Woh Lamhe.....Scene 6

“Vikki don’t get angry but she had a troubled childhood. She was very upset from life. From her school days she had being an extrovert with strong athletic background always wanting to portray her as a strong character. We met in school as we were just aquatinted back then and suddenly one day I realised or came to know from different rumours sources that, she ran away.

We met again in Spain when I was studying there, she was also in the college and then we were roommates and she use to go home on weekends as her parents resided over there. I and she became good friends and then she started taking me to her home. In her home I found her father and his assistant Mya lived there. Mya was both his partner and assistant plus I never seemed to feel that Priya had problems with Mya. Mya was 10 years younger to Sumeet. We came to know from her that she was his student in the university where he taught architecture. At that she was into alcoholism and once Sumeet tried to make her understand her about her addiction, when he found her objectionable conditions. So to help her, he offered her to let stay at his place. And since they are house mates. And 10 years ago, they committed like couple and Priya was the one who brought them close. That day, I came to know the book of life named ‘Priya’

Priya’s mother Neeta was married to Sumeet under arranged marriage circumstances. Though Sumeet tried to adjust but Neeta was never happy. Their house was more of a war-front. And in amidst their problems, Priya was born and Neeta always saw her as liability or extra burden due to which she had to stay in marriage. It was when Priya was 5 when situation became non-bearable so they parted ways. As much both the parties wanted Priya was handed over to her mother and the same year Sumeet left for Spain as he got a job offer there. And within one year only, Neeta married to Mr. Shrikant R Iyyengar and there Sumeet met Mya in Spain.

But Priya’s life took a worse turn because Shri was not a nice person. He was flattered by the beauty of Neeta but didn’t want the burden of Priya and realising that Neeta herself was not much attached to Priya. He started torturing the little girl. She was kept in very bad conditions and especially after Shri and Neeta had a daughter, Chandini. Priya had no one to share her grief as she was not allowed to meet both sets of her grand-parents and was demonized about her father that he didn’t wanted her and she just a liability over everybody. So to cope up with that part, she channelized her anger and sorrows in sports and aced but then also, the ghosts of her life never left her. She was ill treated in home plus as she scored well in exams as she was brilliant student, she was forced by Neeta into many things, for them Priya became a trophy.

Things took a more severe turn when, she turned 13, this was the time I came into her life as classmate, she was psychology topper plus very good at games but now she started to develop as woman from girl and I must say a very beautiful lady. Shri now had hovering eyes over her and sometimes tried to physically and sexually advance towards her. Though Priya always saved herself from him but when she tried to tell Neeta this, Neeta only blamed her as that point that she has being into wrong sides. Neeta accused Priya of trying to seduce Shri and when she failed she is making up stories as she herself saw the truth but very conveniently believed the Shri’s side of bluff as she also had no love for Priya.  

Tired from all this she ran away from house one day and was somehow met Neeta’s parents who knew that Shri will try to get her back for his public image, so they somehow sent her to her parental grandparents who lived in Mumbai, from there she completed her 10^th exams but to keep her away from Neeta’s clutches, she was sent to Spin to her father.

Priya was 16, when she first met her father after 11 years, she had presumptions of him being a worse man but when she met him, she felt otherwise and after meeting Mya who told how he has being helping her since last 10 years, she understood that her father truly and sincerely loves her. Priya in turn made them a couple. As she realised that they both had romantic feelings towards each other but were shy to accept them.

It was 2008, at that time she was 21, when we met again and I became her best friend with all her life’s secret and then we both returned to India and stayed sometime in Manali for sometime around 2 years ago and then we settled over here and Priya since then is famous guide so is always in tour of India. After that her mother had again came onto her life with her over dominating nature that she should marry Naveen Chawla, her friend’s son and Priya’s childhood acquaintance. Though Priya wasn’t very sure but o get rid of her mother, she agreed to marry. As Priya’s maintenance judgement clearly stated that till the time she isn’t married her life’s decision would be taken by Neeta.

But what happened to that you also know and so it unwritten rule in Priya’s life t not to talk about Neeta or should say her mother. So now, she is free from her mother as now she has you as Mrs. Priya Vikrant Raina.

This the reason for sleep disorders plus she came to know from some sources that her mother is coming Panchgani to take her away, and that was the reason of her tension since last few days. She has a troubled childhood leading haunted dreams.”

Hearing all this he stormed to Priya’s room.

Astiva

“Don’t worry Mr. Thakur, Your case has been moved to fast track court so it won’t take much time now, I know it has being 4 years without any results, but the thing is that it has being moved here in Mumbai. You would need stay here next 15 days for proceeding. I have asked one of the freelancer lawyer. She is the best lawyer over here in family matters.” Said his office legal adviser Adv. Prabal Singhania.

“It’s ok; I had to stay here only for divorce hearings. Hopefully the last, it has being very tiring 3 years.” Said Kirat Thakur tiredly. “By the way, why a female lawyer. You very well know I don’t trust women and especially you very well know that women are never up to the mark.”

Prabal knew him from last 2 years and in these years; he concluded one thing that was he never thought women to be equal. He didn’t knew what today will happen as the free-lancer lawyer was known to be a big time feminist, Adv. Vinati . Vinati never takes any cases, she is only active in fast track court where she works only 3-4 months then she travels the world with money. She is in early 30s, beautiful but alone and sadden soul, lives in apartment cum office near High Court where people can meet her. She was leaving the nation previous week only for prolonged trip to Italy and Greece, but a last moment her previous case intercepted so she stayed and now is here for a month as she has some personal work too. He contacted Vinati through his wife Tulsi, they were good friends as the girl did her law from Jamai Millia and so did his wife. He was shocked to know that even Mr. Thakur’s younger sister Samistha was there for education.

Mr. Kirat Thakur was business hotshot who was also in his mid-30s. he is basically settled in Delhi, only comes Mumbai for cases, they were two on-going, one was his divorce with his mysterious wife as no one had seen her and they had got no-press permit so none except their family court judge knew about her. Other was a case going on him for sexual harassment of his one of the employees. It was a big media circus. This was also one of the reasons that he wasn’t sure Vinati will take up or not because he is out of paparazzi circle, even so much that even after being practicing lawyer in Mumbai and has being there with lots of celebrity clients. Her recent was a marital rape case which she handled for Bollywood heroine. But she has not being clicked even once. Her statements are released through e mails or her office. He was brought out from reverie by a knocking in door, which notified him that he was in his office thinking about it.   He was informed by the peon that the woman he was waiting is here.

And there entered a girl in grey skinny jeans which had huge slits all over and a baggy t-shirt lying on one her shoulder other showed the open shoulder. With that she had a huge leather bag and her hairs were tied carelessly over the place near nape. With a bit of British tone, she said “Mr. Prabal, its Vinati, Tulsi said you wanted me for one of your client’s case for fast track matter.”

“Ok. Let me call Mr. Thakur, my client till if you want we can have a cup of coffee, what say?” Prabal said, to say he was shocked would be correct as he didn’t expected such renowned lawyer like this, but he had heard that she was different so it was no such big shock to him. He heard her saying “Thank you for offer but I prefer chocolate cup. If it can arranged or else a soft drink, preferably Coke”

“Prabal has your lawyer came?” said Kirat entering and sees her sitting. Both of them were just dumb folded seeing each other. But she recovered first and said that “Sorry, Mr. Prabal I cannot take this case. And I think I must leave. And thanks for hot chocolate.” And she gathered her things was about to leave when Prabal catches up with her and says “Please tell me what’s troubling. May be I could help. I know you have to stay here for next 21 days, so please take the case; it starts on day after tomorrow and its just 15 days. I will highly oblige. I know you are best. Plus this assignment will give you unlimited money.”

After thinking a while, she says “Ok. But you need to visit me; I don’t visit anybody at any case. You know my office address. Pass it on to him. Plus I know this case is a media hotspot but in any circumstance I won’t give my statement in media face to face, I will release it from my office through official note and will leave the court from back door, just after the hearing. If your client agrees. Tonight at 10, before that I am busy winding my precious case.”

At 11, when Kirat enters the office, it was shock for him to see that it was more of cozy home then office. A huge flat where in entrance only he found a smaller room for staff where he saw 3 guys working. After telling them about his visit they left him on middle of a hall from where he saw two openings one to her bedroom, another towards the kitchen as he could see other  2 guys coming out with Maggi. And one glass partition from where he could see her office. In the hall he found many legal books and her photos of life where in all the photos she was wearing something he would consider inappropriate as they all ended inches above the knees or should say only covered upper thigh. Just then he saw Vinati entering the hall from main gate and taking a drag from one of guys cigarette, they were smoking, she quipped “Guys, here’s your ice creams for winning the case and has someone inquired about me.” As she was hugged by all men saying “Thank you, Vins. There is someone who told that he had to come an hour earlier but struck in jam. Waiting in your office and we made some Maggi, would you want some or will you have pasta of morning? Shall we heat it and bring.”

Her expressions sobered and said “No guys, no mood to eat but its better you leave, he is the new client, here for case meeting so before leaving close the door properly and lock from outside.” The guys left with urgency and there was only Vinati and him.

He saw she was wearing the shortest possible blue demins with a red checked knot shirt which was up to elbows and only one button closed so gave ample scope towards her cleavage where he saw a red lacy bra and a black thread was tied just above the denims which showed her slim waist. He saw that she has many small tattoos all over body as she had a butterfly in left over breast area; also a sting of stars was following from the nape of her neck to direct right bust. One of her arms had an armband kind of tattoo of wires. Her waist in backward as a wreath of roses and another wrist had an Om in it. Her toned legs also had tattoo as he saw a cat tattoo in her ankle, she had her whole ear length shot where she was wearing small cluster like diamond in each. He presumed it be 7-8 piercings.  Her hairs were up do clutched in a juda pin of strong red colour. She said “I wasn’t expecting you, Mr. Thakur but now if you are here lets discuss the case. ” she said in an ice cold voice. Gone her sweet chiming voice which was just a moment ago.

He found him in unusual situation. Seeing her somewhere chimed his parent’s voice and his sub conscious mind about how a girl should be. For him a woman should never look directly in the eyes of a man. She should always wear decent clothes that cover her body fully. She should be someone who should never be near a man boldly. Tattooing and piecing is prohibited. She should be docile home maker not someone as home runner. She should never go out in nights. Smoking is big No No in the life. In all Vinati was ultimate failure of someone upbringing. He decided to give her some advice, he just said authoritatively “You know Mrs. Vinati, it is not good to have such lifestyle, and you should know that.”

Settling herself in beanbag with legal documents and a red pen, she said “First, its Ms. Not Mrs., secondly you have got no right to call me by my name and as I don’t have surname, for you its Adv. V. lastly, you are no one so please spare your lecture how I should be.”

He just said her challengingly “Vinati means someone who is soft and sweet, like a prayer not a spit fire like you.”

“Sorry, to break your assumptions. But people made me tough in life, so please keep my life out of discussion we better concentrate on the work in hand. ” she said in an even tone.

These 15 days had being very tiring on both of them as both lived different universes and were trying cope with each other for the only reason  of the case because she had a mad gleam of winning, another trait which should not be there in woman. She was ultimate player who can also cheat to win. During this time he always saw that she was most of times visited by men of all calibers even all his staff was men. He had seen her partying one weekend with some friends where they were sharing some gossips and bear. Another trait which reminded him of his factor that he was not very sure of her success because he knew that till now she haven’t even attended any of the proceedings and her assistants use to make submissions. Though for him surprisingly, her every submission was granted.

Today, was the last hearing, he was bit frustrated because his family hearing didn’t go as planned as the judge informed him that after lots of thought process and the constant absence on their both interest on resolution, the judge has decided to meet her alone again and if after that he feels so then the divorce papers will be finalized. He knew that she wont say a word against the factor that was written in the matter. But her couselling clashed with his today’s hearing so he couldn’t be there to see her broken face. The chit of the girl had all luxuries with him yet filed divorce 3 years back after 5 years of married life. First he thought that she herself would withdraw but she handled it very bravely even all questions from his advocates were not enough to let her down, so now he also wanted get free from this relationship. In last 4 years she established herself was now had made herself. But he wanted see her face when finally she signs the paper.

On the contrary, he was shocked to see Vinati in court. She was wearing a blue elbow length blouse with white cotton saree with blue borders, the Mother Teresa saree which tied on her in very decent way. Her hairs were tied properly in tight bun. She was wearing her black cloak and lawyer tie. Her hands had 2-3 gold and silver bangles.  She didn’t look even a bit like what Vinati he had seen in last 2 weeks. She looked more like conventional lawyers. With that entered two of her most loyal and consistent assistants he saw regularly in last 3 weeks. Her eyes were lined  in thick kohl making it look bigger and intruiding. She confidently entered the court and took her place. He saw that all lawyers had eyes on her in admiration for beauty and knowledge. Before the proceeding started he saw even the opposition lawyer is saying Vinati, “Vinati, it is pleasure that we could share even a hearing. I’m absolutely speechless. And thanks that you saved me in last case.”

As the proceeding commenced the hustle in court died. And after all the said and done by the opposing lawyer as he had the opening statement that day. He noticed one thing that she passes a lot of stick on notes to her assistants. She stood like a tigress, subtle, fiercy and ready to attack. And said

“My Lordship, it is both a matter for honour and pride for me to be standing infront of the Honourable judge. If you permit before the proceedings end and the verdict is sanctioned. I may like to have last examination of victim and submit a new evidence.” Saying that she moved towards the victim box and asked “ou will agree to me that you have repeatedly said that there was only a single attempt to molest you. And too on 22^nd June 2009 i.e. 4 years back.” Seeing the string willed eyes of her the girl merely nodded. Then Vinati repeated “Are you sure?” the girl again just nodded.

Suddenly, she turned towards the Judge and said “Your lordship, the paper in front you is the new evidence and it is a paper from a leading UAE hospital, that says Mrs. Pragati Dixit, who in turn was Mr. Thakur’s wife’s sister was there admitted for a miscarriage on 22^nd June 2009 and her consent papers are signed by Mr. Thakur, clearly proving that he was in UAE that time period. Though the case was closely woven as he had returned just the next day. But the self-proclaimed victim forgot the minute detail of dates. With that I rest my case.” She said boldly.

There was total silence in Court and the judge said “With the new evidence and witness, the Court comes into the conclusion that Mr. Kirat Thakur was wrongly accused by his employee. The case is dismissed. The Court regrets for the inconvience caused to Mr. Thakur. If required, Mr. Kirat Thakur can file for a suit for defermation against the so called victim. Till then the court is adjourned.”

Media broke through and was trying to capture the lawyers, Mr. Thakur and the girl’s reaction. But they find both the lawyers as they got lost in the maze of courts in minutes. And Kirat realized, like always she left. As he was busy with his side of comments, he heard the buzz that she has updated the mail regarding her views on the case.

On the other hand, the prosecution lawyer was shocked to lose the case and was even more shocked that how Vinati knew such minute detail which no one could produce in last 4 years. Just after the verdict, he pulled Vinati with himself and both of them left together for his chamber in the Court premises. After settling there, she started “I will answer all your queries on condition that none of my words make an appearance outside this room. Actually, Mr. Kirat Thakur is or I should say was my husband. We met number of times when I was in college as I was roommate of his sister. My parents are basically business people hailing from Abu Dhabi. during my graudation, my sister got married to her love to whom my parents gave all business rights as they retired. After my LLM degree, a year or so, that time Mr. Thakur proposed this marriage which my parents agreed. I was married to that man for 5 years.

I cant tell you how worse that 5 years had being the saddest of my life. First, a year so later, my parents died in a plane crash between UAE and India. Then, this man was male chauvinist person, he didn’t allow any body to meet me and I was not allowed to do anything. I was literally forced to wear sarees and act as coy new bride who was not allowed to set out of the house. In front of society he showed a face that he was progressive man but he was anything than that. I just somehow was living with it. That I came to know that my sister is expecting so I kindda wanted to visit her and we both went as he didn’t allowed to let me travel alone. In these years I learned that he considers as I commodity so then also I survived in this regressive environment. But when we reached over there, the scene was horrifying as I saw my sister lying in a pool of blood and my jiju had ran away with all the fortune pushing her down the stairs. We got her admitted and was then he signed this papers. But I wanted to file a police complainant against that man whom I called jiju for more than 8 years.  But he didn’t let me too and as dii was serious so she couldn’t stating that this common in a man’s world. But then it was the limits I decided to separate from him and we had a huge fight over the matter. He returned the following day.

But I stayed some time and during that time my sister also died so I returned broken and shattered to Mumbai to form a new life. And a year later, I filed for divorce. Rest is what you know. I am Mrs. Vinati Kirat Thakur or should say was. For the documents never being known to anybody, a person who didn’t considered me worth it then why would remember such things but for me. It was the last paper which had my siste’s scent so I always kept it and now given this for him” she said bitterly crying.        

“Congrats on winning the case. May life make you a more sensitive and understanding man. Mr. Thakur. And here are the divorce papers Mrs. Vinati Kirat Thakur, in this name somewhere Vinati was lost. I have found my astiva, my identity. I don’t want someone as narrow-minded as you as my husband. I don’t think I am any less than a man and actually I am the one who won the case for you, even when everything was against you. For me I’m off to my holidays” she said giving him papers, as she left the apartment locking the gate and taking a small airbag and a big leather backpack in her halter-neck thigh length jump suit. 

Woh Lahme.....Scene 5

It had being a week and suddenly he remembered that her mother lived in Bangalore. So, he called her and introduced himself as “Hi, I am Dr. Vikrant Raina. May I speak to Mrs. Neeta Iyyengar” from other side he heard a dominating voice which had strong similarities to Priya’s voice “Yaah! Speaking. Proceed” to which he just referred to her accident and requested if she could meet. Priya’s father was unavailable because of the fact that he was travelling somewhere in Cambodia.

Neeta came to hospital and he called her to his cabin. Who was entering with smile till the moment she saw her in front of Vikki and then “How could you Dr. Vikrant Raina……how could you……..i hate you for doing this to me” she storms out of his cabin throwing the taviz she wore in neck, leaving Vikrant stunned. Just a moment later, an intern coming running inside and says “Sir, the lady who was in your cabin has just fainted in corridor.”  

But little did the new intern knew why he got large scolding from his new boss who was known as man few words with no such temperaments, but later when he visited her ward, he understood the reason by reading her name which stated “Mrs. Priya Vikrant Raina” but he smiled to himself knowing the power of love but to know she was married, was a shock because she was so pretty. He was intern in this case so he tried to find her medical history-

“Name-Priya Vikrant Raina

Parental Name- Priya Sumeet Jaiswal

Age-25yrs and 6 months

Marital status (Spouse’s name) - Married (to Vikrant Raina)

Occupation- Adventure sports trainer

Address-C/O Dr. Vikrant Raina, Madhuban House, Near Raina Neurological Treatment Centre, Panchgani,

Medical history- bad dreams and recently an accident during mountaineering which lead to leg problem (physiotherapy recommended) and depression (stage-I), lost memories of that one week of accident and post accident i.e. 24^th March to 31^st March, 2013.

Doctor in-charge- Dr. Mallika Shivam (Physio therapist) with intern Shikha Priya and Dr. Vikrant Raina (Overall) with intern Raj Ali Kapoor

Notes- No Visitors Allowed, Never To Be Left Alone, Depression Reason Something Related To Past and That Day of Accident, Never To Talk Around Her of That One Week except Under Guidance of 

Dr. Vikrant, No one stays at night except Dr. Vikrant

Signed by- Dr. Vikrant Raina”

Seeing the girl in front of her, Shikha was sure she was loved madly and crazily by Dr. Vikrant and she had a dominating role in his life by the way she heard about Mrs. Raina. The only relatives who came for her was Ms. Riddhi Raina, her business partner and sister-in-law.

On the other hand, entered Riddhi, when she saw tensed Vikrant pacing like active cat and seeing her he just held her shoulders, took her to his cabin and asked “Do you know anything about her past? To be precise her mother?”

Riddhi was speechless she had promised that she will tell anybody anything but now question was of Priya’s health…………….so she spilled the beans.

Woh Lamhe.....Scene 4

3 months after,

“Vikki, I be late from work today, so I can’t make dinner today” she said while brushing her mid length curly hairs, from the other end came a concerned voice “do you want me to pick you up from work, and don’t worry I have my first half free, I will be going to hospital in second half, so I will make the dinner. You like pasta naaaaa?” she said “Don’t worry, it’s just that I will be going out for some work at night and return back at morning 3 so you carry on. I will have my dinner at work only.” She said wearing her hair band, and office wear i.e. a tank top with a-line skirt. Today she was wearing a white top with light blue skirt. And sitting her sports car while he see-off her at the gate of house lazily with cup of coffee.   

The next thing, he knew at night 2am Riddhi’s frantic call which as he picked up “Vikki, Priya had an accident during mountaineering and now we are taking her hospital.” He cursed himself for not asking her late night work, as after their marriage he had forbidden her to go for super adventurous activities but he knew sometimes she uses to go because it was about her survival which she cannot do without. Plus she seemed tensed even after his lots of coaxing she didn’t told. He instructed Riddhi to take her directly to Raina’s. Till he also reaches there. When he reached till the time her formalities had started as most of them knew that she was Mrs. Raina as she use too visit hospital during first half while leaving him for work or calling him at times at late-night duties. Plus his cabin had a photo of them.   

10hours......................10 hours, of non-togetherness is all it just took to lose his sleep because that “irresponsible teenager” kind of his wife was not with him. But soon he realised he has lost his urge to sleep, eat and even do anything just because she wasn’t here. But soon he realised that she was his habit”Aadat hai woh”.

After ten hours of anesthesia, when she stirred from sleep and said “Vikki, what happened?”

The second she said it. He crushed his lips onto hers...His mouth taking hers in a brutal show of primal possession. The kisses weren't sweet. They held no emotion. They were rough and painful. He gripped her forcefully. She was too shocked to move. Vikrant's savageness finally ended and he wrenched his mouth from hers and removed his hands completely. He had tears flowing fast down his face. His eyes no longer held anger. They showed anguish and heartbreak. He touched her while exploring the depths of her mouth, reassuring him that she was alive and well, stroking her hair. She was very angry about this matter with Vikrant so when he visited her at night she suggested that he should go home and rest.

“Pls, pls let me sleep with you. You know I haven’t slept in this whole week, if you make me go home, you know I will not be able to sleep in our bed so let’s sleep here only.” Vikrant said pleadingly. Priya face softened while he was saying so. Her hands started tracing the tired eyes behind the specs, the eyes where she always found twinkle were looking dead. She and he got ended in a mutual hug and she let him snuggle inside her duvet. After many days he slept fitfully even though it was a hospital bed for single person as his hands were into her hairs playing with them and she also slept dreamlessly well holding him close to her as in fear that like all her dreams he will this time also disappear in smoke. She can’t afford to lose him. She’d seen some of the female staff at the hospital swoon at him, but, getting close to him? No way! He only belonged to her!!

A Path Forgotten

Ritikesh entered his house after 2 days and found it eerily quiet, generally he found his wife Kartika sitting in the dining table in her paint salwaar kurti waiting for him in dinner. They generally had their dinner in silence, with some little talks, his wife, Kartika was a lawyer by proffesion, so had joined a legal firm.

He thought as it was really late, she may have gone to sleep but after thoroughly checking the whole house, yet not finding her, he thought that may be she had an overtime, generally after their marriage she never stayed yet he thought to give it try, may be he was not home so she was in office, he called office but was informed they also don’t have any information of her since last 1and ½ days as she took a half day day before yesterday on pretext of being ill.

He then got panicked he tries to call all her friends and her parents but reponse was the same, he remembered that he had a fight with her before he left for business trip for 2 days where he clearly remembered that after his screaming and yelling, she just said “One day, I will forget everything including you and that day you will regret not being there for me.”

It was not that he didn’t loved her, it was just that he couldn’t express it plus his anger issues were too much for her to handle. He called his best friend and told him everything so he replied, “Don’t worry Ritikesh I will be there in few minutes.”  But when arrived he found Ritikesh not in good form as his head was spinning and he was about to fall down when he supported him and took him to hospital.       

In the hospital.

“Don’t worry Mr. Ritikesh, you very well know that you are anemic, so it was just a momentary fit happening. Take rest and if possible don’t stress much.” Said the doctor

As he was coming outside he saw Sanjay, Sanjay Thakral who was a name in their business circle worried, when asked he just cited that his wife and sister had an accident. He gave his good wishes for recovery and left.

But later Ritikesh came to know that Sanjay had lost his parents in an early age whereby he and his sister were raised in orphanage where they both were adopted by different families. After he grew up since years he was trying to find his sister and just yesterday only he had found her singular photo with her address, both his wife and him were super exicted to meet the sister. And this excitement only his wife had took car from driver and was driving when her clashed with one of the ladies, later it was found that she was Sanjay’s sister, that day only  he had important meeting so he reached a bit late, that was serious accident where he found that the both ladies were serious but they went back to Bangalore as soon as the girls were a little better.   

After 2 years,

Ritikesh was in Bangalore for some meting when he spotted Sanjay Thakral in the same club where he was staying, he was there for squash. He also spotted him so when they caught for breakfast, he invited him for dinner at his place which couldn’t refused by Ritikesh as he was also getting bored in the hotel sitting alone.

Later that night when arrived his home, he found him in front a spacious duplex villa in outers of the city with beautiful greenery and a certain kind of familiar warmth . he entered the home to find it painted beautiful shades of warm orange and yellow. There in hall he was shocked to see one full wall size portrait wherein he saw Sanjay standing or said hugging two girls of his age and one of them being Kartika, but feigned ignorance and just then he saw Sanjay there wearing a simple grey cotton shirt and darker grey pants smiling taking his seat. They both chit-chatted a bit where they had a couple of drinks. And he saw there were only servants in the serving, none of the girls and especially the one whom he died to see was there, so he keeping his tone in check asked “So Sanjay, don’t you have a family, only assistants are showing up. And who are girls in the photo?”

Sanjay sobered a bit and said “These are my family,” pointing towards other girl he said “She is my sister, Sangeeta, the one who I told you about, she was victim of domestic violence. So I got her divorced and brought her back with me. And she is…she is…”

“Sir food is served” announced the butler, so they moved to dinner so Sanjay took a sigh of relief that now he doesn’t need to answer about her…but the fate desired something else. Just when they were into desserts, they heard a scream from upper floor and Sanjay ran towards the middle room and lights brightened the room as there were motion sensors, he saw it be a white room with a beautiful bed with total white colour and there sat his Kartika, frightened as he tried to move a bit closer clutching her comforter more to herself. First time, he saw her wearing a sleeveless knee-length nightie, though a decent one. At the same time, he saw there were many photos in her room with Sanjay and his sister. Some of holidays where she is with them genuinely happy, some of work where she wore perfect office wear with knee length tailored skirts and formal shirts and with other people.

It reminded of him how he use to be with her, their was an arranged marriage where he saw her awed of him, she was a lawyer yet he never allowed any kind of freedom but she never complained she adjusted with him so when he said he preferred Indian clothes, so always wore them but slowly under his governs she lost her natural charm, but after years she looked much more relaxed tha she looked with him.

Meanwhile he heard “Tabu, Tabu, see me, Sanjay, me Sanjay. I am here. Don’t worry, he is friend, my friend, Ritikesh. He wont harm you, you go to sleep. Tomorrow early morning you have piano classes. Don’t you. Then we will go and shop in your favourite mall.” Sanjay lullabied her as he lay with her in bed. There was nothing sexual or physical in their touch, yet it seemed that she relaxed comfortably in his voice and slept back.

Sanjay rose from there and signals Ritikesh to leave from there, they sat in the first floor only, in more personal space where he saw more photos of Sangeeta and Karti….Tabu, in each photo he realized that Sanjay made her the person she wanted to be or rather had capabilities, there he saw another room where he saw Sangeeta sleeping peacefully.

Then turning to Ritikesh “She is Tabu, we met 2 years ago in that accident she tried saved my wife from that accident but in bargain she was also hurt, with my wife and sister. In that accident she lost all her memories and remembers only one name ‘Ritikesh’, we tried a lot to find her identity but failed and in turn she became scared of nightmares, still today she has dreams of that accident or else she is fine, now she works with my sister in their boutique. Now both girls live here and this is basically their home and me is just member of this house, but both girls have seen so much trauma that now they both need me.

In that accident I lost my wife, Tabsum, she lost all her life. She is now my responsibility so I brought her to Bangalore from Hyderabad. We are not friends, we are not lovers, she is not my sister, she is not my wife. But we are bonded by something, something so pure and serene that I don’t to even question that we are bonded by pain of loss. She lost her life in that accident and I lost in my life. So now we are companions of each other of loss.”

Ritikesh came from room of Sanjay and he never told the same Ritikesh she calls because in that moment he realized that the lost the chance. And now the girl in front of him was not Kartika whom he knew and married, or to whom he will always regret to not show how much he loved…she was Tabu Sinha, Sanjay’s Tabu, who even kept her knowing that all his life he will never know who this girl is or her history……similarly she will always remind him of his dead wife Tabsum…yet he kept her and gave her the safety and security…May God provide them with peace was all now he wished when he drove from there that night. Smiling sadly thinking ‘Tabsum’ or ‘Tabu’ always meant happiness. So atlast she found her happiness in this world..a new world after losing her world and herself and mumbling “Tabu” he left from there, their little sanctuary………   

Woh Lamhe.....Scene 3

It’s almost two months and now Mr. or Dr. Abhigyaan Raina was free from his lectures so decided to visit his children plus his new daughter in law. He had seen some of her pics in Riddhi’s profile as they were friends as well as business partners. Plus he had Skype with her a few times before marriage and many times after that. The first time he saw her after marriage in net, she was wearing a red based multicolour long skirt with a sleeveless top. Plus she had some kind of funky belt defining her super slim waist and her mangalsutra with a locket which had her name. He left ease to talk with her as she was very modern yet typical marriage material. The photo he loved the best was her house warming party one where she was wearing a black and blue saree and her wedding jewels.

From Vikki, he came to know she is from a broken family, her father is an architect settled in Spain with her Bohemian wife and no knowledge of mother.

“My dad would be coming to stay with us hope you have no problem staying alone as I’m going to Mumbai will pick him up and then we both would be returning by tomorrow night. And please in my absence take the pill, because if you don’t have it that way. I will force you another way as its tasteless so may be mixed in your salad or even in water” he said keeping a small baggage in their sports car. He had prescribed her some relaxation pills for her bad dreams.

                                                                                             

Vikrant was very happy to meet his father after 5 years of waiting. Abhigyaan was a man with very casual attitude; he was wearing simple blue jeans and a red t-shirt of USPA. His only one luggage with him i.e. his leather suitcase. Just then his phone rang and his nurse told that Priya had slept immediately after her return from work and didn’t had dinner so the medicines. He scolded the nurse and told her to mix it in night juice and make her drink that. Abhigyaan looked question at his son who told that Priya suffers from bad dreams, so some pills to deepen the sleep and numb her sub conscious mind during sleep.

Abhigyaan found the matter wrong because in his views medicines were no solution and sleeping pills a big NO. And seeing the girl he saw in photos and Skype, he was sure he could do something about this. And finally he met the Priya Jaiswal nee Raina who made his son a love lost person. He knew Vikrant worshipped his work but then was shocked that he loved her so much that he returns home on time. The first time, she opened door, he was wearing a long multicolour jacket which had only one button near bosom area and a knee length white skirt .She looked heavenly and he gifted her green glass bangles. One of the symbols of marriage in their family. She looked too strong to be suffering from such a thing. But at night he heard her sobbing and unrestlessness as on his insistence Vikrant skipped her pills.

Abhigyaan tried to surge the matter deeper, he knew Riddhi knew a lot but bulge from her place and no information from her except what’s known but she just warned “Dadda and Vikki if you really care for her and want her see happy, so pls don’t dig her past.”

Today, Abhigyaan was staying at Riddhi’s place as he promised to meet Satya, one of the famous musicians as well as her live-in partner. So she decided to surprise him, she took off from office early and shopped for food items and cooked a lavish dinner as he confirmed from office that he is free that evening and till the time he returned he saw his room was set for a romantic getaway and she was getting ready for evening and saw her wearing a very embrodied cream skirt which had small black flowers on it and she was tying the knot of the blouse which was very skimpy black velvet one. He just enjoyed such evening’s good food, good music, his room’s balcony and best company. That he realised she never talked about her biological mother and was only close to her father and his Bohemian wife. He shared this news with Abhigyaan and Riddhi hinted it to be true about some stain in relation between her mother and herself. So, they left it the way it was but they at least came to know it has to do something with her parenting years with her mom.

Woh Lamhe.....Scene 2

Next day when she got up she found herself entangled with him and her nightie collected up to her bosoms and his left hand resting on her bare belly and another was under his head. She was resting on his chest. He was wearing track pants and no vest. Her bedside clock showed 5 am, she got up and went down stairs at first she was feeling awkward in his kitchen but then she made herself a glass of juice and went for the jog, she changed into an oversized pullover and shorts plus sports shoes and discovered the area, she always lived in the heart of city and her she found it very quiet which gave her time to relax her mind, till the time she returned she found milk and newspaper at door and sound of water in first floor, so she quickly fixed him a nice breakfast of omelette, juice and toast with fruits and oats. And herself went for a quick bath when she returned she saw him sitting in breakfast table having breakfast and intently reading newspaper, and sensing someone’s presence he said “Sister, don’t come at night for cooking, I will manage in hospital canteen, plus your culinary skills have improved,” saying that he removed the newspaper and saw confused Priya standing there wearing a cotton Bermudas and some punk t-shirt with mangalsutra and remembered they were now married.

He was bit in shock when he heard a full cracking laugh and said “Thank You, Dr. Vikrant Raina for compliment but calling me sister won’t do” he looked sheepishly at her, it was 7 am and she was all ready for work showing no resent of last night. And here he was not even woken up properly even to remember that he is married but then something struck him and he said “Priya, firstly it would be appreciated if you wear skirts at day time because I have staff visiting my home so will like to see you a bit more lady like. And I would not like my wife to be risking her life for just spur of moment. So no adventure for you from today”, sometimes she didn’t understood the man in front of her at night he was so caring and friendly and just few moments ago, confused and cute but right now he was authorities and personification of Hitler. She “aggh”Ed herself, then just left for work. When in evening she returned she found note struck on fridge that he made himself some pasta for lunch and kept inside microwave, if she liked she can have it. She reheated it was a packet of ready to make pasta, during that she saw that her baggage was empty and her clothes were kept in clean stacks in her bed plus some new clothes were kept there in which she saw many colours of a line knee length skirts and many vest-tees. She decided to think about that later but first had a shower and changed into nightie and settled in front of TV watching some wildlife channel when he entered. He said “Priya, I never told much about myself. I’m generally free in the mornings and go to hospital only at 9, sleep till 7 and then I go for jog from where I return after having a round in hospital as you know this house is situated in the hospital premises, a sister comes for cleaning and other things can be directed from hospital only. But now being you in picture, I told my staff I married so we could hire a full time maid. It would be appreciated that you sleep in my room only, as you have bad dreams and it would be better that you have somebody with you when they occur again. I agree you have handled them alone and can do that even in future, but now I’m here to help you.” She also agreed without any dispute, so it became habit in their schedule to see each other at mornings. Generally, Vikrant returned late from work and till the time he would find her dozing in front of TV and some silly English sitcom going on. Then they both would settle for dinner where both of them would talk about their day at work. Both of them were people of few words so had very little vocal conversation and rather let their eyes do the talking. But they never needed a maid because she was also out of home for majority time of the day so one sister uses to clean the home.

His home was really beautiful built in edge of a cliff, it was a duplex with front garden and parking space of 5 cars which was owned by both of them plus there was sports bike owned by her. The ground floor didn’t have much just an open kitchen and dining and living area attached together. So most of the time, they had their dinner in front of TV , a drawing room for guests and 2 guest rooms. The upper floor had some personal space which was developed as open library by Vikrant, it had many psychology books as both loved to read about them. And now two rooms turned into one where we see both of them living a lavish life with a large bed, foreign styled dresser and a large bathroom plus the room also had TV and a small book stand where they kept their current reads and favourite ones. The room also had a large area dedicated to collage pattern picture frames where different moments of their lives were captured. And it also had a beautiful balcony from where you could see the whole cliff. And a guest room, which was used by senior Raina or Riddhi when some nights she had sleep-over.

Woh Lamhe.....Scene I

Wearing a tint coloured skirt and a very bright red coloured chunni which covered most of her body with a halter neck blouse whose only straps were seen. With that she was wearing a ruby and diamond necklace. And gold chain which had black beads and lots of bangles some of them having a drops large ones and simple earrings, with that, her whole trembling body was also covered from a another red coloured chunni whose one end was tied to the dupatta the man wearing in his three piece standing beside her opening the lock of his beautiful exquisite duplex villa in Panchgani. The relation between them was complicated enemies or physically attracted or just married.

The girl was Priya Jaiswal nee Raina, the best known sky diver in India, she with her partner Riddhi Raina owned very famous adventure club, “RISK? ;-)” Priya was known for her many adventures, from camping, sky diving, scuba diving, Para gliding, rock climbing, etc. she is the other name of adventure and fun whereas the guy was famous neurosurgeon and physiatrist, Dr. Vikrant Raina, who owned Raina Neurological Treatment Centre, a billion dollar worth hospital and business. Vikrant’s father was a famous physiatrist and that’s the reason behind his twin degree. The hospital was run by him but his father visited sometimes or else he was settled in America as a Professor of physic therapy in America.                                           

They settled in living area, the girl was silently crying and the guy handed her over the dupatta tied to her chunni and went in kitchen and returning with two steaming cups of latte. He passed one of them to her. And sat in front of her in wooden table and said “Priya I know things today didn’t turn up the way they should have or else how you imagined but be sure of one thing. We will work over this and things will go towards better, but remember there is no option of divorce or separation because I have a belief that you have to have faith and patience and with time we will know each other better and be will then be like normal couples. Till then we can friends and even apartment mates. And now have a cup of coffee and get ready for night. You may stay in the room beside mine or else any other 4 rooms you like. And when you will be comfortable with me we will move in one room.”

 “Thanks Vikrant” were the first words, she spoke in whole evening. Till today morning she had planned to get married to someone she knew her whole existence and found him making out with some else in her own closet. This broke her and her wedding also. But in this moment only he stepped in as her knight in shining armour and married her. First a Hindu wedding where he made her wear a traditional mangalsutra which was ancestral in his family and then registered one according to the laws of India. She was the business partner and best friend of his sister, Riddhi. After settling her in the room beside his which was just divided by a mirror partition and changing in her nightie, she found him in her room with a bowl of salad and juice and said “Have this. It will help in bringing strength. Plus you can call me Vikki, as Radz and others do.” She said “Vikki, wont you have dinner” While leaving the room he kept the keys in her side table saying it’s the house keys for her and a key chain was attached to it. She slept but soon after as her sleep took over, her horror dreams started to haunt her. And she started to go form fists and sweating heavily entered Vikrant, and being a doctor he understood that she was having bad dreams and so he held her hands and started rubbing her hands and getting inside her duvet, he also didn’t realised when fell asleep. 

The Media Circle-Scene 3

On the another hand, he sighed again, and went up to room but found her intently seeing the photograph of her parents, turning her around gently to face him. And received the shock of his life when he saw the unshed tears in her eyes. The indomitable Priyashi Kelkar, crying? He lost it, then. Drawing her into his arms, he smoothed his hands along her back, trying to soothe her with his touch. "Sshh. Why are you crying?"

She tried to pull out of his arms, but he didn't let her, only loosening his grip a little so he could look into her face.

"B...Because you don't understand!"

"Why don't you try to make me understand? I'm tired of this, Piu. I'm tired of the chase, the games, and the arguments. I think it's time to be honest with each other here. Tell me, what exactly do you want?"

“What kind of man are you?”

“A desperate one, obviously. What else could I do when you refused to even give us a chance?”

"There is no us!"

"There could be, if only you would look past your fear or whatever it that is stopping you...”

"You know nothing about me!"

"I know enough. And I am honest enough to acknowledge what I feel. What about you?"

“I fear your intensity, why don’t you understand we are not meant to be together. You had seen me today and this was not first time, that I am violated but never destroyed. Why don’t you see the fact that my beauty has become my worst enemy and then it happens like factors? And you also know your nature will you able to handle all of this with woman you claim to love. You need to understand, Shankar. That there are many things which don’t make it possible .let’s just leave this the way it is. If you can’t complete a story, you should leave in a beautiful turn. Let’s not make things worse between us. Please listen to me in the matter. Your flamboyant nature and my exquisiteness make the things complicated. What if you fall out of love with me? I may not be able to handle this. This will lead us to nowhere.”

But he proved her wrong by taking her to his room. It was a beautifully large room, it was situated in the first floor, it had a half terrace where she saw a nice balcony setting was there, just as she liked, low lying beds under which you could snuggle with the view of whole city. The room was of lilac colour where she saw her graduation photo and his photo with his father in a business circle. She also saw that the room was clearly in the pattern she liked, with a fully round bed and curtains trailing from centre around the bed. Then he took her to almirah where she saw he had brought various sarees and his hand stopped at a green lace saree which he stated he wanted her to see in. She took it silently. Shankar then told “We are not meant together because we are not two persons we are one….”

“Ok, you always tried to convince in conventional way. Now woo me the Shankar Dobriyal style. Why you are so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out. I would like to be persuaded by the way Shankar Dobriyal would treat his girl. But you need keep our relationship under wraps. I don’t want any media circle in the matter. Only papa and uncle.”

“Piu you would regret this because, Shankar Dobriyal is a ruthless person who gets what he wants I was polite only to you but now you lead devil out of cage. And it’s not uncle but dad. And for media circle, you are too precious for me to lose you in baseless rumours. So it’s under utter secrecy but from today you have given me some rights which I think that I will utilize up to fullest.” 

The Media Circle-Scene 2

She left the party very soon after this. And in hurry she forgot to inform her father with whom she came. So we was alone with her Beetle car when suddenly, when she was near Noida from where she was returning, she had flat tyre and then she tried to change the tyre which was very difficult seeing that she was wearing a floor length kurta plus the cold breeze of Delhi was making her shiver due to sleeveless arms. And her car didn’t worked .Just then some guys stopped from their looks only, she could tell that they were from filthy rich families and yet they had no sense of dignity as they were leering at her. And they tried to come close to her so she tried to run away. But her bad luck that her heel broke and she stumbled in the road and they dragged her to one of desolated building and were into tearing her dress from places. When she heard a car screeching over there and she saw the person whom she wanted to be there for her, her Shankar. 

He had seen her leaving the party with a hurry and no security which isn’t very nice option considered late nights in city like Delhi. So he did his farewells and left with two pairs of eyes seeing this. They knew now there are no worries but just then he got a bit late due to all of this and when saw Priyashi’s car there in deserted road and with her no traces, he tried to locate her and heard faint screaming from a desolated place. And seeing his love struggling with many guys made him feel what he had doomed. But he decided to fight for her love and just then he called his guards in who attacked the boys and took them away. He then moved to Priyashi to find that her dress has been torn from many places and she is still in the trauma of that attack. He neared himself and told everybody to leave them alone; he tugged his sweater out and gave to her. That day he was wearing beige pants with cream silk shirt and black turtleneck sweater. She quietly slid it over her dress making it cover all of that and they sat in one of the cars, for the whole time he kept consoling her with silent support  which stopped in front of a high rise building which she recognized as his home.  They just entered the lift. He got in after her, and she noticed that he pressed the button for the top floor."The penthouse apartment?"

He didn't reply, merely keeping her close as the lift opened to reveal a lobby with a door at one end. He unlocked the door, and gestured for her to precede him. She saw the chrome and marble interiors of a duplex penthouse, and her suspicions regarding his playboy lifestyle were confirmed when she realized that this was a bachelor-pad. He seemed to read her thoughts, and laughed.

"You can change the interiors if you don't like them." Then said “This is the guest room having some clothes.” Entering the room she saw a photograph that had been there for years. A photograph that showed her an image of a couple dancing, lost in each other, oblivious to everything else .She closed her eyes again as the memories came back. A love that had defied all odds, a marriage that was perfection...

She opened her eyes abruptly. That was the reason, wasn't it? The fear stemmed from the fact that his eyes promised the same. She got lost into his marriage proposal he gave just few days ago.

"I'm never going to marry someone like you! Not for anything!"

"Someone like me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"You know very well what I mean. You are a well-known playboy, and women have been nothing but an amusement to you!"

"I told you before; you are a fool if you blindly believe all the rumours about me. And may I remind you, you aren't perfect either! I don't even know why I'm wasting my time pursuing an ice-queen!"

"Then don't! Why would you want to marry me, if you think that about me?"

"I don't know, dammit!”