CHAPTER 27. ARNAV MISSES KHUSHI, GEET ATTACKED
Place - Arnav's room at Shantivan
It can be rightfully said that Arnav Singh Raizada was shocked when he saw his Afreen, also known to the world as Khushi, lying beside him on his bed smiling at him when he opened his eyes drowsily on an early Sunday morning. Infact, he was so shocked that he actually rolled off the bed and fell on the floor and shouted 'what the!' at the top of his voice. After convincing his Di, who had come into his room hearing his yell, that he was perfectly alright thank you very much, Arnav turned towards the bed only to notice Khushi missing. But this time Arnav was well prepared. He knew that Khushi he saw on his bed was just a mirage; an illusion and nothing more.
After his jogging session and taking his bath, Arnav, dressed in his casuals, walked towards his poolside. Unlike last Sunday, today he remembered that it was a Sunday. He may be obsessed with Afreen but he was not foolish enough to repeat the same mistake again. After all he was Arnav Singh Raizada; he had an image to maintain.
As he reached the glass door separating the room and the poolside, he stopped in shock. There sat his Afreen, dressed in the red saree he had gifted her, smiling at him. She was sitting by the pool and her left hand was into the water, playing with it. Arnav smiled tenderly at her. His brain told him that it was a hallucination; she was not here. She was to go to her home today. So, how can she be here? But he could not resist himself. He pushed open the sliding door and entered the pool area. He sat beside her. She smiled at him mischievously and splashed water on his face. "What the!", Arnav covered his face with his arm. After few seconds, Arnav realized that there were no water droplets on his face. He moved his arm from his face only to come across an empty poolside. He glanced at the pool and looked away only to jerk back and stare at the pool. There stood Afreen in the pool fully drenched, wearing The Red Saree. Arnav gulped and closed his eyes. She looked delectable! He opened his eyes as he heard her giggle. She looked at him and pouted. She raised her hand towards him expecting him to pull out of the water. To help her, Arnav extended his hand but could not reach her. He bent a little more to help her but unfortunately for him he lost his balance. "SPLASH!" Off went Arnav Singh Raizada into his own pool.
Arnav emerged from the water only to notice a giggling Di who was standing by the poolside with a towel in her hand. Anjali kept on giggling keeping her right hand on her mouth. Arnav glared at her but his glare had no effect on its victim because of his dripping and messy hair. To Anjali her Chote looked less like a tycoon and more like a drowned puppy. She sat down on the recliner and tried to catch her breath. "Enough, Di!", Arnav told her as he waded his way through the water towards the edge of the pool. This set off Anjali again and she started laughing. After few minutes of non stop laughter, Anjali took a deep breath and spoke, "Ek toh poolside pe aake baithte hain phir paani ko dekhke muskuraate hain, phir aap haath badhaate hain, phir paani mein gir jaate hain. Ho kya raha hai yahaa par Chote?", she wriggled her eyebrows. "Stop it, Di!", Arnav grumbled as he walked past her. His dialogue again got Anjali laughing.
As he left a laughing Anjali behind, Arnav decided that he had enough. He realized how strong Khushi's hold on him was! He kept on seeing her everywhere. This was not good! He had to get rid of this obsession! He has to be away from her! Yes! He has to stay away! No more Afreen in his life! He had it with her. From the time he had met her he had been obsessed with her and this obsession was turning unhealthy. No! No More, Arnav! No More of Khushi! No More of Afreen! He heard his phone ring. He went and checked the screen. It was Khushi calling. He felt his anger going up. He fumed. NO! I won't allow you to have such a strong hold on me, Khushi Kumari Gupta! I am ASR and no one can control me, not even you, Afreen; not even you! He disconnected her call.
Place - Bus Stand
Khushi looked at her mobile in shock. How dare Arnavji cut her call! She tried calling again but he kept on cutting her call. She huffed; then thought that he must be in a meeting. But today was Sunday! How can he have a meeting today! She tried calling again but it was of no use. He refused to pick up and kept on cutting the call. Uff! Rakshas Kahin Ke!, Khushi thought in anger and walked off to the bus. Jaise kal woh baat kar rahe the lag raha tha ki jaise sach mein humaare baghair mar jaayenge! Par ab dekho humein bhool bhi gaye! Rakshas kahin ke!
Place - Khurana Mansion
It was Sunday night and Soni was sleeping peacefully. The day had passed beautifully for her starting with an argument with Maan over parathas and ending with an argument over lassi during dinner. Overall it was a productive day for Soni and she had happily gone to sleep. But the night seemed scary for her. It turned the God of sleep decided to give her a nightmare. Whether it was a nightmare or a memory only we know!
Soni was running as fast as she could but they were gaining ground; they meaning the men following her. She noticed that she was in a jungle and the men following her were carrying swords and sticks. Her face seemed covered by her Duppatta and she noticed that she was wearing a blue salwar kameez, the one which she had got in the hospital. She ran while she looked back frequently. They were gaining ground on her. She soon reached the main road and saw a jeep being driven on the road. She ran towards the jeep and came in front of it. The jeep stopped an inch away from her and she slumped on the bonnet tired of running so much. Next thing Soni knew was that she was being pulled up by her arm and came face to face with none other than Maan.
Soni shifted in duress in her sleep and the scene in her dream shifted. She was standing by the jeep and Maan was fighting against the men. He saved her! Soni thought. She turned and tried to run away but she was caught by one of the men. She struggled to free herself when the man whispered in her ear, "Ab kaise bachegi mujhse Geet?" and she felt a pain in the back of her head. She realized that the man who had held her had hit her from behind on her head. The last thing she saw while she was fainting was the man checking her and declaring her dead. No! She was not dead! Please don't let me die! Please don't! Soni pleaded.
Soni woke up with a jerk. That nightmare seemed quite real. She pressed her right hand against her chest asking her heart to calm down. She could not sleep anymore. She looked here and there. She was scared; scared that the men will enter Khurana Mansion. She grimaced. She wanted Maan! She wanted Maan near her. Only then she would feel safe. She scrambled out of the bed and ran out. She ran in the direction of Maan's room.
Maan was out of his room to get some water. After taking the water from kitchen he walked towards his room only to hear a whispered "Maan", from behind him. He turned around and noticed see a pale Soni who gave him a smile of relief and hugged him tightly. Maan's brow furrowed. What was wrong? Why she reacted in such a manner? Suddenly, her body shook as she sobbed on his vest. Maan was beyond worry now. He pulled her away from him and picked her up. She caught hold of his vest tightly and buried her face in his chest. He took her into his room and placed her on her bed. He turned to get her some water only to be pulled back by her hand on his vest.
Soni panicked as she felt Maan turn away. No! He can't leave her. She pulled him back and hugged him. After few minutes he hugged her back. "Kya hua Soni?", Maan asked after few minutes. Soni pulled herself away from him but kept her hold on his vest. She looked below and swallowed. "Ek sapna tha; ek bahut bura sapna. Kuch gunde mere peeche hain aur main jungle mein daud rahi hoon. Phir Mujhe ek gaadi dikhi aur main use rokne ki koshish kar rahi hoon. Woh gaadi ruhkti hai aur main uspe gir jaati hoon. Phir ek haath Mujhe pakadke kheechta hai aur mere saamne aap khade rehte ho. Phir sapna badal gaya. Aur main usi gaadi ke paas khadi hoon. Aap un gundo se lad rahe ho aur main wahaan se bhaagne ki koshish karti hoon. Par ek gunda Mujhe pakadta hai aur mere sar pe vaar karta hai. Aur main behosh ho jaati hoon." She hugged him again and sobbed on his shirt not noticing that Maan's whole body had turned stiff and his face had gone pale. Soni closed her eyes and mumbled, "Yeh kaisa sapna tha, Maan?"
Maan hugged her back as he realized that she had seen not a nightmare but a memory from her past; a past scene in which they had met the first time. Maan hugged her tight as he remembered her limp body and faint pulse. He closed his eyes wishing the image to go away. He hugged her tighter assuring his heart that she was alive and well in front of him. As she asked him the question, he replied, "Ek bahut bura sapna tha aur kuch nahi. Use bhool jaao aur so jaao."
After one hour, Soni went to sleep and Maan went to the couch and lied there. Her memory was coming back. Doctor Puri had warned him that she would soon remember everything. But he never felt the time would be so close; the time for their parting. He closed his eyes wishing that she would never remember anything and she would stay here always with him.
Place - Arnav's Cabin at AR
It was Monday morning and Arnav reached his Office with bloodshot eyes and tired mind. He had tossed and turned the whole night missing Khushi and torn between calling her and ignoring her. And the worse thing was that the whole day Khushi kept on calling him every hour. Never had he felt so guilty of ignoring someone. Soon, he immersed himself into his work determined to forget Afreen. But unfortunately, today was just not his day and at lunch hour he realized the futility of trying to concentrate. Suddenly, his phone rang and he looked at the screen. It was Khushi calling. Unknowingly a smile came on his face. He was about to pick up the phone when he remembered his decision to ignore her. He disconnected the call. The whole day passed away with Khushi calling and Arnav ignoring and trying to work. Arnav did not know what was harder to do; ignoring his Afreen or trying to concentrate on work.
It was evening when Arnav took his car and started to drive home. He reached his destination and got out of the car only to stop in his tracks. Instead of coming to Shantivan, he had reached KC. He was shocked. He sat back in his car and rested his head on his steering wheel. No! He cannot do this! He accepted defeat! Arnav Singh Raizada accepted defeat! He accepted that he cannot be without his Afreen and he can't fight against the hold she had on him! He can't ignore her! He just can't! He took his phone and dialed her number eager to hear her voice. But as I said, today was just not his day! Khushi had disconnected his call. He got a message, "Hum aapse naraaz hai kyunki aapne humaara phone kal se nahi uthaaya aur waapas call bhi nahi kiya. Ab hum aapse Dilli aakar hi baat karenge." Arnav groaned and slammed his forehead on the horn. For next half hour he kept on calling Khushi and she kept disconnecting the calls. "Damn!", Arnav banged his hand on the steering wheel and drove himself home. Poor Raizadas and Jhas! They had to suffer a moody Arnav for the whole evening who kept on snapping at them every other minute for one or another reason.
It was dinner time and the whole family was eating quietly after facing the wrath of Arnav for the whole evening. Once the dinner ended, Anjali went to the kitchen and brought out some Jalebis for the family. Arnav, who was still fuming at being ignored by his Afreen, looked at his Di as she came out of kitchen with Jalebis in her hand. His face softened and a smile came on his face. Jalebis! She loved making Jalebis! Arnav thought dreamily. Anjali kept the Jalebis on the dining table telling everybody she was craving them so Shyamji had bought them for her. Unfortunately, she could not eat them all so she requested others to share it with her. Everyone happily took a piece except Arnav. He remembered how Khushi had made a special sugar free just so that he could eat them without worry! Oh foolish he was to ignore her! Arnav felt anger at himself. Suddenly, he sensed someone staring at him and looked up only to be shocked. Afreen stood in front of him, thankfully not in the red saree. After yesterday's vision of her being drenched and standing in his pool, he was wary of seeing her in the red saree. He had no idea what he would do if he saw her in them. She was wearing an orange suit today but her hair was kept open just the way he liked, Arnav noticed absentmindedly. She smiled at him and picked up the plate of Jalebis. She picked one Jalebi and took a bite. She enjoyed it and took another bite. After finishing the whole Jalebi, she kept the plate, picked another one and offered him. He raised his hand to take it. "Chote?", Arnav came out of Afreen land and looked around at his family. All were looking at him and his hand in shock. He looked at his hand which was hovering around the Jalebi plate. Oh Shit! He was daydreaming again! How should he get out of this now? Arnav wondered. Suddenly, he got an idea. He picked up the Jalebi, got out of his chair and went near his Di. He placed the Jalebi near her mouth and spoke, "Ek Maama ke taraf se ek apne bhaanje ke liye." Anjali got teary eyed and ate the Jalebi from his hand. Bach gaye! Arnav mentally wiped his forehead.
Place - Khurana Mansion
Maan entered the house fully tired. It was Monday and Monday tended to be tiring as it was the day after the holiday. Maan walked towards his room only to encounter a sweetly smiling Soni on the stairs. "Coffee lenge?" Maan raised an eyebrow. Yeh kya ho raha hai? He nodded his head and walked into his room. He stopped in his tracks as he noticed the things lying on the bed. His vest, track pants and towel were kept on the bed. He rolled his eyes. Pehle office ke kapde chunne par haq jamaaya, ab raat ke kapde bhi chunne ka haq bhi le liya! Thank God, underwear chunne par haq nahi jamaaya! Maan rolled his eyes. He took the things and walked off to take a bath. As he came out, he noticed Soni sitting on the bed with his coffee in her hand smiling at him. Agar maine kapde nahi pehne hote toh? Kamre pe aane se pehle yeh thoda soch nahi sakti, Maan wondered and shook his head at Soni. As he neared her, she handed him his coffee. He took it and sat down to drink it. As he drank it he noticed her hovering near him. He could not resist himself. "Kuch kaam tha?", he asked her. She nodded at first but then she shook her head vigorously. Maan huffed. This girl has gone mad. "Aap bahut thak gaye honge. Main aapke pair dabaa doon?", Soni asked him sweetly. Maan's eyes widened. Yeh kya naya drama hai? He took a deep breath when he remembered Dev had complained once that the only time NT gave him too much respect and attention was when she wanted something from him. "Toh NT ne tumhein maska lagaana bhi sikha diya?", Maan asked Soni and she replied, "Aapko kaise pata chala ki NT Di ne hi Mujhe yeh idea…", Soni bit her tongue as Maan smirked.
Maan raised one of his eyebrows and Soni looked away. He kept the cup on the side table, stood up and caught hold of her shoulders. "Kya chaahiye tumhein Soni?", he asked her with uncharacteristic tenderness in his voice. Soni was shocked to hear the tenderness in his voice and looked up. Your attention and some time with you! I want to know you more! Soni wanted to shout at him but she calmly said, "Mujhe park jaana hai. Pichli baar gaye the, woh waali." Maan was about to protest knowing that it might be dangerous for her but noticed the sadness in her face as if she was expecting him to refuse. He realized that she rarely got a chance to get out and was cooped in the house 24/7. He sighed and nodded. "Par kal chalenge. Theek hai?" Soni smiled brightly at him and proceeded to surprise him by hugging him, kissing him on his cheek and running away. She ran off not noticing a certain Dadi standing there looking into the room and eavesdropping on their conversation. Maan was shocked by Soni's gesture and sat down on the bed. He took the coffee cup and started drinking not noticing that the cup was empty.
Dadima giggled at Maan's shocked expression and walked off. Where were NT and her popcorns when you need them?
Place - Poolside at Shantivan
Anjali sighed as she lied on the poolside recliner. She missed this; sitting by the poolside and relaxing; taking a breath, forgetting the world. But these days, she was too busy with looking over the household. It was easier to take care earlier but with her pregnancy she tended to be tired easily and hence, she never had time to come to poolside and relax. Today, Maami, seeing her so worn out in the evening, had sent her over to the poolside taking over the responsibilities for the evening dinner and sharing them with Naani allowing Anjali to have some moments for herself. But, even they were getting older, how long they would help her in such a manner? Once, the kid arrived, it will be tougher to handle the household. Anjali decided that once Akash gets married she is going to handover the responsibilities to Payal and concentrate on her kid and husband. For years her priority had been her Chote and Chutke, now that Chutke will have Payal, she will only have to worry about Chote. Oh how she wished Chote would also get married! And then she can focus on her husband. She knew she was being unjust to her husband by putting him third on her priority list even though he did not mind it and also accepted it, but she loved her brothers too much to not to worry. She had promised herself that once her kid brothers got married she would give her full attention to Shyamji and their kid, but the way things were going it seemed she was always going to worry for her Chote. If only her Chote got married, the household would have a badi bahu who would handle her Chote and the whole house. She wanted Chote to get married so that he can experience love the way she was experiencing it but Chote seemed to be not interested in it. But Anjali did not loose faith. She knew that one day; Devi Maiyya will make Arnav yearn for a married life and a partner for forever. That day, Anjali would be the happiest person in the whole world. She smiled, quickly sent a prayer to Devi Maiyya to make her wish come true and put on the radio which Maan had gifted her on her recent birthday. As soon as the songs started, she relaxed and closed her eyes, not knowing that her Devi Maiyya was going to fulfill her wish pretty soon.
An hour later, Arnav entered his room. His Di was sitting by the poolside enjoying some songs. As the door to the poolside was open, he could hear some commentaries about the new movie about to be released this Friday. After changing into casuals, he walked towards the bed. Today was Tuesday and Afreen would be back by Thursday. He couldn't wait to meet her. He wanted to hear her voice, look at her, and see her smile. Arnav sighed sadly. Because of his ego, now his Afreen refused to pick up the phone. Oh how wished he could just hear her once! Just once! But Khushi seemed as stubborn as him; may be more than him. Didn't she miss him? Doesn't she wish to talk to him? He pulled out his mobile and opened her photo. He smiled at her face and traced them with his fingers, his fingers lingering on her lips. He closed his eyes as the commentaries from the radio ended and a song began with some melodious music.
Arnav opened his eyes only to notice Afreen sitting on his bed, her hair open, dressed in a pastel yellow colored saree. He smiled at her and she smiled back.
So Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Arnav sat up on the bed.
Kho Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
She blushed under his gaze and looked away.
Jaagi Nazar Mein
Soyi Nazar Mein
Har Pal Sanam Tum Jhilmilaao
He caught hold of her chin and made her face him.
So Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
She closed her eyes and her illusion vanished.
Kho Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
Arnav looked here and there searching for her as guitar and flute notes wafted into the room. He lied back on the bed when he felt someone's gaze on him. He turned to his left and saw Khushi lying down beside him, smiling at him. He smiled back.
Meri Khushi Mein Shaamil Raho Tum
Is Zindagi Mein Shaamil Raho Tum
Yun Toh Hai Laakhon Armaan Dil Mein
Mehfil Mein Jaane Mehfil Raho Tum
He went closer to her.
Hoton Se Mere
He cupped her face and was about to kiss her.
Shaam Savere
She vanished again and Arnav in shock looked around.
Yun Hi Sanam Tum Muskuraao
Arnav closed his eyes.
So Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Kho Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
Arnav sighed as the music started again and got up from the bed and went to his cupboard. He pulled out the red saree and stared at it. He closed his eyes imagining her in it.
Banke Sitara Aankhon Mein Chamko
In Aati Jaati Saanson Mein Mehko
Bas Jaao Aake Tum Meri Jaan Mein
Dil Banke Mere Seene Mein Dhadko
He hugged the saree as if he was hugging her.
Tum Mujhko Chaaho
He imagined her hugging him back.
Bas Mujhko Chaaho
He imagined burying his face in her hair.
Saare Jahaan Ko Bhool Jaao
He came out of his dream and looked at the saree sadly. He kept the saree back and lied on the bed again.
So Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
He closed his eyes.
Kho Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
He felt her kiss him on his cheek.
Jaagi Nazar Mein
Soyi Nazar Mein
Har Pal Sanam Tum Jhilmilaao
He opened his eyes but she was not there.
So Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Kho Jaaoon Main Tum Agar
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
Mere Khaabon Mein Aao
Mere Yaadon Mein Aao
"Please come back soon, Afreen. Main tumhein dekhe bina nahi reh sakta.", Arnav whispered.
Place - the Park near Khurana Mansion
Maan grimaced as Soni held his hand tightly in excitement as they walked into the park. He looked at her glowing face and sighed. As long as she was happy, he did not mind the pain in her hand. They sat on a bench in a secluded spot away from the crowd and Soni, as usual, started looking around looking at the kids playing. Maan smiled seeing her happy. She turned to look at him and he looked away. She turned back to observing her surroundings and Maan went back to his new pastime; staring at her. Suddenly, Maan's phone rang. He looked at the screen. Aditya! Aditya would not have called him after hours unless the matter was urgent. He picked up the phone and started talking.
Soni looked at Maan miffed. Har waqt Kaam Kaam Kaam! Park mein aaye hai toh thoda baat karein, saath mein waqt bitaayein par nahi! Inhein toh bas apne kaam ki padi hai! She frowned at him and wandered off. Let him worry about her! Phir unhein meri kadar pata chalegi!
Maan ended the call and looked around. Where was Soni? He looked around but she was not near by. He panicked. He looked around again in worry. What if the goons…… NO! Maan tried to stop his heart from beating fast and started looking around.
Soni giggled from behind the bushes as she noticed Maan panicking and looking around. She smirked. This was a well deserved jhatka to Maan Singh Khurana from future Mrs. Khurana. Hmmph! Maan slowly wandered near to her hiding place with a horrified look on his face. She sighed as he noticed the expression on his face. He was very much worried for her. And she could not do this to him. No, she could not trouble him anymore. This much was enough. She stood up from her hiding place and was about to call him when a hand out of nowhere covered her mouth. She felt another hand on her stomach and a body pressed against her back. She panicked and started struggling against the hold. She tried to speak but the hand on her mouth muffled her voice. Maan was very close to her but he was facing away from her. If only he turned! But before Maan turned, Soni was dragged away from the place.
Maan turned around. He had felt her! He had felt that Soni was right behind him. He dragged his hand through his hair in worry. Kahaan ho tum, Soni? Kahaan ho tum?
Soni was shocked as she looked into the eyes of her captor. The eyes seemed familiar. The man had dragged her behind the water tank and pressed her against the wall. He also had a gun pointed towards her head. She gulped. He removed his hand from her mouth as he spoke, "Ek aawaaz bhi nikaali toh tere aashiq ki jaan le loonga." She remained silent as he uttered those words that meant her Maan's life was in danger. "Tujhe kya laga Geet, main tujhe dhoond nahi paoonga?", he asked her and she felt her heart beat faster. "Main Geet nahi hoon.", she whispered quietly. "Kya kahaan tune?", her captor asked leeringly. "Main Geet nahi hoon.", she said in a firm voice. He laughed at her. "Tu paagal hai? Ya kahin tu Mujhe bewakoof toh nahi samajhti? Tu Geet hai, Geet. Geet Handa. Hoshiarpur ki Geet Handa. Yeh jo tere haath pair par chaabuk ke nishaan hai na, sab mere aur mere saathiyon ke diye hue hain. Samjhi!!!", he roared at her and slapped her hard. She felt blood coming out of her mouth. She stared at him shocked. What was he saying? If what he said was true, was Maan lying to her? If Maan was true, then how did the captor know about her marks? Soni strained her mind to make a head or tail out of the whole mess. But as she thought about it more and more, all she felt was a massive headache from the back of her head where she had been hit and lost her memory. She held her hand on her head and the captor smirked. "Who ghaav bhi mere hi saathi ne tujhe diye hain." She looked at him with her eyes wide. He started laughing like a mad man. But his laughter was cut off when they heard a voice shout, "SONIII!!!!" Both of them turned towards the shout and saw Maan running towards them. The captor panicked and looked at her. If he could not kill he would hurt her atleast. He hit the butt of the pistol on her head and ran away. Soni felt the darkness threatening her vision. She touched her head with her hand and pulled the hand in front of her vision. The hand was covered in blood. The last she saw before fainting was Maan leaning over her asking her worriedly whether she was okay.
P.S. Just a month back on this date, I posted the chapter where Maan scolded Geet making her upset, while Khushi acted making Arnav angry! Do you remember the scenes?
P.P.S The song is from the movie Who Lamhe released in 2006 featuring Shiney Ahuja and Kangana Ranaut. It is sung by Kunal Ganjawala. Has anybody heard this song?
Precap - Iss Pyar Ko Main Kya Naam Doon
Rabba Mere Rabba Rabba
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Arnav realizes that he is in love!
Geet - Hui Sabse Parayee
Cricket
Jhanak
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