Nairan Os: Hum Saath Saath Hain

Naina stood rooted, she couldn't believe what was happening with her life. It seemed like it had been weeks since she left the Chauhan house but no, it had only been a few days and here he was in front of her eyes. He looked messy. His hair in a blob uncombed for who knows how many days. He hasn't been taking care of himself and it shows. His beard has grown a bit and was poking out in all the wrong angles. His neck which he was clearly trying to hide under the jumper displayed his latest allergy marks. And most importantly his bloodshot eyes, he had been crying for a long time and probably hasn't slept a wink too.

Once she had left the house, she was determined to work and earn herself a living. She had insisted not to return to Boondi so she could stand for her own right for a change. She had started working at a small school nearby and teaching some children. She silently admired her husband who was teaching music across the street every day. And every night she wrapped herself nicely around the cute doll she had made for herself and slept mumbling a lot of things. Usually the tears found their way to her eyes too. She missed him, his anger, his smile, their little nok jokes.

Today morning was a little different, she had been writing her notes for the next class when there was a sudden noise at the door, she was bewildered to find Karan standing there shaking. The moments that followed after were still hard for her to digest. Did he really hug her? She could still smell his cologne on her, it couldn't have been a dream. Their first hug she thought. She tried to keep herself from blushing at the memory. Then the words and tears that came after, was that also true? She pinched herself and a tingling pain ran down her hand. Every moment was true, Every word was true and the most important part was he meant it, every bit of it.

She noticed his eyes still on her, she cleared her throat, tum bait jao Karan, she squeaked. He smiled.. oh that smile which she was waiting to see. Ab baitne ke samay nahi hai Naina, hum abhi ghar wapas jayenge. His mood was too blissful, he seemed a completely different person to how he had walked in. Before she could even reply, he was at the cupboard, pulling all her clothes out and sprawling them across the bed. Then he dragged the suitcase and packed all her belongings, before sweeping off the stuff on the table in too and closing it shut. Chalein he said looking up at her. She couldn't do much, she managed another nod. He lead the way, closing off the room door behind them.

All the while, she remained silent, making sure she took in all that she was seeing. Her husband had come to take her home, the same man who kept telling her to get out of his life now wanted her back. Her heart felt the sudden bubble of happiness. She knew they were still a long way away from a happily ever after. His disease was still as dangerous but she knew this was a start. She believed that if there is a will then there will be a way.

They were seated in the car now, the slow breeze coming in through the window. Karan continued to admire her. She tried to keep herself calm and not shy away. Suddenly, Karan told the driver to stop the car. The sudden jerk, surprised her. Before she could begin to ask what happened, Karan was at her side of the door. Aao Naina.. he said, she slowly climbed out of the car and squinted at the noon sun before she took in her surroundings.

Tumhe yaad he Naina, jab hum pehli baar dost hue the, tum ne kaha ki tum mere saath ice cream khaana chahthi ho, aao aaj hum us khwaish ko poora karthe hain. She smiled. Karan always managed to impress her, he may not know every little thing about her but he always seemed to know tiny little things that she had told him. She was touched, and her heart made a little skip. Haan chalo she said, smiling.

They walked in together and seated themselves in a corner. Tumhe kis flavour pasand hai Naina? Chocolate Vanilla ya pir kuch aur? He seemed so normal and calm apart from his messy look. No one looking at them would have ever thought that they had been through so much in the last few days. Mujhe toh chocolate he pasand hai, she replied. Teek hai mein woh he order kar leta hoon. Karan waved at the waiter and ordered in whispers. A few minutes later, the waiter returned with a bowl with three scoops of chocolate ice cream. Tumne kuch order nahi kiya? she asked curiously to Karan. Woh maine socha ki ice cream share kar lange do dost. She smiled and tried to shut out the little butterflies in her stomach. Yeh toh romantic be hotha hai she said to herself.

They slowly began eating the ice cream. Karan stopped eating for a moment and stared at her. Kya hua? She inquired. Woh kuch lag gaya hai he said. He took a tissue and slowly wiped away the ice cream on her cheek. All the blushing and shying she had tried so hardly to stop, found its way onto her cheeks. He noticed too. Then he offered her a spoonful. She gladly accepted and they shared their ice cream and finished it off. Ice cream bohot accha tha na Karan? She asked. He nodded, haan bohot sweet tha, bilkul tumhari tarah he wanted to say but he kept the last few words to himself.

Karan called the waiter and paid while Naina excused herself to the washroom. She stared at herslf in the mirror, she looked an equal mess, she thought. She tidied herself and washed her face to erase what would hopefully be the last of her tears. When she returned, she was surprised. Karan was no where to be seen. She asked the counter who pointed that he left out onto the street. Yeh Karan kahan chala gaya? She thought to herself. She left the shop and looked around.

She was about to walk down the lane when she saw Karan rushing to her. Karan tum kahan gaya the? He didn't reply, but instead he placed in her hand, a small box. Yeh Kya hai? She asked. Tumhi deklo, he suggested. She nodded and opened the box to see a very nice brightly coloured pair of glass bangles. It was a shade of pink and blue, perfectly matching the shalwar she was wearing today. She loved them. Again for probably the third or fourth time today, her heart melted. He was so sweet sometimes. Yeh... she began. Woh actually, Maine kabhi tumhe gift nahi dee hain. Competition mein bhi wohi question poocha bhi tha. Toh bas wahan ek choodiyan ki dookan thi, socha ki tumhare liye kuch kareed laon. He grinned.

She carefully analysed the bangles. They were finely worked with little bits of gold. Tumhi pehena do... she replied taking off the bangles she was already wearing and offering her dupatta. She giggled at how the dupatta and the umbrella were two main props in her and Karans life. He willingly wrapped his hands in her dupatta and slowly helped her wear the bangles. She shimmied her hands to show him. Kaise hain? She inquired. Bohot ache hain Naina. Tumhe ache lage na? He squinted his face waiting for a reply. She nodded, haan bohot. Thank you. Chalo hum ghar chalte hain. At this his expression changed once more. Kya hua Karan? She asked. Woh pata nahi ghar pe sab kaise react karenge, he creased his forehead with worry.

Although she was trying to keep a straight face, Naina had felt the same. She was nervous at how papa and maasi maa would feel about her returning home. But she had to remain confident. She had to be braver for Karan and so she kept her head high. Kuch nahi hoga, mein sab kuch sambhal loongi, tum jo mere saath mein ho. And with that they returned to the car.

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