ek tha raja...ek thi titli3 pg.145 aadhe adhoore..khwaab... - Page 13

"Nidhi chal na coffee peene.."t was dr anita who spoke on thursday afternoon..as wards got over..nidhi smiled ..yes coffee on a cold afternoon.

Lovely ..but then as she saw the files she added"you guys go..i d complete the work n join..dr bhagat hates incomplete work..."and dr anita jibed affectionately"haan tujhe to middle aged drs ki likes dislikes sabse zyaada pata hain na"!!and nidhi laughed as Anita made a face..n gave her a pat..nidhi could see dr Akshat look at her..wirh a strange look...he seemed to be smitten by her...she sighed...poor boy!!why couldnt he understand..she was happily married to the only man she ever loved...nidhi sighed as she got on with the work...and emerged half an hr later having met dr Bhagat ..who smiled n added"dr nidhi..you are an asset..i have never gad such a student..great..now go..have some fun with ur friends.."nidhi smiled as she walked..looking back as she closed the door...n rather surprised to find the DR bhagat looking at her with deep reflective eyes!

"Guys. .kitni sweet hai yeh coffee yuck"!!said nidhi..as akshat looked at her..n dr zeenat sniped"bhai tere dr hardstone to black bitter coffee peete hain.."nidhi made a face n laughed"thats hustory...ab normal mocha peete hain..woh bhi mere haathon ki"!!and for a moment she was lost in their coffee sessions..by the bedroom window..most priceless moments...

"Achcha nidhi yeh bata..how does it feel driving a merc..woh bhi latest model red..swanky"!!asked anita...n nidhi really laughed recalling her old santro..that she still missed"jaante ho..car doesnt matter..what matters is car me kiske saath drive pe jaa rahe ho...aur yeh mujhe dr hardstone ne sikhaya"!!all giggled"tu bhi HARDSTONE kehti hai sir ko..really"??n nidhi bit her lip...n said"ab hardstone hain to choco lava cake kahoon kya"!!!

"Achcha dr nidhi...aapko phool itte pasand hain..does dr ashutosh get u flowers.."??nidhi was a lil taken aback at this question from akshat...she kept quiet for a moment n then replied"nahi woh phool nahi laate mere liye...main unke garden mein phool ugaati hoon...aur phir woh wahaan hur subah chai peete hain..aur yn phoolon ko admire karte hain...n guys agar aap logon ki enquiey khatm ho gayi hoto main chaloon..i have to meet my friend Rohan..jo uss din aaya tha"!!dr anita asked"one last query...maine ..hum sab ne suna tha..middle aged men bade shakki hote hain..dr hardstone doesnt mind tera Rohan ke saath hazrat ganj jana"??nidhi got up..."main Rohan ke sath hazrat ganj nahi jaa rahi..usse apne ghar le ja rahi hoon..jahaan dr ashutosh aur hum chaai samose khaayenge aur bahut sari baatein karenge...but guys tum log nahi samjhoge..."and then as she got up..zeenat added with a smile"tere dr hardstone ko samajhna mushkil hi nahi naamumkin hai"!!and nidhi broke into a laugh adding "yess ..woh hain hi aise...tabhi to main hoon..dr nidhi ashutosh...forever"!!

"Arre waah...Rohan..gr8 bhai..tum gaayab kahaan ho jate ho...nidhi samose laao na.."it was dr ashutosh emerging from his car into the hall...n as he shook hands..nidhi giggled"aapko kaise pata samose layi hoon..."ashutosh tousled her hair n said"Rohan tum aur samosa...that is what u guys call a combo"!!and Rohan laughed"gr8 sirji...gr8"!!and ashutosh said"bas abhi aaya change kar ke..."and nidhi shouted"kapde rakhe hain..aur yeh suit dry cleaning basket me daaliyega..."and ashutosh smiled.."kaho to main khud bhi chala jasoon dry clean hone..."and nidhi pouted"chup chaap nahaa ke aaiye..kahi bhaga nahi jaa raha Rohan aapka.."ashutosh smiled n entered his bedroom...and then a thought struck him as he opened nidhi's wardrobe n looked for her things...her clothes..under garments..shoes. ..n then clised it with a naughty glint...yes a surprise was over due...he would love to see her squeal n hug him...

Ashutosh emerged in his black tracks n olive green sweater...as he saw Rohan chatting with baba..explaining him how dofficult it was to meet quarterly targets"..probably more difficult than brain surgery..".baba added!!

Rohan bit into a samosa ..as nidhi served tea to dr ashutosh n he looked at her...both freezing in that moment...it often happened during the feneral xourse of the day...or while nidhi slept blissfully on his chest..that ashutosh would sulently thank god...for he had been blessed with all he could ever desire...

Rohan n baba coughed n baba commented"bhai..samoson pe romance..waah"!!and nidhi ran into the kitchen while ashutosh blushed...

"Sirjee..main soch raha tha..ek din day picnic ke liye aaiye ghar..col verma ke lawn mei khaayenge lunch..what say"??and nidhi's eyes transfigured with joy. ..ashutosh could never ever miss the reflection in those eyes..as he said"zuroor...agle sunday...iss weekend to zara busy hoon..."Rohan asked"per yeh to long weekend hai..monday bhi chutti..."nidhi pouted"arre Rohan brain surgeons ke liye no holidays...per aayenge..baba se milne..achcha bata anji...phine nahi leti aajkal...kaisi hai"??

Rohan turned serious.."dr Ranganath aa to gaye hain..wahaan but i dont think..there is a thaw..anji ji to fashion house mei hi rehti hain zyaada...aur woh aapke kgh mei...ek main hi akela aawaara hoon"!!and suddenly someone slapped his head n added"ach ha meri jaan mujhe bhool gaya tu"!!!and Rohan got up to hug Armaan..as they all discussed next sunday lunch at col verma's "mughal garden"as Rohan called it!!"bhai wahaan koi phool nahi todiyega..warna col verma apni gun nikaal lenge"!!and armaan repartied"arre ab kya..unke bageeche ka sabse umdaa phool to humare ghar me hai ab"!!and ashutosh looked at nidhi...

At night as she was arranging her wardrobe..she was a lil surprised at dr ashutosh taking interest..asking about her things n his...till she queried"yeh aaj kapdon ki itni chinta kyun ho gayi..main hoon na..."and ashutosh joked"biwiyon ka kya bharosa kisi din chali gayi waapas apne papa ke paas..to main to night suit me hi reh jaaoonga"!!and he laughed..but stopped dead as he saw nidhi hiccupp with tears..."hey jaan kya hua"??and he held her"i was just joking...u know that..."but nidhi looked at him...with fiercely intense eyes..."kabhi aisa nahi kahiyega...jab tak saans hsi..aapke paas ..apke sath hoon..."and dr ashutosh did not reply..he just hugged her...putting her head on to his chest..n caressing her back..as they both could hear the words I LOVE YOU..though neither of them spoke...it was the music of love..the sound of music...ashutosh nidhi..humesha humesha...

3 more parts during the day.

Aruna seemed to understand nidhi's agitation..as she put a hand on her shoulder n said"kya hua...tu kahi nahi jaa rahi"??nidhi took a deep breath..how she had secretly yearned for a short trip...maybe just till Allahabad...but then she knew dr ashutosh had a tough weekend..after all he was the best neurosurgeon. ...she tried to smile as she said"yaar..unki surgeries lined up hain...you know na..he s a big dr..head of kgh..itni zimmedariyaan...uneasy lies the head that wears the crown..."!!Aruna nodded as she left...only to collide with dr Bhagat who had probably overheard their conversation. .."sorry sir..i am sorry"said dr aruna..as dr Bhagat came in..n stood in front of nidhi..as she got up .#he looked directly into her eyes n said"dr nidhi...aapki generation mei itni understanding...its rare ..v rare...yes sir is really lucky to have you..."nidhi felt a lil awkward...as she pushed her hair back ...she had been observing dr Bhagat warming towards her...was it appreciation to her work...was he too smitten by her...or was it something else...she wondered...

It was an hour later at about 5 that she rung up dr ashutosh wanti g to remind him to pick her up...as he had sent her merc for servicing...he didnt take her call...but then whassapp ed"yaad hai..pick up at 6.sharp"!nidhi bit her lip...it seems he was busy..in a meeting...oh his work..it seemed unending..n nidhi wondered if they d even be abke to take a long drive that he had promised her...nidhi felt tears stinging her eyes..as she completed her file work n got up for the last round!!

*********

Dr Ashutosh had packed two bags..one for himself n one for nidhi..he had kept her churidar kurtas..shoes..under garments night wear..a shawl..two sweaters but couldnt find her socks...he sighed...but then his face lit up...imagining the joy in those lovely eyes...he zipped his suit case..two jeans..a khaki..two pullovers...and yes..his favourite tracks..."ho gaya beta..."??ot was baba who asked as he entered the ashni bedroom...'jee baba..all set.."baba smiled as he asked"i hope nidhi ko pata nahi hai..."ashutosh smiled n said no...as Armaan entered n said"bookings confirmed...ticket print out liya...aur haan return flt tuesday early morning ho gayi hai..you can join work by 10.30...aadha ghanta to tere patients wait kar hi sakte hain...aur dr s hain na"!!Ashutosh furrowed his brow for a moment..as he said"main ek last round leke aata hoon hospital se..."as naba sighed...

**********"mallika..there are no surgeries scheduled till wednesday...and emergency can be handled by you...i d join by tuesday..dont worry..."and as Mallika asked"kahin jaa rahe ho...baahar"??ashutosh kept quiet...recalling her midnight call in simla..n he just said"chalta hoon..see u on tuesday.."and dr mallika stood frozen..

She knew a long lonely weekend lay ahead of her..it meant being away from regular work..and being immersed in more whiskey...ufff life..was painful indeed...mallika stepped out into her car...an old model merc..a silver one..recalling how dr ashutosh had accompanied her when she had bought it...she sighed n onned the fm...the song said it all...

"Rula ke gaya sapna mera...

Baithi hoon kab ho savera...rula ke gaya sapna mera..."!!was there a dawn to her dark night...will the sun of ashutosh 's love ever shine again in her life...??she drove on..as her eyes dried up...n her jaw seemed set...she seemed to promise herself a sunny morning one day...even if it meant...

ONE MORE PART COMING UP ..SOON

Nidhi was closing the file room n walking to the car park to wait for her husband. .nearly all the md students had left..after all they were all in a hurry to go off...but nidhi smiled she had no complaints..she d clean up..cook for baba ..n yes wait for the free moments of dr ashutosh. She had no complaints..she knew he gave nearly all his time other than hospital time to her..it had not missed her that he now hardly ever went for classical music concerts or to his favourite british council library...he loved to laze with her at home...watch her do things..yes he read..specially before sleeping..but he did come to bed sooner than he did some months ago...n he always cocooned her in his bear hug...

Nidhi was surprised to find Aruna..lata..akshat..laxmi..prabha..n many others still in the drive way.."arre u guys didnt go..."??and they laughed n showed their ice creams"baskin robbins...dear workaholic"!!said dr prabha...n nidhi laughed"cheats..mujhe nahi bulaya...v bad"and dr akshatcame forward with his cone..."plz have a bite..."but nidhi smiled awkwardly..n said"i was just joking...i have to go.."and just as she was walked..she was nearly blinded by the headlights of a fast approaching car..a cab..and as it screeched to a halt..to her shock..out came dr Ashutosh. .."arre aap??aapki car ..whats happened"??and ashutosh just smiled..holding her elbow he said.."enquiry commission baithaogi to flight miss ho jasyegi...:"!!nidhi was surprised...she asked"flight...to whare..when..why"??ashutosh smiled ..nodding to her class mates as they wished him..a few even coming closer..and he raised his eyebrow n retorted"humari flt..to dehradun..1 hr 20 mins away..we r going to mussoorie..aur kyun...yeh "rest was lost in nidhi's delighted squeal...as she jumped n put her arms around him..hugging him...and ashutosh held her for a moment before letting her go...n she blushed ..waving to her mates who shouted"lucky you..."and she was almost pushed into the cab...zooom to mussoorie...

***********

"It was at 9 p.m. that they landed at the Dehradun airport...small but nidhi could figure the sillouthes of hills around...as ashutosh collected the luggage..n emerged..they c.were ushered y a cabbie of an innova from SAVOY mussoorie...nidhi held on to ashutosh...wanting to ask so many questions but he just put a finger to her lips n said"just sit back n enjoy..its a lovely drive i believe...ek ghante me pahunch jaayenge..lets order dinner..you d be hungry by the time you reach...bolo kya..."nidhi thought for a while as he dialled n added"naan n paneer ..shahi paneer..aur kuch bhi..."and he smiled as he repeated..adding mixed vegetables n kheer as dessert..."!!

As they climbed up..the road truly serpentine..the driver stopped ..."sir yahaan se neeche dekhiye..dehra dun ki lights..."and as the couple came out..they seemed mesmerised at the millions of lights that shimmered thru the mist..and ashutosh pointed towards the mountains...where the lights of mussoorie and far flung hill villages shone..n there the two seemed to be standing in space..gazing at a galaxy below...n luminous stars above..and what made it more beautiful was that dr ashutosh put his hand around her ...and whispered.."khush ho na...weekend plan se"??and nidhi hugged him...as the cabbie smiled n her hubby blushed in embarrassment. .

*********

It was after dinner at the huge dining hall of Savoy that the couple were walked to their suite..on the ground floor..with a huge tower above...it really seemed a fairy land..ashutosh politely turned down the manager's offer to show the hotel around..he ited'we r tired..tomorrow will explore on our own.."!!

And it was an hour later that a refreshed nidhi sat in his lap by a huge french window as he sipped the coffee ...and both gazed at the elm trees outside...

There was a knock...ashutosh opened n a waiter got in logs of wood to make a blazing fire in the old fire place...and nidhi had a child like wonder in her eyes..as aahutosh tipped him..the waiter..a kindly old hill man spoke"shaabji..raat ko bahir nahi jaana..kehte hain..bhoot ghoomta hai...yeh hotel british zamaane ka...ghadar ke time bahut maar kaat hui thi...waise din mei koi darr nahi...din nei bhoot sab sota"!!and laughed...as ashutosh smirked n closed the door..nidhi asked.."aap padhenge nahi..."??and he smiled"ab itni door..weekend mei mai medical research padhne to aaya nahi...kyun"!!and then laughed"thak gaye hain hum dono..aao lets sleep..come "!!

As they lay and ashutosh covered themselves in a duvet..a lovely floral one..he switched off the light...n nidhi asked"light jalne deejiye na...plz"!!and he relented..but not before a furtowed look...as he found nidhi on his chest even before he could pull her...he was surprised..but held to her..caressing her shoulders..n holding her waist...as his hands loosened n nidhi could hear his rhythmis breathing...he was fast asleep...she shifted..turned...but sleep evaded her...till she heard a distant church gong...it was 12...oh god!!she shook ashutosh...he opened his tired eyes..."kya baat hai..are u unwell..."??she shook her head"nahi..bus toilet jaana hai..."ashutosh quizzed "to go...amin what can i do...kych problem hai...urine infection or..."??

And a pouting nidhi andwered"mujhe darr lag raha hai...woh...waiter...ne kya kaha tha..."!!and dr ashutosh laughed...freely..loud n free...she had rarely seen him laugh so loud...n as she pouted he said"ohhh to isiliye mujhse pooch rahi thi...padhna nahi hai..aur light!!!oh god nidhi..tum bhi na...koi darta hai aisi stupid stories se...

"!!and nidhi tried to smile bravely...n said"nahi..main bhi nahi darti...buss..."and ashutosh turned serious n said..."udhar kya hai nidhi...kaun hai"???and as nidhi screamed in fear...n hugged him tight..closing her eyes...ashu laughed again..holding her..."arree sorry sorry..i was teasing you..dekho koi nahi hai..aur mere hote hue...who can harm you. ..bolo to..."??and nidhi smiled weakly ..holding on to him...but insisted"light plz..."and ashutosh held her...caressing her protectively...as he watched those lovely eyes close magically...n long after he had kissed them..he kept looking captivated...the child like acts of his nidhi...they always enthralled him...and he finally slept holding her tight...being her inseparable part..her shoeld...her friend philosopher n guide...her ashutosh...only her's..forever her's!!!

THANX ALL.NOW YOU CAN COMMENT..

HOPE U LIKE IT.

Hope you are better in health now.

II could not follow the story as I got sandwiched between twogenerations and busy discharging the duties of a dil as well as a mil.

So today I read the updates and the conversations and about your angiograms.Hope there is no problem.