"Tere Mere Dil''
…
Abhieet and Tarika were sitting at a table for two in a big restaurant. Abhieet finished ordering and turned to Tarika.
''You want to add anything?''
Tarika shook her head.
''That will be enough,'' Abhijeet said to the waiter.
''A lemon juice with extra sugar.'' Tarika added at the last moment. ''And can I have it before the starter?''
''Sure ma'am. Anything else?''
''No thanks.'' Tarika smiled.
''Have a nice evening maám,'' the waiter said and disappeared.
''You thirsty?'' Abhijeet asked.
''Yeah and a bit hypoglycaemic too.'' Tarika smiled.
Abhijeet poured a glass of water and forwarded it towards Tarika.
''Thanks,'' Tarika smiled and drank a little.
''I am sorry.'' Tarika apologized. ''I'm late. Actually I had got an emergency.''
''I can understand,'' said Abhijeet.
''I know you are not okay with it. You are very punctual and..''
''Tarika, it's okay. I go with my plans and routine but I know a doctor can't always follow their routine schedule.''
Tarika looked at him for a couple of second and then chuckled.
'' Abhijeet, you don't have to behave like this. If you are irked you have to tell me. You should let it out. This is not how a relationship will work.''
''If I shout on you for being late then you gonna have a very good reason to call off our marriage.''
''So, this is why you are so humble?''
''I am always humble,'' Abhijeet said plainly.
''Abhijeet..''
''Stop with this Tarika. Let me try to be your type. Will you?''
''I don't want you to do this Abhijeet. Don't you understand? I want you to behave yourself.''
''I am not behaving myself at all since I have met you.'' Abhijeet dismissed the topic.
Tarika sighed and just then her phone rang. Abhijeet made an irritated sound. Traika looked at him and he didn't try to hide his disappointment. Nevertheless, Tarika picked up her phone avoiding his gaze on her.
''Hello. … Hmm, yeah I know. What about that?... But how?... I am off duty today Mishka… acha, okay… add two ampule injection cotson stat. I am coming.''
She cut the call and looked at Abhijeet.
''Your lemon juice,'' Abhijeet said looking at the glass which the waiter had just placed and left.
''Abhijeet, I..''
''You said you are hypoglycaemic… Have it.'' Abhijeet said coldly.
Tarika drank the whole glass in one go.
''Easy girl..'' Abhijeet warned her but she was done by that time and placed the glass on table.
''Abhijeet. I promise I will make it up to you.''
''Emergency right?''
''Yeah…''
''I will drop you then..''
''No, it's okay. You have your dinner. I will call you.''
Tarika stood up. Abhijeet was steel on his chair and wasn't looking at her. He was having hard time controlling his disappointments.
''It's the second time you are calling off our dinner this week.''
''I can't help it Abhijeet. I am sorry. I..''
Her phone rang and she cut the call.
''I will call you,'' said Tarika and rushed out the restaurant.
Abhijeet closed his fist.
''Sir, your order will be served in next 10 minutes.'' The waiter informed him.
''Can I have a paper and pen?'' Abhijeet asked the waiter.
''Sure sir,'' said the waiter and forwarded a slip note book and pen to him.
Abhijeet write down Tarika's hospital address, her name and ward number.
''Pack the food and send them in this address. Okay?''
''Sure sir,''
Abhijeet gave him his credit card.
.
Abhijeet left the restaurant and sat on his car. He dialled Daya's number.
''Drink?''
'' Busy with client. Call you later,'' Daya said shortly and cut the call.
''Fuck my life.''
Abhijeet drove towards his apartment.
..
Tarika sat on her bed of hospital cabin, tired after fighting with the death for more than two hours on behalf of a 10 years old girl. She massaged her neck and closed her eyes.
''I need sleep,'' Tarika murmured opening her eyes and noticed a food parcel on her table from the same restaurant she was with Abhijeet.
'A nursed entered with a water bottle.
''Ye parcel leke kon aya tha?'' Tarika aksed.
''Doctor restaurant sehi aya tha koi sayad.''
''Acha thik hain.''
''Doctor ye water bottle. Parcel mei wine hain. Ap,..''
''Thank you.'' Tarika smiled.
''Tumne dinner kia?''
''Haan doctor. Shift start hoen se pehlehi kar liya tha.''
''Okay. Doctor Nidhi ko bolwa dogi please?''
''Sure doctor.''
Tarika smiled and the nurse left.
Tarika took out her phone and dialled Abhijeet's number.
''Hello,'' answered Abhijeet.
''Busy?''
''I am not a doctor. Mere pass thori kuch hota hain karne ko. Beitha hu,'' mocked Abhijeet.
''You know you are sounding very cute right now,'' Tarika giggled.
''How's your patient?''
''Better. Tumne dinner nahi kia na?''
''Tarika let's not talk about it okay.''
''Chalo at least gussa toh aya tumhe mujhpar. At least you are behaving normal.''
''Tumhe toh ulta kehna chahiye tha..''
''Like?''
''Like, do hi bar mei aise react kar raha hu.. mera life toh aisehi hain.. tumhe samajhna hoga .. etc etc.''
''Tumhare jagah main bhi hoti toh gusssa ata. Aisa toh nahi hain achanak se plan bana tha hamara. Sara ne kafi muskil se tumahar schedule match kia tha mere sath. Par..''
''Tarika.. you are making me to fall for you more with your talk,'' said Abhijeet lovingly, listening her explanation.
''Hahaha..'' Tarika giggled again.
''Kabhikadar blush kar diya karo..'' Abhijeet complained.
''Karwake dekhao..''
''Now you are challenging me Dr Tarika.'' Abhijeet finally smiled.
''Hasey na tum?''
''Nahi..'' Abhijeet made a straight face.
''Jhut.. tum jarur hase hogey..''
''Acha fine.''
''Maaf kia matlab?''
''Tab taq nahi jab taq ek proper dinner na ho jai sath.. weisey main au kya hospital? To finish the dinner?'' Abhijeet joked.
''Maine already Nidhi ko invite kar diya.'' Tarika smiled.
''Oh.. Nidhi Tumahri room mate?''
''Haan. Uska aj night shift hain.''
''Tch, toh main tumhare apartment ajata parcel lekar…''
''Rakhi hain apartment mei. Tin log rehtey hain ham..''
''Wo haan.. sorry. Night stay karogi hospital mei?''
''Nahi nahi.. ye dinner karke chali jaungi.. morning shift hain mera kal.''
''Wow! FOOD!''
Abhijeet heard a female voice at background.
''Enjoy the dinner. Good night.''
''Tum bhi kuch kha lena.''
''I am already in bed. Bye.''
Abhijeet cut the call.
''Kissey baat kar rahi thi?'' Nidhi asked suspiciously.
''Apne dost se. Childhood friend bataya tha na..'' Tarika put off her phone. ''Chal ajaa.. tere favourite restaurant ka khana hain.''
''Tune apna friend ka nam nahi bataya hamey..'' Nidhi said taking out the food from parcel. ''wine? Tu kab se wine piney lagi?'''
''Tu piti hain na? Pi lena..''
''Bheja kisney hain ye? Tu mere liye toh wine order karne se rahi..'' She asked checking the bottle of wine.
''Mere us friend ne.. ''
''Acha.. usey pata nahi hain ki tu..''
''Dekh, mujhe bhuk bohot lagi hain.. agar tujhe mera dimag khana hain toh bad mei ajana..''
''Arey mujhe bhi bhuk lagi hain yaar. Par ye wine main Sameer sir ko dene wali hu kaal, if you don't mind. Ye sayad sir ka favourite hain. Rememebr last month unke ghar pe jo party tha waha kisi ne sir ko ye wala wine gift kia tha..''
''Isbar kya kar diya tune jo gift dene ki jarurat pad gain..''
''Batati hu pehle serve toh kar..''
…
…
After two days all the three girls got a night off together and so they decided to have a movie marathon after dinner. Rakhi and Nidhi were selecting movies online sitting on sofa and Tarika was brushing her teeth. Brushing, she ran to the kitchen for switching off the gas.
''I asked you guys to switch off the gas,'' Tarika complained with brush in her mouth. Her words came out muffled.
The girls didn't pay any hid to her and kept looking at the laptop.
''Mil gaya… ye wala dekhtey hain. Now you see me… Good one.'' Said Rakhi.
''Hmm, let's scroll some more..'' said Nidhi.
Tarika rolled her eyes and suddenly noticed a magazine on tea table beside sofa. Surprised, she took that magazine and looked at the cover image.
''Abhijeet!'' She murmured.
''Kya baat hain! I didn't know you know him,'' said Nidhi still engorged in her laptop.
''What's he doing in this fashion magazine? I thought he's a businessman.'' Tarika mocked.
''The magazine casted an interview of him this month. He has been selected for most stylish businessman of the year.'' Nidhi informed her.
''The credit doesn't belong to him though..'' Rakhi added.
''Matlba?" Tarika asked.
''It's the famous fashion expert Richa Evans from France, his personal shopper.''
''Personal shopper! Why the heck would someone hire this much expensive fashion expert just for shopping?'' Tarika was confused and way too much disappointed.
''Gotta find ways to spend your money you know!'' Nidhi mocked. ''Hey, mil gaya.. mil gaya.. ja tu jaldi se mu dhokey aa..''
Tarika came out from washroom and sat beside the girls on sofa. The movies started. She took the magazine and started reading his interview there. Rakhi took away the magazine and glared at her. Tarika concentrate on movie.
''Arey yaar! Ye wifi ko kya ho gaya!'' Nidhi shouted out of irritation.
She went to check the connection.
''Hua kya?'' Rakhi asked.
''Connection toh thik hain..'' Nidhi said.
''Ruk main ati hu..'Rakhi joined her. They tried for a couple of minutes but nothing worked. Finally they called the agent they used to call wifi guy and started scolding him.
Tired of their drama Tarika decided to call Abhijeet and asked him about his interview on magazine. The net value of his business was an eye candy. Was he really that rich? Tarika shrugged, smiling and moved towards the balcony calling him.
He picked up after third ringtone and answered shortly.
''Hello,'' his voice was business like.
''Tum toh kafi ameer ho!'' Tarika teased him.
He took some seconds before answering. Tarika could feel him smiling on the opposite side.
''In a meeting.'' He answered shortly.
'Shit! Sorry. Batana chahiye tha na..'' Tarika closed her eyes tight.
''Will call you later.''
Abhijeet cut the call and handed the phone back to Sara. He then turned towards the two person sitting in front of him.
''Sorry for the interruption gentlemen.''
''Ah, girlfriend thing. We can understand.'' Said one of them.
Abhijeet gave a short smile not giving away any information about his personal life and continued describing his project plan to them.
.
Tarika cut the call and cursed herself for calling him like that and behaving so immature.
''Tarika… come. Aagay connection wapas.'' Said Nidhi.
''I am telling you guys. Next month se ham dusra connection lene wale hain,'' Rakhi groaned.
Tarika joined them and movie started.
After the movie three of them moved into their respective rooms. Tarika logged into whatsapp and a couple of minutes later her phone rang with his name flashing on the screen.
''Tum soi nahi abtaq?'' Tarika asked.
''Tumhara movie khatam hone ka wait kar raha tha.. or tumhara online ane ka..''
''Agar main online nahi ati toh?''
''You usually log in before sleeping. Or agar nahi ati toh weisey bhi abhi call karne wala tha.. Tumne bataya tha 9.00 baje se movie night hain toh after 2.30 minutes..''
''Thik hain, thik hain. Apne ye detective giri apne pass rakho,''
Abhijeet smiled.
''Kaha ho?'' Tarika asked.
''Apne apartment pe,''
''Ghar ku nahi gain?''
''Etna ku sawal puch rahi ho like a typicall GF. So now we are in official relationship, huh?'' Abhijeet teased.
''I am not blushing if its what you wanted me to do,'' said Tarika with a straight face.
''Haha.. khair choro. Kya keh rahi thi tum? Acahank se wo baat ku?''
''Arey haan.. tumhara interview para magazine mei..''
''Tum fashion magazine bhi parti ho! Impressive.''
''Haan.. wo Nidhi or Rakhi ke waja se dekh leti hu kabhi kabhi.. par tum..''
''Yaar pucho maat. I didn't want to do that. But the magazine has very high connections and they literally forced me to do this. Upar se Richa bhi insist karne lagi.. toh bas..''
''Personal shopper huh.. acha hain.. Ab shopping ke liye bhi kisi ko rakhna parta hain .. kamal hain!''
''Weisey don't worry.. tumhe shopping mei jana pasand hain toh I will accompany you. No problem.''
''Ku, mere liye personal shopper nahi rakhogey?'' Tarika said, somehow angry with the total personal shopper fact.
''Mujhe laga tumhe ye baat pasand nahi aigi toh bas.. matlab..''
''Jane do.. tum ameero ki baat kcuh or hain..''
''yaar Tarika aise taunt mat mara karo..'' Abhijeet complained.
''Fine. Ye tumne apna favourite food bataya Mexican food.. mujhe laga tumhe indian khana pasand hain..''
''Indian khana toh always top pe hain or rahega… But Mexican food is also very good. You should try.''
''I tried and I didn't like it.''
''Acha! So, apart from Indian food tumhe konsa food pasand hain?''
''Sandwich..''
''Hein!''
''Easy to make.. easy to eat.'' Tarika said dryly.
''Tum bhi na.. ''
''Tumhara favourite color black kab se hogaya? Wo toh blue tha..''
''Yaar Tarika tum kya lekar beith gain.. magazine interview se mujhe compare kar rahi ho! That wasn't my marriage interview..''
''Nahi.. mujhe janna hain..''
''Oh common Tarika. Why the world need to know my favourite colour. That was a stupid question. I had told that good lady to discard the damn question but she added it anyways. Huh! Not everyone needs to know my favourite colour, do they?'' Abhijeet sounded excited.
''Who owes to know this?''
''Someone very close… like my family, my good better best friends and..''
''And?''
''And you,'' he said romantically.
''Abhijeet!'' Tarika felt blood rushing under her face's skin.
''Damn Tarika! Did you just blush?''
''No..'' Tarika made a straight face.
''No you did. Damn it! I missed it.''
''Abhijeet! Main phone rakh rahi hu.. bye,,''
''No no no.. you admit it first.''
''Good night Abhijeet,'' Tarika cut the call.
She lied down on bed and tried to remember did she really blush? That stupid punk. Tarika scolded him on her mind and went to sleep.
Abhijeet smiled looking at the phone. Sleep would go for a walk now leaving him awake. He wouldn't mind though.
.
KK": Hope you liked the chapter. Please review and let me know.