Enough is Enough!!!A short FF Conclusion Pg8 10/20 - Page 7

He stepped in and took her in his arms, and spun her around. Nidhi laughed, as she hugged him back and clung to him.

--So, you ready for the move.

he said as he set her down, but still held on to her from her waist. He had always loved her, he thought, and it had broken his heart the day she had married someone else. Rohan had never thought that he would ever see her again, much less have any chance at having his love reciprocated. But he had learned that life and the gods worked in mysterious ways.

He had met her again by chance 2 years ago, and then she had been getting over her marriage and divorce. Rohan had been shocked, he had barely recognized her as the Nidhi he had loved and left behind in someone else's care. She had been full of life, and so happy at her wedding, and had been looking forward to her new life with Ashutosh. There had been so many dreams in her eyes, and hopes in her heart. But when he bumped into her at a mall, Rohan would not have recognized her, if Anji had not been with her that day. Anji had seen him and called out his name.

Rohan had beamed with joy at seeing Anji, till he had gotten a look at who stood by her side. It was Nidhi. But she was a mere shadow of the person he had known. She had lost so much weight, that it looked as if she might break as if someone so much as hugged her, and her eyes were full of sadness and pain, She had smiled at him and had even pretended enthusiasm at meeting him like that, but he could tell that she didn't care. She had totally withdrawn into herself, and nobody and nothing mattered. Rohan had spent the rest of the day with the two of them and had learnt that Anji had been visiting Nidhi for the weekend and was due to fly out that evening. And also that Nidhi had moved to Delhi, and was doing her residency at AIIMS. What he did not know and wanted to desperately was what had happened to Nidhi, that she was in that kind of a pathetic state.

That evening after dinner, he had insisted on dropping Nidhi off at her place, and also taking Anji to the airport. During the drive to the airport, he asked Anji about Nidhi, and she told him the whole story.

He had been stunned, and very sad. Of all the couples in the world he had never imagined that Ashutosh and Nidhi would be the ones who ended up like this. He thought that their love for each other would carry them through anything.

Rohan had seen how worried Anji had been about Nidhi, and had promised her that he would take care of their friend, and for her not to worry, and to also tell her father and Dadi Bua, that he was there for her, and would take care of her. It had been a very slow process, but he had eventually gotten her out of her depression, and then gradually had led her back into life, and living and enjoying herself. Rohan loved her so much, and had been so glad to see her improving, that he did not mind being just her friend. As long as she was happy that was all that had mattered. Little by little they had gotten closer, but he had been afraid to hope for anything else. And then one day, he had taken her out to eat Chaat, and had casually asked her, if she would ever forgive Ashutosh. and If she ever wanted to go back to him. He assured her that if she did he would help her, just like he had in the past.

Nidhi looked up at him with tears in her eyes,

--No. Rohan I don't think that I can ever go back to Ashutosh. He and I were never meant to be. It was a lovely dream, but when I woke up, I had nothing. I had almost given up on everything until you showed up back in my life again, and helped me heal, and realize that life is beautiful, and worth living again. That I could dream again, and hope for happiness in my future. Thank you for being my friend. I can't tell you how much your friendship means to me. As for forgiving him, there is nothing to forgive. He was acting on his instincts. Thats who he is. He is a lovely person, with a big heart, and enough compassion for the world. But with so much of a crowd, there was no room for me. That's all. I wish him only Happiness. May god bless him and keep him in his good graces for ever. I have no bad feelings for him at all.

He was my first love, and will always be a part of my heart. But I do not love him any more. There is no more room in my life for him.

--Nidhi, do you think, that maybe...I mean could you...do you think that there is any room for me...that is.

Rohan remembered the moment as if it were yesterday, how sweet it had felt when she had put her hand on his cheek, and smiled at him.

--I thought that you would never ask.

And how at peace he had felt when he had finally held her in his arms for the first time. And today, he was confident that she belonged to him, and loved him as much as he loved her. And though he had not asked her formally, but that it was only a matter of time before they made their relationship permanent. Which was why he was moving to Lucknow with her. He had asked for a transfer, to the lucknow branch of his Marketing firm, and was being sent there as a division manager.

Nidhi laid her head on his chest and tightened her arms around him.

--I am ready if you are?

He knew the question he saw in her eyes. he smiled and placed a gentle kiss on her forhead.

--Nidhi, you don't have to ask me that again and again. I know that you have moved on and that you love me. You don't have to prove it. I can see it and feel it. So, now I don't want to hear about this again, yes?

--Yes sir! I love you.

--I love you too, you silly woman. Now lets go our future awaits us.!

Nidhi was ecstatically happy. It had been a year since they had moved to lucknow. And it had been almost 9 months since they had gotten married. It had been the happiest time of her life. Rohan treated her as if she was the most important thing in his life. Nidhi had even managed to get his parents to move from Agra to lucknow. After a bit of a shaky start, everything was just the way she had wanted it to be. Rohan's parents now adored her, and when need be took her side over Rohan's. She felt absolutely cherished and adored. They had managed to find a house barely a couple of minutes away from her father's. Her work at the hospital was also doing well. She was building up quite a reputation for herself, in her field. And had a pretty busy schedule.

The icing on the cake had been when she had found out that they were going to be parents. Rohan had been over the moon, and both their families had been ecstatic. Specially Dadi Bua, she had tears of joy running down her face when she had heard that she was to be a great grandmother, at last. Ever since then, everyone treated her like she was a frail piece of china. Specially Rohan. No sooner had anything come out of her mouth, then he ran to fulfill it. Sometimes he positively drove her bananas, because he was calling her a 100 times a day. You'd think that she was the only woman to ever get pregnant. But at the end of the day, she was happier than she had ever been, and was eagerly looking forward to this new phase of her life, she thought, as she got ready for the party.

Today, one of the Doctor's at CCHH was giving a New Years party, and had invited her and Rohan. He had told her that he would be on time, but had called later and informed her that he was running a bit late. So with a bit of time to kill Nidhi, went to the living room where Rohan's parents were sitting and watching the news on TV. When her MIL saw her she smiled, and scooted over to make room for her on the couch. And her FIL jumped up to help her sit down,

--Papa I am 0nly 6 months pregnant not 9, and I am also not that big. Honestly I can sit down by myself. You guys fuss too much. But its OK, I love you anyway.

And she leaned in to kiss his cheek. She had been so lucky in her in-laws, it sometimes brought tears to her eyes. Her mother in law more than made up for the void that she had felt, at not having a mother. And her FIL, well he loved her as if she were his own daughter. She loved spending time with them, and talking to them. In fact she often took advice from her FIL rather than Rohan and sometimes even her own father. And she was absolutely crazy about the both of them. She was also really glad that they had moved here with them.. It gave her a sense of security, and completeness. As far as she was concerned, families belonged together, and as children it was up to them to take care of and respect their parents. And she had been very very lucky in that department on both sides. Her father and Dadi Bua, and over here her in-laws.

When Rohan came home found the three of them in the sitting room laughing and talking, the news apparently forgotten. He smiled, his parents loved Nidhi, and she in turn adored them. He was very lucky that he had a wife like her, nowadays, after marriage, the first thing the girls did was get separate living spaces. But not his wife! In fact she had been the one to force his parents into moving, and they had been reluctant. He came futher into the room and saw that his mom was feeding something to Nidhi off of her plate,

--Maa agar aap isse aise hi khilaye jaoge to yeh itni moti ho jayegi ke darwaze mein bhi fit nahin aayegi.

--Rohan agar meri beti ke liye kuch bhi aisa kaha toh sab se pehle tujhe hi ghar se nikal dungi. Pehle toh itni der se aata hai, phir jo bhi chahe anaap shanaap bolta rehta hai. Yeh kab se tayyar ho kar teraa wait kar rahi hai. Ab jaldi jaa kar ke tayyar ho ja, tum dono ko jana bhi hai na.

After handing the keys to the valet Rohan hurried over to Nidhi's side to help her out.

--Rohan you are worse than Papa. I am not an invalid I am pregnant.

--Yea Yea, I know that. And that why I am doing this. Thats my little half packet you have in there. So, I have to protect my investment na. Besides, I love pampering you.

--Yes I know that sweetheart. By the way, Mom was telling me Vivek had invited us to his new year party tonight. Why didn't you tell me?

--It's not a big deal.

--Rohan yes it is. You and he have been friends since you both were in the 2nd grade. He is your best friend. Usko kitna bura laga hoga.

I wish you had told me this before, we did not have to come here.

Rohan stopped and turned to face her, then put his hands on her shoulders.

--Nidhi I know that there has been talk of a promotion for you, and that mostly all the big people from the hospital are going to be here. It would not have looked good for you not to have come here today. Besides, nothing is more important to me than you are. Friends are not a priority for me. You and your Happiness are. And waise bhi, Vivek understands. Even if he hadn't it wouldn't have mattered.

--Rohan I love you. But this is not right. Mujhe pataa hai ke tum Vivek se kitna pyar karte ho, and how much he means to you. Plus I like him too. he treats me just like a little sister. So lets do it htis way, andar chal kar we will socialize, and stay until dinner is announced, then we will go to vivek's. Any way we will enjoy more over there. Good?

--That sound good. Thanks.

--Mujhe thanks bolne kimkya zaroorat hai. I am your wife, and thats what marriage is about, isn't it? Compromising and sacrificing for each others happiness? It takes two to make it work Rohan. When you can do so much for me, can't I even do a simple thing like that.

They were just about to turn and walk to the ballroom, when Rohan stopped again

--So did you get that furniture you liked so much?

--Nahin...Rohan it's so expensive.

--Haan, toh kya hua. Maine tumhe apna credit card diya tha na. why didn't you use that?

--Rohan, thats a lot of money, I know how hard you work. How can I use your money on something just because I like it.

--Pehli baat toh its OUR money. Aur phir mai kiske liye earn karta hoon, hamare liye, hamari family ke liye na? Nidhi paisa hamare liye hota hai, hum paise ke liye nahin. Plus both of us make good money, and its ok to indulge once in a while. You don't go shopping anyway, as it is. And phir tum bhool rahi ho, this furniture is for the baby. If not today, then in three months, lena toh hai hi.

--Yes lena toh hai, but I thought that I could buy something a bit cheaper.

--Nidhi bakwas mat karo. Now lets go in.

Ashutosh turned his head to stare at them as they walked towards the party. When they had disappeared from view, he arose from where he had been sitting. They had not seen him, but he had heard their entire conversation.

Ashutosh knew all about Nidhi. What she was doing and where. He had made it a point to keep tabs on her progress. He had also known when she had moved back to lucknow. At that time a little seed of hope had sprung up inside him. He had hoped that maybe he would get a chance to win her back. To see if she would would give him one more chance to make things right,and to see if she would accept his apologies, and maybe let him into her heart once again. It had been three years since she had left him. Three very long and lonely years, during which he had had plenty of time to go back over the whole time since they had met, more than thousands of times. What he had seen was how much she had adjusted with him, and how many sacrifices she had made for him.

During this time he had also found out about the whole incident relating to Baba's house. Actually Sandeep Bagchi, had been brought into the KGH ER the victim of a hit and run accident. And seeing Ashutosh there, and knowing that his time was almost up, had confessed the details of the whole sordid deal. Ashutosh had been shocked. He had never wished anyone any ill, but at that time , he wished Mallika to hell, is she wasn't there already. No wonder Nidhi hated her so much. He wondered if Nidhi had known all of this. Col. Verma certainly had. He found that out when he had gone to visit him, after bagchi's confession.

If Nidhi had known this, and coming on top on Mallika's attempt on her life, he had been amazed that she had not turned her over to the police, but instead had let her go.

Ashutosh had had plenty of time to go over every second of their married life, and had seen exactly how much of an injustice he had done to her and their relationship. He had taken her and her love for him,for granted since day one. He had not even thought of how many dreams she might have had in regards to their married life. She had probably wanted romance and intimate moments, and maybe even some pampering. But he had been too insensitive, and too into himself. But Nidhi had never complained. For her his love had been enough. But he had not only ignored that aspect of their life, but had heaped his obsession with his friendship on her shoulders too. To tolerate all that she had not only from Mallika, but from her grandfather and Most of all him, during Mallika's convalescence in their home, was nothing short of being amazing, and a testament not only to her patience, and maturity, but, also of the depth of her love. He did not know anyone in the world who could have done that.

In retrospect, Ashutosh felt very ashamed at himself, and his Baba, for the shabby way they had both treated Nidhi. She had even borne his unfairness, at grudgingly granting her 2 years for her career. Now, he couldn't even understand why he had been so unreasonable and unjust. So what was the big deal in 2 years. At this point he could not understand, why the 2 years had seemed like such a big deal to him then. He had resented her asking for that time for herself. and it was due to that resentment that he had treated her so badly when he had brought Khushi into their house. But His Nidhi had put up with all of that with a smile and had even helped take care of that ungrateful child.

But he had pushed his limits, and crossed them the day he had gone to australia at Mallika's call. He admitted now that he should not have gone. He was not the only one who could have brought her son up. Her brother Aditya had been more than willing. But no, even then he had to show his generous nature by saying that since Mallika wanted it this way it was his duty. And that had been the biggest problem all along! He had recognized his duty towards everyone and everything, but his wife. He had been a total failure as a husband, and was amazed that she had stayed with him as long as she had. He didn't know that anyone else would have done that. And now, even though technically he had a son, even that brought him no satisfaction. He loved the child in his own way, but not the all encompassing feeling of love that he used to have whenever he had thought of his child with Nidhi.

Ashutosh sighed. All he had now were a whole bunch of regrets. Thats all he would ever have. He had been so lucky. But had never recognized or appreciated that. He destroyed his life himself. and all for things that now had no meaning in his life at all. In his arrogance he had lost the one good thing that had come into his life. He had pushed her away himself. And now he knew that he was never ever going to be given a second chance, He was never going to get her back again.

He had heard how happy she was with Rohan. He had heard the love and respect in her voice. And he had heard the same adoration in Rohan's for her. He was very happy that she finally had everything she deserved. That her husband placed her above everything else was evident. He only wished that he had had this foresight all those years ago. He had placed his friendship, with a person who had not even known the meaning of the word, above his love. In fact, he had learnt from Rohan what true friendship was. It had been a couple of months, before their divorce had been finalized, when he had found Rohan's letter. He had been going through some of her things, and had found it in one of her books. He had read it and been ashamed. Nidhi's love for him, and Rohan's love and friendship for Nidhi, had humbled him as nothing else could ever have.

She had sacrificed her friendship with Rohan for him. And Rohan had sacrificed his love for his friend. What he had classified as his friendship with Mallika was nothing but a cheap farce, and a pretense at friendship, it had not been the real thing.

When Ashutosh got back home, he went into his room and closed the door, and went up their wedding photo, which still hung in the same place it had since the day that they had gotten married, and stared at it.

He was right where he had started alone, and this time he could not blame the gods or fate. They had granted him the chance at happiness, and he had stupidly squandered it away. Then he looked around the room, everything was exactly as she had left it. Ashutosh had made sure of that. Even today, her side of the bed remained empty, and at night he would pretend that she was near him. Thats all he had left of her now, only memories, and his regret.

Then he opened the closet where her clothes used to hang, and he lovingly and tenderly took down the lone dress that hung there. Her Wedding Dress. He took the dress over to the sofa and hugged it to himself. She had thrown it away along with all the photos, and also his wedding shervani. He was so glad that Baba and HK had managed to retrieve them. Baba had been right, Uss ke paas kuch toh bacha reh gaya, at least. If he had not even had these things, he would always be wondering if it had all been just a dream. Their time together had been so brief! He thought, as he held her wedding dress to himself and lay down on the sofa. At least with these things he had have proof, that he too, had once been happy. On the brink of falling asleep, he heard Mallika's son, Rahul, crying about something. He thought about the dream he had had, about them having their child. And a grief so profound went through his being, that it brought tears to his eyes. Now she was having a baby with someone else. If only he had been understanding about it at that time, instead of resentful, that might have been him there with her today, instead of Rohan. He had seen her for a brief second, and she had looked absolutely beautiful. And seeing her had also brought back all the old feelings, not that they ever went away, but at least had had the dust of time settle on them. But seeing her had brought them into sharp focus again, which was why when he was about to get up, he stopped, then had thought, The aaya will figure it out. And went to sleep with Nidhi's dress, and memories of all the nights they had spent together going through his mind.

Ashutosh was sitting in his office at KGH, when there was a knock on his door and Rangnath came in.

--Dr.Ashutosh sir, is it OK if I leave now?

--Dr. Rangnath, the head of the Administration department doesn't need to ask me this. But of course you may.

--No sir as HOD I don't need too, but I just thought I would since the Head Guy of the Hospital happened to be the building today.

Ashutosh laughed.

--Rangnath we have known each other too long, and also been friends for long enough that we shouldn't be having to observe these formalities between us. Anyway, anything special, its still very early.

--Yes Sir. Theres this event Anji has been looking forward too, and we have to go. I promised her that I would have to be home early.

--Of course, of course. Biwi ki baat ko kabhi mana nahin karna chaihiye. You need to keep her happy. But what is the occasion.

Rangnath did not know how to tell him. It had been so many years, but he, better than anyone else knew, that for Ashutosh nothing had changed. Still he would have to know...

--Sir its Nidhi's 25th Wedding Anniversary.

--OH! Of Course, you have to go then. I can understand why Anji is so excited. Go on. Have a good time.

He had been about to close the door, when he heard Ashutosh's phone ring. Ashutosh put it on speaker,

--Hello?

--Hi! Papa, its Rahul.

--Rahul How are you, whats going on?

--Papa I have to tell you something.

--Kya baat hai, Beta?

--Papa, please don't feel bad. But I want to tell you that I just got married yesterday.

--But yesterday? Beta why didn't you tell me? I would have come. At you could have told me that you were serious about somebody.

--Yeah, Papa. I am sorry about that, but you see yeh sab kuch itna jaldi hua. I had been planning to come there and tell you, but then the wedding got arranged and I just did not get the time. Aditya Mama, and Suhasini Mami told me that you wouldn't mind. They said that you would understand that sometimes these things happen.

--Haan beta, I understand. So, are you going to come here and introduce me to my bahu.

--Yes Papa, I will come as soon as I can. But it wont be for a while. Abhi mujhe itni chutti nahin mil sakti hai. After all I am taking time to go for our honeymoon. But I promise the next vacation we will spend some time with you.

--Theek hai beta. whatever makes you happy. Its just that I wish I had known.

--Haan Papa. But You know how it is when you find that certain somebody, you just want to hold on to them and not let them get away.

--Yes, Rahul. I can certainly understand that. Most definitely.

--Ok, then Papa. I will talk to you later.

--But Rahul Can I talk to...

Rahul had hung up already. Rangnath could not bear this. Ashutosh certainly had not deserved this, this was the child that Ashutosh had given up everything for. But what could he say. Blood will tell. After all Rahul was Mallik's son!

Rangnath left the office, but he had seen the grief and love in Ashutosh's eyes. Rangnath knew that even today, Ashutosh loved Nidhi. He had never forgotten her, never stopped loving her. He had paid a high price for his misplaced feelings of friendship, and humanity. But as he, Ashutosh, himself said on numerous occasions, you have to live with the choices you make.

There was no way that he could leave him alone like this, so he called Anji and explained everything to her, and asked her to apologize to Nidhi. He knew that Nidhi, above all would understand and respect his decision. He went back to Ashutosh's office and peeked in, but he was not there. Rangnath wondered where he had disappeared to, so quickly...Of course, he thought. He knew exactly where Ashutosh would be right now, as he walked over there.

Ashutosh was there, exactly as he had predicted. In the children's ward, sitting in the middle with the children gathered all around him.

--Dr. Ashutosh kahani sunayiye na. Aapne kal humein promise kara tha.

--Issi liye toh yahan aaya tha. Mujhe aapna promise yaad hai. Accha toh suno.

"EkRaja tha, Woh apne mahal mein akela rehta tha.

Lekin ek din wahan Ek Titli Ayi, aur usne Raja ke mahal ke

darwaje par apne Paron se Dastak kari..."