Kismat Connection Part 2

Arjun had concluded that Riya was speaking to someone over the phone.......though he wasnt keen to know the exact conversation, he was a bit curious to know who the person was.......it was quite late and only someone very close to her would dare call her at this hour......but who could it be?? another side of him smacked himself for trying to poke into her life......He told himself a thousand times that it was none of his business before retiring to the confines of his room.......

Arjun's mind and heart were closed books and nobody could read it........though his eyes spoke thousands of words, his face and expressions were always inscrutable.......none could understand the depths of it......he also spoke out scarcely....so understanding him or his mind was almost impossible......he shut down anyone  who even dared to try it.....Riya was no exception......He literally pushed her away from him each time he felt that he was getting close to her......or opening up to her.....He preferred to remain a closed book to all.....but somehow, Riya's presence had an unexplainable effect on him......he couldnt throw her out just like that......something prevented him from doing it.......He felt the solace of Roshni's presence all around him when Riya was with him......Neither did he want to lose that comfort nor accept Riya whole heartedly.....he was in a strange fix!

but he knew very well that he was doing injustice to Riya by marrying her and binding her in a meaningless matrimony.....so he had also decided on the future of their relationship!!! he just waited for the right time to disclose it to Riya....he didnt know if what he did or what he intended to do was right...neither did he bother to care about it......he just stubbornly stuck to his decisions, be it right or wrong!!

Riya's entry into his life was at a time when he was all heart broken and shattered......though he hated to admit it, she had been a good companion and helped him sail through the rough tides......And she was an important part of his life today! WIFE, FRIEND OR her MERE PRESENCE....whatever be it, it really mattered.....and that was the truth.....but Arjun never wanted to face that truth of his life.....he was trying hard to run away from it! His wandering thoughts kept him awake most of the nights! and tonight was even worse!

Next morning......Arjun returned from his usual jog to find a glass of lemon juice on his table......A lemon juice with honey and a pinch of salt was a regular routine......

Riya had started doing this from the very next day she stepped into this house.....but he had scolded her and warned her not to repeat it in future......That incident came to his mind when he saw the glass today.....

Flashback: Several months back......

Arjun: [staring at the lemon juice and posing a stern face] RIYAAAAAAAAA........

Riya: [came running to him and looked a bit scared seeing his furious face] kya hua????

Arjun: [pointing to the glass] yeh kya hai??

Riya: [trying to lighten the situation] yeh neembu paani hai na??? katti hai kya??? ya phir zyaadha meetaa hogaya??? woh kya hai na? main inn sab kaam mein weak hoom.....kabhi kiya nahi hai na?

Arjun:[glaring at her] yeh sab mazaag tum apne paas hi rakhna Riya!! [pausing for a moment] dho din ke mehmaan ho.....mehmaan bankhar raho, gharwali bannae ki khoshish matth karnaa.....[pausing for a moment and staring back at her] samjhi ya samjhaavum??

Riya: [rolled her eyes in anger but controlled herself and nodded] hmmmm.....samjhi! [not another word or glance from her......She just strolled back to her room with an expression that he couldnt read!]

[Riya had kept her word till the present day.......She never once crossed the lines or dared to disobey him.......Arjun, himself had felt a bit awkward at sometimes when they had behaved like total strangers under the same roof but he also didnt make any effort to make it any better.....Riya had joined ETF soon after....Arjun was surprised by the fact that she got into ETF without much hindrances.......and within a brief time, she was one among them......she got along very well with Shree and Chotu.....they became best of friends......giggles and jokes, they behaved more like college students rather than responsible ETF officers.....but there was no flaw in their work....So the fun part wasnt much of a botheration to Sameer too.....Infact, Sameer Rathod also developed a brotherly liking towards Riya!]

Coming back to the present day......Arjun couldnt help smiling at the note which Riya had placed beneath the glass "plzz pllzzzz dont scold me......ab gharwali hoom, toh yeh sab kar hi sakthi hoom.........

aapki chaai flask mein hai......"

He took the glass in his hand and looked around but not a trace of her.......She was in her room and it was locked......Arjun's initial frown had now transformed to a naughty smirk.....he sipped the juice and the taste was a lot better than the last time.....[yeah, he had drunk the juice last time she made it too] the taste reminded him of Roshni.....He brushed off the thought and continued with his work out and then got ready for work......

At the same time, in Riya's room......She was quite relieved that Arjun hadnt scolded her for doing his chores......She was busy selecting her dress.......She had managed to pick a few salwar suits and sarees from the nearby boutique......She pulled out the lilac and half white salwar which she was her favorite...She stood before the mirror and found it a perfect fit which seemed to suit the mood of the day too...She filled her hair parting with sindoor and the mangalsutra looked apt just touching the neck line......She wore some bangles and a long earring..... 

Arjun was waiting for her at the living room wondering what was taking her so long....."yeh ladki kya kar rahi hai?? kitna time se room ke andhar hai!!! kahi so tho gayi nahi????" just as he opened his mouth to call her.......She walked out of the room in elegance and style.....

Oblivious to himself, he was gaping at her for the first few moments before he shook himself up and spoke up "yeh tumne kya pehan rakkha hai?? hum kisi shaadi ya mandir nahi jaa rahe hai......"

Riya: [a little annoyed at his insensitive talk] maine sochaa.....[he snapped her short]

Arjun: jaao jaakhe kapdae badhlo.....hum office jaa rahe hai.....toh uss isaab se kapdae pehano!!! Aur haan, jaldi karo.....I am already late because of your fancy dress competition!!!

Riya: [glares at him....she loses her cool and replies back] agar aapko late ho rahaa hai....tho aap jaayiye......main khud aa sakthi hoom....

[Saying this much, she closed her door at his face.....He turned around and walked out of the house closing the front door behind him]

She quickly changed into her official attire….she was so pissed off with the total waste…she has spent so much time in getting read and in matter of minutes, he opposed it and asked her to change!......she threw the bangles and earrings to the dressing table.....She tried to pull out the mangalsutra but stopped midway.......she also let the sindoor be as it is.......

She locked the house and hurried downstairs.......She was surprised by the sight she saw......Arjun was waiting for her in the SUV......She tried to ignore him and walked past the vehicle.....He honked hard and in a loud voice "Riyaaa....get in!"

Since there were a lot of people there, she didnt want to create a drama....moreover, a fight on the first day of marriage would give fodder to their gossiping!! so she got in quickly......As he glanced at her, he saw the sindoor and the malgalsutra......pointing at those "yeh sab bhi uthaar dhaeti, huh??? you need not sport these just because we are married.....everything remains the same as before"

Riya: really??? then why did you wait for me "SIR"??? 

Arjun: [grinding his teeth in rage but then controlling] pehli din hi alag alag jaayenge toh Rathod se ek lambi lecture sunna padega.........aur mujhe uss lecture mein koyi interest nahi! sirf iss liye wait kiya.....

She didnt react but opted to be quiet after that......He zoomed off when she didnt reply.......She just looked away from him......tears were welling up in her eyes but she closed her eyes and hid it behind the eye lids.....

[Kaise bataayein, kyun tujhko chahe, yaara bataa na paaye. 

Baatein dilo ki, dekho jo baaki, aankhein tujhe samjhaye. 

Tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaane na 

Milke bhi, hum na mile, tum se na jaane kyun. meelon ke, hai faasle, tum se na jaane kyun. anjaane, hai silsile, tum se na jaane kyun. sapne hai, palkon tale, tum se na jaane kyun.ooo ooo.. 

Kaise bataayein, kyun tujhko chahe, yaara bataa na paaye. 

Baatein dilo ki, dekho jo baaki, aankhein tujhe samjhaye. 

Tu jaane naa..aaa... tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaane naaaa... ]

Her thoughts snapped out as he pulled up the car in front of ETF office....

He didnt wait for her but she quickly followed him as he strolled into the office......The entire team was present and there were loud cheers and claps as they came in......Riya knew that it must be all Shree and Chotu's doing.....She rolled her eyes at them and gestured them to keep quiet.......Arjun posed a "WHAT THE HELL!" attitude and walked to his cube!

Sameer Rathod chief, ETF was observing all that happened......he wasnt one bit surprised by Arjun's attitude.....He knew Arjun too well....He shrugged off and came into the conference room....."Team....woh gang ka hideout pathaa chal gaya.....abhi abhi lead milaa hai!"

[All assemble around him......while he gestures "MOVE IT TEAM!"]

After the shoot out and trapping the goons, they get into the SUV [Shree, Riya and Arjun in one....Chotu and Sameer in the other]......Riya searches her neck and finds the mangalsutra missing.....

She shrieks out....."STOP!!!"

Arjun: [puts a sudden brake and halts the vehicle....looks at her through the mirror] kya hua Riya??? 

Riya: mujhe wahaan waapas jaana hai.....

Arjun: WHAT??? paagal ho kya???

Riya: sir plzz.....aap log chaliye....main aa jaavungi....[she tried to get down]

Arjun: [realizing that arguing with her is of no use] wait a min Riya…..Shree, tum Rathod ke saath uss gaadi mein chale jao.....main Riya ke saath jaa rahaan hoom......

Shree: [opening the door] jiii sir....

[At the same time, Rathod's vehicle had stopped seeing this and they were wondering what was happening...Shree walked to them]

Rathod: kya hua Shree.....gaadi kyun rokhi???

Shree: [getting in] pathaa nahi sir.....par kuch toh chootta hai..[grinned as he stressed it in Arjun style]...woh dono waapas wahaan jaa rahe hai......Arjun sir ne humme office jaane ko kahaa!

Rathod: [muttering under his breath] yeh Arjun aur uski paheliyaan.....na jaane kya karne waala hai??? [then gestures Chotu to start driving towards the office]

[Arjun and Riya reach the spot.....Riya gets down and rushes to the place where she had hid herself before the shoot out.....then she starts scanning the entire place for the lost property......Arjun was plain confused seeing her actions.....He just kept following her since his queries to her as to what she was searching went unanswered.....She didnt bother to explain to him what was missing......]

His eyes fell on it first.....It was lying on the floor below some wooden trunks.....He picked it up and walked towards her.....She was frantically searching and was sort of panicky when she didnt find it......He decided to tease her a bit...so he put it into his pockets

Arjun: Riya....ab bas karo....chalo chalthen hai.....

Riya: [ignores him]

Realizing that she wont give up till she finds it, he shows it before her eyes "kya tum yeh dhoond rahe ho???"

Riya's eyes lit up seeing it.....She simply nods and tried to take it from him.......but he pulled it back to himself "iss keliye tum waapas aayi!! paagalpan ki bhi hadh hothi hai Riya!! maine kahaa tha ke yeh sab utthar denaa....tum ek ETF officer ho aur case ke beech yeh sab sambaalna tumaare bas ki baath nahi hai!"

Riya: [glares and snatches it from him] shayad aap keliye yeh koyi maayinae nahi rakhthi par mere liye bohat important hai......[walks away without giving him a chance to reply and stops to turn back to him] mere jaan se bhi zyaadha important hai!! [She runs towards the SUV leaving behind a stunned Arjun...he keeps looking at her retreating back till she gets in.....Arjun follows her after few moments......]

While in the car......Arjun tries to look at her a few times but she never turns to him.....her silence was torturing him for the first time…..he didn’t know why but he wanted to hear her chirpy silly talk and become sure that she was fine!

[Nigahon mein dekho meri, jo hai bas gayaaa.. 

Woh hai milta tumse hubahuu.. 

Ooo, jaane teri aankhein thi ya, baatein thi wajaaa.. 

Hue tum jo dil ki aarzoo... 

Tum paas ho ke bhi, tum aas ho ke bhiii, ehsaas ho kee bhi, apne nahi... ]

She was upset with herself for having reacted angrily.....She kept telling to herself to keep cool.....She needed a lot of patience to deal with this man and his attitude.....She had to wait patiently till he understands her and reciprocates her love for him....She couldnt give up nor get flared up so easily....She knew him so well and had expected all this to happen...then why was she over reacting?? she scolded herself and kept gazing at the window......it looked like it was going to rain.....a heavy rain....the dark clouds were an indication to that!! like their life, the weather was also going to be stormy...and she better be prepared for it!! she wiped off her tears!

[Aise hain, humko gile, tumse na jaane kyun. 

Meelon ke, hain faasle, tum se na jaane kyun.ooo... 

Tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaane na 

At the same time, his mind was rewinding and replaying all their close encounters again and again.....it was destiny that brought them together.....he was punishing her for no fault of hers....it was true that Roshni's memories filled him up always but there was another truth that Riya had started taking a good place in his thoughts, in his dreams and in his life......He could neither refuse it nor accept it....He could neither remain silent nor speak his mind out.....He felt trapped between hell and heaven....Life without Roshni was hell to him....Roshni could never come back to him.....he cant change the destiny......and a life with Riya was the new heaven which he couldnt even think of at the moment!

Ooo jaane na jaane na jaane na .. aaa tu jaane na .. 

Khayalon mein, lakhon baatein yun tu keh gaya... 

Bola kuch na tere samne... 

Ooo, huea na be-gaane bhi tum hoke haar kein... 

Dekho tum na mere hi bane. 

Afsos hota hai, dil bhi yeh rota hai, sapne sanjota hai, pagla hua... 

]

She sighed and tried tying back the malgalsutra around her neck....but she was not able to hook it up.....She was getting irritated when she failed 2-3 times.....

He grinned seeing her futile actions and stopped the car.....he leaned side wards and put his hand forward to help her hook it......his touch on her neck gave her shivers.....she controlled herself and shuddered off his hand......"nahi main kar loongi"

Arjun: agar tum kar paathi, main help karne ke baare mein sochtha bhi nahi......ab nakhre bandh karo....Allow me to do it....

Riya lowers her hand and turns to his side so that its easy for him......He smiles and takes the strands in his hand.....the touch of his fingers gliding towards the back of her neck were having undefined effects on her...He had no clue of the stormhe caused in her head and body......She was aching to hug him tight and find peace in his arms.....She closed her eyes as he brushed aside her hair for better visibility......

His state was no better.....The scent of her shampoo was giving him reminiscence of his lost love......he just wanted to pull her into his arms and breath in her fragrance.....his male cologne was also having a similar effect on her....she was breathless for a moment.....even after hooking the chain, he remained still in the same intimate position........This was the first time that they were so close to each other.....a passionate attraction was triggered off on both sides.....kya yeh Arjun ka pyar tha ya sirf koye hua pyar ka yaad....yeh kehna mushkil tha!!

Soche ye, hum the mile, tumse na jaane kyun. 

Meelon ke, hain faasle, tum se na jaane kyun. 

Anjaane, hai silsale, tum se na jaane kyun. 

Sapne hain, palkon tale, tum se na jaane kyun.uuu.... 

Kaise bataayein, kyun tujhko chahe, yaara bataa na paaye. 

Baatein dilo ki, dekho jo baaki, aankhein tujhe samjhaye. 

Tu jaane naa.. tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaane na 

Tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaane na .. tu jaaaane na...

The sudden ring of the mobile pulled him back to his senses.....he immediately pulled back from her and took the call.....

It was from Rathod.....kahaan ho Rawte???

Arjun: [looking at Riya for a second and starting the SUV] bas abhi.....[Rathod snapped him "jaldi pauncho......ek naya case aaya hai!!"]

Riya straightened herself from the trance and brushed her hair back to its position......She sighed deeply which looked like she was a bit disappointed.....Arjun mentally thanked Rathore for the timely call else he would have done something crazy that he would have regretted later! 

ETF office: All are seated around table and the lights are dim as always......

Rathod: Ooty ke mashoor flower show ka security in charge hum honge......

Arjun: [sarcastically] ab hum sab cases aur criminals ko yahaan chod kar Ooty ke phoolon ka raksha karenge?? 

Rathod: [angrily] baat sirf phoolon ka nahi Rawte....har saal lakhon lok yeh flower show dekhne aathe hai.....unke ifaasat bhi humaare haat mein hai!!!

Arjun: [glaring at him] yeh toh wahaan ke local police bhi kar sakthi hai.....phir ETF hi kyun???

Rathod: haan kar sakthe hai par home ministry ke through seedhae ETF ko milaa hai.....political interference ya negligence ke binaa isse solve karnaa chahthe hai......

humaare past successes ke wajeh se hum par vishwas banaa hai.....ab usse bachaana bhi humaare responsibilty hai....[Rathod stops Arjun from arguing further] yeh case jitna seedha dikhta hai utna hai nahi.....jab hum case ke andhar jaayenge, tab samaj paavoge.....

[In between all this arguement, there is a small comical talk between Riya, Shree and Chotu]

Shree: [as soon as he hears 'Ooty', is over excited] kya timing hai yaar.....jaanthe ho Ooty bohat badaa honeymoon destination hai....

Chotu: hillstation hai na???

Shree: [dreamy] haan haan!

Riya: tab toh humme gharam kapde saath le jaana chahiye......bohat thand hogi na??

Shree: [winking at her] tum kyun fikhar karthi ho???? tumaare paas tho ek HOT HOT pati hai na??? tumme thand kabhi nahi lagega.....

Riya: [rolls her eyes and punches him playfully….blushing] SHREEE

[Chotu and Shree starts laughing but try to control within a cough......Sameer and Arjun turn to their side]

Sameer: kya ho raha hai???? yahaan kuch comedy circus ho rahaa hai kya???

All say in unison "Sorry sir!!"

Rathod: Riya, tum Ooty ke baare mein khaas kar botanical garden aur iss flower show ke baare mein full information nikhaalo.....humme parso nikhalna hai......

Ji sir.....Riya nodded and thought to herself....."accha hai, iss gharmi waale situation se kuch toh aaraam milegaa!" 

She glanced at Arjun at that thought and as if getting a hint, he also looks at her....there was a sort of telepathy between the two which seemed to be increasing these days 

Chotu and Shree notice the momentary eye lock and Shree comes up with an instant mischievous remark......"sir, main kuch first hand information dhoom..." 

Sameer nods to go on.....

Shree: Ooty ek hillstation hai....honeymoon couples keliye bohat khaas jaga hai!.......[he gives a meaningful nod at Riya and Arjun.....Arjun stares back hearing this]

Sameer: [glaring at Shree] bas karo yeh thamaasha....[turning to Arjun] waise Shree sach keh rahaa hai......shaadi aur vacation ka mausam hai....toh wahaan tourists bohat zyaadha honge....aur unn sab ki security ka responsibility humaare uphar hai......[he looked at all for a moment] so thats about it......lets call it for the day......kal subah milthe hai......

Riya: sir, main kuch dher kaam karke jaavungi.....

Sameer nods and walks out.....Shree starts shutting down the system......

Arjun walks over to Riya's desk "tum kaam katham karlo, main yahi hoom!"

Riya: no sir....aap fikhar matth keejiye.....Shree hai na?? woh mujhe chod dega.....usse bhi kuch kaam hai.....[she turns to look at Shree who was packing his bag, hearing this he lets out a sad sigh.....and sunk back into his chair....]

Arjun: mujhe lagaa Shree bhi jaa raha hai.....[shrugging] teek hai.....main chalthaa hoom.....

Shree waited for Arjun to leave before rushing to Riya...."hey Riya, yeh tumne kya kiya???....tum dono ke beech mujhe kyun mohra banaa rahe ho??? Main toh ghar jaakhar sone ka plan banaa rahaa thaa…”

Riya:[as if that was the limit....starts sobbing uncontrollably....Shree is startled by her cry……all her bottled up emotions and feelings poured out with the tears] nahi Shree....unnonae bohat baar mujhe unse dhoor rehne ko kahaa hai.....dhoor jaathe jaathe kab kaise unke paas aagayi pathaa hi nahi chalaa.....ab dil aur dimaag se unke itne kareeb hoom ke unke mooh se "dhoor ho jaao" sunn ke himmat bhi nahi hai.....isiliye, unse dhoor rehnaa hi accha hai!!

Shree: [making her sit back and gives her a glass of water] kya haar?? tum toh ek dham si senti hogayi!! main toh bas mazaag kar raha tha.....

Riya: [wiping her tears off quickly] sorry Shree….

Oblivious to both Shree and Riya, Arjun was listening to this emotional outpour.....he had come back to tell something to Riya!

He talks to himself "Riyaa, mujhe nahi pathaa tha ke maine tumme itna hurt kiya hai....sorry Riya....sorry" and walks back to his car......

[To be continued]