Kuchh Ankahi Baatein

Ek Rishta

The early risers chirping, morning sun beams peeking through the clouds, birds about their morning rituals, a gentle cool breeze, golden light everywhere, covering natural and man-made creations, full of beauty and magic, filled with the promise of a new beginning.

Naina woke up early and get ready fast as after so much of happening from last few days, she needs to calm herself and need some lonely peace time...

Chachiji asked seeing her ready to go out in early morning hours, "beta, tu itni Jadli taiyar ho gayi.. kya baat hai..."

Naina replied hiding her tension, "voh Chachiji aaj mera mandir jaane ka bada man ho raha hai.. chali jaaun... mein jaldi aa jaaungi" she knew how much Bela always scared sending her alone outside after her accident but never shown up...

Chachiji smiled caressing her head, "iss mein puchhne ki kya baat hai.. par tu akele kaise jayegi.. itani subah rickshaw bhi nahin milega... kahe toh mein chalun saath mein..." although she never stopped her having full trust on her but always feel helpless in reducing her pain...

Chachaji entered from their back, "Bela, tumhein darrne ki koi jarurat nahin... hamari beti bohot strong hai aur akale jaane mein kyun darrna..." he smiled encouraging his little one...

Before Bela said further, he assured her, "vaise koi baat nahin, mein usi taraf jaa raha hoon toh mein saath chalta hoon.... tum mandir chali jaana mein vahaan road ke paar jo park hai vahaan walk kar lunga... theek hai... isi bahane mein thodi der apni beti ke saath gappee bhi maar lunga varna kahaan time milta hai..."

Naina nodded her head knowing how much these two persons loved her and support always... she left with Anand chatting on about her experience in college, hiding about her feeling about one person... reaching mandir, Chachaji dropped her in front of Mandir and left for walk, assure her to meet in half an hour...

Naina went inside the courtyard and sits on the bench lying at small park in temple patio. Morning cool breeze & temple bells soothes her pain and giving relief to her inner turmoil.

She smiled recalling how since last one year she daily visited temple praying for his wellness and wishing to meet him soon... though her all wishes comes true, and he is back but as destiny play his own role, it was better for him to stay away from her now...

She got so lost deep in her thoughts not realized when a tear rolled out from her eyes... suddenly she realized someone caressing her head and she lifter her face seeing an old man standing there close to her with showering love...

Naina asked surprisingly, "Nanaji Good morning... aap yahaan kaise achanak ... aaj to somvaar bhi nahin hai..." she knew Nanu visited every Monday religiously to temple and meet her at same place...

Nanu replied sitting next to her, "tu bhi toh hai yahaan, aur mujhe jahaan tak yaad hai aaj somwaar toh nahin... aur dekh tune dil se yaad kiya toh mein aa gaya meri Mini (Naina's nick name) ke paas..." he wiped out the tear from her cheeks and kissed on her forehead...

Nanu hiding his pain seeing her sad asked, "vaise kaisi hai tu... kuchh hua hai kya jo tu itani udaas hai..."

Naina smiled replying, "nahin Nanu, mein bilkul theek hoon... aapko aisa kyun laga ki mein udaas hoon.. voh th bas man kiya aaj mandir aane ka bas isiliye..." she averted her gaze knowing how easily Nanu always understand her feeling without uttering...

Nanu hold her hand softly asked, "kya hua Mini... mujhe bhi nahin batayegi..."

Naina replied slowly, "aisi baat nahin bas voh aaj man kuchh udaas tha toh socha thodi der yahaan aa jaati hun... aapko pata hai na ki Mandir aakar mujhe bahut shanti milti hai aur dekhiye isi bahane aapse bhi achanak mulaqat ho gayi..."