Part 2 :
that night when Samrat came home ... as usual he was late... not as he had been to one of his regular haunts of the past 3 years... no it was 3 years later that he could muster the courage to again visit the one place where it all began for him and Gunjan - that chaiwalla stall where he had taken her on their first unofficial date post valentines to celebrate their friendship which was rekindled on that day again... a day meant for lovers... had began the journey of their love as friends...
his mother as usual had made the cook heat his dinner and be sure it was on the dining table... where he'd serve the food by himself when he would wish so and for the other days ...things would remain untouched which was mostly the norm... however since the return of his friends Samrat hadn't skipped a dinner ... but today it seemed it was back again and it worried his mother for she knew Nupur was alive too and was more then thankful for the fact that her son was finally freed of a burden which had killed and stalked him for 3 years daily... part by part... but she didnt wanna interfere in what was the truth that made Nupur stay away as she knew when the time would come .. her son would let her in on it too - ever since she came to his life he was in his most vulnerable phase.. his most fragile condition ... and she didnt
wanna loose her son... and now when he was regaining his old self.. she was taking baby steps to know the real person who is her son ... the boy who grew up without her ... the man she came to raise - Samrat.
she went to his room and found him standing beside his window looking at the rain outside...rains always made him nostalgic... he was reminded of his chashmish - he told her in the first monsoon without her that he had post the incident.. however the look on his face today wasn't of nostalgia rather ... he was lost... she called him a few times however he didn't hear a word.. so she went near him and placed her hand on his shoulder- which snapped him out from his reverie
" Samrat... are you ok ? beta main tumhe kabse bulla rahi thi - koi problem hai ?"
he faced his mom and saw her face and eyes with worry written all over them so he placed an arm around her shoulder and made her sit on his bed... following which he sat on the ground and placed his head in her lap - he didn't know what to do - but knew he had to talk to his mom... the last 3 years made him realize how much he missed her all along and how much she loved him truly - for it was only his mom who stood by him in his loneliest hour...his most vulnerable time - yes mothers are god's way of taking care of all his children...
Samrat closed his eyes as she gently ran her hand over his head he used to love it even as a child when she did that.. and after a few moments he spoke without raising his head
" mom aaj chashmish ne apni ring aur chain waapas le li.. woh .. woh mujhse sorry kehne aayi thi aaj phir se"
his mom was happy instantly about this " oh toh aaj tum dono ka patch up ho gaya finally ?"
he looked at her " nahi mom "
' par tunhe hi kaha ki usne apni ring aur chain waapas le li "
" ha mom apne aap apni marzi se - maine usse woh waapas nahi diye.. kehne lagi woh ab unhe apne aap se alag nahi karegi "
his mom smiled at it and looked at him with that typical mom look
" mom issme hasne ki kya baat hai?"
" aur issme pareshaan hone wali bhi kya baat hai ? aren't you happy Samrat ? woh tujhse ab bhi pyar karti hai aur tere paas waapas aana chahti hai.. par ab tu hai ki aise behave kar raha hai !!"
" mom .. mujhe pata hai aap kya keh rahi hai.. par aapko yaad hai nah mom us raat play ke baad - maine aap se kaha ki she is unhappy with me.. usse maine humesha hurt kiya hai mere pyar ne bhi i dont want to repeat this.. main usse aur hurt nahi karna chahta .. main usse khush dekhna chahta hoon"
" usse tab door jaakar jab woh khud tere paas aa rahi hai ? Samrat ?!"
" mere paas aakar usse dard hi hota hai mom ... humesha aur jo aaj usse hurt kar raha hai woh uske future ke liye achha hai.. main usse humesha sirf khush dekhna chahta tha isiliye usse excel bhi waapas join karne ke liye maine usse jhoot kaha - par humesha woh yeh maanti rahi ki I wanted to have her back in my life... mom i just wanted to see her smile... always have and want to.. jab hum friends bhi the tab bhi woh hasti nahi thi tab bhi mujhe kuch achha nahi lagta tha.. I just have to see her smile ."
his mom smiled at her son's innocence .. he was such a grown up in the most fragile matters - but it was the simpler things where the child in him would act at times.. perhaps she and his dad are to be blamed for it - for they never let their son have a normal childhood a simple growing up process.
she held his hand and tugged it making him sit beside her.. and then holding his hand in both of hers looked at her son in the eye who was looking at her with such confused eyes ... as he was lost and she simply patted his cheek
" it is because you love her Samrat -you have always loved her.. even when you were friends.. but you didn't know it then you hadn't realized your feelings - Samrat tu usse humesha smile karte hue dekhna chahta hai toh woh tera pyar hai.. aur jo uske chehre par woh smile la sakta hai woh bhi tera pyar hi hai.
tu usse door rehna chahta hai yeh sochkar ki tu usse hurt karega ..par Samrat this is a part of a relationship.. you hurt the people you love - at times intentionally at times unintentionally"
" par mera pyar usse humesha hi taqleef deta hai mom main usse na chahte hue hurt karta hoon is bar woh apni behen se 3 saal door ho gayi kyunki mere haathon woh accident hua isse pehle usne apna movie career mere liye chhod diya - jab mujhe nahi pata tha woh mujhse pyar karti hai maine sheena ko date karke usse hurt kiya.. jab mujhe pata tha she loves me.. i refused to marry her.. aur usse golli lagne par woh itni shocked thi ki woh jeena nahi chahti thi kyunki maine usse hurt kiya than.. mom i always cause her pain .. main uske liye theek nahi hoon"
she had a painful yet all knowing look in her eyes .. she could see her son had come to see only the pain and hurt of all relations in life and hence was apprehensive of any now and she knew where the root of it all lied.. she let go of his hand and stood up; walking a few steps took in a deep breath closed her eyes and then relaxed.
as she looked at the dim moonlight that lit up their small garden some rose plants against which a gentle breeze passed by making them move in the slightest swift motion and began talking placing her hand near the window.
" Samrat tu mujhse apne dad se humesha naaraaz raha hamare divorce ke baad.. aur main jaanti hoon apni jagah tu galat nahi hai no child deserves what you went through.. I..I am sorry beta.. so sorry for all of it for what you had to face and live please forgive me"
Samrat stood up at that and merely spoke" mom " when she turned around with a pained look on her face which quieted him
" beta jab hum alag hue main tujhe samjhana chahti thi ki yeh kyun ho raha hai par main ek 10 saal ke bacche se kya kehti aur phir tu mujhse naaraaz ho gaya.. main darrti thi ki tu mujhe kabhi accpet nahi karega for what happened .. par kahiin na kahiin I knew you would come to me.. tu ab samajhdar hai .. main ab apne bete se ek dost banke woh keh sakti hoon joh ek maa nahi keh sakti thi apne chhote se bete se.. keh sakti hoon nah apne friend ko ?"
Samrat just nodded as he didnt know what to speak .. he always wished to know this but never could ask ... and today .. today all his unasked questions were getting answered he dint know why his mom wanted to talk to him about but knew ... she saw him as a friend now... as opposed to her son which made him feel better... comfortable - perhaps as it wasn't his mom wholly who was speaking of how 'his parents - her and his dad' divorced - but a friend who wished to share... and friendship was always a relationship he was much more relaxed in... a base to every relationship.... it wasnt a child and his mom merely who were conversing.. but a son and mom who are friends too... as now they can be.
" Samrat tere nana aur dada kaafi powerful tycoons the apne time ke... dad ka chain of hotels aur tere dadu ka petrochemicals and pharmaceutical business tha... dono kissi trip pe mille the aur phir friends banne the.. unki friendship partnership mein badli jab dono ne construction aur phir garment business shuru kiya ... tere dad aur main dono hostels main palle bade .. we never met each other more then a few casual times as hamare apne alag hostels friends sab kuch the.. humari college ke baad tere dadu ne tere nanu se hum dono ki shaadi ki baat ki ... dono families bahut khush ho gayi aur 2 dost cum partners ab rishtedarr ban gaye.
everyone was happy maine aur tere dad ne bhi ek doosre ko dekha tha woh baat aur thi ki tab hum itne achhe se ek doosre ko jaan nahi paaye the kyunki hum dono apni apni studies aur social life main humesha busy the.. par hume laga ki this could work given our similar backgrounds upbringings and yes hum dono ke dad jo chahte the..
hamari shaadi announce hui aur bahut hi grand wedding bhi hui us time ke liye.. sab ko laga ki humne 'LOVE MARRIAGE ' ki " and somehow a corner of her lip pulled up as if it were a smile but it wasnt
" humne shaadi karli aur laga this is heaven .. humme pata bhi nahi chala aur isse pehle ki hum shaadi main settle hote theek se you know adjust karne lagte I got pregnant.. "
Samrat felt a bit weird at that.. and as if on instinct his mom knew so before he could have thoughts she clarified her words... which sort of embarrassed him and he could see how his mom must have felt...
" actually hum bas honeymoon se thode din pehle hi waapas aaye the.. a month and half long trip to Europe with Maldives and Seychelles - main Europe jaana chahti thi aur tere dad Maldives and Seychelles - so tere nana aur dada ne humme har jagah bhej diya .. " and she blushed a bit as did Samrat on learning he was a Honeymoon baby and looked down while smiling impishly
" phir pregnancy kab aayi kab chali gayi I am dazed bas itna yaad hai ki mujhe ya khilaya jaata ya rest karwaya jaata ya teri dadi aur nani mujhe samjhati rehti ki main kya karoon kya nahi .. it was after all my first child and I was just 22 and very scared.. as was your dad." and she was for a moment lost in the moments of those days but there was a twinkle in her eyes as she spoke a joy in her voice and a smile on her lips which made her face glow when she spoke of her journey of motherhood..
and somehow Samrat felt something good as if his mom and dad were looking forward to this day as were his grandparents.. he was loved even before he was born... it felt good .. it felt something words failed to explain..
his mom slowly came up to him and then without saying a word looked at him affectionately .. cupped his face in her hands and lowered his head and kissed his forehead with a faint trace of tears almost ready to fill her eyes.
" aur phir tu paida hua... " she smiled brightly as she recalled his birth and at that he too had a mirrored huge smile on his face.. it felt beautiful to know his mom loved him and he instinctively hugged her as she hugged him back both let go after a few moments.
" it was the most beautiful day of our life.. tu itna chhota aur pyaara tha .. tujhe uthane ka mann bhi karta aur darr bhi lagta ki kahiin koi galti na ho jaaye.. I was so overwhelmed.. tere dad aur main tujhe dekhke jaise sab kuch bhool gaye we just saw you our little baby in our arms and cried at the most beautiful gift life offered us as we ran out of words.. you made us happier then you'd ever know .. jab tu apna baby .. apna pehla baby apne haath main lega .. you will understand.. "
and his cheeks went a little scarlet as he looked down on his mom' words as she smiled that she had made her son blush
" hum tujhe sambhalna sheek rahe the.. tere dad business main tere dadu ke saath kam kar rahe the we were trying to sink into this you know being married , parents and all ... you were just 3 months aur.. aur main phir pregnant ho gayi... that scared me frankly... kyunki jab tu roota aur main tujhe chup nahi kara sakti toh main bhi roti ." and she muffled her laughter as did he..." aur main suhani ko expect kar rahi thi "
" 2 saal aur 2 bacchhe ... we couldn'tcope up Samrat... humme husband wife banne ka matlab tak thik se samajh nahi aaya tha ... aur hum mom dad ban gaye the.. nahi please yeh mat samajhna ki hum tujhe ya suhani ko pyar nahi karte the.. par baat bas itni hai Samrat hum shaadi se pehle acquaintances the .. aur shaadi ke baad ek couple banna sheek rahe the.. par na hum kabhi friends ban paaye na husband wife... hum parents to banne Samrat par we ... we never became lovers.. woh time alag tha Samrat...
tab humare dads friends the par ladka ladki itni openly nahi milte the friends nahi hote .. log baatein banate - aaj ki tarah nahi ki picnics movies malls par outings and all.. we grew up in a similar background not the same... aur phir tere dad business main interest lene lage aur busy rehne lage.. jab tu 2 saal ka hua tere nana ko achanak heart attack aa gaya and he passed away... I was his only child .. he willed his assets to me .. aur tere and suhani ke itne chhote hone ke wajah se maine tere dad aur dadu ko apni power of attorney de di.. par kyunki tere dadu ki bhi tabiyat bigadne lagi mostly sab tere dad ko sambhalna padh raha tha..aur aise mein woh kabhi bhi sab jagah thik se dhyan nahi de paa rahe the .. ghar pe unka dhyan kam hota gaya .. par main tere aur suhani ki wajah se usse cope up kar payi lekin tere dad ne humare hotel business ko itna dhyan nahi diya..
after a year it had losses aur main yeh nahi dekh paai .. mere dad ki life ki mehnat thi woh aur jab tere dad ne 2 hotels ko bandh karne ka decision liya I went against him and took over the business myself... aur problems ... shuru hone laagi"
she let out a sigh as she went and sat on the rocking chair beside the window .. while Sam took his place on the bed
" thode dino main tere dadu bhi chale gaye due to ill health .. tere dad par pura empire chalane ki responsibility aa gayi .. humare jhagde hone lage the already lekin phir bhi things werent so bad.. phir maine humare garment business ke saath accessory brand launch karne ka proposal rakha ... your dad rejected it aur majority directors ne unhe support kiya .. yeh sochke ki he is more experienced then me .. maine phir apne assets aur loans ki arrangement karke apni friend ke saath partnership main ek brand launch kiya .. yahaan hotel business ka loss cover ho raha tha aur waha brand bhi launch ho raha tha... jisse humare jhagde badhne laage
soon we were competing .... as rivals while being partners... par tere aur suhani ki wajah se we always tried to sort things but it was useless.. tu tab tak 5 saal ka ho gaya tha
hum friends nahi the samrat .. hum lovers nahi the .. hum husband wife shayad reh gaye the.. parents ho chuke the aur competitors .. definitely ban chuke the..
we tried to but we couldnt get along - ghar ke jhagde office aur office ke jhagde ghar par aane lage...par teri nani aur dadi humesha humme samjhati rehti ... unhone hum dono ko holiday par bheja usse bhi baat nahi bani to we had a family picnic in Switzerland after a few months remember - humme un trips se jyada business trips better lagne lage the finally things reached a boiling point aur main tere dad aur hamare roj ke jhgdo se parehaan hone lagi thi jab mujhe finally phir woh step lena pada .. maine tere dad ka ghar chhod diya aur tujhe suhani ke saath leke apni mom ke paas aa gayi .. I filed for a divorce .... kuch mahino tak toh humme courts ne counselling offer ki as we had 2 young kids but after a year and half we had a divorce... tu tab almost 7 saal ka ho gaya tha."
Samrat had a painful look in his eyes and his mom had one too but he nodded silently for her to go on...
" divorce is one ugly battle ...but a child custody case is even uglier.. divorce se jyada lamba woh case tha aur court order ki wajah se mujhe usiki chalte tujhe tere dad ke paas rehne ke liye bhejna pada kyunki tu apne dadu ka sole heir hai... shergill empire .. you are the owner of it.. aur tere dad ne court main yahi point rakha ki hamare divorce ki wajah se humne apni partnerships bhi dissolve kar li thi par tu unke dad ka heir hai isiliye its only fair ki teri custody unko hi mille.. maine bahut koshish ki par I lost that case" and this time a tear escaped her eye
Sam could no longer sit there he came to his mom and kneeled down in front of her as he wiped her tears.. " mom please"
" Samrat.. what you have .. beta I am so happy... tujhe ek aisi ladki milli hai jo teri friend hi nahi best friend hai.. she is your love as well as companion ... she is your soul mate .. Samrat aisa pyar sabko nahi milta .. jahaan ek hi insaan main aapko apna life partner aur best friend mil jaaye .. I mean look at me and your dad - hum practically ek doosre ko poori life jaante the - humari shaadi hui , hamare bacchhe hai par we never could be friends beta... we could never be happy as we never understood each other .. aur jab hum dost hi nahi ban paaye toh woh jisse humne pyar samjha woh pyar tha hi nahi .. par tu... tu aur gunjan 3 saal ek doosre se alag rahe par phir bhi ek doosre ko nahi bhoole.. tum dono ke pyar ne itna mushkil time bhi dekha phir bhi..
Samrat tu samjhta hai ki tere pyar se usse dard hoga .. nahi .. balki tera pyar hi usski sabse badi khushi hai.. beta har ladki sochti hai ki uski life main jo ladka aaye usse pyar kare uska saath de usse samjhe uski respect kare aur uska dost banne .... aur tune Gunjan ki yehi wish poori ki hai.. toh woh tere bina khush kaise reh sakti hai ?tu hi uski khushi hai... aur main nahi chahti mera beta aise pyar ko kho de jo sabko nahi milta.... sirf bahut kum khushnaseebo ke hisse main hi aata hai... kya ab bhi tu Gunjan ke saath apni life nahi bitana chahta Samrat.. kya ab bhi tera decision yehi hai .. ki tum dono ek doosre ke bina dukhi raho bawjood ek doosre se pyar karte hue ?
main jaanti ho tu mere aur apne dad ki divorce ki wajah se life main commitment main shayad yekin nahi kar paaya par beta.. our case was different .. we were never like you two .. aur zaroori nahi ki Samrat aur Gunjan doosre Indira aur Rishabh ho- har pyar ... har shaadi alag hoti hai"
as he heard her words... one thing Samrat realized was how wrong he always was to be so harsh with his mom and how he cant loose Gunjan again
he held her hands joining them and brought them close to his lips as he kissed them
" sorry mom main kabhi aapko samajh nahi paaya .. sorry ki main itni badi mistake karne jaa raha tha yeh sochkar ki main Gunjan se door jaake usse khushi de sakta hoon I m sorry mom"
she ran a loving hand over her son's head as she spoke
" Samrat tujhe sorry kehne ki koi zarorat nahi main bas itna chahti thi ki tu jaan le kabhi kabhi life hi hamare saamne aisi situations create karti hai ki hum samajh nahi paate...par humme isse udaas nahi hona chahiye... harna nahi chahiye.. main apni life main dobara shaadi nahi kar payi kyunki mera vishwas uth gaya tha relationships se .. isliye nahi ki main aur tere dad committed nahi the - we were loyal to each other.. but we couldnt love each other...something which is not your case.. aur main khush hoon ki mera beta apni life main khushi se dor nahi jaa raha kyunki usse aisa lagta hai ki yeh sahi nahi.. beta kabhi kabhi sirf situations galat hoti hai insaan nahi... Gunjan ne yeh ab samjh liya hai... aur main tujhe yeh baat kaise bhoolne de sakti thi phir ?"
both shared a smile at that as he came forward and hugged his mom and lter looking at her said
" main promise karta hoon mom main chashmish ko apni life se jaane nahi doonga... aur kal hi aapko aapki 'Bahu' se milwane le aaonga yaha hamare ghar "
she smiled a smile as dazzling as her son " That's like my boy "
"love you mom "
" I love you too beta " as both mother son hugged again.
Vasudha
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