O saathi re O re piya Tujh sang preet lagakar sajna Dil haari mai piya Pal pal Aankhen dhoonde

tujhe Pal pal Raahen take teri Janmon janmon ki Sadiyon sadiyon ki Pyasi hai intezaar meri Tere bina Soona lage ye mann Tere bina Ab na chale dhadhkan Ab to aa bhi ja Ab to aa bhi ja Teri diwani Teri jogan pukaare Ab to aa bhi ja Na roke samay Na roke zamaana Na roke maut Na roke koi bahana Ab to aa hi ja Ab hone do Milan Tujh sang preet lagakar Dil haari mai sajan O saathi re O re piya Tujh sang preet lagakar sajna Dil haari mai piya

Her voice trilled around da sleepy meadowsechoed sinisterly all around envelopin da scenery in a cocoon of pain n unfulfilled loveof a long long wait for an enstrangd loverwho wil cum one day, on a white horsen take away our princess. Her voice tuchd souls, made sleepin ppl turn uncomfortably in der sleepit invited da dawn ininvitd da new rays of da awakenin sun to gently stroke hercomplement her stirring voiceher soft n beckonin featuresthose incredibly long n dense tressesthat mellifluously delicious skinthose intoxicatin jade eyes Illuminated as if wid a heavenly light stood our princess Gazal raajkumari gazal Da sound of da maid sounded harsh in da peaceful surroundings Gazal(wakin from her trance): kahiye Maid: maharaj aapka intezar kar rahen hain Gazal: unhe kahiye hum aa rahen hain Da maid bows n leaves Aakhri din hai aaj. Jo chahe keh le pitaji. Bas aaj aakhri din hai. Uske baad mai azaad. Apne piya ke saath. Koi riti riwaz nahi tor sakti iss prem kahani ko. Koi nahi rok sakta iss Milan ko O saathi re O re piya Tujh sang preet lagakar sajna Dil haari mai piya N dis time a note of a flute answerd her soulful callher luv answerd her song Her Veer answerd her love

Da dawn gave rise to da hot april morning. Usual hustle bustle had begun in da castle as Gazal made her way to her fathers chambers Her fatherda well respected Maharaj Adwitya of Amer Amer: a prosperous kingdom in a nook of former Bengalon da shore of da mighty Bay of Bengal . it had a long history of unfailing kings since ancient times. Much of its history was now lost but it shone as imp as ever under Maharaj Adwitya Maharaj Adwitya was a success in everything he didapart from perhaps his personal life. His wife had commited suicide in da sea leavin behind two young daughters. Gazal and Geet. No one knew whytho der wer rumorsbut soon da tragedy was forgotten as da princesses grew up Specially Gazalit was said dat she was blessd as da ankhsunamun A title gaind by some special royalty of amer over da centuries, of divine grace, beauty n a voice which had a hypnotizing quality When Gazal sung in a whole court in her full beauty, it was said dat none moved a muscleall wer lost in her grace Multitudes of offers of marriage came for herbut she saw noneas she knew da one who was hersshe had found her soulmateshe had found her Veer Gazal sat at da royal table wid her father and sister Geeta bubbly n cheerful gal full of life, overshadowd by her sisters beauty, but never mindin it. Da only person Gazal wud missafter tonitebut kuch pane ke liye kuch khona to parta hi hai Maharaj Adwitya: asha hai aapki neend achi hui Gazal: ji maharaj MA: kyonki aaj shaam ko aapke rishte ke liye kalinga ke rajkumar harsh aa rahein hainsharad purnima ka din lagbhag tay hai apke vivah ke liye A stunnd silence greeted dis announcementGeet was aghast! She knew her sister had given her mind n soul to Veerhow cud her father N y wasnt Gazal protestinwel if not her, she cudnt c her sisters destruction quietly Geet: pitajiaap kaise?...mera matlab hai didi toh She quailed under her fathers glance Da king was wel aware of da rumors spoken in hushd tones abt his daughter and dat lowly son of a merchanthow cud he dare to think he can claim a princess? N dat 2 none oder dan Maharaj Adwityas own daughterit was a matter of his pridehe cud kill to prevent dis union

MA: aapko koi apatti hai rajkumari Gazal? (as if he gave a chance of an oderwise answer) Gazal:nahi pitajijaisa aap kahen Dis stunnd not only Geet but da king himselfhe wasnt expectin such easy admission MA: hume bharosa tha ki aap hamari izzat par aanch nahi aane dengitoh aaj 6 baje hi pahunchegi.. He went on n onbut Gazal was in her own worldhearin her father wid a smilebut listenin to da flute callin heras it had abt a year back It was spring as Gazal had gone to da outskirts of Amer wid her maidsshe did not lik der companyn of da guards keeping an eye on her for her fathershe managd to duck frm da camp to gain sumtime on her own She walkd into da green meadows fresh wid dewit was a natural miracle dat such greenery cud exist so close to da beach! So dat she stud baskin in da salty wind of da unfathomable seawhen a melody reach her.which changd her life for ever She followd da fluteto da man playin it He had long tresses tesed by da gentle breezea simple brown coat graced his muscular shoulders,,,high cheekbones, deep set eyes, hints of a stubble His eyes wer closd in a tune of his own, wen he felt a presencen opened his eyes, to see da most beautiful person he had ever seennothing more needed to b saidit was love at first sight Later wen Veer, as he was calld, da son of a poor merchant, found out dat his belovd was none oder dan Rajkumari Gazal, he was dauntdbut wat is status in face of love? Nothing cud pull dem back now Every day he playd da flute n his darling came to him, swingin to da unearthly melody as she sung wid itin her equally divine voiceit was mating widout a tucha meetin of soulsa call for soul mates O saathi re O re piya Tujh sang preet lagakar sajna Dil haari mai piya Till da kings men saw der meetinn da king ensurd Gazal never visitd da cursd meadowsbut no one can part such loversdey wer promisd for life dis n da one beyond Da breakfast was over n da happy king went abt arranging his daughters doom, Gazal smild at da Stunnd Geetn walkd off to her room

Ab kuch aur ghanto ka intezaar haiapne khayalon me khoi thi jab Geet enterd Gazal: kaho Geet Geet: kyu di? Gazal jus smild Geet: unlessno! I know! Ul never give up Veerur planin sumthin Gazal sighd, it ws not possible to hide anything from her sister. She ws a part of her soul Gazal outlind her simple p[lan to her sister as she heard disbelivinly At sunset she wud visit da templen behind da temple was da secret entrance of underground passageways connectin all of Amer , its existence kown to royalty alone She wud take da path to da lighthousewer she wud meet Veer, dey wil wait for a launch arranged by a frend of Veern den dey wud be gone, before even da king realisddey wud b gone to a new world to b together forever Geet had misgivins, it ws too simple a plan, but she cudnt say anything, her sister was too lost in luv to pay any heed to consequences Gazal: mai nahi janti mai apna lakshya paa sakungi ya nahipar ek baat janti hoonVeer se Gazal ko koi juda nahi kar saktakabhi nahi Jane se pehle mai tujhe kuch dena chahti hoonshayd tujhse kabhi miloo nahi She hands out a ringa gold ring glintin wid da sunraysshapd in form of a dragon, wid an eye of a brilliant diamond Geet: ye toye aapke paas kaise aaya Gazal: prem anguthi haisadiyon se mana gaya hai ki ye kho chukka tha par ye maa ne jane se pehle hume sambhal ke rakhne ke liye diya tha Geet: (awed) ye wohi hai na? kaha jata hai ki ye anguthi sacche pyar karne walon ko alag karne wali har musibat ko tal deti hai! Kya ye sach hai? Gazal: pata nahinhumne bhi bass suna hailekin isske karan mai apne pyar se mili Geet: diapko mujhse zyada iski zaroorat haiaaj to Gazal: apne pyar ko pane ke liye hume kisi anguthi ki awashyakta nahin Geetmujhe apne Veer par bharosa hai. Aur hum nahin chahte ye anguthi mere jaane se humare pariwaar se door ho jayemaa bhi ye nahi chahti hongile lo Geet Geet accepts it n tearfully hugs her sisteras da sun starts sinkin slowly

She packd her bare necessities hummin a song, ready to depart wid her beloved, to depart frm dis cruel ppl who did not understand her love. She covered herself well wid an old shawl n walkd beneath da sky blood red wid da settin sun towards da kali temple Da sun had set, Gazal had made her way in da passages, she now reachd da lighthouse n stood in da brilliant moonlightda pure white shine of da moon illuminating her delicate profilea strong wind carresin her hairwaitin for her Veer N der came floatin by da familiar flute tunea part of da seemingly quiet night but actually holdin back turbulent sentiments It ws followd by her own Veeroh! No one had lookd more god lik dan him b4 Gazal found herself fallin in luv again n again wid him Veer: Gazal(njoyin da sound of her name on his lips)mai darr raha tha ki shayad tum aa na pao Gazal: kaise na aati(she gently strokd his face) Veer held her hand: thodi hi der me Vrijesh apni nao lekar pahunch jayega uske baad hume koi juda nahin kar sakta Par kash aaj mausam behtar hotaye hawa kuch zyada hi tez nahin chal rahi? Notices Gazal shiverin Veer: (puts his arms around her n envelopin her in his warmth): chalo andar chalte hainwo aayenge to pata chal jayega IN DA KINGS COURT: Da king was welcumin kalingas royalty when a troop of ppl wearin black robes symbolizing merchants stormd inside MA: sainikon! Ye andar kaise aaye? Kya chahte hain aap? One of da merchants: Amer ke log hone ke naate hume apne raja se kabhi bhi suraksha mangne ka hakk hai MA: bilkul sahi baat haito hum appki kya sahayata kar sakte hain? Hum apna beta mangne aaye hain A shrivld man announcdlukd lik da leader of da pack Veers father MA: matlab kya hai apka? VD(veers dad): hamare bete ko apki beti ne chura liya hai. Na jane kya jadu tona kiya hai uspe ki wo humesha ke liye humse door ho gaya. Ab wo Amer chorkar jana chahta hai. Saath me aapki beti bhi hai. Aap raja ho sakte hain, lekin hum rajkumari ko apne bete ko aghwa karne nahi de sakte

MA: ye kya bakwaas kiye ja raha hai? Gazal yahin mahal me hainwo apke bete ke bare me kuch nahin janti VD: to phir aap apni betti ke bare me kuch nahin jante Da king cud take no more. In normal circumstances he wud hav orderd da man to be hangd for his insolence, but before royal guests he had to be civil. N prove his daughters innocence. He knew Gazal may be impulsivebut she was not crazy to dare such a thing. He was confident da man was speakin nonsense. He jus needed to prove it n den order da man to jail n deal wid him properly later. MA: abhi pata chal jayegadasi! Rajkumari GAzal ko yahan laya jaye Der was a deadly quiet as da whole court waitd speechlessly Da dasi returndalone MA(his voice low n dangerous): kahan hai rajkumari Gazal? Dasi: wowomaharaj. MA: KAHO JALDI!!! Dasi(scared by his shout): apnekamremenahinhai MA: kya? Thik se bolo Dasi: ji maharajrajkumari apne kamre me nahin hai Da king din ans n was lost in thought at wat to do next. Everything was at stake. MA: (to veers dad who was lukin triumphant): kya aap jante hain wo ab kahan hai? VD: hume pata chala hai ki veer apne mitr Vrijesh ki nao me aaj purane lighthouse se nikalne wala haiRAjkumari bhi uske saath hongi Da king had made his decision. He lukd at da sena waitin 4 his command. Slowly n clearly he spake Lighthouse ke aas paas ki har jag chan maro. Wahan se nikalne ka hard war band kar do. Raaz dwar bhi (secret passage by which gazal escapd). Wo jahan bhi mile unhe .wohi khatam kar do. Geet was listenin to all dis in slowly mountin horror. NAHIN! Pitajiaap ye kaise kar sakte hain. Wo apki beti hai! Pitaji..kya paap kiya hai usnemohabbat hi to kii hai MA(boilin wid rage): SHANT HO JAYIYE!!! Ek aur shabd aur aap bhi Gazal ke saath maari jayengi. Nahin chahiye hume aise santan Panditjiaap Rajkumari Gazal ke shradh ka intezam kijiye

A whole troop of soldiers leave da palace wid a large group of villagers carryin mashalsas dey make way for da lighthouse In da lighthouse da lovers wait in each oders armssayin millions widout utterin a wordall was so tranquil.jus dat da weather outside seemd worsebut frm widin da wel sheltrd lighthouse it ws diffiult to hear much But den veer notices sum lights frm outta da windowits not frm da seas direction frm wer da ship was expectedit ws cumin 4 land direction Not expectin anyone, veer peeps outta da windown freezes Gazal:kaun hai wahan veer She joins him at da window.n der hearts grow cold as dey find da bottom of da lighthouse teeming wid angry villagers n soldiers Da mahamantri below shouts up a warnin HUM JANTE HAIN AAP WAHAN UPAR CHUPEIN HAIN! RAJKUMARI GAZAL, AAP ABHI NICHE AAYENGI TO SHAYAD MAHARAJ APKI JAAN BAKSH DE. HUM DUS TAK GINENGE. AAP TAB TAK NICHE NAHIN AAYEIN TO HUM UPAR AAYENGE. KOI CHALAKI NAHINMAHARAJ NE DOOR HI VRIJESH KI NAO KO ROK DIYA HAI, ISLIYE AAPKO BACHANE KOI NAHIN AYEGA.KEWAL DUS EK Veer n gazal luk at each oder thunderstruck.dey cant now surrender n giv upcoz dey no dey wont b spared.dey hav to try a way out Do Teen Veer: chalo gazal, hum piche se utar te hainsamudra ki tarafshayad wahan koi rasta mil jaye Char Dey take da flight of stairs leadin to da sea Paanch Cche Dey reach da landing.. Saat Aath Dey rush to da beach. But r quaild to see da beginin of a mighty storm Nau Der hopes rise as dey see a small dinghy appear from da waves towards dem

DUS!!! PRATHAM DAL KE SAINIKO.ANDAR PRAWESH KAREIN Da dinghy is now nearing dem as dey approach da choppy waters. Da waves much turbulent n dangerous now. Da dinghy ws much close. Few more metres WO RAHE RAJKUMARI AUR WO BHAGORA. MARR DALO UNHE. BHAGNE KI KOSHISH KAR RAHE HAIN!!! Few of da soldiers n da mahamantri had reachd da beach 4m oder ned n had seen dem, now da arrows wer aimd at dem as sum soldiers rushd towards dem wid der swords Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! 3 arrows perfectly found der targets into da hearts of da archer soldiers Gazal n veer luk stunnd at da source of der savior arrowsinto da dinghy wich had now reachd dem N watch stunnd as a figure leap outta it wid a war scream Its blade flashin as it expertly hacks away da soldiers wid swords As more soldiers cum, da figure keeps fightin.givin da lovers time to sail away in da dinghy Da figure swishes its sword at da oncumin soldiers as veer n gazal board da boat. Dey r ready to sail n luk behind at der savior. At dat moment da figures cape falls down Revealin Gazal: GEET!!! Geet(at da same time killin 2 men): Bhago di! Bhago! Save ur life n ur luvjao jaldimai zyada der inhe nai rok paungi.BHAGO!!! Gazal: nahi! Hum tumhari jaan ko khatre me dalkar Geet:( performin a full toss back kick n fellina soldier): BAKWAAS MAT KARO! Geet apna khayal rakh sakti hai! Jab tum apne sangeet me vyast thi geet ne apne aap aur apni behen ko bachana sikha hai! JAO Veer le jao meri behen ko(jabbin her blade into a soldier)aur iska khayal rakhna Dey hav no option but to leave da brave figure fightin lik wildfire on da shore as dey sail out towards da ominous searagin wid a storm

Suddenly da men stop cumin towards da beach n geet has sum respiteshes much woundedbut wonders wat stopd da soldiers, sure der wer many more Let her fathers men cum, dey wil hav to face Geet!!! At dat moment she found da reason y no one more came out to da beach as her heart went cold wid dread wid da shout she heard from da villagers KALBAISHAKI It was da much feard storm of Bengal, kalbaisakhi!!! Geet lukd fearfully at da seamaybe she had saved her sister from death n sent her into another. The moments passed by as geet stonily stared at the ravaged seaher mind as turbulentwhat had she done? But was there any other alternative If she had not sent them into the sea, the soldiers would have killed them atleast now they have a chance to escape! Though in her heart she knew it was not possible to escape the kalbaisakhibut perhaps it was better for them to die togetherthan be separated in life and die miserably alone Maybe she had actually relievd her sister She stood, a lone figure in front of the crashing waves when with a hue and cry a large group of soldiers appeard and surrounded her. When she did not move a muscle or react, the leader mustered courage to speak Leader(looks around at the carnage and the men this girl had killed all alonegulps): rajkumari geetapne hathiyar dal dijiyehum apko giraftar At this Geet looks at the man with her eyes blazing with cold fury and the poor guy quails under her gaze. Realizes its better to shut up At that moment the king arrives at the beach,,, MA:kya hua yahan? Leader: ji maharajworajkumari gazal bhaag gayi MA: kya?!!! Aur tum log use rok nahin paye? Leader: wo humne poori koshish kilekin yahan rajkumari geet ne unhe bhagne me sahayata ki MA(notices the erect n stony Geet): tum! Yahanye kya sun raha hoon kahan bhage hain wo dono Leader: wo maharajek nao lekar wo dono samundar me chale gaye The king palesmaybe at their obvious fate in the stormor maybe because he himself dint get chance to kill themwho knows? Then he looks at his second daughter

MA: GEET! Tumhari himmat kaise hui mere aadesh ko nakarne ki? Kya sochke tumne socha ki tum maharaj Adwitya se kisiko bacha sakti ho? Ye MERA rajya hai! Yahan meri hukumat chalegi! Tum hoti kaun ho Sharam aati hai tum do beheno paraise aulad paye hai humnehumari izzat, maryada, naam, sab kuch pani me mila diya Geet coldly looks up at her fatherher mind numb with a maddening rage nothing could hold her back now Geet(slowly, clearly n in a deadly soft voice): aapki izzat, aapki maryada, aapka naam..GAYA BHAAR ME!!! The king and all around lookd stunnednever had anyone dared to talk like that to the kingbut never had anyone seen anyone look that angry either! Geet: sharam to hume aati hai aap par! Kis izzat ki baat kar rahe hain aap? Kis rajya ki baat kar rahe hain? Raja to door ki baat haiaap puri tarah se nakamyab rahe zindagi me MA: GEET. Geet: BAS!!! Bahut sun liya aap ke khokle adarshkya karenge inn adarshon ka jab aaoke apne santan, aaki apni stri apse zyada mrityu ko pasand karti hai! Pitaji, aap par to krodh nahi, daya aati hai Apne jhoote usolon ki duniya aur ghamnd aapko andha kar chuki haipar ek din aap jagengeaur dekhenge koi nahin bacha apke paas Dekhenge kya khoya aapne Flicks her hair behind and unsheathes her swordstarin with vengeance at all soldiers around them Geet: hum, Geet, aur bas Geetab aur isi waqt se maharaj adwitya ko apna raja manne se inkaar karte hain! Jo hume dand dena chahe, aage aaye Geet haar kar nahi jhukegiaant tak laregi Iss paar ya uss paar MA: (his emotions unreadable) sab sainikon ko aadesh haiisi waqt yahan se chale jayeaur khoon nahi bahega yahan Geetaap jahan chahe jaa sakti hain Without another word he leaves geet standing alone on the shore with his soldiers She looks out to the wild waves, thinking of the doom her sister had gone intofeeling oddly empty And collapses onto the wet sand.

The little boat rocked to and fro like crazy. No one except the mighty ocean had any control on it. And apparently the raging seas had no mercy on the boator on the star struck lovers in it clinging to each other Initially when out at sea, veer had tried to maneuver it with its oarsbut however skill he had, he was utterly powerless in front of Poseidon. Now they had given up to wherever fate and the storm took them. Their end was inevitablebut end to life doesnt necessarily mean end of love. Veer looked into those mesmerizing eyes he had fallen so much in love with. Those startling jade eyesas green as grass covered with fresh dewas intense as a stormas hypnotizing as a crystal ball. The lovers held each other as a huge wave suddenly took over their dinghy on its crest. The wave traveled at a mighty speed and both were helplessly flunged with it. Their boat was picked up like a twig and rushed with the wave With growing horror the lovers looked aheadthe wave, and with it their boat, was about to crash into the pathor matha!!! The pathor matha or the stony head was remnants of an ancient cave temple of which most the sea had claimed. Few of its rocks stood out like jagged teeth looking over the seait was few miles away from amers coast and no boat ever went near itit was too risky. And now our boat was thrown with full force against the looming rock, our lovers holding tight to each other. The wave crashed. The boat had capsized. Two battered figures entwined to each other lay on the top rock Few last breaths. Few last promises. Gazal looked up at Veer as she lay in his arms.waiting for the next wave rising in the distance to bring kaal. As the wave closed in, the lovers gazed at each other.unfazed by reality What can death mean to true love? What can death mean to soulmates? They were togetheroblivious to the killer wave making its final blow . 200 yrs and 2000 kms away he woke up with a shout.

200 yrs and 2000 kms away he woke up with a shout.

It took him sumtime to get back his orientation n realize dat it was a dream.a dream again.da same dream again n again n again Feelin frustrated he grips tufts of his dense untidy hairden rubs his eyes n looks at da watch.6 30 am He cud sleep more, but abhi wapas neend nahi aayegi So he decides to get up n takes a shower. After da shower he dresses up in a faded blue denim n a sleeveless white t-shirt wid a hoodhe runs his fingers thru his unruly hair n cheks himself out in da mirror. A tall, handsomely muscular guy of 23 wid light brown eyes stare out. Deliciously dark n messy hair, hot lips, sharp angled features.he smiled his killer smile It was no wonder gals cudnt resist Rajveer Shekhawat!!! But den his smile falters as he remembers da reason hes awake at dis hour. Da stupid dream dat has been irritatin him since he was 15! He hated it.it made him feel oddly empty n tremendously depressed later. He shook his head to shake of da feelin of gloom n confusion da dream brought Hell man! I hav to get out sidemaybe da fresh air wil make me feel better. But abhi to 7 baj rahe hain. Itni subah jaoon kahan. Ofcorse! Awni wud b awake. Aur nahi bhi hogi to jaga doonga! So Awni dear.here I cum!!! He locks his one room flat where he livd alone n rode his bike in da alredy busy roads of Mumbai Wid da wind whipping his hair he rides on towards his destination. Music blarin frm his earphones. Dhim dhim tanana Dhim tananana Oh Oh ohgaliyon se aayega Dhim dhim tanana Dhim tananana Oh oh ohseeti bajayega Dhim dhim tanana Dhim tananana Oh oh ohneem ke per se

Dhim dhim tanana Dhim tananana Oh oh ohpaas bulayega. He honks his horn as he tackles a sharp corner, makin a screechy swing n expertly avoidin a school goin kidhe went on Oh humdum suniyo re Oh janiya suniyo re Oh janiya, shaam ko Chupke se Chori chori nange paon Chaand aayega Ohsuniyo re Oh suniyo re He reachs da white bungalow standin cutely in da mid of a wel tended garden, parks his bike hummin a song, move towards da main door n stops on da doorstep nah! She wont b inside now He left da doorsteps n rounded da bungalow to reach its backside where he stepd onto da gardenas he expected, der she was Tending a rose bush was a girl in a frayd brown khaki shorts and a ill fitting t shirt smeard wid mud n sweat. Her hair was loosely piled in a knot givin her da look of a scarecrow. Her honey brown eyes n dark-olive complexion cud hav been said to be beautiful.if she ever took care of dem ie. With a sigh for a millionth time Rajveer said to himself. god must hav made dis creature a GIRL as a part of a huge cosmic joke!!! Awnihis best friend for past 10yrs was anything but a.girl! She perhaps looked like onegenetically too she might have been classified as a female but Rajveer knew dat by heart she was a total tomboy. Hardly any qualities of a woman. What was beauty, what was dressing up, what was feminityshe was unaware of it all. Brash, arrogant, fiery, wildn totally unpredictable! That was his darling Awni! And he loved her that way too He meant to call her till his eyes fell on the water pipe spouting water on the grassand an evil grin crossed his face. Behind Awnis back he tiptoed to the pipe, pickd it up and. SPLAAAASHH!!! WAT DA **@##$@$@%% !!!!

The force of water knocked her back as she spluttered incoherently She saw da laughing Rajveer wid da pipe stil drenching her. RAJ.U He din let her finish as a fresh volley of water hit her face. Helpless initially now her reflexes worked as she well aimed a kick on his calf muscles. Caught off balance, his knees buckled and the pipe slipped from his hand. In a second Awni was up n closed da tap. Then she stood towering over Rajveer now laughing hysterically U total MORON! GIBBON! SHARK! BILLY HEADED BILLOUS BOGGART!!! Wat da BLOODY hell do u think u were doin He gaped at her driping mad form n wid a snort said sorry yaar, but u needed a bath SHUT UP! Consider urself lucky that u just got over from pneumonia last week otherwise poore saal bas paani me hi tairte rahteIDIOT!!! point noted my lady She left the garden in a huff n entered da bungalow. Rajveer followed, still smiling. He went to the couch and settled himself comfortably there. RV: after u change id like a cup of coffee In a falsely sweet voice Awni: anything else my lord! RV: no..for now dat wil do. U may now go and change. Apna hi ghar samjho Awni: thats so kind of u(gives him an angry look n goes up) Grinning RV cheks out the newspaper. Soon Awni returns in an uncomplementing kurta over a faded slacks. Giving a hopeless look to the weird combination RV: meri coffee me sugar zyada dalnaaur He shuts up under the luk Awni gives him as she sets abt making coffee He goes upto her and gives her a warm hug. RV: kya yaar! Itna kyun naraz hoti hai! Acha sorry babaaise hi kirre chare ab gussa mat kar Awni:let me go RV hugs her tighter RV: not til u forgive me Awni: RAJ! RV: I wont let u go babes Awni: ufff! Ok babaits alright

Haw! (takes a deep breath as he lets her go) I don know why I tolerate ur nonsense RV: coz ur my best friend and sum one I cant live widout!!! Awni: thik hai! Thik hai! Itne melodrama ki zaroorat nahi They both sit on the couch with their coffee. Awni: to aaj laad sahib itni jaldi kaise utth gaye At this Rajveer remembers the reason why he came here in the first place. Awnis company always made him forget his troubles. But now with the familiar depression he rememberd his dream RV: wohias usual Awni knew all about his nightmare since past 8yrs. And how it troubled him. She sat close to him n put her arms around him Awni: Raj(stays quiet for some time) so u saw anything new thid time? RV: nothe usual Awni: the usual storming sea? RV: (lost in thoughts of his dream)the usual storming sea Awni: and the usual pair of lovers RV: the usual pair of lovers Awni: and that beautiful girl RV: oh! So beautiful(dreamily) Awni: with clear jade green eyes RV: with clear jade green eyes Awni: and breathtaking features RV: and breathtaking features Awni: and full lips RV: and full lips Awni: and creamy complexion RV: and creamy complexion Awni: and a huge pimple on her nose RV: and a huge pim.WHAT!!! Awni burst out laughing as RV threw the cushion at her. RV: don make fun of her re Awni: oh! Im soooooo sorry Rv: shut up Awni Awni: Rajur nuts! She lovingly ruffled his hair and went to wash the coffee mugs. She always made him feel better, RV thot with a smile. Since his mother died when he was 16 and his father left for USA, mostly in grief, Awni had been his constant support. He simply cudnt think of life without her. And only she had the right to call him Rajhis mother did so. And after that he didnt allow anyone else to call him that. Everyone used RV (a/n: so wil

we most of the time). But Awni ke liye koi rules to ho nahi sakte. And he didnt mind her calling him Rajutna to hakk tha hi uska! Awni was an orphan. She had shifted in Mumbai with her nanny who was given her guardianship by her parents. She was 10 then. And in a shop the kids met with their mother n nanny (respectively). And after that were inseparable friends. Goin to the same school and passing out of the same engineering college added to the bond. RV dint know much about Awnis family as she disliked her relatives apparently. He just knew her family was very rich and were some sort of zamindars in west-bengal. It didnt concern him. His eyes fell on an envelope on the dining table. It was well decorated. RV: hey! Wats dat? Can I chek it out? Awni shrugged n he opened it. AWNI SENGUPTA RV: hmmmm.its a marriage invitation card! Ur relative? West Bengal ka address hai Awni: yup! My cousin Akritis marriage in April. Invited me and whoever else I want to invite. RV: Coolyaar abhi April me chutti haiCAT ka kitna preparation karenge. Chalte hain na wahan. Maza aayega! Awni: R u crazy? RV: kyun yaar! Seriouslythat is if im invited Awni: thats not a prob. Im asked to get my friends too. Waise bhi mera ghar hai. Kisi ko bhi bulaoon.but I don wanna go RV: Awnikyun bhagti hai tu inse? Awni: bhagne ki baat nahin haithere r sum things I wud prefer to forget RV: iss tarah kayaron jaise unse mooh morke?(touching her weak point) Awni: No ways! Mai kayar nahin hoonits just dat RV: chal na phirI bet it will be fun Awni: lekin Raj RV: plsssssss Awni: thik hai RV: yippeeeeeeee!!!! Awni: aur nandini ko bhi le chalte hain. Bichari medical parte parte thak gayi hai. Uski bhi chutti hai uss time. Nandini was RVs cousinand a close friend of Awnis too. RV: good idea. Aaj shaam ko Sonu Nigam ke function me mill rahein hain. Tab use bata denge. Awni: okthanx for reminding about the function RV: yan pls try to dress up like a homo sapien Awni: WHAT!!! RV: kuch nahi.jaane do

Btw ye shaadi hai kahan. Awni: hamari pushtak zameen par. We wil have to take a bus from Kolkata. Its a small village called Amer AMERnaam sunke hi RV ko aisa laga mano a 440v current passed through him. It was a feeling which he couldnt define, and passed away before he could even comprehend it. Confused he shook his head like a puppy, as if to shake off the odd feeling Rv: amer(tastin da name on his lips) hmmm.so wen do v leave? Awni: april 1st week me hi Calcutta ki flight leni paregin from der bus n horse cart RV: sounds cool Awni (in a distant tone); I guess so .. Suraj hua maddham Chand jalne laga Aasman ye hai Kyu pighalne laga Mai thehra raha Zameen chalne lagi Dhadhka ye dil Saans thamne lagi Kya ye mera pehla pehla pyar hai Sajnakya ye mera pehla pehla pyar hai. His mellifluous voice echoed around the stage as the crazed fans gave a standing ovation to Sonu Nigam The trio (RV, Awni n Nandini) were havin a blast and joined the applause as the show ended. After the show, all ppl flocked towards the exit. It was a narrow exit barricaded by guards for security checking. So as too many ppl tried to move out of it at same time, it caused a bottle neck and everyone was caught up in a huge bustling and jostlin crowd. In the pressure of shoving ppl, RV got little separated from Awni n Nan He managed to get out of da exit and immediately saw a small crowd gathering in a corner. He heard someones voice shouting and with a dread enterd da group of ppl to see what was happening as he recognized the angry voice of his best frend. In middle of da group Awni was shouting her head off at a sweating middle aged guy as Nandini half in tears tried to pull her away.

He asked a nearby woman RV: kya ho raha hai yahan? Woman: uss kambakht ne uss larki ko cheda (nandini). Bhid me galat tarike se choone ki koshish kito uski frend uss bande ko acchi firing de rahi hai. Deserves it! Acchi firing was an understatement. Awni: U BLOODY @@##@$!!! Samjhte kya ho apne aap ko. Baap ka maal hai kya larkiyan. Kuch bhi karoge? Man: nahi maine kya kiya? Awni: kya kiya? Nautanki saalahimmat kaise hui teri Man: dekhiye aap mujhe aise insult nahi kar sakti Awni: ABE! Teri to (holds his collar as two flusterd police men come der. RV decides to intervenenot to support Awni, but save the poor manhe was nearly choking!!!) Police: kya ho raha hai yahan Awni pushes the man into da arms of police Awni: Ye aadmi Man: mujhe bachaiye Police: kya hua? Awni: haan haanisse bachaiyemai Adam teasing kar rahi thi(ppl around snigger)bichara Police: koi nahinhum dekhenge isse(undrstandin da situation)aap shaant ho jayiye Huffing in rage and pulled by Nandini n now RV, Awni turns to leave Man: agar kuch galat kiya to thik hai. Sorry kehta hoon Awni suddenly snatches her arm outta RV s grip, goes to the man and kicks him hard Awni(very sweetly as the man howls): Ooopsie! Agar kuch galat kiya to thik hai. Sorry kehti hoon And walks away leaving sum ppl around clapping, da man howling and police gently smiling.RV and Nan follow her in exasperation. They walk without a word to a nearby caf. As they sit Nan bursts out Nan: Bhaiyya! Aap to wahan the. Kuch kiya kyu nahi Awni ko rokne ke liye? Kitna scene create ho gaya RV: pehle socha roku Awni kouss admi ki jaan jo bachani thi!!! But then I thot da ass***e deserved it Nan: I suppose sotho I wudnt hav dared to con front in publiclet aside kick him!

A small silence follows Nan: Awnikick awesum tha waise And all burst out laughing!!! Awni(as all quiet down): gals shud protest Nanu cant ignore RV: point! I agreebut Awni, thoda zyada nahin ho gaya? Awni: ummmmaybe, jus lost temper.tho I don repent it Nan: neither do I actuallymazaa aa gaya ! RV: Awni n her action sequence As all laughed some more Nan: hey btw RV bhai told me abt da marriage invite to ur home place. Awesum idea! Lets plan it in details RV: yah!.... And dey discuss da plans, Awni not participatin as exitedly as others Time flied, and Awni and RV were busy in preparing for CAT examalso because during the marriage they wont be able to study. Nandini was as usual goin crazy with her internshipafter all doctor banna mazak nahin. Soon it was time. welcome to subhash Chandra international airport, kolkata. Temp outside is 34 deg celcius. Kingfisher airlines wishes all its passenger a happy stay. Thank you The trio stepped out of da plane onto the hot turf. Last of all RV jumpd off da stairs. A brown leather jacket, deep blue denims, white polo neck t-shirt, suede shoes, designer goggleshair messed up (as usual) Awni felt her insides constrict suddenly and unexpectedly at him lookin so unbearable handsome. And she was surprised at this involuntary reaction of her senses, and shook it off Soon they collected their luggage and set out for the hotel they booked for their stay in kolkata. RV: whoa.nice place! Iv never been here Nandini: me eitherbut im mostly lookin forward to the food.yummm! RV: yeah, bong cuisine is da best part Awni: don think u guys wil get much time to eat in kolkata. Today evening we wil take the bus to Amer. RV: hmmm.stil lunch to kar sakte hai,,, A short rest in the hotel, some leg pulling, a delicious lunchspl RV ate so much, both gals were exasperated! Soon they were aboard the bus rolling into the village scenery with the setting sun as the backdrop

RV takes out his guitar and strums a tune Baatein kuch ankahi si, kuch ansuni si Hone lagi Kabu, dil pe raha na , hasti hamari, khone lagi Ho ho ho ho Ho oo oo Ho oo oo Shayad yahi hai pyar Shayad yahi hai pyar. Nandini: (sigh) lifes beautiful RV: yeah sure But Awni dint comment Some distance away. O! O! O! jaldi karo! Next gana O se gaana haicmon ppl arre Lux, sochne to de Another bus, another dusty road, another group of ppl A game of antakshari was goin on, all were stuck on an alphabet Opponent team : O 1.O 2.O 3 A messy lukin gal in shorts and dark hair was trying to rev up her team O 4 arresocho fast Lux! Tu hi soch na Da gal , Lakshmi; called Lux by all shook her head Lux: mera stock khatam O 5O 6. Lux: LARA! Tu bhi help karna Her name being shouted out woke her from her self imposed hypnosis. Aloof from the throng around, she was idly staring out of the bus window. Drinking in the dusty scenery now bloodied with the setting sun rays The wind whipped her long tresses and ruffled her white duppattamaking it fly on her face and cover her eyes

Woken from a tranceshe pulled of the dupattato reveal those same startling jade eyesas green as grass covered with fresh dewas intense as a stormas hypnotizing as a crystal ball. Lara: kya hua? (in a soft trilling voice) Lux: o se gana haiJALDI! O7 Lara: oo Lux: haan! Haan! Hum bhi jante haino! aage bol Lara: uffftu chup reh pehlesochne deo O 8 O 9 Their was no time to think any moreshe sung the first thing that came to her mind In a clear sweet voice, the landscape was stroked by the same melody it had missed so much over the long years. O saathi re O re piya Tujh sang preet lagakar sajna Dil haari mai piya Pal pal Aankhen dhoonde tujhe Pal pal Raahen take teri Janmon janmon ki Sadiyon sadiyon ki Pyasi hai intezaar meri Tere bina Soona lage ye mann Tere bina Ab na chale dhadhkan Ab to aa bhi ja Ab to aa bhi ja Teri diwani Teri jogan pukaare Ab to aa bhi ja Na roke samay Na roke zamaana Na roke maut Na roke koi bahana

Ab to aa hi ja Ab hone do Milan Tujh sang preet lagakar Dil haari mai sajan O saathi re O re piya Tujh sang preet lagakar sajna Dil haari mai piya

Everyone inda bus was lost in the mesmerizing tranquility of the song Breaking the silence Lux: whoa man! That was kewlkiss movie ka gaana hai? How cum maine nahi suna? Lara: woye ganawellI dont know! Pata nahi kahan suna ye gana maineas if it came spontaneously from widin meI dont know Lux: tu aur teri weirdnessjob hi ho, WE WON!!! Yipeee Cheers around Lux: so wats da next plan? Guide: as instructed by ur college, the bus will go upto Kharagpur. From their pairs of students will be made and they will pick up a destination from these chits. Whichever place u get, u wil travel their and do ur project-research on that place. So students, make ur group and pick up a chit Lux: me and Lararegister us Guide: ur name is me? Lux: very funny! Its Lakshmi Aravind Ayappa Venugopalan Swaminathan Rajnikantam Srinivasan. and Lara Gupta Guide: (gaping at her) ummmonly two ppl in a group Lux: do hi to haishes Lara Gupta and I am Laksh. Guide: haan haansamajh gayaaap khud hi naam likh lijiye As Lara stood laughing at the mans expressions Lux: Larau pick up the chit Lara (picks up and reads the chit, with a odd feeling) AMER. (a/n: wat else did u expect?!!!)

The bus finally halted and the trio disembarked onto a kaccha sadak. It lead to a village at walkin distance and a 2 storey builing stood imposingly ahead on the path. RV: so where r we? Awni: Barrackpore Nan: wohi history wala Barackpore? Jahan 1857 ka revolution ka kuch to timepass hua tha? RV: memory hai re tera bosswarna history ka to h bhi mujhe yaad nahi Nan: aise hi doctor nahi bani hoonso awni dear, wat now? Awni: barrackpore is an army cantontment and the closest we can get to Amer in bus. From here we will have to take a horse cart. We wil spend the night here itself, in that dak bungalow aheadkafi der ho chuki hai. Kal subah nikal jayenge Amer ke liye. RV: horse cart? Wow! Medieviel times ki tarahthis is gonna be fun! Awni: chale abhi? Im sooooo tired RV: me too.but bhook lagi hai Awni n Nan 2 gether: WHAT!!!!!![:o] Awni: hayo rabba! Abhi thori der pehle hi to Rahu ki tarah kha kar aaye hon phir itni jaldi bhook bhi lag gayi? Nan: don believe it bhai! Kolkata ke uss hotel ke manager ne to haath bhi khare kar diye the ki khana khatam!!![:p] RV(sheepishly): yahi to khane pine ki umar hai! Aur tum nahi jante, barte bacchon ke khane pe nazar nahi dalte! [:p][:p] Awni: huh! Its so unfortunatetum iss rate se khaoge to West Bengal me pakka akal parne wala hai RV: thik hai! Thik hai! Thora zyada kha kya liya Nan: thora??? [:p] RV: whatever! Tum log to tang khiche hi ja rahe ho! Mere feelings ka to khayal kar letesob! [:(] Awni: oy nautanki ki tanki! Itna melodrama hazam nahi ho raha! RV: melodrama! Iss tarah mera dil tore ja rahe ho.hayyyy!!! Awnidekh li teri yaari[:(][:p] Awni: ooooffff!!! Kya karoon mai iss pagal ka. Isi tarah larte jhagarte they reach the dak bungalowafter getting freshend they go to the village for dinner where da gals, in embarrasement, wished they dint know RV khaye hi ja raha tha!!! Tired from the journey and RV tired of eating hardly realized when they reachd the bungalow, went to sleep and got ready early morning for their horse cart Time really seemed to fly as within 24hrs of landing in Kolkata, they were on their way to Amer. .

Pairs of students were being dispatched with info regarding their project spots and necessary instructions were being given by the guide. Lux: hum tayyar hainso wat r d travel instruction? Lara: the guide said there are two ways to go there. One is by road, to Barackpore from Howrah by bus and walk from there or some mean of village transportor we can take a launch on Hooghly. Amer is a natural port acc the info sheet. So we can dock there too Lux: id prefer to sailyaar maza aayega Lara: me agrees with uto phir launch ka intezam karna hoga Lux: k Guide: hey gals! Planning ho gayi? Accha apko ek baat batani thi. Amer was an old and prosperous kingdom once and is still under influence of royalty. Once u reach their , ur supposed to take royal permission for ur research. I have heard rite now Amer is rule by a regent, u hav to talk to him Lux: manage kar lenge Guide: yeah! Im sure of thatbut stil I wil advise u not to introduce urself with ur full name And the guide left with a laughing Lara and a murderous looking Lux packin for Amer. ..

The horse cart stopped finally and a disgruntled and messy Rajveer got down stretching himself, followed by an equally tired Nandini RV: hayyy! Nan, tere paas pain killer hai kya? Kamar toot raha hai is cart ride se.baap ren da road ws horrid! Nan: upar se wo stupid landslide beech me aa gaya! Shaam hone ko aayi hai, kitna late ho gaye to kya express highway and mercedes expect kar rahe the? Awni lithely jumpd off the cart. A beige body huggind t-shirt and black jeans, RV thot for once she was lookin a little presentablethough he wish she would try to open her hair or something. Always that stupid birds nest Come to think of it, he din remember ever seeing her with any other hairstyle! Anyways, nothing to do abt itAwni to Awni hi rahegi!!! RV: hey! Wats dat noise? A loud clang of bells rung nearby and chatter of ppl cud be heard. It was as if a procession was afoot Da trio went forward and RV n Nan who were ahead took the turn beyond the small hut where the cart had stopped. They were stunned at what lay ahead.

The scene ahead seemd to transfer them into medieval times. RV n Nandini watched in awe as a huge royal chariot appeared pulled by two proud horses. On both sides the chariot was accompanied by rows of men and women shoutin cheers and carryin puja thalis and blowin shankhs and all. Ahead of da procession was a tall old man in royal garb and a turban. He had a sword on his flank as well as carried another beautiful and regal blade in a sheath decorated with jewels in his hand. On his side was a middle aged lady with a serene face and her simple sari was well adorned with royal gems. Nan: whoa! Wats dis. RV: welcum procession to haibut definitely not for us! None of us r royalty right? Nan: yupright Awni? Awni? Awni appered around da corner and looked at the procession with an uncomprehendable expression on her face. RV: ye kya ho raha hai Awni? She dint answer, dint need to as few metres from them the procession stopped. The lady looked at them with tears in her eyes. RV wondered what he had done to get such reaction. The man strode towards the bewildered group (atleast RV n nan were bewildered)RVs attention shifted to Awni now who stepped forward But it was not the act of stepping forward that attracted his attention. It was the way Awni carried herself, straight n proud. Before they could understand anything, the man fell on his knees before Awni and held the royal sword up to her Man: mai, Arindam; Amer ka regent (sorry, iski hindi nahi aati), Amer ki janta ka rakshak aur iske Rajghar ka zimmedar; Amer ki Rajkumari Awni ka sahriday swagat karta hoon aur apna dhan, man, tan unki sewa me arpit karta hoon. Ignoring sharp gasps of shock from her frends, Awni accepted the royal sword, unsheathed it and taped da naked blade on Arindams shoulders Awni: Rajkumari Awni ko apki sewa swikar hai The man stood up and stood aside for the lady to come up to Awni with a puja thali. Uski aarti utarti hai, Rajtilak lagati hai n den stares at her widout a word. Awni bends down to touch her feet. Lady: sada safal raho Awni: kaisi ho bua.?

Lady:(slowly) to itne saal baad bhi hum apko yaad hain Awni: kaise bhool sakti hoonbua, hume maaf kar dijiyema-baba ke guzarne ke baad man hi man humne saara arop humare pariwar par laga diya tha. Socha kabhi wapas nahi ayenge, par bhul gaye the ki Amer hamara adhikar hi nahi, zimmedari bhi hai. Rajkumari hone ke karan hume apne gamo ko bhula kar, Amer ke bare me sochna chahiye tha.lekin Lady: jo hua so hua. Isme aapka bhi koi kasoor nahi. Niyati ko yahi manzoor tha. Aapke mata-pita ka prem jab yahan mani nahi gayi to wo bhaag gaye. Rajkumar ke bhagne se maharaj toot gaye, par phir bhi apne putr aur putr vadhu ko swikar nahi kiya. Aakhri saans jab chal rahi thi, unhe apne ekmatr putr ki yaad to aani hi thi. Lekin tab pata chala ki wo dono accident me mare gaye.isi shok me wo chal base.aur tab se amer apka intezar kar rahi hai Arindam: ye sab baatein baad me hogi. Rajkumari aur unke saathi thake honge. Chaliye, Rajmahal prasthan kijiye Awni nods and den seems to suddenly remember her frens who seemd to hav vanished into the shadows as dey silently watchd the conversation; with expressions as if der proffesors were explainin calculus! Lady: aap apne saathiyon ko bhi layin hai? Hame milwayengi nahi? Awni: whoye hai Nandini, aur Rajveerhamare sabse pyare dost. Lady: aapka Amer me swagat haichaliye Dey move towards the chariot and Awni starts to go when dey notice da two did not move Awni (smiling at der shock): now wud u both stop gapin like goldfishes out of water and move? Widout waitin for reply and wid a smug smile she strode on towards da chariotand da two at a loss of words followed

Those beautiful green eyes stared at the thin yellow line in the distance dat was the beach of amer. The briny wind blowing her long hair. The sunlight sparkled as brilliant diamonds on da clear sea. Now da beach was comin closer and da green meadows along with the sand was becoming clearer. But that was not what was attracting Laras attentioninstead it was da ominous lookin black rock that stood lone and menancing at some distance she didnt know why, but it made shivers run down her spine Lara: wo kya hai?

Nawik: use hum amerwasi pathor matha kehte hai. Waise to ek purane mandir ka remains hai. Lekin uske aas paas koi nahi jata. Khatarnak kahaniyan hai uski Lux: Awesum! V can begin our project frm there Nawik: nahinwahan mat jayiyekhatre se khali nahin. Uske paas ke patharon se takrakar nau toot jate hain. Wahan tak pahunchna hi khudkushi hai. Aur pahunch bhi gaye to, kehte hain wahan bhoot hai Lux: bhoot!!! Wow Nawik: (makin a face at lux casual reactions) meri baat maan lijiyedo premiyon ki maut hui thi. Suddenly shuts up as if he head said sumthin terrible and continues rowin wid silence. Lara: haanaage kahiye nado premi? Nawik: hum yahan Amer me uss kahani ki baat nahi kartepanauti mani jaati hai After dat how much ever lara n lux insisted, da boatman didnt utter a word abt da old fable. ..

RAAJKUMARI !!! ur a BLOODY PRINCESS. Awni: ders nothing bloody abt bein a princess RV: tu chup baith! How cum u din tell us? N meim suppoosd to b ur best frend rite? Nan: I agreeI din expect ull hide sumthin so imp from RV bhaiyya Awni: arre yaarmai to bass RV: rehne de Nandinidost to bass hum mante thethanx for disillusioning me Awni They were sitting in da royal guestroom. Throughout da journey to da palave RV didnt talk to Awni. On bein alone he finally burst. He stood up n made to go. Awni caught his hand, pulled him to sit down beside her and gave him a warm hug. Awni: Raj.im sorrypls try to understand Rv: do YOU understand how much betrayd n hurt im feelin rite now? Awni: Raj , I dint mean to hurt uu no datmai ye sach sirf tumse hi nahi, shayad khud se bhi chupa rahi thi.khud se hi bhaag rahi thiI no u hav every rite to be mad at mebut

She turns out her lips and makes a cute puupy face, her eyes wet (croc tears[:p]). Awni: im shoooo shorrryyypleeejeee.shhorry!!! Rv cudnt help but smile. U cant shout at sumone lukin so cute! RV: thik hai! Thik hai! But u dare hide anything frm me ever again Hugs her back Nan: awww..kitne cute ho tum donoperfect jodiI tell u , u both shud marry. Best couple She said it casuallybut after sayin so realisd da discomfort she had caused suddenly both broke apart and Awni specially blushd as if aware suddenly of RV n shifted off Awni: kuch bhi kehti hai Nan: no, I meantwo aise hi keh diya But RV was as usual coolit din bother him. Even in colg ppl had teased dem a lot, n he was usd to it RV: not a bad ideaaur waise bhi Awni se koi aur sane banda to shaadi karega nahi Awni: oh! Ur so kind to worry abt me! Im honored(and she threw a glass at him wich he caught deftly) Tabhi awni ki bua entersand da group grows somber to respect her Bua: awni beta Awni: aap ne taklif kyu ki? Mujhe bula liya hota Rv: (in awnis ears); sheesh! Kitna filmy dialogue haiAAWWWW!!! Awni had steppd hard on his feet Bua: kya hua beta? Rv: ku..kuch nahi(glowers at now grinning Awni) Bua: job hi hoAwni, hum ye batane aaye the ki kal subah Amer ka varshik mela prarambh ho raha hai. Aapke liye humne dawat bhi rakhi hai uske baad. Samay par pahunch jjayiyegaaapke hukm ke baad hi officially mela shuru hoga Awni: jaisa aap kahen. Hum pahunch jayenge Bua: aur aap logon ko bhi aana hai. (to rv n nan)aur koi aur taklif ho to dasiyon ko zarror batayegahum abhi prasthan karte hain She leaves

Nan: mela! Yaar,bahut maza ayega.but don u think dis dasi thing is too old fashioned Awni: khaak dasisab pensioned naukar haindo chutti mahine me, high salary RV: cool! Accha side profession hai! Agar mera kuch na ho future me, to rajkumari Awni, aap hume aapke mahal me naukri dengi? Awni: itne alsi aur bekar naukar ki koi zaroorat nahi hume RV: oy! Tu to rehne de. Da camera leaves da laughin n fightin trio to a pair of girls landing on Amers dockyard. Nawik: kisi se bhi pooch lijiye Ramu ke motel ke liye (a/n: ramu ka motel?[:o] sad name) rehne ki yahan sabse sarwottam vyavasta hai Lux: hum dhoond lenge Lara: aur waise ye Amer ke regent kahan milenge? Unse ijazat jo leni hai Nawik: yahan ka regant to bara kharoos hai! Pardesi unhe pasand nahina kar de shayadlekin maine jahan tak suna hai, Amer ki rajkumari Awni aayi hui hai. Wo khus sheher se hai. Yadi wo mil jaye, to bina mushkil ke aapko ijazat mil jayegi Lara: Awnikahan milengi wo? Nawik: wo to hum nahin jantelekin kal se Amer ke varshik mela ka arambh ho raha hai. Aapki kismet acchi rahi to wo wahan mil jayengi Lux: thanx man! Uv been so helpful dude! Nawik: [:o] ji? Lara: wo ye aise hi kuch bhi bolti haishukriya Nawik: koi baat nahi Da gals leave for da motel

The two girls stood basking in the dim moonlight. Saying nothing. Perhaps lost in their own thoughts. Nandini: kya soch rahi hai.? Awni: kuch nahiwo aise hi Nan: bhaiyya ke bare me?

Awni: haannahimera matlab haiRaj ko abhi tak wapas aa jana chahiye thakab ka nikla tha sunset ki photos lene ke liye Nan: yeahaa jayega wapasbut dats not wat u were thinking Awni: wat do u mean Nan: tu nahi janti?... Awni: seriously darlingim clueless Nan: hmmmaccha ek baat poonchoo to sach batayegi? Awni: shoot Nan: but I want an honest answer Awni: tu janti hai Awni jhoot nahi bolti Silence for a minute Nan: tu Rajveer bhaiyya se pyar karti hai na? More silence follows. And this time it is much longer. Awni stares straight ahead, into infinity, lost in the questionor perhaps the answer Did the question shock her? Perhaps not really Did she know the anwer? Maybe yes Did she want to accept it?...Definitely NOT! Atleast she hadnt bothered to answer this question when several times her idle mind and confused heart had asked her the same. But was there any point in running away from so obvious feelings? Nan: jawab nahi diya tune Awni: kya mere jawab dene se kuch badal jayega? Ya kuch fark parega? Nan: very diplomaticbut I want a straight yes or no Few more heartbeats pass Awni: yes Nan: I guess I knew it. But what I really dont know is why dont u approach for something a little deeper than friendship? Awni: ur deep talk is definitely not going deep in my brain! We r best frends. What more do I need. Nan: but Hey gals! He was back. RV: u people should hav come wid me! Kya awesome scenery thi. And the sunset made me feel so nostalgic! As if sitting on the same meadows I have watched the same sun set so many timesvery weird feelingbut pics r gonna be great!...hey! main tab se bole jar aha hoon. Y arent u ppl respondin?

Awni: nahi wo basshaant mahol ka maza utha rahe theachanak itne irritating disturbance se used to hone me time to lagta hai [:p] RV: (stickin out his tongue) dunno y I even bother to talk to you[:x] Nan: thats because u simply cant do without her RV: (jestfullybut overlooks completely the serious tone) what crap! Who needs Awni? Not me surely! Shes just a painhai na Awni [:p] Awni (her mind elsewhere, her heart wounded): yeah sureanyways, kal mele ke liye jaldi ready hona hai. Lets go to sleep. She just leaves without a word. Nandini too just sighs and follows Awni leaving a thoroughly confused and bewildered RV behind, he shrugs off GIRLS!!! ..

hey sis! I hope ye dress acchi lag rahi hai mujhpe. Im not much into traditional wear RV n Nandini were ready for the mela. RV lookin dead drop handsome in a simple but elegant white-gold embroidered kurta pyajama. Nandini wore a designer salwar suit. Nan: ok I guess RV: just ok? How rude man Nan: mai isse zyada tariff nahi kar sakti. Handsome, hot, sexy, charismatic ye sab sunna hai to Awni se pooch lo[:p] RV: yeah, why not! Tarifen to zaroor milengibut aise adjectives ko censor karna parega!!! Anywayswo hai kahan Nan: tayyar hoti hogi. I really hope she wears something sensible today. Army print pants aur uske trademarked silly top me ek rajkumari dressed hui to bas samajh lo RV: lolls! Me too ummeed karta hoon Nan: aapke ummeedon par paani ferte hui taklif ho rahi hai RV: what?[:o] But he follows her shocked gaze to the doorway where Awni was standing In a frayed jeansand a black RV: POKE MON SHIRT!!!!!???? [:o][:x][:o][:x] ur gonna wear a POKEMON SHIRT! Princess in a POKE MON SHIRT!!! He collapses wordlessly on the couch

RV: hey bhagwan! Ye kiss pagal larki ke pale para hoon! Awni: why? Is it that bad? Its new and alllooks smart toon most of all comfy hai! April ki garmi me cotton t-shirt is best Nan: ooooffffff!!! [][][:x][:x][][] Awni: (adamantas usual) look guys! I hav no idea whats ur prob! But ill wear what I want to. Cant help it if anyones troubled with it. Now im leaving. U ppl come with me if u want to. She storms offorcing the horrified but helpless RV n Nan to follow the POKEMON shirted princess.

They were at the fair. It was full of life and colors. Ppl enjoying every moment. And so were the trio. Though RV n Nan looked uncomfy at the stares they got from the local ppl. They were lookin foreign, still their traditional garb didnt make them look too out of place. But it was Awni who got the stares. From disbelief to disapproval to amusement to shock She stood out from the throng as a different species. Yet she was hardly bothered. And went on chatting and laughing as usual. Awni: I have never been to a traditional fair before. It cooleh? Nan: u bet! Btw u just met ur buawhen I n RV went for some drinks, u were talking to herwhat did she say? Awni: the usual RV: the usual? u mean she didnt comment onerur awesum sense of clothing? Awni: u really are mean Raj! [:x] well, no. actually at first she did look a bit shocked. But when she asked me and I explaind the comfort, she just laughed it off RV: I bet she heard the stubbornness in ur voice n realisd telling u anything is similar towhat do they say?...yeah! bhains ke aage bansuri bajana!!! Nan: bhaiyyaits been, not bansuri RV: kya fark padta hai? Bhains ko as if difference pata hai! [:p] Awni: sab bhains tumhari tarah nahi hote hain Raj RV: [:x][:x][:x] Nan: lollsill get something to eat

RV turns his face away from Awni as Nan leaves towards food stalls, as if in mock rage and his eyes fall on a girl His breath catches in his chest. A powerful sense of dejavu fills him. As if a strong force had blown him away to a diff place, a diff time His sense came back in a moment but still his nerves were shattered He could say only one word Gazal Awni: kya? RV: Gazal Awni: kaunsa Gazal?Raj(shakes him to his sense) RV looks excited and confused and happy at the same time. Awni: kya hua???[:o] RV: wo larki Awniwahan par dekho Awni follows RVs gaze n her eyes settle on Lara. She was watching the puppet showher beautiful face filled with joy Awni: acchi dikhti hailooks foreign like usbut to kya? RV: ye wohi larki haijise main sapno me dekhta hoon Awni: WHAT! I think ur getting delusionalhow can that be possible? RV: mai sach keh raha hoon! Pata nahi kaise n allbut ye wohi haiill bet everythingoh hell! N shes SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!! Awni: whoa! Chill Rajso uv finally lost it! Congo! RV: im serious Awnishes da same girlGazal Awni: how do u know her name is Gazal? RV: no ideabut I just know it Awni: ok! I don belie vim actually humorin ubut look ill ask that girl if her name is Gazaln intro usor rather intro uok? RV: ur such a SWEETHEART!!! Baby, I love you Awni: (in a soft voice) kash RV: u said something? Awni: nope She goes towards the girl and taps her on the shoulder. She turns, her jade green eyes looking mesmerizing Lara: yes Awni: ummhi! Well, u look stranger here so I thot ill talk to uso hi! Im Awni Lara: hullo Awniplease to meet uim Lara

Awni smiled to herself Awni: umm, n this is my friend, Rajveern Raj, this is LARA Looks at RV with a triumphant i-told-u look But RV doesnt notice it, neither does Lara They just stare into each others eyes as if not belonging to the presentboth utterly lost Lara did not know what was happening to her. Or what was that weird effect the stranger was having on her. But her brain seemed to work at breakneck speed n heart came to a standstill He came close to her and they just stared as if hypnotized at each other. The air was charged with visions n chemistry Neither Lara nor RV cud understand itbut it was deliciously beautiful Awni looked from RV to Lara n back to RV like watchin a tabletennis match, seeing their lost n dazed expression Awni: HULLOOOOOO!!!! Both were shaken up from their daydream n blushed simultaneously Lara extended her hand to RV shylyRV took it(as if awni didnt exist there) Lara: hiVeer Awni: (bit annoyd) Its RAJveer n not just veer. But again she was totally ignored. RV: hi Again both were losing themselves in each others presence, but before they went too far, awni pulled them back Awni: (in a loud voice) ummmnice to meet u Lara, see u later... Raj, v need to go now Takes his arm n pulls him. RV: yeahwellok Larasee youum.bye Lara: bye Awni n RV make to leave, jus then something apart from RVs presence strikes Lara. Lara: hey Awni! Awni: yup

Lara(looks her up n down as if seing her in new light n spl her pokemon shirt): ummdo u happen to be the princess of Amer by any chance? I heard her name is Awni too Awni(a bit alert): yeahim her Lara: oh! (stares at her t-shirt again)actually me n my frend r here for a project on media studies abt life in villagesn ineed ur permission to take up research for the same in amerif u dont mind Awni: oh yeah! Sure! Go ahead! Its a free country, u don need my permission. Lara: thanks Awni: see you(looks at RV n suddenly on inspiration) n by da way, theres a wedding of my cousin soon. Im inviting u n ur frend too. Actually tomoro happens to be a musical ceremony in celebration toosangeet typedo come, ull get material for ur project too Lara: ooh thanx! Id luv toill be there Awni: tc Literally drags away now speechless RV. When they were at a distance n out of the hubbub she pulls his ears. RV: OUCH! (finally shaken up) Awni: ok! So now ur awake! Welcome to the real world[:x] But he just smiled. Awni: what the hell Raj? U were practically drooling on her, n she was no lessbut still I sensed ur liking for her n invited her RV: I can never thank u enuf for that Awni: since when did u need to thank me?...Raj. what was wrong? U generally don go so gaga over good looking girls. He smiles once more, sighs n engulfs Awni in a hug (with a twinkle in his eye) RV: methinks im in LUV with hern its an awesome feeling With a happy look he moves towards the exit where nandini was beckonin them. Awni hangs back, her heart broken: Dont I know what an awesome feeling it is Rajhow beautifuln how painful too

Nan:hold on! Hold on! Tell me againr u SURE she was the girl u saw in ur dreams? It is just not possible!!! They had reached the palace and RV told Nandini all that had happened. Awni helped too, but didnt say much. She was oddly quiet. She had accepted her friends happiness without expressing any hint of her own heartbreak. But Nandini read her pain even if she hadnt uttered a word and Nan simply couldnt accept RVs love for that strange girl! RV: I don get it! What is ur prob? Why r u reacting so strongly? Nan: because ur being irrational! RV: perhaps ur rite! But love is irrational! I dont carethe point I know rite now is that im in love with Lara Nan: WAT DA HELL DO U MEAN BY THAT! How can u suddenly fall in love with a total stranger and absolutely overlook the feelings. In her anger she didnt think what she was saying but Awni caught her hand and silenced her with a look. Still in rage n frustration Nan shook her head at Awni Nan: u both r pathetic RV looked from one girl to another, totally confused at Nans unfinished sentence. RV: wat wer u sayin Nan? Finish itoverlook what feelings? Tum dono me kya khichdi pak rahi hai Nandini gave an angry look to Awni n left the room. RV: I simply dont understand whats wrong with herand what was she saying? I know u know somethingbata na Awni Awni: nothing Raj RV: pls quit it! U know vry well that u cant lie to me. To koshish bhi mat karna Awni (takes a deep breath): ok ill tell u the truththere is something wrong. RV: yes! So I was right! Awni: yeah u wer rightsomething is wrong according to us abt ur new love callingbut it doesnt concern u n neither I nor Nan will tell u about itso its better if u forget it. Matter finished. The end. No more discussion. RV: whoa! Dats the height of tyranny! Awni gets up to leave when RV pulls her back into his arms. She couldnt stop her heart from racing. RV: (gently) Awnidont u think I noticed something is wrong with my best friend since we met Lara? N it is drivin me crazy to not know what it is. Pls Awni: I think I was quiet clear. Yet I will repeat. I WILL NOT DISCUSS THIS TOPIC ANYMORE. Jo karna hai kar lo!

Her anger was misdirected n perhaps unfair. But she couldnt help it. They sat in silence for some moments on the couch. RV in his years with Awni was accustomed to her sudden outrages, but this time he felt it was different. It was more hurt than anger. And he couldnt understand why. Awni on the other hand felt her sudden anger cooling and being replaced with guilt. It was not his fault that she was in love with him! He didnt deserve such behavior. He needed a friend now. He needed her. She couldnt turn her face on him for selfish heartbreak. She sighed, held her face in her hands for few secs, clearing her mind of all traces of hurt and lost loveand only concentrating on her friends happiness. Awni: sorry Rajshouldnt have shouted out on you, dunno why I did so RV: its ok. U hav more right than any one else to shout at me, even without reason. But still id like to know what is bothering u guys. Awni: arre, kuch nahi yaarjust that being skeptical and logical as usual, its difficult to accept this gal of ma dreams phenomenon! Thats it reits all so sudden that we are not able to get over doubts RV: thats really it? Awni made her best casual face. It was very difficult for her to lie to Raj. But for him she could do it. Awni: thats really all of it dear! RV: hmmm.i dont blame u guys for the disapproval. It is weird I agree. But dil ka kya bharosa? Kab kispe aa jaye. Awni: yuck! Kis b-grade hindi film ka dialogue tha?[:p] RV: do u always have to make fun of my feelings? Hurt my sentiments Awni: ooofffmelodrama shuru! RV: I know! Actually mai soch raha hoon ki I will apply for ekta kapoors dialogue writerwhat say? Awni: Great idea! So finally you found something ur good at! Congratsso u wont be as useless as a dead bat RV: dead bat?[:o] arent bats always dead? Awni: I meant the chamgadar wala bat. Wo kala kala, pharpharake urne wala, furry, smelly, blind mammal! RV: uhgot it! Vivid descriptionthough sounds more like ur future husband! [:p] Awni couldnt give a scathing reply as her bua enters. Awni: arre aap yahan RV: (in a falsely high voice) aapne kyu taklif ki? Hume bulaliya hota Awni glowered at him as bua laughed. Bua: beta, aasha hai aap logon ko yahan koi taklif nahi ho rahi.

RV: nahi bua ji! Bilkul nahi! Itna maza to sheher me kabhi aata hi nahi. Bua: sunkar accha laga. Aur mele ke anand bhi utthaye honge aapne. Awni: bahut. Typical vibrant and colourful village. Par pata nahin kyu, sab hume itne interest se dekh rahe the! RV: ab aise kapde pehnogi to what else do u expect! Awni: mujhe chirana band karoge?!![:x] Bua: waise baat galat nahin hai Awni: (as bua and RV laugh) buaAAP BHI!!! Bua: khair; sangeet ki tayarriyan chal rahi hain. Shastriya sangeet aur nritya natikaon ka sama badha hai. RV: im really looking forward to it! Mujhe shastriya sangeet bahut pasand hai. N specially classical dance.(dreamily) traditional clothes aur gehnon me saji larkiyan, bhartiya sanskar, and enchanting beats of the tablanothings more beautiful and soulfull than classical dance. West can never rival our art and culture! Awni: tum kab se aisi bhari-bharkam baatein karne kage?[:o] RV: mujhe bachpan se hi ye sab pasand tha Awni: whatever Bua: thik hi kahan. Paschimi kala jitni bhi sundar ho, bhartiya sabhyata ki sundarta alag hi hai RV nods and gets up to fetch a glass of water for himself. As hes about to sip it Bua: mai aapse kuch kehna chahti thi Awni. Awni: ji kahiye Bua: Sab kal kuch na kuch pesh kar rahen hain. To humne socha ki shayad humari Rajkumari koi nritye pesh kar degi. RV choked on the water. Simply choked in a disgraceful fashion. The water going up his nose as he coughed. He managed to say a sorry to bua and turned pretending to cough. But what was shaking him was intense laughter. Awniand CLASSICAL DANCE! He couldnt laugh in Buas face. It would be insulting. But he felt his ribs will crack from holding back his laughter. He was so much busy in his coughing and keeping a serious face that he couldnt hear the rest of the conversation. He only managed to hear a horrified kabhi nahi! Mai nritya nahi kar sakti from Awni. Bua said something else and left with a crestfallen face. As soon as she was out of earshot, RV fell from the couch and rolled on the ground, spasming with intense laughter.

He kept on laughing like that for 10 mins as Awni stood with her hands on her hips. Awni: ho gaya hasna? Ya aur baki hai? RV coming up for breath : I dont believe she asked YOU to dance! Its as good as askin Gabbar Singh to ballet in a pink frock!!! (in a serious imitation of bua) To humne socha ki shayad humari Rajkumari koi nritye pesh kar degi. . He laughed some more as Awni went to the window, staring out into the dark night. RV now able to control his laugh, or perhaps in fear of his lungs bursting with it! RV: honestly it is so damn hilarious! AWNI and CLASSICAL DANCE! Someone who will die before wearing an earring or a skirt will do a classical dance! Poor ladyshes so illusioned that her princess is a girl! Awni stared into nothingness. Lost in memories. Lost in a diff time. Diff place. Softlybut I AM a girl. RV: WHAT! Never thought ill hear u say that(mocked to check her pulse and temperature)are u ok? [:p] When Awni didnt reply, RV yawned n checkd his watch. RV: its getting late. Mai sone ja raha hoon. U think deeply and contemplate about ur feminine origins. And perhaps prepare for ur dance He broke into some more giggles, hugged Awni goodnight and still chuckling left for his room.

He had never before felt so self-conscious. He was well aware that generally girls found him acutely handsome, and his somewhat easy-laid back attitude and acceptance of his attractiveness added to his charisma. But today was a different story altoghether. Never had he felt so aware of himself and so desirous to look good. Not just good, the best. For his first love, he had to make the efforts.

He had spent the whole morning in deciding what to wear for the sangeet in the evening. And pissed off Awni and Nandini to no avail in again n again asking for their view. Confirming it. Deciding against it. Checking a new alternative. Again asking for opinion. Canceling it. And then lastly deciding what he had decided before. He was intensely lucky that Awni was somewhat distracted today, else she would have surely eaten his head off in teasing him incredibly about his obsession with Lara. Yet he managed to irritate both girls so much that by noon they swore not to see his face before evening. And now as the hour came near, RV steeped down the ornately decorated stairs of the main hall, finally wearing a black, silk sherwani heavily laden with golden embroidery;just ideal for the occasion. Complete with a golden dupatta, he was dazzling like a medieval time prince. It was ROYALTY after all and he couldnt help wondering in awe as he took in the intricately beautiful decorations. Traditional and bright. All around flowers and lamps decorated the huge hall. There at the end of the room was an open space which resembled a stage, though it wasnt higher than ground level. At one corner of the stage, musicians sat playing several instruments. On the other end the bride sat giggling with her maids and friends, people sang and danced and chatted with glee. But RV checked this all in one glance, he was looking for someone else. Nan: hey bro! so finally u decided on the sherwani which Awni had selected for you first! Then what was the point of choosing so much.[:p] RV made a face at her as he turned to her. She was looking quite nice in a peach-silver salwar suit. RV: Hass lo. Hass lo. But when u see her ull realize it was worth it. Nan: (rolling her eyes) yup! I got it! Btw Awni ko dekha? RV: (mind else where, searching for the jade eyes that had haunted his dreams since ages) Nopes! Yahi kahin hogi Nan: (not noticing his lack of attention) bahut der se use nahin dekhadunno WO aaj kya pehnegihope not Mickey mouse or Barbie t-shirt! RV: hmmm(lookin around) Nan: Bhaiyya! R u listening?[:x] RV: ehwhat? Nosorry! Nan: I was saying I hope Awni doesnt go for a Mickey or Barbie t-shirt today. A bit of sense trickled into RVs eyes as finally he contemplated what Nan was saying.

RV: no ways! Awni ka bharosa nahin! Wo kuch bhi kar sakti hai! Actually mujhe aapne bare me itna na sochkar, uske liye koi decent dress select karna chahiye tha! Nan: so finally apne dost ki yaad aayi[:x] RV: aur nahi to kyaGazalI mean Lara mere friends ko aise ajeeb kapro me dekhegi to kya impression parega? Already she was shocked by the earlier poke mon attire. I dont want her to think I hang out with crazy ppl! Nan was hurt on Awnis behalf. Nan(coldly): Oh! Then I have a solution. Why dont u disown crazy ppl like Awni as ur friend? Then u dont have to feel embarrassed before ur love. After all friends like Awni are inconsequential before the beautiful Lara!!! [:x] [:x][:x] RV a bit shaken and stung: cmon Nanu know no one means more to me than Awni! I mean VEER The delicious trill of her voice again honeyed up his senses as all logic seemes to leave him. He turned to see Lara appear with another girl. But his eyes were only on her. She simply looked gorgeous! A olive green ghagra-choli adorned her milky complexion and complemented her eyes. As she smiled shyly, she took his breath away. Coming up to him Lara: veerhi! RV(somehow finding his voice and managing to close his mouth after a nudge from Nan): hhi! How r u? Lara: mai thik hoonaur aap? RV: (too enthusiastically as Nan rolled her eyes) Absolutely fit! Lara: umthis is my friend Lakshmi Lux: hey! Lara se tumhare bare me bahut suna. N truly ur more handsome than she described! Wo to kal se bole hi ja rahi hai Lara nudged her to shut up as both she and RV blushed, too aware of each other and the sizzling electricity passing between them. Nan: I can understand ur feelings, Lakshmi. Me was bored to death by RVs long descriptions of Lara too. Though I must say it was well deserved n even more perhaps. Btw apparently RV is too tongue tied to speak in ur presence Lara (at this got a shriveling look fromRV), but hi! Im Nandini. RVs sister. Cousin actually. Lux: hi! Lara: nice to meet youand where is ur friend? The princess Awni? Lux: I heard abt her too. Pokemon shirt one right?

Lara frowned at her friends lack of tact. But though RV was too lost in Laras eyes, he didnt know why he felt a surge of anger when Lux innocently made fun of his friend. RV: each person has their own beauty. And the beauty and simplicity and liveliness Awni possesses is unique! Inspite of her outer bearing, no one can match her inner self! Lux: hey chill! No offence meant! RV: none taken (a bit ashamed at his outburst) But he didnt notice the slight frown that crossed Laras face and the look of surprised admiration on Nans. Lux: anyways id luv to meet the bride. Anyone cumin? Nan: I will. Lets go. U guys? RV: we will join soon. U go ahead. RV and Lara stood a little farther from the crowd as few dances were presented on stage. In more normal times, RV would have enjoyed this traditional folk and classical danceforms. But now he was too mesmerized with Lara to even notice anything. Once they were alone they realized they hardly could speak. Each time one of them would try to utter something, and the word will get caught in their throat. Soon they stopped trying to speak and let themselves get totally lost in each other. RV thought he had found heaven as he stared into those jade eyes, and his feelings reflected in them. What more could he ask for? But suddenly his attention from Lara teeterd as the lights in the hall dimmed and they focused on the stage. But what actually pulled his awareness was the music. It was a tempo beating with semi-classical notes and resonating with an uncommonly deep passion. The tempo escalated as a group of dancers arranged themselves on the stage in beautiful formations around the lead dancer. Inspite of being interested only in each other, the pair couldnt help paying attention to the performance. And the lead dancer She was a girl of a graceful stature and elegantly shapely figure dressed in blood red ghagra, dazzling with light yet equisite jewellery. Her red dupatta full of gold and silver embroidery, twinkled as it covered her head and face.

Her whole outfit shimmered and flowed like liquid diamonds as her body gracefully flowed into perfect and passionate dance movements. She seemed totally unaware of the world around as she swayed to the equally enthralling rhythm. Aasman ki bahon me Chaand akela thehra tha Raat ki jawani par Chandni ka pehra tha Rim jhim rim jhim Hawa ke jhoka Ujli ujli raat Taaron ki jholi me aayi Jhilmilati jugnu ki baraat Sabke hothon pe thehri thi aake koi baat Dhol manjire bajne lage Pari dafli par that RV(now his full attention on the remarkably breath taking performance): Whew! Thats one heck of an awesome dancer! Iv never seen such passion before Lara: neither have i Aur thumak thumak kar Nach rahi thi Meri radha pyari Hai! Thumak thumak ke Nach rahi thi Meri radha pyari Jane kahan se raas rachane Aaya chaila girdhari Suddenly the soul teasing music halted at the climax, leaving a swell silence of few moments to befall the enthralled audience. In those few moments the dupatta of the dancer slipped from her face as she rested in a pose with the resting melody. The light as if just illuminated her. Her eyes closed, lost absolutely in her dance. Her olive skin glowing with its own unearthly glow. An ornament adorned her forehead as her beautiful black hair cascaded down to her hips. Incredibly full and flowing wildly like a stormy river.

RV had thought before he had never seen anyone more beautiful than Lara, but he fell in serious doubts as he beheld this angel like woman. And the funny part was that she looked oddly familiar, though he was sure he had never seen such grace before. And then with a resounding crash of his heart and a shaken disbelief, he realized why The music restarted from the crescendo and at the same instant the dancer opened her mesmerizing, kohl and mascara lined eyesand huge pools of molten honey stared outthe pools he had grown looking into. With a lurch in his chest, RV realized the incredible truth Lara (in a shocked whisper): Raajkumari Awni More shock was to come as Awnis soulful voice filled the hall. Matching with the grace of her fluid movements and the music. More piya Darta hai dekho mora jiya More piya Darta hai dekho mora jiya Na baiyyan dharo Aati hai mujhe sharam Haannn Chor do Tumko hai meri kasam Na Zidd na karo Jaane do mujhe balam Dekho Dungi mai taarein o bawre Chalo, hatho, sataaoo na More piya Darta hai dekho mora jiya o more piya Speechless was the only word to be said of RV as he watched the girl he knew of being just brash and manly and clumsy now danced her heart away. Everyone in the hall had risen and watched awestruck as with passing moments, the tempo of the music heightened and so did the passion of the dancer as she flowed ceaselessly with the climbing melody Kare krishn raas radha ke sang Kare krishn raas radha ke sang

Kare krishn raas radha ke sang Kare krishn raas radha ke sang Now she was not in herself. The other dancers had stopped and moved aside. They simply couldnt match upto her skill. It was as if her soul was lost in her passion, her heart afire, pearls of tears tasting her cheeks; as a true, stung lover, she danced in frenzied desire of her love Expressing feelings untold and unsaid with the rhythm of her body and soul entwined with the rising tempo

Jamna ke teer baaje mridang Kare krishn raas radha ke sang Adharon me geet, man me umang Kare krishn raas radha ke sang Saanson me pyas, tan me tarang Kare krishn raas radha ke sang Iss din ko dekh duniya hai dang Kare krishn raas radha ke sang Kare krishn raas radha ke sang Kare krishn raas radha ke sang

The rhythm finally stopped as the dancer collapsed on her knees. A stupendous silence befell the hall as the dancer remained at the center of the stage, on her knees for some precious moments. Too tired to get up. And the audience too hypnotized to react. A single clap broke the silence. Lara was the first one to get over the charm. Soon one by one everyone joined in and a thunderous applause filled the hall. With awed cheers, as the dancer finally got back on her legs and her sadly beautiful eyes looked upto the only man who wasnt applauding. The only man still too shocked to do so. The only man who meant everything to her. She stared for some seconds into his eyes, expressing every unsaid feelings of love and pain in her tortured gaze, then she bowed her head and just rushed to the backstagehalf-running away from the hall.

He was still in a daze, still not believing what he saw veer Dumbly he turned around to face Lara. His mind somewhere else. He had anticipated this meeting with her for so long, but now he found things not as bright as he expected. Actually they were brighter than his expectations few minutes beforebut after that dance, all seemed to have lost coloreven Lara What did he feel?...he himself did not know Confusedshockedand mostly hurt Hurtwhy? Because he felt betrayed. There was so much to Awni that he didnt know. Awni was his best friend. Some one abt whom he cared more than he himself could admit. Since his parents had gone, she was her world. And he thought he knew his friend inside out, till now Now he realized he hardly knew a few dimensions of the girl he considered a constant and foundation part of his life. And today there was something in her eyes that he couldnt comprehendbut he had a gut feeling that it was breaking her heart. And his instincts also told him that he was the cause of it. How? Why? He had no idea. But it disturbed him beyond anythinghe did not realize it, but it stung his heart to see tears in her eyesand made him angry. Guys after all cannot handle confusion and hurtand specially emotions they cant understandin such situation it is but natural to put the blame on someone else and turn all confusing emotions into angerit was much simpler to understand after all! So our dear RV conveniently disguised his misunderstood feelings of hurt and confusion and perhaps deep down love which he cudnt comprehend; into anger Lara: Veertum thik ho? Wen he didnt reply Lara: well, I gues ur too surprised n were not expecting Awni to RV: I dont want to talk about it. Pls. Lara: ummokas u wish RV: im sorry if im offending u lara, lekin mai abhi bahut disturbed hoon, I wanna b left alonepl dont mind Lara: no nonot at allI understandbutcan we meet again? Inspite of himself RV couldnt avoid a flutter of his heart and a small smile. RV: id love that Lara: well actually kal subah 11 baje ek local hume yahan ka sightseeing karwayega. N Lux has a project report to complete. So I would have to go alonethat is unless u want to accompany me

RV: sure! (spirits lifting a bit) ill meet u at the rajmahal gates Lara: id leave now thentake caren one more thing I want to tell utho I may not have any right to, but true friends are not worth losing With that she left before RV could comment. RV(in his mind): true frend! Ya SURE . He was sitting alone beneath the moonshine, his mind in a turmoil, which he did not want to feel It was well into the night. Nan had tried to talk to him but he didnt want to brood on anything. And sitting alone his mind fabricated various ways to convince himself that whatever happened to Awni WAS NOT HIS FAULT. Rather it was Awni who was at fault for causing such turmoil to him. But still something unknown nagged his mindwhen he heard a tinkling of payal He turned to see the visitor at so late in the nightand saw Awni standing behind him. He felt his breath catch in his chest as the moonlight illuminated her. She was still in the same garb of the dance, and standing like that, her hair softly stroking her cheeks and eyes so luminous, RVs anger disappeared. But it reappeared with full force as he now saw her eyes red from crying. It sent a cold dagger thru his heart, n he didnt understand this feeling or its causeso the same refuge, anger RV(turning his back to her): ab kya kehne aayi ho? Awni: (sits beside him): I dunno wat made meI hardly knew what I ws doinRaj RV: ill tel u what u were doinU WERE GETTING ON MY NERVES!!![:x] (a/n: the words in capitals r shouted out) Awni: (startled, wasnt expectin his anger) it was just a dance Raj! Why r u so angry?[:o] RV: dont u know! Just a dance! What exactly were u trying to prove to me? Awni: I have no idea what u r talking about, I just followed my instincts n heart n RV: U N UR STUPID INSTINCTS! Gets up and starts pacin up n down da room

RV: im just tired of ur instinctsn ur anticsdo u ever think before any action.i jus don know what to sayjust go away before I cross any limits n hurt u by sayin somethingJUS GO! Awni:(she herself angry now) no nodon worry abt me! U go ahead n get off ur rage, tho iv no clue wats pissin u so much RV: its me whose clueless! Clueless abt whats bothering u since I met Lara why r u behaving idiotically... Awni: I never said anything against Lara RV: oh! PUHLEEEEZ! Dont I sense ur discord! its UR PROB if u dont approve of her not mine! It MY LIFE! N ill do as I wishany of ur silly actions not gonna distract meu HAV SIMPLY NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE IN MY LIFE! Awni didnt reply, she was too hurt tojust stared out into the serene land outside, as desolate as her broken heart, but RV cont his rant RV: n u urself have skeletons in ur closetso much to urself that u never mentioned to me! MEwho was fool enough to consider u a friend! FRIEND? ur anything but that! Masks on masks.ur just a whole bundle of PRETENSION N LIES! N u think ur oversmart? By these acts n trying to indirectly influence me with ur empty n false friendship u thot u could get me against my love and my happiness! Oh..I HATE U SO MUCH! I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry she chanted these words in her mind as she felt her eyes sting with threatening tears and heart bleed with his piercing words. (In a quiet n wavering voice) Awni: I can never hurt u Raji RV: DONT U DARE CALL ME RAJ! Only my mother had the right tothe only person who cared abt me and ONLY PERSON I CARE ABT! Except now LaraN IM NOT LETTIN ANY TOM DICK HARRY CALL ME THAT!...oh! Im so sorry of the day I met u He suddenly stopped his tirade as he turned n his eyes fell on Awni. She still was starin out but quiet tears flow down her cheeks, her eyes brimming with hurt. He realized he had said too much. He never lost his temper generally, but if he did, he hardly knew what he was saying n would blurt out several stuff he would never mean to by heart. N now was such a moment, his anger was replaced by a heart wrenching guilt when he realized the poisonous words he had spoken. He wished he could take them back immediately RV: I didnt mean thati

His change of tone startled Awni back. She looked at him thru tear misted eyes n then looked down as she got up. Awni (softly): u r right. I hav no right in ur life. Nor am I anyone whom u shud care abt. Im sorry that u ever met me n cozd ur self so much grief. U have every reason to hate meand forget me With that she left. RV: AWNIlisten to meI didntOH! SHIT(she was gone) His senses had returned now n he felt so terribly miserable. Even when they were kids, if Awni was angry with him n didnt talk even for a while,specialy when he was the one to have cozd da truble, he wud go crazy with grief. He cudnt bear a single day widout hearin her crazy talks n that carefree laughter. And this timehe knew he had screwd it all up! Hell! He wudnt have minded if she was mad at him. He could always manaofy herbut this time she was so hurt! What all crap he had said in his rage! What if she didnt forgive him n actually never talked to him? No nothats a ridiculous idea. Utterly impossible. She cudnt do that. She knew she meant the whole world to him. He cudnt let that happencudnt bear that Such thoughts wandered in his head whole night as he tossed n turned in a futile attempt to sleep. He rehearsd so many ways to apologize and make up when he would meet her next day at the breakfast table. Morning dawned, he woke earlyhell! He did not sleep at all! Guilt n anguish were eating him Filled with apprehension he went to breakfastonly to find Awni not there. Only Nan n Bua were there. With the feeling of a heavy stone in the pit of his stomach he sat down at da table RV: Awni kahan hai? Nan: no ideashe didnt even come back last night to sleep! I thot u wil know RV (now concernd): nahi toI have no clueis she allright? Bua: haan beta wo thik haiaaj bhor kaal wo mili thi. Keh rahi thi ki gaon ki ser par ja rahi hai. Man bhari lag raha tha uska. Humne jane diyashaam taka a jayegi Heaving a sigh of relief, RV: ohtab mil loonga phir

Suddenly remembers his date with Lara, it lifts his spirits a bit, stil 2 hrs to go Bua: bichari! Kal ke baad to man bhari hona jayaz hai. Iss tarah wapis uss duniya me jana, jahan bas taklif hi mili ho, mushkil to hoga hi Nan: kis duniya? Aap kya keh rahi hai? Bua: (wistfully) Awni k bachpan ki duniyajab wo yahan amer me thi. Tum logon ko kabhi bataya usne? RV: nahishayad kabhi humeapna samjha hi nahi Bua: nahi beta! Aisi baat nahikuch baton ko bhulane me hi bhalai hai. Awni sirf tum logon se hin nahi, apne aap se bhi apne bhoot(a/n:past not ghost!) ko chupa rahi thi. Takes a deep breath and trancesnds into the past 25 saal pehle ki baat hai. Rajkumar Ashok, humare bhai, yahan Amer me rehne wali, ek johri ki beti, Gehna, se pyar kar baithe. Unhe pata tha ki maharaj kabhi bhi unke prem ko nahi manenge. Darte the unse. Isliye chup chap un don one shaadi kar li. Kuch warshon baad Awni ka janm hua. Ye sab Maharaj se gupt tha. Aur Maharaj se chupa kar hi Awni yahan Amer me apni maa ke saath bari hone lagi. Ashok milte the unse, sur sochte the ki kab wo sacchai batane ki himmat kar payenge apne pita ko. 8 warsh beet gaye, Awni ko wo har shiksha mili jo Rajkumari ko prapt hona chahiye. Hum aur Arindam bhaisaab, bhaiyya ke mitr, uski sacchai jante the, aur use humne Maharaj se chupakar jitna ho sake utna Rajkumari ka ohda diya. Sangeet, nritya, vadyawo har shastra me sarwottam thi. Ek perfect rajkumari. Tabhi Maharaj ne Ashok bhaiyya ka vivah kar wane ki thani. Unhe nahi pata tha ki wo shadi-shuda the. Ab unhe sach batane ke siwa koi chara nahin bacha. Ek din, Gehna aur Awni ko lekar Rajkumar Ashok maharaj ke paas upasthit hue, aur humari aur Arindam bhaisaab ki madad se unhe sach keh diya. Pitaji ka krodh hum ab tak nahi bhule. Unhone bhaiyya ko rajya se tabhi bedakhal kar diya, aur kaha ki apna muih kabhi na dikhaye. Jab bhaiyya ne choti Rajkumari ki duhai di, to maharaj ne kroorta se kaha: tumhari patni to abhagyashali aur rajpath ke liye nakabil to hai hi. Saath me paida bhi larki ko kiya! Hume nawasa hota to apne nirnay ke bare me sochte. Aap apni stri aur apni beti ko lekar yahan se door chale jayiye. Hume aapki aur Amer ko Rajkumari ki koi awashyakta nahin Aur kuch kahe bina Bhaiyya, bhabhi aur Awni humesha ke liya Amer chorkar chale gaye. Jald hi khabar mili ki durghatna me bhaiyya aur bhabhi ka dehant ho gaya. Aur Awni ki zimmedari, bhabhi ki ek khas sakhi ko diya gaya jo use lekar Mumbai chali gayi.

Par shayad maharaj ke shabdon ka sabse bura asar Awni par para. Uske nanhe man me kahin ye baith gaya ki yadi wo larka hoti to Maharaj uske mapita ko rajya se nikalte nahin. Aur shayad isi me usne kanya hone ka apna astitva mita diya. Yadi ye duniya sirf larkon ko hi manti hai, to wo bhi ban gayi larkon jaisa.. Bua fell quiet as her story ended. Nandini and RV quiet too. All in their own thoughts. But worst devils were in RVs heart as he rememberd his bitter words of last night. And when actually Awni was trying to get over the ghosts of her past and needed his help, he had turned away n left alone his best friend! He was so damn sorry!!!

The lovers looked into each others eyeslost in each others love oblivious to the huge killer wave making its final kill But why was the wave feeling so hot? Surely the water cant be boiling! But it felt soand that charring smell? She woke up from the dream with a startonly to wake into a nightmare! Flames were leaping all around her room. The curtains were being consumed, the carpet, the furniture afirethe whole room a screaming inferno Panic overtook her. She was going to be barbequed! She had to escapedo something A powerful wave of coughing took her over, she was already feeling asphyxiatedcud not breath. Will she die now? Nowwhen after dreaming the same dream for so many years, she had finally seen the couple dying on the rocks? She had so much to live forshe could not let fate intervenenot again Amid da fiery flames, her watering eyes found the window. Now she had to get to it. But a huge wall of fire was between her and freedom Between her and life.Between her and veer. She HAD to get to it! As if in a daze she headed towards the window. Amid the flames, dodging themshe struggled to save her life..

..

THANK GOD U R ALL RIGHT!!!!! Words were not enough not express his relief on seeing Lara alive and well. When he was leaving the castle for his date, he heard some lamentation of local ladies. On asking he had found that last night a huge fire had broken out in the east part of the village, consuming many houses. And then with asick feeling in the pit of his stomach, he realized that the lodge where Lara was staying was exactly in that area! Nandini too was with him and without much ado she had headed towards the vaidyas place to help save whatever lives she could. She had hardly the time to console RV. On first impulse RV decided to follow her to the casualties, to find Lara. But his heart said she was where she had promisedat the gate. So inspite of common sense, he headed towards the gateto find Lara actually there! Safe and sound His heart was hammering with delicious relief. He could have scooped her in his arms and held her closeif not for the guide accompanying her. RV: thank god ur all right! When I found out abt da fire, I was scared out of my wits! Lara: I managed to escapeit was closea harrying experienceLux was fortunately not in the hotel too RV: what a relief.i was so(he suddenly blushed at his earnestness) But Lara smiled: I promised I would comeI had to.whatever happened, I had to They smiled at each other, a oddly familiar thrill running through them with a nostalgic feel. The overcast sky looked down upon the two as they followed the guide to explore the landand perhaps explore their past

Her watch told her it was 3pm. Still the sky was much darker, as if the sun was already sinking. a tempest seems likely.Awni said to herself, and then sighed. She was back in her palace room, her bag packed. She had left early morning to be on her ownn in that solitude she decided her course of action. She could not remain in the same place as RV. She just couldnt. She could happily sacrifice her love with a smile for her friend. But after what he had said last night, she did not think she had a friend anymore! His harsh words would forever haunt her, echoing in her headshe simply had to leave! She planed to go to Mumbai first, pack up her possession n properties and settle matter there as soon as possible, n then go away. Where? She had no cluebut as far away from RV as possible Lost memories of the years they had spent together came back. She could see the scenes before her eyes. But the sound that she heard werent of the laughter they had shared at that time, but were the last poisonous words her best friend had spewed out at her. U HAV SIMPLY NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE IN MY LIFE! ur just a whole bundle of PRETENSION N LIES! DONT U DARE CALL ME RAJ! I HATE U SO MUCH! A hot tear rolled down her cheek. She had to escape these memories. She wiped her tears, atleast from her eyes if not her heart She planned to leave that evening. But before that she had to say a final bye to her bua. She could not go without meeting her. Thinking so she headed towards her buas chambers.

Bua: to tumne antim faisla le liya hai aur apna irada nahin badlogi? Awni had conveyed her sudden departure, tho not the reason behind it.

Even after trying her best when bua realized she could not convince her, she had to accept it. Awni: ji haan.mai thore der me niklungi Bua: mausam bahut kharab hai Awni (with a bitter laugh): to ye akhri tarkeeb hai hume rokna ka? Buapls samjhiye, mujhe jana parega Bua: jot um thik samjho. Apna khayal rakhna. Par jane se pehle hum tumhe kuch dena chahte hai. She walked towards a cabinet and fished out an old cloth purse. From it she took out something small and handed it to Awni. Bua: tumhari amanat sambhalo Awni opened her palm a gold ring shapd in form of a dragon, wid an eye of a brilliant diamond stared out at her

RV took a deep breath and inhaled in the deliciously salty air. He was sitting atop a rock looking out to the sea. The local guide was ranting on and on about the port of Amer and trade in medieval times and god knows what else. Lara was takin notes with a bored expressionat times glancing at RV with a shy smile. RV looked at herno one had the right to look so beautiful! The briny breeze played with her hair, her green eyes sparkled as bright as the sea itself reflecting the sunrays Though rite now there hardly was any sunrays. The clouds covered the landscape, the waves lashing wildly. RV looked back at the seathe deep, wild, powerful seawhy did it make him feel so nostalgic? So awed, yet scared He was amid breathtaking scenic beauty, apparently happy and peaceful, in the company of a angelic girl who had a powerful effect on his systemshe had all a man could ask for. Then why wasnt he feeling good abt it all? Why was their a nagging feeling of hurt in his heart? That something was amissthat he was losing something he prized above allthat something was wrong It was just not justified!

He looked again at Larameaning to clear his heart of unexplained turbulent emotionsbut it hardly helped. He closed his eyesand saw the cause of his these emotions Awni. Awni all along. He had been trying to ignore all negative thoughts of last night. Felt Laras presence would heal his heart. Make him feel better. But his subconscious kept on torturing him. And somewhere deep down was a fear that she might never forgive him. He could not live with that! RV sighed. It was no good to try to push back Awni from his mind. The sea reminded of the times they had spent on the juhu beach. They used to have competitions about who could eat more items. Awni had won by one item last timewith a record of 34 items! Including nariyal pani and pan! The memories brought back a faint smile. Lara: kya soch rahe ho? RV was brought back to reality. Damn! He shud be engrossed in spending time with the girl he thought he was in love with. Then why did totally diff thoughts chased each other in his head. Why did it feel so confusing He shook his head, trying to get rid of Awnis thoughts as if shaking away a fly. RV: wokuch nahiso hope u got enough info for ur project? Lara: who cares? End me khud bana bana ke hi to likhna hai! And waise bhi I bet most of the crap the guy is takin about is made up! RV: yeah sure! Did u hear him saying Babur came to India thru amer? Lolls! Only guides can talk such utter crap They laughed together for a while. Then an uncomfy silence fell. Both looked away, blushing. RV: I was honestly scared when I heard abt the fire. I do not want to lose you. Lara: (with a smile) dont worry.i do not want to lose myself too! Another silence fell. When suddenly Lara blurted out. I dreamt about you last night As soon as the words left her a hot blush filled her cheeks. RV smiled. RV (teasingly): just last night?

Lara: actually no. (seriously) I have been dreaming about you since I was 10. RV: WHAT! Lara: I know it sounds absurdbut I always had a dream about two ppl Guide: chaliye! Ab dakshin ki or chalna hai. Apko Amer ka purana bazaar dikha doon. Mausam bhi bigar raha hai. Gaon ki or chalna thik rahega. RV and Lara could not discuss the dream as they got up to leave. wo wahan kya hai? Lara spoke up. She was pointing to a tall tower standing all alone on the beach at a distance. RV(squintin at it): looks like a lighthouse

..

Awni was ready to depart. She wanted to leave without attracting any attention. And specially questions of relatives. But most of all she did not want to run into Nandini or RV. It could lead to situations she did not want to confront. The ring lay heavy in her pocket. Bua had told of its mystic power to protect lovers. Prem anguthi what a terrific jokeAwni thought. When she had lost her prem forever, then she was getting the stupid prem anguthilife was such a comedy She would perhaps gift it to Lara and RV on their marriage. By post of corse. The thought send a shiver of hurt thru her. I do not want to think abt it. If Raj is happy, enuf for me As she approached the front gates, she looked behind once. Sadly realizing that she may never see her best friend again. Her heart told her to meet him one last time. But what would she do even if she met him? She couldnt express the hurt and emotions. Nor tell him she was going away forever. not that hell mind or anything she said to herself with a bitter laugh. She pulled up the hood of her scarlet top. She had not bothered to tie her hair. And it was falling on her face, blown by the now strong gale.

Her legs felt cold, she wished she had put on full jeans instead of the 3 quarts she wore. Her backpack hung heavy on her shoulder, tho not as heavy as her heart. Ideally it was not a weather to b traveling, n it seemd to get worse. But she could not afford or bear to wait any longer. But she wished she could see Raj for one last time. Even catch a glimpse .

WAHAN BHOOT HAI ! Nahin! Nahin! Mai wahan nahi jaaonga! Aur apko bhi nahi jane doonga! The guide was shaking his head vigorously. He sat on the rocks solidly, absolutely refusing to go near the lighthouse. The moment Lara and RV had noticed the lighthouse, the guide looked ready to run away from it at full speed. They requested, cajoled, threatened, pleadedeverythingbut he refused to go near it or even tell them why. But after so much badgering he finally told them th cause. WAHAN BHOOT HAI ! Lara and RV fell quiet for a second, after which RV burst out laughing. RV: Bhoot! Awesome! Yahi sunna baki reh gaya thathis is totally hilarious. Lara was oddly quiet and looked thoughtful. Guide (bit hurt by this open contempt): aap shehri log mane ya na mane. Sadiyon se amer ke sab log jante hain ki wahan bhoot hai. Aur koi wahan nahi jata. Lara: kiska bhoot hai wahan? RV: cmon Laraur actually listening to these old wives tales? Lara: even tales have a basis. Bataiye nakiska bhoot Guide: nahi! mai nahi bata saktaapshakun mana jata hai RV: oof! Aap uss lighthouse se 2 km door hai. Bhoot ke range se bahar. Kuch nahi hoga. Bataiye. Guide: wo

RV: bataiyewarna hum yahan se nahi jayengeaur apko bhi nahi jane denge Phir soch lijiyeshaam ho jayegisamundar me toofancharon or andherabas ek hi roshni hogiuss lighthose seaur wo aapko apne or bulayegidhiredhireaap hosh me nahi hongeaur aapke kadam apne aap hi lighthouse ki taraf bar jayengedhiredhireaur jaise aap wahan pahunchenge.WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO! RV jumped on the scared man, startling him. Guide: AAAARRRRRGHHHHH!!!! The man jumped in fear. RV laughed aloud winking at Lara. Guide: kyu dara rahe hai! RV: to bataiye hume Guide: accha thik haiek bahut purani kahani hai uss lighthouse ke bare me. All settled on the rocks as the guide began his tale in the usual guide voice. bas popcorn ki zaroorat hai RV thot to himself. And even in such odd situation his heart did a painful somersault. He missed Awni. She would have so enjoyed this ghost story. And more scaring the hapless guide. He missed her so much. He pushed away his thoughts as the story started. Guide: Kai saalon pehle yahan ek maharaj hua karte the. Kahani ya itihaas unka naam yaad nahi rakhti. Lekin wo bahut sakht the. Itne sakht, ki unke apne pariwar unse darti thi, au shayad nafrat bhi karti thi. Unki beti thi. Bahut sundar. Kehte the wo jab gati thi, sab mantramugdh ho jate the. Door door tak us jaise koi na tha. Apsarayein bhi haar maan jaye. Aur ek din Rajkumari ko prem ho gaya. Ek sidhe sadhe gareeb ghar ke larke se. wo dono jaise ek dooje ke liye bane the. Wo bansuri bajata tha, aur rajkumari gati thi. unki madhur sangeet Amer ki ragon me bas gayi. RV felt goosebumps. Odd sensations and scenes erupted out of nowhere in his mind. Why did it all sound so damn familiar? It was as if he was living the story .par maharaj ko kaise yeh manzoor hota. Unke gurur ke upper kuch na tha. Isliye unhone rajkumari ka vivah kahin aur tay kar diya. Lekin kismet kuch aur chahti thi. Rajkumari uss lark eke saath bhag gayi. Kaise. Kyu. Kahan. Koi nahi janta.

Par kahte hain wo dono bhag kar iss lighthouse me aaye. Aur yahin maharaj ki sena ne unhe pakarne ki koshish ki. Parantu pata nahi kaise, kismet se, ya kisi ki sahayata sewo bhaag gaye Apni maut ki or. A silence befell. Both RV and Lara were as if watching a movie. They saw it all happening before their eyes. Samudra me kalbaisakhi ka toofan aaya hua tha. Koi nahi janta toofan un do premiyon ko kahan le gayi. Kuch kehte hain wo bach gaye. Kuch kahte hain beh gaye. Aur kuch mante hain ki woh Amer ki tat se thore door par pathor matha naam ke patharon se takrake ek duje ke prem me amar ho gaye. Kaun jane? Par tab se yeh kaha jata hai ki Rajkumari aur uske premi ki aatma uss lighthouse me bhatakti haiisliya wahan, aur pathor matha ki or koi nahi jata. Uske bare me log bolne se bhi darte hain!... The story ended. But was it a story? The guide did not know what happened to the pair in the storm. Then why did RV see the story after they had left. Two lovers. On the rocks. Killer wave behind them. As if in a daze he looked up. Into Laras eyes. And saw his own feelings mirrored in them. At that instant he knew she saw the same end too. She had the same dream too. Why? How? Their was only one way to find out. RV: (in a shuddering voice) naam kya tha un do premiyon ka? In a scared whisper the guide replied Gazal aur Veer

The lone figure in bright red trundled on. Stooped with a heavy backpack on her shoulderor perhaps bend with heavier burdens on her mind As she reaches the main gate of the castle, a loud gathering of ppl attract her attention. Many ppl wer gathered around a man who was shoutin something dementedly. Awni didnt bother to stop, till something caught her attention .aur wo do shehri maut ke muh me chale gaye Her ears perked up. There were no shehris in Amer except she, RV n Nan n ofcorse Lara n Luxwhat had happened? Honestly speakin she had not seen any of dem since last night Casually she strolled over to the gathering, trying to make something of the mans rantings. maine unhe rokne ki bahut koshish ki. Kaha wahan Bhoot hai. Wo bilkul nahi mane. Jaise pagalpan sawar tha, lighthouse me jane ki. Now it ws getting on her nerves! Who ws it abt? She decided to ask directly Awni: kiski baat kar rahe hain aap? All men turned to look at da cloaked figure, da guide lookd suspicious. Awni sighed, so much for cover She took off the hood n let her hair tumble out. rajkumari!!! All stood up respectfully, awni rolled her eyeswhatever Awni: to aap kya keh rahe the? Guide: meri galti nahi haiunhone meri baat mani hi nahi Awni: kinhone? Aap kinki baat kar rahe hain? Guide: wo aapke saath aaya hua larka, aur wo hari aankhon wali larkikya naam tha? Awni: Lara Guide: haan..wohi Awni: kahan hai wo dono(thotfully) Guide: womaine kuch nahi kiyamai to Awni: GET TO DA POINT MAN! (losin patience)samajh gayi ap nirdosh hai, ab aage boliye Guide: unhe samudra tat ki sair par le gaya thawahan lighthouse dekhkar wo sawaal poochne lage. Maine bataya wahan bhoot hai, aur wahan ki kahani batayikahani sunkar jaise unhe kuch ho gaya! Jaise unpe hi koi bhoot sawar tha! Aur dono uss lighthouse me jane ki zidd par arr gayeab unhe bhoot zinda nahi lautne denge

Awni breathd a sigh of relief. She ws a bit worried wid da guides tone. stupid superstitionsshe thot. She had too heard of the story of lovers lost at sea and rumors of their ghosts n all such crap. n knew der ws nothing as such in da lighthouse. Da man ws overreactin. They were ok. And togetherthe thot send a ripple of pain thru her. Guide: uske upar se mujhe to ye bhi darr hai ki wo pathor matha ki or bhi jane ki koshish karenge!!! Da ppl around oohd n aahhhd, Awni too ws concerned dis time. No ghost thing, the weather ws getting horrid. It ws suicide to go near the rocks now. Fatal. Awni: pathor matha? Abhi? Guide: haansamudra ke uunche lehron ke karan lighthouse ke chaaron or paani bhar gaya tha, to wahan tak pahunchne ke liye unhe ek nao lni pari. Aur maine uss larki ko kehte hue suna ki pathor matha to jana hi haishayad wo dono kabhi wapas nahi aayenge Awni: toofan paas haimujhe nahi lagta wo itni bari galti karenge. Pagal nahi hai. Waise bhi ek tourist spot ke liye jaan khatre me kaun dalta hai? Guide: kya pata? Par unko dekh kar nahi lag raha tha ki bas itni si hi baat hai. Jaise hi unhone kahani suni, junoon sawar ho gaya unpar wahan jane ka aur un premiyon ka naam sunkar to aur bhi pagla gayeab kya hoga? Awni shrugged n walkd off. Her burden was lifted. She did not share the mans silly fears. She knew dey were safe. N not so dumb as to tackle the stormy seas now. They wil b fine. un premiyon ka naam sunkar aur bhi pagla gaye Awni had now put quite some distance between herself n da guide. She walkd on what was da name of the lovers? Awni had heard da story wen she was kid. Cudnt remember da name. it came to the surface of her memory, but cudnt brek it kya thayaad nahi aa rahaarrehaan! Gazal aur Veer As soon as da words left her, she halted suddenly in her tracks. No ways!!! The truth hit her lik a truck. She cudnt believ it! How can it b true? Its crap But

RVs dreamssame onesn recognizing Lara as da galcalin her Gazal, her calin him Veern now rushin to da lighthouse on hearin der story! It ws too fancy n fictious to b true. Impossible. Yet da facts were obvious. In mid of her surprise, Awni cudnt help but laugh out loud! great! Isi ki kami thi. Pichle janam ke bichre premi. Wow! Incredible! Accha mazak haimai jisse pyar karti hoon, wo na hi sirf kisi our ko chahta hai, but wo larki uski pichle janam ki sathi nikalti hai! Superb! Kisi movie ko kahani bechni chahiye! aur ye prem anguthi MERE paas hai! How bloody ironical! She shook her head, shakin away the hurt n shock n resignment. whatever janam. May they live happily ever after Dats all she cud say. Or bear to. Raj wil b very happy wid Lara or Gazal or whoeverhe wont need anything in lifespl not her. She could continue on her way as before.

They just lay in each others arms. Peacefully. The sun was setting. Atleast it ws time to. The sky was already too dark with clouds to say for sure. The sea gurgled ahead. RV happily stroked Laras hair as she leaned against his chest. It felt so much in place. Yet disquietning. They were in the lighthouse. High tide made the water surround it n lap its walls. The small boat they had used to come there, bobbed on da waves. It felt as if all his life he had lived in a dream. And his dreams were the truth after all. Now finally he was living his dreams. The story had pushed the last pieces into place. The deja-vu was too deep. He had seen history repeat thru his memory. Or atleast saw broken parts of it. But enough to realize who he was. Or had been. An unfinished love story. The thought amused him, but felt so real. He couldnt remember everything, but got da gist.

Laraor was it Gazal?...got up and went over to the window. Staring wistfully into the now tossing sea, already ragin with storm. Her face hidden by shadows, yet looked so mesmerisingly beautiful. Hypnotic. Out of wordly. RV didnt think any mortal could look so beautiful. In a soft tinkling voice; Gazal: Wohi toofan RV went up to her n looked on. The wild waves brought back some horrible memories. It made him nauseated. But Gazal looked unfazed, actually seeming to enjoy it. Gazal: Wohi toofanWohi kalbaisakhiWohi hum And then she turned to look at RV, her eyes too bright, as if ashine with an insane light. Gazal: par iss bar kahani khatam karni hai! Iss baar adhura nahi rakh sakte! RV: matlab kya hai tumhara? Gazal: hum ABHI pathor matha jayenge! Tab hi hamara Milan poora hoga. Humari intezar khatam hogi. Kahani poori hogi. He could see her point, but it was insanity to tackle the seas in the storm. RV: lekin iss baar bhi mare gaye to? Bahar dekho? Tumne hi to kahaWohi toofanto iss baar bhi nahi bachenge agar wahan gaye tosubah hogi to jayenge Gazal: NAHI! (her voice maniacally high now) tum nahi samajh rahe! Hume isi toofan me jana hoga! Tum dekh nahi raheitihaas dohra rahi haiaur hume mauka de rahi hai apne bhagya ke prem ko prapt karne ka RV: (grumbled) khudkhushi karke kuch prapt nahi hoga Gazal smiled at this. An odd wistfull smile as she touched his face. A thrill of shock went thru him. Gazal: kuch nahi hoga veeriss baar kudrat ye CHAHTI hai ki hum apna raah poora karein, aur kahani ka ant kareinaur yahi raasta haikuch nahi hogatum daro matiss baar kuch ho hi nahi sakta She looked deliriously happy and her joy was infecting him. He felt his doubts leave as she held his hands and pulled him towards the small boat. But as he got on it, sea sickness grabbed him again. Storm raged ahead, the water was churning, lightning flashedhe looked at Gazal, meaning to refuse

But she gave him a calm n composed dont worry look, n he felt his nerves settle A weird sense of calm n destiny filled him and he hardly remembered the eventful journey to Pathor Matha ..

Awni had reached her destination. She had arranged for a cart to pick her up and take her to barrackpore from where she planned to take a bus. The cart hadnt arrived yet, she would have to wait. It was getting darker and stormier. She hugged herself and prepared for the wait when she noticed a familiar figure reclining against a tree, her eyes closed. Awni: Nandini? Nandini opens her eyes: Tu yahan kya kar rahi hai? She was looking very tired. Dark circles under her eyes. Awni: ummmwobut TU yahan kya kar rahi hai? Tiredly Nan sat on a rock and sighed. Nan: yahan par medical supplies bahut kam hai. Aur casualties itne zyada. Jo aag se bach bhi gaye, infection se mare jayenge, to maine medicines mangwayen hain. Waitin for the delivery Awni: medicines? Casualty? Aag? Whats goin on? Nan (a bit shocked): U HAV NO IDEA? I don believ itkahan thi sara din?...n u call ur self princess! Awni: I dontoders doder probbut u din ans da ques, wats all dis abt? Nan: apparently ur blissfully unaware, but kal raat, Amer ke gaon me aag lagi thi. Bahut saare log mare gaye. Aur yahan koi doctor ya hosp bhi nahi hai. Maine jitna ho sake kiyacant save everyone, but tryinsubah se isime bhaga-bhagi kar rahi hoon Awni: HELL! N I had no clue! I should be ashamed of myself Nan: couldnt agree more, BUT WHAT ABT U? Notices her backpack and guilty expression, comprehends her for sec n den gets up suddenly in anger. Nan: TU AMER SE BHAAG RAHI HAI? Awni: wo

Nan: haan ya nahi?[:x] Awni: mai actually Nan: YES OR NO. were u planning to go or not! [:x][:x][:x] Awni: haan! Aur kyu na jaaon? Pls yaardont make things worse for meI dont wanna discuss this Suddenly Nandinis face clouds. Nan: tune bhaiyya ko dekha? Awni: (bitterly) aisi kismet kahan? Nan: itni busy thi ki usse mil nahi payihope wo thik hai Awni: wo bilkul thik hai! Zaroorat se zyada actually Nan: tujhe kya ho gaya hai! How could u be so selfish? Awni: how am I bein selfish now? Nan: RV needs u now more than anything else. N UR LEAVING HIM IN DIS CONDITION????!!!!

The waves lashed mercilessly around them, the sea churned, their little boat rocked crazilythe storm was bad, it looked like sure deathtill the boat gently docked on a rock, and the Pathor matha loomed ahead. They had reached it safe and sound But RV hardly felt any of the turmoil. He was in an odd peace, hardly bothered by near death experience, as if he knew that they will reach their destiny and NOTHING could stop them. Not even KALBAISAKHI this time But his senses seemd to return and he found himself atop the Pathor matha with Gazals hand in his. Shaken back to the real world he turned and looked at their tiny boat. THEY HAD MADE IT! He did not know hown the funny thing was he did not even remember much abt da journey. Weird. Must be shock. Anyways that hardly mattered as he looked around. Dj vu rocked thru him with powerful pulses. The rock top was very narrow, he and Gazal hardly fit together, and her proximity made it more invigorating. two loverslost in each others eyesentwined on the rockskiller wave behind RV was rocked back to reality. The dreams seemd more clear now. RV: so finally we complete the story and meet our destiny Gazal: nahiabhi kahan

RV: aur kya baki hai? Jaisa tumne kaha tha, yahi kahani adhoori rah gayi thiaur hum yahan pahunch gayephir senayi kahani shuru karne Gazal: kahani humare alag hone par adhoori reh gayi thi, veer RV: aur yahin par mil kar humne use khatam kiya Gazal: abhi milan me bahut bara faasla baki hai Veer RV: hardly 2-4 cms ka actually [:p] Gazal: tum samjhe nahin ab tak And suddenly the rocks were severly bashed by the raging sea and the Pathor Matha trembled with the impact. A huge portion of the rocks below crumbled and were washed away. RV nearly lost his footing. RV: whoa! This is getting dangerous. Hume chalna chahiye. The earth is literally falling from beneath my feet! But Gazal stoof unfazed, not at all bothered with the now precariously shaking n breakin Pathor matha. Gazal: (in a whisper) tum ab tak samjhe nahi Veer And turns to face him. The sky was overcast and now night had settled in. there was no light. But her face seemed to glow of its own accord. Those jade eyes shining with unearthly beauty and understandingand unconditional love. But something was amiss, something not right RV didnt have time to ponder on this as he noticed a huge wave about to crash upon them. RV: NOOOOOOO.. The wave broke, shaking the Pathor matha vigorously. RV flailed desperately to get a hold on something. Everything was crumbling away. The Pathor Matha had stood proudly and bore many such storms before. Then why was it collapsing this time? Must be his horrible luck,RV thought as he managed to find a foothold and found himself on a rocky cliff side of the PM, hanging to the side and feet on a ledge kinda. Just a slip, or one more of those gigantic waves, and hell be lost forever Suddenly his senses recalled with dread. RV: GAZAL! GAZAL! Mai thik hoona calm voice answered, totally unaffected by this dance of death. Bas ab tumhara intezar hai Veer. Tabhi to Milan poora hogaKahani khatam hogi

..

Nan: RV needs u now more than anything else. N UR LEAVING HIM IN DIS CONDITION????!!!! Awni was perplexed. It was SHE who was in a pathetic condition, SHE who was abandonedand SHE was only being blamed! Who said life was fair! Awni: Rajveer is in an absolutely happy and good condition. I dont see him in any sort of need for me. I have no idea why ur under the notion that he had gone through some sort of tragedy Nandini glared at her disappointedly and then understanding filled her eyes. Nan: oh! Tujhe to pata hi nahi tha Awni: ab aur kya pata nahi hai mujhe? A loud neighing of horses filled the air. The horse cart was coming. Nan: kal ke aag me Ramu ka atithigrih bhi jal gaya Awni. She stops for a second, taking a deep breath. Nan: koi nahi bachaKOI NAHILara aur uski dost Lux, dono mare gaye Awni bursts out laughing. Awni: sorry dear. Ur info is apparently wrong Nan: what do u mean? Awni: actually Lux ka pata nahi, but Lara is hale and heartywo abhi Raj veer(gulps) Rajveer ke saath hi haishes fineand RV too is in no tragic condition! His girlfriend is absolutely ok, and happy with him Nandini just shakes her head. Nan: did u see her? Awni: not exactly. But I just met someone who did. And he cant be mistaken for sure. Guide hai n specially Lara aur Lux ke liye kaam kar raha thaaur thori der pehle usne un dono ko ek saath dekha Nan: apparently he is mistaken Awni

Awni just smiles. Nan was getting hyper. Stressd out. The cart had arrived with the medicines. Awni loaded her bag and got ready to climb on it. Awni: its not possible dear. They r ok. Dont worry. And u take care. Bye Nan: Awni, LARA IS DEAD! Why dont u understand Awni: coz I hav solid proof of a man seeing her Nan: AND I HAVE PROOF OF SEEING HER BURNT CORPSE! AND I SIGNED HER DEATH CERTIFICATE! She was found trying to escape from a burning window, but couldnt manage it

RAJ!!!! RAAAAAJJJ!!! Awni called out frantically as she raced at full speed to the top of the lighthouse. It hadnt taken her long to realize that something was fatally wrong when she found of Laras death. She couldnt understand then how or why Lara was with Raj now. Nor did she bother to ponder over it. Life had been terribly weird the past few days, and there could be ANY sane or insane explanation to it. She just knew one thing, and it was more of a gut feeling than any logical conclusionRajs life was in danger!!! The instinctive feeling of impending doom on her best friends life, hit her suddenly as soon as Nandini had told her of Laras demise. So she hadnt thought twice as she had unhooked the horse from the cart, and had ridden it to the palace, much to bewilderment of Nanto use the secret royal passageways to the lighthouse. It was safer and much quicker. And now that she had reached it, with a feeling of hopelessness and foreboding, she realized he was not here! kahan ja sakta hainkahin use kuch ho ta nahi gaya? Nahinnahinaisa nahin haipar wo hai kahan? Pata nahin kiss haal me hogaaur jane kisske saath! Aur main use iss khatre me chorkar ja rahi thi! Agar use kuch ho gaya to I No! I wont think abt it She rechecked the lighthouse again, maybe he had gone back to the palace and was allright! But heart said something was terribly wrong.

She looked out from the window of the lighthouse at the stormy tempest churning the sea, seething herself with equal frustration when her eye settled on the imposing shadowy structure of the legendous Pathor matha. She knew the local lore enough to associate it with the ancient tragedy of Veer-Gazaland it didnt take her much time to guess where Raj could be now. Hell or heavenill find u Raj But as soon as she said so, despair filled her. She had a raging stormy sea to beat to reach the Pathor mathaand she didnt even have a boat! now what!!! How? How? Awni sat down in frustration and pained helplessness. She was desperate. Had to do something. Had to reach Raj at any cost. But how? She couldnt beat the Poseidon. Couldnt do by water, without a boat. It was not possible to arrange for a rescue helicopter or something in these areas. There was only one option. below the ground Awni knew that the Pathor matha was an old rock temple of the ancient era. And fables told that the royal underground passageways connected EACH and EVRY part of amer to the castle. Including Pathor matha. With rising hope Awni ran back to the entrance of the passages. But the prob was with the destruction of the temple, and its being claimed by the ocean, the route to it was lost to fables alone. The area was of rocky igneous origins, so technically the sea bed was strong enough and the passageways were built much below it. So the route to Pathor matha should be intact. But the passed centuries and huge water pressure made it extremely risky. Yet, it was not the risk part that deterred Awni, she would run through fires and hellholes for her friend. but the problem was that she had no idea which path to take! The secret way to the PM was forgotten long back, and the labyrinth of passages were too confusing and easy to get lost, to take a guess. Oh god! Pls lead me to RajPLSlead me to the Pathor matha somehowanyhow

Suddenly she fell quite. A low swooshin noise caught her attentionno, it ws more like a growlin mumble of low pitch, n it was coming from within the passages! The soundwhat could it be? Sounded like a vacuum cleanerno, more like a bathtub with its plug being pulledor holy cow! Its the sea! The gigantic ocean gurgling with the equally massive storm, thrashed against the ceilings of the passages in the areas where it ran below the superficial sea-bedand echoed in da corridors. A brain wave hit Awni as she realized dat the sound made by the sea arose from the passages leding into itand into the Pathor Matha! Bulls eye! Now I need to follow the soundand check out for areas where the passage walls are slightly wetand ofcorse I have my compass in my backpack! The ncc training was usefull after all Raj! I will use it to reach you! Fishing out the compass from her backpack, consulting it under a flashlight and then listening to the sound carefully, Awni hit on the direction to be taken. Im coming Rajand this for good luck! She took out the Prem Anguthi from her pocket and put it on. And without a worry if she would survive the treacherous pathways under the sea, she plunged in the dark caverns

Bas ab tumhara intezar hai Veer. Tabhi to Milan poora hogaKahani khatam hogi RVs senses had gone for a toss. And he was close to lose his sanity too. What the hell was happening? And from where was Gazals voice coming? RV turned as best he could while still balancing himself on the hanging precipe in direction of the voice. But the voice was coming from the direction of the sea! How can Gazal be there? No ways But all arguments died in RVs mind as he saw Gazal. Calmly standing On the waves!!!!!!!!!!!

RV: ok! So finally I have lost it! Must have suffered concussion or sumthing n hallucinating Gazal: Veer She was calling him! NO! it was not a dream or trick of his mind! She really was there. Standing unperturbed on the stormy sea. Not even floating. Just as if it was a stage or something, not huge, rocking tides! Gazal: Veermere paas aa jao RV: r u nuts?!!! Sweetheart, I hav no clue how r u managing that stunt. But babes I can assure u, I CANT DO DAT! Gazal sighed. Her beautiful face illuminated by an unearthly light, as if she was not a creature of this earth. Her hair stirring, as if ruffled by a gentle breeze, not a vicious storm. Her pale, milky and perfect complexion glowing so perfecttoo perfect Gazal: tum ab tak nahi samjhe? RV had a weird feeling. He did not understand what it was. An unbidden thought on which he couldnt put a finger on. It felt as if one part of his mind was whirring at supersonic speed, and another crawling at snails pace. RV(slowly): kehna kya chahti ho tumkya samajhna chahiye mujhe? Gazal: Veermaine tumse vaada kiya tha ki aaj tumse miloongikuch bhi homai zaroor miloongiaur maine apna vaada nibhaya RV: (pissd off) dekho Gazalshayad tum situation ko samajh nahi rahi ho, mai maut ke upar latak raha hoon! Kisi bhi waqt beh jaoonga. Aise haalat me mera dimag tumhare paheliyon ko samajh nahi paa rahaso come to the point! Gazal: (her voice echoing mellifluously, in a whisper, but was heard easily above the din of the storm) kuch bhi ho Veermaine apna vaada nibhaya iss janam ka aur pichle janam ka Pichle janam me bhi maut rok nahi payi thi Gazal ko Veer se milneaur nahi iss janam me maut rok payegi iss Milan ko Pehle ye samundar Gazal ke ant ka karan bani, aur iss baar agni ne use samapt kiya RV couldnt believe what he was hearing. It was just not possible. Gazal was DEAD? But she continued: parantu jaise pehle bhi ye prem kahani toot nahi payi, iss baar hamare prem ki jeet hogi. Iss baar ye kahani khatam hogi Veer. Tum mere hogeyadi jiwan me nahi, to mrityu me RVs head was spinning. It was all too much to digest. Now that he realized the truth, he felt how did he not guess it before? It was all so obvious

And now looking at her, shining with her own light, she definitely did not seem like a mortal! He should have seen through the truth before. Gazal was deadhe should have been smitten with pain of losing his love again. Yet it only brought an empty feeling. It was not fear he felt at Gazals truth. It was loss Not for Gazals life. For something elseIt was a lossfor his own soul RV shook his head. Why where such weird n unexplainable thoughts coming to him? Gazal: Veermere paas aao Veersadiyon se tumhara intezar kar rahi hoona baa bhi jaojane do uss patthar koaur sama jane do iss nashwar shareer ko iss toofan mehamare dil sadiyon pehle mil chuke hain, ab aatmaon ka bhi sangam hone doVeer She went on and on. Coaxing him to leave his shelter and join her in the unending void of death. But now RV was hardly listening. His body as well as mind was going numb. He was in a trance meri Gazal bula rahi hai. Mujhe uske paas jaana hai. Iss baar hume koi nahi rok sakta. Agar use zindagi naseeb nahi hui, to mujhe bhi jine ka koi adhikar nahi Nahi Mai jiina chahta hoon ye janmon janmon ka vaada hai meri kya galti agar baar baar maut hamare bich aa rahi hai? Mai kyun uske saath apna sab kuch tyag doon? kyunki saccha prem yahi hota hai. Mai uske bina nahi ji sakta aisa nahi haimujhe nahi lagtakyu nahi jii sakta? ye uske prem ka vishwatghat hoga. Hum hamesha ek dooje ke liye bane the. Mai kabhi bhi kisi aur ka nahi ho sakta zindagi chalti rahti haiaur mai iss zindagi ko nahi chodungaa kyun jiyun mai? Kiske liye? Kaun hai jo Gazal ke prem se zyada zaroori haikuch nahikoi nahi NAHI! mai aa raha hoon Gazalaur iss baar hum juda nahin honge NAHINNAHINNAHIN

RV closed his eyes. Trying to shut out the part of his mind screaming at him to jump. He frantically tried to think of a reason to live. To convince his other part that he COULD live without Gazal. That he had someone to live for. And a face came before his eyes AWNI He was not thinking straight. He did not understand how or why. But at that instant he realized that Awni was his guardian angel. The twig of hope and love that will help him to stay afloat in the deep ocean of confusion and death in which he was floundering. Inspite of his situation , the turmoil in his heart and Gazals continuous soulful call for her Veer, RVs thoughts were filling fast with memories he had cherished with Awni. Of their growing together. Of their fights. Of the making ups. Of the cheers, the hugs, the feeling of being there for each other Of happiness, of unadulterated love, of clear and deep sentiments of caring and loving each other Awni and her memories cleared his mind slowly from the dark debris of destiny that awaited him in the form of the beautiful Gazal. But now he did not find her beautiful anymore. She was scary. And dead No! He would not give up. The past was over, the future to comeAnd he did not want to waste it for some promises of old times It did not matter anymore. He had done what he could. But death did not let them meet this time too. So he wasnt going to kill himself to join her. There was more to his life than his past and Gazal Veer had belonged to Gazalhe always wouldbut HE was NOT Veer, he RAJVEER! A new person, a new life His resolve was made. He would live. But nature did not let him take the decision. Or was it egged by another supernatural force which had perhaps sensed his desire to not give up? RV didnt have a chance to do anythingto save himselfas a huge wave dashed upon him and he lost his grip and footing. The wave rushed him away towards his death and Gazal He felland felland fell

He felland felland fell A cold rushing sounded in his ears, he was shivering and hurting all over. Was dis death? It should not have been so painful. And why that jerk? RV was completely shaken, his senses gone for a toss. But slowly he came to and found himself still hanging on the cliff, albeit, much of the cliff had washed away in the wave and just few rocks now jutted out of the PM, one of which he was hanging. He was hanging? But he had lost his gripyet he could feel his weight straining on his right hand as he strained to gain a foothold to balance himself. Something warm had entwined on his right wrist and held him tightly, stopping his fall into the gurgling stormy waters. Perhaps some sea weed on the rocks. He didnt have time to think much about it as he struggled to steady himself and transfer his load to his feet as they found a foothold in a crevice. He was stable for now, but only till the next wave washed him away. This time even a sea weed wouldnt be able to save him. He looked up to glance at the weed encircling his hand and supporting his weight, only to see a hand. And then the hand was linked to an arm. And the arm to a torso. And the torso to a head. Awnis grinning face shone above him. Awni: gotcha! Man! U r sooo heavythot I wud surely drop you! RV just gaped at her like a goldfish outta water. He was speechless. With surprise and shock and disbelief, but mostly joy. RV: AWNI! Tu yahan? Awni: hey! Tumhe kya laga? Only u hav got the right to hang from wobbly rocks which could anytime be swallowed by a sea churning with a storm! Im here to share the adventure![:p] RV: I dont believe it! How did u reach here? I mean the storm n all Awni: look Raj dear, we will have a nice little chat about my navigation skills and my sharp senses and intelligence over a warm fire. But this is hardly a cosy situation, dont u think? Inspite of his near death experience, and inspite of the fact that death was still so near, he couldnt stop the huge stupid grin coming on his face. That was his dear Awni! She could make him smile ANYTIME! Awni: so now quit grinning like an idiot and help me pull you up! Then we will think of a way to get away.

She heaved him up but that didnt help much as suddenly RV went rigid. He had remembered that Gazalor rather Gazals ghost was there too. Perhaps Awni could not see her At that moment as if to prove his point. Gazal: veerveer Awni: cmon up Raj, we can do it Gazal: mere paas aao Veer Awni: balance urself dude, n why the hell r u not trying? Trust me, its not my hobby to risk my neck and save ppl from dangerous precipes hanging over stormy seas! Im not enjoying myself exactlyso try to move! Gazal: (as if Awni did not exist, as if nothing was happening) Veertum sirf mere hoapna vaada nibhao veermere paas aao Awni: What the hell Raj RV: (quietly) Awniso u cant see her Gazal: mera intezar poora karo veer, iss kahani ka ant karo And then she begun to sing. It was as if tides of melody were washing over him. Again putting him in a trance. Calling him. O saathi re O re piya Tujh sang preet lagakar sajna Dil haari mai piya Pal pal Aankhen dhoonde tujhe Pal pal Raahen take teri Janmon janmon ki Sadiyon sadiyon ki Pyasi hai intezaar meri His senses and conciousness seemed to float away from him. His mind was muddled. He saw no reason to hang on or survive.NOOO! He had to let go. He had to reach his loveNOOOOO Ab to aa bhi ja Ab to aa bhi ja Teri diwani Teri jogan pukaare Ab to aa bhi ja Na roke samay

Na roke zamaana Na roke maut Na roke koi bahana Ab to aa hi ja Ab hone do Milan Tujh sang preet lagakar Dil haari mai sajan He was not himself anymore. His inner voice had been totally overcome by the hexing song. He slowly loosened his grip Awni: OH BABES! WILL U JUST SHUT UP!!! Her loud and crystal sharp voice lashed out at the entrancing song and like a splash of chilled water woke RV from his trance. He saw up at Awni straining hard to pull him up. She spared a fleeting glance at the spectacle of Gazal which had fallen quiet now, and gave her a look as if she was looking at an extremely irritating salesman! Awni: I agree u hav got a gr8 voice. Maybe you should try playback singing for bollywood. But right now we r just not in the mood darling. So just shut ur trap! RV was stunned. She COULD SEE HER. But then did she not realize what she was? It was so obviousyet RV: AwniGazalLara is a ghost Awni fell quiet for a sec as if in deep thought, then shrugged. Awni: good point Rajthat IS a problem. I guess bollywood does not generally accept ghosts as playback singers. But we will discuss her career plans later. Just budge up now Raj He couldnt believe it! Awni knew and understood everything. And still took it lightly. Saving him was a more pressing matter than a looming ghost. And anyways how can ghosts deter this wild and willfull girl from doing what she wanted to and save her best friend. RV smiled to himself. Only Awni could be this crazy and brash and absurd. But thats why he loved her. He tried to leverage himself as Awni pulled him again. A quiet but deadly voice echoed.

Gazal: Mere Veer ko jane do larkimai tumhe nuksan nahi pahunchana chahti hoonparantu yadi tum zidd karogi, to Veer ko pane ke liye Gazal kuch bhi karegi As if to prove her point the rock that was supporting them shuddered. It would take hardly one more little wave to completely shatter it. And then both he and Awni would die. Gazal: tum thik soch rahe ho Veeryadi tumne mujhse door jane ki koshish ki, to ye larki bhi tumhare saath maari jayegi Awni: what utter bullshit! Agar marna hai to waise bhi marenge. Thanx dear, but im not interested in ur advice. RAJdont listen to her and try to come up He hesitated. Gazal: agar tum mere paas aa jaoge Veer, to iss larki ko kuch nahi hoga kuch bhi karo, iss paar ya uss paar, tum aaj yahan se jiwit nahi jaaogebas apne saath iss larki ko bhi le jana chahte ho ya nahi, ye ab tum par hai Veer The rock shuddered harder. It would collapse any moment. But Awni was unperturbed. Awni: why are you not moving Rajhelp me pull u up! RV: nahi Awni: WHAT???!!! RV looked up into those huge honeyed eyes, now wide with exertion and shock. Her hair was open and whipped on her full face. Why did he have to realize how beautiful she was, after so many yrs, when it was too late Life was so unfair RV: Awnijane do mujhe Awni: STOP IT! Im NOT letting u go! I dont care what happens! RV: I do. Dont u understand, I come up or not, still im gonna die. I cant let u get hurt because of meno Awnigo away Awni:Raj RV: Awni pls Awni: SHUT UP RAJ! Yeah, maybe ur rite. Up or down, ull die both ways perhaps. But if u do, then I want to die with you! And I want u to be with ME. I will never leave you and stop trying to save you till my last breath. I will NEVER give up. I will NEVER let go. And if u do anything stupid and dont come up, im gonna jump in before u do and make sure u see me crashing on the rocks and dying before u do! U GET THAT? So stop giving silly reasons, coz IM NOT GONNA LISTEN!

RV: Why? Why r u doing this? Why do u want to die pointlessly? Why do you want to so unthinkingly sacrifice everything for me? Why? Awni: COZ I LOVE YOU!!! A cold silence fell in, but Awni broke it soon. Awni: yeah! I love you. And im not leaving u here. So just cut the crap and come up. Coz u know if AWNI decides something, NOTHING can change her mind! So dont bother to say anything and just push urself off those rocks while I pull u up There was a height of tyranny and Awni crossed all limits. Rv just gaped at her cool acceptance of something he would never have been able to so easily. And over that she also managed to make it sound as if it was HIS fault! Bossiness was synonymous to this wild girl. And so was determination. RV knew his friend well enough to understand that he was wasting his time in telling her to save herself. And somewhere deep down in his heart he was thankfull to her for not leaving him alone. It was a selfish thought, true, still everyone has a part of their psyche which requires some ones arms to protect them from their worst fears, whatever the price of it. So ignoring the wobbly rock, the raging storm and an enraged spirit, RV levered himself and balanced himself to distribute his weight as Awni simultaneously heaved him. RV managed to edge up and support his arms now on the cliff. A little more to be safely upfor the time being that is. A shrill scream of rage filled the air as the spectre realized what RV was doing. And she turned into a blinding flash of light which zapped at Awnis hand which held and supported RV. But Awni waved her other hand at the incoming light, and swished it aside as if it was an irritating fly! RV: Whoa! What was that? Awni: No cluedunno how I did it, was instinctive The light returned to its earlier position and turned back into a seething Gazal staring angrily at the hand that had waved her back. Or rather at the shiny ring on it. Gazal: Prem anguthi RV: what? Awni stared at her ring: prem anguthia lucky charmill tell u the story laterNow move it

A final tug and a scramble as Awni finally managed to pull Rv up onto the now unstable rock with her. Gazal: tumne apna chunaw kar liya hai Veerab meri bari aur tum, Rajkumari Awni; apni maut ko tumne khud hi neota diya haitumhe ye samajh lena chahiye tha ki Prem anguthi sirf premiyon ki raksha karta haiaur Veer tumse nahi, humse prem karta haiGazal se Veer ko koi juda nahi kar sakta, tum bhi nahi Awni slowly turned to look the spirit of Gazal straight in the eye. The wind whipped her hair across her huge angry eyes and pure determination and cold rage shone from her as she coolly said. FUCK OFF He was sitting on a rock about to crumble into a stormy sea at the mercy of a supernatural entity which had come to haunt him from his past birth. The situation could not have been more fatal and bad. Yet RV could not help but find it all oddly amusing. That was what Awni was all about. Courage, loyalty, love, determinationand unperturbed by ANY trouble that came her way, meeting every challenge with equal gusto and fervour. Undaunted. RV: UmmmAwnidear, I think its highly indecent and unhealthy to say fuck off to a ghost. Give her some respect yaar! [:p] But the good humour left him as Awni gave him too a quelling look. Awni: thik kaha tumne GazalVeer tumhara haipar ye VEER nahi, RAJVEER hai. Tum dono ki maut ke saath tumhari prem katha samapt ho gayi thi. You cant force urself on him now. Hes a different individual and though he may be a reincarnation of ur Veer, he is not the same person and may not necessarily be in love with the same girl. Jaisa tumne kaha Gazal, chunaw uska hai Gazal: Jiwan ke moh maya me mera Veer fass gaya hai wo nahi janta ki wo kya chahta hai, wo apna chunaw nahi kar sakta, isliye mai uski madad karoongiaur phir wo hamesha ke liye mera ho jayegajiwan ne do baar hume dhoka diya, isliye maut me hum ek honge RV: Aisa nahin hoga Gazal His quiet comment broke into the debate as attention fell on him (finally!) RV: Sirf markar hi hum ek nahi ho sakte, kyunki iss baar ye do premiyon ki maut nahi haimeri maut tumhare[ liye nahi, haalaaton ke karan hogatum iss tarah mujhe nahi paaogi Gazal Kyunki Veer shayad Gazal ka thapar ye Raj to kisi aur ka hai

Then to Awnis surprise and Gazals fury RV slowly pulled Awni to himself, looking deep into her eyes. He had finally got over the confusion that his past had instilled into him, his view of true love had finally cleared, he had finally defeated the soul of Veer that reigned him. He cupped her face, gently stroking away the curl of hair on itand pulled her into a deep kiss All hell broke loose as Gazal realized that her story was foiled for ever. She could conquer his body in death, but not his heart. The gigantic wave moved in fast upon the lovers, about to beat them again But they were unfazed by realityWhat can death mean to true love? What can death mean to soulmates? They were togetheroblivious to the killer wave making its final blow History repeated itself

The gentle swaying motion rocked him back to a dim awareness. Slowly his conciousnes begun to clear as he opened his eyes. His head was pounding and whole body felt wrecked. But essentially he was in one piece. With a groan he propelled himself on one elbow, head swirling with disorientation. With a bleary eye he took in his surroundingswhich wasnt much of a feat Till mile n mile away was an expanse of a now calm sea. As if it had never thrashed and tossed wildly with full potential few hrs ago. A warm faint light stole around da tranquil breeze marking the beginning of dawn, though the sun had not risen yet. He still could not make much sense and associate the present with tha immediate past. His m ind had hanged, so he didnt bother to try and just looked around. Now that his mind was clearer, he saw that the sea was not the only thing in view. At a little distance away, a thin yellow line of a beach glowed. As he focused his eye closer, they settled on a few dark broken structures.

With a heavy jolt, reality finaly went down his systems as his hazy mind registered the identity of those desolate structures The Pathor Matha Only a few rocks stood out now, like broken teeth remaining of a once proud mouth. And with that, the whole memory came back to him with a chilling thought AWNI!! He shot to alertness as he looked around his immediate position. he was in a small rickety boat, floating lazily in solitude. Beside him lay a figure, on her stomach, her hair sprawled on her face. RV: Awni! (he cradled her head into his arms, fearing the worst, splashin some sea water on her face)Awni Her eyelids fluttered as mild spasms of slow dawning conciousness filled her features. Lazily she opened her eyes, stared at him without much comprehension, stretched herself and finally managed to sit upwith a look of casual confusion. As she slowly took in the view, the look turned into bewilderement, shock, surprise and then finally rigid realization. Awni: What? How? When? Where?...Whats goin onWe are alive RV: Bingo! I knew it! I knew that u will finally get it! How smart of you!!! [:p] Awni: ha ha ha [:x] Awni: But how RV: dunnoeven I dont understandbut only one thing could have saved us from the fatal wave and broyght us to the safety of this boatonly one thing had the power to control and defy nature Awni: Gazal RV: Yup! But why? Awni: sorry dearbut im no expert in ghost psychology [:d] Then suddenly her good mood declined as she became more aware of their close proximity and consequences of last night. She brought in her knees close to her chin and hugged herself tight, falling on a broody silence. RV gently stroked back her hair. It was still full of salt from the sea and slightly damp. He ran his hand through itIt felt so good She shuddered involuntarily with his touch as she spoke slowly Awni: I had decided to leave

RV: What?[:o] Awni: after last night I had decided to leave for Mumbai last evening and from there rush off to some unknown place as soon as I could from thereaway from you RV: R U NUTS? Why, u stupid girl Awni: what could I have done? I thought u didnt need me in your life anymore and I couldnt have beared to see you hate me and with RV: AwniU actually thought that I dont need YOU? After all those yrs we spent together, after everything, just because I lose my temper in a fit of stupidness, you decide to leave ME forever! Did u think I could LIVE with you gone??? GREAT! Thanks a bunch!!![:x] Awni: You have simply no right to shout at me ok? You r the one who said all that nonsenseand now RV: Yeah! I agree I did. But I take it for granted that my best friend will understand me when I dont mean things in rage and forgive me! How could you evensheesh! Awni: (now in tears n angry) Ya sure! That IS ur problem! U always take me for granted! Why should I be the one to always understand? Dont I have feelings? U would anytime ignore me and talk all crap and She went on and on, ranting in bottled rage and despair which she had held back so long. RV tried to explain and coax her, but she was so mad that she couldnt be stopped by sane logic or apology. She just pushed his hands back as she let the tide of pain flood out. RV sighed. He knew better than anyone that when this crazy girl lost her temper, NO one could shut her upatleast not by conventional methods. So he just took in a deep breath, and completely ignoring her tirade, roughly cupped her face and pulled her in for a kiss. Foolproof methods to shut up wild cats! [:p] He loosened his grip under her shocked protests and pulled back for a moment. RV: (slowly) I love you. And that is reason enough for you to forgive me. And inspite of her feeble attempt at a reply, he resumed the kiss. She tried to pull back for a second, then gave up, put her arms around his neck and happily kissed him back. .

She drifted away towards the now rising sun. The bright light was awaiting her at the end of a corridor. A light of final peace and freedom. It was just a matter of crossing the corridor. Her essence lifted and slowly merged in with the merry sunshine as she fleeted a last gaze at the now distant sea And on the small boat in it, containing two entwined figures. She did not feel bad. Not anymore. She knew the man on it was not her Veer. He had left the man and had joined her when the mortal had refused to. Only she had not realized it then. But as he had confessed his love for the other girl, she realized he couldnt be her Veer. And couldnt bear to let the same fate that had hurt her so long to finish another story incomplete. As a last decision she had intervened to let love win And now nothing mattered anymore as her soul liberated itself Soona soona Lamha lamha Meri yaadein Tanha tanha Akar mujhe Tum tham lo Manzil meri Dekhe rasta Murke zara Tum dekhlo Aisa Milan Phir ho na ho Sab kuch mera Tum hi to ho .. 3 yrs later I WILL DECIDE HER NAME. MATTER CLOSED. WHY? SHES MY DAUGHTER TOO! Their heated argument filled the air of the hospital room, as an irritated Nandini held her head in frustration. The two argued on and on as a tiny bundle lay between. Finally when the argument had reached its crescendo Nan: Will U GUYS SHUT UP!!! This is a hospital! Football ground ki tarah chilla rahe ho[:x] And cant u guys reach a mutual decision without leaving out a huge trail of casualty due to ur arguments?

Silly ppl Awni: (sullenly) okBut HE started it! RV: oh yeah! And u said u wont let me name my daughter. I refuse to Nan: SHUT UP! [:x] Guysthink n discuss like civilized ppl, cant u? RV (wid a grin): well, no![:p] actually thats da fun[:d] Awni: U bet [:p][:D] Nan: oofffnutcases! Dunno how u will bring up this sweetheart. Shell go insane soon with u guys! Awni: like us[:d] Nan: surewhatever, u guys continue ur shouting match, I have to go on rounds. Awni: ok dearbut Nanits been 2 days since shes born, and she hadnt yet opened her eyes. Is everything allright? Nan: for the millionth time AwniYES! Babies sometimes open their eyes even after more than 3-4 days! And I checked hershes absolutely normal! So dont worryNow tcill be back soon She leaves After a tiny silence. RV: but wateva tha caseI WILL NAME HER! Awni: NO RV: YES Awni: NO RV: YES Awni: NO RV: I luv u Awni: NOoh(blushing as he kissed her forehead) me too But that doesnt mean I give up! RV: ok baba! U do the honours! So what will u name our darling? He gently picked up the little, delicate baby girl, eyes misting with love and joy. Awni: UmmmI actually didnt think abt itmay bewellOK her name will be At that moment with a stifled cry, the baby abruptly snaps her eyes open And clear jade eys stare out at them. Those startling jade eyesas green as grass covered with fresh dewas intense as a stormas hypnotizing as a crystal ballthey finished her sentence

Gazal