Hello People!! Khamma Ghani!!!
Here is a sweet, joyous short story of the masters of nok-jhoks! Get set for the PrAja ride and enjoy the read. Do give it a try...
FRIENDS FOREVER..!!!
"Hmmm" A lazy sleepy umh was heard.
"Utho bhi!" A plain voice came from the other side.
"5 mins more..." He said in the same grumpy voice, turning in a bed under a blanket.
"WHAT? This is the fifth call Pratap!! Wake up, aaj Presentation hai you stup! And trust me I WON'T WAIT for a second more!" A bit irked and high pitched tone warned and cut the call.
"Kya yaar...!" Frowning he kept the phone back pulling a pillow over his face. A silent moment and suddenly he threw his covers on the bed and playing with his messy curls rushed to get ready.
Within a few minutes, with wet uncombed hair, half-inned shirt, stumbling to open shoe laces, Pratap Singh ran to the gate, as the engine of the car just started.
"Hey! Wait!"
He shoved inside and the car drove off the moment he shut the door. Struggling with the files in hand, he panted a bit
"Your assignment. Na this is mine. Yeh tumhara hai..." He gave her a file but took it back and then the other and...ufff!
"Haha! Lao sab" she chuckled at his crumbled self, taking both of their assignment books. She was almost now habituated to his habit of completing tasks at the end moment.
*
"Thank you" She said taking her order from the counter in a tray.
Ajabde Punwar, a very organised, sweet, bit short tempered and simply stunning girl, sat sipping her juice at their regular table in the canteen.
"Haash!" He shuffled in a chair taking a seat beside her.
Pratap Singh, a usually happy-go-lucky, a bit carefree guy, never took work much seriously. If it wouldn't for Ajabde, his anytime problem solver and a true motivation in life, god knows where he would have reached by now.
"I'm hungry!" He exclaimed barging at one of the sandwiches in front.
"How was your presentation?" She chuckled at him, taking a bite from her own sandwich.
"Not that bad!" He spoke mouthful "But I'm bored of theses assignments yaar!" He sighed making a face.
"I thought you liked to present on the stage" She teased to see him sulking.
"Correction" He took her glass of juice "I like to perform on the stage" He grinned as she pouted.
"Yeh to tumne bataya tha woh tod-jod ke bol aaya... Warna aise speeches are not my cup of coffee" He smiled goofy as she giggled.
"By the way, how was your competition?" He inquired "Judges are still alive after your thesis, right?" He smirked as she smacked him.
"It was about essay articles and not thesis" She told sternly.
"Yeah..ya" He smiled amused.
"Nevertheless, I won it. They were so impressed with my article that it might be published in their magazine's next edition." She was excitedly happy as she smiled adjusting her hair behind the ear.
Being a neighbour of the next door, these two were the childhood best buddies as even their parents were the best of friends. Be it school or college, one would find these two always together. They played, fought, studied together. No one knew them better than them as they even saw dreams together. Days won't end without sharing the updates with each other. Hearing this news, he couldn't be more proud, though he never showed that.
*
Being attacked by some virulent fever, Pratap missed his regular semester exams. Anyhow these tests made him feel sick but this time, he actually fell for it.
"Check this once" He said jumbling up his hair, "This time it must be correct" Giving her the copy for the fourth time.
Ajabde yawned shaking her head, looking all fed up.
"What!??" He gulped, looking horrified "Ab bhi sahi nahi hai?"
"Hai. But exams mein you can't get four chances to try and get the correct answer, only if you know the right one!" His face fell, as she covered hers with palms.
"Tum apne ghar jaao. You have re-exams within a week and abhi bhi yeh haal hai, what will you do there?" Ajabde put his copy on the study table "I won't be there in exams Pratap!" and went to her bed.
He sulked, feeling bad for her. Leaving all her fun and sleep in her vacations, she was here with him, stuck in studies, at the half past one in night. Silently he stood up and left from there.
This was no new to mothers to see Pratap singing softly to make her sleep or Jaiwanta to feel delighted when in the early morning she would be in his house fighting with his blanket to wake him up. Hansa used to smile at him to see Pratap cooking in her kitchen at night, to let her stay awake in nights as they studied together.
Hansa went to the kitchen to fill the water jug at midnight. She saw him turning the stove off. She smiled at his messy self and put a hand on his head.
"Pratap!" He looked disheveled. "Bacche hum kuch bana de khane ko?" She asked lovingly.
"Arre nahi Mausi" He stirred the milk pot. "Aapki laadli ke garam dimag ko mere hath ki garam chaay hi thanda kar sakti hai"
They chuckled as Pratap filled two glasses of hot tea. It was a tested and proven measure to set her mood right as to wake Ajabde and make her functional at 3 a.m.
"All the best" Hansa ruffled his hair and left smiling, showing him thumbs up.
Ajabde opened her one eye questioningly, sniffing in the fresh aroma of hot tea at this hour. She smiled knowing very well whose specialty was that.
"Wake up maam, aapki manpasand kadak masala chaay aapki khidmat mein haazir hai" Pratap entered the room holding tray, with a toothy smile.
She sat up a little sleepy as he handed her a glass.
"And yeh maine next do topics bhi solve kar liye hai, ek baar dekh lena..." Taking a small sip of his tea, he signed at the copy beside her. He sat next to her as she stared him without answering.
"Agar tum help nahi karogi toh aur kaun karega!?" He asked with cute face, ruffling his hair.
"This is the last time. Next time you mess up with exams and I won't spare you!" She warned raising an eyebrow.
"Hmm!! He nodded fervently, smile curving on his face. Sipping her tea, she took a copy in hand again.
"Aww! Thanks Ajab. Tum nahi hoti to mera kya hota..!?" Smiling goofy, he gave her a side hug.
"Bas nautanki! Ab chaay pila ke zyada maska maarne ki zaroorat nahi hai" She smacked his arm playfully as they laughed.
"You very well know, how to get your work done!" She shook head smiling.
"Yup! Who knows you better than me!?" He winked smiling as unknowingly her cheeks heated up a little.
*
Ajabde jumped and cheered from the crowd in skinny black jeggings and top teamed with glittery pink jacket as the people hurrayed in a rock band inter college event. It was such a bliss to see Pratap Singh perform on the stage with his sleek dark maroon guitar in the hand. The audience frisked and danced at the voice of the singing sensation, whose strings played magic.
"Yo Rockstar! You nailed it!!" Ajabde high fived grinning as Pratap joined in, the applaud was still audible.
"How was it?" He asked hopeful as they walked along.
"Okay tha..." She said nonchalantly with a plain face. He reached to her with expression like 'What!?'
"O hello! Tumne thik se suna nahi hoga" He frowned a little, "I'm sure, it will get selected" though he tried to sound confident, her reaction confused him.
"Khatarnaak tha Buddhu!" She giggled looking at him and added "Next time, we'll perform in a concert!" He shook his head in relief as she gushed excited.
"We!?" He raised his eyebrow twice, playing with his hair as she looked away with a bright lingering smile, her cheeks turning slight shade of pink as the wind made her shiver a bit.
"Uh.. you saw those girls? Kaise tumhe ghoor rahi thi..!" She changed the topic.
"Ohh wohh.." He stretched making her narrow her eyes "That's said... they were drooling over miss! Tum nahi samjogi!" He smirked passing her and stepped ahead in attitude.
"Meri personality hi aisi hai..." He boasted adjusting his jacket in style.
"What! Really!?" She fake shocked. "They were droooling..." She stretched it playfully, playing a finger round in the air "Over... You!? You sure!!?" she smirked back, pointing.
"Hein!?" He turned to her "Ajab kehna kya chahti ho!?" Unknowingly of all the people, she was the one, who mattered.
"Log marte hai iss awaaz pe... Pratap Singh! Sirf naam hi kaafi hai" He found words to give back.
"Log marte hai...coz they don't know you" Chuckling she shrugged, walking away, while he stopped on tracks, suddenly his face turned serious. All of a sudden, what she thinks of him got the most important to know.
"They never get enough of me...aur tum dekhti bhi nahi! Kyun Ajab!?" He sighed, whispering slowly.
"Kuch kaha!?" She frowned, reaching him, her hair flying freely in air.
"Mujhe baat hi nahi karni tumse!" He stared at her for a moment, then looked away pouting, a bit disappointed.
"Oww!" She pulled his cheeks but he turned around.
"Main sorry kahu to bhi nahi..!?" She asked cutely.
"Na" He made a face.
"Main ice cream khilaau to bhi nahi..!?" She raised eyebrows hopeful, with a wide smile.
"Nahi" He replied again, turning other way to leave.
"Aur agar hum kahe..." She held his wrist.
"Pratap Singh kaafi nahi marne ko..." Her tone turned mystically soft as her eyes glistened. Mesmerized by her this unique way, he listened carefully without turning. Her voice made his heart beat faster
"Hum jeete hai unke liye...toh!?"
An impatient moment passed as he breathed heavy. In the next she was wrapped up in his arms as her hands rested on his back. The same hug never felt this warm before. Without much hustles, emotions of these two best buddies were upgrading to another level... Ignorant of this newly found feel, they were confusingly happy in their own world.
*
In the morning, the whole Singh and Punwar family were gathered at Pratap's home. Pratap and Ajabde sat restless in front of the laptop screens. Fathers were busy, discussing on a random news over newspaper, while mothers were gossiping softly over morning tea.
Ping!
A notification sound came and all the eyes grew attentive holding breath. Today was Pratap's final result and as per him, he performed aweful in exams. Ajabde scored rank but everyone was praying hard for his passing.
"Yayyy!!!" Ajabde shoot up first and started jumping, hugging Jaiwanta. Others looked up as Pratap gulped, blankly hopeful.
"He cleared!" Ajabde smacked his forehead "Ranima, we got a degree!" She shouted with a wide grin to everyone's utter happiness. Finally relieved, Pratap completed his graduation. Ramrakh Punwar patted his back as Uday Singh proudly congratulated him.
Ping!
Amidst all the cheers and celebrations, another soft ping was heard. Pratap picked up Laptop in an instant and
"Wohooo"
This time it was Pratap who was jumping with excitement.
"Masi they accepted!!!!" Pratap high fived with Hansa as Jaiwanta hugged Ajabde tight.
"Yess" Uday exclaimed happily putting his arm around Ramrakh's shoulder. Clueless Ajab stared at the beaming people around. Chuckling to her ignorance, Hansa patted her head.
"You got the scholarship" Hansa gushed happy.
"But I didn't apl.." She opened her mouth but Pratap cut in.
"You don't need to." He winked moving to his mother. "I know you want to do the Masters, Ms. Topper!"
"But how did you..?" She started again, only to stop.
"Dosti ki hai, to nibhaani to padegi hi!"
He gave the brightest possible smile to her surprised elated one. He had kept the application ready and applied to her dream University for Post graduation, the moment her results were out. They accepted it the very instant as she had very bright strong educational records and she topped the final exams too.
"Thank you!" She mouth whispered to him with glimmering eyes. He put a finger in his one of the ear, pretending he can't hear her, making her laugh as he smiled content.
*
"Your tickets" Pratap handed her the tickets and checked for other things, ready to leave. Her father put her trolley bags in the car dickey, while Uday checked on phone for the traffic on the way.
"Haash! Tum jaaogi fir I'll be so free. Roz maujja hi maujja hoga. Aaahhh..." He saw her eyes moistening, so he said making it sound like he told to himself and looked at her from the corner of his eyes.
"Haww!" She narrowed her eyes. "Dekho, main yaha na hoou, uska matlab yeh nahi, you can be careless again." She said a bit loudly to hide her sniffle.
"I'll self rule my enjoyment and just chill out" He agitated her some more.
"Be sincere. Help uncle. Main aau tab tak sara management process sikh lena." Uday patted her head "I like properly trained assistants you know" she winked at him as mothers chortled.
"Bilkul thik" His father shared a punch with her.
"Papa! Aap bhi?" Pratap asked Uday, as he suppressed his laughter. He shook his head unbelievable, as Ramrakh patted his back.
"Zyada oily food nahi." She pointed at him, eyeing their mothers to take care of him. And the instructor Ajab was on roll.
"Dost ho ya dushman!?" He raised his eyebrows.
"Gala kharab ho jaata hai" She narrowed eyes at him as he groaned looking away.
"Inn sab ka dhyan rakhna" She said relenting a bit. "Warna..." She pointed again.
"Tum mujhe khaa jaaogi!" He shrugged in a matter of fact way, as all the others couldn't control their laughter anymore.
"Hmm." She chuckled to herself. "Aur haan..."
"Nahi"
"Hein?"
"Haan"
"Kya!?" She asked confused.
"Poori zindagi to tumhaare hukam jhelne hi hai na..." He looked dramatically innocent "Kuch roz to let me live on my way..." He asked it such a cutely, her cheeks turned red. He scratched the back of his head, making her heart skip a beat.
"Jaa beta jaa...Jee le apni zindagi!" She giggled hiding her blush and threw the signature line, making everyone chuckle. She handed him a cover
"Your return gift" And winked at him smiling.
"Yeh!?" He looked at her wide eyed.
"Contract hai! Get ready for the concerts Mr. Rockstar!"
She smiled proud. She had sent his music video to the biggest music company in the place, who just got fan of his talent. They awarded him with the opportunity to perform in their upcoming concerts which will give him strong footing in the field.
"Thank you!" He mouth whispered to his best friend who just imitated him, rubbing her ear. He gave a small laugh as Hansa merrily ruffled his hair while Jaiwanta hugged Ajabde.
"We'll miss you baccha!" She pecked Ajab's forehead as Hansa wiped tears smiling.
"I'll miss you all too!!" She hugged back staring Pratap and smiled as tears escaped.
"Let's go." Unable to see this, Pratap turned around as she closed her eyes.
"Jaldi chalo, warna late ho jaayenge" He blinked twice controlling himself and picked up her backpack. Without looking back, he moved towards the car.
*
Following her ambitions and strength, Ajabde topped the Master's degree with distinction. Soon she was to join her father and Uday Singh in their businesses.
All this while, she did miss his special Masala chaay at nights. He used to tease her sipping tea over video calls... Then pamper her by singing her favorite songs, to get her sleep a sound sleep.
Pratap's passion and talent made him the superstar in the field. Getting the correct kick start at the right time, his career got shot to heights. Her cheers always meant boosters to him for excellent performances.
On Ajabde's return post her Masters, they arranged a grand welcome back party, where her first book would be officially got published. With the book inauguration ceremony, their engagement would be declared. For their parents' insistence and utter happiness, finally they would be declared to bear each other for life too!
The Singh couple and the Punwar couple entered the huge auditorium, all pleased. They smiled at the life size photo of the smile of their lady love Ajab.
They settled themselves in front row while the lights turned off and all the murmurs faded at once.
The magical ting of the singing sensation, the role model and rock star, The Pratap Singh filled the air. Cheers and whistles shooted in instant as the spot light focused on the heart throb.
'Yaaro... dosti badi hi haseen hai...
Yeh na ho to... kya fir bolo zindagi mein hai...'
His voice rang with the beautiful music. He smiled and lengthened his hand to the lady who walked up to him in her ever so lively signature smile. Ajabde took the centre and the audience cheered once again.
'Koi to dilbar ho yaar
Begaraz tera woh yaar
Koi to dilbar ho yaar ...' He twirled her and made her sit next to him as he played magic again.
'Arre Yaaro... Mahobbat bhi to zindagi hai...
Yeh na ho to... kya fir... bolo zindagi hai...'
'Yaaro dosti badi hi haseen hai... '
The whole auditorium roared with a huge round of applause. The proud parents reached the stage as the lights turned on, people still clapping happily.
At the end of the performance, a big book box landed from the top with photo of PrAja smiling on the cover. It was a first book inauguration ceremony of their Ajab. At the end of the cover it read :
A crazy story by - Ajabde Punwar Singh.
All the four parents launched the book proudly delighted. With their families being the happiest ones, they stood here, holding hands and smiled to the media, as they asked at the book,
"Is it a gift of a husband to his wife!?" Now as being the life partners, won't it be the obvious!?
"No" They said in unison looking at each other.
"It's a gift of a friend to his best friend."
Ajabde smiled at him as eyes twinkled happy. Pratap slipped ring on her finger smiling as the whole crowd cheered and clapped showering blessings.
"Life partners are for life..."
Pratap beamed as now Ajab did the honors making him wear the ring as well.
"And we are..." They turned to show the name on the cover of the book
"Friends Forever..!!!"
***********
So, how is it!?
Do share your views through votes and comments below. Your efforts are highly appreciated!
Thanks for reading!
MaDiee
Udne Ki Aasha
Cricket
