Abir was back at work..less stressed but now feeling a new ache...

Did she saw the message?

Why was she not replying?.

Is she still angry at him..?

Mark came to him with his work phone..

"Abir sir...you got a call from Toronto..the Project head Mr.Felix  had an accident on site.."

Abir immediately called the core team meeting and after a detailed assessment of the situation it was decided that as he and Piya were the creative  project heads behind this project , he would substitute Mr.Felix for the time being..

Piya was all for her going along with Abir..

But Abir refused.

"No Piya...just help me out here.. I will go now and manage  the situation.. there will be enquiries regarding the safety measures and all..let me handle it and come back..you can go then and take point on the project..you know I need to be here ... Okay?.."

"Yes Abir is right..let him go Piya..I too will accompany you .. Abir..in case you need to rush back.."Neil offered..

Piya's face darkened at Neil's offer and he hastily added.

"I know it's your project... Piya..I mean that I won't interfere..but Abir need help.."

Abeer agreed with Neil..

"Thanks Neil...Okay..then it's settled...Mark..do book the flight tickets..and inform all concerned about the development...let me go over the details of the situation once again by the time tickets are confirmed.."

Abir walked back to his office.with Mark following..

" Sir I have informed Meenakshii ma'am and Parul ma'am about your  sudden trip. They have reverted back.. with same opinion as yours."

" Any calls or messages umm.. from the hospital?"

Abir enquired.casually.....Mark' s answer was equally indirect....

" No one particularly sir..just Parul màam.. when I informed her about your trip..I took the liberty to ask about Mrs.Maheshwari's status...she said tests are going on it seems but she doesn't know the details..coz.. Mishti ma'am..had gone for a walk and has not returned yet.."

Abir stilled as his brows arched in concern...

She had gone for a walk..!

Yeh ladki toh mujhe maar hi daalegi...!!

 Abir instantly checked the tracking app for her location...

And let out a sigh of relief as he saw her location at the hospital...

Mark had with drawn to his desk and checked the tickets..

"Sir..as you implied  earliest flights..I booked one in 4 hrs.... you would have enough time to pack and in the traffic if you leave now...I'll call the driver and ask to bring the car .."

Abir... wanted to go by the hospital but now with the time limit .he won't be able to..

" Neil?..'

He asked absently.

" Neil sir already left for home.he will meet you at the airport."

Abir nodded as he absently caressed his bracelet... 

Mark looked at Abir a little concerned as he handled over Abir his briefcase containing documents along with the flight tickets..

*******

Mishti took the elevator back to the 12 th floor..

As it went up she took out her phone absently and opened the notification..and her brows shot up in total elation...

Abir's message...! sent an hour ago!!

Her fingers shook slightly as she touched open the message...

Abir's face looked at her with an apologetic ear pinch...

Sorry for everything.

Thoda haq jatana toh dosthi mein bantha Hain..

Zyada hogaya toh maafi bhi bantha Hain..

Thank you for the reports..

Lekin mujhe tumhari bhi fikr hai..

Tum call karna nahi chahthi ..okay..text toh Kar sakthi ho...

thode moments happy ya sad share toh Kar sakthi ho ..

Mishti slumped to the elevator wall at the sudden weightlessness she felt ....

Thank God ! He is not angry at her....!

She looked at the selfie he send again and smiled through tears...

***

Parul noticed the relief of stress on Mishti''s face and was skeptical....

Abir's Toronto trip is at right time..... Mishti won't be able to handle any other distractions right now...

"Woh Mishti.. Nihaal ka call aaya tha.... after two more tests the doctors are going to discuss the results and confirm the surgery...he said they won't delay it.."

Mishti looked at her and nodded..

"Massi Mein fresh hoke aati Hoon.."..she moved to the washroom...

Parul went back to her work..

******

Misht took a deep breath.. leaning on to the washroom door ....butterflies fluttered in her stomach ...

She took out her phone and looked at the remorseful face and typed in..

*****

Abir was already on his way to the airport...

His bleak eyes hidden behind the sunglasses...

She didn't reply to his apology...and now when all he wanted was to go to her and shake her for her obstinacy and then to feel her presence soothing his soul...

Abir opened his phone and browsed her pics ...the happy moments..

The heaviness in his heart was growing by second..

The chime of his phone brought him to the present...

With a dejected look he opened the notification panel...and his heart thumped hard..

"Mein donon kaan pakdi Hui Hoon..

Jab Tak tum maaf nahi karoge .

chodne wali nahi Hoon....

Pata nahi har baar tumpe apna gussa nikaal deti Hoon..

Kitna bhi maafi maangoo Meri gusthakhi ki..Kam hai..

Sorry... Sorry.."

Her face looked at him with a small  imploring pout with both hands pinching her ears..

His.. sadness

His heaviness..

His .. jealousy.. 

everything evaporated in the seconds his eyes fell on her adorable pic..

Hurriedly he speed dialed her...

His call was picked in one ring....

" Chod do.."

"I am so sorry..Meri hi galthi .."

" Shh.. chup..tumhari koi galthi nahi tha .haan...Choti moti Hui hogi... 

Lekin jhagda toh Maine shuroo Kiya na...I am sorry..Aur subah keliye bhi...pata nahi Kya ho jaata hai mujhe.. sorry..."

"Abir..."

"Hmmm..?"

" Bas Karo..kitna Sorry bologe...Aur mujhe bolne bhi nahi de rahe ho.."

" I wish..I could come to you now.. "

"Umm..tum aarahe ho na massi ko lene..?"

"Woh Mishty...I am on my way to airport..ek emergency situation hai Toronto Mein..bas jaldi vaapas aaoonga..Aur mujhe harpal ki khabar chahiye..vaada Karo..apna Wala promise.."

Abir Toronto jaa Raha hai?

Mishty felt dejected...but she knew he would not go unless it's  urgent..she need to reassure him..

Perking up she said..."pakka vaada.."

"Thank you . will text you when I reach..tum theek ho na?."

" Hmmm..."

Mishty held her phone close to her heart..

The only way to hold him close to her...

***

Parul noticed her lacklustre face as Mishty sat on the couch... 

Presuming that she was worried about Rajshri's surgery she tried to pacify Mishty by indulging in talks about Abir and Kunal.. their pranks..

Later in the evening Nihaal too came and spent some time with the duo..

Rajshri was brought to her room sedated and after the cursory look allowed they were back at the lounge..

Mishty's phone chimed ..

She hurriedly opened the message...

" Reached the hotel...ab Tum batao..Kya hua abtak.."

Mishty typed in the afternoon events and informed Abir about Nihaal's opinion on  decision on surgery..

Abir gulped the teeny bit of insecure feeling he got around Nihaal and Mishty ..

Surgery with in one week?!

He typed back.

Don't worry..I will be there by that time...khabraane ki ko zaroorath nahi..be strong.."

*****

Four days went in a blur...

Mishty chatted with Abir whenever both could which was rare as Abir was busy in managing the fall out at the project site.Even though both were living for the moment they could talk...each one guarded their responses as if it were fort Knox..

Doctors fixed the date of Rajshri's surgery as per Nihaal's prediction..

Kunal  Kuhu and Meenakshii regularly visited Rajshri .who was now being prepped for surgery..

Sometimes Parul or Kunal or Kuhu took responsibility to stay with Mishty during the night..as she was adamant in not leaving the hospital...

*****

Abir on the other hand was toiling hard to fortify the security measures in the construction..Managing the paper work regarding the accident  and propelling the project forward  that Neil had to ask...

" Abir...you can't go on at this pace bro...take a break ...if you need to go back so urgently. then.call Piya... she'll come.na?"

Abir smiled as he put on his safety helmet..

" Piya is a pro in handling people Neil...and design , construction and safety is my area of expertise..so let me complete mine and then I'll call Piya...I already told her about Massima's date of surgery..she will relieve me on time I guess..."

Neil just shaked his head in exasperation.

******

The day before the surgery.

Meenakshi,Parul ,Nanu  all were at the hospital all day long..

Rajshri was tired...but was concious and happy to see all..

Mishty,Kunal , Kuhu looked at her through the glass panel...due to limitations on visitors..

Meenakshi held Rajshri's weak hand....

"Maine Kal Ghar Mein Maha mrithyunjay hom rakhwaya hai Rajshri...hum Kal nahi mil sakthi...lekin agli baar jab milenge tab maa Ambe ka aashirwad Aur Prasad ke saath aaoongi."

Rajshri pressed Meenakshi's hand with a weak smile...

She looked at the glass panel...

Seeing the kids over there her smile widened....but withered away as her eyes soughted Meenakshi's..

" Abiir..??"

Meenakshi looked at Rajshri uncomfortably...

"Woh...abhi Tak uska kaam finish nahi hua hai ..tum tension Kyu le rahe ho... surgery ke baad milna usse..."

Rajshri's eyes went to Mishty...then sighed..

Meenakshi'a eyes followed her gaze..and she looked at Nanu dejectedly..

" Sirf 2 khante ka travel Haina... Kal woh zaroor aajayega. "

Nanu said encouragingly...

" Mujhe Abir se kuch kehna tha... Meenakshii,."

Rajshri's tired broken voice brought pain to Meenakshi's face..

" Mujhe pata hai ki tumhe Kya kehna hai..Aur sab kuch Jo kehna hai achi hone ke baad kehna"

Rajshri smiled sadly...

"Agar mauka nahi Mila toh...?.. mujhe is surgery ki risk ke baare Mein pata hai Meenakshii..

Shayad Meri yaadein kho jaayegi...kahin Meri baat adhoora na reh jaaye.."

" Toh Mein Teri zubaan banoongi...tum ab kuch mat socho...

Bauji...Parul...hum yahaan baithe rahenge toh yeh humein rulayenge..."

Meenakshi said in a bleak tone...

****

They stayed till the evening...

Kuhu decided to stay with Mishty...her face already drawn into misery..and dread..and Mishty had to be pleasant and optimistic to pluck Kuhu out of her dreadful thoughts...

After much pressure Mishty made Kuhu eat something for dinner..

Kunal looked at both faces...

One white with fear and the other hiding her fear and putting on the strong face as he had asked her to do ...

Mishty won't be able to hold on for long time...

" Acha...aise face to face dekhke bore ho Gaya Hoon. Mein Zara outdoor ka maza leke aata Hoon...any body coming?"

Mishty looked at him questioningly..and Kunal winked silently at her...

" Woh bike Mein khuli Hawa  khake ek drive ho jaaye toh thoda acha feel hoga na.."

Kuhu looked at Kunal  expectantly...

" Acha Tum do yahaan sad faces banake baitho ..Mein yun Gaya aur aaya.."

"Kunal..." Kuhu called out as he turned..

"Mishti mein bhi jaaoo...tum toh yahaan se nahi hilne wali...mujhe na kuch distraction chahiye.varna mein tension see paagal ho jaaoongi."

Mishti smiled at Kunal's ploy..

" Jaao na...Aur Mein bilkul theek Hoon...mere bare Mein mat socho..have little masti and come back..."

"Mishty..thoda late ho Gaya toh.. distraction se ek amazing place ka yaad aagaya..."

Kunal looked at Mishty..

" No problem...Mein thodi der Badimaa ko kuch read Kar deti Hoon Aur phir with out tum donon ke Bak Bak ache see so jaati Hoon..lekin Kunal keep her safe.."

Kuhu's spirits were lifting as she hugged Mishty.

At the foyer Kunal turned and waved Mishty..she mouthed " thanks.."

*****

After reading out a bit to Rajshri... Mishty kissed her forehead and walked back to the lounge.yawning ...and was frozen for seconds with her mouth still open...

A travel bag and briefcase kept to the side of the couch....

A suit coat and vest thrown on the couch...

And Abir leaning on to the couch... half asleep...

Mishty's hand flew to her mouth to stifle the sudden urge to call out his name...

Slowly she approached him..

Abir felt her coming to him...his Mishalert..

He sat up and looked at her...

" Tum theek ho na..?"

His concerned question brought a smile to her face as she nodded..and sat beside him.

" Tum ne bataya nahi ki aaj aa rahe ho.. Chotima ne kaha ki kaam finish nahi hua hai..meetings chal Rahi hai aisa kuch.."

Mishty asked Abir as she took in his sunken eyes , unshaven face and tired posture...

" Haan... meetings tha... finished off important meetings...baaki Mein yahaan se karloonga...and Piya will leave to Toronto tomorrow.."

Abir rubbed his neck to relieve the stiffness...

"Massima kaisi hai?"

" Woh ...Chotimaa se tumhare bare Mein pooch Rahi thi..... thanks tum time pe aagaya.."

Mishty said lowering her eyes... thankful to God ..

Abir took her hand in his...

" Ab Tak tumhari thanks kehne wali aadath choota nahi hai Kya...Mera wahaan kaam pe Mann Kaisa lagtha jab yahaan sab pareshaan hai.. tumhi bataao...isliye Mein Chala aaya"

His soothing touch ruffled the butterflies in her stomach..she tried to keep her heart beat calm...

" Pata Hain..Aur yeh bhi pata hai ki Parul Massi bhi Kitni worried thi.. shayad unki woh Neil se baat Hui thi...keh Rahi thi ki tum kuch zyaada hi work ki pressure le raheho..."

"Zyaada kahaan Roz toh kartha Hoon"

Abir said absently caressing her hand with his thumb...

Mishty looked at his tired face.. though she would like very much to sit beside him . . holding his hand... Abir needed rest...and he came straight to hospital instead of home...to her..

For an instant hope sparked in her...

May be he came for her..

..

The next instant she squashed her thought..he came for Badimaa..!

She kept her palm on his...

"You came here straight from airport na...go and freshen up.. I'll round up something to eat...Chalo.."

Abir looked at their hands ... Not ready to let go...

Mishty slowly withdrew hers ..

Abir sighed and stretched before getting up and taking out his Dopp kit and change of clothes....

As he was about to walk to the washroom Mishty gave him the towel...

****

Abir felt as if he is in a dream...as he stood under the hot shower.....

his fingers doodling Mishty on the misted mirror...

*****

Mishty had arranged cut apples and water bottles by the time Abir freshened up.

" Tum itne din iss cubicle ke ander kaise reh li...?"

Abir asked her playfully as he sat down on  the couch opposite to Mishty..

Mishty just smiled... knowing very well that he knew she would never leave Badimaa ....

Abir bit into the slices and offered her some..

"Flight Mein Khana khaya tha Kya..poora khalo aur so jaao.."

Mishty said looking at her watch...

"Waise ...aaj tum akeli kaise...massi ya Kuhu koi nahin aaya Kya? jab mein aaya tum Massima ki paas thi..Aur koi bhi nahin tha.. "

Abir asked as the thought struck him..

" Kuhu Aur Kunal ruka tha..abhi Tak toh unhe aajaana chahiye tha ...umm..woh Kunal took Kuhu for an outing...she was.. feeling low.. you know..mein bhi use sambhaal nahin paa Rahi thi..."

Mishty said in low voice....

"Aur tum keh Rahi hai ki tum theek ho..."

Abir looked at her tenderly with a tinge of pride...

" Mein ab theek Hoon.."

Mishty looked Abir in his eyes...and Abir nodded... stifling a yawn..

Mishty got up and removed the plate and  took out the  cushions and blankets..

He took them from her and kept them in the couch..

"Tum so nahi rahe ho ?"

Abir asked eyeing at her couch with out blankets..

" Woh mein Kunal aur Kuhu ka wait Karthi Hoon.."

" Toh mein bhi company deta Hoon.na."

Abir stretched his limbs again and cranked his neck side ways..

Mishty laughed at him...

" 5 mt mein tum so jaaoge ...abhi mein tired nahi Hoon lekin tum ho .."

" Lekin..pata nahi so paaonga ki nahi.yeh.."

Abir rubbed the back of his neck... closing his eyes...

"Let me.."

Abir felt her hands on his shoulders....

He looked up ... surprised

" It's okay...no need.."

" Chup chap aankhein band Karo Aur mujhe help karne do...tum mujhe akeli dekhke yahaa ruka na? Ghar toh tum aaraam see jaa sakthe the..! So let me return the favor."

Abir remembered the days when she wouldn't leave even after he slept... taking care of him all the ways she can just because he stood for her...

" Tum na..thodi si bhi nahi badli ho..."

He said looking at her..his head leaning on the couch..

Mishty smiled as her hands slowly kneaded the taunt muscle cricks ..

Abir's eye lids closed on their own volition....

Thoroughly immersed under the magic of her fingers..

Soothing away his tensions....

Gently threading through his hair...

Softly tickling his ears...

Abir's dream sequence

Her lips..... pressing on his forehead..

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r4aNEmU5aH0lnUYtrnMOXsWVus2QWprf/view?usp=drivesdk

Ehsas ki jo zubaan ban gaye

Ehsas ki jo zubaan ban gaye

Dil mein mere mehman ban gaye

Abir's hand twirled on Mishty''s hand on his shoulder...and slowly he brought it to his lips...he pulled her to his lap...

Aap ki tareef mein kya kahein

Aap humari jaan ban gaye

Aap humari jaan ban gaye

He trailed his fingers along her cheek... while she cupped his face lightly...

Aap hi rabb aap imaan ban gaye

Aap humari jaan ban gaye

His  arms moved along her waist to envelope her...

She moves shyly  away from him towards the glass windows....

Qismat se humein aap humdum mil gaye.      

  Abir follow her and hug her from back..

Jaise ki dua ko alfaz mil gaye.                

            She tilts her head to rest on his shoulders...

Socha jo nahi woh haasil ho gaya.        

             Mishty turns as Abir sit down on one knee....

Chaahun aur kya ki khuda de ab mujhe.     

     Pulling her softly around to make her sit on him...

Rabb se mila ek ayan ban gaye.           

              He gently threads his fingers along her neck...

Khwabon ka mere mukaam ban gaye.     

       Teasing her earrings..and cupped her cheeks..

Aap ki tareef mein kya kahein..       

             Mishbir eyelock as both are up .. she shyly lower eyes

Aap humari jaan ban gaye.               

 Abir lifts Mishty's chin and holds her tightly along her waist 

Aap humari jaan ban gaye.              

  ..

as she turns around giving in to his back hug..

Aap hi rabb aap imaan ban gaye........

Abir turn around as their backs face each other both hands entwining in sync

Deen hai ilaahi mera maan hai mahi

Main to sajda karun unko

Arz ruvai meri farz gavahi meri

Ishq hua mujhko

Deen hai ilaahi mera maan hai mahi.   

Abir face her and twirl her along...

Main to sajda karun unko

Arz ruvai meri farz gavahi meri

Ishq hua mujhko.            .....      

  Mishty laces her hands around his neck and kisses his forehead

Jaan ban gaye!

******

Mishty slowly withdrew her fingers caressing his silky soft curls..

Abir was asleep.... She dimmed the lights and then slowly laid him down on the couch from his leaning position...

Wrapped the blanket over him...

As she adjusted the blanket..his hand sought hers..and kept on his cheek..

Mishty looked at his face alarmed...and let out a sigh of relief at the sight of his sleeping face..

She moved lightly and with out removing her hand from his just shaved chin she pulled near and sat on a chair by his head......

Slowly caressing and as time went by her eyes too became heavy.....

****

Two figures came in hand in hand....

As they entered the dimmed foyer they suddenly left their hand hold...

One signalled the other not to make any noise...

Both took off their shoes and tiptoed in...

Expecting Mishty to be asleep on the couch....

But the sight of Mishty sleeping with her head resting on the armrest of the couch on which another person was sleeping alerted them....

One crept to take a closer look....the other followed closely..

Realization dawned on both at the same time..

One started to call-out in surprise as the other cupped the mouth..and shook  head sideways.

They both looked at the sleeping duo...and one took a blanket and tucked around Mishty... slowly removing her specks...as the other looked on with mixed emotions ....