Phir Ek Baar

Ateet

Naina withdrew hand quickly and took deep breaths to compose herself. Sujal was staring at her with distress while the waiter was clearing the table. He wanted to know more about Rajveer as after meeting Shalini, believes the information she provided is not complete. He has been cursing himself for not asking Shalini for Rajveer's photo or why Naina and her friends look at him like they have seen a ghost.

Naina (glanced at him with tears and said in a shaking voice) : "Sabh kuch the woh mere".

Sujal can feel pain in her voice and half smiled at her to show support.

Naina (tears were flowing on cheeks) : "Mere mentor, guide, supporter, strength, protector, friend aur.....".

Naina cleared tears and looked down as was not able to control overflowing emotions which were about to break the dam to bring flood in her life again. She glanced at him after exhaling a breath and asked

Naina : "Aap kaise jaante hain unke baare mae".

Sujal didn't like how she described Rajveer's importance to her like someone is drilling his heart. But got shocked after listening to her question as what to tell her, truth or lie.

Sujal (inhaled sharply and said in low voice) : "Aap ki aur Amardeep ki baat suni thi ball par. Phir aapne jaise apne mentor kae baar mae us din bataya toh mujhe laga ki kuch to hain jo aap chupa rahi hain. (hesitatingly) Maine Dr. Shalini se contact kiya aur unhone aapki aur Rajveer ki story batayi....".

Naina felt a betrayal from Shalini as how she can speak about her life to a stranger. She got up and rushed out of the restaurant as wanted to be alone. Sujal ran after, saw her standing in the corner of the restaurant and holding a pillar. He stands next to Naina and peeked at her who was looking in the garden where rain was pouring heavily. Sujal can feel her tears which were flowing like the ocean and hurt visible on her face.

Sujal (apologetically) : "I am sorry, Naina. Mujhe unse nahi aap se puchna chaiye tha. Par aap toh humesha mujhe avoid ya dur bhagti ho. Kabhi aapki aakho mae apne liye care aur shikayat dikhati hain. Kabhi kisi kae liye sirf dard, pachtawa aur intezaar (Naina moved her eyes at him) Please mujhe batao ki meri galti kya hain, main sirf aap ka dost bana chahta hu par aap toh shayad mujhse nafrat karti hain.

Upar se aap aur aapke dost mujhe aise dekhte hain jaise mujhe jaante hain. Please trust me, I want to help you and to understand why you are living like this. Main bhi dard aur apno kae dokhe mae jee raha hu. Shayad hum ek dusre ki help kare".

Naina can see honesty and concern for her in his eyes as he really wants to help. She is also tired of running and hiding from people, him and herself. Naina was still angry with Shalini but felt a relief also at least she has shown her a way. It was to get out of shell and remove the mask that she has been wearing for years.

Naina (looked in front and said in a painful voice) : "Main academy apna naam chupa kae aai thi apne bhaiya ko innocent proof karne kae liye. Mujhe kisi se koi umeed nahi thi aur na hi koi vishvaas. Bhaiya ko ek traitor bol kae, unse unki zindagi aur respect chin li. Aur maa baba aur mujhse se society mae rahne ki dignity. Main kabhi nahi maan sakti thi ki Naveen Bhaiya aisa kar sakte hain. I wanted to prove to the world that my brother was innocent and my family can live in society with pride and not with shame. Pehle din mujhe kuch ajnabee mile jo dost bane aur...kuch zindagi. (Sujal crossed his arms around chest and focussed on her)

Main itna dar rahi thi koi meri identity na jaane jaye. Par corridor mae dekha ek aise insaan ko jo apne senior se ek photo kae liye argue kar rahe the, kyuki unhone mere bhaiya ki photo floor par faik di thi. When I picked it up later, he was there and asked my name. (smiled) I stammered and said "Naina Ah Singh". He smiled at my weird name and I was not scared for a few seconds.