FINAL
"Milind…muje aise nahi jana chahiye tha…" she said,
Milind remained silent, "Prachi…" he said finally, defeat clear in his voice, "Tum jana chahati thi, bas meri hi zidh thi ke main kuch samaj nahi paaya…"
"Nahi Milind, aap aise mat kahiye…"
"To kya kahu main Prachi? Tumhi baatao, tumhe mera pyaar manzoor nahi, to na sahi, magar tumne kisi aur ke bare me bhi nahi socha, sub kitne pareshaan hai…maa ki halat to tumne dekhi hi hogi…" he was furious but attempted to level his voice. He didn't want to frighten her again.
"Prachi, main chahta hoon ke tum kuch ho…shayad maine socha ke woh kushi hum saat main dhoon sake, lekin Prachi, jis baat ke liye tumhara dil manzoori nahi dehta woh main tumpe majburi se nahi thope sakta."
"Milind…aap meri baat to suniye…"
"Nahi Prachi, main nahi chahata ke tum kal ja ke ye socho, ke tumne mujburi main mere saat samjota kiya…tumhe waqt ki zaroorat hai…to main tumhe azaad kar tha hoon…"
"Milind, mera kal jaisa bhi ho…main usse aap ke saat bitana chahati hoon…" she said sincerely, he spun to look at her. His forehead creasing in confusion, "Shayad waqt badal gaya Milind aur us ke saat main bhi, lekin main yaadon se pyaar nahi karna chahti, main aap ke saat nayi yaadein banana chahti hoon. Aap ne kahata na…ke bas ek baar haath badhavo…" she extended her hand towards him and he looked down at her, hardly trusting his own ears. Had he heard her correctly, "Milind, jitney dino me maine aap ko jana, pechaana…main aap ke taraf khichi chali aayi, lekin main aapne aap main itni ulji hui thi ke main iss ko jaan hi nahi paayi…agar maine aaj aap se kuch na kaha to shayad meri zindigi main is se badi galti koi nahi…muje shayad kuch aur yaad na aaye, lekin aap ke hote hue, muje un ki koi zaroorat nahi"
He slipped his hand into her silently and pulled her to him, his tears melting into hers. He kissed her long and slow, tracing her jaw with his thumb.
ONE YEAR LATER
She stretched languidly against his body, yawning, and turned to look at him, his eyes were still closed. It was spring and the sun shone brighter than before. Her eyes felt heavy again, she felt drowsy. She felt him move and he struggled to open his eyes. She laughed to herself when he squinted against the sun.
"Hey…" he said sleepily and pulled her back to him, gently nipping at her neck. "Kush ho?" he awoke every morning with that question
"uh uh…"
"Acha?" He mumbled into her ear and pulled her close. His hand running under the silk of her night robe until it met with the smoothness of her skin. A smile formed on his lips as he heard her gasp when he grazed the back of his hand against her stomach. He held her firmly with his free hand as she tried to wriggle free.
"Milind…"she whispered, "Muje chodiye na…"
He released her, immediately her eyes showed disappointment not unnoticed by Milind. He kissed her, she sighed against his mouth, closing her eyes. He pulled back "Prachi, tumhe kahi jana tha na…?" he laughed as she buried her head in his shoulder, squirming.
She lifted her head to look at him; she smiled and was still quite unable to believe he was hers. She traced the natural curve of his lips with her finger. Milind pressed a kiss against it.
Promptly he grabbed her arm, rolling her beneath him; he bent to kiss the hollow of her throat. He reached under her robe again opening it, and felt her peak under his caress. His hands explored her body; evoking response at his touch, warmth flooded her. She spread her hands against his back as she arched, pulling him closer. "Milind…"she gasped into his ear, pulling his t-shirt over his body. His damp body now in contact with hers, they moved rhythmically until he felt Prachi tighten around him and cry out.
He watched her sleep for a long while, for this was a first, she was always awake before him, and stroking her long tresses, until his own eyelids drooped, he surrendered too.
Milind and Prachi left for the office, she had begun accompanying him regularly having finished the ashram project with Neev. She liked having something to do, but often felt as though she was neglecting Ritwik, Milind assured her this was not the case. The day was lagging and Prachi often found herself staring out of her office towards Milind's. The glass offices meant that Milind would often catch her staring, and would wink at her during her meetings, rendering her speechless.
Today he was working though; he didn't look up at her once, bending gracefully over his desk, his face animated. Her heart swelled, she felt as though someone had piled her arms full of treasure. She thought about the past year and how much had changed, she had not recovered her memories fully, but did not mind, she had grown to accept her family and they in return accepted her as she was. Her present was more important, her life with Milind was more important. She still saw Mr Sharma and Jhanvi regularly but thankfully never had to Ayesha again as Neev had promised to kee her away. She missed Jhanvi dearly, but she was always only a phone call away.
She saw the clients leave his office, smoothing down her hair and clothes, she walked past his office. He looked up, expecting her to come in, when she did not, he followed her. He found her waiting in an abandoned corridor, her back against the wall, she knew he would come. He grinned and walked towards her, his arms encircling her waist as he met her. She smiled up at him, as he pressed a light kiss on her nose. She tiptoed to reach his lips, Milind held her up with arm. His hand cupping the side of her face, Prachi leaned into him. He kissed her hard on the mouth, his fingers tangled in her hair, she was clinging to him, wanting more, needing more. He broke away, breathless but an amused smile appearing on his lips, his eyes questioning.
"Milind…" she said, huskily, "Ghar chale…"
"Prachi…" he stared at her, assessing her, "Tum theek to ho?"
She turned scarlet, as Milind pulled her into a fierce embrace, tucking her head under his chin.
"Khayaal to bauhat acha hai…lekin, Prachi…aaj bauhat kaam hai."
She looked disappointed but smiled anyway, "Waise, main ghar ja rahi thi, to maine socha aap bhi aana chahenge…"
He raised an eyebrow, "Shaam ko jaldi aaounga…" he whispered against her ear.
She fet his phone vibrate against her hip, and he picked up, speaking to someone who she assumed was his assistant, "Haan, main…" she kissed him,
"Bas, aa…" she kissed him again, "Raha hoon…" he put the phone down,
"Prachi…" his mouth twitching at the onset of laughter, "Kya hogaya hai tumhe?"
"Milind!" she smacked her palm against his shoulder. Grabbing her hand, he held it as they walked back to their offices.
Later that evening, Prachi was putting Ritwik to sleep, when her phone rang, "Prachi, terrace pe aao…" It was Milind.
She checked herself in the mirror; she had worn a turqiose sari she had found in the wardrobe. She had a strong desire to wear that particular one. She didn't know why.
She went up, the entire terrace was surrounded by roses, all blue, he knew those were her favourites. Her smile widened as she spotted Milind by one of the walls, looking out at the world. She walked up behind him, slipping her arms around his waist and resting her head on his back, he was wearing new cologne and the scent over powered her senses. He held her hands and turned around; he looked at her for a moment. She looked stunning, even more so than he usually found her. He shook his head in appreciation and kissed her forehead.
"Milind…yeh sab…?" she said stepping away
"Tumhare liye…"
She laughed, "Nahi to…maa ke liye?"
"Prachi, tumhe hamesha maa ki yaad kyun aati hai…?"
"Pata nahi, kya maine aise pehle kaha tha kuch?"
"Yaad diladu?" he stepped back in front of and kiss her full on the mouth, she moved away again, feeling slightly ill.
"Prachi…kya hua?"
"Milind, kuch ajeeb sa lag raha hai…mann me behchaini si…" his arms went out to her and she heaved silently, running back downstairs. He went after her; she was already in the bathroom, hunched by the sink. With her body shaking and breathing heavily, she wiped her face with a wet towel. Milind came in, but she told him to stay back…"Shayad aap ka aftershave…"
He told her to rest and said he would shower to wash the smell off him.
Milind stayed home from the office that day to stay with Prachi; she was still sleeping and he took the time to play with Ritwik. He thought about Sukriti and what she was missing with her child, but they had never stopped her from visiting him, which she did often.
Prachi awoke to find him playing catch with Ritwik; she smiled but suddenly rushed back to the bathroom. Perhaps she had caught a stomach bug.
Milind suggested they go to the doctor, he wrapped his arms around her but she felt incredibly sensitive and burst into tears.
"Hey… Prachi…jaan…" he soothed, "Tayaar ho jao, hum abhi chalte hai."
He went to dop Ritwik with Premlata, explaining to her what had occurred. She smiled to herself but didn't say anything.
They walked out of the doctor's, Prachi was still in shock, and she walked a few paces behind Milind. He turned to look at her and they stared at her each, eyes locked in anxious uncertainty when they laughed, striding up to her he swept her up in his arms and spun her.
He placed her down and pulled her into his arms, "Prachi…" he said, "I love you…" she didn't shy away this time, she held onto him even tighter. "Thank you Milind…" she said, wiping her eyes. She covered her mouth with her hand, hardly believing it. She was going to be a mother.
😊
Edited by zcbcc34 - 17 years ago
Cricket
