He could not believe his eyes, there she was standing in front of him. He was seeing her in person after two years. 'nice to be working with you' she widened her smile and went back to her seat. He sat in his. She was the same Arohi, she was sitting right next to him, a warm feeling of affection swept upon him, she hasnot changed much except she looks more mature looking woman. Few minutes passed in silence. Clearly she had not seen him while he stayed in Poona. He had known that so didnot feel bad that she didnot recognise him. He wanted to talk to her, to find out how she was doing, when she came here, where she lived, how her family was, does she have any kids, had she been to poona, what would she say if he said he knew her already, as the questions swarmed his mind, his fingers hit the keyboard fast as a reflex. But he could not ask her. The day was passing with minimum interaction with her. Still he felt like he had been talking to her whole day. He was happy, happy to see her. His weak leg seemed to have gained more strength.
By afternoon he could not keep quiet anymore. 'Arohi' he called her out 'yeah' 'I dont know if you recognised me at all' she had a questioning face. Arjun continued 'I have seen you before' 'before?' 'I worked in poona for a while, during that time I stayed in my uncle's house and your house was in the same street' 'ohhh really!!' she had a big smile, 'who was your uncle?' 'Mr. Sharma' 'oh yeah sharma uncle, I know them, wow small world no? I never knew I will meet someone from my place' 'me neither, I didnot think I will meet you' 'funny I have never seen you, or may be I did but I dont remember, when was it?' 'about 2 years ago' 'oh, see I have not been much to poona in past two years' 'me too' 'so you are from delhi?' 'no I am from Mumbai, I heard you went abroad after getting married, when did you come back' he asked her 'I came back few months ago' 'how is your family?' 'they are good'. She was talking as if she knew him from long, all the while playing with her mangalsutra. Arjun too was finding it easy to talk as if he was to a family member 'I remember all the fun kids used to do back there' 'oh yeah they were devils, how I struggled to control them' she said with a sparkle in her eyes while she remembered the old days. 'you have any kids?' 'no no not yet' she replied with a laugh. He returned to the poona talk 'you were their favourite didi' 'yes I was, wow you know about us so much but I am sorry I could not recognise you at all, I must have been a dud to have not noticed someone living in the same colony' 'oh no it is not your fault, I was hardly home and when I came back I would be sitting in the balcony, I was not going out much'. Without him spilling it out directly she understood he was talking about his handicapped leg that didnot allow him to move around freely. She had noticed it when he walked in and couple of times when he went out of his seat. She glanced at his leg for a split second. He thought he saw pity in her eyes but wanted to believe it was empathy.
She was back to work after that and again there was minimum interaction. He did not what to feel after talking to her. Jealous that he is not part of her life or Happy that she is happy and leading a good life and is well settled. The second feeling had more weightage naturally. He had always wished her well. By the end of the day she called someone probably her husband 'hello ji, I am ready to leave, will you be here in 10 minutes?'. She left after 10 minutes. Arjun stayed longer at work but he didnot feel lonely anymore. The day ended with a lot of satisfaction and a tinge of pain for him.
He found new energy to get up and go to work. He did not know how to rate his feelings but he felt as if he had a purpose to go. He felt he has a friend from past at work. They interacted very little, still it was enough for him. He still loved her but it was forbidden love. She was a married woman. He told himself he will never express even a bit of what he felt to her. After coming to know that he had lived in the same colony even arohi found a strange connection to him. Since she had no idea about his feelings she treated him like any other known person, with politeness. She always had a smile on her face. Arjun liked it. Still he felt like something was missing, some spark in her attitude was missing. He soon realised that the spirit in her had definitely changed. It was when the office assistant was bullied by a co-worker. Knowing arohi he expected her to take the boy's side and give a piece of her mind to that arrogant person. But she sat doing her work not bothered by anything. When he came back after settling the matter between the two he was surprised that she did not even question about what happened. He knew people changed, but he did not know Arohi could change too. 'can you help me with this' she called him out showing a set of code on her system. He helped her silently, sitting very close to her gave him the chance to look at her face up close, he saw her eyes more closely. The eyes that shone bright like sun were dull, it disturbed him. He may not have seen her upclose earlier in poona, but he could feel the warmth. Now that was missing. May be marriage has brought upon her more responsibilities and the carefree girl is now a responsible woman, it is natural it happens to everyone. He consoled himself. Once a positive or negative thought comes in the mind or any person it keeps growing. Day by day he became more and more concerned. As days passed she appeared to be a totally different Arohi, not the jubiliant hyper charged with emotions Arohi he had seen. He started to get worried. It had been only three or four months together and he was not sure if it will be right to ask about her personal matters. He did not know what to do.
Next day too she was not herself. She was more self absorbed. More into work. Not even bothering about lunch. He had to remind her to eat. She went to the cafeteria, meaning she had not packed her lunch. Towards evening she was not able to hide her sadness, it was evident and it killed arjun. What could be probably wrong. fight with her husband, inlaws problem. how to ask. He did not know if he should ask the lady in accounts who had refferred arohi. what if they were not so close and arohi may not like being enquired like this. he gave up that option. he decided if she appears like this one more day then whatever happens he was going to find out.
That evening both worked late. Both did not talk to each other. both were lost in their own thoughts. When they were finally done they saw noone was there in the office. 'we are late today' she said. 'yeah, you allright?' 'yes ofcourse' 'no you didnot call anyone for ride and stayed late, you werent talking' 'no no I knew I had lot to do , so wanted to call after I finish, just got immersed in work, sorry did I appear rude for not talking?' 'no absolutely not, it is fine, let us go or else if the gaurd goes for rounds we will be held up for long time'. They hurried outside. But as luck would have it, the gaurd had already left for rounds locking the gate, and switching on the red light indicating he was on rounds. It would probably take 40 mins or so for him to come back. 'oh no' exclaimed arohi. After trying the gaurd's cell arjun said 'let me go and find him'. 'It is ok arjun, let him come back, we can wait' she obviously did not want him to walk all around the building. They sat there, outside in the cool breeze, on the steps of the front door. She called again 'hello, I am running late again, can you be here after about 40 mins' '...' 'you are in friend's house already?' '...' 'oh no no stay there I will grab a taxi' she disconnected the call. 'I can drop you arohi' he said . 'thanks' she said in agreeing tone.
There was silence again. Suddenly she asked 'how come you are not married?'. He just laughed at her sudden question. He shrugged and looked away. 'oh wait, I know that look, you are in love!!'. He tried to deny by nodding his head. 'no no I can see it, who is the lucky girl?' 'no one' 'that is a lie isnt it. you are in love. I have seen that in your eyes'. He turned towards to say no one more time, but when she mentioned his eyes he had nothing to hide. Can she really read his eyes?. 'So tell me, who is she?'. He did not know what came upon him and he replied 'someone special'. She exclaimed 'wow! someone special haan. ofcourse she must be'. He felt warm seeing her smile. He was relieved to see the worry wash out of her face. He too smiled. 'so when is the big day?' she asked him again. He sighed 'there wont be any big day' 'huh? why not? oh you both want more time'. 'I have all the time I want. But still it is not possible' 'really? why? why not possible?'. Seeing arjun's face again she winced 'oh no. please dont tell me, that the girl is not ready' 'arohi leave it no' 'no I want to know please tell me'. He could not resist the look on her face, if his talking can make her occupied and worry free he was ready to talk. 'it is not that she is not ready' 'oh my god, she doesnot like you?' arohi exclaimed again. 'not like that either' 'oh ho you are talking in puzzles. Did she reject you? if that is true then she is one unlucky girl' 'why do you say so' 'because you are a person anyone would love to be with, I cannot believe that she could reject you'. Arjun was trying hard to control his emotions listening to her. His train was missed and it is missed. that is it. he wanted to end the conversation 'no it is not like that. She did not know I like her, before I could tell her she got married and is now happy, that is all'. Arohi was silent seeing the hidden pain in his eyes. 'oh, I am so sorry, I should not have pestered so much'. After a while she asked him again 'that is why you are single still?'. He did not have to reply to that. Silence followed again.
The red light on the gate was still blinking. Arohi broke the silence 'arjun can I ask you one more question?' 'sure' 'so you love this girl and she is married. but if she wasnt and she loved you back, and your parents wanted you to marry someone of their choice, would you do that for them? leaving the girl you liked?'. Arjun did not know what to answer to a question that did not fit any of his scenarios. 'sorry, just asked, you dont have to reply to that' she said. 'I wouldnt' arjun said then continued 'I mean I wouldnot have agreed to my parents wish and leave the girl behind'. Arohi nodded her head 'that is true you wouldnot , wish everyone was like that' her voice was trailing off, and eyes set to a distance. 'you allright' he asked 'you dont seem to be okay since morning' 'you noticed' she asked 'well then I guess I could not hide it today'. He was worried again. 'You know arjun, you still love her dont you? I envy her. Not because you love her, but because she got someone to love her even though he didnot get her' arjun was not able to understand where she was heading, but her words were frightening him. She seemed to have opened a gate and she just pouring out . 'I too wanted that you know, before I got married. I dreamed of a life where I will have a person all to myself, who would dote on me, who would be my lover and husband. But I guess dreams remain dreams dont they' she stopped, stealthily wiping a tear.
Arjun almost held her to console her. His heart was beating fast, he wanted her to tell everything was allright, please god let it be a small matter whatever is bothering her, let her control and tell me that all is well with her, please. but he had a bad feeling of what was coming.
She continued herself. 'They were so convincing when they came. Even he had come. He even told me that he was sorry to hurry up the wedding but there was nothing they could do since he had to go back in few days. Papa was also convinced. All I saw was a good guy from decent family educated and well settled. that is what all want no? I thought my dreams were coming true. If a person cannot wait to get married , whatever the reason is, that means he doesnot want to let go of this rishta right? I too thought the same, that he liked me too much to not leave the alliance as well. It was all done in so much hurry and excitement. Soon I was married and sent off to sasural. Everyone was good to me. But something was missing, I could feel it.'. Arjun sensed like he had a pit in his stomach. She continued 'that night he told me he wanted to wait until we go to US, so we can start off our life properly. I didnot understand and I just felt he was so nice to be honest. He was polite with me and that bothered me. Why wasnt he behaving like a husband would. There was no coziness. I thought it was all my illusion. Even two days after reaching the new place, he did not utter a word about our life. It was again the same polite interaction. I had enough after a week. I had to ask him, if he was happy with this marriage. you know what he replied , ofcourse I am but I am sorry I cannot be your husband, can you believe that, then how come he said he was happy. I did not understand. I demanded an answer from him. He just said , he married me because of his parent's force and he is sorry for that, but he will take good care of me. I asked what the hell he was talking about. He didnot answer me. After a week of enquiring he finally confided , he was in love with another woman an american, did you know they did not have to be married to stay together. and there I was being married and not together , isnt that ironic' she stopped again. Arjun could feel sweat forming on his forehead, he wanted this all to be a bad dream and that he is just imagining arohi talking. proving him wrong she continued again.
'I fought with him. how come he fooled me, how come he deceived me and my family. He said he did it for his love for her. for his parents. because they werenot ready to accept her as their daughter in law and were not going to let him leave India if he did not marry as per their choice. and guess who was the scapegoat. me. they all knew and they didnot say anything or warn me. I was shattered arjun. I said he owes an explanation to my parents as well. He requested I go along and I would not have anything to worry about. Why should I go along? what is there in it for me, there was no happiness, no wedded bliss, no love, why should I stay. But the woman in me would not let it go. I acted like a fool and wanted him to leave her and accept me as a wife, then I would live with him. I called up his parents and threatned to leave him if they did not make their son leave the girl. They spoke to him, still there was no change. It increased my anger, I wanted to see that he leaves her it was like a challenge. old habits die hard right? I took it as one of the issues that used to happen in our colony, to fight for the right thing. Already a year had passed fighting like this. But there was not change. I finally got hold of the other girl and fixed up a meeting with her. that changed everything' she stopped again , looking at the gate, the red light still blinking.
She looked at arjun who was looking down but his posture said he was listening to her. Seeing her stop he turned towards her, seeing the pain in her eyes he realised she wanted to vent out everything, probably she was sharing after a long time. He asked gently 'then what happened arohi'. 'I fixed up a meeting with her, and I guess she told that to him too, he too came there. I was going to talk to her and ask her to back off, as it is the right of a wife over the husband and she was being the third wheel. But he came there and it all changed. I was right there, when they both sat in front of me. I saw them look at each other, I saw the love in their eyes for each other arjun. I can still feel it. There was pain in their eyes too. Then I realised that I was the third wheel. I came between them. I was demanding a separation between them. That moment I knew he cannot look at me like the way he looked at her. They looked at me jointly and I could see they were pleading me to let them be together. requesting me. I was not able to say anything. then the girl thought I was not letting go, so she told me that she will leave him if I promise to take care of him and love him like she would. Then I knew I cannot do that, I cannot replace her place in his life. They were way too much deep in love. It took a while for me react, but I realised the right thing for me to do is not fight for him but to leave him to her. I came home. After two days I called her told that I was leaving, I wished them luck. Asked for divorce. This time even he did not stop me or ask me to stay and pretend to be a family for the sake of his parents. I came back. My inlaws said I was incapable of holding onto a family life. I took it. I said yes I am incapable of it. It took a while for my parents to come to terms that my life was messed up. I convinced them I will be allright. My mother's friend who works here, told I can find work here and she helped me get it. and here I am' She stopped 'you saw that I was upset since morning, I got my divorce today, I got my legal closure' she gave out a laugh 'and I dont even know what to do with this' she held her mangalsutra between her fingers 'should I send it back,? should I keep it?, I wore it because I was still married, and from today I am not' she laughed again. Arjun left out the breath he had been holding in. He felt empty. Empty because he came to know her life was empty. He wanted to hide the tear falling down, he turned the other side, wiped it.
Arohi's voice too had come to normal, her eyes felt hopeful again when she said 'among all this there is one thing that touches me still. That look of love in both their eyes. That moment has left an impression on me. I crave for that love now. I want that. I want to see that love in someone's eyes just for me. I am sure I will, life is full of hope right? But will I find someone who will love me for me and not for anything else' She asked. Arjun could not speak. He wanted to tell out loud that she will find someone just for her because she deserves it, she deserves more than it. With heart full of rising emotions all he could manage was say 'yes you will'. 'thanks for listening arjun' she said. 'let me drop you home' he led her to his car, since the light at the gate had turned green.
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
