~21.06.2020

JINDAL BHAVAN,
LIVING ROOM,

Revati was pacing all around the room being tensed. It was around two hours since AK wasn't found in the whole house. Just then AJ climbs down the stairs after completing his work.

AJ: Revati, pareshan hona band karo. Chhoti bachi nahi hai wo, aa jayegi.

Revati: Jiju, 2 ghante ho gaye hai. Aise kaise ki wo bahaar bhi nahi gayi aur na hi ghar ke andar hai.

AJ: Tum aaram se baitho. Kuchh nahi hua hoga.
Maa, Maa, kahaan hai aap?(he shouts across the living room but there was no response)

AJ: Maa!

Dadi: Kyun chilla raha hai???

AJ: Kahaan thi aap? Mai kabse aapko aawaz de raha hun.

Dadi: Arey mai washroom me thi, bata kya baat hai.

AJ: Wo furniture aur baaki ka saaman aa gaya hai. Ek baar aap check kar lijiye. Agar sab thik lage to keh dijiye, mai room me set karwa dunga.

His mind said those words but his heart was wandering somewhere else. His heart was pushing his mind somewhere else far from the people around. Just then he remembers something and hurried towards the guest room while everyone followed them seeing him panicked.

GUEST ROOM,

He immediately hurried to the washroom door and knocked it but gained no response. He knocked it again but still no response came. He just kicked the door with his leg and it cracked open and he found her lying unconscious on the white marble floor. He went to her and placed her gently on his lap as she was so fragile. He patted her cheek to wake her up but she was far away from opening her eyes. He picked her up in his arms and made her lay on the bed. Revati hurried beside her crying and shook her to wake her up.

Revati: Di, uthiye please. Di uthiye!!

AJ splashed some water on her face but she was still unconscious.

Revati: Jiju, kuchh kariye na please. Ye uth kyun nahi rahi hai.

AJ: Revati relax!

He checks her breathing but couldn't feel it which made him shocked. Revati feels the same and starts panicking.

Revati: Jiju, ye saans nahi le rahi hai. Kuchh kariye please.

Durga: Mai abhi doctor ko call karti hun.

Revati: Kuchh kariye isse pehle ki late ho jaye.

AJ couldn't think of any other option and the only thought that was occupied in his mind was to bring back her breaths, so he leaned closer to her mouth and their lips were inches apart. Before their lips could touch, she waked up coughing badly. She pinched her eyes tightly before flicking them full open. She started breathing heavily and eventually her breaths became normal and she started looking her surroundings.

Revati: Di, aap thik to hai na?

She just nodded her head in response. AJ hands a glass full of water to her. She drinks it and returns it back.

AJ: Are you fine?

AK: Problem kya hai aapki? Subah thoda jhagda kya kar liya aap ne mujhe washroom me hi lock kar diya. Jaan lena chahte hai aap meri?

AJ: Dimaag kharaab hai kya tumhara? Mai kyun aisa karunga. I know ki mujhe tumhe pehle bata dena chahiye tha ki us door ka lock kharaab hai but that doesn't mean ki mai tumhe marna chahta tha. Stop speaking rubbish.

AK: Whatever! Responsibility to aap hi ki thi na.

AJ: Mujhe laga tumhe kal raat ki baat yaad hogi isiliye maine...

Dadi: Kal raat ki baat? Kounsi baat, Lalla?

They both look at each other.

AJ: Kuchh nahi Maa.

Dadi: Beta tu aaram kar. Is ki baaton par zyaada dhyaan na de. Aur hame maaf karde, galti hamari thi, hame tujhe bata dena chahiye tha ki ye darwaaza sahi nahi hai.

AK: Aap ko maafi mangne ki zaroorat nahi hai Dadi. It's Ok.

Ahaan: Mumma!

Arya: Angel!

AK: Ahaan, Arya aap donon yahaan kyun aaye? Aap donon ko rest karna tha na.

Ahaan: Mumma, kya hua aapko? Sab yahan par aise kyun hai.

AK: Kuchh nahi hua hai mujhe. Mai thik hun.

Arya: Aap so kyun rahi hai aur sab yahan aise kyun khade hai.

AK: Tumhe pata hai na ki tumhari family kitni achhi hai. Wo mai so gayi thi to sab mujhe lunch ke liye bulane aa gaye.

Arya: Sach me Dadda?

He looks at AK and she gestures him to agree.

AJ: Ha, wo sahi keh rahi hai.

Ahaan: Ok, to ab ham lunch karne chale?

AK: Ha chalo.

DINING ROOM,

Everyone settled for lunch but AK was standing afar deciding where to sit.

Arya: Angel aap us chair par baithiye na Dadda ke saath.(indicating the vacant chair on his right side).

Just then she sees Antara descending the stairs and she moved towards Arya who was sitting on the left side of AJ and sits next to her between her and Ahaan.

AK: Wo jagah meri nahi hai.

Everyone looks at her and soon understands as Antara comes and sits on that chair.

Arya: Aap ko phir bhi wahin baithna chahiye tha.

AK: It's Ok princess. Mai apne bachhon ke saath baithungi. Hmm?

Arya: Yeah!

Durga: Arya, tum mere paas aao, mai tumhe lunch kara dungi. AJ ko pareshan karne ki zaroorat nahi hai.

Arya: Ok.

AK (thinking): Iski Maa ko to iski fikr hai hi nahi.

They started eating lunch but AK started coughing badly just after few spoons of her food. AJ gets up hurriedly passing a glass of water and rubbing her back. Tears were flowing through her red eyes.

AJ: Durga bahu, Kitni baar kaha hai maine ki Guddan ke khane me zyaada mirchi mat daliye. Usse zyaada teekha khana bardaasht nahi hota.(he said absent mindedly rubbing her back)

Everyone look at him but he cared to look only at one person infront of his eyes. Tears flowed through her eyes but only her heart knew the reason behind them. Listening to her name from him after many years was like a soothing music to her ears. He uncomfortably sat back on his chair and kept his gaze steady on his plate.

Durga: I am so sorry, mujhe nahi pata tha ki aap bhi spicy food nahi khate. Mai abhi aapke liye kuchh aur bana deti hun.

AK: No, no it's completely fine. I am sorry, meri wajah se aap log pareshaan ho gaye.

Just then she hears a faded ringtone from her phone which she couldn't find near her.

AK: Mera phone??

Revati: Di, ye lijiye.(handing her phone)

AK(on call): Ok, I will be there in a while.

She ends the call.

AK: I need to leave. Ek important kaam hai mujhe. Ahaan, complete your lunch.

AJ: Tumne lunch nahi kiya.

AK: It's Ok.

AJ: It's not at all Ok. If you want you can go the restaurant and have lunch, whatever you like.

AK: It's completely fine. I don't need that.

Revati: Ahaan, Mumma se keh do ki wo restaurant jakar lunch karle. Unhone kal se kuchh nahi khaya hai.

Ahaan: Mumma!(he gives her a serious look)

AK: Ok fine. I will go.
(to Revati): Car keys?

Revati: Accident me car damage ho gaya tha. Repair ke liye garage me hai.

AK: Ok. I will book a cab.

AJ: No, mai driver ko bol deta hun. He will drop you wherever you want.

AK: Mai khud ja sakti hun.

AJ: Tum hamari mehmaan ho. It's our responsibility to take care of you.

Ahaan: Mumma chale jaiye na.

AK: Ok Boss!

She kisses Ahaan and leaves with the driver.

JINDAL RESTAURANT,

AK enters the restaurant and she was welcomed by the manager and Vardaan follows him. They made her sit privately and the manager leaves.

Vardaan: Papa ne bataya sab kuch. Aap kya khana chahengi lunch me.

AK: Samose hai kya?

Vardaan: Samose? Lunch me?

AK: Ab aap ko mai kya hi bataun. Itne dinon se seedhe se kuchh khaya nahi hai, bohot bhook lagi hai. Aur aap Revati ko to jante hi hai, wo to mere diet ke peeche padi huyi hai. Wo mujhe ye restaurant ka khana, oily junk food khane nahi deti. Ab jab mujhe ek baar mauka mila hai to kha hi sakti hun na.

Vardaan: Baat to aapne sahi kahi hai. Lekin sirf samose se kya hoga aap kuchh aur bhi order kar sakti hai.

AK: Samose se hi kaafi hai lekin aap kehte hai to aaloo ke parathe with extra butter ke saath.

Vardaan: Done, mai waiter ko bata kar aata hun.

He returns after ordering for the dishes.

Vardaan: Abhi to yahaan ke headchef aap ke liye khana bana rahe hai, lekin agar aapne AJ ke haath ka khana kha liya na to use zindagi bhar nahi bhulenge.

AK (thinking): Ab inhe kya hi bataye.

Vardaan: Waise Arya ke bhi ye sab favourite hai. To jab unhe pata chalega ki aap ka bhi yehi favourite hai to aap ko aksar ghar par khane ke liye mil jayega.

AK: Arya ka bhi favourite, interesting. Ghar par to Revati hogi na lekin phir bhi I will try eating.

Soon the food arrives and she started eating while casually talking with Vardaan. She leaves as she was done with her lunch for her work.

ARYA'S ROOM,

AJ, Arya and Ahaan were sitting on the bed as AJ was trying to make them sleep but they were stubborn enough and made him do as they want.

Arya: Dadda, subah se to rest hi kar rahe hai. Baad me, abhi aap kuchh boliye.

Ahaan: Haa, aapne subah se hamse baat bhi nahi ki.

AJ: Baat isiliye nahi ki kyunki tumhari Mumma ka room taiyar karne me busy tha.

Ahaan: Mumma ko to room ki zaroorat hi nahi.

AJ: Kyun??? Arya: Kyun???

Ahaan: Mera matlab hai ki wo kabhi ghar par rehti hi nahi. Hamesha shooting ke liye chali jati hai aur jis din shooting nahi rahi to kisi aur kaam se bahar chali jati hai, jaise abhi gayi.

AJ: Phir bhi, raat me sone ke liye to kamra chahiye hi na.

Ahaan: Mumma to kabhi kabhi raat ko bhi ghar nahi aati. Aur agar kabhi wo raat me ghar par ho, to kabhi bacony ke jhoole me so jati hai, to kabhi hall ke sofe par. Kabhi to dining room ke chair par aur kabhi kitchen me jo chhota dining table hota hai na wahaan par. Kabhi apne study room me, to kabhi unke room me jo bada sa chair hota hai uspar, ya phir mere saath mere room me. Bohot kam baar aisa hota ki wo apne room me apne bed par sote hai.

AJ (murmuring): Poori paagal hai wo.

Ahaan: Kuchh kaha aapne?

AJ: Nahi.

Arya: Dadda, kal kya hua tha bataiye na?

AJ: Kuchh nahi hua.

Ahaan: Mumma hospital me kyun nahi thi?

AJ: Wo thi lekin wo tum donon ke liye prayer kar rahi thi.

Arya: Ham donon ke liye kyun?

Ahaan: Arey Buddhu, kyunki Mumma ham donon se bohot pyaar karti hai. Isiliye wo Partner se hamare liye pray kar rahi hogi.

AJ: Partner?

Ahaan: Lord Krishna se.

Arya: Tum bhi Lord Krishna ko partner bolte ho.

Ahaan: Tum bhi matlab. Mai aur Mumma bolte hai, kyunki wo hamare best friend hai na.

Arya: Mai bhi Lord Krishna ki best friend hun aur partner bhi.

AJ: Wo ham sab ke bhagwaan hai, Ok.

They were speaking to each other for sometime just then they hear some noices from the living room so AJ asks them to stay while he leaves to go outside. But the two stubborn kids hold on to him till he himself agreed to take them outside.

LIVING ROOM,

All the family members were shocked to see the scene were in front of them. There were many men standing in uniform and few men apart from them in some other uniform. Each man holding a gun in their hands. They all were well built and seemed to be strong. They were more like security agents with what they could look with the appearance.

AJ: Koun hai aap log? Kisne bulaya hai aap sab ko yahaan?

AK: Mai inhe yahan lekar aayi hun.

She enters the house and all the men make a way for her.

AJ: Tum?? Expected! Ab bata bhi do kyun?

AK: Kyun ka kya matlab hua? Bhai, security hai matlab unka kaam karne aaye honge na, Providing security.

AJ: Jindal Bhavan me already security hai.

AK: For your kind information Mr. Jindal, ab is ghar me mai, mera beta aur meri behen bhi rehte hai. So, their safety matters too. Aur waise bhi jo kuchh bhi kal hua, we need to extra careful. So here are they.

AJ: Why don't you......

AK: I don't see any point for arguing over this matter. Mujhe meri family ki safety ki fikr hai, isiliye maine aisa kiya. In other ways aap ki family ko bhi extra security mil rahi hai. There's no way you are being offended. So why do you need to argue.

Dadi: Lalla, wo sahi keh rahi hai. Ek maa hai wo, use apne bachhe ki parwah hai. Aur aisa bhi to ho sakta hai ki kal ka accident kisi ne hamare wajah se kiya hoga.

AJ: Maa, aisa ho hi nahi sakta. Police ne already confirm kar diya hai ki wi log sirf AK, ya uski family ke liye the.

Dadi: Baat sirf, kal ke accident ki nahi hai. Agar unhe pata chala ki ab wo is ghar me rehti hai, to hame bhi to khatra ho sakta hai na. To rehne de inhe yahaan. Hame koi problem nahi hai.

AJ: Lekin Maa....

Dadi: Lalla, aaj bhi mai is ghar ki badi hun aur har faisle par mera bhi haq hai. Baat khatam.
(To AK): Beta, tujhe jo karna hai kar.

AK: Thankyou Dadi. Waise bhi ye hamse samajhne wale nahi the.

She clears her throat grabbing everyone's attention and started speaking to the security agents.

AK: So, aapka 60 members ka group hai(everyone nods). Three groups of each with 20 members will guard the house for the whole day with an interval of 8 hours each, which will continue everyday.(everyone nods agreeing with her). And the six head members will be there in a pair for each of the groups.(the six men agree with her)

AK: I hope everything's clear now. So, I hope aap log apna kaam poori imaandari ke saath karenge aur mujhe ek bhi shikayat ka mauka nahi de. Start from now!

The head made their groups. The group assigned with duty stays while the others leave.

She comes to Arya and Ahaan and bends down at their level.

AK: Aap logon ko inse ya kisi aur se darne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Aap log safe hai aur ye log aapki safety ke liye hai, Ok?

They both nod understanding her.

AK: Chalo, aaj ke liye bohot ho gaya. Abhi thodi der rest karte hai.

She make them sleep in their room.

__________________________________

It was evening time. Everyone were busy with themselves, the children were sleeping. AK was surfing through her phone when she gets a call from the security. She picks it up and the words he spoke made her worried.

AK: Arey pehle aap mujhse pooch to lete. Chhodiye unhe aur andar aane dijiye.

Dadi, Bahus and Revati look at her shocked but soon understands when the person gets inside.

AK: Are you fine?

Karan: Aur nahi to kya laga rakha hai. Security hai ya Army? Lag raha tha ki India-Pakistan ke border me khada hun.

AK: I am so sorry. Unka pehle din hai na. Maine unhe accepted persons ka list nahi diya hai. I promise next time se aisa nahi hoga.

Karan: It's Ok.

He said without even looking at her. He goes to Dadi and takes her blessings.

Dadi: Jeete raho aur ghar aate rehna achha lagta hai.

Karan: Zaroor aaunga Dadi, agar ye foujiyon ka group meri swaagat ke liye khada na ho.

Dadi: Agle baar se nahi hoga, meri bachhi ne keh diya na.

Karan: Hmm.

Dadi: Tum sab baatein karo mai kamre me ja rahi hun.

Karan: Ok. Hi Revati!

Revati: Hi!

Karan: Bachhe kahan hai?

AK: Wo so rahe hai.

Karan: Ok.

He didn't see her even this time.

Revati: Durga ji, Lakshmi ji, aap mere saath chaliye na mujhe kuchh kaam hai.

Durga and Lakshmi: Ha chalo.

Revati: Bye Karan!

Karan: No...

Before he could say something they leave. AK stands infront of him but he still doesn't looks at her.

AK: I could see someone's ingnoring me.

He sits on the couch playing with the random stuff present on tea table. She kneels down infront of him and holds his hand which made him look at her.

AK: I need to talk to you.(when he didn't responded, she continued) Please!! Pleeeaaaseee!!!

Karan: Ok.

AK: Chalo, yahaan nahi.

She holds his hand and took him from the living room.

TERRACE,

AK and Karan sat on the bench, staring at the water glazing under the sun in the pool.

Karan: Date par ja rahi ho kya?(he said looking at her dress)

AK: Ha, in your dreams.

Karan: Not funny.

AK: I know. I am sorry for what I have done yesterday.

Karan: So you knew you were at fault. Good! But the question is that, why did you do that when you knew what you were doing was wrong? Is something more important than Ahaan for you?

AK: No, nothing. It's just...I was....I don't know why I did that.

Karan: You are impossible! Tumhe khud nahi pata ki tumne aisa kyun kiya. Great! Kya pata hai tumhe?

AK: I was just out of my mind back then.

Karan: To tum kuchh bhi karogi. You even drank yesterday, right?

She just looked away not knowing what to say. How did he knew everything about her when she didn't said anything?

AK: I wasn't able to think anything. My mind was all clogged up.

Karan: Then you have to free your mind. You have to let out everything which has occupied your mind.

AK: I do that. I share everything.

Karan: You share how does it effects you not what effects you? You have to let that out, Aliya. You can't keep that inside you for so long. It will break you.

AK: I can't Karan, I can't.

Karan: Ek na ek din sach bahar aa hi jayega chahe tum use jitna bhi chupane ki koshish karo.

AK: Ye sach bahar nahi aa sakta, kabhi nahi. I will die if it happens, the truth will kill me, it will kill me.

She said with tears in her eyes. He turns to see her in her eyes. She was so broken and her eyes were a clear definition for that. He wipes her tears away.

Karan: Sshhh! Don't say anything like that. Kuchh nahi hoga tumhe. Mai tumhe kuchh nahi hone dunga. Just don't.

AK: Mai bhi nahi chahti hun ki aisa kuchh ho. I don't want that to happen. Isiliye mai sach nahi keh sakti.

Karan: But you should let it out once. You clearly don't know what will happen after that.

AK: I know, I know it will kill me. I will die coz of that.

Karan: Tum phir se shuru ho gayi. Don't say that, never.

AK: To kya karun mai. I am living in a beautiful web of lies. If i try to get out of that, I will die for sure. The life outside it will not let me live.

Karan: Just listen to me.

She nods.

Karan: Have you seen a butterfly?

AK: What kind of question is this?

Karan: Answer me, yes or no?

AK: Yes.

Karan: Do you know how does it develops?(she nods)

Karan: But let me explain you. It comes to life when it develops into a Caterpillar from the egg. But soon as it matures, it is enveloped into a pupa. It doesn't wants to get out of that coz it feels protected in it. Do you know what happens then?

AK: No.

Karan: It is unaware of the fact that if it comes out, it will develop beautiful wings. So, even then the shell around it breaks and it comes out into the world with beautiful wings.

AK: So, what?

Karan: Do you think that it would have got those bright, colorful amd beautiful wings if it would have stayed as a Pupa.

AK: No.

Karan: That's what I am trying to say. Even though you try your best to stay in that web of lies, you will definitely come out one day. And Indeed, the truth will be more beautiful than you might have expected. Just break that and come out, you will explore the world in a more beautiful way.

AK: I said you I can't do that.

Karan: Ok, as you say. But remember my words, it will truly be more beautiful than you have ever expected.

She nods and they both hug each other.

"Tum donon kya kar rahe ho yahan?"

The voice broke their moment. They turned around to see AJ with his phone in one hand and the other shoved in one of his pockets.

AK: Any problem?

AJ: Tum donon yahan kaise aaye? I mean tumhe terrace ke baare me kaise pata?

AK: Akbar ka khazana nahi dhundhna tha, Jindal Bhavan ke terrace par chadhna tha. Seedhe se seedhiyan chadhenge to terrace par hi pohonchenge na.

AJ: Kabhi seedhe se jawaab nahi de sakti tum?

AK: Seedha seedha to jawab diya hai maine.

AJ: Ye seedha jawaab hai, to tedha jawaab kaise deti ho tum?

AK: Aap ne kabhi nahi suna? Never mind, you will get to know soon.

AJ: You....

Karan: Guysss! Calm down. Tum log to ek happy married couple ki tarah jhagad rahe ho.

AK: Ek minute! Na hi ham couple hai aur na hi mai married hun. Aur koi bhi happy married couple aise jhagda nahi karte.

Karan: I know ki tum log couple nahi ho but I even know ki tum single bhi nahi ho. Aur rahi baat happy rehne ki to jo aise jhagde karte hai wahi happy couple ke jaise rehte hai.

AK: I know I am just reserved.

Karan: For whom?

AK: You'll never know.

AJ: Ab bas bhi karoge tum donon.

AK: Kyun? Aap ko kya problem hai? Aur Karan, tum nahi jante in ke baare me. Inhone mujhe aaj subah washroom me lock kar diya aur lunch me spicy food khila diya.

Karan: I know you very well. Tum khud washroom me lock ho gayi hogi aur rahi baat lunch ki to tumhe normal food bhi extra spicy lagta hai. So no offence to AJ.

AK: Tum mere dost ho ya inke. Bipolar much!

Karan: I am leaving. Tum donon ka ho jaye to aa jana.

He leaves and she turns to leave along with him but stops in midway.

AJ: Tum ro rahi thi?

He comes and stands infront of her wiping the tears which she wasn't aware of.

AK: Ro nahi rahi thi. Bas aansu ponchne ke liye koi nahi hai.

She leaves to her room.

GUEST ROOM,

The room was a complete mess with crushed tissue papers all around the floor and she was sitting on the bed sneezing, one hand holding her head and the other filled with tissue papers. There was a knock on the door which interrupted the sneezing music filled in the room.

AK: Co...Achhhiii...Come in..Achhhiii.

AJ: Janta tha mai, room me baith kar yehi kar rahi hogi.

AK: Kya? Achhhhiii...

AJ: Aadhi raat ko baarish me bheegogi to yehi hoga na. Subah se dekh raha hun cheenke ja rahi ho.

AK: Aap ko kya problem hai hamare aaachhhhiiii....excuse me, cheenk se?

AJ: Bless you! Problem mujhe nahi hai lekin kisi aur ko ho sakti hai. Isiliye ye kaadha laya hun, pi lo.

AK: Kaadha?? Ewww. Aachhhiiii....Hame nahi peena. Hame pata hai aap kitna kadwa kaadha banate hai. Aaachhhii...

AJ: Tumhe kaise pata? Tumne pehle kabhi mere haath ka bana hua kaadha piya hai kya?

She bit her tongue and smacked her head mentally for uttering words without thinking.

AK: Kaadha to kadwa hi hota hai, ab chahe wo aap jaise bade chef banaye ya koi aur. Hame nahi peena.

AJ: Chup chap se peelo ise. Waise bhi bachhe pehle hi bimaar hai, mai nahi chahta ki wo tumhare wajah se aur bimaar ho jaye. Aur waise bhi tumhe zyaada kadwa nahi lagega, tum to isse bhi zyaada kadwi cheezein peeti ho. Kyun?

AK: Ham ne ek baar keh diya na ki ham nahi piyenge matlab nahi piyenge chahe wo hame zyaada kadwa lage ya na lage.

AJ: Nahi piyogi tum?

AK: Nahi piyenge. Kya kar lenge aap?

AJ: Mai zabardasti pila sakta hun tumhe.

AK: Aap mere saath zabardasti karenge?

AJ: Zaroorat padi to.

AK: Thik hai ham bhi dekhenge ki aap kya kar sakte hai.

AJ: Matlab tum nahi manogi.(he takes a step forward)

AK: Nahi.

AJ: Nahi?(he takes one more step forward)

AK: Nahi.

AJ: Ab bhi nahi?(he takes one more step forward which makes her lean on the wall on her back)

AK: Kaha na nahi, matlab nahi.

He takes one more step forward. Her back was stick to the wall and he was very close to her.

AJ: Nahi?

AK: Ha.

AJ: Good!(he steps back and hands the cup to her). Ab jaldi se piyo.

She drank the whole content in one go.

AK: Eww...kitna kadwa hai ye. Yuckkkk!!!

AJ: Tum jo das das bottles peeti ho na, usse kam kadwa aur zyaada fayde mand hai ye. Isiliye muh band rakho.

He leaves the room.

AK: Ye khadoos kabhi nahi badalne wale. Uuhhh!!

AK'S ROOM,

The room was all set now and AJ brought her to the room after dinner. She was checking if everything was fine.

AK: Maanna padega, bohot sahi kaam kiya hai aapne.

AJ: I know.

She ignored him and went to the balcony.

AK: Aaahhh!!

He hurried towards the balcony.

AJ: Kya hua?

AK: Don't you say that we have to share the same balcony.

AJ: Shukr karo sirf balcony share karna hai, kamra nahi.

AK: Noooo!!

AJ: Tumhe rehna hai to isi kamre me rehna hoga, ya phir guest room me. Donon nahi to Jindal Bhavan ke bahar. The choice is yours.

AK: Is ghar ke bahar to ham jaane se rahe, Aur rahi baat us guest room ki, to us store room jaise guest room me mujhe nahi rehna. I will adjust here.

AJ: Good!

AK: Ek minute, jhoola kahan hai?

AJ: Jhoola, kounsa jhoola? Tum ne sirf bedroom aur bathroom ka list diya tha, balcony ka nahi.

AK: Hey Lord Krishna! Wo balcony, balcony hi kaisa jisme jhoola na ho. Aap itne saalon se bina jhoole ke is balcony me reh rahe the?

AJ: Yes, any problem? And by the way, why are all the girls so, obsessed with swings??

AK: Aap ne kabhi bina aaloo ke aaloo ke parathe banaye hai?

AJ: No.

AK: Bina baingan ke baingan ka bharta banaya hai.?

AJ: No.

AK: Bina makhan ke dal makhni banayi hai kabhi?

AJ: Nahi yaar!

AK: To phir balcony bhi jhoole ke bina corridor lagta hai balcony nahi. Aap nahi samjhenge rehne dijiye. Mai khud order kar lungi and Don't you dare you sit on my swing.(she said pointing her index finger towards him)

AJ: Mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai jhoola jhoolne ka. Tum aaram se baithna jab wo aa jayega.

She leaves the room to check on the kids.

ARYA'S ROOM,

AK gets inside the room to see both the kids sitting silently on the bed and not sleeping.

AK: Kya hua bachhon? Ab tak aap log soye kyun nahi.

Arya: Angel, neend nahi aa rahi.

Ahaan: Mumma, lori ga kar sulaiye na, please.

AK: Ok!

She made them lay on the bed and sits beside Ahaan caressing both their heads.

Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori...

Chandaniya chhup jaana re
Chhan bhar ko luk jaana re
Nindiya aankhon mein aaye
Bitiya meri so jaaye
Hmm mm...
Nindiya aankhon mein aaye
Bitiyaa meri so jaaye
Leke god mein sulaao
Gaao raat bhar sunaao
Main lori lori
Ho main lori lori

AJ comes to the room and finds the kids trying to sleep. He goes towards Arya and she asks him to sit beside her. He sits and caresses her head.

Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori

Gardhaniyaan chhun chhun baje
Palkan mein sapna saje
Dheeme-dheeme haule-haule
Pawan basanti dole
Hmm hmm...
Dheeme dheeme haule haule
Pawan basanti dole
Leke god mein sulaao
Gaaon raat bhar sunaao
Main lori lori
Oh oh ho main lori lori

He remembers how Guddan used to sing the same Lori to make Alisha sleep.

Meri Muniya Rani bane
Mehlon ka Raja miley
Dekhe khushiyon ke mele
Dard kabhi na jhele
Oh ho..
Dekhe khushiyon ke mele
Dard kabhi na jhele
Leke god mein sulaao
Gaao raat bhar sunaao
Main lori lori
Hmm hmm main lori lori

Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori
Lori lori lori

By the end of lori both the kids were asleep and they both were resting their heads on the headboard with eyes closed. Revati comes in search of AK and finds her. She was mesmerized by the scene in front of her. It resembled a cute happy family. She clicked a picture of them and left the room without disturbing their sleep.

After sometime, AK wakes up and finds herself in the same room. She gets up, adjusts the blanket of the kids. AJ wakes up due to the movement and he finds her awake. She leaves the room after kissing both the kids.

She was heading towards the kitchen but he stopped her.

AJ: Kahaan ja rahi ho?

AK: Kitchen.

AJ: Kyun?

AK: Coffee pina hai isiliye. Any problem?

AJ: No. Mai bhi isiliye ja raha tha. Mai bana dunga.

AK: Thankyou lekin mai khud kar sakti hun.

AJ: Maine kaha na mai bana lunga. Tum room me jao, mai thodi der me aata hun.

AJ'S ROOM,

He returns with two mugs of coffee in his hands but the scene infront of him, made him shocked.

AJ: Kya kar rahi ho tum? Bina mere permission ke mera wardrobe kyun khola tumne?

AK: Oh C'mmon, wardrobe hi khola hai, locker nahi.

AJ: Tumhe keys kahaan se mile?

AK: Aap jaise sophisticated log apne bed ke side table ke drawer me apne wardrobe ke keys rakhte hai. Ye baat kisko nahi pata hogi. Waise, don't try this on me. Aap ko mere keys nahi milenge, ha.

AJ: Tum kar kya rahi ho?

AK: Ohoo, aap ko pata hai na maine apna kuchh bhi saaman nahi laya hai. Nightwear hai nahi mere paas to socha aaj raat aap ke shirt se kaam chala lun(she said picking one of his shirts from yhe wardrobe)

AJ: To tum Revati ke kapde share kar leti.

AK: Wo ham donon ka same size nahi hai.

AJ: Mai bahuon se keh de raha hun, tum unke....

AK: No, no, no... Unki jewellery chhodiye, unke to kapde bhi mere khud ke weight se zyada honge. Aap rehne dijiye. Mai ek shirt me adjust kar lungi. Ab Kishore ji aur Vardaan ji ka to le nahi sakti na, unke wives ko achha nahi lagega. Isiliye aapka shirt thik rahega.

AJ: Tum ye lo. Ye maine abhi tak use nahi kiya hai. (Handing her a new shirt with price tags in it)

AK: No need, mai ye black shirt le rahi ho aur mai wapas bhi nahi karungi. Because I know ki aap phir ye pehnenge hi nahi. Ok.

She turns to leave.

AK: Mai change karke aati hun phir saath me coffee piyenge.

She leaves to her room.

AJ: Hey bhagwan, Is ladki ko mai nahi sambhal sakta.

The dark sky was glazing with the moonlight which was blanketed by numerous small diamonds of stars and a huge one known as the moon. The cool breeze was enough to soothe the mind and the smooth noice of wind was a soothing music to the ears. She was sitting on the floor leaning her back on the wall and slightly tilted her head to rest it on the railings and he was sitting opposite to her facing each other.

AK: Thankyou, mujhe washroom se bahar nikal kar meri jan bachane ke liye.

AJ: It's Ok. I must be sorry, mujhe tumhe pehle bata dena chahiye tha ki us ka lock kharab hai.

AK: It's Ok. Lekin aapko pata kaise chala ki mai wahan thi. Maine bohot aawaz di lekin kisi ne nahi suni thi.

AJ: I just guessed. Revati ne kaha ki tum na hi ghar ke andar hi thi aur na hi bahar, to mujhe laga ki tum andar hi hogi. I knew ki Revati ne washroom me check nahi kiya hoga kyunki use laga hoga ki wo bahar se band hai.

AK: You are right. Waise, I am sorry. Mujhe subah aap se jhagda nahi karna chahiye tha.

AJ: It's Ok. Tum Ahaan ke liye possessive ho isiliye tumne aisa kiya. I am sorry, maine tumhare saath bohot rudely behave kiya.

AK: It's Ok. Meri harkatein hi aise rehti hai jisse kisi ko bhi gussa aa jaye, lekin sirf kabhi kabhi.

AJ: Pehli baar bohot sahi baat kahi hai.

AK: Kuchh zyaada nahi ho gaya.

There was complete silence for sometime which was broken by AJ while he caught her staring at the sky.

AJ: Kya dekh rahi ho tum?

AK: Kitna ajeeb hai na jo hamare apne nahi wo hamare paas hai aur jo hamare apne hai wo door un taaron me base hai.

AJ: Tum bhi ye baat maanti ho ki log marne ke baad taare ban jate hai.

AK: Maanne ke alaawa kuchh aur nahi kar sakte na. Maan kar ye ehsaas to rehta hai ki wo hamare paas hai warna wo to hame chhod kar itne door chale gaye hai ki ham chah kar bhi unke paas nahi ja sakte na hi unke paas hone ka ehsaas pa sakte hai.

AJ: Chahe wo door chale gaye ho lekin dil me hamesha zinda rehte hai.

AK: Mere paas dil bhi to nahi hai na unhe dil me zinda rakhne ke liye.

He stares at her to know her feelings but she was far away from expressing it.

AK: Mujhe neend aa rahi, sone ja rahi hun. Good night!

AJ: Good night!

============================

Precap:
AK: Mai ye sach Ahaan ko kabhi nahi bata sakti, Revati.

Ahaan: Kounsa sach Mumma?

P.S: This is the longest chapter of the book, 5779 words and one of my most favorite chapters. Waiting for your beautiful reviews.