Thank you all for the beautiful replies.Will reply soon to each one individually.😳
This update is dedicated to my darlings Isha (Mystique123) and Shreya (Mayashika).A tofa from me for the Onam Celebrations.
Here is the update.Read On.
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"WHAT? Ms.Naina has developed sore throat? Haahaa..Bad Joke Sameer. ''JBR laughed before glaring at Sameer.Sameer knew ;that was such a bad excuse his mind conjured up in seconds but what else reason he could have cited.Naina was present ,she had to come up on stage to receive her appreciation certificate.The situation was such messed up.
"Main sach bol raha hun Sir.Uski gala kharab ho gayi hai. Nightingale ki jagah ab dinosaur bolne ki tarah lagega.'' He lied through teeth ;swearing on himself. ''Sir nahin its JBR..''
"Sorry JBR.''
"Hmm.Par Sameer ab speech aur theme song present koun karega? " JBR asked scratching his chin,seeing the moment of presentation slowly approaching.
"Main karunga.'' Sameer immediately replied, earning another successful curious glare.''Tum karoge presentation?''
"Yes JBR.I mean I have remembered the theme song,I am a singer too.Agar apne Freshers mein notice kiya ho to.Aur speech ..I know what is the content.Naina ne mujhe brief kar liya hai.Trust me Sir..sorry JBR. ''Sameer voiced biting his lips at slips.He felt his; always active and over active sometimes ;brain has taken a mini vacation.He was surprised that his mind played the moments they both spent few minutes before.He still could feel the taste of her lips, her feminine scent still making his senses hazy,the feel of her velvety bare flesh of neck ...the images acting like drugs..making his head swirl, senses run into madness.
"Okay Sameer.Par kuch gadbad mat karna.SAMEER!'' JBR shook Sameer seeing him lost and a short smile playing at contours of his lips.
"Yes JBR.Kuch kaha aapne?'' He asked, coming back from his reverie.''Kahan kho gaye the?'' JBR asked sternly,not at all pleasant with sudden turn in events.
"Wo..main ..speech remember kar raha tha.'' Sameer spoke,trying to look convincing.''Okay.All the best.'' JBR said and left ,slightly patting Sameer's back.
"And now Ladies ,Gentlemen and my friends. I request you to kindly settle down because we are going to have .. ''Lights went off then.Darkness loomed unwantedly.It was pitch black.There were few inaudible murmurs.The stars however twinkled like happy with the turn of events. The host Samikshya looked at Sameer dumbfounded. On her paper it was Ms.Naina Agarwal and on stage stood a stranger boy.JBR came upon stage and Samikshya exchanged few nods.Sameer stood on the stage, grabbing a power cable for support,in dark.The lights came back,as somewhere inside the college's vicinity a generator started to work.
"So ladies and gentlemen..Seems like the power supply wanted to give a grand welcome to presenter of theme song and speech ..Mr.Sameer Maheshwari.'' Sameer let go off the power cable and walked to the microphone stand,feeling a slight shivering in his legs. Not that he had stage fright but this complete unpreparedness. This was most importantly for Naina. The girl loves him, believes him,and he has to stand up to her expectations.He cannot let her be blamed if he creates any unwanted mistake. As planned,the Klieg Lights turned to him instantly.
"Let we rise high as mountains,
Let we leave no stains.
Let we protect our strength and unity,
Leave no stain on honour and piety...''
He was gone in a flow of the theme song, stage fever could no longer haunt him ..not any more.He flashed a smile at Naina who he could see standing at a corner.Her red saree contrasted with the pitch black ambience of night. He could see tears of happiness and pride in her eyes. She was murmuring the theme song.A wide smile from her,the smile formed with those intoxicating plum tasting lips and he continued singing the remaining stanzas. He got confused a bit with the ending tune but the keyboardist and drummer supported him. He ended with a melodic tune.Though it was not perfect,but it had its own effect. As he ended ,he saw many surprised faces.His Mama,Maami,Devang Bhaiya and Poonam Bhabhi looked happily surprised.So were his brothers for life Munna and Pandit. He looked at Naina.She was still smiling, the proud smile.
The easy part was done. Next difficult phase was the speech. The content was easy.He knew how the events unfolded and how uglier it took; like the back of his hand.For a moment before he came to the microphone,he felt like divulging all the details in public.Nothing was best opportunity than this to defame that backstabber Kartik.But he cannot risk Naina's name. Also this was something very few people will understand and the whole college's name will be tarnished for sponsoring such snakes. He can't take risk when he didn't have solid evidence and also when so much of honour is at stake.He will deal with Kartik in Principal's office.Soon.
"Good Evening All.Emily Dickinson says :The brain is wider than sky. And there are few brains in our institution whose are filled with giant dreams.There is absolutely no place for petty pursuits. Such dreamers meet in prestigious BRAINS MEET.A battle of brains, thoughts, reasoning, logic ,planning and plotting.'' As he stressed the words,his eyes remained fixated over Kartik ,who knew the last two words were for him..exclusively.
He went on with praising the efforts and achievements and maintained a complete gentleman demeanour throughout. His eyes met her,she now seated between her Chachiji and Chachaji in back rows.Her eyes had a twinkle and her claps in intervals; yes!He could deliver a good speech.
As he ended the speech with another quote by Socrates..he had this prepared from a long time.''From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate.So friends!Let we develop healthy spirits and turn our brains beautiful as our looks.Thank you.''
The audience stood up and clapped. JBR was surprised and Principal Ma'am felt satisfied that Naina could not have ended in more better way.She took pride in herself for making him Mr.Fresher.
His happiness had crossed limits.Again Naina did it.She always does this. That night in Mount Abu where she had started the poem,leaving it half..compelling him to finish.And today night.Again she was supposed to sing and speak and he completed the task.She could have garnered the applaudes but she always pushed him to his way..intentionally or unintentionally.
"You were marvellous Sameer!'' JBR sounded amazed.Sameer mouthed a soft thank you and drank the bottle of water JBR offered.
"And that was stupendous performance by Mr.Sameer Maheshwari.'' Samikshya said encouraging the audience to clap more hysterically.
He looked at Naina.She was applauding and had a blush on her cheeks.He wondered what Swati whispered to her.''Tera Sameer kitna smart hai?'' He tried finding the answer himself, smacking his head for going crazy.
He was again seated between Munna and Pandit.Both basking in glory of their friend's new found identity and success. "Bhai !Tu chaa gaya.'' Munna and Pandit repeated in chorus,hugging their brother from another mother.The award distribution followed after a brief speech by Samikshya.The Brains' Meet team was felicitated with certificates.He stealthily clicked a photo of Naina ,she getting the bronze medal from Founder.Such a pride moment for him to see his loveliest girl being praised by intellectuals.The night could not have ended more beautifully ,more joyously.
In Sameer's Room
"Waah!Sameer Bhaiya..Aap to bade chupe rustom nikle.Itni prativa hai aap mein aur humein pata bhi nahin. ''Poonam Bhabhi said smilingly as she served Sameer dinner in his room.''Thank you Bhabhi ''Sameer said before putting the Roti rolled in delicious Kobi Batata.
"Par ek baat bataiye..aap to bol rahe the ki aap ka kuch bhi programme nahi hai.Phir yeh gaana aur bhasan kahan se aa gaya?'' Poonam asked confusedly,serving him glass of water.
"Wo Naina... ''He said freezing suddenly.'' Matlab Nainital se aadat hai mujhe.Isliye Principal Madam ne boli ki main speech aur song perform karun.Jaldi jaldi mein hua to aapko batane ka time nahin hua.Aap samajh rahe ho na?''
"Haan ''Poonam laughed.''Samajh gayi kis Principal Sahiba ne boli ki tum yeh sab karo. Principal Naina Madam ? Nahin?'' Poonam Bhabhi asked and he nodded ,distracted by the sumptuous dinner.Then he realised what his Bhabhi had asked him.
" Bhabhi!'' He pretended to sulk; while Poonam giggled.He was amazed at how she guessed everything and that to so correctly.His Bhabhi too was beauty with brains,which many failed to admire.
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With the glory of new found success ,Sameer entered the campus.He had come by bike that day.The car was needed by Mamaji for office matters.He saw Principal Madam going into her cabin holding two cobra files in her hand.A peon followed holding a pile of record files behind her. He saw Naina enter the gate , disembarking from the auto.She had a glow on her face.Her smile evident of the fact that he completed his promise.
Preeti's eyes fell upon Sameer .She nudged Swati and soon Naina was deserted.She looked around in dismay,completely surprised at why her friend and sister deserted her.Then her eyes fell on a not so-distant familiar figure. Sameer standing and admiring her.She blushed a little,running fingers over her chapped lips.
"Thank You.'' She uttered as they walked to the classroom, maintaining a distance. Teachers and Professors walked by them ,making them extra cautious of gap between them.''Dosti mein no sorry ,no thank you.'' He whispered,leaning towards her before entering inside the classroom.
JBR entered the class, cursing the traffic for his late entry into class.''So class!Let's start.We were discussing in last class about balance sheet and cash flow statement.Let's see them in more details. Concentrate! '' His voice authoritative , as he drew few tables on the blackboard.
"Sir! ''A peon barged in , interrupting the flow of lecture.
"JBR...Its J B R.Kya hua?''
"JBR! Principal Madam ne Sameer Maheshwari aur Naina Agarwal ko office mein bulaya hai,abhi.'' He informed.Sameer looked confusedly at the peon,so did Naina. Did the Principal want to talk about Brains Meet? Did she investigate? Was Naina going to be felicitated again? Was he going to be felicitated for last night?
Naina stood outside the Principal's Office, fidgeting her fingers.He too stood completely puzzled. He could see she was sending silent prayers to her bhagwanji.However.few minutes later ,he was completely confused.He saw his Mama and Maami enter the college gate.Why were they in the college?Did the Principal madam call them? But WHY?
If that was not enough,he saw Naina's shocked face.It felt like she would soon faint. He looked into her direction and found her Chachaji and Chachiji coming together with smiles.She looked at him.He nodded that he had no possible answers for such a gathering that to in Principal's office.
"Sonu beta!Kya hua ki teri Principal Madam ne humein achanak bulaya?Kuch hua hai kya beta?'' Maamiji asked checking his temperature. His insides churned in a fear of unknown.He could not figure out what was wrong but something was definitely not right.
"Pata nahin Mamiji.Aap andar jaiye.'' Sameer said, nearly pushing them inside the cabin.He needed some alone moment to think of possibilities.
"Arey Naina beta!Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye aisa kya phir se jeet li jo teri Principal Sahiba ne teri Chachaji ko daftar se ane ko kaha?'' Chachiji asked ;caressing Naina's cheek in affection.
"Wo..Madam ko pata.. hoga Chachiji.'' Naina stammered.
"Arey Sameer beta!Tumne bhi prize jeeta hai kya?Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye bahut acha perfumance diya kal.Maine pehle bhi bola tha yeh to heera hai.'' Chachiji said,recalling the wedding days memory and Sameer touched her and Chachaji's feet.He seriously needed their blessings then.
"Bela!Perfumance nahin performance.Bahut achi prativa hai tum mein Sameer.Iss prativa ko aur vikashit karo. Humesha sahi sangat mein rehkar tarakki karo.'' Chachaji blessed as he pushed through the cabin door.
"Tum dono ko andar bula rahein hein,Madam.'' The peon called.Never in his life he had been so terrified in entering the Principal's cabin.His anxiousness mirrored Naina's.In Nainital it had been a daily affair but that day it was different for him.He was not alone.He was with Naina. Why they were together even with their respective parents sitting inside cabin? He was confident about Naina,he was sure about him but not an ounce confident or sure about them called together.
"Chai ya thanda,anyone?'' Principal Madam asked and both parents politely declined.
"Madam!Kya hum jaan sakte hein ki humein kyun bulaya gaya hai?Mujhe wapas jaana hai office.Meeting hai. ''Chachaji voiced only to be pacified by Principal Madam.It will take few minutes,Mr.Agarwal.
"Kya aapke bache ache dost hein?'' Principal Ma'am asked ,sipping her tea.
"Wo sirf ek dusre ko jaante hein.'' Maamiji spoke recalling the conversation between her and Sameer about Naina coming to their house.He had said that they just knew each other and she had come to collect her notes , impersonating as beautician.
"Sirf ek dusre ko jaate hein? Interesting. Mujhe nahin pata tha ki sirf ek dusre ko jan ne wale log aisa kar sakte hein.''
"Kya kar sakte hein ,Madamji?'' Mamaji quipped in.
"Yeh kar sakte hein.'' Principal Madam stressed ,pushing the same two cobra files ,one to each pair of parents. Sameer moved a little closer to see the contents of file in Mamaji's hand while Naina moved a little further to see the contents of file in Chachaji's hands.
They silently peered into the contents.After seeing them ,Sameer wished he was better dead.He glanced at Naina.She had turned into a numb statue.There were six photographs ;each attached neatly on a foolscap paper.
First Photo: Naina and Sameer standing close. Naina crying in her red sari.The backdrop was the abandoned basketball court.
Second Photo: Both of them hugging each other.
Third Photo: Sameer kissing her hair.The faint lights from the stage could be seen. It was clear that it was snapped on Felicitation night.
Fourth Photo: They standing more close to each other,her fingers gripping his shirt and his arms around her waist.
Sameer dreaded to see the last two photos.The last two photos showed how apocalypses look like.He saw his Mamaji and Chachaji's expression change drastically while Mamiji had loath and Chachiji had disgust written all over faces.
Fifth Photo: It was photo of them , Kissing.
If the fifth photo was not enough, everyone's eyes travelled to the sixth and final photo.Sameer felt the ground shake beneath him. This is how earthquake of magnitude 9 on Richter Scale feels.A stream of hot ,thick liquid flowed down Naina's cheek. Suddenly time for her felt stretched and distorted.
Sixth Photo: The fearful of all five. His lips on her neck and her fingers entwined in his hair.
Sameer took a step back in horror and Naina clutched the Principal's table for support. This was unanticipated.
Chachaji's calm voice was replaced by anger " YEH KYA HAI NAINA?''
"Keep the tone low Mr.Agarwal. Main bhi wohi puch rahi hun yeh kya hai? What's this rubbish affair?''
"Yeh sach nahin ho sakta Madam.Frame wali photo lagti hai.''Mamaji said ,again inspecting the photos.''Main nahin manta.'' For a miniscule of second,Sameer felt thankful that Mamaji was not convinced.
"Aap isse framed mante hein?Iska negatives hein mere pass. Mr.Maheshwari.You can see them if you like.'' Principal Madam said throwing a scowled glare at Sameer.
"Par humara Sonu to bacha hai.Ismein iski koi galti nahin.''Maamiji said while Mamaji nodded supporting her.
"Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye ..aapka kehna ka matlab hai humari Naina ki galti hai? " Chachiji's raised voice was enough to snap Mamaiji's dam of self control. Sameer knew apart from all that would follow ,one thing was sure to follow .. an immediate ugly altercation between Agarwals and Maheshwaris.
"Aur nahin to kya.Aapki beti ro rahi hai.Mera Sonu sirf samjha raha hai.Aur wo kiss bhi aapki ladli beti ne pehle kiya hoga.Arey humare Bombay mein khubsurat ladkiyan kam hein jo mera hero type Sameer aapke beti ke sath yeh sab karega?Tum logon ki aukat pata hai mujhe .Aise ameer gharane ki ladke pe dora daalna ka tareeka ...sab pata hota hai inn do kaudi ke ladkiyon ko '' Sameer just wanted to bury himself alive while he knew Naina too wanted the same.
"Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye..iska matlab galti kare aapke beta aur ilzaam lage hum pe.Wo kamar ko waise pakadna..aur wo gardan pe..Chi chi...yeh to shadi se pehle hum soch bhi nahin sakte.Puchiye apne Sameer se ki aisa kya ho gaya tha ki aise behek gaya?'' Chachiji asked Mamiji ,her voice choked with tears.
"Please stop it Mrs.Maheshwari and Mrs.Agarwal.'' Principal shouted. Silence loomed over the room.It was more dreary and threatening.
"Mr.Agarwal and Mr.Maheshwari..I will not take much of your time.One thing I wanted to inform you.Whatever Sameer and Naina have done ..I am not saying who is right or wrong. Dono barabar ke hissedar hein ismein.Agar yeh sab film hall mein karte to humein koi problem nahin hoti par yeh sab college ki premises mein hua hai.This is serious offence.College ke rules and regulations ke mutabik third degree indiscipline hai yeh.Since Naina is a bright student of our college and Sameer is going to represent the Basket ball team in next month, I am suspending them both for a period of one month.Next month se inke exams hein.So Sameer and Naina will directly attend the exams.''
"Par Ma'am ... ''Sameer said in reflex, trying his hand at the last defence.
"SHUT UP SAMEER! ''She said.''Shukr mano Disciplinary Committee tak baat nahin gayi hai.Pure saal ke liye suspend ho jaate aur exams bhi nahin de paate.This decision is solely by me.Tum college ko reperesent kar rahe ho isliye college hours ke baad you have permission to practice with your team.This decision stands final.No more arguments.''
"Thank you Mr.And Mrs.Maheshwari and Agarwal for sparing your time.Sameer and Naina!You can now leave for your class.Excuse me!I have a call to attend to.'' The Principal got busy with few papers while Mamaji left the cabin followed by Mamiji.
"Sonu!Jaldi ghar aana.Tujhse baat karni hai.'' Mamaji threw the words and left.Naina came out followed by Chachaji and Chachiji. Chachaji eyed Sameer and Sameer could see disappointment clearly written in his eyes.He has fallen low in Chachaji's eyes.
"Chachiji! ''Sameer called Chachiji,with an attempt to ask for forgiveness. He knew she was hurt beyond his comprehension.the words from his Mamiji also has hurt her a lot.
"Baat mat karo mujhse Sameer.Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye,tumse yeh umeed nahin thi. ''She spoke and left .He saw Naina.She looked scarred. She wiped her tears and went straight to the class. He didn't have the courage to call her name even.
It rained incessantly that afternoon.The blue skies had turned grey and trees were shedding yellow leaves.The street felt unusually cold to him. He saw her waiting for the auto, the smile gone replaced with a horrifying silence.
Cold chills hit his lips and he instantly remembered not the beautiful night.But the tremors evoking incidents in Principal's office.
Was it really so wrong?
Could he rewind that night,please?
(To be continued)
P.S.:Thank you for reading.😃Would love to read all your feedback. 😳
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
Health and Fitness
Arjun
