He sat on the bench in society compound pondering over his past, present and future. Will life ever be non cruel to him? He wondered and heaved a sigh. Perhaps never. Silence and Peace is not something meant for people like you. He told himself.
It was then he saw her coming out of Auto Rickshaw. She was giving money to bhayiya while covering herself with the shawl. "You could have taken car." He reached there at once. "No..its okk." She replied back. "Am fine. Dont worry." She said doing the zip of her purse. He didn't miss the smirk on Auto guy's face and in an instant, he knew why tears threatened to flow her eyes. He wanted to smack him then and there only but as he found her moving towards the stairs, he found it the better option to comfort her.
"Long Drive?" He offered her at once tugging her arm. She looked at him. He was smiling...smiling to make her smile..and she knew it. "At this hour?" She asked confused. "Whats wrong with it?" he shrugged his shoulder. "Its okk...am fine." She shook her head. "Its not needed." She said wiping a lone tear at the corner of her eye with her knuckles. "You are not...come." he pulled her arm and took her to the car. Opening the door for her, he gestured her to sit. She did as was asked.
He drove the car in the silence for sometime. Winters had shown its effect and the air crossing through windows was cooler than usual. She inhaled a deep breath feeling the cool breeze. He glanced a look. Weather was not affecting her much. She was still in her world of sorrows. He could see small tears glistening on her cheeks. "How long?" He asked turning the stearing. She looked at him confused. "Huh??"
"I asked how long will you go on crying?" He asked again. "Am not crying." She tried to be firm on her stand. "Its visible dear." He smirked. "Jeeju please." She controlled her tears. "Who says that you are Chennai ki Sherni? Jhoot bolte hain sab." He smacked her. "Koi jhoot nhi. I am strong girl." She replied back.
"Rehne do. Its all lie." He teased her further. "Bas Mihir ko hi maar sakti ho tum." He spoke. "Aise kaise..me gundi hoon. Wont spare anyone. You just see." She retorted. "Fir vo Auto vale ko hassne kyu diya khud par?" He asked at once. His question made her silent. She got back to her sulking mode. "Jiju...vo..usne photo..newspaper. Sare Delhi ko pata hai...Mere saath" she tried hard to wipe her tears but they were uncontrollable. "Tumhare saath kuch nhi hua Mihika. Yaad rakhna." Raman cut her in between. "Jiju..vo ashok ne..." she sobbed. "Ashok kuch nahi kar sakta Mihika. Is baat ko samajh lo. " he spoke again. She looked at him bewildered. He spoke again "Jo ho gaya vo badal nhi sakta. Amma ne bhot daanta tumhe. I know. But your family is there for you. Sab tumhare saath hain. Bas thori himmat dikhao." He explained her. "Kaisi himmat jeeju?" She asked. "Face the reality." He said while she looked at him questioningly. "Its high time Mihika. Ashok, Suraj or Param ne is baar saari hadd paar krdi. Not this time." She still didnt get his point completely. "They will have to pay this time. And that too a big one." He said with a stern face.
"What will we do jeeju?" She asked. He looked at her. Her face was more confident this time. He smiled thinking she was coming back to her dangerous Mihika Iyyer mode. This was what he wanted. Its been more than 24 hours since she had been crying and sobbing. He wanted to see a genuine smile on her face. "We will file a case." He told and she looked at him. "Its not easy Mihika...I know. People will ask questions...you will have to answer. But you were drugged. And this point is enough for us." He explained her. She was half minded. "Jeeju...if you say...M ready." She said. "Dont be apprehensive Mihika. I told you we are with you. Mihir is with you. We are not sure what that cheapster has done and what not. But we can gather proofs that he is a characterless two timer. Your coulligue Sherly is there. And m sure there will be other girls also. I will talk to Neel. You just need to trust us. And answer everyone and everything bravely. Without a guilt." He explained her. She nodded. "Enough of apologies. Its time for action. We already have enough proofs against them. You just be strong." He said placing his hand on her head.
She shook her head. "I will jeeju." She said wiping her tears with a strong determination. "Mihika Iyyer will not let anyone win over her." She said. "Now thats like my sherni saali." He smiled as he parked the car.
"Car kyu rok di jeeju?" She asked looking at the roadside. He just smiled and got out while she followed. "Bhayiya...do mast si masala chaat banao." He told the vendor. "Chaat?" She looked amused. "Kal se bhooki ho. Kuch khaalo. I know its your favourite." He smiled. She nodded. "Pasand ayi?" He asked as they sat eating on car. "Its yum...karari or khatti. Purely my choice." She replied. He smiled as they continued eating.
"Thnkew jeeju..." she said as he started the car to drive back home. "Kis baat ka?" He asked. His eyes on road. "Mujhe mera confidence wapas dene ke liye. You are the world's best jeeju. Luv you." She said smiling. He too smiled. "I luv you too sweatheart. Bus yeh bhiggi billi banne ki jarurat nhi hai." Raman replied.
Rest of the journey, Mihika was happy as they made plans against the trio devils. Raman just smiled thinking he was able to bring back her smile. He remembered the family scenario since morning...everyone's sad faces and sulky talks. He wished after seeing Mihika recover, they also come back to normal.
As the car entered Aakash Ganga housing complex, they found her standing at the balcony of her appartment. She must have been waiting for them, they understood. As they got out of car, she didn't miss their naughty and mischevious smiles and talks. A smile crept up automatically on her face seeing them happy. Raman looked at her smiling at them from the corner of his eyes. He grabbed Mihika at once. "Vese Miku..Tum itne drame to nahi karti. I wish mujhe yeh mini JKR mili hoti." He spoke loud enough for her to hear. Mihika laughed and crossed her arms in his holding him closer. "Actually jeeju. Is budhu se pehle mujhe aap milte naa. I swear me kbhi uske bare me sochti bhi nhi."
Both laughed as they saw her frown at their remarks and moved towards the stairs to head towards their homes.
I know its a short one and maybe not wat you expected.
sorry if I disappointed you.
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
