This is my first ever attempt at writing . The terrace night bomb from Muskaan was so poignant and beautiful that I started imagining it in my mind. I just couldn't wait for the actual scene and one of our buddy blackfaree us suggested that may be I could try my hand at putting my imagination into words. So, this is my humble attempt at doing that. Please let me know your thoughts on it
PS: Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Arylie OS: Solace
It was a calm moonless night with occasional gentle breeze accompanied by petrichor of the late-evening rain. The first rain of the season has finally decided to make an appearance providing much needed respite from the scorching heat.
Aryan stood at the edge of the terrace with his hands on the railing looking out into the night sky. His Didi loved plants and it is the said love that has transformed this terrace into an aesthetic garden with a foliage of plants including fully blooming lavender trees cloaking the space in their scent. He’s got a lot of fond memories of the four of them spending happy family time in the very place until that one incident changed their lives forever. But now,the significance of this space changed for him because of her. It now reminds him of the countless nights they have spent stargazing in each other’s embrace basking in their new found love and intimacy.
Her. Imlie. She has come like a shining light into his life and rescued him from the throes of darkness he has trapped himself in. The one who now holds utmost power over his heart and makes him lose his composed self even at the thought of harm approaching her. She is his Duniya now which he had failed to protect. He, The Aryan Singh Rathore, who is a master at assessing people has erred in identifying Madhav’s true intentions. Rage boiled in him at the thought that it is his miscalculation that is responsible for what happened to her. He can never ever get to forgive himself for that but he will make sure that justice is served to her even if means fighting her for herself. For Themselves.
The events of the last few days have been emotionally draining and has a taken a toll on them. Imlie’s denial of what happened and his belief in the facts has driven a wedge between them. He has immersed himself in work waiting patiently for Madhav to wake up from the coma to avenge him. Their interactions have been reduced to a bare minimum in the last few days both in the office and at home. He decided to give her the space in the hope that with sufficient time and pondering, she would come to accept the reality. He would always be there by her side like a mountain when she comes face to face with the truth and never let her crumble. It is always Them against the World.
The rumble of the clouds brought him out of his stupor and he glanced at his watch to notice the clock striking 9. He has last seen Imlie at breakfast table today and with him being away at Rathore chemicals all day ,there wasn’t an opportunity to see each other. A text message from her in the evening in response to his missed call informing him about how she would be late because of a new assignment was all they have spoken to each other today. He missed her. Where are you Imlie?
As he stood there looking into the dark night, he sensed her presence even before he could hear her lonely payal chiming. I wonder when she would realize that her payal is missing. He turned around just in time to see her standing on the last step to the terrace and noticed she changed into one of her regular night sarees. They stood drinking in the sight of each other like parched souls. They missed and longed for each other.
Aryan was the first one to break the silence. With his back leaning against the railing and hands folded, he cleared his throat and asked her “Tumne khana Khaya Imlie?”
“Haan ABP. Tum?”
“Yep. Tumhari tabiyat kaisi hai. Doctor ke diye hue supplements theek se le rahi ho na?”
“Hum aur Chee……Hum Theekh hai ABP. Chinta ki kaunu baat naahi hai”. He didn’t miss her stopping herself from mentioning Cheeku in front of him.
“Good”. He nodded his head and they just looked around the terrace not knowing what to talk.
She broke the silence this time and asked him “Tum aaj Rathore Chemicals gaye rahe hai na”
“Haan. Naye factory ki plans discuss karne ke liye meetings the aaj”
“Hmm”. She came to a stop at a couple of feet from him and was taking in the surroundings.The tranquil in the air a stark contrast to the storms in their hearts.
Imlie looked at Aryan properly for the first time that night and noticed the turmoil in his eyes. She couldn’t bear to see him like this. He was her ABP, her savior, her protector, her guiding light. He is the torch behind her Phire and seeing him wrongfully blaming himself for unable to protect her broke her heart. Fighting him was emotionally draining and the events of last few days coupled with the emotional and physical distance from Aryan caught up with her and tears welled in her eyes.
Before Aryan could fathom anything, Imlie eliminated the distance between them and crashed into him. She hugged him tight with all her might and he could hear her sobbing against his heart. Her tears were his undoing and he enveloped her in his arms.
“Hum thak gaye hai ABP. Hum tumse ladna nahi chahat. Humka toka khoye ka naahi. Yeh dard humse bardaast naahi howat hai”
Aryan closed his eyes hearing the pain in her voice and a tear trickled down his eye.
“Hame kucho nahi pata…Sach jhoot Sak Yakeen….Kucho nahi pata…Kucho nahin Jaanana…Kuch Nahi Samajhna… Bas hum itna jaanat hai ki ab hum tum se ladna nahi chahat aur tumse door nahi rehna chahat . Hame hamra ABP wapas chahiye. Tum se door rehke aisan laagat hai ki Saasein ruk jaayien hai”
Aryan cupped her face and said “Sshhhh…Please ro mat Imlie. Main Duniya ki koi bhi taakat se lad sakta hoon par tumahri aasoon se haar jaata hoon . Tumhari aakhonse gira har ek aasoon mere dil ko kaanch ki tarah chubta hai. Tumse door bitaya hua har ek pal ek sadiya lagta hai mujhe. Main bhi apni Jungli se door rehna nahi chahta, Bilkul nahi. ”
They realized that they were fighting each other for each other only to cause immense pain to each other. May be they needed to communicate better and find a solution to resolve this conflict. But that can be done tomorrow morning too. Right now all they wanted to do is keep aside all their differences and find solace for the night in each other.
“Kaa hum thodi der ke khaatir sab kucho bhoolke” “Kya hum thodi der ke liye sab kuchbhool sak”
Both of them voiced their hearts at the same time.
Aryan wiped her eyes and gently kissed her forehead. They stood like that hugging each other soaking in the love and peace that just comes with being in each other’s embrace.
“I love you Imlie” “I love you ABP”
They smiled realizing that they have spoken in unison once again
They slowly let go of each other and walked to the bench and settled in each other’s arms gazing at the stars.
They weren’t sure of what tomorrow would bring in their lives but they were sure that come whatever may they would wither the storms together. After all, they are 50-50 partners for life.
Udne Ki Aasha
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