DevAkshi OS-KNOTTEDTENDRILS
Sonakshi peeped out of the main door to watch if he was still rummaging the waiting rooms and foot over bridge.Dev's frustrated demeanour were giving away the calm faade he wanted to wear.She surely felt a tug in her heart when he tripped ;fortunately a fellow commuter held his hand and made him steady.The trust was not lost neither the love had diminished only the distance has widended.He was not willing for this but she was bound by words and ethics of work.With each booming sound of the horn,she was moving far,far away...never to return.
They had endured all the snide remarks Mamiji has inflicted upon them because Ishwari was never serious about those.But one day they found themselves in deep water.Unaware of the fact that Ishwari has returned home without visiting Neha at her in-laws;they were sharing a hug much to bliss of each other's souls and utter shock of Ishwari.All the negativity and vexation amassed to a higher peak.The possessiveness took a new turn and the love both the ladies have for him hit them cruelly.Neither Sona nor Dev had the slightest knowledge that their secrets are out,but the storm hit Sona hard when Dev left for office to attend a meeting and Ishwari called Sona to have a word or two. Ishwari- Dev ke saath tumhara kya rishta hai Nutrition?
Sona- Auntyji!aap esa sawaal kun kar rahe hai?
Ishwari-Maine tumse jawab manga hai.Pehle mere sawaal ka jawab do.
Sona-Kaisa rishta Auntyji?Wo mere boss hain.
Ishwari-To phir tumhare boss ne tumko bataya hoga ki tumhe yahaan kya kaam karna hai.
Sona-Ji Auntyji.Aapka khayal rakhna.
Ishwari-Kab tak?
Sona-Wo maine unse pucha nahin hai.Puchkar aapko bata dungi.
Ishwari-Tum yeh naukri chod do,Nutrition.
Sona-(with utter amazement) Auntyji! Aap esa kyun kyun kar rahi hain?Koi problem hai?
Ishwari-Koi problem nahin hai.Bas mein chahati hun ki tu shaadi kar le aur usey bhi akela chod de.Badi mehenat se mera Dev iss kabil bana hai.Uske sapne ke raaste mein koi rukaabat aye yeh mujhe bardaast nahin hoga.
Sona-Auntyji! Kaisi rukabbat?Dev matlab Mr.Dixit apne professional life ko leke ekdum serious hain.
Ishwari-Dekh chuki hoon mein.Kitna badal gaya hai wo.Esa lagta hai ki maine apne Dev ko kahin kho diya hai.
Sona-Auntyji! Aap bethiye mein aapke liye juice leke aati hoon.
Ishwari- Nahin chahiye Nutrition.Meine pran liya hai,jabtak tu yeh naukri chod ne ke liye han nahin kehti mein ek boond paani tak nahin piyungi.
Sona-Par Auntyji! Aapka tabiyat bigad jayega.Aap please kuch kha lijiye.
Ishwari-Nahin khana,nahin khana.Agar tu jiddi hai to mein bhi kam nahin.
Sona-Thik hai Auntyji! Mein yeh naukri chod dungi.Mujhe lagta yeh aapse hamari sacchai chup kar nahin raha.Agar aapke aur Dev ke bhalai ke liye meri naukri chodna hi solution hai,main yeh khushi se kar lungi.Ab aap juice pi lijiye.
Tina stood transfixed holding the resignation letter that Dr.Bose handed over to her.She had seen Dev going restless when Sona didn't pick up his call or revert to his messages.Presently he is busy with some foreign delegates discussing a deal for which he has to fly to London the following morning.All bookings and pre requisite formals were done.Dev had only to inform his mother and second most important lady in his life Ms.Bose about this business trip.He had wished for a meet with Sona in the caf they frequented before he breaks the news to Ishwari and leave the country.Much to chagrin of his he has failed to communicate with Sona.
While Tina was busy in prepping the last minute details,Sona barged into her cabin and placed the partially crumpled paper on the table.When she insisted her on giving the decision a second chance or meet Dev once before leaving,Sona had vehemently refused both the options.One second look at the resignation letter or a glimpse of Dev would make her tear the paper and forget the promise she made to Ishwari.She has to leave without saying a good bye nor she couldn't help her from breaking down and shattering on to floor like shreds of glass.
Elena-Tu soch samajh ke kam kar.Eise kaise unhe bina bataye tu jaa rahi hai?
Sona-Main iss baat pe aur koi explanation nahin dena chahti.
Elena-Unhe ek baar bol to de ki tu sirf unhe hi nahin,Delhi hi chod rahi hai.
Sona-Ek bhi labz unse kahungi to yahaan se hil bhi nahin paungi.Main jaana nahin chahungi aur wo jane nahin denge.
Elena could only give her sister a hug which was not only comforting but also hoped for a better morning.Dadi was packing all her sarees not knowing why Sona suddenly decided to visit Kolkata and their village Sonarpur.Though she was surprised she decided to look into matter after she has done her necessary packings.Bijoy was cursing Saurabh for his absence when he had to drop Sona and Dadi to the railway station.Not wanting for a scene to create she had politely asked her father not to worry and she can hire a taxi for railway station.
She was determined of leaving the city which gave her dreams,career,degree and most importantly the man of her dreams.Though by birth she belonged to the south eastern province of Indian Map,her mind and soul have always revolved round the city which remained the attraction for conquerors dates back.She is leaving her family,her cute yet guiding Saurabh Dada,her soul sister Elena,the love Physician,her mother who is pro at multi tasking and her father who loves her the most in the universe.Tears flooded her eyes.She clutched the pillow tight and lay on bed until the dark night faded bringing light tinge of blue to mark the dawn.She cast a long glance at her room when she slid the suitcase out.How badly she would miss all these.She was leaving her heart behind only to settle in Kolkata and kickstart her career again.She could n't complete her promises made to someone' and this very thought compelled her to run away before he appears infront of her demanding reasons and explanations.She knew how he catches her excuses in a jiffy.He is right.She is worst in cooking up stories.Bad in cooking anything.
The taxi came to halt and with each step she put forward bore a hole in her heart.She tried to divert her mind by checking on the time table and enquiring about the arrival time of the train and the current status of it.She even went to check her PNR status much to dismay of Dadi who had never seen Sona so stressed.She failed in her attempts of initiating a conversation with Sona about the sudden trip but Sona was on trail of distracting herself and not giving Dadi,her mind and her heart a millisecond to think about what happened in past few hours.As the train honked and entered the station making a creaking sound,Sona flicked the lone tear that threatened to roll down.Dadi made her way to the compartment with her suitcase,while Sona's feet refused to move.Dadi's repeated and frantic calls made her climb the stairs who would take her somewhere from where she might never return.
As she pushed open the window panes,her eyes remained fixed on a figure clad in black shirt rummaging the waiting rooms and apologizing ladies he bumped into in hurry.The background went blur and her eyes transfixed upon the man who was her world,who loved her as a man loves a woman,who was amateur in doing typical romance.Was she doing right? Her heart seriously never left an opportunity to tease her a little and leave the already confused brain in a dilemma.
22 Hours and counting.She has n't reached Kolkata yet.More 2-3 hours to go before they reach Howrah.They are going to stay in one of her maternal aunt's house that night before they leave for her village the following morning.Her whole world felt hollow without family,Nikki,Riya,Elena.She was surprised to discover that she even was missing Mamiji.Surely her heart had already gone crazy and now her mind has left sense and sanity and is in a committed relationship with her heart.She picked up the book which left abandoned on the cabinet to continue reading about what to eat while in stress.
Going hysterical about the fact that Sona left the job,left for Kolkata without even informing him once,Dev crossed the exit gate in a wrecked mood.He had learnt from Elena that Sona left for Kolkata.He knew something was amiss and he now wanted to know the truth behind all the fiasco.His flight was in the morning and he was still keen on learning about the train in which she probably have boarded.He was shocked to learn the truth that the reservation was on basis of Tatkal reservations.''What happened to her that she left everyone without bothering to share a word or two.'',the question reeled him throughout the way from railway station.None had answers and he had to break two news to Ishwari.Sona left the job and he is leaving the following morning.
Ishwari was munching the cucumber slice reminiscing the moments she shared with Sona she shared since her first day at job.She was a pretty girl and the best at her job ,if only she had not come between her and her Dev.Dev's boot taps made her rise to feet and give her child a hug.Dev was amazed at such a gesture but reciprocated much to relief of his mother's heart.
Ishwari-Tu aagaya beta.Tu fresh ho ja,main khana lagati hoon.
Dev-Tu ruk.Tujhe ek baat kehni thi.Nahin.Do baat kehni thi.
Ishwari- Han to batana.Do kya mein to zindagi bhar tere baat sun ne ko tayaar hoon.Bol beta kya baat hai.
Dev-Mein kal London jaa raha hoon.Business meeting hai.Shayad ek haft eke baad loutunga.
Ishwari-Ek hafta bidesh mein.Thoda jaldi nahin aa sakta?
Dev-Try karunga.Par 4-5 din to lag jayenge.Tu fikr mat kar.Mein tujhse phone pe baat kar liya karunga.
Ishwari-Thik hai.Kaam pehle aata hai.Tera kaam safal rahe yeh bhagwan se yehi mannat mangungi.Aur doosri baat kya hai?
Dev- Sonakshi matlab Ms.Bose ne naukri chod diya.Pata nahin kyun? Kisine ghar mein unhe kuch kaha kya?
Ishwari-Nahin beta waisa to kisine use kuch nahin kaha,shayad use yeh naukri pasand nahin thi.
Dev-Kyun pasand nahi thi.Unhe yahaan acha lagta tha.Kitna connected thi wo iss parivar se.Tujhse,Nikki se,Neha ko bhi mana liya.Ek ache dost aur badi behen ki tarah sabse miljul jati thi.
Ishwari-Ise kya farak padta hai.Tu koi dusra dhund lega mere liye.Use koi pareshani hui hogi,isliye naukri chod di.Tu itna pareshan kyun ho raha hai.Dr.Sinha se baat karke dusra koi dhoond lega.
Dev- Unke jaise doosra koi nahin milegi Ma.Wo sabse scchi thi.Tere liye,is ghar ke liye,mere liye..
Ishwari-Dev! Tu kya bol raha hai? Tu itna pareshan mat ho.Tujhe kal jana haina .Khana khake tayari kar.Kahin kuch chut na jaye.
Nodding a hesitating yes,Dev returned to his room.The sweet moments they had shared replayed in his minds.He felt an urge to cancel the trip and at once leave for Kolkata.But he was bound by commitments and contracts.Nothing was easy.Neither dealing with contracts nor dealing with relationships.
5 days later
Dev returned from his trip with a news that would elate all his employees and family members.The company had decided to invest in his company and that Dev would have 25% share in over all profits.The news brought triumphant smiles on each face but two people were still far away from celebrating the success party .Tina sat in Dev's cabin informing him about the details of Kolkata.Dev felt the irony ;this state is like some other states about whose existence he had learnt from geography books in secondary classes.He knew the location,the capital,the density of population,the political scenario,the crops grown there,the places to visit yet was in completely dark when it came to knowing Sona's whereabouts.Her cell was switched off.He had dreamt of getting her a beautiful and suitable gift from London only to see that coruscating smile on her face.If only wishes were horses...
A brass name plate with words 'Dr.Sonakshi Bose, Nutritionist ''adorned her desk along with a bouquet of gazania beautifully arranged in a ceramic vase.The flowers danced to the slow rhythm of breeze flowing into the room.She remembered the day when she had found a bouquet of his favourite flowers with an apology note.Her cell lay switched off and looked like a dead corpse.Her fingers yearned to grab it and make an emergency call to him but the sane mind held her back.How can she be selfish and keep a mother in pain?No,Sona this is not done.A patient arrives much to relief of Sona.She atlest for some minutes can detach herself from her world and lose herself in someone else's world.
The murky shaded shirt Dev had chosen to wear best suited his mood.No orange,no cyan even no white.Ishwari could see the dull,etherized pain in his eyes.That hurt her and even hit her.She was successful in keeping both bodies apart but she could see she failed miserably in keeping apart the souls.They belonged to each other the moment they had surrendered to each other.Dev's mechanical attitude to life brought back her memories when she had seen him smile,leave office in a pleasant mood ,listening to songs and living his me' time.He has once again recoiled back to the shell from where perhaps he would not find a way to escape in days to come.
Asha was pleasantly surprised to see Mrs.Ishwari Dixit standing at her threshold.She could not fathom what reasons could have brought her to their house.She received Ishwari and went on a spree to clean the tea poy spoiled by Saurabh and Elena's fight over potato wafers and chocolate bars.
Asha-Kahiye kya baat hai?
Ishwari-Wo Nutrition mera matlab Sona kahan gayi hai?
Asha-Wo to Kolkata chali gayi hai.
Ishwari-Kab lautegi?
Asha-Pata nahi.Kuch batake bhi nahin gayi.Sham ko lauti aur boli ki use gaon jana hai.Bahut zid kiya isliye uski dadi aur wo dono gaye hain.Sona se kuch kaam tha?Bol rahi thi ki wo chute maang li hai aapse.
Ishwari-Usse kuch mangna tha.Aap apne gaon ka pata de dijiye mein khud us se mil ke baat kar lungi.
Asha-Aap ek baat karne ke liye Kolkata jayenge.Nahin iski zaroorat nahin hai.Aap mujhe bata dijiye mein sab kuch sambhal lungi.
Ishwari-Nahin,wo baat kuch esi hai ki main usse khud milna chahti hoon.Aap mera fikr mat kijiye.Sirf uski address de dijiye.
Asha-Thik ache.Hamra gaon Sonarpur mein hain.24 Paraganas ke administration mein.Kolkata ke south mein located hai.Aapko wahaan bus ya phir local trains mil jayenge.
Ishwari-Bahut bahut dhanyabad aapka.Mein chalti hoon.Der ho rahi hai.Namaskar.
Asha-Namoskar.
The table lamp flickered in Dev's room.Ishwari knew Dev has not been to bed yet.But she was hopeful of a better morning.She had realized how much her son loves her and now its time to show how much she loves him back.Dev pulled the drawer to take sleeping pills because it was third day in a row he has n't got a wink of sleep.His fingers reached the bottle only to feel the touch of a folded paper.Strange!He never keeps any papers in the drawer and particularly that drawer.He pulled out the paper to see what mischief was written on it.
The bulb has been glowing steadily for last fifteen minutes.Ishwari realized and a relief set in her heart.Her son has finally found his coveted happiness.
'Maa! Tune yeh ticket book ki hai.Aur taxi ka bhi book kar li hai?I can't believe this Maa.Tu sabse best maa hai iss duniya ki.'',Dev squealed in a childish excitement.Maamiji was disheartened to see the affirming nod of Ishwari to Dev's queries.''Yeh Bangalan! Sab pe apna jadu chalati rehti hai.Lagta koi kaali shaktiyon ko bas mein karke rakhi hai.'',Radha rani's mind echoed the words whom no one bothered to lend an ear to.
Bhairabi Temple*,Sonarpur
The aarti gives the believers strength to withstand the unexpected grief and keeps them humble and remindful of God during happy moments. Apart from worldly activities aarti also represents one's self - thus, aarti signifies that one is peripheral to Godhead or divinity.The aarti was in full swing when Dev entered the temple pushing a few in the overwhelmed crowd.He felt bad to do so considering the gentleman he is,but today he was selfish.Selfish enough to push fellow devotees and unruly enough to break the queue,only to locate his Ms.Bose'.The aarti ended and the fire looked more intimidating as if enamoured with love and strength of Divine Almighty.For a moment he felt surrendering himself to the supreme one who had given him a coveted partner for this lifetime.
'Aap yahan?'',Sona's voice had choked emotions and astonishment to find her Mr.Aubhodro' leaning against the compound wall looking all distraught.Dev opened his eyelids to behold the sight before him.After days of grief,torment and separation she is here,infront of him;in a distance where he can hold her hands and feel the touch he had missed the most.''Ms.Bose! Aap thi kahaan?Maine aapko kitna search kiya.',Dev sounded fatigued.''Main to yahin thi.Aap yahan kaise?Kisne bataya aapko?",Sona was confused and angry over her family for letting him know her whereabouts.''Aap ne bina bataye hi chale aaye.Aapne job kyun choda?Aapko pata hai main kitna pareshan tha.Yeh to acha hua ki Maa ne auntyji se baat karke aapka pata dhund nikala.Aapko pata hai mere yahan pe aane ke tickets bhi Maa ne book kiya hai.'',Dev was in all praise for his mom while Sona's ears refused to believe a single syllable.''Auntyji ne book kiye aapke tickets?Are you sure Mr.Dixit?'',Sona wanted to clear the doubts before her neuro cells burst in pressure.''Haan ,Ms.Bose.Ab main aapki koi bhi baat nahin sununga.Apne bag pack kijiye aur chaliye wapas.I am waiting.''Dev said in an authoritative voice which brought smiles on Sona's face.She wanted to leap in in the air and declare to the world"'Auntyji accepts me.She Accepts me''.But considering the surrounding and good girl she is,she nodded like an obedient student.
All settled, Dev had the final triumphant smile while he strolled to the exit gate.He has brought her back.''Wait!Mr.Dev.You didn't ask her why in first place she left her job and then came to her village?'',Dev's mind enquired.''I will find now.'',his heart declared in a determined voice.Before his ind and heart could entangle him in further probing a slender body warmed up his back bringing the effect of synaesthesia to core.''Ms.Bose!'',Dev said in a baffled yet relaxed tone.''Its Sonakshi for you'',Sona replied clinging to him afraid that fate would again separate her from her Aubhodro.''Sona! Relax.Nothing has happened.We trust each other and that is our strength.'',Dev said in a philosophical manner only to receive a reply;''Aap thodi der ese rahenge please.Maine aapko bahut ..'',Her words remained incomplete asshe felt an index finger cross vertically over her lips.No more words were exchanged.No inhibitions were conserved.None cared for the world.They once again surrendered themselves entwining their souls and merging into one with a soul searing hug.
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*The Temple is fictional.
**I sincerely apologise for any grammatical or factual errors.
P.S.:Thank You All For Reading.Feedbacks are appreciated.😊
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