8th KRANTIKARI OF THE WEEK:Poetic - Page 3

Love Regained

Barrister Rajbir Lal stood in front of his dressing room mirror as he adjusted the tie; it was an important day today. After all not everyday would one get the chance to be the Opening Speaker at the Annual Convention of Lawyers --- a week long programme to be held in Mumbai and attended by noted and eminent lawyers from all over the country. And on top it was the Golden Jubilee Year. Last year also, Rajbir had taken part in a specific Conference regarding 'Effect of Divorces on the Social Fabric & Lawyers Role', his Seniors were widely impressed with the young man's views and convictions and realized that he was a great lawyer in the making.

His Mother entered the room carrying a pooja thali in her hand, her face glowing. Everybody in the family was excited. They knew it was a big day for Raj and hoped and prayed that he did well in the Convention. As his Mother fussed over him, Raj tried to remember the opening lines of his topic ' Core of International Humanitarian Rights and India ' he found it difficult to concentrate.

'Chaijee' he said 'Please let me concentrate now. Otherwise I will forget my lines'

He picked up his files and papers and slung his coat across his shoulder and walked down to the hall, his Mother following him. His Father, Kulbhushan Lal, an imposing businessman, was waiting for him along with his brother, Kewal and sister-in-law, Madhumati. After taking the blessings, Raj went and sat inside his car and turned on the ignition.

As he neared the old wing of Taj Mumbai - the venue for the day, his heart started thumping. All around him, there were cars and he could see a sea of teeming black coat tails. His Boss, Mr. V. Singhania of Singhania & Partners, one of the largest national law service firms, was standing outside the venue talking to two other associates. Raj walked over to him and greeted him.

'My boy' Singhania said, as he clapped Raj's shoulder. 'I have been waiting for you a long time now. Hope you are ready for the Show'.

'Oh sure' Raj said and smiled as he looked around him. He suddenly saw a group of journalists entering the venue after being frisked by the security professionals.

Raj turned towards his Boss said 'Sir we have journos attending the event? They were not here last year.'

'This is a big event Raj' Mr. Singhania said as he walked Raj inside, his arm around his protege's shoulder. 'And the Press will be covering today's event only. The other events will be exclusive to the lawyer community only.'

Raj sighed as Mr. Singhania introduced him to other lawyers from various other law firms.

'Hey Buddy' someone clapped him from the back and Raj turned around to see Sanjay, his childhood friend, a lawyer also, representing their competing law firm, smiling at him jovially.

'Hey' Raj said, as he hit back Sanjay in turn.

'Are you nervous?' Sanjay asked as they entered the Hall.

'A bit' Raj said truthfully 'I didn't knew the Press would be here to cover the Opening.'

Sanjay looked at the melee of journalists sitting at one side of the hall, while the cameramen were jostling for space in front of the podium. The Hall was nearly full as more and more lawyers entered the Hall and sat down.

'Don't worry about them Raj. Just think that they are not here. And anyway there is nothing to report against.' Sanjay said.

Raj replied 'I know. But it's that I don't trust them. And I don't know why.'

'But I think I know why' Sanjay said, drawing a sharp glance from Rajbir.

But their conversation was cut short, as Mr. Singhania enthusiastically waved his arms towards Raj indicating that it was time.

While Sanjay settled down in his seat, Raj was led away from the Hall, towards a separate entrance to the Podium.

Camera bulbs flashed incessantly as Raj took his place on the stage and started speaking.

Everything else was a blur to him.

..............

Outside the venue, a car screeched to a halt and a woman stepped out of it. She was late, picking up her folder she exited the car hurriedly and raced up the stairs. The security stopped her for the mandatory checking which lasted for a brief few minutes. Murmuring a slight thank you, she walked briskly towards the Hall, only to be stopped by another security personnel.

'Could you please hurry?' she said. 'I have to cover the event.'

The guard smirked

'Madam, you are late yourself. I have to do my work properly, otherwise you all will publish in your newspapers that we are not efficient enough.'

A sharp retort nearly exited her mouth, but she kept quiet. No use arguing with them, she thought.

After a while, she entered the Hall. The Speaker was already delivering his Address. Without looking anywhere, she hurried towards her colleagues. As she settled down, something struck her. She recognized the voice.

'It couldn't be' she thought, as she peered closely at the podium. It was Rajbir alright. How could she be so mistaken? At one time, she could even understand his presence by hearing his footsteps. Has time really flown away?

Shaking her head, she concentrated on the task as hand. One of her colleagues, Pulkit smiled at her and indicated the watch. She shrugged casually; he nodded his head and showed the notes, indicating that everything was fine. She took a deep breath and tried to calm down her thudding heart.

'.

It was exactly an hour later when Raj closed his speech and looked expectantly at the audience. They were all quiet and he was nervous. After a few split seconds, the entire hall shook with a thundering applause and Raj was relieved. His eyes sought Mr. Singhania, whom he respected a lot and whose opinion meant a lot to him. He saw him clapping heartily and knew that he didn't have anything to worry about.

The Convener thanked Raj for his inspiring Address and invited everybody for Lunch, announcing that the next Session would commence after that only. Raj suddenly found him swarmed by several lawyers who he did not know, but all of whom were impressed with him. After a while he gently extricated himself from the crowd and walked towards Sanjay who it seemed was trying to reach him desperately.

'Raj' Sanjay spluttered, trying to catch his breath 'I have been trying to get you attention for quite some time now.'

Breathing in deeply, he continued

'Kranti's here. I saw her sitting with the other journos. She just left the Hall'

'..

Raj rushed out of the Hall, looking at all directions, after having thrust his file in Sanjay's hand. He couldn't believe that Kranti was here. He couldn't find her anywhere and felt dejected. Sanjay met him in the lobby a short while later.

'Don't worry Raj. We will find her. You concentrate on the Convention for time being.'

''.

Kranti returned home late in the evening and dropped her bag on the couch. She had a splitting headache and all she wanted was to go to sleep. But she knew that sleep would elude her. Her mind kept going back to Raj. At 6 ft 3, he looked debonair and confident, his words loud and clear and purposeful in the large Hall. She shivered as she remembered that same voice uttering sweet nothings in her ear not so long ago.

Freshening up, she tried to down a bowl of soup but then mercilessly threw it down the sink. It was useless, she knew and she couldn't fight it.

Sighing she lay down on the couch and picked up a magazine randomly. Her job as a Sub Editor in one of the top newspaper groups in the City was as exciting as it could be. She generally didn't cover events but when Jayant, the reporter who was supposed to cover the Event, called at the last minute saying that he had fallen down from his bike and injured his back, did Kranti run to cover the event. She didn't know that Rajbir would be there. Otherwise she would have sent someone else.

Kranti dozed off as she tried hard to concentrate on the printed words. She was suddenly roused from her sleep by the chirping of birds. She looked at the clock groggily; it was 10 o'clock at night. The bell chimed again and Kranti got up from the couch. Tying the sash of her robe around her tightly, she went up to the door and peered through the door glass. Her breath caught in her throat when she realized that it was none other than Rajbir standing outside her door.

'How the hell did he find out where I was living?' Kranti thought, as she debated whether to open the door or not.

She could hear him shuffling on his feet impatiently when the bell rung again. Realising that she couldn't avoid him, Kranti opened the door. Raj's hand was moving towards the doorbell again and his hand froze in mid air when he found the door opening. He stared at her, not believing his own eyes. She looked the same, nothing seemed to have changed.

'Please come in' Kranti said in a low voice as she noticed one of her curious neighbours glancing at them through his open door.

Raj entered the apartment as Kranti shut the door behind him.

'So what brings you here Mr. Rajbir Lal?' Kranti asked her voice tight and controlled. She couldn't let him know how badly affected she was, meeting him suddenly after such a long time.

The frostiness in her voice made him turn. He realized suddenly that he wasn't ready for the moment. He needed time. Everything happened so suddenly that he didn't even get time to think. His mind raced back to the afternoon after his Address was over and Sanjay informing him that he had seen Kranti in the Hall, along with other Press staff.

While he had wanted to leave the Venue immediately in search of her, he couldn't. He tried hard to concentrate on the next session after Lunch but failed to do so miserably. Citing that he was not well, he had convinced Mr. Singhania to let him off for the day who had indeed looked very worried.

He had met Sanjay outside the Hotel who informed him that he had found out from one of the reporters that Kranti worked for ABC Group, a big name in the media world. They hurried to the corporate office only to find that she was not there at her desk, but was in another section working on some news. Not giving away their identity, Sanjay told one of the receptionists over there that they had to get in touch with her urgently over some news item that they had promised to give her. Ignoring the girl's attempt that they hand over the package to her, Sanjay stood her ground that the package could be delivered to Kranti only and that too tonight. After a lot of cajoling, the girl decided to give them Kranti's address, praying to God fervently that nothing would go wrong. Raj knew that it was wrong but he couldn't risk losing her again. If of course he had not lost her already.

One look at her apartment and Raj knew that she was single; he was shrewd enough to read the tell-tale signs, a single coffee mug still lying beside the TV, a single pair of slippers tossed casually at the side, etc.

He looked at Kranti for a while and then walked towards her, she was still standing with her back to the door, her arms crossed, hugging her sides. He knew this sign, he hadn't forgotten, this meant that she was nervous. Hell! So was he.

He came and stood in front of her and asked softly 'Why did you do this Kranti? Why did you leave me?'

Kranti stared into his brown-black eyes, trying to read them. At one time, she could understand him just by looking into his eyes but she wasn't sure anymore.

Walking away from him, she said

'Leave you? I remember it being the opposite. What happened to Manpreet and you? Did she leave you?'

Anger flared up in Raj's head, holding her by her arm, he swung her towards himself, bringing her face to face.

'Dammit Kranti, there was no Manpreet and me. Never. Who told you about Manpreet?'

Kranti jerked her arm away his grasp and yelled back

'Of course your sister-in-law showed me pictures of your engagement. What did you expect me to do?'

'Oh hell' Raj said, running his hand through his hair in frustration. 'And you never asked me anything? You just believed what she told you or showed you? I expected more from you Kranti.'

Kranti walked towards the balcony and flung the shutter open. She hadn't thought at all that the day would end up like this. It has been years since she has seen Rajbir, precisely 4 years and a half, and didn't intend to meet him either. But it seemed that Fate had other plans and here he was, standing in her own pocket-size apartment, trying to reason with her about their past. Yes they shared a past, but what was left to talk about it anyway?

She felt tired.

Raj came and stood beside her in the balcony. He could understand Kranti's hesitancy and he wanted to reach out and hold her in his arms. But not before clearing every doubt between them.

He was lost in his thought when Kranti suddenly asked him 'Why are you here Raj after so many years? I don't remember you making any attempt them.'

"What attempt?' Raj spat back. 'You vanished overnight leaving no trace behind you. Your Uncle and Aunt didn't know anything about you and Nirmal, your cousin sister was tight-lipped. Forget me; even Sanjay could not get out any information from her.'

He continued

'Kranti I understand how hurt you must have felt. But you could have at least talked to me once before taking any decision. I went berserk searching for you. And the photos that you were talking about? Yes those photos are true but they are not real life photos. While in college, Manpreet and I did a play where we were expected to get engaged. My over-enthusiastic friends clicked scores of photos some of which I had later bought from them. And these were the pictures that you saw.'

Kranti turned towards Raj, not believing her ears.

'But why would sister-in-law do that to me? She hardly knew me.'

Raj eased himself out of his coat and flung it on a chair.

'Kranti not all things in the world are done for reasons that are apparent to everybody. My sister-in-law wanted me to marry her cousin sister, Lajo, and that's why she used the pictures of Manpreet when she realized that I was in love with you. I was speaking to my Buaji about you one day and how I wanted you to meet her, even before my parents when I think she overheard and made the plan. I was always close to my Buaji you see and I thought that once she met you, she could easily speak to my Bauji and Chaijee.'

'I understand' Kranti said as he went back to her couch and slumped down on it. 'But all these don't make any differences now Raj. You see things have changed now.'

Raj came and sat down beside her, maintaining a stoic distance between them.

'Kranti time has not stopped for us. It's been exactly 4 and half years that we have been apart but believe me I haven't been able to get you out of my mind for even a single day. And I couldn't find you. So I did the next best thing I could do, concentrate on my career fully, leaving no time for anyone else in my life. But my heart! It had always thudded for you and still does. You may be wondering how come I am saying all these. Just because I don't want us to lose any more time. It's not easy I agree, but we can at least try.'

Kranti shook her head

'Raj this is all not as easy as it sounds. We have both moved ahead in life. And it's all so sudden. Don't you think it would be a mistake to hurry everything? I don't want to go through all the pain again. Seeing you on that podium was like pulling out a part of my past that I had vowed to forget. But I realized then that I hadn't forgotten anything.'

Kranti covered her face with her hands. Raj got up from his seat and came and knelt down on the floor in front of her. He took hold of her hands and removed them from her face. He noticed a lone teardrop hanging precariously on her lower left eyelid and he felt his heart wrench inside. Yes, even today he couldn't bear to see her cry.

Raj lifted his hand and wiped the teardrop away, not allowing it to roll down across his cheek. Taking Kranti's face in his palms, he looked deeper into her eyes. Kranti tried to look away, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

'Kranti look at me. Please' Raj begged. 'And listen to what I say for once. I have always loved you from day one, even today I love you. If I didn't, I wouldn't have come here. Believe me when I say so, I waited for you all these years. Of course it could have been a mistake; I might not have found you. But I took the chance. I couldn't bear to think of any other woman to share my life with. All I want in my life is to love you. I really hope you give us a chance.'

Tears fell uncontrollably as Kranti tried hard to keep herself restrained. Through her blurry eyes, she could make out that Raj's eyes were also filled with tears. Placing her hands on top of Raj's, she whispered

'Raj I am scared. I can't go through the process of losing you again. If that happens, I won't survive this time.'

Raj pulled her towards him so that in effect both of them were kneeling on the ground, in front of each other.

'Kranti we are matured individuals now. I don't think anything can separate us now if we ourselves don't want to. But I won't force you at all; I respect you enough to respect your decisions also.'

Kranti realized that it was time to make the most crucial decision of her life. Everything happened so fast that she was confused. She hadn't ever expected Raj to come back to her life again. For the past few years, she had tried everything to forget him; gradually he became a dull ache at the back of her head, constantly there but still not there. And now today he was here, in front of her, holding her, consoling her, and telling her that he loved her. She wanted to believe him and forget everything else.

Raj slowly withdrew his hands and sat in front of Kranti, his head bowed, looking dejected. He was about to get up when Kranti kept her hand on his, interlacing their fingers. Raj looked at their joint hands once and then up at her, completely flabbergasted, his eyes shining with happiness. He almost looked like a small school boy, Kranti thought, and smiled slightly.

A gust of wind blew in from the balcony and Kranti shivered a bit. Raj pulled her close to himself, his arms around her waist, her head lying on his shoulder, her silent tears wetting his shirt. She felt peaceful finally and snuggled in closer. Raj shifted her slightly so that both of them were now sitting on the couch, their arms wrapped around each other.

'Kranti?' Raj asked finally, dreading that she had fallen asleep.

'Hmm' Kranti replied. 'I know I never told you. I love you Raj, more than any words can say.'

Her arms tightened around him and she looked up towards him, her face shining with an ethereal sense of happiness. Raj smiled back at her and rubbed her nose with his. This elicited a low chuckle from her and Raj smiled again. Everything seemed perfect after such a long time and he was at peace. He looked down at Kranti's upturned face and felt that nothing could be more lovable than this; he closed the last few inches of distance between them and covered her lips with his.

Time stood still as the stars rejoiced at the union of the two souls.

'''.

Originally posted by: poetic

Friends,

I am sorry for not being able to answer today. I planned to clear the entire list today, but I have fever since last night with splitting headache.

SO please bear with me for a day at least, I will answer all your questions.

Ash, aur questions nahin mila?

Originally posted by: ranjna_m2010

Hey Rachna,

I knew you had sometning bery sweet about yourself and today I get to know that your nick name is Mou, the name itself spells sweetness.

Now I think I shall shoot a task for you.

You have to write a short story taking Raj and Kranti as central characters and the setup has to be modern. Actually I want to read something written by you with Raj and Kranti as a part of it. And I am aure lookign at your writing skills it is not much of a task for you.

Love

Originally posted by: Arwen...

Congrats Poet😊