Part 13
Raj stared at his bhabhi in amazement while Sur gave her a have-you-lost-it look. But Nandini entered the room and sat down in the chair opposite to the bed. Raj gulped and muttered
"Tumse ye kehna chate tha k tum khush raho."
He shook his head wondering how smart would she has to be to guess what he was going to say. However Nandini was resolute.
"Tum yahi kehne wale the Raj?"
Raj shifted uncomfortably. Sur gave Nandini a dirty look and said in a loud voice
"obviously. Raj ko kuch kehna hoga to vo juth thodi na bolega."
Raj stared at both of them amazed. He knew that something was definitely out of place here. The only logical explanation that came to his mind was that Nandini knew everything. Maybe even Sur knew. But how could that be possible? Nandini turned to Raj and said
"Raj, Tum Sur se pyaar karte ho?"
Raj's mouth dropped open. He gaped at her, unable to make a sound. Moments passes but raj remained still, trying to collect his suddenly muddled thoughts when Sur's voice brought him back to present.
"Nandu please..." He looked around at her. She looked close to tears.
"Just answer me Raj. Mujhe sab pata hai. please."
Raj just dropped his gaze. Sur's expression was unreadable but Raj knew that mixed with pain there was accustation in those large eyes. Nandini turned to Sur and said
"See-I told you."
Sur got up and literally ran out of the room. Raj bit his lip and Nandini came and sat next to him.
"Raj tumne kuch galat nahi kia hai...tumne mujhe bataya kyu nahi?"
"Wo aise-" he pointed towards the doorway and Nandini smiled.
"Usey thoda waqt do Raj. agar tum mujhe pehle bata dete to aj itni problem nahi hoti. Tum usse shadi karoge?"
Raj:"Wo kabhi nahi manegi."
Nandini:"Manegi."
Raj:"Uske sath kya hua hai bhabhi? Wo to mujhe apna dost bhi nahi samajhti hogi...Aur ab"
Nandini:"Raj mai tumhe batati hu uske sath kya hua tha...uski galti nahi hai, its not that easy. Par agar tum uska sath do, use pyaar do, to sab thik ho jayega. Dekho, agar ye sab sunne ke baad tum apna faisla badalna chahoge, to mai tumhe nahi rokungi."
Raj:"I dont care"
Nandini:"Mujhe tumse yahi ummeed thi."
Raj:"Apko kaise pata chala?"
Nandini:"Well...mene tumhari diary padh li thi."
Raj:"WHAT!bhabhi thats not done. Apne meri diary-"
Nandini:"Hey,Im sorry. Mai padhna nahi chahti thi, bas usme Sur ki photo dekhi, to..."
Raj shook his head disbelieving but then sobred up, waiting for Nandini to speak.
Nandini:"Raj actually Sur meri real behan nahi hai. wo mere dad k bahut achche dost,aur business partner Vikramjit ki beti hai. Bachpan se hi Sur aur mai sath sath bade huye. Jab Sur 5 saal ki thi, tab uske parents ki death ho gayi. dad ne Sur ko apni beti samajh ke paalne ka faisla kiya. Sur bhi unhe apne mom dad samajhne lagi. Lekin fir property division hua, aur uski official custody uske chacha ko mil gai. Unhe uski koi parwah nahi thi, par kyuki sari property uske naam par thi, wo usey le gaye. Dad jante the vo waha khush nahi rahegi, par unke paas usey rakhne k legal rights bhi to nahi the. Sur apne chacha chachi ke sath rehne lagi.
Un logo ne kabhi usey kisi cheez ki kami nahi hone di. Un logo ne kabhi usey apni beti nahi mana, par uski har khwaish poori ki. They took it as their responsibility, thats it. Wo aksar mere ghar aya karti thi. Par tab bhi vo khush thi, kyuki mom dad uske sath the. Jis Sur ko tum jante ho na, wo asli Sur hai hi nahi. Jab wo ghar me ghusti thi, to aisa lagta tha k poora ghar chehak utha ho. Sabkuch thik chal raha tha. Par sirf tabtak jabtak Sur 18 saal ki nahi hui. Fir sab badal gaya.
Sur k chacha ne kisi business deal ke chakkar me apne dost ke bete Amar se uski shadi karwa di.
Wo hamesha se pyaar me yakin karti thi aur uske liye ye uska sapna tha. Usne apni padhai tak chod di, halaki usey padhai ka bahut shauk tha, aur bina sawal kiya Amar se shadi kar li.
Amar ne shadi hote hi Sur ko apna asli rang dikha dia. Roz sharab pikar ata tha, aur uspar apna sara gussa nikalta tha. 1 bhi baar aisa nahi hua ke mai usse mili hu, aur uske badan pe koi naya zakhm na ho. Wo bahut darr gai aur chup chap rehne lagi. Lekin tabtak bhi sab thik tha, kyuki humare sath akar wo apne sare dard bhul jaya karti thi.
Lekin fir Amar ne aisa kuch kia jo mafi ke layak bhi nahi tha.ek baar wo apne dosto ke sath sharab pikar ghar aya aur uske sath 1 ladki thi. Jab Sur ghar pahuchi to usne un dono ko sath me dekha. Usey bahut bura laga kyuki Amar jaisa bhi tha, that to uska pati hi. She screamed and he and his friends started beating her up like maniacs. Amar ko darr tha ke agar Sur ne usey divorce de dia to uski property chali jayegi. Usey usi haal me chodkar vo log vaha se bhag gaye. Agli subah uske padosiyo ne usey hospital phuchaya. She was in a very critical state."
Nandini stopped speaking and Raj was stunned. He burried his face in his hands. He could hear Nandini crying. He looked up at her and said
"Where is that b******. Mai usey jaan se maar dunga." he was shaking with rage. Nandini placed a hand on his shoulder. He took a few minutes to calm down. She started again, wiping her tears with her sari.
"Bhagwan ka shukr hai k Sur zinda bach gai. She went into a mental trauma aur usey thik hone me 2 saal lag gaye. Humne sab kuch try kia, par Sur par koi asar nahi hua. Amar ke naam se vo darne lagi. Raat ko usey darawne sapne atey the- abhi bhi atey hai- aur vo chikh chikh kar roti thi. Dad ne Sur ko apne paas rakh liya aur humne vo shehar hi chod diya jaha Amar rehta that aur Delhi a gaye. Dad ne is shart par Amar ko chod dia ke vo Sur ko divorce de dega aur kabhi uske paas vapis nahi ayega. Humare paas koi sabut nahi tha use jail bhijwane ka, aur Sur ko is court ke chakkar me Dad fasana nahi chahte the. Badi mushkil se Amar ne divorce papers par sign kia aur Sur ka picha chod dia.
Lekin Sur to jaise marr hi gai. Usne apne kamre se nikalna band kar dia is darr me Amar usey maar dalega. 1 din badi mushkil se usey mai shopping ke liye bahar lekar gai. Waha par usne Amar jaise kisi admi ko dekh liya, aur bas- wahi behosh ho gai. Mai usey ghar lekar ayi aur usne mujhse kaha k wo yaha nahi reh sakti. Dad aur Mom ne usey samjhane ki bahut koshish ki magar wo nahi mani. Wo bas yaha se bahar jana chahti thi. Tab Dad ne usse kaha k vo padhai kare. Sur University k exam me select ho gai, aur fir apne pairo par khade hokar company me ye position hasil ki. Dad to usey direct company ka MD banana chahte the, magar usne company me apni qualifications ke hisab se job li, aur apni mehnat se pahuchi hai. Ab is baat ko 7 saal ho chuke hai. Magar vo hai ke abhi bhi kuch bhulne ko taiyar hi nahi hai. Raj usey pata hai k tum uske liye kya feel karte ho. Magar wo ab darti hai k kahi firse uske saath vahi sab...kahi na kahi usey lagta hai k vo bhi uske liye zimmedaar hai."
Raj:"What the hell?..."
Nandini:"Well, it sounds stupid but uska kehna hai shayad uski koi aisi galti hogi jo usey samajh nahi ayi. Mujhe nahi lagta ke vo sach me aisa manti hai- even she knows ke uske sath jo hua vo bahut bura tha, but still...she is scared of relationships. Vo hum sab se bhi bahut door ho gai thi. Aj itne saalo me tum uske pehle dost ho. She trusts you, par ye baat us se accept nahi hoti hai.
I know tum usey samjhge Raj, par koi bhi faisla lene se pehle soch lena. She wont behave in a way you expect her to. Infact jab wo depression ke treatments karwa rahi hi tab doctor ne kaha tha k shayad vo kabhi normal ho hi na. Agar tum uski zimmedari le sakte ho, tabhi agey sochna. Vo upar se normal lagti hai, par hai nahi. Its not easy to convince her..." She trailed off looking at Raj who looked thoughtful. He got up with a smile on his face and said
"Thanks a lot bhabhi. Apka ye ehsaan mai kabhi nahi bhulunga."
He turned around to go.
Nandini:"Raj, kaha ja rahe ho?"
Raj:"Sur se baat karne."
Nandini:"Abhi? Raj vo kafi upset hogi...kal subah baat kar lena."
Raj:"Kal subah tak rukne ka matlab hai k na aj raat ko usey neend ayegi. I hate to see her taking those pills."
Nandini:"Are you sure? tumhe lagta hai ke vo firse thik ho jayegi?"
Raj:"Mai puri koshish karunga bhabhi."
Nandini smiled and said, "Thankyou so much Raj"
Raj smiled back and said,"No way bhabhi. Kyuki mujhe Sur ki zarurat hai. Aur aap please uncle aunty se kuch mat kehna,ok?"
He checked the whole house for her but could not find her. Finally he went to the terrace and saw her sitting on the swing, er hands clasped tightly in her lap, her eyes shut and head bowed. Her long hair obscured her face. He bit his lip, walked to her and knelt beside her. She did not acknowledge him so he cleared his throat and said gently.
"Sur..."
She opened her eyes and Raj saw the very things there which he was scared of- tears, anger and pain. She made to stand up and leave but he caught her wrist his eyes pleading. she looked down at her.
"Atleast meri baat to sun lo..."
"Mujhe abhi koi baat nahi karni."
Raj:"please..."
Sur gave in and sat down, avoiding his gaze. He released his grip on her wrist.
"Sur dekho...mai kabhi tumhe hurt nahi karna chahta tha. Im really sorry for that. Lekin ye sach hai k mai tumse bahut- pyar karta hu."
She looked at him opening her mouth to refuse him but could not speak. He continued.
"Is baat ka mujhe koi dukh nahi hai Sur...mai nahi janta ke tum meri feelings ko samajhti ho ya nahi, kya mai vo insaan hu jiske sath tum apni poori zindagi guzarna chahogi ya nahi par mai ye janta hu ke mere liye tum mera pehle aur akhri pyar ho. Maine ajtak kisi ke liye aisa feel nahi kara aur na hi kabhi karunga. Thats- thats all."
He abruptly broke off and got. she kept staring at him as he stuffed his hands into his pocket. He could not voice his feelings for her, he realised as he looked into those large eyes. This was the maximum he could say as he knew his every word was causing her pain, bringing back awful moments.
"Well, goodnight then. Yaha zyada der mat baithna, thand lag jayegi. Aur...mai tumhara intzaar karunga- hamesha."
He turned around and went straight into hisbedroom, shut the door and sat on his bed, thinking. why could not he speak further? What had happened to him? In all these days, he felt it was the first time he was thinking plainly without any hesitations. The feelings which he had been trying to tame for months had finally broken free of their bonds and now he did not wish to stop them. He felt an odd sense of freedom as he fell down on his bed. He knew she could refuse him, and she probably would. But he would wait. He would remain as her friend for her whole life, if that was needed to make her believe in love again. He shivered at the thought of somebody hitting her, betraying her. Who would want to even look at another woman if she was there? He shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts about finding the cheater and troturing him to death. That won't help, he told himself firmly. He changed into his nightclothes and went to bed, wondering what he was going to do the next day.
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Sur sat on the swing for a long time against his instructions until she heard footsteps. It was Nandini. Sur turned away as she sat down next to her.
Nandini:"Chal ab andar chal."
Sur:"Jab mann karega tab a jaungi."
Nandini:"Sur please..."
Sur:"Kyu manu mai teri baat? Tune meri baat mani?"
Nandini:"Isme teri hi bhalai hai."
Sur:"I dont think so."
Nandini:"Tum Raj ko 1 mauka kyu nahi deti?"
Sur:"Mai mauka du? Bloody hell Nandu he is being an idiot right now."
Nandini:"Nah. The poor guy is in love."
Sur:"Love my foot. Tumne kya bakwas ki usse?"
Nandini:"I just told him about your past, thats it."
Sur:"Tum pagal- wait a minute, ye sab sunne ke baad bhi wo!"
Nandini:"Exactly. Aur ab to mujhe lagta hai ke tum bhi-"
Sur:"Oh please..."
Nandini:"Think about it, ok? ab mai ja rahi hu Vishal mera wait kar rahe honge."
Sur accompanied her to her room and then went to her own room and sat down. She stretched her hand out for the sleeping pills but Raj's voice came back to her and she did not take them. Surprisingly, she fell into a deep untroubled sleep very quickly.
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Raj stared at Sur as she made her way through groups of people gathered here and there, dressed in a beautiful black and silver sari. He had never thought that she could make him think like that. She was not wearing any jewellery except diamond studs in her ears and silver bangles in one wrist. Raj kept his eyes fixed on her as she moved around the party, talking and receiving wishes. He knew she would not come and talk to him. she had avoided him very nicely since the last few days but always replied politely whenever they had to talk, which was on a lot of instances.
Tha party was thrown in to celebrate the merger of Khanna industries and Malhotra industries. The decision was initaited by Sur's father as he felt he could now manage the whole enterprise due to his health and Sur should come back. Sur had agreed without a fuss because she felt guilty for leaving them alone though Nandini had attributed this to Raj. Sur had become very quiet after that and then quickly progressed on to practical aspects of preparing documents and handling finances. Thus this kept Raj, Vishal and Sur very busy for the next week. Raj did not talk about anything and Sur was only too happy as they worked overnight, coming home to eat the delicious food made by Nandini.
Finally all the work was over and they were celebrating the merger. Raj could not believe that he would be working with her.
He saw his father wave at him and he went to him. Sur was also dragged there by Nandini and she stood silently as they were introduced to some guests.
Mr. guest(not in a mood to make up a name):So ab Vishal ke baad tumhari shadi par milenge Raj?
(FYI-This guest has a very socialite type daughter who he is trying to hitch up with some rich guy)
Sur did not react while Raj smiled pleasantly
"No. Meri shadi me abhi kafi waqt hai.Pata nahi hogi bhi ya nahi."
He gave Sur a very sharp look and she almost stepped back. Mr. guest was shocked at the tone while his father covered up.
"Ye to aise hi bolta rehta hai. Iski bhi shadi hogi, bahut jaldi."
Raj:"Im serious Dad. Mujhe shadi nahi karni."
Dad:"Raj shut up."
Raj became quiet but left the group tp stand in a corner. Sur had also conveniently managed to slip off.
He smiled as he saw her trying to escape the prying eyes of people around her. Parties always made her uncomfortable and she finally managed to find a seat at the furthest corner of the bar. That was when he approached her.
Raj:"hi Sur."
Sur was startled as she had been gazing into the space. She arranged her features into a convincing smile and said
"Hi..."
Raj:"Party achchi hai na?"
Sur:"Hmm..."
Raj:"Yaha akeli kyu baithi ho?"
Sur:"Bas aise hi"
Raj:"Achcha"
Sur stared at him.He looked like he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Raj:"Kya hua, tum mujhe aise kyu dekh rahi ho?"
Sur:"Raj us raat jo...Dekho tum samajh nahi rahe ho."
Raj:"Ok. To tum samjhao mujhe."
Sur:"I cant marry you."
Raj:"No problem."
Sur:"So please move on."
Raj:"Thats my problem."
Sur:"Tum pagal ho kya"
Raj:"Thoda sa"
Sur:"Raj this is serious ok? Tumhe mujhse achchi ladki mil jayegi, tumhari poori life hai agey aur tum is tarah se apni zid pe adey rahoge to..."
Raj:"To? shadi nahi hogi? na ho.Ek baat tum kaan khol ke sun lo- tum mere sath ana chahti ho ya nahi, ye tumhara decision hai. Mai apni zindagi se tumhe nikalna chahta hu ya nahi, ye mera decision hai. Aur tum meri zindagi se kabhi nahi jaogi. Na meri zindagi me koi aur ladki ayegi aur na mai shadi karunga."
Sur:"This is ridiculous."
Raj:"Zara ek baat batao, mai zid pe ada hu ya tum? You dont even want to try to come out of your past."
Sur:"Aisi- aisi baat nahi hai Raj...its just that I cant handle relationships."
Raj:"To mai hu na- mai sabkuch sambhal lunga. Im not asking you to love me. We can remain friends or whatever you want. Mai sirf tumhara sath chahta hu"
Sur:"Tum samajh nahi rahe."
Raj:"Tum bakwas kar rahi ho. Honestly I cant see your point. If you want time, take it. Lekin is tarah se situation se bhagna thik nahi hai."
Sur:"Mai bhag nahi rahi...."
Raj:"To aur kya kar rahi ho?"
Sur:"agar mai haan kar bhi du, tumhare parents kabhi nahi manenge."
Raj:"agar mai mana lu to?"
Sur:"Kya...?"
Raj:"Agar mai apne mom dad ko convince kar lu, to kya tum mujhse shadi karogi?"
Sur:"Mai...unhe sabkuch batane ke baad bhi vo-"
Raj:"again my problem"
Sur:"Tum-"
Raj:"Haan ya na?"
Sur:"Magar-"
Raj:"Just answer"
Sur:"Ok."
Raj:"Deal then. If I convince my parents, you will marry me."
Sur:"Lekin tum unhe force nahi karoge."
Raj:"Zarurat hi nahi padegi. thankyou Sur."
He took her hand and kissed her fingers gently. Sur continued to look troubled and said
"Ye...please Raj think about it again...Agar wo nahi maney to tum kisi aur se shadi karoge?"
Raj:"Nope.Mujhe jitna sochna tha mai soch chuka. Want to dance?"
Sur:"No" She looked irritated.
Raj:"Ok"
They both looked up at the twinkling stars wondering what destiny had in store for them. Sur could not believe what she had said to him and more importantly why. she was sure that he could hear her heart thumping louldly. A part of her was swelling out of happiness, refusing to bow down against her determined composure.
Raj wanted to shout and jump. He knew his parents loved him and would let him marry her. But he wanted remove that pain from her eyes, which was too challenging.
Cricket
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Hindi TV Shows
Kumkum Bhagya
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