"Suraj please hold on! Stay strong. Nothing is going to happen to you. Everything will be fine. Just..
"It's too late! His strong yet broken voice cut through her desperate pleas. "Too late Chakor. The car won't stop. There is nothing you and I can do here. Probably this is it.
"NO! She nearly yelled. "Please don't say that. Please! You will be safe. You will come back to me.
"I wish I could be with you Chakor. But I guess it is not meant to be. Just promise me one thing. You will take care of yourself.
"No! Suraj! Please! You can't leave me. How am I supposed to live alone? I am not habituated to living without you. Chakor pleaded tears streaming down her eyes.
"Make the habit of living without me then Chakor. He replied wryly. "Anyways I am a bad habit. The sooner you get rid of me the better.
"Suraj...
His voice cut in.
"Take care Chakor. I wish I could tell you how much... He broke off.
And then there was silence.
SURAJ! She woke up screaming his name. Shivering, trembling all over, eyes clouded with tears, breaking into sweat beads.
It took a long moment for her to get her disoriented senses in order.
Nightmare! She was having that terrible nightmare again. She thought she got over it. But looks like it is back to haunt her again.
"Chakor! She chided herself. "Get over it! It is over. The nightmare is over. Suraj is safe. He is with you. Azadgunj is safe. Everything is alright.
She hugged herself tightly desperately trying to control her shivering and raw ragged emotions.
Everything is fine.
She managed to scare and threaten Kamal Narayan into revealing the mechanism to stop the failed car of Suraj and failed bus carrying villagers. All are safe now. And Suraj is safe. The nightmare is over. Yet she is still being haunted by that nightmare. She came this close to losing Suraj. She nearly lost him that day. That was the moment.. the blindingly terrifying moment when she thought she will lose him forever ... is the moment she realized she is in love with him. She loves Suraj. Truly, Madly, Deeply. The way a woman loves her man. Like he owns her heart, her soul, her world. That love gave her strength to pull the trigger on Kamal Narayan. She could have killed that monster if that's what it would take to protect Suraj. She could have. She would have.
Though need for such drastic fatal step didn't arise for the monster too realized as to how far and dangerously far she can go for her Suraj.
Everything is fine now.
Suraj is safe. She didn't lose him. He is still a part of her life. Who is she kidding? He is her life.
So why is she having this nightmare again?
She looked around and her gaze stumbled upon the calendar. Her eyes widened in horror and comprehension.
So that's why!
And at that precise moment her phone rang shrilly. She nearly jumped out of her skin in fright.
Then controlled herself.
Calm down Chakor! She took a deep breath and reached for her phone.
Who could be calling her at this godforsaken hour of midnight?
Suraj!
Her face broke into a beautiful smile. Him, his name, his presence, his mere thought has that effect on her.
Then suddenly she was hit by wave of worry. What happened now? Hope everything is alright. She is not over one nightmare. She can't go through another one. She just can't. Not when it comes to this man. The man she truly loves.
"Suraj! Her words ran over eachother in a rush."Is everything alright? You are alright?
"Calm down Chakor! His deep soothing voice floated in. "I am fine. I just called you because I have to tell you something that I should have told you long time back.
"At this hour? She was suddenly angry. Damn this man for giving her a fright! Then she smiled. Typical Suraj.
"Gee! It is late. Isn't it? He sounded little sheepish. "Sorry about that. But I wasted too much of time as it is. Call me a fool if you want. But now I am gonna do what I should have done long time back.
"And what is that? she was intrigued.
"Nayy! Not on phone. Come out.
"What? Where are you Suraj? She asked.
"Out. Waiting for you. Now come out asap or I'll have to break into the house and wake the entire household up. And then carry you out if that's what it takes.
She laughed.
"You are crazy Suraj.
"Yeah! Got to be the company I keep. His laughter floated in. "Now stop dilly dallying and haul your butt. Pronto! Or else...
"Fine! I am coming. I am coming. She grabbed her duppatta and slid her feet into slippers and stealthily ran out of the house taking utmost care to not wake anyone up.
And screeched into halt when she saw him.
"Hi! Chakor! Suraj gave her a big smile. He was wearing his nightwear of white shirt and tanned pants. She looked at herself. She was wearing her yellow nightdress of salwar suit. Despite herself she smiled. She associated lot many precious memories with these setup.
"Hi Suraj! She smiled back.
"C'mon! He opened his jeep door for her.
"What? she looked at him, then at his jeep and then at the seat he was pointing at.
"Sit down Chakor. He explained calmly.
"What? She looked confused.
He shook his head in indulgent exasperation.
"Sit. Here. In . The. Jeep. We. Are. Going. Out. He stressed every word as if he is explaining something very complicated to a stubborn child.
"Out? At this hour?" Chakor's eyes went wide eyed.
"No! We are going to sit here on the road all night and go out in the early morning. He retorted sarcastically. "Now are you going to come with me on your free will or do I have to do it the dirty way. A devilish glint entered his eyes.
"No. I am coming. I am coming. She pursed her lips peevishly and boarded the jeep.
"Good girl! Suraj started the jeep and maneuvered the steering expertly.
"So where are we going? Chakor asked him curiously.
"Wait and watch. It's a surprise. And then he clammed up.
She couldn't a get a word out of him. By the time they reached their destination she was bursting out of curiosity and eagerness.
Dhaba! Chakor looked at their destination point wide eyed and then looked at Suraj who was wearing expressions of a happy young child.
"Dhaba!" He grinned. "Remember this one?
Ofcouse she does. This is the place they became friends. Till that point they were nemesis, then shared uneasy partnership to take down common nemesis. But here in this very place there came a tectonic yet subtle shift in their equation. They became friends, sharing easy heartfelt camaraderie.
We were enemies of such killer calibre. Imagine how terrific our friendship would be if we were to be friends.
And they became friends. Lot many things happened later in this journey. Twists, turns, danger, battles, battlescars, wars, darkness, light, maybe love. But the beginning of this journey will remain that friendship.
The bond they forged here. In this very dhaba.
"How? What? Why? She stammered in surprise feeling overwhelmed.
"Come we will eat first. He grabbed her wrist and sat her down on the chair. "I heard they serve this really awesome methi ke parathe and lauki ki sabzi.
Lauki and methi. Chakor laughed softly and sat down. Their old waiter with his bad shayaris started waiting on them. He looked as if he has been woken up from a deep slumber.
"Suraj!" Chakor looked at him and asked him in mock stern tone. "Don't tell me you woke these guys up and ordered them to open the dhaba at this godforsaken hours?
"Woke them up? Yes. Ordered them? No. I requested. Asked them nicely. Very nicely to be precise. Suraj managed to give her a serene smile.
She still looked at him suspiciously.
And then came their food. And she dug in with relish while he watched her with indulgent expressions.
She hasn't changed a bit. Still the same young girl. Who would guess that she is same girl who can move mountains and conquer skies when she gets into her battle gear? Deep down inside she is still the same vulnerable, young, beautiful girl. And she is his. Atleast he is hoping she would consent to be his.
All it took is living the experience of staring death right in the eyes and coming back alive to tell the tale... for the enlightenment to dawn upon him is that.. if he dies the only thing he will regret the most in his life is... not telling this girl how much he loves her.
He should have told her this a long time back. That he loves her. Truly. Madly. Deeply. The way a man loves his woman. Like she owns his heart, his soul, his world.
But somehow that moment eluded him. Not anymore. He is going to let him know how much he loves her. How much she means to him. How incomplete he would be without her. How complete she makes him and his life.
He wants.. no desires, seeks, needs her in his life. For this lifetime. And next. And next.
Now let's hope to high heaves she says yes! He won't survive a no. He will give her a fight of a lifetime to win her but he will not back out. Our back down.
He doesn't love her enough to let her go. He loves her too much to let her go.
"Suraj!" Chakor clicked her fingers in front of his eyes. He blinked and broke out of his reverie.
"What?"She raised her eyebrows.
"Nothing". He shook his head and together both went back to demolishing their food. Or rather Chakor went back to her food and Suraj watched her with indulgent loving expressions. Once she was done with the dessert he paid the bill and thanked the still bleary eyed owner, cook and waiter of the dhaba.
Then he came back to her.
"So shall we go? He forwarded his palm.
She smiled and placed her palm in his and asked with a mischievous note.
"Where to?
He matched her smile.
"That is a surprise again.
And it turned out to be a surprise indeed.
She looked around misty eyed emotions overflooding her.
Shed! More of a home than haveli has ever been. So many memories associated with this place.
Some extremely haunting, traumatic, some intense and deep, some exceedingly emotional, some heartbreakingly beautiful. Their home. Their journey. Their story.
Chakor looked at him and seeing his expressions she understood that he is feeling the same intense emotions that are overwhelming her.
The shed looked clean and neat. As if he personally organized it. Which he probably did.
"Suraj! Wha..
"May I have a dance with you please? He cut in with a gentle smile and forwarded his palm again.
She smiled through her tears and entwined her palm in his.
And then they danced again. Just the way they did what felt like a lifetime back.
Him and her.
Her and him.
Together.
As if they are the only two souls in this entire world. Two souls... as one.
And then he stepped back.
"Close your eyes.
"Hu! What?
"Close your eyes Chakor. He insisted.
She did his bidding.
"Now open! His voiced rang in after a moment. She opened her eyes slowly.
And found him kneeling in front of her holding a box.
Not a jewellery box but..
"Go ahead. Open then. He urged her anxiously waiting for her reaction.
She reached for the box and opened them.
Running shoes. For her. Personalized exclusive shoes custom-made for her.
Chakor looked at the beautiful shoes and then at him feeling confused and overwhelmed at the same time.
"Chakor Suraj Rajvanshi! I prepared nearly three pages long cheesy kind of speech but for the life of me I am not remembering those words now. So I will keep it simple. First time and for the last time and forever in my life in am in love. With you. I love you. With all that I am and all that I could be. I love you. Will you marry me? Suraj spoke with his heart in his voice and words.
So this is what flying feels like for she could have sworn her heart soared to skies and beyond.
"Yes! She nearly shouted. She wanted to whoop, scream and shout to the whole wide world.
Yes. She will marry Suraj Rajvanshi.
And yes..
"I love you Suraj. Chakor spoke softly. And his heartbreakingly vulnerable happy expressions brought tears in her eyes.
So he thought she can't or won't love him back. Silly fool. If only he knew how much she loved him. Since forever.
"You do? He still wanted to convince himself of what he believed to be a miracle. A dream.
"Yes! You idiot I do. The entire Azadganj knows I love you. Only you could be as blind as bat. She teased him.
He took the bait and bantered right back.
"Not only entire Azadganj but even the neighboring villages knows that I love you. Yet you were busy fighting with me jungle billi. Why didn't you tell me before?
"Why didn't you? She accused him right back.
"I wasn't sure if you would love me back. He spoke in a low voice his vulnerability touching her heart again.
"Why wouldn't I love you? She had to ask.
"Because you are you. And I am me. He replied simply. "But why didn't you tell me before that you love me?
"I wasn't sure if you would love me back. Her turn to express her vulnerability that broke his heart.
"For a girl who pretends to be such a smart ass you are an idiot Chakor. How could I not love you? You are the only one I fight with, fight for, want to be with, need to be with. Now and Forever. He gently held her face with his palms and looked deep into his eyes. "But why would you love me?
Chakor looked back at him with her heart in her eyes.
"Because You are the only one I fight with, fight for, want to be with, need to be with. Now and Forever.
And she hugged him. And he hugged her right back engulfing her in him. Finally he could hug her the way he always wanted. With fierce abandon. He always held himself back because she was too precious for him. Too delicate. Too priceless.
And now finally she is all his. And he is going to hold onto her and never let her go.
Got to be miracle. But hey he is not complaining. Actually he is thanking every divine entity out there in the cosmos for granting him his miracle.
After a long long moment she leaned back still holding onto him. And he still gathered her in his arms refusing to let go of her.
"Suraj! By the way we are already married. She enlightened him.
"Ha! I know that. He shrugged lightly. "But as you can see I love honour and cherish you too much. So want to do everything in a right way now. So we are going to be married again and this time you would know that you are getting married to me. He grinned.
She grinned back.
And then he sobered up.
"You know Chakor I did hell lot of things wrong. Lot many wrong things. And I've wronged you so much. And God as my witness I'll try to make it upto to you even if it takes a lifetime. But there is one thing that I don't regret. That is swapping the brides that day.
"And I am thankful to you that you pulled that stunt that day and check mated my stunt. Chakor stated with genuine feeling. "One last question. Why today?
"Hu what? He didn't understand this question.
"I mean it's been more than year since we are together. Why did you pick this day for the proposal?
"That's because I had this horrid nightmare of the past that I am gonna die without you ever knowing how much I love you. His eyes clouded in shadows.
So he too shares the same nightmare as hers. She was touched deeply.
This is what they call soul connect I guess.
So they are soulmates. They, their story, their love, their bond happened.. because they are meant to be.
"I had the same nightmare too. She spoke in a low voice. "That I've lost you forever.
He tightened his hold on her and vowed.
"Fate, destiny, life brought us together. Darned if death dares to defy. Chakor you will never lose me. And I don't intend to lose you. Not now. Never ever.
And he gently kissed her tears away.
She spoke after a long moment.
"I can't believe it's been an year since that terrible day. This is the exact day an year back that Kamal narayan failed your car breaks and...
"Anniversary of that horrid day. An entire year. Suraj mused softly. "So much has happened since that then.
Both gazed at each other lost in their thoughts.
So much has happened indeed.
Vivaan went to dark side.
Kamal Narayan lost his mental balance owing to Ragini's diabolical machinations.
And then everything changed.
Imli met with an accident and died on spot. Vivaan was rendered heartbroken and guilty. He blamed himself and his bad karma. So he testified against Ragini and she was jailed. Kamal Narayan was sent to mental asylum where he is still recovering.
And Suraj - He contested elections and won a comfortable victory. And now is MLA from Azadgunj constituency. It has been whirlwind of campaigning and hard work and travelling for a long time. Now he is settled in his well deserved and respected powerful post.
Chakor She went back to her parents to take care of them for they were left broken after losing their younger daughter. She too needed time to mourn for her sister. Then she threw herself for the upliftment of the village. With Suraj's help she supervised construction of a school and a hospital in the village. This is just a beginning. Together Suraj and Chakor has miles to walk, many wonderful journeys to charter, glorious milestones to conquer.
And now they are together. Finally. And forever.
There is just this one dark cloud in the horizon.
"What if Kamal Narayan comes back Suraj? Chakor asked him worry clouding her thoughts.
"Chakor! Suraj spoke in a firm yet gentle voice. "Enough of worrying, fighting and giving yourself to the others and the world. Time to focus on yourself. You are going to go back to being Marathon Runner 501. Starting from tomorrow. Our next goal is common wealth games and then Olympics. You focus on that and get on with the training. I'll right there by your side. And talking about Kamal Narayan leave him to me. If and when he comes back I'll deal with him. I promised him sood samet and by God I'll deliver it to him. You fought him all your life. This is my war now. Trust me to wage and win it. And about Azadgunj Well Jagatmata! I am now officially pitah of this village i.e. leader of this village. I will take care of the village and the villagers. They are now my responsibility. You have carried world on your wings for too long a time Chakor. Let me take over now.
All her life she wanted someone to fight alongside her. She was tired of fighting all the battles alone, living upto others expectations of her, saddled with responsibilities, living her life for everybody else. And now she found herself a man who not only fights alongside her, but fights for her, will take on the entire world and beyond for her. Her Suraj.
She is blessed indeed. With a partner, companion, love, life, soulmate named Suraj Rajvanshi.
"Suraj! Chakor looked at him and smiled a beautiful smile. "Thank you for being you.
Suraj smiled right back.
"And thank you for being mine.
