Continued...
"Sir dekhiye ye baat aap bhi jante hain ki national security ke liye ek IB agent ko apni pehechan chupani padti hain.....Anubhav ne bhi wahi kiya, sabse apni pehechan chupai....Anubhav IB main dakhil tha...aajtak jitne bhi missions usne kiye woh sare IB ke through the...Anubhav ka har ek mission safal raha, yeh wala mission bhi usne apni kabiliyat aur apne desh prem se safal kar hi diya...Lekin mission ke waqt usse Radiation room main torture kiya gaya tha....jiski wajah se----
----kya?"
"Radiation Retinopathy.......Anubhav apni eyesight kho chuka hain......"
~Author~
The train screeched to a halt, bringing Haseena back to the present. It was 9:30 pm. Her swollen eyes and dry face belied her grief. At the touch of the cool and familiar air, she knew she had reached home. She got out of the train with her belongings and immediately entered the washroom. She washed off the tiredness on her face with water and tied her hairs in a low ponytail with middle partition. Taking out the nuptial chain from her purse, she wore it proudly around her neck and applied small amount of vermilion on the slightly faded one. she admires herself looking in the mirror, softly caressing on the nuptial chain. Showing herself happy and hiding the sadness, she came out, got into the cab she called and head for her home.
'Sach kehete hain, waqt ko badalne main der nahi lagti....kabhi socha nahi tha humne, humari taqdeer hume apne hi rishton main yun uljha degi...Anubhav se shaadi toh ho gayi...par shayad humare naseeb main unka pyaar nahi sirf nafrat hi likhi hain...ek saal ho gaya hain humari shaadi ko, lekin humare rishte main koi badlav nahi hain...ek hi chhat ke niche rehete hain par hume yaad nahi kab akhri baar unse dil khol kar baat hui humari...Anubhav dikhate nahi hain, kehete hain ki unhe garv hain ki unhone apne desh ke liye kurbani di...par hum jante hain andar hi andar kitna ghut rahe hain woh, ek atmanirbhar adhikari se kisipar nirbhar hone ka dard unhe andar hi andar kaye jata hain...par kisise kuch kehete nahi hain....sharm aati hain hume khood par, ek patni hoke apne pati ke prati hum apna kartavya nahi nibha pa rahe hain, apne pati ka dard baant nahi pa rahe hain, unhe prerit nahi kar pa rahe hain, unka saath nahi de pa rahe hain....kuch bhi nahi kar pa rahe hain hum...kuch bhi nahi!' she thought and a lone tear escape from her sorrowful orbs.
As she stepped out the cab, watchman greeted her and opened the main gate of the society. She walked toward her house and proceeds to open the door with a spare key. But the voice calling her from behind halt her. She turned and found her mother calling her. she left her belongings at the door and walks in the direction of Suhana Malik.
"Kaisa raha tum logoka get together?" Suhana Malik asked hugging Haseena.
"Accha tha...itne saalo baad mile hum sab...bahot accha laga" Haseena replied breaking the hug with a smile.
"Chalo andar...apne Pitashree se bhi mill lo" Suhana Malik said.
"Nahi...badmain ayenge na, abhi----
----Shaadi ke baad itni busy ho gayi hain tu ki apne mata pita ke liye bhi samay nahi hain tumhe!" Suhana malik stated emotionally.
"Aisi koi baat nahi hain Matashree...acha chaliye" Haseena agreed and they walked inside.
"Yash...Haseena aayi hain!" Suhana malik called her husband.
"Princess!" Yashraj Malik murmured and hugged his daughter tightly. "Kaisi ho beta?" He asked with moist eyes.
"Hum bilkul thik hain Pitashree" Haseena replied with a small smile.
"Kitni sharam ki baat hain...samne hi beti ka sasural hain aur pita ko beti ka haal chal poochna pad raha hain!....apne grihast jeevan main itna vyast ho gayi tum, ki humare liye waqt nahi hain tumhare pass!" Yashraj Malik stated emotionally with a sad smile.
"Pitashree! ab aa gaye hain na hum...chaliye baith te hain" Haseena said settling on couch with her parents.
"Pehele ye batao itni patli kaise ho gayi tum...khayal nahi rakhti ho khoodka!" Suhana Malik asked.
"Aisi baat nahi hain...woh office main workload jyada hain aaj kal isiliye bass" Haseena replied hesitantly.
No matter how close and happy family they were but today, there was hesitation between them.
"Princess!" Yashraj Malik spoke breaking the awkward silence.
"hmm"
"Tumhara haath Anubhav ke haath main dekar...koi galati toh nahi na ki humne!" Yashraj Malik asked in guilt.
"Hame iss bare main koi baat nahi karni hain!" Haseena seriously said.
"Par princess---
----please Papa....kya iss bare main baat karne bulaya hain apne hume...agar haan toh hume koi ruchi nahi hain...jo chal raha hain, jaisa chal raha hain hum khush hain!" Haseena said cutting her father's word. Yashraj's face turned pale as she first time called her papa instead of pitashree.
"Par beta uss pyaar ka kya jiski tum hakdaar ho....dekho ekbaar phir sochlo princess, abhi bhi waqt hain...agar tum kaho toh hum divorce papers ready karvate hain...koi kuch----
----bass kijiye!" she shouted. "Humare pati dekh nahi sakte iska mhatlab ye nahi ki woh humara khayal bhi nahi rakh sakte...pyaar na sahi samman karte hain woh humara...jo kafi hain humare liye....aur agar isi vishay par humesha charcha karni hain toh hume kabhi bhi maat bulana yaha...chalte hain...Anubhav akele hain ghar!" Haseena said and stormed out of the house fighting back her tears.
~Haseena~
I stormed out from my parents' house. I was tired of their everyday rants. therefore, decided to distinct myself a little from them. Why does everyone want to make decisions of my life? why don't they ask for my opinion? It's my life, only I have right to decide whether I have to destroy or mend It. why don't they understand, I am happy with Anubhav. I don't care about how he treats me. But whenever he is around me. my heart always feels peace. Though he doesn't love me, but my love is enough for me.... for us!
I opened the door and stepped inside, only to witness the darkness in the living room. I turned on the lights and relaxed myself on the dinning chair, gulping down the water in a go, fighting with my inner torment. Maa and Dadu are at our relative's place for some family function. I heavily signed out, got up and head towards his room. I peeped inside and noticed his beautiful sight...how peacefully he is sleeping in a deep slumber.
"sote waqt kitne masoom lagte hain aap...man karta hain bass yahi baithke niharte rahe aapko (pause) kab tak ham yun luka chupi wala khel khelte rahenge Anubhav...jante hain aap hume apni patni nahi mante...par kya aap hume ek mauka bhi nahi de sakte!...hum sab kuch thik kar denge Anubhav...ek baar humse apna dard baant ke toh dekhiye...hum aapko kabhi ansuna nahi karenge, apko kabhi judge nahi karenge...Pata nahi aapko aisa kyun lagta hain ki hamari parwa apke liye sympathy hain...yeh sympathy nahi humara pyaar hain Anubhav...hum jante hain mushkil hain, par please ek baar bharosa kar ke dekhiye hum par... Hum aapko disappoint nahi karenge, I promise.......koi nahi, hum yahi hain...jab apko lage ki ab hum apka dard, apki shikayate sunne ke kabil hain tab bata dijiyega hume...tab tak hum wait karenge.......good night..."
I whispered to his sleeping figure and walked out after tucking the quilt around him properly. I came to guest room cum my sleeping room. since my marriage, in midnight when Maa and Dadu are fast asleep, to secretly come and sleep in this room also to wake up early to shift in my husband's room was my daily routine. Our marriage is only for namesake. We are still hesitant with one another.
"Good night, Haseena!" I wished myself and a naughty tear rolled down my eye.
*****************************
Next morning~
~Anubhav~
I woke up to the chirping of birds...I opened my eyes and saw the only darkness...My day and my night are the same now. I feel like someone has taken the light out of me. I have everything but still nothing. I have accepted the fact of my blind being, but some of the part in me is still denying. I achieved everything at early age and lost everything early too. But I am proud that I have loosed everything for my nation.... for my country.
Yesterday Haseena thought I was fast asleep, but her each and every word is echoing in my head. But I can't do anything, I don't even want to give her hopes.... I'm helpless. It's been a year since we have got married but we haven't climbed up a single step yet, neither she is taking efforts nor me.... she is caged.... caged, because of me. The beautiful bond between her and her parents is breaking, because of me. There is no happiness in our home anymore...nothing is as same as before.
I walked out of the room and head towards kitchen only to hear the sound of dishes.
"Tum kab aayi?" I asked her. I Knew it was her, as I was used to her perfume.
"H..um..ka..l aaye the....rat ko 10 ba..je ke aas pass" why she has to always fumble around me? anyways, I hummed in response.
"A..ap baithiye.... hum aapke liye coffee late hain" she said.
"Hmm...hum fresh hoke aate hain tabtak" I said and went upstairs.
"Umm...a..pki coffee" she handed me my cup once I came back and settled myself on the dinning chair.
"Maa aur Dadu kab tak va..pas aa rahe hain?" why, am I going to eat her when we are alone?
"Pata nahi...shayad dopeher taak aa jayenge, kyu?" I asked.
"Na..hi w..oh...bass aise hi" This girl speaks less and fumbles more...her diminishing sound of anklets irritated me. can't she just sit in front and initiate the talk! leave, she is not unemployed like me, she has an office to attend.
"Hum...nikal te hain...nahi toh hu..me der ho jayegi....agar lage toh call kar dijiyega..chalte hain" I heard her voice and nodded.
she left.
"Vats Anubhav, sab tumhari tarah berojgaar thodi hain...aaj toh dadu bhi nahi hain (sighing) chalo...aaj phir koi naya jariya dhoondte hain timepass karne ka"
I closed the door and walked towards my room and went straight into the balcony. Sitting comfortably on a chair with head resting on the headrest, a workless blind was trying to listen to this busy world. Not that, I didn't try to find any work after that tragedy...but it took me a while to come out of my misery. I slowly close my eyes, recalling my past.
Flashback...
Warning ⚠ triggering scenes & dialogues ahead!
(author's pov)
A person was tied to a chair. There were many people around him, but no one seemed to come to his aid. His condition was not good. seemed, he had been beaten a lot. His eyes were completely black and blue. It was not possible for him to open them fully. Blood was oozing out from his forehead, nose and mouth. He had several bruises on his thighs and arms. He looked tired, he looked frustrated, but he was sitting as if nothing had happened to him.
A goon came in front of him, grabbed his hair and made him look up..
"Boss aa rahe hain...jitna poocha jaye, utnahi jawab dena....nahi toh (he kicked his sensitive spot, making him groan in pain and grabbed his hairs again) aisa torcher karenge, ki khudko pehechan nahi payega....samjha!" he left his hairs harshly making his face hang in air.
Soon the gates of the darkened godown opened and a single source of light shone inside. A man with a dark aura entered. A goon grabbed a chair and placed it in front of the injured person.
"Toh Anubhav singh, kaisi lagi humari meheman nawazi!" The man said, settling himself on the chair while rolling up his sleeves.
"Humare hi ghar main aake humari hi meheman nawazi kar rahe hain ho tum, hume mauka toh dijiye, asli meheman nawazi kya hoti hain hum dikhate hain" Anubhav said, grinning widely.
"Bass...isi ada par toh main fida hoon tum Hindustaniyon par...itne ghav sehene ke bad bhi akad nahi jaati tum logoki...." He angrily said, slapping Anubhav hard.
"Ise akad nahi, deshprem kehete hain!" Anubhav said with his never-ending smile, fueling the man's anger more. He kicked Anubhav, making him fall on his back along with the chair. He asked his one of the goons to make him sit again.
"Kya janna chahate the tum mere bare main huh! yahi, ki kya kale dhande karta hoon main! toh suno...Organ trafficing, drug supply, girls' black millet ye sare kale dhande mere under hote hain....bass yahi nahi, pichle saal jitne bhi bacche kidnap hue the woh sare maine hi kiye hain" he said with a shameless smirk.
"Aur sir woh jawan ladkiya---
---Arey haan, thank you marks, yaad dilane ke liye. Iss saal aur pichle saal jitni bhi jawan, khubsoorat, hott ladkiya tumhare so called bharat se kidnap hui thi, mere order pe hui thi....abb kya batau, har roz nayi nayi ladkiyon ke saath sone ka maja hi kuch aur hota hain...For a change, karna padta hain yaar" he said shamelessly which made Anubhav to fumble in anger.
"Tadap tadap ke maroge tum...wada hain Anubhav Singh ka" Anubhav said, wriggling furiously in his chair.
"Pehele khood azad toh ho jao...phir mujhe marne ke sapne sajate rehena" he said railing backwards. "Khair, mene toh apne bare main sab kuch sach sach batadiya, ab tumhari bari, tum apne desh ke bare main kuch batao" he added.
"Haha.....jaise tum poochoge aur hum sab bata denge" Anubhav laughed.
"Main bhi toh dekhu, kaise nahi batate tum" he said furiously, grabbing a screwdriver and stabbed it thrice in Anubhav's thigh, making him scream in pain.
"Tum chahe humari jaan lelo...hum tumhe kuch nahi batane wale" Anubhav said clenching his jaws.
"Direct kisiki jaan lena, mujhe pasand nahi....par tumhe zinda bhi toh nahi chod sakte, akhir humare sare kale dhando ke bare main abb jaan jo gaye ho tum...toh kyu na tumhe slow death di jaye! kabhi na kabhi toh muh khologe" he said with a dangerous smirk and punch Anubhav's face, making his vision go blur. "Marks, iske sare kapde utar ke apne mehemano wale kamre main iski acche se khatirdari karo...aur agar isne phir bhi muh nahi khola, toh marne ke liye chod dena" he said and walked out of the godown.
The goons followed their boss' orders. Anubhav's whole body was covered with wounds. He became so weak that it was difficult for him to move, so he began to respond to them reluctantly. They took Anubhav to a room, threw him inside naked and locked the door. Anubhav was unconsciously lying on the floor. After some time, some kind of light started to shine in that dark room. And that light gradually grew brighter. He felt a little unsettling. He soon realized that they were beams of radiation that his weak and injured body was quickly responding to. His body began to itch from unbearable irritations. "Ahhh...!!"
To be continued...
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~aapki LEKHIKA😌