Lo main aa gayi is story ka update lekar! Finally! I was actually going to pause this till I finish EU..but then got in a mood to write, so updating it!
Please give in your feedback! I know it's been ages since I updated this one. Many of you might have forgotten this! 😆
Section V:
The Beginnings of the Struggle
Part 1: A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
Saturday, 1st October, 1994, 3.30 am:
All through the night, when Vishakha left, Sameer lay down on his bed thinking- about Rakesh's words, about what Somani had said about him and his father. Could it be really true? Could his dad actually have been responsible for that financial bungling? His heart said no, but his mind argued that he couldn't know. And Nanu himself had confided in Sameer that his father had actually been the culprit. With a deep, sickening feeling, he rolled around, remembering how it had felt when he'd been labeled a thief back in school, that too for no fault of his. He'd begged people to listen to him, tried to prove his innocence, yet had failed. No one had listened to him. Not even Naina. Even she had chosen to trust her brother over him. He didn't blame her. All evidences were against him. And Naina didn't know him well enough. To be honest, he'd for a brief inkling actually contemplated the theft, when Nanu had chipped in his advice about following the right path everytime. And then, he remembered what had happened to his own father in retaliation to his alleged dishonesty and had immediately decided against it.
The relief he'd felt when Arjun had admitted to his folly was cathartic. Naina had prodded Arjun into accepting his crime and that Naina knew of his sincerity meant the world to him. It had been solely his decision to let the blame rest on him, rather than mar the image of Arjun and Rakesh sir only a few days before he'd left for college. But even when the ban on him was lifted, he saw doubt in many of the students' eyes. It was as if they thought that maybe the principal was under pressure from the school's trustee or maybe his riches and influence had worked to forgive Sameer despite the outrageous act.
He shuddered to think how his dad would have borne the burden of being called a cheat, if he had been indeed innocent. Shouldn't his mother at least have known the truth about him? She's still convinced though about his chicanery though. He had to find out and rest the matter once and for all. If his dad was innocent, he'll clear his name and if he wasn't, well, he'll live with it and try his best all his life not to let anyone taunt him for following his footsteps. He'll prove himself- he can work hard. He can fend for himself and Naina. He may not have all the riches his Nanu could amass, but he decided that from now on, each and every penny that he spent would come from his own hard work.
As the rays of the dawn broke out, Sameer freshened up and bathed. He lit a diya in the pujaghar for the first time in his life and prayed to God to bless him with success in the journey he was about to embark upon.
He reached the factory at dot 8. Munshiji, elated to see Sameer so prompt to work, immediately began briefing him on the supplies that'd just arrived from Surat. Since that day, Sameer worked day in and out at the factory, trying to understand the intricacies he hadn't till now. It had been exactly two weeks since he'd spoken to Naina, but he didn't let that deter his focus. She would understand. She would sustain. Deep down, he however feared if her family was searching for prospective grooms for her already. He sent a note to her explaining the circumstances in detail through Munna and Pandit, who in turn relayed the message to Swati and finally it reached Naina. Naina held onto the note like her life depended upon it. In a way, it actually did. She spent her many of her waking hours in prayers for him to succeed and for them to be united for life.
***
Thursday, 20th October, 1994, 5.30 pm:
Rohan was striding on his bike, when he caught sight of the woman who'd smitten him at first sight. He noticed her almond eyes, her shapely physique, the luscious lips and the way her long ravenous hair swayed in the wind. Her expression was forlorn as she walked behind her sister and aunt, clutching the vegetable bag. He knew she was lost in thoughts of Sameer, but not for long. Soon, she would be his and he would see to it that she never remains sad in life. He'd buy her the luxuries of the world, anything and everything her heart desires. He'd shower her with his love abound and then she would forget Sameer and love him. Love Rohan! He blushed to himself at these thoughts and parked his bike to a side.
As Bela and Preeti haggled for the vegetables, Rohan whispered out to her from a corner. Naina looked around and as soon as she saw Rohan, her eyes lit up with surprise. Sameer's brother! He must have come with a message from him. Have they agreed? Is everything set? Surreptiously, she sneaked over to him and as soon as she came to face him, she uttered, "Rohan bhaiya!
The use of the word Bhaiya' irked Rohan. Steel yourself Rohan. This shall pass.
"Uhh Naina...bhaiya vaiya bolne ki need nahi...I'm your friend! Rohan put on his most winning smile.
Naina smiled back, but the next moment, she barged at him with questions about Sameer, his well-being, the situation in the family as to their marriage. "Main jaanti hun Sameer factory mein acha kar raha hai...mujhe pura yakeen hai wo jaldi hi apne pairon pe khada hoke papa ka dil jeet lega!
Her words hit Rohan hard. How did she know that Sameer was working in the factory these days? Of course! They had mutual friends! And from the likes of it, she seemed positive of his success. Seeing his own chances dampening and her lack of interest in pursuing a conversation pertaining him, his life, his likes and aspirations; he took leave of Naina, though not before casting her another lovelorn look. Naina didn't notice it though as it was then that she was called upon by Bela and Preeti. Upon questioning her whereabouts, she lied that she was looking at the jhumkas on the stall nearby.
As Rohan sped away on his bike, he decided to speak to his father. Mr. Somani sat across from him in the evening and listened to his son's ramblings.
"Toh agar Sameer business mein acha karne laga to use kaun rokega dad...wo to easily Naina se shaadi kar lega na? Aur Naina to abhi tak flat hai uspe..mujhe bhi parso wapis jana hai...main uske saath waqt nahi bita sakta...already vacations extend kar li hain maine...pata chale is beech yeh dono premi firse mil jayein...fir mera kya hoga dad?
Mr. Somani nodded and then gestured him to sit still as he contemplated on the future course of actions for a while.
"Rohan...tum tension mat lo...kal se Sameer factory nahi jayega...aur tumhari maa aur hum bhi Dilli wapis jayenge...dekhte hain Sameer kaise jeetata hai Naina ko!
Rohan looked astounded at his father's declaration. He began with a string of whats and hows and whens but Mr. Somani quietnened him with a you'll see and left the room.
***
Sunday, 23th October, 1994, 9.30 pm:
The chilly October winds greeted Sameer and he shivered. He'd decided against taking his pullover with him. The only thing he had with him were the clothes he was wearing. He walked and walked, towards Naina's society, shivering in the cold. There he waited under the balcony for a glimpse of her, but she didn't come out. He cast a dejected look at the PCO, knowing it was no use trying to call her now as the family had got the phone disconnected to Anand's house. Jaded with the events of the past few days, Sameer took shelter near a small bonfire that had been lighted by some labourers a while back and rubbed his palms together for warmth.
The next morning, Sameer found that he'd dozed off on the street where the bonfire had been, and people were now bustling about on the roads. He rubbed his eyes open and saw that the labourers who were sleeping besides him were already off to their day's work. He walked aimlessly, figuring out what to do. He then crossed a restaurant and the enticing smell of brewing tea and hot pakoras greeted his nostrils. Inadvertently, Sameer's hands fished inside his pockets, but they came out empty as expected. He was broke now. He entered the restaurant nevertheless and spotted the rest room, deciding to at least freshen himself up.
He emerged a few minutes later and saw that in addition to the pakoras and jalebis, a new batch of samosas were being fried. The man at the stall noticed him and asked, "bolo sahab...kya loge...garma garam samosa hai...jalebi...khakra...fafda...bhajji!
Sameer tried to quell the pangs of hunger in his stomach. He hadn't even eaten last night. Slowly, he shook his head politely and walked off. Throughout the day, he walked around the locality, searching for a job, in shops and more importantly, for a place to spend the coming night in. He hadn't showered all day today and he felt extremely uncomfortable. He didn't even have money to buy a bottle of water. It was already half past four, when Sameer plopped himself on the bench dismally, wondering if Somani was indeed right and if he should return home and beg him for a job to win Naina, when he heard some familiar voices. He looked up and for the first time in the day, his eyes lit up.
"Munna? Pandit? Tum log yahan kya kar rahe ho?
"Yeh sawaal to humein tujhse puchna chahiye!
They quickly scrambled besides him on the bench and started bombarding him with questions. They were blabbering how they'd been calling him all night and when they went to his house in morning, Ramdhari was in tears that he'd left the house.
Sameer narrated the entire incident to his friends and they listened astonished. How could all this have happened?
"Aur Vishakha mausi kahan gayi...unhone tujhe nahi roka?
Sameer shook his head and snorted. "Unhe bhi bharosa nahi raha apne bete pe!
When they heard that Sameer had spent the entire night outside in biting cold, they were taken aback. "Bhai kamse kam hume phone to kar deta...hamare ghar aa jata! "Tune kuch khaya piya hai ke nahi? They started when Sameer interjected, "yaar tum dono jao...yeh meri ladai hai khud ko saabit karne ki...tum log already mere liye bahot kuch kar chuke ho!
"Haan to sab akele hi karna hai tune? Kal ko humein zarurat hogi to kya tu hamein akela chod dega? Tujhe jaan se zyada pyaar karte hain hum! Aur tu hai ki...ek hi pal mein paraya kar diya...main, mera kabse karne laga tu Sameer? Munna uttered.
Pandit nodded his head, "iska dimag fir gyaa hai...wo Safari suit ko ignore maar yaar...hum Naina bhabhi ko le aayenge...bhaga lenge re...tum dono ki shaadi karayenge...fir dekhte hain kya bolta hai wo khadus!
"Acha...bhaga bhi laaye...fir kya? Kya khilaunga use...kya pehnaunga use...kis chatt ke niche rakhunga jab mere pass kuch hoga hi nahi? Sameer exclaimed bitterly.
Munna and Pandit turned silent at his words.
"Sach kadwa hota hai...kya galat kehte hain log...maine aaj tak kuch karke dikhaya thodi hai jo kisi ko meri qabiliyat pe bharosa ho, ki Sameer sach mein imaandari se kaam kar sakta hai...sahi to kaha Mr. Somani ne- Rohan sach mein bahot talented hai aur main uske muqable mein kuch nahi.
"Sameer...yaar tu.., Munna started, but Sameer cut him off. "Nahi yaar! Abhi mujhe filhaal ek naukri chahiye...aur raat bitane ke liye ek jagah!
Munna quickly proposed, "raat tu mere ghar bitayega jab tak kuch thikana nahi mil jata...bhai khud se jung achi baat hai...lekin jung jeetne ke liye sirf jasba hi nahi...dimag ki bhi zarurat hoti hai...
"Par Munna...ab mujhe kisi ka ehsaan nahi chahiye!
"Ehsaan nahi ise udhar samajh...ekdum dhandhe wali baat kar raha hai yeh ek Marwari dusre se...jab kamane layak bane to ise chuka dena...abhi chal please! Varna hum dono raat bhar tere saath yahin rahenge! Munna exclaimed.
Sameer argued with the duo for sometime, before he gave in. The duo treated him to some tea, water and snacks and then they hired the rickshaw and made way towards Munna's home.
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
