~The Final Blow~
Coming out of Arohi's house, Arjun stood leaning against his car. He took a deep breath. Arohi is just not listening to him , just not understanding the importance of the situation - it's just her stubbornness. Arjun ran his fingers through his hair. He know that, there was nothing he can do to make her realize anything. But, now, more than Arohi, Salil's phone call was bothering him. Someone has leaked the real news behind Rashi's marriage to the media - & more to that Rudrapratap was doubting that it's Arjun. It's true that his equation with his father has changed a lot, their perspective has changed but it doesn't mean that Arjun will leak the news just like that. He would have consulted with Rashi at least before doing something like that. And then, a normal person will always suspect Vicky in this case but how could his father think about that?! Arjun is his son, not his enemy. He was about to open the car door, when he saw Shefali there, passing the road - most probably going to the college - riding her cycle. As Arjun looked at her, she stopped there abruptly & smiled a little looking at Arjun.
Shefali was embarrassed seeing him, as what she had done with him in the hospital, what she had said - was too much, but, that moment was so fragile & Shefali was terrified.
"Arjun, main soch rahi thi tumse ek baar baat karu" Shefali said while getting down from her cycle.
"Kis bare mein?" Arjun frowned.
"Nothing serious Arjun" She smiled as Arjun tensed up hearing her. "Just I wanted to say sorry. Hospital mein uss din meine tumse jo kuch bhi kaha..." She stopped & heaved a sigh, then said again, "But Arohi was unconscious & I was scared, that's why Arjun, nahi toh mujhe pata hai tum Arohi se kitna pyaar karte ho"
Arjun smiled.
"It's alright, mujhe toh yaad bhi nahi hai tumne kya kaha tha, forget it"
Shefali nodded but the guilt was still there. After a bit, she raised her face & asked,
"Kuch baat bani? Arohi abhi bhi naraz hongi..."
Arjun smiled weakly,
"Main samajhta hun uski narazgi par iss waqt narazgi se jyada uski safety leke main pareshaan hun, ek baat bhi nahi sunti hai, samaj main nahi aa raha karu toh kya karu..."
Shefali nodded thoughtfully,
"Arjun, Arohi tumhare bina reh nahi sakti par tumhare saath rehna nahi chahti, iss baat ko samjho. Tumse woh jitna naraz hai utna hi zyada naraz woh khud se hai...isliye thoda waqt toh lagega"
Arjun heaved a sigh.
"I know & I won't let her go, chahe kuch bhi ho jaye"
"Mujhe pata hai Arjun! You know Arohi hamesha kehti thi ki you are her soulmate aur main hamesha hasti thi lekin Arohi was right...she is right"
Arjun smirked,
"Mujhe soulmates ke bare main jyada kuch nahi pata par main yahan se tab tak nahi jayunga jab tak Arohi apni feelings ko accept na karle"
Shefali nodded,
"Main ek kaam karti hun, Kal Arohi ko park le ati hun...ghar baithe Arohi aur bhi chidchida ho gayi hai...aur..." Shefali stopped for a bit, Arjun's face was emotionless,
"Ussi park mein tum dono pehli baar mile the...I mean the proper meeting..."
Arjun got silent for a moment. That was the first time he had seen Arohi after a weird dream, and he had felt something different for the very first time - & the red scarf that too was entwined with him since that day. Arjun smiled, as the memory hit him. It seems their relation was coming to a full circle.
"Toh tum aaoge nah kal park?"
Shefali's words brought him back to his senses,
"I will"
He said.
Arjun reached Mittal Mansion & before he could enter, he heard Rudrapratap's agitated voice. He was disgorging his wrath on his mother.
"What's all this dad?"
Arjun entered. Rudrapratap's face was slightly red with anger.
"Ye toh tum mujhe bataoge Arjun, how dare you to leak this news to the media?"
"Are you serious dad? Apko lagta hai maine ye sab kiya hai?"
Rudrapratap smiled, a sarcastic smile.
"Of course, because I don't trust you"
Arjun barely believed what he was saying,
"Phir toh aisa bhi ho sakta hai ki ap khud ye news leak karke mujhe blame kar rahe hai, kyun ki main bhi apko trust nahi karta"
"Arjun!!" Rudrapratap's yelled, "Zaban sambhal ke baat karo! do din ki ayi hun ladki keliye tum mere saath aise batein kar rahe ho"
"Kaash uss do din ki ayi hui ladki ki baat main pehle sun leta, aur jitni bhi izzat main apka kar raha hun woh bas meri mom ke wajah se. Toh achha hoga aap mujhse aur iss ghar ke sabhi logon se zaban sambhal ke baat kare toh"
Saying this, Arjun left the place. Entering into his room, he sat on the bed, dwelling on the thought that how much his father trust that Vicky. And not only trust, after knowing everything he is supporting him. Why is Vicky so important for him? Shaking his head, he snapped at that thought. It's futile. Rather, he should concentrate on meeting Arohi tomorrow. Arohi is tenacious, but that makes her more attractive. Arjun smiled at that thought. Their park meeting has to be worth it.
Arohi wake up with a sudden jolt - & to her surprise Shefali was standing at the corner of the bed. Arohi has been having trouble sleeping since she has come back from the hospital. Most of the nights, she remained awakened - thinks about Arjun, evaluates everything & then fell into sleep at dawn. It has become a routine for her. The last encounter with Arjun has done something to her - however she try, she couldn't deny the fact. Initially it was all she & her love & now Arjun too has the same feelings for her & this thought was uncomfortable. Heaving a deep sigh, Arohi looked at Shefali, who was gazing at her with a confused stare.
"Tu kya kar rahi hai yahan? itni subah?" Arohi said, Shefali sat beside her. Putting a hand on her shoulder, she asked,
"Pehle tu bata, mujhe dekh ke itna dar kyun gayi?"
"Dar nahi gayi...bas" Arohi said gathering her breath & got down from the bed.
Nowadays, she has started hiding things from Shefali & she feel guilty about that. She hasn't even told Shefali that Arjun had come to meet her twice, tried to convince her about having some security & most importantly about Vicky. Not only Shefali, her parents still don't know about it - & she has no idea how to say this to them.
"You know what, aaj tu bahot weird behave kar rahi hai, I mean jabse tu hospital se wapas ayi hai tu kaisi ajeeb ho gayi hai. Thik se baat bhi nahi karti hai, hasti nahi hai...hamesha kuch na kuch sochti rehti hai...what's the matter Aru?" Shefali said. Arohi was opening the window, the swift movement of her hands stopped,
"Matlab?" She asked without turning back.
"Chod, kuch nahi. Tu jaldi ready ho ja" Shefali said flashing a smile.
"Aur ready hoke jana kaha hai?" Arohi frowned looking at her.
"Park" Shefali replied.
"Aaj kuch special hai?" Arohi countered her. Shefali rolled her eyes,
"Tu itna sawal kyun kar rahi hai? Kab...kahan...kyun...kaise...bas park hi le ja rahi hun"
Arohi shook her head,
"Shefali, I was just asking. Okay okay I am sorry...aur waise bhi tu jahan le jayegi main tere saath chalungi"
But Shefali didn't smile; she came towards her & holds her hands,
"Tu Kuch chupa rahi hai nah? Mujhe pata hai, tere aur Arjun ke beech kuch secret chal raha hai. Kal tere ghar ke bahar Arjun tha aur bahot tension mein tha & I know ye koi tum dono ka relationship problems nahi hai, kuch aur hai...kya hai?"
Arohi didn't respond, for a second she remained silent, then she laughed,
"Kuch bhi Shefi, dimaag main story banana bandh kar. Hum dono ke beech kuch secret nahi hai, jo hai tujhe pata hai..."
"Lekin Arohi..."
Shefali went to say something, but Arohi stopped her,
"Aisa kuch nahi hai...ab main jau ready hone?"
Shefali nodded, smiling. Arohi left.
After she left, Shefali brought out her phone & typed a message to Arjun.
"Of course Rashi, pehle mujhe milne toh de, wapas aake sab batayunga...I just hope aaj Arohi meri baat samajne ki at least try kare...do take care of yourself"
Arjun cut the call & turned back - there was Kumud, standing at the doorstep. Arjun stepped forward - though it has been some days Arjun has started interacting with her properly, but still there were some uncomfortable vibes between them.
"Mom, dad ne phirse kuch kiya hai?" Arjun asked threw the phone on the bed. Kumud shook her head, then smiled.
"Nahi, tere dad ko leke main jyada pareshaan nahi hun, pareshaan main tujhe leke hun"
"Kyun? main theek hun..." Arjun said softly.
"Pata hai, lekin main tujhse purane ghar ke bare mein..." But Arjun stopped her,
"Mom, I know apko lag raha hoga main kaise uss ghar mein reh payunga & all lekin trust me, abhi main zindagi ki jo phase se guzar raha hun, mujhe lagta hai purane ghar mere liye sahi hai, uss ghar se mera bahot purana rishta hai, jo shayed dad ke wajah se tut gaya tha. Lekin Arohi ki ane ke baad mujhe kuch cheezon ka ehsaas huya hai jis mein se ek ye hai ki, root se jude huye rehna kitna important hota hai. Aur woh ghar mera root hai..."
Kumud said nothing for a while, then she smiled,
"Main Arohi se ek baar hi mili thi, agar tab mujhe pata hota ki tu usse pyaar karta hai, main use ekbar thank you jarur kehti"
"Thank you?" Arjun said suppressed a grin.
"Maine kabhi ummed nahi ki thi tere muh se ye sab sunne ko milega , kal humlog ja rahe hai aur pehli baar mein bahot khush hun...mujhe pata hai Arohi tujhe sambhal legi..." She said caressing her face. Arjun smiled ruefully,
"Mom, Arohi mujhse naraz hai"
"ye toh pyaar ka pehla usool hai, pyaar karti hai tabhi toh naraz hai..." She said. Arjun nodded.
The morning in the park was pristine. This was a theme park & one of the most beautiful parks in Dehradun - though Arohi was avoiding coming in here. And as expected - while entering torturous memories came in a flash in her mind. This was the place where she & Arjun had met & her favourite scarf had stuck in his cycle. It's true that Arohi wanted to forget every memory of Arjun but with that the undeniable fact is only Arjun can give her solace. It was a complicated situation. Arohi stopped & took a deep breath. Shefali stopped too.
"Kya huya?" Shefali asked.
"Kuch nahi" Arohi said.
"Arjun yaad aa gaya nah?" Shefali asked, Arohi said nothing, she kept her head down,
"Arohi, jo cheez karne main itna takleef ho rahi hai woh kyun kar rahi hai?!"
She remained silent - she didn't even know why is she doing this to herself. She was hurting herself without any reason. She knew that if she accepted the love which was still running in her veins - everything will be perfect. But each & every time she tried to grab that, a fear held her back. This fight was between her mind & soul & Arohi was tired. The yellow brick road was same - everything was same except her. Arohi was looking at the flowers which were arranged in a line beside the road & then for some reason, when she glanced up, she found herself locked in the bold brown gaze of Arjun, who was standing right next to her & staring at her intently.
"Good morning" His gaze was unwavering & intense.
"Arjun" Arohi whispered as her heart skipped a beat. There was an amused smile on his lips & his eyes were sparkling with a hint of humour.
"Khana kha rahi ho nah thik se...warna tumhari ma mujhe daantegi...tumhari zimmedari mere upar hai" He smirked.
"Pehle khudko sambhalna shikh lo phir mujhe sambhalna" Arohi folded her hands & turned to go when Arjun said from behind her,
"Main toh shikhne keliye taiyaar hun, tum hi seekha nahi rahi ho"
Arohi suppressed a smile,
"Tum yahan mujhse flirt karne aye ho? Ek second..." She narrowed her eyes, "Tum mujhe follow kar rahe ho?"
Arjun smiled.
"Mujhe toh lag raha hai tum mujhe follow kar rahi ho. Jahan bhi jata hun aa jati ho" He raised a brow.
"Please I don't follow people" Arohi said & turned to leave.
"Arohi" He grabbed her hands.
"Tum kya chahte ho Arjun? Kyun aisa kar rahe ho?"
Arohi spoke looking at his brown eyes. The bold yet sad eyes.
"excuse me!! I think mujhe tum dono ke beech abhi rehna nahi chahiye...I am just going to have a walk...ok Arohi" Shefali said & before Arohi could stop her she left.
"Arohi, ye dono sawal ke jawab pata hai tumhe" After she left, Arjun spoke.
"Haan mujhe pata hai hai" She said & stopped, "Lekin tumhe samajna hoga, ye nahi ho sakta, sab kuch badal gaya hai Arjun, sab kuch complicated ho gaya hai..."
"Nahi Arohi nahi..." Arjun said, "Kuch nahi badla hai, tum woi ho jo mujhse ekbar milne keliye mere ghar tak aa gayi thi...meine galati kiya tha Arohi aur mein khud woh man liya hai"
"Kya guarantee hai Arjun jo tumne tab kiya tha woh tum aage jake nahi karoge?" Arohi asked.
"Main tumse pyaar karta hun Arohi" Arjun said, his voice wavered a bit.
"Ye kuch bhi ho Arjun par pyaar nahi hai" Arohi said in her cold tone. "Aur ye sab complications..."
"Kuch bhi complications nahi hai...complicated tum khud cheezon ko bana rahi ho...kyun ki tum kuch samajhna hi nahi chahti...tum woi dekhti ho jo dekhna chahti ho chahe duniya bhad mein hi kyun na jaye...main manta hum mein selfish hun par tum kya ho? Khud ko tum sabse jyada dard de rahi ho? you are cheating yourself...aur woh bhi bina koi reason ke...kyun Arohi? batao mujhe" Arjun's voice took a sudden u-turn. Arohi's eyes welled up. She is not selfish.
"Mujhe tumse dar lagta hai Arjun, kyun ki tum mein aur Vicky mein koi farak nahi hai..." This was a lie. Arohi knew this, but the scared thoughts compelled her to say this to him. "Vicky toh at least batake vaar karta hai, tumhara kya bharosa...tum kabhi bhi peeth peeche vaar kar sakte ho aur tum..."
"Enough Arohi enough" Arjun yelled, Arohi shivered, Arjun's brown eyes were burning in pain, in anger.
"Tumne past 2-3 days se jo chahe bol rahi ho mujhe aur main sab sun raha hun par aaj tumne jo kaha...uske baad mujhe lagta hai you were right...mujhe tumhe tumhare haal pe hi chod dena chahiye"
Arohi couldn't believe in her ears. Arjun went on, "Mujhe laga tha tum ziddi ho, bachhi ho, naraz ho isliye ue sab bol rahi ho...par tum toh uss Vicky se hi mujhe mila diya jo tumhe marna chahta tha...chahta hai...tumhe lagta hai mein tumhe marna chahta hun?"
Arohi gathered her tattered nerves & then blinking her tears away she spoke.
"Haan Arjun...tumne sahi kaha aur thank you so much finally tum samaj gaye"
"I think I should leave" He said. Turning back, he waited for a bit - while hoping that Arohi will stop him & after a silent moment he turned & see that Arohi is leaving the place. Her effigy was going blur.
Meanwhile, Shefali has come back there & felt that something is wrong between them. Arjun was all alone, standing there.
"Arohi kaha hai? chali gayi?" She asked. Arjun said nothing. Shefali's voice - her question echoed in his mind, she left him. Though, Arjun knew that Arohi still love him, her eyes - has always told him that. Then what was bothering her - was the question.
"Ab mujhe bhi jana chahiye" He whispered & before Shefali could have asked him any questions, he left.
At night, Arjun was standing in the balcony. His thoughts were all about Arohi & her cold tone. The way she talked to him today, the steady voice - Arjun was not expecting all those. The truth which was questioning him on the surface was not everything. There were something more deep down. Arjun knew that. There was something more beyond this physical truth - & that was love. Firm & unwavering. Arjun look at the red scarf, which he was holding firmly in his hand.
Coming back home, Arohi locked herself in the room. Savita & Hariprasad tried to talk to her including Shefali but she remained silent on the other side of the door. At night, she didn't eat. She skipped her medicine too. That night, Arohi couldn't sleep. She was sitting on the cold floor, Arjun's words were rumbling in her head. She got up & brought out that wild flower which Arjun had given to her. Her eyes welled up & tears trickled down like a stream. She has been holding up everything - but things were getting hard. Why she was crying, she didn't know - but the more she was thinking about Arjun, the more she found it difficult to cope up with this pain. Arjun thought that she is selfish, but actually she is not - she is scared that's all. The demon which was messing with her, was winning this game - Arohi could feel that but she was somehow helpless. At dawn, she fell asleep holding that wild flower - remembering that night they spent in the forest.
Waking up, from her fitful sleep, she came outside. She was thirsty. It was early morning, her parents were still asleep. She entered into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, when her eyes stuck with a red silken material which was fluttering in the morning breeze. From the kitchen window, she didn't properly understand what that is. In a steady step she came outside & saw that it was her that red scarf. Her hands shivered. With a wavering hand, she took the scarf & noticed that there was a knot on one side of the scarf. Taking a deep breath, she opened the knot & found a small piece of paper with four lines:
"Bas ek nazar pyaar ki kafi thi hume
Jyada toh mere dil ka kiraya na tha
Ajab khasare mein hai iss bar dil-e-mufalis
Usko khoya hai jisko kabhi paya na tha"
For a brief moment, Arohi couldn't locate her brain & heart - it seems that everything has stopped working. The one thing which was continually hitting her that Arjun has left. Arjun has left - or else why he would give her back this scarf & this note - this line - she had told him in that night. What she has done - since she had started realizing what love is - she has only found Arjun - whom she didn't even know properly - who didn't even know Arohi sharma a girl who even exists. But then things changed - & one thing remained same that was the love she feel for him - & then how could she let those demons win this fight? It was Arjun all along - she was just stubborn - wasn't she? The fear of being hurt again, the way had clutched her, she didn't even try to escape from it - she thought that it will be best to just forget Arjun - but why then she is feeling like this? Arjun left - how could he leave? Arohi didn't know if she ever could redeem whatever she did. she sat on the the wet grass with a thud. She has ruined everything - her stubbornness has ruined everything.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Current Affairs
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