It was a bright evening with the atmosphere full of enjoyment and merry making. Most of the old and present members of the CID Mumbai team had gathered into the banquet hall of a grand five star hotel of Mumbai. The host of the party i.e. Daya, clad in a top to bottom black formal suit, was seemed to be sauntering in the hall with glass of drinks in his hand. He seemed to be tensed.
Seeing him so tensed, ACP sir came out from the crowd and put his hand over his shoulder with a soft...
ACP sir: kya hua? Itni tension mein kyun lag rahe ho?
Daya: kuch khas nahin... bas aise hi...
ACP sir: kuch to zaroor hain... agar to tum nahin batana chahte ho to theek hain... accha to yeh batao, tumhari family mein se kisi ko nahin bulaya?
Daya smiled sadly and said in a silent yet heavy tone...
Daya: bulaya tha na... magar aaya koi nahin... kya kar sakte hain? Unke saath to mera koi khas rishta bhi nahin bacha... bas ek format relationship hi to hain... isliye maine kuch zyada expect bhi nahin kiya tha... kyun ki main janta hoon ki mujhe is rishtein se khalipan ke siwa kuch nahin milega...
ACP sir could sense the deep pain lying underneath those simple words, but he did not know why. He waited him to speak up something more which he did as...
Daya: aap aur Salunkhe sir pehle is sab ke khilaaf the... lekin is beech jo kuch bhi hua us mein ahar aap mere saath na hote to shayad... shayad hi yeh din meri zindagi mein aata kabhi... aapke saath mera yeh jo rishta hain, aapko maloom hain kya is rishtein ka naam? Nahin sir... humara to koi khoon ka rishta bhi nahin hain... magar sir, aap mere zindagi mein kya hain, yeh to koi khoon ki rishta nahin hain... magar yeh usse kayi guna aage hain... aap aur Salunkhe sir mujhe bohot pyar karte hain aur mujhe yeh bhi maloom hain ki aaj woh yahan kyun nahin aaye...
ACP sir(in embarrassed tone): beta woh... maine use bohot samjhane ki koshish ki magar usne nahin mana... jis raat tumne uske ghar is party ka invitation card chodke aaye the usi raat usne mujhe call kiya tha... kehne laga ki yeh jo kuch bhi ho raha hain woh theek nahin hain aur woh aisa hone nahin dega... maine use samjhane ki koshish kiya to gusse mein aake call cut kar diya aur shayad mera number block kar diya... aaj yahan aane se pehle uske ghar bhi gaya tha main... ghar bandh tha... aur phone to tab se hi bandh pada hain...
Daya(with a smile): main janta hoon sir ki woh aisa kyun kar rahe hain... kyun ki unhe meri parwah hain aur woh yeh nahin chahte ki mujhe koi aur dukh mile... isliye hi aisa kar rahe hain... lekin sir, mujhe yeh bhi maloom hain ki jab hum milke unhe galat saabit kar denge tab sabse zyada khush woh hi honge... sacchi rishton ka yeh hi to faida hain...
ACP sir: haan woh to hain... accha yeh batao Abhijeet aaya nahin ab tak?
Daya did not has to answer this as Abhir said from behind him...
Abhir: nahin dadu... maine Deepti se baat ki thi takriban adha ghanta pehle... tab woh log on the way the... aane hi wale honge...
Again a voice came from behind him as...
Voice: aane wale nahin hain... aa gaye hain...
Three of them turned behind and discovered Deepti standing there, clad in a gorgeous black dress with rose bouquet in her hand with Abhijeet, clad in a black formal suit, beside her. A genuine smile appeared on ACP sir and Daya's face seeing them while Abhir greeted them with...
Abhir: arey wah uncle, aap to bohot handsome lag rahe hain aaj!
Abhijeet(with a smile): thank you beta... waise tumhare dad bhi kaafi handsome lag rahe hain... aur saath mein tum bhi...
Deepti(in fake sad tone): koi mujhe bhi ek compliment de do... main bhi idhar hi khadi hoon...
Abhir(with tease): bandariya aaj kaafi sundar lag rahi hain... ek dum langoor jaise...
This one sentence made trio's face red and nose blew in the tough attempts not to burst out in laughter while Deepti's face reddened in anger as she said in hissy tone...
Deepti: tu ne mujhe langoor kaha?
Abhir: arey chill yaar! Tujhe sundar bhi to kaha na? Tu bas sundar pe dhyan de...
Daya: haan Deepti beta... kehne ko to isne tumhe bandar bhi kaha... lekin koi nahin... tum sundar pe dhyan do na!
Abhir(in fake complaining tone): dad! Aap please aag mein ghee mat daliye... warna kahin yeh jwalamukhi yahan na fat jaye...
ACP sir: ho sakta hain... aisa bilkul ho sakta hain... aakhir Abhijeet ki beti hain... uski tarah hi dimag mein trigger bomb lekar ghumti hain... trigger galti se dab jaye to dhamaka...
Abhijeet(in complaining tone): sir yeh kya keh rahe hain aap? Main utna gussa nahin karta...
Daya: nahin nahin sir... iski dimag to bilkul barf se bana hua hain... thermometer lagaiye, dekhna woh bhi jam jayega... bada aaya Mr. Cool! Hunh!
Abhijeet: accha? To tum yeh kehna chahte ho ki mera dimag garam hain... to tumhara kya hain? Tum to barood ki storeroom ho...
Daya(in complaining tone): sir dekhiye na Abhi kya keh raha hain!
Abhijeet(in teasing tone): kya baat hain! Ab tumhe khud ko bachane ke liye ACP sir ki madad chahiye... shame shame! Tum abhi bhi bacche ho Daya!
Daya: aur tum kya ho? Mr. Kharoos?
Abhijeet(in warning tone): Daya!
Daya(in same tone): Abhijeet!
Abhir and Deepti, who were looking towards the quarrelling duo silently, now decided to interfere. Deepti raised her hand to stop them and said in surprised tone...
Deepti: ek minute ek minute... shayad aap log bhool rahe hain ki jhagda main aur Abhir kar raha tha... aap dono nahin...
Abhir: haan papa... haan uncle... aaj ke din to na ladiye...
Daya: main kahan lad raha hoon?
Abhijeet: to kya main lad raha hoon?
Deepti: uff! Main abhi stage mein jake yeh party khatam kar deti hoon... kyun ki party ki do main hosts pagal ho gaye hain aur bachchon ki tarah lad rahe hain... to party continue rakhke kya faida?
ACP sir: haan chalo beta... main bhi chalta hoon...
Daya: nahin sir... party khatam mat kijiye please...
ACP sir: to phir chalo... jaldi jaldi dosti karo ek dusre se...
Neither Daya nor Abhijeet took a step. ACP sir sighed a bit and said...
ACP sir: chalo Deepti beta... stage pe chalte hain...
Abhijeet: nahin sir...
ACP sir: to phir dosti karo...
Abhijeet inserted his comparatively small palm on Daya's large palm, which he had already laid flat. Then both uttered simultaneously...
Daya and Abhijeet: friends!
ACP sir: good! Chalo ab cake cut karte hain...
Duo smiled broadly and then went to the stage for cutting the cake. Both smiled towards each other and Abhijeet grabbed the knife while Daya grabbed his brother's hand. Both cut the cake and fed each other a piece. Abhir took the cordless microphone and announced in cheerful voice...
Abhir: so ladies and gentlemen, let's celebrate the reunion of the legendary friendship of Daya and Abhijeet, the adorable duo! These two friends...
He was cut by a female voice from beside him. It was Deepti who was using the other microphone as...
Deepti: excuse me Abhir. It will be brothers. Not friends! You can not use the word friends to describe their relation dear! They are brothers.
Abhir: okay dear! So I am back to the track! These two brothers are the soulmates of each other! They just can not live without each other. But still they had to live long nineteen years without each other! And what had separated them were nothing but time and situation! The most powerful human being may be, sometimes they are bound to get defeated by fate! This incident was one example of this!
Deepti: this time period was not so easy for them. This unexpected separation, the dark loneliness, the cold suffocation were the inseparable parts of it. Both hearts had bled, both pair of eyes had precipitated and both souls has been longed in a wait! Wait to get reunited! But none of them had lost patience! They had always waited with patience for being secured in each other's arms. So with huge applause, please welcome them in the stage to share some of their experiences in front of you. Trust me, they are very motivating! And interesting too! So now hold your breath, Daya sir and Abhijeet sir are coming on the stage.
A loud round of applause welcomed duo on the stage. They both took the microphones from their children's hands and faced the guests with bright smiles playing over their lips. Abhijeet was the first to start...
Abhijeet: good evening everyone. Today you all have managed out some hours from your hectic schedule and have attended the celebration party of our reunion i.e. you all have decided to be a part of out happiness. We all are grateful to you all for this. Thank you.
Daya: as our children told you, we are here to share some moments of our experience in our life. But I am really confused about how to began.
Abhijeet: agar aap logo ko is party ko samajhna hain aur humari life ko samajhna hoga... aur agar aap log humare life ko samajhna chahte hain to humari dosti ko samajhna hoga...
Daya: humare dosti ke shurwat ek aisi kali waqt pe huyi thi jab meri wajah se Abhijeet ko khud se bichadna pada... (seeing Abhijeet was trying to oppose)... haan main janta hoon ki woh yeh nahin manta magar... khair chodiye, phir us hadse ke baad Abhijeet ka zindagi ek kora kagaaz se siwaye aur kuch nahin tha...
Abhijeet: phir Daya ne mere haath pakadke us kagaaz pe ek nayi kahani likhna shuru kiya... ek aisi kahani jis mein hum senior- junior se dost aur phir bhai hone ka safar tak pura kiya... pata hi nahin chala kab main Daya ke liye sir se Abhijeet, Abhijeet se Abhi aur Abhi se boss ban gaya... aur phir achanak aaya woh toofan, jisne sab kuch khatam ho gaya...
Daya: hum dono bichad zaroor gaye magar dil se kabhi bhi ek dusre se alag nahin huye... itne saalon se har ek din har ek pal isi vishwas se jeete rahe ki woh din zaroor aayega jab hum dono phir milenge... aur dekhiye, woh din aa gaya! Aaj hum dono phir se ek saath hain... aur is mein sab se bada ehsaan hain humare bacchon ka... Abhir aur Deepti...
Abhijeet: woh bacche to kismat wale hote hi hain jinki sar par maa baap ka chaya hota hain aur unke sanskaaron mein palte badte hain... woh bacche bohot kismat wale hote hain jo apni maa baap se seekhte hain... magar aaj mujhe yeh ehsaas hain ki woh maa baap usse bhi zyada kismat wale hote hain jo apni baccho se seekh pate hain... agar Abhir aur Deepti humari zindagi mein na hoti to shayad hi hum woh thandi kali dooriyan se bahar aake ek dusre ka haath thamne ki himmat dikha pate... so thank you Abhir... thank you Deepti... thank you very much... aaj tum logo ne hume humari zindagi lauta di...
Abhir and Deepti smiled sweetly while Daya continued in emotional tone...
Daya: aur aaj hum aap sabhi ko maujudgi mein humari rishtein ki ek aur panna shuru karne wale hain jo humari baki ki zindagi ke liye humare saath rahega...
Deepti: jaisa ki aap log jante hain ki kal friendship day hain, to humne decide kiya hain ki inki is legendary dosti ki is naye adhyaye ko hum usi din shuru karenge... aur ab 12 bajne mein sirf 5 seconds baki reh gaya hain... so let's count with me... 4... 3... 2... 1... and HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!
The guests echoed his voice while counting and everyone cheered when it turned sharp 12 am in the clock. Abhir now announced in cheerful voice...
Abhir: aur isi ke saath shuru hota hain ek nayi kahani...
But at the very next moment, a firm yet loud voice came from the doorway, conquering all the chaos of the party...
Voice: ruko Abhir, nayi kahani abhi shuru karne ki waqt nahin huyi hain... abhi purani kahani mein kuch hisab barabar karna baki hain...
Everyone turned there to find Salunkhe sir standing there, with firm and tough face. Duo was completely astonished to find him while the younger duo exchanged a nervous gaze. Salunkhe sir entered the hall while all of them came down from the stage to face him. There was nothing but a pin drop silence prevailing in the hall which ACP sir decided to break with...
ACP sir: Salunkhe tu yahan?
Salunkhe sir: haan... kyun main nahin aa sakta kya Daya aur Abhijeet ki reunion party mein...
ACP sir: nahin mera matlab hain ki tu ne hi to kaha tha na ki tumhe kuch zaroori kaam hain...
Salunkhe sir: kaam khatam karke hi aa raha hoon...
He moved near Abhijeet and forwarded his hand towards him with a normal...
Salunkhe sir: hi Abhijeet... congratulations!
Till now, Abhijeet was starring towards Dr Salunkhe silently. He was too shocked to say anything. This man was his partner in naughtiness once, but in the course of time, those fond memories had faded away. In his CID days, he had always been criticized by him. And during that dark period, those venomous words spoken by him had hurt him the most. He had never forgiven him for that, but in the course of time, the bitterness had reduced much.
When he heard from Daya, that Dr Salunkhe was now against their reunion, he did not say anything, but thought that he still held the grudges against him. He did not expect him to be here. He just could not stop himself from those bitter thoughts. Why was he here? To create a scene? To humiliate him? But he could not do anything, as the reunion was already done and announced in front of the world. But he could spit the venom he had for him in his heart! If he did anything like that, would anyone stop him? Would Daya speak up for him? And what would ACP sir do?
A lot of thoughts flooded his mind but all he could manage to say was "thanks", in an awkward tone. Both stayed silent for some moments, after which Dr Salunkhe said in a calm tone...
Dr Salunkhe: kaise ho tum?
Abhijeet: bas theek hoon... aap kaise hain?
Dr Salunkhe: mujhe kya hoga? I am totally fit and fine... aur mujhe apni beti se nahin milwaoge?
Abhijeet: haan kyun nahin?... Deepti...
Dr Salunkhe: accha chodo... yeh sab to hota hi rahega ab... pata hain Abhijeet, main aaj yahan kyun aaya hoon?
Abhijeet frowned a bit but said nothing. He just nodded negatively while lines of anxiety were clearly visible on his face. Dr Salunkhe smiled a bit and then said...
Dr Salunkhe: tumhe shayad maloom hoga, main is reunion ke khilaaf tha... Lekin woh isliye nahin ki, tum mujhe pasand nahin ho, ya mujhe tumse koi shikhayet hain... Saalon pehle jo kuch bhi hua ho, woh main bohot pehle bhool chuka hoon Abhijeet... aaj mere dil mein waqai kuch nahin hain... Lekin mujhe dar tha, ki tum dono phir se ek galat faisla lene jaa rahe ho... Isse sirf problems create hogi, koi khush nahin rahega... Aur Daya ke liye main aisa nahin chahta tha... Tum bhi mere apne ho, lekin zindagi ne hum dono ko bohot door kar diya ek dusre se... par Daya humesha mera beta raha, meri… humari zindagi ka ek ahem hissa raha... Mujhe uske liye chinta ho raha tha... (after a brief pause) Lekin main jab kal Orphanage mein gaya tha, tab un baccho ko ek rishtein ke liye ek baar phir se tadapta dekhke mujhe ehsaas hua ki main kitna galat hoon... Rishton ki dor to dil se banta hain, lekin main toh dimag se soch raha tha... Isliye to tum dono ke rishtein ki sacchai mujhe dikhai nahin de raha tha... kisi bhi rishtein ki beech ka pyar aur bharosa to woh ehsaas hain jo har musibat se ladne ki takat deti hain, aur har halat mein khush rehne ki, sath rahne ki kabiliyat.. Tum dono ki rishtein mein woh kabiliyat hain Abhijeet... isliye aaj main yahan tum dono ko dil se badhai dene aaya hoon... congratulations Abhijeet... congratulations Daya... tum dono aaj apni zindagi ki ek bohot hi khas adhyay ka shurwat karne jaa rahe ho... us mein tum logo ko kamiyabi mile...
Abhijeet tried to say something, but he found his voice was chocked in emotion while everyone around them released the breath, for some unknown reason, they held so long. Abhijeet did not even try to speak but pulled Dr Salunkhe in a tight hug... pressing his face in his shoulder, he let the tears fall, some of the unknown emotion chocking his voice, and some of the shame and guilt. He should not have thought like that about Dr Salunkhe. Their relation might not be that strong, but at least they were not enemies.
Sometimes it really soothing to be proved as wrong!
Next evening, Abhijeet was sitting at the terrace of his house, watching the sunset. He remembered the other day when he was watching the sunset alone, he was feeling so devastated and alone that day. And now! Everything was so different now!
Daya came and sat beside him. For a long time, both stayed silent, relishing the moment, the warmth of the presence of each other. When two hearts are that close, talking is not necessary to express feelings. Finally, Daya broke the silence...
Daya: soch rahe ho?
Abhijeet: kuch nahin, bas… kabhi socha nahin tha, ki yeh din bhi kabhi humari zindagi mein aayega...
Daya leaned closer and rested his head on his shoulder. Abhijeet smiled and adjusted his head properly over his shoulder with a low...
Daya: Deepti ki transfer ka kya hua?
Abhijeet: haan woh tumhe batana bhool gaya... uski transfer confirmed ho gaya hain... official letter bhi aa jayega kuch hi dino mein... sab kuch hone ke baad mujhe ek baar wahan jana padega... wahan se humare sab saaman lane aur us ghar ko bechne... phir kabhi wahan jane ki zaroorat nahin padega...
Daya pressed his palm softly. Abhijeet smiled a bit and then said...
Abhijeet: jante ho Daya... mujhe ab kabhi kabhi bohot afsos hota hain... agar is waqt maine thodi...
Daya: nahin Abhi ab koi purani baatein nahin... Narazgi mein, galatfehmi mein humne apni zindagi ka bohot keemti waqt zaya kar chuke hain... ab agar afsos karne baith jayenge, to aur kitna waqt bachega humare pass?
Abhijeet(with a smile): nahin Daya, woh baat nahin hain... Main bas yeh soch raha tha ki, agar us waqt ek kadam maine badhya hota, ek baar apne narazgi aur gusse ka izhaar kiya hota, to mere saath saath Deepti ko bhi ek behtar zindagi mil sakti thi... main chahe use jitna bhi pyar doon magar parivar mein mata pita ke alawa ek aisi shaks ka bhi hona zaroori hota hain, jise bacche apni dost samajhke sab khulke bata sake... yahan tak ki apni maa baap ke khilaaf jama hua shikayatein bhi aur narazgi bhi... shayad tum Deepti ke liye woh shaks ban sakte the aur main Abhir ke liye...
Daya: haan yeh to hain...
Abhijeet: magar tum chinta mat karo... Abhir bhi mere liye mera beta hi hain... jaise maine Deepti ko apni dil se lagake rakha hain aaj tak waise hi Abhir bhi rahega... kyun ki aaj se hum dono ke beech mein koi bhi tera mera nahin rahega... sab humara hoga... jaise pehle hota tha...
Daya(in tease): jaise humara wallet, humara credit card waise?
Abhijeet(in warning tone): Daya!...
Daya: sorry… waise ek taraf se dekha jaye to Abhir tumhare hi beta hain… poocho kyun?
Abhijeet: kyun?
Daya: kyun ki jab maine officially use adopt kiya tab mujhe laga tha yeh mere zindagi mein ek sahara banke aaya hain… jaise tum the… isliye mere dimag woh hi naam aaya jise bulake mujhe tumhari yaad aaye….
Abhijeet: waise dekha jaye to Deepti bhi tumhari beti hain… jab us accident ke baad mujhe hosh aaya to mujhe pata chala ki mere apno mein sirf woh hi hain jo zinda hain… mere andhere waqt mein woh mere liye ek roshni ki tarah thi… jaise saalon pehle tum the…. isliye hi maine jab use nayi zindagi diya tab uska naam badalke Shreya se Deepti kar diya….kyun ki Deepti naam bhi D se shuru hota hain jo tumhare Daya naam ka bhi first letter hain… mujhe meri beti mein tumhari jhalak jo dekhni thi…
Daya smiled at hum softly. Abhijeet too smiled and then moved away his gaze towards the setting sun. This sight and the feeling of being completed now was giving him an extreme peace. Daya asked in soft tone…
Daya: Abhi… tumhe kuch kehna nahin hain mujhse? Aaj ki is khas pal mein?
Abhijeet took some moments before answering, and then said…
Abhijeet: Daya agar 19 saal pehle humare zindagi mein yeh pal aata to kehne ke liye bohot kuch hota… magar aaj kuch nahin hain… ab to bas baki ki zindagi yunh hi beetana hain…
You came as a ray of light,
Made my life cheerful and bright,
Showering your affection over me
So that my face was full of glee.
Taking away my complete loneliness
And giving me back all the happiness
With a Midas touch of your care
To keep me away from despair.
I will never leave you midway,
And tales of our bond people will say.
They both remained starring towards the setting sun and the royal blue sky with calm eyes. Both hearts were throbbing softly in extreme peace. Yes finally they were together! They knew that none of them was like before now, but it never made any difference for them. After all, the first and foremost condition of friendship was nothing but accepting each other as however they were exactly!
Friends...
They are the few people who accept silence over conversation. A relationship like this denies silly promises and persuasion. You don't feel the need to second guess thoughts or measure words. Their love comes in wholes, not halves, not thirds. They are the ones that guide you through when fate takes a turn. Fights, small and large, end in forgiveness, never a burn. You forget about first impressions and the feelings they brought. You are grateful for who they are and you forgive them for what they are not.
None of them knew what would happen to them tomorrow, but they knew that this moment of togetherness had become a part of eternity. This moment would never end, and they would live forever in this moment.
From a radio of any nearby house, the sweet lyrics of a melody was coming there, perhaps to celebrate this heavenly moment in their life...
Yeh lamhe toh hain bahot haseen
In lamho par kuch likha nahin
Yeh aabad karenge, ya barbaad karenge
Yeh mausam chale gaye to hum fariyad karenge
Yeh lamhe, yeh pal hum barso yaad karenge
Yeh mausam chale gaye to hum fariyad karenge
Yeh lamhe, yeh pal hum barso yaad karenge
Yeh mausam chale gaye toh hum fariyad karenge
Barso yaad karenge, barso yaad karenge
Because friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It is not something to be learnt in school. But if meaning of friendship is not learnt, nothing in the world has been learnt!
THE END
Avanti 17: it is nice to hear Meow Meow again. Thank you
Please read and review
Thanks to each and every reviewers
With love and regards
Your Nikita
A\N: Dear readers, please I want some more reviews in the last chapters of the stories. The number of reviews in the last chapter of A Drop of Friendship is really disappointing. Please review friends.