Part 1 "Strangers are friends waiting to happen"
'Nachiket, I know you are not too fond of Aman, but for a man as mature as you, I don't think it's difficult to be cordial with him for a while, say few minutes?', RK tried convincing Nachiket yet again as he tried to keep pace with him walking along the giant corridor that led to Nachiket's cabin on the fourth floor of Heart Plus Hospital.
Nachiket pushed the glass door open in a hurry and swiftly walked towards the large portrait of his grandfather that occupied the wall behind his chair. After a quick prayer, he sat on his chair and gave a strong opposing look at RK for a second and said, 'Fine! When is the wedding?'
'Today, evening at 7, The Oberoi', RK declared and heaved a sigh of relief having convinced him.
Nachiket nodded gently to acknowledge RK's prompt response and soon engrossed himself into the multiple case files that lay on his table waiting for his attention and approval. Taking this as the cue to leave, RK quietly stood up and walked to the door.
'I'll make it to the wedding just for the sake of that old man who is apparently my grandfather's friend and not for that looser okay', Nachiket announced loudly without looking up.
RK stopped at the door and smiled to himself and said, 'I know!'
'Know what?'
RK smiled further and said, You are too kind Nachiket, I know you don't do things for yourself...EVER!' And before Nachiket could object and insist upon him to rephrase his words he disappeared and closed the door behind him leaving Nachiket frustrated as he muttered to himself, 'Why did he have to know me so well?'
*********************************************************
The Oberoi, Terrace
Nachiket, with his hands stuffed in the pockets, stood silently looking down at the glittering busy streets of Mumbai feeling the serene breeze cooling his senses. Despite the cluster of unnerving people, towering buildings, endless traffic at odd hours and unpleasant noise, this place had some tranquility and peace to offer. He felt more comfortable in his own company than being a part of the wedding to be staged in a while.
Suddenly the jingling sound of anklets filled in the silence and diverted Nachiket's attention. He turned around to find the source of distraction, but his eyes couldn't figure out anyone in the dimly lit terrace. He walked towards the other side of the terrace and his eyes fell on a slim figure dressed in bridal attire draped in a maroon shawl. He noticed that she was leaning dangerously over the railing and on nearing her a little, he heard her soft sobs. Before he could react, he saw her wiping of her tears and bend forward to jump off the 20 storied building.
'Don't!' Nachiket screamed stretching his arm.
She froze and was rooted to her place. As realization struck she gasped in fear. Shivering in the cold as she cried, she slowly retreated from the railing taking a couple of steps back. She dropped to her knees and the dozens of red bangles in her hand made a tinkling sound when she covered her face with her palms and broke down crying copiously.
He let the silence help her to calm down. As her sobs died, Nachiket spoke softly,'What compels you to do this? That too when you are all set to enter a new happy phase in life?'
The compassionate voice calmed her. She stopped sobbing and without bothering to look at the intruder, she slowly spoke in a small trembling voice, 'New life? How can marrying someone against my will lead to a new life? It is going to be disastrous. Giving up on my life seems easier than live that life...'
Nachiket's heart skipped a beat when she finished speaking. He'd never experienced this before, her dejected yet innocent tone tugged his heart. He felt a strange sense of attachment, sense of responsibility to do well for her, take care of her, all while he stood there.
'You dared to make up your mind to jump off 20 floors without even thinking once what if you survived this jump? Would you be able to live the miserable life after that? Won't that be more disastrous?', Nachiket explained calmly to the bride to be. He tried hard to catch her attention, but heard nothing from her.
'If you are strong enough to make such a decision that of giving self so much pain by jumping off, then why not be strong enough to face this life that you aren't even certain about being miserable?', Nachiket questioned politely hoping this time to hear from her.
He pitied the sight in front of him. Somehow her drooping shoulders and lowered head hurt him. Still not hearing from her he thought to leave her by herself and call for someone while she still recovered from the shock.
As he turned his back he heard from her, 'It's easily said than done Mr.' she paused.
'Do you know how it feels to be cheated by your loved ones?' she said her voice trembling as she sobbed. 'To be hurled into a life that you never want? To not be able to voice your feelings?', she finished sobbing in between.
Nachiket stood rooted at the spot after on being asked such pointed questions. He'd offered nothing but cold silence in reply. Sniffing one last time she took another deep breath and said, 'no answer right? How would you have? Not everyone is unlucky like me'.
Nachiket laughed sarcastically and said,'I was standing in your place some 2 years back, same bitter emotions, same unanswered questions'.
He paused to earn her attention, which he did successfully as she turned her head lightly towards him,' ...and today am on the opposite side. I won't say it was easy, but I could do it. And whatever little I have been able to understand about you in the last few minutes, it's clear that you are a strong woman with your heart in the right place. Just don't be impulsive.'
There was a long silence that followed and he prayed, hoping that sharing his experience might cajole her to just change her mind and prevent her from taking the drastic step.
She didn't turn to look at him as she could sense his presence in his soft breathing. She shivered with fear as she felt him approaching her. Sweat beads covered her forehead as she realized that she opened her heart to a rank stranger. How could she trust him? What if he took advantage of her vulnerability? She did think of jumping off impulsively, but now that she was back to her sane self she realized that she was in an unknown man's company all alone that too when she was to be married to someone else. She was an Indian girl instilled with some mannerisms. It struck her that she must be looked for frantically, after all a bride cannot disappear few minutes before her wedding. Several such thoughts consumed her.
'Ragini!!!' she heard someone call her out, pulling her out of her confused state of mind. She opened her eyes and saw that she was engulfed in his shadow and could not find a trace of her existence. It felt as if he was shielding her protectively from the nasty world behind him. Suddenly all her fears vanished. She felt so safe in the stranger's silent company. But she had to go, accept the reality and maybe he was right, she thought; what if life could not be miserable altogether?
She was filled with strong conviction and courage and immediately rose to her feet and walked away slowly towards the door that would lead her back to the world she'd just decided to quit. Nachiket heaved a sigh of relief; but a strange, disturbing emotion occupied his mind. Why was it suddenly so difficult to let her go all alone? With each step she took away from him, he felt restless and scared as if he was losing something very dear to him. No way she was his responsibility, then why the need to go shield her from the world? Irritated with his mixed emotions and her indifference he ran his fingers through his hair hurriedly.
She turned to see him standing there in partial darkness, his fists curled and body tensed. She could not see him, but she knew she would be thankful to this man whose voice echoed in her ears even now. She mustered courage and mumbled an inaudible thank you to him drawing his attention.
'Ragini...' he sighed as she disappeared now leaving him all alone having evoked some unnecessary questions and emotions in him.
To be contd...
Edited by iamcurious - 10 years ago
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Veer Hanuman
