CHAPTER 26
JINDAL BHAVAN,
Revati: Thank you Karan!
She thanks him after he adjusts Ahaan on the bed comfortably. Both the children were at home as they were discharged by evening. They weren't unconscious but sleeping due to the effect of medicines. They left the room not to disturb their sleep.
Karan: No need to thank me. I'm just fulfilling my promise unlike that stupid girl who has gone to God knows where!!!
Revati (angry): Karan! Mind your language.
Karan: Tumhare chup karane se kuchh nahi hoga. Kahaan hai wo, pata hai tumhe? Nahi. Kisiko bataya usne?? Nahi. Bas apni marzi chalani hoti hai use.
Revati: She has her own reasons to do anything..
Karan: Does her reasons matters her more than Ahaan?(he pause for a while and then continues)
Maine aaj tak uski har baat ko samjha hai aur mai uske har reaction se satisfy bhi hua hun just because I knew chahe jo ho jaye us ke liye Ahaan se badh kar kuchh nahi hai. But not this time. Usne mujhe wrong prove kar diya hai.
Revati: Lekin Karan....
Karan: No Revati. Don't justify her this time. 5 saal ka bachha hai wo. Does she even understand uska accident hua hai, aur wo use wahaan akele chhod ke chali gayi. Kahaan? Kisiko nahi pata. Kyun? Kisiko nahi pata. Hosh aate hi wo apni Mumma ko dhoond raha tha, lekin wo to pata nahi kahaan hai. Abhi ke liye to so gaya hai wo jab phir uthega to jawaab ready rakhna. Mai ja raha hun. Agar kuchh bhi zarooraat pade to give me a call, I will be here.
He was leaving but turns and speaks.
Karan: The last thing I could expect from her that she shouldn't be drunk.
Revati(thinking): I hope the same.
He leaves.
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A car is moving swiftly on the road but suddenly a large flash of light flashes in front of the car and a truck crashes into it and everything was blackened.
AK: Noooo!!!!!
She screams at the top of her voice and breaks the 5th empty bottle of alcohol which she just now completed drinking. The moment she walked out from the hospital, the same scene is being replayed infront of her eyes. The second most horrible incident of her life. Ofcourse, the first being her mother's death. She completed drinking 5 bottles but she still is as awake and fresh as someone after a cold water bath. She was sitting in an isolated place with no one around. She walked down the streets out of the hospital and reached the bar just few steps ahead from that place. She bought a stack of bottles and placed it with the help of a worker of the bar and started drinking one after the other bottle but of no use. The memories were still fresh to her. She was trying hard to clean all those horrible memories which were haunting her but all went in vain. She started drinking an other bottle expecting that it would help her to forget everything.
JINDAL BHAVAN,
LIVING ROOM,
Revati was sitting on the couch resting her head on her hands. AJ comes to her seeing her in this state.
AJ: Revati!!! Are you okay??
She looks up at him. Tears were wetting her cheeks.
AJ: Kya hua? Tum ro kyun rahi ho? Any problem?
Revati: Jiju, Di abhi tak nahi aayi hai. Bohot tension ho rahi hai mujhe.
The only thought made the way in his mind was about Guddan. Afterall, Di and Jiju in the same sentence made him think of her.
AJ: Pehle to tum rona band karo(he wipes her tears). Chhoti bachhi nahi hai wo, aa jayegi. Tumhe uske liye pareshan hone ki koi zaroorat nahi hai.
Revati: Nahi aa sakti wo yahaan. Unhe to shayad pata bhi nahi hoga ki ham sab yahaan hai. Abhi Rajiv aaya tha, Di ka shooting bag lekar, tab mujhe pata chala ki Di ke paas apna phone bhi nahi hai. Aap Ahaan ke paas rukenge, Mai Di ko ghar lekar aati hun.
AJ: You can't go out now. It's 11.45 now. Tum akele kahaan dhundogi use. Tumhe pata bhi hai kahaan hai wo?
She nod in no.
AJ: To kaise pata lagaogi ki kahaan hai wo?
Revati: Pata to lagana padega na. Wo bhi to raat bhar bahaar nahi reh sakti. Aap please unhe dhundiye.
AJ: Revati, Mai kaise....
Revati: Jiju please. Di ke liye nahi, mere aur Ahaan ke liye, please...
AJ: Achha thik hai. Tum ghar par hi rehna mai use lekar aaunga.
Revati: Promise??
AJ: Hmm..
He leaves to find her. It was like he was given a task to find a needle in a hay stack. How could he look for one girl in the whole city of Indore without any way to communicate. But he was all determined to do that coz after the first meeting this was the first time Revati addressed him as Jiju and asked him for help. He was only doing it for the sake of Ahaan. If not him he wouldn't pay a heed to Revati's words. He was about to get into his car when he gets a call. It was from the security guard of his restaurant.
AJ: Hello!
Guard: Hello Sir!
AJ: Ha bolo kya hua? Itni raat ko call kiya hai, sab thik to hai na?
Guard: Sab thik hai. Sir, wo restaurant ke paas ek khaali jagah hai na wahaan par maine unbe dekha.
AJ: Kise dekha??
Guard: Sir, wo heroine jo aap ke restaurant aayi thi na. Mujhe kuchh thik nahi lag raha hai.
He mentally thanked God for his help.
AJ: Kya thik nahi lag raha hai?
Guard: Itne andhere me kuchh thik se dikh nahi raha hai. Bas itna dikh raha hai ki wo sharaab pi rahi hai.
AJ: Are you sure ki wo sharaab hi hai??
Guard: Ha sir, wahaan par ek nahi bohot saari bottles hai.
AJ: Mai abhi aata hun and make sure ki koi uske paas nahi aaye.
Guard: Ok sir!
________________________________
He reached the place and send the guard back to the restaurant. He goes near her. There was not much light but enough to see each other. He turns on the flashlight of his mobile phone to check on the surroundings. She immediately closes her eyes and covers with her hand.
AK: What the hell!!!
She was now completely out of her senses.
He sees a box with few bottles and on the other side many shattered pieces of glass.
AJ: Tum yahaan baith kar sharaab pi rahi ho??
AK: Wrong!! Ham sharaab pi rahe "THE". Abhi nahi pi rahe hai, ok?
He sensed with her words that she was not in her senses. So rather than arguing with her, he decided to take her to home.
AJ: Achha thik hai.
AK: Arey waahh!! Itni jaldi maan gaye. Hame to laga ki abhi jhagda karenge. Chalo achhi baat hai.
She stumbles and was about to fall on the glass pieces when he holds her. She stares deeply into his eyes. He tears his gaze away as it reminded him the way Guddan used to stare at him. He makes her stand away from the broken glass pieces.
AJ: Ghoorna band karo aur chalo. Hame ghar jana hai.
She starts laughing and sits on the ground clutching her stomach as if it's paining due to excessive laughing.
AJ: Has kyun rahi ho??
AK: Ghar??? Kiske ghar?? Ek baat bataye ham aapko? Aaiye idhar aakar baithiye. (she taps the place beside her and asks him to sit there. He goes and sits beside her)
AJ: Batao.
AK: Hamare naam par badi badi makaanein hai, badi badi imaratein (buildings) bhi hai lekin unme se hamara ghar koi bhi nahi hai. Ek bhi nahi. Wo bas aalishan char band deewarein hai. Unme hame kabhi ghar jaisa ehsaas hi nahi hota. Wo khushi, wo sukoon hi nahi milta jo sab ko apne ghar me milti hai.
AJ: Ham tumhare ghar nahi mere ghar ja rahe hai. Chalo.
He was about to leave when she holds his hand and asks him to sit again.
AK: Aap ko kyun lagta hai ki ham aapke saath aapke ghar jayenge?
AJ: Kyunki Ahaan wahaan hai. Us ke liye to tum chalogi na mere saath.
AK: Ahaan...(tears pooled up in her eyes) Kaisa hai wo? Bohot chot lagi thi na use. Aap mile the usse? Ab thik hai na wo? Use zyaada dard to nahi ho raha hai na?
AJ: Jab itni hi fikar karti ho tum uski to use wahaan chhod kar kyun aa gayi. Aur yahaan baith kar sharaab kyun pi rahi thi.
AK: Jaante hai galti ki hai hamne use akela wahaan chhod kar lekin usse milne ki himmat nahi bachi hai ham me. Aapko pata hai, hamne Ahaan ke liye sab kuchh kiya, sab kuchh matlab sab kuchh. Use aaj tak kisi bhi cheez ki kami mehsoos nahi hone di hamne. Uski har khwahish ko poori ki hamne. Uske liye world's best Mumma banne ki koshish ki hamne lekin aaj haar gaye ham. Haar gaye. Uski best Mumma nahi ban sake ham. Uske saath jo kuchh bhi aaj hua hai uske zimmedar ham hai. Hamare hi wajah se uski wo haalat hai. Sirf hamari wajah se. Aap hi bataiye, ham kya jawaab dete use jab wo hamse poochta ki, "Mumma, aapne hi mujhe supermom ki tarah bachaya na?" Jab ki ham to is duniya ke sab se worst mother hai jo apne bachhe ko khoon bhi nahi de sakte. Ham use nahi bacha paye.
She started crying vigorously. He was hurt by seeing her this way. It pained him as much as it pained seeing Guddan crying. He now realized that she wasn't wrong in her point of view and everyone else including him judged her without knowing the other side of the story. She was at fault but not completely. Even everyone were correct but not completely. She thought she lost as a mother bcoz she wasn't able to save her child's life and everyone else thought that she lost as a mother coz she wasn't there for her child when he needed her.
AJ: Tum please rona band karo.(he offers his handkerchief to her and indicates her to use it. She takes it and wipes her tears.) I know ki tum use blood nahi de payi but that doesn't mean ki tum uske liye best mother nahi ho. Aaj agar wo thik hua hai tab bhi to uska reason tum hi ho na.
AK: Ham?? Kaise??
AJ: Agar tumne kuchh dinon pehle us insaan ko nahi bachaya hota jisne aaj Ahaan ko blood donate kiya to kya hota tumne socha.
She nods in no.
AJ: Kya hota? Ahaan ke liye donor shayad nahi milta, ya phir use donor late se milta, jiski wajah se uski condition aur bhi critical ho sakti thi. Lekin aisa hua kya?(she nods in no). To phir, tumahri wajah se hi aaj wo thik hai eventhough it may be indirectly.
AK: Phir bhi wo hamse naraaz hoga aur ham par gussa karega aur phir hame Mumma bhi nahi kahega.
She started crying again. He sighed exhaustedly as he failed to console her.
AJ: Achha tum ek baat batao mujhe...(he tried with full efforts to gain her attention)
AK: Kya?
AJ: Jab kabhi Ahaan ne galti ki to kya tumse usse naraaz hoti ho? Kya tum us par gussa karti ho? Kya tum ye bhool jati ho ki wo tumhara beta hai?
AK: Nahi.
AJ: Kyun?
AK: Kyunki ham usse bohot pyaar karte hai aur wo sirf hamara beta hai.
AJ: Exactly!!! To wo tumse naraaz kyun hoga. Tum par gussa kyun karega. Wo bhi tumse utna hi pyaar karta hai. Tum uski Maa ho aur wo tumhara beta. This fact won't change.
He sees her sitting still devoid of any expression on her face.
AJ: Tumne suna bhi maine kya kaha??
AK: Ham samajh gaye.
AJ: Kya samjhi?
AK: Wahi jo aapne samjhaya.
AJ: To ab ghar chalogi na.
AK: Ha. Lekin hamari ek shart hai.
AJ: Kaisi shart?
AK: Aap hame Ahaan se milayenge na?
AJ: Ofcourse, isiliye to mai tumhe le ja raha hun na.
AK: Ha na, wahi to. Ham bhi kaisi baatein kar rahe hai. Chaliye.
AJ: Chalo, utho.
He gives his hand as a support to get her up. She gets up and wipes her tears but suddenly she gets hiccups.
AJ: Ek minute, tum yahin rukna mai tumhare liye pani lekar aata hun. Kahin mat jana, Ok?
AK: Haa.
He goes to the nearby store to purchase a water bottle but when he returns the scene shocked him. He was shocked to see a group of drunk men surrounding her.
AJ: Chalo yahaan se.
He tried to hold her hand but a man holds it.
Man1: Aaj ke liye ye hamari item hai, to tum ise bhool jao.
Before AJ can punch him to his death, the man received a hard slap that he directly fell on the ground. It was from AK. The slap wasn't that hard to make a man fall but as he was drunk and stumbling it made her easy to do that.
AK: (angry) Himmat Kaise hui tumhe hame chune ki?? Koi item nahi hai ham kisiki. Samjhe tum??? Next time, don't touch me!!!
AJ was shocked to see her this way.
Man2: Tumhari himmat kaise hui hamare bhai ko thappad marne ki. Abhi batate hai.
He was about to hold her when she blows a punch right under his jaw which dislocated it and eventually he fell on the ground.
AK: Thappad ki himmat dekhi thi tumne, abhi punch ka dikha diya humne.
The other man was about to hit her when she punches him on his ribs and he fell due to excessive pain. The other people got scared and ran for their dear life. While AJ was standing amused by her actions. She was facing her back towards him. He holds her hand indicating her to move from here but coz of a sudden touch she jerked his hand away.
AK: Don't touch me!!!
AJ: Chilla kyun rahi ho? Mai hun.
AK: Aap hai to kya?? Aap hame chu sakte hai. Koi hame touch nahi karega.
AJ: Achha thik hai. Ab chalo ghar nahi jaana hai.
AK: Chal to rahe hai na. Chaliye.
AJ: Ha. Waise kaise seekha tumne ye self defence and all?
AK: Kaise seekha nahi, kisne sikhaya poochiye.
AJ: Kisne sikhaya?
AK: Zindagi ne.
AJ: Huh?
AK: Haa. Aapko nahi pata zindagi hame sab kuchh deti hai jo ham kabhi seekh nahi pate. Jab ham akele the na, jab koi hamare saath nahi tha, na hi achhe samay me aur na hi bure samay me tab zindagi ne hi hame khud ke liye ladna sikha diya. Chahe wo aise gundon se ho ya phir kisi aur tarah.
AJ felt bad for her that she has to face many difficulties in her life.
AK: Pani...
AJ: Ek minute mai abhi lekar aaya.
He brings water for her. She drinks it and holds her stomach.
AJ: Ab kya hua?
AK: Bohot bhook lag rahi hai.
AJ: Isiliye time par khana khana chahiye.
AK: Ha to nahi khaye to kya kare. Abhi to bhook lag rahi hai na.
He nods his head in disbelief.
AJ: Chalo mera restaurant yehi par hai. Tum kuchh kha lena.
AK: Eww... Aap hame bacha hua khana khilayenge.
AJ(thinking): Hosh me nahi hai, phir bhi nautanki poori shiddat se kar rahi hai.
(To Guddan): Maine kaha kya ki mai bacha hua khana khilaunga tumhe. And FYKI mere restaurant me mai bacha hua khana nahi rakhta, samjhi tum.
AK: Achha thik hai. Chaliye, hame bohot bhook lag rahi hai.
They both go to the restaurant by walk as it was just few steps ahead. She was stumbling all the way even for walking a few steps. He has to hold her everytime but she again starts her "Don't touch me" chant which makes him way more irritated. After a two minutes walk which felt like hours to AJ, they reach the restaurant. He made her sit comfortably on one of the chairs and he sits on the other.
AJ: Batao kya khana hai tumhe?
AK: Samose!!!
AJ: Raat ke 1 baje samose kaun khata hai??
AK: Ham khate hai. Kyun, any problem??
AJ(thinking): Jab tum saamne ho to aur koi problem nazar bhi nahi aayegi. Kyunki saari problems to tum khud lekar chalti ho.
AK: Kya hua? Ja kar banaiye na.
AJ: Dekho tumhe to bohot bhook lagi hai na, khana bhi jaldi chahiye tumhe. Samose banane ke liye bohot time lag jayega. Pehle aalu boil karo, phir dough tayar karo, phir stuffing ready karo, phir use fry karo. 1 ghanta tum wait nahi kar sakti na. Isiliye kuchh aur bolo.
AK: Baat to sahi hai aapki lekin jhoot to mat boliye. 1 ghanta to nahi lagega banne ke liye. Phir bhi aap ke liye ham ye order cancel kar dete hai. Aap aalu ke parathe bana dijiye.
AJ: Oh God!!!
AK: Ab kya hua?
AJ: Aalu ke parathe ke liye bhi to same kaam karne padenge na. Bas samose ko fry karna hai aur ise parathe banana hai. Time to utna hi lagega na.
AK: Ha na. Hamne to ye baat sochi hi nahi. To aur kya bana sakte hai aap?
AJ: Ek kaam karo, tum yehi baitho mai andar ja kar dekh kar aata hun ki mai tumhare liye kya bana sakta hun. Ok?
AK: Ha. Ok, done!
AJ: Bas baithi rehna.
AK: Ha, ha jaiye.
He leaves from there and goes into the kitchen. As Guddan can't sit still for more than few seconds she gets up and takes a plate and spoon from the counter situated at the corner of the room for serving. She clicks them along in a ringing manner.
AK: Jaldi jaldi khana lao. Bhook lagi hai khana do. Jaldi jaldi khana lao. Bhook lagi hai khana do.
AJ comes out from the kitchen. All the chaos by Guddan was fueling his anger. He goes and scolds her.
AJ: Problem kya hai tumhari?? Chup chap se baithne ke liye kaha tha na, Wo kaam bhi nahi hota kya tumse. Kya hangama kar rahi ho yahaan par?
She starts crying as she is afraid of him.
AK: Mummy!!! Ye bhoot uncle hame daant rahe hai. Bachao, Mummy!!! Hame bohot dar laga raha hai. Inhone haath me chaku bhi pakda hua hai.
AJ: What???(just then he realizes that he was really holding a knife and she was afraid coz of that.)
He keeps the knife aside and makes her sit and sit in front of her on his knees.
AJ: Dekho, please mat ro.(she wipes her tears). Mai tumhe dara nahi raha tha. Ok! Tumhe khana khana hai na, mai wahi dekhne gaya tha. Roz restaurant me subah fresh fruits aur vegetables aate hai. Isiliye abhi kuchh bhi nahi hai. Batao kya khana hai.
AK: Batane ko to ham kuchh bhi bata denge, ye bataiye ki aap kya bana sakte hai.
AJ: Banane ko to mai bhi kuchh bhi bana sakta hun lekin abhi yahaan kuchh available nahi hai. Tum kaho to mai daliya ki khichdi bana dun.
AK: No!!! Ham beemar nahi hai. Hame khichdi nahi khani, daliya ki to bilkul bhi nahi.
AJ: Sirf beemar log khichdi nahi khate.
AK: Jo bhi ho lekin hame nahi khana. Hame khana chahiye matlab chahiye. Bhook lagi hai khana do. Jaldi jaldi khana lao. Bhook lagi hai khana do.(she started her rants again ringing with the plate and spoon)
AJ: Band karo ye.(she didn't listen to him and continued). I said stop it!!!(he said a little bit louder and she stops it. She looks at him as if she will cry again). Arey mai to bas tumse kuchh poochna chahta tha isiliye tumhe chup rahne ko kaha.
AK: Kya poochna tha?
AJ: Jab tum ghar par akele rehti ho aur tumhe bhook lagti hai aur agar kuchh saamaan bhi na ho to phir tum kya khati ho.
AK: Fruits aur dry fruits khati hun.
AJ: Agar wo bhi na ho to.
AK: Wo to hamesha rehte hai na.
AJ: Incase agar nahi ho to.
AK: Lekin rehte to hai na.
AJ: Achha thik hai rehte hai. Agar tumhe wo sab khane ka man nahi to kya khati ho.
AK: Ummm🤔🤔(she was thinking placing her index finger on her chin and AJ was looking at her keenly for her answer)... Noodles!!!
AJ: Kya??
AK: Ha. 2 minute noodles. Bohot tasty hote hai aur use banana bhi kitna easy hota hai. Bas pani me dalo, masala dalo, 2 minute ke liye pakao aur ho gaya ready.
AJ: Ok. Tum yehi rukna mai bahar ja kar abhi lekar aata hun.
He was about to leave when she holds his hand.
AK: Aap hame chhod kar ja rahe hai.
She looks at him with the cutest expression on her face. He was adoring her and was lost in her eyes.
AK: Boliye na...
He comes out of his trance.
AJ: Mai bas 2 minute me aa raha hun. Tum yahi ruko.
AK: Ok! Jaiye.
She leaves his hand. He rushes to the nearby store and returns as fast as possible. He enters the restaurant to find the utmost silence. He finds her sleeping peacefully resting her head on the table. He enters the kitchen and prepares it quickly and returns with the bowl of noodles to the table. He sits on the chair and was looking at her. He was keenly observing her. Her eyes, her nose, her lips, her cheeks, the way she breathes, the way her hair moves to the breeze, the way her hair covers a part of her face while sleeping, every bit resembles to Guddan but she is not her. The way his heart responds to her presence confirms that she is Guddan but his mind doesn't accepts it. Years ago, he made a mistake by believing what his heart said and not even thinking practically with his mind and he is suffering till today. He is not gonna repeat that mistake again in his life. He removes a strand of her hair covering her face, gently. He then remembers the reason for them being here. He wakes her up but she just stirs and doesn't wake up. He again tries to wake her up but he failed.
AJ: Utho, ab uth bhi jao. Bhook lagi thi na tumhe, khana nahi khana kya? Utho.
She wakes up listening his voice.
AJ(murmuring): Khane ka naam sunte hi uth gayi.
AK: Kuchh kaha aapne?
AJ: Nahi to.
AK: Itne zor se chilla kyun rahe the. Uth hi rahe the na.
AJ: Khalo warna ye bhi nahi milega.
She holds the fork and was about to eat but the fork slips from her hand.
AK: Oops!!
He gives an other fork to her. She brings it near her mouth but ends up poking it to her lips. Nodding his head in disbelief, he takes the fork and bowl from her, adjusts the chair infront of her and makes her eat. She looks at him with a questioning face.
AJ: Poori raat nahi hai hamare paas yahaan rukne ke liye, jaldi khao. Ghar bhi jana hai.
There was complete silence in the air. And for the first time he spoke first.
AJ: Kisse pyaar karti ho tum?
The question came from nowhere. The only reason for asking this question was to know about Ahaan's father. He thought that at least her sub-consciousness will spill the truth.
AK: Khane se!!!
He was left baffled by her answer. Who would answer "food" for such a question. But she is the unique person in this world who could do so.
AJ: As a person kisse?
AK: Ahaan se. He is the love of my life.
AJ(thinking): Ab isse direct pooch lun kya?
(To Guddan): Aur Karan se??
AK(laughing): Karan? Usse???
AJ: Ha wahi. Has kyun rahi ho?
AK: Nahi matlab aise hi. Aap ko ek baat bataye, Karan na is world ka sab se best person hai. Sab se achha hai wo. Itna achhhaaaaaa(she said extending her arms widely). Lekin ham usse pyaar nahi karte.
AJ: Kyun?
AK: Kyunki ham kisi aur se pyaar karte hai.
AJ: Kisse?
AK: Sorry, sorry. Kisi aur se pyaar karte the, hai nahi. Aur wo koun hai wo ham aap ko nahi batayenge.
AJ: Kyun nahi bataogi?
AK: Kyunki wo ek secret hai. Bohot badi wali secret, jo ham kisi ko bhi nahi bata sakte. Aur ek baat bataiye aap, jab hamara dil kisi aur ke naam par pehle hi Register ho chuka hai to phir ham use kisi aur ko kaise de sakte hai. Bataiye. Isiliye ham Karan se pyaar nahi kar sakte. Lekin ye baat bhi sach hai ki agar hame pehle pyaar nahi hua hota na to zaroor Karan se hi pyaar ho jata. Wo kitna achha hai, meri aur meri family ki kitni care bhi karta hai.
AJ: Lekin pyaar to doobara kiya ja sakta hai na.
AK: Zindagi me galtiyaan dohrayi jati hai, pyaar nahi. Agar aap ko lagta hai ki aap zindagi me doobara pyaar kar sakte hai to shaayad aap ne pehle kabhi pyaar kiya hi nahi. Shayad wo aapki galti thi ya phir jo aap karne ja rahe hai wo aapki galti hai. Aur ham achhe se jante hai ki jo ham ne pehle kiya tha wo galti nahi hamara pyaar tha. Jo ki ab khatam ho chuka hai, isiliye hamne apne us dil ko bhi jala diya jisne pyaar kiya tha taaki wo doobara kabhi kisi se pyaar na kar sake.
She completes eating it. He goes to the kitchen and gets indulged into his own thoughts. The girl with him is way too weird. At once, she behaves as she is not sub conscious but completely out of her mind doing all the possible nuisances but the other moment, her words proves that she is the most intelligent person even being drunk and completely losing her senses. Just then he listens a loud noice. He comes out to find her looking at the ground. He follows her gaze to find a broken vase with the glass pieces shattered on the ground.
AJ(in his mind): Isse pehle ki ye mere poore restaurant ka nuksaan karde, ise jaldi se ghar le jana padega.
He comes to her. She looks at him with an apologizing look and holds her ears to say sorry.
AJ: It's Ok. Chalo.
Precap: AK'S grand entry in Jindal Bhavan.
CHAPTER 27
As AJ and Guddan were walking across the road to reach the car, the bartender stopped them.
Man: Ayy, kahan chali tum? Poora maal utha kar le gayi aur bina paise diye kahaan ja rahi ho.
She hides behind AJ and clings to his shirt as she was afraid of his loud voice.
AJ: Dekhiye aap is tarah baat nahi kar sakte aur rahi baat paison ki to wo mai de dunga. Aap bas...
Man: Ha, sab aise hi sharaab ke maze lekar chale jate hai. Paise dene ki aukaat to hoti nahi hai kisime. Ab jab tak mujhe mere paise nahi mil jate ye ladki yahaan se nahi jayegi.
He holds her wrist and was about to drag with him when AJ holds his hand and stops him. He looks at him with anger filled eyes.
AJ: Kaha na ki paise mil jayenge. Aap ka aadha maal wahin pada hua hai waapas le jaiye. Aur rahi baat paison ki, to wo jo restaurant dikh raha hai(pointing towards his restaurant) wo mera hai. Aap kabhi kisi ko bill ke saath bhej dijiyega, mai poori payment kar dunga. Ab aap jaiye.
Man: Thik hai abhi ke liye ja raha hun. Lekin agar mujhe mere paise waapas nahi mile tab mai sab ko dekh lunga.
He leaves. AJ holds her hand to make her come forward but she holds her shirt more tightly and refuses him by shaking her head.
AJ: Wo chala gaya, ab to aa jao.
She looks at him and then all around and then comes infront of him.
AK: Thankyou!
AJ: It's Ok. Ab chalo.
They were about to get inside the car when she feels water drops on her face and hands and then all of a sudden rain starts.
AJ: Ye baarish ko bhi abhi hona tha. Andar chalo jaldi.
He gets inside the car but she was standing still in the rain feeling each and every drop of water cooling her skin and mind. The cool breeze along with the smell of moist soil soothed her mind. The sound made by the contact of rain water with the ground was like a music which soothed her ears. She just closed her eyes and was feeling the blessing of her life. It felt like it was reviving her life which has become a dry land. He gets out of the car to get her inside.
AJ: Chalo andar, baarish me kyun bheeg rahi ho?
AK: Nahi, hame baarish me bheegna hai.
AJ: Zid mat karo aur andar chalo. Aadhi raat me baarish me bheeg rahi ho tum.
AK: Ha to usme kya hua, waise bhi hamne aaj nahaya nahi tha, subah se set par hi the. Aap ko agar enjoy nahi karna to andar ja kar baith jaiye. Ham to baarish me bheegenge hi.
AJ: Tumhara driver nahi hun mai. Ghar chalna hai to aakar andar baitho warna mai ja raha hun. Khud aa jana.
AK: Arey Nahi rukiye....Aap to gussa hi ho gaye. Please, thodi der rukte hai na. Please, bas thodi der.
AJ: No.
AK: Please...please....pleeeeasee.....
She requests him with pleading eyes. He couldn't help but was melting for her and agreed.
AJ: Thodi der nahi exact time bolo.
AK: 30 minutes.
AJ: Dimaag kharab hai tumhara. 30 minutes thodi der hota hai. Sirf 5 minutes.
AK: No. Ok 20 minutes pleaseeeee....
AJ: No.
AK: Pleeeeeaseeeee.....
AJ: 15 minutes.
AK: Leki......
AJ: No more discussions. 15 minutes or else I will go.
AK: Thik hai.
Chehre mein tere
Khud ko main dhoondhun Aankhon ke darmiyaan
Tu ab hai iss tarah
Khwabon ko bhi jagah na mile
She starts enjoying the rain and he was sitting under a shelter watching her. She spreads her arms wide and faces the sky to feel the rain drops on her face.
Yeh mausam ki baarish
Yeh baarish ka paani
Yeh paani ki boondein
Tujhe hi toh dhoondhe
Yeh milne ki khwahish
Yeh khwahish puraani
Ho poori tujhi se
Meri yeh kahaani
She was relishing each and every minute and there AJ was looking at her lovingly. He was surprised to see the girl who was crying sometime ago and now, she is enjoying her life as there is no tomorrow.
Kabhi tujhme utrun
Toh saanson se guzrun
Toh aaye dil ko raahat
Main hoon bethikana
Panaah mujhko paana
Hai tujhme, de ijazat
Na koi darmiyaan
Hum dono hai yahan
Phir kyun hai tu bata Faasley...
He remembered how Guddan used to enjoy rain and he used to adore her.
Yeh mausam ki baarish
Yeh baarish ka paani
Yeh paani ki boondein
Tujhe hi toh dhoondhe
Yeh milne ki khwahish
Yeh khwahish puraani
Ho poori tujhi se
Meri yeh kahaani
He was lost in his thoughts when he hears a loud voice of horn and sees a heavily loaded truck heading towards the road. He sees AK enjoying and she wasn't even listening or observing her surroundings. He pulls her to himself in the nick of time and the truck passes by. He hugged her tight close to his heart as if he was going to lose his lifeline. He sighs in relief as he realises that she is safe and is now in his arms.
Hawaaon se tera pata poochta hoon
Ab toh aaja tu kahin se
Parindon ki tarah
yeh dil hai safar mein
Tu mila de zindagi se
Bas itni ilteja
Tu aake ik dafa
Jo dil ne na kahaa
Jaan le...
He sees her, who was looking at him with adoring eyes. He cups her cheeks and she holds his hands. They both were completely lost in each other's eyes and they forgot about their surroundings. They both close the distance between them and he eyes on her lips.
Yeh mausam ki baarish
Yeh baarish ka paani
Yeh paani ki boondein
Tujhe hi toh dhoondhe
Yeh milne ki khwahish
Yeh khwahish puraani
Ho poori tujhi se
Meri yeh kahaani
She closes her eyes and when AJ was about to kiss her, he feels his chest heavy. He found her head resting on his chest with eyes closed. He mentally scolds himself for losing his control on himself. He takes her to the car, makes her sit and buckles up the seat belt and then drove towards their house.
JINDAL BHAVAN,
AJ picks her in his arms and makes sure that she doesn't wake up until they finally get into the room or else she will wake up everyone in the house. He gets into the house and quickly heads towards the guest room. He makes her sit on the chair. He sees her shooting bag on the table in the living room. He searches for her clothes in it. He finds a nightwear of her and heads back to the guest room. He wakes her up but she was sleeping peacefully without getting disturbed.
AJ: Hey utho!!
AK: Hmmm..
AJ: Hmm...nahi utho. Ja kar change karlo.
AK: Ham aise hi nahi so sakte kya.(she says still closing her eyes)
AJ: No. Utho aur change karo. Mai Revati ko bula sakta tha, lekin wo so rahi hai. You want me to disturb her sleep.
AK: No.
AJ: To utho aur change karo. I can't do that coz you said me not to touch you right.
AK: Ha, don't touch me.
AJ: I won't until you get changed yourself.
AK: Ok.
She opens her eyes reluctantly and goes to the washroom stumbling all the way even for walking few steps.
AJ: Don't lock the door.
AK: Kya?? Mai washroom ja rahi hun aur aap mujhe darwaza band nahi karne ko keh rahe hai.
AJ: Tum darwaza band kar sakti ho lekin lock mat karna.
AK: Kyun?
AJ: Trust me, mai andar nahi aaunga. But please don't lock the door.
AK: Ok.
She goes and has a shower before changing. Meanwhile AJ goes to his room and gets changed. He returns back to the guest room and finds her coming out of the washroom in her nightwear.
AJ: Tum so jao. Ahaan se kal mil lena.
AK: Aise kaise. You promised me right. Mujhe abhi usse milna hai.
AJ: Dekho, raat bohot ho chuki hai, wo so raha hai na. Tum usse baad me mil lena.
AK: No no no no no.... Mujhe abhi usse milna hai to milna hai. Abhi matlab abhi...
She sits on the bed with an angry pout.

AJ: Achha thik hai......
AK: Jaldi chaliye.....
AJ: Meri baat to pehle sun lo.
AK: Kya?
AJ: Tum bilkul seedhe se chalogi. Straight!
She stands straight infront of him.
AJ: Apna muh bilkul bhi nahi khologi. Ek aawaaz nahi aani chahiye tumhari.
She presses both her lips together and keeps her index finger on her lips.
AJ: Yahaan se seedha bachhon ke room, phir wahaan se seedha is room aana hai.
She nods her head.
AJ: Let's go.
He holds her hand and takes her to Arya's room. He slowly opens the room. As they were under the effect of medicines, they were in a deep sleep. She goes to them and sits beside Ahaan. Tears welled up in her eyes but she holds them back. She caresses his head over the bandage and kissed it. She bends more forward to reach Arya and kisses her forehead too. She covers Ahaan with the duvet properly and leaves from there not before whispering a sorry in his ear. They were heading towards the guest room when, she stumbles and a lamp on the table falls on the ground. AJ turns back because of the loud noise and finds her looking at him with apologizing eyes. He glares at her and takes her to the room.
AK: Sorry!!
AJ: It's Ok, tum so jao.
He was about to leave when she holds his hand.
AK: Yehi rukiye na mere saath.
AJ: Tum please so jao. Mai tumhare saath nahi ruk sakta.
AK: Please na....(she holds his hand more tightly)
AJ: No, I can't.(he removes his hand from her grip and was about to leave)
AK(silently crying): Ham bhi kyun hi pooch rahe the. Sab hame pehle hi chhod kar chale gaye, ab aap bhi chale jaaiye. Koi nahi hai hamare zindage me aur na hi kabhi koi hoga. Ham akele hi thik the aur aage bhi akele hi rahenge.
She lay down on the bed and starts crying. He looks at her and it hurts him more when he sees her crying. He goes and sits beside her on the bed and wipes her tears but she yanks his hand away.
AJ: Tum so jao, mai yehi tumhare saath hun.
She turns to look at him and he nods.
AK: Sachhi??
AJ: Hmm...
She sleeps holding one of his hands with a content smile on her face.
AJ(in mind): Jaise hi ye so jayegi, mai yahaan se chala jaunga.
He closes his eyes but soon he fell asleep as he was tired the whole day long. He unconsciously lay beside her in his sleep and she hugs him. They both sleep cuddling each other and were having a peaceful sleep after many years. Even though, their mind doesn't acknowledge the presence of their soulmate but the heart and soul verily knows about the person you love. Their heart and soul found solace in each other's arms, close to their heart listening their heart beats.
NEXT MORNING,
AK(sleeping): Nahi,nahi..... no... please not again...nahi....Nahi!!!
She wakes up with a jerk because of the nightmare. She was profusely sweating and breathing heavily. It was the same scene of the accident which was constantly repeating infront of her eyes. AJ wakes up due to her loud scream. Her eyes were closed and she was holding her head due to the bad headache.
AJ: Are you fine??
She looks at him and was shocked to see him on the same bed. He realised and quickly got up from the bed.
AJ: Dekho, aisa waisa kuchh bhi sochne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aisa kuchh bhi nahi hua hai.....
AK: Aap ko hame samjhane ki zaroorat bhi nahi hai. Itna to hosh tha hame, ki achhe se yaad hai ki kuchh nahi hua. Faaltu me aisa waisa soch rahe hai aap.
She looks around the room confusingly.
AK: Ye mera ghar to nahi hai.
AJ: Ji haan, kyunki ye mera ghar hai. Tum Jindal Bhavan me ho.
AK: What???
She gets up from the bed and stands infront of him.
AK: Aap mujhe yahaan lekar aaye hai na?
AJ: To problem kya hai usme?
AK: Maine Ahaan ko is ghar me rehne ki permission di hai. Iska matlab ye nahi ki mai is ghar me rahungi. Aap mujhe mere ghar bhi to chhhod sakte the na.
AJ: Tumhare ghar ka address kabhi bataya tumne?
AK: Ha nahi bataya. Celebrities ke peeche fans pad jaayenge isiliye hamne nahi bataya.
AJ: Mai koi fan nahi hun tumhara. Aur problem kya hai tumhari is ghar me rehne me.
AK: Problem? Abhi batate hai.
She comes closer to him and closes his nose as that he can't breathe.
AJ: Paagal ho kya?.....
He was about to speak more when she closes his mouth too.
AJ: Mmmm...
He was struggling to breathe but she didn't let him go. When she felt, that he can't stand more without breathing, she let him go and he breathes heavily.
AJ: Dimaag kharaab hai kya tumhara?
AK: Kaisa laga? Dam ghut raha tha na. Hame bhi waisa hi lagta hai is ghar me aur is sheher me. Ab ek aur minute mai yahaan nahi rukne wali.
AJ: Tumhe rukne ke liye bhi kisne kaha hai. Chali jao.
She was angry and to control her anger she brokes the vase kept on the side table. It crashed on the ground and was shattered into pieces. Just then Revati enters tye room.
Revati: Di!!
AK: Revati!!
Revati: Aap yahaan kab aayi?
AK: In se hi pooch lena. Ab ham chalte hai.
Revati: Kahaan ja rahi hai aap?
AK: You know, mai yahaan nahi reh sakti. I am leaving.
She takes her phone which was in Revati's hands and leaves the house.
Revati: Jiju?
AJ: Tum kal se is ladki ke liye pareshan thi, jise kisi ki nahi padi. Dekh liya na tumne ise sab ki kitni parwah hai.
Revati: Ab to mujhe aur tension ho rahi ho ki wo kahaan gayi.
AJ: Revati us ke baare me sochna band karo. Use kisi ki parwaah nahi hai. At least wo Ahaan ke liye ruk sakti thi na, lekin usne aisa nahi kiya. Tum ja kar rest karo, abhi koi utha bhi nahi hai aur breakfast ke liye bhi time hai.
He leaves to his room and Revati goes to her room but she wasn't able to sleep, so she decided to call AK and convince to come her at least for the sake of Ahaan. She dialled but she didn't receive for the first time. The same happened for the second time and the third time she received the call.
Revati: Di, I know ki aap yahan nahi reh sakti lekin please Ahaan ke baare me to sochiye. Wo kal se aapse milne ki zid kar raha hai. Please us ke liye aa jaiye. Aur waise bhi aap ne hi to kaha tha na ki aap apni life me move on kar chuki hai, tab to aapko is ghar se koi farak nahi padna chahiye. Aap AK hai, Guddan nahi, isiliye aapko is ghar se ya is ghar ke kisi bhi sadasya se koi farak nahi padna chahiye. Please aa jaiye Di.
She didn't say a word, so Revati was confused that if she was listening to her.
Revati: Di, aap sun rahi hai na?
Before Revati could ask further the call ended.
_________________________________
Everyone had their breakfast. AJ was at home as he decided to work from home for few days till Arya gets well. He was giving her medicines and Revati was asking Ahaan to have the medicines but he refused.
Revati: Ahaan please, dawaayi le lijiye.
Ahaan: Aap jaanti hai na, mai sirf Mumma ke haath se dawaayi leta hun. Aap ne mujhe breakfast khila diya lekin mai ye dawaayi nahi lunga jab tak Mumma nahi aa jaati.
Revati: Mumma aa jayengi. Aap please tab tak apni medicines le lijiye.
Ahaan: No, jab tak Mumma nahi aati tab tak no medicines.
"Aur agar Mumma aa gayi to?"
The voice was followed by a musical band which consists the beats of drums and buzz of trumpets which echoed in the Jindal Bhavan.
AK stepped in on the carpet of rose petals laid by the women who came along with the band to welcome her.

"Swaagat nahi karenge hamara Mr. Jindal?"
Everyone were looking at her shocked cum surprised for making a grand entry.
Precap: 1st day of AK in Jindal Bhavan.
CHAPTER 28
JINDAL BHAVAN,
AK steps into the house and as soon as Ahaan sees her, he goes to her. AK sits on to her knees and hugs him. Tears were flowing through her eyes which cannot be differentiated as happy or sad tears as she was feeling mixed emotions at that moment. She was happy to have her child close to her heart but sad coz of the guilt she was bearing.
AK: I am sorry.(still hugging him)
Ahaan: Mumma!
AK: I am sorry Ahaan.
Ahaan: It's Ok, Mumma..
AK: But I am still sorry...
Ahaan: It's Ok...Ouchhh!!!
AK(breaking the hug): Kya hua Ahaan? Aap thik to hai na? Dard ho raha hai kya? Abhi doctor ke paas chalte hai...
Ahaan: Mumma, kuchh nahi hua hai. Aap ne mere baal kheech diye the, Bas.
AK: Sorry, zyaada dard to nahi hua na.
Ahaan: Nahi, mai bilkul thik hun. Ab aap aa gaye hai na to poori tarah se thik ho jaunga.
AK: Jaante hai aap aisi baatein kyun kar rahe hai. Agar aap ko thik hona hai to dawaayi bhi leni hogi.
She gives him medicines and he has it.
AK: Aise Maasi ko pareshaan karte hai kya?
AJ: Ha ha, kyunki aapke Maasi ko pareshaan karne ki saari zimmedari aapki Mumma ne hi utha rakhi hai na.
She glares at him and diverts Ahaan's attention back to her.
AK: Agar mai nahi thi to aap unse dawaayi le sakte the na. Aaj mai ghar par hun, kal shooting ke liye chali jaungi tab to aapko Maasi se hi dawaayi leni hogi.
Ahaan: I promise mai aaj ke baad se aisa nahi karunga lekin agar aap ghar par rahenge to aap hi mujhe medicines dengi.
AK: Ok. Good!
Arya: Angel!!
AK: Arya, idhar aaiye.
She goes to her.
Arya: Thankyou!
AK: Kis liye?
Arya: Aap ne meri jaan bachayi na isiliye. (She said kissing on her cheeks)
AK's eyes were again teary now. She looked at Ahaan once and then Arya. The previous day's incident kept wandering in her mind. AJ's look was clearly evident for the regret of the words said by Arya as it somewhere pricked his heart to see AK in pain. She kisses Arya on her forehead.
AK: It's Ok. Aapko Thankyou bolne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aap hi kehti hai na ki Angels apne princess ki help karti hai, to aap samajhiye ki maine bhi wahi kiya. To ab se is baare me koi baat nahi hogi.
Arya: Ok. Lekin Maine aur Ahaan ne aapko bohot miss kiya, aap hospital me nahi thi na aur raat me ghar par bhi nahi thi.
AK: I am sorry!
Arya: It's Ok. Lekin ab aap kahin mat jaaiye, ham sab saath me rahenge.
AK just smiles in response.
Ahaan: Ham yehi rahenge na Mumma?
AK: Hmm...
Arya: Yaayyyy, ab ham sab ek saath rahenge.
Just then some workers come with many trays filled with sweets and baskets of fruits and some gifts.
AJ: Ye sab kya hai? Kisne bulaya hai aap sab ko?
AK: Chilla kyun rahe hai. Maine bulaya hai inhe.
AJ: Kyun?
AK: Kisi ke ghar khaali haath aana achha lagta hai kya?
Dadi: Lekin beta tujhe ye sab karne ki koi zaroorta nahi thi. Tu ise apna hi ghar samajh.
She goes and takes her blessings.
AK(smiling): Dadi, mai is ghar ko apna samajhne nahi apna banane aayi hun.
AJ: What?
AK: Aap bhi samajh hi jaayenge.
Just then she sees the diya of the mandir unlit, she removes her shoes and gets inside and lights the diya.
AJ: Don't.....
He was about to speak when Dadi asks him to keep quiet.
AJ: Maa, na hi wo is ghar ki bahu hai aur na hi beti. Wo ye sab nahi kar sakti.
Dadi: Tu chup kar, aur wo jo kar rahi hai use karne de.
AJ: Nahi Maa. Ye uska ghar nahi hai ki wo jo chahe apni marzi se kare.
He goes to the mandir and holds her hand before she could start doing the aarti.
AJ: Is ghar me pooja nahi hogi.
AK: Mai jaanti hun ki pooja subah hoti hai, lekin abhi bhi ho sakti hai.
AJ: Is ghar me bachhon ki ye haalat hai, unka accident hua hai, gam ka mahaul hai, is waqt pooja karna chahti ho tum.
AK: Baat to aapne sahi kahi hai(he was about to speak when she interferes) lekin sirf aadhi. Bachhon ka accident hua hai lekin abhi wo zinda hai, sahi salaamat hai. Tab to bhagwan ko dhanyawad karne ke liye aarti to kar hi sakte hai na. Har baat me negativity hi kyun dhundhe, positive mahoul bana kar rakhe.
Dadi: Bilkul sahi keh rahi hai, meri bachhi. Tu aarti shuru kar, is ki baaton par dhyaan mat de.
Everyone join for the aarti. She does it and even joins Arya and Ahaan for it. Dadi was very happy as she felt like Guddan was back and has converted a house of four walls into home with peace.
Dadi: Ab ye makaan nahi ghar lag raha hai.
Everyone smiles on that.
AK: Arya, Ahaan aap donon chahte hai na ki ham sab khoob saari masti kare.
They nod in yes.
AK: To aap donon ko jaldi se thik hona hoga jiske liye aap donon ko rest karna hoga. To abhi aap donon jaakar rest kariye. Ham sab phir lunch me milte hai. Ok!
Ahaan: Ok Mumma!
Arya: Ok Angel!
Lakshmi takes them both to the room and returns after making them sleep. AJ was about to go to his room but AK stops him.
AK: Mr. Jindal rukiye!
He turns around and glare at her.
AK: Kuchh kaam hai aapse.
AJ: Kya?
AK: 5 minutes ke liye baith jaiye, filhaal aap hi ka ghar hai.
She dials someone and speaks to the personon the other end.
AK(on call): 2 minutes me aap mujhe ghar ke andar chahiye.
She ends the call and sits on the sofa in the living room while having a glass of water.
Durga: Aapne naashta nahi kiya hoga, mai abhi aapke liye naashta laga deti hun.
AK: Arey, uski koi zaroorat nahi hai. Kal raat me hamne ek famous restaurant me, ek amazing chef ke haath ka bana hua khana khaya. Ab tak uske swaad se pet bhara hua hai.
Just then a lawyer comes holding some files. AK asks him to sit and he handsover a file to her. She checks it once and passes it to AJ.
AK: Padhna likhna to aata hi hai aapko. Padh kar sign kar dijiye.
She sits on the sofa crossing her legs one above the other and grabs an apple from one of the baksets and starts eating it. Suddenly, he threw the file on the table and glared at her with anger filled eyes.
AJ: Dimaag kharaab hai kya tumhara? Ya phir kal raat ka nasha abhi tak sar se utra nahi hai.
AK: Problem kya hai aapki? Baat baat par chillate rehte hai. Kabhi aaram se baith kar bhi baat kar liya karein.
AJ: Aaram se baat karni chahiye mujhe? Tumne soch bhi kaise liya ki mai in papers par sign kar ke ye Jindal Bhavan tumhare naam par kar dunga.
Everyone were shocked listening his words.
AK: Correct yourself Mr. Jindal.
AJ: Whatever!! Mai in papers par sign nahi karne wala hun.
AK: What's the problem? Ek business man haina aap, deals to karte hi honge, ye bhi waisa hi kuchh hai.
AJ: Ye ghar hai mera, koi business stuff nahi hai hai. Aur mai apne ghar ko kuchh paison ke liye nahi bechne wala.
AK: Oh, I got your problem now. Aap ko amount thik nahi laga. It's Ok. Mai price badha deti hun. Let's take it to 100 crores from 75 crores.
AJ: Are you out of your mind?
AK: Kyun? Ye bhi thik nahi hai. Ok then, 125 crores.
He doesn't reply.
AK: Ok, 150 crores?
AJ: Will you just stop it!!!
AK: Kyun band karun? Deal shuru kari hai to final hone ke baad hi rukungi mai.
Dadi: Lekin beta....
AJ: Maa, aap kuchh mat boliye. Ise mai khud hi sambhal lunga.
AK: Lagta hai aapko ye bhi pasand nahi. Ok then, we'll go for 250 crores.
He didn't say a word and was controlling his anger as his fingers curls into a tight fist.
AK: Fine, 300 crores!!
Lawyer: AK, you can't go beyond that. It's too much for this building.
AK: Mere liye Ahaan se badh kar kuchh bhi nahi hai. I will do anything for him, if it costs more than that for this house.
AJ: Ek minute!! Is me Ahaan kahaan se aa gaya. Tum use beech me kyun la rahi ho.
AK: Ahaan kahaan se aaya, ka kya matlab hai? Mai ye Ahaan ke liye hi kar rahi hun kyunki use ye sab chahiye.
AJ: You have completely lost your mind!! Ahaan ko is sab ki zaroorat nahi hai. Not at this age. And moreover, I think use is makaan ki nahi ek ghar ki zaroorat hai. Wo ghar jisme use ek parivaar mile, parivaar ka pyaar mile, na ki croron ka makaan. Agar use kuchh dena chahti ho, uske liye kuchh karna chahti ho, to use ek parivaar do, wo parivaar ka pyaar do jo use itne saalon me nahi mila hai.
Tears were flowing through her eyes but she decide not to cry infront of everyone as it made her feel weak. AJ regretted his words as he could see her red eyes filled with tears. He wished if he could take his words back.
AK(to lawyer): Aap ja sakte hai. Agar zaroorat padi to phir kabhi bula lungi. Thank you.
He leaves.
AK(to AJ): Kya samajhte hai aap? Ye badi badi baatein karke mera muh band kara denge. Then you are absolutely wrong, Mr. Jindal. Kyunki aisa nahi hone wala hai. Ab mai is ghar me aa gayi hun to jane wali to hun nahi. To ab aap ready ho jaiye, apne zindagi ki sab se khaas mehmaan nawaazi karne ke liye jaisa ki aapne apne saalon ke experience me kabhi nahi kiya hoga. Guests aate honge aapke ghar me lekin mai chief guest hun, to mujh par extra dhyaan dena hoga aapko.
She calls someone.
AK(on call): Mere room me moujood ek ek samaan ka list chahiye mujhe. Bas 2 minute hai tumhare paas.
She ends the call and exactly after 2 minutes her phone beeped indicating a notification. She snatches the phone present in AJ'S hand amd starts doing something in his phone.
AJ: Kya badtameezi hai ye!!!
AK didn't paid any attention to him. She saves her number in his phone, texts to herself with his phone and then forwards the message to him. After completing the work she handsover his phone to him.
AK: List forward kar diya hai. Achhe se padh lijiye and make sure ki ek bhi samaan mere kamre se miss nahi hona chahiye. Remember! Mai us guest room me nahi rehne wali. Koi doosra achha room arrange karwa dijiye, jo ki kuchh saalon pehle bana ho. Is puraani haweli ke purane kamron me nahi rehna mujhe. Poore 12 ghante hai aapke paas. Subah ke 10 baj rahe hai, raat ke 10 baje tak mera kamra mujhe ready chahiye. Jab tak ke liye mai usi guest room me adjust kar lungi. Good luck!
She turns to leave but his voice stops her in midway.
AJ: Haar kar bura lag raha hai kya?
She turns to face him with a smile on her face.
AK: Haarti to mai tab agar aapke is ghar ke liye aapki muh maangi keemat aapko nahi de deti.
He was hardly controlling his anger but her words were the cause for fuelling him.
AJ: You know what? Mai tumhe sirf aur sirf Ahaan ke liye bardaasht kar raha hun. If not you don't know what I would have done.
AK: The Mutual Fact. Aap ko kya lagta hai, mai aap ko aur aapke is so called ghar parivaar ko khushi khushi accept kar rahi hun. No! Mai bhi ye sab sirf aur sirf apne bete Ahaan ke liye kar rahi hun. Remember that!
She leaves to the guest room.
AJ: Dimaag kharaab hai is ladki ka.
Dadi: Jo bhi ho, ab ye is ghar me hai to hame hi is ka khyaal rakhna hai. Tu ja kar iske liye kamra taiyaar karwa.
AJ: Aap ko lagta hai ki jo usne abhi karne ke liye kaha hai, mai wo karunga? Bilkul bhi nahi Maa.
Dadi: To ja kar bech de is ghar ko.
AJ: Kaisi baatein kar rahi hai aap Maa?
Dadi: Agar tu ghar nahi bechna chahta to jakar usne jo kaha hai kar. Mujhe kuchh nahi sunna.
AJ: Karne ke liye kuchh nahi hai. Mai apna kamra use de dunga, bas.
Dadi: To tu kahaan rahega.
AJ: Mai manage kar lunga Maa.
Dadi: Koi zaroorat nahi hai uski. Tu ja kar us room ko khol. Mai kisi ko wo kamra saaf karne ke liye bhejti hun. Wo wahin rahegi.
AJ: Maa, aapko pata hai mai wo room hargiz nahi kholunga. Aap mujhe force mat kijiye.
Dadi: Kyun nahi kholega tu. Usne jo kaha suna nahi tu ne. Wo ek naye kamre me rahegi, jo ki kuchh saalon pehle bana hai, aur us room ke alawa is ghar me koi bhi naya kamra nahi hai.
AJ: Zaroori nahi hai ki uski har ek baat maani jaye. Agar wo kisi aur kamre me nahi rah sakti to wo khushi khushi is ghar se ja sakti hai. Kisi ne roka nahi use.
Dadi: Mehmaan bhagwan ka roop hote hai, unhe ghar se nahi bheja jata, aur jab wo us ke jaisi pyaari bachhi ho to bilkul bhi nahi.
AJ: Maa, wo na hi pyaari hai aur na hi koi bachhi.
Dadi: Tu mujhse behes mat kar aur ja kar darwaaza khol, mai abhi kamra saaf karwane ke liye kisi ko bhej rahi hun.
AJ: Lekin Maa....
Dadi: Mujhe kuchh nahi sunna. Tu bas ja.
She leaves to her room.
He goes upstairs to his room. He picks up the keys and goes to the door next to his room which was locked. He opens the door and tears soon filled his eyes.
Flashback,
It was 2 weeks after the news of Guddan's pregrancy was confirmed. It was late night and as usual she was waiting for her husband who was late for coming back home. She didn't feel asleep without being in his arms. She was waiting for him impatiently on the bed.
Guddan:(caressing her stomach) Dekha baby, aap ke Papa kitna pareshaan karte hai aapke Mumma ko. Ek baar aane dijiye unhe tab ham bhi bata denge ki ye Guddan koun hai. Aur ham aapke bhi bahaar aane ka wait kar rahe hai, tab ham donon milkar aapke Papa ko khoob pareshaan karenge.
Just then the door of the room opens and AJ comes inside. He walks towards her and sits beside her on the bed.
AJ: I am sorry Guddan, kal ek bohot hi important meeting hai to usi ki presentation tayaar karte karte late ho gaya.
Guddan: Koi baat nahi, aap jaiye aur fresh ho jaiye, phir baat karte hai.
AJ was confused with her behaviour. He thought she would bash him for being late but may be she was in a good mood today. He mentally thanked her pregnancy hormones for not showing up now and goes to the washroom to freshen up. After sometime, he returns and was about to lay beside her, she interrupted him.
Guddan: Get up!
AJ: Guddan, kya hua?
Guddan: I said get up.
He sits beside her and holds her hand but she removed her hand from his grip.
AJ: Guddan tum....
Guddan: Chale jaiye yahaan se.
AJ: What?
Guddan: Ha, jaiye aur kisi aur kamre me so jaiye, lekin aap is kamre me nahi rahenge.
AJ: Lekin kyun? I am sorry lekin...
Guddan: Lekin wekin, kintu parantu, kuchh nahi sunna hame. Aap bas is room ke bahaar chale jaiye, hame aapko is room ke andar nahi dekhna.
AJ: I am sorry Guddan. I promise mai aaj ke baad se kabhi late nahi aaunga.
Guddan: Hame koi farak nahi padta. Aap bas chale jaaiye.
AJ: Mai chala jata lekin tum janti ho na tumhe raat me pyaas lagti hai aur kabhi kabhi bhook bhi lagti hai. You know na, mai tumhe aur hamare baby ko aise akela nahi chhod sakta isiliye mai isi kamre me rahunga tumhare saath.
Guddan: To aap ek kaam kariye. Aap ek kamra banwa dijiye jisse ek aur kamra attach ho, through the balcony. Taaki jab bhi zaroorat pade to aap us room me so jaye aur mai doosre room me. Tab meri wish bhi poori aur aap ki bhi.
AJ: Maanna padega, I have a smart wife.
Guddan: Wo to hai.
AJ: I promise mai kal hi saara plan banwa kar la dunga lekin aaj ke liye to saath me so sakte hai na.(he says spreading his arms towards her. She engulfs herself into his strong arms)
AJ: Ab so jaaye.
Guddan: Ha.
She lays her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat and he wrapped his strong arms around her body to engulf her into him.
Flashback ends.
He especially made that room attatched to his room, sharing the same balcony for his pregnant wife but he never thought that she would not be the first person to stay in that room. He always wished that whenever she would return, he would show the room to her so that she could stay in that whenever she is angry on him and he could stay in the other room still being close to his wife.
His chain of thoughts break as a servant enters to clean the room. He goes back to his room to order the list of things and furniture she has asked for.
AJ'S ROOM,
Revati: Jiju!
AJ: Revati, tum yahaan? Kya hua?
Revati: Di hai kya yahaan?
AJ: Wo to guest room me hogi na. Yahaan kyun aayegi.
Revati: Lekin wo wahaan nahi hai. Maine saare ghar me dekh liya, wo kahin nahi hai.
AJ: Tum pareshaan mat ho, bachhi nahi hai wo. Kahin bahar gayi hogi.
Revati: Nahi Jiju, Di apne phone ke bina kabhi bahar nahi jati. Aur maine guards se bhi pooch liya, unhone kaha ki Di bahar nahi gayi hai.
AJ: Thodi der wait karte hai agar wo aa gayi to thik hai, warna mai kuchh karta hun.
Revati didn't want to agree but she knew she didn't had any other choice.
CHAPTER 29
JINDAL BHAVAN,
LIVING ROOM,
Revati was pacing all around the room being tensed. It was around two hours since AK wasn't found in the whole house. Just then AJ climbs down the stairs after completing his work.
AJ: Revati, pareshan hona band karo. Chhoti bachi nahi hai wo, aa jayegi.
Revati: Jiju, 2 ghante ho gaye hai. Aise kaise ki wo bahaar bhi nahi gayi aur na hi ghar ke andar hai.
AJ: Tum aaram se baitho. Kuchh nahi hua hoga.
Maa, Maa, kahaan hai aap?(he shouts across the living room but there was no response)
AJ: Maa!
Dadi: Kyun chilla raha hai.
AJ: Kahaan thi aap? Mai kabse aapko aawaz de raha hun.
Dadi: Arey mai washroom me thi, bata kya baat hai.
AJ: Wo furniture aur baaki ka saaman aa gaya hai. Ek baar aap check kar lijiye. Agar sab thik lage to keh dijiye, mai room me set karwa dunga.
His mind said those words but his heart was wandering somewhere else. His heart was pushing his mind somewhere else far from the people around. Just then he remembers something and hurried towards the guest room while everyone followed them seeing him panicked.
GUEST ROOM,
He immediately hurried to the washroom door and knocked it but gained no response. He knocked it again but still no response came. He just kicked the door with his leg and it cracked open and he found her lying unconscious on the white marble floor. He went to her and placed her gently on his lap as she was so fragile. He patted her cheek to wake her up but she was far away from opening her eyes. He picked her up in his arms and made her lay on the bed. Revati hurried beside her crying and shook her to wake her up.
Revati: Di, uthiye please. Di uthiye!!
AJ splashed some water on her face but she was still unconscious.
Revati: Jiju, kuchh kariye na please. Ye uth kyun nahi rahi hai.
AJ: Revati relax!
He checks her breathing but couldn't feel it which made him shocked. Revati feels the same and starts panicking.
Revati: Jiju, ye saans nahi le rahi hai. Kuchh kariye please.
Durga: Mai abhi doctor ko call karti hun.
Revati: Kuchh kariye isse pehle ki late ho jaye.
AJ couldn't think of any other option and the only thought that was occupied in his mind was to bring back her breaths, so he leaned closer to her mouth and their lips were inches apart. Before their lips could touch, she waked up coughing badly. She pinched her eyes tightly before flicking them full open. She started breathing heavily and eventually her breaths became normal and she started looking her surroundings.
Revati: Di, aap thik to hai na?
She just nodded her head in response. AJ hands a glass full of water to her. She drinks it and returns it back.
AJ: Are you fine?
AK: Problem kya hai aapki? Subah thoda jhagda kya kar liya aap ne mujhe washroom me hi lock kar diya. Jaan lena chahte hai aap meri?
AJ: Dimaag kharaab hai kya tumhara? Mai kyun aisa karunga. I know ki mujhe tumhe pehle bata dena chahiye tha ki us door ka lock kharaab hai but that doesn't mean ki mai tumhe marna chahta tha. Stop speaking rubbish.
AK: Whatever! Responsibility to aap hi ki thi na.
AJ: Mujhe laga tumhe kal raat ki baat yaad hogi isiliye maine...
Dadi: Kal raat ki baat? Kounsi baat, Lalla?
They both look at each other.
AJ: Kuchh nahi Maa.
Dadi: Beta tu aaram kar. Is ki baaton par zyaada dhyaan na de. Aur hame maaf karde, galti hamari thi, hame tujhe bata dena chahiye tha ki ye darwaaza sahi nahi hai.
AK: Aap ko maafi mangne ki zaroorat nahi hai Dadi. It's Ok.
Ahaan: Mumma!
Arya: Angel!
AK: Ahaan, Arya aap donon yahaan kyun aaye? Aap donon ko rest karna tha na.
Ahaan: Mumma, kya hua aapko? Sab yahan par aise kyun hai.
AK: Kuchh nahi hua hai mujhe. Mai thik hun.
Arya: Aap so kyun rahi hai aur sab yahan aise kyun khade hai.
AK: Tumhe pata hai na ki tumhari family kitni achhi hai. Wo mai so gayi thi to sab mujhe lunch ke liye bulane aa gaye.
Arya: Sach me Dadda?
He looks at AK and she gestures him to agree.
AJ: Ha, wo sahi keh rahi hai.
Ahaan: Ok, to ab ham lunch karne chale?
AK: Ha chalo.
DINING ROOM,
Everyone settled for lunch but AK was standing afar deciding where to sit.
Arya: Angel aap us chair par baithiye na Dadda ke saath.(indicating the vacant chair on his right side).
Just then she sees Antara descending the stairs and she moved towards Arya who was sitting on the left side of AJ and sits next to her between her and Ahaan.
AK: Wo jagah meri nahi hai.
Everyone look at her and soon understands as Antara comes and sits on that chair.
Arya: Aap ko phir bhi wahin baithna chahiye tha.
AK: It's Ok princess. Mai apne bachhon ke saath baithungi. Hmm?
Arya: Yeah!
Durga: Arya, tum mere paas aao, mai tumhe lunch kara dungi. AJ ko pareshan karne ki zaroorat nahi hai.
Arya: Ok.
AK(thinking): Iski Maa ko to iski fikr hai hi nahi.
They started eating lunch but AK started coughing badly just after few spoons of her food. AJ gets up hurriedly passing a glass of water and rubbing her back. Tears were flowing through her red eyes.
AJ: Durga bahu, Kitni baar kaha hai maine ki Guddan ke khane me zyaada mirchi mat daliye. Usse zyaada teekha khana bardaasht nahi hota.(he said absent mindedly rubbing her back)
Everyone look at him but he cared to look only at one person infront of his eyes. Tears flowed through her eyes but only her heart knew the reason behind them. Listening to her name from him after many years was like a soothing music to her ears. He uncomfortably sat back on his chair and kept his gaze steady on his plate.
Durga: I am so sorry, mujhe nahi pata tha ki aap bhi spicy food nahi khate. Mai abhi aapke liye kuchh aur bana deti hun.
AK: No, no it's completely fine. I am sorry, meri wajah se aap log pareshaan ho gaye.
Just then she hears a faded ringtone from her phone which she couldn't find near her.
AK: Mera phone??
Revati: Di, ye lijiye.(handing her phone)
AK(on call): Ok, I will be there in a while.
She ends the call.
AK: I need to leave. Ek important kaam hai mujhe. Ahaan, complete your lunch.
AJ: Tumne lunch nahi kiya.
AK: It's Ok.
AJ: It's not at all Ok. If you want you can go the restaurant and have lunch, whatever you like.
AK: It's completely fine. I don't need that.
Revati: Ahaan, Mumma se keh do ki wo restaurant jakar lunch karle. Unhone kal se kuchh nahi khaya hai.
Ahaan: Mumma!(he gives her a serious look)
AK: Ok fine. I will go.(to Revati): Car keys?
Revati: Accident me car damage ho gaya tha. Repair ke liye garage me hai.
AK: Ok. I will book a cab.
AJ: No, mai driver ko bol deta hun. He will drop you wherever you want.
AK: Mai khud ja sakti hun.
AJ: Tum hamari mehmaan ho. It's our responsibility to take care of you.
Ahaan: Mumma chale jaiye na.
AK: Ok Boss!
She kisses Ahaan and leaves with the driver.
JINDAL RESTAURANT,
AK enters the restaurant and she was welcomed by the manager and Vardaan follows him. They made her sit privately and the manager leaves.
Vardaan: Papa ne bataya sab kuch. Aap kya khana chahengi lunch me.
AK: Samose hai kya?
Vardaan: Samose? Lunch me?
AK: Ab aap ko mai kya hi bataun. Itne dinon se seedhe se kuchh khaya nahi hai, bohot bhook lagi hai. Aur aap Revati ko to jante hi hai, wo to mere diet ke peeche padi huyi hai. Wo mujhe ye restaurant ka khana, oily junk food khane nahi deti. Ab jab mujhe ek baar mauka mila hai to kha hi sakti hun na.
Vardaan: Baat to aapne sahi kahi hai. Lekin sirf samose se kya hoga aap kuchh aur bhi order kar sakti hai.
AK: Samose se hi kaafi hai lekin aap kehte hai to aaloo ke parathe with extra butter ke saath.
Vardaan: Done, mai waiter ko bata kar aata hun.
He returns after ordering for the dishes.
Vardaan: Abhi to yahaan ke headchef aap ke liye khana bana rahe hai, lekin agar aapne AJ ke haath ka khana kha liya na to use zindagi bhar nahi bhulenge.
AK(thinking): Ab inhe kya hi bataye.
Vardaan: Waise Arya ke bhi ye sab favourite hai. To jab unhe pata chalega ki aap ka bhi yehi favourite hai to aap ko aksar ghar par khane ke liye mil jayega.
AK: Arya ka bhi favourite, interesting. Ghar par to Revati hogi na lekin phir bhi I will try eating.
Soon the food arrives and she started eating while casually talking with Vardaan. She leaves as she was done with her lunch for her work.
ARYA'S ROOM,
AJ, Arya and Ahaan were sitting on the bed as AJ was trying to make them sleep but they were stubborn enough and made him do as they want.
Arya: Dadda, subah se to rest hi kar rahe hai. Baad me, abhi aap kuchh boliye.
Ahaan: Haa, aapne subah se hamse baat bhi nahi ki.
AJ: Baat isiliye nahi ki kyunki tumhari Mumma ka room taiyar karne me busy tha.
Ahaan: Mumma ko to room ki zaroorat hi nahi.
AJ: Kyun??? Arya: Kyun???
Ahaan: Mera matlab hai ki wo kabhi ghar par rehti hi nahi. Hamesha shooting ke liye chali jati hai aur jis din shooting nahi rahi to kisi aur kaam se bahar chali jati hai, jaise abhi gayi.
AJ: Phir bhi, raat me sone ke liye to kamra chahiye hi na.
Ahaan: Mumma to kabhi kabhi raat ko bhi ghar nahi aati. Aur agar kabhi wo raat me ghar par ho, to kabhi bacony ke jhoole me so jati hai, to kabhi hall ke sofe par. Kabhi to dining room ke chair par aur kabhi kitchen me jo chhota dining table hota hai na wahaan par. Kabhi apne study room me, to kabhi unke room me jo bada sa chair hota hai uspar, ya phir mere saath mere room me. Bohot kam baar aisa hota ki wo apne room me apne bed par sote hai.
AJ(murmuring): Poori paagal hai wo.
Ahaan: Kuchh kaha aapne?
AJ: Nahi.
Arya: Dadda, kal kya hua tha bataiye na?
AJ: Kuchh nahi.
Ahaan: Mumma hospital me kyun nahi thi?
AJ: Wo thi lekin wo tum donon ke liye prayer kar rahi thi.
Arya: Ham donon ke liye kyun?
Ahaan: Arey Buddhu, kyunki Mumma ham donon se bohot pyaar karti hai. Isiliye wo Partner se hamare liye pray kar rahi hogi.
AJ: Partner?
Ahaan: Lord Krishna se.
Arya: Tum bhi Lord Krishna ko partner bolte ho.
Ahaan: Tum bhi matlab. Mai aur Mumma bolte hai, kyunki wo hamare best friend hai na.
Arya: Mai bhi Lord Krishna ki best friend hun aur partner bhi.
AJ: Wo ham sab ke bhagwaan hai, Ok.
They were speaking to each other for sometime just then they hear some noices from the living room so AJ asks them to stay while he leaves to go outside. But the two stubborn kids hold on to him till he himself agreed to take them outside.
LIVING ROOM,
All the family members were shocked to see the scene were in front of them. There were many men standing in uniform and few men apart from them in some other uniform. Each man holding a gun in their hands. They all were well built and seemed to be strong. They were more like security agents with what they could look with the appearance.
AJ: Koun hai aap log? Kisne bulaya hai aap sab ko yahaan?
AK: Mai inhe yahan lekar aayi hun.
She enters the house and all the men make a way for her.
AJ: Tum?? Expected! Ab bata bhi do kyun?
AK: Kyun ka kya matlab hua? Bhai, security hai matlab unka kaam karne aaye honge na, Providing security.
AJ: Jindal Bhavan me already security hai.
AK: For your kind information Mr. Jindal, ab is ghar me mai, mera beta aur meri behen bhi rehte hai. So, their safety matters too. Aur waise bhi jo kuchh bhi kal hua, we need to extra careful. So here are they.
AJ: Why don't you......
AK: I don't see any point for arguing over this matter. Mujhe meri family ki safety ki fikr hai, isiliye maine aisa kiya. In other ways aap ki family ko bhi extra security mil rahi hai. There's no way you are being offended. So why do you need to argue.
Dadi: Lalla, wo sahi keh rahi hai. Ek maa hai wo, use apne bachhe ki parwah hai. Aur aisa bhi to ho sakta hai ki kal ka accident kisi ne hamare wajah se kiya hua.
AJ: Maa, aisa ho hi nahi sakta. Police ne already confirm kar diya hai ki wi log sirf AK, ya uski family ke liye the.
Dadi: Baat sirf,kal ke accident ki nahi hai. Agar unhe pata chala ki ab wo is ghar me rehti hai, to hame bhi to khatra ho sakta hai na. To rehne de inhe yahaan. Hame koi problem nahi hai.
AJ: Lekin Maa....
Dadi: Lalla, aaj bhi mai is ghar ki badi hun aur har faisle par mera bhi haq hai. Baat khatam.
(To AK): Beta, tujhe jo karna hai kar.
AK: Thankyou Dadi. Waise bhi ye hamse samajhne wale nahi the.
She clears her throat grabbing everyone's attention and started speaking to the security agents.
AK: So, aapka 60 members ka group hai(everyone nods). Three groups of each with 20 members will guard the house for the whole day with an interval of 8 hours each, which will continue everyday.(everyone nods agreeing with her). And the six head members will be there in a pair for each of the groups.(the six men agree with her)
AK: I hope everything's clear now. So, I hope aap log apna kaam poori imaandari ke saath karenge aur mujhe ek bhi shikayat ka mauka nahi de. Start from now!
The head made their groups. The group assigned with duty stays while the others leave.
She comes to Arya and Ahaan and bends down at their level.
AK: Aap logon ko inse ya kisi aur se darne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aap log safe hai aur ye log aapki safety ke liye hai, Ok?
They both nod understanding her.
AK: Chalo, aaj ke liye bohot ho gaya. Abhi thodi der rest karte hai.
She make them sleep in their room.
__________________________________
It was evening time. Everyone were busy with themselves, the children were sleeping. AK was surfing through her phone when she gets a call from the security. She picks it up and the words he spoke made her worried.
AK: Arey pehle aap mujhse pooch to lete. Chhodiye unhe aur andar aane dijiye.
Dadi, Bahus and Revati look at her shocked but soon understands when the person gets inside.
AK: Are you fine?
Karan: Aur nahi to kya laga rakha hai. Security hai ya Army? Lag raha tha ki India-Pakistan ke border me khada hun.
AK: I am so sorry. Unka pehle din hai na. Maine unhe accepted persons ka list nahi diya hai. I promise next time se aisa nahi hoga.
Karan: It's Ok.
He said without even looking at her. He goes to Dadi and takes her blessings.
Dadi: Jeete raho aur ghar aate rehna achha lagta hai.
Karan: Zaroor aaunga Dadi, agar ye foujiyon ka group meri swaagat ke liye khada na ho.
Dadi: Agle baar se nahi hoga, meri bachhi ne keh diya na.
Karan: Hmm.
Dadi: Tum sab baatein karo mai kamre me ja rahi hun.
Karan: Ok. Hi Revati!
Revati: Hi!
Karan: Bachhe kahan hai?
AK: Wo so rahe hai.
Karan: Ok.
He didn't see her even this time.
Revati: Durga ji, Lakshmi ji, aap mere saath chaliye na mujhe kuchh kaam hai.
Durga and Lakshmi: Ha chalo.
Revati: Bye Karan!
Karan: No...
Before he could say something they leave. AK stands infront of him but he still doesn't looks at her.
AK: I could see someone's ingnoring me.
He sits on the couch playing with the random stuff present on tea table. She kneels down infront of him and holds his hand which made him look at her.
AK: I need to talk to you.(when he didn't responded, she continued) Please!! Pleeeaaaseee!!!
Karan: Ok.
AK: Chalo, yahaan nahi.
She holds his hand and took him from the living room.
TERRACE,
AK and Karan sat on the bench, staring at the water glazing under the sun in the pool.
Karan: Date par ja rahi ho kya?(he said looking at her dress)
AK: Ha, in your dreams.
Karan: Not funny.
AK: I know. I am sorry for what I have done yesterday.
Karan: So you knew you were at fault. Good! But the question is that, why did you do that when you knew what you were doing was wrong? Is something more important than Ahaan for you?
AK: No, nothing. It's just...I was....I don't know why I did that.
Karan: You are impossible! Tumhe khud nahi pata ki tumne aisa kyun kiya. Great! Kya pata hai tumhe?
AK: I was just out of my mind back then.
Karan: To tum kuchh bhi karogi. You even drank yesterday, right?
She just looked away not knowing what to say. How did he knew everything about her when she didn't said anything?
AK: I wasn't able to think anything. My mind was all clogged up.
Karan: Then you have to free your mind. You have to let out everything which has occupied your mind.
AK: I do that. I share everything.
Karan: You share how does it effects you not what effects you? You have to let that out, Aliya. You can't keep that inside you for so long. It will break you.
AK: I can't Karan, I can't.
Karan: Ek na ek din sach bahar aa hi jayega chahe tum use jitna bhi chupane ki koshish karo.
AK: Ye sach bahar nahi aa sakta, kabhi nahi. I will die if it happens, the truth will kill me, it will kill me.
She said with tears in her eyes. He turns to see her in her eyes. She was so broken and her eyes were a clear definition for that. He wipes her tears away.
Karan: Sshhh! Don't say anything like that. Kuchh nahi hoga tumhe. Mai tumhe kuchh nahi hone dunga. Just don't.
AK: Mai bhi nahi chahti hun ki aisa kuchh ho. I don't want that to happen. Isiliye mai sach nahi keh sakti.
Karan: But you should let it out once. You clearly don't know what will happen after that.
AK: I know, I know it will kill me. I will die coz of that.
Karan: Tum phir se shuru ho gayi. Don't say that, never.
AK: To kya karun mai. I am living in a beautiful web of lies. If i try to get out of that, I will die for sure. The life outside it will not let me live.
Karan: Just listen to me.
She nods.
Karan: Have You seen a butterfly?
AK: What kind of question is this?
Karan: Answer me, yes or no?
AK: Yes.
Karan: Do you know how does it develops?(she nods)
Karan: But let me explain you. It comes to life when it develops into a Caterpillar from the egg. But soon as it matures, it is enveloped into a pupa. It doesn't wants to get out of that coz it feels protected in it. Do you know what happens then?
AK: No.
Karan: It is unaware of the fact that if it comes out, it will develop beautiful wings. So, even then the shell around it breaks and it comes out into the world with beautiful wings.
AK: So, what?
Karan: Do you think that it would have got those bright, colorful amd beautiful wings if it would have stayed as a Pupa.
AK: No.
Karan: That's what I am trying to say. Even though you try your best to stay in that web of lies, you will definitely come out one day. And Indeed, the truth will be more beautiful than you might have expected. Just break that and come out, you will explore the world in a more beautiful way.
AK: I said you I can't do that.
Karan: Ok, as you say. But remember my words, it will truly be more beautiful than you have ever expected.
She nods and they both hug each other.
"Tum donon kya kar rahe ho yahan?"
The voice broke their moment. They turned around to see AJ with his phone in one hand and the other shoved in one of his pockets.
AK: Any problem?
AJ: Tum donon yahan kaise aaye? I mean tumhe terrace ke baare me kaise pata?
AK: Akbar ka khazana nahi dhundhna tha, Jindal Bhavan ke terrace par chadhna tha. Seedhe se seedhiyan chadhenge to terrace par hi pohonchenge.
AJ: Kabhi seedhe se jawaab nahi de sakti tum?
AK: Seedha seedha to jawab diya hai maine.
AJ: Ye seedha jawaab hai, to tedha jawaab kaise deti ho tum?
AK: Aap ne kabhi nahi suna? Never mind, you will get to know soon.
AJ: You....
Karan: Guysss! Calm down. Tum log to ek happy married couple ki tarah jhagad rahe ho.
AK: Ek minute! Na hi ham couple hai aur na hi mai married hun. Aur koi bhi happy married couple aise jhagda nahi karte.
Karan: I know ki tum log couple nahi ho but I even know ki tum single bhi nahi ho. Aur rahi baat happy rehne ki to jo aise jhagde karte hai wahi happy couple ke jaise rehte hai.
AK: I know I am just reserved.
Karan: For whom?
AK: You'll never know.
AJ: Ab bas bhi karoge tum donon.
AK: Kyun? Aap ko kya problem hai? Aur Karan, tum nahi jante in ke baare me. Inhone mujhe aaj subah washroom me lock kar diya aur lunch me spicy food khila diya.
Karan: I know you very well. Tum khud washroom me lock ho gayi hogi aur rahi baat lunch ki to tumhe normal food bhi extra spicy lagta hai. So no offence to AJ.
AK: Tum mere dost ho ya inke. Bipolar much!
Karan: I am leaving. Tum donon ka ho jaye to aa jana.
He leaves and she turns to leave along with him but stops in midway.
AJ: Tum ro rahi thi?
He comes and stands infront of her wiping the tears which she wasn't aware of.
AK: Ro nahi rahi thi. Bas aansu ponchne ke liye koi nahi hai.
She leaves to her room.
GUEST ROOM,
The room was a complete mess with crushed tissue papers all around the floor and she was sitting on the bed sneezing, one hand holding her head and the other filled with tissue papers. There was a knock on the door which interrupted the sneezing music filled in the room.
AK: Co...Achhhiii...Come in..Achhhiii.
AJ: Janta tha mai, room me baith kar yehi kar rahi hogi.
AK: Kya? Achhhhiii...
AJ: Aadhi raat ko baarish me bheegogi to yehi hoga na. Subah se dekh raha hun cheenke ja rahi ho.
AK: Aap ko kya problem hai hamare aaachhhhiiii....excuse me, cheenk se?
AJ: Bless you! Problem mujhe nahi hai lekin kisi aur ko ho sakti hai. Isiliye ye kaadha laya hun, pi lo.
AK: Kaadha?? Ewww. Aachhhiiii....Hame nahi peena. Hame pata hai aap kitna kadwa kaadha banate hai. Aaachhhii...
AJ: Tumhe kaise pata? Tumne pehle kabhi mere haath ka bana hua kaadha piya hai kya?
She bit her tongue and smacked her head mentally for uttering words without thinking.
AK: Kaadha to kadwa hi hota hai, ab chahe wo aap jaise bade chef banaye ya koi aur. Hame nahi peena.
AJ: Chup chap se peelo ise. Waise bhi bachhe pehle hi bimaar hai, mai nahi chahta ki wo tumhare wajah se aur bimaar ho jaye. Aur waise bhi tumhe zyaada kadwa nahi lagega, tum to isse bhi zyaada kadwi cheezein peeti ho. Kyun?
AK: Ham ne ek baar keh diya na ki ham nahi piyenge matlab nahi piyenge chahe wo hame zyaada kadwa lage ya na lage.
AJ: Nahi piyogi tum?
AK: Nahi piyenge. Kya kar lenge aap?
AJ: Mai zabardasti pila sakta hun tumhe.
AK: Aap mere saath zabardasti karenge?
AJ: Zaroorat padi to.
AK: Thik hai ham bhi dekhenge ki aap kya kar sakte hai.
AJ: Matlab tum nahi manogi.(he takes a step forward)
AK: Nahi.
AJ: Nahi?(he takes one more step forward)
AK: Nahi.
AJ: Ab bhi nahi?(he takes one more step forward which makes her lean on the wall on her back)
AK: Kaha na nahi, matlab nahi.
He takes one more step forward. Her back was stick to the wall and he was very close to her.
AJ: Nahi?
AK: Ha.
AJ: Good!(he steps back and hands the cup to her). Ab jaldi se piyo.
She drank the whole content in one go.
AK: Eww...kitna kadwa hai ye. Yuckkkk!!!
AJ: Tum jo das das bottles peeti ho na, usse kam kadwa aur zyaada fayde mand hai ye. Isiliye muh band rakho.
He leaves the room.
AK: Ye khadoos kabhi nahi badalne wale. Uuhhh!!
AK'S ROOM,
The room was all set now and AJ brought her to the room after dinner. She was checking if everything was fine.
AK: Maanna padega, bohot sahi kaam kiya hai aapne.
AJ: I know.
She ignored him and went to the balcony.
AK: Aaahhh!!
He hurried towards the balcony.
AJ: Kya hua?
AK: Don't you say that we have to share the same balcony.
AJ: Shukr karo sirf balcony share karna hai, kamra nahi.
AK: Noooo!!
AJ: Tumhe rehna hai to isi kamre me rehna hoga, ya phir guest room me. Donon nahi to Jindal Bhavan ke bahar. The choice is yours.
AK: Is ghar ke bahar to ham jaane se rahe, Aur rahi baat us guest room ki, to us store room jaise guest room me mujhe nahi rehna. I will adjust here.
AJ: Good!
AK: Ek minute, jhoola kahan hai?
AJ: Jhoola, kounsa jhoola? Tum ne sirf bedroom aur bathroom ka list diya tha, balcony ka nahi.
AK: Hey Lord Krishna! Wo balcony, balcony hi kaisa jisme jhoola na ho. Aap itne saalon se bina jhoole ke is balcony me reh rahe the.
AJ: Yes, any problem? And by the way, why are all the girls so, obsessed with swings??
AK: Aap ne kabhi bina aaloo ke aaloo ke parathe banaye hai?
AJ: No.
AK: Bina baingan ke baingan ka bharta banaya hai.?
AJ: No.
AK: Bina makhan ke dal makhni banayi hai kabhi?
AJ: Nahi yaar!
AK: To phir balcony bhi jhoole ke bina corridor lagta hai balcony nahi. Aap nahi samjhenge rehne dijiye. Mai khud order kar lungi and Don't you dare you sit on my swing.(she said pointing her index finger towards him)
AJ: Mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai jhoola jhoolne ka. Tum aaram se baithna jab wo aa jayega.
She leaves the room to check on the kids.
ARYA'S ROOM,
AK gets inside the room to see both the kids sitting silently on the bed and not sleeping.
AK: Kya hua bachhon? Ab tak aap log soye kyun nahi.
Arya: Angel, neend nahi aa rahi.
Ahaan: Mumma, lori ga kar sulaiye na, please.
AK: Ok!
She made them lay on the bed and sits beside Ahaan caressing both their heads.
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori…
Chandaniya chhup jaana re
Chhan bhar ko luk jaana re
Nindiya aankhon mein aaye
Bitiya meri so jaaye
Hmm mm…
Nindiya aankhon mein aaye
Bitiyaa meri so jaaye
Leke god mein sulaao
Gaao raat bhar sunaao
Main lori lori
Ho main lori lori
AJ comes to the room and finds the kids trying to sleep. He goes towards Arya and she asks him to sit beside her. He sits and caresses her head.
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Gardhaniyaan chhun chhun baje
Palkan mein sapna saje
Dheeme-dheeme haule-haule
Pawan basanti dole
Hmm hmm…
Dheeme dheeme haule haule
Pawan basanti dole
Leke god mein sulaao
Gaaon raat bhar sunaao
Main lori lori
Oh oh ho main lori lori
He remembers how Guddan used to sing the same Lori to make Alisha sleep.
Meri Muniya Rani bane
Mehlon ka Raja miley
Dekhe khushiyon ke mele
Dard kabhi na jhele
Oh ho..
Dekhe khushiyon ke mele
Dard kabhi na jhele
Leke god mein sulaao
Gaao raat bhar sunaao
Main lori lori
Hmm hmm main lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
By the end of lori both the kids were asleep and they both were resting their heads on the headboard with eyes closed. Revati comes in search of AK and finds her. She was mesmerized by the scene in front of her. It resembled a cute happy family. She clicked a picture of them and left the room without disturbing their sleep.
After sometime, AK wakes up and finds herself in the same room. She gets up, adjusts the blanket of the kids. AJ wakes up due to the movement and he finds her awake. She leaves the room after kissing both the kids.
She was heading towards the kitchen but he stopped her.
AJ: Kahaan ja rahi ho?
AK: Kitchen.
AJ: Kyun?
AK: Coffee pina hai isiliye. Any problem?
AJ: No. Mai bhi isiliye ja raha tha. Mai bana dunga.
AK: Thankyou lekin mai khud kar sakti hun.
AJ: Maine kaha na mai bana lunga. Tum room me jao, mai thodi der me aata hun.
AJ'S ROOM,
He returns with two mugs of coffee in his hands but the scene infront of him, made him shocked.
AJ: Kya kar rahi ho tum? Bina mere permission ke mera wardrobe kyun khola tumne?
AK: Oh C'mmon, wardrobe hi khola hai, locker nahi.
AJ: Tumhe keys kahaan se mile.
AK: Aap jaise sophisticated log apne bed ke side table ke drawer me apne wardrobe ke keys rakhte hai. Ye baat kisko nahi pata hogi. Waise, don't try this on me. Aap ko mere keys nahi milenge, ha.
AJ: Tum ka kya rahi ho?
AK: Ohoo, aap ko pata hai na maine apna kuchh bhi saaman nahi laya hai. Nightwear hai nahi mere paas to socha aaj raat aap ke shirt se kaam chala lun(she said picking one of his shirts from yhe wardrobe)
AJ: To tum Revati ke kapde share kar leti.
AK: Wo ham donon ka same size nahi hai.
AJ: Mai bahuon se keh dera hun, tum unke....
AK: No, no, no... Unki jewellery chhodiye, unke to kapde bhi mere khud ke weight se zyada honge. Aap rehne dijiye. Mai ek shirt me adjust kar lungi. Ab Kishore ji aur Vardaan ji ka to le nahi sakti na, unke wives ko achha nahi lagega. Isiliye aapka shirt thik rahega.
AJ: Tum ye lo. Ye maine abhi tak use nahi kiya hai. (Handing her a new shirt with price tags in it)
AK: No need, mai ye black shirt le rahi ho aur mai wapas bhi nahi karungi. Because I know ki aap phir ye pehnenge hi nahi. Ok.
She turns to leave.
AK: Mai change karke aati hun phir saath me coffee piyenge.
She leaves to her room.
AJ: Hey bhagwan, Is ladki ko mai nahi sambhal sakta.
The dark sky was glazing with the moonlight which was blanketed by numerous small diamonds of stars and a huge one known as the moon. The cool breeze was enough to soothe the mind and the smooth noice of wind was a soothing music to the ears. She was sitting on the floor leaning her back on the wall and slightly tilted her head to rest it on the railings and he was sitting opposite to her facing each other.
AK: Thankyou, mujhe washroom se bahar nikal kar meri jan bachane ke liye.
AJ: It's Ok. I must be sorry, mujhe tumhe pehle bata dena chahiye tha ki us ka lock kharab hai.
AK: It's Ok. Lekin aapko pata kaise chala ki mai wahan thi. Maine bohot aawaz di lekin kisi ne nahi suni thi.
AJ: I just guessed. Revati ne kaha ki tum na hi ghar ke andar hi thi aur na hi bahar, to mujhe laga ki tum andar hi hogi. I knew ki Revati ne washroom me check nahi kiya hoga kyunki use laga hoga ki wo bahar se band hai.
AK: You are right. Waise, I am sorry. Mujhe subah aap se jhagda nahi karna chahiye tha.
AJ: It's Ok. Tum Ahaan ke liye possessive ho isiliye tumne aisa kiya. I am sorry, maine tumhare saath bohot rudely behave kiya.
AK: It's Ok. Meri harkatein hi aise rehti hai jisse kisi ko bhi gussa aa jaye, lekin sirf kabhi kabhi.
AJ: Pehli baar bohot sahi baat kahi hai.
AK: Kuchh zyaada nahi ho gaya.
There was complete silence for sometime which was broken by AJ while he caught her staring at the sky.
AJ: Kya dekh rahi ho tum?
AK: Kitna ajeeb hai na jo hamare apne nahi wo hamare paas hai aur jo hamare apne hai wo door un taaron me base hai.
AJ: Tum bhi ye baat maanti ho ki log marne ke baad taare ban jate hai.
AK: Maanne ke alaawa kuchh aur nahi kar sakte na. Maan kar ye ehsaas to rehta hai ki wo hamare paas hai warna wo to hame chhod kar itne door chale gaye hai ki ham chah kar bhi unke paas nahi ja sakte na hi unke paas hone ka ehsaas pa sakte hai.
AJ: Chahe wo door chale gaye ho lekin dil me hamesha zinda rehte hai.
AK: Mere paas dil bhi to nahi hai na unhe dil me zinda rakhne ke liye.
He stares at her to know her feelings but she was far away from expressing it.
AK: Mujhe neend aa rahi, sone ja rahi hun. Good night!
AJ: Good night!
Precap:
AK: Mai ye sach Ahaan ko kabhi nahi bata sakti, Revati.
Ahaan: Kounsa sach Mumma?
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