Part 1-5, Page 1 Post 1
Part 6-8, Page 1 Post 2
Part 9-10, Page 2
Note and Final Part I, Page 2
Final Part II and III, Page 2
Final Part IV and Ending, Page 2
Alternative Ending Page 3
PART 1
The car crashed front on to the auto and Neev stepped out slightly disorientated. You could never trust Mumbai traffic and these autos seemed to pull out of nowhere. Ayesha stamped furiously out of the auto and headed straight towards Neev.
"Abhe oye...andha hain kya? Ya Chashme ke liye paise nahin hain kya? (Oye...are you blind or what? Or don't you have money for glasses?) Itni mehengi motor ka bas driver hain tu? (I guess you are just the driver for such an expensive car)" she shouted at the man in front of her, kicking his car. "Iss ka paisa tera baap bahera ga? (Will your father pay for this repair?)" Ayesha asked, indicating to the broken front of the cab. She bombarded him with questions, scarcely giving him opportunity to speak.
Neev smirked. A crowd had formed but neither noticed. He watched her in silent appreciation. She was beautiful, even more so in her anger. She pushed her light brown hair away from her face in irritation and her eyes bulged threateningly.
She was outstanding to look at, unconventional to be sure. Her dressing sense seemed rather unique and somewhat ridiculous. He was captivated though. She looked like exactly the sort of girl that didn't belong where she was. Her clothes did not lessen the elegance of her face but that alone could not elevate her position in the eyes of people like him.
Neev continued to stare and she continued to accuse. "Ullu ki tarah ghoor kyun raha hain? Ladki nahin dekhi pehle? (Why are you staring at me like an imbecile? Haven't you seen a girl before?)"
Thrusting some money into the hands of the auto driver, he turned he back to leave but she continued to hurl her insults and he was forced to look back. What was it about this girl? Though her words were barely heard by him, he watched the movement of her lips closely. They were full and red and he felt the overwhelming desire to feel them on his. In a moment of insanity, he reached behind her head and crushed her lips to his. The crowd jeered but he didn't care.
Braking away, he told her, "Tumhare jaise ladki nahin dekhi... (I haven't seen a girl like you)" and Ayesha was left speechless and stunned by the few words that he had graced her with. Taking off his shades, he grinned down at her as she became furious. Her cheeks burned red and soon he felt her soft palm collide harshly against his cheek. He knew it was coming but he did not expect such force. He extended his other cheek but she refused to look at him. Laughing, which caused to infuriate her further, he turned around and smoothly sat back in his car.
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Prachi waited for her mother in the car but she had excused the driver and the man had taken the keys with him and now the AC was turned off. Prachi was getting agitated, it was stifling and the heat was unbearable. She unwound the windows but she did not find the relief she was after.
Stepping out of the car, she carelessly leaned against it. Instantly she felt the wind swirl around her and she felt her body relax under the coolness. Her salwaar clung to her like second skin but Prachi was oblivious to the admiring glances she was receiving.
Milind stood with Sukriti and Ali across the street. Sukriti selected vegetables from a vendor carefully but Milind was getting impatient. The afternoon sun would soon be scorching and he wiped his forehead with the band on his wrist. He place an elbow on his friend's shoulder and saw Ali look across the street in concentration.
"Itni der se ankhein paad paad ke kya dekh raha hain? (What have you been staring at for so long?) Milind asked, though he had little interest in the answer, turning to Sukriti he told her to hurry up. Ali tapped Milind and not taking his eyes off the object he said, "Milind bhai, woh ladki kitni kubsoorat hain...by god...mast hain... (Milind...isn't that girl beautiful...by god...she's fantastic)"
Milind stood up straight and slapped the back of Ali's head, "Abey saale...lafanga hain tu? (Oye idiot...are you a pervert?) Agar koi Sukriti ko aisa bolta tou? (What if someone had said that to Sukriti?)" Milind asked angrily.
"Kaun dekha Sukriti ko, uski tou main ankein poudh du... (Who looked at Sukriti, I will poke his eyes out...)" Ali said arrogantly, rubbing the spot on his head where Milind had hit him and Milind could not help but laugh at the stupidity of his friend.
Milind was not averse to beautiful women; he just knew how to conceal it better. He looked casually across at her. He had only intended for a moment to see what his friend was raving about but Milind could not take his eyes off her. She brushed back her hair and let it flow over shoulders in one smooth, swift motion. Milind let his eyes follows the movement of her hands and the hair that he knew would be silky to touch. He felt his mouth open slightly and caught himself.
He saw her move forward away from the car and assumed it must be too hot to lean on. Suddenly Milind was distracted by an oncoming car, it was headed straight towards her and she hardly seemed aware of it. Milind looked quickly at the car and then at her again. It was as if his legs were acting on their own accord as he sped towards her and with a resounding thud, they both fell to the ground.
Milind lay on top of Prachi unable to move. He stared down at her, she was stunning. He watched as her eyelids flickered open and closed ever so slowly and the way her mouth curved into a small smile. Soon, she was pushing against him though and Milind stood up promptly and roughly pulled her up too.
"Thank you..." she said softly and Milind did not know whether it was from a desire to hear her voice again or genuine anger on his part that he gruffly acknowledged her gratitude but then pushing a hand through his curly hair while she dusted herself off, he said, "Gaadi tereko laga dehti tou? Andhi hain kya? (What if the car had hit you? Are you Blind or what?)" He laughed nervously but Prachi merely smiled at him, she replied very shyly, "Haan (Yes)"
PART 2
Milind closed his eyes and recalled the day's events. A smile crept up on him when he thought of that girl. He covered his eyes in embarrassment as he remembered his question, but how she had replied. Her laugh still tinkled in his ears. She was blind. He still found that hard to believe, the dignity with which she carried her disability was astounding.
He shook his head but the thoughts would not leave him. He felt an irresistible pull towards her but he knew that he'd never see her again. He replayed the scene in his mind again, committing her to memory as he absentmindedly took a drag of his cigarette.
His musings were interrupted by the loud, brash voice of Ayesha, "Milind, Sukriti ko dekha kya? (Milind, have you seen Sukriti?)" She asked from the doorway, leaning against it, "Aur yeh cigrat ko kab thak peeta rahega? Tere Baba tereko kuch bolte nahin kya? (And how long will you keep smoking? Doesn't your father say anything to you?)"
"Tereko peene ke liye thode keh raha hoon (I'm not asking you to smoke)" He said absentmindedly and Ayesha laughed, "Theek hain, theek hain, meri baat tou tu sunega nahin, teri gharwaali ko na pasand ho tou? (Fine, fine, you won't listen to me, but what if your wife doesn't like it?)" She asked.
"Arre, muje kisi ki padi hain kya? (Am I bothered?)" He said, raising an eyebrow but she laughed it off again. "Waise kidar thi tu? (By the way, where were you?)" Milind asked her, reclining in his chair leisurely. She shifted nervously by the door, as he had seen her do every time he had asked her about it. He saw her face falter for a moment and as usual he knew that she wouldn't tell him anything.
She laughed momentarily and then remembered the earlier incident, "Kisi pagal se paala pad gaya tha...pata nahin Milind' aaj tou hadh hi hogayi'ek chikne ne' (I got caught up with some madman...I don't know Milind...today was the limit... this fellow...)" She stopped, "Chodo na'usse tou maine kas ke ek laafa mara'zindagi bar yaad rakhega' (Anyway, leave it... I gave him a tight slap...he'll remember it for the rest of his life...)"
Milind watched her but he did not sense any pleasure in her voice. She was accustomed to showing boys in the chawl their place, she now found it merely amusing, Milind had never felt the need to save her, but she knew if she needed him, he was there.
"Waise, Sukriti se kya kaam tha? (What business do you have with Sukriti?)" Milind questioned, tapping his cigarette and taking another drag.
She stepped forward and took a seat, "Uski ek acchi si Salwaar chahiye muje... Kal naukri ke liye kahin jaana hain... (I need to borrow a salwaar of hers...I have to see about a job tomorrow...)"
Milind sat up in his seat, "Naukri... (Job...)" he scoffed but Ayesha was not offended, she knew Milind and she understood why he was the way he was.
"Khabhie khabie Milind, paet ki boonkh, savbhimaan se bhi baad kar hoti hain... (Something Milind, the hunger in your stomach forces you to do things you wouldn't have otherwise...)" She said calmly and got up to find Sukriti. Milind did not ask her how they had survived this long, because he knew she would never tell him.
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"Prachi!" Neev squealed in her ear and she tried to hit him but he ducked out of the way, "Kya hua Neev...itne khush kyun ho? (What happened? Why are you so happy?)" She asked and though she could not, she could sense that her friend was grinning, "Ab bataoge bhi, ke muskurahate rahoge? (Now will you tell me why you're so happy?)"
Sitting her down on the bed, he said laughing, "Obviously yaar...Ladki ke waaje se... (Obviously mate...because of a girl...)" Prachi smacked his cheek fondly and pulled at his ear, "Neev! Apni badmaashi se kab thang aaoge? (Neev! When will you tire of your wicked ways?) Lagta hain Niharika aunty se kehna padega, woh ek acchi si bahu dhoond le... (I think I might have to tell Niharika aunty to find a suitable girl for you...)"
Kneeling in front of her, he dramatically placed his hand to his forehead and said, "Aisi gustakhi mat karna Prachi... (Don't make such a mistake Prachi...) Aisa zulm mat karna...apne dost ki zindagi barbaad karna chahati ho kya? (Dont inflict such pain upon me...do you want to ruin your friend's life?) Abhi tou is dil mein bauhat pyaar baki hain, pehle usse tou baant lu... (I still have a lot of love left, let me share that first...)"
"Itni subha subha kaise jagna hua Neev? (Awake so early in the morning neev?)" Prachi asked, remembering her friend's fondness for sleep, and she could hear him sighing, "Kya karu Prachi...maa bhi na, bula liya... (What can I do Prachi? Your mother called me over...) aur tum tou jaanti ho, mein meri sweetheart ko kuch mana nahin kar sakta, waise tumhe neeche bulaya hain... (And you know I can never refuse my sweetheart, by the way, you are summoned downstairs...) aane hi wali hogi teri aaya... (Your babysitter should be on her way)" He replied, helping her get up and leading her down the stairs.
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"Aao na beta... (Come child)" Premlata said invitingly to the girl standing in front of her. Ayesha smiled slightly and nodded, following the woman into the living room.
She sat down and informed her that her daughter would be down in a moment. "I'm sorry ke Prachi ke papa yahaan nahin ho sake... (I'm sorry Prachi's father is not here...) darasal hamari beti dekh nahin sakti...lagh bhagh tumhare hi umar ke hogi. (Actually our daughter cannot see...she must be around your age) Hum chahate hain ke tum uske paas raho, waise tou woh apne aap hi sab kuch kar lehti hain, lekin uske papa ko phir bhi fikar rehati hain. (We want you to stay with her, she can usually manage by herself, but her father worries alot) Ab uski umar aisi hain ke hum tou uske saat sab jaga nahin jaa sakte, aur hum usse zindagi ke saare mauke dena chahate hain... (Now she is at an age where we cannot accompany her to places that she would like to go, and we want to make sure, she makes the most out of life)" Premlata trailed off but Ayesha smiled in encouragement. The elder woman spoke so fondly of her daughter and for a few moments Ayesha felt herself become jealous.
She saw that Premlata had a kind face and instantly Ayesha felt drawn to her. "Tum samajti ho na beta? (Do you understand child?)" Premlata spoke so softly and with such elegance, Ayesha hung to each word hungrily and let herself savour the word beta as it rolled of the other lady's tongue. She had never heard her own mother say that.
Ayesha tried not to speak; she didn't want Premlata to think that she was not presentable in the type of society they lived in. It took effort but she managed it, the job was important. Her mother's medical expenses were escalading and she needed the money. Premlata did not look like a woman who would care but Ayesha was only too aware of what money did to people.
Ayesha saw two figures descend the stairs and a loud squeak came from her. Premlata looked at her in surprise but Ayesha waved it off. Neev had heard it too and he found the origin of the sound to be the very girl who had plagued his thoughts since yesterday. Neev could not believe the transformation. She looked just as beautiful but the salwaar seemed to promote her features and she looked almost like Prachi now. Neev could do nothing to prevent the huge grin forming across his face and he winked at her.
It delighted him even more when he saw the same anger return in her eyes, but today she could not express it. He saw that she was sitting on her hands and he rubbed his cheek mockingly.
Premlata introduced them to Ayesha and she wanted Prachi to spend time alone with the girl to see how she felt. She instructed them to go to Prachi's room and felt immediately satisfied when Ayesha took Prachi's hand from Neev's and began to walk her back up.
Neev looked on despairingly behind them and with as much subtlety as he could manage, he began to follow them.
"Neev..." came Premalata's voice booming behind him and he stopped in his tracks, biting his lip gently in disappointment. "Tum kahan chale...? (Where are you headed?)"
He turned around and draped his arms around her shoulders, "Woh kya haina sweetheart, Ayesha nayi nayi aayi hain, tou maine socha... (Actually sweetheart, Ayesha's new...)" He said slowly, as he watched her walk with Prachi across the landing, "...ke...thodhi si madat kar du... (...So...I thought I'd help her out...)"
"Masti chodo aur chalo mere saat... (Stop your mischief and come with me...)" commanded Premlata, twisting his ear and he saw Ayesha turned precisely at that moment. She could barely contain her glee. When he beamed back, she frowned and twitched her nose in disgust.
Turning his attention back to Premlata, he feigned hurt, rubbing his ear, "Sweetheart, tum maa beti hamesha mere khaan ke peeche kyun pad jaati ho? (Sweetheart, why do you mother and daughter always go after my ears?)" he said as she led him towards the kitchen, "Waise main tumhe maaf kar sakta hoon...agar mere liye jaldi se halwa banao tou... (But I can forgive you...If you quickly make me some halwa...)"
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Ayesha assisted Prachi to her room and sat her down on the bed. She looked at the girl in front of her in wonderment. Who would be able to tell? Prachi smiled at Ayesha and asked her to sit also.
"Ayesha...tumhe koi taqleef tou nahin hogi na? (Ayesha, you wont be bothered will you?) Mera matlaab, main apna kab khud karti hoon, shayad tumhe sara din bore hoona pade... (I can usually do things myself, you might have to sit and be bored the whole day) mere papa bhi... (My father...) agar unka bas chalta, muje ek muthi mein bandh kar ke rakte... (If he had his way, would keep me hidden in his hands...) lekin Ayesha, main sheeshe se nahin bani...aur... (But Ayesha, I'm not made of glass ...and..."
"Tu mereko...mera matlab muje kya samja rahi hain? (You...I mean what are you trying to explain to me?)" Ayesha asked and despite her harsh tone, Prachi laughed, "Ayesha..." said Prachi in between bouts of laughter, "Yeh mereko kya hota hain? (What does mereko (Colloquial word for Me) mean?)"
Despite herself, Ayesha laughed too, "Tereko maloum nahin kya? (Do you not know?) Bolne mein tou itni badi shani hain, main sheeshe se nahin bani aur kya kya... (You sound very intelligent when you speak, I'm not made of glass etc etc...)" This caused Prachi to laugh harder at her new acquaintance and Ayesha wondered if this would actually be as bad as she thought. Prachi seemed a friendly girl and Ayesha hoped that she was not the kind of person to judge her from where she came from.
"Accha baba...pata hain... (Okay I'm sorry...I know...)" confessed Prachi, "Jab kuch dikta nahin, tou sab kuch sunai dehta hain, kuch aisi baatein jou log bolte bhi nahin... (When you can't see, you can hear everything, sometimes things people haven't said at all...)" Ayesha sobered up at Prachi's statement and began to walk around the room. There were many books on her desk and she seemed to be in some sort of patterns of dots. Prachi knew instinctively what Ayesha was looking at and she explained that they were in brail. Ayesha still looked confused and from her silence, Prachi gathered as much.
"Waise... (By the way...)" Ayesha said at length, "Woh ladka kaun tha? Tera bhai hai kya? (Who was that guy? Is he your brother?)" Prachi succumbed to fresh giggles and explain that he wasn't, she had no siblings, "Mere papa ke dost ka beta hain, aur mera best friend... (My father's best friend's son and my own best friend...)" Prachi paused, debating over whether to say it, "Aur besharam apne aap ko meri mamma ka boyfriend bhi kehta hain...kyun? (The shameless guy calls himself my mother's boyfriend too...why?)"
Ayesha didn't laugh, so it seemed as though he was a flirt. She was not surprised, if he had kissed her like that broadly in public, she assumed he wasn't as respectable as people would have liked to make out. Prachi was waiting for an answer however and Ayesha replied, "Nahin, kahin dekha usko aisa laga... (No, just think I've seen him somewhere, that's all...)"
They chatted idly for some while, until Prachi mentioned that she would one day like to visit Ayesha's chawl. Ayesha's heart swelled and she felt instantly bonded to Prachi. "Khabhie kyun? Aaj chalegi mere saat? (Why some other time? Will you come today?)" Ayesha asked, not entirely sure why but she would feel more comfortable there, she wasn't used to such houses and it was making her uneasy.
Gaining permission from Premlata was not easy, but Inder had assured her that Ayesha was trustworthy and Prachi looked so eager. They had seemed to have formed an attachment in a matter of hours.
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"Ayesha..." Prachi said, excitement clear in her voice, "Main pehli barr bike pe behethi hoon, thank you... (That was the first time I sat on a motorbike, thank you...)"
"Mazaa aayana? Bas... (Did you have fun? That's it...)" Ayesha replied, guiding her towards Milind's house, "Chal...main tuje aapne dost se milati hoon... (Come...I'll introduce you to my friend...)"
Ayesha pushed open the door and found the place to be empty. They stepped inside and Ayesha called for Sukriti. Seating Prachi, she had just begun to leave, when they were both plunged into darkness. Electricity was a curse in this place. "Prachi tu ruk, yeh saali light bhi, abhi jaana tha, main dono ko dhund laati hoon... (Prachi, wait here, this stupid light had to go now, I'll go find both of them...)" said Ayesha, leaving Prachi quietly chuckling to herself in the room.
Prachi sat for a few minutes in utter silence and she was beginning to get a creeping feeling at the back of her neck. She was used to darkness, but silence terrified her. She leapt up at a noise by the door and stood rigid with fear. She didn't make a sound but soon she heard someone grumble and trip forwards. She knew from the echo that the person was not Ayesha, someone larger and possibly a man.
She estimated incorrectly where he would land and moved right in his path. She was pushed against the wall as the man attempted to balance himself. It was Milind and thankfully, he had gathered his senses about him before her. He felt her chest rise against his and knew she was about to scream. He quickly covered his hand over her mouth and whispered that is was him.
"Kaun? (Who?)" came a strangled whisper from Prachi. They both stood, same as they were a few moment's ago, pressed against the wall, whispering. Neither knew why they were but it seemed appropriate at the time.
Milind had at first imagined it to be Ayesha, she had the same small body but that voice did not belong to her. For a moment, he thought his ears were deceiving him. But she was quivering under him, the same way as she had done yesterday. Milind did not believe in luck or fate but something had bought her here tonight and he thanked god for it. How he had thought about her face and now she was in front of him.
He coughed but didn't make an attempt to move, "Woh...main... (I...)" he stuttered in a whisper and Prachi froze. Milind looked down at her in the darkness and wondered what had induced such a response. Suddenly she burst forth with, "Aap...yahan? (You...here?)"
Milind did not speak. She remembered him? He was too stunned. When finally she asked again, he told her that it was his house and then was silent again. Suddenly Prachi laughed, somewhat nervously, and began to look about her, indicating that he should let her go. Milind blushed deeply in the darkness but she would never know. "Kahin tum andhere main ghir na jao... (You might fall in the darkness...)" he stammered a reply and cursed himself under his breath for such callousness. She smiled, "Aab tou aadat hain... (I'm used to it now...) she said.
He was reluctant to but now that she had mentioned it, he moved his body away from her's slowly and pulled her up from against the wall. It was as if the moment was meant to be broken that the lights came on and he turned to find Ayesha standing by the door.
PART 3
Milind stood with Prachi in his arms gaping at Ayesha. "Arre, usse chodega bhi, ya sari zindagi mera muk taake ga? (Hey, will you release her or stare at me all your life?)" Ayesha asked, bringing him somewhat back to his senses and immediately he released Prachi.
Milind turned away and scratched his beard nonchalantly, giving an air of indifference about his person. He wanted more than anything to look back at her but he resisted, he knew Ayesha had a keen eye and she would gather immediately. Milind was not known to be flirtatious and at times, it seemed as though he had very little interest in anything, especially not women.
Prachi laughed as Ayesha approached her and Milind could not help himself. He turned back around, watching the two. "Aap dono ek dusre ko jaante hain? (Do you two know each other?)" He heard her ask Ayesha, "Kitni itefaak ki baat haina? (What a strange coincidence)"
Milind grunted but Ayesha was confused, "Tu isse kaise jaanti hain? (how do you know him?)" she asked suspiciously and Prachi put her arms out, trying to navigate towards Ayesha. Milind was the first to react and held her by the shoulder and elbow, guiding her towards a seat. Prachi placed a soft hand onto of his; indicating that she was fine and he withdrew slowly.
"Ayesha, kal inhone muje bachaya tha ek gaadi se, warna shayad aaj main tumhare saat nahin... (Ayesha, this is the man that saved me from that car yesterday, if it weren't for him, I perhaps wouldn't be sitting here at least...)" Prachi said to Ayesha smiling but Milind interrupted, "Aisi baat... (Don't say such things...) mera matlab, kuch nahin Ayesha...bas apni dost ko bol ayenda se dyaan rakhe... (I mean, Ayesha tell you friend to be more careful next time...) bar, bar bachne thode aaunga main... (I won't always be there to save her...)" he said, leaning against a wall. Ayesha looked at him and then at Prachi who looked down guiltily.
"Accha bataa, teri behen kahan hai? Usse milaane layi hoon... (Okay tell me, where is your sister? I have bought Prachi to meet her...)" Ayesha asked Milind and he shrugged his shoulder, folding his arms across his chest. Ayesha took another moment to look at him, "Aise ghoor kya raha hai, jaa dekh ke aah kahan gai woh, muje nahin mili... (Why are you staring like that, go and see where she is, I couldn't find her...)"She commanded but Milind wasn't listening. He was looking behind her at Prachi and it was when Ayesha pushed a hand across his face that he looked at her. She raised her eyebrows but he didn't answer, he gazed at her frowning before walking off.
Ayesha smiled to herself but shook the thoughts from her head when Prachi called her, "Ayesha, bauhat derr hui hogi na? Kya hum ghar chal sakte hain, tum muje kal milwaane layana... (Ayesha, don't you think it's late now? Can we go home? We'll come again tomorrow...)"
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"Waise Ayesha, tumne apne dost ka naam nahin bataya... (By the way Ayesha, you haven't told me your friend's name...)"Prachi asked, clinging to Ayesha's waist as they sat on the bike, "Tu na, bataya tou tha...Sukriti... (I told you na...Sukriti...)"
"Nahin...itni bhi bholakad nahin...unka naam jou aaj phir mile, jinone muje baachaya... (No...I am not that forgetful...the name of the one that saved me...)" Prachi stated and Ayesha smirked slightly to herself. She had never seen anyone have such an effect on Milind and here was sheltered Prachi Shah asking his name. "Kaun...Milind...kyun? (Who...Milind...why?)" asked Ayesha, swearing the bike to avoid Mumbai traffic.
"Kyun ka kya matlaab...bachane waale ka naam tou jaan sakti hoona main? (What do you mean by why...I have to know the name of the person that saved me, don't I?)" Prachi stated but she felt Ayesha chuckle beside her, "Tou khud kyun nahin kuch boli tu, mu pe talah laga tha? (Why didn't you ask yourself then...did you have a lock on your mouth?)" She asked. Prachi was silent, she didn't know herself but she could still feel the sensations of his arms around her. She had never been that close to any man before, not even Neev and she felt nervous.
"Waise (By the way...)" said Ayesha, shaking Prachi out of her thoughts, "Pata nahin aaj usse kya ho gaya tha, saala terekoich goorta ja raha tha... (I don't know what happened to him today, the fool just get staring at you...)"
"Ayesha..." scolded Prachi gently, "Tum bhi na... (Don't be silly...)" She could tell that Ayesha was making fun but she knew that he was. She had felt his eyes on her and wondered that despite the hundreds of eyes see had felt on her before, why his were so piercing. They seemed to bore into her and she could feel them everywhere.
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Ayesha guided Prachi towards the entrance of their house and they found Neev's car pull up into the drive. "Kuch aur kaam dhandha nahin hain isko... (Doesn't he have anything better to do...)" Ayesha muttered under her breath and hoped Prachi did not hear.
He rushed out and ran towards them. Prachi had insisted they wait while Ayesha tried to pull her inside. Neev took his place to the other side of Prachi and put his hand on her back. Unwittingly, he had placed it on top of Ayesha's. She looked up at him sharply but he didn't move it.
Ayesha gestured wildly towards Prachi but Neev merely suppressed his laughter. Ayesha tried to pull it away but Neev took both their hands off Prachi's back and Ayesha struggled. She stopped soon after however when Prachi asked why she was whipping about like that. Neev placed his hand to his mouth to prevent his laughter from seeping out but it did and he tried to mask it as a cough.
Prachi was becoming increasingly concerned, they had not moved more than a foot since Neev had arrived. "Neev, Ayesha...muje ghar ke raastein maloom hain...main khud chali jao? (Neev, Ayesha...I know how to get around at home...shall I go by myself?)" she asked and immediately both began pushing Prachi indoors.
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"Mamma..."Prachi called, but there was no reply.
"Prachi, let me try, sweetheart kahan ho tum...Neev aa gaya... (Prachi, let me try, sweetheart where you are...Neev is here...)"Neev said, opening his arms out in the air for nothing in particular. Prachi could not help but laugh when she heard her mother bustle out of the kitchen and towards them shouting, "Neev! Ther ja tu...Taari tou aaj waat nathi...Prachi ke pappa! Aap aayiye tou zaraa, yeh ladka pagal ho gaya hain... (Neev! You just wait...today you will be slaughtered...Prachi's pappa! Where are you? Come here...this boy has gone mental...)"
Ayesha observed the scene with mild amusement as Premlata playfully smacked Neev on his back. Neev pulled Premlata in his arms and squeezed tightly until she screamed and hit him harder. Their attention broke away from the two when Inder descended the stairs. "Prachi..." he exclaimed delightedly at once and everyone turned their attention to him. Neev's grip on Premlata loosened considerable and she pulled his ear gently.
Ayesha watched in silent fury as Inder came down the stairs and Inder did not know what to say anymore. Neither Premlata nor Neev noticed that not a word had come from Inder after that. Prachi could immediately tell that something was amiss and when Ayesha excused herself quickly, Prachi felt a strange feeling in her chest.
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"Yeh Ayesha ko kya hua Neev? (I wonder what happened to Ayesha, Neev...)" asked Prachi quietly to him while her parents spoke amongst themselves.
Neev looked absentmindedly towards the door and replied, "Pata nahin... (I don't know...)"
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"Is waqt kaun hai? (Who is it at this time?)" Ayesha's grandmother asked from her makeshift bed on the floor. "Pata nahin, tu sou jaa, dekh ti hoon main... (I don't know, you go to sleep, I will check...)" Ayesha replied.
She opened the door to find Neev standing there. He did not have the same impish grin across his face that she expected to see from him. He looked serious and she quickly closed the door behind her. Pushing him forward, she asked "Yahaan kya kar raha hain tu? (What are you doing here?) Kyun be...ek thapad se kaam nahin chala...dekh mera peecha chod... (Hey mate...wasn't one slap enough...just leave me alone...)"
Neev was silent but Ayesha continued to push her hand against his shoulder and when finally unable to bear it, he grabbed her hands forcefully. She looked startled and for a moment was rendered speechless. "Ayesha...meri baat suno... (Ayesha...just listen to me...)" he said harshly at first but then more gently he continued, "Tum theek tou ho? (Are you okay?) Tum aise ghar se chali aayi... (You left the house so quickly...)Main yahaan tumse maafi maangne ke liye aaya tha... (I'm here to apologise to you...)khabhie khabhie mera mazaak hadh se zyaad baad jaata hain... (Sometimes I take my jokes too far...)"
Ayesha didn't move. She could not believe that this was the same guy apologising to her that had behaved so indecently before. He thought he had caused her to flee, but he didn't know anything. With his head downcast, Neev walked away and Ayesha was left wondering whether he was so bad after all.
PART 4
"Prachi..." Her mother spoke softly whilst smoothing down her hair. Prachi slept on her lap and her eyes fluttered open. "Haan maa... (Yes maa (Mother)...)" she replied sleepily. "Ayesha acchi ladki haina? (Ayesha's a nice girl, isn't she?)" Premlata asked, pushing Prachi's hair behind her ears.
"Haan maa... (Yes maa...)" Prachi said, but she was no longer sleepy. Her mind was wide awake and she wondered why her father had caused such a reaction in Ayesha. She wondered if Ayesha would tell her if she asked.
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Prachi sat with her parents for breakfast the next day. Ayesha had not yet come and Prachi was getting worried. Perhaps she wouldn't return. She was the first helper that Prachi had, who was her own age and who she got along with.
"Prachi...breakfast karo beta...kya hua pasand nahin...? (Prachi eat your breakfast child...what happened? Do you not like it?)" Inder asked and then immediately called for Ramu Kaka.
"Nahin Pappa... (No Pappa...)" Prachi quickly replied, bring a piece of toast to her lips. She bit into it and chewed slowly, thinking. Inder watched her but didn't say anything further.
"Inder..." Premalata called, "Yeh Portraits aapne nahin frame karne di thi, kab aayegi...in ke bina ghar kita ajeeb lagta hain... (Where are the portraits that you sent off to be reframed...the house looks bare without them...)" she asked. Taking his gaze off Prachi, he turned to her slowly and replied, "Aaj hi... (Today...)"
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"Neev...itni derr ho gayi...aur Ayesha abhi bhi nahin aayi...kya hua hoga.... (Neev...it's so late and Ayesha has not yet come...what must have happened...)"she asked anxiously.
"Prachi I don't know...maine kahan tou tha pehle... (I told you before...)" He said somewhat agitatedly. Prachi stood up from the foot of her bed and made her way to him.
"Kya hua Neev? Pereshaan ho...? (What happened Neev...why are you so tense?)"Placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, she squeezed it.
He stood up and looked at her helplessly, it had been bothering him since yesterday and now she hadn't shown up for work. Perhaps he had stepped too far. And taking that into consideration he had made the move to apologise.
He debated over whether to tell Prachi, but even if he didn't she would find out anyway, "Prachi..." he started, "Main Ayesha se pehle bhi mil kuchka tha... shayad maine uske saat kuch zyaad hi batameezi ki thi... (Prachi, I have met Ayesha before...perhaps I behaved a little too indecently with her...)"
Prachi twisted his ear again, hard and painfully, "Muje paata hain... (I know...) Wahi ladki na? (That same girl right?)" she said and he stared at her in disbelief. She relented her hold on his ear and became serious again, "Lekin Neev...muje nahin lagda ke tumhare waaja se koi baat hain... (Neev I don't think it's anything to do with you...)"
Neev didn't know whether he was disappointed or relieved but he knew he wanted Ayesha to return, or at least to see her again. As if sensing his thoughts, Prachi asked, "Neev...tum muje wahan le jao ge? (Neev, will you take me to her?)"
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"Tune muje bola ke woh teri dost ki beti hain! (You told me she was your friend's daughter)"Ayesha yelled, yanking her arm free from Inder as he looked helplessly down at his daughter.
"Agar mein tumse kehta ke Prachi meri beti hain, kya tum woh job lehti? (If I had told you, you would have never taken the job...)" Inder reasoned, attempting to calm her. "Beta...tumhe paise ki zaroorat thi...lekin muje paata hain tum mujhe koi madat karne nahin dou gi... (Child...you needed the money...and I knew you will not let me help you any other way...)" he added sadly.
Ayesha watched him, her chest heaved with her anger and even the look on his face could not quell what she was feeling. "Chahoon ya nahin...teri aisaan neeche tou dabh gayi na main? (What does it matter what I would have wanted...I'm still burdened by your charity)" she pressed.
"Prachi tumahara intazaar kar rahi hain beta... subhe se tumahri rah mein hai...agar tum nahin aayi tou who kya sochegi? (Prachi is waiting for you child...since this morning...if you don't come then what will she think?)" Inder pleaded.
Hearing Inder use Prachi as a bargaining tool only served to further anger Ayesha, through gritted teeth she said, "Beta mat bulaa mereko.... baap nahin hai tu mera... (Don't call me your child...you are not my father...)" Inder winced at her words, but she had meant for them to pain him.
"Aur Prachi ko beech mein mat la... agar usse pata chal gaya ke main... (Dont bring Prachi into this... if she found out that I am...)" she stopped and suddenly laughed, "Arre mujse bada badnaseeb tou tera parivaar hain...kam se kam, tera asli chehra tou mereko maloom hain... (Perhaps your family are more unfortunate than I am... at least I know what you are really like...)"
Inder did not know how his daughter had turned out like this or how he had let her become so. She was bitter and rightly so. Her language made him uncomfortable at times, but he bore it. Anything he would say would just push her further away. He wished he could explain that if he could undo the past, he would.
"Ab tu jaata hain ke nahin? (Now will you leave or not?)"She shouted, turning her back on him. He hesitated for a moment "Kya mujhe Amrita se bhi nahin milne dougi?" he asked, but on seeing her determined back. He left.
Ayesha turned a moment later and with regret too late realised, she whispered, "Bolaane aaya, tou bhi kisi aur ke liye... (You came to call me, but that too for someone else...)"
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"Neev... Ayesha ka ghar kahan hain...nahin maloom... (Neev...I don't know where Ayesha's house is...)" She said despairingly
"Prachi...tum yahaan thero...main kisi ko poonch ke aata hoon...Ayesha kahan rehti hain..." Neev didn't know why he lied, but he didn't want Prachi to know that he had already come to see her.
Prachi sat for a minute, shifting in her seat and then a thought struck her. If she stepped out, maybe Ayesha might see her or even Milind.
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Prachi could hear a group of people jeer to the left of her and she pressed herself against the car. Her cheeks coloured at the profanity they were uttering and she turned her head away.
She could feel them come closer and she panicked. She walked blindly into the chawl, navigating was difficult and fear formed in her chest. She stumbled on every step trying to escape them but suddenly she came against a solid resistance, preventing her from falling. She crashed against Milind's chest with a thud and relief flood her when she heard him mutter something. She clung desperately Milind's shirt, pulling herself closer to him.
He held her for a moment then released her. Pushing her roughly to the side, he stalked after the boys. Prachi shouted after him but all she could hear was a loud crash of bodies at her feet a while later.
She felt something touch her feet and she recoiled. "Maafi maang'" Milind commanded fiercely, crushing the guy's heads into the ground. Prachi shivered at the primal tone in his voice.
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Milind pulled Prachi into his house and she stood there terrified. She could tell he was fuming. It was radiating off him and drowning her senses.
"Gaadi se chipak ke khade rehne ka bauhat sauk haina? (You've a great love for standing stuck to the car don't you?)" He shouted at her and Prachi shrunk away. "Tereko kuch ukaal bhi hain ya nahin? Koi Lokaandwaala mein nahin khadi thi tu'yeh chawl hain chawl'samji' kuch ho jaata tou? (Do you have any brains at all? You weren't standing in some posh locality; this is the chawl'understand'what if something had happened?)"
He would have been happy to continue in the same vein but Prachi was shaking and he could clearly see that she was on the verge of tears.
"Milind'" she whispered, though her voice was thick with her unshed tears and Milind thought his heart had stopped in that moment. How did she even know his name? He wanted to hear her say it again but she didn't. "Muje Ayesha ke paas jaana hain' (I want to go with Ayesha')"
Her lips trembled and Milind resisted the urge to hold her. He didn't say anything and Prachi repeated the sentence but this time letting her tears flow. Milind cursed himself for making her cry and found himself in front of her. He grabbed her chin roughly in his hands and wiped her tears. She held his elbows to steady herself. His proximity was making her conscious and light headed.
"Chal' (Come on)" he said simply. Drawing an arm around her and guiding her out of the house.
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"Neev...kyun laaya Prachi ko idhar? (Neev'why did you bring Prachi here?)" demanded Ayesha, standing against the wall in her house.
Neev placed his hands on her shoulders and for the first time, she did not mind his touch. She let them relax and he ran his hands down the length of her arms, "Woh mere bigaar yahaan paunch jaati' ek hi din mein, tumse bauaht lagaav ho gaya hai usko' (She would have tried to come without me' in just one day, she feels really attached to you')" he explained calmly.
"Ayesha?!" barked Milind from the door and Neev moved away from her. Prachi was with some guy and Neev went immediately to them and took her from him.
Milind looked as though he wanted to pummel Neev to the ground but instead, he made a fist and closed his eyes.
"Prachi'" Ayesha exclaimed but did not know how to continue.
"Ayesha' tum aaj kyun nahin aayi? (Ayesha, why didn't you come today?)" Prachi said right away, grasping for her hands and Ayesha gave them to her with a smile.
"Prachi' bas' meri maa ko meri zaroorat thi' iss lye main nahin aai' (Prachi'my mother needed me'that's why I couldn't come today')" Ayesha lied; her grandmother was perfectly capable of taking care of her on her own. Her mother didn't move or say much.
"Tou tumne mujse kahan hota, hum saath mein aate' (You should have told me, we could have come together')" Prachi said earnestly and Milind looked at her. A wry smile came across his face, he wondered how she would be able to assist Ayesha but his heart swelled to hear her offer nonetheless.
"Ab agar kal se tum nahin aayi'tou main roz khud yahaan aaungi' (Now if you don't come from tomorrow, I will come here myself')" Prachi said adamantly and Neev laughed, making Prachi and Ayesha both smile too. "Prachi, don't worry'main tumhe leh ke aaunga' (Prachi, don't worry'I will bring you')"Neev winked at Ayesha but she bit her cheek, attempting to look surly.
"Roz aayi, tou roz bachana padega'" Milind mumbled under his breath, lighting up.
"Haan, aur agar mein roz aayi, tou tumhare dost ko muje bar bar bachana padega'agar woh cigarette ka duha unhe na mar deh, tou muje bachana zaroor mar dalega'" Prachi replied and Milind ran a hand over his hair in embarrassment. Immediately he turned and left to smoke in peace.
"Lekin Prachi (But, Prachi)" Ayesha objected but Prachi pressed her hands hard, emphasising her point and finally they had gotten Ayesha to yield.
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"Prachi, ek second'main apni chaabi bhool gaya andar' (Prachi, one second'I forgot my keys inside)" and saying that he ran back inside. Ayesha was surprised to find him back and even more so when he walked determinedly up to her.
"Ayesha'" Neev said, bending close to her ear, "Jab fursat ho, tab batana'Inder uncle yahaan kyun aaye the' (When you get time, tell me why Inder uncle was here')"Ayesha's head snapped up and she stared at him but her eyes betrayed nothing, just as she intended them not to.
Neev had seen Inder's car driver out of the chawl. He didn't mention it to Prachi though; she had already been worried as it was.
PART 5
Ayesha was shaken. What would she tell Neev now? She had kept quite this long, not because she was concerned about Inder's reputation but because she wanted nothing to do with him.
Her mother was nothing. She was breathing but she wasn't living. Ayesha now knew the man that was responsible and she cursed the day she found out.
She wished that she hadn't followed her grandmother that day and she wished she hadn't forced it out of her who was giving her so much money.
Now Neev was asking questions too. What would she say? Nothing. She didn't owe him any explanation.
And why was Prachi so nice? Ayesha wanted to hate her but she couldn't, instead she felt an odd attachment to her. It wasn't pity because she was blind, it was something genuine and despite everything, she found herself outside Shah Mansion.
Ayesha made sure to watch Inder leave the house before entering, if she could help it, she would avoid ever seeing him again. She entered the house and to her surprise, she found pictures of the family everywhere. She wondered how she'd missed them before and felt a slight pang in her heart.
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Prachi waited anxiously for Ayesha to come to their house the next day. She would ask her what happened. And this time, she expected an honest answer.
"Ayesha..." Prachi said, "Muje ab sach sach batao, ke tum mere papa ko dekh ke itna heraan kyun hui thi, issi liye tum ghar chali gait hi na? Aur wapis nahin aayi... (Now tell me the truth, why did you run away like that when you saw my father? And then didn't return...)"
Ayesha looked up momentarily from the books Prachi had asked her to bring from the desk and replied, "Prachi, main tere baap se kyun darungi...bas maa ki pareshaani thi... (Prachi, why would I be scared of your father...I was just worried about my mother that's all)"
Prachi felt frustrated, she knew that Ayesha was hiding something, "Ayesha, meri aankhein nahin hain... lekin maine kaha tha na...khabhie khabhie, jou baat log kehte nahin, woh muje sunai deti hai...usse muje paata chalta hain, ke tum joot bol rahi ho... Ayesha, just because I can't see, doesn't mean I can't tell...I told you before, sometimes I can understand things that haven't even been said...that's how I know you're lying...)"
"Prachi...dekh maine tereko kahan re, kuch nahin hain, tere dimaak mein paata nahin kya chal raha hain...chal ab iss sadu topic ko mar goli... (Prachi...look, I told you, it's nothing, and I don't know what goes on in your head...now let's leave this rubbish topic...)" Ayesha replied, standing completely still. She was astounded by how in tune Prachi was with her surroundings and she didn't want to betray anything.
Prachi protested but Ayesha cut her off. Prachi told her that she would wait till she felt ready to tell her.
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Premlata had called Ayesha downstairs and as she made her way across the hall. She found Neev climbing the stairs and she resisted a smile when he winked at her. Instead her jaw set in determination to avoid looking at him.
He stood in her way and wouldn't let her through, "Tu hat ta hain ke nahin... (Will you move or not?)" She said irritably but he carried on regardless. She pushed him and he struggled to balance on the step. Grabbing his shirt, Ayesha pulled him back up. His face was now level with hers, "Doosri bar, mu ke bal ghirega... (Next time, you'll fall flat on your face...)" she stated. Neev looked down at her lips and again, he was overcome with the desire to kiss them, he leaned forwards but she had let him go.
He watched her back as she descended a couple of steps and as she turned to look at him, she tripped. She didn't fall far but she landed awkwardly. Neev laughed heartily at her but when she didn't move, he went to inspect.
He watched her for a moment; sitting there, seething in anger and then despite her protests, he picked her up. Her cheeks reddened in embarrassment as she pushed his chest and kicked her feet. "Chodh muje Neev... (Let go of me Neev...)" but Neev continued to chuckle, holding her tighter and bringing her down the stairs.
She let him place her feet gently on the floor and he bowed before her, smiling. "Jou hukhum sarkar... (Whatever you say, your highness...)" he whispered in her ear, pushing back her hair. When she turned to look at him, he was already half way up the stairs.
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"Merek...muje bulaya tu...aapne... (Did you call me?)"Ayesha spoke to Premlata's back, tapping her own head gently and biting her tongue.
Premlata turned and smiled warmly. "Beta...bas tumse poonchna tha, tumhe hamara gujrati khaana pasand aayega na... (Child...I just wanted to ask whether you mind eating Gujarati food...) "
Ayesha looked at the woman in front of her and instead of the resentment she expected to feel, she felt the overwhelming desire to be embraced by her. Nobody had cared to ask her what she would like before.
When Ayesha didn't speak, Premlata looked worried, "Kya baat hain, Ayesha, tum theek tou ho? (What's the matter, Ayesha...are you okay?)" she asked softly, raising a hand to her cheek, noticing Ayesha's pale countenance.
Ayesha raised her hand to cover Premlata's and nodded.
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"Prachi... Chalna, kahin bahar chalte hain... (Prachi...come on, let's go out...)" Ayesha said, pulling Prachi up from her seat. The house was stifling her and she just wanted to be out of there. They didn't even have Neev to distract them. He had come and gone in seconds, only to check on Prachi.
Prachi debated for a moment and then replied, "Ayesha, tumne abhi thak Sukriti se tou nahin milaya... (Ayesha, I've yet to meet Sukriti...)"
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Prachi's heart thud nervously in her chest but as they stepped into Milind's house, she relaxed. He wasn't there, she knew it but she noted it with a touch of disappointment.
It seemed as though Sukriti was perennially absent whenever Prachi came around to meet her. Ayesha was disappointed and so was Prachi but for other reasons.
Ayesha stalked off, vowing to find her this time. Prachi sat contentedly and waited. She looked up and called, "Milind..."
He shuffled awkwardly and then walked towards her. How did she know he was standing there? And more importantly, why was she here?
Prachi stood up from her seat and Milind bent forward to help her. "Tereko kaise paata main hoon? (How did you know it was me?)" He asked curiously and Prachi laughed but did not say anything.
After some thought, she slowly lifted her hands and brought them up to his face. She touched his cheeks tentatively and continued up towards his eyes to cover them. She felt Milind's eyelids flutter under her hands and he lifted his to remove them. She shook her head and he stopped.
"Kuch sunai de raha hain aapko? (Can you hear that?)" He heard her ask and replied "Teri awaaz... (Your voice...)" She laughed softly again and said, "Nahin Milind...dyaan se suniye... (No Milind...listen carefully)" But he couldn't understand what she was talking about and shook his head, saying "Makhi... (Flies...)"
Prachi frowned slightly and began to move her hands back down but Milind stopped her, holding her hands in his, he placed them back over his eyes. "Ek barr aur koshish kar... (Let's try one more time...)" he told her and Prachi smiled to herself.
Milind took a deep breath and concentrated. He blocked out the thoughts he was getting from being so close to her and tried his hardest. And then slowly, he heard it. He knew it wasn't his, for his beat fast but her heartbeat was a rhythmic, calming. It was soft and gentle like she was and he could see her form into the girl before him behind his eyes.
"Teri dhadkan mereko sunai de rahi hai... (I can hear your heartbeat...)" he confessed bluntly and Prachi blushed. She asked him to keep his eyes closed and moved her hands over his ears.
He couldn't hear much now, certainly not her heart, but his nostrils were filled with a unique smell. Of course it was of her, he knew it instantly. She smelt familiar, like the fragrance of rain soaked mud but he had never noticed that before.
He wondered what he looked like to her; whether she could see him as he was. And she could. He removed her hands, "Bas" he said and sat her back down.
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Prachi met Sukriti with much warmth but they did not get long to spend together. Ayesha was to take Prachi back home soon.
As they made their way towards the door, Milind grabbed Ayesha's arm and nodded towards Prachi.
"Haan haan...leh aaungi kal isko...ayegi na Prachi? Hamare chawl mein janmaastmi mannaenge... (Yes, Yes...I will bring her tomorrow...will you come Prachi? We're celebrating the birth of Krishna at our chawl tomorrow...)"Ayesha said loudly and Milind stared back at her angrily. Ayesha smirked, leading Prachi out of the door. Prachi bit her lip gently, he wanted her to come back, she thought to herself, and she definitely wanted to be back.
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