PART 58
Rishi Aggarwal, aka Rishabh Bajaj, aka Godfather continued with his narration while Kripa and Angad listened with wrapt attention.
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The weather was quite chilly in Mussorie in early February. Remnants of the last snowfall lay scattered in patches. A hardcore Mumbai-ite like Rishi was frozen to the bones. The very first morning, he went out and bought himself a parka, gloves and hat to cope with the cold.
After a whole day at the Hotelier's Conference, attending seminars, workshops and product shows, Rishi skipped the evening program and went out for a whiff of fresh air. He wanted to catch the sunset from Sunset Point at Camel's Back Road.
As he trudged up the steep slope to the Mall area, huffing and puffing smoke, a light freezing rain started falling. He hurried forward, eager to reach the Mall and take shelter from the rain. Suddenly, he spotted a young woman, struggling to open an umbrella in the middle of the path. She had a heavy satchel in one hand, a handbag hanging from her other arm, hence fighting to open the accessory which was stuck (in those days, there were no automatic umbrellas)
Always ready to help a damsel in distress, Rishi sprinted to her side and inclined his head : Kya main aapki madad kar sakta hoon? he asked in his deep voice.
The girl looked up…..she had big, beautiful brown eyes….her thick, long eyelashes were wet from the rain…. So were her full lips, her face and the rest of her. She looked startled, he smiled affably and offered again: Chhatri deejiye, main khol deta hoon.
With a hesitant smile, she handed over the umbrella to him. Rishi fixed the snag in the cloth part and snapped it open: Yeh leejiye….he handed it over to her.
She smiled widely at him: Thank You! He observed she had a lovely smile, her lips curving up in a Cupid's bow. He stopped staring and grinned: You are welcome!
She looked doubtfully at her umbrella and at him, wondering if she should offer to share it with him since he didn't have any. He read her expressive eyes and smilingly pointed to his parka and hat : Don't worry about me! Im prepared! Mumbai se aaya hoon na….aadat nahin hai" ….she nodded and smiled.
The girl managed to gather her belongings and started walking towards the mall area. He walked beside her….she didn't seem to mind. She was wearing a salwar kameez with a thick camel colored coat. But she didn't have a hat or gloves. She must be a local….her satchel was full of notebooks…..he peeped quickly….she was probably a school-teacher, he surmised silently.
They walked briskly, reaching the mall within a few minutes. They hurried to the front of a large store where several people were gathered, sheltering from the freezing rain. They stood side by side on the covered porch in front of the antique shop. Rishi gazed at her…she was quite tall, statuesque and graceful with long hair tied in a simple bun. A few, wet tendrils were hanging loose, adding a charming effect. She was aware of his gaze on her and looked up at him self-consciously.
He gave her his most charming smile: Agar aap bura nahin maaney toh ek baat kahoon?
Haan, kahiye…..she said in a sweet, melodious voice.
Wahan saamney chai ki dukaan se garam chai ki khushboo aa rahi hai…..kyun na hum wahan jaakar thodi chai pee lein….sardi bhi kam lagegi, aur raahat bhi milegi"
He pointed to the restaurant on the opposite pavement.
The girl looked consideringly at the Eatery, then back at his eyes. Even though he was a complete stranger, she trusted him somehow….his eyes were decent, admiring her but in an honorable manner.
Theek hai, chaliye…..this time she handed the umbrella to him for opening….he obliged at once …they ran to the Restaurant across the mall road.
Rushing inside, the girl smiled at the man at the counter: Kailash Chacha, do napkins bhej deejiye aur do pyali chai"
Arey Anu bitiya, kaisi ho? Bahut din nahin aaye yahan? Sab khairiyat toh hai na? The middle-aged restaurant owner greeted her cheerfully.
Haan Chacha, main achhi hoon…Sorry, aajkal kaam ki vajeh se time nahin milta….aasha hai aap sab theek hain.
After exchanging pleasantries, she led Rishi to a table in the corner, sitting down with a sigh: Thanks! Aapka suggestion bahut achha tha….yahan andar kaafi rahat mil rahi hai….aap chai ke saath aur kuchh lengey? She asked him with a smile.
He sat down with a grin: Lagta hai aapko yahan sab pehchantey hain?
Haan, she gave her lovely smile again: Main yahin pali badi huyi hoon…..poora sheher mujhey jaanta hai"
The waiter brought two cups of tea and two clean, cloth napkins. Anu handed one to Rishi, indicating he could wipe his wet hair, face and hands with it: Paani ponchh leejiye. She took hers and wiped her face and hands….then she took out some notebooks from her satchel and started wiping them. The ones on top had got wet when she was struggling to open her umbrella.
Laaiiye, main aapki madad karta hoon! Rishi took some of them and wiped the water off the covers and front pages. A few of the writings were smudged. Anu spread them out on an empty table nearby to make them dry out.
Rishi watched her constantly….there was something quite fascinating about her…..she was simple, yet beautiful. He asked: Aap school teacher hain?
She grinned: Haan, aap notebooks dekhkar samajh hi gaye hongay! Main Modern School mein padhati hoon.
They sipped the steaming hot tea with sighs of satisfaction. "This is good!" Rishi relished the masala tea. "Yahan aur kya kya achha milta hai? " He glanced back at the menu near the front desk.
Yahan ke samosey achhey hain….aur kachori bhi….aap lengey?
Sure! Why not? Jab aap recommend kar rahi hain…
Anu called the waiter and ordered samosas and kachoris. They enjoyed hot tea with snacks and gradually started chatting. Rishi started telling her about himself, hoping she would open up about herself if he did so. He told her he had come from Mumbai to attend the Hotelier's Conference, that he worked as Assistant Manager at a 3 Star Hotel in Mumbai. She opened up too….she told him her name was Anuradha Sharma. She taught English, History and Music at the Mussorie Modern School.
She lived just north of Mall Road and was returning home when she got caught in the rain: I hope bachchon ki notebooks theek se sookh jayengey…..she looked worried.
Aapkey gharwaley apka intezaar kar rahey hongey…..Rishi asked indirectly to know if she was married or had any family living with her.
Jee nahin….her eyes had a shuttered look: Main akeli rehti hoon…
Rishi was surprised…..she looked down sadly: Merey Maa aur Pitajee dono ab iss duniya mein nahin hain….dono guzar gaye. Merey Dad Army Officer the…..Bangladesh War mein shaheed ho gaye….meri Maa bhi 3 saal pehley guzar gayi….tab se main akeli rehti hoon.
Ohhh, sorry to hear that! Rishi felt really bad for the young woman who was all alone in the world….she was around 20-21, too young to be an orphan.
Anuradha put on a brave smile: Waisey main akeli nahin hoon, iss sheher mein sab mujhey jaantey hain, pyaar kartey hain. Waisey dekha jaye toh main poorey sheher ki beti hoon….sab mera bahut khayal rakhtey hain.
She told Rishi that her next door neighbours Colonel and Mrs. Kapoor took care of her like their own child: Uncle aur Auntie meri bahut dekhbhaal kartey hain….abhi ghar lautoongi toh Aunty merey liye dinner lekar aa jayegi….they are very kind to me"
Im glad to hear that! Rishi smiled happily. Waisey aap music teacher hain….toh iska matlab aap achcha gaati bhi hain?
Jee….mainey music ki training lee thi….bachpan se hi gaa rahi hoon"
That's great! I love music" Rishi enthused loudly.
Toh kya aap bhi gaatey hain? Anu asked curiously.
Oh No No….mainey gaana gaya toh sheher ke sab gadhey yahan ikatthey ho jayengey. I cant carry a single tune" Rishi laughed out loud.
Anu giggled, hiding her mouth: Aisa mat kahiye…..Im sure training milney per aap bhi gaa sakengey"
Rishi suddenly gave her an amorous look : Agar AAP training dengi, toh Im sure main bhi gaana seekh jaaoonga!
Anu blushed and looked flustered: Mujhey ab chalna chahiye….andhera ho raha hai"
She called the waiter for the bill. Arey, aap kyun de rahi hain….I will settle the bill" Rishi tried to take it from her.
She shook her head: Jee nahin! Aap iss sheher mein mehmaan hain….hamarey mehmaan hain. I cant allow you to pay" she smiled with a determined look at him.
He was floored! Not only was she pretty, she had a strong personality too!
Thanks for the treat! He grinned…..agli baar main pay karoonga. Mera udhar raha"
Agli baar? She asked with an arched eyebrow…..and laughed softly. "Yeh agli baar ki baat kahan se aayi? It was nice to meet you! Goodnight! " She cast a meaningful look at him and left the restaurant, leaving him staring after her with a mesmerized gaze.
He was fascinated ! He stepped out of the restaurant, watching her walk up the road leading from the mall. It was almost dark, the rain had stopped. He realized suddenly that he had missed the sunset….he grinned to himself: Koi baat nahin! I saw something more beautiful than the sunset. Anu…Anuradha….main vaada karta hoon agli baar phir hum milengey….phir mulaqat hogi, baatein hongi….phir hum ek saath chai peeyengey…dinner bhi karengey"
That night, Rishi lay in his Hotel bed, tossing and turning, with a silly grin on his face. A wet, charming face repeatedly flashed in front of his eyes…..large, expressive, brown eyes, long wet lashes with raindrops hanging from them like teardrops, wet curved lips, a lovely smile….this song played in his head:
Ek ladki bhigi bhagi si
Soti raaton mein jaagi si
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat ….hmmmm
(Dil hi dil mein chali jaati hain
Bighdi bighdi chali aati hain) -2
Doondh laut ti huwi balka ti huwi
Saawan ke suni raaton mein
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat hai
Hmm
Ek ladki bhigi bhagi si..
(Daagmag daagmag lehki lehki
Bhooli badh ki behki behki) -2
Machli machli gharse nikhli
Paghli si kali raaton mein
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat hai, hmm
Ek ladki bhigi bhagi si..
(Tan bheega hai sar geela hai
Us kaa koyi pech bhi dheela hai) -2
Tan ti jhukti chalti rukti
Nikli andheri raaton mein
Mili ik ajnabi se
Koyi aage na peechhe
Tum hi kaho ye koyi baat hai, hmm
Ek ladki bheegi bhagi si……
Rishi was sure he had found that special somebody for whom he had been waiting…..for whom he had rejected all marriage proposals his Dad had suggested. He wasn't going to let go of her so easily.
Meanwhile, Anuradha reached her parents' little bungalow in the Hills, where Kapoor Auntie was waiting for her, worried about her lateness…Anu explained she had taken shelter from the rain. She had dinner, checked her students' homework and retired to bed after Auntie left.
But sleep didn't come easily to her either….she tossed in her bed, thinking about the tall, handsome young man who had helped her, befriended her that evening. Wo ajnabee hai, phir bhi lagta hai bahut dinon se usey jaanti hoon….aisa kyun hai? Khair, wo pardesi hai….Mumbai se aaya hai, conference khatam hotay hi wapas chala jayega…..mujhey uskey baarey mein itna nahin sochna chahiye" she shook off her wayward thoughts about the handsome stranger and fell asleep.
Rishi woke up very early next morning, and after breakfast, briskly walked downhill to Modern School ….the Conference wouldn't start till 10 AM so he still had time on his hands. He loitered outside the school, then asked the gateman if classes had started.
The gateman informed him classes started at 8 am….Rishi told him he wanted to meet a teacher by the name of Anuradha Sharma. The gatemen directed him to the Principal's Office, but instead of going there, Rishi quickly sneaked down towards the classes.
Suddenly, he heard a sweet, melodious voice singing a hymn …..the sound was coming from the School Auditorium. He hurried there, his heart pounding with excitement…..it was definitely Anu's voice. He peeped in surreptitiously…..Anu was leading the School Assembly choir, with this song:
Aye maalik terey bandey hum
aisey ho humaarey karam
nekee par chale, aur badee se taley,
taakee hansate huye nikale dam
ye andheraa ghanaa chhaa rahaa,
teraa insaan ghabaraa rahaa
ho rahaa bekhabar, kuchh naa aataa najar,
sukh kaa sooraj chhupaa jaa rahaa
hai teree roshanee mein jo dam
to amaawas ko kar de poonam
neki per chaley aur badee se taley
taaki hanstey huey niklay dum.
badaa kamzor hain aadamee,
abhee laakhon hain is mein kamee
par too jo khadaa, hain dayaaloo badaa,
teree kirpaa se dharatee thamee
diyaa toone humei jab janam
too hee jhelegaa hum sab ke gam
nekee per chaley aur badee se taley
takee hanstey huey niklay dum!
He was thrilled, amazed at the sweetness of her voice, the sincerity of her tone as she sang the hymn . He waited till the Prayer Assembly was over, then he hid behind a pillar as the students piled out. When she emerged, he quickly went up to her : Good Morning, Ms. Sharma!
Aap yahan? Anuradha was stunned! She didn't know whether to be pleased or scared about her new stalker. Although he didn't seem dishonorable, she was quite embarassed at his bold approach.
Rishi stumbled on: Im sorry, main yahan aapko disturb karney aa gaya….but I really wanted to ask you if you can join me for dinner tonight at the Residency?
She was surprised, remained silent for a few moments, then nodded slowly: Theek hai….main aapko shaam tak bata doongi"
He chuckled in his mind, she hadnt agreed, neither had she refused. This was how he had expected her to react. She liked him, he could tell that..... but she was hesitant to commit or surrender so easily.
He smiled : Okay, I will wait for your answer. School kitney bajey chhutti hoti hai?
Paanch bajey. ….she looked shyly at him as other teachers passed them, staring curiously.
Alright, main paanch bajey aa jaaoonga aapsey milney. Aapka jawab poochhney….
Rishi was there at the dot of five after attending his seminars . She told him she needed to change into good clothes for dinner. He carried her books and accompanied her to the bungalow-style house left by her parents. She changed into a black and red nylon sari with a black coat. They hitched a ride on a Mussorie special hand-pulled rickshaw to the Residency. Rishi took her to dinner and they had a really pleasant time, getting to know each other better, glancing into each other's eyes, feeling the attraction, the liking, the thrill!
After that, they met every evening for dinner, sometimes Anu treated him at a local eatery, other nights Rishi treated her at a fancy Restaurant. Whatever they did, wherever they went, they enjoyed each other's company immensely and thought about each other throughout the day when they werent together .
His Hotel Convention lasted 4 days, by then they had become very close. The 5th day was a Sunday, Anu's school was closed, Rishi's convention was over, he was leaving the next day. He asked Anu to show him around the local tourist spots. She agreed happily, acting as his tour guide, taking him to the local attractions: Gun Hill, Kempty Falls, where they had a picnic lunch by the waterfalls.
After a wonderful day in the Hills, he asked her out to dinner and dance at the Residency. Rishi was dashing in a dark suit, she looked gorgeous in a blue georgette sari with turquoise jewelry. He asked her to dance with him…..as soon as she placed her hand in his, their heartbeats quickened. They danced to slow waltzes, silently thinking that this was it! The next day, he would leave for Mumbai! Both realized they belonged together and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
After dinner, Rishi popped the question: Will you marry me? She said she would think about it and let him know the next day. It was a really big decision for Anuradha….by marrying him, she would be leaving all that was familiar to her....... she would have to leave her birthplace, her childhood home, her school job, and go to Mumbai to start a new life with Rishi.
The next evening, when his flight was leaving, she saw him off at the airport….and that's when she agreed to the marriage. He was delighted! He wanted to kiss her goodbye but couldn't do so in front of others. He just kissed her slim, long fingers, gazing into her beautiful eyes and thanked her for making him the happiest man on earth. Anu blushed and smiled: Pyaar mein Thanks kaisa?
Rishi returned to Mumbai with a joyful heart, full of hope for the future, dreaming of a beautiful married life with his beloved Anuradha. He told his father at once about Anu….his father was overjoyed! Finally his son had agreed to marry….and their household would get the long-awaited Bahu.
Rishi informed Mr.Ali soon, asking him for a 5 days' leave for his wedding in Mussorie. Anu wanted to get married in her hometown, with her friends attending.
Mr. Ali was delighted: Yeh toh bahut hi khushi ki baat hai! Rishi, tum zaroor jaao…..5 din kyun? Tum dus din ki chhutti le lo…..you deserve it! Mubarak ho Beta! he hugged his young employee, thumping his back.
Mr. Ali had grown quite fond of Rishi too…..treating him equally as his nephew Zaib. He knew the two young men were very close, like brothers.
Rishi called Zaib and gave him the good news. Zaib was very excited: WHATTTT? Tu shadi kar raha hai? Tu toh bada chhupa rustam nikla! Paanch din mein pyaar bhi ho gaya aur ab shadi? You are a fast worker, Man! But afsos, yaar., main nahin aa sakoonga….abhi abhi semester shuru hua hai….I cant miss the course! Khair, koi baat nahin…..7 mahiney baad India jaaoonga toh saara kasar poora kar loonga! Tab tak mera course bhi khatam ho jayega…tab terey liye party doonga .Tujhey aur Bhabhi ko shadi bahut bahut mubarak ho. Khush rehna, Yaar!
Rishi and his father left for Mussorie in early March. Anu had already made most of the wedding arrangements with the help of Kapoor Uncle and Auntie and half the town was attending. It was a grand affair at the little bungalow belonging to Anu's parents…..big shamiyanas were put up in front of the bungalow. Two hundred guests attended.....retired army officers, school colleagues, Anu's classmates, some relatives of her parents !
Somesh Aggarwal was very pleased to meet his bahu: Maan gaye, Beta, Tumhari pasand ko! Jaisi sundar, waisi susheel bahu hai. Hum bahut bhagyawaan hain!
Anu touched her future Sasurjee's feet and took his blessings.
They exchanged rings at a small sagai ceremony on the 2nd day, followed by Sangeet and Mehendi the next day. On the 4th day, the wedding took place, they exchanged garlands, Rishi put his mangalsutra on Anu's neck in a simple wedding ceremony. Anu became Mrs. Anuradha Aggarwal.
After a glorious suhaag raat, when they discovered each other's passionate side, they left for 3 days' honeymoon the next day…..to Cloud's End nearby, a popular spot for honeymooners.
Somesh Aggarwal returned to Mumbai with his son and Bahu after nine days in the Mussorie Hills. Anu entered her new household and took over responsibilities from the termagent Shanta Bai. Life was perfect and blissful for the newly married couple!
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pallavi
Edited by pallavi25 - 17 years ago
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
142