Part Eleven: Bharoosa
Manali: Perfection Cloth House
Shaantanu and Khanak were still inside the closed store discussing the lyrics and had no idea that it was almost 10:30 pm. Khanak had never stayed out so late with her gang unless it was a sleepover with Sam and Tara. Shaantanu didn't care for the time because with Khanak's company time always stood still for him.
"Shaantanu mujhe pata hain app mera mazaak uraaye gay…lakin main kya karo meri sub lyrics kuch aisi he hain…" Khanak said as her habit of underestimating her talents surfaced again. She was sitting on the counter top while Shaantanu had pulled up a chair next to her. He was looking up at her as he sat with his arms folded across his chair which was turned the opposite way.
"Khanak tum phir se shuru hogaye…aggar aik baar phir se mujhay "meri lyrics achi nahi hain" suna para toh main yeh gaana bhi nahi gaao ga aur phir Sir.Shekhar ki punishment tum akele bardaasht karna…theek hain…" Shaantanu rolled his eyes at her, getting a bit frustrated at her criticism against her own talent.
"Acha baba I am sorry..app toh aisay naraaz ho jaate hain jaise maine app ki lyrics ko burai kardi ho…writer ho toh thora toh haq hain na mera inn per…?"
"Khanak pura haq hain tumhara tumhari lyrics per, lakin sirf unn ki tareef karnay ka…unahay iss kaqbil samjhne ka kay voh meri dhun ka saath de..meray sangeet ko aik naye pehchaan de.."Shaantanu smiled softly as he finished off his sentence and took hold of the Khanak's journal that she held in her hands. She had it open to the page where she wrote the finialized version of Shaantanu's first song.
Khanak watched him read them to himself, the way his eyes moved from line to line and the way a small smile would slowly make its way on to his lips occasionsly, every little facial expression of his as he read them in completion she watched very carefully. She wanted to make sure that she was the first one to experience his reaction and his interpretation of her work. He was aware of her eyes on him and a part of him always wanted her eyes to be on him and only him.
"Achi lagi?" Khanak questioned eagerly the moment he looked up at her.
"Nahi…perfect lagi…! Khanak mujhay yeh andaaza toh tha kay tum mujhay bahut achi tarah se jaanti ho per abb thoda sa darr lag raha hain…kyunki main abb tumse koi baat nahi chupa pao ga…"
"Haan toh theek hain na issi bahane app mujh se kabhi bhi koi baat cha kar bhi nahi chupa sakte…apnay music mein bhi nahi…" Khanak added confidently and smiled widely, although she had said it very simply but there was a lot of depth hidden in her simplicity.
Shaantanu and Khanak spent some more time discussing their thoughts about the song and when she asked him about his favorite part of the song he didn't have a definite answer. He had loved each and every word from the beginning to the very last line. For Khanak it was ahuge deal as it was going to be Shaantanu's first song but for Shaantanu it was a way of appreciating and maintaining the confidence Khanak had in his abilities. Her word choice for the lyrics was careful and subtle but he knew very well that it reflected how much she believed in him and his music.
"Shaantanu vaise time kya hua hain?" Khanak questioned causually as Shaantanu glanced at his phone for no reason at all.
"Almost eleven…kyun?" Shaantanu answered putting his cell phone back in his pocket.
"Haaw! ELEVEN…Gayarah!" Khanak gasped loudly while jumping off the counter she had been sitting on comfortably for the past hours. Shaantanu was startled by her loud gasp and stood up as well.
"Khanak kya hua? Achanak se tum…" Shaantanu was trying to comprehend the sudden change as Khanak was gathering her belongings quickly, running back and forth around the shop/
"Ghar…jaldi karay mujhay ghar jaana hain…main kabhi bhi itni dair gahr se bahir nahi rahi…Bhaiyaa bhi Ghar…Uff! Main bhool gaye kay Bahiyaa Mumbai se…Shaantanu please mujhay Ghar le chale Bahiyaa preshaan ho rahay hongay…" Khanak finally looked up at Shaantanu after her panic rant as he finally understood the reason for ther sudden excitement.
"Okay theek hain…per tum saas toh le lo…main tumhay gahr chor deta hoon…Lucky ki bike hain meray pass ajj ke liye toh hum panch minute mein ghar pooch jaaye gaye…lets go..." Shaantanu assured her while grabbing his belongings and the keys to Lucky's bike which he had borrowed for the night. They made sure that the locks were properly placed in the store and the lights were switched off before heading out at exactly 11:00 pm.
Meanwhile in the Mathur Household, Adi had slept on the living room couch as he was waiting for Khanak to get back home. His physical need for sleep after the exhaustive journey to and back from Mumbai had engulfed him completely. He had no idea how late it was or the fact that Khanak was still missing from the house. The lights were still on and the T.V continued in the background claiming to be the only sound that could be heard on the quiet street until Shaantanu pulled up in front with Lucky's loud bike.
"Khanak Bahiyaa se main baat karo kya…? Tumhe daatay gay toh nahi…?" Shaantanu offered Khanak as she lossened her grip on his shoulders to get off the bike.
"Nahi…Bahiyaa mujhe daatay nahi hain… main baat karlo gi…" Khanak glanced back at the house before looking at Shaantanu who was holding her basket for her as she fixed her bag on her shoulder.
"Theek hain per aggar kuch poochay toh bata dena…main baaqi sambhaal loon ga…"
"Jee..." Khanak was confused and didn't know what she should tell Shaantanu as she had kept Adi completely in the dark in regards to their growing bond. Adi only knew of their similarities pertaining to the Univeristy but other than that they were nothing more than strangers to him. Shaantanu was able to read Khanak's hesitance in her demeanor as he watched her go.
"Khanak…?" he called out to her and she stopped in her tracks and turned to face him, Shaantanu was now sure of her nervousness by the way she was clinging on to her bag on her left shoulder.
"Koi problem hain toh mujhay bolo Khanak…" Shaantanu spoke up as she stood quietly looking down at her feet.
"Shaantanu voh… Bahiyya ko maine…mujhay…voh…unhay…" Khanak was clearly struggling with her words but Shaantanu had picked up on her thoughts, or atleast had a vague idea of what she was trying to say.
"Khanak mujhay pata hain kay Adi Bahiyya nahi jaante kay humdo mein kya rishta hain…dosti main keh nahi sakta aur usse agay koi naam main abhi de nahi paao ga…" Shaantanu paused and waited for Khanak to look up at him and then continued as they maintained their eye contact. "…Khanak main nahi jaanta tum mere liye kya soochti ho…soochti bhi ho ya nahi…lakin main itna zaroor kahoonga kay aggar pichay 2 and a half mahine mein aggar main apne app ko sambhal paaya ho toh voh tumhari vajah se hain…main rishtoon ko kabhi theek se samajh nahi paaya iss liye darta ho kay aggar iss rishtey koi naam diya toh pata nahi nibha paao ga ya nahi…Mujhay pata hain tum meri bahut parva karti ho…mera kitna khayaal hain tumhay yeh tumhari ankhoon mein bahut baar dekh chukha hoon… aur abb mujhay iss khayaal ki aadat si hogai hain…Main hameesha humaray rishtay ko apne subse kareeb rakhoga aur kohshish karo ga kay iss per kabhi bhi koi galat ilzaam ya takleef na aaye…Tum aggar mujh per itna bharoosa kar sakti hoon toh main vaada karta ho kay aik din iss rishte ko naam de kar main Adi bahiyaa se khud baat karoonga…I promise…"
Khanak was completely taken aback by his words. She had lowered her eyelids as his words took a hold of her senses. She had always wondered what he thought of her and where she stood in his life and now she knew. The relationship they had and cherished was not named for a reason, it was not determined as they never thought about it in terms of rationality. They were never bothered by what people said or what they thought because it didn't matter to them and because their relationship was slowly becoming a part of their existence and the purity of it could only be understood by them.
"Kuch kaho ge nahi…?"
"App ne keh diya aur maine maan liya…aisa he kuch rishta hain humare beech… aur main iss per khud se zayaada aitbaar kar chuki ho…abb main jao..?" Khanak spoke up in the softest tone as Shaantanu smiled at her timid nature. There was different shade of color that was taking roots on her face and something told him that it was a shade of her consent.
"Haan jao…apna khyaal rakhna…" Shaantanu smiled as he granted her his permission. She turned to walk away from him as he watched her advance towards towards the front door. She was counting her steps as she walked while comtemplating the decision about turning to see him one more time.
There were only a couple of steps left between her and the dusty front door when she turned to look at him, he was smiling just the way she had left him, his smile was confident of her one last glance before leaving.
Mumbai: Khandelwal House
Akshay had told Khusboo all about his conversation with Sunil in the office. She was now aware of Sunil's rude behavior with Mr.Raichand and Additiya Mathur, Manali plan had failed completely with a lot of collateral damage. Daadi and Madhavi were also aware of this failure as they could clearly feel Sunil's aggression even though it was silent.
"Kushboo I wish main Manali ja sakta…Dad se keh toh diya hain per office ki meetings aur kaam iss tarah chor kar…I don't know…" Akshay said as Khusboo handed him his requested coffee.
"Akshay mujhay ghar ke iss tense environment se bahut suffocation ho rahi hain… I can't take it any more…Mom saara din sad rehti haina ur Daadi bhi temple mein prayers karti rehti hain…Shaan ko iss ghar ki zaroorat ho ya na ho but iss gahr ko hain…" Khusboo sat on the corner of their bed and expressed her concerns.
"I know baby…humari family abb pehlay se zayaada aik dusre se alag ho gaye hain…Shaantanu was the glue and now everything is falling apart…"
"Call karo ussay abhi…Dad soney ja chukay hain unhay awaaz nahi jaaye gi…" Khushboo picked up his phone and handed it to him.
Akshay dialed Shaantanu's number and waited for the dial tone that finally buzzed on his speaker phone. It was ringing and with each ring Akshay and Khusboo's eagerness took new heights.
"Ha..hello…?" Shaantanu's sleepy tone indicated that he had already fallen asleep. It was almost half past midnight by now.
"Shaa..Shaantanu?!" Akshay exclaimed excitedly.
"Bahiyaa…?"
"Hello my sweet devar…"
"Bahbhi...?"
"Haan Chootey…Bahiyaa aur Bhabhi here…utha diya tujhay sootey mein se?"
"Jee… per app dono theek toh hain na…?" Shaantanu sat up in his bed while rubbing the sleep away from his tired eyes.
"Haan hum theek hain... bus teri yaad kuch zayaada arahi thi issi liye phone kiya…"
"Acha hua app ne phone kar liya…main bhi soochta rehta hoon kay phone karo per Dad ki vajah se…"
"Shaan come on, phone per sad baatein nahi karna…vaise bhi teri Bhabhi ajj kal tujhay miss kar ke already sad hain…so help me cheer her up bro.." Akshay glanced at Khusboo while talking over the speaker phone, she was smiling at him.
"Oh Really! World ki best Bhabahi sad hain aur mujhay bataya bhi nahi? That's not done Bahiyya…I am sure you haven't taken her out on a single date since I left…"
"Well Akshay ka date planner jo out of town hain toh no dates for me Devar ji…vaise Manali kafi romantic si jagah hain koi mill toh nahi gaye date per saath le jaanay kay liye..?" Khusboo teased Shaantanu and he smiled thinking of a certain someone.
"Hmm…milli bhi aur nahi bhi…" Shaantanu smiled thinking about a certain someone he was with earlier tonight.
"Kya matlab?" Akshay and Khushboo questioned him simultaneously.
"Kidding guys…just kidding, app dono bhi na…"
"Aur Music kaisa ja raha hain?...Jis professor ki vajah se gaye thay voh mille kya?"
"Jee Bahiyaa..in fact 3 din baad meri pehli performance hain…I am singing for the first time."
"Wow! Really Shaan…itnay waqt mein singing bhi sheekh li…?"
"Bhabhi music se juri koi bhi cheez seekhnay kay liye toh aaya tha yaahan aur Sir.Shekhar ne bahut kuch seekha diya hain mujhay…"
"That's wonderful news… phir toh tu humary liye apne autographs sign kar ke rakhna…afterall main bhi toh logoon ko batao ga kay main Shaantanu the rockstar ka one and only big bro ho…"
"Sure thing Bahiyaa…but pehlay Bahbhi ko toh prove kar de kay app unn kay loving and caring devar kay big bro hain…keep her happy please…"
"Thank you Shaan…finally someone to talk some sense in to Akshay…I love my devar!"
"Love you too Bhabhi…"
"Dude this is not fair…main bhi yahi hoon aur Bahi pehlay tu mera hain.."
"Bahiyaa aggar Bhabhi se setting rahay gi toh faida hum dono ka hain…you know it's a win-win situation for me.."
"Shaan I wish I could be there to watch you shine on the stage there…"
"Me too Bahiyaa…infact Daadi ki yaad bahut arahi hain yahaan…vaise Mom aur Daadi theek hain na…?"
Khusboo and Akshay shared a worried look; they both knew that if they tell him the truth about how upset and sad Madhavi and Daadi are lately he'll get disturbed so after a pause Akshay answered Shaantnu with a fake smile. "Yes bro…sub kuch theek hain…Mom is busy with social obligations aur Daadi is praying for your success as always…tabiyaat bhi theek hain unnki…"
"Hmmm…main bhi yahi dua karta hoon kay app sub theek rahay…"
"Okay Chotey main phone rakhta hoon…raat bhaut hogaye hain…"
"Jee Bahiyaa…app Daadi aur Mom ko bata dena that I am fine please…meri zayaada fikhr na karay…"
"Okay bata doonga…tu khayaal rakhna…"
"Bye Bahiyaa…Bahabhi…take care."
"Bye Shaan…"
Shaantanu ended the call with a sad smile knowing that things at home had changed in the last few months. Askhay was not convincing enough with his tone when he asked about Madhavi, and Daadi but Shaantanu had expected that and he still held himself responsible for the mess that Askhay and Khusboo were trying to hide from him. Unable to find sleep for the rest of the night, Shaantanu sat with his guitar and strummed the song that he was expected to perform in three days. He also kept his phone near by him and occasionally glanced at his background that had Khanak's picture on it.
Mathur household
Adi was deep asleep when Khanak entered her house and figured that lights and T.V in the living room were left on because Adi had fallen asleep in the living room and not because he was up and worried for her return back home. She decided not wake him from his peaceful sleep and brought his pillow and blanket from his room before heading to her own room to get some rest. As she turned off all the lights around the house and walked in dark silence Shaantanu's words echoed in her mind and once again her hearbeats were fluttering like tiny butterflies.
She changed into her night suit and looked in her reflection on the small dresser that was topped with a rectangular mirror. She looked different, almost unrecognizable to her old self that used to dream about a prince charming and novel ideas romance. Shaantanu was much more than that. He was real. Tonight she knew that she belonged in his reality.
P.S: Sorry for the delay...i got caught up with some urgent work...I hope this was okay... i have a felling its not a good part...I had some trouble doing the whole implied realization of ShaNak's relationship...it's like a confession but not in full form...i hope you guys get it and do ask question if it's too weird...Thanks...
-imane..
Shiv Shakti
Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon
