FF: Khamoshiyaan... (chap 37 page 133) - Page 68

CHAPTER 29:

He woke up first. Rubbed his eyes. He could feel her cuddling near to him. He smiled at her sleeping face. The loose strands of hair were on her face. He gently tucked it behind her ears. Her cuddled closer when she felt his finger tips. He went to her ears, "good morning Aisha."

She smiled bit and opened her eyes. He was looking at her. "good morning"she murmered.

"its time" came his husky voice.

"hm…"she tried to get up, only to be held back by him at her shoulder. Their eyes met briefly. She lowered it slowly. He came forward and kissed her forehead. It's good morning now…

They woke up and got fresh up soon. It's time for their jogging. Something they loved to do together whenever they got time. She was ready in her white track pants and dark blue top. And he in her favorite black and black. She tied her hair pony only to be pulled out by him. "Arjun…" she hissed and tied it back. They were ready.

After closing the door, they jogged together. It was a cool morning and the temperature was just perfect. They chatted and smiled at times. And then she gets naughty. She jogs ahead faster. She could hear him calling back. "Aisha…" she loved the way she called her. She increased her pace.

"Aisha…"

She jerked from her sleep and looked around. she was not in her jogging place and he was not behind her. She was in the lodge. She heard her name again and a knock at the door. It's Sakshi.

She opened it to be welcomed by a cute smile. "good morning Aisha. sorry meine tumhe jaga di.subah hogaye hai. aur mujhe laga ke tumhe ghar jaana hoga. Fresh up keliye."

Aisha smiled. " thanks. Ha mujhe jaana hai. thanks for calling me" she turns and is stopped by Sakshi's voice. "may I come in?"

Ais: sure come in. sorry I didn't call you in.

Sakshi walks in looking all around. "so this your den!!!"

All these days she had walked infront of the door, never got a chance to come in. now she was here.

Ais: I'll come now.

She walks to the washroom. Sakshi takes out her mobile.

"in your den. Its so clean. With Aisha."

She waited for a while. a beep. "good morning"

She pouted. "ithna thanda reply?"

Beep: with baba. Busy.

Sa: ok ok.carry on. Bye.

Aisha comes out fresh. "ok Sakshi I'm leaving."

Sa: hay how about a coffee?

Ai: par…

Sa:par war kuch nahi. Ais ehi koi jaathe hai kya? Ok my room is 128. Waha aajana.

She leaves ahead, and Aisha remains back to close the door. After a while she knocks Sakshi's door. She opens. "welcome to my den!!!"

Aisha comes in and looks around. It was a well arranged room hall. At a small partition there was a small kitchen with minimum equipments. Across the other end of the hall was another partition with some hanging lines of beads. Behind it was a bed on the floor. It was well arranged and looked as if her bed –cum-working area. There was a good shelf with files. A portable table that can be placed in front of her when sitting on the bed. A few pics on the wall.Of her family.On the whole the single room had anything that a girl staying alone wanted.

Sa: so hows it?

Aisha turned to her. She was watching Aisha with 2 cups of coffee.

Ai: great. Ek simple se room ko istharah sajaya hai… impressed.

Sa: thanks.yaha furniture keliye jagah dungi tho mere liye nahi hotha.so furniture sirf ye ek sofa hi hai. I'm so happy with it. yahi meri duniya ban gayi hai.

Aisha take the sofa, while Sakshi takes her place on the floor, leaning onto the wall.

Ai: par tum yaha lodge mien kyu?

Sa: wahi reason jiskeliye tum kal rath yaha thi.

Aisha goes silent.

Sa: shanti milthi hai yaha. Bohot zyada.

Ai: that's true.

Sa: ek bath puch sakthi hu?

Aisha nods sipping the coffee.

Sa: tum do saal kaha thi?

Aisha looks at her confused.

Sa: ok sorry meine kuch zyada hi…

Ai: nahi aisa kuch nahi thi. I was in Allahabad. Waha ek dance teacher thi.librarian bhi. Ab ye math puchna ke waha kyu gaye the. even I don't know. Shayad wo ek rasta thi mereliye… sabse chupne keliye… apne apse chupne keliye.

Sa: fir… yaha kaise?

Ai: Coehlo Sir ne wapas bulaya tha. Aur mujhe bhi laga ke mere yaha aana zaroori tha.

Sa: sahi socha. Ek aur bath puchu?

She nods again. Sakshi is a bit reluctant.

Ai: puchlo. I promise I won't feel bad.

Sa: tum abhi bhi unke wait kar rahe ho na?

Aisha smiles much to Sakshi's relief.

Ai: ha. I'm still waiting for him. duniya jo bhi kahe. I'm still waiting for him.

Sa: sirf wait?

Aisha was confused. "matlab?"

Sa: dhundne pe bhagwan bhi mil jathe hai.

Ais: Sakshi I don't get you.

Sa: sabne ye keh diya ke Arjun wapas nahi ayega. Aur sab ye maanne ko thaiyar bhi tha. Kyunki unke paas aur koi rasta nahi tha. Sabkeliye, wo ek colleauge, ek dost ya ek bhai tha. Tumhare liye wo kuch aur hi tha na? fir aise chupke unke intezaar kyu kar rahe ho? why don't yo actually search for him? tumhe tumhara lakshya patha hai. bas rastha maalum nahi hai. ek baar dhundne niklo, rasta khud bahud ajayega.

Aisha looks at her with shock. Sakshi knew she needed to handle it well.

Sa: sab kehtha hai ke agar koi kuch apne dil se chaho tho usse milne se koi unhe rok nahi sakthe. Kya tum ye bath manthe ho?

Aisha nods yes as if in trance.

Sa: (smiling) tho apne dil ke suno Aisha. shayad tumhe tumhare manzil mil jaye.

Ai: pehli bar koi mujhse ye kaha hai. pehli bar koi kaha hai ke Arjun ko wapas mil saktha hai. Why do you have so much trust in me?

Sa: I don't trust you Aisha. I trust your love.

That was more than enough for Aisha. A mere word did its magic.

Both were silent for a while. A much needed silence. As if coming from trance, Aisha spoke up. "I should leave. Thanks for the coffee. See you at office."

Sa: sure. See you soon. And relax. Sab teekh hojayega.

They reached the door, but Aisha stopped and turned to Sakshi.

Sa: kya hua?

There was nothing that could be said. Aisha hugged Sakshi warmly. She really felt good. Breaking the hug, Aisha took Sakshi's hands.

Ai: kyat um kuch aise janthe ho, jo mujhe nahi patha?

Sakshi was cornered now. But she held on her smile.

Sa: kuch jawab dhoondne pe miltha hai. Mein chahthi hu ke tum apna jawab khud dhoodnke nikalo. But I promise, koi bhi help mujhse hosakthi hai, wo mein dungi.

Ais: thanks Sakshi. And I really mean it. Par zara ye bath hum dono thak hi rahe. I mean Sam…

Sak: I get it. In fact I'm sure wo log sab ab mujse naraz hoge.

Ais: kyu?

Sak: thodi misunderstanding. Its ok.

Ais: ok… bye

Sak: bye.

Aisha leaves with a happy heart. She had a reason to smile now. She knew her heart was showing her the right direction. And Arjun is somewhere. And maybe Sakshi knew something.

But she didn't know that something. But she didn't poke Sakshi anymore. Because Sakshi was right. It was her mistake.

Why did I sit idle till now? Why didn't I search for him? Why didn't I hear his call?

No Aisha? It's not time to think about the the time that I missed. It's time to move forward. In this time, I'll get the answers by myself.

But for that revisiting the past was much needed.

She drove home in a cab. But her thoughts were still on those days.

She walked in along with Arjun to the hall. Sam was already there along with Sree and Chotu.

Arj: ha bolo Rathod. Kya hua?

Sam: immediate call from Comm. Office. Hame jaana hoga.

Sometime later, they were at Coehlo's cabin. He looked worried.

Sam: kya hua Sir? Everything alright?

Co: team we have a situation. Some days back we got information about a bombing that could have taken place yesterday. It was coded. We decoded it with great difficulty and reached the spot yesterday. Unfortunately, we couldn't help it. Kal se chawk me hua jo blast hai uske news athe hi rahthe hai. I'm sure you might have heard about it.

Arj: ha suna hai. Aise lagtha hai ke koi police ko challenge kar rahe hai.

Co: exactly. Aur firse challenge bheja hai.

Sam: matlab?

We have one more code. Aur iss bar mein chahtha hu ke ETF ye case handle karo

Sam: sure sir. We'll see to it. And this time we wont disappoint you

Co: I knew it team. That's why you will have the case.

Arj: wo purane coded aur uske dycription bhi dijiye sir. It may come handy.

Co: sure. This file has everything you'll need. And remember, this person keeps a time set for his work. Try to get that first and the location.

Sam: yes sir. We are on it.

The voice of the cab driver woke her up.

Dr: madam apke jagah agaye hai

Ai: ha.

She pays and walks to the home. She opens it and she could see herself infont of her eyes.And Arjun too…

Arjun was by the dining table. It was dinner time. She walked with the plates and sat by him.

Ais: kya hua?

Arj: ye case jithne seedhe dekthe hai, uthna nahi hai. Code tho crack hone hi wale hai. Sree kafi time se uske upar hai.

Ais: he is upset. It looks tough.

Arj: he's doing his level best. Kabhi time lagtha hai.

Ais: I have sent him home. Aur kaha hai ke aaj rath firse uske upar math baitna. He needs rest.

Arj: but I'm sure he'll be still on it.

Ais: par hai kaun ye admi? Aur aise challenge kyu karthe hai?

Arj: shayad bored hogaye hoge. (he smiles) waise systematic hai. I mean jiss tharah se pichle blast ko plan kiya hai… it looks he knew what he's doing.

Ais: that makes our work more tough.

Arj: no it makes it more interesting.

Ais(smiling): ok ab khane pe concentrate karo. We have more work tomorrow.

Arj: jo hokum mere mallika…

They resume with their dinner…

She sits in the sofa for a while looking at the dining table. How much she wished to have a time together again. She held her face in her palms… "ab wo samay zyada dur nahi hai…" she could hear his voice in her heart.

She smiled. Was it him or her heart that said it? She got up to fresh up. She needed to reach back the office soon. She had a mission on hand.

After almost an hour she walked into the office lounge. She looked around. Nothing has changed much. Her eyes went to Sree's cabin. He was immersed in his screen.

But then she saw him…

Arjun walked in with Sam. Sree looked tired… yet excited.

Sr: sir, the code is cracked.

Arj: don't tel me you sat on it whole night.

Sr: I had to Sir. Koi mujhe ullu banane ke koshish kare, ye mujhe manzoor nahi hai.

Sam: so what did you get?

Sr: next attack is going to be in South. He maybe is taking a pattern. Pehla Mumbai me hua. Next south. Fir east.. it can be a pattern. Aur ye blast teekh 4 din baad hai. That means on 14^th. Wo bhi at 6 15 pm.

Arj: kuch aur?

Sr: sir mein kuch background checking kar raha hu jisse ye patha chale ke aise coding me mahir kaun kaun hai. Just need to verify it. Wil give you more result soon.

Sam: location pin point hua hai? Ke south me kaha hone wala hai?

Sr: still on it sir.

Arj: now for the time being, take a break for sometime. You need it.

Sr: par sir.

Arj: I want your 100% Sree. Aur aise tum wo nahi paoge. You have done well and you need a break. Sleep for a while and go through it. We have 4 days with us.

Sree leaves his work station and Sam and Arjun stays there discussing on the matter.

Aisha gets a knock on her head. "oye madam kaha kho gaye ho?" Liza chirped at her side.

Ai: ha… kuch nahi.

Li: kabse awaz derahi hu tumhe. Tum tho Specky ko ghur rahe the? Bath kya hai?

Ai: kuch nahi Liza. Sakshi kaha hai?

Her face changes a bit. Aisha notices it.

Ai: kyu hua? Chehra kyu uthar gayi?

Li: usne kal kuch zyada hi keh diya?

Ai: matlab?

Li: Jab tum hall se gaye the… she said something. Rathod Sir kafi upset tha.

Ai: aise kya kaha?

Li: yahi ke Rathod sir ne Arjun sir ko teekh se nahi dhunda. Ye bhi koi bath hai? I mean… we know how much we looked for him? Tumhe ache se yaad hoga na Rathod Sir kithne tensed the.

Ais(slowly): ha yaad hai.. sab yaad hai…

Li: oh, I'm sorry Aisha. I didn't mean to hurt you

Ai: its ok Liza. Par Sakshi se naraz math hona. Wo uss waqt yaha nahi thi. Shayad isliye aise keh diya.

Li: even Aman Sir said the same. Khair, coffee piyogi?

Ai: ha. Bas ek minute, mein abhi ayi.

Liza leaves and she goes to a side and calls Sakshi. After a while she picks it up. "hello Sakshi, kaha ho tum?"

Sak: sorry yaar. Aaj mein office nahi apaungi. Kahi jaana hai.I have informed Sameer. Tumhe bulane hi wali thi.

Ai: kyu koi problem hai?

Sak: nahi aise kuch nahi. Bas ek zaroori kam agayi.

Ai: par tum ja kaha rahi ho?

Sa: wo sab hai… Aake bathathi hu. Ok bye. Its time. See you later.

Ai: bye. And take care.

Sa: you too.

Aisha cuts the call. Sakshi was to reach here at office. Ab aise kya hua?

Sam: team we have a case.

All walks in.Aisha was about to walk in when Aman too enters the office at that time.

Am: lo mere ane ke intezar mein thi kya… ke case bhi agaye.

Aisha smiles at him. Aman is always a live wire. Always active. A bit different from Arjun. But loads similar. Both of their dedication to work was so similar.

Am: good morning Aisha.

Ai: good morning Sir.

Am: you alright? Kya soch rahi ho?

Ai: kuch nahi sir. I'm fine.

Am: good to hear that. Waise Sakshi kaha hai?

Ai: she is on leave, kahi gaye hai. Lagtha hai sab Sakshi se upset hai, kal ke incident ke bad.

Am: upset tho hoga hi. Rathod was really upset. lets go? Rathod wait kar rahe hoge.

Ai: yeah sure. Chaliye.

They walk in and get in to the case, keeping them busy.

After Aisha had left Sakshi's apartment:

She was feeling content. At last she was successful in lighting the ray of hope in Aisha. She didn't know how Arjun was going to react on it. But she needed to do it. It was high time for them to know the truth and this was the only way.

She called baba. "hello Baba. Kaise hai aap?"

Ba: teekh hu beta. Bolo aise sabere kaise cal kiya?

Sa: kuch puchni thi aapse. Just to make sure that I did the right thing.

Ba: aise kya hua Sakshi.

She speaks about the incident. About Coehlo's words, Aisha's reaction and her talks to her. The way she had ignited her minds again.

Ba: bilkul sahi kiya tune. Its time we should move on. Ye dono apne aap kuch nahi karne wale hai. tho hame hi kuch karna hoga.

Sa:sahi kaha apne. Waise aaj aap sabere hi Arjun ke paas tha. Koi problem hai?

Ba: nahi Sakshi.par mujhe lagtha hai ke mien tumhe bohot jald kuch khush khabri dene wala hu.

Sa: matlab? Koi improvement.

Ba: ha kal sham ko thoda sa badlaw dekha. Aaj kam hai.par mujhe lagtha hai ke bohot jald sab teekh hone wala hai. Arjun ne apne hisse ka dard saha hai Sakshi. I think its time for a change.

She smiled.

Ba: bas thode support ke zaroorath hai. Aisha ki lautna,uske ETF me join karna, wo picture dekhna… aur uske awaz sunna… ye sab Arjun keliye bohot bade bath hai.koi bhi dawa akele nahi kaam karthe hai. usse kaam karne keliye kuch aur chahiye. Aur wo hai Ummeed. Jo ab Aisha ke roop me hai. ab bas isse kayam rakhna hai.

Sa: kya mien usse mil sakthi hu?

Ba: kyu nahi? Par tumhare kaam?

Sa: mien Sameer se bath karthi hu. Just for 1 or 2 days. Hope he will give me leave. Ok. I'll call you later. Bas Arjun se kuch math kehna.

Ba:ok. Take care.

After that call she calls Sam. She knew he was upset. "I'm sorry Sameer. I know I have hurt you. I never intented it. I'm sorry"

Sam: its ok.

Sak: thanks. Par I'm sorry again.mujhe 2 din ke leave chahiye. It's urgent. I'll be back soon.

Sam: ok. You may have it.

And then she booked a flight to Cochin.

***

She was on her way to the Sneh Bhavan were Baba was looking after Arjun. she remembered her visit to the place that changed her life.

She was here to meet her friend who was admitted here. The friend was on her way to recovery, well who wouldn't. The atmosphere itself was so soothing and comforting.

She also met Dr. Varma, the man who had a gentle smile that culd take away all the pain. She had an instant liking to the doctor. He allowed her to walk around and watch the place.

The Sneh Bhavan had a lagoon in front of it, a much known site of Kerala. The gentle breeze that came from there was soothing. She walked along. It was almost sunset. She stood by the railing. She just turned her head. A few feet away was a guy… in his wheelchair… watching the sunset…

Sh couldn't see his face straight… just the sidelines were visible. He looked lost. She didn't identify him… but his situation hurt her…

She saw something glistening on his cheeks. Maybe a tear was rolling down…

She stood there for a while… thinking where she had seen him… it took almost 24 hours to see his face again… this time straight… for her to gasp aloud… "ACP Arjun Rawte is alive!!!"