FF: Khamoshiyaan... (chap 37 page 133) - Page 52

CHAPTER 22:

"Arjun ko bathana hoga"

A call from Raghu sir. He was actually amused at the news. "ab iske kya zaroorath hai? I mean… I don't see any need for it"

Ra: mujhe bhi aise hi laga. Par ab Coehlo ne soch liya hai tho… well do you have any suggestions.

Arjun thought and then smiled. "I do. And you know it too…"

Raghu thought in his angle. "yeah you are right"

***

Arjun was just gliding through the channels. There was nothing interesting. The usual news channel found its place. There was news of the recent scandles. He smiled at it. "duniya kithne bhi aage bhade, kuch cheez waise ke waise hi rahthe hai."

Then came a flash news. There was a blast in a city. A car exploded in an almost full market. None dead yet, but many were heavily injured. Somehow he could feel the blast. A similar blast was taking place in front of his eyes… though it was a memory… the one that changed his whole life…

He could feel the heat of the blast… he could see himself thrown away… he could see the muted face of his team screaming his name…he could see her…

She was shocked like hell… her voice was stuck at her throat… but the heat of the blast made her close her eyes once… and that was the last he saw…

He knew he was invisible for her when she opened her eyes the very next moment… she must have felt the life taken out of her… she must have run towards the roaring fire in search of him… she must have been held back by Sam…

She must have been dead from inside on that day… and yet in every breath waiting for him to come out of his hiding as if teasing her patience… cupping her face and winking at her…

She must have waited for him… she must be waiting for him…

She is waiting for him…

He closed his eyes… if God was for real… if he was above him… as everyone says… then he wished from his whole heart to be with her once… before he takes his last breath…

***

Raghu was discussing the options with Coehlo. They had a list of the best in front of them and so did they have her portfolio too…

***

Aman walked in to his cabin. The case was over. He was a bit tired. He rewinded what happened today.

Rathod was acting a bit awkward today. He was trying his best to keep Aisha away from him. May be he had seen the Aman yesterday. He didn't want to take chance. He smiled.

He went Rathod's room and knocked. With the permission he walked in. "kya hua Aman?"

Am: kuch bath karna tha.

Sam mentioned him to take a seat. He waited for Aman.

Am: are you upset with me?

Sam: ye kaise sawal hai Aman?

Am: ek sawal ke jawab dusre sawal nahi hothe Rathod.

Sam: hm… par firbhi… any way… no I'm not upset with you. Ab mere sawal ke jawab do.

Am: (smiling) kal mien kuch zyada hi react karliya tha na, Aisha ke samne? I know you noticed it too.

Now Sam gets the point. He just nods his head.

Am: I know you must be really upset. In fact, hona bhi chahiye. Ithne mushkil ke baad tumhe tumhare team member ko wapas mila hai. Aur mere wajah se unhe koi problem bane…. Its natural ke tum aaj mujhe Aisha se dur rakha.

Sam was not having anything to support or oppose his words.

Am: ok… ab iske zaroorath nahi hai Rathod. I'm out of my initial shock. Now I'm used to it. Bath ye tha ke mien jab Allahabad me the thab mien Aisha ko dekha tha. I took her as Nadiya as I never knew Aisha. Aur thab mujhe patha chala ke mere samne kafi jhoote kahani hai jaise Nadiya ab nahi raha. In sabke baad jab achanak Nadiya, Aisha banke aye tho…. I was disturbed. That was what happened yeaterday. I swear it won't happen again.

Sam was breathing a relieved air now. "thanks Aman. Ha mien jan buchke hi tum dono ko aaj alag alag rakha. I was worried for her. Ek galath kadam… aur wo firse wahi jayegi jaha se hum usse wapas lane ke koshish kar rahe hai. Now i'm relieved. In fact now I'm asking your help to bring her back. The old Aisha back"

Am: mujhe uss Aisha ke bare me zyada patha tho nahi. Lekin jo mujhse hoga,wo mien karunga. Again I'm sorry that I embarrassed you.

Sam: its ok Aman. Its over for now.

Am: kafi janthe ho tum sab Aisha ke bare mien. I really envy your team Rathod.

Sam: don't be. Now you are also a part of it.

Am: but I never got to know Arjun.

The mere name changed the face of Rathod. Aman mentally smacked himself for that.

Am: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you.

Sam: it's ok. Tum jaana chahthe ho Arjun ke bare mien? Batha saktha hu… for that we will need more time.

Am: and I'm not planning my retirement soon. So we do have time.

Sam: (smiling) ok then some time later. Seriously Aman, I am feeling much better now.

Am: my pleasure Rathod. Ek naye dosti ke shuruath aise bhi hosakthe hai.

Sam smiled at him. A new friendship…. A new beginning… yes everything needs a first step…

***

He walked towards Aryan's room. There was a voice of the TV inside. He looked at his watch. It's late. He opened the door gently.

Aryan was asleep with the TV on, stuck at the usual news channel.

He walked in and off the TV. He turned to Aryan. He was sleeping in a bed with its top part pushed up in a slanting position. He walked closer. The usual light sleeper Arjun was sleeping as a sound sleeper Aryan.

There was a tear that stuck at the corner of the eye. He gently pulled the blanket over him and caressed his hair. He just tilted his face feeling the touch and murmered in sleep. "good night baba…"

He smiled at the sleeping Aryan. "Good night Aryan"

He off the light and walked away closing the door. He reached his room, and sat on a chair in the open balcony. The light breeze was soothing.

He could clearly see the first glimpse of the Aryan… or rather Arjun… on that day…

He was on the side of the road… soaked in blood… with the faintest heartbeat he had ever heard…

He had tried to call him but he never responded… he did what was necessary that time…. against all the odds that prevailed… just to save him from the unknown…

After many sleepless nights and haunting days… he named him… Aryan… Aryan Varma…

And the day when he opened his eyes… the day when he told him everything…. He just said…

"Arjun is no more now… aaj se mien Aryan…apke Aryan…"

***

She was called by her boss. The news was just a huge shock for her…

A news that would have made her jump up and down and make her scream out loud…. But today it was just a shock…

The boss's voice took her out of her shock. "so… shall we go and meet them?" she nodded yes absent mindedly.

They walked out and took the office vehicle. They reached the destination. Commissioner's office.

They were allowed in. And inside with the Comm. was Raghu Sir, though he never showed that he knew her. And of course he knew her well.

The comm. was indeed speaking to her. But she didn't know why, she was not able to understand it well. Something was paining her from inside. She looked visibly alright, but mentally she was strained. Then in between she heard Comm. sir's voice again.

Co: your name was suggested among a few by my friend Raghu…

That's it… so I am recommended by Raghu sir… that means by him… now she had a definite reason to be upset…

Co: whats the matter? Are you not happy with the proposition? If you are not willing it, its ok…there is no force on you.

Her: no sir. This is a post that I would dream of. But before I take it, I need some time. There is something that I really should look upon now. Someone to whom I should speak.

With that line she casually looked at Raghu sir. His face showed understanding though he didn't show much.

Co: no problem. You can take 2 days time and decide it. Please do inform about your decision by that time.

Her: sure sir. Sorry I am keeping you waiting.

Co: it's ok. I can understand.

They walked out. The boss was a bit pissed off. How could she show this much attitude? But he chose to keep silence for now.

She was in her thoughts. She always wanted to go ahead in life. Meet the challenges and go ahead. But she wished to go ahead with herown capability... not with any recomentation. And today it was clear... it was Arjun who recommended her to Raghu sir…

And she needed answers. She called up the flight reservation counter and booked an immediate ticket. Something should be said looking at the face. Not by messages.

Her flight was scheduled within 4 hours. She was waiting in the waiting zone of the airport. Her mobile beeped. Congrats.

She just closed the message and took a deep breath.

***

There he was waiting for her reply. But it never came. He was a bit thoughtful now. Her silence means… a storm is on its way. He has experienced once before… the one storm that made many changes in his life… but why now? He didn't get it.

It was almost 4 pm, his baba, Mr. Varma was in room with him with his daily routine work. His mobile beeped and baba raised his eyebrows. "aaj kal ye kafi zyada awaz banathe hai…"

He smiled. "bahar ke duniya se yahi ek link hai mera…"

Saying this he opened his inbox. Need to talk.

He typed back. Bolo

Reply: not like this. I need to TALK

His reply: no.

A few seconds delay and then a beep: may I come in?

He narrowed his eyes at the screen. There was a knock at the door.