FF:Broken Dreams&... Note Page 104 3/9 - Page 50

thanx for the explanation abhi

thanks for the explanations abhi! really helped~

waiting for the next update eagerly

thanx for the little explanation

thanx for clearing the confusion abhi.. wow.. so jaise maa waisi beti.. i mean pia and kiran.. beech mein phasa nishi.. thats y i say a father has a lot to do with the children growing up.. anywayz continue soooon yaaar.. great part..

hey Abhi di

just read the last update & explaination thanks for explaining ; was very much needed great job 👏 waiting to know what went wrong that Bani went into a shell and Jai .. well.... plz cont soon (sorry for being late late again 😳 was busy and a bit lazy )

thanxs for dat explanation abhi😊

Hi all, nice to see you people when the show is being wrapped up. After nearly 11 months of PD exit, the show is ended. At least, they could have ended the show at that time with the original cast... well... better late than never...

Regarding this update, this is the longest update in the history of this FF... so late update can be overlooked.
so... this update is sort of a filler in a way, but essential to tie the dangling ends.... Hope u like it.

Here it goes:

Flashback 7

Clouds of Uncertainty

Jai was under various silly and serious thoughts as they drove back to the hotel. Masi broke his thoughts.

"Jai…" Masi called. Jai looked at her. Masi was rather looking serious. "Tumne… jo kuch bhi unke ghar mein kaha… kya woh sach hai…" she asked.

"Kya kaha maine?" Jai wondered what she was referring.

Masi asked, "Kya tum pehle se hi… Bani se shaadi karna chahte the?"

Jai frowned, "Masi… please… woh baat aise hi muh se nikhal gaya… woh bolti ja rahi thi… bolti ja rahi thi… rokhne ke liye keh diya…" he said.

Masi studied him for a second, then said, "Tumhein kehna nahin chahiye tha…"

Jai closed his eyes and looked out of the window.

Masi still asked, "Itna nafrat kyun karti hai, humse?"

Jai smiled, "Main kya jaanoon, Masi…"

Masi sighed. "Pata nahin, Bani se kaise kahein?" she said.

Jai looked at Masi.

Masi looked at Jai, "Aur… aur tumne yeh kya keh diya? Ki Bani yahaan nahin aayegi…" Jai looked out of the window. "Tum aise kaise keh sakte ho, Jai?" Masi asked. "Uska faisla tum kaise le sakte ho?"

"Masi, Bani ko agar sach pata chalega, tab woh bhi yehi faisla legi…" Jai said confidently.

Masi stayed silent. After sometime, she said, "Mujhe kuch teek nahin lag raha…"

Jai closed his eyes and sighed.

***

Bani was pacing in the living room taking short breaths with occasional sighs. Jigyasa was watching her though the corners of her eyes with a smile on her lips. Dadi was deeply immersed in the movie. Anu was stifling her giggle, looking at Bani. Aditya was enjoying the moment.

After a long time, Anu said, "Didi, baitiye toh…"

Jigyasa looked at Bani's expression.

Bani shook her head and went on pacing.

"Bani… baito…" Jigyasa said.

Bani looked at Jigyasa and made a face. "Ab tak phone kyun nahin aaya?" she asked.

"Aa jaayega… pehle baito toh…" Jigyasa said.

Bani walked towards the couch. "Mujhe toh darr lag raha hai…" she said as she sat. "Kuch na kuch gadbad honewala hai…" she said shaking her head.

"C'mon, Bani. Aise kyun soch rahi ho?" Aditya said.

"Aise hi hoga…" she said looking at the floor. "Isliye phone nahin aaya abhi tak… woh phone nahin karenge… mujhe pata hai…"

Aditya looked at Jigyasa smiling at Bani's rambling.

"Koi baat nahin…" Aditya said. "Agar woh nahin kar rahe hai toh kya… hum karenge…" He picked the receiver and dialed Jai's number.

Bani watched him closely.

After few rings, Jai answered the call. Aditya said, "Hello, Jai…" He was interrupted by Jai in the middle.

"Aditya, main tumhein baad mein phone karta hoon." Jai said and disconnected the call.

Aditya was startled. He looked at the receiver for a second and put on the holder. Bani was rather looking serious. He said, "Usne kaha ki woh call karega…"

Jigyasa was confused. She looked at Bani. Her eyes were moving here and there in her thoughts.

Dadi asked, "Kaun baad mein phone karega…?" she asked with her eyes still fixed on the television screen.

Jigyasa looked at Dadi irritated. "Aap apni nazar TV se utayenge, toh hi pata chalega na?"

"Oh-oh… ismein mere TV ne kya kiya? Arey Aditya beta… zara Jai ko phone lagao aur pooch ki kya hua?" she said still watching the movie.

Jigyasa hit her head and shook her head. Aditya was still thinking why Jai disconnected the call. Anu was giggling.

Jigyasa said, "Anu, tum apne kamre mein jao…"

Anu looked at her mother with an impossible look. "Aap har waqt mujhe kamre mein kyun bhej dete hai?"

"Anu…" Jigyasa said firmly.

Anu shook her head and left for her room.

After Anu closed the door behind her, Jigyasa turned to Bani, "Bani… kaha hai na unhone, ki woh phone karenge, toh phir itni tension mein kyun ho?" Bani was not consoled by her words. Jigyasa said, "Okay, chalo. Jaake kuch naya dish try karte hai. Khane ka waqt bhi ho raha hai. Chalo, chalo…" she said and got up. She looked at Bani, who was still sitting. "Bani…" she called her. That made Bani raise her head. "Chalo…" Jigyasa said again. Bani got up and walked with Jigyasa to the kitchen.

Jigyasa tried to distract Bani as much as possible, but part of her mind was still thinking about what might have happened.

Aditya was sure that Bani's fears were coming true. After a thought of few minutes, he called Aparajit.

***

"Kaun tha, beta?" Masi asked.

"Aditya." Jai said.

"Baat kyun nahin ki?" Masi asked.

"Bani bhi toh baiti hogi wahaan pe…" Jai said.

Masi looked at Jai once, and fell into thoughts.

Jai's mobile rang. Jai answered it absent-mindedly. "Hello…"

"Delhi aaye aur mujhe bataya nahin…" said the voice.

"Aparajit…" Jai said.

"Kya hua? Kahaan ho? Main lene aaoon? Lunch kiya ki nahin? Ek kaam karo… tum seedhe yahaan aao aur lunch ke baad jahaan bhi jaana hai, chale jaana." Aparajit went on saying without a break. Before Jai could say anything, he said, "Arey haan… Masi hai na? Phone do unhein…"

Jai sighed and gave the mobile to Masi.

Masi got the mobile and spoke. "Hello…"

"Namaste Masi… kaisi hai aap?" Aparajit asked.

"Aparajit? Main teek hoon. Tum kaise ho? Ghar mein sab kaise hai?" Masi spoke.

"Sab teek hai. Masi, main Jai se bata raha tha ki woh lunch ke liye yahaan aa jaaye… maine teek kaha na?" Aparajit said.

Masi did not say anything.

Aparajit further said, "Tarassal, Aditya ka phone aaya tha…"

Masi just said, "Teek hai, beta. Hum aate hai…"

"Ji, Masi. Hum intezaar karte hai." Aparajit said and ended the call.

Jai was looking at Masi with surprise. "Masi, hum wahaan jaake kya karenge?" he asked.

"Hum hotel jaake bhi kya karenge?" Masi asked. Jai did not have an answer. "Dekho beta. Jo hua, ho gaya. Aage ka sochna bhi hai na? Waise bhi, Aparajit jab bhi Mumbai aata hai, hamesha humare ghar aata hai. Humein bhi uski izzat deni chahiye… Mmm?"

Jai sighed. He turned to driver and gave instructions to him.

***

Meanwhile, Aparajit told Pallavi that Jai and Masi were coming. In fact, she was going to see Masi after her marriage.

"Achanak?" she asked.

"Haan…" Aparajit said. "Jai kuch pareshaan hai. Isliye yahaan bulaya hai."

"Kya hua?" Pallavi asked.

"Maine kaha na, ki woh shaadi kar raha hai. Isliye shayad, Bani ke parents se milne yahaan aaya hai…" Aparajit said.

"Bani Dilli ki hai?" Pallavi asked eagerly.

"Uske maa, baap toh yahaan rehte hai. Lekin woh Mumbai mein padti hai." Aparajit said. "Main kya keh raha tha? Haan… shayad unke ghar mein kuch hungama hua hoga. Aditya ka phone bhi nahin le raha hai. Pata nahin kya hua…" he said in a gist.

"Oh…" Pallavi said. "Waise aapke kehne ke baad, mujhe bhi Bani se milne ko mann kar raha hai."

Aparajit smiled. "Achchi ladki hai. She has a spark in her. In fact, a hidden spark." He said lost in thoughts.

"Kya soch rahe hai?" Pallavi asked.

"Jai ne teek hi kaha. Bahut pehle jab Bani ki baat humare beech aayi, tab Jai ne kaha ki ek baar use dekho, toh pasand aayegi. Aisi hi hai." Aparajit said.

Pallavi smiled.

Aparajit said, "In fact, tumhein bhi bahut pasand aayegi."

"Haan, haan. Kayi baar sun li maine. Don't tempt me." Pallavi warned him.

Aparajit laughed.

"Lekin… peera chakkar kya hai?" Pallavi asked.

Aparajit searched for proper words. Then he spoke, "Jai Bani ki bachpan ka dost hai. Jai ke ghar mein sabko pasand hai, woh. Bani ke ghar ki pata nahin. Haan, shayad uski maa ko pasand nahin. Ek baar, Jai aur Krishna aunty ki insult kar di. Aur Jai, Bani ko chodkar yahaan aa gaya. Yahaan mujhse mila, mujhe ehsaas tha ki kuch problem hai. Lekin, I didn't even guess ladki ka chakkar hai."

"Interesting." Pallavi said. "So, Jai tab se hi Bani ko chahta tha, right?"

"Pata nahin…" Aparajit sighed. "Lekin kuch gehra rishta tha. Aur jab main usse mila, tab yakeen bhi ho gaya."

"Achcha?" Pallavi felt the story more interesting.

Aparajit spoke as he recollected his meeting and interaction with Bani. "They complement each other. Jaise, Jai choti-choti baaton ko casually leta hai. Lekin Bani choti-choti baton ko kaafi dil pe leti hai. Jahaan Jai patient hai, wahaan Bani impatient hai. Abhi kaafi immature hai. Lekin, agar usne shaadi ke liye 'haan' ki hai, toh zaroor kuch wajah hoga. Admiration toh dekha, pyar ko dekha… lekin us type ki pyar… dekha nahin…" He sighed. "I hope sab teek ho…"

Pallavi smiled.

Aparajit laughed. "Us din tumhein dekhna tha. Pata nahin, kiska gussa mujhpar uthaar rahi thi…" He shook his head.

"Usne aisa kiya?" Pallavi asked surprised.

"Apni behen se poocho…" Aparajit said.

"Kaafi interesting lagti hai…" Pallavi said.

"Haan… tumse ek baat keh raha hoon. Jo bhi ho, tum aur main shaadi mein zaroor jaayenge. Yaad rakhna…" Aparajit said.

"Sure…" Pallavi said.

***

Nishikant walked aimlessly for sometime, then walked towards the local public library. He seated himself away from the crowd and picked up that day's newspaper. His eyes mechanically wandered around the page without registering anything. He was still reeling from the shock.

He never thought his wife Kiran's mind had so much bitterness. He had never given it a thought. Even in the times of their struggle, she always took wise decisions for the family, but he never thought the struggle had frustrated her with the whole life. He did not know where things went wrong. One thing was clear, it didn't go wrong all of a sudden, but gradually. But so much bitterness…! He could not imagine it. He remembered Bani. He knew he did not have much of a time to spend her with her. He was surrounded by debts and pressure to earn for the family that he did not give the much needed attention to his daughter. He got time only when they had come to Delhi. But, Bani did not have time at that point. She had learnt to keep herself busy.

If thought properly and deeply, the fault resided in him. He did not set his priorities right. He did not spend the well-needed time with his family. He did not remember any instance when Bani came to him asking for anything except her fees. In one instance, he had even shouted at her for the same. He had always thought he had spent time with his daughters, but now he realized that it was not true, it was just his consolation to himself.

He did not even know Bani was close to Walia family. He knew Bani used to go to their house frequently, but nothing about the level of involvement.

He lost track of time in his thoughts. When he looked at the clock on the wall, he realized it was past lunch time. He got up and walked towards his house.

***

After half an hour, Jai and Masi reached Aparajit house. Aparajit and Pallavi politely welcomed them. Masi hugged Pallavi.

Jai brought his hands in front of him and said, "Namaste Bhabhi."

Pallavi was surprised. "Bhabhi?!" She smiled. "Bahut din ho gaya. Tum yahaan aaye hi nahin mere yahaan aane ke baad… Achcha lag raha hai tumhein dekhke…"

Jai smiled.

Aparajit led them inside.

As they walked inside, Pallavi said, "Bhai, aap toh bhabhi keh rahe hai. Lekin, aapke biwi ko toh hum… Bani hi bulayenge…" she ended in a teasing note.

A small smile on Jai's lips freezed over there. He still smiled.

"Baito…" Aparajit told Jai when they reached the living room.

Meanwhile, Pallavi ordered the servant to bring juice to Jai and Masi. Pallavi sat with them. "So Jai, yahaan kaise aana hua?" she asked straight to the point.

Masi looked at Jai.

Jai cleared his throat and said, "Actually Bhabhi… Bani ke parents se milne aaye the…"

Pallavi raised her brows. "Aur?"

Jai sighed. He shook his head. "Baat nahin bani…" he said.

Aparajit watched Jai keenly.

"Ab kya?" Pallavi asked.

"Dekhte hai… Bani se baat karna hai." Jai said.

Pallavi looked at Aparajit.

Aparajit said, "Woh sab chodo. Lunch tayyar hai? Mujhe bhook lag rahi hai."

"Lunch toh tayyar hai. Socha ki thodi der lagegi…" Pallavi said. "Isliye, inke liye juice lane ko kaha hai."

"Tum bhi na, Pallavi… Lunch ke waqt juice. Chalo… Khana khaate hai." Aparajit said and got up. Aparajit looked at Masi, "Chaliye Masi." He gave a helping hand to Masi. Masi took his hand and got up. They both walked towards the dining table.

Pallavi indicated Jai to follow. Jai followed her to the dining table. Pallavi and Aparajit kept the atmosphere throughout the lunch light. They did not want unnecessary tension arising in the dining table.

After lunch, Pallavi cleverly took Masi away from the two men on the pretext of some women-talk. That left Jai and Aparajit alone.

"Mujhse pehle kyun nahin kaha?" Aparajit asked directly.

"Socha ki, unse milne ke baad tumse baat karoon…" Jai said after a while.

"Kya hua wahaan?" Aparajit asked.

"Aur kya hoga?" Jai rolled his eyes. "Woh aurat, humari insult karne ka ek bhi mauka nahin choda…" he said.

Aparajit frowned. "Pata hai, Jai. Tum jo description de rahe ho, Bani ke maa ke bare mein… kahin na kahin… Bani bhi aisi hi hai…" he said.

Jai was startled. "Matlab?"

"Bani bhi toh mujhe insult karne ka ek bhi mauka nahin choda us din…" Aparajit said slowly.

"Tumhara insult nahin kar rahi thi…" Jai defended. "Galti tumhara hai. Tum bhi itne saare sawaal kar rahe the, woh bhi jab woh pehli baar tumse mil rahi hai…"

"Toh?" Aparajit said.

"Toh… toh kya? She doesn't mingle with outsiders very easily. She always needs her space. You were trying to push her. Toh zahir hai woh alert hogi hi…" Jai reasoned.

"Aisi baat hai toh… tum logon se miljulti kaise?" Aparajit asked.

Jai smiled. "Pata nahin kyun, use maa bahut pasand hai. Hamesha unke aage-peeche ghoomti rehti hai…" Jai said recollecting the past.

"Oh… bahu saas ke peeche, pehle se hi…" Aparajit chuckled.

"Dadi ki toh tum jaante ho… bolkar hi dil jeet jaati hai. Masi aur Jigyasa se utni baat nahin karti thi pehle, phir dheere dheere un logon se mil gayi…" Jai narrated.

Aparajit listened with great interest.

"Papa ki baat alag hai. Unhone use school ke admission karane mein madad ki thi. Us din tumhein dekhna tha, itni khush lag rahi thi, jaise duniya ki saari khushiyan paa li…" Jai smiled. "Tabhi Aditya se mili. Aditya ko toh tum jaante ho. Woh jisse baat karta hai, unke tarah baat karta hai. Aditya ki bahut izzat karti hai. Aditya ki baatein hamesha maanti hai. Waise bhi, woh kehta bhi aisa hi hai…"

"Aur tum?" Aparajit asked.

"Mat poocho. Usse baat karne ke liye mujhe chocolate, samose vagairah dena padta tha…" Jai chuckled.

Aparajit's eyes widened. "What?"

"Haan, pata nahin kyun, mujhse thodi reserved hi thi. Meri baaton se jaldi gussa ho jaati thi, mere saath poore mann se baat nahin karti thi… Pata nahin. Maa ko aksar humare beech aana pada, jagta rokhne ke liye…" Jai's voice went soft as he spoke.

"Aisa dikhta toh nahin hai…" Aparajit said.

Jai did not say anything.

"Toh… tumse dosti kaise hua?" Aparajit asked.

Jai' eyes moved here and there as he searched for the answer looking into his memories. He frowned. "Pata hi nahin chala…" He could not exactly point out when they became fond of each other.

Aparajit smiled. "Tumhare parents ne Bani ko kyun chuna?" he asked after a while.

Jai went silent for few seconds. Then he said, "Maa ne kaha ki hum donon ko ek doosre ki zaroorat hai…"

Aparajit was confused. "Jai, zaroorat poori karne ke liye shaadi karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Koi aur wajah hogi…" he said.

Jai did not answer.

Aparajit was now certain that the level of attachment of Jai and Bani with each other was very deep. Somewhere, they were incomplete without each other. But, the important question was, did they realize that? Did they feel so? The answer was no. As far as Jai was concerned, he wanted to marry Bani to fulfil his parents' wish. And Bani… he did not know the reason behind her 'yes'.

"Toh… ab kya socha hai?" Aparajit asked.

Jai did not answer.

"Ek baat yaad rakhna Jai. Agar tum Bani se shaadi kar rahe ho, toh apne liye karo. Tum donon ke liye karo. Na ki tumhare parents ke liye… aur na…" Aparajit stopped, thought for a second, then said, "aur na koi aur wajah ke liye…"

"Koi aur wajah…?" Jai was confused.

"Dekho Jai. Ek kaam karne ke liye hum hazaar wajah doondh sakte hai. Lekin, asli wajah itna hi hai ki hum karna chahte hai. Aur kuch nahin… Waise hi agar ek kaam nahin karna chahte hai toh sirf itna ki… hum nahin karna chahte… Bas…" Aparajit said.

Jai just listened.

"Hum insaan hai. Galtiyaan hoti hai. Lekin, galtiyaan tab hoti hai jab hum kahin na kahin, apne marzi ke khilaaf kuch kaam karte hai. Kahin na kahin humein pata hai ki hum galat kar rahe hai. We ignore the warning of our sixth sense and proceed forward. Tab galti hona hi hai. Tum socho Jai… kya tum sach mein Bani se shaadi karna chahte ho. Agar kahin na kahin tumhein yeh lagta hai ki tumhein nahin karna chahiye toh mat karo… Aur koi baat nahin sunna… mat sochna… samaj rahe ho na?" Aparajit said.

Jai stared at him.

"Jai… tumse baat kar raha hoon." Aparajit said.

"Tumhein toh counselor hona chahiye. Businessman kaise ban gaye…" Jai asked slowly.

Aparajit smiled. He understood that his arrow had reached the destination.

"Lekin Jai. Tumhein mujhe bhi leke jaana chahiye tha." Aparajit said.

Jai frowned, then said, "Kyun?"

"Aise interesting character dekhne leta." Aparajit chuckled. "I don't believe Bani ki maa aisi hai." He thought for a second, then asked, "Uske papa kaise hai?"

Jai thought before speaking. "I think he is a just man. Par, mujhe nahin lagta ki woh Bani ki maa ke khilaaf jaa payenge. Duniya ki bahut parwaah karte hai… dekhte hai, kya karte hai…"

"Bani se kya kehnewale ho?" Aparajit asked.

"Pata nahin… soch raha hoon…" Jai said.

"Aditya se baat huyi?" Aparajit asked.

"Nahin. Kahoon bhi toh kya kahoon? Bani ghar pe hogi…" Jai said.

Aparajit sighed.

***

Nishikant arrived home for lunch wearily. He touched the door before ringing the bell, but found the door opened. He moved open the door and entered inside. He could hear voices coming from the room. He ignored it and went to wash his legs, hands and face. He then went to the kitchen and served himself, started eating without waiting for Kiran to serve. As he was in the mid-way, he heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. He raised his head to look at the person. It was Pushkar.

"Pushkar beta… kab aaye?" Nishikant asked and diverted his attention to serve food.

Pushkar was surprised at first, then walked into the kitchen and took away the spoon from Nishikant and served him himself. Nishikant was startled for a second, then let him serve. "Abhi aaya…" Pushkar said.

"Achanak?" Nishikant asked.

Pushkar did not know what to say, but there was no use in hiding anything. "Papa, maa ka phone aaya tha. Phir Pia ne aane ki zid ki toh le aaya…" Pushkar said.

"Achcha? Pia bhi aayi hai?" Nishikant asked.

"Haan…" Pushkar replied.

Nishikant did not ask further questions. He continued with his eating. Pushkar saw that Nishikant had not kept a glass of water for him, so he kept a glass of water near his plate and sat in front of him, facing him. Pushkar was sure, the uncomfortable atmosphere was due to Jai Walia's arrival. Bani had not called him yet. When Nishikant finished his lunch, Pushkar helped in cleaning the place and took Nishikant to the living room.

After sitting in the living room, after few seconds, Nishikant said, "Thank you, beta…" He was pleased with Pushkar's concern.

"Thanks kis baat ka?" Pushkar asked.

"Tum log aaye…" Nishikant said.

Pushkar sighed. "Baat kya hai, papa? Kya hua?" he asked.

Nishikant went silent.

"Chup rehne se problem ka solution nahin nikhalta…" Pushkar said.

Nishikant let out a sad laugh. "Ab… baat karke bhi kya faida?"

"Matlab?" Pushkar was confused.

Nishikant shook his head.

"Papa, kya hua?" Pushkar asked again.

Nishikant stayed silent for a minute. Pushkar was a nice man, he knew it. In fact, he had stood for Bani at many incidents. There was nothing wrong in speaking to him regarding this matter. He then said, "Bani… shaadi karna chahti hai…"

This was not a news to Pushkar, but he did not show it on his face.

"Uski maa ko ismein aitraaz hai. Use woh log bikul hi pasand nahin… Pata nahin kyun? Log achche hi lag rahe hai. Haan… maanta hoon ki woh umr mein Bani se kaafi bada hai… maanne ke liye thoda hichak toh ho rahi thi… lekin, Bani ko pasand hai. Itne saalon mein Bani ne apne padaai se siva mujhse kuch nahin poocha hai. Pehli baar kuch pooch rahi hai toh… main kuch nahin kar pa raha hoon…" Nishikant finished.

"Kaun hai woh log? Aap jaante hai?" Pushkar asked.

"Woh log Aligarh mein humare pados the. Meri utni baat nahin huyi unse. Pata bhi nahin ki, Bani un logon ko itna pasand karti thi… aur ab bhi karti hai… aur woh bhi lagta hai, Bani ko utna hi pasand karte hai… Aur… aur… mujhe…" Nishikant left incomplete.

Pushkar said, "Aur?"

"Aur, mujhe yeh bhi nahin pata ki Kiran un logon ko bilkul pasand nahin karti… Pata nahin kyun? Aur…" Nishikant stopped. He still was not able to understand why Kiran disliked them so much.

Pushkar observed Nishikant for sometime, then he touched his hand. Nishikant looked at him. Pushkar said, "Sab teek ho jaayega, papa…"

Nishikant shook his head. "Mujhe nahin lagta… Ab mujhe ek aur baat ki chinta ho rahi hai…" he said.

"Kis baat ki?" Pushkar was confused.

"Bani ki chinta ho rahi hai…" Nishikant said. Pushkar was clueless. Nishikant continued, "Ab is waqt Bani ghar aayi toh pata nahin Kiran usse kaise peshayegi? Mujhe toh… us baat ki chinta ho rahi hai…" Nishikant said sadly.

Pushkar was taken aback. He did not think about such a circumstance. Oh God! Where had Bani landed herself upon? He sighed in his mind.

"Aapka… Bani se baat huyi?" Pushkar asked.

"Nahin… kahoonga bhi… toh kya kahoonga? Mujhe kuch samaj mein nahin aa raha hai. Socha ki humare bure waqt guzar gaye… lekin, lag raha hai, ab hi aanewala hai…" Nishikant said with caution.

Pushkar did not know what to say.

Meanwhile, Pia and Kiran came out from the room. Kiran was blowing her nose, it seemed she was crying. But, for what? Nishikant wondered.

"Papa…" Pia said. "Kahaan chale gaye? Pata hai, maa kitni pareshaan ko rahi thi?"

Nishikant smiled. "Kahaan jaaoonga, beta. Jahaan bhi jaaoon, wapas yahin toh aana hai…" Nishikant spoke with sarcastic humor.

"Kaisi baat kar rahe hai, papa?" Pia said as he sat beside Nishikant.

"Maine kya kaha, Pia?" Nishikant asked.

"Papa…" Pia sounded surprised. "Kya ho gaya aapko?"

"Ab tak toh kuch nahin… kya pata kal kya hoga?" Nishikant said.

Pia looked startled at Kiran. Kiran was looking at Nishikant.

Nishikant sighed. "Toh beta… yahaan kaise aana hua? Achanak?"

"Kyun? Nahin aa sakti kya?" Pia asked back.

Nishikant just smiled in return.

"Papa, aapne humein kyun nahin bataya?" Pia asked.

"Kis baare mein?" Nishikant asked.

"Papa, aap toh aise baat kar rahe hai, jaise ki aapko kuch nahin pata…" Pia whined. After a while, she said, "Papa, Bani ne itna bada faisla kiya, humse pooche bina?" Pia complained in an exclaimed manner.

"Kyun? Nahin le sakti?" Nishikant asked back. Pia did not have an answer. Nishikant continued, "Dekho beta, aaj tak Bani apne faisle khud leke aa rahi hai. Hum mein se koi use rokha nahin, aur na hi woh faisla galat tha. Agar aaj yeh faisla liya hai… toh koi wajah hogi na?" Nishikant reasoned.

Pushkar looked at Nishikant in surprise. He had never seen Nishikant speaking in such a way.

Nishikant continued, "Waise bhi, humne kabhi tum donon ko tum logon ke marzi se rokha nahin. Haan… maanta hoon, Bani ne bada faisla liya hai… lekin, agar usmein uski khushi hai toh humein rokhna nahin chahiye…"

Pia was shocked. Here her mother was against the proposal, now her father had no issues. She looked at her mother.

Kiran was fuming. "Kyun nahin rokhe? Galat faisla liya hai toh rokhna hi padega na?" she said.

"Galat faisla kaise?" Nishikant asked. "Mujhe toh woh log achche hi lage…" he said.

"Haan, haan… aapko sabhi log achche hi lagte hai… isliye toh hum aaj aise hai…" Kiran blamed Nishikant.

Nishikant went silent. After a while, he said, "Bani ko uski faisle se main rokhoonga nahin. Aur, tumhari marzi ke khilaaf main jaaoonga bhi nahin…" He walked to the door, wore his chapals and left the house leaving the three people behind drenched in shock.

***