Sparsh
I don't think you will
ever fully understand
how you've touched my life
and made me who I am.
I don't think you will
ever fully comprehend
how you've opened my heart
to love and the wonders it can do.
You've allowed me to experience
something very hard to find
unconditional love that exists
in my body, soul, and mind.
Part XIII
Mishti's hand fisted her dupatta and she kept her eyes averted when she heard him respond to the girl huskily.
"Of course we are, sweetheart. I am so looking forward to this." He sneaked a glance at Mishti and saw her bite into her lower lip (he really has to stop her from doing that) and then sliding down on her knees, ostensibly for the dropped file.
"You are? Wow….great. Prateek was not sure you would come. There was something I wanted from you."
"Earlier I wasn't…but now I am very sure….(In a huskier tone). You want something from me?….Hmmm….Anything for you my dear; we are practically related.…In fact I might have a surprise for you. See you…..Hmmm…bye (and after pressing the off button)…bye darling…tonight then!!"
He looked across the desk at the empty chair and smiled.
"So how long do you plan to hide under there?"
Her head shot up and she got up abruptly. Aha…her nose was all red.
"Hide? Whatever do you mean? I was just picking up this file."
"Oh, really!! Well then Aartiji…you seem to be very busy…I better get going…." He got up.
"But that ring….I…"
"Oh, the ring…Don't worry about that…I know what I want and I would like it to be a surprise for her, so I guess I should do this by myself."
"No…it's OK…I can help…I…."
"That's so nice of you Aartiji….offering your aid in spite of what you believe. Well…if you really want to help…then….(suddenly reaching across he took her right hand in his, noticing her eyes go all wide)….May I?"
He looked deep into her eyes, making it impossible for her to look away, and before she could realize he had slipped out the ring from her ring finger. It was the one Di had given her when she was buying one for her own engagement.
"If you don't mind, I'll take this as a sample. I rather like the look of it."
"But the size will be different, Yashji."
"Oho…don't worry. I know her size….After all I have held her hand many times. I'll return this by tomorrow. Good day, Aartiji!!" He was gone before she could breathe another word out. He had one more stop to make in VM before he finally left.
Aarti sat down slowly…looking down at her hand. In no time it was wet with the tears that were flowing freely now…He really hadn't recognized, had he? In the morning she had pacified herself by thinking that he was too concerned about the thorn prick…but now? "What's wrong with you, Mishti? Isn't this what you wanted? Then why is it hurting so much…..to realize that he didn't remember what he had said back then…that one thing he would never forget will be her sparsh"……His words echoed in her heart as if he had just spoken them….."These hands have saved me, given me a new life, taken care of me….They talk to my heart. To answer your question, your sparsh….I would know this touch as long as I live!!"…He forgot her touch…and it hurt…it hurt very much. And it hurt to see him do things for someone else….speak of someone else…feel for someone else. And she could do nothing about it….
********************
"Really Palak….mumma went to your house? Did you show her the aquarium in your room?"
"No Ansh…I wanted to. But she left because Badi dadi scolded her….but don't worry, papa scolded back Badi dadi. I told you papa takes care of everything."
"Yes…mumma does the same. I like papa….Palak, did he get the ring?"
"No Ansh….but I think he has gone to the market to do that."
"Great…and the cake?"
"It is ready…Shanti Aunty and I decorated it with gems."
"Shsshhh…I think mumma is home. I'll talk to you later. You tell papa about the picnic we planned with nana, nani, and dadu…OK?...Bye."
Ansh kept the phone to find mumma walking into the room. He ran to her as she knelt down, and gave her a hug.
"Hey handsome….How was your day? Can I give my big boy a kiss?"
"No kissiy-wissy, mumma…How many times should I tell you that boys don't do that….(then, as Mishti pouted falsely, he looked here and there and then whispered)..OK, one little one."
Mishti grinned and getting hold of him covered him with kisses all over his face…..
"Mumma…you cheated…ha…ha…ha….,"rubbing his cheeks and then covering them with his palms as he laughed and ran out of the room with Mishti after him, running into babuji and then running around his wheel chair.
"Hold on both of you….one of you will fall down now…."
"Dadu…tell mumma…boys don't do girly things like kissy. Jacky Chan doesn't do it…right Dadu?"
"Right…I'll explain her…now of you go and play in the lawn. Mumma needs her cup of tea."
As Ansh ran out to play, Mishti went and sat down next to babuji's chair and put her head on his lap. He kept his hand on her head.
"What is it beta? Had a tough day?"
"Hmm…(a long silence as babuji waited)…It hurts babuji….but I'll be fine. As long as I have you and Anshu, my life is complete." She looked up with a smile, "I'll go and get us some tea…I have got your favorite kachoris to go with the tea."
Satyendra Dubey heard the loneliness behind her brave words and sat thinking. He wondered whether it was time for him to do something, as he took the cup from her.
"Babuji, I'll have to go out for an hour or so at around 8/8:15. Neema is supposed to pick me up."
"Is it about a client?"
"No, no babuji…it's another of Neema's suitors…and she…"
"She wants your opinion…just like the earlier two times….I hope she doesn't repeat her act of last time. Drunk!!!...(he chuckled as he remembered). What's her plan tonight? Play the drunk again? Or maybe a squint-eyed stammerer?"
Mishti smiled. Neema was incorrigible. Ever since they had come to Bhopal, Neema's family were putting pressure on her to get married; twice they had sent her out with a prospective suitor to get to know him. Each time she had insisted Mishti should accompany because she didn't trust her family to choose a "normal" guy, as she termed their version of a decent man. To be fair to her, the men indeed had turned out to be more weird than expected.
She had just finished dressing up in a simple aqua-colored embroidered saree (as per Neema's directive), when her phone rang. It was Neema.
"I am so sorry, Mrs D. I am running late. If you could manage on your own, I'll reach directly and catch you on the doorsteps of Avons…I promise…"
"It's OK, Neema, I'll take a cab."
****************************
Mishti paid the cab fare and walked toward the porch of the restaurant looking all over for Neema. She was nowhere to be seen. As she stood there under the dim lights of the porch, contemplating whether to call Neema, she felt his presence. She turned and then turned again….there was no one. She closed her eyes and silently admonished herself for being a fool. Just then the restaurant manager stepped out and asked her to accompany him to her table, conveying that her companion had called up to say that there will be a delay. She went inside just as Yash stepped away from behind the hedge, staring at her retreating back. On seeing her, he had momentarily forgotten to breathe….She looked so breathtakingly beautiful in that saree.
Mishti was taken to a corner table. She had just taken out her cell to call Neema when she heard a familiar voice. She looked toward the direction and saw Pari Khanna along with Prateek Scindia. They were with an older couple and a young girl, who was standing to a side holding a phone to her ear. She wore a short red skirt and a sleeveless black top and was very very pretty. Mishti looked down at her phone, searching Neema's number, when she heard that screech again…"YASH!!"…and her phone slipped from her hand as she looked up to see Yash Scindia, looking devastatingly handsome in black, walk toward the girl in red skirt with a winning smile. The girl literally threw herself at him and caught him in a tight hug. As if in a slow motion she saw him…her Yashji…lift his arms and return the embrace, one hand on her back and the other just below her waist. Mishti felt her heart constrict in pain as tears stung her eyes….she blinked furiously in an effort to will them away. The tortuous sight caused more than a ripple to her carefully cultivated calm exterior as her face reflected deep agony…She saw her whole world come crashing down. She tried to look away but couldn't….she wanted to rush across and pull him away from her but could not. Through painful haze she saw the girl tiptoe up and plant a kiss on his cheek and then proceeding very possessively to rub the lipstick mark with her thumb, as others laughed and welcomed him. He greeted everyone but kept his arm around the girl's waist. Just then Pari happened to look in her direction and waved her hand in acknowledgment. Fighting to regain control, she managed a tight smile. To her horror Yash had noticed the exchange and now turned to look at her direction. Before she could walk away, he had snaked his way through the tables to her.
"Aartiji….what a pleasant surprise? Are you here alone?"
"No…I…no (shaking her head)…I have to go…I…excuse me, please."
"Of course…but since you are here, could you spare a few minutes? I would like you to meet my…I mean I would like you to meet Madhu and her family. Prateek is also here."
Before she could protest further, he had caught her by the arm and guided her to his table. Somewhere during that short walk of few steps, with his hand holding her, Mishti found her bearings and semblance of a composure. At the table, she smiled her greetings at Prateek and Pari….and then Yash introduced her to the newcomers.
"This is Mr and Mrs Trehan, Pari's uncle and aunty…and Madhu, their daughter. (Then, turning to the others) Meet Aartiji….she is taking care of our wedding."
Madhu gave her a look over and affably commented.
"Really…you are the wedding planner? You don't look like one….you are too…too…."
"Plain? Yes…I know…sometimes being plain has its disadvantages (glancing at Yash)….You are very beautiful Miss Madhu. Congratulations!! You have my best wishes."
Mishti extended her hand with a smile, which Madhu shook enthusiastically.
"Oh, thank you so much! I really do need all the wishes…right Yash? (With a wink)….I wish you well too…Pari is all praises for you. You are doing a great job with the wedding."
"Thank you…and if you all don't mind, I have to go. Enjoy your evening…Goodnight!!"
With that she walked away, her head held high…not a break in her poise. Yash was never more proud of his Mishti. She was courage personified…and his heart swelled to see her hold her own….especially when he had just broken her heart to pieces. He had hated himself the moment he had looked into her wounded eyes. But he had to do this…give it a final try. He suddenly realized Madhu was tugging at his arm and saying something.
"What…what did you say?"
"Yash, I said, thank you for fixing up my internship in such a short notice. This one is very important for my career. I couldn't have got it without your recommendation."
"You don't have to thank me, Madhu. Like I said earlier, you are Pari's sister and as such family now…Excuse me everyone, I have an urgent call to make."
*****************************
Yash rushed out looking for her. For a moment he thought she had left, as he ran his fingers through his hair in agitation. Then he saw her. She was slowly walking down the path of the restaurant…. He hurried forward and held his hand in front of her, barring her path. She tried to skirt around his hand, but he wouldn't let her.
"Stop Aartiji."
"Let me go Yashji….I am in a hurry."
"I'll take you home…"
"Oho..so…from being my bodyguard, Mr Yash Scindia is also offering to be my chauffer. Sorry…but no thank you. I have told you earlier also, I can fend for myself. Just because I am Mishti's sister doesn't mean you be obligated to me….." The raw pain in her eyes hit the very core of his being….Speak up Mishti…say it…say what's holding you back. Why are you hurting yourself like this?
"It's not that…I…" He found it difficult to look into her eyes.
"Then what's it, eh? What else makes you come rushing after me when your fiance is waiting for you inside? (She closed her eyes)…I am sorry…that was uncalled for. Please don't mind me and go inside. I'll get a cab."
"Aartiji please listen…."
He stopped as Mishti's phone rang.
"Mishti beta…don't panic when I say this….Ansh is fine. He has…"
She stumbled and would have fallen if Yash hadn't caught her. She didn't even realize that she had latched onto him, clutching his shirt front.
"What happened to Ansh, babuji? What…"
"He slipped on some water and banged onto the side table…The flower vase on it broke and cut his arm."
"Cut his arm….!!" She whispered, repeating babuji's words in mild panic.
"Don't worry beta…. we have contained the bleeding…I have called the doctor."
"Babuji, I am on my way….Ask Supriya to keep the arm up and the wound pressed with a towel and keep him distracted." Her nursing experience automatically kicked in.
She suddenly realized she was standing next to his car and he was asking her to sit. When she looked at him numbly, he gently turned her and made her sit. Closing the door, he ran to the other side and started the car.
"Doctor…?"
"Babuji has already called."
"What happened?"
She answered him mechanically, looking straight ahead. He reached out for her hand and squeezed it in reassurance.
"He'll be fine, Mishti….just fine."
She nodded. Neither did he realize the faux pax nor did she notice. As soon as the car stopped, Mishti opened the car door and ran inside. The doctor had just finished tying the bandage. Ansh looked more excited, and least in pain.
"Mumma…see, such a big bandage! I was brave….right dadu? I only cried a little…not much."
Mishti sat next to him and took him in his arms…relieved to see he was fine.
"You are mumma's fearless prince….I am so proud of you."
"Uncle…you are here. See…my bandage…see…. I'll show it to Palak also."
Mishti got up to talk to the doctor and her father, as Yash sat down with Ansh, who promptly caught his hand.
"So young man, you were practicing your karate on that flower vase…hmmm…."
"Hee…heee….no, I just slipped and then bam…."
Babuji came in and joined them, saying Mishti was preparing some soup for Ansh. Yash made Ansh more comfortable with the pillows and kept on talking with him. Soon the medicinal effect made him sleepy. Mishti came in and asked Supriya to take babuji to his room for his night medication and asked him to go to sleep.
"Are you sure, beta…I can stay for some more time."
"No babuji…..you need to go and rest. The doctor says the cut is not deep, that's why no stitches were required. He'll heal fast."
Babuji wished them goodnight and left. Mishti looked at Yash for the first time since babuji's phone call. He was looking at her strangely.
"Thank you, Yashji…. I…I am so sorry for my behavior earlier. I don't know what came over me...I have no idea what I'd have done if you hadn't…."
Mishti broke off, looking away, chewing her lip…
"There's nothing to apologize for…. I should be the one saying sorry…I hurt you." He gazed at her soulfully, as she looked back confusedly. "I should go now. If you need anything, please call me."
He tried to get up, but was pulled back by Ansh, whose hand was still gripping his. His sleepy murmur shocked Mishti as she stared at her son.
"Papa, don't go!!"
To be continued…….
Edited by InduG64 - 12 years ago
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