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With lots of love,

DIKU...❤

AN UNEXPECTED COFFEE DATE

CHAPTER 6

NAINA

The song reminded me of our lovely time we had spent our first Saturday in the orphanage. Everything came back in full force in a second, like a movie played flashback sequences. Sameer asked me to answer Pandit whether we knew each other. I replied in a calm tone, "Haannn... Main aur Sameer ek dusre ko peechle teen saal se jaante hai."

They looked surprised but none on them said anything. They were still watching & waiting for me to reveal the rest. Should I tell them about our past? Preeti was my best friend & my soul sister, who had been there with me from the time I'd come to Mumbai two years ago. She was the one who supported me unconditionally. And Pandit... He was a brother, I never had. My other support system here. I loved them to the core. They were family too... And they deserved to know the truth.

I took a deep breath & decided to open up that part of my life which was sealed in my heart since last two years. Sameer was still looking at me. I could see the same old Sameer I'd met three years ago. His eyes full of love & adoration for me. Had I done a mistake by misunderstanding him earlier.

Preeti raised her eyebrows & then I told them all about us. How & where we met for the first time? How we had started to talk & chat? And how we had started meeting then? I didn't leave anything out except for our intimate moments. I didn't even glance at Sameer all the while. But still I could feel his untethering gaze on me.

Pandit was surprised to listen to all this. He looked at Sameer & said surprising me, "Toh woh Naina thi, jiske liye tu meri subah subah neend kharab kiya karta tha? Kya gift lun aur pata nahi kya kya?" Then he shifted his gaze towards me & spoke, "Naina... Tumhe shayad pata nahi hoga ki main aur Sameer bachpan se dost hai, hum ekdum do bhaiyon ki tarah rehte hai. Aur suno, main tumhe batana chaahta hun ki tum woh pehli aur aakhri ladki ho jiske liye Sameer ne itne jatan kiye. Aur is kamine ne tabhi tumhara naam tak nahi bataya mujhe. Hamesha kehta raha ki jab woh teri Bhabhi bann jaayegi tab hi bataunga."

Did Sameer really did & said all that to Pandit? I was shocked was an understatement. I just looked at Sameer who hadn't shifted his intense gaze from me. I looked away instantly. "Fir aage kya hua Naina?", came Preeti's soft question.

Keeping my thoughts away, I continued, "Hum fir roz milne lage. Sameer subah uske college jaane se pehle mujhe milne aa jaaya karta tha. Weekends mein hum baahar ghuma karte the. Hum mandir bhi jaate the saath saath. Aur sabse accha waqt toh hamara orphanage me hi guzarta tha. Lagaav ho gaya tha mujhe unn sab bacchon se. Aur sabse se jyada lagaav ho gaya tha Sameer se. Ek din bhi aisa nahi beeta jahan hum mile na ho. Choti se choti baatein share karne lage the hum. Ek dusre ki zindagi mein dhal chuke the hum. Hamara college ka final year kaise beet gaya pata hi nahi chala."

I stopped when the waiter came again to ask if we needed anything more. We ordered coffees again to refresh ourselves a bit. When he left, I heard Sameer's voice, "Tum mujhe chodkar Mumbai kyun aayi Naina? Agar tumhe mujhse lagaav ho gaya tha toh kyun aayi Ahmedabad se achanak, woh bhi mujhe bina bataye? Apna number tak change kar diya tumne. Mujhe sab social media accounts pe block kar diya. Aisa kya hua tha Naina? Please batao mujhe... Main peechle do saal se yahi soch raha hun ki maine aisa kya galat kar diya, ki tum mujhe chodkar, Ahmedabad chodkar chali gayi. Jab bhi aankhen band karta hun, mujhe tum dikhayi deti ho. Inn do saalon mein main thik se kabhi so hi nahi paaya. Bolo Naina??? Maine kuch galat kiya tha kya ya meri kisi baat ka tumhe bura lagaa? Please mere iss sawaal ka jawaab aaj mujhe chahiye. Bolo Naina?"

I closed my eyes to stop the tears that were already threatening to flow. His hand slowly came on mine & I shuddered with his touch. Still he had that effect on me. Nothing had changed even now. My control snapped & the tears made their way. He squeezed my hand, "Please mat ro Naina... Agar tum nahi batana chaahti toh mat batao. Par rona band karo. Main tumhari aankhon mein aansoon nahi dekh sakta, jaanti ho na tum? Please..."

This time when I looked at him, his eyes showed the same pain that I was feeling. He hadn't changed at all. God.... Had I misunderstood him then? If yes..., then I need to tell him what had happened... Maybe I would get a closure as well & I could move on in my life. Would I be able to move on? Will I stop loving him? The answer had come out immediately, "Nooooo..."

It was about time to disclose the past that too in front of our best friends.

FLASHBACK

It was a Sunday... We had decided to go to the orphanage again to spend our time with all the munchkins there. As always, we stayed there for lunch when suddenly someone entered the orphanage with a loud squeal, "Hiiii... Sameer...." I sat there dumbstruck to see the scene unfold in front of me. She came towards him in a full speed that I thought she would stumble at some point & lose her balance. But nothing of that sort happened.

She came & hugged Sameer so tightly that I could feel him getting uncomfortable. He just stood there shocked & stunned. After a moment, Sameer pushed her a little away & said, "Sunaina... Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho??? It's such a wonderful surprise... Tum kab aayi London se? Aur tum yahan kaise aayi?"

Sunaina kept her hand on his mouth to stop his questions. "Arey Sameer kitne sawaal ek saath poochoge. Mujhe jawaab toh dene do. Main kal raat hi aa gayi thi London se. Aaj jab tumhare ghar gayi toh Ramdhari se pataa chala ki tum yahan aaye ho. Toh bas aur kya tha... Main aa gayi yahan tumse milne. Kaisa laga mera surprise?"

"Bohot zorr se lagaa...", Sameer muttered looking at me. He pulled her towards me & introduced us, "Yeh hai Sunaina... meri childhood friend... Aur Sunaina,,, yeh hai Naina... meri best friend..." we both smiled & did a not-so-friendly handshake.

Something was wrong with her arrival. I could feel it in my heart. Some drastic change had neared was my first intuition after meeting her. But somehow, I faked my smile & went with the kids towards the dining table for lunch. I left a chair vacant beside me so that Sameer would sit beside me as usual. But Sunaina took that place deliberately which left Sameer to sit next to her. Sunaina was sitting between us. That bothered me a little but then I got up to help Ramukaka to serve lunch.

I was quiet throughout the lunch. The only voice that could be heard was of Sunaina. She was exaggerating her stay in London with her fake sweet accent... Sameer looked at me several times but I ignored him & continued my lunch. I knew I was behaving a bit jealous, but I couldn't help that feeling. And I didn't want him to see that, so I just concentrated on serving the kids & having my lunch. When I finished, I just moved away with my plate, leaving them alone.

Everyone had finished their lunch & were now seated in the garden to chitchat. Sunaina hadn't left Sameer's side even for a single second. Now she was getting on my nerves & I could see Sameer's mischievous smile that told me that he knew I was jealous. I went towards them & calmly said controlling my anger, "Main ghar jaa rahi hun, mujhe mummy ke saath baahar jaana hai aaj. Toh bacchon hum ab next week milenge... Sab apna dhyan rakhna... Thik hai..."

I looked towards Sunaina & Sameer, "It was nice meeting you Sunaina... Bye... Take care... Bye Sameer..." Just as I turned around to leave, I felt Sameer holding my hand, "Main chod deta hun Naina..." I didn't turn & murmured, "Main chali jaungi akele Sameer. Tum yahin ruko, tumhari friend tumse milne yahan tak aayi hai. Bye..." He still didn't leave my hand & mumbled, "Mat jao Naina. Mujhe tumse kuch important baat kehni hai. Ruk jao na thodi der aur."

I turned towards him, "Aaj nahin Sameer... Mujhe jaana chaahiye ab." He released my hand & I left with a heavy heart... I could feel his gaze on me. I don't know why but I had a feeling that this was the last time I was meeting Sameer. I don't know why I was having this weird feeling. And the feeling was damn strong. I don't know when the tears made their way. I cried all the way home.

I reached home in a short while & saw my parents were watching some news on television. They smiled at me & my mind relaxed. That evening, I accompanied my mother to the market for some shopping. We entered a saree shop. It wasn't that much crowded. The sales person started showing some sarees to her, whereas I was just a mute spectator. My mind was still full of the images of Sameer & Sunaina being together. I heard a somewhat familiar voice again & I closed my eyes. I didn't want to see her again just yet.

"Ohhhh... Hiii... Naina tum yahan kya kar rahi ho?", Sunaina asked eyeing me up & down. I just felt like disappearing somewhere. I pointed towards my mother, "Mummy ke saath aayi hu shopping karne." I didn't even feel the need to greet her in anyway. I don't know why but she was full of negativity. I wasn't liking the negative vibes coming from her. I wanted to stay away from her. But destiny was bringing her to me. Twice a day was too much for me to handle.

"Ohhkkkk... Main bhi mom ke saath aayi hu. Dekho wahan hai meri mom.", she pointed to her mother. I just looked at her faking my smile. I just turned around to go towards my mother, when she mumbled, "Kya hum akele mein baat kar sakte hai?" I just nodded & we went towards the exit.

"Bolo kya baat karni hai tumhe Sunaina?", she was trying my patience now. She had a wicked grin on her face, "Tumhe kya lagta hai Naina, mujhe kuch samaj nahi aa raha ki tum Sameer ke saath kyun ho?" I didn't understand what she wanted to say so, I mumbled, "Kya matlab hai tumhara? Jo bhi kehna hai saaf saaf kaho. Mujhse ghuma firake baat mat karo please."

"Thik hai. Jaisa tum kaho. Tum Sameer ke saath uske paison ki wajah se hona. Tumhe laga hoga ki Sameer ko fasa leti hun, toh uske Nanu ki property jo Sameer ke naam hai, woh bhi tumhari ho jaayegi. Sameer handsome hai, rich hai aur ekdum hi bhola bhi hai. Tum middle class walon ko toh main bohot acche se jaanti hun. Ameer ladka dikha kahin, toh bas usse apne jhaanse mein fasa lo aur fir khud ameer bann jao. Shortcut to become rich... hai na? Yahi plan hai na tumhara? Yeh dosti sirf ek natak, ek dikhava hai na tumhare liye? Taaki bholabhala Sameer tumhare pyaar mein padd jaaye aur woh tumse shaadi kar le?", she said spitting venom in all her words.

I couldn't believe my ears. What the hell was she saying? Was she out of her senses? "Bas Sunaina... Bohot bol liya tumne aur bohot sunn liya maine. Yeh kya bakwaas lagaa rakhi hai tumne. Pataa bhi hai kya bol rahi ho tum. Tum apne aap ko samajti kya ho? Kuch bhi bologi mujhe aur main chupchap tumhari bakwaas sunn lungi? Sameer wakai mein mera bohot accha dost hai. Koi naatak ya dikhaawa nahi kar rahi main. Haannn... hun main middle class. Par mere mummy-papa ne mujhe bohot acche sanskaar diye hain. Aur sirf isi wajah se main yahan tumhari faltu ki baaton ka jawab baaton se de rahi hun. Warna aur bhi tarike aate hai mujhe jawaab dene ke. Aur tum kya hamare rishte ko samjhogi jab tumhe har rishte mein sirf profit or loss dikhta hai. Toh yeh apni fatlu ki bakwaas kisi aur ke saamne chalaana, mere saamne nahi. Samjhi tum?" my anger has surpassed its limits.

She laughed wickedly, "Tumhe kya lagta hai Naina. Sameer tumse pyaar karta hai? Toh main tumhe ye bataa dun ki hum bohot jald shaadi karne waale hain. Hum matlab... Main aur Sameer... Isiliye toh main London se wapis aayi hun. Aaj mere papa, Sameer ke Nanu se hamare rishte ki baat karne jaanewale hain. Aaj dinner par bulaya hai hume unke ghar. Main Sameer ko bachpan se jaanti hun. Woh tumhari jaisi ladkiyon se kabhi pyaar kar hi nahi sakta. Arey tumhari jaisi kitni ladkiyan yun aayi aur yun gayi. Woh sirf tumhare saath isiliye tha kyunki main yahan nahi thi. Dekha nahi tumne aaj orphanage mein, kaise woh saara time mere saath hi tha. Sameer sirf mujhse pyaar karta hai aur shaadi bhi mujhse hi karega. Tum toh bas timepass thi uske liye."

She stopped her next words & left me there, when her mother called her. "Chalo Naina... Chalti hun main. Sameer aur meri shaadi mein zaroor aana tum. Invitation tumhare ghar pohoch jaayega. Bye Naina..."

I couldn't say a word. I just stood there. I don't know how much time had passed. I came into senses when my mother tapped me on my shoulder. "Arey Naina... Yahan kya kar rahi hai? Dhyan kahan hai tumhara? Kabse awaaz de rahi hun main", my mother scolded me. But still I couldn't say anything & walked back with her in the shop.

I was lost. Sunaina's words were continuously ringing in my ears. I didn't want to trust her words. But I was sure of one thing that Sameer would never marry me. He belonged to a rich family & I was from a middle-class family. Marriage... Why was I thinking about marriage? He didn't even love me. He would've confessed till now, if he felt anything for me. But he hadn't done or said anything in this whole year. And whatever Sunaina said was true. They looked like a perfect couple. Their status matched as well. Yesss... I was a timepass for him...

I had deliberately left my mobile at home. When I checked my mobile, I saw 36 missed calls & several WhatsApp messages from Sameer. I didn't want to talk to him with my mood off. I knew he would ask me several questions & I wouldn't be able to lie to him. My mobile again rang. It was Sameer's call again. I ignored the call & turned my mobile on silent mode. I joined my parents in the living room. My mind wasn't focussing on anything. I had my dinner quietly.

I had taken a hard decision for myself. I just needed to convince my parents. After having our dinner, I turned towards my parents & spoke, "Papa... Mummy... Aapse kuch zaroori baat karni hai." They looked puzzled for a moment as I'd never done that before. I made up my mind & continued, "Papa...mummy... Kya aap mujhe Mumbai jaane denge? Mujhe ek company se job offer aaya hai. Mere campus mein jab job interviews hue the, tab maine kuch interviews diye the. Toh mujhe aaj hi ek acche multinational company se job offer aaya hai. Salary package bhi accha hai. Par agar maine yeh job offer accept kiya toh mujhe Mumbai shift hona hoga. Please papa... Mujhe yeh chance wapis kabhi nahi milega. Maine aapki aaj tak sab baatein maani hai... Aaj pehli baar main aapse kuch maang rahi hu papa... Please mujhe Mumbai jaane dijiye. Main promise karti hun ki aapka vishwas kabhi nahi todungi."

"Tum paagal ho gayi ho kya? Aise kaise akele jaane de sakte hain tumhe? Woh bhi Mumbai... Tum kahin nahin jaaogi Naina... Tumhe job karna hai toh karo par yahan Ahmedabad mein. Mumbai mein nahin. Rakeshji... Aap iski yeh baat bilkul mat maaniyega. Keh rahi hun main.", my mother went on with her scolding. But papa hadn't said anything. He was quiet & I understood that he too wouldn't agree for the job in Mumbai.

I just got up & went to my room without giving a glance. I wanted to go away from here. The job offer was the best option to move away... move away from my feelings for Sameer. I couldn't see him get married to that Sunaina... I loved him but he didn't... I was sure about it. I had to do something to move away from here forever.

I switched off my phone & laid back on my bed, not ready to talk to Sameer. I heard a knock on my door. After a while, my papa walked in, followed by my mother. I sat up & made place for them on my bed. Papa sat next to me & mummy sat opposite me. I didn't know why had they come. I was upset with whatever was happening in my life at that moment. I sat there numb.

"Naina beta... Tumne jo kuch bhi baahar humse kaha kya tum sach mein taiyar ho uss job offer ke liye? Mumbai jaane ke liye? Akele reh paaogi tum ek anjaan sheher mein?", papa asked me in a serious tone. I spoke softly, "Papa... Mujhe yeh job offer accept karna hai. Main aaj tak kabhi Ahmedabad se baahar nahi gayi hun. Isse accha mauka mujhe nahi mil sakta. Naye log milenge, naye dost banenge, naye sheher mein ek nayi zindagi ki shuruwat karne milegi. Aur fir aap log bhi wahan aa sakte hain na mujhse milne, mere saath rehne, aapko bhi change mil jaayega. Please papa...mummy... mujhe yeh offer accept karne dijiye na. Isse meri zindagi badal jaayegi, acche ke liye."

"Thike hai Naina beta... Tum yeh job offer accept kar lo... Main wahan tumhare rehne ka intezaam dekhta hun. Par waada karo beta, ki tum apna acche se khayal rakhogi. Kabhi hamari di hui azaadi ka galat faayda nahi uthaogi. Hamara vishwas nahi todogi tum. Promise karo beta.", papa said with his tearfilled eyes. My mother too had started sobbing. I hugged them & said in a choked voice, "Main promise karti hun papa, main kabhi aapka bharosa nahi todungi. Aur apna acche se khayal rakhungi. Aapko koi shikayat ka mauka nahi dungi main papa... mummy... I promise..."

We stayed that way for few minutes shedding tears. They left me with my solitude. I closed my eyes & thought, "Ek din mein kya se kya ho gaya. Kisne socha tha, ki main kuch dinon mein yahan se hamesha ke liye chali jaungi. Kahan main soch rahi thi, ki main apne dil ki baat Sameer ko bata dungi. Aur kahan mujhe uski shaadi ka invitation mil gaya..."

I don't know when I slept. The next few days went by in my preparations to leave Ahmedabad. I hadn't switched on my mobile. I didn't feel the need to tell anyone about my shifting to Mumbai. My papa had arranged me for a rental place to live in Mumbai. Everything was going as I wanted. And I left for Mumbai within three days leaving my family, my emotions & my heart in Ahmedabad forever.

FLASHBACK ENDS...

Everyone had gone quiet by the time I finished my part. They all had tears in their eyes. I wasn't any exception. My heart almost stopped when I saw Sameer's red eyes. I hadn't talked to him after that day in the orphanage. I didn't give any explanation for my sudden exit from his life. I was happy thinking that he would be happily married to Sunaina. But I was far away from the truth. Sameer's eyes definitely told me a different story today. It had the same pain that I had gone through. Had I misunderstood him? I always felt guilty about not talking to him for the last time. I should've given him a chance to speak. Today I would definitely get the closure. Pandit had mentioned that he had come here to meet a prospective bride. That meant, he hadn't married that Sunaina. So it's time to talk...

SAMEER

I couldn't believe Sunaina could do this to us. She knew that I loved Naina. I had told her all about her. She knew that I was going to propose her that day. She had deliberately been next to me the whole time when Naina was present in the orphanage. She had spoken those harsh words on purpose. She was the cause for our sudden separation. She was definitely going to pay for this the hard way & I would make sure of that. And Naina would see that too...

But right now, I had to clear all the misunderstandings. I was angry & upset with Naina that she didn't trust me, she didn't give me a chance to talk. If she had talked to me two years ago, then no such thing would've happened. We would've been happily married today. But it's never too late for anything, isn't it? I had to sort out everything. My sweet adorable Naina had left Ahmedabad forever so that she couldn't see me getting married to Sunaina. She definitely loved me enough to let me go. But I was still angry that she couldn't see the love I had for her. She left me without a goodbye. It was high time to set everything straight before I lose it again.

I kept my hand on Naina's hand, & spoke in a choked voice, "Naina... kya tumhe zara bhi bharosa nahi tha mujhpe. Ek saal hum saath the, itna hi jaan paayi mujhe. Ek baar Naina, sirf ek baar jaane se pehle mujhse mil leti, baat hi kar leti. To tumhe aaj yahan aise akele rehna nahi padta. Kyunki main tumhe kabhi yahan aane hi nahi deta. Humne itna time saath me beetaya Naina. Kabhi bhi maine Sunaina ke baare mein tumse baat ki. Kabhi tumhe lagaa ki main tumhare saath timepass kar raha hun. Kabhi kisi aur ladki ke saath baat karte ya ghumte dekha tumne. Sunaina ne do baatein kya boli mere baare mein, aur tumne woh maan li. Ek baar mujhse baat kar leti tum. Sunaina sirf meri bachpan ki dost thi Naina. Agar main usse pyaar karta hota toh main tumhe pehle hi bataa deta. I'm a one-woman man Naina. Not a bloody player." The control on my anger was already slipping.

Pandit offered me a glass of water which helped me to calm myself. Naina hadn't uttered a single word. She was just listening to me. She was giving me the lost opportunity to speak. And I was snatching it from her this time. I won't allow her to escape this. And she knew that. The 'Naina' who sat opposite me today wasn't the same innocent Naina I had met three years ago. This one was confident & bold. And I wanted to see that side of her too...

The waiter interrupted us again, asking if we wanted to order anything more. Naina declined & asked for the bill. I didn't know what was going on in her mind. And I didn't care. As I wasn't going to let her go this time. "Bohot time ho gaya hai hume yahan. Ab chalna chahiye. Kahin aur chalke baatein karen?" she mumbled looking at me.

Before I could speak, Preeti said excitedly, "Haannn... Hume bhi jaana hoga. Woh kya hai na, Pandit aaj mujhe shopping aur fir dinner date par le jaane wala hai. Kyun Pandit?" She had almost hit him with her elbow, when I suddenly understood what she was doing. She was giving us privacy to sort our misunderstandings & I was very glad that she did.

I'm sure that even Naina had understood her plan. I looked at Preeti & silently thanked her. She blinked her eyes in assurance. "Chal Sameer... Hum chalte hai. Kal jaane se pehle toh milega na?", Pandit asked before leaving the café with Preeti. I nodded & they both left us. The waiter returned with the bill. I didn't argue with Naina as she paid the bill. I had lot of other arguments to settle with her.

When we came out of the café, I asked her, "Kahan chalein?". She looked at me, "Mere ghar." Did she really mean her home? I didn't want any confusion so I deliberately murmured, "Tumhare ghar? Ummmm... Naina... Tum akeli rehti ho na? Toh fir main kaise wahan aa sakta hun?" She raised her eyebrows, "Tumhe sirf baat hi karni hai na? Toh fir itna darr kyun rahe ho. Don't worry Sameer, main kuch nahi karungi. Toh tumhe bilkul darne ki zaroorat nahi hai.", she teased me.

Ohhhh lord... what was this girl? I was falling in love with her even more with her boldness... "Thik hai... Tum kuch mat karna. Jo karna hai woh main hi kar lunga.", I teased her more & I was happy to see her cheeks changing its colour after such a long time.

She booked an uber & we left towards her home. We didn't speak at all during the entire uber ride. We were conscious of each other's presence. I wasn't nervous when we were in the café with our friends but now, I was nervous as we were going to be alone at her place. I had never thought that I would get a chance to be alone with her.

When Pandit had told me about her friend, Naina, my heart had somewhere signalled it to be my Naina. On further talk with him, he told me her full name & that she had come from Ahmedabad. I had to literally beg a lot to Pandit to send me her pictures, and he had sent some after a lot of reluctance from his side. After seeing the pictures, I got sure that she was my very own Naina.

I didn't waste any time after that & I'd come to Mumbai immediately to see her, meet her, demand some answers... I didn't tell Pandit about our past as I wanted Naina to tell everything. I had even requested him to make sure that Preeti would bring Naina with her. I had planned this 'unexpected coffee date'. But now this meeting would end at her home. And I was glad for the privacy.

I was thanking my stars for giving me another chance to meet my Naina again. God... How I had missed her these two years. I couldn't find her anywhere. I had even asked her all college friends about her whereabouts. But no one knew anything. She wasn't in contact with anyone. I had many times thought of visiting her house & ask about her whereabouts. But I didn't feel it right. The stubborn girl she was hadn't been in touch with anyone. I was angry at first. But as the days passed, I started missing her terribly, her gorgeous smile, her doe shaped brown eyes, her long silky hair, her sweet talks, her teasing, her scolding, everything about her... I missed her even more whenever I had visited the temple & orphanage.

I had missed her every second in these two years. And I was going to take a sweet revenge from her for that every second. I was going to make sure that she would regret leaving me, my love...

How was this update?

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Ignore any mistakes.

Happy Dhanteras everyone...

And Happy Diwali in advance...

With lots of love,

DIKU...❤