In a shiffon emerald green saree .
With backless golden blouse.
A loose bun and traditional jumka on ears .....
She is looking perfect to fit in this high profile family of Sarkaar's ....
Passing a smile now and then.
Trying to be a part of it
Talking with everyone.
"May I have the pleasure"
Came a voice and she turned to see
Major raghav standing there bowed in front of her with a smile asking her to dance.
For a sec her heart stopped beating as as a memory came storming to her heart.....
Mess ,she trying to learn steps ,when he had came.
She smiled to him and gave hands .
He escorted her to the floor.
And they started dancing ....
As he slides his hands on her waist
His smiling face came flashing again
When he had pulled her for dance
It was intimate yet decent.
She tried to shrug it off .....
But soon felt restless as she felt his fingers rubbing her bare back.... Sensually.
She saw him...
His eyes were showing his interest on her........ though it was not completely lusty....still
So opposite of what she use to see in his eyes.....
His eyes were always filled with love for her .
How she failed to understand them
And now it's too late
She shut her mind again.
Tired of this tug of war.
She is exhausted to fight with this approach avoidance conflicts.
To suppress his memories
"Excuse me ...
I need to go to washroom"
She said and escape from there ....
To breath
As everytime his memory haunts her...she feels suffocating.
Major raghav got busy with his guest when one of his friend came to him...
"Raghav ....
Tune to kaha tha ke Naina ki posting Delhi mein hogi...."
Raghav turned to him with a smile
"Han Delhi mein hi hai...."
He said .
And soon raghav's smile fade away....as he talked more with his friend.
His eyes now searching for her .
She is standing at the balcony when she saw huda leaving the party .
She rushed to him.
"Tu kaha jaa raha hai"
She asked
Huda turned and saw her with strict look.
"Kal early report karna hai"
He said in a dry voice
"Huda ruk na thodi der ...... Main akeli Kya karungi"
She said softly
"Akeli kyun
Major raghav hai na "
He said sarcastically
Naina lowered her eyes....
She know her friends are upset with her .
Everything changed
Everyone changed
After that day
"Huda please...."
She said with a pleading tone.
He realized he is being very rude and came down to talk softly
"Sach mein der ho gayi hai Naina
Drive bhi lambi hai ..
Aisa karte Hain...Kal lunch mein milte Hain"
He said and she smiled and noded feeling relief.
"Tu jayega kaise
Cab agayi"
She asked
"Nahi ud bahar wait Kar Raha hai"
He said
To which she smiled with all her heart
"Ud Aya hai...
Bataya kyun nahi.
Chal main bhi chalti hun Milne"
She was about to walk with her when.
"Mam....
Raghav sir is calling you"
Came voice of Malini their maid.
She stopped and looked at Huda.
Huda - it's ok
Main use Teri taraf see hi keh dunga.
He said forcing a smile....
She noded and saw huda leaving.
With disappointed face she turned to get back inside the house.
Huda sat in the passenger seat as ud drove off
Ud was slightly beard with maturity on his face
Ud - beer peene chalen
He asked looking at Huda's face.
Huda - nahi Yar der ho gayi hai
Sameera wait Kar rahi hogi...
Ghar chod de.
He said in a low voice
Ud saw him and thought for a while
Ud - Naina kaisi hai
He asked
Huda - iska jawab main kaise dun
He said with sadness
And they remained quite for rest of the drive.
____
In a bedroom
"Malini ne kaha ke apne bulaya "
She said
As raghav was sitting on sofa
"Haan ao baitho"
He said
And Naina walked to sit adjecent to him
Trying to read his face...
Trying to figure out what is the issue.
"Apne jhut kyun kaha humse"
He asked
And she saw him wondering what he is talking about
"Kaun sa jhut"
She asked
"Apne Srinagar ki posting ke liye apply Kiya tha"
He said
"Han Kiya tha....."
She said in soft tone.
Not able to understand what is wrong in that
"Naina....
Humne kaha tha apse ke hum apki posting yaha Delhi mein karwayenge.
Kyunki hum yaha posted hai"
He said in a gentleman tone.
"Lekin
Mera Srinagar Jana zaruri hai.
Bhaiyya ki case ke Kai khoye hue sire mujhe wahi milenge."
She said trying to explain him.
"Naina apko nahi lagta ap humari sharafat ka galat fayda utha rahi hai"
He said suddenly in a slight high pitch
Surprising her with his sudden changed audacity.
"Main apko samajh nahi paa rahi hun."
She said with vigilant eyes.
"Naina....
Hum bhi army mein hain
Humein apke army mein Kam karne se koi pareshani nahi hai.
Lekin
Apki ye manmaniya....
Apko samjhana chahiye
Ke ap ab sarkar family ka hissa hai
Apki kuch zimmedariya Hain is Ghar ki taraf.
Ap beshak army mein serve kijiye
Par apka Ghar pe rehna bhi utna hi zaruri hai.
Sarkar khandan ki bahu.....aise jab dekho tab apni Marzi se uth ke kahi nahi jaa sakti.
Ye bat apko samajhni hogi.
He said trying to make her understand.
She was listening carefully to his words.
And finally after a long time the darkness in her life got clear .
Raghav got up buttoning up his coat.
"Chaliye sab neeche intezar Kar rahe honge
Hum Kal khud apka application reject karwa denge.
Uski fikar mat kijiye ap.
Bas age se dhyan rakhna."
He said with a smile trying to be so understanding
"Raghav "
She called him as he was about to open the door.
He turned to see her
"It's ok Naina
You don't need to apologise"
He said with a smile
But she kept looking at him and walked slowly to him
"Thank you"
She said with a sudden calmness in her voice
"Ap nahi jante
Aj ye bat karke apne mujh pe kitna bada ehsan Kiya hai"
She said
And he got confused
"It's ok Naina
Galtiya sabse hoti hai"
He said keeping his hand on her shoulder
She kept looking at him
"Galti....."
She paused
"Galti to Hui hai mujhse "
She said and left the room before him.
She walked through the corridor and went down stairs
People passing by greeting her, passing smile.
But she kept walking
And soon walked out of the house .
She stopped a car.
And sat inside
"Air port "
She said and sat back.
Resting her back on the seat.
Watching the darkness engulfing the starless sky.
Closing her eyes
To feel that darkness within her.
That day again flashed in front of her eyes
That burning jeep...down the bridge
She never knew that fire can eat up one's light.
Leaving grave darkness
Just two more shot