Arun Diwan..."<br /> A name synonymous with immense wealth, fame, and a handsome face...<br /> But still—alone!<br /> <br /> Why was his heart broken...?<br /> Which tragedy destroyed his world...?<br /> Why did the bride leave him on the wedding nig... Arun Diwan..."<br /> A name synonymous with immense wealth, fame, and a handsome face...<br /> But still—alone!<br /> <br /> Why was his heart broken...?<br /> Which tragedy destroyed his world...?<br /> Why did the bride leave him on the wedding night...?<br /> Who is it that has become the enemy of his love... or his life?<br /> <br /> Will Arun be able to save himself from this storm...?<br /> Or will he drown in this fire of immense pain, love, and revenge...?<br /> Will Arun Diwan, the CEO of Diwan Enterprises, be able to save himself from all this??<br /> Will he find his true love??<br /> Will he save himself from breaking or will he be swept away in this immense pain???<br /> Falling into whose clutches he became an excessive addict of cigarettes...<br /> <br /> To find out, read—<br /> "Beintehaa"—<br /> A story of love, hatred, and obsession...<br />
Page 1 of 8
The beautiful, bustling city of Sydney seemed poised to take flight on silken wings. The ocean, crashing onto the gleaming sand, appeared like a passionate lover, wanting to live both his love and his jealousy simultaneously. A city like a dream, it offered a intoxicating reverie to every eye, yet in its quiet solitude, that young man would sit most alone.
He was the younger son of Diwan Industries, Surat's number one textile businessman, or rather, the most eligible, smart, and dashing Arun Diwan. But in his most romantic days, he was the most withdrawn, sitting alone on the terrace of his opulent mansion, gazing at the sky dissolving into the shimmering waves of the distant sea. His last night in Sydney was no different from the past four years. The same loneliness, the same sky blending with the sea; no change had come in these four years, and the same cigarette wedged between his fingers, from which he’d draw a deep puff and exhale it from the corner of his lips like pain, only for another pain to settle in his heart with the same speed. In this manner, he had already smoked nine cigarettes, and after finishing this last one for the night, he would retire to bed, enveloped in the same solitude.
Everything was set, as if dictated by daily routine. Rajbir, who lived with him, knew what he had to do now. He entered Arun’s room without a sound, removed Arun’s shoes, placed them on him, turned off the light, and left.
On the first flight the next morning, after four years of study, he was to return to his country, his city, Surat. But there was no regret on his face about leaving this romantic city, nor any eagerness to reach his own city. He was merely following it as another command from his father, like every other instruction.
In contrast, Surat's sprawling mansion, waiting for his arrival, remained as quiet as if no one were there. Arun was arriving in his city two days before the day he was supposed to. He had changed this plan of his own accord, while his family knew his return date to be two days later.
A new managing officer had been sent to collect his important documents from Sydney, who was to stay with Rajbir. He had arrived with many preconceived notions about Arun before meeting him, but upon seeing Arun, all those notions vanished into thin air. In today's world, could someone so rich and handsome also live like this! No girls, no drinking, no parties, no throng of people – like a hermit amidst the crowd of the world!
He was watching in astonishment, while Rajbir, accustomed to all this, smiled naturally and, taking him along, said, “There are more surprises to come – please save your astonishment, Madhavji.”
“Yes, it does seem so – after all, what is their problem? They have everything – then what is this loneliness and solitude for? Girls should be flocking around them, they just need to look up and signal, so why like this…!!”
“That’s what sets our young master apart – in these four years, many young men coming here to study indulged in all sorts of merriment, but our young master doesn’t even look at any girl – apart from one bad habit, you won’t find any flaw in him.”
“One bad habit…..hmm….that’s what I thought, there must be something – after all, if this money doesn’t bring its own flaws, then its meaning is lost,” Madhav said, now taking interest in Rajbir’s words.
“Smoking – I don’t know what passion he has for it. It burns my heart to see, but I know he can’t live without it, so no matter what, I have to arrange his cigarettes everywhere – this is the only flaw that saddens my heart.”
“What!!! Just this one flaw!! I had imagined so many things – I have even met his elder brother, Akash Diwan Ji. After meeting him, seeing Arun is exactly like seeing two opposing currents–”
“Yes, that's right – they are as opposite as the earth and the sky, hence he is unique in his family. Look, he was supposed to go to India two days from now, but he’s leaving tomorrow. Do you know why?”
“Why?”
“Because two days from now is my sister’s engagement.”
“I don’t understand – what is the connection between his leaving and my sister’s engagement?”
Rajbir smiled and said, “This is the unique thing about our master – my sister’s engagement means I should be there, but the elder master ordered me to return with the younger master. Therefore, he couldn’t give me leave against his wishes, so he himself is reaching India two days earlier so that I can participate in my family’s happiness. His heart is pure gold, he was just born into the wrong family. No one understands him, but he understands everyone. Anyway, let’s get ready to leave now. How much change had to be made for an arrangement to go for just two days, but after learning about me, everything was done in a snap.”
“Yes, you stay with him like a shadow, don’t you!”
“Just watch – you’ll find out everything slowly – a diamond doesn’t cast its brilliance only on the jeweler, but on the world too,” Rajbir said, laughing, and started making arrangements for sleeping.
…So, to find out the story of this new journey, stay with me..
Continued….
The flight lands on Indian soil at the scheduled time, and Arun Divan also lands in his city after four years. Since it was a civil flight, his security was handled by a private company, which created a protective circle around him. However, Arun was always dissatisfied with such arrangements, so they maintained a distance from him.
Rajveer and Madhav also kept a distance and followed him. As Arun exited the airport, a person quietly followed him, but Madhav noticed him. He realized that the person wanted to reach Arun somehow.
Just as Madhav was about to intervene, Rajveer stopped him. Before Madhav could understand, the person broke through Arun's security circle, reached him, and patted him on the back. The security personnel were about to react, but Arun turned to the person and smiled warmly.
"Yogesh..!"
"And what did you think? You would come to the city after four years, and I wouldn't find out?"
Arun shook hands with Yogesh in a friendly manner and hugged him. Everyone understood that Yogesh was an acquaintance of Arun, so they stood around them.
"It wasn't possible for you to inform me that you were arriving two days ago. I coincidentally caught up with you."
Arun expressed his happiness at meeting his close friend and said, "There was a sudden change in plans."
As they walked outside together, Yogesh asked, "So, you didn't tell anyone at home, I suppose?"
"There was no need."
"You'll never change – you could have at least informed your sister-in-law!"
Arun smiled lightly and said, "I'm still the same."
As Yogesh talked, he noticed Arun searching his pockets. Arun was about to take out a cigarette when a tune struck his ears, and he stopped at the exit point. A car stopped in front of him, and a band of five musicians got out, playing a melodious tune. A seven- or eight-year-old boy stood in front of the band, wearing a small drum around his neck, beating it enthusiastically. The sweet melody and the boy's energetic drumming captivated everyone's attention.
Arun watched the scene with a loving gaze, his hands on his chest. Everyone passing by couldn't help but stare. The little boy, dressed in simple yet neat clothes, seemed carefree and joyful. Even Arun, usually stylish, couldn't help but draw attention.
Observing this scene, Yogesh leaned in close to Arun and whispered, "There are two people in the world who can do anything: Arun Divan and his nephew, Kshitij Divan. No one can stop them."
Arun walked towards Kshitij, lifted him into his arms, and said, "Not in front of everyone, my boy. I'm a bit old for this."
"That shows," Arun replied with a smile, kissing Kshitij's cheeks.
Arun then signaled to Rajveer, who immediately paid the band and bid them farewell.
As they walked ahead, a sleek black car stopped in front of them. A stunning woman emerged from the driver's seat, her presence commanding attention. Her elegant simplicity and poise exuded an air of refinement.
The woman, dressed in a deep brown saree, approached Arun with a hint of irritation. "There was no need to inform me. Who am I, after all?"
Arun and Kshitij looked at each other, then down, as if caught doing something wrong. The woman continued, her voice sharp, "Do as you please. I'm here now, and I shouldn't be. Why bother?"
The woman's anger was palpable, and everyone present watched with bated breath. What would happen next? Who was this mysterious woman? Stay tuned for the next part of the story.
The scene before everyone's eyes had completely changed. That woman, with her hand over her mouth, stood frozen in place. Right in front of her, on the street, Arun and little Kshitij began doing squats, holding their ears. Everyone was stunned, unable to take their eyes off the incredible sight.
After all, whose fear was it that was having such an effect on the two princes, making them no different from a young boy and a little child? Everyone's surprised gazes turned into curiosity, and watching this spectacle, the woman almost ran towards them, grabbed both their hands, pulled them aside, and burst out –
"Is this the only last weapon you two have? Blackmail me – do whatever else you have left – after all, the whole of Surat has seen the faces of the Diwan family's little ones!"
"Sorry, Mama."
"Sorry, Bhabhi..."
Both spoke one after the other, still standing before her like criminals. And the one standing before them was the elder daughter-in-law of the Diwan family and Akash Diwan's wife, Bhumi, who was actually Kshitij's mother, but for Arun, she was no less than a mother figure.
"Now that your drama is complete, shall we go home?"
Upon hearing Bhumi's words, Arun and Kshitij looked at each other, winked, and then nodded in agreement to Bhumi like innocent children.
"By the way, Arun, you've created quite a picture in Surat as soon as you arrived. Just be thankful there are no reporters here, otherwise, no one could stop you from appearing before your uncle." Yogesh, enjoying their drama, quickly intervened and said, making everyone laugh a strained laugh.
"Oh, Yogesh! When did you come back from abroad?" Bhumi asked, looking towards Yogesh.
But Yogesh hesitantly replied, "I – I didn't go anywhere, Bhabhi – I was here in Surat."
"Oh, I haven't seen you for four years, that's why I asked."
Yogesh understood that it was difficult to escape his Bhabhi's sharp wit. Understanding Bhumi's implication, Yogesh sheepishly said with a strained laugh, "Oh, sorry Bhabhi – I was busy with my medical studies."
"Yes, why not. Now that your friend is here, will Vartika also start appearing? It's just that no one wants to meet Bhabhi."
"That's good, isn't it? I don't want to share my dear Bhabhi Ma with anyone else," Arun said, holding his Bhabhi's shoulder.
"Yes, yes, that's enough. Now let's go home," Bhumi said, smiling and holding Kshitij's finger.
"Bhabhi, I'll come with Yogesh. You go ahead," Arun said. Bhumi nodded in agreement and headed towards her car, and Kshitij sat in the seat next to her.
Meanwhile, as soon as he sat in Yogesh's car, Arun started searching his pockets, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it with great composure, taking a deep drag. Yogesh, sitting in the driver's seat, looked at this with annoyance and said, "Yes, now I understand why you didn't go with Bhabhi. You haven't changed at all in these four years – you and this addiction of yours!"
"So who's the fool who went to change? That was Dad's order, which I served like a punishment and just returned."
"Now, the same old talk again. You and this attitude of yours, this will definitely cause another fight with your uncle. Oh, chill, man, what's lacking in your life? Why are you ruining your life unnecessarily? And these lungs of yours, why are you mercilessly burning them?" Yogesh said, watching him take deep drags of the cigarette.
"Yes, these are mine, so I have this much right. Otherwise, if they were given by Dad, he would be the one to tell me how many breaths to inhale and how many to exhale," Arun said, laughing with a triumphant smile.
"Come on, leave it, man. Tell me, shall we party tomorrow? Because the day after tomorrow, a party is organized for you at the Diwan Mansion. Tell me quickly, then I'll make all the arrangements. Anyway, Vartika is not here."
"Vartika! Where is she?" Arun was lighting another cigarette.
"Who knows? Her brother, you know how secretive he is. I met her a few days ago, and she was telling me that her brother had planned an outing with her. Where, even Vartika doesn't know. I've sent so many messages. It seems she has also left her mobile somewhere, just like you. Otherwise, if she knew you were coming today, she would have left all her plans and come to receive you."
Arun just smiled faintly at this.
Meanwhile, Yogesh, as always, was continuously talking while driving the car. "With your arrival, it feels like our school days have returned. We three could only study together for one year in college. Then you went to Sydney, and I got busy with my medical studies. After that, there were very few opportunities for Vartika to meet me. Now that you're here, watch, we'll make up for these four years."
Yogesh would say his piece and laugh to himself, but Arun, gazing at his city from the front, was lost in his thoughts. This crowded city had once again come to absorb him, or he had come to be absorbed by it. Every time, he would get lost in the crowd like this, disappear somewhere. He had gotten used to disappearing like this, but his heart wanted to become numb again and again. His mind wanted to go far away. These opulent streets pricked him, but there was no one to understand his prickling, no one to know his loneliness. There was only his own lonely mind and solitary solitude where he often lay for hours in great silence, feeling the flow of his breaths like a river.
What was the end of his loneliness! What was the desire of his life! Without purpose, he was merely a puppet of the world created by his father, whom he wanted to see dance on his fingertips in front of everyone. Yet, with every pang, a seed of rebellion sprouted within him.
How long could he protect this tiny seed from their harsh world? When would his own world be created? When would this endless pain end...
To be continued...
Yogesh's car stops right in front of the porch of that magnificent bungalow, crossing the barrier of the massive gate. Before getting out, Arun looks at Yogesh and asks, "Come on – aren't you coming?"
"Yeah, man – I told them half an hour from the nursing home and an hour has passed waiting for you – I'm off now – I'll make plans for tomorrow and call you at night!"
"Okay," Arun says to Yogesh and gets out of the car.
As soon as Arun got down from the car, some quick steps approached him and clung to his feet. Despite this sudden behavior, no surprise flickered across Arun's face; rather, he leaned towards it.
"Here comes your child!" Yogesh says with a proud laugh, leaving them there and turning the car back.
It was a Labrador dog, expressing its love by clinging to Arun's feet with devotion. Arun also petted it lovingly and sat on the stairs.
"How is my child – how big he's grown," he said, holding its mouth in his palm and shaking it. In return, it also showed its immense loyalty, nestling its head in his lap. Without words, the speechless creature was conveying all its feelings, showing its love. Arun embraced it, as if responding to its greeting.
"Chhote... Malik!!" A man comes running, stops right next to them, and says while catching his breath, "You've arrived! Huff huff – first of all, he knew – huff huff – he was in the backyard, and I don't know what happened, but he reached here at the speed of wind!"
Arun smiles at this, takes him into his arms, and says, "That's why I named you Buddy – you're my true companion – you have no complaints when I leave, nor any reproach when I arrive – just immense love for me."
Buddy also nestled in Arun's lap, making sounds from his mouth as if he understood his owner's words perfectly.
Bhumi hadn't arrived yet, so the news of Arun's arrival hadn't reached the bungalow yet.
With Arun's presence, the news of his arrival gradually reached the household servants, and they all came running out.
"Chhote Sahib..!!"
At the sound, Arun's attention goes forward, where Hiraman Kaka is coming towards him, looking surprised.
"How are you, Kaka?"
What could that subordinate employee say to such respect shown by Arun? He just folded his hands and nodded.
"Chhote Sahib has arrived." The gardener leaves his work and comes to greet Arun. Slowly, a force of twenty servants from the house arrives to meet Arun. He inquired about everyone and went inside.
Arun now leaves Buddy and gets up to go inside. Buddy, like an intelligent dog, leaves Arun and stands by his attendant, watching him leave. The most wonderful thing about this voiceless creature is that it understood everything without being told, something that sometimes cannot be explained even by telling humans.
“And Devesh, how are you – does anyone bother you at home now?”
As Arun entered, he placed his hand on the shoulder of another servant and asked about him. In response, the thin boy shyly shook his head and said, "No, sir – I've left my brother and sister-in-law's house – I'm comfortable now."
"You did well – after all, not everyone gets a sister-in-law like mine," Arun said, continuing to inquire about everyone as he moved forward. This one thing set him apart from the rest of his family and made him guilty in front of his father because, in his eyes, there is a vast chasm between the common people and them, which cannot be bridged by any conversation. But Arun, in this manner, kept crossing his father's principles one by one, breaking every boundary, and becoming a constant source of pain for them.
Hiraman Kaka steps forward and says to Arun, "Chhote Malik, come – see, your room is exactly as you left it – I clean that room every day as if you will return any moment."
Arun could clearly see the glistening drops in those aging eyes, which they were trying hard to push back by blinking.
"When was I ever gone from you, Kaka – your love is not just a few words – I've called you Kaka many more times than I've ever called Dad," Arun says, moving forward and embracing him.
Hiraman Kaka's words also seemed to flow away like water. He watched Arun silently, as if he had been watching him grow from childhood until now. He was the oldest servant in the house, and he was the only one who could speak directly to the elder master; no one else was allowed to talk directly to him.
Just then, a servant arrives to greet Arun, holding a plate of flowers in his hands.
Seeing the flowers, Arun understood that these flowers were for the evening Aarti, and he was going to deliver them to Dada Ji's room. He silently takes the plate from him and heads towards a specific room.
Entering that large room, the first feeling was as if he were entering a temple. Arun removes his shoes there and enters with the plate. From the entrance, the temple was clearly visible, where an elderly person in white clothes was sitting in front of a statue with the gestures of prayer.
"Hey Jigna – where did you go – did you go to Gopi Talab to get flowers?"
Arun reaches right behind them and offers the plate of flowers to them, and they take the plate from him.
"What, roses again? Didn't I say Arun is coming? Don't bring roses from now on – he's allergic, isn't he?"
As he said this, Arun, who had been standing behind him for a long time, couldn't hold his breath any longer and sneezed.
"Arun...!" They turn immediately and see Arun sneeze again.
"When did my child arrive?" They stare at him, their arms wide open.
"Just now..." Before he could sneeze again, Dada Ji takes him into his arms, wipes his face with his handkerchief, and says, "You were silent with me – but your sneeze gave you away."
Arun also nestled in his lap like a child, just as he used to do in his grandfather's presence when he missed his mother and felt the absence of his father during his childhood.
"How many days later have you come – it's taken ages – don't you miss your Dada here!"
"How can I forget those I haven't forgotten?"
"Yes, just keep making excuses. Then why didn't you come in these four years?" They say, stroking his head affectionately.
"If I had come, another of Dad's rules would have been broken, and I would have heard, 'Learn from your brother, never interrupt your studies to come home midway' – then you yourself would have sent me back."
"Okay, okay, you're right – but what can I do? You got me used to seeing you every morning, so how do you think I must have spent these four years?"
Their tearful voice also melted Arun's heart, and he stroked his grandfather's hand and said, "I am also passing time in this cage of rules, wondering when I can break these bonds and take flight myself."
Arun softly utters his last word and then quickly says, "Come on, the same rule applies from now on – get ready in the morning, and we'll go for a walk."
"Yes, yes, why not!"
They smiled broadly.
...In this way, moving forward, I am connecting the characters through characters, rather than as a narrator, so that the reader can understand and know each character from their own perspective...
To be continued...
This was the mansion that turned into a maze of rooms from the inside, like a series of paths that every person traversed differently, yet some feelings remained the same. For Arun, there was a certain comfort here that prevented him from rebelling too much and made him quietly follow the rules set by his father.
Arun entered his room and immediately lit a cigarette, taking deep drags. Before he could finish the first one, he lit another as the door opened and he heard his sister-in-law's voice. He quickly threw the cigarette behind him, stomped on it with his shoes, and waved his hand to clear the smoke.
"Arun, what's going on? You're still standing there, and this smell...!" his sister-in-law, Bhumi, said as she entered, sniffing the air. She was followed by a servant carrying a tray of breakfast.
Arun quickly got up and took a glass of water from the servant, drinking it in one gulp. "Oh, thanks! I was really craving this," he said.
Bhumi sat beside him, stroking his hair, and said gently, "The craving that harms your health isn't good, Arun."
Arun looked at her with a forced smile and lay down in her lap, saying, "The craving is for your love. If not, I would have left this house long ago."
Bhumi smiled and pulled his hair gently. "No more talk of leaving home. Now that you've come back, Daddy will let you do things your way. You've got a management degree, and you have experience now. No more talk like that, understood?"
Arun shrugged. "Let's see."
As the servant finished his work and left, a young woman burst in, standing right in front of them. She looked at them with a bright smile. Bhumi and Arun turned to look at her.
"Who is this? I don't recognize her," Arun asked.
The woman jumped into Bhumi's lap, putting her head down. "You don't recognize me after four years?"
Arun's eyes lit up slightly. "Some voice, some face... You're Menaka, aren't you? I heard you've started rebelling too."
Bhumi's expression turned serious. "Arun, stop saying that word. It scares me."
Menaka sat up, looking at Arun. "Why do you scare, Bhabi? I'm not going anywhere. I just want to see the world outside Daddy's rules."
Bhumi stroked their heads. "I brought her back from Panchgani. She didn't come on her own."
Menaka looked up at Arun. "Is that true, Menaka?"
Menaka nodded hesitantly. "Yes, Bhaiya, I didn't like it there, so I asked Bhabi, and then Daddy let me come back."
Arun smiled faintly. "Glad it worked out."
The conversation continued, and they laughed together.
As they talked, Arun asked, "Where's Kshitij, Bhabi?"
Bhumi replied, "He's getting ice cream. He insisted on it, and then he took some for Badi too."
Arun chuckled. "If I hadn't come, Badi would have been under surveillance."
Across town, Akash Divan, the CEO of Divan Limited and the eldest son of the Divan family, stepped out of his office building, ready to meet with foreign delegates. As he stood in the porch, a luxurious car pulled up, and his PA, Deepankar, opened the door.
Akash's attention was diverted to a young woman who had just tripped and fallen. She quickly regained her composure and adjusted her mini skirt. Akash couldn't take his eyes off her.
Deepankar noticed and followed his gaze. "Sir, she's here for an interview for our new hotel project."
Akash's expression remained flat. "I don't like uncertainties. Confirm if she's here for the interview."
Deepankar quickly called someone and confirmed. Akash instructed, "Hire her."
The car drove off, heading to the meeting.
No response from Groq.
No response from Groq.
After a long time enjoying themselves in the swimming pool, both friends were now on the edge, letting the coolness penetrate their minds while half-submerged in the water.
"By the way, Arun, the philosophy of your life is beyond my understanding – sometimes I just can't figure out what it is you want from this life!"
Arun simply smiled gently at Yogesh's words.
"When girls can dance at your beck and call, you are experiencing the loneliest time – you never had a girlfriend in school or college, even though you were always the most eligible there – now you've even been abroad, but couldn't you find a girl worthy of you anywhere? How is that even possible?"
"So, is it necessary that I spend my life with a girl?"
"Yes, consider it necessary – so, do you intend to become a monk and go to the Himalayas?"
"Is true peace only found in the Himalayas?"
"Meaning?"
"I think more than half the people go to the Himalayas to escape their responsibilities – true peace lies in doing something for someone, not in running away from the world."
"Now you've confused me even more – until now, I thought these comforts didn't give you peace, and now you're talking about living in them – I find you very complex."
Arun laughed with a smug chuckle and said, "Brother, I am a very simple person, not complex – anyone can read me, the only problem is that no one reads my mind."
"Brother, I can't read your mind either – just tell me, what is it you want from this life?"
"I don't want anything for myself; rather, I want to fulfill the desires of others – there is so much imbalance in this world; some have things in abundance, while others don't even have enough for their needs – I just want to balance this – if I can do this in this life, I will consider my life successful."
At Arun's words, Yogesh pursed his lips and couldn't stop himself from clapping, saying happily, "That's why you are different from everyone else."
Just then, Yogesh's attention was diverted by his mobile's ring, and he muttered as he got out of the water, "It must be from the nursing home – these people won't let a doctor live – I've explained everything, but when they pick up the phone, they'll ask, 'Where is the doctor, sir?' – Has the doctor gone grazing? He'll be back when he's done grazing." Muttering furiously, Yogesh picked up his mobile and put it on speaker.
And indeed, the voice from the other end was, "Where is the doctor, sir?"
Arun, watching all this, couldn't contain his laughter, while Yogesh stared intently at the phone and, forcing himself to suppress his tone, replied, "The doctor slipped and fell in the bathroom, so today he will celebrate his injury day and will come to the clinic tomorrow."
But Yogesh hadn't anticipated such a response to his words. The voice from the other end said, "So, wasn't the doctor wearing slippers in the bathroom?"
At this, Yogesh made a disgusted face, barely controlling his anger, and said, "Yes, he was wearing slippers, that's why he got hung up in the air." Saying this, he disconnected the call and looked at Arun, who was now laughing heartily at his predicament.
"They won't let doctors live – it's as if we doctors aren't human – we don't need holidays or vacations – we should just play with cotton and dettol every day – I don't think I can stay here for long, I'll have to leave by evening."
Arun also smiled at Yogesh's words, got out of the pool, picked up a cigarette from the table, lit it, and then got back into the water halfway.
"I'll get some drinks," Yogesh said and walked inside.
Arun was lost in his thoughts, taking a drag, his back to the deep water, when suddenly he was startled by a soft touch and turned around. Before his eyes, very close to him, a delicate young woman was looking at him in an incredibly attractive manner.
"Vartika – you – you're here – I didn't even realize?" Arun stammered, moving a little away from her in the water, while she remained close to him.
"As soon as I found out you were here, I rushed over – why didn't you tell me you were coming two days early?" she said in a slightly sulky voice, swimming closer to Arun.
"Everything was decided suddenly –"
"Well, that's good – otherwise, I thought our first meeting would be at a party."
"A party!! No, I probably won't even go there," Arun said, sitting up.
"Why – the party is in your honor, and you won't go – why on earth?" the young woman asked doubtfully.
"It's not a party, it's a sales pitch – force a smile and meet so-and-so people, or befriend such-and-such rich girls – I have to pretend to be interested in them," Arun said, taking a deep drag and looking elsewhere, his cigarette held between his fingers.
He didn't realize when Vartika came and sat beside him, took the cigarette from his fingers, and took a deep drag herself, saying, "That's why I say – if you get involved with me, you'll be free from all these troubles, and your father's wish to marry you to a rich girl will also be fulfilled, and Ranjit Enterprises and Divans will merge and become number one together."
"This game of being number one won't stop even then, and since when have you started smoking?" he said, taking the cigarette from her hand and asking.
"Just now – I can do anything to be with you," she said, bringing her wet body close to his exposed one and leaning on his shoulder.
But Arun pushed her head away and said, "We are not children anymore, Vartika!"
"That's why I'm saying, when will you realize that we are not children?"
Vartika, in the same manner, looked into his eyes with her deep, deep gaze, making Arun a little uncomfortable. Just then, Yogesh's voice was heard, "Oh, these repeated phone calls are killing me – I feel like throwing my phone into the sea – Hey Vartika, when did you arrive? I thought you were coming tomorrow!" He was saying this when he noticed Vartika, who was sitting very close to Arun.
"As soon as I saw your message, I came immediately – otherwise, how would I know you were having a party here alone?"
Yogesh placed a tray of glasses between them and said, "The party was ruined long ago." He glanced at Arun, and then, as Arun glared, he quickly changed the subject and said, "Party or not, I think I have to go to the clinic now."
"Oh –" Vartika, displaying a sad expression, looked at Yogesh.
"So, I think you two should stay here – I'm leaving," he said, finishing his beer can in a few long gulps.
Vartika smiled at Arun. But contrary to her hope, Arun stood up and said, "I'll come too."
"Why are you coming?" Yogesh asked, surprised.
Vartika also looked at him intently.
"Didn't I tell you I have to take Kshitij out, otherwise he'll get upset with me?"
"When did you tell me?" Yogesh said softly.
Yogesh had to leave, so he left. Arun also left with him in his car. Vartika, left behind, became tearful and, in anger, picked up a beer can, drank it while walking, and headed towards her car.
…You don't have your world, but you have my illusion…
To be continued………………….
No response from Groq.
No response from Groq.
They spent some more time waiting. When Arjun still didn't appear, Vartika started looking for him at the party. Yogesh spotted him dancing with another girl on the dance floor, but there was no sign of Arjun. After searching here and there for quite some time, she couldn't find him. She then went to Bhoomi Bhabi to ask about Arjun, but she was hurrying somewhere. Seeing this, Vartika also followed her.
They were quickly heading towards a green open space between the servant quarters and the mansion at the back of the mansion. All this seemed strange to Vartika, but she knew that at this time, she might be the only one who knew where Arjun was.
At the back of the mansion, there was a dog house with a lot of greenery around it. There, she saw Badi with someone's shadow. As Bhoomi approached, she quickly said, "I knew you'd be here. Everyone is waiting for you. You could have stayed a bit longer."
Arjun was lovingly caressing Badi in his lap and said without looking at his Bhabi, "You know, Bhabi, as long as I was there, it was enough for me."
"Still, Arjun, everyone is waiting for you," she insisted.
"No, Bhabi, no one is waiting for me. Everyone is waiting for Arjun Divan. Everyone looks at me like a marketable product. Dad wants me to meet his special guests' daughters, and Vartika wants to introduce me to her brother. Everyone wants something from me, but no one wants to know what I want! I may not be able to stop all this, but I can certainly stay away from it for some time, can't I?"
Bhoomi was the only one with whom Arjun could openly share his feelings. However, at this moment, he didn't know that Vartika, standing behind them, was listening to all this. Her face became sad, and she quickly left without listening further.
Bhoomi understood Arjun's trouble. Sometimes, she also felt suffocated by this facade, but she had a moral responsibility towards this family. So, she couldn't easily shrug off all these things. After listening to Arjun's words, she didn't feel like asking him to come to the party. Just then, she saw Dipankar coming towards them. Perhaps he had come to ask about Arjun on Akash's instructions.
She knew Dipankar was Akash's special man. Hence, on his orders, he must have come to ask about Arjun. Bhoomi saw him approaching but deliberately ignored him and said to Arjun in a slightly loud voice, "You should have told us. You just left without saying anything, and everyone got worried. You're having a headache, and still, you came to the party. But now, I tell you, there's no need to come to the party. If Daddy ji hears this, he'll also tell you the same. Come, let's go to your room. I'll send for the medicine."
As she spoke, Bhoomi deliberately moved back, knowing that she had passed on the message she wanted to. Dipankar couldn't say anything to her. So, he quietly turned back.
Arjun didn't understand his Bhabi's words, but he knew she must have saved him with her maternal love once again. He did not want to go anywhere else. He liked being with Badi. Now, lying in the grassy field with Badi, he looked up at the open sky. The darkness there seemed much better to him than the artificial lights. At least it was true, just like the deep caves of his mind.
Vartika had planned many things in her mind for the day, but she hadn't imagined that everything would fall apart in one moment. She didn't even get to meet her brother; she didn't even get to be with Arjun. She had boasted so much about Arjun to girls her age, but now what could she say? Those girls laughed at her. As she thought this, she was about to leave the party when another girl, like her, approached her.
"Oh dear, I've been looking for Arjun everywhere. I thought you two would be together, but you're standing here alone. Oh dear!"
The girl made a pitiful sound and waved her glass in front of Vartika's eyes. Vartika feared that what she dreaded would happen. The girl she had been trying to avoid looked ready to stare at her. Until now, she had been telling everyone that she was Arjun's girlfriend. But now, when it came to showing it, she looked alone.
The girl couldn't say anything to Vartika, still staring at her with raised eyes. Finally, a waiter passed by with a drink, and in anger, Vartika stopped him and started drinking glass after glass. Watching this, the girl laughed and left with quick strides.
Vartika was quite intoxicated. Still, she somehow managed herself and stepped out towards the parking lot. She stumbled while walking and reached the parking area.
Selvin was Ranjit's most trusted man. He wasn't his driver, but he would do anything for Ranjit. He was a fully built muscular young boy. For many years, he had been Ranjit's most trusted man. Therefore, several times, Ranjit left Vartika in his trust and felt assured about his sister's safety.
From a distance, Selvin saw Vartika. He ran towards her, held her, and started moving towards the car. Excessive intoxication overpowered Vartika. She kept losing consciousness while walking. But Selvin handled her well and brought her to the car. He laid her on the back seat.
The car started moving towards Ranjit House. Then, Vartika regained some consciousness and quietly called out to Selvin. She instructed him to go to the seafront instead of home. Selvin complied with the instructions and drove towards the seafront.
After some time, they stopped the car at a deserted place on the seafront. He quietly called out to Vartika, informed her of their arrival, and stepped out of the car. He gave her some space and stood a little distance away.
Vartika watched the deep blue sky through the car window. The silence of the sea also seemed to echo in her ears. But due to intoxication, she didn't have the courage to step out. So, she sat there and shouted Arjun's name. She started crying uncontrollably. She wanted to empty her pain there rather than going home and sharing it with her brother.
Selvin, standing a little distance away, heard her voice. He remained silent and untouched. When her voice suddenly stopped after some time, he assumed she might have fallen asleep. He approached her and saw that she was indeed sleeping. Seeing this, he immediately sat on the driving seat and turned the car towards Ranjit House.
To be continued...
Such a party doesn't end on its own; it's brought to an end because everyone is lost in their own intoxication. Bhoomi was present at the domestic parties, but she never stayed too long. She herself was the only daughter of a highly respected businessman, but her home environment was different from this one. Her father took a keen interest in charity along with his business.
No one ever left their home empty-handed; this is why Bhoomi also had similar values. From a young age, she would accompany her father in his business and also help him in his charitable work for the needy. But the tune of this house was quite different. Here, Akash was like a shadow of his father, just like him, for whom money was everything, and no one else was their god.
All this tore Bhoomi apart from within. Yet, her upbringing was such that even without intimacy with her husband, she managed her home with full devotion. Nothing about Akash's activities was hidden from Bhoomi. She knew well that instead of arguing with Akash, she kept herself busy with the outside world, and her world at home was Kshitij.
After the party, Bhoomi and Akash entered their room together, which in everyone's eyes was one room, but upon entering, it divided into two parts, like their minds, where they remained engrossed in their own worlds without any contact with each other. Years passed without any kind of contact between them, but Bhoomi never let this show outside, as she knew that this could adversely affect Kshitij's young mind.
***
"Chachu, wake up – wake up, Chachu!" Little Kshitij, sitting beside Arun, was continuously nudging him to wake him up.
"Chachu, wake up – it's me!"
"Chachu, if you don't wake up now, I will be angry with you and will never talk to you again," Kshitij said with great innocence.
For a while, Arun lay quietly; then, reluctantly, he got up and sat in front of him, saying, "Oh! So Kshitij can also be angry with his Chachu!!"
"Go away, Chachu, I'm not talking to you," Kshitij said, puffing out his cheeks and moving away from Arun.
"Oh, come on! Alright, Kshitij Maharaj, please forgive me now," Arun said, leaning towards Kshitij with a smile, holding his ears. "Please forgive me – look, I've even held my ears – should I do squats now?"
At this, Kshitij, with his hands folded, turned his face away. Arun moved a little closer to him.
"So you won't agree like this – it seems I'll have to resort to third-degree tactics," Arun said, pretending to roll up his sleeves in the air. "So, attack..." Arun leaned towards Kshitij and started tickling him, and Kshitij burst into laughter like a tender bud.
"Chachu – leave me – hee hee – Chachu – I – I'm not angry – hee hee." Laughing, Kshitij sat in Arun's lap.
"Okay, now quickly tell me why you woke up your Chachu so early in the morning?"
"There's a parents' meeting at my school today – you have to come."
"But why me!! Is the teacher going to complain?"
"No, Chachu – this time I got an A grade in all my unit tests, but no one has time for me, so whom should I show my test book to, Chachu?" Sadness now spread across his innocent face.
"Oh, then it's fine, I have plenty of time for my brave Kshitij, so come on, smile – yes, that's like my good boy – go get ready quickly then, I'll get ready quickly too – happy now!!"
Bhoomi nodded in agreement at Arun's words, truly happy, and immediately went out. After he left, Arun reached for the cigarette packet.
***
"Harry Kaka, Harry Kaka, where are you?" Kshitij called out to Hariman Kaka, running towards the kitchen.
"What is it, Kshitij Baba?" Hariman Kaka knew that Kshitij called him Harry because he couldn't pronounce his name correctly, so he immediately ran to him upon his call.
"Kaka, please serve breakfast quickly," he instructed like an elder.
"But you just had breakfast, child – are you hungry again? Come, we'll serve breakfast again."
"Oh, Kaka!" Kshitij said, gently tapping his forehead with his palm. "I'm not asking for myself, I'm asking for Chachu."
"Oh..." Kaka turned towards the kitchen, laughing.
"Oh, wait, Kaka – I'll tell you what to serve for breakfast – don't include juice, Kaka, because Chachu doesn't like it at all, and..."
Hariman Kaka, bending towards Kshitij with a laugh, said, "Oh, child – I've been here for twenty-five years – I know everyone's likes and dislikes very well."
"Twenty-five?" Kshitij mused, counting on his fingers. "That means twenty-five – that's a lot of time." Standing in front of Hariman Kaka, Kshitij scratched his head playfully and said.
"Baba, your school time is over."
This time, a maid, Sunita, called out to Kshitij, and upon hearing her, Kshitij immediately said,
"I know, Sunita Aunty, I'm going to school with my Chachu today – then I'll tell all my friends how great my Chachu is."
All the servants present at Kshitij's innocence smiled and looked at him.
***
As the speech concluded, the entire hall echoed with thunderous applause. On the stage, across a long table, Bhoomi and the day's chief guest, the city's Mayor, were present among many distinguished people of society. At that moment, a distinct grace and gentleness radiated from Bhoomi's face. There was a dignified sparkle in Bhoomi's eyes and the veil of ideals on her head, and this was her true identity in society.
Today was the fifteenth anniversary of the Child and Women Protection Organization founded by her. On this occasion, she had to distribute clothes and essential items to all the needy, and the news channels were also very keen to take her pictures.
This was Bhoomi's external world, where she kept herself busy with work for the benefit of society, the news of which often made headlines.
You've met the incredible hero, but are you waiting for his heroine? Think about how they will meet! Because it will take time for her to appear.
To be continued..........................
No response from Groq.
Arun stood outside the school after leaving, watching the children go to school for a while. It was the most famous school in the city, so naturally, along with the children, a line of luxurious cars and adorned, shining faces were mostly visible. But Arun could hear the unrestrained laughter of those innocent children. He was thinking something, gazing at their innocence. Arun leaned against his car, arms crossed over his chest.
Suddenly, his trance was broken by the ring of his mobile, and he turned towards the sound. Right beside him, he saw Rajveer, whose mobile was still ringing.
He extended the mobile towards Arun. As Arun picked it up, Akash's voice boomed from the other end, telling him to come to the office immediately.
But Arun, opposing his words, said, “Brother, I’ll come to the office in a little while – I want to go to GS Colony now!”
Upon hearing the name GS Colony, Akash was certainly furious.
“If you wish, I can ask Dad the same thing, but I have to go there.”
The call was probably disconnected. Then, using the same mobile, he started calling his dad. For a while, his personal number remained busy, and then as soon as he answered, he said, “You can go wherever you want later – come to the office immediately!”
After his order, Arun handed the mobile back to Rajveer and asked, “How did you get here, Rajveer?”
“The Boss told me to stay with you – and you didn’t have your mobile, so I came looking for you here.”
“Oh, so Dad wants to track me by making you my mobile?” Arun understood that his father never liked him going anywhere alone, driving himself. He didn’t keep a mobile, nor a driver, and didn’t follow any safety standards. Perhaps for this reason, they always kept a trustworthy person with him.
“So, let’s follow the Boss’s order,” Arun said with a faint smile, sat in the back, and Rajveer took the driver’s seat.
As Rajveer started the car, Arun said, “Rajveer, I want to go to GS Colony.”
Rajveer, with his foot still on the brake, slowly hesitated and said, “That was the Boss’s order to bring you straight to the office.”
Laughing at himself, Arun lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and exhaled, saying, “Take me wherever – we are also slaves to orders like you.” Saying this, Arun let out a haughty laugh, taking quick puffs because he hadn’t been able to take out a cigarette for a long time while standing in front of the school.
Rajveer was truly a slave to the Boss’s orders, so he couldn’t take Arun to his desired destination at that moment, even if he wanted to. Now he turned the car towards the office.
“And Rajveer, did your sister’s engagement go well?”
“Oh sir, you remembered – yes sir – everything went well because of you – you gave me leave and helped me with money so much that I don’t know how to thank you enough.”
“Leave all that – now prepare for the wedding – there should be no shortage in that – |”
Rajveer nodded with a smile while turning the steering wheel.
At this time, Akash was in his father’s cabin, telling him about a current problem.
“Dad, his name is Kuber, and during the night shift, his brother’s hand got caught in a machine, and he was injured – perhaps his fingers had to be amputated – we immediately got him treated at the company’s expense and also gave him insurance money, but the matter has become something else now – last time, another worker’s hand was caught in the same machine, and similarly, his fingers had to be amputated so that the poison wouldn’t spread in his body – now everyone considers that machine cursed, and no one wants to work on that machine – some are pressuring management to replace it, but we got that machine from Europe and installed it, and Kuber is creating the most fuss about this.”
After listening very carefully to Akash’s words, Seth Dhanshyam said with a very dry expression, “So what does he want?”
“We should replace that machine.”
“Hmm! A worker living on pennies wants us to replace a multi-million dollar machine for him – they are all fools – Akash, make arrangements for him because we’ll get four workers in exchange for one, and hire new people for that machine.”
“Dad, I was thinking if he is laid off by management, he won’t be able to do anything.”
“Yes, then do it, what’s the difficulty?”
“Arun is also in the managing committee, and he will not sign this under any circumstances,” Akash finished his statement with a very stern expression.
Upon this, he calmed down and thought for a while, then Akash continued, “And on top of that, he is insisting on going to GS Colony right now – I found out at the right time, and I immediately called him here – he was also calling you for this, but I informed you before he could.”
This made Seth Ghanshyam very worried, and he quickly said, “No, no, Akash, stop him from going there – we tried hard to change his mentality by keeping him abroad for four years, but it seems all in vain – now if he goes there, something bad will surely happen.”
“But do you think, Dad, we can stop him?” Akash asked, looking at his father, who was looking around with a strange expression, trying to compose himself.
To be continued...........................
No response from Groq.
No response from Groq.
No response from Groq.
No response from Groq.
Ranjit stepped out of the room only after calming Vartika down and she had fallen asleep. A feeling of a different kind of excitement was reflected in his demeanor at this moment. He had to go out of town for personal work in the morning. But now his entire focus was fixed on the meeting with Seth Ghanshyam, scheduled for two days later.
As morning arrived, Selvin was at his service. At that time, Ranjit was giving important instructions to his manager over the phone regarding the next tender. Finishing his call, he looked towards Selvin and said, "Selvin – as soon as I return, I will have my first meeting with Seth Ghanshyam Diwan – make the arrangements for it –"
"It will be done, sir." After a pause, he asked in a hushed tone, "If you permit, I'd like to ask something?"
"Ask, Selvin. When did you start needing my permission?"
"You know this government tender is a golden opportunity for you and your business, then why were you asking to withdraw it – when you know that you are the only tough competitor for them, and with you out, the tender will easily fall into Divan's lap – why then?"
"I know this very well – but I have only one weak link. Today, for her wish, I can sacrifice not one, but thousands of such tenders – anyway, Selvin, I want to finish this new consignment very quickly and return."
"Sir, we will try our best – I wouldn't have bothered you, but it was very important for you to go –"
"Alright, Selvin – since you've said it, that's why I'm going."
"Sir, police patrols on the sea have increased these days, so if you go, everything will be a bit easier – the party's trust will also remain with us."
Agreeing with Selvin's words, Ranjit immediately went out with him.
***
Bhumi spent the entire night restless, wanting to talk to Akash about Kshitij. In a way, there was a lot of pent-up emotion in her heart, which today seemed desperate to escape like a storm.
Akash sat in his armchair, sipping black coffee, engrossed in a business magazine.
"I need to talk to you about something," Bhumi said, standing near him in a very flat tone.
Without looking at her, Akash raised his cup in the air, silently indicating for her to speak.
"About Kshitij!"
"I'm listening."
"In Kshitij's school's social activity, he wants at least one of his parents to participate."
"So what's the problem? Go," Akash said dryly, still looking at the magazine.
"Perhaps you didn't hear carefully. I'm talking about parents. His teacher wants his parents to come together once."
"First, decide who wants this!! Kshitij, the teacher, or you!! Kshitij is a child, and the teacher doesn't have the stature to call Akash Diwan and have him appear before her. And as for you, you don't need anyone, do you? You're a superwoman!" Akash laughed with a smug chuckle and turned the page of the magazine, not looking at Bhumi even once.
This annoyed Bhumi, and losing her patience, she snatched the magazine from his hand and, in a fit of anger, tore it to shreds.
At this, Akash suddenly turned towards her and shouted angrily, "What is this behavior? Have you gone mad?" Akash grabbed Bhumi's arm and began to push her.
Bhumi, breaking free from his grip, shouted at him, "Don't touch me!"
"Why? Do I feel like thorns when I touch you?!" he glared at her, grinding his teeth.
"So what do you think? That I'm unaware of your actions? I understand you very well, Akash. Just don't mistake my silence for my weakness."
"Oh, so you've been keeping an eye on me!"
"I don't need to keep an eye on you, nor do I need to get into arguments with you. But it was about Kshitij, so I was reminding you of your duty. At least your son deserves some moments from your busy world."
"Rubbish! You're making a mountain out of a molehill. And I know very well what I should do for my son. I don't need your opinion for that. I have fulfilled his every need, and whatever else he needs will also be bought. So please stop bothering me!"
"That's the problem. You don't even realize his needs. Rise above your own needs; only then will you understand."
Turning, he cast his sharp gaze on her and said, "Stay within your limits, Bhumi."
"You cross your limits with so many people every day."
"Bhumi!!" Akash whispered sharply.
"If that's how it was, then why did you marry me? Why did you ruin my life? Just because I was the sole heir to your father's crores of property!"
Suddenly, Akash's face turned pale as if he had received a jolt.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Why, does it sting? But what can I do, the truth is always bitter, Mr. Akash."
"Shut up!" Akash said, raising his hand in anger towards Bhumi.
But little did he know that Bhumi, stopping his raised hand, shook it off and started shouting, "Don't even think of doing something like this again!"
Shaking his hand off, Akash looked at her with bloodshot eyes and said, "Do whatever you can. There's no need to bash your head against me. I don't want to listen to your nonsense!"
Akash stormed out of the room in frustration.
"Yes, don't listen. Because there's nothing left to say or hear between us. When the time comes, I will show you such a spectacle that you will remember. And don't assume that I will hide my face behind a veil and cry over my fate. Did you hear!"
Akash had left the room, and behind him, Bhumi continued to scream, venting her frustration. Flames had now become a flood in Bhumi's eyes.
***
All the laborers were heading towards the factory, and Kuber was among them. But then the factory watchman stopped him at the main gate and pointed towards the notice board.
Kuber looked at the notice with surprised eyes. It was all in English, but his termination order was written only in Hindi. He stared at the paper for a few moments, stunned. The tiffin he held in his hand and his breath seemed to freeze in that atmosphere. The rest of the crowd, unaware of his condition, entered the factory.
...........To be continued..........
Arun, ready as usual, was about to leave for his grandfather's ashram. He stood by him at the appointed time. Not finding him ready, he nervously asked, "What happened, Grandpa? Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, yes, son, I'm fine, but there's no point in going to the ashram today. I heard some politician is coming, so there will be a huge crowd, and you know, son, I feel suffocated in a crowd. I can't tolerate crowds anymore."
Moving forward, holding his grandfather's shoulders, he said, "Then it's okay, if not the ashram, we'll go somewhere else. But you'll still have your walk. Get ready, we'll go to the beach."
Happy at this, he agreed and began to change his kurta. Waiting for him, Arun came outside.
"Hey Rajveer, how come so early? I didn't call you?" Arun saw Rajveer approaching and standing before him, wishing him.
"Well sir, I haven't gone home at all. The big boss ordered me to stay with you."
"But not today. Today I'm taking Grandpa to the beach. And yes, tell the big boss that I'll reach the office on time too."
"But sir, I can drive the car."
This time, Arun looked at him with a different expression and said, "Don't worry, Rajveer. When you meet your big boss, tell him that I can face my past and my mistakes myself. I'll drive, and I'll call you when I need you."
Rajveer couldn't say anything more, and Arun moved forward. As he opened the driver's door of the car parked by the driver in the porch, he felt a hand on his back. He turned around, and a smile came to his face.
"There couldn't be a better chance to catch you red-handed. I thought you were leaving with Grandpa, so I arrived at that time."
"Forget about me, tell me about yourself. You've been missing since the party," Arun said, looking at Yogesh.
Upon this, Yogesh said, stretching widely, "Ah, what can I say? The after-effects of the party are still going on, but it's beyond your understanding. Forget it."
"Yes, I understand your after-effects perfectly," Arun said, getting into the driver's seat and starting to fasten his seatbelt.
"Grandpa, greetings."
Seeing Grandpa approaching, Yogesh quickly went to him and greeted him. To this, Grandpa, raising his hand in a blessing with a broad smile, said,
"How are you, Yogesh? Well, at least I got to see you through Arun."
"Oh, you look very fit. Didn't I say that as soon as Arun arrived here, you would get better?"
"Yes, he doesn't leave me alone. His companionship is my energy," he said, getting into the back of the car with the help of a servant.
As they sat down, Buddy also came rushing with his attendant. In fact, Arun used to take Buddy and Grandpa for a walk every morning. With everyone seated in the back, Yogesh, sitting in the seat next to Arun, began to say,
"What guarantee is there for him? What if he leaves again? I say, do something permanent about it," Yogesh said, fastening his seatbelt and leaning towards Grandpa.
"!!!" They didn't understand.
Arun understood that he was up to something, so he started the engine and sped away.
Yogesh continued in his fervor, "Marriage. Get him married. Then he won't run away, and you won't be alone. The problem will be solved."
Upon this, Arun stared at him intensely. Meanwhile, Grandpa was laughing at his words.
"Alright, Grandpa, tell me, did I say anything wrong? He always stares at me like this and silences me, and I can't say anything further in front of him."
"Are you done, or do you have more nonsense to spew?"
"No, just today's quota is full," said Yogesh, smiling, while Grandpa burst into laughter. The attendant sitting with them also chuckled silently. Buddy also wagged his tail as if supporting this statement.
All the way, Yogesh kept chattering, and the journey passed in moments.
"And what is this? This instrumental music has been playing since then. You're living in the world of music without lyrics. There should be some songs with the tunes," he said, playing his favorite genre and swaying with his eyes closed.
"By the way, where are we going?"
At Yogesh's question, Arun said with a widening smile, "You asked too soon?"
"Yes, well, you're not going to kidnap me, are you? I've taken out my valuable time to meet you, but you don't value me. Oh yes, after all, a jewel's value is known only to a jeweler. That's why only unfortunate girls understand the value of my time. They never waste their time with me, they just invest it." Finishing his statement, he straightened the rearview mirror, showing his teeth, and checked his reflection.
At this action, Arun adjusted the angle of the rearview mirror and stared at him again.
In a short while, they were all at Suvali beach, outside the city of Surat. Upon reaching there, a distinct coolness began to settle in their hearts.
But looking at the beach, Yogesh started again, "Look, you chose a beach where very few people come. Do you have an allergy to humans?"
"I don't like crowds," Arun said, looking back, "Grandpa, you wait here, I'll park the car."
"Alright, son." Grandpa, along with Buddy and his attendant, got down.
Now they were all moving towards the sea, while Arun drove the car towards the parking lot. Yogesh was still with him, saying,
"Crowds? You've started getting allergies even to your childhood friends."
Upon this, Arun said while turning the steering wheel, "What do you want to say? Speak directly. Don't spin the words around and make a whirlwind."
"Vartika."
"!!"
"Man, what's your problem? She loves you so much. Out of every ten words, five are just your name. So why don't you understand her feelings? And there won't be any problem with your marriage to her. You both have similar status. Then what's the issue that you keep distancing yourself from her? Do you really intend to renounce the world?"
Now they were leaning against the bonnet of the car. Arun lit a cigarette, exhaled a deep puff into the air, and said,
"I don't know. I just feel very uncomfortable when she's near me." He took another long puff and exhaled it.
"Dude, when have you ever even gone near a girl? I've been watching you since school. When I was celebrating my tenth breakup and trying to woo the eleventh girl, you were still alone."
"Yes, and should I become like you?"
"No, Guru, that's not possible in this lifetime. But brother, concentrate on Vartika," Yogesh said, pretending to join his hands.
"What should I concentrate on when I don't feel anything like that? Should I force a relationship with her?" Wrinkling his nose badly at his words, he crushed the last bud in the sand and lit another cigarette.
Upon this, Yogesh looked at him intently and said, "Okay, forget Vartika. Tell me, what kind of girl do you like?"
"No one," Arun said, handing the lighter back to his pocket and shaking his head.
"I can't believe that." This time, slapping his other hand on his palm, Yogesh said, "You must have some fantasy. You must have thought about what kind of girl you would like. Tell me. Until you tell me this today, I'm not going anywhere. I'll sit here and pester you all day. Tell me!"
Yogesh was looking intently at Arun's face. Arun held the lit cigarette in the air for a moment, looked at the sea, then looked at Yogesh.
"Tell me, or will you kill me with suspense?"
"Exactly like me," Arun said, not taking a puff of the cigarette but turning his mouth away and smiling slightly. Yogesh was surprised to see a shadow of doubt on his friend's face for the first time.
"The cow has gone into the water. You are unique in the world, and you want a unique queen like yourself. So, brother, that's not going to happen. There is no such girl, nor will there be. So, do this, your first idea was good. Grab your water pot and go into the forest. Brother, love is not going to happen with you."
Yogesh was saying this, waving his hands wildly in the air. Just then, the barking sound drew both their attention to Buddy, who was looking at Yogesh and barking at him. It was the spiritual strength of this speechless creature. He felt Yogesh was angry with his owner, so he started barking at Yogesh.
Seeing this, Yogesh stepped back and started chasing Buddy away. "Hey, you're a dog, so behave like a dog. Why are you barking at me unnecessarily? Look, I'm a doctor. You can't do this to me. Hey!" As Buddy jumped, he barked at him even more fiercely, while Arun, watching this spectacle, rested his chin on his finger and laughed at him.
"I know if I were a veterinary doctor, then I'd see how you'd bark at me. That's enough, Buddy. No, no, not at me. Hey Arun, stop him. Otherwise, next time I'll meet Buddy with horse injections. Oh, dog!"
Saying this, Yogesh ran away from him quickly, and Buddy also playfully ran after him. Seeing this, Arun also started running after both of them.
Now it had become a game. Buddy intentionally ran so far behind Yogesh that he couldn't catch him and just kept chasing him.
Running playfully like this, all three stopped on the sand to catch their breath. Arun now hugged Buddy to himself and lay freely on the sand. He lay there on the black sand, gazing at the open sky. Doing so, a different hue filled his eyes, as if Yogesh had suddenly struck an unknown chord on the strings of his heart. Meanwhile, Yogesh grumbled and walked towards Grandpa, who was standing with great familiarity with a stranger, as if they had met after years.
To be continued.......
