Nibir - Bura Damaad - Part 11

Kabir entered the house, not aware of anything happening around him. Many feelings together claimed him, the most dominant one being shock. He had believed that he noticed every little thing about her, then how had he missed this? Kabir thought hard. There had never been a time when Nishu has been uncomfortable by his presence or his touch. In fact, many times, she initiated contact with him.

She trusted him, this Kabir always knew. He felt a glow deep inside him when he realized the extent of that trust. Now, he just had to open his heart in front of her. That was proving to be a difficult task. Kabir had to acknowledge that the jokes on marriage were true. Wives didn't allow their husbands to speak! The number of times he had attempted to confess his love to Nisha had all gone in vain.

Kabir was planning what to do next when his phone rang. It was Dadi. Probably about the divorce, thought Kabir, feeling sick. He took the call against his better will. "Kabir beta", came Dadi's voice, worried,"Nishu has met with a bad road accident". Kabir felt the world spin around him. He caught the railing to keep himself in the present and forced the words out of his mouth,"How is she?". "She is stable. There were a lot of injuries but she is much better now. I thought to inform you as you are her husband. I-". Kabir heard another voice,"There is no need for you to get involved, Mr. Kumar. Nishu's whole family is there with her and can take care of her". "Papa", started Kabir, weakly but the call got disconnected. The phone slipped out of Kabir's numb fingers and smashed on the floor.

The noise bought Kabir out of his stupor. He cursed himself. This was all his fault. What was the need to remind Nishu of that terrible incident of her past? She must have lost focus while driving and-. He felt dizzy. Now was not the time to fall apart, thought Kabir, firmly. He had to see Nishu.

He ran down the stairs to the gargage. There was no car. Kabir slammed his hand on his forehead. Of course! He had left the car Gangwals had given Nishu and him in Gangwal house on the Bura Damaad act day forever, not wishing to take anything that belonged to them. Big Bro was out to leave the man to his house.

Kabir ran out on the road like a mad man. It was a busy time with no free transportation available. He didn't have the patience to wait for one. He began to run to Nisha's house. She is alright, he convinced himself. She wasn't at the hospital but at home. He would have known if something had happened to her. He would have felt it. Yet, Dadi had said that she was stable. Stable.. Why not fine? Kabir ran harder.

Catching his sides tightly, he pushed the Gangwal door open and rushed towards Nishu's room. Dadaji, Dadi, Ramesh and Laxmi stood in the hall, blocking the way. Kabir pleaded,"Papa, please. I have to see her", his breath coming in short, fast gasps. "Why? She is a burden to you, isn't she?". "No!",Kabir burst out furiously," I never said that, Dadaji".

He looked around, searching someway to move past them to Nishu. "Kabir, why have you come here? After breaking my daughter's heart, dumping her forever-". Kabir winced. He didn't know that his gentle Laxmi Maa was capable of using such cruel words. "-Her family is there. She doesn't need you. Go, fly in your open skies without any bondage".

Kabir joined his hands,"Please, Maa. I just want to meet Nisha. Once. I have to see her, tell her-". Ramesh caught Kabir's hands. "Give me one reason you should be allowed to meet Nishu. After all that you have said and done-". Kabir shouted out in desperation, not caring what the consequences would be," It was all a lie. Everything was false. The Bura Damaad Act.. It was the biggest mistake of my life. Please. I beg you", said Kabir, bending on his knees, stopped by Ramesh.

Laxmi couldn't play a role in Dadi and Ramesh's drama anymore. Despite all the mistakes Kabir had committed, there had never been a moment when she had not considered him her son. "Go, Kabir". Dadi looked at Laxmi but she shook her head. "Go". Kabir took the stairs two at a time, ignoring his protesting ribs.

"Laxmi Bahu, your heart is very large. You can forgive anyone for anything. Don't expect the same from me. Five minutes to Kabir only because you gave him permission. After that, he has to leave".

Dadi questioned," What is your problem with Kabir? He loves Nishu. Ramesh and I has explained to you that before as well but you wanted proof. Now, you have seen his condition with your own eyes. He has come running barefeet for our Nishu. What more proof do you want?".

"That may be all true, Saroj", said Dadaji, impatiently," but it doesn't erase his previous behaviour. If he loves her, why did he do so much drama before?". Dadi looked at her husband of so many years and said a lie to keep her family united. "So that your and Ramesh's differences get sorted out". "What???".

Ramesh understood what his mother was doing and spoke out in her support,"Yes, Babuji. Nishu and Kabir purposely created such a situation where you would rise to defend me. They wanted us to realise the hidden love and respect we have for each other". Dadaji was unconvinced. It seemed too unbelievable. Yet there was no other explanation for Kabir's behaviour. He had to love her immensely.

Dadi saw the doubt on her husband's face. "They are children. They get carried away and do silly things. Forgive them. Their intentions were pure." Dadaji sighed. "Ramesh, tell the children to not interfere in the matters of adults. And... treat him well. He is after all Nisha's husband and the son in law of this house". Saying this, Dadaji moved towards his room to take some rest.

Ramesh and Laxmi looked at each other and smiled, relieved at the outcome. Dadi offered a silent prayer of thanks. "Ramesh", called out Dadaji, turning back,"Come to my room in the evening. I want to hear some more songs from you". Ramesh nodded, a little teary eyed.

Nisha was confined to her bed by her cousins. The minute she had entered they had all come in a big group and caught her, not allowing her to move from her bed. She was very confused.

"Why are you all worrying so much? I am fine-". Nisha felt far from fine but there was no point in troubling her cousins- God's most precious gift to her. "-Jwalu, don't you have to study? And-". "Uff oh, Nishu Di! I have already covered my entire syllabus. How can I leave you like this - burning in fever?".

This was another odd thing. Nisha didn't feel feverish at all and she said so. "Nishu", said Umesh, thinking fast," some fevers are internal. They.. Hmm.. take hours to come out". "Then how do you know that I have fever, Bhaiyya?". Dolly stamped Umesh's feet. Umesh yelled while Dolly spoke," Because we are cousins, Nishu yaar. The bonds between us is so deep that we come to know about your healths..before even you realise it!".

All nodded fervently. Nisha looked at them. They were all behaving very weird. "Give me my phone, at least". Kirti jumped out of Nisha's reach, taking Nisha's phone with her,"Cell radiation is bad for you,Nishu". Nisha was about to argue when she heard Kabir's voice. She sat up straight, staring at the door as if expecting him to burst him anytime. She shakes her head. She had become totally crazy.

"Nishu!". Kabir ran towards Nisha and hugged her tightly. "Thank God, Nishu! Thank God! You are alright". Nisha's confusion grew. Of course, she was alright. Or rather, broken in a way that no one could see. She watched her cousins exit the room, smiling and giving hi-fives to each other. Bunty closed the door and she was alone with Kabir.

Nisha felt her T-shirt became damp at her shoulders and realised that Kabir was crying. "Kabir", she said hurriedly, shaking him but he only caught her tighter,"listen, there is some confusion. This is all my cousin's plan". It took some time for Nisha's words to sink in.

Kabir finally pulled back, rubbing his hand on his face. "You are alright?". "Of course", said Nisha, trying to reassure him. "No accident?". "What are you talking about?". "Dadi called me to inform about your road accident. Below Papa , Dadaji, Maa.. Don't hide anything from me, Nishu, please". Kabir was becoming hysterical again. Nisha caught his face between her hands and Kabir immediately captured them with his. "Look at me, Kabir. Carefully. I.am.fine.", said Nisha, slowly so that Kabir could believe her. Kabir took her in. Though it seemed that she had cried a lot, she looked well. Kabir registered this as his world turned black.

"Wifey?", said Kabir, groggly. "Hmmm?". "What happened?". "What happened Mr. Hubby was that you fainted due to overexertion and lack of food. The doctor came, checked you and left. Dadaji and Maa gave me strict orders to take care of you. All this, when you were out like a light for four hours and I haven't slept properly for months. By the way, care has been taken of the huge blisters on your feet too. Just in case, you feel like running in the Jaipur heat without your shoes again".

Kabir wondered why his wifey was so irritated. "J, hah?". Nisha rolled her eyes. "You wish". "Nisha, there are three words which have changed my destiny. Three words which I must say and you must hear". God! Kabir and his three words. Nisha didn't care what Kabir's condition was. If he said anything other than what she really wanted to hear, hell would break loose for him. "What is that?", asked Nisha with narrowed eyes, her heart beating in double time.

"You love me".