'Thanks for coming Captain. I know it must have been difficult for you to come at this short notice but thanks for coming. I have known Arwa for some time. You were the only person that came to my mind. And perhaps only one whom she'd have let come. She is resting right now. You can wait here or come with me to discuss her current situation.'

Naushad leaves with Doctor. He has not still seen Arwa.

He follows doc in his cabin and takes the offered seat. He puts his cap on table and sits straight.

This is sure a shocker for him. Meeting Arwa that too in a hospital...and like this...Never he has thought in his dream. It was perhaps....over for him...perhaps. or perhaps he was waiting for her to come back.

He takes a deep breath to clear his thought.

'Actually I need brief you about her current condition. She has been depressive since last few months. Earlier two months back she took handful of sleeping pills. Her depression reaching to another level. And yesterday it was completely careless suicidal step. She swallowed whole bottle of sleeping pills. I have seen her many times fighting with long sleepless nights but..I never knew she'd take this step. This was a suicide case. I'd not have operated if you had not given your assent. It is because of you she is now stable. Well...take care of her from now on. I am not looking forward one more meeting in the hospital ward.' Doctor shakes his hand and leaves for another check up.

Meanwhile Naushad sitting there...looks at the paper weight. Circling it on table...like his life is moving him. He stands up to check up on Arwa.....

Who used to be Arwa Rizvi..but now

Arwa Siddiqui.

A mass communication student whom he met during his posting in Mumbai...

A chirpy, full of life Arwa and he a silent and observant lieutenant then. As opposite poles attract there was a spark between them. They met accidentally when he was checking a hotel for some clues. A banter started between them. So did start the meetings. One, two, three and on and on...Soon they were madly in love. As His nature was Naudhad wanted to settle down soon. He had found his love of life so why not give it stability. He proposed her with a huge diamond. Marriage was set so was his life.

Few years spent in bliss. Actually it felt like bliss. He going on postings for few months and coming back to see Arwa whenever he could. Surprise visits, dates, late night movies...everything he did to make her happy. Because the vivacious Arwa was slowly slowly fading away. Amd he was not able to put his finger on the cause. Then came the news of pregnancy.

Saira...

For Naushad that news was more than a happy tune. It was orchestra of his life. Like medley. He was the most happiest person on earth. But somewhere arwa was not. He saw it in her eyes. The question was about her resumed studies. She had resumed her studies. She wanted to be  a journalist. A famous one as her friends were doing now. Pursuing a career instead of sitting at home and making babies. Few times it slipped from her that marrying after dating few months was perhaps a mistake. Naushad did his best to make her feel good. He took leave for months. He helped her. He took care of her. If she studied he was there with her coffee. He did what he could. When Daira was born his eyes has grown and shone like stars but Arwa was not as happy as him. Again question was different with same answer.

Marrying so early and then starting family within two year of marriage...

This was not how it was supposed to turn out. In three years of dating she had become not only a wife but a mom too. It just happened too soon. She was not able to adjust. In fact the changes were too abrupt and soon gor her. She complained many times. And finally when arwa was around one and half years old she left her and Naushad to join the channel who has accepted her no-experience resume. It was an opening for her. A chance...which she wanted to turn in opportunity so badly.

It happened. She left him with his nascent daughter. To pursue a career in journalism. To be what she wanted to be. Her flight had started without an abode or shackle of relation holding her back.

And now after too many years what exactly happened that ambitious Arwa Siddiqui was unable to sleep...after achieving those heights she yearned for.

She has answers..only she.

He took one more step towards her bed...knowing there is something heavy in his heart which stops him from moving further.

********

Arwa opens her eyes when effect of  drug fades a little. She finds someone whom she never expected to see...

Naushad.....

Naushad Rizvi...

Her eyes brims.

She had left Naushad to seek her horizon but never expected it to be so wide that she'll lose herself. Yes. She wanted to fly but flying herself without someone next to her she realized she could not take off anymore.

It was Cinderella story initially. Working hard and getting promoted. It was too good too surreal. Her dream was taking shape. It was becoming reality. And soon she was leading journalist of NN Network. A handsome pay, reputed job, influencing position. What more she had asked for...

But soon the life became monotonous. Her 3 BHK in posh colony of Mumbai suddenly started to haunt her. She started getting afraid of returning home because every night she was missing something. Eating alone..sleeping alone...living alone. It started making her mad. Nobody to talk with..nobody to hold hands with. There was not even her own shadow in the house. The tiles were dark..they barely showed her reflection. Being on such height and witnessing her colleagues having a partner made her jealous. But there was no returning back for her.

She kept getting haunted by her own dreams. They kept turning in nightmares. Soon her nights became sleepless. Soon she was completely dependent on pills for sleep. Because there was no one to hold her hand and tell her to sleep because that person is with her whole night.

And when during that award show she missed the trophy of best journalist she lost her shit. No one was there to comfort her, console her. It was she..all alone. So she did what she could..sleep bit more by swallowing more of usual one pill dose. She was admitted when she herself made a call to doctor Anand.

When she came back home after treatment it took a toll on her. The atmosphere of her house... emptiness increased. Bed became Shallow..she didnt get comfort anymore by seeing her trophies and awards. It was suddenly all meaningless. Worthless because she didnt get peace of a moment. Not even a moment...

So yesterday night she after facing her sorrows and finding herself sole responsible for her misery tried to commit suicide. If not for Dr. Anand she'd have had death waiting at her doorstep.

She understood how mechanical her life was. How lame her dreams were. Achieving heights of success was worthy only if she had someone next to her.

Naushad.  Her husband..

A great deed on her side by not divorcing him. Only good thing she ever did..

Now when he is here, she cant let him go. No...not at any cost.

She cant go and succumb to black hole of her misery.

Not if she had a chance to rejunavate.

*********

Naushad sees Arwa crying silently. It troubles him.

'Hume...Hume maaf kar dijiye Naushad. Hum apne khwabo ke piche itne andhe ho gaye the ki hume mohbbat ki keemat najar nahi aayi. Hum bhool gaye the ki jin khwabo ke piche hum bhaag rahe he wo sirf ek khwaab he. Asliyat nahi. Sach to ye he ki hume aasman me ooncha udna tha. Aur jab Hum itna ooncha udne lage ki Hume koi najar aaya to ahsas huya ki kya khata kar ke aaye he hum.

Hume maaf kar dijiye...khuda ke waaste...Maaf kar dijiye.'

Naushad has no words.

Not because he is overwhelmed. Because he has no idea what to say.

He gets a shock when she holds his hand.

'Please..Hume wapas le chaliye. Hum nahi rahna chahte yaha ek pal bhi. Ye shahar hume kaatneko daudta he. Ye chamkeeli shano shaukat ye sab jhooth he. Hume ab ek minuye yaha nahi rukna. Hume wapas jaana he. Please...Sirf ye ek ahsaan kar dijiye hum par. Pleasee..Hume wapas apne sath le chaliye..

Nahi thaharna is shahar me hume...Iske sath Hum bhaag nahi sakte. Ye shahar bahut tej chal raha he..Aur Hum itna aage nahi ja sakte. Hume wapas jana he..aapke sath..aapke pass.'

She is on the verge of getting hysteric. Naushad is at loss of words. He doesn't understand what Arwa said. But the words Hume wapas jana he..aapke sath..aapke pass Makes him restless.

Why?

He does not know.

'Arwa...shant ho jaao. Abhi in sab baato ke waqt nahi he. Hum kal baat karte he.'

'Kal? Agar kal ko aap hume chhod kar chale gaye to?'

He takes a deep breath and weakly tells..

'Hum kahi nahi jaa rahe Arwa.'

She smiles...huge one.soon she sleeps leaving him sleepless.

Arwa is going to return with him home. And instead of being happy he is hell scared of something else. More like someone else.

Instead of feeling good for Arwa being there with him from now on he is feeling bad because this all is happening behind someone's back.

Instead of feeling crazy and happy he is bothered whether this is right or wrong.

All this happening when he with arwa. What'll happen when he is back to Shimla...facing........

........

.....her!

He keeps himself busy for next two days. Arwa gets discharged and so jovial about returning to Shimla with him.

And he sinking....with something he has not figured out yet.