Jaldi aaiyye Arnavji! NOTE on pg 92

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Smita

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Posted: 10 years ago

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Translation for Part 119

Khushi: Can you help me?
Nirvaan's mother: Yes,of course! Tell me,how can I help you?
Khushi: You just have to tell me whether.. you know my husband,Arnav Singh Raizada or.. not?
There were myriad expressions on the woman's face as she thought for a long moment before saying: No,I dont!
Khushi was about to heave a sigh of relief when she continued.
Nirvaan's mother: The one who was known to me was Arnav Malik,not Arnav Singh Raizada!
Khushi didnt know what to say upon hearing that.
Nirvaan's mother continued after a short pause.
Nirvaan's mother: If you have any other questions,related to me then you are free to ask..
Khushi: No,thanks! I dont need to ask or know anything else. My husband had answered my questions in the past.
Rachnaa: I was sure that.. your husband would tell you about me! And I'm equally sure that.. your husband must not have told you everything about

me, about him and about his past!
Khushi: If you're trying to create a wrong image of my husband in my mind or if you're trying to give me a wrong impression about your relationship

then let me tell you,it would be futile to do so! (confidently)I trust my husband and I know that whatever he has told me is the truth!
Rachnaa: You're getting me wrong. I'm extremely happy with my marriage! And I have no plans to snatch your husband! I wont get anything by doing

so coz.. (sighs)you're husband is not the same person anymore who I'd fallen in love with!
She continued with a faraway look in her eyes.
Rachnaa: Time & circumstances pulled.. that Arnav far,far away from me! He will never come back! Niether is your husband that.. Arnav nor am I the

Rachnaa of the past. Since nothing is similar to what it used to be,you need not worry about anything!
Khushi: Okay,agreed! But I cant understand 1 thing-what do you want from me? Why do you want me to ask questions or seek answers from you

related to my husband? And that too now,when you both have moved on in your lives.
Rachnaa: No matter how far one moves in one's life,one's past is always going to be a part of one's life. I'm a part of Arnav's past. I was his

classmate first and then became his friend before I finally became his.. girlfriend. We used to be close.. friends.
Khushi: So what?
Rachnaa: Thats why I know many things related to his past. and I know that he must not have told you about those!
Khushi: How do you know that there's stuff that he mustve told me about & stuff which he mustve hidden from me?
Rachnaa: Coz I know that he's running away from his past! He's running away from every place, thing or.. person who reminds him of his past! e.g.

Lucknow, the city where he was brought up! Or Sheesh Mahal,his beloved house! He has innumerable memories related to each room of that house!

Once he freed Sheesh mahal from chachaji's clutches,he wouldve never come back to Lucknow (pause)had you not brought him over here!
Khushi(shocked): How do you..
Rachnaa(interrupts): I know that he has come to Lucknow only because of you! Dont get me wrong but I know Arnav very well!
Khushi: I'm not getting anything! First you said that my Arnavji is no the Arnavji of the past! And now you're saying that you know my Arnavji very

well! And you also know when he visited Lucknow.. Whats going on?
Do you still have feelings for Arnavji?
Rachnaa(immediately): Of course not!
Khushi: Then why are you so interested with the goings on of his life?
Rachnaa: Coz I still care for him! I dont.. love him anymore but I am concerned about him as a friend! The entire state gets the news whenever Arnav

visits Lucknow! Once he acquired the rights on Sheesh mahal,he completed all the judicial procedures from Delhi. He didnt even come here to appear

before the court! His manager completed all the formalities as per his instructions. I know about all these things thanks to newspapers and T.V. news

channels. And I knew back then that he would never come back to Lucknow! But the moment I saw you today,I knew that Arnav was also here!
Khushi: How can you say that?
Rachnaa: As far as I've heard.. please dont mind me saying this! But.. I've heard that you're from the lower strata of the society. Despite that,when

you got married to sucha rich man,you never misused your rights as a wife! You know the importance of money very well. You would never think of

staying in sucha huge hotel! Arnav mustve brought you over here..
Khushi: What if I say that hed just booked the hotel for me & he hasnt come to Lucknow?
Rachnaa(shakes her head): Thats not possible! Arnav will never leave you alone in Lucknow!
Khushi(deep frown): Why do you say so?
Rachnaa: It would be better if Arnav answers this question! Right now I can tell you about stuff that Arnav must not have told you about. Or.. I can

provide the answers for certain questions which might have come in your mind but you wouldnt have had the heart to ask him..
Khushi(shocked): How do you know that?
Rachnaa: A wife would never seek answers to her questions if that would make her husband unhappy!
Though Khushi knew that she(Rachnaa) was right,she did not say so.
The knowledge that some other woman knew more about her husband than she did,did not sit well with her.
Rachnaa: You can come with me to my room if you want to know something about Arnav's past. And if not then.. you're free to return to your room. I

will respect your decision.
Khushi pondered over her words for a few moments.
Khushi: What will I gain from the knowledge that.. you will provide me with,regarding his past?
Rachnaa: You'll be able to understand him better once.. you know about his past. Your husband still has some qualities which belonged to.. that

Arnav of the past! You can bring out those qualities! You can make his life better! And.. the most important thing-if there's 1 person who can convince

Arnav to patch up with his past,its you!
Khushi did not reply immediately.
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya! Should I listen to what Rachnaaji wants to say?
Khushi's heart: What if she.. tells you a lie in the name of the events of the past?
Khushi's mind: You can always ask Arnavji about it. That'll tell you whether she's lieing or if she's telling the truth!
Khushi's heart: Arnavji..! I dont know what he'll say when he comes to know that I've met Rachnaaji & I've agreed to hear the story of his past from

her?
Khushi's mind: All that will be taken care of later on! Right now you just need to decide whether you want to listen to Rachnaaji or not..
Khushi's heart: What if she.. starts talking about.. her relationship.. with Arnavji? How will I.. be able to hear all that?
Khushi's mind: You can flatly refuse to hear all that! But you can always hear the rest of the things! Who knows,she might be telling the truth? And it

might be beneficial for you..
Khushi's heart: But.. will it be right on my part to do so?
Khushi's mind: Its not about right or wrong,its about your wish! You know very well about your wishes! Didnt you wish that Arnavji would talk to you

about his amma babuji like you talk to him about yours?.. But.. niether will he talk to you about this nor will you be able to ask him! Yes,he has told

you about certain things but.. was that enough for you?
Khushi's heart: No..
Khushi's mind: And you could never ask him or any family member about amma babuji coz you didnt want to hurt them by reminding them of the past!

Niether will you be able to do so in future! Now if someone willingly wants to talk to you about his past,then you should listen to that person! Whats

the problem?
Khushi's heart: Fine.. I'll listen to whatever she wants to say!
Rachnaa,who was waiting patiently,smiled when Khushi agreed to listen to what she had to say.
Rachnaa: I was expecting this answer! Please come..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Once they were seated comfortably in the suite,Rachnaa called up her husband.
Rachnaa: Please take Neev to a mall or a.. fun park. (pauses)Yes,I want to speak to Khushiji. And you know that I wont be able to speak to her at

peace if he's around. (smiles)Thank you!
Khushi(thinks): Her husband agreed so easily!
Rachnaa: Ya,thats fine.(pause)That would be better! And then you can take him to McDonalds' for lunch. (smiles)The happy meal will make him very

happy!
Khushi(thinks): Rachnaaji wants to talk for so long?! Arnavji's meeting will get over before its time for lunch. And then I'll..
Rachnaa(after ending the call): Khushiji..
Khushi: huh?
Rachnaa: What happened?
Khushi: Woh.. Arnavji is in a meeting right now. He'll call me the moment he's free. And.. I'll have to leave immediately thereafter.
Rachnaa: Thats alright! You can listen to me till Arnav calls you.
Khushi: Okay,go on..
Rachnaa: I know this will seem wierd for you.. but..
Khushi(interrupts): Please dont worry about me! I'm fine. Please say whatever you wanted to say..
Rachnaa took a deep breath and Khushi could see the change in her expressions.
Her eyes held that faraway look while a smile appeared on her lips.
Rachnaa: Arnav was very naughty as a kid! I dont know why he liked troubling me!? Teachers would yell at him, maa would hit him yet he would not

mend his mischievious ways! And once he was through with his prank,there would be a glint in his eyes! And a naughty smile would appear on his

lips!
Khushi couldnt help but think of all those times when Arnav teased her.
Of the unmistakable glint in his eyes & the lopsided grin on his lips!
She came back to the present when Rachnaa continued.
Rachnaa: He was trouble me incessantly! In fact,he had started troubling me right from the day when we'd met for the first time! It was my first day

in the new school & also in 4th grade. The teacher asked me to sit next to Arnav. He never did anything till she was inside the class! The moment she

stepped outside,he pulled my side plait!
Khushi: What?!
Rachnaa(nods): And that too so hard that my head started aching! When I got up to speak to the teacher,he stopped me by saying..
*Flashback*
Arnav: Now your hair will grow longer!
Rachnaa: What?
Arnav: I pull my di's hair everyday! And so her hair has grown to be really long!
Rachnaa: Thats not possible!
Arnav(nods earnestly): It is! I'll take you to meet my di during recess! You can see her hair & then decide for yourself!
*Flashback ends*
Rachnaa: When I saw Anjali di,I instantly became a fan of her hair! Her hair were jet black,thick & long! I was about to talk to her when Arnav said..
*Flashback*
Arnav: Dont ask di about it!
Rachnaa: Why not?
Arnav: Coz its a secret between her & me! She'll be very angry once she comes to know that I've leaked it! She'll hit me & she might hit you as well!

She is really short tempered,you know..
Rachnaa: Is it so? Fine then.. I wont ask her about it.
Arnav: Ab.. kya tum humein apne baal kheenchne dogi? (So will you.. allow me to pull your plait now?)
Rachnaa: Yes,sure! I'd love to have long hair!
Arnav: Your hair will be as long as di's hair once I start pulling them everyday!
Rachnaa: How long will it take to have hair as long as hers?
Arnav: umm.. you'll have long hair by Diwali vacation!
Rachnaa: Alright. But.. pull a little gently,okay?
Arnav(smiles): Okay!
*Flashback ends*
Khushi(shocked): Arnavji.. used 'hum' for himself?! Not main?
Rachnaa: No. There are just 2 persons at your in-laws' place who use the word main- 1 is your husband & the other is your devar,Aakash.
Khushi nods.
Rachnaa: Whatever happened.. 15 years back had.. filled Arnav with such bitterness that he wanted to break ties with everything that made him

related to dad or.. things that reminded him of dad. He stopped using his surname, he left his city & he stopped talking in Lucknowi accent like dad

used to.. He was a pure vegetarian Brahman. Thats why Arnav started having non vegetarian meals outside home. And since Aakash considers Arnav

as his idol right from childhood, when Arnav started using main instead of hum,Aakash followed suit! And even Aakash is a non vegetarian..
Khushi: How did you come to know about the fact that jijaji and Arnavji are non vegetarians?
Arnav: There's a restaurant called 'Zaayika.. Awadh ka' in South Delhi..**
Khushi(nods): I know.
Arnav: The owner of that restaurant,Tasneem**, is a common friend of ours. She'd invited Arnav & Aakash as chief guests at the launch of her

restaurant. She told me that Arnav was having galauti kabaab. Despite being in Lucknow for so many years,he had never even tasted any of the non

vegetarian kabaabs! And I could guess that Aakash mustve started having non vegetarian stuff because of his influence on him. Anyways,let me come

back to what I was saying. By the grace of Baanke Bihari, the truth came out in a month's time. 1 day di came to our class to give his lunch box &

that is when she saw him pulling my hair! And he was caught red handed! Then we had a fight in school & he got a spanking at home! We didnt speak

1 word for 2 days. I stopped sitting next to him. Di came to our class during recess on the 3rd day.. Arnav was standing next to her. He gave me a

sorry card and.. di facilitated our patch up. That was the beginning of our friendship. And I started liking di from that day itself! Especially her nature!

She'd told me that if he teases/troubles me in future,I should tell her about it! She would set him right!(sighs)But I never did that,coz I didnt want di

to scold him. And..
An incident from the past flashes in Rachnaa's mind..
*Flashback*
Rachnaa: Lets go! Arnav are you even listening to me?
Arnav: Why do we have to go?
Rachnaa: Coz the Hindi period has started,stupid!
Arnav: You're stupid! You want to attend the worst of all periods! Why do you want to know which poet wrote what poetry & why he wrote it?!
Rachnaa: Coz I want to clear the exam! And you also need to do the same! You'll have to appear for Hindi's board exam next year! I hope you know

that..
Arnav: The next year is far away! And you wont fail in the final exams of 9th grade if you bunk 1 class. I hope you know that!
Rachnaa makes a face.
Arnav: So,chill!
Rachnaa: Stop worrying about me & start worrying about yourself!
Arnav: Thats exactly what I'm doing! (cups her cheek)I guess if I dont kiss you now,you'll run away!
Rachnaa(shrugs off his hand): Yes,I will. And I'll also tell di about your misbehaviour!
Arnav: Really?! How will you do that? (smiles)Di goes to college now,she doesnt come to school anymore!
Rachnaa: So what? I have your landline number & address!
Arnav: Oh,it completely escaped my mind! BTW,what do you intend to say to her? That I forced you to bunk class?!
Rachnaa: Not just that! I'll tell her.. everything!
Arnav: There's a difference between pulling a plait & kissing! Will you go & tell her that I was kissing you?
Rachnaa does not answer.
Arnav(smirk): Come on! Show me how you'll say it to her!
Rachnaa: I'll say that..
Arnav(smug look): You wont be able to say anything! So dont even try it!
Rachnaa: huh! What do you think of yourself?! Di will..
Arnav(cups her face): Dont mention di or Hindi for the next 15 minutes,please..
Rachnaa(relents): Okay.
*Flashback ends*
Khushi: What?
Rachnaa: Sorry?
Khushi: You never told di because you wanted to save Arnavji from her scolding and.. what else?
Rachnaa: And.. I knew that.. Arnav.. didnt want me to tell di about it. So.. I chose to keep it to myself! (sighs)Anyways.. his mischievious aspect..
Khushi(interrupts): I've experienced that!
Rachnaa: I havent finished yet.. His mischievious aspect could never be seen in presence of dad. He would be quiet and serious in front of him. He

knew that dad would not entertain anything which was not related to studies & sports.. And he would never tolerate his son's pranks!
Khushi: Was he very strict and.. short tempered?
Rachnaa: Yes,he was.
Khushi: How was.. Arnavji's.. relationship with dad?
Rachnaa: Wasnt very nice.. His relationship with dad could never be as strong as his relationship with Maa. There would always be some tension

between them. No matter how well Arnav would score in an exam,dad was never satisfied with his results. And if Arnav committed a mistake,then he

would not spare him at any cost! Arnav would take stuff that he said in rage very seriously. He was always trying to prove himself!
Khushi: Did you never try to change Arnavji's mind?
Rachnaa: I tried many times but.. I wasnt successful even once! Arnav always thought that dad gave much more importance to his business than he

gave to his family. He would often tell me that his reputation was much more dearer to him than his children! And.. I guess he was right.
Khushi: Why do you say so?
Rachnaa: Coz he often talked to Arnav about his reputation and social status. Arnav should do this and he shouldnt be doing that.. Doing that would

tarnish his reputation,blah,blah,blah.. He became arrogant because of his status in the upper strata of the society. Nothing mattered more than his

reputation! Thats why when he came to know that.. di liked a guy from her college,he fixed her wedding date the very next day!
Khushi(shocked): with some other boy?
Rachnaa: No,with the same guy. I guess he did that coz that guy was from a rich family. Had he been poor,I'm sure he wouldve fixed her marriage

with some other guy! Di was in the first year of B.Com back then & she had barely turned 18. He didnt even care if she would be able to handle the

responsibilities of a married woman at that young age! All that he thought was that my reputation should not damaged!
Khushi: Was Arnavji happy with this decision?
Rachnaa: No,he wasnt! He wanted di to get married only after she got her bachelors degree. But dad convinced him by saying that di's in-laws' didnt

have any issues with her studying after marriage. Di was very happy with his decision,since she was getting married to the one whom she loved!

Thats why Arnav decided to accept his decision.(sighs)I dont know what Baanke Bihari has written in di's destiny? I know exactly how difficult it is to

love again once you've been heartbroken the first time! She was heartbroken and.. cheated the second time as well! And cheated so badly! No matter

where life takes her now,I hope & pray that she finds the courage neccesary to deal with it!
Khushi: Why are you saying all this? Everything will be fine in future!
Rachnaa: We can only think about it,Khushiji. Everything will happen according to God's will! And noone can refuse to abide by His will!
Khushi noticed a morose look on Rachnaa's face as she said that.
Khushi: Rachnaaji..?
Rachnaa: Yes Khushiji.. Where was I?
Arnav: You were talking about Arnavji's relationship with dad..
Rachnaa: I've told you whatever I knew about it. Now,let me tell you something about Arnav 's relationship with maa.
Khushi: I know that Arnavji had the closest bond with maa!
Rachnaa: You're absolutely right! Maa.. (sighs)Arnav loved her more than he loved himself! There was nothing which maa could not make him do! He

would behave nicely with dad at her behest. He would water the plants in their garden and.. I'm sure you wont believe this but there would always be

a shanmukhi rudraaksh locket tied to a red string around his neck!
Khushi: Rudr.. aaksh!? That too around.. Arnavji's neck!
Rachnaa: Yes! All because of maa! Maa's jyotish aacharya had told her that wearing shanmukhi rudraaksh would take care of Arnav temper. He would

be able to concentrate more in studies and it would also keep him healthy. Thats why maa had placed it around his neck herself.
Khushi: Arnavji mustve been her darling..
Rachnaa(nods): She loved him unconditionally and was always worried about him! She would often pack his favorite dishes in the tiffin box. And when

she packed something which he didnt like,she would send some pyaaz ka raitaa alongwith it,coz Arnav loved that raitaa!
Khushi: She mustve been a great cook na?
Rachnaa: Ya,she would make delicious food but everything would be cooked in less oil and with less spices,keeping Arnav's health in mind.When she

would make sweets at home around festivals,she would send a box full of laddoo,barfi or pede for his friends. I used to love her aate k laddoo! Arnav

always saved 2 laddoos for me before distributing them amongst our friends. umm.. she excelled not just in cooking but also in knitting! She would

knit a sweater each for Arnav and di every single year. Once we came to the secondary section,Arnav became a fan of windheater and jackets. He

would rarely wear the handknitted sweaters which maa would knit for him. Once I told him..
*Flashback*
Rachnaa: Bring your sweater to school tomorrow..
Arnav: I dont need it anymore! (grins)I have a brand new black jacket!
Rachnaa: Yes,I know that. But I'm asking you to bring the sweater so that I can wear it!
Arnav: You want to wear my sweater!?
Rachnaa: Yes. Our sweaters are of the same color so nobody will be able to make out that I'm wearing yours.
Arnav: Have you lost your sweater?
Rachnaa: No,I havent. Actually,your sweater is way too cozy than mine since its made of fine wool. Thats why I felt like wearing it! (makes a face)I

dont know what you like about this leather jacket that you choose this over your cozy sweater!
Arnav: My sweater is nowhere close to this jacket! Its way better & classier!
Rachnaa: You can enjoy the winters with your jacket! But I need your sweater. So please bring it tomorrow.
Arnav: No,I wont!
Rachnaa: Nobody will come to know that..
Arnav(interrupts): Thats not the point,silly!
Rachnaa: Then why wont you bring it for me?
Arnav: Coz it wont fit you,since you're fat!
Rachnaa: What!? Did you just call me fat? Arnav..
She runs after him while he runs farther away from her.
*Flashback ends*
Khushi: How was maa's nature?
Rachnaa: She was a kind hearted lady. She would always talk lovingly and respectfully. Arnav had told me that when everyone in the family had

opposed mamaji's marriage with mami,maa was the only 1 who had supported them. She not only accepted mami as her bhabhi,but she also

convinced nanaji and nani to agree for their alliance. Thats why mami was forever grateful to ma. No matter how strained the relationship between

mami and nani-nanaji,she shared a sisterly bond with maa! And she always treated Arnav and di as her children! She continued treating them in the

same manner even after Aakash was born! Maa also considered Advayit and Aakash as her sons.
Khushi: Ad.. vayit..? Whos that?
Rachnaa: Arnav's cousin. He's chachaji's only son..
Khushi: Oh.. Did his chachaji also stay in Sheesh mahal?
Rachnaa: Yes,he did. Theirs' was a joint family. So chachaji,chachi and Advayit were also a part of it. Dadi was the eldest member of the family and

post her death,dad was the eldest. Dadaji had transferred the house to dad's name while he was alive coz dad was the older,wiser and more

responsible brother. Chachaji would spend way more than what he could earn. This was a bone of contention between the two brothers..
Khushi: What was Arnavji's relationship with Advayitji like?
Rachnaa: Their relationship wasnt that good either. But Arnav could not be blamed for that. Advayit was always jealous of him. He always thought

that Arnav misused his position as an old brother. Arnav tried his level best to clear Advayit's misunderstanding but his parents had filled him with so

much venom that he always misunderstood Arnav. Arnav & Aakash would only meet twice or thrice in a year,that too for a few days. Yet their bond

was unshakable! There was no jealousy or hatred or any such negative feeling. There was only brotherly love and respect from Aakash's end for his

bhai! Aakash.. (smiles)He's sucha nice guy! Arnav has played uncountable pranks on him! He would always get trapped in Arnav's plans since he was a

simple and naive guy. Sometimes it would be Arnav's fault but Aakash would be the one to get the scolding! Yet he never left his bhai's side coz he

knew that Arnav was mischievious but he had a clean heart! Thats why their relationship is still going strong!..
Khushi: Tell me something about Arnavji's dadiji..
Rachnaa: She was very fond of Arnav! She would steal sweets for herself from the kitchen & also for him! She had saved him from dad's scoldings and

maa's spankings way too many times! Arnav & di loved listening to her bedtime stories! We mustve been around.. 10 years old when she passed

away on the day after Makar sankraant.
Khushi: Oh oh! May Devi Maiyya grant peace to her soul! What had happened to her?
Rachnaa: She was severely diabetic apart from being a heart patient.
Khushi: Oh..
Rachnaa: Every single year,Arnav and di would take leave from school on her death anniversary. There would be a pooja and havan at their place in

the morning. Then the entire family would visit several old age homes where they would distribute food,shawls and blankets amongst the elderly.

They would have lunch only after coming home.
Khushi(appreciative smile): Thats sucha pious deed!
Rachnaa*nods*: Thats right. Arnav had told me that it was dadi's last wish. (sighs)Unfortunately,I never got the chance to.. meet her or maa! But I'd

seen maa quite a few times..
Khushi: when did you see her?
Rachnaa: I would see her during PTM i.e. parent teacher meetings.. She would dress up exactly like my mummy! She would wear the saree with the

pallu in front,she would cover her head,fill her parting with sindoor,apply a red bindi,wear golden jhumkas,her mangalsutra,toe rings and lots of

bangles! She reached late during 1 of the ptms. The way she was panting I thought she mustve climbed the stairs in a rush. She seemed very tensed

& I was wondering as to why she looked so worried? Arnav's exams had gone well and he had scored good marks in every subject. I came to know of

the reason behind her tension when I heard her speaking to our class teacher..
*Flashback*
Maa: How is Arnav doing?
Teacher: He's doing very well. He has scored better than the previous terminal exam. (hands the report card) And he's stood second in class with

88.3%!
Rachnaa,who was sitting next to the class teacher and pretending to arrange the answer sheets,observed that the smile disappeared from maa's face

when the teacher announced Arnav's percentage.
Maa: His father was expecting 90%..
Teacher: Dont worry,Mrs. Malik! I'm sure he'll score above 90% in the final exams!
Maa: I hope he stands first in class as well! (sighs)His father has a lot of expectations from him..
Teacher(nods): I know. And I can assure you that Arnav's trying his level best to correct his mistakes and score better!
Maa: Is there anything which needs special attention or.. something that he needs to work hard for?
Teacher: Yes,he needs to work on his handwriting! I have told him repeatedly not to scribble in my paper but he ends up doing just that! And I have a

hard time while checking his paper! Even the science teacher, Mrs. Mendosa, was telling me the other day that Arnav's diagrams are very neat and

clean but his labels are hardly legible.
Maa: I'm so sorry about his shabby handwriting! But I'm working on it..
Teacher(smiles): That's wonderful! See,you're working on his writing,he's working on the studying,so I'm sure he'll do better next time! He wont let his

father down!
Maa(nods): I hope so! a.. Can I see the answer booklets?
Teacher: Yes,sure!
Rachnaa quietly hands over the answer sheets to maa who goes through each one patiently,paying extra attention to the mistakes made by her son.
She thanks her(Rachnaa) while returning the sheets.
*Flashback ends*
Rachnaa: Her smile & thank you were enough for me!
Khushi: You were in which grade when all this took place?
Rachnaa: We were in 8th grade at that time. Maa would visit our school 4 times in a year-3 times during PTMs & 4th time during the annual concert.
Khushi: Did dad never visit his school?
Rachnaa: I'd seen him only once in school. That was when Arnav had recieved the junior chessmaster of the year award. We were in 6th grade at that

time. Both maa & dad had come to school on that day.
Khushi: Okay..
Rachnaa: I'd seen him another time, when we were in 8th grade. Arnav loved playing football! Our school's football team would win most of the inter

-school matches all because of him. There was an inter-state football match that year in which Arnav & some other boys from different schools were

chosen to represent U.P. When I reached the stadium,I saw maa,dad,di,nani & nanaji over there. Nanaji fell sick during the course of the match which

is why di and nani took him home. Maa & dad sat there till the end of the match. They were cheering loudly for Arnav & his team! (proud smile) Our

state won the first prize because of Arnav & his team! I was very happy for him! I even wanted to congratulate him but.. I couldnt,since maa & dad

were there with him while mummy was seated next to me. When our car was coming out of the parking lot,I saw dad walking next to Arnav,with an

arm around his shoulder. He seemed to be pretty happy! He was telling something animatedly while Arnav was nodding in response! I saw maa

walking alone, a few steps behind them. But she wasnt bothered by the fact that the father and son had left her alone! She was smiling & I knew that

she was very happy to see them like that! I saw her loneliness like I saw her happiness! And thats when I decided that..
She stops abruptly at this point of time.
Rachnaa(shakes her head): Let it be! Let me just talk about Arnav now. You must know about the depth of Arnav's relationship with di..
Khushi nods.
Rachnaa: Let me tell you about something which you probably dont know.
Rachnaa: Di would make handmade rakhis for him every single year..
Khushi(smiles): She still makes them.
Rachnaa: Arnav would never remove the rakhi! He allowed it to stay on his wrist till it broke off. It was that dear to him!
Khushi(nods): Thats what he does till now. Tell me something which I dont know..
Rachnaa: Di couldnt.. run or skip. Nor could she play any of the sports. Arnav felt really bad about it! He would play with Advayit and even with

Aakash whenever the latter visited Lucknow but di.. the 1 who was the dearest of the 3 for him! He couldnt play anything which involved running

around with her. Thats why he resorted to playing board games which di could play easily while sitting on the couch.
Khushi: Board games as in carrom?
Rachnaa: Ya,carrom and snakes n ladders,ludo,cross n zero.. they would play these sort of games. Arnav has even played girlish games like aam

chori,chappaa chori,akkad-bakkad,etc with her. He did whatever he could to keep her happy! And di was no less. Even when ma was alive, she was

very protective of him. Arnav recounted an incident which took place when he was in the 1st grade. An older boy had pushed him so hard that he fell

on the ground. He went sobbing to di who immediately went to the principal's office. That boy was made to apologize in front of everyone.

Similarly,when Arnav committed a mistake,she made him apologize for it,like she did in my case. Arnav would often seek her advice,not just on

academic stuff but even about other things. Arnav used to miss her like anything when di passed out of school! Di would be very disturbed with the

growing disparity between Arnav & dad. And she always tried to help ma in bridging the gap between them. Dad used to behave as rudely with her as

he behaved with Arnav. But she never took his words to heart! That was the best thing about her,according to Arnav! No matter what dad said or no

matter how much he insulted her,that did not change or reduce the love & respect which she had for dad!
Khushi: Di has a really big heart!
Rachnaa(agrees): So true! If I had an older sister who was so innocent,kind,wise,intelligent and large hearted,I wouldve never allowed her to go away

from me! Arnav felt something similar when her marriage was fixed. He was jealous of his would be jijaji! And he was very sad to let her go away

from him & from their house. Had di not agreed to get married so soon,he wouldve never allowed dad to force the marriage on her! But di was so

happy about the whole thing that.. Arnav couldnt say a word against it. He halfheartedly took part in the wedding preparations. And..
Khushi: And?
Rachnaa: a.. and is there something else that you want to know about?
Khushi: What do you know about his house,Sheesh mahal?
Rachnaa(sad face): What do I say about Sheesh mahal? I didnt have the good fortune of setting foot inside that house..
Khushi: Still.. Arnavji mustve told you something about his house.
Rachnaa: Yes,he did tell me about his house but it would be better if Arnav himself tells you all of that!
Khushi: It wont be possible. I cant.. ask Arnavji about it because..
Rachnaa(interrupts): I know what you mean. But you need not worry! Arnav himself will take you to sheesh mahal!
Khushi: No! That wont be possible either.. We're not here to visit Sheesh mahal.
Rachnaa: Yes,it will be possible! Its my firm belief that.. 1 day Arnav will take you to your sasuraal! And he'll take you to every nook & corner of the

house! He'll tell you all that you want to hear about it! Just give.. him some time..
Khushi nods understandingly.
Rachnaa: You must do something for me when you visit that house..
Khushi: What is it?
Rachnaa: Please sprinkle Gangaajal(holy water of the Ganges) in every corner of the house. With the kind of troubles which each member of that

house has faced,there should ideally be a grah shaanti pooja over there. But,if thats not possible,then you can always sprinkle Gangaajal in order to

make the house pure and peaceful.
Khushi: I'll do that for sure!
Rachnaa: Have you ever been to Brajbhoomi?
Khushi: No,I havent. Are you from Braj?
Rachnaa: Yes. Many of my paternal relatives stay in Mathura but,since I'm born & brought up in Lucknow,I consider myself a Lucknowi!
Khushi: And what about your sasuraal(in laws' house)?
Rachnaa: My sasuraal is in Kannauj. His ancestral house,land,everything is over there. But we i.e. I,Neev & his father stay in Kanpur. He has a

furnishing business over there.
Khushi: Alright..
Rachnaa: Maa and papa stay with us for 4 months,after which they visit jiji & her kids in Bangalore for another 4 months and they spend the

remaining 4 months in Kannauj.
Khushi: Does your amma stay over here?
Rachnaa: Yes,she stays in that very house where I've spent my childhood.
Khushi: I'm sorry but.. why are you staying in this hotel despite having your maayika in this city?
Rachnaa: Coz mummy herself is staying over here!
Khushi(confused): What? But.. why?
Rachnaa: Coz that house is being renovated. Earlier mummy was staying over here. When we decided to visit her,she booked a suite for us in this

hotel itself.
Khushi: Oh,okay..
Rachnaa: Right now she's gone home to supervise the renovation. She'll be back in the evening.
Khushi: And your babuji?
Rachnaa: He's no more..
Khushi: I'm so sorry!
Rachnaa: Why are you saying sorry? How would you know if he was dead or alive?
Khushi: May Devi Maiyya grant peace to his soul!
Rachnaa: Thanks a lot! Ya,so as I was saying,if you ever get a chance to visit Brajbhoomi,then you must go to Baanke Bihari's temple for darshan.

And while you're there,please keep a mannat for a happy,married life!
Khushi: Ya,sure! Did you.. ever keep a mannat for.. Arnavji in that temple?
Rachnaa: I'd kept many mannats in various temples but none of them were fulfilled! (sighs)Leave my topic aside. You should ask for a long,happy

married life when you visit the temple!
Khushi(nods): Yes,I will!
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Rachnaa paused briefly to quench her thirst.
Rachnaa: Now tell me,what else do you want to know about Arnav?
Khushi: Tell me something about his childhood friends. And..
Rachnaa: Yes.. what else?..
Khushi: I'll tell you later on. First you tell me about his friends.
Rachnaa: Thats alright. As such all our classmates were his friends. But then he had close friends. And the ones who were most dear to him were-

Armaan,Rajesh and Virendra. All 4 of them were close pals!
Khushi(frowns): 4 of them?
Rachnaa: Yes,4 of them including Arnav.
Khushi: Oh.. I've not even heard of their names before. Arnavji never mentioned anything about them..
Rachnaa: But all 3 of them still remember Arnav & they still miss him! Its not as if Arnav doesnt remember them. He does. But he suppresses his

emotions and memories..
Khushi: Why does he need to do that? There's no harm in remembering old friends!
Rachnaa: Yes,youre right! But all these friends stayed with him in Lucknow & the mere mention of Lucknow evokes maa's memories. For him Lucknow

is directly related to maa! Related to maa & dad's.. deaths! Whenever he thinks of.. anyone related to this city,he automatically remembers maa!

And.. then her suicide and.. all such thoughts make him restless & emotional. He doesnt want his emotions to get the better of him which is why..

whenever a thought about his friends or.. anyone from Lucknow crosses his mind,he diverts himself. It could be by engaging in some work or.. talking

to someone about an entirely different topic.. I refuse to believe that Arnav has forgotten his childhood friends! But yes,I can say that he has

neglected thoughts related to them..
Khushi: Please tell me something about those 3 friends & their friendship with Arnavji..
Rachnaa: Yes,sure! Armaan considers Arnav as his brother! He was as naughty as Arnav! Both of them used to love troubling people! And they used to

trouble me incessantly! The moment he would see me,Armaan would start calling Arnav's name! Most of his friends used to address him as Malik..
Khushi: Is it?
Rachnaa(nods): Either he would call me.. mrs. Malik or else.. he would tease me by calling me.. bhabhi! (changes the topic)Armaan was.. totally

careless! He wasnt as serious about studies as he shouldve been. Arnav always tried to improve his grades improve. He had a bad habbit which is still

a part of his life..
Khushi: And whats that?
Rachnaa: The habbit of chewing paan! Sometimes he would fall unconscious because of the pan,but he could never let go of this addiction! Arnav tried

to make him see sense but he failed! They would often fight with each other but they always resolved their fights amicably. But,while we were in the

8th grade,a huge fight broke between the 2,that too 2 days before Armaan's birthday!
Khushi: Oh no! Why did they fight?
Rachnaa: Armaan had spoiled Arnav's project by mistake. Arnav couldnt tolerate any carelessness when it came to studies. His handwriting was,no

doubt, horrible but each of his books & copies used to be neatly covered and labelled. He would maintain the index on the first page with every little

detail like the dates & page numbers! There wouldnt be even a single line out of place in any of his books or copies! And Armaan dropped some oily

sabzi onto his chart paper! It was a small stain but.. as you know,its very difficult to get rid of oil stains.
Khushi(nods): Thats true..
Rachnaa: The fight started because of that oil stain! Armaan said that he would explain everything to the teacher but Arnav did not agree. He tore the

chart paper to pieces in front of all our classmates!
Khushi(shocked): Why?
Rachnaa: Because Arnav used to be a perfectionist! He would never accept anything which was less than perfect! He wouldnt ever show a chart an oil

stain to the teacher! The fight turned ugly within no time! Those friends who would talk to each other 10 times in a day & would call up each other

twice after going home.. those two did not talk for 1 whole day! They didnt even look at each other! And I was wondering what would happen on

Armaan's birthday? What if Arnav doesnt wish him? Whenever I tried to speak to Arnav on this matter,he would stop speaking to me as well! So I..

just kept praying to Baanke Bihaari & hoping that they would patch up on Armaan's birthday! And what do I see the next morning?
Khushi(inquisitive): what did you see?
Rachnaa: Both of them were laughing while entering through the main gate,as always!
Khushi(smiles): Really?
Rachnaa: Yes! I couldnt believe it! I went ahead & wished Armaan & then I kept staring at Arnav. Thats when Armaan said that.. leave my friend

alone today! I want to spend my birthday with him!(smiles)I smiled in reply & went to the class happily!
Khushi: You shouldve talked to Arnavji once the class got over. And asked him as to how they patched up?
Rachnaa(nods): I did that! Then Arnav told me that he'd decided to leave all misunderstandings and issues aside coz it was Armaan's birthday & he

wanted to celebrate the day with him!
Khushi(smiles): Arnavji did the right thing! Armaanji mustve been very happy!
Rachnaa: Yes,he was since he had made a similar decision. No matter how ugly the fight is,it can never be more important than the relationship!
Khushi(agrees): You're absolutely correct!
Rachnaa: Now,let me tell you something about Virendra. He was the exact opposite of Arnav-quiet,laconic & he basically kept to himself. He was shy..

in front of girls so he would speak even lesser than usual in front of us. He was a bright student,especially when it came to maths! Arnav & Virendra

would periodically visit each other's house. His father passed away when we were in the 7th grade,that too shortly before our mid term exams.
Khushi: May Devi Maiyya grant peace to his soul! It mustve been a tough time for Virendraji.
Rachnaa: Ya,obviously. All the classmates went to his place the day after his father's death. But Arnav didnt join us..
Khushi: Why?
Rachnaa: He & 5 other friends had accompanied Virendra to the smshaan ghaat for the last rites of his father. Whatever he had seen over there had

disturbed Arnav to a great extent. He'd told me that he slept next to maa after a long time that night. So.. when we visited his house,there was a lot

of guests on the ground floor. So he took us to the terrace. The guys were standing on 1 edge of the terrace while the girls were standing on the

opposite edge. Virendra was as quite as always. Seeing him like this,some girls commented that his father's death had not affected him!
Khushi(shocked): Why did they say that?
Rachnaa: Coz crying,yelling and beating one's chest was how one was supposed to express grief,according to them! If a person tries to control

himself,for the sake of his mother,then he's wrong! I was so enraged when I heard them say all that! They had the guts to say that while standing in

his house,in front of him!
Khushi: What did he say?
Rachnaa: He couldnt hear them,fortunately,since they were whispering.
Khushi: Thankfully!
Rachnaa: They just came there for the sake of.. formality. They stood there on the terrace for a short while before leaving! They didnt even make any

attempts to console him while they were there. He offered water to each one of us the moment we reached the terrace. And while we were leaving,he

stood there & thanked everyone. And these girls just left like that,without uttering a word! When my turn came, Virendra said..
*Flashback*
Virendra: Thank you!
Rachnaa: This was my duty. Take care of yourself and aunty..
Virendra nods in response.
When she enters the living room,Rachnaa sees an old woman sitting in a corner with a blank face.
Virendra's mother was standing next to her.
She was as composed as her son.
Rachnaa greets the old woman but she does not respond.
Virendra's mother: Ammaji is.. still in shock.
Rachnaa: Oh.. I'll take your leave,aunty..
Virendra's mother(folds her hands): Okay bitiya. Jai Siya Ram!
Rachnaa(folds her hands): Jai Siya Ram!
She greets the other relatives in a similar manner before leaving the house with a heavy heart.
*Flashback ends*
Khushi: Virendraji must not have done well in his exams..
Rachnaa: Not only did he score well in the exams,he dealt with the whole issue very calmly! Arnav was very happy about it! Arnav or any other guy

from our class would always be with Virendra. although he never said it but his expressions told me how much his friends mattered to him! But..

aunty was the one who was worst affected by the whole thing. Whenever I would see her during PTMs,she always seemed sad. Her weight had also

decreased and.. her expressions revealed the kind of impact which.. uncle's death had had on her life.
Khushi: Was she a working woman or..?
Rachnaa: No,she was a housewife. Uncle was the sole breadwinner of their family.
Khushi: Oh,I see..
Rachnaa: Virendra's tauji helped him financially after uncle's death. He wanted to take him to Singapore once he completed 12th but he refused to go

with him..
Khushi: Coz he didnt want to leave his mother alone?
Rachnaa: You're right! There are very few sons like him in this world,who think of their parents first n themselves later! (sighs)Anyways,let me tell

you about Rajesh now. He was the fattest,most arrogant and misbehaved boy of our class!
Khushi(shocked): Arnavji had those kinds of friends?
Rachnaa: Yes. It was my badluck that Rajesh was a good friend of Arnav's! I used to hate him! Ever since he'd punctured the tyre of my car,I had a

hate-hate relationship with him! I could never understand why Arnav liked him? There was nothing likeable about him! And Arnav wasnt the only 1!

Priyankaa,who was a very good friend of mine,fell in love with him! And I could never make out what she saw in him that made her fall in love!?

Anyways,lets talk about Arnav for now.. We used to have a difference of opinion on 2 issues-the 1st was Rajesh & the second was some of our female

classmates. They were excellent in studies but.. because Arnav was always a part of top 3 while these girls stood somewhere in top 5 to 10, they

were jealous of Arnav! They used to make fun of him! Especially when he would loose the highest position by a few marks..
Khushi: What do you mean?
Rachnaa: 1 of our classmates scored 47 marks out of 50 in the mid term science exam. Our teacher asked the entire class to clap for him since he had

scored the most number of marks or highest marks.
Khushi(nods): hmm.. understood.
Rachnaa: Then the teacher asked us to clap for Arnav since he had scored 44 marks,which was the second highest score. Everyone clapped for him and

also for the girl who got the third highest score. They all were congatulating Arnav but he was not happy.
Khushi: Coz he failed to score the highest marks?
Rachnaa: Yes,you guessed it correctly. Dad never came to our school as such but he got every information about our class and school. 1 of our

classmate Ankur's father was his business associate. He would give him news about the goings on in the school. So even if Arnav would not tell him

who stood first or who scored the highest,he would come to know about it through Ankur's father. And then he would insult Arnav in front of his

father. Thats why Arnav himself would tell him everything truthfully! He knew very well that dad would scold him when he came to know that he had

scored second highest since standing first meant everything for him! Second highest or third highest didnt matter at all! Thats why Arnav was very

upset that day. When I met him privately,I saw tears in his eyes. I was feeling very sorry for him. But some useless classmates were making fun of

him since he wasnt satisfied with a score of 44. And also because he was scared of getting scolded by dad. Those girls who always praised him but

were secretly jealous of him were also a part of that group.
Khushi: Looks like Arnavji had been like Kanhaiyya since childhood..
Rachnaa(frowns): Why Kanhaiyya?
Khushi: Coz he was always surrounded by the Gopis..
Rachnaa: No Khushiji. They were flies which always assembled around the pot of honey! Arnav was no less! He loved chatting with them! When I told

him that those girls just pretended to be good to him but they were purely jealous of him,he didnt take it seriously!
Khushi: When I try to warn him against such girls who always try to be around him,he thinks I'm being jealous of them! Now,who will tell him that I

keep saying all that coz I'm concerned about him!
Rachnaa: I'm sure he wont listen to anyone in this matter,not even to di!
Khushi(agrees): Di doesnt say anything to him in such matters.
Rachnaa(looks upwards): Now only Baanke Bihari can help us!
Khushi: Can I.. ask a question, Rachnaaji?
Rachnaa: Ya,sure!
Khushi: I've been hearing words like 'maa','dad','dadi',etc ever since you started speaking. You didnt refer to them as 'Arnav's maa' or 'Arnav's dadi'

even once!..
Rachnaa: I have become accustomed to address them that way,out of habbit.. Ever since.. I fell in love with Arnav,I started addressing his mother as

my mother. And I even thought of her that way.. I started addressing each of his relatives the way he did. I know that our relation was not that of a

husband n his wife,but.. ever since I realized that I had feelings for him,I harboured this.. secret wish of getting married to.. Arnav someday. I've

always seen mummy loving,respecting and taking care of dadi as her mother. She was the 1 who taught me that husband's parents are not just

supposed to be addressed as ma and papa,they're supposed to be loved and respected like one's own parents! And.. ever since I was 13 years

old,I've been reffering to Arnav's relations as he refers to them.. Not I've become habituated to speaking that way..
Khushi: But.. you shouldve got rid of this habbit in all these years na?
Rachnaa: I couldnt get rid of it coz even though.. the love doesnt exist anymore,the friendship is still there,atleast from my side. I still remember di's

birthday,mamaji n mami's anniversary and all those dates which hold some importance for Arnav! Its been 15 years since I saw di! But I still pray for

her on the 27th of August every year! And I wish that her birthday brings her lots of reasons to smile and rejoice!
Khushi: I'm telling you what you told me this morning-there are very few good people like yourself in this world!
Rachnaa: Thanks a lot!
Khushi: Can I ask.. 1 more question? *when she nods* When did.. Arnavji propose his love.. for you?
Rachnaa: He proposed to me when we were in the 8th grade.(reminescent smile)That too in the most unique manner!
*Flashback*
Rachnaa(irritated): Close the Maths textbook,Arnav!
Arnav(while writing): Yes,I will once I finish all the factorization sums..
Rachnaa: No you will close it right now! You can do these sums at home. For now,you'll study Sanskrit with me.
When he does not respond,she runs a hand through his hair.
Rachnaa: You want to score more than 70 marks in Sanskrit right? Thats the only way you can prove dad wrong!
Arnav stops what he was doing.
Arnav(turns to her): Yes,I know! Thats the only reason why I'm tolerating this.. irritating subject!
Rachnaa: You wont just have to tolerate it,you'll also have to score well in the mid term exams! And you'll have to study.. in order to do that!
Arnav(relents): Okay,I'll study. But only for 10 minutes.. After that..
Rachnaa(interrupts): The bell will ring & the period will get over! So dont waste time. Take out your Sanskrit copy..
Arnav: You have your copy right? *when she nods* You read from you copy & I'll repeat after you.
Rachnaa: Okay. (opens her notebook) So lets start with.. 'Aham vadaami.'
Arnav: What does it mean?
Rachnaa: It means 'hum bol rahe hain.' or 'I'm speaking.'
Arnav: Okay. Aham vadaami.
She teaches him a few sentences in Sanskrit before moving on to the one line answers.
Rachnaa: Now its time for question-answers.
Arnav: Go ahead..
Rachnaa: The question is: 'Tvam kim kurvanti?' Meaning 'What are you doing?' And the answer is 'Aham Sanskritam Paathyati' meaning 'I'm studying

Sanskrit.' Got it?
Arnav nods.
Rachnaa: Then tell me, tvam kim kurvanti?
Arnav: Listen to my answer very carefully,without interrupting me!
Rachnaa: Okay.
She is surprised when he holds her hand.
Arnav: Aham.. (nods at her) tvam..(pauses) se.. (stresses)premam.. (smiles)kurvanti!
Rachnaa(astonished): What?!
Arnav(lopsided grin): It means I love you!
Rachnaa's smiles shyly when she hears that.
Arnav: Now you tell me..
Rachnaa(blushes): What?
Arnav: aham bhi tvam se premam kurvanti! That you love me too..
Arnav was shocked when Rachnaa shook her head.
Arnav: Nahi kurvanti?! (you dont!?)
Rachnaa laughed in response.
Rachnaa: No,I meant.. you're saying it in the wrong manner.
Arnav(smirks): Then you teach me the right manner of saying that sentence!
The bell rang before Rachnaa could open her mouth.
Rachnaa: I'll teach you later. You must go back to your bench now.
Arnav: I want to know right now!
Rachnaa: Arnav,please! Dont argue!
Arnav angrily walks upto his bench and throws his bag on it.
Rachnaa speaks softly while keeping an eye on the door.
Rachnaa(blushes): Aham.. tvaam.. prem karishyaami!
Arnav turns around even before she could complete the sentence.
Rachnaa(shy smile): This is the.. correct way of saying it!
Arnav was about to get up when the door of the class opened and in walked the Sanskrit teacher.
Rachnaa & Arnav stood up to wish him.
Teacher(nods): Suprabhaatah! (Good morning!) Why didnt you go for the mass drill?
Arnav: I was feeling dizzy..
Teacher(concerned): Did you eat something?
Arnav: Yes sir.. I'm feeling better now.
Teacher(nods): And what about you Rachnaa?
Rachnaa: I'm.. not feeling.. very well.
Teacher: Alright! You both may sit down.
Arnav & Rachnaa exchanged smiles while the teacher browsed through the register.
Arnav asked her to meet him in the shed during recess in sign language.
Rachnaa nodded before asking him to pay attention to whatever was being taught.
Arnav nodded reassuringly before turning towards the teacher,who was lost in his own world.
*Flashback ends*
Khushi: I cant imagine Arnavji speaking Sanskrit,forget about proposing to you in that language! Thats.. beyond my imagination!
Rachnaa: I know what you mean! I couldnt believe it either,back then..
Khushi: Did anyone know about.. your relationship?
Rachnaa: Our classmates and friends knew about it.
Khushi: What about.. family members?
Rachnaa: None of the family members were aware of it. I would often ask Arnav to tell di about it but he always refused to do so..
Khushi: Why did he refuse?
Rachnaa: Arnav thought that di would not be able to keep this news to herself. She would tell maa about it,who would in turn tell dad and then.. dad

would change his school. Anjali di was an adult back then whereas we were teens. So there was no question of fixing our marriage! So,in order to

save his reputation,he would send Arnav to some other,better school. Thats what Arnav used to think..
Khushi: What were your thoughts?
Rachnaa: I told Arnav that di would be able to keep this to herself. We would urge her to do so! And I never thought that di would disagree to let this

secret remain a secret, But Arnav was really scared about this whole thing. And he was not just scared about his family but also about mine. There

was 1 unused shed in our school,which was used as a cycle stand once upon a time. But nobody used it ever since the new cycle stand was created

closer to the gates. All the lovers would secretly meet in that shed! Thats why everyone called it the secret shed! Sometimes you would find more

than 2 couples out there! And I used to feel super shy in front of them! But Arnav was.. (shakes her head) Lets not even talk about it!
Khushi(thinks): I'm sure Arnavji mustve.. kissed Rachnaaji in front of those two couples!
Rachnaa resumed speaking before Khushi could think further on those lines.
Rachnaa: One day someone called my name when we were returning from the shed. I recognized that it was mummy's voice without even turning

towards her. Anyways,I turned to face her & so did Arnav..
*Flashback*
Rachnaa(turning around): Ji mummy?
Arnav(shocked): Mummy!?
He stares at the lady standing in front of him who turns to him when he says that.
http://dnasyndication.com/pictures/large/221111/21L11PT104a.JPG
Arnav(checks himself): I mean.. (turns to Rachnaa)Is this.. your.. mummy?
Rachnaa nods quickly before turning back towards her mother.
Arnav(nods): Namaste aunty!
Mummy(folds her hands): Namaste bete! Whats your name?
Arnav: Arnav. And whats yours?
Rachnaa(wonders): What is Arnav saying!?
Mummy(surprised): Mine is.. Sumitra Mathur. Beta,why do I feel like.. I've seen you somewhere..
Arnav(gulps): No,no,aunty! We're meeting.. for the 1st time today.
Mummy: But..
Rachnaa: You'd seen Arnav in the stadium the other day,while he was playing football..
Mummy(realizes): Ya,now I remember where I'd seen you! (places a hand on his head) Congratulations bete! Keep winning like this! You're the gem of

Uttar Bhaarat! The entire state is proud of you & your team!
Arnav(smiles): Thank you so much!
Rachnaa: Mummy,how come.. you're here.. right now?
Mummy: I came here to pay the fees for your computer class.
Rachnaa: Oh.. So.. did you pay it?
Mummy: No,I was about to when I saw you in the lobby. What are..(turns to Arnav & then back to Rachnaa)you both doing here? Did your class get

over sooner today?
Rachnaa was about to nod in the affirmative when Arnav intervened.
Arnav: Ma'am had asked us to go..
Mummy(frowns): Where?
Arnav: To the store room! To fetch science models! But.. we came back.. empty handed coz the.. store room is locked.
Rachnaa(nods): Ya,he's right!
Mummy: Then you should leave for your class. Your teacher must be waiting for you. Bye!
Arnav & Rachnaa bid her goodbye before rushing up the stairs.
Rachnaa stops once they had reached halfway through the stairs.
Rachnaa: Ruko! (peeks downstairs)Mummy has left for the school office..
Arnav(lets out a huge breath): What an escape!
Rachnaa: Why were you so scared? We're studying in a co-ed school. So its completely fine even if she spots me with a boy.
Arnav: You yourself were scared!
Rachnaa: Oh no! I was just shocked to see her there and too because I wasnt expecting her at this time!
Arnav: You want to argue over here or shall we proceed to the class?
Rachnaa: Yes we should proceed coz Jamaal sir must be on the way! Run..
Though she climbs the stairs quickly,she's no match for Arnav who climbs two stairs at a time,reaching the classroom faster than she does.
Few of their friends hoot loudly when Rachnaa enters the class.
Boy: Oh...! Look who's back! Laila Majnu! You slip out of the class the moment there's a free period!
Girl: Were you in the secret shed today or.. have you found a new hangout?
Arnav: I'd gone to meet her mom!
Rachnaa blushes unknowingly when her friends tease & knudge her.
Boy(pats Arnav's back): Congratulations mere bhai! When is the wedding?
Arnav(shrugging off his hand): The day after your funeral!
Boy 2: Cool down,yaar!
Arnav: Tell him to behave himself! We've just escaped narrowly from being caught by her mom & here this idiot is talking about the wedding!
Rachnaa: Relax Arnav!
Arnav(points at her): You relax! And please be aware of those special occasions when your mother graces the school. Being forewarned is being

forearmed,you know..
He turns around & slumps down on his bench.
Girl 1(knudges): Whats the matter, Rachhu? Did aunty scold Arnav?
Rachnaa: Of course not!
Girl 2(whispers): Then.. you guys must have had a fight.
Rachnaa: No yaar!
Girl 1: Then why is he reacting like this?
Rachnaa: I dont know..
*Flashback ends*
Rachnaa: I still dont know the reason..
Khushi: May be Arnavji was scared of.. loosing you. Telling his parents.. was equal to.. loosing you.. from his point of view..
Rachnaa: Ya,may be.. (sighs)Its so strange na? He was so scared about the premature end of our relationship and yet..(gulps) He was the one to..

break it. The thread that we both had held dearly.. Arnav just left 1 end of the thread & walked away whereas.. (gulps)I kept standing there while

holding the other end.. I was caught in sucha difficult situation where in.. letting go of the thread was as hard as.. holding on to it. Yet,I stood

there,all alone with the thread.. (swallows a lump)for a long time.. I kept trying.. I kept hoping that.. 1 din Arnav would come back to hold the other

end of the thread! But.. that never happened!
Two long tears roll down her cheeks when she closes her eyes.
Rachnaa: He never came back and.. I was forced to leave that very thread which I wanted to clutch tightly for the rest of my life! The love which was

felt by both the sides initially turned into a one sided love and eventually..(swallows hard) it ceased to exist! And.. the friendship.. (sniffs)Arnav

ended.. our friendship as well!
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya! why do I feel like.. Rachnaaji's love has.. not ended?.. That its still hiding somewhere.. in some corner of her heart!

But Arnavji.. why did he end the relationship? He did love Rachnaaji,he had even proposed to her.. Their relationship was in a happy phase.. Arnavji

was even scared to loose her.. Then.. what prompted him to break the relationship?
She decided to wait until Rachnaa composed herself before voicing her questions.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Precap:
Rachnaa: 9th August..
Khushi(smiles): Arnavji's birthday..
Rachnaa: Yes. 9th August 1998,it was the last birthday which Arnav celebrated in Lucknow- with me,with maa and dad and with his childhood friends!

(sad smile)It was such a wonderful day! (sighs)I wish I knew back then that Arnav would not be with me on my birthday! Then I wouldve celebrated it

2 months in advance! I wish I knew something.. anything about the storm which was going to hit us a month later..
She swallows a lump as her eyes well up with tears.
Khushi(frowns): A month later?..
Rachnaa(gulps): I'm talking about the 22nd of September.
Khushi(realizes): Thats.. Maa and.. dad's death anniversary..
Rachnaa: That was a very auspicious day! And the occasion was both,auspicious & special! Anjali di was about to get married.. But.. (gulps)whatever

happened that night changed the course of our lives forever! When I say our,I'm talking of Arnav,di & myself!

Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Next update on Sunday,30th August.

**The restaurant & its owner are entirely fictitious.
Credit for the pic goes to Google & respective uploaders.

Quote

Anisha

@-Aniisha-

Stunner

+ 3

Posted: 10 years ago

#22

Amazing update 😳

do continue soon

thanks for the PM

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simplysappie

@simplysappie

Voyager

Posted: 10 years ago

#23

A very emotional update . I felt as if I lived all the yesteryears of Arnav along with Khushi and Rachna . Thank you so much for pming . Hope that you're doing good :)

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ShaheenaSingh

@ShaheenaSingh

Beginner

Posted: 10 years ago

#24

Very Nice Update..

But a bit boring coz there were no arshi moments..

but anyways good to know abt Arnav's past

& waiting to see Arnav's reaction after he sees Rachna and knowing that Khushi has talked to her abt his past...

Waiting

Thank You...

Quote

pakpearl

@pakpearl

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 10 years ago

#25

No comments...

Sorry..

But I love you..

Quote

Natasha

@drunkiiebabe

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 10 years ago

#26

Awesome update

Loved it

Thanks for the pm

Quote

casker

@casker

Inactive

Posted: 10 years ago

#27

Mmm Arnav's ex talking to Kushi how Arnav was back then his I luv u proposal whole thing brought a bad taste to mouth while reading this. Why didn't u bring a friend for telling arnav's past 😡

Quote

farheen75

@farheen75

Rocker

Posted: 10 years ago

#28

Very interesting twist, arnav's ex sharing his and their past with his present and future, can't wait for the next part to know more.

Quote

Smita

@..Smita..

Dazzler

+ 4

Posted: 9 years ago

#29

A/N: Internet services were suspended across Gujarat for nearly 6 days since Wednesday. Thats why I couldnt post this update on time. Sorry for the delay! Secondly, many of you readers did not like the previous part. I appreciate your honest feedback and opinions. But,at the same time,introducing Rachnaa's character at this point was vital for the story. And there was a reason why I chose her as a window to Arnav's past. You will get to know of the same as you read further updates.

Thanks for the likes & comments! Over to..

Part 120

Khushi: Shaayad Arnavji ko.. iss baat ka dar tha ki.. maa-baap ko pataa chalne se.. aap dono ka.. sambandh toot jaayega?
Rachnaa: Ho saktaa hai. (sighs)Kitni ajeeb baat hai na? Jis sambandh k tootne ka usse itna dar tha woh sambandh..(gulps) ussne khud hi ne tod diya. Jis dor ko hum dono ne thaama tha, Arnav ne uss ka ek chhor(end) chhod diya aur hum.. (gulps)doosra chhor thaame huye khade reh gaye.. Aise

majdhaar me.. aa phasein jahaan.. dor ko chhodna jitna mushqil tha utna hi mushqil usse thaame rakhnaa tha. Phir bhi.. hum waheen khade rahe, dor ko akele thaame huye.. (swallows a lump)bahut waqt tak khade rahe.. koshishein karte rahe.. ummeed karte rahe ki.. 1 din Arnav lautkar uss dor ko

phir thaamega! Par.. aisaa nahi hua!
Two long tears roll down her cheeks when she closes her eyes.
Rachnaa: Woh nahi aaya aur.. humein.. majboor hokar uss dor ko chhodna padaa jise hum,ta umra(lifelong) kas k thaame rakhna chaahte the! Jo

pyaar do tarfaa hua kartaa tha,woh pehle ek tarfaa(one sided) hua aur phir.. (swallows hard) khatm ho gaya! Aur.. dosti.. (sniffs)Arnav ki or se toh..

dosti bhi.. khatm ho gayi!
Khushi(thinks): Hey Devi Maiyya! Humein aisaa kyun lag raha hai ki.. Rachnaaji ka pyaar khatm.. nahi hua hai. Woh aaj bhi,unk dil k kisi kone me..

chhupa hua hai! Par Arnavji.. unka pyaar khatm kaise ho gaya? woh toh Rachnaaji se pyaar karte the,unse apne pyaar ka izhaar bhi kar chuke the..

Unn dono ka sambandh bhi.. bahut achchha tha. Arnavji unhe khone se darte bhi the phir.. aisaa kya ho gaya jo.. unhone khud hi Rachnaaji se saare

sambandh tod diye?
She decided to wait until Rachnaa composed herself before voicing her questions.
Rachnaa wiped her tears before she continued.
Rachnaa: Maaf kijiyega! Hum zaraa..
Khushi(interrupts): Hum samajh sakte hain ki aap bhaavuk(emotional) kyun ho gayi. Par.. hum yeh nahi samajh paa rahe hain ki.. Arnavji ne.. aise,

achaanak aapse.. saare sambandh kyun tod diye?
Rachnaa: Uss k peechhe ek bahut badaa kaaran hai. Hum aapko uss k baare me bataayenge lekin.. uss se pehle hum aapko kuch dena chahte hain.
Khushi(surprised): Kya?
Rachnaa(getting up): 1 minute rukiye..
She rummaged through her handbag for a few moments before she found what she was looking for.
Khushi was even more surprised when she was handed a visiting card.
Rachnaa: Yeh lijiye..
Khushi: Par..
Rachnaa(points to the card): Padhiye toh sahi!
Khushi(reads aloud): Dr. Vir.. endra.. Jaiswaal? (looks up)Yeh.. aapk sehpaathi aur.. Arnavji k dost Virendraji ka card hai?
Rachnaa(nods): Ji haan. Uss ka clinic Lucknow me hi hai aur.. yahaan se nazdeek hai. Jab aap.. Arnav ko humari mulaaqaat aur baat-cheet k baare me

bataayengi tab.. usse yeh card de dijiyega.
Khushi(nods): Ji.. hum de denge.
Rachnaa(sitting down): Aap Lucknow se hain isiliye aapko ***** park k baare me pataa hi hoga aur aap wahaan gayi bhi hongi..
Khushi(smiles): Ji haan. Hum kayeen baar wahaan gaye hain. Humein woh jagah bahut pasand hai!
Rachnaa: Par Arnav ko bilkul pasand nahi thi! Isiliye jab humein bataaya gaya ki hum school picnic k liye wahaan jaane wale hain,tab Arnav ne picnic

me aane se saaf inkaar kar diya!

*Flashback*
Arnav: Yeh bhi koi jagah hai picnic k liye!?
Rachnaa: Toh picnic k liye kahaan jaana chahiye,chaand par!?
Arnav: Kisi aisi jagah par jahaan paahaad ho,jinpar hum chadhaai kar sakein! Koi river ya lake ho,jis me hum swimming kar sakein! Aur boating bhi!

Koi jungle ho,jisme hum safari me ja sakein! Koi maidaan ho jahaan hum football khel sakein! Aur..
Rachnaa(interrupts): Aur aisi jagah hai kahaan?
Arnav(shrugs): Humein nahi pataa.. Yeh pataa karna toh school k principal aur teachers ka kaam hai!
Rachnaa: Unhe jo tay karnaa tha woh toh unhone kar liya! Ab tumhe tay karnaa hai ki tum aaoge ya nahi?
Arnav: Nahi!
Rachnaa: Arnav,aao na! Sabk saath picnic me bahut mazaa aayega!
Arnav: Jab jagah hi itni ghatiya hai toh mazaa kahaan se aayega? Look,tumhe picnic me jana hai toh jaao par humein jaane k liye force mat karo!
*Flashback ends*
Khushi: Arnavji ko bachpan se hi tairaaki,chadhaai aur yeh sab pasand the?
Rachnaa(nods): Bahut pasand the! Aisaa nahi hai ki Arnav ko ped-paudhon se lagaav nahi tha,lekin adventure se usse jo excitement milti thi,woh

usse kisi aur cheez se nahi milti thi! Jab picnic wale din hum beman se school pahuche toh humne dekha ki Arnav bus k paas khadaa tha. Usse jagah

pasand nahi thi phir bhi woh aaya..
Khushi: Aap k.. liye?
Rachnaa(shakes her head): Ji nahi. Hum toh usse nahi manaa paaye par Ammu.. matlab Armaan aur baaki k yaar-doston ne usse manaa liya!
Khushi: Kya Armaanji ab bhi Lucknow me rehte hain?
Rachnaa: Usse Lucknow chhodein saalon ho gaye hain. Aunty aur uncle ab bhi yaheen hain par Armaan pichhle 7 saalon se Toronto me rehta hai.
Khushi: Aur Rajeshji?
Rachnaa: Woh Connecticut,U.S me hai. Wahaan uss ka apnaa business hai,apnaa ghar hai,bas.. 1 hi kami hai.
Khushi: Kis cheez ki?
Rachnaa: Priyankaa ki. College me aane k baad unn dono ka break up ho gaya,kyunki Priyankaa k papa usse Lucknow se baahar nahi bhejna chaahte

the jab ki Rajesh videsh me basna chaahta tha! Dono me pyaar toh bahut tha par.. iss 1 masle ko dono kabhi suljhaa nahi paayein aur.. alag ho gaye.

Humare aur Arnav k ilaava,humari class me jitne bhi jode the,unn me sirf 1 hi joda aisaa hai jo ab bhi saath hai. Sirf unhi ka rishta shaadi k bandhan

me tabdil hua baaki sab kisi na kisi mod pe,kisi na kisi kaaran ki wajah se alag ho gaye. Aisaa nahi hai ki unlogon me pyaar nahi tha,par.. saari

zindagi ek saath rehne k liye sirf pyaar hi kaafi nahi hota hai. Yeh baat humein der se samajh aayi. Jab.. Arnav ne humse saare sambandh tod diye

the toh.. kuch waqt tak humein lagtaa tha ki hum bahut hi badnaseeb hain ki humein.. 1 aise ladke se pyaar hua jo humare pyaar ki aur humari qadar

nahi kartaa! Hum unn sabhi jodon ko dekhkar man hi man me jalte aur sochte the ki.. kaash humein kisi aise ladke se pyaar hua hota jo humein..

kabhi chhodkar na jaata! Toh hum bhi unlogon ki tarah khush rehte,ek saath rehte,hamesha k liye! Thode bade huye toh.. yeh baat samajh aayi ki..

zindagi me kuch bhi 'hamesha' k liye nahi rehta hai!
Khushi: Nahi Rachnaaji.. Kuch sambandh hamesha k liye hote hain! Jaise..
Rachnaa(interrupts): Aisaa hum sochte hain,Khushiji,par aisaa hota nahi hai!Humari saheli Lina ka udaaharan le lijiye. Wohhumare hi sehpaathi Prem

se bahut pyaar karti thi! Waise toh dono hi ek doosre ko chaahte the. Jab Prem k bade bhai ki asamay maut ho gayi thi tab Lina ne usse sambhaala

tha. Prem har saal us k janmdin par usse badhiya sa surprise diya karta tha! Dono ek doosre k saath bahut khush the! Phir bhi,jab hum baarvi(12th)

me aaye,tab Prem ko apne tuition ki koi ladki bhaa gayi. Aur ussne Lina ko chhod diya sirf isiliye kyunki woh ladki usse zyaada khoobsoorat thi! Ussne

Lina k pyaar ko aur jazbaaton ko zaraa bhi ehmiyat nahi di! (sighs)Jab bhi aisaa kuch hota toh hum sochte the ki.. hum hi paagal the jo pyaar ko apni

zindagi ka aadhaar samajh baithe! Jis se pyaar kiya usse apnaa sab kuch maan baithe! Shaayad.. pyaar utna important nahi hota hai! Na hi usse jude

jazbaat utne important hote hain! (smacks her forehead)Humein na jaane kya hua tha.. ki hum.. itne kam samay me.. 13,14 saal ki chhoti umar me..

Arnav ko itna zyaada chaahne lage! Usse apni zindagi me humne.. itni ahem jagah de di ki.. uss k door jaane k baad.. humari zindagi.. tham si gayi.

Hum toot gaye aur..
She pauses abruptly and shakes her head.
Rachnaa: Maaf kijiyega! Hum dobara apni baatein karne lage!
Khushi: Koi baat nahi! Aap.. paani piyengi?
Rachnaa: Ji nahi,shukriya! Toh.. ab hum Arnav ki baat par laut-te hain.. Aap bakhoobi jaanti hain ki Nau Agast ko kya aata hai?
Khushi(smiles): Arnavji ka janmdin..
Rachnaa: Ji haan. Nau Agast Unnis sau Atthaanve (1998),woh aakhri janmdin jo Arnav ne Lucknow me manaaya tha- humare saath,maa aur dad k

saath aur apne bachpan k doston k saath! (sad smile)Kitna achchha guzra tha woh din! Humne Arnav ko jo tohfa diya tha woh usse behad pasand

aaya tha! (sighs)Kaash.. humein pataa hota ki woh humare janmdin par humare saath nahi hoga,toh hum apna janmdin do mahine pehle hi manaa

lete! Kaash humein mahine bhar baad aanewale toofaan ka andeshaa hota toh..
She swallows a lump as her eyes well up with tears.
Khushi(frowns): Mahine bhar baad?..
Rachnaa(gulps): Hum baais Sitambar(22nd September) ki baat kar rahe hain.
Khushi(realizes): Maa aur.. dad ki punyatithi..
Rachnaa: Woh din waise toh bahut shubh tha! Aur prasang(occasion) bhi bahut achchha tha! Anjali di ki shaadi hone wali thi.. Par.. (gulps)uss din jo

hua uss ne unki,Arnav ki aur humari zindagi ko hamesha,hamesha k liye badal diya! Humein toh uss haadse k baare me khabar bhi nahi thi. "Iss

samay kaunsi rasam ho rahi hogi?.. Arnav kya kar raha hoga?.. Shaadi k jode me di kitni sundar lag rahi hongi!" Humara man yeh hi sab sochne me

lagaa hua tha jab.. Armaan ka phone aaya..
Khushi(wonders aloud): Armaanji ko kaise pataa chalaa?
Rachnaa: Dad ne Arnav ko apne kuch khaas doston ko shaadi me aamantrit(invite) karne ki ijaazat di thi. Isiliye Armaan waheen par tha jab.. woh

haadsaa hua.. Khabar sunkar humare hosh udd gaye! Humein toh pataa hi nahi chalaa ki Armaan ne kab phone rakh diya. Naa humein yeh ehsaas hua

ki kab humari aankhein nam ho gayi. Jab mummy ne humse poochha aur humne unhe kaaran(reason) bataaya,tab unhone afsos jataaya, praarthna ki

aur phir humse kaha ki do din baad uss k ghar ho aana. Par hum do dinon tak kaise ruktein? Arnav ko uss samay humari zaroorat thi! Humein samajh

nahi aa raha tha ki aisi vikat paristhiti(grave situation) me woh.. apneaap ko kaise sambhaalega? Maa toh usski jaan thi! Unk jaane ka gham kaise

bardaash kar paayega woh? Aur di? Maa,baap toh chale hi gaye par honewale pati ne bhi shaadi tod di.. Teen-teen sadmein kaise sehen karengi? Yeh

hi saare khayaal reh-rehkar humare man me aa rahe the. Humne subha hote hi Arnav k ghar jaane ka faisla kiya. Der raat ko,chori-chhupe Armaan ko

phone lagaaya aur usse apne saath chalne k liye kaha. Arnav se milne k liye itne bechain the ki humein saari raat neend nahi aayi. Bas iss baat ka

intezaar tha ki kab subha hogi aur kab hum Arnav se milenge! Subha na jaane kis-kis se,kya-kya bahaane banaakar, beechh sadak par Armaan se

milein.. Zindagi me pehli baar rickshaw me baithkar Sheesh mahal pahuche toh.. dekha ki.. main gate se maa aur dad ki shav yaatra nikal rahi thi.. 1

taraf se chachaji ne kandha diya tha toh doosri taraf se.. Arnav ne. Peechhe mamaji aur nanaji bhi nazar aaye.. Ambulance paas hi me khadi thi..

Armaan rickshaw se utarte hi Arnav ki or bhaaga. (sniffs)Hum bhi peechhe-peechhe bhaage par.. farq sirf itna tha ki woh ambulance me Arnav k pass

baitha aur uss k saath smashaan ghat tak gayaa. (sniffs) Aur hum.. neeche khade usse dekhte rahe. Sabk saamne.. na toh kuch keh paayein aur na

hi.. usse gale se lagaakar hausla de paayein. Arnav ne kuch palon k liye humari or dekha.. (gulps)1 aansu usski aankh se chhalkaa toh 1 humari aankh

se chhalkaa. (closes her eyes)Phir ambulance ka darwaaza band ho gayaa.
Rachnaa paused here to release a long,shaky breath.
Rachnaa(opens her eyes): Pataa nahi hum isse.. hum dono ki.. aakhri mulaaqaat keh sakte hain ya.. nahi. Shaayad yeh kehna sahi rahega ki.. uss

din.. humne usse.. aakhri baar dekha tha. Aur di ko bhi.. Jin di ko humne hamesha muskuraate huye dekha tha unhe.. phoot-phootkar rote huye

dekhkar humein aur zyaada rona aa gaya. Hum unhe bhi gale lagaana chaahte the lekin.. Di ambulance ko jaate huye dekhkar behosh ho gayi. Phir

sab hi auraton ne unhe gher liya. Aur unhe andar lekar chale gaye. Aur.. hum unse nahi mil paayein. Jaldbaazi me humne Armaan ko apne saath

chalne k liye keh diya tha,jo ki galat nahi tha par.. ab sochte hain ki agar humari koi saheli humare saath hoti toh.. hum dono jaakar di se mil lete.

Par.. akele wahaan jaane par sawaal khade honge yeh sochkar.. hum ulte paun school chale gaye aur intezaar karne lage.. kab kriyakaram ki saari

vidhiyaan khatm hongi aur.. kab hum,saare sehpaathiyon k saath, Arnav se milne jaa paayenge. (sighs)Par humara intezaar kabhi khatm hi nahi hua.

Uss hi shaam chachaji ne Arnav aur di ko ghar aur jaaydaat se bedakhal kar diya. Aur.. woh dono nanaji aur unk parivaar k saath.. Dilli k liye ravaana

ho gaye.
Khushi: Humein iss baat ka bilkul andaaza nahi tha ki.. Arnavji k chachaji itne krur the ki unhone uss hi din unhe aur di ko..
Rachnaa(interrupts): Woh na jaane kab se saari jaaydaat hadapne k khwaab sajaaye baithe the. Jab maa aur dad ne khudkhushi kar li toh unhe apne

khwaab ko haqeeqat me badalne ka sunehra maukaa mil gayaa! Unk jaise ghatiya insaan aise mauke kabhi nahi gavaatein! 1 woh hain jinhe bin

maange aisi tuchchh(lowly) harkat karne ka sunehra maukaa mil gayaa aur 1 hum hain,jo Baanke Bihari se maang-maang kar thak gaye lekin.. Arnav

ko milne ka 1 maukaa bhi nahi mila humein! Baanke Bihari ki leela.. humari samajh k toh baahar hi hai! Woh jo karte hain,woh kis liye karte hain,

kyun karte hain yeh hum aaj tak nahi samajh paayein! Aur Woh.. ulti-seedhi tarah se logon ki kismat kyun likhte hain?
Khushi: Aisaa mat kahiye,Rachnaaji!
Rachnaa: Aur kya kahein,Khushiji? Humein nahi pataa ki jab Unhone humari kismat me Apekshit ko jeevansaathi(life partner) k roop me likh diya tha

toh.. phir humein Arnav se milaaya hi kyun? Aur milaaya toh.. uss se pyaar kyun hone diya? Jab aapki kismat me Arnav likha tha toh,qaayde se

toh,aap dono ko bachpan me milna chahiye tha na? Par aisaa nahi hua! Arnav se hum milein,pyaar humein hua, jab woh door chalaa gaya toh dukh

humein hua,taqleef humein huyi,afsos humein hua, zindagi humari barbaad hui! Aur phir humari zindagi ko savaarne k liye Unhone Apekshit ko bhej

diya,jo pure scene me kaheen the hi nahi! Waise hi Unhone Arnav ki zindagi ko savaarne k liye aapko bhej diya! Matlab..
Khushi(interrupts): Aapko afsos hua?
Rachnaa(nods): Jaisaa ki humne aapko bataaya,humein bahut waqt tak iss baat ka afsos tha ki humein 1 aise insaan se pyaar hua jo humein

chhodkar chalaa gayaa!
Khushi: Iss ka matlab.. ab aapko.. iss baat ka afsos nahi hai?
Rachnaa: Ji nahi,kyunki hum samajh gaye hain ki jo bhi hua,uss me Arnav ki koi galti nahi thi. Dilli jaane ka faisla uss ka nahi tha,nanaji aur nani ka

tha. Par wahaan jaane k baad Lucknow aur Lucknow se judey huye sab hi logon se rishte todne ka faisla.. Arnav ka tha. Aur yeh hi wajah thi humari

naaraazgi ki,humare afsos ki! Phir mummy ne humein iss baat ka ehsaas dilaya ki jo kuch bhi humare saath,Arnav k saath,hum sab k saath hota hai

uss par humara koi bas nahi chaltaa. Sab kuch Baanke Bihari ki marzi se hota hai!
Khushi: Aapne.. unhe apne aur Arnavji k baare me.. kab bataaya?
Rachnaa: Chhodiye na Khushiji! Aap yeh sab jaankar kya karengi? Aapko aapk pati k baare me humein jo bataana tha woh humne bataa diya. Yeh hi

woh kaaran hai jis ki wajah se Arnav ne humse aur apne sab hi qareebi doston se sambandh tod diye! Humara naam lene se bhi usse Lucknow ki yaad

aati thi aur Lucknow usse maa ki yaad dilaata hai. Aap samajh rahi hai na?
Khushi: Ji haan. Hum jaante hain ki aap kya kehna chaah rahi hain. Sach kahein toh.. humein yeh saari baatein.. aapk moonh se sunne me bahut

taqleef huyi! Aur hum bahut achchhe se jaante hain ki.. aapko yeh sab yaad karne me aur kehne me humse bhi kayeen guna zyaada taqleef huyi! Phir

bhi aapne yeh taqleef uthaayi.. kyun?
She continues without allowing Rachnaa to respond to the question.
Khushi: Kya aap aaj bhi.. Arnavji se.. pyaar karti hain?
Rachnaa: Ji nahi! Hum pehle bhi keh chuke hain ki hum ab usse pyaar nahi kartein!
Khushi: Haan,aap keh chuki hain par.. hum iss baat par vishwaas nahi kar paa rahe hain! Humein toh yeh hi lagtaa hai ki.. jab aapne apni amma ko

apne aur.. Arnavji k baare me bataaya hoga tab.. unhone aapko samjhaaya hoga. Par.. aap unki baatein nahi samajh paayi! Jab unhone aisaa kaha ki

sab kuch Baanke Bihariji ki marzi se hota hai toh aap Unhe dosh dene lagi.. Unse rooth gayi aur.. aaj tak roothi huyi hain! Ho saktaa hai ki.. aapki

amma ne aapko shaadi karne k liye majboor(force) kiya aur aap maan gayi..
Rachnaa(interrupts): Aisaa kuch bhi nahi hua tha,Khushiji! Aap bilkul galat samajh rahi hain!
Khushi: Toh aap humein bataaiyye na ki sahi baat kya hai? Sabse pehle toh humein yeh bataaiyye ki aapne apnaa itna waqt zaaya kar k,apneaap ko

itni taqleef dekar, humein yeh sab kyun bataaya?
Rachnaa: Humne bataaya toh tha aapko ki hum aaj bhi Arnav ki fiqar karte hain,(stresses)sirf dost hone k naate! Kisi ki fiqar karne me aur kisi se

pyaar karne me farq hota hai,Khushiji..
Khushi: Hum jaante hain! Par unhone toh na aapki dosti ki qadar ki aur.. na aapk pyaar ki.. Itne saalon tak aap dono ki 1 mulaaqaat bhi nahi huyi!

Phir bhi.. aap unki itni fiqar karti hain.. kyun?
Rachnaa: Kyunki hum aaj bhi usse apnaa dost maante hain! Uss ne dosti tod di,dosti ki qadar nahi ki toh hum bhi na karein? Hum bhi dosti tod dein?
She pauses when a tear trickles down till her lips.
Rachnaa(gulps): Kuch aise hi sawaal hum mummy se kiya karte the jab wo humein Arnav ko bhulaakar, apni zindagi me aage badhne k liye kehti thi..
*Flashback*
Rachnaa: Arnav humse pyaar nahi kartaa.. humari dosti tak usse gavaara(acceptable) nahi hai!.. Woh humse sampark(contact) bhi nahi rakhnaa

chahta hai! Par iss me humara kya qasoor hai,mummy? (sobs)Hum toh usse pyaar karte hain! Aur behad pyaar karte hain!
Mummy(arm around her): Hum jaante hain,bitiya..
Rachnaa: Woh humein.. bhool gaya toh hum bhi usse bhool jaayein? Saare palon ko.. saari yaadon ko bhool jaayein?
Mummy: Woh aapko nahi bhoola hai. Na aapko aur na.. Lucknow ko ya kisi aur ko bhoola hai!
Rachnaa: Woh bhool gaya hai,mummy! Usse Dilli ki hawaa lag gayi hai! Milna toh door ki baat hai,woh toh humse baat tak nahi karnaa chahta hai!

Aur Ammu? Apnaa qareebi dost maanta tha na Arnav usse? Par ab toh woh Ammu se bhi dhang se nahi batiyaata hai! Sabko dukhi kar k na jaane

haasil hoga usse? (irritated)Pataa nahi kya chaahta hai? Humare saamne aa jaaye na toh.. kheench k thappad maar denge!
Mummy: Rachchu! Aapko sirf apna dukh nazar aa raha hai. Arnav k nazariye se dekhiye tab aapko pataa chalega ki uss par kya beet rahi hai!
Rachnaa: Agar aapko usski itni hi parvaah hai toh aap humein usse bhulaane k liye kyun keh rahi hain?
Mummy: Kyunki hum aapki bhi parvaah karte hain! Aapki bhalaai iss hi me hain ki aap iss baat ko sweekaar kar lein ki Arnav ab aapki zindagi ka hissa

nahi hai! Aapki zindagi me usski bhoomika(role) aur uss ki zindagi me aapki bhoomika yaheen par khatm huyi.
Rachnaa: Hum yeh kaise maan lein,mummy? Hum usse pyaar karte hain,hum usse pyaar jataana chaahte hain,uss ka khayaal rakhnaa chaahte hain,

di ka khayaal rakhnaa chaahte hain.. Aage chalkar.. uss se.. shaadi karnaa chaahte hain! Aur aap chaahti hain ki hum apne armaanon ka galaa ghot

dein? Aur phir kya karein? Yahaan akele,uss k liye tadapte rahein aur usse wahaan tadapne dein?
Mummy: Nahi bitiya. Agar aap iss baat ko sweekaar kar lengi toh tadapne ki koi zaroorat hi nahi hogi! Aap ab bhi uss k liye kuch kar sakti hain- dua

maang sakti hain,praarthna kar sakti hain ki uss k jeevan me jo dukh aaya hai, jo taqleefein aayi hain unka saamna karne ki Arnav ko shakti mile!
Rachnaa: Bas praarthna karein,aur kuch nahi?!
Mummy: Aur sweekar kijiye ki aap praarthna karne k ilaava aur kuch nahi kar sakti hain! Haalaat na toh aapk bas me hain na humare aur naa hi Arnav

k bas me hain. Humari baat ko samajhne ki koshish kijiye,bitiya. Jaise kahaani ka ek adhyaay(chapter) khatm hone par hum kitaab(book) ka pannaa

(page) palat te hain tab hi hum aage ka adhyaay padh paate hain,waise hi,jab aap Arnav k adhyaay ka pannaa paltengi tab hi aap apni zindagi k

aanewale adhyaay ko padh paayengi! Arnav k adhyaay ko aap jitni baar padhti rahengi,aage ka adhyaay padhnaa aapk liye utna hi zyaada mushqil

hoga!
Rachnaa: Humein aage ka adhyaay nahi padhnaa!
Mummy: Aisaa nahi ho saktaa,bitiya! Jab tak aap zinda rehte hain tab tak aapko zindagi jeeni hi padhti hai! Uss me aanewale har sukh-dukh se

saamnaa karna hi padhta hai! Haath khade kar dene se samasya sulajhne k bajaay aur zyaada ulajh jaati hai!
Rachnaa: Humein kisi samasyaa ki koi parwaah nahi hai! Humein sirf itna pataa hai ki hum Arnav se pyaar karte hain aur aage bhi karte rahenge! Agar

aap chaahti hain ki uss ka pyaar khatm ho gaya isiliye hum bhi apne pyaar ka tyaag kar dein,toh hum yeh nahi kar paayenge! Kabhi nahi kar

paayenge!
*Flashback ends*
Rachnaa: Par humne kiya.. lambe arse se baad hi sahi. Par humein iss baat ka ehsaas ho gaya ki ektarfaa pyaar ko nibhaaye rakhnaa bahut hi mushqil

hai! Yeh baat sach hai ki humein Arnav me bahut hi achchha dost aur premi mila aur humne kayeen yaadgaar pal saath guzaare. Par uss k Dilli jaane

k baad,hum sirf unn palon ki yaadon ko thaame rakhaa tha. Yaadon k sahaare zindagi kaatna aasaan nahi hota hai. Pyaar me humara faayda kam aur

nuksaan zyaada hua. Jahaan Arnav ne Dilli jaakar apne hosh sambhaalein, man lagaakar padhaai ki aur 10th,12th k boards me distinction se pass hua

waheen hum apne hosh kho baithe, padhaai se,school se humara man hat gayaa aur achchhe student hone k baawajood bhi humara 10th ka result

jitna kharaab aaya tha,12th ka uss se bhi kharaab aaya. Daddy ne donation dekar 1 private college me humara daakhlaa(admission) karvaaya par hum

wahaan bhi fail ho gaye. Poora 1 saal barbaad ho gaya. Par Baanke Bihari ko lagaa ki itni taqleefein kaafi nahi hain humare liye isiliye Unhone daddy

ko beemaar kar diya. Jab tak hum final year me pahuchein tab tak daddy ne bistar pakad liya tha. Humein graduate bante dekhne ki.. unki ichchha

adhoori reh gayi kyunki Baanke Bihari ne 1 aisi leela rachi ki.. hum.. (sniffs) Paachvi Agast ko unhe Lucknow k sabse bade aur naamcheen aspataal me

humlogon ne unhe daakhil karvaaya.. Uss hi din unka pneumonia ka ilaaj bhi shuru ho gaya tha. Phir bhi.. (gulps)Nau Agast ki subha ko unki..

saansein tham gayi.
Khushi silently places a hand on Rachnaa's shoulder.
Rachnaa: Jab mummy ne,ghar aakar,humein bataaya ki.. daddy.. nahi rahe toh humne.. dar-dar k unn se poochha.. kab? Hum 'kal raat ko' ya.. 'kal

shaam ko' kuch bhi sunne k liye taiyyaar the bas.. 'aaj' nahi sunna chaahte the! Man hi man praarthna kar rahe the ki.. Arnav k birthday k din yeh na

hua ho! (sobs) Par humari 1 aur praarthna ansuni kar di Unhone!
Khushi wraps an arm around Rachnaa when she starts sobbing profusely.
Khushi: Apneaap ko sambhaaliye,Rachnaaji..
She hands her a glass of water and waits till she composes herself.
Khushi: Hum aapka dukh samajh sakte hain.. Aapk saath jo kuch bhi hua woh.. bahut bura hua! Par..
Rachnaa(interrupts): Humne aapse kaha tha na ki do tarfaa pyaar pehle ek tarfaa hua aur phir khatm ho gayaa. Uss din se uss k khatm hone ki

shuruaat huyi thi. Uss din se.. Humare liye 9 Agast.. iss taareekh k maayine badal gaye. Daddy k jaane k baad hum zimmedaar ho gaye. Apne liye

nahi toh.. mummy k liye hi sahi,hum regularly college jaane lage,padhaai me dhyaan dene lage aur humne Arnav ko.. aur apne pyaar ko.. bhulaane ki

poori koshish ki. 1 hadd tak kaamiyaab huye. Pyaar toh bhulaa diya par taareekhein nahi bhula paayein. Kuch taareekhein aisi hain jo.. ab bhi humein

guzre waqt ki yaad dilaakar jazbaati kar deti hain. Khair,hum respectable marks k saath graduate huye. Jis saal humara post graduation pura

honewala tha,uss saal mummy ne humein Apekshit aur unk parivaar se milvaaya.. 1 waqt tha jab humein aisa lagtaa tha ki hum Arnav k ilaava kisi

aur se pyaar nahi kar paayenge. Phir jaise waqt beeta,humein aisaa lagne lagaa ki agar humne kisi se pyaar kar liya aur uss par vishwaas kar k usse

apnaa jeevan saunp diya phir.. agar uss ne humein chhod diya toh.. kya hoga? Pehli baar jo hua uss hi se ubharne me humein itna waqt lag gaya tha

ki.. dobara uss k baare me sochkar bhi humein dar lagtaa tha! Humara yeh dar do logon ki wajah se door hua-1 humari maa aur doosre Apekshit. Unse

ghulne-milne me.. khul k baatein karne me humein waqt lagaa lekin hum samajh gaye ki woh bahut hi achchhe insaan hain! Humne unhe apne baare

me,Arnav k baare me,apne pyaar k baare me,apni padhaai k baare me sab kuch khulkar bataa diya!
Khushi: Phir bhi woh shaadi k liye raazi ho gaye?
Rachnaa: Ji haan. (smiles) Phir bhi woh humse shaadi karne k liye raazi ho gaye! Unhone humse kaha ki humein bhi pyaar ki zaroorat hai, dekh-bhaal

ki zaroorat hain,kisi aise dost ki zaroorat hai jisse hum khul kar apne man ka haal bayaan kar sakein. Woh humari zindagi me uss bhoomika ko

nibhaana chaahte hain,agar humein aitraaz na ho toh!
Khushi: Toh aapne kya kaha?
Rachnaa: Humne kuch waqt tak unki baaton par gaur kiya aur phir haan kar di.
Khushi: 1 baat.. sach-sach kahein?
Rachnaa(nods): Ji,zaroor kahiye..
Khushi: Hum achambit ho gaye jab aapne.. phone par unhe bataaya ki aap humse batiyaana chaahti hain aur woh raazi ho gaye! Subha jab.. humari

mulaaqaat huyi thi tab humein aisaa lag raha tha ki.. woh yeh nahi chaahte hain ki aap humse ya.. Arnavji se jude huye kisi bhi vyakti se batiyaayein.

Par humara andaaza galat saabit hua! Woh khushi-khushi maan gaye! Unki jagah koi aur hota toh shaayad usse aitraaz hota par Apekshitji ko humare

milne se ya batiyaane se koi aitraaz nahi hai yeh dekhkar humein achchha lagaa!
Rachnaa: Kyunki woh samajhte hain ki humare liye aapse batiyaana kitna zaroori hai. Aapk liye yeh sab jaanna kitna zaroori hai aur Arnav k liye bhi..

yeh bahut zaroori hai. Unhe Arnav se eershaa kabhi nahi hui. Aur na hi unhe uss se koi shiqaayat hai. Aur humein bhi nahi hai. n1 waqt tak hum uss

se naaraaz zaroor the par ab nahi hain. Der lagi par finally humein yeh ehsaas ho hi gaya ki.. humara pehla pyaar.. jo adhoora reh gaya.. uss me na

humara,na Arnav ka,dono me se kisi ka koi qasoor nahi tha! Har kisi ko apne liye faislein lene ka poora adhikaar(right) hota hai. Arnav ne bahut soch

samajhkar humse aur.. Lucknow se rishta todne ka faislaa liya hoga aur.. ab hum uss k faisle ki qadar karte hain. Hum samajhte hain ki usse apne

jeevan me aage badhne k liye yeh sakht qadam uthaana padaa. Lekin..
Khushi: Lekin.. kya?
Rachnaa: Lekin hum aaj bhi chaahte hain ki woh apne beete huye kal se sulaah kar le! Apne bichde huye doston se mile ya na mile,par unn se

sampark kar le.. Aur..
Khushi(interrupts): Aap chaahti hain ki woh aapse milein?
Rachnaa: Ji nahi. Hum uss se nahi milna chaahtein hain!
Khushi was shocked to hear that.
Rachnaa: Iss pyaar me humne.. jo dard,jo taqleef aur jo akelaapan saha hai.. hum usse nahi bhula saktein! Arnav ka aur apne.. pehle pyaar ka ziqar

karne se jahaan humare man me kuch achchhi yaadein aati hain waheen bahut saari kadvi yaadein bhi taazaa jaati hain ho. Toh.. Arnav se milte hi..

humare zakhm taazey ho jaayenge.. Isiliye hum uss se nahi milna chaahtein. Aaj subha jab humne aapko lift k baahar dekha,hum toh dar hi gaye!

Humein lagaa ki Arnav bhi aapk saath hoga aur.. woh humein nahi pehchaan paayega lekin.. hum toh usse pehchaan lenge. Aur.. (sighs)Khair,

achchha hi hua jo aap akeli thi!
Khushi: Aapko itni taqleef hui phir bhi aapne humein bahut kuch bataaya.. isiliye bahut,bahut shukriya! Ab hum aapko kuch bataayein?
Rachnaa: Ji haan,bataaiyye..
Khushi: Hum 8 saal k the jab 1 accident me humare amma,babuji ki maut ho gayi.
Rachnaa(shocked): I'm so sorry! Humein aasha unki aatmaaon ki shaanti mil gayi hogi..
Khushi: Shukriya! Humare mausi aur mausaji ne humein godh liya aur humein apni bitiya k roop me apnaa bhi liya lekin kuch rishtedaar aise the

jinhone humein nahi apnaaya. Humne unse tarah-tarah ki baatein suni. Kyunki hum gareebi me pale-badhe hain,hum bachpan se hi aarthik

samasyaaon ka saamna karte aaye hain. Dahej na dene k kaaran se humari jiji ki shaadi toot gayi. Humein Lucknow chhodkar Dilli aana padhaa aur

uss k baad bhi bahut kuch hua hai humare saath,lekin.. Devi Maiyya k prati humari shraddha(devotion) kam nahi huyi! Unk prati humara pyaar aur

aadar kam nahi hua! Hum aaj bhi iss baat par vishwaas karte hain ki Devi Maiyya jo bhi karti hain,soch samajh kar hi karti hain! Humari amma bhi

humse yeh hi kehti hain ki Devi Maiyya trikaaldarshi hain. Woh humara beeta hua kal,aaj aur aanewaala kal,sab kuch dekh sakti hain! Aur yeh hi baat

Bihari ji par bhi laagoo hoti hai. Unhone aap k saath jo bhi kiya woh kuch soch-samajh kar hi kiya hoga.. Insaan nasamjhi kar sakte hain par Bhagwan

nahi kar saktein!
She paused for a moment or so before continuing.
Khushi: Aapne kaha ki Bihari ji ki marzi k aage kisi ki nahi chalti.. Yeh baat sahi hai. Lekin aapne woh kahaavat toh suni hi hogi? Praarthna me bal

hai! 1 praarthna asweekar ho jaaye toh humein praarthna karnaa nahi chhodna chahiye. Aur na hi vishwaas todna chahiye. Jahaan aapne yeh baat

sweekaar kar li ki aapk saath jo bhi hua woh Bihari ji ki leela thi,waheen aap apneaap ko bebas samajhne lagi. Aapko yeh lagne lagaa ki aasha

rakhne ka,sapne dekhne ka koi faayda hi nahi hai kyunki ant me hoga toh woh hi jo Unhe manzoor hoga. Par aisaa nahi hai,Rachnaaji! Sapne poore

hote hain! Bhagwaan jahaan saari duaayen qubool nahi karte hain wahaan sab hi praarthnaaon ko unsuna bhi nahi karte hain. Har kisi ko kabhi na

kabhi haalaaton se samjhauta(compromise) karnaa hi padtaa hai. Aise me agar man me yeh vishwaas ho ki Bhagwaan sab kuch theek karenge toh

bahut himmat milti hai! Agar aap yeh sochengi ki.. pataa nahi aage kya hoga? Toh aapko haalaton se ladne ki himmat kahaan se milegi? Aur.. 1 aur

baat hai..
Rachnaa: Kahiye..
Khushi: Pyaar me kabhi bhi Bhagwaan se hisaab nahi maangna chahiye! Yeh nahi kehna chahiye ki humne uss se itna pyaar kiya toh badle me hum

bhi utna hi pyaar chaahte hain! Pyaar ko nafaa-nuksaan k nazariye se kabhi nahi dekhna chahiye! Aapne kuch waqt tak pyaar ko uss nazariye se

dekha. Aap zidd karti rahi ki Arnavji bhi aapse pyaar karein taaki aapka pehla pyaar poora ho sakein. Aap apne doston se jalti rahi kyunki unhe pyar

ka sukhad(happy) phal mila jab ki aapko nahi mila. Yahaan tak ki aap Arnavji se bhi jalne lagi kyunki unki zindagi me sab kuch achchha ho raha tha,

woh bahut badhiya number se pass ho rahe the jab ki aapki zindagi me sab kuch bura ho raha tha aur aapk achchhe number nahi aa rahe the.

Apneaap ko zimmedaar thehraane k bajaay aap apne kam numberon k liye bhi unhe hi dosh dene lagi! Aapne unse apni tulna(comparison) karnaa

shuru kar diya.. Aur yeh galat baat hai! Humne Arnavji se hi seekha hai ki.. humein kabhi bhi apni tulna apne premi se ya pati se nahi karni chahiye.

Aisaa karne se humare man me jalan aur unse kam hone k vichaar paidaa hote hain.
Rachnaa(acknowledges): Aap ki baat sahi hai,Khushiji. Hum yaad rakhenge..
Khushi: Aapko aisi amma mili hain jinhone sukh-dukh me aapka saath diya hai,Apekshitji jaise jeevan saathi ka sahara mila hai, (smiles) Nirvaan jaisi

pyaari santaan(child) mili hai,sasuralwalon ka sneh mila hai.. Aapko jo nahi mil paaya uss k baare me sochne k bajaay aap yeh sochiye ki aapko kya-

kya mila hai!
Rachnaa: Humein jo bhi mila hai hum uss k liye shukrguzaar hain!
Khushi: Hum Devi Maiyya se praarthna karenge ki aapk jeevan me khushiyon ki koi kami na ho,har mod par Apekshitji aapk saath rahein aur Devi

Maiyya har aafat se aapki surakshaa karein!
Rachnaa(smiles): Bahut,bahut shukriya Khushiji! Humne jitni ummeed ki thi aap toh uss se bhi kayeen guna zyaada acchhi aur samajhdaar hain! Hum

bhi tahe dil se duaa maangenge ki aapki har muraad puri ho,aapki zindagi me kisi cheez ki koi kami na ho aur aapka vaivaahit jeevan atyant sukhmay

ho!
Khushi(smiles): Bahut,bahut shukriya! Aur sach kahein toh.. humne jaisaa socha tha aap toh waisi bilkul bhi nahi hain! (looks upwards)Aur iss baat k

liye hum Devi Maiyya k shukrguzaar (turns to Rachnaa)Aapne humare pati k jeevan k uss pehlu(side) se humari pehchaan karvaayi jis se hum aaj tak

anjaan the. Iss k liye bhi shukriya! Aapse milkar bahut khushi huyi!
Rachnaa(smiles): Humein bhi!
They share a warm hug.
Khushi: Ab humein chalnaa chahiye. Arnavji ki meeting khatm hone hi wali hogi..
Rachnaa: Chaliye,hum aapko lift tak chhod dete hain..
Khushi: Theek hai.
Khushi turned to her with a smile after pressing the button for the lift.
Khushi: Nirvaan ko humara dher sara pyaar dijiyega! Aur.. apni amma aur Apekshitji ko humari or se namaste kahiyega!
Rachnaa(smiles): Ji,zaroor keh denge. Shukriya!
Khushi: Toh hum chalte hain.
Rachnaa(nods): Khayaal rakhiyega..
Khushi: Aap bhi. Aaj aapka vrat hai aur aap tabse batiyaaye jaa rahi hain! Thak gayi hongi.. Fruit juice ya shake jaisaa kuch mangvaa lijiyega..
Rachnaa: Ji haan,aap chinta mat kijiye. (points towards the lift)Lift aa gayi..
Khushi(folds her hands): Namaste!
Rachnaa(folds her hands): Namaste! Ummeed karte hain ki aapka Lucknow ka safar bahut hi achchha rahega aur aaplog sakushal(safely) Dilli pahuch

jaayenge!
"Shukriya!",said Khushi as the doors of the lift came together.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Khushi's phone rang the moment she stepped out of the lift.
Khushi(answers): Boliye Arnavji..
Arnav: Tum kahaan ho?
Khushi: Bas.. kamre tak pahuch hi gaye hain.
Arnav: Great! I'll see you in 10 minutes.
Khushi: Meeting kaisi rahi?
Arnav: Aakar bataaun?
Khushi: Chaliye,theek hai. Hum intezaar kar rahe hain..
Arnav: Okay,bye!
Khushi(thinks): Pehle Arnavji ki baatein khatm ho jaayein phir hum.. unhe bataayenge ki hum.. Rachnaaji se milein. Aur phir.. bamb vispot(bomb

blast) hoga! Unk sawaalon ka, unk gusse ka bamb humare sir par phootega! Phir bhi,hum iss baar usse andhere me nahi rakhenge. Rachnaaji ne jo

kuch bhi kaha hum unhe sab kuch bataa denge! (sighs)Yeh Rachnaaji bhi kuch.. ajeeb hi hain. Woh Arnavji ki baatein toh aise bataa rahi thi jaise..

woh unki sabse qareebi saheli ho! Par.. jab milne ki baat aayi tab unhone saaf inkaar kar diya! Agar woh sach me Arnavji ki fiqar karti hain aur unhe

ab tak apnaa dost maanti hain toh.. milne me kya diqqat hai?
She recalls some of Rachnaa's words while opening the door of her suite.
"Aapk pati woh shaqs hai hi nahi jisse.. humne pyaar kiya tha!"
"Arnav se milte hi.. humare zakhm taazey ho jaayenge.."
Khushi(thinks): Woh.. apneaap ko dukh aur taqleef se bachaana chaah rahi thi isiliye unhone inkaar kar diya. Par.. unhone Sheesh mahal k baare me

kuch bhi nahi bataaya! Thoda-bahut bataa deti toh.. achchha hota na? Arnavji toh humein kuch bataane se rahe! Khair, Rachnaaji humein itna kuch

bataaya, woh hi bahut hai!
She takes out the visiting card from her purse.
Khushi(thinks): Arnavji Virendraji se mil paayein ya na mil paayein,unse baat toh kar hi lenge. Lekin.. agar unhone Virendraji se milne se ya.. baatein

karne se.. inkaar kar diya.. toh? Rachnaaji bhi keh rahi thi ki.. woh apne beete huye kal se bhaag rahe hain.. Woh chaahti hain ki.. Arnavji apne beete

huye kal se sulaah kar lein. Hum bhi toh yeh hi chaahte hain,Devi Maiyya. Par Arnavji?.. Pataa nahi woh iss maamle me kya chaahte hain? (sighs)

Humein toh kuch bhi nahi pataa! Rachnaaji.. Arnavji ko kitni achchhi tarah se jaanti hain! Aur hum?.. Aisaa nahi hai ki hum.. unhe nahi jaante. Aur

aisaa bhi nahi hai ki hum.. humein Rachnaaji se jalan ho rahi hai. Par.. (looks upwards)Ab hum aapko kya bataayein, Devi Maiyya? Aap humare man ki

sthiti samajh sakti hain na?
She was busy speaking to Devi Maiyya when she heard a loud & sharp "what the..!?"
Khushi(turning towards the door): Aap aa gaye?!
Arnav responded with another question.
Arnav: What's wrong with you?
Khushi(getting up): Nahi.. Matlab.. Kya galat kiya humne?
Arnav: Tumne kuch galat nahi kiya hai but tum.. darwaaza khula chhodkar,bina lights,fan ya A.C. on kiye.. andhere me kyun baithi huyi thi?
When she looked around, Khushi realized that she was so engrossed in her monologue that she just plopped down on the couch the moment she

entered the room.
Khushi(smacks her head): Humein dhyaan hi nahi raha! a.. Aap darwaaze par kyun khade hain? Andar aa jaiyye na. Hum.. batti jalaa dete hain..
Arnav(gestures): Dont bother! Tum bedroom me chalo,main aa raha hoon..
Khushi quickly walked into the bedroom ensuite and waited for him on unsteady feet.
Her heartbeats escalated as Arnav approached her.
Arnav(arm around her): Sit..
Once they were seated on the bed,Arnav took her right hand in his right without removing his left arm from around her shoulder.
Arnav: Ghar par sab theek hai na?
Khushi: Pataa nahi..
Arnav(frowns): What?
Khushi: Matlab.. humari.. ghar par kisi se baat nahi huyi toh..
Arnav: Okay,forget it! Jus' tell me ki tum itni pareshaan kyun ho?
Khushi: woh.. hum aapko poori baat bataayenge..
Arnav nods when she pauses.
Khushi: Khaana khaane k baad!
She slams her palm on his mouth before he could utter a word of protest.
Khushi: Please Arnavji! Pehle khaana kha lijiye! Aapne toh jaldbaazi me nashtaa kiya aur humne toh theek se kiya hi nahi! Isiliye ab khaana kha lete

hain na! Please.. Please.. maan jaaiyye!
Arnav(removes her hand): O.. kay! Re.. lax!
Khushi closes her eyes & heaves a sigh of relief.
Arnav: Hum khaana khaayenge lekin.. uss k baad tum mujhe sab kuch bataaogi,okay?
Khushi(holds his hand): Haan! Hum aapse wada karte hain ki hum aapse kuch nahi chhupaayenge!
Arnav: Aur tum koi baahaana bhi nahi banaaogi like.. pehle sambandh banaa lete hain ya pehle sona hai,etc.. I wont agree for any of that!
Khushi: Nahi,hum waisaa kuch nahi kahenge par.. aapko dawaai toh leni hi hogi!
Arnav(agrees): Main dawaai kha lunga. But uss k baad..
Khushi(interrupts): Hum aur kisi cheez ki zidd nahi karenge.
Arnav: Fine. (getting up) Lemme freshen up.. Phir humlog neeche chalte hain.
Khushi(gets up): Kyun?
Arnav: Khaana khaane k liye..
Khushi: Woh toh hum kamre me hi kha lenge.
Arnav: You mean.. Ghar ka sookha nashta?
Khushi: Nahi,nahi. Aap.. kamre me hi khana mangvaa lijiye. Hum aapko apne haathon se khilaana chaahte hain aur.. aapke haathon se khaana

chaahte hain..
Arnav: Okay. Tumhe jo bhi khaana hai tum uss ka order de do,main tab tak fresh hokar aata hoon.
Khushi: Theek hai..
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
The bell rang shortly after Arnav came out of the bathroom.
Arnav: Main dekhta hoon..
He was shocked to see the amount & number of dishes which Khushi had ordered for.
Arnav: What the..!?
Bell boy: Ji sir?
Arnav: No.. kuch nahi.
Bell boy: Okay sir! (smiles) Enjoy your meal!
Arnav: Yeah.. thanks!
A thought crossed Arnav's mind as he bolted the door.
Arnav(thinks): Pehle Khushi darwaaza band karnaa bhool gayi.. phir lights aur fan on karnaa bhool gayi aur ab yeh!
He stares at the fully laden trolley in front of him.
Arnav(thinks): Generally jab main Khushi ko order dene k liye kehta hoon, woh menu card thoroghly padhne k baad do ya teen,low price wale dishes

select karti hai. Aaj toh lag raha hai ussne menu card padhe bina hi order de diya hai! (stares at the food) Itna saara khaana!? Something is seriously

wrong! (frowns)Agar ghar par kuch nahi hua hai toh.. kya yahaan,hotel me kuch aisaa hua hai jiski wajah se woh itni disturbed hai? Ya phir Devi

Maiyya k mandir me ya.. Khushi jahaan bhi time kill karne k liye gayi thi wahaan.. kuch hua hai?
Khushi(from inside): Kya hua Arnavji..? Khaana nahi aaya kya?
Arnav: Haan,aa gaya hai..!
Khushi: Toh usse yaheen lekar aa jaiyye na...!
Arnav: Ya,aa raha hoon..!
******
Khushi noticed Arnav staring at her while preparing a morsel.
Khushi(lowers her gaze): Aap.. aise mat dekhiye na.. varnaa hum.. dhang se khaa nahi paayenge.
Arnav(closes his eyes): Okay,fine. (opens his eyes) Khaao..
He waits till he finishes that morsel.
Arnav: Khaana kaisaa hai?
Khushi: Bahut achchha hai! Aap lijiye na..
Arnav smiles when she feeds him.
Arnav: Thanks! a.. Khushi.. (feeds her) Jab meri meeting chal rahi thi tab tum kahaan gayi thi?
Khushi stops chewing the moment he says that.
Arnav: I mean.. tumhe aas-pass Devi Maiyya ka mandir mila?
Khushi shakes her head while gobbling up the food.
Arnav: Toh phir tum..
Khushi(stuffs a morsel into his mouth): Pehle khaana phir.. baatein. Abhi nahi!
She takes a long,slurpy sip of the lassi while he slowly chews the huge morsel.
Arnav(thinks): Indirectly poochhne ka koi faayda nahi hoga! I'll have to wait till she's ready.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Once they were through with lunch,Khushi filled a glass of water for Arnav.
Khushi: Dawaai le lijiye..
Arnav: Aur tum?
Khushi(frowns): Hum kya..?
Arnav: Tum kuch nahi logi..?
Khushi: Nahi,nahi. Humne toh naashte k baad apni dawaai kha li thi.
Arnav: No,I mean.. antacid or somethin?
Khushi: Kyun?
Arnav(thinks): Agar maine kaha ki ussne kuch zyaada hi khana khaaya hai toh Khushi will be on a guilt trip..
Khushi: Boliye na kyun?
Arnav: woh.. Paneer ki gravy thodi.. heavy nahi thi?
Khushi: Oh,woh? Paneer makkhanwaala toh aise hi hota hai! Humein dawaai ki zaroorat nahi hai. Hum usse buaji k chooran se pachaa lenge!
Arnav(shrugs): Whatever suits you..
Khushi shifts uneasily on the bed while Arnav takes his medicine.
Arnav(sitting next to her): Now tell me,kya baat hai?
Khushi: woh.. darasal hum..
Arnav(hand on her shoulder): Khushi,tum itna dar kyun rahi ho?
Khushi: Hum.. dar nahi rahe hain. Humein toh bas.. chinta hai ki.. aap.. kya..
Arnav(interrupts): Meri baat chhodo! Tum yeh bataao ki tum kis baat ko lekar itni nervous ho rahi ho?
Khushi: Aap.. naaraaz toh nahi.. honge na?
Arnav(gets tensed): Tum yeh sawaal kyun poochh rahi ho,Khushi? Kya kiya hai tumne?
Khushi: Humne kuch nahi kiya! Hum toh neeche jaane k liye lift ka intezaar kar rahe the. Tab hi humein woh bachchha nazar aaya..
Arnav: Bachchha?!
Khushi: Haan! Woh lift k baahar akela nazar aaya toh humne..
Arnav(interrupts): Tumne usse utha liya!? (shocked)Kahaan hai woh bachchha?
Khushi(annoyed): Arnavji! (tearing up)Aapko sach me aisaa lagtaa hai ki hum,aise hi.. kisi k bachchhe ko uthaakar le aayenge!? Maana ki humein

bachchhe bahut pasand hain! Aur.. hum apnaa bachchha chaahte hain par.. itne bhi baawre nahi hain hum ki.. koi bachchha kaheen akela nazar aaye

toh usse apne paas rakh lein!
Arnav: I'm sorry! I shouldnt have said that.. I'm really sorry!
Khushi(turns away from him): Aap toh humein samajhte hi nahi hain!
Arnav: Main tumhe nahi samajhta hoon? Are you kiddin me?
Khushi(turns to him): Galti ho gayi humse! Sorry! Aap toh humein bahut achchhe se samajhte hain! Bas.. (lowers her gaze)ek hum hi hain jo aapko

nahi samajh paate hain! Poori duniya,jahaan k log aapko achchhe se jaante hain.. samajhte hain.. bas.. (gulps) hum hi nahi samajh paate hain!
Arnav(cups her face): What are you sayin,baby? Tumse behtar aur kaun samajh saktaa hai mujhe?
Khushi: Ra.. ch.. naa.. ji..
Arnav(deep frown): Kaun?
Khushi: Aapki school ki sehpaathi, qareebi saheli aur.. ex girlfriend, Rachnaaji ki baat kar rahe hain hum!
Arnav(shell shocked): Rach.. naa?! Tumhe uss k baare me.. (realizes) Maine.. bataaya tha par tumse yeh kisne kaha ki woh mujhe tumse behtar

tareeqe se samajh sakti hai?
Khushi: Kisine nahi kaha! Humein unse baatein karne k baad..
Arnav(horrified): Baatein karne k baad?! Tum.. mili.. thi.. uss se?
Khushi: Ji haan!
Arnav: Kab?
Khushi: Jab aap meeting me the,tab!
Arnav: Tumhe kaise pataa chalaa ki woh Rachnaa hai?
Khushi: Humein nahi pataa tha. Unhone humein pehchaana aur..
Arnav(interrupts): Uss ne tumse kaha ki woh Rachnaa hai,mujhe achchhe se jaanti hai, mujhse pyaar karti hai,etc,etc,etc! Aur tumne maan liya,right?
Khushi: Nahi Arnavji..
Arnav(interrupts): How can you jus.. trust someone like that,Khushi?
Khushi: Humari baat toh suniye! Jab unhone humse kaha ki woh humein aapk baare me kuch bataana chaahti hain toh pehle humne inkaar kar diya.

Phir humne socha ki.. unki baat sunne me.. koi buraai nahi hai.
Arnav: Really?
Khushi: Kyunki baad me hum aapse poochh saktein hain na ki.. unhone jo bhi bataaya woh sahi tha ya nahi?
Arnav: Yeah,right! Tum uss hi waqt mujhe call karnaa chahiye tha! Aur uss ki 1 bhi baat sunne se saaf inkaar karna chahiye tha! How can you trust a

stranger like that? Aur ab tum keh rahi ho ki woh tumse behtar jaanti hai mujhe? Which means uss ne jaan-bhooj kar kuch aisaa kaha hai tumse jis

ne tumhare man me inferiority complex paidaa kar diya hai. I dunno what she's up to..
Khushi: Aisaa kuch nahi hai Arnavji! Unhone aapk bachpan ki baatein ki aur humne.. jo sawaal poochhein bas unka jawaab diya. Pehle humein bhi yeh

hi lag raha tha ki woh aap dono k sambandh k baare me koi galat vichaar bharnaa chahti hain humare man me. Par aisaa kuch nahi kiya unhone!
Unse milne aur batiyaane k baad hi humein iss baat ka ehsaas hua hai ki.. woh aapko humse bhi behtar tareeqe se jaanti aur samajhti hain!
Arnav(shakes his head): Thats rubbish! Aisaa kuch nahi hai,Khushi..
Khushi: Aisaa hi hai! Woh aapk baare me kitna kuch jaanti hain! Hum toh.. shaayad.. uss ka aadha hi jaante honge. Aap humein kuch bataate bhi toh

nahi hain na! Na hum aapse poochh paate hain! Par.. woh bataane k liye raazi huyi toh.. humne unse.. sab poochh liya.
Arnav: Kya.. poochha tumne?
Khushi: Woh hi jo hum aapse kabhi nahi poochh paayein!
Arnav: Kya nahi poochh paayi?
Khushi: Aap pichhli zindagi k baare me.. Agar hum galti se bhi kabhi.. dad ki baat chhedein toh aap humein kaatne ko daudte hain! Par unhone

humein bahut kuch bataaya.. dad k baare me,maa k baare me. Humein toh pataa hi nahi tha ki aapki dadiji bhi thi! Matlab.. aapne kabhi unka ziqar

tak nahi kiya! Na aapne humein yeh bataaya ki Advayit naam k aapk chachere bhai hain.. Na hi aapne apne bachpan k kisi dost k baare me kuch

bataaya..
Arnav: Maine jo nahi bataaya usski baat chhodo! Ussne kya-kya bataaya tumhe?
Khushi: Woh mudde ki baat nahi hai! Mudde ki baat toh yeh hai ki aapne kabhi humein in me se kisi k baare me nahi bataaya. Aapko.. matlab.. hum

jaante hain ki inn sab ko yaad karne se aapko bahut taqleef hoti hai. Par aapne kabhi bhi apni taqleef humare saath nahi baanti!
Arnav: Thats not true. Jab tumne Paris me Lucknowi khaana banaaya tha tab maine tumhe bataaya toh tha maa k baare me.. Unk haath k khaane k

baare me.
Khushi: Haan par aapne kabhi kuch vistaar se nahi bataaya, jab ki Rachnaaji ne humein vistaar se bataaya..(realizes)Sheesh mahal k alaava baaki

sab k baare me bataaya unhone. Aur.. woh yeh bhi keh rahi thi ki.. aap humein kabhi bhi Lucknow me akele nahi chhodenge. Aisaa kyun kaha unhone?

Itna toh bataa hi sakte hain na aap?
Arnav shakes his head.
Khushi(shocked): Yeh bhi nahi bataayenge? Arnavji..
Arnav(interrupts): I mean.. main tumhe sab kuch bataaunga. Have patience! Aise.. kisi se bhi poochhne mat baith jao.
Khushi: I'm sorry!
Arnav: No,I'm really sorry bout that! Mujhe tumhe pehle hi bataana chaahiye tha but.. main nahi bataa paaya. Aur.. Maine nahi bataaya isiliye.. tumhe

kisi baaharwale se poochhna padaa..
Khushi: Baaharwale..?
Arnav: Mere hote huye tumhe kisi baaharwale se poochhna padaa iss baat ka.. mujhe bahut afsos hai! I'm really feelin ashamed bout it! (lowers his

head) I'm so.. terribly sorry!
Khushi(cups his cheek): Arnavji..
Arnav lifts his head & places his hand on top of hers.
Arnav: Khushi, mujhe nahi pataa ki ussne tumse kya kaha hai but.. please believe me when I say that mujhe tumse behtar aur koi nahi samajh

saktaa! Koi bhi nahi!
Khushi nods before enveloping him in her arms.
Khushi: Aap keh rahe hain isiliye hum maan lete hain varnaa ab tak hum toh yeh hi soch rahe the ki.. (sighs)Khair,humein 1 baat achchhi nahi lagi

Arnavji..
Arnav: I know.. (breaks the hug) Mujhe tumhe khud bataana chahiye tha but..
Khushi(interrupts): Woh toh hai par.. aapne Rachnaaji ko.. baaharwala kyun kahaa? Woh koi gair,anjaan vyakti thode hi na hai! Woh toh aapki dost

thi na?
Arnav: Haan but ab woh mere liye matter nahi karti hai,Khushi. She means nothin to me!
Khushi: Aur Armaanji?
Arnav(shocked): Ar.. maan?
Khushi(nods): Woh toh aap jigri dost the na? Aapko apne bhai ki tarah samjhaa unhone. Aur bhai hone ka farz bhi ada kiya unhone. Jab maa aur dad

ki shav yatra nikli thi,tab woh aapk saath gaye the. Unhone aapk bagal me baithkar aapko sahara diya tha na? Samshaan me bhi aapk pass hi khade

rahe honge woh.. Toh kya aap.. unhe bhi baaharwala hi samajhte hain? Kya woh bhi aapk liye koi maayine nahi rakhtein hain? (gets up)Agar aisi baat

hai toh humein apne phone se unka number mita(delete) dena chahiye.. Jab aap unko apnaa samajhte hi nahi hain toh phir aap unse baat kyun

karenge?
She pretends to scan through her phone.
Khushi: Yeh raha!.. Hum ise mita rahe hain..
Arnav(gets up): Wait!
Khushi: Kyun? Aap unk number ka kya karenge?
Arnav: Isnt it obvious? Main usse call karunga!
Khushi: Iss ka matlab woh aapk liye gair nahi hain. Phir Rachnaaji kyun? Unhone aisaa kya kiya hai jo aap unse itne naraaz hain? Matlab.. ho saktaa

unhone kuch aisaa kiya ho par humein uss k baare me na bataaya ho. Toh.. agar aisi koi baat hai toh aap bataa dijiye..
Arnav: Usse kya zaroorat thi tumhe yeh sab bataane ki? Who is she to tell you all this?
Khushi: Woh aapki dost.. thi. Aur doosri baat,unhone kuch bhi bataane se pehle humse poochha tha ki hum jaanna chaahte hain ya nahi? Humne

manzoori di tab unhone bataaya..
Arnav does not say anything at this point.
Khushi: Shayad aap unki kisi aur baat ko lekar naraaz hain.. (pauses)Aap bataana nahi chahte toh..
Arnav(interrupts): Aisaa kuch nahi hai! Its jus that.. Mere Delhi shift hone k baad, woh kaafi time tak mujhe contact karne ki koshish karti rahi. Main

usse taalta raha phir bhi uss ne haar nahi maani!
Khushi: Haan,yeh toh unhone bataaya tha humein..
Arnav: Armaan k through message bhi bhijvaaya tha maine that.. its all over. Phir bhi woh mujhe contact karne ki koshish karti rahi. It was damn

irritating!
Khushi: Toh aapne seedhe-seedhe unhe bataa kyun nahi diya ki aap.. unse rishta nahi rakhna chahte hain? Aapk pass unka phone number toh raha hi

hoga..
Arnav: Main uss se baat nahi karnaa chahta tha!
Khushi: Kyun? Unhone aisaa kya kiya..
Arnav(interrupts): Uss ne kuch nahi kiya tha,Khushi! Agar main uss se baat kartaa toh main kamzor padh jaata! I couldnt afford to be weak or

emotional at that point of time! Mujhe apni zindagi naye sire se shuru karni thi. Lucknow ka naam bhi nahi lena chahta tha main,wahaan jaane ka toh

sawaal hi nahi paidaa hota!
Khushi: Samajh gaye! Lucknow,Armaanji,Rachnaaji, Virendraji.. inn sab se aapne khud ko door kar diya kyunki aap kamzor nahi padhna chaahte the.

Par 1 baar unse kaha toh hota! Aapne kuch kaha bhi nahi,bas.. aise hi unse sampark tod diya. Par woh toh aaj bhi aapk liye duaayein maangti hain!
Arnav: What nonsense!?
Khushi: Sach keh rahe hain hum!
Arnav: Tum woh hi keh rahi ho jo uss ne tumse kaha hai. I refuse to believe that! Aur tumhe bhi uss ki baaton par yaqeen nahi karnaa chahiye..

Shaayad woh aaj bhi..
Khushi(interrupts): Humein bhi yeh hi galatfehmi huyi thi par aisaa nahi hai! Woh shaadishuda hai aur unka 1 beta bhi hai! Woh hi jise humne lift k baahar

akele dekha tha..
Arnav: Great! Phir bhi woh meri baatein kar rahi hai! (frowns)Wait a sec.. Tumne kaha ki ussne tumhe pehchaan liya. But.. Usse pataa kaise chalaa ki

tum meri patni ho?
Khushi tells him everything about her conversation with Rachnaa.
Khushi: Pehle hum bhi un par shaq kar rahe the par.. unse baat-cheet karne k baad humein yeh ehsaas hua ki woh bahut hi achchhi insaan hain!
Arnav: Tum toh har kisi ko achchha samajhti ho,Khushi,kyunki tum khud itni achchhi ho! Itni bholi ho ki tumhe..
Khushi(interrupts): Ki humein pataa nahi chaltaa ki kaun achchha hai aur kaun bura? Aap yeh hi kehna chaahte hain na ki humein achchhe,bure ki

parakh nahi hai?
Arnav: No,don' get me wrong!
Khushi: Aapko koi andaaza bhi hai ki unpar kya beeti hogi? Aap toh unhe chhodkar, Lucknow chhodkar achaanak se chale gaye. Aakhri baar aapne

unse dhang se baat tak nahi ki! Aur na hi Dilli jaakar ki. Aapk amma,babuji guzar gaye, aapk chachaji ne aapko ghar se bedakhal kar diya..
Arnav: Stop it!
Khushi: Aapko Dilli jaana pada, aap k saath bahut galat hua..
Arnav(yells): Jus stop it!
Khushi(yells back): Iss sab me unki kya galti hai? Aapk doston ki kya galti hai? Bataana hoga aapko!
Arnav: Excuse me?
Khushi: Sahi suna aapne! Aapko bataana hoga ki aapne unhe kis baat ki sazaa di? Aisaa nahi hai ki aap unse pyaar nahi karte the.. Phir aapne..
Arnav(interrupts): Yeh baat khatm ho gayi hai,woh bhi bahut saal pehle!
Khushi: Aapk liye khatm huyi hogi,unk liye nahi! Aapk sab hi qareebi dost aaj bhi aapko yaad karte hain, aapko miss karte hain! Aur Rachnaaji? Woh

sirf aapk liye hi nahi, di k janmdin par unk liye bhi duaayein maangti hain!
Arnav: What the..!?
Khushi(nods): Kitna dukh pahuchaaya aapne unko par unhone phir bhi aapki parvaah karnaa, aapk liye duaayein maangna nahi chhoda! Woh bahut

achchhi hain,Arnavji!
Arnav: Toh kya karoon main? Usski achchhai ya buraai mere liye koi maayine nahi rakhti hai,Khushi..
Khushi: Kuch mat kariye aap! Humein toh laga tha ki sab kuch sunne k baad aapko apni galti ka ehsaas hoga.. Aap unse aur sabhi doston se maafi

maangna chaahenge.. Par nahi! Aap toh aaj bhi zidd par ade hain jaise aap tab ade the!
She takes out something from her purse & thrusts it in Arnav's hand.
Khushi: Yeh Virendraji ka card hai. Aapko unse baat karni ho toh kijiye aur na karni ho toh isse phaadkar phenk dijiye! (getting up) Hum jaa rahe

hain..
Arnav(gets up): Kahaan?
Khushi: Aapki or se Rachnaaji se maafi maangne k liye. Humein ehsaas hai ki un k dil par kya beeti hogi. Aur humein ummeed hai ki jab aapka gussa

thandaa ho jaayega na tab aapko bhi apni galti ka ehsaas hoga. Hum tab tak nahi ruk sakte isiliye hum abhi jaa rahe hain.
Arnav(grabs her hand): Tumhe kaheen jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai!
Khushi(shakes her head): Hum nahi jaayenge lekin humein rokne k liye aapko 1 sawaal ka jawaab dena hoga..
Arnav: Poochho..
Khushi: Agar aapki jagah Dhananjay hote aur Rachnaa ji ki jagah hum hote aur unhone ne humare saath kuch aisaa kiya hota na tab aapko kaisa

lagtaa? Ya agar Rachnaaji ki jagah di hoti aur..
Arnav(yells): Enough!
Khushi: Aapse toh yeh suna hi nahi ja raha hai! Iss tarah se sochna toh bahut door ki baat hai! Par kisi k saath aisaa hua hai! Aapne kiya hai! Aap k

liye yeh aam baat hogi par humare liye kisi ka dil todna aam baat nahi hai! (frees her hand)Isiliye hum unse maafi maangne ja rahe hain!
She leaves the bedroom without saying another word.
Arnav mutely stares at her retreating form while her words echo in his head.
"Agar aapki jagah Dhananjay hote aur Rachnaa ji ki jagah hum hote aur unhone ne humare saath kuch aisaa kiya hota na tab aapko kaisaa lagtaa?"
He rushes into the living room in a bid to stop her.
Arnav: Khushi,wait!
Khushi(wearing her slip ons): Kyun?
Arnav(approaching her): Jus' listen to me..
Khushi: Aap suniye humari baat! Maan lijiye humari shaadi se pehle aapne humse shaadi ka izhaar kiya. Aur jawaab me humne yeh kaha ki hum aapse

shaadi nahi kar sakte,kyunki barson pehle hum Dhananjay se bahut pyaar karte the! Woh bhi humein bahut chahtein the! Par.. 1 din unhe majbooran

Lucknow chhodkar jana padaa aur uss hi din unhone humse saare rishtey tod diye! Lekin.. hum unhe aaj tak nahi bhula paayein! Aur unk aise..

achaanak jaane se humare man me dar baith gayaa hai ki.. kahin aapse pyaar karne k baad,apna man aapse jodne k baad.. aap bhi 1 din humein

chhod kar chale gaye toh hum toh lut jaayenge! Hum dobara yeh dard bardaash nahi kar paayenge isiliye achchha yeh hi hoga ki aap humse shaadi

karne k sapne na dekhein! Agar humne aisa kuch kaha hota toh kya karte aap? Humein paagal kehte na?
Arnav: Khushi,main..
Khushi(interrupts): Aapko waqt aur haalaaton ne majboor kiya, hum samajhte hain.. Aur aapka dar bhi samajhte hain hum. Aapko yeh dar tha ki agar

aap Lucknow walon k sampark me rahenge toh kabhi bhi uss din k haadson ko bhulaakar aage nahi badh paayenge! Dilli me rehna mushqil ho jaayega,

padhaai me man lagaana mushqil ho jaayega.. yeh hi sab sochkar aapne sabse khud ko aur khud se sabko door kar diya. Par.. aisaa karne se pehle

kamaskam 1 baar unlogon se dhang se baat toh kar lete.. Unhe hawaaa me latkaa kar kyun chhod diya? Aur kuch na sahi,alvida hi keh dete.. Unlogon

k dil waheen toot jaatein aur dheere-dheere woh khud ko sambhaal kar aage badh jaate. Par aapne alvida nahi kaha isiliye wohlog kuch waqt tak

ummeed lagaaye baithe rahe ki aap.. mulaaqat nahi toh phone par baat hi kar lenge. Aapko samjhaane ki koshishein karte rahe par.. aap zidd par

adey rahe. Tab aapki umar chhoti thi, aap me utni samajhdaari nahi thi aur.. uss haadse ka bahut gehra asar padaa tha aap par par ab? Ab toh aap

bade aur samajhdaar ho gaye hain. Toh kya aapko ab bhi galti nazar nahi aa rahi hai? Sirf Rachnaaji se hi nahi, aapko Virendraji, Armaanji aur

Rajeshji se bhi maafi maangni chahiye. Wohlog aap k liye chintit the kyunki aapko ek saath 3-3 jhatke lage the. Oopar se aap Dilli jaakar akele ho

gaye the. Naye mahaul me man lagaana kitna mushqil hota hai yeh hum samajh sakte hain. Humare saath bhi toh yeh hi hua tha jab.. amma aur

babuji guzar gaye the. Humara ghar,mohalla, sab kuch chhoot gaya tha bas.. school woh hi raha. Par humne apne purane padosiyon se sampark nahi

toda aur na unhone toda. Uss zamaane me hum me se kisi k ghar par phone nahi tha phir bhi.. woh log tyohaaron par PCO jaakar phone kar liya karte

the. Kabhi gomti sadan ki taraf aana ho toh ghar milne aa jaaya karte the! Uss se humein bhi bahut achchha lagtaa tha aur unhe bhi!
Arnav: Ya,I know..
Khushi: Jab bhi purani yaadein taaza hoti hai ya guzre huye kal se judey log milte hain tab khushi aur gham ek saath mehsoos karte hain- aap, hum

aur sab hi k saath yeh hi hota hai! Par iss ka matlab yeh toh nahi ki uss gham se bachne k liye aap apni taraf aanewali khushi ko bhi thukra dein!
She points to the visiting card before continuing.
Khushi: Agar aap Virendraji se milne jaayenge ya unhe phone karenge na toh aapko taqleef toh bahut hogi, rona bhi aayega aur kuch hadd tak.. ajeeb

bhi lagega. Par unse itne saalon bad milne ki ya baatein karne ki jo khushi hogi woh saari taqleefon se badhkar hogi! Phir jab bhi aap iss din ko yaad

karenge aapk man me sukh aur dukh k mile jule bhaav honge! Humare saath bhi toh kuch aisaa hi hoga jab hum kal apne ghar jaayenge! Hum bahut

royenge aur khoob hasenge aur yaadgaar lamhon(memorable moments) ki soochi(list) me dher saare lamhe jud jaayenge!
She was surprised when Arnav did not say a word even after she said all of that.
Khushi: Itna kuch sunne k baad bhi aap khaamosh hain?(cups his cheek) Kya soch rahe hain aap?
Arnav: Rachnaa se.. milkar kya kahunga?
Khushi: Toh.. Aap unse maafi maangenge?
Arnav(nods): Maangunga..
Khushi: Aur Armaanji aur baaki k doston se..?
Arnav: Unse bhi maangunga. Unk numbers hai na tumhare pass?
Khushi: Nahi,unhone toh sirf Virendraji ka card diya humein..
Arnav: Doesnt matter. Hum abhi le lenge.
Khushi: Toh chalein?
Arnav: Haan,chalnaa toh hai but.. I dunno main.. uss se kya kahunga ya.. kaise baat karunga? Its gonna be 1 awkward conversation for sure!
Khushi: Ajeeb toh lagna hi hai,itne saalon k baad jo milenge aap dono. Kal ghar jaate samay agar humein Dhananjay mil gaye toh humein bhi bahut

ajeeb lagega!
Arnav: Tum har baat me Dhananjay ko beechh me mat laao!
Khushi: Hum toh sirf yeh hi kehna chah rahe the ki..
Arnav(interrupts): Understood! Chalo ab..
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While they were on the way to the executive suite, Arnav felt his throat drying up.
He remembered di's shy smile as she sat waiting for her groom.
He remembered ma's tensed face as she ran out of the room.
He broke into a sweat at the memory of the ear shattering gunshot.
He remembered nanaji howling upon seeing his daughter's dead body.
He remembered how cold dad's body had felt when he had touched it during the last rites.
His shoulders felt droopy as though he had just lifted his parents' dead bodies on his shoulder.
He closed his eyes & that is when he saw Armaan rushing towards the ambulance.
Khushi(hand on his arm): Kya hua Arnavji?
Arnav(opens his eyes): Huh?
Khushi(touches his forehead): Aap achaanak se ruk gaye aur.. kitna paseena-paseena ho gaye hain aap.. Tabiyat toh theek hai na?
Arnav: Nahi hai. Lets go back!
Khushi(holds his hand): Rukiye!
Arnav: Mujhe nahi rukna hai,Khushi. I cant.. do this!
Khushi: Aap kar paayenge,Arnavji! Koshish toh kijiye. Please..
Arnav: Khushi, please dont create a scene out here! (tugs at her hand)Chalo yahaan se..
As he tagged her along,he saw a lady of about 30 stepping out of the lift alongwith a middle aged lady who seemed vaguely familiar.
Khushi(surprised): Rachnaaji!?
Arnav(realizes): Su.. mit.. ra Aunty!

Devi Maiyya smiled as She witnessed the scene from Her abode.
It was time to reveal Khushi's birthday surprise!
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No Precap.

Kindly ignore typos & mistakes. Translation here:

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/126434566

Next update on Sunday,20th September. And the update after that(P 122) on Sunday,27th September.

Edited by ..Smita.. - 9 years ago