Sachinnnn…Uthoooo…Dekho toh….
Sachin hears various voices calling him to open his eyes, to speak…finally he hears 'her' voice. He opens his eyes.
Sachin (shock): Kaajal! Tum…Kaaajaaaal..he gets up like a spring, forgetting all the pain..She looks the same as he had seen her the last time…she still has tears in her eyes. Sachin goes near her and touches her tears..
Sachin (whisper): kaajal..tum sach me mere saamne ho? Haan..he lifts a hand to touch her, she steps back..
Kaajal: Tum mujhe choo nahi sakte Sachin..main bahut door jaa chuki hoon..
Sachin (pain, hurt): mujhe bhi saath le chalo Kaajal…
Kaajal (nodding head as no): Nahi Sachin…hamara Anmol akela ho jaayega…usse tumhari zaroorat hai..tum waapas jaaoo..she pushes him gently..
Sachin: magar main tumhare bina akela hoon..Kaajal..tum bhi chalo…chalo…he pulls her by her hand ..
Kaajal: Sachinnn…he stops and turns…she frees her hand gently and smiles at him.
Sachin (sad): kaajal..
Kaajal (tears): Jaoo Sachin….
Sachin (tears): magar..main tumhare binaa kaise rahoonga Kaajal…
Kaajal(smile): Tum jee loge Sachin..main jaanti hoon..tum jee loge..Bye sachin
Sachin: Kaajal…Kaajal..she is gone..he takes two steps ahead..but is stopped by the same voices again..
Anmol(crying): papaaa..please uthoo naa papa…mujhe akela chodd ke mat jaoo..Vinuu Mamaaa…bolo naa Papa ko..
Purvi (urgent): Sachinnnn..uthooo Sachin…tum aise haar nahi sakte…mereko ekdum akela nahi chodd sakte…main marr jayyegi Sachinnnnn…Sachinnnnnn..she screams loudly!
Sachin opens his eyes with a jerk, he feels a great pain on the back of his head. Everyone looks at him shocked.
Purvi (tears, holding his t-shirt): Sachinnnn..Sachinnn..tu jindaa hai..Anmol dekh..dekh….Sachinn theekh ho gaya..
Anmol (hugging him): papaaaaa….pappaaaa…main kitna darr gaya tha….aap wapas aa gaye…
Sachin holds his hand on his head and is shocked to see some blood.
Sachin (shocked, confused): Mera sarr..yeh khoon?
Vinit (wiping tears, smiling): Kya Sachin…daraa diyaa yaar…tum theekh ho?
Captain (relief): Bhaauuuu….jaan me jaan aa gayi apun ki….ehh ajunn baraf aannn…(get some more ice)..
Opposite team captain: sorry…soryy…jyaada laga toh nahi naa?
Commentary: Aur yeh pata chala ki Sachin Mhatre theekh hai…ekdum theekh…Crowd roars loudly…abhi 10 min me game shuru ho jaayega..
Sachin gets some ice pack treatment, the blood has clotted…his mind is buzzing with questions..how could he see Kaajal? What did this mean? Tum jee sakte ho..Anmol ko tumhari zaroorat hai…
Sachin (mind): Kaajal ka matlab kya tha? Main jee sakta hoon?…jee sakta hoon…
He feels a soothing touch on his head. Purvi is placing a bandage on his head and blowing air on it.
Purvi (pain on face): zyaada dukh raha hai kya? Abbhi theekh ho jaayega..haan…she is fussing over him like he is a schoolboy who got injured.
Sachin looks at her with a smile…Tum jee sakte ho….Sachin now understands the real meaning of Kaajal's statement….Purvi leaves him to give the first-aid box back..
Sachin (mind): Main samajh gaya tum kya kehna chahti ho Kaajal…samajh gaya..
Sachin turns his face and finds Anmol standing real close to him. Anmol rushes to hug him.
Sachin (whisper): Kya tum darr gaye Anmol?
Anmol nods his head and begins crying again.
Anmol: Papa..aap please mujhe chodd ke mat jaayiye kabhi…Promise me..
He looks into the boy's tear filled eyes, he strokes the side of his face and kisses his forhead.
Captain: Bhauuuu..chalo…match jeetne ka hai abhi…he smiles broadly..
Sachin smiles back and walks to the batsman.
Anmol: Papaaaaa….ek sixer meri taraf bhi maarna…Sachin nods his head. He can hear a giant roar of approval as he steps on the ground once again.
Opposite team captain: saahil…sambhaalke ball daal…ek baar uski khopdi todd chukaa hai…
Saahil: Bach gaya saala…itni aasaani se chootne nahi doonga usko..chalo re…fielding ! Fielding..he yells at his team mates.
Vinit comes and sits back weary next to his father. He notes his father wants to ask something, but is hesitating.
Vinit: Aap Sachin ke baare me poochenge bhi nahi Papa?
Arjun (low eyes, hesitant): Kaisa…Kaisa hai woh?
Vinit (smile): woh theekh hai papa…uska beta hai naa…sab theekh hai..
Arjun looks away, thinking something deeply.
Commentary: SIXERRRRRRRRRRRRRRR….Sachin ke sar pe chot lagi…magar lagta hai koi bhi chot inko baandh ke nahi rakh sakti….
Anmol and Purvi hug each other and dance freely. Purvi uses her two fingers to whistle loudly. Anmol stares at her..
Purvi: arre aise kya dekh raha hai? Tujhe bhi bajaani hai seeti? Main sikhaaoon kya?
Anmol: Nahi..ek baat kahoon…meri Mamma bhi aise hi seeti maarti thi…jab main sixer maarta tha..aaj unki yaad aa gayi..
Purvi looks in his eyes and gives him a hug. Anmol tries to wrap his hands around her body. He feels a safe haven in her self.
Anmol (whisper): mamma…I miss you..
Purvi hears this and pats his head comfortingly.
The crowd roars again….Sachin has completed his halfcentury !
Purvi and Anmol wave out at him. Sachin looks at them and raises his bat.
Vinit (clapping): Come on Sachinnn…he sighs…biklul nahi badla hai Sachin…sach kaha hai…Talent kabhi saath nahi chodta..he looks at Arjun. Arjun grudgingly gets up from the chair and claps his hands in acknowledgement.
Commentary: abhi match ka aakhiri over aur Jaanbaaz team ko abhi bhi 16 run ki zaroorat hai aakhiri over se…
Purvi and Anmol bite their nails now…praying hard for every ball….
Purvi (praying): Ganpati bappa…Sachin ko match jeeta de..Anmol ke nazron me uthaa de…hey Bappa….
Anmol (mind): You can do it Papa…you can do it…..maine aapko pehle kabhi koi trophy jeette nahi dekha..aaj dekhna chahta hoon Papa..
Vinit: kya lagta hai Papa? Sachin jeet jaayega?
Arjun: hmfff….uski haar jeet main decide karoonga…shart poori toh hooo…
Vinit (sarcasm, smile): phir aapke maathe pe paseena kyun Papa? Kya kisi baat ka darr hai? Arjun wipes his forhead and looks at Vinit…
Vinit: Jeet toh who chuka hai Papa…usne uske bête ka dil jeet liya hai…hamesha ke liye..
Last ball…..Sachin needs four runs to win..
Purvi (nervous): Mujhe toh bahut tension ho raha hai….Anmol…main aankhen bandh kar leti hoon..tu mujhe bataaa..she shuts her eyes tight!
Usman is already walking here and there frustrated. He has lost much money because of Sachin's batting. Now his only hope is somehow Sachin fails the last ball – his team loses…But he wins!... he crushes another cigarette…his pack of cigarettes is over…He screams in frustration!
Vinit looks at his father's face – the face of a gambler…who may lose his biggest wealth – His own grandson forever…its just a matter of one ball. He exhales a breath and crosses his fingers.
Commentary: aur yeh last ball..ek ball aur match khatam..aar yaa paar..poore ground me tension hi tension…
The crowd automatically goes silent! They are waiting, expecting – a big moment!
Sachin looks around at the almost silent ground – its filled with people but they are all silent…this only adds to his already increasing pressure! He adjusts his cap and feels his throat go dry. The bowler takes run up and is about to relase the ball…Sachin indicates stop with his hand…He needs water…
He gulps down the cold water, he is sweating more out but….
Captain: Bhauuuu…last ball…chaukaa bhauuuu..yaa chakkaa….pakka haan…
Saahil (bowler): ready hojaa…ek baar aur khopdi phodne waala hoon..
Sachin feels his hands are sweaty, he wipes them on his pant and grips his bat again..he feels his grip is not tight, his balance gets affected..
Sachin (mind): Cool Sachin…..itni door aaya hai…ek ball ki baat hai…tu kar sakta hai…tujhe karna hi hogaa….
Sweat trickles down his nose, he wipes it. He shuts his eyes to pray.
Anmol (loudly): Come on Pappaaaaaa….you can do it…I love you Papaaaaa…..
Sachin opens his eyes and looks at Anmol. He is up on his two feet and clapping in encouragement for his dad. Sachin nods his head as yes..
He now takes the most perfect batting stance in his life just as he was taught in childhood by his coach. Eyes watching ahead, head at the correct angle – he awaits the ball..
THADAAKKKKKKKKKKKKK….
The ball connects with his bat, he swings it above the head of the bowler – Alll eyes follow the journey of the ball….The fielder can only watch it sailing above in the sky…..straight into the hands of an exuberant Anmol!
Anmol (excited, jumping): YESSSSSSSS….YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS…Papaaaaaa….
Sachin stands still and watches the whole world come to him ….his team members, some people from the crowd….all running at great speed to lay hands on him!
He feels a great weight on his body, he is pinned to the ground by his celebrating team mates.. The boys get up from him atlast, he feels a small pull to his hand. In a flash Anmol is in his arms – sobbing, crying..
Sachin (happy, relief): tu khush hai Anmol?
Anmol (hugging him tight): Yes papa…yesss…YOU ARE MY HERO…MY HERO..
Sachin becomes overwhelmed with emotions and starts sobbing loudly..this is what he wanted to hear always….He is now a HERO..
Sachin (ruffling his hairs): I love you Anmol…Papa loves you re..
They both hug….Sachin opens his eyes and sees Purvi standing at a distance – watching the father-son love. She has tears in her eyes, she is happy in her heart for Sachin and Anmol. She sees Sachin watching her, she turns to go..she doens;t want to disturb them..
Sachin: Purvi…..
Purvi turns, she smiles at him, giving a thumbs up sign….Sachin leaves Anmol and walks to her. Purvi looks down, unable to hide her tears.
She feels Sachin's body on her, he has hugged her tightly.
Sachin (in her ears): Thank you Purvi..mujhe jeena sikhaya tumne..phir se..ab zindagi bhar yeh saath chodna nahi chahta….I…I love you Purvi….
Purvi (crying): sachin….sach?
Sachin (smile): shaadi banaayegi mujhse?
Purvi looks at him open mouthed. His team mates come and pull him away. The match gets over – Sachin is man of the match…
Vinit (to Anmol): Anmol…chale…tumhare warden se sirf ek din ka permission mila tha mujhe..
Anmol (holding Sachin hand): Nahi..main Papa ke saath rahoonga..
Sachin (realizing the challenge): Anmol…Vinu ki baat maan lo…main tumse milne aaoonga..
Anmol leaves with Vinit. Sachin sighs and realizes he has to now face Arjun.
Purvi: Sachin…kya karega tu? Paise ka kaise jugaad karenge?
Usman (angry): sachinnnnnn… he is very angry, he holds Sachin by his collars…
Purvi: yeh kya kar raha hai..Chodd de seth…main bolti hai..chodd dee…Usman yanks Purvi's hand and pushes her to the ground…
Usman: Chupp…ekdum chuppp…Kya bola tha tereko maine haan…he takes out a pistol. Purvi gets up in shock..
Sachin: Yeh kya kar rahe ho aap? Neeche karo…meri baat sunoh…
Usman places the gun on Sachin's head….
Usman: idhar hi 2 second me bheja udaa dega main….dhokaa diya apun ko..Usman ko dhokaa..
Sachin holds Usman's hands with great force and pulls the gun from him.
Sachin (angry): Haan dhokaa diyaa maine…dhokaa diyaa…jaante ho kyun…main apne bête ke saamne haar nahi sakta tha….mera beta Anmol…aaj usne mujhe apna Hero kahaaa…herooo…mere Anmol ko paane ke liye ek laakh toh kya main ek crore bhi kamaa ke laoonga…magar tere tareeke se nahi…apni mehnat se…
Sachin breaks down and throws the gun away.
Usman (angry): Bhaashan mat de..tu khoon kar, daaka daal mujhe kuch nahi maloom..lekin mera nuksaan bhar….he is about to hold his collars once again..he feels a strong hand gripping him..
Usman (eyes open): Kaun hai tu?
Person (removing moustache): senior inspector CID – Abhijit…bahut bhagaaya tune hum sabko Usman…bahut ho gaya..you are under arrest…
Usman (shock): CID…arrest? Kaikooo? Maine kiya kya hai?
Abhijit (handcuffing him): Illegal betting racket, drugs ka dhandha, ladkiyon ka dhandha…bahut lambi list hai..bureau chalo..saath baithke likhte hai…Usman is dragged away…
Purvi (hugging Sachin): sachin…tujhe kuch hua toh nahi naa…tu theek hai naa..
Sachin: main theekh hoon Purvi…bass ek baar Arjun Sharma se baat ho jaaye…main unke haath paav jodoonga..zindagi bhar unka naukar banke rahoonga…main bass ab Anmol se door nahi reh sakta..
Arjun (loud, stern voice): Sachin…
Sachin looks back…
Arjun (coming closer): Sunaa hai aaj match me kamaal kar diya tumne…haan…kitne runs banaaye? 75? Good….aise hi local matches khelo…
Sachin: Main woh paise jaldi de doonga..mujhe thoda time aur dijiye…bas 2ya 3 hafte…main mehnat karoonga…waapas apne khoye paise kamaa loonga..
Arjun (slight laugh): Kamaa loonga…tumhe nahi lagta Anmol better deserve karta hai..kya milega tumhare paas rehke usse? Shart tumne rakhi thi…tum haar gaye…admit it Sachin!
Sachin: ek baap ka pyaar…main Anmol ko hamesha khush rakhoonga..I promise…please mujhe mera Anmol de dijiye…de dijiye..main haath jodta hoon..main aapke paav padta hoon..he falls on his feet..Arjun steps back….
Sachin (getting up): aap jeet gaye Arjunji..aap jeet gaye..main haar gaya…he sits down in defeat..
Purvi(holding him): Nahi Sachin..aisa mat bolo..Arjunji…Sachin bahut pyaar karta hai Anmol se…aap bade ho…usse uska beta de doo..main guarantee deti hai naa..main aur Sachin milke paise kamaayenge..din raat mehnat karenge…Anmol ka khayal rakhegi naa mai..
Arjun: tum ho kaun? Aur tum kyun Anmol ka khayal rakhogi?
Purvi (doubt): Main..main…sachin ki…do…dost hai..she looks down. Sachin comes and holds her hand.
Sachin: Main bahut jald isse shaadi karne waala hoon. Purvi looks at him shocked!
Arjun smiles at Sachin. Soon his smile turns into a laughter…Sachin and Purvi look at him shocked…
Arjun (tears): Tum kiss mitti ke bane ho Sachin haan…tum middle class log bhi kamaal ho…kissise bhi itni jaldi rishta jodd lete ho..bharosa kar lete ho…madat kar dete ho..meri samajh me aaj tak yeh baat nahi aayi…tum jaante ho Anmol bacchpan se best school, best doctor, best academy me khelta aaya hai..mehenge kapde, joote, vacations, khilone dilaaye hai maine..magar aaj tak ek hassi nahi dikhi uske chehre pe…arre woh itna sensitive hai ki hamare garden ki mitti me bhi khele toh agle din bimaar pad jaata hai..aur tumhare saath uss gande se chaali me itne din raha…kabhi bimaar nahi pada lekin..pata nahi iss ladki ne kya khilaya usse..uske school me professional chefs hai jo khaana banaate hai..magar Kajal ke baad usne sirf iss ladki ke haath ke khaane ki taarif ki..
Sachin and Purvi look at each other. They donot know what to say..
Arjun (wiping tears): Sachin..maine Anmol ki life me do roles nibhaaye hai..uske Naanu aur Papa hone kaa..I was so happy…magar jab se tum aaye…mera Papa waala role kam ho gaya..sorry..kam nahi..hamesha ke liye mitt gaya…main bardasht nahi kar saka…tum jaante ho maine aaj tak kabhi haar nahi maani hai..barso pehle tumne meri beti, meri princess ko mujhse cheen liya…maine socha tumse tumhara beta cheen ke badla poora karoonga…
Arjun (emotional): My princess kajal…agar aaj who mere saamne aa jaaye..main usse nazren nahi milaa paoonga…maine uski saari khushiyan cheen li…he comes and places a hand on Sachin's shoulder. You are wrong Sachin….Main Haar gaya…haan sunaa tumne …Arjun Sharma Haar gaya…you win…and this is your trophy…
He points towards Anmol standing at a distance. Sachin looks on with great love towards him..
Arjun: Anmol…Naanu ke paas aaaoo? He opens his arms…Anmol hugs his grandpa..Arjun cries hugging him….later he hands over Anmol to Sachin…Aaj ka man of the match – Sachin Mhatre!
Arjun: jaoo Sachin…Well Played ! Anmol hamesha ke liye tumhara hai…
Vinit and Arjun look on as the three – Sachin, Purvi and Anmol walk hand in hand….
10 years later…..
House
Sachin: Purviiiiii…jaldi karo…who aata hi hoga..
Purvi: Haan..aa rahi hoon babaa…Purvi hurries with a aarti thaali…Sachin looks at her in wonder..she is no longer the street smart girl she was. She now looks every inch Mrs Sachin Mhatre….she is right now dressed in a beautiful saree…
Purvi (snapping fingers): aise kya dekh rahe hai?
Sachin (amazed): kuch nahi..yakeen nahi hota..tum wahi Purvi ho…jo pehle makk donaa me kaam karti thi?
Purvi (laughs little): Mc Donalds..she corrects..itne saalon me main itna toh seekh hi gayi hoon..
Sachin (kisses her forehead): Haan…itne saalon me bahut kuch seekh gayi ho…aur mujhe bhi sikhaa diya..
Purvi: kya sikhaa diya?
Sachin (hugging, kissing her cheek): Pyaar…tumne mujhe pyaar sikhaaya…jeena sikhaaya..
Purvi (shy): Dhatt…kya kar rahe ho? Koi dekh lega..
Sachin (coming closer): Kaun dekhegaa..koi bhi toh nahi hai….he shuts his eyes and goes for a kiss..
Anmol: papaaaaa….
Sachin (turn, surprise): arre Anmol…tu kab aaya?
Anmol: jab aap choti maa ko kiss karne waale the..
Purvi (pushing Sachin aside): kya aap bhi..Anmol….rukh..teri aaarti toh utaroon..
Purvi does aarti for Anmol. He steps inside and touches Sachin's feet for blessings.
Sachin (hugging him): Anmol….main bahut khush hoon…aaj tera Indian cricket team me selection ho gaya..ab bass bahut jald mera doosra sapna bhi poora hoga…Indian cricket team captain – Anmol Sachin Mhatre! Mazhaa Porgaa…
Purvi (correcting): hamaara sapnaa..
Sachin (hugs them both): haan haan…hum dono ka sapna….
Vinit, Arjun and Laxmi: aur hamara kya?
Sachin welcomes them all in the house. They all now are in good terms with each other and celebrate the occasion with great fanfare.
Kaajal's picture smiles at them all from the wall….
….THE END…..
Thank you all …for being with me in this looooooong journey from Jan 31st! I know some of you have been waiting for this story to end as its been going on for so long…
You all can carry out Fan vs Fan debate on a separate forum in FF…I neither have the energy nor the will to add anything to this debate. I have already apologized…I donot know what more can I do now..
Please stop using my other stories for this purpose. Please…
Dear Misha, Mansi..thank you for your support. But please I suggest you just drop it…
Dear Sachvi fans/lovers – Thank you for your support to this story and my other stories. Keep reading..best wishes..
I love you all...