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Chapter 30 ~ Jahaan tu muskuraye, meri manzil wahin
"Istana Besar? Koi mahal hain kya?"
"Jee, ek bahut hi khoobsurat, ali-shaan mehal jisme Johor ka sultan rehta tha. 1866 ma Sultan Abu Bakar ne banaaya."
Hand in hand, they walked towards the palace, admiring its architecture.
"Mujhe chaht bahut pasand hain." The roof was blue, built under the Anglo influence, contrasting beautifully with the white stone walls.
" Jee haan. Acchha, pehle hum Royal Abu Bakar Museum mein jaayege."
They browsed the artefacts for some time, taking pictures and whispering about the decorative relics.
"Ab balai besar mein chalte hain," decided Robbie.
"Balai besar?"
"Audience hall hain. Yahaan
"Oh. Bahut hi bhara hain. Par Robbie, aapko yeh sab kaise bata?"
"Vahaan lika hain."
"Uff. Mein bhi kitni buddhi hoon."
"Nahi Kasturi. Aisa mat kehna. Bas, Milind ko yeh museums bahut pasand hain. Hamesha mujhe keechta tha apne saath. Aur phir, mujhe bhi thoda thoda jaan-pehchaan hogayi."
"Woh dekho, aage jaana manaa hain. Toh chaliye, Robbie, bahaar jaate hain. Wahaan saamne bazaar hain. Dekhte hain."
They wandered between the stalls, looking at the embroidered wall-hangings, period turbans, mullioned glass trinkets and various perfumes.
"Ab chaliye, Kasturi?
"Ek minute sir, mujhe kuch kareedna hain."
"Toh chal saath chalenge na?"
"Nahi, Robbie, tum yahi ruko. Mein do minute mein aati hoon."
Mystified, Robbie shook his head and wandered over to the palace entrance, to admire the sublime ruins once again. He snapped a few more photos, before Kasturi joined him with a smile, clutching a package wrapped in brown paper.
"Chalo, Robbie, ab chalte hain."
"Tum mujhe nahi bataaongi?"
"Baat mein, Robbie."
"Achha baba theek hain. Chalo."
***
Kasturi was admiring the view from their hotel balcony.
"Dekho vahaan Robbie, ek lake hain. Aaj raat hum vahaan chalte hain."
"Jee, Kasturi. Bahut romantic hoga, na. Tum jaakar tayaar hoja."
"Theek hain.
***
Kasturi re-entered the bedroom half an hour later, dressed in a crimson and cream chridaar suit. Robbie was leaning against the headboard of the bed, on his laptop.
"Kya dekh rahe ho, Robbie?"
"Bas e-mail tha, concert organiser se. Jab hum vaapas Mumbai pochenge, usse phone kardena. Par ab tum chinta mat karna. Hamara kaam sirf enjoy karne ka hain. Baitho." He switched off the screen and moved towards her. He slowly stroked her cheek, gently and slowly. But he stopped as he noticed Kasturi's tensed expression and fidgety movements.
"Robbie, mujhe tumse kuch baat karni thi.."
"Kahiye na, Kasturi. Kyun hichkicha rahi ho?"
"Woh..main.." She took a deep breath. "Mujhe yeh kaam mein mazaa aata hain, par mein..mein phir se actuary banna chahti hoon. Mujhe woh kaam bahut pasand tha. Par Raunak ne.. mein phir se 'agar tumhe theek laga.."
"Kasturi, kitni baar samjaao? Teri khushi hi mein meri khushi hain. Aur yeh toh bahut acchhi baat hain, ke tum itni kabilat aur akalmandi ki nokri karne chahti ho. Mein tumhe kyun rokhoonga? Jaise hum Mumbai pochenge, tum refresher course karlo aur phir hum dono tumhare liye nokri dhoondenge."
"Thank you, Robbie."
"Yeh kya? Thank you? Mein koi ajnabee yah paraaya hoon?"
"Nahi, nahi, sorry Robbie. Mein bas bahut hi khush hoon. Dheere dheere mere sab armaan pure horahe hain, yakeen hi nahi hota."
"Bas ek problem hain."
"Kya?" asked Kasturi anxiously.
"Mein tumhe har din nahi dekhoonga. Kaise kattenge yeh din?"
"Robbie," she squeaked, an admonishment on her lips. But she melted at his comically puppy-dog face and shyly hugged him instead.