- 35 -
It was Sunday.
There were a few minutes to five in the morning. Although Alok had woken up yet he had not left his bed. His mobile started buzzing. Rani's name was flashing on the screen. He took the call.
“Good morning Alok Ji, were you sleeping?”
“Very good morning, I’m awake but still in bed. Calling so early in the morning?”
“Yesterday I shifted in the flat. For the first time in life, I stayed alone at night outside home, at a totally unknown place. I couldn’t wink even for a moment. Strange thoughts kept bombarding. I kept tossing in bed. My mind kept holding me responsible for my present condition. It castigated me for ruining a well settled family life to fulfil a desire. Alok Ji, am I really so selfish? Am I solely responsible for this condition? Is Ramesh Ji blemish free?”
“Rani, don't trouble yourself by thinking so much. If you’re not expecting Ramesh Ji or someone on his behalf to visit you today, I can come down for a few hours or even you may come to Patiala.”
“Ok, I’m coming. Will it be right for me to come in Jaswanti’s presence?”
“There should be no problem. If need be, I’ll tell her that you’re an acquaintance. Get ready and come down quickly. We’ll have breakfast together.”
“Every moment that I spent in the flat was torturous. Only I know how I passed the time.”
“Then do this. Leave the flat right away. Do have your bath etc. here at Patiala. We’ll have morning tea together.”
“I’m leaving in ten minutes.”
When Rani arrived, Alok made a move to go to the kitchen to make tea. Rani said, “Alok Ji, you sit; I’ll make tea.”
“Rani, I notice that lately you’re behaving in a totally different manner.”
“What type of difference have you noticed, Alok Ji?”
“Instead of addressing me informally as usual, you’ve started addressing me as Alok Ji and all.”
“From now on, I’ll not be able to address you as I used to do so far. Please don't ask why. Just understand that it’s my heart’s desire.”
“Rani, you’ve disarmed me by your feelings and love. I’m really moved. Neither I shall ask any question nor raise any objection. You’re at liberty to act the way you like.”
While sipping tea and thereafter, they kept discussing the future possibilities and scenario. Alok advised her to get used to staying alone for the next six-seven months. When Alok sensed that Rani was somewhat relaxed, he said, “Now you may get fresh, then we’ll think of the breakfast etc.”
“Okay, but you’ll not do anything in the kitchen today, let me do that.”
“As you please.”
By the time Rani came out of the bathroom, Alok was also ready. He said, “Make sandwiches for breakfast. We’ll have a proper lunch. Should I bring anything from the market for breakfast?”
Rani opened the fridge. Milk, bread, cheese and butter were available. So, she said, “Nothing is required, everything is available in the fridge. Wait just for ten minutes.”
“Waiting has its own charm. Should I help you?”
Rani smilingly said, “Enjoy the waiting.”
While having breakfast, Alok said, “Rani, Vinay had come. He was asking about our relationship and was worried about your future.”
“What did you say?”
To test Rani’s tolerance and patience, Alok said in a serious note, “I said how I’m concerned with their divorce. How I could say what she would do after the divorce.”
Alok paused to watch her reaction. She understood that he was teasing her. She calmly said, “You did the right job. Who was getting divorce and how would they live thereafter, why should you bother? After all who’s Rani to you?”
Alok continued in the same tone, “If it was so, then why did you feel so shattered on spending the very first night alone in the flat?”
“That was just an excuse to meet you; else you wouldn’t have even bothered to enquire about me. After all who’s Rani to you?”
“Enough of joking. Now keep one thing in mind that from now on, you won't blame yourself for anything that has happened. I don't see it as a fault of either side. It was ordained this way. It was bound to happen. Now wait bravely till the court's decision comes. Don’t grieve. There’s now little gap left between the cup and the lips. The period of separation will be over in no time. Once the date is fixed, the time flies without our realising it. It’s said that time and separation serve as the catalytic agents for the blossoming of love.”
“On the contrary, although a date has been fixed, yet the period of waiting seems, too, long. It feels as if the time has come to a standstill; it’s not moving at all.”
“Rani, Jaswanti is about to come. Let’s move to the drawing room.”
And they got up from the lobby and came to the drawing room. As soon as they entered the drawing room, Rani’s eyes fell on a letter-like poster on the top left of which was printed the words in bold letters ‘Thank you’ and there was the photo of the Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi beneath it.
Rani asked, “What’s Modi Sahib thanking you for?”
“PM Modi had appealed to the countrymen to give up subsidy on the cooking gas in March, 2015. He had reminded them of their duties vis-a-vis their rights granted under the Constitution. Acting on his appeal, I gave up the subsidy on the gas cylinder. The govt. gives the subsidy for the welfare of the people who’re not so well off. If the financially well-off people also take the benefit of such subsidy, then indirectly they make a dent in the resources earmarked for the aid of the poor. We can’t even imagine what kind of results can be achieved from a good beginning! So far, more than one crore families have given up the subsidy on the gas cylinder. With the money, thus, saved, PM Modi is determined to save those unfortunate people from the hazards of smoke who do the cooking on the earthen stoves by burning wood. So far, more than two crore poor families have been given free gas connections.”
“You’re quite right that the well-off people by taking subsidy usurp the rights of the poor.”
After sometime, Jaswanti came. On seeing an unknown lady sitting with Alok, she greeted both of them and asked Alok, “Sahib Ji, what should I prepare today?”
“Jaswanti, we’ve already taken our breakfast. Don't make anything for lunch too; we’ll take care of that ourselves. Just do the cleaning and mopping.”
Jaswanti thought that she had never seen this lady earlier but she seemed to be a close acquaintance of Sahib who was asking her to prepare lunch also. Without taxing her mind further, she started doing her work. When she had left, Alok said, “Look Rani, you had proposed to have lunch somewhere outside. I think we should prepare lunch at home or order it from the ‘Tandoor’ because it would be very hot in the afternoon. In the evening, we’ll go to Kali Mata temple, stroll for a while in the Bara Dari and have dinner in some nice restaurant.”
Rani said in a jubilant tone, “It means you won't let me go to my home even at night.”
Alok said teasingly, “You call that flat your home! Say it again with your hand upon your heart …!”
Overwhelmed by Alok’s comment, Rani’s said, “Oh, Alok Ji, you love me so much!
Tum hi ho dil mein, tumhi meri nigahon mein
Na aur aayega ab koi meri rahon mein
Karoon na aarzoo marne ke baad jannat ki
Agar ye zindagi guzare tumhari bahon mein”
(Only you’re in my heart, and in my eyes
Nobody else will now come in my life
I won’t wish for heaven after death
If this life passes in your arms.)
*****
