Kahi Woh Main Toh Nahi?

Jalal had taken centre stage to announce, while Shakti had made the girls sit in the lounge where Pratap sat alone with his drink. Rukaiya seemed nervous, and Heer was too happy while Jalal spoke, and Ajabdeh listened, trying to ignore the awkward moments when eyes met more than once.

“I am not very good with words, so I took help from the one who is.” He smiled. “I owe you, Ajabdeh. So here I go.” Rukaiya frowned, clueless at the stage and back at Ajabdeh.

“Love is made in heaven; we have only destiny and prayers to believe in, and it lands us up with our one. I met mine in the greyest background possible. Work, internship, and everything. And it’s been only a year since we have been together, and I can’t wait to marry her. Yeah, I know, most of you will go home and gossip like this guy was a playboy once, and he’s talking of true love, that too for this simple girl. But,” he paused, “every flirty heart has a reason and every committed one too. I found my reason in her. So, yes, media reports are true; we are getting married in a month.” The crowd applauded as he took Rukaiya’s hand for a dance, and Heer’s “aww” made Ajabdeh give her a “don’t you ever do that again '' look, making Shakti laugh. It was followed by a mandatory picture and selfie session for everyone. Jalal requested a groupie with them, and they obliged.

The karaoke was one fun part that was specially organised by Rukaiya. The centre stage, made of wood, was surrounded by the dance floor. Jalal handed Hakim the mic, making everyone stare at the centre stage. The girls gathered around it while Pratap frowned from the bar.

“Hakim has been a singer forever.” Jalal patted his friend. “Aj, he will sing for us.” He handed Hakim the mic while he smiled, blushing a little. “This one's for you, Ajabdeh”, made her stare a little wide-eyed as the crowd went “Ohho!”

Heer shot a glance at Shakti, who nodded, “Everything is fine”, making her smile. Her eyes travelled to Kunwar Pratap in the bar, who was staring like a ghost at the half-drunk man he called a friend on stage.

Saawali si ek ladki, dhadkan jaise dil ki… He does sing well. Pratap stared at Ajabdeh, making an impressed face. He hated that tilt of the head she did.

Saawali si ek ladki, dhadkan jaise dil ki, dekhe jiske woh sapne kahin woh main toh nahi?  Ajabdeh laughed as Hakim took her by the hand to the stage.

Sawaali si ek ladki….

Ajabdeh watched Pratap walk away from the bar towards the deserted lawn as she frowned, a little worried.

Yaha waha kaha kaha jaane rukti hai uski nazar, aise toh main hoon bekhabar, par itni hai mujhko khabar….

Koi bhi hai hai woh yahi… par kahi woh main toh nahi?

The song stopped as everyone applauded, and Ajabdeh excused herself in search of someone who was now out of sight.

“Pratap?” Her voice stopped him from strolling.

“Ho gaya gaana bajana?” He smiled sarcastically. “Haan, ho gaya. He sings very well,” Ajabdeh smiled.

“Of Course he does. Tumhare jaise dus patati roz, I know him.” “So?” Ajabdeh raised her eyebrows.

“So yeah, he is not worth your time, Ajabdeh. He is not…”

“I can handle myself, Pratap, you know that, tum waha se kyun chale aaye?” “You like him, don’t you?'' His question made Ajabdeh laugh, amused. “You are drunk!”

“You like him?”

“Yes, I do, so? Why do you care, Pratap?” Ajabdeh folded her hands to her sides as he looked away at her question.

“Because… he paused to look at her. “You are a friend, Ajabdeh. I have hurt you once, and I don’t want you to be hurt twice.” He paused, smiling “You are a very good friend.” Eyes met in a moment’s silence as the gentle breeze blew Ajabdeh’s hair across her face, prompting them to look away as she swept it aside.

“I am glad we are on the same page, Pratap. I, too, don’t want to hurt you, willingly or unwillingly.” She smiled as he looked up again.

“I should go.” Pratap smiled back. “It was good to see you.”

“Same here.” Pratap gave his hand as she took it, a gentle shake, thumping hearts, denying eyes, and they knew a lot had changed in them and between them.

Jalal was happy to message Jaivanta “success” when Ajabdeh refused to give Hakim her number after she had walked back to them. Shakti had looked here and there for Pratap, and she had plainly said, “He’s strolling there,” making it evident that they had talked.

“I am not interested in casual dating anymore, Hakim, sorry, but you are really nice.” Had made Heer smile at Rukaiya, hopeful, but they got mixed feelings when she followed it with “Come, Heer, let’s go home.”

“Bhaijaan, abhi? I can’t!” Shakti shook his head, standing at the porch where they had come to see Ajabdeh and Heer off.

“You said ke jo bolunga karoge.” Jalal reminded him, “Abhi baat se mat palto, Rajput.” “But mera ye bolne se Dadabhai aur Ajabdeh ka kya connection hai?”

“Tum bologe ya main bolu?”

“Acha main… main bolta hoon na!”

“Girls.” Hansa had welcomed them home with a smile. Brownie jumped at Ajabdeh, making her smile.

“Maasa”, they were surprised to hug her. Hansa noticed Ajabdeh’s hug was tighter than usual as she patted her hair gently with a smile.

“Aap kab aayi?” Heer asked, freeing herself from the heavy pair of earrings.

“Kuch der pehle.” Hansa smiled. “Party kaisi thi?” she asked Heer, then stared at Ajabdeh, who was sitting beside her.

“Acchi thi.” Ajabdeh smiled.

“Kal hi, Bhaijaan contract karna chahte hain.” Heer smiled.

“Yeh toh bahut achi khabar hai, kyun, Ajab?” Hansa and Heer exchanged a glance at Ajabdeh’s lack of response.

“Jija?” Heer made her look up from Brownie. “Hmm?” Ajabdeh looked up.

“Aap jaengi na Punwar Mughal Partnership press conference mein?” Heer smiled. “Ha… main audience mein hi theek hoon.” Ajabdeh shrugged,

“But Jija… main akele kaise press meet… main bhi nahi hogi.”

“Agar tum akele ek pura business sambhal sakta ho toh press meet is nothing, hmm?” Ajabdeh hugged Heer as Hansa wished them good night and left.

“Waise bhi, Shakti hoga na wahaa. Daro maat.” She smiled at her sister. “Ha.” Heer hugged her. Kunwar Pratap bhi!

“Kyaaa?” Pratap stared at his brother and then at Jalal “Are you out of your mind?” Shakti sulked like a kid. “Dekha, maine kaha tha na, bhaijaan dekha!”

“Oh, stop it, you two.”

“Woh ladki, tumhe koi aur nahi mili?” Pratap looked shocked “Wohh Jhansi ki rani, pagal ki behen” he sat down on the lawn, making Jalal laugh “Ajabdeh was right about you two” Pratap’s words made Jalal stop laughing as he added, “Ajabdeh is always right!”

“Dadabhai.” Shakti looked rather distraught, sitting on the grass beside his brother “If you oppose, I promise, I will never see Heer again. You come first and I…”

“She makes you happy?” Pratap’s words stopped him. “Ji?”

“Does she make you happy?” He asked as Shakti smiled. “Yes, she does.”

“Then I am happy.” He hugged his much-relieved brother. “Ajabdeh janti hai?” he frowned.

“Umm… woh actually umm”

“Great! She also knows before me.” Pratap sulked as Shakti hugged him, laughing.

“Kya aap bhi na!”

Pratap sat on the grass as his Instagram pinged with a notification.

“Ajabdeh Punwar Tagged You in A Photo” he opened it to see a groupie of him, Shakti, Jalal and Rukaiya flaunting their happy smiles, Heer and her in half a hug. “Happiness is in moments lived, love won, and words expressed. Wishing these two Love and Companionship.” He smiled, double-tapping it as another post came on his newsfeed. Brownie’s nose and eyes seemed the cutest in the cropped picture, but his hand stopped at the caption “STILL waiting for a wanderer to be a warrior.” He smiled. She and her riddles.