PART FOUR
(SHORT, SHORT, SHORT)
Prachi began, her voice softening a little, perhaps getting angry wasn't the best tact to use, "Milind, mein jaan ti hu key yeh baat aap ko abhi galat lag rahi hai, lekin aap hi sochiye, mere ghar wale, aap ke baba yeh mane ko tayaar nahin ke Ritwik mera bacha hain…kyun…main Naun Mahine kaise choopa pati aisi baat ko?"
Milind became furious, "Meri behen kyun Prachi? Koi aur nahin mila tuje ilzaam lagane ke liye?" He pushed her away from him, as if touching her burnt his skin.
Prachi refused to be swayed, it was hurting her too. She had promised to keep Sukriti's secret, but was it not the same Sukriti that had urged her to save her marriage. Milind wasn't Niharika or Saket, blood was blood after all and Milind could forgive his sister a thousand sins.
"Zaara sochiye Milind…shayad yus dohraan aap meri zingdagi mein nahi the, toh aap iss baat pe vishwaas naa kare, lekin aap uss raat ko kaise bhool gaye? Mein sirf aapki hoon Milind" Prachi was unsure of how to continue. She couldn't bring herself to say it, but she didn't think her husband was so ignorant as to forget that a girl's first time was special.
Milind's mind was a conflict of emotions; every rational thought urged him not to believe her story. Every irrational thought resisted the urge to gather her in his arms and close his eyes to the world.
Milind paced, balling his fists and his breathing heavy, what should he do? He thought to himself. Prachi placed a tentative hand on his shoulder; he closed his eyes, letting silent tears escape his eyes. He couldn't let her see him like this, quickly he wiped his tears and despite himself he covered his hand over hers. Prachi smiled softly, wiping her own tears.
"Dekh Prachi, mein aab aur nahi kar sakta, thak gaya hoon. Tuje shayad yaad bhi nahin, lekin hum jis tarha pale hai, paisa, jaidaad, aisa kuch mine nahi rakta tha…" He began
"Mine rakti thi toh sirf izzat…kaise bhool sakti hoon mein?" Prachi ended
Milind was taken aback, he hadn't expected her to care, to remember even. "Meh tera yakeen karna chaaha ta hoon, mera maan jaanta hain Prachi, lekin kya karu…agar teri baat sach hai…meri behen kya karegi? Uss ki to sari zindigi barbaad ho jayegi."
Prachi nodded silently, she couldn't believe this was the same Milind talking to her reasonably. She understood his concern, but he still needed proof. "Milind, agar aap ka saath ho, to kise ko kya batana? Hum Ritwik ko apna sakte hai, aap sach jante hai, mere liya itna hi kaafi hoga." Prachi pleaded, her glistening eyes melting into his. She couldn't bear him mistaking her again, she would do anything.
Milind still looked apprehensive, "Koi aisa kyun karega doosro ke liya?!" he asked, his mind in turmoil.
"Yahi too baat hai Milind, aap abhi taak nahi samaje? mere liye to aap mujse alag hi nahi, to doosro ki baat kaisi?" Prachi explained calmly.
Milind's heart pounded in his ears…in spite of himself, he bought Prachi's hand to his chest slowly. "Milind…yeh…kya?" Prachi asked hesitantly.
"Prachi, iss dhadkan ko suno," He looked at her in earnest "aur dhoka bardaast nahin hoga muje…tujse ek baar alag ho key yeh itna sahaim gaya hai, dobara shayad bandh hi ho jaye."
Unashamedly Prachi threw herself into Milind, his arms wrapping around her instinctively, stroking her hair. She cried into his chest, Milind lifted her face, but her eyes remained closed. Gently cupping her face, he kissed her forehead and eyes softly. At this Prachi cried even harder and Milind smiled away his own tears, how silly she was. His strong hold on her was unyielding and Prachi gripping his vest tightly, they stood there in silence, letting the unspoken words between them be understood. Seconds became minutes, minutes became longer, neither willing to break their contact.
Prachi, however broke away first, "Milind…" as she spoke, tears formed in her eyes. "Aap, mere liye?…kaise maafi mangu mein aap se?"
Milind looked anxious again, "Prachi, tu samaj ti hai na? Sub se pehle muje Sukriti se baat karni hogi."
Perhaps her face reflected the fear in her heart, as Milind reached for her hand again and bought it to his lips, "Sari sachai muje khud jaani hogi, Prachi, mein aapne maan mein koi shak nahi rakna chata."
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Edited by zcbcc34 - 17 years ago