"Ashutosh. Tumne kapde nahin badle ab tak?" Kaka asked him at night.
"Badal to liye hain Kaka," Ashutosh replied sheepishly.
"Ye ghar par shirt aur tie pahan kar kyon baithe ho? Woh bhi pajame ke saath?"
"Bas aise hi. Man hua. Nayi tie hai. Achchhi hai na?" Ashutosh said trying to pretend as if there was nothing abnormal in what he was doing.
"Achchhi to hai, lekin... Khair. Khana laga doon?"
"Haan Kaka."
--
"Anji. Main bahut chhoti dikhti hoon kya?"
"Ye kaise betuka sawaal hai Nidhi. Chhoti dikhti hoon matlab?"
"Matlab agar kissi ko mere baare mein kuchh nahin pata ho, aur woh hospital aaye, aur mujhe dekhe to use kya lagega ki main kitni badi hoon?"
"Jitni badi hai, utna lagega. 24-25 saal. Kya baat hai? Atharah saal ki kunwari kali dikhna hai kya tujhe? Kiske liye?" Anji teased her.
"Agar mujhe 28-29 saal ka dikhna ho to? Uske liye kya karna chahiye?"
"Oye! Kuchh batayegi mujhe. Ye kya chal raha hai? Poori duniya mein ladkiyon ne haye-tauba macha rakhi hai ki kam-umra kaise lagein. Tujhe zyada umra ka kyon lagna hai?"
"Anji. Kuchh mat poochh. Bas mere sawaal ka jwaab de. Aisa soch ki agar main kissi play mein act kar rhai hoon aur mujhe 28-29 ya even 30 saal ka dikhna ho to mujhe kya karna chahiye?"
"Basically tujhe ek mature look chahiye."
"Haan!"
"Umm... to woh thoda to make-up se achieve kiya ja sakta hai aur thoda kapdon aur hair-style se."
"Kapdon se kaise?"
"Agar Indian look chahiye to Saree mature lagti hai. Dark lipstick aur baal ek high pony-tail mein baandh le to usse bhi..."
"Wonderful Anji. You are the best!"
"Aur tujhe ye plays ka shauk kab se ho gaya?"
"Kya? Plays?" Nidhi was taken by surprise as she had fogotten that she had made Anji talk by giving the alibi of a play, "Oh! Yeah. Ye life ka play hai Anji. Main tujhe phir kabhi bataungi. Abhi chalti hoon. Saree khareedni hai."
"Kya? Sun to..."
"Baad mein Anji! Bye."
Anji smiled after her. She could guess what the "mature look" fancy was all about. Looked like whatever was troubling Nidhi and Ashutosh' relationship had been sorted out. Even though the future of that relationship worried Anji, she was happy that at least Nidhi was back to her usual self.
--
Ashutosh wore that tie to the hospital, but hesitated after parking the car. After struggling for few moments, he finally took off the tie. He didn't have another one to wear. So, he walked in without wearing one. He was so used to wearing a tie all the time that it felt odd. But he didn't have any option. He chided himself for wearing that tie in the first place.
After he entered his office, he found an envelop on his table. It just had his name "Dr. Ashutosh Mathur" written on it. Once again! He knew the handwriting.
He opened the envelop apprehensively. A pass for a Ghazal programme in the evening. Sigh! What was this girl trying to do? He thought of calling her up, but then decided to look for her in person. He went to the ward and then checked in the common room and the terrace. She was nowhere. He ran in to Dr. Rangnath and asked him about her.
"Sir. Dr. Nidhi ne to aaj achanak se chhutti le li. Koi problem hai kya? Main unhein phone kar ke bulwaun?"
"Nahin. Nahin Dr. Rangnath. That's not needed. Koi khaas baat nahin thi. Main unse kal baat kar loonga."
"Okay Sir."
So, she wasn't going to give him a chance to speak to her. He could call her, but decided against it. He knew she would just say that he didn't have to come. But what would he do?
--
She had been elated and excited since the day Ashutosh had come clean to her about his feelings. If their happiness lied in each other, she wasn't going to let him run away from it. Not without trying at least. She would do everything to convince him that she was worthy of him and he of her - if he had any doubts either way.
Before meeting him for the Ghazal programme, she decided to pamper herself. So, she took the day off and spent it in her facourite spa. After getting a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure and a steam bath, she had the beautician drape her saree and do her make-up and hair. 'Looking just right for the evening Dr. Nidhi Verma,' she murmured after she looked at herself in the mirror.
Another reason to not go to the hostpial was that she did not want to give Ashutosh a chance to talk her out of it. If he didn't say no, she was sure that he would come. And hopefully enjoy the evening too. He hadn't returned her the tie. That was an encouraging sign. She hoped that he would wear the tie to the programme.
--
She waited at the gate of the hall till the programme was about to begin. Ashutosh did not come. Disappointed she considered going back, but then decided to attent the programme. Hopefully it will cheer her up.
The first singer had started singing. Nidhi tried to concentrate on the performance and enjoy it. But she was unable to. She felt tears come to her eyes. She wiped them carefully. She decided that she would go back after the performance was over. Towards the end of the performance, she heard some noise at the end of her row of seats. Someone was trying to come in and people sitting there did not like the interruption. The newcomer apologized to everyone, but continued to make his way through them. Nidhi stared at Ashutosh as he took the empty seat next to her.
He spoke after the performance ended and the stage was being prepared for the next singer, "I'm sorry. Main late ho gaya."
Nidhi was too overwhelmed. She again felt tears coming to her eyes, but for a different reason this time. She controlled herself and managed to say, "Koi baat nahin." They sat in silence through the rest of the programme. Only after the programme was finished and they came out did they see each other clearly. Ashutosh had not worn any tie. Nidhi was disappointed, but did not show it.
Ashutosh' surprise at Nidhi's attire and makeup was obvious however, "Aap bahut... bahut different lag rahi hain."
"Ab mujhe pata nahin ki is baat par mujhe embarrass hona chahiye ya thanks bolna chahiye."
"Matlab?"
"Matlab ki mujhe ye nahin pata chala ki aapke kahne ka matlab kya tha. Different matlab? Main achchhi lag rahi hoon ya buri lag rahi hoon?"
"Achchhi lag rahi hain, of course," Ashutosh offered an embarrassed clarification.
Nidhi smiled. Ashutosh took a good look at her face and then the tear-stains did not skip his notice, "Aap ro rahi thi?"
"Nahin to."
"Make-up shayad thoda zyada laga liya hai aapne. Aansoo se jahan feeka pad gaya hai woh saaf dikha raha hai."
Nidhi remained silent and fidgeted.
"Nidhi," Ashutosh spoke with concern in his voice, "Ye ek definite possibility thi ki main nahin aata."
"Main jaanti thi."
"Lekin phir bhi jab tumhein laga ki main nahin aaunga, to tum rone lagi."
"Rona itni buri cheez to nahin hoti."
"Lekin tum meri wajah se ro, ye mujhe gawara nahin hai Nidhi. Ek baar pahle bhi... Isliye jo ye tum karne ki koshish kar rahi ho, main isse tumhein rokna chahta hoon."
"Kya aapko aaj mere saath samay bitana achchha nahin laga? Kya aap apni khushi se nahin aana chahte the?"
"Tumhein jawaab pata hai. Aur maine tumse kaha bhi hai yahi problem hai. Agar main resist kar paata to... Lekin tum chahti kya ho Nidhi? Aise sawaal poochhne ka kya matlab hai?"
"Dr. Ashutosh. Main sirf ye chahti hoon ki aap apni khushi ke hisaab se faisla karein. Main itni badi to hoon hi ki mere liye kiska saath sahi hai, kiska nahin iska faisla ka sakoon. Main nahin chahti ki kissi imaginary problem ke liye, aap apni khushiyon se munh mod lein aur mujhe bhi meri khushiyon se deprive kar dein."
"Problems imaginary nahin hain Nidhi. Ye rishta aaj na kal tumhare gale ki faans ban jayega."
"We can cross the bridge when it comes. Lekin aap to ek mauka dene ko bhi taiyaar nahin hain? Ye to sahi nahin hai Dr. Ashutosh."
"Kyonki shayad zindagi ke experience ki wajah se, main woh problems dekh pa raha hoon jo tum nahin dekh sakti. Jaante boojhte woh problems khadi karne ka mauka main zindagi ko nahin dena chahta."
"Problems to koi na koi aaj na kal sabko face karni hi hoti hain zindagi mein. Aap meri madad kyon nahin karte meri zindagi ki problems face karne mein?"
"Tumse jeetna namumkin hai Nidhi. Bas main tumhari problem nahin ban sakta. Lekin agar main tumhein potential problems ke baare mein bataunga to tum sunogi to hai nahin?"
"Agar aap kuchh bolenge to main zaroor sunoongi. Itna aapko pata hai. Lekin..."
"Dinner ka time ho raha hai. Kahin chalna chahogi?" Ashutosh asked and changed the topic.
"Of course," Nidhi looked excited, "Lekin pay aap karenge. Mera stipend aapki tie aur is programme ka passes mein khatam ho chuka hai."
Ashutosh laughed. She just knew how to make the environment light and cheerful, "Sure. I think I can afford to feed you a meal. Kaisa khana pasand hai aapko?"
"Bhookh lagti hai to main kuchh bhi kha sakti hoon."
"Achcha. To jo aap bhook na lagne par bhi kha sakti hain, woh bataiye."
"Aapko kya pasand hai?"
"Abhi sawaal maine pahle poochha tha."
"Lekin agar aapko pasand nahin aaya to?"
"To main aapko bata doonga aur hum aapki next favourite choice try karenge."
"Mera favourite to Chinese hai."
"All right. Chinese then."
--
"So, kaam kaisa lag raha hai aapko aaj kal?" he asked during the dinner.
"Entertaining."
"Entertaining? Aapko patients se deal karna entertaining lag raha hai?"
"Pateints se zyada to insaanon se deal karna padta hai na. Bachchon ke parents. Bahut entertaining hote hain woh log?"
"Woh kaise?"
"Are ab woh ladka hai na, jisne school mein cricket khelte hue apne pairon mein fracture kar liya, uski Mom se aap mile hain? Oh God! Terror hain bechare bachche ke liye. Jab tak rahti hain, use khud se saans tak nahin lene deti. Aise mat hilo, waise mat karo, taang dubara toot jayegi. Doctor - aap ise samjhati kyon nahin hain. Maine ek baar unse ka diya ki main doctor hoon, iske school ki principal nahin. To ward mein sab log hansne lage."
"Well. Unka concern jayaz hai."
"Are uski taang tooti hai. Ab woh haath badha kar table se paani le lega, ya seedhe baith kar koi board game khel lega to uski taang kyon tootegi usmein?"
He knew those parents well, "To aapko aise parents irritating nahin lagte, entertaining lagte hain?"
"Irritate ho kar kya fayda? Thoda mazaak bana do to unse jaan bhi chhotti hai aur do-chaar logon ko hansi bhi aa jaati hai."
"Lekin ye dhyaan rakhiye ki..."
"...kissi ki insult nahin honi chahiye. Aap ghabraiye nahin. Aapko koi shikayat nahin milegi."
Ashutosh smiled. Who wouldn't fall in love with this girl? She had the magical quality to look at things and see something good and positive in them. She saw something good and positive even in a gloomy person like him.
"Nidhi," his voice was suddenly heavy and emotional, "Tum itni khushmizaaz ho, sabko hansati rahti ho, intelligent aur capable ho, itni..." he hesitated for a moment, but spoke out making Nidhi blush red, "itni khoobsoorat ho. Tumse to kissi ko bhi pyaar ho jayega. Tum jise chaho use pa sakti ho. Why did you fall for me? You will be happy with someone young, energetic and positive like you and you will find many such men. I don't know..."
"Samajh gayi. Aap apni taareef sunna chahte hain?"
Ashutosh laughed slightly, "Witty bhi ho. Mujhe har waqt katghare mein khada kar deti ho. Defenceless. Aur khud kissi sawaal ka seedha jawaab nahin deti ho."
"Aisi baat nahin hai Dr. Ashutosh," Nidhi spoke seriously, "Main jawaab doongi. Lekin main chahti hoon ki aap is rishte ko sirf mere liye nahin, apne liye bhi accept karein. To main us din ka intezaar karoongi."
"Aur agar woh din nahin aaya."
"Then you don't deserve the answer," she smiled and left Ashutosh speechless and defenceless again.
--
"Yes Dr. Nidhi?" Nidhi came to Ashutosh' cabin with a file in her hands.
"In discharge papers par aapke sign chahiye the."
"Laiye. Already subah se sau-do sau sigh kar chuka hoon. Ek-aadh aur se meri ungliyan nahin tootengi."
Nidhi laughed. Ashutosh could be so light hearted and funny when he decided to be. It felt nice to see him like that.
"Ye kya hai? Oh my God! Aap Roy family mein ho rahi shaadi ke liye invited hain," Nidhi had picked up an envelop lying on Ashutosh' table.
"Yeah. So?" Ashutosh did not seem to share her excitement.
"Haan. Aapko kya farq padta hai? Aap to jayenge nahin."
"Yeah. Main to weddings ya parties mein normally nahin jaata."
"What a waste," Nidhi said wistfully. Ashutosh had signed the papers by then and she made to leave. Ashutosh looked at the invitation and thought for a moment. Then he stopped Nidhi.
"Dr. Nidhi," he called out.
"Yes Sir?"
"Aap jaana chahti hain?"
"Kahan?"
"Is wedding mein?"
Nidhi laughed, "Is wedding mein shahar mein kaun hai jo nahin jaana chahta. It is probably going to be the grandest wedding of the decade in the country. Kitna mazaa aayega."
"To phir... chal sakte hain."
"Ji?"
"Agar aapko mere saath wahan jaana manzoor ho to hum... chal sakte hain," Ashutosh spoke slowly as if weighing each of his words.
"Aap... aap ye kah rahe hain... ki aap mere saath is wedding mein chalenge?" Nidhi's was wide-eyed with surprise.
Ashutosh gave an amused smile, "Jitni Hindi main samajhta hoon, uske hisaab se to maine yahi kaha. Agar aapko manzoor ho to..."
Nidhi smiled widely, but shook her head as if unable to believe that it was for real, and not a dream.
"Aap sach much jayenge aur mujhe bhi le jayenge?"
"Mujhe nahin pata tha ki aap mujhe itna unrealiable samajhti hain."
Nidhi giggled, as if unable to contain her happiness, "Main kal shaam ko time par aapke ghar aa jaungi." She left his room. Ashutosh smiled after her.
--
"Aap Dr. Nidhi hain?" Hiraman Kaka asked when he opened the door for her. Ashutosh had already told him that he was expecting Nidhi that evening. But she had reached much earlier than expected, so he had to confirm.
"Ji. Aur aap Hiraman Kaka hain, agar mera guess sahi hai to?"
Kaka smiled and nodded, "Ashutosh to apne kamre mein hai. Bahut dinon ke baad aaj gaane sun raha hai. Main use bata deta hoon."
"Nahin, nahin. Aap rukiye. Main khud unhein surprise karoongi. Unka kamra kahan hai?"
--
Nidhi stopped in her tracks as she reached Ashutosh' room. The door was open and she stood rooted there. Ashutosh was relaxing on a rocking chair. His eyes were closed and a song was playing in the background. Nidhi hadn't heard it before, though she could guess that it was an old song. She found the lyrics soulful and very meaningful.
--
teri aankhon ke siwa
duniya mein rakha kya hai
ye uthe subah chale
ye jhuke shaam dhale
mera jeena mera marna
inhi palkon ke tale
palkon ki galiyon mein
chehre bahaaron ke haste hue
hain mere khwaabon ke
kya kya nagar in mein baste hue
ye uthe subah chale
ye jhuke shaam dhale
mera jeena mera marna
inhi palkon ke tale
in mein mere aane waale
zamaane ki tasveer hai
chaahat ke kaajal se
likhi hui meri taqdeer hai
ye uthe subah chale
ye jhuke shaam dhale
mera jeena mera marna
inhi palkon ke tale
ye ho kahin inka saaya
mere dil se jaata nahi
in ke siwa ab to kuchh bhi
nazar mujh ko aata nahi
ye uthe subah chale
ye jhuke shaam dhale
mera jeena mera marna
inhi palkon ke tale
teri aankhon ke siwa
duniya mein rakha kya hai
--
Ashutosh opened his eyes after the song got over and saw Nidhi. She looked stunning in her blue lehanga and Ashutosh was indeed quite stunned.
"Tum... Tum kab aayi?" he stammered.
"Bas abhi abhi. Aap ye song sun rahe the to main ruk gayi aur khud bhi sunne lagi. Bahut achcha hai. Maine pahle kabhi suna nahin."
"Haan. Thoda purana hai. Aaj kal na to koi aisi lyrics likhta hai, na aisa music banata hai."
"Right. Ye to Mohd. Rafi ki aawaaz thi na? Kissi purani movie ki hogi. I think mujhe bhi kuchh purane gaane sunne chahiye. They are as good as Ghazals."
"Yeah. Waise main to abhi taiyaar nahin hua. Time ka dhyaan hi nahin raha..."
"Nahin. Abhi time nahin hua hai. Main hi jaldi aa gayi."
"Okay. To baitho na."
"Main hall mein baithti hoon. Aap bhi taiyaar ho jaiye."
"Theek hai."
--
Note: After pasting it, I felt that this part may seem more like different scenes pasted together. But it is building up for something in the next part. So, please be patient. 😃
Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
Jhanak
Bigg Boss 19
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
