"Roothke humse kabhi, jab chale jaoge tum
Maine socha naa kabhi, itne yaad aaoge tum..."
Aman switched off the music system as he saw the client entering the cafe.
Sad songs helped him recuperate from the fact that Roshni had left him three days ago. Infact, he had asked her to leave, so ruthlessly and heartlessly. He had known of her innocence the next morning but he couldn't still bring himself to find her. What would he say? He feared to face her and see disappointment for him in her eyes. Now that he had proofs, he wanted to believe her. How selfish! He didn't trust her even when she repeatedly begged him to do so.
He only felt shame and pity on his own vain self.
He got out of the car and stepped in the cafe.
He felt a strange, familiar strong smell of nankhatais hit his nose. He looked around, the walls were of deep blue shades.
"Roshni..." he uttered and felt her presence with closed eyes.
He walked ahead and peeped into the kitchen. He could see her brown eyes and fluttering hair, right through a slot in the door. It was her. Yes, it was.
His heart stopped. He quickly stepped back, but his heart was pulling him elsewhere. The door flung open and he hid behind it, to avoid being seen. She walked straight out and served the people around.
He quickly ran back to the parking.
He kneeled beside the car as tears uncontrollably escaped his eyes. How much he wished to apologise and comfort himself, to caress her face and to let the burden go. But he had to hold back. He loosened his tie and stood up. As he touched the car door, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw her standing.
"Roshni..." he muttered, under his breath. He felt he was breathing again, watching her in front of him.
"Mujhe nahi pata tha Khan baba ki aapki ego aapke height se bhi oonchi hai. Aap yahan tak aaye lekin na mujhse mile, na kuch bola?"
He nodded a soft no.
"Oo ya phir mein aapke baat cheet ke layak nahi. Yes yes." She mumbled.
He took a step towards her, too overwhelmed to speak.
She stepped behind, away from him.
"Shayad mujhse baat karke aapke bade aur naami khandan ka naam neeche ho jaayega. Ji yes Khan baba!"
She started crying, thinking of all the allegations he had imposed on her.
"Main toh sirf Sameer ke layak hoon" she kneeled down and wept, unable to support her own self.
He rushed towards her and kneeled down.
She punched him on the shoulder. "Jayiye yahan se. Mujhe nahi baat karni aise vahiyaad insaan se."
He tried to cup her face but she pushed him away. "Roshni I'm sorry, suno toh sahi..." he cried along with her.
She grabbed his collar and pulled him close.
"Kaise Khan baba? Kaise aapne mujhpar trust nahi kiya? Kaise mujhe jaane ko keh diya? Kaise? Kya main maafi ke kaabil nahi?"
"Nahi Roshni..."
"Baat toh yeh hai ki main aapke layak nahi. Naa bharosa kar saka, na pyaar" he looked down.
"Matlab aapne sab realise kiya aur phirse sab kuch khud hi decide kar liya" she said, still grabbing his collar.
He couldn't speak.
She let go of his collar and hugged him straight, not wanting to leave him this time.
"Main aapse naraaz hoon, bohot naraaz hoon but aapse aur door nahi reh sakti."
He kissed her on the head.
"Mujhe kabhi maaf mat karna Roshni," he said while clutching her back and holding onto her like the last ray of hope in his life.
---
Missing them 😭
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