Part 3
Time: 4:30 PM
The black SUV rumbled down the dusty lane bordered with gulmohar trees, their red-orange petals dancing on the wind. Riya sat in the passenger seat, eyes lingering on the old-world charm of the neighborhood. Arjun, unusually quiet, had one hand on the wheel and the other resting on the gear.
There was something hesitant in his gaze. Something almost… unsure.
Riya tilted her head. “ACP Arjun Suryakant Rawte jo bina dare goli chala deta hai… aaj itna nervous kyu lag raha hai?”
He shot her a glance, then gave a dry chuckle. “Iss baar… goli nahi chalani. Zubaan chalani hai. Aur woh mushkil kaam hai.”
She smirked. “Kahi jaa toh nahi rahe ki kisi ka encounter karne?”
He stopped the SUV outside a white, semi-dilapidated bungalow with intricate jharokhas and peeling blue paint. A rusted nameplate read:
“Col. Rajveer Malhotra (Retd.) & Mrs. Sujata Malhotra”
Riya’s smile faded. “Roshni ke parents?”
Arjun nodded slowly, voice low. “Mujhe unse mile hue saal ho gaye hain. Shaadi ke baad… aur phir…” He stopped, swallowing the weight.
Riya gently reached across and held his hand on the gear. “Aaj mil lo. Apne liye. Unke liye.”
He didn’t say anything, but the grip of his fingers on hers tightened, just for a moment.
***
Time: 5:00 PM
They stepped into a wide veranda with a large aangan at the center, where an old neem tree spread its shade like a protective guardian. Windchimes made of shells clinked softly in the breeze.
A woman in a soft pink saree stepped out with a surprised gasp.
“Arjun beta?”
Arjun took two steps forward, his voice cracked with emotion. “Maa…”
Mrs. Sujata Malhotra was older now, her hair streaked with silver, but the warmth in her eyes hadn’t faded. She walked forward quickly and cupped his face in both hands.
“Tum aaye… itne saalon baad… Arjun…”
“Main… late ho gaya maa,” he whispered, eyes shining.
She shook her head, tearfully smiling. “Nahi… kabhi nahi.”
Colonel Rajveer followed from inside, upright as ever, his sharp military gaze softening the moment he saw Arjun.
He gave him a firm nod. “Rawte.”
Arjun stood straight, “Sir.”
The older man grunted. “At ease. Ghar mein salute mat do.”
A short, emotional laugh broke out between them.
Riya stood respectfully near the threshold until Sujata noticed her and smiled. “Aur yeh sundar ladki?”
Arjun turned slightly. “Meri… partner hai. Riya Mukherjee. ETF mein.”
Riya bowed her head in greeting. “Namaste.”
Sujata looked between them, and something flickered in her eyes. A knowing glint. “Aao beta. Aaj dinner yahan.”
***
Time: 7:45 PM
The dining table was full — daal, jeera rice, aloo gobi, papad, and mango pickle.
Arjun hadn’t touched food like this in years. The aroma itself was nostalgic.
“Maa… yeh sab…” he whispered, eyes misty.
Sujata placed more rice on his plate, smiling. “Roshni ki favourite thi yeh daal. Tumhari bhi. Tum dono ladte the kaun zyada lega.”
Riya glanced at Arjun, who now seemed smaller, softer — like the shadows of his past were curling around him.
Rajveer sipped his soup and muttered, “Aur tum dono phir fridge mein doodh mein namak daalte the badla lene ke liye.”
Arjun burst out laughing, tears rolling down his cheek with laughter and ache mixed. “Woh Roshni ka idea tha!”
Riya's heart twisted.
After dinner, as Sujata walked Riya through the rose garden Roshni had planted, Arjun and Rajveer sat on the veranda sipping whiskey in silence.
The older man finally spoke, “You’ve changed.”
Arjun nodded. “Life changes you.”
Rajveer looked directly into his eyes. “You’re in love again.”
Arjun was quiet. But silence itself was an answer.
“Roshni would’ve wanted that,” Rajveer added. “Don’t hold yourself back, beta. This… guilt, this atonement… it’s not yours to carry forever.”
***
Time: 6:00 AM – Next Day
Riya stood at the garden steps, watching the sunrise, sipping tea.
“Thand lag rahi hai?” Arjun walked up behind her, placing his jacket over her shoulders.
She looked up. “Nahi… bas… yeh subah kuch zyada hi khoobsurat lag rahi hai.”
He stood beside her, hands in pockets. “Kal raat… thank you. Tumhare hone se sab kuch… asaan tha.”
She smiled faintly. “Mujhe laga tum mujhse door bhaagoge.”
“Main bhaagta tha… ab nahi.”
A pause.
She turned slightly to him. “Unhone kya kaha tumse?”
He looked at her, and for the first time in years, the burden on his shoulders seemed… lighter. “Unhone kaha… Roshni mujhe khush dekhna chahti thi. Tumhare saath.”
Riya’s eyes misted. “Aur tum? Tum khush ho?”
He moved closer, their breaths mingling.
“Tumhare saath hoon. Har pal zinda mehsoos hota hai.”
And slowly, gently, he took her hand in his — not in passion, not in desperation — but in something steady. Certain. True.
***
Time: 11:00 AM – Departure
As they prepared to leave, Sujata hugged Riya tightly. “Jab bhi Arjun pareshaan lage, use yeh gulab ka phool dikhana. Roshni ne lagaya tha. Uss phool ke saath vo muskurata tha.”
Riya nodded emotionally, clutching the bloom.
As Arjun got into the driver’s seat, Sujata called out, “Beta?”
He turned.
“Is baar itne saal mat lagana wapas aane mein.”
His voice cracked again. “Nahi maa. Wada karta hoon.”
Riya settled beside him, and as they drove away, a soft breeze carried a few gulmohar petals into the air — like blessings.
A bond with the past acknowledged.
A bond with the future silently sealed.
A bandhan… of acceptance, warmth, and beginning.
[TBC]
sidhi baat no bakwas
so ideal
Cricket
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