The morning saw the Punwar House in a mess as Shakti, in his suit was still putting stuff in his bags as Heer, in an elegant red and gold saree, dragged it out of the room saying “Okay, enough now!”Jalal had just arrived with Rukaiya and a couple’s trolley as Jiwa was chewing gum and kept her backpack down on Patta’s trolley making him frown.
One stare, and he smiled at her making Jalal say “Ahem, Yeh kaun?” “Nice friend.” Heer and Shakti smiled amused as they said in unison “Patta ki.”
Pratap was helping the old ladies take their luggage out while Sau and Chaks were dealing with a crying baby in vain. Brownie came running out of Ajabde’s room with her in toe, shouting “Brownie listen to me…” as Brownie looked at Shakti’s trolley on his way and Heer exclaimed a soft “Brownie stop.” Before Brownie bumped into it and the trolley was pushed down the stairs.
“Brownie Yaar!” Shakti exclaimed, running after the trolley that had ended up open on the landing, his clothes scattered everywhere.
“Shit my watches, my watches!” He sat to search if they were fine. Brownie looked amused as he took a tie from the scattered luggage in his mouth and ran up again making Shakti shout “Mera tie yaar Brownie” making Heer giggle. Shakti stopped at her laugh as a smile curved his lips. Last night he was sleepless on his side knowing she was sniffing on hers, not sure what to tell her then. This smile was a welcome relief.
“Bad dog!” Ajabde caught hold of him before he could manage to run to Pratap and handed Heer Shakti’s tie.
“Hum aaj hi ja rahe hai na?” Rukaiya asked, confused. “Yaha ka halaat dekho.”
“Brownie no no no!” Shakti exclaimed alarmed as Brownie was out of Ajabde’s grip and running towards him again.
“Brownie.” Pratap’s call stopped him. “Come to D… Come here.” Ajabde had a faint smile as she looked away.
“Chale?” Ranima asked everyone as they gathered.
The flight was an insignificant one, where Jiwa was busy clicking selfies and group pics, Sau was happy that Ajabde was taking care of Aarchi giving her the needed time off Mommy duties as she munched on the unhealthy snacks that made Rukaiya frown. Brownie was a little hysterical about the carriage flight when Pratap reassured him gently, making him listen and Ajabde worried. After Delhi, when they came back… she was hoping and dreaming again … what if he… Heer was busy enjoying the aerial view of Delhi, she missed her childhood so much.
Shakti stared at her faint smile before his eyes caught Jalal’s hawk ones watching him as he looked away.
The Sisodia Mansion in Delhi was smaller than the one at Surajgarh, but it was a mansion all right that too in Chattarpur. Three floors and a large area for the front lawn and garden, the large gate read SISODIA’S just like it used to when Ajabde left last time. Ajabde’s home, as well as Jalal’s, were adjacent apartments about five minutes from this place.
Last heard, Bairam Khan had taken over both his office and living and Jalal’s rare occasional visits. Bairam refused to go to Udaipur with Jalal even after Rukaiya requested him. He had remained unmarried and brought up his nephew giving him the best upbringing with Hansa’s helping hand. Choosing Hansa Mausi and Ajabde over him kind of made him angry at Jalal at times. He however was extremely glad when Jalal took him to Udaipur on one vacation and he met Rukaiya and her parents. Rukaiya was the daughter Bairam now loved more than the nephew who chose his friend. Bairam was like a brother to Hansa when they lived here, it’s true but he being a little old-fashioned never approved of children making their own decisions. He was disappointed watching the news of Pratap’s link-ups and more when Ajabde left following that. Not that he approved of teenagers in love. But he never believed Pratap was such a guy and more because the distances increased and the elders went with the flow and made no efforts to make them sit and talk. Elders being scared of children was so not Bairam’s style. He was again disappointed hearing Shakti and Heer’s marriage happen because of some con guy’s deeds. But Jaivanta’s call made him promise to come to the welcome party like all the other guests
much to Jalal’s happiness.
The cars drove in through the large gates as Rukaiya observed the surroundings Jalal kept talking of. Jalal sat beside her with a smile. The playing area, the parties he described, the first time he met Pratap and Shakti at Ajabde’s place. Everything. Rukaiya could picture how attracted and attached Heer, Patta and Ajabde must have been here, and how painful it was…. Worried, she stared back from her seat at Ajabde as Sau’s eyes met her concerned ones and she also stared at Ajabde sitting beside her, her eyes fixed outside the window. Chaks sat clueless beside the driver, nostalgic. Ever since his parents were gone, he hadn’t been to Delhi as well.
The car upfront had Patta pointing out to Jiwa their special corners while Shakti smiled at Heer and Hansa and Jaivanta stared at Pratap who was checking the car at the back worried, through the rearview mirror. Ajabde sighed as her vision blurred. The moment she entered the gates she remembered the day she left, Ranima had stood at that very gate repeatedly asking her “Are you sure?” She had run to hug Ranima one last time before they departed. She stared back at the lane, till it was visible and controlled her tears in front of her worried father as her mother held her hand. She remembered how often she would cycle down from home across the gate hoping to spot his car or him, to make sure he was home before she arrived to meet Ranima. She always sent Heer with the notes and study materials when fighting that would force Pratap to come to Jalal’s house for a match or some notes as he rang the bell asking Hansa Mausi’s health and looked across her to the one who ignored his glances.
She remembered the first time he played his guitar here at a party surprising his parents and the guests with his voice. She could see the corners where they used to have lazy afternoons or evenings sitting around while she said something she had read and Patta Heer and Shakti would listen eagerly while Jalal and Pratap made fun. To them, Jija was always the knowledge bank. She remembered how disappointed she felt every time he was engrossed in Jalal and Chaks and didn’t even see how she looked at parties while she appeared busy with Sau, then again, he would surprise her with a compliment in front of everyone, making her feel uncomfortable and loving the reactions. She remembered everything. She now felt so stupid to run away like that.
From Family, friends and home, for news? But if she hadn’t… would
Heer and Shakti still be… Destiny. She smiled as she remembered Shakti’s words last night.
“Ajabde?” Sau called softly, unsure. Ajabde closed her eyes to regain composure and smiled back at Sau “Haan?”
“Are you okay?” Sau asked worriedly as she smiled. “Haan.” Smiling at Jalal who nodded reassuringly. The cars stopped as Jaivanta instructed everyone to stay put while she and Hansa went in. In a while, she was back with the ladies – in – waiting ready to welcome the bride home.
Rukaiya held Heer’s hand as she stepped out, putting the pallu over her head as Shakti followed in toe. Sau carefully walked out with the baby in her arms as Chaks held her with a smile. Patta and Jiwa were exploring the lawn already.
Ajabde stepped out in her long Karachi kurta and shut the door of the car. He walked out of his side just then as eyes met. He looked concerned, not sure of her reaction. Her faint smile put his worry to ease as unnoticed he waited for her to come over to his side and they stood behind the crowd on the porch stairs side by side. First, Jaivanta did Heer’s aarti and rasm as Patta giggled “She is the pehla bride jiska teen teen baar yeh ho raha.” Making Hansa give him a cold stare.
“Ruk jaao Sau.” Hansa stopped them as Pratap and Ajabde stood right behind them.
“Kya hua mausi?” Sau asked, confused as Jaivanta came with another aarti thali.
“Dekho beta jaise tum Hansa ki beti ho, Chaks bhi mera beta hai, apne poti ko welcome nahi karungi?” Jaivanta smiled at a surprised and glad couple.
“Kakisa…” Chaks was happy as Jaivanta did Aarchi’s aarti.
“Andar aao sab.” The mother turned around as Heer kept her left foot over the rice kalash and Sau entered with the baby while the conch shell was blown.
Ajabde was about to follow Rukaiya and Jalal when Pratap held her back by the soft unsure hold of her hand she looked a little scared and turned to face him with a questioning face. He smiled at her as he stepped ahead, her hand still in his as they stepped over the threshold together and he let go of her hand and moved away. If anyone had noticed Ajabde she was red and feeling the same old feelings creep in as she tried to control her heart rate.
Sau carefully sat down on the couch so that she didn’t wake Aarchi while Jaivanta served thandai and sweets to everyone. Ajabde got up to help and walked to the kitchen which seemed to have been renovated.
“Ranima.” Her call made Jaivanta turn smiling. “Ao Beta.” “Apko help…”
“Nahi, aj toh tum log bimaar bimaar na kaho, bahu ayi hai meri…”
“Bahu aayi toh aap beti ki baat na manogi?” Ajabde frowned as Ranima looked at her with a smile saying “Blackmail karna kaha se sikhi?”
“Aap yeh chodo, jaane do…” She pulled the tray towards her. “Aree aree… Ajabde…” Ranima protested.
“Ranima room…” Pratap stopped seeing the tug of war with the tray as the cook and helpers smiled amused.
“Le li, aap baith jao.” Ajabde snatched the tray and walked past him as he smiled but she chose to look away.
“Aree Beta Ajab!” Ranima called in vain after her and noticed Pratap’s smile faded at her glare.
Ajabde placed down the tray while the group grew nostalgic around the place and Ranima walked out followed by Pratap when a car honked loudly making them all stand up.
“Khan Baba aa gaye.” Jalal smiled at the door.
“Oh shit, Jija isko kahi chupao.” Patta pointed at a surprised Jiwa as Ajabde looked wide-eyed and Shakti chuckled and stopped at Heer’s glare.
Bairam Khan was now a man in his sixties, his hair a little grey but handsome and full of attitude. One could easily say Jalal got his good looks from his uncle. He was in a bandh gala suit and wore a heavy gold chain around his neck. His glasses were dark and he used a stick of ivory he didn’t need. He walked in as Jaivanta and Hansa walked up to greet him while the children stood in a row. They were always scared of him, all except Jalal and Ajabde.
He gave a hawk eye’s stare to the group. Jalal Rukaiya, Chaks Sau with the baby, Patta and a girl? Heer and Shakti, Pratap and Ajabde… together? He smiled at Pratap faintly before Jalal walked up to him to do a greeting Musafa.
“Kaisi ho?” He ignored his nephew and asked Rukaiya who smiled at him.
“Khan Baba aap…” Jalal’s smile faded as he stopped him with a hand gesture.
“Shadi karwa di, bole nahin, ab bulane ka kya matlab hai Jaivanta Behen?” He turned to Jaivanta as Heer and Shakti stared at each other.
“Bhaisaab hume pata hai aap naraz hai, par aapko pata hai na kaise hui…” He turned to Heer and Shakti as she stopped.
“Ab khade rahoge ke ashirwad bhi loge?” His gruff voice made Brownie hide under the centre table.
Heer and Shakti promptly walked up to him and he touched their heads with a smile “Khush rehna.”
“Bairam Uncle… Poti ko bhi dekh lijiye…” Sau brought Aarchi and placed her in his arms as he smiled “Ma pe gayi ho lagta hai Shehzaadi.” Sau smiled as Chaks frowned. The man never liked him!
“Ajabde? He turned to Ajabde who ran to hug him saying “Khan Baba kaise ho aap?”
“Akela.” He stared at Jalal who looked away.
“Humare saath Udaipur…” Rukaiya’s words stopped at his “Nahi.”
“Yeh ladki kaun hai?” Jiwa looked wide-eyed as the man pointed to her making Patta gulp. Everyone stared at each other as Bairam turned to Pratap.
“Pratap yeh ladki kaun hai?” made him stare with a pale face first at Ranima and then at Ajabde. “Iska girlfriend?”
“Nahi nahi Uncle,yeh meri behen hai.” Chaks interrupted as he gave a cold stare.
“Tumhari behen kab paida hui?” He frowned.
“Bas ho gayi.” Sau smiled a silly smile adding “Matlab cousin hai, dur ka…”
“Jiwa ashirwad lo.” Chaks pushed her forward as Bairam said “Thik hai. Rehne do.”
“Bhai Sahab ye toh bahut accha hua ki aap aye.” Hansa smiled.
“Aree hum e toh aana hi tha! Poti dekhni thi. Hahahaha!” He sat down on the sofa with a loud laugh that made Aarchi cry out on her mother’s lap and Brownie made a run for the stairs.
“Brownie!” Ajabde exclaimed as she ran after him.
“Daarr gayi bacchi.” Bairam sounded alarmed as he lowered his voice. “Koi baat nahi Uncle woh…”
“Lagta hai baap pe gayi hai.” Chaks frowned at him while Jalal and Shakti exchanged an amused stare.
“Brownie ruk jao. Baby maine kaha ruk jao!”
Ajabde entered the room Brownie had entered and stopped. It was Pratap’s chamber. The balcony overlooked the gates and the road, the small adjacent room that led to the bathroom was now a closet for his clothes, and the master bed was at the centre. But that’s not what attracted Ajabde’s attention. The wall above the bed had a large portrait. Brownie was in the middle, Pratap and Ajabde knelt on either side, holding him, and in a way each other’s hands. On Ajabde’s side, her father was on the couch while her mother Patta and Heer stood in a
line behind him and on Pratap’s side Ranima and Shakti was standing behind Ranaji as well. This black and white frame was taken on Diwali before he left, the Surajgarh Palace.
That was not all, on the left of it was a corner with her pictures with Brownie, Heer, Ranima and Ranaji. She swept her hand over her smiling face holding Ranima. On the right was a timeline frame. Their first picture as children, with Sau Chaks, with Jalal, with the siblings, school farewell, first reunion, college freshers, awards, every occasion, every festival, their couple pictures made their way to this wall. Her eyes stopped at the last picture at the airport and from a hook there hung his medals, his singing awards of fests, all of which he dedicated to her. His guitar was in a corner where Brownie sniffed. This room was a picture gallery of the past.
Heer entered her room, which was actually Shakti’s and the large portrait of her with her family attracted her attention beside the wedding pictures. She smiled at it as Shakti said “So that you don’t miss home.”
She turned to see him standing at the threshold with a smile as she nodded gratefully.
“Keep things the way you want.” He shrugged as she looked around. Heer smiled.
“Can I… have a rose plant on the balcony?” She asked unmindfully. “Sure why not?” He smiled.
Ajabde felt numb. For all these years she blamed him for everything. She never once in her ego felt that a part of her could be wrong too, a part of her could be unreasonable. There she was trying to forget him while here, he built a home and life around her memories. He lived like she wanted him to, followed her principles and wishes and yet never tried to point out to her that he was miserable without her. Why? Had Pratap thought she moved on? Tears rolled down her cheeks at the thought. He had so much pain hidden in him, yet she was the one who looked vulnerable to all. Ajabde felt guilty.
Comments
Post a Comment