9.
Meri AaSHIQUE...bs tum hi ho
Sudheer & Amrit welcomed Arjun;their soon to be son-in-law with great love & affection.Kumud complained:bhai sahab ye pyar k nhi,dant k kabeel hai.kb se isko wapis bula rhi thi America se aur ye end par aaya hai apni shadi par jb kal haldi ki rasm hai.
Sudheer patted his back:men isko kya kahun?Kaam ki aadt par to ye apne baap par gya hai.Rudr bhi bilkul is ke jesa tha.aur wese bhi ise dant kr mene apni beti ko naraz thodi krna hai.
Kumud smiled:to phir meri bahu khud hi class le gi iski.
Amrit noticed his tired & tensed face:beta pehle ooper ja kr aaram krlo.safr ki thakan utar jaey gi.saman rkhva dya hai.
He got up & went upstair.But instead of going in guest room he stopped infront of her soon to be bride room for an urgent talk.
The mansion was beautifully decorated as it should be on wedding of one & only daughter of millionare Sudheer Ahluwalya.Each corner of the house was filled with chirping girls laughter but thankfully no one was upstair at that time.Too impatient even for a knock he pushed open the door & the sight instantly made him regret his action.Turning away his face he was about to shut the door again but the horrible confusion made him again open the door.
A girl showing back to him was busy tieng her red bridal choli.He walked inside the room which was filled with the unforgateble scent of lavender.His steps automatically reached close to her,lost in the familarity of delicate fingers,beautiful skin,perfect size of her figure.Shoving her hairs back she walked for looking herself in mirror & then her eyes forgot to blink as they adjusted on him.
The world around him frozed.He was numbed,still in the state of disbelief.He lifted his hand up which was nearly trembling.And finally his fingers reached her cheek to belive.His heart beat on undifined speed feeling the alive softness.She couldnt able to hold anymore.Tears slipped down from her kohl eyes on warmth of his touch.The bubble of their little world broke by the opening of door.Arohi & Arjun instantly moved away as the group of ladies entered inside.
Gauri dropping her shopping bags ran to Arjun & slipped her arms around him.His body was in her arms but his mind,his heart,his soul were only toward Arohi who was petrified.
Shefali:oh wow,Gauri ki wedding dress bn kr aa gai.its beautiful
Amrit:haan designer ne urgent check krne ko bola.Gauri to ghar par thi nhi to mene Arohi ko hi keh dya.buht pyari lag rhi hai,drep bhi aur Arohi bhi.
Gauri childishly:men zyada slim hun,mere lye 2 inch aur chota hoga ye to lg rha hai jese Arohi hi k lye bna dya ho.
Slipping arms in his she finally introduced:ye Arohi hai,meri buht pyari friend aur hmari wedding planner.
Shyly she added:aur ye mera Arjun.
Their lips met in a timeless dance.Lips moving on eachother softly then wid more intensity..tounges no longer to stay hidden,darted out to join in the dance with their own rhythm.It became hard for her to stand with her jelly like legs as he slipped his hand under her shirt sending all forbidden sensations.She pushed him away against the throbbing desire in her.She covered flushness of her face with fake anger:men tumse baat nhi kr rhi.
He chuckled:baat to men bhi nhi kr rha.
Oh God..his killing smile with those mischiveous eyes.Twisting her nose she sat down under the tree.Snatching book from her he stubbornly kept his head in her lap:jate hue acha sa,sweet sa memorble farewel dete hen.aese mun bna kr nhi bhtete.
Noticing her wet eyes he sat up & pulled her in arms:please Arohi.tumhe pta hai men tumhare aansu bardasht nhi kr skta.dekho sirf do saal ki baat hai,jese hi mera Masters complete hogya men wapis aa jaunga.
Arohi words broken because of her continuous sobs:please mt jao Arjun.men tumhare bger nhi reh skti.tum jane se pehle mere bhya,bhabi se mera hath mango.mujhe apne sath le kr jao.
Arjun:aese khali jeyb?wo sch much men tumhara sirf hath bhi nhi denge.uncle chahte hen men papa ka business smbhalne se pehle America se apni studies complete kr k aaun.men tumhe dunya ki hr khushi dena chahta hun.
Sniffing in his chest she whispered:please jaldi wapis aana.
He kissed on her head:buht jaldi aaunga.
He was back! Just in a year.The reason was worry on not hearing her voice at once in these passed 12 months & her bhabi unbeliveble words.Lack of facility of private cell even in the graduation was proof of strictness of Arohi bhya bhabi.Arohi had been succeded in hiding her & Arjun relation from them.But the frustation on not hearing her voice from last 12 months opened Arjun mouth.He marched in her small home roaring like an injured lion:Arohi Arohi.
Her bhabi annoyed:mene tumhe phone par bhi kaha tha aur ab phir keh rhi hun.Arohi ki shadi ho chuki,wo apni life men buht khush hai uska pecha chod do.
Arjun fiercely:jhoot bol rhi ho.wo sirf mujh se pyar krti hai wo kisi aur se shadi nhi kr skti.
Arohi bhaya warned him:ye aese nhe manega ga men police ko phone kr rha hun.
She asked her husband to be quiet& brought out wedding album & showed him Arohi pics as bride.He found the whole world around him shattered.He felt as if his blood had drained from his viens.He felt weak,he felt crushed.
***
Trance of Arjun stare & 5 years old memoriesbroke by Gauri.In the extreme noisey haldi function he was lost in his own world.He again looked at the woman who had been terribly avoiding him for last 24 hours.The elder women were putting shagun haldi on both of them.Bunch of Gauri friends interrupted them wid laugh:saalion ka bhi kuch haq hota hai.hum bhi haldi lgaeyn ge jiju ko.
Amrit laughed:haan zrur.
Asking them to wait she called Arohi who seemed busy in work like complete professional.On their calling she went to stage asked her with respect:ji aunty?
Shefali excitedly:jo dulha dulhan ko pehli shagun ki haldi lgata hai uski shadi buht jaldi hoti hai..to aunty ne tumhe chose kya hai lucky one.
He felt some thing more destructive than earthquake inside him.It was taking all his will to made him sat still.His eyes were watching her disbelief as she put haldi on Gauri with her usuall beautiful smile.To him she seemed a beautiful statue of stone when she touch his both cheeks with haldi hands emotionless.
They all were so much engrossed in the fun that didnt noticed how smoothly she slipped from there expect him.
After checking the lights of lawn for tomorrow mehndi function she decided to went her room by using back stairs.Before her foot climbed the 1st step she was pulled by her arm so roughly.Hand on her mouth was strong enough to suffocate her scream which itself had buried in her throat recognizing him.She was stunned because of his hypnotzing deep brown eyes which were staring her like there will be no tomorrow.No one in her life had never seen her with so much longing.
His hand moved from her mouth to her face.His fingers & eyes creasing the adorable difference which had turned her from innocent angel to gorgeous woman.His words chocked:mujhe ab bhi yakeen nhi aa rha tum mere samne ho.mere itne pass ho.
His pain was visible in his tone but she replied:ye kya tareeqa hai?chodo mujhe.
She gasped as he hold her arms tghtly & pressed her back roughly in wall:kyun kr rhi ho aesa?mujhe jaan kr ignore kyun kr rhi ho?Har pal tadpa hun men tumhare lye.Mujhse pouchu,Mujhe btao,Meri suno..pagalon ki trhan dhunda hai mene tumhe.mujhe btaya gya tha tum ne shadi krli.
Ignoring his desperation she was struggling like fish out of water.Bitterly she snapped:for God Sake ..Leave me.Mujhe nhi pta tum kya baat kr rhe ho.men tumhe nhi janti.
Intensity remain same but his pain was suddenly transformed in anger.Heat of his breath stroking her face:tum mujhe nhi janti?
Arohi fearless:tumhare jese dss meri zindagi men the,meri zindagi men hai men kis kisko yaad rkhun?
The same stubborness,The same pride,The same fire which always made him a piece of iron to her-a magnet.He answered her in his own way on hurting his possesiveness.
His lips landedon hers & his warm tounge was released into her mouth against all her will.
Their breath echoed around,pushing him away she ran upstair.While he stared her from behind.
Locking the door behind her she stood resting her back on it.She looked at her hand which she had wiped her face with.The blood from corner of her mouth,haldi from her jaw...She was broken.Falling on her knees she brust into tears.She cried with all her might,with all her strength.Her voice so heart wrenching:mere Arjun ho tum...aur men tumhari Arohi.Sirf tumhare lye to zinda thi men.hr pal mene sirf tumhe manga hai.phir tum kyun mere nhi hue?kese men tumhe tum se cheen lun?kese men tumhar naam,tumhara garoor,tumhari family,tumhare sapne..sb cheen lun?
FLASHBACK(a day before Sangeet)
Arohi:plz aese mt ro Gauri use koi problem hogi jo wo nhi aa pa rha.
Gauri sobbed:nhi wo mujhse pyar hi nhi krta.wo ab bhi usi ladki se pyar krta hai jis se salon pehle krta tha.
Arohi confused:agr wo tum se pyar nhi krta to shadi k lye kyun tyar hota.
Gauri sadly:uncle k marne k baad dad ne hi usko aur uski mom ko sambhala hai.Sari padhai ka khrcha unhune dya buisness bhi sara dad k paison par start kya aur in ehsano k sath phir uski mom ki emotional blackmailing.Wo chah kr bhi naa nhi kr pa rha hoga.is dar se k sb kuch khtm hojaey ga.par men kya krun men us se buht pyar krti hun.
Arohi consolled her:mohabbat men itni takat hoti hai wo kismat bdl deti hai.tumhara pyar jeete ga.
Dropping herself on floor she cried helplessly.
Wrapped in blue elegent sari she was looking more than adorable.Wet henna on her hand was making her skin even more beautiful.Her deep black eyes shining with hardly controlling tears & those tempting lips stretched in pure smile. . .His stubborn tigress!Handsome as always in black shervani he was patiently watching her play.Without even looking she knew he was staring at her.Gosebumps all over her skin,sensation in deep down stomach like always were proof of it.Excusing she walked away from them.Even knowing his eyes following,her steps refused to quick.His effect on her strange like always.
She suddenly lost her balance,to all of their surprise in a moment Arjun ran & caught her in his protective arms.Her mehndi printed on his precious shervani.
For all it was Arjun Singhania arrogance & pride which made him shout on Arohi.But they both were aware of truth..The real reason of his anger & her tears.
She ran away from there crying.Arjun went to his room.After changing he was looking for his car keys while Gauri:Arjun kya hogya hai tumhe?mene aaj se pehle tumhara aesa behaviour kbhi bhi nhi dekha.Galti hogai thi us se.Kitna hurt hui hai wo tumhari insult se wo bechari to pehle hi itni dukhi hai.koi bhi nhi hai hmare siva uska.
Noticing change in Arjun expressions she tried to melt his anger by telling her friend pathetic story:uske parents ki death to bchpan men hi hogai thi.Bhai aur bhabi ne Australia jana tha.Selfishness men aa kr uski marzi k khlaf uski shadi tey krdi.Koi tha uski zindagi men jise wo khud se bhi zyada pyar krti thi.Studies k lye wo India se bahir gya hua tha.bhabi ki pabandyo ki wja se kafi time tk us se contact nhi kr pai.end time par bhag gai,shimla se Mumbai.Kuch bhi nhi tha uske pass sivaey uski mohabbat k.Pta nhi agr wo us raat mujhe na milti to kya hota uske sath.Aur jante ho wo ladka ab tk wapis nhi aaya.us ne use buht dhunda,purane dosto se,college se pta kya par koi pta nhi uska.in 5 saalon men har khushi par darwaze bnd kr lye..ab bhi hr pal uska intezar hai jiska kuch pta hi nhi hai
To Gauri surprise even after hearing all this he left from there.
The night was so dark.It was midnight but Arohi tears were not able to stop.The reason was not da insult he did but the pain she found in his eyes.She walked to window to stop the gushing of winds.And then her eyes widened as she found car(which was in his use now days) parked strangely at the back side of house.Her stomach knotted on all the worst thoughts stroke her mind.In less than a minute she was outside & walking toward the car.Her heart pounded as she peeped inside empty car.The car was opened & his cell were there too.Looking around her eyes noticed blood stain on road.In horror she walked to stable where she found his watch on way.Her rapid breath praying for his safety.Looking for him she walked inside an empty stable which was illuminated by golden light.
And than she found life in her lifeless body as her eyes settled on him..her Arjun safe,alive just inches away from him.
Her hands raised to creased his cheeks.The tears she was trying to hold from so long streamed down.His arms around her waist pulled her more closer.Her lips trembled in effect of volcanic emotions inside:tum ne jaan kr..tum buht burre ho.Buht zyada burre.I hate you.I hate you.
Pulling in her a desperate hug he mumbled:janta hun,sb jaan gya hun.
Almost crushing eachother they shared their pain in flow of tears.His fingers slipped in her hairs & lifted her face to his sight:tum se doubara milna tha warna men to kb ka marr chuka hai.
She shut his mouth by pressing her lips on his.His arms hold her weak body in state.Cupping his face she was desperately planted kisses on his eyes,nose,cheeks,jaw..like telling him her long wait.He kissed her back with same passion assureing his precense.
"mujhe tumhe chod k nhi jana chahey tha..tumhe dhund bhi nhi paya.She placed her fingers on his lips "
She placed her fingers on his lips and leaned forward towards him,staring at him with deep yearning:".."make me yours,just claim me,just love..Love me Arjun,Love me.
She took the remaining step forward, closing the gap between them. As if by instinct beyond her control her palms slid up, coming to rest upon his chest.. His left hand came up and caressed her cheek and his fingers entangled themselves in the lengths of hair that poured over her elegant ear:
Tum meri ho Arohi..You are mine.I want you.hr pal,hr lamha.mera dil sirf tumhare lye dhadkta hai,meri sansen sirf tumhare lye chalti hen,mera din tum se shuru tum par khtam
He crushed his lips against her. His arms around her neck stroking her with utmost passion were the only things which made her feel alive.Their lips entangled in a deep passion.Years of yearning started pouring itself in a passionate outburst. Their body start shaking. The tremor started and radiated through their nerves.He crushed her in his arms ,claiming what he had waited for years .He brushed her hair away from her face and dried all those tears with scorching kisses. The world went blank, a shower of tingling white stars.
He sat her down gently on the hay behind as he rained kisses all over her body. His mouth was distinctively marking every inch of her, claiming her as his. He could hear her heart beating wildly and sense the overwhelming call to be loved as he trailed kisses on her neck.Their lips met in an entanglement of passion and unspoken desire. Shedding all inhibitions ,their bodies and souls united in a the most passionate,violent and romantic love .Their lips parted and their eyes connected. So many things to say, and yet never the time in their few short moments to have and to hold. Unspoken words that their voices could never find poured through the emotion glimmering in their eyes. Another century past, another moment lived..
The raising sun brought unexpected disaster for Arjun.They checked each corner but Arohi was no where.The confusion of her sudden disappearence & groom to be soon restlesness was cleared by Arjun confession:men use dubara nhi kho skta,men marr jaunga uske bger.
To stunned Sudheer,Amrit & Kumud he confessed:men us se buht pyar krta hun..men use kbhi bhool hi nhi paya.Gauri ko bhi pta hai.men uske bger nhi reh skta.kahan hai wo..mujhe koi to btao.jo chahey sza doi..sb kuch cheen lo pr mujhe meri Arohi wapis krdo
Sillence spread around as Gauri entered witha Arohi dressed in bridal attire.To shocked Arjun she answered:mere hote hue tumhari Arohi kese ja skti thi:agr men ise naa rokti to ye phir chli jati.
To all of them she answered:koi tum dono ko alg nhi krskta..tumhari aashique k saamne to kismat ne bhi harr man lii...phir men ya ye sb log kese kuch kr skte hen.
They looked in each other eyes.
Sudheer rested his hand on his shoulder:men apne bchon k lye buht khush hun.
Kumud slipped their hands in each other & they reunite for ever.
beechad k mill hi jate hen..jinhe milne ki hasrat hai
jahan tk ab nazar jaey..Mohabbat hi Mohabbat hai
*****
10.
Home is where you are...
Arohi clutched the sides of her sari, just to have something to hold on to in her nervousness. Her wide brown eyes followed the slowly moving figure, who was scanning her humble abode at leisure. When she had opened the front door a few minutes back, the last thing that she had expected was her past, to be staring back at her. In between getting the dinner ready and attending to household work, her mind had been completely preoccupied and hence seeing 'him' on her doorstep had shocked her.
He stopped his steady walk in front of the numerous photo frames that she had kept on her chest of drawers. A few of them being new, many of them also gave a glimpse of her old life' the life that she had left behind her, almost two years ago. Hazelnut irises danced from picture to picture till they came to a steady halt on one very particular snap. It looked like it was taken years ago at the beach. Arohi in her light blue shorts and white tank top was laughing away as a young man had picked her up from behind, with his arms tightly wrapped around her waist.
"Arohi' please smile. I'm sorry bola na' Kaan bhi pakad liye maine. Ab please gussa chodo and smile for the camera' and for me' please'"
Shefali left out a breath, tired of standing in the sun, waiting for him to make Arohi smile.
"Dekho Arohi' ab tumne smile nahi kiya na' toh mein' tumhe gudgudi karunga."
Arohi turned her face away not taking his words seriously. In the next moment, she let out a shriek as she was picked up from behind and tickled on her waist. She was laughing and kicking in the air, till the tickling stopped and then she was whirled around. When they came to a stop, Arohi was still laughing' still in the air' and Shefali pressed the 'click' button.
Arjuns hand went involuntarily to the edge of the rustic frame of this particular memory, which looked as old as the snap itself. He smiled, with the same love and warmth that was displayed in front of him. He turned around, to find Arohi staring at him, her hands clutching her sari and her teeth biting her lower lip. He walked towards her and Arohis heart started beating faster. Her eyebrows jumped up, and then scrunched in confusion when he walked past her, and headed towards the kitchen. Shaking herself out of her trance, she followed him hastily.
Arjun removed a water bottle from the fridge and drank from it. The casual and familiar way in which he was moving in her house made Arohi more nervous. But not more than the fact that he was ignoring her completely. Straightening her shoulders, she decided to end this dumb charades and to be the first one among the both of them, to speak' in two long years. But as usual, Arjun beat her to it.
"Pack your bags. You're coming with me!"
Arohis strong confident demeanour melted into a puddle in an instant as she heard his crude raspy voice after a long time. For a minute she lost focus of what she was about to say or do, until Arjun pushed past her and moved back to the living room. Nervousness and irritation returned and she followed him again, stopping him with her words.
"Excuse me! What do you mean by pack your bags? Coming with you where? Im not going anywhere!!!"
Arjuns eyebrows raised slightly at the defiant tone in her voice. He could not help but smile seeing her in her tigress mode after such a long time. Well, there was a lot that he had not seen for so long, but that would have to wait' till he got her back home. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he strolled slowly towards her. He could easily make out how much he still affected her with just a smile on his lips and twinkle in his eyes.
Arohi refused to budge from her place, no matter how close he came, and how much ever weak she felt in the knees. She was a strong independent woman, and he could not just walk in to her life after two years and bully her into agreeing to anything.
"Coming with me home' your home' our home!"
"This. Is. My. Home! In case you haven't noticed, please go out and read the name plate on the door."
Arjun pressed his lips at her sense of humor. She knew very well what he was talking about, and yet she will hold on to her anger' that was his Arohi.
"Oh I read the name plate on the door. But it belongs to some Arohi Ahluwalia. Im here to pick up Arohi Singhania' my wife."
Arohi breathed in sharply. The possessiveness in his voice when he said 'my wife' was very evident, and it brought a warmth in her nerves, even in the cold weather of Vancouver. She had craved and longed for this warmth for two whole years, crying and waiting, till her eyes dried out and her vision became foggy. Slapping herself mentally for being weak, Arohi drew the chill from the air, and freezed her next words with it, and spoke in her cold voice.
"She doesn't live here anymore. You killed her two years ago' remember!"
The humor was instantly lost in Arjuns eyes. A painful and almost helpless look crept in them, misting his gaze with tears. Arohis cutting tone crashed him down, almost cruelly. He should have been begging and grovelling over here to get her back home, but his ego had disallowed it. He knew that she still loved him and he was banking on that fact to get her to agree, but looked like two years had turned her heart into stone' and his fun-loving, full-of-life Arohi, was lost.
"NO! She's still here. I just need to get her back. Aur mien yahi larne yaha aaya noon. Jab bhi Arjun Arohi ko pukaarega, tab Arohi ko aana hi hoga."
Arjun saw Arohis confusion return. Seeing him and hearing such things from him was making her heart beat again, but the frost of the last two years, clenched her soul, paining her as it started to thaw. Before Arohi, embraced the cold again, Arjun took quick strides towards her and grabbed her hands in his. Pulling her to his chest, he looked deep into her surprised eyes.
"Please ghar chalo Arohi. Mein tumhe lene aaya hoon." Arohi looked into Arjuns eyes, drowning in to the love that he was pouring out to her. She smiled slowly, realising how much she missed him, mentally, emotionally and even physically. Fighting the urge to touch his face with her hands, Arohi gulped.
"Tumne bohat der kardi Arjun. Ab hamare beech kuch nahi raha."
After two years of separation, love and need for Arohi had pushed him to the edge now. Anger returned and he tightened his hold on her wrists and pulled her closer, as if that was even possible.
"I don't rememeber signing the divorce papers wifey. So as far as I, and the Governement of India knows, we are still married."
"But as far as your heart knows, we are as good as strangers' haina?"
Arohis soft words shot an arrow through Arjuns heart and the pain flashed in his eyes. His brain was getting desperate, in trying to make her understand that she was still his wife and he needed her back with him. But for that he had to apologise and clear out whatever had happened two years ago.
"Kya hua Arohi???"
Arjun had come from office and was shedding off his clothes. His wife came from behind and wrapped her hands around his waist. When she dug her face in his back, Arjuns brain panicked, thinking that something was wrong. But when he pulled her hands and turned around, Arohi was smiling and even blushing a bit. Confused, Arjun held her chin and pulled her face up, but she crashed into him and hugged him tightly.
Arjun smiled and hugged her back. "Lagta hai kisine aaj mujhe bohat miss kiya."
Arohi just nodded her head in the same position.
"Lekin maine tumhe itna miss nahi kiya!" Arohis head snapped up and her soft and bashful eyes were now filled with anger. "Arre tum miss karne dogi toh miss karunga na! Din mein kamsekam 10 phone calls' har 5 minute mein ek sms' ab aise mein mera kaam mein dhyaan kaise lagega? Bas tumhare hi khayaalon mein khoya hua tha poora din'"
Arohi playfully hit Arjuns chest, and smiling away, hugged him back.
"Arohi' aaj tumhara maun vrat hai kya? Waise achhha hai' tum auraton ko karwa chauth ke vrat ki bajai maun vrat rakhna chahiye' Iss vrat se hum mardon ki umar jaroor badhegi!"
Arohi pinched Arjun hard on his waist and Arjun yelled. In retaliation, he started tickling her and Arohi laughed uncontrollably. Running around the entire room, Arohi and Arjun fell on the bed, laughing, and completely out of breath. Panting hard, Arjun pulled Arohis hand and cradled her head on his chest.
"Arjun'"
"Hmm'"
"Tumhe pata hai' uss din hamari baat hui thi'"
"Arohi, hum roz hazaaron baatein karte hain' especially tum. What are you talking about exactly?"
Arohi came up on one elbow to look at her gorgerous husbands face. "Har cheez mein, mein kitna bolti hu, ye jataana jaruri hai?" Arjuns chest rumbled with laughter.
"Mein bachhe ki baat karrahi hu."
Arjuns smile faded away. "Didn't we discuss this that day? We both are too young Aru. Infact agar tumne zid naa ki hoti, toh humari shaadi bhi 2-3 saal baad hoti. I feel guilty, ki hamari shaadi ki wajah se you could not go abroad and do your masters' or work for a while. Abhi hum dono ki umar hi kya hai. This is the time to work and build a future for ourselves' to give our parents back for the fabulous education and upbringing they gave us."
"Uffo Arjun! I was never interested in a masters degree' nor in working in any office. Mujhe pehlese dad ka business sambhalna tha, jo mein karrahi hu. And having you by my side makes me feel stronger to handle everything. So don't feel guilty' I wanted to get married and so we did! And trust me, we ARE making our parents proud."
"Ok fine. So then where does a baby come in this equation? I think we have too much on our plate right now to have a baby. Na mere paas time hai usse dene ke liye naa tumhare paas. So lets please hold on to that for a couple of years more."
Arohi twisted her nose and turned her head away in irritation. There were certain things that Arjun would just not listen to, once he made up his mind. And a baby was one of them. But she needed to prepare him' just in case. "Lekin Arjun'"
With the swiftness of a cheetah, Arjun turned Arohi on her back and covered his body with his own. "Arohi' abhi mein khud bachha hu! Pehle mera thik se dhyaan rakho' usske baad bachhe ke baare mein sochenge'"
Arohi looked up at Arjun as he gathered her in his arms and swooped down to kiss her lips. Past experience said, that Arohis brain ceased to think in situations like this, and they eventually ended up with passionate lovemaking.
Arjun could still remember the taste of Arohis lips on his. For two weeks the topic had been untouched. Arjun had gotten very busy in these two weeks, resulting in minimal communication with his wife and maximum with his partners daughter, Natasha. Days ended with late night working in the office and Arohi waiting up on the dinner table at home, only to eventually eat by herself' alone. She was getting irritable and moody by the day and it had become almost impossible to rationalise with her. But with the impending deadline on his head, Arjun had left the gap to be brigded with his wife for later' but that later never came.
Almost after a month, Arjun and Arohi had a huge fight over time being spend together. Everytime Arohi called up Arjun, Natasha answered his phone. The conversations left Arohi fuming and Arjun thinking that his wife was pmsing. Finally frustration and anger burst out of its dam and the trigger was the infamous 'baby topic' that came up again. With Arjuns family out of town, the fight went out of hands, resulting in Arohi leaving the house.
And that was the last that Arjun saw her.
Today, after two years, seeing her in front of him, made him want to drink in her every feature, her every emotion. The flick of her hair, the dark circles of her tired eyes, the pout of her defeated mouth, lost roundness of her cheeks the sharp angle of her jaw' Looking at her made him feel that she had been fighting a battle for the past two years' probably with herself. If only she had waited for a few more days, then she would have been back with him' and not so far away.
"We will never be strangers Arohi. Even if I lose my memory someday' my heart will still recognise yours. We are made for each other and nothing can separate us'"
"Except we, ourselves'"
"Arohi' please'"
"Its too late Arjun'" Arohi started struggling in his grip, trying to free her wrists from his hold.
"It is never too late."
"It is now! I have moved on' I don't' I dont love you anymore!!!" Arohi continued the struggle, her eyes on their joined hands as she lied through her teeth. But Arjun held on.
"Liar! Agar himmat hain toh meri aankhon mein dekhke ye baat kaho. Tum ab bhi sirf mujhse pyaar karti ho. Aur mein bhi sirf tumse'"
"AGAR ITNA HI PYAAR THA TOH MUJHE LENE KYU NAHI AAYE!!!" Arohi grabbed Arjuns collar and shook him hard. Arjuns hands lost grip on hers and his breath got locked in his throat. He had finally broken through the ice' and the water formed with his warmth, flowed freely from her eyes.
Now was the time for clarifications. Arjun freed her one hand to wipe away the tears from her pale face. But his hand stopped mid way hearing a baby cry.
Arohi pushed him instantly, wiped her tears and ran to the bedroom inside. Arjun followed her like a robot in his confused haze. He saw Arohi bend down in a huge crib and pick up an infant, almost 6 months old' and pat him on his' or her back. The baby immediately calmed down by his mothers touch and her soothing voice. But the next moment it jerked awake hearing another baby scream.
Arohi panicked and Arjun slowly walked up to the crib to check exactly how many babies were inside it! Shifting the almost sleepy baby in his hands, she bend down again and picked up another cuddly ball and started pacifying him' or her! Arjun stood there' with the first baby in his hands, held at an arms length' staring at it and its twin.
"Hold her closer!" Arohi command jerked him into action and he placed the baby in the crook of his arms as she slowly went back to sleep. Arjun stared in wonderment when the baby cuddled herself to him and held his forefinger in her tiny chubby fist. Arjun looked up in awe and his eyes met Arohis. At that instant he knew' that he was' a father!
Placing the now sleepy babies back in their cribs, Arohi grabbed Arjuns hand and pulled him out of the nursery, almost pushing him in the living room. A lot of things had fogged Arjuns mind. Babies' twins! He was the father' but then why did the looked not more than 6 months old? Did Arohi'??? NO! Arohi was his and will always be his' but then'?
Arohi could read all the questions because of the moronic look on Arjuns face. For the nth time that day, Arohi panicked again.
"Ye bachhe' they' they are not yours!"
Arjun took a while, but eventually he came back to being Arjun Singhania again. And amongst all the things that Arjun Singhania enjoyed' making his wife admit to something, topped the list!
"Achha? Toh tum inn bachhon ki maa ho lekin' inka baap mein nahi' koi aur hai!?"
Arjun looked as Arohi nodded, her face turned away from him.
"So then you wont object if we have a DNA test right???"
"I object! Voh mere bachhe hain' sirf mere! Tumhara' tumhara unpe koi haq nahi hai."
"Jaha tak mujhe pata hai, insaan ne ab tak itni tarakki nahi karli ki ek aurat apneaap bachhe paida kar sakey. Uss kaam ke liye mard aur aurat dono ki jaroorat hoti hai! And I know that you will not let any other man touch you Arohi' so save yourself the explaination!" Arjun walked upto Arohi again, piercing her eyes with his sharp gaze.
"Tumne apna haq ussi din kho diya, jiss din tumne unhe aur unki maa ko akela choda tha... Saat din! Saat din maine tumhara intezaar kiya Arjun' lekin tum nahi aaye. Fir bhi maine tumhe phone kiya' lekin phone tumhari uss' uss Natasha ne uthaaya! Keh rahi thi ki tum kitne khush ho, ab tumhe nag karne wali aas paas nahi hai' ab tum apni zindagi'"
"Woh jhoot bol rahi thi!!! Im sorry Arohi' I should've realised'"
"Par sach bolne ke liye tum kaha they??? You were never around Arjun! Har baar maine tumse kaha ki voh tum dono ke baare mein bakwaas karti hai lekin tumne mujhe kabhi seriously nahi liya. Maine phir bhi tumhara intezaar kiya Arjun' for 7 days. And when on the 7th day I spoke to her' I could not stay. I had to leave Chandigarh. Because if you had to come then you would've come in those 7 days' but you didn't! Why Arjun Why???"
Arjun knew he had to answer' and it would hurt her. But that was the only way she would understand. He had already lost two precious years of their lives, and now he wouldnt wait for even one day. Arjun held Arohis shoulders softly, his one hand touching her cheeks to wipe away her tears, and only one word came out of his lips.
"Dadi."
Arohis eyes widened as she realised what Arjun was trying to tell her. Grabbing his hand, she placed it between her palms.
"Kya hua dadi ko? Voh thik toh hain??? Dadi kaha hai? Bolo na Arjun'"
"Voh thik hai' Tumhare jaane ke baad, ek ghanta mein apne aap se jhagadta raha. Apne ego ki sunta raha. When finally I could not take it anymore, I grabbed my car keys and went after you. Lekin beech raste mein mujhe dad ka phone aaya ki' ki dadi ko achanak paralysis ka attack aaya hai aur voh unhe by air wapas leke aarahe they. Mujhe hospital jaake saare arrangements karne ko bola aur ambulance leke mein airport gaya."
Arohis grip tightened on Arjuns hand. She could see him relive the pain that it must have caused him. Arjun was very attached to his grandmother and that was one of the things that made her adore him more. She realised that it must have been hell for him' if only she had kept patience and waited some more. The realisation brought a fresh batch of tears to Arohis eyes' tears of guilt and repenetance!
"Dus din tak dadi ko ICU mein rakha tha. She had slipped into coma. But she was strong, and fighting to come out of it. I was lost in looking after her and hunting for you. To avoid anymore heart ache, I told everyone that' you were on a business trip and' out of the country. Everyone was preoccupied with dadi's health and they accepted my excuse. Dus din Arohi' mujhe aise laga tha ki mein poori tarah pagal ho jaaunga!!!"
Arohis hands lifted up and cupped Arjuns face. She could make out the vulnerable scared child, peeking from behind the mask of a strong and ruthless businessman, that was Arjun Singhania. Arjun placed his hands over hers, seeking love and warmth from them.
"Jab dadi ko hosh aaya tab unhone sabse pehle tumhe pukaara' mujhe nahi! I felt as if' as if I've failed everyone' you, dadi, my family, even myself!!! Dadi ke ghar aane ke baad maine unhe sab kuch bataya. She still cant talk you know' she writes what she wants to say. And she told me to leave her and go look for you. And since then, I've just been looking' everywhere."
Arohi gasped at Arjuns confession. She had been a fool! If only, she had more faith in her love and her Arjun, then she would've known that he would always come for her. But Arohi was young and vulnerable. In those seven days she found out that she was pregnant. Her juvenile mind told her that even if Arjun did come for her, he would make her give up the baby, or he would just give both of them up! And in that fear of losing her child or her husband, Arohi ran away' from everything that meant everything to her.
Arjun had felt that she had gone to London, back to her family. But when Dadi came around and he called up his in-laws, he was stunned to realise that Arohi had not even informed them, forget going to them. Arohi could have been anywhere in the world' alone' and he did not know where to start looking! When he saw her open the door to him today, he had felt like grabbing her there and then, never to let go again ever.
Arjun turned his face and dropped a kiss in Arohis palm. When his warm lips touched her skin Arohi could not take it anymore. She hugged Arjun tightly, her hands going around his neck, standing on her tiptoes, straining her legs to keep up with his tall height. Arjun grabbed her immediately and buried his face in the sweet smell of her neck. He felt like he had come home after years. As his hands went around her exposed waist, a small gasp escaped Arohis lips. Arjuns touch on her skin after such a long time, gave her goosebumps and a blush crept on her entire body.
After what seemed like endless minutes, their grip loosened and Arohi pulled back to look at her husbands face. She could now make out the worry lines that had developed at the corner of his eyes, in this past two years. He had gotten a few silver strands on his side buns and his face had hollowed out because of the weight he had lost. And despite of all this, he still managed to take her breath away.
Arohis scrutiny was disturbed by small hiccup that came from the nursery. Both of their heads turned immediately in that direction, and when silence followed, back to each other.
"They look so much like you, but Preet has my hair and height." Arohi watched surprisingly as Arjun commented and grinned like a boy. "Unke naam Aman aur Preet haina???" Arohi smiled and nodded. "I know' ki voh hamare bachhe hain. Lekin' why do they look so small? When did you deliver??"
"I found out two days after i left your' our house. They look small because they are premature babies. I had a stressful pregnancy and hence I delivered early."
Arjun looked at her in pain again. "You had to do it all by yourself' alone! I was not with you when you needed me the most..."
Arohi bit her lower lip, trying to stop herself from crying. It was not entirely his fault, she was equally guilty.
"' and I was not with you when you needed me the most Arjun. When dadi went through so much and just wanted to see me' If only I had been more patient' or more'"
"Ssshhh'"
Arjun kept his finger on Arohis lips. The contact snapped Arohis eyes to his, and she just revelled in the touch.
"Hum dono ki galti hai' aur haalat ki bhi! But don't blame yourself Aru' I donot want to think about what happened. Im just glad that I found you and you're here' with me' in my arms! Come home Aru' tumhare bina voh ghar, ghar nahi lagta. Sab tumhara intezaar karrahe hain, us ghar ke log' dadi' saare naukar' yaha tak ki ped paudhe tak tumhare bina khilna nahi chahte. Please come home. I beg of you Arohi'"
Before Arjun could complete his sentence, Arohi silenced him, by placing her lips against his. For a few seconds Arjun froze, scared that it might break this beautiful dream that he had been dreaming for such a long time. But when the touch of her lips stayed, his heart bloomed to realise that she was for real and his lips moved against hers to show her how much he missed her. His hands did the same on her body, familiarising them with her new found curves and her old sensuality.
Arjuns grip tightened on her as passion took over and Arohi kissed him more deeply. Revelling in the joy of kissing each other after a long time again, they both eventually became breathless due to the lack of oxygen. Gasping for air, they broke apart, looking at each other, drinking in the sight, taking in their fill. Arjun dropped a deep kiss on Arohis forehead and touched his forehead to hers. Brushing his nose against hers, he asked her that one question that he had been wanting to ask since two years.
"Ghar chaley'?"
*****
Edited by shibz - 12 years ago