yakeen maano'.mujh jaisa banne me koi badi baat nahi hai''apne aap me mujhe nahi khudko dhundo''.(and he manages a genuine smile at Prem)
Prem: Okay'.so that's the mantra I guess'
Adil: If u insist on blving so'.then yes!! By the way'.its ur wedding'..so congratulations to u and hope u two stay blessed always!! U make a wonderful couple!! And blv me'.the love in ur eyes'.is too much evident!!
Prem just looks down blushing at the comment'..but still composes himself'
Prem: Thank you and yes'..I think I can say the same for u two.
At this Ashna raises her eye-brow'.while Adil's face hardens.
Ashna: Bas bas bahut hua'..aur maska mat maariye!! Jaiye'.aur apni dulhan ka betaabi se intezaar kijiye'..yeh ek sacche ashiq ki param kartavya hai'..
Prem just laughs at that'.and leaves for the mandap as the priest was calling him. After a while'.Heer also comes down'.and the marriage rituals began!!
Adil witnessed the whole wedding feeling a lump in his throat. He felt a bit disturbed realizing the significance of every custom!! He eyed thru the crowd and his vision rested on his 'wife' who was now near the mandap and showering petals on the couple!! He suddenly felt hollow while naming this relation as such!!
During the farewell ceremony'.Adil noticed how Prem was acting as a support system for Heer!! Adil knew Prem was a gr8 person at heart. Though he had a brief meeting wid Prem today only, he knew it. Adil Raichand has dealt wid various types of persons all these years'..so knwing the genuineness of Prem wasn't hard for him!! However the question was not abt Prem being a gud person'.the actual fact was Prem n Heer were always there for each other!! That's why'.they got married!! And as Adil realizes this fact'.. 'the word 'marriage' doesn't sound so 'light' to him anymore!!
However after the farewell ceremony was over''it was time for Adil n Ashna to leave!!
Ashna: Hum abhi xactly kahan jayenge?
Adil: There is a hotel close to the site''waha pohuchte pohuchte raat ho jayegi'..so raat ko wahi rahenge'.and subah tak mera kaam khatam ho jana chahiye'.coz I hope everything will go f9'..to most probably hum shyam ki flight se wapas chale jayenge!!
Ashna: (sighs) Hmm'.then chalo jaldi nikalte hai'..it seems to be a long way!!
Adil just nods his head'.and they shift their luggage in the car.
Ashna: Umm'.driver kahan hai??
Adil: I'll be driving!!
Ashna: Itna lamba raasta'.tumhe drive karne ki kya zarurat hai?
Adil: Its all the same'..agar wo driver drive kar sakta hai'.then why not me? Chalo get in the car!!
The drive was initially quiet. Adil was driving attentively while Ashna was sumtimes listening to music'..sumtyms enjoying the view'.and sumtyms relaxing!! After a while'.Ashna starts a conversation out of boredom'.
Ashna: So'.how did u feel'.waha sab tumse kitni izzat se baat kar rahe the!!
Adil: (a lil surprised at the topic) Wats there to feel?? Log mujhse aise hi baat karte hai'..
Ashna: Seriously!! Aise 'Mr' 'Sir' aise kehke baat karte hai? (Adil remains silent at this which means 'yes') Tumhe nahi lagta they just try to flatter u?
Adil: Kyun'.tumhe kuch aur lagta hai kya? Of course'.they mostly try to flatter me!!
Ashna: (smirks) Donno'.why!! But yeah'.Prem bada genuine lag raha tha'.
Adil: That's becoz he was genuine!!
Ashna: Achha? And u knw that??
Adil: Hmm'.pata chal jata hai'..If u r truly observing'.then saamne wale ki soch ka andaza lagaya jaa sakta hai'.
Ashna: Ohh'.tab to main zyada observing nahi hu shayad'.isiliye tumhari soch samajh nahi paati'
Adil: Wat? Meri soch??
Ashna: Ahh'.nahi'meri soch!! I mean'.tab to tum bahut zyada observing ho'.thats why u can read my thoughts'.
Adil: Who said that I read ur thoughts? I don't!!
Ashna: Huh? C'mon lets admit it'.u kinda knw main kis baat pe kaise react karti hu'.thats why u act accordingly so that I act according to u. Main itni bhi buddhu nahi hu'.mujhe samajh me ata hai ki kabhi kabhi tum apne baton se mujhe trcik karte ho'..and take advantage of the dislike I have towards u!!
Adil: Hmm'.kaafi kuch samajhna start kar diya tumne!! But let me clear one thing'.tumhe predict karna bahut mushkil nahi hai'.If u think I read u'.then let me inform u'.anyone can do that!! U r too obvious and too nave!!
Ashna's jaw drops at that'..he just insulted her in the most civilized manner!!
Ashna: U just said that?? How cud you just say that?
Adil: Mujhe pata tha tum aise hi react karogi'.u didn't actually pay attention to wat I said and meant'.U just 'heard' wat I said'.and 'interpreted' wat I 'meant'!!
Ashna: That's not true!!
Adil: Didn't u think that I meant to insult u by saying all this?? Whereas that wasn't truly my intention!!
At this Ashna wants to reply back'.but she didn't have anything to say!! He was correct as that's wat she had thought!! In fact she blvs it even now that he meant to insult her only!! However'..she just turns her face away wid a pout and gazes at the view''.though her thoughts remain abt Him!!
Here Adil knew Ashna wasn't too pleased wid the convo''she was fond of praises and harshness was not her quality!! So she cud not take rude remarks very cordially as well. But he did convey wat was true'..she was sumtyms too blinded wid her problem to notice wats going around her!! Yes, She was tough '..she cud fight and survive for sure'..but the innocence and naivety was an intrinsic part of hers!!
At abt 9 p.m. they reached the hotel'.and went to their lavish suite!! It was booked as soon as it was decided Adil wud be coming here!! However, Adil was tired and wished to skip the dinner!!
Ashna: Par mujhe bhukh lagi hai'
Adil: I knw'.and u can definitely order for u!!
Ashna: Mujhe niche jaa ke khana hai'
Adil: Ah'tum room me order nahi kar sakti kya? (he asks politely)
Ashna: U didn't notice ryt?
Adil: Wat?
Ashna: There is a function downstairs'..sumthing spl for the owner I guess'..isliye there is a party for the guests'.and achha sa music bhi chal raha tha!! I wanna go there!!
Adil: Tum thaki nahi kya?? U just attended a wedding in the afternoon!! Aur itna long drive tha'.dont u feel exhausted?
Ashna: I do'.but khaana to khana hoga na'.and if music and all wud be going on'.then it wud feel gud!! That's why wanna go there!! But agar tum nahi jana chahte'.then f9!! Main akeli jaa sakti hu'.
Adil: Ah'.I didn't say am not coming'..tum fresh ho jao'.we'll go together!!
This immediately brings a smile on her lips'and she leaves to freshen up'.while his eyes follow her way!!
After a while'.Adil n Ashna settle at a table. Ashna places the order for herself as Adil refuses to have anything but a soft drink!!
Just then a band plays this song on the satge:
Baithe Rahe Khayalon Mein Yu..
Uljhe Rahein.. Sawaalon Mein Yuun Hi
Umm Kitni Baatein Hai Jo Kehna Paaye Unko
Hum Toh Na The Iss Tarah...
Hooo Hoooooo Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein Yuun
Khoye Rahein..
As the song starts'.Adil looks over his shoulder as he was facing the stage wid his back. And then he slowly turns his gaze towards Ashna'.she was smilingly looking at the stage and enjoying the beautiful song!! Adil slips into the lyrics of the song as even he wanted to tell her many things'.but cudnt!! He just cudnt!!
Bas Tumko Dekhe, Dekhate Hi Rahe
Ruk Jaye Lamhein Sabhi Jaate Huye
Kya Tumse Kehde, Aur Kya Na Kahe
Tum Hi Samajh Lo Sabhi Ai Kaash Ke
Bas Yeh Tamanna Hai Dil Jo Apna Hai, Usko Mil Jao Tum
Abb Na Khayalon Mein, Na Sawalon Mein, Baahon Mein Aao Tum..Hooo Hoooooo Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein Yuun
Khoye Rahein
Adil feels restless as how even he wants to stop the time right here'.so that she was with him always'so that he cud gaze at her like this!! He had wished this many a times'..but knew how baseless his wish was!! He knew he cudnt tell her anything he felt'.and neither did he think that she shud knw'.yet the heart cud not be stopped from wishing!! And it wished her to knw everything he felt just by looking at him. It wished her to be his companion'.forever!!
Suddenly Adil was stunned by his own thoughts'.and wanted to get back his composure. Wid her around it was just not being possible'.so he signaled her saying he had to make a call'and quickly went out!!
Chand Sitare Sare Benur The,
Tumse Mile To Sabhi Roshan Huye..
Yeh Sab Najare Phir Mile Naa Mile,
Ek Do Kadam Hi Sahi Milkar Chale
Kal Kisne Dekha Hai Kya Bharosa Hai, Reh Na Jaaye Gile
Yeh Ibtada Bhi Hai Intehan Bhi Hai, Hai Mohabbat Bhi Ye
Hooo Hoooooo Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein Yuun
Khoye Rahein, Khoye Rahein, Khoye Rahein..........
[Film: EMI]
Reaching outside'..Adil had tried to calm down his heart which was pounding way too hard!! But despite trying hard he cudnt stop himself from gazing back at her!! He cud see her from outside'.and his heart again went out of his mind's grip!! As he stared at her unblinkingly, he tried to sink that view in himself. Tomorrow was too uncertain'.and his heart just wished to live every single moment wid her'.whenever she was there!! After a long time'..his heart desired sumthing'.after a gr8 span of time'.Adil wished for sumthing'..sumthing for himself!!
And as he realizes that he turns away quickly!! He was losing himself'..his heart desired the forbidden and he wished for the impossible!! He cudnt let his heart take over his mind'.he cudnt just wish this. It has taken him each droplet of his existence to keep everything as right as possible'..now he just cudnt wish for the wrongest!!!
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Edited by sumaiya wahid - 14 years ago
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