Part 20 - Tedha Medha Pyar
Later in the evening:
Naina was pacing around the room with the phone in hand and Preeti was sitting on the bed rolling her eyes at her sister's nervousness.
"Itna kya soch rahi hai behen? Jijaji se baat karni hai...desh ke Pradhan mantri se nahi". Preeti retorted.
"Chup kar Preeti...iss waqt na mai Pradhan Mantri se baat kar bhi loon, par Sameer se baat karne se darr lag raha hai. Pataa nahi kaise react karega? Kitna gussa hoga? Kitne din se mai uske saath kaisa bartaav kar rahi hoon? Na chahte hue bhi usse durr ja rahi thi. Baar baar use aur uski har koshish ka apmaan karke use thukra rahi thi. Ab pataa nahi kitna naaraz hoga?" Naina voiced her concern with a worried expression.
"Arre toh naaraz hue toh manaa lena. Kaan padkar sorry bol dena aur fir gale lagkar I Love you bol dena. Saara gussa chuuu ho jaayega". Preeti tsked and gave her resplendent ideas.
"Preeti tu na...waise baat sahi hai teri...ab galati ki hai toh maafi toh maangi padegi na aur manana bhi padega...hmmm...Bhagwanji...meri madad karna" and she called Sameer. He didn't pick up even after several rings.
She disconnected and was disheartened "Preeti...Sameer ne toh phone hi nahi uthaya...lagta hai bahut zyaada naaraz hai".
Preeti tried to console her "Arre...tu fikr mat kar...shayad suna nahi hoga ya dusre kamre mein honge ya fir shayad bathroom mein...tu fir se try kar".
Naina tried 2-3 times more and now nervousness was taken over by concern.
"Sameer phone nahi utha raha hai...aisa pehle kabhi nahi hua...wo chahe mujhse jitna bhi naaraz ho, gusse mein ho, phone hamesha uthatha hai...kabhi factory site pe jaana ho toh bhi batakar jaata hai taaki mai chinta na karoon...Aisa pehle kabhi nahi hua...Ab mujhe bahut fikr ho rahi hai...sab kuch theek toh hoga na...kahi use kuch..." Naina trailed off as she couldn't complete her scary thought.
"Nahi nahi...Naina...aisa mat soch...sab theek hoga...ho sakta hai...dukhi feel kar rahe honge toh Munna ya Pandit ke ghar chale gaye honge. Tu Munna ko phone kar", Preeti suggested.
Naina tried his number "Hello...Munna...Sameer hai wahan?"
"Naina tum? Ab kya kaam hai Sammer se? Wo jeeye ya mare, tumhe kya farak padta hai?"
"Dekh Munna...tu mujhe baatein baad mein suna lena...pehle bataa Sameer hai ya nahi wahan?"
"Nahi yahan nahi hai...usne kaha tha use kuch kaam hai, isliye tumhare jaane ke baad, college se chala gaya...hume laga factory ke kaam se gaya hoga...isliye hum bhi uske ghar nahi gaye", Munna informed.
Naina hung up but was disgruntled. She was worried that something might have happened to him. She opened the cupboard and grabbed her money purse and white dupatta from the bed and started to open the door of the bedroom.
Preeti pulled her arm and stopped her "Naina...kahan ja rahi hai itni raat ko?"
"Sameer ke paas. Uske ghar".
"Tu pagal ho gayi hai kya? Itne raat ko kaun jaata hai? Wo bhi akele, iss tarah? Agar ghar mein kisiko pataa chal gaya toh jaanti hai kya hoga?"
"Haan jaanti hoon...Thappad padenge...ghar se nikal denge...koi baat nahi...Ab mujhe Sameer ke liye sab kuch manzoor hai...par abhi uske paas jaana hai...pehle hi bahut der ho chuki hai Preeti...ab aur nahi kar sakti".
Preeti knew there was no stopping her sister when she decided to do something and put her brains to it. So, she calmed her down and said "Achcha theek hai, pehle mai bahar jaake dekhti hoon, koi utha toh nahi, fir aaram se jaate hai..."
"Nahi Preeti...tu nahi...mai akele hi jaaongi...".
"Par Naina itni raat ko akele kaise jaayegi? Kahi kuch gadbad ho gayi toh?" Preeti had a worried expression.
"Kuch nahi hoga mujhe...Bhagwanji hai mere saath aur ab toh Sameer ke pyar ki taqat bhi hai...aur tujhe yahi rehna chahiye taaki agar koi jaag jaaye aur mere baarein mein pooche, toh tujhe hi sambhalna padega"...
Preeti beathed in deeply coz Naina was about to take the risk of her life and do the unthinkable. "Achcha theek hai...aaram se ja...gali ke naake pe ekad rickshaw toh mil hi jaayegi...aur sun...Jijaji ke ghar par phuchkar, mujhe phone kar dena...mai yahi lekar baithi hoon aur tere wapas aane tak jaagti rahoongi". Preeti instructed her.
Naina nodded in affirmation & the two sisters tiptoed out of the room, alert to every sound. Preeti opened the main door without a noise & Naina crept out bare feet to avoid the slightest sound of footsteps even.
Although close to midnight & there was almost no chance of anyone spying on her, all her natural instincts were on high alert. This was more than pushing all her restrictions & boundaries just for her love...but now that was all that mattered...she just wanted to get to him ASAP, such was her yearning after she realized the biggest folly of her life.
She came down her society & stealthily moved in the direction to find an auto, when a low but familiar voice called out to her & she halted in her tracks.
She slowly turned around unable to believe that she wasn't imagining and was instantly lost in those dark orbs filled with an ocean of love. He straightened from his lean against the lamppost, hands folded, below her society, eyes glued to her balcony.
He had sent Preeti after her but couldn't stay away either. He knew how much hurt & pain he had caused her today, but desperate times had called for desperate measures. But still he couldn't keep away & even if she had still chosen to stay away from him, he had assumed his position below her balcony right from the afternoon until now, without moving away even for a second, just to catch a glimpse of her & assure himself that all was fine.
The afternoon had turned to dusk & the twilight of dusk changed to evening & then the nightfall. The lights in her house were switched on & later off when all members retired for the night but only the restless soul was awake till now.
She noticed that he was still in the same black polo T with a brown vest, indicating he was here since after college & hadn't gone home. Unfortunately, she hadn't wandered out to the balcony, or else, would have spotted him & would have been relieved about his well-being. She came close when involuntarily her feet moved in his direction, a relief washed over her seeing him well. Within a span of few seconds, the surprise had changed to concern to relief and then love-filled anger. Only Sameer could notice this sudden change in her emotions that flashed across her face as expressions, so attuned was he to her body language and feelings.
She walked towards him "tum kitne ghanton se yahan khade ho? Pataa hai kab se phone kar rahi hoon...tumne uthaya nahi, Munna Pandit ko bhi nahi pataa tha ki tum kahan ho? Kitni fikr ho rahi thi! Koi aisa karta hai kya?"
Sameer leaned back to his position & smiled at her.
"Muskura kyon rahe ho? Maine koi joke nahi maara!" He couldn't stop smiling and smirking which infuriated her even further. She held his hand & pulled him inside the small garden bang opposite to her society. It was a public place but completely empty at this hour.
The streets were deserted & her soft voice of outburst didn't disturb anyone's slumber; however, the only witness to this encounter was her dear sister, who had popped in the balcony to monitor her jaunt till the end of the lane to find an auto. But witnessing the altercation had relieved her that her sister was in safe hands & would be well cared for. Also, she was sure that she wasn't going to be back before the crack of dawn & so she hurried inside to catch a few winks, leaving the balcony door ajar to hear any signals from the couple.
"Tum pagal ho kya? Itni raat tak, itni thand mein, ghanto se mere ghar ke neeche khade ho! Kuch ho jaata toh?"
When she only stared in his eyes with a look of grave concern, he couldn't wipe off the smile of his face "ruk kyon gayi? Daanto na! Tumhari yeh pyarwali daant sunne ke liye jaane kab se kaan taras rahe the, tumhara iss tarah haath pakadkar haq jatana, pataa hai kitna miss kiya?" He looked at her hold on his hand near the wristwatch, which she hadn't let go off yet!
But when he said it, she let it go slowly out of guilt that suddenly she was reprimanding him as if she had all the rights, when a few weeks ago, she had deserted him thinking only about her family. She looked down, fidgeting her fingers waiting for the confrontation.
"Kyon Naina...itni fikr kyon hai meri? Ki tum itni raat ko, itni thand mein, iss tarah akele," he checked her out top to toe "nange pair, bina kisi cheez ki parvah kiye nikal padi!"
Now it was his turn to admonish her but with love. "Agar tumhe kuch ho jaata toh? Tumhe toh kisi ki parvaah nahi hai...meri nahi toh kam se kam apni toh kar leti".
Even after all that she did to him, the pain she put him through, he was only concerned about her well being. There wasn't an iota of loathing for her in his tone. His face was contorted in concern & eyes spoke only love when she looked in them. Her eyes pooled and there was no way she could hold herself any longer! She dashed to him, hugged him tight by the waist, burrowing her head in his chest on his heart & sobbed uncontrollably.
He was taken aback by the sudden turn of events & the force of her hug propelled him a step back, but he held his ground, supporting her weight & a second later, let go off everything he held back & wrapped his arms tightly around her and leaned onto her with his cheek on her head, letting his own pent up frustration of days flow freely via his eyes.
Neither realized how long they stood there ensconced in each other's arms before he felt her shiver slightly as the winds had taken up a speed with a further drop in the temperature. He lifted his head & she looked him in the eye, he smiled & tugged her to a nearby bench. When she moved to sit next to him, he tugged the hand held in his palm & pulled her to him such that she fell on his lap, & to break the fall he encircled her waist & she clutched his shoulder with the free hand.
He smiled at her with love & was thrilled to have her so close to him after eons. He recollected their night of venture & the warmth spread throughout his being. A breeze blew & she huddled closer to him. He wanted to do a lot more but for now he was content to hold her close. He lifted her bare feet hanging towards the ground & hooked then near his thigh & rubbed on the soles to ward off the cold. She was super ticklish & giggled. The soft sound reverberated through his being & his hold on her tightened.
They enjoyed a few moments in the feel of each other to quench their parched souls from the self-imposed separation.
Then, she decided to do what she had set out from her house to accomplish. She lightly placed a hand on his cheeks adorned with the late evening shadow of a stubble. She looked deeply into his eyes searching his soul, swallowed & muttered "I am sorry Sameer".
"Shhh..." he turned his face in her palm & placed a feather-light kiss. "Kuch kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai jaana..." he cut her & placed a fingertip on her lips to quiet her down. "Tum mere paas ho, mere saath ho, mere liye isse zyaada important kuch bhi nahi". He didn't want her to feel guilty about anything.
She removed his finger lightly and held on his palm "Nahi Sameer, please bolne dou. Uss din rishta todne ki baat kehne ke liye bahut himmat jutayi thi aur wo sab kehne ke baad mere andarr kuch marr sa gaya tha" & his hold tightened more on her, trying to comfort her & take away all her worries. "Par aaj maafi maangne ke liye usse bhi zyaada himmat jutani padi..."
She gathered her words and continued. "Uss din ke haadse se mai bahut zyaada darr gayi thi, pairon tale se zameen hi khisak gayi thi. Papa aur Chacha-Chachi ke baarein mein soch soch kar haath paanv kaapne lage the ki kayi unhe kuch ho na jaaye. Aur sabne yahi kaha ki parivaar se upar kuch nahi hota! Mujhe laga ki maine soch samajh kar tumse durr jaane ka faisla liya tha. Par yakeen karo Sameer, tumse durr jaane ka matlab yeh kabhi bhi nahi tha ki kisi aur ko paas aane doon. Maine socha tha ki tumse durr rehkar, tumhe dard se bacha loongi aur sirf apne parivaar ki khushi ke liye jeeongi. Par yeh nahi socha ki tumse durr jane ka matlab kisi aur ko paas aane dena padega...aisa toh sapne mein bhi nahi soch sakti thi. Naina ke liye toh sirf Sameer hi hai...aur agar Sameer nahi toh koi bhi nahi! Yeh baat samajhne mein thoda time lag gaya par ab samajh aa gaya hai ki hum kabhi bhi ek dusre se durr nahi ho sakte. Aaj ek baat aur seekhi maine ki apne haq ke liye ladna padta hai aur itne din dukhi rehkar itna toh samajh mein aa gaya hai ki agar hum khud khush nahi honge toh apne aas paas kisiko khushi nahi de paayenge".
Sameer smiled at her newfound knowledge & knew for sure it was her beloved Chachaji, her real father unlike his Sasurji whose only contribution was giving a life to his Naina. But Chachaji had molded this girl & he was her guiding light just like Nanu was to him.
Seeing him only smile at her with love-filled eyes, "maine tumhare saath itna bura kiya Sameer, tumhe itna dard diya, pareshan kiya...hamesha mera parivaar, mere parivaar ki izzat, mera bhai, mere papa, mere Chachaji, yahi sochti rahi...,tumhe kaisa lagta hoga yeh na socha na tumse poocha! Mai bahut buri hoon na...par tum abhi bhi aise pyaar se dekh rahe ho! Gussa nahi karoge? Naaraz bhi nahi ho mujhse? Ek baar bhi khayal nahi aaya sab kuch chod dene ka?" her eyes pooled.
His lips set in a line, he encased her palm in his & gathered her more close as if she could settle within him & he could whisk her away.
"Gussa toh tha jab tum samajh hi nahi rahi thi...Bekaar ki zidd par adi hui thi! Par usse bhi zyaada pyar karta hoon tumse. Tumse naaraz hokar kahan jaoonga? Aur maine toh tumhe kayee baar pareshan kiya hai na, kabhi mt. Abu ki shart, kabhi Delhi ki manhoosiyat...par tumne toh mujhe kabhi nahi choda. Fir mai kaise chod deta? Sach kahoon Naina, toh yeh hamara haq hai ek dusre par. Aur mujhe bahut khushi ki tumne apna pura haq jataya mujhpar. Jo dard tum kisi aur ke saath nahi baat sakti thi, uss mann ke gubaar ko tumne poore haq se mujhpar undel diya bina yeh soche ki mujhe kaisa lagega! Yahi toh sachcha pyar hota hai na, ki hum ek dusre ke saath kuch bhi share kare bina dare ki samne wala hamare baarein kya sochega ya use kaisa lagega".
He let go off her hand & tightened both his arms around her waist so that she was almost in his face. "Toh jab meri Nainu mere saath apna dard baat rahi thi, mai kya use dard aur taqleef mein chodkar chala jaata! Nanu ko yakeen tha ki Naina hi meri saathi hai aur zindagi bhar mere saath rahegi, aur Nanu ki baat kabhi galat nahi ho sakti".
Then, in a deep husky tone, "mai toh poora tumhara hoon Naina, tum jaise chaho pyar karo, daanto, gussa karo, naaraz bhi ho jao...buss, kabhi bhi dobara chodkar jaane ki baat mat karna". Now he was emotional too "tumhara Sameer sab kuch seh sakta hai par tumse durr rehna bardasht nahi hota".
There was one more thing, he had to set it right "Aur Naina..I am sorry...tumhe wo sab bolne ke liye. Kisi aur ke saath tumhara naam jodne ke liye. Tumhe chot pahuchane ka iraada nahi tha, buss tumhare dil ke darwaze pe dastak deni thi".
Naina was back to her playful self "dastak! Mr. Maheshwari aap ne toh pura darwaza hi tod diya".
They smiled with full gleam in their heart and after ages their smile reached their eyes. She was so overwhelmed that she kissed him fair & square on the mouth. While Sameer was totally unprepared for the assault on his senses & her sudden bold move, he recovered immediately & before she let go, he tightened his hold & plunged deeper into her mouth as if exerting their complete rights on each other.
After a while they broke the kiss to come up for air. Naina smiled at him, blushed & hugged him tight with arms around his neck & seductively whispered "I love you Sameer!" He too reciprocated "I love you too Naina, bahut zyaada! & he delved deeper into her being as if he could mark her body & soul with his love.
After a thoughtful second, she said "Aur haan...mere itna kareeb aane ka haq sirf tumhe hai".
Sameer was elated but in a moment remembered something & pulled her back "Aur wo champu jo aaj tumhe dekhne aa raha hai? Usko toh mai..." The thought of someone else seeing his Naina dressed in finery & having potentially indecent thoughts already boiled his blood.
Naina smirked as her topper brain was already activated. "Tum uski tension mat lo. Tumhari Naina ko koi aise waise nahi dekhega. Yeh sab kuch meri khamoshi ki wajah se ho raha hai na...toh ab ise theek bhi mai hi karoongi. Agrawal khandan ko bada shauq hai har baat pe tamasha karne ka...toh ab wahi hoga..." Sameer furrowed his brows & looked at her smirking self in confusion. As if answering his unspoken question, she raised her index finger and bent it halfway "ghee nikalne ke liye ungli tedhi karni padegi".
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
