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Entry#1

 

Hooks & Crooks 

"I am in love with your sister!!!" Rishabh Kundra aka RK say casually as he looked at the ceiling lying on Sultan's bed. "WHAT?" Sultan asks shocked. RK turns to give an irritated look at Sultan and says "I said I love Khushi Kumari Gupta." "I heard you the first time." "Then what did you mean by asking me what?" "She is my sister!" "And I love her." RK tells him again. "She is not like your other girls!" Sultan says getting angry. "I know and that is why I love her and I want her." "WHAT?" "What is wrong with you? Why do you keep going WHAT WHAT? I want to marry her!" RK tells him getting pissed. "You want to marry?" "YES!" "My sister!" "YES!" "But..." "What?" RK asks losing his cool. "You get bored with a girl fast." "Khushi is different." "What if you get bored with her?" "Do you think I would have told you about it if I didn't have honorable intentions regarding her or if I wasn't damn sure that I want to spend the rest of my life with her?" RK asks menacingly. Sultan watches him for a while and then sighs, "You are any day better than that Sikky." "Who is Sikky?" RK asks as he looked at the ceiling again. "Her boyfriend." "Khushi has a boyfriend?" RK asks sitting up. "Yes. She is bringing him home to meet our parents today." "I am going to kill him!" RK says furiously. "Please, you'll be doing mankind a huge favor." Sultan tells him sighing. "By hook or by crook, she is going to be mine." RK vows.

Two hours later, they both were waiting near the front door for Khushi & Sikky. Finally, they hear the door opening and both stand up to see Khushi walking in with Sikky. "Why don't you sit, I'll go get my parents?" Khushi asks him with a smile and spotting RK and Sultan, she smiles at them "Sikky, this is my brother Sultan and that is his best friend Rishabh. Why don't you guys talk while I get Mama and Papa?" Khushi says and runs in. RK and Sultan tie their hands at their chests and turns to study Sikky. "Hello guys." Sikky says giggling. "This?" RK asks in disgust. "Unfortunately, yes." Sultan replies. "What did she see in him? He is looking fine but he doesn't seem to have the IQ of a 12 year old!" RK mutters. "He doesn't." Sultan confirms. "What?" RK turns to Sultan in shock. "She finds him funny!" Sultan says in disgust. "Then she should laugh at his jokes and forget him, not marry him." RK tells him pissed then before Sultan could reply to that he says, "I can be funny." "Really?" Sultan asks shocked. "WHAT?" "Never heard you crack a joke." Sultan says shrugging. "You two seemed to be talking amongst yourself." Sikky says smiling excitedly. "God, I never ever imagined that the villain of my love story would be a clown!" RK says in shock.

 

"What did you say?" Sikky asks with a curious smile. "I am going to give you five seconds to turn around and run out of here." RK tells him with a murderous look. "HUH?" "Sikky, come meet my parents." They hear Khushi and turns to look at her and find her parents behind her. Seeing RK distracted, Sikky runs around him towards Anand and Padmini and bends down to take their blessing blushing. RK makes a disgusted face while Khushi smiles happily. Seeing them sitting down to talk, Sultan and RK also joins them. RK was furiously watching Anand and Padmini talking to Sikky with obvious interest. He needed something to control his temper. RK looks around and finds a ruler on the table and takes it and starts gripping it. RK was glaring at Sikky as he cracked a stupid joke which made everyone laugh. Sikky turns to look at his audience proudly to see how they were laughing at his brilliant joke and his eyes meet RK's. Looking at him murderously RK breaks the ruler and Sikky slightly jumps up on his seat scared. "You alright, Sikky?" Khushi asks him in concern as she touched his hand. Seeing her touching him RK loses it and furiously throws the ruler at Sikky, nicking him on his cheeks. "AAA" Sikky screams as he touched his cheek while everyone turns to look at RK in shock. "It slipped from my hand. Let me see, Sikky." RK acts concerned as he rushed to Sikky's side and starts poking his wound and Sikky screams out in pain. "What are you doing?" Khushi asks shocked. "Checking whether any of the pieces got inside his wound." RK explains as he continued poking him. "I am fine... please stop... I am fine." Sikky begs. "Khushi, get the first aid box." Padmini tells her and Khushi hurries inside. Noticing others were out of ear shot Sultan asks RK in a whisper "What is wrong with you? Cool it!" "She was touching him!" RK says furiously then turning to Sikky he says, "Next time it won't be a nick. I'll stab your guts out!" "But why?" Sikky asks worried. "How dumb are you? She is mine!" "But she is going to marry me." Sikky says like a stubborn 7 year old. "Only, if you live long enough to get to the wedding alive." RK says with a sweet smile noticing Khushi coming back. Sikky starts panicking. "If you talk to her again or if I see you again, then there won't be much left of you. Now scram!" Before RK could finish his threat Sikky had ran out. "Sikky? Sikky, stop! Where are you going?" Khushi runs behind him. "It's over between us!" Sikky shouts at her. RK turns to Sultan and they both chuckle.

 

Khushi stops in shock hearing him. "Khushi?" Padmini hurries to her. "Mama, did he just say it is over?" Khushi asks upset. "What happened, Khushi?" Padmini asks her in lieu of an answer. "I don't know, Mama." Khushi says and turns to RK and Sultan, and asks, "Bhaiyya, what did you tell him?" "Me?" Sultan asks shocked. "You three were talking when I walked in. What did you tell him?" Khushi asks him furiously. "He didn't say anything. I was just asking him whether Sikky was serious about you and ready to marry you to spend his whole life with just you. I was joking but I guess it touched a nerve." RK says shrugging. "WHAT?" Khushi asks shocked. Taking her mobile she starts dialing Sikky's number. "He cut my call." Khushi says sad and shocked. "You had no right talking to him like that." Khushi tells him angrily. "He just joked about what I would have anyway told him. And why are you taking your anger on RK when Sikky is obviously not ready to marry you?" Sultan asks her. "He was!" "Till he realized that marriage means a lifelong commitment and there would be no other girl in his life." RK calmly says. "He is not like that!" Khushi argues. "You heard him, we all heard him." RK tells her then he adds, "You are better off without him." "That is not for you to decide." Khushi tells him angrily. "You ruined my life!" "If I ruined your life then I'll set it right." RK says calmly. "How?" Sultan asks knowing where it was leading. "I'll marry her." "WHAT?" Khushi asks shocked. "You know me and I know you. Let me know what you all think." RK tells them and then saunters out.

 

"My parents were not sure whether you were serious or not." Sultan tells RK on the phone. "Didn't you tell them that I was?" "I did. They seemed to be excited about it. Mom is talking to Khushi now." "Is she crying over him?" "No... but she is going to need time." "I know... let her take all the time she wants."

 

"How much time does one need to get over an idiot?" RK asks exasperated two weeks later as he furiously paced in Sultan's room. "You know her. She is not obviously gonna jump over to the next guy." "We are not talking about just any guy, we are talking about ME! Rishabh Kundra!" "Where my sister is concerned, this pompous attitude of yours is going to take you miles." Sultan tells him sarcastically. RK furiously glares at him. Sighing Sultan gets up from the bed to open the door hearing the knock. "Khushi?" Sultan says frowning.  Standing on her toes she looks over his shoulders at RK and says, "I want to talk to you, come out." "Get out, Sultan." RK says as he opened the door wide for Khushi. "What?" Sultan asks shocked. "She wants to talk to me alone so out. Khushi, come inside." "I can't leave you alone with my sister." Sultan says stubbornly. "I am not going to ravish her." RK says rolling his eyes. "That is very reassuring." Sultan says sarcastically. "I am not going to let him touch me. Have some faith in me!" Khushi says exasperated.  Sultan sighs hearing his sister and walks out.

 

Closing the door, RK turns to look at Khushi. "My parents think that you are my savior, saving me from Sikky and a life of misery. They want me to marry you." Khushi tells him looking at the wall. "Even I want you to marry me." RK tells her. She turns to him in shock "Why?" RK shrugs in reply. "Why do you want to marry me?" Khushi asks him. "When I think about marriage, it is you who comes to my mind." RK tells her. "Me?" Khushi asks shocked. "Are you still in love with him?" RK asks frowning. "I was never in love with him. He was a nice sweet guy and funny too. I was to fall in love with him after marriage." Khushi tells him. "Thank God." RK mutters. "What?" "Now marry me and fall in love with me after marriage." RK says as if it is as simple as that. "But do you think we will work out?" "Like a charm." RK says smiling. "How can you be so sure?" "I always make sure that no matter what the situations is that I am happy." RK tells her while Khushi gapes at him in shock, "And my happiness is linked to your happiness, so it is obvious that I would always keep you happy so I remain happy. So we will work out." "Has anyone ever told you that you are pompous?" Khushi asks him and RK smiles in reply. "So? Will you marry me?" RK asks her. Khushi remains silent for a while and then she nods her head. RK breaks out into a big smile and seeing him smile, she smiles at him. "Bye... I guess I'll see you around." Khushi says in a soft voice and starts to walk out. "How important is it to you that your husband be funny?" RK asks her. Khushi turns to him and says, "It would be nice to have a sense of humor." "Your brother says I don't have one." RK tells her and Khushi nods. "But I am good in bed." RK says shrugging. "What?" Khushi asks shocked. "I feel that is a better point than being funny." "Even I am good in bed." Khushi says shrugging. RK furiously pulls her close to him as he glared at her. "What.Did.You.Say?" "What? You didn't like hearing it?" Khushi asks him. When he continued to glare at her menacingly she says calmly "Now you realize how it feels? So never ever flaunt your past escapades to my face." RK nods in reply and then says "I don't know whether what you said is true. Even if it is I don't want to know. From now on it is going to be just you and me and no one else." "As long as you are clear on that, we will be fine and yes I could be good in bed but I don't have any experience to confirm it." Khushi says cheekily smiling and she starts to walk off when RK holds her and pulls her close to him, wrapping his arms around her waist and she starts to struggle to free herself. "You are mine, Khushi. I know it but I want you to say it. Say that from this moment onwards you belong to me and you are mine." "You sound obsessed." Khushi says stopping her struggling in shock; it was scary and comforting at the same time. "Only about you. Say it." Khushi looks him in the eyes and says "I am yours." "Now and forever."  "Now and forever." Khushi repeats breathlessly.  RK watches her and then slowly runs his hand over her cheeks. "You told your brother you wouldn't let me touch you." RK says as he studied her lips as he ran his finger over her lips. "Do you have any idea how tempting when something is forbidden?" RK asks her and before she could reply he leans down taking her lips in his kissing her passionately and roughly.

 

"Oh my!" Khushi says as they slowly parted. RK starts laughing happily hearing her reaction, it was exactly like how she had reacted when they had first kissed two weeks ago. Seeing him happy she smiles at him as she leaned on to the door. "We are going to get caught one of these days by bhaiyya or Mama." "We are getting married in a month's time." "But still... we should stop behaving like this." "Like what?" RK asks as he leaned down and started nibbling on her neck. "Oh God! RK stop!" Khushi moans as she pulled him closer to her. He chuckles and leans up to her ear and softly whispers, "I love you." Khushi freezes for a moment and looks at him in shock, "What?" "I love you." RK says smiling. "You do?" Khushi asks smiling with happy tears. Before he could reply she hugs him and says happily "I love you, RK." RK hugs her happily. "I was at first apprehensive about you." Khushi says as she looked at him. "But then these two weeks, you were so caring and so wonderful. It was like your world revolved around me and I didn't even realize that I had started trusting and loving you. I love you, RK." "Trust?" RK asks getting tensed. "Yes, I do trust you. You were such a womanizer but I still trust you." Khushi says laughing. RK looks at her looking at him with so much trust and he couldn't look at her. "I need to go, Khushi." RK says and quickly walks off leaving behind a puzzled Khushi.

 

Khushi was getting restless it was night and normally by this time RK and she would be on the phone talking but today he didn't call. He had just left after that and no calls and no messages, it was so not like him. Something had happened, she could feel it. Something had unsettled him while they were talking, she knew him well by now that she could sense his turmoil even when she was not with him. She tries his number again and it goes unanswered. An hour later, still he hadn't called and she decided to talk to bhaiyya regarding RK. If something was troubling her RK then she needed to know. She was about to walk out of the room when her cell started ringing. She hurries to pick it up. "RK." Khushi says happily. "Khushi..." "What happened, RK?" Khushi asks hearing his hesitant voice. "I need to talk to you about something. I'll see you tomorrow morning." "What is it? Tell me now." Khushi says worried. "We need to do this face to face." RK tells her. "You love me, right?" Khushi asks worried hearing him. "That is the problem, Khushi. I love you like crazy." "Then nothing is going to affect us, RK." Khushi says confidently. "I won't let anything affect us. We belong together. I'll see you tomorrow." RK says and hangs up the phone while Khushi smiles in relief, hearing his possessive declaration was comforting.

 

Next day morning, RK comes to see her and Sultan. "What is it, RK?" Khushi asks him smiling sweetly at him. Seeing her smile without any kind of worry he asks in shock, "You do trust me a lot, don't you?" "I do. You'll never hurt me and you'll never let anything come between us." Khushi says smiling confidently as she took his hands in her. RK closes his eyes in dread. Then opening his eyes determined he says as he gently extricated his hands from her's, "You trust me, Khushi and I love you too much to keep you in the dark and betray that trust. That day I lied." "Which day?" Khushi asks frowning. "I threatened Sikky that I'll kill him if he didn't go away from your life." RK tells her. "What?" "I have been in love with you for quite some time now and I was not going to let anyone take you away from me." "How could you do this, RK?" Khushi asks furiously. "You played me? And my parents?" "I did what had to be done." "You were acting like a bloody savior when you were the root of the problem!!!" Khushi says furiously.  "And bhaiyya was standing with you that day? And he also knew?" Khushi asks furiously turning to look at Sultan. "Come on, you can't blame him for having the good sense to realize that I am obviously the better choice for you." "Your nerve! And you are so bloody arrogant!" "What? Sikky didn't have the courage to fight for you, I DID!!" "You threatened him! And attacked him too!!!" Khushi remembers the ruler incident. RK shrugs, "You were touching him, and no one touches you but me. You do realize that all I had to do was threaten him and he ran out of here." "If a maniac threatens you then anyone with a good sense would heed it!!!" Khushi says furiously. "Maniac? me?" RK asks chuckling, "Maybe you are right. If someone threatens me where you are concerned..." "Even you'll run away." Khushi says then bites her tongue who was she kidding? He will never run away leaving her behind. "That's right. I won't." RK says seeing her expression. "It is either I live with you or you die with me." Khushi gasps in shock. "I know you are angry and upset. I can understand that. There is four weeks to our wedding and I think that is time enough for you to get over your anger. I am going to leave you alone till then." RK says.  "I AM NOT GOING TO MARRY YOU!" "You are mine, now and forever." RK reminds her and walks out.

 

The first week Khushi had unsuccessfully tried to call off the wedding but RK had managed to convince her parents that Khushi was simply angry right now and once her temper cools down she will be happy about the wedding. Then everything was quiet for a week while RK remained arrogantly confident. On the third week, Khushi had called RK saying that she wanted to meet him.

Khushi opens her bedroom door and steps aside for RK to enter. "I missed you." RK tells her as he looked at her lovingly while she furiously glared at him. Seeing her like that he asks with a loving smile as if asking a kid, "What is it, Khushi?" She furiously marches to him and angrily starts hitting him on his shoulders and chest and starts shoving him in between while he calmly stood there.  "I have never met anyone who is so pompous, so arrogant, so cunning, so crooked, so undeserving of me!" Khushi says furiously hitting him. "But I can't live without you!" hearing her say that he holds her hand and she stops to look at him. "I love you, Khushi and I'll never hurt you or lie to you ever again." "You promise? No more cheating." "No more. I didn't want to lose you." "You almost lost me, if it wasn't for your honesty then..." "So it was the truth... huh?" "Yes. Not because of your crooked twisted brains!" RK smiles at her. "You are already so insane and you made me also insane!" Khushi says helplessly. "Marry me, Khushi.  We'll make insane babies too." "Lots of insane babies." Khushi says sighing as she hugs him.

 

______________________

Entry #2

 

Last wishes

 

Every once in a while, a person comes into your life and changes everything.

This is the story of a person who entered my life like a whirlwind and did just that.

This is the story of how I fell in love...deeply, irrevocably and endlessly.

~

Somewhere in the bustling streets in Mumbai there is a rehearsal hall, for hopeful dancers looking to make it big in the city, nestled between a famous dosa eatery and an old saree shop. It wasn't much. There wasn't any fancy equipment. Just a room, that smelled of dreams and perspiration.

The final streams of sunlight had made its way to the hall giving the room a warm glow. Dawn had settled in but Sharon was still dancing. She pirouetted swiftly across the room as sweat poured down from her otherwise flawless face.

The mark of a true performer, Sharon's mother used to say, was to stand up every time you fall.

Sharon did just that. With every tumble she made herself stronger and stronger. But there are some falls from which you can never recover from no matter how hard you try.

~

"Mr Mehta, I appreciate that you think you can negotiate anything with me, honestly I think it's cute really." His voice boomed through the office walls as he entered causing all his employees to stand up in alarm. He strode past them without giving them a second glance as words such as akdu'and khadus' floated around loosely.

He enclosed himself in his cabin as he ended his conversation with Mr Mehta on a pleasant note and a 30% higher profit than negotiated.

"Why do they even try?" he said as he grinned at his phone fully satiated when his phone rang again.

That was the phone call which changed his life once and for all.

~

"Sharon, be practical. I know what dance means to you but..."

"Doc, you know then why are you even trying?" as she spoke she wiped away a lone tear which streamed down her cheek.

"Because, I care. Sharon chemo is ..."

"I am dying doc. Period. There's nothing you can do to save me. There aren't any available donors who will be stupid enough to give me one of their kidneys and I have no hope for one at all. I am living for one thing and that is dance. If chemo takes that away from me in the hopes of a few more meaningless days in this goddamned world, I don't want it."

Sharon bit back her lips to stop herself from crying as the doctor enveloped her in his own arms.

"Dying is not my choice doc, but till the day I die, I should be doing what I want to."

~

"Where is Arjun?" asked a half unconscious Mr DK Kirloskar.

"I am here dad. " Arjun said as he cowered for his father's hand.

"Can I speak to him alone?" Arjun waited for the room to empty itself.

"Yes dad?" he struggled to keep his words together.

"I was never a good person Arjun, now I am going to die. I am going to die full of regrets that I didn't help someone else when I could, I don't want the same to happen to you so I want you to do something for me Arjun. "He paused to collect his breath.

"I want you to fulfill someone else's last wish for me, consider this my last wish Arjun and do it."

Arjun could only manage a nod in response as the words got caught in his throat.

A long beep was audible and then nothing.

~

"I don't want to do this stupid last wish thing doc."

"No swearing in church."

"I don't want to do this last wish thing." Sharon kept quiet awhile as she waited for him to finish his moment in prayer.

"Listen Sharon, all the cancer patients in this hospital have to do this, all you have to do is write down your last wish on a piece of paper, the chances of finding a person ready to fund your wish is very less, it's just a formality." He speedily walked ahead as Sharon tailed close behind him.

"Besides, isn't there at least one thing you want to do before dying?" Sharon feigned Nonchalance.

"Here, think about it." He said as he passed her the piece of paper.

She glanced down at the paper and thought of the absolute wildest dream she ever had and laughed as she wrote it down on the paper. It would be her little inside joke.

~

Arjun entered the old run down building.

"Last Wishes." It read.

Arjun knew what he had to do. The building was dreary and the inside of it was even more foreboding.

It looked like a factory producing broken dreams.

He glanced sheepishly at the clerk as she pushed her horn-rimmed glasses down her nose to get a good look at him. She seemed to scan him through and through when Arjun finally broke the horrible silence.

"I would like to fulfill a last wish." He said expecting some sort of reaction from the lackluster clerk.

"I figured." She said as she pulled out a clear see through jar filled with pieces of paper. On the jar was written last wishes.

So that's what human sentiments were worth these days Arjun thought to himself.

"Pick one dear, you are spoilt for choices." She said mocking enthusiasm.

She must be having one heck of a life

He smiled at her as he pulled out a piece of paper and somehow felt guilty for leaving the rest untouched and unfulfilled.

His mouth hung open as he read the wish of a Sharon Raiprakash.

The clerk now curious, glanced at the wish he held in his hand.

She read it out loud.

"I want to perform one dance at the Madison Square Garden." The clerk giggled.

"That's a little too ambitious don't you think Mr Wish-granter? " Arjun smirked at her.

"You obviously don't know me. Never underestimate the power of a shrewd business-man."

~

That night Sharon had a dream.

She dreamt of a beautiful lake which flowed to the beat of her heart. She sailed down the river but realized that the lake was extremely short. Soon waves crashed against her as she was being tossed around repeatedly and slammed against the rocks.

She was jolted awake as she became acutely aware of her lungs tightening as if being squeezed relentlessly. She gasped for air realizing that oxygen was becoming scarcer with each breath she took. Her chest felt as if it was on fire.

She coughed wildly struggling for breath when she noticed that she spewing out blood profusely. She reached out to her phone as she dialed the only number she could think of.

"Doc..." she managed to spill out only one word as her eyes rolled back in her head and everything went blank.

~

"So Mr Smith is it a deal?" Arjun already knew the answer though.

"Of course it is Mr Kirloskar. If she performs in the Madison Square Garden the possibilities are endless for us." He replied with an enthusiasm of a toddler.

"So it's settled, Sharon Raipraksh is opening for Our Direction in Madison Square Garden." He said as both extended their hand to their unique new deal.

~

A wave of panic surged through Sharon's body as she shot up in alarm. Her eyes took time to get used to the bright surroundings but as soon as she did, she realized that she was in the hospital.

A nurse entered and ran out presumably to alert the doctors of her consciousness.

Either that or she ran away seeing the monster sitting there in the place of a once gorgeous Sharon Raiprakash she thought as she glanced at her reflection in the shiny and creepy wall tiles in front of her.

She was flabbergasted and slightly disgusted at the girl looking back at her.  Her eyes sunk into her skull and dark around her sockets making her resemble a raccoon. Her head was disproportionately large compared to her body and her wrists were half its usual size.

Sharon was many things and shallow definitely not being one of them but since her cancer she found the only thing she was is beautiful, was beautiful. She had nothing else left. She was now, quite literally, a shell of her old self.

As the doctor entered, he explained to her that doc had called the ambulance as soon as he received her call and she was admitted. She had relapsed pretty badly and her lungs were filled with water. They had spent hours reviving her and when they finally did she had slipped into a coma. She had been out for 8 days.

Hearing this entire recount of the past week only one thing seemed to echo in her mind, she almost died...but she didn't.

She asked if she could see doc.

As doc entered the ward she could see the lack of sleep etched onto his face. He almost looked worse than her.

"Oh thank god you are alive." He said as she saw the tension relieving itself.

"Thank modern medicine doc...and yourself of course." She said smiling widely at him trying hard to disguise her emptiness.

"I don't care, I am just glad you are talking back to me. Sharon listen, I think we should call your..." he was cut mid-way.

"No way doc. They are not my parents anymore. It's their decision not mine. I am not going back to my old life." By the time she finished her sentence she realized she was choking on her own tears.

"Okay, whatever you want Sharon but there is a Mr Kirloskar who keeps calling you. Call him back, it seems urgent. "She nodded as he passed her phone to her and left the room.

She was curious as to why someone would call her this many times. She had paid her rent and all her bills and even if she didn't, doc would have done it for her. But at the same time she was amused that her phone had ben disinfected thinking that the disinfection of everything she owned would kill her before her cancer does.

"Hello..."she asked cautiously

"Are you feeling better? I spoke to your doctors and they told me that you were in a coma and that you will call me back when you are better which means you're better right?" Sharon was in shock of what she could only assume was a sentence from a stranger.

"I am better but who are you?" she asked unable to hide her confusion in her voice.

"My name is Arjun Kirloskar and I am here to make your dream come true."

"Okay if this is some kind of pervert-"

"NO! I phrased that wrong didn't I? I meant your last wish. Madison Square Garden."

Sharon nearly burst out laughing.

"If this is some kind of joke-"

"I am not kidding. Look I am a businessman and I have some influence. You will be opening for Our Direction at Madison Square Garden next week but you only got a minute and that's it."

Sharon's mouth hung so low she could have sworn it touched the disinfected ground.

"O-Our Direction? The current biggest band on earth?" she asked shivering.

"More or less."

She felt her heart pounding against her already weak chest.

"Let me call you back." She hung up before giving him time respond.

She held onto her phone like it was the most precious thing on earth.

She asked one of the nurses to call doc in before getting her hopes up. She knew the last thing he would want her to do was go to a foreign country to dance her lungs out. But at the same time she knew that she might have just found that one thing worth living for.

She explained the entire phone call to him and brace herself for the big no coming for her.

"Alright."

"But doc... wait what?"

"I said okay. Look Sharon, you are like a daughter to me and this is definitely a risk but I have seen what dance means to you. Who am I to take it away from you? But I have to come with you. "

"YES! YES! YES! A million times yes. Thank you so much."

Sharon felt her eyes welling up again as she pounced on him hugging him with all the remaining strength she could muster.

Get ready New York. Sharon Raiprakash is coming for you.

 

 

~

Arjun waited in the airport for a long time. Well, not that long but he wasn't used to waiting at all. He had decided to order coffee while waiting.

"One choco-expresso, extra-strong and no foam please."

The cashier gawked at him in confusion as Arjun repeated the order in exasperation which was unfortunately noticed by Sharon.

"That's Arjun Kirloskar right doc?" she recognized him from the Google search she made on him.

"Yup, let's go." He was stopped by Sharon.

"No, let's wait here. A man can be judged by the way he treats his employees."

"I said no foam." He said.

"I am sorry sir, let me do it again."

"Okay, why don't you compensate me for the time I am wasting here?"

The poor cashier was near tears when a raging storm approached them in the form of Sharon.

"Or why don't you compensate him for your disability to be patient." Arjun and the cashier both looked at the unknown hazard in shock.

"Who-"

"Am I? Your pity-project Sharon Raiprakash ."

Arjun looked at her in pure astonishment. He didn't expect her to be, well, beautiful.

"You are Sharon?"

"Not what you were expecting huh? Am I not pitiful enough for you? Were you looking for a girl in a wheelchair?"

Even though her voice was laced in sarcasm he still nodded.

"I am so sorry...can we just get this over with." She said as she sat in the absolute edge of the bench.

"Hi I am doctor Prakash Chand, I am here with Sharon." He said as Arjun awkwardly shook his hand.

He grabbed the coffee and sat on the opposite end of the bench waiting for boarding.

He could honestly say the next 14 hours of his life was the most unpleasant ones he had ever had the misfortune of bearing.

He could literally feel her glares burning through his skin and her loathing of him was made extremely clear.

If nothing else, he swore to never mistreat anyone ever again in his life. There was definitely something about Sharon.

As soon as she had reached her hotel room she had shut herself in leaving the doctor running after her.

Arjun couldn't help but feel Bad and extremely confused so he decided to shut himself in the room and drift into a deep sleep filled with dreams of miss angry young lady.

~

As soon as she shut the door she regretted her actions toward him. She realized he was a bit of an ass but he was making her dreams come true. Did she judge him too early? Probably. Was she angry because of him? Definitely not. It wasn't just him. She had become extremely irritable and hence she decided to give him one more chance. She shut her eyes and drifted into a deep sleep completely void of any dream except her dancing on that beautiful stage and a standing ovation that would last a lifetime.

~

The next day, Arjun paced outside of Sharon's room waiting for her to wake up. Quite frankly, he was petrified of her.

Sharon was surprised and slightly tickled at the sight of a startled Arjun staring nervously at her.

"Yes?" she asked him

"There is a dinner later where we will discuss the details of your performance."

"Then why are you telling me this now?"

"Its late afternoon, dinner is in 2 hours."

Alarmed, Sharon checked her watch.

"Where is doc?" she asked.

"He went to see the sights. He told me to call him once you woke up, so I should probably call him now."

Sharon nodded.

"Wait, the place we are eating at is kinda fancy so can you wear..."Sharon shot her eyebrows at him.

"You know what? Wear anything you want." He said as he turned around.

Sharon stifled a giggle as she left to get dressed.

Arjun smirked at his own silly behavior. He liked the way he behaved around her for reasons unknown to even himself.

~

Sharon straightened out her dress and stared at herself in the mirror. It's been a while since she tried to look good and now that she did try, she couldn't tell anymore. She put on the high heels and decided she couldn't walk in them so she traded them in for flats.

She stepped out as she glanced at doc who was wearing a suit she never knew existed. He looked adorable. She hugged him tightly and smiled, really meaning it this time.

She heard footsteps as she glanced behind catching sight of Arjun. He definitely looked the same which wasn't really his fault. He always wore a suit but still he did look dashing.

He stared at her astonished. She felt his gaze boring holes through her skin making her blush.

"You look...let's go."

For some reason she really wanted to hear him complementing her on her looks. Maybe she intimidated him a little too much.

~

Sharon was in awe of the amazing restaurant he had brought them too. It was a cool night. The wind brushed against her skin giving her goose bumps. The white lights looked like bright stars made only for her.

She wished she could say the same about the food though, the names of the food were no less than a tongue twister and when it did come it was so tiny she swore that most of it was eaten by someone else. In fact doc had given her his glasses so that she could see her food which of course sent Sharon into peals of laughter and Arjun trying his best to hide his smile.

The dinner was relatively quiet aside from information from Arjun and a few jokes by doc. Sharon's opinion of him was not that bad anymore.

"What does dance mean to you Mr Kirloskar?" Sharon asked temporarily stunning him.

"Dance? " She nodded.

"All the things I know about dance comes from Dance India Dance so not that much." Sharon smiled at him urging him to continue.

"But I do know a thing or two about passion and that is you never give it up, No matter what. That's one of the things about you that made me want to help financially; it's not that I pity you, like you so wrongly thought, but that I admire you and your passion. That's it really."

There was a moment of silence. Sharon cracked a smile.

"Kya baat, kya baat, kya baat." Doc said sending both into laughter again

Arjun really was something else she thought.

~

Arjun paid the bill after a small bill fight by doc and him, which Sharon felt was ridiculous and useless but she humored them.Doc met one of his relatives on their way back to the hotel so he decided to spend the night with them and return tomorrow which they obliged to.

As they walked over Sharon kept glancing at Arjun who was looking at the ground completely silent. She couldn't help but wonder whether whatever he said was true. He was a businessman, she never trusted businessmen but that was more of a daddy issue.

All off a sudden she felt a hand roughly grab her own arms.

She was pulled into a dark alley with Arjun right behind her, slowly reality dawned on her.

They were being mugged.

Two gigantic men with knives in their hands and a very hungry look in their eyes towered above them menacingly.

"Give me your wallets."

Sharon shot a panicked look at Arjun who in turn stared back at her with a look that made her think he was about to piss his pants.

"Dekho Arjun, mere passport aur saare paise iss bag mein hai...kuch karo."

Arjun nodded swiftly looking like he had a plan in his head.

"We no know English." Arjun said flailing his arms around excessively.

Sharon slapped her forehead hard.

"That would make it easier for us when we kick your asses wouldn't it?"

"What rubbish...you wouldn't hit a girl would you?"

Arjun looked at her like she foiled the greatest scheme in the world.

"So you do speak English."

"Yes we do dumbasses, but you can't hit me."

Arjun was horrified at this point.

"Why not?"

"Because I have cancer."

Arjun looked at her speechless.

"What? I have to play the cancer card once in a while. We might die for god's sake."

"Well, little lady, you think we would be mugging if we had a moral code."

Now it was Sharon's turn to look horrified.

"That's a really good point let me just empty my pockets." Arjun said as he put his hand through his pockets.

He grabbed a hand full of coins and through it at them causing the muggers and Sharon to stand dazed.

"Run Sharon!" he yelled as Sharon sprinted behind them with the muggers hot on their trail.

They sprinted past a garbage can and Sharon pushed it down tripping the muggers' enormous selves down.

They continued running a couple of block when they finally came to a halt. They realized they had reached central park instead of their hotels. Sharon was extremely out of breath as the lack of oxygen took a toll on her. When Arjun had noticed this he rushed to her side immediately and escorted her to the bench slowly.

She looked in his eyes and all she saw was pure concern flickering unmistakably. He looked back into her eyes and looked away quickly. Once she had caught her breath she stared laughing.

First slightly, and then more and more inexorably, causing tears to escape her eyes. Arjun looked at her in astonishment and then joint her in their laughing spree.

Arjun sat on the grass and signaled her to join him. She looked at the grass thoughtfully, grass was one of the things which aggravated her condition further yet she settled next to him and rested down rather ungracefully.

"Have you seen stars so beautiful before?" asked an awe-struck Arjun making Sharon giggle.

"What did I say now?" asked Arjun.

"Normally, girls say stuff like that."

"Well you are not a very normal girl."

"I know...and you..."

Arjun looked at her expectantly.

"And you are unpredictable."
"Meaning you don't trust me."
"Not exactly, I don't trust businessmen."

Arjun smiled at her.

"Not the first time I heard that."

"Well it's just that my dad was a businessman." She said staring off into the sky.

"Doc is not your dad?" he asked puzzled.

"Nope...he is more than my dad will ever be."

"Does your dad know about your-"

"Cancer? No. he made it pretty clear to me that I am not his daughter as long as I am a dancer. He never chose me, why should I have chosen him?" She said biting back her lip

"Well my dad is dead so I guess we have some common ground here." he mused

"Are you one of those people who try to one-up everyone's story? "

Arjun grinned as they sat there staring at the constellation and with each new star they reduced their distance bit by bit till they could feel each other's warmth.

~

The next day Arjun woke up feeling better than he did in a long time. He felt alive and rejuvenated. The only thing he wanted to do after last night was talk to Sharon some more but he decided to complete his daily necessities such as showering, brushing his teeth and breathing.

He knocked at first and when there was no answer he opened the door to the most heart wrenching thing he had ever scene.

Sharon was covered in her own vomit with doc tending to her. She grabbed the bucket and vomited bloody liquid when she burst into tears. The most painful thing about it was her eyes filled with anguish and despondency. It was as if she had given up.

Soon their eyes met and she let her guard up.

"Arjun leave!" Sharon begged sobbing.

The door was slammed shut in front of his as he stood there in sheer disbelief. That couldn't be the girl who told off criminals but she was. She was just a pitiful and desperate girl in pain and for some reason it hurt him, a lot. That day he spent most of it on business calls and work but he couldn't stop thinking of her and her dismal eyes.

~

The next day he asked doc if he could see her and he said that he could. He knocked at her door carefully and waited as Sharon opened the door. Her eyes lit up immediately but when she had remembered yesterday's incident her face had changed.

"Are you feeling better? Can you dance tomorrow?"Arjun asked concerned.

"Yes I will be fine, thanks for checking up on me. Yesterday's episode is more of a weekly thing."

"If you don't mind can I ask you something? Is it true that you refuse treatment because you won't be able to dance?"

"Not exactly, it's complicated. I found out about my cancer at the last stage. The only way I could get cured was if I received a kidney transplant but you have to get a potential donor which takes forever and even if I did get one there are chances of my body rejecting it so I decided that it was better to give up when I can."

Arjun listened to her side carefully and looked at her intently.

"Teach me how to dance." He said to her.

"What now?" she asked baffled.

"Yes now." He said standing up extending his hand towards her.

She reached grinned accepting his hand.

She took his arm and snaked it across her waist and took his hand into her own. Her breathing had quickened as her heart raced out of her chest.

He took her by her waist and pulled her closer toward him as their distance grew lesser with each passing moment.

She had forgotten everything she had wanted to say and just looked into his eyes.

"I like dancing." Arjun said in a low voice.

"Me too." Sharon agreed.

Sharon noticed a scar on his neck and slowly caressed it.

"How did you get that?" She asked curiously.

"I fell from a tree when I was 8 and broke a few bones."Arjun said matter-of-factly.

"I don't mean to be a show-off but my body is made of cancer."

"Are you one of those people who like to one-up everyone's story?"

"I don't really have a choice in this matter." She said in tears.

Arjun traced his finger through her cheeks up to her sunken sockets as he inched closer to her lips. She closed her eyes in anticipation when he pulled away. He walked towards the door in a state of bewilderment.

"Arjun, you used the cancer card right? To get me to perform there?" she asked dismayed.

Arjun was quiet.

"Did you mean what you said to me in the restaurant about me?" she asked near tears.

Arjun looked at her intensely.

"Every word."

He said closing the door behind him.

~

The next day was the day of the performance. Arjun ignored her most of the day because of his own muddled feelings only to see her when absolutely necessary which obviously didn't settle well with Sharon. She met with the members of the band whom she truthfully weren't too fond of. Too young and arrogant for her taste. Everyone had wished her well for her performance except for Arjun who was really the only person she had wanted to hear from was him.

She was about to perform when she felt a hand grab her from behind the curtain.

"All the best Sharon." Arjun said in a hushed tone pushing her back to the stage before she had time to realize what had just happened. She couldn't help but blush. Now she felt like she could do anything.

She went up to the biggest stage in the world of which she had dreamt of innumerably. Countless camera flashes linking in the distance and all she could her was her own heart thumping. The music started as she spread out her arms and danced like no one was watching. Every turn of hers was perfection. She was over the moon with every leap. She felt invincible, like even death couldn't do her bad. By the end the crowd was on its feet, just like she had imagined. A standing ovation which lasted a lifetime.

~

The curtains closed indicating that her minute was over and so was euphoria. She felt a familiar tug at her chest and it happened. She struggled for breath as she fell to the ground. Everyone gathered around her. Doc arrived towards her and started to call the ambulance. She glanced at Arjun who was in tears. He carried her in his arms and set her down in the stretcher.

"I love you Sharon." Arjun said in a shouted whisper astounding Sharon to no end. Soon she fell unconscious with Arjun's word echoing in her head.

~

She survived.

It turned out it was just a side effect of vigorous dancing and exhaustion. The plane ride home was a blur mostly because of the drugs, the next few days in Mumbai was a daze as letters and phone calls poured in congratulating her on her achievement. All she knew that she was dying and in love when she received thecall.

~

Arjun really thought she was about to die but he knew all it took was one shock to get him to realize his feelings. All he knew was that he was in love with a dying girl and it was the best feeling ever. Their love story had no future, but he had never been so happy. He needed to let her know.

He rushed over to her house in his car a few days later. He was driving when he saw a bright flashing light in front of him and speeding wreckage coming right for him.

~

"Hello?"

"St.Mary's hospital here Sharon."

Sharon had recognized that voice as one of the voices from the hospital she visited the most. It was where doc worked.

"Yes Sister, I am fine actually , it was just a sm-"

"I am calling for your friend Arjun."

Sharon felt her heart sink to her chest.

"Is...is he okay?"

"I am afraid he has been in an accident and he is quite serious, he is requesting to see you."

Sharon dropped the receiver on the ground and wept for a while before leaving for the hospital.

~

As soon as she had stepped into the hospital, she saw a red-eyed doc in the corner. He looked the same way he did when he thought that Sharon was going to die. He walked towards her as Sharon willed herself to stay strong.

"Sharon..." He started off.

"Doc please, just give it to me staiht." She said trying hard not to explode into a puddle of tears.

"Arjun, knew he wasn't going to make it, he asked me to check if his kidney was a match for you and it is. His last wish was to keep you alive Sharon, he is brain dead; we have no choice but to let him go now."

~

It's been ten years since your death and my transplant. I haven't relapsed since and body didn't reject your kidneys. It couldn't. You loved me way too much for that. I am officially cancer free but each moment living without you is worse than any cancer attack I have ever had. Every moment is more difficult than the former but I get stronger every moment than the former. I teach dance to disabled children now. Children who think they have no future. Thanks to you I know that no future is ever too bleak.

When they said they were going to let you go, I asked if I can sit with you till then as if I was comforting you. I held your hand till my hand hurt and I kissed you till I felt the warmth from your lips escape.

Now whenever I miss you, I lift up my shirt and look at the scars from the operation and I remind myself that you are in me. Flowing through my every vein...keeping me alive.

Thank you Arjun and I love you.

I will always love you. Deeply, irrevocably and endlessly.

 

________________________

 

Entry #3

 

Eloquently

 

"It's a god-awful sight."

I ran my fingers delicately along the worn and weathered spines as I walk. I look over at my cat, Frost Man, sitting peacefully perched next to a display of a collection of poems by Emily Bronte. His amber eyes stared at me, listless and uninterested. He brought a gray paw up to his mouth and then turned his attention to that. I smiled more to myself I suppose, and continued talking.

"No one reads books anymore"

My parents ran a small secondhand bookstore, while our living area was placed on the floor above it. The building was nothing fancy, nothing large. We owned a corner spot on a bustling city street of Seattle. It wasn't the prettiest and most modern place to be, like the local library that opened up a few minutes away. There were no bar-codes, no solid-colored chairs, and crisp white furniture.

"No one reads books anymore..." my voice took a softer tone.

This place seemed aged and musky. Furniture was mismatched and the books that lined every inch of the wall and the floor made the store feel too cramped. Lighting was dim; my parents had invested their money only in incandescent s. It was completely unethical, but they said that fluorescents ruined the mood of the reader. They hung down from the ceiling, a detail people might find as stylish, but it was simply for practical reasons. It was easier for us to reach them if they were lower. On clear days, I often relied on the sunlight streaming down through the windows.

"Just the thought saddens my heart."

Regardless of the bad light and feeling of claustrophobia, I always enjoyed this place. I found comfort in the yellowed pages and faded covers around me. During summers as I'd sit on the floor with a fan beside me, reading through the pages of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. In the winter I'd fix myself a large cup of tea in the back room and curl up in one of the armchairs, engrossed in Ernest Hemingway and Victor Hugo. And on rainy nights like tonight, I wanted to fall asleep to the sound of my mother's voice reading me Aesop's Fables.

"They prefer to read stories of fifteen year old girls in high school romances."

I pursed my lips in disapproval and leaned against the register counter.

"Or even so, stories like that are often written by fifteen year old girls. Stories about various boys falling in love with a single female lead and her falling in love with the arrogant and handsome athlete simply for the fact that he toys with her emotions and has a great outward appearance."

I lightly crossed my arms and stared pensively at the wooden floor.

"It really is a god-awful sight, Frost Man."

"How would you fall in love with a guy then?"

The voice started me and I jumped from the counter, standing straight with my muscles tensed. I had thought I was here alone, I felt myself blush at the thought of someone hearing every word I had said. A boy with wet black hair matted against his face and a damp jacket, walked out from one of the higher bookshelves.  His eyes looked at and then looked at the wall behind me. He seemed arrogant but ruggedly handsome.

"I didn't mean to scare u. I just wanted to get out of the rain and-"

"-Do you want a towel? " My offer cut him off. As his head rose I watched a droplet of water glide down his cheek and against his perfect jaw line before falling onto the floor. I had never seen so attractive an Indian stand in the store before.

"If u don't mind -"

"-take your jacket off, too. I'll hang it up by the heater in the back."

He quickly unzipped his jacket, revealing a simple white long - sleeved shirt. He handed it to me and I made my way to the back room, returning with a towel. I tossed it to him, In a swift motion he grasped it. I rose an eyebrow, but decided not to ask about it. He quickly rubbed against his head and then held it out to me. His hair was going every which way, but it was hardly near the point of being considered dry. I kept my eyebrow raised.

"Really?"

"What" He stared at me entirely confused. I  Let out a sigh and took the towel in my hands

"Sit", I pointed to the dark arm chair placed in one corner of the store. He stared at me, so I said again. "Sit".

He quickly made his way over to the chair and sat down. I made my way behind it. He looked up at me quizzically, but I lightly pushed his head back down and faced it forward.

"If you don't dry your hair properly you're going to catch a cold," I said softly.

I began drying his hair for him, rubbing the towel against his damp, black locks. At times, my fingers would brush in between them and I found that his hair was incredibly soft. His shoulders drooped in relaxation.

"What's your name?" I asked

"Arnav, yours?"

"Meredith, you are an Indian right?"

"Yeah."

I watched as frost man gracefully leapt from his bookcase and made his way over to where we were. He rubbed up against Arnav's leg and let out a soft meow.

"See? Frost man's trying to dry you off, too. He doesn't want you catching a cold either."

"I don't like pets. They are not civilized"

"Why? They are so cute, cuddly and wise. Have you ever had a cat look into their eyes, it seems to look into the depth of your soul. There is no hiding!"

"Whatever "he said. I wanted to say more but chose not to.

"Do you always dry the hair of your costumers?" his voice was soft and his words were warm. I liked the sound of them. I noticed that the tips of his ear were warm, I felt myself smile.

"Do you always go into rain without umbrella?"

He got quite and relaxed once more into my touch.

"I was wondering if you had a book I was looking for." His voice was in a whisper.

"What book?"

"The picture of Dorian gray."

"ah, that's one of my favorites,"I was smiling at the memory of reading it for the first time."I'll find it for you".

I remove the towel from his hair and draped it over the arm of the chair. He rose from the seat, Frost man moved away from his legs. I turned to go up the stair case that led to the books that were shelved on our upper level - balcony area. Arnav quietly followed me. With every step up, the stairs creaked and I ran my fingers against the spines that lined the wall opposite of the railing. The smell of old paper and ink was always stronger up here; I always found it a welcoming scent that enveloped me like a warm blanket. Most of the popular classic literature was shelved up here; I had spent countless nights curled up with many of these books. It was a perfect place to read because you couldn't see much of the place from the main floor.

"You never answered my question," he said from behind me.

"Which question was that?" I asked him as we came to the stop of the staircase. I turned a corner and slowly started scanning titles and authors.

"The question from before... how would you fall in love with a guy?"

I blushed at the remembrance of him interrupting what I thought was a discussion with myself. I focused on my sights on the books in front of me. A silence settled itself between us; he was waiting for my answer. I stopped. My hand rested on a copy of Catcher in the Rye.

"If I fall in love with a guy...I think it'll be his words," my voice was quieter than I expected it to be. In truth, I had never truly fallen in love with someone. I had stared enviously at the empty sided of certain boys in my life, but I had never really experienced what it was like to love someone in their entirety.

"It'll be the words he says, the way he says them..."I slowly moved my eyes towards a section of Shakespeare.

"It'll be how he eloquently stitches them together. It's words above anything else." I moved my fingers across the spines of works by Tolkien.

"yes," I whispered more to myself than it was to him," if I fall in love, it's surely for his words".

I found myself looked down at the wood beneath my feet. I thought of the countless Disney movies I had watched as a child, the fairy tales books I read under my blanket by flashlight, and the romantic moments my friends shared with their own partners.

"Or even if he was at loss for words. The way he doesn't know what to say ...it's so cute and life-affirming."

My heart started to throb gently. Thinking about this hurt my chest. I was so envious of all of them, the way they had someone to hold, someone to call their own. Meanwhile I was cooped up surrounded by fantasies written simply in ink on paper. I was surrounded in fiction because I had no power to make it reality. I wasn't the girl people wanted in reality.

"Because of all the phrases in every language there's no just comparison they can find to their feelings towards you."

I looked back up and my eyes caught the work of Oscar Wilde.

"Yes, if I were to fall in love, I think I'll be his words." I pulled the book off the shelf and turned to him with it in my hands.

The way his gaze fell on me was something I had never experienced before. His eyes were glowing softly and his lips were tipped upward in the shadow of a smile. He looked awestruck and entranced. My cheeks grew warm under his sight, I glanced away.

"That was beautiful," he murmured. "And the most poetic explanation I've ever heard."

My face grew warmer. "Here, I'll check this out for you." I moved passed him.

As I did our shoulders brushed and I felt warmth seep its way into me and spread through the rest of my body. I had never felt something like this before. I stopped in my tracks and looked back at him from the top of the stairs. He was gazing at me in the same surprise I was looking back at him. I knew there was a rosy pink dusted across my cheeks. I broke my gaze away and returned down to the register. His footsteps soon followed after mine.

We exchanged no words over the counter as I rung up the price and he handed me the bills in his pocket. We said nothing as I headed to the back room and returned with his jacket that had mostly dried. We barely looked at each other as I handed him the small plastic bag that held his Oscar Wilde novel.

"Thanks", he mumbled, putting his jacket on and taking hold of the bag. I could only bring myself to nod in reply. I pulled an umbrella out from behind the counter and held it out to him.

"Here," I glanced out at the rain beyond the windows. "You're going to need it."

As he took hold of that as well our fingers brushed against each other and I felt another surge of warmth slip into me. My heart jolted into a quicker pace. He fumbled and almost dropped it. He didn't look at me as he mumbled another "thank you" and began walking towards the door. I watched his back and glanced at the empty air that stood beside him. As he reached the door I felt something push my voice out.

"C-come again!"

My stuttered farewell resonated through the door of the store and the air around me suddenly felt too warm. But I watched as he stopped moving and turned around to look at me. A grin blossomed on his face.

"Will do!"

-------------------

Winter had now settled in and I began to notice how often he came in through the door. Granted, I realized that I always watched for him, waiting for his arrival. His visits became like clockwork, everyday at the same time. But as soon as I would see him enter, I would lose him among the stacks of literature and I would never see him leave. The times I relished were the times when he was buying a book. We barely exchanged conversation, but occasionally he would ask me for recommendations. I would always point him in the direction of the balcony, in response a smile would creep onto his face before he would go. That was the extent of our talks now, it was nothing compared to that rainy night, but I was okay with it.

Lately, he hadn't been coming in. I assumed that it was because the holidays were soon approaching and he had familial things to take care of. He didn't have time to come here. Regardless, his absence made me a bit sad. I had hoped to see him before the holidays.

"Darling, did you already make some more hot chocolate?" my mother asked as she stepped behind the counter while I leaned on the front of it.

"Yeah, there should be plenty for everyone now."

I looked back out to the middle area of the store where people had gathered and were sitting in various chairs, their attention pointed to a single person sitting on a stool. It was the monthly readings the bookstore held to support young writers in the area, most of them were from local high schools. Writers, young and old, were always encouraged to share their works-poetry, prose, and essays, whatever it was. Teachers often came with recommended students. Over the course of the evening, I recognized a few faces from school.

"Looks like a good crowd tonight," my dad walked up beside me and leaped onto the counter as well." lots of people are buying books, too. Business is looking good."

My mother and I smiled at him. She went into conversation while I simply looked back at the crowd of people. Suddenly, a familiar dark-haired boy rose from a seat and took his place on the stool. With my interest peaked, I tuned in my ears to listen to him.

"Ah, what I wrote isn't as fancy as everyone else's," his voice shook. "I'm no good at this sort of thing, but I hope you like it anyway."

He looked down at the piece of paper in his hands.

"Words, she says. I'll fall in love with his words, she says."

Every moving organism in my body froze and felt colder than the frigid air that tumbled outside. He continued on.

"At first, I don't understand it. How can you fall in love with someone's words? Words are just letters put together. Words are just meaningless things on paper. I don't understand it"

I found myself leaning forward.

"Because...I don't know words. I don't like words. I like math. I like numbers. I like the feeling of cracking a deal. I like the feeling of catching a baseball in your glove. Those are the things I know."

There was a small murmur of laughter. I was smiling.

"I don't know words. But I want to know them. I want to know the words she's talking about."

I stared at him.

"I want to know the words she's read. The words she's talking about. The words that she indulges herself in everyday. The words that make her laugh. The words that make her smile. The words that make her heart beat fast. The words that surround her. I want to know the words she knows."

My heart was beating uncontrollably.

"So I spent on days throwing myself into these words. These words she's come to love. His words, her words, their words, new words, old words, words, words, words. But I still don't understand. I don't get it. These words go over my head and I m drowning and drowning be cause I just don't understand. I don't know words."

He no longer starred at the paper in his hands. His fingers had stopped fidgeting. He was staring straight at me.

"But I do know her. I know that she likes to talk to her cat. I know that when she dusts she hums to herself. She does what she thinks is right. I know that she smiles when she reads Shakespeare. I know that she likes to stand in sunlight. I know that she's not tall enough to reach the top shelf. I know that she likes to dry hair. Those are the things I know."

I brought my hand up to my mouth. My heart felt like it was going to burst.

"Eloquently, she says. I know that I like how she says it. El-lo-quent-ly. I know that I like how it rolls off her tongue. I know that I like her eyes. I know that I like her smile. I know that I like how it doesn't matters to her if I'm an Indian. I know that I like how she moves gracefully between bookcases. I know that I like her voice. I know that I like her voice when she says words. Any words."

I had started moving away from the counter and walked through the bookcases. My hand still covered my mouth. I wanted to cry I was so moved. I could still hear his voice between the shelves, my heart beating rhythmically in time with it.

"I'll fall in love with his words, she says. Even though I don't know words, even though I don't understand words, I think for her sake I can still try. Yes, for her sake, I want to fall in love with words, too."

The audience gave him a loud applause as I made my way up the staircase to the upper level . I turned the corner and pressed my back against the spines of Orwell and Twain, my breathing was heavy and I felt tears brimming my eyes. This wasn't happening. This wasn't real. I heard footsteps racing up the stairs and when I turned my head I saw him standing there, staring at me, slightly out of breath and blushing. I looked away from him.

"Were you really watching me this whole time"? My voice was a whisper.

"I came here to study," he said."And you were always working, you were always so interesting. The way you held the books the way you turned pages, you loved every single word you saw and every word around you. Before I knew it, I was watching you from afar. I was entranced by everything you did. I wanted to talk to you, but I didn't know how. What the hell would I say?"

I stayed quiet and he took a step towards me

"Would I have anything common with you? What was there for us to talk about?"

He took another step.

"That rainy night I decided I wanted to start reading all the books you read but all I really wanted to do was talk to you. Your voice..."

He was standing right in front of me now. I kept my gaze on the floor.

"Your eyes..."

His hand lifted my chin up slowly.

"They were so much better up close."

His eyes glinted in the dim light. His face was so close to mine. His warm breath fell onto my lips like a soft fog.

"I..."

"Shh," I whispered, barely audible. My eyes were locked with his, "enough words."

He pressed his lips against mine.

Among the spines of fiction I had engrossed myself in since a child, I felt the ink of my own words and letters, the ink of these figments of my own imagination, tumble into reality.

They tumbled ever so eloquently.

 

 

Entry #4

 

 

Airport Soul Mates 

 

"Unfortunately folks, due to the weather, it looks like we're going to be stuck here for a little bit. We will let you know as soon as we hear information from flight control, but for now we will start playing our feature movie, so please sit back and relax".

I closed my eyes and sighed as when the flight attendant finished speaking. I disliked almost everything about flying, from the security checks to the smell of airplane cabins. But most of all, I disliked being delayed in the actual airplane, cramped in a stiff seat with the only view of the tarmac.

Looking out of the window, I could just make out the airport gate where I had been waiting twenty minutes ago. The heavy rain fell in unrelenting drops against the plane and blurred everything that I could see from my window.

At least I'll try to sleep, I decided, and leaned my head against the side of the plane.

"Yes, man."

"Huh?" I sat back up and turned. The guy next to me had spoken.

"Yes man," he said again and nodded towards the little screen that had just dropped down two rows in front of us. I looked over and saw that a preview of Jim Carrey's movie was showing on the screen.

"Oh, is that what they're playing?" I mumbled, wanting to try to fall asleep again.

"I hope so", the guy said. "It's my favorite movie. Have you seen it?"

I shook my head, "not so much of a Jim Carrey fan."

"Ah, I see," he said, and then squinted to scrutinize me. "No Jim Carrey? More of the...hm," his mouth twisted to one side as he tried to think.

I bit my lip to prevent from smiling too much. He looked so funny with a frown and his mouth twisted to one side.

He was also quite attractive, I suddenly realized. I had been too busy being annoyed at the delay due to the weather that I had not noticed how handsome the guy sitting next to me was.

"More of a...history channel kind of girl?" he finally said.

I blinked out of pure surprise. He was totally right. I was a secret history nerd, but not even a lot of my friends at school knew I'd sit in my bed watching documentaries about World War 2 on Thursday nights.

He laughed, "I'm right!"

"Guilty," I laughed too."I totally didn't expect you to guess that, how'd you know?"

He looked at me slyly, "psychic".

I rolled my eyes.

"And I saw you reading a book on the Battle of Somme in front of me in the boarding line," he admitted.

I laughed then cringed from just thinking about the chapter I had been reading. "Worst military offensive ever," I said. Then, I had to ask, just for my curiosity, "Are you a history fan too?"

He shook his head, and I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

"I'm studying finance," he said, and then seeing the look on my face, "yes, just like every other person in new York, I'm out there to make the world a worse place."

His tone was totally somber, but he flashed me such a disarming smile at the end of the sentence that I couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey I'm not blaming you," I told him.  "Someone's got to understand the numbers."

"I'm guessing you're a college student from the UCLA sweater?" he asked. "Studying history?"

"Psychology and I'm pre-med." I said. "Well, now you have to tell me where you go. You said you're studying finance, so I'm assuming you're a college student too?"

"Guilty," he smiled. He was so attractive I don't know how I didn't notice him earlier," "but I go to school in New York and I was just on vacation in LA, which explains why I'm flying out of JFK. So what brings you here?"

"Eh, interview. It's my senior year and I'm trying to get into med school. But now I'm heading back to UCLA. What are you to LA for?"

"My sisters having a baby," he told me and shook his head, as if incredulous at the idea. "So I'm going to visit that, and I wanted to watch yes man on the tarmac of course."

I laughed. "Jim Carrey fan?"

"Huge Jim Carrey fan. Dumb and dumber, fun with dick and Jane, and don't even get me started on liar liar", he went on. "But even if you're not a Jim Carrey fan, I'd think you will like this one. It's about a man who says yes to everything. Really made me want to change my life and take more opportunities."

I was about to laugh, but then realized that he was actually being serious. I looked at the screen. The movie was starting and they were dimming the lights in the plane cabin. He had already turned to the screen, engrossed in the movie.

Eh, why not. I shrugged and plugged in my headphones to tune in to the movie channel.

It was surprisingly good. I could understand why he liked it so much. I was determined to ride on a motorcycle and learn to play guitar before the movie was halfway through.

Once, I started to get up to use the restroom, but he tapped me lightly on my arm before I was fully out of my seat.

"Wait", he leaned over and whispered in my ear while keeping his eyes on screen. "You're about to miss the best part. Third eye blind, jumper."

I had no idea what any of that meant, but his whisper had sent shivers through my body. I swallowed and sat back down. This was ridiculous. I had just met this guy on an airplane in the JFK airport nonetheless. He was just really attractive. It was nothing, I decided.

Near the end of the movie we were finally cleared for takeoff, but I couldn't really focus on either that or the movie too much. All I could think about was the fact that I was attracted to some guy I had just met in an airplane. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

We didn't talk much for the rest of the ride, between the movie and me falling asleep afterwards, but as we got up to get out of the plane in LA, he leaned over and smiled that ridiculously charming smile again.

"It was nice to meet you," he said and then struck out his hand, "I'm castle, Richard castle."

I shook his hand back. "It was nice to meet you, castle. I'm Khushi.

...

I thought that was the end of that until almost exactly a month later, in October at O'Hare airport in Chicago.

"Khushi!" I heard my name through security checkout. The TSA personnel whipped their heads around at the disturbance, and I could see the golden brown hair duck his head sheepishly.

"Oh my gosh, castle!" I couldn't contain my surprise and nearly dropped my Ziploc bag of three ounce liquid containers.

"ma'am, you're next!" the TSA official barked and I had to step back in line, as sheepish as castle was just a minute ago. I waited for him right outside the checkpoint though, and as soon as he stepped through, both of us burst out at the same time, "what are u doing here?"

"My best friend goes to school at Northwestern," I told him.

"Fall break. I was just at home for the past week", he said, and then to answer my quizzical look. "I'm not from New York. I just go to school there. Chicago born and bred."

We were both fairly early for our respective flights to JFK and LAX, so we decided to sit down with a large bag of Garret Popcorn.

I found out that castle was senior in college who wanted to become a finance professor. He had seen every movie with Morgan Freeman in it and had learned French for six years. He loved everything about deep dish pizza and everything Chicago. His favorite place in the world though, was Grand Central Station in New York before Christmas.

He asked me if I had stopped by the Art Institute of Chicago. They had a new exhibit on propaganda art from WW2, he said. I hadn't stopped by, but he explained the exhibit to me so vividly that I felt like I had not missed too much. He loved it, he told me. I secretly hoped that this was his first step to his becoming a history nerd like me.

By the time, the popcorn was nearly finished, there were calling for his flight.

"Well that's my plane," he said, and he looked truly sorry to leave, or at least I had hoped so.  I was crazy, I told myself as that thought crossed my mind.

He grabbed his suitcase, turned to go, seemed to think for a moment about it, and then turned to say , "I'm glad  I was stuck on the tarmac next to you that day."

I smiled, genuinely happy." I'm really glad too."

He paused, as if debating something with himself, and then plunged on. "You know," he said,"I'm glad we were watching yes man. I thought you were really cute and wouldn't want to talk to me, but then I realized that I've got to be like Jim Carrey. I've got to jump on every opportunity that life throws my way."

Then before I could even digest that loud enough and untwist the knots that had formed in my stomach and come up with a reply, he ran off to catch the boarding call or his flight.

...

I had another interview, this time in Houston. It was late November, and I had quite a few second rounds but still no acceptances. Still early, I told myself, even though the girl who sat next to me in biochemistry had already gotten two offers, she said. Over achiever.

I looked at my pamphlet about Baylor and close my eyes. Just let me get into med school.

"Did you know about the echo domes?"

I opened my eyed and nearly screamed. Castle was bent down, and his face was so close to mine that i threw my head back against the back of the chair out of sheer instinctive reaction.

"What the heck?" I sputtered out in a half shout, half laugh. The people next to us actually physically turned around to stare at us. I was making a habit out of embarrassing myself at airports, especially when I run into castle all the time.

He laughed, "looks like were fated to run into each other all the time, huh?"

I smiled. "Just at airports. What brings you to Houston?"

"Transfer fight. I've got a two hour layover between New York and Chicago. Going home a little early for thanksgiving this year."

I frowned. "Wait, you've got a layover in Houston for a flight between new York and Chicago? How is that possible?"

"Must be your lucky day," I told him. "What were you saying about the echo domes?"

"Ahh, "he began, and my eyes fell on his suitcase for a moment. Property of Richard castle was scrawled in a neat blue ink on a tag. "Come on, do you have time? I'll take you."

Then, without warning, he grabbed my hand and dragged me up. I wasn't boarding for at least 20 more minutes, so I didn't complain. I was surprised, though, that when I had got up he still didn't let go of my hand. He led me away from the gate and toward the central walkways of the airport.

"Ok stop," he told me suddenly. We were right outside of an intersection between the walkways of the airport.

"Step in"

I stepped into the centre and he followed me.

"Hello, heeloo, heeellooo, "he said and his voice bounced off the doomed roof of the International Bush Airport. He wasn't lying about the echo effect

"Hello!" I raised my voice and heard it bouncing back on us.

I turned to look at castle with a silly grin on my face, but he had an equally sillier one. Then, at the same time, we both looked down on our intertwined hands and became aware that we had not let go of each other.

I turned a beet red.

We let go of each other almost instantly.

There was an awkward pause that seemed to drag on.

"Ah, what the heck, I'll just say," castle suddenly spoke and broke the silence. "I don't know why, but I think I liked you from the moment I saw you sitting in the airport reading your battle of Somme book at JFK. You were perched at the top of your seat, biting your sleeve and frowning as you read. I thought you were really cute. I remember standing in line behind you and reading your seat number over your shoulder. 23A," she smiled, "I had 23B ticket. I had never been so happy to sit in the middle seat of an airplane ever."

I looked at him, completely caught off guard by all that he was telling me. He was waiting for me to say something, I knew, but as of that moment I could barely even find my voice, much less get a coherent sentence out.

23A, I kept thinking. I remember that seat.

"Final boarding call for flight 1853 to Los Angeles. We are boarding all rows at this time," the voice over the system called. It struck me that they were calling my flight. "Final boarding call for flight 1853 to Los Angeles. All passengers must board at this time."

I looked at castle, waiting expectantly for me to say something.

"I, I have to go," I stuttered. I cringed inwardly at the brief moment of disappointment that passed over his face before he smiled at me once again, but I could tell that this smile was just for show.

"Have a good trip," he said, his voice very soft.

I wanted to say more, but I was too shocked to say anything. The guy I met and I had a crush on at the airport liked me back? Say something, say something, I willed myself. But my tongue seemed to be glued to the room of my mouth. Say something, anything. Anything.

But nothing came out.

"Final boarding for flight 1853 to Los Angeles," the voiceover came again.

I had to run, I knew, but castle's look of disappointment as he stood in the middle of the echo dome was on my mind throughout that flight back home.

...

I had tried to find Richard castle online, but to no avail. There were simply too many castles, and I realized that although I knew that he was from New York, I had no idea what school he went to.

I should've said something, anything but "I have to go." I had hoped to run into him again at another airport. But I flew again twice after that for interviews, once in Washington DC, the other to San Francisco, but he was at neither airport when I was there. I felt silly hoping, even looking for the boy with the golden brown hair and the way too charming smile at an airport, any airport that I went to, but I couldn't help it.

My last flight of the semester was the one back home for winter break, to San Francisco. My family lived in San Francisco because my brother worked there.

SFO had the decorations for the holiday season. The shops had bows, fake presents were scattered in various locations, and there were even a couple of trees lying around.

I was excited to be home. I had just gotten an acceptance letter from UCSF, which had been my top choice for medical school. I had literally squealed in excitement when I was notified but had somehow managed to hold off telling my parents until I saw them in person. I don't know how I was able to keep such a secret for a day, much less for the past week, but now I was bursting to tell them.

My walk out of the airplane was quick. I was practically running to baggage claim, where I knew my family would be waiting.

I was almost at the escalators leading to the baggage claim when I noticed him.

There he was, castle walking out of his gate, his head bent down as he tried to stuff something in the pockets of his coat.

I stood there, mesmerized by the sight. Maybe he was right. Maybe it was fate that I kept running into him at all these airports.

Castle looked up and saw me and stopped in his tracks out of pure surprise. His eyes widened, and then he smiled that smile I could never really get out of my mind all this semester.

Before I could help it, I blurted out, "I like you too!"

Castle blinked and stared at me.

I wanted to slap myself. What was I thinking?

His next movements totally caught me by surprise, however. He bent over double, laughing so hard that he could barely breathe.

I knew my face was beet red again, but this time I could care less. I was so mortified, and now he was laughing at me. For all I knew, what happened between us in Houston could've been a total joke, and here I was again, making a fool of myself.

He finally looked up. He had a huge smile on his face; I was too upset to say something.

Finally, he pointed his index finger up.

I looked up, and there it was, one f the many holiday decorations in SFO. Only this one made my face turn even reader if possible.

I tore my eyes from the mistle toe and looked back at castle,"oh no, we don't, that's, I, that's," I sputtered.

Castle smiled even wider and took a step toward me.

"Thank goodness," he said, and then bent down and kissed me, right in the middle of the San Francisco airport.

I let go of my luggage and threw my arms around him. Some passer by behind us whooped, but the kiss felt so good that I barely noticed.

When we let go, we were both slightly out of b breadth. I had a big, giddy smile on my face, I knew, but castle didn't seem too unhappy either.

"Is san Francisco your final destination" he asked.

"It is for winter break, and I'm coming here for med school. Is it yours?"

He nodded, then grinned, "I'm a December grad, moving here for graduate school."

I swallowed taking the information in. castle, meanwhile, had bent down to read the name tag on my suitcase.

"Khushi gupta," he said.

I smiled, "that's me."

"Well, Khushi gupta, I think all these airports are trying to tell u something."

"Maybe they are," I laughed in agreement.

"Do you believe in soul mates?"

I shook my head, "Yes"

"Me too," castle rolled his eyes, "I do however, believe in airport soul mates too.

I could only laugh in response.

"Would you like to go to dinner with me sometime?" he asked.

I grinned and took his hand.

"Only if it's not in the airport."

Entry #5

 

"DILWALE DULHANIYA LE JAYENGE"


"This Khushi also na nandkishore. Where is this girl? Arey oh nandkishore..humra matlab hai Khushi. Where are you now? If this girl does not reach here in next 5 seconds, I'll surely ban her jalebis for 5 days..nandkishore." said a lady or more like shouting so people of whole Gomti Sadan can hear her.

Just then a girl entered through the gates of Gomti Sadan running as if she's taking part in Olympics while dragging her friend behind, "Preeto, run fast or else jiji is going to give me, her smally-small sister fat-broad lecture as Buaji will start yelling at the top of her voice to stop me from having my mithi-mithi, pyari-si, nanhi-si, gol-gol(sweet, lovely, small, round) jalebiis. Not to forget, they are.."

Preeto who was too tired to run anymore completed her, "Soaked in chashni(sugary syrup) and juicy..."
How much more do we have to ruu..."
Before she could complete her sentence, they bumped into someone who was in a very, very angry mood.

Preeto looked up to find Payal staring at her 'small sis' angrily. To save herself from another jalebii description from Khushi, which she was sure Would follow, she decided to end their argument by making them feel her presence.
"Payal, how are you? Didn't had time to talk even once?"

Payal, who was ready to yell at her sis, stopped hearing Preeto's question. Khushi who was waiting with baited breath for her jiji's scolding, thanked Preeto a thousand times.

Just then, Garima entered there. Where were you Khushi? You know your Buaji was searching for you and scolding Payal?"

"Amma please. Don't scold me. I've gone to airport to pick up Preeto." defended Khushi.

"For 3 hours??"

Now Khushi looked down guiltily. "Wo Amma when we were returning, the Chandni Chowk Halwai had not started the shop. So, we waited there a little. A litlle only."

"Haye, Chandni Chowk Halwai. You took her there at 7. Jiji tumka sahi naam diyat rahi 'sankadevi'. Pagalia gai ho kaa? That shop doesn't open till 8. I should've guessed by you artiving here at 8:30 that you must have gone to your best friend-jalebiis. Not to forget you won't get any rickshaw there at this time." Exclaimed angry Garima.

"Par Amma we compensated it as we came running.."

Before Khushi completes her sentence, Garima cut her off," What? You.. Leave it. Theres no point talking to you.(turning towards Preeto) How do you cope up with this sankadevi?"

Understanding that the conversation is dragged and Preeto needed rest, Payal intervened, "Amma, you wanted to tell something."

"Oh.. In all this, I forgot the reason why jiji was searching you in morning. Arnav bitwa's phone came. He is coming to Mumbai today."

Preeto(teasing Khushi)-> Oho, has jiju come to India to attend meetings? Don't he want to see his pyari-si, sweet-si to-be wife?"

Khushi-> No, no. Its o.k. Work comes first. He can meet me later also. I'm not running anywhere. But the time of meeting sure is."

Preeto(says sarcastically)-> Meetings? Hmm? Meetings-which he can postpone. Come on yaar, he is the Owner. He can do that."

Khushi (replies with same sarcasm)-> Exactly, he's owner if AR, not..."

Payal had enough of this arguments for a day. So, she spoke in-between-> Stop it both of you. Its enough.

Preeto-> Ok, ok. So, tell me how you guys met. It must be a total filmy meeting. Right? With Khushi in trouble; his dhamakedar entry; him rescuing you; sparks flying; etc, etc. Right? In another words, MY R.K. STYLE.."

Khushi (getting angry)-> He's mine too. Ok.

Preeto-> Khushi, darling, you're now engaged. So, he's mine now.

Before Khushi could reply, Payal cleared her throat and raised an eye-brow when both looked towards her. Both caught the meaning & stopped their argument.

Preeto-> You didn't answered me. Tell me how you met? I want to know every detail of your love story. You promised Khushi."

Khushi-> Actually, I've not met him...

Preeto-> What? Oh did you talked through phone or were you fb friends?

Khushi-> I don't chat with strangers on phone. And he's not on fb.

Preeto-> Then what is it were you sending letters to each other as in film 'Sirf tum'?

Payal replied to preeto,-> Its an arranged mrg. When Khushi was born, at that time, babuji met his long lost friends family. At that time only they PROMISED to marry his only son with babuji's Daughter, which they are fulfilling now."

Hearing this again, Khushi's smile wiped off. "Jiji, I'm not feeling well." Immediately runs to her room, wiping the tears.

Payal-> I shouldn't have reminded her all this again.I'll see her.

Preeto-> Wait, I'll also come with you. 
(Garima calls Preeto for breakfast.)

Payal-> You go. I'm with Khushi till you come having your breakfast.

Saying this Payal starts walking towards Khushi's room while Preeto towards dining table.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Khushi comes to her room and sits on the laptop. She opens various files which they had recorded, and starts deleting them one by one trying very hard to control her tears.

Payal comes in the room and her eyes also starts tearing up seeing the state of her little sister. Then she notices she is deleting something. Not something. They are their masti files which they recorded to make it more memorable.

Payal-> Khushi, what the hell are you doing? Tu ise mita kyu rahi hai? 

Khushi-> Nahi jiji, galti hamari hi hai. Kyuki ye to hum bhool hi gaye the ki hame to sapne dekhneka bhi haq nahi hai...
Payal-> Haq hai Khushi, sapne dekho. Bas, unke pure hone ki shart mat rakho.

At this sentence of Payal, Khushi hugs her tightly.
Payal tries to soothe her further saying, "Aur kya pata wahi tera R.K. ho?? Hmmm. Chalo ab chale? "
Khushi wipes her face & moves out. She does not see Preeto who was standing there. Once Khushi goes, she goes behind Payal to talk to her. 

Payal goes to her room and opens a drawer. She takes out a cd from it and inserts it in dvd player.

It shows Khushi & Payal laughing and having fun.
Then, they a yet to release R.K.'s film's song starts playing.


Mere Khwabon mein jo Ayein 
Aake muje ched Jaye

Use kaho kabhi samne to Ayein..

La..la...La..la..La..la...Laaa..laa...

Jadu sa jese Koi Chalne laga hai

Main kya karu Dil machalne laga hai

Apna hai ya Begana hai Wo

Chup-chup-ke fir q rehta hai Wo

Kar betha Bhool Wo

Le aya Phool Wo

Use kaho Jayein Chaand Leke Ayein



Payal has tears in her eyes seeing her bubbly sister, who was trying so hard to remain happy now-a-days. She quickly wiped them lest anyone sees them and turned around when she was left shocked. Standing there was Preeto, who was equally emotional.

Payal-> Preeto, you here. Want something? 

Preeto-> Ya. Tell me. What's all this? And why did Shashi uncle promised something like this? 

Payal-> Hamare yahan aisa hi hota hai. Ladki ka rishta aise hi tey kar diya jata hai aur uski shadi ho jati hai.

Preeto-> That's utterly rubbish. How can...

Payal-> Preeto please. I don't want to discuss more on it.(Saying this, she moves out)

Preeto-> Payal, you do whatever you like , but I'll surely give Khushi last chance to enjoy her freedom. To live her life on her own terms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A man is walking towards a house with much hope of seeing a certain someone. He has this blushing smile on his face indicating that he's in love.

But its locked. The neighbour shouted, "Simran & her family permanently shifted to India." Disappointed, he was about to go back, then a        caught his attention. It read, "PYAR". He takes it & ruffles his hair in a vain attempt to hide his blush.

"Good shot R.K. sir." appreciated the manager.

The man just walks away carrying a lot of attitude and he's none other than R.K., the superstar, who was shooting for his upcoming film, "DILWALE DULHANIYA LE JAYENGE", playing character of Raj opposite to Drashti aka Simran.

Girls started hooting and whistling as he came out.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A man comes inside Mumbai Airport putting on his aviators. All girls face turned towards him. Some started oogling at him. But he doesn't give a damn to them. He walked past them with driver carrying his luggage to the A.R. Hotel.

Once they reached hotel, he demanded the keys to his usual room.
Receptionist: Sorry sir, but the attendant maid took unexpected leave. Here are the keys. Sir give her one chance for delay.
"ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA never gives second chances.Cancel her promotion in salary."

Yes. This is ASR. The great, arrogant Raizada. He goes to his room. Aftr freshening up, he calls his nani who gives him Khushi's number.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Please Payal, don't you want your sistr to enjoy the life at least for few days in the way SHE LIKES?" Pleaded Preeto making most pitiable face.

"Ok, I'll help you out."
_____________________________

PAYAL: Pls babuji, let her go to meet R.K. in Mumbai. She'll be back in a week."

SHASHI: ok. But tell her not to do something which brings shame to this family.
______________________________

Khushi and Preeto's flight lands in Mumbai.

AT HOTEL ROOM

KHUSHI(excitedly): Preeto, let's go to beach.

PREETO: ok.
__________________________

KHUSHI: I'll complete this sand-castle. You go & bring the flag.

PREETO: Don't know why, but I don't want to go leaving you all alone.

KHUSHI: I'm not 2yr old. Now go.

Preeto goes to take the flag for sand-castle leaving Khushi who is completely engrossed in making the sand-castle.
A strong wave of water comes towards the shore. People starts shouting for run. Khushi, on seeing this, faints.
_______________________________

"Sorry mam, she's not here. Its possible somebody might have rescued her." Answered the inspector.

"No, its all my fault. Now what I'll answer to Shashi Uncle?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Khushi wakes up in an Unknown room. She tries to remember how she landed up here? "What if some good fairy helped me & I'm in RK's house?" A glass of water & medicines is brought in front of her face putting a full stop to her thoughts. She looked up to see the owner of the hand & is left utterly shocked!! 

Standing in front of her is RK! The SuperStar RK! Then she rubbed her eyes to clear her vision as RK probably can't be here,! 

But the next moment her confusion gets cleared as he spoke, "Hame baad mein ghoorti rehna, Pehle ye dawai pee lo." Seeing no response from her, RK himself put the med in her mouth. A shiver ran down her spine when rk:'s cold finger touched her lips. Then he forwarded the glass of water; but a smirk was there on his face knowing his effect on hr.

Suddenly, Khushi remembers about her family's reaction. What'll her babuji think? Thinking of this, she becomes hysterical.
KHUSHI(trying to get up): I have to go home. She doesn't listen to anything or anyone.

RK: Relax Khushi. I've already informed your family. They told me to make you rest.

KHUSHI: really??

RK(feeling bad to lie): Yea. For now, you take rest.

RK started moving towards door. Khushi opened her eyes & looked at him,'If he turns once, then...' She didn't get a chance to complete her thinking as RK went out of room. She felt disappointed. Just then, RK slightly moved back & peeped inside the room. They had a small eyelock.

But all this exchange was seen by Dipali who was not at all happy. She called the director from Bittuji's phone & told to pre-pone the celebration party of RK's upcoming film.

Bittuji came running & informed his chief about party. RK nodded a yes & started getting ready while recalling how he saved Khushi at the beach & how he brought her home. Tension, which he felt while doc a checking Khushi couldn't be ignored by him. & todays incident. Ahaan. So, she's also my fan. But y I'm feeling happy knowing it. He looked up at mirror to see himself smiling.. What the hell is happening to me? 

After RK went, Dipali goes to his room & starts searching for Khushi's phone. She called Khushi's father.

Shashi, who was disappointed, coz police couldn't trace her Daughter was alerted when he got a call from unknown num., "Hello, Shashi here."

The police were busy searching ASR's fiance' when Shashi informed Khushi is in RK mansion. 
---------------------------------------------------

RK was continuously getting flashbacks of Khushi. 
Drashti came there. "So, finally Superstar is in love!! Not bad. Who's the lucky girl."
RK: Its nothing like that.
Drashti changed the topic. They talking.

Drashti: you've to come with ur date at premiere. So, we'll go together.

RK(Thinks Khushi too likes my films): No, umm actually I am bringing Khushi. (With a smile)

Drashti: She asked about it? 

RK: No, but I'm sure she'll like it.

Drashti: u care for her. And now also thinking about her. If this isn't love, then what is it?
----------------------------------------------------

Khushi woke up when someone patted her head. She looked up to see her father looking at her. But instead of feeling happy, she's sad thinking she's to leave this house. The next sec she realized the reason..I'M IN LOVE WITH RK!!! But then she saw Arnav with whom she's going to marry & her eyes filled with tears.
----------------------------------------------
RK came back home & straight went to Khushi's room. Servant informed him she went back with her fiance ASR. Rk's heart broke hearing this.
----------------------------------------------
"I dont know jiji. All I know is that I love RK & I can't marry Arnav ji."

Both sisters were startled hearing Shashi's shout "KHUSHI"
-----------------------------------------------

RK was at his personal bar drinking Brandy when Mohan Kundra came there. "What's her name?"

"Who papa?"

"Cut the crap & tell me y are u not saying ur feelings to Khushi?" 

"She's engaged."

"But not married. I've seen her eyes searching for u whilst going from here & I'm confident she too loves u."

"But..."

"No buts. Asli mard wahi hote hai jo apni Dulhan ko lekar aye na ki aise sharab pite rahe."
---------------------------------------------

"I'm helpless Khushi. & you don't even know whether he loves you or not." Explained Payal.

"You're right jiji." Khushi managed to say.
-------------------------------------

RK reached at the house mentioned by Bittuji. Why is this pomp at my Khushi's house. He spotted Payal. "Oh.. She's the same girl from the wallpaper in Khushi's mobile where it's written Sisters Forever."

"Excuse me." RK tapped her shoulder.

To say Payal was shocked to see RK Would be an understatement. She managed her composure & spoke, "RK!!"

"I'll tell u directly. I love Khushi & I want to meet her."

"When babuji got to know that Khushi loves you, he called Panditji & told him to fix a date ASAP. So, Khushi's wedding is going to happen today only as she can't marry after today in this month. Arnav ji is staying next door only. Baraat is about to come."

Hearing this RK's heart broke..."Now I'll surely marry her as I know she loves me too."
--------------------------------------------------

Payal brought Khushi with ghunghat along with her. Khushi was crying inside. She sat in theMandap with heavy heart. Soon the rituals got completed. Khushi touched her mangalsutra & sindoor indicating she belongs to someone else.

They took everyone's blessings. Khushi noticed Payal's missing. When Shashi was about to hug his SIL, Dipali spoke from behind, "Before giving hug, check who's ur SIL?"

The Sehra of groom is removed & everyone is shocked to see RK. RK holds Khushi's hand, who was shocked herself & tells, "I married Khushi in front of u all with full rituals. So technically she's my wife & Khushi was not knowing about this."

Guptas & Raizada's got the biggest shock.

"Where's Arnav bitwa?" Questined Devyani.

"I'm here Nani" answered Arnav from behind.

All turned to look back still shocked. They saw Arnav standing hand-in-hand with Payal. While Payal's mangalsutra & sindoor was clearly displayed alongwith garlands in both of their neck.DOUBLE SHOCK.
At first none spoke anything. Khushi's head started spinning, so RK hold her from her shoulders. 

Finally Devyani spoke breaking the pin-drop silence. "What's this? Don't you know you're bethroed to Shashiji's Daughter from childhood? How can you disrepect our Promises?"

Arnav: Nani please. I know Shashi uncle promised you to marry his Daughter to ur grand-son. & we've fulfilled that. Isn't Payal Shashi uncle's Daughter? We can start our relation afresh, but why to punish Khushi who already loves someone & vice versa? Khushi's married to RK in front of everyone. And we also got married with full rituals, here're the witnesses. Aman, Bittuji & Drashti enterd with Panditji. We've fulfilled your promise. Now, please give us your blessings."

Shashi & Devyani looked at each other & nodded. Devyani hugged Arnav-Payal while Shashi hugged Khushi-RK. 

Khushi was on cloud nine. She hugged her sis.
Payal: "So Khushi, got ur Dream-WeddiNG with ur Dream-LoveR with little adventure."

KHUSHI: This heart-attacking adventure is LITTLE for you???

RK thanked Arnav & shared brotherly hug.
Arnav: So, your wedding is totally in a filmy style..

RK: "What else do you expect from SuperStar??

Arnav: "If I found a single tear in my sister-like sisterinlaw's eyes, then I'll ..."

RK(cutting him off): Not necessary. I love her. I should be threatening you instead.

Devyani: Listen everyone.. We're keeping your reception tomorrow..
If all our kids are happy, then we're also happy. ALL's WELL THAT ENDs WELL..."

Manorama: "Hello Hi Bye Bye.. Hum isse jyada emosonal(emotional) naahi hui sakat hai. Humra make-upya bhi kharab hui gawa."

Manorama's hsbnd: Kahein itna bole jaa rahi hoo? 

Manorama: Aap to shut-up hi kar lyo..(Saying this, she switches on the TV)

ARNAV SINGH RAIZADA's FIANCE MARRIES SUPERSTAR RK... FOR MORE UPDATES, CONTINUE WATCHING AAJ TAK

All the family members were shocked.
Arnav & RK volunteered to handle the press.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Arnav-Payal went to the honeymoon suite booked by Devyani Raizada while Khushi-RK went to beach house decorated by Mohan Kundra.

RK & Khushi were excited while atmosphere in Arnav's room was awkward.

Arnav: I think we should start with friendship. So, friends..

Payal: yes, friends.
They talked with each other while laying on either side of pillows.

IN RK's ROOM
RK carried Khushi in his arms to their room. Khushi hid her face in the crook of his neck.

RK: Why are u shying? If you're blushing from now, then what'll happen to your cheeks once we reach bed? 

Saying this, RK put Khushi down on bed. By now, Khushi's cheek turned crimson. He looked in her eyes. Slowly, he started bending down. Khushi closed her eyes & parted her lips. Taking this as a yes he moved his one hand on her waist while other was on her back, in-between her long hair. Khushi's hands moved to RK's broad shoulders for support. Their lips met & Khushi moved her one hand to his nape while the other caressed his hair...

AFTER SOME TIME
Khushi was laying in RK's arms snuggling into him. Both were covered with single duvet while Payal & Arnav had talked themselves to sleep laying on their side separated by pillows.

RK & Khushi are already in love while Arnav & Payal were yet to discover love; building their relation throuh friendship.

__________________________

 

Entry #6

 

T O  L O V E  A G A I N

What's meant to be, will always find a way...

 

"I don't care, Aman! Just do it already!" Arnav Singh Raizada spoke to his assistant on the phone as he drove his SUV on his way back to home

"Okay, Sir." He heard Aman say on the other line.

"Good." He cut the call and removed the Bluetooth from his ears. Again his mobile rang and he answered it while driving the car. "What now?"

"I heard about your Di, Arnav. I am so sorry about her suicide. Trust me, I had no idea she loved me that much." He let out an evil laugh.  "By the way, I haven't heard of Riddhima since, oh my God way too long!" Arnav clenched his jaw, realizing who it was. Suddenly a light flashed on his face and he turned the SUV to other side only to hit a car. He hit his head hard on the stirring wheel and all went black.

 

When he opened his eyes he was in hospital and his uncle Ram was right beside him. "W...What happened to... me?" He felt the sudden pain in his head when he was speaking. He then looked around and saw a doctor and a nurse coming towards him. They checked his pulse and they were interrupted by him. "How long have I been here?" He asked to the doctor.

"2 days. You woke up once and again you fell unconscious." It was his uncle Ram who answered the question.  He remembered the accident and suddenly his eyes got wide. "Oh my God! Did anyone else get hurt?" He asked, suddenly panicked by that thought.

"Calm down. Everything is fine. You just need some rest." But he wanted assure that no one was hurt. He surely did remember that a car got hit by his SUV .He looked at the doctor again hoping she would tell him the truth. She inhaled deeply and then spoke. "Look, you don't need to panic okay, your uncle has dealt with the police but they are going to come here again for more enquiries." Why wouldn't she tell him what happened to the people in that car already? The doctor understood his look and spoke again. "I know what you are thinking right now. But this isn't the right time to..."

"Right time to what? Dammit! I want to know so you have to tell me what happened!" He almost yelled at her but she still kept calm. He took a long breath and looked at the doctor. "Look, I am.. I am sorry.. I didn't mean to.."

"I know. I can understand."

"Then please tell me about it, doctor."

"There were two people in the car. Unfortunately we couldn't save the man. The woman is in coma right now and it's difficult for us to say whether she would survive or not." Arnav fell back on the pillow covering his face with his hands.

"Oh God! What have I done?" Ram held his hand and touched his face gently.

"Hey, you don't have to feel guilty about it, okay? You didn't do it on purpose. It was an accident."

Arnav turned to the doctor. "Where is she? I want to see her." He said but the doctor shook her head.

"You aren't exactly in the right condition to go anywhere." Arnav groaned and removed the IV attached to his hand. "What are you doing?" The doctor tried to stop him but he wasn't a person who was going to listen to her. He had to see her right now. Wherever he goes, he keeps hurting people. Memories of Riddhima flashed through his mind. What he has done to her..

He made his way to the ICU and the doctor and Ram followed him. He opened the door and froze at the sight in front of him. Riddhima was laying there, her head bandaged and her hands bruised. Scratch marks were all over her pretty face. He slowly went towards her still unable to believe it was her. He touched her bruised hand and brought it close to his face. He couldn't stop the tears from flowing down his cheeks. "Riddhima.." He whispered her name. He felt so angry at himself right now for hurting her once again. He stood up and stormed out of the room. But Ram was quick enough to catch his hand..

"Where do you think you are going?"

"Leave me alone!" He jerked his hand away and started to go but again Ram stopped him.

"Don't try to run away from life, son. You can never do that." His soft gaze made Arnav break. He hugged his uncle.

"Why do I always hurt her?" He asked.

"You have hurt her once, I do agree. But this time, it isn't your fault. Maybe fate had some other plans for you." He drew back from the hug and looked at Ram. Fate? He never believed in fate. Fate, destiny, it was all nonsense to him.

Arnav was the first to enter the room when she gained consciousness. She gazed at them and then at her bruises. "What happened to me? Why am I here?" She kept asking them about what happened but no one spoke. She looked at Ram. "Uncle! Why isn't anyone speaking? Please tell me what has happened to me? And where are my Mom and Dad? Why aren't they here? And Dhruv? Arnav will you please say something?" Arnav stepped forward but his uncle stopped him.

"Let me talk to her." He said gently and Arnav listened to him and stayed where he was. Ram wasn't able to say a word when a woman suddenly entered the room and ran to Riddhima. She was holding a baby who looked a year old.

"Oh Riddhima! Thank God you are fine." The woman hugged Riddhima. She gazed at the baby and felt weird as the baby kept smiling at her as if they shared a close bonding between them. As the women drew back from the hug the baby was clutching to the sleeve of Riddhima's gown. Completely unaware of what's going on, she just jerked her hand back.

"Riddhima? What are you doing? You have no idea how much she has been crying since your accident. She wants to be with her Momma obviously!" The woman touched Riddhima's hand but she again pulled her hand back.

"Momma?" Riddhima asked and then looked at the ring on her left hand. She gazed at the woman. "Who are you?" She asked.

"Sir, Madam, could you please step out so we could carry on with our work? She needs rest right now as she is still delicate." Juhi said looking at Arnav and the woman beside Riddhima.

"No, wait! Who are you?" Riddhima again asked the woman and saw tears fill her eyes again.

"What? I am , your best friend!"

"No. My best friend is Dhruv! Where is he? Why didn't he come to visit me?" She asked and Zoya's eyes widen even more. She started slowly stepping back until she bumped into Arnav. He held her and looked at her and then to the baby. She looked just like Riddhima. Her eyes.

"Arnav! At least you don't keep quiet!" His eyes darted from the baby to Riddhima. "Oh my God! You are hurt too!" She cried and tried to get up but Arnav was too fast to get to her and he made her lie down. She touched his forehead gently.

"Hi Riddhima. I am Dr.Juhi. You had a car accident. But you are fine now." Juhi spoke to her but she held her gaze firmly on Arnav. He gave a silent moan at her touch. He has longed for her touch and now that he has it, it feels like being alive again. Zoya just stood there watching them both, now getting a clear view of what has happened to her.

"I was with you? Oh thank God you are fine." She pulled him into a hug. "I would have gone mad if something happened to you." She said hugging him even tighter. When she drew back from the hug, Arnav looked at Juhi and her look indicated him to stay calm. She came towards them.

"We have to go through some checkups, Riddhima. And Arnav too has to get some dressings. So please." She said looking at Arnav and Ram. He got up but Riddhima caught his hand. She tilted her head up and kissed him on the cheeks.

"I love you." She whispered to him and he felt his heart sink at those words. Instead of replying the same to her----which he did mean to say----he just smiled at her and stepped out of the room with Ram and Zoya following him. The nurse closed the door and they all waited there. A nurse came to Arnav and asked him to rest in his room but he refused to go. And then he looked at Zoya and then to the baby. He walked towards them slowly.

"Hi." He said but Zoya remained silent. He again gazed at the baby and she understood what his question would be.

"She is Riddhima's daughter, Pari." He gulped and she noticed. "Riddhima and Dhurv's daughter." She said looking firmly at him. Riddhima was married to Dhruv? He swallowed hard. And then it hit him. Unfortunately we couldn't save the man. Unfortunately we couldn't save the man. The doctor's words echoed in his head and tears filled his eyes.

"Dhruv?" Was he?" He couldn't say the rest of the words as it became so hard for him to speak.

"Yes. He was with her in the car."

"I am so sorry."

"Stop pretending. At least not in front of me!" She almost screamed at him and Pari started crying.

"What? I didn't even know they were..."

"I don't want to talk about that. Besides, your rich uncle has already proved that it wasn't your fault. So please, don't justify yourself." There was anger filled in her voice. And he could understand her concern for Riddhima. And now he hated himself even more. He looked at the innocent child whose father he has taken away from her. She smiled innocently at him and it broke him. He extended his hand to touch her face but Zoya stepped back immediately.

"Don't! Don't even try to touch Pari! Not after what you have done with Riddhima!" She said and he stepped back from her. He gazed at Pari for one last time and walked towards Ram who was standing by the ICU. They waited for the doctors to come out. Arnav thought about what has happened back there. He was unable to believe all that. Maybe she was a little bit shaken by the accident which is why she behaved like that. His thoughts were interrupted by Juhi. She stepped out and closed the door to the room. Zoya hurried towards them.

"She is fine now. But..." Juhi gave a long pause and then spoke again. "...She is suffering from amnesia. A part of her memory is erased. The last thing she remembered is coming from a party with you." She said looking at Arnav. "She doesn't know about Dhruv's death and about their marriage too. When we told her about her memory loss then she looked at her ring and then concluded that she is married to you." She looked at Arnav who was completely dazed. "We decided not to tell her about Dhruv as it might worsen her situation. But neither did we answer her question about being married to you." She gazed at everyone and again back at Arnav. "I want to talk to you alone." Arnav nodded and followed her to her cabin. She gestured him to sit.

"Is she going to be alright?" He asked as he sat on the chair.

"Yes, she will be."

"How long will it take her to regain her memory?"

"In some cases it takes months, years and maybe...never." She spoke the truth to him. She didn't want to mislead him by giving him false hopes. "Now there is something I want to ask you."

"Yes."

"It seems like you and Riddhima were in a relationship two years back. And you two got separated and she got married to Dhruv." She paused for Arnav's reaction and he nodded silently. "Arnav, now she only remembers is your relationship and that she loves you a lot. I can tell this because I saw that in her eyes. She thinks she has been married to you, Arnav. I know I shouldn't be asking this but, do you still love her?" She studied his actions closely. He took a deep breath and spoke.

"Yes, I do. I love her."

"I hope you will take the best decision, Arnav. Don't do anything which might lead to more stress to her brain. Just remember one thing; she needs you at this phase."

 

As Arnav opened the door he saw Riddhima with Pari in her lap. He walked towards them and sat on the chair beside her bed. "How are you feeling?" He asked, trying to sound as normal as he could.

"I don't know, little lost-the-track-of-time I guess." She said looking at Pari and he smiled. He gazed at Zoya and she looked away. He could feel her hate towards him. Probably he would be getting the same feeling from Riddhima if she hasn't lost her memory. He shut his eyes not wanting to feel the guilt he was feeling right then. "Hey, you okay?" He opened his eyes at her voice. He nodded with a smile and she smiled too.

"She looks just like you." He said caressing Pari's face.

"But she has inherited your smile." She said as Pari giggled in her lap. He didn't smile. Instead he just kept looking at her and saw the flashes of the accident. He felt sorry for taking her father away from her. "I'm so sorry I don't remember our marriage, our child." She looked at Pari and tears filled her eyes.

"Hey, you don't have to feel bad about anything, okay." He said wiping off the tears on her cheeks.

"Exactly! Now that you two are together, you should only think about the new memories that you will get to make in the future." Ram came to Riddhima and she hugged him. Arnav forced a smile as he knew she doesn't belong with him now.

 

When Arnav went to bring lunch for Riddhima, Zoya was alone with her. "I am so sorry I don't remember you." She said bitterly.

"Don't be. I am glad that we got you back." Zoya hugged her best friend, feeling sorry for not telling the truth to her.

 

Arnav didn't wanted to take any risk so he shifted their life to Cape Town as no one would be there to remind her of anything that might harm her. Zoya too came with them as Arnav asked her to come. He had no idea how he is going to take care of Riddhima and her daughter and he badly needed her help. He took the responsibility of the company AR Industries had operated there with Aman joining him in there. They moved to the house which he already had there.

"We used to come here for holidays?" Riddhima asked as they entered the house.

"Yeah." Arnav said and then looked at Zoya who was was glaring at him. He knew she wasn't happy with their decision but he also knew she will support him as she wants her best friend to be safe. Riddhima went to her room with Pari as Aman asked the servants to carry their luggage to their rooms.

"Thanks for coming with us." Arnav said to Zoya.

"I am doing this for Riddhima."

"I know. Thank you."

 

"You still haven't told me why my parents didn't come to visit me at the hospital." Riddhima asked as he entered their room.

"Uh.. They.. Actually... They were a little busy."

"Busy? If they knew I had an accident then there wouldn't be anything in the world which would stop them from coming to me. Something is wrong isn't it? You didn't even let me visit them before coming here." She asked, keeping her voice low so she wouldn't wake up Pari. Arnav came and sat beside her.

"I just didn't want to give you any stress." He said hoping she would end that topic right there. He didn't have the guts to call them. He still wondered why they are so mad at her. Was it because she married Dhruv? No, they did like Dhruv. He thought. She rested her head on his shoulders.

"So many things have changed, right? I have got new friends and my old friends didn't even bother to visit me there just like my parents didn't." He knew she was talking about Dhruv and he stood up.

"Uh, I have got some work to do." He said and walked towards his laptop. Riddhima waited on the bed for him to finish his work but she fell asleep. When he was sure she has slept, he climbed on the bed careful enough not to wake her. He put a couple of pillows in between them and dozed off to sleep.

 

"I am going to go shopping with Zoya. Pari will be with the baby sitter. The driver will take us." Riddhima said to Arnav hoping he would get that she is mad at him. She waited for him last night too but he came to home too late and by the time she has already slept. He kept typing something on his laptop.

"Yeah, Aman will go with you."

"Seriously? You have made him my bodyguard." Arnav stopped typing and looked at Riddhima who had her arms folded on her chest.

"Just do as I say." She groaned and he smiled at her.

"You haven't changed a bit, Mr.Akdu Singh Raizada!" He chuckled as she walked out of the room angrily. She used to call him that before and it was the first time he heard it in the past two years.

 

Arnav walked into Stella's room. He had hired her as Pari's baby sitter after going through dozens of background checks on her by himself. "Stella, you can go now. I will be here with Pari." He said as he took her in his arms. Stella nodded and packed her stuff and went.

"Today, Pari will be with her Daddy.." He stopped, realizing what he said was wrong. He wasn't her father. Dhruv was her father and he always will be just like he will be Riddhima's husband. Arnav reminded himself that he is just here to try to recover the damage that he has done to their life. "How about you call me Dada?" He kissed her soft cheeks and she giggled. "I will take that as a yes." He smiled and walked to their room. He gently placed her on the bed and she immediately started crawling. He took her in his arms and then placed her on the carpet floor so she could crawl freely. He sat on his knees and began imitating her.

"Arnav? Are you... Crawling?" He stopped at Riddhima's voice and lifted his head up to see her standing in front of him. He quickly got up and Pari stopped crawling too. She looked at her mother innocently and started giggling.

"No.. I was.. I was finding something which I had dropped on the floor." He said. Riddhima went and took Pari in her arms.

"Looks like Daddy and Pari was having a race, huh?" She giggled and Pari joined her too. Arnav watched them, feeling glad to see them both happy like this. He wished if he could join them but his guilt wasn't letting him do so.

 

Two months passed and Riddhima hasn't regained her memory. As always, Arnav came home late. He opened their room and entered quietly careful enough not to wake her. He saw Riddhima sleeping on his side. He went closer to her and saw one of his shirts in her hands which she has clutched to her chest. He knew she had been missing him. He couldn't help but feel miserable for doing this to her. He realized how lonely he has made her feel. He could have at least spent some time with her without breaking his barriers. But he knew what has kept him from doing that. He was afraid that he might not have control over him if he gets close with her. And he didn't want that. He didn't want to betray her again. He kissed her forehead gently and slowly walked out of the room.

He saw Zoya in the living room and went to her. "You didn't sleep yet? Any problem?" He asked her.

"Yes, there is a problem. What is wrong with you! You bring her here so you can make her feel alone and rejected? She was crying today, Arnav! Do you have any idea how upset she is? She thinks you are ignoring her!"

"Dammit, Zoya! You think it's easy for me? It's easy for me to stay away from her like this? To refuse to her whenever she wants to spend time with me? It's not! But I have to! She is.. She was Dhurv's wife and I can't forget that for God sake! And every day I have to love with this guilt that I killed her husband. You have no idea what I am going through, Zoya."

"Well then, you deserve it! You think you are suffering? Do you have any idea how much you have made her suffer? You left her when she was pregnant! Yes, Arnav! Pari isn't Dhruv's child. She is your child!" Her words hit him like a stake driven through his heart. "Because of you her parents abandoned her. She wanted your baby, Arnav. And she wasn't ready to marry Dhruv because she still loved you! It was Dhruv who was with her every time she needed him. And when they were finally happy with their life, you ruined it too! Yes you killed him, Arnav! You killed him!" With that she walked past him leaving him there. He fell on his knees and cried. He left her when she needed him the most. And he even snatched the only happiness she had. Zoya was right. He killed Dhruv and he killed Riddhima's happiness with him. He got up on his feet and walked out of the house. He climbed into his SUV and drove off.

 

He woke up when his mobile rang.  He searched for it in his SUV. It was Zoya calling. He answered the call.

"Arnav! Riddhima is gone with Pari. She remembers. She called me and she told me didn't expect me to lie to her. Please find her. Please."

"What? Wait, I am coming to home." He drove as fast as he could and he saw Zoya standing outside the house. When she saw his SUV, she came running to him. He unlocked the door so she could climb in. Just then Arnav's phone rang and he answered the call.

"Looking for someone?" He recognized the voice.

"Ritesh! I swear to God if you touch her..!"

"Wooh! Calm down, brother! Calm down. I won't do any harm to her. I just love her so much."

"Don't touch me!" Arnav heard Riddhima's voice and he clenched his fists.

"Bye bye, Arnav." And then the line got cut.

Arnav told Zoya about the call and she asked to inform the police. "No, we don't have time for that. I can track him. Remember the watch I'd given to Riddhima? It has a locating device in it. I wanted to protect her from him because I know how cunning he can be. And I was right. He still hasn't stopped following her." They got in the SUV and drive to the place where his phone was showing she was. It was an old garage and he could see a car parked there.

"You stay in the car."

"No, I will come with you."

"Please. I don't want you to get hurt." He looked at her and she nodded.

 

"You think he is going to come for you?" Ritesh lashes out, backhanding her hard across the face. It knocks her to the concrete floor and pain exploded in her head. She tried to get up but she fell back on the ground.

"I don't want.. him to come... for me.." She said looking at him.

"Oh yeah! She remembers! How can I forget that?" He gave an evil laugh and looked towards Pari who was on the floor crawling to come to her mother. He caught her by the hand she started crying even loudly.

"No! Please! Leave my daughter! It's me who you have problem with! Leave her! I beg you! Please!" Riddhima screamed but he wasn't listening to her.

"Get your bloody hands off my daughter!" Both Riddhima and Ritesh looked at Arnav who was fuming with anger. Arnav looked at Riddhima and saw her head bleeding. He again glared at Ritesh and clenched his fists wanting to kill him on the spot. Ritesh was laughing again.

"Looks like your Papa wants to have a word with me, Pari." He stood up and came towards Arnav. Riddhima tried to get to Pari and took her.

"So you think..." It was all he could say when Arnav punched him on the face and he fell on the floor. Arnav didn't wait for him to stand up and caught him by the collar and made him stand up. He dragged him to the wall and banged his head until he fell on the ground.

"How dare you! How dare you hurt her?" He raised his hand to hit him again but someone stopped him. It was a police officer and he saw four other officers standing with Zoya in front of them.

"Leave him to us." The officer pulled Ritesh to his vehicles and the other officers followed him too. Arnav rushed to Riddhima. Zoya too came and took Pari in her arms and hugged her.

"Your head, it's bleeding. We need to go to the hospital." He said holding her hand but she pulled away.

"Don't you dare touch me." Her eyes were filled with tears and he knew it wasn't because of Ritesh. It was because of him.

"Riddhima, listen to me.." It was all he could say when she started hitting his chest with her fists. She threw weak punches at him which followed several others. She pounded his chest harder and harder screaming that she hated him.

He grabbed her wrists. "I did it for you. I wanted to keep you safe."

"By lying to me? By pretending to be my husband? And I was living happily with you when I should have been mourning about my husband's death!" Pulling free, she punched him again but this time he grabbed her and pulled her against him.

"Do you think it was easy for me? But think about it, Riddhima. You and I meeting again like this. You forgetting your memory and loving me again. Maybe fate has given us another chance."

"Fate? You never believed in fate, Arnav."

"Yes I didn't, but now I do. I know its fate which is pulling us together." She pushed him away.

"No it's not! You ended our relationship long back when you chose to trust Ritesh and not me. How could you even think that I would betray you with him?"

"I know it's my entire fault. I am sorry, Riddhima. Please forgive me. Please come back to my life. I need you and Pari."

"It's over, Arnav. We were never meant to be together." She went to Zoya who was holding Pari. She took Pari from her and started going.

"Da...da" She stopped when she heard Pari speak for the first time. And it was Arnav who she was calling. She looked towards Arnav with her sparkling eyes and he couldn't wait any longer to come and hold her in his arms. Riddhima gazed at them both. Arnav looked at her with pleading eyes but she just looked away.

"It that's what you want, I won't stop you. I have lost that right long back." He said kissing Pari for one last time before giving her to Riddhima.

 

Arnav entered the empty house. It hadn't even been an hour since they were gone and already he was missing them badly. He slowly climbed the stairs and went to his room. And the sight in front of him surprised him. Pari was on his bed and started giggling as soon as she saw him. He ran to her and took her in his arms and kissed her all over her face.

"She didn't want to go without her father." He turned to face Riddhima who was at the door step, smiling at them both. She came to him and wiped off the tear that has just fallen from his eyes. "I hate myself for not being able to hate you." She said as her eyes too welled up with tears. Arnav smiled at her.

"And I love myself for being able to love you so much." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him hard. They were both interrupted by Pari who started crying, feeling ignored by her parents. They both chuckled and kissed her on the cheeks. Arnav hugged them both, promising himself that he would cherish her and make up for all the wrong he has done to her.

 

Riddhima put the last candle on the cake and Arnav gave thumbs up. "You are very good at this." He said as he looked at the cake which she has made for Pari's 3^rd birthday. They both looked at Pari who was running and her grandmother was chasing her with a glass of milk in her hands.

"Pari! Don't trouble your Nani too much!" Riddhima called out and Pari immediately went to her grandfather and sat on his lap. She knew her Nanu would protect her from the tasteless drink that her Nani was hell bent on feeding her.

Riddhima giggled and gazed at Arnav. "Thank you." She whispered and kissed him on the lips.

"For what?" He whispered against her lips

"For everything."

"No, thank you." He kissed her as he ran his hands over her little baby bump.

 

~ T H E  E N D ~

 

Entry #7

 

FROZEN ISLAND

 

December 25, 1993

 

The cloudy mist leisurely scatters the evil music to every living creature in the world controlling their actions, mind and heart. The only person who could do such a cruel act was no other than dajjal.

 

"You couldn't escape from me Geet. You don't have the enough power to withstand me. Your heart has been completely filled with hatred for arnav. You don't even have a chance to stand against me, Geet" said dajjal with a feel of success in his blood.

 

I will not allow this cruel man to use my gift as a weapon for destruction. I, Geet was born to spread happiness among people not to destroy their lives. I'll never allow dajjal to take full control of Me.' said Geet to herself.

 

"Dajjal I'll never allow this to happen do you understand" shouted Geet with ferociously. She turned to her right side and smiled at arnav "I'm sorry arnav for not trusting you. I don't deserve you arnav"

 

Arnav can't understand why she is saying these now until he realized what she was about to do "nooo...geet..."

 

She made the last music in her life making dajjal and arnav to be frozen in that island forever...

 

December 23, 2013

 

The ever morning sunlight spread its beautiful light throughout the entire world waking every living creature along with a beautiful girl who did not know her potentials until today.

 

"Madhu, get up" said anjali. The words made her further to sink into bed for more comfort. Seeing this Anjali pulled her cute sister out of the bed by pulling her hand.

"Dii..." Madhu said in a sleepy tone. "Happy birthday dear" wished Anjali. "Thank you didi" replied Madhu with tears in eyes. They hugged each other sharing their pain and love for each other.

 

It was Madhu's 20^th birthday but this is her 2^nd birthday without having our parents on this earth. Two years ago our parents died in a car crash but luckily Madhu was at least left for me to say that I have a family.

 

"Di...di..." Madhu tore apart Anjali's thoughts. Anjali just gave a cute smile in response. "Now get ready, you are going to miss the flight." said Anjali pulling madhu out of the bed. "But di I told u I'm not going anywhere, I'm not leaving you alone here, ok" said madhu with a determinant face. Anjali knew that this would surely come but this her life she has to take this music competition.

 

Anjali took a deep breath and said "Madhu you have to go. Music is your life you have to live it. Please don't sacrifice anything for me then I'll not be able to live a peaceful life. Please madhu you have to go." pleaded with her eyes.

 

"Why do you always do this emotional blackmail di? Fine I'll go. Promise me that you'll take proper care of yourself." said madhu bringing her hand forward to get promise. Anjali glanced at her hand and promised that she would. Anjali also asked her to promise her for the same. She then glanced at the clock and said "now go and get ready. You are going to miss the flight. It's already past 8." Madhu made her way to bathroom taking her clothes.

 

Madhu came in her usual anarkali clothes and made her way to dining table with her backpacks. "Di I'm leaving." Anjali rose up from what she was doing and got a full glance of her lovely sister. "Madhu, these are your favorite homemade chocolates. This is my gift to you" Anjali handed over her a completely wrapped box. "Thanks di" said madhu. They hugged each other finally when heard a voice interrupting their beautiful moment "don't you both forget me". Both turned to the direction of voice finding pakhi standing there.

 

"Happy birthday madhu" wished pakhi hugging her. "Thank you" replied madhu. "This my small gift to my best friend" pakhi handed her a small box wrapped with golden sheet. "Can I open it" asked madhu. Pakhi nodded in yes.

 

It was a chain with locket. She opened the locket and found her photo in it and other one was empty. She looked confused at pakhi.

 

"This place is for the person whom you trust the most and love." said pakhi. Madhu hugged her in a sign of thanks. "Ok now you have to go. Take care." said pakhi. Madhu nodded and made her way to the car.

 

"Good bye di and pakhi. Take care of yourselves and pakhi do take care of my sister." said madhu with tears filled eyes. "I will" replied pakhi. "Take care and give your best" said pakhi and Anjali together. Madhu said yes and drove away in the car. They stood there stilling waving their hands till the car was out of their sight. "She'll be fine di" pakhi consoled Anjali who was unable to bear her leaving. They enter the house with the doors closed behind them.

 

IN THE AIRPORT:

 

"Mam your seat number please?" asked the air hostess. "Number 13" replied madhu. "It's that one mam" said the girl showing her hand to a seat where a young man was sitting. He was handsome but something was different about him. She took her seat and fastened her seat belt. She was in deep thinking about her sister until the air hostess made the announcement of flight take away.

 

"Hi. I'm ayan and you are?" asked the guy sitting next to her. At first she hesitated to reply then she replied "I'm madhubala". "I'm going to pick some important person." said ayan. Madhu nodded to know that she was listening to him. "Why are you going to London by the way?" asked ayan. "I have a music competition." replied madhu with no interest in answering him.

 

Before he could answer there was an announcement from the pilot that they lost control of the flight. Everyone was praying with fear in them. But God didn't listen to their prayers. The plane was flying above the sea and it started to head down to the sea. Madhu couldn't do anything other than think about her sister until she lost her conscious.

Madhu could feel the pain in her heart, the pain of losing her sister alone on this earth and with those emotions she jerked flew open her eyes.

 

Where the hell is she?' thought herself looking at the surrounding people but it doesn't seem like heaven so then she is probably alive that gave her a great relief'. She looked confused at the faces who were staring at her but among them she knew a face not common but she has met before, yes in the plane. He is "ayan".

 

"Yeah you do remember ah?" said ayan with a smile. "What is this place? How come we are alive?" questioned madhu but unsteadily and before she could hear answer she again lost conscious.

 

Madhu finally regained her conscious trying to open her eyes. "You have finally woken up" said an old woman. She managed to get a clear view of the old woman. She was in the ages of her 50's-60 and she wore plain white sari. Madhu was thinking who is she and was about to ask her but the old woman said "I know you have lot of questions and I'll clarify it but first eat it. You must be hungry." the old woman gave a plate with rice and dal.

 

Madhu didn't reject it as she was hungry and ate the food without saying a word. "Now please can you say me where am I and you are you?" asked madhu.

 

"You are in an island named jadhu in the middle of the Pacific Ocean." said the old woman. Madhu couldn't believe what she was hearing. "How come I alone survived the crash?" asked madhu. "The crash was just an illusion created in front of your eyes" said the old woman looking at a shocked madhu. Before she could say anything the old woman handed her a flute. It was made of wood but the color was dark like ebony. No, It wasn't painted but how come it's... different. Something is strange about this flute. It's filled with hatred and evil' madhu thought herself and said "it's... filled wi..th hat...hatred." The old woman who was listening to her was surprised and relieved.

"So she is the one ah?" said ayan standing near the door. Madhu and the old woman turned to look at him. The old woman nodded in yes. Madhu looked at them unable to understand what they are talking about. But they continued to talk leaving a strangled madhu.

 

"Should we tell her everything dadi..?" said ayan to that old woman. "We..."before she could finish her line madhu interrupted her "can you please say me what is going on?"

"Wait my dear." gently said the old woman. "How should I call you, my dear" asked the old woman. "My name is madhubala and you can call me madhu" said madhu feeling ease at home.

 

"Ok madhu beta do you know what you are holding?" asked the old woman to madhu. "A flute" madhu said with amusement and confused. "But it's just no ordinary flute my dear." said the old woman saying her story.

 

FLASHBACK:

 

"Finally the time has come" said the evil dajjal laughing with a black ebony flute in his hand.

 

The melodious music easing every one with peace was so soothing that they could forget about their worries and could feel at heaven.

 

"Geet beta you are mind blowing" said Archana smiling at her. Geet smiled back at her mom for her comment and she kept the flute aside so that she could spend some time with her mom.

 

"Geet come lets go out" said a manly voice from the door. Geet and her mom turned to see Arnav standing. "Come Arnav beta." said Archana with a caring tone. "Can I take your precious beti for few hours?" questioned Arnav smiling at Archana. She nodded in yes and watched them leave the house.

 

It's been a month that Arnav and Geet were engaged.one day they came to their parents and said that they liked each other and wished to marry. Now, they are getting married next month. Archana was happy to think about those moments and that her daughter is finally getting married to Arnav though he is quite rude sometimes but a nice guy. Thinking about these she went to her work.

 

(Flash back ends)

 

"But from then we don't know what had happened between them and suddenly Geet said that she hated Arnav. That's the last day we all have seen her..."the old woman's voice faded away with these words.

 

Madhu realized that whatever must have happened should have been difficult on her. She doesn't want to extend this talk but she has to know more so she asked her "then where did Geet go after that?" the old woman looked at Madhu straight in her eyes and said "she sacrificed her own life to save this world. Her music was the key to that evil dajjal. To protect this world from him she gave her life."

 

"Then why am I here?" asked a confused Madhu. "Because you are now the reincarnation of Geet..." said the old woman. "What??? But how could that be?" madhu couldn't believe her own ears. "It's because you are the only one who could hold that flute, dear" said the old woman smiling. "You are archana ji right, geet's mom" the old woman got surprised but she smiled and nodded in yes. Madhu could feel the sorrow of losing her beloved daughter. "My parents died in a crash car two years ago" said with tears in her eyes. Archana looked up at a crying madhu. "Don't worry dear. Everyone has to leave this earth one or the other day." said archana patting madhu on her shoulder.

 

Archana then continued to tell her the story "But then something happened a few months back. Geet made dajjal to be frozen forever but with his evil powers he escaped from the spell." said Archana. "Then..." she found the nervousness in Madhu's face and said "don't worry dear. He'll not be able do anything now dear."

 

You will come to know everything as time precedes dear. You should be strong enough.' Thinking these lines Madhu made her way to the place where Geet had frozen Arnav and dajjal.

 

She saw the place where dajjal was frozen but now he has escaped breaking free the spell of Geet. Her eyes were searching for another person. Yeah it was Arnav. Her eyes roamed here and there finally spotting him.

 

Madhu couldn't take his eyes off him. He is so handsome that any women could go crazy for him. She went close to take a close look of him then suddenly it happened. He started to breathe and his heart was beating. Dhak, dhak...' Madhu was surprised and shocked to see this.

 

"Geet..." was the word that Arnav first said and fainted. Madhu couldn't speak a word and she went to get help.

 

After an hour Arnav regained his conscious "Geet thank god you are safe but you look a find of different..." said Arnav looking at Madhu. " I'm not Geet. My name is Madhubala".

 

Arnav then heard everything from Archana that she is the reincarnation of Geet. She is the reincarnation of geet. I don't like her. Why does she have to look like Geet? No one can be like my geet. No one...' Arnav thought.

 

"Look don't you dare to swing around me. I'm not going to protect you from any kind of danger." Said arnav in a rough tone and left the place.

 

He was staring at the stars thinking about geet "why did you do so geet? First separating you from me and then bringing some other girl having the same look like you. If you are thinking I'll restart my life with this girl, I'm sorry then, you are wrong." Arnav said looking at sky thinking that geet could hear him. "Arnav..." he turned to see the person who was standing behind him. It was archana ji. "Can I have a talk with you for some time?" asked archana. "See if you are going to talk about that girl, then please leave from here." said arnav. "See arnav I know it's difficult for you. Only you have the power to protect Madhu from dajjal. At least you have one chance to destroy dajjal for taking your beloved and protect this world." said archana. Saying these archana left allowing arnav to think about it.

 

"I promised to protect you Geet. But how can I protect someone else ..." said arnav to himself shedding two drops of tears.

 

Madhu, Archana and Arnav were all sitting and having their talks. "But how am I supposed to kill this person named dajjal?" asked Madhu. "The flute which you have is the key for his destruction." said archana. Madhu looked at the flute, touching its surface thinking about it. "It looks like she has never used a flute before" said arnav with a rough voice. He is so mean' madhu said herself feeling irritated. "Arnav you shouldn't do like that. She will feel bad." archana said. "I don't care about anyone." said arnav and left the place. Madhu just saw him leaving the place with her mouth open. "Please don't take his words into account." Archana apologized for him.

 

"Madhu, dajjal will try to take control of you. Even he has a flute similar to the one you are holding. The power of the two flutes must combine to grant his wish. But don't worry dear. The one you are having is spiritual one and his is evil. This one is now filled with the hatred of Geet, only you can purify It." said archana. "But how can I purify it?" asked Madhu. "Your pure intention and soul will purify it" said archana but you shouldn't fall in the trap when your purity is being tested Madhu', archana thought to herself.

 

"Archana ji, now the flute is evil then why didn't he use it?" asked Madhu. "Though this is filled with hatred he can't use it that's the reason he tries to control the person who has the flute in order to fulfill his wish." said archana.

 

"Madhu, the time has come". What did archana ji mean by that' thought Madhu. She was having a walk in the beautiful evening and saw arnav standing, looking at the sky. She made her way to the place where he was standing knowing that her presence will make him mad.

 

"Why did you come here? Just go away" said arnav in his usual rough tone. "I know you don't like me because I look like Geet but what can I do for that" said Madhu. "Just go away before I do something crazy" shouted arnav. She just got frustrated at his behavior and left him alone.

 

But why am I feeling sad to see him like this. I wanted to be on his side always.' thought Madhu. She was making her way to the house but suddenly the air became filled with evil and some face just appeared from it.

 

"Madhu..." she heard arnav shouting from behind. He came by her side and got a hold of her. "So you are still alive arnav?" said that person. Madhu didn't know what is happening here but she like the way arnav is close to her. "Just go away dajjal..."shouted arnav. So this person is dajjal thought Madhu. "Relax arnav; I have no intention in killing her at least not now. I just came to give a proper introduction to my new friend." said dajjal moving his eyes from arnav to Madhu. "Hello madhubala. Let me see you properly" said dajjal making his way towards Madhu but arnav blocked his way by giving shocks to his body. "Why the hell do you use violence arnav, ok I'll leave her alone at least for now but you can't protect her always arnav..."saying these dajjal disappeared into the air. Madhu was hell shocked with what arnav did. He created shock waves to stop him, but how??' Madhu thought. She saw arnav with a confused look.

 

"Can you please say me how you did that?" asked Madhu, but arnav as usual didn't say a word and left the place. So mean' thought madhu.

 

"Archana ji how can he do that?" asked Madhu. "He was born with that power. He is the only one who can control dajjal, at least for time being." said archana. Madhu was about to ask something but archana stopped her "now you need to have some rest, go to sleep". Madhu didn't oppose her as she was already exhausted and went to fast sleep in no minute.

 

"Only a few days left..." said dajjal to himself with a cunning laugh.

 

Days passed and Madhu couldn't understand these feelings that are stirring in her heart whenever she sees arnav. She knows that he still loves Geet but she couldn't stop her feelings for him. She wanted him to be happy and couldn't see him like this, very sad and not speaking to anyone. Sometimes she even wished that she could be Geet, but no she is Madhu...

 

I don't have any place in his heart. His heart is filled with Geet memories.' Thought Madhu, tears shedding from her eyes but this time it was paining for her. It was paining in her heart.

 

"Madhu..." called archana from behind laying her hand on her shoulder "you should say him how you feel about him." "How can i? He still loves Geet. I can't." said Madhu crying. Archana knew this would come. Now it's in your hand arnav and Madhu' thought Archana seeing them both.

 

It's been 2 months she came here and was worried about her sister and pakhi. She took the locket which pakhi gave and looked at the empty space remembering her words this place is for the person whom you trust the most and love' "arnav" she said it out.

Madhu was sitting in the open space thinking about arnav and something suddenly happened. Someone was standing behind her and was surprised to find out that it was geet...

 

"Geet..." said Madhu. "So you love arnav more ah?" said geet. "I'm sorry but I can't stop those feelings from Me." said Madhu with guilt. "Will you do anything for him?" questioned geet. "I'll do anything to make him happy. I just want him to be happy." said Madhu. "Then give me your soul. Only I can keep him happy" said geet. "What... my soul?" asked a shocked madhu.

 

"Ge...et..." said arnav. "It's being a long time arnav" said geet looking at arnav. "But... you are de... ad right?" asked arnav. Geet didn't say a word but just smiled at arnav and turned to see Madhu.

 

Madhu saw the happiness in his face when he saw geet and could feel the pain when he realized she is not living. So madhu decided what to do.

 

"You can take my soul..." said Madhu with no tears in her eyes but only happiness. "What the..." arnav couldn't understand what was going on.

 

Geet started to absorb the soul from madhu's body. "I want you to be happy arnav and I love you" saying these Madhu fainted as geet was slowing absorbing her soul. "No geet. Stop it." Arnav sprang on Madhu to stop the soul from emerging out of her body. "Why did you do it arnav?" asked geet. "You are not geet. My geet would never do such a cruel act. I know dajjal has sent you so before I destroy you get out of here." shouted arnav. The evil presence in the air vanished. Suddenly a light emerged from the sky and weakened the vision of his eyes. "Geet..."arnav said looking at the sky. "Arnav... thank you" said geet and with a rush the soul absorbed by the evil entered madhu's body.

 

Madhu opened her eyes and found lying in archana's house. "Where did geet go?" asked Madhu trying to get up. "Don't try to move. Your soul is not strong enough." Archana said pushing Madhu down so that she could lie. "Arnav..."asked Madhu. "He is waiting outside. He told me to inform once your awake." She went out sending arnav inside.

 

"How are you feeling now?" asked arnav. "Fine" Madhu replied. "About that..." before she could complete her sentence arnav stopped her "let me talk first." Madhu nodded in yes and arnav continued "I'm sorry madhu. I cannot love you as you do me. You were even ready to sacrifice your life for me. I'm grateful for that. I know that you are the reincarnation of geet so even if I love you it's geet I would love not madhu. Whenever I see you I have seen only as geet and not as madhu. I hope you understand what I say." saying these arnav left the place leaving a disheartened madhu. "So he was seeing only geet through me. He has never seen me as madhu." said madhu herself shedding tears.

"Now, the time has come. I shall rule this world forever and ever..." said the evil dajjal spreading his evil music with his flute.

 

Arnav felt that something was not right. The music in the air was filled with evil and making dajjal to appear in front of him. Madhu sensing the same came out of the house to see dajjal and arnav standing opposite to each other.

 

"We meet again, arnav" said dajjal with a cunning smile. "Go away. Dajjal" shouted arnav. "No. I said one day I'll return and now the time has come." said dajjal.

The whole island was filled with evil music and Madhu didn't know how to destroy him. The flute in madhu's possession didn't get its spiritual powers. How is he supposed to be destroyed?

 

"The flute will regain its spiritual powers only when the soul of the holder is pure" that's what archana ji said. If the flute didn't regain its powers then it only means that I still feel sad because arnav didn't love me back' thought Madhu.

 

"Madhu..." said dajjal getting hold on her. "Leave her" shouted arnav but this time he couldn't use his shocks because Madhu is in his hold. It might hurt her also.

 

"Say me Madhu, you love this person very much right. But he doesn't even care about your feelings. He is so stupid that he still cannot forget geet." said dajjal

Yes he is still in love with her. I don't have any place in his heart. He was only seeing geet through me these days.' thought Madhu to herself.

 

"Come let's rule this world together. Take your flute and blow it for me. You can control arnav and make him love you the way you wanted." said dajjal. He made an illusion that madhu's heart always wanted to happen. Madhu has completely being controlled by him that she started to take her flute.

 

Arnav felt that it was geet's soul in her body so even this time she was going to leave her. Geet lost the trust in him back that time and now also she is trapped. He thought there was no difference between them except their names and style.   

 

But then something happened. Madhu's heart wouldn't give up and said No, no I want him to love me from his heart. I don't want to force him. I won't do anything like geet did. I'm madhubala not geet.' the moment Madhu regained her conscious.

The purity of madhu's soul has made the flute to regain its spiritual powers. "No, this can't be. Madhu I showed how your life would be then why?" said dajjal. "I don't want to live such a life. I'll wait till arnav sees madhu in me but no geet." saying these Madhu blew the flute that regained its power. "I can't be destroyed..." Dajjal turned into dust forever...

 

"Madhu are you alright...?" arnav came running to get hold of her. "Is it over?" asked Madhu. "Yes. Thank you" said arnav. Arnav was holding an unconscious madhu. This was the first time that he saw madhu but not geet in her. "She trusted in me though I didn't love her back." said arnav himself shedding tears.

 

"Should you go my dear?" archana questioned. "Yes di will be worried about me" said Madhu with tears in her eyes. "Where is arnav?" asked Madhu.

 

Madhu saw him standing at his usual place and staring at the sky. Now she knew that he won't be mad at her if she disturbs him because he could see geet through her.

"I'm leaving arnav" said Madhu to arnav. He turned around to see madhu standing near him. She turned to leave. "Madhu..."arnav called her. This time it was different. She could feel the different in it. She turned to see arnav. "You are the second woman I cried for" said arnav. Madhu thought it was because he saw geet through me and said "you have cried only for one person arnav and its only geet. You even saw me as geet right." again she turned to leave but stopped when she heard him speak "I cried for madhu not for geet." said arnav. Madhu turned around to see him with an confused expression in her face. "I love you as madhu." said arnav. He pulled her in his arms and kissed her hair. "I love you, madhu" once again said arnav. She pulled herself away from him and said "I love you, arnav". He again pulled her into his arms.

 

They lived every happily from then. If you are worried about how madhu's sister is then here you go. Arnav doesn't want Madhu to be sad so he called Anjali to Jadhu Island just like Madhu was being brought there. Anjali and ayan had such a chemistry that they married and lived in that island forever happily.

 

The screen freezes with arnav and Madhu looking at the locket and smiling "thus we head towards tomorrow."

 

"To love is nothing.to be loved is something. But to be loved by the person you love... Is everything, it's the truth."

 

Entry #8

 

BORN, ONLY TO BE YOUR'S...

 

Ta qayamat shukr goyam kard gar khwish ra

Ah! gar man baz beenam rui yar khwish ra

Kumud Desai rolled her eyes over the symbols engraved on the tomb. "You know Salim-Anarkali story, right?" Kumud heard her friend Najma Khan's question and nodded to it with her eyes still fixed to the sepulcher. "Anarkali was the dancer in Akbar's court. Prince Salim and Anarkali loved each other. Akbar was against their love. Then Salim revolted against his own father to save his love."

Kumud paused and gulped the lump that has formed in her throat before continuing again. "But Salim was imprisoned by Akbar. To save Salim's life, Anarkali decided to sacrifice her life and she was entombed alive in brick wall by Akbar as punishment." Kumud's heart constricted with pain as she finished the story. Though she knew this story very well, it had never affected her like it did today. This is may be due to the reason that she was standing in the same place where Anarkali was entombed alive.

Kumud had come to Lahore to attend Najma's sister, Nikat's wedding. The wedding is a week away. Najma insisted on visiting Anarkali's tomb which is in same building where her father works. Apparently Anakali's tomb was converted into government office. "But I don't know about this tomb. What is written on it? What language is this?" Kumud asked the question which was troubling her mind.

"It's Persian. It means If could I behold the face of my beloved once more, I would give thanks unto my God until the day of resurrection!' and it is signed Majnoon Salim Akbar' that is the profoundly enamoured Salim, son of Akbar!" Even before Najma could finish her explanation, tears filled Kumud's eyes. Her heart weighted down with grief.

"Salim must have loved her very much!" Kumud stated looking at the tomb intently. Najma nodded. "Okay, come on. Let's go. It's already eleven and we have to be in home before lunch." Najma said and moved out. Kumud too turned and followed Najma but halted after taking two steps. She turned back to the tomb and took a final look at it as a lone tear rolled down her cheek. She had no idea what made her cry but she felt something different about this place.

Wiping her tear with back of her hand, she then held her ghagara (skirt) little up and ran out of the place without turning back.

*****************

Arnav's heart twisted noticing the tears that had filled her almond shaped eyes. He watched her as she turned to leave and lowered his gaze feeling sudden loss. He felt the movement around him to stop and looked up to spot her looking at him with so much pain in her eyes. Then a lone tear escaped from her eyes and wetted her cheeks. Arnav closed his eyes unable to watch her in pain and even before he could open his eyes, she ran out of the place.

He heard a loud thud and then flash of bright light fell on his closed eyelids. With a great difficulty, Arnav opened his eyes and saw a lady standing next to the source of light. "Good morning, chotey!" She smiled sweetly at him. He jerked up on his bed in shock thinking it to be some other place and then realised it was his own bedroom.

"DI, you scared me to death!" He sighed folding his legs under the duvet and ruffling his already messed up hair. Akshara pouted hearing her brother's statement. "It's already 11 am in the morning, chotey. When did you come home last night?" She enquired him moving to his closet. "Five'o clock in the morning!" He yawned sleepily but his sleep flew away when Akshara gave him deadly glare.

"Come on, di. You knew that I had an important video conference with my US clients." He justified himself. "I don't know chotey. Do whatever you want and spoil your health. I don't care." She spat out angrily thrusting towel into his hands but all of sudden placed her hand on his forehead with concern. "What happened to you? Why are you sweating like this? Did you have any nightmare?"

Arnav looked down trying to remember something. It came to his mind in bits and pieces. A dark figure of girl crying, looking back at him, holding her skirt and running away was all that he could recall. Her face appeared blurred as she was standing in dark. He suddenly felt sad and gloomy only because that girl who came in his dream seemed to be in pain.

****************

"I help babu to manage our dye factory; Desai's colours and dye's." Kumud said proudly to Nikat. Najma and Kumud were mates in hostel. Nikat has heard a lot about Kumud through Najma and today only she has met her in person. "So when are you planning to get married? Is it love or arranged?" Nikat quizzed Kumud and then giggled with her sister Najma.

"It doesn't matter whether it is love or arranged but when I find my true love, I will marry him." Kumud said confidently with a smile. "What if your babu doesn't accept the boy?" Najma interrogated her. "If your love is true then no one in the world will be able to separate you from your love!" Kumud answered in a profound way. But Najma was in no mood to back out.

"Only an hour before you told me that Salim's love for Anarkali was true. But still they got separated, didn't they?" Najma wriggled her brows. "What if they got separated in that birth? If their love is true, they would definitely become one, at least, in their next birth!" Kumud spoke with poise.

*******************

"What a crap?" Arnav exclaimed making a face. "It's true, chotey. If your love ends in failure, then you will take rebirth only to succeed in your love! We, all, are rebirths of someone. We are here to accomplish what we couldn't do in last birth." Akshara explained her belief. Arnav sulked down on their couch in disbelief. He took a day off from his work as he had worked whole night but now he is regretting his decision.

They were discussing about an issue in the magazine where one girl claimed that she was rebirth of a girl who was murdered thirty years back. "You are unbelievable, di!" Arnav shook his head and left for his room to get his much needed sleep.

****************

Five months later...

"But babu, how can they just cancel the order like this? That too through phone?" Kumud asked her father angrily. Their business was not doing well for past one year. One month back they got a bulk order from Big Fashion house of Delhi. They were very excited about it and worked day and night to finish the order before time. But the news of that Fashion house cancelling their purchase was like bolt from blue. This is not done!' Kumud thought and booked a train ticket for her from Gujarat to Delhi. She then searched for the purchase order and noted down the address of AR fashion house.

**************

"Bhai, we have a problem!" Jigar Modi entered the Arnav's cabin with worried face. Arnav nodded at his maternal cousin who was also his personal assistant. "We always buy fabrics from Sood's factory in Gujarat. But this time our manager found another factory which produced better quality of fabrics at lesser cost. So we decided to try them and gave a small order to Desai's."

"Getting angry on us, those Sood's directly contacted our client and bad mouthed about the quality of Desai's. Now our clients want us only to buy from Sood's. Since you were in US last week, I informed Ashok uncle about it. Taking advantage of their inexperienced contract, uncle cancelled the order of Desai's complaining about their quality and then gave order to Sood's." Arnav looked angrily at Jigar for taking his father's help.

"Now Desai's colours and dye's owner's daughter has come here. She is threatening that she will go to court if we don't give her proper explanation." Jigar finished as Arnav stood up and buttoned his over coat. "Pay her 40 or 50 percent of total amount. She will become quiet. That is the way to handle middle class people." Arnav signed a cheque and then patted Jigar's shoulder.

"I am going to studio to check whether they have finished electrical works. After that I am going home." Arnav said and stormed out of his cabin. Jigar took the cheque and went to the waiting room wondering how his cousin could handle every situation so effortlessly. "Miss. Desai, I spoke with our MD. He is sorry for causing you so much inconvenience and is ready to pay forty percent of total amount as compensation." Jigar informed Kumud making her to fume in anger.

"What does your MD think of himself? If he thinks that by throwing money on my face he can shut my mouth, then he is wrong. I don't need your money but I need explanation for the false accusation on our quality. Where is he now?" Kumud screamed gritting her teeth. "He is in the studio at the seventh floor!" Jigar answered her question instinctively and then realised his mistake.

Kumud held her Ghagara up and walked to the lift in rage for being insulted. "Miss, you cannot go there!" Jigar tried to stop her but lift doors were already closed. As elevator reached seventh floor, her heart started to beat fast. She thought it might be due to her anger and nervousness. Stepping out of the elevator, she scanned the floor which was devoid of any furniture. Welding and electrical work was going on creating bright flash of lights and sounds.

Her eyes stopped at the man in the three piece suit. His back was towards her. As her heart beat reached its highest speed, she walked to him in a daze. When she was about a feet away from him, her foot got tangled in bundle of wires which was lying on the floor. She got tripped and started to fall pulling the wire out of its socket.

Closing her eyes, she prepared herself for a fall when a strong hand held her one arm. She felt another arm around her waist and opened her eyes. It was dark but still she could see his perfectly chiselled face. Breathing hard, she looked at his face while he did the same. He didn't know who the girl was but he felt like he knew for years; those eyes, those lips. He knew her well. He scrutinized her face trying to recognise her. He felt different sensation.

His heart was beating faster which may be due the reflex action due to unexpected fall but why it felt so right to hold her like this. Kumud couldn't take her eyes off him. She wanted to touch his face. She wanted to know if he is for real. With trembling fingers, she slightly touched his cheek. A jolt of electricity passed through her body with the contact. Arnav closed his eyes enjoying the feel of her fingers caressing his face. Everything felt so right.

"Bhai!" Both Arnav and Kumud jerked hearing a voice. They distanced themselves as light came back. The workers have connected it again. They both looked at each other. It felt like they were in another world for last few minutes. Kumud clutched her ghagara tightly with her hands trying to normalise her breathing. Arnav observed her from top to bottom. She was wearing violet coloured full skirt and blouse with pink border. A pink colour shawl was pinned to her in typical north Indian or more precisely Gujarati style.

"Sorry bhai! I asked her not to come. But..." Jigar clarified and turned to Kumud. "Miss. Desai, please come with me. We can talk and solve this issue." Kumud shook her head and walked to Arnav. She shoved the cheque into his hand and took a deep breath before speaking. "I don't want your money. I came here only for the explanation." She said in soft tone and turned to leave. She had no idea where her anger went or why couldn't she tell him off. But she understood that she can't do it.

"Wait a minute." Arnav shouted making her stop walking. Before she turned to leave, he sensed a raw pain in her eyes for being insulted. He felt suffocated seeing her pain. "Jigar, give her complete order for our project with Singhania's."  Arnav commanded his cousin who was shell shocked to hear that. Singhania project involves crores of money. How can they give such a big project to inexperienced factory? Jigar accepts that they are at fault but why not give them some small order as compensation. Arnav never takes unwanted risks but what is he doing right now?

Arnav was staring at Kumud's confused beautiful face. "But bhai..." Jigar began to protest but Arnav stopped him. "They will do it. Don't worry. Prepare the contract and inform me. I will sign it." Arnav left the place but not before noticing confident and happy smile appearing on Kumud's face.

Jigar stood there confused. Arnav was ruthless when it comes to business. From when did he start to take pity on others? And what happened to that girl? She literally ate his head downstairs but she spoke so softly to Arnav like she can never oppose him. Why are they acting like they know each other for years? Or do they know each other?

*******************

Vidyachatur Desai sat next to his sleeping daughter. He was so proud of his daughter. Today she had fought and won such big contract for their factory. She has guts which he himself lacks. He felt pity on all people who looked down at him when he announced that he fathered a girl baby.

His Kumud was born fighter and equal to five sons. She has heart of gold and will do anything for her loved ones. He knew this when he first held her in his arms for the first time and their priest words on her birth time increased his faith on her. And till now she had never let down his faith. He still remembers those words uttered by the priest.

"Vidya, your daughter is one among thousand. She will do anything for her loved ones and whatever she touches will turn into gold. There is no room for failure in her destiny. But..." The priest had paused. "I think she is a rebirth of some woman who died with unfilled wishes. She had taken the rebirth to fulfil her wish. So the problem will arise when your daughter tries to fulfil her wish from previous birth. She will be subjected to lot of difficulties and pain."

"Will she remember about her previous birth?" Vidya had asked the Priest who replied in negative. "No one will remember what had happened in their previous birth! But they might feel some connection with it if they had died with undying desire!"

Vidyachatur caressed his daughters head lovingly. "I don't know what difficulties are waiting for you, Kumud. But I am sure you will cross all difficulties and achieve the fruit of your rebirth."

**********INTERMISSION***********

Kumud couldn't control her smile when she detected that his eyes were searching for her. Ten days, eleven hours, twenty minutes and forty-two seconds has passed since she had last seen him. But not even a single second has passed without his thoughts. She doesn't know what is happening to her or what he is doing to her. But she felt happy.

When his eyes roamed in her direction, Kumud hid herself behind the pillar quickly before his eyes could catch glimpse of her. Yesterday evening she came to know that Arnav Singh Raizada himself is going to come here to check the quality of the products and their equipments before signing the contract. Kumud was little surprised because last time it was just quality manager who came here to inspect but now why the Managing Director himself is coming?

Is he coming here to see her? Is he also in same situation? Does her thoughts troubles him just like his thoughts troubles her? Kumud wanted answers and that's why she is hiding here. His least interest in checking the machines and cloths and his always roaming eyes already gave her an answer.

"Thanks but its okay, uncle." Arnav rejected the Vidyachatur's invitation to have lunch at his home. He was already in foul mood. He had not come here to see these stupid dye manufacturing machines. But he had come here to see the girl whose thoughts were troubling him day and night for past eleven days. He thought that she will be grateful to him for giving such an opportunity and would welcome him. But she was nowhere to be seen.

"No, no beta...you are our guest. And you cannot leave without eating at our home. I will inform Kumud that you will be joining us for lunch." The word Kumud caught his attention and he readily agreed. "Your wish, uncle." Vidyachatur showed him the place where they dry cloths after dying. Colourful cloths were dancing in the wind creating excellent sight but a red shawl with golden border caught his attention.

Kumud felt happy hearing him accepting the lunch offer. She prepared a mental list of food she is planning to cook and what all the necessary things she needs to buy before going home. She was about to leave when she felt tug of her dupatta. "Hiding from someone, are you?" His husky voice made her breathless but still she schooled her expressions. "Why should I hide in my own factory?"

Arnav smirked. "That's what I am asking you! Why are you hiding in your own factory?" He asked her again making her cheeks and nose to turn red in anger. "I was not hiding. I was just checking whether the cloths are drying properly." She justified holding the long cloth next to her making him smirk more. "And what is the managing director of AR fashion house doing here when a quality manager is enough to complete this formality?" It's Kumud's turn to smirk at him.

"Quality!" Arnav said and moved back, with his hands in his pocket, to take a better look at her. "I want my clients to get best quality products. That's why I myself came here to check it. And what are you doing here still? Didn't you hear your father? He asked you to prepare lunch for me. Let me see whether you cook well like you lie!" Arnav commented making her fume more.

"babu said that he will just inform me. We have servant to cook food and I have better jobs to do. So, please, excuse me!" She said with lot of attitude and left the place leaving Arnav to smile watching her retreating back. "This girl would be death of me."

Everything that was served in lunch was according to his likes. It looked like someone who had known him for years had cooked for him keeping his taste in mind. "The food is excellent, aunty." He appreciated Kumud's mother who was serving him the food. "It has to be. Kumud prepared each and every dish so cautiously, didn't you Kumud?" Kumud made a face cursing her mother and left the dining room.

She was watching outside from the huge balcony. "Why did you cook when your servants could have done it?" She heard him ask from her behind. "Quality!" She said turning towards him. "I want my guests to be served with best quality food. That's why I myself cooked it." She said in confident tone. Arnav admired her with a smile when something behind her caught his attention.

"What's happening there?" He enquired watching people going around a particular tree. "It's a wish tree and is very powerful. If you have any wish, go there and pray. It will be definitely fulfilled." Kumud elaborated him. "I don't have any wish!" He said as a matter of fact making Kumud to raise her eyebrow. "Well, there is one wish." He said after a lot of thoughts.

"Actually it's my mother's wish and I am working to achieve it." He fell quiet for few minutes. "My dad is always behind fame and money. He never spent time for his family. He said no successful CEO will have time to waste on family. It really hurt us. So my mom wanted me to become AR's CEO and take it to the new heights which he couldn't reach. She wanted me to teach him that a man can handle both family and business." Arnav said his story.

"Only to fulfil her wish, I am working under the person who I hate the most. I am living in same house with him only because it is filled with my mother's memory. Anything for my mom!" That day Arnav and Kumud shared their life stories with each other as if it was common thing to tell someone everything about you just on the second meet.

*********************

Kumud cursed Arnav in her mind as Jigar talked with her. She took lot of pain in convincing her father to allow her to come here to deliver the materials. It has been three weeks since they had seen each other. Though they were in contact through phone, she badly wants to see him but he didn't even come to warehouse from his cabin to meet her. Now her work was over, she had to leave.

When Jigar and quality manager turned to other side to check the materials, she felt a hand pulling her. She closed her eyes as she was pinned to wall after few seconds and felt his breath on her. "Kumud!" He called her huskily playing with her tresses. "I missed you." He said pecking her forehead. "I know!" She said opening her eyes. "Because I too missed you!" She said and pecked his cheek. "Kumud!" He said with his breath becoming heavier with passing seconds.

He cupped her face and looked into her eyes. Kumud closed her eyes giving him authority to access her. He kissed her lips softly and then guided her to kiss him back slowly. Kumud had never allowed anyone even to touch her. But she does know why she is allowing Arnav to do whatever he wants; because it felt so right. She felt like she was born only to be touched by him; to be kissed by him; to be loved him. In short, she was born only to be his.

They broke the kiss in need of oxygen. They rested their foreheads on each other. "Kumud...you are killing me! Come with me!" He said and made her to follow him. They both didn't talk until they reached his house and then confines of his bedroom.

Kumud was looking around the room when he locked the door and hugged her from back. "Kumud, now you are in my room alone with me. Are you not scared?" He asked her kissing her cheek. Kumud shook her head and leaned back on him in relaxing manner. "I trust you." Arnav smiled moving away from her.  Maybe this is what different about them. Maybe this is why he had brought a girl, who he had met only thrice, to his room, where no woman except his mom and sister had entered. Sometimes he feels like he was born only to meet her and fall in love; like he was born only to be hers.

"My mom!" He pointed at the big photo on the wall. Kumud smiled and touched the end of the photo considering it as blessing. Arnav stood next to her. "This is her Kangan. She wanted to make her Bahu wear this by herself." He slid the kangans into her hand. "And I am sure she would approve me of doing it." Kumud hugged him as tears of happiness filled her eyes.

****************

Next day, Kumud was literally confused. First Arnav called her and said that they are leaving for Gujarat in afternoon's flight to ask permission for their wedding from her parents. She couldn't understand why he was in hurry. Now Jigar had called her and said he wants to meet her. When she reached the office, Jigar introduced her to Ashok Singh Raizada, Arnav's father and left the room.

"Namaste!" Kumud said joining her hands. Ashok observed her from head to toe. "Beautiful and cultured. So this is what helped you to trap my son!" Ashok said accusingly. "We work for years to earn money and position. But people like your father just train you to trap rich man's son and get settled, right?" Kumud's anger rose with his accusations.

"You have no right to judge or talk about me, my actions and my family. If you have any problem with the relationship I share with your son, then TALK TO YOUR SON." Kushi warned him angrily and turned her heels to leave but Ashok's words stopped her. "I already spoke with him. In fact yesterday we spoke a lot more. I am sure he wouldn't have told you. That's why I called you here to inform you."

He smiled cunningly. "I gave him choice between you and me. He chose you. So he broke all his ties not only with me but also with AR fashion house. He already moved out of my house." He gave victorious smirk seeing Kumud crest fallen face. "Sorry for breaking your dreams to marry rich man. But I am not a stupid rich father." Kumud ignored Ashok's comments.

She was sad not because Arnav had chosen her over his money but because he had chosen her over his mother's dreams.

He had chosen her over his mother's dreams which were his only motto of his life.

*******************

That afternoon Arnav waited in airport for Kumud but she never came. Her friend Paridhi, in whose house Kumud was currently staying, came. "Kumud's parents came to know about your love and they were against it. Kumud said that she can't go against her parents wish. So she asked you forget her and move on. She is in train to Gujarat. She also asked me to give you this." Arnav looked at his mother's kangan. He can't believe that Kumud had done this to him. A girl who completely trusted him once, today throw him out of her life just for her parents. Here he had scarified his mother's last wish for her but she...?

****************

Six months later...

Kumud looked at Anarkali's tomb with a heavy heart. She had come here to attend Najma's wedding. Though she was least interested in coming to Lahore, Najma's tantrums made her to come. All her friends forced her to accompany their visit to Anarkali's tomb. This visit made her condition more worst. She was still in love with Arnav and was unable to forget him.

She felt lot of similarity in her and Anarkali's life. Anarkali scarified her life for Salim's happiness while Kumud scarified it for Arnav's happiness. "If could I behold the face of my beloved once more, I would give thanks unto my God until the day of resurrection!" Najma explained the meaning of words written on tomb to all those who have come here for the first time.

Kumud looked at tomb in fright. It was Anarkali's decision to sacrifice her life for Salim's happiness but did Salim live happily after that? Was her Arnav happy now? These new questions tortured her mind and tears made their way to her cheeks. Wiping her tears, she ran out without turning back.

*****************

Arnav watched her as she wiped her tears and then ran out without turning back at him.

"Kumud!" Arnav jolted up from his bed only to get shocked with his surroundings. He was in his room. He had similar dream nearly a year back but this time he could recognise her face. It was his Kumud. She was in pain and his heart constricted with that thought. Akshara and Jigar came running to his room hearing his voice. While Akshara ran to Arnav to calm him, Jigar stood at the door watching the scene with guilt.

He couldn't recognise his cousin anymore. This was not his cousin, Arnav. After Kumud rejected him, he became ruthless and went into his shell. He worked like mad man to keep in engaged. As the result, his health deteriorated. His sugar level went very low and doctors have advised him bed rest since he had no strength even to stand. Jigar couldn't see his cousin in this condition anymore. To hell with the promise he made to his uncle' He thought and looked at his cousin who appeared calm now. "Bhai, I have something to confess!"

*********************

Two days later, after Najma's wedding was over, she went to Anarkali's tomb again. She is going to leave Lahore and she knew it is forever. So she wanted to visit this place for one last time. She feels so connected to this place. Similarity between Anarkali and her life may be the reason for it. She touched the incised words on the tomb.

"Anarkali, did you made right decision? Was Salim ever happy without you?" Kumud asked the lady who was said to be entombed alive here. "No!" Came the answer from husky voice she was dying to hear. "Arnav!" She turned back to him. He looked worn out and tired but still happy. Kumud wanted to run into his arms but controlled herself.

"It was Anarkali's stupidity to think that Salim will live happily without her." Arnav said looking into her eyes. "But Salim didn't die for Anarkali." Kumud pointed out.

"He didn't but I am sure he was neither happy because I have experienced similar situation." Tears filled his eyes and Kumud turned to other side unable to see him in that condition. "I know how much you value your mother's wish!" Kumud said wiping her tears which was flowing continuously. "My mother's first and foremost wish was to see her son live happily. How can Salim live happily without Anarkali? How can this Arnav live happily without his Kumud?"

Arnav asked in pained and soft tone. Next minute he found Kumud in his arms weeping loudly and apologizing for her stupidity. He wound his arms around her soothing her. He got his Kumud back today. He felt like he had achieved the fruit of his birth.

An eternal love story had started in the same place where it had ended four hundred years back. Salim and Anarkali might have born for some other reasons but their rebirths Arnav and Kumud were born only to be each other's.

___________________

 

Entry #9

 

- Guns and Roses -

 

 

Weddings were a major pain in the neck, RK thought with a grimace as he watched the over-excited crowd of guests at his cousin's wedding. The noise was unbelievable! Everyone seems to be hurrying after something or the other, screaming and yelling at each other and altogether creating havoc everywhere.

 

"Remind me again why we are here suffering through this, Bittuji?" RK asked Bittuji, his short, stout but dependable assistant, wryly.

 

"Chief, Prachi Shah is your father's only cousin Radhaji's daughter, and it's her wedding day today. So I don't think missing it was an option" Bittuji reasoned earnestly.

 

RK, who owned one of the biggest conglomerates of the country, sighed in defeat "Yeah. You're right. But that doesn't make it any easier to bear this eternal torture" He looked around him curiously, and turned to Bittuji with a raised brow "Waise Bittuji, I have been meaning to ask you this. Have you upgraded my security recently? Why do I detect more bodyguards around me than usual?"

 

Bittuji flushed red at having been caught "Woh, Chief...Your grandfather...Umm..."

 

"Ah, Yes. Why didn't I think of that now?" RK intoned dryly "When will my grandfather stop interfering in my life? I got away from all that at 21, when he began to pressurize me to enter the family business and we had that almighty argument. I haven't seen or heard from him for almost a decade now, yet he persists in keeping me in his leash. Family eh? Can't live with them, but can't seem to escape them either..."

 

"He loves you chief. After your parents' death, you are the only remaining link to his daughter. He doesn't want to lose you too. And word on the street is that, after your family foiled his bombing plans, Sultan is keen on taking vengeance by destroying something they value the most...You"

 

"Trust me to have a family which antagonizes Turkish dons" RK sighed "So, he decided to upgrade my security through you, huh? Sometimes I wonder if you work for me or my illustrious family, Bittuji..."

 

"I'm most loyal to you chief!" Bittuji sounded outraged at this slur on his honor.

 

RK chuckled at the expression on Bittuji's face "Calm down Bittuji. I was just kidding."

 

Bittuji looked slightly mollified. RK then turned his attention towards the stage "Chalo Bittuji, Looks like my dear cousin is about to get married. Let's just wish the newlyweds and get away from here. I'm feeling very hot under the collar in this humidity" RK fiddled with his collar as he began to move towards the Mandap.

 

Suddenly a flash of yellow, a beautiful girl as he later noticed, came flying out of nowhere and crashed directly into him. The plate full of rose petals flew out of her hands, high up in the air, and scattered around. RK reflexively grabbed the girl's waist to stop her from falling down, as the petals began to shower over them. The girl in his arms had her eyes squeezed shut, her rimless glasses low on her nose, anticipating the inevitable fall. As seconds passed without hitting the hard floor, she blinked and opened her eyes slowly to stare at her savior in surprise.

 

RK gazed into the girl's honey eyes, and felt like someone had punched him in his solar plexus. The earth stopped moving. The noise around him faded. He became oblivious to everything but those deep rich pools of amber. Her eyes reflected a purity he had never ever seen before, a genuine innocence encountered rarely in today's world. Her flawless, porcelain skin glowed with life and her pink, lush lips were trembling with apprehension. Suddenly realizing her precarious position the girl freed herself from his arms with a mumbled "Thank you" and ran away, as RK stood staring blankly.

 

The wedding ceremony soon commenced, but RK didn't bother to notice it. His eyes followed and trained on the mystery girl who was showering the couple with rose petals, along with the rest of her group around the Mandap. The ceremony finally concluded and the guests began to rush to the dais to wish the newlyweds. Impervious to the sudden bustle of activity around him RK still stood rooted to his spot and stared at the golden girl, entranced.

 

"Chief...Chief..." He was brought out of his trance by Bittuji's insistent voice.

 

"Huh?"

 

"Chief, The ceremony is over. It's time to wish Prachiji and her new husband, Milind"

 

RK turned his brilliant dark gaze on Bittuji, his mind solely on the alluring enchantress "All right, Bittuji. But first find out everything about the girl over there, the one in yellow ghaghra-choli" he pointed towards the mystery girl and ordered.

 

Bittuji looked at the beautiful, smiling girl, perplexed. "The one wearing the spectacles? Who is she?"

 

RK rolled his eyes, exasperated "How would I know Bittuji, when I just saw her? That's why I told you to find it out!" He strode to the stage leaving a totally baffled Bittuji. His boss had never once asked him to do any investigation on any of his girlfriend's until now, not that they ever lasted till it was even required. But here he was asking him to find out everything about a girl he had not even met properly? Weird! But, whatever the idiosyncrasies of his boss, Bittuji knew he couldn't override his orders. Thinking he better begin the work here itself, Bittuji determinedly walked towards the throng of people.

 

RK congratulated the newlyweds on their nuptials and exchanged short pleasantries with his father's cousin and rest of her family. He then stood in a corner, almost swallowed by the shadows, slowly sipping the champagne and watching her.

 

Bittuji sidled up to him quietly and cleared his throat, forcing RK to remove his reluctant gaze from the girl. "OK. What have you found?"

 

"Chief, She's Gunjan Bhushan, Prachi's best friend. Only daughter of her parents, who are from a small town called Morena. She is studying Final year B.A at Excel College with Prachi and stays in the hostel"

 

"Hmmm...Not bad Bittuji" RK praised his assistant's resourcefulness and looked back at the girl, smirking. "Gunjan Bhushan, Ahaan..."

 

 

-----xxx-----

 

 

"Gunjan, Major hunk alert at 3'o clock" Diya nudged her friend and sighed dramatically "Haaye...That's Rishabh Kundra, Prachi's cousin and a top businessman. Also one of the hottest bachelors of our country! He seems to be staring here from a long time. Who do you think has caught his attention?" she asked curiously as she looked around.

 

Gunjan turned automatically to see who Diya was talking about, and her gaze locked with the most beautiful man she had ever set her eyes upon. He was a tall, almost 6 feet, young and exotic looking man, with a body which looked like it had been sculpted to suit the perfect fit of the dark suit he had worn.

 

He was also the man she had crashed into earlier.

 

And to make things even worse, he was staring right back at her!

 

Look away Gunjan, look away, her mind cautioned even as alarm bells began ringing in her head. But once their gazes clashed and held, Gunjan found it almost impossible to tear her eyes away from the Greek God incarnate. His gaze seemed to burn into hers, and there was a sizzle in the air as his spell binding dark chocolate eyes bore into her honey orbs with an intensity she hadn't felt before. A crazy thought struck her that she would like to gaze into those eyes forever. As he lifted his glass in acknowledgement, Gunjan finally tore her gaze away, embarrassed to be caught staring.

 

RK smirked slowly, as the girl looked away blushing. She didn't know it yet, he thought as he sipped his drink, but she was going to be his.

 

Only his.

 

 

-----xxx-----

 

 

The rest of the wedding passed in a blur for Gunjan. She was still shaken by the strange encounter with Rishabh Kundra, or RK as Diya had informed her later that he was called.

 

Gunjan still didn't know why he had been staring at her. She knew she wasn't that pretty after all. She wore glasses for heaven's sake!  But it had spooked her at the same time thrilled her.

 

Though she hadn't seen him after that, Gunjan felt perturbed. She hadn't felt anything of the sort with Adhiraj, her classmate who had been trying in vain to get her to go out with him forever now. She hadn't felt like that with anybody for that matter. She wasn't entirely sure that she liked the feeling, but she sure as hell knew it made her uncomfortable.

 

 

----xxx----

 

 

A week later, Gunjan was walking to the bus stop near her college when a car stopped near her and the window was lowered to reveal a casually dressed, dark shades wearing Rishabh Kundra. Gunjan stood there and gaped at him stupidly, as his lean body alighted from the car and came around to greet her.

 

"Gunjan Bhushan, Prachi's friend right?" he asked smiling.

 

Gunjan nodded slowly, hugging her books closer.

 

"I'm RK, Rishabh Kundra. Prachi's cousin. We met at her wedding. Can I drop you somewhere?" he asked courteously.

 

"I..." Gunjan shook her head "My...My bus will be here" she pointed to the bus stop a couple of feet away.

 

A frown crossed RK's brows as he glanced at the bus stop, but disappeared as if it had never been there when he turned back to smile at her "All right. I guess that's my cue to leave. But if you need anything, don't hesitate to call me" he said handing her a card "Any friend of Prachi's, is a friend of mine"

 

Gunjan gripped the card tightly and nodded. She kept watching as he got back into the car and left, almost missing her bus in the process.

 

 

-----xxx----

 

 

"Bittuji, what more have you found out about Miss Bhushan?" RK asked coldly as he sat nursing a drink.

 

"Chief, she is a very simple and bright girl. Topper of her class. Her friends are Prachi, Diya---------------"  Bittuji stopped as RK whirled his stool to look at him, his dark brows raised.

 

"I asked about her Bittuji, not every Tom, Dick and Harry she knows!" RK said mockingly "Tell me about what she likes, about her hobbies and her dislikes!"

 

"Her hobbies, Chief?" Bittuji stared at him wide-eyed. He had never realized he had to get information about personal likes and dislikes of Gunjan Bhushan. He had thought this was a normal background search!

 

"Yes, everything about her, now shoo!" RK downed the remaining whiskey as Bittuji scampered, and stared morosely into the empty glass. Nothing interested him anymore. He thought about that girl, Gunjan, day and night. He felt an irrepressible thirst to know her. He wanted, NO! He needed to know more about her.

 

What the hell was happening to him?

 

 

-----xxx----

 

 

Only an hour gone.

 

Irritated and disappointed with the ever slowly moving time, Gunjan looked around at the wild crowd of the nightclub and fidgeted uncomfortably. Diya and some of the girls had planned an outing to the newest happening hotspot in town, and in spite of her objections, had managed to drag Gunjan along. But the moment they had stepped inside the loud, smoke-hazed club, Gunjan had known she had made a mistake by bowing down to peer pressure. This was not her comfort zone. She was most comfortable behind a book or at home with her family. Not that she was judgmental about people who enjoyed such things, but she just couldn't relax in such places.

 

Gunjan had refused outright to have any alcoholic drinks, and made excuses not to join in her friends on the dance floor. So, here she was, standing in a corner trying to be invisible, in order to avoid some of the unsavory characters who she knew could be lurking around. Gunjan sighed and checked the time once again, wondering how much longer she'd have to take this.

 

"We meet again, Miss Bhushan"

 

Hand over her heart, Gunjan spun around startled at the voice, to look at the striking face of RK. "Mr. K...Kundra. You scared me!"

 

RK looked immediately contrite "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. But please, call me RK" he looked around "Are you here alone?"

 

"Uh, No. Actually I came with my friends" she pointed to the dance floor.

 

"Not your scene, huh?" RK asked loudly, trying to be heard over the noise in the club.

 

"Huh?" Gunjan strained to hear him by inching closer and her fresh floral scent assailed RK's senses. He took a moment to inhale the sweet fragrance.

 

"I said you look very uncomfortable" RK replied, their heads almost touching "Want to come over?" He nodded at the alcove, which was obviously set apart for private use, going by the smoke-less, pristine environment she could see through the glass. "I came to meet a friend but he has since left. It would be my pleasure if you could give me company" he looked at the dance floor where her friends were dancing their hearts away, and smiled "At least until your friends tire of the revelry and remember that you are here too".

 

Gunjan was in a quandary. She wanted to get out of this rush badly, but she didn't want to be alone with a man she knew next to nothing about. A man who made her so nervous and edgy that she struggled to form sentences without stammering!How much did she really know about him? He could be a serial killer for all she knew!

 

But he was Prachi's cousin, a part of her mind reasoned stubbornly. And also, being in the media glare the way he was, any criminal tendencies and proclivities couldn't have been hidden for so long. As another bout of smoke assailed her, Gunjan made up her mind and nodded slowly "Thank you."

 

"Thank you" his eyes gleamed down at her "I always enjoy the company of a beautiful woman."

 

Beautiful...Her? Gunjan almost laughed out loud as she followed him.

 

RK led her through the rowdy crowd to the alcove, taking care so that no one troubled her. It presented a great view of the city of Mumbai through the glass walls. RK helped her be seated and sat across from her. Gunjan fidgeted in her seat, unnerved by the silence as much as she had been uncomfortable with the noise downstairs. May be this was a mistake, she thought nervously.

 

"Would you like to drink anything?"

 

"No...Thank you"

 

RK nodded at her answer and settled back in his seat. "So Gunjan...I hope I can call you that" Gunjan nodded. "So, Gunjan, are you enjoying college?"

 

"Ji, Yes" replied Gunjan in a soft voice.

 

"You don't talk much, do you?" RK asked suddenly, after he got some more similar monosyllabic answers. Gunjan looked up at the teasing tone and flushed crimson as she saw his eyes twinkling.

 

"Ji, not exactly"

 

RK chuckled at her curt answer, which made her blush harder. RK quieted at once "Please don't think I'm mocking you, Gunjan. It's just that, it's very refreshing to meet a woman who doesn't think it's her God given duty to fill every living moment with the sound of her voice"

 

"Ji...?" Gunjan's puzzled eyes blinked behind her spectacles.

 

"I was talking about some old girl..." Realizing that he was divulging way more information than required, he shrugged casually "Well, Never mind. But it's true what I said. I like that you don't feel compelled to fill every moment of silence with nonsensical blabbering"

 

"Ji...Thank you?" Gunjan's voice was hesitant, as if not quite sure if that was the correct response.

 

RK laughed again "I never knew I was so bad at complimenting women. Well, that was a compliment by the way..." he teased the blushing girl in front of him, charmed by her demure ways.

 

Suddenly RK noticed a red beam pointed towards them and yelled at Gunjan to "Duck!" at the same time the glass wall next to them shattered with a loud crack. He jumped across the table, covering a shocked Gunjan with his body as they fell to the floor. Within a few seconds the room was filled with RK's bodyguards, who began shooting back at the unseen assailants who had opened fire at RK and Gunjan. RK still had his arms protectively around a trembling Gunjan, as a couple of bodyguards helped them stand up.

 

"Gunjan, are you hurt?" RK began to look her over for damages. Gunjan shook her head but when he touched her left arm, she hissed in pain.

 

"You're bleeding...!" he exclaimed as he saw blood oozing through a gash in her forearm.

 

"I...It's just a small wound..." Gunjan tried to pull her hand back.

 

RK ignored her and yelled at the men "Why isn't the bloody ambulance here yet?"  Just then they heard sirens of both the Police and ambulance as they arrived. RK lifted Gunjan in his arms and strode down to the ambulance, much to Gunjan's embarrassment.

 

"I'm really all right, RK"

 

"Sshhh. Not a word out of you. Let the experts look it over"

 

Finally Gunjan gave up and allowed the doctors to check her over thoroughly and bandage her forearm. She felt like giggling looking at RK, who was barking orders like an army General and terrorizing the poor doctors. Anybody would think she had a fatal injury! At last the doctor managed to convince him that her wound wasn't dangerous and RK began to calm down.

 

"Come on, I'll drop you back. Can you walk?" RK asked, concerned.

 

"Of course. It's my hand that just got bandaged, not my feet" Gunjan said, amused "Can you wait for a minute? I need to inform my friends"

 

RK nodded and hovered around her as she called a worried Diya and informed her about leaving. Diya sounded relieved to find Gunjan safe and didn't ask many questions. Gunjan hung the call up and smiled at RK, indicating that she was ready to leave.

 

The drive to the hostel was spent in silence after Gunjan provided the address. When the car stopped in front of the gate, Gunjan thanked RK for helping her. But before she could get down, she felt RK's hand on her arm and turned to look at him enquiringly.

 

"Gunjan, I feel really terrible that you were involved in that incident today. Would you allow me to apologize properly by agreeing to have dinner with me tomorrow?"

 

"I...It's really not necessary" Gunjan managed to say, utterly conscious of his large hand over her arm.

 

"Please...?"

 

Unable to resist the power of those imploring eyes, Gunjan found herself agreeing to have dinner have with him when she had had absolutely no intention of doing so earlier. She wondered what kind of a spell his eyes cast on her, that she forgot everything else when she gazed into them!

 

What was happening to her?

 

 

-----xxx-----

 

 

"How the hell could you miss? It was an open shot!" Sultan screamed on the phone to his chief sniper, Sikander. "I don't care to hear how clever you think he was, to duck when he saw the laser beam. I want him DEAD! Do you UNDERSTAND?"

 

He listened to Sikander's explanation with waning patience, and took a deep breath "I know they would have tightened the security around him even more now. Find a way to lure him alone. What about the girl he was with during the shooting? If he seems attached to the girl, then kidnap her and corner him. But in any case I want Rishabh. S. Kundra dead as soon as possible, Or you wouldn't be alive to see the new year. Got it?" he warned furiously and hung up.

 

"Aaarrghhh. Bloody incompetent fools!" Sultan threw the glass of whiskey at the wall and watched it smash to smithereens. He had failed today, but RK wouldn't be so lucky next time. He and his family had to pay for messing with Sultan, big time.

 

It was the only thing driving him now.

 

 

-----xxx-----

 

 

RK called his friend Armaan as soon as he reached home. Armaan Malik owned one of the best security agencies in the country, and was just the man RK needed right now.

 

Armaan answered the call on just 2 rings. "Hey superstar, what's up?" came the cheerful greeting.

 

"Would you stop with that stupid college nickname?" RK groaned.

 

"No can do! It's rather a cute name actually, just right for your pretty face" Armaan said with a chuckle "And not to forget, you did want to become a movie star before you took over your dad's business!" Armaan had always been incorrigible in college, along with being their college's best boxer.

 

"Very funny, Terminator. Better my dad's family business than my mom's anyways" he heard Armaan laugh at that "But I called to ask you for a favor"

 

"Anything for you, my friend. Just name it. It's yours" Frequent leg-pulling aside, his friend's loyalty had never been in question. RK felt warmed to have such good fortune in friends.

 

"I want you to arrange 4 of your best men to protect a girl. Her name is Gunjan Bhushan" RK explained about the shooting at the club and his suspicion that Sultan may be behind it.

 

Armaan agreed to see to the matter immediately. "By the way, who's the girl? New girlfriend?"

 

"Not yet" RK quipped.

 

"Ooh... She is playing hard to get, Is she?" he was back to his teasing.

 

"She is not like that" RK was quick to deny "She is just...different. A nice girl"

 

"Woah, you are defending a girl! Looks like the winds are changing. Watch it Superstar, Or you might just find yourself caught, signed and leg shackled, before you even know what happened, just like rest of us mortals!"

 

"Oh, shut up Armaan. It's nothing like that"

 

"Hold on a sec. Let me put Lord "high-and-mighty-I'm-too-busy-to-call-my-friends" also on conference call. He shouldn't miss this historical moment either!"

 

RK smiled and settled himself on the recliner.

 

"Hey guys, what's with the conference call?" said the new voice over the phone, his crisp British accent coming through loud and clear.

 

"Arnav Singh Raizada, as I live and breathe!  Did you actually find some time away from your work to pick up the phone?" Armaan pretended to be shocked making Arnav laugh at the other end "Now that you have assured us that you still inhabit the land of living, Listen to this breaking news buddy. Superstar here has fallen for some damsel, very hard!"

 

"What the? Is this true RK? Who's the girl?"

 

"I don't believe this. You guys are crazy! All these years since Harvard I never knew have been friends with 2 certified lunatics!"

 

Both Arnav and Armaan laughed at RK's grumbling.

 

"Seriously, listen RK" Arnav's voice was suddenly sombre with concern "I just heard about the shooting, I hope you are all right"

 

"Yeah, I'm fine. Gunjan had some scratches and bruises though..."

 

"Gunjan, huh? Pretty name. I suppose this is the same girl you are interested in, and Armaan here is pulling your leg about?" Arnav teased.

 

RK sighed. His friends would not let him live in peace until they found out all about it."Yeah, the same. I also have a date with her tomorrow. Happy now?"

 

"You didn't tell me that!" Armaan complained "Superstar's life is actually turning into a romantic film, WOW!"

 

"Dude, watch it. Or I may be forced to tell Riddhima Bhabhi about some of your wild escapades in college" RK warned him, good-naturedly.

 

"Why are dragging my lovely wife in between? Sheesh, this guy has absolutely no sense of humor, I tell you" Armaan whined making RK laugh.

 

"RK?"

 

"Yes, Arnav?"

 

"Don't forget to invite us to the wedding" Arnav said with a snicker before hanging up promptly. Armaan followed suit, his laughter ringing through the lines.

 

RK kept spluttering even after both his best friends had hung up.

 

 

-----xxx-----

 

 

RK took Gunjan to dinner on his luxury yacht "The Bella Rosa", the next evening.

 

Gunjan wore a lime green and pink Anarkali suit and was looking like a dream, or rather a dream come true, and RK was lost looking at the lovely vision. So simple, yet so elegant. She made him question his earlier taste in women. How had he ever liked those overly made-up, aggressive women? RK wondered.

 

Gunjan was delighted with the majestic watercraft, and when RK showed her around, she was as excited as a young child at her first carnival. She had also lost most of her hesitation around RK after last night's crisis, much to RK's delight. The food was excellent and RK was pleased to see that Gunjan wasn't one of those women who merely picked at her food. After dinner RK took her for a gentle stroll on the deck.

 

"This is so exquisite" Gunjan whispered as she leaned on the side rail and inhaled the salty air, taking in the spectacular sight of the ocean at night and the starry sky.

 

Not as exquisite as you are, RK's mind whispered back, enchanted by the pretty picture she made.

 

"You're doing it again" Gunjan said shyly after a minute, turning slowly towards him.

 

"What?"

 

"Staring at me..." Gunjan reddened " You did it at the wedding too"

 

"Why not? You're beautiful" RK said simply "Like a lovely blossoming rose"

 

Gunjan blushed even more if that was possible, biting her lower lip as she looked away. RK wanted to explore badly just how far that blush went. "Don't be ridiculous. I know I'm not beautiful" she finally said.

 

"You are" he said quietly, making her look at him quickly. RK gently took her right hand in his and slowly began to stroke the underside of her wrist with his thumb. Gunjan lowered her eyes shyly and lightly tugged her hand back, but RK held fast.

 

"I'm not lying. I find you the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. It's not just your outer beauty but you glow with an inner beauty which is so rare, that I find myself wondering at times if you are even real. I think I'm falling for you, Gunjan"

 

Feeling breathless from his touch and filled with trepidation by his words, she just stared into his intense eyes. Without breaking the eye contact, RK lifted her hand and placed small kisses along each finger. Exultant at not getting any resistance from her at the intimate contact, RK slowly leaned in and brushed his lips gently over hers. A soft gasp left Gunjan at the first touch of a man's lips on hers, but she didn't pull away. RK increased the pressure gently as she began to respond to the kiss. The lingering, hesitant kiss turned into a passionate one as Gunjan's hands slowly encircled RK's neck. RK's hands caressed her back, pressing her closer to him and he let his tongue duel with hers as they savored their first kiss in leisure.

 

They broke the kiss few moments later when they had to come up for air. RK touched his forehead to Gunajn's as their breathing slowly returned to normal.

 

"Are you okay?" RK tilted her chin gently and whispered.

 

Turning a brighter shade of red, Gunjan just nodded and hid her face in his chest.

 

RK's soft chuckle was the only answer as he wrapped her in his arms and relished the moment of bliss.

 

 

----xxx----

 

 

RK was waiting in the mall lobby for Gunjan to arrive. They had decided to go for shopping together for Prachi's reception gift, and Gunjan had informed him that she would meet him directly at the mall after college. RK looked at his watch once again. 5.40. She was late by 10 mins now. She had told him she would meet him by 5.30. He retrieved his phone from the pocket to call her, if she didn't arrive in few more minutes.

 

RK and Gunjan had been dating for a couple of weeks now. His life had never been more perfect. He knew he had found his perfect soulmate in her. She had yet to confess those 3 little words to him, but he could see it in her eyes. But the thing that worried him the most was that he had yet to tell her about his infamous side of family. He didn't know how she would react to it. He had decided that he would tell her the complete truth about his family today.

 

RK checked the time again. 5.45. But just as he lifted his phone to call her, it rang in his hands. Relieved to see Gunjan's name on it, he picked up the call at once.

 

"Gunjan, where on earth are you?" he asked with concern.

 

"Tsk, tsk, tsk...Your girlfriend is safe with us, Mr. Kundra" the mocking voice at the other end replied "But if you want her to remain that way, you better come alone to the warehouse outside the town to retrieve her... within an hour"

 

RK's heart stopped for a minute "Who the hell are you and what are you doing with Gunjan's phone?" he spit out "If you have even dared to cause a scratch on her, I"LL KILL YOU!"

 

"Such rage! You do have your grandfather's blood in you, Don't you?" the man on the other end laughed unpleasantly.

 

RK realized who was calling him. "Sultan?"

 

"Ah. I see that you do know me" Sultan taunted "Then you must also know what I am capable of, don't you? So hurry to the warehouse if you want to see your girlfriend safe...And don't forget, come alone!" he hung up the phone.

 

RK stared blankly at his phone for a few seconds before scrambling to action.

 

His Gunjan was in danger.

 

 

-----xxx----

 

 

RK entered the rundown warehouse Sultan had asked him to come, to see a drowsy but slowly awakening Gunjan tied to a chair and ran to her. But as soon as he began to untie her, he saw someone come out from the shadows, clapping.

 

"Love makes fools of all of us Mr. Kundra. Did you think you'd ever be able get out of here alive?" Sultan sneered with an evil laugh "I was planning earlier to shoot you but now that you are here, I have a better plan" he clapped once more, and suddenly RK was seized by Sultan's henchman from both sides "Don't forget to capture the moment on film, gentlemen. I want to send his grandfather a sovereign"

 

By now Gunjan had gained consciousness and the sight in front of her horrified her. "RK..." she screamed in fear as the first punch hit him. RK who had been looking at Gunjan, was taken off guard with that punch but he recovered soon and took a Tae-Kwan-Do position. He then went on to smoothly and methodically knock each opponent off senseless with practiced moves, managing to catch hold of a gun in the process.

 

He turned and pointed the gun at Sultan. "Back off from Gunjan" RK demanded in a coldly menacing voice.

 

Sultan who had already begun to get worried as his men dwindled, pointed his own gun directly at Gunjan, calling to RK to drop the gun. RK stood rooted to his spot as a terrified Gunjan flinched at the pressure of the muzzle at her temple.

 

"NOOO..." RK screamed as he saw Sultan's fingers slowly beginning to curl around the trigger, and dropped his own gun down.

 

As soon as the gun fell from RK's hands, the remaining henchmen caught hold of RK, and began to beat him up. Gunjan cried hoarsely as it dawned on her that RK was not fighting back for her sake, and began to struggle. Sultan lowered his gun and laughed cruelly as his men battered RK. Blood started to ooze from RK's face as the blows struck him. But as he was about to lose consciousness, suddenly the door to the warehouse was broken down and they were surrounded by men in black ski-mask.

 

Sultan looked on shocked, as within minutes he was captured along with his goons by the new arrivals. He began to shake with horror as a sixty-ish man in dark suit entered the warehouse, and stood right in front of him. The man whispered something to Sultan making him blanch, before he signaled the men to take him away.

 

"Please kill me now, don't take me there. Please, Please..." Sultan's desperate screams were heard quite loudly as the masked men ushered him out of the dingy warehouse, and then there was silence.

 

One of the man in ski-mask helped RK to his feet and another untied Gunjan. As soon as she was free, Gunjan ran to RK and hugged him tightly, crying "I love you RK...I love you"

 

RK hugged her back with his uninjured hand and wiped her tears gently "I love you too Gunjan. I'm so sorry you had to go through this again because of me" he said in a voice filled with remorse.

 

Gunjan shook her head. "My only thought when that man pointed the gun at me was that I hadn't yet told you I love you RK. I didn't want to die without telling you at least once how much I love you. And I do, very much" she stretched up on her toes and began to rain kisses all over his face, finally resting her lips on his.

 

Someone cleared their throat, making them spring apart before the kiss could heat up. "Won't you introduce us to your amore, mio nipote?" a teasing voice asked from behind.

 

RK sighed and turned to the man who had earlier had Sultan taken away "Ciao Nonno , This is Gunjan Bhushan, the love of my life, and Gunjan, this is Tony Soprano, my grandfather" He noticed the shock on Gunjan's face as he introduced them.

 

"Grandfather...?" she squeaked softly "But he's...he's Italian!"

 

RK smiled "Yes. And I'm half Italian. My mom, Meadow, was Nonno's only daughter . She met my dad on her Euro trip and married him without mentioning what her family did. It came as a shock to my father to learn he had married into Italian mafia. But he loved her a lot, so he forgave her for that little omission" he said dryly.

 

"WHAT?" Gunjan's squeak was pretty loud this time. Her RK was related to Italian mafia? Not that she was stupid enough to blame his family's nefariousness on him, but it was quite bizarre to take in.

 

"Yeah. I spent every summer in Italy with my grandfather, until I went to Harvard, learning every warfare there is, from martial arts to target practice. He wanted me to take over since I was his only "blood". But I put my foot down and said I didn't want any part of that side of business and came back to India, to take over dad's business after my parents died in a plane crash when I was 21" he looked at her worried "You don't mind, do you?"

 

Gunjan shook her head, still dazed. RK smiled in relief that she wasn't going to hold his family against him.

 

"But you didn't have to cut off all contact with us for that, mio nipote" Tony shook his head at his stubborn grandson.

 

"You would have nagged me until I caved in otherwise, Nonno"

 

Tony grunted and turned to the girl in his grandson's arms "But he called me earlier today after a whole decade because of you, Bella" he said fondly "Thankfully, we were already in India since I had arrived after the club shootout, trying to locate Sultan before he targets my grandson here"

 

"Thank you for that, Nonno" RK said gratefully "I'm really glad you were here, even if that meant you were once again interfering in my life without my knowledge" he added dryly.

 

"Thankful enough to join me?" Tony asked with a gleam in his eyes.

 

"Nonno..."

 

"Ok...Ok...Just kidding. I'm proud of what you have achieved, my boy" He patted RK's back and left, leaving the lovers alone.

 

"Is your grandfather leaving now? I mean won't he be here for..." Gunjan looked down shyly and bit her lip "Um...I mean..."

 

"Ahaan. Are you by any chance proposing to me, Miss Bhushan?" He teased looking at her bright red face and winked "If so, my answer is a resounding YES. Te Amo, mi amore...Forever and ever" he whispered softly as he kissed her.

 

 

----xxx----

 

 

"I Gunjan Bhushan, take you Rishabh Soprano Kundra, as my lawfully wedded husband. To love, honor and cherish forever" As her soft words resounded in the beautiful garden of one of the Raizada Hotels, RK's heart was overwhelmed with love for his young bride.

 

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, You may kiss the bride" the priest blessed their union and RK pecked her on the cheek. They had already had a traditional Hindu wedding a couple of days earlier and for the sake of Rishabh's maternal family, Gunjan had insisted on a church wedding too. Which would have totally endeared her to the Soprano family if she wasn't already the apple of their eye, RK thought wryly.

 

RK tugged his wife closer to him on the dance floor a while later, and kissed her softly on the temple "Happy, biwiii...?"

 

"Very..." Gunjan whispered back "I love you, Mr.Kundra".

 

"I love you too, Mrs Kundra...Want to sneak away?" he asked with a naughty smile.

 

Gunjan looked around the dance floor. Many couples were dancing away to the slow romantic numbers, including RK's friends Armaan and Riddhima Malik. Seeing as how everyone was busy in their own world, she looked back at her husband and nodded with a smile.

 

As the newlyweds began making their way towards the hotel corridors, they heard a sudden crash and peeped to see what the commotion was. The sight that met them was as surprising as it was hilarious. There stood his very uptight and very conventional friend, Arnav Singh Raizada, wearing a big piece of cake on his once impeccable suit, along with a look of utter horror on his face.

 

"What the...?! Can't you see where you are going, you blind woman!" he fired at the girl, who had been one of the bridesmaids earlier. He had noticed her because of her uncanny resemblance to the bride, sans the spectacles. Her looks were eerily similar to Gunjan, enough to be mistaken as her twin.

 

The person responsible for the mishap, put her hands on her hips and glared at him "Hey Devi Mayya. How is this my fault if you talk on the phone while walking, and crash into me? Let me tell you, If we were both vehicles, you would be fined for that!" she huffed with her nose in the air.

 

"Unbelievable!" Arnav was outraged "Do you even know who I am? I'm Arnav Singh Raizada, Groom's best friend!"

 

"Hawww. And do you know who I am? I'm Khushi Kumari Gupta, the bride's first cousin and the groom's Saali! Now move out of my way, Laad governor kahin ke. Hamari cake bhi kharab kardi" she pushed him aside and ran away.

 

RK and Gunjan watched in stupefied silence as the deep shock on his friend's face at being dismissed so rudely, gave way slowly to a smile laden with interest as he watched the little spitfire walk away.

 

"Well, well. Looks like the mighty have fallen" RK chuckled softly as he saw Arnav hastening his steps towards the way Khushi had gone.

 

Weddings weren't so bad after all, RK thought with a smile once back in their suite. He poured the champagne into 2 glasses, gave one to his smiling wife and toasted happily.

 

"To new beginnings"

 

 

THE END

__________________________

 

Entry #10

Sins Need To Be Burnt- HIS LOVE STORY

"Catch"!!!

All the broods, scattered in the Laxmi Nagar chawl compound, clamored in unison, their eyes fixed on the cheap rubber ball flying in the air.

 

A man stood there in blue faded denim and a black shirt, his both hand holding the bat, still hanging in the air due to the force he had applied to strike the rubber ball.

 

The man too looked at the flying ball. He saw the ball cascade down, proving the age old theory of gravitational force true and the kids ran towards the ball in a hope to catch it but the ball traveled above them and collided with a white Dupatta, spread on egress in front of the veranda of one of the door in the chawl, his eyes traveled towards the door. And then he saw her, his eyes instantly colliding with the big hazel eyes of the girl, he saw her eyes, wide with shock.

She crossed the veranda and came in front of the egress, her eyes giving a close inspection to her favorite Dupatta. Her lips pursed and the hands on their own record traveled to her hips. Turning away from her Dupatta, after giving a close inspection, she eyed the broods.

"Hey Devi Maiya! What have you all done to my Dupatta?! You naughty kids! " the girl chided the kids in front of her. Her one hand traveled to her forehead and the other still on her hip, lamenting on her favorite Dupatta being spoiled. She turned away from and kids and took the Dupatta in her hand.

"See this" she pointed towards the muddy spot on her pure and clean Dupatta. "see what have you done! You spoiled by Dupatta! Ab hume phir se isse ghiss ghiss ke dhona padega" Khushi again chided in her sweet voice, wanting to sound strict but failing miserably.

The kids looked at the girl standing in front on them. It wasn't something new for them. They have done worse than this while playing here but the look that girl was giving them, made them feel little bad. All the kids looked at the girl but a timid boy nearly 8 or 9 years old, wearing a muddy cloth came in front.

"We are very sorry, Didi. We were just playing. We are sorry for spoiling your Dupatta" the boy apologized.

 

The girl looked at the boy's cute face and listening to his equally cute apology her heart softened

 

"Hmm...it's ok! Don't repeat this next time, ok? " the girl asked pointing her finger at the kids.

 

In return, all the boys nodded.

 

Smiling at the kids, the girl turned around and disappeared in her house.

 

 

"Bhai, aren't you playing?" one of the kid from the group asked to their Bhai, who was looking in front, mesmerized. Their Bhai had captured all the gesture of the girl he had just seen. Her glowing cream skin, peeking from the glass bangles adorning her slender wrist whilst see chided the kids, pointing her fingers at them. The way her eyes went wide when she saw her Dupatta, the way she kept her hands on her hips, the way she smiled at the boys apology, everything. He snapped from the dreamland as he felt a tug on his Shirt and he looked down.

"Bhai aren't you playing?" the small boy asked, tugging at his Bhai's Shirt.

 

The man shook his hand and handed the bat to one boy.

 

"Chhotu, who was that girl?" the man asked.

 

"Who? That Didi, who was scolding us?" Chhotu asked, to be clear.

 

"Yes! That one!" the man made clear.

 

"Oh! She came to live here yesterday. You know that Madhumati Buaji? She had come to live with her, with her parents. I don't know her name. She is new here" Chhotu supplied to his Bhai, who was again looking in front, desperate to get one more glimpse of that beautiful face but that never came. Ruffling Chhotu's hair, he turned on his heel to leave, the beautiful face imprinted on his heart.

 

...

 

It was a small room, with rusted spare parts of cars scattered all around.  The smell of smoke and liquors polluting the air within. The air within may be toxic for everyone but not for the men seated inside, they were habitat to all this.

One of the man, may be around 21, saw his Boss, lost in some thoughts. Today they were free, no work. They were not having any "assignment" to complete. Assignment, that's what they use to call their all work, may be murder, extortion, kidnap or any such other activities. But seeing his Boss, whom they all call Bhai, lost somewhere, his mind come up with an idea.

 

 

"He Bhai, tonight there is nothing for us to do. We are free today. So want to have some fun?" Vivek asked to his Bhai, with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

 

His Bhai looked to him, unable to catch what he meant.

 

"What do you mean?" his Bhai asked, his brow frowned.

 

"I mean...hmm...you know..." Vivek winked and his Bhai knew what he was talking about.

 

"No! thanks! You may carry on with your fun but I am not coming anywhere!" his Bhai replied sternly.

Vivek sighed listening his Bhai's  reply. His Bhai is like a lotus in this alloy world they live., as pure as he can get in this debauch world. He will not be surprise if his Bhai says that he still a virgin. Vivek chuckled at his own thought and got up. Well, his Bhai don't want to have some fun but he will not deny himself from one day of fun.

 

 

"Ok, Bhai! As you say. Aap khoye raho apne khayalo main, mein toh chala. My Laila will be waiting for her Majnu" Vivek again winked at his Bhai and walked out of their adobe.

 

 

The man looked at Vivek, making his way out of the room. Laila? His mind again fled to the beautiful face he had seen this morning. Her angelic face, her big round hazel eyes, her nose pin glinting against the sun rays. Unable to control anymore, he got up from his chair. His legs, on their own record taking him to his destination.

 

 

In no time he found himself standing in front her house. The lights were off but his eyes went to right side of the house, lights emitting from one of the window. Again, as in a daze, he walked towards the window.

The window was little open, he pushed the window to get a clear view and what he saw took his breath away.Sleeping beauty! His mother use to narrate the story of sleeping beauty to him. He never believed her that time. He use to always fight with her, saying no one is more beautiful than his mother and his mother use to laugh at him, saying when he will grow up, he will find his sleeping beauty. Sleeping beauty, whom he will find more beautiful than his mother.

He stared at the sleeping beauty, unable to take his eyes off her. He looked at the window, it was big enough to allow him in. Tightly holding the window panel, he jumped inside. Not making any noise, he started walking towards the beauty. He stopped at the edge of the bed. Some strands of hair caressing her milky white cheek. Unable to control himself, he raised his hand. His fingers, lingering on her cheek for few seconds before tucking the strand behind her ear.

Sensing something on her cheek, the sleeping beauty opened her eyes, disoriented. Her eyes widened in shock, frightened to wits. The scream stuck in her throat. She saw a man standing in front of her, his hand roused. Frightened that he will do something erring, she dragged herself to the other end of the bed.

The man saw HIS sleeping beauty, dragging herself as far as she can get, scared of him and he didn't liked it a bit. He would have rejoiced seeing that frightened expression on everyone but not on her. He saw her, trying to say something.

 

"Aap,...aap kaun ho? Why ...why are you here?...what do you want?..." the girl stammered, Hey Devi Miaya, what should she do? Is he a thief? Or some murderer? Or ...or some rapist? Frightened of her own thought, she stood up from her bed.

 

The man tried to come near her but she took two steps back, making the man stop in his track.

"I ...I am, Sujal" the man replied.

 

"Sujal? I ...I don't know any Sujal.." the girl replied, frightened and confused.

 

"What's your name?" Sujal asked, not wanting to give more than his name.

The girl looked at Sujal confused. Who is he? And why should I tell my name? but frightened that he will do something crooked, she replied to his question.

"I ...I am..Khushi, Khushi Kumari Gupta" Khushi replied, frightened but still introducing herself proudly.

 

Khushi! Happiness. Yes that's what he is feeling now! But his face remained expressionless, as always!

"What...what do you want?" the sweet voice broke his trance.

Sujal looked at Khushi, who was confused and scared!

"I ...I want...I want food!" Sujal spoke the first thing that came to his mind.

 

"Whaaattt?" Khushi, stretched her word, unable to believe what she heard.

 

"I mean...I mean...do you have food?...I am ...I am hungry.." Sujal fumbled, unable to form anything coherent.

Khushi looked confused at the man, standing in front of him. Is he mad man? Sneaking in someone's house and asking for food. But he doesn't look mad. Infact he is...he is...handsome...big brown eyes, chiseled features. But...but there is something wrong with him. Khushi was ready to say no but her Amma's words instantly flooded her mind.

"Khushi, hume kisi ko bhi, Khane aur pani ke liya kabhi manaa nahi karna chahiye."

Her Amma had said her, when Khushi's one friend has asked for the jalebi her Amma had made for her and she had stubbornly said No, not wanting to share her Amma's delicious jalebi with her friend.

"Ammm...ha...hai...aap ...aap baithiye, hum khaana late hai..." Khushi stammered, and started taking hesitant steps out of the room. Khushi what are you doing? He is probably a thief. Yes! He is a thief? Khushi immediately exited the room and hide behind the door. Waiting for few seconds, she peeped inside, still hiding, to see if he is doing anything. But to her surprise, he was just seated on her bed, taking in the surrounding and doing nothing! Khushi sighed, maybe he is some poor, unable to afford food, and so he came here. Satisfied with her conclusion, Khushi moved to Kitchen, to bring food for the stranger seating in her room.

 

 

 

Sujal sat on Khushi's bed and took in the surrounding, everywhere he looked, he saw pink. Pink mattress, pink pillows, pink curtains, pink walls. Why her name is Khushi, it should be Pinky! As he turned his head to see to his right, he felt something stuck in his hair. He looked up. stars? Artificial stars with glitters all over it were hanging on his head. He caught hold of one, tracing his fingers on the star.

 

 

Khushi entered her room with a plate filled with warm food. She saw him touching her stars, not liking that he is invading her private things, she cleared her throat loudly, gauging his attention.

Sujal turned around and looked that Khushi, who was here with a plate filled with food.

Khushi came near him and forwarded her hand.

 

Sujal looked at her hand, carrying plate. Not saying anything, he took the plate from her hand and sat on the bed.

 

Khushi saw him seated on her bed and eating. He looked so innocent. Like a child.

 

Sujal completed his food and looked up to see that Khushi was staring at him. He stood up from the bed and kept the plate on the nearby table. He looked at Khushi and without uttering a word he turned around and exited from where he had came.

Khushi stared at her window. What was that? Was she dreaming? Khushi looked at the empty plate on her bedside table. No! She wasn't! Not wanting to dwell more on that man, she first went and securely closed her window. Kya pata woh bhookha Aadmi phir se aajaye! Bhookha Aadmi! Chuckling on her own thought, she went and lay on the bed, slowly the slumber taking over.

 

 

Next night the same scene was witnessed yet again. Khushi's Bhookha Aadmi came, ate the food and without uttering a word left. It was the fourth day when curiosity got better and Khushi prepared herself to confront Sujal. But still he didn't gave away anything about him. And Khushi too not sensing any danger from him, kept quite not nudging him more. And Khushi's innocent and young heart was unable to understand anything other than she liked their late night meets. She liked him. His silent nature, his handsome features, the way he stares at her, the loving look that he gives her. She liked him. Call it infatuation or mere liking, she don't want this to stop.

 

It was a week, and Sujal visited Khushi every night. Khushi was humming a song and preparing for breakfast when her Amma entered the house muttering something under her breath. Khushi saw her Amma and went near her.

 

 

"Amma, what happened?" Khushi asked her Amma, who went and kept her Pooja thali on one table.

"Nothing, Bitiya. You see some boys of Laxmi Nagar, they don't have any work and loiter around. While descending down the stairs of temple, I saw few boys beating a poor soul. Poor man was bleeding so much but that rascals! They have no mercy!" Garima Gupta said with a disgust written all over her face.

 

"Which boys, Amma?" Khushi asked her Amma, taking out a ladle

 

"The same boys, Bitiya, who play cricket in the compound" said Garima and soon heard the loud sound of something hitting the floor. She ran inside the kitchen to see what happened.

 

"Khushi Bitiya, what happened ? Are you all right?" Garima asked seeing the ladle lying on the floor and Khushi in a daze form. Garima went near her daughter and shook her by her shoulder.

 

"Khushi, what happened, Bitiya?" her Amma asked again, concerned.

 

Khushi looked at her Amma, feeling her heart grip with unknown fear. She kept a trembling hand on her Amma's hand.

 

"I ...I am fine, Amma. I have...I have a headache. I think ...I will rest for sometime. I am not feeling well" saying that, Khushi left the kitchen and entered her room.

Closing the door of her room, Khushi went and sat on her bed, waiting impatiently for the night to fall.

 

Sujal as usual entered Khushi's room through the window, a ghost of a smile appeared on his handsome face as he saw the window open. It always thrills his heart, seeing the window open. The open window conveys that  his sleeping beauty too waits for him as he waits to see her everyday. Catching hold of the panel he jumped inside.

Khushi jerked and turned around to see that Sujal was standing near the window.

Sulaj came forward and sat on the bed, looking at Khushi. She looked little different today but he was unable to find out what.

Khushi looked at him, he was staring at her. She went and sat on the bed near Sujal.

 

She had lived enough in the fantasy land, now time for some reality check. She likes him, want that liking to grow into something more but before that she has some questions and he will HAVE to answer that.

"Sujal, what you do for living?" Khushi asked calmly, in soft voice.

Sujal's head snapped at that question. This is the question he never wants to answer. Atleast not to her. But he saw the look she was giving him and he knew, he knew that it's time.

"I ...I ..." Sujal fumbled,  not knowing what and how to tell.

Khushi saw Sujal searching for words.

"Gunda" Khushi supplied the word for him.

Sujal's eyes snapped at Khushi.

"Aren't you?" Khushi asked, fearing his answer.

Sujal stared in Khushi's eyes for a long moment and when it became unbearable for him, he averted his eyes form her and Khushi got her answer.

Khushi immediately got up from the bed. Tears prickling her eyes. She looked at him, he was looking at the floor. Tears made their way down the cheek, breath irregular.

"Can...Can...Can you change?" Khushi asked in a trembling voice.

Sujal looked at Khushi. The world where he lives is like a morass, a muddy puddle, if one gets into it, there's no way out. Either live in it or...or die! It's impossible for him to change.

 

Sujal again averted his eyes from her and shook his head.

 

Khushi staggered back, catching the table, the table supporting her trembling legs.

"For me?" Khushi asked again. Hoping against hope.

Sujal got up from the bed and came near her. He looked in her eyes. He saw the hope in her eyes. The hope which he had long lost. But he can't give false hope to her. He leaned forward, his breath fanning her tear drenched cheeks and kissed her cheek, his lips lingering on her pale cheek. Touching his forehead with hers, he replied.

 

"I am sorry" and Khushi's all hope crashed in a snap.

Sujal heard a low sob broke from Khushi's lips and he clenched his fist. Opening his eyes, he saw Khushi. Her eyes still closed and tears descending down her cheek.

He stared at her angelic face, mesmerized. Unknown desire taking over his heart and reflecting through his eyes. He saw her trembling lips. Lost in the moment, he bent down and touched her lips with his.

 

Khushi felt his lips on her and more tears poured out her eyes. And at that time she knew that it wasn't any infatuation or some mere liking. The hurt she was feeling in her heart was real and too unbearable. She loves him. And he broke her heart even before she can confess her love. But she can't allow him to stomp on her heart's broken pieces. He can't change for her and she can't live with him knowing his work. Everyday he commits some sin. And her conscious will not allow her to live with a sinner. Khushi's hand crept on Sujal's broad shoulder and taking a deep breath she pushed him away.

Sujal staggered back due to the impact of the push. He looked up to see Khushi, whose eyes were open and also glinting with fire which he had never seen.

"Get away from me and from my life!!" Khushi shouted on his face.

Sujal looked at Khushi, disbelievingly. He went near her and tried to hold her by shoulder but she pushed his hand away.

"Don't you dare touch me! Hath mat lagaeye hume! Ghin aati hai aapse! Your touch disgusts me! Kaise chhu sakte he aap hume uss hath se jis haath se aap sabko maarte hai?! Wahi haath jo doosro ke khoon se range hue hai?!" Khushi blustered. Her broken heart screaming for relief.

Sujal stared at Khushi, his eyes flashing with rage. Taking two steps forward, he caught Khushi's arm forcefully.

"What did you say?! My touch disgusts you, ha? So sorry to hear that! But you will HAVE to bear it! What did you think, ha? That you will say and I will leave you? Never! I will never leave you! And neither allow you to leave me! Do you get me?!" Sujal shouted, his breathing heavy.

Khushi looked at his ragging eyes, her own eyes held the same fury. She tried to free herself from him but he didn't bulge.

"I said leave me?!! Go from here and don't show your face ever. Did you hear me?!" Khushi gave as well as she got.

In reply Sujal tightened his hold on her and dragged her towards the bed. He picked her up and threw on the bed and got over her.

"I disgust you, right? Now what will you do, Khushi?" Sujal's eyes flashed with fire which Khushi had never seen before. And which frightened her. She felt his hot breath on her neck and felt a chill ran down her spin. Never touched this way before by any man, the feeling which ran down all over her body frightened her to no end. She tried to push him with all her might put he didn't bulge. His lips hot against her skin, travel down. Her heart pumping loudly against her chest. Tears flooded down her cheek as she felt him push the sleeve off her shoulder.

"I will not be surprised if you are a rapist too.." Khushi stated as calmly as she can get in the situation she is.

 

Sujal's head instantly snapped at that. He looked at in her accusing eyes, filled with tears of pain. Pain caused by him. His hand backed away from her and he stood up. Suffocated by her accusing and pained eyes, he strode towards the window and excited the place.

Khushi saw him leaving her room, a sob wrecked her body. Curling herself in a ball, she cried. Cried for her first love being trashed so brutally. On her broken heart, broken by her own love.

 

The passing few days saw a ghost of the former Khushi, she no more laughed, no more quipped, no more waited impatiently for the night to fall because he never came. Sometimes her innocent heart wanted to forget everything and flew to its owner but she knows she can't.  Her Amma Babuji will never give their daughter to a murderer. And she too can't live with a man who is a murderer, a Gunda, as her Amma calls them. But she was unable to console her innocent heart. It's been a week to the night they have fought and he never showed up. Till one night.

 

Sujal saw the window of his adobe, an adobe where he feels peace, open. He went near the window and again pushed it open just like he had done the first time and was rewarded with the same scene he had seen for the first time. His beauty was again sleeping, but the peace which he had seen on her face was vanished and replaced by pain. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he again climbed the window and entered her room.

Sujal went near Khushi, she was sleeping. He slowly crept beside Khushi on the bed, taking in the beautiful face of his angel.

Khushi felt someone beside her and she opened her eyes, to instantly collide with a pair of big brown eyes. Seeing the familiar pair of eyes after so many days, her eyes filled with tears of longing. Longing for the man she can't live with and also can't live without. Letting out a small sob, she hugged Sujal. All the logical thoughts, taking a back seat. Nothing seemed bigger than the pain she felt when he was away from her.

"Please...please ...please don't leave me..." Khushi whispered against Sujal's neck.

 

Sujal tightened his hold on her waist.

 

"I don't want to leave you either..." Sujal said in Khushi's hair.

 

"Please...please leave all  this...be ...be a good man...please for me..." Khushi said, her tears making Sujal's neck damp.

 

Taking Khushi more into him, he replied.

 

"Khushi, I can't! please try to understand! Please?" Sujal pleaded.

 

"I want to introduce you to my Amma. What will I say to her,  Sujal? What will I say her when she will ask me what job you do? That you murder people for money? That you are a bad person? Please be a good man for me. Please do it for me" Khushi sobbed. She wants him in her life.

Sujal pulled away from the hug and cupped Khushi's face.

"Khushi I can't. Try to understand. Please? Only way out of this, for me is death. Either I live in it or die." Sujal tried to make her understand.

 

"What should I do?! Tell me, what should I do?!I can't live without you neither with you. Tell me what to do?! Please...please...please...you are committing sin everyday! Every bloody day! I can't let you do this knowing very well where all this will leads to! Please...please...please... Sujal..." Khushi pleaded, her words coming out in hiccups.

Sujal looked at Khushi's pleading eyes. He leaned forward and pecked her lips softly.

"I am sorry...I can't help all this. I can't change. You have to understand this. We can meet every night, can't we? That's enough for us. Please I am helpless. " Sujal tried again.

Khushi listened to Sujal's word. She wanted to protest again. How many nights they can meet like this? But really exhausted and fed up of his constant denying to change, she kept quite. She closed her eyes, wanting a few moment of peace in the arms of her lover. For other's he must be a sinner but for her? for her he is her lover, her first love, her first kiss, first man to touch her.

 

Finding solace in each other's arm, both the lovers allowed the slumber to wash over them.

...

[ Continued In The Next Post]