The Eavesdropper
Yash was checking of the arrangements when the sound from the deserted room drew his attention. Sounded like someone in pain, the low keening sound. Did that person need is help? He moved towards the room to find out.
"Talaak shuda hokar kuwari ladkiyom he beech matak thi phir rahi dhi…" "What did I do? Why am I always reminded of this?"
"Dekne mein achi khasi he …phir tumhare pati ne…" the word of the woman echoed, "tera kisi ke saath…" she covered her ears with her hand and shook her head in denial."…richane meim koi…." "What was my fault … what did I do wrong? Batao na Prashant !"
He saw a woman in red and beige lehanga kneeling on the floor crying. He heard her lament. A closer observation made him realize it was the same woman who was in the middle of the commotion that had happened a bit earlier in the wedding reception. The same one whom he had seen dancing. His worker had mentioned the scene was about a lady accusing some misunderstanding regarding a marriage proposal…something about a divorcee…. Should he approach her? Better not, she will be embarrassed. For the look of it she had sought a secluded place to give vent to her sorrow. As he turned her phone rang, "haan maa, I'll just be there. Ansh is with you , na?"
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He saw the lady again in the train…actually danced with her in the corridor. She said sorry and let him pass.
"Ansh ruk jao…did you wash your hands?" he heard her ask and then the sound of the running feet . A little hurricane dashed past him, not caring that there was someone's legs in his path.
"Ansh!!" came her shout, "stop there don't run!" when she reached him she slammed into him almost loosing balance in her hurry to reach the kid. He steadied her. She sprang back, hedged and with a muttered sorry went after the kid.
This was a strange coincidence the way he kept meeting her, he thought as he moved away from her as they again danced with each other in the path of the dargah.
"Did you see her?" prathik asked
"Who?"
"That woman in the green salwar. She is the one, the gundi!"
"Gundi? You mean the one who refused to give back the advance because we were wrong?"
"Haan bhaiyya, hockey team ke captain. Wonder where the chota gunda is?"
"Interesting…" he thought aloud.
"Did you say something bhaiyya?"
"No, it seems our paths keep crossing!"
"So, what do you think of her?"
"What? Why should I think of her? She is just a stranger!" Yash was puzzled.
"Woh …maa …nothing!"
"Don't tell me you too have started match making!" Yash scowled at his younger brother.
"Nothing , bhaiyya! I just wanted to know if you would think her to be a gunda when she looks so nice!! Appearances can be so deceptive, na? Mohan was telling me her husband left her. But she lives with her in laws."
"Why are we bothered…but though she talks too much, she was right in her claim. We did accept our mistake and made the full payment. End of the matter."
But the matter her matter didn't end there. By evening he learned about his mother's match making effort and the new candidate was none other than Aarthi. She was a widow with a little boy. Her in laws wanted their daughter in law to remarry and they met with his mother and bhabhi in the train. Proposal in train journey!! God what was his life turning out to be …it seems his family was hell bent on his remarriage and was on the constant look out for a bride for him!! Was there no escape...however much he protested?
As usual he refused the match makers. But he knew the loop was closing in on him… he couldn't avoid the issue mush longer…and there was some valid reasoning in ma's words… he could never love another, never trust another. He still belonged to Arpita. The memories of the life with her was alive in him. Once the family settled down to sleep, once the silence of the night took over she came to him. Her presence all around him, filling him with the will to go on. He talked to her and could hear her answer him… who said voice was necessary to hear your loved one? Who said her physical presence was needed to feel her touch. Each night he dreamt of her, she was alive in him.
How could he take a wife feeling the way he did. No he did not need a wife. But …your daughters need a mother! Whispered a voice…. Somewhere he knew he would have to yield to the pressure …for his kids…the precious ones Arpitha had entrusted to him.
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"I'm sorry. I was wrong to raise my hand on you that day in the mall. But I didn't know that baba was talking of marriage between us."
Her words and down bend head drew Yash's attention. It was Aarthi again, talking to someone who seemed to swell with arrogance on hearing her. He was attending the wedding of his relative and was surprised to see Aarthi again.
"You dared to slap me in front of all the people and apologize to me in private! I showed you some interest only because I thought I will be marrying you. But if you think I will take such an impudent woman to be my wife, think again."
"Mr. raghudayal … please…"
He went on as if she didn't interrupt.. "you should have been grateful that I considered your proposal… a divorced woman and that too with a kid. You slapped me just because I touched you …why? It is not as if you are a chaste virgin who would melt at a man's touch… it must be your arrogance that drew your husband away!" his voice rose with his words drawing the attention of many.
" mr.raghu dayal … I came to you to apologize because I felt I had made a mistake. That doesn't give you the right to talk to me this way.." Yash could feel her trying to keep her calm.
"What are you doing here anyway? Trying to lure some guy?" the man sneered.
"Look here I did what wanted to do. I have apologised. Now I am going."
She walked away fast ignoring the abusive shouts.
He found Aarthi again after a while, playing with the kids. His daughters were among them. He saw payal trip and fall he was about to go to her but Aarthi was already picking up his daughter and brushing away the dust from her knees.
"Don't cry, baby. What is your name?" she hugged the child.
"uh uh.. payal"
"Payal is such a sweet name. payal ko lagi kya?"
"uh uh…"
"Where is your mama? Shall I take you to her?"
"maa nahi hei!" his daughter cried harder.
"Papa ke saath aayi ho? Kahan hei tumhara papa? But first aunty has a magic cure for hurts." Aarthi lifted the skirt up a bit and kissed the scraped knee. "It hurts less na? Now when we have an ice cream all the pain will go."
She tenderly brushed payals hair from her face and cleaned the tear stained cheeks with her dupatta. Payal saw her father standing and decided to rush to him.
"papa!" but in her hurry she was about to trip again. Aarthi stopped her gently and said, "careful beta, let me just adjust your skirt else you will trip again.
He saw her adjust Payal's skirt and follow with the advice, "when you run lift your skirt a bit, like this so that you won't fall."
"Thank you for taking care of payal," Yash said as he reached them.
"Oh! She is your daughter! She is very sweet!"
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The way Aarthi took care of his daughter touched a chord in him. He decided to rethink about the situation and meet Aarthi in person. Doing business with the Dubeys gave him the perfect excuse to do so. He reached her office only to overhear another heated conversation.
"What is this nonsense Aarti? What is ma and baba up to?" Yash saw a man looming over Aarthi who was seated in her office.
"Hello prashant. How is Nidhi?"
"I am not here to exchange pleasantries … are you also in on their crazy plan?"
"What plan?"
"Now don't act smart! I'm talking about my parent's attempts to search a groom for you. About your punar vivah!"
"Why Prashant , why should it bother you ?"
"Why should it bother me? Why indeed, when they are trying to make a laugh stock of me!!" he scoffed.
"I don't understand…." She began but was interrupted
"No, you never do!"
"And you never helped me understand…" there was a pleading in her voice, which he ignored.
"Why are they doing this?" he asked angrily.
"They feel Ansh needs a father." She sighed. "It is not my wish….."
"Tell them I am not going to come back if that is their intention."
"Why don't you do that yourself … you know how much they miss you." her voice was soft.
"They made their choice when they choose you over me! Tell them to let me be and not to ridicule me." His phone rang…. "Haan Nidhi , I'm coming!" After giving Aarthi a last glare he turned to leave.
"Prashant…" she called softly.
"Yes!" his voice was impatient.
"Won't you ask about your son?"
"My son! No he is all yours …you know I never wanted a child. You got pregnant knowing that."
"I didn't do it alone… you…"
"I am not going to get into any debate with you …I don't want to talk to you. Just tell my parents to stop their silly idea of punar vivah!" He walked away without a backward glance.
The sound of the supressed weeping followed him as Yash decided not to disturb a distressed Aarthi.
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Was it the sympathy for a mistreated woman, or the admiration for the courage and poise she showed or the acceptance of the mother in her that made him re consider, he didn't know. But he had given his nod to take the proposal forward. The families will have their talks and discussions but he needed to talk with Aarthi. He had informed the Dubeys of that and arranged for a meeting with Aarthi at her home. But on reaching her home he learned that Aarthi was not interested to talk to him, in face she was not interested in remarriage. Mr. Dubey was very apologetic and Mrs. Dubey was almost in tears.
"I am sorry Mr. Scindia, we tried calling you when aarthi refused… we apologize for the inconvenience. I tried to convince her but she… let me just talk to her once more… may be since you are already here…"Mrs. Dubey was flustered.
"No let me go to her, that is if you don't mind?"
He knocked on the door before entering. She was standing by the window looking outside and didn't turn when he entered.
"Maa if you came to ask me to meet that man I don't want to. It is not that I have anything against him but you know I don't want to marry again. Maa why don't you understand? When Prashant who married me because he loved me could leave me how can a stranger accept me and my son? My husband left me another woman, you know I failed as a wife …" there was a hitch in that voice, "…I don't want to face that again…. I can't trust a man with my life not when it involves Ansh too. Please maa…. Tell him I am sorry. Tell him to go away or else…"
"Or else what?" she turned sharply on hearing his voice. The supressed grieve that gave way to shock pulled at him and filled him with determination.
"Aap?"
"Or else what? Will you take the hockey stick?" he asked with a soft smile.
this is the way i imagined why yash decided to propose.did u like it? if so please let me know
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