At the restaurant Proteek ordered for the ices while Prachi looked at the people filling the place despondently, her heart simply was not at peace today and she wondered why. It was as if something was about to happen something that would be defining she wished she could have spent some time alone, memories assailed her making her soul pine for her soulmate. Proteek studied Prachi minutely he understood something was bothering her but he couldn't pin point what exactly it was, Prachi never shared her grief with anyone in the past five years he had only seen her smile and laugh but not sad. Today as she sat opposite him smiling at her son he realized her eyes told a different tale altogether. Prachi could feel Proteek's eyes on her excusing herself she informed him that she was going to the restroom she felt claustrophobic and needed fresh air.
'I think the deal's done then Mr Khanna' he had placed the file on the table after signing his name on the papers. 'Yes Mr Mishra, I hope this is one investment that'll help my company'. Mr Khanna had extended his hand to Milind which he had shaken warmly 'You'r dealing with Milind Mishra Mr Khanna you shouldn't be worrying about profits they'll come you'll see.' He had assured the old man confidently 'That's the reason I hounded you Mr Mishra despite your vagrant life you've managed to build quite an empire for yourself though I wonder why you never stay in one place for more than a few months.' Mr Khanna had inquired, Milind's reputation far exceeded his presence. The past five years had seen drastic changes in him he was known to be ruthless in business, cold and brash he got what he wanted without bending or changing rules. His competitors referred to him as the 'Impossible Man' because few had the courage to outsmart him. He had opened many companies in different states of India had countless hotels in different locales yet he never stayed back long enough always on a run. The search for truth, his Prachi''. she was alive he knew. Every breath he took reminded him of her and he had vowed to find her even if he died doing that he would not give up not until his last breath. He had left home that fatal night in an attempt to find Prachi but had ended up being hit by a truck days later he had awoken in a hospital abandoned , lonely and numb. Giving up all thoughts of going back home he had left the city arriving in Delhi, it had been a hard struggling year for him but he lived the pain each day his physical wounds took his mind off from the ones that his soul bore. There had been many nights when he had slept under the starry sky devoid of a refuge or shelter skipping meals as he wouldn't have the money to buy any.
Yet his eyes searched the world searched for Prachi keeping a constant and vigil watch that would keep him awake long after the world would sleep. He worked odd jobs finally landing in a company as a driver, his boss was a kind hearted man who had instantly spotted the raw passion in him. Once on a trip to Pune his boss had been accompanied by a friend who had been pestering him to invest in a lucrative hotel project the details being discussed on the long journey Milind had a fair idea of the investment being a sham. Before his boss entered the boardroom the next day Milind had asked him not to put his money in that deal the boss had looked at him apprehensively but Milind had stuck to his ground pointing out the loopholes in the deal. His boss has studied the offer again and was astounded by Milind's sharp acumen days later he had appointed Milind as his secretary. Milind had not looked back then his success had sought him and he had not shunned it taking all that he got never looking back but always on the look out. 'Some things in life are best unexplained Mr Khanna' Milind had replied snapping out of his reverie he had to attend another meeting then have a word with his detective one he had appointed to search for Prachi. This was the fifth he had hired but the results didn't seem promising maybe they didn't search hard enough he would always console himself.
Putting out his still burning cigarette he stood up and picking up the file turned to leave when he saw a woman turn towards the restroom, something about her struck him. The height or maybe the way she walked on an impulse he had followed her. Her long hair flowed down her back, her saree draped sensuously around her svelte form why did she look so familiar to him. Could it be Prachi but what would she do dressed in a Bengali attire in this place he had to find out the truth his steps quickened as he followed her to the end of the corridor. But before he could reach her a small curly haired boy had run up to her 'Maa jaldi aao Papa keh rahey hain jab tak tum aaogi ice cream pighal jayegi.' Milind could not help but stare at the boy in wonder it felt as if he were reliving a dream hadn't Prachi wanted a son for them one who would have looked very much like the boy standing there had he been born.' Tears stung his eyes as he saw the woman bend down to kiss the child's forehead 'Sumonto eik pal key liye bhi mujhey nahin chortey jao main aa rahi huun or masti nahin kerna Suprateek key saath.' Her voice'' how could he forget that voice the one that resounded in his heart night and day. The woman had entered the restroom while the child had made a dash to reach his family colliding with Milind in his haste making him forget the striking resemblance of the woman's voice with Prachi's.
'Sorry uncle ' he had said pushing back his curls bending down Milind had picked him up in his brawny arms kissing him on his forehead where his mother had kissed him a few minutes earlier 'It's ok'. Sumonto had smiled at this man the glint in his eyes was a friendly one 'Naam kiya hai tumhara?' Milind had inquired. 'Sumonto ' he had replied 'Sumonto Dasgupta or tumhara?' Milind had raised his eyebrows in wonder at his courage before saying 'Milind Mishra'. 'Hmm' Sumonto had stared at him 'Tum lagtey to achey ho shararat bhi nahin kertey hogey haina?' and Milind had laughed out his first in five long years. 'Haan ab shararat nahin kerta' he had replied his tone moist 'Maa kehti hai jo bachey masti nahin kertey unko icecream milti hai, aaj main ney masti nahin kii na Suproteek key saath isiliye main icecream khaney aaya huun tum bhi chalo merey saath.' Sumonto had been quick to form a bond with this scruffy looking gentleman who felt very much like his own. 'Per' Milind had tried wheedling 'Chalo na' Sumonto had pleaded and Milind had consented it wouldn't hurt to have an icecream it seemed he had stopped living in the past five years. Meals would taste bland to him he ate simply because he knew he needed to survive to find Prachi the taste or type hardly mattered to him. As they neared the table Sumonto pointed out Milind saw Proteek feeding Suproteek his ice cream. 'Papa yeh mera dost hai icecream khaney aa ya hai' Sumonto had informed his father and Milind had placed him on a chair shaking hands with Proteek. Milind wondered why Sumonto didn't resemble his father while Suproteek did well maybe he had taken after the mother. But Prachi's hind image contrasted with Sumonto's form she too didn't sport curls Proteek had invited Milind to stay for an icecream and Milind had joined them shaking his head to clear his thoughts which it seemed were running wild today.
After splashing cold water on her face countless times Prachi had managed to pacify herself considerably she had no one to blame for her situation than her ownself. Patting her face dry she left the restroom to join her family. At the table Suproteek was acting fussy demanding to be fed by his father while Sumonto sulked at the scene he too wanted to be fed but it seemed Proteek was busy with Suproteek. Milind could not bear to see the child unhappy something about him tugged at his heart. 'Papa busy hain to kiya hua main khila deta huun' he had offered Sumonto but Sumonto continued sulking he sat put with his arms folded across his chest. 'Usko Papa khila saktey hain mujhey nahin?' he had asked in a hurt tone and it cut through Milind like a knife 'Chalo adhi main khila deta huun adhi Papa khila deingey' he tried to strike a deal and Sumonto had accepted it, it was clear to the child that his father was busy with his brother. Milind lifted the spoon bringing it to his lips and as Sumonto licked it clean his heart swelled with happiness. Why did it feel as if this was meant to be how could he form a bond with a stranger child in less than five minutes it struck him as very odd yet deep down in his heart he knew it was the best feeling he had ever had. He smiled at Sumonto who was busy making faces at Suproteek across the table Milind had tousled his curls playfully feeding him the icecream. 'Sumonto meri icecream bhi kha gaye kiya?' a feminine voice had floated and Milind's heart beat had accelerated turning around he stood up to face the owner of this rather familiar voice and stood shocked. There stood his Prachi smiling at her son she probably hadn't seen him her eyes focused on the child. She looked different not like his Prachi at all in that Bengali saree and jewellery but how could his heart be wrong. How could it beat so fervently for some different woman in the same way it beat for Prachi. And was this family hers? Whose children were these? Was that guy Proteek her husband thoughts boggled his mind shattering his remaining senses.
He stared at her astounded when finally she had raised her eyes to meet his. What he saw in them was enough to confirm that she was indeed his Prachi. Her face lost colour as she gaped at him her eyes widened churning a storm of emotions one that threatened to spill on her cheeks that very instant. 'Panchi kitni der laga dii tumney kab sey tumhara intizaar ker rahey they hum' Proteek had told her wiping his hands clean. "Arey yeh Sumonto key naye dost hain Mr Mishra humarey saath ice cream khaney aaye hain' Proteek had informed her unaware of the thoughts and emotions that ran rampant in her mind. 'Mr Mishra yeh meri wife hai Panchi' Proteek had introduced her to him. Something inside Milind had shattered in a million tiny pieces his hopes, desires, dreams had been cruelly assassinated in a split second. He could not believe his Prachi, the Prachi who vowed to cease breathing without him had moved on in life. His fists balled tightly as he tried to keep himself in check his eyes not blinking and not once moving away from Prachi's shriveled face. Her guilt stricken look had him boiling with fury closing his eyes eventually he let out a deep sigh one that touched Prachi's soul. Never had she imagined Milind to reach Kolkatta and more than that find her but she had always known it would happen someday. Her sixth sense had always warned her of this moment and it was truly a moment she had dreaded these past five years. Turning to Proteek Milind had mouthed an excuse bending down to kiss Sumonto he had cast a pained look at Prachi who stood paralysed due to the sudden encounter. 'Kaash aapkey paas waqt hota to hum kuch der or saath bitatey' Proteek had said 'Waqt' Milind had echoed his black eyes resembling pits of hell 'Buhut waqt barbad ker diya hai mainey or sab kuch kho diya' he had muttered under his breath but to Prachi each word felt like molten lead. Catching her eye Milind had continued 'Lekin ab kuch nahin kho'onga, na waqt na jazbaat or naa yaadein. Sab waapis chahiye mujhey eik eik lamha eik eik pal. Sab ka hisaab dena hoga.' Advancing towards Prachi he had threatened her in a low menacing tone his breath hot his manner cruel he had extended is hand towards Prachi. 'Yeh mulaqat yaad raheygi Mrs Dasgupta and I'll make sure you never forget it.' He had smirked at her crushing her hand in his before he flung it away in disgust.
The doorbell had been ringing incessantly Prachi had lowered the flame of the burner and had run to open the front door what met her eyes though was simply unasked for. Proteek stood smiling with Milind behind him the moment her eyes met his she had understood his purpose of arrival. His lips were tightly pressed his eyes flaming as he stepped in after Proteek before trudging on he had stared at her piognantly and that one glance had melted her, made her realize how much he had suffered over the week. "Panchi dekho to aaj Mr Mishra humarey mehmaan hain, Sumonto ko to bulao uskey to dost hain yeh" he had smiled at Prachi who had found it best to slip away from Milind's accusing gaze. Milind's detective had informed him about Proteek his business and his life. It seemed Prachi had married him as soon as she had reached Kolkatta five years back, Proteek owned a priting press with different branches in different parts of the city. Not only was his paper a daily but also the most read in Kolkatta he seemed to be a very fun loving guy open to suggestions and a very friendly persona. Personally Milind harboured no wrath for Proteek initially he had considered him to be equally at fault as Prachi. But that afternoon as he sat chatting with him in his office he realized Proteek was unaware of Prachi's past what intrigued Milind was the name he used to call Prachi. Milind still had his doubts though the fact that Proteek had resided in Mumbai five years earlier too was mind boggling but he would soon get his information out from Prachi. She was the sole perpetrator in his view he had not expected her to run away from him in the first place and even if she had done it all for his sake why had she started a new life without him. Did she not know it was a crime to marry while the first spouse was still alive, well she'd have to answer to all his questions soon... very soon.
Current Affairs
