Part V
After a few days, it was Noor's Birthday & her family had just wished her but none made her feel special or gave any gifts. She was herself feeling down as it was just like any other day for everyone. She as usual went to give away clothes & sweets to the needy. She just felt this time she should do something for the mentally challenged children as she entered that 'Society for mentally challenged & Disabled' She saw a workshop for them. She was happy seeing differently able children working in the workshop. The Teachers told these Kids r made to be self employed & when asked who started this; they said Sheikh Sahab organizes exhibitions in 'Aasma Mall' and markets the products these kids make. The workshop structure was made by him.
Noor had tears of happiness looking at the children some disabled & some slow learners. She distributed gifts. While coming back she saw the mall, where that Man's office was there, where she met him. Her respect & love had increased. Today she felt she has to make it special by meeting him. She went inside; the guard informed he had not come to the office. Noor was scared thinking that hope his mom n sister r fine. She rushed back to the clinic, she saw him sitting with them. He was shocked to see her there. He said,
The Man: Noor u here, what a pleasant surprise, plzz come in.
Noor: I just had gone to ur office got to know u hadn't come to office so came here.
Tha Man: Oh ok.
Noor was talking with his Ammi whereas Aapa in the room was sleeping. The man told that now everything was fine & they were to be discharged today so he had come to take them home. Noor felt happy that they r fine now. As all the packing was going on Noor was also helping them. The Man was gushing looking at her outfit; she was just looking gorgeous in sharara and pretty with a perfect necklace. Noor was helping Ammi while Aapa was taken into a Van. Ammi asked Noor she would come along she could see their house. Noor said she surely would accompany them. They reached the house & Noor saw this pleasant house with artist feature all around. The carpet was just beautiful (obvious his father had carpet business) Noor loved the interiors of the house, She asked him, "Have u made all this interiors?" The man smiled, "Ji Maine hi." Noor replied, "I knew u must have made it, its just so beautiful, look at the flowers Vase- a Single hand carving below, it's so nice. Even that painting near the Sofa is awesome, two carved window panes & a site afar of a beautiful flowing river, it looks like we r actually visualizing it as our window. U have a nice artistic taste." The man was just busy in his work of adjusting everything for Ammi & Aapa. Ammi just kissed her forehead & said, " Noor , mere ghar ki Noor banjaoo, phir yeh ghar sach mey nikhar jayega" The man & Noor were shell shocked, Noor tried to hide her shyness & her happiness inside. The man was smiling & said, "Ammi ab aisa kuch mat maanglena, ki yeh iss ghar ka rasta hi bhuljaye." He looked at Noor & Noor smiled back. The Man could see she wasn't offended or hurt by Ammi's remarks. They came into the hall room as Ammi & Aapa were resting.
The Man: Noor aaj badi badlisi lag rahi ho. Aaj itna Saaz shingaar kispe kayamat dhana hai? (Noor was blushing hearing his words.)
She said with extreme shyness, Noor : Aaj mera Janm din hai
The man was just so happy to hear: Janm din bahut mubarak ho…Noor Aaj jo mangna hai manglo…
Noor : Sach
The Man : Much
Noor smiled : Theek hai Chalo phir kahin bahar chalte hain. Let go somewhere.
The man felt strange & then he said: Ok Noor. Lets go..
Noor: where?
The man: Let's go to the same farm house jahan I saw u for the first time.
Noor: Yes that's a nice idea; I will have to search my ring again.
They both sat in his car & he drove. Noor was extremely happy. She had no friends except the almighty God, she looked up & said in her mind, "Rabba , Iss naye rishte, naye Dost ke liye Main aap ka shukriya ada karti hun. Aaj mere janm din pe itna khush kissiko hote huye nahi dekha."
Man: Noor tum yeh kabhi kabhi kisse baat karti rehti ho, mann hi mann mey?
Noor: Apne Sab se achee , aur pyaare Dost se.
Man: hame bhi to batao….kaun hai yeh khushnaseeb
Noor just felt like pulling his leg.
Noor: woh woh sabse achaa hai, sabse bhala, sabse neik. Mujhe sabse jyada chahta hai. Bachpan se. Mera Humsafar hai hamesha ke liye.
The man was a bit reluctant to understand & he said: achaa..Tumhara humsafar. Apne Humsafar ko dhund bhi liya.
Noor loved to see his eyes with pain & love for her, His insecure feeling & dejected disappointment on his face. She said,
Noor: Mera yeh humsafar kaun hai …..batau
The man: Haan, looking ahead & driving with eyes blank & ears sharp to hear her reply.
Noor: Mera yeh Humsafar jissey main bahut chahti hun , jo mere dil ke karib hai, uskaa naam hai Rabba….the almightly who has made this world. Samajhmey aya…..she was laughing & then she heard him laugh aloud.
Noor: Hmmm so what u thought? I was thinking about some one else.
The Man started laughing & was so happy. The man: U love Rabba?
Noor: ….ya ..whats wrong?
The Man: Noor u know …….(he smiled cheekily) My name is Rab.
Noor was just shell shocked, she had forgotten to ask him his name, & now she recollected what she had said, …..mera humsafar, mere dil ke pass, mujhse sabse jyada pyaar karne wala….rabba…. (She covered her face with embarrassment.) Rab stopped the car & held her hand uncovered her face & said,
Rab: Uss Upar wale Rabba ka to pata nahi magar Yeh Rab Afsal Sheikh zindagi bhar Tumhara Humsafar banke , tumhara Dost banke rehna chahta hai. Kya Banogi Meri Biwi. Karogi Nikah mujhse. Will u be mine forever, & I will be with u always. Love U Noor….Do u?
Noor: Rab….., (She had tears & she started bitterly crying)
Rab was much tensed; he didn't know what to do.
Rab: Noor, what happened? If u r hurt I am sorry. I could feel u too loved me. There was something special about our relation. But I never wanted to hurt u. (He had a concern look as well as pain in his eyes) Noor just cried out then she wiped her tears & looked at him, His eyes were confused & with her crying he was just too uneasy. She smiled & hugged him. Rab couldn't understand. He didn't hold her tight, Noor holding him he felt like a breeze of wind holding him, he felt someone with extreme warmth& love tried to hear his heart. He was not able to react. Noor looked at his face which was a bit confused & shy.
Noor: Rab, I love u (She said rolling her dupatta in her finger, looking down.)
Rab smiled & held her face with much love n she looked into his eyes. She shys away & he said,
Rab: Bhala ab yeh kehne ke liye Rona kyun tha? Mujhe dara hi diya.
Noor: Rab , mujhe rona isliye aya , kyunki mujhe yeh chah thi ki tum mujhse pyaar karo. Mera is duniya mey ek hi sachaa dost raha hai, wahi jisne yeh duniya banayi, ussi sey sawaal jawaab kiye. Ab Rabba ne mere jholi mey tumhe dekar itni khushiyaan dedi, zindagi ke har ek khalipan ko yunh dur kiya. Bas soch rahi thi maine kitni acchi kismat payi hai. (She was getting emotional)
Rab: Maine Us duniya banane wale se kabhi koi sawaal nahi kiya, Magar ab tumhe pane ke baad Unka sukriya ada jaroor karunga. He held her tightly now & they both could listen to their heart beats.
They walked along the farm house near the small pond, both looking at each other with much love. They looked into the pond, the fishes & near deep was a ring half into the soil. Noor jumped with excitement of getting her ring.
Noor: Rab.. My ring see it's in there.
Rab & Noor put their hand into the pond & both were holding the ring at each end. Rab was not leaving her hand, she was blushing & soon he pulled her near him. Noor was blushing & then Rab took away that ring & puts in her ring finger. Noor looked up into his eyes. He just said, "Kabool?" Noor, "Jab Rabba ne hi apne Naam ke sahare Tumhari sifarish ki hai, To bhala main aur kya kahun…kabool ...She laughed & both just got cozy & enjoyed their time roaming in the farm.
Noor came home. She was on top of the world. She saw the ring & realized the ring was shaped with two curves as hand & diamond heart in between. She could sense,"
Rabba these r Rab's hand & they always will held me close". She prayed to God & went to Sleep.
Hum sochte the pyaar ki intehaan kya hoti hai,
Jaante hain Ab Pyaar mein hi Kayanaat hoti hai.
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Anupamaa
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