FF: Khamoshiyaan T2: last part & VM page 66 - Page 17

Hi...
thanks a lot for all your love and comments. Hope to keep up to it in future.
This montage is a long pending request from Aisha. Sorry dear, I kept you waiting.

CHAPTER 44:

Arjun was at his best these days. He had Aisha by his side always when he needed her. Varma was feeling great too. All his work was getting great results.

Aisha came to the room and saw Arjun in thoughts.

Ai: kya hua?

Ar: kafi din hue hai sabse milke? I mean Sakshi tho call karthi hai. Sameer se bhi bath hua hai. par baki sab kaha hai? Sree tho gayab hi hogaya hai.

Ai: aadat daaldo Arjun saab. Kyunki ab apko unke SYS sunna hoga.

Ar: patha hai. And I deserve it too.

Ai: aise math kahiye. It was just a time lag. Ab sab teekh hai na...

Ar: hm...

Ai: waise I can do something.

Ar: kya?

Ai: wait I'll be back soon.

She goes out and he wonders what her plan is. Sometime later, she comes back.

Ar: kaha gayi thi?

Ai: surprise hai. sham ko patha chalega.

Ar: not fair.

Ai: of course its fair.

He knew it was hard to get out the secret and so he let it be. The therapy continues. But his stage was getting better. Strength was coming to his legs slowly. He could bend his legs on his own with small help from others. Varma's prediction was getting true.

It was night when he was waiting for the surprise. He has already asked a hundred times, but in vain.

And then she came in with his laptop to the room and placed it infront of him.

Ar: ye kyu laye ho?

Ai: wait and see...

She opened up the screen and in few minutes the whole team was infront of him. He was so happy to see them together in video conference.

Sak: hi Arjun. kaise ho?

He couldn't say anything for a while. The same hall, with everyone seated and watching him. The only difference was the presence of Aman in his usual place. It didn't not hurt him at all, to see his place occupied. The feeling of being back was overwhelming.

He turned to Aisha and smiled greatfully. She just winked assuring him the best.

Ar: I'm fine... good to be back...

Sam: lagtha hai ab akal aaya hai tumhe.

Ar: haan. Thode bohot. Kaise ho sab?

Sam: we are good. Aisha ne bathaya ke therapy teekh se chal raha hai.

Ar: yeah going well.

Though he was speaking to Sam, his eyes were scanning others.

Sree semmed silent and not looking at him, but was listening.

Liza was looking at him open mouthed, with a little bit of moist in eyes.

Chotu was still in shock.

Ar: kya hua guys? Upset with me? Chotu...

The ever so macho man had already decided that he will not let Arjun take over like that. He deserved good session as he used to give. But one call by Arjun changed every bit of hold back.

Ch: are nahi Sir.. hum kaha upset hai? hai na Sree...

If Arjun could glare, then Sree could too. He looked at Chotu with a "you too brutus..." look. All the plans made were crashing down. And he could swear on his laptop, that Liza was slipping too.

Chotu gulped seeing Sree's expression. All were finding it funny.

Ar: (clearing his throat, to help his chuckle) Aur Liza... how are you?

Li:um.. I am good, Sir.in fact great.

"Awesome"Sree cursed silently.

Arjun waited for Sree to look up. But no, he didn't.

Ar: Sree...

He tried hard not to respond but found himself facing Arjun on the screen.

Ar: maana meine galthi ki hai. I am sorry guys.

There was a silence all over. They had never thought of facing Arjun saying sorry. They never wished to hear it.

Li: sir please aise math kahiye. It was past. Ab jaldise teekh hoke wapas ayiye.

Ar: I'll try.

He looked at Sree again. "kuch bologe nahi,Sree?"

Sree fought hard with himself and then voiced up. "kuch kehna baki nahi hai Sir. hope you recover soon"

All were upset by his tone.

Ai: Sree tum..

Arjun stopped Aisha from speaking ahead. And nodded no. he turned back to Sree.

Ar: its ok Sree. Tumhare narazgi mien samajh saktha hu. Pehla mere gayab hona, aur uske baad Aisha. I couldn't help it in the beginning. Par baad mien... patha nahi kyu mujhe laga ke ab mujhe wapas nahi aana chahiye. Wo bhi iss tharah...

The last thing that Sree wanted was an explanation from Arjun.

Sr: please... ye "iss tharah" ke matlab kya hai? kuch bhi nahi badla Sir.

Arjun smiled at everyone. "thanks guys. I don't know how you are still sticking with me."

Aisha looked at him meaning, "what do you mean?"

Ar: iss khadoos insaan ke sath rehne ka aadat hai kya?

Sam: oh shut up Rawte.

Sameer looked frustrated.

Ar: sabke narazgi mien handle kar saktha hu. Khamoshi nahi...(he stopped a while) how can I be selfish? Khamoshi ke alawa meine diya hi kya?

Aisha sensed he was slipping away again. She could see him still struggling to keep up. She held his palm and pressed it and nodded no. he just gave a sad smile and lowered the gaze.

She wanted a change in topic. She looked at Sam indicating that in her face.

Sameer was good to catch it too.

Sam: um.. aaj hum Comm. office gaye the...

Arjun looked up.

Sam: we are going to reopen Aryan Varma case.

Ar: that's good.

Aman: but its not just an Aryan Varma case, Arjun. its just a part of a big scandle.

Arjun was coming back to the form. Aisha thanked Sam silently for that.

Ar: thode bohot mujhe patha hai. I had asked Sakshi long back to get some information. Sakshi, share it with them too.

Sak: I'll.

Sam: we will be seeing to the old files ASAP. And will keep you informed.

Ar: ok...

Sam: ok then. Raath ho chukka hai. lets leave..

Ar: yeah.by the way, Aman... you promised me something.

Aman thinks a while and remembers the photos. "oh ya... sorry. Bhool gaya. I'll give you."

Ar: its ok. Take your time.

They bid good night and log off.

Aisha replaced the laptop and looked at him with questioning face.

Ar: what??

Ai: what was that? Aman sir se...

Ar: secret hai...

Ai: not fair...

Ar: its fair.

Now it was his turn to keep a secret.

Ai: hm... ok. Mujhe nahi janna. Mien tablets leke athi hu. Fir sojao.

Ar: (he knew she hated secrets too)ek minute. When did you arrange this meeting?

Ai: meine Sakshi ko call kiya tha.she told they were in a meeting. Tho kaise lagi surprise?

Arjun couldn't thank her well. He sat silent with a smile on his lips.

Ar: thanks...

Aisha smiled at him and plucked his ears. "ab ye thanks and sorry series se bore ho chuki hu... please..."

Arjun takes her hand in his. "I am serious Aisha. I really thank you for that. aise lag raha tha ke mien bhi ussi kamre me hu."

Ai: you are missing it, right?

Ar: more than ever.

She knew that was a good trigger. It will help himto push himself more.

Ai: hum bohot jald waha hoge...

Ar: hm...

Ai: fir bhi... Aman sir se kya keh rahe the?

Arjun smiled at her effort. "bhool gayi? Secret hai..."

Ai: hm... ok then.

She leaves abruptly.

Ar: hm, madam thode upset hai. koi baath nahi. Aaj pure din meine pucha tho kuch bhi nahi kaha na... ab meri baari.

Aisha comes in and gives him medicine. She sat by him and made him have it. After that she was about to get up, but he grabbed his wrist. She turned to him and saw something she had missed longed time now. There was something that only she got to see... not the world around.

He slightly tugged her hand to himself, as if asking her to sit by his side. She placed back the glass and sat closer to him, facing him.

His eyes were filled with all the love that she had seen before. His looks were enough for her to feel the blush that she was having. She lowered her eyes, not able to face him more.

She was always by his side. But he was missing her too. He knew his condition made them stay away for a long time. But then it was time that they are brought back to each other too.

Her lowered eyes made him feel again how much he had missed. He slightly chinned her up for face her eyes again. He tucked back the loose starnd of hair behind her ears, making her shiver slightly. His single hand cupped her face.

Words were never needed between them before. Nor was now...

Khamoshi hi kaafi thi...

He held her closer to him now and kissed her forehead. He could feel her as she leaned to his chest. He hid his face in her nape. His breath on her shoulder and earlobes did creat havoc for both of them. But they knew the situation and limits too. And the constant reminder from Varma to her that "you are Arjun's cure" was always in her mind. She knew not just the medicines and the therapy would help him. She too had an equal share.

His guilt and lost confidence can only brought up by her. He should feel needed as before. He should know that he is still the old ACP and her husband. He should nurture a need to be up soon.

And she knew it was tough. But she took every step carefully. Not always thinking logically. But little bit going with her mind. She was there for him as always.

The next morning, when she got up, he was cuddling by her side. He looked peaceful while sleeping keeping a protective arm on her. Some habbit hardly goes away.

She knew she had taken her step well. Now it was the wait to see how he respond.how much time he takes to bring back the confidence? How much time to be him back on his legs?

He woke up with a stroke on his hair. He smiled contently with the feel of her nearby. A new day was beginning with better hope. And he couldn't ask for a better start than being by her side.

***

With the start of the working hours in ETF office, Sam called up for a meeting. Sree and Sakshi brought in the files related to the case.

Sam: this is a very sensitive issue. Agar hum ye solve kar paye... tho naa sirf Aryan, balke aur bhi logonko insaaf mil sakthe hai. it's a bit tricky position. But still we will look to it.

All agreed.

Sam: so what do we know about Aryan?

Sakshi stood up to give a brief summary of Aryan, from what she has collected. His life, coming to Mumbai, his college... new job and then...

***

By mid day Arjun received a message from Aman. "have mailed you yesterday night. Was late due to the case. And I did keep my promise."

Arjun smiled at the screen.

Last night, Aman was late to reach home. After fresh up and a small dinner he went to have his laptop. He went directly to the folder, "Nadiya". He went through all those memories once. He compressed that file and mailed it to Arjun, as he got the mail-id from Sree. He once again went through the pics and then deleted it.

He could have kept the pics with him. He knew Aisha and Arjun wont mind. But then that was Nadiya, who dosent exist. She is Aisha Rawte. She belonged to Arjun.

Photography may be his passion. But keeping something that belonged to Arjun was not good. He valued the privacy and relations. And with that he could never keep back the photos. And he was happy with his decision.

Here Arjun opened his mail after ages. He wondered with the number of mails. He was alone in his room as Aisha had gone to arrange a few necessary works with Baba and left him with the company of the laptop.

He went through the pictures and saw her dancing. He felt happy to see her dancing. But the hollow eyes that she had were creating the worst effect. He could see the damage he had done back then. And Aman was right, he should have never seen it.

He kept looking at those pics for time together. It looked as if his Aisha was dead inside, and living as a breathing corpse. He could relate to that stage as he too had once gone through it. The loneliness used to kill him back those days. And to think that he had lead Aisha to a similar state was too much. He had tried to put out the light that had once lightened his life. He had tried to distory the smile that brought a new life to his baren life. He was guilty of her. And however Aisha had forgiven him, he couldn't forgive himself.

Aisha came back and saw Arjun engrossed in the screen. "kya hua Arjun?"

He didn't respond to the question. He moved to him and looked at the screen. She was surprised to see herself on the screen. But she knew that it was not good. How did he get it? damn... Aman Sir...

She tried to take off the lap from him. But he held it tight.

Ai: Arjun, give it back...

He didn't respond.

Ai: Arjun... please...

She loosened his grip and took off the laptop and placed it away. She knew that damage was already done. She sat by him and cupped his face.

Ai: hey relax... that was long back...

He kept his pained gaze. She knew that she will have to start from first again as the matter have gone back to point zero.

She felt him creating a wall inside him again and she wanted to stop it. She gave him a tight hug.

Ai: jo beeth gayi hai, usse bhool jao Arjun. wo naa wapas ayega... aur na aana chahiye. So let it be. Ab aage ki socho... aur kuch nahi... please...

He still didn't respond now. And she knew it was going to bring in more problems. His silence always brought in a storm...