Sparsh
Sometimes at night, when I look at the sky,
I start thinking of you and then ask myself, why?
Why do I love you? I think...and then I smile,
it's because I found you in me, even if for a short while.
The way your eyes shine when you look at me,
lost with you forever is where I want to be.
The way I feel when you're by my side,
a sense of completion and overflowing pride.
Part X
Mishti was taken aback with the sudden anger. He leaned forward, hands on the table.
"You know very well, nothing of that sort happened. Yes…a very grave tragedy occurred…you lost half your family at the hands of that ba***rd, but Mishti didn't die that day…. In fact she is here…now…sitting right in front of me, isn't she? Isn't she, Mishti?"
Mishti was too shocked to react. She stared at him in fascination, not realizing how her eyes clearly reflected waves of passing emotions that were drowning him in their profundity as he stared back. Many a times she had imagined what his reaction would be when they finally meet, but never in her wildest imagination was she prepared for this passionate outburst. She closed her eyes and chewed on her lower lip, trying to think fast. He knew her too well…and she needed to get out of this quagmire he was pushing her in to by some quick thinking. Opening her eyes she fixed him with the most sympathetic look she could muster, seemingly in complete control, although her heart was pounding against her ribcage.
"She told me, but I always only half believed her….never thought she was grown up enough to understand such deep emotions, leave alone feel them. I had to see it to believe it."
"What the hell are you saying?"
"Just that I am not Mishti….I am Aarti, her sister, and I am so happy that even if for a little time, my baby sister had someone to love her so deeply…someone who brought out that once-in-an-eternity love in her. Those few weeks before she was taken away were the happiest days of her life. I shall always be indebted to you for that."
Mishti looked outside the window while saying the last, lest he saw himself in her eyes.
"So, you won't admit that…."
"There's nothing to admit, Yashji (looking back at him)….You made the same mistake as so many others have done before: confuse our identities because we were so similar and always so close."
Yash couldn't help but admire the tenacity and the courage of the woman sitting before him, and felt a gush of pride surge through him. It didn't go unnoticed by him that after the initial shock of what he deliberately tossed at her, she regained composure in no time. She was fighting back. He should have known….his Mishti was anything but a quitter. He realized then that he had his work cut out for him. She won't give in easy…If only he knew the why of this. Sighing, he decided to tone down on his attack….and touch on something he knew she would be prepared with.
"Your voice…."
"I know…Mishti and I sounded the same. The orphanage where we grew up is full of stories about how they mistook us because of our voices, that is when they were not doing it with our names….When I was seeing Aman, Mishti played many a pranks on him assuming my identity on phone. (An involuntary half smile played on her lips at the recalling of times gone yonder…and then looking up at him she saw him gaze at her with an inscrutable expression.) Look Yashji…I do understand your confusion, but please do not try to pursue what is only a mirage…you are unnecessarily setting yourself up for more hurt (her eyes softened as she said that)…..Anything else you wanted to clarify?"
"One final thing….Why won't you shake hands with me?"
"What? What kind of question is that?"
"I asked first, so I deserve an answer first."
"Stubborn, aren't you?"
"I am waiting."
Mishti suddenly realized what he was doing. If this was not so important, she would have smiled at his slyness. Instead she spoke.
"I don't do that with anyone."
"What…shake hands???"
"Yes…or let any man touch me voluntarily. I owe that to the memory of the only man I ever loved. His touch was precious to me."
She said that without a flinch, looking straight at him, and with so much of concealed passion that Yash felt his whole being come alive. He now knew what being reborn meant.
"OK, Yashji…(collecting her purse) I hope I have been able to clear your doubts. I have to leave now...my family is waiting for me. Also, now that I have a double Scindia wedding to plan, I better get on with it sooner…."
It was Yash's turn to receive a shock.
"Excuse me!! Double wedding?? What are you saying?"
"Why? (smiling sweetly) Don't tell me…you don't know you are getting married? Good Day, Yashji!! I am sure you too may have someone to meet."
She beat a hasty retreat….rushing out before her runaway mouth did more damage…."Sheeshh, Mishti, what's wrong with you? You behaved like a jealous cat. You have to control your emotions around him…."
Her self-talk was cut short near the gate when she found a hand…his hand…barring her path.
"Wait, Aartiji…let me drop you home."
It had taken him a few seconds to recover from her parting shot and to register the look of annoyance…or was it jealousy…that had crossed her face when she had said that.
"No, no…please don't bother. I will get an auto. Here comes one. Goodbye, Yashji!!
Before he could say another word, she stopped the auto and jumped in, giving hurried instructions to the driver. As the auto started, she couldn't help looking back. He hadn't moved and was standing lazily staring at her….hands in pockets, head tilted a little, wearing an amused smirk on his face….yet it was his eyes that remained with her as she settled back…they had a glint in them that she couldn't fathom.
******************************************
Yash had just stepped into his house when a pink bundle flew into his arms.
"Papa, papa…Where were you? I have something to tell you. It is very very important."
"What is it, princess? Mmm…you smell of chocolate."
"Hee…hee…don't do that, papa. It tickles. I was baking a cake with Shanti aunty."
"Really…a cake? For whom?"
"For my….(suddenly lowering her voice and whispering conspirationally into his ear)….shhshh, not here papa…someone might hear. It is a secret. Let's go to my room."
"OK," Yash whispered back.
In her room Yash put her on the bed and on her silent command went and locked the door.
"Alright…now no one can hear us. So, what's this all about? The cake…."
"It's for my new mumma…it's her birthday on Tuesday."
She stood on the bed, hands on her hips, and grinning impishly. Yash felt a lump form in his throat. At times she looked so much like Arpita.
"Hold on young lady….Whom are you talking about?"
"Oho papa…come, sit here."Taking a visibly loud deep breath, just like she had noticed dadima doing when she is about to explain something to Shanti aunty…and adopting her most grown-up tone, Palak began…."I saw that photo on your study table. I didn't like her…. So, I have decided…I mean I know who you should marry. She is beautiful…and very nice and I love her and only she will be my mumma. On Tuesday we will take the cake to her and we will po…poro…porp….."
"Propose??"
"Yes…that….props to her. Chachu said when he asked Pari chachi to marry him, he gave her a ring….so, we will also need a ring. Tomorrow we will go and buy a nice ring for mumma. Ansh also wanted to come…but if he does, our secret will be out, so we both decided that…?"
"OK…stop right there, Palak." Taking her on his lap, he made her face him.…"Look princess, these grown-up things are not that simple…I am sorry, I hadn't realized that you wanted a mumma so badly. Did Dadima say something to you? Because I have not yet….(He suddenly straightened up)…Ansh? What has Ansh got to do with this?"
"Uffo papa….He knows because we are going to props to his mumma. He likes you very much…so I told him he can call you papa too. We were talking on phone, and he said you promised to teach him karate. You are the best papa (hugging him)."
Yash hugged her automatically…His eyes were glistening and a soft smile played on his lips……"Mishti…you can't fight our destiny."
******************************************
The family had just finished dinner when Yash spoke.
"Babuji….ma….I have something to tell you. I thought over it and I agree with you all. I am ready to marry."
The whole family almost leapt from their chairs and hugged him…with Gayatri shedding a few tears of joy on hearing the words she was waiting for so long.
"Congratulations, Yash. You have really made us very happy with your decision. I will call up Mr Joshi and give him the good news."
"Please don't do that bauji…I am not talking about Mr Joshi's daughter. It's someone else"
Everyone went silent, looking at him confusedly. As far as they knew, Yash had never shown any special interest in any girl, then who was he talking about?
"Be clear, Yash….We don't understand. Whom do you have in mind?"
"Bauji….ma…..I cannot tell you that now. But you will have to trust me here. There is a valid reason that makes me unable at the moment to tell you who she is. However, I promise you will meet her in a few days. Please…just give me that much time."
Bauji agreed immediately. He knew his son well. If he had decided to marry a certain girl, then he needn't worry about her credentials. He trusted him to make the right choice. He put a hand on Yash's shoulders and gave his nod of acquiescence before walking way. But Gayatri stood rooted….She couldn't believe her dreams of Mansi as a bahu had just shattered. Her mind reeled with many questions…"Who is this girl anyway? Is she from a good family? Will she be able to take care of Palak? I hope Yash is not making any mistake." Aloud she only asked one question.
"Yash beta…are you sure?"
"I have never been so sure, ma."
******************************************
Mishti put Ansh to sleep and came and sat with her father for their regular after-dinner talk, after sending the night nurse to have her meal. She told him about the day's events and about her meeting with Yash. Babuji took Mishti's hand in his and patted it.
"Aarti, I am so proud of you beta. You think of everyone's happiness. You have been selflessly taking care of us for years now. But don't you think you have put your life on hold long enough? Happiness is knocking at your doors finally….Why are you ignoring the obvious? Yash is a genuine person; I could see that….I am sure he will make his family understand. He still has feelings for you, Mishti."
"Please babuji….try to understand. Some things are just not meant to be…(sighing inwardly at her helplessness at keeping babuji in dark about the real reason)….The family likes that girl and so does Yashji. She is perfect in every sense for him and Palak and their family. If Yashji comes to know who I am, he might decide to hold my hand out of a past commitment….which might alienate him from his family. I can't wish that on him babuji."
"Alright Aarti, do whatever you feel right. I am always with you. But I do want to see my daughter settled down….hmm."
She nodded and got up, wishing him goodnight. The nurse took him away. Aarti switched off the lights and went to her room after checking on Ansh. Just as she had settled down at her daily night spot, the phone rang. It was him.
"Good evening Aartiji!! It seems you were right. I have some very happy news to share with you. I am getting married!!"
He stood leaning against his car and watched her keep the phone down slowly, throwing her head back against the wall, eyes shut tight in pain…..hands on her heart…a picture of abject resignation. He tightened his fists by his side.
"I am sorry, Mishti. You left me with no other option."
To be continued...
Tum Se Tum Tak
