And It Rained Again
He was angry, frustrated, and not to mention helpless as he was tricked into this situation by his family. He stood there on a relatively hushed part of the huge house waiting for her. His family had been on the bride hunt ever since he had lost the battle of wills with his sister and surrendered his life to them, but only on his conditions about the bride. They'd been ecstatic as his wishes weren't unreasonable after all, but he had smartly rejected all the proposals till now pointing out some or the other shortcomings as they would consult him with the picture of the girl. But not today, Annie, his baby sister had certainly grown up and known all his tricks well. So, this time they decided not to tell him anything in advance until they reach the prospective bride's place.
ahmm hmm
A voice caught his attention and he turned to see two ladies standing as if on line.
Yes.
Aap log baatein kijiye, mai chalti hu.
Saying that she placed a tray with a kettle, two cups and a bowl of sugar on the table and turned murmuring something to the other girl and left, all the while his eyes which was following her movements till now suddenly rested on the other woman who stood there, clad in a light pink saree, very light make-up and her head bowed down almost like trying to get mixed with the earth.
Ahhmm hmmm
He cleared his throat to gain her attention and was about to start his well rehearsed speech about his expectations about this marriage, and life partner when suddenly he looked at her as she'd raised her head too and as their eyes met a chill of recognition passed his spine.
He felt dizzy suddenly looking at her and his eyes immediately started to match the woman in front of him with an image he had in mind.
Same height, same black hair till waist now they were tied in a braid and hidden behind her pallu, same doe shaped hazel colored eyes, same face moles 2 one on the nose and other below the nose. There was no doubt it was her, but he just could not come in terms with all the changes the time has inflicted on her. Those cheeks which were once chubby had now sunken, the lips that always had a slight smile was shaking in nervousness, and those shoulders which used to be firm in confidence today seemed bent, perhaps by the burden of responsibilities.
But why? That was the only question that bugged his mind as he kept looking at her thinking she was so happy the last time he saw her.
None spoke anything as the minute hand of the clock in front of him crawled; they stood there facing away from each other until the other lady came to summon them.
Arre ye kya, aaplog aise hi khade hai, chai bhi thandi ho gayi, Geet tumne chai nahi di.
It's Ok, I don't take tea anyway. Saying that he left from there hastly and joined the families at the hall.
The situation at the hall was quite uneasy as all the eyes were looking at him expectantly, but he was blank. Finally taking the cue, his dadi came to rescue.
Acchha abb hame chalna chahiye, hum aapko phone karte hai, shayad Maan ko sochne ka waqt chahiye, aap toh samajhte hai ye sab aasan nahi hai.
Though Maan was all lost, he still noticed them nodding and after bidding pleasantries they returned their home.
As they reached their house, everyone moved inside but Maan stayed at the garden, his father was about to say something to stop him or say something, but he was glad that his dadi stopped him and he was left alone.
He sat there again, on the same his favorite bench on their garden, just like that day. He looked up at the sky that had turned grey and immediately as if on cue, it started to rain again just like that day.
7 years ago...
It was raining heavily first rains of the season, and he loved getting wet in rain. But this time it was special; this rain has brought many sweet realizations in his life, now he had a special one in his life with whom he wanted to share these drops of happiness. He sighed, this Sunday he'd propose her and then they will enjoy the rains together, he loved her.
Days after that were bliss as he was eagerly waiting for Sunday. And god also as if testing his patience, as Geet was not coming to college since three days; now he has to find out the reason, there was a limit he could go without seeing her after all.
Neha, listen. He stopped her best friend after the class.
Why is Geet not coming to college, is she unwell?
Oh shit shit shit. Maan thank god you remind me yarr otherwise I had totally forgotten to inform you all.
She kept thanking him for a long time till everyone in their gang joined them.
Now say what you forgot to inform. Maan was really getting impatient now.
Aree. It's Geet's engagement tomorrow. Her mother told me to inform everyone and invite, 6 pm at her house. And I totally forgot about it.
She ranted but Maan hadn't heard a word after Her engagement!!
"WHATTT!!!
All the members jumped in shock and happiness, no one realized that Maan hasn't moved an inch since then as they started to discuss the story. Her badepapa had come with a proposal, as her dadi is unwell wishes to see her married as she is the eldest child in the family and it got all fixed.
He kept moving not knowing what where he was going, it was a big shock to is system. The night was also a torturous one, the feel of losing your first love, just when you realized it. He thought of all their time together; to think of it they have always been together since middle school never he'd thought about her in that way as they moved from school to college. All new faces in college only brought them to talking terms, nothing before that as she was way too introvert god! But the college environment helped her to open up and soon they had a gang.
It was a series of co-incidents if you look at it, like when they went for a movie, she sat beside him; when they shared food in pairs, she was his partner; and again in college projects she was his partner. Then suddenly she started to keep aloof, maybe she heard college gossipers linking them as a pair; he was also aware of that, but never gave importance until she started to keep aloof. And then that day with his best friend the rains; he suddenly realized that maybe she meant more, much more to him than just any other friend, maybe not just a partner for project but for life. He was happy; the feeling of love only gave happiness. But longing for your love gave so much pain, he knew not.
But the most torturous was her engagement. He had no excuse to give to his excited gang to skip it, as it was the first marriage in their group. He reached, but very late, the ceremony was over but the party was on. He moved to his group which was painfully egging on the new couple; for a moment he contemplated avoiding but off course Neha had seen him.
Hey Maan, so late man.
Sorry, wo something came up at last moment. He excused as he joined them.
Congratulations Geet, I am sorry for coming late. He wished her, hiding his emotions well.
Thank you Maan. Maan this is Aditya, and Aditya this is Maan. Now my group is complete.
She smilingly introduced him to her fiance and they shook hands greeting each other.
They were all talking, asking each other's likes and stuff as the party had become deathly dull and Aditya voiced their thoughts.
Geet, tumhare friends' toh bahut boring hai. If my friends were here then it would have been a blast party.
He teased her, and it was enchanting to see her plum cheeks color red but painfully it was for someone else.
Haww... no jiju, we are not boring you know, abhi aapki entertainment ka intezaam karte hai. Maan...
Maan was shocked seeing Neha pushing him into mess more than he was already.
Haan.
Come on yar, ab kuchh ga do, hamari izzat khatre me hai and only you can save us.
You know jiju; Maan sings very well, he's been learning music since 8 years now.
What me, No please. I don't think I can sing in front of so many people.
He tried to do damage control, what would he sing in the event of his first love getting engaged to someone else; already his throat was choked with emotions.
Come on man, be a sport. I am not going to judge you. Sing the one you think you know the best. Aditya requested this time, and Maan was about to refuse again but same moment his eyes met with hers. It felt that her eyes silently requested him to sing, probably she was herself unaware of this silent request but he had to oblige.
Why Did You Break My Heart?
Why Did We Fall In Love?
Why Did You Go Away, Away, Away, Away?
Dil Mera Churaaya Kyoon
Jab Yeh Dil Todna Hi Tha
Humse Dil Lagaaya Kyoon
Humse Munh Modna Hi Tha...
He started to sing in sync with the music played by the orchestra. The lights were dimmed and now the space was cleared for the couples to dance. All the couples started to sway slowly with the music as he poured all his love to the last song of his life.
Dil Mera Churaaya Kyoon
Jab Yeh Dil Todna Hi Tha
Humse Dil Lagaaya Kyoon
Humse Munh Modna Hi Tha...
Why Did You Break My Heart?
Why Did We Fall In Love?
Why Did You Go Away, Away, Away, Away?
He saw them dancing together, hand in hand, eyes on each other, a beautiful smile on her faces, and slight blush which could be missed by anyone but not him. At this moment he was sure that she was happy, what more could he ask for?
Ho, Dil Ko Dhadakna Tune Sikhaaya
Dil Ko Tadapna Tune Sikhaaya
Aankhon Mein Aansu Chhupe The Kahin
Inko Chhalakna Tune Sikhaaya
Seene Mein Basaaya Kyoon
Dil Se Jab Khelna Hi Tha
Humse Dil Lagaaya Kyoon
Humse Munh Modna Hi Tha
He couldn't sing anymore with tears choking his throat, even breathing was getting difficult now and hence decided to end.
Dil Mera Churaaya Kyoon
Why Did You Break My Heart?
Why Did We Fall In Love?
Why Did You Go Away, Away, Away, Away?
The song came to an end and everyone clapped praising him. But the person being praised was in a completely different world. He quickly bid bye and left to find some peace. And thankfully he had his best friend yes! It was raining again.
Today as he sat here again drenching after 7 long years yes! He'd left everything after that, his music and his rain seeking answers like other instances but today it only brought questions. What happened in her life? Why was she alone, unhappy? How long has she been like that? Question after question were thrown at him, answers to which he dreaded to seek.
As if his own life was any less complicated that now the destiny wants to entangle it with hers. His heart couldn't agree to accept anyone in his life, earlier that place was reserved for her but now, he was just not sure. Initially when he agreed, he thought that he will be able to indulge his family somehow and evade the actual marriage, but never had he envisaged such a situation when he'd be helpless at the hands of his own heart.
But he feared, still fears. Losing her initially, he had decided that he wasn't good enough for her; that's why someone else was made for her, married to her. Now he was being entrusted with that responsibility, and it was more difficult than ever, either to accept her or let her go.
Let her go, let her go so that someone else marries her again? No, not this time, this was a serious fight his mind was continuously having with his heart and losing big time. Suddenly his trance broke, as it was still raining but he couldn't feel the drops falling on him anymore.
He looked around to find his dadi, sitting next to him with an umbrella so that both are saved from the onslaught of rain. he didn't say anything just kept staring at her blankly. He knew she came here to know his decision, but truth was he was still undecided.
Jaante ho Maan, tum bahut chhote the jab tumhare dadaji humein chhod gaye, waise toh saari khushiyan humne saath dekhi thi, par fir bhi ek khalipan hamesh raha, aaj 28 saal k baad bhi hum kabie kabhie unhe yaad karte hai, aur akele me rote bhi hain.
He looked at her shocked at her last words.
Kyu, rone me koi burayi hai kya? Jaante hai aap sab hamare pas hai, parr beta, zindagi ka itna samay akele bitane k baad hum jaante hai ki akele rehna kitna mushkil hai.
He started to say something but she stopped him.
Abb aap kahenge aapke pas family hai, hum sab hai, parr sach toh ye hai beta ki family sirf life partner se hoti hai, aur koi jeevan bhar aapka sath nahi dega.
She stopped and they kept sitting there for sometime staring at rain, she let his mind process her words.
After a long time she spoke again.
Aapka decision influence karne ka humara intention nahi hai, parr itne saalon baad aapko bheegte dekha toh shayad ek ummeed si jag gayi inn buddhi aankhon me. Aisa laga maano aapko ek disha (direction) ki zarurat hai, issliye apna experience share karne aa gaye. Baaki aapki marzi. Jaldi ander aa jaiye, bahut der se bheeg rahe hai, beemar pad jayenge.
With those words she started to go inside, but Maan held her hand.
Dadi jaise aap thik samjhe.
He conveyed his decision to her in simple words, and the sparkle in those wrinkled eyes amazed him. Yes! He was ready, ready to drench in the rain again, but this time without the hope if it will be able to quench him.
Edited by priya_21 - 8 years ago
Cricket
