Tere Mere Dil

……

Before Abhijeet could find a chance to talk to Tarika she fled away with Bhola kaka to his village, the purpose of which, was unknown to him. He tried to divert his mind in various works but all went in vein. Everything around him started to seem boring all on a sudden. Finally Abhijeet concluded Tarika was indeed a very good company. He really liked her friendly nature and Abhijeet couldn't help wondering that how could she be so frank and open. He expected completely opposite.

Doing this and that he spent all the day. He was expecting her to return at evening but she didn't returned even when it's dark. He felt really bored. He browsed internet for a while but couldn't stop being impatient. He then thought to talk to his parents with whom he hardly had talked in last one week. And for the last two days even if he's living with them in same house he rarely saw them free. All the time they were doing this or that or gossiping with Mahesh Uncle.

He knocked at their door.

''Arey Abhijeet beta.. ao ao ander ao,'' said Mohini, his mother.

''Free?'' Asked Abhijeet, entering.

''Arey beta ham toh free hi hain… yaha konsa kam hai hame,'' said Mihir.

''Aplogo se baat karni thi mujhe..''

''Kis bare mei?'' Mihir asked.

''Wo Shadi..''

''Abhijeet,'' Mihir said in a soft tone, ''ham tumpar pressure nahi dal rahe… the decision will be yours. Tum ho na yaha… dekh rahe ho use.. agar pasand ai toh bata dena.. nahi ain toh thik hai.''

''Baat wo nahi hai Baba,'' said Abhijeet.

''Toh kya baat hain?''

''Tarika ko pata hai kya ki ap hamari shadi karwani ki soch rahe hai? Uski bato se mujhe weisa lagta toh nahi.''

''Usey batahi kaha inlogo ne!'' Mohini said.

''What? Mahesh uncle ko?''

''Unhe pata hai,'' Mohini said.

''Arey beta.. maine or tumahre Mahesh uncle ne bat ki hai isbarei mei.. Tarika ko pata nahi hai. Tarika Mahesh ki pasand ke ladke se hi shadi karegi usne keh diya hai,'' Mihir explained.

''So stupid!'' Abhijeet exclaimed.

''Arey.. stupidism ki kya hain? Maine bhi tumhare maa se apne parents ki pasand se hi shadi ki thi,'' Mihir laughed.

''Beta pehle aisahi hota tha,'' said Mohini.

''Mujhse ye ummid bhi nahi rakhna,'' Abhijeet declared.

''Tujhse umid rakh bhi kon raha hai!'' Mihir said, '' tujhe pasand aigi tohi baat age baregi na.. or weisey bhi mujhe toh kuch kharabi lag nahi rahi hai.. ladki samjhdar hai, or…''

''Baba please. Ap rehnehi do. Or ye bat achi hain ki Tarika ko pata nahi… wo bachpan ke dost hi thik hai. Ab embarrass bhi nahi feel hoga uske sath gawn ghumte waqt.''

''Haan toh tu ghum.. jhum.. kuch bhi kar.. ho sakta hai teri faisala bhi badal jai..''

''Oh please Baba, aisa kuch nahi hone wala. Ham dono ki life style kisi bhi tarah se match nahi karta.. ''

Gopal entered.

''Abhijeet bhaiya apka phone baj raha tha.. mai le aya,'' Gopal handed Abhijeet his phone.

''Thanks Gopala,''

''Mention not Bhaiya,'' Gopal blushed.

''Arey wah Gopala tum bhi English bolne lage..''

''Kya bhaiya ap bhi..''

''Mai toh majak kar raha tha.. acha sun, dinner mei please mere liye plain roti bana dena.. no alu, gobi, mula parata.. Okay?/''

''Haan bhaiya.. ham abhi banwatey hai,''

''Chal thanks.''

Gopal left.

Abhijeet checked his phone.

''Kiska phone tha..'' Mohini asked.

''Wo Maa Sara ka.. office mei kuch problem ho gai hai.''

''Toh tu ho aa Mumbai se kal,'' Mihir suggested.

''Soch raha hu is mamle ko rafadafa karkehi jau..''

''Rafadafa! Kafi achi hindi bolne laga hai..'' Mohini teased her son.

''Wakil ke sath rehneka asar hai,'' Mihir laughe, ''acha, Daya ko hamare taraf se badhai dena wo case jit ne ke liye.''

''Ji de dunga. Or aplog meri hindi ko leke etna mat tease kia karo. Meri hindi kharap thi hi kab jo achi hogi!''

''Acha!'' Mihir laughed hard.

''Baba!'' Abhijeet complained.

''Acha thik hai. Han toh mai keh raha tha ki tu Mumbai se ho hi aa.. Tarika toh hai nahi yaha jo tu use bat karega use janega.''

''Haan toh wo ajaigi na aaj hi..''

''Wo tin din ke liye gai hai. Kamal hai tujhe bataya nahi?'' Mohini said.

''Kya! Nahi bataya.. unsocial larki. Or ap use apni ghar ki bahu banane chale.. class and wagera side mei rakhtey hai phir bhi.. ye konsi bat hui .. larka aya hua hai ghar shadi ke bat ke liye or wo larke ko bethake tin din ke chutti mei nikal gain..''

''Use kaha pata hai ki tu use shadi ke liye milne aya hain!'' said Mohini.

'' Still, main uska childhood friend hu na… bata toh sakti thi na mujhe!''

''Arey! Abhi shadi hui nahi or tu haq pehle se mar raha hai!'' Mihir teased again.

''Oh please,'' Abhijeet said in irritation and left the room.

After dinner Abhijeet paced around the yard and house for a while. He then went to his room and dialled Sara's number.

''Yes sir,'' Sara answered from opposite side.

''Kya kar rahi ho?'' Abhijeet asked, straight.

''Sir, raat ki 11 baje hai. So rahi thi..''

''Oh. Sorry to disturb you then.''

''It's okay sir. Boliye phone ku kia?''

''Oh main kal subha Mumbai araha hu. So mere sare meeting reschedule kar do… Next 3 days mei adjust kar do jo important hai.''

''Sir kal? Etne jaldi keisey?''

''That's your problem not mine.. main 11 baje taq phoch jaunga office.''

''Ji/… Ji sir. I will manage.''

''Good. Good night.''

''Good night sir.''

Abhijeet cut the call.

Next day Abhijeet left for Mumbai early in morning in his jeep. He had informed Gopal before handed. Reaching Mumbai he got busy with work. He didn't even get time to meet Daya. Daya was also busy with his cases. Next two days passed like that.

After two days Tarika returned to her house from Bhola kaka's village. She returned at evening that day and after getting freshed and having snacks she searched for Abhijeet as she had expected him to come to her. But he wasn't in his room. So she asked Gopal.

''Hey Gopal sun,'' she called him.

''Haan Didi bolo..''

''Ye Abhijeet kaha hai? Jab se ain hu dikh nahi raha hai.''

''Bhaiya toh chale gain Mumbai.""

''Chaley gain? Kab Chaley gain?''

"Ap jisdin Bhola kaka ke sath gain uske dusre din hi chaley gain wo… unhe koi jaruri kam agaya tha sayad or aap yaha thi nahi toh wo bore bhi ho rahe the.''

''Kya bore ho raha tha.. Kheti bari nahi sikh sakta tha kya!'' Tarika said in irritation, ''Kuch bhi. Chala gaya bina bole.''

''Wo apka phone try kar rahe the par lag nahi raha tha..''

''Abbey damboo, Bhola kaka ke waha network nahi milta pata nahi hai tujhe.''

''Haan maine bataya tha unhe… phir bhi unhone try kia tha.. phir mujhe boley ki aap ain toh mai bata du apko ki wo 3-4 din mei wapas ajainge.''

''Acha, wapas ane wala hai.. tab thik hai… mujhe toh laga bina bye bole hi chala gaya.''

''Chaley bhi jatey toh kya hota.. Mumbai mei hi toh rehte hai wo.. mil leti na aap. Ya phone kar lo.''

''Phone! Abbey, mera number usey kisne diya?''

''Maine or kisne…'' Gopal said as if its not a big deal.

''Kisse puchke?'' Tarika narrowed her eyes.

''Puchna kya tha.. dost hai an wo apke..''

''Bohot bolta hai na tu..''

''Maaf karna didi…''

''Acha chor… Baba bola rahe the tujhe bahar angan mei..''

''Thik hai didi… mai chalta hu,'' Gopal said and proceeded to leave but Tarika stopped him.

''Hey Gopal sun sun sun…''

''Haan ji didi bolo,'' Gopla stopped.

''Tere pass uska number hain kya?'' Tarika asked.

''Kiska? Abhijeet Bhaiya ka?''

''Toh or kiska puchungi mai!'' Tarika asked with hands on her hips.

''Haan.. unhone diya tha. Kaha tha ki apke mangne pe du..''

''Matlab main nahi mangti toh tu nahi deta…''

''Nahi mangti aap toh keisey deta..''

''Tu bolta bohot hain.. ja jake number leke aa..''

''Ji didi abhi laya..''

Gopal left.

''Budhu kahi ka..'' Tarika murmured and moved to her room.

0-0-0-0-0

Abhijeet was busy in a meeting when his phone vibrated. His assistant Sara picked up the phone on his behalf and moved out of his cabin.

''Hello,'' Sara answered.

Tarika looked at the number on her phone again and turned to Gopal.

''Abbey kiska number diya tune? Ye toh koi ladki hai..''

''Yahi number diya tha Abhijeet Bhaiya ne,''

''Acha thik haai ja tu,''

Gopal left. Tarika talked over phone,

''Hello. Ji ye number Abhijeet Kapoor ka hain na?'' Tarika asked.

''Yes. Ye unhi ka number hain. But right now he's busy in a meeting.''

''Meeting?''

''Yes.''

''Hmm, aap kon?''

''I am his PA.'

''Okay. Unhe kehna ki maine Phone kia tha. Yaad se kehna..''

''It's okay ma'm. Apka name flash ho raha hai screen pe toh agar main bhul bhi jau toh wo dekh hi lenge dial list pe.''

''Matlab tum nahi bataogi unhe?''

''Of course ma'm I will tell him.''

''Haan thik hai batana use ki Tarika ne phone kia tha..''

''Sara.'' Abhijeet called her.

''Okay ma'm I will tell him. Sir bola rahe hain..''

Sara cut the call.

Tarika cut the call and talked to herself.

''Ye iski PA hi hai na… ya phir GF? Aney do usey, ache se puchti hu use.''

''Khuraná's ke sath meet hain na 8 baje?'' Abhijeet asked Sara.

''Sir unki PA ka phone tha.. unhone bas abhi abhi meeting cancel kar diya.. Because of some problems.''

''Okay, call her back and say we are not interested in their deal anymore.''

''But sir.. they had been trying real hard to get the deal. There must be some problems.''

''Sara, do what I say. Tell them we are not interested. And what about the Malhotra's?''

''Sir, Kabeer Malhotra is out of India. He will return next week.''

''Hmm, okay. I will be on leave for the rest of the week. So, arrange the next meetings according that.''

''Okay sir… Sir,''

''Yeah, what now?''

''Sir, someone named Tarika called you when you were in meeting.''

''Who?'' Abhijeet was surprised.

''Tarika sir.''

''Why didn't you tell me?'' Abhijeet asked and taking his mobile he checked the recent dials.

''Sorry sir. I didn't know she was so important. Is…. Is she's your new friend?'' Sara asked hesitatingly.

''Old friend,'' Abhijeet said shortly, ''You may leave now. I will call you tomorrow.''

''Okay sir… Kaal ap office ainge?''

''No…''

''Okay. Good night sir.''

''Good night.''

Sara left.

Abhijeet dialled Tarika's number. She picked up after a couple of seconds.

''Hello,'' said Tarika from opposite side.

''Hi. Tumne phone kia tha?''

''tumhara meeting khatam hogaya?''

''Haan. Bas abhi abhi hua. Tum kab loti Bhola kaka ke gawn se?''

''aaj hi.''

''Or atey hi mujhe phone kar diya? Etna miss kar rahi thi mujhe?'' Abhijeet flirted.

''Miss toh tum bhi mujhe bohot kar rahe the. Gopal ne batay mujhe.''

''Main ku miss karne laga tumhe..''

''Mai toh majak kar rahi thi. Par main tumhe sach mei bohot miss kar rahi hu.''

''Acha?''

''Haan. Kab arahe ho?''

''Hmm kal..''

''Bohot acha. Toh kal tumhare atey hi ham wo jo jharna hai na waha jaine. Baba toh mujhe waha akele jane nahi dete.. toh tum chalna sath.''

''Haan wo jharna…''

''Jharna ka matlab pata hai na tumhe/'' Tarika asked suspiciously.

''Water fall,'' said Abhijeet, offended, ''pata nahi tumlogo ko kya lagta hain.. etni buri Hindi nahi hai meri.''

''Mihir Uncle ne jeisey bola tha us hisab se toh tum bohot achi hindi bolte ho.''

''Of course.''

''Acha chodo.. tum arahe ho na kaal.''

''Yeah. Okay..''

''Meetings khatam sare?''

''Haan.. Daya se milne ja raha hu. Waha se apne apartment.''

''Apartment?''

''Haan, yaha office ka pass mera ek flat hain.. wahi rehta hu kabhi kabhi..''

''Ghar pe nahi rehte tum Kaka Kaki ke sath?''

''Unhi ke sath rehta hu.. bas kabhi kabhi…''

''Haan, kabhi kabhi girlfriend ke sath rehna pade toh ghar pe keisey reh saktey ho.. hai na?'' Tarika teased her childhood friend.

''Tum na mujhe jetna lafanga or loose character samajhti ho.. mai otna hu nahi..''

''Main tumhe kuch bhi nahi samajhti okay..''

''Acha? Toh phir mere GFs ke piche ku padi rehti ho?''

''Tumhare GFs hai jo unke piche padi rahungi!''

''Haan.. matlab..''

''Matlab hain.. tum mujhe bata doge toh kya fark par jaiga!''

''Tumhe janne mei etna interest ku hai mujhe toh yahi samajh nahi ata.''

''Kuki mai tumhari dost hu… hu ki nahi?''

'Haan.. dost ho, in fact bohot achi dost ho.''

''Toh phir batao, Sara tumhari PA cum GF hain na?'' Tarika smiled mischievously.

''Wo meri GF nahi hai. Or philal mai kisi bhi relationship mei nahi hu.''

''Pehle thi Gf?''

'''Hmm.. haan.. thi kafi sari.. London mei,''

''London? Tum toh Canada mei rehte the na!''

''Oxford se graduate hu main..''

''Kya baat hai.. Mr London!''

''Hmm, ab sari batey phone pe hi karogi kya?''

''Okay okay.. mai bhi bohot thak gai hu. Shubh ratri.. matlab good night.''

''Hey suno suno suno…''

''Kya hai ab?''

''I want to buy .. matlab mujhe tumhe kuch gift karna hai.. kuch aisa jo tumhe chahiye ho bata do, main le aunga.''

''Really! Mumbai ki panipuri la sakte ho!''

''Kya! Wo keisey lau main?''

''Toh phir rehne do,'' Tarika laughed.

''Tumhe bas hamesha majak hi sujhta hain.'' Abhijeet was irriated.

''Acha baba.. jo man chahe le ana..''

''Thik hain. Chalo, good night.''

''Subh ratri.''

They cut the call.

Abhijeet called Daya and they spent the evening together in a bar. Abhijeet left early as he had to leave for village in morning. While drinking they didn't talk about Tarika as per Abhijeet's request.

0-0-0-0-0

At morning Abhijeet left for the village in his jeep. He got a call when he was out of city.

''Haan Daya bol.''

''Happy birthday yaar,'' Daya said in a jolly mood.

''Tu uth gaya etni jaldi?''

''Already in farm.''

''Oh..''

''Abbey thanks toh bol.''

''Tujhe pata hain main birthday celeb nahi karta..''

''Or tujhe ye bhi pata hai ki main tujhe wish karna kabhi nahi chodunga.''

''Keep wishing.''

''Apna jeep ki music box ki niche ki drawer khol..''

''KU?''

''Khol na..''

Abhijeet did as per Daya's instruction. He found an envelope and tore that up.

''Ye!'' He was amused with the content.

''Yep. One year subscription for the magazine 'Business Buletine'''.

''Tujhe keisa pata main ye karne wala tha..''

''Sara keh rahi thi tune use subscription ke liye bola tha.. Maine use mana kar diya or khud kar diya. You like it?''

''Of course yaar. Now I Thank you,'' Abhijeet laughed.

''Chal bye. Have a meeting. Enjoy your holidays in village.''

''Okay bye.''

Abhijeet cut the call and drove towards the village.

Abhijeet's car disturbed in midway so it took a long time for him to reach Village. But finally he's there.

''Happy birthday beta,'' Mohini hugged her son as soon as he entered into the house.

''Happy Birthday Abhijeet,'' Mihir wished him too.

''Janamdin Mubarak ho beta..'' Mahesh also wished.

''Thanks… par Baba Maa aplogo ko toh pata hi hai..''

''Haan haan pata hai… isliye toh koi party warty nahi chal rahi.. orna Mahesh toh bohot insist kar raha tha..'' said Mihir.

''Party na sahi.. par aj jabardast dinner rakha hai… wo toh karoge na?"" Mahesh asked Abhijeet.

''Ku nahi Uncle..''

''Haan beta ab tum room mei jao.. aram kar lo… ''

Abhijeet nodded and left for his room. Upon entering into his room he found Tarika sitting on his bed. She's wearing an off white Kurti-payjama with red Dupatta.

''Toh aj janamdin hai tumhara…'' Tarika asked walking towards him.

''Tum yaha kya kar rahi ho? MUjhe laga nicho mere sawagat mei rakhi hogi..''

''sawagat! Wo tumhara dost Daya wakil hain na? Usse sikha?''

''Baba!'' Abhijeet murmured, ''aisa kuch nahi hain.''

''Acha toh tum..''

''Tease karna band karogi?''

''Okay… mere liye gift lane wale the na tum.. do..'' Tarika extended her hand.

''Wo.. main…''

''Kya? Bhul gain?''

''Aisi baat nahi hain…actually mujhe samajh mei nahi araha tha ki kya lu tumhare liye..''

"Ye thik nahi hai na Abhijeet..''

''Birthday mera hain, gift toh tumhe dena chahiye…'' Abhijeet protested.

''Mujhe pata thori tha!''

''Ab toh pata hain Na… toh jao gift leke ao mere liye..''

''Tumne mujhe gift nahi diya tumhe bhi nahi milega..''

Tarika proceeded to walk off. Abhijeet held her wrist.

''Tum toh gussa ho gain..''

''Gussa nahi hu..''

Abhijeet turned her towards him and she balanced herself not to be bumped into him. She was uncomfortable. Sensing that Abhijeet left her.

''I'm sorry..''

''Koi baat nahi. Kya keh rahe the tum?''

''Wait.''

Abhijeet smiled and opened his bag. He took out a box and gave that to her.

''Ye kya hain?''

''Tumhara gift.''

''Tum toh keh rahe the nahi lain..'' Tarika pouted.

''Kholo bhi ab..''

Tarika unwrapped and opened the box.

''Pasand aya'?'' Abhijeet asked.

''Yesab..''

''Mujhe bachpan ki jayada kuch yaad toh nahi hain par tumhe chudiya bohot pasand the.. I remember.''

Tariak looked at the different colour bangles and smiled.

''Ye toh bohot sare hain… or bohot khubsurat hain. Thanks.''

''Tumhe sach mie pasand aya na?''

''Sach mei..''

''Tarika, the days I have spent with you here… I wish I had never broken off the connections with you… matlba..''

''Abhijeet, main English bolti nahi iska matlab ye nahi ki mujhe English ati nahi.. I'm..''

''Haan jansi ki rani… pata hain… apko toh sab ata hain. Par sach mei agar tumse touch mei rehta toh meri bohot achi ek dost hoti.. I really regret it.''

''Ab toh rahoge na touch mei?''

''Hamesha… Mujhe tumhari company bohot pasand hain,'' said Abhijeet.

"Acha baki batey bad mei karte hai.. tum niche ajao.. maine bhi khana nahi khaya hai. Sath mei khainge."

Abhijeet nodded. Tarika left.

''Thank God! Baba ne kamsekam Tarika ko kuch nahi bola.. ab at least ham ache dost toh rahenge. And it wont even feel awkward.'' Abhijeet said to himself and smiled.

0-0-0-0-0-0-0

''Akhey maat khona.. akhey mat kholna.. No cheating huh..''

''Batao toh sahi ham kaha ja rahe hain..'' Abhijeet asked Tarika, struggling with her hands over his eyes. All he could find out was, they were climbing up stairs..

''Chad (terrace) par.''

''Par ku/''

''Bas again.''

They stopped and Tarika freed his eyes.

.KK": Hush.. written this long chapter after ages. Hope you gonna review for this long chapte.