She had always been very practical in her approach to marriage.She had made peace with the fact that when she got married it would be just an arrangement which would never involve her heart.Getting married to Kesar had changed all of her perceptions.Her husband of one month confused her.She was slowly coming to realize that Kesar was fast becoming an important part of her life.What he said or did mattered to her.She was perfectly happy with their friendship but somewhere along the line she seemed to want something more...something she didn't quite understand herself.
He was now her most trusted friend and confidante but there were times her heart would start to pound violently and her pulse would start to race just thinking about him.Although they had taken care of the whole "who slept where?" situation pretty quickly by coming to the decision like two mature adults that sharing a bed was not a big deal,it did create some very embarrassing moments.Many a morning she found herself wrapped in his arms and though it did bring a blush to her cheeks she would continue to snuggle pretending to be asleep.Sometimes things did become quite awkward.One morning she got up as usual in his arms,lifted up her head to look at his face with a soft smile but to her shock his eyes were open and he looked confused.She immediately broke away from his embrace and left the bed completely embarrassed.She had been quite worried if this might change things between them but fortunately Kesar behaved as if nothing happened which left her relieved yet slightly disappointed.She came out of her thoughts and took a good look at herself.She was a 28 yr old woman not a teenage girl with a crush.Why was she behaving this way?She took the towel and started drying her hair. Suddenly she sensed someone's gaze on her.The tiny hairs on her neck stood up and she knew without even turning around that it was Kesar.She closed her eyes,trying to calm her mind.She then pasted a smile on her face and turned back but to her surprise he was standing right behind her.Seeing him stand so close to her caught her off guard.She almost tumbled backwards and lost her balance.She closed her eyes ready to feel the pain of the fall but instead she opened her eyes to find herself in his arms.
Kesar was happy.He had a hectic day at work but it was rewarding and he loved it.When he had completed his M.B.A this year a lot of MNCs had offered him great jobs.Baba had been proud and had declared that he would support whatever his decision maybe.When he decided to join the family business baba was the happiest because it had always been his wish to see his son carry on the family tradition.He was learning the ropes.He was fortunate enough to have found a good teacher in his father who always guided him.Today he had made his father proud because he had finally clinched a huge deal for which a lot of companies had been vying.His father had called him into his cabin and told him the good news.He did not say anything,just hugged him and patted his back.He was too overwhelmed to speak but Kesar understood as he always did.
Kesar was so excited.He immediately dialled Gulaal's number.He wanted to share his happiest moment with her but then he cut the call.He smiled as he thought maybe it would be better if he told her the news in person.He wanted to see her reaction.He would miss the twinkle in her eye and her infectious wide brilliant smile over the phone.He was walking upto the room when suddenly he heard a melodious voice from inside.He took a peak into the slightly ajar door and there she was standing in front of the mirror humming and smiling at herself.He was mesmerised.He had not known that she could sing.She looked so beautiful and more importantly she looked happy.
The past one month had been a revelation for Kesar.He seemed to be learning something new about Gulaal every day and it just amazed him.This Gulaal seemed to be so different from the one he had known for the last 4 yrs.She was so warm,kind and loving towards his baba and Rewa.The initial nervousness and hesitation seemed to wear off and now it felt as if she had always been a part of this family.She always had a smile for him which he was starting to cherish.She had even started to tease him on occasion.He grinned as he thought of her name for him "Complan Boy". If it had been anyone else calling him that, they would have suffered dire consequences but from Gulaal's mouth it sounded almost like an endearment and he liked it.
He was about to call out to her when he saw a frown mar her pretty face and then he saw a blush streak across her cheeks which just enhanced her beauty.He wondered what she was thinking about.He did not like seeing her without a smile these days.He wanted to know what was bothering her.He felt her stiffen up and turn around hastily.It was only then he became conscious of the fact that he had walked up to her and hadn't even realized it.She was about to lose her balance so he caught onto her.
Her wet hair had fallen across her face and he could feel some of the water droplets on his face.He had stopped blinking,stopped breathing.He just stood there holding her in his arms taking in her beauty.He had never realized that her eyes were not entirely black .It had specks of hazel in them.The hair stuck to her face was bothering him and this time he did not hold back.He needed to see her alluring beauty and he did not want anything hampering his view.He held onto her with one arm and brought his other other hand to help her with her errant hair.He pushed away the strands of hair gently with his fingertip.Her skin was indeed soft and smooth as it looked.He could not stop touching her face.He started to wipe away the little drops of water from her forehead and her cheeks.He could feel her shiver in his arms as she closed her eyes.His gaze moved to her lips unconsciously.Her lips were quivering and he noticed a tiny water droplet right at the middle of her botom lip.He wanted to wipe it away with his thumb or better yet with his own lips but before he could do anything she licked it away.
Gulaal was lost in the moment.There was absolute silence all around.Even with her eyes closed she could feel Kesar's intense gaze on her lips which flustered her.She licked her lips out of nervousness.Soon after she heard him groan as he tightened his hold on her waist.She opened her eyes and she was surprised to find his face so close to her.His face had an almost tortured expression as he kept looking into her eyes.She moved one of her hands and brought it to his face.She wanted to take away his pain and she felt him lean in to her touch.He was trembling just like her.His eyes returned to her lips and he amost closed the distance between their lips when she heard a buzz.She could feel his warm breath and had almost given into the moment when the buzz kept intensifying.She realized it was her cell phone.The trance was broken.
The moment she licked her lips he was lost.Any semblence of self control he had hoped to have vanished when he felt her soft palm tracing the contours of his face and he knew he had to kiss her.Then he heard her soft voice,"Kesar...mera phone...mera phone baj raha hai...".
Kesar blinked his eyes for a moment trying to understand what she was saying.He could see her lips move but he couldn't make out the words.His ears were buzzing and his throat was parched.She seemed to repeat her words and this time he heard her loud and clear.He could see the blush across her cheeks and realized he was still holding her tightly and was too close to her lips.He got her up immediately and let her go in an instant.He was embarrassed.How could he lose his control so completely?This had never happened to him before.
Gulaal felt him move away and when she looked at him he avoided her gaze.She was disappointed though she did not why?She walked towards the bed where her phone was kept.She checked the caller ID.The call was from Talli.She could still feel the tension in the room so she said softly,"Talli ka call hai...bahut dino ke baad phone kiya hai usne.bahut busy thi na apne final exams mein.woh kal mujhse milne aane waali hai".She hoped that talking about Talli,his friend would lighten the tense atmosphere in the room and the awkwardness between them would disappear but to her dimay he just went pale.He looked as white as a sheet and he hurried out of the room muttering,"tum dono baatein karo...main abhi aaya...".
Kesar almost staggered as he walked out of the room.Talli...he had forgotten about her completely.When Gulaal mentioned Talli's name it shook him up completely.This was the girl who was supposed to be his dream girl,his soul mate,the girl he had wished to make his wife before fate and he himself to a certain extent had thrown spanner in the works.What was happening to him?How could he forget the girl he had professed to love for the last 4 years.He hadn't even called her once in the last one month.Well... he was busy with his work but that had never stopped him before.
Had marriage to Gulaal changed him?...What was it about Gulaal that made him forget everyone and everything else?He did not know the answer but it scared him.He had never expected anything like this to happen.He had imagined that life with Gulaal would be a calm,colourless and an uneventful journey.He did not ever think that she would turn out to be a surprising little packet of lively energy.He had started to look forward to every new day because she always managed to surprise him in the least expected ways.To top it off she was a beautiful,gorgeous woman and of course he would be a fool if he didn't realize by now that he was attracted to her.The intensity of his desire for Gulaal unnerved him.It was not just the physical attraction.He was losing himself in her and it had caught him off balance.He had never experienced this before...not even with Talli who was supposed to be the love of his life.Maybe he needed a little time out to clear his head.He was confused now and his head was starting to pound.Maybe a shower would help him right now.It always cleared his mind.
He walked back to the room deciding to put on a cool,calm mask trying to behave as if nothing was wrong but as soon as he entered the room the mask slipped when he saw Gulaal sitting on the bed with her head in her hands crying softly.He forgot everything as he rushed over to her side and asked worriedly,"kya hua Gulaal?tum ro kyun rahi ho?"
Gulaal was shocked to hear his worried voice.She had thought that he had gone out.When did he come back?She wiped away her tears and tried to smile as she replied,"kuch nahi...Kesar...kuch bhi to nahi..."She saw him look at her with an arched eyebrow.He did not believe her so she sighed and replied softly,"kuch nahi...choti si baat hai...Talli kal mujhse milne aane waali thi na lekin woh nahi aa paayegi...use kuch kaam aa gaya hai toh woh phir kabhi aayegi...patha nahi main itni choti si baat ke liye kyun rone lagi..."
"mujhe patha hai...tum use bahut miss kar rahi ho isi liye...",he replied softly.He sat beside her and held her hand.His simple answer made her tear up as she replied,"haan...main use bahut miss kar rahi hoon.lekin uski bhi koi galti nahi hai...uske exams hain aur project work chal raha hai jisme woh kaafi busy hai...par maine kal ke liye bahut saare plans banaake rakhe the.main kal school se leave lene waali thi...bahut dino ke baad mil rahe hain na toh socha ki poora din usi ke saath bitaaun...lekin ab...".She stopped unable to speak anymore.Kesar looked at her tear stricken face.He did not like it at all.He knew that she had been hurt when her parents who had come to meet his father had not asked her to come home for the rituals(pag phera) but even then she did not cry because she had expected it in a way.Her realtionship with them was such but it was different now...this was her sister...her baby sister.Talli was the only one who could break her and make her go to pieces.
Kesar could not take it anymore.He squeezed her hand which made her look at him.He said in a determined tone,"Gulaal,tum kal school ke baad mera intezaar karna ok.main tumhe pick karne aa jaaunga..."."par Kesar...kyun...kahaan...",she tried to ask him but he cut her off saying,"yeh sab tumhe jaanane ki zaroorat nahi.bas tumhe mere saath chalna hai ...that's it samjhi...".She smiled and replied,"ok..."
Kesar grinned and then suddenly it struck him,"arre main toh batana hi bhool gaya...hamaari company ko woh deal mil gayi Gulaal...bas aaj hi sab finalise ho gaya aur patha hai baba itne khush hain..."Before he could continue she interrupted him,"really...oh Kesar main bahut khush hoon tumhare liye..."and just like that they were back to their comfort zone pushing the incident that had happened a few moments ago to the back of their minds...
Kesar looked at his watch once more.He had been waiting for her since the last 15 minutes but she was no where to be seen.He had made all the arrangements from office and had been so excited about this plan.He was sure it was going to make Gulaal very happy.He decided to take his bike instead of the car because he knew even though she protested she secretly loved to ride on his bike.He knew that as soon as she saw on him on the bike she would start with the usual complaints,"hum ispe jaayenge...nahi...mujhe nahi jaana...mere kapde kharab ho jaayenge...baal kharab ho jaayenge...tum bahut tez chalate ho...mujhe speed se darr lagta..."etc etc...He smirked thinking about her excuses but he knew that once she got on the bike she enjoyed it as much as him.It reminded her of freedom and the speed gave her a thrill.She would never admit and she did not need to.One look at her flushed cheeks and her wide grin was enough to let him know that she loved it as much as he did.
He was now getting frustrated drumming his fingers on the helmet.He decided to give her a call.He was just about to dial her number when he caught sight of her.She was laughing and she was not alone.She was talking to someone.A tall,fair,goodlooking someone.He seemed to be a few years older than him...maybe around 28 or 29.He saw them talk for a while and the guy seemed to be paying her some compliment because she had a shy smile on her face.
Who was this guy flirting with his wife?He felt a spark of anger course through his body.He did not like it at all.He started his bike hoping to draw her attention but it didn't so he revved the engine and this time her attention was drawn to him.He saw her wave to him and explain something to the guy in front of her.Then after exchanging pleasantries she came over to him with a wide smile.
Gulaal had been impatient since afternoon.She had not been able to concentrate on any of her classes.The students had eagerly pointed out the mistakes made by her.She had been so embarrassed and the students seemed to enjoy it.When the final bell rang she almost ran out but was stopped by a student,"maam...aap ne mujhse kaha tha ki aap mere guardian se milna chahthe hai toh woh aaj aaye hain...aap se baat karne ke liye..."She was frustrated.She knew Kesar would be waiting for her but she could not say no to the student so she reluctantly met with the student's guardian,her uncle Vasant Sharma.He seemed to be a nice enough man who seemed to be quite involved in his neice's education.She told him about the problems his neice was facing in the class and he assured her that he would look into it.He thanked her for being so attuned to her students' needs.He said that his neice had declared to him that she was her most favourite teacher.She smiled shyly because she did not know what to say.She wanted to leave and find Kesar that very instant but then it would be rude so she did not.Just then she heard a bike and she turned her face to look around.She found him sitting on the bike with an annoyed expression on his face.She looked back at the person in front of her and said,"sorry Mr.Vasant lekin mujhe ab jaana hoga.mere husband aaye hain...woh mera wait kar rahe hain kaafi der se...waise aap ko chinta karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai...Devki kaafi hoshiyaar bas thoda sa concentrate kar le toh sab theek ho jaayega and haan agar kabhi bhi koi mushkil toh aap mujhe contact kar sakte hain...".
She made her way towards Kesar.She looked around to see many of the older girls stare at him.She could see why.He was sitting on his bike with his messy hair,the sleeves of his brown dress shirt pulled upto his elbows and the tie hanging loose around his neck...dark shades hid his expressive eyes and the sullen expression on his face just added to his elusive charm.He looked like a rebel and every one including the good girls loved a bad boy.She could hear some of the girls sigh.She wanted to laugh but then she could not deny the fact that even she had fallen a prey to his charm.Did he have any idea of the ruckus he was creating?She didn't think so.He was looking too annoyed though,she did not understand why.
She smiled trying to guage his reaction.He did not return the smile instead he asked her brusquely,"kaun tha woh?"
"Kaun..."?,she had been so wrapped up in him that she did not understand the question.
Kesar replied sullenly,"wohi jiske saath tum hans hans ke baatein kar rahi thi...".She smiled as her confusion cleared and she replied,"acha woh...unka naam Mr.Vasant Sharma hai.woh mere ek student ke guardian hain.main unse milna chahthi unki bhatiji Devki ke baare mein baat karne ke liye...aur dekho toh unhe bhi aaj hi aana tha...".
Kesar seemed to be unimpressed as he said,"mujhe yeh Mr.Vasant kuch theek nahi lagte...tumhe aise ghoor ghoor ke dekh rahe the...he was trying to flirt with you...".
Gulaal could not hold her laughter as she replied,"come on Kesar...he was not.bechare itne decent hain...woh toh bas apni bhatiji ke baare mein baat kar rahe the..."
"Gulaal...tum bahut bholi ho...tum in ladkon ko nahi jaanti...ladkiyon ko impress karne ke liye kuch bhi keh sakte hain...kuch bhi kar sakte hain...",he spoke in a serious tone.
Gulaal was amused,"acha...tum bhi yehi sab karte the kya..."."ab isme meri baat kahaan se aa gayi",Kesar asked in an annoyed tone as he continued,"main toh tumhare bhale ke liye keh raha tha agar tumhe nahi maanana toh theek hai...".
Kesar put on his helmet with a sulky expression and Gulaal could not bear it any longer."Acha baba main haar gayi aur tum jeet gaye khush...mera bhala chahne ke liye shukriya...ab yeh batao tum yeh bike kyun laaye...tumhe patha hai na ki mujhe bilkul pasand nahi hai...mujhe speed se..."Kesar had a huge grin as he cut her off,"haan ...patha hai...darr lagta hai...isliye toh leke aaya...ab chupchaap baitho warna mujhe gussa aa jaayega aur main yahaan se chala jaaunga..."Gulaal knew it was an empty threat but she kept quiet and sat behind him holding tightly onto his shoulder.As Kesar pressed the accelarator the last thought in her mind before she rested her head on his back was "I love speed".
Finally they reached their destination but Gulaal did not want the ride to end.She had enjoyed it.She looked around and found it was a coffee shop.She asked Kesar who was now removing his helmet,"hum yahaan kyun aaye hain Kesar?"He looked at her and instead of answering her he just broke into laughter,"tumhare baal ...bilkul junglee lag rahi ho..."She looked in the mirror of the bike and Kesar was right her hair was a mess.She gave him a stern look and then quickly untied her hair.She patted it down as much as possible and was just about to tie her hair in a ponytail when she heard a hoarse whisper,"rehne do Gulaal...tum khule baal mein bahut achi lagti ho...".Her eyes darted back to him.He was no longer laughing.He had the same intense look in his eyes that had caused her to lose her senses.She tried to smile as she repeated her question,"hum yahaan kyun aaye hain?"He just smirked in reply.He did not say anything instead took her hand and led her toward the coffee shop.She was surprised by his actions but she remained silent patiently waiting to see what was in store for her.
"Di...",she heard a familiar scream.She looked to her right.She found her little sister coming towards her and enveloping her in a bear hug.Gulaal was stunned for a moment and then she just hugged back smiling widely.She moved back as she caressed her baby sister's face with tears in her eyes."Talli...tu yahaan kya kar rahi hai...hmmm toh yeh sab tera plan tha kya???",she asked.Talli took her towards a table as she replied,"maine nahi ...yeh sab Kes...oops jeeju ki planning hai.mujhe phone karke yahaan aane ko kahaa...dhamki bhi di...pehli baar...main toh chaunk gayi...lekin apni Di se milne ke liye mujhe dhamki ki zaroorat toh nahi hai na...".She hugged Gulaal who was stunned.Kesar did this for her...to make her happy.She looked to her side but she did not find him.He had left the place.Her phone started to ring and she saw it was his call.
She took the call and before she could say anything he spoke,"ab jitni chaahe apni behen ke saath baith ke baatein karo...jab mann bhar jaaye toh car mein waapis aa jaana.Driver baahar wait kar raha hai...ok...apna dhyaan rakhna Gulaal...",and he cut the call.
She smiled happily as she looked back at Talli,"chal baith...lekin main tujhse bahut gussa hoon tu mujhse milne aayi hi nahi...us din papa aur maa ke saath bhi nahi aayi..."Talli held her ears as she replied softly,"Soory Di...maaf kar do na maine bataya tha na phone lekin aaj ke baad main ek dum free hoon...aaj ke baad main jab chaahe tum se mil sakti hoon...".
The two sisters chatted away happily over a few cups of coffee.By the time Gulaal reached home she was tired yet she felt lighthearted.She went to the room and saw Kesar working on his laptop.He saw her come inside the room.He kept the laptop to the side and got up as he said,"toh Gulaal...ab toh khush ho na...ab toh rone ki koi baat hi nahi hai haina...".She walked towards him and without saying a word she threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
Kesar was taken aback at this sudden gesture but then he smiled as he felt her murmur into his neck,"Thank you so much Kesar..."
He brought his arms around her and held her in his arms.They stood there for a long time enjoying the moment in complete silence...
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Tum Se Tum Tak
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Vasudha
