Phir Ek Baar

Koi Apna Sa

He was driving the car smilingly after remembering the names they were using, 'Phoolan' and 'Kaidi'. He thought who uses these kinds of names or maybe they are really good friends that's why. He stopped the car suddenly on the side and scolded himself. His friend called him Huda is that same Huda whose father wanted to discuss with him about the deal before signing it. He was frustrated to miss the chance as was close to him, so, may have introduced himself and tried to convince him for the deal. But then thought he was already going in the evening for Lohri as was invited by Huda's father to meet his family. He started driving again for the hotel to get some rest.

In Huda's house, Pooja and Yudi went to their rooms and Ali and Naina were now sitting in the drawing room on the sofa.

Naina (in low voice) : "Ali, tera aur Pooja ki phir se jhagra hua".

Ali (exhaled a breath) : "Naina, hum kai baar lar chuke hain aur ek dusre ko mana bhi lete the. Par is baar hum mae se koi nahi manayega kyuki hum dono apni jagah sahi hain. Humare upar Ammi, Abu aur behno ki responsibility hain. Hum dono kae parents is rishte ko nahi man rahe aur bachi hui do behno ki shaadi se pehle hum khud kae bare mae soch nahi sakte. Pooja kae parents un par shaadi ka dabab bhi daal rahe hain".

Naina (in the concerned voice) : "Main baat karu Pooja kae parents se".

Ali (with a sad smile) : "Nahi Naina, hum kai baar koshish kar chuke hain. Baat sirf parents ki aur behno ki nahi hain. Itne saalo mae hum ek dusre ko itna samajh gaye hain ki...ek saath nahi rah paayenge. Hum logo ki soch aur jeene ka tarika alag hain".

Naina : "Tum do no sach mae break up kar loge".

Ali : "Break up toh kai baar hua hain...Par shayad ye akhri hoga".

Ali left the room as was controlling tears and wanted to cry alone. He really loved Pooja but knows that they can't live together because of responsibilities, their parents and differences with each other.

Naina decided not to interfere in their decision as sometimes you have to let go of a relationship which has no future or not giving peace. They will be hurt as both love each other but does it sometimes enough. Do love makes you forget the problems, pain and circumstances which you don't want to change or don't have the power to change. She herself does not want to forget Rajveer's memories that live in her whether it brings pain or happiness.

It was evening, all were gathered in the open area for Lohri and lights were shining on the house. Huda, his parents, friends and some neighbours were standing near big logs of wood. Huda's mother lit the fire, music started and all took rounds against it. Huda and his friends added groundnuts, sweets made of jaggery and popcorn in the fire. All the friends were busy talking with each other that didn't notice a man who passed on the other side of the bonfire and was now talking with Huda's father who asked him to perform the rituals. He in a hurry put the stuff in fire and closed his eyes to wish. He asked God to give him peace, support, a person who can understand him, his pain and heart and to whom he can talk to. He squeezed eyes when heard a laugh which was filled with pain and happiness.

The stranger opened eyes in a hurry to see this girl but was only able to see her eyes which had loneliness, misery, hope and emptiness like him. She was chatting and standing within a big group who were enjoying and guessed all must be good friends for a very long time. They were laughing, teasing but this girl is still trying to hide her pain in a smile from them. He moved a little bit from fire to see her face but the group left to a corner. So, in disappointment went towards Huda senior who told him to wait for a few minutes to meet his son. He called Huda a few times but the music and drum noise was so high that he didn't hear it. The man's phone started ringing and the name flashed on screen 'Mumma'. He told him that will come tomorrow to meet his son as need to attend this call. He was leaving the house but his heart made him turn, to see the girl's face. When he found her then eyes didn't leave her face who was smiling and closely dancing with one of her male friends on drum music. She was looking really beautiful in a highly embroidered red suit and sweater but it was her eyes that made him stay there. After, so, many years, he sees a girl who made him notice her. He was a handsome and well built man with whom many women have tried to flirt but has shown no interest to them. He felt a pull towards her as maybe she is also trying to live a hard life just like him. His phone rang again that made him come out of this trance and left the place to talk to his mother.