"U think this plan is gonna work?"
"Not again Ansh, u are asking it for d 100th time?" Anya retorted back at Ansh
"arey toh? We have been sulking here in this stupid exhibition since 2 hrs, just because of this stupid plan of urs"
"Excuse Me!" Anya is about to say something, however…
"Urgh! Both of you stop fighting and filhal, concentrate on your food." Shan scolded both of dem as the trio again got back to finish their food.
" I cant believe any1 likes these boring art exhibitions. Everything seems so dead. Thank God, ek restaurant mili. I wouldn't even think of coming here, even if I get old." Ansh was going on expressing his agony as Anya tried in vain to stop him through gestures.
" hmm..yup, I would have said the same, but the thing is if you love some1 deeply and whatever stupid things or places, the person loves, everything seems like a paradise." Shan was lost in his speech while saying.
" how cute is that" Anya couldn't help admiring him.
"Excuse me sir. Should we proceed with the inauguration or should we wait for miss Shah to come?" The guy from the nearby art gallery comes to ask.
" arey start kore ne…" Ansh is about to say but is stopped this time by Anya' s angry glare.
Shan is about to answer, but…
"Hello every1"
He just keeps on staring her. She was just mesmerizing in the pink and white combination and ofcourse the red kurta and black jeans revealed her slim and petite figure. She was an elegant beauty, simple and sober. Perhaps any jewellary wasn't needed to create spark which her would alone create.
"Gosh! Y am I ogling at my own wife?" Shan wacks himself as he realizes he was admist the crowd, waiting for the gallery to be enaugarted.
" Shall we?" Khanak offered to hold the scissor
" Sure" He couldn't refuse the offer, holds her hand tightly and in return, earns a angry glare.
" Ah! Fine. .Ladies first"
The rest of the time passed away with Anya and Ansh spending time together and Shan trying hard to get Khanak free from the so called artistic maniacs.
Shantanu Khandelwal could have never thought in his dreams, there could be a world, where he was barely recognized, except for being some XYZ filmstar, where his wife actually was more famous. This was Khanak's world.
"Khanak ki duniya? Meri duniya kya hai?" Suddenly this question strikes Shan's mind
Yes, his world was different. Infact everything between them was different. He was a tall fair almost someone resembling a Greek God, She was medium and wheatish resembling a plane jane. He could spend money lavishly, she could think thousand times to spend even a penny. He preferred being in company, she preferred solitaire. He preferred and got fame, she preferred and got art.
Nothing was common between them, but still there was something which bridged the difference. It wasn't any dream. It was a reality. It was Love! As eternal as God! How could Shantanu Khandelwal let it fade away.
Shantanu Khandelwal was lost in his thoughts, when his phone buzzes. It's a msg from Anya.
"Ooh! So, how was the meeting sir?" Anya asked quite curiously.
" Ofcourse great. I got a great time to speak my mind"
" Really?"
" Yeah, to myself and God" Shan said in a sarcastic tone.
" dat means you didn't get to talk to her at all" Anya was depressed.
" Obviously, what did you expected them to do in this stupid place"
"Shut up Ansh. Don't add fuel to the fire" Anya wacks Ansh as the latter gestures her towards Shan who seems to be in a gloomy state.
" aww don't u worry. We will def think about something. …(pauses)How abt a drive?"
Shan and Ansh stare at her puzzled.
" yeah Shanak drive"
"U mean between me and Khanak. I know her, she won't come with me."
"but u can go with her na, on a scooty ?"
" Anya! Stop puzzling us. Khanak mam came in car and Shan in his own, why could they go with each other, that too in a scooty?"
" I think I got your idea Anya?" Shan could however get Anya's plan.
Later at the parking space.
" Di, there is a problem"
" yup, bolo"
" Actually Ansh and me have to go for some demo class and we have to pick up every1 else, so I thought if I could get the car."
" Hey its okay, I'l go by the scooty"
" Are you sure?" Anya was at her best acting.
" Yaa, here is the key" Khanak handed the keys to Anya as the latter gave a quick glance back, gesturing a thumbs up sign to some1 standing right behind the tree.
It was Ansh.
" Crap! How d hell my car got punctured." Shan was yelling in mock anger.
" We are so sorry sir, din knew who did dat. But we can provide a car" The gallery guy was almost pleading, only to earn a angry glare from Ansh.
" Sun beta, teri role yahan khatam, tu ja apni gallery sambhal" Ansh managed to whisk away the guy.
"So? What next?" Shan raises his eyebrows.
"arey sir, Anya has done her job"
"Really" There was delight in Shan's voice.
"umm..not exactly, there is a problem"
Both Shan and Ansh look at Anya perplexed.
"umm..guys, she refused point blank to drop Shan"
"Oh no!" Ansh clinches his fist.
" Its okay, I know what to do. Get into action"
And the actors get into action as soon as Khanak is seen in the parking lot.
" But sir, I am so sorry. U came here on my insistence and I couldn't even show my hospitality"
" Ah! I'll manage Anya"
" par sir who, Khanak mam is also going to the same place, toh.."
"who Khanak? No! Y would I, Shantanu Khandelwal go with her, dat too on her scooty, noway"
He was feigning, loud enough for Khanak to hear and get incited.
And they win. The scooty stops just a mile from him.
" Keys please" Shan stretches out his hands.
" Sit there" She points to the pillion seat
He tries to resist, she threatens to go away, he sees no other option.
During the drive, he goes on speaking, rather blabbering, while she remains quiet, focusing on her driving.
"Yaar, don't u have anything to speak?" He finally couldn't hold back his irritation
"Mujhe bakwas karne ki adat nahi hai" Her tone was blunt.
" Oh! I see" He was embarrassed.
But he wasn't deterred.
" Mausam kitna suhana hai na?"
"hmm..yaa"
"U Know the song..Amitabh and Hema Malini wali (pauses)
Zindagi ek safar hai suhana,
Yahan kal kya ho kisne jana
He shifts closer to her, engulfing her from behind, his hand on her belly and..
Smack!!!
"Ouch!!" He writhes.
" Its Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini"
"Whatever, marke bolne ki kya jarurat hai?"
She couldn't help chuckling.
"Btw Khanak.."
"will u just shut up and lemme concentrate on my driving"
His mouth was shut even before it could open to say anything. His mind wandered to make some plans and all he could do was fidget with her stole. But it was no less than heaven for Shantanu as he started playing with the ends of the stole, sometimes kissing it, sometimes stroking it with his cheeks, as if feeling her, her mesmerizing perfume.
And she was irritated, to such an extent to slow down and hand over the stole to Shan.
"Do 1 thing, keep it with you only" Handing him the stole without looking back, while he looks at her baffled.
" umm..Khanak, mujhe iski kya jarurat hai"
"apna chehra chupane ke liye" She mocked.
" Kyun whats wrong with my face?" He tries to check his face in the rear view mirror.
" kyun? I thought that's wat u were trying to do tab se." She chuckles, while taking a right turn.
"Oh! Hello aisa kuch nahi hai. I don't need any viel or this stole and yeh lo"
" I don't need it"
" Really? I will throw it away" He threatened.
"Fine" She ignored.
And he indeed keeps his word. The scooty comes to a sudden stop.
" Arey, yahan kyun roka?" He jerks ahead.
"Get down"
He obeys her orders.
" U threw away my stole???" She yelled.
" haan toh, u only told me to do so" He tried acting innocent.
"What rubbish. That was my fav stole, which Meghna gifted me"
"Arey toh kya, now don't ask me to go back and bring it back"
She said nothing, just folded her hands and wink.
" What u must be joking..acha chodo, I l buy u another one and we should go now"
" Not we, I, only I, Mr Shantanu Khandelwal"
" arey hadh hai yaar. How will I get back, we are miles away"
"That's your problem" She tries starting the scooty.
" umm Khanak, It's a barren road, how am I even gonna get a public transport"
He tries protesting, but she drives away, not before retorting back
"yeh sab apni car puncture karne se pehle sochna chahiye tha"
And he left alone on the stone, except for a poor little pebble, who to its misfortune becomes a victim of his frustration as he kicks it away.
--------------------------------------- -------------------
" U idiot! Stop laughing at my expense"
Anya gives a mock punch to Ansh as the latter falls on the bed laughing.
" I knew dat. Tera yeh bakwaas plan kabhi nahi success hone wala tha?"
" Really? Phir y don't u rack ur brains"
" I will darling, pehle yeh bata y r v doing this?"
"For Shanak" Anya says casually.
" chal joothi ( Gently pushes her face away), to impress Shantanu Khandelwal, hain na?"
" Just like you wanna impress Khanak" Pulls him towards her.
___-------------------------------------------------------------------
" dude! Are v gonna spend all our lives waiting for either Shan or Khanak?" Ansh complains while sipping his coke.
" Well it seems so honey, but u seem to quite enjoy the environment. Don't you?" Anya teases him.
" True! Not that I complain. Once in a year moment to see the girl you have a crush upon, in a mesmerizing traditional Indian wear" Ansh gets lost in his words staring at Khanak.
" Shan sir!"
Ansh gets up with a jerk, almost startled.
" Ansh! Dekh ke"
Its actually Meghna and Anya can't help giggling.
" Its so fun. Tum dono yahan kya kar rahe ho?"
"waiting for some1" Anya tries to peep above Meghna's shoulder.
"who?"
"arey Shantanu Khandelwal"
Anya is stunned hearing Ansh's casual declaration.
"Ahhh.. actually bhabhi.."
"Its okay. You can enjoy. Waise bhi yahan tumhara bhaiya bhi nahi"
" And here he is"
Anya, infact no girl in the dandiya party could take off their eyes from the handsome and charming 5'11 tall guy in light blue and black combination.
" He is looking sooo damn handsome!" Anya couldn't help exclaiming in joy cng Shantanu Khandelwal
"Hello guys, sorry I am late"
And Anya just keeps on staring at him, only to earn a stomp from Ansh.
" Hey Meghna"
" Hey, looking quite handsome"
"Ah..thank you" His eyes are searching for some1 else.
"well she is here, enjoying dandiya"
He suddenly gets embarrassed.
"umm..Khanak never loves parties nor dancing, but this is an exception"
"dats becoz Gujju hai, like me" Ansh proudly lifts his collar.
"ah! Excuse me guys. Came for two cokes. Khanak must be waiting for me" Meghna gets up.
"Bhabhi! Wait. Main bhi aya aapke sath"
After some time soon Ansh returns back.
" U din played?"
"Nope. Did my job"
Anya is confused at Ansh's reply.
" arey Shan sir, y don't u join Khanak"
"u think so"
" haan Meghna bhabhi chali gayi and Khanak needs you"
"usne aisa kaha?" Shan is surprised.
" haan. She would def need some1, in her drunk state" Ansh says casually.
"ok ( Shan initially doesn't pays attention)….WHAT??" He jumps out of his seat.
"yaa, aab khade kyun ho, go"
He goes searching for her. Fortunately gets her.
"Khanak"
She turns back as he calls her and gives a calm smile. He is melted.
" Thank God, she is okay" Shan says to himself, and then realizes.
" Hell! No! She is smiling at me, how can it be normal"
And he again rushes after her.
"Hello"
She greets him and again and again, until he gets irritated and makes up his mind to take her out of the party.
He gently holds her hand and suddenly she bumps into some1 else, such that she turns back
"Ah! I am sorry" The lady says.
"Hello" Khanak again starts her greeting session.
"Hello" The lady greets back
"Khana Khaya? Kemcho"
The lady gets confused. Thankfully Shan comes right back in time.
The same story repeats with a bunch of guys , who seemed to quite enjoy wasting their time and an angry and irritated Shantanu Khandelwal sees no other option.
Despite her protests, Shan manages to finally bring Khanak to the elevator.
"phew!" Puts her down
"Hawww! U kidnapped me?" Khanak starts jumping, while Shan looks at her puzzled.
" ahm..Khanak, we are going down, basement mein"
"basin mein? Neeche kyun?" She asks innocently.
" Ah..we are going out of the party, to our home, I mean your home"
"Kyun?..Shantanu! Mera..mera beta kahan hai?" She suddenly tries to go out, he pulls her back
"Umm..Khanak, he is at home, Meghna gayi hai" Switches the '0' button
" Megh…? Badal? Phir hum kyun ja rahe hai?"
He is irritated, but can't help smiling at her cute stupidity.
"arey Khanak, wat r u doing?" He tries stopping her as she starts fidgeting with the display buttons of d elevator.
And suddenly, admist the struggle..
"Khanak!!" He exclaims seeing the sudden darkness and then realizes the lights r off.
" Shehzade Salim"
" yahan bhooth toh nahi?" Shan is scared out his wits, but soon recognizes the voice.
He is more bewildered as he feels a push towards the wall and some petite figure almost enclosing his path.
" Yeh kya hai?" He says in a husky voice having her in such a proximity.
There is a glow, something flashes. Realizes it's a mobile flashlight. He can't help staring at her, without blinking an eye as her face glows in the tiny light.
" Saheb e alam! Aftab ki is roshni mein hume yun ghur ke na dekhiye, kahin woh kafa nahojaye"
He keeps on staring at her, not paying attention to her rubbish talks.
" Isshh! Shan babu! Mat ghayal karo hume in teekhi nazro se" Gently turns his face to the side with her finger.
He again looks at her, holds her hand with one hand.
" Hume kaid mein lene ki koshish mat karo, kaneej toh aaj aap ho" She says in a husky tone, freeing her hand.
" Really? And meri galti kya hai?"
" Ek ho toh bataon – In ankhoen ki galti kahoon ( Runs her fingers on his eyes, as he closes them), ya in hoton ki galti ( Chill runs down his spine as his lips feel her touch)…saza toh milke hi rahegi ( Pulls his nose"
" And I have no problem in getting punished Khanak" ( He says to himself)
He closes his eyes, feeling her touch, feeling her perfume, as she goes down and down and down and then-----------------
He opens his eyes, startled. The lights are back, the elevator is opened. It takes Shantanu Khandelwal about a half a minute to realize that he has been slapped and that too with a 2 inch silhouette.
He runs after her furiously.
" Khanak!" Manages to grab her from behind.
She gives a smile, he doesn't returns back.
" what the hell was that Khanak?"
He grabs her hand furiously, she manages to free herself.
" yeh tum ho ( Points to him), yeh main hoon(points to herself), yeh khula aasman hai (points to the sky), yeh.."
"Arey stop it. What the hell did you did just now?"
" Kyun? Maine kya kiya?" She asks innocently, goes near him.
" umm..u slapped me Khanak, woh bhi with your sandals" He complains
" Really, dard hua ( comes closer, strokes his cheek)….toh doosre gaal pe marun?"
Giggles and again runs away as he clinches his fist.
"Khanak! Ruko?" Manages to grab her again.
" umm..leave me" She tries breaking free, but he is strong enough.
" first say sorry" Almost presses her wrist
"Kyun?" She writhes in pain
"becoz u slapped me" Grip tightens further.
"toh" Looks straight into his eyes.
"Come on! So what if we don't stay together. Main tumhara pati parmeshwar hoon Khanak" Says with pride.
" Really? Main kyun bolu sorry? Tumne bola?"
"What would I be sorry for?"
Looks straight into his eyes.
" Mujhe jhoote promises kiye, jhootha sapna dikhaya, bola sry? No! (closes thumb finger), mujhe sab ke samne pagal sabit kiya, bola sry? No ( closes index), mujhe hamare anniversary pe thappad mara, bola sry, no?(closes d middle finger), mera sath jabardasti kiya, phir bhi sorry nahi bola"
He is befuddles, looks at her in awe. She was drunk, yet her eyes din looked drunk, rather swollen in pain. He has no answer. All he could do was wipe her tears. But..
Splash!!
" Khanak!"
She starts giggling, jumping as he wipes away the rain water from his face.
Suddenly, she is about to fall back, but he holds her. She gets pushed to him, her hand on his shoulder. He hugs her tightly, engulfing her.
" I am sorry, I am so sorry" Mutters softly into her ears and then kisses her ears. Gently breaks from the hug, holds her face with both palms.
" I am sorry" Kisses her on the cheek as she closes her lips.
" I am sorry" Kisses her on the nose, her eyes are still closed).
" I am sorry" Kisses gently on the lips. eyes still closed, but lips part. He accepts her invitation.
And they kiss, finally! Forgetting their pain, forgetting their agony, forgetting their angst. They kiss until Rain Gods shower their blessings on the love birds.
The rain stops, the kiss ends and he gently moves her away. Her eyes are still closed, making his heart melt further.
He realizes she is dodging. Gently lifts her, not before giving a small peck on the forehead.
He opens the passenger seat, gently places her and returns back to the driver's seat.
And she happily sleeps on his lap, hoping the dream never ends and he drives with hand on the steering, another around her, hoping the journey never ends.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
