PART 2 - PATCH UP
It had been 2 months since Anokhi ran away from Shawarwal villa in Goa and came back to Chandigarh, 2 months since she had laid her eyes on him, 2 months since she had fled away from the hurt, confusion, disappointment, frustration and heartbreak.. He hadn't called in 2 months to check on her, niether had she.. She didn't want to meet him again before she was sure.. She was sure she loved him but she needed clarity on a relationship with him.. They were so different yet so similar.. She wanted to know whether their love was enough to survive the conflicts.. She wanted to know whether she made a mistake in not talking to him directly.. She wanted to know whether he would be there while she made her way in the world.. But she didn't get any answers.. Because the person with all the answers never contacted her.. Well she could have, but he had clearly told her to go to him when she was sure.. But how could she find the answers without talking to him..
She knew he was in Patiala.. Kanchan mam had casually slipped such information in past few months.. She prayed everyday that he would just visit the campus once and she would get to see him.. She studied harder in the past months to top the class.. It was necessary for her to consistently perform inorder to avail the scholarship.. More than that it was important for her future, the dreams she had for herself, her sister, her mother, her Astha mam's dream.. But the biggest reason was she wanted him to be proud of her.. She missed the admiration in her eyes when she had done well last semester.. She wanted him to tell her how bright she was.. Therefore, she was now in the bus to Patiala.. If he wasn't going to approach her, she would.. If he wanted to go away, she wouldn't back off and let him to that..
"Anokhi?? Anokhi tum?? Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho??" Shaurya blurted out seeing her standing infront of him in his drawing room.. He blinked furiously expecting her to disappear as always but she was still there.. She stood there like a statue without uttering a single word.. He reached her in long strides and hugged her, hugged her tight till she fidgeted due to lack of air.. He hadn't seen her in 2 months and all his control slipped seeing her standing there.. She invaded his dreams at night and thoughts during day.. He thought about her so much that he sometimes forgot that she wasn't actually there with him..
"Kaisa pata chala mai yahan hu?? Address kahan se mila tumhe??" "Wo Kanchan mam.." "Ofcourse Kanchan.. Kuch hua hai kya?" "Aapko nahi pata??" She hoped him to be keeping tabs on her like she did on him.. "Congratulations obviously.. I am so proud of you" he said holding her hands and giving a smile that melted her heart.. "Thank you PS.." Why couldn't they stay like this forever, away from everyone and everything..
"To aap yahan, Chandigarh se Patiala party karne aayi hai?? Let me first get you something to drink.." he said pulling her to what seemed like a kitchen..
"Nahi bas wo nahi, mai hamare baare mai baat karne aayi hu.." He paused for a moment while scanning the fridge but continued again ignoring her.. "Tumhe hamare baare mai baat karna hai, itne dino ke baad when you didn't even bother to check up on me in past few months??" he questioned after pouring their juices and offering her one..
"Agar maine call nahi kia to aap kar sakte the na, but nahi aapki ego aa gayi beech mai.. Do mahine se Patiala mai chupke baithe hai.. Q dar lagta hai ki mujhse milenge to khud ko control nahi kar payenge??" Anokhi spat out.. He grabbed her arms roughly and pinned her against the wall.. The glasses landed somewhere on the floor.. She was so small infront of him that he would crush her but that didn't stop her from trying to fight him.. She scratched him, hit her small fists on his chest to get out of his grip but it just tightened more.. After minutes of futile efforts, she stopped exhausted.. She glared at him and was treated with a harder look..
"Mujhe ego issues hai?? Seriously Anokhi you wanted me to run behind you like a lost puppy after you clearly rejected me many times and declared your disinterest in me infront of anyone and everyone possible!! Kya kya karwana chahti ho mujhse?? Samajhti kya ho mujhe tum??" His face was so close to her that she could feel the anger radiating from him..
"To kya laga tha aapko, aap kisi aur ke saath engagement announce kar denge, aapki family mujhe baar baar humiliate karti rahegi, aur mai apna self-respect apna sab kuch chod ke aapke paas aaungi, aapke aage peeche ghumungi?" Angry tears spilled from eyes and she wiped them furiously with the back of her hand.. Coming to Patiala was mistake..
The hands on her arms loosened and travelled towards her waist.. He jerked her towards him and she had to hold his shirt to steady herself.. "Mujhe maaf kardo Anokhi.. I know I should have behaved differently that day.. I should have tried harder to say something.. Jo ho chuka hai mai usse badal nahi sakta.. Us din Ahir ke hotel pe jab tumse milne aaya tha, usse pehle maine badimaa ko bata dia tha that I love someone else.. Jab hosh aaya accident ke baad tab bhi tumse he milne aa raha tha.. Sorry kehne.. Tumne manane.. But kabhi kismat ne saath nahi dia to kabhi apno ne.." His hands were running soothing circles on her back and her tears had long stopped.. "And I am also sorry about jo bhi tumhe meri family ne kaha hai.. I know I can't take them back but I promise ki mere hote huye aage se aisa nahi hoga.. I just want 1 more chance.." She saw the same hope flicker in his eyes again which she had lost 2 months ago in that villa..
"Mai bhi aapse sorry he kehne aayi hu.." "Matlab?" "Matlab jo bhi maine gusse mai aapke gharwalo se ya Astha mam se kaha aapke baare ya hamare rishte ke baare mai uske liye sorry.. Aapse baat kiye bina faisla lene ke liye sorry.. Mujhe bhi bas ek aur chance chahiye.." She smiled at him pleadingly..
He carried her to what seemed like a music room since there were pieces of glass lying everywhere on the floor.. "Do you remember what I taught you on Valentine's day??" "Haan magar, abhi hume bahut kuch discuss karna hai.." "Bahut time hai baaki sabke liye.. Aaj celebrate karte hai.. Dance with me?" She took his hand and they swayed to the music forgetting rest of the world..