FF: Ek Aur Zindagi.. Ch:29 page 137 - Page 48

PART 15:

Sakshi was home that night for dinner, after getting permission from Sameer. She was reluctant to ask, but then her mom had asked her to be there. She was a bit confused, but let it be.

At night, Mr.and Mrs.Mehta and their son Rishab arrived. They had known the family for sometime. So there was no need for any formality.

Rishab was working at his Dad's company. He was a graduate from abroad and was keen to work in his dad's company. He had met Sakshi in a charity function and later in some other party. They were almost getting friendly.

Mrs. Mehta was a sweet lady who talked a lot. She bonded with Sakshi very fast. Soon the reason for the meet came up.

Mrs. Meh: Sakshi… hum yaha apke aur Rishab ke bare me sochne aye hai.

She was in a shock and silent.

Mrs. Me: don't worry beta. Hum bas apke ray janna chahthe hai. koi zabardasti nahi. Hume apko pasand hai. Rishab ko bhi koi aitras nahi. Agar aap kahe tho ye baath hum aage bhada sakthe hai.

She didn't know what to say. She looked at her mom.

Mom: koi bath nahi Sakshi.apke manzoori pe hi bath aage badhegi.

There was a silence for a while.

Mom: why don't you speak with Rishab for a while?

She looked up.she nodded slightly. She led Rishab to the open balcony. She was still confused as of what to speak.

Ri:I think you are still in shock.

She looked at him. There was nothing wrong with this guy. He was on the eligible bachelor in town.no bad remarks yet. Handsome and also from a good family. Their few meets proved that he was a trust worthy guy too. But to think of a relation…

Ri: its ok Sakshi. I know you are confused. Even I was. We have met a few times. So I know you as a good friend. Ek din yuhi ghar pe rishte ke bath kar rahe the, and mom ne pucha ke mujhe kaisi ladki chahiye. By chance I said someone like you. I swear there was nothing else in my mind. Bas tumhare carefree attitude aur hamare dosti mujhe pasand thi. Fir ghar pe sab bhi discuss kiya. Mom-dad also liked you. Wo dono tumhare mom se bath ki, aur kaha ke, tumhare decision final hogi.thats how we reached here today. There is nothing to worry.no pressure.we just needed to know what you felt about it.

Sakshi liked his honesty. She smiled at him.

Sa: ha, mien thode confused hu… I never thought of it. I know you Rishab and I know you are good too. Lekin abhi filhal, mien koi shaadi ke bare me socha nahi hai. tho aise achanak mien kuch nahi keh sakthi. I cant say no as such as it means I don't like you.I do like you as a friend.but I never thought above it.

Ri: are you ready to think about it. I can wait.

Sa: (thinking) yes I may think about it. I need some time. but I hope my decision wont affect our friendship.

Ri: not at all. Take your time to decide. As it is related to your life.

She smiled at him.

Sa:shall we go?sab wait kar rahe hoge.

Ri:yeah sure.

They reach down, the elders were eagerly waiting. Rishab told them about giving her sometime. no one protested. They agreed and went for the dinner. She was unusually silent, and Mom noticed it too.

***

Arjun was back after fresh up and changing to a night suit. Adi was already asleep soon after they reached home. He was sleeping on his side curled up as a fur ball, leaning on to the pillow placed by him as if lying beside Arjun. Arjun took away the pillow slowly and lay beside him without disturbing the sleep. Adi cuddled closer to his Dad, who had already hugged him gently.the sleeping Adi looked so peaceful. How was this little boy staying alone at the hostel? Though there were many kids and people to take care of him, still singular attention was impossible. Getting up.getting ready for school. Study. back. Then fresh up. Masti. Study. food times. And then sleep.all alone…

Though Arjun wanted Adi to be independent he wished Adi had a normal school life.with someone to wake him up, someone to care, make sure he had his meal, to listen to the never ending stories at school, lul him to sleep…

He wished Adi to have a normal life…

But it was long dream now.

Sam's words were ringing inside him. he knew Sam was right. But…

Aisha… lady who had showed immense love for Adi. But how he be selfish and ask her? And Sam? He had seen something in Sam's eyes. He was not sure if he had interpreted it right.

He left the thought there itself. The more pressing matter was Adi's safety. He needed to clear it off ASAP and that too before Adi had to go back.

***

Mom walked to Sakshi's room, were she was in bed, absently moving the cubes. "kya hua? Soye nahi ab thak?"

Sa: nahi mom, neend nahi aarahi hai. why didn't you tell me before mom, ke wo log kyu arahe hai.

Mom: agar batha diya hotha tho kuch sochne se pehle hi tum no keh dethi. Isliye. You take your time Sakshi.soch samajh ke decide karna. Its your future. Ok…

She nods. Mom wishes her good night and leaves.

***

Next morning Arjun took Adi to the camp. He was happy to go back. When Adi went to meet his friends, Arjun spoke to Nani about the safety precautions and also about the 2 mufty police in lane. Nani assured him that no outsider will enter the premises and assured Adi's safety too.

***

The day at the ETF was as usual. As there were no new cases, the pending paper works were done. Sakshi was sitting before her report for a long time and at last she completed it.she gave a copy to Sameer and was taking rest for a while. She took a cup of coffee to the the resting area and was sipping it along with her cube.lately she had done well, that the different shades were almost matching up.now some tricky portions were left. And she was completely on it.

Aisha was about to go to Arjun's cabin to give him the file, when her mobile rang. She took and answered it. "Sakshi, do me a favor. Zara ye file Arjun sir ko dena. Mujhe Rathod sir bula rahe hai"

Sa:no problem. Do mujhe…

She hands the file to Sakshi and rushes from there. Sakshi takes the file and also her cube and walks to Arjun's cabin.she knocks. No reply. She knocks again. And no reply again.

She peep in. "hm… janaab yaha nahi hai.kya karu? Karna kya hai?file rakho aur jao…. simple"

She goes in and keeps the file on his table. While turning back her hand hits the pen holder and it falls. "are Deva…." She looks around. He's still not there. "jaldi kar Sakshi… warna tu gaye kaamse" she rushes to keep the pens in postion and then keep it fine and rushes out. In between she forgets her cube on his table.

***

Arjun walk in to his cabin after a call from his senior and finds a file on his table that he had asked from Aisha. He takes his seat and finds something disturbed. Maybe everything was not in its right place. Aisha won't do that. then?

His eyes fall on the cube. "of course Ms. Anand…"

He shakes his head off and keeps his items at the right place and then goes through the file. After that he places it on the table, and sits back for a while, twirling the pen. The cube got his eyes again. It was almost complete. He casually takes it and and then twists it. It was a matter of a few minutes, the cube was set perfect.

He smiles at his hand work and then place the cube at its place and walks out.he had informed Sam about going out before, so he didn't bother to inform again.

***

Sakshi was at Aisha's cabin.Sakshi saw Aisha running here and there searching over the shelves.

Sa: kya hua?any help?

Ai:kuch nahi yaar. Ek file thi. I remember I gave to Rathod sir.he didn't see it. patha nahi meine wo kaha rakha tha? Damn me..

Sa: (giggling) lo ab ek aur damn…

Ai:Sakshi…no…

They resume the search together. Chotu walks in. "Aisha file mil gaya. Sir ne kaha hai ke, wo unhone Arjun sir ko diya tha. Isliye miss hua.

Ais: oh thank God…

She sits on the table, while Chotu goes away.

Sa: ye Sameer bhi na…. waise Aisha did you think about what I said.

Ai: don't start again Sakshi. Its nothing like that.

Sa:but I don't think so. I think Sameer surely feels something for you.tumhe kabhi aise nahi laga?

Ais:Sakshi, Rathod sir yaha ke chief. He is great in it. ek ache friend hai, meri mentor hai.there is nothing above it. Any way from my side I never thought of it. patha nahi tumhe kaise samjhau?

Sa:so you never liked him?

Ai:I like him.but not the way that you think. I never thought in that way. Trust me… to love I should know a person. I know him as a chief, a friend, and as a mentor. Par waise kabhi nahi socha. And please ye bath ko aage math badhao. Please…

Sa: sorry yaar.

Ai:hey don't be.its just that I never thought about.tho aise sunke thode ajeeb laga.

But the ladies didn't know that someone else had heard it too.Sameer went back to his cabin.he was on his way to the refreshment zone that he heard his name mentioned by Sakshi to Aisha. he couldn't help himself from listening.

Now as he had her mind, he went back to his cabin.he was upset for sure.but he didn't blame her. As none had expressed whats in the mind yet.so how some one can expect it.and he himself wasn't sure about his feelings.

Arjun's words had opened his minds too.was he being sincere to his heart?because if he had loved her, then would he have suggested her name to Arjun?he didn't have much answers.only what he now knew was Aisha's mind about him.

***

Aisha noticed Sakshi silent in thoughts. "Ab tumhe kya hua?"

Sa:no I was thinking what you said. Its true yaar,kaise hume patha hoga ke a person is right for me.

Ai: wow… ab tu serious hogayi hai. kya hua?

Sa:ek situation me bhasi hu. Ek rishta aya hai. I know the person. He is good.mom-dad se mila.mere mom ko bhi problem nahi hai.

Ai:fir problem kya hai? do you love someone else?

Sa:no re… I don't know. I mean…I know this guy. Par shaadi ke bare me socha nahi tha. Mujhe time diya hai sochne ka. And I don't know what to think.

Ai:hm..matter serious hai. so kya karne wale ho?

Sa:I don't know.

Ai:jo bhi hai, bohot sochne ke baad hi decide karna. Fir pachthana nahi pade. Aur agar tumhare man me koi aur hai, tho wo bath apne mom se zaroor kehna. She will understand.

Sa: hm.

Ai: ok, ab mien chali. Have some work.

Sa: ok…

She stays in that room itself thinking. Like any girl she too had once dreamt of falling in love with a prince charming... their first meet… the love… affection… but now in real life everything was different. She never knew if she was in love with anyone. But thinking Rishab was tough too… and she didn't know why.

She walked out of the cabin and went to her work area. She absently searched for the cube. It was missing. She frantically searched for it. "kaha rakha meine?"

And at last she remembered. "deva… wo tho Arjun ke cabin me hai. ab??" she walks out and faces Arjun's cabin. She didn't have the courage to walk in. an officer pass that way. "excuse me. Arjun Sir kaha gaye?"

Of: patha nahi mam.thodi pehle baahar jaathe hue dekha tha.

She smiles.great…

She walks to the table and there it was. She was shocked again. It was perfect now.

She took the cube. "ye kisne teekh kiya? Arjun? oh great. Ab mien… are nahi… ye to cheating hai. I didn't correct it. ab isse firse teekh karna… that will take time too… kya karu?? Iss bar maaf karna Adi… I didn't cheat… wo ye Akdu Rawte ne kiya hai. I didn't ask him to do it. so as its fine… I'm coming…"

She was speaking to the cube as if she lost it…

***

She took a cab to the camp after a while. She reached the camp, paid the man and turned. And then stopped her way.

"ye Rawte ab yaha kya kar rahe hai?"

Arjun was leaning on to his SUV, hands crossed at his chest, looking at the door way. She stood there for a while. Then she saw a smile on his face. A genuine smile which she had not seen before. He moves a bit ahead of the SUV, with his smile on and eyes at the door.she followed his sight. And again she was shocked…

Adi was running happily towards Arjun. His smile was so innocent and happy. He reached Arjun, who pulled him up from the ground and hugged him tight. Sakshi was lost now.

She looked at the duo. She was not getting whats going on. And then Adi broke the hug and faced Arjun. "aaj aap jaldi kyu hai DAD??"

DAD…. That means…

Arj: was missing you. Tho socha jaldi aake tumse milu. Nani se bath karli hai meine. Bahar chale?

Adi nods yes. "yes chalo…" and kiss Arjun's cheeks.

They move to vehicle and straps in. Arjun starts it and Sakshi moves aside, that he missed her.

They drove off.

"Adi… Arjun ke beta hai? Arjun have a son???"

She moves to the Mom's office. "are Sakshi aaj jaldi kyu hai?"

Sa: mom… Adi..

Mom: wo tho chale gaye. Uske dad aye the.

Sa: dad?

Mom: haan

Sa: Adi ka full name kya hai?

Mom: ye kya puch rahe ho tum? Aur tum aise shocked kyu ho?

Sa:naam kya hai mom?

Mom: Aditya… Aditya Arjun Rawte…

PART 15: