Chapter-11
When Rashi woke up in the morning,she was feeling very weird.Weird.That is how she could describe her feelings.Today,they were to return to Delhi and tomorrow they will be leaving for Australia.Dad had called up Ronnie and told them to return.A part of her could not wait to be back in Sydney again.Her life,Mom,Dad,friends and her work.Another part was regretting that this trip got over so soon.She would miss everyone.Ira aunty,Tina,Falguni,Nikhil,Aunty Sandra,Elton,Vicky and ...him.She would miss him more than the others.There had been a drastic change in what she felt for him.And her changed feelings had landed her up in a great mess.
God,what should I do?Ari,Ari,Ari.What is this?Why am I thinking about you so much?Why am I feeling upset about leaving?',she thought to herself.
There was something in him which attracted her.But what was it?His eyes?Those green eyes?No.It was not just that.Well,she admitted that she was attracted to those eyes.But still those eyes were not the only reason of her mysterious attraction.There was something else.Something else.Some greater purpose.Another reason which was much more important .But she did not know what it was.And everything which was happening.It all felt like dj vu.
Dj vu?Okay,Rashi Agarwal.You are officially crazy!!! And nothing else.And it's all his fault.It's Ari's fault.I have to talk to him.Today itself.I must ask him what is going on and clear this matter once and for all.',she firmly resolved.
She had made up her mind.Nothing was going to stop her.Nothing.She needed her answers.And only he had the answers.He will answer her.He has to.She will speak to him.She did not care about what he will think about her.She had to confront him.
I have to get my answers.Otherwise,otherwise,I don't know,but I think that my mind will explode.',she thought.It was not a thought.It was a decision.And nothing could stop her.
What do you mean,bro?What do you mean by saying that he left?He LEFT!!!!',shouted Rashi.
He left means he left,sis.Aunty Sandra told us that he had some important work and that is why he and Vicky left for Delhi early in the morning.Ab isme meri kya galti hai??',asked a bewildered Ronnie.
Bro!!!! ,screamed Rashi and she walked away.
Ho kya gaya hai sabko??? Maybe,Australia laut ne ki khushi sar par chadh gayi hai.Rashi is happy but I am not.Falguni and I haven't spent much time together.God,why did Dad have to call us early????',thought Ronnie.
They bade farewell to Aunty Sandra and Elton.The return journey to Delhi was a quiet one.Tina slept most of the time.Nikhil and Falguni were immersed in their respective books and passed painful looks to each other,Ronnie was immersed in watching Falguni.Rashi seemed lost.Her face did not have the usual liveliness.
Why??? Why did he have to leave??What was so important that he left without telling me?He did not even wait to say goodbye.Wait for a second,why am I feeling so sad that he left?Why should I feel sad?I have no right over him.',she thought.
But then a part of her mind shouted at her.It was her conscience.
Have you gone mad???You are saying that you have no right on him.Listen carefully,no one has any right on him apart from you.Never say that again!!!',shouted her inner voice.
God,I am hearing my own voice.I am definitely going crazy.Looks like I have to consult a psychiatrist.What is happening?It's all because of you,Ari.All because of you.I should not have got myself emotionally attached to you.I have created this problem.And I will solve it.Maybe,it's for the better that I am leaving for Sydney.Once I reach there,everything will be back to normal.I will never meet you again,Arihant Saxena.I wish that I had never met you.',she thought.But even as she thought this,she found herself upset again.
New Delhi,India
Arihant was staring at the Qutub Minar intently.He did not know what to do.His mind was jammed.Yes,The Arihant Saxena's brain was jammed.Only if there was a historian nearby.This epic moment would have gone down in history.
What have you done to me,Mohatarma Ma'm?',he thought.
He shook his head.He had planned to talk to Rashi in the morning but then that call came.And he had to leave.
Damn it!!! Why did that wretched call have to come then only????',he thought.He was getting angry.But why?There were hardly one or two things that could make him angry.He thought that he knew how to overcome his anger.
Really?You know how to overcome your anger?Khudko kya Gautam Buddha samajhte ho?Arihant Saxena,admit it that you are missing her already.You are missing her like hell.',shouted his inner voice.
Arihant was perplexed.His mind was flooded with images of Rashi and Rashi only.Every moment that he had spent with her played like a video in his mind.And the strange thing was that although this mental video recording had a forward and rewind button,it could not be paused.
And I am still unsure of my feelings about her.Okay,I don't know what I feel for her.I don't know whether it's attachment,attraction or infatuation.I don't know the logic or the philosophy behind this.All I know is that I have to see her.I have to meet her.I don't know how she will react.But I will meet her.Only then will I get relief.',he thought to himself.
He had no idea what would happen next.He did not want to.The past and future were not his business.He was concerned about the present.And the present involved a certain individual named Rashi Agarwal.
Life is unpredictable,Mohatarma.Earlier I merely believed it.But after meeting you,my belief in unpredictability has been strengthened like anything.I will meet you and find my answers for sure.',he thought.
He entered the house stealthily.Stealth was an art of the thieves.And he,even though not a theif,knew that art quite well.He did not have to make any efforts to find out the address.According to his information,this house belonged to Tina's mother who was Rashi and Ronnie's aunt.And the source of this information was Rashi's cousin,Tina herself.He had visited at night because he felt that he would be able to talk properly to her.It was one reason.The another one was that,well,he had craved for a bit of adventure.And entering this mansion inspite of its security system was exciting in its own way.Nevertheless,he had to speak with Rashi.
He found out her room and entered it.The room was locked from inside.But locks and keys were a thing to play for him.Another art of thieves,of course.
Dekhiye Mohatarma,aapke chakkar mein ek achcha bhala aadmi chor ban gaya.But it's your fault as well.Aapne mera chain aur sukoon dono chura liya hai.',he thought as he approached her.
Thankfully,she was alone in the room.He walked upto her with the intention of waking her up.But when his eyes fell on her,he was mesmerized.She looked like an angel.The moonlight poured itself on her face adding to her divine glow.Her eyes were closed but his eyes refused to budge.Yes,he was drawn to her.But it was not because of her uncommon beauty.It was not because of the fact that she was the one whose smiles inspired him.The question was that why did he visualize her smile?What was the thing that connected them?He forced his eyes to change their course of direction.He moved them away from her face and they fell on the table beside her bed.There was an envelope.Even though the lights were dim,he could make out the logo of the airlines.Curiously,he picked it up and opened it.Inside, he found her tickets to Sydney.He kept it back quietly and looked at her again.
Leaving so soon,Mohatarma?Not fair.Not fair at all.',he uttered softly.Then,with a solemn look on his face,he left.
After several moments,Rashi opened her eyes.She felt as if she had heard someone's voice.His voice.Or maybe,it was only the wind.
Sydney,Australia
Gautam Kapoor Lamba looked up at the massive building and sighed.It was magnificent.Of course,it had to be.It was the office of the Sydney branch of the Phoenix Group Of Industries.He underwent a security check and entered the building.It was a busy place indeed.He walked upto the receptionist and showed her the letter.
You have to go to the Chairman's cabin sir.At the topmost floor.',said the receptionist.
Thank you.',he said and left for the topmost floor.He entered the Chairman's cabinThe cabin had all the latest technologies.Its dcor was of the Chairman's choice.Partially,it looked jazzy and bling and partially regal.It was something unconventional.But the Chairman was certainly a different person.There was a huge portrait of a phoenix hung on one of the walls.Every place associated with the Chairman had a portrait of the phoenix which was painted by the Chairman himself and bore his initials.
Look who is here.Our very own bhade ka gunda.',said a voice.It was a young man.He was most probably twenty seven.He looked frank and handsome.He was lying down on a sofa with a cup of coffee in his hands.
Very funny,sir.But I am much more than a bhade ka gunda and you know that very well.',said GKL.
Of course,I do.But you know what?I don't care.',said the young man.
I don't need to justify anything to you,Mr Atharva Sood.You and I know why I am here.So,shall we begin?',asked GKL with a cunning smile.
Let's begin.I don't want to waste any more time.',said Atharva.
This young man spells trouble.I have to be more careful and watch my step from now onwards.',thought GKL.
Atharva looked at him as if he knew what was going on in his mind.
Pyada chahe kitna bhi shaatir kyun na hojaye,wazir ki barbari nahin karsakta hai.',thought Atharva with a smirk.
New Delhi,India
Rashi and Ronnie were at the airport with Tina,Falguni and Ira aunty.Ira aunty was sobbing.Tina and Falguni were also sad.
I don't know that why did you have to leave so soon,my dear children.But don't worry,I will visit you in a few weeks with Tina and Falguni.I promise you that.',said Ira aunty.That cheered everyone especially Ronnie.Rashi hugged Falguni and bade her farewell.
Bye Falguni.I will miss you.And please try to move on.I am saying this as a friend.',said Rashi.
You are right,Rashi.It's time for me to move on.And don't worry,I will meet you in Sydney.We will have a great time.',said Falguni.Rashi smiled and said goodbye to everyone again.After that,they left.Rashi and Ronnie had to wait for a while for the flight.Ronnie went to buy something and Rashi was sitting alone.A man came and sat in the chair next to her.
So,Mohatarma.All set to return?',asked the man.Rashi was startled.It was Ari.He was the last person whom she had expected to be there.
Yes.I am returning.And you?How come you are here?Planning to go somewhere?',asked Rashi sarcastically.
Of course,I have to go somewhere.But unless and until we have sorted a few things out,I am not going anywhere.And neither are you,Mohatarma.',said Arihant softly.
Sorted a few things out?There are many things between us Ari.And don't pretend to be unaware.',said Rashi.
I don't pretend,Mohatarma.I never pretend.So,its good that you know that there is something going on between us.Now I am asking you,what is that?',asked Arihant.Rashi laughed.
You are asking me?You?I should ask this question to you.And why should?I will ask this question to you.Tell me,Ari.What is going on between us?Tell me!!',said Rashi.
Wow,that is a nice way of running away from a question.',said Arihant.
I am not running away.You ran away.You knew it,na?You knew that I would confront you soon and that is why you left without telling me.You wanted to run away from my questions.Coward!!',said Rashi.
I am anything but that.I did not run away.For your kind information,I have my work too.And when I came to meet you,I discovered that you are leaving.Now tell me,who is running away?',said Arihant.
You were there?You were actually there last night?',asked a shocked Rashi.
Yes,I was.So,what?Anyway,that's not my point.Answer me,Rashi!!',said Arihant.
What should I say?What should I tell you?Shall I tell you that I am unable to think about anything but you?Shall I tell you that I am hypnotized by these green eyes of yours?Shall I tell you that when you left without telling me I was extremely hurt?Shall I tell you that I am hearing voices?Voices?Can you imagine?I feel as if I am going crazy.Now,you say something.What is there between us?Say something!!',said Rashi.
What should I say?All this was never my cup of tea,Rashi.I have plans.I have some bloody plans.And I found myself with you.Advising and guiding you.And before I could realize it,I found myself getting lost.Getting lost in you.I have been thinking about you every moment and you say that you are going crazy??? I have never been so restless before.All I wish to know is that what are these feelings?Attachment?Infatuation?Attraction?Just clarify it and everything will be normal once again.Both of us would not wish to waste our lives running after a childish fantasy.',said Arihant.
Childish fantasy?So,this was all?And nothing else?I guess you are right.It was nothing but a mere attraction.And we are wasting our precious time after it.',said Rashi.
Is that so?Then,I found my answers.I should better leave now.',said Arihant clenching his fist.Rashi was angry too.
As he began to walk away,she shouted after him.The people were watching them.But now they did not care if they were creating a scene.
Just get lost,Ari.I was a bloody fool to think about you so much.I am glad that I am leaving.Tumse dus guna behtar ladka mil jayega mujhe!!!',she shouted.
Really???Tumhari shaadi mein jaake nachunga main.That's my promise to you.',he shouted back and left.
Author's note:Hola,my friends.Here is the update.Please pardon my grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
