Part-11
Malhar rubbed his eyes wearily, he had a hangover from drinking too much last night. Due to pain, he held his head and saw that he has slept on Kalyani's lap, he was puzzled and felt awkward about it, he wanted to get out of bed immediately but kalyani stirred in her sleep and he was not ready to face her so quickly closed his eyes and pretended to be in sleep.
Kalyani opened her eyes, looked at Malhar who was still sleeping. He looked as tired as she felt, his hair disheveled, his eyes were puffy from crying, his dimpled cheeks were hallowed, his more defined lips were chapped and skin was very dry. “Maybe he hadn't taken proper care of himself all these days”, Kalyani thought.
Anger and bitterness had preyed upon him continually for weeks and when he got to know the truth, Of all the emotions she expected him to feel on, anger and guilt for himself were not among them. Everyone does mistake at some point but forgiveness is must when they repent. He needs to forgive himself as he already suffered a lot. Last night he just poured his heart out because of the effect of alcohol. She doubted if in his sanity he would share his deepest fears and feelings with her.
She thought of making him a good breakfast when he gets up and she will make sure that he eat it properly. She placed his head on the pillow and got out of the bed, covering him with blanket. Though Malhar eyes were closed but he could feel her in room and thought, What she is up to?? Kalyani went to get Moksh, who was sound asleep and looking at him she thought that he too missed his dad all these days, she took him out of his crib and laid carefully beside Malhar and made walls of pillow so that he doesn’t fall from bed.
“Moksh ko uske baba se koi alag nahi karega hai na.. Pillu.. ” she whispered and kissed him “Baba ko jagana nahi” she caressed Malhar’s hair before leaving the room. A shocking sense of being cherished spread through him.
Kalyani went to the room where Malhar burnt the things. As often happens with passionate people, he was mastered by anger and still seeking objects on which to vent it out. All the thing that was for memories are now turned into ashes. She thought to clean it when her eyes fell on the half burnt diary. She picked it up, turned Pages, its cover and few pages were burned and there was a small picture of Malhar taken apparently when he was in his early twenties something. She smiled and kept it with her and cleaned the room then she went to freshen up.
Moksh snuggled his head against his father. Malhar snuggled even closer to his sleeping son, feeling the warm goodness of him, the earlier troubles of the night drifting even further away. Malhar was looking at him and sighed, though he went through intense misery his son was his only hope. As Maai said to him “Hope that in the very worst of times we could rise above the pain, the disappointment, and the agony and be strong” and now he can’t act like this, not being weak anymore. For his son, he has to be strong. Malhar kissed his head and Moksh opened his eyes, turning his head up, seeing his father near him, his tiny lips curved into warm smile and it melted Malhar’s heart and he smile contentedly.
Hearing Bathroom door opening, Malhar closed his eyes again and Moksh thought his father is playing with him. He gently patted on his cheek. Seeing moksh waking up Malhar, Kalyani quickly went to get him.
“Pillu kya kar raha hai, Baba ko kyu jaga raha hai ?? While she was picking up moksh, her hair fell on Malhar’s face and water dripped from them. She got scared, quickly gathering her hair to the other side, she wiped the droplets by rubbing her hands on his cheeks. She sighed that her action didn’t wake him up.
“Aaj bahut gehri neend me hai Malharji.. Kitne dinon baad aise aaram se so rahe hai, sone dete hai inko hai na pillu.. hum bahar chalte hai..
They came into living room. Just then door bell rang, she opened the door, it was Parsha. He handed her a bag and told her that Anupriya has sent for them and left.
She gave Moksh, his first feed and placed him in bassinet then made a video call to her mother… Anupriya was in workshop when she picked the call..
Kaisi ho kalyani ?? Moksh kaisa hai ?? She asked..
Main theek hu aai… Moksh bhi Achha hai aur tum ye phone theek se pakdo aadhi dikh rahi ho tum..
Achha.. then she hold her mobile properly ab theek dikh rahi hu aur nashta kar liya tumne..
Haa.. theek dikh rahi ho.. abhi nahi kiya .. Malharji jage nahi hai na..
Kyu… Kya hua Malhar ko wo theek to hai?? Uski chot kaisi hai ?? Ab tak kyu soya hai wo??
Wo theek hai aai.. maine hi nahi jagaya unhe itne dino baad to aaram kar rahe hai.. Wo sab chhodo tumhe nashta bhejne ki kya jarurat thi.. main banane hi wali thi..
Achha.. kaise banati.. ghar me saman hai?? She asked raising her brows…
“Maine kal hi sara raashan order kar diya tha.. dekho ye raha”
She showed her two box kept in the corner of kitchen. Malhar peeked at her from behind the door. He overheard their conversation.
Arre Waah Kalyani.. mujhe nahi pata tha meri beti itni samajhdar ho gayi hai… tum ek achhi grihani banogi..
Samajhdar to main pehle se hu… achha aayi tum na meri ek help kardo.. Mujhe inke naam batao aur inhe kaise rakhu taki ye kharab na ho aur mujhe jyada problem na dhundhne me..
Anupriya help her to organise kitchen on video call. She told her to put the items category wise in Jars and name it for identifying them. Kalyani did same as anupriya asked her to do. She heard a closing of bathroom door after some time, she went into room and saw the empty bed.
After half an hour, she looked approvingly at finished job. She fixed breakfast then went to see what was taking him so long. She waited for few minutes than gathering her courage, she slowly knocked the door “Malharji”
Hearing no reply from him, she again called him..
“Kya hua kalyani ?? Bathroom me bhi akela nahi rehne dogi kya ??” She frowned at his reply.
He shook his head. No, she shouldn't have interrupted him in the bathroom. He wanted to be alone right now. He turned on the shower as the water flowing on his body, several thoughts were flowing in his mind also.
He'd sworn never to be in love again or to become emotionally involved with anyone when sampada betrayed him but last night he had a hard time being vulnerable in front of her. He doesn't want to burden her with his harrowing backstory. The manner in which he had married her was enough to make him guilty for life and yet, she had easily accepted him as her husband. He shook his head, reminding himself that the seemingly immature girl had handled him well enough the previous night despite his upper hand.
He heard her retreating footsteps and sighed. He wondered if he should have been more polite as she was making so much efforts and she didn’t deserve such behaviour. Even though he doesn’t want to talk to her but he could reply politely to her. His stomach grumbled. It had been 3 days since his last good meal.
She heard the trickling of water stop and panicked. She had stayed here too long. She needed to leave before he saw her. "Kalyani ?" his voice stopped her as she pulled the door's handle. She sighed and slowly turned around. Her eyes popped out at the sight of him standing by the bed. He quickly snatched a towel hanging on a nail nearby. He didn't expect her to still be here. But there she was. As always. No matter how rude or arrogant he was to her, she stayed by his side.
“I’m sorry… Abhi ke liye aur kal ke liye bhi
Main tumhe pareshan nahi karna chahta tha.. aage se aisa kabhi nahi hoga.. he said without looking at her.
“Aapko maafi maangne ki koi jarurat nahi hai… Malharji” she said.. "Aapne kal doctor ko dikhaya tha ?" she asked distressed, seeing that wound and some bruises on his torso.. He nodded.. For a single instant the brown eyes looked their pain for him, and he didn’t need her sympathy.. He left the room..
She realised he was back to his usual temperament. Her heart ached for him who had suffered so much but she dared not show him pity or else he might shut down again. Keeping her composure, she followed him.
She told him that her mother has sent them breakfast, giving him a cup of tea then served him breakfast. He continued to avoid her gaze, focusing on food instead. He ate gingerly, his head aching from both his hangover and his breakdown. She gave him a medicine for his headache. After having it, he took Moksh with him in the room where after playing for some time both were asleep.
It was some time later, Pawar came, he asked about Malhar as his phone was not reachable. He gave some file to Kalyani for his signature and told her that commissioner has ordered him take leave and rest for few days. Kalyani finished her household chores. Some men came and told kalyani Malhar Saheb has called them to paint the room as it was blackened by the smoke. It took few hour to paint the room and they left. It was late in the evening when Malhar woke up. He asked about Moksh health and kalyani told him what doctor said to her. After having dinner, he was reading some file and slept on sofa. Kalyani covered him with a blanket. She slept with Moksh in the same guest room.
Next day, all broken furniture was being replaced by the new one. Malhar spend most of the time with moksh. He asked kalyani to study because this week she hasn’t gone to college. Later in the evening, anupriya came to their home, she was having evening tea with kalyani.
Aayi.. Malharji ke parents ke bare me tumhe kuch pata hai ??
Jyada kuch to nahi pata…. Kabhi unke bare me baat hi nahi ki Malhar ne… Itna jaanti hu uske Aai- Baba ka bahut pehle dehant ho chuka tha.. Malhar ki parwarish uske KaKa ne ki hai… Kyu tum kyo puchh rahi ho ???
“Aise hi… socha tum kuch pata hoga!!”
Imagining a young Malhar, longing for his mother sent an ache so deep into her heart that she felt ill, but she doubted he understood her need to share his heartache. She thought her aayi could tell her something but she didn’t knew anything..
Kya hua kalyani… kis soch me doob gayi? Anupriya asked..
Kuch nahi aayi.. bas aise hi..
kuch to ?? Anupriya asked again..
Pata hai aayi jab se Malharji ko sach pata chala hai na tab se wo bahut badal gaye hai.. mujhse baat hi nahi karte actually baat to jyada pehle bhi nahi karte the.. at least daat to diya hi karte the par ab to kuch nahi bolte.. Chahe kitni bhi galti ho jaye.. Kal mujhse chai gir gayi to bhi nahi daanta aur to aur khane me namak bhi jyada ho gaya tha tab bhi kuch nahi kaha.. aaj naya ka naya vase toot gaya to bhi kuch nahi bole.. Anupriya looked at her daughter as she spoke..
To kya hua ?? Ye to achhi baat hai na Anupriya chuckled..
Main unka daatna miss kar rahi hu.. unki unique punishment.. Unka haq se mujhe kuch bhi kehna miss kar rahi hu.. Ab sirf moksh aur padhai bas itni hi baat karte hai aur kuch puchho to haa ya naa me jawaab dete hai..
“Lagta hai tumhe gusse wale nahi..nahi Kya kehti ho tum atom bomb.. haa atom bomb Malhar ki aadat ho gayi hai.. nai” Anupriya teased her…
Par Wo aisa hi tha kalyani…shant aur suljha hua.. humesha sabki madad ko taiyyar.. Sampada ko dhokhe ne to jaise naye Malhar se parichay karwa diya..
Kalyani told Anupriya about Malhar's emotional outburst after that he is just avoiding her as much as he could.
“Apne andar itna dard liye baitha hai ye to mujhe bhi nahi pata tha.. Use dekhkar kabhi laga hi ki uski zindagi me koi takleef hai.. Apni muskurahat ke pichhe sab chhupa liya usne..
Anupriya said that Sampada betrayal was already troubling him, he has burdened with the guilt and now he was avoiding the obvious, because he couldn't quite handle the thought of being vulnerable to you. She asked her to take care of him and give him some time.
After having deep conversation, anupriya went to Ahilya niwas. Kalyani prepared dinner and waited for Malhar to come. After having their dinner, they retired for the night.
Malhar was busy in doing some file work. Kalyani was sitting on bed and Moksh was lying beside her. She was painfully aware of the lack of conversation between them, and her instincts urged her to fill the silence. Kalyani tried to talk to him.
“Malharji… Aapne Uss raat mujhse kuch puchha tha ?? Aap uska jawab nahi jaan na chahte.. ki kyu main aapka sath de rahi hu ??
He frowned thoughtfully and was silent for a few moments, remembering the night. He had ignored her most of the day again yesterday and barely talked to her but now he can’t do that more. Looking eagerly at kalyani.. he asked… “kyu ??”
“Jab main akeli thi aur sabse jyada musibat me thi… tab aapne ne meri madad ki thi bina kisi swarth ke aur aaj jab aap itni takleefon me hai to main sath kyu na du?? she asked in pitiful voice..
Leaning back in his chair, his gaze wandered over her face, his expression was sober. “Main Kya.. meri jagah koi bhi hota wo yahi karta.. uske badle kya tum apni zindagi ke daav par laga dogi, apne bare me nahi sochogi??”
“Ye zindagi bhi to aapki hi di huyi hai… Na Jane kitni baar aapne apni jaan ki parwaah kiye bina mujhe bachaya hai kabhi gundo se.. kabhi aag se…
She was looking at him with an expression they both knew, an expression thoughtful and sad. “Aapne mera sath tab diya jab mera khud ke parivar ne mujhe naajayaz kehkar apnane se inkaar kar diya tha.. Jab mere sar par chhat nahi thi tab aapne hi mujhe apne ghar me panaah di..
He got up and walked to the window and stood looking outside. “Tumhare sath jo bartaav maine kiya aur Jo taklifen tumhe di unka kya?? Tumhe bhi mujh par gussa hona chahiye tha… Saja dena chahiye tha ?? Said Malhar with a touch of pain..
“Kaise gussa hoti main aapse aur kya saja deti ??
Jo kuch aapne kiya wo kya maine nahi kiya ??” She said..
Something made him turn away from the window and look back into the room. He gave her perplexed look Kalyani understood and she continued….
“Aai ke sath bhi to maine kitna galat kiya , unhe hurt kiya… unhe jail pahuchaya un par ilzam lagaye… unhe bhi mujhe maaf nahi karna chahiye tha..” Saying this, she stood in front of him.
“Haalat galat hote hai insaan nahi.. aap hi ne tokaha tha na!! Jin halaat se aap gujar rahe hai unse main bhi gujar chuki hu.. aapki taklif samajh sakti hu..
Isliye Mujhe aapse kabhi koi shikayat nahi thi.. mujhe pata tha jab aapko sach pata chalega to aap bhi pehle ki tarah ho jayenge par aapne to un baaton ko dil se laga liya..
Jab meri galtiyon ko aap undekha karke mujhe sahi raasta dikhaya tha to Aap bhi sari baatein bhoolkar aur khud ko bhi maaf kar dijiye..”
He looked at her as he had just recognised her as some one he knew a long time ago. It is invariably saddening to look through new eyes at things upon which you have expended your own powers of adjustment. In the same unmoved silence, He listened to her.
“Aap hi ne mujhse kaha tha ki Rishte humesha do cheejon se chalte hai ek ummid aur dusri zidd. Agar main aapki baat nahi manti to mujhe aai kabhi nahi milti” She said to him, the same half-knowing, half-bewildered look came back into his faded eyes.
“Aaj Main bhi aapko ek baat batana chahti hu Rishte sirf khoon se nahi bante, kismat se bhi bante hai… Pillu, aap aur main aise hi kismat se jude hai… humari kismat ne hume ek family banaya hai…”
He looked up in amazement, his face was unreadable, but the skin around his glazed eyes had softened with warmth. He continued to gaze at kalyani, searched her eyes but all he found was compassion and admiration. In truth there was something to wonder at, A new point of view occurred to him. When one has thoroughly got imbued into one's head the leading truth that nothing happens without a cause, one grows not only large-minded, but large-hearted. She has a big heart to forgive him so easily and accepted his all flaws. His eyes flashed for a fraction of a second, and then all loneliness was removed from them.
“Aap apne man se in baaton ko nikal dijiye aur ki aapki wajah se meri life kharaab huyi balki meri zindagi ab khoobsoorat ho gayi.. Mujhe ye rishte aapki wajah se mile hai to batayiye main kaise aap sath na du??
There is a climax to everything, to every state of feeling as well as to every position in life and Malhar has to get rid of his guilt after kalyani shared her sincere feelings with him. She had deliberately given Malhar a sense of security. He decided at that very moment, No matter how long it takes, he will obliterate those painful memories from his mind and forgive himself. He literally glowed without a word, a new well-being radiated from him. No, he couldn't walk away from her. She had become a part of him somehow. He couldn't understand how, why or what she expected of him but he knew, she belonged by his side.
Their eyes met, and they stared together at each other, alone in space. With an effort she glanced down at the table.