Raat Akeli Hai

XXIX. "mere liye aayi?"

anupamaa :

I was working at Spice and Chutney.
It was a rather empty restaurant, now that it was dusk.
There was no one, apart from me at the kitchen.

"Ek chai milegi? Masala chai?", I heard.
"Haa.. do minute baithiye.", I said as I immediately got to work.
Just then Vikram bhai appeared.
"Lao mai de deta hu..", He said as I handed the tea to him.

After a while I heard the same voice,
"Shayad.. chai mein cheeni thodi zyada hai."

I immediately looked up.
My heart skipped a beat.

Mister Shah.
With a subtle smile.
He looked younger, the version that I had seen him in for the first time.
Kind innocent eyes, gentle smile, hair combed to perfection - wearing a simple white shirt with trousers. A little nervous, I could feel it. Yet trying very hard to be confident.
Just another twenty one year old boy.

I immediately slipped out from behind the kitchen desk and rushed to him.

"Aap? Yahan? Aapko toh goli lagi thi.. hospital mein the na..", I asked immediately.
He smiled as he kept the tea cup on the table beside him.
"Ha.. ab chuth gaya..", He said.
I immediately edged closer, no bruises on his face, no injuries, no bandages.
"Kaise? Aapko toh kitni choth lagi thi..", I said, absolutely confused.

"Chooth shareer pe lagte hai.. rooh par nehi.", He said, in a matter of factly tone.
A chill ran down my spine.
I gulped.
"Kaisi behki behki baatein kar rahe hai aap?! Kuch bhi! Bataiye.. kaise chooth gaye aap?", I snapped.
He smiled, as serene as ever.
"Tum khush toh ho na?", He asked irrelevantly.
"Aapse kaunsi meri khushi sehen hoti hai..", I mumbled irritably.

"Chalo aacha hi hai.. ab tumhe mujhse firse nehi dekhna padega.", He said softly, "Bas kabhi kabhi sochta hu.. kaisa hota agar hum aaj bhi saath hote.."
"Kyu? India jaa rahe hai aap?", I asked immediately.
He smiled, a strange silence fell.

"Phir milenge hum.. chalte chalte.", He whispered.
The door behind him opened abruptly.
Kinjal it was.
Her face was red with tears.

"Mummy.. woh Papa.. unki death ho gayi"

I sat up immediately.
Sweating profusely.
I looked around, breathing heavily.
I was in Toshu's old rented house, the house was still under his name with the rent paid. After hearing the harsh words from Baa, I couldn't go back to Sumedh's mansion. I walked in here, sat for a while but instead dozed off due to fatigue.

I immediately got off the bed and rushed into the bathroom.
I splashed water onto my face desperately.

Kanha ji.. yeh.. yeh sapna bas sach na ho. Kabhi na ho.

I shut my eyes, violently splashing the water on my face, trying to drive off that image of his from my mind.
The uncanny peace on his face, too calm, too serene. Nauseatingly happy.
I breathed heavily, feeling eternally traumatised.

Kya saza e maut kaafi hoga mere gunahon ke liye.. begum jaan?

I could almost hear his raspy voice, as clear as ever.
How was he?
No, I needed to know. I couldn't lie here and sleep.. no.. I have to know.