Chap 4: Break Free
Dadar station...(Major Railway/Train Station in Mumbai, India)
CHAYAA! CHAYYA..GARAM GARAM CHAIYA!!!!!!!!!! Madam Chai?
Khanak woke up with a start looking bleary eyed at the thin almost emaciated looking child but with very bright eyes, standing there extending a glass full of the milky brown brew. It took her a little while to realize where she was..
Then it all came back to her. What had transpired more than 24 hrs ago, the shock, the tears of anger and disappointment at being considered a liability by her chachu (uncle- father's younger brother) ..(why hadn't her parents taken her along on their fatal journey? Then she wouldn't been alive to face this day.) ..
Nahin chahiye. She shook her head in the negative.
Madam..coolie ???
No thanks, mein theekh hoon!
Aho bai, tumcha samaan jast bhari aahe! Tumchaashi uchaalal janar nahi (No madam, your bag is really heavy! You won't be able to lift it!)
Kya? Hindi mein bolo! (What? Say in Hindi!)
Madam aapka saaman bahut bhaari aahe! (Madam your luggage is very heavy!) Lifting very difficult! The heavy set rotund and cheerful porter replied.
(Everybody seems to be having a wonderful life except me!)
Meine nahin kaha na..toh nahin samjhe!!!!???(When I say no, I mean no, understand?) She replied stern.
Nahi bai saheb, mein uchalun ghein, tumchi je iccha asel te deun dya! (No madam I will take it, you pay me whatever you wish!) Shouted the coolie in Marathi tugging at the handle of her black suitcase trying to wrench it from her grasp.
Nahin! Tum kuch bhi bol lo, mein kar loongi!! (No you say whatever, but I won't give you this bag!) She shouted back clutching tightly at the article of contention in which she had hastily packed a few essentials at the last moment after she had made the decision to leave the dwelling which she had called her home for the past 20+ years. That and she also held on to her shoulder bag as if her life depended on it..; it did because it contained all the money she called her own and the big wad of notes which her aunt Komal had handed over to her once she had chanced upon her intentions. Khanak decided not to keep her in the dark.
Accha Bubbly, mein tumhein chahkar bhi jaane se nahin rok sakti hoon, kyunki mein janti hoon ke mein tumhare chachu ke iraade ko badal nehin paoongi. (Okay Bubbly, even if I wish to I can't ask you to stay because I know that I won't be able to change your uncle's decision.)
Khanak nodded, she had not really come across anyone else as hard headed as her chachu.
Magar, mein tumhein bahut miss karoongi, aur Shreya ka toh ro ro ke haal behaal ho jayega! (But I will miss you a lot, and Shreya would take it really hard.)
Haan mein jaanti hoon chachi! (Yes, I know Aunty!) But I see no other option in front of me right now, I don't want to get married before I make a name for myself, become somebody. At least I want to give it a fair try! Khanak held her aunt's hand, she loved her as a mother and a friend.
Then what will you do meri bacchi (Then what will you do my child)? Where will you go, you haven't been out much on your own at all! Sometimes I think that we have both cloistered you too much! Komal said with regret.
No you both meant well, no parent..Khanak caught herself; you would never have wished harm to befall either of us and you did what you thought was best. Don't worry about me, I am a city girl and I can take care of myself! She had left her with those strong words.
Haah..so much for my confidence! Khanak thought as she got down from the train her mind still a sea of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
Have I been too impulsive? She thought nervously looking around at the milieu of confused humanity around her...; everybody seemed to be going somewhere or the other, with not a second to spare.
Maybe I should have talked to chachu again.?. No! He wouldn't have listened to me, instead would have locked me up against my will!! Khanak shivered at the terrifying image the thought conjured.
She picked her way cautiously towards the exit dialing the phone number of a friend who she knew resided alone in Mumbai, working independently living away from her family. Khanak had always admired her but had never understood the need to do so; but now she understood.
An automated voice message...; This is Vandana, unfortunately I won't be available for the next few days, I'm getting married!!
Khanak's heart sank, her friend was getting married?! Yes, she hadn't talked to her in 2 months and at that time Vandana had been determined to lead the life of a spinster but things happen and changed and maybe they had for her friend too.
I wish her all the best, but what will I do now? I can't go to my cousin's house for surely they'll report me to chachu ..oh no!
She sat down on her suitcase, more despondent than ever, she had barely slept on the train, and now this...
But I can't go back! Khanak Mishra doesn't give up without a good fight!
Her hand groped for and found the card deep inside her purse, she brought it out..I guess I have no other go...
At Shantanu's dance studio..
Boss man!!
No response...
Hey you old Geezer!!!
Still no answer...
A tall slim young man in figure hugging leotards stood erect doing his warm up stretches at the ballet barre before the scheduled practice. He was surprised to see his boss and art director who was usually as sharp and hands on as they come, especially prior to an upcoming performance due to happen tomorrow.., was at the moment staring blankly at him not responding to things which were routinely enough to make him break a blood vessel!!
He cannot ignore this though, it's ingrained in his blood, ..so thinking Tarun (the young man described above,) relaxed his toes and therefore his 'Pointe.' (A ballet term which means to stand or dance on the tip of the toes.)
Tarun! What the hell do you think you are doing!! Apna place lose karne ka iraada hai kya??!!! (Do you want to forgo your place?)
Phew! I was just wondering if you had a extra hot night!!
Shantanu shot him a suspicious look; What do you mean??
That model at the party last night..she couldn't get her hands of you man!! ..she was really hot too!! And I saw that she left with you, inevitable toh hona hi tha na?? (The inevitable had to happen right??) With a sly wink. Tarun had always been envious of his boss' ability to attract the females like bees to a hive..
Shan laughed shaking his head; my dear Don Juan! I dropped her home. She was way too drunk to even support her own weight!! Besides I don't care for desperate women!
Good thoughts Boss! But yahaan toh drought chal raha hai (But here there is drought is ongoing), then who cares whether it is poison or manna..food is food right?
Man tuh kabhi nahin sudharega right? (Man you will never better yourself right?) You are standing on a shaky foundation. You need a steadying feminine influence, unlike that sis of yours..!
Yes..you are on the dot there boss, unlike my sis who is as flaky as they get!!! Tarun laughed, doing a reverse flip on the mat which was a perfect 10! He was very athletic and a complete natural; Shan felt lucky to have him as his lead dancer, though he didn't care to tell him so often.
By the way, have you finalized the replacement for Tashu?? Seems like she is unlikely to recover by the time the season begins! Tarun finally asked the question he had wanted to ask since he had arrived. He was used to having Tashu as a partner and to adapt to someone else would be tough going but he was willing to give it a try.
Shan looked at him thoughtfully not giving away the anxiety which had been gnawing at him since he had heard about his favorite dancer's accident, he didn't want to raise a panic.., but he was also at a loss for what to do.
His phone rang...
YAHOOO!!!!!
Hey where are you off to?
The answer to our problems!! Shan replied as he pulled a shirt over his T and rushed out the door, his face transformed like night transforms into day.
~~~~
Hello Ms. Mishra?
Huh? Khanak woke up with a start, she had nodded off while sitting on a bench close to the entrance.
Ohh..mein, mein (I, I..)..sorry! I must have fallen asleep. She said running her fingers hastily through her hair while staring wide eyed at the dashing figure which stood in front of her, a perfect example of maleness. The one who dwarfed everybody with his very presence was openly checking her out from her head to toe, and clearly enjoying her confusion.
I must look awful.., she blurted out all of a sudden feeling terribly embarrassed and out of place.
(I shouldn't have come, I made the wrong decision! What can such a guy want from me, he probably has a lot of other girls who look far better and are much more talented than me. He was probably pulling my leg when he offered me the leading part.)
No you look fine! (Actually you look like a dream, a lovely dream..) He said softly admiring her messed up hair, like a dark cloud pregnant with rain framing an unenhanced face which housed a pair of gorgeous black doe shaped eyes. But they looked quite distressed at the moment, he wondered why...
Sorry, I, I came suddenly without any prior notice but the circumstances were such..; she said twisting the end of her long tie and dye dupatta around her fingers.
(Yes, she is just feeling awkward.)
Ahh..it's fine, all I care about is that you came! I will be eternally grateful to you! He said picking up her suitcase and hustling her out towards the parking lot.
Are you sure you still want me?
Of course! I still want you! In a husky tone making her blush.
I..I didn't mean..
Yes, I know what you meant, I was just.. umm let it be! Shan dismissed it while he pried open the trunk of his vintage Mustang.
Nice piece of work, isn't she? He remarked when he saw Khanak looking at the bright red car with interest. It is a gift from my grandfather and I simply love it. I love old cars. I collect them, it's a hobby that I have.
Uhh..huh wait a minute! He said running to the passenger side and holding the door open.
A man of the moment who likes old things and is also chivalrous. How refreshing! Khanak thought as she settled herself in the not so comfortable seat.
Sorry, one bad thing with these old rides is that their seats are made with no consideration for delicate behinds, but I didn't want to refurbish it, then it wouldn't be a vintage anymore. He said reversing the vehicle while thinking.
(****! I should have brought the Jag, girls don't care about classics!)
Eeeksss!!!...
Down Horse, down!! Shaan shouted at his Akita who had taken the opportunity to jump out of the back seat and onto Khanak's lap. He proceeded to lick her face clean with his tongue while she sat there trembling wide eyed in shock!
****!! Sorry, usually he is very shy, and he hates all my girl friends. But it seems like he has taken a particular liking to you! Shan said grabbing Horse by the scruff of his neck and dragging him off her.
(DARN! One bad move after another! But how would I know that Horse doesn't really suffer from misogyny, rather he is afflicted by jealousy, plain and simple!)
I apologize, I thought I had left him at home but he has this strange habit of finding his way into my car. He hounds me you see!! ..yes..Hounds me! Shan laughed out loud at his own joke while she simply stared back at him, not yet recovered from the onslaught of the large creature who was now chewing happily on the end of her dupatta.
Sorry.., I didn't mean to but it is quite funny! He handed her a tissue box which she grabbed from him after throwing a frightened glance at Horse who had no intention of releasing her odhani.
You better give up, it has now become his chew toy..I owe you a dupatta too!
(Bhagwan mein kahaan aa gayi?) (God where have I landed?)..
Nahin.., She shook her head..Us ne mujhe kaata nahin, at least yeh baat par mujhe khush hona chahiye! (He didn't bite me I should be at least happy for that!) She sighed.
Yeah! I love this song!! ...Don't you?
Shan said turning the volume loud on the car radio, jamming along moving with the music..
Ting linga linga linga
Ting linga linga linga...
[ho ho...]
Katiya karun Kateya karoon
Tera roo katiya karoon
Tera roo tera roo tera roo roo roo...
Saari raatein kateya karoon
Katiya karoon kateya karoon
Saari raatein katiya karoon
Katiya karoon kateya karoon
Saari raatein kateya karoon
Saara din socha vich langda
Tere nahi hun jeeti maroon
Eh tann mera... charkha ha ha..hove
Hove ulfat yaar di...
Chitta roo...
Ting linga linga linga
She smiled watching him..; Yes, it's a nice song...
Isn't it just awesome! Didn't you love the movie too?
She shook her head..I don't watch movies much.
What??!! YOU DON'T WATCH MOVIES!! Did I hear it right???!!! He looked at her in disbelief after stopping the car, waiting for the light to turn green.
Hmmm..I don't find the time except on very few occasions. She said absently while examining her chewed up shawl with disgust.
Then what do you do...
Uhm...most of the time is spent in riyaaz while the rest in helping my chachi around the house, cleaning, cooking..etc.. And yes the dance performances, that takes a lot of time. I enjoy that. Sometimes I go out with friends.., well my sister does more than me. (My cousin..Shree, oh how much I will miss her!)
Then you are very gharelu..
Yes, I am..is there anything wrong with that?! She asked suddenly irked..
Ahh..no, of course not! Which guy won't like it if his girl friend or wife could cook? I for one would love it!! He declared aloud, trying to appease her.
What? I am not learning to cook because I want to impress my future husband! I'm doing so for myself and because I like it! Besides are there any rules that men shouldn't cook and women should?! She said flushed, irate.
Hey..don't get all worked up! I didn't mean it that way! I too do so sometimes when Dibu..I mean my cook decides to take off without warning! I just felt ..umm I mean it'd feel good sometimes..a woman's touch and all that you know! He gave her his most disarming smile..
It didn't have the desired effect...
What rubbish! A lot of men cook and they do so better than women! And in these times women are equal to men in each and every field! And if both of the partners can work, why shouldn't both of them share the household duties? She asked, her eyes sparkling with self righteousness.
Yes..yes, I agree entirely! He said watching her awestruck, she appeared to glow with an inner brilliance.
(Wow! She'd be perfect for Jhansi ki Rani or maybe even Diana too!! Maybe I should bring in a Roman Goddess element ...experiment!) He thought feeling excited.
Grrrowwwlll!! Rumbled Horse...resting a huge paw on Khanak's reluctant shoulder, he seemed to agree..
CID
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
