FF: Khamoshiyaan... (chap 37 page 133) - Page 42

CHAPTER 17:

CHAPTER 18:

She woke up with a buzz voice from her cell phone. Rubbing her eyes, she read the message.

Good morning Bhabhi...

Aisha smiles at the screan. "pagal hai ye ladka..."

She replies back: good morning dewarji...

A beep voice in her cell: nashta milega??

Her reply: brush karke aaja...

Another beep voice: superb. Will be there by 7 30.

She replies back: perfect.

She gets up with a smile and looks at his photo. "good morning Arjun...aaj apke bhai arahe hai breakfast pe... see you later"

She walks for getting fresh and after a prayer; she goes in to the kitchen.

Sharp 7 30, the doorbell rings. She opens the door...

Ais: bang on time dewarji.

Sr: I know, akhir ACP Arjun ke bhai jo hu...

She smiles and lets him in.

Ais: aa kal style thode badal gaye hai janab. Pehle sleeveless jackets. Aur ab... ithna thant hai kya ke woolen full sleeve jackets me chale gaye.

Sr: are bhabhi... zamane ke sath badlo... it's the new trend now. aur waise bhi, Sree jo kartha hai, pure duniya copy kartha hai...

Ais: bas bas... ithna bhi math bano. Ha dekhne mien teekh thak ho, iske matlab ye tho nahi hai ke tum koi macho man ho... ab jaldi fresh hoke aa. Breakfast ready hai.

He goes to the kitchen and climbs up on the slab.

Ais: are ye kya? Chalo table pe lagathe hai.

Sr: nahi yahi se garma garam khathe hai.

Ais: ok as you wish.

She gives him a plate of hot aloo ke parathe... and he takes it with a smiling happy face.

She too joins him in the kitchen counter and they have a great time together with him giving the summary of what all she missed these years. She had lost appetite these years and now his company was bringing it back to her.

After washing up he walks out with a cup of tea to the hall and she follows him shortly. She saw him in front of the whole team photoframe. She stood by him sipping the tea.

Sh: kithne ache din the na Aisha? Sab ek saath...

Ais: hm.

Sr: Aisha, come back yaar. I know its tough. But trust me... you will love it.

She was silent for a while sipping her tea.

Ais: tum sahi keh rahe hoge Sree. But patha nahi mien ab us duniya keliye fit hai ke nahi. 2 saal... 2 saal ke baad aaj kal mujhe is bheed se bhi dar lagne lage hai. aise lag rahe hai ke koi suffocation ho. I don't think I can handle it.

Sr: is duniya mien tum akela nahi ho Aisha. You are an ETF officer for God's sake. You are a seasoned officer jiske paas undercover rahne ka experience hai. aise hi soch lo ke pichle do saal tum ek undercover operation me thi. Now you are going to come back to the team. As simple as that.

Ais: kehna easy hai Sree. Par sochna aur karna... its tough.

Sr: sochthe waqt tum akele ho Aisha. Karthe waqt nahi. You have all of us with you. Rathod sir, Chotu, Liza , mien... hum sab hai waha. Just come Aisha. Please...

Ais: (with a deep breath) I'll think about it Sree. I promise I'll think about it.

Sr: that's like a good girl. (looking at the watch)damn me... I'm late. Ok chaltha hu Aisha. See you later. Bye. (walking towards the door) aur ha, sochna zaroor. Ok...

Ais( smiling) ok...

He gets in his bike and leaves to the office. she smile at him and goes back inside. Now a new thought was keeping her busy. Should I go back?

***

Raghu was thinking over what to do... or rather how to do? He decided to meet her soon. But how and what to say was still a problem. But then he decided to meet her soon.

***

Aman reached the office next day. "Good morning Rathod"

"good morning Aman. Welcome back."

"thanks. Wiase kya chal raha hai yaha? Any new case?"

"ha ek murder case hai. we are looking into it. in fact ab hum uske relatives se milne ja rahe the. Come. We'll fill you in with the case."

"fine. lets go."

The team walks off to the SUV keeping them busy.

***

Few days later:

Arjun was in his room, when his phone buzzed. "hai, how are you?"

He ignored the message. He usually does so when its not so important. He have learnt to keep his distance when needed.

And in Mumbai, she knew there was no hope for a reply. That much she knew about him. she was not upset at all. She smiled after waiting for a few minutes.

"kya hua Arjun? why don't you open up? Apne apko aise bandh math karo. Uske ghutan sirf apko nahi, balke sabko hothe hai. khas thor pe apke pyaar ko. Dekha hai meine usse. Wo sirf zinda hu. Aur kuch nahi. Kash mien unse keh pathe, ke unka pyaar abhi bhi zinda hai...kash..."

2 days before she was following Aisha. She reached a park in an evening, when kids were enjoying. Aisha was walking unaware of whats going around her. As if the whole world was mute to her. As if she was lost deep in her thoughts.

And she was following Aisha. She kept her distance away from her. She sat in a bench opposite to Aisha. She was just looking at that face.

Aisha was still thinking about going back or not.

She couldn't help but to look at those eyes. It was really familiar one. The one that she saw in him. the ones that was missing the other pair of eyes. It was hard for her to believe in such a love. The 'love forever' type matters was a fairy tale to her till now. but not any more...

She took her phone and clicked a snap of Aisha... she did the only this that came to her mind. She sent an MMS.

And today she was still looking at the pic that she took that day. And even after sending the MMS there was no reply from his side. Again she didn't expect one. But a few minutes after she sent that MMS, she did get a reply. "thank you"

Miles away he was holding onto his phone looking at her pic. She had changed a bit. The luster in her eyes was missing. There was a dead hollowness in her eyes. The ones that were once filled with love and compassion for him... looked lost. A drop fell on the screen without his permission. It landed on her cheek. He wiped it off immediately. "sorry Aisha... I'm really sorry. Tumhe akela chodne keliye... tumhe dard dene keliye... I'm sorry. But I swear to you... its for your goodness. And trust me jaan... I love you..."

He wiped his cheeks too closing his eyes.

The man at the door was watching him. "akhir kab thak Aryan?? Mere matlab Arjun..."

***

Few more days later:

He walked to the door and knocked at and stood waiting. She opened the door and looked surprised. "Sir aap yaha?"

Aisha was shocked to see Raghu sir at the door. He smiles at her and she takes his blessing.

He takes a seat. After some informal talks and a cup of tea, silence prevailed. Both of then knew what was going to come. The trouble was again how to start.

Ra: tumhe yaad hai Aisha? Jiss din tumhe Arjun mere samne laye the...ek officer banke nahi, balke apne jeevan sathi banke... I was really happy for you. Aise laga ke tum dono ek dusre keliye perfect ho. ek dusre ke bhawnao ko samajthe ho. but now I doubt it...

She was surprised. "aap aise kyu keh rahe hai sir?"

R: kyunki tum jo kar rahe ho... wo wahi dikha rahe hai. Arjun ko mien achi tharahe se jantha hu. Aur mujhe pura yakeen hai ke wo ab tumse naraaz bhi hoge.

She looked at him. first time someone was referring Arjun in the present tense. Not in the past...

Ais: aap aise keh rahe hai jaise aap abhi abhi unse milke aye ho??

He was caught red handed. "no wonder this lady is his wife..." his heart said. He tried to handle the situation now.

Ra: kyu?? tumhe ase nahi lagtha... ke Arjun tumhare ye haal dekh ke upset nahi hoge? Wo tumhare is hal ko dekh ke thadapte hoge Aisha. You are killing yourself... or rather, you are killing 'his' Aisha within you.

She didn't have a word to reply. Each word was true, hitting her deep within.

She lowered her face.

Ra: apne nazar math hatao... it will hurt him more.

She looks up with a tear in her eye.

Ra: dekho Aisha. tumhe jeena hoga. If not for you, then for 'him'. agar tum apne zindagi aise waste karoge tho... it will be him who will be more hurt. So try to leave everything else and start to live again. Aur uskeliye tumhe wapas apne doston ke beech me jana hoga. ETF me...tumhare jagah wahi hai Aisha. not inside this home. Jaha tum apne har saans apne teethe ke saath lerahe ho. no... take your breath in the present... live today... for tomorrow... with yesterday...

She blinks away her tears. "I know sir. Kaafi din se ye baath hi dimaag me hai. Sree aye the yaha. Aur usse pehle Rathod Sir. They are calling me back. I'm still thinking about it. and trust me, I'm half way into it..."

He smiles happily now. "I know tum mujhe kabhi na nahi kehoge..."

Ais:how sir? How could you trust me?

Ra: because Arjun trusts you... trusted you... And will always trust you...

That was the best words she could wish to hear for.

Ais: sir I'll contact you soon. I promise. Aur comm. sir ko bhi...

Ra: I'm waiting for that Aisha. I'm really waiting for it.

Raghu gets up and hugs her with a fatherly feel. She could feel his love for her. He left shortly after saying goodbye.

Once out of her home, Raghu texted Arjun. "done... she will join soon"

He got a reply. "thank you Sir, from the bottom of my heart"

***

She was in front of his photo late night. After the whole day, she had a decision.

Ais: Arjun... aap chahthe ho na, ke mien firse jiyu? Wo bhi waha jaha hum do mile the... ok... I think I'm ready for it. apko kya lagtha hai?

"I'm so proud of you jaan... go for it... main wahi hu..."

Ais: I know, its not going to be easy. Please be with me... I miss you Arjun... and... I love you...

***

Miles away he is suddenly awake. he could hear her voice. "I love you Arjun..."

He closes his eyes. "I know jaan... I love you too..."

***

Next day morning, she calls Comm. "Good morning Sir. Its me Aisha"

Co: ha bolo Aisha. kaise call kiya?

Ais: sir... wo... mien...

He could read behind her unsaid words. He smiles happily.

Co: reach ETF office any time today. your appointment letter will be on Rathod's table within 1 hour.

She smiles at the reply. "thank you sir... thank you so much"

Co: its ok Aisha. its good to know, that you are joining back. Congrats and welcome back.

"thank you sir"

She cuts the call. She looks at his photo. "aaj mien meri zindagi firse shuru karne wali hu. Be with me ok?"

She knew what would be his answer. She goes in to get ready.

***

Rathod walks in to his cabin when his Fax machine buzzes. He took out the letter and read it. he was evidently happy.

NB: there were a few mistakes, I have corrected it.