Here is Chapter 4. Likes, Comments, Reviews and Criticisms more than welcome.
Chapter 4:
Monday Morning at 10:25 a.m. Verma Residence - Nidhi's room:
"Anji, main kaisi lag rahi hoon? Theek hai na? Maine formal wear hardly pahna hai kabhi", asked an excited Nidhi.
"Arre lekin is tarah formally dress up karke tu kahan jaa rahi hai? Koi play vlay me part le rahi hai kya?" asked Anji.
"Anji, uncle ne tujhe bataya nahi? I'm going to join one of his colleague's office."
"Join one of dad's colleague's office? For?" asked Anji incredulously.
"To work as a junior. What else?" she said poutingly.
Anji burst out laughing at that. "Nidhi..tu aur kaam karegi? (another bout of laughter).. subah subah aise PJ mat maar."
Nidhi was annoyed, "Arre yaar, isme PJ ki kya baat hai? I am serious"
"Kyun kya hua? Uncle ne tera credit card freeze karwa diya ya tujhe naya shauk chadha hai kisi senior lawyer ko chidaane ka? Yaar tu reham kar. The poor lawyer, jo bhi ho! Usne toh dad ke kehne pe tujhe bula liya hoga interview ke liye. But, us bechare ko kya maloom ke what's going to hit him" Anji teased her mercilessly.
"Kya Anji? Mujhe der ho rahi hai aur tu" Nidhi got irritated and rushed out to the hall, where her father said, "You ready dear?" She nodded enthusiastically, as her father asked again "Nidhi, you are really serious about this, right?"
"Baba, why are you asking me again and again? For the nth time, I AM serious" shouted Nidhi.
"Beta, agar meri baat hoti toh chalta. Lekin Solanki ne tujhe apni goodwill pe recommend kiya hai.."
"Toh aapko kya lagta hai Baba? Do you think I will embarrass Uncle? Baba, believe me. I have realized that I need to prove myself. Tabhi sab komeri kadr hogi, even Roh.. I mean, I know ke mujhe apne education ko waste nahi karna chahiye. I promise you Baba main aapko, uncle ko ya unke colleagues ko shikaayat ka koi mauka nahi doongi."
Col. Verma nodded with satisfaction. It was one of those rare times, when his daughter talked sensibly. Just as Nidhi was about to leave, Anji again teased her, "tu unse milne jaa hi rahi hai, toh phir unhe ye bhi bata dena, ke tu do din se jyaada unke saath kaam nahi karegi"
"Anji, aaj tujhe hua kya hai? Why are you hell bent on irritating me?"
"main tujhe achchhi tarah se jaanti hoon yaar. Do din nahi toh toh do mahine me toh tu chhod hi degi unka office."
"aisa kuch nahi hoga Anji. Shart lagani toh lagale"
"Done. Lekin soch le agar haar gayi toh? Agar tu do mahine se ek din pahle bhi chhod ke aayi, ya phir unhone tujhe fire kiya toh, tujhe meri ek baat maanni hogi"
"Done Anji, lekin tu haar gayi toh tujhe bhi meri ek baat maanni padegi"
"Done!"said Anji, still in a mocking tone.
With a determined look, Nidhi picked up her file and left the house.Anji heaved a sigh of relief.
"Anji, ye kuch extreme nahi ho gaya? Tere kehne pe parson hum sab ne Nidhi ko is tarah se avoid kiya, aur tera idea kaam bhi kar gaya. Nidhi khud chalke mere paas aayi ke mujhe kuch karna hai. Lekin, abhi woh jaa hi rahi thi na? Phir subah subah uska mood kharab karna zaroori tha kya?" asked Col. Verma in a accusing tone. Nidhi was his biggest weakness. He could not see her miffed even for a minute.
Anji's tone was rather ruthless, "Desparate times call for extreme measures Uncle. I wanted to ensure that woh at least thoda time wahan tike. Aapko yaad haina LLB ke baad, usne pahle violin classes join kiye, lekin 1 din me chhod diya. Phir singing class join kiya, lekin ghar pe riyaaz nahi kiya toh Guruji ne thoda daant diya, toh ye madam chhod ke aagayi. Aur phir uske baad computer classes ek week me chhod diya…. Aur phir uske baad horse riding.."
"Bas Bas Anji. Beta, I agree with you now" Col. Verma had to concur.
Nidhi was on her way to the offices Mathur, Chaturvedi, Trehan and Associates.Why did Anji irritate me so much this morning? Does she think I am good for nothing? Does she think I can't do anything concerete with my life. I will work hard and prove myself, I will show her that..
Her thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of her phone. It was Rohan. She picked up, "Hi"
"Hey Nidhi" said Rohan in a sleepy voice, "how was your weekend baby?"
"Tumse matlab?" she replied in a miffed tone, "Tum toh mujhe bhool hi gaye the."
"Come on honey, tum jaanti hona Tina, shernaaz aur Preeti ka weekdays hectic hota hai aur isilye woh mujhse weekend pe hi mil sakti hain. We can meet anytime na?"
"Hmmph" she was thouroughly annoyed now.
"So, mahaul garam hai? Chalo, koi baat nahi, let's chill out with a Chinese lunch at your fave Chung Fa. Get ready, I will be there in an hour. "
"Well, zaroori toh nahi na Rohan, ke abhi main free hoon", said Nidhi with a bloating sense of satisfaction.
"Kya baat hai? Okay, kaunse mall me jaa rahi ho? I will meet you there"
"Rohan, I am getting late for my interview, I will call you back."
"Interview? What interview?" Rohan asked bewildered, he was now fully awake.
"I am joining an office. Chalo, der ho rahi hai baad me call karti hoon." And shecut the call abruptly. That felt nice. For the first time, I said, I am busy and don't have time for him. Being a working girl sure has its benefits, she thought gleefully. Her mood lifted, she focused on the road, and spotted a Caf Coffee Day! I can just grab a Tropical Iceberg quickly. I won't be late, would I? Aur thodi late ho bhi gayi toh kya farak padta hai? Woh advocate toh apni office me hi hoga na. CCD is something I simply can't resist, can I?
It was 11.20 am. Ashutosh went to Armaan's cabin, "Yaar sun, I am leaving for a hearing. Abhi Miss Nidhi Verma karke koi aanewali thi, she wants to work here as my junior, lekin it seems she is late. Aaye toh tu attend kar lena."
Armaan momentarily looks up from his file, "will do. Want me to grill her to evaluate her caliber?"
Ashutosh shook his head, "I don't think so. Solanki sahib ne kaha hai, she is like his daughter, so I guess we don't have a choice."
"Ye tu keh raha hai Ashu?You? Tujhe toh sifarish se sakt nafrat hai.", Armaan quipped.
"Haan yaar! Lekin, kya karen, woh itne senior hain, so I can't. Abhi ke liye let her join our office. Phir dekhte hain. Chal, getting late." And he rushed out.
As he was walking towards the parking lot, he collided with a young girl, who seemed in a hurry. He stood there mesmerized for a few seconds – She was the same girl, with the lively, captivating eyes and sweet innocent face – the same eyes and face which haunt him every night since he saw them at Swami Asvaghosha's house.
But by the time, he came to his senses and looked around for her, she had vanished. Whats wrong with me? Why do I keep seeing her? Raat ko toh theek, ab toh, I've started hallucinating about her during the day too. Something is wrong with me. God, what do I do about it? Kis se share karoon?
He realized that he was getting very late for his hearing, so he put a brake on his wondering mind and hurried to his car.
That evening, on the flight to Allahabad:
The flight had just taken off. Mallika was in a relaxed mood, having closed her eyes.
"Kya soch rahi ho?" asked Ashutosh.
"Kuch khaas nahi. Ye case aaj nipat jaaye toh achchha hai. Roz Roz Allahabad ke chakkar nahi kaate jaate"
"I told you na, ke ruk jaao. I would have handled it."
"Lekin Ashutosh tumhe doosra case bhi toh handle karna tha. Akele do do cases kaise handle karte? Agar dono ki hearing ka time clash karta toh?"
He nodded agreeingly and relaxed back on his seat. After a while, "Mallika, I just hope tomorrow's party goes well. Hum khud bhi kal late afternoon hi pahunchenge wapas."
"Don't worry, sab ho jayega. Uncle aur Armaan bhi toh haina wahan. Aur phir, is baar toh tumne Clarks Awadh me birthday party arrange ki hai toh woh log khud hi sab dekh lenge. Hume kisi baat ki chinta karne ki koi zaroorat hi nahi. Waise har baar tum ghar pe hi party rakhte ho..don't you think wohi better rehta?" asked Mallika.
"Agar sirf meri birthday party hoti, toh theek hota. But we are also going to announce our engagement, so I wanted it to be perfect. After all, engagement toh memorable honi chahiye na. And now that we are going to Allahabad on such a short notice, I am really glad I decided it that way", he said.
"Yeah, I guess."
He then held her hand in both his hands, caressing it lightly "So, Mallika, kal hamari engagement announce ho jayegi. Phir kya karna hai, I mean what do you think about our marriage – when and how you want?"
Mallika gets a dreamy look in her eyes, "well, Ashutosh, main kya kahoon? Mera toh koi hai nahi, jaise tum aur uncle chaho. But I think I would prefer a simple marriage. But, yes I don't think hume jaldi karni chahiye.."
He looked up sharply, "why Mallika? Is something bothering you? Are you having second thoughts?"
She looked at him and shook her head with a sad smile, "You know very well, its not that.. I feel maybe you are not ready. You just proposed me due to pressure from uncle and perhaps Armaan." And then she averted her eyes, lest he should see the insecurity in her eyes.
He almost whispers, "Look at me Mallika, please!" She reluctantly turns towards him to see only sincerity in his eyes, while he continues, "Maanta hoon ke Baba aur Arman ka pressure tha, but that only sped up the process. Aaj nahi toh kal, I would have proposed to you. The decision was kind of made a long back. And do you really think I would take such a decision due to someone's pressure? Sirf meri hi nahi tumhari bhi poori life ka sawaal hai"
"Nahi Ashutosh, mera woh matlab nahi tha. I just.." she stopped, not knowing how to give words to what she wanted to say.
"Mallika, I understand completely. I know tum mujhe kis hadd tak chahti ho. Actualy shayad main kabhi nahi samajh paoonga.."
"Please.." she tried to interrupt, but he said, "Pl. mujhe kehne do aaj. Mallika, I probably don't even know what 'love' is. Maybe, I love you already.I.. I know I respect you a lot, I like your company, I know I am comfortable to share my innermost thoughts with you. I know for certain that we are the best of friends. At this age, I guess, that is what love means. Or should we expect ourselves to behave like teenagers in love?" he laughed and she joined him.
Then, she said, "Theek hai, toh tum kya chahte ho? Kya sochte ho?"
He laughed again, "Baba mujhe kahan kuch sochne ka mauka bhi dete hain. Us din se bas ek hi ratt laga ke baithe hain, Mallika ko ghar kab la raha hai? Unka bas chale toh woh kal hi hamari shaadi karwa den" Then, he said seriously, "Lekin, I also think, hume zyaada der nahi karni chahiye. I will be 38 tomorrow, haan you are still young so may be tumhe jaldi na ho.."
She said in an argumental tone, "Main tumhe kis angle se young lagti hoon hmm? Even I will be 35 after 2 months!"
"Oh My! 35, really? Dekhoon toh!" and he gives her a thourough once over from head to toe, while she bursts out laughing and mock punches him, "Ashutosh!" Suddenly her glance falls on her watch and she exclaims, "Arre! Hum 20 minute me land karne wale hain, aur phir toh humare respective clients ke saath hi jaana padega, I am really nervous, kal ki hearing ke liye client ko prepare karna hai, aur yahan main khud hi prepared nahi hoon. I actually wanted your advice on some intricate points"
"Tell me."
"The first thing is regarding alimony.."
Their discussion continued until they sat in their respective client's car. They met briefly for dinner and retired early to their respective rooms in the hotel. Next morning, they met in his room and ordered room service for breakfast. He was surprised to see a birthday cake with their order. He was told, Mallika had preordered it last night itself. They had a quick cake-cutting session and a quicker breakfast, before rushing to court where they got busy with their respective cases.
That afternoon:
Ashutosh gave her a call, "Kahan tak pahunchi? Mera kaam khatam ho gaya. I am waiting for you in the canteen."
"Okay. M heading to the canteen" she said, and abruptly cut the call.
Ashutosh wondered, what was wrong – she had sounded low. Just then, he saw her entering, looking dejected. "Hey Mallika, kya hua? Case me kuch.."
"I will tell you. First let's eat, I am hungry." Though puzzled, he agreed.
Towards the end of the lunch, he could not stand any more, "Mallika, hua kya hai?"
"Kuch nahi Ashutosh, khaana khao"
"Okay flight me batana. Chalo, we should leave for the airport in 20 minutes."
With a frustrated sigh, she said, "tum jao, I will have to take the evening flight."
"What? Why? Your hearing was scheduled before the recess na? (as she nods) toh phir?"
She drops her spoon abruptly, "hearing to ho chuki, but that idiot opposite me! Poora case khatam hone ke baad kehta hai he needs to submit some documents to the court. I know, he did it just to piss me off. He knew I have to catch an afternoon flight.. Stupid bas.." she was angry.
He placed his hand on hers, "Mallika relax! Let's do one thing, you go now. I will see to the case and come by the evening flight."
"Nahi Ashutosh, its okay, you go na. I will be fine. I will surely reach before the party begins."
"But.."
"Pl. Ashutosh, Is waqt main argument ke mood me bilkul nahi hoon, so pl." Seeing him go quiet, she added in a softer tone, "Dekho aaj ke din tum hamesha uncle ke saath mandir jaate ho. Aaj subah nahi ho paaya toh uncle ne shaam ki planning ki hogi. It's a tradition you follow every year and I know it matters a lot to you both, especially uncle. So, please." She pleaded.
He knew she was right, so he gave her an acquiescing nod, and took out his phone to check the evening flights on the internet. His eyes still on the phone screen, "Okay Mallika, the earliest evening flight I can see is 5.30. So, shall I book your ticket?"
She nods, and he books the ticket online and cancels the one with him. "so, I need to leave in 10 mins, but I will come to pick you up at the airport. Would you like to get ready at your house? Or at the hotel itself? We can stop at your house on the way."
"Nahi. You will send Armaan to pick me up and don't worry, I will tell my maid to keep my clothes etc. ready and Armaan can pick them on the way to airport, phir I can get ready at the hotel itself."
"Kyun Mallika, I will come na?"
"Ashutosh, why don't you understand? Tum host ho party ke. You have to be there before everyone starts arriving."
"Armaan aur Baba handle kar lenge na.."
"Pl. Ashutosh, mera mood aur mat kharab karo, I don't wanna argue right now"
He gives up, "As you wish, Ma'am!"
"Arre kapde toh theek hain, lekin jewelry ka kya karoon.." she thinks aloud.
"Okay, do one thing, give me the keys and I will pick up from your locker, on my way home. Lekin kaunsi wali jewelry?"
She takes out the keys from her handbag and says, "you just give me a call, as soon as you reach my home and I will explain."
That taken care of, he leaves for the airport, after a brief discussion with his client.
That evening at the Banquet Hall, Hotel Clarks Awadh:
The party is under way. Ashutosh and his father are busy welcoming and entertaining guests, when Armaan enters the party.
"Armaan, thank goodness, tum aa gaye, Mallika taiyyar ho rahi haina?" asks Ashutosh.
"Sorry Ashutosh, uski flight delay ho gayi hai, woh toh late night hi pahunchegi." Armaan said in a dreading voice knowing fully well, what his friend's reaction would be.
As expected, Ashutosh flared up, "aur tune mujhe batana bhi zaroori nahi samjha, right?"
Armaan looked at him helplessly, "Lekin main kya karta Ashu, Mujhe usne mana kiya tha tujhe batane se"
"Usne mana kiya aur tune nahi bataya! Main toh tera kuch lagta hi nahi na. Armaan, if Mallika is not here, whats the whole point of this party. It was mainly meant for announcing our engagement na..khair main bhi kisse bahas kar raha hoon?" and he takes out his phone to dial Mallika.
She wearily picks up, "Haan Ashutosh, party kaisi chal rahi hai"
"Party is going fantastic Mallika! Everyone is enjoying to the fullest. And I? I feel on top of the world! Hona bhi chahiye na, after all, I am going to announce my engagement!" he said in a mocking tone.
"Itne sarcasism ki zaroorat nahi hai Ashutosh! Meri flight delay ho gayi toh main kya karoon?" she asked helplessly.
"Haan!" he calms down superficially to give a prefuctionary smile to a guest and then, moves to a corner of the hall, to continue in an angry tone, "And you did not ever bother to tell me, right? Tum bata deti toh main party cancel kar deta na. Kya matlab reh gaya is party ka?"
"Exactly, Ashutosh! Isiliye tumhe nahi bataya. Tum cancel karte last moment pe, toh sab kya sochte."
"And, now, I am going to end up looking like a fool!" he rued.
"Ashutosh, Ashutosh, calm down! Take a deep breath, (hearing his sigh,) Okay, now listen carefully. Kisi ko maloom tha about our engagement? Nahi na? Toh phir just enjoy your birthday, and don't worry, you will still get your gift from me", she chuckles.
He relaxes and says resignedly, "Hmm, I guess you are right!"
"Ab aadat daal do ye kehne ki Ashutosh! Shaadi ke baad, saare husbands ka yehi jaap hota hai – ke wives are always right", she teased.
"Arre Baap re! Now, let me think if I want to get married or not" he said in a mock-contemplative tone.
"And, do you think, you have a choice now? Ab toh tum fas chuke"
"Haan ye toh sahi baat hai, aur phir tum lawyer jo thehri."
Both laughed and finally she said, "Chalo, mujhe airport ke liye nikalna hai. You enjoy the party and then, pick me up from the airport".
"Okay Mallika, see you" and he hung up. Then he went to his father and explained the situation to him. Seeing him dejected, Ashutosh promised to hold an even grander party next week, to celebrate their engagement and this pacified him.
The party continued and Armaan handed Ashutosh a drink, "So, aaj Allahabad me hearing kaisi rahi?"
"Better than expected. Looked like the judge agreed with all the points I made. Tu suna, aaj poora din office me kaisa raha? Us nayi junior ne aaj se join kiya na? Kaisi hai? Kaam theek samajh gayi?"
"Yaar uski baat naahi kar toh achcha hai. Pata nahi khud ko kya samajhti hai! Pahli baat toh she doesn't even know the meaning of punctuality. Kal meeting ke liye late ho gayi aur aaj bhi she came late. Being the first day, I just told her mildly ki hamari office 9 baje start hoti hai, toh mujhe aise ghurne lagi jaise pata nahi maine kya keh diya hai. Fir maine poochha filing aati hai? Toh ulta jawab dene lagi.. Dekh Ashu, tu kal ka din dekh le, but I don't think she is cut up to be your assistant. Main to kehta hoon, tu Solanki Sahib se.."
"Happy Birthday Mr. Ashutosh!" says Kapil Solanki, who had just arrived at the party.
Ashutosh and Armaan were taken a bit aback, wondering if he had overheard anything. Ashuosh shook the extended hand and managed to say, "Thank you very much sir! Thanks for coming"
"The pleasure is mine", said Mr. Solanki as he then shook hands with Armaan.
There was an awkward silence, then Mr. Solanki said, "Mr. Armaan, maine sab sun liya hai. (Raising a hand as if to say 'let me continue') and I agree with your each and every word. I am sorry I have kind of dumped her on your firm. But as a parent, you know she is like Anji to me, this was the best I could think of for her. The fact is that, she is a spoilt child, and we just realized what wrong track she can go on. So, her father requested our help. I could have taken her in our firm, too. But, I wanted her to have real bosses. I thought of you guys because I know I can trust you to show her the right path and train her professionally. You can be as strict with her as you please. In fact even if you make her do clerical work, or even a poen's work, I won't say a word. I am giving you every leeway so far as handling her is concerned. Having said all this, let me also tell you some more things about her: Not only she was a topper in L.L.B., but I also assure you that she is a very coherent & logical thinker and I am sure would make a brilliant lawyer give the right training – she has immense potential to make you and your firm proud. And finally, she always lives upto a challenge. All you need to bring out the best in her is to challenge her. I will be really grateful to you, if you can pl..(suddenly realizing that he is getting carried away) Phir bhi, if you don't want to take her in your firm, I will understand."
Armaan looks up uncertainly as Ashutosh says, "Look Sir, I am not going to promise anything, but aap itna keh rahe hain toh try zaroor karoonga."
"Thank you so very much. I urge you to be as strict with her as you want"
"I understand sir. Now, pl. enjoy the party".
"sure"
Solanki moved away and Armaan too went to replenish his glass.
Suddenly the lights dimmed. Ashutosh saw an extended feminine hand, "Many many happy returns of the day"
He gripped the hand lightly, "Thank you!" And then her eyes came into focus. The same eyes that haunted his dreams!
Kumkum Bhagya
