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Indira-Rishi's story re-told by me.
PART-1
Two long years have past and Indira is still waiting for a sight of that person,who has changed her life,who has taught her to love,to laugh,and to live life;everyday she longs to see that smile,which used to make her day.Since Rishi has gone away from her life,Indira has never been at peace;she has never stopped weeping,and yet she is living.
Its cold night in Delhi,and Indira is in her room,standing near the window,her eyes closed and tears rolling down her cheeks,holding something in her hand.This moment takes her back in time,two years back,when an event changed her life.[Rishi and Indira were in their house fighting over the topic whether they should go to a movie,or not.But as usual Indira wins and Rishi cancels the plan.Rishi comes back from work and he pretends to be angry with his 'shrimatijee',and goes to bed early.Indira comes out of the bathroom and as she dries her hair,she sees Rishi sleeping;she understands that he's acting,because never a day goes by when Rishi doesn't wish a goodnight kiss to her and goes to sleep.So,Indira goes near him and lies down silently,pretending to sleep.Rishi,unable to bare the silence,turns around and talks to himself,"Wah kaisa pyaar hain mere shrimatijee ka;ek baar poocha bhi nahin ki Rishi kiya hoyain aap saugayein?"Indira bursts into laughter and comes near Rishi,and says,"Mujhe patah tha aap ek minute kein bhi leyein mujse bina bole nahin rehsaktein hain Mr.Rishi Kumar.Toh hooa aapka gussa thanda."They both hug and go to sleep.In the next morning as Rishi gets ready for work,an unbearable headache makes Rishi go dizzy;he sits in the bed holding his head.Indira comes in and sees Rishi,she gets tensed and asks if he's feeling sick.Rishi,gets up and says its nothing just a headache.They both leave for work,Rishi giving a good morning kiss to his beloved.For almost two weeks this unbearable headache attacks Rishi very often,and everytime he ignores it and hides from Indira.And one day,after coming out of work as Rishi walks towards his bike,his head aches,making it unbearable and everything blur.Rishi looses his balance and gets hit by a vehicle and hurts his leg.But as the pain subsides Rishi manages to ride his bike and comes home,where Indira is cooking his favorite 'tooriya ka sabzi'.She hears the door opening and answers from the kitchen,saying"Rishi jaldi change kaar lijeye,aaj aapki favorite sabzi baanrahin hain."Rishi pretends to be fine and answers with a smile and goes to the bathroom.As they sit for dinner,Indira notices that Rishi is unusually silent and he seems to be in pain;and as she cleans up the table,Indira notices Rishi leaping and walking towards the bedroom.Indira gets tensed and annoyed with Rishi,as she knows something is not right and he's hiding from her.Indira goes to the room and holds Rishi's hand saying,"Rishi aapko meina ketne din kahain ke mujse kuch maat chupayein;Kiya hua Rishi,aapki tabiyat toh thikhain na?"Rishi,smiling at her says,"Shrimatijee,saach kehrahin hain aap,mein chaah kerbhi aapse kuch nahin chupa sakta.Actually,aaj na raastein mein aachanakse mera saar dardse phata jarahain tha,aur mein bike ke taraf jaraha tha,tab ek dusree bikese taakra gayain aur girgaya,aur mere parr pein thurese choot aagayein."Indira looks at him in disbelief and throws the comb in the bed and tends to his wound,and she bring the first-aid box and dresses the cut,saying"Rishi kitna ghera zakhm hain,aur aapne mujse chupaye.Khabardar jo mujse koiye bhi baat chupayein toh.Aur aap kaal doctorke paas jarahein hain,yeh saar dard kisleyein aarahin hain patta lagane ke liya.Aur mujhe koie bahez nahin chahin ye."Rishi,smiles and says,"Jo hokum mere aka"
Next morning Rishi goes to the physician for checkup,where the doctor asks him to go through some tests.In the evening,Rishi goes to collect the report,and its just a matter of few moments that his life is about to change;he is diagnosed of brain tumor.This news seems to cut like a knife,and Rishi is unable to think what should be his reaction;he is scared not of death,but to depart from Indira.For the moment he makes up his mind to hide his condition from his wife,and goes home. For the next few weeks,Rishi behaves weirdly,at least to Indira it seems so,because she knows him in-n-out;but she thinks that the reason for Rishi's strange behavior is because of her,as she has been too busy with her work and caring for her family.Both Rishi and Indira feels that they need to talk,and both decides for a candle light dinner,where Rishi gets unusually emotional and hugs Indira,almost as he is biding goodbye to her.Indira gets overwhelmed and says,"Rishi aap itna emotional hain mujhe nahin patta tha.Mein jaanti hoin ki humere shaddi hum dono ne ek saat bohut kaam samey bitayein hain.I'm sorry,aajse mera saara waqt aapka..."Before she can complete,Rishi puts his finger on her lips,and says,"sh...mujse wada kejeyein shrimatijee ki aap mera saat kabhi nahin chorengi,chahein kuchbhi hojayein."And the next time Rishi wakes up in a hospital bed,Indira standing there, tears rolling down her cheeks.And this is the last time she will see him,as she has made a deal with the devil,i.e.,Simi Diwan,24hrs back. Everything seems the same,except Indira's and Rishi's relationship,which will undergo a difficult test.24hrs earlier as Rishi collapsed in Indira's arms,she rushed him to the hospital;and there even Rishi's mother was there to visit a friend.Simi Diwan,seeing her son unconscious,rushes to him,and the doctor tells them about Rishi's condition.While Indira's world seems to shatter,Simi Diwan sees this as the perfect opportunity to get back her son;she tells Indira that,she will arrange all appointments with the renowned brain surgeons in the country to treat her son,but in one condition:Indira has to step out of Rishi's life forever.Indira,pursued by circumstance,and by her poor financial condition, is left with no other choice;besides,Rishi's life is what matters to her the most.So Indira gives her word to Simi Diwan that she will walk away from Rishi's life,and she wouldn't let him know about this.For the next few days Indira takes care of Rishi,taking leave from her work;although it breaks her heart everytime she lies to Rishi about the expenses of the surgery,which she said him that,she has managed from her boss,who helped her for a loan;not mentioning the fact that,a mother has bargained her son's life.And finally the day comes when Rishi might get back his life after the surgery,but Indira will loose him forever.Rishi is taken in the operation theater[in U.S.],and Indira stands praying in front of God [at her home]to save her beloved,and asking for forgiveness for the pain that she will be causing to Rishi,later.Fate plays a crucial role in their lives,separating Indira and Rishi from each other,in a most cruel way.While Rishi slips into coma,Indira stands there helpless,both unknown of the storm that is going to sweep away their world with it.]
Two years later two lives have been changed forever;two souls,who were meant to be inseparable,separated for love,for survival.Rishi has waken up from his long slumber,but with all his past memories erased,and Indira has been ever since waiting for his voice to call her name,his arms to hold her tight and never let go.But after all,God seems to answer to Indira's prayers;He seems to have decided to unite the two long departed souls.Life once again gives a second chance to both Indira and Rishi to complete their story,which was put on hold;once again Indira and Rishi are about to face each other.Indira,working like a machine for all these time,has forgotten to live;she's surviving only for two people in the world:one being Rishi,whom she is waiting to meet before her last breath,and the other being,Riya,her and Rishi's 2year old daughter.
PART-2
The sun rises again and everyone continues their mundane life except Rishi,who wakes up into a new life without a trace of hint that somewhere he had left behind two lives,who are his own,and to whom he is the world.The name has changed and so has the way of living,but time will show if the heart of this man,and his emotions as well have altered,or not.Its the Diwan mansion and its tinted glasses,whose reflection only reflects the person standing in front of it,darkening the inner self,and overshadowing all emotions.
Ricky Diwan is the name,who wakes up into this life everyday and walks into the grand life of the Diwans, among the people,whose lives are as tinted as the glasses of the mansion.But somewhere in the midst of this life,he feels a hollowness within him,which makes him restless.Ricky has accepted this life without any question,because no child questions their identity,which has been given to them by their parents;and Ricky too never questioned his identity given to him by Simi Diwan,his mother,who has easily persuaded [Rishi]Ricky that,he has had an accident,where he had a severe head injury,which led to the state of coma;she very swiftly erased every bit of link that her son had with Indira.On the other side of the story,Indira's life has become more difficult as she has been leading a life of a married woman,who has been abandoned by her husband,and who is a single parent.But had it not been her rude and tough exterior,Indira would have broken long back as the society has been pointing fingers at her;had it not been Indira,her daughter would have been taunted everytime her neighbors saw her.But none ever questions about her life,at least in front of her,because no one wants to meddle with "hitler didi".However,only one persons' questioning eyes bother Indira,and that is Riya's innocent face,who looks at the picture of her father and kisses it,loves it;only then Indira becomes unable to hold on her stern exterior,and a mother becomes helpless to give Riya the love she has been craving for.
Riya: [she mostly resembles her father:the smile,the naughtiness,the impish smile when she has done something wrong and angered her mother;but she is also like Indira,as she also gets angry very easily,and she doesn't like lying]Riya is playing with her doll and she holds the picture of Rishi and kisses it.
Indira:comes out of the bathroom and as she's about to get Riya ready for her day care,Indira looks at her daughter with admiration and says,"Chalo Riya hum tayaar hoin jaatein hain,mumma koin der horahin hain.Ayur yein kiya,saara pyaar sirf pappa ko,mumma keliya kuchbhi nahin."[she makes a childish face]
Riya:looks at her mother and drops her doll and goes to kiss Indira.
[In these years life has been harsh on Indira and her struggle might have not changed,but she has changed as a person;at least as a mother,whose world is her daughter,and who smiles only with Riya.]
Everyday its the same journey for Indira,who leaves for work at 8,and on the way drops Riya to the day care,as there's no one reliable at home to take care of her little one.And same goes with the life of Ricky[Rishi],who starts his day with the workouts and then leaves for work.But today something is different,because whether its destiny,or co-incidence that, Rishi is feeling a terrible urge to go beyond the four walls of the Diwan Builders office and see the different sides to life.As he takes a break from his monotonous job and ponders about the streets of Delhi,where he stops by a book store,where he meets an art teacher,with whom Rishi exchanges his view on art and artist.Rishi is unable to understand this state of his mind,which seems to long for holding a pencil and a piece of paper and let the hand take its way. He befriends the teacher,who says that,Rishi has a good knowledge of art.Finally,he gets a place,which gives Rishi peace of mind and every evening he stops by this place and talks about art,spends time with some little ones,who come here for drawing lessons.This is the only time in 24hrs that makes sense to Rishi,that makes him feel free,and this urge for freedom makes him fight with his mother and ask for giving him the independence to live his life according to his terms.
Rishi:"Maa mujhe iss kaam mein bilkul diljasbhi nahin hain;patta nahin kyoin mujhe ghutansi laagti hain.Mujhe sirf ekhin chesmein diljasbi hain,sketches,painting.Aur mein yeh construction ka kaam nahin karskta.Mein aapni zindagi aapne hesaab se jeena chata hoin."
Simi Diwan:gets annoyed at Rishi and what she is about to say is going to unfold many questions in her son's mind."Ricky phirse wohin paagal paan.Ekbaar tu aapni maan mani karchuka hain,aur unn gandi galiwoin ki dhuul aur garabi ke zindagi jee chuka hain.Mein phirse tujhe aapni maan mani nahin karne doungi.''[phone rings and she leaves the room]
Although Rishi's mother didn't realize what she has said in that moment,but her words are about to unleash the unanswered questions in Rishi's mind.And it has in fact raised his curiosity,which he will follow for the time to come.That very day he makes a sketch of a little boy,shackled in chains and crying,and an old lady frees him.Unable to understand what made him draw such a sketch,Rishi takes it to Tina,his artist friend,to explain it to him.
Tina:Takes a look at Rishi's sketch and says,"are you sure Rishi ki tumne phale kabhi aasi sketch nahin baanaye?I mean,haar sketch ke peeche artist ki emotions,ye ek kahani chupi hootein hain.Is sketch mein mujhe deekhaye dein rahain hain ek beebass bachha,jo kise sein,ye kuch se daara hoya hain aur woh azaadi chatain hain.And its this lady,jo use freedom datein hain.Quite impressive."
Rishi:Puzzled at Tina's words and his situation,where he's also longing for freedom,says"Tina thanks tumharein explanation ke liya.Shyaad meina aapni khudki bebassi iss sketch mein zahir ke hain.Magar mujhe koin freedom deyga?''And he spents the evening talking about his life,which he's unable to remember until these past two years.
Suddenly there's a knock at the door and as Tina opens it,there's a little girl with her doll,who is here to stay with Tina for few hours,as her mother has some work till late evening and Tina is a good friend to the mother.Taking the hand of the little one,Tina walks in and introduces her to Rishi.
Tina:"Ricky yein mere ek choote se sahalein se meloin,Riya.''
Riya:Looking at Rishi,gives a broad smile and hugs him as though she has known him for ages.
PART-3
A breezing wind calms down the stress and anger of Indira,who stands in the terrace looking at the sun set.She closes her eyes and sees Rishi standing in front of her with his cute smile and saying:"Ek Pyaarwali Jhappi please..."Indira raises her hand and suddenly opens her eyes to find the pangs of loneliness piercing through her;tears roll down her eyes and she wipes them in anger.But the anger turns into a smile as she sees her daughter holding Rishi's photograph and kissing it.
Indira:"Aare Mere Guddiya Kiya Karhahin Hain?"
Riya:Looks at her mother and brings the photo to her and shows her to kiss it.
Indira:Seeing the innocence of her little one could not control her tears,which starts rolling down.In her loneliness,Indira has many a times held Rishi's photograph and talked to it,sometimes being angry at it,and sometimes pleading her beloved to come back to her.But never has she shown her emotions in front of anyone,unless today when her daughter
wants her to show her love for Rishi.Indira holds the photograph in front of her lips and kisses it,and hugs it and Riya.
Its been a week since Rishi has met this little friend Riya,and she seems to capture a special place in his heart;something about her that makes him being protective about her.Although he is not able to understand this strange feeling,but for the first time after a while,Rishi feels happy.As he looks at the cute picture of Riya in his cell-phone,it starts ringing.
Rishi:"Hello,Hain,Thhik Hain Mein Aarahain Hoin Shyaamke Flightse."[Keeps the phone on his bed and rushes to the bathroom to take a quick shower.]
Indira:She gets ready for office and gets Riya dressed as well.As they walk the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk,Riya suddenly starts pulling her mother's duppatta."Kiya Hoya Beetain,Humein Yehain Nahin Rukna Hain,Chalo."
Riya: In her cute sweet voice calls,"Mummaa Pho",pointing her finger at a rose in a flower shop.
Indira:Looks at the indication and understands;goes to the shop and buys a stem of red rose and says,"Aab Khush;Wase Riya Ne Kiskeliya Phool Kharida?Mummaa Keliya."
Riya:Takes the flower and hides behind her,nodding her head.
Indira:Stops a rickshaw and sits in it,and looks at Riya and says,"Ye Mummaa Keliya Nahin To Riyane Appane Liye Kharida Hain."
Riya:Smiles and says,"Pappa."
Indira:Her smile disappears,and a look of concern overshadows her face.She is not able to understand how to handle this situation;how to explain her little one that, her father has gone far away from them,and perhaps they will never see him.The rickshaw stops near the metro station and Indira comes back from her deep thoughts.She doesn't focus at the matter much and drops Riya at Tina's place.
Its indeed an unusual day as Rishi felt a strange feeling of happiness within for a little girl,who he knows has no relation with him;Indira is,for the first time,concern about her daughter and her strange behavior for the past few days;and Riya is happy to see her family complete,i.e.,she,her mummaa and her papa together, in her world.
Tina: She has been observing that Riya has been sad that day and did not mix with anyone,sitting quietly in the corner and tearing the petals of her flower,which she brought for Rishi.Tina goes near Riya with a glass of juice and says,"Riya,Kiya Hoyaa?Aaj Toh Aap Na Tina unty Se Baat Karhe Hoin,Aur Nahin Kuchbhi Khaye.Riya Naraaz Hain Untyse"
Riya:Starts weeping and rubs her eyes with small little fingers saying,"Mummaa,Mummaa"
Tina:She figures out that may be Riya is not feeling well,so she calls up Indira:"Hello,Indira,Riya Roo Rahin Hain Aur Tumhein Dhund Rahin Hain,Mere Khyalse Tum Ishein Ghaar Lajawo."
Indira:Gets tensed and tells Tina,"Ha Mein Aarahin Hoin";she gets anxious and leaves to board the metro.Indira remembers the incident this morning and gets more restless.The train stops and she rushes out and takes a rickshaw and goes to Tina's place.
The bell rings,and Tina opens the door to find Indira tensed and restless.
Tina:"Indira,calm down.Riya Thhik Hain,Mujhe Nahin Pattah Tha Ki Tum Itna tensed Ho Jawoingi."
Indira:Keeps her bag in the sofa and rushes to her daughter,who seems very upset."Riya Kiya Howa Beetein?"
Riya:Keeps aside her doll and hugs her mother,uttering "Mummaa".
Indira:Hugs her baby,and says,"Ha Mummaa Aagayein Hain Chalo",turns towards Tina and says,"Tina,Ise Kiya Hoya?Riyako Kabhi Isstarah Udass Nahin Dekha,Mere Baachii..."[almost in tears]
Tina:Makes Indira and Riya sit and brings water,"Indira relax.Bacha Kabhi Kabhi Istarhain Behave Kartein Hain,Jub Unki Tabiyat Aachin Nahin Laagti Hain.Ise pediatrician Ke Pass Lejawoin Aur checkup Karwalo.I'm sure shyaam Tak Thik Hojayeingi."
Indira:"Hain Mein Abhi Lekar Jarahin Hoin."[takes Riya in her arms and leaves]
In the doctor's clinic as there is a rush,Indira goes to the reception and asks permission to go to the doctor, first.This provokes a few parents waiting for their turn and they start yelling,when Indira takes her "Hitler" avatar,holding her waist,says:"Aap Logoin Ko Dikhaye Nahin Deta Kiya,Mere Baachiki Tabiyaat Theek Nahin Hain."
The Receptionist:"Madam Zaara Theerahi Yein,Baas Inn Teen Patients Ke Baadhin Aapka Numer Hain,Aur Yehain Saabhi Aapne Baachoin Ko Checkup Keliya Hin Layein Hain.Relax."
Indira:She realizes that she is panicking too much,and other children must also be in an emergency situation.So,she sits for her turn,and finally gets in.
The Doctor:Checks up Riya,and says Indira:"Mrs.Diwan Ghabrane Ke Koie Baat Nahin.The child is fine;Aur Aapne Jase Baatayein Ke wo suddenly Bohot Upset Hogaye,Aur Dusre Din Ke Taarha Active Bhi Nahin Hain;Mujhe Laagta Hain Ke Uska Kise Dusre Bache Ke Saat Kuch Aan-Baan Hoye Hain Art Class Mein,Aur Riya Ne Roona Shuroo Kardi.Its normal,don't panic."
Indira:Gets a moment's relief and leaves.She calls up at her office and informs that since her daughter is not feeling well,she'll take the day off.
Indira and Riya reach home and relaxes after changing.Indira makes Riya sit on the bed with her doll,and she finishes up her work at the computer.But that day Riya seemed more demanding than other days,she puts her doll aside and sits at her mother's lap,hugging her.A hint of worry again comes down on Indira,who shuts down her computer and gives her entire attention to her daughter.
Indira: [hugging Riya,kisses at her forehead]''kiya Hoya Mere Kuddiya Ko Aaj,Mummaako Kaambhi Karne Nahin Derahin Hain,Aur smile Bhi Nahin Derahin Hain."[starts tickling Riya,who soon gives her mummaa a broad smile]Indira gets a sigh of relif to see her little one smile,and they spent some time playing with each other.In fact,its only with Riya,after Rishi,with whom Indira becomes her real self.
As evening turns into night,Riya starts behaving normally,which relaxes Indira's anxiety.Indira feeds Riya and she brings her upstairs on her back,and sings a lullaby.Riya falls asleep,and as Indira turns to cover her up,she finds Riya holding her Papa's photo.This is perhaps nothing unusual in a normal family,where a child behaves this way when either one of the two parents goes away for work.The child misses his/her mother,or father.But in this case,Indira has been bringing up Riya all on her own,Rishi being only a part of imagination,whom the little one has never seen.And although Indira has never hidden Rishi's importance in their life,never hid his picture from his daughter,Rishi's presence in Riya's life was partial;forming the parts of his daughter's imagination only.But today day something was different,Riya,instead of holding her mummaa and sleeping,held her father's picture close to her heart and fell asleep;with a beautiful smile on her face as though she is in her father's arms,loving him.Indira took the picture and kept it on the side table,brushing her fingers on it and wishing for her love to come back and take her and their daughter in his arms.
PART-1
Two long years have past and Indira is still waiting for a sight of that person,who has changed her life,who has taught her to love,to laugh,and to live life;everyday she longs to see that smile,which used to make her day.Since Rishi has gone away from her life,Indira has never been at peace;she has never stopped weeping,and yet she is living.
Its cold night in Delhi,and Indira is in her room,standing near the window,her eyes closed and tears rolling down her cheeks,holding something in her hand.This moment takes her back in time,two years back,when an event changed her life.[Rishi and Indira were in their house fighting over the topic whether they should go to a movie,or not.But as usual Indira wins and Rishi cancels the plan.Rishi comes back from work and he pretends to be angry with his 'shrimatijee',and goes to bed early.Indira comes out of the bathroom and as she dries her hair,she sees Rishi sleeping;she understands that he's acting,because never a day goes by when Rishi doesn't wish a goodnight kiss to her and goes to sleep.So,Indira goes near him and lies down silently,pretending to sleep.Rishi,unable to bare the silence,turns around and talks to himself,"Wah kaisa pyaar hain mere shrimatijee ka;ek baar poocha bhi nahin ki Rishi kiya hoyain aap saugayein?"Indira bursts into laughter and comes near Rishi,and says,"Mujhe patah tha aap ek minute kein bhi leyein mujse bina bole nahin rehsaktein hain Mr.Rishi Kumar.Toh hooa aapka gussa thanda."They both hug and go to sleep.In the next morning as Rishi gets ready for work,an unbearable headache makes Rishi go dizzy;he sits in the bed holding his head.Indira comes in and sees Rishi,she gets tensed and asks if he's feeling sick.Rishi,gets up and says its nothing just a headache.They both leave for work,Rishi giving a good morning kiss to his beloved.For almost two weeks this unbearable headache attacks Rishi very often,and everytime he ignores it and hides from Indira.And one day,after coming out of work as Rishi walks towards his bike,his head aches,making it unbearable and everything blur.Rishi looses his balance and gets hit by a vehicle and hurts his leg.But as the pain subsides Rishi manages to ride his bike and comes home,where Indira is cooking his favorite 'tooriya ka sabzi'.She hears the door opening and answers from the kitchen,saying"Rishi jaldi change kaar lijeye,aaj aapki favorite sabzi baanrahin hain."Rishi pretends to be fine and answers with a smile and goes to the bathroom.As they sit for dinner,Indira notices that Rishi is unusually silent and he seems to be in pain;and as she cleans up the table,Indira notices Rishi leaping and walking towards the bedroom.Indira gets tensed and annoyed with Rishi,as she knows something is not right and he's hiding from her.Indira goes to the room and holds Rishi's hand saying,"Rishi aapko meina ketne din kahain ke mujse kuch maat chupayein;Kiya hua Rishi,aapki tabiyat toh thikhain na?"Rishi,smiling at her says,"Shrimatijee,saach kehrahin hain aap,mein chaah kerbhi aapse kuch nahin chupa sakta.Actually,aaj na raastein mein aachanakse mera saar dardse phata jarahain tha,aur mein bike ke taraf jaraha tha,tab ek dusree bikese taakra gayain aur girgaya,aur mere parr pein thurese choot aagayein."Indira looks at him in disbelief and throws the comb in the bed and tends to his wound,and she bring the first-aid box and dresses the cut,saying"Rishi kitna ghera zakhm hain,aur aapne mujse chupaye.Khabardar jo mujse koiye bhi baat chupayein toh.Aur aap kaal doctorke paas jarahein hain,yeh saar dard kisleyein aarahin hain patta lagane ke liya.Aur mujhe koie bahez nahin chahin ye."Rishi,smiles and says,"Jo hokum mere aka"
Next morning Rishi goes to the physician for checkup,where the doctor asks him to go through some tests.In the evening,Rishi goes to collect the report,and its just a matter of few moments that his life is about to change;he is diagnosed of brain tumor.This news seems to cut like a knife,and Rishi is unable to think what should be his reaction;he is scared not of death,but to depart from Indira.For the moment he makes up his mind to hide his condition from his wife,and goes home. For the next few weeks,Rishi behaves weirdly,at least to Indira it seems so,because she knows him in-n-out;but she thinks that the reason for Rishi's strange behavior is because of her,as she has been too busy with her work and caring for her family.Both Rishi and Indira feels that they need to talk,and both decides for a candle light dinner,where Rishi gets unusually emotional and hugs Indira,almost as he is biding goodbye to her.Indira gets overwhelmed and says,"Rishi aap itna emotional hain mujhe nahin patta tha.Mein jaanti hoin ki humere shaddi hum dono ne ek saat bohut kaam samey bitayein hain.I'm sorry,aajse mera saara waqt aapka..."Before she can complete,Rishi puts his finger on her lips,and says,"sh...mujse wada kejeyein shrimatijee ki aap mera saat kabhi nahin chorengi,chahein kuchbhi hojayein."And the next time Rishi wakes up in a hospital bed,Indira standing there, tears rolling down her cheeks.And this is the last time she will see him,as she has made a deal with the devil,i.e.,Simi Diwan,24hrs back. Everything seems the same,except Indira's and Rishi's relationship,which will undergo a difficult test.24hrs earlier as Rishi collapsed in Indira's arms,she rushed him to the hospital;and there even Rishi's mother was there to visit a friend.Simi Diwan,seeing her son unconscious,rushes to him,and the doctor tells them about Rishi's condition.While Indira's world seems to shatter,Simi Diwan sees this as the perfect opportunity to get back her son;she tells Indira that,she will arrange all appointments with the renowned brain surgeons in the country to treat her son,but in one condition:Indira has to step out of Rishi's life forever.Indira,pursued by circumstance,and by her poor financial condition, is left with no other choice;besides,Rishi's life is what matters to her the most.So Indira gives her word to Simi Diwan that she will walk away from Rishi's life,and she wouldn't let him know about this.For the next few days Indira takes care of Rishi,taking leave from her work;although it breaks her heart everytime she lies to Rishi about the expenses of the surgery,which she said him that,she has managed from her boss,who helped her for a loan;not mentioning the fact that,a mother has bargained her son's life.And finally the day comes when Rishi might get back his life after the surgery,but Indira will loose him forever.Rishi is taken in the operation theater[in U.S.],and Indira stands praying in front of God [at her home]to save her beloved,and asking for forgiveness for the pain that she will be causing to Rishi,later.Fate plays a crucial role in their lives,separating Indira and Rishi from each other,in a most cruel way.While Rishi slips into coma,Indira stands there helpless,both unknown of the storm that is going to sweep away their world with it.]
Two years later two lives have been changed forever;two souls,who were meant to be inseparable,separated for love,for survival.Rishi has waken up from his long slumber,but with all his past memories erased,and Indira has been ever since waiting for his voice to call her name,his arms to hold her tight and never let go.But after all,God seems to answer to Indira's prayers;He seems to have decided to unite the two long departed souls.Life once again gives a second chance to both Indira and Rishi to complete their story,which was put on hold;once again Indira and Rishi are about to face each other.Indira,working like a machine for all these time,has forgotten to live;she's surviving only for two people in the world:one being Rishi,whom she is waiting to meet before her last breath,and the other being,Riya,her and Rishi's 2year old daughter.
PART-2
The sun rises again and everyone continues their mundane life except Rishi,who wakes up into a new life without a trace of hint that somewhere he had left behind two lives,who are his own,and to whom he is the world.The name has changed and so has the way of living,but time will show if the heart of this man,and his emotions as well have altered,or not.Its the Diwan mansion and its tinted glasses,whose reflection only reflects the person standing in front of it,darkening the inner self,and overshadowing all emotions.
Ricky Diwan is the name,who wakes up into this life everyday and walks into the grand life of the Diwans, among the people,whose lives are as tinted as the glasses of the mansion.But somewhere in the midst of this life,he feels a hollowness within him,which makes him restless.Ricky has accepted this life without any question,because no child questions their identity,which has been given to them by their parents;and Ricky too never questioned his identity given to him by Simi Diwan,his mother,who has easily persuaded [Rishi]Ricky that,he has had an accident,where he had a severe head injury,which led to the state of coma;she very swiftly erased every bit of link that her son had with Indira.On the other side of the story,Indira's life has become more difficult as she has been leading a life of a married woman,who has been abandoned by her husband,and who is a single parent.But had it not been her rude and tough exterior,Indira would have broken long back as the society has been pointing fingers at her;had it not been Indira,her daughter would have been taunted everytime her neighbors saw her.But none ever questions about her life,at least in front of her,because no one wants to meddle with "hitler didi".However,only one persons' questioning eyes bother Indira,and that is Riya's innocent face,who looks at the picture of her father and kisses it,loves it;only then Indira becomes unable to hold on her stern exterior,and a mother becomes helpless to give Riya the love she has been craving for.
Riya: [she mostly resembles her father:the smile,the naughtiness,the impish smile when she has done something wrong and angered her mother;but she is also like Indira,as she also gets angry very easily,and she doesn't like lying]Riya is playing with her doll and she holds the picture of Rishi and kisses it.
Indira:comes out of the bathroom and as she's about to get Riya ready for her day care,Indira looks at her daughter with admiration and says,"Chalo Riya hum tayaar hoin jaatein hain,mumma koin der horahin hain.Ayur yein kiya,saara pyaar sirf pappa ko,mumma keliya kuchbhi nahin."[she makes a childish face]
Riya:looks at her mother and drops her doll and goes to kiss Indira.
[In these years life has been harsh on Indira and her struggle might have not changed,but she has changed as a person;at least as a mother,whose world is her daughter,and who smiles only with Riya.]
Everyday its the same journey for Indira,who leaves for work at 8,and on the way drops Riya to the day care,as there's no one reliable at home to take care of her little one.And same goes with the life of Ricky[Rishi],who starts his day with the workouts and then leaves for work.But today something is different,because whether its destiny,or co-incidence that, Rishi is feeling a terrible urge to go beyond the four walls of the Diwan Builders office and see the different sides to life.As he takes a break from his monotonous job and ponders about the streets of Delhi,where he stops by a book store,where he meets an art teacher,with whom Rishi exchanges his view on art and artist.Rishi is unable to understand this state of his mind,which seems to long for holding a pencil and a piece of paper and let the hand take its way. He befriends the teacher,who says that,Rishi has a good knowledge of art.Finally,he gets a place,which gives Rishi peace of mind and every evening he stops by this place and talks about art,spends time with some little ones,who come here for drawing lessons.This is the only time in 24hrs that makes sense to Rishi,that makes him feel free,and this urge for freedom makes him fight with his mother and ask for giving him the independence to live his life according to his terms.
Rishi:"Maa mujhe iss kaam mein bilkul diljasbhi nahin hain;patta nahin kyoin mujhe ghutansi laagti hain.Mujhe sirf ekhin chesmein diljasbi hain,sketches,painting.Aur mein yeh construction ka kaam nahin karskta.Mein aapni zindagi aapne hesaab se jeena chata hoin."
Simi Diwan:gets annoyed at Rishi and what she is about to say is going to unfold many questions in her son's mind."Ricky phirse wohin paagal paan.Ekbaar tu aapni maan mani karchuka hain,aur unn gandi galiwoin ki dhuul aur garabi ke zindagi jee chuka hain.Mein phirse tujhe aapni maan mani nahin karne doungi.''[phone rings and she leaves the room]
Although Rishi's mother didn't realize what she has said in that moment,but her words are about to unleash the unanswered questions in Rishi's mind.And it has in fact raised his curiosity,which he will follow for the time to come.That very day he makes a sketch of a little boy,shackled in chains and crying,and an old lady frees him.Unable to understand what made him draw such a sketch,Rishi takes it to Tina,his artist friend,to explain it to him.
Tina:Takes a look at Rishi's sketch and says,"are you sure Rishi ki tumne phale kabhi aasi sketch nahin baanaye?I mean,haar sketch ke peeche artist ki emotions,ye ek kahani chupi hootein hain.Is sketch mein mujhe deekhaye dein rahain hain ek beebass bachha,jo kise sein,ye kuch se daara hoya hain aur woh azaadi chatain hain.And its this lady,jo use freedom datein hain.Quite impressive."
Rishi:Puzzled at Tina's words and his situation,where he's also longing for freedom,says"Tina thanks tumharein explanation ke liya.Shyaad meina aapni khudki bebassi iss sketch mein zahir ke hain.Magar mujhe koin freedom deyga?''And he spents the evening talking about his life,which he's unable to remember until these past two years.
Suddenly there's a knock at the door and as Tina opens it,there's a little girl with her doll,who is here to stay with Tina for few hours,as her mother has some work till late evening and Tina is a good friend to the mother.Taking the hand of the little one,Tina walks in and introduces her to Rishi.
Tina:"Ricky yein mere ek choote se sahalein se meloin,Riya.''
Riya:Looking at Rishi,gives a broad smile and hugs him as though she has known him for ages.
PART-3
A breezing wind calms down the stress and anger of Indira,who stands in the terrace looking at the sun set.She closes her eyes and sees Rishi standing in front of her with his cute smile and saying:"Ek Pyaarwali Jhappi please..."Indira raises her hand and suddenly opens her eyes to find the pangs of loneliness piercing through her;tears roll down her eyes and she wipes them in anger.But the anger turns into a smile as she sees her daughter holding Rishi's photograph and kissing it.
Indira:"Aare Mere Guddiya Kiya Karhahin Hain?"
Riya:Looks at her mother and brings the photo to her and shows her to kiss it.
Indira:Seeing the innocence of her little one could not control her tears,which starts rolling down.In her loneliness,Indira has many a times held Rishi's photograph and talked to it,sometimes being angry at it,and sometimes pleading her beloved to come back to her.But never has she shown her emotions in front of anyone,unless today when her daughter
wants her to show her love for Rishi.Indira holds the photograph in front of her lips and kisses it,and hugs it and Riya.
Its been a week since Rishi has met this little friend Riya,and she seems to capture a special place in his heart;something about her that makes him being protective about her.Although he is not able to understand this strange feeling,but for the first time after a while,Rishi feels happy.As he looks at the cute picture of Riya in his cell-phone,it starts ringing.
Rishi:"Hello,Hain,Thhik Hain Mein Aarahain Hoin Shyaamke Flightse."[Keeps the phone on his bed and rushes to the bathroom to take a quick shower.]
Indira:She gets ready for office and gets Riya dressed as well.As they walk the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk,Riya suddenly starts pulling her mother's duppatta."Kiya Hoya Beetain,Humein Yehain Nahin Rukna Hain,Chalo."
Riya: In her cute sweet voice calls,"Mummaa Pho",pointing her finger at a rose in a flower shop.
Indira:Looks at the indication and understands;goes to the shop and buys a stem of red rose and says,"Aab Khush;Wase Riya Ne Kiskeliya Phool Kharida?Mummaa Keliya."
Riya:Takes the flower and hides behind her,nodding her head.
Indira:Stops a rickshaw and sits in it,and looks at Riya and says,"Ye Mummaa Keliya Nahin To Riyane Appane Liye Kharida Hain."
Riya:Smiles and says,"Pappa."
Indira:Her smile disappears,and a look of concern overshadows her face.She is not able to understand how to handle this situation;how to explain her little one that, her father has gone far away from them,and perhaps they will never see him.The rickshaw stops near the metro station and Indira comes back from her deep thoughts.She doesn't focus at the matter much and drops Riya at Tina's place.
Its indeed an unusual day as Rishi felt a strange feeling of happiness within for a little girl,who he knows has no relation with him;Indira is,for the first time,concern about her daughter and her strange behavior for the past few days;and Riya is happy to see her family complete,i.e.,she,her mummaa and her papa together, in her world.
Tina: She has been observing that Riya has been sad that day and did not mix with anyone,sitting quietly in the corner and tearing the petals of her flower,which she brought for Rishi.Tina goes near Riya with a glass of juice and says,"Riya,Kiya Hoyaa?Aaj Toh Aap Na Tina unty Se Baat Karhe Hoin,Aur Nahin Kuchbhi Khaye.Riya Naraaz Hain Untyse"
Riya:Starts weeping and rubs her eyes with small little fingers saying,"Mummaa,Mummaa"
Tina:She figures out that may be Riya is not feeling well,so she calls up Indira:"Hello,Indira,Riya Roo Rahin Hain Aur Tumhein Dhund Rahin Hain,Mere Khyalse Tum Ishein Ghaar Lajawo."
Indira:Gets tensed and tells Tina,"Ha Mein Aarahin Hoin";she gets anxious and leaves to board the metro.Indira remembers the incident this morning and gets more restless.The train stops and she rushes out and takes a rickshaw and goes to Tina's place.
The bell rings,and Tina opens the door to find Indira tensed and restless.
Tina:"Indira,calm down.Riya Thhik Hain,Mujhe Nahin Pattah Tha Ki Tum Itna tensed Ho Jawoingi."
Indira:Keeps her bag in the sofa and rushes to her daughter,who seems very upset."Riya Kiya Howa Beetein?"
Riya:Keeps aside her doll and hugs her mother,uttering "Mummaa".
Indira:Hugs her baby,and says,"Ha Mummaa Aagayein Hain Chalo",turns towards Tina and says,"Tina,Ise Kiya Hoya?Riyako Kabhi Isstarah Udass Nahin Dekha,Mere Baachii..."[almost in tears]
Tina:Makes Indira and Riya sit and brings water,"Indira relax.Bacha Kabhi Kabhi Istarhain Behave Kartein Hain,Jub Unki Tabiyat Aachin Nahin Laagti Hain.Ise pediatrician Ke Pass Lejawoin Aur checkup Karwalo.I'm sure shyaam Tak Thik Hojayeingi."
Indira:"Hain Mein Abhi Lekar Jarahin Hoin."[takes Riya in her arms and leaves]
In the doctor's clinic as there is a rush,Indira goes to the reception and asks permission to go to the doctor, first.This provokes a few parents waiting for their turn and they start yelling,when Indira takes her "Hitler" avatar,holding her waist,says:"Aap Logoin Ko Dikhaye Nahin Deta Kiya,Mere Baachiki Tabiyaat Theek Nahin Hain."
The Receptionist:"Madam Zaara Theerahi Yein,Baas Inn Teen Patients Ke Baadhin Aapka Numer Hain,Aur Yehain Saabhi Aapne Baachoin Ko Checkup Keliya Hin Layein Hain.Relax."
Indira:She realizes that she is panicking too much,and other children must also be in an emergency situation.So,she sits for her turn,and finally gets in.
The Doctor:Checks up Riya,and says Indira:"Mrs.Diwan Ghabrane Ke Koie Baat Nahin.The child is fine;Aur Aapne Jase Baatayein Ke wo suddenly Bohot Upset Hogaye,Aur Dusre Din Ke Taarha Active Bhi Nahin Hain;Mujhe Laagta Hain Ke Uska Kise Dusre Bache Ke Saat Kuch Aan-Baan Hoye Hain Art Class Mein,Aur Riya Ne Roona Shuroo Kardi.Its normal,don't panic."
Indira:Gets a moment's relief and leaves.She calls up at her office and informs that since her daughter is not feeling well,she'll take the day off.
Indira and Riya reach home and relaxes after changing.Indira makes Riya sit on the bed with her doll,and she finishes up her work at the computer.But that day Riya seemed more demanding than other days,she puts her doll aside and sits at her mother's lap,hugging her.A hint of worry again comes down on Indira,who shuts down her computer and gives her entire attention to her daughter.
Indira: [hugging Riya,kisses at her forehead]''kiya Hoya Mere Kuddiya Ko Aaj,Mummaako Kaambhi Karne Nahin Derahin Hain,Aur smile Bhi Nahin Derahin Hain."[starts tickling Riya,who soon gives her mummaa a broad smile]Indira gets a sigh of relif to see her little one smile,and they spent some time playing with each other.In fact,its only with Riya,after Rishi,with whom Indira becomes her real self.
As evening turns into night,Riya starts behaving normally,which relaxes Indira's anxiety.Indira feeds Riya and she brings her upstairs on her back,and sings a lullaby.Riya falls asleep,and as Indira turns to cover her up,she finds Riya holding her Papa's photo.This is perhaps nothing unusual in a normal family,where a child behaves this way when either one of the two parents goes away for work.The child misses his/her mother,or father.But in this case,Indira has been bringing up Riya all on her own,Rishi being only a part of imagination,whom the little one has never seen.And although Indira has never hidden Rishi's importance in their life,never hid his picture from his daughter,Rishi's presence in Riya's life was partial;forming the parts of his daughter's imagination only.But today day something was different,Riya,instead of holding her mummaa and sleeping,held her father's picture close to her heart and fell asleep;with a beautiful smile on her face as though she is in her father's arms,loving him.Indira took the picture and kept it on the side table,brushing her fingers on it and wishing for her love to come back and take her and their daughter in his arms.
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