Love in Mt. Abu- A SamAina FF

Part 14: Arjun's Truth

"Arjun bhaiya!" called out Naina. Arjun was practicing for his upcoming match in the community playground. "Hey Naina...tu yahan...sab theek to hai na?" Arjun called out. He excused himself from his team and ran to meet his sister. "Bhaiya...wo aapse kuch baat karni thi", mumbled Naina. "Abhi...itni kya zaruri baat hai...main game khatam karke aata hun na ghar pe, fir pakka baatein karenge? Chalega?" asked Arjun. "Bhaiya..wo wo...", Naina thought for a moment. "Nahi bhaiya, vaise hi bahot der ho chuki hai. Please ab main aur nahi ruk sakti!" she said. Arjun was startled at Naina's insistence. "Aakhir aisi kya zaruri baat hai Naina? Koi problem hai?" questioned Arjun, getting a little worried for his sister. "Problem to hai bhaiya. Bhaiya, aapse ek baat kahun to aap bura to nahi maanoge?" asked Naina. "Bol na, meri gudiya. Teri baton ka kya bura manana?" smiled Arjun. "Bhaiya samajh nahi aata kaise kahun...wo...wo Sameer....," stammered Naina. "Sameer? Use kya hua? Kya wo tujhe pareshan kar raha hai?" enquired Arjun. "Nahi bhaiya. Sameer acha ladka hai! Humne use bahot galat samjha. Bhaiya! Kya aapko nahi lagta aapne uske saath galat kiya? Main jaanti hun aapne jo bhi kadam uthaya, wo papa ki khushi ke liye tha. Par kya jhoot se jeeti huyi khushi sahi hai? Aap galat the bhaiya aur Sameer sahi. Fir bhi wo us galti ki saza jhel raha hai jo usne kabhi ki hi nahi. Main jaanti hun ye jaankar papa ko dukh pahunchega, gharwalon ko bhi taqleef hogi. Lekin hamein bachpan se yahi sikhaya gaya hai na ki hamein hamesha sach ka saath dena chahiye. Aur sach bolne ke liye himmat chahiye hoti hai bhaiya. Kya aap wo himmat kar paaoge? Aapki wajah se ek bequsoor ladke ke sar pe chori ka daag laga hai. Usne itni bezzati sahi hai, badnami sahi hai, jabki galti kabhi uski thi hi nahi. Galti to sabse hoti hai na bhaiya. Aur apni galti ko jo sudharne ki koshish kare, acha insaan to wahi hua na. Bhaiya! Sameer ne bhi kuch galtiyaan ki, lekin usne unhe sudharne ki koshish bhi ki hai. Galti maine bhi ki, uski puri baat jaane bina, sach jaane bina, uspe chori ka ilzaam laga kar. Lekin aaj main bhi apni bhool sudharna chahti hun bhaiya. Aur main chahti hu isme aap meri madad karein- khud ki galti maan kar. Aapko di huyi saza main jhelne ko tayyar hun, par ab main Sameer par ye jhoota ilzaam nahi lage rehne de sakti," concluded Naina.

Arjun was surprised to see his own sister turned against him today. But he knew that she loved him and that she was an honest soul. Arjun also knew that he was guilty. His conscience hadn't let him sleep properly since the day of the exam, when he had stolen the papers. He'd heaved a sigh of relief when he was acquitted, but felt his heart wrench when Sameer was wrongly accused. He knew Sameer was fearless that day, because he'd committed no crime. He was speaking the truth. But Arjun hadn't been as brave as him. Deep down, he had always admired Sameer's confidence, his determination and his courage. Sameer had known he was no match to Arjun in studies, yet he had accepted the challenge. Many a times, Arjun himself had thought of accepting his folly in front of papa, in front of the principal, even in front of Sameer; but he'd never been able to muster the courage to do so. He was afraid of the social stigma he and his family would have to face because of his mistake. He was also scared of being expelled from school. He had always chickened out fearing the consequences. But here, his little sister was reminding him of his duty, of the need to stay on the path of righteousness. She was ready to take the blame upon herself, but not let an innocent person suffer. Arjun looked at Naina, his face sad and full of guilt. He knew he'd got what he didn't deserve and Sameer had suffered all that he, Arjun deserved. Words failed Arjun. He just nodded at Naina and left the field. Naina eyed her brother sadly and prayed that he would take the correct stand this time.

***

Arjun thought and thought on how to start the confession. Naina was right. He had been carrying this burden for long and it was his due to clear Sameer's name. Rakesh came to the room and saw Arjun sitting idle, lost in thoughts. "Arjun, ye kya time barbaad kar rahe ho. Jise samay ki qadr nahi wo bhala kaise safal ho sakta hai. Arey mehnat nahi karoge toh...," he started shouting at him. Arjun just looked up at him in silence. Rakesh halted midway and stared at him. He didn't seem afraid today. His eyes wanted to tell him something. "Arjun? Kya hua hai? Sab theek hai na?" enquired Rakesh, cooling down a bit. Arjun remained silent. "Bolta kyun nahi? Chup kyun hai?" Rakesh shouted again. Naina, who'd come to speak to Arjun again, to help him accept his mistake; had just entered the house, when she heard her father shouting. She ran inside to see what was happening. "Naina! Dekh kya hua hai ise! Kuch bol nahi raha!" Rakesh was angrily pointing at Arjun. Naina too stayed mum. Rakesh took hold of Arjun and shook him by his shoulders, "Kuch bolta kyun nahi hai? Goonga ho gaya hai kya! Aakhir aisa kya ho gaya hai?"Arjun seemed to have been jerked into the present as Rakesh shrugged him. "Papa....Papa...I'm sorry! Main aapka acha beta nahi ban paaya. Aapka naam roshan karne ki jagah maine wo duba diya!" started Arjun.