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Slowly the lights in the hall
dimmed down. Instead soft green and silver lights spread across the centre area
reserved for the dances......while silvery smoke started floating in the floor,
giving a romantic touch overall. From behind the majestically adorned pillar in
the right, Mriinalini and Vivek appeared. Whereas Deepika and Arjun entered
from the left side pillar. Dev and Dadima and the others looked on, waiting for
the performances to begin.
Just then a beautiful song started
playing out......
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neMj84LpIb8[/YOUTUBE]
Mrinalini, Vivek and Deepika, Arjun
started swaying slowly to the tune of music. Their soft yet synchronized moves
left everyone gazing at them as they bought out the romance alive in the air.
As they started dancing, a sweet
smile filled Dev's face and he kept gazing at them. Deepika and Arjun seemed
like a couple lost in love because they couldn't just shift their gazes away.
However what surprised him was Vivek's romantic moves and looks – his brother
never seemed so romantic until now!! But guess he was wrong, Dev wondered with
a smile.
The dance had simple yet well
choreographed moves – that were beautiful and romantic, yet not indecent at
all. Everyone in the room seemed to be mesmerized by the enchanting aura formed
in. While both the dancing couples
appeared to be completely absorbed in to each other.
Dev grinned seeing Vivek and
Mrinalini to be so lost in each other. "Dadima.....kitne dino baad bhaiyya ko
iss tarah dekha hai na?" he mumbled, inching closer to her ears.
Nodding in agreement, "Haan sahi
keh raha hai tu. Warna Vivek to kabhi Mrinalini ko samay hi nahi de
paata......par ab dekho......uska pyaar uski ankhon main jhalak raha hai na?"
she replied, in a soft tone.
"Infact maine to kabhi bhaiyya ko
aise dance karte huwe bhi nahi dekha" Dev said.
"haan......are who aaj itna khush
jo hai. Balki itna khush to who shayad apni shaadi main bhi nahi huwa hoga
jitna teri shaadi ke liye khush dikh raha hai" Dadima replied
Another grin broke on his face.
"sahi keh rahi hai aap......umm......lekin touchwood" he added quickly.
Dadima chuckled once sweetly,
seeing his gesture.
Although Dev was immersed in the
performances, soon his heart began longing for Radhika intolerably. The
romantic aura, dance and the song only amplified the much agonizing ache within
him. How badly he craved for her presence here, only he knew! If she had been
here then they both could have swayed in the enchanting music together......
and he'd never let her move away. The thought itself was too tempting to
resist. But this wasn't possible, his brain painfully reminded him!!
Another pang of anguish arose in
his heart, cringing it badly, and he glanced down feeling glum. Her images,
laughter, smile, voice all started flashing across his mind only making his
heart ache some more.
One more beautiful romantic song
followed this one.
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi3VGakWK10[/YOUTUBE]
As the melodious tune started
floating in the room, Dev glanced up, feeling forlorn and sad without Radhika.
But suddenly........as if God himself
heard his heart's ache and decided to fulfill it, he saw Radhika in the dancing
area wearing a beautiful mixed golden and green lehenga choli – a cap sleeved
corset type choli that exposed a small portion of her waist along with a
heavily embellished ruffled lehenga and a beautiful soft dupatta pinned neatly on
either side. His breath was caught in his throat while eyes widened in a
fraction, feeling utterly surprised and shocked! But what followed, made his
brows twitch in confusion for a faint second......he saw his own reflection appearing
in.
In the dance floor......Dev
approached Radhika, gazing in to eyes lovingly, and she too had her gaze fixed
on him. Right at this moment no words were needed to express their mutual
feelings – they could just feel it by looking in to each other's eyes. Everyone
else seemed to have disappeared and it was only them in the beautiful romantic
surrounding. Reaching her, he flashed a charming affectionate smile that made
her skip a heart beat and she glanced down, blushing. His smile transformed in
to a beam seeing her so shy and, inserting a finger beneath her chin he tipped
her face up to look in to her eyes.
As she found his eyes, a small shy
smile curved her lips up involuntarily. This beautiful sweet smile made his
heart race faster and, with a slow sensous movement he lets his finger slid
across the length of her jaw. She shivered in response and cocked her head to
other side by a minute fraction. Framing her face gently, started advancing his
face to her. Her beautiful serene face transformed his boyish expressions in to
a desire filled one. Sensing his breaths on her face, she felt her breath
hitch. His gaze darted down to her lips as he sensed them quivering, and then
titling his head he pressed his lips sensuously to her's to give her a
passionate peck. At that moment the time indeed seemed to have come to a
standstill.
Gradually she opened her eyes and
found his eyes still looking in to her's passionately, which made her cheeks
burn red – she could still feel the warmth of the passionate peck on her lips a
second ago. He gave another boyish smile, as if feeling pleased about the sweet
peck, and that made her heart thud. Smiling coyly, she faced away and then
turned around to walk.
But she had barely taken a few
steps when she felt her dupatta being tugged, making her heart miss a small
beat, and she turned.......only to find him holding the edge of her dupatta
with the same charming boyish smile across his face. With a shy smile, she
nudged her face up gesturing 'what?'. Once again he tugged her duppatta gently
and tilted his chin towards himself, asking her to come near. Deciphering his
request, she blushed red again and shook her head disagreeing. This made him
pull her dupatta again, a little harder this time. This action of his parted
her lips automatically as a tiny inaudible gasp escaped her throat. His lips
twitched impishly and gaze beamed victouriously – as if saying that she has no
choice other than coming close to him. She looked in to his gleaming eyes for a
second and then lowering her gaze shyly, started moving to him accepting her
defeat.
As she reached near him, he bent to
hold her hands......and his simple touch made her pulse to quicken. Lifting her
hands up, he released them on his neck as his gaze found her's again, and then
slowly brushed his hands across her slender exposed waist. Another tiny inaudible
gasp mixed with a hard quiver escaped out her lips – as thousands of chilly
shivers passed across her body in the same instant. Her response made him beam
in gratification and he tightened his arms across her waist. A string of goose
pimples rose on her skin which made his heart throb faster, knowing that his
mere simple touches were creating a havoc inside her body. He continued caressing
her naked waist and back sensuously, desiring to watch her reactions from his
touch. Her hands resting on his neck automatically slid up to his rake his
hairs, as if they have no restrain to hold themselves back. This move of her's
gave him a chance to pull her some more closer and felt his heart race in
effect. Gazing in to each other's eyes passionately, they swayed lightly to the
tune of music, all the while remaining twined to each other's.
Some moments of silent love passed
when Dev slowly started tilting his face to her. She felt another heart beat
skipping, and her breathing became brisk in anticipation. As his eyes drifted
down from her gaze to lips, she too drifted down her gaze to his nearing lips.
Then he brushed his lips very softly to her's and nibbled on them. She sensed
her body again quivering beneath his warm passionate lips. After a few seconds,
inching back his lips by a fraction, he lifted his gaze up to her and found her
glancing up at him as well. Her rosy red face bought a tiny boyish charming
smile on his lips and he again started nearing his lips close to her's.
It was then she sensed that his
arms around her waist had gone a little loose, and a naughty smile flashed across
her mind. Taking advantage she swiftly moved out of his arms, to frustrate him
deliberately, and turned to rush away. This step of her's did leave him
astound, but he didn't waste time in reacting. And before she could take some
few paces, he caught hold her hand tightly.
Her little impish smile disappeared
as her breath was caught in throat and heart began throbbing underneath the
ribs. His lips twitched mischeviously as he began nearing her. As her breathing
resumed it became uneven, more so because the tightness of his grip increased and
knowing that now he wouldn't leave her. Her cheeks flushed in warmth, while
heart thumped beneath. Halting few feet apart he raised her hand up and then
bent his face to place a warm kiss on the back of her palm. She took a sharp
breath, feeling her skin under his lips bursting in sudden spurt of flames. But
he didn't stop his actions and traced his lips all across her forearm to her
upper arm. Feeling her skin tingling under his touch, with a small but intense
burn smoldering across her entire body, she shut her eyes.
He languidly traced his lips until
her exposed upperarm region, and then edging back an inch, he slowly moved his
face up to her neck. Again another string of goose pimples could be seen on her
skin as a repercussion of his kisses across the length of her arms, which made
him beam yet another time. Meanwhile she gulped nothing through her throat,
still reeling under the effect of his passionate touches. Lifting his other
hand up, he slowly shifted her smooth hairs a little away to expose some region
of her neck and back. As she sensed this her eyes flung open and breathing
hitched simultaneously, while he bent down his face to place a sensous warm
kiss on the nape of her neck. Instinctively she shuddered and squeezed her
shoulders, as the burn amplified within her and right now concentrated on where
his breaths were falling. Such responses of her body pleased him much and he
continued brushing his lips leisurely along her neck, placing some sudden
passionate kisses in between. He found his insides blazing in heat everytime
she shuddered in effect of his touch, and this only made him want to touch her
more.......to explore her soft skin more. Inching back a bit, he shifted her
hairs some more, revealing her back entirely, to place some soft passionate kisses
down her exposed upper back.
She trembled and cocked her head to
sideways as every nerve in her body tightened more than a spring coil, and her
eyes drooped down sluggishly feeling the pleasurable sensation peaking inside
every inch of her's. Her legs started wobbling, feeling utterly powerless to
hold herself when he was making her literally melt down.
His lips slowly travelled back up
to nibble her ear. This made her trembling lips to curve up in a shy smile and
she cocked her head otherside, which inturn only allowed him to explore more of
her neck. His lips swiftly stole a small tight kiss behind the hollow of her
ear, meanwhile his hands resting on her upper arms languidly moved down to hold
her fingers – another set of shivers passed through their body feeling their
skin glide past each other.
Gripping her fingers tightly, he
lifted their interwined pair of hands up to her stomache level and embracing
her snugly, bought her very close to his body – almost crushed her back on to
his chest. It was a pure pleasure to feel her so close to his body. Some more
hard shivers passed through her while the heat inside her body only amplified
extremely, and then unable to hold herself back she just pushed back her head
on his shoulders gently, as if surrendering herself. A triumphant beam formed
in his mind, but he continued kissing her throat and collarbone sensuously for
some long seconds.
However the burn, the excitement
was too much for her to control and inadvertantly her fingers moved a little to
dig in his hands, pleading to him. The same urge, same passion flooded within
him as well and unable to pin down his feelings anymore, he slowly released her
one hand and raised his hand to hold her upper arm. She struggled to take the
air inside her lungs, as it felt too tight and parched. He lets his hand on her
shoulder slide across her wide exposed upper chest sensuously to reach the
other side of her shoulder. She trembled again, as the tension mounted inside
her; he felt the same reaction within himself and slowly loosened the other
hand around her, but didn't release her, to turn her around to him.
Her crimson red face and her
yearning eyes, easily suggested that she was longing just for what he was.
Taking another breath, he tightened his arms around her swiftly bringing her
close to his body. She automatically glid her hands up his chest very
passionately before resting them on his nape, desiring more closeness. His
smoldering desire now exploded inside every cell of his and flashing a crooked
smile, he crushed her to him, giving her what she had asked. She gasped a
little in reflex and he began advancing his face to her's. Breathing unevenly,
a small shy smile creeped across her lips. As their jagged breathing fell on each
other's lips, their hearts jumped inside their chest – almost so loudly that
they could hear the other's racing heart beats and screaming yearn! And then he
touched his lips to her, which instinctively made her part her lips......and he
fused his lips with her. She closed her eyes feeling pleased by his move, so
did he feel. The yearn inside their hearts multiplied inordinately as they
desired for more intimacy. He loosened his arms to let his hands caress her
naked skin, while her hands were caressing his neck sensuously and pulling him
more closer. Sensing this, he tilted his head and deepened the kiss in to a
hard passionate kiss.
Suddenly – a loud noise of clapping
filled his ears, jerking him back to reality with a faint shudder. His smooth
relaxed face carved in to a frowning one as he saw Mrinalini, Vivek, Deepika
and Arjun taking a bow from the audience – everyone but Radhika!! Puckering his
brows deeply in mystification, he lets his gaze scan around everywhere but
didn't find her. The images of the past few minutes flashed across his eyes in
a jiffy. Her sudden presence, their dance and the kiss......Soon realization dawned
upon, it was just a mirage!!
And upon comprehending, a grin
broke on his face and shook his head once lightly.
"Kya huwa Dev?" Dadima asked, inching
closer.
He jerked his head to look at her.
"Jee?"
Arching her brows teasingly, "kyun?
Radhika ke khayalon main kho gaya tha?" she asked with a sweet smile.
Dev's lips parted in astonishment,
wondering how did Dadima know? Did she notice him being lost in his own
beautiful trance? And if yes, did he do anything that would have revealed the
instances in his reverie to her? The thought itself made his face go red in
embarrassment as he couldn't even think of telling Dadima about the things he
had been imagining with Radhika in his mirage!!
"are.....itna romantic sa gaana
chal raha ho aur mere pote ko.......uske pyaar ki yaad na aaye aise to ho hi
nahi sakta? Kyun uske hi baare main soch raha tha na?" Dadima asked again
assertively, in a loving tone.
Probably Dadima didn't notice
anything, he thought to himself and let a small grin erupt on his face. "sahi
kaha aapne Dadima......." agreeing in a composed sweet tone, he moved his arm
around her. Dadima just smiled back.
Meanwhile in Shastri House,
The girls were busy dancing on
various songs cheerfully while Radhika's mehendi was being done. She had a
sweet smile lingering continuously across her face, feeling the excitement and
happiness in the air. As she casually glanced down once at the mehendi being
done on, her gaze stumbled on his name written on her palm. A sweet smile
formed in her lips, however the next second her smile disappeared feeling a
small twinge in her heart. Although she was very happy amidst this merriment
and joyous revelry, still a small part of her heart was yearning for her love –
for him! But she knew that she would still have to wait for a long period to
see him!
"mere baare main soch rahi thi?"
his warm loving whisper floated in her ears, making her shudder in surprise and
she hurriedly turned her face to side only to find Dev seated close to her. Her
lips parted and eyes widened by a fraction in amazement. He was sitting
adjacent to her, but in the opposite direction so that he can face her.
"aap?" a shocked whisper flew out
of her lips.
"Hmm" he shrugged casually. "Tum
mere baare main itna jyaada soch rahi thi na? to lo main aagaya"
His answer bought a small coy smile
on her face. "acha?" Somehow suddenly she didn't see anyone else in the
surrounding, apart from him. Even the volume of the songs went low enough for
her to hear him clearly.
"Hmm. Kyun tum nahi chahti ke main
yahan rahoon?" he asked impishly.
She jerked her gaze up, feeling a
strong spasm in her heart. "maine aise to nahi kaha" her voice remained a
whisper.
He chuckled with a grin, seeing her
somber face. "Aur tum agar keh bhi deti to bhi nahi jaata......kyunki mujhe
pata hai ke tumhara dil har pal mujhe yaad kar raha hai"
That was so true, she couldn't just
keep her thoughts away from him. Smiling shyly, she glanced down at her
mehendi. He too followed her gaze and found the intricately designed mehendi on
her beautiful palms.
Nearing her ear, he rasped "aaj
tumhare haathon main......mere naam ki mehendi lag rahi hai. Aur kal......." He
lets his voice trail off purposely.
Her pulse quickened and she felt a
small warmth in her cheeks.
"Bas kuch aur ghanto main......tum
meri ho jaaogi. Aur main tumhe humesha ke liye apne saath le
jaaonga.......tumhe apne kareeb humesha rakhoonga" he whispered affectionately,
letting his warm breaths caress her hairs.
She took a long breath, feeling a
tingling sensation.
Holding her elbow, he slowly lifted
her one hand up by some degree. "Hmm.....mehendi to kaafi achi aayi hai"
"aapko acha laga?" she asked
sweetly.
He neared to her ears. "Bahut" his
whisper tickled her skin and she tilted her neck by a fraction in reflex.
"umm........waise sach kahoon?
Mujhse ek aur pal intezaar nahi ho raha. Man kar raha hai abhi tumhe leke udd
jaon.....tumhara man bhi kar raha hai na?" he asked, already knowing her
answer.
Her cheeks felt more warm, as she
couldn't deny that indeed she too felt the same, but she kept mum.
"Tum bhale hi chup raho......lekin
main jaanta hoon ke tumhare dil main kya hai" he rapsed passionately against
her ear.
She blushed red and looked down
shyly. He grinned and touched her jaw, turning her face to him. A small shiver
passed through her body as her skin tingled under his touch.
"Bolo sahi keh raha hoon na?" he
prodded further.
This bought a small teensy coy
smile on her face and she lowered her gaze.
Chuckling at her shyness, he slowly
leaned to plant a kiss on her forehead. She quivered under his warm lips and
closed her eyes, while the tiny sweet smile lingered on her. He then moved down
to place warm kisses on her cheeks. Another shudder passed across her spine,
and cheeks now flushed hot. An appeased smile flickered across his face and
then he dropped his gaze to her shivering lips – as if they were already
anticipating for his lips. He didn't wish to increase her agony, and pressed his
lips passionately to her's. A pleased smile filled her mind and she parted her
lips for him.
Vishaka who was too immersed in her
dancing, suddenly noticed Radhika's unusual posture – her head was tilted as if
she was looking at her mehendi but her eyes were closed and a small shy smile
was lingering on her lips and to add it her cheeks were blushing!
Halting her dance, Vishaka twitched
her brows in confusion as her gaze focused on Radhika, wondering why was she sitting
like this? And why was she blushing for no reason at all??? Or was there a
reason.....? Yes, there was! Comprehending, Vishaka shook her head lightly with
a smile and approached Radhika.
As Vishaka reached near the dais,
she snapped her fingers right in front of Radhika's face, that bought her out
of her sweet trance instinctively and she flung her eyes open, startled.
"kya huwa? Yahi thi na?" Vishaka
asked, arching her brows
"huh?" Radhika asked confused,
still under daze. Something was amiss, where was Dev? What was happening?
Seating next to her, "Maine poocha
ke tu yahi hai ke phir kho gayi?" Vishaka repeated her question.
Radhika blinked once, still reeling
under the stupor. "erm.....umm......." nothing came out of her lips, as she
felt too puzzled. What had happened a few seconds ago? Had Dev been here?
Mystified, she wandered her gaze around aimlessly.
Vishaka gave a short sigh,
deciphering her perplexity. "Radhika......yahan Dev kahan se aayenge?"
Radhika glanced at her. That was
right! How can he come here? Even if he can, then could only be in her thoughts
– exactly she was again just thinking about him!!
"Radhika? Waise tu soch kya rahi
thi? Bada sharmaye jaa rahi thi?"
Her face turned crimson red in
embarrassment. "umm.....na....nahi.....kuch nahi" she replied hastily and
looked down.
"Radhika.......tera to bilkul bas
nahi chal raha hai apne aap par. Are jara to control kar apne man ko........Ma
Babuji dekhte to kya sochte?" Vishaka teased, in her ear.
Hearing this, Radhika sensed her
breath stuck on throat suddenly, feeling stunned! Vishaka was right!
"Aur tu to Dev paas kal jaane hi
waali hai na? to itna kya besabr ho rahi hai hmm?" saying, Vishaka nudged her
shoulder.
Radhika felt her cheeks going more
red in embarrassment and shyness, not knowing how to answer her. How was she
supposed to make anyone understand the yearn in her heart?
Meanwhile Vishaka called a few
cousins and muttered something in her ears. The girls nodded and ran away to
the music system. A few seconds passed and a beautiful song started playing
out, filling the aura with more excitement.
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD9rD-OFvSM[/YOUTUBE]
As the lyrics started flowing out,
Vishaka held Radhika's chin to tilt her face up and gestured her eyes towards
the mehendi. And then glancing back at her, she winked an eye.
Radhika's face grew deep red again,
listening to the lyrics that were suiting her properly – indeed she wasn't able
to control her mind even a bit and nor did she remember about day and night!
And on top of it, Vishaka spared no
single chance to tease her. Smiling coyly, Radhika glanced down and found his
name inscribed on her mehendi again. Her smile widened by a small degree.
Some hours later.......
The mehendi and sangeet function
went off very well and all the friends and relatives had gone in to take rest.
However Vaishali's mind found no peace – it remained disturbed.
She paced across the room, worried
and nervous, as her mind kept remembering Amma's words. Every single word of
Amma had been fretting her the whole day, because she didn't want Radhika to be
at the receiving end of Amma's craziness.
Suddenly her gaze stumbled on the
phone and she halted her paces. The only way to enquire about Radhika was to
call up Shastri house. Taking a firm breath, she picked the phone and dialed
the Shastri's.
A few rings later, Shastrijee
picked the phone. "Hello?"
"erm......Shastrijee? Main Vaishali
bol rahi hoon" she replied, trying to smother to anxiety.
Shastrijee smiled a bit – half
worried, thinking why she had called in so late. "Are Vaishalijee aap? Iss
samay? sab theek hai na?"
"Jee Shastrijee sab theek
hai.......umm......maine to bas yahi poochne ke liye phone kiya tha ke sab ache
se ho gaya na?" she asked.
Another smile formed in
Shastrijee's face, this time a relaxed one. "Jee......jee Vaishalijee
.......Thakurjee ke krupa se sab ache se ho gaya"
This meant Radhika was safe.
Vaishali took a relieved breath. "Haan......bas wahi poochna tha......."
"Jee.....erm.....wahan sab theek se
huwa?" Shastrijee asked sweetly.
"Jee haan yahan bhi sab ache se ho
gaya hai......."
"acha......"
"erm......acha ab main rakhti
hoon......der ho rahi hai na......" Vaishali said, feeling much relaxed.
"Jee......aapne humare liye itna
socha yeh dekhkar bahut acha laga. Radhe Radhe" Shastrijee replied warmly.
"Radhe Radhe......." saying, she
hung the phone down.
"Mamma? Kise phone kar rahi thi?"
Mrinalini's voice reached her, and she turned. However before she could reply,
"Shastrijee ko?" Mrinalini asked.
Vaishali gave a small exhale. "Haan......mujhse
raha nahi jaa raha tha beta......"
Mrinalini understood her anxiety as
she too had been tensed about the same issue. "I know Mamma.....infact even I
was getting worried for Radhika. Erm......everything's alright na?"
Vaishali nodded, assuringly. "Haan
beta.....maine poocha......wahan sara function ache se ho gaya hai"
"Thank God" Mrinalini sighed.
"acha.......beta tumne khana nahi
khaya hai na ab tak? Chalo have something first"
"Jee....." smiling a little, she
strolled along with Vaishali to dining area.
Meanwhile in Shastri house,
Devki slowly entered inside Amma's
room. "Ammajee?"
Hearing this Amma glanced up,
feeling hurt and angry. "Ka hai!!?" she shouted.
A small frightened shudder passed
through Devki. "erm......jee khana......Ammajee"
"Kahe? Kahe de rahi ee khana moko?
Eei khana zeher se kam na hai mere liye" she replied curtly coming to Devki.
Devki's face grew tensed.
"Ammajee......aap gussa na ho. Shant ho jaaiye........"
"Shant ho jaayen??" Amma
interrupted. "Kaisen shant ho jayen bahuriya? Bol? Tor jaise muh pe taala pehen
ke baith jaaven? Na hum aisen na kar sakat hain! Samjhi!"
"Dekhiye Ammajee, itne saare log
aaye hain......bina wajah ka tamaasha mat....."
"Tamasha hum khada kar rahi hain??"
Amma again interrupted her coldly. "Are tamasha to tum logon ne banaya hai mor
poti ke jazbaton ka! Sabko uss abshaguni Radhika ki padi hai.....aur mor poti
ka kisi ne socha??"
"Ammajee hum sab jaante hain ke
Vishaka ki khushiyan kis main hai. Aur agar Vishaka iss vivah se khush nahi
hoti to shayad Radhika khud peeche hat jaati"
"Kahe? Kahe hat jaati? Ooko to eei
vivah karke sab kuch mil jaavego! Aur mor poti ko? Kachu na!!" Amma retorted
sharply.
"Ammajee......main sirf itna
kahoongi ke.....Vishaka meri bhi bachi hai. Uska bura main kabhi nahi
chahoongi. Main apne dono bachiyon ki bhalai ke baare main sochke hi saare
kadam uthangi" Devki said in a gentle soothing voice.
Amma just smirked, contemptuously.
"Ammajee......chahe aap hum sabse
gussa hon.......lekin khana to kha leejye" Devki held the plate forward. "aur
phir thodi der aaram kar leejye.......thaki huwi lag rahi hain aap"
Amma stared at her for a few
seconds silently and then took the plate from her. "Theek hai tu jaa......"
"aap kha lengi na?" Devki asked
softly.
"Maine kaha na jaa.......hum kha
levengi" she snapped back and turned to sit down.
Nodding once, Devki left the room.
Amma's face grew pensive as another idea started forming in her brain.
Later in the night......
Radhika slowly slipped out of her
bedsheet and then got down on her feet without making any sounds. Stretching
her neck, she looked at Vishaka once to make sure that she is sleeping. Vishaka
was snoring very lightly. Ensured that she was dozed off, Radhika gave a
relieved short sigh with her hand on chest, and turned to arrange the pillows
on bed – a small cushion near the head part and other two large pillows down,
and then drew the bedsheet over it. It appeared as if she was still sleeping on
the bed.
This was a small trick that she
even used yesterday in case Vishaka would get up from sleep and check on her –
which was a rare possibility as her sister was a sound sleeper. But
nevertheless she didn't intend to take any risk. Then, she went over and closed
the windows so that the room goes dark and no one finds about her.
Meanwhile in Purohit House,
Dev was lying on his bed, legs
pushed down to the floor, and stared at the celing thinking about Radhika. One
hand of his was clutching the phone, awaiting for her call impatiently. Why was
suddenly the time again ticking off so painfully? He wondered. Raising his
phone up, he looked at the colourful screen, waiting for Shastri's number to be
flashed on it.
"Radhika? Kab karogi tum call? Main
yahan pagal ho raha hoon. Please......tumhari awaaz, tumhari hasi.......sun ne
ke liye.......tumhara yeh Dev tadpa jaa raha hai" he mumbled, gazing at the
screen.
However nothing appeared on the
screen except the wallpaper. He sighed somberly and looked away, moving his
phone down.
Suddenly the phone started buzzing
and Dev glanced down once swiftly at the phone, before raising it up. The
moment his gaze read the flashing number, a pleasant smile filled his face.
"Radhika......." and he picked it up quickly.
"Hello" her soft loving voice
floated from the other side, that made his heart race. He closed his eyes for a
fraction of brief second, absorbing her voice inside his heart.
Radhika twitched her brows in
confusion as she didn't hear him. "Hello?" she said again in a whisper, aching
to listen his voice and love.
Smiling, he opened his eyes and was
about to reply when something struck him and he pursed his lips impishly.
Again silence. She wondered as to
why wasn't he replying back. "Hello? Aap jawaab kyun nahi de rahe hain?"
He chuckled silently, sensing her
yearn to hear him. But he wanted to tease her a little more, so he kept quiet
enojoying her loving voice.
Blinking once, she wandered her
gaze around the room to ensure no one catches her. "Hello? Kya huwa? Aap kuch
bol kyun nahi rahe hain? umm......sab theek hai na?"
But again it was only silence that
she received. Frowning in puzzle, she moved the receiver away from her ear and
glanced at it, wondering if there was any problem with it?
Meanwhile Dev was thoroughly enjoying
her frustration and confusion.
Keeping the receiver back to her
ear, she spoke again. "Hello? Aapko meri awaaz sunayi de rahi hai na?"
He nodded to himself, smiling.
It was then a small thought
flickered in her mind that made her face go low. "aap mujhse naaraz hain?
erm......sorry who phone karne main jyaada der ho gayi kya?" she asked
somberly.
This pinched his heart and his smile
vanished. He had never known that she would feel so.
"Sorry....." she apologized again
cutely.
"86,400 seconds........" he
uttered.
A smile broke on her face, as he
spoke finally. But the next second, she frowned in bewilderment unable to
comprehend the meaning of the numbers. "Jee?"
"Hmm. 86,400 seconds........"
"matlab?"
"86,400 seconds main tum meri ho jaogi"
he replied sweetly.
Her smile returned on lips, this
time a shy one. "aap kya har pal gin(count) rahe hain?"
"Bilkul. Tum nahi gin rahi kya?
Main to har pal, har minute......har ghanta(hour) gin raha hoon......uss pal ka
intezaar besabri kar raha hoon jab tum mere saamne aaogi" he answered.
Her coy smile widened.
"Bolo na......tum bhi gin rahi ho
na?" he asked assertively, knowing that also would be counting the seconds just
as him.
Blushing, she nodded looking at the
phone dial. "Hmm......"
"bas.......86,400 palon
main......tum mere paas hogi. Meri bahon main......" he added in a husky whisper.
The thought was too beautiful and
she started yearning for the moment when she would be in his arms. "Hmm......."
she mumbled, blushing red.
He knew that she would be blushing
deeply. Giving a sigh, "Kaash main wahan hota....... to tumhara sharmata huwa
khoobsurat chehra dekh paata" he said.
Hearing this, she felt some more
warmth in her cheeks. He knew her so well.
"aur bas tumhari khoobsurati main
kho jaata......" he continued in the loving voice.
She chuckled lightly. "acha?"
"Bilkul........yeh to bas in rasmon
ne mere pair bandh rakhen hain. Warna main to kabka tumhare paas uddke agaya
hota" he said, sweetly.
Bringing a hand to cover her lips,
she giggled silently. "Aap bhi na......erm......waise aap pehle baat kyun nahi
kar rahe the? Naaraz the kya mujhse?"
Shrugging casually, "Bilkul
nahi.......main to tumhare saath thoda sa mazak kar raha tha" he replied, as
his lips twitched in to a impish smile. "Mujhe kya pata tha ke tum dil pe le
logi aur apni galti samajke maafi mangogi!"
Her face grew stern, after learning
about his prank. "Mazaak kar rahe the? Main itni pareshan ho gayi yahan pe aur
aapko mazak sujh raha tha?"
He laughed at her cute anger. "Haan
main dekhna chahta ke kaise meri Radhika meri awaaz sun ne ke liye tadap rahi
hai"
This laughter irked her – why is he
mocking her? "aap bhi na......has kyun rahe hain? pehle hi itne mushkilon se
main aapko phone kar paa rahi hoon. Aur aap hain ke........" she was almost
reprimanding him.
"are to kya huwa? Pyaar ke liye tum
thoda sa risk nahi le sakti? Bolo?"
"Le to rahi hoon na" she replied
back, in a slightly irritated tone. She had been so aching to listen his loving
voice and he, despite knowing her condition, was playing around!
"to itna chid kyun rahi ho?"
"Main kahan chid rahi hoon?" she
answered back, feeling more chagrined now.
"Chid hi to rahi ho......" he too
felt irritated now, because she was getting annoyed for no reason at all!
"Dekhiye......pehle hi aapse
baatein karne ke liye......mujhe sabse chupna pad raha hai...... aur yeh dar
bhi laga rehta hai ke koi pakad na le.......aur inn sab ke upar aap hai
ke....." she trailed her voice, feeling irked.
"Aap hai ke? What? Radhika tum to
aise bol rahi ho jaise sirf main tumse baatein karna chahta hoon! Tum to jaise
mujhse baat hi nahi karna chahti!! Sirf mere liye risk utha rahi ho? Apne liye
nahi?" he snapped back, hearing her almost accusing tone.
This sudden anger of his surprised
her. "aap aise kyun keh rahe hain?"
"To aur kaise kahoon? Pehle hi
tumhare phone ke liye main itni der tak intezaar karta raha......!! Aur upar se
jab phone karti ho to itna chidke kyun baat kar rahi ho??" he argued.
"Main nahi chid rahi hoon!" she
stated firmly, in a whispering voice.
"Tum chid rahi ho! Aur agar tumhe
mujhse isi tarah baat karni hai na......then its better that we don't talk!!
Bye!" saying tersely, he cut the phone.
Her heart skipped a beat, as the
phone went suddenly silent after his angry outburst. She felt too shocked to
react. He had never behaved so angrily with her.....then whats with him now?
She wondered. The beeping sound of the phone still floated in to her ears, as
she held the receiver in the same position.
Her throat went thick and eyes felt
moist. "who mujhse aise baat kyun kar rahe the?" she muttered to herself. She
couldn't bear his hostileness – this scared her because she didn't want to
loose his love.
Holding her Kanha pendant,
"Kanha.......kya mujhse koi galti ho gayi? Main to bas...... shayad mujhse hi
galti ho gayi Kanha......" she conceded, unable to tolerate his harshness. Tears
automatically trickled down her eyes.
In the meantime, Dev stared at the
ceiling still annoyed. "are baat to aise kar rahi thi jaise.....sirf mujhe us
se baat karni ho! Us se to jaise mujhse baat hi nahi karni hai! Saara risk sirf
mere liye le rahi hai! Jara mazak kya kar diya itna chid gayi?!!" he murmured
in anger.
"Kitna tadap raha tha us se baat
karne ke liye......aur who hai ke......" he murmured some more angrily.
Suddenly something clicked in his
brain, and his angry face turned smooth. "who bhi meri awaaz sun ne ke liye
tadap rahi thi......aur maine aisa mazak kiya to.........Isilye to nahi chid ke
baat kar rahi thi??" he wondered aloud in a somber voice. It could be well a
reason, he admitted to himself.
"Great! And Dev.......you screwed
up all! Ab who naaraz ho gayi hai......kal shaadi hai aur......tune apni hi
dulhan ko!!" he bought a hand on his forehead feeling terrible now! "God! Why
couldn't you keep a control on yourself!!?" he scolded himself.
Just then, his phone started
buzzing again. He was surprised, but with a tinge of hope he pulled his phone
up and indeed found Shastri's number flashing on the screen. A small smile came
on his lips as he quickly received the call. "Hello......"
"Mujhe......maaf.......kar deejye"
she apologized. Her voice broke twice.
This twinged his heart and face was
instantly filled with a painful frown. "Radhika tum ro rahi ho?"
She just looked down, letting some
more tears roll down her cheeks.
"Radhika......" he called her
gently, wondering if she had been crying for all these moments after he'd shut
the phone curtly. The answer was quite obvious. His heart cringed in pain. Damn!
"I am sorry Radhika......" the
apology flew out of his lips hurriedly. "I am very sorry......main tumhe chot
nahi pahuchana chahta tha"
"nahi.......galti meri thi"
she replied, again her voice croaked and this was scathing his heart badly.
"Radhika please......stop crying.
And stop apologizing! I am the idiot! Main samaj hi nahi paaya ke tum gussa ke
kyun ho gayi......aur tumpar hi naaraz ho baitha" he said in a strained voice.
She shook her head, in
disagreement. "nahi......."
"Haan......meri galti hi thi. Mujhe
maaf kar do" he repeated his apology.
"Main aapse naaraz nahi
hoon......to....maafi ki baat kahan se aati hai" she replied, sniffling once.
Her heart felt immense relief after hearing his soothing, loving voice again.
However her sniffling was causing
him heart aches. "Radhika......please rona band karo. Dekho agar tumhare ankhon
se ek aur aansoo neeche gira......to mere liye apne kadam rok paana bahut
mushkil ho jaayega. Main tumhare paas chala aajaaonga......" he avowed firmly
in an agonized voice.
Her lips parted and eyes widened by
a fraction in shock. "yeh aap kya keh rahe hain...... aisa kuch mat keejye"
"tumhare ansuon ke saamne
main......duniya ke reet riwaz nahi dekh sakta" he explained his agony.
"Tumhare ansoon......mere dil ko cheer dete hain Radhika"
His loving words assured her heart
again that he would never go away from her. A sad sweet smile came on her lips.
"chalo......isiliye......apne ansoo
pocho. Wipe your tears or else I will come there" he warned, jokingly.
Her smile widened and sniffling
once, she wiped away her tears. "Nahi roungi main"
Hearing her voice back to normal,
he took a relieved breath. However the next second guilt washed through him. "Lekin
main bahut bura hoon na? shaadi ke ek din pehle....... apni hi dulhan pe awaaz
utha baitha" his voice turned strained.
She shook her head hurriedly.
"Nahi.....aap kaisi baatein kar rahe hain.......mujhe aapse koi gila nahi"
Chuckling once sadly, "Radhika main
tumhe ache se jaanta hoon. Tum meri naarazgi bardasht nahi kar sakti......aur
isiliye to tumhare aankhon se ansoon chalak uthe" he said. "Aur yeh jaante huwe
bhi ke tumhe mere gusse se takleef hogi......main phir bhi tumpe gussa ho
baitha......How can I be so reckless!" he cursed himself.
She realized that he was feeling too
much penitent. "aap.......vyarth main apne aapko dosh de rahe hain. Mere man
main aapke liye sach much koi narazgi nahi hai"
"Narazgi nahi Radhika.......tumhe
dard huwa meri baaton se. Aur yeh mujhe gawaara nahi"
Seeing him feeling so remorseful,
she felt bad. "Dekhiye......apne aapko iss tarah mat kosiye na......please.
Warna......main phir ro doongi" she threatened cutely.
He chuckled once. "acha
phir......to mujhe chup hona padega. Kyunki I cant see you in tears"
Smiling to herself once, she
glanced down. "Jitna dard mujhe huwa hoga.....aapko bhi to huwa hoga na?"
"Hmm. Bahut huwa......bahut jyaada"
he admitted painfully.
A small silent moment passed
between them. But even in the silence, they could hear their pains.
"Radhika.....waise tum jaanti
ho......mujhe bahut acha laga aaj" he said gently.
"Mujhpar gussa karke?" she asked,
adding humor.
He chuckled. "Nahi. Radhika maine
tumhe kisi aur se chidte huwe......gussa karte huwe bahut kam dekha hai......tum
apne dil ki baaton ko chupa ke rakhti ho taake kisi ko dukh na pahunche. Unhe
dukh na ho.......isiliye tum apna dard pee jaati ho"
She couldn't deny whatever he said
and looked down glumly.
"Lekin thodi der pehle......tum
mujhse bina kisi dar ke chid gayi. Bas Radhika main yahi chahta hoon ke tum
apna gussa, apni chid, apni khushiyan......bina kisi dar ke sabse keh sako" He
continues. "aur haan jahan tak meri baat hai.......to main tumse gussa nahi ho
sakta. Tum mujhpar chilla bhi dogi na.....to bhi mera pyaar thoda bhi kam nahi
hoga" he assured lovingly.
Some more tears formed in her eyes
while her throat felt tight. But she carefully muffled her sniffles not wanting
him to feel bad.
"Tumhe yaad hai......ek baar jab
hum delhi gaye the.....aur tum mujhse naaraz ho gayi thi. Lekin phir usi dar ne
tumhe kamzor bana diya. Uss din main sochta reh gaya tha ke najaane Radhika ko
aisa kyun lag raha hai ke......uske jara se gussa hone se main us se door chala
jaoonga......? Lekin phir samaj gaya......Radhika mera pyaar itna kamzor nahi
hai......aur naahi tumhara pyaar kamzor hai"
She nodded silently as her throat
felt too choked to release any words out.
"Radhika aaj bhi......tum dar gayi
na? ke kahi mera pyaar tumhare liye kam na ho jaaye? Hmm?" he asked tenderly.
"mm....hmm" she managed to choke
out.
"mujhse jhooth kyun bolti ho? Hmm? Yeh
dar apne andar se mita do kyunki tumhare bina......tumhara Dev kuch nahi hai"
he soothed lovingly.
Gulping her lump, "Hmm......" she
muttered. A little more tears came down.
A small second passed.
"Erm......tum jaanti ho bhabhi kya
kehti hain?" he diverted the topic, to change the mood.
"Kya?" she asked in a whisper tone,
wiping the tears that had managed to roll down.
"Bhabhi kehti hai......ke jab pati
patni ke beech aise pyaar bhare jagde(fights) hote hain na......to unke beech
pyaar aur bad jaata hai" he replied lovingly.
This bought a smile on her face.
"acha?"
"Hmm. Who kya hai na......jab
jhagda hota hai to roothna aur manana(pacify) bhi hota hai. Aur isi ke beech
pyaar aur gehra ho jaata hai" he explained sweetly.
Glancing down, she played with the
phone wire coyly.
"Haan. ab dekho na......hum dono ke
beech yeh pyaar bhari ladayi ki shuruwat ho chuki hai.......to bas ab tum
roothogi to main manaunga......aur main rootha to tum mujhe manaogi. Hai na?"
he said sweetly.
"mm....hmm.......main nahi chahti
ke hum dono ke beech aise jhagde ho" she mumbled somberly, not ever wishing to
fight with him.
His eyes tighetened. "are yeh who
waale serious jhagde thodi na hai!! Yeh to pyaar bhare jhagde hain. Aur waise
bhi......main tumse sach much jhagda to kar hi nahi sakta....... because you're
my life"
Her heart tingled again and smile
returned.
Lifting his one leg up, he placed
it on the edge of bed "And bhabhi says.......that such small fights between
couples add some more colour and flavour in the relation. They are necessary in
small amounts to make the relation more stronger" he continued. "samjhi?"
"Hmm......."
A small impish smile twitched his lips.
"So theek hai.....jab bhi hum dono ke beech aise jhagde honge......we will make
up by evening.....umm.......with a......er......hot passionate kiss" he rasped
the trailing words.
Instiinctively her heart skipped a
beat and warmth flooded to her cheeks.
"So it's a deal?" he asked sweetly.
"deal?"
"Haan.......jab kabhi agar humare
beech chote mote ladayi huwi.......then we will make up by evening......with
a......." he lets his voice trail off purposely in a mischevious tone.
She could just blush deeply,
understanding.
"bolo na? deal?" he prompted.
Blushing crimson red, "Hmm....." a
small, almost inaudible, shy mumbled floated to him.
And he grinned in return. "Waise......humne
ladayi to abhi bhi ki na? so kiss bhi abhi lenge na?" he added naughtily in a
slow voice.
"abhi?" her pulse quickened again.
"Haan abhi" Pressing his lips to
the phone, he gave her a long tight kiss.
Her cheeks and ears felt hot, iron
hot, after receiving his passionate kiss.
"Radhika don't blush so much.....!
This will actually force me to come over there and give you a real kiss" he
whispered sweetly.
Chuckling once, "nahi......aisa mat
keejye" she replied. She could almost hear her pounding heart beats behind her
ears.
Suddenly he remembered Dadima's
words earlier in the day. "erm......Radhika suno na? aaj Dadima ne
mujhse.....mehendi ke rasm ke baare main kuch kaha"
"Kya kaha?"
"Umm......yahi ke.....agar dulhan
ke haathon ki mehendi gehri aati hai to.....uska hone wala pati us se bahut
pyaar karta hai" he replied lovingly.
Hearing this, her smile again
turned shy, almost knowing what would be his next question. She slowly glanced
down at her free hand – her mehendi had turned out to be of the thickest dark
colour and looked very beautiful on her fair hands.
"Umm.....to bolo na ke tumhare
haathon main mehendi kaisi aayi hai?" he asked cutely.
She smiled to herself.
"umm.....aapko kya lagta hai?"
"Waise mujhe pata hai ke mehendi ka
rang bahut gehra aaya hoga kyunki......woh rang mere prem ko dikhata hai. Aur
pyaar to main tumse bahut jyada karta hoon" he answered.
Arching a brow once, she thought of
something naughty and bit her lip. "Jab aapko pata hi hai to pooch kyun rahe
hain?" she said to increase his impatience.
"Kyunki main tumhare mooh se sun na
chahta hoon" he replied affectionately.
She shook her head, disagreeing – although
it did pinch her heart to deny his such affectionate request. "Mmm....hmm.
Aapko to pata hai na? to phir mere kehne ki kya jaroorat hai. Umm.......kahi
aisa to nahi ke shayad aapko aise lag raha ho ke mehendi ka rang pheeka aaya
hai?" and asked deliberately.
He frowned. "Aisa bilkul nahi hai.
I am sure ke tumhari mehendi bahut gehri aayi hai. Aayi hai na?" his voice had
assertiveness.
Bobbing her head in affirmation,
she smiled to herself. "Umm. Aapko yakeen hai na apne pyaar pe.....to kyun
pooch rahe hain. Kal hi dekh leejyega"
Her game was again frustrating him.
"Theek hai. Mat batao. I have full confidence in my love!"
"acha hai" she suppressed her
giggle, sensing his chagrin.
Something flicked in his brain and
his lips twitched. "Umm.....waise tumhe pata hai na ......ke dulhe ke haathon
main bhi mehendi lagti hai"
"Haan"
"erm......to jaise dulhan ke
haathon ki mehendi ki gehrayi ko pati ka pyaar kaha jaata hai. Waise hi dulhe
ke haathon main mehendi ki gehrayi dulhan ke pyaar ko dikhata hai" he informed cutely.
She giggled. "nahi. Aisa kuch nahi
hota hai. Yeh to sirf ladkiyon ke mehendi ke liye hoti hai"
"are......yeh mujhe Dadima ne kaha
hai. To kya who jhooth bol rahi hai?" he shielded his stance fiercely. However
Dadima had never confirmed this!
"Umm......nahi maine aisa nahi
kaha. Lekin......aisa nahi hota"
"Hota hai!" he argued, confidently.
She arched a brow, in wonderment.
"Acha? To kaise aaya hai rang aapke haathon main?" and asked casually.
A mischievous beam broke on his
face. "Agar tumhe apne pyaar pe bharosa hai.....to khud jaan lo? Mujhse kya
pooch rahi ho" He got a chance to get back.
Her eyes widened, understanding his
trick, and she pursed her lips briefly. "theek hai. Mat bataiye. Mujhe bhi apne
pyaar pe pura bharosa hai"
He had thrown this trick to know
her answer but rather she chose the other option. "theek hai. Dekh lena
phir......." he replied in a grim tone, as his attempt failed.
Hearing this, her lips curved in to
a beautiful smile. "umm......waise aapse kuch kahoon"
"Kya?"
"Mere haathon main mehendi ka rang
bahut bahut jyaada gehra aaya hai.....bilkul aapke pyaar ke jaise" she added
sweetly, while gazing in to her mehendi filled hand.
A grin broke on his face. "sach?"
She nodded. "Hmm. Yahi jaan na tha
na aapko?" saying she giggled once.
"Haan.......main to shaam se tadas
raha hoon yeh jaan ne ke liye ke tumhare haathon main mehendi ka rang kaise
aayega" As he uttered these words, another question flashed across his mind.
"erm.......waise main to tumse kuch
aur poochna chahta tha" he said.
"Kya?"
"erm......kya aaj bhi mehendi ki
rasm main.......main tumhare khayalon main aaya tha?" he asked sweetly, with a
crooked smile.
Her cheeks again flushed red. "Hmm"
she affirmed sweetly.
His smile widened in to a grin.
"kya dekha tumne?"
"aapne bhi muhje dekha?" she asked
cutely, avoiding his question as she felt too shy to answer him.
Shrugging, "Hmm......bilkul dekha"
he answered. "umm.....tumne kya dekha?"
"umm.....er......pehle aap bataiye"
she again tried evading.
"acha......erm......." suddenly his
eyes tighetened wondering why she was not answering him first. Probably she is
again feeling shy! Smiling croockedly, "nahi Radhika. Tum batao pehle......" he
insisted.
"umm.....maine.......erm.......kuch
nahi. Bas aap aaye aur meri mehendi dekhi" she answered, neatly editing the
passionate moments.
He arched his brows, disbelivingly.
"acha?" even his tone seemed skeptical. "sirf itna?"
She didn't miss the dubiousness in
his voice, but pretended to be ignorant. "Haan. Ab aap bataiye"
"umm......kuch nahi. Tum aayi aur
bas chali gayi" he also answered similarly.
Her forehead creased. "Jee?" But
soon realized that she was being given a identical answer to her's.
"umm.....bas itna?"
"Haan. Tumne bhi to mujhe nahi
bataya? Kal haldi ki baat bhi nahi batayi tumne" he retorted gently.
Her eyes tinkled as an idea came
up. "Umm......theek hai. Aap mujhe aaj ki baat bataiye ......aur phir main bhi
bataongi"
He laughed once, humorlessly. "Jee
nahi main tumhe nahi bataoonga. Kyunki tum to waise bhi nahi batane wali ho!"
"erm.....aisa nahi hai"
"Aisa hi hai!" he stated
assertively, and then his eyes gleamed with naughtiness. "aur waise bhi.....aaj
maine jo dekha hai na......woh main tumhe abhi bilkul nahi bata sakta"
Puckering her brows, "kyun?" she
asked.
His lips curved impishly. "Kyunki,
main chahta hoon ke tab tum mere saamne baithi raho. Whatever I saw today.....is
something I want describe when you come home to me. So that I can sit and
relish your blushing face" he elucidated lovingly.
His words bought a blush on her
face already. "aisa kya dekha aapne?"
"dehko tum abhi se sharmane lagi
ho! Jab poori baat sunogi.....tab ko sharmake bura haal ho jaayega" he added
huskily and laughed.
Instantly some more warmth flooded
in to her face.
"Are baba bas karo na sharmana......warna
mera yahan rehna mushkil ho jaayega" he said cutely.
She giggled once.
"Radhika tum hasti ho na......to
mujhe bahut acha lagta hai. Erm.....waise kal se yeh hasi humesha mere paas
rahegi" he asserted.
"Haan. kal se to main aap hi ki ho
jaaongi" she replied sweetly. A soft breeze washed in the from the small
opening of the window.
"erm.....der ho chuki hai bahut.
Aapko abhi aaram karna chahiye" she said gently, but her heart felt few pangs
of pain.
His forehead creased. "thodi der
aur baat kar lete hai na......" he requested.
She understood his ache, afterall
she too was suffering the same! However she cannot be here for a longer time
fearing the risk of being caught. "chahti to main bhi yahi hoon......lekin koi
bahar aagaya to......"
Pursing his lips briefly, "theek
hai......" he agreed somberly.
"aap dukhi kyun hote hain.......kuch
ghanto ki to baat hai ab" she added lovingly, to lessen his pain and even
her's.
He chuckled. "Haan. sahi hai.
Erm.....waise.....tum kuch bhool rahi ho"
"Kya?"
"ahem ahem........mera tofha?"
Another flush of warmth reached up
her cheeks. "erm......."
"dogi na?" he asked lovingly.
Pressing the receiver against her
lips, she gave a loving kiss. He beamed in response and quickly returned a
tight long kiss. She blushed some more.
"erm......waise ek aur milega?" he
requested in a whisper.
Her lips parted and then she broke
in to a smile. "mm.......hmm. Bas ek din ke ek hi tofha manga tha na?" she
reminded cutely.
"To? To kya ek se jyaada nahi
dogi?"
She shook her head, disagreeing.
"mm.....hmm"
"Theek hai. Jab tum mere paas
aajaogi phir to tumhe meri har baat man ni hogi! Tab to mana nahi karogi na?"
he asked lovingly.
"Tab mana kaise kar sakti hoon?
aapki jo ho jaaongi"
"hmm"
"erm......ab main rakhoon......"
Suddenly she heard a door creaking
open, that made her shudder in fright. A gasp automatically flew out of her
throat.
Hearing this, Dev's forehead
creased. "Kya huwa?"
She took a breath, but due to fear,
the air didn't quite reach the lungs. And then......she saw a shadow. "koi aa
raha hai" she whispered in the faintest voice possible.
Her frightened voice got him tensed
as well and he got up to sit. "Kaun?" his voice too turned in to whisper.
Meanwhile she sat in her corner,
unmoving, not desiring to be noticed. Just then the person walked across the
dim ray of moonlight coming through the window.
"Amma ......" she mumbled in the same whispering sound.
His brows furrowed. "Amma?"
However she didn't speak, just
snuggled her body closer to the wall not wanting Amma to catch her. She saw
Amma walking up to her room and inside. Her brows puckered wondering why Amma
went inside her room at this hour?
"Hello? Radhika are you there?"
"Hmm" she answered slowly.
"Amma iss samay bahar? Kya kar rahi
hai who?" Dev asked, curiously.
Holding the receiver as close as
possible, she muttered. "who mere kamre main gayi hain"
"Kya tumhare kamre main? Iss
samay?" he got up, bewildered. Strangely a part of him was prepared, so that if
he senses Amma doing something wrong he could just rush to help Radhika!
"Haan. pata nahi iss samay kya
karne gayi hogi. Agar unhone dekh liya ke main wahan nahi hoon to?" her voice
turned nervous.
"Radhika don't worry. Dekho tum
jahan ho wahi baithi raho........if you move she might just see you. So better
stay put where you are"
"hmm......" Radhika agreed, while
her gaze remained fixed on her room.
"erm.......did she put on the
lights?" he asked, pacing through his room absently.
"Nahi. Kamre main to pura andhera
hai. Erm......maine khidki bhi band kardi thi.....taake mera wahan na hona
Vishaka ko pata na chale" she replied, in a murmur.
"Hmm. Theek hai. Keep an eye"
Bobbing her head in affirmation,
she kept her gaze on the room.
Meanwhile inside,
Drawing the curtains, Amma began
walking up to Radhika's bed. She knew which one was Radhika's and strolled
ahead carefully because it was pitch dark, except for the faintest of faint
light coming from the other room. But that hardly helped and she didn't wish to
open the window of this room, fearing that Vishaka might get up and spoil her
plan! Her legs kept moving towards Radhika's bed blindly, when suddenly they
hit on something that made a creaky sound. Shuddering, she halted her paces and
looked towards Vishaka's bed. But Vishaka seemed to be sleeping, so she took a
relieved breath.
"lagta
hai eeihai hai Oo chori ka bistar!"
She slowly moved near the
headboard, with faint footsteps not wishing to wake up Vishaka. Reaching near
the headboard, she halted and gazed at Radhika.
"Hmm.
Badi achi neend aa rahi hai na toko? Manhoos? Mor poti ki khushiyan cheen ke tu
chain ki neend so rahi hai na? theek hai......ab hum bhi dekhat hain ke kaisen
tu mor poti ke khushiyon ko cheen sakegi" Saying to herself, she smirked
silently.
In the faint dim light, she could
see the pale outline of the bedsheet over Radhika. She pulled the bedsheet over
from her head and sprinked some lotion on it.
"eei
aisen davayi hai chori ke......tu bach na paavegi! Kal tera vivah to tab hovego
na jab tu wahan upasthit(present) rahegi!!" She said, looking at the
silhouette on the bed – that was all she was able to see in the darkness.
She sprinkled some more potion on
the bedsheet, pillow behind and then safely covered bedsheet over what was
supposed to be Radhika's face. After this, she gave a smug pleasant smile. The
liquid that she had spread on Radhika's bedsheet was a potion for
unconsiousness and excessive inhalation of the same can even lead the patient
to coma. Since the potion was odorless, it was quite impossible for Radhika to
understand and jerk the bedsheet away from herself. Thus she would keep
inhaling the same for the whole night and.......!!!
"Mubarak
ho Radhika......"
Laughing meanly in silence, she
began walking back to the door. She glanced back once towards Vishaka and
blinked. "tu fikr na kar mor bachi......hum
tori khushiyan kisiko cheenne na devengi"
She slowly strolled out of the
door, towards her own room.
Seeing this, Radhika again snuggled
herself closer – almost sticking herself to the wall, so that Amma doesn't
notice her.
Amma didn't notice anything, as it
was pitch dark and also she was lost in her own world to spot anything odd at
this hour. Reaching her room, she took a relaxed breath and closed the door.
An relieved but muffled sigh came
out of Radhika's mouth, while her one hand flew up to hold Kanha's pendant.
"Radhika?" Dev called, still
waiting on line.
"Hmm. Amma andar chali gayi"
He took a relieved breath.
"erm....ab mujhe rakhna chahiye.
Koi aur aaye iske pehle......main chalti hoon"
"ek minute Radhika......" he
stopped hurriedly.
"Kya huwa?"
"erm.....Amma iss samay kya karne
gayi hogi andar?" he wondered aloud, in a tensed voice.
"Wahi to mujhe bhi samaj main nahi
aa raha. Amma iss samay andar kyun gayi?"
"Hmm. Sochne waali baat to hai.
Just think......I mean at this hour why should she step inside your room" he
thought aloud.
"erm......haan shayad......Amma
Vishaka se milne gayi ho" she answered, suddenly figuring out.
"Vishaka se?" he asked, hardly
convinced.
"erm......haan......woh Vishaka Amma
se baat nahi karti na. To unhe bahut dukh pahunchta hai. Shayad isiliye Vishaka
se milne gayi ho" she reasoned.
Tightened his gaze, he looked
around his room. "ho sakta hai. Ya nahi bhi ho sakta"
"Jee?"
"Radhika mujhe aise kyun lag raha
ke Amma wahan Vishaka se milne nahi gayi hogi" he said, his voice turned
strained as his tensed gaze roamed aimlessly.
Her brows twitched. "to aur kis
wajah se jaa sakti hai?" she asked, confused.
"Pata nahi Radihka......but I feel
something's fishy" he muttered, lost in thoughts. His heart was racing in fear.
Seeing him so tensed, "aap itni
chinta na keejye......kuch nahi hoga. Erm.....aaram kar leejye thodi
der.....hmm" she said.
"Nahi Radhika......phone mat rakho.
I don't trust Amma at all. Dekho tum jitna lightly le rahi ho na......things
need not be so easy! Don't you remember that Amma is against this marriage? Just
think Amma kyun andar gayi hogi?" he prodded.
"erm......to aapko lagta hai ke who
mujhe.......kuch......."
Clenching his jaws, "Hmm. Radhika
that could be a possibility" he agreed.
"Dekhiye aisa to nahi ho sakta.
Kyunki agar aisa hota.....to ab tak Amma ko pata chal chukka hota ke maine
wahan apne jagah takiya(pillow) rakha hai......aur main to kamre main hoon hi
nahi. Amma to ab tak koi bada sa bhakeda(drama) kar chuki hoti" she elucidated
her reason in a soft undertone.
"Takiya?" he asked
"Umm......haan......woh main wahan
takiya rakh ke aati hoon. Agar galti se Vishaka ki aankhein khul jaaye to jaldi
samaj main nahi aayega na use....." she replied.
"Oh"
"erm....dekhiye aap jaise samaj
rahe hain waisa kuch nahi hai........"
Her innocent outlook on everything
– especially Amma, frustrated him at this point and he interrupted her.
"Radhika tum samaj nahi rahi ho! Tum ache se jaanti ho ke Amma humare rishte se
ab bhi khush nahi hai. Who tumhe ab bhi har cheez ke liye zimmedar keh rahi
hai. Aise main who iss vivah ko rokne ke liye kuch bhi kar sakti hai! If she
can come and try to weaken your mind in the temple.......she can do anything to
stop our marriage!!
She fell silent immediately.
He feared that she must have felt
bad. "Radhika you need to be very careful. Please. Mujhe samajne ki koshish
karo"
"umm.......haan main samajti hoon.
Lekin Amma kya kar sakti hai?" she wondered aloud.
His forehead creased as a thought
flickered across his mind. "What did you say? You kept pillows in your place?
Right?"
"Hmm" she nodded.
Roaming his sharp intense gaze
everywhere as his brain kept thinking vigorously to crack Amma's unknown plan.
"Probably she mistook the pillows for you.......aur unhone
kuch.......erm......."
Radhika looked on, as it went
silent on the other end.
Suddenly it seemed as if he got a
small clue and his face went smooth but pale. "Radhika change the pillows,
bedsheets, bedspreads......erm.....everything immediately. Do not sleep on it!"
he almost ordered.
"Jee?" she asked bewildered by his
odd instructions.
"Haan Radhika. Tum sahi
thi.......if Amma had understood that you weren't there in the room then she
would have surely tried to search you or else would have created a scene. But
she did nothing" he explained.
"Hmm......" she nodded absently,
trying to understand his point.
"Iska matlab yeh ho sakta hai ke
unhe aisa laga ho ke wahan tum so rahi thi" he continued.
She took a silent breath and was unable to completely deny his
reasonings. "ho sakta hai"
"Aur unhone kuch........!! Agar who
sach much Vishaka ko dekhne gayi hogi.....then fine you're safe! But if
not......" he gave a nervous small sigh.
She too felt much tensed.
"Unhone light nahi jalayi na?" he
enquired.
"Nahi"
"to iska matlab who jyaada kuch kar
nahi paayi hongi. Erm......she wasn't there for long right?" he asked quickly.
"Nahi thode samay main bahar aagayi
thi. Aur kuch awaaz bhi nahi aayi" she replied.
"Hmm. Iska matlab she mustn't have
opened any drawers or closets.......anyways it was too dark to do all these" he
wondered, pacing around.
"Haan"
"suno.......do you keep water in
your room?"
"Haan rakhti hoon"
"throw it....." he ordered
immediately.
"paani?"
"Haan Radhika.......paani. You
never know what she can do!" he snapped back. "acha suno.....tumhare shaadi ka
joda who kahan rakha hai?"
"Ma ke kaamre main.
Erm.......shaadi ka joda, gehne, kal ke liye naye kapde sab Ma ne apne kamre
main rakhe hain......naye hai na isiliye" she replied smoothly.
"Good" he took a relieved breath.
His anxiousness was worrying her.
"aap meri ek baat manege?" she asked lovingly.
He halted his paces. "Kya?"
"erm......itna pareshan mat hoiye.
Mujhe kuch nahi hoga. Kanha hai na.....aur aapka pyaar bhi to hai" she reasoned
sweetly.
Sighing, "Radhika jab tak tum mere
paas nahi aa jaati........jab tak tum Amma ke paas rahogi main pareshan hota
rahoonga. Kyunki Radhika unhone tumhare saath bahut kuch bura kiya hai.....aur
ab main apni patni pe koi zulm hote huwe bardasht nahi kar sakta" he explained
his worry to her.
Glacing down at the floor, she
smiled to herself. "Main jaanti hoon ke aap mujhse bahut jyaada pyaar karte
hain.......aur us se bhi jyaada meri fikr karte hain. Lekin mujhe bhi aapki
bahut chinta ho rahi hai. Main nahi chahti ke aap apni tabiyat bigad le"
"tum nahi chahti na......ke main
apni chinta kam karoon......to meri baat mano.....please" he said grimly.
"Kaisi baat?"
"Maine jo kuch bhi abhi kaha......change
your pillows, bedsheets because she must have presumed it to be you......and
throw away the water. And haan......kuch bhi pehen ne se pehle.....just check
it once to be on the safe side. Hmm? Aur Kanha ka diya jala lo.......taake agar
kuch gadbad ki hai Amma ne kamre main.....then you can see it. Okay?" he said,
feeling too anxious to leave her alone.
She smiled a little. "waise ab to
mujhe aap ki bahut jyaada chinta ho rahi hai"
"Radhika stop smiling okay! Aur
haan maine jo bhi kaha......erm.......tumhe meri kasam hai who sab tum karogi!"
something crossed his mind and his twisted his words in the way.
Her eyes widened. "Jee? Kasam?"
"haan kasam! Sirf meri kasam hi
hai......jo tumhe meri baat man ne pe majboor kar sakti hai" he replied swiftly.
"erm......lekin? uski koi jaroorat
nahi hai" she said.
"Jaroorat hai ya nahi........i
don't know! Lekin ab to maine tumhe kasam de di hai. So just do as I say" he
ordered firmly. But the next second his voice turned loving. "Radhika kal
humara vivah hai.......aur main tumhe....." he took a nervous breath, not
wanting the hovering frightful thoughts to creep inside his brain. He couldn't
bear anything happening to her, and above all Amma was getting on his nerves.
She easily sensed his anxiety.
"Theek hai. Jaise aapne kaha hai main waise hi sab karoongi" her voice turned
loving..
"Aur agar kuch problem
huwa......to......"
"to main phone kar doongi turant"
she completed for him.
A small smile came on his face.
"Good"
"erm......ab aap bhi apni patni ki
baat maniye. Jaaiye aur thodi der aaram keejye. Aapki awaaz hi itni pareshan
lag rahi hai.......mujhe bahut fikr ho rahi hai. Please......" she requested
tenderly.
"Hmm. Theek hai. Ab patni keh rahi
hai......to man na to padega hi" he replied, infusing some cheerfulness in his
tone.
Her face broke in to a smile.
"Acha......ab main aapki har baat manoongi......aur aap meri har baat. Theek
hai"
"Okay. Erm.....kuch bhi gadbad huwi
to........"
"maine kaha na.......aapko kasam di
hai maine. Phone nahi karoongi main?" she asked, bringing in mock sterness in
her voice.
He chukled once, hearing her cute
stern voice. "Karogi"
"acha main rakhti hoon. apna dhyaan
rakhiyega" she said softly.
"Hmm......." saying he pressed his
lips to give her a kiss. "Love you"
"Bye......." saying she placed the
receiver down and slowly creeped inside her room. As promised she lit the diya
and in the faint light, she changed her bed spread, pillows and bedsheets
everything. Even threw the water. After she was done with all the things, she
sat down in front of the Kanha.
Gazing at the Lord, "dekha na
aapne........ktini fikr karte hain meri?" she chuckled, amused. "Kabhi kabhi to
kuch jyaada hi karne lagte hain"
But her smile turned tender. "Lekin
sach to yahi hai.......ke mujhe bahut acha lagta hai jab who meri itni fikr
karte hain"
Kanha just smiled at her naiveness.
"Par Kanha......mujhe bahut bura
lagta hai jab.....meri fikr main who itne pareshan ho jaate hain. Mujhe acha
nahi lagta......" she grumbled in a murmur. "Dekhiye na......aaj bhi bina kisi
wajah mujhse yeh sab karwaya.....aur upar se khud itna pareshan ho rahe hain?
Amma ne shayad kuch......"
However her words interrupted. "kya
pata shayad unhone kuch kiya bhi ho? Aakhir who nahi chahti na ke mera vivah unse
ho?" she wondered.
Folding her hands in front of
Kanha, "Lekin mujhe pura vishwas hai ke jab tak aap mere saath hain.....aur Dev
ka prem mere saath hain.......mujhe kuch nahi hoga" she said fondly.
Seeing Kanha's smile, she puckered
her brows. "Kya muskura rahe hain? unhe iss tarah chinta karte huwe dekh?"
"Dekhiye......woh mujhse bahut prem
karte hain.....aur isiliye meri chinta karte hain. unka mazak mat
udayie......." she showed a finger, as if warning. "Main rooth jaaongi
aapse......"
But Kanha was still smiling, and
she too broke in to smile. "Nahi nahi kanha.......main aapse kaise root sakti
hoon? main to mazak kar rahi thi. Lekin aap unhe mat chidayega ......erm......acha
ab main chalti hoon. Mujhe bahut neend aa rahi hain.......Hmm" saying she
folded her hands once again and then turning to her bed, laid down.
Kanha's smile widened by a small
fraction, knowing that Dev was surely there to rescue his devotee from any
obstacle.
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