Roshni sat gingerly on the bed, thinking about what happened in the Sangeet. Her focus wasn't on the fact that Aman had flexed a few punches, but on the fact that today, for the first time, she felt caged.
Until now, or to be precise, until the day she'd stepped into this peculiar Mansion, she had been free. Yes, she wasn't respected and came for the forbidden strata of the society, but she was, undoubtedly - free. Free to dance, to live, to breathe.
Usually, she wouldn't want to dance, especially with people casting lusty glances at her, offering her money for a night's stay and what not. But today, in the sangeet, she felt she couldn't resist to shake a leg or two on the brilliant songs that were played. It was a 'dignified' affair after all, if she would like to call it that. But - she couldn't. The moment she got up from her seat, Aman's horrendous accusations, the unbearable insults and everything nasty that was said to her, came running back to her senses.
"Aisa kuch mat karna jisse iss khandaan ki izzat par aanch aaye"
And after being accused about dancing to this level, she wouldn't do that again in her right mind, no matter where she was.
She was forced to step back and sit, feeling suppressed and chained.
"Kya oonche gharaane mein enjoy karna allowed nahi?" She remarked to herself, heaved a sigh, felt pity for the rules around and moved to release her ears from the heavy earrings.
...
He wasn't completely oblivious to her emotions. He had very well noticed how she had got up, beaming and excited. And in the next moment, her face fell down amd she sat back, in the chair kept beside his. He felt miserable. Not because she felt she couldn't dance there but because he had made her feel like that. The hatred for her had broken all bonds of humanity and compassion. He must've made her feel so worthless.
It was only today afternoon, that he was notified about what amount Roshni had withdrawn using the cheque. A meager 1.5 lakh rupees. He couldn't believe at first but then later, he almost felt ashamed about his behaviour. And his shame reached new heights when he found out, that this amount was infact, for her mother's treatment.
Feeling restless, he got up and proceeded towards his room, to face the consequences of his ruthlessness.
She had changed into a beautiful gown, light blue in colour. So much for her fascination of blues! He laughed to himself. Her faint smile vanished, upon seeing him, as she sat on the bed heavily, seemingly cross.
He knew he was going to break his head over the wall, but he decided to go for the ordeal nonetheless -
"Woh cheque ka amount..."
"Sirf Ek Lakh 50 hazaar hain. Ab yeh mat kahiye ki yeh zyaada hai yaa fizool hai. Woh bass Ammi ka ilaaj karana tha warna Roshni ke liye inn kagaz ke tukdon ki koi keemat nahi," she said it all in one go.
"Maine aapko galat...", he tried to alleviate his own guilt by apologising.
"Haaye tauba! Ab bhi main hi galat hoon?"
"Nahi!" He thundered, to derail the bakbak Express.
"Mujhse galti hui. Maine aapko galat samjha." He said it, to the point.
Her eyes toned down and her head raised itself up, held high and firm.
"Aur mujhe bura laga ki meri wajah se aapne khudko naachne se roka," he said, embarrassed. "Aajke baad aisa nahi hoga," he declared with conviction and unwavering respect.
"Hmmm. Aapki aankhon ke saath, aapka conscience bhi accha hai. Impressive" she remarked. He couldn't help but roll his eyes in amazement. This girl was unbelievable!
"Shall I?" He extended his hand and reached out to her. Her eyes widened in disbelief. But not wanting to waste the opportunity, she shyly gave hers in his and they danced slowly, with Baazigar playing a soft music on her insistence, much to his annoyance.
Kisine sach hi kaha hai, Khushiyon aur insaanon ki koi keemat nahi hoti hai
Writer: MannMohanaa
