T2: Ek Aur Zindagi..(Epilogue:page 130) - Page 30

PART 39:

The left part of the night went unusually silent. The team knew about the tension that was brewing in. But oblivious to all those Adi was enjoying his night with all. He craked jokes with Sree, Chotu and Liza. Sakshi and Aisha were near to Arjun and Sam. Arjun didn't know what was going on and others could sense it too. Dadi looked equally disheartened. When none asked Sam took the initiative. "Aayi ye sab...?"

Arjun looked up to her. Dadi sighed and looked at him. "I couldn't help Arjun. Adi ne mujhse call karwaya. Mein kuch kahu usse pehle Adi ne hi bath kar liya. Aur... Wo maan bhi gaye"

All knew she was in equal tension about it. Arjun rubbed his temple.

Sam took a moment. "in a way teekh hi tho hai"Arjun looked confused at Sam who continued his words. "Akhir kab thak? Ek bar baitke bath kare tho kuch galath faimiyan..."

"kaunse galath faimy Sam?"his tone had a higher notch that Adi looked up to his dad. Arjun smiled and asked him to continue with Sree.

He mellowed down a bit to avoid a scene in front of Adi. "koi galath faimy nahi hai Sam. Abhi thak tho bilkul bhi nahi. Par kal kya hoga, ye mujhe nahi patha"

"Arjun, iss zid ko dur hata do please. If not for you, at least for Adi. Usse bohot din baad ek Dadi mili hai. Aur apne Dada se ek bar mila bhi hai. Usse bhi ek family me rehne ka wish hoga na. Usse patha hai ke unke Maa ab wapas nahi ayega. Tho jo uske charo aur hai, unse milne do. Jo nahi hai, unhe wapas tho nahi bula saktha, par jo hai, usse dur bhi math karna."

Dadi's eyes were full by that time and she closed it to let it go. Aisha held her palm assuring her. Arjun could gather her pain and in a way he was feeling guilty too.

He bends down and covers his face with his palm. Moment of silence passed after which Sam cleared his throat again. "team, I think we should go. Rath kafi hochuki hai"

All agreed and thought of giving the space to the family. They said goodnight and retired for the night.

Dadi went back to kitchen to complete her works. Arjun went to his room to fresh up. In between Adi was sensing something negative around him. He too went to fresh up and changes to his night dress and then went to Dadi to say good night.

"aaj hamare sath nai rukoge?"

"nai... Dad upset hai. Aaj unke sath sothe hai"

"ok" she bent down to kiss good night to him.

"dad mujhse naraz tho nahi hai na?"

She nods no and pats his cheeks. He goes to his Dad's room and finds Arjun already in bed, but wide awake. He climbs up the bed and tucks closer to him. Arjun keeps a protective hand around him for which Adi keeps his head on Arjun's chest.

"sorry dad..."

"kyu beta?"

"aap mujhse naraz haina? Kyunki meine apse puche bagair Dadaji ko invite kiya"

"nahi aise koi bath nahi hai. Mein apse naraz nahi hu"

"ok... tho aap kya soch rahe ho?"

"Kuch nahi Adi. So jao. Thak gaye ho na?"

He pats Adi to sleep and then remains wide awake. He didn't know why many roads were meeting at a point now. Anyway he left it for the time to show which way to take. For now he let it be. It was a sleepless night for more than one person.

The next day began with a grim mood. Arjun was not in his usual self. He went for jogging alone as he saw Adi sleeping peacefully. By the time he was back, Adi was still sleeping. He freshens up and called Adi. Little kid pouted for not calling for his cycling. But Arjun handled him well.

Soon all were at breakfast, after which Arjun went to work. Adi and Dadi again went to camp for a while and then planned to return by evening.

The whole day Arjun was not in good mood. He almost blasted Sree for no big reason and then called him back to say sorry. As Sree knew the reason, he didn't mind about it.

Aisha went to Sam's cabin in mean while with the file that needed his signature. "sir"

"haan Aisha, bolo"

"sir files are ready. Need your approval."

He takes it and signs after checking it. "Rawte kaha hai?"

"apne cabin me hai sir" he sensed some off tone from her side and looked up. "kya hua?"

"kafi pareshan hai..."

"hm... patha nahi aaj rath ko kya hoga. Adi ne tho unhe bula diya. I didn't expect him to come down. Par lagtha hai Adi ke jadu waha thak pohonch gaya hai"

She smiled at those words and then remembered something. "sir ek bath puchu?"

"hm..." he was busy turning the pages.

"kal kya hua tha? I mean Adi..."

He stopped abruptly. "kyu? Kisine kuch kaha?"

"kaha tho nai. Par Arjun sir... Kuch keh diya tha..."

Sam mentally smacked hisown head. "ye Rawtes ne jeena mushkil kardiya hai"

She saw him muttering something. "kuch kaha aapne?"

"huh?? No nothing. I mean koi problem nai hai. Waise Arjun ne kya kaha?"

She smiled and decided to play his cards to him. "nai kuch zyada nai... par kuch kuch..."

Sam already got the negative meaning. "tho iske matlab... Rawte ne Aisha se keh diya? Dammit Rawte!! I wont spare you"

She saw him turning different shades now and trying to make up what to say.

"Dekho Aisha. Aisa koi bath nahi hai ke mein tumse chupa raha hu. I mean, I am not worried to say to you... I mean... dammit!!"

Aisha got a small hint. So Adi was helping him to say something to someone... maybe to her... now she could connect Arjun's line in position too.

"tho aap mujhse kuch kehna chahthe hai! Aur ussi bath pe worried hai. Aur shayad Adi bhi wahi bath keh raha tha! Right Sir??"

"SO she didn't know it?"

He was confused and angry at his own slip. The ever so composed Chief was fumbling a bit. She couldn't help her smile.

"its ok sir. Take your time. Par agar kuch kehna hai tho keh dijiyega"

He nodded and gave back the file to her. She took it with a smile that was never seen of the face of the officer Aisha. He couldn't help from admiring it mentally.

She turned and was walking away when he felt himself smacking his head. Aisha had reached the door when he almost shouted her name. She turned back confused. "yes sir?"

"um... wo... how about a dinner, tonight?"

She smiled at his effort. "yeah sure sir, if you are comfortable with it"

He raised his eyebrows. "yeah, its ok with me"

"ok then...mein chalthi hu"

"yup"

She walked out comfortably and he leaned back. "first step... almost ok..."

He congradulated himself.

***

After work Arjun went directly to home. He haven't interacted with others much. It looked like the old Rawte who used to be in the office before Adi's arrival.

Sashi called Aisha to go home. they usually left together. But today Aisha declined. After much probing from Sakshi and team, Aisha had to say that she was going for dinner with Rathod Sir.

They howled and "ooh"ed together and took a hard time for Aisha to control them. When everything was almost settled, Sam passed that way and called her. She nodded and he walked to the parking lot. As and when Rathod's shadow was out of sight, the team bursted again and started teasing Aisha. But Rathod was just a few geets away and could hear the team and also her trying to pacify them. He smiled and walked away to the parking lot and waited for her.

It seems Aayi and Arjun were right. It is not that tough as it was thought before. It's just the first that was the hardest. While waiting he was deciding were to have the dinner. But then a name crossed his mind. That place would be just perfect.

He saw Aisha walking down the stairs and coming to the vehicle. She was still smiling, maybe remembering the teasing session. And she never knew that he was watching her. She reached infront of him and he opened a door for her. She was feeling all these very different and got in. And they drove away for a new start.

***

Arjun had changed to his casuals and Adi was with Dadi in the kitchen. The kid loved to be in kitchen and try to make hisown parathas even though it had weird shapes. There was an unsaid silence which was broked at times by Adi's questions. Till 8:45 all were peeping at the clock many times and at that time the bell rang. Arjun and Aayi stood in the hall and looked at each other. Both of them were finding it difficult to take another step. At last Arjun went to the door and opened it. At the other side stood his dad, clad in his usual formal shirt and pants with a small parcel. Adi too came to his dad and smiled at his Dadaji. "hi"

Arjun wondered if he was in full sense. Because he saw his father smiling at Adi and bending down to give his favourite pack of chocolates. "thank you" Adi beemed and caught his fingers and pulled him in. Rawte looked at Arjun, who took a moment before moving aside. All walked in and Aayi was there at the sofa.

Rawte was looking around including her and watching this home. He had never stepped in before. Not when Arjun was married, not when Adi was born or not when she passed away. Arjun gestered at the sofa and all settled. Aayi took another moment before walking into the kitchen.

"aap late kyu the?"

"traffic me bhas gaya tha. School ke exam result aaya?"

"nahi, kal aana tha, par nahi aya. Shayad aaj ya kal ajayege"

"hm..."

Arjun was watching how comfortable Adi was with his dad. He couldn't remember when was the last time when he had such a casual talk with him. He wished he was young too. May be younger mind were too innocent to keep the matters at heart, that made them fight and then say sorry as quick as possible.

Adi opened his chocolate "Celebration"box and took one, then forwarded it to him. He nodded no and then Adi showed it to Arjun who also nodded no. Adi took it to kitchen to keep it in fridge leaving the two Rawtes together.

It was real awkward still. But then it was the senior who decided to break the ice.

"office me kaam saab?"

"teekh hai"

"So Adi yaha rukhne wale hai. acha hai..."

Arjun looked at him. There was sincerity over his face.

"mien iss weekend ko wapas ja raha hu. waha Rehan ne kuch meetings set kiya hai.isliye.."

"hm..."

There were very little topics to talk. Aayi came with a glass of lime juice which was his favorite. He took it silently when their eyes met briefly.

Adi was back and stayed close to Arjun who held on to him as his support.

Rawte had not seen much of Arjun's fatherly side. So all these were new to him. Adi's smile was so infectious and it reminded of Arjun's younger days.

"Aapka ghar kaha hai?"

"C M Colony me."

"yaha se dur hai?"

"nahi... uthna dur nahi hai"

"tho uss din yaha kyu nahi aya?"

Rawte sat silent for a while. "thoda busy tha"

He saw a frustrated look on Arjun's face. "kya hua Arjun?"

"kuch nahi. Abhi bhi reason wahi ke wahi hai. busy"

"you are a working man too Arjun. aur kaam kithna zaroori hai, ye aap bhi janthe ho"

"haan, par kabhi kabhi family keliye time nikaalne me koi galthi nahi tha"

"wo sab kehna asaan hai Arjun. karneme nahi. Agar hothe tho ab thak Adi hostel me kyu the?"

Arjun sat silent. Adi looked from his dad to dada, who were not looking in good mood. He looked at dadi who looked away and was wiping another tear drop.

He caught Arjun's hand tight which made Arjun look at Adi.

"dad please don't fight. Buri bath hai"

Arjun smiled slightly to him. "we are not fighting Adi. Hum bas bath kar rahe hai"

Adi didn't look convinced. He looked at dada who also gave a sad smile.

Aayi cleared her throat and caught everyone's attention.

"khana ready hai. table pe ayiye, sab"

She walked to the table and started arranging it well. The guys stood up and walked to the table along with Adi. He settled by his dad's side. They started silently. Adi wrinkled his face when he saw brinjal. "hmm hmmm"

Rawte looked at him. "kya hua?"

Adi pointed at brinjal and nodded no. Rawte smiled. "aise nahi kehthe Arjun... khao..."

Arjun looked up when he heard the old tone again. Adi also looked surprised.

Rawte cleared his throat. "I mean Adi... khao. Ye acha hai"

Aayi served the food for all, with lesser brinjal for Arjun and Adi as both of them didn't like it much. But Rawte always liked it.

There was just casual talk by Adi and dada and Arjun was mostly silent except when Adi asked him something.

After dinner, Arjun saw Dada walking to the balcony with a cup of stong tea. Arjun also walked to him. They sipped silently for a while.

"mien mila tha usse, ek bar..."

Arjun looked at him not knowing what he was speaking about.

"Roshni... achi thi..."

He never knew Roshni had met him. She never told it to him.

"Adi ke sath kuch shopping kar rahi thi. Adi kuch ek saal ke hoge.usne mujhse bath bhi kit hi. Par uss din bhi mien kuch keh nahi paya."

His eyes were set on something far away and not meeting Arjun, as if remembering that day.

Arjun could feel a choke in his throat. But his dad continued.

"galthi ki hai. kayi bar. Ek sapna dekha tha tumhare liye, par jab wo tutne lage tho sambhal nahi paya. Fir wahi kiya jo uss waqt mann me aya. Baadme bura tho laga, par galath nahi laga. Fir bar bar mauka aya. Halath aur baki sab teekh nahi tha. Aapke Aayi bhi kafi sahi hai. mujhe patha hai. mere peeche ro rahi thi. Par meine hi usse undekha kar diya. Par ab usse aur rulana nahi chahtha. Isiliye unhe yaha aapke paas bhej diya. Jo mien nahi de paya, wo aap aur Adi dedena."

Rawte turned to Arjun who stood like a statue.

"suna tha ke tum Roshni se bohot pyaar kerthe the. shayad isiliye fir shaadi nahi ki. Kafi log tumhe samjhane ke koshish ki hogi ke "aage bhado..." and all that. kehna aur sunna asaan hai. karna nahi. Aur ye bath mien samajh saktha hu. apke Aayi ko yaha se lejane ke ek wajah bhi wahi thi. I didn't want to loose her. Par meine hi unhe apne apse alag kar diya. Khair... jo decision liya hai, mujhe yakeen hai, usme tum Adi ke future ka bhi khayal rakha hoga. Kyunki koi bhi rishta samjhote se nahi hothe. Wo baadme sabko takleef dega. After all har Maa-Baap apne bache ke future ke bare me hi sochthe hai. ek samay me, meine bhi wahi kiya tha..."

They stood silent. Aayi had seen that they were speaking. Somewhere she prayed that everything come back to the track. Adi had also stayed back when they were talking.

At last Rawte decided to move out. He was about to reach the door when he heard Arjun.

"kash... Kash aap ye sab bohot pehle keh diya hotha..."

Rawte turned back to Arjun who stood there completely hurt. Arjun faced him with a grim face. "don't you think, you are too late this time?"

Rawte couldn't deny it. He just stood there for a while and decided to go. He almost reached the door when Adi caught his hand. "fir kab aoge?"

He patted his hair. "patha nahi.par hum milenge zaroor. Good night Adi"

"good night"

He looked at Aayi and Arjun and then walked away. Aayi went directly to her room whike Arjun was on the sofa, Adi was feeling very bad, he sat closer to Arjun.

He looked up at Adi and smiled faintly and then gathered him to his lap.

He rubbed back Adi's hair and kissed his forehead.

"thanks beta"

"kyu?"

"unhe yaha bulane keliye. Shayad mien wo kabhi nahi kar patha."

Adi sat silent facing his dad, who continued his words.

"wo bure nahi hai. bar kuch bathein sahi waqt pe sahi thareeke se... hum dono nahi keh paya. Bas wahi hua hai..."

"dad, mujhe kuch samajh me nahi aya"

Arjun smiled at him. He was notindeed trying to make Adi understand. He was just spekinhg his heart out aand he didn't have anyone else to share it other than with Adi.

Arjun kissed his forehead. "its k beta. Baadme samaj me ayega. Chalo sothe hi"

Adi agrees and goes to change his dress. Arjun got up and saw Aayi at the door. He was sure that she heard everything.

"wahi galthi math karna Arjun jo unhone kiya tha. Sahi waqt hamesha kisika intezaar nahi karega"

He stood there for a while and retired to his room. Soon he was joined with Adi who was asleep quickly.