All of a sudden, the phone gave a shrill ring, and Sameer picked up the receiver immediately, "Naina...kahaan ho tum...main kabse dhund raha hun tumhe..., Sameer started, worried, with tears streaming down his cheeks again.
"Naina? Sameer, Naina nahi Nana! Sameer's thoughts were broken by Munna's panicky voice. "M..Munna? Sameer barely uttered, trying to comprehend the situation. "Kahan tha tu...subah se tujhe phone kar rahe hain main, Pandat, Ramdhari...lekin tera koi ata pata hi nahi hai...! Munna sounded livid, but perturbed at the same time. "Wo main...Munna...main Naina ko...! Sameer tried to explain. "Naina ko chod Sameer... Nanu aaj subah bathroom mein phisal gaye hain...unke sar par bahot gehri chot lagi hai...body mein do serious fracture bhi huye hain...doctor ne kaha hai ki unki halat gambhir hai...sar ki chot wo bhi aise budhape mein, Munna blurted, trying to fight the tears from his voice.
Colour drained from Sameer's face and his brain became muzzled with fear, "N..Nanu serious hain? "Sameer...Mausi aur uncle pahunchne wale hain...tu bhi aaja...main aur Pandat sab dekh rahe hain...tu fikr mat kar..., Munna continued. The words were lost on Sameer. "Sameer...Sameer...tu sun raha hai? Munna was shouting through the telephone, but Sameer stood still, the receiver dangling from his hand, his eyes unfocussed on the wall in front of him. This couldn't be happening. This was the worst day of his life. Naina...Nanu..no...this is a dream...a bad dream...a nightmare!
His chain of thoughts was intruded upon by the peon's voice, "Sameer bhaiya? Kya hua hai? Raju seemed concerned. Sameer looked at him with those dazed eyes again, unable to speak. It was as if his voice was stuck somewhere inside his throat and was unable to come out, no matter how hard he tried. Raju shook him by his shoulders, and Sameer seemed to jerk back into the present. "Kiska phone tha? the peon enquired again. Sameer saw the receiver in his hand. So it was all real. It wasn't a nightmare. None of this was. With his heart hammering, he held the receiver back to his ear, perhaps to speak to Munna, but all he heard was the shrill dialtone of an ended connection. As he replaced the receiver, he felt trepidation stream into his body. He was losing control now. He needed to think- to get to his Nanu, but his feet were stuck onto the floor.
Raju saw Sameer's white face and understood something was really off. He hurried out to get some help- a doctor perhaps, when he heard some chattering voices at the end of the corridor. "Sudhir bhaiya...Rahul bhaiya...wo Sameer bhaiya ko kuch hua hai...shayad kuch buri khabar hai...! Raju panted and the next minute, Sudhir and Rahul were on his heels. They both entered the warden's room and found Sameer trembling, sweat trickling down his forehead.
"Sameer! They both rushed over
to his side and rubbed his back and arms. "Kya hua...bata?
Sudhir prompted. He looked at them both
glassy eyed, and finally let out, "Nnn...mere Nanaji...serious hain...Nai..na...Nanu...,
Sameer choked through his words. "Sameer...relax...tere parents hain wahan? Sameer
realized he'd nodded to Rahul, "raste mein hain. "Kuch nahi hoga tere Nanaji
ko...tu ruk...hum hain na...! Le paani pi! Rahul offered Sameer some water, which he
gulped down reluctantly. "Tu chinta kyun kar raha hai Sameer...tu jaldi nikal
Ahemdabad...bolega to hum chalte hain tere saath...! Sudhir reassured him.
Sameer gazed out of the window of his room one last time. The skies were still dark, roaring with thunder, pouring out in sheets. Like they themselves were crying for him. A queer sense of foreboding hit Sameer and his heart thundered against his rib cage. Where was Naina? How was Nanu? The two people he loved most in his life had disappeared or threatened to go, on the very same day. He shook as he grabbed the window sill to support himself, while he wept uncontrollably. He felt the familiar patting and consoling of Sudhir's hands on his back, while Rahul was busy packing his essentials and clothes for him. Who would've imagined that these two would help him when he needed someone by his side- the same Rahul he hadn't spoken to in over a year! The same Sudhir who turned from a friend to a mere acquaintance because he'd chosen not to leave Rahul's side.
In the next half an hour, Sudhir and Rahul helped Sameer pack most of his bags and clear his room. As the clock struck 9 pm, they hurried down the room with a suitcase, with Sameer in tow. They met the peon, Raju downstairs, who consoled Sameer yet again, "bhaiya chinta mat kijiye...sab theek ho jayega...aap nikaliye! Raju thrust a packet of food at Sameer that he'd asked his wife to pack for him. Sameer took the package, grateful for his gesture, but knew till the time he'd seen his Nanu live and breathing, he wouldn't be able to swallow a morsel of food. He nodded at Raju, "Raju...ye lo...500 rupay hain...agar mujhe aane mein der huyi to hostel ke dues clear karwa dena...aur baaki jo room mein samaan hai...gadde, bedsheets...wo tum rakh lena...!
Rahul and Sudhir assured him, "tera baaki ka samaan aur bike bhi bhijwa denge...tu tension mat le...! And then, they rushed Sameer to the nearby taxi-stand amidst the downpour. They waved him goodbye as the taxi hurtled through the clogged streets and the sheets of rain towards the airport. Sameer purchased a ticket for the next flight to Ahemdabad, due in next two hours. Finally, after a total of five excruciating hours- incorporating the flight delay due to bad weather, the traffic jam in Ahemdabad, mulling over Nanu's condition, worrying about the whereabouts of Naina, Sameer finally landed in Ahemdabad.
Ramdhari was awaiting him with a taxi at the airport. As soon as Sameer exited, Ramdhari took his luggage and guided him to the City Hospital, where Nanu was admitted. Sameer rushed inside the hospital and found his parents and Munna, Pandit huddled outside an ICU room. His mother had tears in her eyes. He walked up to the ICU ward and peeked in through the glass window. His Nanu was lying there on the bed, surrounded by a plethora of surgical instruments, bottles of fluid hanging from steel stands, machines with graphs and lights beeping around him, needles pinching his hands. He felt his knees turn wobbly again. He couldn't take it any longer. What was his fault? Why was everyone he loved, leaving him? Again? A black, shadow descended on his mind, bidding gloom, clouding all judgement. As Sameer averted his eyes, he felt he'd collapse, but thankfully, Munna and Pandit ran over to him at that moment and crushed him into a reassuring hug.
Over the next three days, Sameer refused to leave Nanu's side. He would stay put in the hospital all the time, except when Munna and Pandit would assure him that they were there. He would then rush back home for a quick shower, change his clothes and return to the hospital. Sameer did not know what Munna and Pandit were trying to feed him. At a time, he hardly managed to take a bite or two of the sandwiches or chapatis they offered him, or a few swigs of tea. The doctors were still perplexed, but told the family that it seemed as a result of the head injury, a small blood clot had formed inside Mr. Maheshwari's brain. This was the reason they deemed that Nanu wasn't able to gain consciousness.
It was during one of the nights at the hospital that Sameer had broken down in despair and confided in Munna and Pandit that he was indeed in love with Naina and narrated the entire story. Had Nanu been well, they would have hugged him for joy, but for now they could do nothing but console him and hope that God bestowed both Naina and Nanu back in Sameer's life. How ironic it was, since the time he'd realized it, she'd vanished from his life and soon after, he'd heard of Nanu's accident.
Meanwhile, Sudhir and Rahul had lived upto their promise and all of Sameer's remaining luggage had been delivered to his home, along with his bike, in intact condition. Sameer had tried to ask for Naina's whereabouts from them as well. But they informed him that her family had come, packed for her and cleared her dues. More than that, no one had been able to weasel out any sort of information from her solemn Tauji, her pugnacious Taiji or her anxious chachi. They assured him all must be well now that Naina is with her family.
And after another two days, the doctors gave the bad news that Nanu's brain response was deteoriating, and complexities in the form of his heart condition, and ailments like Diabetes were making matters worse by preventing a surgery. It was then that Vishakha and Mr. Somani took the decision of shifting Nanu to AIIMS in Delhi, for proper treatment. They urged Sameer to come along with them, so that he could be with his Nanu. The next morning, Sameer found himself aboard an air ambulance to Delhi with his family.
Nanu was admitted in AIIMS, provided the best of medical care that was possible or available in the country. The Somanis poured in money to ensure he was treated by the most eminent doctors of the national capital. But even after a month, Nanu's condition failed to improve. Sameer felt his soul leaving his side, seeing his Nanu dying bit-by-bit. It was as if the rare happiness he'd finally got last year had come to an end. He was all alone again. He did not even have Munna and Pandit by his side for support now. The only shred of hope he had then was that the love of his life was safe, and perhaps aware of his situation. But why hadn't she contacted him till now? She had his Ahemdabad landline number. Was she still angry at him? He'd tried in the rare moments he found at the hospital, especially during his solitary night watches, to call Naina- to maybe get a chance to speak to her briefly and explain; but the phone if answered, was always by another of her family members, which was odd considering their family generally retired to bed by ten. Sameer had tried to check with Ramdhari too if he'd received any calls from any of his friends. But apart from Munna and Pandit, Ramdhari could only give the name of one female, "Meghnaa! And that name was enough for Sameer to slam the receiver back in place.
One morning, Munna and Pandit called Sameer to inform him that Naina was back in Ahemdabad with her family. Swati had seen her shopping with her family last evening in the nearby market, and relayed the news to them. But what with Preeti's wedding due in a week, the house was swarming with guests, and most of the family was up till late night for the last minute preparations. On top of that, since the Agarwal clan had discovered the love affair between Munna and Swati after spotting them coddling in a theatre a few days of ago, all ties with her and her family were severed. All Swati knew was that they would be travelling to their ancestral village for a few days for some pooja to seek the Devi's blessings after the marriage ceremony.
A few days later, the inevitable happened and Nanu breathed his last. To say Sameer was shattered was an under-statement. He'd been looking forward to being back home, back to Ahemdabad to his Nanu, to his Naina, but life had other plans. Munna and Pandit had reached Delhi as soon as they'd heard the sad news. After the funeral, Sameer did not speak to anyone for days. He went into a shell, numb with sorrow. He hardly ate, hardly slept. All he could think of was his Nanu and how he was no more by his side.
But one fine rainy evening, it was Deepika's clamour for a Sundae ice-cream, which jolted Sameer out of his grief. "Naina! He realized that it had been nearly two months since he'd last spoken to Naina, that too so churlishly. And that proposal she had- Arvind. A sudden sense of urgency gripped Sameer. What if? No! He'd already lost his Nanu. He had to prevent a second disaster from ruining his life- at least here he might have some control.
He dialed her landline number. "Hello! her father's fractious voice boomed. Sameer replaced the receiver in irritation. He tried calling again after a few minutes. A woman's voice blared in anger, "bhagwaan jhooth na bulaye...kaun phone kar raha hai baar baar! Sameer cut the call again. This continued for another day, but not once did Naina pick up the phone. Exasperated, he finally requested his step-sister Deepika to talk on phone and ask for a girl named Naina.
"Naina kaun hai? Deepika asked suspiciously. "Usne mujhse kuch paise liye the udhar...return nahi kiye hain...ab puchogi please? Sameer cooked up a story. "Okay! Deepika acquiesced. Sameer dialed the number and handed the phone to her, "Hello...main Naina ki saheli bol rahi hun Kritika...kya Naina se baat ho sakti hai? "O bai...abhi bhi is ladki ke phone pe phone aa rahe hain...wo apne sasural mein hai...ab kisliye phone kar rahi ho tum log! Taiji slammed down the phone in anger.
Deepika looked at Sameer, "wo apne sasural mein hai...uski shaadi ho gayi! "Kya? Naina ki shaadi? His face lost colour and his body started shivering, "nai...nai...aisa nahi ho sakta...nai...wo nai kar sakti aisa! he mumbled to himself. "Tumne galat suna hoga...Preeti ki shaadi thi...Preeti ki baat kar rahe honge wo log...! Sameer pointed out, his heart convinced that it was an error in hearing on Deepika's part. She clarified she'd asked for Naina only. "Phir unhone nahi suna hoga...fir se try karo! Sameer held the receiver out. Deepika reluctantly took it again, but the phone was busy everytime they tried. What they hadn't known was that Taiji had taken off the receiver from its place after being piqued with umpteen phone calls since the evening before. "Kal try kar lena bhaiya..., Deepika suggested timidly. Sameer did not reply. "Kitne paise diye the? Still no answer. "Main jaati hun.., she muttered. As Deepika retreated from his room, she paused at the doorway to look at the frightened pale face of her usually smug step-brother. That was enough to convince her that it hadn't been about the money that Sameer was bothered. It had been about the girl herself.
After Deepika left, Sameer locked himself in his room. "No! It's a mistake...it was Preeti they were talking about..it's just a bad dream! No! She...she can't marry anyone else...No, it wasn't about Naina...No No! Please no! "Arvind US mein biotechnologist hai...meri shaadi ke liye dekh rahe hain..., Naina's voice boomed in his ears. Sameer reached for the phone in his room again and dialed Munna's number. "Munna! Naina ka kuch pata hai? Wo wapis aa gayi gaon se? he asked. "Naina? Nahi toh...pata to nahi..., Munna blared into the phone. "Munna...main Ahemdabad aa raha hun...mujhe usse milna hai...uske ghar pe bol rahe hain us...uski sh...shaadi..., Sameer couldn't control his tears now. "Shaadi? Shaadi to Preeti ki thi na! Sameer...honsla rakh...tu aa yahaan...main aur Pandat pata lagate hain...aise kaise shaadi ho jayegi Naina ki...pata na chalta humko...sab theek ho jayega...rona band kar tu! Munna consoled him.
Sameer reached Ahemdabad the same evening. Munna and Pandit were there to receive him at the airport. As they helped him pick up his bags, neither tried to meet his eyes. Sameer noticed it all too well. "Kya hua...kuch pata chala? Sameer enquired. "Arey jaldi kya hai...pata kar lenge na..tu pehle ghar to chal...! Pandit started. Sameer held his arm to stop him. "Batao mujhe abhi! "Kya usne sach mein shaadi kar li hai? he tried to sound bold. "Sameer yaar...dekh...! Munna started. "Uske ghar chalo! Sameer commanded. "Sameer dekh tu..., Munna tried again, but Sameer cut him off. "Munna kya usne sach mein shaadi kar li hai? Sameer hollered at him. It was then that Munna and Pandit both lowered their eyes. The bag fell from Sameer's grip. He was too astounded to react.
"Nahi! Nahi! he mumbled. Munna and Pandit squeezed him into a hug, seeing his condition. "Sorry yaar Sameer...kuch pata hi nahi chal paaya...varna hum ye shaadi kabhi nai hone dete..., Munna and Pandit were crying along with Sameer. But Sameer still couldn't believe it. Had he lost her for forever? No. Everyone is confused. There is some misunderstanding. He hailed a taxi and Munna and Pandit just manage to toss themselves inside as he asked the driver to take them to Naina's society.
As the gates of the Nirmal Jyoti Society swam into view, Sameer felt his heart beating with a ridiculous rhythm, threatening to burst out of his rib-cage if the news of Naina's wedding proved true; or perhaps propel out all the same with joy if the news was deemed false and Naina came running into his arms. As he alighted, the memories flooded back. This was the same place, where he'd come over in the dead of the night, the past winter, to kiss her at New Year's Eve. Sameer waited outside her society, his eyes on her balcony as he pressed the horn of the taxi twice. No one came. He repeated the signal again and again, but there was no response. And then Sameer recollected that Naina had a friend from her society in Mumbai. "What was her name...yeah Shefali D'Souza! She used to stay below her house right! Sameer rushed inside the building and located Shefali's house on the ground floor. A huge lock was hanging on the door.
"Wo log to chale gaye society chod ke...! Sameer turned to see the society's dhobhi enlightening him. "Madam ka transfer Bambai ho gaya na...to chale gaye! he answered, eyeing him suspiciously, "lekin aap kaun? "Main...main unka dost hun...aur wo upar jo rehti the do ladkiyaan...Shefali ki dost...Preeti...N..Naina? Sameer managed to ask. "Oo dono bitiya ka to byaah kar diye na...bahot jaldi mein kiye... Preeti bitiya ki to shaadi kiye hi the...fir gaav mein Naina ka dulha mil gaya...dekho bhagwan ki maya...wo bhi wahin Kuldevi ka darshan karne aaye the...ladki ko dekhte hi pasand kar liya...ladka wala etna jaldi mein tha...rukne ko raazi hi nahi tha...abhi abhi ek ladki ka byah kiye, itni jaldi kaise daan-dahej, tayyari sab karenge...par ladke ko do hafte mein wapis bidesh jaana tha...wo bole humko sirf ladki chahiye...koi dahej nahi...ab aise rishte ke liye bhi koi sochta hai? Jhat, gaon mein hi mandir mein shaadi kar diye wo log...aur wo ka kehte hain bidesh le gaye use...aur Preeti bitiya ka sasural yahin Ahemdabad mein hai...! the istriwala explained.
Sameer was stunned in silence for a few moments. It was if the ground beneath him gave away and he was hurtled into a deep abyss. "Naina ke pati kya karte hain pata hai aapko? Sameer stammered as he asked his final question. "Arey wo koi doctor jaisa kuch bolin Bela didi...vagyagnik...wo hain na bides mein...bahot khush the wo log...humko mithai bhi khilaye the...aapko Naina bitiya se milna tha kya...ab kya pata kab aayengi wo...bhala videsh se koi aata hai wapis? he exclaimed, "par aap ye sab kyun puch rahe hain? Sameer didn't bother to answer as he retraced his steps and climbed back into the taxi.
"Maheshwari sadan le chalo! he instructed, without half-a-glance at Munna and Pandit.
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