Blossom 🌼

Was it a joke ?

Present time 

Mayank finally came in India after eight years. It was almost 10:30 at night, he stood in front of his house. Everything gone changed; not only his house but the entire Punjab, changed itself in a new form. The playground, where he and Abhi were used to play cricket together. The paddy land, where the first kissed.... everything have changed. Eight years--- ninety six months --- twenty nine hundred twenty days approx --- have been passed. Mayank chuckled with his calculation, then moved forward to the main door.

His mother cried out hugging him opening the door. Mayank hugged her back, he too couldn't control his tears. His father also came and raised his hands to his son. Mayank gave him a cold stare and completely ignored his gesture for hug.

His mom did some 'Maanglik' rituals on his appearance after a long time. They wanted to celebrate the day but Mayank warned them; if they did overdo he won't come. While his parents were badly seeking their only son's arrival, they were ready to accept any proviso. Even........

Mayank placed his luggages in his room and took a bath. Then came downstairs. He could eat dishes made by his mother after a long time.

At dinner table his mom started feeding him with teary eyes. It was hurting them that their son is not much emotional as them.

"Mayu beta, aur kitna gussa karoge ? Aat saal beet chuka, ab to burhe baap ko maaf kar do" His dad said.

"Gussa karke barbad karne ka time mere pas mahi hai dad. For your kind information, I mainly came India for rectifying my mistake. To make you realise what wrong you did making me self-established. I'm no longer that young boy whom you can smash under your feet!"

"Chhi Mayu, aapne dad se koi aise baat karta hai ? Tum jo man chahe karo, hum kuchh nahi bolenge" his mom said.

"Agar bolenge bhi to bhi mujhe koi fark nahi padega. Vaise wo hai kahan ab ? Kuch khabar rakhte bhi hain aaplog uska ?"

An evil smile occurred on his dad's face --- "Rakhke kya fayda beta ? Tumne jo kiya hai uske baad wo thodi tumse pyaar karega ?"

Mayank's eyes bursted in anger. He threw the plate with food and harshly went upstairs, to his room.

His devastated body fell down on cold floor. A dark curl engulfed him and took him eight years before...... everything emerged in flashback---------

Eight years ago;

Abhishek running in the playground, with a thousand dreams in his eyes. Just a bit more...... Mayank is a little bit far from him. He is running towards Mayank like a vagabond running in desert towards a mirage........

But what is this ? Mayank isn't smiling! He always smiles seeing his Abhi, his buddhu, his dulhan and many more. Abhi is panting for speedy run.

"Tum...tum kal hi.... huhh.... USA jaa re ho ?"

"Hmm" Mayank replied without making eye contact.

"Mujhe kab le jaoge ?"

"Tujhe Kiyu ?"

"Don't act like hell mere shohar!" Abhi pouted.

"Kya baat kar raha hai ?"

"Arey! You promised me to take with you; You will marry me!!"

"Abhi wo sab majak tha. Tu pagal hai ? Do ladke shaadi karenge ? And I'm going USA for studying, not to celebrate amour"

"You're joking right ?"

"Nahi Abhi, tu mere previous jokes ko sach maanke baitha hai. Mujhe pata hota ki tu aisa pagal to mai jabhi nahi kehta wo sab!"

Abhi couldn't believe his ears, nor his Mayank. His didi was right then ? A long silence. Then

"Joke ? Majak ? Mujhe bade bade sapne dikhana majak tha ? Abhi tujhse shaadi karuna, Abhi tenu sath ghar basayunga, Abhi tujhe pahadi nadi ke kinare baith ke kiss karunga...... ye sab majak tha !!!? Mujhe kheti me le jaake kiss karna majak tha ? Khelne ke bahane mere private parts me haath daalna majak tha ? Mujhse jhute pyaar ka natak karna majak tha ?"

"Haan bhai haan majak hi tha...... ab ghar ja aur mujhpe ahsan kar"  Mayank folded his hands with an annoyed face.

Abhi's tears flow like a stream. He never imagined that his dream palace could be break into pieces at a glance.

"Once you told me that koi shaitaan hi mujhe dhoka de sakta hai. Shayad wo bhi majak tha tumhare liye, lekin me samajh gya, tum hi ho wo shaitaan Mayank!!!"

Abhi ran away like that just like how he ran towards Mayank. Only difference is, he came with lot of dreams and happiness but going with a hollow heart only. He never saw turning aback that Mayank's eyes are flooding with tears.

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