Epilogue

 

I was trying hard to speak but my voice wasn’t supporting me, my lips were trembling and finally when I gained the strength to speak all I could speak was “love you pa papa”.

I was stammering while I said papa. After saying this I looked at Sameer who was shaking his head in disbelief. I knew he wanted me to vent out my feelings but if I couldn’t do it in all these years, how could i have done it now? It wasn’t easy for me why couldn’t he understand that?

I looked at papa whose eyes were closed. So many thoughts were running in my mind seeing him like this. The most important question that was running in my mind was what made him come here? In all these years he didn’t bother to check on me even when I used to have high fever why all of a sudden he was here? Who brought him here? Who changed his mind?

RAKESH AGARWAL’s POV

When I entered the hospital I was nervous I had no idea how would I face Naina? So much was going on in my mind that each step towards her room was making it difficult for me to think straight. When I entered the room I saw her lying on the bed and when she saw me, for a moment I was paralyzed on the spot. After few seconds when I started walking towards her she turned her face to the opposite direction. I feared this only, I knew she wouldn’t like me being here.

I looked at Sameer with an ‘i-told-you’ look.

I clearly remembered, I was in a meeting when Sameer’s phone came. He requested me to come to the hospital, I was going to ask him why when he said Naina was dying and the phone fell from my hand. I was numb for few seconds but then when my colleagues asked me what happened I realized I was talking to Sameer. I immediately picked up my phone and told Sameer that I was on my way but suddenly I realized something. I didn’t know if sameer knew about our equation or not, but I hesitantly asked him would she like me being there? And Sameer replied she would love to see me there. I thought may be he didn’t know about our equation that’s why gave such an answer. However, I quickly dismissed the meeting and rushed out from my office towards the hospital.

Upon reaching the hospital I inquired about naina’s room and everyone present there were giving weird looks. I ignored them and went towards the room. Sameer sighed seeing me, before I could ask him anything he pulled me inside the room where I saw a pale naina lying on the bed with tubes inserted in her hands. It reminded me of naina’s mother, she too was lying on bed like this, sweat started forming on my forehead and I gently wiped it hoping nothing worse should happen. When she turned her face sameer was nudging her to speak something and nothing was making sense to me, I was just looking at Naina with a plain look.

When Naina looked at me I could see and feel that she wanted to say something but when she said “love you pa pa” I had not expected this, it was a pure shock for me.

I thought she would ask me about my behaviour towards her, blame me for not loving her but when she said she loves me I didn’t know how to react or what to speak. This was just increasing my guilt which was already at its peak.

I always wanted a son who could expand my business but when Naina was born I was little disappointed but still happy that maybe next time we would have a son. But, the final blow came when rama died after giving birth to Naina. Doctor told me that rama knew that if she continued her pregnancy she could even die at the time of delivery yet she continued with it. She hid the fact from me, if I had known this at the start I would have preferred her over the baby as I loved her very much. We would have gone for abortion, even if t would have been a son, I couldn’t lose her she was my world. I couldn’t even meet her for the last time as she died immediately after giving birth to Naina.

After that I never wanted to see the face of the child neither wanted to love that child because of whom my love my wife died. At that time I had not one, but many reasons for that but with time I gradually realized how wrong I was. I realized that rama went ahead with the pregnancy just for me, she wanted me to become a father and I should have respected her thoughts. Above all I realized it wasn’t Naina’s mistake that rama died just after giving birth to her.

When ever Naina used to come first or used to win some competition I used to feel proud but my reasons of hating her always came in between and never allowed me to fully enjoy it. Naina was indeed the best child one could have and she proved to be a better child and did more than what a son could have done probably.

But by the time I realized this, it was too late I couldn’t undo my mistake nor I could face Naina. It was better if things went the way they were going. From then on, I was trying to escape the confrontation, I was trying to escape the questions which Naina would have asked me if we had talked. I was trying to avoid confrontation by not coming in front of her, I used to go out on business trip often just so that we didn’t meet. I hired best people to take care of naina and made sure she had everything that she needed even without asking. This was my way of silently loving her but perhaps it wasn’t a good one.

But today, I realized me escaping it made things worst. If I wouldn’t have escaped it rather faced it may be this situation wouldn’t have happened ever. Seeing Naina’s condition now I realized how big a mistake I made by escaping the confrontation. If I would have done that we would have lived a happy life just like every father daughter did perhaps.

NARRATOR’s POV

After Sameer heard naina, he looked at Naina with a disappointed look and then at Rakesh and shook his head.

“Swati tumhe pata hai logo ke dill main boht kuch hota hai lekin jab waqt hota hai bolne ka tab bolte nahiin, uss chees se bhagte hain or aisa karte huye vo yeh bhool jate hain ki halaton se abhi toh bhag sakte hain ya usse thodi der ke liye taal sakte hain lekin vo permanent solution nahiin hota hai” Sameer said while looking at naina. Naina turned to look at Sameer after she heard him.

“Waise hero baat toh pate ki kii hai tumne” Swati said.

“Pata hai Swati miene yeh apne experience se samjha hai. Agar mien doston ki baton main aaker vo sab na karta or sach sach bol deta toh shayad mujhe or dhoondna hi nahiin padta kyunki jisse mien dhoond raha tha vo toh mere samne hi thi. Or agar vo apne dill ki baat mujhe pehle bata deti toh shayad cheese or achi hoti hain na” Sameer asked swati but was looking directly at naina’s eyes. Both looked at each other, their eyes met for the first time ever. Both of them stopped breathing and kept looking at each other as if, if they removed their eyes from each other, the other would disappear.

“Exactly mere bhai tum dono agar sach pehle hi bolte toh shayad itna sab nahiin sehna padta infact khushi bhari life jee rahe hote tum dono” Munna said with a smile and Sameer just smiled while still looking at naina.

Naina looked towards Sameer then towards Swati and then finally towards Munna and was totally confused hearing them. But Rakesh, he sighed as he understood few things.

He looked at Naina and said “Naina hum operation ke baad baat karenge kyunki boht saari batien karni hai boht saari galat faimiya door karni hai”

Naina smiled hearing this from her father, she was excited and was looking forward to this conversation. She was ready to forget the past if in return she received LOVE that she craved for from a very long time. She wanted to witness what love and caring meant and if for that she would have to stay alive she was more than ready to live life. She now wanted to live and experience the four letter word which was LOVE.

Before any one could speak anything more the doctor came and said that it was time for the operation. Sameer smiled and nodded his head in agreement. He knew rakesh’s presence and his one sentence would have forced naina to change her decision from dying to living. His words were not just for naina but rakesh too. It would have been wrong if he would have confronted rakesh, no matter how much he wanted to but he knew it would be best if either of them took the initiative, only then things could improve. Perhaps him forcing the confrontation could have spoiled things rather improving. Everyone wished Naina and went out.

Sameer was walking towards the exit when something striked him and he turned back. Naina was confused seeing him walking towards her.

Sameer bent down and whispered in her ears “I love you or yeh kab, kahan or kaise hua janne ke liye tumhe operation theatre se sahi salamat lautna hoga phir bataonga, tab tak ke liye isse suspense hi rehne do”

Naina’s eyes widened with horror and she looked at Sameer. Sameer smiled and winked at her. Naina blushed and when she realized it she was surprised at her own action. ‘Am I blushing’ Naina asked herself but was loud enough for Sameer. He smiled and said “you look cute while blushing”. This behaviour of Sameer and herself was something new to her and she was already loving every bit of it. She started thinking if start of new beginning was like this how the things would be later on.

Naina was taken by the nurse towards the operation theater and Sameer and doctor saw her going.

Sameer was about to leave when doctor called and said “miene uski aakhon main jeene ki chah pehli baar dekhi hai. Uski aakhon main kuch der pehle ek ajeeb si mayusi thi or ab uski aakhon main khushi hai. Do mahino se uski aakhien uska chehra cheek cheek (shout) ke keh raha tha ki usse ab or nahiin jeena or yeh operation main sabse bada negative point tha. Agar patient ko jeene ki chaha hi nahiin hai toh hum doctors kitna bhi treat karle kuch farak nahiin padega koi medicine react hi nahiin karegi. Operation se pehle Naina ke andar jeene ki chaha dalna boht zaroori tha or tumne vo chaha daalkar hamara kaam both asaan kar diya”.

Sameer smiled slightly and said “yeh miene apke liye nahiin Naina or mere liye kiya hai aap bas meri Naina ko ek dam theek kar dijiye please”.

Doctor smiled and left the room. After few minutes the operation started and everyone was waiting outside the operation theater. After few hours the red light turned off and the doctor came out and everyone looked at the doctor with questions in their eyes.

AFTER TWO MONTHS

The sun rays fell on the Maheshwari mansion. Sameer woke up and turned to look at Naina who was sleeping peacefully. Sameer still remembered that day when doctor told them that Naina was fine, he was so happy that he was jumping in the hospital. He even gave money to ward boy’s to distribute sweets to their entire staff and people in the hospital. He wanted to meet Naina but he knew before him Rakesh should meet Naina. He let father daughter have a private conversation which was pending from years. A smile came on Sameer’s face when he remembered that day.

FLASHBACK

Rakesh walked inside the room and caressed riddhima’s head and when naina felt a touch she immediately opened her eyes. Seeing her father infront of her eyes Naina smiled.

“Beta” Rakesh started speaking but was cut off by Naina.

“Apko pata hai yeh sunne ke liye mere kaan taras gaye the aap kuch or mat boliye bas mujhe yahi boliye or mujhe ek baar gale laga lijiye. I promise mujhe iske alava apse or kuch nahiin chahiye sorry bhi nahiin. Ho sake toh mujhe yeh do chees or dher sara pyaar or apka thoda sa time chahiye or kuch nahiin chahiye kya aap yeh denge” Naina asked with tears in her eyes.

Rakesh smiled and nodded his head in agreement and hugged Naina tightly. Naina finally felt content. Sameer who witnessed this from the glass window smiled seeing this and wiped his tears.

“Pata hai Sameer tumne aaj jo kiya hai na hum yeh karne ki koshish pata nahiin kabse kar rahe hain or kabhi successful nahiin hop aye” Munna said.

Sameer looked at Munna and Swati who were giving him a ‘thank you’ look. Sameer smiled and said “miene kuch nahiin kiya hai Rakesh uncle ko Naina ke pyaar ne hi bulaya hai. vo Naina ka pyaar hi tha jisne uncle ko majboor kiya yahan ane main or Naina ko dekh kar vo chup nahiin reh sake unke dill main chupa pyaar samne aa hi gaya mien toh bas zariya tha uncle ko yahan lane ke liye”.

Munna Swati smiled and nodded their head in agreement and all three of them looked at Rakesh and Naina, who were smilingly hugging each other.

FLASH BACK ENDS

Sameer smiled and then whispered in Naina’s ears “Good morning I love you”.

Naina immediately opened her eyes and smiling said “good morning I love you too”.

Sameer grinned and asked “ab meri good morning kiss do”.

Naina blushed and closed her eyes. Sameer smiled and bent down and placed his lips on hers. He started kissing her upper lip while Naina was kissing his lower lip. He kissed her collarbone and made a line of kisses up to her shoulder and further down unto her cleavage. He sucked onto her rounded lushness and bit it occasional making her moan in pleasure.

Before they could proceed further Naina’s phone started ringing and this broke their kiss. Naina immediately picked her phone and smiled hearing the voice.

“Goodmorning beta” Rakesh said.

“Inka phone har baar isi time pe kyun aa jata hai, jab bhi romance karta hoon phone kar dete hain. In dono ko milakar miene apne hi pair pe kulhadi maar li hai. Yeh toh ache khase villain ban gaye hain meri lovestory main ache se romance hi nahiin karne dete. Sameer bete kuch toh karna padega aise nahiin chal sakta” Sameer mumbled while naina playfully smacked him after she heard him.

“Ouch” Sameer said.

“Papa aaj aap late ho gaye call karne main ab apko punishment ke tor pe do (two) chocolate or do (two) ice cream khilani padegi” Naina said in a babyish tone.

“Late ho gaye abbey kaun bola jaldi phone kiya aaj toh vo bhi aisi timing pe batao zara” Sameer whined while naina glared at him. Sameer smiled in return.

“Theek hai theek hai khila doonga vaise aaj Saturday hai tum or Sameer aa rahe ho na yahan rehne ke liye yaad hai na every Saturday morning se lekar Sunday night tak tum dono yahan rahoge mere paas. Mujhe bhi meri beti or damaad ke saath time spend karna hai” Rakesh said.

“Hain papa mien yeh kaise bhool sakti hoon hum aa rahe hain lekin meri saari favourite ice cream or chocolate ghar pe hain na” Naina asked in a baby tone.

“Yaar aaj Saturday hai vahan jana hai mar gaya pata nahiin isko vahan jakar kya ho jata hai romance ka r bhi yaad nahiin rehta hai, Sameer gaye do (two) din” Sameer mumbled and received a smack from naina in return. Sameer sighed and slept again after shaking his head.

“Hain hain sab hai tum bas aa jao I am waiting bye love you” Rakesh said.

“Love you too papa” Naina replied and then kept her phone.

Sameer smiled seeing Naina. She was smiling like a small kid. Ever since that operation, life for Naina changed completely. Sameer told Naina the entire truth from his lies to his love for her and instead of being angry Naina was happy with the part that Sameer loved her so much. Sameer returned her diary after saying sorry for reading it. Naina smiled and replied she would have made him read it if he wouldn’t have read it till now. Naina kept that diary with her as her memory of her past. She still writes diary but it contained all happy moments of her life as now there were hardly any pains in her life. Everyone pampered Naina, she was treated like a small baby and her every wish was fulfilled by every one.

“Sameer utho hume papa ke ghar jana hai jaldi utho na please”

“Uth raha hoon uth raha hoon bachon ki tarah ro mat”

“Hhaaww khud kehte ho mien bachi hoon toh rongi toh bachon jaise na thodi na budho jaise, ruko mien abhi complain karti hoon tumhari dad or mummy se”

“Arey sorry dekho complain mat karna mujhe lecture nahiin sunna hai unka”

“Kaan pakadke sorry bolo”

Sameer smiled and held his ears and said “sorry”

“Sameer ek baat bolun jaise tumne papa ko bulakar sab theek kiya vaise hi jis jis ne mujhe school or college main pareshaan kiya tum un sabko pareshaan karoge”

Sameer looked at naina with a shocked look and said “tum dheere dheere sach main bachi hi banti jaa rahi ho mien apna sorry vapas leta hoon. Mien kya kahoonga un sabko knock knock apko naina yaad hai jisko apne school ya college main pareshaan kiya tha mien un sabka hisab lene aya hoon, log na mujhe pagal khane main bharti kar denge”

“Tum mujhse pyar nahiin karte” naina said I a kiddish tone.

“Jhoothi tumhe bhi pata hai mien tumse kitna pyar karta hoon. Ab boht ho gaya Mazak, chale”

“Tumhe pata hai tum kitne cute ho per budhu bhi pehle nahiin bata sakte the ki tum mujhe dhoond rahe the stupid idiot”

“kaha na sorry per iss chees se ek chees samaj aa gayi hamesha sach bolna chahiye kyunki jhoot anjane main kissi ko hurt kar sakta hai or apni harkatien dekhni chahiye ki kahiin yeh kissi ko dukh toh nahiin pohcha rahi”

“Hhmm ab cholo na late ho raha hai”

“Hain chalo” Sameer said and pulled Naina inside the washroom where they spend some beautiful and romantic moments.

Dear Diary,

Life took a drastic turn and everyone received happiness, but if Sameer would have told the entire truth to me, we would have enjoyed our marital life from start. If papa would have not avoided the confrontation both he and I wouldn’t have gone through all the pains that we went through. If I wouldn’t have under-estimated myself, I wouldn’t have created wrong assumptions of my happiness and tears, if I wouldn’t have cut ties with my friends or from the world my life could have been much better. I always felt I was strong but in reality I was making myself weak with every situation and by not confronting people I just made situation worst. From this I learnt a lot. Khushiyoon ka intezaar karna hi nahiin padta agar kisi ek ne koshish ki hoti halaton ka samna karne ki. Khushiyoon ka intezaar karoge toh hamesha hi intezaar karte reh jaoge choti choti cheeson main khushiyaan dhoondo unhe khoob enjoy karo kyunki har halaton main gam bhi honge or khushiyaan bhi or gam ke palho main bhi khushiyaan chupi hoti hai bas unhe dekhne ke liye nazar ka hona zaroori hai, inetzaar karne ki bajaye khushiyoon ke ane ka rasta banana chahiye. Khushiyoon ka intezaar har kisi ko hai lekin khushiyaan sirf unhe hi milti hai jo un khushiyoon ke liye kuch karte hain. Kash miene yeh pehle socha hota toh gam ka rasta itna lamba na hota. Khushiyon Ka ye rasta dekhte hain kahan lekar jata hai, kya kya dikhata hai.

Signing off

Old Naina Agarwal turned Into Naina Sameer Maheshwari yet living Naina Agarwal’s life which I missed all these years.

Naina was smiling while hugging her father and her husband together and looked towards the sky and said (in her mind not verbally) “thank you bhagwaan sab theek karne ke liye ab lagta hai aap mere dost ho, Mujhse dosti karenge? or mamma finally khushiyon ka intezaar ab nahiin raha”.

 

 

Author’s Message

I would just like to say one thing, in this world there might be people like naina who would take the blame on themselves for every situation, we dont know who they are though. But we can surely try to make people happy around us. We can call our near and dear ones, once in two weeks and ask them if they are fine or not, may be our one gesture can make them think that someone is there for them whom they can go to if situation requires, unknowingly we can help someone to feel better and at peace. Our one action/ lie can spoil someones happiness so, to avoid all of this we can surely try our best, i.e before saying any lie or doing any action we should ponder on all the possibilities of it.

So how was the epilogue? Did you guys like the ending or were you disappointed by it?

Lastly, A big thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart for supporting this FF through out. 

I thank Everyone for supporting me and encouraging me, as a writer it was a wonderful journey where i penned down my imagination and I am happy I could make you all feel the pain of the characters especially naina’s. It not being a love story was a prime concern for me that whether people would like to read it and if yes will the story keep you all hooked till the last. I am really relieved that you all were here till the very last part of this FF. It has been an incredible journey will cherish and remember all your feedbacks, comments and most importantly your love for this Story. 

Please let me know your views regarding the FF. I sincerely request all the silent readers please let me know your views atleast now as this is the last and finally part of the FF.