A/N: Dedicated to all Adisha lovers who waited patiently till 36th chapter. Thank you. Now I am afraid like my results are out. Please show mercy on me.
After 5 days :
TIME: 6:45 pm:
Abhijit stopped his car at the turning…. He looked at his watch.
The left turning which led into the lane…. To Tarika's house….
In haste from office he had drove his car to Juhu, but now, was not sure he wanted to do it!
He started the car…. He moved the steering to the right and stopped…
He wanted to go in…. But he wasn't sure
His left hand was again on the gear and right hand on the steering wheel slightly turned to the left now…. Did he want to go or not?
It had been 15 days since he had seen her….
She didn't even phone him… What was going on?
He knew now that he was ready to accept to his future with his past….
Unknowingly his leg accelerated and he turned his steering wheel…
Two minutes and Abhijit braked halt in front of the house…
After taking a deep breath he looked out at the house from the front windshield!
He was completely awed at Tarika's selection!
It was wonderful…. He saw that the house's ground floor was lit… She was at home!
Smiling he got down from the car and locked it…
Hesitantly he went opened the gate and seconds later was standing on the front steps of the house….
Abhijit looked at the door bell…. He took up his hand to ring it…. Then immediately put it down….
He looked back at the gate…. Again he looked back at the door and the bell…
He took up his hand to ring the bell….
Then suddenly he turned back and came down the steps…. Or say literally ran down the steps…..
He stopped down and chided himself…
Abhijit(thinking): What was I doing? What was I doing here? What would I say to Tarika, if she asks the reason for my visit? Oh… Abhijit you are too much!
Saying Abhijit started to walk back to the gate, but only his minds started… His feet didn't move… He clutched his hands and closed his eyes…
He then breathed in and out, in and out…. Then inhaling deeply again he went back up the steps and rang the bell!
Abhijit waited for around a minute…. He wondered what was taking her so long to open the door?
He thought he heard some sort of scraping sound!
Then he heard the lock opening… Then after few moments the door opened….
Abhijit sported a smile on his face as the door opened but his smile stopped mid-way seeing the entrance…
Abhijit blinked once, twice at the empty entrance…. For a few seconds he was stunned by what he saw….
There was no one standing there and Abhijit wondered whether the door had opened on its own accord
After few seconds of shock, Abhijit's eyes traveled downwards and he saw a beautiful sight….
Standing in front of him was a cute little girl in a bright yellow cotton dress…
Five or six years old! The little girl had long brown hair which was open… In front some strands were held in small colorful rings…..
The little girl was wearing a cute little Cartoon Dora apron…. Her cheeks had traces of white flour on them and her hands too wear covered with flour…
The little girl was having her left hand on her hip….. Her right forefinger was tapping her chin and she was looking at him her head tilted….
Abhijit had to smile at her stance… He wondered who this little girl was. Maybe Tarika's relative!
But Tarika had never mentioned she had anyone expect her mother and sister. And again, she didn't mention anything to him then needed!
He knelt down on his knees and was about to ask her when the little girl exclaimed….
Girl: Haila! Aap? Achcho…. (Taking her hands off) Ek nimit hunh…. Only one nimit uncle…. Abhi aati hoon!
Saying the little girl ran inside…. Abhijit saw her go to every room in the house… Abhijit bent forward and saw that the little girl was checking all the rooms in the ground floor… Then she ran up the stairs… After moments she came back running down the stairs….
Coming to the door and hands on her knees stood panting….
Abhijit smiled and bent further down to look at her… He then asked….
Abhijit: Kya baat hai? Kuch bhool gayi aap?
The girl looked up at him and shook her hand… Then indicated him to wait till she caught her breath…. Abhijit waited patiently while she straightened and answered….
Girl: Tchch… Tchch…. Nai naa uncle… Main naa dekhne gayi thi ki yahan kisi ko chot aayi hai kya?
Abhijit(Surprised): Kya? Chot? Yahan kisi ko!? Kyun?
Girl(Hitting her head): Offo uncle….
The little girl started counting off her fingers while Abhijit looked at her wondering what she was getting at, but smiling at her innocence… Because she was very cute and her talks were sweetly mumbling!
The girl was ranting on…..
Girl: Ye aapka CID nai hai… Theek? (Next finger) Ye aapka ghar nai hai… Theek? (Next finger) Tho yahan kisi ko chot honi chahiye… (As if shocked) Ab maine dekha naa yahan kisi ko no hurt… (Hands on her hip) To aap yahan kya kar rahe ho?
Abhijit chuckled a little and asked surprised….
Abhijit: Beta… Hurt? Main kuch samjha nahi... Dekhiye... Main Abhij...
Girl(Interrupted): Mujhe pata hai naa…. Aap Abhijit uncle ho…. Aapko nahi pata?
The girl hit her head and chided him…. Abhijit looked at her surprised wondering how she knew him? He knew not to laugh or to wonder what was going on?
Abhijit(Doubtful): Ye Tarika ka ghar….
The girl interrupted again and said….
Girl: Oie uncle… Aap yahan tak aaye ho… Aur pooch rahe ho ki ye Tarika ka ghar hai ya nahi ! Oh ho! Ye aap log oppicers sab aise ho? Ma…
Abhijit couldn't help smiling hearing her say "Oppicers" for "Officers"…. Looking a little inside he now wondered whether this really was Tarika's house? Also she was nowhere to be seen!
Just then there was a call from inside….
"Adu! Kitne der lagati ho? Koun hai bahar?"
Abhijit easily recognised it as Tarika's voice and smiled relieved that this was her house!
The girl tilted her head inward and shouted back...
"Abhijit uncle aaye hain!"
Abhijit looked at the direction the girl shouted back… It seemed like a kitchen… The next moment Tarika appeared at the kitchen entrance…. She too was wearing an apron…. Her hair was tied high in a ponytail and her right hand was covered with wet dough… Also her cheeks and face also had smears of white flour!
Tarika came forward shocked on seeing Abhijit at her door step… Abhijit looked up at her smiling and felt a sense of relief spreading through him on seeing her after sixteen days counting today…
Abhijit(Hesitantly): Er… Umm… Hai!
As Tarika came near him he stood up slowly….
Still Tarika was shocked on seeing Abhijit at her house because she hadn't told him about the house... She looked down at the Adu and her shock increased…. Because she hadn't said to him about her either!
Abhijit frowned a little seeing Tarika's expression… He thought she would be happy on seeing him here; however he had managed to get the details… But instead her face showed shock! Didn't she like him coming here?
Managing a forceful smile Tarika said…
Tarika: Hai… Abhijit tum yahan? Main…
Abhijit: Tumhe kya laga, tum bataogi nahi to mujhe pata nahi chalega…. (Looking inside the house) By the way nice house!
Tarika smiled feebly…. But before she could say anything Adu interrupted…
Adu: Offo… Uncle aap yaheen khade khade baat karoge…. Bad habit… Aap andar aao….
Abhijit looked down at her and raised his eyes at Tarika… Only then it stroked her that she hadn't invited him inside…
Tarika: Oh… I am so sorry… Main tumhe yaheen khade rahe…. Come in!
Adu: Wait wait… Main leke jaaongi uncle ko andar….
Abhijit looked at Tarika smiling still wondering the reason for her non happiness…. And Tarika was looking at Abhijit shocked at his presence but happy too that she got to see him here!
Saying Adu extended her hand towards Abhijit's hand… Just before she took hold of his hand she exclaimed again….
Adu: Oh… Haath me to aataa hai… (Looking up at Abhijit) Ek nimit haan uncle…
Adu went back into the house and tugged Tarika's apron… Tarika didn't move…
Adu tugged it once more and still Tarika didn't take her eyes off Abhijit….
Adu looked at Tarika fuming… This time she tugged her apron harder and called out…
Adu: Mamma neeche aao naa!
Abhijit smiling happy face turned into shock… He looked at Adu and back at Tarika knitting his brows… He kept looking back at Adu and Tarika stunned!
Tarika's daughter! Tarika was married? NO! But she had never mentioned any of this to him…. about Adu! Long since he thought he heard this name somewhere… But he couldn't place it!
Tarika started at the exclamation and looked down at Adu… Slowly she looked down at Adu… Looking back at Abhijit she knelt down…. She could read all the expressions she knew Abhijit would sport when he came to know the news…. Shock, surprise, disappointment, upset, betrayal… And it ached her to see him like that!
Adu took the small cloth from Tarika's shoulder and wiped her hands….
Adu: Thank you!
Saying she thrust the cloth in Tarika's hand and ran back to Abhijit and took hold of his hands…. Her small hands not even fitting inside his palm!
Adu: Come in uncle… Welcome to the Tarika, Adisha- Tarisha home!
Saying Adu dragged in a still stunned Abhijit inside….
As Abhijit passed Tarika he looked down at her and still in kneeling position she looked up at him hesitantly!
As Adu took Abhijit to be seated in the sofa she called back to Tarika….
Adu: Mamma… Darwazaa!
At this Abhijit looked at Adu and smiled a little….He turned to look back at Tarika….
Tarika stood up slowly wondering what she was going to say to Abhijit… At the door she took a deep breath… Closing the door she came in!
Abhijit was seated in the sofa… But the shock had worn off and what remained now was disappointment… Tarika was married and she had a daughter… She was so old now and Tarika had never breathed a word to any one till now!
Adu was standing before him asking….
Adu: Uncle aap black coffee pasand hain naa… Lekin chorry…. (Looking up at Tarika who had just come beside them) Mamma coffee ke liye naa naa kehti hai…. So only tea!
Abhijit looked at Adu surprised at how she knew so many things about him…. When she had opened the door, she had said also things surprising!
Before he could ask anything to her….
Tarika(Softly): Adu beta… Aap pehle apne aapko saaf to karo, baad me uncle se baat kar lena!
Adu looked up at Tarika pouting her lips tilting her head… Then she grinned at her and turned to Abhijit…
Adu: You know uncle… Mamma is sometimes right… Hum abhi aate hain haan….
Tarika was looking at Abhijit trying to answer with her eyes, all the questions she could read in Abhijit's eyes…
Saying Adu had started to fiddle with the knot of her apron at her back neck… But it was not opening and she looked at Tarika as if crying….
Adu: Mammaaaaaaaaa
Tarika looked down at Adu fiddling with her knot which was not removing…. Smiling at her puppy face Tarika bent down and opened the apron knot around her waist…
Adu removed the apron and thrust it into Tarika's hand… She then took her tinkle digest comic from the table and thrust that into Abhijit's hand…
Adu: Uncle agar aapko bore ho, to ise padiye… Bahut hi funny hai….
Abhijit looked down at the Tinkle and couldn't help smiling… He was to read Tinkle! The girl was very sweet! Whoever she might be to Tarika!
She winked with both her eyes and went off trotting into the kitchen calling back….
Adu: Mamma aap hamesha late ho…
Tarika looked at Adu go and looked down at Abhijit….
Tarika: Main… Vo… Abi aati hoon!
Abhijit just gave a feeble smile and looked down at the comic Adu had given her….
Tarika went off to the kitchen…
Abhijit looked at Tarika's retreating back thinking of all the questions surfing his mind...
Just before going into the kitchen Tarika looked back at Abhijit….. He immediately averted his eyes and looked down…. Upset Tarika closed her eyes for a moment and went into the kitchen….
Abhijit just ruffled the comic pages… He didn't read them… Nor did he even see the pictures…. A thousand and more questions were swarming his mind…
"Tarika had a child? A daughter? But she didn't say anything to him? She was married then?"
Then he was wrong! But Daya had said he was Tarika's first love! What was happening?
He wondered…. In the last few weeks he had come to know so much about her… But still it seemed he knew nothing about her…. She had so many things within her… She didn't say anything to him… Why? Was he so very distant from her that she hesitated to share things with him… He knew that his thoughts and feeling about her was very stronger than before…. After he had talked to Daya, he had become clear with what he wanted in his life… Tarika! But still he felt a little hesitant about proposing her… He had been looking for a good chance which seemed not to come at all! And now seeing the situation he doubted whether it would come at all!
He thought about the little girl… A smile automatically formed on his lips… Adu! Nice name… But he knew that was not her full name… Must be short form or nick name for her… He wondered what her name was? She was so bubbly and naughty…. She knew so much about him… And she had recognized him instantly seeing him at the door… Abhijit wondered how? Also she spoke a lot… But sweet nice talks!
Before his mind could explore further he heard… "Uncle!"
Abhijit coming out from his thoughts looked up….. Involuntarily he smiled…..
Adu: You are lausht!
As Abhijit frowned at her phrase Adu kept a plate of biscuits on the table… She plonked next to Abhijit, crossing her legs and looked up at him hands on her chin…
Abhijit too turned slightly to face her and asked smiling…. He noticed that her face and hands were clean of flour now…
Abhijit: Lausht?! Ky…
Hitting her head Adu said…
Adu: Offo… Aap police waale sab itne buddhu ho… Mamma bhi hamesha meri baat samajhthi hi nahi…
From behind her a stern voice said.…
Tarika: Adu! Bahut bolti hai tu… Ye kya?
Adu bit her tongue looking at Abhijit and turned around….
Abhijit looked up and saw that Tarika was standing near the sofa tray in her hand with tea cup on it… Abhijit noticed that she had taken off her apron!
Grinning Adu went and looked at Tarika solemnly…. Tarika looked down at her eye brows raised with mock sternness!
Adu: Haan… Adu always tells truth…. Tarika par gayi hoon main... Naani kehti hai... Aap bhi to kabhi kabhi meri baat hi nahi samajhte and I have to repeat again... Aur ye uncle bhi…
Placing the tray on the centre table Tarika said…
Tarika: Haan haan… Naani ki bachchi… Main to buddhu hoon… Aur aap kya ho? Uncle ko abi biscuit nahi di aur apni chapad chapad shuru kar di...
Abhijit enjoyed the talks between Tarika and Adu...
Tarika extended the tea cup to Abhijit…. Seeing Abhijit lost in his thoughts she called out….
Tarika: Abhijit!
Coming out of the thoughts Abhijit looked at Tarika and the cup…. He extended his hand to take the cup, but didn't take it nor did Tarika give it… Both held on to it as they gazed at each other…..
Adu: Issssss….. Ooo…. Adu tu bhi naa! Chorry mamma...
Hearing this Tarika and Abhijit averted their eyes… Tarika nodded towards the cup and Abhijit took hold of it!
Tarika straightened and looked back at Adu who was still shaking her head at the stupidity she had done… Not giving biscuits! Tarika smiled and looked sideways at Abhijit who was also smiling…. Seeing him smile like that Tarika's smile broadened!
Adu tottered to the table….
Taking the biscuit plate she extended it directly under Abhijit's eyes, who had to back a little because of the tiny force…
Seeing it Tarika grabbed Adu's hands and said shocked….
Tarika: Adu… Kya kar rahi ho? Uncle ko biscuit dene ko kaha tha, unke muh par maarne ke liye nahi….
Adu frowned, bit her tongue and looked at Abhijit eyes wide…. Then smiling said…
Adu: Chorry uncle Adu ka haath kabhi kabhi... Vo… Hmm... Kya? Mamma vo kya hai?
Tarika left Adu's hand and asked confused...
Tarika: Kya vo kya hai?
Adu: Wahi naa… Hmm… Hum kehte hain naa… Haath se chamething… It er….
Tarika(Getting it): Slipped?
Adu: Haan… Slipped… (To Abhijit) Uncle Adu ka haath sometimes slipped ho jaata hai...
Tarika and Abhijit chuckled at her tweety talks…. Taking a biscuit Abhijit said….
Abhijit: Thank you! No problem… Aapka haath slipped hua… Mujhe achcha laga….
Adu grinned back and kept the plate on the table…. She then went and sat beside Abhijit looking at him wondering….
Tarika sat in the opposite sofa and asked…
Tarika: Kya baat hai Abhijit? Is waqt? Kuch khaas baat hai?
Abhijit(Taking a sip): Nahi… Bas vo… Yoheen….
He looked at Adu sitting beside him, looking up at him earnestly… Tarika noticed this and said….
Tarika: Adu yahan baithke kya kar rahi ho? You said you'll do your holiday home work at seven… Time dekha… Seven ke upar ho gaya…
Adu looked at Tarika making a face and said angrily….
Adu: Mamma… Uncle home first time aaye hain…. Mujhe unse baat karni hai…. Pleeeeje!
Tarika(Sternly): No… You promised… Roz aade ghante at least karogi… Nahi to…
Adu: Lekin uncle….
Smiling Abhijit kept the tea cup on the table… He took Adu on to his lap and said….
Abhijit: Haan beta… Homework important hai naa? Hmm… Ek kaam karte hain…. Jab tak aap apne aaj ke home work time khatam nahi ho jaata, tab tak main nahi jaoonga… Aapke homework ke baad khoob baatein karenge…. Theek?
Adu(Smiling extending her tiny hand): Promise?
Abhijit(Placing his hand on hers): Promise!
Adu shook her head happily and kissed him on his cheeks…. Surprised Abhijit smoothed his cheeks as she jumped down from Abhijit's lap… Tarika looked at Abhijit and smiled thanking Adu inside for giving him such happiness which he had missed!
Adu went up to Tarika and looking up at her asked sternly….
Adu: Koun sa?
Tarika looked at her face and knew she hated doing holiday home works…. But since she had promised she would do it… In this she certainly was like her….
Acting with her, Tarika rolled her eyes and said…
Tarika: Kal ka hi… English me kuch words likh rahe the naa... Use hi continue karna….
Adu scratched her head, then grinning she bowed down and said…
Adu: Hukum mere aaka!
Before Tarika could hit her Adu ran up the stairs... Half way up the stairs she stood and showed her tongue out… Tarika shook her finger and Adu ran off giggling… Tarika smiled seeing her go…
Then remembering that Abhijit was there she immediately looked at him…
Abhijit was looking at Tarika…. He smiled seeing the relationship between her and Adu reciprocated very beautifully….
Both of them knew that it was time of lots of questions and answers
There was a prolonged silence as Abhijit stared at the tea cup in his hand and Tarika just fiddled with her fingers!
After a while Tarika looked up hesitantly and saw that Abhijit had not taken even a sip. She looked at him and saw that he was just looking into the cup with a stern expression on his face. Wondering about his thoughts, Tarika slowly called out.
Tarika: Abhijit!
He didn't look up but his face contracted indicating he had heard her.
Taking a deep breath she again called out.
Tarika: Abhijit! Tumne chai nahi pi?
At this Abhijit kept the tea cup hard on the table and walked off to the window, facing the front of the house.
Not expecting such a reaction Tarika startled a bit and looked puzzled at him. Before going up to him she looked up the stairs to make sure Adu was not there. Hesitant a little she went up to him.
Abhijit was looking out the window and she stood beside him, and asked.
Tarika: Abhi…
Abhijit(Interrupting harshly): Don't call my name!
Upset Tarika looked at him not knowing how to take his reaction.
Tarika: Magar hua kya? Tum...
Abhijit(Trading): As if you don't know! (Facing her) Tumne ghar badal di. I didn't know. Delhi gayi thi, long leave pe ho. Tumhari ek beti hai. I was unaware there again! Everywhere! Even Tasha knew. And I am damn sure Daya knows too! You thought you could hide things and I would not know! Well I do now!
Tarika just looked at him really not knowing how to take his words. Was he upset because she hadn't said to him about the house, about going to Delhi, about Adu? But ? She had never seen him been so much outwardly concerned about her and such things. And here he was trading her with... With rights!
Abhijit(Seeing her silent): Aise kya dekh rahe ho? Hamesha to kuch naa kuch bolti ho. Ab chup kyun ho, can't talk is it?
Tarika(Softly): Bolne do tab naa!
Abhijit controlled himself and scolded himself for losing his temper. He always took her for granted and vented his anger on her! He shouldn't have! Oh! How much he had made himself understanding that it was her life and she had rights to do anything with it. Why should she tell him anyways?
Abhijit(Slowly): I… I am sorry!
Tarika: It's okay! Actually time hi theek nahi tha Abhijit. (Looking around the house) Ye ghar maine pichle maheene hi dekhke khareed li thi. Salunkhe sir ne madath ki. Lekin last week hi shift hui yahan. We had an important case on our hands. Daya ko sab phele se hi patha tha. Usne kafi madath ki meri. Tasha ko by chance patha chala. Mera leave sanction last moment pe hua aur uss din party mein kuch phe nahi payi. Aur Adu.
Tarika halted!
Seeing her pause, he took a step closer to her.
Abhijit: We have drifted so much far away from each other than before that you didn't tell about Adu too?
A soft breeze blew through the window as Abhijit and Tarika shared a silent understanding between them.
Tarika looked at him trying to answer this question without actually answering it. Many a times in her past she had wanted to tell him about Adu, even before she was positive about their relationship.
But somehow the time and situation never came where Adu's topic could be taken up. It was a very delicate issue. And between them there was everything expect a time where such delicate matters could be discussed!
Abhijit looked at her and could read the hesitation in her eyes. He knew why she didn't tell him about Adu? Nothing was right between them where she could have freely discussed about her... He even knew that now there was even more distance between them than before, where even morning and evening wishes were hesitant. But long since he had wanted to reduce that distance. But he hesitated!
The breeze blew Tarika's hair all around her face but they both had eyes only for each other. Questions asked and answers given.
Seeing the hair blowing around her face, in an instinct reaction Abhijit lifted his hand to push it away.
Just as Abhijit's hand reached Tarika's face.
Adu: Mamma!
Instantly Tarika turned around hearing the shout Abhijit's hand went out to the empty air.
Adu was running down the stairs fast and at the last step lost her balance and was about to fall.
Tarika: ADU!
A/N: Extremely sorry if its not upto your expectations. I couldn't make it upto the hype guys. SORRY.