Posted:
~A night to remember~
When Arjun ended his meeting it was already 11:00. He had called Suresh & then things turned out in a way that he had to go for a video meeting. It was a complex situation. If he had lost the deal it would have proved that he is not capable of making any deal successful & Rudrapratap would have gotten a chance to ill-mouthed him. Closing his laptop, he opened his phone. There were 5 missed calls & 2 messages from Arohi. He read the last message & dialed her number at once. Arohi's phone was switched off. Arjun rubbed his temple & sat on the bed with a thud. He had expected that after all of these, when he will make her understand the importance of the situation, Arohi will be able to understand it. But she was not ready for hearing anything & that was bothering him. He was sorry - but Arohi could have given him a chance to justify himself. Sitting there for a moment Arjun got up & stood beside the window. The night was going to be sleepless.
The next day morning, Arohi was at the hospital, getting ready for the ward visit. More than being upset & dejected, she was scared & same thoughts of the previous night was rambling in her head. Is it a correct thing? She & Arjun has been facing various problems from the beginning - but standing in here, she could see that the problem lies in their ideologies & it was a scary thing.
"Ma'am, ye saare medicines, list milake rakha hai" A ward boy came & put a packet on the table. The chain of thoughts tore in a second. Arohi looked up. The warb boy was confused - Arohi gave him a slight nod & got up.
"Thik hai. Main female ward visit mei ja rahi hun" She said.
"Ma'am, hum me se koi jaa ke ye medicines slum mein de aye?" He asked before leaving.
"Nahi" Arohi shook her head.
"Main khud jayungi"
The ward boy left, nodding.
In the meantime, Arjun's car came & stopped in front of the hospital. Getting down, he entered. In the narrow lobby, he found a doctor, he approached him,
"Excuse me!!"
The doctor turned.
"Yes!"
"Doctor Arohi Sharma?"
"Woh toh abhi female ward mein hai"
Arjun said a small thank you to him & headed towards the female ward.
The female ward was a smaller place than general ward. Though the room was airy & a bit more clean.
"Yahan dard hai?" Arohi pressed the lower abdomen of a young woman gently, the woman shook her head,
"Nahi didi"
Arohi nodded & said,
"Urine test kar lo, aur report jitni jaldi ho sake mujhe bhejo" to the nurse, who was standing beside her.
"Ji ma'am, aur medicine"
"Pehle report aa jaye phir dekhte hai change karna padega ya nahi"
Arohi said & the nurse left.
"What's all this Arohi?" A familiar voice made Arohi turned around. Arjun was it. Looking at him for a moment, she said nothing & moved to the next bed.
"Arohi, phone kyun nahi utha rahi ho tum? Kal se call kar raha hun, na messages na kuch" Arjun said making his voice lowered. Arohi checked the patient's forehead & too the medicine bottle from the table.
"Main busy thi" Arohi said. Arjun shook his head,
"Itni busy ki ek text bhi nahi kar sakti thi?"
"Ye tum bol rahe ho?" Arohi raised a brow, "Waise bhi tum mujhse bhi jyada busy honge, haina?!"
"Busy!!" Arjun mocked. "Kal main so bhi nahi paya, manta hun that was my mistake, but ekbar mujhe khudko justify karne ka mouka toh deti"
Arohi put the bottle on the table & turned back, moving to the another bed. Arjun followed her,
"Pata hai, kitna serious situation tha, pehle toh mai ye deal ke bare mein bhul hi gaya tha, upar se deal mera zimmedari tha. Mujhe toh prove karna hi hota nah, waise bhi pehle ki baat aur thi, tumhare aane ke baad main toh sab bhul raha hun, kisidin khudka naam na bhul jau" Arjun said in such an innocent tone that before Arohi could have said anything, the old lady, whom Arohi was checking, started laughing hearing him. The other ladies from the room joined her. Despite of being angry, Arohi too couldn't suppress a grin. Embarrassed Arjun grabbed her hands,
"Arohi chalo mere saath"
"Aree kaha?" Taken aback, Arohi asked.
"Mujhe tumse baat karni hai, about the last night" Arjun said.
"Mujhe nahi karni hai" Arohi spoke in a firm voice, releasing her hand from his grip. And that moment, the old lady spoke,
"Didi, mujhe do din se bilkul neend nahi aa rahi hai, aur bhookh bhi nahi lag raha hai" Arohi looked at her report & said,
"Haan, apka ye medicine change karna padega, main bhejti hun" Arohi turned to leave & found that Arjun is standing there blocking the door.
"Aur mera kya hoga?" Arjun asked.
"Tum toh bilkul thik ho beta, tumhe kya huya hai?" The old lady asked, Arjun looked at her & then at Arohi.
"Woh" Arohi looked at the old lady lying on the bed, "Iska dimaag thoda kharab ho gaya hai"
Arjun narrowed his eyes, but before Arjun could protest, Arohi left from there. Arjun followed her,
"Arohiii Arohiii meri baat toh suno"
"Arjun tumhara problem kya hai?" Arohi faced him.
"Yehi ki tum meri baat bina sune hi gussa kar rahi ho" Arjun said. Arohi stopped.
"Main gussa nahi kar rahi hun Arjun, main naraz hun, tumse, tumhare harkaton se, Aur..." But before she could complete, a nurse came hurriedly there,
"Ma'am, 12th bedwali patient ki phirse bleeding shuru hui hai"
"Chalo chalo" Staring at him for a moment Arohi left.
When Arjun ended his meeting it was already 11:00. He had called Suresh & then things turned out in a way that he had to go for a video meeting. It was a complex situation. If he had lost the deal it would have proved that he is not capable of making any deal successful & Rudrapratap would have gotten a chance to ill-mouthed him. Closing his laptop, he opened his phone. There were 5 missed calls & 2 messages from Arohi. He read the last message & dialed her number at once. Arohi's phone was switched off. Arjun rubbed his temple & sat on the bed with a thud. He had expected that after all of these, when he will make her understand the importance of the situation, Arohi will be able to understand it. But she was not ready for hearing anything & that was bothering him. He was sorry - but Arohi could have given him a chance to justify himself. Sitting there for a moment Arjun got up & stood beside the window. The night was going to be sleepless.
The next day morning, Arohi was at the hospital, getting ready for the ward visit. More than being upset & dejected, she was scared & same thoughts of the previous night was rambling in her head. Is it a correct thing? She & Arjun has been facing various problems from the beginning - but standing in here, she could see that the problem lies in their ideologies & it was a scary thing.
"Ma'am, ye saare medicines, list milake rakha hai" A ward boy came & put a packet on the table. The chain of thoughts tore in a second. Arohi looked up. The warb boy was confused - Arohi gave him a slight nod & got up.
"Thik hai. Main female ward visit mei ja rahi hun" She said.
"Ma'am, hum me se koi jaa ke ye medicines slum mein de aye?" He asked before leaving.
"Nahi" Arohi shook her head.
"Main khud jayungi"
The ward boy left, nodding.
In the meantime, Arjun's car came & stopped in front of the hospital. Getting down, he entered. In the narrow lobby, he found a doctor, he approached him,
"Excuse me!!"
The doctor turned.
"Yes!"
"Doctor Arohi Sharma?"
"Woh toh abhi female ward mein hai"
Arjun said a small thank you to him & headed towards the female ward.
The female ward was a smaller place than general ward. Though the room was airy & a bit more clean.
"Yahan dard hai?" Arohi pressed the lower abdomen of a young woman gently, the woman shook her head,
"Nahi didi"
Arohi nodded & said,
"Urine test kar lo, aur report jitni jaldi ho sake mujhe bhejo" to the nurse, who was standing beside her.
"Ji ma'am, aur medicine"
"Pehle report aa jaye phir dekhte hai change karna padega ya nahi"
Arohi said & the nurse left.
"What's all this Arohi?" A familiar voice made Arohi turned around. Arjun was it. Looking at him for a moment, she said nothing & moved to the next bed.
"Arohi, phone kyun nahi utha rahi ho tum? Kal se call kar raha hun, na messages na kuch" Arjun said making his voice lowered. Arohi checked the patient's forehead & too the medicine bottle from the table.
"Main busy thi" Arohi said. Arjun shook his head,
"Itni busy ki ek text bhi nahi kar sakti thi?"
"Ye tum bol rahe ho?" Arohi raised a brow, "Waise bhi tum mujhse bhi jyada busy honge, haina?!"
"Busy!!" Arjun mocked. "Kal main so bhi nahi paya, manta hun that was my mistake, but ekbar mujhe khudko justify karne ka mouka toh deti"
Arohi put the bottle on the table & turned back, moving to the another bed. Arjun followed her,
"Pata hai, kitna serious situation tha, pehle toh mai ye deal ke bare mein bhul hi gaya tha, upar se deal mera zimmedari tha. Mujhe toh prove karna hi hota nah, waise bhi pehle ki baat aur thi, tumhare aane ke baad main toh sab bhul raha hun, kisidin khudka naam na bhul jau" Arjun said in such an innocent tone that before Arohi could have said anything, the old lady, whom Arohi was checking, started laughing hearing him. The other ladies from the room joined her. Despite of being angry, Arohi too couldn't suppress a grin. Embarrassed Arjun grabbed her hands,
"Arohi chalo mere saath"
"Aree kaha?" Taken aback, Arohi asked.
"Mujhe tumse baat karni hai, about the last night" Arjun said.
"Mujhe nahi karni hai" Arohi spoke in a firm voice, releasing her hand from his grip. And that moment, the old lady spoke,
"Didi, mujhe do din se bilkul neend nahi aa rahi hai, aur bhookh bhi nahi lag raha hai" Arohi looked at her report & said,
"Haan, apka ye medicine change karna padega, main bhejti hun" Arohi turned to leave & found that Arjun is standing there blocking the door.
"Aur mera kya hoga?" Arjun asked.
"Tum toh bilkul thik ho beta, tumhe kya huya hai?" The old lady asked, Arjun looked at her & then at Arohi.
"Woh" Arohi looked at the old lady lying on the bed, "Iska dimaag thoda kharab ho gaya hai"
Arjun narrowed his eyes, but before Arjun could protest, Arohi left from there. Arjun followed her,
"Arohiii Arohiii meri baat toh suno"
"Arjun tumhara problem kya hai?" Arohi faced him.
"Yehi ki tum meri baat bina sune hi gussa kar rahi ho" Arjun said. Arohi stopped.
"Main gussa nahi kar rahi hun Arjun, main naraz hun, tumse, tumhare harkaton se, Aur..." But before she could complete, a nurse came hurriedly there,
"Ma'am, 12th bedwali patient ki phirse bleeding shuru hui hai"
"Chalo chalo" Staring at him for a moment Arohi left.
"12th bedwali patient ki ultrasonography kara lo, internal koi hemorrhage hai ki nahi woh dekhna jaruri hai" Discussing this with another doctor when she came outside, she found Arjun there, leaning over the car. Seeing Arohi, Arjun came towards her,
"Arjun, main kahi nahi ja sakti ab, mujhe ye medicines dene jana hai" Arohi said promptly.
"Main bhi chalunga tumhare saath" Arjun said.
Arohi frowned,
"Thik hai, jana hai toh chalo, lekin chalke jana padega, wahan tumhari car nahi jayegi"
"Okay" Arjun said.
Churchgate slum was actually a narrow lane, with small, decrepit houses on the two sides of it. As they entered, a stinky smell hit Arjun hard.
"Meri car mein ate toh kya problem hota?" Arjun said covering his nose with a handkerchief.
"Tumhari car iss narrow lane mein kaise ati?"
Arohi stopped & turned to face Arjun.
"Tum yahan wait karo, main ati hun"
"Areee Arohi"
But Arohi has left by then. The smell & the claustrophobic environment was making Arjun so irritated - he need something to vent out. Looking back he saw a plastic bottle, he kicked it hard, it bumped with the wall & fell on the road. A small boy was looking at him - as their eyes met, the boy ran away from there. Arjun looked at a corner, where a little girl was playing sitting in the stinky water. The people there, their lifestyle, their struggles, was making him suffocating. Arjun couldn't even take breath properly - when he got bumped with some plastic materials carrying by a coolie. Arjun turned at once, with a rage in his voice, he yelled,
"Oye, andhe hai kya? dekh ke nahi chal sakta?"
The coolie turned back,
"Raste ke beech aise khade kyun ho?" & left.
Arjun was fuming in anger, in irritation. He was not liking this place at all. And Arohi came back, seeing her, Arjun grabbed her hand & started walking.
"Chale please, aur 1 sec bhi yahan ruka toh main suffocation mein hi mar jayunga"
"Main hoon nah, bacha lungi" Arohi said while walking with him.
They came to the main road. Walking side by side, Arjun spoke,
"Hell bhi shayed itna bura nahi hai, duniya ke kitni sari countries gaya hun main, London, Paris, Newyork, itna ganda jagah kahi nahi dekha"
Arohi heaved a sigh,
"Ye 2-3 country dekhne se hi duniya dekhna complete ho gaya tumhara?"
"Toh?" Arjun asked, looking at her.
"Glass window se duniya dekhna, movie jaisa lagta hai, sab kuch made up, nakli. Ek bar khule ankho se dekho, zindagi ka asli chehra dikhega"
Arjun nodded,
"Mujhe nahi dekhna koi asli chehra, jitna dekha hai, kafi hai. Mujhe bas tum chahiye"He said holding Arohi's shoulder.
"Bas? Main aur tum? Aur sare duniya jaye bhad mein?" Arohi said.
"Nahi, I mean..." Arjun fumbled with his words.
"Yehi toh problem hai, tumne abhi tak duniya dekha hi nahi hai, zindagi kya hoti hai tumhe koi idea hi nahi hai, tumhe pata hai aise kai jagah hai jahan ek boond pani keliye log 10-10 miles chalke jate hai, aisa jagah hai jahan basic humanity rights keliye logon ko ladna padhta hai - woh asli zindagi hai - jahan log khudke bare mein nahi - dusron ke bare mein sochte hai"
"Main kaha khud ke bare mein soch raha hun" Arjun made a face, "Main tumhare bare mein soch raha hun, tum naraz ho, that's bothering me...uss waqt main bahot pareshaan tha..."
"Ek call, ek text wouldn't have killed you" Arohi said cutting his words. "Harbar tum mere saath aisa nahi kar sakte Arjun, tum mujhe bulaoge phir tum hi mujhe humuliate karoge - dard hota hai Arjun - bura lagta hai" Arohi stopped to take a breath, then said,
"You are making me feel taken for granted Arjun"
Arjun looked at her, shocked. Rage was clearly showing on her face,
"Phir toh main bhi ye keh sakta hun ki tum bhi mujhe taken for granted leti ho Arohi, thik hai, mana meine mujhe responsibilities lena nahi ata, mujhe zindagi ke bare mein kuch nahi pata - lekin main aisa hi hun - par tum toh mujhse pyaar karti ho nah, then accept me...accept me what I am"
Arohi nodded,
"Kabhi mere liye 4 ghanta wait karna, mobile screen ke taraf dekh ke ye sochna ki uski zindagi mein mera value hi kya hai? self respect ko bikharte huye dekhna, intezaar karne ka takleef kya hota hai, kitna dard hai us mein, kabhi mehsoos karna...then I will accept you" Saying this Arohi turned back, her eyes were welled up with tears,
"Arohiii..." Arjun called her by her name, but she has started walking towards the hospital already. Arjun ran his fingers through his hairs. He had done wnother mistake.
"Arjun, main kahi nahi ja sakti ab, mujhe ye medicines dene jana hai" Arohi said promptly.
"Main bhi chalunga tumhare saath" Arjun said.
Arohi frowned,
"Thik hai, jana hai toh chalo, lekin chalke jana padega, wahan tumhari car nahi jayegi"
"Okay" Arjun said.
Churchgate slum was actually a narrow lane, with small, decrepit houses on the two sides of it. As they entered, a stinky smell hit Arjun hard.
"Meri car mein ate toh kya problem hota?" Arjun said covering his nose with a handkerchief.
"Tumhari car iss narrow lane mein kaise ati?"
Arohi stopped & turned to face Arjun.
"Tum yahan wait karo, main ati hun"
"Areee Arohi"
But Arohi has left by then. The smell & the claustrophobic environment was making Arjun so irritated - he need something to vent out. Looking back he saw a plastic bottle, he kicked it hard, it bumped with the wall & fell on the road. A small boy was looking at him - as their eyes met, the boy ran away from there. Arjun looked at a corner, where a little girl was playing sitting in the stinky water. The people there, their lifestyle, their struggles, was making him suffocating. Arjun couldn't even take breath properly - when he got bumped with some plastic materials carrying by a coolie. Arjun turned at once, with a rage in his voice, he yelled,
"Oye, andhe hai kya? dekh ke nahi chal sakta?"
The coolie turned back,
"Raste ke beech aise khade kyun ho?" & left.
Arjun was fuming in anger, in irritation. He was not liking this place at all. And Arohi came back, seeing her, Arjun grabbed her hand & started walking.
"Chale please, aur 1 sec bhi yahan ruka toh main suffocation mein hi mar jayunga"
"Main hoon nah, bacha lungi" Arohi said while walking with him.
They came to the main road. Walking side by side, Arjun spoke,
"Hell bhi shayed itna bura nahi hai, duniya ke kitni sari countries gaya hun main, London, Paris, Newyork, itna ganda jagah kahi nahi dekha"
Arohi heaved a sigh,
"Ye 2-3 country dekhne se hi duniya dekhna complete ho gaya tumhara?"
"Toh?" Arjun asked, looking at her.
"Glass window se duniya dekhna, movie jaisa lagta hai, sab kuch made up, nakli. Ek bar khule ankho se dekho, zindagi ka asli chehra dikhega"
Arjun nodded,
"Mujhe nahi dekhna koi asli chehra, jitna dekha hai, kafi hai. Mujhe bas tum chahiye"He said holding Arohi's shoulder.
"Bas? Main aur tum? Aur sare duniya jaye bhad mein?" Arohi said.
"Nahi, I mean..." Arjun fumbled with his words.
"Yehi toh problem hai, tumne abhi tak duniya dekha hi nahi hai, zindagi kya hoti hai tumhe koi idea hi nahi hai, tumhe pata hai aise kai jagah hai jahan ek boond pani keliye log 10-10 miles chalke jate hai, aisa jagah hai jahan basic humanity rights keliye logon ko ladna padhta hai - woh asli zindagi hai - jahan log khudke bare mein nahi - dusron ke bare mein sochte hai"
"Main kaha khud ke bare mein soch raha hun" Arjun made a face, "Main tumhare bare mein soch raha hun, tum naraz ho, that's bothering me...uss waqt main bahot pareshaan tha..."
"Ek call, ek text wouldn't have killed you" Arohi said cutting his words. "Harbar tum mere saath aisa nahi kar sakte Arjun, tum mujhe bulaoge phir tum hi mujhe humuliate karoge - dard hota hai Arjun - bura lagta hai" Arohi stopped to take a breath, then said,
"You are making me feel taken for granted Arjun"
Arjun looked at her, shocked. Rage was clearly showing on her face,
"Phir toh main bhi ye keh sakta hun ki tum bhi mujhe taken for granted leti ho Arohi, thik hai, mana meine mujhe responsibilities lena nahi ata, mujhe zindagi ke bare mein kuch nahi pata - lekin main aisa hi hun - par tum toh mujhse pyaar karti ho nah, then accept me...accept me what I am"
Arohi nodded,
"Kabhi mere liye 4 ghanta wait karna, mobile screen ke taraf dekh ke ye sochna ki uski zindagi mein mera value hi kya hai? self respect ko bikharte huye dekhna, intezaar karne ka takleef kya hota hai, kitna dard hai us mein, kabhi mehsoos karna...then I will accept you" Saying this Arohi turned back, her eyes were welled up with tears,
"Arohiii..." Arjun called her by her name, but she has started walking towards the hospital already. Arjun ran his fingers through his hairs. He had done wnother mistake.
That night, god knows from where, a flock of dense clouds got clotted on one corner of the sky. And soon, the wind started blowing making a whirring sound. Arohi was reading a book, lying in her room. Though more than the book, she has indukged in an aimless thought. The thought about Arjun, about his perspective, about their relationship - everything was messed up & Arohi didn't know if all this were right or not. She hadn't yet understood him properly. His ideologies were compltely different than her - he has changed but deep down he was that arrogant, rude Arjun Singhania who can do anything. Suddenly the sound of a thunderstorm made her startled and as she looked at outside, she saw that the rain has already started pouring down. The sky was dark, covered with thick cloud. The curtains of her room were flowing in the wind. Arohi got up at once, putting the book on the bed, she started closing the window in a hurry.
"Arohi jaldi khidki bandh kar" She heard Savita's voice.
"Kar rahi hun ma" She replied & came outside & saw the corridor was already wet. As Arohi went to close the window, a lightning flashed, making the front porch & the road outside the gate visible & her eyes stuck with the person who was standing there, drenched completely. Arohi's jaw dropped.
"Arjun" She whispered.
She couldn't believe in her eyes that Arjun could be here at this time of night, getting drenched like that. There was no time to think, she took an umbrella from the stand & opening the front door she went rushing towards him.
"Arjun, tum yahan kya kar rahe ho iss waqt?" Arohi couldn't put the words properly as it was unexpected for her to see him like that, but still she kept a firm expression on her face. The force of the wind was making her unable to hold the umbrella in its place. Before she could ask him anything more, Arjun's meek voice whispered,
"I am sorry"
Arohi didn't understand what to say,
"Arjun, hum iss bare mein kal baat karenge" She said as gently as possible. But Arjun shook his head,
"Arohi, what I did was wrong, I shouldn't have done that - & tab the way I talked to you - mujhe nahi kehna chahiye tha, tum sahi kehti ho Arohi, main responsiblity lena janta hi nahi hun - But I promise you I won't do this again, never ever, just don't give up on me - don't leave me Arohi please" Arjun lowered his gaze. There was something in his voice which made Arohi's heart broken into thousands pieces. Arohi put the umbrella down & hugged him at once, holding him close, she buried her face into his neck & tightened her arms,
"Arjun..." She whispered. "I can't leave you Arjun...I won't"
Arjun was silent, breaking the hug she looked into his eyes, she cupped his face,
"Kya ho gaya hai tumhe?"
Arjun stared at her for a moment & then in a low voice he spoke,
"Just promise me that you won't leave me"
"Arjun...ye..."
"Just promise me Arohi"
Arohi hold his hands,
"I promise you..."
Arjun hugged her as she spoke that, placing her head on his chest Arohi closed her eyes. She wanted to believe that despite of them being so much different from each other they were same, their love for each other were same - but deep down she was she was scared again. Though she knew, now whatever happens, Arjun never hurt her, not anymore, not in her dreams. Heaving a sigh she smiled.
Closing the gate, when she entered into the house, Hariprasad was standing in front of her. His face has no expression, but through his eyes it could be understood that he was disappointed. Arohi's phone was in his hand. Without saying anything he gave that to her & left from there. Arohi heaved a sigh & then, came straight to her room. It had 2 missed calls from Rajesh Kalra. She dialed his number & after a bit he received it.
"Sir!"
"Sab thik chal raha hai nah wahan?" He asked.
"Ji sir! sab theek hai. Apki meeting kaisa raha?"
"Isliye toh tumhe phone kiya, campaigning hum Luna mein hi karenge, its final" Arohi could feel that Rajesh Kalra was smiling. A smile of self-satisfaction.
"Congratulations sir" She spoke with a smile.
"Jo kuch bhi meine tumhe kaha Luna ke bare mein, uske baad bhi tum join karna chahogi?"
A pause. A moment passed. Then Arohi hawked.
"Of course sir, bas I have to talk to may parents once & to Arjun..." She said.
"Arjun? Arjun Singhania right? your fiance?"
Arohi frowned,
"Apko kaise pata hai?"
"Usne hi tumhe hospital admit kiya tha nah, mujhe sab pata hai" He paused & then said, "Puch lo, discuss kar lo"
"Main apko 2 din mein batati hun"
Saying this they both hung up. It was not like she wanted to ask permission from them, she knew what could be her parent's reaction, but Arjun - what will be his reaction, his acceptance - she has to tell him first about it. She thought & went to change.
"Arohi jaldi khidki bandh kar" She heard Savita's voice.
"Kar rahi hun ma" She replied & came outside & saw the corridor was already wet. As Arohi went to close the window, a lightning flashed, making the front porch & the road outside the gate visible & her eyes stuck with the person who was standing there, drenched completely. Arohi's jaw dropped.
"Arjun" She whispered.
She couldn't believe in her eyes that Arjun could be here at this time of night, getting drenched like that. There was no time to think, she took an umbrella from the stand & opening the front door she went rushing towards him.
"Arjun, tum yahan kya kar rahe ho iss waqt?" Arohi couldn't put the words properly as it was unexpected for her to see him like that, but still she kept a firm expression on her face. The force of the wind was making her unable to hold the umbrella in its place. Before she could ask him anything more, Arjun's meek voice whispered,
"I am sorry"
Arohi didn't understand what to say,
"Arjun, hum iss bare mein kal baat karenge" She said as gently as possible. But Arjun shook his head,
"Arohi, what I did was wrong, I shouldn't have done that - & tab the way I talked to you - mujhe nahi kehna chahiye tha, tum sahi kehti ho Arohi, main responsiblity lena janta hi nahi hun - But I promise you I won't do this again, never ever, just don't give up on me - don't leave me Arohi please" Arjun lowered his gaze. There was something in his voice which made Arohi's heart broken into thousands pieces. Arohi put the umbrella down & hugged him at once, holding him close, she buried her face into his neck & tightened her arms,
"Arjun..." She whispered. "I can't leave you Arjun...I won't"
Arjun was silent, breaking the hug she looked into his eyes, she cupped his face,
"Kya ho gaya hai tumhe?"
Arjun stared at her for a moment & then in a low voice he spoke,
"Just promise me that you won't leave me"
"Arjun...ye..."
"Just promise me Arohi"
Arohi hold his hands,
"I promise you..."
Arjun hugged her as she spoke that, placing her head on his chest Arohi closed her eyes. She wanted to believe that despite of them being so much different from each other they were same, their love for each other were same - but deep down she was she was scared again. Though she knew, now whatever happens, Arjun never hurt her, not anymore, not in her dreams. Heaving a sigh she smiled.
Closing the gate, when she entered into the house, Hariprasad was standing in front of her. His face has no expression, but through his eyes it could be understood that he was disappointed. Arohi's phone was in his hand. Without saying anything he gave that to her & left from there. Arohi heaved a sigh & then, came straight to her room. It had 2 missed calls from Rajesh Kalra. She dialed his number & after a bit he received it.
"Sir!"
"Sab thik chal raha hai nah wahan?" He asked.
"Ji sir! sab theek hai. Apki meeting kaisa raha?"
"Isliye toh tumhe phone kiya, campaigning hum Luna mein hi karenge, its final" Arohi could feel that Rajesh Kalra was smiling. A smile of self-satisfaction.
"Congratulations sir" She spoke with a smile.
"Jo kuch bhi meine tumhe kaha Luna ke bare mein, uske baad bhi tum join karna chahogi?"
A pause. A moment passed. Then Arohi hawked.
"Of course sir, bas I have to talk to may parents once & to Arjun..." She said.
"Arjun? Arjun Singhania right? your fiance?"
Arohi frowned,
"Apko kaise pata hai?"
"Usne hi tumhe hospital admit kiya tha nah, mujhe sab pata hai" He paused & then said, "Puch lo, discuss kar lo"
"Main apko 2 din mein batati hun"
Saying this they both hung up. It was not like she wanted to ask permission from them, she knew what could be her parent's reaction, but Arjun - what will be his reaction, his acceptance - she has to tell him first about it. She thought & went to change.
The next day when Arohi came out of the hospital, she saw Arjun there, standing. Arohi's lips curved in a huge smile - she wanted to hug him at once, but controlled her urge anyway. She came towards him & stood there, facing him.
"Tumhare liye hi wait kar raha tha" Arjun said, smiling. Arohi could see that his eyes lit up.
"Tumhe kuch dikhana hai" He winked & open the car door.
"Kya?" Arohi asked, while sitting.
"It's a surprise"
"You know I hate your surprises"
"I think you might like this one"
Arohi was giggling hearing some of Arjun's jokes as the car sped away from the city through the streets of suburbia. Arohi had never felt more alive before, with the wind rushing through her hair & a soft melody blaring on the stereo. The sun has not started setting yet, but the sky was soft. Arohi increased the sound & the melody hit her at once,
"Tumhare liye hi wait kar raha tha" Arjun said, smiling. Arohi could see that his eyes lit up.
"Tumhe kuch dikhana hai" He winked & open the car door.
"Kya?" Arohi asked, while sitting.
"It's a surprise"
"You know I hate your surprises"
"I think you might like this one"
Arohi was giggling hearing some of Arjun's jokes as the car sped away from the city through the streets of suburbia. Arohi had never felt more alive before, with the wind rushing through her hair & a soft melody blaring on the stereo. The sun has not started setting yet, but the sky was soft. Arohi increased the sound & the melody hit her at once,
"Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is just all I own
And in your eyes you are holding mine"
"Ed Sheeran?" Arohi asked.
Arjun nodded, Arohi looked at outside - the lush green valley, the floating clouds & a lot of happiness - her heart was swelling with joy.
They arrived in the small suburban area & drove for a short time through the hilly streets. Arjun slowed & turned into the drive of a charming cottage painted a muted turquoise with large windows.
"Omg! Ceder Rest...tumhara ghar? It's so beautiful" Arohi said, barely controlling her excitement.
"Not mine exactly, dad ka. Kuch saal pehle woh yahan aye the aur iss jagah pe ek hotel banana chahte the, lekin mom ko ye bahot pasand aa gaya tha toh dad ne khareed liya par dadi ki daant ke wajah se hotel toh banaya par sell bhi nahi kiya, tabse aisa hi tha till I shifted here" Arjun said as they both entered. The inside was quaint & cozy, decorated with beautiful paintings & oil lapms. In the centre of the room was a couch with cushions that faced an old stone fireplace. On top of it a stereo was placed, and a soft music was playing. Toward the back, there was a tiny kitchenette and an alcove with a bedroom. Arjun threw the back door to reveal a large green land, with the view of hills & a round orange sun, getting ready to set.
"It's breathtakingly beautiful" Arohi said, looking out at the view. Suddenly she got an overwhelming sense that everything was perfectly orchestrated by the universe - from their first meet - to this, & from now on everything was going to be okay. Arjun was standing beside her, Arohi placed her head on his shoulder, Arjun smiled.
"Pata hai, kal main tumhare ghar se Mittal Mansion gaya tha Salil se milne - phir Salil subah do servants leke aya aur ye jagah ki saaf safai ki gayi"
"Ohhh!!" Arohi kept her head up & looked at him, "Mujhe impress karne keliye?"
Arjun smiled a bit,
"You are already impressed I think"
Arohi blushed as she bite her lower lips.
The day semeed to slip away as they both were sitting on the front porch. The sun has begun its slow descent.
"Sunsets are amazing" Arohi said with a sigh. And then suddenly turned to Arjun she frowned,
"Ye mera surprise tha? right?" Arjun nodded, a hint of smile placed on his lips.
"Tumne kaha tha tumhe sunset pasand hai, toh meine socha isse achha surprise tumhare liye aur kya ho sakta hai"
Looking at him for a brief moment Arohi tilted her head,
"You know, Mr. Arjun Singhania...I love you"
Arjun smiled & laced his fingers with hers. They were quiet as they watched the sky transition from pink to gold to orange in a stunning interplay of colour & light.
"Arjun, mujhe abhi tak nahi pata tum yahan kyun shift huye?"
Arjun's face stiffened. He turned his face away, Arohi felt the tension, she placed a hand on his shoulder,
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me"
After a bit, Arjun spoke,
"Dad chahte the hum sab ek saath Mumbai jaye, so that media ke samne we can go on with our one big happy family bullshit"
"Tum kyun nahi gaye?" Arohi asked, thought it was an innocent question, but Arjun's facial expression changed at once,
"Tumhare liye"
"Lekin...tumhare family ko iss waqt waqt tumhara jyada jaroorat hai...haina?"
"Mujhe uss waqt tumhara saath dena jyada jaruri laga...aur isliye..."
"Tum yahan chale aye" Arohi said completing his words.
"Hmmm" Arjun nodded.
"Salil is such a nice guy" Arohi said
"Hamesha se" Arjun smiled.
The light was fading fast now & soon the sky was a different kind of beautiful.
"Pata hai, bachpan mein papa mujhe kehte the ki taron ke desh se koi rajkumar ayega aur mujhe leke jayega" She said looking at the stars which were started glowing by then.
"Aur dekho...sach bhi ho gaya"
Arjun winked, Arohi giggled. A gush of wind came from nowhere & Arohi shivered a little.
"Are you cold?" Arjun asked, "Andar chale?"
Arohi shook her head,
"Nahi please thodi der aur yahan ruke hai, it's so pretty"
Arjun put his arm around her shoulder & pulled her into him. She tucked her head into his neck. His skin was warm & inviting. The moment was intoxicating. And romantic slow voice coming from the stereo was making it more maddening.
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is just all I own
And in your eyes you are holding mine"
"Ed Sheeran?" Arohi asked.
Arjun nodded, Arohi looked at outside - the lush green valley, the floating clouds & a lot of happiness - her heart was swelling with joy.
They arrived in the small suburban area & drove for a short time through the hilly streets. Arjun slowed & turned into the drive of a charming cottage painted a muted turquoise with large windows.
"Omg! Ceder Rest...tumhara ghar? It's so beautiful" Arohi said, barely controlling her excitement.
"Not mine exactly, dad ka. Kuch saal pehle woh yahan aye the aur iss jagah pe ek hotel banana chahte the, lekin mom ko ye bahot pasand aa gaya tha toh dad ne khareed liya par dadi ki daant ke wajah se hotel toh banaya par sell bhi nahi kiya, tabse aisa hi tha till I shifted here" Arjun said as they both entered. The inside was quaint & cozy, decorated with beautiful paintings & oil lapms. In the centre of the room was a couch with cushions that faced an old stone fireplace. On top of it a stereo was placed, and a soft music was playing. Toward the back, there was a tiny kitchenette and an alcove with a bedroom. Arjun threw the back door to reveal a large green land, with the view of hills & a round orange sun, getting ready to set.
"It's breathtakingly beautiful" Arohi said, looking out at the view. Suddenly she got an overwhelming sense that everything was perfectly orchestrated by the universe - from their first meet - to this, & from now on everything was going to be okay. Arjun was standing beside her, Arohi placed her head on his shoulder, Arjun smiled.
"Pata hai, kal main tumhare ghar se Mittal Mansion gaya tha Salil se milne - phir Salil subah do servants leke aya aur ye jagah ki saaf safai ki gayi"
"Ohhh!!" Arohi kept her head up & looked at him, "Mujhe impress karne keliye?"
Arjun smiled a bit,
"You are already impressed I think"
Arohi blushed as she bite her lower lips.
The day semeed to slip away as they both were sitting on the front porch. The sun has begun its slow descent.
"Sunsets are amazing" Arohi said with a sigh. And then suddenly turned to Arjun she frowned,
"Ye mera surprise tha? right?" Arjun nodded, a hint of smile placed on his lips.
"Tumne kaha tha tumhe sunset pasand hai, toh meine socha isse achha surprise tumhare liye aur kya ho sakta hai"
Looking at him for a brief moment Arohi tilted her head,
"You know, Mr. Arjun Singhania...I love you"
Arjun smiled & laced his fingers with hers. They were quiet as they watched the sky transition from pink to gold to orange in a stunning interplay of colour & light.
"Arjun, mujhe abhi tak nahi pata tum yahan kyun shift huye?"
Arjun's face stiffened. He turned his face away, Arohi felt the tension, she placed a hand on his shoulder,
"It's okay, you don't have to tell me"
After a bit, Arjun spoke,
"Dad chahte the hum sab ek saath Mumbai jaye, so that media ke samne we can go on with our one big happy family bullshit"
"Tum kyun nahi gaye?" Arohi asked, thought it was an innocent question, but Arjun's facial expression changed at once,
"Tumhare liye"
"Lekin...tumhare family ko iss waqt waqt tumhara jyada jaroorat hai...haina?"
"Mujhe uss waqt tumhara saath dena jyada jaruri laga...aur isliye..."
"Tum yahan chale aye" Arohi said completing his words.
"Hmmm" Arjun nodded.
"Salil is such a nice guy" Arohi said
"Hamesha se" Arjun smiled.
The light was fading fast now & soon the sky was a different kind of beautiful.
"Pata hai, bachpan mein papa mujhe kehte the ki taron ke desh se koi rajkumar ayega aur mujhe leke jayega" She said looking at the stars which were started glowing by then.
"Aur dekho...sach bhi ho gaya"
Arjun winked, Arohi giggled. A gush of wind came from nowhere & Arohi shivered a little.
"Are you cold?" Arjun asked, "Andar chale?"
Arohi shook her head,
"Nahi please thodi der aur yahan ruke hai, it's so pretty"
Arjun put his arm around her shoulder & pulled her into him. She tucked her head into his neck. His skin was warm & inviting. The moment was intoxicating. And romantic slow voice coming from the stereo was making it more maddening.
"Wise men say , only fools rush in
But I can't help , falling in love with you.
Shall I stay ? would it be a sin?
If I can't help , falling in love with you"
But I can't help , falling in love with you.
Shall I stay ? would it be a sin?
If I can't help , falling in love with you"
Arjun brushed her hair away from her face tucking a lock of it behind her ear before placing a tentative kiss on her cheek. Arohi turned toward him, so their fcaes were only inches apart.
"I love you" He said under his breath & the next moment, his lips were on her, he kissed her, long & hard. Arohi let out a sigh when their lips finally parted. Arjun breathed. She had read about kisses like this in books, on many nights, seen them flicker across the TV screen as she watched with fascination - but she didn't know it could be like this. It was better than anything she could have imagined.
"Do it again" Arohi whispered.
"Like a river flows , surely to the sea
Darling so it goes , some things are meant to be"
"I love you" He said under his breath & the next moment, his lips were on her, he kissed her, long & hard. Arohi let out a sigh when their lips finally parted. Arjun breathed. She had read about kisses like this in books, on many nights, seen them flicker across the TV screen as she watched with fascination - but she didn't know it could be like this. It was better than anything she could have imagined.
"Do it again" Arohi whispered.
"Like a river flows , surely to the sea
Darling so it goes , some things are meant to be"
Against her better judgement, they stumbled inside, making their way through the alcove & falling onto bed. The song was floating in the room like catalyst to their desire. Arjun wrapped his arms around her & pressed his body into hers. When he kissed her again, she felt like all the bones in her body had liquefied. Arohi let out a moan as he sank his teeth gently into her shoulder & she felt a violent jolt somewhere below her abdomen.
"Take my hand , take my whole life too
For, I can't help , falling in love with you"
For, I can't help , falling in love with you"
"Arjun..." She murmured, pulling him closer to her. He tugged at her top, pulling it up over her head & kissed his way slowly down her neck. As his hands travelled down her body, Arohi was suddenly aware of every cell & synapse, every electrical current that sparked between them. Every touch, every caress, sent a shiver down her spine. Soon, his hands had found their way to the top button of her jeans when Arohi hold his hands gently,
"Arjun..." She said softly. "I think...we should stop"
There was a pause.
"Okay" He said, letting out a deep breath. He pulled away from her gently, lying down flat on his back. Arohi propped herself up on her elbow & kissed him softly on his forehead & then his lips.
"Isliye nahi that I don't want to...I really really do...but I don't think either of us is thinking straight at the moment"
"It's okay - this isn't the way I want us to start either"
Arohi smiled, how strange that all of a sudden, one normal day turned into something unexpected & extraordinary. The song has ended & a stillness was there. A peaceful kid of silence. After a bit Arohi spoke,
"Tumne kabhi mujhe apni girlfriends ke bare mein nahi bataya" Arohi said. He hadn't mention anything about this & she never asked. They were so occupied with their problems, turmoils & disappointments that never got a chance to have this simple, ordinary talk. He shook his head,
"I didn't have any"
"Really? why?"
Arjun reached up & stroked her hair, "They weren't you" And he kissed her again. Arohi's body gravitated towards his like one of those rides at the fair, where you're spinning so fast that the motion pins you to the wall. After a while, Arohi pulled away from him reluctantly & took her top from one corner of the bed. Arjun let out another deep breath.
"Tum thik ho?" Arohi asked.
"Tum janewali ho?" He asked, his hand reaching for her, "Can't you stay a little longer?"
"Arjun you know that I really can't" Arohi said & laced her fingers through his.
"Arohi..." He whispered, pressing his face into her hair, "Marry me..."
Arohi startled, A still moment passed. It was so random, so unexpected, it just made her heart thumped in her chest louder & louder.
"Arjun..."
"Tumne kaha na mujhe responsibility lena nai ata...then let's get married"
"Tumhe lagta hai uss problem ka solution shadi hai?" Arohi remained silent for a moment & then turned to face him, "Aisa nahi hota hai Arjun..."
Arjun pulled her into him, his mouth closing over her,
"Kyun?" He asked.
"Kyun ki mein ready nahi hun"
"Arjun..." She said softly. "I think...we should stop"
There was a pause.
"Okay" He said, letting out a deep breath. He pulled away from her gently, lying down flat on his back. Arohi propped herself up on her elbow & kissed him softly on his forehead & then his lips.
"Isliye nahi that I don't want to...I really really do...but I don't think either of us is thinking straight at the moment"
"It's okay - this isn't the way I want us to start either"
Arohi smiled, how strange that all of a sudden, one normal day turned into something unexpected & extraordinary. The song has ended & a stillness was there. A peaceful kid of silence. After a bit Arohi spoke,
"Tumne kabhi mujhe apni girlfriends ke bare mein nahi bataya" Arohi said. He hadn't mention anything about this & she never asked. They were so occupied with their problems, turmoils & disappointments that never got a chance to have this simple, ordinary talk. He shook his head,
"I didn't have any"
"Really? why?"
Arjun reached up & stroked her hair, "They weren't you" And he kissed her again. Arohi's body gravitated towards his like one of those rides at the fair, where you're spinning so fast that the motion pins you to the wall. After a while, Arohi pulled away from him reluctantly & took her top from one corner of the bed. Arjun let out another deep breath.
"Tum thik ho?" Arohi asked.
"Tum janewali ho?" He asked, his hand reaching for her, "Can't you stay a little longer?"
"Arjun you know that I really can't" Arohi said & laced her fingers through his.
"Arohi..." He whispered, pressing his face into her hair, "Marry me..."
Arohi startled, A still moment passed. It was so random, so unexpected, it just made her heart thumped in her chest louder & louder.
"Arjun..."
"Tumne kaha na mujhe responsibility lena nai ata...then let's get married"
"Tumhe lagta hai uss problem ka solution shadi hai?" Arohi remained silent for a moment & then turned to face him, "Aisa nahi hota hai Arjun..."
Arjun pulled her into him, his mouth closing over her,
"Kyun?" He asked.
"Kyun ki mein ready nahi hun"
They both were silent as they were sitting in the car. It was not like Arohi didn't want to marry him - but sometimes we get carried away in a moment & take some serious decisions which turns out as mistakes in the future. It was not like, marrying Arjun will be a mistake but she wanted to be sure first.
"Arohi it's okay" Arjun said. "Main tumhe iss bare mein koi pressure nahi denewala...because I know I am complicated & that's okay"
Arjun dropped her in front of the lane,
"Don't overthink okay"
Arohi nodded,
"And I meant that...I want to marry you...no matter what...but I will wait for your decison" Arjun said & placed a kiss on her cheek.
Arohi was standing at a crossroad. She wanted Arjun. She has been dreaming of a life with Arjun but when it was so close to her, she couldn't even making peace with her own thoughts - because she was scared, scared of the unknown. She heaved a sigh. Love was like a journey - she had to wait for the destination to come.
"Arohi it's okay" Arjun said. "Main tumhe iss bare mein koi pressure nahi denewala...because I know I am complicated & that's okay"
Arjun dropped her in front of the lane,
"Don't overthink okay"
Arohi nodded,
"And I meant that...I want to marry you...no matter what...but I will wait for your decison" Arjun said & placed a kiss on her cheek.
Arohi was standing at a crossroad. She wanted Arjun. She has been dreaming of a life with Arjun but when it was so close to her, she couldn't even making peace with her own thoughts - because she was scared, scared of the unknown. She heaved a sigh. Love was like a journey - she had to wait for the destination to come.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Book Talk
Anupamaa
54