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FF-Meri Padosi part 10
Khanak entered the house still blushing...Mrs.Kapoor noticed this but ignored initially...
They had dinner together...
Her Mother asked her about where she had been..and she had answered happily...
She was smiling... giggling...as she talked...
Her Mother just kept looking at her ..her daughter...whom she loved the most in her life...whom she might have lost forever...had things gone the other way round that day...
It was indeed Varun because of whom she could see her daughter safe and sound in front of her this day...she owed her daughter's life to him...to his family who had let her go free...not demanding any justice...
Khanak was the luckiest person in this world to have come across people like Varun and his family...
But the only regret she was holding...that Khanak could not do justice to their love...she had proved to be a curse in their lives...she couldn't give them back the happiness they had given her...but instead snatched their smiles away..
But she knew one thing...that she had not done it intentionally...it just happened...a very grave thing...costing someone his life...but still she was not a murderer...she could never be...she was the loveliest person in the whole world...somebody who can never even think of hurting someone else..
She wasn't the one to blame that day...neither was Varun...the dark day was just written...and they were destined to enact it....
Khanak would have done everything possible to save him that day…even give away her life...but did not get a chance to…and was repenting it for 4 long years...
Four years her daughter had been living only because she could not die...
And now she wanted her to move on from it....she wanted her to put the chapter behind...not throw it away...but close it....
Khanak was still speaking...not noticing her Mother wasn't paying attention at all...
Her Mother didn't let her finish...and quickly hugged her...
Khanak was initially a bit surprised at her move.. but soon realised that she was glad to see her smile...and was happy to have her with her...
Khanak: (still hugging her) Mamma aap thik toh hain na..?
Mrs.Kapoor: Bilkul thik hoon..aur bahut khush bhi hoon...tumhe khush dekhkar...
Khanak: I am glad I could make you happy Mamma...maine hamesha aapko dukh pohchaya hain...
Mrs.Kapoor: shhh...kisne kaha tumse..tu toh meri raani beti Hain.....
Khanak: Thanks Mom...
They broke the hug....
Sat there together for some more time…chatting...and finally decided to get some sleep...
Khanak went to her room...as Mrs.Kapoor…kept looking at her...
Mrs.Kapoor: Thank you...Shaan..(She declared)
........................................................................................................................................................................................
In her room…she freshened up...
Stood in front of the mirror… drying her face...opened the cupboard and took out her pajamas and shirt to change...
She began unzipping her dress...unknowingly looked at her image…but immediately stopped...as she saw someone else present there as well...It was Shaan standing behind her...with his hands folded…she felt her heart skip a beat...as she saw him...
She quickly turned around with an intention to scold him...but there wasn't anyone there..
It was just her imagination...she had just imagined him...
She smiled shyly...gave herself a small tap on her forehead...and slowly moved away from the front of the mirror...
...................
Shaan came out from the washroom...wearing his track pants and a vest with a towel around his shoulders...he put the towel in the cupboard...arranged his bed and lied down...with both hands spread sideways...
He closed his eyes only to remember Khanak's smiling face...
The way she was running around in the park...laughing…giggling...the way she was swinging...He remembered all of it...
He took a deep breath as he recollected the moment he had kissed her cheeks...the way she had blushed...
"she is too shy" he thought...
He turned on one of his arm...with his eyes still closed...as he whispered "Khanak"
He had no idea what exactly he felt for her...but he knew one thing...that he did not bother to know now...in this moment all he wanted to do was capture her smiling face in his mind...and let it stay there forever...
..........................
He tightly hugged the pillow besides him...
And so did Khanak....as they both drifted to a peaceful sleep....
......................................................................................................................................................
Neha: There is something different...you have got to tell me what it is Khanak...(she said banding both her hands on the table)now...
The noise made everyone look into their direction...Khanak was embarrassed but Neha completely ignored it...
Khanak: for the fifth and the last time...there is nothing different...and will you please stop getting so hyperactive…everyone is looking…(she said looking around)
Neha: I don't care...tum baas mujhe ye batao ki aakhir ek din main aisa kya hua..jo tum itni khili khili lag rahi ho..
Neha was right…Khanak was behaving differently today...
It was because she couldn't stop thinking about him...in spite of her best efforts...Shaan was not getting out from her mind...and that made her blush from time to time..
Khanak: tumhe aisa kyu lag raha hain..main toh waise hi hoon...jaise har roz hoti hoon..
She lied...but Neha was not the one to fall for it..
.
Neha: not at all…you have got a different blush today..
Khanak: that's because I have applied a little make up ...(she lied again)
Neha: No it's not because of make-up...it's something different...like..(raising her eyebrows)
Khanak: like what?
Neha:you know..like first kiss or your first time..
Khanak: (she immediately retorted not letting Neha finish her sentence) What? sheesh..Neha...bakwaas band karo…aisa kuch bhi nahi hain...you are just too much..(turning her chair around)
Neha turned her around again...so that she could face her...
Neha:aree..what's too much in this...main toh baas pooch rahi thi...I know there is something new...aur aaj nahi toh kal main pata laga kar rahungi (pointing her index finger towards her)samjhi...
Khanak: (simply nodding) samjhi..
Khanak got back to her work...and so did Neha...
Khanak: (whispering to herself) First time..?
She imagined something...and quickly closed her eyes in frustration..
"Oh no..Stop it Khanak..what's wrong with you...ye kya soch rahi hain tu..?"
Moments later....
"Oh..not again...'Om Bhur Bhuvah swaha tat savitur varenyam….'God Neha..you just made things worse for me..." she thought
Khanak the whole day was interrupted with his thoughts...but somehow managed to work...Neha's frequent teasing was of no help either...
The day finally ended and Khanak headed back home...
The only thing she was wishing...that she shouldn't meet Shaan…she didn't want to face him ...she kept looking here and there to see if she finds him somewhere...she breathed a sigh of relief...as soon as she entered her house...
But the relief instantly turned into a slight tinge of disappointment...she didn't know why...but felt suddenly disappointed that she might not get to see him today...her Mother interrupted her thoughts...
Mrs.Kapoor: Kya soch rahi hon? chalo maine khaana laga diya hain...
She came out of her thoughts and headed in...
They had their dinner...and Khanak headed to the terrace to get some fresh air...it was something she usually did every evening...
...........................................................................................................................................................
As if destiny was planning ways to get them together...Shaan headed their as well....
Not that he was surprised seeing her there...in fact he was secretly wishing to see her once...he didn't want to end his day without seeing her even once....But she wasn't expecting him at all...
He moved towards her and stood just behind…
Shaan: Hey...Is this your routine?
She was a little startled listening to his voice…but quickly composed herself...
Khanak: uh..tum yaha? (she wasn't meeting his eyes)
Shaan: haan main yaha...If you have forgotten I stay right next to you downstairs...
Khanak: uh...no...actually I wasn't expecting you…that's it..(still looking away from him)
Shaan: ya…even I wasn't..."not expecting...but surely wishing" (he gulped down the last words)
There was a moment of silence between them...
Khanak was looking away from his direction…and he desperately wanted her to look at him...
Shaan: So had dinner?
Khanak: yes…and you?
Shaan: hmm...
She was still facing away...Shaan couldn't take it anymore and walked besides her...his arm slightly brushed hers...and she quickly moved a little away...He noticed this and was disappointed…
Shaan: Khanak...are you alright?
Khanak: ya I am fine...
Shaan: you sure?
Khanak: I am good Shaan...
Shaan: Look about yesterday....(she cuts him)
Khanak: I have got to go...see you later...
She began to leave but his voice stopped her...
Shaan: Khanak ruko...let me finish...
Khanak felt her heart racing as she awaited for his response...she didn't know what he might say about their last meeting...what he called a date...not that she objected...but was still worried..
She had no idea what was going through his mind after last night...whether he was thinking about her as well...just the way she kept thinking about him whole day...or for him it was just a regular thing...
But the worse thing was that she herself didn't know what she was wishing for…but one thing she was sure of...she was still not over her past...
She kept looking away...
Shaan: Why are you avoiding looking at me?
He walked right in front of her...so that she had no other option than look at him...
She finally looked up...and that moment when their eyes met...Shaan could read what she felt...
He knew she was scared ...scared that he might ask for more…demand more..
Almost as if answering the questions in her mind he said..
Shaan: I am not asking for anything Khanak...I am not..
She looked down feeling guilty...
Shaan: Tum itna darr kyu rahi ho.?
Khanak: nahi main toh bas...( he cuts her)
Shaan: I can wait...( he made her look at him) I will wait...
His voice sound genuine...She just kept looking at him…still feeling a little uncomfortable…for all the things she had imagined this day…she had a slight feeling of guilt as well…
Shaan: Though it might get difficult for you to wait...
Khanak: (She did not get what he meant) What do you mean?
Shaan: I know what my kiss can do to people...
Khanak: what?
Shaan: You know...make them go mad...want for more and...
Khanak: Excuse me..itna itraane ki jaroorat nahi hain..you are not that irresistible...
Shaan: that means you agree ki main thoda toh alluring hoon...
Khanak: alluring? Keep dreaming Shaan…
As she said this she headed back to where she was standing before...and he knew had succeeded in what he wanted to do...distract her...let her get away with that uncomfortableness....
She had now sat on the edge...he went ahead and sat besides her...
After an initial moment of silence...she spoke...
Khanak: How could you do that?
Shaan: Do what? the .kiss…it's easy I can show you again..
He tried leaning closer and she just pushed him away...
Khanak: No ...not that…how can you guess what I am thinking..?
Shaan: When did I do so?
Khanak: Right now…and even before...when you figured out what was bothering me...
Shaan: I don't know...maybe you are just too easy to read..
Khanak: that easy?
Shaan: well...I am a writer...I can go deep...
She just smiled...they both were silent again...
Khanak: (After a while) Thank you!
Shaan: ab ye kisliye..
Khanak: for everything..
Shaan:Yaar tum thanks bahut bolti hon...
Khanak: tum kaam hi aisa karte hon...
Shaan: ohhhkkk....
She turned a little so that she could face him...She was just staring at him...he was surprised...
Shaan: What?
Khanak: I did not expect you to be like this…
Shaan: Like what?
Khanak: Like the way you are...you turned out to be different…you…turned out real...
Shaan: (confused) everyone is real...
Khanak:No ..I mean.. day one...when you told me your name...I had recognized who you were…the younger son of the Khandelwal family...(he slightly raised his eyebrows)I thought you would be …braggers mean…annoying...egoistic…etc…etc...
Shaan: you drew quite a number of conclusions about me (he smiled gently)
Khanak: Yes I did...and you proved all them wrong..
Shaan: For that I am glad…( he said placing a hand on his heart)
Khanak: and so am I…
She placed her hand on his...he looked down at it...and then back at her...their eyes met for a brief second... they just smiled at eachother as they both withdrew their hands...
Khanak: So you were thrown out of the house or you came out yourself.?
Shaan: What do you think?
Khanak: Thrown out.. (she said as if answering a matter of fact)
Shaan: (he chuckled a little) I am sorry to disappoint you but your prediction has gone wrong again..
Khanak: 2 down..(she smiled)
What was it then?
Shaan: Nothing…just that I wanted to do something on my own...
Khanak: That's it…nothing else?
Shaan: haan...aur kya ho sakta hain..
He was quiet...
Khanak: I am waiting…
Shaan: for what?
Khanak: You answer..
Shaan: tum kya sab kuch jaanana chahti hon..
Khanak: you do know most things about me…you owe me this one now...(she paused and then spoke) you can tell me her name at least...
Shaan: ( he was surprised) And how do you know that its about some "her"
Khanak: Maybe you are just too easy to read…(She smiled)
Shaan: not bad huh….(he smiled back)..uh…Natasha...her name was Natasha...
Khanak: Tough break-up?
Shaan: Not really...you know more than the break-up...it was realization that hurt me...that I was leading such a loser's life...no goals. ..no aim...just...you know if I have to put it bluntly...baap ke paiso par jee raha tha..
Khanak: Put it bluntly…or put it the way she had put...
Shaan: Maybe the latter one….(with a slight smile)
Khanak: You need to thank her then...she made you responsible..
Shaan: Of course I did…I danced in her wedding as well...
Khanak: She got married?
Shaan: yes to some...computers associate…
Khanak: So you did not love her?
Shaan: I thought I did....(he moved slightly closer) until…yesterday...
He looked straight at her...she looked down...
Shaan: But yes...of all my ex flames...she was the toughest to get over with..
She was disappointed at his statement "Of all his ex flames"
"How many did he exactly have" she thought...
Shaan: I have had 3 girlfriends till now...including Natasha..
Khanak: I did not ask...
Shanak: You did not ...aloud...
Both of them were silent again…Khanak kept looking up in the sky…
Khanak: I don't believe this…
Shaan: Don't believe what? (facing her)
Khanak: We have known each other just for days…and here we are sharing our secrets…
Shaan: It's easy to share things when you know you won't be judged...and that's what happened with us…the fact that we don't know each other …helped…
Khanak: If you were meant to judge…do you really think my mistake was so small that I should get over with it.? I was responsible for somebody's death..it's not a small thing..
Shaan: would just say two things Khanak…that you were not wrong…and you need to move on…
She didn't feel like saying anything else…she didn't know whether to agree or not to what he said…
But she knew one thing…she was a very lucky person to have come across someone like Shaan in her life…
She didn't know what destiny had in store for them ahead…
Khanak: Thank you Shaan..
Shaan: Anytime Khanak…
They were sitting apart from each other...but his words made her feel as if she was resting her head on his shoulders and he drained away all her sorrows...as if he was there just for her...born just for her...
They looked at the sky and saw a shooting star…
Both of them closed their eyes as they secretly wished for the happiness of the person sitting next to them...
CID
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