|A Night With Stranger|RJ One-shot Story ADDED

'Kitni ajeeb thi na woh raat? Ajj bhi sochti hon toh hairat hoti hai appne app par, us par.' A girl with dusky complexion is sitting by the window in her room and is watching the moon, which is only source of light in her room. She's wearing a long black shirt and knee length grey jeggings. She has dark brown curly hairs going just below her shoulders and dark brown eyes, attractive eyes.

She folds her arms tightly against her knees and let her head fall against the window. Her eyes are just looking outside, as if searching for something or someone.

'Woh aik raat, jisne meri puri zindagi hi badal di. Mere nazariye ko palat hi diya. Us raat jaise aik nayi Julie ne janam liya.' A sweet appears on the corner of her lips as she begins to go down the memory lane.

'Jab uski un ankhon ko maine dekha toh najane kya hogaya mujhe, usko taqleef dene ka khayal dil se nikal gaya. Uski ankhein bohut dhuki thi, akeli thi.'

Somewhere else a guy in his thirties with dusky complexion, light brown eyes, short neatly cut black hair with fine height is standing on terrace, observing the moon very carefully as if trying to search someone in it. His lips curve up as smile appears on his lips he sense he's blushing just remembering her face.

'Us jaisa es duniya mein aur koi ho nahi sakta.' His mind takes a trip down memory lane and stops at a specific night, that night when he met Julie.

A loud banging on door distracts Julie so hard that spoon falls from hand. She quickly runs towards the door, upon opening she finds a stranger man resting against the door frame.

Julie: App...

Before she can ask the man quickly points gun at her and force her to move away from door, as he gets inside the house, he locks the door while still pointing gun at her. He pushes her against the wall just next to the door. Julie doesn't even know how to react, everything is happening so quickly. She tries to open her mouth to say something but man puts his hand on her mouth, Julie tries to move but man blocks her way.

Man: Agar kuch bhi karne ki koshish ki toh jaan se mar donga.

Julie's eyes goes wide as she tries to take in what he just said.

Man: Dekho, meri baat suno. Mere peeche police lagi hai aur mujhe police se bachne ke liye chupne ki jagah chahiye thi, aisi liye yahan aya hon. Jaise hi subah hogi main chala jayonga. Lekin agar es beech tumne kuch bhi karne ki koshish ki yaan police ko yaan kisi ko bhi mere yahan hone ke bare mein batane ki koshish ki toh tum apni jaan se jayogi.

Julie doesn't know how to respond to this, she doesn't know whether to believe him or not. When he senses she seems to be in control he slowly moves his hand away from her mouth and Julie gasps for air. She kneels down against the wall and tries to understand what's going on. He bends down slightly and pulls her hairs tightly and makes her look up at him. Due to the pain Julie closes her eyes tightly and lets out the small cry as tears stream in her eyes making her eye lashes wet; but she doesn't allow them to roll down her cheeks.

Seeing her pain man feels slightly guilty and loses the grip on her hairs and gently pulls his hand out from her curly hairs. Moments later when Julie opens her eyes they meet directly with his eyes. As soon he looks into Julie's big dark brown eyes he feels ashamed at his act. Trying not to get spell bound by her eyes he looks from her eyes and then holds her by her arm making her stand up.

Man: Us ghar mein phone kahan hai?

Seeing where Julie is pointing her drags her with her arm in that direction. He unplugs the phone wire. He turns towards her and asks her whether she has mobile or not. Julie nods her had as no which slightly surprises him but he hides his reaction. He again warns her about trying to tell anyone about him. Julie who is now catching up with reality agrees to his terms and tells him she wouldn't do anything.

Julie smells something burning which draws her attention towards the kitchen.

Julie: Haye Rabba!

Julie tries to run towards the kitchen when she realises that man is still holding onto her arm.

Julie: Dekho.. maine chulhe par khanna banne ke liye rakha tha, woh jal jayega. Mujhe chodo.

Man looks at her but doesn't let her go.

Julie: Dekho Tum...

Man: Raghav!

Julie turns towards him and looks at him for a moment; he doesn't look like a criminal.

Julie: Dekho.. Raghav.. Main kisiko kuch nahi kehne wali, mujhe kitchen mein jane do warna mera sara khana barbad hojayega. Please!

Raghav lets go of her arm and she runs in kitchen, Raghav too follows her just in case. Julie reaches in time and turns off the cooker, the food almost burnt. Raghav is surprised at her behaviour somewhat but doesn't question it. Julie turns around and finds him just at the kitchen entrance.

Julie: Tumhe kaha na maine ke kuch nahi karongi.

Raghav: Es ghar mein aur koun koun rehta hai?

Julie: Sirf main.

Raghav: Dekh...

Julie: Julie! Naam hai mera.

Raghav: Haan woh jo bhi.. mujhe bhook lagi hai, thoda khana.

Julie: Tum baitho main deti hon.

Raghav comes and stands close to her, Julie tries to move away but her doesn't let her move.

Raghav takes his gun and shows it to her.

Raghav: Dekh.. main tumhe nuksaan nahi puhchana chahta lekin agar tumne koi chalaki ki toh..

Julie: Toh kya?! Mar daloge na! Toh mar do!

She holds his hand in which he's holding gun and points at her.

Julie: Mar dar lo mujhe, kam se kam aisi zindagi se chutkara toh milega na!

Raghav gets shocked seeing Julie like this; Julie leaves his hand and turns other way. Raghav feels bad, he stays there for a minute then moves away from there and goes in living room and sits there. Julie stands in same position for few minutes until she gain control over herself.

Raghav is sitting on floor cushion and resting his back against the wall, for some reason he doesn't feel like sitting on sofa or chairs. Seeing Julie coming towards him with food he hides his gun; seeing Julie's outburst in kitchen he feels it's unsafe right now to display his gun. Julie gives him the tray and asks him to eat.

Raghav: Tum... tum nahi khayogi?

Julie is surprised at his question.

Julie: Mujhe bhook nahi hai.

Raghav starts to eat and Julie too sits on floor cushion but on a great distance from Raghav. Raghav in between keeps looking at her from the corner of his eye, Julie seems to be lost in deep thoughts. Raghav keeps observing her; he doesn't know himself when he finished eating and started to pay complete attention to her. Despite being lost in her thoughts Julie feels Raghav's eyes are pinned at her, she gently moves her eyes in his direction and meets directly with his eyes. Raghav get embarrassed or rather blush turns his eyes away.

Julie gets up from there and takes the tray in kitchen. Raghav follows her in the kitchen where he washes his hands. Julie tries to avoid him as much as she can. Raghav goes and looks around the house, he sees Julie's bedroom and is about to enter it when he feels uneasy. He turns away from her room and goes back to the place where he was sitting before and just sits there. Julie who was looking from little far is amazed with his action.

Julie too comes and sits in her place she looks at Raghav who now seems to be lost in thoughts. Julie is compelled to think whether he is really a criminal or not, Julie's heart is telling her that he can't be criminal.

Julie: Police tumhare peeche kyun padhi hai?

Raghav comes out of his thoughts hearing her question; he didn't even realised when she came.

Raghav: Tum jaan kar kya karogi?

Julie: Tum criminal lagte nahi ho.

Raghav looks at her.

Raghav: Par police toh manti hai na.

Julie: Aur sach kya hai?

Raghav: Sach? Wohi toh dhond raha hon main.

Julie starts to take somewhat interest in his story and gets more curious to know.

Julie: Matlab?

Raghav takes a deep breath and doesn't say anything for a minute. Then finally continues.

Raghav: Mujhe phasaya gaya hai, aik bohut badi saazish mein. Mujhe us gunaah ki saza dena chahte hai log jo maine kiya bhi nahi. Mere sar par mere hi dost ke khoon ka ilzaam hai. Police, log, sabot sab kehte hain maine mara hai usko. Par yeh sach nahi hai, aur asli sach ki talaash mein hi police custody se bhaga hon.

Julie: Agr tum begunaah ho toh police ko yakeen dilayo na. Aise bhaag kar kya hoga?

Raghav looks at her, her innocent face and her dark magical eyes keep drawing him towards her.

Raghav: Tum pehli insaan ho jisne meri baat par yakeen kiya hai. Pata hai dukh ki kya baat hai. Jo log mere apne hain, mujhe barson se jante hain ajj woh bhi mujhe shak ki nigahon se dekhte hain. Woh shak bhari nazarein bardasht nahi hoti mujhse.

Raghav: Jab woh mere apne yakeen nahi karte toh tumhe kyun yakeen hai meri baton par?

Julie looks at him and smiles innocently.

Julie: Kyunki tum criminal lagte hi nahi ho. Tum criminal ho hi nahi sakte. Tumne bhale hi mujhe jaan se marne ki dhamki di ho par jab maine kitchen mein tumhara haath pakadh ke gun khudh par point kit oh tumhari ungli trigger se hat gayi, ke kahin galati se trigger dab na jaye.

Raghav is shocked to hear this, even he doesn't realise when and how did this happen.

Julie: Aur toh aur jab main kitchen se arahi thi toh tumne gun hi chupa di. Es darr se nahi ke agar mujhe kuch hojaye toh ilzaam tum par ayega balke es liye ke main khudko nuksaan na puhuncha don.

Raghav is dumbstruck; he just doesn't know how to respond to this. This girl is clearly cleverer than he thought. Julie laughs seeing his reaction.

Julie: tum waqai hi ghabra gaye thay ne mera woh haal dekh kar?

Raghav: Tumne aisa kyun kiya?

Julie doesn't like where it's going she doesn't want to discuss herself right now.

Julie: Tum kaise appne app ko begunaah sabit karoge?

Raghav understands that she's changing the topic, he decides to go along for now.

Raghav: pata nahi, bas itna janta hon ke maine yeh gunaah nahi kiya.

Julie: Lekin yeh sab howa kaise?

Raghav: Kahani sunna chahti ho?

Julie: Raat kattni hai toh aise hi sahi.

Raghav smiles.

Raghav: Main aur mera dost jo mere saghey bhai se badh kar tha mere liye.. hum dono fish import and export ki company mein kaam karte thay. Aik din maine dekha ke fish ke saath kuch log drugs bhi smuggle karte hain maine apne dost ko bataya tab mujhe pata chala ke woh bhi esme shamil hai. Mujhe yakeen nahi howa mera bhai, woh esme shamil tha. Usne mujhe chup rehne par majboor kiya, kaha ke bohut upar wale bhi shamil hain es sab mein.

Raghav stops for a moment and takes deep breath. Julie looks at him trying to catch his feelings; Raghav finally continues.

Raghav: Main chup hone par majboor toh tha par phir bhi mere andar sakoon nahi tha, mujhe pata tha yeh galat ho raha hai aur main bas chup chap dekhta raha. Us raat jab main ghar par jab main soya, maine kabhi nahi socha thaw oh raat meri zindagi badal degi.

Julie can sense a wave of pain going through his voice. His lips starts to shiver as he tries to find words to say.

Raghav: Us raat sotey sotay achanak meri ankh kholi kisi awaz se. Maine dekha.. meri anhkon ke samne...

Raghav's voice trail off again, there's so much pain in his voice.

Raghav: Mere samne, mera dost, mera bhai gun liye kadha tha. Mujhe marne ke liye.

Julie is shocked.

Raghav: Woh mujhe marna chahta tha. Paison ka lalach itna badh gaya ke meri jaan lena chahta tha. Isay pehle kuch kar pata usne mujhpar goli chaliyi, par main bach gaya. Apne app ko bachane ke liye liye usay maine peeche Dhaka diya aur esi sab mein uska sar pas wale table se takraya aur uske sar se bohut khoon behne laga. Phir achanak samne ki khidhki (window) se kisi ne goli chaliyi us par aur woh gun wahan phenk di. Mere dost ne wahin dam todh diya. Usay pehle main kuch samajh pata, kuch kar pata maine woh admi bhag gaya. Maine gun uthayi aur usko pakadhne ke liye bhaga hi ke bahar police agayi.

Raghav takes a deep breath; Julie can see his eyes getting wet.

Raghav: agay tum soch sakti ho kya howa hoga. Us raat mere dost ke saath shayad mere andar se bhi kuch mar gaya. Ajj bhi woh raat aik bura sapna lagti hai, yakeen nahi hota ke woh mujhe marna chahta tha. Us raat rishton par se yakeen uth gaya, apnon pe aitebaar nahi raha.

Raghav finally stops and he turns to look at Julie and is surprised to see tears rolling down her cheeks. Raghav moves slightly closer to her.

Raghav: Pehli bar kisiko mere liye ansoo bahate dekha hai. Tum kyun roh rahi ho meri badnasaeebi par? Mujhe toh hansi ati hai kismat ke es khel par.

Julie blushes and wipes off the tears quickly. Julie who had been listening to his tale quietly finally speaks up.

Julie: Aur main sochti thi ke badkismat sirf main hi hon, ke mere haathon mein achi kismet ki lakeer nahi hai.

Raghav: Maine tumse sawal kiya tha.

Julie pretends she doesn't understand.

Julie: Kounsa sawal?

Raghav: Tumne aisa kyun kiya? Kyun marne ki khawaish hai tumhe?

Julie: Jab jeene ki khawaish na ho toh marne ke hi khawaish hoti hai.

Raghav: Par kyun?

Julie: Tum meri kahani sun kar kya karoge?

Raghav: Shayad kuch nahi kar paon par itna janta hon ke bantne se shayad tum halka mehsoos karo.

Julie lets out a mock laugh and looks at him. Just few hours before he was a complete stranger to her and could kill her. Now there they are sitting just few inches away from each other, listening to each other's stories; stories of how life played games with both of them.

Julie: Meri kahani mukhtasar (short) si hai; jab main 17 saal ki thi jab mere maa baap guzar gaye. Unke guzar jane ke baad main es duniya mein akeli reh gayi, na koi agay na koi peeche. Waise hi kuch nahi tha humare paas, maa-baap ke gurzarne ke baad humara ghar bhi humara nahi raha, koi karz tha baap ke sar pet oh usko utarne ke liye humara ghar bih cheen gaya. Ghar se beghar hokar bas shehar ki sadakne napati rahi aur aik raat aik bar ke samne gir gayi. Jab ankh kholi toh bar ke malik ke ghar par thi, usne panah toh di par uski keemat bhi mangi, uske bar mein har raat dance karne ko kaha. Bas dance karte karte us bar ki sabse achi dancer ban gayi.

Julie stops for a moment and takes deep breath; she can feel all that pain coming back to her. Tears roll down her cheeks, she tries to control the storm of emotions building inside her. With much difficulty she continues.

Julie: Ha..r raat logon ki woh tang nazarein apne jism ke aar paar hote hoye mehsoos karti hon. Ghin... ghin anay lagti hai khudse, aisa lagta hai ke woh nazarein..... woh baatein....

Julie can't continue as she feels her voice stuck inside her throat. The wave of strong emotions start to take over her and before she knows it tears flow from her eyes like insane river. She can't take it anymore; these tears and pain have been hidden for too long now she can't simply hide it anymore. She starts to cry, cry harder; it is the time to let all this pain out. Raghav who is witnessing all this moves his hand forward to touch her shoulder but stops in mid way, he tries to bring his hand back but it moves forward instead. It's like an unknown power compelling him to let his hand touch her shoulder. As gently as possible he puts his hand on her shoulder; as soon he does that Julie put her cheeks against the hand and cries even harder.

They both don't know themselves till when they both remain in same position. When Julie calms down she realises in what position they are in. Feeling embarrassed she pulls herself away from him and let go of his hand. Raghav doesn't move from his position and keeps watching her as she wipes off her tears and adjusts herself. No one speaks rather there's nothing left to say, both want this silence to remain little longer.

As the dawn arrives Raghav prepares to leave, he secretly wish that the night stayed little bit longer. After that outburst Julie didn't utter a word to him nor did he say anything. Julie accompanies him to the door quietly when he finally speaks after long silence.

Raghav: Main humesha tumhara shukar guzar rahonga es raat ke liye.

Julie respond with a sweet smile as Raghav continues.

Raghav: Bohut shukriya mujhe panah dene ke liye aur aik raat ke saath ke liye. Jhoot nahi kahonga yeh saath meri zindagi ka sabse acha aur yaadgar saath rahega. Agar zindagi rahi toh kabhi na kabhi phir samna hoga.

Raghav turns to leave when Julie holds his arm and finally speaks.

Julie: Apna khayal rakhna.

Raghav turns around to look at her when she smiles at him and he smiles back.

Raghav: Maine jail mein kuch din guzarne ke baad aik baat seekhi hai ke zingadi bohut choti hai aur bohut khubsooraat bhi. Marne ki khawaish karke zindagi ki khubsooraati ko mat maro. Kismat badli bhi ja sakti hai agar dil mein jeene ki aas ho toh.

Saying this Raghav turns around and leaves from there, leaving Julie in deep thoughts. He leaves but leaves behind a ray of hope for Julie.

When Raghav leaves he leaves with smile on his face, he takes a new hope, a heart filled with happiness in it, happiness which the previous night gave him, a beautiful companion and a hope of fresh start. When he ran from the custody he had doubts whether he will be able to prove himself innocent, but after this night he knows he will; a strange power is telling him he will.

'Woh yakeen ke main khudko begunaah sabit karlonga, woh mujhe Julie ne diya. Usko kuch kehne ki zaroorat hi nahi padhi, uski ankhon jo bolti rahi. Uski ankhon mein waqai hi kuch hai, aik ajeeb si kashish hai jo mujhe jeene par majboor karti hai, jo mujhe yakeen karne par majboor karti hai.'

Raghav smiles at himself. He looks at the moon and closes his eyes; in closed eyes he finds Julie's smiling face.

'Aj main khush hon apni zindagi mein. Aik nayi zindagi, azaad zindagi.. lekin yeh azaad zindagi aise lagta hai ussi ki dain hai.'

'Par yeh kahani es raat par khatam nahi hoti... woh insaan nahi farishta ban kar aya tha meri zindagi mein us raat.'

Julie blushes at her own thoughts but she knows it's a fact. He was indeed an angel for her.

'Woh farishta hi toh tha.. kyunki mujhe yeh jo dosri zindagi mili hai yeh uski ki wajah se hai. Jo Julie kabhi bar dancer thi ajj woh aik working women ki NGO mein kaam karti hai. Besahara aurton ke liye kaam karti hai unka sahara banti hai. Jis Julie ko kabhi kisi ke sahare ki talash thi ajj woh dosron ko sahara deti hai. Aur yeh sab Raghav ki hi wajah se, usne mujhe nayi zindagi di, nayi umeed di.'

Julie looks outside in sky and can see Raghav's face in the sky; she keeps looking at his face and admires it.

'Koun kehta hai woh ajj mere paas nahi hai. Hum phir nahi mile toh kya itna toh maloom hai ke aik din zaroor samna hoga. Woh meri himmat hai, meri taqaut hai, woh mere saaye ki tarhan mere saath hota hai.'

'Woh meri umeed hai, mei taquat hai.. woh mere samne na hokar bhi har pal mere saath hoti hai.'

Raghav looks at the stars and tries to write her name in stars, an innocent smile appears on his lips as he writes her name in stars.

--------------------------------------------

Please guys, do comment/critisize.I hope you'll like it.😳

Enjoy,

Regards,

DD😊