KTLK FF:Mere Jeewan Saathi[Th:2] Recap & Ch12-Pg132 - Page 95

Originally posted by: Diksha_1991

Waiting..

Hi Aazeen...

How are you ?

Chapter-12 (Part-1)

Ashutosh was really surprised to see his family at the door... He could hardly believe his eyes... It seemed like forever, since he had seen them... Almost 2 months have gone by, since he and Nidhi left... Ashutosh's throat clogged up with tears, as he bent to touch his parent's feet... The moment, his mother put his arms around him, and held him, he felt as if he had come home... Or he felt, the home came to him... After he had finished greeting his parents, Ashu turned to Ranga and Anji... After hugging Anji, and asking about her health, he turned to Ranga and hugged him... Ranga's eyes were full of tears, as her hugged his elder brother, and then bent to touch his feet... Ashu ushered them to the living room, and began asking questions as to how everyone was and how the things were going at home... They had barely begun exchanging pleasantries, when Nidhi called him from the hall...

N: Suniye... Ashuji... Door bell baji thi na? Kaun aaya hai?

Ashu's mother was about to call out, when Ashu put a finger on his lips, indicating that he wanted her to stay quiet...

A: Nidhi, zara yahan aana please... Tumse koi log milne aaye hain... Main kab se keh raha hoon, ke jo bhi kaam hai, mujhse bol dein, main Nidhi se keh doonga, par yeh sunne ko tayyar hi nahin hain... kehte hain, jab Nidhi se milenge, tab usey hi bataayenge... Ab tum hi sambhaalo...

N: Ji, main aayi ek minute mein... Stove par kuch chadha rakha hai, gas band karke aayi...

Ashutosh grinned at his parents...

A: She'll be so surprised and happy to see you all... Aap logon ko bohot yaad karti hai... Bohot akeli ho gayi hai yahan... Maa khaas karke aapko... Main koshish karta hoon, poora khayaal rakhne ka, par, I think, she misses your pampering... Maa toh maa hoti hai na... Aur Maa ki jagah koi le sakta hai bhala?

His mother touched his cheek lovingly..

Anu: Kaisi hai Nidhi...? Uski health aur baby dono, theek hain na?

Ashu: Wo aati hi hogi... Aap khud hi dekh lijiyega...

Just then, Nidhi came waddling in and stopped dead in her tracks... Her face lit up instantly seeing her family...

She rushed to greet them, and was met half way by her Mother-in-law...

Anu: Arre beta... Dheere chal... You know na, you shouldn't walk this fast... Tumko kitni baar samjha chuke hain... Bachhe, you need to be careful...

Anu said, as she stopped Nidhi from touching her feet, and held her tightly in her arms...

Anu: Nahin beta, bend nahi karte... Woh sab baad mein, after delivery... Achha ab zara, mujhe dekhne toh do, tumhe... Zara main bhi toh dekhoon, Ashutosh ne meri beti ka kaisa khayaal rakha hai... Hmmm... You look fine Nidhi... Good job Ashutosh..!!!

Ashutosh gave a toothy grin, folding his arms infront of his chest, seeing both the ladies he loves so much, happy and contended... Not more than a moment later, this mother-daughter scene was broken by an excited squeal... It was Anji, standing just behind her MIL, opening her arms wide to hug her sister-cum-Best friend...

Anji: Eee... Diii... (And both the sisters took each other in a bear hug, Anji, almost twirling with Nidhi, But, then instantly stopping, and looking at her well protruded baby-bump) Oops!!!

Nidhi: Kaisi ho Anji? How have you all been doing?

Anji: Hum sab badiya hain Di... And aap? Jeeju told about you...

N: Anji, bilkul theek hoon... Your jeeju is literally keeping me on a feather bed... (Then she looked around, seeing Baba and Ranga...) Ruk ek minute...

She left Anji, and went straight towards Baba... And this time, instead on bending down to touch his feet, bowed her head, in order to seek his blessings...

N: Baba...

He immediately put his hand on her head and then cupping her face kissed her forehead...

BB: Khush raho beta... Humesha sukhi rehna... Bhagwaan tumhe, aur tumhare bachhe ko sehat de, tandrusti de...

N: Thank you baba...

Then Nidhi turned to Ranga, who touched her feet... When they had exchanged pleasantaries, Ranga spoke up...

R: Bhaiya hum aapko aur Bhabhi ko lene aaye hain...

Ashutosh, who was till then smiling, his lips curved into a frown...

A: I think Ranga, iss barey mein apni baat ho chuki hai... You would have got to know everything from Maa- baba... Then why are you so hell bent on asking me to come back???

R: Pehli baat bhaiya, it was not you, who had to leave the house, if it was, it should have been Dr. Mallika...

A: And do you realise Ranga, that, Rohan bhi uske saath ghar chodke chal padta... Phir kya hota? Tumhe andaaza bhi hai?

R: Kya fark padta hai Bhaiya... Jaata hai, toh jaaya karey... When he'll see her true face, apne aap seedhe raaste par aa jaata...

A: Aur agar wo iss guilt mein, ke usne apne badon ka kitna dil dukhaaya hai, ghar hi nahi laut ta, toh kya karte hum Ranga? Main uss ghar ke tukde hote nahi dekh paata...

R: Aaj bhi haalaat kuch behtar toh nahi hain na bhaiya... Aap aur bhabhi bhi toh iss ghar mein nahi hain... Tukde toh aaj bhi hain...

A: Ranga-Ranga... Meri baat samjho... Main uss ghar ko chodke iss liye nahi gaya tha, ke mujhe Rohan ya Mallika se door jaana tha, ya main unka rishta kabhi accept nahi karta... Maine wo ghar isliye choda, kyuki mujhe aisa lagta tha, ke Mallika ki wajah se, Nidhi aur bachhe ki jaan ko, health ko, khatra hai, and Mallika ye sab jaan-boojh ke mere kareeb aane ke liye kar rahi hai... I just wanted to see, if they live happily even when I'm not there... Agar aisa hai toh main aur Nidhi, baby ki birth ke baad aa jaate...

It was then Anu Mathur who spoke up...

An: Aur isi liye maine wo sab naatak kiya... (She narrates the entire note/letter incidence)

Ashutosh and Nidhi looked at each other disbelievingly and then, both burst into peals of laughter, soon joined by the rest of the family...

Ashu: Phir... Phir kya hua maa? Aap logon ne koi change observe kiya Mallika ke behaviour mein?

Anu: Observe??? Arre bade-bade aksharon mein likha rehta hai uske chehre par, that she is least interested in Rohan...

Baba: Pichle dedh-2 maheenon se dono mein Mahabharat chal rahi beta... Sara din Rohan uske peeche-peeche, aur wo, usko avoid karne ke har sambhav chances dhoondhti hai...

Anji: Jeeju, mujhe toh lagta hai, Rohan ko realise bhi hone laga hai, that Dr. Mallika has changed... He too has somewhat started staying aloof from her...

Anu: Ek baat toh pakki hai Ashu, wo aayi toh tumhare hi maksad se hai... coz, usko, humse bhi koi baat karne mein interest nahi hai, lekin jaise hi, tumhare baarey mein baat karte hain, she's all ears... So I do think...

Ashu: Arrey iss baat se yaad aaya, aap log yahan aaye hain, Rohan aur Mallika ko koi shak toh nahi hoga?

Anu: No-no beta... We had impending schedule for organising camps at certain centres of Kotnis... Har Sunday hum chaaron jaate hain, saath mein Rohan aur Mallika ko bhi leke jate they... But, again, both had a foul mood yesterday, and both declined to come with us, so, on that pretext, we came here...

Ashu: Great! Achha kiya jo aap sab yahan aa gaye... Baaki sab Lucknow mein kaise hain? Haan! Aur neeti? Uske result ka call aaya tha... I'm so glad she did wonderful with her results... Internship kaisi chal rahi hai uski?

Anu: She's doing great... No wonder wo Nidhi aur Anji ki behen hai... I can very well see the potentials of an excellent doctor in her... Tum dekhna Ashu, jis lagan se she works, she'll become one with flying colours...

Ashu: I'm so glad maa, jis tarah usney apne aap ko sambhala hai, woh Kabil-e-taareef hai...

Nidhi had got up, then and went into the kitchen, followed by Anji and Anu, setting up the dining table, with tea and breakfast, Nidhi announced to the men...

N: Chaliye, ab bohot ho gaya... Sab milke naashta kar lijiye... Ye sab baatein baad mein hoti rahengi...

On the dining table, Baba spoke-

BB: Aur Ashu yahan Kotnis par sab kaisa chal raha hai...

As: Good Baba... Choti jagah hai... Shaant environment hai, easily manageable hai...

Nidhi: Kyu na baba-maa, hum sab hospital chalte hain... Aap log bhi sab dekh lenge... Kyu Ashuji?

As: Bilkul! Theek hai! Sab breakfast karte hain, thoda fresh ho jaaiye aap sab, phir chalte hain...

After having breakfast, all strolled in the Kotnis campus towards the hospital...

Taking in inside different wards, looking at the facilities and, various staffs available, the medical store provided, the family decided to return home, on the way suggesting, what new can be done over here...

It was well time for Lunch and thus, all of them made the lunch together... Lunch was a noisy, yet a lovely affair, where, all kind of jokes were passed on... None of them realising, where the time was passing... It was early evening, when baba announced...

Bb: Arrey bhai, time toh dekho zara... Mere khayaal mein humein ab wapas nikalna chahiye thodi deir mein... Bhale hi 3-4 ghantey ka raasta ho, but, we should be home at time...

Nidhi: Arrey baba... Itni kya jaldi hai... Thodi deir aur rukiye na... Aisa toh hai nahi, that you all have to catch a train... You all will go with your own car na... Please baba...

Bb: Beta, wo toh theek hai, lekin, agar yahan se late niklenge, toh Lucknow pohchte-pohochte kaafi deir ho jaayegi na... Then, Rohan and Mallika will be suspicious, ki hum sab itna late kaise ho gaye... We have to reach there anyways before dinner...

N: Baba, kitna achha hota na, agar hum sab saath dinner karte... Kitna waqt ho gaya hai... (Some small tears glisten in her eyes) Main bohot miss kar rahi hoon...

BB( Putting his hand on her head): Wo bhi waqt aayega beta... Bohot jald hi... Tum dekhna... Bhagwaan ke ghar deir hai, andher nahi... Tum dekhna, tumhara ye haqq koi nahi cheen sakta... Bas thoda sabr kar lo... (Then lightening her mood) Chal, ek kaam karte hain, dinner nahi, toh chai toh saath pee hi sakte hain na... Anji beta, jaa Nidhi ke saath jaa, Uski help karo, and we'll have the tea together...

Anji: Ji baba...

The family had tea together, with another lot of happy conversations... Finally, the rest of the Mathur family, turned to leave... Indeed, Ashutosh and Nidhi had to bid them a heavy hearted adieu... They could confess to themselves, this was tougher, than they left Lucknow...

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1 MONTH LATER:

It was a month since baba-maa and Ranji had been back from Rampur... They had been indulging themselves in their works as well, silently observing the drama created my Mallika...

It had been so long since, the cold conversations and exchanges have been a part of Rohan and Mallika's life... This was simply irritating Rohan...

"Why the hell, is Mallika ji behaving so strangely with me...? Neither does she talks nor does she behaves normally... And why do I feel, she has all the interests in Ashu Bhaiya's whereabouts...?"

"I feel, she is more into those conversations, where Ashu bhaiya is talked about"

"Is she really here for Bhaiya?"

"How do I get to know?"

"She is never going to accept it on her own..."

"Should I ask her directly?"

"But, why is she gonna confess it to me?"

"Was she using me to get Bhaiya? And since he has left without telling anyone, she's getting irritated?"

"What to do?"

"Probably, I have to skilfully confront her"... There were numerous questions bugging Rohan's mind... "I will see to this soon... I have to pick up some strategy to make her confess... Till then, I shall just wait and Watch..." With these thoughts, Rohan moved to his other works...

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There, at Rampur, Nidhi had been sitting on the bed, resting her back at the back-rest, smiling, as, Ashutosh put his ear on her stomach... she giggled seeing Ashutosh's changing expressions... he looked up at Nidhi, and then sat back, next to her, putting his left arm around her shoulder and the right hand on her baby-bump, and grinned-

A: Isn't she very active?

N: Oh! Yeah! ... She? How do u know its a girl?

A: Because, I want one...

N: No-no... a boy...

A: Nahi.. Humare yahan do generations se ek bhi girl nahi hui... isliye, I want a girl...

N: Arrey... Aise toh mere baba-maa ka koi beta nahi tha... Phir toh, mujhe ek beta hi hona chahiye...

A: Par wo toh purposefully, tumhare yahan girls hui thi...

N: Kyu? Purposefully kaise?

A: Agar, tumhare yahan girls nahi hoti, toh humare yahan ke boys se shaadi kaun karta...? See, its so convenient, ki ladkiyaan saari, Verma Mansion se aayengi Mathur Mansion... No second thoughts...

Nidhi giggled at that... But, then, she has a serious look...

N:Pata nahi, ye sab Rohan aur Neeti ke liye possible hai ki nahin...

A: Nidhi, tum chinta mat karo... They must have been destined their own fates... Jo hoga achhe ke liye hi hoga...

N: Phir bhi Ashuji... Mujhe fikar ho rahi hai inn dono ke liye... Specially Rohan... How is he gonna manage all this... Usko samajh nahi aa raha, what he has stepped into...

A: Nidhi, tumhe pata hai, Rohan ko main tab bhi sudhaar sakta tha, jab hum Lucknow mein they... Lekin, tumhe pata hai, maine ye option kyu choose kiya, Rampur aane ka?

N: Kyu?

A: Rohan humesha se hi, apne experiences, apni sharton par jeeya hai... usne kabhi humare experience se sabak lena nahi chaaha, balki, khud cheez ko experience kiya... Aur mujhe maaloom hai, ki wo har ghalti ka ehsaas thokar lagkar hi seekhta hai... Mera yaqeen hai, jis waqt wo Mallika se aazaad hoga, uske paas blame karne ke liye koi nahi hoga, and then he will take the absolutely correct path...

Usko thoda waqt do, wo sambhal jaayega... main jaanta hoon usey...

N: Aur Neeti? Ye ladki jaane kaise reh rahi hogi... Maa bata rahi hain, kaam mein mann laga rahi hai... Achhi baat hai... Lekin Ashuji, she might not have got over Rohan... Bhool bhi paayegi wo kabhi Rohan ko...? Kal uski bhi shaadi hogi, ladka dhoondhna padega, kya wo kisi aur ladke ko apnaa paayegi?

That made Ashu thinking... he had an intense look, thinking about something... Then a moment later, said-

A: Nidhi, Neeti ki fikar chod do... Mere paas ek idea hai... I think, it will work, when the time comes...

Nidhi still had those tensed, sad looks on her face... She put her head on his shoulder and their fingers entwined-

N: Ashuji, mujhe ghar par sabki yaad aa rahi hai... Maa-baba, ranga-anji... kaise honge sab log... I'm missing them thoroughly... Jaise-jaise meri delivery ka time paas aata jaa raha hai, waise-waise, I'm missing a mother figure... Kayi baar main sochti hoon, ki abhi maa yahan hoti toh kya hota... Main maa ko ye batati, main maa ke saath milke wo karti... Aisa lagta hai, mere saare sapne adhure se hain, apni family ke bina... Aaj check-up ke liye gayi thi... I have completed 31 weeks... Kitna kuch miss kar diya unn logon ke bina...

A: Nidhi, meri baat hui thi unn logon se... They are all fine... Maa tumhare haal-chaal poochti rehti hain... Tum bilkul fikar mat karo.. Main koshish karunga, ke tumhari delivery ke time, maa yahan par aa sakein... Theek hai? (On her nod) Achha chalo, ab sabke baarey mein baat ho gayi... Baby ke baarey mein, Neeti-Rohan ke baarey mein, Ghar mein sabke baarey mein... Ab kuch time apne liye de dein... Jo sirf Tumhara aur mera ho...

On her smiling nod, Ashutosh closes in to her, having a moment of their own, which was free from any tensions, any disturbances, full of love, only for each other...

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A MONTH LATER:

Rohan was in his room alone, when his cell phone rang... The caller id said- Karan Saxena'...

R: Hi Karan... Mere bhai!!!

K: Hi Rohan...! Kaisa hai, mera childhood buddy?

R: Mast hoon yaar... Lucknow mein hi hoon... Tum apna bataao...

K: Bas yaar, main bhi aaj-kal Delhi se aaya hua hoon Lucknow...

Karan Saxena, was Rohan's childhood friend, who have studied, lived and grown up together as best buddies... But, due to change in future career plans, both took their ways, but, met in intervals... Where Rohan took the medical line, Karan chose Law... After completing his graduation in law, he was assisting one of the famous lawyers in Delhi...

K: Oye Rohan... Chal yaar... kahin milte hain... Bohot time ho gaya hai mile hue...

Both friends decided to meet somewhere outside... Sitting easy in one of the open Garden restaurants, both have been talking on random topics, where Rohan's thoughts were continuosly going towards Mallika's weird behaviour and his urge to confront her... When suddenly, a thought struck him... He cleared his throat and said-

R: Uhhm... Karan, ek baat poochu, tum toh courtrooms mein bhi apne seniors ke saath gaye hue hoge na...?

K: Haan, ofcourse. Kayi baar gaya hoon... kyu?

R: Nahi, I was just curious, ke tum log convict se kaise confront karte hoge, ke wo confess kar le apna jurm... Because, why will they say it on their own...

K: (Giving a laugh) Bhai, zyadatar koi nahi Khuboolta, ke they did that crime... wo toh hum log hain... Unse uss topic ke baarey mein gol-gol ghuma-ghuma kar baat aise karte hain, so that they get irritated, aur ghusse mein aakar, most of the time they blurt out the truth...

Waise tum ye sab kyu pooch rahe ho? Patients se aise hi takleef poochte ho kya?

Both friends laugh at that...

R: Nahi yaar... Bas, Mujhe poochne ka mann kiya toh pooch liya...

Both the friends bid-adieu to each other and leave for their respective places...

All the way to his home, he had Karan's words ringing in his ears... When the car came to a halt at the garage of his home, Rohan took a deep breath and then sighed- "Mallika ji, jo bhi hai, Its time, I confront with you... Get ready"

He went straight into the home, and headed towards Ashu's study, where Mallika spent most of her free time reading the journals and books that Ashu preferred to read...

And as expected, rohan found her in the study...

R: Hello Mallika ji... (Rohan said delightedly)

M: (Not even looking up from the book she was reading, she said dryly) Hi

R: Kya baat hai Mallika ji, aaj-kal kaafi busy lag rahi hain aap?

M: (Again without looking up, in a dry voice) Rohan, duniya mein logon ko kaam bhi hota hai...

R: Kaam toh aapko pehle bhi hota tha... Par aap pehle...

M (Cutting him in between): Dekho Rohan, mujhe zaroori kaam hai... Agar tumhare paas koi proper, senseful baat karne ke liye ho, toh bolo, nahi toh please, leave me alone...

Rohan came and sat infront of her, leisurely...

R: Ok! Mallika ji, I think we should be getting married...!

Mallika, who had till then not given him even a look, shot her head up... Totally stunned...

M: What! Ye... ye kya keh rahe ho Rohan...? I mean... Abhi bhi tumhare ghar wale maaney nahin hain na? Mere khayaal se, we should wait for sometime...

R: Nahin mallikaji... I don't think, we should wait any longer... If anyone, including my family has a problem, then, let them be... Main aapse pyaar karta hoon, aur aap mujhse... Bas, ye hi sabse important hai... I want to start our life together...

Mallika was enraged hearing this- This idiot of his own kind is all set to spoil my plan', thought Mallika...

M: Par Rohan... Hum akele shaadi karke yahan nahi aa sakte na? We will have to have our family with us?Kya tum nahi chahoge, ki tumhare family members bhi yahan ho? Aur Ashutosh aur Nidhi kaise aayenge, Nidhi ki aisi haalat mein?

R: (Seemingly angry) Mallikaji, who cares, Ashu bhaiya aur Nidhi bhabhi aate hain ya nahin... Kam se kam, mujhe koi matlab nahin hai... Arrey aap bhool gayi, Ashu bhaiya ne aap par kitne ilzaam lagaaye they... Aapke saath kya karne ki koshish kit hi, yahin, isi study mein... Yaad hai, aap kitni humiliate feel kar rahi thi? Aur wo, marble incident, bhool gayi aap? He had accused you of all that... I mean how dare he? Aise insaan ko apni shaadi mein invite karna chahti hain aap? You remember na, how far he had gone in his accusations?

M: Rohan, wo tumhare badey hain... Kam-se-kam unke aane ka intezaar toh kar hi sakte hain na?

R: Mallika ji, kya fark padta hai, Sooner or later, we have to get married na... After all, the end purpose of this relationship has always been to get married...

M: Phir bhi Rohan... Aisi bhi kya jaldi hai... (Trying to avert her eyes off him)

R: Jaldi??? Mallika ji, aap jaldi ki baat kar rahi hain? Ofcourse, jaldi hai... Although like Ashu bhaiya and Nidhi bhabhi, we'll have an age-gap marriage, par aapke liye, its not like Nidhi bhabhi na? You don't have all the time in the world, to plan our family... you are advancing with your age, see, you are already about to be 39... Abhi nahi karenge, toh phir kab karenge? Afterall, this is going to get complicated... So, sooner, the better...

Mallika was offended...

M: What do you mean Rohan, that I cant have my family later? Women do have kids even, those who are more than my age... What do you mean to say?

R: Mallika ji, lets take it practically... Why to risk, when we can do all the things in time...

M: Rohan, You too need to be practical... Abhi toh tum bhi padh rahe ho na?

R: Mallika ji, what is wrong with you? Why are you outrightly, negating to get married? Huh! Kahin aisa toh nahin ki aap mujhse shaadi karna hi nahi chahti?

Mallika was too carried off in her anger and agitation, that, her tongue slipped off-

M: Haan-haan-haan! Nahi karna chahti main tumse shaadi... Main toh yahan Ashu ke liye...

Suddenly, realisation dawned on her Oh God! What have I said?'

She looked up at Rohan who had been standing with his eyebrows raised... She tried correcting...

M: Nahin... Mera wo matlab nahi tha...

R: Toh kya matlab tha Mallika ji? Aap toh Ashu ke liye... kya?

M: Nahin... Rohan... Come on... Chodo uss baat ko... Kuch aur baat karte hain na...

R: Don't change the topic Mallika ji... This is THE moment... come out with it...

M: Rohan, dekho mera wo matlab nahi tha... Wo toh bas mere mooh se ghalti se nikal gaya tha... Chalo... Kahin baahar chalte hain... (She tangled her arm around Rohan's)

R: (Untangling his arm from Mallika's) Ghalti se, ye bola jaa sakta hai, ki aapko mujhse shaadi nahi karni... Lekin, ghalti se, Ashu bhaiya ka zikr kaise aa gaya? Ghalti se ye kaisi nikal sakta hai mooh se, ki aap Ashu ke liye... DR. MALLIKA, Main umr mein aapse chota zaroor ho sakta hoon, lekin itna bewakoof bhi nahi hoon ki aap mujhe apni ungliyon par nachaati jaayein, aur main naachta rahoon... Kya mujhe samajh nahi aata, aap kya keh rahi thi...

Mallika, tried giving her last shot...

M: Arrey Rohan... Kyu raai ka pahaad bana rahe ho... Its just... I got carried away in my anger... Aisa kuch nahin hai...

R: Aah! Ab aaya na oont pahaad ke neeche... I got carried away in my anger...' There you go... Ab kar rahi hain na aap, seedhi baat... This is what, I was trying to do... You've spilled your own beans Dr. Mallika... First of all, Anger... Kis baat par gussa aa raha tha aapko? Jaldi shaadi karne par, ya, MUJHSE Shaadi karne par...?

Because, ye saara shaadi wala jhamela aapne London se start kiya tha... Weren't you the one, who insisted on getting married asap? Toh ab achaanak, shaadi karne ke liye itni pareshaani kis baat ki? Arrey, mere bhai, aaye, ya nahi aaye, whats the big issue with you, when I have none...

And carried away', ye zaroor hua hai... You got carried away, indeed... Because, baat toh yahan humari, yaani aapki aur meri shaadi ki ho rahi thi, phir usmein, aapka yahan, Ashu bhaiya ke liye aane ki baat, door-door tak kahin dimaag mein aa hi nahi sakti thi... Then how come, Out of the blue, aapke mooh se ye sab nikal gaya?

Come on Dr. Mallika, lets face it... Lets get out of this drama... This whole lot of lies, ect-ect, that you have been doing past many months...

This time what Rohan saw, was not, some cajoling or the soft looking Mallika that he knew, but the one, full of resentment... Probably, the REAL Mallika, that has been hiding under the veil of a loving, sympathetic, wonderful woman,that he had known...

M: Well... Yeah! Right... Waise, mujhe pata nahi tha, ke tumhare iss bewakoof se dimaag mein thodi si bhi akal hogi... But, EUREKA!!! What do I see, you are a smart guy huh! You were trying to befool a woman like me... ME??? I must congratulate you, you tried and succeded in bringing out of me, what you wanted... Must say, you proved your worth, to atleast be called Ashutosh's brother, atleast for namesake... Congratulations...!!!

R(Giving a sarcastic laugh): Huh! Dr. Mallika... There is no point in humiliating me... You admit or not, I do not need to prove to be Ashutosh Bhaiya's brother... I AM his brother... And what do you think, mujhe beizzat karke, aapka guilt kam ho jaayega?

Dr. Mallika, pata hai, aapki jagah koi aur hota, jo umr, mein mujhse itna bada na hota, toh abhi tak main, usko iss ghar se kab ka nikaal chuka hota... Aap meri badi hain... Mere bhai ki dost thi aap, isliye, apke badey hone ke lihaaz se, main behad tameez se, aapse keh raha hoon, Please, pack your bags, and please, Leave... me, my family and For God's sake, Ashu bhaiya and his beautiful life, that is his wife, and that unborn child... Please...!!!

Maine aapki wajah se, apne poore parivaar ka bohot dil dukhaaya hai... Sabko apni baton se bohot hurt kiya hai... Aur meri isi baat ke kaaran, mere bhaiya-bhabhi ko ghar chodke jana pada... Ye hi nahin, aur bhi kisi ka dil dukhaaya hai, Someone who did not deserve the pain... Someone totally innocent (Rohan has a far away look in his eyes... The eyes, that were full of guilt... a guilt, that held him tight, full of regret, for so many people... Specially, a girl, that had loved her so much, yet he chose, Mallika over her... Then coming out of his stupor) I also have hurted my extended family... Aur bhi pata nahin, kitne log... So please... LEAVE...!!!

Saying so, Rohan rushed out of the room, meeting half way, with the entire family, at the door of the study... They have been hearing all that has happened... Basically, they had followed Rohan, when he had so angrily rushed into the study...

Rohan came into the living room, and thumped down on the couch... The family followed him, and as they entered, Ranga, caught Rohan's attention... He gave a whole hearted clap...

Ranga: Well done brother... I'm so happy for you... Tumne sahi kaam kiya, aur achhi baat ye hai, khud realise karke kiya... You weren't insisted to do so... I'm so happy Rohan...

Rohan: Itni jaldi nahi bhaiya... Abhi bhi, kuch aur kehna, aur karna baaki hai...

An hour later, when Mallika came out of the room, with her bag packs, this time, her looks were absolutely different... They were neither those fake looks, she always gave, nor were there those resentful looks, that she gave off-late... They were, of simple regret... A simple expression, that a person in her place would have done... She came to Rohan's parents, and touched their feet... They without any expression, but, put their hands on her head... She stood infront of them, folding her hands...

M: Mujhe maaf kar dijiye Uncle-Aunty... Maine, aapke beton ki zindagi kharaab karne ki koshish ki... Yaqeen maaniye Aunty, maine jab se pyaar ko jaana tha, tab se sirf Ashutosh ko chaaha hai... Apni chahat ko kisi aur ki mohabbat bante dekh bohot takleef hui... Aisa laga, jaise Nidhi Ashutosh ke kareeb aati gayi, aur usne mujhse, meri wo eklauti-beshkeemti cheez cheen li, jispar, sirf mera haq tha... Main khaamoshi se wahan se chali gayi, Ashutosh ki shaadi kisi aur se hote dekhna mere bas mein nahi tha... Phir,London mein Rohan mila... Ye dil bhi kitna baawla hai, kabhi-kabhi ichha poori karne ke chakkar mein, sahi-ghalat bhi bhool jata hai... Mujhe laga, shaayad Rohan hi wo zariyaa hai, jiske through, main Ashutosh ko paa sakti hoon...

(Then she turns towards Rohan) Rohan, please mujhe maaf kar dena... Main tumhe use nahi karna chaahti thi, but...

Then Maa spoke up-

Anu: Aisa hai Mallika, ki na toh Ashutosh koi bazaar mein bikne wali cheez hai, jiske liye, aapne ek keemat chukaayi, aur sajaa liya apne ghar mein, Aur na hi wo koi barter mein milne wala ehsaas hai, ki tumne Ashutosh se pyaar kiya, aur wo bhi tumse karne lagey... Rohan ko tumse pyar hua, kya tumhe bhi ussey pyaar hua? (On her nod in negative) Phir, tum kaise expect karti ho, ki, jis Ashutosh ko, tumse shaadi se pehle pyaar nahi hua, wo, kisi aur se shaadi hone ke baad, uss atoot rishte mein bandhne ke baad, tumko mil jaayega? Beta, shaadi, ek mazboot rishte ka naam hai, jiski neev vishwaas par tikti hai... Aur wo toh tumne dekh hi liya hoga, Ashu aur Nidhi mein... Tumhe lagta hai, ki, tum koi aisi-waisi harkat karti, aur wo dono alag ho jaate?

Then BB spoke-

BB: Mallika, you have been in a very noble profession... Take it seriously... selflessly serve people... It would give you immense pleasure and happiness... Leave all this behind, and give a fresh start... Is it ok?

Mallika nodded towards him and turned to Rohan...

M: Rohan, maine yahan shayad sabse zyada takleef tumhe pohchaayi... Tumko pyaar jaise ehsaas mein gumraah kiya... Ho sakey toh mujhe maaf kar dena...

R: Dr. Mallika, I too want to apologise to you... The day, I started realising, that you have not come here for me, I started to doubt my own feelings too... Pichle ek maheene mein, I analysed, that, right from the start, it was not love, but an infatuation... A feeling to be flattered to have an elder women, that is so beautiful, smart, successful as you, who is interested in me... It was out of the world feeling... Lekin, pyaar ka khumaar itni jaldi nahi utar sakta... Jitni aap mujhse door jaati gayi, main bhi aapse utna hi door jaata gaya... Pyaar aisa nahi hota... Aur iska ehsaas mujhe do baar hua... Main Ashu bhaiya aur Nidhi Bhabhi se door ho gaya, lekin wo mujhse kabhi door nahi hue... Aaj bhi mera dil unke liye utne hi pyaar se bharta hai, jitna pehle tha... Lekin aisa aapke saath nahi hai... Infact, iska confirmation bhi mujhe abhi-abhi hua... Koi maaney-ya na maaney, Mujhe Ashu bhaiya aur Bhabhi ke ghar se jaane se bohot zyaada takleef hui... Aaj bhi hoti hai, abhi bhi ho rahi hai... Lekin, aapke saath mujhe aisa kuch nahi lag raha... Ye iss baat ka proof hai, that I have never loved you... I'm sorry...

And Dr. Mallika, iss poore period mein, mujhse, jaane-anjaane, aapse koi badtameezi ya koi bhool hui ho, Toh, I'm sorry...

M: Nahin Rohan... Aisa kuch nahi hai... Tumne agar kuch kaha bhi hai, toh uski wajah main hi thi... Lekin ek baat kehna chaahti hoon... (She turns towards maa and baba) Uncle, Aunty, maine iss ghar mein kya kuch kaleh paida karne ki koshish nahi ki, Ashutosh-Nidhi ke beech, Rohan aur uske bhaiyon ke beech, Rohan ki aap logon ke beech... Lekin, ek baat sach hai, ye aapke sanskaar hi hain, jo main iss neev ko kabhi hila nahi paayi... Thank you Aunty-Uncle to teach me, such a meaningful lesson of life...

Mallika turned to go into the waiting cab, never to return... The Mathurs heaved a sigh of relief... Rohan quietly went inside the house followed by the rest of the family... He went into the balcony of the living room... He needed some fresh air to breathe... The family understood, this is meant to make him stand again... After all, lots have to be done, to clear up the mess that has been created in these few months...

Sometime later, Ranga came back to find Rohan still standing there... He realised, he needs to talk... He went to stand beside him, and put an arm around Rohan's shoulder...

Ranga: What's up buddy? Kya soch rahe ho?

Rohan: Kuch nahi bhaiya... Just going through, what all has happened in these past few months...

Ra: Ek baat poochu Rohan?

Ro: Hmmm... Poochiye...

Ra:Waise toh ye baat, Ashu bhaiya karte... Khair, unke absence mein main pooch raha hoon... Tum Dr. Mallika se keh rahe they na, that you have hurted so many people, and someone totally innocent, that did not deserve all that hurt... Tum, kiski baat kar rahe they?

Rohan looked at his brother, trying to read, what has got into him, that he is asking such a question... Didn't he know well?

Ro: Bhaiya, Dr. Mallika ke aane se pehle, agar aapse mere context mein yahi question poochte, toh kya aapko answer pata nahi tha?

Ra: Definitely tha... Aaj bhi wahi hai kya? Bas main ye jaanna chaahta hoon...

Ro: Jab aapko pata hai, toh phir kyu pooch rahe hain...

Ra: Nahi Rohan, its time to talk clear... pehle bhi isi sab ko lekar kitni misunderstandings hui hain... Aaj main tumhare mooh se sunna chaahta hoon...

Ro: Yes Bhaiya, I was talking about Neeti...

Ra: Toh tumhe pata tha, ke you have hurted her?

Ro: Hmmm... Mujhe iss baat ka ehsaas pehle nahi hua tha, that she kind of liked me... But, aapki shadi wale din jab maine Mallika ji se apna relationship announce kiya, tab uski shakal dekh kar mujhe realise hua, that she is hurted...

Ra: Toh tumne kabhi usse, ya kisi aur se kuch kaha kyu nahi?

Ro: Kya kehta bhaiya... Neeti se ye baat kehna, shobha deti kya? Aur kisi aur se bhi kya kehta... I felt guilty... Then I thought, jab Neeti, mujhe Dr. Mallika ke saath dekhkar normal ho jaayegi, toh she'll move on... Main apni wajah se uske zakhmon ko aur hawa nahi dena chahta tha... isliye, maine bhi use duriyan maintain rakhi...

Ra: Rohan, tumhe ek baat bataoon? In 4 maheenon mein, jab se Ashu bhaiya aur Nidhi bhabhi gaye hain, mujhe tum par sach mein bohot gussa aaya tha... Mujhe reh-rehkar humara bachpan yaad aata tha... I remember, I was some 9-10 years old, jab tum paida hue... Jis din se Ashu bhaiya ne tumko dekha tha, unhone shaayad apni jaan se zyada tumhe chaha hai... Mujhse bhi zyada... Aur tumne... Tumne bhi unhe utna hi pyaar diya... Mujhe yaad hai, main aur bhaiya jab school se aate they, tab tak, maa-baba hospital jaa chuke hote they... Tum wahin darwaaze par khade rote rehte they...Hiraman Kaka ki bhi nahin sunte they... Aur tab tak rote rehte, jab tak Ashu bhaiya tumhe godh mein uthaakar pyaar nahi karte they... Jab tak maa nahi aati thi, tum Bhaiya ke peeche-peeche ghoomte rehte... Hadh ye ki, wo agar Washroom jaate they, toh bhi tum baahar door par khade rehte...

Jab bhaiya gaye, toh tumne, kuch nahi kaha, Unhe wapas laaney ki zyada koshish nahi ki, toh mujhe badi hairaani hui... Jo ladka, apne bhai ka saath kabhi chodta nahi, wo aaj, ek ladki ke aane se, itna badal gaya...

Lekin aaj tumhe dekh kar, mera seena garv se chauda ho gaya... You proved it, that blood is thicker than water... I'm so proud of you... (And he tightly hugged him) Chal... Hospital chalte hain... We'll apply for your admission here only... Complete your studies now...

*************************************************************************************

Part -2 followed by the next post...

V: Nidhi... congratulations, you have successfully completed your 35^th week... Now, as per your EDD, I think, you can have the call, anytime... Get yours and baby's bags ready... Now don't leave it for the last moment, or there will be a lot of hotch-potch, if your labour starts at home... Are you getting me?

Nidhi nodded a yes with her head as well as pressing her eyes in affirmation... Her forehead creased with something,that seems to worry her... Dr. Vidya realised, its time for a woman-to-woman talk... Dr Vidya looked at Ashutosh and said- "Dr. Ashutosh, I've asked certain reports of Nidhi from the lab... Can you get them to me, or else, it will be too late...", Ashutosh nodded and left... Dr. Vidya got up from her chair, and sat beside Nidhi, where Ashutosh was sitting peviously... She took Nidhi's hands in hers and politely asked-

V: Darr lag raha hai Nidhi?

Nidhi vehemently nodded...

V: It is perfectly normal at your stage... Many women feel that way... Just don't worry and try to calm yourselves... Just think about your little baby, that in a very few days is going to be in your arms... Think how beautiful its gonna be, wo kiski tarah dikhega, ya dikhegi... Will it be a thin one, or chubby... Just try to distract your mind... Dont take tensions... Just indulge yourself in some conversations or simply think about this little bundle of Joy... You are doing perfectly normal... I don't think, this delivery is gonna complicate anyways, just avoid travelling, and do whatever makes you happy and contended... ok?

On Nidhi's nod, Doctor looks at the door, Ashutosh came till then... She took the reports from him, and then looked through them and then spoke- "See, I said na, everything is normal..."

Ashutosh thanked the Doc and helped Nidhi stand up from the seat... With his arm around her waist and the other hand holding her hand, took her back home...

It was early evening, when there were constant and impatient door bells ringing... Ashutosh immediately was on his feet, panicked, as to who is on the door... Ashutosh immediately opened the door, to his entire family, Rohan right infront of him and his mother slapping his back, for ring so many bells... Without any word Rohan bent to touch Ashutosh's feet... Ashutosh immediately put his hand on Rohan's head and then picked him up by his shoulders... Rohan just rushed to hug him as tight as possible... He had terribly missed this embrace... As if he wanted to compensate all those hugs, that he missed out... After sometime, Ashutosh came out of the embrace...

A: Rohan? Tum yahan? Aap sab ne isko mera pata kab de diya?

Rohan: Bhaiya, Pehle kya hum andar aa sakte hain?

A: Arrey haan... Aao-aao... Ye bhi koi poochne ki baat hai...

They all sat in the living room, except Ashutosh and Rohan...

Rohan joint his hands in apology and with sincere tears in his eyes, he said-

R: Bhaiya, mujhse bohot badi ghalti ho gayi... Maine aapko aur bhabhi ko bohot dukh diye hain na... Aap mujhe daantiye-maariye, kuch bhi kijiye, but please, mujhe maaf kar dijiye...

A: Lekin Rohan, Mallika? Wo kahan hai? Tum dono ka relationship?

Then Rohan narrated the entire lot of incidents, from his suspicion to his way of confronting, their conversations, Mallika leaving, and every other Minute detail...

R: Bhaiya, aap humesha kehte they na, ke aapne mujh mein apne bhai se zyada apna beta dekha hai... Toh please, mujhe apna beta samajh ke hi maaf kar dijiye...

And Rohan fell on his feet, crying terribly... Ashutosh was silently weeping too... He himself sat infront of Rohan, on his knees on the floor... He held Rohan's face in his hands and embraced him to his heart... Both brothers crying their heart out, to flow away all the bitterness of the past... Finally, when they both held some control over their weeping hearts, Ashutosh smiled to him and said-

A: Rohan, maine itna kuch sirf tumhare liye kiya... Tumko takleef pohchaana mera uddeshya nahi tha, par, tumhe zindagi se sabak sikhaana tha... Maturity ke saath saath, tu kitna bada ho gaya hai yaar... Mujhe apne nanhe se bhai se itni badi-badi baaton ki ummeed nahi thi...

Chal bohot ho gaya... Uth jaa mere bhai...

Everyone in the room had tears seeing this scene... But one distinct voice caught everybody's attention... None of them realised, when Nidhi came into the room, quietly witnessing the scene... Her stifles, make everyone look at her... Her left hand supporting her back and her right hand holding her dupatta's edge, wiping her tears...

The first one to rush to her was her MIL, she just came and hugged her tight saying- "Meri bacchi... kaisi ho beta..." on Nidhi's little nod as in an ok, all came to her and the last one was Rohan... He came and touched her feet, and she immiditely patted her head..

N: Seedhe khade ho jaao Rohan... I'm in no condition to pick you by your shoulders...

All roared with laughter...

Then rohan came and took Nidhi to sit comfortably on a couch... When she sat, he came and sat infront of her on his knees on the carpet, took her hands in his and said...

R: Bhabhi... Please, aap bhi mujhe maaf kar dijiye...

Nidhi cupped his face and said- "Nahi Rohan... Main tumse naraz kabhi nahi thi... Sirf mujhe tumhari fikr thi, jo ab door ho gayi hai... Aur kya chahiye mujhe..."

R: Toh phir Bhabhi, ghar chalte hain na... Aapke aur bhaiya ke bina, wo ghar bilkul soona hai...

Nidhi huffed a laugh, holding her tummy... Then said-

R: Rohan, ye jo tumhara Bhateeja/ Bhateeji hai na, It is sitting right on my bladder... I'm due to deliver anytime, and you are asking me to travel for 4 hours... Ye possible lagta hai tumhe?

Rohan made a sulky face... Nidhi smiled...

N: Rohan, mujhe iss waqt tum sabki zaroorat hai... Why dont you all stay back here... Delivery ke baad hi chalte hain... Tab tak sabhi yahin rehte hain...

(Then cupping his face) Rohan, yahi kya kam hai, ghar se door rehkar bhi, HUM SAATH-SAATH HAIN...!!!

Originally posted by: jayasree.rao

Aazeen , when are u giving an update? waiting. Pl...

Originally posted by: gargpoo

me first..

thanks aazeen..ye to sach me long hai😊