Recap: Rudhir n Alpana return from Shimlaā¦.after seeing Alpana's father who was a bit unwellā¦.and after getting bak Alpana gets to knw Rudhir had emptied all of the coffeeā¦.as he possibly 'missed her'ā¦ā¦
Part # 6
One day'..one of Alpana's frnds cum to meet her'..She was basically from Shimla'but was here in Delhi for sum work'.and as she knew Alpana is now here'.she thought of meeting her.
Alpana: Tu baat mat kar mujhse'.meri shaadi me nahi ayi'..aur ab aa kar nautanki kar rahi hai?
Nikki: Arre baba'.puri zindagi issi baat ke liye taana degi kya?? Ab main kya karu agar tab main India me nahi thi'.aur tujhe shaadi karne ki itniii jaldi thi'.
Alpana: Excuse me'mujhe nahi'Papa ko'..Papa ko jaldi thi meri shaadi karwane ki'samjhi?
Nikki: Yeah I knw'.and after seeing our jeeja-ji I knw it more clearly as to'.why uncle was soo eager!!
Alpana: Achha? Then tell me why he was so eager!!
Nikki: Arre'itna hamdsum aur perfect ladka Shimla aya hua hai'.ye janne ke baad har koi pichhe padh jata yaar'isliye uncle ne socha hoga'.jaldi jaldi kaam nipta leta hu'.shaadi ke baad no tension'.
Alpana: (smacks her hard) Shut up'.kuch bhi bakti hai'.
Now Alpana looks at the wall clock again. Well she has been doing this for the last fifteen minutes but this tym Nikki cant help asking her'.
Nikki: Tujhe ghari me bhi Jeejaji ka chehra dikhta hai kya?
Alpana: Kya?? Phir se anab-shanab bak rahi hai'.
Nikki: Arre main bhi kya karu'.tu hi kab se ghari ko nihaar rahi hai'.
Even before Nikki cud finish'.the front door opens and Rudhir enters. But as he was closing the door'..he still didn't see the guest at home'..and so calls out loudly... "Alpu"'.However just then he turns around to find the two ladies staring at him'.
Rudhir: Oops'.sorry'.I just didn't notice'.
Alpana: Ahh'its ok'.actually Rudhir'.this is Nikki'.my skool frnd'.and Nikki'.this is Rudhir'.
Nikki: Nice to meet u'.
Rudhir: (smiles) Same here'.but u weren't at our wedding ryt?
Nikki: Ahh'yeah'.actually I was out of country!! ( at this Alpana makes face at her again'.while she seems apologetic'and this share of expressions was not missed by Rudhir)
Rudhir: Well'.never mind. And yes'.I wud love to chat wid u a lil more'.but I just need to rush.
Alpana: (cutting him) Rush matlab?? Abhi kaha jaana hai?
Rudhir: Wo ek bahut zaruri meeting hai'.clients kal wapas jaa rahe hai'so hav to meet them over dinner'..
Alpana: Agar jaana hi tha'.to aye kyun? (she complains sweetly'.not acknowledging Nikki's presence)
Rudhir: (feeling a lil embarrassed) Wo mujhe'files lena tha'.and meeting thodi der baad hai'..so I thought ghar aa kar thodi tayyari bhi kar lunga'.I hope that's a fair enough reason ma'm'.(he smiles sweetly)
Hearing the tone of his words'.Alpana realizes she was talking in front of Nikki only'.who was by now smiling sheepishly and perhaps adoring the 'cute couple'!!
Alpana: Ahh'achha f9'..tum andar jaa ke fresh ho jao'.I'll get sumthing for u to eat'.
Rudhir: No no'.I don't need anything'.u guys carry on wid ur'.
Alpana: (cutting him midway) Oh pls'just go inside'tumhe kuch chahiye ya nahi'.wo main dekh lungi'.(and he leaves wid an embarrassed smile)
Now Alpana turns towards Nikki to find her observing her keenly'.
Alpana: Ab tujhe kya hua? Aise kya dekh rahi hai?
Nikki: Nahi bas'.Alpu ko dekh rahi hu'.
Alpana: Huh? Kya matlab?
Nikki: Oh c'mon Alpana'tujhe yaad hai'.9th standard me'ek ladka tujhe pet names se bulaya karta tha'.and ek din tu kitna gussa ho gayi thi'.kitna kuch sunaya tha usse'.
Alpana: Tu kehna kya chahti hai?
Nikki: Yehi ki'.hum sab jante hai'.tujhe apna 'Alpana' naam bahut pasand hai'.and iska shortened form'.ya iske saath zara sib hi chher-khaani tujhe pasand nahi hai'.sirf uncle tujhe pyar se 'alpu' kehte hai I guess'.but ab lagta hai list me koi aur bhi shaamil ho gaye hai'.
Alpana: Kya stupid baatein lekar baith gayi hai'.wo Rudhir hai aur'.(at this point Alpana stops but Nikki continues for her)
Nikki: Aur tumhare pyare patidev hai'.I knw dat'.but sach kahu to'.tujhe dekh kar mujhe hamesha lagta tha'.tujhse ye shaadi and iske saath juri zimmedariyan kabhi nahi sambhlengi''in fact hum na kabhi kabhi mazak bhi kiya karte the'.ki either tu kabhi shaadi nahi karegi or shaadi ke baad do din me apne husband se jhagra karke mayke laut ayegi'(and she giggles at the thought while Alpana glares at her)'..waise shayad jhagra tu ab bhi karti hai'.but it reflects ur love for him''jis tarah tu unke ane ka intezaar kar rahi thi'.and the way u are disappointed for his leaving'.its really sweet'.
Alpana: (shakes her head) Relationships analysis karne ka job liya hai kya tune? Stupid!! Achha tu ek minute ruk'.main Dh'.Rudhir ko kuch snacks deke ati hu'.
Nikki nods her head and Alpana turns to leave'.when she calls from behind'.
Nikki: Alpana'.(and Alpana turns around) U two truly make a lovely pair'..filled wid loads of love'.sacchi'.(and she winks)
At this Alpana just manages an awkward smile'..and leaves for the kitchen.
"Filled wid 'love'?....Nikki bhi na'.khud ko kuch zyada hi hoshiyar samajhti hai'.kitna ghalat bolti hai'.mere aur Dhir ke bich pyar thodi hai'.silly girl."
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One day'.some of Rudhir's business associates come at home'
Rudhir: Sorry Alpana''I knw business work ko ghar pe nahi laana chahiye'.but these clients hav always been at home'..and they like it here'..
Alpana: Its ok'.jitna mujhe pata hai'.ye ghar tumhara hi hai'.so chill'.(she replies wid a smile)
Rudhir: U r the sweetest dear'..love you''..(he pulls her cheek and leaves wid a smile)
But after that'..Alpana touches her cheek'.and feels a warmth around her neck'..However she just brushes that 'feeling' aside'..and resumes her work.
After sometime Alpana is supposed to take the tray of tea to the living room''but she cud hardly balance''as her hands started shaking!! Just then Rudhir comes there'.
Rudhir: Arre'kya kar rahi ho? Tumse to balance hota nahi na? Gira dogi'.lao'mujhe do'.
Alpana: Nahi main kar sakti hu'.
Rudhir: Yeah I remember'.tum kitna kar sakti ho'.
And Rudhir leaves wid the tray'.while Alpana keeps standing there wid a smile. It was nice to knw he cared abt her every single thing!!
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Nikki is supposed to leave today in the evening'.so she was having the lunch wid Alpana.
Alpana: Tujhe aaj hi kyun lautna hai?
Nikki: Kyunki mera kaam yaha khatam ho chuka hai'.and I just don't wish to be here anymore'.
Alpana: Kyun? Tujhe Delhi achha nahi laga?
Nikki: Arre wo baat nahi hai'.its just ghar se dur itne dino tak'..mujhe bilkul achha nahi lagta'.donno how u manage!!
Alpana: Hmm'..I am bound to manage'.koi chaara hi nahi hai'.
Nikki: Yeah'..aur phir jeeja-ji hai na'.its not like tum akeli ho'.
Alpana: Haan wo to hai'.but jab bhi mujhe office nahi jaana hota hai'and main ghar pe rehti hu'..I feel terrible'.ghar pe akele rehna is too boring!!
Nikki: Haan haan'..jeeja-ji naa ho to boring to lagega hi na'.
Alpana: Hmm'..(suddenly realizes Nikki was actually pulling her leg) Are u making fun of me?
Nikki: Kaun? Main?? Kabhi nahi'..
Alpana: I'll kill u Nikki'..tu kitni buri hai'.main yaha tujhe apni dukh bhari dastaan suna rahi hu'.aur tu mazak kar rahi hai'..
Nikki: To aur kya karu? Tujhe yu 'patni' wali avatar me dekhne ke baad main bahut shocked hu yaar'.
Alpana: Shocked??
Nikki: Aur nahi to kya''hamesha se tu kehti ayi hai'''.tujhe shaadi nahi karni hai'.lekin ab'.. 'wo' aye ya nahi'.'unhe' kya chahiye kya nahi'..inn sab cheezon ka fikr hai tujhe'..
Alpana: No ways'.aisi koi baat nahi hai'..we don't depend on others for things'. 'wo''apna'.(at this Nikki giggles) I mean'. 'Rudhir' apna kaam khud karta hai'.usse meri zarurat nahi hai'.and vice versa'.
Nikki: To maine kab mana kiya'..main to keh rahi thi'.tujhe uski madat karna shayad achha lagta hai'..kyun Alpu?
Nikki keeps teasing Alpana while Alpana goes red'..not really becoz of anger'.but mostly becoz of 'blushing'''
At night Alpana was standing in the balcony'.staring outside and thinking of everything altogether!!
"Kya sab kuch aise hi chalta rahega? Bas aise hi?? (she pauses for a while and then continues) Agar aise nahi to phir kaise? Main kya soch rahi hu'..or rather main kya chah rahi hu? Maine aisa hi kuch to socha tha'.yehi to chaha tha'.to ab aisa kyun lagta hai jaise this is not it'..now wat more do I want?'.Me greedy head!!"
Unknown to her'.Rudhir was observing her from the door for qite long'..and he had his own thoughts running over his mind'.
"This was never meant to be Alpana'.maine aisa na to socha tha'..naa hi kabhi manga tha''lekin aaj mujhe tum chahiye'.. I want us together!! Dekha jaye to saath hum abhi bhi hai'..lekin kuch kami hai shayad'.isiliye har pal mann me ek darr baitha rehta hai'..ki shayad kabhi tum mujhse dur chali jaogi'..iss darr ka kya karu Alpu? Kya sach me kabhi aisa hoga? Kya sach me kabhi ek din aisa ayega jab tumhe mere saath rehna achha nahi lagega'..kya sach me kabhi tum mujhe chhorke chali jaogi Alpu? Aur usse bhi bara sawal ye hai ki'..kya main tumhe rok paunga? Kya mere kehne se tum ruk jaogi?"
He closes his eyes for a while'to think a bt everything on a whole'..he remembers their first meeting at the restaurant''their desperation to reject the proposal'.their irritation''their 2nd meeting'..that little moment of laugh when he said "I am not into girls"''.their getting married'.their getting along wid each other'.their helping each other despite the fact of their marriage''that Holi'..the pudding made by her'.most probably for him'..then his missing her when she was in Shimla'..He wanted to hold it all'..Thought none of these incidents had been planned/thought by him'.in his wildest dreams''but now'..he just wanted these memories to last forever''.and he had taken them to be an integral part of his life'..he 'chrished' each memory'.with her!! But he was uncertain abt his future'. 'with her?'
"Darn'.its all so confusing'.its all so uncertain''Life before u had always been just abt myself''lekin aaj tum mujhe kitna effect karne lagi ho Alpu'..I never wanted this to happen'.but wat to do? This IS happening!! Kahan aa kar khara ho gaya hu main Alpu? Ye kaisi zindagi chun li maine? Now wats ahead??"
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One day''Rudhir gets back home later than usual'.and Alpana had been a bit worried'..becoz he had left office much before'..but hadn't reached home'and even his cell was off'.
Rudhir: Hey'..aaj thoda late ho gaya na?
"Oh'.so he realizes'.huh!!"
Alpana: Ah'yeah'.guess so'
Rudhir: Tum w8 kar rahi thi kya? Ya phir pareshan ho gayi thi kya? (he asks eagerly)
Alpana: Kaun main?? (gives a fake smile) Nahi'.main pareshan kyun hongi? Tum bacche to ho nahi'.and I understand'.koi meeting aa gayi hogi''office ke bahar'..hai na?
Rudhir: Actually no'.
Alpana: (her ears shot up) No?? Office se kaafi pehle nikle the'..To phir tum kahan the'.wo bhi itni der tak?
Rudhir: Actually'..Mishti ki tabiyat kharab ho gayi thi'..to main usse ghar'
Alpana: (cutting him) Mishti?? Kaun Mish-ti?? (she says this wid the syllable gap)
Rudhir: Actually'.she works in my office'and I knw her from college days'she was my junior'.but anyways'.the point is'.uski tabiyat kharab thi'..and jab maine usse ghar drop kiya tab waha koi nahi tha'..to maine uski mom ko phn kiya'.wo market gayi hui thi'..to jab tak Mishti ki mom nahi ayi'.tab tak maine wahi rukna sahi samjha'..bimaar insaan ko yu akela chhor ana sahi nahi hota na'.
Alpana: So u were concerned ha?
Rudhir: Umm'.yes'I guess so'.. koi bhi bimaar hoga to concerned hona jayaz hai'.hai na?
Alpana: Hmm '..lekin tumhara phn switched off tha'.wo kyun?
Rudhir: (raises an eye-brow) So u tried my number?
Alpana: (fumbles a bit) Ah'.actually'..um'..tumne bataya nahi'.phn off kyun tha?
Rudhir: Wo battery low thi'.to off ho gaya!!
Alpana: Mish-ti'.ke ghar pe landline nahi tha kya??
Rudhir: Arre haan'.tha to'.par'.actually mujhe adat nahi hai na'.ghar pe inform karna and all that'..aur phir aisa pehle kabhi hua bhi nahi tha'.main to bas usse ghar drop karke aa jata hu'.
Alpana: (looks at him being horrified) "Aa jata hu"'.matlab?? U do it always?? (she asks wid her eye-brows raised'.but the accent was as sweet as possible)
Rudhir: Nahi not always'but quite often. Uska ghar raaste me hi ata hai'..and of course she is a frnd to me'.so I prefer helping her out'..its gud to be nice to ppl'hai na?
Alpana: Yeah'.(after a moment of thought) just excuse me ok?
Rudhir nods'..and Alpana goes to her bedroom'.closing the door behind!!
Alpana remembers sum words'.spoken just now'.
bimaar insaan ko yu akela chhor ana sahi nahi hota na'.
koi bhi bimaar hoga to concerned hona jayaz hai'.hai na?
its gud to be nice to ppl'hai na?
Now she remembers the tym'.when she had been drenched in the rain after coming from his party'.and he had taken such gud care of her'..at that tym'.he had said sumthing like this'.
Hamare bich ek deal hai lekin iska ye matlab bilkul nahi hai'.ki main tumhe bimaar dekhu'.par kuch na karu'.thinking that's not my business!!
Tum bimaar isliye ho kyunki tum kal mere saath MERI party me gayi thi'so I shud be aplogizing to u'.
"Is it all same? Tumhara mera khyal rakhna'aur kisi aur ka khyal rakhna'.is it all same Rudhir? Tum sabke ke saath ache ho'.u r gud to every1'..do I include in 'every1''.am I no exception for u?"
And now Rudhir knocks on the door'..
Rudhir: Alpana kya hua? Tumhe dinner nahi karni hai kya?
Alpana: Huh? (comes out of her thoughts and replies unmindfully from inside only) Wo'.tum khaa lo'.maine khaa liya hai'.
On the other side of the door'.Rudhir looks confused and sumwhere displeased. He had just checked the kitchen'.there was food kept for both of them'.she surely hadn't touched the food'.and as she had prepared for both'.she surely wanted to hav the dinner tonight'.then wat went wrong all on a sudden?
He however'.doesnt take the dinner'.keeps everything in the refrigerator''and coming bak he finds the door open. But getting inside'he finds the lights to be off and Alpana was already settled on the bed'..She seemed to be asleep'..but he was sumhow sure that she wasn't.
Her sudden change of behavior confused him'.and those wrinkles on her forehead'.mattered to him'..He eagerly wanted to wipe them away'..and soothe her!! But cud he do that??
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Edited by sumaiya wahid - 14 years ago
Debate Mansion
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