Tere Mere Dil

….

There was a constant smile on his face while drivig back to Mumbai. How lucky he was! Just when he decided to become selfish he received the news which helped him to feel less selfish. And he felt sheepish too. How could he miss this information about her. Why wasn't he informed earlier? But when he recalled the events he remembered he actually never let anyone tell this and Tarika deliberately had hided the entire matter from him.

His phone rang and it was his mother.

''Haan maa..''

''Jaha bhi hain, jo bhi kam ho.. ghar aa tu.''

''Ku maa? Koi problem hain?''

''Jo kaha hai wo kar.'' Mohini cut the call.

''Maa..''

Abhijeet shrugged and drove towards his home. Upon reaching there he discovered his parents sitting on sofa with stiff faces.

''Kya hua? Aplog aisey ku dekh rahe hai mujhe?''

''Tu Mahesh se milne gaya tha?'' Mihir asked.

''Haan..''

''Kya main puch sakta hu ku?"'

''Apko agar ye pata hain ki main waha gaya tha toh ye bhi pata hoga ki main waha ku gaya tha.''

''Abhijeet, baat ko golgol ghumao mat or sidhey sidhey jawab do.'' Mihir stood up.

''Main unhe Tarika se shadi ki baat batane gaya tha..''

''Aisey ku beta..'' Mohini stood up and moved towards her son, ''hamey aisey bina batay.. bata sakta tha na..''

''Mujhe samajh nahi araha hai ki aplog is baat ko etna khich ku rahe hain? Aplogo nehi pasand kia tha Tarika ko mere liye? Toh ab kar raha hu na mai shadi.. toh problem kya hain?''

''Problem tarika mei hain Abhijeet… aiseh nahi bolte jake.. hamey bata sakte the na tum.. ye India hain.. or shadi tumhari arrange ho rahi hain.''

''Hold on Baba… shadi mere arrange nahi ho rahi hain. I love Tarika. Bohot pasand karta hu main usey. Shadi bhi usi se karunga. Chaye jo bhi ho jain. Main Mahesh uncle se mafi mange ke aya hu istarah bina batay waha chale jane ke liye. Kuch reason the weisey waha jane ka. Aisehi chala nahi gaya tha main.'' Abhijeet explain.

''Dekho beta,'' said Mohini, '' Mahesh bhaisab ko tum bohot pasand ho par wo Tarika ke marji ke khilaf uski shadi tumse nahi karange.. or pata nahi ku unhe aisa lagta hain ki Tarika tumse shadi nahi karna chahti.''

''Nahi karna chahti hogi. But I will make her agree. Apko wo pasand hain na? Wahi apki ghar ki bahu banegi.''

''Etni pasand hain wo tujhe?'' Mohini smiled.

''Haan Maa. Bohot jayada.''

''Toh phir pehle mana ku kia tha?'' Mihir asked.

''Tab pasand nahi thi na shadi ke liye. Par ab hain. '' Abhijeet blushed.

''Toh shadi ki taiyariya kare?'' Mihir asked.

''Kya Baba ap bhi! Pehle Tarika ko haan toh karne do.''

''thik hain.. thik hain..'' Mihir laughed.

''Weisey Baba Tarika doctor hain apko pata tha kya?''

''Kya matlab pata tha? Ku nahi pata hoga bhai?''

''Mujhe pata nahi tha na. Aj hi pata chala!''

''KYA!""
''Haan Baba..''

''Maine bataya toh tha tujhe phone pe..''

''Wo main… maine apki puri batey suni nahi thi… wo main… bich mei phone side pe rakh ke drink..''

''Abhijeet..'' Mihir was angry.

''Par ab pata hain na..''

''Toh tumne ye janne ki baad use shadi karne ka faisala kia ki wo ek doctor hain?'' Asked Mohini.

''Kya maa ap bhi. Nahi..''

''Nahi?"'

''Nahi. Main toh Mahesh uncle se shadi ki hi baat karne gaya tha tab pata chala mujhe. Tarika aj Mumbai ai hain. Wo yahi rehti hain.''

''Haan is sal Mumbai shift hui hain. Parai usne Delhi se ki hain. Bataya tha tujhe. Par tune suna nahi..'' Mihir Taunted his son.

''Sorry na Baba..''

Abhijeet's phone rang.

''Haan Sara..''

''Sir you have meeting with Oboroys within one hour.''

''Shit man! I totally forgot. I will be there in 40 minutes.''

''Okay sir. Bye.''

''Bye.''

Abhijeet cut the call.

''Mujhe jana hoga.. sham ko bat kartey hain.''

''Thik hain.. aram se jana.'' Said Mohini from behind While Abhijeet ran out of the gate.

The rest of the day went busy for him. At night when he left his office he dialled Tarika's number a couple of time but she didn't pick up. Abhijeet was irritated a bit but then realized he had done enough to make her angry. He had talked about their marriage to her parents and that's too without her agreement. Not being wanted to be questioned by his parents he decided to spend the night at his apartment. The night wasn't good for him. All the while he was thinking about his decision. Now, when he had already taken the step he was feeling like considering his decision. Was it too hurry? But they would have married her off with another guy and he couldn't bear that. Now everything depended on Tarika's behaviour. Sure, she wouldn't be pleased with his visiting but he had to make her understand somehow. He wished he wouldn't mess up things the following day and tried to sleep.

NEXT MORNING,

He went to AK hospital in search of her and. He called her but her phone was switched off. So, he moved to the reception and inquired.

''Excuse me ma'm, can you inform Dr Tarika that she's having a guest. Actually her phone is switched off.'' Abhijeet asked the receptionist.

The receptionist was busy so she didn't answer him.

''Excuse me miss,'' he asked her again.

''Which department?'' The receptionist asked.

''How many Dr Tarika do you have in your hospital?'' Abhijeet was confused.

''I don't know all the doctors here and also the doctors have rotations. If you can't tell me then please excuse me. You can see I am very busy.''

Abhijeet rolled his eyes.

''Cancer department. What was that.. hmm, yeah Oncology department.''

''Sir, this is a cancer hospital. And we have many branches.''

''Like?''

Though irritated the receptionist continued,

''Hamato Oncology? Onco medicine? Onco surgery? Onco radiation? Onco…''

''Wait…'' Abhijeet stopped her and took a deep breathe. Seeing his confused state the receptionist felt a little pitty and searched for Dr Tarika in PC.

''Dr Tarika, Hamato Oncology… she had night shift yesterday. Means she's off duty today.''

''Toh etne der se pareshan ku kia mujhe!'' Abhijeet was enraged.

''Excuse me?'' The receptionist objected.

''Ku.. kuch nahi.. ap mujhe unka address de sakti hain?'' Abhijeet asked sweetly.

''Do you even know her or you are playing with me?'' The receptionist asked suspiciously.

''Of Course I know her. She's my friend.''

The receptionist didn't reply him and started to talk with other persons.

''Arey yaar ye toh gussa ho gain..''

Abhijeet decided to leave for then. He thought to ask about her to his parents. They might know it. Just when he was about to get into his car he saw Tarika coming out of hospital. A smile appeared on his face right away and when he watched her antics his smile got broader. She stretched her hands upwards and took a deep fresh breath. Her hair was untidy, messed up after the long night hours and her clothes were crumped. She was wearing jeans and kurti and her apron was in her hand.

''Good morning,'' Abhijeet said with a smile and leaning slightly against his car.

Tarika got startled. She looked at him intently and started to walk away from him towards another direction.

''Arey listen..'' Abhijeet followed her.

''Mujhe tumse baat nahi karni Abhijeet. Go away.''

''Tarika please.. I insist. Ek bar sun lo..'' Abhijeet tried to match her pace.

''Not now Abhijeet.''

Abhijeet held her left wrist gently and Tarika stopped immediately.

''Please. Tumhe hamari friendship ki kasam.''

''Keisi friendship Mr Abhijeet Kapoor?'' Tarika said, hurt.

Abhijeet looked down accepting her acquisition. Tarika look around and saw her colleagues around the hospital and she didn't want to create a scene.

''Mera night shift tha. I am very tired and sleepy. Bad mei baat karein?''

''Bad mei kab?'' Abhijeet looked up. His voice was demanding. ''Kal se koshish kar raha hu tum mera phone bhi receive nahi kar rahi ho. I also don't want to create scene in front of your hospital but I don't have any option.'' Abhijeet raised his voice a little.

''Don't use that tone with me. Not after doing all these,'' Tarika said strictly and freed her wrist from his grip.

Abhijeet calmed himself. He wasn't supposed to behave like this. He made himself understand and taking a deep breath he started again. This time with a soft voice.

''Breakfast kia tumne?''

''Nahi,'' said Tarika rudely.

''Sath mei karein?''

''Stop with this Abhijeet.''

''Mujhe ek chance toh do apne apko explain karne ka. Please,'' Abhijeet begged.

Tarika thought for a while.

''Thik hain. Chalo. Samne hi ek acha sa restaurant hain breakfast keliye.''

Abhijeet grinned.

''Thank you.''

Tarika kept her face straight and walked ahead of him.

After sometimes they were sitting at the restaurant.

''Bolo.''

''Kya logi?''

''I am not hungry… main yaha bas tumhari batey sunne ai hu..''

''Par mujhe toh bhuk laga hain.. Gopal ke allu parat kafi miss kar raha hu.. allu paratahi order kartei hain..''

''As you wish.''

Abhijeet called the waiter and ordered allu parata, kheer, dahi and two cups of coffee.

''Pata nahi Tarika kaha se shuru karu..'' Abhijeet was hesitated to talk.

''Tumne aisa ku kia Abhijeet?'' Tarika asked hurt.

'' I love you Tarika,'' said Abhijeet straight taking Tarika aback.

''Abh-''

''No Tarika. It's true.''

''Aisey keisey? Tumhe toh main pasand nahi thi na? Ye bas tumahara zid hain Abhijeet.''

''Haan.. zid hain keh sakti ho. I am stubborn. Shadi karna zid hain par the fact that I love you has nothing to do with this zid. I really do love you.''

''And when did you realize that?'' Tarika asked not believing him.

''A couple of days. But I was in denial. Not any more though. Parso jab maa ne kaha ki Mahesh uncle ko tumhari shadi ki bohot jaldi hain or unhe mera faisala jaldi janna hain toh main apne apko rok nahi paya Tarika. I wanted to take time and I wanted to take it slow. Par mujhe tumhe khona nahi tha. USwaqt jo thik laga mujhe maine wahi kia.''

''Achanak se… I mean.. jab pata chala main doctor hu, gaon ki gawar nahi hu toh tumhara selfish self jag utha or tumhe ye decision lene se majboor kar diya?''

''You think so low of me?''

''Is mei low think ki baat nahi hain. I respect your decision of not marrying someone who could not fit in your society. And for your kind information I still do not fit in your society.''

''I don't care anymore Tarika.''

''because I am a doctor now?''

''Stop with this Tarika. Kya doctor doctor laga ke rakha hain tumne? Haan main manta hu ki mujhe is baat se bohot khusi hui ki you are doctor and that I don't have to drag you out of your world but ye baat toh mujhe kal pata chala.. uncle se shadi karne ki baat kehne ke baad.''

Tarika rolled her eyes and looked away not believing him.

''Meri chodo.. tumhe kya problem hain?'' Abhijeet asked.

''Bohot problem hain mujhe..''

''Jeisey?''

''Jeisey ki I don't love you. I want a doctor partner, someone of my field. Jiske sath main medical ke batey kar saku…''

''Doctor doctor khlena hain kya ghar pe? Or baat karne ki hazaro topic hain.. koi medical topic pe ku baat karne lagey! Kya yaar tum bhi! Or tum toh keh rahi thi Uncle jisse bhi tumhari shadi karwainge tum ussehi shadi kar logi… why not me? Mujh mei kya kharabi hain Tarika? At least mujhe janne ki koshish toh karo.. ''

''Tumme koi kharabi nahi hain Abhijeet. I am sure you will be good as a partner. Par ham ..''

''Bas.. tum janti ho na ki I can be a good partner toh just give me a chance. Or ye dosti wosti chodo.. dosti se hi payar ki shuruwat hoti hain jayadatar..''

''Kafi achi hindi bol rahe ho..'' Tariak teased him.

''Hindi novel par raha hu..'' Abhijeet taunted.

''Dekho Abhijeet baat ye bhi nahi hain.. main problem is mujhe issal shadi nahi karni.. ghar mei chacha ne Baba ka sar kharap kar rakha hain.. koi NRI se shadi karwane ke liye and all… Mujhe issal kisi se shadi nahi karni.. na tumse na kisi or se..''

''Next year karogi mujhse shadi?'' Abhijeet asked like a kid.

Tarika laughed.

''Kya tum bhi.. you are so stubborn. Next year sayad tume mujhse shadi na karna ho.. you know.. you can have a change of heart.''

''Ghumao mat bat ko.. sidhe sidhey jawab do..''

''Matlab ek saal date karna chahtey ho mujhe?'' Tarika flirted.

''Weisahi kuch..''

''Nahi ho sakta..''

''Ho sakta hain… we will announce our engagement phir ek adh mahina kar kar ke post pone kartey rahenge dates… ya phir main khud uncle se baat kar lunga, ya phir Baba…''

Tarika looked at him amazed.

''Tum mujhse shadi karkehi manoge na? Even if I say no?''

''Kisi se payar karti ho?'' Asked Abhijeet looking down.

''Nahi..'' she looked at him.

Abhijeet looked up and smile.

''Na kahogi phir bhi shadi karunga aisa nahi hain.. par main akhir taq koshish karunga..''

''Or agar phir bhi mera na ho toh?''

''Tab dekha jaiga.. btw, ek sawal puchu?/''

''Hmm,'' Tarina nodded.

''Ek saal shadi ku nahi karna hain?''

''Abhi abhi training join kia hain na.. or..''

''Or?''

''Umm.. ''

''Acha thik hain mat batao… main Baba se kahu kya Mahesh uncle ko bol ne liye? Wo apne tarikey se samjha denge unhe.''

''Abhijeet..''

''You don't have to say yes to me at the end of the year. As a friend tumhari madat kar raha hu.. haan bas ..''

''Bas?''

''Bas badle mei let me try to impress you, will you?''

Tarika chuckled.

''Don't you blush?'' Abhijeet asked offended.

''Tum blush karwa nahi patey.. your fault. Orna blush kon nahi karta.''

''Abhi blush karwa sakta hu main tumhe..'' Abhijeet winked.

''I am not challenging you. Par pata hain mian tum pe bohot gussa thi.. ab gussa thanda ho gaya..''

''Sach?''

''Haan..''

''Toh tum mujhe date karogi?''

''Abhijeet! Date nahi.. but yea I will let you impress me. Wesey mujhe impress karna muskil hain.''

''I will manage. Thank you so much Tarika..''

''Here's your breakfast..'' The waiter served the breakfast and left.

While eating Tarika spoke up without looking at Abhijeet.

'' Aagar ek saal bad bhi tumhe mujhse shadi karna ho toh I am saying yes..''

Abhijeet looked up.

''What? Achanak?... I mean..''

''Baba ko hurt nahi kar sakti… or tumne sahi kaha mujhe mere baba ke pasand ke ladke se shadi karna hain or tum otne bure bhi nahi ho..''

''What? Then why these dramas?''

Tarika smiled ruefully and ate.

''Wait. Is it because I am helping you and these one year thing.. Listen Tarika you don't have to do it. If you don't feel like marrying me then you won't gonna marry me.''

''And a while ago you were the stubborn one here.. Now what happened? Are you too confident that you will persuade me to marry you in this one year?'' Tarika joked.

''Tarika I am serious. Don't make me feel guilt.''

''Don't make me feel guilt either.''

''Okay we will think about it later. You free tomorrow? Wanna hang out somewhere?''

''You are not busy?''

''I will make some time for you.''

''I have evening shift tomorrow.''

''Oh.. you have this month's schedule ready?''

''Yeah, why?''

''Mail me.. I will ask Sara to arrange my meetings accordingly… so that at least once a week we can spend an evening together.''

''You will make your secretary do your personal stuffs?''

''She's well paid.. and its part of her work.'' Abhijeet said, astonished.

Tarika shook her head and kept eating.

''Btw Tarika Thanks… ''

''Ab ku thanks?''

''Pata hain Village se aneke bad aj jake mujhe light feel ho raha hain… I am feeling so good.''

Tarika smiled.

''I am sorry that I made you feel like that..''

''You weren't totally unreasonable.''

Tarika smiled and they finished their breakfast. Tarika lived nearby so she walked to her apartment and Abhijeet drove off to his office.

.

.KK": So why Tarika neeed 1 year? Was she susing Abhijeet for her benefits? Will Abhijeet still want to marry Tarika after one year? To know stay tuned.

Chapter is dedicated to my 100th reviewer of this story adity.