Chapter 17: The Memories In Belgaum.

BELGAUM:

RAJAT's sleep disturbed with a jerk as TARIKA pulled the break. RAJAT looked groggy after driving till morning before TARIKA took the driving seat. He looked at the direction his sister was staring to see a big house.

RAJAT asked: Where is this place?'

TARIKA still staring the house said: This is the place where I had last happy moments with my family. It was my grandpa's place.'

The gate opened and both the siblings saw a lady around 70 come out of the house with a pooja thaal in her hand.

Seeing the two strangers at their gate the old lady asked them: Kaun ho beta aap?'

RAJAT looked TARIKA as she answered: Ajji, mai Narayan Murthyji ki naati hoon, TARIKA. Kuch saal pahle wo yahi rahte the.'

The old lady smiled: Achha… Narayanji ki naati.'

Then the old lady shifted her gaze at RAJAT and TARIKA answered: yeh mera...chhota bhai hai, RAJAT.'

The lady smiled and asked: Achha hai… Kaha se aaye ho tum dono?'

TARIKA: Ji Bangalore se.'

Lady: Kaafi lamba safar tay kar ke aaye ho.' and said with a smile: NARAYANJI kaafi ache insaan the. Chalo andar chalo. Pahle thoda aaram kar lo phir baat karte hai.'

TARIKA: Iski koi jaroorat nahi hai Ajji.'

Lady held TARIKA'S hand: Arre apne hi ghar aake koi aise jata hai kya. Chalo aao andar chalo.'

RAJAT smiled at the lady getting down the jeep: Thanks Ajji! Waise bhi mujhe washroom use karna tha.'

TARIKA glared him but he just shrugged off.

Ajji said to TARIKA: Jyada socho mat. chalo.' TARIKA does so.

Rajat asked Ajji showing the pooja thaali in her hand: Waise aap kahi jaa rahi thi.'

Lady: Jab bhagwan khud ghar ke samne aaye ho to unhe dhundhne me door kyu jau?'

RAJAT: Ji…?'

AJJI laughed at confused RAJAT: Mehmaan bhi bhagwan ka hi roop hote hai. Haven't you heard 'Atithi Devo Bhavah.'

The two siblings looked at each other as Ajji lead them into the house.

TARIKA was familiar with each corner of the house. She heard giggling of her and her brother echoing in the house and then her mother's voice calling out their names in the whole house as she look around the house.

Her trance breaks as Ajji called her daughter-in-law JANKI and told her that they are their guest.

The mid age lady, JANKI warmly welcome them inside the house calling her 19 year old daughter Anu to help the guest in the house.

TARIKA and RAJAT gets ready taking bath and have warmly served breakfast by JANKI. After breakfast Ajji took the two siblings to the temple with her.

On the way -

PURVI asked: Why we are going Belgaum?'

ABHIJEET: We lived shortly there before our father's death.'

And the remaining journey went in silence before ABHIJEET stopped in front of a big house.

Both the siblings got down the car as PURVI asked: What's this place?'

ABHIJEET: someone I know lives here.'

And the two walked inside the gate greeted by a mid-age lady.

The lady asked: Who are you?'

ABHIJEET: JI… I am ABHIJEET.'

Showing PURVI, he said: and she is my sister PURVI. Is it SHARDA JI's house?'

Lady: Yes. I am her daughter-in-law JANKI. Do you know her?'

ABHIJEET smiled: We use to be neighbours at SANGAM society.'

JANKI: That's why you are looking very familiar. You are son of journalist PRAKASH, right?'

ABHIJEET smiled and nodded: Yes, yes.'

JANKI: Please come inside.'

ABHIJEET asked: Where is SHARDA AJJI?'

JANKI: She had guest this morning. She went to the temple with them. Please come and wait inside.'

And the two went inside with JANKI.

BELGAUM: TEMPLE –

At the temple AJJI told TARIKA, 10 years before after the death of her only son and husband they were going through a hard time when TARIKA's grandpa helped them.

He had no one after the death of his only daughter and her family. He gave them the house before moving to the old-age home with his wife.

After few years of that the news come that his wife passed away of some illness and after six month of his wife's death he too passed away.'

TARIKA took blessing of god with AJJI and RAJAT just followed them listening to their conversation.

On the way -

On the way back from temple, TARIKA asked RAJAT who was driving to stop the jeep.

TARIKA got down the jeep asking RAJAT to drop Ajji to the house and she will come by herself a little later.

RAJAT drove away with Ajji leaving TARIKA there only to come back dropping AJJI at the gate of the house.

Parking the jeep aside RAJAT walked further the direction he left TARIKA a while ago and found a beautiful place. There was a pond and a wooden pier above it.

He saw TARIKA was sitting at the edge of the pier hanging her legs staring the pond. He knew she must be disturbed and need time to think over.

RAJAT walked and silently sit at the other side of the pier parallel to her. TARIKA saw him but didn't say anything.

They sit there silently for a long time before RAJAT got up walking back.

TARIKA saw him walking back and asked: where are you going?'

RAJAT stopped at the end of the pier answering: This is no fun.'

Before TARIKA could react he took a run from there and jumped directly into the pond.

TARIKA laughed seeing TARUN swimming and splashing water around having fun in the pond soon to realize it was RAJAT not TARUN as her laugh turn into silence.

RAJAT have lot of traits similar to her brother TARUN. That is another reason she wasn't able to accept RAJAT completely.

She remembers the promise to his father before leaving to Bangalore with RAJAT.

Her father told her to protect RAJAT because he was too young then and told to RAJAT to take care of each other in his absence.

RAJAT didn't forget his promise to their father and now it's her turn to keep that promise.

She smiled and asked RAJAT: Why did you come back here?'

RAJAT: How could I have left you in middle of the road alone?'

TARIKA: It was my favorite spot. Whenever we visited Grandma's place, we used to come here with dad.'

RAJAT hesitantly asked: You already knew about your grand-parents?'

TARIKA: Hm. 6 years ago I tried to contact them and found that they moved to an old-age home. I went to the old-age home but it was too late.'

RAJAT remained silent.

TARIKA: It's almost 2 hours we are here. Let's go!'

BELGAUM: AJJI'S House –

Meanwhile AAJI was delighted to see another sibling guest at her home. She welcomed the sibling by a warm hug.

ABHIJEET's father was a journalist and a single father. Because of some work he had to live in BELGAUM for 2 months where he landed to SANGAM society next to SHARDA AJJI's house.

In those 2 months ABHIJEET shared a nice bond with AJJI but they lost contact after ABHIJEET went back to PUNE.

ABHIJEET told her, he went to SANGAM society and got to know that the building they used to live were demolished and a new apartment was built there.

From the old neighbors of the society he found AJJI's new address and come to meet her. AJJI was glad to meet them too.

ABHIJEET had a lot to catch up with AJJI so does she as they talked for long while PURVI found a nice company with ANU.

After finishing his age long talks with AJJI, ABHIJEET saw PURVI was enjoying with ANU. So he left PURVI there on AJJI's request to go to look around the neighborhood.

BELGAUM: PLAYGROUND –

ABHIJEET was standing in the middle of a big playground opening his arms wide with closed eyes to feel the same old days.

The greenery around was intact, it has the same coolness in the air.

Nothing has changed much except the growing buildings but he still missed the feel of old days.

When he first time came to the town, he didn't liked the new place because he missed his home, his friends and his best friend DAYA. So, he used to come to the ground every morning and evening to spent the days as fast as he could.

And one day on his way to the ground he met someone. A smile crept up on his face and he walked to the direction.

At the 10 minutes distance of walking he saw a bench under a tree in front of a narrow pave way that lead towards the playground. He was happy to see the bench is still there.

He saw the little TRISHA of his memory sitting on the bench and his smile widens.

FLASHBACK -

Young ABHIJEET was on his way to the ground when he saw a little girl sitting on the bench was crying. He went near and sit beside her asking: Why are you crying?'

The little girl looking up at him sobbed and innocently said: Mere papa mujhse pyar nahi karte. Wo hume chhodke chale gaye.'

ABHIJEET: Isme rone wali kya baat hai?'

The girl looked at him a bit dangerously but answered sadly: Mai apne papa ke bina nahi rah sakti.'

ABHIJEET: Meri AJJI kahti hai, jo humse pyar karte hai wo humse jyada din door nahi rah sakte. Agar tumhare papa tumse pyar karte hai to wo tumhe lene jaroor aayenge.'

Girl: Aur agar wo sach me mujhse pyar nahi karte to?'

ABHIJEET: Par tum to unse pyar karti ho na?'

The girl nodded and ABHIJEET said: Hum jinse pyar karte hai wo ek din humare paas lautke jaroor aate hai ya phir kisi na kisi tarah bhagwan hume unke karib le jate hai.'

Girl: Sach?'

ABHIJEET didn't know how much truth AJJI's words had but it can surely stop someone's tear as he noticed the girl stopped crying.

ABHIJEET nodded with a smile: Aur tum to itni pyari ho. Phir wo kaise tumse door rah sakte hai.'

The girl smiled back at him.

ABHIJEET: Maine tumhe pahle kabhi nahi dekha yaha. Tum yaha nayi aayi ho?'

Girl: Nahi. Mai yaha apne grandma ke ghar aayi hoon.'

They heard a voice calling aloud from far: TRISHA!'

The girl looked at the direction and said: My brother is calling me. I have to go.'

And she ran towards the direction of the voice calling her name.

FLASHBACK END.

Thinking about TRISHA, reminds him of TARIKA. They have lot of similarities in common.

And there he saw TARIKA in place of TRISHA sitting at the bench as she turned towards him with a smile. And there goes his heart...

Drums started to play around…

Ishq Jaise Hai Ek Aandhi, Ishq Hai Ek Tufaan!

He remembered the reckless TARIKA's entry in his life with gun in the jungle.

Ishq Ke Aage Bebas Hai Duniya Me Har Insaan!

He remembered how helpless he felt and his heart ached seeing tears in her eyes.

Ishq Me Sab Deewane Hai, Ishq Me Sab Hairaan!

He remembered how peaceful she looked while fallen asleep on his shoulder.

Ishq Me Sab Kuch Mushkil Hai, Ishq Me Sab Aasaan!

He remembered how she smiled at him, first time making his heart fluttered.

Dekho Pyare Ye Nazaare, Ye Deewane, Ye Parwane

Hai Ishq Me Kaise Gum…

ABHIJEET dreamily saw TARIKA got up from the bench and walked towards him through the fog.

Haaye... Tumse Milke Dil Ka Hai Jo Haal Kya Kahein…

Ho Gaya Hai Kaisa Ye Kamaal Kya Kahein…

TARIKA stood in front of him and he smiled like a fool.

ABHIJEET shyly: Kya TARIKAJI, pahle to aap sirf sapno me aati thi par aajkal to din me bhi dikhai dene lagi hai.'

TARIKA: Mai tumhare sapno me aati hoon?'

ABHIJEET blushed: Roj… Jabse aapko jungle me pahli baar dekha hai tabse.'

TARIKA cleared her throat loudly bringing ABHIJEET out of his reverie.

Shoot! It wasn't his hallucination or day dreaming but real TARIKA in front of him.

ABHIJEET looked fixed: TA… TA…TA… TA…'

TARIKA helped: TARIKA.'

ABHIJEET: TTTARIKA JI, Aap yaha?'

TARIKA: Haan, Mai hi hoon yaha, TARIKA.'

FLASHBACK -

At the crossroad, ABHIJEET's car turned to right and TARIKA jeep comes in from left missing each other.

TARIKA stopped in front of AJJI'S house. TARIKA ringed the door bell and JANKI opened the door to see a top to toe wet RAJAT stood shivering hugging his hands smiling at his glaring sister.

JANKI asked: How did you get wet?'

RAJAT just smiled sheepishly.

JANKI: get in and change first.'

RAJAT: Thank you Aunty.'

TARIKA handed him his bag and said: Go and change. I am just going to look around the neighbourhood and will be back before evening.' RAJAT nodded.

RAJAT went inside with JANKI and she called ANU who was upstairs in her room with PURVI watching photos in her PC.

ANU excused PURVI: you stay here. I will right back.' PURVI nodded.

ANU returns to he room after 5 minutes. PURVI: Do you have work to do?'

ANU: No. Mom just called me to give towel to Bhaiya.'

PURVI: Do you have a brother?'

ANU: No. We have another pair of guest this morning before you came. They are staying here tonight.'

PURVI nodded and again started to watch photos.

PURVI asked looking a photo: Wow... They are so beautiful! Where did you take these photos?'

ANU smiled looking the photo: I have created a mini garden at the terrace corner. Do you want to see?'

PURVI excitedly: yeah!'

AJJI House: Terrace -

PURVI was admiring the beautiful flowers of ANU's mini garden when she saw someone tossed a bag into the red jeep parked in front of the house and she felt like she saw RAJAT.

She took a good look but couldn't see the face of the person as he was standing facing his back to her combing his hairs in jeep's rearview mirror.

PURVI looking back at ANU asked: Who is near the jeep?'

ANU without looking answered: He must be RAJAT bhaiya.'

PURVI skipped a heartbeat at the name as ANU continued: I told you about the guest. He came with his sister.'

PURVI asked: By chance his sister's name is TARIKA?'

Surprised ANU: yes. How do you know?'

PURVI remembered RAJAT's words "I will return to Bangalore. I don't know if I will ever be able to come again here."

PURVI ran towards downstairs as ANU asked from behind: Where are you going?'

PURVI without stopping answered: I will be back soon.'

PURVI ran out of the door but till then RAJAT drove out of the house. PURVI ran out of the gate but he was gone. PURVI panted out of breath not to know what to do.

She heard AJJI from verandah asking: Are you going somewhere?'

PURVI: Wo... Mai... Wo...'

She looked at the direction RAJAT went and then at AJJI: AJJI, if my brother comes tell him I went to look around the place.' And she ran out to the way.

AJJI smiled behind her thinking "Dil me Bechaini, Nazaro me bemanzil talaash aur hotho par hadbadahat liye insaan do hi waqt aise bhagta hai. Ek, jis din uske dil ke do hisse ho jate hai aur dursa jis din use apne dil ka dusra hissa mil jata hai."

FLASHBACK END.

Special Addition:

Somewhere else PURVI ran like there is no tomorrow and hugged an oblivious RAJAT.

Dil To Hai Ek Raahi Jana, Dil Ki Tum Manzil Ho

Dil To Hai Ek Kashti Jana, Jiska Tum Saahil Ho

Dil Na Phir Kuch Maange Jana, Tum Agar Haasil Ho

Dil To Hai Mera Tanha Jana, Aao Tum Mahfil Ho

PURVI remained holding him tight while RAJAT stood stunned.

Note:

Song: Tumse milke dil ka haal song from movie Main Hoon Na.

Next chapter, Rajvi again on trouble tour together.

Dear Dareya Guest, initially the story was a sibling story. So, Dareya doesn't have much part in it but definitely have their presence.

Thank you all the readers and reviewers.