#7 Soulmates
Purvi thought of the words while looking out standing at her room gallery. She had just finished watching the sitcom series 'FRIENDS' and was so much fascinated with the love story of 'Monica and Chandler' She picked up a cup of coffee and thought how your soulmate may be right in front of your eyes but you just never realise it. She was amazed by the power of love and hope. She started wondering if she would ever get love that pure and unconditional. will she ever find her own Chandler Bing? she sipped her coffee and started looking around. Meanwhile, her eyes fell on the guy working out in her nearby gallery. The guy stopped working out, seeing her staring at him and waved his hand at her nervously with a small smile. She smiled in return and turned her face away, adjusting her glasses. the guy was paying guest in her house since 3 years, but they never really talked with each other except some formal hello and exchanging smiles. His name was 'Rajat Kumar' he was currently in his last year of MBA while Purvi was just about to complete her graduation.
Voice - Purvi beta! jaldi taiyar ho jaa, vo log aate hi honge.
Her mother's voice brought her back in her senses. She realised a guy is supposed to come to see her today and she has to look good. Meanwhile, her younger sister 'Anu' also came there. she started helping her with her make up and dressing.
Anu took Purvi outside as the guests arrived there. Purvi was dressed in a simple light blue chudidar dress, her hairs tied in a braid with alot of oil applied and her eyes were covered with her big glasses. she nervously smiled at the guests and started serving them tea and breakfast. she sat on the sofa, in front of that boy's parents and started stealing glances at the boy.
Boy's Mother - beta! aap kya karte ho?
Purvi (adjusting her glasses, nervously) - jee aunty! meri graduation ka last year chal raha hai.
Boy's parents were asking some general questions to Purvi and she was answering all of them happily while the boy was continuously staring at Anu without blinking his eyes.
Anu was indeed very beautiful that anyone could fall for her. she was a modern girl with a good dressing sense and a beautiful face. Purvi used to feel neglected whenever she was around Anu, but she was her younger sister and she just can't afford to stay away from her.
the boy indicated his parents to come with him. Purvi started looking in their direction as they all went in a corner to talk about something. Purvi sensed something fishy and started getting anxious. her hands started getting cold, she was not ready to face any rejection.
the boy and his parents came back after sometime and sat on their respective seats. Purvi started looking at them with questioning eyes.
Boy's Mother - dekhiye bahenji hume Purvi bahut pasand hai lekin aajkal bacho ki marji bhi to bahut maayne rakhti hai….humare bete ko Anu bahut pasand hai, agar aapko koi aitraz na ho to hum apne bete ke liye aapki choti beti Anu ka haath mangna chahte hai.
Purvi felt as if someone had slapped her hard on her face...she was feeling rejected, neglected, insulted….she took a glance at Anu and then at herself….she couldn't stand there any longer and ran towards her room covering her mouth with her hands to prevent the sobbing sound to come outside.
At Night
Rajat was talking on the phone with her mother standing on the terrace when suddenly he heard someone's sobbing sound. he cuts the call and walked in the direction of voice. He was shocked to see Purvi standing near the corner, crying silently while looking outside.
He felt a pinch in his heart seeing her crying…he was in love with her since the day he saw her for the first time…he was always attracted to her because of her simplicity, innocence and her sweet smile….he never gathered the courage to talk to her or tell her about his feelings…he shook his head to wipe all the thoughts away….he walked close to her and forwarded his handkerchief towards her.
Purvi stopped crying and looked at him…he indicated her with his eyes to take the handkerchief.
Purvi (taking the handkerchief) - Thank you…she started wiping her tears
Rajat (trying to find words) - aap! aap thik hai?
Purvi - hmmm
Rajat - aap ro kyu rahi hai? I mean sab….sab thik to hai?
Purvi looked at him hearing his question.
Rajat (trying to cover up) - nahi! mera matlab….I mean….I am sorry mujhe ye sab nahi puchna chahiye! mai…mai chalta hu…he turned to go
Purvi - rukiye!
He stopped hearing her voice and turned to her.
Purvi (upset) - aaj mujhe ek ladka dekhne aaya tha lekin Anu ko pasand karke chala gaya….kya mai itni buri dikhti hu Rajat?…she looked at him with teary eyes
Rajat (concerned) - please tum rona band karo….mai tumhe aise rote hue nahi dekh sakta.…he realised what he just said….I mean aise rone se to kuch nahi hoga na…he tried to cover up
Purvi started crying even more loudly remembering the rejection she had to face today because of her looks. Rajat hesitantly puts a hand on her shoulder. She turned to him and hugged him tightly, still crying. Rajat felt a sudden wave of electricity passing through his body when she touched him but he controlled his emotions. he started caressing her hairs, soothing her.
Purvi (crying) - mai jaanti hu mai achi nahi dikhti lekin issme meri kya galti hai?
Rajat (separating her) - kisne kaha tumse ki tum achi nahi dikhti? ek minute….he indicated with his finger
He removed her glasses and kept them aside….he removed the rubber from her hairs and her open hairs falls on her back. he adjusted her hairs and clicked her one picture in his mobile.
Rajat (showing the picture to her) - ye dekho!
Purvi saw the picture, she was looking alot better in open hairs and without those glasses.
Rajat - apne aap ko meri najar se dekho Purvi! tum bahut khubsurat ho….jo tumhe reject karke gaya vo sabse bada gadha tha…tum to itni khubsurat ho ki tumhe koi bhi mil sakta hai.
Purvi (looking into his eyes) - koi bhi!
Rajat (smiling) - koi bhi…one Idea popped in his mind…mujhe face par punch karo…
Purvi (shocked) - kyaa?
Rajat (assuring) - aisa samjho ki tum uss gadhe ko punch kar rahi ho jo tumhe reject karke gaya….trust me! you will feel better.
Purvi - tum pagal ho gaye ho? mai tumhe kaise punch kar sakti hu?
Rajat (assuring) - come on! just do it….mai bol raha hu na…just do it!
Purvi didn't wanted to do this but after alot of insistance from Rajat, she punched him hard on his face. a loud scream escaped from his mouth and he touched his nose.
Purvi (moving closer, concerned) - I am sorry….jyada jor se laga kya? dikhao mujhe….she removed his hand from his nose and was shocked to see his nose bleeding
Rajat (in pain) - kitna bhari haath hai tumhara…mera naak hi tod diya.
Purvi (guilty) - I am sorry! I am really sorry…maine mana kiya tha na lekin tum hi kab se force kar rahe the! niche chalo mai tumhe davai laga deti hu…she started blowing air on his nose
Rajat (feeling good) - mai thik hu Purvi….he smiled at her…tumhe abhi better feel ho raha hai?….she nodded her head in yes
Rajat - now come on! give me a smile.
Purvi smiled at him while he forgot his pain seeing her smiling again. he was ready to do anything just to see that one smile on her face.
Purvi - Thank You so much Rajat…she smiled….Good Night!
Rajat - Good Night!
Purvi started walking from there with a big smile on her face while Rajat was on cloud nine. he had got a chance to talk with her properly for the first time and the feeling was just amazing that he can't describe in words. Purvi was feeling very special at the way Rajat treated her. She was walking while looking in her backside smiling like an idiot. For the first time someone had made her realise that she was beautiful in her own way and the rejection she had to face just doesn't matter to her anymore.
Next Day
Purvi got ready for her college…today for the first time, she had not applied oil in her hairs and remain them open. she was not even wearing her glasses today. she was very excited to go in front of Rajat. she was not sure what this new feeling is called but whatever it is called, the feeling is just beautiful and amazing. she glanced at her reflection in the mirror one last time before walking out of the room.
Rajat was struggling to start his bike when his eyes fell on Purvi. his heart skipped a beat seeing her and he removed his goggles. Purvi's heartbeats increased at the way he was staring at her. she walked close to him
Purvi (nervously) - kaisi lag rahi hu mai?
Rajat (lost) - beautiful!
Purvi blushed hearing his complement and looked down, tucking her hairs behind her ears.
Rajat - mai tumhe kahi drop kar du?
Purvi just nodded her head in yes and sat on the bike behind him. he puts his goggles on and started the bike.
Purvi (in mind)- kya Rajat mujhe pasand karta hai?…she shook her head…nahi! nahi! ye mai kya soch rahi hu? ussne kal jo bhi kaha vo sirf mera mann rakhne ke liye kaha…mujhe koi bhi dusra matlab nahi nikalna chahiye…she took a glance at him….lekin kya aisa possible hai ki Rajat hi mera soulmate, mera apna chandler bing ho?….the mere thought of him being her soulmate brought a big smile on her face
She hesitantly kept her hand on his shoulder. he stared at her reflection in the side mirror and a smile appeared on his face.
Some Days Later
Purvi used to borrow books of MBA entrance from Rajat since it was a good excuse to talk to him on regular basis. she had just brought one book and while keeping it on her study table, a paper fall down from inside the book. she picked the paper in her hand and started reading it.
Voice - dii! Rajat ki book aapke paas hai kya? mujhe chaiye thi.
Purvi hided the paper behind her back hearing Anu's voice. Anu took the book from her and left.
Rajat was searching for something in his cupboard when he heard the sound of his room door opening. He turned and was surprised to see Purvi standing on the closed room door.
Rajat (walking closer) - Purvi! tum yaha? iss vaqt?….he glanced at the door…tumne darwaja kyu band kar diya?
Purvi (without thinking) - tum Anu se pyar karte ho?
Rajat (shocked) - ye kya bol rahi ho tum? tumhe shayad koi galatfehmi hui hai.
Purvi (teary, showing the letter) - ye sab kya hai? mujhe laga tha ki tum shayad…tum shayad mujhe pasand karte ho…she was feeling ashamed
Rajat (holding her shoulders) - please Purvi! calm down! meri…meri baat sun lo ek baar please…he said softly
Purvi (tears flowing, hurt) - I am sorry Rajat! shayad mujhe koi galatfehmi ho gai thi…tum! tum Anu se pyar karte ho na….it's okay! mai khud Anu….
Rajat (cutting in between) - I love you!
Purvi (shocked) - kyaa?
Rajat (cupping her face) - I love you Purvi! mai sirf tumse pyaar karta hu…aaj se nahi balki pichle 3saalo se…I am sorry mai tumhe pehle ye nahi bata paaya lekin yahi sach hai….I love you and only you.
Purvi (not believing) - tum! tum jhuth bol rahe ho na?
Rajat (kissing her forehead) - I love you Purvi!
Purvi (calming down, trying to reason) - fir ye Anu ke naam ka letter?
Rajat - vo book meri nahi mere ek friend ki thi jo mene galti se tumhe de di.
Purvi - tum! tum sach keh rahe ho? tum Anu se pyar nahi karte?
Rajat (smiling) - mai sirf tumse pyaar karta hu! sirf tumse….ab prove karne ke liye fir se mere face par punch karne du tumhe?
Purvi (teary, nodding in no) - I am sorry….she hugged him tightly….mai bahut darr gai thi Rajat….mujhe laga…she tighten her grip on him…I love you Rajat! mai tumse bahut pyar karti hu.
Rajat (separating her, wiping her tears) - pagal! sach mai bilkul pagal ho tum.
Purvi smiled with tears and again hugged him. she don't know about chandler bing but she had got her own 'Rajat Kumar' the guy who made her laugh whenever she cried, made her smile even when she didn't wanted to, the guy who made her believe that she is beautiful, the guy who brought back her lost confidence, the guy who respects her, loves her, cares for her. she had got the love as pure and unconditional as Monica and Chandler's.
THE END
A/N - I know it was lame! Thanks for bearing with it...Bye take care :)