Chapter 2

'Daya nahi aap ne der nahi ki. Aapki koi galati nahi hai. Par meri wajah se aap ko takleef nahi hogi. Main bohot dur chali jaungi aap ki zindagi se.' said Shreya.

'Ye kya bol rahi ho tum Shreya?' asked Daya.

'Main sahi keh rahi hu. Aapne dusri shaadi karke accha hi kiya. Main apse naraz nahi hoon Daya. Bas yahi keh sakti hu ki hamari kismat me nahi tha hamara milna. Ab hum ek nahi ho sakte Daya. Bohot der ho chuki hai. Main nahi chahti ki meri wajah se aapke family ko takleef ho ' said Shreya.

'Shreya tum aisa kyu keh rahi ho? Tumhari bhi to shaadi hui hai na Siddharth se!' said Daya.

'Nahi Daya. Jhooth kaha maine aapse. Maine Shaadi nahi ki Siddharth se', said Shreya quietly.

'What?! Shreya please iss mamle me majak mat karo mere saath. Tum sach keh rahi ho? Kahi ye sapna to nahi?' said Daya.

'Daya kaise karti main? Maine kaha tha aapse. Mere liye aap ko bhool pana possible nahi. Aur wo USA jane wala tha. Mujhe pata tha hum kabhi wapas nahi aate. Mujhe lagta hai shayad use shak ho gaya tha mujhpar. Maine baat ki Siddharth se shaadi ke ek raat pehle.

** FLASHBACK **

'Kya hua Shreya itni raat terrace pe akele bulaya mujhe? Kya hua?' asked Siddharth.

'Siddharth main ab jo bhi kehne wali hu isse shayad tumhe bohot dukh pochega. I am sorry. Main tumhe ya tumhari family ko hurt nahi karna chahti.' said Shreya.

'Kya hua? Bolo na' he said.

'Siddharth main ye shaadi nahi kar sakti.' she said

'Kya? Shreya 24 ghante bhi nahi bache hamari shaadi ke liye. Aur tum ye kya bol rahi ho? Kuch jyada nervous ho gayi ho kya!' he said shocked.

'Nahi Siddharth. Mujhe USA nahi jaana. Aur sabse important baat main tumhe kabhi wo khushi de paungi jo tum deserve karte ho.' she said.

'Shreya kya tum kisi aur ko pasand karti ho? Mujhe to pehle se hi doubt tha tumpar' he said

She paused for a moment.

'Nahi aisi koi baat nahi hai', she said

Suddenly he got angry.

'Toh phir problem kya hai? Timepass kar rahi thi mere saath? Sagaai hogai. Uske baad nahi bata sakti thi tum? Ye tumhara aur tumhare maa baap ka plan hai. Shreya hamare sab dost aur relatives yaha hai. Meri and mere family ki kitni beizzati ho jayegi. Uska kya? Nahi tumhe ye shaadi karni hi padegi' said Siddharth angrily.

'Siddharth please, koi plan vagera nahi hai. Mujhe force mat karo. Ye main nahi kar sakti. Is shaadi se koi bhi khush nahi reh payega. Hamari family ko bhi bohot takleef hogi. Samjhane ko koshish karo' said Shreya.

'Thik hai Shreya. Ye aasaan nahi hai mere liye par phir bhi sirf tum keh rahi ho isliye main ye baat manne ko tayar hoon', said Siddharth.

'Thank you Siddharth. Par hum sab ko batayenge kaise? Kal hamari shaadi hai', said Shreya.

'Wo sab tum mujhepe chod do. Main dekh lunga kya karna hai', said Siddharth.

'Siddharth, par tum karne kya wale ho? Kuch to bolo! Mujhe bohot tension ho rahi hai', said Shreya.

'Shreya maine kaha na tumse sab mujhpar chod do. Jaakar so jao ab. Jaise tum chahti ho waisa hi hoga', he assured her.

After Shreya left, Siddharth gave an evil laugh.

'Chalo accha hua khud hi chali gayi meri zindagi se. Waise bhi main tumhe ek saal ke andar divorce hi dene wala tha. Meri girlfriend se jo shaadi karni hai mujhe. Phir bhi tumhe itni asani se kaise chod sakta hu main? Meri family ke saath tumhari family ki to double beizzati honi chahiye na? Wah! Kal maja aanewala hai', he said chuckling to himself.

Day of Shreya's Wedding -

All the guests had assembled. Shreya was getting ready as told by Siddharth. She was worried.

'Chahe kuch bhi ho jaye. Main ye shaadi nahi karnewali', she decided.

It was time for the bride and groom to come down for performing wedding rituals. Siddharth saw Shreya coming downstairs.

While the Pandit was still making the arrangements, Siddharth cleared his throat and spoke, ' Suniye sab log! Maine ek important decision liya hai wo aapko batana chahta hoon. Main Shreya se shaadi nahi kar sakta'

Pin drop silence settled around the hall as he said those words. Soon an audible murmur of voices could be heard.

'Ye kya keh rahe ho tum Siddharth', his mother asked shocked.

'Haan mom. Mujhe kal raat hi pata chala ki Shreya ka kisi ke saath affair chal raha hai. Itna hi nahi kaafi aage badh chuke the dono. Kya aap chahti hai ki aapki honewali bahu aisi ho?' said Siddharth.

Shreya's eyes widened with shock. She opened her mouth to speak but a tight slap fell on her left cheek. 'Ye kya sun rahi hu main Shreya? Sharam nahi aati tujhe aisi harkat karte hue?' Shreya mother yelled in anger. Shreya looked down. She was angry and wanted say something to him but she couldn't.

'Ye kya bak rahe ho tum Siddharth? Hosh me to ho?', said Abhijeet.

The entire CID team was shocked by Siddharth's behaviour.

'Main acchi tarah jaanta hu main kya keh raha hu', he said.

'Sab bakwaas hai. Kya proof hai tumhare paas?', asked Abhijeet.

'Proof?! Hahahaha... Kaha hai Daya? Bhaag gaya na? Proof chahiye to bulao Daya ko!' said Siddharth.

Shreya and Abhijeet looked up at him surprised.

'How did he know about Daya and her relation? And what was he saying about Daya's absence?' she thought. She scanned the crowd and noticed for the first time that indeed Daya was missing.

Abhijeet couldn't figure out how on earth Siddharth had come to know about Daya's departure.

'Dekho tum hamare senior officer ke character par ilzam laga rahe ho. Ye main bardaasht nahi karunga. Abhijeet Daya ko bulao abhi isi waqt. Sab saaf ho jayega', said ACP Pradyuman angrily.

Abhijeet kept quiet.

'Kya hua? Chup kyu ho? Daya kaha hai?' asked ACP.

Every eye was on Abhijeet waiting for his answer.

'Sir... Daya... Daya nahi hai yaha', Abhijeet stammered.

'Nahi hai? Nahi hai ka kya matlab hai? Gaya kaha phir wo?!' shouted ACP.

'Are wo kya batayega. Main batata hu. Daya bhaag gaya! Himmat nahi hai usme. Gunah confess karne ka sab ke saamne. Chup gaya hoga jaakar kahi. Darpok kahi ka', said Siddharth.

Now it was Siddharth's turn to get slapped. Abhijeet's five fingers were sketched on Siddharth's cheek.

'Ye bakwaas mere saamne mat kar samjha! Nahi to bohot pachtayega tu. Daya ke baare me aise baatein karne ki teri himmat kaise hui?' said Abhijeet.

'Toh kyu nikal gaya yaha se? Hai koi jawab?', asked Siddharth sneering.

'Apne pyar ki khatir gaya hai wo yaha se. Lekin ye tere bas ki baat nahi. Aur tum kya shaadi ke liye mana karoge. Ab to hum hi ye shaadi hone nahi denge', said Abhijeet.

'Tu chup kyu hai Shreya? Kya ye sach hai? Kya Daya aur tu?' asked Shreya's mother.

'Nahi ab wo muh nahi kholegi. Ab badi sharam aa rahi hogi. Lekin raat me jab tum dono ek saath hote ho tab sharam nahi aati ise', said Siddharth.

Now Shreya had had enough. She caught his collar tightly and started abusing him. 'Saale suar ki aulad. Tu samajhta kya hai apne aap ko. Daya sir ke baare me ab tere muh se ek bhi shabd nikala na toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga. Haan karti hu main Daya se pyar. Aur iss baat ka mujhe koi dar nahi. Aur hamara rishta kya hai ya hum kya karte hai ye tujhe jaanne ki koi zaroorat nahi. Accha hua tujh jaise ghatiya insan se meri shaadi nahi hui.' she went on and on.

Finally Purvi and Tarika had to pull her back.

The scene was no less than a film story. The crowd dispersed eventually. Only the CID team was left. Shreya's parents were too angry with her and left without another word. She didn't care. All she longed was to be with Daya, her love. But where was he?

ACP Pradyuman was quite amused. 'Ye kya chalta rehta hai tum logon ka? Daya aur Shreya agar ek dusre se pyar karte hai to phir tum dono ne ek dusre se kaha kyu nahi?Mujhe to kuch bhi khabar nahi thi iske baare me. Aur Daya kaha hai?' he said glancing at Shreya.

Nobody spoke.

'Abhijeet! Main kuch puch raha hu! Daya kaha hai', said ACP Pradyuman angrily.

'Sir please, main Daya ke baare me koi baat nahi karna chahta. Aur haan ab wo kabhi wapas nahi aayega. Usne CID resign kiya hai aur wo kal raat Mumbai chod ke gaya hai. Dhoondne ki koshish mat karna koi bhi. Sab bekar hai. ACP sir ye chitthi chod di hai aapke liye usne. Siddharth ki ek baat bilkul sach thi sir. Daya me sach kehne ki himmat nahi. Sirf uski wajah se Shreya ko itna dukh pohocha hai aaj', he said and stormed out of the hall.

Everyone stared dumbstruck at one another trying to let the saddening truth sink into their minds.

Shreya went home almost weeping. But the ordeal was only partially over. Her parents told her they had to face insult and embarrassment because of her. So they did not wish to keep any relation with her.

The next day she requested ACP Pradyuman to grant her a leave of few months and she went to Ahmedabad to stay with her grandparents.

** FLASHBACK OVER **

'Uss Siddharth ko toh main jaan se maar dalunga... Kabhi mere saamne aaya toh', said Daya.

'Shreya sab kaise hai waha... Abhijeet, ACP sir, Freddy aur baki sab log? Tumhe pata hai kitna miss kiya maine tum sab ko? Har roz sab ki yaad aaye bina neend nahi aati. Ye dekho.' he said pulling out a folder in which he had preserved paper cuttings of CID's successful cases.

'Kyu nahi aaye aap? Ek baar bhi nahi laga kisise baat karni chahiye? Roz aap ki koi na koi baat yaad karte hai sab. Lekin Abhijeet sir ko sabse jyada takleef hoti hai. Dikhate nahi hai wo par...' said Shreya.

'Bohot intejar karwaya na? Tum sab ko. Bohot bura hu main.' he said.

'Nahi Daya. Ab jo hua so hua. Ab hume aage ka sochna chahiye', she said softly.

'Bas Shreya. Bohot ho gaya. Ab hume ek hone se koi nahi rok sakta.' he said cupping her face.

'Daya nahi. Shayad aap sach keh rahe hai. Bohot der ho gayi hai.' said Shreya.

'Lekin kyu? Kya tum kisi aur se...' his voice trailed off.

'Nahi Daya. Par... par Priya ka kya?' she asked.

'Priya? Uska kya?' he asked.

'Priya aapki wife hai. Aur aapka baccha? Aap unke saath aise kaise kar sakte hai!' said Shreya shocked.

Daya turned around to hide his smile. Mischief was clearly visible in his eyes. 'Tum priya ko kaise jaanti ho?' he asked.

She told him how her car got stuck in a ditch and how Priya had dropped her at Roberto hotel.

'Aap bohot pyar karte hai na usse? Kitne lucky hai wo', Shreya muttered.

''Haan. Aaj sirf uske wajah se main thik hu. Woh nahi hoti to pata nahi kua hota... Bohot pyar karta hu usse', he said.

'Main khush hoon aap dono ke liye', she said.

'Nahi Shreya. Main divorce de dunga usse!' said Daya.

'Kya? Daya aap thik toh hai? Yakeen nahi hota aap ye keh rahe hai!' she said shocked.

He laughed. 'Relax main majak kar raha hu. Waise maine bhi jhooth kaha tumse. Priya meri behen hai. Sagi to nahi par kabhi kabhi khoon ke rishto se badhkar aise rishtey strong hote hai. Uska husband US gaye hai 6 mahino ke liye. Yahi paas me rehte hai dono.

'Daya pehle nahi bata sakte the? Jaiye main nahi baat karna chahti aapse', said Shreya.

'Baat toh main bhi nahi karna chahta tumse. Kuch aur karna chahta hoon', he said coming closer to her.

She knew what was coming. She pushed him away. 'Itna aasaan nahi hai!' she said and ran outside laughing heartily

'Shreya tumhe to chodunga nahi mai aaj', he said and followed her.

He caught her almost instantly and blocked her with his arms keeping his hands on the wall on the either side of her head. He kissed her. His mouth was warm and firm as his tongue looked for a way past her lips. She relaxed as his tongue darted into her mouth exploring, and his hands moved down to explore her body. He lifted her and carried her to his bedroom. He looked at her and smiled. 'Itni nervous kyu ho rahi ho? Jab tak tum nahi chahti tab tak hamare bich kuch bhi nhi hoga', said Daya.

She smiled back. 'Thank you Daya. I love you so much.' said Shreya.

'Yahi ruk jao mere saath', he said.

'Meri bag gadi me hai. Leke aati hu', said Shreya.

'Nahi ab kahi mat jao. Aaj aaj mera shirt pehen lo', he said.

'Daya please' she said shyly.

He got up and handed her a shirt. 'Main bahar ruk jata hu. Change kar lena.' said Daya and left the room shutting the door behind him. She wore his super long shirt. She couldn't believe it. She and Daya were together. She glanced at the clock. It was one minute to twelve.

She rushed outside. He was standing in the terrace staring at the sparkling stars. She hugged him from behind and rested her head on his back. He pulled her in front. 'Merry Christmas Daya', she kissing his cheek.

'Merry Christmas. Wow aaj ka din bohot special hai mere liye. Thanks to you love', he said.

They chatted for some time and then went off to sleep.

Next Day Morning -

Sunlight poured on her face. Shreya woke rubbing her eyes. She blushed when she saw Daya holding her hand. He was still sleeping peacefully. She stared at him, gently ruffling his hair. He opened his eyes and pulled her onto his chest.

'Good morning love', he said kissing her.

'Daya chodo na! Raat bhar ka romance kaafi nahi hua kya?' said Shreya.

'Chaar saal ki doori aur ek raat ka romance. Ye 4:1 ratio mujhe pasand nahi. Isliye din me jitna chahu utni bar main tumse pyar kar sakta hun.' he said smiling.

'No way Daya!' she said pushing him away.

'Main breakfast banane jaa rahi hu. Aap jaldi ready hokar niche aa jayein. Aur haan kal hum Mumbai jaa rahe hai.' she announced.

He sat up in bed. His face was grave. 'Shreya kya kahenge sab log? Main bohot sharminda hun. Mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha', said Daya.

'Kuch nahi hoga Daya. Trust me. Sab log khush honge aapko dekh kar', she said.

After some time Priya arrived. 'Bhai kya baat hai? Aaj kitne fresh lag rahe ho?' she said.

'Haan. Kal raat main kisise mila. Usika natija hai', said Daya.

'I see. Kisse mile app?' she asked.

Shreya walked in carrying a tray of cookies and coffee.

'Shreya tum? Wow what a surprise! Gadi thik ho gayi?' asked Priya.

'Gadi to nahi par baki sab kuch thik ho gaya', she added glancing at Daya and smiling.

'Matlab? Main kuch samjhi - OH MY GOD! Iska matlab tum wo Shreya ho jisse bhai... Wow!' she ran and gave Shreya a crushing hug.

'I love you. Bhai kitni cute and beautiful hai aapki Shreya!' said Priya her eyes shining happily.

Dareya blushed. 'Thanks Priya! Chalo baitho coffee piyo', said Shreya.

'Are coffee baad me. Pehle mujhe puri story batao ki kal jab maine tumhe Roberto hotel drop kiya tabse kya kya hua', said Priya.

Shreya started narrating the incidents and they passed time chatting happily.

Two Days Later -

When they walked into the CID bureau, everyone was engrossed in their work. It was an ordinary day and they were definitely not expecting visitors.

Shreya went inside. Daya waited outside nervously.

'Good morning!' she greeted them brightly

'Shreya tum? Tum toh kal anewali thi na? Kya hua aaj kaise aa gayi? Aur baat kya hai aaj badi khush lag rahi ho!' said ACP Pradyuman.

'Sir baat hi kuch aise hai. Lekin aap sab logon se koi milne aaya hai', said Shreya.

'Kaun aaya hai?' asked ACP.

Daya walked in from the door and stood before them. Everybody was shocked. They stared at their senior Inspector whom they never thought would see ever again.

'Daya sir! Aap yaha!' Freddy finally managed to speak.

'Kaise ho Freddy?' asked Daya.

'Dekha Freddy? Hamare Senior Inspector aaj aaye hai 4 saal baad! Aur hamara haal puch rahe hai', said ACP.

'Sir kaha the aap itne saal? Hum sab kitna miss kar rahe the aapko!' said Sachin.

'Sir, I am sorry. Mujhe pata hai mujhe aise achanak bina bataye chale nahi jaana chahiye tha. Meri wajah se bohot takleef hui hai aap sab ko. Maine bhi bohot Miss Kiya aap sab logon ko', said Daya.

'Haan haan isiliye char saal se koi contact nahi kiya na tumne hamare saath', said ACP.

'Sir jaane dijiye na please! Ab Daya sir wapas aa gaye hai na', said Purvi.

ACP Pradyuman threw her an angry look.

'Sir aap sab ek family ki tarah hai. Aur sir mujhe aap sabka gussa manjoor hai. Apno ko hi toh haq hota hai gussa karne ka', said Daya.

ACP Pradyuman couldn't help smiling. 'Emotional blackmail accha kar lete ho Daya', he said.

'Kya karu sir aap se hi sikhte aaya hu itne saalon se', said Daya.

Everyone laughed.

ACP hugged his son. 'Welcome back Daya', he said. Amidst all this, one person had not uttered a word. It was none other than Abhijeet.

'Abhijeet...' said Daya.

'Sir main khabri se milne jaa raha hu. Kisiki ke aane ya jaane se kaam me rukavat nahi aani chahiye', said Abhijeet.

'Abhijeet ruk jaa yaar', said Daya.

Abhijeet stopped.

'Abhi I am sorry. Sirf sorry kehne se kaam nahi ho wala pata hai mujhe. Par tumhe to sab pata hai... Maine aisa kyu kiya tha... Tumhare kehne par mujhe rukna chahiye tha. Galti ho gayi boss. Lekin ab aaya hu na main.' said Daya.

'Wah Daya kitna aasaan kar diya tune. Chaar saal ki maafi mangne ke liye char minute bhi nahi liye tune. Ek baar bhi nahi laga tujhe ki jaakar dekhu sab thik hai na. Kyu gayi Shreya tum isse milne. Aur kyu lekar aayi ise yaha? Kya pata kal phirse ye chala jayega hame chodkar.' said Abhijeet.

'Sir actually meri gadi kharab ho gayi thi raaste me.' said Shreya. She told them what had happened.

'Abhi please ab maaf bhi kardo yaar.' said Daya.

'Nahi. Main itni aasani se kisi ko maaf nahi karta.' said Abhijeet.

'Thik hai to ab mere paas koi option nahi hai', said Daya.

He went and just hugged his best buddy. 'I missed you Abhi', he said.

It had worked like magic. Tears flew from Abhijeet's eyes and he hugged Daya back.

'Chal maaf kiya. Tu kabhi nahi sudhrega Daya', said Abhijeet.

Everyone had become emotional.

They broke from the hug smiling. 'Lekin Daya iksi saza to tujhe bhugatni padegi. Abhi isi waqt', said Abhijeet.

'Sab manjoor hai mujhe. Tu bas Bol.', said Daya.

'Abhi Shreya ko tu propose kar. Sab ke saamne' said Abhijeet.

Everyone clapped and cheered. Daya looked at Shreya and she blushed. Her heartbeats increased as he walked towards her.

He cupped her face and said, 'Shreya ye sab char saal pehle hi kehna chahiye tha par ab ek minute ki bhi der nahi karunga. Kya tum meri humsafar banogi zindagi bhar ke liye? I love you. Will you marry me?'

Tears were swimming in her eyes. 'Haan Daya. Itne saal hum dono ne sirf intejar kiya. Par ab aur nahi. I love you too!' she said.

He kissed her cheek and they hugged each other. Everybody was rejoicing. They all were so happy that finally everything was back to normal. This Christmas had really turned out a great one for them.

** THE END **