CHAPTER 10
Daya stared at Shreya who was waiting for his reply with tension etched on her face.
"Samantha abhi OT me hai. Doctors aur kuch bata nahi rahe." Daya said.
Shreya held Daya's hands. He looked at her. "Shreya maine aisa to nahi chaha tha ki uske sath itna bura ho. Jab use hosh aayega aur wo apne dad ke bare me puchegi to main kya jawab dunga?"
Shreya squeezed his hands.
Just then a doctor came and informed that Samantha will take some hours to gain consciousness.
"Shreya tum ghar jao. Main yahi rukta hu." Daya said.
"Nahi, main bhi yahi rukugi aapke sath jab tak Samantha ko hosh nahi aa jata." Shreya said and moved to call home where her parents were waiting for both of them for dinner.
"Mommy, Daya aur main dinner ke liye nahi aayenge. It's an emergency. Main kal subeh aakar phir baat karti hu." Shreya spoke to her mother.
She moved to Daya and sat beside him on the bench. Daya rested his head on the wall backside and Shreya slept on his shoulder.
They wake up the next morning. Samantha was still unconscious. The doctor told them that they can see her. Both moved in her ward. She was lying unconscious with numerous wounds on her body covered with bandages.
Shreya felt a chill down her spine seeing Samantha like that. She grabbed Daya's arm tightly. Daya was also shaken from inside.
Daya moved towards Samantha. Probably she felt his presence and showed slight movement in her body.
Daya and Shreya looked at each other.
"Daya, she is getting back to consciousness!" Shreya whispered.
Samantha slowly opened her eyes. Her eye balls moved left and right. Daya was bewildered because he was standing right in front of her but she was not making an eye contact with him.
Samantha agitated and moved her hands in air. "Yaha itna andhera kyun hai? Kaha hu main?"
Daya and Shreya looked at each other in shock. "Shreya jaldi se doctor ko lekar aao." Daya instructed her and moved to Samantha.
Shreya immediately rushed to call the doctor.
"Hello... Koi hai kya.." Samantha said groping across in the darkness.
"Samantha!" Daya held her by her shoulders.
"Daya!" Samantha recognized him by his voice. "Mujhe kuch dikhai nahi de raha. I can't see you Daya!" Samantha panicked.
Daya felt a pinch in his heart and his eyes got filled with tears.
"Samantha relax!" Daya said holding her.
"No...ye kya ho raha hai...mujhe tum dikh kyun nahi rahe ho! Meri aankho se kuch nahi dikh raha Daya. Sirf andhera dikh raha hai mujhe. Daya mujhe kya hua hai...bolo... Mujhe kuch dikh kyun nahi raha." Samantha started screaming.
Shreya reached with the doctor. The doctor asked Daya to move and he checked Samantha's eyes.
Samantha was sobbing.
The doctor looked at Daya and Shreya with a disappointed face. "I am really sorry. Accident me inke aankho ki roshni permanently ja chuki hai. Ab wo kabhi nahi dekh sakti."
Daya was frozen on his place. Shreya was too shocked to react.
"Noooo!" Samantha cried hitting her hands on the bed.
Daya quickly moved to her and caught her hands. "Samantha.. Samantha.. Relax.. Relax!"
"No.." Samantha cried and started hitting Daya as she was not able to see him.
Daya caught her hands tightly. "Stop it Samantha!"
Samantha was crying, "Aisa nahi ho sakta Daya. I want my eyes back!"
"Maine tumhe kaha tha na ki main dad ko airport chod dunga lekin tum meri sunti kaha ho?" Daya said with a heavy throat.
Samantha paused, "Dad!" She uttered, "Dad kaha hain? Kaha hain wo Daya?"
Daya exchanged look with Shreya. She looked helplessly at him.
Samantha clutched Daya's shirt and shook him, "Bolo Daya, mere dad kaha hain? Chup kyun ho tum?"
"Samantha, he is no more!" Daya said quickly in a breath and a deep silence prevailed in the room.
Shreya couldn't hold her tears seeing Samantha's condition. She looked in other direction with tears rolling on her cheeks.
Samantha went blank. Tears were incessantly flowing from her eyes. "Aur main bach gayi?" She uttered in a low voice.
"Samantha sambhalo khud ko!" Daya urged.
Samantha jerked him angrily, "Kaise sambhalu khud ko? Tumhe pata hai kya khoya hai maine? Mere dad ke alawa aur kaun hai mera iss duniya me? Meri wajeh se ye accident hua. Meri wajeh se dad ki maut hui hai. Main apne aap ko kabhi maaf nahi kar paungi. Main nahi jeena chahti. Mujhe bhi maar dalo Daya please!" Samantha burst out crying.
Daya just moved and embraced her in a comforting hug. Samantha hugged him tightly and started crying on his shoulder. "Ye kis gunah ki saza mil rahi hai mujhe Daya. Mujhe maa banne ki khushi naseeb nahi hui. Main apni shadi bhi nahi bacha saki. Tumhe kho diya maine. Ek dad hi to the mere paas. Ab wo bhi nahi. Itna sab kam tha jo meri aankhe bhi cheen li bhagwan ne. Aisa kaun sa gunah kiya tha maine Daya. Mujhe jinda kyun rakha hai ab tak. Maut bhi mujhse nafrat karti hai. Kya itni buri hu main?" She cried bitterly.
Daya caressed her head and back to sooth her.
Shreya was also crying silently. She was feeling pity for Samantha.
One week later
Samantha was getting discharged today. Daya moved into her ward and found her sleeping.
He just stared at her. He started getting flashes of the previous conversation with Samantha.
"Ab hum sirf ajnabi hain Daya!"
""
"Dad ke alawa mera iss duniya me hai hi kaun?"
""
"Tumhe jalan ho rahi hai mujhe kisi aur ke sath dekh kar? Soch lo, abhi bhi waqt hai Daya, petition cancel bhi ho sakti hai."
""
He recalled Shreya's words
""
"Nahi Daya, main soch rahi hu ki agar ye 6 mahino me aapko phir se aapki wife se pyar ho gaya to...mera kya hoga?"
""
Daya was lost in his thoughts when suddenly he felt Shreya's hand on his shoulder and came out of his thoughts. He looked at her.
"Kya hua Daya, kya soch rahe hain?" Shreya asked.
Daya took a glance at Samantha and turned to Shreya. "Kuch nahi. Wo main keh raha tha ki tum thodi der Samantha ke paas ruk sakti ho? Main doctor se mil kar aata hu."
"Sure!" Shreya nodded.
Daya was about to move when Shreya called him. "Daya!"
Daya turned and looked at her. "Hmm?"
Shreya looked straight into his eyes as if trying to read his mind through his eyes. Daya sensed Shreya wants to say something.
"Kuch kehna chahti ho tum? Bolo na!" Daya said softly.
Shreya just smiled and shook her head, "kuch bhi nahi Daya. Bas aise hi."
Both stared at each other and Daya moved to meet the doctor.
Shreya sighed, "I know Daya, is waqt aapke dimag me kya chal raha hai!"
Suddenly Samantha woke up holding her head. "Nurse... Pani chahiye mujhe!"
Shreya moved and poured a glass of water for Samantha. She placed her one hand on her shoulder and made her drink the water.
"Thank you!" Samantha said without knowing it's Shreya.
Shreya said nothing and kept quiet.
"Nurse time kya hua hai? Mujhe kitne baje discharge milega? Mujhe lene koi aaya hai?" Samantha asked.
Shreya remained silent.
"Nurse... tum bolti kyun nahi?" Samantha inquired when she got no response.
Shreya was silent because she thought Samantha may not like her presence.
Meanwhile Daya entered. Shreya looked at him.
Samantha recognized Daya's footfalls. "Daya tum aa gaye? Aur ye nurse kuch bolti kyun nahi? Bewkoof!"
Daya looked at Shreya, she signalled him to keep quiet.
Daya moved to Samantha. "Samantha main doctor se mil kar aa raha hu. Tumhare discharge ki formalities complete ho chuki hain."
"Daya!" Samantha called him, "Tum please mere uncle ko phone kar do. Wo aa jayenge mujhe lene. Main Bangalore chali jaungi."
Daya stared at her sadly and sat near her on the bed. "Samantha abhi tum mere sath ghar chal rahi ho. Tumhe abhi bhi care ki jarurat hai."
Samantha smirked, "Don't worry Daya. Dad mere liye bahut paisa aur property chod kar gaye hain. Duniya ki sabse expensive nurse afford kar sakti hu main. Tum pareshan mat ho. Kuch din me stick ki bhi aadat ho jayegi. Kab tak kisi dusre ka hath pakad kar chalugi."
Daya exchanged look with Shreya. She just looked away with a sigh.
Daya looked at Samantha. "Theek hai. Jaisa tum kaho. Main tumhare uncle ko phone kar dunga. Tum chali jana unke sath but abhi ghar chalo."
o-o-o-o
Shreya's mother came to Shreya.
"Shreya beta, ye dekho mere paas kya hai?" She showed a booklet in her hand. "Isme kuch necklace ke samples hain. Dekho tumhe jo bhi pasand aaye. Mujhe bata do. Main banwa dungi."
Shreya took the booklet in her hands. "Lekin kis liye?"
Her mother shot her a look, "kis liye matlab? Tumhari shadi ke liye beta. Tum humari eklauti beti ho. Hum aise rukhi sukhi shadi to nahi hone denge na tumhari!"
Shreya stared at the booklet with a painful smile. "Iski koi jarurat nahi padegi mom!" She said and kept the booklet aside.
Her mother was shocked.
o-o-o-o
Daya took Samantha home. She was resting in the bedroom. Aasha was taking care of her.
Daya was moving restlessly in the hall. When he got a call from his divorce lawyer.
"Hello..." Daya spoke
"Han Daya, congratulations, kal tumhe apni wife se officially divorce mil jayega." The lawyer said joyfully. He chuckled, "Waise agar mood badal gaya ho to bolo. Petition cancel karne ka aaj aakhiri din hai." He chuckled.
Daya said nothing.
The lawyer laughed, "haha... Majak kar raha tha main. Main janta hu tum kitni besabri se is aakhiri din ka intejar kar rahe the. To tumhara intejar ab khatam. Jao Shreya bhabhi ke sath shadi ki taiyariyan karo.. Shopping karo...shadi me bulana mat bhoolna."
Daya let out a sigh. "I'll talk to you later!" And he cut the call.
He dialed Shreya's number. "Hello Shreya, kya him mil sakte hain. Mujhe tumse baat karni hai."
"Mujhe bhi aapse baat karni hai Daya!" Shreya said sounding upset.
Daya instructed Aasha to take care of Samantha and left to meet Shreya.
Shreya was waiting for Daya standing alone on the beach. She stared at the beautiful sun slowly setting down on the horizon.
Daya reached and moved near Shreya.
"Shreya.." He called from behind.
Shreya turned to him. "Daya aap bahut upset lag rahe hain. Sab theek hai na!"
"Hmm!" Daya nodded, "kal mera aur Samantha ka divorce ho jayega. Lawyer bol raha raha tha ki tumhe shopping pe le jaun. Ab hume shadi ki taiyariyan shuru kar deni chahiye."
Shreya smiled, "Mommy bhi taiyariyon me lagi hui hain. Mere liye jeweleries design karwa rahi hai. Humse jyada dusre log excited hain humari shadi ke liye."
Both stared at each other silently. Suddenly Daya turned his face. "Shreya I am sorry! Main Samantha ko divorce nahi de sakta."
Shreya stood silent without showing any reaction.
Daya turned and faced her. "Main itna selfish nahi ho sakta Shreya. Samantha ko meri jarurat hai aur main use akela nahi chod sakta. Mujhe maaf kar do!"
Shreya was still quiet. Daya stared at her. Her face had no expressions. Daya held her by her shoulders. "Shreya mujhe pata hai main tumhare sare sapne todne ki baat kar raha hu. Please kuch bolo. Aise chup mat raho. Kuch to bolo!"
Tears formed in her eyes still she looked up at him smiling. She cupped his face, "Mujhe pata tha aapka yahi decision hoga Daya. Aur ab main aapse aur bhi jyada pyar karti hu."
Daya just embraced her and both started crying. They separated after a minute.
Shreya wiped her tears and looked at him. "Samantha loves you Daya. I have seen it in her eyes. Aur jo aapse pyar karta hai na aap usse jyada din nafrat nahi kar sakte."
Daya held her hand. "But I am really sorry Shreya..
Shreya put her finger on his lips, "shh...aapko sorry bolne ki koi jarurat nahi hai Daya. Mujhe aapse koi shikayat nahi hai. Aapko kya lagta hai Samantha ko us waqt akela chod kar jab use aapki sabse jyada jarurat hai...aap mujhse shadi karenge aur main khush rahugi. Kabhi nahi Daya... Main kabhi khush nahi reh paungi aapke sath!"
Daya continued staring at her.
Shreya smiled, "Aapne ye decision aaj liya hai lekin main bahut pehle le chuki thi. Ye dekhiye!" Shreya showed him a paper.
Daya became shocked, "Transfer letter? Tum yaha se ja rahi ho?"
"Han sir!" She said, "... Kyunki mera yaha se chale Jana hi behtar hai. Mere aur aapke beech Samantha nahi hai, Samantha aur aapke beech main aayi hu...isilye mujhe hi jana hoga!" She sobbed.
"Lekin Shreya...
"Please sir... Agar aapne sach me mujhse kabhi pyar kiya hai to aap mujhe nahi rokenge!" Shreya said looking into his eyes.
Daya shook his head, "nahi rokunga tumhe..'' He held her face in his hands, "Shreya lekin jane se pehle ye jaan lo ki main tumse shadi nahi kar raha.. iska matlab ye nahi ki main tumse pyar nahi karta. I love you Shreya. Tumhe mere dil se kabhi nahi nikal sakta main."
Shreya smiled with tears rolling on her cheeks. "I know!"
And they again hugged each other crying their heart out.
They separated slowly.
"Ab mujhe jana hoga." Shreya said.
Daya planted a soft kiss on her forehead. Shreya just closed her eyes. She kissed him on cheek and flashed a smile. She turned and moved.
Daya was stood their silently watching her with his moist eyes. Her shape becoming smaller and smaller with her every step and finally she disappeared from his sight as well as from his life forever. The sun has been set and there was only darkness now.
Daya closed his eyes and cried silently.
o-o-o-o
Samantha was feeling restless in the room. She called Aasha to take her outside but she was busy in kitchen.
"Offo.. Ye Aasha bhi na... Pata nahi kaha rehti hai." Samantha murmured and got down the bed and moved out taking a support of table and the wall. She was slowly moving holding the wall for support but suddenly her foot hit the edge of the table and she was about to fall but two strong arms held her safely on time.
Samantha easily recognized his touch. "Daya!"
Daya was still holding her in his arms. "Kaha ja rahi ho tum? Gir jati to?"
Samantha moved her hand on his chest and grabbed his shoulders. "Tum bhi na Daya. Kyun tham liya mujhe? Mujhe khud se girna aur sambhalna sikhne do. Kal ke baad kaun hoga mujhe sambhalne wala?"
Daya looked at her, "Main sambhalunga tumhe... Kal ke baad bhi.."
Samantha was confused, "but Daya... Kal humara divorce...
"Koi divorce nahi hoga humara!" Daya said sternly.
Samantha went silent for a moment, "Daya ye kya keh rahe ho tum?"
"Wahi jo tum sun rahi ho. Main tumhe divorce nahi dunga." Daya said holding her by her arms.
"Lekin Daya... tum Shreya se pyar karte ho? Shreya ka kya?"
"Shreya already ja chuki hai hai Samantha. Hum dono ki life se bahut door."
"Aur tumne use roka nahi?"
"Rokta bhi to wo nahi rukti. Kyunki wo janti thi ki meri jarurat usse jyada tumhe hai."
Samantha got tears in her eyes. "Lekin Daya... tumhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Ye decision galat hai. Sirf meri halat par taras khakar tum aur Shreya itni asaani se apne pyar ko sacrifice kaise kar sakte ho? Tum mere sath kaise khush reh paoge. Main sirf tumhare liye ek bojh rahugi Daya jo ki main nahi banna chahti. Mujhe pata hai tum mujhse pyar nahi karte...
"Tum to karti ho na..." Daya cut her.
Samantha sobbed. "Han main tumse bahut pyar karti hu Daya lekin..jab tum mujhse pyar nahi karte to kaise jhel paoge mujhe..." Samantha cried.
"8 saal jhela hai na maine tumhe... to aage bhi jhel lunga samjhi .." Daya said, "aur ab mujhe behas karna band karo. Bhool kar bhi dobara divorce ka naam mat lena."
Samantha broke down and just hugged him. She started crying burying her face in his chest. "I love you Daya. Mujhe nahi pata tha ki tumhe wapas pane ke liye mujhe itni badi keemat chukani padegi."
Daya planted a kiss on her head. "Jo hua bhool jao Samantha. Main humesha tumhare sath hu. Kabhi bhi ye mat samajhna ki main tum par koi ehsaan kar raha hu. Tum meri wife ho aur ye mera farz hai."
"Sirf farz.." Samantha uttered.
Daya smiled and rubbed her tears. "Thoda sa pyar bhi hai!"
Samantha smiled and again hugged him.
Daya lifted her in his arms. "Kitna khati ho...bahut bhari ho gayi ho..." Daya said playfully.
Samantha hit him in chest and rounded her hands around his neck. She moved her hand on his face and lovingly kissed his cheek.
She was happy realizing that how sometimes losing everything can give you even more.
.
o-The End-o
A/N: finally it is completed. I know that nobody is going to like this ending. But I had made it very clear from the beginning that it's not going to end on a happy note. I don't know why people were requesting for a happy ending because the Title and Summary was already speaking about the ending. Anyway I am waiting for your comments. If anyone of you likes this, I would be happy! :-)