Hey guys..the episodes regarding manhoosiyat, being a bad omen for the ones you love had me wanting to write something on those lines...It's not edited much...just started it last night...I'm giving you Two Shots here...hope you all find it a good read! It was initially supposed to be a OS...but then sometimes, I tend to write too much!
Comments would be welcome! 😳
~TS: Love Hurts and Love Heals~
Part 1: Love Hurts
The moment he landed in Ahemdabad, Sameer didn't know what to do. Had it been a few days back, before Dadi's pinching words pierced his heart, he would have rushed straight to Naina, pulled her into a warm hug and felt the peace he wanted to. He atleast, had had the privilege to see Naina during the dance competition in his school, but poor Naina had come all the way to Delhi, participated in dance for the first time in her life, fought against all odds to visit him there. Yet when she reached there, she always missed Sameer by an inch. Call it destiny's cruelty or Sameer's foolishness, Dadi had won that day. She had been successful in making Sameer believe that his existence was jinxed and that whoever loved him to the core, always met with either bad luck or in worst cases, death.
They say love makes you stronger, gives you unsurmountable courage, the power to win over the world. But then love also makes you weak. Because once you love someone truly, you cannot stand even a small scratch on the one you love, especially if it is caused by you. Sameer was in a similar predicament since the day Dadi had termed him unlucky and given him instances and so-called proofs to justify herself. She'd attributed the untimely demise of his father, to Sameer's birth; the passing-away of Nanu to his shifting to Ahemdabad. And now Vishakha's sudden critical condition- all because Sameer had come to stay with them in Delhi.
Sameer had thus decided that he would stay away from the people he loves- his mother and Naina. He would bear the brunt of having Naina go away from him, but he won't endanger Naina's life or land her into more troubles. The past two years of his life had been amazing- he'd found love when he least expected it, in the person he least expected- Naina! She'd loved him selflessly and with utmost sanctity. He'd also found brothers in Munna and Pandit, and a family in Nanu. But now if he sat down to think of it, he had not given any of them anything apart from troubles. Nanu had been repeatedly insulted because of him. He'd always had to listen to taunts of Rakesh, his parents, the principal- just so he could see Sameer happy. And Munna and Pandit- who'd stood by him through thick and thin, had been repeatedly insulted by Rakesh, beaten, tormented- all because they wanted Sameer to win his love back. They'd worked like servants with him in Naina's house, as labourers in Puja didi's wedding. And what had Sameer given them? Nothing! But the worst hit was Naina! She'd loved him even when he was only pretending to be in love with her. She had cared for him like no one ever had. She'd taught him for the headboy competition knowing that he was competing against her brother. She'd lied to her family for the first time, so that she could honour his wishes and come to his birthday party. Naina had made sure his Nanu had reached the hospital on time, when he'd fallen down in the middle of the road due to low BP. All she'd got in return was scolding and beating by Kumud teacher, and harsh words from Sameer himself. And still, she'd stayed up all night, spent all her savings to knit a sweater for him- just so he could also feel the warmth of someone's love close to him. She'd sacrificed her own hunger so that he could have a full stomach. She even went against her father, when he accidentally broke his scooter. And then the way she brought him to her room in Abu, trusting him completely. She'd made sure he doesn't fall ill, had given him medicines, and a warm, comfortable bed and a blanket to sleep in. All this- by a young girl who risked her own reputation, just so he could be safe and away from harm's way.
A tear trickled down Sameer's cheeks as he recalled what all he'd put her through. He'd been a part of the gang who made fun of her, he'd stolen her new shoes, he'd lied to her multiple times, sweet-talked her to do things she wouldn't have done, had played with her emotions and feelings for a stupid, nasty bet. The time when the bet had been revealed had been the worst moment of his life till now. Innocent Naina had realized Sameer had been faking love to her till now. The bet boys had derided her for falling into his love trap. And then his Naina had lost all sense and hope in love and in life. She'd been admitted to the hospital, went through excruciating trauma- all because of his foolishness. And when she'd finally convinced herself of the genuineness of his love, what had she got? Topper had Naina failed her exams! Why? Because she was engrossed in him, worried for him, expectant to meet him. And he instead had lambasted her for getting her photograph clicked- the photo she'd wanted to gift him. And in Delhi, he'd broken her trust- befriended a gang of goons- had started drinking, and even broken his promise of not smoking anymore.
Sameer knew he was hurting her now. But he was left with no choice. He was now trying to increase distance between them. He wasn't responding to her calls nor was calling her back. Although he reread each of her letters umpteen times, had placed his lips upon the kiss marks she used to send on her letters- that was the closest he could now get of touching her. How he'd dreamt of kissing her! Maybe that was never meant to happen! Now all he did was respond to her letters curtly and that too after one or two months. He knew Naina would be feeling bad, but this was the only way to ensure her safety and her happiness. She deserved the best in life and with Sameer- that did not seem possible anymore.
Lost in these morbid thoughts, he didn't realize when he boarded a taxi at the airport, and told the driver to take him to Pragati Vidya ka Mandir. Perhaps his mind subsconsciously wanted him to relive the most beautiful moments of his life there- where it all started. Or perhaps it was destiny's plan, for it was the farewell day of Class 12th of PVKM. Half an hour later, the car screeched to a halt, jerking Sameer out of his reverie. He saw the familiar board of the school, remembered his first day there- in the canteen with Munna and Pandit and how he used to enter every morning on his bike, and ride slowly side-by-side with Naina's cycle. And then how he'd come there last year on their first anniversary and left in a sullen mood.
He got out of the car and paid the driver. The school seemed quite still. He glanced at his watch. It was around 12. Probably, the students were still in class. As he entered the school compound, a smile crept onto his lips as he reminisced about the time he'd spent there. He crossed the water tap- witness to his proposal of friendship with Naina. The day which had marked the starting of their journey of love, weirdly the day of Rakshabandhan. And it was the same place where he'd accidentally touched her cheeks as she was drinking water. And finally the place where he'd finally held her hand tight, unaware of the surroundings and the people watching them.
Sameer caressed a tap as he opened it. A gush of water streamed down and Sameer put his lips to the water- hoping that Naina would have some day drunk water from this tap. As he satiated his thirst, he heard some commotion at a distance. He moved over to the source of noise, and in turn passed through the corridor, where he'd first almost-collided with Naina. The smile on his lips widened as he stood there reliving the moment. It felt as if his Naina was right there, her eyes boring into his. He sighed and then started walking again and now crossed the library. He peeped in carefully, lest her cantankerous father was lurking there. But thankfully the library was empty. He went inside and caressed the table and the chairs where he and Naina used to sit and study for the headboy competition. He propped himself onto the table as he saw his Naina again- the pencil in her mouth as she focused on solving the Maths problem. He'd never told her, but he'd found that act really cute. And that was the time he remembered, his hand had accidentally touched hers for the first time. And the way she'd shivered at the contact. What were the chances she was already in love with him? "In your dreams Sameer! he rapped his head at his childish thinking. They hardly known each other then. "But then maybe...? That is why she taught him? He heaved again as he got up from the table. "No point in thinking about that...is there? he thought. He then moved out of the library, out into the corridor leading to their classroom. The noise was coming from there only.
He hid behind a pillar and saw the two of the most favourite people in his life, chattering away in front of him. He heard Munna's shouts as he clambered over onto Pandit, trying to scribble Ponga on his shirt. Himmat too nailed Pandit down till Munna had achieved his feat. Sameer grinned, "pagal hain ye dono! And then his eyes, restlessly began searching for the girl in the crowd he was desperate to see. A few seconds later, he saw her. She had her back to him. But Sameer could easily recognize those two pigtails, the curve of her body (he'd never let her know how closely he used to observe her though, more so after their love confession), her slender, fair arms, and feet covered in the canvas shoes he'd once stolen from her. His eyes closed in melody as he heard her chirpy voice, "Swaattiii ki bacchiii...Preeti...ruk tu! Sameer opened his eyes again and saw the trio of girls trying to scribble onto each other's school shirts. And then he saw an unexpected sight. Kamya came running and flung her arms around Naina and Naina hugged her tight. He was stunned. He'd thought Naina and Kamya had never liked each other.
Naina had still not turned towards him. Sameer was anxious to see her- maybe for one last time? And then as if she read his mind, she turned and Sameer felt his breath taken away. He could hear temple bells jingling in the surroundings, soothing music echoing in his ears. He so wanted Naina to spot him, come rushing to him and embrace him into a tight hug. But he was also afraid to harm her- albeit not wanting to. He kept on watching his friends as they scribbled farewell messages onto each others' shirts. Naina, Swati and Preeti moved over to the girls' washroom and it was then that he followed Munna and Pandit to the ground. There he saw them writing their names on the school compound wall. He was elated and mildly surprised to see that they had included his name there as well. And then he couldn't help snigger at the line they'd written beneath- dhumrapaan se kark-rog hota hai. The lesson they'd all learnt from Naina.
Naina splashed the cold water onto her face in the loo. But she was unable to shrug that feeling off. Something was different today. She could sense him- the air seemed hopeful. But how was it possible? How could he be here? He was in Delhi. But still the nagging feeling wouldn't leave Naina. All through the time they were scribbling onto each others' shirts, her eyes had been darting back and forth as if searching for him. Yet she couldn't find him. Why was she having this feeling that he was near her? Maybe she was thinking too much. Today morning when she'd seen the rose bloom into the plant she'd planted in memory of their love, she'd been over-enthusiastic. Probably it was her mind overanalyzing the blooming of the rose, she tried to convince herself, though did not succeed.
Naina spent half an hour in the school corridors, searching for him. She even went to the library to relive the moments she'd spent with him while teaching him. That was the first time his hand had accidentally touched hers. She crossed the corridor where they'd first bumped and she'd fallen in love. And then she went over to the water tap. Still no sign of Sameer! Feeling morose, she'd opened a tap and bent down to drink water, not realizing it had been the same one from which Sameer had been drinking just a while ago. She somehow felt an uncanny respite- from the summer weather or from her heartache, she didn't know. But the water tasted sweet. Naina didn't realize that she'd just missed Sameer by half an hour, in all the places she'd visited. Sameer came back to the classroom, hoping to catch another glimpse of Naina. He found her frantically looking hither and thither. As if searching for something or someone? Sameer knew very well that Naina could sense his presence like he could sense her. Hence whenever, Sameer saw she was coming towards him, he either ran away or hid behind a pillar to avoid being seen.
And then Naina broke down. Sameer, who'd been observing Naina from a distance now, felt his own eyes go moist as he saw Naina erupt in tears. He knew she was missing him. He wanted nothing better than to run upto her, pull her in his arms and console her. But the tag of the cursed child stopped him from doing so. He too cried as he saw Naina weep. And then she ran away to the classroom, to cry in solace. Sameer followed her. He saw her sit down at her usual bench and sob relentlessly. His eyes fell upon the bench adjacent to her, where he used to sit. How he wished he could go and sit there and surprise her. How her face would light up seeing him back again and this time forever! But Sameer stayed put as he saw the person he loved the most, cry for another ten minutes. And then he couldn't bear it anymore. If he saw her like this any longer, he wouldn't be able to restrain himself. He wiped his eyes and turned away from her. He'd traced hardly 10 steps away from her, when his heart jolted as he heard a shrill cry. "Naina???? It had come from the classroom. He rushed back to the class and saw her slumped against a bench, her eyes closed. And what was it? Did he see blood? Yes! He spotted a tiny trail of blood oozing out from the back of her head behind to her ears, just behind her neck. He was about to cross over to her when he realized it must have been because of him. Naina had hurt herself- because he came near her! He became all jittery and helpless seeing her in this condition. Worried to death, he prayed to God for her to open her eyes. But she did not. He couldn't waste time. He had to get help for her. He rushed out in search of a familiar face. But the school now seemed deserted. "Munna! Pandit! he shrieked, frantically. "Swatii...Munnaaa...Preeeti...Pandit! he shouted again, running helplessly from corner to corner. But he got no answer. There was no one in sight. Sameer couldn't leave his Naina alone. He had to get her to a doctor somehow. He ran back to the class, forgot his inhibitions as he saw her lying there motionless and the trail of blood deepen. "Naina...Naina! Ankhein kholo please! he tried to shake her to bring her back to consciousness, but to no avail. Naina was not responding. Her breathing was slow and her pulse was weak. Sameer didn't realize as he lifted her in his arms and rushed her out of the class, out of school. He hailed an auto coming his way and instructed him to take them to the nearest hospital, as soon as he could.
The auto halted in front of the City Hospital ten minutes later and Sameer rushed Naina inside. The next half an hour or so was crucial for him as she was taken inside a ward. He felt all the pleasant-unpleasant memories of this hospital rush to him. It was here that Naina had been admitted because of him, but it was in one of the chambers only that he'd realized his love for her. And this was the same hospital where he'd lost his Nanu. The thought brought him onto a verge of nervous breakdown as he peeped in at Naina through the small window of the ward, where she was being treated. "God...please save her...please! I'll do anything you say...anything she says! Sameer prayed to God earnestly, trying to fight back his tears. He saw the doctors rushing in and out, asking him to wait. Finally, a senior doctor came out of the room. The smile on his face somehow eased Sameer. "Wo abhi theek hain...sir pe chot lagi hai unke...shayad gir gayi hongi aur unka sir kisi sharp cheez se takra gaya...thodi der me unhe hosh aa jayega...tab aap unse baat kar sakte hain..., the doctor told Sameer, as he put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Acha...kya naam bataya aapne apna? asked the doctor. "Ji Sameer! Sameer replied. "Haan to Sameer...thodi formalities hain...aap please complete kar dijiye...okay? the doctor told. Sameer nodded his head as he thanked the doctor and peeked in at his Naina again. He gulped seeing her lying motionless on the hospital bed, her head draped in bandage, needles pricking her hands. "Was it because he had come near her...to the school that this mishap happened? He was unlucky! No! He wouldn't let his Naina suffer anymore! He wouldn't let her see her manhoos shakal now, he decided as he wiped his face onto his sleeve.
Part 2: Love Heals (Page 7)
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