T2: Ek Aur Zindagi..(Epilogue:page 130) - Page 68

Part 51:

From the time Adi's call came to her mobile, she was smiling. She knew he wouldn't let her say no. She had to be there; else he would come home to drag her out. And that would be the end of surprise.

Shivani threw her usual tantrums. It's still hard to believe that she is Aisha's girl. It seems that she inherited most of her parent's cop-gene than the other genes. She knew how to silence someone and to win her in an argument is almost equal to impossible.

Except for Sam and unbelievably to Arjun too. In front of them, she is a nice as a kitten. All her claws intact and smiling in such a way that it would melt anyone's heart, But not Adi. They two are impossible. Jhanvi had heard from Aisha and Sakshi that the two men used to fight one some case issues, like these two some years back. They were just having a miniature version of all those old fights. Jhanvi cannot imagine them fighting. Be alone fighting, she have not even seen a hard face on Arjun. He was the ever gentle dad, and stern cop. And for her, it was much beyond words.

As she drove to the restaurant, after reassigning the works, she was reeling back the days again. Its still a wonder how Adi's birthday brought back all those memories fresh.

She was walking to the restaurant where the lunch was fixed. Many times she wished to retrace her steps. She didn't know if this was a right step. She was here just because she had already given sufficient pain all those who cared for her. She was meeting him just for them.

He was in a corner seat. Might have been waiting for a while. She hoped he was not irritated. He stood up as she reached. It was indeed awkward for both of them.

When she settled, he let her decide the lunch from the menu card and then waited. "I am sorry" it was she who decided to break the ice first. He looked up confused. "Kyu?"

"mere wajah se aapko bhi yaha..." she didn't know how to continue.

"Its ok. Isme sorry kehne ke zaroorath nahi hai Jhanvi."

Silence again prevailed. "Thank you, uss din mere ghar aakar mujhe bachane keliye. Uss din mujhe bohot bura laga tha. Socha tha ke sab khatam hone wale the, aur aap bich me agaye. Lekin ab lagtha hai, acha hua. Jo kiya wo shayad galath tha.par uss waqt galath nahi laga tha."

"I can understand. Kahi bar aise situations athe hai zindagi me."

"thab aap kya karthe hai?"

"kuch zyada nahi, unn sare ache pal yaad karthe hai jo sabke sath bithayi hai. Adi aur mere pariwar. Thab teekh hojatha hai"

She sat listening to each and every word he was saying. He was taking it gentler than she did. She knew he wanted to talk more.

"Roshni ke baad mein kisi ko bhi uske jagah me dekhne ke bare me socha bhi nahi hai. mujhe laga ke wo shayad meri Adi ko teekh se apna nahi paunga. Mujhe laga ke mien akele hi usse sambhal saktha hu. kuch logone kaha ke mien selfish hu. Adi ko uske haq se dur kar raha hu. patha nahi, ye sahi tha ke galath. Meine Adi se pucha bhi tha,ke usse ek Maa chahiye ke nahi. Unhone kaha ke wo mere sath khush hai. mujhe acha laga. Ye patha nahi ke Adi sach keh raha tha ya sirf mere dil rakhne ko keh raha tha. Hum do aur Ayi-Baba, mujhe laga ke hum khush hi hai. par ab firse sawal uth raha hai, aur mujhe patha nahi hai ke mien kya karu."

He let it out in a stretch. He wanted it out of his system, only then he could think straight.

"Apke pas Adi bohot khush hai. aur mien samajh sakthi hu, aise bar bar aage bhadne ke bare me sunke aapko bohot thakleef bhi horaha hoga. I can understand."

A waiter came with food and placed it infront of them. They started slowly nibbling on the food. Hunger was far away, food infront was just a prop for them.

"uss din Adi se milne ko kyu aya, ye mujhe nahi patha. Bas jane se pehle ek bar unse milne ko mann kiya. Wo mere kya lagtha hai, ye bhi mujhe nahi patha. Par Ayi ne mujhe firse sochne pe majboor kiya. Shayad wo teekh keh raha tha, shayad mujhe Adi me apna beta dikha hoga. Wo tho Adi se bhi chota hotha. Par shararath shayad Adi ke tharah"

Arjun could see a dreamy face on her; maybe she was trying to find an imaginary face of her son. It pained him to think of her state.

"Sorry" she blinked herself out. "kaha ke bath kaha thak pohonch gayi. Sorry."

"its ok, aap khana khayiye."

The rest of the lunch was silent. After the lunch, they walked out of the restaurant. They didn't have another destination in mind. "Aapke jagah thak chodu?" he asked for which she nodded her head. He strated driving to her place. Once stopped at the gates, she tuned to him. "Thanks for the lunch"

He nodded yes. Their eyes did stay on each other for a while and then she tried to get down. But his voice stopped her. "Jhanvi" she turned back. "patha hai, ek lunch ke time kafi nahi hai ek dusre ko jaanne keliye. Patha hai ke hum do ye bath nahi janthe ke aage kya hoga. par aage ke bare me agar kuch socha hai tho bathane me hichkichana math. Sab ek rishte ke bare me keh raha hai, par aisa koi rishta nahi bana jo samjhothe ke sath shuru hua ho. aur agar wo samjhothe ke naam Adi ho, tho bilkul bhi nahi. Hum dono ka decision jo bhi ho, ek dost ke jagah me mujhe dekh sakthe ho. kyunki mujhe aisa lag raha hai ke tumhare life me koi khas dost nahi hai. agar hothe tho uss din nahi athe. Khair ek dosti se shuru karthe hai. Anytime when you wish, you may see Adi. Par uss din ke galathi math karna."

She smiled genuinely. She liked the way he was putting it forward. There was no melodrama, or harsh words. Yes she didn't have many friends with her. And she could find a good friend in him. She didn't know about future, but for now he could stay strong as a friend.

She led her hand forward for a shakehand. "Friends?"

He took a moment and shook it, nodding positively., "Ab jao, you kids must be waiting for you."

She nodded and left after a quick bye.

Thankfully by that time Sameer was back in office. Aisha's due date was still approaching. So he was back in duty for a while. And Arjun couldn't have wished for a better person to be by his side. He spoke to Sam about the matter in hand. "sahi kiya tune Arjun. I haven't met her, par mujhe lag raha hai ke jo horaha hai wo teekh hi horaha hai. don't you think so?"

"I don't feel anything Sam. Patha nahi sab teekh hai ke nahi."

"Ek bath bol, kya usse ek dost banane me tumhe koi problem feel hua?" he nods no. "In fact tumne khud dosti ki hath badhaya hai. That's very good. Ab aage fikar math karo, it will be fine."

"Par Sam, yaha sirf bath mere ya Jhanvi ke nahi hai, Adi bhi hai"

Sam smiled at it. "Do you seriously think ke Adi ko bura lagega? In fact I am very happy. I feel you will be happy soon too."

As she walked to their regular place in the restaurant, she saw Adi was behind the menu card, maybe byhearting the names, while Arjun was negating or commenting on Adi's choice of food.

"too spicy... no, that we had few days back... Wo theri Mumma ko pasand nahi hai... haan that's better..." the comments were flowing along with the name of the dish.

She saw him look aside to her when he heard her. A smile was natural on his face, the one that she had fallen in love at last, long back. "kuch mila ya fir ek aur menu card mangwau?"

"Aapke pathi dev ke choice badi ajeeb hai sweatheart. Aap hi sambhalo inhe."

"Acha? Ab Maa aya tho mien bahar" Arjun acted to be upset.

"Arre nahi meri ETF Chief. Ok I quit. Aap dono hi choose karo."

It took only minutes for her to order the food. Now it was the waiting time. In between Adi gets a call from his friend. He goes to attend it and also to washroom. That's when Arjun turned his attention back to Jhanvi. "sab agaye?"

"Pari, Shivani, Aayi baba aye hai. Aisha ne bathaya hai ke wo Commisioner ke sath meeting ke baad yaha ayenge. Mujhe uske sath jana hai. Make sure Adi mere sath na aye."

"how can I do that? tum janthe ho, usse shak karne ka aadath hai"

"patha hai, par kuch karna hoga."

"dekhthe hai"

By then Adi comes back. They have their own chat during lunch. "Dad, lunch ke baad mien mere friend ke ghar jaraha hu. He is in town after a long time. So baki practice baad me karthe hai"

"Ok no problem." Arjun's and Jaani's problem was solved. By the end of the lunch, Arjun gets a call and leaves soon. Adi and Jhanvi are about to leave the building, when Aisha walked in. "hi didi. Aap yaha?"

"haan, meeting ke baad bohot bhook lagi. So socha kuch kha lu. Aur theri Mumma ke sath kuch shopping bhi."

"Shopping ka tho koi bahana chahiye"

"koi bahana nahi hai, aur waise bhi tu kabhi shopping pe nahi jathe hai kya? Jaani, ye kya pehna hai isne? Koi dhang ka shirt nahi hai Adi?"

He looks down to his branded T-shirt. "Isme kya problem hai?"

"Problem?? Teekh se dekho. Apke dad ka dressing sense se shayad apko kuch patha chalega?"

He had a naughty look now and placed his elbow on Aisha's shoulder. "Di... apko tho bade patha hai Dad ke dress ke bare me. Don't tell me aap ek chief se fisal ke ab dusre chief me line mar rahe ho."

"badmash..." Adi receives a good blow on his head. "Jaani, ye tho bade besharam hai."

"Iss mamle me mujhe bahar hi rakho Aisha."

"koi bath nahi. ise mein hi teekh kar dunga." Aisha gave a good ear twist to him.

"No wonder CB aise kyu hai. bilkul aap pe gaye hai. khair aap log chalo shopping karne ko. Mujhe mere friend se milna hai. bye."

"bye" the ladies went aside. Aisha had a light lunch and Jaani sat sat opposite to her giving her company. After the initial catch up Aisha saw Jaani in thoughts. "kya hua?"

"kuch nahi Aisha. Issi jagah se shuru hua tha hamare zindagi. Wo pehli bar milne ke baad ye patha nahi tha ke baadme ek relation shuru hoga."

"Expect the unexpected- ye bath hum sabse acha aur kaun jantha hai?"

Aisha was first introduced to Adi when he came for the first time in office. She and Adi had an unnamed relation which many people wished to name one day. Later when Jaani came to the small Rawte family, Aisha was very happy. She was not there for their simple marriage, but soon they came to meet her. And then she had her little girl by her side too. Adi had loved the little baby. From the time when Shivani was about to walk, he was there by her side. But their relation was not that type of sweet cute one. Both are in their killer self when they meet each other. But all knew well, a small aah' from her would make Adi worried. The fight was their mode of showing the love. Well, can't blame Adi too. Even Aisha gets surprised by the dabang attitude of her girl.

Aisha and Jaani had an understanding. But the one who was the live wire in their group was Sakshi. They knew she would be sulking around in her home waiting for Rishab to reach home. To stay away from fun was not her cup of tea. Even Ashima was a carbon-copy of her mom. But Rishab was too caring as her dates were on the way. And Liza, she stil had work at office. And Jaani had requested to keep her dare devil twins away till the decorations are over.

Jaani and Aisha shopped for a while and she dropped Jaani back at home. Before leaving she made sure her Shivani was not making more trouble.

After the initial meet, Arjun and Jhanvi had a few more meetings. In mean while even she met Sameer, who was very happy with her. Soon all knew it was not wise to keep the decision pending.

Before the final step, once Arjun came with Adi and Aayi. He was happy to see Jhanvi in the pizza hut. "Di... aap bhi hai. very good."

She could see some hesitations on Arjun's face. She had made it clear to him in the last meeting itself, that there was no need to decide anything against his wish. She was clear of what she wanted. She knew she would love Adi like her son even if she gets married to him or not. But if there is any chance of getting married, she knew well that their relation will not be the one that all are imagining of. Both of them had a past which was more realistic to them like their present. So leaving behind everything and start afresh would not be a simple matter. It will take days, week or even years for them to get used to it. But she knew one thing well too.

Adi... that link between them will let them take their life ahead. The friendship that she has started with Arjun is the one that she would nurish for a life time. She knew he would be by her side. And this much time was to know that much. Arjun is a guy of very simple dreams. His world starts and ends with his family and his career. He was silent and broody at times and at times he was much casual. But be it any mood, he would look out for anyone close to him. He was in a way similar to Zubair. Both wished for the best of other. And that alone was enough.

Adi sat closer to her. They ordered the snack of Adi's choice and waited. In between he was updating her about the recent win he had in the sport competition. She listened to it patiently. Aayi knew what she was going to decide was not wrong.

"Adi..." Arjun called while they were munching on to the cheese pizza. "kuch puchna hai aapse"

Adi nodded for him to go ahead. "Wo..." Arjun didn't know how to go ahead. Jhanvi saw that and asked him to relax. Adi was a bit confused. "kya hua Dad? Koi problem hai?"

Arjun nods no. Aayi knew this was bound to happen. Even after night and nights of talk with everyone, individualy and group, Arjun still had that holding back in him. Jhanvi's mom had also informed her about the same on their side.

Aayi brushed Adi's hair. "nahi Adi, koi problem nahi hai. balke kuch zaroori bath karni hai. aapko Jhanvi didi kaise lagi?"

Adi looked at her and also back at Arjun. Then he turned back to Dadi. "achi hai."

"kya aap unhe hamare ghar me invite karoge? Hamesha keliye?"

Adi didn't say anything. He looked at Arjun. That silent look asked many questions and he got some answers silently too. "mujhe koi problem nahi hai. par Dad se pucho..."

Arjun couldn't leave his eyes off from Adi. Did he understand the situation? How much did he know?

"agar dad ne kaha tho bilkul teekh hai. aap asakthe ho." He said it straight to Jhanvi.

Even Jhanvi knew that it was not a mere little boy to whom they are talking to. He had seen enough in his young age to understand the situations. She felt rpoud of the kid for showing such a maturity in his age.

Arjun knew it was not easy for him or Adi. But he had seen something behind his son's words too. Adi said he was ok to have her home, he was just worried for his dad. Now the step he was going to take would either be the one that would change many lives together or make him remain selfish forever. If life was giving a second chance, he should grab it. And he couldn't deny that now.

"Adi..." his voice had a calmness that was infectious. Both Ayi and Jhanvi looked up to him with Adi. "kya aap inhe apni Mumma ke tharah dekhna chahoge?"

Adi was silent. He was pale. He looked at Jhanvi. The eyes were filled in no time and lips shivering. He turned back to Arjun and nodded yes, very slowly fearing that he would hurt his Dad. To his relief his dad smiled. He smiled with a light heart. As if he have given his son the biggest gift ever possible. Jhanvi placed her hand over his head and Adi turned back to her. He leaned forward to her chest when he hugged her tight. She kissed him over his hair and relaxed the chin over his head. She felt complete that very moment and looked up at Arjun.

He smiled. The one that she would never forget in her life. It took more than 5 months to reach this moment from that fateful event. But she thanked her stars for giving a son like Adi and a family which she can call her own.

Aayi blessed them silently.

The marriage was in a register office. It was witnessed by his parents, her parents and former in-laws and laso the ETF team.

By the end of the function there was news. Aisha was in her labor room.

***

PS:

This is not the end, ok...

Still I have much... much to say. Glimpse of their after life, Sakshi, Sree-Liza, and yes Chotu too.

Will be back soon.