Beyond Just Love (Chapter 11-15)

Chapter 11: A unique wedding night!

She continues before he could argue, “waise bhi main sirf aaj raat ki baat kar rahi hoom….aapse kuch baatein karegi toh usse accha lagega….[pausing] agar usse koyi bhi help chahiye main yahi guest room mein hoom…jab chaahe bell bajaa dijiyega….I will be there!”

Though Arjun was still not convinced fully, he nodded as he also felt that Annie had a valid point about not treating Sakshi as a patient, “hmm…”

Annie smiled and walked away after saying good night to him….Arjun sat back to catch up on the news but his eyes darted to Sakshi’s room and his mind wandered to what Annie had said!

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

Sakshi wasn’t able to sleep….the new place and above that the feeling that she was married to the only man she had ever loved was not letting her sleep as well…..

Becoming Arjun’s wife was more than a dream come true for her…..a dream which had come true at the most unexpected time….or perhaps at the most unexpected way!

Her wish sure had come true but she was not in a position to accept it happily! It was the irony of her life!

Her tears made her vision blurred….so she closed her eyelids to drain them away….the darkness she felt inside the closed eyelids gave her a sort of peace….Atleast she didn’t have to see the vacuum that filled her life!

She opened her eyes when she sensed someone’s presence near her…..She thought Annie was back in the room and opened her eyes to see him standing beside her bed….

He had seen her tears rolling down….he knew that she was upset about the entire course of sudden happenings in her life…Yes, perhaps it was difficult to accept the sudden change of course of both their lives!

He bent down and brushed away her tears with his fingers….

He spoke up “itna zyaadha matth socho Sakshi…tumhe bass jaldi se teek hona hai…humaare liye wahi important hai! Samjhi tum?”

She nodded silently…..and their eyes lock with each other for a long moment before she snaps out and looks towards the door….

Arjun notices her and understands that she is looking for Annie….

Arjun: Tumhe kuch chaahiye??

Sakshi: nahi….bass….[hesitantly voices] actually, yeh….choodiya aur….[points to her bangles, chain and the earrings]

Arjun understands that Annie hadn’t removed all that for her and she was feeling uneasy with all that…..

Arjun: ohhh…..Annie apni kamre mein hogi…I will call her….

[Saying that, he moves towards the bell but then stops midway and then looks at Sakshi]

Arjun: Annie shaayad aaraam kar rahi hogi…main kar dehtha hoom….

He didn’t wait for her reply but just went and sat beside her on the bed and carefully removed the bangles from her hand…

She tried to say something but then silenced herself and allowed him to do it!

He slowly removed the bangles and put it into the side draw….then he gently raised her head a bit and removed the hook of the chain around her neck….

As his fingers brushed past her neck, she felt a shrill shiver up her body even though there was nothing romantic in his intentions….his mere touch was giving her goosebumps…..She turned her head to the side to allow him more access!

Meanwhile, Annie had remembered something and was coming out of her room when she saw Arjun doing all this for Sakshi….She smiled to herself and quickly went away into her room so that they aren’t disturbed by her presence!

He placed back her head on the pillow and then slowly removed the earring off her….his first intimate touches on her was making her tremble again…..

However, or whatever he was doing, these touches did have that sensitive effect on her!

He wasn’t touching her or feeling her as his bride or it was nothing like what a husband does for a wife on their wedding night but still it triggered a million sensations inside her….!

She was feeling helpless and desperate for not being able to respond to him the way she had to respond as his bride…But he didn’t seem to have any impact or was he posing ignorant to all his feelings…It wasn’t clear from his face….

Within a few moments, he took it all out and secured them inside the side table….Though she didn’t ask for it, he also freed her hair from the clip which held it when he realized that it was hurting her as well!

She gathered herself up and muttered, “thanks….Arjun!”

He didn’t reply but just nodded with a faint smile…

He stood up and spoke up, “main abi aatha hoom…”

She looked at him enquiringly as she wasn’t sure if he meant that he was going to stay in her room that night…..Perhaps, she didn’t know it or rather didn’t expect it to happen that way!!

He clarified reading her questions from her face, “aaj raat main tumaare paas….[correcting himself] matlab main yahi hoom….tumhe koyi problem nahi hai na?”

She was happy deep within her but again she knew that his staying with her only meant hardships for him…..there would be nothing which he would get in return!

She looked at him and muttered, “nahi”

He nodded and went out to this room to freshen up and change his clothes….

Switching off the lights at the kitchen and living room, he walked into her room soon…He didn’t want to leave her alone for long….

He just closed the door ajar and turned to her……She hadn’t slept yet…..

He came closer and enquired, “tumne medicines le li na?”

She nodded…..while he added seeing her nod, “then sleep!”

It was more of an affectionate command as a husband says to his wife…she felt good hearing it from him….while in ETF, he used to issue commands or orders in an authoritative loud tone as if she wasn’t his team mate but a slave…..and all of it to scare her and make her life hell in ETF!….Afterall, he had taken the resolution to drive her out of ETF some way or the other!

But today, his command had only concern and affection! For the first time ever, she really wished to follow his orders but her eyes somehow refused to oblige…..She smacked herself but even then sleep evaded her totally!

Meanwhile, unaware of her inner turmoils, he walked to the far end of the room and stood by the window….

She closed her eyes in agony when she saw him standing aloof…..Even after marrying, he was all alone like he had been always and she couldn’t do anything to comfort him!

She couldn’t go to him nor give him all that pleasure and happiness that he rightly deserved from his wife!

He was the best and truly deserved the best but she was nowhere close to that…she didn’t even qualify for becoming a wife!

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

Like a dreamy trance, she felt as if she raised from the bed….and the next moment she rushed into his arms……

But then as she reached for his face to touch him, she felt she was being pulled back and there she fell back into the bed….. She tried her best to rise up…she kept trying and trying hard but only to fall back!

Her eyes filled up as she realized that it was her heart’s longing that had made her see an impossible dream! It was just a dream which kept breaking again and again! Will it ever become true? She didn’t know!

Her tears attracted his attention….he looked to her side….Why was she crying? There was no way he could ignore her tears…..he rushed to her side…..Wiping them away, he spoke up, “Sakshi pls…..pls dont cry”

She instantly stopped crying and composed herself….He brushed away the remnant tears and then gently caressed her forehead….He affectionately voices, “so jaao”

As he tried to get up….she enquired, “aur aap….”

Arjun replied pointing to the couch, “hmm…..main wahaan so jaavunga….dont worry!”

She wanted to draw him to herself and ask him to sleep beside her but she couldn’t…..there were more than one reasons for that…..She didn’t know what he expected her to do or say…..she didn’t know what her limits were....will he even like it if she speaks to him like a wife does to her husband? Will he like if she takes that right? There were numerous questions in her mind but she couldn’t voice any of it out!

He had just stretched himself on the couch when he saw her still gazing at him with her eyes wide open….there was not a tinge of sleep in her eyes….that worried him!

He came back to her…..Sitting right beside her, he continued to caress her hair as gently as possible as if putting her to sleep…..

Her eyes met his and her pain was evident there….he could read it…he enquired, “kya hua??? neend nahi aa rahi hai kya?”

She shook her head in negative and replied, “aap…ko…kisi…..acchi….ladki se shaadi….”

Knowing well where her conversation was heading, he snapped her…”shhhhh……” and then added sarcastically mocking himself to cheer her up….”tumse acchi koyi mili nahi Sakshi….aur waise bhi…..mere saat date pe jaana hi saza jaisa hain na?? phir tumaare seva aur kaun shaadi karega mujhse????”

She rolled her eyes totally surprised…..so he had overheard what she said that day…..

Understanding her confusion, he clears it “haan tumaare hi zubaan se nikhli hui baat hai….tumhe kya laga….tum mere baare mein kuch bhi kahogi aur mujhe patha nahi chalega, huh?”

She couldn’t help a smile hearing him say that….she looked cute with that smile on…..

He smiled back at her and added, “aise hi muskuraate rehna…yeh smile hi tumpar acchi lagthi hai…udhaasi nahi!”

She couldn’t help a blush….the first compliment from her husband…she felt out of the world!

He truly had a magical touch…there was a mesmerizing charm in him….and she was totally enchanted by him, his presence, his magical words and his mesmerizing touch!!

She smiled again while he continued caressing her hair and hushed to her, “ab so jaao…main yahi hoom!”

True to his magic, her eye lids felt heavy now and she slowly drifted into sleep!

Lafzon Se Jo Tha Pareh
Khaali Pann Ko Jo Bhare
Kuch Toh Tha Tere Mere Darmiyaan
Rishte Ko Kya Modh Doon
Naata Yeh Ab Todh Doon
Ya Phir Yunhi Chodh Doon, Darmiyaan
Benaam Rishta Woh
Benaam Rishta Woh, Bechain Karta Jo
Ho Na Sake Jo Beyaan, Darmiyaan
Darmiyaan Darmiyaan Darmiyaan Darmiyaan
Kuch Toh Tha Tere Mere Darmiyaan
Darmiyaan Darmiyaan Darmiyaan Darmiyaan
Kuch Toh Tha Tere Mere Darmiyaan

[To be continued]

Chapter 12: yun tera muskuraana....

He smiled back at her and added, “aise hi muskuraate rehna…yeh smile hi tumpar acchi lagthi hai…udhaasi nahi!”

She couldn’t help a blush….the first compliment from her husband…she felt out of the world!

He truly had a magical touch…there was a mesmerizing charm in him….and she was totally enchanted by him, his presence, his magical words and his mesmerizing touch!!

She smiled again while he continued caressing her hair and hushed to her, “ab so jaao…main yahi hoom!”

True to his magic, her eye lids felt heavy now and she slowly drifted into sleep!

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

He didn’t know when his eyes closed for a moment but when he opened it again, it was deeper into the night…..He had drooped off by her side as well….His fingers were still on her soft tresses and his other hand was holding her protectively….

She was comfortably sleeping and her face was peaceful!

Perhaps the sense of security and “an owned by” feeling she felt in his arms made her relax completely!

He snapped out and tried to get up but it was then that he realized that her hand clutched him….Her fingers were hugging his fingers tightly…..Even in the deep sleep, her fingers didn’t loosen the grip on him! And she shifted a bit when he tried to get up!

He became still again fearing that she would wake up……

He realized that after Roshni, it was the first time that a girl was so close to him….

Even when he decided to marry Sakshi, this closeness or nothing related was never on his mind…His emotions were far away from all of this!

Getting close to a girl other than his first and only love Roshni was tough for him but now the situations changed and demanded it….he didn’t know the reason but he felt it was his responsibility to take care of Sakshi…perhaps he felt that Sakshi needed him and his support!

Or perhaps her confession and the fact that he knew what she felt for him had its effect as well…but what was in his heart? Even he was confused about his own feelings for her…..

Was it love? No was an instant answer that his heart echoed back to him……but it also whispered….it is not just love…..it was even beyond that!

For someone who could always see beyond the obvious, it shouldn’t be tough to realize what exactly he felt for Sakshi but no….Love or anything connected to one’s heart was always a mystery….Mysterious are the ways of a human heart….kab kaise, kisse pyar ho jaatha hai, yeh patha hi nahi chaltha!

As they say….”yeh dil ke baatein dil hi jaane”

And ACP Arjun Rawte always preferred to keep his heart deep under thick wraps so that none could trespass or get to know him better……His face, his expressions, his emotions were all totally inscrutable!

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

He could have just forced her to sleep and resumed his sleep on the couch but he couldn’t……He couldn’t see her restless and lying there without able to sleep….he couldn’t let her feel like an alien in his house…he wanted her to feel at home…..his home was her home too now!

He just squeezed her fingers lightly reassuring that he isnt going away anywhere and lay back on the bed’s head rest!

But he couldn’t sleep! He lay awake and his eyes darted to her face…..she appeared calm and there was a unique sense of satisfaction on her pretty face…..Yes, she looked pretty…It was the first time he was observing her so keenly!

In the faint light from the night lamp, her face looked angelic and her tender skin glowed a bit…

But she looked pale…The treatment, the medicines, the hospital environment and the whole lot of problems she was facing before he met her seemed to have worn her out completely…..

The dark circles under her eyes made it evident that she was quite exhausted by her destiny…..

Unaware of himself, his fingers trailed down from her hair to her face…He caressed her cheeks as gently as possible so that she isnt disturbed…..

A smiled creeped up her lips by the impact of his delicate touch on her face……she stirred slightly and her hand left his fingers and cozily grabbed the hand on her face……

She forcefully kept his palm on her cheeks and her face turned to get closer to him…..

Her cute gestures and her casual smile in her sleep made him smile as well…

At those moments, he felt that he was seeing the most beautiful sight…..her smile!

He felt that he could spend a lifetime just gazing at that innocent childlike smile!

He tried a few times but he couldn’t get up from there without upsetting her peaceful sleep…Each time, he tried to do that, she stirred and moved closer to him …..He realized that it wasn’t going to happen…..So he stopped trying to get up…..

Rather, he tried to sleep as well…..slowly, he too drifted into sleep…..

After so many days, he too could sleep today…The very thought that she was safe near him in his house and he was going to revive her treatment relieved him!

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

A slight knock on the door woke up Sakshi…..She looked at the clock..it was going to be 7 in the morning……She thought to herself, “it must be Annie!”

It was only then that she realized that she wasn’t alone on the bed….

She looked sideways and was a little stunned to see Arjun right next to her and his hand sandwiched between her hand and her cheeks….

His other hand resting protectively around her!

She smiled and a slight blush made her turn pink as well….it was a dream come true for her…waking up like this almost in his arms….She knew he would leave her the moment he woke up…She just snuggled into his hands a little more and tried to cherish those moments fully…..She wished to treasure them for eternity!

He was sleeping….She couldn’t open the door nor could she wake him up……she didn’t want to disturb his sleep! He seemed calm and happy in his sleep…..

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 Mukura 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 

Annie knocked again and then voices slowly, “kya main andhar aa jaavum?”

Sakshi just managed to reply in a very low voice, “Haan….Annie…”

Arjun woke up hearing Sakshi’s voice but before he could realize that it was morning and also become conscious of how close he was to Sakshi, Annie peeped in slowly….

She saw the couple and she was more than just happy seeing them close like that!

She felt content that her plan worked eventually!

Annie posed ignorance to the sight she saw in order to avoid any embarrassment and just chirped cheerfully, “Good morning!”

Arjun instantly stood up but after ensuring Sakshi was comfortable!

He replied back, “Good morning Annie!”

Annie smiled and then looked at Sakshi…Sakshi also smiled warmly at Annie and her smile only meant that she was very happy!

Annie: sorry maine aapko distub kiya but I had to check something…isiliye….

Arjun: no problem…..aap kabhi bhi aa sakthe hai!

He stepped back to allow way to Annie….She first cleared the urine bag……and then started preparing Sakshi to brush and freshen up…..

Arjun was happy seeing Annie doing everything so sincerely and without any hesitation…..

Now only one thing bothered him, what will happen when Annie leaves? Will he get someone atleast half efficient and sincere as her to look after Sakshi? That thought had been disturbing him from the time he had decided all this…..

Atleast for a month, Annie would be unavailable! Even if he manages to get her relieved sooner than the notice period, she had to settle her things in Delhi before shifting base to Mumbai….And that would require atleast a month or so! He couldn’t be so selfish and hurry her up on that!

He snapped out of his thoughts when Annie voiced about giving Sakshi a bath……He excused himself and walked to his room….

Annie closed the door and turned back and naughtily enquired, “so kaisa tha??”

Sakshi shyly looked away from her…”kya?”

Annie: aur kya?? apne pati dev ke saath…haan?

Sakshi just smiled as a response….it wasn’t a typical wedding night and she couldn’t hope for such a night any time soon but whatever it was, it felt good to be so close to him…and to feel him and his warm touch!

Annie didn’t intrude much as she also knew Sakshi’s thoughts…..She just quickly sent a prayer to her lord that Sakshi and Arjun get all happiness in their life very soon…..

She continued her work while Arjun brushes up and walks into the kitchen to prepare tea for himself and coffee for Annie and Sakshi but to his surprise, he finds that Annie had already made everything ready! His tea was in a flask too….He wondered how she knew and then realized that Sakshi must have updated her everything about him! He smiled at the thought!

Their coffees were in two cups ready to be taken…..

He turns back to see Annie coming in to pick the coffees…..

He muttered…”Thanks!”  

Annie replied as she walked away with their cups…”itni choti si baat keliye thanks kehne lagenge toh usi keilye time hoga Sir…..consider it all as part of my duty!”

He couldn’t help wonder at her totally dedicated and selfless character….how could someone be so modest and simple! He and Sakshi were indeed lucky to have got her for their help and support!

She was also a great moral support for Sakshi!

He poured himself a cup of tea and walked into his room to get ready…..

Sakshi was ready after the bath and Annie had dressed her up as well……Arjun was still in his room when the bell rang….

Annie opened the door….3 men and 2 ladies stood at their door……She hadn’t seen them before but something told her who they were....her lips mindlessly muttered, “ETF?”

Aisha smiled and replied back guessing who she could be, “Annie?”

Annie smiled back and nodded, “haan….”

She stepped aside to welcome them in….

By then Arjun walked out of his room voicing, “Rathod…” [Looking at the entire team, he voices in general] sab andhar aa jaao…

Shree, Liza and Chotu smiled at Annie as they walked in….

Arjun just gives a brief intro about Annie….Though Aisha and Sameer knew Annie, the others didn’t know about her….

Arjun then turns to Annie, “Yeh sab Sakshi se milne aaye hai…can we??”

Annie nods and then leads them all into Sakshi’s room……though all were aware of Sakshi’s state, the sight they saw melted all of them!

Aisha rushed to Sakshi’s side while Liza clutched Shree’s hand for support…….

The ever chirpy bubbly full of action Sakshi was lying helpless and stagnant on the bed….

It was a painful sight…but none showed it out much and tried to control their emotions to the best possible extent

Aisha held her hand in hers and enquired, “kaisi ho Sakshi?”

Sakshi smiled at all of them and then slowly replied, “hoom…”

It had a thousand meanings and Arjun couldn’t stand that poignant reply from her….May be the sudden visit from the entire team and realization that all of them sympathized with her made her weak and vulnerable…..So her most natural feeling of just a mere existence in this world came out as a reply from the bottom of her heart!

Sameer patted Sakshi’s hands which were in Aisha’s and consoled her, “don’t worry…..ab sab teek ho jaayega!”

Arjun spoke up, “Rathod, mujhe tumse kuch baat karni hai…”

Rathod nods and follows Arjun….they walk into the study…..

Soon, Shree, Liza and Chotu also join Aisha by Sakshi’s bed side…..

As always, its gala time….The only difference being that Sakshi wasn’t speaking much like before but her smiles and giggles never ceased when Shree and Chotu start their jokes…..

Not to forget Shree and Liza’s constant banters! Aisha as always was their warden and kept them under tabs….

Annie could see a different Sakshi altogether in the team’s presence…..Once again, she could underline her theory that Sakshi would get well here in Mumbai amidst her favorite people…..in the presence of her first love…her husband Arjun!!

Signs of improvement, a new confidence, a motivation to get well soon was already evident in Sakshi and Annie could see that it was only going to grow from here…..

Annie spoke up, “main abi aathi hoom…aap log baatein kijiye…”

She stood up from her chair to give them some privacy when Shree replied, “aap agar chai ya coffee banaane jaa rahe ho toh main bhi saat chaltha hoom….I will help you Annie ji…”

Liza and Aisha rolled their eyes at Shree’s sudden politeness and upfront offering for help….

Annie smiled, “you can call me Annie….Ji ki zaroorat nahi hai”

Shree: ok….toh chaliye….

Annie: thanks but I can manage…….aap log baatein karo…

Annie walked away while Shree tried to follow her…..

Liza tugged his hand and pulled him back to his seat, “Specky, tum unnki help karne aaye ho ya Sakshi se milne, haan? Waise bhi tumaare iraadhe na tumaare inn gol gol aankhon mein saaf jhalak raha hai!”

All start laughing…..Sakshi couldn’t stop laughing hearing it as well!

Shree: Liza, main toh bass unnki help karna chahtha tha….bechaari….kitna kaam karegi??

Liza: agar unne help chaahiye toh bathaa degi….tum chup chaap yahaan beito….warna main Arjun sir se keh doongi ke tum Annie JI ko tangh kar rahe ho….[She stresses on JI] Samjhe ya Samjhaavum?

Shree slumping back to his seat,”odi baba….unnke SYS…nahi nahi….”

Shree could see that Liza was acting like an over possessive girl friend…..he mentally noted to taunt her on this later!

Sakshi laughed so much that her eyes flooded with tears uncontrollably….Aisha took a tissue and wiped them away…

Seeing her dark circles and pale face, she voices…..”Sakshi tum bohat weak lag rahe ho…..”

Chotu immediately took over, “haan bilkul, tum kuch khaati peeti ho ya nahi, huh??”

Sakshi nods and replies softly, “ab….bhook….thodi….kam…hi…..lagtha…hai…..aise…leiti…rehthi…hoom na…..shaayad…”

Shree pressed her hand, “Sakshi…”

Aisha caresses her hair gently as if to console her……

Sakshi knew that she had made them all emotional….She had to switch the topic and that’s when she remembered about Aisha’s pregnancy….

Sakshi looks at Aisha and then her stomach and winks at her naughtily, “maine…..sunaa….ke….koyi….naya…..member…aane waala….hai…..”

All understand whom she meant and Liza replies, “haan…ab kuch hi mahinon mein ek nanna munna member bhi hoga humaare saat, hai na Specky??”

Shree takes the opportunity and decides to tease her….Looking at Liza with a naughty glint, he enquire, “accha? Tumne bathaaya hi nahi….yeh sab kab hua Liza?”

Liza glares back understanding his mock and punches him hard…..and again continues to hit him while he runs around escaping her hands!

As she had seen a prospective couple in Sameer and Aisha back then, now she could see another unique couple in the making….Shree and Liza…Sakshi felt really happy for her friends!

The fun time continued as Shree, Liza and Chotu never failed to entertain her to the fullest!

Sakshi has the funniest time of her life and her laughs echoe the entire place…..

As she laughed mindlessly, forgetting every sorrow of her life and her misery, Arjun and Rathod walked in after their private and serious talk!

She didn’t notice him coming and was continuously laughing…Her eyes sparkled not with tears but with happiness…...Neither could he take his eyes off her nor could he disturb her from the laugh, the playful banters and her joyous state of mind….He just stood at the door step watching her! It felt magical!

Teri Aankhon
Teri Aankhon Mein Koi To Jaadu Hain
Tu Muskura Jahan Bhi Hai Tu Muskura

Tu Muskura Jahan Bhi Hai Tu Muskura
Tu Dhoop Ki Tarah Badan Ko Choo Zara

[To be continued]

Chapter 13: Meri Khamoshiyan…

The fun time continued as Shree, Liza and Chotu never failed to entertain her to the fullest!

Sakshi has the funniest time of her life and her laughs echoe the entire place…..

As she laughed mindlessly, forgetting every sorrow of her life and her misery, Arjun and Rathod walked in after their private and serious talk!

She didn’t notice him coming and was continuously laughing…Her eyes sparkled not with tears but with happiness…...Neither could he take his eyes off her nor could he disturb her from the laugh, the playful banters and her joyous state of mind….He just stood at the door step watching her! It felt magical!

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

A few minutes before……

Arjun and Rathod were in the study…

Arjun: Rathod, woh Annie ke jaane….

Rathod: [understanding his concern, he snaps him short and replies] dont worry Rawte……Maine aur Aisha ne uss agency mein baat kar liya hai…..woh ek accha home nurse bijwaa denge…..koyi problem nahi hogi…..So relax!

Arjun silently nodded before speaking up, “I really hope so Rathod……warna Sakshi ke dekh baal mein problem hogi!”

Rathod: maine yeh sab tumse pehle bhi kaha tha Rawte…..khair….ab jo hogaya so hogaya…usse bathal nahi sakthe….

Arjun snaps him short, “mujhe koyi patchtaava nahi hai Rathod…..I did what was right to me….and no way I am regretting that! Mujhe bas Sakshi ki fikhar hai! main saare waqt usske saat nahi reh saktha…aur waise bhi usske saare kaam bhi…..” 

[His words cease but Rathod could understand what he wanted to say…..]

Rathod nods understanding what he intended, “I understand….waise doctor se baat hogayi na?”

Arjun: haan…aaj shaam ko appointment hai…...ek physiotherapist ke bhi naam suggest kiya hai….kal se sessions shuru honge!

Rathod nods and then start updating Arjun on the pending cases which came in during his absence!

Arjun listens to all of it and Rathod voices, “I think humein office chalna chahiye…..”

Arjun nods, “hmmm”

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

Meanwhile in the room….

Annie serves the team with coffee and she is just about to go to the study to serve Arjun and Rathod their cups that they walk in….

And Arjun stands at the door watching Sakshi laugh and having fun with the rest of the team!

Annie couldn’t help a grin seeing Arjun’s mesmerized and happy expressions…..

Rathod takes a cup and steps in to join the team while Arjun is still stuck to the place!

Annie holds the tray to him and coughs to snap him out but he doesn’t…..Rathod understands it and voices, “Rawte tumaare chai tandha ho raha hai….RAWTE….”

The loud call of his name snaps him out and he hides his embarrassment and picks the cup….

Sakshi also looks to their side hearing the voices……her eyes meet his gaze and she instantly becomes silent…..the entire surrounding freezes for a long moment! 

None of them actually try to even disturb their trance…..

His eyes were fixed on hers…..as he mindlessly takes the cup to his lips, she realizes that its steaming hot as he prefers it like that….and his careless sipping could burn his mouth….so she snaps out instantly and voices, “Arjun…sambaalke….”

All turn to her hearing that and Arjun also instantly stops….

He realizes what he was about to do and smiles at her as if thanking her for the timely warning!

There are chuckles, coughs and teasing looks from all over alternating between Arjun and Sakshi…..The team was sure was having their fill of romantic scenes! The eyelock, the magical looks and miles didnt go unnoticed by them!

Aisha understands the need for privacy for the couple and snaps the others, “Guys, I think we should leave now…hai na Sameer?”

Rathod instantly understands what she intended, “haan of course….humein chalna chahiye…..Rawte tum chaaho toh leave…”

Arjun snaps him and replies, “Main thodi dher mein paunch jaavunga Rathod…”

Rathod nods, “okay”

And as they start leaving, Shree voices out hesitantly and in broken sentences, “Sir, main kya soch raha tha…..I mean agar Sakshi bhi kuch dher keliye….ETF….matlab uss keliye ek change bhi hoga na?”

Chotu also sides his suggestion, “haan sir…..Shree teek keh raha hai!”

Rathod didn’t want to make a decision here…He looked at Arjun as if asking him to take the call!

Arjun looked at Sakshi silently for a moment….he could see a wish in her eyes to go out of the four walls…a desire to go back to office……an excitement that made her otherwise dull eyes sprout up to life…..her eyes sparkled after a long time!

He understood that she wanted to come to ETF with him……but he just voices his only concern, “wahaan case ke beech mein Sakshi ko kaise….”

Shree snaps him understanding his concern, “Annie ji bhi saat chalegi na…..hum bhi honge….phir kya problem hai sir? Thodi dher ki toh baat hai…phir main khud Sakshi aur Annie ji ko waapas drop kar doonga….”

Liza turned to Shree’s side shaking her head in disbelief when he was enthusiastically mentioning Annie’s name…..

Arjun stared at Shree for a moment and then looked at Annie to get her nod, “Annie, aap ko koyi problem nahi hai na?”

Annie smiled and replied, “koyi problem nahi hai Sir….It will be a good change for Sakshi…..”

Arjun nodded and spoke to the rest of the team, “teek hai….tum sab chalo…main Sakshi ko lekhe aa jaavunga…”

The team leaves while Annie also goes to her room to get ready leaving behind Arjun and Sakshi!

Arjun walks to her and takes her hand in his, “tum khush ho na Sakshi?”

That question literally melted her….such care and concern had been alien to her for quite a few years now….

Tears of joy brimmed her eyes…..He bent down realizing her emotions and wiped the tears off…

He could read her happiness from her face…her eyes conveyed it all!

Pecking her forehead, he caressed her hair gently to assure her that he would always be there for her no matter what the situations were….His gentle soft gestures were his promises for his care, his concern, or perhaps his love for her!

He would cherish her forever! And she knew it…She could see it in his deep intense eyes…..

The changing emotions and feelings were all there in his eyes…..

All through her stint in ETF, she had seen all his shades of emotions in those eyes……be it rage, anger, glaring fumes, guilt, concern, care, sympathy….and now….she could see the one which she had been waiting for all along….love or something even beyond that!

She couldn’t have asked for more…..She just cherished the moment fully within her!

He didn’t have to voice it to her and she could wait an eternity for hearing it from him! Even if he never said that he loved her, she would have no complaint about it because she knew it already!

Words were trivial now!

Hum Kyun Kahe, Jo unkahe, Ik Baat Hai Jaana
Dhadkan Kahe, Dhadkan Sune, Woh Raat Hai Jaana
Dil Bole Bin Hai Bolta
Sab Raaz Hai Yeh Kholta
Jab Khwab Hai, Jazbaat Hai, Ehsaas Hai
Toh Kehna Kya, Toh Sunn Na Kya, Awaaz Hai
Chahoon Bhi Toh Main Kaise Kahoon
Saari Jo Baatein Dil Kehta Hai
Lehar Sapno Ki Kaise Ginnu
Dariya Behta Hi Rehta Hai
Keh Rahi Hai Kya Yeh Suno, Meri Khamoshiyan
Raat Se Hai Lambhi Kahin, Dil Ki Yeh Dastaan
Kaise Kahoon

[To be continued]

Chapter 14: Somethings never change while some are bound to change!

Aisha has a check up at the gynaec..so she and Sameer leaves for the clinic….Chotu is behind some informer…So he leaves too…

So it was just Shree and Liza who head back to ETF….

Liza was unusually silent….her usual pokes and mocks for Shree were missing…may be she was affected by Sakshi’s state….

Shree glanced at her a few times to see if she would pick up a fight with him and change the gloomy atmosphere…..But she didn’t seem to notice him at all! Was he missing her mocks and playful silly fights? Naah…aisa nahi ho saktha….He thought to himself but even then, he wasn’t able to let her be silent!

He decided to take the lead…..and spoke up, “waise Liza, tum harr waqt aise karthi ho ya aaj mujhe paas dekha toh aisa kardiya?”

Liza was puzzled and looked at him enquiringly, “kya kiya maine?”

Shree points to the nail marks in his hand….She had dug deep into his hand when she held him for support when she saw Sakshi first….

She smacked herself and slowly caressed his hand, “aww…sorry Specky…..mujhe dhyan hi nahi tha…Shit!” Is it paining?

Shree chuckled and replied, “thoda…but its ok….”

Liza: Uss waqt bathaana chahiye tha na?

Shree: I knew you were disturbed…main bhi disturbed tha…..Sakshi ko aise pehli baar dekha na…wahaan pe kuch nahi dikhaaya but…..

Liza could understand his hurt feelings and she was feeling no different seeing the ever bubbly active girl Sakhi lying on the bed paralyzed……

She sighed deeply thinking about the unpredictable twists and turns of human life!

He spoke up, “relax Liza….Sakshi jaldi teek ho jaayegi….hum sab milke usse waaapas laayenge….dont worry!”

Liza nodded to him and turned away while he added,”aur phir Annie ji bhi hai na?”

Liza turned to him rolling her eyes, “kya baat hai Specky Sen? Jab dekho Annie ji ke gunn gaa rahe ho?”

Shree: [teasingly replies] kuch kuch ho raha hai Liza….kuch kuch!

Liza: kuch kuch haan? Looks like Mr Techie Sen is smitten by Annie ji already, huh?

Shree: patha nahi….Kya tumhe aisa lagtha hai ke Annie ji hi hai woh pari jisska main wait kar raha hoom?

Liza didn’t reply but turned away giving a faint smile…she thinks to herself, “kaash tum jaan paathe ke main kya sochthi hoom Shree! Kaash..”

She smacked herself for thinking on those lines…..She stopped thinking and turned back grinning to him, “Specky….patha hai mujhe kya lagtha hai?”

Shree excitedly urges her to go on while she adds, “mujhe lagtha hai ke tum bohat jald hi Arjun sir se SYS sunne waale ho…..aur woh bhi rudra taandav waala!”

Shree pouted and turned away to the steering wheel…….

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

Arjun was still near Sakshi when he heard Annie’s footsteps at the door….

He just held Sakshi’s hand and enquired, “chalen?” realizing that Annie must have got ready to go!

Sakshi nodded with a smile…”hmm”

Annie brought the wheel chair…Arjun lifted Sakshi slowly and seated her on the chair…

He wheeled the chair himself after locking the door… Not that he doubted Annie’s ability to wheel her safely but he just didn’t want to take any risk when it was related to Sakshi

Annie smiled to herself seeing his care and concern….she followed them with the medicine kit and some other essential things which Sakshi would need!

As they neared the SUV, Sakshi tried her best to get up from the chair by herself only to slip a bit…..her legs weren’t supporting her effort to stand……

Arjun grabbed her before she slipped away voicing in concern and panic, “Sakshi…..sambaal ke…..”

He felt as if his heart had stopped for an instant when he saw her slipping down……He gathered her up in his arms!

Sakshi smiled at her own helplessness and desperation to stand on her own….He could feel the pain in that smile of hers….he mellowed down and continued with her in his arms, “trust me….ek din tum zaroor apne aap chalkar gaadi mein beitoge Sakshi….”

Annie who was witnessing all of this and was silent to let them have their private moment added, “aur woh din jaldi aayega”

Sakshi looked gratefully at Annie and then shifted her gaze to her husband who was holding her….his eyes never left her face and all she could see in his eyes was the love he had for her!

She nodded confidently, “haan…main….jaldi…..hi……..”

She stopped her words when he bent to her and pecked her hair as if securing her close to his heart forever…..She couldn’t complete the words but she said it with determination in her mind…”yes she would get well soon…..she had to do it for him!”

Annie opened the door and Arjun placed Sakshi gently to the seat…….Annie got in to the back seat while Arjun got in as well….

He leaned towards Sakshi and pulled the seat belt around her……..His face brushed past hers…..his stubble grazing her chin and his aftershave was what she breathed in for a long moment………She just closed her eyes letting the moment to sink into her…..His essence, his masculine scent was something she could breath in forever!

Seeing her closed eyes, he enquired as he moved back to his position “kya hua? Are you alright?”

His voice snapped her out…..there was worry and concern in his tone….

She just shook her head to confirm that she was perfectly fine!

Arjun patted her cheeks with an assuring smile and then zoomed off towards ETF office….He drove carefully to avoid any bumps and jerks……..With Sakshi in the vehicle, he couldn’t afford  to take any chances…….

She was silent as usual but it was unusual for him……it was their first drive after he married her…their first drive together after she was in this state…

And he was missing the real Sakshi whom he already knew…..the chatterbox who needed a bandage on her mouth to keep it shut and numerous times, he had even thought of doing it to shut her up………

But today, he missed her crazy talks……He glanced to her side several times……She looked calm and was enjoying the view through the window….It was indeed long time since she had such a drive…Out of the four walls…out in the open……the people, the traffic jam, the cars, the buses,the two wheelers, the noise, the endless shops, the crowds, even the pollution perhaps….she chuckled at her own thoughts…everything interested her now as if she was seeing them for the first time……”God, how much had she missed this!”

Her mind sighed thinking about it!

Whereas his mind wandered off to the past where they had been together for cases…….

He used to get annoyed with her continuous banters…..her excuses and lame reasons to start a conversation with him…….Her attempts to strike a chord with him…..but not once had he relented to her……..

He used shift, toss in his seat in frustration while she used to conveniently ignore his indifference and keep talking……Talking Talking talking was all she could do according to him……and all those talking were just silly and trivial for him…..

But even he himself knew deep within that her silly talks had given him break throughs in mind boggling cases…quite oblivious to herself, she would pull up some vital things which would prove vital to the case…..The topic about flowers which she had started randomly had made him realize what he had missed out in the case…..So even her silly talks helped him at times……

She was indeed her lucky charm! But never once, he had accepted that! When Shree had said that once playfully unaware that Arjun was listening, he had glared at Shree capable enough to burn him down and also given him his SYS lecture!

He used to scold her when she would come to him with silly questions, “gossip ko chodhke agar kaam ke taraf dhyaan dogi tab sab kuch apne aap samajh aayega….Samjhi yaaa Samjhaavum?”

“Samjhi” she muttered mindlessly as if she had read his thoughts……Her sudden talk drew his focus immediately….Hadnt he been waiting for her to start a conversation with him like before? Yes, he couldn’t deny that……He longed for her to start talking like before…….

Call it telepathy or coincidence, he smiled at that……He didn’t stop it with a smile…..He enquired, “Kya samajh gayi Sakshi?”

Sakshi looked to his side and just smiled back in response…..while he urged her to tell what she was thinking, “bolo Sakshi……”

Sakshi: [with a faint smile] bol….hi…toh…nahi…paa…rahi hoom!

Annie who was silent spectator till now responded, “Sakshi….tum sab kuch bol sakthi ho….bas kuch hi din mein yeh mushkil bhi dur ho jaayega….but just keep trying…You cant give like that!”

Arjun added to lighten her mood, “waise bhi Sakshi….tum aaraam se rukh rukh ke bol sakthi ho…..humein thodi na koyi flight pakadhni hai….so relax ok?”

Sakshi smiled but she was amused at his changed attitude….everything in him had changed for good and whatever he said and did only reflected his love for her!

Sakshi’s smile wasn’t unnoticed by him….as if hearing her mind voice, he spoke up, “yahi soch rahe ho na ke yeh ACP Rawte itna kaise bathal gaya?”

Sakshi was stunned now and looked at him which confirmed to him that she was exactly thinking the same…he grinned at her stunned expressions and replied, “tumne mujhe bathal diya hai Sakshi…..you can have the credit for the changes in me!”

Sakshi knew he wasn’t kidding her when he said that….he had a depth in his voice which evidently showed that he really meant that!

She just glanced at him lovingly and placed her hand on his arm squeezing it a little as if to let him know that he meant the world to her…..He cupped her fingers gently and that gentle gesture had so many meanings…..

One of them was loud and clear….”this togetherness will remain forever!”

Annie couldn’t have asked for more for her darling friend whom she had started considering as her sister! She just prayed silently for their happiness and their love!

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

Stepping into ETF brought along a lot of memories….her first day there….her meeting with the entire team..Shree, Liza, Aisha, Chotu……Sameer and of course ACP Arjun Rawte…….about whom, she had just known and read in newspapers…that day was a dream come true for her!

Memories of that day were hard to forget!

She looked around as Arjun wheeled her in…..nothing had changed…..everything appeared the same…yes of course…..it was only she who had changed…….the girl who had walked in freely, cheerfully was now on a wheel chair and needed help to move……

She sighed and brushed away such depressing thoughts…..she never wished to think all that but perhaps, it was inevitable!

In everything that came her way, she could see her past….every thing had a past story to tell her!….The happy past where she was fit and fine!

Shree and Liza were ready to welcome her in……As soon as she entered, a balloon burst…..from it showered down gold and silver stars, moons to celebrate her entry in ETF!

She was pleasantly surprised and tried to cherish and capture all of those moments in her memory!

Once the initial moments smoothly passed by, Arjun glanced to their side meaning that they better get back to work…..

Shree and Liza took the clue from his stare and went back to their work!

Sakshi didn’t miss that silent communication between them…..she shook her head in amusement thinking, “Some things never change!”

Arjun crouched down to her, “kahaan beitna pasand karogi? Mere cabin mein ya….”

She placed her hand on his, “nahi….mere…desk…..”

He understood what she intended….He took her to her desk which hadn’t changed in those years as well…..She touched the desk and fondly glided her fingers on the keyboard where she had typed away n number journals and case articles!

She turned to him and gestured to leave voicing, “aap…..jaahiye….I….will…..be…..fine….here…..”

He nodded, “hmmm….agar kuch chahiye toh…”

She snapped him, “Forget….that…I….am….here….Arjun……Annie….is….here…”

She didn’t want him or his work to get affected by her presence there….she never wanted to become a disturbance to the team……So she gestured that she is fine and can manage there!

He smiled and shook his head meaning ok……As he turned to leave, he spoke to Annie, “agar kuch ho toh call karna…121 is my extension!”

She nodded and he walked to his cabin!

By then, she had switched on the PC….she could see that Shree had kept her computer in perfect condition…Also there was no trace of dust or whatsoever on the PC or the desk! As if it was never left abandoned!

She moved a bit to the phone….Annie helped her pick the phone and dialed a number she said…..It was Shree’s extn…she spoke into the phone.”Shree…..thanks!”

Shree turned from his laptop and looked at the direction where Sakshi’s desk was…..He knew why she thanked him and he replied, “tumaare PC aur desk keliye…huh?”

Sakshi smiled and nodded, “hmmm”

Shree replied, “tumaare SYS pati ka orders kaise na maanntha, haan?? Itni himmat nahi hai mujhme Sakshi”

Sakshi enquiringly voiced, “Arjun?”

Shree: haan…Arjun sir ka order tha ke yeh desk aisa hi rahe….maine kal hi ek overall check kiya tha…its in perfect condition mam!”

Sakshi chuckled and then nodded looking at the monitor…she smiled at the thought that Arjun had kept all of this in mind…..the essence of it being he had never forgotten her…she was always in his mind!

She cut the call and gave back the receiver to Annie who placed it back!

Annie sat besides her and she was already seeing improvements in Sakshi…..ETF looked like second home to Sakshi and coming there had made Sakshi active and there was a fresh air of motivation and confidence around her……. Annie knew, things were only going to improve and go up hill now…….

Annie placed her arm around Sakshi and drew her for a warm hug because, this Sakshi was someone whom she had anxiously waiting for…….and when she saw it happening, her eyes filled with tears of joy and only a hug could compose her!

Sakshi was in no less happy state…..Arjun’s love, care and attention, his gentle gestures, his affectionate talks, everything about him….then coming back to ETF, the unexpected warm welcome, her desk, her PC…..all of this was getting too much to handle for her as well….

Her eyes swelled up with happy tears! ……..All of it appeared too good to be real but it was real and she was ecstatic!

And Annie’s comforting hug only added to her happiness and the confidence that one day, she would stand and move around again independently…….

Yeh Hosla Kaise Juke,

Yeh Aarzoo Kaise Ruke

Manzil Muskil toh kya,

Bundla Sahil toh kya,

Tanha Ye Dil toh Kya

Ho Hooo

Raah Pe Kante Bikhre agar,

Uspe to phir bhi chalna hi hai,

Saam Chhupale Suraj magar,

Raat ko ek din Dhalana hi hai,

“Kya main iss dosti ke andhar allowed hoom?”

His voice snapped them out…..

They turned to see him standing with a wide smile………..

Rut ye tal jayegi,

Himmat rang layegi,

Subha phir aayegi

Hoooo

[To be continued]

Chapter 15: Broken dreams.....can it be mended?

 “Kya main iss dosti ke andhar allowed hoom?”

His voice snapped them out…..

They turned to see him standing with a wide smile………..

Rut ye tal jayegi,

Himmat rang layegi,

Subha phir aayegi

Hoooo

“Shreee..”

Her lips called out seeing him stand at the door…..She waved her hand asking him to come in….”kyun….pooch…..rahe…ho? aa….jaaana”

Shree smiled cheekily as he walked in to her side….”kyun ki aaj ek aur dhost hai na tumaare saath…kya patha unne mera andhar aana pasand nahi aaya tho?”

Sakshi just smiled at Shree and then at Annie….Shree hugged Sakshi in a warm embrace and looked at Annie as well…

Annie spoke up in response…”aisa kuch nahi hai sir…Sakshi ka dhost mera bhi dhost!”

Shree smiled as he stood up and extended his hand to her….”so friends?”

Annie smiled warmly as she shook hands with him….”hmm”

Shree frowned at her faint nod and remarked, “don’t worry…main itna bhi bhura nahi hoom….You can check with Sakshi!”

Sakshi laughs at that making Annie laugh as well….

As their laughs fade, Shree starts his chit chat with them….Annie sticks to her silent listener form as that’s what her job demands from her….Her closeness with Sakshi was an exception but with all others, she knew her limits and stayed within that always!

Sakshi’s giggles and laughs don’t cease in Shree’s company…..He just makes it seem so easy to bring her back to the real Sakshi…..He seamlessly brings back her to the right form of hers…..

Their fun time doesn’t go unnoticed by Arjun…..Seeing Sakshi laugh and smile like before makes him happy but he wonders, “how easily did Shree get into the small circle of friendship and fun!”

It felt as if he would take ages to become a friend like that to Sakshi….He took a deep breath and walked into his cabin….

Shree went back to his work after the brief chat….

Sakshi began talking slowly but steadily about her stint at ETF….about her first day….about her job….about Sameer…Aisha…..Shree and Chotu…..her first friends…

And then of course about HIM……She told her about their fights….his indifference and his rude attitude towards her….The silly questions she used to ask and his taunts…..his insulting words which often hurt her but always managed to hide all the hurt behind a cute sweet smile!

Now she smiled as she even thought about those times….God, she missed all that now….

Annie could only smile seeing her enthusiasm and excitement at the mere mention about the past and most specifically about her encounters with Arjun!

Annie patiently sat near her and listened to her stories…..She could feel the intensity with which she loved Arjun…and it was not just a platonic attraction to him or mere admiration to her senior but she could sense that her friend had fallen in love with him long back…

The chirpy bubbly chatterbox Sakshi was making her presence in those moments…

Annie had to stop her in between and ask her to give rest to her mouth for sometime….”ab bas bas….kuch time aaraam karlo Sakshi….’

Sakshi laughed out hearing Annie scolding her for the first time…..

Annie laughed seeing her laugh like that too….Sakshi’s smiles, her laughs were infectious….she spread happiness wherever she went…..and even Arjun wouldn’t refute that now!

But there was one more thing to add to her characteristics….not only smiles, her tears and sorrow…her pains were infectious too….It deeply impacted the people around her!

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

Sometime later….

Sakshi saw Annie looking out through the glass panes…and felt that she might be interested in seeing around the office…she voiced, ”Annie….baahar…….chalthe….hai”

Annie enquired, “kahaan? Shall I call Arjun sir?”

Sakshi: nahi…….bas…yun hi….come…

Annie nodded with a smile and wheeled her out and to the direction which Sakshi pointed…..

They almost near Shree’s place and Sakshi stops Annie from going further seeing Liza there with Shree….

As always they are in a tussle with each other but this time, it was such a cute one…

Liza: [stubbornly] ziddh matth karo…..apna haat aage laao specky….

Shree was holding his hand behind him and trying to escape Liza’s clutches who was chasing him with an injection…..

Shree replied back,”ziddh toh tum kar rahe ho Liza….maine kaha na iss injection ki koyi zaroorat nahi”

Liza: you don’t decide that Specky Sen….dekho….naakhoon se cut hua hai…shaayad septic ho jaayega…..jaldi se haat dikhaavo……I promise, it wont hurt…..[grinning with a wink] else show your back…..wahaan toh bilkul pain nahi hoga….chalo leit jaao….

Shree: In your dreams Liza…..only in your dreams…..

Liza: then I am all set to dream Mr Sen…come here….

Their tom and jerry play continued till Liza finally caught him and injected the medicine into his upper arm! He screamed as if he was cut with a knife by her! While she casually did what she had to do and then rubbed the spot with cotton……

Sakshi grinned and smiled at that cute little scene and muttered, “yeh…..dono….ek…..doosre…ke itne…..paas….hai…..phir…bhi….”

Annie finished it for her, “phir bhi dil ke baat nahi samajhte…andhar chupa hua pyar nahi samajhthe….”

Sakshi nodded while Annie’s mind voice was already chirping something else,”bilkul tumaari aur Arjun sir ke tarah….woh bhi apne dil ke baat nahi samjhe na? nahi samajhte ke tumaare liye jo care aur concern dikaate hai woh asal mein pyar hai….”

Sakshi looked at Annie as if she heard that…….

Sakshi didn’t want to interrupt Shree-Liza’s private time….so she asked Annie to wheel her back……..

As they went back, Aisha and Sameer walked in after the check up………..They were so busily discussing the scan and other reports that they didn’t notice Sakshi….They walked into Sameer’s cabin absent mindedly but Sakshi didn’t mind it…She was more than happy for all of them….They were all happy and settled in their lives……They had finally discovered a life beyond ETF! A life where there was happiness and lot of human emotions and not just crimes, blood shed and treachery!

Annie squeezed Sakshi’s shoulders sensing that she perhaps was thinking about her relationship with Arjun……

She didn’t react to it for a long moment…..

Sakshi found herself moving back to her desk……….As they reached the desk, she voiced, “Annie….ek glass....”

Before she completed, she saw a glass of water held out to her…and near her lips………

She was surprised as it wasn’t Annie but Arjun who gave her water…….Annie wasn’t there anywhere…..

Arjun: aise kya dekh rahi ho? Paani pee lo…..[he saw her looking around and added] Annie abi aa jaayegi……

He took it further to her lips and she drank it fully and yet was stunned by his sudden entry and this gesture as well!

A little of the water dripped down from her mouth….He kept the glass on the table and took a tissue to wipe her lips and the trail of water…..She shuddered as his fingers accidently brushed her lips….

He could sense her tremble and wiped it quickly and stepped aside!

Just then Aisha followed by Sameer walked in……Aisha seemed quite excited…..

Arjun just smiled at them while Sakshi tried to enquire, “Aisha….doctor ne…”

Aisha took over understanding what she wanted to know, “sab kuch normal hai Sakshi….Sameer was worrying for nothing!”

Sameer added sarcastically, “haan faint hona, BP down hona…sab kuch normal hi hai na?”

Arjun was amused at their cute bickering….He was happy seeing his Sam like this as a complete family man…..happy and getting all the joys of life that he truly deserved…Aisha was a perfect partner for him! A made for each other couple! He stood silently relishing the happiness of seeing them happy together!

Sakshi smiled at Sameer’s concern for Aisha and their unborn baby…..

In an impulse, she looked at her own husband….He was also always concerned for her…..but was it love or just plain sympathy? She knew that she was stupid to think of such things……but yet, she found it hard to resist such thoughts! Her state always reminded of her helplessness and that automatically brought in thoughts about sympathy!

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

Aisha’s sudden invite snapped Sakshi’s thoughts, “Why don’t you ppl join us for dinner?”

By then Annie had come in too….

Sakshi protested, “nahi Aisha…”

Aisha knew what she was going to say and replied to it, “don’t worry….I wont strain myself….I have a cook….so that’s not an excuse for you not to come”

Arjun who was silent so far intervened now, “Aisha…..aaj Sakshi ko doctor ke paas le jaana hai…so…”

Aisha: Sir, doctor ko milne ke baadh aa jaahiye na? [She added after a brief pause] We will be very happy if you ppl drop in…

[She looked at Sameer to invite them both…Sameer had no clue about this sudden dinner plan but still, he knew Aisha would be happy if they came for dinner…..And for him, Aisha’s happiness was important……But he was also hesitant to invite Arjun for dinner….though their cold vibes had faded, they were never like the old times……Arjun had never once visited Sameer….But he also knew that Aisha always wished that they become Arjun and Sam again! She always wished that the formal touch in their interaction becomes informal!]

Aisha urged when Sameer didn’t speak up, “Sameer, aap hi invite kijiye na?”

So he glanced at Arjun and voiced, “haan…dinner keliye aa jaana…”

Arjun looked up at Sameer…..Sameer hadn’t addressed him as Rawte neither did he call him as Arjun…..There was a slight informal touch to that invitation….

Arjun couldn’t refuse it any day…..He just nodded…….

Aisha was happy….she just bid a quick bye and voiced to Sakshi….”Shaam ko milthe hai…bye”

Sakshhi nodded and smiled as Aisha gave her a quick hug…..

Sameer just patted Sakshi and accompanied Aisha out….

Arjun kept looking at the retreating couple and then spoke up, “ek case keliye mujhe baahar jaana hai…I will drop you back home……”

Sakshi nodded while Annie gathered the bag and followed them…

Soon they were at home…..Arjun laid Sakshi on the bed and instructed her to take complete rest as she had to strain herself again in the evening…..She gladly agreed…well how wouldn’t she? He had told her that with love and concern dripping from every word of his!

Moreover, the mere thought of going out again with him made her happy and ecstatic……

Arjun told them to be ready in the evening for the appointment and left from there….

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

[The doctor’s appointment and what was discussed will come in the later parts]

By 7 in the evening, they were at Sameer’s apartment after the appointment…It was a huge apartment complex and they lived on the 7^th floor….

As it wasn’t dinner time yet, Aisha suggested a stroll around the apartment complex as if was a cool breezy evening…..And it was also the first time Sakshi was visiting that place….Sakshi was excited as well!

Sameer was yet to return from ETF….

Aisha, Annie and Sakshi venture out while Arjun prefers the lonely balcony from where he could see the view downstairs…..He could also keep an eye on Sakshi from there…Leaving her away from his sight was becoming a tough thing for him now! He felt a protective streak for her always…and felt as if she would be safe only when he was near her! Well he was quite unaware of his own thoughts but that was the truth! His eyes always darted to the place where she was even amidst a crowd!

The sudden door bell which broke the silence snapped him out….he walked to check but the cook had opened the door and it was Sameer…

He saw Arjun coming in from the balcony and acknowledged his presence, “Sakshi??”

Arjun replied, “woh aur Annie Aisha ke saath neeche walk pe gaye hai…”

Sameer enquired, “doctor ne kya kaha?”

Arjun: physiotherapy sessions kal se hi shuru karne ko kaha hai…..medication bhi change kiya hai….But the most important thing is that we need to keep her motivated and happy always…..

Sameer nodded and went into his room to freshen up….

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While the ladies were at the pool side enjoying the breeze and the casual chit chat……

Arjun went back to his space in the balcony while Sameer also freshened up and walked into the balcony of his room with the cup of coffee…..Both were glancing at the view downstairs….

Aisha and Sakshi looked up as if sensing the gaze from their husbands….Aisha smiled waved at Sameer and he waved back too…..

Sakshi wanted to wave at Arjun but then felt a little awkward and also thought that he wouldn’t like her lovey dovey gestures!

Aisha alternated her looks at the 2 friends who were so near yet so far away….as if separated by a wall build over the years…..she longed to see them together and like close friends…..

Aisha spoke up, “Sakshi, we need to bring them closer…..dekho kaise itne paas hokar bhi dur dur kadhe hai…unnke beech ke formal relationship ko informal banaana hai….”

Sakshi knew that it wasn’t so easy but it was very much possible as she herself had witnessed the ice between them melting…….Their relationship had mellowed down so much now when compared to what it was before!

Aisha continued, “agar sab kuch teek hota, hum dono ab neighbours hote Sakshi…”

Sakshi looked to her side when Aisha continued, “haan Sameer ne mujhse ek baar kaha tha ke woh aur Arjun saat saat iss complex mein ghar kareedhna chaahte teh……but..”

She didn’t complete as words struck in her throat when she thought about the tragic death of Roshni and she also didn’t want to bring that topic before Sakshi now…but she didn’t realize that it had already triggered something in Sakshi!

Sakshi spoke up in a lost tone…”haan agar…..sab…..teek…..hota…..shaayad…main….yahaan….nahi….hoti……..aur…..sab…accha…..hota”

Though her voice was low, Aisha heard it and she knew she had unknowingly hurt Sakshi and she placed her hand on Sakshi and consoled her, “Sakshi…I didn’t mean that…..”

Sakshi gave her a smile meaning that she was fine…..Aisha felt apologetic for having said that….She quickly switched the topic by telling her about the garden and also showing the beautiful pool……

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Meanwhile, Arjun and Sameer had travelled back their memory lane to the days when they used to swim together in the pool at their club and Roshni used to sit on the pool side and cheer for both of them when they used to race…….

Poor Roshni often was left confused as to whom she should cheer for…..her best friend Sameer or her husband Arjun!

Their perfect well toned fit bodies were always a visual treat for the other girls around and Roshini used to have a tough time covering up her husband when he emerged from the pool dripping drops of water looking hot…..She used to stare at the prying eyes which lust upon him!

Sameer used to make fun of her jealous insecure gestures, “Roshni…tumaare pati ko acche se khilaav aur mota banao…..phir koyi nahi dekhega…[he used to add further in a relieved tone]…..accha hua maine abi tak shaadi nahi ki…..I am a free bird” [he used to flaunt his body saying that and dive back into the pool]

Roshni used to show a funy face at him and reply, “haan haan…tumaare takkar ke koyi ladki ko aane dho…phir dekte hai kaise nahi kartha shaadi….I am waiting for that day Sameer!”

Arjun used to respond as if he is trapped for life after marrying her, “bacchke rehna Sam…maine jald baazi mein shaadi karke galathi kardiya….tumaare friend ke trap mein phas gaya yaar!”

Sam and Arjun used to laugh together teasing Roshni while she used to pout and pose false anger!

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The beautiful pool had reminded them of those days and also the day when they had first come to this complex……It was just under construction and the most important factor that lured them to this particular complex and also made them zero down on this place was the huge swimming pool which was proposed in their brochure…..The gym was also an additional bonus point….

Swimming and working out together were always part of their dreams for the future life but unfortunately those dreams never came true……Everything was shattered and snatched away cruelly by fate!

Though distanced away, both hearts had gone back to the same thing and they let a deep sigh and turned to face each other…….

[To be continued]