Chp 17
Prachi had performed the daily chores with a heavy heart she could not understand why but she had suddenly started feeling alienated. She walked out and stood in the verandah overlooking the courtyard. Was this her destiny to remain a burden to a generous soul like Milind and for how long... yes five months but then what. Would her father not find another groom for her get her married to someone she hardly knew or cared for. What would her life be then... a compromise just because her father wanted her off his hands. Was her being born an ill omen if she was he should've killed her at birth smothered her very first breath, why did he then let her live, ruin him further. Her young friends played in the sunny morning calling out to her but she refused politely pasting a smile on her face she was used to put up an act having done it tons of times earlier at parties her father would desire her to be present at. Even though he despised her Inder would make sure Prachi mingled in with the crowd at social events. She often wondered why he did so when it was quite evident she was neither interested nor bothered to make friends from the elite class that assembled there as guests. After much thought she had come to conclude that he probably missed Ayesha and recruited her as a compensation on her behalf the idea though painful was applicable. She checked on Baba to find him sleeping and decided to cook food for the afternoon Milind did his bit for her and she realized she was responsible in his absence towards his house and family. Her hand had healed completely and she pondered on what to cook when Ali passed by whistling "Ali" she had called out to him.
"Hello champ" he smiled lightheartedly as she led him inside. "You'r in" she questioned as he glanced at her suspiciously "Any problem? " he inquired trying to wheedle information from her suspecting his mother to be up to one of her tricks. "Yes actually I was wondering if you could help me cook lunch, Milind is too tired by the time he comes home. Atleast I can help him this way". Ali studied the spotless house in detail she certainly had taken up her position as Milind's so called wife very seriously moreover Ali noticed she cared for Milind. Whether he was sad, stressed out, in need of anything she would guage his anguish even before Ali could put a finger on it. He recalled a scene from two days earlier Milind had been sitting talking to him he had just returned from work. Prachi had brought him his rubber slippers, soap and towel "Milind aap fresh ho jaiye main khana laga rahi huun" Milind you get freshened up I'm getting the food ready she had informed him. After ten minutes when Milind had returned Prachi had heated the food laid the mat and as Ali watched keenly had proceeded to serve Milind his food. Neither had considered it out of the ordinary which indicated to Ali that they probably had fallen in a routine without acknowledging it as being followed. Ali had been a silent spectator to it all though his lips moved in answer to Milind's queries as he bantered on regarding the current political fiasco and the escalating petrol rates worldwide. After dinner Milind had volunteered to help her clear away but she refused and quickly made tea for him and Ali as they sat besides Baba. "Tuu nahin piyegi Prachi?" Aren't you having it Prachi? Milind had questioned engrossed with Baba spotting her sit there without a cup "Nahin aap pii lijiye" No Milind you have your's Prachi had handed him his tea. "Aadhi pi ley please itni nahin piyunga main" Have half from it please I can't drink all of it he had handed her the cup again and she had sipped a quarter from it returning him the remainder. There was a certain bond both had formed unaware of it being there in the first place. Ali had simply smiled at the scene trying to recall the last time Milind had shared his tea with him....... not one such occassion came to memory though he had tried really hard.
Ali had instructed Prachi on making lentil soup he had learnt to cook with Milind as both had experimented together countless times in Milind's kitchen. Prachi was an eager student and had prepared the boiled rice herself under Ali's watchful eye. "Aunty was asking about you" she had informed him cutting carrots lengthwise for a pickle Ali promised to teach her that could be made in minutes. She had asked him to help her with it knowing very well that Milind loved pickles with rice "Tum achar khaati ho?" You eat pickles? Ali had questioned her attempting to avoid conversation on his mother and his whereabouts that morning. "Nahin... per Milind ko acha lagta hai" No but Milind likes it she had replied honestly and Ali had laughed aloud. "Kyun hans rahey ho?" Why are you laughing? Prachi had inquired irritated with the quizzical smiles that seemed to appear on his face as soon as he laid eyes on her. "Yunhi" Just like that he had told her "Mujh per hanstey rehtey ho main Milind sey tumhari shikayat kerungi" You keep laughing at me I'm going to complain to Milind about you she had threatened him. "Uff Prachi Milind sey mat kehna please.... warna mujhey maar hii dega woh" Oh Prachi please don't tell Milind else he'll kill me Ali had placed his hand on his heart acting as if extremely afraid of his friend and had folded his hands infront of her. "Jhootey, nautanki" Liar, dramatist Prachi laughed "Milind kisi to nahin maartey" Milind doesn't hit anyone she had said turning pink with laughter "Haiye yaara nahin maartey kisi ko woh becharey khud jo buri tarah ghayal hain" Yes poor man can't hit anyone since he's already badly wounded himself Ali had joked. "Kiya hua unko chot lag gayi kiya?" Why has he been hurt? Prachi had asked worriedly it pained her to think that Milind was hurt and had not informed her about his wounds. "Haan chot to lagi hai per marham tum nahin laga sakti Prachi" Yes he has received wounds Prachi but alas you cannot alleviate his pain Ali had said feigning seriousness. "Main kyun nahin laga sakti... unko dard ho raha hoga na" Why can I not apply ointment... it must be hurting him her consternation was worth watching. "Haan dard to hai becharey key dil per jo lagi hai" Yes it's paining him since he got hit right on the heart Ali had sighed in mock sympathy for Milind. "You mean unkey chest per laga hai near the heart" this was too much for Prachi Milind was seriously injured and he had been hiding it from her. "Per dawaii to hogi na ghar main" But there must be some sort of medication at home Prachi had tried to console herself "Main laga duungi" I'll apply it she had further amused him with her concern for Milind's supposed wounds. "Woh jab aaye to puch laina uss sey keh chot kahaan lagi hai, kab lagi hai or kitni gehri hai" Well when he comes you can ask him where'd he get hurt, how and if it hurts or not Ali had fanned her anxiety enjoying it to the maximum. She was an innocent soul and he absolutely loved teasing her the way her eyes widened when afraid or surprised had him in splits, she was like a child who could be cajoled with the simplest of things. "Hmm" she had assented half heartedly mixing the ingredients he dictated to her in a bowl with the carrots, Milind's foot steps were heard then and he was surprised to see both Ali and Prachi in the kitchen. Prachi had handed him the towel and soap asking Ali to join them for lunch while she fed Baba. Ali though had taken leave since he feared his mother might just pop in on them and then there'd be no end to her chants on Salma.
Soon they sat together on the mat Milind had noticed Prachi was withdrawn and thoughtful. Throughout lunch she remained quiet as they finished and cleared up he had followed her to her room."Prachi kuch hua hai kiya?" Prachi is anything wrong? he asked "Woh Ali keh raha tha aapko chot lagi hai.... aap ney bataya nahin" Ali was telling me you've been hurt... you didn't tell me she had chided him softly watching him through sad eyes. Milind had looked at her confused taken aback by her remorse "Acha?" Really? he queried why did Ali lie to her he couldn't understand a thing. "Kidher hai Ali?" Where is Ali? he had questioned thoroughly irritated it must be one of his ideas to tease her, he knew Ali loved pulling her leg. "Woh to chala gaya.... usney kaha aapko buhut dard hai... aap ney bataya kyun nahin?" He's left.. he said it was hurting you a lot... why didn't you tell me? her needle was still stuck there. "Aap mera itna khayaal rakhtey hain per apney dukh mujhey nahin batatey agar zakham gehra ho gaya to... aap beemar ho gaye to" You take care of but never share your problems with me. What if it worsens what if you fall sick she was skeptical her forehead lined with worries her eyes searching him for answers. "Prachi mujhey kuch nahin hua?" Prachi nothing has happened to me Milind had tried to comfort her making up his mind to give Ali a good beating next he saw him. "Nahin aapko lagi hai nahin to Ali kyun bolta main aapko marham nahin laga sakti" No you'r hurt or else why would Ali say that I cannot apply ointment on it she was grief stricken and Milind felt like boxing Ali's ears had he been there. Muttering curses he had tried to tame his flaring temper "Kahaan bola tha Ali ney mujhey chot lagi hai?" Where did Ali say I was hurt? he had inquired testing his patience. "Aapkey dil per" On your heart she had informed him and Milind couldn't decide whether to laugh or fume he was certain this was a joke Ali had cracked and Prachi had deemed it serious. "Hmm to ab kiya kerna chahiye?" Hmm now what should be done Milind had questioned her in a serious tone "Aap dawaii laga lein na.... zyaada dard hai?" Please apply the ointment... is it paining much? she was still apprehensive as she handed him the ointment. "Theek hai laga leta huun" Fine I'll do it he had finally given in realizing she wasn't going to stop fretting till she saw it for herself. Stripping off his shirt he pulled off his vest as well revealing a clean rather bare, taut chest well toned and unblemished. "Kahin chot dikh rahi hai?" Can you see any wound? he had asked a stupefied Prachi who had averted her eyes on the skin show her cheeks flaming. "Ab dekh kyun nahin rahi, dawaiyii lagati to nahin dekhti 1970's kii heroine" Now why aren't you looking if you'd been applying the ointment wouldn't you be looking then? he had teased her and she had laughed at his comment. "I'm sorry" she smiled meeting his mischievous gaze "I didn't know Ali was such a big liar, har waqt mujhey satata hai" always pulls my leg she had apologized and he had simply shaken his head smiling they both were proving to be a handful for him.
That evening Milind had asked Arjun to keep an eye on Baba for him as he escorted Prachi to the taxi since Ali had been up with his disappearing act again. They drove in silence and Milind hoped Prachi would draw out of her shell by the end of the trip. He parked the taxi near the open gates of a church and asked Prachi to accompany him inside as they walked in they saw a group of children play near a few swings overlooked by two matrons dressed in white. They stepped in a small office located near the parish where an aged gentleman sat poring over a bible. "Good evening father" he had greeted the man who had smiled and hugged Milind clapping him on the back "Kaisey ho Milind?" How are you Milind? he had inquired offering them both seats. "I'm fine father.. here" he had handed a wad of notes to the reverand who had accepted them and had noted the amount in a register. Finishing with it he had smiled at Prachi who had returned it and sat beside Milind wondering what he was upto. "Tum Sunaina sey milna chahogey?" Would you like meet Sunaina? the preacher had questioned Milind and he had simply nodded his head his face shining with happiness. The reverend had then rung a bell to summon a vestal who has after hearing the instructions from the reverend beckoned them to follow her. Prachi had walked beside Milind down well lit corridors to a nursery where young children were nursed some lay sleeping in their respective cribs while others were involved in activities on a table nearby a nun watching over them. As they entered the nun had looked up at them and smiled "Hmm Milind acha hua tum aa gaye Sunaina udaas ho gayi thii tum milney jo nahin aaye itney dinon sey" It's a good thing you came Milind she had started missing you she had smiled pointing to a two year old who sat colouring a picture in a book. Prachi watched as the child sat seriously a quiet and forlorn figure completely immersed in her exercise. Milind had walked up to her and bent over her piece of art "Itni achi colouring kisney kii hai?" Who had done this beautiful colouring? he had asked in a gentle voice her eyes had lifted to Milind and her lips had smiled when she saw him near her. Prachi could see the undercurrent of raw emotions that was reflective in their eyes Milind had opened her arms and Sunaina had walked in them promptly. She was a small dark skinned child with straight jet black hair that fell in thick layers around her shoulders. From the looks of her it seemed as if she was still recovering from a serious illness her cheeks were sunken her figure thin what was most intriguing was then even though Milind kept conversing with her the child never once answered. She remained mute throughout their entire conversation but her eyes spoke each time Milind kissed her she would smile her eyes lighting up as lamps. Prachi noticed she had the most beautiful and soulful eyes ones that talked, conveyed emotions and hers projected elation at the moment. Milind had fished out a candy from his pocket for her which he helped her unwrap before popping it lovingly in her mouth.
"Tum kon ho beta?" Who are you child? the nun had inquired of Prachi pleasantly "Jii main inki .... patni huun" I.. I'm his wife she had replied after some thought. "Hmm buhut lagaav hai tumharey pati ko Sunaina sey" You'r husband really loves the child the vestal had continued "Qareeban chey mahiney pehley Milind issey yahaan laaya tha, tab yeh buhut beemar thii typhoid tha issey. Milind ko yeh kachrey key dabbey per mili thi bas aakhri saansein chal rahi theen. Najaaney kon maa baap they jo itni beydardi sey marney chor gaye. Bas uss din sey Milind ney zimmedaari sanbhaal lii isski, ilaaj kerwaya or ab iska kharcha bhi deta hai. Kehta hai iskey paas honey sey Sameera key saath honey kaa ehsaas hota hai". Around six months before Milind had brought her to us he had found her on a rubbish dump. Her parents had left her there to die she was suffering from typhoid then. From that day on Milind has been her guardian he paid for her treatment and now takes care of her expenses. He says when he is with her he feels as if Sameera is with him. Prachi's eyes had lifted to Milind's robust form that held Sunaina close to him as he smiled at her they were both busy drawing a cat... apparently Sunaina loved the creature the shirt she wore had one printed on it too. "Kiya yeh baat nahin kerti sister?" Can't she talk sister? Prachi had questioned since it bothered her to think that the child might be dumb. "Baat to ker sakti hai per kerti nahin buhut ilaaj kerwaya per doctors ka kehna hai kisi haadsey ki bina per shocked hai shayad kabhi koi miracle ho jaaye or yeh baat kerney lagey" She can talk but doesn't doctors are of the opinion that she has gone mute due to some shock or accident occured in the past. Maybe someday a miracle might happen and she may start talking the nun had sighed sympathetically. Another child had woken up and cried the nun had turned to him Prachi had walked upto the duo slowly "Aap apni friend sey nahin milwaiengey mujhey?" Aren't you going to introduce me to you'r friend? she had stated softly and Milind had smiled. It was going as planned he had tried to hand Sunaina to Prachi but the child had clutched his shirt with both her small hands her eyes wide in terror and Prachi was suddenly reminded of herself as a child. She hated strangers and would hardly converse or interact with any new individual, it was only after days or weeks of association would she be able to trust that particular person and exchange her first few words with him. "It's ok Milind aap key paas hii rehney dijiye issey I can understand" let her be with you she had assured him. The next hour was a happy one for Milind as Prachi and Sunaina interacted freely after the first half hour Milind being the focal point between them. They had taken Sunaina out for a walk and soon Prachi was busy pushing the little child on the swings which both had immensely enjoyed. Milind had brought a few colouring books and a colouring set for her which he had handed to the nun incharge before kissing Sunaina goodbye. "Sunaina main phir aaunga tab tak be a good girl ...." Sunaina I'll come again till then be a good girl he had whispered to her. The child obviously felt sad as her eyes shone with tears not a sound though was heard from her as the tears dripped on Milind's shirt. Prachi's heart had gone out to her plight her own eyes mirroring the child's unhappiness it was a promise for a prompt return that earned Milind a much needed release from Sunaina's tight hold on his shirt. As they sped on the roads home bound Prachi could not help thinking about Sunaina Milind obviously had realized what thoughts occupied her and had let her ponder on them in peace.
Edited by blind horizon - 16 years ago
Anupamaa
Current Affairs
Sports
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
