Part Three:
Koyi fariyaad tere dil mein dabi ho jaise
As if some request is hidden in your heart
Tune aankhon se koyi baat kahi ho jaise
As if you have said something through your eyes
Jaagte jaagte ek umr kati ho jaise
As if a lifetime has passed while we stayed awake
Jaan baaki hai magar saans ruki ho jaise
As if there is still life but the breath has stopped
Har mulaakat pe mehsoos yehi hota hai
Everytime we meet, it feels the same
Mujhse kuch teri nazar pooch rahi ho jaise
As if your eyes are asking me something
Raah chalte huve aksar yeh ghumaan hota hai
While walking down a path,I get this feeling
Woh nazar chupke mujhe dekh rahi ho jaise
As if your eyes are secretly watching me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCfSQHtjHk0
Hareem Khan stared at herself in the mirror as she assessed her appearance in a blue and beige lengha style gown. The front bodice in dark blue was embellished with delicate zardosi and crystal motifs that not only extended to the sheer waist, but also embraced the edges of the sheer bodice at the back. The lengha below the sheer waist was flouncy in a simple beige silk. The Indian Telly Awards were soon approaching, thus prompting a visit to Mahi T Couture. Hareem had been nominated in the category of best actress for her serial Yeh Rishta Chootai Na. "Fasten my buttons." barked Hareem to Dhani. Dhani quickly stepped forward instantly complying to her request. Hareem flipped her hair as she impatiently waited for Dhani to be done. Mahi explained the intricacy of the design on the bodice and the materials that were used to make the gown. "You." she snapped a finger to Suvarna. "Get my sandals out of my bag and get me into them right now." she commanded pointing to her feet without sparing her a second glance. "How about we knock some manners into you with the same high heels instead?" hissed Rajlaxmi. Mahi quickly shot Rajlaxmi a look pleading with her to maintain her composure. "Ma'am, we can only assist you with merchandise purchased in our store." Rajlaxmi bit out with a fake smile plastered on her face. Suvarna quickly ducked her head and giggled. Dhani covered her mouth to hide her smile. "I beg your pardon!" retorted Hareem. "It's our policy." explained Mahi apologetically. "Hmph!" Hareem snorted with her nose in the air. "I guess this will do. Have it ready for me next week. You'll get your payment tomorrow." with that the actress grabbed her bag, put on her sunglasses, and stormed out of the glass doors of the boutique. As soon as the door shut, the four ladies burst out into laughter. They had spent the past three hours catering to the celebrity's every whim and fancy. "Why do you put up with these clients, Didi?" moaned Rajlaxmi. "Because it takes months to find a customer and only seconds to lose one." replied Dhani. "Why don't you look at it this way? We still made a sale." Dhani's positivity was infectious and Rajlaxmi soon smiled in reply. Mahi patted Dhani's shoulder proud of the woman she had become. As a matter of fact, she was proud of all three women and what they had become over the past four years. She remembered a time when they could barely read and write. Today, they successfully ran a business with all that it entailed. Mahi looked at the clock and decided to head out. Vidhaan would be returning home soon from the hospital and she wanted to reach home before his arrival. She left it to the ladies to complete the tasks for the day and to lock up.
Viplav was on his way to his meeting with the rest of the legal team on the Worli case. His phone started to ring and he looked up to see the number flashing on his screen. A wide grin adorned his handsome face as he took the call. "Mama!" shouted Atharva into the phone. Viplav abruptly pulled the phone away holding on to his ear. He rubbed his ear while putting the call on speaker and laughed at his nephew's enthusiasm. "Champ!" he exclaimed in excitement. Along with being Shalini and Pankaj's only child, Atharva was also the apple of Viplav's eyes. When Dhani had left him five years ago, it was Atharva's entry into this world that had helped him survive. The uncle-and-nephew pair were like two peas in a pod. "Mama, when are you coming home? I miss playing video games with you." said Atharva. Viplav's heart swelled with love on the innocent child's confession. "I'll be home soon, little buddy. I miss playing with you just as much!" he said with equal fervor. "What should I bring back for my champ from Mumbai?" Viplav asked with a smile on his face. He already knew the answer, but waited patiently for Atharva to speak. "Hmm..." Atharva contemplated for a minute. "The new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game for Xbox!" shouted Atharva enthusiastically. Viplav laughed heartily into the phone. "Your wish is my command, little buddy. We'll play as soon as I get back to Benares. Take care of yourself and I'll speak to you soon, okay?" Viplav and Atharva bid each other goodbye and hung up the phone. Viplav was still smiling thinking about his adorable nephew. He asked his driver where he could find a good toy shop in Mumbai. His driver replied that the best store was about five minutes away in Juhu. Viplav looked at his watch and saw that he still had an hour and a half left for the meeting. "How far away would my meeting be from this toy store?" he asked his driver. "Sir, it would be about 10 minutes away." Seeing that he still had some time, Viplav asked his driver to make a pit stop so that he could purchase some toys for his darling little nephew.
Once the driver stopped, Viplav stepped outside of his car and looked towards the store. He heard the sound of laughter coming from some distance away. Intrigued, he turned in the direction of the laughter and saw three women standing together as they animatedly spoke and laughed. Viplav couldn't see any of the women clearly, so he walked a little closer. As he took each step, he felt his heartbeat getting louder. His palms began to feel sweaty and a feeling of restlessness had settled within his stomach. He felt jittery and couldn't shake the feeling off. As his view became clearer, he stood rooted in his spot. All colour had drained from his face. His breath hitched in the air. He became deaf to the noise and chaos around him. There she stood in front of his very eyes. Dhani. His Dhani. His eyes welled with tears as his mind tried to make sense of what he saw in front of him. Dhani stood before him in a gorgeous long sleeved dress in her most ethereal avatar. The bodice was made of peach lace and was attached to a black belt made of cloth. The attached skirt was made of chiffon and hit a couple of inches above her ankles. She wore black strappy sandals with her dress. Her hair had definitely grown shorter by some inches in these past few years. She had worn her hair in a braided headband with loose romantic waves framing her face. Diamond teardrop earrings dangled from her earlobes as they sparkled in the bright sun. Her face still had the same youthful dew it did five years ago. She still didn't need any makeup to enhance her natural beauty. He watched her stand tall and confident. He watched her converse with ease and poise.
Aisa dekha nahi khubsoorat koyi
We've never seen one with such beauty as she
Jis mai jaise ajanta ki moorat koyi
Hers is the beauty of the sculptured idols of Ajanta
Jis mai jaise nigaahon pai jaadu koyi
Her beauty has bewitched our gaze
Jis mai naghmah koyi
Her beauty is an alluring song
Jis mai khushbu koyi
Her beauty is a fragrance
Jis mai aise mahakti hui chaandani
Hers is the beauty of scented moonlight
Jis mai jaise machalti hui raagini
Hers is the beauty of a haunting melody
Jis mai aise ki khilta hua ik chaman
Hers is the beauty of a blossoming garden
Jis mai aise ki sooraj ki pahli kiran
Hers is the beauty of the first light of dawn
Jis mai tarsha huwa dilkash o dilnasheen
Hers is the most exquisitely hewn beauty
Sandaleen sandaleen
As warm and smooth as sandalwood
Marmareen marmareen
As pure and delicate as marble
Husn-e-jaanaa ki tareef mumkin nahi
It is impossible to describe that beautiful beloved
Husn-e-jaanaa ki tareef mumkin nahi
It is impossible to describe that beautiful beloved
Aafreen aafreen
Praise to her Creator! Praise to her Creator!
Aafreen aafreen
Praise to her Creator! Praise to her Creator!
Tu bhi dekhe agar to kahe hamnasheen
Whoever sees her must succumb to her spell
Aafreen aafreen
Praise to her Creator! Praise to her Creator!
Aafreen aafreen
Praise to her Creator! Praise to her Creator!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw4tT7SCmaY
Could it really be? Could a sight this beautiful possibly be? He was afraid to blink thinking that this beautiful mirage would shatter before his eyes. My Lord, please don't let this be an illusion he begged. You've shown me the light, now please don't leave me in darkness. Please let this be real he frantically chanted over and over again to himself. His heart raced as he observed her from head to toe. His eyes drank in her image as his thirst consumed him completely. He wasn't able to breathe thinking that it would all end. How he had longed for her in these past five years only he knew! He tried to move his feet in her direction, but the shock of seeing her was so real that it had numbed his mind. He pinched himself hard to confirm that he wasn't daydreaming of his love. The sharp pinch he felt on his hand was enough to affirm that he hadn't been fantasizing all along. His Dhani was in front of him steps away! His mind struggled to process and register the information he was being bestowed.
Dhani felt an anxiousness arise within her. She could feel her pulse quicken and rested her hand on her chest. She felt as if she was being watched and looked around. She felt his presence from afar. She turned her head in every direction attempting to catch a glimpse of him. Suvarna held her hand and asked, "Is something the matter, Dhani? Why do you look so nervous?" Dhani took one more look and replied, "No, everything's alright. I'm fine." She inhaled sharply and smiled at Suvarna to reassure her that all was well. Unknown to Dhani, Viplav was hidden from her view behind a car. She took deep breaths to calm her restless heart. He's not here she thought to herself. Her mind accepted her rationalization as she squared her shoulders and maintained her composure.
Viplav's eyes darted from Dhani to Rajlaxmi. Rajlaxmi was dressed in a short silk kurti in a beige and sky blue geometric pattern with an off-white dhoti shalwar. She had worn gold sandals to compliment her outfit. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail. Simple gold studs adorned her ears and a gold watch lay on his wrist. She still had the same vibrant smile she did years ago. His eyes then focused on Suvarna who was no longer timid the way he remembered her. Suvarna had on a beige and black suit with a black chiffon dupatta. The kameez was in beige cotton with black and gold embroidery around the neck and black paisley motifs on the border. She wore black capris in a delicate gold box print pattern. Black kohlapuri sandals completed her outfit. She had tied her hair in a loose french braid and wore gold hoops to match her outfit. Viplav marveled at all of the changes he saw in the three women. A dashing young man drove up to the ladies on a motorcycle. He was fit, had a smoldering look, and a calm demeanour. Rajlaxmi's excitement knew no bounds as soon as she saw this young man. She embraced him in a warm hug and sat behind him on the motorcycle. Viplav continued watching curious about their relationship. The man leaned back and planted a kiss on Rajlaxmi's temple. Rajlaxmi blushed and held on to him even tighter. Dhani and Suvarna both laughed as they watched the lovebirds romance.
Rajlaxmi had finally found her Salman Khan and had gotten married to him a year ago. Arun and Rajlaxmi had met at the bank after the boutique had been inaugurated. Arun was a banker and was responsible for the boutique's business account with the bank. He had been captivated by Rajlaxmi's smile and witty nature the first time he had ever laid eyes on her. Life had been anything but easy for Arun who was an orphan. He had gone to college while working two full-time jobs so that he could afford his tuition without any loans or hindrance. God had been kind and had allowed him to succeed in obtaining a degree in commerce. Rajlaxmi and him had initially bonded on both being deserted by their loved ones. She had been ousted by her ex-in-laws and had been denounced from her own family once she had gotten married. The ashram ladies were all that she had in the name of family. Rajlaxmi and Arun had gotten a one-bedroom flat in Mahim close to the ladies and were living their lives happily.
As Arun drove off with Rajlaxmi, Viplav finally came to his senses. He ran towards Dhani with rapid long strides. He couldn't believe his dream of meeting her was finally coming true. His eyes sparkled in radiance, tears fell from his eyes, and a beautiful smile graced his lips. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as ran in her direction. He kept envisioning her reaction to him. Would she be just as delirious to see him? Would her bedazzled smile beautify her face once again? He dreamt of holding her in his arms after what seemed like an eternity. Dhani and Suvarna waved to Rajlaxmi as she drove off with her husband. "I pray she's always this happy." aspired Dhani watching her retreating figure. "I hope her fate is unlike ours." whispered Suvarna. Dhani held her hand and gave it a tight squeeze giving her soul sister much needed reassurance. Both women smiled at one another elated for their best friend and her blissful marriage. They turned their direction towards the road waiting for a taxi to stop before them. Dhani waved her hand in the air to hail a taxi. Within seconds, a taxi stood before them waiting to transport them to their destination . Viplav was facing Dhani's back steps away from her when he saw her hailing a taxi. He watched hopelessly as Dhani and Suvarna got inside and drove off. "No!!!!!!!!" screamed Viplav running after the car as fast as he could. He hysterically looked around for another taxi and hopped into one almost immediately. "Follow that taxi two cars ahead of us! Whatever you do, don't lose sight of that vehicle!" he ordered the taxi driver. Viplav anxiously watched the taxi driver chase after Dhani's cab. He was so nervous he felt like a bundle of nerves. Beads of perspirant formed on his forehead as his entire concentration was on the yellow and black vehicle his eyes tracked without blinking. He could feel his heart in his throat and knots in his stomach as the pursuit ensued. He was so close to his Dhani that he could sense her scent around him everywhere. They had almost passed through an intersection when destiny struck its tale once more. VIplav watched in horror as the traffic light turned red and he lunged forward in the taxi. His taxi driver had no other alternative than to slam his brakes to prevent crashing into oncoming traffic. Viplav punched the seats next to him in a fit of rage. He had lost Dhani and Suvarna at the intersection. He held his face in his hands as he succumbed to the fact that he had lost her. He clenched his teeth in desperation vowing to find her once again very soon. She was in Mumbai and he would find her. No matter what.
Suvarna sat on the bed in her bedroom that she shared with Dhani and Vidha folding her clothes. Since they had opened the boutique, Dhani, Rajlaxmi, and Suvarna had a ton of clothing designed by Mahi they wore to the boutique and around the city. It was one more way of marketing their business and attracting new customers. As she folded her clothes, she thought back to how different her life had been five years ago. Tripurari had divorced her weeks before they had made the decision to move to Mumbai. He said that she lacked the status to be Mahant Dashrat Tripathi's daughter-in-law. He had insulted her intelligence and had called her grotesque. "You're not even worthy of being called my maid." he had bellowed throwing divorce papers in her face. He had dragged her by the arm and thrown her outside on the street. She recalled the urgent knocks on the door and her pleas to evolve herself according to his wishes. Her pleas fell on deaf ears as Tripurari held Durga back from opening the door. Since that day, she had pledged to herself that she would never look back at her past again. Suvarna was content in a life of self-sufficiency and self-respect. The ladies in white meant more to her than her own blood relatives ever could. Her precious Vidhu had filled the void in her life with joy and fulfillment. She took pride in caring for her just as if she were her own. She quickly got up and picked an outfit for the day. She narrowed in on a printed off-white maxi skirt with a chocolate brown leather belt. She paired it with a plain black half sleeve kurti tucked into her skirt and black embellished sandals. She decided to part her straight hair to the side and finished getting ready.
A bridal party of five had booked an appointment at the boutique that afternoon. Vidha attended St Joseph English School in Juhu and got dropped off to the boutique twice a week after school. The ladies in Mahim were busy those days finalizing the handwork portion of their orders. Being the little darling that she was, Vidha had a tendency to demand everyone's attention when she was home. As soon as Vidha reached the boutique, Dhani washed her face and freshened her up. She changed her daughter into a black and white polka dot dress and black mary janes. "Sue Mumma!" screamed Vidha as soon as she saw Suvarna. She came running into her arms and Suvarna picked her up and kissed her on her cheek. "Vidhu, I feel like having some ice cream today. What about you?" asked Suvarna. "Yum, chocolate ice cream!" replied Vidha enthusiastically. She carried Vidha in her arms to the ice cream parlour located next door. The owner of the parlour was busy giving his workers instructions when he saw Suvarna walk in through the doors. He immediately fixed his collar and ran a hand through his hair. He asked all of his workers to tend to other work as he would serve these customers himself. He stood before Suvarna hypnotized by her beautiful eyes. Suvarna rolled her eyes seeing him grin so wide. "Could I please get a scoop of chocolate ice cream on a cone?" asked Suvarna opening up her wallet for money. The owner stood entranced like a statue not hearing one word. Suvarna looked up irritated by the grin he still had on her face. "Excuse me?" called out Suvarna annoyed by the owner and his antics. Vidhu giggled watching both adults in another one of their usual interactions. "Abhi!" shouted Suvarna waiting for him to respond to her request. Abhi snapped out of his trance and leaned over the counter. "Na jaane mere dil ko kya ho gaya. Abhi toa yahi thah abhi kho gaya. I don't know what's happened to my heart. It was just here and now it's lost." Vidha grinned at her Abhi Uncle's melodramatic display of romance. "If beauty were time, you would be eternity." winked Abhi. Suvarna's tolerance had reached its limit and she turned in the direction of the door. "Suvarna!" called out Abhi. "Dinner tonight at Royal China? I'll be waiting with red roses." She glanced back at him and threw him a dirty look. She angrily stomped out of the shop and back to the boutique. Abhi laughed seeing how cute she looked in her agitation. He was hopelessly in love with Suvarna and had been trying his luck for the past three years. He wondered what it was that made her refuse all of his advances. He walked from behind the counter and picked up Vidha in his arms. Every once in a while, Dhani or Suvarna would drop Vidha off at the parlour so that she could enjoy her favourite ice cream and play with her charming Abhi Uncle. As soon as Abhi handed her a cone, Vidha instantly bit into the ice cream engorging its chocolate flavour. Abhi watched gleefully from behind the counter. A truck had just arrived at the back with their weekly order of ingredients thus requiring his authorization. He asked his workers to keep an eye on Vidha as he saw to the delivery.
Viplav had been invited over to dinner by one his colleagues on the Worli case. He had seen pictures of his son and daughter in his office who were similar in age to Atharva. Before heading over for dinner, he thought of stopping for some toys for the children. He had just purchased a doll and a remote control car at the same toy store in Juhu. He saw an ice cream parlour and decided to head over for a bin of ice cream for the kids. He thought of Atharva and his fondness for chocolate chip ice cream and smiled. He placed his order at the counter and received a phone call. The call was from a forensic analyst in regards to a sample that had been sent in by his legal team. As Viplav became engrossed in his phone call, he started walking in the premises of the store with his head bent down. He didn't realize when he had bumped into a little girl and her ice cream fell on the floor along with his phone. His phone broke apart into pieces and Viplav looked up in displeasure. "What are you doing? Go and sit over there!" pointed Viplav in exasperation to Vidha. He picked up the remnants of his phone and scowled. "I was on such an important call!" asserted Viplav. Vidha's fury increased as she looked up to the tall stranger. She put her hands on her hips as her anger was visible on the tip of her nose. Viplav tried to fix his phone, but in vain. His indignation was very visible on his face. He suddenly became very aware that he was getting upset at a little child for his own mistake. He observed the little girl more keenly this time and noticed she was nothing short of a doll. Her delicate features, bright eyes, and long wavy hair instantly made a place in his heart. She still stood outraged with her hands on her hips. Viplav raised his eyebrows at her and asked, "Would you like to say something?" "Rakshas!!" yelled Vidha at the top of her lungs. VIplav was suddenly taken aback by her proclamation and looked at Vidha as if she were familiar. He watched Vidha run off in anger. "Rakshas!" played in his mind once again as he looked in the direction of the little girl. She stood in a corner with her arms folded across her chest and a frown on her cute face. Viplav looked at her intently and walked over to where she was standing. He bent down behind her and asked close to her ear, "Are you upset with me?" Vidha stood in the same pose as Viplav continued, "You're upset because I got mad at you." Viplav looked in her direction and said, "I'm sorry, I made a mistake." He turned her around and apologized, "Sorry!" Vidha's pout became even more apparent as she refused to look in his direction. "I'm holding my ears. Please forgive me." said Viplav hoping to pacify her. Vidha still refused to look in his direction and kept her arms folded across her chest. Viplav smiled as she was still miffed with him. "Oh boy, you're very serious. Where is your mummy? You must be at least 50." he said trying to keep a straight face. He walked over to her other side and said, "Okay, maybe not 50 then in your 20s?" Vidha gave him a cold glare and looked away. Viplav shook his head and a grin formed on his face. This little girl was the most adorable he had ever seen. He knelt over to the other side to face her and said, "Alright, you aren't in your 20s either. You must be ten." "No, five!" exerted Vidha holding her hand up to show him the number five. "Wow, this much anger for someone who's only five?" asked Viplav with an innocent look on his face. "No, I don't get angry." said Vidha to Viplav who was hanging on to her every word. She continued with her finger on her temple, "Rage is the enemy of the mind." "You speak very wisely." said Viplav as his eyes sparkled at the little girl's wisdom. "Your temper is so bad. Does anyone get mad like that at a little girl?" blurted Vidha. Viplav looked up at Vidha ashamed of what he had done. He looked into her eyes and said sorry. "You're a shikayti pudiya!" Viplav said with a grin and pulled on her cheek. He continued to smile at her. Abhi had come back to check on Vidha and saw her getting upset at a stranger. "There you are!" exclaimed Abhi. "Mumma's been looking all over for you. Let's go, baby." said Abhi picking her up in his arms. He looked towards Viplav and asked, "Sir, I hope she didn't bother you." VIplav calmly shook his head in the negative. "Let's go." said Abhi and walked off with Vidha in his arms. Vidha looked back at the uncle who had apologized to her seconds ago. She watched him curiously as her Abhi Uncle took her back to the boutique. Viplav looked back at the little doll longingly until he could see her no more.
Edited by ~DaZZ|ing~ - 8 years ago
