FF- Destiny's Play (2) Chap 7 Pg 76 Siggy pg 105 - Page 55

Chapter Seven

Dadi bua waited for Col.Verma to speak, a look of reluctant anticipation on her face. "Kya boli woh? Kaisi hain?"

CV nodded and kept the phone aside. "Teek hain bua. KGH mein phirse join kiya haina toh busy hain. Aur kal uss orphanage ka annual day bhi hain."

"I never liked that hospital in the first place and I could never understand her weird fascination to keep on going there despite the fact that she got kicked out not long ago."

CV shrugged. "It's OK bua. That was when she had been just an intern in training. Now she is a full-fledged doctor..a neurologist no less." Pride peeked out of his voice before he sternly controlled it and continued, "Aur waise bhi ab woh badi hogayi hain. She can make her own decisions..and her own mistakes. Who are we to say anything?"

DB got riled up at those words and screeched. "What do you mean who are we? You're her baba and I'm her dadi bua. Her family. We have complete right to interfere and prevent if she is making a mistake." Her voice turned sulky. "Rohan ki ma se kal hi meri baat hue. Pata hain woh Mumbai mein kitna kamaraha hain? Itna achcha rishta tha..tukra diya iss ladki ne."

"Rohan ne bhi toh mana kiya tha bua." CV pondered on that. He could've pushed if it had been just Nidhi but when both of them had refused, there wasn't anything anyone could do.

"Agar yeh ladki maan gayi hoti toh Rohan ko toh mein khud manaleti. Cha!"

"Lekin Nidhi toh kisi aur ko chahti hain. Aisa usi ne uss din kaha tha."

DB started pacing angrily. "Lekin ladka hain kaun? She never opened her mouth on that. I pushed and pushed but she never opened her mouth or gave out the name."

Now even CV was frustrated. "That's what's eating me up too bua. Why didn't she tell me who the guy was? Or bring him to meet me? I loved Nandini. Ours was a love marriage. I would've been willing to meet." Then he forced himself to be honest. "Well..maybe not immediately but later on..after a few weeks or months..now it's been two years and she is still being close mouthed about it."

"I tell you Yog, this girl is up to no good. You shouldn't have allowed her to move out of the house into the apartment."

"What else did you want me to do? Tie her up at home? And when she refused to even listen to my side of things, how long was I to keep quiet? I thought she would try to live on her own for a few weeks, face the reality of the world without her baba beside her, regret her decision and come back. Say sorry."

"But that didn't happen, did it. She is your daughter. Zidd mein tumse chaar kadam aage hain."

CV nodded but his mind was still on the questions that never left him all these years. Who is the guy? Why is Nidhi refusing to name him? Did he reject her? Was she nursing a broken heart? Why doesn't she talk?

****

"Hey Ranganath, you busy?"

Ranganath muted the TV and replied, "No sir. Tell me." He silently mouthed Armaan sir to Anji. Anji scowled but nodded.

"You know there is that annual day thing in that orphanage. Nidhi is going there. Tomorrow." Armaan continued in whispered excitement. "Maze ki baat suno ab. Ashu bhi jaaraha hain."

Ranganath nodded and said with a straight face. "Aur Anji bhi."

"Satya nash! Why the hell..sorry..why is she going?"

Ranganath cleared his throat. "Sir, she is the one who designed the costumes for the kids and all. Tomorrow they are going to go there post lunch to get the kids ready in time.."

Armaan cut in. "No no no..she can't go..she can't go. Nidhi will hide behind your wife and.."

"But sir, Anji is much shorter than Nidhi na.." Ranganath just couldn't resist.

Armaan growled. "Don't test me. Ashu offered Nidhi a ride to the orphanage. And wonder of wonders, she accepted."

Ranganath blinked. "She did? That's..that's really great."

Armaan was on a flow. "Just imagine Ranganath..he picks her up so he has to drop her back. Raaste mein baarish..dono bheeg jaate hain..Nidhi asks him to come up.." He lowered his voice as he hummed an off-beat, "Roop tera..ah..mastana..ah..pyaar meraa deewana.."

Ranganath rolls his eyes. "Sir.."

"Or..he drops her back and she offers him a cup of coffee.." and started another one, "jaadu hain nasha hain..madhoshiyaan..shiyaan.."

"SIR!"

"zyaada hogaya? Then how about.." and hummed, "jaa..ne..do..na.. ah..paas aao na.."

"ARMAAN SIR!" Ranganath shouted.

"Uh..what?"

"I think you need to slow down and think of a couple of shaadi songs first?"

Armaan scoffed. "Forget shaadi. Let them enjoy yaar. Ouch! My wife just smacked me. But seriously what is wrong in that?"

Ranganath sighed and closed his eyes. Talk about going off the topic. He didn't even remember what they had been talking about. What was it about? Oh yeah. Orphanage, Nidhi and Anji. Right. "Sir, it won't be a problem. I'll ask Anji to skip it."

"Skip? Skip what?" Anji was quick to pounce. Ranganath signalled her to wait and quickly gave another reassurance to Armaan before ending the call. After a quick prayer to the Almighty above, he pulled Anji to sit beside him and lovingly caressed her hair.

"Anji, you know? You're so..so..you look so beautiful. I feel so lucky to have such an understanding wife. Damn lucky."

"Maska mat maro. Come to the point. What did Armaanji say?"

Ranganath sighed and started talking.

****

Ashutosh looked at the caller id and winced. He shouldn't have told Armaan about the function. But that guy had been relentless in his questioning and in the end it had just seemed easier to give in and tell him. He had stupidly thought that that would get the guy off his back. And it did. Now Armaan was off his back. He was dancing on his head. He took a deep bracing breath and answered the call.

"Yes Armaan?"

"You're still going to go, right?"

"Yes."

"No second thoughts?"

"No."

"Sure?"

"Yes."

"Can I give a suggestion?"

"No."

"You seriously want me to butt out of your business?"

"Yes."

"OK."

"Thank you."

"So..what are you going to wear tomorrow?"

The persistence of the man! "I think clothes would be a good idea."

"Clothes in my opinion are over-rated mere bhai."

"How does Kavita put up with you I absolutely have no idea and I pity your kids. Both of them."

Armaan laughed heartily. "My wife adores me and my kids love me. And you already know that. Now out with it. What are you going to wear tomorrow? Suit? I think that dark blue one.."

Ashutosh shook his head. "No. Just something a little informal. I'm going there to help not attend some board meeting."

"Awesome. Then..shorts and a t-shirt?"

"Armaan! I'm not going for my morning jog either. Now go and pester Kavita and leave me alone."

"Dost..dost..na raha..pyaar pyaar naa raha..zindagi gume tera.."

Ashutosh muttered dramebaaz under his breath and cut the call.

****

Nidhi fiddled with her long skirt one last time before taking a bracing breath and locked her apartment door behind her. Would he like the dress? She cursed herself. Why should she care? How did it even matter? No. It didn't matter. He probably preferred traditional attires. That was what Dr Mallika had always worn. One beautiful sari after another. She didn't know. In the past, whenever she had worn something new, she had asked him, he had shrugged and smiled. Once, she had stomped her feet and persisted. He had laughed and hugged her.

"I love you! No matter what you wear, you look beautiful to me."

And she had lived on those words for weeks afterwards. Now here she was, once again fidgeting and wondering about her dress selection. Goes to show how screwed up she was on the inside. The guy didn't trust her, thought her love was a transient feeling that couldn't be relied on, thought her weak and immature. And here she was wondering if her lavender and violet short sleeved top and dark violet ankle length skirt would impress him. Would his eyes gleam with passion and desire like they used to? She shook her head as if to dislodge the erratic thoughts and walked out of the building.

Nidhi came to a standstill as soon as she spotted him. He was leaning against his car looking casual and dangerous all in one go. Dark blue shirt with rolled up sleeves was left untucked over a pair of black trousers. Black slide-in shoes and a wrist watch completed his attire. He straightened as soon as he spotted her and with a smile that lit up his black black eyes, he went and opened the passenger door for her. She gave him an awkward smile and slid into the seat, fastened her seat belt and waited for him to come around.

"All set?" he asked, flashing his lopsided smile. She nodded and the car started. A couple of minutes later, they turned towards the main road which would lead them to the orphanage.

"Uh..Anji was also supposed to come. But..relatives from her in-laws side had come unexpectedly. So.."

Relatives or a meddling husband? Ashutosh didn't voice the question aloud. "Oh. OK. No problem. I'll help you out. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

Nidhi played with the handle of her handbag. "How is your hand now?"

He showed the small band aid that now replaced the bandage and smiled into her eyes. "Hardly there. Fabulous work Doc."

Nidhi blushed and looked away. "Ever since Sister Mary told the kids that you were going to come, they have been practising something especially for you. A dance. To welcome you."

"And you have been teaching them that haven't you?" Nidhi didn't answer and that gave him the answer. "Thank you so much Nidhi."

"No need to thank me. I didn't do it for you. I did it for them."

Deciding to change the topic he asked, "Where did you do your PG?" She named the college and he blinked in surprise. "But I came there as an external examiner last year."

Nidhi nodded. "I know. For my seniors' batch."

"That college has some of the best professors in UP."

"True. It was hard work but I enjoyed it."

"Your favourite subject?"

"Neurogenetics." She warmed up quickly as the excitement of sharing her experiences with this man took over her. "But you know..I barely scraped through Neurobiochemistry."

He laughed at her exaggerated shudder. "Not pathology?"

"That was OK but this one..yeeks..gave me nightmares I tell you."

"Can you guess my bone of contention?"

"You mean you had one?" At his raised eyebrow look, she tried to give a nonchalant shrug. "I thought you were brilliant in everything."

Ashutosh shook his head. He had been brilliant in his subjects but plunked the most important subject of his life. Love. "Biostat," he said aloud. "You should've seen me before the exam. I just wanted it over and done with so that I could move on to other subjects." Nidhi started shaking her head in bemused wonder. They had reached the orphanage and Ashutosh parked the car. "What? You don't believe me? Ask Armaan if you want. He used to hide under the table to escape my nervous babbling."

After a moment of stunned silence, Nidhi burst out laughing. Not the soft laugh or even a girlish giggle. It was a full-fledged, head thrown back hearty laughter. The thought of Dr Heartstone actually babbling in his nervousness was just too weird to even contemplate. And just like that, amidst the most beautiful sound he'd ever heard, he fell in love all over again. That laugh tingled his insides and soothed his bleeding lonely heart. He wanted to capture it, nurture it and treasure it. And before he knew it, his hand reached out and cupped her soft cheek as if wanting to touch that smile. Laughter died in her and the air thickened around them in a fraction of a second. Buried thoughts came to life and instantaneously took over their hearts and bodies. Nidhi tried to draw back and tried to wet her suddenly dry lips. His dark bottomless eyes followed that tiny movement before locking back on to her eyes. His free hand started reaching out to touch and cup her face. To bring it closer and..

"We..W-we should go. K-kids."

Neither of them got to think or do anything for the next three hours. The children ran outside to greet him and the younger ones went as far as to give him a tentative hug of welcome. He was touched, moved and felt guilty for not visiting them all these weeks and months. Suffering from a broken heart didn't give him the right to hurt these little kids. Sister Mary came out and tried to bring some order among the chaotic group. Soon everyone bustled inside and arrangements for the function began in the earnest. A low level stage in the shape of a large square was arranged in the middle of the huge ground and chairs were being placed around the stage. Children were divided into two groups basing on their dresses. Nidhi took care of the dress and Ashutosh, their head gear. Both of them worked in perfect sync, just like they did in the OT and the OPD of KGH and soon all the children were ready and lined up for their performance. Ashutosh for his part couldn't stop his lips from smiling whenever they met her wary eyes and pink cheeks. He didn't let the frugal look deter him. He would win her back. Somehow, someway. He would ask for another chance and win her trust. He would overcome his insecurities and his fears. He would not..could not contemplate another alternative.

One child, a six year old Tarun, ran to him and caught his hand. "Sir, come. Our dance has begun. We learnt it for you. Come sir. Come." And dragged him into the middle of the stage. Ashutosh hadn't even realized that while he and Nidhi were getting the kids ready, the guests had come and the welcome speech was also done.

Dhol bajne laga gav sajne laga

Koi laut ke aaya hai sag apne

Vo rang kitane laya hai

Aaya re hamra mitva

Ham jhum jhum gaye

Nache re hamra manva

Ham jhum jhum gaye

Children made him stand in the middle and surrounded him with their chirpy movements and jaunty steps. He couldn't help but smile and laugh at their attics as they attempted to synchronize their movements. Soon he was clapping along with the beat and tried to follow each child's movements, the joy on their faces and laughter in their eyes. He could see Nidhi in that dance. Even if he hadn't known before, he would've known just by watching them that only his Nidhi would've taught them something like this. His eyes looked up and searched the crowd for the object of his desire and found her standing along with the rest of the orphanage staff and clapping along with the song. Her eyes were brimming with pride at what the kids had accomplished. Ashutosh bent down and whispered softly to Tarun, who nodded and ran towards his Nidhi didi.

Aanevale na ab jana kabhi chhod ke

Padte ham paiyya kabhi haath kabhi jodke

Jane na dege ham ab dil todake

Apna kunvar aaya rajeshvar aaya

Despite her protests, the kid dragged her on to the stage and before she knew it, she was one among them, holding their hands and dancing along with them.

Sag apne vo rag kitne laya hai

Aaya re hamra mitva

Her laughing eyes met his joyful ones and at the moment for both of them, the past seized to exist. They were just Ashutosh and Nidhi. Two people crazily in love with each other, surrounded by children who loved them like family. In that festive mood, no one noticed the car that had come to a smooth halt in front of the orphanage and the person getting down from it.

Ham jhum jhum gaye

Nache re hamra manva

Ham jhum jhum gaye

Dhol bajne laga gav sajne laga

Koi laut ke aaya hai

Ashutosh clapped some more and with a huge grin adorning his face, made his way to one of the chairs to sit and better enjoy the show. He didn't notice the person walking towards the chairs or the pair of searching eyes that landed and stayed on him. One of the staff brought him a glass of juice; he took it with a thank you. His eyes were still locked on to the girl who was now dancing in the middle of the children with her dark violet skirt twirling around her and hair rumbled with a few strands sticking to her cheeks. His vision suddenly turned black as a palm came in front of his eyeglasses. With a startled frown, he caught the hand, removed it and turned back towards the person all in one smooth move.

"Surprise!"

"Mallika you? Here?"

Mallika grinned and shrugged and moved forward to give him a small hug before drawing back to look at his face. "I landed this morning and went to your house. Kaka said you were at the orphanage so..here I am!"

Ashutosh nodded distractedly as he stepped back and turned towards the group of dancers. All the children were there. But Nidhi! There was no Nidhi. Where was she? Where did she go? His eyes searched frantically. But no. No Nidhi. She wasn't there anywhere in the vicinity. Where did she go? Nidhi!

And thats it for now. Hope you LIKE it. Awaiting your comments / criticisms. Goodnight everyone!! Sweet dreams!!