"O ! Hello" Ananya speaks as soon as she enters in the house and looks at Dev who is watching T.V.
"Hello" Said Dev without diverting his eyes from T.V screen .
"Tum kya ye dekh rahe ho .Aaj India ka Match hai ." She speaks picking up the remote.She has rescheduled her recording in the morning to watch the match.She has sacrificed her sleep for the match.
"Ek minute.Ek Minute" He holds her hand in the middle." Abhi yahi chalega ."
"Match de raha hai " She explained as if it explains everything.
"Ha to? Match panch minute baad bhi chalega ."He said and tries to take the remote from her hand but she was familiar with his move . So she immediately took remote in her another hand.
"Tumhara show five minutes me khatam nhi hone wala aur Mai Match ka ek minute bhi miss nhi karne wali"Said Ananya keeping her another hand behind her back.
"Ek minute me kaun sa murder mystery reveal hone wala hai wo bhi match me"Said Dev extending his hand to take the remote ..
"Are Aunty....." She speaks looking above Dev's shoulder. Dev immediately left her hand and take two steps back.
"Are Amma hum Kuch ....." He turns back and didn't found anyone .He looks at Ananya who stick her tongue out.
"Are didi Match start to nhi hua na" Said Vivan as he enters in the room .
"Nhi Vivi Abhi hone wala hai" Said Ananya and changes the channel.
"Match dekha jaa raha hai.." Said Dimple coming out from inside .
"Ee Happy remote choda kaise?" Said Jolly who too was excited for match." Chalo kam se kam Match dekhne milega t" Jolly sits on the couch rubbing his both hand in excitement.
"Tum log phir iha ho hudang karoge." Said Happy's mother who too has came out from his room.
"Match hai t ho hudang t hoga hi Amma" Said Jolly.
"Aunty Aap Mumma ke ghar chale jayiye .Pari Maa bhi wahi hai" suggested Ananya and her suggestion is accepted.
"Ek minute" shouted Happy ." Abhi Match nhi chalega.Abhi hum dekhenge".
"O hello"
"Hello"
"Dadagiri hai kya?"
"Happygiri hai . Humra show chhut raha hai,lagao chup chap se .
"Tum baad me dekh lena"
"Ha ,Humare T.V station t humko sasural se tohfe me Mila hai na."
"Tum ek din nhi dekhoge to kya bigad jayega?"
"Kya jayega? Are Art ke chhetra me ek cinematic masterpiece ko dekhe ka mauka chhut jayega" Said Dev in poetic manner
"Aaisa kya dekh rahe the partner " asked Vivan curiously.
."Cartoon" Speaks Ananya 🙄.
"Use Animation kehte hai" Said Dev defensively when Vivan laughs.
"Animation bolne per bhi cartoon, cartoon hi rahega" Said Ananya .
"Agar Achhi story ,Achha execution,Achha screenplay ,ye sab Animation me hai ,to animation dekhe me kya bura hai?"Said Dev.
"Cartoon." Speaks Ananya 🙄.
"Animation,wo bhi Masterpiece "Said Dev .
"Tom and Jerry tha wo .."Said Ananya looking at him unbelievably.
"Ha To? " Said Dev.
"to tum usse phone pe bhi dekh sakte ho "
"Mujhe T.V pe dekhna hai"
"Phone ko T.V pe connect kar ke dekh Lena "
"Nhi. Mujhe T.V pe telecast hone wala episode hi dekhna hai.Tum laga rahi ho ya nhi"
"Nhi"
"Are ek minute " Vivan interjected holding his neck as it starts hurting from the oscillation which is required to look at both of them."Partner Aap mere ghar pe ja kar dekh lo na".
"Mai kyu Jayu?" objected Dev." T.V Maine chalu kiya tha .Dekh mai Raha tha ."
"To didi aap hi chalo" Said Vivan turning toward Ananya.
."Mai kyu Jau?"She said ." Remote mere pass hai ."
"To ab nhi rahega" Dev said taking a step toward Ananya .
"Ek minute. " Said Vivan stopping Dev from his hand ." Aap dono ke live Tom and Jerry fight dekhne me mazza to bahut aata hai per India ka match hai." He said apologetically looking from Dev to Ananya .
"Aur Match khatam ho jayega per aapki fight nhi.So Sorry per Mai apne ghar ja kar match dekh raha hu " He speaks and looks at the rest people." Aap log bhi aa sakte hai.".
Dev and Ananya look at Vivan and rest of all who went toward the door.
"Isse humari fight me maza aata hai" Said Dev Unbelievably, looking at Ananya."Tom and Jerry".He chuckles .
" Ye bhi thik hai tum Tom Mai Jerry" Speaks Ananya with a chuckle.
"Tum kehna chah Rahi ho Mai Jerry aur Tum Tom".Said Dev .
"Nhi" Speaks Ananya."Mai tom kyu? Mai Jerry hu.
Dev-" Kyuki tumhari harqate Tom jaisi hai"
Ananya -"Meri Kaun se harqat hai Tom jaise?
"Jaise Tom bechare Jerry pichhe pada rehta hai waise tum nhi rehti ho mere pichhe."
"Tumhare pichhe meri juti bhi na lage .mai to dur hi baat hui .Wo To Tum mujhe irritate karte ho isliye......
"Jo Jerry tom ko karta hai."
"Tum Darpok ho .Tom jaise
"Ha ha ha. Nice joke ."
"Kyu? Tum mujhse dar ke chuhe ki tarah bill me nhi ghus jate ".
"Chuha Jerry hai."
"Meri Smile Jerry jaisi cute hai" She smiles to show the demo..
"Wo to meri bhi hai".He too show her the demo.
"Nhi.Tum....Tum....Tum mote ho"She said stubbornly
"Mota bhi Jerry hai " He speaks calmly, enjoying her irritation way too much .
"Nhi .Mai Jerry hi hu ." She said stubbornly.
"Per tumhe Jerry hi kyu banna hai?"He asked.
"Kyuki Jerry Jyada Cool aur Smart hai" She speaks.
"Jo ki mai hu .Tumse Jyada cool aur smart" He said raising his head high."So Mai jerry tum Tom."
"No.Tom male hai"
"To Jerry kaun sa female hai"
"Mai tumse height me choti hu."
"1 inch "
"Whatever,Jerry chota hai . Issiliye Mai Jerry
"Ye Kya baat hui .Jerry se ek chiz mili to tum Jerry aur Mai tab se itni chize gina chuka hu uska kuch nhi"
"Tum Tom ban jaoge to tunhara kya bigad jagega?"
"Tum Tom Ban Jaogi to Tumhara kya bigadega? Waise bhi Humesha Tom ki tarah meri pichhe to padi rehti ho"
"Abhi to tum mere picche pare the"Ananya defended herself.
"are haa!! Mera show"Said Dev recalling the reason for their banter".Mujhe remote do"
"Tumhara show over ho gya hoga" Said Ananya walking backward.
"Dus minute hai.Remote do" He said walking forward.
"Nope " She speaks.
"Soch lo"
"Soch liya"
"Thik hai phir " He said shrugging his shoulder and runs toward her whereas she runs away from the him. She runs toward the bedroom and tried to shut the door before he can reach but he was faster .
He stopped the door in the midway and enters inside the room while she runs inside .In a while she found herself in front of wall and Dev behind her.She gingerly turns away.
"Hi hahaha ha .Ye remote mujhe de de thakur "Said Dev dramatically and takes a step toward her
"Nhi Gabbar " replied Ananya and tried to run past him but he hold her hand pull toward himself with her back facing him, whereas She tried to keep her another hand (which is holding remote ) away from him ,by moving it rapidly here and there while he tried to hold it from behind, still holding her one hand .
She knows that he is not going to back off without taking the remote and if he determines to do something,he would definitely do but then she would loose against him and he would tease her for the lifetime about it . But she can't let that Happen.She can't allow Dabbu to win but she is trapped badly into his grip and she can't keep the remote away from his reach for much time unless ......
She put the remote inside her top and get relaxed , quite pleased with herself and her brilliant idea .Little did she knew that he was too much into the flow of their struggle and too much determined to think .
Her breath gets hitched and her eyes widen. She can hear her own heartbeat in her ear or it is his heartbeat,she doesn't know .The remote, the show,the match, everything was forgotten for sometime.All she knows is he . Her whole body gets freezed at that moment as if the time has stopped.
Dev Joshi has crossed the threshold.
A loud cheer from the adjacent houses threw them back into the reality. And before what has happened can sink into Ananya's mind ,he took two steps away from her .
Her heartbeat was still erratic .Her legs were still unable to move. She felt her cheeks burning as red hue spead on her face .And When her mind registered what just happened,she can't stop the smile to come on her lips . At that moment The Ananya Joshi was blushing stupidly ,in front of the person who is the reason for this .
"I.....I ....am sorry..." His voice brings her back into reality. Voice filled with guilt and remorse .
She turns toward him and looks at him . He is looking at the ground with wide eyes, his breathing is uneven ,his heartbeat is increased too .But his face is pale , his eyes are full for guilt ,his hand are trembling badly ,hand that dared to cross its limit.
"I am sorry...." He reiterated ."Mai....Pta .... nhi....." He turns back moving his hand on his hair ."Maine socha nhi......."He closed his eyes tightly.
"Dabbu Relax."She said walking toward him .She was confused from his reaction. "Patni hu tumhari mai...... It's.... It's okay" She speaks awkwardly , feeling necessity to assure him.May be he was feeling guilty because all of this was so spontaneous. He must be thinking about her discomfort .
He turns back and looks at her .There was something in his eyes that she can't read.Guilt ?yes . Regret? Yes .But there was something else too.
"I ... mean......obviously .... embarassing tha..... awkward tha...... but.. you don't need to be guilty"She speaks timidly feeling nervous under his gaze.
"Ha" He speaks and looks away." Mai Amma ko dekh kar aata hu" He said walks away from her without looking back , whereas Ananya kept looking at his retreating figure sceptically .
There is something strange about him.He is again hiding something from her. She needs to talk about it .She has to talk about it. There is a limit of something . She has waited enough for him to take a step towards her .She has given enough time to him for accepting her in his life.
*****************************************He was sitting in the park ,at their special place ,that has witnessed their innumerous memory.However right now his mind is pondering over some another memories. He was so engulfed in his thoughts that he didn't notice Ananya's arrival ,neither he noticed the spells that she casted around them so that no one can see or hear them.
He noticed her when she stands in front of him .
"Anu Tum?"He speaks .She can see his visible effort to talk normally.
"Kuch baat karni hai tumse"She speaks " And Don't worry yaha Hume koi dekh ya sun nhi payega " She said clearly aware from his excuse to avoid conversation
"lagta hai barish hone wali hai" He stands looking at the sky which is shrouded with dark clouds."Ghar chalna chahiye" He didn't wait for her reply and walked passed her .
She hold his hand as he crossed her .He looks at her .
"Kuch hai Jo tum mujhse chupa rahe ho" She speaks looking in his eyes..It was not a question but statement.
"Tum bekar ki baate soch rahi ho ...." He speaks diverting his eyes .
"Ha Ya Na" She speaks sternly , looking at him with piercing gaze.He looks away not wanting to answer her question.
"Kya chupa rahe ho tum?" She asked.
"Nhi bta sakta" He replied, turning back.
"What do you mean ki nhi bta sakta?"She asked angrily.
"Nhi bta sakta ka ek hi matlab hota hai Ananya" Said Dev frustrated as he turns toward her
"Kyu nhi bta sakte?" She asked taking a step toward him ." Patni hu tumhari Mai . Haq hai Mera janne ka"
"Nhi ." He speaks looking straight in her eyes ." Nhi bta sakta Mai tumhe sari baat .Aaisi kai baate hai jo sirf mujh Tak rahe to achcha hai".
"Kyu tumhe sab kuch khud tak rakna hai ? Kyu tumhe sara bojh khud uthana hai? Jab Mai hu tumhare saath.Tumhara har bojh batne ke liye.To kyu ander hi ander ghut te rehte ho tum" She said sharply.
"Bojh nhi hai Mera farz ".Said Balveer heatedly. " Zimmedari hai meri. Jab se hosh sambhala hai tab se iss zimmedari ko nibha raha hu. Isliye janta hu ki kab kisse kya btana hai ya kya nhi .Nhi share kar sakta hu tumse har baat.Nine to five job nhi hai meri .Duty hai , zimmedaari hai , farz hai mera" .
"Agar tum sirf apni duty se juri bate chupa rahe hote to mai samjhti.Per tum jo baat chhipa rahe ho ,usse humare rishte per effect par raha hai" Said Ananya furiously.He has told her that he will take step toward their relationship and again he is doing same thing. Shutting himself away and keeping her out from his isolation zone .
"Tumne kaha tha tumhe ki tumhe time chahiye. Tumne kaha tha ki tum humare liye efforts karoge " Said Ananya .
"To le to kar to raha hu efforts "Dev said impatiently.
"Aaise mujhse baate chupa kar .Ye hai tumhara effort .Aaise le rahe ho efforts.". She Snapped back
"Ha le raha hu" He said sharply. " Koshish kar rha hu mai.Bta to raha hu tumhe itni sari baate .Share kar raha hu na apni feelings tumse. Apni problems ,apni tension,apan dar sab to bta raha hu tumhe .Aasan nhi hai ye .Nhi hai aadat mujhe. Apni kamjori kisi ko dikhane ki. Le raha hu mai efforts. Tumhe dikh kyu nhi raha hai. "He speaks, clearly hurt from her accusations.
"Mujhe dikh rha hai " Speak Ananya. Her frustration is increasing with time ."Mujhe dikhta hai tumhare efforts per tumhe kyu nhi dikhta .Tumhe kyu nhi dikhta ki jis raste per tum chal rahe ho uspe tumhare saath mai bhi hu .Tumhe kyu mujh pe bharosa nhi hota? .Kya karu mai aaisa kyu tum mujh pe yakin karo? Meri galti nhi thi ki mai timnasa ki slave thi ." She speaks .Her voice breaking at the last line.
He moves his hand in his hair and looks away with frustration.
"Tumhe pta hai tumhari problem kya hai?" He said turning back towards her ." Tumne apne man me baitha liya hai ki Mai tum pe yakin nhi karta kyuki tum kabhi timnasa ki jasus thi. Tum iss baat ko bhul hi nhi paa rahi ki kabhi majboori me hi sahi per tumne Timnasa ki isaro pe kaam kiya tha .Tum apne guilt me itni trapped ho ki Mai kuch bhi keh du ya kuch bhi kar lu ,tumhe kabhi yakin nhi hoga ki Mai itna vishwas karta hu jitna Maine khud pe bhi nhi kiya. Tum pe yakin karke Maine apne life me kitna bada risk uthaya hai, iska tumhe andaza bhi nhi hai . Kaise samjhau tumhe ki Mai tumpe yakin karta hu
"Samjhane ki Jarurat nhi padti hai Dabbu. khud samjh me aa jata hai." Said Ananya sharply." Agar yakin karte to tum mujhe wo baat nhi chupate jo humare rishte ko affect kar rha.....
"Kaise affect kar raha hai" Snapped Dev angrily." Sab kuch to thik hi tha.Hum khush to the ....
" You are holding yourself aur keh rahe ho ki sab thik ....." Ananya heckled
"Holding from what?" He said heatedly and looks at Ananya.She just look at him not knowing what to say?
"Sab kuch to thik tha . Everything was beautiful. Aur suddenly sab humare rishte me kuch problem hai ." He said angrily." Sirf isliye ki mai tumhare lust......". He stopped abruptly realising what he said.
She kept looking at him without blinking. His word hit her like a thunder. That's what he thinks about her .She couldn't believe her ears .
"Lust".She whispers slowly. The wind is turning into the storm.The clouds has started thundering.
"Tumhe lagta hai ki Mai sirf isliye tumse baat kar rhi kyuki......" She speaks heatedly. She was hurt.She was angry .
"Nhi Anu ..Mai .. ...." He tried to speaks, feeling guilty .
"Mai issliye janna chahti thi kyunki mujhe pta hai ki jo bhi baat hai tumhe pareshan kar rahi hai" She said furiously while tears fell down from her eyes. "Tumhe akele ghut ghut ke jite nhi dekhna chahti Mai. Nhi paati hu ."
He looks away not able to meet her eyes . How can he say something like that?
"Lekin Tumhare According Mai waisa hi kuch chahti hu to galat kya hai?" She speaks wiping her tears. He looks at her in shock.
." Pati ho tum mere koi gair aadmi nhi ho.Agar ek patni apne Pati se kuch chahti hai to galat kya hai?" She said angrily.Never ever in her life she asked anything from him .She has just wished for his love and his trust.
"KYA DIYA HAI TUMNE AAJ TAK MUJHE" She speaks bitterly, verbally attacking him at same point where it hurts the most."Patni hone ka naam aur adhikar to dur ki baat hai ,tumhare naam ka sindoor lagane ki ijazat nhi hai mujhe. Apne hi pati se choro jaise mil rahi hu mai" She said, trying hard to control the tear .
"Din bhar me dus baar tumhari Amma mujhe yaad dilati hai ki Mai Vidhwa hu ." She said ." Mere aankhon ke samne tum ho aur Mai logo ke Nazar me vidhwa hu." Her control on her tears loses ." Tumse do minute baat kya kar leti hu Tunhari Amma aaise dekhti hai jaise mai characterless hu.Har second tumhari Amma ki judgement ke under dum ghut raha hai mera .
"Unhe Nhi pta hai ki Mai Dev hu" He said angrily."Unka reaction obvious hai.Please unhe bich me mat lao .In sab me unki galti nhi hai" He knows that she is not wrong but how could a son hear something wrong about his mother ? It is not her fault that her son has died .It is not her fault that she wanted happiness for her son and it is not her fault that her thoughts is so narrow that she couldn't accept that a woman can move on .It is the way she lived for her whole life .
"To meri galti kya hai?" asked Ananya." Kyu meri life me kuch bhi thik nhi ho Raha?Aur kitna pain baki hai meri destiny me ? Aur kyu? Pehle Tumhare pyar ke liye tarsu , Phir tumhari berukhi sahu ,Phir aapne aankhon se tumhe Maut ke muh me jaate hue dekhu, Phir saalo tak tumhare Hote bhi tumhare na hona dard sahu , Phir tumhe samne hote hue bhi ajnabi bante dekhu aur ab tumhari patni hote hue bhi ...... kyun? Kya galti ki hai Maine ki Kabhi destiny to Kabhi tum , bas dard hi dete ho "
"Mujhse pyar karne ki Galti ki tumne " He speaks looking in her eyes.His own eyes are filled with tears .
"Nhi karna chahti thi .Ho gya . " She shouted .The Truth in her eyes pierced his heart like sword. "Ho gya .Nhi tha mere control me . Kya karti mai?"
"To nhi batati mujhe" He shouted likewise." nhi bolti na . Sab kuch pehle jaisa rehta .Tum aur Mai sirf dost rehte . Tumhare saath har pal me sukoon rehta." He said wiping his tears.
" Hum to humesha ladte the na .." He hold her shoulder to make her look at him."Per aaise .....? " He said pointing at each other." Humare jhagade me bhi sukoon tha . Humara tarika tha wo duniya ki badi badi uljhano ko bhul kar apni choti si duniya me khone ka ."
"Hum kab se aaise ladne lage? Aur kyu? "He asked looking at her longingly." Tab Koi naam nhi tha per ek Rishta tha .Ab Naam to hai ,Per bas Naam hi hai" He said looking at her painfully.
"Tumhe mujhse shaadi karne ka afsos ho rha hai?"She asked coldly looking in her eyes .Standing in the middle of the park, amidst the loud thunder and strom, They keep looking at each other in silence .
"Ha" He breaks the ice. "Mujhe humari masoom dosti ke khone ka afsos ho Raha hai ."
She felt like Earth has slipped below her feet .The word that she was dreading to hear has fallen into her ears.
"To Khatam karo iss rishte ko" She speaks gathering her whole courage while Dev's hand slipped away from her shoulder.
"Naam ko koi matlab nhi hai".She said looking in his eyes with stony face .She turns back , leaving Dev petrified at her place and walks away .
The downpour has started as if the sky has decided to melt from their pain. Dev kept looking at Ananya as she walked away.
So how was the chapter?
Precap-
Lab Kitne hi pairo se lipte honge
Tune jab aakhri khat mera jalaya hoga
Tune Jab Phool
Kitabon Se Nikale Honge
Dene Wala Bhi Tujhe
Yaad Toh Aaya Hoga