Chp 1
"Baba I won't marry Prachi" Milind had continued staring at the laptop his fingers working on the keys like an automaton. "Why not.... what is wrong with her?" Baba had wanted to know the reason for his continual denial. "I don't love her... I've never loved her.... never can love her" he had looked up at Baba who stood shocked at his son's honest answer. "But Milind she loves you" Baba had exclaimed. "I never asked her to love me how can I destroy her life along with..." he had paused averting his eyes from his father's searching ones. "There's another girl?" he had wanted to know. "Yes" Milind had replied standing up to face his father. He had been thinking of ways for breaking this news to Baba that he had fallen in love with Sophia Rhyss his assistant at Turkey. She was bright beautiful and intelligent a perfect combination of beauty with brains. He wasn't the type who eyed his employees but Sophia was different she had charmed him with her wit and humor, she made him smile made him look life from a different perspective. She was everything he was not and that was what attracted him to her he had thought it was infatuation but over time he had realized it was love. He still hadn't found it plausible to confess about his feelings to her when on his birthday she had taken the day off. He felt betrayed and rejected and had sulked the entire day only to receive a phone call from her asking him if he could drop by at his house with some bread as she was sick. He was remorseful she was sick and he hadn't had the decency to call her up and ask her why she had not come to office that day. Cursing himself he had bought daisies for her purchased a loaf of fresh bread and had walked upto her apartment in Beyoglu district off Istiklal avenue. He was surprised to see her awaiting him in a black sleeveless evening gown she smiled sweetly at him gesturing him to step inside, leading him to her lounge asking him to seat himself. She disappeared behind thin curtains then to her kitchen reappearing shortly with a chocolate fudge cake and a shining silver knife. "Happy Birthday" she had whispered seating herself beside him "I thought you were sick" he had reminded her cocking his eyebrows. "I was.... but realized I couldn't stay that any longer atleast on your birthday" she had smiled handing him the knife, he was still apprehensive. "Should I sing you the birthday song?" she had giggled and he had burst out laughing she was never intimidated by him, no matter how aggressive his mood she could always turn it around in a matter of seconds. He had cut the cake while she sang sweetly and had fed him a piece of the rich dark chocolate. "Missed me?" she had wanted to know and he had shifted his gaze to the turkish carpet underfoot should he tell her, he had wondered that he missed her with each passing moment. "Yes there was no one to bring me coffee today" he had tried to laugh it off. Taking his face in her palm she had cupped it tenderly and leaning in pressed her lips to his "Your birthday gift" she had told him as he savoured her presence near him. "I have another one too" she had said drawing out an envelope from the nearby chest of drawers. "What's this he had asked confounded on opening it he found it was her resignation "What!! Why!!" he had stood up in alarm. "Why are you leaving me... I mean the company" he had inquired flustered at her sudden flight. "I don't think I can cheat you anymore" she had replied her hands nervously tracing invisible patterns on the suede couch.
Sitting down he had held her creamy hands in his own "How are you cheating me?" ... "I..." she started trying to focus on his face but had dropped her gaze immediately "I love you Milind.... I took that job as your assistant because I wanted to be close to you. I thought you'd fall in love with me too but that never happened. Lately I've started craving you so bad... it.. it hurts Milind. I'm sorry" her eyes shone with a sheen of tears. His heart had stopped for a fraction of a second... "say it again" he had smiled "I'm sorry" she had repeated tears spilling from her almond eyes. "No, the part where you took my name.." he had whispered and had placed his lips on her eyes as they closed releasing the imprisoned droplets. "Milind" she had murmured burying her face in the wide expanse of his chest and he had fondled her gently. "I love you too, your resignation's accepted by the way" he had whispered in her ear and had felt her grip on his back slacken. "Do you not wish me to work for you anymore?" she had asked sadly. "No" he had smiled "I wish you to spend the rest of your life with me... Mrs Sophia Mishra... how does that sound" he had drawled and had watched her colour. "Sounds like music to my ears" she had told him letting him envelop her in his arms again placing a soft kiss on her full lips.
That had been last month and Sophia awaited his return as Milind had told her he couldn't marry her without his father's consent. "Dad I love Sophia" he had concluded his part of the story narrating to his father the reasons why he wished to marry Sophia not Prachi. "I cannot allow you to go marry some girl who doesn't even belong to our religion forget cast or family" his father had thundered. "Either it's Prachi as your wife or you leave over my dead body" Baba had left then and Milind had slammed his fist in the wall, all his father could think of was Prachi. He couldn't sacrifice his life just because she happened to be the late Inder Shah's daughter his father's previous employer. True Inder had been a generous benefactor to them but that was not reason enough to marry Prachi and he simply wouldn't marry her come what may.
Hum ghoom chukay basti ban mein I've searched the all the villages and hamlets
Ik aas ki phaans liye mann mein koyi sajan ho koyi pyara ho With one wish to find some to love
Koyi deepak ho koyi taara ho Someone who'll be a lamp and a star to my life
Jub jeevan raat andheri ho ik baar kaho tum meri ho When my life's night will be dark and dreary
Jub sawan mein badal chahiye ho When the clouds are gathered before rainfall
Jub chanda roop dekhata hoo When the moon lights the sky
Jub sooraj dhoop nahata ho When the sun is bathed in sunlight
Jub sooraj dhoop nahata ho
Yah sham ney basti gheri ho Or when the evening is enveloping the village
Ik baar kaho tum meri ho Tell me once you are mine
Ik baar kaho tum meri ho
"Prachi!!!! open the door" Sukriti had pounded on the ash door with all her might "Damn that stupid song" she had cursed under her breath once again. Prachi Inder Shah was best friend to Sukriti Mishra they had practically grown up together keeping in mind the fact that her father was employee to Prachi's father the late Inder Shah. Prachi was an only child born with a golden spoon in her mouth. She was well educated and endowed her mother though had left her at a young age. Inder did not have much family to go by with and so after his death his property had been transferred to Prachi but back then she was a minor. Keeping his ailment in mind Inder had entrusted senior Mr Mishra as her caretaker till she came of age. That was twelve years back Inder suffered from lung cancer and as predicted by the doctor had a short span of life. Prachi had been bewildered at his sudden demise she was barely fourteen then her empty house had seemed emptier still after they had taken away her father for his last rituals. She stood silent as they burnt his lifeless form at the pyre no tears escaped her. She had never cried her father had always taught her to be strong so she remained strong hoping that his spirit might watch her uphold his teachings. Mishraji had tried to bring her to his chawl house but she refused "I cannot leave Papa he must be watching me... he'll be sad if I leave" she had told him staidly and he had stared at her in awe. He had known Prachi was an unusually sensitive girl bright and intelligent yet she hardly spoke up, she was shy yet lovable and as the years had progressed had fallen quite in love for his hot headed son Milind. Eventually Mishraji had moved in with Sukriti and Milind to Shah mansion and had henceforth looked after Prachi and her finances. Milind and Sukriti had known Prachi and had now accepted her as part of the family. "Damn it Prachi open the door or I'm gonna call bhaiyya!" Sukriti had threatened Prachi and in a flash the bolts had been unfastened. "You nuts or what bhabhi listening to that idiot sing distraught songs" Sukriti had thrown a pillow at Prachi which she had managed to duck in the nick of time. "Firstly I'm still not your bhabhi, secondly that's not a distraught song it's a wonderful poem penned by Ibn-Insha sung by Ahmed Jahanzeb" she had reminded her friend the umpteenth time. "Yes and the whole wide world's gone bonkers... get dressed we've got to go to Saket's party" she had told Prachi. "The last time we went there Milind had bumped in us and he had warned us from attending any such parties remember" Prachi had reminded Sukriti brushing her hair smoothly. Sukriti had cast one sad look at Prachi's wasted existence "Is there anything you do Prachi thats for your own self?" she had asked sitting down on the massive cherry wood bed staring at the serene expression on Prachi's face. In the backdrop the singer crooned
Hum yun kub tuk preet kay dhokay mein Till when do I keep deceiving myself on your love
Tum kub tuk duur jharokay mein Till when do you keep appearing in that far off window
Hum yun kub tuk preet kay dhokay mein
Tub kub tuk door jharaokay mein
Haan dil ka daaman phela ho Yes the heart has spread itself to receive alms
Kyon gori ka dil maila ho Why should the beautiful maiden be stressed
Kub meray dil mein sawera ho When will my life see the light of day
Ik baar kaho tum meri ho Ik baar kaho tum meri hoo Tell me once that you'r mine.
"I don't think of my life as different from your brother's" Prachi had smiled stars shining in her eyes. She had not known at what point exactly had she started loving Milind maybe it had been when the first time he had entered her house he had looked at her forlorn face and said "Even if Inder uncle isn't here doesn't mean we are not family. You'r our responsibility and can always call me when you need anyone to talk to". She had simply nodded then watching him trudge up the stairs with Baba. Or was it when he had offered to tutor her math in ninth grade "If you keep on like this you'll never go beyond ninth grade pick up your books and come to my room" he had ordered her after watching her try to figure out the Pythagoras. Or maybe it was when Vicky had tried to kiss her during the dandiya ras at their home and Milind had beat the crap out of him. "Dare you try to touch her again and I'll make sure you'r never able to touch anyone again" Milind had threatened Vicky escorting her by the arm. She sat shaken and he had hugged her protectively "You better not talk to him now" he had told her as he walked her to her room. "Milind" she had turned to face him before he left. "What" he had asked looking at her intently "Thank you" she had smiled. He had tenderly kissed her forehead in response "You keep away from these jerks I can't beat the whole world blue for you now" and they had laughed. That night she had dreamt about him the first time they were getting married and she had understood she had always loved him.
"Prachi" Sukriti had called out again "I really want to meet Saket if not to your capacity and depth but I too love someone" she had tried to persuade Prachi. "How about you ask Milind and I'll accompany you just don't tell him its Saket's party" she had offered help to lovestruck friend of hers. "Thanks" Sukriti had smiled hopping off the bed and Prachi had smiled looking out on the green lawns this was her world Milind, Sukriti and Baba she couldn't imagine life without them. "Bhaiyya can I go to a party" Sukriti had asked Milind who sat nursing his hand. "No" pat had come the reply. "But Prachi will go too and it's just nearby and it's an all girls party" Sukriti had coaxed him "Hmm will she" he had mused rubbing his chin in deep thought. "Fine but be back before 10.... one minute above that and no parties till next year" he had warned Sukriti who had raced off to tell the good news to Prachi. If Prachi was with Sukriti it meant she was in safe hands he had never seen or heard Prachi do anything wrong. His word remained final for her till now he had considered it obedience it was only tonight that he'd been enlightened on the emotion being love rather than respect. He had to talk to her tell her that he loved Sophia and that she should try understand his position...... maybe after she returned from the party that night, yes he had breathed heavily tonight he'd get over with it.
Chp 2 page 10
Chp 3 page 21
Chp 6 page 39
Chp 7 page 43
Hindi TV Shows
Current Affairs
