DevAkshi TS-THE HAZY ROADS (COMPLETED)

Dr.Sonakshi Bose put her feet stealthily into Mr.Dev Dixit's room to find what he is upto without taking breakfast and without texting her about their morning plans.Much to her disappointment,Mr.Dixit was no where to be found.The Laptop charger dangling from the switch board and the closet left ajar were enough indicators of the fact-'He has left''.The closet as if had a magnetic pull,attracted Sonakshi to reach out to it and lock it.As her fingers touched the wooden frame she could see an orange piece of cloth peeping out of the shelf as if trying to catch a short glimpse of her staying behind the closet door.Sona blushed with her cheeks getting coloured with several shades of crimson imagining Dev clad in the orange shirt peeping out for her.The fond memories of the confession night made her smile and the smile reached her eyes.She opened the closet tohave a proper look at his shirts and arranged blazers.A sense of belongingness coursed in her veins as she arranged the crumpled orange shirt and touched the soft fabric.Happy tears pooled in her eyes reminiscing the moments they had shared in the rains and took promises to be with each other come what may.Her reverie broke as she heard the Mami's cacophony.''Ye!Bangalan! Yahan kya kar rahi hai?Aur yeh kya ?Dev bte ki shirt se kya chura rahi hai? Teri himmat kaise hui Dev ki geir mahzudgi mein uski kamre mein aane ki?" Sona's ears turned deaf to Radharani's words as she smiled remembering Dev drinking the haldi wala doodh much to chagrin of Mami.Radharani stood with utter confusion looking at Sona's smile wondering if her cacophony sounded as melody to Sona's ears.''Main tujhse kuch puch rahi hoon aur tu nayi dulhan ki tarah sharma rahi hai.Dekh Bangalan!Tu iss ghar mein naukri karti hai aur iss baat ka Dev beta tujhe moti tankha bhi deta hai.Ghar mein naukar chakar hein uske kapde thik karne ke liye.Tujhe uske biwi jaise banne ki jarurat nahin hai.Dactorni hai to jiji ki hi khayal rakh aur jaa apni ghar.Yeh Garib ki beti sab samajhti hai ki kya chal raha hai teri dimaag mein.'' Sona stood quiet to avoid creating any unnecessary drama like before.She quietly left the room.As she descended the stairs she met the person she hated the most related to Dev's life-Vicky,a complete spoilt brat and pain in neck.Vicky's eyes met hers and then started his all perversity.She mentally made a note to let Dev acknowledge about Vicky's misconducts.She went into kitchen leaving Vicky in midway of his nonsensical chatter.She was searching for the displaced fruit salt sachet when came the commotion from dining area.Before she could avoid the noisy disturbance; Ishwari's call made her fumble with the knife.She washed her hands ,pat them dry and presented herself before Ishwari.Ishwari had accusations written all over her face and her dark corneas were filled with vexation.

Ishwari-Nutrition! Tum Dev ke room mein kyun gayi thi?

Sona-Woh Auntyji! Mein matlab mujhe unse baat karni thi.

Mami- Ab yeh Garib ki beti samjhi.Dev to nahin tha kamre mein,isliye tu uske kapde se baat kar rahi thi.Nahin?

Ishwari-Aap thoda chup rahiye Bhabi.Main use puch rahin hoon na.Bolo Nutrition,kya baat karni thi usse?Main to bilkul thik hoon.

Sona-Nahin Auntyji!woh main unko sardi thik karne ki tablet dene gayi thi.Aur aapki agli medical appointment ke bare main bhi unko baatana tha.

Ishwari-Tu chinta mat kar.Tablet usko main de dungi.Aur doctor ke paas jane ki baat main usse kar lungi.Woh doctor se baat karlega.Magar ek baat dhyan rakh,jab wo ghar mein na ho uske kamre mein mat jana.Dev ko pasand nehin hai.Samjhi beta.

Sona-Ji Auntyji.Mein yaad rakhungi.AApka salad ready hai.Khaligiye.

Sona packed her bag to leave after this uncomfortable warnings and the dissatisfaction of both ladies.Her mood was already off because of Mami's words and now annoyance of Ishwari silently screamed-Stay away from my son'.No matter how much Dev loves her,he can never go against his family's happiness.The forewarnings of the stormy future pooled her eyes with distraught tears.

Dev entered the house and straight went to kitchen to get a glimpse of Nutritionist Ms.Bose juggling with black peppers and fruit slices.With the excuse of drinking water he can avoid prying eyes of Mami,and can exchange a few sweet words with Sona.Afterall he had been away from home all day and even had not seen her since the previous day's evening.With a happy demeanour he entered the kitchen only to find Kicchu Bhaiya's brother arranging the brought vegetables in stacks. He,not used to this scene,blurted-'Where is Ms.Bose?'' The new boy oblivious of Sona's name confusingly asked-'Kon Ms.Bose ,Sahib?'' Dev realizing his folly of questioning the boy,asked in simple terms-'Doctor didi kahan hain?'' The boy seemed enthusiastic as he had the knowledge of where Sona was.''Doctor didi to kab se chali gayi hain,Sahib.Main aapke liye coffee bana deti hun ,Sahib.'' Dev felt his heart break into zillions at the thought that Sona went away without meeting him again.He left the kitchen and immediately fished out the phone to call her.Her phone was switched off much to irritation of Dev.He dialed Sourav's Number,after giving a fore thought.Before Dev could ask him about Sona's where abouts ,Sourav's question gave deafening blow to Dev's ears-'Dev Babu! Aap? Sona kab ghar aayegi?.Maa ko usse kuch baat karni thi.Use thoda jaldi ghar bhej dena.'' The Only words Dev could reply back were-'Ji,Bhaiya''.At the end of the phone call,Dev stood with a trepidation in heart-'Where is Ms.Bose?''

PART-2

Tina was leafing through the legal papers of the company Dev had decided to collaborate with.Her cell vibrated with intensity spreading the radiations ;reaching her veins.She clicked open the cell with a scowl of getting disturbed when so much work is at hand. Dev's name made her press the accept' button in a flick of second.Dev's urgent voice swam through the receiver alerting Tina of some immediacy at Dev's end.She chose to question less and patiently jot down points for her next mission.''Tina! Immediately track down Ms.Bose's mobile number.She's missing.''Tina chose to suggest a few places Dr.Bose could have been but then decided against it.Instead she chose to make Dev calm who is upset and anxious simultaneously.''Sir! Don't worry.Just relax.Dr.Bose is a responsible adult and no kid to go missing.I shall find out and shall let you know as soon as possible.Please be calm and Relax,Sir.''Dev heeded to his Secretary's words and thanked his lucky stars for getting such wonderful ladies as his mother,sisters,secretary and life partner.''Thank You ,Tina.You drain away half of my anxiety.'',Dev said,calmness laced in his words.Tina felt a whoosh of fresh air pass through her windpipe as she heard those complementing words.''Anything for you Sir! It's all my responsibility now.''Tina ended the call and her mind had already noted few names to call upon next.

It's going to be sharp 7.00 pm in the wall clock.There has been no news from Tina yet neither any calls from Sonakshi even.''Damn Sona! Where are you??'' Dev screamed with extreme anguish.Thankfully none was in the house and everyone had gone to attend a wedding function of their neighbor from old residence.As he tried to relax on the swivel chair,his cell rang to his utter joy and excitement.The excitement with anxiety made him trip a little but he managed to grab the cell before it gets disconnected.Tina's name on the screen filled him with immense hope and swiped to answer the call.''Yes.Tina!Where is she?'',Dev's panted breaths made Tina realize Dev's bated nervousness about Sona's condition.''Sir! Her cell has been located near a lake,about 12 kms from your residence.The lake is near a small market called Noorjahan Bazzar* and there is a Shiv temple within the lake's vicinity.I sincerely hope that you find her at the earliest.Do call me for any help I can offer in this regard.''Tina finished the lines without any delay.Dev's fingers had already reached for his Car keys dangling from the key holder.''Thank you Tina.I can handle everything now myself.You don't need to worry.And yes take a day off tomorrow and relax.''Dev's comforting words brought smiles on Tina's lips as she realized how caring her boss is even in such diabolic circumstances.''Its my duty sir.I am not taking any leave and I will report to you with complete assignments tomorrow morning.Good night Sir and Best of Luck.''Tina's words brought a great deal of enthusiasm in him and his car zoomed out of his residence all set for Noorjahan Bazzar.

Sona sat at the footsteps of the lake on looking the grand 'aarti'' taking place in Shivji's temple.Ishwari's vexation and Mami's continous taunts and Dev's unflinching love and respect for both ladies made her heart thump erratically.Would they accept her when the well guarded secret is blown off the cover? She could see herself falling low in annoying eyes of Ishwari.Her palms spontaneously folded and eyes closed at the end of aarti' as the drum and cymbals rested.She only prayed,wished and longed for Dev's happiness.Nothing more,nothing less.Of late,he has learnt to smile,vent his heart's confusions and tenseness to others.She didn't want him to coil back to his older cocoon self.''Ms.Bose! Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?'' Dev's authoritative yet concerned voice made her jump and turn around.Dev's wrinkled forehead and disheveled state needed no rocket science to fathom that he was extremely disturbed with her untimely disappearance.''Aap yahan? Aapko kaise malum ki main yahan hoon?'' Sona's voice quivered at the realization that Dev has found her well guarded secret.''Wo main apko ghar mein nahin dekha isliye Sourav Bhaiya ko call kiya tha.Unke baaton se pata chala aap ghar nahin gayen hain.To ofcourse mujhe pareshani hogi hi.Aapka phone to switched off tha,isliye main Tina ko aapka phone ka location trace karne ke liye kaha.And see,main sahi jagah pahunch gaya.''Dev spoke with happiness of finding a hidden treasure and winning the competition.''Aap ne mera phone trace kiya.Mein sahi thi aapke bare mein.Mr.Aubhodro hain aap.Kabhi nahin sudhrenge.Main koi criminal hoon jo bhag gayi hun aur mujhe pakdne ke liye aapko location trace karna pada.Tumi...ekdum pagol aar impossible.''Sona's pat reply made Dev feel calm and utterly relaxed. His Sona is fine and is back to dialogue delivery in epic style.''Par aap ko yahaan ke bare kaise pata?Aap yahan roj aate hain?Dev questioned with confusion mounting in his head.''Nahin.Par bachpan mein roj aati thi.Yahin paas mein humara school tha to iss lake mein paper boats ko sail karne aate they.Yahaan us Shiv mandir mein aarti ke baqt bhi kabhi kabhi aati thi.Kehte hain iss mandir mein jo mangoge wo milta hai'',Sona let go off her another secret from past.''To apne kya manga ?'',Dev questioned back with a curt smile.''Wo mangne ki deal change hota tha.Matlab padhaai ke time par exams ke liye mangti thi,phir padhai ke bad naukri ke liye aura ab apke liye...'',she stopped midway realizing her slip of tongue.''Ab kiske liye mangte hain..Ms.Bose?''Dev aked with mischief evident in his words.''Wo main auntyji ke liye mangti hoon.Khus?''Sona replied with fake anger in her demeanor.Looking at wrist watch Dev realized they were late.''Raat bahut ho gayi hai.Ghar Chalein?'' Dev's questioning eyes and words left her in no position to deny.As she wore her sandals and started to take brisk steps,Dev's palm intertwined with hers making her shudder and faint scarlet tinted her cheeks.Both looked into each other's eyes and felt an inferno of suppressed emotions rising to the fore.Her heart missed few beats when he traced her knuckles and planted a peck on those dainty fingers.How badly he had missed her that day.

They treaded down to the market place to buy something to pose that she was shopping till late hours.As they passed through several shops,Sona's eyes transfixed on a handcrafted lantern finished with intricate designs.The small flicker of flame caged inside the lantern's wooden frame beholded in Sona's eyes.She squilled in a childish excitement and Dev already knew it was all for the beauty of lantern.So they are buying a lantern to night.''Dev! Kitna accha hai na?',Sona asked while inspecting the interior designs of the lantern.Dev smiled and nodded in affirmation much to joy of Sona.Soon a group of girls flocked the small shop urging Dev to move a little far from the shop's vicinity.Dev excused himself from Sona and went to call Tina.By the time he had finished the call,he saw an upset and gloomy Sona approaching towards him.''Kya hua?'',asked a puzzled Dev not spotting the lantern in her hand.''Wo bahut jyada charge kar raha hai.Itne main to do din ka dal chawal ban jayega''.Dev smiled inwardly with her calculation and parallelism.''Wo tumko chahiye?'' Dev asked looking straight into her eyes.''Nahin.Jarurat nahin hai.Let's go'',Sona answered looking at everything except him.''Chahiye ya nahin?'' Dev's words had more determination than before;to which came a meek reply 'Haan''.

A slight drizzle had started urging the crowd to disperse in pandemonium.Sona had opened her carnation printed pink umbrella and was waiting for Dev to return.Several minutes later,rains showered heavier and the couple clutched the umbrella and lantern firmly with both palms interlinking over the umbrella's handle.Dev proved why he was 'the best entrepreneur' of the country.The roads turned hazy with heavy showers yet both of them spotted their own little happiness in this haziness.

There are so many trials and tribulations sketched for them at the end of hazy roads.Both are the lantern bearers of each other in striding through this haziness.They have found love and each other.This is just the beginning only.

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*The place is fictional.

*P.S:Thanks for reading.Creative criticism is appreciated.😊