The ride to the hospital was one he would never forget, never before had he broken signals, swerved without warning in opposite directions and sped at such unimaginable speed. He just had to save her, every now and then he would glance at her making sure she was breathing, but he could see the blood stains on her jade green saree increase in diameter. She was bleeding badly , finally the familiar shape of the hospital loomed in view. Breathing hard he had picked Prachi up again dashing in the hospital, pushing through crowded hallways he reached the emergency unit. ?Doctor please issey treatment ki zarurat hai? he had caught a doctor by the arm leading him to the stretcher he had placed Prachi on. ?Dekhiye Mr meri duty off ho chuki hai aap onduty doctor sey baat kijiye.? He had shrugged his shoulder . ? Doctor yeh isski zindagi ka sawaal hai itna major accident hua hai iska agar foran treatment nahin hua to issey kuch bhi?? he couldn?t say anything further. ?Please doctor please issey dekh lijiye? he was now begging the doctor clasping his hands in front of him in sheer desperation. ?Lekin yeh to police case hai..pehley formalities.? ?Jo bhi formalities hongi main puri ker dunga doctor aap treatment to shuru kijiye .? Taking one last look at his crest fallen face the doctor assented on treating her. ?Nurse inhain ander ley jao quick, check her blood group and be fast.? He had ordered the nurse who had wheeled Prachi in to an operating unit. Another one came up to Milind with a form , ?Patient ka naam kiya hai?? she had questioned him.. ?Prachi?? ?Prachi Kiya? Surname bataiye ..? ?Prachi Mishra? he had blurted out instantly. ?Pati ka naam??she had probed again. ?Milind Mishra? he had stated ? In key kisi relative ka naam ya pata??. ?Main huun na yahaan iska relative ?.patni hai who meri.? he had replied heatedly. After filling the form and paying up for the required medical help he had seen to the driver , getting his wounds bandaged he had sent him home.
He had paced the entire length of the corridor for the hundredth time now.What the hell was that doctor upto his nerves felt as if they would explode. He himself was a bloody mess, the mangled metal of the car had left him badly bruised and in cuts in his attempt to save Prachi and the driver. He did not feel the pain that pulsated in his left leg a big gash now showed visibly beneath his torn trousers or rather he had chosen not to, all his thoughts were focused on Prachi?s well being at the moment. He had seen a nurse run back and forth from the lab to the operating room countless times and each time she had avoided answering his one question ?Kaisi hai woh??.After what seemed like eons the door opened and the exhausted doctor walked out. ?Doctor ab kaisi hai woh?? he had enquired without a moment?s delay. ?Main treatment ker chukka huun lekin khoon kaafi beh chukka hai is liye abhi bhi khatra tala nahin . Agar agley eik ghantey main hosh nahin aaya to?? his voice trailed off. ?To kiya doctor?? he had asked his voice betraying his worry. ?To ho sakta hai keh who recover na ker payein, aap dua karein mujhey yaqeen hai unhain jaldi hosh aa jayega.? The doctor had patted his shoulder sympathetically and walked away. Nahin aisa nahin ho sakta who mujhey chor ker kahin nahin jaa sakti his mind had refused to acknowledge it even as a possibility. Silently he walked in , he saw her lying on the hospital bed her face as white as a sheet. She looked awful it seemed as if life had been drawn out of her, surrounded by machines monitoring her pulse rate and blood pressure. A drip steadily supplied her a pain killer while the other provided blood to her veins.
A sudden draining feeling rushed through him sucking all his energy away. It was all because of him, she was lying here in this state because of him. The day?s event played back in his mind. He repented every word he had uttered that day, how could he have been so inhuman to her? Here she had tried helping Sukriti , trying to keep his sister?s act a secret, his family?s name clean and he had blamed her for ruining his family?not informing him.There was an awful emptiness inside him ,how could he be so blinded by rage so as not to sort out the facts. Feeling lifeless he sat heavily on the stool near her bed. How would he live without her he wondered because try as he might he could not lie to himself that he loved her. Held her precious more than anything else. Everything related to her had a direct affect on him. A tear rolled down his cheek , he hated himself . Taking her hand in his own he wept silent tears of repentance. ?Prachi ..? he whispered placing the back of his hand against her damp cheek . ?Prachi please mujhey maaf ker dey?.main ghalat tha?.Prachi please aankhain khol Prachi ?please!?. Tears trickled down his face dropping on her pale hand as he held it to his cheek, suddenly he felt a slight movement . He opened his eyes , he could see her eyelids flutter momentarily?.. ?Prachi..? he called out rubbing her palm ?Prachi aankhain khol Prachi? his heart beat alive as he saw her face wince with pain. Slowly she opened her heavy eyelids to meet his concerned eyes. ?Milind..? she managed to call him , he felt as if he had been gifted a new life. ?Ssshhh?Prachi? he shushed her placing his finger on her parched lips. ?Kuch bol nahin Prachi , tuu theek hai? he smiled through his tears. ?Us doctor ney to mujhey dara hii diya tha..? he confessed smoothing her hair ?Tuu aaram ker main doctor ko bula ker laata huun.? ?Milind kiya aap ab bhi mujh sey naraaz hain ?? she had asked fearfully. Her voice weak , he looked at her in awe , here she was on the brink of death yet she worried if he had forgiven her or not. He bent down and kissed her forehead ?Nahin? he said softly as their eyes locked he could see relief sweep through hers.
She lay there too tired to move, remembering the afternoon?s events vividly. She remembered Ram Singh?s panic as he frantically pumped the brake, stomping hard on it . The car had not stopped, hadn?t even slowed, it had shot forward throwing her against the door . She saw red as the window pane smashed in her sides. She remembered struggling to breathe, trying to pull herself free and calling out Milind?s name in despair. She remembered hands pulling her out of the car, strong arms lifting her and a vague impression of her husband screaming her name. She smiled he could storm and rave at her, act like he hated her but she knew deep down he loved her. She could still feel the excrutiating pain yet her heart was at peace.
The week had flown by in a blink of an eye. Premlata, Dadi, Sukriti,Suyesha ,Mamji, Naintara and even Alaap had frequently paid her visits while she lay bed ridden at the hospital. Premlata had insisted on staying with her at the hospital keeping Milind?s comfort in mind but he had flatly refused, not allowing anyone to stay overnight. He himself had seemed to become her shadow. Be it anything he was there by her side, watching her, helping her, consoling her. She had known her husband to be a compassionate person but was still over whelmed at his actions. She knew he repented that day, whatever he had said and done to her but failed to say anything to apologize too burdened by guilt and shame. ?Mrs Mishra how are you feeling today?? she was brought back to the reality instantly. ?Much better doctor? she had replied smiling.Milind quietly walked in the room placing the fresh flowers beside her bed.He knew she loved flowers and so had brought her some to freshen up her senses. The doctor carefully studied her lab reports and then beamed at them. ?Lagta hai aapkey pati ki mehnat or seva rang laayi hai you?r much better now. I think eik do din main aapko discharge ker deingey. Buhut pyaar kertey hain who aapsey shayad hii eik pal ho jab who aap key paas na hon.? They both had exchanged glances at that comment and Prachi had smiled at him. Placing back her charge sheet the doctor had proceeded to check her temperature and blood pressure after which he had left them to themselves. ?Ab kaisi hai tuu ?? he had asked seating himself by her side. ?Theek huun or aap?? she had asked softly. ? Mujhey kiya hoga main to bilkul theek huun.? He had stared at her confused by the query. ?Nahin aap theek nahin hain kal aap ney bandage change nahin kerwayii thi?kyun?? she was now demanding an explanation. His eyebrows shot up as he looked at her surprisingly mumbling an explanation.. ?Woh?woh?? he stuttered. ?Woh . woh kiya , saaf saaf kahiye merey liye itna pareshaan rehtey hain keh khud ki parwah hii nahin.? She had stated in a hurt tone. He was speechless, after all that she had gone through because of him she still cared for him. Feeling too disgusted with himself he stood up to leave when he heard her call.. ?Suniye, agar aap yeh samajhtey hain keh main aapkey us din key bartaav sey naraaz huun to aisi baat nahin hai? she was explaining to him?what was she a saint? He turned around and stared at her hard ?Kyun nahin hai tuu naraaz arey hona chahiye na naraaz?ghussa ker mujh pey, bol keh main bura huun Prachi?.bol keh main terey laiq nahin, mainey tujhey kiya kiya nahin bola or tuu sirf meri khushion key baarey main sochti rahi merey parivaar ki izzat bachaney key baarey main sochti rahi?? he had completely broken down now. ?Tuu kyun itni achi hai Prachi keh yeh shabd achai bhi terey saamney chota lagney lagta hai?? he had tried walking away again when he felt her soft touch on his hand. ?Agar aap meri parwa ker saktey hain to kiya main nahin?? her voice had reached his ears. Turning back to face her he saw her looking at him, tears glittering in her hazel eyes. Her forthrightness had somehow cleared away some of his anguish. Placing his heavy hand on hers he sat back facing her, wiping away her tears with his finger he planted a kiss on her forehead. ?Thanks..mujhey maaf kerney key liye.? And he had smiled , his first in the past two weeks.
Ayesha had come to know about her plan?s failure and was furious, Najaaney kab peecha choreygi yeh Milind ka she had thought writhing with rage. She had tried talking to Milind the past week but he was always unavailable ?being at the hospital . Somehow Ayesha had begun to have a perilous fear of losing Milind to Prachi. Her step sister whom she hated more than anything in this world. She was the reason her life had become an example of living hell. She had married Neev but had never found marital bliss in her relationship, mostly because she herself was so consumed by the revenge that she had wanted to wreak on Prachi. But all her planning had been put to test when Prachi tied the knot with Milind. The Milind that Ayesha loved and lived, she had thought that she could win him back easily but in the past few days she had sensed him slipping away from her as fine sand in a tightly pressed palm. The more she tried to keep him near her, to close her palm more the more the sand slipped between her fingers. She was frustrated now why did Milind have to be driving by her car when her car collapsed. Could Neev have leaked the information she had thought countless times. But she remembered him being with her the entire time at a conference that day, he had not gone away even for a split second still trying to act syrupy sweet to her. She knew there had been a glich but where exactly was what she could not pin down. Anyways there was always a next time. Lost in her thoughts she descended the spiral staircase to the main hall. There at the doorway she saw Milind helping Prachi in the house.
?Thehro beta? Premlata?s voice had echoed in distance ?Mujhey tum dono ki aarti utaarney do? and they had both assented smiling as the latter performed the aarti with fervour. ?Tum dono thak gaye hogey Milind tum issey kamrey main leykar jao main soup leykar aati huun.? Directing them to their room she had been off to the kitchen herself. Placing his strong arm around Prachi supporting her he waited patiently while she weakly stepped forward. ?Tuu upper tak..? he had asked worriedly, his voice filled with concern . ?Main theek huun Milind .? she had assured him only to stagger in the next instant. Shaking his head in disapproval Milind had swept her frail figure in his Herculean arms and had walked past a shocked Ayesha?they obviously hadn?t even noticed her their eyes fixed on each other a serenity etched on both faces.
Placing her on the bed he had made her comfortable arranging a stack of cushions around her . ?Tuu kuch kha ley phir dawai ka waqt ho jayega .? he had checked his wrist watch the umpteenth time. ?Aap kyun itna pareshaan hain Milind ..ab to main ghar bhi aa gayi huun ?phir? she could not understand his skeptic behaviour. It was true he held himself responsible for her accident but it was not his fault that the car?s brakes had failed, perplexed she had questioned him. Ramu Kaka entered just then sparing him from a much awaited reply ?Saab bitiya key liye soup.? he had informed handing him the bowl. He had then seated himself by her side ?Ab chal yeh pii ley ..? he had said dipping the spoon in the piping hot liquid, sensing it not fit for her to drink yet, he had slowly blown it to cool it down a bit before extending it to her lips. Watching her stare at him had rendered him conscious of his act.. ?Kiya hua?? he questioned her silent form. ? Kuch nahin? she had answered , her lips quivered as she blinked back tears . ?Kiya hua Prachi? Dard ho raha hai kiya? Main doctor ko bulaun ?? he had enquired his forehead creased with worry lines. ?Nahin Milind main theek huun .? she insisted causing him to calm down a bit ?Bas yeh soch rahi thi keh aap ko meri kitni fikr hai, agar yeh sab is accident ki wajah sey hua hai to kaash keh yeh accident pehley hi..? she could not complete her sentence as he had placed his hand over her lips. ?Nahin Prachi aisa sochna bhi mat. Tuu merey liye kiya hai yeh mainey ab jaana hai, us pal jab us doctor ney mujhey kaha agar tujhey hosh nahin aaya to ..to tuu?..tab mujhey laga meri zindagi hi khatam ho jayegi.? Composing himself he tucked back her silken strand behind her ear. ?Ab to yeh bhi thanda ho gaya jaldi pii ley iss sey pehley keh Maa aa jaye or dono ko daant parey? he laughed humorously as she sipped up the soup willingly.
That night after dinner he had thought of taking a walk in the lawn in a hope to clear his mind of the current track of events. Breathing a lungful of fresh air he closed his eyes to drift in the coolness of the night . Everything looked perfect today the still water of the pool, the low sounds of crickets hidden amongst the deep emerald foliage, the flush of lights emitting from the flood lights . He was tranced by the beauty of it all when he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder, he turned around to see Milind . ?Tum yahaan kiya ker rahey ho?? ?Terey se baat kerni thi? he had replied coolly advancing a few steps , his shoes scraping against the wooden planks of the bridge. ?Prachi ki gari key brakes fail ho gaye hain tereyko kaisey pata ?? he had asked straightaway. Neev had looked at him hard ?Tum sey matlab ..mujhey pata chala mainey bata diya bas.? ?Wohi to puch raha huun kaisey pata chala tujhey?? his voice now indicated a hardness , the pressure on Neev?s shoulder had increased slightly. ?Sunna chahtey ho tum sacchai?? he had smiled bitterly .. ?Mujhey yeh tumhari pyaari Ayesha ney bataya?bataya hii nahin balkeh woh to Prachi key marney per celebrate bhi kerney waali thi.? He was laughing now. ?Kiya bakwaas ker raha hai tuu? Milind had snapped forcefully ?Ayesha yeh kyun kareygi.? He could not believe this crap. ?Haan Ayesha kyun kareygi? Neev had rubbed in ?Shuker kero Milind keh us din mainey tumhain phone ker diya warna aaj tumhari Prachi swargwasi ho chuki hoti " shaking himself free of his iron grasp he had started to walk away when suddenly he turned around to add ?Or haan agar aagey bhi uski khairiyat chahtey ho to usey Ayesha sey duur rakhna , who to paagal ho chuki hai tumhain paaney ka junoon uski jaan to ley gaa hii lekin uskey saath kitni or jaanain jaayeingi iska andaaza to mujhey bhi nahin.? And he had strutted off to the house. ?Ayesha? his lips whispered did she really do this?.but there was no answer to the question only the gloom of the dark night lingered on.
Part14
Milind lay in his darkened bedroom remembering the past . There was a distinct reality about the way Neev had accused Ayesha of trying to harm Prachi and it disturbed him. He had known Ayesha since long and he knew her inside out. He knew she was rough and always ended up doing what she wanted. He knew she loved him but above all he knew that she hated Prachi because he had married her. He had never bothered to think about Ayesha ever since Prachi had filled the void in his life and heart.He had thought he loved Ayesha but all his paths led him to Prachi. No matter where he went, what he did or what he thought it always started and ended with Prachi. Over the last couple of months he had undergone an incredible change he thought he knew himself , his heart and his soul yet he had been proved wrong. It turned out Prachi had known him better than himself. She knew what troubled him, pleased him or irritated him so much so that she had gone to great lengths to comfort him, soothe him and to avert any possible harm or impending danger to him. He gazed back lovingly at her frail figure sleeping peacefully under the influence of drugs. Could he let her go now? Could he let Ayesha or anyone else harm her? No came an instant reply from within.He would not let anyone place a finger on her.He wondered whether she loved him, he himself had started doing so long back but had never found the courage to own it up to her.Someday he promised closing his eyes he would tell her how he felt?..someday.
Breakfast was the usual affair with the table buzzing with voices.It was the first time in a week that she was joining her family for the first meal of the day. Milind had not allowed her to stray out of their room without his permission or his company and she had willingly complied. The past week was one filled with surprises ,she had talked Milind in meeting with Saket and he had agreed on the condition that he would not be keeping him in any dark regarding Sukriti?s past.
?Mujhey bhi to pata chaley uski asshiqui ki inteha agar who Sukriti sey waqai pyaar kerta hai to usey iss bachey ko bhi apnana pareyga? he had said firmly not leaving any ground for argument. He was still not on talking terms with Sukriti but a meeting had been arranged by her between him and Saket and she hoped it would turn out to be one with a promising future, for both Sukriti and Rhitwik. ?Prachi nashta ker liya tuuney?? Milind?s voice had brought her back to the present. ?Milind mujhey bhuuk nahin hai? she had answered. ?Kyun?teri tabiyat to theek haina?? Milind had asked placing his hand on her forehead in an attempt to check her temperature. ?Main bilkul theek huun abhi aapkey office ka time ho gaya hai aapko der ho jayegi , main aapki cheezain laa deti huun.?she rose to her feet ?Mujhey der nahin ho rahi tuu bata tuu nashta kyun nahin ker rahi?? he had outrightly rejected her excuse gently pulling her back to her chair . ?Woh aaj karva chaut hai na ?.mera vrath hai?iss liye? she had finally confessed though she knew what was up next. ?Kyun rakha vrath ?? he had asked vehemently ?Apni tabiyat ki fikar hii nahin?.tujhey kuch ho gaya to? he was complaining now. ?Milind kuch nahin hoga issey tum chinta mat kero mainey doctor sey phone per puch liya tha, unhon ney kaha keh Prachi vrath rakh sakti hai.? Daadi had tried reassuring him. But he still seemed perplexed and had ordered her not to do any housework or indulge in any activity the entire day. His exasperation had left both Premlata and Daadi in splits, and both had hoped that the strong bond that had formed between them would remain forever.
Seated on the far left of the dining table Ayesha had witnessed this entire ordeal tight lipped, enraged at the pace on which Milind was being drawn towards Prachi. At this rate she had realized it wouldn?t be long before she would lose all command on him. No she could not let this happen, she had to put a stop to it?but how was a question that puzzled her. She knew Milind had started ignoring her and any pep talk on her part would not alter his decisions, she needed a soild plan. One that would remove Prachi from Milind?s life forever. Determined to find a solution she had driven to the office.She needed to sign a few important documents which had to be dispatched soon. A mutual contract between Shah Industries and Infinity Group regarding a sea front hotel project. The project was a multi million affair and the sooner it was put on the map the better it was for her business.Parking her car she hurried over to her cabin walking through the starkly modern reception lobby. Flicking through the files she atlast found the one reagarding the Project and proceeded to read the details, satisfied she inked her name on the dotted line now she just needed Milind?s signatures and all would be settled?atleast in business she had thought. Walking upto his cabin she had barged in regardless of any qualms on Milind?s part. Stepping inside she found him deep in conversation with Mr Kapoor his lawyer, they both had looked up stopping in mid conversation.
?Koi kaam hai Ayesha?? Milind had enquired visibly irritated. ?Yeh papers sign kerwaaney they aaj hi bhijwa dein to acha hai.? She had replied unmoved by his grimace. ?Sir phir main chalun " Mr Kapoor had asked . ?Nahin aap bethiye? Milind had negated his proposed action .?Papers?? he had stretched his hand to retrieve the file from her hands. Signing his name under hers he had handed it back to her. ?Haan to Mr Kapoor main chah raha tha keh aap eik baar unkey lawyer sey mil lain we will then think of a mutual agreement.? he had resumed with his conversation. ?Yes Sir I think this is possible main aaj hii un sey appointment fix ker leta huun?.?Good and give me an update soon?. Standing up to leave Mr Kapoor had turned around again in remembrance .?Sir kal court main divorce papers file kerney ki last date hai phir shayad Diwali key baad hi possible ho.? The words had left a varied impression on all present in the room.
?Mr Kapoor main iss baarey main aap sey baad main baat karunga.? Milind had answered sharply and Mr Kapoor having taken the hint exited the cabin. ?Oh to tuu uss Prachi ko divorce deney waala hai Milind.? She could not believe what she had just heard was true , a wide smile spreading on her face. ?Main kis key saath kiya kerta huun Ayesha is sey tera koi vaasta nahin, khaas ker Prachi sey to bilkul nahin?. ?Haan mera us sey koi vaasta nahin Milind lekin tujh sey hai? she was now thoroughly annoyed by his rigidity towards her. ?Ayesha please!? he had raised his hand in exasperation stopping her from advancing further . ?Main kuch sunna nahin chahta.? ?Eik waqt tha Milind keh tuu sirf meri awaz sunney key liye mujhey kayi baar phone kiya kerta tha or aaj uss Prachi key liye tujhey meri awaz bhi sunna pasand nahin.Aaj tuu bhalley hii meri baat na sun Milind lekin eik waqt aisa bhi aayega jab tujhey suuney key liye sirf main rahungi or koi nahin.? He could see her eyes ablaze , hatred flashing through them. ?Ayesha agar teri wajah sey Prachi ko kuch bhi hua to..? he was now threatening her. ?Uss Prachi ko to main teri zindagi sey nikaal ker hii rahungi Milind , aaj nahin to kal lekin yeh zarur hoga.? Saying so she had left his office in a huff slamming the door shut behing her. He had underestimated her hatred for Prachi, the magnitude of her animosity towards Prachi was now very much clear to him. Stomping away to her own office Ayesha had vowed that this karvachaut would be the first and last for Prachi.
Prachi had been waiting since long now, she knew Milind would not delay his arrival deliberately yet she felt faint and wished he would come soon. Walking back to the waistlength wall of the terrace she had peered down in an attempt to find him. The cool night breeze blew gently blowing her hair like wisps of silken thread. She had taken extra care to get prepared for this momentous occasion. She had worn the sari adorned by her on her wedding day, the crimson and the gold combination had blessed her an aurous glow. Her hands rang with the melody of the crimson bangles complete with the heavy kundan bracelets her father had lovingly gifted to her.An equisite kundan and ruby necklace adorned her neck with matching earrings to compliment. She studied the contents of the bronze platter in her hand, everything was there?everything but where was he? Slowly she ran her fingers on the beaded black mangulsutar worn by her, she had touched it lovingly smiling at the reminiscence of her wedding night. They had come a long way since then , she heard footsteps bounding the stairs in haste..he was here. Turning around she saw him step on the terrace his eyes scouring it till they found her, a relieved smile spread on his face. His head bent he walked slowly upto her. ?Der ho gayi..? he had apologized smiling sheepishly ,his eyes twinkling. ?Koi baat nahin ?der sey sahi aap aaye to.?
His head had immediately shot up the twinkle in his eyes deepening ,portraying them as burning bits of coal. How could anyone be so genuinely pure at heart he had wondered, watching her perform the aarti. She had looked etheral to him, a deep longing had engulfed him now as he watched her dainty form .The wind ruffled his wild curls as he bent his forehead to receive the tilak , taking a glance at the full moon she had silently prayed for them ?.to be together?.forever.Closing her eyes she had placed the sieve afore her turning back to where he stood ,slowly she had opened them to watch him through it smiling at her. She had smiled too shyly as he held the copper container to her lips the water had felt like elixir to her, she stood still as he wiped a few stray drops from her lips his touch sparking a whole new sensation in her blood.
?Prachi main jaldi main terey liye koi gift nahin laaya..? he had confessed. Just then the door to the terrace had opened and Ayesha had walked in with Neev, dressed in a crimson sari clutching her aarti platter she had joined them in a blink of an eye. ?Chal Prachi? , Milind had said steering her to the door when Ayesha had cut in. ?Arey Milind teri Prachi ka pehla karvachaut hai or tuuney usey koi gift bhi nahin dii. Ch Ch Ch, kiya socheygi bechari aakhir ye iss ka pehla or aakhri karvachaut hai?koi na koi gift to milni hii chahiye bechari ko umer bhar iss karvachaut ko yaad rakhney key liye.? Chuckling softly she had reprimanded Milind.
?Apni bakwaas band ker Ayesha , chal Prachi? it was now difficult for Milind to control his temper. ?Meri bakwaas to band ho jayegi Milind lekin tuu Prachi ko yeh divorce papers to dey de jo tuuney iskey liye itney pyaar sey banwaye hain.? Prachi had looked up in shock as Ayesha produced a black file and thrust it in her hands. ?Parh ley Prachi, itni angraizi to tujhey aati hii hogi or agar nahin parh sakti to Milind sey parhwa ley, haan chawl main zarur parhai kii hai issney lekin angraizi eik dum mast aati hai issko.? Opening up the file Prachi was dumbfounded to see that it was indeed a divorce plea from Milind to her, closing the file she had looked up to see a devastated Milind stare at her in a daze. Silently she tore herself away from him and ran to her room, closing the door behind her.
Of all that she had endured for him he still had not trusted her enough to spend the rest of his life with her. She knew Ayesha still had a strong hold over Milind and she herself was not more than a mere mockery of the title she held of being his wife. Hot tears rolled down her cheeks as she sobbed convulsively, did this have to end this way? If he had planned on separating ways why not tell her then? Why act as if she meant the world to her? Maybe because she had been ill and he had not wanted any harm to come to her. Assuming this as the correct explanation she had made up her mind to do as he pleased. If divorce was what he wished he would have it even if it meant silent death on her part. The bedroom door opened with a slight push. Milind had followed her to the bedroom with heavy steps , how would he face her now? How would he explain all this as a huge mistake? He cursed the moment Ayesha had entered his life, gathering up all his courage he had walked in ?Prachi yeh papers?.dekh waisa nahin hai jaisa tuu samajh rahi hai? he was trying to put together the scrambled words of apology in his mind. ?Milind mujhey aap sey koi shikayat nahin hai aap ney wohi kiya jo aapko sahi laga. Aakhir mainey aaj tak diya hii kiya hai aapko. Na koi khushi, na hi koi umeed.? she was now standing facing him. Her tear stained face a picture of perfect agony, pain writ clearly over it, he could not believe this was happening. He had always considered her to be the more reasonable and clear headed of the two , yet here she stood telling him that it was perfectly natural for him to divorce her.
He looked at her mortified to the core, did she really mean all this rubbish. He had tried consoling her taking her hand in his but she had withdrawn it immediately , her flinching act had not gone unnoticed by him. ?Dekh Prachi yeh sach hai keh yeh papers mainey banwaye hain, yeh bhi sach hai keh main tujhey divorce dena chahta tha lekin tab mera ghussa merey dimagh per haavi tha. Mujhey laga keh tuuney Rhitvik ki sacchai mujh sey chupa ker mujhey dhoka diya hai lekin tuuney yeh sab sirf Sukriti key liye kiya tha. Jab mujhey iss baat ka ehsaas hua tab tak main papers key baarey main bhuul chukka tha. Aaj Ayesha ney merey cabin main aa ker merey lawyer ki baat sun li or ghalat matlab nikaal liya.Lekin aaj in papers ki mujhey koi zarurat nahin?
He had paused as her glassed eyes had met his worried ones, ripping the papers from the file he had shred them to bits. ?Main nahin jaanta keh teri zindagi main meri kiya ehmiat hai, lekin itna zarur jaanta huun keh terey saath ab mera eik rishta hai or who rishta main torna nahin chahta.Terey saath eik baar zabardasti ker chukka huun or uskey liye aaj tak sharminda huun ab dobara aisi ghalati nahin kerunga. Jab tak tuu khud nahin chaheygi main tujhey haath tak nahin lagaunga.? He had not waited to see her eyes follow his masculine form to the doorway as he strode out of the room. ?Milind!? a hushed whisper escaped her lips as he vanished in the hallway, the open windows allowed the night breeze to blow the shredded paper away as dried leaves in a storm.She sat down on her bed in defeat, why did she not see the truth. How could she hurt him, she would have to make up for this blunder. Wiping away her tears she had called the manager of Continental Hotel one of Milind?s favourites. ?I hope aap samajh gaye hongey keh main kiya chah rahi huun.? She had talked in the mouthpiece , ?Yes ma?am everything will be done.? The other person had assured her, ?Theek hai main puhunch rahi huun.? Replacing the phone she had smiled everything will be all right now, she hoped the night would go as she had planned then Milind would have no excuse to remain upset with her.
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