Rey was broken, his eyes were burning, hot tears were scorching down. It was unbearable for him to even imagine the pain she went through. He was almost blank to even think and analyze his expression. He was lost somewhere. He couldn't frame his feelings in words. No doubt he has fallen for her, she was his first love and last too, the way he has fallen for her without even talking to her is inexpressible in words. Somewhere he had a strong believe that she too feels for her, but right now he was blank his heart was empty, blank devoid of colours lost in an unknown world of feelings. But then he heard a broken voice which brought him back to the realistic world.
Sw-Bole Rey, Kyat u aab bhi Taani sae payaar karta hai? Kya aab bhi meri chotti behen ko apnaya ga?
Rey looked up with moist eyes, Swayam felt so broken, he knew that when they hear about Taani's reality they will feel miserable, but right now the fact that Rey never even fell attracted towards any girl, in his whole life, that he rejected numerous proposals from really hot, modern aristocrat girls has so badly fallen for the first time for a girl and now her past, rather her present that she is an widow, Swayam was clueless, he was feeling vulnerable for his best buddy, Sharon on the other hand was quite, she still couldn't register and gasp what Swayam said because whatever he said was beyond her imagination and thinking.
Sw- Its ok Rey I understand and there is nothing to force, that's the reason when Sharon told me that you like her I kept quiet and didn't ask you anything. I know Taani's destiny has snatched away her life from her but now all I want to take her with me, just a try to remove her pain, Payaar usae milae na milae, kam sae kaam jindegie jinae layak to baan jayaee.
R-(Rubbing his own tears) Tujhae kya lagta hai, ki hearing her past my love for her will reduce? Nahii Swayam, I admit I just felt attracted towards her in the beginning and then slowly started loving her, but after hearing this I am determined I can't even think of leaving her hand in the path of life. Main usae apna banakar haar woh khusi dunga jo woh deserve karti hai, I will feel her life with lots and lots of life, uski safad jindagee mai apnae payaar ka raang bhar dunga...I...
He was unable to complete his sentence, Swayam pulled him in a tight hug, and he was too much happy because now he knew that his sister will have a happy life because he was aware of his best buddy's commitment, he knew soon Taani will be away from all his pain.
For Rey, though tears were not stopping but now he felt the strength of love, now all he thought was how to take her away from here. He was determined and he had already promised himself that he will cross all hurdles and shower her life with love, care and bring smile to her beautiful face.
Both were still in a comforting manly hug, but Sharon interrupted.
Sh- Bhai, I am so happy that You have accepted her even after hearing about her past, I feel so proud of you bhai, (She hugged Rey tight) Akhir mere bhai ko bhi payaar ho gaya, and now bhai jaldi sae Taani ko meri bhabhi bana do.
Rey departing from the hug, held Sharon's hand in his palm and said-
R-Chotti, I know about the tremendous pain and torture she went through but it was because of the rituals presiding here, because of Swayam's family, but in all this what fault did Swayam have, he was unaware of all these, on the other hand after he came back he did his level best to reduce her pain, he really treats her as his sister, he even argued with his parents for her, and jaha tak mujhae pata hai,Taani bhi tumhae apna bhabi mantii hai, so kya tum Swayam par apna dis trust dikha kar Taani ko hurt karogie?
SH- Bhai I need some time.
Sw- Its Ok Sharon you take your own time, and aab chalo sab its almost dawn, hum hospital ke bahar wallae stall sae chai pete hai.
Sh-ha bhai lets celebrate with tea, after all today is a new day, a new morning will start, today is the festival of colours, and the most important occasion is today is Taani's 18th birthday, let her take a rebirth today.
After a long black night they laughed genuinely, though Rey was sad but a thought of her brought smile in his face, and they all headed towards the tea stall. While consuming tea...
R- Swayam Taani teri behen hai, and I will always respect that relation because you truly deserve to be her brother, so Swayam and even Chotti, I have a request, Taani ki hosh anae ke baad no one will tell her that we know about her past, regarding it I want to talk to her ( with a pause ) alone...I want to talk to her alone... I guess Swayam...
Sw-(He was cut in the middle) Rey Taani aab teri hai, you go ahead and talk to her in the way you want, baas meri behen ke jindegie mai khusiya bhar dena.
Sh-But right now guys you both are forgetting something important, and that is keeping all this things away think how can we take her away from this bloody place, this town...I am sorry Swayam, but we really need aproper plan to take her away from this inhuman place and its not easy bhai.
After this they discussed the matter and ultimately it was decided that just after Taani's discharge without wasting time and before anyone comes to know anything taking advantage of the celebration of holi, and that people will be out of sense with the effect of bhang they will escape the borders of this town and once they reach Jaipur-Mumbai highway they are sorted. Mumbai is an 6hrs journey. The dawn started breaking Sunrise was yet to happen, clock showed 4.30 AM. Swayam decided to go home, and check the situation assuring everybody that Taani is out of danger, evening she will be discharged and he will bring her back home, and he will also inform that afternoon his friends are returning back to Mumbai, so he had come to take their luggage, and next day he too will leave for Mumbai and from there abroad. As nobody really cares about Taani they will not be so keen in taking interest on her leaving the celebration and by the time they realizes they will be out of this place forever. As decided Swayam started to go but Rey forced Sharon to accompany him because he very well knew his chotti that after all these when without knowing anything she has accused Swayam so much, she will not talk with him, she will feel guilty and she will hesitate to communicate but from inside she will be broken. But he knew, that only when they remains together get a little of their own space they will come out of these uncomfortable mess specially Sharon. As thought Swayam and Sharon left for Havelii.
Rey proceeded towards Taani's ward. Rey opened the door of the cabin. His eyes fell directly to the body lying life less on the bed, he looked at her with admiration in his eyes, he tried to act normal because he knew he have to be strong to bring her out from her miserable life, he smiled as if he felt his Taani was smiling on seeing him, soon he saw a nurse was checking on Taani's medical charts.
R-nurse, how is she doing now?
Nurse- She is better weakness abb bhi hai, but soon she will be conscious. She should be given healthy food from now on wards, and care should be taken that she doesn't remain empty stomach, 2 glass of milk and a boiled egg should be her regular diet, fruits is essential. (saying all these thinking him as her near one the nurse left..)
Rey have listened everything carefully and already had made a chart in his mind for her regular diet and medicine.) Soon when the nurse left, Rey sat beside her on bed holding her palms in his hand caressing the back of her hands, where the needle was pierced for giving her glucose, though nurse had removed her glucose the channel was still there, he felt the pain, without any hesitation he kissed her knuckles, and then bent towards her and planted a long lingered kiss on her forehead, she slightly stirred but then she passed on in her deep slumber. He smiled looking at her then kissed her cheeks.
REY's POV:
Happy Birthday Taani!! Happy birthday Sweetheart!! I love you and I promise after today sorrow and pain will never touch you, tumharae past sae mujhae koi farak nahi parta, I will be your present and future, I know tum bhi mere liya kuch feel karti ho, but tumne kabhi kaha nahi, sayad because of your relation, may be because you were not sure about my reaction, and I know tumnae agar cahae bhi hai in that house you never had a scope of talking with me, reason cahae kuch bhi ho, I will never ask for an explanation, cause tumhae kuuch bhi batanae ki jaruraat nahi I can read your eyes, and I have seen love in those eyes for me. Mumbai jatae hie you will be a free bird, and mujhae koi jaldi nahi hai, I will give you time. Before coming to a relation you need to come out of your vulnerable state, first you need to identify yourself, and you know what? I can wait for your acceptance till eternity only when I am sure you are safe in my protection.
Slowly after an hour she opened her eyes, and just after adjusting her eyes she felt a hold on her palms, when she turned her head she tried to look her surroundings, her eyes met his, she was surprised was an understatement, she without a second thought closed her eyes tight, she was sure, that she was dreaming, she was seeing what her heart wants to see, so after closing her eyes for a quite long time, and coming out of her thought she slowly opened her eyes, and there she once again saw him sitting beside her and holding her hand, the eyes met and soon she was startled to see his teary eyes, she forgot everything and was pulled to a different world all she could see was him. She was staring at him, forgetting her pain, and when with teary eyes he lovingly moved his eyebrows in a gesture to ask her the reason of looking at him or may be was she fine, her dreamland broke and she realized the bitter truth that she is not meant to be his, a tear drop escaped from her own eyes and slowly she pulled back her palms and tried to sit. Rey realized her hesitation, rubbing his eyes hiding his tears he smiled back her and without any hesitation or awkwardness he held her shoulders, arms and helped her to sit, arranging the pillows behind her making her comfortable so that she can rest her back. Soon the Doctor came checked her pulses, gave nurse certain instructions and left. There was silence Taani was looking everywhere but not his eyes, she couldn't identify her feelings on a part she was feeling happy to see her Highwayman with her, near to her but her marital status was making her uncomfortable, she was on the verge of losing herself in him but yet she was trying hard to control, and Rey's constant intense gaze on her was making her more speechless. Rey was enjoying her uncomfortable attitude because her behaviour was so predictable and love for him in her hazel brown orbs was becoming more prominent. Soon there staring session or rightly Taani looking away from him and Rey gazing at her was broken with the interference of the ward boy and the nurse bringing her breakfast which is a glass of milk and two toasts. And without a second opinion Rey's predictable Taani, started her ranting of fasting, Rey signalled both the nurse and the ward boy to go.
Rey sat on the bed keeping the food tray on the bed side table holding her hand in his palm.
R- Taani fasting tum kal kar rahi thie, and you have forgotten that (with a pause) kal hie tumne brat tor diya tha, you broke your fasting that too by consuming water from my hand.
T-woh aap yeaha, ghar mai...
R-Baki bataee baad mai, and now chup chap breakfast kar lo, mujhae koi bahana nahi cahiyaa (she tried to say something opening her mouth, but before she could even frame her words) Nothing koi bahana nahii not even "Ma..chachii" and all (Looking straight at her eyes) bharosa hai na mujh par (she didn't answer just looked at his eyes that too just for few seconds and looked down) tum kuch kaho na kaho I know you trust me... Now please eat, kal sae tumne kuch bhi nahii kahaya, last 24 hours you were not in your senses mai kitna daar gaya tha I mean we all were so afraid, Taani you need strength just start eating.
She was still sitting blankly staring at her palms, which was in his protective hold, but then he heard him...
R-bohot jiddi ho...
Soon she felt the touch of the milk glass on her lips, Rey had held the glass right near her lips, she protested, she tried to hold the glass herself but she was helpless in front of a adamant Rey, he himself made her drink first few sips from his hand.
But soon there unspoken feelings got disturbed ...
PART-9 PAGE-57 https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/123745926
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