It was evening; I was preparing myself for the plan. A hope those last sentences had built in it, I opened the diary to the last page. 

"Mai Phir Bhi Tumko Chahuhgi... Mai Phir Bhi Tumko Chahugi..." There was a saying that music could express feelings. And I had decided to give it a practical try. That song held a place in her heart and may those bottled-up feeling get a path to flow out. 

I got myself ready and walked towards the hall. Few members were present. Unlike typical wedding where the bride took ages to dress up, the bride was already present in the ceremony. There was no clue of the groom, I knew he won't descend before an hour. I shook my head and with a smile walked towards Shehnaaz. She passed a smile at me, "I thought every girl needs an hour to dress up." 

"I too had the same thought, before meeting your buddy, but he proved me wrong." We both laughed at our joke on Raghav. 

There was silence for a second, then Shehnaaz started with Sana's topic. "Actually... dad's behaviour last night. I apologise, he had some misunderstanding which is now sorted out. Mom spoked that he will have a conversation to you about the same..." Indirectly inquiring if he did. 

"Yes, he spoke to me and I understand." I nodded not going into detail. 

"You know about her past, she had suffered a lot." I stared at her for a second, should I disclose the matter to her? 

"Do you know about the diary torn pages?" I inquired, she glanced at me in alarm.

"You read the diary?" I gave a nod, "I have no idea who torn it. Wahi toh source hai jo hume Sana ke past ke bare mein kuch idea de sakta hai. Punjab mein destination weeding karne ka reason hi yahi tha, ki sayad Sana ka past jan kar kuch ho. Sana ki health mein koi improvement aaye, par sayad faith wanted something else tabhi toh dekho na, ek naya Kullu Sana is life mein entry kar gaya." She was smiling in delight unaware of the real truth, I didn't opened my mouth. Was not aware how would she react if I unfold the truth? 

"Kya Punjab mein Sana ki koi dost nahi hai, jo Sana ko janti ho? Uske past ko...?" 

"Wah yaar! Ladke walo mein koi toh punctual hai, warna toh saare late latif hi deekh rahe the mujhe..." Shehbaaz entered and the conversation was left incomplete. 

_____

Soon the hall was packed but the most important soul was missing from the ceremony. My eyes were searching for her when someone nudged my shoulder. 

"Kisko dudh raha hai?" Neetu di had that teasing smile on, I narrowed my eyes. 

"Mujhe nahi lagta woh aayegi, and if aayegi bhi toh she won't be able to tolerate the crowd." Preethi di spoke shocking me up, how did she got to know about her condition? "Aunty ne mom ko bataya ki Uncle ne kal aisa kyu behave kara tha. He was concerned regarding Sana, and right at his place." 

"Ha!" Neetu di jointed, "hum ne uncle ko galat samjha but shocking part was ki Sana ki halat aur bigad gayi hai in these two years. Maybe sayad woh tujh se alag nahi hoti toh ab tak teekh ho gayi hoti." Those words by di were making me guilty, how should I tell them? I was not her cure but the reason behind her state. The feeling was frustrating, more frustrating than the one I felt on knowing about her marriage.

"Kya chal raha hai?" Raghav walked towards us, crossing his arms around my shoulder. "Tum saare prepared ho, right? Sara ko Shehbaaz ko harana hai..." And the rest laughed while I pressed a smile at them. 

"Tereko problem kya hai? Meko tease karna band kar..." Sara who accompanied him grumbled. Fulling annoyed with her brother. 

"Toh tu kyu mere aur buddy ke beech aati hai? Maine tease karna hi hai... woh dekho She..." Raghav was on the verge of calling Shehbaaz, but Sara pinched him hard. "Ah!... What the hell!" 

"Mai mar dungi tujhe, ek bhi awaj nikali toh muh se." Showing him dead shot eyes and making him scared, she walked from there. 

"Samjhti kya hai yaar, yeh khud ko?" Sounding like an innocent kid. 

"Teri behan..." and there was a loud crack of laughter, and I participated this time. 

"Ladies and gentleman, as we know we had accumulated over here to celebrate sangeet of our beloved couple. So, why to waste time? Let's start with it." The hall was filled with cheers and applause on Navya's announcement.

There was dance performance one after the other, and my eyes were shining seeing my family celebrating the function with full swing. I had made myself comfortable on one of the corners when mom walked towards me. I was so engrossed with the surrounding that I didn't get time to have a talk with mom about it. 

"She needs you..." those were the first word which came from her mouth. She was sitting beside me, her eyes on those who were dancing. 

"I know... but I am not sure if I can help her to recover, she is lost in the darkness." My eyes staring upstairs from where I could get a glimpse of her room. 

"Waiting for her ray of hope to come and brighten her life as before. I don't know what was her past? Mere liye Sana hamesha woh hogi jise maine woh dus din tak dekha hai. Mujhe uske past se kuch lena dena nahi hai, mai bus chahti hu ki uska future bright ho." I was always proud of my mom and she did prove to me why I loved her that much? Unlike other mom she didn't care about her past, her concern was her future. 

"Mom... I love you," that made her chuckle. "Don't you want to question me about last night incident? About me and Sana locked in a room?" 

"I trust my son, and I know he is mature enough not to pull such stunts. It would definitely be a result of some of my immature kid, am I right?" She inquired and I nodded. 

"Those kids which won't ever turn mature..." I shook my head and she laughs hard. 

"Sid! What are you doing over here? Come! We need your help... we need to defeat them." Sara walked towards me along with Neetu di. 

"Have you lost it! I am not going to dance..." I shoved them away, they glanced at mom with hope. 

"Why not sing?" Mom suggested, I widen my eyes. 

"Mom! Please no!" 

"Why no! You can't back off with singing too..." with that I was dragged to the stage. 

"I can't sing!" I was trying to escape but none was in a mood to let me go. 

"Come on! Stop lying, I know during school days, you were a rockstar." Di objected and I was a trap.  

"Siddharth! Siddharth!" The amusing stuff was bride members were too cheering my name. I closed my eyes, turning nervous. Sana's face flashed in front of me, I was going to do it for Sana.

 ___{Readers are requested to play Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga in background}_____

Tum Mere Ho Iss Pal Mere Ho 
Kal Shayad Yeh Aalam Na rahe 

As I opened my eyes, I visualize Sana in front of me. It was my fantasy but I was going to cherish it. She stepped towards me, enveloping her hand around my neck. Her brown orbs staring into mine, with loneliness. That loneliness which she was experiencing from so many years, I had made her experience it. 

Kuch Aisa Ho Tum Tum Na Raho 
Kuch Aisa Ho Hum, Hum Na Rahein... 

My thumbs were caressing her cheeks, while her hand on my chest. My heartbeat raising its pace on its own account. She was shivering under my touch, I swing her around. She was looking like a doll in my gifted yellow dress. Giggling as she had one turn, so unlike the Sana at the present. Giggle was a long way, I wished only if I could see her smile. 

Yeh Raaste Alag Ho Jaye
Chalte Chalte Hum Kho Jaayein....

We were fluctuating on the tone, our eyes not desiring to leave each other. My grip on her tighten, I never wanted to lose her. Never ever! She was my lifeline and I knew it the moment she had left me in that road alone but I was her source of survival that I got to know from her parents. Her condition was worse than I could imagine, and it showed how deeply she loved me. 

At that moment someone touched my arm, and I was brought back to reality. Couples were dancing around, enjoying the song. I shook my head, I had lost it! She had turned me insane for me, I was so lost in her that I forgot, I was standing among the crowd. 

Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga... 
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga... 
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahuga....
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga...

I glanced at the room door, no glimpse of her presence. Getting disappointed I looked away, she was not going to come. Was it that difficult to bring her back to life? Won't I ever get her back? I was at fault, but can't faith shower me with one last chance. 

Meri Jaan Mein Har Khamoshi Mein 
Tere Pyaar Ke Naghme Gaaunga
Mmmm.... 

Brushing off the tears from the corner of my eyes, and wearing a sunglass to conceal it from the crowd. I was losing hope with each passing second, and along with it losing myself. Though the misunderstanding had killed every single hope, the truth of twins did double it. I felt I was back to track after ages, but I couldn't work without getting any reaction out of her. She was my motivator, my encourager, I needed her support on the path. 

Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga...
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga...
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahuga....
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga...

It was getting difficult for me to sing further, I was on the verge to walk off leaving it incomplete. The crowd had stood silent, and didn't glance at anyone. I knew the eyes were fixed on me and turned myself to just walk. The footstep halted me on my track. I darted my gaze at the direction, with a delighted face. She was there! I was not hallucinating, she was descending for real. 

Aise Zaroori Ho Mujhko Tum 
Jaise Hawayein Saanson Ko 
Aise  Talashun Main Tumko 
Jaise ki Per Zameeno Ko 

I had no control over my tears, they were in authority. There was some murmur going on but my eyes were on her, she was looking lost. She had worn the night suit. I heard Shehbaaz whisper but he didn't move from his place. On glancing at the direction I found Mr Gill holding him back. 

Her eyes were searching for someone, and her legs making her path towards me. Her each step towards me was making me skip my breath. Had she recognized me? Had I got my moti back? With underlying hope, I too stepped towards her singing those lyrics which compiled her down. 

Hansna Ya Rona Ho Mujhe 
Paagal sa Dhoondu Main Tumhe 

Behaving like insane, smiling and crying at the same time. I was not able to believe my eyes, she was present before me. I was going to touch her much to my surprise she crossed, leaving me startled. 

Kal Mujhse Mohabbat Ho Na Ho
Kal Mujhko Ijazat Ho Na Ho
Toote Dil Ke Tukde Lekar
Tere Darr Pe Hi Reh Jaaunga
Mmm...

I turned myself to glance at her, she was staring out of the glass window. Unbothered with thousands of eyes accumulated on her. She had her physical presence but mentally she was far beyond we could visualize. 

Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga
Iss Chahat Mein Marr Jaaunga
Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga

My eyes wandering around her, she was roaming around the entire hall. I paused for a second as my eyes had turned moist. My heart was filled with emotions on seeing her condition. I had lost her, the love she had for me, I had lost it. The love which had no expectation, I was not even aware that she had some feeling towards me. I was craving to know about it but she was far beyond my reach, I had surely lost her. 

Tum yun mile ho jabse mujhe
Aur sunehari main lagti hoon
Sirf labon se nahi ab toh
Poore badan se hansti hoon

All of us was stunned seeing her humming the lyrics. Her mother was sobbing silently as she heard her voice maybe hearing after ages. 

Mere din raat salone se
Sab hai tere hi hone se

Yeh saath hamesha hoga nahin
Tum aur kahin main aur kahin

The smile she had on her face, suddenly disappeared. Her eyes sharing the pain that she was witnessing. I took step towards her, she shifted her gaze. 

Lekin jab yaad karoge tum
Main banke hawaa aa jaaunga
O...

She smiled a fake one as if had a doubt. And soon made her way towards me, with a hope. 

Main phir bhi tumko chahunga
Main phir bhi tumko chahunga
Iss chahat mein marr jaunga
Main phir bhi tumko chahunga

An inch away from me, and she removed the sunglasses I had on. Her eye brimming tears, and shivering hands making her way to my cheeks.

"Kullu" she whispered.

Main phir bhi tumko chahunga
Main phir bhi tumko chahunga
Main phir bhi tumko chahunga
Main phir bhi tumko chahunga

A smile which was reaching my eyes, hand coverings her that were on my cheeks. Holding firmly, and nodding in agreement. She called me Kullu....!

And a second later, before I could celebrate the happiness, she laid unconscious in my arms.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Today, I won't ask how was the part, as I enjoyed writing it to the fullest. Songs do some magic to me, lyrics are the thing which I live for.

You all better enjoy the part the way I did!

Thanks for reading it, because that's the only reason I was able to write something so beautiful. I am glad that I took a decision to re-write it because I am loving this version, like hell!

Don't forget to vote! Give your views, share the story! Follow me up for the latest news on my book. Anything else is left? Yes, save this book in the reading list and in your library. Okay, I had learned to advertise myself, big achievement!