The 'Un' Attached String

Chapter - 25

In the morning, when Bela woke up, she searched for her phone on the side table and found a small piece of paper with a set of keys. When she opened the paper, she found a note left behind by Maahir -

"Main market ja raha hu ghar ka raashan kharidne, ek ladka aayega tumhe saara samaan dene ke liye please usey le lena aur ghar mein sirf ladies hai to maine bahaar se lock kar diya hai, ye apartment ki duplicate chaabiya hai tum apne paas rakh lena."

Unintentionally and unplanned a smile formed on Bela's lips as she put the paper back onto the table and then she looked at Bulbul, who was in deep sleep and when she checked her, she found the slap marks on Bulbul's cheeks have started to fade away. Bela kissed on Bulbul's cheeks and covered her with her blanket and came out of her room to check onto Kuhu. When Bela was about to go to Kuhu's room, the bell rang outside and on unlocking the door from inside, she found a boy, alongwith the watchman were standing with many bags, containing fruits, vegetables, other important household things. Seeing Bela, the boy smiled and replied, "Vo Maahir bhaiya ne bhijwaya hai aur kaha hai ke bhabhi ko de dena aur aapse ye bhi bolne ko kaha hai ke isme saamaan ka list hai aap check kar lena ek baar." The boy and the watchman entered inside the apartment and put everything on the table and then said, "Aur ha ye khatte aam aur imli ka achaar hai bhaiya ne kaha hai aapko dene ke liye aur ye baby ke liye khatti dahi hai ekdam fresh aur ye hai ande, kaha hai isko sambhaalke fridge mein daalne ke liye. Is baar na bhaiya ne saare ke saare ande kharid liye, vo didi bhi to aayi hai na isliye." Bela was amazed thinking how the boy knew everything and she remembered that Maahir was just like that having a friendly relationship with everyone in the neighbor. After the boy left from there and Bela looked at all the things and wondered how Maahir could manage so many things all alone and also bringing all the necessary things required for everyone. But most important of all she was happy thinking he still now remembered how much she liked that pickle. Bela cautiously washed the eggs and put them inside the fridge and then went to meet Kuhu. On getting to Kuhu's room, she found Kuhu was doing yoga and so she waited for some time to let her finish. After she wrapped up, she was surprised seeing Bela so early in the morning and she asked, "Tum to early riser nehi ho?" Bela smiled and replied, "8 saal bohot time hota hai aadatein badalne ke liye. Vaise bhi neend toot gayi aaj phir Maahir ne ek ladke ke haatho saara saamaan bhijwaya tha so..." Both Bela and Kuhu sat on the balcony of Kuhu's room and then Kuhu asked, "Pareshaan lag rahi ho?" Bela replied, "Meri life ne ye kaisa ajeeb sa mod le liya hai, samajhme nehi aa raha hai ke khush hu ya dukhi hu, kya karu... The place I hated the most, the person I hated the most aaj mujhe wahi par usike saath rehna par raha hai. Sab kuch jo maine bohot peeche chod diya tha, socha tha ke kabhi bhi mujhe in sab cheezo ko face nehi karna parega, aaj main un sab ke saamne khari hu. I just don't know, mujhe kuch bhi samajhme nehi aa raha hai." Kuhu replied, "Agar kuch bhi samajhme nehi aa raha hai to koshish karna chod do, just jaisa chal raha hai chalne do and I'm sure you'll be able to deduce everything, tumhe tumhaari manzil zarur mil jaayegi." Just then there was a sound of the main door opening and when Bela came out of Kuhu's room, she found Maahir entering and seeing her, Maahir said, "With due respect Mrs. Sehgal, is ghar mein servants nehi hai so jab bhi aap sab andar rahe to andar se darwaaza bandh kar lijiyega kyuki kya hai ghar mein saari aurte hai aur unki responsibility mujhpar hai so... please..." Bela asked, "Tum saamaan bhijwaane ke baad kaha gaye the?" At that question, Maahir suddenly got a tint of amusement and thought to tease Bela and asked, "Was my wife worried about me?" Bela caught that essence of teasing and replied, "Sorry! Mujhe ye sawaal nehi puchna chahiye tha." Bela was about to leave but Maahir stopped her and said, "Main mazaak kar raha tha! Jogging ke liye gaya tha, fit nehi rahunga to bimaar padh jaaunga na and fit hu tabhi complex aur professional life mein saari larkiya meri fan hai aur yaha colony mein kisiko bhi yakeen nehi aaya ke main ek 8 saal ki bachchi ka baap hu." Bela smiled sarcastically and replied, "Fitness nehi usko aakhe kharaab hona kehte hai isiliye vo log aisa sochte hai." Maahir replied, "Ok whatever you think, abhi saara samaan sametne mein aur phir breakfast banaane mein meri madat kar do." Saying Maahir left to change his track suit and then Bela started preparing for breakfast.