Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 30

[Smriti leaves them….Anjali rushes to her room….Sid follows her….but she quickly closes the door behind her]

Sid: Anjali…..open the door…

Anjali: don’t shout….wait for 10 minutes….i will open it…

[Sid starts to bang on the door when his mom comes with a glass of milk for him and sees Sid standing outside his room]
Mom: [confused seeing his gesture ] kya hua?? Yahaan kyun kade ho??

Sid: kuch nahi maa…aise hi…

Mom: aise hi?? [looks at the closed door] aur yeh darwaza kyun bhand hai??

Sid: shaayad Anjali dress change kar rahi hai…..abhi kolegi….

Mom: [seeing his embarrassed face…concerned for him] woh andhar aur tu baahar….sab kuch teek hai na??

Sid: haan haan Maa…..sab teek hai….[gets the glass from her quickly so that his mom doesn’t hear Anjali shouting]

Mom: [suspiciously looking at him and the door alternatively…..but at the same time doesnt want to interfere much into his life] hmmm…..
[She leaves…a bit confused about what is happening
Sid breathes a sigh of relief…..and he looks at the door angrily…..he wants her to open the door before someone else comes for further questioning…..]

Sid: [bangs on the door] oh shit, will you open it now????
[Sid starts banging continuously and suddenly Anjali opens it……His fist stops just before her face…..A fresh air carrying her jasmine and lavender fragrance caresses his face…..She is wearing a pink night gown…..He smiles at her cheekily…..She leaves the open the door and goes in…Sid gets in quickly…..]

Sid: why did you close the door??
Anjali: I had to change….so…
Sid: [ruffling his hair and smiling] mom came….I somehow managed…I wonder what she thought!!

Anjali: kuch nahi sochegi….
[She turns to the table….She takes out her books and arranges it…..Sid goes to the restroom and freshens himself….When he comes back, he sees Anjali sitting at the table and writing something busily….]

Sid: [puzzled] kya kar rahe ho??
Anjali: [She is not interested in answering him…but she replies as she doesn’t want to fight with him for everything] I am arranging my books…..and then got to complete my notes….

Sid: Ab???? I mean its quite late na??? kal subah kar lena….

Anjali: I have 1 week’s notes to complete…….Moreover, I usually sit for long hours and study….So I am not feeling sleepy….tum so jao.....

Sid: [tries to forcefully close her book but pyar se] plzz jaanu…..chalo….I have a lot to talk…..kal bhi tum so gayi

Anjali: [takes back her book] maine kahaa na….tum jaake so jaao….if this light is disturbing you, I will go to the sit out and do my work….Do you want me to go??

Sid: no need….you can sit here…..gud night…..

[He has the gift in his pocket…He wanted to give it to her…..but now, he puts it back in his shelf…..He lies down on his side of the bed and keeps looking at her…..he is puzzled about why she behaves so rudely with him…..he rewinds and thinks about what all she said and did in the last 2 days…..however hard he thinks, he doesn’t get an answer for his questions….her actions and sudden withdrawal from him seem baseless and without a reason….……time passes by slowly….. 

Dont know exactly the time, but his eyes close slowly and he slips into deep sleep…..]

[Next morning…..he opens his eyes……He looks at the clock….time is around 6……he gets up and looks at the study table…..Anjali is sleeping with her head down on the table…..]

Sid: likhte likhte sogayi…..

[He goes closer to her….he bends down and atleast for a moment, looks at her face and admires her innocent pretty face……He slowly, very slowly lifts her up and brings her to the bed…..places her down and makes her feel comfortable….He tries to get up but his hand is caught below her head…..He smiles and goes closer……He slowly frees his hand and gets up…….
He notices her bare feet and is reminded of his gift…….He pulls out his gift from the shelf….opens it….its a lovely golden anklet….he slowly without disturbing her, ties it around her legs……

He admires it on her fair legs…..It looked even more pretty on her…….He unwillingly gets up from there…..he goes out into the balcony…….he rarely gets up at this time….So he decides to get some fresh hair and enjoy it…………… After about 10-15 mins, Anjali gets up….She is surprised to find herself in bed…..She didn’t even know when and how she came to the bed…..”I guess I was soo tired and sleepy”…She gets out of the bed]

Anjali: [hearing the soft jingling sound of the anklet, she looks at her feet…..] yeh kahaan se aaya??? That’s not my payal…. [She looks around and sees the gift box lying empty on the side table…..she understands that it is Sid’s gift….] He must have tied it…..abi uthaarthi hoom….

[She sits down and removes it…..throws it on the bed…….goes into the rest room…….Sid comes in, sees the anklets on the bed……he picks them up and understands that she would have thrown it angrily….He chooses to just ignore it and not to ask her about it……he puts them back into the box and pushes it inside the wardrobe…]

Sid: ek din tum zaroor mujhe samjogi…..aur mere pyar ko pehchaanoge…..tab hi iss gift ko dhoonga…..uske pehle nahi!!!
[Anjali is selecting her day’s dress…..she glides her fingers through the row of sarees first…….Sid notices it…..He doesn’t want her to wear saree to college….]

Sid: Anjali…..
Anjali: [turning back and silently expects him to complete his statement]
Sid: [mind voice: If I tell you this, you will just do the opposite…..so I better keep quiet] Nothing….
[Anjali turns back and shifts her fingers to her salwars……She picks one of the new dresses……Both get ready….and set off to college…..Anjali goes with Sid just to show off to Sid’s family that they are a happy couple….she doesnt want questions and end up giving explanations to anyone!]

[College…….Sheetal comes to college hesitantly…….She sees Sam and realizes that she didn’t even thank him for his help…..She goes to him]

Sam: hey hi….how are you feeling now??
Sheetal: Hi…..I am ok….
Sam: just ok…..should I do something to make you fine???
[Sheetal smiles at his comment……Her smile makes him smile too…..]

Sheetal: [stops smiling] thanks Sam….agar tum nahi hote…..[Sam interrupts]
Sam: “agar main na hota toh tum nahi hote”…..ab yeh filmy dialogs bas karo….[serious tone] just learn from your mistakes and don’t jump into problems hereafter…..[smiling] I wont be around each time, ok??
Sheetal: [sobs]I was acting so foolishly Sam…..[tears rolling down]
Sam: hey hey…..dont cry…..if someone sees you crying, what will they think??mujhe galath samjenge…..sochenge ke maine tumme kuch kiya…..so don’t cry….[he tries to wipe her tears…..the book in his hand slips down….]
Sheetal: [slightly smiling, bends down and picks the book….She is surprised at the name written on it] Sameer Shrivardhan??? Who is that??
Sam: mere padosi!!! [grins]
Sheetal: ohhh…..ok!!
Sam: arre…nahi yaar…..that’s me….Sameer…..friends call me Sam
Sheetal: really??? Nice name…..
[They continue their chit chat….Sheetal seems to enjoy his company and forget her worries…..Sheetal smiles at some joke of his and turns sideways and sees Anjali staring at them…..She seems angry seeing them together…..She slowly walks towards them]

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

Anjali: [holds Sheetal’s hands] what are you doing here?
[Sheetal is shocked by her sudden interference…before she can say anything, Anjali continues]
Anjali: And that too with this flirt???? Iss ke baare mein jante hua bhi tum isske saath baat kar rahi ho!! Ho kya gaya hai tumme???isske dhost ke saath dhosti karne ka anjaam main bukhat rahi hoom……woh sab dekh khar bhi tumme akhal nahi aaya??? chalo mere saath….

[Sam is little bit confused about Anjali’s words about Sid and her marriage with him]
Sam: [mind voice: she thinks so bad about Sid and all of us…..She is not happy with the marriage….Whats happening??] Anjali, you misunderstood….Sheetal….[Anjali stops him from continuing]
Anjali: [gives a glare at him] main Sheetal se baat kar rahi hoom….ab kya mere dhoston se baat karne ke liye tumse ya Sid se permission leni hogi???
[Anjali was surely venting out her frustration there….Sam, doesn’t want to intensify her anger and cause more problems for his friend….So he keeps quiet]
Sheetal: plzz Anjali….listen to me….i will explain…..
Anjali: NO…..dont!!! I know these guys…..they can do anything to get their wish fulfilled…..They don’t stop to think if that would hurt anyone else…[pauses]….Why am I even telling all this?? [Looks at him angrily and then back to Sheetal] Come with me….

[Sheetal hesitates to go with her….but Sam signals her to go……Just as they begin to leave, Shweta bumps on them…..She is quite angry with Anjali for the obvious reason that Sid married her]

Shweta: [sarcastic] ohhh ohhh…..the bride is back so soon…..tumaare honeymoon khatam hogaya???waise bhi ab tumme college aane ki ya padne ki kya zaroorat hai???[pausing and gives a quick look at Sam and Sheetal] Oh yeah, tumme innke bhi link up karni hogi na?? [grins]

Anjali: [angrily and in loud voice] YOU!!!! Mind your words!!!
Shweta: chilaavo math……tum jaise middle class ladkiyon ko main acchi tarah se jaanti hoom…..You keep hanging around with rich guys saying “we are just friends”……Friendship kya hogayi, dheere dheere pyar, shaadi mein fasaa dhete ho……Poor Sid!!! He is stuck with a girl like you for a lifetime….ab kya baaki hai??? tumaari iss paagal friend ko Sam ke peeche lagaa rahi ho kya???

Sam: [coming between them] Shweta….kaise baatein kar rahi ho??? She is Sid’s wife….soch ke baat karo…..Sid ko pathaa chala toh……[Shweta pitches in]
Shweta: ohh….inke nashaa itna chad gaya ke tum mere against baat kar rahe ho…..[looking at Anjali] maan na padega….ladkon ko kaise pattaana hai, woh koyi tumse seekhen…..

Anjali: Enough!!!! You are testing my patience…..aage kuch math bolna…..warnaa……
Shweta: kyun?? Sach sunne ke himmat nahi hai???? [pauses and continues] look at you!!! You and Sid!!! You don’t match up to him even in one aspect!!!

Sam: for god’s sake Shweta, yahaan se chali jaao….
Shweta: Ok fine, I will go…..but that’s the truth…..[saying this, she leaves]
[Anjali too leaves with tears in her eyes…..Sheetal goes behind her……Sam is worried about Sid and Anjali now]

[To be continued] 

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 29

Anjali goes back to her mom’s place just because she doesn’t want to go back so soon to Sid’s place…..Her mom is happy and also doubtful seeing her there…..

Mom: kya hua??? kyun akele aaye ho??
Anjali: [wishes to hug her mom and cry but doesn’t want to hurt them] kuch nahi maa……aise hi…
Mom: [breaks in] aise hi??? Matlab???
[Sid comes in]
Sid: She didn’t come alone aunty….I am with her…..[saves her from the situation]
Mom: ohh..Sid beta…..yeh ladki kabhi kuch teek se nahi bataathi hai…..ab dekho, tum log aa rahe ho, ek phone karke bathaa sakthi thi na???….[seeing that he is still leaning against the door, hits on her head] arre main bhi na……aavo andhar aavo na….
[She welcomes him….Anjali’s dad also joins in…..]
Anjali: [hugs her dad] dekhiye na papa Maa kya bol rahi hai….ab kya main apne ghar mein aane keliye pehle se permission lena padega…..main kya itni paraayi hogayi???
Dad: [gliding her hair and hugging her back] aisi koyi baat nahi…. Beta, yeh tumaara ghar hai ……tum jab chaavo yahaan aa sakthe ho…..par…..
Anjali: [looking up to him and suspicously]par kya papa??
Dad: [smiling] par akele nahi……Sidharth ke saath…..
[Anjali frowns at this but then hides it and smiles falsely]
[They exchange pleasantries and no stone is left unturned in making Sid and Anjali’s first visit after wedding the most special one……They have a grand dinner and its time to leave…..
Anjali picks few of her belongings which are dear to her…..the teddy bear being the first one…..Sid smiles at her child like nature when he sees her packing her dolls and few other such things….Sid and Anjali take her parents blessings and come out…..]
Anjali: I will take my scooty along…..I need it to go to college….
Sid: but I brought my bike…
Anjali: so what??? I will come in my scooty….
Mom: [sensing the tense situation] kyun??? Tumme scooty ki zaroorat kya hai?? Sidharth bhi tumaari college mein hi hai na?? tum dono saath college jaa sakthe ho na??
Anjali: par maa…..[her mom interrupts]
Mom: waise bhi, agar tumme scooty chahiye, tumaare papa kisi se kehke bijwaa dehnge…..abi tum Sidharth ke saath jao……raath ko akele jaana teek nahi….
Dad: [nodding] haan Anjali….tumaari Maa teek keh rahi hai…..
[Anjali unwillingly sits on Sid’s bike…..They bid bye and leave……Anjali sits at the far end doubly careful not to touch him…..She holds the bar behind the bike instead of holding him…..He feels a little strange when he sees her doing such things…..but then also finds it amusing and decides to tackle it in his own naughty way….]
[Anjali is in an awkward position….She has to do several things to ensure that she doesn’t fall down…She has to balance herself and also control her saree…especially the saree pallu.....]
Sid: Anjali darling….Sit properly…….dont lose your balance….hold me if you want…..[grins]
Anjali: [looking at him and seriously] no need….i am ok……
[Anjali doesn’t want to obey anything that he says….at the same time, she is tensed about falling down too.….They turn to the main road and he drives pretty fast but safely…..But he had to apply sudden brakes at times….once, a person crosses the road suddenly and an other time, to avoid a puddle……Anjali comes forward and dashes on him each time a sudden brake is applied…….he smiles to himself…but he didn’t do it intentionally…..He keeps admiring her reactions through the mirror……She seemed quite irritated and angry…..]
Sid: [lowvoice: tum gussey mein bhi bohat khubsoorat lagti ho jaanu]
[But after a couple of such brakes…..]
Anjali: bike rokho….
Sid: why??? We haven’t reached yet….
Anjali: I know that…..but stop the bike….
[Sid stops the bike and turns to her……His head slightly bangs on hers…..She looks up and are eyes are forced to look at his…She snaps out quickly…..She moves back her head and gets down…..]
Sid: [concerned for her] what happened???? Are you ok???Do you need something??
Anjali: [sternly] you leave….i will come by myself….
Sid: [puzzled] WHAT???? But why??
Anjali: mujhe tumaare saath nahi aana….as simple as that…..
Sid: Anjali, don’t joke….its not safe to stand here for long…..come….lets go home….
Anjali: I said I will come by myself….
Sid: main aakhri baar pooch raha hoom….tum aarahe ho ya nahi??
Anjali: [sternly] NAHI….. [She starts looking around for an auto….]
Sid: [irritated] OK....then bye….[he drives off]
[Anjali is very impulsive and at times jumps into conclusions….many times, they might not be the right ones…..In her anger, she herself doesn’t realize the mistakes she commits…….So far, Aashu was there to handle and manage her carefully…….Lets see if Sid can do the same!!! Afterall its the same girl he loved and longed to make her his.....Did marriage change his attitude??]

[Anjali doesn’t look to his side as if she doesn’t care a damn about it and starts looking at the opposite side……Sid leaves….He is out of vicinity….And there are no autos coming too….Anjali starts walking forward…..]

Anjali: its better to walk…..I may get an auto in the junction……
[Just as she starts turning the corner, a car comes behind her and slows down by her side…..The road is empty except for her and the car…..]
Guy1 (from the car): kahaan jaa rahe ho??
[Anjali looks at them once and immediately starts walking….she takes quicker steps…..but the car follows her….]
Guy1: arre kaho na…..We will give you a lift…..
Guy2: [peeping out from the back seat window haan jaaneman……akele kaise jaavoge……yahaan tumme koyi auto voto nahi milne waala…
Anjali: [gives them an angry stare] mind your own business….I don’t need your lift
Guy1: dekho yaar…..isse gussa bhi aaraha hai, yahi toh humaare business hai darling…..
Guy2: itni khoobsurat ladki...haaye aise akele jaana teek nahi....chalo....
Guy1: ab dher matth karo…..chalo humaare saath…..[catches her hand firmly….She tries to struggle but the guy doesn’t leave her…He pulls her towards the car's door]
[Suddenly the guy feels a strong hand on his shoulder…..he turns back…Its Sid…..Anjali also looks at Sid….She is relieved that he is back to help her…..]
Sid: ladki ko chod dho….usse lift dhene keliye main hoom…..
Guy1: Who are you??? Go away if you don’t want a punch from me??
Sid: Who am I???? usi se pooch lo…bolo Anjali….tera bhaiya kuch pooch rahe hai!! [winks at her]
Guy1: [looks confused and turns back to Anjali]
Anjali: [hesitantly and in a low voice] He is my husband…..
Sid: [smiling at what she said] So saale saab, if you will excuse us….
Guy1: [moving away from her] haan haan…humne kab manaa kiya hai…….magar….itne beautiful wife ko koyi iss thara beech raaste akele chodtha hai kya???
Guy2: [sarcastically…closing the car door] sambaalke rakhna apne wife ko…..koyi udaake na le jaaye.....
[The car zooms away before Sid could reply to that…..Sid looks at Anjali and has a sarcastic smile…Anjali tries to hide her embarrassment and bends down]
Sid: [sternly] agar tumaari aaj ka drama khatam hua toh chale???? Ya phir tumme uttaake le chalum, huh?

[When Anjali hesitantly moves…..he just drags her to his bike and forces her to sit quickly…..They reach home without further events….]
*********************************************

Scene at Sheetal home:
Sheetal’s POV:
Jeeth could do this to me…..i cant believe it….If not for sam and tushar, what would have happened??? I cant even think about it…..The feeling for being deceived was killing me….Though I momentarily forgot it because of Sam, it was still in me….Deep in my heart, I was cursing myself for falling into his traps…I was accusing myself for falling in love with such a cheat…..did I get only a fraud to love??? Am I soo foolish?? My friends were right…I am foolish and don’t understand people…..I don’t understand anything….

[Now she was self analyzing and was realizing how big her blunder was……she was playing with her life…..she believed a person whom she never knew, never met….She had shut herself within her room and not allowing her sorrow and disappointment known to her parents….She didn’t
want to go to college too…She was feeling self conscious….….]

Would Sam or Tushar tell anyone about what they saw???What if my friends know it??? No, I don’t have the courage to face anyone now at this point……
[But her mom knew that something was certainly wrong with her….thus she called up Aashu….…..Meanwhile Sheetal deletes all the virtual gifts and emails from Jeeth…..She erased all that reminded her about him…..She cleaned up her PC…..]
Aashu came home…She had a talk with my mom…..May be my mom wanted her to speak to me……Aashu had no clue as to what had happened to me…..But she spoke to me……I was adamant that I wouldn’t disclose it to anyone…..but she made me open up….I had to tell her everything about Jeeth and our meeting……everything…..She tried to console me….
Aashu: You were foolish…but whats the point in cursing yourself now? Ok just forget it….Think that it was a nightmare….wash everything away from your mind…..forget jeeth…
Sheetal: maine bohat badi galthi ki hai Aashu…..I didn’t obey you people…..thats why god gave me this!!
Aashu: its ok dear…thank god that Sam saved you at the right time…...aage se aise galthiyan kabhi na karna…
Sheetal: hmmm……[sobbing] I cant face anybody….i cant come to college….I will change my college…
Aashu: [placing her hands on sheetal’s shoulder] plzzzz Sheetal….dont do anything foolish….just because a fraud crossed your life, will you stop living?? [Pauses for a second] nothing has happened….do you understand??? And don’t tell this to anyone else….I will handle it when the need comes…..You just close this chapter here itself……
Sheetal hugs her tightly, places her head on Aashu’s shoulder and cries…Aashu caresses her hair and tries to console her….
Aashu: aur ek baat….kal se college aana….no need to put up this emotional scene before your mom….poor she, she is confused about what happened to her daughter…..you will, right??
Sheetal: [after some thinking] hmmmm…..
Aashu: that’s like my friend…..now, wipe off your tears and drink this juice……Your mom said that you didn’t eat anything from morning…..phir saath chalke lunch kaayenge….What say???
Sheetal: [a light smile] hmmm

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

Sid’s home…..Anjali is hurrying to her room when Smriti holds her back…..
Smriti: I am angry with you bhabi….so I wont call you Anjali….
Anjali: why?? What happened??
Smriti: [shows the gift boxes she gave her the previous night] you never opened your gifts….maine kitne pyar se diya tha….[grinning and showing Sid’s gift] aap dono ko yeh gift dekhne ka time bhi na milaa…
Anjali: woh….actually….[Sid comes between their talks]
Sid: woh kya hai na…..[pauses for a moment and changes the dialog] chalo chodo, koyi badi baat nahi….abhi kolkar dekh lethe hai…..
[Gets the gifts to open up but Smriti interrupts]
Smriti: aise aasaani se nahi maanungi…..
Anjali: phir???
Smriti: aur bhi shartein hai….pehle kolo….phir batavungi..
Sid: [doubtfully] okie….
[Opens the gift……Smriti’s gift for Sid is a beautiful watch and for Anjali, it’s a stone studded bracelet]
Sid: [though he already knew it, he gives a compliment] its beautiful smrit…..
Anjali: [without delay……looking at the bracelet] WOW that’s soo pretty….i love it….
Smriti: hmmmmm….ab mere saamne dono pehenlo…..
[When they start wearing it…..Smriti holds their hands and says]
Smriti: not like this…..ek doosre ko pehenaavo…..
Sid: [mind voice: smart girl Smriti….acchi technique hai….]
Anjali: [unwillingly smiles and tries to blush] No yaar…ab jaane dho….hum room mein jaake pehen lenge….pukka promise…
Sid: [mind voice: Smriti, yeh jhoot bol rahi hai….matth jaane dho]
Smriti: no way…..else i won’t let you go
[When smriti is adamant, Anjali and Sid have no choice but obey her]
Anjali: [as she holds out her hand to Sid] ajeeb si condition hai…..chalo teek hai….
[Then she puts the watch in Sid’s hand too]
[Sid romantically looks at her while she ties it and also while he puts the bracelet around her wrist….She sees him too but sends cold vibes across to him…She notices that the bracelet has a letter “S” on it…..She is reminded of the day when Sid had snatched and thrown the chain which Rohit had gifted…..]
Smriti: ab yeh gift…but I wont trespass this area……its Sid’s gift to you…..he will give it to you…..[hands it to Sid]
[Smriti leaves them….Anjali rushes to her room….Sid follows her….but she quickly closes the door behind her]

[To be continued]

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 28

[That’s Rohit who calls from behind]

Anjali: tum????? Ab kyun aaye ho??
Rohit: Anjali….ek baar meri baat sunlo….

Aashu: ab sunne ko kya hai….its all over now….Anjali is married now….
Rohit: I know….but still I want to speak to Anjali….
[Rohit pleads….so Aashu convinces Anjali to talk once]

Anjali: teek hai…sirf 10 mins…

Aashu: [realizing that she should give them some privacy] Anjali, I will go to sheetal’s place….You come after this….
Anjali: [unwilling to talk to him but still she wants to know the story on his side too] hmm…

[Aashu leaves….]
Rohit: [glares at her bridal look, her mehndi, her saree….] tum ek baar mujhe call kar sakthi thi….itni jaldi kya thi??? Mujh par vishwas nahi tha???ya phir mere pyar par yakeen nahi tha?

Anjali: [angrily looks at him] excuse me…yeh sab mujhe tumse poochna chahiye….tumaari mom aur dad ne yeh rishta thoda tha….toh zaayar si baat hai ke uss me tumaari marzi bhi shaamil hoga……anyways….forget it…..poochne kehne se ab koyi fayda nahi……Sid se meri shaadi hogayi hai…..

Rohit: [mellowing down a bit] I never knew all this Anjali….Nobody informed me….nobody called me….I came back yesterday and my mom tells me that our engagement is cancelled…….and mom gives me these and asks me to forget you…..I don’t understand anything……I am confused… [He holds out a cover]
I kept calling you and your phone was continuously switched off….Tumaari land line pe bhi koyi teek se response nahi deh rahe teh..…I thought I would meet you today in person and sort everything out…..Today morning, I went to your home and your mom tells me that your marriage is over…..

Anjali: [takes that in her hand but doesn’t open it] yeh kya hai???
Rohit: tumaare aur Sidharth ke photos hai….aur ek letter bhi….yeh dekh kar hi meri family ne yeh sab kiya!!!
Anjali: [is about to open it when she feels a hand on her shoulder….Its none other but Sid]
Sid: hi wifey….mere khayaal se hum dono ko ghar pe hona chahiye, right??? Main wahaan room mein intezaar kar raha tha aur tum yahaan…[looks at Rohit] yeh kaun hai??? Pehle toh nahi dekha!!! [Sid is seeing Rohit for the first time….so he is puzzled]

Anjali: that’s Rohit…Rohit, this is Sid…I mean Sidharth
Sid: [shocked to hear his name but hides the shock and gives a false smile…..puts his arm over her shoulder and drags her more closely as if to establish his right and holds the other hand to Rohit] oh…hi….nice to meet you
Rohit: [stares at his arm over her and is silent]
Sid: [snaps him out of his stare and repeats his statement] nice to meet you Rohit….
Rohit: [unwillingly shakes hands with him] hi…..
Sid: Anjali, I guess your introduction wasn’t complete…..Rohit, I am Sidharth, Anjali’s husband…..kal hi humaari shaadi hui hai….aur dekho, yeh madam mujhe wahaan akela chod ke college aagayi hai…..
[Rohit is silent and just smiling with a heavy heart….Anjali tries to come out from Sid’s hold but he strongly clasps her]
Sid: Anjali, I think we should leave now…..mom wait kar rahi hogi….ok Rohit, phir kabhi milthe hai…..bye….
Anjali: I am going to my home Sid, I will come later…..
Sid: my home, your home…sab our home hi hai darling……...you just tell me where you want to go….. aur hum saath chalthe hai
Anjali: [low voice: yeh kya bachpana hai….mujhe chodo Sid]
Sid: ab bachpana tum kar rahe ho…..chalo mere saath….

[They leave together….literally Sid forces Anjali to go with him….Poor Rohit is a silent viewer to this]

[When they reach a fairly isolated place, Anjali struggles out of his hold….]

Anjali: [angrily] leave my hand Sid…..[frees her hand….] What are you upto??? Nonsense!!!!
Sid: hey Anjali….why are you angry??? In fact, mujhe naaraaz hona chahiye……You made me wait!!! But see I am not…..its because I love you so much dear!!!
[Sid expects the same from her too but Anjali is silent……..When he gets no reply, he keeps his hand on her shoulder…..She stares at his hand and pushes it away]

Sid: [in the most romantic voice] kya hua meri sweet heart ko….kyun naaraaz ho??
Anjali: yeh tumaari meeti meeti baatein kisi aur se karna….[glaring at him for a second] mujse nahi!!
Sid: You are my wife sweetheart….tumse nahi karunga toh aur kisse karunga??
Anjali: ohh shut up…… tum yeh husband, wife waali baatein naa hi karo toh accha hoga…..dont irritate me talking about it….
Sid: what is this?? Why are you getting irritated??? We are married now and that remains the truth forever!!
[Anjali shrugs it off and remains undeterred hearing that…..She acts indifferent!! So Sid cools down and tries cajoling her again with his sweet talks]
Sid: this is my love for you dear…and you find it irritating and see it as nonsense!!! I love you more than anything else in this life…..
[Anjali leaves him and goes back……He is pretty confused seeing her behavior and attitude towards him..Rohit witnesses and hears a part of their conversation…..He now knows that all is not well between them……]
Sid: [walks back to his bike] tumme kaise manaana hai, yeh main jaantha hoom…..

[Anjali calls up Aashu but then Aashu tells her that she needn’t come to Sheetal’s place now as she is leaving from there soon……Anjali is not in a mood to attend classes and decides to leave…….Meanwhile Deepak is waiting for Aashu, Anjali and Sheetal….All 3 were missing from the class…..Anjali’s reason was pretty obvious to him…..She just got married yesterday!!….. but he had no clue as to where the other 2 were……It had never happened before…..He was upset that they didn’t even inform him as to why they didn’t turn up….His ego prevented him from calling them…….He thought “ why should I call??They should have called and told me…I won’t call this time and that’s final”……..For the first time, he was alone without his friends……He was sitting alone in the class room during the break…..Kripa notices him while passing by……She senses that he is feeling lonely and upset……She understands the reason too…..She goes to him after sometime… ]

Kripa: Deepak, are you fine?? [Deepak is silent…actually he is lost in his thoughts and doesn’t notice Kripa……So she calls him again and this time, a little louder] Deepak!!! [He looks up at her this time] Are you ok??
Deepak: oh hi Kripa….[ruffling his hair and smiles at her].…yup…I am fine…
Kripa: had your lunch??
Deepak: nope…..u??
Kripa: not yet…
Deepak: then why don’t we go together??? Come
Kripa: [surprised but pleasantly] ME???
Deepak: yeah…..you……I mean if you would like to join me for lunch??
Kripa: [after a moment of hesitation] yeah yeah….sure!!
Deepak: then lets go…..
[They leave together to the canteen……They have a elaborate chat while lunch……Kripa seemed to leave her inhibitions and talks to him well……He is a bit surprised about it but has a good time in her company…Kripa is very happy and its like a dream come true for her…..She never thought that such a day would ever come in her life…..She smiles, laughs and for the first time ever, he was seeing her like that….in such a joyous mood…..]

Kripa’s POV:
I was enjoying one of the most happiest moment of my day……He was talking to me whole heartedly…..He went on and on….I kept listening…….talking my mind, laughing without any limitations….I wasn’t smiling falsely…..it was a whole hearted and satisfying chat……he seemed happy speaking to me too…Seeing him like that made me feel special…..The feeling that I was the reason for his happy time pleased me…..It was a blissful time…..I hoped that it continued forever…..

Tu Muskura Jahan Bhi Hai Tu Muskura
Tu Dhoop Ki Tarah Badan Ko Choo Zara
Sharir Se Yeh Muskurahatein Teri
Badan Mein Sunti Hoon Mein Aahatein Teri
Labon Se Aake Cho De Apne Lab Zara
Tu Muskura Jahan Bhi Hai Tu Muskura
Sharir Se Yeh Muskurahatein Teri
Badan Mein Sunti Hoon Mein Aahatein Teri
Aisa Hota Hain Khayalon Mein Aksar
Tujh Ko Sochoon Toh Mahak Jati Hoon
Meri Rooh Mein Basi Hain Teri Khushboo
Tujh Ko Choo Loon To Bahek Jaati Hoon

Deepak’s POV:
At times, our eyes locked….There was something special in her eyes….i felt as if those eyes longed for something….I was curious to know what that was…..but I held back my curiousness…. Wasn’t it too personal?? I didn’t know if we were close enough to ask her that……

Teri Aankhon Mein.. Teri Aankhon Mein Koi To Jaadu Hain

[In between the chats, they finish off their lunch…..both enjoying the time they spend together….Kripa as expected wishes the time freezes there…….Deepak tries his best to behave casual…..yet at times, he is not able to resist looking at her eyes…..]

Please note: Deepak is just curious about her….He just gets attracted to her silence or the secret she treasures….
The above scene never intends to say that he started loving Kripa……But he surely wants move on in life and forget his past love…..he is just trying to get Kripa’s help for that but unknowingly…...only because all his other close friends are too busy and he doesn’t get enough time from them…….He wants to detach himself from Aashu…..and keep himself busy in something else…. He himself is not aware of his wavering mind
Their relationship is somewhere between friendship and love….a little more than friendship and very much less than Love!!!

Tu Muskura Jahan Bhi Hai Tu Muskura...
Tu Muskura Jahan Bhi Hai Tu Muskura (Muskura)
Tu Dhoop Ki Tarah Badan Ko Choo Zara (Choo Zara)
Sharir Se Yeh Muskurahatein Teri
Badan Mein Sunti Hoon Mein Aahatein Teri

Tez Chalti Hain Hawaaon Ki Saansein
Mujhko Baahon Mein Lapet Ke Chupale
Teri Ankhon Ki Hasin Loriyon Main
Main Badan Ko Bichoon Tu Sulale
Teri Aakhon Mein.. Teri Aakhon Mein Koi To Nasa Hai
Tu Muskura Jahan Bhi Hai Tu Muskura...

Tu Muskura Jahan Bhi Hai Tu Muskura
Tu Dhoop Ki Tarah Badan Ko Choo Zara
Sharir Se Yeh Muskurahatein Teri
Badan Mein Sunti Hoon Mein Aahatein Teri

[The day ends on a happy note for Kripa and Deepak…..now lets see what Anjali-Sid are upto]

[To be Continued]

Is love blind? .......Oh yes it is!! - Episode 27

All That Glitters May Not Be Gold....At times, It Might Be Diamonds

Back to Sheetal-Sam’s scene……

Sam’s POV:
Someone sprinkled water on my face….I got up startled…..It was drizzling lightly and rain drops came in through the window…..I closed the window on my side….Time was about 3 AM….
I suddenly realized that I wasn’t alone….I looked to Sheetal’s side….She was still sleeping….drops of water were wetting her too….I leaned over her seat and tried to lift the glass……I heard a sudden scream….and somebody pushed me aside…..such a powerful punch that I hit the front glass…..

Sheetal: [snapping out from her sleep….shocked to find Sam so close to her] AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAh……..What the hell!!! What are you doing here??? Where am I???? Where is Jeeth??

Sam: [I tried to restore myself to my seat] hello hello….relax…..I am sam, your senior….[mind voice: so that idiot is Jeeth….]

Sheetal: [angrily] I know that you are Sam, my senior….but what the hell am I doing here with you??? [she spoke in broken sentences] hotel….Jeeth….…..[then suddenly she screamed] tumne mujhe kidnap kiya na?? plzz mujhe chod dho….

Sam: whoa whoa….cool down yaar…..meri billi aur mujhse meow…..

Sheetal: [angrily] Billi…..kahaan hai billi?? Mujhe chod dho…..

Sam: oh shit…..koyi isse samjaaye….arre…..tum sheetal ho aur tumme maine Garden View hotel se uttaaya tha!!! i mean bachaaya tha!!!

Sheetal: dekha, I knew it….garden view hotel….main wahi thi…...mere Jeeth ke saath....aur tumne mujhe wahaan se kidnap kiya…..bachao….koyi hai!!! help….[starts shouting….Sam shuts her mouth tightly with his hands]

Sam: pehle meri baat suno [Sheetal struggles to free herself but Sam tightens his grip and unfolds the entire incident before her…..When she seemed to have understood what happened, he loosens the grip….] ab plzz don’t shout….promise….Yahi hua tha…..chahe toh uss doctor ke paas le chaltha hoom….tum khud hi pooch lo….Tushar se bhi pooch lo…..plzz cool down and think...try to recollect what really happened.....

[She seemed convinced that I was telling the truth…..I could see drops of water rolling down from the corner of her eyes…..no they weren’t rain drops, she was crying…..that sight melted me….She was crying like a small kid…..I wanted to hug her tightly and console…..In between her sobs, I heard her telling about jeeth…..I understood one thing…..she loves him deeply…..I could guess rest of the story…..and the climax was already known to me…..]

Sam: It’s alright Sheetal…..now don’t cry….don’t shed tears for a person like him….….those tears are precious…….and he is not worth it …..
[She couldn’t control her tears and she hugged me…..I patted on her back and tried to console her….It was just an momentary emotional supportive hug Sam, so don’t run your imagination high…..]

Sheetal: [wiping her tears and looking down] mujhe ghar jaana hai….

Sam: [looking at his watch] Now??? Its just 3:30….What will you say to your parents?? I think you should wait till it dawns….Anyhow your parents would be assuming that you are at Anjali’s place….

Sheetal: [looks around and sees that it is dark still] hmmm……[remembering about Anjali’s wedding] Anjali aur Sid ke shaadi???

Sam: hua hoga…..main toh yahaan tumaare utne ka intezaar kar raha tha!!! [smiles at her]

Sheetal: [a slight smile comes up but her pain was clearly visible on her face] sorry Sam, mere wajhe se tum apne dhost ke shaadi mein nahi jaa paaye…..

Sam: it’s ok…..[imitating SRK] bade bade sheheron mein aisi choti choti baatein hote rahete hai senorita….never mind!

[We smiled…of course hers wasn’t a whole hearted smile …….and waited together for the dawn of a new day……a new day, a new beginning…….]

Sid’s POV

My cell phone alarm rang at its usual time…It was about 8 AM……I had a beautiful dream….I married Anjali ……It was sooo amazing…….

I sighed and opened my eyes slightly …..The hangover of the dream wasn’t leaving me….I was on a decorated bed….I looked around……the whole room was decorated….yeh kya hai?? dream mein dekhi har cheez yahan bhi hai……..I pinched myself to check…….I screamed….it pained…..IT WASN’T A DREAM…….I really married her and brought her to my home….She was with me here the last night….our wedding night……I searched the other side of the bed…….She wasn’t there….. I got up with a startle
I saw Anjali before the mirror…..She was startled too……She turned quickly to my side…..Few drops of water from her wet hair splashed my face…..I was fully convinced that she was my wife now….I smiled to myself thinking about it…..I smiled as I wiped it away….She smiled too and turned back to the mirror……I ruffled my hair and looked down…. She was wearing a dark green saree with golden sequins and thread work….That was the first time I saw her in a saree….. She looked stunning in a saree……She was fairer than ever…..
Dude, such a special morning….the morning after ur wedding…and you aren’t doing anything to make it romantic…..tum yahi beit kar sochte rehna…..Anjali tumaare baare mein kya sochegi?? Shall I hug her from behind or just pull her into my arms????
I smiled and looked up…..She wasn’t there anymore….I saw her rushing out of the room….”Anjali” I called her but she had left…….itne jaldi mein kahaan jaa rahi hai??? maybe she went to bring coffee for me…..I was feeling special and elated….I sat there lazily waiting for my bed coffee…..but she didn’t turn up…..

May be she got stuck downstairs amidst my relatives….I brushed and freshened up and went down….I saw her sitting near my mom…..I sat at the dining table and called out aloud……”Can I get a hot coffee???”

I could hear my mom asking Raju Khaka to get me a coffee……But she got up…..She was already trying to be a perfect wife, I guess…..I smiled again….
She brought me a coffee…..She didn’t make it…..It had the same flavor as the coffee raju khaka made…..She placed it before me and turned away quickly…….In a reflex, I caught her hand tightly……That was the only romantic thing I could think off at that moment……
Anjali: chodo Sid….kya kar rahe ho???
Sid: romance!!! Shaadi ke pehle subah hai….aur kya karoonga??
Anjali: plzz Sid, all your people are here….koyi deklega toh kya sochenge….
Sid: humaari shaadi ho chuki hai…..koyi kuch nahi sochenge……[I could see her embarrassment….So I pulled her closer and whispered into her ears] teek hai…..main room mein hoom…..jaldi aajaana…
Anjali: abi nahi aa sakthi….
Sid: ok then I wont leave you…….saath le kar jaavunga….[grins]

Anjali: [struggles to free herself but fails] ok…I will come….leave me now….
Sid: [leaves her] hmmm….

I went back to my room, waited for her……It was my worst wait ever……I was missing her badly…..I went to the corridor to check what happened to her….I saw my mom sitting alone…..I called out to her “Mom, Anjali kahaan hai??? aapne kuch kaam diya hai kya”

Mom: Anjali, woh college jaa chukhi hai….bohat dher hogayi hai….tumse nahi kaha kya??? Woh college jaana chahthi thi…maine socha ke tumse poochliya hogi…..
Sid: [I didn’t want to upset my mom saying that she didn’t tell me] ohhhh haan…usne kahaa tha….main hi bhool gaya…..

Mom: hmmm….beta tum breakfast keliye aa jao….
Sid: Anjali ne breakfast kiya kya??
Mom: nahi….usne kahaa ke woh canteen mein kar legi….
Sid: hmmm….. Mom, I will get ready and come….mujhe bhi college jaana hai….

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

Scene at College: Anjali meets Aashu…..Aashu: [surprised to see her so soon in college] tum???….kal hi shaadi hua….aur aaj tum college aagayi….
Anjali: [angrily] shaadi hua toh kya hua?? College nahi chodo hai…..
Aashu: oh oh…madam bohat hi karaab mood mein hai….kya hua??? Pati dev se bichad ne ki dukh hai kya??
[Anjali stares at her….]

Aashu: whoa whoa….cool down dear….waise tum iss saree mein bohat sundar lag rahi ho…..I wonder how Sid left you….[winks and smiles naughtily]
Anjali: plzz Aashu….kamse kam tum toh aise baatein math karo….tum jaante ho na kin haalaaton mein humaari shaadi hui hai…..
Aashu: ok baba….nahi karthi…..par yeh toh bataa……Sid kahaan hai??? tum dono saath nahi aaye kya??
Anjali: no….I don’t know where he is…..You don’t like Sid, na??? Then why are you asking about him??
Aashu: Anjali dear, I didn’t like him before….but now he is your husband…..jeeju hai ho mere…..fikar toh hogi na?? [grins]

Anjali: Husband!!!…..uske fikar karne ki koyi zaroorat nahi…..

[Aashu’s smile vanishes….She understands that there is some problem between the two…..but she decides to give it sometime and then ask her about it….]

Aashu: accha chodo….chalo class chalthe hai....

Anjali: ek baat poochni thi….Where is Sheetal??? Shaadi mein bhi nahi dikhi….
Aashu: She didn’t come dear…ohh I forgot….Her mom called me just 10 minutes before…..I was driving….I told I will call her back…Let me try now…..
[She calls Sheetal’s mom…..and they talk something]
Aashu: ok aunty…..I will come….[she cuts the call]
Anjali: what happened??? What did she say??
Aashu: She has called me home….i wonder what happened to Sheetal….
Anjali: I will come with you too….
Aashu: teek hai….chalo…..
[As they begin to leave, somebody calls Anjali from behind…..Anjali turns back]
Anjali: tum????? Ab kyun aaye ho??

[To be continued]