Hamaari Prem Kahaani...#4 - Page 37

KHURANA MANSION

I quickly moved out of my room informing Geet that I was going to spend some time with Dadaji, walking in the terrace when my phone screen flashed, ending my wait for the call I was expecting since long. I didn't want to attend the call with Geet around, she was so happy today I didn't want ruin her happiness by disclosing this horrifying truth to her. I finished the conference call with Yash and Aadi and turned to see Dadaji looking at me expectantly. Sighing I spoke.

"Everything is under control Dadaji. Yash and Arjun, Singhania Uncle ke saath police station mein hain finishing off the legal formalities while Aadi just left from the hospital after beefing up the security. Dadaji kahin na kahin I failed! Main Dad aur Geet se kiya promise poora nahin kar paaya.I am sorry!"

"Tumhe sorry kehne ki koi zaroorat nahin Maan. Infact I am so proud of you boys today! Aaj hamaare liye bahot special moment tha lekin phir bhi instead of getting carried away in fun and frolic all of you chose to be alert and managed to rescue her in nick of time." Dad's words acted like a balm to my pained and guilty heart. Vicky and Dad just returned from the hospital.

"Wahan sab theek hain na Rajiv aur Ashwin theek hain na?" Anxious Dadaji inquired.

"Haan Papa ab sab theek hain, Rhea ke paas Mrs Mehra aur uska fiance hain aur Ashwin ko hum abhi Ghar chod ke aaye hain. Shergill aur Aadi ne security bhi tighten kar di hain. Woh log ab theek hain. Infact Mrs Mehra ne khaas tum sab ko thanks kahan hain Rhea ke liye." Dad asserted.

"Shukar hain koi anhoni nahin hui." Dadaji sighed and turned towards me and queried.

"Maan ab tumne kya socha hain?"

"Bro usse bahar aane hi nahi dena chahiye tha, jail mein sadta toh accha hota!" Vicky burst out. Though it wasn't unexpected as we had an fair idea that Brij wouldn't sit quiet but todays incident had really shaken us all somewhere questioning all our planning and giving us a reality check!

"Vicky the cases that were pressed against him were not that severe, he would be set free sooner or later knowing our legal procedures. Main chahta tha woh bahar rahe aur khud apna tamasha dekhe. I was waiting for that one chance! Woh ek galti jo usse bhaari pad jaaye aur woh usne aaj kardi. We have enough proofs to nail him aur iss baar woh lamba andar jaayega. Brij Handa is finsihed!" I proclaimed.

There was silence for few moments, remembering the reason that had been nagging me since evening I turned to Dadaji and directly questioned him.

"Dadaji aap Daarji se kis sach ki baat kar rahe the?"

He stiffened at my direct question not meeting my eyes confirming my doubt. I knew he didn't want to answer my question but I needed to know, not leaving any room for escape I affirmed.

"Dadaji main sach jaanta hoon bas aap ke mooh sunna chahta hoon!"

"MAAN...." He looked at me aghast. Dad and Vicky stood their confused totally unaware of the conversation.

"Haan main sab jaanta hoon aur agar aap soch rahe hain ke main gusse (anger) aur josh (haste) mein aa kar koi galat kadam uthaunga toh main aisa kuch nahi karnewala." I assured.

"Tum kaise jaante ho?" He questioned.

"Geet ne mujhe bataya tha, ek raat Geet ne Daarji aur Rajinder Handa ki baatin sun li thi, issiliye toh usne meri jaan bachane ke liye apni zindagi daav pe laga di aur Dev se shaadi kar li." I stated.

Dadaji walked towards the railing of the terrace like looking millions miles away he started narrating the happenings of the fateful day when he had suffered a massive paralytic stroke. Dadaji had been working in his office when a call from Beeji (Daarji's wife) changed it all. Beeji was wanting to meet him, the urgency in her voice was worrying Dadaji before he could agree there were some noises heard on the other side of the phone. Daarji had caught Beeji talking on the phone and there was a confrontation between the two as the line wasn't disconnected Dadaji could hear them and then there was a sudden noise followed by a loud scream of Daarji, Dadaji tried to call out to someone having no clue what had transpired there. He got up to move out when Beeji struggled but could voice out the truth about the conspiracy behind Chachu's and Geet's Bua's death and a plead to save her family from evil clutches of her husband before breathing her last.

He couldn't bear the shock and instantly suffered a massive stroke. Luckily Shergill Uncle too was present there so Dadaji could get timely treatment but this truth broke him beyond repair and he lost his will to live anymore.

Dadaji closed his eyes while tears rolled down his eyes reliving the painful moment once again.

"Papa itna bada sach aap ne mujhe bhi batana zaroori nahi samjha, mere apne Bhai ki maut ek haadsa nahi hain...aap ki yeh haalat bimaari nahin balke...beeji ki maut bhi...Itna sab kuch chupayaaap ne. Kyun Papa?" Dad was truly hurt discovering the deep buried truth.

Gathering himself Dadaji turned around walking up to a bench he sat there and spoke."Parjayiji ki seediyon se gir kar maut hogayi thi aisa baad mein pata chala...Shergill wahin tha hamaare saath iss liye woh yeh sach jaanta hain...par humne hospital jaate waqt usse vada liya tha...ke woh kabhi yeh sach kisi ko nahi baatayega...Hum jaante the sab toot jaate iss sach se...Maan aur Vicky bahot chote the...aur Rajiv, tum akele the jise parivaar ko sambhalna tha...Ehsaanmand (indebted) hoon main Shergill ka ke...woh saaye ki tarah tumhaare saath khada raha...usne toot ne nahi diya tumhe...ek saccha dost hone ka har farz nibhaya. Sukhdev ki haivaaniyat (evilness) had se zyaada badh gayi thi...woh kuch bhi kar sakta tha...Main poori tarah se toot chuka tha aur...nahi chahta tha ke tum logon par aur koi musibat aaye...Main sirf apne parivaar ko surakshit rakhna chahta tha!" He concluded the reason he had locked this truth inside his heart all these years.

"Beeji ko bhi Daarji ne maar diya..."

Geet spoke out shocked with another horrifying truth about her family, the tray in her hands trembling I rushed to her handing over the tray to Vicky and hugged her tight. I hadn't expected her here but knowing Geet she must have thought to serve us coffee as we were all here discussing something. I had successfully distracted her and others in the house earlier sighting an excuse that there was an important issue with a deal which Dad and Vicky were handling which needed their immediate attention not disclosing about the attack on Rhea but again truth hit her hard. Before I could console her Daarji called out to her. I walked her to the bench Dadaji held her hand and made her sit beside him.

"Unn logone Beeji ko bhi maar diya, hain na?" Geet spoke between her sobs and breaking down again. I sat next to her comforting her too. She was uncontrollable fear evident on her face. Dadaji wiped her tears and cupped her face as he spoke to her ever so softly.

"Geet parjayiji ki maut seediyon se gir ke hui...main itna hi jaanta hoon...wahan exactly kya hua yeh mujhe bhi nahi pata...kuch theek se sunaai nahi de raha tha...Haan par itna keh sakta hoon ke apne bacchon ki maut aur apne pati ki gheenoni (disgusting/ sickening) sachaai woh bardaasht (bear) nahi kar paayi!"

"Woh aisa kaise kar sakte hain, unka kalejaa (heart) nahin kaanpa (shiver) ek bhi baar apni hi biwi, beti ke jaan lete hue kya itna asaan (easy) tha unka zameer (soul) nahi jaagta?" She burst out.

"Iss sawaal ka jawaab toh main bhi dhoondh raha hoon...kitne saalon se...log kehte hain ke meri nazar paarkhi(sharp) hain...par yeh sach nahi hain...maine zindagi mein ek insaan ko pehchaan ne mein galti ki...jiski bharpaai main shayad kabhi bhi nahi kar paau...Mujhe yakeen nahi hota ke ek kisaan (farmer)...jo duniya ka pet (stomach) bharne ke liye kheti (farming) karta hain...uske andar itna zeher (poison) kaise aa gaya...jo Hoshiarpur mein apni chotisi duniya mein khush tha...woh shaher aake itna kahan khi gaya...paison aur power ke liye sab kuch bhool gaya." Dadaji sighed today he too was in the most vulnerable frame of mind. I guess all the events today had taken a toll on him. Sensing this Dad intervened.

"Raat kaafi ho gayi hain hume sona chahiye, Vicky tum Papa ko unke kamre mein le jao aur Maan tum Geet ko. Geet bete jo beet gaya usse hum chah ke bhi badal nahi sakte bas koshish kar sakte hain ke boori yaadon ko bhool kar acchi baatein yaad rakhe, hain na." He comforted her to which Geet nodded emotionally.

Looking over at the sleeping Geet in my arms, couldn't help but think about the day. It had been a tiring day today and now this emotional outburst had exhausted her. While I was pondering over how to comfort her as she completely broke down crying her heart out, but she slowly just fell asleep in my arms.

I wanted to make this day special and memorable to her but it ended up tearing her heart, all the special moments lost in the pool of sorrows.

"Kal ek naya din ek nayi shuruaat hogi, yeh tumhaare Maan ka vaada hain tumse Geet!"

HANDA HAVELI

"Kya soch rahe ho Jee?" Rano inquired as she entered our room with a glass of milk alongwith my medicine. I just smiled at her and gestured her to sit beside me on the bed which she readily obliged. She looked at me with anticipation as I spoke.

"Rano tumhe yaad hain jab Maan pehli baar Geet ko dekhne aaya tha. Hum hospital se ghar hi aaye the jab woh zidd kar ke Rajiv ke saath aa gaya tha. Aparna bhabhi aur parjaayiji tumhe yahaan room mein settle kar rahe the aur Maan mere paas baith ke intezaar kar raha tha ke kab woh choti baby se mil sake." I couldn't help smiling remembering the special moment.

"Haan woh toh hospital mein hi aana chata tha lekin Bade Papa (Dadaji) ne mana kiya tha, issliye hamaare ghar aate hain aa gaya tha." Rano too added.

"Rano kudrat ne hume pehle hi ishaara de diya tha jab hamaare nanhe Maan ne hamaari nahi si pari par apna haque jata diya diya tha. Mujhe aaj bhi woh din yaad hain jab Maan ne usse Maan ki Geet keh ke pukaara tha!"

[MOHINDER'S FLASHBACK]

We had just returned from the hospital. Daarji and Veerji were at office and Beeji and Preeti were out on a pilgrimage. Aparna Bhabhi and Parjaayiji were helping Rano to settle down in our room while I was waiting with Maan who was so impatient to meet the baby, her loud wails were echoing in the Haveli.

"Kitna rooti hain na yeh?" He suddenly complained.

"Woh bahot choti hain na issiliye rooti hain." I asserted.

"Aap ko problem nahi hoti, baby ke itne zor se rone se?" He probed further.

"Nahi mujhe koi problem nahi hoti, mujhe toh uska rona bilkul kisi geet ki tarah lagta hain. Dhyaan se suno Maan tumhe bhi pasand aayega." I urged him but Brij's statement broke our conversation.

"Mujhe bilkul pasand nahi, isse wapas le jao aur hospital mein chod ke aao."

Before I could react Aaprna Bhabhi called out to us and Maan just ran to our room to see the baby. I too followed along with Brij to barce a lovely sight of Rano sitting leaning against the head rest while our princess peacefully sleeping beside her. Maan had already secured his place near the baby on the bed and was lovingly gazing at her. Rano's voice caught my attention.

"Maan kaisi lagi tumhe hamaari baby?" She inquired and even Parjaayiji called out to Brij.

"Wahan kyun khada hain, yahan aake dekh apni behen ko, kitni pyaari hain."

"Nahi mujhe behen nahi bhai chahiye tha jo mere saath khelega. Yeh meri koi nahi hain." He stated his disapproval again.

It felt like a stab in my heart. Brij spoke but the words belonged to someone else. I knew Daarji and Veerji weren't happy that Rano gave birth to a girl. Not once did they come to see my baby but influencing a child's mind with their sick mentality was just too much. Parjaayiji looked at me helplessly I blinked my eyes assuring her and calmly spoke to Brij.

"Brij yeh tumhaari choti behen hain, thode waqt ke bad woh bhi tumhaare saath khelegi, tumhaare saath hi rahegi." I tried to undo the damage of the poison filled in an innocent mind but to avail and Brij's next set of words shocked us all.

"Nahi Daarji kehte hain yeh hamaari nahi hain, main uske saath nahi khelunga aur apne paas bhi nahi rakhunga, yehi meri koi nahi hain." He yelled and in the process waking up my princess who started crying due to the chaos.

"GEET..." A faint whisper escaped from Maan's lips. I looked towards Maan who was still looking at the baby, assuming that he was associating her cry to our earlier conversation I smiled but then a strange thing happened our princess instantly stopped crying. Maan caressed her tiny palms with his fingers and our baby held one of her fingers in her palm tight and smiled her eyes still closed.

Brij's statement had shocked us but Maan's declaration just left us speechless. Maan declared to us and specially to Brij.

"Yeh MAAN KI GEET hain aur hamesha mere hi saath rahegi!!!!"

[END OF FLASHBACK]

"Aur aaj dekho bachpan ka kiya vaada Maan ne sach much nibhaaya! Aaj main bahot khush hoon Rano ab mujhe Geet ki koi fikar nahi ab yeh log usse kuch nahi kar sakte. Aaj main chain se soungakyun ke kal ek nayi subah sirf khushiyaan laayegi!" I concluded.

KHANNA HOUSE

I had been pacing restlessly waiting for Dev, he had left the party without informing me stranding me but luckily one of our old acquaintance dropped me home. The happenings at the Award Function flashed in front of my eyes each moment pierced me like needles and Maan-Geet dance was like sword sliced through my heart. I will make sure I ruin all their happiness. I want to see the Khurana's crying, cursing their fate to have messed with me Ayesha!

Just then a sudden screeching sound of the metal gate broke my reverie and I saw Dev entering our house. It was nearing dawn he had been out the whole night and his appearance suggested he might be loitering around. He didn't seem that drunk now.

"Kahan gaye the tum Dev?" I asked him emerging out of the dark lighting a side lamp. Startled by my sudden voice he stumbled. I sighed seeing him How am I to win this war against the mighty Khurana's with this weakling by my side. Dev low voice grabbed my attention.

"Abhi nahi Mom." He urged. Loosing the last thread of my patience I blasted him.

"Dev main tumse kuch pooch rahi hoon...Kahan gaye the tum... kyun kya hua...sachaai bardaasht (tolerate) nahi hui...dekh nahi paaye tumhaari ek galti ka natija (result)...seh (bear) nahi paaye ke Khurana's phir humse jeet gaye...sharam aa rahi ke kaise Maan Singh Khurana ne tumhe kahin ka nahi choda."

"Mom..." He yelled but I was not going to have it anymore.

"Don't you dare raise your voice on me Dev! Aaj sirf tumhaari wajah se hum yahan hain. Sab kuch...sab kuch ek thali mein paros (serve) ke diya tha aap ko bas tumhe sahi waqt par uska faayda uthana tha lekin nahi...aap ki ek galti ne hamaari jeeti hui baazi haar mein badal di. Hamaari saalon ki mehnat barbaad kar di. Kahan tha na maine, mere aane tak kuch mat karna, lekin tumne meri baat nahi suni aur uss Geet ko azaad kar diya...Kyun?"

"Aur dekha tumne...tumne usse azaad kya kiya woh seedhi pohuch gayi Maan Singh Khurana ki baahon (arms) mein apni dukhbhari dastaan (heart wrenching story) liye. Usse azaad kar ke tumne hume Khurana's ka ghulaam bana diya! Kyun kiya tumne aisa bolo Dev kyun kiya?" I questioned him.

"Kyun ke main uss ladki ko ek aur pal bardaasht (tolerate) nahi kar sakta tha. Samjhi aap!" He justified his stand turning his back to me but only I knew he was lying between his teeth.

"Bardaasht nahi kar sakte the ya bachana chahte the?" I proclaimed. He stifenned but didn't turn but I held him hard turning him around.

"Look at me Dev I'm talking to you."

"Aisa kuch nahi hain Mom. I just hated the mere sight of her! Uski maujoodgi (presence) mujhe har pal Maan ki jeet ka ehsaas (remind) dilati thi iss liye maine usse apni zindagi aur iss ghar se door kar diya. Aur koi wajah (reason) nahi hain." He asserted.

"Main tumhaari Maa hoon Dev tumhaari rag rag se waakeef (know) hoon. Tumhe kya laga main jaanti nahi thi Geet jab yahan thi tab tum kyun usse door rehte the, she was your legally wedded wife for God's sake but even then you always shunned her away from you.Why?"

"Main jab bhi usse pareshaan karti toh tum mera dhyaan conveniently kisi aur cheez mein divert kar dete, jab woh bimaar padi aur Rano usse ghar le gayi thi, tab bhi tumne hi Daarji se usse wahan rehne dene ke liye kahan tha. Hain na. Tum acchi tarah se jaante theke agar plan ke mutaabik (according) agar Geet Handa's ke haath lag gayi toh woh usse zinda nahi chodenge aur issiliye tumne meri absence ka faayda utha ke usse bhaga diya. Usse zindagi dene ke chakkar mein hume jeeteji maar diya. Kyun kiya tumne yeh, aisa kya hua tha jiski wajjah se tumne hamaara saara plan barbaad kar diya, bhaag ne diya na tumne usse .Jawaab do."

"Haan... maine hi usse bhaag ne ka mauka diya tha kyun ke main kisi jaan kabhi nahi le sakta, criminal nahi hoon main. Maanta hoon ke woh mujhe acchi lagti thi lekin jis din maine usse Maan ke saath dekha uss din meri saari feelings mar gayi. Main toh usse shaadi bhi nahi kar na chahta tha aap ne mujhe majboor kiya tha. Maan aur meri nafrat ek taraf hain main aaj bhi Maan se nafrat karta hoon par Geet se mera koi lena dena nahi hain aur kahin na kahin mujhe iss baat ki khushi hain ke woh Maan ke saath safe hain. Haan aur ek baat main aaj bhi itna kaabil hoon ke akele apni pehchaan bana sakta hoon kisi aur sahare ke koi zaroorat nahi."

I concluded luckily distracting Mom from the happenings of that night when I had nearly forced Geet in my drunken state. I couldn't trust myself anymore so decided to divorce her at the earliest.

"Kuch nahi kar paaoge tum Dev kyun ke Maan tumhe kuch kar ne ka mauka hi nahi dega. Maan Singh Khurana ke aadmi 24/7 hum par nazar rakhe hue hain. All doors are closed for you even before you knock on them. Bahot sharaafat ka bhoot chada hain na tumhe jao ab toh main bhi dekhna chahti hoon tum kya kar sakte ho Mr Dev Khanna. Khurana's ki nazar barso se Aman ki property aur business pe thi, main akeli saalon tak ladi, Pari ko toh mujhse pehle door kar diya tha socha tha tum mera saath doge lekin aaj tumne bhi mujhe peeth dikha di (turn back to). Afsos ho raha hoga Aman ko aaj yeh sab dekh ke aur usse bhi zyaada tumhe dekh ke jo apne haathon se uska sapna tod raha hain. Jao so jao Dev main akeli sambhaal loongi." I walked finally playing my trump card leaving Dev again in a fix, but this time I wasn't sure if it will work or no. My phone buzzed and I picked up the call and spoke.

"Main taiyaar hoon, mujhe kya karna hoga?"

Online voting is free

Please vote on the link given below