Chapter 3
Haya was being harassed by Shoaib in Rahat's home. Rahat had no idea about this as she had not told it to anyone. Haya used to find ways to save her other than calling for help. On one such incidence when Shoaib was harassing Haya Rahat witnessed it. He saw the discomfort on Haya's face when Shoaib was trying to "Help her". He did not know that it was Shoaib harassing her in the name of taking care of her. If he had known his reaction would have been completely different. Rahat could not bear Haya's discomfort and he never wanted her to feel the same. He thought of a way in which Haya would not hurt herself while doing her embroidery. If she would not hurt herself then Shoaib or any other man would not hold her hand or suck her finger to sooth her pain thus Haya would not feel uncomfortable. He gifted Haya a pair of needle thimbles. At first Haya did not know that it was Rahat who had brought it but when she realized it his gesture touched her heart. She too wanted to do something special for Rahat. A smile came to her lips when she thought of the most special thing she could do for Rahat.
Haya was sitting in a corner in the living area doing her embroidery work. She had a smile on her face. Shoaib was there ogling at her waiting for the moment she would prick her finger and he would jump to rush to her but it did not happen. Haya did not seem to be bothered by Shoaib's presence. She was busy working and from time to time looked at the thimble on her finger which was Rahat's gift to her. She smiled every time she touched it. Munisa came and sat next to Shoaib at which he frowned. Haya had to give medicines to Dilshad so she left from there. Just as Haya left Shoaib too left and Munisa was there all alone. Munisa had been noticing that Shoaib was too inclined towards Haya. She thought that Haya was the one who lured Shoaib so she hated the girl who was trying to steal her husband.
Munisa: That witch Haya is trying to steal my husband. Shaoib who once used to love me being around him all the time now frowns the moment he sees me. Main jaanti hoon mere shauhar aise nahi hai. Haya is the one trying to lure him with her so called young innocent beauty.
Munisa made up her mind to keep Haya away from her husband. She used to keep him company even when he did not want her to. Shoaib was becoming frustrated as he could not get away from Munisa and close to Haya. Munisa used to give Haya a lot of work to do in order to keep her busy and out of Shoaib's sight. Haya used to do all the work without complaining as she was working in Rahat's home and Rahat's sister was the one giving her orders.
It was Monday and Haya remembered that the man to whom she had given away the dupatta had told her that he came to the area every Monday. She needed to keep an eye out for him. The most special thing she could do for Rahat was to get that dupatta back for him. Haya was alone at home. Munisa had taken Dilshad with her for some grocery shopping and had told Haya to dry the clothes. Haya had to be on the terrace to keep a look out for that man and so she decided to hang the clothes on the terrace.
Rahat: What the! Ye barish kaise ho rahi hai summers mein? Ye pani? Haya!!!
Haya did not know that Rahat was up on the terrace reading a book. She had her eyes looking down on the road searching for that man. She did not notice Rahat standing in front of her and one more time she jerked off the excess water from the clothes and put it on the string. Rahat thought she was doing it on purpose. The third time when she was about to jerk a piece of clothing Rahat caught her by the wrist. Haya looked at the person who caught her hand and through the chiffon dupatta she saw that it was Rahat. They continued to look into each other's eyes. It was like when they looked into each other's eyes time stopped. Rahat broke the eye contact.
Rahat: Haya what are you doing? Koi kaam karne se pehle dekh lo ki aas paas koi hai ya nahi. Just look at what you have done. Main almost bheeg chuka hoon and for you kind information maine subah bath liya tha toh tumhe koi zaroorat nahi hai mujhe aise bhigone ki.
Haya stared at him and then from the corner of her eyes she glanced towards the road and saw that man. She dropped the dupatta back into the bucket and ran from the terrace. Rahat stood there shocked at her behavior. He followed her. He wanted to settle this silent attitude of hers for once and for all. He saw her rush down the stairs and out of the main door. Rahat followed her because he knew that the way she was running she would not stop to look around for the vehicles coming and going. He could not let the same thing happen to her... He could not... He rushed after her and as he had suspected Haya was standing in the middle of the road. A car was just about to hit her when Rahat pulled her to the side of the road. Haya was in shock as she realized that her life was in danger, she could have died. Rahat grabbed her by her upper arms and shook her.
Rahat: Pagal ho gayi ho kya? Did you not see that car speeding towards you? Agar tumhe kuch ho jaata toh... Tumhe zara bhi parwa nahi hai na unn logon ki jo tumhaare apne hain... Jo tumhaari care karte hain? Kahaan jaa rahi thi tum aise bhaagte hue? Speak up damn it kuch bolo! Behri ho goongi ho answer me!
Haya winced as Rahat's tight grip was hurting her. He saw it and let go of her. He had an apologetic look on his face. Wait a minute she should be the one to feel guilt! He looked at her with a stern look. Haya just looked at him with tears in her eyes. She closed them and tears flowed out of the closed lids. She opened her eyes and nodded. Rahat did not understand what she was nodding for.
Rahat: Kya?
Haya(signs): Haan main goongi aur behri hoon. Main sun nahi sakti bol nahi sakti lekin iska matlab ye nahi hai ki main samajh nahi sakti. Aapko aaj tak yehi lagta hai ki main aapko irritate karne ke liye aapki baat ka jawaab nahi deti ki main jaan bhoojhkar aapki baat ko ansuna karti hoon. Aisa nahi hai Rahat... Main jaanti hoon ki meri zindagi ke kya maayne hain main use kabhi jaan boojhkar daav par nahi lagati... Main jaanti hoon ki main apni behan aur abdi ammi ke liye kya maayne rakhti hoon... Maanti hoon abhi laparwahi ho gayi... Wo toh iss liye ki main... Tch... aap bhi na kitni baatein karte hain mujhe kaam hai main jaa rahi hoon baaki baaatein aap baad mein kar lena...
Haya ran away for there. Rahat was shocked that Haya could not hear and speak. He felt like hitting himself for all the times he called her deaf and mute thinking she was doing it to irritate him. He looked in her direction and smiled. She was running on the side of the road but was also being careful. He remembered her accusing him of talking too much and his smile widened. He did not even remember the last time he had smiled. Did he have the right to smile? Should he smile after what he had done to Naaz? The smile vanished and he returned to becoming his gloomy self. Rahat came to his room and locked it from inside. Haya caught up with that man who took old clothes and in return gave utensils.
Haya(signs): Bhaijaan wo uss din aap humaare ghar aaye the, Munisa Bi ke ghar aur maine aapko ek potli ke saath alag se ek dupatta diya tha... Yaad hai aapko?
The man: Bibi tum kya bol rahi ho kluch samajh mein nahi aa raha.
Haya(Signs): Wo peela dupatta... Ye! Ye wala bhaijaan, bhaijaan please mujhe ye wapas de dijiye...
The man: Bibi ye dupatta main aapko kaise de sakta hoon? Maine ye dupatta apni beti ke liye rakha hai. Gaon jar aha hoon toh socha beti ke liye ise dhokar naya rang karwakar le jaaoonga. Hum gareeb toh aise hi tohfe de sakte hain... Ise main aapko nahi wapas de sakta...
Haya(signs): Bhaijaan main aapko ek sundar dupatta banakar doongi aapki beti ke liye please ye wapas de djijiye. Ye mera nahi kisi aur ka hai aur unke liye ye kisi ki yaad hai unke liye ye dupatta besh keemati hai...
The man: Bibi main aaj hi gap jaa raha hoon, aap mujhe kab de paayengi naya dupatta? Nahi bibi main ye nahi de sakta...
Haya gives something of hers to the man as a gift for his daughter and in return gets the dupatta back for Rahat. She comes home and no one was there. She knocked on Rahat's door. Rahat opened the door and Haya stood there with a smile on her face. She put the dupatta in front of him. He took it at once and went inside his room. Haya followed him to apologize for having given it away in the first place. She saw him go to his almira and remove an ornate box. He was putting the dupatta in it when Haya stopped him. Rahat did not like her interfering in his matters especially the one connected with Naaz. Haya for the first time was about to converse with Rahat.
Haya(signs): Ye kya kar rahe hain aap Rahat? Main nahi jaanti ye sab kiska hai par jise aapne apne khayalon mein ab tak zinda rakha hai uski yaadon ko aise kisi dabbe mein band karke rakh rahe hain? Rahat aap unko zinda rakhna chahte hain par iss tarah se iss band dabbe mein unki yaadein ghut rahi hai aur ek din wo dum tod dengi... Agar aap har waqt unke khayalon se ghire rehte hain toh unki yaadon se bhi ghire rahiye... Ab aap inn yaadon ko aise dabbe mein band karke nahi rakhenge... Main aapko iasa nahi karne doongi... Ek minute main abhi aayi...
Rahat saw Haya leave. He looked at the things in the ornate box. Haya was the first one who told him to keep the memories of his beloved alive unlike others who used to tell him to forget her and move on. Haya was very different. He had never met a person like Haya in his entire life. No one had ever spoken to him like that. No one had ever ordered him to do something. She told him to wait for her and so he was. She came after 10 - 15 minutes. In her hands he saw a box filled with various items. She placed the box of decorative items on the floor and also the ornate box. She sat on the floor but Rahat was still standing. He was confused as he did not know nor did he understand what Haya wanted to do. She signed him to sit and he joined her on the floor. She spread a cloth and carefully removed the items from the ornate box and placed them on that box. Rahat put away the ornate box. There were some letters, a photograph, multicolored metal bangles, the dupatta and some other things.
Rahat: Haya tum kar kya rahi ho?
Haya(Signs): Inn yaadon se aapki kamre ko khobsoorat banane wali hoon main. Hmm kya kar sakte hain?
She picked up the photo of Naaz and signed to Rahat that she is very pretty. Rahat said was. She was pretty. Haya wanted to know what happened but she did not want Rahat to think that she was prying and crossing her limits. Haya made a beautiful photo frame for Naaz's picture and placed the frame by his bedside. The letters were also framed and put on the wall opposite Rahat's bed. Haya hand pleated the dupatta and put it on the headrest of the bed which she guessed was Naaz'a side. She placed it like Naaz would at night when she went to bed. With the bangles Haya made a wind chime. Rahat received a call so he went to attend it. Haya did not want to continue without Rahat. She wanted him to actively take part in keeping Naaz's memories alive. She decided to fix a nail in the wall for the wind chime. Haya was standing on the stool hammering the nail just then Rahat entered and she saw him. She was about to fall but Rahat caught her. Their eyes met and for a moment everything else was forgotten. They got back to work. Rahat hung the wind chime near the window. Haya stood with her hands at her waist and shook her head.
Rahat: Kya?
Haya(Signs): Window band hai. Wind chime kaise goonjegi agar hawa hi andar nahi aayegi toh?
Haya opened the window and the wind made the wind chime sway and a beautiful sound was heard. It took him back to the time when he used to make Naaz's shake her hands so that he could hear the sound of the bangles. A sweet smile came to his lips and seeing Rahat smile Haya smiled too. She wanted to leave him alone with Naaz's memories. She quietly left from Rahat's room with her things. Munisa who had come back had seen all of this.
Haya came to her room and she had no idea that Munisa saw her and Rahat together. Dilshad noticed a difference in Haya but she could not quite figure out what it was. Haya saw Dilshad look at her every now and then which irritated her because Dilshad just looked and did not ask or say anything. Dilshad's silence irritated Haya. Rahat had come to the room to thank Haya for everything she had done for him. He was standing at the door but Dilshad or Haya did not notice his presence.
Haya(Signs): Badi ammi kya hai?
Dilshad: Wohi toh mujhe jaana hai bacche baat kya hai? Tujh mein kuch toh alag hai par kya ye samajh mein nahi aa raha. Idhar aa zara theek se dekhne de mujhe. Arre haan tera kangan kahaan hai?
Haya (Signs): Umm kangan... Badi ammi hoga yahi kahin...
She went to the washroom to avoid Dilshad's questions. Dilshad saw Rahat.
Dilshad: Rahat kuch chahiye tha?
Rahat: Jee nahi sorry wo aapki aur Haya ki baatein suni maine. Haya ka kuch kho gaya hai?
Dilshad: Haan par mujhe yakeen nahi ho raha ki Haya use kho sakti hai. Haya ka kangan nahi mil raha. Paison mein tole toh kaafi sasta hai par uske saath jude emotions aur kahani ko dekhe toh wo kangan anmol hai. Wo kangan meri Najma yani ki Haya ki ammi ne apni pehli kamayi se khareeda tha jab wo 18 years ki thi. College ke festival mein volunteer kiya tha Najma ne. Use 5 din ke kaam ke Rs. 500 mile the bahut khush thi. Kangan ki jodi layi thi. Ek apne liye aur ek kehti thi ki jab uski beti ke haath ka naap uske jitna ho jaayega tab apni beti ko khud pehenayegi... Ma beti dono matching kangan pehehngi. Wo toh kabhi na pehna saki par main Haya ko uske 18th birthday par wo kangan diya tha... Haya ne pichle 4 saalon se use kabhi khud se door nahi kiya... Pata nahi kaha kho gaya... Aur kaise?
Dilshad went to the kitchen to do some work and Rahat came back to his room. He looked around and his eyes fell on the dupatta that Haya got back for him... He got his special thing for him but lost hers... After dinner Dilshad and Haya were sitting in the lawn. Dilshad once again asked Haya about the kangan. Haya told her everything.
Haya(Signs): Badi ammi aapko yaad hai maine wo dupatta galti se de diya tha... Wo aadmi use apni beti ko dena chahta tha par maine use wapas manga toh uske paas kuch nahi tha apni beti ko dene ke liye. Mere paas paise nahi the ki main use doon apni beti ke liye gift buy karne ke liye... Na hi mere paas uss waqt kuch aur tha jo main use de sakoon... Toh maine wo kangan use de diya...
Dilshad: Par Haya wo teri ammi ki aakhri nishaani thi tere paas... Tune use de diya?
Haya(Signs): Badi ammi, meri aankein aur meri smile meri ammi ki aakhri nishaani hain mere paas. Aap hi kehti hain na ki meri aankhein aur smile bilkul ami jaisi hai... Aur ye dono toh mujhse kabhi koi alag nahi kar sakta... Badi ammi Rahat besh keemti cheez ko wapas laane ke liye main apni besh keemati cheez de di...
Dilshad: Tune aisa kyun kiya Haya? Itni badi kurbaani Rahat ke liye... Sirf apni galti ko theek karne ke liye ya kuch aur bhi hai...
Haya just stared at Dilshad. Why was she asking such a question? Of course she did it because she felt guilt. There was nothing more. Haya thought all this but she could not say anything. Unknown to the two Rahat had witnessed their conversation. He too wanted to know why Haya did this. He hoped she did it only because she felt guilty because if she did it for some other reason she would get nothing but her heart broken.
The following days Munisa had been keenly observing Haya whose face used to light up when Rahat would be around and she would wilt like a flower in the scorching sun when he wasn't. She had heard that Haya had made a huge sacrifice in order to get the dupatta back for Rahat. In these days Rahat had become sure that Haya did it only out of guilt and nothing else. Rahat and Haya's friendship was about to bloom but...
One day Haya after washing the clothes took it to the back to line dry them but when she went there she did not see the clothes line. Munisa came there and smiled evilly.
Munisa: Kya dhoondh rahi ho Haya?
Haya(Signs): Kapde kahaan sukhaaoon dori nahi hai...
Munisa: Accha? Tujhe yahin sukhaane hote hain na kapde. Ek baat toh bata ki tu dori par kapde sukhaane aati hai ya mere bhai par dore daalne...
Haya(Signs): Aap galat samajh rahi hain aisa kuch nahi hai main toh bas kapde...
Munisa: Tera naam Haya nahi BeHaya hona chahiye tha. Mere moonh par jhoot bol rahi hai? On one side you are trying to lure my husband aur ab tumhaari nigaah mere bhai par bhi hai! Arre besharam! Is this what your grandmother has taught you shareef gharon mein sharafat ka naqaab odhkar wahaan ke mardon ko fasana? You better stay away from the men of this house warna aadhi raat ko tujhe aur teri boodhi badi ammi ko raaste par phenk doongi. You can go and find a man for yourself outside this house. Bahut milenge sadak par tujh jaisi ladki ke liye! Kapde sukhaane hain na tujhe? Jaa chhatt par sukha de...
Haya left with tears in her eyes... She had no idea that her innocent ways to bring happiness in Rahat's life would be misunderstood as a way for her to trap him... She made up her mind that she would not give Munisa or anyone else to point a finger at her, her badi ammi or Dilshad's upbringing of Haya. Rahat was in his room and he was thinking about Haya and the way she brought a smile on his face. He looked outside his window and saw her sit on the swing facing away from him. He stood there looking at her...
Arzu hai tumhe door se dekhne ki,
Kareeb aana bhi nahi chahte,
Tamanna nahi hai tumhe paane ki,
Magar tumhe khona bhi nahi chahte...
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