After 6 months
“Mere Bhai mere Raaj dulaara Mera Shiv Shankar Bholenaath apne nadaan se bhai par daya kar aur Kripa kar ke usse college chod de apni iss pujniya bike pe” Krish said all this too dramatically. It’s not new for Shiva this guy can never be on time. He is always late and everyday he repeats his drama. Shiva never completed his studies because he knew his family cannot afford for three children school fees. Sometimes when he saw his brother neglecting the opportunity he gave up after much thought it hurts him deep inside. He never felt bad for the sacrifices he does for his loved ones because everyone do something for their closed ones but it really hurts when you give up the thing you cherished and someone failed to acknowledge the fact. But still he is driver for his younger sibling. He gave Krish a disgusted look and signs him to sit he doesn’t want to waste his day. Not specially today it’s his birthday and today for one day he wanted to be happy at least for now he wanted to smile.
They passed the short route even faster because Shiva doesn’t want to listen Krish stupid jokes to waste his amazing day. As soon he is about to enter the college premises his bike get hit by a scooty He stopped the bike with jerk. This bike is his first love when he get 18 years old the only thing he ever asked to his family is this. This bike. This is emotion for him but now his jaaneman got scratch that too today. His and His jaaneman’s birthday. Shiva looked at the Driver of the scooty.
“Shiva main late ho raha hu… Ab jab tera teesra netra khulne hi waala hai to main tamaashe se pehle kat leta hun… Aur Madam aap… Aap helmet pehne hi rahiyega aaj iss Shiva se aapko Somnath bhi nahi bacha sakte” That ungrateful brat ran away from there. Shiva looked towards the woman still in her helmet as if he kill her at this instant only.
“Abe o Akal ki andhi… Binaa bheje ki bhajiya tujhe driving licence kisne diya re… Haan…Meri Jaaneman ka kya haal kiya hai tune” Shiva shouted at top of his voice. But soon he heard a laughter his anger seems to rise but as soon as he saw the person he calmed. Six long months he really waited for her, her constant chattering, her remarks, her idiocracy. He missed everything. She become lean but still look as elegant as always and top of that her smile this is auspicious moment for him. After 6 long month he got to see her that too with same glistening smile.
“O bhoothnaath kahaan kho gaya re… Sunayega nahi apni Mami ki behan ki beti ko kuch... Mann ho to sabji phek ke maar de” She smiled and passed a comment. While he is still looking at her. She knows he is trying to read her expressions and trying to find the pain she had when he last saw her. But that Raavi is gone. She is no more sad now. She move her hand in front of his eyes and let him come out of his dream world.
“Raavi… Tu….Tu yahaan…. Tu to chali gayi thi na apne Chacha ji ke yahaan… Phir yahaan…”He is stammering all the time she knows he is feeling the guilt inside. That’s why she is not getting her bhootnath response this made her sad she knows it’s not his mistake and this tone really doesn’t suit him.
“Sab bataaungi par abhi college jaane de… Nahi to binaa professor ke tere laadle Krish ko class se baahar kaun nikalega?” She tried to sound toned down thinking his hesitation and at the same time letting him be frank to her without any resolve.
Shiva looked towards her with amazement. Professor. She is going to be Professor of this prestigious college. Also she is going to be here for long time. A small smile crept on his lips unknowingly. It seems his birthday is indeed lucky for him.
“Bada muskura raha hai… Lagta hai Somnath mein pehli baar Raavi ko dil se apnaya hai… Aaj mere aane pe Shiva… The Shiva Pandya bahut khush hai…” She winked at him and he came out of his dream world. Shiva registered that this Mami ki behan ki beti is insane as usual… She does not deserve his softness because she is clearly killing the mood now…
“Aye Mami ki behan ki beti… Tu khud ko Queen Victoria samajhti hai… Haan… Main… Tere aane par khush impossible yeh khayaali pulaao apne dimaag mein daalna band kar… Aur ja inn ghanchakkaron ko sambhal badi aayi…” Shiva growled with anger in his eyes… That’s her Shiva her Devil man… Raavi smiled and move forward…
“Vaise Happy birthday Shiva(long pause)…. Ki Jaaneman… Gift to main de hi chuki hun” Raavi winked and move from there…
Shiva lips curled into smile… This is his Raavi… His Chipkali… She can never wish him directly but never ever she can forgot his birthday… His day… His jaaneman’s day…
Shiva’s expression changed he registered her words she tricked him and rushed inside without even paying money for the scratch… “Mami ki behan ki beti tu khud ko tees maar khan samajhti hai mera nuksaan karke aise phur hojaayegi…. Tu Jaanti nahi yeh Shiva hai… Apna aur apne Jaaneman ko kisi ko nahi maarne deta… Shaam ko milte hai professor sahiba chodunga nahi main tujhe…”Shiva uttered in anger… He looked around students are looking at him as if he is some alien who kept speaking to himself… He made a face and rushed from this certified Pagalkhana as Pagalon ki maharani is going to be there as a professor…
Raavi had an amazing start at the college premises… She enjoyed her work and specially love to be there with students… These young minds always let her feel specia land she feel contented here… She looked around and thank Somnath ji that she doesn't face Krish today… She is not angry with Pandya’s anymore but still being normal in this short span of time… She is not ready for it… That’s why she had taken a flat at the end of the city so that they won’t cross path of each other… She will meet them for sure but not now… She need her time and she will take it no matter what…
But out of all she had no problem to met Shiva she know he won’t judge her… He will hell bent to make fun of her but those comments will never cross their line hence his companionship is fine for her… She remembered how Dhara after her suicide attempt ask her to be his Gauri while he said yes… She stood numb trying to register why he agreed to marry her… She knew he doesn’t like her then why did he said yes... She asked everyone to let her talk to him alone and when he entered she could see his shyness as well as fear… She registered all this is going to be done for Dhara Bhabhi…
“Kyun karna chahta hai mujhse shaadi… Nafrat karta hai na mujhse tu? Yaa ab tujhe aisa lag raha hai ki bade bhai ki nahi hui to…” She couldn’t able to complete her sentence because hurt is evident in his eyes… No matter how much she tried to compose herself but when it comes to him she loses every control… Even If he has no fault he is her punching bag and she can’t help it…
“Koi ehsaan nahi kar raha main tujh par… Bhabhi ne kahaa issliye…” He stopped and tried to be in mild tone… “Nahi karna to mat kar” he said but deep down he wished that she will say yes… Not because of her Bhabhi or Maasapaa and not for anyone else but he just wanted to be accepted… Accepted by her with all his flaws… He doesn’t know about the emotions growing inside but he just want it…
“Nahi kar sakti… Abhi nahi kar sakti… Binaa pyaar ke zindagi bitaana chahti to mandap pe tamasha kar ke apna haq nahi paa liya hota? Ladh nahi liya hota sab se… Arrange marriage se problem nahi hai par iss waqt yeh sab torture lag raha hai” She said her inward feelings… He felt dejected what she said torture she thinks marrying him is torture… No matter how hard he tries it hurts him… He wished Dhara Bhabhi never asked him to marry her… He wished he never said yes… This moment he felt worthless… Does she thinks he is not worthy of having yes for arrange marriage too? Does she feel too low of him?
While she is wondering whether she sound sane to this man… His intentions are pure but she deep down know how difficult it is going for her to be with this family… She right now hate these circumstances she wished she listened to her maasi ma that time… She dreamt of all those things that are never going to happen, marrying him isn’t a difficult choice she may get ready for this arrange marriage too if the situation isn’t worst like this… Why didn’t Dhara di asked for her hand for him as soon as she found Dev loved someone else… She may fought with herself that time too but she will definetely say yes to this marriage proposal… She hope he took her words in positive even though she isn’t positive right now…
“Jaisi teri marzi” he said dejectedly… His eyes were moistened and she can feel his throat heavy but never able to get why he sound like that… But right now she is not going to register his troubles she had enough of hers… She packed her beauty products and lehanga and start moving outside… She felt his hold on her hand…
“Kya hua Shiva? Ho to gayi humaari baat” She said irritatingly…
“Pareshaan karne nahi aaya tujhe peeche ke darwaaze se chal aage jo ho raha hai vo tu jhel nahi paayegi” He said with concern… He took her bag and start moving other direction… She wanted to oppose but stopped by looking at his face…
“Apne Chacha ji ke yahaan ja rahi hu kuch samay ke liye… Sorry for the troubles and also thank you for stopping me… I was stupid I should never take that step” She doesn’t know why but she felt he should know… He saved her life at least he needs assurance that she won’t do the stupidity again… He nodded his head and had a small smile of satisfaction…
She took her bag and called a cab… Maasi ma and Maasa paa are still there may be fighting with Pandya’s she thought she will go and no one will notice… But once again she is wrong he is there for her… The last person she expected to be with her at her low moments is there… He checked that she sit comfortably and turned to go…
“Bye bhi nahi bolega mujhe… Kal subah tak chali jaaungi main ek aakhri baar” She doesn’t know why but these words came out of her mouth and now she is not regretting it…She always waned to be accepted by this man She wanted to be his friend but his hatred and his words make her weak and everytime she stop herself... But this time it just sounds good to her...
He turned with a smile and waved his hand both had tears in their eyes both have lost something but still they decide to move on with hope that one day everything will be fine…
"Pyaar ka adhikaar sabka hota hai par Daya ki zaroorat na mujhe hai na tujhe ho sake to mujhe samajh jaana Shiva..."She repeat the same thought to her heart and leave him there heartbroken...
