Disclaimer:::
I'm claiming freedom to create as the Author ? ゚リワ?
This story is happening in an Alternate universe. So timetable and history doesn't matter. For the story's sake, just go with the flow. ? ゚
Not edited
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Everyone was exhausted but happy as Payal's engagement had been completed without any trouble. The elders of the Gupta family were all gathered in Shashi and Garima's bedroom. Garima and Madhumati were chatting about the function when Shashi started making noises. Since he was paralyzed, he wasn't able to talk. But his current treatment seemed to be working on his body even if it was showing its effects slowly. He was now able to make different sounds and gestures.
Seeing Shashi make noises, Garima asked, "Kya huya ji? Kuch chahiye tha apko?" [What is it? Do you need something?]
Shashi kept on gesturing towards the steel almirah at the other side of the room. Garima and Madhumati exchanged a confused look. "Kuch chahiye apko almari se?" Garima asked. [Do you need something from the almirah?]
Shashi nodded, glad that his wife understood what he was trying to say. Garima went to the almirah and opened it before looking back at her husband.
"Uummmaa...Kh-khuuuuyyyii...b-b-boooxxx," Shashi managed to say with a lot of effort.
Garima looked confused at first. "Khushi ka box? Khushi ka kaun sa box hai iss almari mein?" she asked her husband, puzzled. [Khushi's box? What box?]
"Kkhhhuuuuyyiii... uummmmaaa," Shashi managed to reply as he gestured towards the left side of the almirah.
"Khushi's umma?" Garima asked before realization dawned on her. She gasped aloud. "Khushi's amma? Kya aap mujhe Khushi ki amma ka box lane ko bol rahe hai?" she asked. [Khushi's mother? Are you telling me to get Khushi's mother's box?]
Shashi nodded as he sighed in relief. Finally, he was able to make his wife understand his desire.
"Shashi babuya, Titliya ki amma ka dabba achanak kyu nikalwa rahe ho?" Madhumati, Shashi's older widowed sister, inquired curiously. [Shashi, why do you need Butterfly's mother's box suddenly?]
Shashi gave his sister a patient look before gesturing towards the calendar hung on the wall behind her. Madhumati turned towards the calendar and gasped. "Hayere Nandkishor! Kal to Sankadevi ki janam dibas hai!" she exclaimed. [OMG! It's her 20th birthday tomorrow!]
Shashi nodded as if to say that's why. Garima gasped softly when she realized what her husband meant to do. She realized that it was time to tell Khushi the truth about her biological parents. She got the wooden box out from the bottom left side and brought it to the bed. The box was 20 years old. Khushi's mother had it custom made to preserve its contents. This box was 15 inches long and 10 inches wide in size, and had a golden lock. Shashi had the key of this box which he was supposed to give to Khushi on her 20th birthday.
"Kk-khuuyyii... bul-buuulllaaaooo!" Shashi uttered. [Call Khushi.]
Nodding, Garima went out to Payal and Khushi's bedroom. Her heart was beating super fast. She felt like she was going to lose her younger daughter. Wiping away the lone tear, she knocked on the door. Payal opened the door a few minutes later.
"Amma? Aap iss waqt yaha?" she asked. [Mom?What are you doing here at this hour?]
"Khushi ko tumhare babuji bula rahe hai," Garima told her. [Khushi, your father is calling you.]
Khushi, who was eavesdropping on their conversation, squealed with joy and she came running to the door. "Hume humare janam din ki badhai dene ke liye bularahe honge! Hai na, Amma?" she guessed with a wide grin. [He must be calling me to wish for my birthday, right?]
Garima gave her a sad smile and nodded as she cupped Khushi's face. "Iss saal ke janam din pe tumhare liye ek bohot bara surprise hai, bitiya," she told her daughter. [You will get a big surprise for this birthday, my dear.]
"Dekha, Jiji. Amma aur babuji mujhse jyada pyaar karte hai!" Khushi taunted playfully. [See, sis, mom and dad loves me more.]
"Kal tumhari janam din hai na to hum kuch kahenge nahi tumse aaj. Badmash!" Payal replied with an amused smirk. [I won't contradict you today as tomorrow is your birthday, you naughty girl.]
"Bas bhi karo tum dono! Jab dekho masti karti rehti ho! Chalo ab." Garima told them sternly. [Stop it both of you!]
Giggling, both Kushi and Payal followed her back to their parents' bedroom. "Babuji, hum aaggaayyee!" Khushi announced in a sing-song tone as she danced her way to her father who was sitting on the bed. Shashi smiled at her child-like innocence and prayed for her well being. "Kaha hai humara taufa?" Khushi asked with an expectant smile on her face.[DDAAAADD, I'M HEEERRREEE! So, where is my gift?]
"Ayee Titliyan! Itna afratafri mat machao. Tumhari Amma aur Babu ji tumko bataenge. Zara baitho shant se!" Madhumati, Khushi and Payel's Buaji, told Khushi sternly. Completely unaffected by the scolding, Khushi sat down in front of her adoptive father. Payal joined Buaji by the sofa, waiting to see Khushi's birthday gift. [Butterfly, stay silent for a moment. Let your parents speak. Stay still, will you?]
Garima sat beside her husband and started, "Bitiya, aaj se unnis (19) saal pehle tumhare babuji se unke school ke ek dost milne ayi humare Lucknow wale ghar me. Unki naam Naina tha... Aur wo apni ek sal ki bacchi ko hamare pass rakhne ayi thi. Usne jyada kuchh bola nahi... bas itna kaha ki uski jaan ko khatra hai aur agar uski dushmano ko uski beti ki bare mein pata chala to uski beti ki jaan ko bhi khatra ho sakta hai. Isliye wo apni bacchi ko yani ke... tumhe hamare ghar chhod gai. Jaate jaate ye lakri ka box tumhare liye chhod gayi ye kehke ki tumhari biswi (20th) salgirah per tumhe ye box diya jaaye." [Dear, 19 years ago your father's high school friend came to meet us in our Lucknow home with her one year old daughter. Her name was Naina. She gave us her daughter and told us to keep her safe. She said her life was at risk and she was afraid that her enemies might try to harm her daughter as well. When she left, she left this wooden box for you and instructed us to give this to you on your 20th birthday.]
The smile on Khushi's face had all but vanished. She had tears in her eyes as this was the first time she was learning that there was a possibility of her mother being alive, while all these years she had thought both of her parents were dead. She didn't know how to react. She kept on glancing between her amma and babuji's emotional faces. "Ye... Yea baksa... humara amma ka hai?" she asked tearfully. [This... box... is my mother's?]
"Ha Titliyan, iss bakse me tumhare amma ne tumhare liye chitthi chhori hai. Usne kaha tha jate waqt," Buaji told her affectionately. Everyone in the room had tears in their eyes as they watched Khushi sobbing as she hugged that box. [Yes, butterfly. Your mother told us that she left a letter for you in this box.]
"Ja, bitiya. Apne kamre mein jakar ya baksa khol. Pichle 20 saalon se ye baksa tumhare haato se khulne ka intezar kar rahi hai," Garima encouraged. "Payeliya, tum aaj jiji ke saath so jao," she added as she knew Khushi would need privacy. [Go, dear. Go to your room and open this box. It's been waiting for you to open it for last 20 years.]
Shashi gave Khushi a golden key. Nodding a silent thanks to her parents, Khushi left their room with that wooden box. Closing the door behind her, Khushi leaned against the door as tears ran down her cheeks. For years, she had thought her parents were looking after her from the sky as they had become stars after dying. To know that they might be alive and they had left her behind was raising many questions in her mind.
"Maa... kisse bhag rahi thi aap? Aur kaun si dushman? Aisa kya huya tha ki apko laga ki apki zindegi ko khatra hai? Aur baba? Wo kaha pe hai? Kya aap dono aaj bhi zinda hai? Kya hum apse mil payenge?" Khushi asked aloud. She had a lot of questions and she really hoped that she would get the answers in the wooden box in her hands. [Maa... who were you running from? And what kind of enemy? What happened that put your lives in danger?And papa? Where is he? Are you guys still alive? Will I able to meet you?"
Wiping off her tears, Khushi sat on the bed. She placed the box on the bed and stared at it, trying to gather enough courage to open it. "Darr mat, Khushi! Himmat rakh. Sab thik hoga. Jyada se jyada kya huya hoga? Amma kisi gareeb khandan ki larki hogi jinhe kisi ameer khandan ki bete se pyaar hogaya hoga. Phir romantic sa gaana aur maa pregnant hogayi hogi." [Don't be afraid, Khushi. be strong. Everything will be okay. How bad can it be? Maybe my mom belonged from a poor family who fell in love with a rich guy. They sang a romantic song and my mom became pregnant with me.] Khushi stated, blushing. "Phir maa aur baba ghar se bhaag gaye honge aur mera janam huya hoga. Par ek saal baad, Baba ke ghar walo ko unki address mil gayi hogi aur phir baba na maa ko mujhe leke bhagne ko kehke dadaji ke gundo se larne lag gaye honge. Yes! Yehi huya hoga," [Then, they must've ran away and I was born. Then one year later, dad's family found them. Dad must've asked mom to ran away with me while he faughter his family's hunchmen. Yup! That's what must've happened.] she told herself with a satisfied smile on her face. She was feeling much more relaxed after constructing her theory.
Taking a deep breath, she held out the key and unlocked the box which had been locked for the last twenty years. The first thing Khushi noticed was that there were tons of photographs in the box along with a thick leather journal and a few other things. Khushi started going through the pictures to see if she could recognize her parents in them, but she was puzzled, as most of the people in these photos were wearing Army fatigues. None of the photos matched with her theory about her parents. But two photos helped her recognize her parents. One photo was of a smart, handsome, and dashing young man. At one corner of the photo was written "Captain Rajveer Singh Shikhawat... your papa." Khushi gasped as she realized that she was seeing her father for the first time in her life.
"Papa," she whispered as tears rolled down her face freely. "Aap to mere Salman Khan ji se bhi jyada handsome hai," she said to the photo with a tearful cheeky smile.
She took the next photo. It was of a young beautiful girl in her mid twenties. At the bottom of this photo was written "Naina Singh Ahluwalia... your maa." Khushi started sobbing. "Maa... aap to bilkul pari jaisi dikhti ho," she said as she traced the photo.
She searched and found some photos of her parents together. There were lots of photos of other people as well with their names on them, but Khushi wanted to read the journal first to know who each of them were and what was her relation with them.
Khushi picked up the journal carefully and opened the first page. In neat handwriting, a letter was waiting for her in this journal. This letter was from her mother, Naina. It said:::
"Khushi,
Beta, jab tak tum ye letter par rahi hogi... main shayed tab tak iss duniya main hi na rahu. Abhi jab main ye khat likh rahi hu, tum mere pet me ho. Main tumhari har ek kick aur movement ko mehsoos kar rahi hu. Mujhe aaj hi pata chala ki tumhari papa aur meri pyaar ki nishani banke ek nanhi si pari ane wali hai. Magar I'm so sorry, beta ke main tumhare saath nahi hu. Iske pichhe ek bohot bara raaz hai jo aaj main tumhe tumhari biswi janam din par batana chahti hu.
Main tumhari maa, Naina Singh Ahluwalia hu. Tumhare papa ka naam tha Rajveer Singh Shikhawat, jo Indian Army me ek Captain huya karte the. Tumhara asli naam hai... Khushi Singh Ahluwalia. Mere surname hai kyu ki tumare papa aur meri shaadi nahi huyi thi. Isliye nahi ki hum karna nahi chahte the. Balki isliye... kyuki iss desh ke dushmano ne hume ek hone hi nahi diya.
Ye kahani shuru huyi tab jab tumhare mama... yani ke mere bare bhai, Captain Naveen Singh Ahluwalia ko fasaya gaya aur unko deshdrohi karar kiya gaya. Uss ghatna ke baad maine army join karne ka faisla kiya... Apne bhai ko nirdosh sabit karne. Meri journey shuru huyi teen saal baad Kanchajanga Military Academy se. Academy ke pehli din main mere panch saathi se mili jo age jake meri sabse achhe dost ban gaye; Aalekh Sharma, Amardeep Huda, Ali Baig, Yadhuvansh Sahni and Pooja Ghai. Hum chheyo (6) ke alag alag maksad the army join karne ke pichhe, par kab wo maksad badal gaye aur humara rasta aur manzil ek ban gaye hume khud pata hi nahi chala.
Agle din jab humare classes shuru huye to hum humare respected faculty members se mile; Brigadier Chandok, Major Nair, Captain Rajveer, Dr. Captain Shalini, Dr. Ritu, Subedar Suri, aur Subedar Lolita."
Over the next few pages, Naina had written about the starting days of the academy. Khushi giggled at how her father had suspected her to be a spy and would address her only as "Cadet Naina Ah. Singh" mockingly, which her mother explained became a pet name for her later on. Captain Rajveer turned out to be her uncle, Captain Naveen's best friend and when he learned about Khushi's mother's real identity, he started helping her out with all his might. Khushi's heart broke for her mother as she read how hard her mother's journey was as she was repeatedly confronted by Brigadier, Major Nair and later Major Bhargav. Major Bhargav was Captain Naveen's arresting officer so he knew Naina's real identity. He revealed Naina's truth and the academy started hating her. Captain Rajveer, Yudi, Huda, Pooja, Ali, Aalekh, Dr. Shalini and Suri stood by her, while the rest of the academy went against her. Eventually, Naina was given a clean chit by Brigadier who ordered her to concentrate on becoming an Army officer, instead of focusing on investigating her brother's case. Khushi cursed Major Bhargav as she read how he tried to frame Captain Rajveer and Naina, claiming that they were having an affair. After some more drama that had Khushi cursing people she never knew under her breath, she learned that Dr. Ritu Mishra was the real spy who used to be Naveen's girlfriend as well.
Naina wrote in the journal how Dr. Ritu was unsuccessful in stealing the nuclear triggers the first time and hid them in Naveen's bag. Naveen got caught and was framed as a traitor as he came close to knowing the identity of a very high profile country traitor. Dr. Ritu was given a second chance to complete this mission and she was supposed to make Captain Rajveer fall in love with her like she did with Captain Naveen. But since Rajveer had already fallen in love with his protégé, Cadet Naina, Dr. Ritu was not successful in her venture. On the final mission where Rajveer wanted to shift the nuclear triggers to a safe new location, he decided to test the loyalty of his cadets. He managed to successfully distract most of his cadets. Khushi stopped breathing when she read in her mother's journal...
"Mission me jane se thik kuch der pehle, Rajveer sir ne mujhe ek recorder diya aur meri zindegi ka sabse bhayankar sach bataya. Unhone kaha ke Naveen bhai ko... unke best friend ko... unhone hi goli mari thi. Khushi, main tut gayi thi. Apna sudbudh kho chuki thi. Sahi aur galat ka difference bhul gayi thi. Aur isi chakkar me mission ke dauran maine Rajveer sir ko... goli maardi."
Khushi gasped. She couldn't believe that her mother had tried to kill her father. And even knowing that it was a possibility, why had her father told her the truth at a time where Naina had access to a gun? Khushi couldn't understand anything. Frustrated, she closed the journal and huffed. She was so angry at her mother that she felt like screaming. She knew her mother must have been traumatized after learning that the man she trusted the most was the one who killed her brother. But there must've been some reason behind Rajveer's actions... right?
"Papa, apne kyu mara tha Naveen mama ko? Wo to apke best friend the na? To phir? Kash humare pas apki bhi koi diary hoti jaha pe apne apni wajah batayi hoti," [Why did you kill Uncle Naveen, papa? He was your best friend. Then? I wish I had a diary of your own as well. It would've helped me understand your motives.] Khushi sighed. "Hey devi maiya! Humara to sar ghum raha hai," [Oh god! I feel dizzy.] she mumbled. "Ek kam karte hai... jalebi banate hai. Is se humara dimaag bhi thanda hojayega aur hum phir se maa ka journal parna shuru kar payenge," she told herself. [Let's make jalebi. I'll get calmer this way and will then read her journal again.]
She went out to the kitchen and took out all the ingredients to make jalebi. She started mixing together all-purpose flour, corn flour, and baking soda in a bowl and started going through what she had learned of her parents so far. By the time she was done making the first batch of jalebis, she came to a realization.
Even though it wasn't clear to her mother, it was clear to Khushi. It seemed her father had loved her mother long before her mother had loved him. He wanted to give Naina the freedom to hate him after knowing the truth as loving him might destroy her career. He was ready to endure her hate... while loving her silently.
Khushi started singing the song "Main phir bhi tumko chahungi" as she realized her father's condition.
Baahon Mein Teri Aake Lagaa,
Mera Safar Toh Yahin Tak Hai
Tumse Shuru Tumpe Hi Khatam
Meri Kahaani Tumhi Tak Hai
(When I came into your arms
My journey ended then and there.
You mean the world to me.
I don't exist without you.)
Dil Ko Jo De Raahat Si,
Tujhme Hai Woh Khamoshi,
Sau Baar Talaash Liya Khudko
Kuch Tere Siva Na Mila Mujhko
(You bring solace to my heart.
Your silence has that power.
I searched countless times within me.
Every time I found only you.)
Saanson Se Rishta Tod Bhi Loon
Tumse Tod Na Paungi
(I'd rather stop breathing
But I can't stop loving you.)
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahungi
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahungi
Iss Chaahat Mein Marr Jaungi
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahungi
(I will continue loving you
I will continue loving you
I will happily give up my life for you
I will continue loving you.)
Aankhein Khule Toh Main Dekhun Tujhe,
Sirf Yeh Hi Farmaish Hai,
Pehli Toh Mujhko Yaad Nahi,
Tu Meri Aakhiri Khwahish Hai,
(When I open my eyes I want to see you.
This is my only desire.
I don't remember what was the first.
But you are my last desire.)
Seh Loon Main Ab Teri Kami,
Mujhse Yeh Hoga Hi Nahi,
(It's not possible for me.
To bear the pain of your absence.)
Tum Aise Mujhme Shaamil Ho,
Tum Jaan Meri Tum Hi Dil Ho,
Shaayad Main Bhula Doon Khud Ko Bhi,Par Tumko Bhool Na Paaungi,
(You're an essential part of me
You are my heart, you are my soul
I may forget my own self
But I won't be able to forget you.)
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahungi
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahungi
Iss Chaahat Mein Marr Jaaungi
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahungi
(I will continue loving you.
I will continue loving you.
I will happily give up my life for you.
I will continue loving you.)
Finished with the jalebis, Khushi brought them to the dining table and sat down to enjoy the jalebis. After she was calmer and not hungry anymore, she went back to her room and sat with her mother's journal again.
"Uss mission ke baad bohot kuch badal gaya tha. Maine apni zindegi ki dusri galati ki. Maine Naveen bhai ke batchmate, Captain Abhimanyu Rai Chauhan ko call karke KMA bulaya. Wo friendly the aur ghamandhi bhi. Wo Rajveer sir se bohot jalte the kyuke anath hokar bhi Rajveer sir ne sab kuch khud hasil kiya tha jaha wo Barmer ka Yuvraj hote huye bhi apne baba sa ke niche dabe huye the.
Yaha maine apne gussa aur nafrat me tumhare papa ko bohot bhala bura sunaya... ek bar nehi... bohot bar. Wo kehte hai na... ki hum jinse sabse jyada pyaar karte hai unhiko sabse jyada chot pohchate hai. Unhone kabhi mera saath dena nehi chhora... Tab bhi jab main unka saath nahi chahti thi. Naveen bhai ki recorder me se jab maine unki akhri moments ko kayi bar suna to dhire dhire ye ehsaas huya ki Rajveer sir ki isme koi galati thi hi nahi. Naveen bhai ne unse bhik mangi thi apni maut. Bhai apne jigri dost ke haato marna chahte the, naki apni dushmano ke haato. Rajveer sir, jo Naveen bhai ko apna parivaar mante the tut gaye the. Unhe apne hi haato apni parivaar ko khatam karna para tha. Jab samajh me aya, main unki aur bhi jyada respect karne lagi thi. Par tab tak unki sabar ki badh bhi tut chuka tha aur wo bhi mujhse naraz rehne lage.
Main tab ye samajh nahi payi thi ke meri narazgi se wo ek bar phir se tut gaye the aur pagalo ki tarha Naveen bhai ko nirdosh sabit karne mein jut gaye the. Jab dushmano ko pata chala ki wo sachchayi ke kitne kareeb pohch gaye the to unn logo ne Rajveer sir ko kidnap karwa liya. Thankfully, main, Pooja, Ali, aur Huda milke unhe waha se bacha le aye par hum uss desh ki dushman ka chehra nahi dekh paye. Beta, tumhe pata hai wo to mujhse itna naraz the ki unhone sabko thanks bola par mujhe nahi."
Khushi giggled. She could almost imagine her mother's offended face. Where she couldn't even imagine a gun, her parents were dealing with not only guns but bombs as well. "Maa! Papa! Aap dono ki life to mere Salman ji ki filmo se bhi jyada dramatic thi," [Mom! Dad! Your lives are way more dramatic than my Salmanji's movies.] she stated, shaking her head. Then, she started reading again.
"Anyways, phir unhone humare hero honeka sabut diya aur hum sabko atankwadi aur uss Shaitan Major Nair dono se bacha liya. Unke chhe cadets; Naina, Aalekh, Huda, Ali, Pooja, and Yudi, unse bohot pyaar karte the aur usse bhi jyada hum unki respect karte the. Humare saath kabhi kuch bura ho hi nahi sakta tha jab tak Rajveer sir humare saath hote the... aur na hi unke saath hum chhe kuch bura hone dete the. Ye baat sabko pata tha aur Captain Abhimanyu isi baat se jalte the. Unhe ye baat samajh me nahi ati thi ki jang jitne ke liye ek kabil fauji nahi, balki ek kabil fauj ki zaroorat hoti hai. Rajveer sir ke pas jang larne ke liye waza bhi thi aur ek kabil fauj bhi. Par Abhimanyu ke pas inn dono me se kuch bhi nahi tha. Ye baat usse hazam nahi ho rahi thi."
"Papa, kya aap humse bhi utna hi pyaar karte jitna aap apne cadets se karte the? Ya phir unse thora kam? Hum kabhi apse nahi mile par apke liye respect humare dil me bohot bar gayi hai. Apke jaisa mentor aur teacher ho to duniya ka koi bhi student bura ho hi nahi sakta. Apki beti ko apne papa pe garv hai," Khushi stated aloud with a soft smile. [Papa, would you have loved me the same way you loved your cadets? Or maybe a little less than them? I never met you, but respect for you has grown a lot. If everyone had a teacher and mentor like you, no student would ever go the wrong way. Your daughter is very proud of you.]
"Waise maa ki ye baat hume bohot achhi lagi. Jang jitne ke liye ek kabil fauji nahi, balki ek kabil fauj ki zaroorat hoti hai. Sahi to kaha unhone. Ek akela fauji thori jang jeet pata hai. Uske liye to ek pura fauj lagta hai," she added thoughtfully. "Jab wo Laad governor hume pareshan kar raha tha tab agar humare dost humare saath hote to kya wo hume itna pareshan kar pate? Bilkul nahi. Wo to hum akele the to unhone jitna mann kiya hume pareshan kiya," Khushi sulked. "Humara dil tora... humari baizzati ki. Kya kuch nahi kaha unhone," she added as she remembered that Diwali night when he almost kissed her and then called her characterless and announced his engagement with Lavanya. Shaking her head, she went back to read her mother's journal.
"Uske agle din shaam ko hum ek concentration game khelne lage... jaha par pehli baar tumhare papa ki nazro me mere liye maine ek alag sa emotion dekha. Main to apni mission aur nafrat me itni uljhi huyi thi ke abtak main unki ankho me mere liye jo pyaar panap raha tha usse nehi dekh payi thi. Par uss din... pata nahi kyu, main bohot shy feel kar rahi thi unse nazar milane se. Guilt tha ya phir unn ke liye mere dil ki kisi kone me jo soft feelings thi, pata nehi kya tha par unse nazar milane se pehle hi mere to gaal laal ho rahe the. Aur sirf main hi nehi, wo bhi bohot sharma rahe the. Aur jab humare nazre mile... to aisa laga jaise baki duniya gayeb hogayi thi. Meri dil ki dharkane tej ho gayi thi. Mujhe unke ankhon me meri duniya dikh gayi thi. Unki emotions ki intensity mujhse handle nahi huyi aur maine apni palke jhukali.
Game khatam hi hone wala tha jab waha Defence Minister, Lala aye. Wo tumhare papa ke Godfather the. Unhone hi tumhare papa ki parhayi likhayi ka kharcha uthaya tha bachpan me jab tumhare dada aur dadi guzar gaye. Rajveer sir unpe ankh bandh karke yakin karte the... aur ye unki zindegi ki sabse bari galti thi."
"Chalo finally maa ko papa ka feelings ka pata chal hi gaya!" Khushi cheered excitedly before a thought crossed her mind. "Maa ki dil ki dharkane bhi papa ko dekh ke waise hi tej jo jati thi jaise humari hoti hai jab bhi hum Arnav ji se milte hai. Kya iska matlab hume Arnav ji se... nahi nahi Khushi! Kya soch rahi hai? Pyaar?! Wo bhi uss Laad governor se? Yaad nahi teri feelings ka kya baizzati kiya thi unhone uss raat. Fir se koi feelings nahi chahiye unn ke liye. Band kar sochna uss Laad governor ke barey me," she scolded herself.
"Waise Maa ne aisa kyu likkha? Lala bura insaan tha kya?" Khushi asked herself. "Waise age parke hi samajh me ayega ki fir kya huya," she told herself as she leaned back against the pillows and started reading again.
"Faculty appraisal ka time aya to Rajveer sir ne participate karne se saaf mana kar diya. Maine aur Ali ne unki participation list me naam dalne ki koshish ki to unhone hume bohot daanta. Main unhe puchne unke room me gayi toh unhone mujhe aur bhi bohot kuch kaha... naraz the na mujhse. Isse pehle unhone kabhi mujhpar aise nahi chillaya tha jaise uss din chillaya tha. Pata hai beta, unhone uss din mujhe ziddi aur ariyal bhi kaha. Phir unhone mere samne ek shart rakhkhi ki agar main unse ye wada karu ke main ek achchhi sipayi banne ki koshish karungi aur Naveen bhai ko insaf dilane ki responsibility unn par saup dungi to hi wo faculty appraisal me participate karenge. I wish maine uss din zid nahi ki hoti.
Waise... iss appraisal ke chakkar me main aur tumhare papa bohot time saath bita paye aur mere dil ki feelings dhire dhire bahar ane lage. Sach kahu? To aab main sochti hu to khudpe gussa ata hai ki maine itna waqt kyu barbad kar diye unki feelings ko samajhne me. Appraisals me Abhimanyu jeet gaya aur humara Vice Principal ban gaya. Usne apne powers ka galat issemal karke Rajveer sir ko lockup me dalwa diya. Fir kya?! Rajveer sir ke chhe cadets protest pe utar aye. Humne uss Abhimanyu ke music instruments ko tor diya aur dewaro pe likh diya 'Inqelab zindabad'. Agle din Rajveer sir ko ajad kar diya gaya.
Huda ne mujhse shart lagayi thi iss protest me bhag lene ke badle. Mujhe Rajveer sir ke samne saree pehenke jana tha. To shart ke mutabik maine ek laal saree pehni aur Rajveer sir ke samne chali ayi. Beta, tumhare papa se bura compliment koi aur nahi de sakta main guarantee ke saath bolti hu. Achchhi lag rahi hu to bol do na! Par nahi. Pura time wo haklate rahe aur sharmate rahe. Wo bohot cute lag rahe the! Main bhi kuch kam nahi thi. Unki halat dekhke main bhi pagalo ki tarha sharma rahi thi. Uske baad agle kuch dino tak jab bhi wo mujhe dekhte the wo mujhe uss saree me imagine kar karke sharma te the."
"Hayee! Papa sharmate bhi the? Kitna sweet the wo!" Khushi giggled at her mother's description. "Hey devi maiya, kuch aisa karna ki main apni maa aur papa se mil payu! Aur apne papa ko samne se sharmate huye dekhu!" she prayed.
"Main bhi pyaar ki uss pehli ehsaas ko puri tarha se mehsoos kar rahi thi. Unse dur janeko mann hi nahi karta tha. Wo jaha bhi hote the, main unke paas khichi chali jati thi. Unke saath aur waqt bitane ke liye maine ek bahana dhoond nikali. Point 1857. Maine unse zid ki ke wo mujhe Point 1857 leke chale. Unhone bohot se bahane banaye waha naa jane ki par main to dhit thi. Unko manna hi para.
Khushi beta, tumhare papa bhi kuch kam nahi the. Mujhe adhi raat ko, high heels me Ambala ki sabse uchi pahari charhaya tha Point 1857 leke janeko. Point 1857 was a lover's point, jo mujhe waha janeke baad tumhare papa ne bataya tha. Wo ek bohot hi haseen jagah tha... Waha ek wishing pillar tha, ek echo point aur opposite corner me ek chhota sa ghar. Maine himmat jutayi tumhare papa ko apni dil ka haal batane ke liye par barish shuru hogayi. Hum uss chhote se ghar me gaye aur barish khatam hone ka intezar karne lage. Mauka dekh kar maine tumhare papa ko 'I love you' bol diya aur kaha ki unhe meri bhai ki kasam agar wo bhi mujhse pyaar karte hai to mujhe sach sach bata de. Jyada detail me nahi jayungi. Bas itna kahungi ki wo raat hum dono ke liye bohot hi special aur memorable thi. Beta, apko conceive bhi maine uss raat ko hi kiya tha."
Khushi started blushing as she realized what her mother wrote. "Iska matlab... maa aur papa..." She hiccupped, "Point 1857 pe hi romantic gaana gaane lage the aur main aagayi?" she blushed harder. "Maaaa! Apne ye bhi kyu likkha? Aap kitni besharam ho...!" she scolded her mother while trying to cool down her red cheeks. She put down the journal and drank some water before glancing at the wall clock. It was 3 am. She was sleepy but she wanted to know what happened next with her parents. So, after yawning a few times and stretching her arms, she picked up the journal again.
"Agle din mission me jane se pehle maine unhe ek rumal gift kiya jisme maine unki initials apne haato se stitch kiya tha. Aur badle me unhone mujhe apni ghari di aur kaha -'Apna aur apne waqt ka khayal rakhna'. Wo ghari main iss box me main tumhare liye chhor rahi hu. Apni papa ki nishaani ko sambhalke rakhna, beta. Agar hum mile to ye ghari mujhe tumhe pehchanne me madat karegi."
Khushi peeked inside the wooden box and under the photos, she found a men's bracelet style leather wrist watch.
She picked it up and started sobbing. She was touching something of her father for the first time in her life. "Papa, dekho apne jo gift Maa ko diya tha aaj wo hum tak pohch gayi. Maa, papa ka ye ghari hum humesha sambhalke rakkhenge," she whispered.
Khushi caressed her father's watch as she tried to imagine the scene. She blushed at the thought that this was her father's first gift to her mother. It was like he was giving her mother a part of himself. As he was an orphan, Khushi was sure he had nothing much of his own other than what he bought with his hard earned money. So every item of his was like a part of his very self. Smiling, she picked up the journal and started reading again.
"Uss ke baad sab kuch badal gaya. Rajveer sir ko unke commandant officer, Col. Shakti ko jaan se marne ke ilzam me fasaya gaya. Aur situation ko bina jane aur parkhe, Captain Abhimanyu ne Rajveer sir ko arrest kar liya. Kyu ke unhe to Rajveer sir ko unke cadets ke samne nicha dikhana tha. Rajveer sir ka court marshal kiya gaya. Sabke samne unki izzat ki dhachchya uraya gaya. Unse unn ki uniform, jisse wo beyhad pyaar karte the, chhin li gayi. Ameer logo ko dusro ki zindagi barbad karne me ek minute nahi lagta hai, beta. Yehi huya Yuvraj Captain Abhimanyu ke saath. Ussi ke wajah se sab kuch huya. Khushi, mere Rajveer sir bilkul tut se gaye the. Unki ankhon me unn ka dard saaf saaf dikh raha tha hum sabko.
Wo Suriji the jinhone hume Rajveer sir ko bachane ka idea diya. Hum chhe ne armory se firearms nikale aur nikal pare tumhare papa ko bachane. Planning tha ki Rajveer sir ko jis van se jail bheja jaa raha tha hume usse raste me rokna tha. Par humare pohchne se pehle, dushman unn tak pohch gaye the. Jaise taise hum Rajveer sir ko bachake waha se nikle. Goliyo ki barish ho rahi thi uss din. Thankfully, Rajveer sir aur Huda ko bas ek ek goli haat me lagi thi aur isse jyada kisi ko kuch nahi huya tha.
Rajveer sir itne ziddi the ki wo bhagna nahi chahte the. Kaha ki 'Sirf buzdil pith dikhakar bhagte hai'. Jaise taise unhe meri kasam deke aur ye samjhake ki 'Hum sirf temporarily retreat kar rahe hai. Jang ko pith dekhakar nahi bhag rahe hai.' hum unhe lekar bhage. Hum sab Aalekh ki ek secret location me gaye jaha humne Rajveer sir aur Huda ka treatment karwaya. Army ab hum chhe ke bhi pichhe pari huyi thi. Kyuke ek to hum bina permission Army academy se bhag gaye the aur to aur humne Rajveer sir ko bhi bhagaya tha. Aise hi Army se bhagte bhagate do mahine bit gaye."
Khushi exhaled sharply. She couldn't even imagine what her parents and their friends must've gone through. And as much as she got to understand her father's character from this journal, he must've been feeling really guilty that his cadets had ruined their careers just to save him. "Ye sab kuch uss arriyal Rajkumar Abhimanyu ki waza se huya! Ghamandi, jalkukra kahi ka!" she cursed with a huff. "Ye to Laad governor se bhi jyada gaya guzra hai!" she added, making an angry face.
"Ek din maine notice kiya ki mere period bandh hai. Pehle mujhe laga ki stress ki wajah se huya hoga... par Beta, phir mujhe Point 1857 yaad aya. Pregnancy test karane se pata chala ki main maa banne wali hu. Mere kokh me Rajveer sir aur mere pyaar ki nishani pal rahi thi. Main unhe batane jaa rahi thi jab mujhe unka nature yaad aaya. Wo mere liye pehle hi apna sab kuch gawa chuke the. Itne dino baad wo pehli bar khud ke liye lar rahe the. Agar maine unhe tumhari baat bata di hoti to wo mujhse shaadi karne ki insist karte aur mujhe ek achchhi life dene ke liye khud ko army ke hawale kar dete. Main aisa nahi hone dena chahti thi. To sabse jhut bolkar, main do saalo ke liye waha se dur chali gayi. Phone pe humare constant contact rehta tha par main unhe bata nahi payi ki unki ek chhoti si pyaari si beti hai.
Unki insistence se Huda, Pooja, Ali, Yudi, aur Alekh ne wapas academy join karli. Par unn sabko bohot sare interrogations and punishments ko jhelna para. Uske baad hi wo apna training fir se shuru kar paye. Beta, I'm sorry ke maine tumhare papa ko tumhare barey me nahi bataya. Please apni maa ko maaf kar dena. Tumhare ek saal hote hi main tumhe apne ek dost ke paas chhor jaungi. Beta, agar main aur tumhare papa sab kuch thik kar paye aur asli deshdrohi jo ki aur koi nahi balki Defense Minister Lala Gehlot yani ki tumhare papa ke godfather hi hai, to ye letter hum dono saath me parhenge tumhare biswe janam din par. Aur agar main aur tumhare papa tumhare saath nahi hai... to samajh lena ki hum ya to iss duniya me nahi hai ya phir kisi musibat me hai.
Beta, main advise karungi ki tum apni zindagi me aage bar jao. Mere aur Rajveer sir ki iss kahani ko ek bura sapna samajh ke bhul jana. Par agar tum meri jaisi hi ziddi ho aur Rajveer sir jaise himmat rakhti ho, to apne Alekh mamu ko dhundna. Sirf wo hi hai jise meri pregnant hone wali baat pata hai. Wo tumhe humare barey me bata dega agar usse pata huya to.
Sorry tumhare biswi janam din par ek achchhe taufe ki jaga tumhe humare ye hari huyi kahani de rahi hu. Main bas tumhe tumhare identity taufe me dena chahti thi. I love you, beta. Hamesha ye yaad rakhna ki tumhari maa tumse bohot pyaar karti hai... aur agar tumhare papa ko pata hota to wo bhi tumse bohot pyaar karte.
Tumhare maa,
Naina Singh Ahluwalia."
"Nahi, Maa. Ye lakri ka dabba mere liye duniya ka sabse anmol taufa hai. Isme aapne mujhe meri pehchan di hai. Khushi Singh Ahluwalia... Ya phir shayed... Khushi Ah. Singh Shikhawat," Khushi stated with tears in her eyes. Her heart was at peace that she finally got to know about her parents but she was troubled as well. She wanted to know what happened to her parents afterwards. "Alekh mamaji. Hume Alekh mamji ko dhundna hoga. Maa, aap ne aise kaise keh diya ki hum apne zindegi me aage bar jaye? Aise kaise aage bar jau jab humari maa aur papa ko humari zaroorat hai? Hum jayenge. Hum Alekh mamaji ko dhundne zaroor jayenge," Khushi stated, determined. "Aur Lala Gehlot ko hum sab ki zindagi barbad karne ki aur humare desh ke saath gaddari karne ki saza bhi denge. Ye wada hai humara!" she vowed.
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A/N:: SO?
What do you think?
Will Khushi find Alekh?
Will she be able to fight with a traitor?
Stay tuned to know the answers.
