Originally posted by: manzilmukul
Part 19
A promise
"I'll always be beside you until the very end, wiping all your tears away, being your best friend. I'll smile when you smile and feel all the pain you do. And if you cry a single tear, I promise I'll cry too."
There he stood with his teeny meeny eyes fixed on Gulaal and calling her name..in his deep husky tone.Gulaal was surprised and shocked .His eyes were visible as there was only a faint light outside the window.Gulaal took few mins to clear her vision and realize that it was Kesar who was actually there.Gulaal swiftly grasped her Dupatta and came near the window and asked in disbelief.
K: Tu ..tu yahan kya kar raha hai?.itni raat ko.!.Oh my God Kisi ne dekh liya to?Tu ja yahan se." oye woo hubby hai bf nahi kitna tension le rahi hai
Gulaal looked here and there and signaled Kesar to go away.Kesar kept on gazing at her.Gulaal's vision kept on drifting here and there and then finally fixed on Kesar who was looking at her with imploring eyes. dekha jo tumko yeh dil ko kya hua hai
Kesar whispered,
K: "Ghar chalo Gulaal" bekaar attempt nahi aayegi
G: "Tu itni raat ko mujhe ghar le jane k liye aya hai?Chal abhi ja..yahan se?" to kya tumhe 21 gun shot k salami dekar aaye
K: " mujhe tumse baat karni hai abhi?"
G: "Kesar tu pagal hai kya..koi aa jayega .ja yahan se."
K:" mujhe kisi ka dar hai kya.?Tum bahar aao,Kesar said confidently.
G: "Hey bhagwaan..",Gulaal froze with fear
Meanwhile Talli woke up slightly because of the conversation..and asked
T: Kya hua Gulaal?
Gulaal was perturbed,perplexed ,scared and replied quickly..
G: wo wo kuch nahi pani khatam ho gaya hai..main bahar ja rahi hun bharne.
Talli still sleepy dozed off again.
Gulaal turned around and said to Kesar
G: "tu bahar corridor wali window pe aa wohin baat karungi"
Gulaal moved out of the room and came at the window at the corridor.Kesar was already there waiting impatiently for her.
G: "haan ab jaldi bata kya baat hai..Koi aa jayega .",
Gulaal said and shecontinuously kept checking if someone else was there or not.
K: " wo main yahan nahi keh sakta .tum bahar aao aur mere saath chalo",he insisted
G:"Kesar tu pagal hai kya?ghar ja.kal subah baat karenge."
K: "nahi abhi bahar aao warna,"Kesar threatened her and smiled sheepishly.
G: warna kya? tamasha mat kar Kesar .main nahi aungi.Aur waise bhi Gate pe lock hai..aur watchman bhi hai..Usne dekh liya to.He will not allow anyone to meet me at this hour.ja kesar tamasha mat kar.
Kesar looked at her with determined eyes..and said.
K: tamasha..?tamasha to ab tak hua bhi nahi Gulaal ,agar tum nahi ayi to main shor machaunga aur sab ko jaga dunga.aur raat bhar yahi baitha rahunga.Dekho its getting cold also ,agar mujhe kuch ho gaya to tum hogi iski zimmedar.Aur watchman ki to aisi ki taisi.mujhe tumse milne se rok de.aisi himmat kisi k baap mein bhi nahi hai.tum bhul rahi ho ki tum meri official wife ho.isliye kaun mujhe rokega tumse milne se.Ab sidhi tarah se bahar ati ho k main terrace pe chadhkar darwaza todkar andar aa jaun,kesar said authoratatitvely and in a serious tone.
aaye haaye yeh dekhne k liye meri aaknhein taras gaayi kesar to angry hookar kitna sona lagta haiGulaal trembled in anticipation of this horrible possibility.Kesar continued
K: aur ise dhamki ya mazak samajhne ki bhul mat karna .you know me.,
yaa everyone know u😆He gave a freaking look at Gulaal.Gulaal very well knew Kesar and his stubborn attitude.She knew that it was not easy to get away ..So she begged him.
G: ok ok .main har gayi.tu bada hi ziddi hai bas .tu pls ab kuch mat kar.main ati hun .par main aungi kaise?, She asked in a defeated tone
Kesar gave a winning smile and said to her
K: "wo tumhare mess k piche wale door ka latch kharab hai..wahan se aa jao"
isko kaise pata gulaal se kahana pull his ears ladkiyon k hostel k information waah betaGulaal was amazed at this piece of information?K: "kya sochne lagi jaldi bahar aao."
bin tere sanam mar mitenge humaa meri zindagiGulaal snapped back from her thoughts and followed kesar's instructions.Finally they both stood facing each other in the hostel lawn.
Gulaal was irritated a bit and said," le chal ab bata kya baat hai..?tune ghadi dekhi hai .ye koi waqt hai baat karne ka.tujhe maza ata hai na mujhe pareshaan karne mein.
ana hi pada sajnazalim hai dil k lagi"Kesar smiled triumphantly and there was a mischeivious grin on his face.
G: " kya hua ab aise hi pagalon jaise muskurata hi rahega ya kuch kahega bhi."
aur kuch karega bhi😳Kesar came close to her and held her hand and started walking away pulling her with him.Gulaal was almost dragged .She resisted and said , " ye tum kahan ..kya.."Kesar turned around and there was a twinkle in his eyes .He said softly.. " you trust me na..so come with me"
yeh trust kah kar k kya kar raha haiGulaal looked into his eyes?and was a little lost..and she walked behind kesar holding his hands.**************************************************
Ye tu ..ye tu mujhe kahan le aya.."Gulaal was skeptical..as it was pitch dark and she stood there without even a clue about what was happeningShe was hardly able to see anything when suddenly she felta hand with a handerchief covering her nose and mouth.
what yeh kya kar raha hai baath nahi liya kya😳Gulaal was afraid and taken aback.She said shaking and trembling in fear..G: kesar kahin tu ..mujhse mukti pane k liye mujhe yahan marne to nahi laya ?matlab kal tu itna naraz tha?
gulaal u r galool tu ekdum paagal hai..what a thought😆Kesar burst laughing..K: hey bhagwaan is nautanki ka main kya karun..tum lagta hai movies jyada dekhti ho ?Are ye isliye diya taki tum apni nose cover kar sako?are yahan itne jale (spider webs) aur dhool(dust hai) tumhari tabiyat kharab ho gayi to..chinkti phirogi..aur meri afat..ho jayegi?Just cover your nose.,Kesar commanded.
kesar ne asthma k book pee li hai he can be asthamatic doctorGulaal was amused at her assumption and fear .they were standing in a small dark staircase ?Almost ready to crumble..G: par kesar ye to college ki purani building hai na..yahan to koi nahi ata hai na..tum yahan kyun lekar aye mujhe..kya baat hai..," Gulaal threw questions at him like pots and pans.
okKesar sighed.. " maine kaha tha na tum bahut jyada sochti aur bolti ho..ab chup chap chalo mere saath..And they both climbed the stairs together..
And Finally they reached a small porch like area which was well lit due to the streetlight rays falling on it.
Gulaal was still confused and looked at Kesar and saidin a loud voice, " Ye ..yahan kya hai..tumujhe kahan?"Gulaal's statement was not interrrupted as Kesar placed his hand on her mouth and said..
K : Thoda dhire bolo?
They both looked at each other for a brief moment..Both were close to each other.their closeness doubled their pulses and they could hear each other's heartbeat.Kesar suddenly withdrew his hand and held her shoulders and turned her away from him to make her see the other side..
Gulaal was shocked ,mesmerised and felt that she had seen heaven? "Oh wow ..That's so beautiful..lovely..main..tu ..ye..ye kitna sundar hai..
Kesar's eyes twinkled as he saw Gulaal so happy.The view was indeed beautiful.The sleepy hills of mussorie twinkling with the glow of lightbulbs was faintly visible from this terrace of the old building
oh i love the night scene from the hill station mujhe mera home town yaad aa raha hai though waha dark rehta tha bat jitni bhi light thi it was captivitating i so love itGulaal exclaimed still engrossed in the beauty of the view " Its beautiful Kesar?"K: hai na??
And they both said together " Just like heaven"..
its blissfulKesar again held her hand and pulled her towards a huge water tank on the terrace which was raised from the floor of the terrace with a space enough to allow ppl to sit under it..Kesar crawled and sat inside and beckoned Gulaal to come inside..wanha snake ho sakta hai ya phir cockroac ya phir lizzieGulaal hesitantly complied and sat beside him?
Kesar started the conversation?
K: pata hai Gulaal ye humare friends ki secret Hideout hai..maine pehli baar cigarrette yahin pini shuru ki thi.We used to sit here for hours and Gossip,hai na ye kamal ki jagah.?,He asked Gulaal
kunal k saath😆 woo bhi terrace tank k neeche haila chiiiG: O to ye tera badmaashi ka adda tha.Waise sach kahun mujhe ye jagah bahut pasand ayi.She smiled,"Ye kya hai..?Tea?",Gulaal asked Kesar as she saw him pouring out some liquid in two small paper cups which he took out from a bag already lying there.Kesar gave her an amused look and replied? " .Tea? ...nahi re buddhu ye Buransh ka juice hai?Bhul gayi ghar mein fridge mein padi thi ye bottle?Bhulakkad"
banrush juice u love banrush so muchG: "par hum kya celebrate kar rahe hain.?",Gulaal asked curiously.K: maine kaha tha na tum bolti bahut jyada ho?Pehle mujhe congratulate karo?
G: kis baat k liye..
K: wo mujhe na..Kunal k Dad k hotel mein stir fry station pe chef ki job mili hai..Specially for dinner service...
Gulaal was surprised and happy..
G: par tu job..karega..teri padhai disturb?
K: Oh hello Miss Gulaal in wonderland ..main tumhari tarah mujhe kitabein nahi ratni padti..Well my so called degree requires skill ,so I think isse better kya mauka milega mujhe practise karne ka?
chef kesar topi waalaG: wow Kesar I am so happy for you.Congrats.Tu khana sach mein bahut acha banata ha.I think..you will be great?,said Gulaal ecstatically while taking a sip of the sweet juice ofBuransh?K: wo ye tumhare Liye?,
Kesar shyly extended a box towards her..
Gulaal took it hesitantly and opened it..
G: Oh wow Imli?Tujhe yaad hai mujhe Imli pasand hai..?
raat mein imli😆Gulaal exclaimed.Her joy knew no bounds as she quickly took an imli .She was about to relish it but Kesar hit her hand and snatched the imli and the box back from her.Gulaal became upset and complained with child like innocence , " tu ne wapas kyun le li ,tu mere liye laya tha na..ja main tujhse baat nahi karti.
nautankiKesar smiled and said, " nautanki..chin isliye li k abhi itni raat ko khatti imli khaogi to tumhari tabiyat kharab ho jayegi..bhul gayi ..u have asthma..ye sari tumhare liye hi hai.par promise me k sirf din mein hi khaogi aur roz sirf ek..sari ek saath gatak mat jana..samjhi.."i told u isne thesis likhi hai asthama parGulaal was amused and touched at the same time.Someone cared for her so much and she left no stone unturned to hurt him..She felt guilty..
K: Kya hua ..kya sochne lagi..
G: kuch nahi..par tu ye laya kahn se?
K: wo piche jungle mein hai na imli ka ped wohin se
G:tu itni raat ko ped par chadha..itni raat ko ped par nahi chadhte..kehte hain chudail pakad leti hai..,Gulaal said and started laughing..as Kesar kept on looking at her fondly?
haan chaittu chudail wanhi rehti hai kesar par chad jaati to shursh ka kya hota 😆Gulaal was in a mischeivious mood..she continued? "Tujhe yaad hai bachpan mein bhi tu sara dinyahan se wahan jump karta rehta tha..aur wo imli bhi todta tha..Tu kitna badmaash aur ziddi tha..sara din mere age piche chakkar lagana..Jab maine cyclese school jana shuru kiya..to tujhe bhi cycle pe jana tha?Tere legs bhi nahi pahunchte the paddle par?phir bhiuchak uchak kar tu mere aur vasant k piche piche ata tha..,Gulaal smiled naughtily.. " Bas sara dinGulaal ye..Gulaal wo?mera dimag kaharab ho jata tha..,and she laughed..Kesar was lost in his childhood memories and blurted out softly.. " aaj bhi kuch nahi badla Gulaal"
G: kya kaha tune..?
Kesar hesitantly changed the topic and saidin a complaining tone, "Haan aur tum aur Vasant bha?mujhe humesha akela chhodkar chale jate the..
vasant ko goli maaro😡Gulaal sighed as she lied down on her back.. " Kesar bachpan ke din bhi kitne ache the na..Koi fikr nahi,koi tension nahi..Apni zara bhi chinta nahi thi..Mummy papa jo the sari baton ka khayal rakhne k liye..par ab.."Kesar shyly said, " Kyun ab kya badal gaya abhi bhi hain na sab tumhara khayal rakhne k liye..Mummy papa,PBMB ,Rewa..aur..aur ab main bhi to hun..,
sirf tu hi haiGulaal was touched..Her eyes were brimming with tears..She got up and said " Wo..Wo Tu bahut acha hai Kesar..main tujhsekal ke liye maafi mangna chahti hun?Kya karun..Mujhe samajh nahi ata k main kis baat pe itni naraz hun..Isliye k Vasant mujhe yun shaadi k mandap pe chhodkar chala gaya. Ya .isliye..ki mere sare sapne bikhar gaye..ya isliye k mujhe ek unchahe bandhan mein bandh diya gaya..ya isliye k tu mera itna khayal rakhta hai?pata nahi Kesar k mujhe kyun itni shikayat hai apni zindagi se?mujhe kuch bhi samjh nahi ata..," Tears Rolled down her cheeks as she poured out her delimma and grief in front of Kesar..
so sweetKesar felt sad on seeing her crying?He tried to console her, " isme itna rone ki kya baat hai..I told you na that you Think a lot..Sometimes its better to leave things as they are?Lekin ek baat tumne jo kahi wo mujhe bahut hurt hui.."
G: kaun si baat
K: yahin ki ..mana tumhari nazaron mein humare bich koi rishta nahi tha..par ye baat bilkul galat hai .ki koi rishta nahi ho sakta..
oh sweeterG: matlab..," Gulaal was confusedK: matlab ye ki humein humare rishtey ko koi naam to dena chahiye..Can't we be friends Gulaal.?,Kesar Asked her with his .imploring voice
Gulaal was overwhelmed,she felt nice..but said naughtily? " Dosti wo bhi tujhse?"..She giggled.. " sochna padega..humme kuch bhi common nahi hai?teri meri dosti thodi si mushkil hai..",she laughed
hmm ladka ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakte😳 evil smile😃Kesar looked at her fondly ,took her hand in his hand and said? " dost wo nahi hota..who share common interests..A real friend is the one on whom you can rely upon and who is always there for you. And Gulaal I promise that I shall always be there for you"Kesar said with deep love in his eyes..Gulaal's heart was touched by this kind gesture ,But she heistantly withdrew her hands ,got up and said..chal ab bahut der ho gayi hai..
so sweetAnd both of them walked down the stairs crossing the college campus towards Gulaal's hostel?P.S.?"The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch, swing with, never saying a word and then walk away feeling that that was the best conversation you've had."