Part 6 (Final Chapter):
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It was the last day of the conference. There was only vote of thanks from the organisers and they could leave. For a change Kabir got up early today. Looked at his side. Dolu was in deep sleep. Kabir recalled how those to were playing till midnight. He was full of smile. All these days were pure fun, where he never had to peep into his past even once. Sleeping next to Dolu was the innocent beauty, which he would have liked to see everyday when he gets up. But that was not in his chance. He sighed and decided to take bath before they got up.
Once he finished the shower, he realised Rachna and Dolu are still sleeping in the room unlike the other days. He did not like to put on the trouser in the bathroom. If bottom of the pant gets wet, it irritates. He decided to take the risk, as they were still sleeping. After putting on the trouser, he felt Rachna moved.
Hurriedly he put on the towel on his bare chest. But she had just turned away towards Dolu in her sleep. He felt relieved. Once he got dressed up, he decided to wake them.
"Good morning", he heard Dolu's voice and turned back. "So you got up just now? Get ready fast. Time to leave."
"No. I was already awake. I didn't want you to feel shy. So was closing my eyes". Kabir controlled his smile.
"I never knew you are such a gentleman Dolu, now get up". Dolu did not stop there.
"Not only me. I am sure, even Didi was not sleeping. Am I right Di?", Rachna's closed eyes squeezed even more. That is the last thing, she wanted Kabir to know. In the past few days she has lost the count, how many times Dolu has put her in fix. Thankfully, it is all coming to an end. "I would never ever take him anywhere", she felt.
While travelling back in the car, Dolu was sleeping at back. Rachna and Kabir both were thinking about each other. Rachna had never seen this face of Kabir earlier. All she had seen previously was the serious one. She still can't forget the night before. He and Dolu, sitting on the floor leaning onto bed, busy with chasing each other's car in their game. The boys had hardly paid any attention to her, who was trying to sleep amidst their chaos. She came back to her sense. She looked at Kabir. His eyes were on the road and as usual serious. But she was not seeing her boss there, it was as if Dolu was sitting next to her. She felt sorry for him, "Who took his happiness away? Wish there was a way, I could get him back".
Kabir was in a sinking feel. The more he tried to get away from thinking of her, more he was falling for her. "Is there any way to get out of this whirlpool", he felt. There was a Kishore Kumar song played in the car.
"Jeevan Ke Safar Mei Rahi, Milte Hei Bichad Jane Ko. Aur Le Jaate Hei Yaadei, Tanhaayi Mei Tadpaane Ko".
He continued driving with his misty eyes.
"KT, can you please park the car at side and release the seat belt?"
Kabir wondered why. But still did. He never anticipated what's coming on his way. Rachna held his head tenderly with her hands and placed it on her lap. Kabir was shocked.
"Ms. Garg, what's...?", he could not speak any further. He was totally broken down by then. He just sunk into her lap, tears started to roll. He held her tight. He had missed that warmth for ages, all those feelings burst and flooded. She just remained silent. Her hands were gently stroking his hair till he calmed down.
It took a while for Kabir to compose himself. He slowly released himself and sat back in his position. He still could not believe himself, that he let out his vulnerable side in front of her.
What will he say to her now? "Sorry"? No. He was not apologetic.
Rachna was disturbed too. She couldn't say "Just forget it", she couldn't do herself too. The vehicle moved quietly, till Dolu woke up. Afterwards everything was back to normal; Dolu's mischiefs, Kabir's support and Rachna's anger everything followed and the previous incident seemed to have gone to background.
They didn't realise when they reached Banaras. Gargs as usual were high on emotions. Kabir felt like saying, they had only been a week away. Not an year. But he knew, no use telling these Gargs. He looked at their daughter. She was no better. "So typical", he muttered to himself. Still he knew, he can't resist her thoughts. She came towards him to get her luggage. He helped her unloading it from his boot. Dolu came hurriedly. "Di. Let those pant and shirt be with Kabir". Kabir nodded. Rachna remembered.
"I still have to pay you for that".
"Sure you can. Once you tell your parents and get your dress back, you can pay me", Kabir taunted her. When she gave him an angry look, he winked. She took her bags. Before entering the house, she turned back to say bye. He was standing there watching her. She smiled and moved in. Their relation had come a long way that their eyes could speak to each other.
Dayal came towards Kabir. "Thanks for taking care of Dolu and my daughter during the journey", he said politely.
"Never mind Sir, it was a pleasure", Kabir too reciprocated with the same respect. He wanted to say, he wouldn't have minded even if journey were to be longer. But he couldn't.
That night, Kabir Rachna both had difficulty going to bed. Kabir kept getting the memory of what happened at car. On one side he was feeling embarrassed for behaving like a kid. On the other hand, he was angry with himself. How did he let that intimate moment to happen, when he knew there is not going to be anything between the two.
But still he could not regret that moment. That was one of the most beautiful moment in his life, his heart would always cherish. Just that, the moment did not have a future.
"So what?", his heart argued. "Just the fact that a moment does not have a long life, will not reduce its sweetness". He just looked at the side, where Rachna used to sleep off in the bed.
Rachna was feeling agitated. "What has been happening to me in all these days?", she started to open up to herself. "Why is that I am breaking every rule for him? Why am I bothered about his happiness?"
She did not mind wearing the western dress. What is still bothering her is, why she obeyed him when he suggested, there is no need to ask parents. When did his words start taking priority over her family?
She consoled herself, it was work related.
But then.. rise of my heart beat whenever I saw his bare chest, ... that was not.
She gave explanation for that too. "After all, KT is handsome. Anyone in my place would have felt the same. I am not different."
What about the incident in the car? Why did she volunteer?
Better to leave such moments for that time. There are so many things in the past she would have done differently, given a chance. This is one such and she has no guilt either.
Lastly, why is she missing him on bed when the past few nights were supposed to be a nuisance?
A battle has started in her mind. She had built a barrier around herself after her previous break up. But cracks seemed have to set in its foundation. She was trying the futile effort of stopping the flood which was eroding the wall.
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
