Part 10- I hate Rain
Raghu was totally in shock with the whole incident. He lost his power of thinking .. She was holding his hand even in her sleep. Raghu had to struggle a bit to get his hands back without waking her up. He got out of the hospital room immediately after Antara fell asleep. Avay followed his friend whom he never saw in this kind of tension even before 100 crore business deals. Raghu sat on a chair in hospital waiting room.
Avay: So, what's your plan now??
Raghu: What do you think?? It was my PLAN to pretend that I am Sameer??
Avay: Bro, I know that everything is messed up and it's not our fault. Nor I am blaming Sameer or Antara or anyone. It's the consequences that is pushing you to do all these.
Raghu: Then what are you trying to say??
Avay: I am trying to say that I care for you!! I know you were doing all these for humanity but NOW...this situation has turned in to a dangerous game. Sameer is gonna die and Antara is think YOU as Sameer. And you are unable to turn your back to her.
Raghu: How can I turn my back to her when I know her condition??
Avay: Yes, but it was you who was literally forcing Sameer to come and tell her everything for her greater good. But let me tell you my friend, by pretending as Sameer...you are doing more damage.
Raghu: Listen Avay!!! I am not gonna pretend someone else for ever. I will tell her everything but not now. Just think about her. Her vision is gone. The thing itself is a big pain. Upar se, she was mentally confused. She was thinking that Sameer saved her from that car and then he left her again when he came to know that she has become blind. She was thinking herself as unworthy of any man's love. What about that?? I just wanted to console her and...the moment I spoke, she became calm. And now she is sleeping peacefully without any medicine. Isn't it a good sign??
Avay: Yes, it's a good sign but what about YOU??
Raghu: Matlab??
Avay: May be I have to say it directly!! I am afraid that...
Raghu: That??
Avay(took a deep breath): You are getting emotionally attached to her.
Raghu: What rubbish!!
Avay: Don't pretend!! You yourself know that very well. But I am not gonna argue on this matter. I just want to say one thing- Don't mess with your own life. You have already so many problems, so don't bring another big one...
Raghu: WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?? I HAVE NO PROBLEM!!!
Avay: ok. Don't be angry!! I am saying all this because I don't want to lose you. I know about your sensitivity, your impulsiveness and your fear for any...
Raghu: That's enough!!! I will say her everything myself when she is mentally stable. All right?? End of the discussion.
Avay nodded and left. When he got in to the lift to go downstairs, he was thinking deeply.
Bro, why do you always choose the path which will hurt you the most?? I know that you don't want to face all those truth, but I won't stop until I am sure that you are in peace. I can't watch you in pain any more. You have had enough throughout your childhood. I won't let anyone hurt you again, even if it's you; I will stop you!!
In the rest room:
There was a phone call in Raghu's cell phone.
Raghu: Hello!!!
Dadi: Hospital mein admit hone ka irada hai kya?? Just come home!!! She is sleeping na??
Raghu: Yes, but how do you know??
Dadi: Bas janti hu!! Mera ek jasoos hai waha!!
Raghu: Avay told you kya??
Dadi: Nahi re!! Antara's father called me!! He told me!!
Raghu: oh...k!!!
Dadi: You can take some rest beta!! Come home!!
Raghu: But if she is awake, then...??
Dadi: arre to phir her parents will manage her for a while. You just come home. Take a bath, eat some food, you will get energy. Now you have to play duel role na??
Raghu: What?? Ohh!!! Avay told you everything, didn't he??
Dadi: Haan!! To phir kya karta bechara!! Wo ek insaan hai, tumhari tarha robot nahi!! Come home otherwise I will bring you home kaan pakarke!!
Raghu: Ouch!!! Ok, I am coming!!
He hanged up the call. When he looked forward, he found Antara's father in the door of the east room.
D.S: pata nahi kaise tumhe thanks bolun!!!
Raghu: No need to thank me uncle!! You are my...dad's friend..so it's my honor.
D.S: Beta, what you are doing is ...unbelievable!!
Raghu: Waise I can't do this for ever Uncle!!! You know that!! I can only pretend as Sameer until she is mentally and emotionally stable. After that, truth will have to be told!!!
D.S: I know. But tab tak ke liye you agreed to do this, it's enough for me!! Pata nahi, meri beti kabhi dekh payegi ya nahi!!!
Raghu: Don't say that!!! Of course she will see one day. But tab tak ke liye, she needs your support. Don't say anything disheartening in front of her.
D.S: I won't!!! Beta, I just wanted to say that, go home. You must be very tired.
Raghu: Yes, I am going. Just talked to Dadi and she is waiting for me.
D.S: Go. When she will be awake, I will let you know.
Raghu: Ok, bye!!
Raghu was about to leave the room, suddenly he remembered something.
Raghu: ohhh, uncle!! Before the operation, the nurse gave me these things.
He pulled those jeweleries out of his pocket. D.S took that and thanked Raghu again.
Raghu left the room.
When he sat in his car , suddenly he felt something in his pocket. When he searched, he found an anklet. It was made of gold and very beautiful. He picked it up and looked at it. Though his brain was telling him to return to Mr. Sharma and give him back his daughter's anklet but somehow his heart told him to hold that thing some more time in his palm. Don't know why, but he put that back in his pocket!! Suddenly he felt unexplainable peace!!
Raghu's room- 2.00 pm
A loud sound awakened Raghu. He was sleeping this late after sooo long time. He opened his eyes and first he could not remember why he was so late, whether there was any meeting in office or not, why his surrounding was so dark though it was supposed to be day time. Then he realized that actually it was raining. A thunder was the source why he woke up. He walked to the window. The sky was covered with dark cloud. The weather made him remember something. Something he didn't want to remember.
Flashback
A 4 and half years old boy was playing in rain. He was so happy. He was trying to catch all the rain drops with his little fingers.Suddenly a lady came there and picked him up. She was swirling the boy and both were laughing like crazy. They were so happy.
Boy: Mommy, upar se paani kaise aa raha hai?Upar kya bohot bara tap hai? Hamara bathroom mai jaisa hai??
Lady:(laughed) Arre nahi mere shona, asmaan se jab pani aata hai uska ek alag matlab hota hai.
Boy: kya matlaab hota hai??
Lady: Jiske upar asmaan ka paani par ta hai, woh bohot lucky hota hai. Uske jivan mein bohot sari khushi aane wali hoti hai.
Boy: Sacchi?? Iska matlab hamara ghar mein bohot khushi aegi?? Papa aab apke sath fight nahi karenge??
Lady: (felt so sad but then smiled) Nahi karenge. Aapka ek chotu sa bhai ya behen aane wale hai na??
Boy: Per woh aaenge kahase??
Lady: (showed her stomach) Yaha se.
Boy: Yaha kaise aaya?
Lady:hhmmm. Uparwale ne app ko gift diya. Aap akele akele rehte ho na. Aap ke sath to main hamesha khel nahi sakti. Iss liye aap ke liye ek sathi aa raha hai.
Boy: kyu??aap ho na?Aap mere sath hamesha kyu nahi khel sakti??Mein sirf aap ke sath khelunga. Kisi aur ki koi jaroorat nahi.
The lady felt so emotional. Her little child is so fond of her that he does not want anyone. She hugged the boy and said, Mein tumhare sath hamesha rahungi mera baccha. HAMESHA!!'
A thunder put him back to present.
LIAR!! EVERY SINGLE WORD FROM HER MOUTH WAS A LIE.' The rain did not give them happiness. It snatched everything. I hate rain. I HATE RAIN!!!'
Suddenly there was a knock in the door. He opened the door and it was Avay.
Raghu: Avay, come inside!! Why are you standing outside??
Avay came in!! He looked a little uncomfortable.
Raghu didn't hesitate a single moment. He hugged Avay and Avay hugged back.
Avay: You are not angry with me??
Raghu: Nahi re!! You said everything for my own good. You know na, sometimes I shout on you without any reason. You are so right. I am impulsive.
Avay: But I hurt you. I should not have said those things. I brought your past...
Raghu: It's ok. I am fine and I will be fine.
Avay: erm...I came here to tell you that...Antara is awake and she called me from uncle's cell phone a few times because may be your phone's battery was dead.
Raghu: Shit!! What was she saying??
Avay: Nothing!!! At first she asked me who I am. I told her that I am your friend and came from Delhi to attend your wedding!!!
Raghu: And??
Avay: then she asked me about you. I told her that you are sleeping. So, she told me to call her when you are awake.
Raghu: GOD!! I have been sleeping for last 10 hours.
Avay: Calm down!! Sleeping is not a crime. You were tired. Talk to her. Both of you will feel better.
Avay gave Raghu his phone and left the room.
Raghu was looking at the phone. He did not know how to talk to a girl. I mean he has a lot of lady colleagues. But speaking with a lady about work and speaking with a girl who is thinking him as her boyfriend is totally different.
He took a deep breath and hold the phone in his ear.
Raghu: Hello!!!
Antara: Hey Sameer!!! Have you seen that it is raining??
Raghu looked at the phone. Seriously?? She called me to talk about RAIN??
Raghu: Ermmm...Ya, I noticed. Bin mausam baarish!!! There will be a lot of traffic jams today!
Antara(laughed): What happened to you?? You are worrying about traffic jams?? Look, it's raining!!! You promised me!! And this time I am not going to be distracted.
Raghu: What?? I don't...
Antara: No Buts no Whats!!! Mere paas aa jao. ABHIII!!! Otherwise the rain will stop.
Raghu: mmm...Thik hai!!! I am coming!!!
Antara: Yipieee!!! JALDIII!!! I am waiting and...
Raghu: And??
Antara: I love you!!!
Raghu: I am coming!!
Antara: Arre...Main ne tumhe I love you kaha, tum jawab to do!!! DO NAAA!!!
Raghu: Hello...hello...hello...
He cut the call.
Raghu thought-I am sorry Antara but I can't say you those 3 words. It will be a lie and Thank God, it's Sunday. Otherwise, I would have to bunk my office today.
He got ready and got in to his car. He was right. The traffic was so heavy on road. His car was merely moving. He talked to himself-
This is gonna be a tough and dull day!!!
He did not know that this day is going to change a lot of things and will be one of the most memorable days of his entire life which he will cherish forever.
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
252