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Flashback 5
Bani and Pushkar
Though Bani and Pushkar shared a relation of in-laws to the outside world, they shared a unique relation when it comes to them. They wouldn't speak with each other a lot in the presence of others, but even if they spoke for 5 minutes, they would understand each other. And, Pushkar would understand Bani perfectly. For him, having a look at her face once was more than enough to know if everything was fine or not.
Bani, though she emerged among the top five rankers in the school, she did not want to go to Engineering or Medicine. Hence, she tried not to appear for the entrance, but at last, appeared when there was no choice, she appeared for it. But did not make effort to clear or top it. Hence when the board results came out, she put forward the idea of going for B.A English Literature. Her parents were not ready. They made a point clear than she wouldn't be taking English. Bani sneaked and called Pushkar. They had a 5 minute chat when everyone was busy brooding Bani's decisions.
Pushkar asked, "Why?"
Bani replied, "Mujhe yahaan nahin rehna…"
Pushkar was not surprised. "Why?"
Bani gave a frank answer. "Main zindagi ko apni tareeke se dekhna chahti hoon. I want to stand on my own legs…"
Pushkar let her speak. "So… kya decide kiya hai tumne?"
"Main Mumbai jaa rahi hoon…" Bani said.
Pushkar was puzzled at this point. "Mumbai kyun? I mean… itni door?"
"Main sabse door rehna chahti hoon…" When Pushkar did not interrupt, she continued, "Bas… itna hi…"
After sometime, Pushkar asked, "So… you have decided?"
Bani nodded her head.
Pushkar took a deep breath. "Chalo… tumhare decision sabko suna dete hai." He started to leave the room.
"Pushkar…" Bani called him from behind. When Pushkar looked back at her, she asked, "Tum naraaz nahin ho na?" she asked.
Pushkar gave a friendly smile. "Nahin… I think it's high time you learn to live your own life…" and he left the room.
Bani followed him.
Bani watched Pushkar speaking to her parents and convincing them that it would be high time she learned to live her life. In the end, dhamaad ka jaadoo chal hi gaya…
Thus, she and Pushkar hunted for colleges in Mumbai and applied for colleges.
One month later, she got her admission letter. Bani was flying in the air.
Meanwhile, Pia was not happy with Pushkar taking and supporting Bani's decisions. Pushkar explained her that she was his sister he never had. That was enough to shut Pia's mouth.
On the month of August, Bani joined her college. At that time, she was the happiest girl on the earth. She started enjoying her life. She called Pushkar to share her experiences. In fact, she spoke with Pushkar more than she spoke with her parents over phone from the hostel.
It did not mean she withdrew all her fences. She enjoyed her life staying in limits. She shared her room with her room-mates but not her taste and life. She fixed her own limits. She took minimum risks. She did not want to face any unnecessary criticism. She was not scared of failures, but was scared of other's reactions. In short, her way of life depended lot on other's views and comments. She indirectly let others rule her life.
Pushkar gave her first assignment during her second semester looking at the way she was satisfied with her life. Her happiness and satisfied reflected on her sketches. Pushkar promised himself that one day, when he was secured by enough funds, he would exhibit all her sketches.
It was in her second semester, Pia became pregnant.
Bani and Rano – First meeting
Library was Bani's favourite place in the college campus where no one could speak loudly. She liked the silence. It was where she did her sketching and her college assignments. She came across many authors, but the essence of their writing did not reach her as she had preformed opinion about each and everything in her life. She spent comparatively more time in the library as Pushkar was busy with Pia's pregnancy and his business.
Bani was in her second year when Rano joined the college as her junior, though she was not her immediate junior. Rano had joined her Business Administration course. Bani stayed away from the ragging that was happening in the college. She had enough problems in her life that she did not want any more new problems to creep in.
Rano and Bani came across each other two months after Rano joined the college. It was indeed in the Library. Rano had come to library. She had come to return a book when Bani was sitting in the study table making notes for her assignment. Rano wanted to make a note of a book name when she found she did not have anything to write. Rano looked around. She found many boys seated along with girls and a girl sitting alone. She approached the girl sitting alone to get a pen.
"Excuse me…" Rano said.
The girl looked around to find whether anyone calling her or not. When she found Rano calling her, she gave a small smile, "Yes…"
"Can I borrow a pen for a minute?" Rano asked politely.
The girl studied her for a moment – she was wearing a jeans and a short kurta, wearing glasses too. Then gave her a pen saying, "I want my pen back."
Rano nodded and quickly noted the name of the book and came back to return the pen. But what she saw amused her a lot. The girl was looking at her. It seemed she was following her actions. Rano came back and gave back the pen, "Thank you."
The girl smiled and got back the pen.
Rano could not control her words and said, "Ek pen ki toh baat hai…"
The girl replied back, "Jo ab tumhare paas nahin hai…" and went back to her work.
Rano went to the counter to return the book. While she was standing in the queue, she looked at the girl through the corner of the eyes to see what she was doing. But she was busy with her book. Rano looked at the girl properly. She was wearing a simple cotton salwar. She did not have very long hair, but pretty long. The hair was clipped behind. She was sweating a little though she was sitting under the fan. She was sitting amidst at least five books. Rano smiled a little.
After returning the book, she went again to the girl and stood in front of her. The girl raised her head and looked at her.
Rano said, "Sorry…"
The girl frowned, "Kis baat ke liye?"
"I shouldn't have been rude." Rano apologized.
"It's alright." She gave a smile and went back to work.
Rano waited for sometime. The girl raised her head again to notice Rano still standing in front of her. Rano smiled and said, "I am Rano Verma. First year. Business Administration"
The girl smiled and said, "Bani Dixit. English Literature. First year."
On hearing Second year, Rano fumbled for a second. Then said, "Nice meeting you…"
Bani smiled and said, "Same here." And pointed her to sit.
Rano took a seat opposite her. Bani continued with her work. Rano asked, "Main aapko kaise bulaoon?"
Bani raised her head and replied, "Whatever suits you." And went back to her work.
After a thought, Rano said, "Main aapko didi bulati hoon. Mujhe didi hi nahin hai…"
Bani smiled and said, "As you wish" doing her work.
"Toh aap kahaan ke hai?" Rano asked.
Bani put down her pen and looked at Rano. "You know what? This is Library." She stressed the word 'Library'.
Rano stuck out her tongue and said, "Sorry… Main aapko bahaar milti hoon. Aap kab aayenge?"
Bani thought and said, "Jab mera kaam khatam hoga."
Rano got the cue and said, "See you later!" and she left the place leaving Bani with her work.
Thanks for reading 😳
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