Tere Mere Dil
"Hello Daya..." Abhijeet called his best buddy.
"Busy with a client. Call you later?"
"It's urgent!"
Abhijeet could imagine his buddy rolling his eyes. He heard him excusing himself over phone. Moments later Daya spoke.
"What is it? Agar faltu ka pareshan kar rahein ho toh bura pitogey mujhse!" Daya threatened his business tycoon friend.
"I have dinner reservation with Tarika within an hour," Abhijeet shared his concern without listening to Daya, " and I don't know what to wear!!"
"Seriously Abhijeet! You are thinking about your outfit before going out with a girl! Tujhe ho kya gaya hain mere bhai!!! It's first time I am listening this from you."
"Tarika is not an ordinary girl. And I am nervous for the very first time around a girl. 'Cause it really matters to me what she thinks about me. So, will you help?"
"Argh... where are you? Home?"
"Office."
"Office mein change karoge?"
"I have a closet in here Daya!"
"Yeah closet with your official outfits!!! In that case you can go with your current outfit."
"You are no help Daya!"
"I am trying to be a help here."
"Oh really?"
"Yes."
"Bakwas band kar and tell me what to do?"
"Listen Abhijeet, you don't have to impress her with your outfits. Let her like you the way you are. No show off. That's how it gonna work according to me."
Abhijeet thought for a while. He looked at Sarah who was busy in her tab but he could tell that she was paying attention to what they were talking over speaker.
"You sure?" Asked Abhijeet.
"100 percent."
"Hm..."
"And dont think much and hurry up."
"Okay. Thanks."
Daya cut the call immediately before Abhijeet could strike another conversation.
Abhijeet looked at Sarah.
"What do you think?" He asked his PA.
"What sir?"
"About what Daya said?"
"Umm.. Ah, I think he's right sir. You dont have to show off yourself. Just be you."
"Really?"
"Yeah.. But."
"But?"
"She would appreciate it if you do something to make her feel that you care."
"I do care."
"Yeah, I know." Sarah chuckled.
"You girls are so complicated! How am I gonna make her feel that I care by my outfits? Does that even make any sense?" Abhijeet rolled his eyes.
Sarah suppressed her laughter.
"Don't laugh and suggest me."
"Okay okay. I am no Richa Evans but I may be a little help here."
"Please."
Sarah moved towards his closet and picked a pair of jeans for him.
"Jeans? With formal shirt?" Abhijeet was irritated now.
"Give me a minute before you judge!" Sarah mocked him.
"Fine. Go ahead."
Sarah picked up a white T shirt for him.
"Thats my jogging T shirt!!!" Abhijeet shouted out of exasperation, almost.
"Yes. But its not written on here!"
"You are right. You are no Richa Evans. Kuch bhi!!" Abhijeet was totally taken aback.
"Sir trust me Tarika mam doesn't feel perfectly okay with you meeting with her every time in your business suit. Sometimes you need to dress different too. I will arrange some comforting clothes for you by tomorrow. But for now go with this. You can trust me."
Abhijeet was horrified with the idea but still he thought to take the chance as girls knew girls better.
"Let me see." He took the dresses from Sarah and left to change.
Half an hour later Abhijeet was waiting down Tarika's apartment, outside his car. Tarika came wearing a Red kurti with red churridar and scarf. She was looking breath taking with light makeups. she stopped at her trance as she saw Abhijeet in Jeans and T shirt.
"What?" Abhijeet asked finally not being able to digest her constant gaze on him.
"Nothing. T- shirt mein tumhe village se ane ke bad se kabhi nahi dekha... toh bas.."
"Oh!! Bas waqt hi nahi milta."
"Ache lag rahe ho." Tarika smiled
"Tum.. tum bhi."
"Sirf achi?" Tarika joked.
"Nahi matlab, beautiful. Kya kehte hian hindi mein... umm.. yeah khubsurat.. right "
Tarika laughed.
"Thank you. Chale?"
"Yeah sure." He opened the door of his car for her. Tarika smiled once again.
As Abhijeet took the driver seat Tarika stroke conversation.
"Kaha chal rahein hain?"
"Jaha tum kaho."
"Umm.. what about your nearest favourite restaurant?"
"Mine?"
"Um.. hmm.." She nodded.
"You sure?"
"Yeah... " Tarika sang.
"Well, I have one... just 30 minutes away. But sure right?"
"Yes Abhijeet. Why are you asking again and again?"
"Nahi.. its just... show off kehne lagi toh? Its an Italian restaurant."
"Expensive hain isliye aise bol rahein ho?"
"Not like that.. You see... Tum.. I mean..."
"Relax Abhijeet. Its fine. Main taunt nahi marungi. Chalo ab."
Abhijeet smiled at her cordially and drove off.
Abhijeet finished ordering and turned his attention towards Tarika who was looking around.
"Quiet Big huh?" Abhijeet asked.
"Yeah.. and impressive." She turned towards him, "just so that you know I have been here before."
"Oh.. thats great. So, what did you like here? Tumhe order karna chahiye tha phir."
"Mujhe pasand nahi aya yaha ka khana. aj tumhare pasand ka try kar leti hu. Sayad pasand ajaye."
"Kya baat hain! Aj mera bohot khayal rakha ja raha hain!"
"Socha thora change ho jaye. Roz tum khayal rakhte ho.. toh aj main khayal rakh leti hu."
"Acha?"
"Hmm..."
"But I feel like, You want to say something."
Tarika kept silent for a while.
"Yeah, I do."
"What is it?" Abhijeet got worried.
"Umm... Let's talk about that later?"
"Okay. Whatever you say. Hows your day?"
"It was okay. Abhijeet..."
"Yes."
"After yesterday... I mean kal jo hua uske bad..."
She looked up at him. He looked sacred. Tarika slowly placed her hand over his. Abhijeet felt the gentleness and looked at their hands, blank. Tarika traced his thumb with hers coyly.
Abhijeet looked into her awaiting eyes which were conveying love for him. Abhijeet felt like he was dreaming.
"Is it a dream Tarika?" He felt himself getting emotional. He knew he loved her but he didn't knew that the intensity of his feeling was so deep, so pure and so demanding that the mere hint could make his eyes teary in happiness.
"Its real." Tarika declared.
"Then say it. Say what you want to say."
"Abhijeet... I like you. I like you a lot. And I want to give our relationship a chance. Aur ye isliye nahi ki tum chahtey ho ya hamari family chahti hain. Main ye mere liye chahti hu."
"You.. You do?"Abhijeet's voice choked. "You are not scared anymore that I will break your heart?"
"Even if you do I will be okay. I want to take the chance."
"I wont Tarika. Ever. I promise." He placed his other hand above their engaged hands.
Tarika smiled. Her heart beats started to decrease. It was tough. She never thought she would be doing it. She hoped she wasn't rushing things. But she was really feeling bad playing with his emotions. She knew its not love what she felt for him. But he made her happy. He cared for her. And, he loved her. She would love him eventually. Or, may be she only needed to realize that she loved.
"Kaha kho gayi?" Abhijeet asked.
"Oh.. kahi nahi.." She swiftly took her hand away from his grip with an awkward smile.
"So, can I declare you as my official GF?" Abhijeet smirked sipping his wine.
"What? No.." Tarika laughed.
"Why not!"
"Abhijeet... Lets take it slow okay?'
"More slow!!! Fine." He rolled his eyes.
Tarika was feeling awkward. she didnt know what to say more. She was suddenly at lose of words.
"Why are you behaving so shy!" Abhijeet laughed a little.
"Bas aisehi..."
"Its okay Tarika... ham usual batein bhi kar saktein hain."
"Nahi bas aisehi..."
"Okay.. let's talk about our past. Hm.. Did you ever have a crush?"
"Crush?"
"Haan.. You know, kabhi kisi ko dekh ke psand nahi aya kya?"
"Umm.. Haan.. but otna significant koi nahi."
"Kya baat kar rahi ho!! Strange."
"Haan.. strange toh hain. Weisey Abhijeet..."
"Hmm?"
"Tumhari wo club wali dost... tumhare barein kuch bol rahi thi.. ki.. tum r wo.."
Abhijeet placed his glass on table and looked at Tarika with a serious face.
"Mujhe nahi pata usne kya kaha or ketna extend karke kaha... Par... I want to say... That was all my past. And I cant change that. Jis culture mein main bara hua... yesab normal tha. I am not proud of what I was." His voice was little harsh.
"Mera kehne ka ye matlab nahi tha. Main toh bas... I'm sorry agar tumhe acha nahi laga mere isbarein mein baat karna."
"Hey.. hey.. aisi baat nahi hain... Tum kuch bhi puch sakti ho. You have that right. Main toh bas etna keh raha tha ki dont judge my present self basing on my past."
"I won't Abhijeet."
"Thats great." Abhijeet smiled.
"Mujhe bas etna janna tha ki etne larkio ko date kiya tumne toh kisi ke taraf toh jayada attraction raha hoga..."
"Attraction tha tabhi toh date kiya na."
"Nahi I mean.. Koi special."
"Tch.. not like that. All were infatuation I guess. After a few weeks it all got boring and larkio ke same khichkhick. Kisi ke sath aisa laga hi nahi ki... This is the girl I want to live the rest of my life with." Abhijeet said and then paused, "It only happens when I am with you."
Tarika looked down.
"Are you blushing!" Abhijeet become excited.
"No." Tarika looked up with a straight face but the redness of her cheeks spread so quickly and she ended up blushing hard.
Abhijeet leaned back on his chair with a sigh as he witnessed the most breath taking view of his life. He had just made the love of his life blush! He never thought he would be doing it so soon.
When Tarika composed herself and looked up at him she still found him staring at her.
"Abhijeet! Now stop it."
Abhijeet looked away smilingly.
"Tarika... agar main kahu please mujhse kuch mango iswaqt toh tum mangogi? Please?"
"Main kya mangu??" Tarika shrugged.
"Kuch bhi... Please. Mere khatir."
"Umm..."
"Please Tarika..."
"Wo tumne mujhe churiya gift kiya tha na?? Wahi la dena ek dozen aur greem colour ke." Tarika smiled sheepishly.
Abhijeet smiled again.
"Okay... Done. Tarika main..."
The waiter arrived with main course.
"Pehle dinner karle..." Tarika asked.
Abhijeet nodded.
While having main course they talked about each others profession and college life.
When their desert was about to finish Tarika became serious.
"Kya hua tumhe achanak se?" Abhijeet asked?
"Tum keh rahein the na ki mujhe kuch kehna hain tumse? Mujhe sach mein kuch kehna hain tumse."
"Haan kaho na... "
"Mujhe tumse ye baat pehle kehna chahiye... before saying the things about how I feel about you. Par.. main ye bad mein isliye keh rahi hu taki tumhe aisa na lage... "
"Tarika... dont over explain. Main kuch nahi sochunga."
"Nahi Abhijeet its important. I want you to know that ki jo bhi decision tum logo I will be okay with it."
"Okay... Now, you are scaring me. Tell me."
"Abhijeet... wo main..."
Abhijeet wanted to interrupt again but he realized perhaps it wasnt easy for her to say. So, he kept quite and let het speak.
"Main... Maine Oncology mein PhD ke liye apply kiya tha London mein." She looked at him and found him listening to her with patient. "Mujhe select kiya gaya hain."
Abhijeet wanted to shout thats great but he felt there's more to listen. And at the next moment it stroke him, 'she's going to leave'.
"I am trying for scholarship. Half bhi mil jaye toh I can manage the rest. Maine abhitaq ghar pe nahi bataya hain. You know na mere uncles keisey hain. Baba ko toh phir bhi mana lu.. par chacha log toh kabhi mahi manenge." Tarika looked down, "par phir I am considering my decision again nd again. Baba ko chorke keisey jau! Wo log bohot sunainge Baba ko... I dont know what should I do."
When Tarika didn't speak for a while Abhijeet took that as a indication that she's done.
"You should go."
Tarika looked at him. She clearly could see the hurt in his eyes.
"Abhi-"
"No Tarika. Tumhare bunch of idiots ghar wale kya sochte hai isse kya fark parta hain! Agar Mahesh uncle ne haan kar diya toh tum jao... "
"Baba sayad mere liye razi ho bhi jaye.. but he wont be happy. Unka kehna hian ki shadi kar lo... phir jaha jana hain... jao.."
"I can't believe it" Abhijeet sighed.
"Dekha bohot complicated hai sab kuch idhar... isliye main tumhe is sab mein nahi phasana chahti thi.. pat tum toh..."
"Complicated tum kar rahi ho... Agar tumhe jana ho toh tum jaogi... Thats it. Or kya!"
"Aur bhi bohot kuch hai Abhijeet."
"Jeisey ki?"
"Agar scholarship ka intezam nahi hua aur main nahi ja payi toh main tumse shadi karti.. orna nahi... ya phir agar baba jane na de tab... idhar shadi ke liye haan kar deti aur phir scholarship mil jati toh kya karti... bas yahisab soch ke main tumhe etna avoid kar rahi thi... Tum samajh rahei ho na."
"Aj kyu kaha pehle ki you like me. Ye sab bhi toh pehle keh sakti thi na?"
"Coz I really started liking you. Yesab kehne ke bad agar main kehti ki tum mujhe pasand ho.. tum believe karte? Tumhe lagta main tumhe dump kar rahi sympathy dikhake "
"Mujhe abhi bhi aisahi lag raha hain!" Abhijeet looked away.
"Abhijeet." Tarika again placed her hand above his. "Just so that you know... if we part our ways you wont be the only one suffering here."
Abhijeet slipped away his hand from her grip.
"But I dont want to part our ways." Abhijeet said with a strict voice.
"Me either." Tarika said gently.
Abhijeet didn't speak for a while. Tarika could understand it wasnt easy for him.
"I am happy for your PhD." Abhijeet said, though dry his appreciation wasn't negligible. He was genuinely happy with her achievement.
"Thank you." Tarika smiled.
"I can help you with scholarship."
"I dont want you to." Tarika smiled knowingly.
"I know." Abhijeet chuckled. "I know you this well okay."
Tarika nodded.
"Main dusri help ki baat kar raha tha... scholarship apply mein help kar sakta hu."
"Really? Main try kr rahi hu par mil nahi raha hain..."
"OxIn ek donation organization hain London mein... I was the founder. Hamare group ne start kiya tha... we used give scholarship and arrange jobs for abroad students in London. It has become huge now. Waha se scholarship se pare huye par student phir waha donation karte hain... so ab chal raha hai acha khasa.. Its all about help. Tum waha apply karo. Eligible hogi toh mil jaiga " He taunted the last part in fun.
"You wont interfere?" Tarika narrowed her eyes.
"I would want you to stay." Abhijeet rolled his eyes.
"Okay.. Main karti hu.Thank you."
"Bohot late ho gaya hai. Chalna chahiye ab."
Tarika checked her wrist watch.
"Arey haan chalo."
Abhijeet paid the bill and they left the restaurant. The journey in his car was silent. He dropped her outside her apartment's building. They both got down.
"Abhijeet... I dont expect you to be perfectly fine with my words and decision. And I am not even thinking that you are being selfish. You can tell me whatever you feel about it."
"I am really happy for you."
"I know. I dont doubt it. But I want to know other things too."
"Bohot raat ho gayi hain. Tumhara subha shift bhi hoga."
Tarika nodded.
"Good night." Abhijeet said.
"Good night." Tarika left.
Abhijeet couldn't sleep properly that night. He was processing the events on his mind again and again. But he couldn't come into a conclusion. The only thing he knew and was sure of that he couldn't imagine his life without Tarika. But again, he couldn't be so selfish to let Tarika gave up on her dreams. He wasnt sure if he could wait till Tarika finish her PhD. He wasn't sure if Tarika would wait for him. He thought to discuss the matter with his parents and went to office next day.
He got busy with his meetings one after one. Daya was continuously calling him that day for no reason. Even Sarah was wanting to say something. But Abhijeet neither received Daya's call or listened to Sarah.
At lunch time Sarah again tried to gain his attention.
"What is it Sarah! Ek toh tumne etna meeting laga diya mera aj... upar se kyu sir sir karti phir rahi ho!" He was angry.
Sarah placed the fresh copy of Mumbai News on his table.
"I think you need to see this."
Abhijeet read the headline. 'The eligible bachelor, business tycoon Mr Abhijeet Kapoor's new love interest Dr Tarika'.
Abhijeet read the article which stated Tarika's background as oncologist, her work place, her village their patents childhood friendship and all. It even stated their club visit and restaurant meetings. But what angered him was the mention of Tarika staying at her penthouse. Nevertheless it was written very shamelessly.
"What the heck!!!" Abhijeet threw away the news paper in anger, "Who the fuck has written the article!" He stood up.
"Sir, Reeta Roy." Sarah said.
"That Bi... I am gonna make her pay for this real big!!..."
"Sir... last time apne uski insult ki isliye usne yesab kiya... Please calm down. We need to think clearly. I have discussed it already with the lawyer."
Abhijeet sat down.
"Acha hua Maa Baba Village gai huye hain... Orna pata nahi..."
"Sir... I think, more than them right now you should think about Tarika mam."
Abhijeet looked at her with a jerk. Damn it! She's right! He checked the clock and it was past 2 pm already. Means, she had finished her shifts. Damn!!
"Sarah please check and tell me if any of the channel is flashing the news... I wish they didn't get Tarika."
Sarah left, nodding. Abhijeet tried Tarika's phone and headed towards the parking lot. her phone was switched off.
.AN: So, here's the issue. And some people's mangoes. Its a long chapter.
Precap- Abhirika's parents got to know the news. Tarika's father got real sick.
Review please. Thanks for the responses on last chapter.