Part 6
A/N: (Please remember k Shreya ka right hand, Daya k left hand main hai...hehe.....Pooray hospital scene main ;)
"Sir, I am sorry par maine app se aik sachai chupai hai", Shreya started the topic right from the point which was silently killing her from inside.
"Kaisi sachai?" Daya raised his brow in question as he saw her fidgeting in her seat.
"Maine appse kaha tha k--- (release a loud breath) Siddhart nay mujhe Mihika ki kidnapping ki wajha se chor diya.....Likin..." His hand tightened around hers, as if giving her strength and power.
"Likin kia Shreya? Baat kia hai....mujhe sach batao"...Daya was feeling agitated on her behalf. His eyes narrowed. His mind conjures a million reasons.
"Siddhart nay mujhe Mihika ki wajha se nahi......balke apni pehli patni or bete ki wajha se chor diya" Tears spilled from her eyes as Daya got the extreme shock on hearing the truth.
"Pehli Patni? Aur.....Beta?" The words couldn't be comprehended by Daya.
"Sid--Siddhart or meri shadi k baad maine khud ko sambhal liya tha....khud ko tayar kar liya k abh shayad---meri zindagi bus yehi hai---wohi hai.....Aik patni honay ka farz nibhanay k liye.....na chahte howay bhi...maine apna app... apna sab kuch us k mann k mutabiq badal diya.....CID, mera sapna, apni job---jisske liye main poori zindagi mehnat ki.....usay chor diya....Wo log jo meri zindagi main kai mai-nay rakhte thay, zaroori thay (She gazed at him before looking away)....un sab se nata tor diya (sniff).....Apnay app ko pooray tareeqay se badal dala maine." Her words clearly stated how hard it was for her to take that step. She had left an important part of herself behind, in order to catch the part, which wasn't hers.
"Shadi k aik mah baad hum Delhi uske parents k pass shift ho gaye.....Naye mahool, naye ghar nay masroof kar diya.....Zindagi sahi chal rahi thi......Siddhart mera khayal karta tha....parwah karta tha...." She portrayed the image of the world she had created after her exit from his life in words.
"Likin aik din America se call aye....Siddhart nay kaha k usay wapis jana hoga likin ye wada bhi kia k wo mere visa ka apply karay ga or jald mujhe wahan bula lay ga...."
Words escaped her lips of her own accord as her mind drifted back to the time she had experienced. Daya's keen eyes kept their focus on her face, trying to comprehend her emotions.
"Wo chala gaya or main Delhi main hi reh gaye.....(a long pause ...Her eyes looking outside the window into emptiness) Kissi ki Patni ban-na, apni maang main uska sindoor, galay main uske naam ka mangalsutra pehn-nay ka arth kia hota hai, main jaan chuki thi......Meri zindagi abh wo ban chuka tha", Her words although pierced Daya's heart, but he knows how traditional she is. She is the true Indian woman whose life revolved around her family. It was the same quality that attracted him to her first and foremost. And for the same reason, he couldn't gather courage to fight for her because her family meant a lot to her.
"Shuruwat main hamari rozana baat hoti...likin jaise jaise din beet-tay gaye....uske call ana kam honay lagay......Mujhe laga busy hoga......Kam ki wajha se shayad mujhe waqt nahi day pa raha......" Her voice brought him out of his haze of thoughts.
"Or Phir.... Uske janay k aik mah baad, mujhe patah chala k main maa banany wali hoon." Her face warmed up. A small smile bloomed on her lips as if remembering and reliving the moment once again.
"Main bohut khush thi.....Meri adhoori khali zindagi main abh rang anay walay thay.....Aik aurat k liye Ma ban-na, uske poora hoonay k barabar hota hai.....Maa Papa bhi ye jaan k khush thay.....unhain laga k unka faisla sahi thi.....or mujhe apni zindagi main agay bharhta dekh k....unki chinta bhi kam ho gaye thi.......Chahay mera or Siddhart ka rishta aik unchahay mor se shuru howa tha likin, ye nanhay paon---- jinhon nay abhi is duniya main kadam bhi nahi rakha tha, aik nanhi kari(chain) ki surat main abh humain jor k rakhne k liye kaffi thay........." Shreya told wistfully, her other hand unintentionally moved towards her belly, reminancing the way she felt that day. Daya's keen eyes observed her each moment and his own eyes teared up seeing her emotionally-charged state.
"Apni ye khushi main Siddhart k saath bant-na chahti thi....Usay batana chahti thi k shayad abh, hamara rishta poora ho jaye ga........likin uska phone hi nahi lag raha tha.....Uske Mummy Papa nay bhi koshish ki....Likin Siddhart se koi contact nahi ho pa raha tha.......Aisay hi din beet-tay gaye....hamari chinta bharti gaye....Siddhart nay khud bhi koi contact nahi kia". Although she didn't put much of her feelings in words, Daya could clearly imagine how lost, how worried she might have been in such circumstances. She was a mother to be, a daughter who was far away from her parents and the only solace she was looking for was her husband, the father of her child.
"Phir aik din achanak......Aik aurat America se ghar pe aye....Uske saath unka aik 3 saal ka beta tha......." And he could clearly see where this story was moving.
"Mera 5th month tha........Darwazay main kharay, main us aurat ko dekh rahi thi.....confused thi k ye kaun hai....(Pause)....Or phir, peeche se maine Siddhart ko atay howay dekha......." (A shaky breath escaped her mouth)
"Main bohut khush thi usay dekh k....Chahay hamaray beech pyaar nahi tha, likin aik pati patni ka rishta or abh ma-baap bananay ka rishta---hamare beech jur chuka tha......Yehi soch k main uski taraf bhari likin----- is say pehle main usay chu pati-----Wo peeche hat gaya jaise main koi ajnaabi hoon......Wo mujhse nazrain nahi mila paya....." She kept on explaining the scene from her memory and Daya could clearly imagine it.
"Meri tau mano sansain hi ruk gayein jab usne bataya k wo uski Patni hai....America main Green Card ki lalach main, usne shadi ki thi or uska beta bhi howa....Green Card milne k baad, uski or uski patni ki darmiyan kuch ann bann k chalte, wo yahan aa gaya.....tabhi uske Mata Pita nay uski shadi mujhse teh kar di.......Wo unko kyun ye baat nahi bata paya k wo shadi shuda hai....aik bachay ka baap hai......Yaan wo shayad jantay thay or anjaan ban-nay ka natak kar rahay thay......main nahi janti.....likin apni is galti k kaa-ran usne meri zindagi ka tamasha bana diya" Shreya's voice got hard. Daya could clearly feel her pain as her hand started to shake. She felt his other hand rubbing her fingers in order to calm her down. This whole new-scenario-change between them, this whole new feelings arising due to his touch, was making her nervous. She tried to pull her fingers back from Daya, but he didn't leave them.
He was a man who learns from his mistakes. And he had already left her once, but was not ready to do it again.
Instead of leaving her hand, he entwined her fingers in his, getting them chained tightly. Shreya looked up at him in surprise, but he didn't explain anything and just inquired, "Phir??".
Shreya's gaze remained fixed on him for a moment, her heart started to beat at a fast pace. Daya was never a man who put his heart on sleeves but right now, it seems like he was ready to put everything on line--- His hesitance, his emotional-turmoil, his fears, his doubts.
Another squeeze of his hand and then a soft, "Phir Shreya?" echoed in the room.
She blinked her eyes repeatedly before her mind reminded her about the point on which she left her story.
"Phir.....Wo dono dubara aik ho chukay thay.....Siddhart nay apnay Maa Baap ko bataya k usnay socha tha k US wapis ja k wo apni pehli patni ko divorce day day ga.....Likin uski patni ko kahin se Siddhart ki or meri shadi ki khabar mil gaye....or usnay Siddhart ko dhamki di k agar wo usay chorta hai tau us pe wo US main fraud ka case kar day gi....Uska green card revoke ho sakta tha.....Or Siddhart aisa nahi chahta tha.....Wo bohut lalchi insaan tha, Sir" Her voice dripped with bitterness.
"Or Siddhart k parents nay jab usay mujh main or uski pehli patni k beech chun-nay ko kaha...tau uska jawab saaf tha.....", Shreya chuckled sarcastically.
"Hamaray kanoon main Pehli patni k hotay, doosri shadi kaisi mani jati hai....ye app jantay hain....(A deep sigh and a long pause)..Us aik din main, maine apni pehchan, apna atma-saman, apni astitvita ...sab kho diya......meri beti....Jiski is duniya main anay ki khabar bhi abhi uske baap ko nahi milli thi, pehle he na-jaiz kehlanay lagi". She spoke the bitter truth of her life. She could still hear the hurtful and agonizing words that the people had to say when they heard her story.
It was just a story for them to hear, to observe and give comments. But it was her reality. Why can't people be considerate before opening their mouths?
"Siddhart nay mujhse moun mor liya or maine us-se jo bhi rishta tha...wo sab tor diya. (A deep breath) Ma-Papa mujhe apnay saath Ahmedabad lay gaye......Likin mere relatives ki kat-thor baaton or meri halat dekh k Maa, jo pehle hi heart problems se lar rahin theen, bardhast nahi jar payein or unka dehant ho gaya......(A tear slipped from her eye....Remembering the pain her mother had to suffer) Jiss Ma ki zindagi k liye maine apni zindagi ko dao pe lagaya .....Akhir main unki Zindagi ka anth bhi meri wajha se howa..... "
Another tear fell from her eyes to her cheeks, tracing a line, leaving a detailed description of the pain she had endured silently. It pinched him. Daya bent ahead to remove it from his free hand...His own eyes were teary, his heart weeping and suffering to see her in such a condition.
Shreya hicupped but held his hand right on her cheek, leaning into it, letting his warmth and care engulf her, even if it's just for a moment. Just now. She decided to be Selfish, just for once.
She needed his strength, his care, his love right now.
His thumb traced her skin, trying to erase k marks of betrayal and agony, she beared while his fingers made their way through her silky soft traces of hairs.
Her closed eyes, her face leaned into his hand, his fingers lost in her hairs. She was looking like a dream that Daya had imagined a million times but just the smile, her beautiful smile, that he had wished to see in such a moment was replaced by these cruel tears.
Daya, too, couldn't hold himself back anymore. She had always been an arms length from him....He wanted to grasp her but his fears and hesitation always made him curl his fingers, but now, when she was just a breath away, broken and splintered by her past, he decided to take action.
With a strong force, he jerked her to himself.
She, who a moment ago, was sitting on the stool beside the bed, was now on the small space beside him, on the hospital bed. Her face struck his warm chest. His fast paced heart beat, hearable to her along with her own. His hot breath fanned her face. His smell, his Raw, all masculine smell mixed with a bit of antiseptic, filled her nostrils. His one hand, still entwined with hers and held near his heart by him while the other wrapped around her waist, protectively, securely, cautiously.
Feeling his body heat, his aura that screamed safety, security and shelter, Shreya let herself go. The dam of tears which she hadn't let loose after Siddhart betrayal or her mother's death, was finally broken in the shape of a bitter cry.
Daya's hold around her tightened, his hand rubbing her back in a soothing manner, his lips unconsciously left a kiss in her hairs. He couldn't say anything besides being her support at that moment. He let his actions speak, and let his presence known.
For how long she cried, she didn't know but all she could understand was that how lighter it felt to let go and that too in the arms of that person, who she knows would shelter her even if it means that he has to stand in the sun, althrough.
And then, as reality hit her, she acknowledged their physical state.
Her face was engrossed in his neck. Her right hand, still safely entwined with his, her left had clasped his hospital gown at the back. Her legs, bent and placed on his thighs. His smell was constantly intoxicating her senses. His right hand fingers, caressing her waist in an up and down motion and his lips.....His chapped dry lips, leaving a trail of soft, small kisses in her hairs and whispering "Shhh...Shh...bus....or nahi Shreya" trying to calm her down.
The moment Daya felt her sobs subsiding, he knew she would spring apart from him. Till now, as he was trying to stabilise her, his heart was also rejoicing in the closeness they were sharing. Feeling her breath on his skin, feeling her hand on his body, feeling her tears on his chest which although was pinching his heart, was also a source of tranquillity for him. He was glad to think that she considered him her safe-zone to not keep the mask of bravery.
As her grip on his shirt loosen up, his grip on her waist tightened.
"Aisay hi raho....Hilna maat...Please" He pleaded softly and Shreya stopped.
Time stopped.
Both let their silence talk and let their hearts find solace in the presence and existence of each other. His finger tips sketched an unknown pattern on her back.
"Main gaya tha Ahmedabad...... Tumhain dhoodne...Is umeed se k shayad tum wahin hogi..... Likin main tumhain nahi dhond paya....Tumhare parosiyon se tumhari Maa or Dada Dadi ka tau patah chala likin na tumhare surakh milla....na hi tumhare Papa ka". Taking a deep breath, Daya's words replaced the silence.
"Papa....Papa nay tau apnay app ko meri is halat or maa ki mout ka zimmedar samjhna shuru kar diya.......Wo mujhe har pal apnay samne nahi dekh pa rahay thay...or aik din, wo dada dadi k saharay mujhe chor k chalay gaye...." Shreya answered in a lost voice.
Daya's mind was still reeling from all that he heard. He never thought that Siddhart, the man who was showing love for Shreya in front of all, whom they all have met, was a two-timer. A deceiver. Just how, for the sake of his foolish and selfish reasons, he destroyed the life of the one person who was most important for Him. (Daya)
"Main Ahmedabad main nahi reh sakti thi....mere rishtedar baatain suna k mujhe pagal kar detay...or dada dadi....is umr main kaise mera bojh uthatay ...kaise main unhain logon ki baatain sun-na dekh pati....Is liye main Chandigarh chali gaye....Training Academy ki aik friend Richa k pass.....Wo Special Forces main thi.....Ussi k ka-ran mujhe bhi Special forces join karne ka mauqa mila." Shreya added a bit later as she had decided to let him know all what happened to her, without him. After him. She couldn't think of repeating this story or reliving this once again.
Above all, they are always surrounded by people, such as the CID team or Mihika. She doesn't know if she ever could tell him all this again. If she ever had that much courage.
"Tau tum wapis kyun nahi aye Shreya?....Siddhart k tumhare zindagi se janay k baad....tum kyun nahi aye....Hum sab thay yahan?---(in a whisper) Main tha yahan?" She heard him. Shreya could clearly see how her troubles, her story, her hardships were crushing him. Shreya closed her eyes and whispered
"Issi liye nahi aye" Her statement left him shocked. A million questions rushed through his mind.....But before he could voice one, She continued.
"Main nahi chahti thi k mere is totay rishta ka bojh--- koi apnay sir lay...Bari mushkil se apna Sam-man karna seekha tha, Sir......Issi liye jab IB main hotay howay app logon se milli....tab bhi app sab se ye baat chupai......Is guilt ki wajha se pehle hi apnay Papa ko kho chuki thi.....or kissi ko nahi khona tha mujhe...".
Daya let her words sink into his mind. Surely, he was feeling guilty. Guilty for not understanding his feelings in time, Guilty for not accepting them, Guilty for pushing her away from himself. Guilty for not inquiring about Siddhart's past.
Damnit! He was in CID. He was in a profession where getting information about someone is not a hard task but when Siddhart came, no one....No One considered it a duty to get his background checked.
He was lost in his fears and grief and Abhijeet was trying to support him. Purvi and Tarika were busy in getting Shreya to confess her feelings for him and None, no-one of them even had an ounce of rationality left to do one thing that was crucial for Shreya's life.
They all believed in her parents' choice. Siddhart's father was friends with Shreya's father. But how many times have they seen a friend backstabbing another? How many times have they seen friends killing each other over petty issues?
But like a blind and cowardly person, he gave up the most important person of his life without any fight. He was firm in his decision to support her parents' will but what credentials he had to support his words that Siddhart was good for her. Null. Nill.
"App wohi kar rahay hain jo main nahi chahti thi", Shreya had lifted her head from the warm cocoon of his chest and now was looking at him hurtfully.
Daya looked at her deeply, his eyes trying to capture all wrinkles, the lines that had marked her face. There were more wrinkles on her forehead(of worry) than beside her mouth(of smiles) and that gave him an ache.
With a deep sigh, Daya looked away. He felt the weight of his one decision now burying him, suffocating him.
"Daya Sir" She called out to him, straightening up.....Now, both of her hands are grabbing his left one in a tight grip. She couldn't see him blaming himself for everything wrong that happens in the world when both of them were responsible for the failure of their relationship.
"Aik faisla appne liya tha...khamosh reh k.....or aik faisla maine liya....app se door reh k....App meri khushi chahtay thay....or main appki....Main wapis issi liye nahi aye kyun k main janti thi k mere wapis anay se wo zakhm phir se haray ho jayein gay jinhain waqt nay apnay marham ne bhar diya tha.....main chahti thi k app zindagi main agay barhain....chahay mujhe or meri yadon ko appko peechay chorna paray.....likin kissi ko apna-ain jo aapki zindagi main khushiyan la sakay......App khush rehna deserve karte hain, Sir ", She explained. And Daya couldn't let her live in this lie anymore. Softly, he cupped her face. His eyes were clear and soft as he gazed at her.
"Tumse dour ho ke main kaise khush reh sakta hoon, Shreya.....(aggreived tone) Main..main manta hoon k tumse pehle mere zindagi main koi aaya tha.....Likin tumhare baad...(his voice got heavy.....His thumb lightly caressing her earlobe) tumhare baad, meri zindagi main kissi k liye koi jagha nahi hai....Tumhari honay se hi meri duniya main rang aye thay.....Afsos ye hai k tumhare rehte--- main wo rang dekh nahi paya....Tumhain khud se alag kar diya.......Likin aik mouqa tau deti mujhe apni galti sudharne ka....Tumne tau mujhe apnay saath khara honay k bhi layak nahi samjha....Batao Shreya.....Tum wapis kyun nahi aye Shreya?...kyun?", Daya hugged her tightly at the end. His heart was feeling so vulnerable right now. All his strong walls around his heart, his resolves of staying alone, were now crumbling like a deck of cards. His fears and hesitations were running away like a ghost as hope and courage to attain what's his, took place in the pit of his heart.
Shreya felt his warm embrace and a dream, that she never thought was her to get, was fulfilled.
He was feeling tormented but she needed him to hear her out.
"Main...Main Maa bannay wali thi.....Main kaise aa k appse nazrain milati...kaise kehti k jo un-kahay waday main appse karne ka socha tha....unhain main kissi or k saath nibha bethi hoon.....Main app pay wo zimmedari nahi dalna chahti thi jo appki thi hi nahi", Shreya told between tears, her words whispered against the skin of his neck. Her name-sake divorce, her separation, her conditions really made her lose her confidence. She was no longer a young girl with dreams of a brighter future but a woman, broken by the harsh realities of life.
(When someone gets deceived like this, their courage falters and they don't wish to see sympathy in someone's eye. Their mind plays games and the genuine care too looks like Pity. Genuine words sound like mockery.)
"Tum se jurri sab cheezain mere liye ahem hain, Shreya.....Hamesha say theen.....Issi liye hamesha tumhare bare main darta raha.....Tumhain khonay se, tumhari narazgi se, tumhari Na say...." He said after a moment, weighing the words that he was about to utter for the very first time. His all reservations had been kicked out after hearing the pain she endured. Once, he had thought that his cursed past could taint her future and so he kept himself aloof from her life....even though he always got the hint of her attraction, but he stayed away, kept himself in check, didn't let his heart jump out and tell her everything she desired to hear, just thinking that She deserves someone better. Someone but him. But now, he had realised that he could trust no-one to safeguard her as much as himself. It was He, whom She desired and loved.
"Kehte hain k Insaan ussi k bare main sab se zyada darta hai... jo uske dil k bohut kareeb hota hai" Shreya's heart raced as he said it. Was he really going to say what she always wished to hear? Do wishes really come true? She tried to break the hug, tried to look at his face, tried to capture the dream in reality but he held her in place with a firm grip on her back. He wasn't about to allow anything, even a small gesture, take him away from this moment. From her.
"Or mere dil k har hisay main, sirf tum hi tum basti ho, Shreya.....Abhijeet or ACP sir k baad maine agar zindagi main kissi ko apna mana hai, tau wo tum ho". Daya turned his face and brought his lips near her ear before whispering "I love you, Shreya.....Bohut pyaar karta hoon tumse", and she felt her heart bouncing in her ears at a very fast pace. His warm breath was felt by her before his lips brushed accidently against her neck but her mind was still stuck on his confession.
"I love you", He whispered once again.
Her fingers tightened at the back of his shirt, her eyes teared up as her mind finally registered that he had really accepted and confessed his feelings. Previously, She had accused him of ending their relationship even before it started but now, as he was making effort to start a new one, Shreya was not going to sit behind and watch. They had suffered enough. Now, no more miscommunication. No more hesitation. No more fears to pull them back.
"I love you too......" She finally replied back and let herself be absorbed by his bone crushing hug.
----------------------------
Rolling the pen in between his fingers, Abhijeet smiled looking at nothing in particular. He was sitting in the Bureau but his mind was far far away from here.
He was happy. He was enthusiastic. He was finally feeling light.
Although a stack of files were placed on his desk, few papers were asking him to take a look, the hands of the clock demanding his attention with their soft tick-tick and the phones keep ringing in the background, but all he could do was remember the happiness that he felt in Daya's voice this afternoon.
It had been a long time since he had heard that carefree and non-chalant tone. Daya, who was always too worried to get back to work even if he had been injured or shot at, is now happily looking forward to spending the coming days of his leave, away from CID.
Flashback.(an hour ago)
Abhijeet dialed Daya's number as he was missing his partner. It's been a long time since they had been apart like this. It already had been 5 days that they were separated because of Mission Chakarvyuh and now, as he got the bullet, he couldn't meet him for another week.
"Hello, Abhijeet....Kaise ho yaar?" Daya unexpected chirpy voice, rang in his ears.
"Main theek hoon....tum sunaoo....Zakham kaisa hai? Medicine lay rahay ho?.....Dekho tumhain bilkul exersion karne ki zaroorat nahi hai.....Aik week kaha hai doctor nay tau us say pehle main bilkul tumhain duty pe nahi dekhna chahta" Abhijeet started the list of questions one after another. Daya's heart filled with love by seeing this concern from his friend cum brother.
"Abh bolay ga bhi kuch?" Abhijeet asked after hearing the silence.
"Tum bhi kamal ho yaar....Bolne do gay tau bolon ga na...." Daya chidded and Abhijeet realised and smiled at his reprimand.
"Main theek hoon....Zakhm theek hai....Medicine lay raha hoon....Doctor abhi check kar k gaya hai......Or fikar mat karo.....Aik hafte se pehle main bilkul wapis nahi aa raha...." Daya answered all his questions one by one.
"Accha....ye chamatkar kaise ho gaya? Tum tau kabhi duty se itna dur nahi rahay or is bar samne se bol rahay ho......k main wapis nahi aa raha...." Abhijeet was shocked but then a grin formed on his lips. "Haan waise agar koi accha care karne wala ho tau banday ka kahan Dil karta hai aisay chor k wapis anay ko" He poked fun at him. Daya blushed on the other side.
"Abhijeet" He replied in fake annoyance.
"Accha theek hai....nahi kheenchta tang, abhi k liye....Likin sach main Daya...Jaldi theek hoke wapis aaja yaar.....Aj teri leave ka pehla din hai or mera abhi se mann nahi lag raha yahan tere begair..." Abhijeet complained like a child, expressing how he was missing his friend's presence. He and Daya had always shared this bond where they spilled the beans without any need of prompt.
"Aree aree, araam se mere bhai....aisa maat bol....warna 'tera dil nahi lag raha hai'.....ye dialogue sun k---- KOI hai wahan jiss k dil ko thees(hurt) pohanchay gi........Agay waise hi itna takman charha howa hai......or gussa dilaye ga tau 'Aji sunti ho' ki bajaye, gali gali 'Tarika Gee Tarka Gee' hi pukarte reh jao gay". Daya teased him after a long time. Abhijeet cheeks tinted hearing his words.
"Kia yaar tu bhi...... Baat tau aisay kar raha hai k jaise main koi akela ghoomon ga.....Tu bhi tau mere saath devdas bana phire ga na...kyun" Abhijeet teased back.
"Nahi Abhijeet.....Mere Devdas ban-nay k zamanay khatam howay.......Main tau kehta hoon k tu bhi jaldi se train pakar lay yaar....Kab tak Tarika ko aisay hi sahi station ka intezar karwaye ga", Daya replied urging him silently to take a step.
Abhijeet was silent for a moment, his smile halted..... before his mind registered the meaning behind his words and the smile bloomed into a more ear to ear grin.
"Daya....mere bhai......Kahin tu wohi tau nahi kehna chah raha jo main soch raha hoon? Kia waqai tu nay Shreya se....." His words stopped in hesitation as well as excitement. He didn't want to assume too much before getting all the facts.
"Haan yaar Abhi......Maine Finally Shreya se keh diya....." His soft dreamy tone made Abhijeet's heart fill with happiness.
"Aur Shreya....Usne kia kaha?"
"Wohi jo hamesha se uske dil main tha....." Daya replied before sobering up.
"Sub uske dil ki baat jantay thay.... Bus maine hi dair ki samjhne main"
"Daya.....Tum apni us galti k liye bhugat chukay ho......Tum akele hi nahi balke tum dono...." Abhijeet consoled him. "Likin Abh pichli baatain choro or apnay anay walay kal ko apnay saath se khubsurat bananay ka socho" He lifted up the mood once again.
"Tum sahi keh rahay ho....." Daya agreed. "Or issi liye tau keh raha hoon....k tum bhi is baray main socho........Tum sab jantay thay k Main or Shreya aik doosre k liye kia mehsoos karte hain......Bus hum hi nahi bol paye.....Likin aj jab maine Shreya se wo sab kaha....tau yaqeen mano Abhijeet, wo sara dar, wo sari sochain jin ki wajha se main kabhi kuch keh nahi paya, darta raha.......wo sab be-maini lagay......." Daya explained his feelings while silently encouraging Abhijeet to take the leap of faith too.
"Hum sab tumhare or Tarika k bare main bhi jantay hain......or tum dono bhi aik doosre ki feelings ko acchay se jantay hoo.....Tau mere yaar, dair maat kar......Please, ussay mana lay." He requested before giving him an ultimatum.
"Mujhe mere wapis anay k baad Meri honay wali Bhabhi se milna hai....Dr.Tarika se nahi....Samjhay". Daya laughed, making Abhijeet get a soft smile on his lips as he blushed hearing him call Tarika as 'Bhabhi'.
"Theek hai....Koshish karte hain...." He agreed, faking a helpless sigh. "Tab tak tu meri honay wali 'Bhabhi' ka khayal rakh......" He warned before "Arre, nahi nahi....actually usay abhi tera khayal rakhna hai.....Bechari...tuch tuch", Abhijeet couldn't stop the teasing.
"Hum dono aik doosre ka khayal rakh lain gay.......Tab tak tum mere diye howay task pe focus karo" The happiness in his voice as he discussed him and Shreya couldn't be missed.
"Accha Abhijeet, Nurse lunch laye hai...Main rakhta hoon....Sir or sab ko meri taraf se poochna....Phir baat hoti hai" Daya bid bye as the Nurse entered with his food.
"Theek hai...Apna or Shreya ka dehan rakh....Bye"
Flashback Ends.
"Sir, kia baat hai?.....Bohut khush lag rahay hain....Kuch howa kia??" Purvi asked while standing near his desk with a file in hand.
Abhijeet gave a wide smile as he got up and hugged Purvi in a brotherly manner.
"Hogaya Purvi...Hogaya.....Jo hum sab soch rahay thay....Chah rahay thay...wo Akhir kar ho gaya" The twinkle in his eyes was hard to miss and his happiness engulfed Purvi in its trance too. He held her by the arms.
"Matlab?" Confused but smiling, she asked.
"Daya or Shreya, Purvi....Hamare Daya or Shreya....Wo abh aik honay walay hain", Abhijeet twirled her around with a happy giggle.
"Are wah....Matlab hamari gair-mojoudgi main pehle hi din Daya sir ne mouqay pe choka dag diya", She asked excitedly.
"Pehle patah hota tau kab hi unhain kahin akele band kar detay....." She murmured, "Kam se kam itna dukh tau na sehte dono" Her smile lost as she remembered the pain that her mentor, her brother-like figure and her best friend bore.
Abhijeet too got serious as he heard her.
"Sahi keh rahi ho Purvi....Un dono nay bohut saha hai.....Or kahin na kahin janti ho.....Maine hamesha apnay app ko un dono ka kasoorwar mana hai" Abhijeet expressed his thoughts.
"Sir, Par app kyun....App aisa kyun keh rahay hain?" She placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Kyunke main un dono k bare main janta tha....Daya mera dost kam or bhai zyada hai....or Shreya, Shreya bhi mujhe apna bhai kehti thi....likin aik bhai ka farz main kabhi nibha nahi paya" His regret was eating him.
"Janti ho, Daya chahay kuch kabhi keh nahi paya....Likin uska Shreya k liye pyaar hanesha dikhta tha.....Akhir kar mere kehne pe....Bohut himmat kar k usne aik letter likha tha Shreya k liye.....uski Sagai se pehle...Us main apnay dil ki sab baatain kahin....Maine promise kia tha k main wo letter Shreya tak pohan-chaoon ga...Likin" Abhijeet stopped as a memory flashed in his eyes.
"Likin kia Sir?" Purvi's heart dipped imagining the various circumstances. She knew Shreya didn't receive any letter or she wouldn't have married Siddhart. She knew she waited for Daya till the last moment.
"Main gaya tha uske ghar....Likin Shreya se pehle uske Papa mill gaye... or unhoon nay kaha k unhion nay Siddhart k pita se paise udhar liye hain....jinhain abh wo chuka nahi pa rahay thay....issi liye Siddhart k pita nay unse Shreya ka haath mang liya" Purvi's leg stumbled as she heard the bitter truth.
"Unhoon nay mere agay haath joray k main Shreya se ye baat na kahon.....Or maine hami bhar li....." Abhijeet confessed his error in a dejected tone like a criminal.
"Main janta tha k Daya ko ye tau manzoor hoga k wo apna pyaar kho day....likin wo kabhi kissi baap ko harta howa nahi dekh sakta....Is liye maine chupi sadh li......Likin janti ho Purvi.....Us chupi nay mujhe zindagi bhar tarpaya hai...." A deep sigh of regret escaped his lips.
"Main aksar sochta hoon k maine kyun kuch nahi kia....CID ki job main abh tak maine jo bhi kamaya hai...wo kiss kam ka....Mera kaun sa apna pariwar hai jin k liye itna sambhala howa hai maine....Daya ko bhai kehta hoon or Shreya ko apni behen.....tau us waqt kyun nahi apnay pariwar k liye sab kuch dao pe lagaya ta k Shreya ki Pita ka karz utar sakoon or do pyaar karne walon ko bacha sakon" His thoughts, all what ifs still trouble him.
Purvi analysed him for a moment, the regret and remorse that had engulfed him silently from so many years.
"Tau kia issi wajha se app nay aj tak Tarika se apnay dil ki baat nahi kahi, Sir? Kia Daya Sir or Shreya k alag honay ki saza app aj tak apnay app ko day rahay hain jiss k ka-ran apne Tarika jo CID se janay diya....Us say koi contact nahi kia...Us say apnay dil ki baat nahi kahi" Purvi inquired in distress.
But Abhijeet's silence said it all.
Yes, it was the reason.
How could he accept or walk towards happiness when his one weakness, one mistake caused the downfall of his best friend, his brother.....How could he see dreams when the reality of Daya was in pieces.
"Theek nahi kia....ye tumne theek nahi kia Abhijeet" ACP's sir voice boomed in the almost empty office, taking Purvi and Abhijeet by surprise.
"Sir, app...yahan...Sir" Abhijeet's words fumbled.
"Mujhe hamesha lagta tha k mere officers mere pariwar k sadasiye hain.......Aj tak hum apnay sukh dukh hamesha bant-tay aye hain....Likin aj patah chala...k tumne or Daya nay kabhi mujhe apna nahi samjha." ACP's voice dipped in disappointment. His eyes held anger for his sons.
"Sir....aisa maat kahain.....app...app hamesha hamare liye Pita saman rahay hain..." Abhijeet tried to explain.
"Yehi tau...Yehi tau baat hai...Pita saman mana hai...likin samjha nahi..." He turned away and looked at the projector screen which was displaying a picture of the CID logo.
"Hamesha samjha hai, Sir....Hum..Hum dono ko baap ka pyaar kabhi nahi milla....App se mill k hi tau hum jan paye k baap ka pyaar kia hota hai....." Abhijeet defended ko
"Accha...tau batao...Agar aik betay ko koi masla ho....tau kia baap ko jan-nay ka haq nahi hai......Haan..."(Turning around with a raised brow...his hands dipped in his pant pockets) "Daya ki zindagi main itna kuch ho gaya or humse bant-nay ki bajaye....Share karne ki bajaye....Tum akele hi us say nibat-nay ki koshish karte rahay....Arre humain batatay tau koi hul(solution) nikalte na mill k......" ACP sir complained about their silent acts.
Feeling ashamed, Abhijeet looked down and couldn't say anything anymore. Acp sir looked at him and then at Purvi who was silently witnessing the whole thing.
Purvi gave him a pleading gaze to forgive him and ACP's heart softened.
He stepped near Abhijeet and said in his usual commanding tone.
"Tumhain apni galti ka ehsaas hai....Ehsaas hai na?" Abhijeet nodded in reply and didn't dare to lift his eyes.
"Tau theek hai....Is galti ka parashyatab bhi abhi tumhain hi karna hoga....bolo manzor hai?"
Again a nod.
"Hmmm.....tau chalo.....Ja k apni dil ki baat aj hi Tarika se bol do" Purvi's eyes instantly widened in amazement of ACP's words and a giggle left her mouth.
While Abhijeet's mouth was hanging open like a fish, unable to digest the sudden change in conversation.
"Sir...app...ye...." Just a few random words escaped his throat.
"Koi behas nahi Abhijeet.....Its an order.....or tumhain mera order man-na hi hoga....Samjhay" ACP sir glared at him, promoting him to argue or deny him but Abhijeet looked away in embarrassment, feeling shy.
Seeing him, ACP sir couldn't contain his smile anymore and laughed out loud. Purvi jumped in joy and caught ACP's arm in excitement.
"Sir, Abh CID Monk heaven se Wedding heaven ban jaye ga....Do do shadiyian hoon gi....Mujhe tau soch k hi excitement ho rahi hai" ACP sir himself was feeling happy as the smiles are once again giving knock on his door. He was aloof before and didn't care much about the personal lives of his officers, hoping that they would come to him if trouble ever strikes....But now, he is going to take charge.....No one can harm the family that he had created after many hurdles and sacrifices and years. He would personally guard the gate now and would only grant entrance to Joys. Tears and Troubles have no room available in his home. In CID. In his family.
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A/N: Ok, This Chapter took a lot of my brain cells ...words didn't look right and I just couldn't get the satisfaction...Still don't have it.
And abh se no Precap....Situation or thoughts hamesha aik alag jagha lay jatay hain....
Hope you like this part. (Na bhi accha lagay tau batao yaar.....)
Do read, Comment, Vote.
Love,
Ana
