PART 5
(Finally, something LONGER!)
They stood in silence, Milind's large hand enveloping Prachi's smaller one. The stared out onto the road, neither wanting to leave, but both knowing they had to. The sound of crunching gravel disrupted their calm; it was the unmistakable hum of an approaching car. Prachi held onto Milind more firmly, afraid of losing him again. He didn't look at her, but held his free hand out towards the road. As the approaching car became closer, their figures were illuminated by the car's lights, the car slowed to a halt.
"Neev?" Milind asked, speaking partly to himself, he quickly released Prachi's hand and ignored her quizzical stare.
Neev got out of the car, looking relieved to see Prachi safe, he exclaimed, "Tum Dono, Yahaan? Milind…tum…qair, tumhari Gadi kaha hain?"
"Gadi ka accident ho gaya Neev, In ka phone bhi us main jal gaya." Prachi exclaimed quickly after a pregnant pause. Milind's scowl returned on seeing Neev, he looked at anything but Prachi. What was happening to him, why was he reacting this way to Neev, when he had promised Prachi to trust her once more?
Neev pretended to disregard the obvious awkwardness of the situation. He started, "Chalo phir, ghar mein sab pareshaan hai." He opened the door for Prachi, she looked at Milind, when he averted his eyes, she got in. "Milind…chalo…" said Neev. After a moment's deliberation, Milind got in the front passenger's seat.
They arrived home, it was very dark as Neev parked up and they made their way indoors. Expecting everyone to be asleep, Prachi was surprised to see her mother rushing towards them.
Premlata gripped Prachi tightly, "Gaha thi tum? Kitne pareshaan ho gaye the hum!" she asked between tears, "Aur tum Milind, meri ek bachi to lapata, uspe mera beta bhi laparva ho gaya?"
Baba intercepted, "Tum dono upar jao apne, apne camre mein, kal subah baat karenge." Premlata open her mouth to protest, but Misraji put his hand up. "Aab jao."
Prachi walked up the dark staircase to her room, she could feel Milind close behind her, but she was unsure of how to behave. Milind's behaviour was so erratic, and Neev's appearance had made him uneasy, she knew that. Prachi went into her room, she went to close the door, Milind stood outside, and he stared at her. She was unable to read his expression and resolved to speak to him again in the morning, closing the door.
Prachi awoke with a start, cold sweat formed on her brow; she could see a shadow in the room. "Kaun hai waha?" she braved from her bed, her hand reaching for the glass at her bedside.
The shadow turned towards her, "Daar mat, mein hoon Prachi."
"Milind, aap, is waqt?" Prachi relinquished her grip on the glass and deeply exhaled a breath she wasn't aware she was holding. She wondered as to why he was there.
"Neend nahi aai, tumse baat karni thi, muje is tarah nahi aana chaiye, I'm sorry." Milind began; preparing to leave his position by the window.
"Nahi, aisi koi baat nahin, mein bhi aap se baat karna chaahat ti thi." Prachi said, getting out of the bed, she wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and walked towards him.
"Dekh, aaj jo hua, jab Neev…"
"Milind, aap mera yakeen karte hai na?" Prachi interrupted, "Mere aur Neev ke beech kuch nahi. Kya maine kabhi aap se Ayesha ki bare mein kaha kuch? Jab woh aap ko chooti hai, aap ke kareeb hoti hai, mere dil jalta hai Milind. Mein maan ti hoon, ke maine Neev ke saath bhi galat kiya, lekin aap meri galti ke liye, uss ko doshi kyun mane?"
Milind lifted the shawl back up to Prachi's shoulders; it had slipped during her monologue, his hand grazing her neck, she shivered under his touch. A small smile touched Milind's lips, he couldn't think what he had to say to her when she was standing this close to him, smelling like that, looking like that, and speaking like that.
Milind could no longer comprehend what had come between them, he had let his pride cloud his judgement before, but he couldn't let his desire for her impair it again. He wanted to proceed with caution this time; he had already been hurt before, he didn't think he could take much more deceit.
As if sensing his anxiety, Prachi held his hand in hers and spoke softly, "Milind, pehle aap ko Sukriti se baat karni chaiye, jab tak aap nahi chahe hum aise hi rahenge. Muje sirf aap ka saath chaiye, muje kitna bhi intazaar karna parde."
"Kahe bina hi tu kaise samaj jati hai?...sirf kal ka din Prachi, phir muje kisi ka daar nahi." Milind kissed her forehead, but she still felt dread in the pit of her stomach. Even if she had Milind's support, what would they tell the family?
"Acha, bauhat der ho gayi hai, mein chal ta hoon." Milind turned to leave.
"Milind…" He stopped, Prachi smiled…"good night."
Milind shook his head, smiling, he exited the room.
😊
xxxxxx
Edited by zcbcc34 - 17 years ago
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