Meera regained her composure and politely smiled at nidhi.."hi nidhi how do you do"??nidhi shook hands and replied"i am good meera n you are looking fabulous...absolutely stunning.."!!meera smiled self consciously as she looked at dr ashutosh...talking to dr mallik..and seemed mesmerised...nidhi looked on quietly..when nishu suddenly came to her and said"mamma..."seeing meera , he looked at his mother n said"hello aunty..."meera smiled and asked nidhi..."he is...""he is our son dr meera..."it was dr ashutosh ..putting his arm around nidhi's shoulders...and nidhi just leaning on him..."meera bit her lip as mrs mallik came"come dear .."she said to nishu"you must have your dinner...dont wait for the adults...it d be late"!!nishu smiled as nidhi gladly took him to the dining table..she knew he must have been hungry and it was indeed very understanding of mrs mallik..to have thought about him..nidhi served a lil pasta, a sandwich...and she looked but there wasnt much nishu d have liked...but then mrs mallik got paneer saying"ashutosh , i know loves indian...si i cooked this" nidhi smiled n replied"so does his son..."and took a lil paneer n pulaao..as she got nishu back to where everyone was chatting, as she fed him, dr sen, a renowned dr of london asked her"so mrs ashutosh, how are you liking london..'"?? Nidhi looked at dr ashutosh as she answered"sir its probably the most beautiful city in the world...so full of culture n history...i am loving it..n yes i just freaked out on the london eye..."and all laughed good naturedly..dr reddy, a friend and a famous neurologist asked her"when do we see you here doing your FRCS"?? Nidhi laughed"i have my hands full sir, n right now i have not even done my m.d. ..i have no desire of being a surgeon..none at all"!! Dr meera stepped in"but why nidhi...do you find it tough...??after all you should pursue your career ambitions..and your son must be going to school...doesnt he"??nidhi kept quiet...as dr ashutosh said "actually we are expecting our second baby..nidhi is pregnant..." as dr and mrs mallik exclaimed "oh wow!!!thats great...bhai this calls for celebration..."as dr sen,dr reddy and others congratulated ashutosh as meera seemed almost close to tears...nidhi obsreved that...
As drinks were served, dr ashutosh turned down whisky n requested instead for a cup of tea..mrs mallik seemed surprised.."but ashutosh..alcohol in this weather will put u on a high" dr ashutosh smiled, looking at nidhi he exclaimed"mam...i am high on life ...i dont need whiskey!!"
As the drs chatted, nidhi talked to mrs sen n mrs reddy . The former a teacher n the latter a gynaecologist..and both in their forties,talked very kindly, both patting her on the excellent manners that nishu had..as the night progressed, and drinks sesssion was over, dr sen said"kya sir.wont we have a dance"??meera smiled as she played the music..slow waltz as couples got up to dance..dr mallik n mrs were clapped for by all the 12 guests present..indeed the old couple, both in theor seventies looked very graceful..dr ashutosh looking dashing in his black tuxedo came to nidhi ...and as she wiped nishu's face..n wrinkling her nose asked"nishu..mamma dance kare papa sath" and a smiling nishu clapped..Dr ashutoshheld nidhi close, his one hand gripping hers ..fingers entwined as the other was around her waist...his fingers spread on her back..as they danced he pulled her closer...as she put her head on his chest..n he almost closed his eyes...but as nidhi seemed to arch her back..ashutosh's fingers came lower..caressing her back..bare below the blouse..."is it hurting"??nidhi nodded"just a bit..." dr ashutosh immiediately got her to the sofa n made her sit..taking a chair close by as nishu came n sat next to his mamma..nidhi smiled and remarked "was dr meera your student"??dr ashutosh nodded...adding "i didnt know she was dr mallik's grand daughter..." as nidhi smiled..knowing that dr ashutosh was irritated with the loving looks that dr meera gave him, nidhi changed the topic, "mrs sen is a teacher..n you know she is v impressed with nishu.."as ashutosh caressed nishu's head in pride...n then looking at nidhi...with deep thankfullness for bringing up nishu so so well...sainyaan...The moment was broken as dr meera came n interrupted, asking nidhi"hey nidhi..may i just borrow your husband.."??.and s nidhi looked at her...with disbelief...she added"i mean just for a dance"??nidhi smiled n said"for sure..."as dr ashutosh frowned at her...but meera tapped him on his shoulder..."sir please...shall we dance"??realising that it would be very rude to turn down a dance with a lady...he got up...sighing and shaking his head...as meera held his hand and pulled him to the dance floor..as she held dr ashutosh's right hand and took his left and placed it on her back..ashutosh cringed...as meera began to sway to music..which she requested be changed to soft romantic rock...and as a gew couples left the floor to sit, she danced ..almost forcing dr ashutosh to sway in rhythm..and then she came closer...her bun opening into long tresses as she threw back her head...n then moved closer...her breasts grazing dr ashutosh's chest...she closed her eyes at the moment,..wanting almost expecting, dr ashutosh would move his hand...his fingers would graze the plunging back line of her gown..he d tantalize her with his touch...but to her astonishment..dr ashutosh kept dancing, keeping the touch marble cold...his fingers hoding her back as if they d hold an inanimate object,..meera looked up..his expression was stony..and unfathomable...as she looked at nidhi..sure she d be jealous...and she saw her chatting with mrs reddy..n dr reddy , completely relaxed...oh how could she be!!! As meera closed her eyes...took a deep sigh and changed her posture..wanting to put both her hands around dr ashutosh's neck and then slowly rest her head on his broad manly chest...as her hands moved up...and her fingers touched his hair...dr ashutosh looked up...she tried to rest her head on his chest...her eyes closed...lips parted...dr ashutosh took off his hand from her back n held her arm..squeezing it almost cruelly..."dr meera..plz open your eyes ..lest you may trip n fall..."and his eyebrow was raised in that famous hardstone temper...as meera looked up, he distangled himself and said"thank you..but i think we have danced enough..."!!leaving a deeply shaken n shocked meera on the floor...as he came to pick nishu in his arms and joined the conversation that nidhi n the reddys were having..nidhi looked up at him...n asked"arre badi jaldi khatam ho gaya aapka dance...tired"?? But before ashutosh could say anything, mrs mallik joined in..looking at all of them.."bhai..you all know..afyer our son n his wife's tragic death 5 years ago, meera has been with us...now all is settled in life, she d be taking over dr mallik's surgery..but plz help me introduce her to an eligible bachelor...she is 32..time to settle down in life...let us know if you know anyone.."and the group smiled politely ...as nidhi looked at meera...not surprised to find her eyes with a sense of pain n agony...oh meera if you d only understand...thought nidhi...
Dr mallik finally clapped for attention..."ladies n gentlemen...now for the man..who is being honoured tomorrow...come on lets raise this toast to dr ashutosh..."all raised the toast...dr ashutosh smiled n thanked..."thank you is not going to save you ashutosh..you d have to sing to us..come on..."and everyone cheered...dr ashutosh got up..and walked to the beautiful piano..he sat on the stool and hit the keys...then looking up , he said"this song is dedicated to my wife nidhi...and nidhi looked up intently...waiting for which song he d choose today...he looked a devastatingly handsome man..like the heroes of the 60s ..in his black suit, white shirt..bow tie...grey side burns...and an intense look...dr ashutosh's voice filled the hall...as nidhi looked at him with pride n love ..and meera with anguish and sadness...
JAB JAB BAHAAR AAYEE...AUR PHOOL MUSKURAAYE
MUJHE TUM YAAD AAYE...MUJHE TUM YAAD AAYE..
OOO...AAA...
(and now he looked straight at nidhi ..who was taking a sleepy nishu in her lap)
EK PYAAR AUR WAFAA KI TASVEER MAANTAA HOON..
TASVEER KYA TUMHE MAIN TAQDEER MAANTA HOON...
DEKHI NAZAR MEI KHUSHIYAAN..YA DEKHE GUM KE SAAYE..
MUJHE TUM YAAD AAYE...
(he seemed to close his eyes...as if unable to control his love n emotions ready to flow out of his eyes")
MUMKIN HAI ZINDAGANI ..KER JAAYE BEWAFAAI
LEKIN YEH PYAAR WOH HAI JISME NAHI JUDAAI..
(Nidhi's eyes filled with tears...unable to control her emotions..her heart almost bursting to meet his..her eyes respondingto his deep devotion)
ISS PYAAR KE FASAANE JAB JAB ZUBAAN PE AAYE...
MUJHE TUM YAAD AAYE...MUJHE TUM YAAD AAYE...
and as dr ashutosh ended...all clapped...except nidhi...who couldnt...because dr ashutosh's son nishu..was sleeping soundly in her arms...she applauded with her eyes...looking straight at dr ashutosh..the two locked in a moment so prersonal...even while they were surrounded by a crowd of people...Dr meera observed...and she did not feel jealous..she just felt ...lonely..more than ever...why was it that she always had to lose the people she loved??her parents...n now the only man whom she had longed to be with...meera sighed...
Mrs mallik announced dinner as it was almost midnight...and came to nidhi.."come nidhi..you can put nishu on the couch..."nidhi smiled"thanx mam, but he d wake up...actually he s still not fast asleep..its okay..let dr ashutosh eat first..."mrs mallik smiled...as ashutosh came with his plate ...to nidhi...,"aap kha leejiye..phir shaayad nishu aapke paas reh jaaye...to mai kha loongi"!! Dr ashutosh smiled..n taking a spoon of pasta to nidhi's mouth , said"kyun ..humaara saath khaana allowed nahi hai kya...chalo muh kholo...aaa"as he put a spoon of pasta in nidhi's mouth..smiling at her...encouraging her to eat more...wiping her lips as she finished...meera looked on intently...yes dr ashutosh n nidhi loved each other deeply...they had a family...but did they actually suit each other.she thougt??it was not age...but the difference in their worlds...ashutosh a well travelled mature man..but nidhi..a wide eyed tourist...ashutosh an FRCS..an honourary doctorate from the best college of surgeons in the world...n nidhi..a mere MBBS??how could he vibe with her...but meera knew it was not pure physical desire...because had it been so..she would have felt dr ashutosh yielding to her...during the dance...she knew she was more attractive..much more desirable than nidhi...n yet dr ashutosh had held her as if she were ...she were a corpse...meera gulped as she seemed to feel that ashutosh nidhi relationship was more than desire...and yet..a lurking hope lingered...could nidhi connect with him intellectually??...did they match??were they not as different as chalk n cheese???"meera...baby the guests are leaving"...it was dr mallik calling her...as she came out of her trance...and looked up to see dr ashutosh taking a sleeping nishu in his arms and helping nidhi to get up...his arm around her waist...as they bade bye bye to their hosts, dr ashutosh repeated"sir n mam plz come tomorrow to the auditorium..i had come to london as a young post graduate..n you guided me...tomorrow as they choose to honour me...its impossible to accept it without you..sir"dr maalik nodded..smiling broadly...as nidhi almost impromptu...hugged meera..."meera plz come tomorrow...we d be glad to have you..plz " meera was a lil taken aback...she had expected nidhi to be jealous or wary of her..clearly she had seen meera coveting dr ashutosh...n yet here she was..hugging her ...rival..warmly..meera smiled at nidhi..the warmth almost travelling to her eyes..as she tried to figure out...was nidhi so naiive as not to realise meera's desire...or was she so confident so as to believe that she was the only woman dr ashutosh could ever love...
As dr ashutosh settled nishu, taking off his jacket n shoes,he looked at the watch ..it was nearly 2 in the night...he came back to see ..nidhi bending backwards...stretching her back...he walked quickly"kya ker rahi ho...dont do that...first trimester mei ho...".and as he saw nidhi seeming tired...he took her to bed...and turned her on her side...n he began to press her back...but she continued to moan..."kya hua hai nidhi...whats hurting"??? Nidhi sighed"i dunno,..bus back...hips legs sab dukh rahe hain...maybe i shouldnt have worn the sandles" dr ashutosh caressed her hair, saying"sone ki koshish karo...mai daba rahaa hoon...you ll feel better by morning...so jaao" as ashitosh's therapeautic fingers seemed to bring relief to nidhi...she drifted into sleep...as ashutosh brought her to his chest...his hands grazing her bosom...realising she was growing...he just prayed that this time she wouldnt have to suffer...he couldnt bear to see her in agony...n yet ..he saw..inspite of the discomfort there was a peace on her face...which had been missing since she had lost the baby...it was the peace of hope...of a dream about to turn true...ashutosh held her tight...as she mumbled in her sleep...his name...that seemed to be her world...
In the morning, as nidhi got tea, dr ashutosh was awakened by her "uthiye na...kitna sote hain..by god"!!dr ashutosh looked up n wore his specs...he looked at her...n touching her , he said"pain kaisaa hai..ab"?? Nidhi smiled"pain...what pain??mai to shopping ka plan ker rahi thi...you know the best therapy is retail therapy...jaante hain aap"??dr ashutosh laughed as he shook his head,.."theek hai..lets go to HARRODS ..its the best store in london...list bana lo...aur jo gifts lene hain..unki bhi...but phir aaj kuch nahi...bcoz raat ko function hai..."nidhi nodded..."jaanti hoon...per dr ashutosh..mai nahi jaaoongi..afterall nishu to allowed nahi hoga and baar baar aise usse chodna...i dontlike it...armaanjinko pata chalega to meri jaan le lenge...n seriously...mai tv pe dekhoongi...aap jaaiye ..."ashutosh had been thinking about this...but as always nidhi had given such a simple solution...but..."tumhaare bina..how s it possible??mera koi kaam tumhaare bina adhoora hai,.."he said...looking at her..nidhi smiled..playing with his tee..."i know...per kya mai wahaan nahi jaaoongi to iska yeh matlab hai...ki mai wahaan nahi present hongi??mai to aapme hoon...mehsoos kariyega...bilkul paas paayenge..."dr ashutosh had no answer...as he took her lips...in love and reverence...his hands trembling...as she smiled and put them on her bosom...opening her arms to hold him...close to her..she looked at him...n naughtily asked"kya baat hai...itte lazy kyun hain"??ashutosh smiled...and pulled her nose...before..stamping her body ...heart n soul with his love...a love that was hers...and only her's...nidhi recalled what he had said long back...in a rare moment of exhibiting hislove in words..."WOH JAGAH TUMHARI HAI NIDHI...AUR TUMHAARI HI RAHEGI..KOI AUR USSE NAHI LE SAKTA,..YOU D ALWAYS BE UP THERE FOR ME"..."dr ashutosh..."and rest was lost in the storm of passion...emanating from a love so deep...that it was unshakeable...as ashutosh made the most tender love any man could make...each part of his being expressing what he rarely said in words..."NIDHI..I LOVE YOU...I LOVE YOU...I CANT LIVE WITHOUT YOU..."
Miles away...in her room, meera sat lonely and sad...tears flowing from her tired eyes...as she remembered...ashutosh looking at nidhi...his love...his wife...the mother of his children...meera had thought ...it was desire...but through the evening she had realised...ITWAS NOT DESIRE...NOT LUST...IT WAS MAGIC...THAT CAME ONLY ONCE IN A LIFETIME...
Edited by indu6789 - 11 years ago
