A/N: Cautioning reader's beforehand. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Please don't throw slippers, tomatoes, eggs or anything beside you as it will damage your property no me. ( :P ). No blames or gaalis will be taken in review. ^_^.
Tarika: Hello Abhijit.
Abhijit(urgent tone): Hello Tarika ji. Tum kahaan ho?
Tarika: Mein? Mein tho bureau ke pass wale Express with Espresso coffee shop mein huin abi. Kyun koi case aya hai kya? Mein abi ati huin.
Abhijit: Nahi nahi. Koi case nahi hai Tarika. Muje tumse ek important bath karni hai in person.
Tarika: Oh. Ok. Mein ati huin Abhijit.
Abhijit: Nahi nahi. I will be there in 15-20 minutes.
Tarika: Ok will wait for you Abhijit.
After the call:
Tarika: Ye Abhijit ko hua kya? Bahut jaldi mein tha? Ese kya bath hogi?
Waiter: May I take your order mam?
Tarika(coming out of her thoughts): Um.. No.. no later. I am waiting for someone. Let the person join.
Waiter: Ok mam.
Tarika: Current case ki autopsy hogayi. Report tho case ke baad submit karni hai. Mein b something related to investigation… Nahi Tarika case ka discussion wo b yahaan nahi….
Tarika's mobile beeped.
New mail
Tarika opened her in box to find a proposal sent by her mom. She clicked opened her attachment.
While the attachment was opening slowly:
Tarika: Ye ma b na hafte mein ek rishta tho bejh hi deti hai. Tak chuki huin sabko reject karke. Sab log plastic ke bane hue perfect flawless so called hunks hain. Koi human hi nahi dikta. Patha nahi dil naam ki koi chiz hai b ya nahi unmein. Itna perfect b koi hota hai kya… Ye b wese hi hoga. Safed plastic ka putla….
Tarika looked into her mob again only till his forehead was loaded.
Tarika: Ye baal hi nakli dikti hai. Hmpf. I am totally not interested in you Mr.
Saying she cancelled the download.
Tarika: Hm.. Aaj kal ladke milte kahaan hai jo insaan hai. Sabko sirf apni hi padti hai tho ismein hume koi importance he nahi dega.
Tarika: Ye Ma b na kesi kesi swala puchti hai… " Tu kisi se pyar karthi hai kya? " Hugh.
Silence.
Tarika: Pyaar…..Ummm… Nahi nahi Tarika. Kuch dino se hi tu ulti seedhi soch rahi hai. Wo tumse pyar kyun karega…..
Tarika: Uska chodo kya mein use pyar karti huin? Mere hath jo kabi bi nahi kape uskeiye kyun kanpethe?
Tarika: Kyun ki wo mera colleague hai.
Tarika: Ya kuch aur.
Tarika: Dosth hai. Haan Abhijit ek acha dosth hai. Usne mere saath film dekne aya, ghar shift karne pe b madath ki, muje encourage kartha hai lab pe. Par wo tho salunkhe sir ko jealous feel kar wane keliye na…. ya phir nahi….
Tarika: Kitna acha hoga ki ye doubt mere andhar se nikal jaye…. Saath jo dard ata hai wo b ud jaye to…
*SIGH*
Tarika: Urgh..Tu firse yehi bath kyun soch rahi hai….. Sach khete hain empty mind is devil's workshop. Relax Tarika. Wo kyun aaraha hai jab ayega tab patha chaljayega. Don't think about him. Wo nalayak hai so don't think about him.
Tarika just looked up and saw NALAYAK.. oops sorry Abhijit walking up the pathway towards entrance. Tarika brushed her shirt and skirt wrinkle free. Adjusted her hair properly, keeping some hair on front of left shoulder rest behind. Abhijit smiled as soon as he spotted Tarika from entrance.
Tarika(thinking): Tu ye kya kar rahi hai…
Brushing away her thoughts immediately, Tarika too smiled looking at Abhijit till he approached her. Abhijit took a couch opposite to her.
Abhijit: Hi!
Tarika: Hi!
Silence.
Abhijit(looking around): Ye tumhara favourite spot hai na.
Tarika: Hm?
Abhijit: Ye coffee shop, ye couch and this place overlooking garden….
Tarika(surprised): Haan. Par apko kese patha hai?
Abhijit(smiling): Just awein patha lagaya…
Tarika: Pata lagaya?
Abhijit(looking around answering casually): Haan….
Tarika(thinking): Did he really?
Abhijit(realising what he confined): Hugh mera matlab ye jagah hi esa hai ki sabko pasand ati hai. Haan haan wahi…(he looked at her slightly to see if she was convinced with his answer). (Looking up and trying to manage)Muje b acha lagtha hai.
Tarika: Abhijit?
Abhijit(shifting in couch): Ha.. haan Tarika ji boliye.
Tarika: Tum yahan pheli bar ayeho tho tumhe ye jagah itni jaldi kese achi lag sakthi hai?
Abhijit: Wo.. wo..
Waiter: May I have your order please.
Tarika looked at Abhijit. Abhijit also looked at Tarika who nodded to him, before turning to waiter.
Abhijit: We would like to have two plates of brownie with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce over it.
Waiter: Ok sir.
Waiter walked away.
Abhijit: Waiter!
Waiter: Yes sir.
Abhijit: Can we get some mineral water before that please.
Waiter(smiling): Sure sir.
Abhijit: Thank you.
Waiter walked away.
Silence.
Abhirika: Wo.. tum..
They both smiled.
Tarika: Tumhe kuch bath karniti na…
Abhijith(loosening his collar): Haan wahi. Wo mein …
Waiter: Sir your order.
Abhirika: Thank you.
Waiter: Anything else sir.
Abhijit: No.
As the waiter was about to leave..
Tarika: Waiter!
Waiter: Yes mam
Tarika(looking at Abhijit, smiling): AC ka temperature kam kijiye please. Sir ko garmi lag rahi hai.
Waiter: Ok mam.
Abhijit turns back towards Tarika after seeing the waiter go.
Tarika(smiling): Ab bolo.
Abhijit(smiling): Haan. Tumhe last week ka case yaad hai…
Tarika: Kaunsa case?
Abhijit: Jismein mere upar inlzam ayatha….
Tarika(gritting her teeth): Jo uss Purvi ne tumhare upar dalatha uske bhai Paresh ke mauth ka.
Abhjit(shocked by her reaction): Haan wahi case.
Tarika(immediately): Ab hum us case ke baremein kyun batein kar rahein hain?
Abhijit: Tarika uss case ke baremein nahi mein Purvi ki bath kar raha huin.
Tarika was about to say something when Abhijit cut in.
Abhijit: Mein Purvi se milne gaya.
Tarika was taking a piece of brownie in her spoon as Abhijit finished his sentence she dropped her spoon with a clink and stared back at him.
Tarika: Tum uss badtamiz ladki se milne kyun gaye. Usne teri itni insult ki fir b tum us pe itna reham dika raheho…. Ho kya gaya hai tumhe….. Izat naam ki b koi chiz hoti hai Abhijit.
Abhijit(whistling): Oh.. ho…. Tarika please simmer down. Mein Daya ke baremein use batne gaya.
Tarika: Oh!... hn.. Matlab?
Abhijit: Tarika, Daya aur Purvi ek dusre se pyar kartete. Purvi ne mere upar ye inzlam lagane ki wajah se Daya ne usse break up kardi. Aur meine Purvi se wada ki thi mein Daya se bath karuinga.
Tarika was listening in full concentration.
Tarika: Hmm. Daya se bath ki?
Abhijit: Haan ki Tarika Daya se bath.
Tarika: Tho….(munching and casually answering) Daya ne mana kari hogi..
Abhijit: Haan par tumko..
Tarika(smirking): Tumhare shakal se patha lagaya.
Abhijit(altering his expression): Ho!.
Tarika: Purvi ka kya haal hai?
Abhijit: Mein use face nahi kar paya. I couldn't keep the promise given to her. Meine koshish ki use samjhane kelie. Aur maafi b maangi. Usne kaha ki wo India chod ke ja rahi hai apne family ke saath.
Tarika: Hmm…
Silence.
Tarika: Daya?
Abhijit: Wo tik horaha hai.
Tarika: Honahitha tum jo ho use sambhal ne keliye. Ab tunhari bari hai.
Abhijit: Meri bari? Matlab?
Tarika(smiled looking at her plate and looked at him straight): Abhijit jab tumhara dil tuta Shruti ke kaaran tab wo tha. Ab jab Daya ka dil Purvi ki wajah se hurt huiy hai tho tumhi use sambhaloge na.
Abhijit just looked at her dumb struck.
Abhijit(thinking): She knows so much about me and importantly about our friendship. Hope ye b wo samjh payegi.
Tarika: Oie ese kya dek rahe ho?
Abhijit: Kuch nahi. Thanks.
Tarika: Thanks kyun?
Abhijit: Daya aur mujko samjhne keliye. Kash Purvi b teri tarah samjh pati tho ye naubath hi nahi ati. Issliye tho mein….
Tarika looked up shocked and waited for him to complete. But he didn't continue.
Tarika: tum kya?
Abhijit: Mein.. tumhe… Salunkhe sir se intelligent maantha huin.
Tarika laughed at this.
Abhijit(thinking): Haiy haiy kitni khubsurat hai iski hasi.(murmuring) Marjawa.
Tarika: Wese tumhe guilt feel karne ki zarurath nahi hai.
Abhijit: ?
Tarika: Deko Abhijit, tumne promise kiya aur use puri karne ki koshish b ki par afsos ki bath ye hai ki uske phele sab tumhare hath se nikal chuka hai. May be yeh sahi hai dono ke life mein. They were never meant to be. And in some corner tuje b pata hai ki Purvi Daya keliye sahi nahi hai. So soch soch ke apna dimag ko zor math do.
Abhijit just smiled at her.
Abhijit: Thank you. (pause) Thank you for understanding me so much. Dil halka hogaya.
Tarika(smiling, filmy tone): You are Welcome Sr. Inspector Abhijit.
Both smiled.
Silence.
Abhijit(doubtful tone): Wese Tarika bath kuch aur hai.
Tarika: Haan bolo Abhijit.
Abhijit: Jab mein aur Daya iss bath pe behas kar rahe tho meine use kuch boldiya….
Tarika: Matlab tum apne guse pe akar us bichare Daya ko daanta. Kya Abhijit tum b. Itne bade hokar (Abhijit gave confused look)b apne guse par kaaboo nahi kar sakte(Abhijit felt embarrassed).(Abhijit opened his mouth to talk but closed) Daya kitna hurt hua hoga. Phele hi uska dil tuta hua hai aur jake usko aur thodke aye ho.
Abhijit(interrupting urgently): Tarika! Tarika! Esa kuch nahi hua.
Tarika stopped her talk.
Abhijit: Meine sirf usse wada li.
Tarika: Wada?
Abhijit: Haan. Hum dono ne wada ki hum dono ek saath shaadi kareinge.
Tarika's face fell a little which was noticed by Abhijit.
Tarika(could manage just a): Oh!
Abhijit: Wese Tarika meine use nahi balki usne mujhe sunayi and wo bichara bi nahi hai….(Dramatic tone)Sab log uske hi side letein hain aur muje doshi mante hain. Meri to kisiko b fikar nahi hai. Tch tch…(keeping hand on his heart, dramatic tone) Dil humara b tuta hai ji par kisiko parvah hi nahi hai.
Tarika(playing with him): Acha? Apka dil tuta hai ji?
Abhijit: Arey haan ji. (flirt tone) Issliye hum apke pass aye hain….
Tarika: Matlab?
Abhijit: Wo..wo… arey ji aap doctor ho na tho aap meri ilaaj kar dijiye.
Tarika: Acha! Mein tho murntho ko operate karti huin zinda admi ko nahi.
Abhijit(sad tone): Mein b kahan zinda huin bina dil ke.
Tarika: Kyun swiss locker mein rakhi hai kya apne dil ko.
Abhijit: Arey nahi Tarika ji. Kisi ne churali humse apne dil. Aur hume pata b nahi chala.
Tarika: Tho ACP sir se complaint kyun nahi ki? Wo dhund ke dete… Case of the missing HERAT of Abhijit. Wah kya shandar case hai.
Abhijit: Wo issliye ji ki hume pata hai ki wo insaan humari dil ko humse b jada sambhalenge.
Tarika(smiling): Acha. Aapko kese pata ki wo unke pass safe hai.
Abhijit(smiling looking into her eyes): Muje pata hai apke pass safe hai aur aap ache se sambhalenge.
Tarika's smile vanished and shock took over till she realised what he meant exactly, then a blush sneaked in her cheeks.
Abhijit( brushing his hair): Hai marjawa.
Tarika: Hn?
Abhijit cleared his throat.
Abhijit: Tarika muje aap se kuch khena hai. Actually mein yehi bath khene ko aya.
Tarika: Ha..haan bolo Abhijit.
Abhijit: Wo Tarika jese ki mein ne ab tumhe bataya mere aur Daya ke bheech ka wo wada.
Tarika: Haan dosti ka wada.
Abhijit: Haan. Meine isliye banaya ki Daya apne life mein jaldi age bade. Wo mere liye, humare liye jaldi age badein.
Abhijit noticed the shock to confused expression in Tarika's face.
Silence.
Abhijit: Par jo bi jiskeliye b ho. Par Daya ko settle hone mein waqt tho lagega hi na.
Tarika: Hmm..
Abhijit(unsurely): 7 to 8 months ya fir 1 ya 2 saal…. Ya fir 3 saal to lagega hi…..
Tarika: Hm.
Abhijit: Tho… Tarika… wo…. Mein ye bolna chata huin ki…. Tum… mein.. nahi nahi…. Hum.. Daya keliye….
*SIGH*
(Silence)
Both looked at each other. Trying to decipher what other is thinking.
*SIGH*
Abhijit: Deko Tarika wo wada b nibani hai aur humari…. Aur apka saath…. *Taking deep breath* apko.. (in one breath) khona b nahi chata mein. Issliye kya aap please please mereliye intezar karengi?
Silence.
For Abhijit this silence was like eternity. He kept fidgeting in his place nervously or rather he was afraid.
For Tarika there was no silence. The words said by him kept echoing in her ears. She was frozen to the spot. Her body was cold than their room temperature.
Waiter: Excuse me.
Both came out of their thoughts.
Waiter took away the empty plates.
Abhijit grinned sheepishly, whereas Tarika gave a nervous smile.
Abhijit could no longer handle her silence.
Abhijit: Tho?
Tarika(meekly): Ok.
Abhijit who couldn't hear her voice across the table asked..
Abhijit: Hein?
Tarika(bit loud): Haan.
Tarika smiled hearing her own reply and felt shy.
Abhijit couldn't register the answer immediately but when he did he asked again
Abhijit: Hein?
Not because he couldn't hear her, but he wanted her to say it again and again. He felt like experiencing all the happiness of his life at that moment.
Tarika looked up at him when he asked again only to find Abhijit beaming at her. His beaming face infected her too and she too chuckled.
Abhijit(getting up excited): Muje jana hai please excuse me.
Abhijit hurriedly went out past a waiter without even waiting for her reaction. Has he pulled open the door, he looked at her to find her gaze fixed on him.
He smiled at her through his eyes and she reciprocated. She was smiling through her tears which threatened to come out of happiness. So happy that, which she couldn't feel yet due to numbness on the sudden pleasant turn of events. This was none less than a sweet dream for her till now.
Lot of things were running in her mind. She couldn't believe in her own reply. She did that. She just gave a commitment to him.
A tear fell down making its way smoothly, as she kept looking at him.
Tarika: Waiter. One coffee, extra strong please.
Tarika massaged her forehead with one hand, frowning.
Waiter: Madam your coffee.
Tarika: Thank you.
Waiter just smiled and walked away.
Tarika was puzzled as the order came very soon, as she looked down at the hot coffee, all her doubts vanished. A smile crept on her pretty face.
Tarika(smiling): Abhijit… Ye Abhijit b na.
Coffee was in a deep blue (her favourite colour) fat cup and saucer. A heart was made over the lather with A T initials inside heart.
She took the first sip slowly allowing the hot liquid to leisurely flow through her taste buds, then down her throat. She felt calm, letting the caffeine take her senses.
…
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…..
….
..
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" Ab koi doubt nahi hai mere andhar ya dar. I know now"
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.
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" Tu hi tho hai sirf mera.Na.. la..yak..."
A/N: A relationship is made out of trust. And to keep the trust one must be true. And Abhijit is true to Tarika. Both trust each other. That's why Abhijit had the guts to ask her wait for him for his friend. And Tarika accepted to wait for him. In this wait they are committed to each other sincerely. What else one wants in life partner apart from trust, love and commitment.
My POV on why Abhijit and Tarika are in a relation which looks like water on lotus leaf but it isn't. It's much deeper than what it looks to our eyes. It's much more to describe in words. After all love can't be described only felt.
Story will be a bit illogical. What to do we can't expect logic in love. ;-)
Please be kind enough to leave your valuable reviews. :D