I was at the airport and as per scheduler there was a 6hr delay, rather than waiting at lobby, I called Gulzie to help me out. She was like a second mother to me as well as Adi. She was the only one whom I considered to be the most helpful person.
I arrived at Delhi ,next morning,exhausted. Still meeting my freinds and family, it was a tiring day. Next day I had a early morning shoot with Praveen Bhat for an apparel brand. How few days passed I do not know,my family was here, but I was not happy. Like your mind is here and heart somewhere else. Anyway the fake smile had to be carried, and as actors we are good at it.
I called Gulzie after 2 days she met Adu,and she said "She is a tough nut to crack,better you move on". I was taken aback by her words,why did she said so. What was that , I saw in Aditi's eyes,her feelings,emotions were they all fake?.My soul was not ready to believe Gulzie words.
She was more like a family to me now and my mother kept talking to her time to time getting my updates.Just then my Ammi knocked on the door and said "beta ab tumhara b'day ho gaya, kaam bhi acha kar rahe ho allah ki dua se. Ab bolo toh ladki dekhna start kare. Yaa aur rukna hai". I just nodded my head because there was no turning back now. As she laid few photos in front of me,to select. I just started keeping my clothes inside my bag, and then she asked me, "where are you going, abhi toh aaye ho". And I replied her "Mom,mujhe Mumbai mein bahut zaroori kaam hai use pura karna hai"
As I kept the photos aside, and booked a ticket to Mumbai. My brother was coming late,so I booked a cab to drop me to the airport. As the radio played yeh dooriyan song, the lyrics "kaha bhi naa maine, nahi jina maine,tu jo na mila. Yeh bhi hua kabhi,tujhko sabhi mein paa liya". A tear drop rolled from eyes, I could feel her presence everywhere. How can I live without her.
I straight away called Gulzie to call Aditi at her home, today evening. I will join them tonight.
As I reached her home, a cake was waiting for me. To my surprise everyone was there yusuf sir,jahan, abhilash, nalini,barkha and Aditi.
They all sang happy birthday for me, and it was a real surprise for me. Just then Gulzie announced "I have heard our bday boy is soon to get engaged. His parents have choosen a lucky lady for him"
As everyone smiled and clapped for me, I was looking at Aditi,trying to decipher her expressions asking myself what wrong did I do to reach at this stage.
I could see ,she turned around wiping off a lone tear drop that rolled down from her eyes. As everyone congratulated me, the music was played and everyone hit the dance floor.She was missing, as I got to know she had to terrace to take a call.
I went upstairs,just to find her alone looking at the night sky. I asked her "apne good freind ko wish nahi karegi, itna toh expect kar sakta hoon na tujhse"
She replied " ab good freind ki best wishes to humesha hai naa tere saath. Aur kya bolun"
As I said " wahi jo bolna zaruri hai, aur ab tak nahi bola"
More then me,she was breaking inside and I wanted her to reply how did she survive without me. And she said "kya bolun, congratulations. Sorry but I cannot fake. It is not easy, tere bina , har roz kaise rahi hoon mein. Only I know. While you were enjoying in Delhi. Here, I was dying everyday without you, figuring out ki ab kaise milungi usse. Har roz sochti thi ki adat dal jayegi, par nahi hota itna asan kisi ko bhula dena jo apki adat ban chuka ho. And when you come back you get another surprise that aap shaadi kar rahe ko. I mean how could you do that"
As she was already sobbing ,I cupped her face and said "sab kuch bol diya par woh nahi bola jo bolna chaiye tha"
With her 'kya' expression , I continued "Yahi ki tum bhi mujhse utna pyar karti ho ,jitna mein tumse karta hoon" hugging her tightly.
As she embraced me tightly, I could see a smile on her face that I missed the most. I want to make it official with a insta story, but she stopped me and said "Not now, in front of world we will remain good freinds for the next 2-3 years. As I affirmed with her " waise bhi saare good freinds ki shaadi ho jati hai ek din. Let us keep this hidden from rest of the world.
As we went down joining others for the dance, Gullu took me aside to ask "mil gaya bday gift?". I couldn't control and hugged her tightly to say "Mom aur aap hai naa bahut acha plan banate ho,kissi ki hidden feelings kaise bahar lana koi aap se sikhe. Anyway ,thank you for the best bday gift you gave me today,but yeah we have decided to keep it hidden from others for few years"