Kabhi to nazar milao

Family

The minutes ticked by as they both stood motionless, gazing into each other's eyes, hands linked.

Sound of loud temple bell from above broke their trance.

Naina hastily looked away, trying to free her hands. But Sameer kept holding onto one, letting go of the other.

He sat on the stone and tugged at her hand, making her sit.

Rubbing her hand lightly, he asked,
"Naina, kya mujhe apne ghar walo ke baare mein bataogi? Main sab kuch janna chahta hun... tumhare mummy papa, tumhara bhai, tumhare chachaji chachiji, Preeti... aur tumhare taiji tauji... sabke baare mein. "

Naina looked at him uncertainly, wondering if it was okay to tell him about the equation of her family. She recalled how Sameer had opened up to her about his deepest fears and pains... and her mind cleared.

She started, "Main jab paida hui toh meri mummy hamein chod ke chali gayi... papa ne mujhe unki maut ke liye doshi mana... issi wajah se woh mujhe kabhi pyaar nahi de paaye... bas Arjun bhaiya par hi apna saara dhyaan dal diya... woh gusse wale hain... lekin unke gusse ki bhi wajah hai... unhe apni zindagi mein kuch haasil nahi hua... mummy bhi unhe chod ke chali gayi... chachaji aur tauji ki tarah woh koi badi naukri nahi karte, bas ek librarian hain toh paise bhi zyaada nahi hai... jo hain woh Arjun bhaiya ki cricket coaching mein kharch ho jaate hain... woh duniya se thode gussa rehte hain kyonki unhe lagta hai duniya mein koi unki izzat nahi karta... "

Sameer was astonished. She was defending her father... the one who always humiliated her in school, in front of everyone... what all he must be saying to her at home... and she had no anger for him.

Naina continued, "Mummy ke jaane ke baad chachiji ne mujhe apnaya... chachaji chachiji bohot achche hain... mujhe bohot pyaar karte hain... kabhi mujhe Puja didi ya Preeti se alag nahi maana. "

"Puja didi?" Sameer had heard this name before, but could not recollect.

"Puja didi chachaji ki badi beti hain.... unki shaadi ho chuki hai... ek beta bhi hai... woh Surat mein rehti hain. Phulla bua ke ghar aayi thi teej pe... yaad hai woh saari pehni  thi maine unki? " Naina cleared his confusion.

Of course, the saree... the infamous saree... and that blouse...

Sameer closed his eyes as those images again appeared to torment him.

Naina thought he was trying to remember, "Arre woh uss din pehni thi na... woh... jab... jab baarish mein tumne... matlab... ",  finally better sense prevailed and she was quiet.

Sameer opened his eyes and gazed at her, " Achche se yaad hai... uss din se ek pal ke liye bhi bhool nahi paaya hun."

She mentally kicked herself for giving too many details.

His fingers played with her bangles as he kept his eyes fixed, "Phir se kab pehnogi?"

"Kya? "

"Woh saree, Naina? "

"Woh?  Woh toh maine wapas de di... Puja didi ko... " She cleared.

Oh God!  She was so heart achingly innocent.

"Koi baat nahi... main waisi hi saree leke dunga tumhe... shaadi ke baad pehnne ke liye... waise hi blouse ke saath", his deep voice was back.

Naina lowered her eyes, not able to bear his gaze.

Sameer caught hold on his emotions after a while, " lekin shaadi karne ke liye apne sasuraal waalon ke baare mein pata toh hona chahiye... toh aage batao."

She blushed at his mention of sasuraal,   and started again, "Tauji aur taiji ka ek beta hai Pralay... shaadi ke bohot saal baad paida hua tha... hum sabse chota hai aur taiji ki jaan basti hai usme. "