Chapter 8 – Dil Karda eh
Dedicated to Hunterz: Phat Trax Vol 1
Please ignore my little knowledge about cars. The vehicle mentioned has only been conceptualized (I think).
The only C-Metisse available in this part of the world was cruising the streets of Turkey and all the eye balls were getting glued to it as it passed by. That was only natural considering that Milind had it specifically built for himself before most of the world got a glimpse of its first model. People of Turkey had never seen such a mean machine. He had seen the concept for the first time at the Paris Motor Show last year when he was there for a meeting. He didn't particularly have a liking for cars. But his business associate was very eager to attend the show and he had went along on invitation. When he saw it for the first time he decided that he simply had to have it. Now he was in love with the car. He treated it almost like some people would treat their pets. It was part of his family. That made no sense, so he never shared that little piece of information with anyone. After all he had an image to maintain. But he never let anyone else drive it. Besides, he didn't like being driven around. He liked being in control of his own wheels.
Milind was a go-getter. And that was a very desired attribute in business. His success story was quite extraordinary, but to him, it was simply necessity that drove him to such heights. He came to Turkey with a desperate desire to make as much money as possible within the shortest amount of time. He himself didn't know when he would be able to achieve his goal so he didn't set a limit for himself. He was proud about the fact that he hadn't resorted to any underhanded, or illegal activities. He was where he was solely due to his careful planning, full proof strategies and most importantly, his hard-work and dedication. But being successful was only a milestone. His goals were still a distance away. Yet the hard part was now over. What lay next was simply executing his perfect plan and the beginning of that plan had started with the email he sent to Ayesha. He was confident that it would have had the desired effect. He smiled at his own presumed victory. His heart had cried long enough. Now it was time for him to have the last laugh.
He glanced at the file sitting next to him on the passenger seat. He opened it and took out the photograph. He stared hard at the enlarged photograph. She was pretty. Beautiful actually. Her smile was contagious. It lit up her eyes. And even though the flash from the camera made a glaring reflection in her eyes, the green specks in between the hazel of her iris was clearly visible, or was it that Milind was just staring at her eyes for too long. He broke the contact with those bewitching eyes and concentrated on the road ahead. But at that moment, as if on cue, his ipod, which was hooked up to his ride, shuffled to a Punjabi remix. He didn't remember adding this song to his playlist but the words seemed to be specific to him. It went something like "Dil Karda eh…Dil Karda eh..Dil Karda eh tere doh naina vich doobta jaavan" (my heart wishes to drown in your two eyes). Milind was a bit taken aback by this eerie coincidence. He looked back at the photo he had carelessly thrown back at the seat, hoping to steal a glance at those eyes again. But the picture had turned upside down and there it was written on the back the name of the owner of those bewitching eyes, Prachi Inder Shah.
Chapter 9 – Divine Guidance
Dedicated to my friend and guide
Ayesha usually left for work earlier than necessary and Prachi needed to make sure she didn't leave before talking to her. So she came down for breakfast and everyone has been surprised by the change in her routine. Ayesha however, knew that Prachi had come to talk to her. She had witnessed the conversation between PL and Prachi last night. She didn't want to eavesdrop but she needed to make sure Prachi was going to be ok. But Prachi had reacted much calmer than she had expected. And Ayesha didn't' know if this was a good thing of bad. She might have felt reassured if Prachi had yelled and screamed or at least talked it out with her mother. But Prachi had been rather silent, and Ayesha didn't feel that it was good sign.
Prachi sat next to Ayesha at the dining table, which she never did unless she had no other place to sit. As soon as PL was out of earshot, Prachi had asked her "When did you get his message?". Ayesha gulped her sandwich and replied "Yesterday". "When is he coming?" Prachi has asked immediately without waiting for Ayesha's reply. Ayesha actually didn't know that detail. And Prachi seemed frustrated by this.
Neev had observed the two sisters that morning. It had seemed odd to him when Prachi came down for breakfast. But he was certain that something was cooking when Prachi had chosen to sit next to Ayesha. He couldn't help overhearing them. Yet sadly, he had no clue what they were saying. He had heard every word but it just seemed to him that they were talking in some secret code language. He gave up trying to guess what the fuss was about. He thought of asking Prachi what the matter was, but then talked himself out of it. Prachi was, a bit volatile, if you could put it that way. It was better to try his luck with Ayesha but that too was no easy task. And PL had given him the perfect opportunity. She had suggested that since both of them were leaving to work at the same time, they should go together, as PL needed a car to run some errands. PL's car had gone for repair two days ago and still was not back.
Ayesha never went to work with Neev even though they were going to the same place, at almost around the same time. The primary reason being that Neev always took forever to get ready. Ayesha valued time a lot and usually showed up at work even before most of her employees and Neev would stroll in at his leisure. This annoyed Ayesha to no extent but she had to admit that Neev was an asset to the company. He had excellent communication skills and the employees loved him. She commanded more fear from her employees than Neev. But Neev had been very useful in resolving the issues between administration and the workers. That was the only reason she tolerated his lateness and let it pass. But today PL had asked for her car and she couldn't refuse her. So she ended up going with Neev, but the guy drove so slow.
"Tu isse dheere gaadi chala sakta hai?" Ayesha had questioned sarcastically. Neev brought an instant smile to his face (the one that drove Ayesha mad with fury) and said "haan, haan, ofcourse chala sakta hoon". "Anything for you darling". He slowed the car down to the speed of a rikshaw and asked "yeh speed chalegi malikaaye-aalam ke liye?" Ayesha just rolled her eyes. "Waise mujhe yeh samajh mein nahi aaya ki aaj Prachi aur tumme itna pyar kahan se jag utha". "Breakfast pe tum dono love birds ki tarah sir takraye, kiske aane ki baat kar rahe the?". Ayesha just shot him a disgusted glance and said "tu apne kaam se matlab rakh, samjha". Neev replied casually "malikaye aalam hum apne hi kaam se matlab rakh rahe hain, aap hamari malika hai toh aap se judi har baat hamare matlab ki huyi ke nahi". Ayesha had had enough of this. She told him to stop the car and got down. And Neev kept yelling behind her "lekin Jaanu, office nahi jaana kya?". She ignored him and calmed her mind down. Then she took a white scarf out of her bag and walked into the church in front of which she had gotten off.
English translations for the Hindi dialogs are at bottom of post
Neev was not surprised that Ayesha had gotten off mid-way. But he was surprised that instead of getting into a taxi she had walked into the church. Ayesha was a workaholic who gave a lot of importance to punctuality and today she seemed to have something more important to do than going to work. He simply had to find out what was going on. He parked his car and headed to the church.
Ayesha walked into the empty church and sat in one of the benches in the middle. She remembered the first time she had set foot in the church she had been awed by the domed ceiling and the paintings. The light that streamed though the stained glasses was multi colored and had immediately captured little Ayesha's imagination. As she stood with Ruth during mass she kept staring at the tiny particles that only were visible in the light but disappeared as they came out of the light. Ruth had told her that it was God's light and the things that hide in the dark become visible under God's light. Ofcourse she had believed it then, but as she grew up she realized that theory was wrong. She had also found out that Ruth had been appointed by her father to care for her. She was merely and employee doing her job and earning money for sweet talking to her. But the lady had passed away before Ayesha had a chance to ask her if all the concern she showed towards her was simply for her father's money.
Though she believed Ruth to be a liar, she had gotten used to coming to church with her. Even after the old lady passed away, Ayesha came here often, especially when she needed guidance. And today she needed it. She needed to figure out a way to make things right. She knew Milind would come in a matter of days and then it would be too late to intervene. She needed to think of something soon but she drew up a blank every time. She closed her eyes and prayed. Then she opened one of the bibles sitting in the stack, and the passage she got was probably the most popular passage in the book . 1 Corinthians 13. She read from verse 4 which she knew is what she was meant to read
"Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one.
Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude;
never selfish, not quick to take offense.
There is nothing love cannot face;
there is no limit to its faith,
its hope, and endurance.
In a word, there are three things
that last forever: faith, hope, and love;
but the greatest of them all is love."
She looked up and saw the candles ablaze at the altar. She closed the bible and walked up and lighted a candle and said a quick prayer. She thanked God for showing her what she needed to do. She turned around and walked out with a confident smile.
Neev had walked toward the church but he stopped at the door. He had never entered a church before. He had seen Ayesha sitting towards the middle of the church and she was reading, what he thought must be a Bible. Then she walked up and lit a candle and turned around. Ayesha didn't notices him as she had her eyes downcast. She had a smile on her face. Neev couldn't remember when he had last seen his wife smile. Had he ever?? He had also never seen her so modest. The white scarf that hugged her face gave an angelic aura around her. Whenever Ayesha had come in front of him, she had stared directly into his eyes and he often found her gaze unnerving. He had never seen her facial expression soften like he had seen today, as she walked out of the church. He had just stood there watching her. For the first time, he thought she looked beautiful.
Up next: Milind arrives in India
[code] Translations:"Tu isse dheere gaadi chala sakta hai?" Can you drive any slower?? Ayesha had questioned sarcastically. Neev brought an instant smile to his face (the one that drove Ayesha mad with fury) and said "haan, haan, ofcourse chala sakta hoon" yes, yes ofcourse i can. "Anything for you darling". He slowed the car down to the speed of a rikshaw and asked "yeh speed chalegi malikaaye-aalam ke liye?" Is this slow enough for my queen? Ayesha just rolled her eyes. "Waise mujhe yeh samajh mein nahi aaya ki aaj Prachi aur tumme itna pyar kahan se jag utha". By the way i don't understand how all of a sudden Prachi and you seems to be in so much love "Breakfast pe tum dono love birds ki tarah sir takraye, kiske aane ki baat kar rahe the?" Who's arrival were you talking about at breakfast?. Ayesha just shot him a disgusted glance and said "tu apne kaam se matlab rakh, samjha" You should mind your own business. Neev replied casually "malikaye aalam hum apne hi kaam se matlab rakh rahe hain, aap hamari malika hai toh aap se judi har baat hamare matlab ki huyi ke nahi" My dear queen, i am minding my business, since you are my queen everything related to you is my business. Ayesha had had enough of this. She told him to stop the car and got down. And Neev kept yelling behind her "lekin Jaanu, office nahi jaana kya?" But jaanu are you not going to the office?. She ignored him and calmed her mind down. Then she took a white scarf out of her bag and walked into the church in front of which she had gotten off.[/code]
Takhliya
JC
Kumkum Bhagya
Anupamaa
