4
She had to knock at least thrice on his office door to get his attention. "Swayam, may I come in?"
"Oh…" the last loud tap abruptly jerked him back to present. "Sure…uh…of course…come in Vishakha."
"Aur hum bhi!"
Swayam could not help but smile at this comic chorus. "Nice," he remarked, loosening his tie. "Bharat and Nil…aur meri permission? That's a first," he chuckled.
Vishakha gave both the boys a friendly serious glare, and punched Bharat's arm. "Stop it boys," she warned them, smiling at Swayam. "Till five every evening, hum Shikhawat Aviations ke employees hain …and right now, official work ke liye MD ke office me aye hain…so settle down already!"
"Correction," Swayam pointed out, giving her a quick jovial wink. "Employees nahi…my finest team."
"Aye, aye Captain," Nil and Vishakha raised an elaborate salute at him, making Swayam laugh some more.
"So tell me guys," he asked, as he folded his shirt sleeves and adjusted his waistcoat. "How is the Lufthansa project coming along?"
"Fabulous," Vishakha beamed, as the three of them took their seats opposite Swayam. "In fact, as the chief of PR, mere paas kuch aur ideas hain…to make the liaising process of this project even smoother."
Swayam was completely tuned in at this. For the next two hours, they discussed every new aspect of the concerned project in detail.
Shikhawat Aviations had been founded by Swayam's grandfather, and had always maintained a high standard. But currently, the company had been doing extremely well. Swayam had worked very hard since the day he had joined.
His father had purposely appointed him as a small-level intern first, so he could understand and relate to his colleagues from the grassroots as much as he could with the top cadres.
"You will be an intern to Mr. Silva, the Packaging floor supervisor… no air conditioned-office, and no special perks for you," his father had lain out in an authoritative tone, but with a trusting smile three years ago. "Will you be able to handle this for the next six months?"
"Of course dad," Swayam had confidently assured.
"And the six months after that," his father had continued. "You will be assistant to Mr. Hirani, the design department project leader. Done?"
"Absolutely."
"That's my son," his father had finally embraced him in delight; after Swayam had agreed to a few more of his stated conditions. "You see Swayam, even your dada-sahb had made me earn the MD's chair… so… just because you were born a Shikhawat, does not mean your father will confine you from some of these very important lessons in humility."
Swayam had been euphoric that day.
"Sharon…baby…" he had practically tangoed around her, while she had been just as excited at his ecstasy. "Dad thinks I can do this…he…he… today he said he was proud of me … just an hour ago…he actually said it…gosh…can you believe it Sharon…!"
Sharon had finally held him against his swirls, a look of adoration pronounced in her eyes. "Who wouldn't be proud of you Swayam…" she had whispered shyly.
That evening they had spent hours together, holding each other and talking about their future.
"Lattie would have been so happy for you today," Sharon had reminisced tenderly, grasping his arms around her closer.
"Lattie…" Swayam had turned pensive at the mention of her name. Since the day Latika had mysteriously disappeared, Swayam had not been able to give words to the unsettling sense of loss he felt… much to his helplessness. Tears sometimes flowed on their own… yet how he wished those tears couldspeak for themselves. Because he desperately wanted to release the hollow he felt within… but words had ceased to seem enough of an expression anymore. "Lattie…"
"Good work guys," Swayam appreciated, as he blocked the lingering thoughts of the past, and focused on their ongoing discussion. "And excellent inputs Vishakha. Ask your assistant to give me all that we talked about in writing, by evening. I would want to discuss it with the Board."
Vishakha flashed a wide thankful smile, and nodded in agreement. They spent another few minutes fine tuning the points, before leaving for their own cabins.
Swayam had just leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes when Vishakha knocked once again.
"Swayam," she stood outside his already open door. "Mujhe dus minute doge? Not as a colleague…but as a friend?"
"Vishakha…friends ke beech me no time calculations, okay," Swayam laughed. "Come on in." Vishakha smiled as she settled opposite him once again.
"Swayam," she began. "I know last three months se hum sab is project me bahot busy hain…and I understand you are working really hard… but…but…"
"But what?" Swayam asked, knowing all the while what she was getting at.
"How are you Swayam," she finally asked, touching his palm in concern. "I know…I know you might not want to talk about it right now…I mean…Lattie hoti toh shayad tum…but…but…you need to talk to someone at least…aise kab tak tum…I know Sharon ko lekar tum aaj bhi…"
Swayam placed his hand over hers in reassurance, once again moved inside at the mention of both Sharon and Lattie. "Vishakha," he verified. "I am fine.Really."
"Toh fir…toh fir aajkal tum raat ke 11 baje tak office me kyun…" she complained. "Is that even normal? We have known you since college, Swayam…you have always been the balanced one. Toh ye…achanakworkaholic kabse ban gaye tum?"
"How does it even matter Vishakha," he sighed, slowly closing his eyes to the memories of his last interaction with Sharon. "Seriously, kya fark parhta hai."
"So what do you think guys," Swayam had asked expectantly a year back. "Will she like it?"
"Like it bole toh?" Bharat had snapped. "Arey she will LOVE it!"
Swayam had still not been sure. "But…hum sab boys hain yaha. We should have brought at least Simi or Vishakha you know."
"Kyun?" Vicky had snapped. "Why not my Kaagu, dude?"
"Aley, abhi wo kahan se ayegi?" Amar had reminded him. "Lini aul Neha toh Kliya ke saath Jaipul gaye hain na. Kliya ke dance institute ka pelfomance ke liye!"
"Oh haan," Vicky had remembered, while Nil had hit him hard on his head.
"Swayam," Rey had broken the diversion. "Inki baat mat sun. The ring is perfect. Sharon will be thrilled!"
"You…you sure Rey," Swayam had still not been completely convinced. "I want to make this really unusual for her…you guys get it right…? Aaj main usey propose…"
"Yeah yeah…we get it…so what's the confusion anyway," Manan had guaranteed at last. "She's the one who had wanted this particular solitaire right…toh fir itna kya confuse ho raha hai?"
Swayam had to agree to this. "True…that's true… But…but…"
"Dekh…enough! I bet the Taj Mahal…Shar will love it," Manan had assured warmly. "Right bhai?"
"Absolutely," Rey had agreed. "Bas, toh fir it's done…ye ring…finally FINAL!"
And all the boys had practically fallen over on each other in celebration.
And then…later that evening… "Swayam Shikawat…you know what…you should…you should just go back to your desperate stalking acts…tumhewahi suit karta hai!"
Swayam squeezed his eyes shut…but no tears came out. He had become incapable of crying anymore. Only, her memories haunted him. And yet…he had suddenly lost the way to give words to anything he felt. If only someone could understand him without having to speak…
He looked across to find Vishakha's eyes moist in concern.
"I am fine Vishakha. I really am…" he assured, trying to smile as genuinely as he could, but the smile never reaching his eyes. He did not want to upset anyone anymore. 'I have already disturbed Rey, Kriya and Manan enough… ab bas.' He had decided months back. 'No more talking about Sharon. That chapter is done with...closed.'
***
"Fifteen minutes me ready ho jaao baatcutter," Rey spoke in a hurry. "I am coming to pick you up!"
Kriya had just sat down for dinner, and her eyes opened wide at his call.
"Mablabb…? Koo…Kaiffe…? Wey…" she struggled to mumble with bread in her mouth.
"Kriya," her mother warned. "Kitni baar kaha hai, no talking while eating? Kiska call hai?" And she took the phone over, much to Kriya's protests.
"What…?" Rey had not been able to make out a word. "Baatcutter tum kya - "
"Baatcutter ki mom," Smriti said firmly, as she smirked at an amused Kriya. "Taang-cutter."
"Oh…um…uh..aap…matlab…" Rey stammered shyly. "Mom-in-law?"
"Yes, son-in-law," Smriti replied authoritatively for a minute, and then immediately changed over to her affectionate tone. "Kya baat hai son-in-law…where are you planning to take my daughter tonight?"
"Uh…mom-in-law…" Rey debated if he should tell her right away. "Kasauli…"
"Kasauli?!!" Smriti was sincerely shocked. "Movie, long-drive, dinner se seedha Kasauli? But why… may I ask?"
Kriya quickly hurried from her table, miming the word Manan with her hands and mouth, as she quickly chewed her last piece of bread-pizza. It took a minute for Smriti to understand, and then grow immediately concerned.
"Kuch pata chala uske baare me," she asked in care. "This is about Manan, right?"
"Jee mom-in-law…" Rey agreed, his tone turning serious again. "He is in Kasauli…and I need Kriya to be with me in this… but only if you - "
"Of course beta," Smriti readily agreed. "But what is he doing in Kasauli…waha kyun...?"
"That's what…" Rey closed his eyes. "That's what I need to find out as well…why Kasauli…"
An hour later, they sat in the Mumbai Domestic Airport, waiting for their flight to Delhi.
"Three hours me Delhi," Rey reported, as he handed over a can of Diet Coke to Kriya and took a seat next to her. "Overnight stay at the Ginger…and fir morning me five hours drive. Just booked a cab."
"Overnight…" Kriya looked slightly flustered.
"Two single rooms book kiye hain baatcutter…" he affectionately pinched at her cheeks, amused by her initial discomfort. She smiled sheepishly at him for having anticipated otherwise for a moment.
"Par Rey," Kriya spoke in concern, offering the first sip of her drink to Rey. "Don't you think…don't you think aapko ek baar Manan se baat kar leni chahiye thi?"
"Baatcutter," he spoke, idly looking outside at the unloading luggage trolleys. "There has to be some reason why he is avoiding all of us right now…and I…I don't want to alarm or embarrass him any further. Abhi samne se jayenge toh...I am sure… I am sure sab theek ho jayega."
That's when the announcement was heard. 'Indigo Flight 3467 Mumbai to Delhi, ready for boarding.'
"Rey, that's us," Kriya noticed, picking up her handbag. She made a quick praying gesture… something she always did before anything important… something that never failed Rey to stare and smile at her in adoration.
"Haan, haan…sun li Universe ji ne," Rey teased affectionately. "Ab chale?"
Kriya smiled in a fond annoyance, and playfully smacked at his shoulder, as they moved ahead to join the boarding queue.
***
"Manan," Latika uttered, with a distant look in her eyes, as she vaguely stared beyond the window grills. Her voice had once again broken Manan's race of thoughts and had pushed him back to present.
There had been a long power cut that evening, and somehow the cottage generator had also failed. So they both sat huddled on the wide-window platform, the only portion in the room in receipt of some moonlight.
'Manan,' the name automatically repeated inside him once again. This had been the first time since their last two days together, that she had called him by his name. And inspite of his continual inner disputes… his name in her voice seemed to strangely soothe him. 'She means nothing to me,' he fiercely told himself. 'I shall never love again.'
And yet it sounded do right…so deep... so understood…
"Contemplation," she looked at him with a serene half smile. "That's what your name means, right?"
"Huh?" he was stumped for a second. Was she reading his thoughts now? "I…I don't… uh… yes… that's what it means," he finally gave up avoiding, and agreed, still not looking at her.
"It's beautiful," she shrugged, picking up an open bottle of water. "Manan…contemplation…I definitely need to be doing some."
For the first time, he turned to face her in an understated curiosity… yet not wanting to give it away. 'What contemplation does she need anyway,' he wondered, his face not once giving away his thoughts. 'It's me who needs to be contemplating right now…and why is she suddenly talking so philosophical anyway…?'
"Hey, don't worry," she laughed awkwardly, mistaking his puzzle to be a look of disregard. "I tend to get pensive during power cuts and moonlit nights sometimes…so there…nothing serious."
"But hey, now that I have finally got your attention," Latika continued, before he could cut in to clear the misconception. "Can I ask you something…?"
"Shoot," he uttered almost inaudibly, shifting his glance back at the pine trees.
"Tum…kal…" she debated whether it would be right to bring it up at all… but then raised it all in one go. "You were thinking of jumping into that lake yesterday, is it not…"
"But I wasn't going to -" Manan hastily cut her in…but a bit too soon… alarmed by the abruptness of her question.
It took them a moment to realize the gravity of the indirect confession Manan had just made.
Both of them stared at each other in a shocked disbelief.
'So I had been right all this while,' Latika shuddered inside at this realization. 'Oh God…what if…what if I had been even a second late…'
'This is insane…' Manan was thinking instead. He could not believe he had been read so clearly. 'How…how the hell does she know…there is now way she could find out…freak…this is disturbing…'
"Uh…well… its none of your business," Manan quickly turned away, not wanting to face her at all.
Latika smiled wryly. "I know…it's not. But…but I was just shocked. I mean, you…you don't look the kinds who would give everything up like that...so easily…in a moment…without a fight…"
Manan glanced at her once again, testing to see if she truly meant what she was saying.
"I mean it," Latika spoke, stunning him again at another telepathic answer. "I mean obviously… kuch to hua hoga tumhare saath…something really extreme…tabhi to tum…tum kal raat ko…"
Manan looked down at his toe. 'Why is she doing this…I don't want to discuss this…with…with some stranger…' he resisted.
"You want to talk about it," she asked earnestly right then. "Sometimes, it just is the best solution."
"No," he barked immediately, looking away once again.
Latika shrugged flatly, and stared back at the view outside again. It took him a few minutes to observe tears streaming down Latika's eyes. He looked immediately unnerved… dimly concerned, and yet unsure of what to do.
"Hey…why are you…are you crying…?" he could not seem to be able to frame his question in this discomfit.
"What…? No…its…it's just…" she tried to smile, uneasily brushing away the tears fast. "I…it's…it's just been really long since I've…I've actually talked to someone you know… aur meri hi galti hai...I know it…maine hi sab kuch," she battled for the right words. "That's why…that's why I thought you could perhaps use a listening ear…you know…and with me, its safe…hum toh shayad iske baad kabhi milenge bhi nahi…so I thought maybe…you needed to vent the silence out… but… it's okay…it's okay if you don't want to…I'd completely understand, its - "
"She tried to get me killed," he announced blandly in between.
His statement had caught her offguard. "Wh-what…are you ser- …Who…?"
Manan did not know what to say next, too taken in by his own unintended confession. He slowly turned to face her once again, this time his gaze fixed staidly on her. "My girlfriend…well… I was…I was going to marry her…" he spoke in a hushed somber tone, asserting each word distinctly. "Charlie…"
***
"Tumhe pata tha…?" Kriya gaped at Rey in astonishment, as they sat in his room at the Ginger Hotels in Delhi. "Par Manan ne toh…usne toh sirf mujhe…"
"I know…" Rey dug into his bowl of noodles. "Mujhe bhi fifteen minutes pehle hi…Mr.Mittal se…"
"Oh…uncle ke personal assistant?" Kriya asked.
"Yes," Rey nodded, putting a forkful of noodles in Kriya's mouth. "And Manan…Manan itni choti baat ke liye…why is he not talking to us…."
"Sir, it's a girl," Mr. Mittal had called fifteen minutes ago. "Koi Charlie Gerewal…have you heard of her… or met her before, sir?"
"Definitely not," Rey had replied in bewilderment. "But what connection does she have against Manan's return?"
"Connection hai sir," Mr. Mittal had affirmed. "Networks se pata chala hai… that… that Manan sir had booked a time at the Delhi Marriage Registration office…"
"What?! Marriage…?" Rey had been baffled. "But…usne…usne toh mujhe kuch bhi nahi…and then…why is he…what is he doing in Kasauli…?"
***
"We were supposed to meet in Shimla," Manan spoke in an almost noiseless tone, his gaze vaguely fixed on Latika's folded knees. "But then, she changed her mind…and asked me to meet her here...in Kasauli." A pained sniffle escaped involuntarily. "We were supposed to drive back to Delhi…get married…and…"
Latika stared at him in tremor…tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "But…but then…what…what went so wrong… why were you…you know how I had found you that evening right…how did that…?"
"She had…never actually loved me you see…" he answered blankly, gravely looking into her eyes. "All she… she had only wanted those… sixty thousand dollars…"
***
"What…?" Rey had not been able to make sense of the situation anymore. "Are you sure Mr. Mittal?"
"Yes sir, we just got a statement from the Singhania's joint Swiss Bank Account," he had answered in his submissive tone. "The money has been withdrawn from a bank in Kasauli just three days back… And sir, we have been unable to trace those sixty thousand dollars ever since."
"Sixty thousand dollars means nothing to us compared to Manan, Mr. Mittal," Rey had asserted. "I only hope you are completely sure that he is safe."
"Yes sir, he is," Mr. Mittal had confirmed. "Kal hi aapke samne meri unse baat hui thi, and he had sounded fine. It's…it's just that…it seems he never went to Delhi to get married at all…and I do not understand why…"
Rey had heaved a sigh of relief, and had been worried almost at once. If Manan had not married yet…then why was he not coming back…?
"Main bhi nahi samajh paa raha hoon sir…ki Manan sir ghar kyun nahi…" Mr. Mittal had seemed equally confused. "Aap dono ko bachpan se dekha hai sir… mere apne baraah saal ki beti ki kasam…I have been praying since yesterday ki bas…Manan sir…theek ho…" Mr. Mittal's even voice seemed to have cracked for the first time.
He had been Mihir Singhania's personal assistant since the day Singhania Constructions had been founded. He had only been twenty-one then. Now he was forty-eight, and one of the oldest and most trusted employees…almost family to the Singhanias.
Mr. Mittal had been particularly fond of both the boys…and had trained them of their father's empire about single-handedly.
"Isliye jaise hi mujhe pata chala sir Athens me nahi hain, aur Mumbai me bhi nahi…usi waqt maine unka phone trace karne ko kaha…pehli baar …aapke permission ke bina…uske liye maaf - "
"Mr. Mittal, please," Rey had broken in respectfully. "Aap humare senior hain Mr. Mittal…please sorry nahi…never. Rather…thank you…thank you so much…aapki hi wajah se… we have been able to reach Manan today…we just… we cannot thank you enough..."
"Aap aur Manan sir…you are like my sons too, sir," Mr. Mittal had wiped a tear off silently. "Bas wo theek ho…"
Rey had agreed. "Aur ab…now he has to come back…with us…"
***
"I'll never go back," Manan resolved, his face wet with tears, but his voice determined. "How do I…? Kya kahunga main bhai ko…dad ko…what did Ido with so much money…kya kahunga main unse…?"
He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head…still in disbelief of what had happened only three days back.
"Please, pretty please Manan honey," Charlie had fluttered her eyelids like she always did when she wanted something. "I told you no baby, I really need that watch…"
"Oh come on Lee, watch costs that much money?" Manan had laughed, as they walked across the Kasauli Mall road, looking for a restaurant to have lunch. Manan had just reached the hill-station, after two days of flying, and a five hours drive… and he was exhausted. "Waise bhi…we are getting married tomorrow silly…so watch kya…I'll get you anything you want…you'll just have to name it!"
"Oh," Charlie had scowled. "So you can get me 'anything'…but cannot lend me…lend me a measly sixty thousand dollars? Maine tumhe itne dino se kaha tha baby…that I need that money…please…"
"But that's not my money, Lee," Manan had tried to earnestly reason with her. "That's dad's money…our family's money… I can't just…"
"Only sixty thou sweeti," she had coaxed in her trademark cooing voice, invitingly running a finger on his face. "Am I asking for too much…am I not important to you baby?"
"You know it's not like that Lee," he had caringly avowed. "But…why don't you…why don't you understand…wo mere paise nahi hain. I know dad, bhai… they'll never ever ask me for reasons…but…but…I just can't do this Charlie…"
"So you don't love me," she had pouted, giving him a warning look. "Yes…you…you just don't love me. I should have known…you…you men… you justdon't have a heart," she had sniffled, making a tear appear.
"Fine," Manan had given up, making a bowing gesture at her with a chuckle. "Fine…I'll get you the money. Fir toh mujhe khana order karne dogi na…God, I am starving!"
"Oh baby," her expression had immediately changed to excitement, as she had hugged him snugly. "I knew it! Love you baby!"
"Anything for you, Lee," he had held her fondly. "Anything…"
An hour later, he had been battling eight men armed with sticks and chains in a deserted trench…his forehead bleeding profusely over a strong hit…his chest ringing with pain at another sharp strike. As he had defended himself that evening, he had tried to steal glances at Charlie… who stood afar holding the bag of money, one hands on her hips…watching him struggle…her eyes cold…unaffected.
He knew he was going to die.
But how he had wished that once…just once… she would break in and announce that she loved him…that she had always loved him… and right now, she was only being made to do this under some kind of pressure.
But she had not moved.
And then that final breaking blow had crashed on his chest, and he had stumbled and fallen, coughing blood.
That is when she had walked up to him, her lips curved in a feeble smirk. He had looked expectantly at her, inspite of the wringing pain he had felt for trying to raise his head.
"Ch-Charlie…wh-what…why…"
"Come on baby…please understand," she had said, feigning an apologetic expression. "You love me right…right…?"
Manan had struggled to nod in a yes, even as his head had throbbed, and his chest had screamed in agony. Blood and sweat had run alike over his face, messing up his clothes as well.
"Then you should be happy for me no…isn't true love all about sacrifice?" she had laughed her tinkling laughter. "But, but, but…what a pity…I thought I was dating a boxer all this while…par tum toh…" she laughed some more again.
Tears of desperation had run down Manan's cheeks, diluting his blood as it fell on the ground.
"And hey, don't tell me you never got it…" she had chirped. "I had always loved him… Rohan… there…that's him!" She had promptly pointed at a dark, brawny man with long hair…the one who had landed the final strike on his chest. "I had always loved him…since the last two years bab…" She had continued with a triumphant grin. "And we had so needed that money…for our years old American dream…and…and now thanks to you… we'll finallyhave it our way…"
Manan had lay there listening to her, coughing in pain…trying to wail aloud…but the slightest efforts made his chest fall apart in pain.
"Actually you know what…you shouldn't have got into this marriage business at all…" she had dramatically shaken her head in loathe. "Toh fir ye fight sequence hota hi nahi… so baby…ye meri galti nahi hai okay...you called this upon yourself!"
"Come on Charlie, we've gotta get out of here now," Rohan had called at her, growing anxious of being spotted near a dying Manan. The rest of his mob had already left.
"Whoops, okay...so that was it," she had got up cheerfully, ready to leave. "Sorry Manan… just hard luck baby…shayad meri jaisi princess tum deservehi nahi karte the… nothing personal okay. Cheerios!"
And she had waved at him with a wide grin, as Rohan had nearly flew his bike away.
Leaving him there…to die…
'No..Charlie…nooo…CHARLIE!!!'
"Charlie!!!" he screamed again, as all the memories rushed back to him at once. "Why…" he whimpered.
Latika was stunned into silenced by what she had heard in the last half an hour. Was this even possible… how could anyone…how could anyone eventhink of doing something like that to someone who loved them so much?
Her tears ran endlessly, but she was not conscious of them any longer. She could not believe how Manan had been living with such agony bottled inside since the last three days…
"Shayad…" he was saying. "Shayad…ye sab love and…ye sab mere liye haihi nahi… first my parents… then Charlie…and now…and now I am going to lose everyone…mom, dad, bhai, my friends, KG…I can never go back now…after all of this…main kaise…", his endurance could not take anymore, and he finally broke down in loud sobs.
"No…Manan…you," she brought her hands up to wipe his tears…her touch instantly soothing him beyond his understanding. Taken over by this enormous sense of release, he fell on her shoulders, forgetting himself for a while. "Sorry bhai…" he repeated time and again, as he cried uncontrollably.
Latika did not know what to tell him…what words to pick…she was so moved by his incidents herself. She stroked his shoulders gently, not stopping him from crying. "It was not your fault Manan…" she whispered gently. "It was justnot your fault. Tumhe ghar wapas jaana hoga…"
"No…" he kept denying, sniffing aloud, still holding onto her. "I…I cant…please…Latika…"
It seemed as if the night breeze had suddenly begun to blow for an effect unknown. Hearing her name in his whisper…had unexpectedly made her name sound freshly beautiful to her ears. Yet, she could not explain why.
But now the time had stopped… as he lay on her shoulder, his eyes closed, sniffling silently… feeling a sense of comfort he did not realize himself.
And Latika…she was so lost in the reverie of the moment… that she had not even taken notice that the lights and the room-heater were working again. The power failure had been resolved.
That's when Manan became aware of the same too…and froze at the fact that he had been holding her. He quickly got off the window platform, looking away awkwardly.
"Sorry," he mumbled not looking at her, as he hurriedly went outside the cottage for a walk…leaving Latika staring after him.
Dealing with the shuffles of varied emotions she suddenly felt inside.
***
Loud knocks on the cottage door jolted Manan from sleep the next morning. "Chai nahi chahiye Toshia," he shouted, half asleep. The sunlight hurt his eyes from crying the previous night.
"Manan," came a familiar serious voice.
He sat up in alarm. 'Bhai…?'
The knocks persisted, getting louder everytime. "Manan…come on, open the door."
He closed his eyes in terror. 'Oh freak', he panicked, as he sprang up on his feet, and looked in vain for a place to hide…or run.
"Manan…please darwaza kholo…it's okay…main hoon yahan Manan…kuchnahi hoga…"
'KG…?' He was stunned even more. 'What the hell is going on…how did they…'
After ten minutes of stalling over escape plans…Manan quietly unlocked the two-way key, and went back to sit on the bed with a resigned expression.
Kriya entered first, slowly opening the door and immediately hurrying towards him, distressed at the large plaster-band on his forehead. Rey however overtook her, and threw at Manan a pair of boxing gloves he had brought along… and wore an extra pair himself.
"Wear them, right now," Rey commanded, his voice dangerously calm. "Come on… jaldi peheno isey."
"Bhai…kyun bhai…" Manan stammered to find words. "Please bhai… …"
"Manan," Rey's voice remained unnaturally calm. "Quick…wear them, and fight me… now!"
"Bhai…what are you saying…main kaise…tumhe…"
"Rey…please, aap kya…" Kriya tried to intervene, taking Manan's side. "Aap ek baar us se...at least let him explain…for God's sake, usey chot lagi hai Rey…"
"Baatcutter," Rey looked at her solemnly. "Don't protect him right now. Let me handle this," he stated, turning back at Manan… who had been standing at the edge of the bed, his head hung low. "Come on Manan…NOW!" Rey raised his voice this time, startling both Manan and Kriya together.
"Bhai…" tears had begun running down Manan's eyes, his face already red from crying hard the previous night. "I…I…"
"Three months chota hai tu mujhse…full three months," Rey spoke sharply. "And itna bada decision…akele…? Ab emotionally hurt kar hi diya hai…so…why not physically as well…come on…hit me Manan!"
Manan powerlessly dropped down on the bed slowly, yearning to hug his brother once. Kriya's heart ached for him, as she glanced helplessly at Rey to forgive him.
"Bhai…wo saare paise…main…I am so sorry bhai…" Manan stammered in emotion. "Kaise bhi karke…I sware… main saare paise redeem kar dunga…please…I am sorry…please don't hate me bhai…tum bhi agar…toh…toh main bahot akela parh jaunga bhai…please…"
Rey stormed towards him and held him in a tight adoring hug. "You were thinking about money all this while, you FOOL!" he scolded him affectionately, as Manan sniffled aloud in his embrace. "Idiot… tujhe…tujhe kuch ho jata toh main…main kis se baat karta…main KYA karta…" Rey wept mutely, at once remembering a similar conversation they had had when Manan had lost his biological parents ten years back.
"I am sorry bhai," Manan cried some more, letting out all the contained guilt and pain he been holding within. "I…I am so…so sorry."
Twenty minutes later, Kriya was packing Manan's bag, while Rey had gone to buy some prescribed medicines for the way.
"Manan," Kriya asked, as she zipped his duffel bag. "That girl you were supposed to marry…what happened with - "
"Not now KG," he looked at her with pleading eyes. "Later…I'll tell you everything…I promise….just…not now…"
"Okay, of course," she smiled considerately. "Toh fir…chale? The packing is all done."
"No," Manan held her back. "You need to meet her first."
"Meet who?" Kriya asked in surprise. "Yahan kaun…yahan to koi…"
"Yeah, she must have gone for a jog," he said, as he folded his ipod headphones. "She'll be back any minute…she's the one… jisne mujhe…shesaved me KG…"
"What…she what…?" Kriya was taken aback once again. "Saved you from what…?"
"I told you I'll tell you everything…" he promised her with a smile. "But abhi…you need to meet her first …it will be impolite otherwise."
"Of course…I mean…uski wajah se hi…" Kriya could not thank the stranger enough. "Of course hum milkar jayenge."
Just then Toshia hopped into their cottage with an enthusiastic smile, seeing the door open. "Bhaiyaa ji…aap bhi jaa rahe ho?"
"Yes Tosh," Manan crouched to match his height, and pinched his cheek affectionately. "Deediji ko dekha hai kahin?"
"Wo to gayi," Toshia replied easily, unfolding a paper in his hand.
"Gayi…?" Manan gaped at the kid, and then at a perplexed Kriya. "Kahan…kab… kal hi toh…"
"Wo to aaj subah subah ki bus se hi Dilli chali gayi," Toshia smiled innocently, and handed over a crumpled piece of paper to Manan. "Aur aapke liye ye chorha hai,"
'Sorry Manan…had to pack up and leave in a hurry…my agent had called last night…Art show emergency you see. I know we had had a rough start…but it was wonderful knowing you! Honest…
And I know we might never meet again… but please…please go back home… it was not your fault…
And hey, I paid for the cottage…so don't pay them additionally.
And thanks to that cockroach that I got to see you smile at least ONCE!
Smile more often you know… your face muscles begged me to tell you that 😊
Cheers,
L
PS: Check Toshia's sketch…I told you…I don't break promises 😊
Manan stared at the note for a long time, even as Kriya took it over to read it herself. 'She sounds so much like…' Kriya felt a strange familiarity.
"Kaun hai ye "L", Manan?" she asked with an innate curiosity.
"Koi nahi," he answered in his somber undertone, a faraway look in his eyes. "Koi nahi…"
He could not understand why there was a tear in his eye, and yet a soft subtle smile on his lips…
Both at the same time…
Arjun
Cricket
Udne Ki Aasha
20