FF: Ek Aur Zindagi.. Ch:29 page 137 - Page 86

CHAPTER 27:

Arjun was glancing over the surrounding when his eye fell on a man who was walking into the hall. The guest also stood back in his track watching the man in police uniform.

It was almost 6 years now since he had seen his father. A lot of emotions were flooding in both the minds. But then they composed themselves. They both held the eyes straight to each other. And then the father just walked past Arjun. Even while passing Arjun could feel the indifference in his air. Was there even a minute compassion at the corner of dad's eyes? He didn't know.

Arjun stood at his place for sometime. He needed this time to compose his heartbeat. However hard he kept himself, there were moments that did overthrow his confidence.

"Sir..." Sree's voice chirped in the microphone that broke his trance. "hm..."

Sr: sir, function shuru hone wale hai.

Ar: hm. Ok. I'll be covering at the main entrance at the left back. Rathod tum...

Sam: I'll be in right. Team, keep an eye on every point. Sree, concentrate on the screen. Koi bhi suspicious movement ho, tho alert karna.

Ar: Minister sir ke personal bodyguards se meine bath ki hai. They will be alert at the stage. Lets get this safe and... quick.

Sam knew what he intended.

Sam: Arjun...

Ar: lets get this over Rathod.

His athoritive tone did say that was a point of full stop.

Sree was near to the monitors placed inside the van, Aisha was stationed with Sam. And Sakshi took the front portion as she had to collect an overall report. Chotu commanded over his men.

Arjun saw his father seated among the front rows. He was standing almost to the far end corner, and could still easily identify the silhoute of his father.

"baba would never come without her... she never left his shadow..."

He scanned the whole place and didn't see her. His eyes briefly met Sam.

Sam had noticed Arjun scanning the whole people. He knew whon were those eyes searching for. When he met Arjun's eyes, he nodded negative.

And it clearly said she was not here.

Arjun took off his eyes and hoped to concentrate on stage. He felt bad to be caught red handed by Sam, who already knew him inside out.

He started to concentrate on his work. Nothing personal should affect this.

The function starts and the team is alert. The formal speeches begin. Minister takes the podium and the team is extra alert.

Later another speaker comes in.

"so... here we announce the Winner of the day. He belongs to a prestigious family from Kolhapur. Some years back, he shifts abroad. And we are proud to say that the man we honour today is none other than Mr. Suryakanth Rawte of Rawte Group of Industries..."

A huge round of applause arises in the hall, but the team was more than in shock. None said a word and each one of their eyes went towards Arjun, who stood at the door with a face that revealed nothing at all. The eyes were as hard as always but anyone close to him would have never missed the nerve that stood probing at his temple and the hard jaws.

Ai: Suryakanth Rawte... matlab...

She was close to Sameer and was speaking as such, and not to the mic.

Sam: haan. Wahi... it's his dad.

That was a revelation. Mr. Rawte was shorter than Arjun. But it was clear that the son had inherited the eyes and the hard jawline from his father. He was getting grey but still had the air of self esteem in his walk.

Mr. Rawte went up to the stage and received the certificate and the momento. Sakshi and few others in team took a small glance at Arjun.

He was clapping his hands for the man on the stage.

However hard was his relation, however they stood on the two sides of the coin, still he was his father. And he felt truly proud of his father at the occasion.

The claps went down and all took their position. Mr. Rawte walked towards the podium for his speech.

"thank you ladies and gentlemen, who considered me as worthy for this honor. Its truly an honor for me, especially as it comes today. A normal day turned special... memorable..."

The words had the same power as of Arjun.

"har kisike zindagi me aage bhadne ki kayi wajah hosakthi hai. kisiko lagan, pyaar, situation... kuch bhi... mere liye bhi tha... and for a change, my reason was... Disappoinment... aur mere zidd..."

Arjun knew all the words were directed just for him. None except Sam knew the background of Arjun, but all could easily connect a few dotes.

"kuch aise disappointment jo mujhe aaj yaha thak le aye... jo mujhe desh ke bahar bhi jaake mere work ko iss level thak leke aye... and yes I'm proud to say I had some support too. No one can be left behind. Agar lagan ho, tho koi bhi hamare raste me nahi asakthe. Bas apne usoolon pe chalo, we will reach our destiny. Kuch log wahi ke wahi reh jathe hai...(looking at his side) aur kuch wahi rehna chathe hai. So sabse yahi kahunga, ke apne sapnoke duniya se bahar aao. Aur aage bhado. Thank you"

For anyone outside, it might look a personal boost up speech. But for Arjun, every word had sarcasm. As if he was left behind the race being a mamuli police wala'. It did hurt, but it was never enough to hurt his ego. He was never in a dreamland. He too had dreams that he had fulfilled. Maybe the number of digits in his salary didn't say it, but he did make his dream come true. Though it was at a cost of many things in life.

Soon the function came to an end and Minister was about to go without attending the buffet. Arjun sprang to action again and went towards the stage. Minister was congradulating and speaking with Rawte when he reached them. He stood a few feets away letting them to finish the talk. Rawte noticed Arjun waiting and almost stopped his talk. Minister turned back to him.

Mi: are we good to go, officer?

Ar: yes sir. Flight back scheduled two hours.

Min: ok then, (turning to Rawte) mere shubkamnaye. Hope aap kabhi bhi disappointed na ho. (he said it in a casual pleasing tone)

Sur. Rawte: no sir, I wont be. I already had its share.

Arjun flinched at those words but didn't show.

Minister moved across and Arjun moved with him after a brief look given to dad.

Ar(in mic): Rathod, I'm taking Sir to airport. Take control over here.

Sam: should I go?

Ar: no. I'll go. I should go.

Sameer knew he was almost running away from the location. "ok then, see you in the office"

Ar: hm.

Arjun went with the Minister to the airport. He was vigilant again. He had duty till Minister boarded the flight and giving off the control to next set of officials. At last it was over.

He sighed and walked out to his SUV. He placed the cap on the passenger seat and leaned back to the headrest, eyes closed.

Was he feeling sad? Maybe yes. He was always dejected by his dad, who kept his dreams above Arjun's. Who tried to mould a path decided by him for the son. Who saw wrong in every action done by the son.

But where is she? Aayi. She never left baba's shadow before. Especially on such an occasion. Always silent, she was perfect role model of a housewife. She never raised her voice, or rather never had that much courage. Was she not in India? Would she have stayed back abroad? No. she would never have missed an opportunity to come back. And then he knew, all his questions would be answered only in the next morning.

He was back in his office. The team was not back yet. He liked the silence better now. He had some quality time alone for him before facing his team, who he knew would have tried to know about his past by now.

Then the team walked in. he saw Sam walking towards the hall. He briefly indicated to reach over there. So Arjun stood up and also reached the hall, where all were already seated. None had a questioning face. And he liked it again.

Few minutes before, Sam and his team were on the way back to his office. They were silent, maybe trying to analyse what could have happened. When they were about to get down, Sam had called them back.

Sam: team... never try to assume about things that you don't know. Hope you understand what I mean.

All knew the context. They agreed to it. Whatever happens, there was no scope of doubt. Sree answered for all. "yes sir, we understand. And you can trust us"

Sam:I know I can.

They walked in without hesitation, and he felt proud of his team again. They walked in to the hall, and saw Arjun in his cabin. Sam mentioned him to reach there and walked over.

Arj(reaching the hall): bolo Rathod.

Sam: so everything went well. We have given reports to the officials. Par upar se order hai ke hume bhi unhe assist karni hai. To find out who was giving threats to Minister.

Ar: we can do it. Sree have you started already?

Sre: yes sir. Already on it.

Sam looks at Arjun and Sree. Arjun spoke up to clear it.

Ar: I already asked to find out about previous threats.

Sam: good. Any information?

Sree gives some information.

Sam: ok, that will need more analysis. We are not personaly taking this case. Just assisting the team. So we have to give report to them. All may take some time off. You guys need it.

The members went out leaving Arjun and Sameer. Sam noticed Arjun deep in thoughts and could easily guess the matter.

Sam: aayi waha nahi thi. I checked soon after I saw him.

Ar: hm...

Sam: wo shayad Mumbai me hi hai.

There was still silence.

Sam: dekho Arjun, there can be indifferences. But someone should take thir first step. Kya tum unse milna nahi chahoge?

Ar: Sam, please. I'm already having many matters in my head. ye sab uthna asaan nahi hai. So please don't increase it.

Sam: how did I increase it?

Ar: forget it Sam. Bath rahi Aayi-baba se milna, that won't happen. Aur rahe jo tum mujhse karwana chahthe ho, wo bhi nahi hoga. Why did you speak to Aisha? Why are you making it difficult for me?

Sam: did she say about it? kya kaha?

Ar: Sam, get it straight from me for the last time. That's not gonna happen.

He stood up and tried to walk out. But Sam's voice stopped him. "is that what you want? To remain alone? Kya yahi tumhare dil chahthe hai?"

Arjun had already opened the door of the hall, when he said it. He kept his hands on the knob and turned back to Sam.

Ar: mere dil jo chahtha hai, wo mien kabka tumse keh chukka hu. Par tum apne dil ko nahi sun raha hai. koi ithna bhi selfless nahi banna chahiye Sam, ke wo apne apse jhoot bolne lage.

Sam: par Adi...

Ar: Adi bacha hai Sam. Par ithna tho samaj saktha hai ke uske mom ab kabhi bhi wapas nahi ayegi. Aur wo uss bath ko accept kar liya hai. so please don't give any false hopes.

He held his glare for a while and walked away leaving a dumbstuck Sameer behind. He couldn't believe what he heard. He felt so bad too. He just held his forehead on his palm and sighed.

But someone else also noticed it.

Aisha who was about to walk to the cabin was stopped halfway when she heard Sameer's questioning to Arjun. She never thought of lisening to it. But she did. And also Arjun's answer.

She also saw Sameer's expressions after Arjun left. That left her wondering.

Ai: so Sakshi was right. Aur Arjun sir ko bhi patha tha?

She felt so ignorant of whats going around her. She felt like a fool having missed all the small points that should have given the signal, or rather she should have noticed.

She went back to her cabin, still in thoughts.

***

Arjun was feeling truly frustrated. All the matters were going upside down around him. It took a while to compose him.

And then he decided to clear off all the matters one by one. He looked out and saw Aisha with Sree. He called Sree. "Sree, Aisha ko andhar bhejo"

Aisha came shortly. "yes sir..."

Ar: sit.

She took the seat and soon she knew it was something official.

Ar: Aisha... I don't know how to say this. But I need to. Don't get me wrong.

Aisha waited in silence.

Ar: jo pyaar tum mere bete se karthe ho... I am sure I would have never given it to him. I understand that even he too needs a mother. But I am sorry. After all the affection that you show him... it can't go beyond that.

She waited again.

Ar: ek jhooti rishta nahi banana chahthi mien. Agar bana bhi liya, tho wo sirf ek samjhotha hoga. Jo mien nahi chahthe. I know you are confused by me and Sameer. And trust me, he never meant any harm to others. Other than himself though...

She wondered if he would go ahead.

Ar: I'm sorry if I did give any hope to you.

She took a moment to compose. And then she smiled.

Ai: I understand sir. And don't worry, I didn't plan anything ahead. Adi se jo meri pyaar hai, wo waise hi rahegi. But I promise I won't cross my line and give him some hope.

He was relaxed at her well composed words.

Ai: Adi ko chahne keliye koi rishta chahiye... I never thought so.

Ar: are you sure?

Ai: I am sir. aur rahi Adi ke baath.. har kisiko ek sahare ke zaroorath hai. Adi, aap... mien... sabko. But Adi have you. You are his support. Haan wo kabhi kabhi Maa ko miss karthe hai. aur kaun nahi karthe? But then you have brought him up in such a way that he is independent. You should be proud of that.

Ar: I am. Infact I am happy now. At least you have recognized it.

Ai: koi aur kare ya na kare... I do, Sir. aap befikar rahiye. Single parent hoke kisiko paalna mushkil hoga. Par namumkin nahi. And after all, hum sab hai na? Jabhi hamre zaroorath pade tho hum sab yahi hai. Adi can have me by his side any time he wants. Aur aap... I am happy that you are doing what you can. Aap apne life me kafi kuch khoya hai. But you never put a full stop over there. You lived on. You have Adi. And he has you. And this life goes on...

He was completely relaxed now.

Ai: sorry, meine kuch zyada hi keh diya..

Ar: no you didn't. I am glad you spoke up.

Aisha smiled with whole heart. At last this confusion is over for once and all. She will be Adi's didi forever.

Ai: may I leave, sir?

Ar: yes. And thank you again.

Ai: no mention sir.

She gets up and moves out. So that track was solved. He still had some more. He looked over to Sam's cabin. Till now he had tried to play cupid. Now it was over.

He called Sam. "Sam... its over with Aisha. Don't put yourself in trouble again"

Sam: matlab?

Ar: ask her. She will explain. Aur mien camp jaraha hu. Call me if you need me back.

He says and cuts the call. He takes his keys and walks out without giving explanation.

Sam didn't know what had happened now. Sakshi came in with a file to get his signature.

Sak: everything ok Sameer?

Sam: huh? Yeah. Arjun kaha gaye hai.

Sak: patha nahi. Bas abhi nikalthe dekha hai.

Sam: hm... aur Aisha?

Sak: she is in cabin. Should I call her?

Sam: no. its fine.

He signs the file and gives her back. She knew he won't speak and walks out.

Arjun had driven to the camp. It was almost evening and the day was over. He picks Adi back from camp. "chale champ?"

Adi: yup.

They drive back home and in between have a dinner parcel too. Soon after dinner and little bit of masti, Adi retires to bed. As for Arjun, sleep was the last thing in mind. He wonderend why he never had any shortage of worries. First it was Sam's action that made him worry. But now, it was the sudden appearance of his father. He wanted to know if his mom was back down here too. He never wanted to go infront of her, as he knew it will only increase the pain for her. But then he wanted to know what had happened that his mother was not with baba.

He will have to wait for that till morning. He diecided and then was about to switch off the lights that his eyes fell on the calendar. 8 days to Adi's birthday.

***

Same night Sameer was with Sree and Aisha after the working hours. He dropped off Sree and was on the way to drop Aisha. she was silent this time too.

Sam: Aisha...

She turned to him.

Sam: we need to talk.

Ai: about what, sir?

Sam: aaj kya hua tha? In Arjun's cabin?

She knew that it was to give him the news too.

***

Next morning:

Adi: dad, aaj hum iss rasthe kyu aye hai? park uss tharaf hai na?

He asked when his dad parked the car infront of a temple.

Ar: wo... yaha kisise milna hai Adi. Unse milke chalthe hai.

Ad: ok... tho hum andar chalen?

Ar:no... wo yahi ayega.

They waited. Adi was just tapping his fingers on the cap that he had in his hands and humming absently. While Arjun was waiting with breath held.

And then after sometime, he saw her.

She came clad in a simple silk saree, holding a thali for pooja. He was right, if she was in Mumbai, she would have never missed the Monday morning temple visit. And there she was.

He only wanted to have a glimpse of her. To make sure that she was fine. And he had his wish fulfilled.

He took another look at her and the started the car.

Ad: hum jarahe hai?

Ar:haan.

Ad: aur wo nahi ayega?

Arjun had another look at her. "shayad nahi.chalo..."

He drove off.

And there in the temple, Mrs. Gayathri Rawte was praying for her son Arjun and grandson Aditya.