Samarpan
Surrender is a necessary aspect of allowing the inevitable to happen without struggle
and unfold in perfect harmony just as intended.
Part 25
Yash was left reeling and grappling with the enormity of Aarti's loss and the rawness of her pain. He sat down on the step with a thud, his face buried between his hands in abject sorrow and helplessness. Dear God, he cannot even think about it…and she has borne it day in, day out. Naanimaasi sat beside him and ran her hand on his head. She spoke in a sad voice, "No Yash, don't let this upset you so much. You have to be her pillar and not a reflection of the miseries she has gone through. Take inspiration from her. They did everything to break her, Yash. She never revolted…neither did she ever wish ill on them. But there was somewhere a strong reservoir of resilience in her that she could always dig into and bounce back. They could take everything away from her, but they could never take away that strength." Yash kept his hand on hers and turned toward her, listening raptly. She was looking far away into the darkness, as she continued, "The day I went to get her, she was being beaten right, left, and center for defying them. She had refused to marry and told them she was going to Bhopal for a job. When I ran to her, she was down on the floor, broken and bleeding…but unbowed. She was not pleading…she was not crying. I had met her for the first time; even then I felt this great pride surge through me at seeing such quiet dignity. Radha told me later that even she was amazed at her willpower and endurance to stick by the decision she had made. As if some force was helping her. As if that force was invisibly being her strength."
Yash whispered, "That was me. I had offered her the job and advised her to save herself from being pushed into a relation that did not have her consent." He stared at naanimaasi with haunted eyes, "She listened to me naanimaasi…She did what I asked her to do, even though we hadn't met each other."
Naanimaasi smiled through her tears, "I am not surprised Yash. You two have an undeniably strong connection. Aarti too will soon realize it." She got up, "I better get back to others. You go and see what's going on with those two. And Yash…," he gazed at her, "Don't look so sad. If you appear distressed about her reactions, she will not open up to you. She will want to protect you from her woes. I made that mistake with her. I was so scared to upset her that I let her be. She is instinctively protective of people she loves…and she does love you. Only she does not know it yet. If she thinks that her past is upsetting you, she will keep you away from it."
Yash nodded. He ran agitated fingers through his hair as he walked the corridor to her room. Outside he took a deep breath and was about to knock at the door when he heard Payal giggle. Intrigued he pushed the door, which opened, and he peeped in. He couldn't have imagined a more endearing sight. They were sitting on the bed facing each other on their knees in a kneeling position and doing a high-five with big smiles on their faces. The drawing book lay between them. He walked into the room dazedly. Nothing had prepared him for such a cheerful scene. Normally Payal took some time to come out of a deep hurt. A few months back the little boy of a client had banged and broken her favorite doll when he was visiting with his parents. It had taken Prateek and him more than a day to get her to smile.
The moment Payal saw Yash, she ran and jumped into his arms, "Papa…papa…my drawings are going to become more beautiful. They will not stay burnt like this."
"Really!! And how so?"
"Pari says we'll make a col…cola…." She turned to look at Aarti for help.
"Collage." Aarti came up to them with a smile.
"Yes, collage….We will stick my pictures in a beautiful shape….and then…and then…Pari?"
"And then, sweetheart, we shall frame it and call it Payal's World." Aarti's eyes shone as she looked up at Payal's excited face.
"Yes papa…like we have paintings in our home. But I will have to make more drawings. So much work to do." She sighed and frowned as if she had the world's labor on her head, "I will have to start tomorrow. Pari and you will help me. Now put me down…I have to go to our room and get my pajamas. I will sleep with Pari. We have lots to plan."
She ran to the door and then stopped suddenly, turning to look at Yash, "Papa! Will you be lonely in the room? Then you can also come and sleep with us. It will be fun…Pari, you, and I."
Yash didn't dare look at Aarti, who had turned toward the bed, as he responded, "Not today princess…. I am very tired today….maybe another day. Now go and get your night dress."
Yash turned to Aarti, who was clearing the bed, and said softly, "Aarti…thank you."
She stilled and straightened up, "For what Yash? I didn't do anything."
"Yes, you did. You are the reason both Payal and I are smiling after a mishap. Without you, I wouldn't have known what to do. I get very helpless when Payal is sad. But you not only made her cheerful but also ensured she begins drawing with more enthusiasm. That was a miracle."
"No Yash…not a miracle." She braved a smiling look at him, "What you say is miracle I call it love and belief. Payal just needed to know that in spite of such a grave tragedy she is loved and that she has our faith…that if something goes wrong, then there are solutions as well. She needed to know that what she lost was precious but she can re-create and remold those creations. She can…period. Payal needed to know that…and she needed to know that now." She looked away, "Otherwise it might have been too late. When one takes a fall, if you don't get up sooner, you never do."
Yash's face contorted in agony as he heard the finality in the last words. He couldn't help himself as he placed a hand on her shoulders and turned her, "Aarti…I was so scared for Payal. I hate to see her heart break like that. But you were there for her, and pulled her right back up. Is it OK if I hug you? I need the hug."
Aarti looked at him, unable to hide the pain that had resurfaced after so many years and was still as excruciating.… She only had to close her eyes to feel the heat of the fire that burnt away a part of herself and recall the smell of the burning colors. Without a word she stepped forward into his stretched arms as he engulfed her in a secure and warm embrace. Despite the made-up excuse that led her to be cradled in his arms, he could not help but feel at peace in the feeling of her…her warm body pressed into his, her delicate jasmine perfume swirling around his senses, and her soft, silky tresses brushing against his cheek as he protectively and instinctively shied her away from her past. Within no time Aarti's trauma ebbed, and her demons rested, as she felt calmness surround her for the first time after the evening's accident. She rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes…letting the warmth of his arms and the rhythmic beat of his heart take her to a place of serene tranquility. This is miracle…she thought!
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Yash had planned for a short trek for them the next day…starting from the lake into the mountains and back to the camp he had set up near the lake. The Browns and naanimaasi wanted to go shopping and then relax in the camp after a boat ride. Prateek stayed back with them. He was by now totally in love with the adventurous and affectionate trio. He felt completely at ease with them and enjoyed their company. He was also completely taken in by the person who had his brother's heart and didn't yet know it. He simply adored the way Aarti spoke and behaved, as well as the way she gently smiled at all his narrations. Surprisingly he found it so easy to communicate with her…something he couldn't even do with his parents and brother. They loved him and indulged him. For them he was always their chote, but Aarti made him feel multiple emotions. She was sometimes a friend and sometimes an elder sister. He just couldn't wait for her to become a part of their family. He knew his parents and dadima would love her as much as he already did. It was about time this family felt complete.
Naina's parents left for Nainital early next morning to attend the wedding of a distant relative. Her mother belonged to a Kumaoni village and so had lot of relatives in the region. Naina stayed back. In the morning she knocked on Aarti's room. Aarti opened the door and was surprised to find Naina at her doorstep, looking pretty and elegant in khaki shorts, black sleeveless hoodie shirt, and sleek boots. In front of her Aarti felt drab in her jeans, kurti, and sneakers.
Naina smiled, "Good morning Aarti! I wanted to have a chat with you before we leave."
Aarti smiled back, "Good morning Naina! Come in please." They sat down, and she poured tea for them from the teapot the waiter had left in her room a few minutes ago. "I was about to come to you, but got delayed as Payal was tired and wanted to sleep some more."
"She slept here? With you?"
"Ah, yes…Err Naina, I am really sorry about last evening. I shouldn't have said those things to you. They were totally uncalled for. I…I have no excuses for my misbehavior. Please forgive me."
"It's OK Aarti. Just chill. No hard feelings. It's just that I couldn't get what the big deal was. Anyway, I did feel bad for the kid. She was howling so badly. That's why I have come to you. I want to make amends with her…spend some time with her… for Yash's sake. He is so attached to that girl. But she sticks to you all the time."
"Oho, of course! I'll tell her to be with you today. Tell you what? You, Payal, and Yash can have a head start. I'll follow after awhile." Aarti wondered whether what she was thinking was right….that Naina was very much interested in Yash. Well, that made Yash's path clear. He had to mean Naina when he told her yesterday about the girl of his dreams: Someone who has been very close to me….someone I have known a long time.
"Great! Thanks Aarti…that'll be smashing. I can then talk to Yash also. I have been dying to tell him about my feelings." Naina sounded euphoric.
"Feelings?" Aarti suddenly felt her mouth go dry. And then there was that familiar painful twisting in her chest as she anticipated Naina voicing her doubts.
"Yes. Well, I can tell you this. I have been in love with Yash for like forever. The boys I date in London stand nowhere near his personality. After finishing my graduation when I came back to India, I heard Yash was to be married that same day. It was a very hurried affair because of his grandmother's health. Maybe if I was around, he would have married me. I lost him then. However, I have my chance now…He is available, and…"she leaned closer and whispered, "I think he fancies me." Aarti's heart sank deeper as Naina continued brazenly, "So I am going to propose to him today. That's the main reason I stayed back."
Aarti didn't know what to say, as Naina looked at her for a response. She mumbled softly, "Good luck to you, Naina! I sincerely wish you all the happiness."
"Thanks Aarti." She got up. "See you at the trek."
Aarti didn't get into the same vehicle as Yash…as Naina slipped in next to him. He stared at Aarti, who looked everywhere but at him. He wondered what had got into her. However, Payal refused to travel without Aarti and pranced after her in the other vehicle. At the trek site, Yash had arranged for a horse to accompany them, primarily for Payal…who refused to get on it alone and wanted to walk with them to start with. All four of them began the trek.
After only a few meters, Aarti exclaimed, "Oh dear, I am carrying naanimaasi's medicines with me. I forgot to keep them in the camp. She will need them as soon as she gets there." She looked at Yash, "You all carry on. I'll leave the medicines at the camp and catch up with you."
Aarti's behavior perplexed Yash. It was evident to him that she was making this up….Aarti couldn't lie to save her skin. The question was why was she doing this? He stepped forward, "You give me the medicines. I'll go."
"No Yash. You are needed here. I promise I'll be back in a few minutes. And I promise I won't get lost. I'll follow the arrow marks." She waved at Payal and looked meaningfully at Naina before turning back. At the bend she looked back to find Yash staring at her.
Aarti gave them ten minutes before starting back. After sometime she looked up and saw them. But wait a minute…were they arguing? It seemed so…Naina held tightly onto Yash's hand and was gesticulating animatedly, even as Yash tried to say something. Aarti froze as she saw Payal go toward the edge, unnoticed by them, and then disappear. There was a scream…Yash jerked his head and wrenched his hand free from Naina. He looked toward Aarti. That's when she realized the scream was hers. She was already running. By the time she reached there, Yash had slid sideways and was looking down into a ditch. Payal had slipped and fallen into it.
Yash was trying to talk to Payal, who was wailing loudly in fear and pain. Aarti crossed Naina, who was keeping to the path and trying to see what was going on, and reached Yash, "Is she hurt?"
Yash was agitated and frantic and scared, "I don't know Aarti. She is not saying anything…only crying. I am going down to her."
"NO." Aarti stopped him in the nick of time. She was calm as she turned his face to her with her hand on his cheek and made him look into her eyes, "Yash, look at me. You need to go back and get help...get a rope or something. I am going down to her. I promise nothing will happen to our princess. Do you trust me?"
"I do….I know if you are there nothing can happen to us." He had calmed down the moment he saw her, composed and sedate, next to him. "I am throwing the backpack down. It has a first-aid box, torch, chocolates, biscuits, and a knife…in case you need to use it. I'll be back in no time. Take care Aarti. You both are precious to me." Yash looked at her for a brief second and then pulled her to him in a quick hug, planting a kiss on her forehead before getting up. Before he had even turned back up, Aarti had slid down. He heard her hiss in pain and yelled, "Are you OK?"
"I am fine Yash…just go." Aarti assured him. There was no point telling him about the rock that was jutting out and had gashed her in the back. She landed next to Payal and in the next moment had gathered her in her arms. She had to make her stop crying first. She kept on talking softly to her…kissing her and rocking her all the time, till her sobs receded into soft hiccups. She then looked around. The ditch was deep but narrow; it was much darker below. Just a hint of daylight filtered in. She had to check Payal's injuries. She opened the backpack and took out the torch and the first-aid box.
She tried to pull back Payal from her, but she refused to let go and clung tighter. Aarti held her closer and said, "Payal, you are my brave angel, aren't you?" After a few seconds, she felt a nod on her chest. "OK, then, you will have to help your pari here. I have to see where you got hurt. Will you show me? I have some medicine here and Band-Aids too. After I have put the Band-Aid, we shall have chocolates and I'll tell you a story."
She waited and then heard a low voice, "What story?"
"Hmm! About a little princess whose mumma and papa loved her very much and who was turned into a dove by a bad witch."
Payal sat up, "Really! And did she become a princess again?"
"Of course, she did. Her mumma tricked the bad witch into giving back her princess. But all that later…First, show me where you got hurt."
Aarti switched on the torch as Payal showed her, "Here…here…here…and here." Thankfully there were just some bruises and scratches but no deep cuts or broken bones. Aarti looked up and saw one side of the ditch covered with grass. Payal must have slid down from there…and the grass would have cushioned her fall. Aarti thanked God for sparing her, and applied the medicine gently after cleaning with an antiseptic lotion. She then tried to sit as comfortably as possible, considering her back was bleeding and paining badly. She cuddled Payal to her and handed her a chocolate, and then began her story. She was half way through her narration when she heard voices, and then Yash's voice echoed down, "Aarti…are you both OK?"
"We are fine Yash. Just tell us what to do?" Aarti stood up with Payal in her arms.
"Right…I am coming down a rope. I'll take Payal first…and then you."
As they looked up, they saw Yash coming down. He jumped the last couple of feet and the next moment had hugged them to him. "Thank God…you are both OK. Princess, you are the bravest girl in the whole world."
"And pari?" Payal spoke against his neck.
"And pari too." His eyes glistened in the dim light as he looked at Aarti, who smiled back tremulously.
He took Payal first and handed her to one of the five rescue officials who had accompanied him. Naina was nowhere to be seen. If Yash had bothered to notice, he would have seen her near the camp tent as he rushed back up. He then went down for Aarti. The moment he put his arm around her to tie her to him, she let out an involuntary gasp and then sucked in her breath. He looked at her alarmed, "What happened? Where does it hurt? For God's sake Aarti…tell me."
"I am fine Yash…really. It's just a scratch." She forced a smile, "I'll see to it when we are up. Now stop being a worrywart and let's go….Payal must be getting fidgety."
Payal ran to them as soon as they reached up. Yash grabbed her in his arms and turned to Aarti, "Now tell me."
"Give me your shirt Yash." Aarti was standing with her back to a tree.
"What?"
"Please Yash…not here…Those men are looking." She whispered.
He put Payal down and took off his shirt. He went to her and turned her back to him. Her kurti was drenched in blood and was torn from just below her left shoulder blade till her waist. He could see the long cut. "Oh my God! Aarti, it must hurt bad. You…"
"Yash, please. I have survived worse. I am more worried about Payal. She needs a doctor as soon as possible." He stopped arguing and gently made her wear the shirt. What he felt for this woman, he couldn't even begin to fathom. She was gentle, caring, brave, and beautiful…and always thinking of others...putting others before her. So selfless…so guileless…so wonderfully perfect in every which way. With every smile of hers a piece of him deserted to rest in her. She looked at him. He smiled gently for her…always for her.
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Naanimaasi and the others met them at the hospital entrance. Yash had asked them to reach there directly. Aarti refused to let the doctor tend to her till he had declared Payal absolutely fit. Naanimaasi and Aunt Anna held Aarti's hands as the doctor cleaned and stitched up the three-inch cut and then covered it with a wide plaster. Yash went and got a kurti from the nearby market for her to wear. She was released soon after with advice for precaution and dressing.
Back at the resort, everyone had something to eat and then retired to their rooms. Yash assured naanimaasi that he will be around Payal and Aarti…and that she can take over in the evening after taking some rest. He spoke with his parents and then instructed Prateek to make arrangements for them to leave the next morning. Payal had fallen asleep in Aarti's room. Aarti sat next to her on the bed…still groggy and shaken from the experience. Yash sat on a chair next to her, holding her hand. She asked him to go and rest…that she was fine. But he refused outright. Aarti saw the weariness in his posture and something like an echo of pain that made her shift closer to him. An instinctive move….as unrehearsed and as natural as breathing. Their gazes locked…Their eyes communicating on a level that needed no words. She seemed to sense the unspoken but lacked the experience to know what it was or the skill to communicate her awakening senses. Yet she knew for sure that something had changed that day….in her.
There was a knock and Naina came in. "Yash, I want to speak with you."
"Not now Naina."
"No Yash…it has to be now. I cannot keep my life on hold any longer." She completely ignored Aarti and Payal.
Yash got up and went out, not wanting to disturb the sleeping Payal and Aarti.
Naina followed him outside and immediately turned on him, "Yash, you know I have always liked you. I have waited for you all these years."
"That's not true Naina…and you know that. You have led a very colorful life in London. You are here because you thought I was footloose and single. And since your parents have given you an ultimatum to marry and settle down, you thought I was the best choice. That's why you followed me here after convincing your parents that I was interested in you."
"That's not entirely true Yash…I may have focused on you for parental reasons. But I do like you. At one time I only dreamt of being married to you."
"I am sorry Naina…I really am. But you were never in contention. I am happily bound to someone. In simple words I am unavailable."
"It's that chit of a girl in there, right? What the hell does she have Yash? Just because she played a superwoman on the mountains, she…"
"You will never understand Naina…so forget it."
"Why Yash? Why are you hankering after people who are not even related to you? Even that kid is not your daughter, yet you…"
She couldn't complete as Yash shut her up in a deathly voice, "Stop right there Naina. And leave."
Naina turned on her heels and walked away. Yash turned toward the room to find Aarti standing there with a shocked look on her face.
To be continued….
Edited by InduG64 - 12 years ago
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
