tum sirf mere ho
16 July 2***
12:00AM
aaj mera birthday hai. main phone hath padke screen ko ghur raha hu, ek bhi notification nahi na massage. na call. sirf time… 12:05AM
main phone ko refresh karta hu, phir se phir se.jaise shayad network slow ho, jaise shayad kisi ne message bheja ho… bas aa nahi raha.
dil karta karta hai ki phone deewar pe de maru, kya fayda ase birthday ka… jab kisi ko yaad hi na ho.
room me ajeeb si khamoshi hai.
me dhire se bed se uthkar khidki ke pass chala jata hu, raat ka adhera pure shahar ko nigal chuka hai.
thandi hawa chehre ko chukar gujarti hai, ye hawa mujhe hamesha se pasand hai… par aaj isme bhi kuch alag hai, jaise hawa bhi kuch kehna chahti ho
ya shayad kuch bhi nahi..
Achanak dimaag me ek sawaal ubhar kar saamne khada ho jaata hai. Kya use yaad hoga… ki aaj mera birthday hai? main phone ko fir se unlock kar ke dekhta hu, uska naam abhi cantact list me save hai. main uska chat open karta hu, last message… 3 mahine purana take care. bas do words.
uske baad silence…
main screen ghurta rehta hu, jaise abhi uska naam flash ho jayega typing… typing… par kuch nahi hota
silence… Shayad woh bhool gayi hogi, birthday hi nahi… shayad mujhe bhi. Main aankhen band karta hoon, Par ek ajeeb si feeling ho rahi hai.
jaise kuch hone wala ho, Jaise ye birthday simple nahi hoga, Jaise aaj raat sirf ek raat nahi Kisi kahani ki shuruaat hai. Main light band karta hoon, Room andhere me doob jaata hai, Par neend nahi aati Kyuki kahin na kahin…Mujhe lag raha hai Subah sab kuch waisa nahi hoga jaise abhi hai.
6:00AM
Subah…Room ka door achanak khulta hai.
Birthday boyyyyy… utho! Main kambal me muh daba ke bolta hoon, 5 minute. Nomi seedha aake mere bed ke paas baith jaati hai. 5 minute nahi. Aaj special din hai. Main aankhen aadhi khol ke use dekhta hoon…
Wet hair clip se bandhe hue, simple sa kurta… par face pe woh cute si seriousness. Wish nahi karogi? main dheere se bolta hoon. Woh halki si smile karti hai.
“Happy Birthday…”
Bas do words.Par pata nahi kyun… dil thoda fast dhadakne lagta hai. Ab uth jao. Coffee bana di hai.
Woh uth kar chali jaati hai. Aur main bed par baith ke bas uske jaane ki direction dekh raha hoon.
Thodi der baad…
Main coffee leke bahar balcony ki taraf jaa raha hota hoon. Neend abhi bhi thodi baaki hai. Tabhi…
Bathroom ka door khulta hai.Nomi naha kar bahar aati hai. Aur hum seedhe takra jaate hain.
“Arre—!”
Cup hilta hai. Coffee seedha uske dress par gir jaati hai.
“Ahh! Garam hai!”
M-m-main— sorry! main panic me bolta hoon.
Phir bina soche muh se nikal jata hai Kapde utaro—!
Silence…
Nomi freeze Kya? uski aankhen gol.
Mera matlab— mera matlab ye nahi! Coffee garam hai, jal jaogi, change karo jaldi! Woh mujhe 3 second tak ghoorti rehti hai. Tum na… woh daant ke andar smile chhupa rahi hoti hai, …bahut ajeeb ho.”
Woh seedha room ki taraf chali jaati hai, Main wahin khada. Happy birthday to me… idiot.
2 minute baad.
Sunno… Bathroom ke andar se uski awaaz.
Mere kapde dry par lage hain… sab geele hain. Main kya pehnu? Main door ke bahar aake khada ho jata hoon. Toh main kya karu? Help karo na…
Main apni almari kholta hoon…
Ek white T-shirt nikalta hoon. Ye pehen lo.
Andar aa ke de do.
Pagal ho? Bahar hi le lo.
Door thoda sa khulta hai… bas haath bahar.
Main T-shirt de deta hoon. Thodi der baad door khulta hai. Aur
Mera brain ek second ke liye hang. Meri white T-shirt. Neeche uska chhota sa black short. Hair abhi bhi halka wet. Woh bilkul comfortable khadi hai… jaise kuch hua hi nahi. Par mujhe lag raha hai jaise room ka temperature badh gaya.
Ky… kyun dekh rahe ho aise? woh poochti hai.
Main aankhen hataane ki koshish karta hoon.
Main… nahi dekh raha.
Jhooth.
Accha lag raha hai… mere muh se nikal jata hai.
Woh eyebrow raise karti hai. Accha? Main thoda sambhal ke bolta hoon, Mera matlab… T-shirt tum par… matlab… Suit kar rahi hai? woh tease karti hai. Main dheere se sir hila deta hoon.Woh paas aati hai.Husband-wife jaisa feel aa raha hai kya?
Dil ek second skip.
kya kya ?…main nazar chura ke bolta hoon.
Woh halki si muskura ke bolti hai, Vaise bhi aaj main kahin bahar nahi jaa rahi Tension mat lo.
Main tension me nahi hoon.
Thoda silence.
Phir woh dheere se bolti hai, Waise… hamare siwa kaun hi mujhe aise dekhega? Matlab? main poochta hoon. Matlab… Woh thoda paas aake kehti hai … main safe hoon. Bas. Woh kitchen ki taraf chali jaati hai.
Aur main wahi khada…
Dil control karte hue.
ham dono ko pata hai ki ham ek dusre se pyaar karte hai par ek dusre ko kabhi kaha nahi…
Main abhi bhi wahi khada tha. Nomi kitchen me busy hone ka acting kar rahi thi…Par mujhe pata tha usse bhi awkward feel ho raha hai. Meri T-shirt us par…
Aur woh short. Main chupke se phone nikalta hoon.
click.
Camera ki halki si sound, Woh turant mudti hai.
Tumne photo li na? Na— nahi to. Phone dikhao. Privacy naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai. Woh seedha mere paas aati hai. Delete karo. Achhi aayi hai…
Delete. Karo. Main thoda peeche hatta hoon Woh aage badhti hai. Birthday boy ho isliye bach rahe ho.
Accha? To punishment kya hota? Woh phone chheen ne ki koshish karti hai.
Hum dono ka balance thoda sa hilta hai.
Main hasta hoon, Woh gusse ka drama karti hai.
Tum na… bilkul pagal ho. Tum bhi… meri T-shirt me bomb lag rahi ho.
Woh ek second ke liye chup.
Shut up, dheere se bolti hai… par is baar awaaz soft thi. Main photo dekh ke bolta hoon, Ye wali save rahegi. Delete karo warna—
Ting tong
Doorbell.
Dono freeze. Ek dusre ko dekhte hain. Subah-subah kaun? Nomi halki tension me. Mera dimag turant worst-case scenario sochne lagta hai. Tum aise hi jaogi door kholne? main dheere se bolta hoon.
Woh neeche apne kapdon ki taraf dekhti hai…Phir mujhe. Tum jao. Main kyun? Kyuki main is halat me nahi jaa rahi.
Bell fir se.
Ting Tong
Ab thoda zor se..
Nomi fussy tone me, Jao na! Main door ki taraf badhta hoon… Par usse pehle uska haath mera wrist pakad leta hai. Phone do.
Abhi?
Photo delete karo. Drama band karo, koi bahar khada hai. Pehle delete.
Bell teesri baar.
Ab atmosphere thoda tense. Main uski aankhon me dekhta hoon. Woh serious. Main phone unlock karta hoon… Gallery kholta hoon… Par delete karne se pehle bolta hoon, Ek condition.
Ab kya?
Shaam ko cake cut karte waqt… tum meri side me khadi rahogi. Woh aankhen narrow karti hai. Bas?
Bas.
2 second silence.
“Fine.”
Main photo delete kar deta hoon… Ya shayad recently deleted me save rehne deta hoon, Chalo ab door kholo,” woh kehti hai. Main handle pakadta hoon.Dil thoda fast. Door dheere se khulta hai…
Aur saamne—
Door ke bahar koi nahi tha. Sirf ek chhitti. Main jhuk kar uthata hoon. Likha hota hai
“Tumhare piche dekho.”
Dil ek second ke liye ruk jata hai. Main dheere se piche mudta hoon Aur tabhi do haath meri aankhon par. Guess karo kaun? Main bina soche muskura deta hoon.
“Sia.”
Arre yaar! Surprise kharab kar diya! Woh haath hataati hai. Same pagal si smile. Same energy.
Happy Birthday bhaiya! Uske haath me chhota sa cake box. Zyada kuch la nahi payi…Main usse hug karta hoon. Itna hi bahut hai. Tu aayi… bas woh kaafi hai.
Peeche se halki si khansi ki awaaz. Sia pehli baar Nomi ko notice karti hai. White T-shirt Mera gift wala.
Neeche short. Hair halka wet. Sia ka expression subtle change.
Hi… Sia bolti hai. Nomi thoda stiff ho kar, Hi…
Main beech me bolta hoon, Ye Nomi hai. Yaha mere saath rent par rehti hai. Rent par? Sia ki aankhen thodi badi. Yaha? Ghar me? Haan… extra room tha.
Sia sirf Hmm bolti hai. Par uski nazar clearly observe kar rahi hai sab.
Cake table par rakha. Nomi quietly plates nikal rahi hai. Sia usse dekh rahi hai. Tum log kab se saath rehte ho? Sia casually poochti hai. Bas kuch mahine, main bolta hoon. Comfortable lag raha hai kaafi. Main hansi me taal deta hoon, Normal hi toh hai.
Cake cut hota hai. Main pehla piece Sia ko khilata hoon.Dusra automatically Nomi ki taraf badha deta hoon. Sia notice karti hai. Order fix hai kya? woh tease karti hai. Nomi turant bolti hai, Nahi nahi… aisa kuch nahi. Main awkward smile.
Sia achanak Nomi ki taraf dekh kar bolti hai Waise ye T-shirt… Room silent. Ye toh maine bhaiya ko gift ki thi pichle saal. Nomi ek second ke liye freeze.
Woh… coffee gir gayi thi kapdon par…Sia eyebrow raise.Toh directly bhaiya ki T-shirt? Main jaldi bol deta hoon, Maine de di. Problem kya hai?
Problem? Sia halki hansi ke saath. Problem nahi… bas interesting hai. Nomi halka sa defensive tone me, Kapde dry par the… option nahi tha.Sia smile kar deti hai.
Theek hai. Achha lag raha hai. Par uski aankhon me clearly doubt ka chhota bulb jal chuka hai
Thodi der baad Sia directly kitchen me chali jaati hai.
Main hall me reh jata hoon. Andar se awaaze aa rahi hain. Sia: Tum yaha comfortable ho? Nomi: Haan… Sia: Bhaiya tang toh nahi karte?
Nomi halki si hansi, Nahi… woh thode shy hain.
Sia: Shy? Ghar pe toh bohot attitude dikhate the.
Nomi: Mere saamne nahi. Silence.
Sia softly: Tum dono… sirf roommates ho na?
Nomi ek second rukti hai. Of course.
Sia uska face dekhti rehti hai. Accha hai. Waise bhaiya agar kisi ko pasand karte, toh mujhe sabse pehle batate. Nomi halka sa smile karti hai. Haan… shayad. Us smile me thoda sa chhupa hua kuch hota hai. Sia notice karti hai.
Main hall me baitha hota hoon. Nomi kitchen se nikalte waqt halki si meri side bump kar deti hai.
Dekho na, main complain tone me. Khud hi beech me khade rehte ho,woh reply karti hai.
Sia door ke paas khadi sab dekh rahi hoti hai. Hum dono ka casual nok-jhok. Sia ke dimag me confusion. Agar in dono me kuch hota… toh bhaiya mujhe batate.. Par chemistry clearly normal se thodi zyada.
Sia suddenly serious tone me bolti hai Waise ek baat batani thi. Main casually, Haan bolo.Main ek mahine ke liye yahi rahungi.
Room silent.
Ky— kyun? main almost choke. bas me ye shahar gumana chahti hu. Aur ghar apna hi hai. Woh Nomi ki taraf dekhti hai. Hope tumhe problem nahi?
Nomi ek second ke liye shock. Par phir smile. Bilkul nahi.Main dono ko dekh raha hoon.
Ab ek mahina.
same ghar.
Behen.
Sia halki mischievous smile ke saath bolti hai
Waise interesting hoga na? Main dekhungi kaise rehte ho tum dono.” Mera heartbeat thoda fast.
Nomi meri taraf dekhti hai. Uski aankhon me ek mix emotion Tension + excitement.
hamari baate chalti hai thodi der aur tabhi
Shopping mall chalenge!” Sia excitement me bol padti hai. Aaj birthday hai aapka. Mall? main thoda hesitate karta hoon. Main koi 16 saal ka hoon kya jo mall ghoomun? Attitude dekho, Nomi aankhein ghumati hai. Subah se bas balcony me khade rehna hi hobby hai. Accha? Aur tumhari hobby kya hai? Mere room me bina knock kiye ghusna? main seedha jawab deta hoon. Galti se ghusi thi! Nomi turant defend karti hai. Galti se teen baar? main eyebrow uthata hoon. Sia zor se has padti hai.
Wow! Yahan to interesting cheezein ho rahi hain.
Tum chup raho,main aur Nomi ek saath bol dete hain. Do second ke liye sab chup.
Phir teenon ek saath has padte hain. Sia khadi hoti hai. Final decision mall jaa rahe hain. Aur bhaiya, mana mat karna. Main pretend karta hoon jaise soch raha hoon. Fine… par ek condition. Kya? dono ek saath poochti hain.
Jo bhi shopping hogi, payment tum dono karogi.
Cheap ho tum Nomi seedha bol deti hai. Birthday mera hai, kharcha bhi mera? Ye kaunsa system hai.
Sia fake serious tone me bolti hai, Ye system hai bada bhai system. Main haar maan kar sofa par gir jaata hoon. Thik hai… chalo. Par koi embarrassing cheez mat karna wahan. Promise nahi kar sakte, Nomi seedha bol deti hai. Main use dekhta hoon.
Woh muskura kar nazar hata leti hai.
(Shopping Mall)
Mall me bright lights, logon ki bheed. Sia dono haath pakad kar chal rahi hai ek haath mera, ek Nomi ka.
Bilkul bachpan ki tarah. Main beech me atka hua.
Main koi kindergarten ka baccha hoon kya? main thoda embarrass ho kar bolta hoon. Shanti se chalo, Sia strict teacher tone me bolti hai. Aaj aapka birthday hai. Aap bhag nahi sakte. Nomi hansi rok kar bolti hai, Haan, security tight hai.
Main dono ko dekhta hoon. Tum dono ne planning pehle se ki thi kya? Obviously, Sia proud expression ke saath bolti hai. Ek store ke bahar Sia achanak ruk jaati hai.Bhaiya, ye shirt try karo.
Main seedha mana kar deta hoon. Bright blue? Main traffic signal lagunga. Excuse me? Nomi eyebrow uthati hai.Color tum pe acha lagega. Tum fashion designer kab bani? main tease karta hoon.
Agla second…
Dono milkar mujhe trial room ki taraf dhakka de deti hain.
Yeh kya baat huvi ? main andar se chillata hoon.
Bahaar se Sia ki awaaz aati hai, Jaldi niklo, fashion show start hone wala hai! Main jab bahar aata hoon… Do second ke liye dono chup.
Nomi mujhe dekh kar thoda ruk jaati hai. Uski aankhon me genuinely surprise tha. Achhi lag rahi hai… woh dheere se bolti hai. Sach me? main automatically pooch leta hoon. Haan. Matlab… bohot.
Us ek haan me kuch tha. Simple compliment nahi.
Jaise woh mujhe dekh rahi ho… sirf shirt ko nahi.
Sia side me khadi dono ko observe kar rahi hoti hai.
Uski aankhon me mischievous smile. Acha acha, main disturb nahi kar rahi, woh drama tone me bolti hai.Continue.
Chup, main aur Nomi ek saath bol dete hain.
Phir awkward silence…
Phir teenon has padte hain.
Food court me baith kar burgers aur fries ke saath birthday celebrate ho raha hota hai. Sia achanak spoon table par rakh kar bolti hai Bhaiya, agar aapki old ex wapas aa jaye to? Mera haath spoon ke saath freeze. Nomi bhi chup.
meri ex wo kyu aayegi aur… main casual banne ki koshish karta hoon. Bas pooch rahi hoon, Sia seedha face bana kar bolti hai.Main seedha jawab deta hoon, Meri koi ex nahi thi.
Nomi ki aankhen halki si upar uthti hain. Jaise keh rahi ho Sach? Main uski taraf dekhta hoon. Waise bhi agar koi chala gaya… to use wapas lane ka matlab hota hai phir se tootna.
Table par silence.
Sia pehli baar serious ho jaati hai. Matlab aap ab kisi ko chance hi nahi doge? Main jawab dene hi wala hota hoon… Par meri nazar Nomi par tik jaati hai.
Woh fries ko bina dekhe plate me ghumaa rahi hoti hai.Chance dena alag hota hai… main dheere se bolta hoon.
Par trust karna… woh mushkil hota hai. Nomi halki si upar dekhti hai. Uski aankhon me kuch tha.
Jaise woh ye line apne liye sun rahi ho.
Sia achanak mood change karti hai
Bas bas, heavy ho gaya. Selfie time!
Woh phone nikaal kar hum dono ke beech ghus jaati hai.
Click.
Shaam ko ghar wapas aate hain. Sia apne room me chali jaati hai. Main pics edit kar rahi hoon! chillate hue. Main balcony me khada hoon. City lights neeche chamak rahi hain.Hawa thodi thandi.
Nomi dheere se mere paas aati hai. Kya tumhari sach me koi pehle girlfriend thi? Seedha sawaal.
Main uski taraf dekhta hoon. Thi, main finally maanta hoon.
Par ab uske baare me baat na kare to behtar hoga.
Nomi kuch nahi bolti. Tum jealous ho? main halka sa tease karta hoon. Woh turant react karti hai,Main? Bilkul nahi.
Sure? main thoda aur paas aata hoon. Woh ek step peeche jaati hai. Bas curiosity thi. Hawa thodi tez chalti hai. Main dheere se bolta hoon, Past complicated tha. Isliye main aaj kal cheezon ko simple rakhna chahta hoon.
Simple? Nomi halki si smile ke saath poochti hai. Tum ho hi nahi simple. Main pehli baar genuinely has deta hoon. Tum bhi nahi.Do second ke liye dono chup.
aaj raat party me chalo gi? me nomi ki taraf dekh ke bolta hoon. nomi h- ha kyu nahi.
Neeche road par traffic ki lights blink kar rahi hain.
Aur iss baar…
Silence uncomfortable nahi tha… .
night club.
Club ke bahar neon lights blink kar rahi thi. Bass itni loud ki chest tak feel ho rahi thi. Sia excitement me almost jump kar rahi thi.
Bhaiyaaa aaj full enjoy karenge! Nomi side me khadi thi… thodi shy, thodi excited. Black dress simple thi, par aankhon me sparkle alag hi level ka.
Main halka sa smile karta hoon. Bas control me rehna dono.nahi, Sia tease karti hai.
ham club ke adar ate hai Lights dim.DJ remix chala raha. Dance floor already full. Hum table par baithte hai.
“UX!!!”
Main palat kar dekhta hoon Mere 3 purane dost khade the. College wale. Bohot dino baad. Arre saale! main khada ho kar hug karta hoon. Tu zinda hai? Ya Himalaya me tapasya kar raha tha?” ek bolta hai. Phone uthata nahi, message ka reply nahi… attitude dekho ! doosra bolta hai. Main hans deta hoon.Busy tha yaar. Busy ya broken? teesra seedha bol deta hai. Main aankhon se warning deta hoon.bWoh samajh jaate hain. Sia side se whisper karti hai, Bhaiya ke secrets open hone wale hain.
.
Drinks order hoti hain. Main sirf ek peg leta hoon.
Bas mood ke liye, main clear bol deta hoon.
Nomi glass uthati hai. Ye juice hai na?
Mera dost hans padta hai. Haan haan… special juice. Main phone dekh raha hota hoon, dhyaan nahi deta.bNomi ek bada sip le leti hai.
5 second silence.
Ye juice thoda garam kyun hai? woh serious face se poochti hai. dost saare has padta hai. Ye juice nahi hai, madam. Uski aankhen gol. KYA???
Main turant glass le leta hoon.
seriously?
Arre thoda sa hi tha!” woh defend karta hai. 20 Minutes LatervNomi ka face halka pink. Aankhen thodi zyada expressive.
Ux…
Woh pehli baar mera naam itne soft tone me leti hai.
Haan? Tum handsome lag rahe ho aaj. Mere dost ek dusre ko dekhte hain. Bhai… setting strong hai.
Sia side me popcorn mode me.
Bhaiya… bhabhi ko dekho. Chup, main dheere se bolta hoon. Nomi achanak mera haath pakad leti hai. Aur chhodti hi nahi. Tum kahin nahi jaoge.
sab meri taraf dekh te hai Washroom bhi nahi?
Nahi.
Mere dost clap karne lagte hain. Commitment mil gaya bhai! Nomi achanak glass uthati hai. Siaaa… thoda taste karo. Juice hai. Sachi?
Main RUK—bolne hi wala tha… Par Sia chhota sa sip le leti hai. 2 second baad Bhaiyaaaaa ye to daru hai! Ab dono hansi ke mode me. Sia DJ ki taraf dekh kar chillati hai, Bhaiya ka birthday haiiiii!
DJ mic pakad kar bol deti hai,
Happy Birthday UX!
Poora club “Wooohhh!” karta hai. Main sir pakad leta hoon. Mere dost mujhe khinch kar dance floor par le jaate hain. Yaad hai college fest? dusra dost bolta hai
Flashback vibe.
Main 2–3 saal baad itna openly has raha tha. Nomi aur Sia bhi dance floor pe aa jaati hain. Nomi balance lose karti hai… Main turant pakad leta hoon.
2 second eye contact.
Music slow beat me shift hota hai. Woh dheere se bolti hai, Main gir jaati to? Main hoon na, muh se automatically nikal jaata hai. Mere dost background me slow clap karte hain. Shaadi kab hai? koi chillata hai. CHUP!main ghoorta hoon.
Dance ke baad table par wapas. ek dost serious ho kar bolta hai, Waise bhai… bohot time baad tujhe aise smile karte dekha. Main chup. Achha hai, woh shoulder pat karta hai. Jo bhi hai… is baar mat bhaagna. Meri nazar Nomi par jaati hai. Woh Sia ke saath has rahi hoti hai.
Shayad…
Main pehli baar bhaag nahi raha tha.
Club ke entrance par neon lights blink kar rahi thi.
Tabhi…
Ek ladki rukti hai. Red dress. Confident walk. Sharp eyes. Ira. Woh seedha andar aati hai. Uski nazar directly mujh par jaakar rukti hai… Phir neeche
Mere haath par.
Jo Nomi ne tightly pakda hua tha. Humne use nahi dekha.Par Sia ne dekha. Sia ka face suddenly freeze. Ek minute, woh bolkar side ho jaati hai.
Sia Ira ke paas jaakar rukti hai. Hi… aap yahan akeli? Ira controlled smile deti hai. Haan. Tum?
Main Sia. Ux ki sister. Ira ka expression halkasa change. Oh… sister? Haan. Aap bhaiya ki friend ho?
Ira dheere se bolti hai,
Thi.
Sia innocent face bana kar bolti hai, Achha! To aao na table pe. Bhaiya ki pure friend hai. Ira ki nazar seedha Nomi par. Tumhare bhai ke paas woh ladki kaun hai? Sia thoda mischievous tone me bolti hai,
Shayad… bhaiya ki hone wali girlfriend.
Shayad word sunte hi Ira ki jaw tight ho jaati hai.
Achha, woh casual banne ki koshish karti hai.
Par jealousy clear thi. Main baad me milungi, kehkar woh side ho jaati hai.
Par uski nazar hum par hi rehti hai. Nomi ab full clingy mode me. Ux… mujhe dance karna hai.”
Abhi?” main poochta hoon. Haan. Abhi. Woh mujhe kheench leti hai.
Dance floor par woh itni close aa jaati hai ki main awkward feel karta hoon. Mere dost side se chillate hain, Bhai slow dance chal raha hai! Nomi mere collar ko lightly pakad kar bolti hai
Tum mujhe pasand ho…
Music loud tha. Repeat karo? main jhuk kar poochta hoon.
Main… tumhe… pas—
Woh ruk jaati hai. Sharm ya nasha pata nahi. Sia side me khadi sab dekh rahi thi. Uski aankhon me smile. Use sab samajh aa gaya.
Main thoda aur drink kar leta hoon. Galti seb Normally control me rehta hoon… Par aaj doston ka reunion + emotions mix ho gaye the.
dost bolta hai, Bhai, aaj mat soch. Enjoy kar. Nasha halka sa chadh raha tha. Nomi… Haan? Tum mujhe chhod kar mat jaana kabhi. Woh suddenly serious ho jaati hai. Main nahi jaungi. Ira door se ye sab dekh rahi thi.
Uski aankhon me gussa aur jealousy thi Table par wapas aate hi dost whisper karta hai, Ye wali alag hai. Chup reh, main bolta hoon.
Is baar mat bhaagna,” woh shoulder tap karta hai.
Sia bhi join karti hai, Bhaiya bhaag nahi sakte. Main hoon na. Nomi confused Kya planning chal rahi hai?
Tumhari shaadi ki, dost bol deta hai. Main usko halka marta hoon. Sab has padte hain.
Hum bahar nikalte hain. Nomi mera haath chhod nahi rahi. Sia thodi unstable chal rahi. Car ke paas 3 ladke khade.vUnme se ek Sia ko dekh kar comment karta hai.
Party karke aa rahi ho? Mera dimaag instantly heat.
Zubaan sambhal ke. Woh hans padte hain.
Agla second…
Mujhe zyada yaad nahi. Bas collar pakda. Push hua.
Ek ne mujhe dhakka diya. Nasha already effect me tha. Main thoda zyada aggressive ho gaya.
Nomi aur Sia mujhe rokne ki koshish karte hain. Ux bas! Nomi almost chillati hai. Mere dost beech me aate hain. Scene control hota hai.
Woh ladke side ho jaate hain. Par meri aankhon me sirf ek cheez thi bKisi ne meri behen ko galat nazar se dekha.
ham car me baith jate hai. Car me silence. Is baar main thoda zyada quiet. Nomi mera haath pakde rakhti hai. Apna sir mere shoulder par rakh deti hai.
Mujhe kabhi chhod kar mat jana… woh slow voice me bolti hai. Main halka sa smile karta hoon.
Tum log bhi mujhe sambhalna band mat karna… Sia peeche se bolti hai, Bhaiya emotional ho gaye. Chup, main bolta hoon. Door se, club ke gate par…
Ira khadi thi. Hume jaate hue dekh rahi thi.
Uske face par ek hi expression Ye khatam nahi hua.
Ghar pahunchte hi sab thak chuke the. Sia seedha apne room me chali jaati hai. Good night… aur drama kal continue hoga, woh tease karke door band kar deti hai. Main Nomi ko uske room tak chhodne jaata hoon.
Paani pi lena, main normal tone me bolta hoon.
Woh sirf halki si smile karti hai. Main apne kamre me aa jaata hoon. Thoda zyada hi nasha tha. Room halka sa ghoom raha tha.
Main bed par baith kar shoes nikalta hoon… phir bina light band kiye hi let jaata hoon. Kuch Der Baad… Door halkasa khulta hai.Main aankhen aadhi khol kar dekhta hoon.
Nomi.
Woh dheere dheere mere paas aati hai.Nind nahi aa rahi?bmain thodi heavy voice me poochta hoon.
Woh kuch nahi bolti. Phir ekdum se —
…tumhare room me soongi.
Main thoda confuse. Huh? meri behan kya sochegi ? main automatically bol deta hoon. Woh seedha jawab deti hai, Yaha thodi tumari behan hai?
Main chup.
?
Woh bed par baith jaati hai. Mujhe dekhte hue.
Room me sirf fan ki awaaz thi. Main thoda side ho kar jagah bana deta hoon. Gir mat jaana, main halka sa tease karta hoon. Woh bed par let jaati hai…
Par distance nahi rakhti.
Thodi der silence.
Main almost neend me Tab woh dheere se bolti hai,
Tum sirf mere ho. Main tumhe… Woh ruk jaati hai.
Words aadhe reh jaate hain. Nasha + neend dono heavy ho chuke the.
Woh dheere se mera haath pakad leti hai. Apna sir meri chest par rakh deti hai. meri akh khulti hai me freeze. Phir naturally mera haath uske baalon par chala jaata hai. Pagal ladki… main halki si muskurahat ke saath bolta hoon.
Uski saanse slow ho jaati hain. Woh so chuki thi.
Main bhi aankhen band kar deta hoon.
Iss baar… Neend bhaag kar nahi aa rahi thi.
Door ke bahar… Sia khadi thi. Woh paani lene aayi thi. Par sab sun chuki thi. Uske face par shock nahi tha. Sirf ek halki si smile.
Finally… woh dheere se bolti hai.
Phir chupchaap apne room me wapas chali jaati hai.
Room ke andar…Nomi ka sir meri chest par. Mera haath uske baalon me.Raat bilkul shant thi. Aur pehli baar…Past ki awaaz kam thi. Present zyada.
… Morning – 8:47 AM
Room me halki dhoop phel rahi thi. Curtain ke beech se sunlight seedha bed tak aa rahi thi. Main abhi bhi soya hua.
Aur mere bilkul paas… Nomi. Uska sir abhi bhi mere dil ke paas tika hua. Nomi’s Realisation Sabse pehle Nomi ki aankh khulti hai.
Woh halki si stretch karti hai…Phir freeze.
“Ye…?”
Woh chaaron taraf dekhti hai. Ye mera room nahi hai… Phir uski nazar mujh par padti hai.
Main bilkul close.
Uska chehra halkasa laal. Main… yahan kaise…?
Uska dimaag rewind karta hai. Club. Dance. Mera haath. Tum mujhe chhod kar mat jaana.
Phir…
Mera halka sa jhuk kar uske kaan ke paas bolna
Main tumse pyaar karta hoon. Nomi ki saansein tez.
Usne… propose kiya tha?
Phir ek aur flash. Maine uska haath pakad kar kaha tha, Ab… tum meri ho.
Nomi ka face tomato red. Pagal ladka… Woh mujhe dekhti hai. Messy hair. Thoda sleepy face. Thoda cute. Woh dheere se muskurati hai. Mujhe roz subah aise hi tumhara chehra dekhna hai… Woh halka sa jhuk kar mere gaal par soft kiss kar deti hai.
Phir turant seedhi ho jaati hai. Ye maine kya kar diya… Ye mujhe kya ho raha hai… woh khud se bolti hai.
Tabhi…
“Good morning bhaiyaaa!” Door khulta hai. Sia entry leti hai…Aur freeze.Bed par Main aur Nomi.
Ek second silence…
OH.
Nomi turant seedhi baith jaati hai. Wo… main… actually… Sia slow motion me andar aati hai. Door band karti hai. Bed ke edge par baith jaati hai. Uske face par dangerous smile. Kal raat jo suna hai maine… Nomi ki aankhen badi. Kya suna?
Sia drama pause leti hai. Main tumse pyaar karta hoon, Nomi.’ Exact words. Room me hawa ruk jaati hai. Nomi ka dimaag blank. Usne… sach me bola tha? Haan, Sia wink karti hai. Aur aap ro bhi rahi thi thoda.
MAIN???
Happy tears. Nomi dono haath se face cover kar leti hai. Hey bhagwan…
Bhaiya ko yaad hai? Sia poochti hai. Pata nahi…
Tabhi…Main hilta hoon. Dono statue. Main aankh kholta hoon. Sir phat raha tha. Tum dono mere room me kya kar rahi ho? Phir meri nazar Nomi par.
Aur… Nomi tum mere bed pe? Nomi almost bed se gir jaati hai. Sia control nahi kar paati
Hahahahaha!
Bhaiya… ye aapka room hai. Ha to? Kal raat ka kuch yaad hai? Main aankhen band karke dimaag pe zor daalta hoon.
Club…
Music…
Fight…
Car…
Nomi mera haath chhod nahi rahi thi.
Room silent.
Nomi aankhen neeche. Bas? Sia poochti hai.
Bas. Sia aur Nomi ek dusre ko dekhte hain. Sia dheere se whisper karti hai, Mat batana ise. Nomi turant, Haan tum bhi mat batana.
Arre kya mat batana? main suspicious. Nothing! dono ek saath. Mujhe thoda doubt hota hai. Par sir ka dard zyada important lag raha tha. Main washroom ja raha hoon. Jaise hi door band hota hai.
Sia turant Nomi ki taraf mudti hai. Ab to aap meri bhabhi ho. Chup kar pagli, Nomi dheere se bolti hai.
Ek mahina yahan rahungi. Sab dekhungi.
Ek mahina? Nomi shock. Haan. Meri chutti hai.
Nomi ka heart thoda fast.Matlab… 24/7 ham pe nazar rakho gi?
Sia evil smile. Bilkul.
Tum dangerous ho,” Nomi bolti hai.
Main protective hoon, Sia correct karti hai.
Main mirror ke saamne khada. Face wash karte hue khud ko dekh raha hoon. Dimaag me kuch flash karne ki koshish karta hai. Ek faint memory Nomi ka chehra close. Uski aankhen chamak rahi. Mera jhukna.
Main tumse—
Flash cut. Sir me dard. Ugh… maine kya bola tha kal?” Mujhe yaad nahi aa raha. Par ek ajeeb sa sukoon feel ho raha tha. Jaise maine kuch important keh diya ho.
Main bahar aata hoon. Dono bilkul normal acting kar rahi hoti hain. Zyada hi normal. Tum dono itna seedha kyun baithi ho? main suspicious tone me poochta hoon. Hum hamesha se seedhe hain,” Sia fake innocence.
Nomi aankhen utha kar mujhe dekhti hai. Ek second ke liye eye contact. Usme sharm bhi thi… Aur thoda sa darr. Main slowly bolta hoon,
Kal maine kuch stupid to nahi kiya? Nomi halka sa smile karti hai. Stupid nahi. Phir? Brave.
Main confused.
Brave?
Sia cough karti hai. coffee bana du?
Room me awkward energy. Par iss baar… Tension sweet thi. Aur mujhe pata nahi kyun lag raha tha Kuch change ho gaya hai.
Doorbell
Ting Tong
Room me jo halki si awkward morning energy thi… woh ekdum cut ho jaati hai. Main dekhti hoon, Nomi kehti hai. Woh casually door tak jaati hai.
Handle ghumati hai. Door khulta hai. Aur woh dekhti hai Samne
Ira.
Simple white kurti. Hair tied. Face calm.Par aankhon me… storm. Ux hai? Nomi ka throat dry. Haan… par aap?
Main uski purani friend hoon,” Ira seedha bolti hai.
Yahin side wale flat me shift hui hoon. Side…wale? Nomi ka voice halkasa crack. Yes. Kal hi.
Tabhi main peeche se aata hoon. Kaun hai Nomi—
Meri awaaz ruk jaati hai. Ira?
Silence.
Hawa heavy. Sia bhi room se bahar aa jaati hai.
Ira smile karti hai. Good morning, Ux.
Main kuch seconds tak bas use dekhta rehta hoon.
…
… .. To Be Continued…
⚚ Writer : Samir Dhurve
