Raavi was returning to her home from college with ruhi.she was a friend raavi had found with whom she felt comfortable.she didn't ask her too many questions about her married life nor invaded her personal space.she made her laugh and forget her worries for a short time.ruhi was not from this town, so she didn't know anyone here, which was a relief.the public kaands of her and shiva has made life difficult for Raavi. She felt being judged by anyone and everyone passing by.
" Waise mera ghar se door aakar padhai karna to ek bahana hai, sach to yeh hai ki mujhe love marriage karni hai.bachpan se na mujhe shaadi karne ka bahut shauk tha " ruhi gleefully said stuffing her mouth with chips.
Raavi smiled as she saw a glimpse of herself in her.
" Yeh sab bachkani baatein hai ruhi.pyar jaisa filmo mai dikhate hai waisa nahi hota.asli zindagi mai ek dusre ko samajh pao ,wohi bahut hai " she said sadly remembering her fate.
" Tu na phirse devdasi mat ban, khass kar tab jab tu ruhi ke saath hai .mere sense of humour pe sawaal uthenge yaar." She said stuffing a piece of chip in Raavis mouth.
" Lo, chips khatam ho gayee " ruhi pouted when her eyes fell in Pandya Store.
" Chal, mujhe aur chips chahiye " ruhi pulled raavi with her.
" Ruhi, tu jaaa. Mai yehi thk hu " she said. She was in no mood to fight with her bhootnath now.
Ruhi just shrugged.
She went ahead and saw shiva.
" Ek packet chips denge please " ruhi sweetly said to shiva.
She eyed him from top to bottom.his ruffled hair, his beard, his casual style of dressing, she couldn't stop staring at this guy.she wondered What was beneath this shirt.he must be having a perfect body.
" Yeh lijiye " shiva said a bit loudly at this strange girl who was going on staring at her.
His voice.its soo manly and gruff.she thought.
Ruhi was brought out of her trance.she sheepishly took the chips packet and left.
Raavi was waiting outside when ruhi joined her giggling.
" Tujhe kya hua? " Raavi asked confused.
" Woh kya hai na, jab bhi meri aankhon ko ek handsome ladke ko taadne ka sukh milta hai, mai aise hi hasti hu " she Said.
Raavi just shook her head, she must be oogling at some customer.
They went ahead.
The Next day ,when they were passing by the Store, ruhi deliberately slowed down to catch a glimpse of shiva.
She saw him.he was in his vest, picking up the sacks.sweat glistened on his forehead and he wiped it off with his fingers and effortlessly tossed another sack into the van.his biceps bulged as he went ahead to pick another sack.
Ruhi couldn't stop staring.
Raavi was facing her and couldn't make out why her has suddenly dropped.
Ruhi made raavi stand in n front of her so that she was facing the store and raavi facing her.
" Kya kar rahi hai ruhi? " Raavi asked surprised.
" Dekh, use pata nahi chalna chahiye ki mai use ghoor rahi hu.isliye Mujhe cover kar." She said as she continued staring at him.
" Hayeee, kabhi inn mazboot bahon mai humein bhi uthao " she said dreamily.
" Mujhe lagta hai mujhe pyar ho gayaa hai. Kitna hot hai yeh ladka " ruhi continued her commentary as she stared at shiva.
" Yeh kaun hai jiski tu itni tareef kar rahi hai? Clg mai to kisi ladke ko bhai nahi deti ." Raavi asked amused at her antics.
" Aree woh to bacche hai raavi.ruhi ko to gabru mardon mai interest hai " she said winking.
" Accha? Mai bhi to dekhu tera yeh gabru mard akhir hai kaun? " Raavi was about to turn when ruhi stooped her
" Hawww . Tujhe sharam nahi aati? Shaadi shuda hokar paraye mard tadegi? Tu apne pati ko dekh, yeh to mera hai." Ruhi smiled cheekily eyeing shiva.
Raavi now really wanted to see who it was who has captured ruhis attention that she is going on talking about him from yesterday.
She turned and got the shock of her life.
Her husband was pouring water from a bottle over his head with closed eyes.he shook his head to let the excess water fall from his hair.
He pulled back his hair with his hands and went inside the store.
Raavi didn't know how to react.
" Kaash mai woh paani ki boondein hoti, jo uski badan par..." Ruhi was interrupted by raavi
" Bass kar ruhi.yeh kya anaab Shanaab bole jaa rahi hai? " She said agitated and held her hand dragging her away from the store.
" Areee ruk , chips to khareedne de ." Ruhi winked and freed her hands from raavi and ran inside.
Raavi was getting very restless, she had to go inside.
So she followed ruhi.
" Excuse me.ek chocolate dijiye please " ruhi said.
Shiva Turned to see raavi standing with the same weird girl from yesterday.
* Yeh chipkali ke saare dost namune hote hai* he thought.
" Kaunsi chocolate? " Shiva asked
" Jo aapki favourite ho" ruhi said smiling
Shiva looked around and took out raavi's favourite chocolate from the rack and handed it over to the girl while eyeing raavi.
Ruhi took the chocolate and brushed her hands slowly and deliberately over his.
Shiva quickly brought his hand back.
Raavi was fuming now.this is all so wrong.she wanted to break something.why is she getting so affected?
" Aap yahan kaam karte ho? " Ruhi asked being sweet.
Shiva nodded
" Ji " he said
" woh yahaan kaam nahi karta, yeh dukaan uski hai" kaka said smiling
" Wow.yeh aapki dukaan hai? Aur aap boriya uthane se lekar hisab karne tak ka saara kaam akele karte hai? I am impressed. " Ruhi said smiling.
Shiva shifted uncomfortably, he didn't know how to react.and his chipkali glaring at her didn't help the matter either.
" Hii . I am ruhi. Yahaan pe nayi aayi hu." She extended her hand.
Raavi quickly held her hand Which she extended and pulled her.
" Chal na ruhi, jaake assignment bhi complete karna hai " she said
" Are hann raavi, aa rahi hu." Ruhi replied
She handed out a card to shiva.
" Bahar likha hai ki aap home delivery bhi karte hai.yeh raha mera address.i hope jaise aap saare kaam khud karte hai, yeh bhi khud hi kare " ruhi winked and shiva.
Raavi's mouth dropped.did this girl just wink at her husband? The audacity!
She was fuming now .that's it. She pulled her away from the store.
While going raavi Turned and gave a last look to shiva.
Shiva let out a sigh of relief.
*Yeh chipkali ke dost bhi ek se badhkar ek hai *
He thought.
" Yeh tu kya kar rahi hai raavi? Kyu mere love story ka villian ban rahi hai? " Ruhi said
" Koi love story nahi hai. Shiva ki shaadi ho chuki hai." She said irritated
" Shiva? Tu jaanti hai use? " Ruhi asked
Raavi nodded.
" Padosi hai " she mumbled not prepared for the questions that would follow.
" Shaadu shuda hai? Uski biwi kaisi dikhti hai? " Ruhi asked curiously as her face fell.
" Somnath ki sabse khoobsurat ladki ka pati hai woh " she smiled.
" Badi hi lucky hai woh ladki.kya nazarein dekhne milte honge use.haaye.mera to bad luck hi kharaab hai." She whined
Raavi blushed hearing her.
She had grown up with shiva.she had never looked at him that way.the way a woman looks at a man. She was a bit taken aback when she had first seen his perfectly carved body in the haveli.she remembered the way his body felt against her when she had fallen in the bathtub.a small smile crept her face.
" Koii naa. Woh gharwali, mai baharwali " ruhi winked jokingly.
Raavi's face fell again.this was one crazyy girl.
She glared at her and took her home.
It was evening and raavi and ruhi were studying at ruhis place.
The doorbell rang.ruhis face lit up.
" Lagta hai mera hero aa gaya " ruhi said
" Tune sach mai pandya store se saaman mangwaya? Maine bola na tujhe woh shaadi shuda hai.tu phir bhi aisi harkatein kar rahi hai?" raavi asked in disbelief
" Hann to isliye to usse bhagake shaadi karne ka plan drop kar diya.par iss bechari ko thoda nain sukh to prapt karne de meri jaan " ruhi said patting raavi's cheeks and rushed out.
Raavi followed soon after.there was no way that she was going to let this crazy girl be alone with her bhootnath.
Ruhi opener the door to see shiva standing with the groceries.she took them and invited him in.
" Aap andar ayiye na.chai pee ke jaiye.din bhar itna kaam karke thak gaye honge " ruhi offered.
Shiva was about to refuse when raavi intervened.
" Nahii.woh nahii ayega.aur bhi kaam hoga na use.aur deliveries karni hogi " raavi fumbled trying to make excuses.
Shiva was furious hearing this.she was driving him away? Who the hell is she to decide for him?
" Actually yeh meri last delivery thi " shiva smirked looking at raavi.
" Wahh.yeh to bahut acchi baat hai " ruhi said and dragged shiva inside holding his hands .
Both raavi and shiva were taken aback by her actions.
She told shiva to sit while she made tea.
Raavi was glaring at shiva.if only looks could kill.
" Ghur kya rahi hai? Khayegi kya? " Shiva asked.
She just turned to the side and went to the kitchen.
Ruhi had almost finished.
" Mai chai de deti hu na " raavi said pulling the plate from her hands.
" Aree, bilkul bhi nahi.kuch der pehle to tu use bhaga rahi thi aur ab chai deni hai?" Ruhi said and went outside.
Raavi was feeling very restless.she should just tell ruhi that shiva is her husband and get done with it.she can't handle this anymore.
Ruhi was about to give the tea to shiva when she tripped on the carpet and fell downwards, shiva got up and tried to steady her holding her waist and they both fell down with shiva below and ruhi on top and that's how raavi found them.
She curled her fists tightly and dug her nail into her palms.they were soo close, his hands encircling her waist.she felt angry and sad at the same time.tears stung her eyes.what was this feeling?
Ruhi abruptly got up, really embarrassed at herself.
" I am soo sorry.aapke upar to chai gir gayi.aap ek kaam kijiye mere room mai jaake fresh ho jaiye.mai aapko meri bhai ki shirt lake deti hu " ruhi said feeling guilty and rubbing Shiva's shirt rapidly.shiva held her hand to stop it.
" Koi baat nahi.mai.nikalta hu " He said
" Are bilkul bhi nahi.aap aise chale jayenge to mujhee bahut bura lagega.please I insist " she said.
Shiva let out a sigh and nodded.
Raavi just stood rooted at her place.
Ruhi took out a black shirt and was about to go to her room to give it to shiva when raavi held her hand.
" Yeh shirt mai dungi " she said firmly looking into her eyes.
" Bilkul bhi nahi.mauka mai nahi chodne wali " ruhi giggled.
Raavi increased the pressure on her wrist.
" Maine kaha na ruhi.yeh shirt mai dungi "
Ruhi was taken aback by the fire in her eyes, she let it go.
* Isee kya ho gaya * she thought comfused as raavi went ahead with the shirt.
She entered the room to find shiva shirtless and wiping away the tea spill with his shirt.
Raavi threw the shirt on his face.
Shiva looked up to see her glaring at him.
" Tujhme bilkul sharam nahi hai na " raavi said while pushing him back.
Shiva was surprised.what has gotten into her?
" Ae gadhedi kya bol rahi hai? " He said.
Raavi pushed him again.
" Iss tarah kisi ladki ke ghar chai piyega tu? Use bahon mai lega?uske kamre mai aise shirt utar ke baithega? Hamara talaak hua bhi nahi hai aur tu aisi harkatein karne laga? " Raavi said beating Shiva's chest with her fists.
He had enough.what was she thinking of him? He held her hands and pinned her to the wall.
" Mai yahaan isliye ruka kyuki tu mujhe bhagane ki kosish kar rahi thi.aur rahi baat bahon mai lene ki to woh ek accident tha.samjhi? faltu mai apna dimag mat dauda.tera waise bhi top floor khali hai" Shiva said
" bhaga rahi thi to koi reason hoga naa.tujhe nahi dikhta kya? Woh tujhpe line maar rahi hai.khule aam flirt Kar rahi hai " raavi said
Shiva smirked.his chipkali was jealous? Now this is getting interesting.
" Accha? Tujhe kyu itna farq padta hai? Hamara to koi rishta nahi hai na." He asked.
" Farq padta hai. Bachpan se lekar aaj tak teri zindagi mai sirf mai hu.jhagda, narazgi, shikayatein sab kuch mujhse, koi aur tere aas paas aaye yeh mai bardasht nahi kar sakti " she blurted out with tears.
" Raavi..." Shiva softened seeing her tears.
" Nahi dekh Sakti Mai tujhe kisi aur ke saath shiva, nahi dekh sakti.nahi dekh sakti " she sobbed putting her head on his chest.
Shiva took her in her arms and stroked her hair to calm her.she felt better.
Shiva broke the hug and cupped her face.
" Meri duniya tere ird gird ghumtii hai raavi.bachpan se.teri duniya mai bahut log the, mai us bheed mai kahi kho sa gaya.par mere liye mera parivaar aur tu chipkali, yehi sab kuch tha.samjhi?"
Shiva said looking into her eyes and slowly Wiping her tears.
Raavi looked at him with affection.he was right.she had been the only girl around him.she had a lot of friends in school and college, she took Dev's name day in and out but for shiva it was always her.now she understood how he must have felt when Rahul was flirting with her, asking her to join him for a drink after sunset.how could she be so blind towards his pain? What a fool she has been.she didn't even try to understand why shiva hit them.he never did anything without provocation,how could she not see that?
She felt overwhelmed by emotions and again hugged shiva.
" I am sorry.i am sorry.i am sorry " she muttered
"Sorry kis liye? Mujhe to accha laga ki tune mujhpar haq jataya " shiva said
" Iss baat ke liye nahi, tujhe galat samajhne ke liye.tujhpe haath uthane ke liye." She said as she softly caressed his cheeks.
Shiva held her hand.
" Mai usi layak tha.mujhe koi haq nahi banta raavi ki mai tere character par...par mera yakeen maan mai tere baare mai aisa bilkul nahi sochta..mai " shiva looked down and fumbled to find the right words to explain himself.
Raavi kept her hand in his mouth.
" Jaanti hu " she said and again hugged him.
" Are itna time kyu lag raha hai..." Ruhi entered and was shocked to see raavi hugging shiva.
They quickly separated when they saw ruhi.
Raavi saw that shiva was shirtless and quickly covered him with the shirt she had brought.shiva smirked at her and wore it.
" Raavi! Yeh kya kar rahi thi tu? " Ruhi asked.
" Woh ruhii, mujhe tujhe pehle hi bata dena chahiye tha.shiva mera pati hai " she sheepishly said while holding her ear with one hand.
Ruhi wanted the ground to open up and swallow her.she was soo embarrassed.her eyes widened with shock.
" Jiju? " She asked.
Raavi nodded
Ruhi immediately sat on the ground and held Shiva's feet.
"Mujhe maaf kar dijiye jiju.yeh mujhse kya ho gaya? Agar mujhe pata hota ki aap raavi ke pati ho to mai kabhi aap pe dore nahi daalti,bhale hi aap kitne bhi hot ho. maa kasam" she said closing her eyes.
Raavi laughed at her nautanki friend.
" Are.yeh aap kya kar rahi hai? Please uthiye " shiva said.
She got up still embarrassed.
" Dekh raavi, tu mujhe galat.mat samajh.sisters before misters.always.tu kahe to mai kal hi jiju ko rakhi baandh du " ruhi said dramatically.
Raavi laughed and hugged her.
" Jaanti hu meri jaan.tu tension mat le " she assured her.
" Waise mujhe to aapko thank you bolna chahiye " shiva said and winked at raavi who blushed.
" Thank you? Kis liye? " Ruhi asked confused.
" Aapne iss gadheri ke dimaag ki batti jala di " shiva said while raavi pouted.
The three of them had dinner and chatted away.ruhi heard their childhood stories and couldn't help but adore this beautiful pair.she was happy that she had a small contribution in their love story.
" Waise bada aap aap laga rakha hai.mujhe to hamesha tu kehta hai " raavi whined.
" Tujhe aur aap? Shakal dekh ke sapne dekh." Shiva said.
And as usual their banter started.
There was a long way to go, but a layer of ice had certainly been broken.
Mangal Lakshmi
