Chapter : 14

Story Cont...

Tarika came downstairs with a lot of pain in her heart. She wanted to cry out loudly but the place was crowded with so many people. Tarika rushed to the garden as she couldn't control her tears. She went to the corner of the garden and silently cried for sometimes. Her heart was broken into pieces. She was not be able to tolerate that Abhijeet was in that condition with another girl. She saw Abhijeet with another girl previously ,but never felt such pain before. The feeling was new for her. She couldn't point out the reason behind her feelings. After sometimes , she went inside and saw Abhijeet bargaining with Alisha playfully about the 'Shagun' in return of the

bridegroom's shoes. Alisha's cousins, Raj and Abhijeet's friends accompanied them. Tarika went to her dad and sat beside him with gloomy face. Ashutosh was busy in talking to a person. So ,he couldn't figure out that Tarika was sad. After all the rituals , all of them returned to RAICHAND MANSION along with the bride. Tarika went to her bedroom, changed her dress and started crying loudly hiding her face in the pillow. After sometimes, somebody knocked at the door. Tarika wiped off her tears, opened the door and found Abhijeet standing at the thresold. She smiled lightly and said ,

" Abhijeet tum? Iss waqt?"

Abhijeet entered inside the room , looked at Tarika keenly and asked ,

" Kya huya hai Tarika? Mai kabse notice kar raha tha , tum kuchh khoyi khoyi si lag rahi thi , aab ake dekhta hu to tumhari ankhe bhi laal hai. Kya baat hai ? Tum ro rahithi kya? Kisine kuchh kaha tumse?"

Tarika :" Nehi Abhijeet. Kuchh nehi huya hai mujhe. Mai bilkul thik hu. Baas thoda thak gayi hu."

Abhijeet softly touched her cheek and asked her with love ,

" Are you sure? Kuchh nehi huya?"

Tarika hesitantly nodded her head in 'yes'. She couldn't tell anything as her voice was choked due to his caring touch. She was fighting hard to stop her tears.

Abhijeet : " Tum so jao. Mai chalta hu. Good night."

Abhijeet turned to go back ,but she held his wrist and said in low tone controlling her tears,

Tarika : " A...Abhijeet. Kuchh puchhu tumse? Bura to nehi manoge?"

Abhijeet came close to her and asked in caring tone ,

" Tumhe kya ho gaya hai aaj? Tum mujhe kuchh bhi puchh sakti ho Tarika. Mai kabhi bura nehi manunga."

Tarika : " Kya tum...Kya tum Alisha se pyaar karne lageho?"

Abhijeet : " What? Kya bol rahi ho tum? Ye kisne kaha tumse? Tumhe aisa kyu laga?

Tarika : " Wo...wo... Alisha jab jute lekar upar bhagithi ,aur tum bhi uske pichhe bhagethe, tab...Thodi der baad mai bhi gayi thi waha. Maine tum donoko kaafi...kaafi ...C...Close hote huye dekha. Issliye laga ki shayed..."

Abhijeet : " Tarika , tumhe galatfaimi huyi hai. Maine galtise roller skate pe pair rakh diya tha ,aur fisalke Alisha ke upar gir gayatha. Baas, aur kuchh nehi. Tarika , I love you. Mai janta hu , tumko ye baat sunna pasand nehi hai. Lekin mere liye ye ek bohot bada sach hai. I can't deny it. Lekin tum pareshan maat hona. Mujhe tumse shaadi nehi karni hai. Tum mujhe pyaar karo ye ummid bhi nehi hai mujhe tumse. ( Abhijeet again touched her cheek)Tum mere bareme itna maat socho Tarika. Baas yehi yaad rakho ki mai tumhara dost hu. Bohot raat ho chuki hai. So jao."

Abhijeet went out of her room. Tarika was very happy. She was smiling with tears in her eyes. She thought..." Abhijeet mujhse abhi bhi pyaar karta hai , bohot pyaar karta hai. Aur...aur...aur mai bhi...mai bhi usse pyaar karti hu. Ha , ha ye pyaar hi hai. Aisa ehsaas ,aisi tadap sirf pyaar mehi ho sakta hai. Oh God! I'm in love ! I'm in love ! Main Abhijeet ko abhi apni dil ki baat bata dungi."

Tarika was about to go to Abhijeet's room. But suddenly she remembered something and stopped.

Tarika's mind: " Ruk jao Tarika ! Kaha ja rahi ho? Abhijeet ko apni dil ki baat batane? Beshak jao. Lekin uske baad kya?"

Tarika :" Uske baad ? Kya hai uske baad? Kya kehna chahti ho?"

Tarika's mind: " Abhijeet se pyaar karke kya de sakti ho tum usko? Apni ateet vul kar usko tumhe chhuneka adhikar de sakti ho? Usse shaadi karke wo sara adhikar de sakti ho tum, jo ek patni apne pati ko deti hai? Tumse shaadi karke kya milega usko? Kuchh bhi nehi."

Tarika : ( With tears in her eyes)

" Lekin...Lekin Abhijeet bhi mujhse pyaar karta hai. Meri sari kamjori ke saath wo mujhe jarur apnayega."

Tarika's mind : " Tumne suna nehi usne kya kaha? Wo tumse pyaar to karta hai ,magar shaadi nehi karna chahta. Jo apmaan tumne usko kiya hai , kya wo itni asani se vul jayega uss apmaan ko? Kabhi nehi. Manlo agar wo phir bhi tumse shaadi karne keliye raaji ho bhi jata hai , to bhi kya tum usse shaadi karke uski zindegi barbad kardogi? Tumse shaadi karke tumhara pagalpan kab tak jhelega wo? Tumhari berukhi seh payega wo? Kyu itna takleef dena chahti ho usko? Kya yehi tumhara pyaar hai? Ye pyaar nehi , khudgarji hai. Khudgarj ho tum Tarika , khudgarj ho! "

Tarika : " Nehi...Nehi...Nehi , mai khudgarj nehi hu. Apni pyaar ki khatir mai Abhijeet ki zindegi barbad nehi karsakti. Wo mere saath kabhi khush nehi reh payega, kabhi nehi! Mai usse shaadi nehi kar sakti. Mai usko ye baat kabhi nehi batayungi ke mai bhi usse bohot pyaar karti hu ,chahe iske liye mujhe zindegi bhar ghut ghut ke kyu na jeena pare."

Tarika hid her face in the pillow and cried out loudly. Abhijeet was also very sad. He was also thinking about Tarika lying on his bed. He thought..." Mai janta hu Tarika , Alisha ko mere saath dekhke tum dukhi ho gayi ho. Shayed ro bhi rahithi. Tumhare dilme mere liye pyaar hai, jo tumhe jealous honepar majbur kar raha hai. Lekin mai nehi chahta ki tumhe iss baat ka ehsaas ho. Mai tumhe wo sari khushiya nehi de payunga jiski tum haqdaar ho. Tumse shaadi karke mai tumhari zindegi barbad nehi kar sakti. Tum zindegi bhar sirf meri dost banke raho ,meri sabse pyaari dost." 2 drops of tears unkowingly slipped off his eyes.

[ Taqdeer ka ye kaisa khel hai?Abhijeet aur Tarika dono ek dusre se bohot pyaar karte hai ,lekin usi pyaar ke khatir hi dono ek dusre ko apnana nehi chahta. Abhijeet aur Tarika ko zindegi bhar gham ki sagar me dube rehna manjur hai ,lekin apne apne pyaar ko takleef dena manjur nehi hai. Aab dono hi ek dusre se alag rehna chahte hai. Lekin kya destiny bhi yehi chahti hai? Chaliye dekhte hai kya hota hai age.]

Raj and Radhika's reception party was held at a beautiful resort . At the reception party , Tarika was looking stunning in her light yellow chiffon saree with golden embroidary and stone work. Her hair was made half curled and was kept open. With golden sleeveless blouse and high heels, she was looking very sexy. Abhijeet was also looking very handsome in his white shirt and dark navy blue complete suit. Both of them were trying to avoid each other. Abhijeet was enjoying with his friends. He also maintained a distance with Alisha as he didn't want to hurt Tarika anymore. He knew that being jealous with Alisha will enhance Tarika's love towards him. So, he didn't want to give her a chance to become more jealous. After the function was over ,everybody went back home.

At 12: 30 a. m...RAICHAND MANSION...

Everybody was tired and went to their respective rooms. Tarika removed her jewellery and suddenly realized that she had forgotten her hand bag at the resort. She had some important papers in that handbag. She thought for sometimes and quickly went to Abhijeet's room. Abhijeet opened the door and was surprised to find her at this late hour at the thresold of his room. She was looking tensed. He asked her with tensed tone,

" Kya baat hai ,Tarika? Tum pareshan dikh rahi ho. Kya huya?"

Tarika :" Abhijeet , Mai resort me apni handbag vul ayi hu. Mere kuchh important papers the usme. Mujhe wo handbag lene jana parega. Subah honeka intezaar karungi to kahi missing na ho jaye. Itni raat ko akeli kaise jayu? Tum...Tum plz chaloge mere saath?"

Abhijeet : ( Irritated tone)"Hadd karti ho yaar ! Handbag vul kaise gayi tum? Aur function me itni important papers le jane ki kya jarurat thi tumhe?"

Tarika :( With teary tone)" Aab daant te hi rahoge tum? Ya phir chaloge bhi ? Rahne do! Tumhe jane ki jarurat nehi hai. Mai akeli hi chali jati hu."

Tarika was about to go, but Abhijeet held her wrist tightly and said in rough tone,

" Hamesha tumhari manmani nehi chalegi , samjhi tum? Itni raat ko akeli jaogi ! Pagal ho? Tum jara yehipe ruko, mai car ki chabi leke ata hu. Ek kadam bhi hilna nehi ,samjhi?"

Abhijeet went inside to bring his wallet and car keys. He silently walked towards the exit with Tarika and said,

" Itni raat ko gharme kisiko batake pareshan nehi karte hai. Ok?"

Tarika nodded her head in ' YES' and silently walked beside him. Abhijeet drove the car towards the resort.

AT THE RESORT...At 2 : 30 a.m.

AbhiRika entered inside the resort and went to the reception desk. Nobody was present there. Abhijeet pressed the bell. One person came out from the adjacent room after sometimes.

Man : " Hello sir. Aapto Mr. Abhijeet Raichand hai na? How can I help you ,sir ? Mai yaha ka manager hu."

Abhijeet : " Hello. Sahi pahchana aapne , manager sahab. Ek problem ho gayi hai ,issliye itni raatko ana padha."

Tarika : " Manager sahab , mai reception party se wapas jate waqt apni handbag vul gayi hu resort me. Yaad nehi aaraha ki kaha rakkhi hai , par yehi kahi hogi. Meri kuchh jaruri documents hai usme."

Manager : " Don't worry mam. Party der raat tak chalithi , issliye safayi ka kaam nehi huya abhi tak. Kuchh missing honeka chance kaam hai. Aap jara takleef karke dhund lijiye plz."

Tarika : " Thank God! Hum dhund lengey. Thank you ,manager sahab. Abhijeet , tum jara upar dhundne jaoge plz? Light yellow colour ki handbag hai. Mai niche hall me aur kamreme dhundti hu."

Abhijeet went upstairs and started searching for the bag. Tarika was searching in the hall. Suddenly she remembered that she went to the poolside chairs too during the party. She rushed to the pool and was searching for the bag. Suddenly she slipped , got imbalanced due to her heels and fell down into the pool water. Tarika didn't know swimming. She was sinking. She managed to scream , " Abhijeeeeet ! "

Abhijeet was engrossed in searching the bag and then he saw the bag kept on a sofa .He was about to take it but suddenly he heard Tarika screaming. He immediately went to downstairs but couldn't find her. He was searching the rooms calling her name. Suddenly he heard some sounds of water coming from the pool. He rushed to the pool and saw Tarika under the pool water. He immediately threw his coat and jumped inside the pool. He came out with unconscious Tarika in his arms ,lay her down and started calling her in a panicked tone ,

" Tarika...Tarika...Ankhe kholo Tarika ! "

He turned her in prone position , pressed her back to drain out the water swallowed by her. Water came out of her mouth, but she was not breathing. Abhijeet again turned her and said ,

" He bhagwaan ! Iski to abhi tak saans nehi chal rahi , chehra neela par gaya hai ! Kya karu mai? ( Something clicked in his mind) Mouth to mouth breathing ! Ha! Mouth to mouth breathing dena parega. Per...per... mai... kaise?... Lekin uski jaan bachani hai mujhe. "

Abhijeet touched her soft lips with his lips for the 1st time and started giving mouth to mouth breathing. After sometimes , Tarika coughed and started breathing slowly. Abhijeet also rubbed her hands and rubbed her back hugging her tightly to give her warmth. After sometimes , she regained consciousness and hugged him tightly while crying. Abhijeet patted her on the head and said to her in caring tone ,

" Tarika...Shant ho jao baby. Sab thik hai. Darrne ki koi baat nehi hai. T...Tum abhi thik ho na? Saans leneme abhi koi problem to nehi ho rahi hai na? "

Tarika : ( In low tone while sobbing)

" Nehi Abhijeet. Mai...mai...mai thik hu. Bohot darr gayi thi baas."

Tarika suddenly became conscious about their position. She noticed that she was still hugging him tightly clutching his shirt. She immediately left him and moved a little away from him still in sitting position. Tarika was still shivering. Her wet saree was clutching her body tightly. She was embarrassed and covered her upper part of the body placing her arms crossed. Abhijeet slowly got up , brought his coat and covered her with it. He helped her to stand up. He wrapped her back with his arm ,held her arm gently and stepped inside the resort with her. The manager was surprised to see them in that condition.

Manager : " Kya huya hai sir? Aap dono vig kaise gaye?"

Abhijeet : " Aap ke madam ji bag dhundte dhundte pool me gir gayithi. Inhe swimming nehi ati , to mujhe bhi majburan panime kudna padha. Humey ek room de dijiye plz aaj raat keliye, taki hum change kar paye. Bhige kaprome jyada der rahenge to bimar padh jayenge."

Manager : " Sure sir. Room me bathrobe hai. Aaplog change kar sakte hai.( Showing a form) Aap baas iss form pe ek sign kar dijiye. Room Mr. And Mrs. Abhijeet Raichand ke naam pe de rahihu sir. ( Giving a key) Aap apni patni ko lekar kamreme jaiye , mai extra towel bhijwata hu."

Tarika looked at Abhijeet with a jerk after hearing ' patni' from the manager. Abhijeet didn't look at her. He said,

" Thank you so much. Manager sahab , hum donoko subah honese pahle hi gharke liye nikalna hoga. Bharna sab pareshan ho jayenge. Kya aap meri patni ki kapre sukhaneka intejaam karwa sakte hai abhi?"

Manager : " Stuff to jyada nehi hai. Thik hai. Mai apni patni ko bhejti hu , aap unke haato kapre bhijwa dijiyega. Wo sukhane ka intejaam kar degi. Washroom me bathrobe mil jayega aapko."

Abhijeet : " Thank you so much."

AbhiRika went inside the room. Tarika turned to face Abhijeet with angry expression and said ,

" Tumne bahar Manager ke samne mujhe apni patni kyu maan liya? Sach nehi bol sakte the?"

Abhijeet:( With very angry tone)" Tumhe kya lagta hai? Mujhe bohot khushi mila hai ye sab bolneme? Usko kya kehta mai , itni raatko apni dost ko lekar resort ayahu , aur apni dost ke saath 2-3 ghante ek kamreme rehna hai mujhko? Kya sochta wo humarey bareme? Awyi room de deta? Ha. Do alag alag room le sakte the. Par itni raatko sunsan resort me mai akeli ek kamreme tumhe nehi rahne de sakta hu , samjhi tum? Aur waise bhi ye sab pareshani aapki bhajaise sehna padh raha hai ! Samjhi aap?"

Tarika : ( With angry tone)" Kya kehna chahte ho? Mai jan bujhkar panime girithi? Mai to bag dhund rahithi , achanak meri pair fisal gaya, heels ke bhajaise mai balance nehi karpayi ,aur poolme gir gayi."

Abhijeet :( Irritated tone)" Heels pahenti hi kyu ho tum? Acchi khasi lumbi to ho ! Asanise slipers pahen saktiho. Lekin nehi! Madam ko to heels hi pahenni hai har waqt!"

Tarika : " Aab meri heels pahenne se bhi problem ho raha hai tumhe? Tum abhi ke abhi ghar wapas chale jao. Mere liye aur takleef sahne ki jarurat nehi hai tumhe . Mai akeli manage karlungi."

Abhijeet : ( With rough tone)" Will you plz shut your mouth and go to change your clothes? Waise hi itna pareshan hu mai ,ye soch soch ke ki papa ko kahi humarey yaha aneke bareme pata na chal jaye ! Uparse madam ji nakhre dikha rahi hai ! Mai already bohot gussa hu , mujhe aur gussa maat dilao ,samjhi? Manager ki wife atihi hogi , jaldise change karlo. Tum abhi bhi thandse kaap rahiho. Jaldi jao!"

Tarika was hurt that Abhijeet was scolding her. She silently went to the bathroom to change her clothes. After sometimes, she came out wearing a bathrobe , rubbing her hair with a towel. Abhijeet missed a beat of his heart seeing her in bathrobe. He was staring at her shamelessly. After sometimes , Tarika noticed his continuous gaze on her. She threw the towel over his face and said,

" Mujhe ghurna band karo ,aur apna matha pochhlo acchese. Bharna tumko thand lag jayegi."

Abhijeet :( In arrogant tone)" Oh hello! Mai gh...gh...ghur nehi raha tha tumko ,samjhi ? Wo to baas...awyi ! Ek to pareshani me daalke rakkha hai ,uparse iljaam bhi lagaya ja raha hai mujhpar!"

" D...Dekho Abhijeet ! Bohot derse bardast kar rahihu mai ! Kabse daant tehi ja rahe ho mujhe ! Akhir aisa kiya kya hai maine , ha?"

" Kyaaaaa? Itna sabkuchh karke puchh rahiho kya kiya hai tumne? Ekto jaruri documents ke saath handbag vul gayi , uparse heels pahenne ke bhajaise panime gir gayi , phir keh rahiho tumko

'Patni' kyu kaha maine ,aur aab mujh par tumhe ghurneka iljaam bhi laga rahiho! Phir bhi puchh rahi ho ki tumne kya kiya?"

" Abhijeeeeeet ,mai tumhe..."(She stopped , hearing that someone is knocking at the door.)

Abhijeet opened the door and found a lady standing with a towel in her hand. He took the towel, gave her Tarika's wet dresses and said,

" Plz , ye kapde jara jaldi sukhaneka intezaam kardena. Humey jaldi nikalna bhi hai."

The lady went away taking the clothes. Abhijeet shut the door , removed his wet shirt and was rubbing his body with the towel. Tarika was pretending to dry her hair with the another towel and was looking at Abhijeet from corner of her eyes. Abhijeet looked at her and she averted her gaze in a hurry. Abhijeet said in mocking tone ,

" Aab kisko koun ghur raha hai? Sharam nehi ati , ek jawan ladke ko bina kapro ke chhup chhup ke dekhti ho?"

Tarika : " Oye! Sharam tumhe ana chahiye ,samjhe? Mere samne awyi shirt utar diya , aur iljaam mujhpe laga raheho?"

Abhijeet :( With mischievous grin)

" Mujhe tumhare samne shirt utarna chalta hai."

Tarika blushed hard and said ,

" Tum na , t...tum bare besharam ho. Waise...tum... tumhe to maja ata hoga na , ladkiyon ke samne shirt utarne me? Ladkiyon ko attract karne me mahir to tum ho hi ,haina?"

Abhijeet started coming close to her slowly. Tarika was taking backsteps slowly. She tried to say something but couldn't utter a single word. After sometimes , she bumped with the wall. Abhijeet came very close to her , moved his lips towards her ear and whispered ,

" Listen Miss Tarika Singhaniya , mere zindegime aab dusri koi ladki nehi hai. Jo bhi hai ,one and only ,wo ek hi hai. Aur waise bhi mujhe ladkiyon ko attract karne keliye unke samne apna shirt utarne ki jarurat nehi hai , ladkiya mujhse yuhi attracted ho jati hai ,samjhi?"

Abhijeet moved away from her and she took a sigh of relief and said ,

" Aha ha ha ! Khudko bare Hero samajhte ho tum? Tumhe nehi lagta, tumhe khud ke bareme kuchh jyada hi galatfaimi hai? Aisa bhi kya hai tumme ,ha? Jo ladkiyan yuhi attract ho jati hai?"

Abhijeet :( With teasing smile)" Tum batao? Tum kyu attract ho gayi? Aisa tumne kya dekha mujhme?"

Tarika was stratled. She gulped in discomfort and said with trembling voice,

"K...K...Kisne kaha tumhe ki mai tumse attracted hu? Maine tumse kaha na , ladke mujhe attract..."(Cut by Abhijeet)

"Ha...Ha. Pata hai, pata hai! Sun sunke pak gaya hu mai , tum ladkon se attracted nehi hoti. (With low tone)Par mujhse to ho gayi na , Tarika ji?"

"D...D...Dekho Abhijeet, fizul ki baat mat kiya karo tum, samjhe? Mujhe kya pari, jo mai tumse attracted hoti?( With teasing tone)Ulta tum hi lattoo hogaye ho mere pyaar me. Hai na?"

Abhijeet said in romantic tone,

" Ha...Ye baat to sahi hai. Dewana ho gaya hu mai aapke pyaar me. Aapke sibhai kisiki wor dekhna bhi pasand nehi hai aab mujhe. Aur ha, hum aapko ghurte nehi hai. Ghurte to badmash hai ji, Aasik to 'Nihaar' te hai. Hai na, Tarika ji?( Tarika blushed hard hearing his words.) Waise Tarika , kuchh confess karna hai mujhe tumse."

"Confess? Kya confess karna hai tumhe?"

" Wo...Wo...Tumhe jab panise bahar nikala , tab tum saans nehi le pa rahithi , aur tumhari chehra bhi neela padh gaya tha. To maine tumhe tightly hug kiya ,tumhari back ko rub kiya , aur phir...aur phir..."

" Aur phir kya ,Abhijeet? Jaldi batao ,mujhe ghabrahat ho rahi hai."- Tarika asked in scared tone.

"Aur phir...Maine tumhe...Maine tumhe...Mouth to mouth breathing diya. Tarika ,I...I...I touched your lips with mine."- Abhijeet said hesitantly.

"WHATTTTTTT????????"- Tarika shouted at the top of her voice...

End Of The Chapter...