Hi my lovlies.thank you so much for each like and each comment you passed as I introduced you all my next story. And here comes the chapter one of it.also a little confession and a clarfication.😆I would like to mention that I have introduced a character into this story,a one that I created in one of my recent works of this forum.the two stories are not linked it’s just that I loved that character a lot and I brought it into this.you will get to know who that it as you read along. Please know that I love you all and all the roses and chappals are equally welcome. Thank you for loving my work and appreciating them immensely. Thank you pushing me to do better.
Chapter one: Phir Kal Judi Aaj se
Ajit laid himself down on the recliner next to rohit’s bed and shut his eyes.
Awhile back,a glass cracking into pieces had woke them all up from the midnight sleep. Running downstairs,they found the inebriated rohit who had tumbled down the stairs and shards of his bottle scattered around and his head bleeding.
This had been the rohit sippy they knew for the past years and tonight it looks like nishi bua’s words have hit the core of the wound he had been suffering for half a decade now.
“Ek naa ek din sharaab peekehi marenge. Bewakoof.” ajit heard Akash said putting rohit on bed after his dressing was over.
“Kya karu akash.Tume aur hume aur sab ko pataa hein ki ye kabhi badalne nahi waala hein ab...aaj nishi bhi kuch zyaada hi boldi lekin.” YK sighed.
“Sahi toh kehedi. Sonakshi nahi aane waali hein. Its better that rohit understands this soon.” Aakash said.
Ajit for the umpteenth time found his mind doing kickbacks back to that fateful night and the fateful events that followed.
Ye reports ke hisaab se toh wo laash sonakshi ki hein.your wife is no more rohit.We are sorry,sorrier than we can ever say.
He opend his eyes as those words rang in his ears.
That night five years before.The night he last saw his brother alive. Yes he couldn’t deny the words nishi bua said though it was harsh,aakhir that was the reality. Since then rohit took a three sixty degree turn and literally turned into a walking deadbody. Addicting to alcohol and living with a burning rage at everything became his habitual. There were days he had to go to police to bail rohit sippy out from the roadside anger fits he got into.There were nights they sleeplessly stayed at hospital as he went into episodic alcoholic poisonings.
Then Three years ago,their father passed away and it was ajit alone who had to do the anthim sanskaar for rohit downright rejected to even take part in the funeral and Rohan had been already thrown out of home by rohit already by then,after his alleged affair with praniti rastogi was exposed.the next bomb exploded when a random woman walked in claiming rights over pooji and naren sippy at the funeral only ajit and the rest of the family got to know the bitterest secret hidden under the ashes of the past.His dad had cheated mom behind her back and his mother was broken beyond repair at its revelation.within few days,ajit saw everything in his family shattering into pieces and from a energetic happy family they had turned into a silence and a sadness,aur family hona toh bohot dhoor ki baat hochuke tha us wakt.
This cannot go ahead,this should not be happening to my family.He thought.At least not to bhai.He doesn’t deserve a life like that.Ajit thought with a deep sigh.
And With pari and rohan’s issue the heat between both the families rose up and especially nishi used that and also sonakshi bhabhi as reasons for opposing the decision of pooji. Rohan’s was justified but why sonakshi bhabhi? He could never understand why.there was something that he had yet no idea about.Meanwhile Pooja and pulkit had decided to get married soon against the wishes of both the families but ajit had taken the couple’s side.He remembered that pooji wanted him to accompany her to go to Goa for her dress designer’s appointment.He had agreed but now he thought he should make some change in plans.Yes he will go but he will take rohit with him for this,away from the chaos for a little while.
He knew that rohit will never say yes to this plan but jitna ziddi jo Rohit sippy ban sakte hein utna hi ziddi uska bhai bi ban sakte hein. Ajit closed his eyes and fall into a shallow sleep.
His fingers start running over her nape right above where his name was carved now. She shudders at his touch and looks sideways with the smile that could always halt him from breathing.
Rohit...
He reads it again in mind and she whispers it out both happen at the same time.
He bends hovering over her,snaking his arms around waist underneath her saree and places his lips over his name on her again.unable to bear the sweet torture he was giving her,she tightens her hands over his silently begging him to stop.
No...I know you don’t want me to stop,wifey.
He whispers placing his lips on her shoulder next and she blushes crimson at his husky voice.
Koi aajayega rohit....please.
Humari kamra hein.locked hein.Keise koi yuhi eise aayenga andhar.
He chuckles against her skin and she turns to him in a second and hugs him ever so tight,hiding in his chest.He digs his face in her hair and as he takes in the scent of her fruity shampoo his eyes close in a solace he feels only and only around her.She takes him by amazement when he feels her soft lips pecking his warm skin at his collarbone and he runs his palms up against her back,making her eyes meet his.
Say you love me...
He whispers as her eyes shine.
Say it.
He orders as he seeks it in her eyes but she doesn’t say a word.
Please.
Begging her next he cups her cheeks but the next moment she takes his hands off of her,nodding in negative,the shine in her eyes is gone and is replaced by some unfamiliar expression now. His heart engulfs in an even unfamiliar feeling as she starts to walk away from him.
He tries to take her name frantically but fails. His hands shiver and legs go numb and eyes fill but she doesn’t stop.
No she cannot leave me. She cannot. She promised.
S......
Fails,he fails to take her name and breaks,she breaks the promise she gave to keep.
Jutting out of the bed, Rohit sippy realized that he is in the present day,five years later into the reality from what he just dreamt of.His head felt heavy and he held it where it hurts to find a bandaid around. His palms covered his eyes which are burning and itching already and his hand is paining,probably he rolled down somewhere and hit somewhere again,nothing to wonder.
Stretching the free hand to the landline receiver for he don’t remember where the heck his mobile is,he dialled a number and waited as usual till he heard the recording saying him that the number is out of order. Cutting the call he dialled his hospital next and Simmi answered him.
“Aaj kuch appointments hein?”
“no sir.”
“All patients are stable?”
“Yes sir all good.”
“Ok then aaj mein ghar mein hoon,kuch hein toh landline par call karo,got it.”
“Yes sir I w....”
the call get interrupted as ajit takes the receiver off and speaks up.
“simmi....ek hafte ke chutti hein bhai ka.kuch ho toh mujhe contact karo,ok.har appointment cancel.agle hafte milte.ok bye.”
Rohit stared at the boy who threw the receiver away to the bed.
“What holidays.are you freaking mad ajit?”
“Mad aap hein.Patients ko sambhalne se pehele apne aap ko sambhalo bhai.if people get to know that their surgeon is a drunkard like this, aapko jaldi kissi aur kaam doonda hoga.”
“Tu mujhe lecture mat de.chale jaa yaahan se.mujhe akhele rehena hein.”
“Itne saal eisa hi reheta tha aap ne,ab bohot hua. Chalo taiyyar ho jao,we are going to Goa.”
“No I am not. Mujhe kahi nahi jaana.”
“Mein pooch nahi raha hoon bhai.bata raha hoon.you me and pooji hum teeno jaaraha hein.uski shaadi ki saari intezaam shuru karna hein. And you have to be there.that is it.”
“Mein yahaan sab dekhlunga,tu jaa uski saat mein nahi aa sakta.”
“Yeah right so that you can be here get drunk and fight with everyone right. Kaahe ka yahaan sab dekhlunga aap!?”
“Ajit I am not coming means I’m not coming.”
Rohit got up and turned to leave. Ajit decided to kick the last straw remaining.
“Mujhe pata hein aap ka problem kya hein,aap pooji ki help nahi karna chata hein right.No matter what you say,you don’t love her.aaj tak aap wo baat lekar naaraz hein ki aakhir wo paapa ka....”
“Shut up!!!!” Rohit slapped ajit in the next second and ajit held his cheek smiling inwardly though his skin burnt.
“Shut the f**k up.Make sure that it’s the last time you say this ajit.the last time.agli baar eisa bola tho muh thod lunga tera.samaj gaya? Pooji hum dono ki behen hein aur usse aage yaa peechein kuch aur baatein nahi hoga.”
Ajit pretended to be angry but he knew his work was is done.
“Chal dafaa ho jaa ab yahaan se.aur pooji se kaho mera intezaar karneki.go.”
Sorry yaar pooji.i never wanted to even bring that topic ever.but i was helpless.Ajit thought as he walked away.
—————————————————
“Yaar tu bhi pooji,mumbai mein kitne designers hein? Itna special hona chahiye ta toh seeda jaakar manish malhotra se karwaasakta tha.nahi tumne Goa mein koi random designer select kardi?” ajit ranted.
Rohit who chose the front seat just stared at outside as the vehicle took them to their hotel. Pooja who was elated having rohit joined in their journey to Goa was excitedly responding to all the rants of ajit.
“Random nahi hein ajit.taqdeers is a great place. Mere do friends ki shaadi ka joda wahaan se karwaagaya aur they were beauuutiful.i am glad we could come here. I cannot wait to get there.”
“Taqdeers yaa kuch bhi.get it done at one go alright. I cannot accompany you up and down all the time.Yaar tum aur pulkit yahaan ek destination wedding hold kiya toh isse achcha hoga kam se kam. I mean all the way to Goa for one wedding dress!? Had hein honestly.you are crazy pooji.bas.”
“ma’am taqdeers to yahaan iss mall mein hein.”
Interrupted their chauffeur showing them the place.
“Awesome.i will get down from here,bhaiya gaadi rokho zara.” Pooja got ready.
“Hotel kidhar hein?” Asked rohit.
“Bas yahaan se paanch minutes aur sir.”
“Teek hein so,ajit tu pooji ki saat jaa,mein check in karke wahaan aa jaata hoon ok.”
Said rohit and ajit agreed and got down with pooja.
—————————————————
Half an hour later rohit came back to the mall and after getting down from the vehicle he realized that he forgot to bring the mobile. He didn’t pay attention to the name of the boutique pooji told and now he was so lost to find the place he wanted to go to and now he was so frustrated. He took the escalator to go to the next floor wanting to figure out something and when he was reading the directions board near by he noticed something.
A little girl walking alone the corridor was nearing the escalator and rohit looked around to see if she was with a parent but there was no one. Clad in a light pink dress with two little pigtails,she was jumping up and down excitedly reaching the escalator. Rohit ran there fearing that she will tumble down the moving stairs and reached there within some seconds. Sweeping her off the floor he carried the little one to his arms and moved away from the area as she looked into his eyes wondering what did just happen.
“Arey mein shameen se itni upar keshe aagayi?”
She asked from the tall uncle who was carrying her in his arms,taken aback by a whole shock.rohit stared at those big curious eyes and suddenly having the little girl in his arms made him feel so special. Such am unfamiliar feeling throughout this painful five years.Not getting an answer she peeped down from his arms as if to check how far she is from the ground and her mouth formed into a perfect ‘O’.
“Aap kitna tall hoon? Shix feet?! Aap real hoon?” She asked the next question. Rohit still stared at all her actions not caring to answer.
“Bolo naa.kahi aap ek shuperhero toh nahi? Arey.pleash.kuch kaho naa. Kya hua?”
Rohit still watched her as she talked,in a total awe. The little girl waved her plams infront of his eyes. He jutted backed to reality.
“Arey blink karta hoon matlab real hi hein.Kuch toh boliye.kya hua?” She asked.
“Kya hua? Agar ek second bhi dher hua toh tume khud dekh sakti thi ki kya hua.” Said rohit with much annoyance next.
“arey itna gushsha achcha nahi hein shehat ke liye.” She said cutely and rohit took a while to understand her little chatter.
“yaahan wahaan akheli kyun gumti hein tum? Gharwaale kahaan hein?”
He asked.
“yahaan wahaan aap bhi akhela hi gumta ta right.mein neh dekhi aap ussh board ke paash.aapke gharwaale kahaan hein?” Was her response.
Unbelievable.
Ek aur sawaal ka jawaab sawaal se hi dene waali,phir se.
Said his mind aloud in his head even before he could react to it. He didn’t want to think beyond it because if his head gets started here then the resultant memories that would come by will not do any help to him than messing him up completely.
“Tell me where your family is,I shall take you there.” He said next.
“Arey I know where to go,infact wahaan she hi aarahan hoon mein. Ish mall mein har ek kona jaanti hoon mein.”
“Pata ho toh jaa kyun nahi ho?yahaan wahaan kyun gumti hoon?”
“Oh fo.Gumti nahi thi mein.inshtant noodlesh kaane ki mood aayi aur mein toh food court jaa rahi thi.lekin aap ne rokha mujhe,patti waala uncle.”
Today universe has chosen himself solely he thought.memories started coming through and his heart made a tug.Instant noodles? Instant noodles pasand karti hui koi aur bhi thi mere saat,saaalo pehele.he tried not to fall weak in front of a little child.forgetting that with difficulty,He wondered what she told last and then figured out that it was about the bandaid around his head. He shut his eyes trying to be patient with this little chatterbox, not to mention but a very cute little chatterbox.
“I think you don’t know where you want to go right??? Gumshudha hoon aap.” She said scanning through his face carefully. The little one’s word pierced his heart, yes she was right.he nodded weakly.
“Kahi mein aapko apne manzil tak pochti hoon toh.zara shochiye.shochiye shochiye. Come on.” She said cheerfully. Rohit waited yet lost of words and thoughts.
“Arey.dekho to shahi.mujhe toh bataao ab.kahaan jaana chaata tha aap?” He came back to reality.
“Wo...ye.shaadi ke joda wagera...I don’t think you know.its ok I shall f....” he was telling but she interrupted again.
“aapki shaadi nahi hua hein ab tak.arey itni umar mein toh kamshe kam ek baby hona chahiye aap ko. Nahi?”
“Tum bachchi hoon yaa daadi amma.kitni bolti hein yaar tum.” He said getting a bit annoyed.
“Shorry shorry uncle patti.i know mein thoda zyaada bolti hoon right,mumma shays the shame to shame.”
“Thoda? Really? Thoda?” He asked sarcastically.
“Fine fine sho.however my mom ko naa...usshe bhi boooohot badi dukhan hein shaadi ke jode ka.I can take you there you know. Yahaan hein iss mall mein.uska naam hein taqdeersh,naish name naa? Nahi?” She asked.
there it is. Rohit knew that is the name he forgot.What a timing.Now he can easily find pooji and ajit. It’s already late he better be quick.
“Chalo wahaan hi jaate.shall I put you down now?” He asked.
“Arey no eisha hi lekar chalona mujhe.” She objected waving her tiny legs not wanting to get down.
“kyun? Chot lagi hein tume kahi?” He got worried.
“No no.bas eishe.achchi lagti hein mujhe.isshiliye.”
Said her giving a cheeky smile. And then she sent her tiny hands around his shoulder and held him tightly. Holding her securely in return he walked away,of course following her directions.
—————————————————
“rukho rukho rukho.dekho wahaan hein,you shaw the big board taqdeers.wahaan hein.”
She halted her nonstop talks which filled his ears all the way from second floor to here where they were standing till now.
From inside,pooja and ajit both saw their brother entering the shop,not alone but with a little girl in his arms and both of them were left stunned.
“Bhai ye kaun hein?” They both Asked at once. Rohit shrugged not giving an answer and directed another question at them placing the little girl down safely.
“Hogaya kaam kya pooji? Kahaan hein yahaan ki owner?”
Pooji opened her mouth to answer but before that all of them heard the voice of the little one.
“Maa....”
Rohit turned and saw the little one running to the lady who was walking towards them.
“Hi.”
The lady said with a pleasant smile.
“Sharanya,Ye meri bade bhai hein,rohit.Aur bhaiyya,ye hein iss boutique ki owner.”
“Hi.”
They shook hands and rohit smiled patting his new little friend’s head.
“Aapki beti neh mujhe yahaan le aayi...I was lost.thank you so much.” Ajit wondered what has happened to his brother within an hour. He has gelled to a unknown little kid and behaving so polite. Ajeeb hein.
“I hope she didn’t trouble you much.” Said sharanya but the little one jumped in again.
“Patti uncle already bohot pareshaan dikh raha tha maa...Mein neh ushki shaari parishaani dhoor ki....”
Ajit and pooja started chuckling at what the girl called rohit as.
“Baby,bade se eisa name calling karti hein kya.bad manners.” Sharanya objected embarrassed with the little one’s talks.
“No no that’s okay.but aapko thoda dhyaan dena chahiye isski upar.akheli thi ye actually.” Said rohit.
“But mein bohot shafely hi gayi hein,shachchi.” The little one said and pooja took her into her arms in a total awe.
“Weise aapki boutique bohot beautiful hein Sharanya,interior designings are great” said ajit and she gave a smile.
“Actually ye boutique srif meri nahi hein wo....” She started and
“Haa haa shrif maa ki nahi hein meri bhi hein....” completed the little one with a cute chuckle.
Rohit nodded and took her to his hands from pooja’s.
“Achcha meri maa sab tumari hi hein alright.pooja are you done,shall we go?” Asked him and meanwhile the girl and ajit had started to make funny faces at each other.
“Wait a bit haa.yeah so sharanya did you check it?”
“Oh yes Mein neh abhi abhi check kiya aur tumari design ke material France se laane lag bag do din lagenge aur ek din se we can complete the whole outfit once the material is her.I will call you to come for fitting soon as it finishes.maximum three days.”
“Awesome.anyhow we will be here for around five days so.... that’s fine. Let me pay an advance amount..bhaiyya,ajit tum log jaao,I will pay and come quick.” Said pooja and both the ladies went in.
Rohit carried the little girl around the shop and ajit accompanied them.
“Kya mein aapko ranveer shingh bula shakte hoon?” She asked from ajit as they walked.
“No aap mujhe ranveer Singh bula sakte hoon,shingh nahi.” Ajit pulled her leg and she made a sad face.
“Chup bhi ajit.bachchi hein.” Opposed rohit,planting a kiss on her chubby cheeks. Ajit was shocked to see the extent rohit’s gestures have changed.
“Aapke bardaaf dekthehi eisa lagta hein ki ye aapke bachchi hoon bhai.ek gante ki andhar kya badlaawa aaya hein aapka.” Said ajit and rohit stopped at tracks hearing that.
Kaash eisa hi hota.Kaash mera bhi ek beti hoti. Kaash mera bhi ek beti hoti sona ki saat.bilkul isstarha.
He remained shocked at his thoughts.all in this five years it is the first time his mind said that word.her name.sona.Nashe mein hote wakt ke baaremein toh nahi pata lekin He had been carefully avoiding that very name coming to his mind and his lips at all times when he was in his senses. But today while even been in his senses it was her name,her words,her memories that was doing rounds in and around himself. His eyes started to fill as that name echoed in his ears over and over again.slowly he placed the little girl on the floor,wanting to walk away from the moments that were repeated make him somersault between the past and the present.
“Arey.patti uncle aap bina kahe jaa rahi hoon? Mujhe chodke? Very bad. I am shad.”
He halted at that voice which rang behind him. Kneeling down infront of her next he planted a kiss on both her cheeks and took her tiny hand in his.
“Chalo,Introduction aur good bye saat mein karte.I am Rohit Sippy aur mein ek heart surgeon hoon.”
“Matlab aap ek Doctor hoon?”
“Doctor nahi surgeon.”
“Arey ek hi toh baat hein.”
Rohit had his breath stucked at his throat. He pushed all flashbacks that were troubling him away and gave a smile at her.
“It’s okay anywaysh,aur i am chaahat.”
She gave a cute smile.
“What a beautiful name,kissne daali aapki naam?” He honestly Asked.
“Mom ne.”
“Okay,so phir milte haan? Ab mein chalu?” Rohit asked hugging her to his chest. She gave a nod.
“bye then. Zyaada naughty mat ho. Aur apna khayal rakho teek hein?”
“Aap bhi.shyaada gussha mat ho aur gumshudha mat ho. Agar ho bhi gaya ho,yaad rakhna mein aapko apne manzil tak phir lekhe aaungi.” She said waving her head from side to side in his embrace.
“It was nice meeting you,chaahat.” He said.
She planted a kiss against his cheek and said the good bye,and it indeed stopped his heart right there.
“It wash naish meeting you too,doctor shurgeon.”