ABHIMAAN
The hue of the sky with the vibrant warm colours spread warmth and yet his heart felt cold...cold as ice. It was shattered like glass that can never be glued together. The same lines echoed through his mind and his body shivered. A arrow had pierced him, guilt being the salt that was sprinkled on his open wounds.
“Sasur ji samajh aaya na ab? Juth aur burai ka sath bhagwan kya, insaan bhi nahi deta hai.” Rani taunted.
“Aee naukrani! Yeh sab teri wajah se hi hai...Sunn yaha se chali jaa" Gunwant replied with a wriggled nose.
“Wah Sasur ji Wah! Galti kare aap aur nikal jaaye hum? Bhul gaye? Yeh dukhan Raja ka Hai.” She spoke with a smile.
“Abe chokri Raja ne papers sign kiya tha aur yeh dukhan Hitank ke Pappa ka hai.” Kirtida answered with an evil laugh
“Arey Moti mummy Raja ne nakli papers par sign kiya tha...”
“Aee Naali mein rehne wali!” Gunwant turned red with anger.
The chirping birds provide calmness and yet they failed today. He lifted his dominant hand to slap Rani. A fraction of seconds were sufficient to do so.
She palmed her face in defence. She did not speak the false. She knew Srinath ji will protect her. But never did she think someone else would also guard her. After all that had happened in their life she never expected him to save her...never. But love never fades.
He had become a wall between her and Mota Papa. The wall that was invincible. The barrier anyone had to cross to reach her. The obstacle that was a shield that she could carry in any battle.
“Raja beech mein mat pad...iss ladki ko dhikhana hai ki woh kaha se aayi hai aur kaha rehegi.”
“Haan Rajuda...hat na.”
They were demanding him to move but barriers don’t move. His love was strong enough to protect her...to fight for her...ever though he had failed her once. He did not want to fall her again.
“Woh meri patni hai...mein jahah rahunga woh wahi rahegi!”
“Rajuda woh ek chorni hai...humare ghar ko todne ki koshish par chuki hai...tumne usse divorce bhi de diya...kaha ki patni hai”
“Rani meri Aan Baan aur Shaan hai...Meri abhimaan hai. Uske baare mein koi kuch bhi bole usko mein maaf nahi karunga.”
Rani couldn’t believe her own ears. Was it the same Raja who was speaking so? Bells of the nearby temple proved that he was true to his word. Rani blinked the tear of happiness waiting to know more of her Raja...her lover...her husband.
“Aur haan Rani chorni nahi hai...koi chori nahi ki thi...woh Juth bol rahi thi. Aur ek baat uska naam Rani Raja Reshemiya hai...izzat ke saath baat kare toh accha rahega.”
His eyes twinkled as he spoke. It was the first time he had spoken up against his Mota Papa....for her and only for her. He held her hand and pulled her in front beside him. He then wrapped his hand around her shoulders and pressed them. His grip over her indicated the love for her...the secret promise to protect her always.
“Yeh dukhan mujhe nahi chahiye...rakh lijiye...beek samjhiye isse. Aur haan hum ghar se bhi has rahe hai. Rahiye maze mein waha. Lekin yaad rahe ki yeh sirf meri aur Rani ke taraf se ek daan hai.”
He spoke loudly and held her hands and walked out. Asha too followed them she let the tears of happiness drop down her cheeks. She had truly fallen for a person and now that person also was truly loving her...showering all the happiness on her.
"Mummyji Papaji mein kshama chahta hu...mujhe maaf par dijiye, maine Rani par fish was hi nahi kiya...yaha tak ki mere pyaar par bhi barosa nahi Kiya...mein apke todhi hu.” Raja folded his hands into a pose of sorry and begged for forgiveness. His eyes were filled with tears...tears of guilt.
“Arey Raja beta....Humne tumhe doshi hi nahi mana...”
“Aur aaj phirse ek baar hum apni Rani ka haath tumhare haath mein de rahe hai...iss rishta ka Shubharambh ho..” Rani’s parents had again given her to him...to her only lover.
“Rani...” He whispered and pulled her closer to him.
“Mujhe maaf kar do.” He murmured into her ears. Having sensed her blush he pulled her into an embrace. He held her tight promising to always love her forever.
*****************
“Srinath ji, thank you aaj 99 pe samp nahi katha...” She sat by the tea stall and thanked the almighty.
“Aur ab se kathega bhi nahi...ab toh unka param pujaniya bhakt Raja bhi tumhare sath hai.” He spoke while holding her shoulders from behind. His eyes very adoring her....
“Raja...”
“ Rani mujhe nahi pata ki yeh jagah sahi hai ki nahi par time sahi hai shayad...I LOVE YOU Rani.” He spoke.
As he completed the statement he hugged her from behind. He placed his chin on her shoulder and smiled.
“I LOVE YOU Raja...” She replied with a wide smile and the crimson on her cheek.
His sudden gesture had truly relieved her...She was happy. She turned around and embraced him. Her hand found the hair of his nape. She bunched them and played with the hair while he was too shocked to comprehend anything.
Slowly he too gave in and slipped his hands around her back. Her head laid on his chest hearing the increasing heart beats while his head found a safe spot in the crook of her neck. He held her like there was no tomorrow.
The stars and the Moon were the witness to this confession. It seemed as if stars twinkle a bit more to bless them while the Moon just appeared on a No moon day to treasure the moment of love.
