CHAPTER 2
Shreya was successfully doing both her duties; she was regularly going to bureau and solving cases. She was equally concerned for Neelam. She was doing everything to make sure Neelam gets the best treatment and recovers soon. Shreya had spent some nights in the hospital just to take a good care of Neelam. Neelam was touched by Shreya's sweet and caring nature. Shreya was not concerned for Neelam just because she was responsible for her injuries but because she had developed a great bond of affection and attachment with Neelam within these days. She had started calling her auntie. Neelam was more like a family for Shreya now. Both the ladies were proving it wrong that friendship is possible only between same age group peoples. They both had an age gap of approximately 35 years yet they had become great friends and were enjoying this friendship.
7 days later
Shreya entered Neelam's private ward holding some carry bags of fruits and some English novels. She found Neelam watching a cookery show on TV.
"Hi..good morning!" Shreya greeted her with a smile.
"Good morning!" Neelam responded.
"What are you watching?" Shreya asked.
"Gulabjamun ki recipe dikha rahe hain TV pe. Aur mere muh me pani aa raha hai. Gulabjamun dekh kar mujhse raha nahi jata." Neelam said like kids.
Shreya looked at her. A sweet memory flashed in front of her eyes.
""
"Daya what are you doing? 5 gulabjamun already kha chuke hain aap. Ab aur nahi. Calories ka kuch toh sochiye." Shreya said snatching the bowl from Daya's hand.
Daya made a puppy face, "Please Shreya just one more! Tum janti ho na gulabjamun dekh kar mujhse raha nahi jata. Calories ka baad me dekh lunga. Kal gym me extra workout kar lunga. Please bas ek khane do na!"
Shreya shook her head and stuffed a gulabjamun in his mouth.
""
Neelam found Shreya smiling to herself. "Tum aise kyun muskura rahi ho?"
Shreya jerked her head. "Oh, kuch nahi bas aise hi kisi ki yaad aa gayi. Aapki terah kisi aur ko bhi gulabjamun bahut pasand hain."
"Kise? Tumhare boyfriend ko?" Neelam chuckled.
Shreya looked at her surprisingly. "Oh my god! Aapko kaise pata? Aap to bahut dangerous hain."
Neelam laughed, "Bas pata chal gaya. Uski yaad aate hi tumhare gaal jo red ho gaye."
Shreya smiled at her.
"Waise hai kaun wo, mujhe bhi to milwao!" Neelam said.
"Of course! Milwaungi na." Shreya said sitting beside Neelam on the bed, "He is my senior in cid. We met and fell in love and just a few months back we moved in a relationship. Right now he is out of station. Actually 3 mahine se wo bahar hain. Ek secret case pe kaam kar rahe hain. 3 mahine se hum ek dusre se na to mile hain aur na hi baat ho payi hai. But guess what, he is coming back today." Shreya said almost jumping in happiness, "Aaj main bahut khush hu. Aaj ka din bahut achha hai. Aaj Daya bhi wapas aa rahe hain aur aapko bhi aaj discharge milne wala hai."
"Aur kis baat ki jyada khushi hai tumhe? Mere discharge ki ya Daya ke wapas aane ki?" Neelam asked with mischief in her eyes.
Shreya blushed. "Aap bhi na, mujhe aapke discharge ki jyada khushi hai. Chaliye aaj main aapko apne hatho se gulabjamun bana kar khilaungi."
"Main kaise maan lu ki gulabjamun tum mere liye hi bana rahi ho. Wo to Daya ko bhi pasand hain na." Neelam chuckled.
Shreya shook her head, "Aap na bilkul Daya ke jaisi hi hain. Unhe bhi mujhe tease karne me bada maja aata hai."
Neelam smiled.
"Anyway, main aapke liye kuch novels lekar aayi hu. Actually ye Daya ki hi novels hain. Unhe bhi aapki tareh novels padhna bahut pasand hai. To aap ye padhiye aapko bahut pasand aayegi. Aur ye kuch fruits hain. Sare ke sare khane padenge." Shreya said strictly, "Sham ko aapko discharge milega. Abhi main nikalti hu bureau ke liye late ho rahi hu." Shreya said in a hurry placing the novels and fruits on the side table.
"Sham ko jab tum mujhe lene aaogi to Daya ko bhi sath le aana." Neelam said raising her voice as Shreya was moving outside.
"Sure sure! Bye take care!" Shreya said quickly and left.
o-o-o
In evening, Shreya reached hospital and completed the formalities of Neelam's discharge.
Neelam looked at Shreya and noticed that she was looking upset.
"Shreya, is everything okay?" Neelam asked.
Shreya tried to smile, "Yes."
"Daya nahi aaya tumhare sath?"Neelam asked.
Shreya sighed, "Wo sab chodiye. Mujhe aapko kuch batana hai. Maine na Mumbai ke sare orphanage homes ki details nikal li hai. Aapki health thodi si aur better ho jaye phir hum ek ek orphanage me jakar aapke bete ke bare me investigate karenge."
Though it was linked with her lost son but Neelam felt no happiness because she knew that Shreya was upset over something and just to hide it she was changing the topic by talking about her son.
"That's great Shreya! Mujhe tum par pura bharosa hai. I know tum mujhe mere bete se milwa kar hi rahogi. But abhi main tumse Daya ke bare me puch rahi hu, tum use lekar kyun nahi aayi?"
Shreya was irritated now. "Neelam auntie please! Kya Daya Daya laga rakha hai. Kya karengi aap unse milkar? Bas ek baar aapse unke bare me baat ki maine aur aap tabse unse milne ki rat lagaye ja rahi hain jaise aap unse milne hi India aayi ho."
Neelam was shocked seeing Shreya fuming in anger.
Shreya realized her tone. She held hear head and closed her eyes for a second. She looked at Neelam, "I am sorry!"
"Why are you shouting Shreya? Something is terribly wrong with you. Come here!" Neelam said forwarding her hand.
Shreya caught her hand and moved near her. She had tears in her eyes. Neelam rubbed her tears and cupped her face. "Look at me Shreya, kya hua hai batao mujhe! Why are you crying? Tum Daya se mili?"
Shreya composed herself and started telling her what happened in bureau when she met Daya.
"""
Daya was returned after almost 90 days completing his task successfully. Everyone greeted him warmly and congratulated him. Shreya was just watching him from a distance surrounded by others. Daya was busy with others and he had no time to take a glance at Shreya. Shreya was waiting for others to leave so that she can meet Daya alone.
Sometimes later everyone moved from there and Daya was alone. Shreya moved towards him with cat paws and hugged him tightly from behind.
"Daya... I missed you so much!" Shreya whispered.
Daya turned and separated her. "Ek minute Shreya, ek important call hai." Daya said and started talking on his phone but Shreya snatched the phone from his hand and cut the call.
"Shreya ye kya... " Daya uttered.
Shreya rounded her hands around his neck. "Abhi aur kisi se nahi sirf mujhse baat kariye. 3 mahine baad mil rahe hain aap. Itne dino se aapki aawaj bhi nahi suni maine. Abhi abhi aap itna bada undercover operation complete karke aaye hain. Thoda toh rest leejiye. Abhi aapka sara time sirf mera hai." Shreya said closing the gap between them. "Aaj maine hum dono ke liye ek candle light dinner plan kiya hai...
Suddenly Daya removed her hands from his neck and jerked her, "What are you doing Shreya?"
Shreya was shocked with his reaction. "Daya I am just...
"What?" Daya yelled, "Tumhe romance ke alawa aur koi kaam rehta hai? I am really busy Shreya. Don't disturb me please. Cellphone do mera." He said taking his cellphone from her hand.
"Daya hum itne dino baad mil rahe hain. Aap aise kyun react kar rahe hain? Aap shayad thak gaye honge isliye aapko gussa aa raha hoga. Koi baat nahi ..
"Shut up!" Daya said, "Shreya stop irritating me. Tumhe pata hai tumhari problem kya hai. Tum na sapno ki duniya me jeeti ho. Tumhe lagta hai ki tum kisi film ki heroin ho. Main din bhar tumhare aage peeche ghumta rahu. Har 2 minute me I love you bolta rahu. Candle light dinner, movies aur romance... Sirf yahi chahti ho tum apni life me. Shreya sapno ki duniya se bahar aao, tum kisi film ki heroin nahi ho. Tum ek cid officer ho. Tum kabhi kabhi bilkul bachhi ban janti ho. Please thodi si maturity lao khud ke andar."
Shreya was just staring at him dumbstruck. "Daya achanak se ye kya ho gaya hai aapko. Mujhe to kuch samajh hi nahi aa raha. Pehle kabhi aapne is tareh se react nahi kiya. Pehle to aapko meri sari baate achhi hi lagti thi. Achanak se main aapko immature kabse lagne lagi? What's wrong with you?"
Daya sighed. "Look Shreya..I don't have time for arguments..
"Argument? Main argument kar rahi hu?" Shreya said. "Ek minute kahi aapko 3 mahino me koi dusri 'mature' ladki to nahi mil gayi?"
"What nonsense Shreya?" Daya said.
"Boliye na? You're no more interested in me, right?" Shreya said with tears in her eyes.
"Shreya kuch bhi mat bolo. Tum baat ka humesha galat matlab kyun nikalti ho? Tum mujhe samajhti hi nahi ho. We are good friends but I feel humare beech understanding nahi hai"
Shreya looked at him in disbelief. "Kya kaha aapne? Good friends? We are just good friends?"
"Shreya come on, try to understand. We are not made for each other. Bahut ho gaya, ab hume apne raste alag kar lene chahiye. Hum achhe dost ho sakte hain lekin couple nahi." Daya said in a low voice and left leaving Shreya in a shock.
"""
Shreya hugged Neelam and started crying in her arms. Neelam was also surprised.
"Aise achanak se koi breakup ki baat kaise kar sakta hai? Jara si baat pe rishta khatam? Pata nahi ye tum logo ki generation ki problem kya hai? Patience kyun nahi hota tum logo ke paas? Aaj pyar kiya, kal jhagda kiya aur breakup kar liya aur parso koi naya dhundh liya. Pyar koi majak hota hai kya? Humare jamane me pyar sirf ek hi baar hota tha aur usi ek insaan ke sath zindagi beet jati thi."
Shreya sobbed, "Auntie mera pyar bhi aapke jamane jaisa hi hai. Maine apni zindagi me sirf Daya se pyar kiya hai. Unke alawa main kabhi kisi aur ke bare me soch bhi nahi sakti."
Neelam moved her hand on Shreya's head, "Tum bahut pyar karti ho na Daya se?"
Shreya looked at her and nodded, "Aur yahi meri weakness hai auntie. Jab bhi hum dono ka jhagda hota hai; galti kisi ki bhi ho, sorry humesha main hi bolti hu, kyunki main Daya ko khona nahi chahti. Lekin ab bahut ho gaya, iss baar nahi. Agar Daya ko lagta hai ki hum ek dusre ke liye nahi bane hain to main bhi unhe force nahi karungi. Unhe alag hona hai to yahi sahi. Iss baar main unse baat karne nahi jaungi. Agar wo mujhse pyar karte hain to wo khud mere paas aayenge aur maafi mangenge. Iss baar humesha ki tareh unki galti hone par main sorry nahi bolungi."
Neelam patted her head, "Correct! Agar wo tumse maafi mangta hai to theek hai warna jane do use. Jab tum 2 din usse baat nahi karogi na to use khud realize ho jayega ki uski zindagi me tumhare na hone ka kya matlab hai."
Shreya rubbed her tears and looked at Neelam. "waise bhi abhi mera pura dhyan sirf aapke bete ko dhundhne me hai. Hume aur clues dhundhne honge. Mumbai jaise itne bade shehar ne 30 saal pehle khoye huye bachhe ko dhundhna asan kaam nahi hai. Par impossible bhi nahi hai. Thodi mehnat lagegi aur thoda time bhi lagega but main use dhundh kar hi rahungi."
Neelam looked at Shreya and appreciated her confidence. She thought to change Shreya's mood.
"Shreya tum jaldi se mere bete ko dhundh lo, phir na tum mere bete se shadi kar lena."
Shreya gave her a look, "What?"
Neelam looked at her, "Don't worry, wo mera beta hai, bahut handsome hoga. Bahut pyara hoga, lakho me ek..."
Shreya smiled, "Achha, aur agar usne already shadi kar li hogi to?"
Neelam took Shreya's hand in her hands, "Toh mujhe bahut dukh hoga. Pata nahi meri bahu kaisi hogi. Mujhe sirf tumhari jaisi bahu chahiye. Actually tumhare jaisi nahi tum hi chahiye!"
Shreya became sad and looked away. Neelam cupped her face, "Hey Shreya, tum to serious ho gayi, main to bas majak kar rahi thi. Mujhe pata hai tum Daya se bahut pyar karti ho. Aur uske alawa kisi aur se shadi kabhi nahi karogi. Hai na!"
Shreya looked at her and smirked, "sirf mere pyar karne se kya hota hai? Jab unhe mere pyar ki kadar nahi to...anyway... Aap chinta mat kariye agar aapka beta mujhe pasand aa gaya to main usi se shadi kar lungi."
"Achha to Daya ka kya hoga?" Neelam asked.
Shreya shrugged it off, "Mujhe kya pata? Unhe mil jayegi koi "mature' ladki."
Neelam looked at her for a second, "Are aise kaise koi aur mil jayegi use wo bhi tumse achhi. Mujhe na Daya se milna hai, main baat karungi usse, samjhaungi uski ki wo kitni badi galti kar raha hai...
"No.." Shreya said, "Aap unse nahi milengi. Koi jarurat nahi hai unse milkar baat karne ki aur samjhane ki. Unhe karne deejiye jo unke dil me aaye. Aap unse milengi to yahi lagega na ki maine aapko bheja hai baat karne ke liye. Main kaun sa mari ja rahi hu unke bina. Na main unse baat karungi na hi aap aur na hi meri taraf se koi aur and that's it."
Neelam watched Shreya murmuring in anger. "Agar Daya ki jegah mera beta hota na to main use ek jor ka thappad marti. Koi itni pyari ladki ka dil aise dukhata hai kya?" Neelam said holding Shreya's hand and pulled her in a hug.
Shreya happily accepted the hug. "Bas bas chaliye, aapke discharge ka time ho raha hai. Main doctor se milkar aati hu."
Shreya separated and planted a soft kiss on Neelam's head. She left to meet the doctor. Neelam watched her going.
"Such a lovely girl!" She whispered admiring Shreya.
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...to be continued
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A/N: I think there's no need of guessing. It's quiet obvious who is Neelam's son.
Mahi: Dear, you're right this is not a hardcore romantic story but I will try to add some romance between dareya.
Overall two parallel tracks will be seen in the story, Shreya-Daya and Neelam and her son.
And I also hope you people love the bonding between Shreya-Neelam, isn't it cute?
Amrutha: your idea was good but I am sorry I can't include it in this story. That will be highly dramatic something I don't like. Keep reading and you will love it as the story proceeds.
Ashwini: Ash you can share your views, nobody will make fun of you if you are wrong. :-)