If there is something worse than a loveless marriage, then it is a marriage in which there is love but on one side only...
He watched Rajat and Devyani exchange rings with the eyes of a person expert in reading the messages that went unsaid. Devyani was clearly on the top of the world, her happiness knowing no bounds and yet this man, Rajat looked as though he had just suffered a heart break. He wasn't making an attempt to hide the fact that his gaze was travelling to another set of eyes, eyes of Anushka shastri and watching her with longing and desperation. And to his utmost surprise, the emotion in Anu's eyes reflected those in Rajats. Their eyes were deep pools of pain.
Rahul Mehra, Shastri's ex neighbour and Anu's childhood friend sighed. This wasn't what he had expected when he had decided to come for Devyani's engagement. What surprised him the most was that everyone was blind to the misery that was so evident on their faces. But that had to change. He couldn't let Anu make the greatest sacrifice of her life or see Devyani tied in a loveless marriage. With that in mind Rahul decided to act.
The dinner party awaited post the engagement ceremony. Rahul watched how Rajat paid special attention to Devyani and he saw Anu burn in the fire she had lit for herself through her sacrifice. But knowing Anu well he knew Anu would never act on it. So the game had to be reversed, he decided. Borrowing a Guitar from some drunk guy named Neil who would have given Devdas a run for his money , he stayed behind the curtains and said out aloud...
Sabhi Nagme Saaz Mein Gaaye Nahi Jaate,
Sabhi Log Mehfil Mein Bulaaye Nahi Jaate,
Kuch Paas Reh Kar Bhi Yaad Nahi Aate,
Kuch Door Reh Kar Bhi Bhulaye Nahi Jaate..!
His voice reverberated off the walls and a silence followed. Knowing he had all the attention now, he descended down the grand stair case, Guitar in hand singing.
Saanwali si ek ladki dhadkan jaisi dilki
Saanwali si ek ladki dhadkan jaisi dilki
Dekhke jiske woh sapne kahin woh main to nahin
He made sure his eyes were trained on Anu so that it would seem obvious that the song was for her. Shastriji smiled indulgently trusting his old neighbour impeccably. As he reached towards Anu he grabbed her hand and danced with her. Anu in her misery clung to him, making no effort to hide her tears from him and yet using his arms to shield them from the world. From the corner of his eyes he watched Rajat who walked off towards the drink counter and gulped drink after drink, his eyes never leaving the couple. He knew Rajat was on the verge of making a scene but that didn't deter Rahul for all the guests had departed leaving only the immediate family.
He saw Sareen look back and forth from Rajat to Rahul and Anu . He saw the realization dawn in his eyes. It was at that point that as if a veil being lifted every member in the room realized the one thing they had never tried paying attention to. That Rajat loved Anu and not Devyani. Sareen and Shastri walked towards Rajat to stop him from drinking but Rajat was already on his feet, making his way towards them, a red haze of anger in his eyes. He angrily wrenched Anu from Rahul's arms and said in a voice that was deceptively calm "She is mine."
Anu looked at Rajat in surprise, her eyes red and swollen from crying. Alka hugged Devyani who stood numbly in shock while Sareen and Shastri handled a drunk Rajat pulling him towards the bedroom while he kept saying Keep your filthy hands away from my Anu.'
Peeya took Anu's hand and directed her towards the staircase. He glanced at Devyani whose world had shattered in front of her eyes. Alka and Rohan were talking to her as she stared blankly ahead. As he walked towards her, Devyani's eyes flickered towards him. He mouthed a sorry', telling her that it had to be done.
The devdas Neil suddenly sober walked towards Devyani and held her wrist tugging her to follow him to his room. She excused herself and followed him perhaps knowing that he better than anyone else would understand what she was going through and if the gleam in Neil's eyes was anything to go by, Neil did understand, Rahul thought.
Walking towards the departing couple, Rahul handed the guitar to Neil. When Devyani looked at him questioningly, he said
"This had to be done Devyani. I couldn't let you get into a loveless marriage."
She smiled "You know the reason why when you are in love with someone, you end up weaving impossible dreams?" she asked knowing she was speaking about both herself and Neil. When he remained silent, she continued
"Because everytime you see the glow on that person's face, no matter who is the reason for that glow, your heart just says one thing..
kahin woh main to nahin
