It was cloudy outside. Abhijeet was standing near the window.
Lagta hai aaj mausam kuch zyada hi kharab honewala hai... He thought. The chilly wind was coming through the open window. The coldness of thta wind somehow was giving him an unexplained soothe. He closed his eyes as if he could absorb that cold wind ... But suddenly he stirred a bit - and then quickly made his way to Daya's room. When he entered the room he found Daya sitting on the bed.
"Arre - tu uth gaya!" He exclaimed.
Daya just nodded, "Abhi, chalo walk pe jate hai -", Daya said excitedly.
Within only a few days, this morning walk became a habit to Daya. He really enjoyed this part of the day. Everyday when he walked with Abhijeet, Abhijeet usually show him so many things - the "Chaye Stall", that school building, that small fountain - the local people called it "Jhora"... evey bit of their walk he enjoyed. He did not want to miss his walk at any cost.
"Daya - aaj lagta hai bohot barish honewala hai - aaj rehne dete hai - aaj hum ghar pe enjoy karenge ", Abhijeet was trying to make him understand, "aaj kuch naya karte hai -".
But that did not seem to get his attention.
"Nahi, mujhe bahar hi jana hai - tum chalo na Abhi - ", he was saying this like a stubborn kid.
Abhijeet knew his brother very well.
Matlab jana hi padega, nahi to sahab aise hi muh phula ke baithe rahenge! Ajeeb hai, itna sab kuch bhul gaya hai, par yeh nakhre aur drama nahi bhule! Ab kya - barish ane se pehle wapas aa jana padhega - bas thoda aas paas se ghumake lata hun...
"Thik hai chal. Jaldi se ready ho jaa. Hum bas 2 min me jayenge - aur jab main kahunga - tab hi wapas ana padega, OK? tab koi zid nahi, samajh gaye?" Abhijeet tried to look strict.
But Daya was too happy to notice that. Abhijeet unknowingly smiled watching him.
One hour later...
It was raining heavily. Everything seemed blur due to rain. The wind was howling furiously. No one even could dare to go outside the house... But one person was running here and there ignoring this thunder storm.
"DAYAAAAAA" - he screamed his lungs out! But no response! He was dripping with icy cold water, but he could not sense anything.
Mera hi galti hai, mujhe usse bahar lana hi nahi tha aaj! Ab main kahan dhundu usse - aise mausam me kaha jayega woh! Hey Bhagwan, usse kuch ho na jaye ... He looked at the sky with a prayer in his eyes. He felt horrified.
Mujhe uska saath rehna tha na! Phir mujhse itni badi galti kaise ho gaya! Akhir gaya hi kyun main woh mobile lene andar! Agar nahi gaye hote to woh mere saath hi hote na -
He already came far from heir house in course of searching Daya - tears were continuously flowing down his cheeks.
Finally he sat down on the rock beside the hill, hiding his face into his palms he broke down into tears. Slowly he shattered on to the road by his knees... The bloodcurdling sound of lightening did not seem to have the slightest impact on him... He was there on the side of the road - just like an old crooked statue...
"Sahab - O sahab" - A familiar voice reached his ears from far.
He immediately tried to identify the source...
"Sahab - kab se bula raha hu -" Raju came panting holding tightly his umbrella -"woh - chote sahab -"
Before he could complete, Abhijeet held him by his shoulder, "Daya ko dekha tune? Kaha hai woh?" He asked in one breadth like a mad!
"Sahab", Raju replied calmly, "Woh chote sahab shayad raste bhatak gaye they - subah humko laga aaj barish honewala hai - to tab hum bas dukan bandh hi karnewale the, tab hi unko dekha - uss (pointing to a direction) taraf jaa raha hai, humne pucha ke sahab kaha jaa rahe ho? To unhone kaha ke uss pahar pe jana hai - to phir maine une samjhaya ke woh aaj waha nahi jaa payenge! Aur woh ghar se itna door aa gaye the sahab, to humne socha utna door to woh akela jaa payenge, to hum khud usse ghar tak le gaye, par wahan aap nahi mile, hum chote sahab ko balcony pe baithne ko kaha - phir bas kuch der pehle aap ko idhar ate huye dekha - woh bhi iss halat me! tab hi maine bhagte huye aa gaye!"
Abhijeet patted his back with teary eyes, "Shukriya Raju!"
Without wasting a single second he started runnning towards his home! After 15 more minutes he reached his home and found Daya sitting in one corner of the balcony. He was shivering, more than cold it was fear that made him shiver like that.
"Abhiii" - an excited scream came out of his mouth as soon as he found his Abhi coming to him!
Abhijeet came to him and Daya immediately hugged him tightly!
Daya: (in one breadth) Kaha they tum Abhi? main kitna darr gaya tha - darr lag raha tha mujhe - aur woh beejli ki awaz se -
But before he could complete, to his utter shock he felt a hard slap on his cheek! He touched his cheek and looked at Abhijeet unbelievably!
Abhijeet: (angry and loud) Tujhe pata bhi hai - inn kuch lamho me mujh par kya beeti hai! Aise kaise tum bina kuch kahe nikal gaye - haan! Kya laga tumhe - tum jo bhi marzi karte rahoge - aur koi kuch nahi kahega!
Daya: (convincing tone) Par main to sirf uss samnewale pahar pe jana chahte the - par waha jate jate phir kuch samjh me nahi aa raha tha - aur tum bhi nahi mil rahe the , aur ghar bhi nahi - phir woh - w-woh ladka -
Abhijeet: (angrily cutting him) Bas! aur ek bhi labz kaha to! Chup chap bina baat ke andar chalo -
Daya silently obeyed him lowering his head, with teary eyes. He went into his room, and quietly went inside the blanket, he covered his ears with the pillow. A drop of tear rolled down his eyes...
1:00 pm
Daya was now sitting on his bed waiting for Abhijeet.
Mujhe bhukh lagi hai. Aur Abhi ne to aaj khana bhi nahi khilaya! Woh gusse me hai na - isi liye... Mujhe usse bina kahe nahi jana tha. Abhi jake usse Sorry bol deta hun - phir khana khate hai -
Daya came down from his bed and started for Abhijeet's room.
"Abhiiii" - he called loudly, but did not get any response...
He peeped into the room and found Abhijeet sleeping on the sofa itself! He came near him and pulled his T-Shirt.
"Abhi - utho na - bhukh lagi hai - tum mujhe khilaoge nahi? Utho na Abhi -" He continued in a pleading tone, "Abhi - SORRY - age se aisa nahi karunga - pakka! Acha- ab walk pe nahi jaunga - aur dekho tumne aaj mujhe mara bhi - phir bhi main roya nahi - gussa bhi nahi kiya - chalo na Abhi please -"
But Abhijeet's hand fell from the sofa! Daya was shocked. He carefully touched his hand with a finger and immediately removed it! His hand skin was burning...
Fear spread on his face...
A/N: So this was it! A not so short chapter. Thank you guys for your reviews... Please do review. Your reviews are very precious to me...
A Belated Happy Friendship Day to all my friends.
With Love,
AbhiRikafan