Naazon se pali
"Chalo, ab vidaii ki taiyari karo." Phulla bua stated.
Preeti suddenly felt a sharp pain in her heart... it was one thing for Naina to leave for Mumbai for studies... now she was leaving home for good...
She tried to stop her tears but they rolled down her cheeks.
"Arre Preeti, ismein rone ki kya baat hai... Naina kaunsa door jaa rahi hai? Yahin toh hogi Ahmedabad mein... jab chahe jaake isse mil lena." Phulla bua comforted her.
"Main... main ro kahan rahi hun." Preeti quickly wiped her tears.
"Haan, haan, yeh toh khushi ke aansu hain, bua dadi," Pooja chipped in, "Mere jaane pe bhi yeh dono bohot khush hui thi ki ab kamre aur almari pe sirf inka haq hai... ab Naina chali jayegi toh Preeti ka akeli ka ho gaya sab kuch... khushi nahi hogi kya?"
"Aap gayi thi toh main aur Naina the na ek doosre ke paas... lekin ab kaun hoga... main akeli ho jaungi na." Preeti said in a sad voice.
"Preeti, beta tum chinta mat karo... zyada din akele nahi rahogi... bas tumhari bhi chat mangni pat byaah kar denge... phir tum bhi apne ghar chali jaana." Anand placed one hand on Preeti's head.
"Isse bachpan se Mumbai ka shauk hai... main iski shaadi wahin karwa deti hun... hain kuch ladke meri nazar mein." Phulla bua raised her brows at Preeti.
Her heart sank...
"Main kahin nahi jaungi... mujhe aapke paas hi rehna hai." Wrapping her arms around Anand, she hid her face in his chest.
Bela smiled, "Arre beta, jaana toh padega hi, jaise Pooja gayi... ab Naina jaa rahi hai... lekin main bhi nahi chahti ki yeh itni door jaaye... iske liye yahin Ahmedabad mein hi rishta dekhna, ji."
Anand nodded at his wife, patting Preeti's head.
"Arjun, Naina ki ataichi car mein rakh de... Bela, woh phal aur mithai bhi rakhwa de... Anand, chalo, neeche sab baraati intezar kar rahe honge." Phulla bua started to direct everyone for Naina's vidaai.
"Main... ek baar... apna kamra dekh lun?" Naina asked, her own heart feeling heavy at the thought of leaving this house permanently.
"Dekh le... lekin Sameer bhi saath jayega... yeh gathbandhan ka dupatta hain na abhi... isliye tum dono ko saath hi rehna hai." Bela cupped her face, understanding her attachment to things that would suddenly not be with her anymore.
Naina walked to the room with Preeti, Sameer behind her.
"Preeti, meri kitaaben yahan se mat hatana... aur yeh kuch cassettes bhi rehne dena... aur... aur meri side pe mat sona bed pe." Naina started to get a restricted feeling in her throat.
The dream of getting married to Sameer did not bring to her mind the distance that would suddenly come between her and Preeti.
She turned abruptly and hugged her sister... the dam broke for both of them... and tears flowed freely.
"Naina... Preeti... tum log itna ro kyon rahe ho?" Sameer fidgeted, not knowing what to do.
"Aap nahi samjhoge, jijaji... ek ladki ko jab apna ghar chodna padta hai toh kaisa lagta hai." Preeti sobbed.
"Toh mat chodo." Sameer said plainly.
Naina and Preeti looked up at him.
"Haan... tum yahin raho... main bhi yahin aa jaata hun... fir hum sab ek saath reh sakte hain." Sameer gave the solution.
Laughter sputtered out of Preeti.
"Aap ghar jamai ban jaoge?" She wiped her eyes, smiling at him.
"Ban jaunga... bas Naina ko rote hue nahi dekh sakta." He looked at Naina, upset to see her in pain.
She smiled too, "Buddhu ho tum... bataya tha na Sonali ki vidaai ke time... yeh rasm hi aisi hoti hai... apne naye safar pe chalne ki khushi ke saath saath ab tak ke safar ki yaadein thoda dukh bhi deti hain."
He wrapped one arm around her shoulder, looking at her tearful eyes, "Tumhe kisi baat ka dukh manane ki zaroorat nahi hai... jab chahogi hum yahan aa jayenge... roz bologi toh roz aa jayenge... bas tum aise rona mat."
She leaned to rest her head on his shoulder, "Rona toh aa jayega, Sameer... abhi jab sabse milungi... par uska matlab yeh nahi hai ki main apne ghar mein jaa kar khush nahi rahungi."
"Oh ho... abhi toh pohochi bhi nahi hai, behen, abhi se apna ghar ho gaya?" Preeti rolled her eyes, teasing her.
"Apna ghar toh tabse ho gaya tha jabse hum dono ne ek doosre ka haath thama tha." Sameer held Naina's hand.
"Lekin iska matlab yeh nahi hai ki yeh ghar tumhara nahi raha... tumhare paas ab do do ghar hain." He smiled at her.
"Haww, matlab yahan bhi haq jamaa ke rakhegi? Aur main bechari... kahan jaun?" Preeti showed fake anger.
"Tu bhi jaa... tera ghar bhi toh kabse intezar kar raha hai." Naina said.
Preeti gave her a grave look, "Maine kaha tha na... "
She did not complete her sentence, knowing Naina would understand that she didn't want to talk about it at present, did not want Sameer to know what she felt for Pandit...
"Preeti, main tum pe koi dabaav nahi daalna chahta par itna zaroor kahunga ki Pandit sach mein pichle kuch dinon se bohot pareshan hai... hansna bhool gaya hai, sabko hansana bhool gaya hai, yahan tak ki khaana bhi theek se nahi khaata...uske dil mein jo baat hai uski sachhai ke gawaah main aur Munna hain... humne pehle kabhi usse iss tarah se chup hote hue nahi dekha." Sameer looked at Preeti.
She lowered her head.
"Preeti, beta Naina ko le aa... neeche sab intezar kar rahe hain." Bela's voice reached them.
Without a word, they went out to join the others.
The cars were ready. Rahul's parents had already left for home, along with Vishakha and bhabhi... to prepare for the grah pravesh of bride. Rahul and Sonali waited with Munna Pandit.
Naina turned and hugged Bela, not able to control her tears any longer. Bela held her in a tight embrace, trying to console her... her own tears falling unabashedly.
"Apni sabhi zimmedariyan achhe se nibhana, ghar ka, Sameer ka aur apni saas ka dhyan rakhna, kabhi kisi ka anadar nahi karna... teri kismat bohot achhi hai jo teri saas tujhe beti bana ke le jaa rahi hain... tu bhi hamesha unko maa ke jitna pyaar aur samman dena... kabhi kisi galti pe daant de toh bura mat manana... teri koshish yehi rehni chahiye ki ghar mein khushi ka mahaul rahe... apni maa ki yeh seekh yaad rakhegi na?" Bela cupped her face within both palms.
Naina nodded, eyes still shedding tears.
She hugged every member of her family. Rakesh could not hold back his tears either.
"Bas Naina, aaj ke baad kabhi mat rona... iss ghar ki buri yaadein jo mujhse judi hain unhe yahin chod ke jaa... kabhi aisa kuch yaad karke dukhi mat hona... Sameer kabhi tujhe udaas nahi hone dega iska yakeen hai mujhe... tu bhi uske liye khushiyaan sametna..." He said in a heavy, emotional voice.
Looking at Sameer, a sad smile came on his lips, "Aise samay mein pita kehta hai apne damaad se ki maine apni beti ko bohot naazon se pala hai... main... main yeh kabhi nahi keh sakta... fir pita kehta hai ki meri beti ko khush rakhna... yeh kehne ki zaroorat nahi hai... kyonki pichle kuch dinon mein maine dekh liye ki tumse zyada pyar aur khushi Naina ko koi nahi de sakta... isliye bas itna hi kahunga tum dono se... beete kal ke andheron ko bhool ke aane wale kal ke ujale se apni zindagi roshan karo."
A fresh stream of tears spilled on his face. Anand held his shoulders from behind, giving the solace his elder brother needed at this moment.
When Naina thanked Arjun for his support and helping her get father's love, he patted her head, "Ismein maine kuch nahi kiya... agar mere haath mein hota toh saalon pehle kar deta... chal, ab koi dukh dene wali baat nahi... aur rona band kar, itni saari manzilein paa li hain... iss nayi manzil ka bhi khushi se swaagat kar."
Anand held her in his embrace, unable to say anything more than blessing her to always be happy.
Phulla bua kissed her forehead, "Meri gudiya aaj apne ghar jaa rahi hai... uss ghar ko bhi apni pyari si muskaan se ujaale se bhar dena... aur Sameer ki zindagi ko bhi."
Naina folded her hands in front of tauji who just kept one hand on her head for a moment.
Surprisingly, no one even realised that taiji was missing in the entire ceremony. Now she had eaten her dinner, after Naina's phere... but did not come out... expecting someone to come for her... still waiting...
Naina hugged Pooja didi, who comforted her by saying that she was at least in the same city, unlike her. Swati cried as well.
"Arre Swati tu kyon ro rahi hai? Pehle tu Naina se milne yahan aati thi, ab Sameer ke ghar aa jaana... tujhe kya fark padega?" Munna whispered near her.
"Tum chup raho... tumhe kya pata kaisa lagta hai apne ghar ko chod ke jaana?" Swati lightly slapped on his arm.
"Aur tujhe kaise pata hai? Tune kaunsa abhi ghar choda hai? Apne aansu bacha ke rakh... jab main lene aaunga tab baha lena." He leaned closer to her.
In spite of the tears, Swati blushed at his words.
Naina searched for Preeti, but could not find her. She wanted to see her one time before leaving.
"Munna, Preeti kahan hai?" She asked the person standing closest to her.
Munna looked around, he couldn't see her either.
"Mujhe pata hai kahan hogi." Swati quickly went behind the gate of the society. Preeti sat against the wall, holding her face in hands.
"Preeti, ek baar Naina se mil le, woh jaa rahi hai." Swati said in a quiet voice.
She looked up with a jerk, and got up swiftly, rushing out to the parked cars.
"Naina." Her voice made everyone turn to look at her.
Naina turned, and Preeti ran to her. Both cried bitterly holding onto each other... all the times when they fought with each other... and fought for each other... flashed in front of their eyes.
No one came ahead to part the sisters... the bond they had shared all these years was much more than real siblings, or friends, or anything...
When she parted, Preeti nudged Naina towards the car, "Ab mat mudna... nahin toh main jaane nahi dungi."
Swati helped Naina to sit inside. Sameer got in from the other side. Munna and Pandit waited to see that all remaining guests settled in the cars. Then Munna gestured to the drivers...
Anand, Rakesh and Arjun gave a customary push to the car which had a shining board attached to it, announcing the status of its occupants
JUST MARRIED
Once the driveway was vacant, everyone started to go back home.
"Preeti, chal beta." Bela called out.
She stood in the center of the passage, staring at the emptiness created by the vehicles.
"Chachiji, aap log chalo, main isse leke aati hun." Swati assured Bela.
Soon, Swati and Preeti were the only people left behind... besides Munna and Pandit, who wanted to leave after everyone, to make sure that everything was in order. But the condition of Swati and Preeti did not let them leave.
Seeing the empty look in Preeti's eyes, Swati broke down again, thinking that within two months, she would be leaving her house too.
Munna held her close to him, trying to soothe her, "Bas kar Swati, kitna royegi? Arre sabki shaadi hoti hai... teri bhi hogi... aise thodi rote hain... tu jab kahegi main le chalunga bhabhi se milwane."
Swati wrapped her arms around him, sobbing into his chest.
Pandit slowly walked towards a silent Preeti. He was scared about the way she stood like a stone... not reacting to anything.
"Preeti?" His voice was soft.
She did not move.
He thought of backing up... but the friendship of last several years urged him to give her the support she needed.
"Preeti, please aise mat raho... rona hai toh ro lo... lekin aise chup mat raho.. main tumhe aise dukhi nahi dekh sakta... aaj ke baad kabhi tumhe tang nahi karunga... kuch nahi puchunga... shayad hamara rishta ek dost ka hi theek hai... usse zyada kuch nahi chahiye mujhe... tum bhabhi ke jaane ke dukh mein meri baaton ki takleef ko mat jodo... please mujhe maaf kardo ki maine tumse woh sab kaha... aaj ke baad kabhi nahi kahunga." He said with a heavy heart, his voice depicting the pain he felt.
When Preeti continued to stand like a statue... he slowly went in front of her.
Her eyes were shut, a constant stream of tears falling on her already wet face.
Pandit wanted to wipe the tears away... he just stared at her.
"Sorry."
His one word made her open her eyes.
And Pandit stumbled back... as she crashed against him.
He was too shocked to react when Preeti cried against his chest, holding the lapels of his coat.
His one hand came to touch her shoulder... but stopped, not knowing if she would be okay with it.
He closed his eyes... she was just seeking comfort... like she hugged Swati. Since he came to console her, in her present broken state, she couldn't discern and reacted like this... he convinced himself not to see anything more into it.
"Sorry... maine tujhe... tumhe itne din pareshan kiya... please mujhe maaf kar do." Her choked voice reached him.
He narrowed his eyes... wondering if he had heard correct.
"Kya?" He blurted.
"Main... maine woh gift dekha... tab pata chala tumhe bhi utna hi dard mehsoos ho raha hai jitna mujhe... isliye ab main aur dard nahi dena chahti... hum dono ko... Naina ki vidaai ne iss baat ka aur bhi ahsaas karwaya hai ki jisse pyar karte hain usko door jaate hue dekhna kitni takleef deta hai." She mumbled against his chest.
With his heart hammering hard against his ribs, Pandit slowly brought up his arm again... and put it around her shoulder, his eyes closed.
Preeti jerked back... but could not lift her eyes to look at him.
He looked at her.
"I Love You, Preeti."
She gulped, raising her eyes to him for an instant... and ran back towards the stairs.
Munna and Swati, who had been watching the exchange with open mouth, grinned at him.
Pandit jumped in the air, a satiated grin pasted on his face.
Uff... It was a heavy update... had to stop several times in between... that was the reason to add a happy twist... to bring a smile on reader's faces at the end...
If anyone felt it was taking away the focus from Samaina... let me assure you, Samaina have always been, and will always remain my prime priority... nothing can overshadow them.
We'll welcome Naina in her own house in the evening.
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