[Celebrorn]

Chapter 1


Woh din mujhe aaj bhi achhi tarah se yaad hai. Bahar bahut jyada garmi ho rahi thi, aur main ghar pahunchte hi apne extra kapde utaar kar fekna chahti thi. Main kuch dino se kapdon ki ek extra layer pehen rahi thi taaki mere body mein ho rahe changes ko chhupa saku. Main soch rahi thi ki agar ghar par koi na hua toh main Riya ke diye hue naye kapde try karke dekh payungi. Sirf ek wohi toh thi jo ab mujhe acche se samajhti thi.

Jaise hi main ghar mein ghusi, kuch ajeeb sa lag raha tha. Sab log living room mein saath baithe hue they. Papa, Mummy aur mera bada bhai, Vishal. Main surprised ho gayi, yeh log kabhi is waqt ek saath ghar par nahi hote they. Anyway, unhe mujh se koi khaas matlab toh hota nahi tha, toh main seedha apne room mein jaane lagi.

Jab main sir neeche karke living room ke paas se guzar rahi thi, tabhi Papa ki kadak awaaz ne mujhe roka, "Kanak... I mean Kanika... Idhar aao..."



Main ruk gayi aur socha, aaj inhe kya ho gaya? Yeh mujhe is naam se toh kabhi nahi bulate hain.

Main waapis living room ki taraf khisak gayi aur mom ki taraf dekha, unke chehre par pareshaani saaf dikh rahi thi. Pata nahi aisa kya ho gaya tha aaj.

Papa ne kaha, "Suno, tumse kuch baat karni thi."

Maine unki taraf dekhe bina kaha, "Haan.. main sun rahi hoon..."

"Tumhe Raj Uncle yaad hai na?"

Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki woh yeh kyun pooch they. Raj Uncle dad ke close friend they jo Mumbai mein rehte they, aur yahan aksar aate rehte they. Unke sabhi doston mein mujhe bas woh isliye yaad they kyunki woh hamesha mujhse bahut achhe se baat karte they aur mere baare mein jaane mein genuinely interested lagte they. Unhe aaye hue kafi mahine ho chuke they, kya unhe kuch ho gaya tha?

Maine thaki hui aawaz mein kaha, "Haan... obviously..."

"Woh aaj shaam ko aa rahe hain."

Main apna sar peeche ki taraf jhatka aur meri tone thodi rude ho gayi, "Ughhhhh, isi liye bulaya tha kya?"

Dad ko mera ye reaction accha nahi laga, "Tumhe pata hai na ki mujhe tumhari ye tone bilkul pasand nahi!"

Vishal hansa aur dheere se bola, "Shayad iska woh wala time chal raha hai, jab emotions control mein nahi rehte... hehehe."

Main gusse se Vishal ki taraf dekha, mann kar raha tha uske daant tod du. Woh mujhse chaar saal bada tha, hamesha se ghar ka honhaar beta. Padhai aur sports dono mein awwal, kafi achha friends circle aur pichhle ek-do saalon se uski ek khoobsurat girlfriend bhi thi. Uski MBA ki padai ka bhi aakhri saal chal raha tha.

Maine usko dekh kar muh banaya, "Very funny Vishal... but lagta hai tumne biology ki ek-do class miss kar di thi..."

Vishal hamesha se mere ulta jawaab dene par jaldi se bura maan jaata tha. Woh mujhse ladne ke liye utha, par mom ne use rok liya. Usne chhidte hue kaha, "Tu hi hai jo biology ke baare mein kuch nahi jaanta, penis lekar paida hua aur sochta hai ki ladki hai!"

Dad beech mein chillaye, "Bas karo! Suno... Kanika... tumhe aaj shaam ke liye taiyar hona hoga. Mom tumhari help karengi. Raj ne bataya hai ki uski mummy bhi aa rahi hain saat mein. Uski mummy ko tumhare is sab ke baare mein na toh pata hai aur na hi samajh aayega. Toh hum chahte hain ki sab kuch... proper dikhe."

Main abhi bhi confused thi, kya main kuch miss kar gayi, "Kya bol rahe ho aap? Mujhe unke liye kyun taiyar hona hai?"

Dad ne mom ki taraf dekha jaise unse keh rahe hon ki woh hi sab explain kar de. Mom ne pehli baar apna munh khola, unki aankhen pareshaan thi aur awaaz me halka sa kampan tha, “Beta… Raj Uncle ne tumhare liye rishta bheja hai..."

Maine unki aur ghoora jaise ye koi mazak ho, "Kiski shaadi ka rishta?"

Mom ne dheere se kaha, "Tumhari aur unki..." 

Main turant ek-do kadam peeche hat gayi aur meri awaaz tez ho gayi, "WHAT!! Mazaak kar rahe ho kya?! Meri aur unki shaadi?!"

Dad ka sabr ka ghada bhar gaya tha, "Nahi! Majak toh tum karte ho hamare saath! Hum tumhe bahut bardaasht kar chuke hain. Ab jab tumhare liye yeh rishta aa hi gaya hai, toh humne decide kar liya hai ki yehi tumhare aur humare dono ke liye best hai! Hum is rishte ke liye haan kar rahe hain."

Meri tez aawaz kaanp rahi thi, "Pata bhi hai aap kya keh rahe ho! Main sirf 20 saal ki hoon, college bhi khatam nahi hua, aur aap apne boodhe dost se meri shaadi ki baat kar rahe ho!"

Dad turant khade ho gaye taaki meri awaaz neeche daba sakein, "Suno meri baat! Tum mere ghar mein rehte ho, aur tumhara future main decide karunga! Toh chup chaap apna ye ladkiyon bhar ka shareer lekar apne kamre mein jao aur taiyar hona shuru karo. Sudha... ise... andar lekar jao..."

Par Mom ko aane ki zaroorat nahi padi kyunki main turant andar bhaag padi thi.

Mere emotions bilkul out of control ho gaye they. Aankhon se aansu tezi se behte hue gaalon par se neeche tapak rahe they. Yeh kya ho raha tha! Us waqt mujhe kya pata tha ki meri puri zindagi ab hamesha ke liye badalne wali thi.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 2


Bistar par girte hi mera chehra takiye mein dhans gaya. Par aansu abhi bhi behte rehe. Main itni thak gayi thi ki sochne ki himmat bhi nahi bachi thi. Bas aankhein band karte hi neend aa gayi.

Neend mein bhi mujhe apne Dad par behad gussa aa raha tha. Unka mujhe samajhne se inkaar aur har baat par rokna-tokna, iska gussa toh tha hi. Par isse bhi zyada sharm is baat ki thi ki Dad ki nazar mein main kya thi. Ek galti. Ek sharmindagi. Kuch jo "theek" karna zaroori tha par ho nahi raha tha. Isiliye unhone ab yeh nayi tarkeeb nikaali thi, mujhse hamesha ke liye chhutkara paane ke liye.

Pata nahi main kitni der soyi thi par jab main jaagi maine mehsoos kiya ki koi mere baalon mein apni ungliyaan ghuma raha tha. Ek naram awaaz ne mera naam pukara - "Kanika... Kanika... uth beta..."

Ek saal pehle, maine apne ghar walon se request ki thi ki woh mujhe ab ghar par Kanika bulayen. Mere bhai ne haste hue apna khaana thook diya tha aur mera majak udane laga. Jabki Dad ne hamesha ki tarah naraazgi se respond kiya. Sirf Mom samjhi thi ki mere liye is naam ka kya matlab tha.

Mom ko pata tha ki mujhe yeh naam kafi time se pasand tha. Unhone toh pyaar se mujhe us naam se pehle se hi bulana shuru kar diya tha, jab ghar mein sirf hum dono hote they. Kanika mere janam ke naam Kanak se kaafi close tha, aur isliye ek perfect choice tha. 

Kabhi kabhi main sochti hoon... kya mera naam Kanak isliye rakha gaya tha, taaki ek din main Kanika ban saku?

Mom ne fir se kaha, "Kanikaaaa... uth jao... late ho raha hai. Raj Uncle aur unki mummy ek ghante mein aa rahe hain."

Maine ek aankh kholi, ekdam se sab yaad aa gaya ki main kyun ro rahi thi, "Mom... yeh kya bakwaas hai... aur aap Dad ko aisa kaise karne de sakti ho!"

Maine kambal ko apne chehre ke upar kheech liya taaki unhe dekhna na pade.

Mom mere paas aakar baith gayi, "Kanika, meri baat suno... please..."

"Sunne ko hai hi kya?"

Mom ne dheere se kaha, "Pata nahi tumne bahar kya suna, par aaj tumhari shaadi nahi ho rahi. Bas samajh lo ek family meeting hai, aur tum us meeting mein kisi se milogi."

Main kambal ke andar se zor se boli, "Par main kisi se milna nahi chahti."
Mom ki awaaz serious ho gayi, "Yeh toh galat baat hai. Tumne kaha tha tum ladkiyon jaisa mehsoos karti ho aur ek ladki banna chahti ho. Maine tumhe us sab mein support kiya. Shaadi ke liye ladkon se milna bhi ladkiyon ki zindagi ka ek hissa hota hai."

Maine finally apne sar kambal se bahar nikaala, "Par woh koi LADKA nahi hai... woh ek aadmi hai... ek BOODHA aadmi."

Mom ko laga jaise maine kuch nonsense bola ho, "Areee, woh koi boodha aadmi nahi hai! Woh toh humari...”

Maine unki taraf dekha. Haan, exactly. Woh aapki age ka hai. 

Mom ne jaldi se baat badal di, “Dekho... main jaanti hoon ki tumhe kafi shock laga hoga. Par abhi please bas yeh meeting kar lo. Tumhare dad kaafi gusse mein hain. Uske baad hum sab baith kar is baare mein baat karenge."

Mom ne mera kambal kheechne ki koshish kari aur main use kas ke pakde rahi. Hum dono ke beech ye kheecha-taani chal rahi thi. Mom ne achanak se apni pakad dheeli kar di aur halke se muskurayi.

"Pata hai iss sab mein sabse achhi baat kya hai?"

Maine muh banaya, "Kya?"

"Aaj tum meri ek nayi saree pehen sakti ho. Mujhe pata hai tumhara kitna mann karta hai meri sarees pehenne ka, par main hamesha mana kar deti hoon. Par aaj nahi karungi. Balki tumhara acche se makeup bhi karungi. Tum saree aur makeup pehen kar aaram se ghar mein yahan-wahan ghoom sakogi."

Maine kambal ko kas ke pakde rakha, par Mom ki baat mere kaano mein goonj rahi thi. Saree? Makeup? Ghar mein khule aam? Yeh sab mujhe chahiye tha... par iss tarah nahi. Yeh koi deal nahi thi jo main karna chahti thi.

Mom ne apni awaaz naram rakhi, "Bas ek baar mil lo, yeh saree pehen kar. Uske baad tum decide kar lena ki tumhe kya karna hai."

"Tum jhooth bol rahi ho. Dad ne already decide kar liya hai."

Mom ne kaha, "Kanika... sach mein... abhi kuch decide nahi hua hai. Par agar tum is meeting ke liye tayyar nahi hui, toh dad aur gussa ho jayenge. Fir main kuch nahi kar paungi."

Main chup ho gayi. Mom shayad sahi keh rahi thi - agar maine dad ko aur gussa dilaya toh woh mera internet aur pocket allowance band kar sakte they.

Main jhunjhlakar uth kar baith gayi. Mom ne jaldi se bistar par kuch sarees mere saamne bichha di. Sab bahut sundar lag rahi thi aur unme se ek chunna bahut mushkil tha.

Mujhe sarees ke baare mein zyada kuch pata nahi tha. Maine ek blue colour ki saree ko haath mein lete hue poocha, "Yeh mujhe fit bhi aayegi?"

Mom ne meri taraf dekha - shayad woh yehi soch rahi thi ki kitna kuch tha jo main abhi nahi jaanti thi, "Haan... sarees ek hi fit ki aati hain. Blouse aur petticoat har kisi ko apne naap se silwana padta hai."

"Okay... aur kya aapka blouse mujhe fit aa jayega?"

Ek pal ke liye mera saara dhyaan saree pehenne par lag gaya tha, aur main bhool gayi thi ki yeh sab kis liye ho raha hai.

Mom ne kaha, "Hmmm... mera size toh bada hoga but try kar sakte hain. Khadi ho jao..."

Main dheere se bistar se uthi aur apne kamre ke sheeshe ke saamne khadi ho gayi. Mom mere bagal mein aa khadi hui.

Mom ne meri t-shirt ki sleeve ko halke se khincha, ishara karte hue ki main use utaar doon, "Utaaro ise..."

Maine jhijhakte hue apni long-sleeved shirt ko upar kheencha, aur uske saath hi andar ki half-sleeved t-shirt bhi khichkar nikal aayi. Main sirf ek patle se tank top mein khadi reh gayi thi, jisme mere boobs ka aakar saaf dikh raha tha. Picchle ek-do saalo se main Mom ke saamne aise nahi aayi thi. Mujhe sharm mehsoos ho rahi thi.

Mera seena dekh kar Mom ne ek halki si saans li. "Ohhhh... mujhe pata nahi tha ki ye... tum... itni badi ho gayi ho."

Maine khud ko sheeshe mein dekha. Mere seene ke ubhaar tank top mein se clearly dikh rahe they. Jab pichli baar measure kiya tha toh main A cup se B cup ki taraf jaa rahi thi. Do saal pehle jab se maine hormones pills lena shuru kiya tha, meri body tezi se badalne lagi thi. Meri kamar beech se patli ho gayi thi aur hips thode chhaude. Flat pet hone ki wajah se mere curves aur prominent lag rahe they.

Mom abhi bhi mere seene ki taraf dekh rahi thi, aur maine sharmake kaha, "Mom... aap size ka bol rahi thi na..."

Mom halke se hasi, "Haan... sorry.” Phir thoda sochte hue, “Agar mujhe guess karna ho, toh tum abhi 30B aur 32B ke beech mein ho... bilkul wahi size aur body frame jab meri shaadi hui thi.” 

Unke dimaag mein ekdam se lightbulb jala. “Mere paas kuch purane blouses rakhe hue hain. Woh shayad tumhe fit aa jayenge."

Mom tez kadmo se kamre se nikal gayi, darwaza halke se kholti hui aur phir use peeche se kas ke band karti hui. Bilkul waise hi jaise koi karta jab unki beti kapde badal rahi ho.

Maine sheeshe mein fir se apne aap ko dekha. Apne safar mein kitni door aa gayi thi main. Maine apne seene par halke se haath fera - bahut halke se baal mehsoos hue jo mujhe khud sheeshe mein nahi dikh rahe they. Main regularly hair removal cream lagati thi, aur jab se maine hormones lena shuru kiya tha tab se baalon ki growth slow ho gayi thi.

Main abhi bhi apna haath wahan rakhe hue thi ki mujhe darwaza khulne ki aawaz aayi. Mera haath jhatke se neeche aa gaya aur main sheeshe se nazar hatakar Mom ki taraf dekhne lagi.

Mom excited lag rahi thi, "Dekho... mujhe apni shaadi wala ek blouse mil gaya! Yeh is blue wali saree ke saath perfect rahega."

Mom ne blouse mere saamne latkaya. Kapda dekh kar lag raha tha ki itne saalon baad bhi bahut achhi halat mein rakha gaya tha.

Maine blouse ki taraf haath badhaya, par Mom ne use thoda peeche kheench liya. 

"Tum pehle apni... woh pehenna chahogi?"

Jab unhone yeh kaha toh mere gaal laal ho gaye. Mujhe pata hi nahi tha ki unhe maloom hai mere paas bra bhi hain. Meri saari bras ya toh sports bra thi ya training bra. Woh sab mujhe Riya ne hi laakar di thi, mere andar kahan himmat thi unhe khareedne ki. Bas ek cups aur hooks waali thi jo usne pichle hafte di thi, jise maine abhi tak try bhi nahi kiya tha.

Mom ne meri neeche ki drawer ki taraf ishara kiya, "Jao... jaldi... nikalo use."

Mujhe ehsaas hua ki unhe pata tha main apni bras kahan rakhti thi.
Maine drawer se saari bras nikaalte hue unhe bistar par rakh diya. Mom ne unki taraf jaldi se dekha aur halke se muskurate hue woh nayi waali uthayi jis par phoolon ka design tha.

Mom ne uska price tag phaad diya aur use mere haath mein dete hue kaha, “Yeh waali.” 

Main bra ko pakde khadi rahi. Maine Mom ki taraf dekha, phir apne tank top ki taraf. Mom turant samajh gayi aur unhone doosri taraf muh kar liya.
Maine jaldi se tank top utaarte hue nayi waali bra pakdi aur straps apne kandho par daale. Cups ko seene par thoda sa adjust kiya. Ab bas peeche ke hooks lagane they.

Maine peeche haath le jakar dono ends ko dhoondhne ki koshish ki. Sports bras toh bas upar se pehen leti thi, par yeh... yeh bilkul alag thi. Ek haath se ek end pakad liya, doosre haath se doosra end dhoondhti rahi. Jab dono pakad liye toh unhe paas laane ki koshish ki par hooks line up nahi ho rahe they. Do-teen baar try karne ke baad bhi kuch nahi hua.

Mujhe aise struggle karte dekh Mom ne peeche se dono ends ko pakad liya aur paas kheencha. Unhone dheere se mera haath guide kiya, "Yahan... haan... ab aise hook kar do."

Jaise hi clips hook mein fas gaye, mere seene ko ek alag sa ehsaas hua. Pehli baar mere seene ko ek acchi si shape mil rahi thi, jabki sports bra toh bas unhe flat kar deti thi.

Maine Mom ki taraf dekha jaise unhone koi karishma kar diya ho. Mom halke se muskurayi, “Abhi sikhane ka time nahi hai beta... baad mein achhe se sikhati hoon.”

Bra ke cups mere seene par bilkul sahi fit ho gaye, mere boobs ko acche se dhakte hue. Main bra ke fit ko aine mein dekhti hui nihaar rahi thi. Mann mein ye khayal aaya ki agar koi mujhe aise dekhe toh woh kaisa mehsoos karega.

Par achanak se Mom ki aawaz ne mujhe mere khayalo se bahar nikaala, “Jaldi karo, time kam hai,” kehte hue unhone mujhe blouse pehnaya aur jaldi se hooks fasten karne lagi. Thoda loose tha par phir bhi bura fit nahi tha.

Mom ne kaha, “Jeans bhi utaaro,” aur petticoat ko zameen par circle mein bicha diya. Maine jhijhakte hue jeans utaari. Mom ke saamne sirf underwear mein khadi hona kafi ajeeb sa lag raha tha aur mere haath naturally aage ki taraf aa gaye. Maine jaldi se petticoat mein step kiya aur Mom ne use upar kheenchte hue meri kamar par baandh diya.

Maine gehri saans li. Ab bas saree hi bachi thi.

Mom jaldi se mere patli si waist ke upar saree wrap kar chuki thi aur ab dhyaan se pleats bana rahi thi. Unke haathon ko itni aasani se chalte dekh kar, main soch rahi thi ki woh itni complicated cheez ko kaise itna effortless bana deti thi. Maine khud ek ya do baar akele mein saree pehenne ki koshish ki thi, par har baar gadbad hi hui thi. Aur fir saree ko wapas fold karna bhi itna frustrating aur mushkil kaam tha. Pichli baar ke baad maine dobara try hi nahi kiya tha.

Maine khud ko sheeshe mein dekha. Mujhe apni Mom ki gori skin mili thi, aur dark blouse aur petticoat pehne hue, meri gardan aur kamar aur bhi zyada gori dikh rahi thi. Jab main thoda mudi apni side profile dekhne ke liye, Mom ne mujhe dheere se daanta.

"Kanikaaa... seedhi khadi raho aur hilo mat. Kisi aur ke upar saree bandhna waise hi itna mushkil kaam hai."

Main muskurayi aur fir se seedhi khadi ho gayi. Apne aap ko dekhte dekhte main poori tarah se bhool gayi thi ki yeh sab kis liye ho raha tha.
Mom ne saree ke pleats ko apne haath mein majbooti se pakda aur unhe petticoat ke andar securely tuck kiya. Unka haath petticoat ke andar ja raha tha. Main thoda embarrassed mehsoos karne lagi, aakhir neeche toh... agar Mom ka haath galti se... Sochte hi mere gaal sharm se laal ho gaye.

Par thank god, aisa kuch nahi hua. Mom ne pallu pakda aur use mere seene aur kandhe par se le jaate hue achhe se dbang kar diya. Phir woh peeche hati, mujhe upar se neeche tak dekhte hue.

"Kaisa lag raha hai?" Mom ne kaha, par lag raha tha jaise woh khud se hi pooch rahi thi.

Maine mirror mein dekha toh kuch kami lag rahi thi, "Ummm... ek badi problem hai..."

"Kya problem??? Saree toh mujhe sahi lag rahi hai..."
Main thoda frustrated hui, "Saree perfect hai... par mere baalon ko toh dekho. Main abhi bhi apne chote baalon mein ladki toh kahin se nahi lag rahi hoon."

"Oh! Main toh almost bhool gayi thi. Aise hi khadi raho."

Main wahin khadi rahi, darwaza ab thoda khula tha. Mom jaldi se ek polybag ke saath andar aayi. Unhone bag se ek wig nikala. "Lo... tumhare dad ne online mangwayi thi."

"Oh!" Maine ek choti si saans li.

Main surprised thi ki Dad ne yeh mere liye mangwayi thi-unhone toh kabhi is sab ko encourage nahi kiya tha. Aisa lag raha tha jaise yeh shaam kaafi pehle se hi planned thi.

Mom ne wig ko bag se nikala aur use dhyaan se straighten kiya. "Pehle apne baalon ko peeche karo," unhone kaha.

Maine apne chote baal peeche kiye aur Mom ne ek hairnet nikala - woh mesh jaisi cheez jo baalon ko flat rakhti hai. Unhone use mere sir par dhyaan se stretch karke pehnaaya, mere saare natural baal andar tuck karte hue. Mesh tight tha aur mera sir thoda ajeeb mehsoos kar raha tha, par Mom ne use adjust kiya taaki woh comfortable ho.

Phir unhone wig ko dono haathon mein pakda aur mere sar par rakha. 

"Seedhe dekho," unhone kaha. 

Mom ne wig ko peeche se aage ki taraf carefully slide kiya, hairline ke saath properly align karte hue. Unhone edges ko adjust kiya, meri kaan ke paas se baalon ko theek se set karte hue.

"Thoda aur peeche," Mom ne apne aap se kaha, wig ko halka sa adjust karti hui. Unhone hairline check ki aur satisfied hokar kaha, "Perfect."



Maine khud ko sheeshe mein dekha. Lambe baal mere kandhe se neeche beh rahe they, mere gaalon ko frame karte hue aur seene tak pahunch rahe they. Main bilkul waisi lag rahi thi jaisi main hamesha dikhna chahti thi. 

Main ek ladki lag rahi thi.

Mom ne apna sir peeche se mere kandhe par rakha aur sheeshe mein mujhe dekha.

Unhone dheere se kaha, "Pata hai... main hamesha doosri baar ek ladki chahti thi. Mujhe yeh kehna toh nahi chahiye, par main kaafi disappointed thi jab tum ladke ke roop mein..."

Maine sheeshe ke zariye Mom ki aankhon mein dekha, nahi jaanti thi woh aage kya kehne waali thi.

Mom ne kaha, "Par aaj... mujhe lagta hai mujhe woh beti mil gayi jiska main hamesha se sapna dekhti thi."

Hum dono ki aankhein geeli ho gayi. Maine Mom ke kandhe par apna sar halka sa jhuka kar rakh diya. Yeh pal bahut special lag raha tha. Pehli baar Mom ne mujhe apni beti bulaya tha.

Tabhi uss pal ko kharaab karne ke liye, doorbell baji aur kuch seconds baad darwaza khulne ki awaaz aayi. Ghar mein mehmaano ki awaazein goonj uthi.

Mom hadbada gayi aur mujhe sheeshe ki taraf kheencha, unke haath unki soch se zyada tezi se chal rahe they. Unhone jaldi se mera chehra saaf kiya, foundation lagaya, gaalon par halka sa blush, aankhon ko dhyaan se trace kiya, aur lipstick se finish kiya. Yeh sab karte hue woh instructions de rahi thi jo mujhe bilkul samajh nahi aa rahi thi. Main sach mein apni Mom ko yeh sab itni achhi tarah karte dekh kar hairaan thi.

Aakhri touch ke roop mein, unhone ek choti si bindi mere mathe par lagayi. Jab Mom peeche hati, main sheeshe mein dekhti reh gayi. Woh ladki kaun thi? Maine halka-fulka makeup pehle bhi lagaya tha, par yeh chehra, yeh insaan... yeh main thi kya? Sharmayi hui. Sundar. Aur ek aisi zindagi ke liye ready jo main chahti nahi thi.

Dad ne kamre ka darwaza khol kar jhaanka aur mujhe ek quick glance di. Unki aankhein mujh par kuch seconds se zyada ruk gayi.

Dad ne phir Mom ki taraf dekhte hue kaha, "Sudha... jaldi karo. Unhe aaye hue 10-15 minute ho gaye hain."

Mom ne unhe ek teekhi nazar se dekha, "Ek ladki ko ready hone mein time toh lagta hai. Tumhe pata hai yeh. Aur unhe bhi samajh aa jaayega. Woh wait kar sakte hain. Jab yeh taiyar ho jaayegi tab le aaungi."

Dad frustrated lage par woh Mom ko aur upset nahi karna chahte they. Unhone darwaza band kiya aur chale gaye. Meri nazar darwaze par hi tiki rahi, jaise Dad abhi fir se gusse mein wapis andar aa jayenge.

Mom ne dheere se mere kandhe pakde, " Pareshan mat ho, mard hamesha humein jaldi karate hain. Par ek ladki ko achha dikhne ke liye time zaroor lena chahiye."

Mom ne ek patli soni ki chain mere gale mein pehna di, mere haathon mein kangan aur ungliyon mein angoothi. Unhone mujhe aakhri baar dekha aur muskurayi.

“Tum bahut pyaari lag rahi ho.” Mom ne mere mathe par halka sa kiss kiya.

Unhone meri gardan ke peeche kajal ka ek chota sa teeka lagaya, "Nazar se bachane ke liye!"

"Ab tum yahi rukna. Main thodi der mein aati hoon tumhe lene."

Mom ke jaate hi kamra achanak khaali aur thanda sa lagne laga. Bahar baithe logo ke baare mein sochte hi meri saansein tez ho gayi aur poora shareer kaanpne laga.

Main bas yahi sochti rahi—jab woh log mujhe dekhenge toh unhe kya nazar aayega? Ladkiyon ke kapde pehne ek ladka, ya phir sach mein ek ladki?

[Celebrorn]

Great start keep it up

Behad shaandaar zabardast story, continue on

Absolutely Excellent Amazing Fantastic Fabulous Spectacular Superb Update

Mast kahani hai dear..

Next update jaldi do.

Waiting for next updates

Eagerly Waiting for the next updates

Thank you all! I didn’t see much interest in the story so far from this forum so I was unsure whether to continue or not. If I see some interest then I will write further.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 3

Bahar living room se logo ki zor se hasne ki aawaz aa rahi thi. Jaane kyun aisa lag raha tha woh mujh par hi has rahe hain. Mere mann mein ghabrahat honi shuru ho gayi - shayad jab main bahar jaaungi toh woh sab milkar mera mazaak udayenge. Kya pata yeh ek socha samjha plan ho mujhe humiliate karne ka. Warna koi aadmi mujhse kyun shaadi karna chahega?

Mujhe kamre ki taraf aate hue kadmo ki aawaz sunai di. Mera dil tezi se dhadakne laga. Darwaza khula toh saamne Mom thi. Unhe dekh kar thodi si rahat mili.

Mom muskurate hue mere paas aayi aur unhone halke se mere kandhe pakadte hue mujhe khada kiya. "Chalo... sab log tumhara intezaar kar rahe hain."

Unhone meri ghabrai hui aankhon mein dekhte hue mujhe tasalli dene ki koshish ki, "Sab theek ho jayega. Bas thoda dheemi aawaz mein bolna aur nazare jhukaye rakhna. Agar nervousness ya darr lage, toh meri taraf dekh lena. Mera poora dhyaan tumhari taraf hi rahega."

Maine sar hilaaya aur woh mujhe pakde hue living room ki taraf le jaane lagi. Mujhe vishwas nahi ho raha tha ki main is tarah tayyar ho kar apne hi ghar mein sabke saamne jaa rahi thi! Woh bhi ek aadmi se milne jisse meri shaadi ho sakti thi. Aaj subah jab main uthi thi tab yeh soch bhi nahi sakti thi ki shaam ko aisa kuch ho raha hoga.

Jaise hi main living room mein pahuchi, ekdam se sab log chhup ho gaye aur halanki meri nazrein jhuki hui thi, aisa lag raha tha jaise sabki aankhein mujhe par aa kar tik gayi hon.

Mom ne chupi ko todte hue kaha, "Yeh lijiye... aa gayi Kanika."

Mujhe ek buzurg aurat ki awaaz sunai di, "Kitni sundar hai... bilkul pari jaisi. Sudha, bilkul tumhari jhalak hai, jaisi tum jawani mein dikhti hongi."

Yeh zaroor Raj Uncle ki mummy hongi. Mom ne halke se meri peeth par haath rakhte hue mujhe aage badhaya aur unke bilkul bagal mein bitha diya. Mere baithte hi unhone halke se mera haath pakda aur pyaar se sahlane lagi. Thank god, pichhle kuch dino se main apne haathon aur nakhuno ka khaas khayal rakh rahi thi. Woh bilkul saaf aur achhe dikh rahe they.

Unhone dheere se mujhe poocha, "Nail polish nahi lagati?"

Maine neeche dekhte hue na mein sar hila diya. Unka haath mere kaano par pahuncha aur halke se unhe chhoone laga.

"Sudha, iske kaan chhide hue nahi hain?"

Mom shayad jaldi mein mere kaano ke baare mein toh bhool hi gayi thi. Woh hichkichate hue boli, "Nahi... ise darr lagta hai kaan chhidwane mein."

Unhe thodi hasi aa gayi, "Isme kya darna... aurato ko toh sab kuch hi chhidwana padta hai."

Sach toh yeh tha ki main hamesha se kaano mein baliyan pehenna chahti thi, par darr bhi bahut lagta tha. Dard ka toh darr tha hi... par saath hi is baat ka bhi ki agar kaan chhid gaye toh sab ko pata chal jayega.

Unhone mera haath pyaar se thapthapaya aur Raj ki taraf dekhte hue kaha, "Bilkul perfect choice hai tumhari. Kitni bholi aur pyaari lag rahi hai."

Main abhi bhi neeche dekh rahi thi toh Raj Uncle ka reaction nahi dekh paayi, par mera dil tezi se dhadak raha tha. Unhone mujhe chuna tha... par kyun?

Isse pehle ki main kuch aur soch paati, Raj uncle ki mummy ne apne sawaal shuru kar diye.

"Beta... aap college mein ho?"

Jaise Mom ne kaha tha, maine neeche dekhte hue haan mein sar hilaya. Woh phir se mera haath pyaar se sahlane lagi.

Unki teekhi aawaz aayi, "Bolti bhi ho ya bas sar hilana aata hai? Kya padh rahi ho?"

Main ghabra gayi. Meri awaaz kaanpte hue nikli, jitna maine socha tha usse thoda tez, "Bachelor's in Commerce... 3rd year..."

Meri awaaz sunte hi unka haath kuch pal ke liye ruk gaya. "Iski awaaz... thodi... bhaari si hai..."

Of course bhaari thi! Chahe main kitni bhi practice karti, meri aawaz abhi tak poori tarah naram nahi ho paayi thi. Mere paseene chhootne lage, shayad unhe sab pata lagne wala tha.

Dad turant bol pade, "Arre woh... pichhle kuch dino se thodi tabiyat kharab hai. Gale mein infection ho gaya hai. Ice cream khaye bina maanti nahi hai na."

"Acha acha... infection hai." Unka haath phir se mere haath par chalne laga. Kuch pal ki khamoshi ke baad woh boli, "Agar aap sab ko bura na lage toh main Kanika se kuch personal sawaal pooch sakti hoon?"

Kisi ne kuch nahi kaha. Unhone ise sabki haan maante hue phir se apne sawaal shuru kar diye, "College mein padti ho... dost toh kafi honge tumhare?"

Is baar maine jitna ho sake utna dheere se kaha, "Bas... ek-do..."

"Bas ek-do...? Un mein se koi ladka dost? Samajh rahi ho na, boyfriend? Aaj kal toh kafi aam si baat hai yeh."

Boyfriend... Iss baare mein mera dil kayi baar socha toh karta tha ki kaash mera bhi koi boyfriend hota. Par phir jald hi reality yaad aa jaati. Koi ladka mujhe kaise accept karega?

Maine phusphusate hue kaha, "Nahi..."

"Kabhi pehle koi boyfriend raha ho? Mummy papa se ghabrana nahi, mujhse khul kar bol sakti ho."

Maine ek baar phir na mein sar hilaaya aur dheere se kaha, "Nahi..."

Maine chupke se nazrein uthaakar unhe dekha. Unke chehre par ek badi si muskaan thi. Unhone Mom se kaha, "Sudha... aaj se yeh meri beti ho gayi hai. Shaadi ki date nikalwa lein?"

Mom ne thoda hichkichate hue kaha, "Par aunty... humne toh abhi..."

Dad ne Mom ko beech mein hi tok diya, "Haan Haan... bilkul aunty ji... aaj se yeh aapki hui."

Par Raj Uncle ki mummy ko shayad Mom ka adhoora sawal pasand nahi aaya. Unhone Dad ko ghoor kar dekha, "Nahi nahi, pehle Sudha apna sawaal pooch le. Kuch poochna chahti thi na woh."

Dad ne Mom ki taraf ek teekhi nazar se dekha. Mom ne dabte hue kaha, "Nahi... main... bas... kuch nahi tha..."

Raj Uncle jo ab tak saamne bilkul chhup baithe they, unhone apna gala saaf karte hue kaha, "Uhmmm... Mummy... Sudha ko sawaal poochne ka poora haq hai. Aakhir aap unki pyaari beti maang rahe ho."

Raj Uncle ki mummy kuch der chup rahi. Unhone mera haath chhodte hue apne muh par rakh liya jaise kafi emotional ho gayi ho, "Mujhe laga tum log Raj ko kaafi achhe se jaante ho aur yeh bas ek formality thi. Par lagta hai, meri hi galti thi."

Mom ne jaldi se kaha, "Nahi nahi aunty ji, aisa kuch nahi hai..."

Par Raj Uncle ki mummy ne haath utha kar unhe rok diya, "Koi nahi... main samajh sakti hoon... aap bhi meri tarah ek maa hain. Aap sab Anita ko toh jaante hi they... Raj ki biwi... 13-14 saal pehle woh hum sab ko chhod kar..."

Unki awaaz bhar aayi aur unhone apni aankhein ponchte hue kaha, "Maine tab isse bahut kaha tha ki dobaara shaadi kar le... par isne meri baat nahi suni. Bola ki Ananya ke liye accha nahi hoga... kahin uski sauteli maa acchi na nikli toh. Poori jawani akele guzaar di isne, bas kaam aur apni beti ko paalte hue."

Unki aankhon se aansu behne lage. Raj Uncle jaldi se uthkar unke paas aa gaye aur unke kandhe par haath rakh diya.

"Mummy... please... itna bhi kuch bura nahi hua..."

Raj Uncle ki mummy ne sar hilaaya, "Rehne do... mujhe baat poori karne do."

Unhone aage kaha, "Par ab Ananya bahar chali gayi hai padhai ke liye. Woh toh wahin settle ho jayegi... aur Raj yahan akela reh jayega."

Unhone Raj Uncle ki taraf ishara kiya, "Dekho isse... abhi toh jawaan hi hai... poori jindagi padi hai iski. Aise akele thodi na kaatega."

Raj Uncle halke se hanse, "Haha, utni bhi nahi jitna aap sochti hain."

Raj ki mummy ne unhe ek gusse bhari nazar se dekha, "Chup raho! Sudha... maine badi mushkil se ise manaya tha... aur iske liye rishte dekhne shuru kare. Rishton ki toh koi kami nahi hai. Aakhir itna handsome hai... fit hai... aur ameer bhi."

"Par..." unhone muh banaaya, "Main iski shaadi... tees saal se upar ki... kisi purani baasi aunty se nahi karna chahti."

Mujhe mann hi mann hasi aayi. 30 saal se upar ki ladies "purani baasi aunties" thi, par unka 40 plus beta abhi jawaan tha!

"Chhoti umar ki ladkiyan ke bhi bahut rishte aaye, kuch toh Kanika se bhi chhoti. Par... aaj kal ki ladkiyan... mujhe toh samajh nahi aati. Na toh hamare sanskaro ko maanti hain aur na bado ko izzat dena aata hai. Aur jyadatar toh shaadi se pehle hi kheli khilayi hoti hain. Bas paiso ke liye Raj se shaadi karni hai unhe."

Vishal ke muh se ek halki si hasi nikal gayi. Dad ne use chup rehne ka ishara dete hue ghoor kar dekha.

Raj ki mummy ne bhi Vishal ki taraf ek nazar daali, phir aage boli, "Phir pichle mahine Raj ne tum logo ka zikr kiya. Bataya ki Vijay ne kaise aaj ke zamane mein bhi apne ghar ko itne acche se sambhala hua hai. Bada beta MBA padh raha hai aur chhoti beti college mein hai. Mujhe toh tab pata chala ki tumhari koi beti bhi hai."

Mera dil phir se tez dhadakne laga. Raj Uncle ne apni mummy ko bataya ki main ek ladki hoon? Par unhe toh acche se pata tha ki main ek... ladka hoon.

Raj ki mummy ne Dad ko dekhte hue kaha, "Mujhe ise bahut bolna pada ki yeh tumse baat toh chhede. Tum log ek doosre ko college ke time se jaante ho, bahut bharosa karta hai tum par. Wahi bharosa humein yahan le aaya."

Kamre mein kuch pal ke liye khamoshi chha gayi. Mom aur Dad ek doosre ki aur dekh rahe they, Mom shayad kuch kehna chahti thi par keh nahi paa rahi thi.

Raj Uncle ne chhupi ko todte hue kaha, "Mummy... hume Sudha aur Vijay ko sochne ke liye thoda time dena chahiye."

Unhone tunakte hue kaha, "Isme sochne ko hai hi kya? Haan, umar mein thoda farak hai, par uske alawa koi wajah hi nahi hai na bolne ki. Aur woh bhi koi itni badi baat nahi hai. Ladkiyan jaldi mature ho jaati hai aur aadmiyon ko thoda time lagta hai."

Dad jaldi se bol pade, "Bilkul aunty ji, sochne ki zaroorat hi nahi hai. Humari taraf se poori tarah haan hai."

Mom ne beech mein carefully kaha, "Ek baat kahun... kya Kanika aur Raj pehle aapas mein baat kar sakte hain? Thodi der ke liye... akele?"

Raj ki mummy ne khushi se kaha, "Arre haan haan... bilkul. Itni shaarmili lag rahi hai, yahan sab ke saamne kuch pooch bhi nahi payegi. Kanika beta, jayo... aaram se jo mann mein ho woh pooch lena."

Maine ghabrate hue Mom ki taraf dekha. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki woh kyun chahti thi main Raj Uncle se akele mein baat karu.

Raj Uncle ki mummy ne halke se meri peeth thapthapayi, "Jao beta, jao. Koi darr ki baat nahi hai. Sach mein... kitni masoom si hai."

Mom ne mujhe ishara kiya uthne ka. Main dheere se khadi hui. Raj Uncle bhi khade ho gaye. Main apni saans rok kar Mom ke peeche chalne lagi. Mujhe mehsoos ho raha tha ki Raj Uncle mere bilkul peeche aa rahe hain.

Mom humein apne kamre mein le gayi. Thank god unhone apna kamra chuna aur mera nahi. Mera toh abhi bhi buri tarah faila hua tha.

Hum andar gaye aur Mom darwaze par khadi rahi. Unhone kaha, "Main darwaza dhaal deti hoon taaki tum log aaram se baat kar sako. Raj... please ise comfortable feel karwana taaki woh apne dil ki baat bol paaye."

Raj Uncle ne kaha, "Don't worry Sudha... main sab sambhal lunga."

Jaise hi Mom darwaza band karne lagi, maine ghabrahat se upar dekha. Raj Uncle ke saath akele... meri bechaini badti jaa rahi thi.



Maine unki taraf aise dekha, jaise pehli baar dekh rahi hoon. Par sach yehi tha ki maine kabhi itne dhyaan se unhe dekha bhi nahi tha. Woh toh hamesha se bas Dad ke dost they, usse jyada kuch nahi.

Woh bahut lambe they, mujhse toh kaafi jyada. Main 5'5" thi... woh toh bahut tall lag rahe they, shayad 6 feet se bhi jyada. Maine jaldi se notice kiya - Dad ki tarah unka pet bahar nahi nikla hua tha, fit body. Well-fitted pants, shining shoes. Upar nazar gayi toh poore kaale baal, facial hair bhi neat. Haan older lag rahe they, par definitely boodhe toh nahi. Ek second ke liye mera dhyaan unke haathon par gaya - bade haath, lambe, strong fingers...

Maine khud ko daanta - main yeh sab notice bhi kyun kar rahi hoon? Yeh sab ek ganda sa majaak lag raha tha.

Raj Uncle ne smile karte hue kaha, "Baitho Kanika... apna hi ghar samjho."

Ughhhh, dad joke. Mere pair khud-ba-khud peeche ki taraf badhe. Jaise hi bed frame touch hua, main hichkichate hue baith gayi. Raj Uncle ne ek kursi pakdi aur mere bilkul saamne aa kar baith gaye.

Kuch pal tak woh bas mujhe dekhte rahe. Main apni nazar neeche rakhe baithi rahi. Lag raha tha jaise woh bhi mujhe observe kar rahe they.

Kuch pal ki khamoshi ke baad unhone muskurate hue poocha, "First time saree pehni hai na?"

Unke is achanak se sawaal se mera dil dhak karke reh gaya. Main nervous hote hue apne saree ke pallu ko adjust karne lagi.

"Haan..." meri awaaz bahut halki si nikli.

Raj Uncle ne halke se kaha, "Bahut acchi lag rahi ho. Don't be nervous."

Ajeeb sa lag raha tha unke muh se yeh sunna, maine phusphusate hue "thank you" kaha.

Raj Uncle ne conversation ko aage badhane ki koshish ki, "Toh... college kaisa chal raha hai? Classes abhi bhi utni hi boring hain jitni first year mein thi?"

Mujhe yaad aaya ki jab woh ghar aate they toh main unse college ki baatein share karti thi. Baaki logo se alag, woh meri baat hamesha dhyaan se suna karte they. Maine hichkichate hue kaha, "Uhhh... theek hai... you know..."

Raj Uncle ne kaha, "Hmmm... lagta hai abhi bhi kuch jyada badla nahi. Riya abhi bhi tumhari close friend hai?" 

Maine unki taraf dekha, unhe meri dost ka naam bhi yaad tha. Maine halke se haan mein sar hila diya.

Phir unhone thoda serious hokar kaha, "Good... Ummm... pehle toh main tumse maafi maangna chahta hoon... apni mummy ke sawaalon ke liye."

Pata nahi kyun, par unke saamne main thoda freely bol pa rahi thi. "Nahi... it's ok..."

"That's kind of you," unhone kaha. Thoda ruk kar, "Tumhe samajh aa raha tha na ki bahar kya discussion chal raha tha? Main tumhari haan ke bina aage nahi badna chahta."

Yeh toh mere liye bilkul unexpected tha. Jahan mere Mom Dad ko meri consent se koi farak nahi padta tha, wahan yeh aadmi jisne unse mere rishte ki baat ki thi, woh is sab ke liye ab meri haan maang raha tha?

Maine apni awaaz dhoondhte hue kaha, "Main... main samajhti hoon ki kya... par... mujhe nahi lagta ki main..."

"Main poori tarah samajh sakta hoon," Raj Uncle ne kaha, "yeh sab tumhare liye kitna strange aur scary hoga. Bilkul normal hai aise feel karna."

Unhone thoda aage jhuk kar kaha, "Sach kahun toh... maine bhi dobaara shaadi ke baare mein socha nahi tha. Bahut saalon tak. Par... agar ab shaadi karunga toh woh koi kafi special ladki hi hogi."

Main unki taraf dekhti rahi, unsure ki woh kya kehna chahte they. Phir hichkichate hue maine poocha, "Par... aap... mujhe... kyun? Main toh... aap toh jaante hain na..."

Raj Uncle meri taraf dekhte rahe, "Haan... main jaanta hoon. Sab kuch." Unhone thoda pause liya, "Aur phir bhi... tumhare saath mujhe ek aisa connection mehsoos hua jo kabhi saalon mein nahi hua."

Oh god. Connection? Mere saath? Woh sab jaante hue bhi aise bol rahe they... jaise unhe koi farak hi nahi padta tha.

Mere muh se mere mann ki baat nikal gayi, "Uncle... sab jaante hue bhi... aap kyun... mere saath...?"

Woh halke se muskuraye, "Tum mujhe Raj bulao. Uncle nahi."

Maine asahaj hote hue apna sar haan mein hilaya, par abhi bhi unhe Raj bulana kafi mushkil kaam lag raha tha.

Unhone meri aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha, "Aur tumhare sawaal ka jawaab... experience ke saath samajh mein aata hai ki life mein kya zaroori hai. Baaki sab... bematlab hai... aur mujhe us sab ke baare mein koi farq nahi padta."

Mere paas is baat ka koi jawaab nahi tha aur kamre mein ek chhupi si chhaa gayi.

Kuch pal ki khamoshi ke baad Raj Uncle ne dheere se poocha, "Agar tumhe uncomfortable na lage toh... main kuch personal pooch sakta hoon?"

Maine dheere se kaha, "Haan..."

"Tumhe... kisi specific gender ki taraf attraction mehsoos hota hai? Boys ya girls... I can totally understand agar yeh sab confusing ho tumhare liye."

Riya ne bhi mujhse yeh sawaal poocha tha ek baar, aur us waqt maine taal diya tha. Par dil mein main is sawaal ka jawab achhe se jaanti thi. Jab main kisi attractive, handsome, strong ladke ko dekhti thi toh... mere dil ki dhadkan tez hone lagti aur saansein ruk jaati.

"Haan... thoda complicated hai... par... main ek normal ladki ki tarah hi mehsoos karti hoon... un sab cheezon ke baare mein bhi."

Unhone muskurate hue mere shabdon ko poora kiya, "Perfect! Toh phir toh koi confusion hi nahi hai. Tum ek ladki ho, aur tumhe ladke pasand aate hain. Sahi keh raha hoon na main?"

Kya maine sahi suna? Unhone "tum ek ladki ho" kaha, na ki "ladki jaisi". Unke muh se sunkar mann mein kuch alag sa mehsoos hone laga, jaise yeh poori conversation meri soch se bilkul alag jaa rahi ho.

"Haan..." maine hichkichate hue kaha, "par sach kahun toh... abhi bhi bahut kuch baaki hai. Main abhi puri tarah se..."

Raj ne dheere se kaha, "Jo bhi baaki hai, main tumhe us sab mein support karunga. Isliye nahi ki mujhe lagta hai tum mein koi kami hai, par isliye kyunki main chahta hoon tum confident mehsoos karo. Mere liye tum jaisi abhi ho behad khoobsurat ho."

Mere gaal sharm se laal ho gaye aur main neeche dekhne lagi. Yeh mujhe kya mehsoos ho raha tha jo mujhe bhi samajh nahi aa raha tha? Woh kyun mere saath aisa baat kar rahe they, itne achhe se, itne understanding? Par abhi bhi mere mann mein kitne saare sawaal they.

Raj ne mere chehra padte hue kaha, "Tumhe abhi decide karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Main chahta hoon pehle tum poori tarah se comfortable mehsoos karo. Chahe tum is rishte ke liye haan kaho ya na, main tumhare is transition mein tumhara support karna chahta hoon. Uske baad bina kisi pressure ke apna decision le lena."

Maine mann hi mann socha woh bhala aisa kyun karna chahenge. Bina kisi condition ke meri madad kyun karenge. Par main unka muskurata hua chehra dekh kar yeh pooch nahi paayi.

Mere muh se nikla toh yeh sawaal, "Par bahar sab log... woh chahenge main aaj hi haan kar du... Dad... Aapki mummy... mujhe thoda time chahiye sochne ke liye."

"Ofcourse... Don't worry... woh sab mujh par chhod do... main sabko samjha dunga."

Main chup ho gayi. Kya kahti main?

"Chalo... ab bahar chalte hain. Sab log wait kar rahe honge. Kanika... aaj tumse baat karke... mujhe bahut achha laga."

Mere muh se dheere se apne aap nikla, "Mujhe bhi..."

Raj khade ho gaye aur mere liye wait karne lage. Hum dono chupchap living room ki taraf chalne lage, main un se bas zara sa peeche. Mera dimaag buri tarah uljha hua sa mehsoos kar raha tha. Unse baat karte karte aisa mehsoos hone laga tha jaise main ek ladki hi hoon jo apni shaadi ke liye nervous hai.

Bahar aate hi main Mom ke paas jakar khadi ho gayi. Unhone dheere se mere kaan mein fusfusaya, "Kafi der lag gayi... sab theek hai na?"

Isse pehle main jawab de paati, Raj ki mummy ki aawaz aayi, "Toh phir aaj hi roka kar lein? Dono ki shakal dekh kar toh lag raha hai yeh ek doosre ko pasand hain."

Raj abhi bhi khade hue they, "Mummy... jaldi kya hai... Kanika ko kuch din sochne ka time dena chahiye."

Dad aur Raj ki mummy dono ke chehra par ek dam se naraazgi aa gayi aur lag raha tha woh kuch bolne waale hain, par Mom ne turant mera haath pakadte hue mujhe wahan se kheencha, "Kanika beta, chalo mere saath. Mujhe dinner serve karne mein thodi help chahiye."

Mom ne mujhe kitchen mein le jaa kar thoda busy kar diya, taaki main un logon ki uncomfortable nazro aur baaton se door ho jayu. Bahar abhi bhi mere future ka discussion chal raha tha aur main... mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha ki main kya chahti thi.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 4

Do din baad main apne South campus ke college ke lawn mein baithi Riya ko us raat ki poori kahani bata rahi thi.

Riya meri baat bahut dhyan se sun rahi thi, beech beech mein apne honthon ko apne daanton mein dabate hue, apne aap ko rokte hue. Use pata tha ki mujhe story ke beech mein interruption bilkul pasand nahi tha. Maine Riya ko us raat ko un logo ke jaane tak ki poori kahani bata di.

Log aate jaate hume ghoorte hue aur haste hue jaa rahe they jaise aksar kiya karte they. Pichhle 2-3 saalon mein maine kya kya naam nahi sune they college ke ladko ke muh se. Chakka, Hijra, Meetha, Lady Boy, Gaandu, aur jaane kya kya. Ladkiyan bhi kam nahi thi. Ab toh maine un sab par dhyaan bhi dena band kar diya tha.  

Riya ne ek-do second baad meri aur dekhte hue poocha, “Phir? Kya bola uncle ne?”

“Dad ka toh tujhe pata hi hai… woh hamesha ki tarah mujh par bhadak rahe they. Agar maine is hafte ke end tak haan nahi kiya toh woh meri pocket money, phone waigera sab band karne ki dhamki de rahe they.”

“Darr mat yaar, woh aisa kuch nahi karenge. Aunty ne kya kaha?”

“Pata nahi... Mom kya chahti hai, samajh hi nahi aata. Kabhi toh meri side leti hai… par phir papa ke aage bilkul chup ho jaati hai jaise unhe farq hi nahi padta is sab se."

Yeh kehte kehte bhi mann mein thoda bura sa lag raha tha. Us din kitna achha laga tha Mom ke saath dress up hote hue, jab woh itne dhyan se mera make-up kar rahi thi, jab unhone mujhe apni beti bulaya tha.

"Par yeh toh soch... us din, tu sabke saamne, apne hi ghar mein, aaram se saree pehen kar ghoom paa rahi thi," Riya ne mera mann halka karne ke liye kaha.

"I guess... shayad." Meri aawaz abhi bhi kafi low sound kar rahi thi.

Achanak se uski aankhon mein ek chamak si aa gayi jaise uske dimaag mein kuch soojha ho, "Us raat ki koi photos hain kya?"

"Ummm... shayad. Mom ne ek-do li thi baad mein."

"Dikha na! mujhe dekhna hai tu saree mein kaisi lagti hai!"

Maine tezi se apna sar na mein hilaya, "Nahi... main nahi dikha rahi woh photos."

Mom ne woh photos guests ke jaane ke kuch der baad li thi. Tab tak main buri tarah thak chuki thi, makeup bhi halka pad gaya tha, aur saree bhi thodi si atpati si gayi thi. Main Riya ko woh photos nahi dikhana chahti thi. 

Kaash... us shaam ki aur photos hoti, jab main tayyar hui thi, tab ki. Jab Mom ne mera makeup kiya tha, jab main pehli baar mirror mein dekh kar khud ko sach mein ek ladki ki tarah mehsoos kiya tha.

Riya jaldi se mere phone ki taraf jhapti, "Please Please Please... Mujhe dekhni hai!"

Maine apna phone kas ke pakad liya aur thoda peeche hue. Cheena jhapti mein woh literally mere upar chaddh gayi thi aur uski kohni jaakar mere boobs par lagi. Aajkal woh area kafi sensitive sa ho gaya tha, aur zara sa chhute hue bhi dard sa hota tha.

Maine dard mein thoda zor se "Ahhh" keh diya. Mere muh se nikal gaya tha bina socha.

Maine mehsoos kiya ki aas paas ke logo ki nazar phir se hum par aa gayi thi aur woh seetiyan bajane lage aur kuch kuch bolne lage.

Maine apni chest ko masalte hue kaha, "Riya... thoda peeche hatt na."

Riya gusse mein peeche hui aur apne haathon ko apni chhaati ke neeche fold kar liya, "Fine! Agli baar na mujhe apne kapde khareedne ke liye mat bolna."

Usne gussa hote hue apna muh doosri taraf pher liya.

Maine turant use manate hue kaha, "Yaar... that's not fair. Tu mere liye jo bhi kapde khareedti hai, main un sab ki pics tujhe bhejti hoon. Hai na? Par yeh... samjha kar na. Ye saree mujhe ek 45 saal ke aadmi se shaadi karne ke liye pehnayi gayi thi."

Riya ne meri taraf dekha, woh samajh gayi thi main photo kyun nahi dikhana chahti thi. Par woh shayad manne nahi wali thi, "Main toh bas yeh dekhna chahti hoon ki tu saree mein lagti kaisi hai. Main toh shaadi waigera ke baare mein soch bhi nahi rahi thi. Sach!"

Maine kuch second uski taraf dekha. Woh apne gale par haath rakhe itni masoom si lag rahi thi ki main use mana nahi kar paa rahi thi, "Theek hai... par no judging... ok?"

Maine apna phone unlock karte hue Riya ki taraf badaya aur usne turant mere haath se phone chheen liya. Uske chehre par muskurahat wapas aa gayi thi aur woh meri photo gallery open karte hue us saree wali photo ko dhoondne lagi.

Photo open karte hi uski aankhen ekdam badi si ho gayi aur muh khula ka khula reh gaya, "Wow! Is that really you? Tu toh bilkul item bomb lag rahi hai."

Mujhe uski baat sunkar hasi aa gayi, "Shut up yaar! Aise mat bol."

Riya abhi bhi photo ko achhi tarah zoom karke dekh rahi thi, "Tu saree mein kitni hot lag rahi hai. Ekdam sanskari, total marriage material."

Mere gaal thode garam ho gaye. "Marriage material" sunkar ek ajeeb sa feeling aayi - proud bhi, uncomfortable bhi. 

"Wow yaar... main ladki hote hue bhi itni achhi nahi lagti saree mein."

Yeh bolte hi uske nazar aur haath ekdam jam se gaye, jaise woh jaanti ho usne kuch galat bol diya tha. "Mera woh matlab nahi tha. Tu bhi utni hi ladki hai, jitni main. I am really sorry."

Mujhe uski baat achhi toh nahi lagi thi, par maine dheere se kaha, "It's ok."

Riya dubara se photo ko zoom out karke dekhne lagi, "Ab samajh mein aa raha hai ki woh aadmi tujhse shaadi kyun karna chahta hai. I mean look at you..."

Maine apna phone usse wapis lene ki koshish ki, "It's not funny yaar. Phone wapas de na."

Riya mera phone wapis nahi de rahi thi, "Uski koi photo nahi hai?"

"Pagal hai kya. Main usse shaadi nahi karne wali. Pata hai na, main use uncle bulati aayi hoon itne saalon se."

Riya ki aankhon mein phir se kuch shararat si dikhi, jaise woh kuch soch rahi hoon, "Acha sun... shaadi na sahi, par uski madad toh le sakti hai na."

Mere muh se turant nikla, "NO..."

Main samajh gayi thi ki Riya kya kehna chahti thi. Aisa nahi hai pichhle do dino se mere mann mein ye khayal nahi aaya tha. Par aise kisi ki bhi madad lena, aur khaskaar unki, bilkul sahi nahi lag raha tha.

Riya excited hote hue apne ghutno par baith gayi, "Par tune hi toh bataya ki woh keh raha tha ki chahe tu haan kare ya na, woh tere transition mein teri help karna chahta hai. Koi pressure bhi nahi daala."

Maine muh banate hue kaha, "Aise kaun kisi ki help karta hai... bina kisi matlab ke."

"Well... kya pata woh karna chahta ho? Jitna mujhe samajh aaya, uski life mein koi aur hai bhi toh nahi."

"Main aise kisi ka mann toh nahi pad sakti na."

Riya ne zor dekar kaha, "Par usse baat toh kar sakti hai."

Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha main is sab ke baare mein soch bhi kyun rahi thi. Mera decision final tha aakhir... pata nahi Riya kyun se sab bol rahi thi.

Riya ke haath mein abhi bhi mera phone tha aur woh phone mein scroll aur tap kar rahi thi. Kuch pal baad usne ek contact nikaalte hue phone ki screen mere aage ki. Saamne "Raj Uncle" ki contact details thi. Shayad jab maine phone liya hi tha, tab maine unse number exchange kiya hoga. Par hamne aaj tak kabhi ek doosre ko phone ya message nahi kiya tha.

"Ye hain?"

Mera mind itna uljha hua tha ki main sahi se soch bhi nahi paa rahi thi ki Riya ne number saamne kyun nikaala hai. Maine dheere se haan mein sar hila diya.

Mere dekhte dekhte Riya ne us number par call laga di.

Maine shocked hokar Riya ki taraf dekha aur turant phone chheenne ki koshish ki, "Riya! Pagal hai kya?! Band kar abhi! Please!"

Maine phone uske haath se chheenne ki koshish kari, par itne mein doosri side se ek bhaari si aawaz aayi, "Hello..."

Mera dimaag bilkul sunn padh gaya aur haathon ne kaam karna band kar diya.

Phir se wohi aawaz aayi, "Hello... Kanika..."

Riya ne mere paas sarakte hue phone ko mere kaan par lagaya aur silently muh hilate hue mujhe bolne ka ishaara kiya. 

Kisi tarah se maine apne gale se aawaz bahar nikaali, "Hello..."

"Hey... kaisi ho tum?" Doosri taraf se Raj ki clear aur calm aawaz aa rahi thi.

Unki awaaz sunkar... kuch ajeeb sa laga. Woh awaaz jo us raat kamre mein thi, jab unhone mujhe "behad khoobsurat" kaha tha. Mera gala buri tarah sookh raha tha aur samajh nahi aa raha tha main kya bolu. Bas ek shabd nikla, "Good..."

"Tumne call kiya? Sab theek hai na?"

"Ummm...." Maine panic karte hue Riya ki taraf dekha.

Riya mere kaan mein phusphane lagi, par panic mein mein mujhe uski baat samajh nahi aa rahi thi. Maine uske haath se apna phone chheena aur use thoda peeche dhakel diya.

Raj phir se bole, "Kuch baat karni thi tumhe? Koi sawaal?"

Maine aankhen band karte hue apne aap ko focus karna chaha, "Listen... ummm... us raat... sab kuch itna jaldi jaldi ho gaya... kuch samajh hi nahi aaya."

"Ofcourse... Main samajh sakta hoon."

Main soch rahi thi ki aage kya bolu, aur kaise bolu. Mere dimaag mein shabd ghoom rahe they par muh se nikal nahi rahe they. Kitna ajeeb lagega agar main seedhe ye poochu - Kya aap shaadi kare bina bas meri transition mein help kar denge? Kitni desperate lagungi main?

Raj shayad meri jhijhak samajh gaye, "I think ye sab baatein phone par karna kafi mushkil hota hai. Hume aamne saamne baith kar baat karni chahiye."

Ekdam se laga jaise mujhe is poori conversation se bachne ka raasta mil gaya ho. Raj Uncle toh Mumbai mein rehte they, aur abhi toh filhaal milna hoga nahi. Kam se kam kuch dino ke liye toh baat tali.

Mere andar ki nervousness thodi kam ho rahi thi, "Haan... I think wohi better rahega. Aap jab agli baar aayoge tab baith kar baat kar lenge."

"Agli baar kyun? Aaj mil sakte hain, main abhi Delhi mein hi hoon."

Mera dil dhak se reh gaya. Aaj? Abhi? Mere dimaag mein ek hi khayal aa raha tha - main kaise mana karu bina rude lage. Meri ladkhadi hui aawaz nikli, "Aaaajjjj...??"

"Haan... main tumhare college se jyada door nahi hoon. Ek cafe ka address bhej raha hoon... wahin milte hain ek ghante mein. Theek hai na?"

Main chahti thi ki main na keh doon. Par kaise? Maine khud hi call ki thi. Maine khud hi unse baat karni ke liye kaha tha. Mere chest mein ek ajeeb sa dard uthne laga.

Maine kisi tarah se dheere se kaha, "Theek hai..."

Raj ki cheerful aawaz aayi, "Great... I will see you there."

Jaise hi Raj ne phone rakha, meri ghabrahat aur badh gayi. Phone mere haath mein chubh sa raha tha aur meri saans ukhad rahi thi. Abhi abhi maine kis cheez ke liye agree kar liya tha? Aaj hi unse face-to-face milne ke baare mein sochte hi mere pet mein marod uthne lagi thi.

Riya ne mujhe kohni maari, uske chehre par ek chaudi muskaan thi - "Relax... you did great!"

Main usse ghusse se dekhte hue boli - "Relax! Yeh sab teri wajah se hua hai! Main aise kaise aaj hi unse jakar mil lu?"

Riya ne bilkul tension-free hote hue apne kandhe unchkaye - "Well... tune haan toh bol diya hai... ab back out karna achha nahi lagega."

Mujhe laga tha ki main isi samay dharti mein hi sama jayu taaki kahin jaana hi na pade. Har possible scenario mere dimag mein ghoom raha tha - awkward questions, unka mujhe ghoorna, aaj ke kapdo ka us din ki saree se comparison. 

Oh god, aaj toh main ladki jaisi dressed bhi nahi thi. Mere haath mutthi mein band ho gaye, aur naakhun hatheliyon mein chubhne lage.

Maine ek lambi saans li. Theek hai. Shayad yeh achha hi hai. Jab woh mujhe aaj aise dekhenge - bina makeup, bina saree, bilkul plain - toh unhe samajh aa jayega ki us raat unhone jo dekha tha, woh sirf ek dress-up, ek natak tha.

Par mere pet mein jo marod chal rahi thi, woh kuch aur hi keh rahi thi.

[Celebrorn]

Wonderful update dear..

Maja aa gaya.

Waiting for next

Thank you for being the only reader of this story.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 5

Main aur Riya cafe ke bahar pahuch gaye they. Hame pahuchne mein 15-20 minute extra lag gaye they.

Mere mann ki ghabrahat badti jaa rahi thi. Kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha ki main kya aur kaise baat karne wali thi. Maine apne kapdo ki taraf gaur kiya - ek loose tshirt aur baggy jeans pehni hui thi, jaise main aksar college mein pehna karti thi taaki kapde mere shareer se na chipke. Aaj toh balki main baaki dino se bhi jyada plain lag rahi thi.

Mann mein achanak se khayal aaya - Woh mujhe aise dekhenge toh kya sochenge? 

“Chal… all the best!” Riya ye bolte hue palat kar jaane lagi.

Maine peeche se jhatke se uski tshirt pakad li. “Ruk! Tu kahan jaa rahi hai? Tune mujhe is sab mein fasaya hai, tujhe toh saath aana hi padega.”

"Babe... tu kar legi... main kahan kabab mein haddi banti firungi."

Maine bhadakte hue kaha, "Na toh koi kabab hai aur na hi koi haddi."

"Theek hai! Aur gussa kar le. Ab toh bilkul nahi jayungi."

"Please Riya." Meri awaaz kuch zyada hi desperately nikal gayi. "Main... main akeli nahi jaa sakti andar."

Woh chup ho gayi. Phir usne lambi saans bhari. "Fine. Par main jyada der nahi rukungi. Bas apne aap ko introduce karke, tum logo ki baatein shuru karwa ke, main wahan se nikal lungi. Deal?"

Maine muh banate hue dheere se sar hilaaya. "Deal..."

Riya ne cafe ka darwaza khola aur main uske peeche-peeche andar gayi. Glass door khulte hi AC ki thandi hawa aur coffee ki khushbu ne mere senses ko gher liya.

Cafe college students se bhara hua tha - kuch groups mein aur kuch couples corner tables par baatein karte hue. Ek group toh kafi bada aur loud tha. Maine poore cafe ko scan kiya, dil ki dhadkan tez hoti jaa rahi thi and saare chehre dhundhle se lag rahe they. 

Kahan hain woh? Abhi tak nahi aaye kya?

Phir... meri nazar unpar padi. Thoda peeche andar ki taraf baithe hue they. Ek haath mein phone, doosre haath mein coffee cup. Unhone ek black tight fitted shirt pehni hui thi, sleeves thode rolled up. Clean-shaven, well-groomed. Unhe dekh kar aisa lag nahi raha tha ki woh 40 plus ke hain.

Unki nazar phone par thi par... kuch seconds mein unhone upar dekha. Seedha meri taraf muskurate hue. Mere pairo ne kaam karna band kar diya aur main wahin jam gayi.

Riya ne bina unhe dekhe unko muskurate dekh pehchaan liya. 

"Woh hain kya?" Riya ne mere kaan mein whisper kiya. "Tune toh kaha tha kafi badi age ke hain, par yeh toh..."

"Chup!" Maine use jaldi se chup karaya. Mera poora chehra garam hote hue laal padta jaa raha tha.

Raj ne hamari taraf dekhte hue haath hilaaya aur khade ho gaye.

Riya mera haath pakadte hue mujhe literally aage dhakelne lagi. "Chal, aise hi khadi rahegi kya!"

Kisi tarah se mere pair chalne lage. Ek step, phir doosra, phir teesra. Har step ke saath mere dil ki dhadkan tez hoti jaa rahi thi. Paas pahuchte pahuchte phir se unke kafi lambe hone ka ehsaas hua. Unki nazrein mujh par tiki hui thi.

"Kanika!" Wohi phone wali gehri aawaz. "I am so glad tum aa paayi."

Maine ghabra kar aas-paas dekha, unhone "Kanika" itni sahajta se bola tha jaise unhe farq hi nahi padta ki aas-paas ke log mujhe ek ladke ke roop mein dekh rahe hain.

"H.. Hi..." Mujhe khud apni aawaz sunayi nahi de rahi thi.

Woh Riya ki taraf dekhte hue muskuraye, "And you must be... Riya! Right? Phone par Kanika ko instructions dete hue."

Riya unki baat sunkar thoda blush hui, "Aapko woh sab sunai de raha tha kya?"

"Aur kya! Abhi itne bhi kharaab nahi hue hain mere kaan." Unhone smile di. "I am Raj... I am sure you already know."

Unhone Riya ki taraf haath badaya aur Riya ne turant, bina kisi hesitation ke, confidently unse haath mila liya. Main toh aisa kabhi nahi kar paati.

"Please baitho..." Raj ne hum dono ko baithne ka ishaara kiya.

Main nervous hote hue booth ki soft cushion wali seat par baith gayi, yeh tak bhool kar ki Riya ko bhi baithna hai. Usne mujhe apni hips se push kiya aur andar slide karwa diya, khud bahar ki taraf baith gayi, effectively mujhe trap karte hue. 

Maine use ghoor kar dekha, par usne mujhe sirf ek halki si smile di.

Raj bhi saamne slide karke baith gaye, seedha mere saamne. Mera gala jakda hua sa mehsoos ho raha tha.

"Coffee? Ya kuch aur?" Raj ne poocha.

"Cold coffee," Riya ne jaldi se kaha. Phir usne meri taraf dekha. "Aur tere liye bhi same na?"

Maine sar hilaaya. Bolne ki himmat nahi thi par achha bhi lag raha tha ki woh mere liye bol rahi thi.

Raj ne waiter ko signal diya aur order de diya. Phir unhone apne saamne rakhe coffee cup ko uthaya aur ek sip li. Meri nazar unke haathon ki taraf gayi. Bade, strong haath jin par halki-halki veins dikhai de rahi thi, lambi fingers, wrist par ek sporty watch.

Maine jaldi se apni nazar doosri taraf kar li, main kyun notice kar rahi thi yeh sab?

"Tumhe yahaan aane mein dikkat toh nahi hui?" Unhone poocha.

"N-nahi. Yahan se paas hi hai college." Is baar meri aawaz Riya ke bolne se pehle nikli, par abhi bhi kafi dheemi.

"Good." Unhone smile di. "Phone par tum thodi... nervous lag rahi thi. Toh main thoda unsure tha ki yeh jagah sahi hai ya nahi."

Mere gaal phir se garam mehsoos hone lage. "Woh... main bas..."

"It's okay." Unki awaaz soft thi. "Main samajh sakta hoon."

Kuch seconds ke liye table par ek uncomfortable sa silence chhaa gaya. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha main aage kya bolun, aur Riya ke saamne Raj kuch bolenge bhi ya nahi, yeh bhi pata nahi tha.

Riya ne achanak apne phone par dekhte hue zor se kaha. "Oh shit!"

Main aur Raj dono ne uski taraf dekha.

"Kya hua?" Maine poocha.

"Mujhe... mujhe Mom ne text kiya hai. Emergency hai." Usne apna bag uthaya. "Mujhe abhi nikalna padega."

"Kya?! Par tu..." Main panic mein uthne lagi, par Riya ne mere kandhe par zor se dabaya, mujhe wapas seat par bithate hue. Maine use ghoor kar dekha. Emergency? Yeah right. Par main use rok bhi nahi paayi.

"Sorry yaar!" Woh already booth se bahar nikal chuki thi. "Par don't worry, tum log baat karo. Main... main baad mein text karti hoon."

"Riya!" Mere muh se desperately uska naam nikla.

Par woh already cafe se bahar nikal chuki thi. Ekdam tezi se. Us bitch ne mujhe yahan akele chhod diya. Gussa aa raha tha us par. Maine nervously Raj ki taraf dekha. Woh patiently meri taraf hi dekh rahe they. Mere pet mein phir se ek marod si uthi.

Main apne haathon ko apne lap mein rakh kar dekh rahi thi, fingers nervously ek doosre ke saath khel rahi thi.

Raj ne chuppi ko todte hue kaha, "Tumhari friend... kafi unique personality hai." Unki awaaz mein ek halka sa mazak tha.

"Haan... woh... woh thodi extra hai," maine kaha, phir turant regret kiya. Extra? Kanika, yeh kya bol rahi hai?

Raj halke se hase, "Jo bhi hai... achhi friend hai. I like her."

Jab unhone yeh kaha, toh pata nahi kyun ek jealousy si feel hui. What does he like about her? Uski looks? Personality? Confidence?

Itne mein waiter coffee le aaya, ek meri aur ek Riya ki. Main apni cold coffee ke straw ko dekhte hue halke se ghumane lagi, bas kuch bhi karne ke liye. Bas Raj ki taraf dekhne se bachne ke liye.

"Kanika."

Unke mera naam lete hi meri nazrein turant neeche ho gayi.

"Meri taraf dekho."

Maine dheere se apni nazrein uthayi aur unki taraf dekha. Unki gehri bhoori aankhen seedhe meri taraf dekh rahi thi. Jaise mujhe mein kuch dhoond rahi ho.

"Tumhe yahaan aane ki zaroorat nahi thi," unhone kaha. "Agar tum uncomfortable the, toh tum mana kar sakti thi."

"Main... main comfortable hoon," maine jaldi se kaha.

"Sach?"

Main chup ho gayi.

"Aaj tum alag lag rahi ho."

Chalo, finally. Ab shayad woh bolne wale they ki main aaj ladki nahi lag rahi hoon, aur ye sab ek galti thi.

"Haan... main aisi hi dikhti hoon bahar sabke saamne."

"Nahi, mera woh matlab nahi tha. Us din bhi tum nervous thi, par phir bhi tumhari aankhon mein kuch alag tha, ek relief jaise. Jaise tum actually khud thi us din. Aur aaj tumhe koi aur banna pad raha hai."

Koi mujhse itni kam baar mile mere mann mein chhupi itni gehri baat ko kaise jaan sakta tha. Yeh baat toh shayad main khud bhi nahi samajh paayi thi ki asli natak toh main har din karti thi, khud ko chhupate hue.

"Yeh mera observation hai," Raj ne softly kaha, "ya main galat hoon?"

"Nahi," maine whisper karte hue admit kiya. "Aap... aap galat nahi hain. Itna aasan nahi hai... woh banna jo main chahti hoon."

Raj halke se muskuraye, "Nahi, bilkul nahi. Shayad main kabhi na samajh payu tum kaisa feel karti ho. Main bas yeh chahta hoon ki tum roz aise hi apne aap se comfortable mehsoos karo."

"Par kyun?" Mere muh se achanak nikal gaya. "Aap... aap mujhe jaante bhi nahi. Phir bhi aap... kyun?"

Raj ne apne coffee ke cup par ungli ferte hue kaha, "Pehle toh, kyunki main help kar sakta hoon. Financially, practically. Aur agar main kisi ki help kar sakta hoon, toh... kyun nahi?"

Maine wait kiya, woh kuch aur bolne wale they.

"Par agar main completely honest hoon toh... mujhe tumhare saath ek connection sa mehsoos hota hai... jaise hum ek doosre ko samajh sakte hain. Ananya ke jaane ke baad main kafi saari ladkiyon se mila hoon. Par jaane kyun, main bas tumhare baare mein sochta rehta hoon."

Meri saans atak gayi thi aur gaal gehre laal ho gaye they.

"Tumhare saath," unhone continue kiya, "aisa lagta hai mujhe koi dikhawa ya natak karne ki zaroorat nahi hai. Bilkul tumhari tarah."

"Aur agar..." Maine thodi sakht aawaz mein kehne ki koshish kari. "Agar main... agar main kabhi aapke liye woh feel na karun?"

Raj ne kuch seconds tak mujhe dekha. Phir unhone halki smile di.

"Toh bhi theek hai." unhone peeche lean karte hue kaha. "Actually I totally understand."

Mere chehre par confusion saaf thi.

Raj ne explain karte hue kaha, "Tum abhi young ho. Tumne abhi khud ko explore bhi nahi kiya hai properly. Tumhe nahi pata ki tum kaun ho, kya chahti ho, kis tarah ki relationships tumhe suit karti hain. Aur upar se... main..."

Raj kuch second ke liye ruk gaye par main samajh gayi thi woh kya kehna chahte hai.

"Shayad kafi unfair tha yeh expect karna ki tum bhi mujhe usi open nazar se dekho, jisse main tumhe dekh raha hoon. Yeh tumhara poora haq hai. Par main phir bhi tumhari help karna chahunga."

Unki baat sun kar thodi rahat si mehsoos hui, par phir saath hi mein guilt bhi. Woh mujhse itni achhe se behave kar rahe they, bina kisi expectation ke help karne ko tayyar they, aur main... main unhe woh feelings wapas nahi de sakti jo shayad woh chahte they.

Main apni cold coffee ka straw nervously ghumate hue soch rahi thi. Agar woh meri help karna bhi chahe toh ye sab kaise work karega. Kitne saare obstacle they, aur un sab mein sabse bada ek. "Par... Dad..."

Raj ne thoughtfully sar hilaaya, jaise unhone pehle se hi yeh sab soch rakha ho. "Haan... tumhare papa ko main achhe se jaanta hoon. Unhe sab ko control karna pasand hai."

Maine surprised hokar unki taraf dekha. Kisi ne kabhi Dad ke baare mein aise openly nahi bola tha, kam se kam mujhse toh nahi.

"Haan... agar maine mana kar diya toh... woh mera phone, internet, college sab band kar denge. Ghar se bahar bhi nikalne nahi denge. Phir na toh aap mujhse mil paayenge na meri madad kar paayenge."

"Exactly." Raj ne apni coffee ka last sip liya. "Toh yeh problem hai. Tumhare parents, mainly tumhare papa, kabhi allow nahi karenge ki main tumhe bina kisi 'official' reason ke tumhari help karun."

Mere dil mein ek ajeeb sa feeling aayi. Woh sach bol rahe they.

Raj ne apne haathon ko table par fold karte hue aage jhuke, "Toh... ek solution hai. Par shayad tumhe pasand na aaye."

"Kya?" Maine whisper mein poocha. 

"Engagement." 

Mera dil dhak se reh gaya. "Kya?" 

Raj ne jaldi se apna haath aage badhaya, jaise mujhe reassure karna chahte ho, "Sunno pehle. Main baat kar raha hoon sirf naam ki engagement ki. Ek... arrangement. Tumhare parents ke liye, society ke liye. Par reality mein... sirf ek agreement between us." 

Maine confused hokar unhe dekha.

Raj ne explain karna jaari rakha, unki awaaz smooth aur convincing thi, "Soch kar dekho zara. Agar hum officially engaged ho jaate hain, toh tumhare papa ko koi problem nahi hogi kisi cheez se. Tumhe apne saath bahar ghumane le jayu, unhe kya pata chalega ki hum kahan jaa rahe hai. Aur phir tumhare andar jo bhi badlaav ho, unhe usse koi matlab nahi hoga."

Unki baat... actually sense bana rahi thi. 

"Aur aap?" Maine hesitantly poocha. "Aapko kya milega is sab se?"

Raj ne halke se smile ki, ek ajeeb si smile jo maine pehle notice nahi ki thi. "Meri mummy khush ho jayegi. Woh mere peeche padi hai shaadi ke liye. Agar engagement ho jaati hai, toh woh bhi shant ho jayegi for a while."

"Par... shaadi?" Mere gale mein words atke hue they. 

"Engagement lambi ho sakti hai na," Raj ne casually kaha. "Ek saal, do saal... jitni tumhe zaroorat ho apne transition complete karne ki. Main unhe convince kar lunga. Tab tak tum decide kar logi ki tumhe kya chahiye. Aur agar... agar tum decide karti ho ki yeh nahi chahiye, toh hum engagement tod denge. Simple."

"Engagement todna... itna simple thodi hota hai," maine dheere se kaha.

Raj ne sar hilaaya, par unki eyes mein kuch aur tha, kuch calculated sa. "Tumhare liye nahi hoga. Mummy ko tumhare baare mein sach pata chalega toh woh khud hi rishta tod dengi. Par filhaal tum bas abhi ke baare mein focus karo, aage ka nahi."

Maine apne haathon ki taraf dekha. Ofcourse, unki mummy mera sach jaante hi rishta tod dengi, main yeh rishta kabhi bhi tod sakti thi. Yeh... yeh sab bahut achha sa sound kar raha tha. Itna aasan, too good to be true.

"Par yeh... yeh toh ek natak hoga. Jhoot." 

"Haan," Raj ne admit kiya, leaning back. "Par tumhari poori zindagi bhi toh ek natak hai na abhi? Har roz college jaana as someone you're not. Ghar par chupna. Yeh natak toh kam se kam tumhe freedom dega. Real freedom."

Unki baat mein sachayi thi. Aur woh itni smoothly bol rahe they ki mujhe lag hi nahi raha tha ki isme kuch galat bhi ho sakta hai.

"Soch kar dekho Kanika," unhone softly kaha, unki awaaz almost hypnotic thi. "Engagement ke baad, main tumhe top ke doctors, specialists ke paas le jayunga. Better hormones, voice training, surgery, jo bhi tum karna chaho. Aur tumhare parents ko kuch shaq bhi nahi hoga kyunki officially tum apne fiance ke saath time spend kar rahi hogi."

Mera mann cheekh cheekh kar keh raha tha ki Kanika soch kya rahi hai, haan bol jaldi se.

"Aur aapko lagta hai... Dad maan jayenge?"

Raj ki hasi chhoot gayi, "Maan jayenge. Woh toh maana baitha hai. Use toh lag raha hai main uski problem ko apna raha hoon."

Yeh sab sunkar mujhe weird feel ho raha tha. Ek taraf yeh perfect solution lag raha tha. Doosri taraf... kuch toh tha jo off lag raha tha. Par main samajh nahi pa rahi thi kya.

"Tumhe aur time chahiye sochne ke liye?" Raj ne poocha.

Raj ne ek lambi saans li, unki smile thodi tight ho gayi. Unke chehre par shayad ab woh patience nahi dikh raha thi jo is meeting ke shuru mein tha.

"Haan... bas... kuch aur time."

"Take your time." Unhone apna dhyaan phone ki taraf kiya, par unki aawaz pehle se thodi sharp thi. "Par yaad rakhna, tumhare papa ne deadline di hai na? Is hafte ke end tak?"

Deadline ka naam sunkar mere mann mein fir se ghabrahat si shuru ho gayi.

Raj ne bill pay karte hue kaha, "Agar tum haan kehti ho, toh hum agle hi hafte ek chhoti si engagement kar sakte hain. Simple, small function. Aur phir... uske baad... tumhari asli journey shuru hogi."

Woh khade ho gaye. Maine bhi nervously khadi ho gayi. 

"Jyada mat socho," unhone kaha, muskurate hue. "Sometimes best decisions woh hote hain jo dil se aate hain, dimaag se nahi."

Raj ne mere kandhe par halka sa haath rakha, ek reassuring touch, par main poori tarah kaanp uthi.

"Text karna agar kuch bhi clarify karna ho," unhone kaha, stepping back. "Aur... jo bhi tumhara decision ho, I am there for you."

Hum dono cafe se bahar aaye. Unhone mujhe drop karne ka offer kiya par maine mana kar diya. Main abhi bhi cafe ke bahar khadi thi, dhoop bilkul bright thi, par mera dimaag dhundla sa tha. 

Achanak se peeche se Riya ki aawaz aayi, "Kaisa raha."

Maine surprised hote hue palat kar use dekha. Iska matlab woh kahin gayi nahi thi, bas bahar mera intezaar kar rahi thi. "Theek tha... woh unhone... proposal diya hai."

"Shaadi ka proposal? Obviously! Isliye toh tum aayi thi na..."

"Nahi," maine usko interrupt kiya. "Engagement ka. Naam ki. Taaki woh mujhe help kar sake bina Dad ke problem ke."

Riya ki aankhen badi ho gayi. "Wait, what?" 

Maine usko poora bataya jaise-jaise hum college ki taraf chal rahe they.

Riya chup ho gayi, sochte hue. Phir boli, "Yeh... actually smart hai. Agar sirf naam ki hai toh..."

"Par kuch off sa lag raha hai... samajh nahi aa raha... jaise sab kuch kafi planned sa ho."

"Tujhe na har cheez mein koi na koi problem hi dikhti hai. Woh itne experienced hai toh unhone sab soch hi liya hoga na. Aur sach batayun toh, woh kahin se 40 plus lagte bhi nahi hain. Agar unse shaadi bhi ho jaaye na toh its not a big deal."

Riya mujhe jhaadte hue boli toh mujhe bilkul achha nahi laga. Woh mujhe pareshaan dekh kar samajh gayi aur usne mera haath pakad liya.

"Chal," Riya ne apni aawaz thodi soft kari. "Tu soch le. Dhyaan se. Aur jo bhi decision le, woh tera hoga. Okay?"

Maine sar hilaaya. 

Jab main ghar pahunchi aur apne kamre mein akeli baithi, toh mere dimaag mein woh meeting hi ghoom rahi thi. Par mere dil mein kya tha? Dar? Hope? Ya kuch aur jo main samajh hi nahi pa rahi thi?

Tabhi mere phone par ek message aaya. 

Raj ka text tha. "Thanks for meeting today. Whatever you decide, I respect it. But remember, you deserve to be happy. You deserve to be yourself. You deserve to be a woman."

Maine message ko baar baar padha. Woh sahi bol rahe they. Main deserve karti thi yeh sab. Shayad main apna jawab jaanti thi ab, par uska nateeza nahi.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 6

Maine apne reflection ko mirror mein dekhte hue ek gehri saans andar li. Lengha ka heavy ghaghra mere kamar par bilkul perfectly fit tha, aur choli itni tight thi ki saans lena mushkil ho raha tha. Itna magical sa lag raha yeh lavendar colour ka lengha mujh par, jaisi kisi movie ke set se laaya gaya ho. Par asli magic toh neeche pehni gayi push-up bra ka tha, jisne mujhe ek aisi figure di thi jo maine kabhi socha bhi nahi thi. Mere chest par proper curves they ab. Breasts... fuller, bigger. Almost real.

Makeup artist kuch der pehle hi ja chuke they, sab kaam khatam karke. Makeup bahut heavy nahi tha, bas itna ki main aaj ke function ki main attraction dikhu. Mom ne makeup artists ke aane ke pehle hi mujhe wig pehna diya tha, taaki main unke saamne awkward na feel karu. Yeh naya wig thoda aur stylish tha, aur isme mere baal curvy aur elegant lag rahe they. Kaano mein clip on earrings, haathon mein bhaari kangan, aur gale mein ek diamond ka necklace, kisi actress se kam nahi lag rahi thi main.



Par is perfection ki bhi ek keemat thi. Pichhle kuch hafton se meri chest kuch jyada hi sensitive ho gayi thi. Main jab bhi saans leti, bra ki sakht wire aur choli ka bhari embroidery wala kapda mere un sensitive tissues par dabta jisse ek teekhi chubhan mehsoos hoti. Yeh dard mujhe baar baar yaad dila raha tha ki maine sirf koi costume nahi pehni thi, mere andar ka badlaav sach tha.

Yeh badlaav hi toh tha jisne mujhe aaj yahan is banquet hall ke room mein khada kar diya tha. Pichhle 4-5 din ek dhundhle sapne ki tarah nikle they. Jab maine Mom ko darte darte haan kaha tha, tab woh meri choice nahi tha balki ek mazboori thi. Dad ki di hui deadline sar par talwar ban kar latak rahi thi. Ya toh main Raj "Uncle" se engagement ke liye haan karti ya fir apni bachi-kuchi pehchaan bhi kho baithti. Pata nahi uske baad Dad ka agla plan kya hota.

Isi ghutan ke beech Raj ka woh "arrangement" mujhe ek safety net ki tarah dikhai de raha tha. Us din ki meeting ke baad mujhe lagne laga tha ki, jo kuch bhi hone wala tha, uska poora control abhi bhi mere haathon mein tha. Main jab chahun is poore natak ko khatam kar sakti thi. Main jaanti thi ki main yeh shaadi kabhi nahi karungi, par filhaal is engagement ke liye haan karna meri zaroorat ban gaya tha.


"Yeh pehen lo," Mom ne mere saamne ek pair of embellished heels rakhte hue mera dhyan kheecha. Chamakdar golden, un ke straps par stones lage hue they, ek dam tacky, totally not my style.

Ek hafte ke andar yeh sab jo bhi shopping aur arrangement hui thi kisi chamatkar se kam thi kya. Mujhe toh pata bhi nahi tha ladkiyon ko ek chhote se function ke liye bhi itna kuch chahiye hota hai.

Maine unhe dekhte hue apna muh banaaya, "Yeh? Yeh pehenna padega kya?"

"Haan, aur kya. Lenghe ke saath yehi jayenge, koi sports shoes toh pehnogi nahi."

Maine reluctantly heels pehenne shuru kiye. Pehle hi ek minute mein mere pair dard karne lage. Heels jyada uchhi nahi thi par tight straps mere toes ko kaat rahe they aur stones mere skin par ragad rahe they.

"Mom... yeh bahut tight hain... aur uncomfortable bhi." Main bas rone hi wali thi.

Mom ne halke se smile ki, ek thaka hua, udaas sa smile, "Yeh toh bas shuruwat hai beta. Heels pehenne ka aadat daalni padegi tumhe. Aur waise bhi..." unhone meri aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha, "ab tumhe samajh aayega ek aurat hone ka asli matlab. Kitna dard sehna padta hai."

Unka yeh filmy dialogue sunkar maine muh banaya. Par mann mein thodi ghabrahat bhi hui, kya sach mein girls ko jyada dard sehna padta hai. Main toh bilkul...

Ding Ding Ding

Text messages ki aawaz ne ekdam se meri thoughts ko distract kiya. Ek ke baad ek lagatar text messages aaye jaa rahe they.

Maine annoy ho kar banquet hall ke is bridal room mein baithe us unwanted guest ki taraf dekha. Ishita Mehra, mere bhai ki girlfriend. Woh apne phone par tezi se type karti hui texts bhej rahi thi. Uske chehre par ek badi si muskaan thi aur beech beech mein uske muh se giggling ki sound nikal rahi thi, jaise koi interesting gossip kar rahi ho.

Use wahan mere saath is kamre mein dekh kar mera khoon phir se khaula. Meri engagement par woh yahan kyun baithi thi! Apni hi duniya mein lost use mujhse koi matlab toh tha na. Aur meri best friend Riya? Use is function mein aane ki permission tak nahi thi.

"Family only," Dad ne kaha tha jab maine Mom se request ki thi ki Riya ko bula lein. "Koi bahar wala nahi."

Par Ishita bhi toh bahar waali hi thi na? Woh toh hamari family ka part nahi thi... abhi tak toh nahi.

Sach toh yeh tha ki woh uninvited aayi thi. Vishal ne use bata diya tha engagement ke baare mein, use pata hona bhi nahi chahiye tha par obviously woh apni girlfriend se kuch chhupa nahi sakta tha. Aur phir Ishita khud aa gayi, "surprise" dete hue.

Dad bilkul khush nahi they. Unka chehra dekh kar pata chal gaya tha. Par phir unhone... koi tamasha na create karte hue... accept kar liya. Kyunki Ishita practically unke ghar ki "future bahu" thi na. Vishal ki hone wali biwi. Toh technically woh bhi family hi thi. 

Mujhe itna gussa aaya tha jab Mom ne mujhe ye logic diya tha. Kaash maine bhi Riya ko bol diya hota ki tu bas aaja, jo hoga dekha jayega. Par nahi... mujhe toh hamesha Dad ki baat sunni hoti hai na.

Maine apne pair mein heels ko adjust karte hue apna gussa control karne ki koshish ki. Yeh mera din tha. Mera function. Meri... meri engagement. Par kuch bhi toh mera nahi lag raha tha.

"Smile!"


Flash ki tez roshni meri aankhon mein chubhi. Maine ghabra kar apni nazrein churayi, par tab tak Ishita ne meri photo kheench li thi.

"Ishita! Yeh kya kar rahi ho? Bina pooche photo kyun li?" Mera gussa ab mere control se bahar nikal raha tha.

"Relax! Tum itni pyaari lag rahi ho." Ishita ne excited hote hue screen mere saamne ki. 

Main isse pehle sahi se photo ko sahi se dekh paati, usne apne phone par jaldi se ungliyaan chalate hue kuch kiya. Aisi aawaz aayi jaise usne abhi kisi ko meri photo send kari ho.

"Photo kisi ko send mat karna! Dad ne mana kiya hai." Meri aawaz mein panic saaf tha.

"Arre, relax Kanika! Maine bas Vishal ko bheji hai," Ishita ne kafi casual tone mein kaha, jaise isme koi badi baat na ho. "Woh kabse dhoond raha tha mujhe, aur kafi nervous bhi lag raha tha. Socha use dikha doon ki uski behen kitni stunning lag rahi hai. After all, usse kya chhupana?"

Vishal ko bhej di!!! Mere dimaag mein ek dhamaka sa hua. Mere liye ye koi normal photo nahi thi, yeh meri poori zindagi ka sabse vulnerable moment tha. Aur Ishita ne use ek cute photo ki tarah forward kar diya tha. Woh bhi ek aise insaan ko jo mere ladki hone se kabhi comfortable nahi hua tha.

"Tumhe... tumhe meri permission ke bina nahi bhejni chahiye thi," mere chehre par naraazgi saaf thi. 

"Oh! Sorry, sorry! Maine socha tumhe achha lagega," Ishita pareshaan hote hue khadi hui aur mere paas aayi. Uska chehra ekdam se innocent aur curious tha. Uski nazrein mere upar neeche ghoom rahi thi, jaise woh kisi exhibition mein rakhe kisi art work ko inspect kar rahi ho.

Maine chalne ki koshish kari par heels mein balance banana namumkin sa lag raha tha. Mere pair kaapne lage aur main haar maan kar stool par dher ho gayi.

"Ouch!" Maine apne toes ko adjust karte hue groan kiya.

"Arre, aise nahi!" Ishita mere paas neeche jhuki aur mere pairon ko position karne lagi. "Tum apna poora weight apni heels par daal rahi ho, isliye dard ho raha hai. Sara weight aage rakho, apne toes par. Heel ko aage ki aur jhuka kar."

Usne mujhe sahara dete hue khada kiya aur maine aage ki aur jhuk kar chalne ki koshish ki, is baar main pehle se thoda jyada successful hui, par ajeeb sa lag raha tha.

Ishita ne mere shoulders pakadte hue peeche ki aur kiye, "Tumhe aage nahi jhukna hai, just your toes. Apne shoulders straight rakho, you don't want to be called the hunchback."

Maine fir se koshish kari, aisa lag raha tha jaise main pose karte hue chal rahi hoon.

"See? Ab better hai," Ishita ne thoda peeche hat kar mujhe aise dekha jaise koi painter apni painting ka final touch check kar raha ho, "Bas apne hips bhi thode se move karo, jyada nahi. I am sure it's all new to you, but you are doing great!"

Ab main Ishita ko kaise samjhati, shoulders straight karne se aisa lag raha tha jaise bra aur choli mere seene mein andar ghus rahi ho. 

"Thanks," maine dheere se bolte hue use ek thaki hui smile di. Aur main phir se jakar stool par baith gayi.

Ishita abhi bhi meri taraf ghoor rahi thi. Uska chehre dekh kar saaf pata chal raha tha woh kuch poochna chahti thi. Woh ab apni curiosity ko aur control nahi kar sakti thi.

"Kanika... waise ek baat pucho..."

Maine dheere se haan mein sar hilaya. Na bhi karti toh woh poochne bina nahi rehti.

"Jab tum yeh sab... yeh wig, lengha, makeup pehenti ho, toh kya tumhe sach mein ladkiyon wali feeling aati hai? Ya phir aisa lagta hai tum pretend play kar rahi ho. Don't mind... I am just curious."

Mera dil ek pal ke liye ruk gaya. Uske sawal mein koi dushmani nahi thi, bas ek kora bachpana tha, par usne mere sabse bade darr par chot ki thi. Kya main sirf ek costume pehen kar ghoom rahi hoon?

Maine uske sawaal ka jawaab sawaal se diya, "Tumhe kaisa lagta hai jab tum dress up hoti ho kisi function ke liye?"

Woh mere sawaal ka jawaab na dete hue apne agle sawaal par bad gayi, "And I must say, tum toh sach mein ek girl ki tarah dikhti ho. I mean, I have seen pictures of Trans women, and they look nothing like you. Look at your belly button, it looks sooo sexy!"

Ishita ki baat sunte hi maine apne haath se apna belly button chhupane ki koshish kari. Uska compliment well meaning that par jaane kyun mujhe ek taane se kam nahi lag raha tha. Use lag raha tha ki woh meri tareef kar rahi hai, par asal mein woh mere poore existence ko ek "successful experiment" ki tarah measure kar rahi thi.

"Matlab," maine rukhi aawaz mein poocha.

"Aree... I just mean you look so natural." Ishita ne excited ho kar kaha. "Tumhe dekh kar no one can tell whether you are a real girl or not. Pata nahi Vishal itna kyun crib karta hai is sab ke baare mein."

Ishita ko kya pata tha ki Vishal ki jin baaton ko woh cribbing stories bata rahi thi, woh mere liye ekdam real thi. Pichhle kuch saalon se jis tarah se woh mere saath behave karta tha mujhe usse nafrat ho chuki thi. Apni girlfriend ke saath mere baare mein baat karne ki zaroorat hi kya thi use.

Ishita ek topic se doosre topic bhaage jaa rahi thi, "I think Raj Uncle is really lucky to get someone as pretty as you. I am just so excited and tumhari marriage ki shopping toh main hi karwayungi."

"Ishita, please..." Maine thaka hua sa saans liya. Mera gala rone jaisa ho raha tha, par mujhe apna makeup bachana tha. "Mujhe thoda... akela rehna hai. Stage par jaane se pehle."

"Oh! I'm so sorry! Main hamesha zyada bol jati hoon," Ishita ne jaldi se apna bag uthaya aur muskurayi. "Main bahar jaati hoon. Vishal wait kar raha hoga. Aur tension mat lena, tum ekdum 'Doll' lag rahi ho. Raj Uncle toh bas dekhte hi reh jayenge!"

Ishita ke jaate hi kamre mein ek bhari khamoshi chhaa gayi. Maine mirror mein apne aap ko dekha, ek natural dikhne wali doll, jise uske parents ne sellers ki tarah online list kiya ho, Ishita ne critic ki tarah rate kiya ho aur ab bahar hall mein koi use checkout karne wala tha.

Par main jyaada der akele baith kar soch nahi paayi. Kuch hi minute baad, Mom kamre mein aayi aur mera haath pakad kar mujhe uthane lagi.

"Chalo Kanika."

"Ab kya hoga?" Maine ghabrahat mein unki taraf dekha.

"Abhi filhaal main tumhe bahar stage ke saamne bitha dungi. Abhi stage par Raj aur Vishal aur baaki gents honge. Jab tumhara time aayega tab tumhe bhi stage par le jayenge. Theek hai."

Maine haan mein sar hilaya aur Mom mera haath pakad kar mujhe bahar ki taraf le gayi. Main bahar aate hi buri tarah chaunk gayi. Ye bilkul waisa nahi tha jaisa maine socha tha. Kafi badiya sa decorated hall, aur kam se kam pachaas log! Kaun they yeh log? Main in mein se ek ko bhi nahi jaanti thi.

Maine Mom ka haath thoda zor se pakad liya, par unhone bina meri taraf dekhe mujhe aage le jakar ek reserved seat par bitha diya. Main stage ke bilkul saamne baithi thi aur meri nazrein seedha stage par gayi jahan Raj ekdam relaxed baithe they. Unhone ek dark blue color ka suit pehna hua tha aur kafi handsome lag rahe they. Woh mujhe dekh kar halke se muskuraye.

Raj ki woh muskurahat dekh kar mere pet mein ajeeb si khalbali mach gayi. Woh itne sukoon mein kaise ho sakte they? Yahan mera dum ghut raha tha, mere pair un tacky heels mein tadap rahe they, aur Raj wahan aise baithe they jaise kisi business award ceremony mein aaye hon. 

Wahan stage par unke saath Vishal ko khade dekh kar toh mera gussa aur bhi badne laga. Uske chehre par ek badi si muskaan thi jaise 'brother of the bride' ka role bahut achhe se play kar raha ho.

"Kanika beta," achanak se Raj ki mummy ki aawaz ne mera dhyaan unki aur kheecha. Woh mere paas aakar baithi aur unke saath do-teen aur ladies bhi thii jo mujhe aise dekh rahi thi jaise koi nayi gaadi ka model check kar rahi hon. 

"Bahut hi sundar lag rahi ho," unhone mera gaal chhute hue kaha. "Yeh Raj ki Bua hain, yeh Chachi, aur yeh unki bahu, Megha."

Maine haath jode, par un sab ke chehron par ek ajeeb si smirk thi. Unki aankhon mein ek sawal saaf dikh raha tha - ek itne bade umar ke aadmi ko itni sundar aur jawan ladki kaise mil gayi?

"Toh yeh hai Kanika. Sach mein, Raj ki toh lottery nikal gayi," Bua ne Megha ki taraf dekh kar dheere se kaha. Unka har compliment mujhe ek taane ki tarah lag raha tha, jaise woh mere aur Raj ke is match ke peeche ki keemat dhoond rahi hon.

Megha mere doosri taraf aakar baith gayi aur mera lengha neeche se theek karne lagi. "Bahut hi elegant lag rahi ho is lenghe main," Megha ne softly kaha.

"Dekho... Devrani aur Jethani ne abhi se team bhi bana li." Chachi ne haste hue kaha. "Bas kaash Ananya bhi hoti yahan, apni nayi mummy se mil leti."

Raj ki Mom ka chehra ek pal ke liye utar sa gaya, "Woh... woh apne studies mein busy hai na. Exams sar par hain. Aise mein itni door se kaise aati."

"Maine toh suna hai woh kafi bura maan kar baithi hai," Chachi ne dheere se kaha. "Kal hi toh Nikhil aur uski baat ho rahi thi."

Main conversation ko gaur se sunne ke koshish kar rahi thi, par kafi saare naam they aur kuch alag family dynamics they. Ananya... woh toh shayad Raj ki daughter hai. Uska bura manna, main shayad samajh sakti thi. Is age mein uske Dad kisi jawaan ladki se shaadi kar rahe they. Oh god, woh 'jawaan ladki' main hi toh thi. Ek minute ke liye is family gossip mein main bhool gayi thi ki mera yahan kya role tha.

Tabhi meri Mom meri taraf aayi, "Kanika... Aunty ji... in logo ki rasam poori ho gayi hai. Chaliye, ab Kanika ki baari hai."

Sab log ekdam se khade ho gaye aur Mom mujhe apne saath stage par le gaye. Mujhe wahan beech mein ek chair par bitha diya gaya aur Raj ki family ki ladies rasam ke naam par mera make up karne lagi.

Is sab ke beech Bua ne dheere se kaha, "Aap logo ki side se koi nahi aaya?"

Mom pareshaan hote hue kuch jawaab nahi de paa rahi thi, tabhi Ishita ki chehakti hui aawaz aayi, "Aunty ji... main hoon na... Kanika ki to-be bhabhi."

"Achha... tumhare mummy papa nahi aaye?" Bua ne use teekhi nazro se dekhte hue poocha.

"Actually we were told ki function kafi small hoga, par yahan aakar pata chala ki aap logo ki side se itne log aaye hue hain."

Ufff, is ladki ka koi kuch nahi kar sakta tha. Umar mein chahe hi mujhse badi thi, par isko kab kya bolna hai ise bilkul nahi pata tha.

Sab logo ka dhyan fir se meri taraf ho gaya aur sab log mujhe bridal gifts dene lage - saree, jewelry, aur bhi cheezen. Unki taraf se aisa lag raha tha ki Megha kafi actively sab kuch sambhal rahi thi. Woh umar mein kam se kam mujhse 8-10 saal toh badi hogi, maybe in her late 20's ya early 30's.

Megha ka hath mere kandhe par tha aur uski smile doosron ke muqable thodi soft thi, par uski aankhon ki chamak bata rahi thi ki woh iss saare tamashe ko bade gaur se analyze kar rahi hai.

"Chalo ab rings ki baari hai," bheed mein kisi ne ailaan kiya.

Raj aur baaki saare log bhi stage par aa gaye. Ab tak toh jo mera haal tha woh tha, par ab yeh ring ceremony ko paas aate dekh meri halat aur kharaab hoti jaa rahi thi. Maine kabhi socha nahi tha ki yeh din bhi kabhi meri life mein aayega. Kuch hafte pehle tak main bas Europe jaane aur ek billi rakhne ke sapne dekhti thi. Aur aaj jaane kaise yahan tak pahuch gayi thi.

Mom ne mujhe khada kiya aur Raj mere bilkul saamne aa kar khade ho gaye. Lights tez hui aur cameras ki flash ne meri aankhon ko chundhiya diya. Raj ne jab mera seedha hath thama, toh ek pal ke liye mere badan mein bijli si douri. Unka hath bada aur kafi garam tha, mere thande pairo aur kaanpti hui ungliyon ke muqable. Unhone jab ring meri ungli mein slide ki, toh unki pakad kafi gentle thi, aur unki nazrein seedha meri aankhon mein thi.

Mummy ne mere haath mein doosri ring di, aur maine kaanpte hathon se unhe ring pehnayi, unki badi badi ungliyon mein. Us pal mein, pachaas logon ka shor jaise dhundhla sa ho gaya tha. Ring pehnate hi Raj ne halke se mere kaanpte hue haath ko thaam liya. Aisa lag raha tha jaise yeh koi 'arrangement' nahi, asli ka rishta ban raha ho ek mard aur aurat ke beech.

Photographer stage par hamari photos lene laga aur log dheere dheere stage se khane ki taraf badhne lagi. Dad stage par pareshaan khade hue logon ki taraf dekh rahe they, ya particularly Ishita ki taraf, jo Raj ki family ki ladies se excited ho kar baat kar rahi thi.

Maine dekha Dad ne kaise Vishal ko teekhi nazron se ishara kiya, aur Vishal turant stage se neeche utra aur Ishita ki taraf badha, taaki woh use manage kar sake. Use bhi shayad achhe se pata tha ki Ishita ke paas koi filter nahi tha. Kuch hi pal baad Vishal Ishita ka haath pakad kar use ek corner mein le gaya, aur Ishita ka excited chehra thoda dull sa ho gaya.

Main ye sab stage se dekh hi rahi thi ki photographer ne phir se mujhe focus karne ke liye kaha. Photos ke beech mein maine Raj ko whisper kiya, "Aapne toh kaha tha ki bas ek small function karenge? Yahan toh itne saare log hain. Aur photographer ki kya zaroorat thi?"

"Sorry... woh... mummy ne bina mujhse pooche logo ko invite kar liya. Par yeh log sirf family ke khaas khaas log hain."

Main soch rahi thi ki sirf khaas log they toh poori family kaisi dikhti hogi. Agar hamari shaadi hui toh kya main ek grand wedding mein dulhan hongi? Nahi nahi... yeh shaadi hogi hi nahi.

"Par honestly, tumne itni bheed ko kafi gracefully handle kiya hai. I am really impressed. Dheere dheere tum bilkul comfortable ho jayogi, yehi toh hamara goal hai na." Raj ne meri taraf muskura kar dekha.

Photographer ne hum dono ki ek aakhri candid photo shot liya jisme hum dono ek doosre ko dekh rahe they. 

Mom hum dono ko dinner ki taraf le gayi, aur hume ek badi si table par bitha diya gaya. Thakan ki wajah se mera bura haal ho chuka tha aur bhook bhi kafi lag rahi thi. Par aaj se pehle maine kabhi itne makeup or lipstick mein khana nahi khaya tha. Main soch rahi thi ki pata nahi main kha bhi payungi ya nahi.

Hamare aas paas Raj ki family ke log aakar baith gaye. Kuch bade, kuch young log, kuch bacche.

Unme se ek young ladke ne meri taraf ek fork badayi, "Mami... yeh lo, yeh dish try karo."

Megha ne muskurate hue kaha, "Kanika, yeh hai hamari family ka sabse shaitaan ladka, Bua ji ka pota, Nikhil."

Toh yeh shayad wohi Nikhil tha jiski baat Chachi pehle kar rahi thi. Woh dekhne mein lagbhag meri age ka hi lag raha tha. Fork mein laga khana bilkul mere honthon ke saamne tha aur maine apna muh halke se khola.

Nikhil ne kafi confidence ke saath woh piece mere muh mein dala. Maine use taste kiya, kuch spicy aur rich sa flavor tha, par mera dhyaan uske swaad se zyada Nikhil ki nazron par tha. Nikhil ki aankhen mere chehre par nahi, balki choli ke cleavage par thami hui thi jahan push-up bra ne mere curves ko kuch jyada hi ubhaar diya tha. Uske chehre par ek aisi creepiness aur smirk thi jo mujhe uncomfortable kar rahi thi.

Maine ghabra kar Raj ki taraf dekha, par unka dhyaan us waqt kisi aur se baat karne mein tha. Woh kafi relaxed lag rahe they. Main soch rahi thi ki jaane woh kaisa mehsoos karenge agar kabhi unhone notice kiya ki koi meri taraf is tarah dekh raha hai? Kya woh mujhe protect karenge, ya phir unhe farak bhi nahi padega? 

"Kaisa laga?" Nikhil ne thoda aage jhukte hue poocha. Uski aawaz mein ek ajeeb sa playful flirty tone tha.

"Achha hai," maine bas itna hi kaha aur apni nazrein jhuka li. Main usse nazrein nahi milana chahti thi.

Raj ne bhi ek bite meri taraf bada di, jaane kyun par woh bite lene mein mujhe itni hichak nahi hui. Sab log mujhe bhi Raj ko khilane ke liye bol rahe they. Maine apni plate se dheere se spoon uthayi aur usme thode se chhole chawal lete hue Raj ke saamne kar diye. Raj ne meri aankhon mein dekhte hue woh bite apne muh mein liya. Ek pal ke liye aisa lag raha tha jaise wahan bas hum dono hi hain.

Tabhi table par taaliyon aur logo ke comments fir se aane lage aur maine spoon wapas neeche rakh di.

Dinner khatam hone tak main puri tarah tired ho chuki thi. Raj aur mere aas-paas log abhi bhi baaton mein busy they, par mera dhyaan ab sirf is baat par tha ki kab main ye heels utaarungi aur kab ye tight choli mere seene se hategi.

Raj uth kar Dad aur kisi aur se baat karne lage aur maine dekha ki achanak se mere aas paas ka poora group change ho gaya tha. Saath mein Raj ki mummy aur older auraten baithi thi. Woh log mujhe gaur se analyze kar rahi thi, jaise mere andar koi kami dhoondne ki koshish kar rahi ho.

"Vaise Kanika, tumhara skin tone kafi achha hai," Bua ne meri taraf dekhte hue kaha, "Kaun se beauty products use karti ho."

Raj ki mummy beech mein bol padi, "Bilkul natural hai, main mili hoon na isse bina makeup ke. Saalon se jaanti hu ise, bahut hi pyaari ladki hai."

"Bas ab aisi hi pyaari ladki hamare Nikhil ke liye bhi dhoond lena."

"Nikhil hi kyun! Ab toh saare ke saare sapne dekh rahe hain ki kab ham mare aur unhe doosri shaadi karne ka mauka mile." Chachi ne haste hue Megha ko kohni maari.

"Par har kisi ke kismat mein aisi khoobsurat aur jawan dulhan nahi hoti na," kisi aur aurat ne kaha.

"Na kismat mein aur na aukaat mein."

Mera gala bhar aaya. Unka ye aukaat wala comment mujhe aise feel karwa raha tha jaise mujhe khareeda gaya ho. Mere saamne hote hue woh yeh sab bolne se hichak nahi rahi thi, toh pata nahi mere peeche unhone mujhe kis hadd tak gira diya hoga. 

Mere nazrein instinctively Mom ko dhoondne lagi. Woh thodi door khadi kuch ladies se baat kar rahi thi. Kya unhone yeh sab suna tha? Unka chehra... ekdam blank tha. Jaise unhone kuch suna hi nahi. Ya phir... jaan-bujh kar ignore kar rahi thi.

Maine unhe ek baar aur dekha, hoping ki woh meri taraf dekhegi, kuch bolegi, mera saath degi. Par Mom ne apni nazar doosri taraf pher li.

Dad bhi alag khade kisi se baat mein busy they. Aisa lag raha tha unhone mujhe poori tarah akela chhod diya tha.

Raat hote hote logon ki bheed kam hoti gayi, aur aakhir mein sirf hamari family aur Raj aur unki mummy reh gaye they. Dad aur Raj abhi bhi kuch serious sa discussion kar rahe they. Main thakan aur ghabrahat ke beech, jaane-anjaane unke thoda paas ja kar khadi ho gayi. Hall ki sajavat ab utari ja rahi thi, aur wahan ki khamoshi mein unki aawaz saaf sunayi de rahi thi.

"Dekho Raj," Dad ki aawaz mein hichkichahat thi, "Yahan padosi aur rishtedaar... sawal toh uthayenge hi. Kanika ka is tarah rehna aur nikalna, log notice karte hain."

"Main samajhta hoon," Raj ne kafi calm tone mein kaha. "Isi liye maine socha hai ki tum log mere GK wale flat mein move kar jayo. Wahan tum logo ko nahi jaanta, aur Kanika wahan zyada comfortable rahegi."

Dad thoda rukey, "Woh flat... woh toh itna mehnga hai... aise kaise main tumhare flat mein..."

"Koi problem nahi hai," Raj ne unhe beech mein hi kaata. "Main woh flat Kanika ke naam transfer karwa dunga. Toh technically, aap log apne hi ghar mein honge. Koi sawal uthane wala nahi hoga."

Mujhe unki yeh baat sunkar ajeeb sa laga. Ek taraf toh meri privacy ke liye apne ek flat mein rehne ke liye offer kar rahe they, par doosri taraf aaj jo kuch logon ne kaha tha uske baad aur jyada aisa lag raha tha jaise woh meri poori family ko khareedne ki koshish kar rahe hon. It just didn't feel right. Aur Dad... Dad bilkul comfortable lag rahe they is sab se.

Dad ne jaise hi mujhe paas khada dekha, unhone achanak baat rok di aur bina mujhse nazrein milaye wahan se nikal gaye. Unka is tarah katra kar nikal jaana mujhe aur bhi vulnerable mehsoos kara raha tha. Raj meri taraf murey. Unke chehre par abhi bhi woh calm si muskurahat thi.

"How are you? I am sure tired," unhone sahaj hokar poocha.

"Very tired! Itna lamba din tha, aur itne saare log. Pata nahi woh kya-kya bol rahe they. Mujhe nahi lagta main yeh ye natak aur jyada kar payungi," maine apni thakaan aur chidchidahat mein apne mann ki baat bol di.

"Pareshan mat ho," Raj ne dheere se kaha. "Maine mummy se aur tumhare Dad se baat kar li hai. Ab filhaal kafi time tak koi aur function nahi hoga. Main chahta hoon ki pehle tum apne college ka aakhri saal aaram se poora kar lo. Hum tab tak wait karenge."

Mujhe laga shayad thodi rahat milegi, college khatam hone mein abhi 9-10 mahine baaki they, aur yeh mohlat kafi badi lag rahi thi. Par unka agla sentence mujhe wapas reality mein le aaya.

"Lekin is beech, hume apna kaam jaari rakhna hoga. Maine shehar ke best doctors aur specialists ke saath tumhare liye kuch appointments book ki hain. Agla phase thoda mushkil ho sakta hai, par zaroori hai."

Unhone mere kandhe par halka sa haath rakha, par us ek touch mein mein bhi ab poora haq sa tha. "Main abhi 2 hafte ke liye Mumbai ja raha hoon. Jab wapas aaunga, tab hum in appointments ke liye jayenge. Tab tak tension mat lena. And you can call me anytime. Theek hai?"

Maine dheere se haan mein sar hilaya.

Kuch der baad main wapas apne ghar Dad ki car mein jaa rahi thi. Car mein ek ajeeb se chuppi thi, jaise sab log aaj ke is poore drama se buri tarah thak gaye hon.

Maine apni ungli mein pehni hui mehngi si angoothi ko dekha jo bahar se aati lights mein chamak rahi thi. Heels, choli aur push up bra se kahin jyada yeh angoothi bhari lag rahi thi. 

Unhe toh main ghar jakar utaar sakti thi, par yeh mujhe baar baar yaad dila rahi thi ki shayad main apni life ka control kho baithi thi.

[Celebrorn]

If anyone is reading the story, it would be good to get some comments. I understand its not a conventional sex story as posted in this forum. But trying something different, and putting a lot of effort in my writing.

[Celebrorn]

Hi, I am reading out this story

I am looking forward to hot session between Kanika and Raj, if possible pls add Gif

It’s going good till now, keep posting regular update

Thank you Hotgiri. I tried adding pics but my account got banned. I was told I need to wait till certain updates before I can add pictures or gifs. I will check again with adminstrator.

How do you like the story so far? The hot session between Kanika and Raj is still further away, but other arousing things will happen in between. Raj will be guiding / controlling Kanika for those events.

[Celebrorn]

Please post the update regularly, taking too much gap would reduce reader’s interest in story, pls add pics and have start kissing n body exploration between Kanika and Raj uncle

Thanks, I will post an update today. Writing good stories takes time and should not be rushed.

But given no interest in the story in terms of comments or likes, there wasnt much motivation for me to write quickly either. The spicy part will start soon. Story needs to be developed appropriately and not rushed.

I feel most people on this forum want only interfaith and rich/poor stuff, and good stories are ignored.

Will look to add pics / gifs later. If someone can help out on that, I would also appreciate that.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 7

Engagement ko do hafte ho chuke they aur kuch na badal kar bhi sab kuch badal chuka tha. Mom ab jab dekho shaadi ki baat karti rehti - dates, shopping lists, venue options. Ghar mein shayad koi aur unse is sab ke baare mein baat nahi karna chahta tha. Dad aur Vishal ke liye yeh ek formality thi jo sahi samay aane par nipta di jayegi.

Main bhi jitna ho sake in discussions se door bhagti rahi. Par Mom ko sirf Ishita mein woh excitement mili jo unke mann mein thi. Last weekend toh hadd ho gayi - dono living room mein baith kar engagement ki photos TV par dekh rahi thi. "Yeh dekho kitni achhi lag rahi hai!" har photo par commentary. Vishal annoy hokar ghar se nikal gaya. Maine apne aap ko apne room mein band kar liya.

Dad ne Ishita ko clearly bol diya tha ko woh ek bhi photo instagram ya social media par nahi daalegi. Ishita ki shakal dekhne layak thi tab, argue karna chahti thi par darr bhi rahi thi. Poor Ishita, the future bahu of my family.

Aakhir aaj woh doctor appointment ka din tha. Main do hafton se na toh main Raj se mili thi aur na hi unse baat karne ki himmat hui thi. Bas beech beech mein woh mujhe text kar dete aur main unhe ek short sa reply kar deti. Par aaj… aaj phir unse face to face milna, doctor se bhi jyada ajeeb lag raha tha.

Maine apne saare kapde nikaal kar bed par rakh diye they. Mera mann keh raha tha main unke saamne thoda feminine ban kar jayun par mere regular kapdon mein se ek bhi kapda aisa nahi tha jin mein main aisi dikhu. Reluctantly mere paas tshirt aur jeans pehenne ke elawa koi option nahi tha, wohi boys ki regular uniform.

Maine ready ho kar apne aap ko mirror mein dekha. Pichhle do-teen mahino se haircut na hone ki wajah se mere hairs naturally thode se lambe ho gaye they aur mere face par aa rahe they. Bahut jyada nahi par haan noticeable. Maine unhe ungli se samet-te hue apne kaano ke peeche tuck kiya. 

Yeh zara sa change hi itna feminine lag raha tha mujhe. Maine sharmate hue apni aankhen jhuka li.

Tabhi phone par ek text message aane ki aayi. Maine check kiya toh Raj ka hi message tha, “I am here downstairs. Whenever you are ready.”

Maine hadbadate hue apna bag uthaya aur jo medicines aur creams main use kar rahi thi unhe apne bag mein daala. Meri dressing table par engagement ki woh diamond ring bhi laparwahi se rakhi hui thi. Maine use ek-do pal ke liye dekha aur phir use apni mutthi mein bharte hue bag mein baaki samaan ke saath daal diya. Apne kamre se bahar nikalte hi main main door par aa gayi aur apne shoes pehenne lagi.

Filhaal sirf Mom hi ghar par thi, aur woh khadi ho kar bechaini se meri taraf dekhne lagi, jaisi apni jawaan beti ko date par jaate hue dekh rahi ho. Hum dono ek doosre se kuch nahi bole aur main jaldi se ghar se bahar nikal aayi. 

Neeche Raj ek compact par stylish si car mein sunglasses lagaye baithe they. Maine hesitatingly aage ka passenger door khola aur andar baith gayi. Maine nervously muskurate hue unki taraf dekha, unka wohi casual par handsome smiling look tha.

Maine jaldi se seat belt lagayi aur bag ko apni godi mein rakh liya. Car mein unka cologne ki smell thi, same jo engagement par thi.

“How have you been?” Raj ne gaadi chalana shuru karte hue kaha.

“Good.” Maine saamne dekhte hue one word mein answer kiya.

“It’s just been two weeks, par aisa lag raha hai jaise kab se tumse nahi.” Raj ki aawaz mein ek calmness par thoda sa emotion tha. “Tumne call nahi kiya.”

“Aapne bhi toh nahi kiya.” Maine turant unhe wapis jawaab diya. Aur dete hi laga ki main kuch galat bol gayi thi. Unki taraf dekha toh ab unki smile aur bhi wide ho gayi thi.

“Fair point! Waise family ke kuch log tumhara number maang rahe they tumhe whatsapp group mein add karne ke liye par main tumhari permission ke bina share nahi karna chahta tha.”

“Haan please, abhi kisi se number share nahi karna. Agar kisi ne aise hi call kar liya toh?”

Gaadi chalate hue Raj ki nazar meri ungliyon ki taraf gayi jahan kuch missing sa lag raha tha. Maine unki fingers mein dekha toh meri pehnayi hui ring wahan abhi bhi thi.

“Ring… achhi nahi lagi?”

“Nahi woh baat nahi hai.” Main jaldi se koi excuse dhoondne lagi. “Main bas… thodi clumsy hoon. Toh mom ne apne paas sambhal kar rakh li. Ek din meri ungli se nikal kar sink mein gir gayi thi.”

Mujhe apne mind mein kafi believable sa excuse lag raha tha. Sach bolne ki himmat hi nahi ho rahi thi. Ye bolne ki aapne hi kaha tha ki yeh engagement bas naam ki hai toh phir rings pehen kar dikhawa  kyun karna.

“Mujhe laga tumhe perfectly fit hogi. Par koi nahi, size ko refit kara lenge.”

Sach yeh tha ki ring ekdam perfect size ki thi par mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha Raj ko yeh baat kaise pata thi.

“Nahi… it’s ok. Fingers ka size bhi change hota rehta hai.” Kanika ne ye kaha toh par uski aawaz mein itna conviction nahi tha.

Kuch pal ke liye gaadi mein chuppi ho gayi. Raj ne Kanika ko uncomfortable hote dekh topic change kar diya, “So… yeh doctor… Dr. Bhargava, itni aasani se nahi milti inki appointment. Aur kamaal ki baat hai ki jyada logo ne unka naam bhi nahi suna hai. But I am told he is the best, and we got lucky.”

“Hmmm…” main unki baatein dhyaan se sun rahi thi par woh mujhe calm karne ki jagah aur bhi jyada nervous kar rahi thi. Jaise Jaise jagah paas aati jaa rahi thi meri nervousness badti jaa rahi thi. 

Ghar se jyada door nahi thi yeh jagah par yeh koi bada sa hospital nahi tha. Market area ke backside mein ek kafi simple si dikhne wali building thi. Agar koi kehta ki ye koi warehouse ya chhota sa office hai toh shayad main maan leti, par ek specialist doctor ka office, bilkul nahi! Bahar na toh koi board tha na name plate.

Raj ne apni car ko wahin street parking mein lagaya aur meri taraf dekha. “Tum akele jaana chaho toh mujhe koi problem nahi hai. Jaise tum comfortable feel karo.”

“Nahi nahi, main yahan akele nahi jaa sakti. Aap please mere saath chaliye na.” Main andar akele jaar ke baare mein sochte hi darr rahi thi.

Raj gaadi se utre aur doosri taraf aate hue mera door khola. Unhone mera haath pakadte hue mujhe bahar nikalne mein support kiya, bilkul kisi gentleman ki tarah. Hum dono building ke front door se enter ho gaye.

Andar ghuste hi poora scene badal gaya. Circular lobby. Shining marble flooring. Reception par ek elegant ladki computer dekh rahi thi. Poora vibe posh, elegant. Main bilkul out of place feel kar rahi thi.

Raj do kadam aage bade reception par. Receptionist ne bina dekhe, bina bole saamne screen ki taraf ishara kiya. Raj ne number type kiya. Screen ne room number display kiya. Sab kuch... unusual tha. Aisi doctor ki jagah maine kabhi nahi dekhi.

Circular lobby mein kayi entrances the - room numbers likhe hue. Hum apne number ki taraf chale. Passage se nikle, finally room tak pahuche. Ek nurse ne darwaza khola. Hum andar doctor chamber mein baith gaye.

Kuch pal baad doctor doosre darwaze se enter hue. Woh hamare saamne aakar baithe, jaise koi doctor nahi koi performer ho.

Woh apne desk par rakhe ek ipad ko padte hue bole, “Mister Rajneesh… and Miss Kanika, nice to meet you.”

Rajneesh! Yeh kiska naam tha?! Kya Raj ka poora naam Rajneesh tha, mujhe toh yeh tak nahi pata tha.

“You can call me Raj, doctor.” Raj ne apne cool calm andaaz mein kaha. “We are glad we could get an appointment so quickly with you.”

“Yes I see… you were really lucky! Sorry bahar se yahan tak… yeh sab thoda weird laga hoga but its for the privacy of our clients.”

“Absolutely, makes sense.”

Doctor ne meri taraf dekha. "So Miss Kanika. Why are you here?"

Maine puzzled hote hue Doctor ki taraf dekh, phir Raj ki taraf, aur phir wapas doctor ki taraf. Woh jaante toh they main yahan kyun aayi thi. Mujhse kyun pooch rahe they.

Doctor meri shakal padte hue bole, “Strange question, I know. But it’s one of my first rules. I never offer treatment to someone who has no clarity of what they want. So I ask again, why are you here?”

Main hichkichate hue sochne lagi, kyun aayi thi main yahan, kya tha mere dil mein. “To... completely transform into a girl, I guess.”

“You guess or you know?”

“I know.”

“Hmmm… so tell me what does it mean to be a girl?”

Sawaal mushkil hota jaa raha tha “I don't know... to be… to be able to not hide myself from others that I am a girl.”

Doctor ke chehre par ek muskaan aa gayi, “Not bad, I was expecting a different answer from you.”

Mera mind in intense questions ko handle karte hue zor zor se dhadak raha tha. Raj aaram se chup chaap baithe they, jaise woh bas yahan moral support ke liye aaye ho.”

“It’s very important that you feel free to not hide yourself. Tell me do you dress up freely as a girl outside. Are you dressed as a girl today?”

“Nahi… no.”

“Right… aur aisa kyun hai?” Is baar unhone mere answer ka wait nahi kiya. “Because you are not equipped to be a girl yet. There is a start, no doubt about it, but there is still some way to go."

Unhone pause liya. 

"Now I will only ask what is relevant for me and nothing else, so don’t feel intimidated by me. I know you are still quite young, but I sense a quiet courage in you.”

Maine dheere se sar hilaya aur doctor ne jaldi se sawaalon ki baarish shuru kar di. Main kab se jaanti hu ki main ek ladki hoon, maine kya kiya jab yeh realize kiya, maine kya medicines ya therapy li ab tak. 

Is aakhri question par maine apne bag se medicines nikaalte hue unke aage kar di.

Par unhone door se hi unhone dekhte hue mujhe rok diya, “No No that’s fine, I know what these are. Cheap copies… we will get you on the right track.”

Maine dawai wapas apne bag mein daal di. Kitni aasani se unhone inhe cheap copies bata diya tha, jabki aaj main jo bhi thi inki wajah se hi thi. Par shayad woh sahi bol rahe they bhi. Yeh sochna aur bhi bura laga.  

“So before we discuss medicine, I need to do a physical examination. Is that ok… Mr Raj?” 

Unhone yeh sawaal mujhse na poochte hue Raj se poocha jaise is sab mein meri koi marzi hi na ho.

Raj ne meri taraf dekhte hue kaha, “Yes, sure doctor.”

“Ok. Miss Kanika, aap yahan andar examination chamber mein aa jayo. Nurse aapko change karne ke liye ek gown de dengi. I will be back in 10 minutes while you change.”

Doctor jaldi se khade hokar wahan se chale gaye. Aur main wahan nervous Raj ke saath reh gayi. Mujhe nahi pata tha aisa bhi kuch hone wala tha, main is ke liye bilkul prepared nahi thi.

Raj ne mujhe tense hote dekh kaha, “Bas ek routine medical checkup jaisa hai. Tension lene ki baat nahi hai.”

Maine dheere se haan mein sar hilaya aur us doosre door se ek nurse aakar khadi ho gayi, jaise mera intezaar kar rahi ho.

Maine khade hote hue Raj ko dekha. Shayad yeh agla step mujhe akele hi karna padega.

“I think tum akele is mein jyada comfortable mehsoos karogi.” Raj ne mere mann ki baat dohrayi

Main nurse ki taraf badi aur woh mujhe ek door se le jaate hue ek doosre room mein le gayi jahan ek unchi si medical chair jaisi thi jisme par ek disposable kagaz bichha hua tha.

Nurse se mujhe gown pakdate hue kaha, “Isme change kar lijiye. Kapde utaar kar aap is box mein rakh sakti hain.”

“Kya utaarna hai mujhe.” maine nervously poocha.

“Saare kapde. Undergarments bhi. Aur yeh gown pehen lena.”

Nurse kuch aur kahe bina jaldi se kamre se bahar nikal gayi. Aur main gown pakde khadi reh gayi thi. Apne ghar ek elawa, poore kapde toh shayad maine aaj tak kahin bhi nahi utaare they. Maine nervously kamre mein idhar udhar dekha, check karne ke liye ki safe toh tha na, jaise mujhe pata hi chal jaata agar kahin koi camera hota toh.

Maine dheere se apni tshirt utaari aur uske andar ke camisole ko bhi. Utaarte hi main khud ko kafi exposed sa mehsoos kar rahi thi. Maine jaldi se gown ko apne upar daal diya. Gown pehente hi mujhe realize hua ki gown mein kayi saari jagah slits they, kapda beech mein se khula hua tha. Aage mere chest ke beech mein, peeche meri peeth aur uske neeche, aur saamne meri pant ke area mein bhi. Kitna ajeeb sa gown tha yeh, aisa lag raha tha jaise apne aap ko cover karke bhi main dhaki nahi hui hoon. Maine last mein apni pant aur underwear ko neeche sarkaya.

Mujhe apna underwear dekh kar sharam si aane lagi, ek local brand ka boys ka underwear tha. Mujhe kya pata tha aaj mujhe underwear bhi utaarna padega. Maine turant use ulta karke box mein daal diya, apni jeans ke neeche chhupate hue.

Main nervously gown pehne room mein khadi gayi. Peeche se gown poora khula hua mehsoos ho raha tha.

 

Main doctor ke aane ka wait karne lagi, pata nahi unhe kaise pata chalega ki maine change kar liya hai kya. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki mujhe darwaza khol kar nurse ko kuch bolna chahiye kya.

Kuch minutes ka wait hi is akele se room mein kafi lamba lagne laga tha par achanak se darwaze par ek knock hui, aur maine hadbadate hue, “Come in,” keh diya.

Darwaza khula aur Doctor kamre mein andar aa gaye. Unhone dheere se apne peeche darwaza band kar diya. Unhone apne chehre par ek surgical mask chadaya aur room mein rakhe ek liquid gel si cheez mein apne haath duboye. Main kafi carefully unki taraf dekh rahi thi.

“This will make my hands warm,” unhone meri curiosity sense karte hue kaha. “Mujhe bare hands se touch karna padta hai toh feel the muscle tissue, and understand kahan change needed hai. Gloves mein achhe se pata nahi chalta.”

Woh apne hand halke se wipe karte hue mere saamne khade ho gaye. Unhe saamne khade hue realize hue ki woh mujhe height mein kafi lambe they. Meri shakal par tension badti jaa rahi thi. “Just relax, it will only take a few minutes. Think of something else if it helps you, main TV on kar sakta hoon. Will that help you?”

Main nervously haan mein sar hilaya aur unhone ek remote se TV on kar diya. Koi english movie chal rahi thi. 

Unhone mujhe mera haath aage karne ka ishaara kiya aur maine theek waisa hi kiya. Unhe meri dono nazuk kalaiyan apne haath mein le li aur unhe dheere dheere dabate hue mehsoos karne lage. Unke haath aage peeche jaate hue mere ungliyon se lekar mere shoulders tak sab kuch check kar rahe they.




“Good… small thin bone structure. That is the hardest to change. Haath upar karo.”

Maine haath upar kiye toh mere underarms unhe dikhne lage, jahan thode thode baal they aur mera chehra sharam se laal ho gaya. Kaash Raj ne mujhe is sab ke liye pehle se prepare karwaya hota.

Woh mere armpits ko chhute hue bole, “Some work needed there… softer tissues… not a problem.” Mujhe wahan chhute hue tickling si honi lagi aur haath seedha rakhna kafi mushkil tha.

Aisa lag raha tha woh mujh se jyada apne aap se bol rahe they. Mere doosre haat ko check karne ke baad unhone mere kandho par haath rakhte hue mujhe dheere se turn kiya aur meri neck aur usse thoda upar mehsoos karne lage. Woh fir kuch badbadaye, shayad ab tak sab theek hi tha.



“I am going to have a look at your back now, ok.” 

Maine dheere se haa mein sar hilaya aur unhone turant peeche ke ek button ko kholte hue meri poori peeth ughad di. Woh meri back toh acche se feel karte hue meri waist tak aaye, aur mujhe fir se gudgudi hone lagi.

“Ahh you are ticklish. Some waist formation, but we can do better.”

Is baad unhone bina pooche hi apne haath meri ass par rakh diye aur mere muh se ek halki si cheekh nikal gayi. Par woh use nazarandaar karte hue meri apne haath meri ass se le jaate hue meri thighs aur taango se neeche le gaye. Sab kuch kitna ganda sa lag raha tha, ek mard mere shareer ke har hisse ko chhoo raha tha, aur woh bhi pehli baar.

Meri patli taango se neeche aate hue unke haath ekdam kas kar meri ankles par ruk gaye. “Shoes and socks! Ye nahi utaare aapne.”

“Sorry mujhe woh nahi pata tha.”

“Nurse ne samjhaya nahi sahi se. Ok never mind, just take them off now quickly.” Unki aawaz mein thoda impatience sa tha jisne mujhe jaldi se apne shoes aur socks utaarne par mazboor kar diya tha. Main unhe utaarne ke liye mud kar chair par baith aur doctor fir se mere saamne ho gaye they. Woh bilkul khush nahi lag rahe they. 

Jaise hi maine apni socks utaari, woh meri feet ko inspect karne lage.

“Good… like I said, your bone structure is easy to work with. Physically you are blessed already. Now the next part is the most sensitive, I need to feel your breasts and then your scrotum. Ok?”

Main iske liye bilkul prepared nahi thi, mujhe toh yeh bhi nahi pata tha scrotum kise kehte hain. Par maine ek gehri saans li aur apni saans rok li. Unke haath aage se mere gown mein ghuse aur mere breasts ko apne haath se gently cup karne lage. Mujhe aisa lag raha tha jaise main abhi ro padungi. 

“Not bad… depending on the size you want to get you, we can… but we can decide that later with Mr Raj.”

Aur fir achanak se unka haath aage se mere gown ke neeche hisse mein ghusa aur mere penis ke thoda neeche mere balls par aa rakha. Main ek dam hadbada si gayi, mujhe ye nahi idea tha ki woh wahan bhi check karenge. Aisa lag raha tha jaise main abhi ulti kar dungi.

“Relax!” Unhone mujhe thoda sternly bola, “Maine abhi toh kaha tha ki mujhe scrotum bhi check karna padega.”

Unka haath idhar udhar ghoomte hue mere penis par aa gaya aur use halke se sehlane laga. Mere chehra buri tarah sharam se laal ho chuka tha aur maine apna sar jhuka liya. Unka haath kuch second baad bahar nikla, par tab tak main poora tarah violated mehsoos kar chuki thi.

“Good news down there as well. Aap apne kapde pehen kar wapas bahar jaa sakti ho. I will be there in a few minutes.”

Doctor jaldi se bahar chala gaya aur maine ek zor ki saans li. Aansu meri aankhon se behte hue neeche tapak rahe they aur maine apne muh par apna haath rakh diya taaki bahar kisi ko mere rone ki aawaz na aaye. Kuch pal baad jab mere emotions mere control mein aaye maine jaldi se apne kapde pehenne shuru kiye.

Jab main change karke wapas Raj ke paas pahuchi toh main apne chehre par ek jhoothi smile laa chuki thi. Isse pehle ki Raj mujhse kuch poochte, Doctor wapas wahan aa kar hamare saamne baith gaya. Use wahan dekhte hi mere emotions phir se out of control hone lage they. Par main kisi tarah apne dono haathon se apne pairon ko jakda aur poori concentration se uski baatein sunne ki koshish karne lagi.

“Mr. Raj, as I was telling Miss Kanika in the room, there is so much already going right for her. I am going to switch her over to a different better prescription, which you can get at any high end pharmacy. Aur saath hi I would recommend laser hair removal and hair grafting, uske liye main contacts de dunga, we don’t do that here.”

Doctor ne ek pause liya phir continue kiya, “Because she is already so thin, liposuction ki zaroorat nahi padegi, par woh aap baad mein karwa sakte hai for the accentuated waist. She actually does need to get some fat in the right areas, so I will recommend some dietary intakes. And her skin is already soft, but main phir bhi ek cream prescribe kar dunga for some of the more covered areas. Any questions?”

“How long will all of this take Doctor? To show results?”

“Good thing is she started early, even with what she did. But it will still take some time, we are looking at 12-18 months. And then some voice modulation is also needed, gradually she needs to get comfortable with being comfortable with her feminity. But this is one of better, or really really good cases I have seen.”

Raj ke chehre par thodi si shikan aa gayi, “12-18 months?”

“Koi problem? Things take time, kuch magic nahi hai. I would also recommend vaginoplasty at the end of it all, but we can talk about it another time.”

“Koi aur… faster way nahi hai?”

Doctor ek-do pal Raj ki taraf dekhne ke baad bola, “There is one thing… ek drug testing mein hai abhi, with really positive results. It can possibly cut this down to 3 months. Par abhi fully approved nahi hai… I cannot officially prescribe it.”

“Kitna test hua hai aur kya side effects dekhne ko mile hai ab tak?”

“Kafi extensively test ho gaya hai but you know FDA approval takes time. Side effects jyada kuch khaas nahi, bas initially thoda fatigue, headaches, body pain, nothing unmanageable. If you go down that route it will also solve other problems with hair and voice. It’s actually quite incredible, aur kaafi logo ka dhandha band karwa sakta hai. That’s why people are lobbying hard against it. I personally think its safe and better than doing 10 things.”

“Would we… Kanika… be able to get it here in India?”

“Haan… bas thoda expensive hai… but I think money is not a concern?”

Raj ne na mein sar hilaya, “Not an issue at all. It just needs to be safe for Kanika.”

“I will just need to see her on a more regular basis, once a month or so. Quick visits.”

Main ek mook darshak ki tarah unke beech ki is poori conversation ko sun rahi thi. 

Raj ne aakhir mujhse poocha, “Kanika, tumhari kya thoughts hain?”

Maine kuch sochte hue kaha, “Agar safe hai aur results quick hai aur baaki sab bhi nahi karwana padega toh shayad better hai.”

“Much better. Like voice is the hardest thing and there is nothing right now besides voice training that helps it. But this will feel magical almost. You will start seeing results in 2-3 weeks. Oh haan, one thing I forgot to mention.”

Raj aur maine dono ne Doctor ki taraf dekha.

“So estrogen on its own already helps reduce the phallus size and activity, this combined with it also helps reduce scrotum size. Which is what we want ultimately, but… the one thing to note is…” doctor thoda hichkichate hue bola, “Do you still masturbate using your male anatomy?”

Raj ke saamne yeh sawaal ekdam personal aur ajeeb sa lag raha tha aur mere gaal sharam se laal ho gaye they. Samajh nahi aa raha tha kya bolu.

“If you are still using them, then it will take much longer and harder to pleasure and satisfy yourself as your penis will primary function as a urinating tool. So that may have an unintended consequence of you feeling…”

“It’s fine doctor… I am ok with that.” Maine himmat karke unhe beech mein rok diya, main Raj ki presence mein aur embarrass nahi hona chahti thi.

“Great then. Let me write things up and the nurse will give the medicines here. Woh obviously kahin aur nahi milengi. Baaki kuch items still prescription par hai, you can pick it up here or elsewhere.”

“Here is fine,” Raj ee kaha.

Doctor kagaz par kuch likhte hue khada hua aur usne jaane se pehle Raj se haath milaya aur mujhe ek halka sa bye wave kiya. Main itna lost feel kar rahi thi ki shayad maine uske bye ka jawaab bhi nahi fiya tha. Sab kuch ho jaane ke baad aisa lag raha tha jaise main koi clinic nahi science experiment ke liye laboratory aayi hoon.

Raj aur main medicines ka wait karte hue wahin baithe rahe aur thodi der baad ek nurse ne aakar hame saari medicines se run through karwaya. Un special pills ke elawa, additional HRT pills aur kuch creams aur lotion bhi they. Main sab kuch sun rahi thi par mere shareer ka rom rom us jagah se bahar bhaagna chahta tha.

Kuch der baad jab ham wapas Raj ki car tak pahuche toh main already kafi tired sa mehsoos kar rahi thi.

“You must be tired and hungry… chalo lets have lunch.”

Raj mujhe wahin paas ke ek achhe se restaurant mein le gaye jahan filhaan is post lunch timing mein jyada bheed nahi thi. Raj ne unhe hame ek quiet jagah par seat karne ke liye kaha aur server hame thoda andar ki side ek corner mein le gaya.

Main chup chaap baithi thi, Doctor ke clinic mein ghusne se ab tak mere aur Raj ke beech jyada baat nahi hui thi. Menu mere saamne tha par words blur kar rahe they. Aaj ek stranger ne mera poora body check kiya tha. Har inch. Aur maine hone diya tha. Main chahti thi na, yeh sab? Par ab kyun aisa lag raha tha jaise kuch galat ho gaya ho.

Raj ne waiter ko order dene ka ishara kiya, bina mujhse poocha. Usne exactly woh mangaya jo shayad mujhe pasand hota, agar mujhe bhook hoti.

Khana aaya. Main plate ko dekhti rahi.

"Tum khao na," Raj ne dheere se kaha. "Ya kuch aur order karna hai?"

"Haan..." Maine fork uthaya. Rakh diya. "Bas jyada bhook nahi hai."

Kuch pal chup chaap nikle. Raj bhi jyada nahi bol rahe they, jo... unusual tha unke liye. Woh hamesha conversation fill karte they. Aaj woh bas... wahan they. Quietly.

Phir unhone table ke upar se dheere se mere haath par apna haath rakh diya. Mujhe react karne ka bhi mauka nahi mila.

"Aaj jo hua..." Unhone meri aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha "Main jaanta hoon kafi overwhelming tha. Doctor ka andaaz thoda... clinical hai. Par woh best hain. Aur tumhare liye sirf best hi theek hai."

Unke haath ne mere poore haath ko dhaka hua tha. Kafi bada, bhaari aur garam tha unka haath. Mere chhote chhote haath bilkul chhup gaye they aur dheere dheere garam hona shuru ho gaye they. Mann kar raha tha main apne haath peeche kheech lu, par jaane kyun achha sa lag raha tha.

"Kuch bura toh nahi laga na tumhe aaj?" Unhone poocha. Unki awaaz soft thi.

"Nahi," maine jaldi se kaha. "Sab theek tha."

Woh kuch pal chup rahe. Main feel kar sakti thi ki woh mujhe dekh rahe they. Meri jhoothi smile ko, meri neechi nazrein ko. Shayad woh jaante they. Par unhone press nahi kiya.

"Theek hai," unhone bas itna sa kaha.

Kuch seconds baad unka haath dheere se mere haathon se hatt kar wapas apni taraf chala gaya. Maine bhi turant apne haath peeche kheech liye aur apni godi mein rakhte hue unhe apas mein kas ke pakad liya. Is zara se touch ne hi therapy jaisa kaam kiya.

Kuch pal ki chuppi ke baad realize hua ki mujhe sach mein bhook lag rahi thi. Maine fork uthaya. Ek bite liya. Phir doosra. Raj kuch nahi bole. Bas dheere dheere apna khana khatam karte rahe, mujhe apni pace par khane diya. Koi comment nahi, koi hurry nahi.

Restaurant se bahar nikle toh shaam ho chali thi.

Car mein baith kar jab hum mere ghar ki taraf chal rahe they, tab bhi wahi si chuppi thi. Par is baar thodi alag, comfortable si, exhausted si.

Car jaise hi mere ghar ke saamne ruki maine turant apni seat belt khol di. 

"Okay, thank you..." maine bolne ko hue thi ki unhone mera naam lete hue mujhe rok diya.

"Kanika."

Maine ruk kar unki taraf dekha.

Raj ne apna haath mere chehere ki taraf badhaya. Bohot slowly. Jaise mujhe react karne ka time de rahe hon. Unki fingers dheere se mere gaal par aakar ruki aur wahan halke se sehlane lagi.

"Tum bahut brave ho," unhone whisper kiya. "Aaj tumne jo himmat dikhayi hai, yeh easy nahi tha. Main jaanta hoon. It's never been easy for you."

Toh unhone notice kiya tha. Sab kuch. Mere red eyes. Meri jhoothi smile. Change karke bahar aane mein jo zyada waqt laga tha. Mere gale mein kuch bhar aaya. Maine apni aankhein palkein jhapki nahi, control kiya khud ko, nahi toh main ro hi padti.

"Main do hafte mein wapas aa jaunga," unhone kaha, haath abhi bhi mere gaal par. "Doctor ki next appointment tab tak set ho jaayegi. Tab saath jayenge."

Unka thumb halke se mere honthon ke neeche fira. Ek slow, deliberate movement.

"Tab tak is naye treatment ko start karo. Aur..." ek pause, "agli baar ho sake toh apni ring pehen lena."

Maine unki aankhon mein dekhte hue dheere se haan mein nod kiya.

"Apna khayal rakhna."

"Aap bhi," maine turant barely whisper mein kaha.

Woh mujhe kuch pal aise hi dekhte rahe aur phir unka haath neeche aa gaya. Mujhe ab car ka door khol kar neeche utarna tha par mere haath hi nahi chal rahe they.

"Jao ab," unhone muskurate hue kaha. "Tumhari Mom wait kar rahi hogi."

Main jaldi se car se utri aur do kadam apni building ki taraf chali. Peeche mud kar dekha toh unki car abhi bhi wahin khadi thi. Mujhe peeche nahi mudna chahiye tha. Car ki window se woh abhi bhi mujhe dekh rahe they.

Main turant wapas mud gayi aur gaal par apna haath rakhe apne ghar ki taraf chal padi. Andar jaane se pehle maine ek pal ke liye rukkar apne bag mein haath daala. Thoda dhoondne par aakhir ring wahin bag mein mil gayi. Maine use nikaal kar apni ungli mein pehen liya.

Main kafi jyada tired feel kar rahi thi aur aaj shayad kafi dino baad ghar pahuchne ke liye thodi betaab thi. Ek kafi ajeeb sa din aakhir khatam ho gaya tha.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 8

Jab Doctor Bhargava ne us din quick results ki baat ki thi, toh mujhe nahi laga tha ki sab kuch itna quick bhi ho sakta hai. Pehle do-teen din toh maine socha shayad main pagal ho rahi hoon.

Subah uthti toh aisa lagta jaise raat bhar koi mere andar kuch badal gaya ho. Subah uth kar apne aap ko mehsoos karti toh aisa lagta main hallucinate kar rahi hu. Pehle din yeh socha ki shayad meri neend poori nahi hui. Doosre din socha shayad bukhar aa raha hai. Teesre din... teesre din maine apne baalon ka ek strand pakad kar measure kiya.



Aadha centimeter! Ek raat mein. Main mirror ke saamne khadi rahi us strand ko pakde hue. Scissors bhi uthayi apne baal kaatne ke liye par phir ruk gayi.

College mein jo hua woh alag hi tha. Attendance ke time par jab teacher ne mere naam "Kanak" pukara, mere muh se "Present" sunte hi poori class ki hasi chhoot gayi. 

Meri awaaz... woh meri awaaz nahi thi. Kuch ajeeb, squeaky sa nikal gaya tha. Jaise koi radio ki frequency theek se tune nahi ho rahi ho. Maine apna muh band kar liya aur nazar neeche kar li. Kuch log abhi bhi hans rahe they, kuch curious hokar dekh rahe they.

Ghar aakar akele khadi hokar maine kayi baar dheere se "hello" kehte hue bolne ki practice ki. Apni hi awaaz sun kar ajeeb sa lag raha tha, na poori tarah woh purani awaaz, aur na hi ladkiyon jaisi. Beech mein kahin atki hui. Jaise mere andar koi taar toot raha ho aur doosra abhi bana nahi tha.

Kapde bhi ab ajeeb lag rahe they. Wohi purani t-shirts, wohi jeans, par jaise woh mere liye bane hi nahi they. Fabric kuch alag jagahon par khinch raha tha. Mere bade hote curves aur lambe hote baalon ko chhupana har roz aur bhi mushkil hota jaa raha tha.

Riya ne bhi mujhse poochna chaha, "Tu theek hai na?"

Par maine use kuch jyada details nahi batayi, bahut hi ajeeb sa lag raha tha usse bhi kuch bhi share karna. 

Bas ek-do baar beech mein Raj ka phone aaya tha poochne ke liye ki main kaisi hoon. Maine unhe jyada kuch nahi bataya, bas yehi ki doctor ki di hui medicines se transformation kafi jaldi shuru ho gaya tha.

Yeh poora transformation apne saath jo physical pain laaya tha woh ek alag hi level ka tha. "Level sabke niklenge" wala meme yaad aa gaya.

Doctor ne bataya tha fatigue, headaches. Par yeh toh... yeh toh poore shareer mein buri tarah dard hone laga tha. Jaise poora shareer fir se reshape ho raha ho.

Mere jabdon mein dard hota - jaisa ki daant hil rahe hon, par hil nahi rahe they. Aisa lag raha tha meri jawline badal kar thodi gol aur soft ho rahi ho. Chin pe haath rakhti toh ajeeb sa lagta.

Kamar aur ke dono taraf lagatar ek dard sa rehta. Aisa lagta tha jaise meri skin ke neeche koi garam magnetic field chal raha ho, jo meri bones ko andar hi andar kahin se kheech aur kahin se daba raha ho.

Seena toh pehle se hi kafi sensitive tha, par ab seedha kapda bhi touch kare toh ek sharp pain hota. Sone ke liye koi bhi position comfortable nahi bachi thi. Main subah uthti toh neend na milne ki wajah se already thaki hui aur chidchidi hoti.

Do hafte ke mark tak toh ye transformation aur bhi tez hota chala gaya. Mere baal badh kar meri chin tak pahuchne lage they. Aur baaki body ka toh poocho hi mat. 

Mujhe ab apne kamre se bahar nikalte bhi sharam aane lagi thi. Apne hi ghar mein rehna, Dad ya Vishal ke saamne aana kafi uncomfortable sa lag raha tha. 

Ek raat toh mujhe aisa mehsoos hua jaise koi darwaze ke paas khada mujhe jhaank kar dekh raha ho. Maine aadhi khuli aankhon se dekha - mere kamre ka darwaza thoda khula hua tha, aur us dheemi roshni mein kisi jaane pehchaane ki chhaaya thi. Maine zara sa uthte hue us taraf apna sar ghumaya aur ab wahan koi nahi tha. 

Shayad yeh medicines mujhe sab hallucinate karwa rahi thi. Par us raat ke baad maine apne kamre ka darwaza hamesha lock karna shuru kar diya.

Dad ka reaction toh kafi jyada unexpected sa tha, ya shayad expected, pata nahi. Mujhe apne room se aawaz aa rahi thi jab woh Raj se zor ki aawaz mein baat kar rahe they. Main Raj ki aawaz toh nahi sun sakti thi par mujhe yakeen tha woh apne calm andaaz mein Dad ko jawaab de rahe they.

Dad unse pooch rahe they ki yeh kaisa naya treatment shuru karwa diya tha unhone mera, jisme main itni badal gayi. Par Dad ko mere liye concern se jyada shayad logo ki fiqr thi, ki agar woh mujhe aise dekhenge toh kya kahenge. Woh is building mein rehne layak nahi rahenge.

Kuch der baad unhone phone rakha aur woh Mom se baat karne lage. Main dhyan se apne kamre se unki baatein sun rahi thi.

"Kya keh raha tha Raj? Use pata hai ki Kanika kitni pareshaan hai." Mom ki aawaz mein thoda impatience tha.

"Woh pareshaan hai ya hum?" Dad ka wohi typical response aaya. "Usne toh already baat kar li thi Raj se."


"Woh aise kaise hame bataye bina use kisi doctor ke paas le gaya?" Mom alag hi tareeke se pareshaan ho rahi thi.

"Woh ab uski honi wali wife hai. Woh jo marzi kare uske saath. Par haan use hamara sochna chahiye tha. Meri image, Vishal ke friends, kya kahenge sab."

"Par shaadi ka matlab yeh toh nahi ki Kanika hamari kuch nahi ab."

Dad bilkul chup ho gaye aur phir thodi der ke baad bole, "Usne GK wale mein move karne ka offer diya hai. Movers bhi arrange karwa dega. Mere khayal se shaadi tak wahin shift karna better hoga."

"Par aise kaise poora ghar utha kar..."

"Toh tum hi samjhayo logon ki tumhare ghar mein reh rahi yeh ladki kaun hai aur tumhare bete ko achanak kya hua." Dad ne bhadakte hue kaha.

"Wahan se sab kaise hoga? Aapka office, Vishal aur Kanika ka college? Yahan se sab paas hai."

"Usko filhaal college jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai. Raj ne kaha hai ki woh principal se baat kar lega."

"Par..."

"Par war kuch nahi, maine keh diya na bas. Packing start karo."

Poori conversation sunte hi mere mann mein ek ajeeb si halchal hone lagi. Hum log Raj ke flat mein shift hone wale they, aur main ghar mein kaid. Yeh transformation toh mujh par pehle se bhi jyada restrictions le aaya tha. Ab lag raha tha isse pehle hi sab theek tha.

Chaar paanch din baad movers aur packers hamare ghar mein shifting ke liye aa gaye they. Jab baaki saara ghar pack ho raha tha toh Mom ne mujhe ek kamre mein kaid kar diya. Is beech maine jaldi se apna saara sensitive samaan - medicines, kapde, under garments, books, sab ek bag mein pack karke rakh li. Main nahi chahti thi unhe koi bhi haath lagaye. Na toh mom aur packing wale log toh bilkul bhi nahi.

Jab woh mere kamre tak pahuche, Mom ne unhe thoda break lene ke liye bolte hue mujhe apne kamre mein shift kar diya. Aisa lag raha tha jaise woh mujhe har kisi se chhupana chahte they. Par pata nahi woh is sab mein kitna kamyaab hone wale they.

Shaam ko mujhe Vishal ki ek badi si tshirt aur ek hat pehna kar neeche gaadi tak le jaya gaya. Mom, Dad aur Vishal mujhe aise ghere hue they jaise main koi celebrity hoon. Ya koi ajeeb jaanwar jise logon ki nazar se bachana tha.

Car mein aage Dad drive kar rahe they, Mom passenger seat par. Peeche Vishal aur main. Hum dono ne ek doosre ko dekha. Dono ke muh ban gaye. Maine turant khidki ki taraf dekha. Hum chaaro kuch nahi bol rahe they, bas gaadi ke chalne ki aawaz aa rahi thi.

Phir Vishal ne achanak se poocha, "Baal kab se itne lambe kar liye?"

Maine koi jawab nahi diya. Bas arms cross karke bahar dekhti rahi. Woh shayad abhi bhi meri taraf dekh raha tha jisse main aur bhi uncomfortable mehsoos kar rahi thi.



"Wahan jaate hi t-shirt de dungi. Pareshaan mat ho," maine chidhte hue kaha.

"Maine maangi hai kya t-shirt? Aur ab mujhe chahiye bhi nahi. Tu hi rakh le ab ise." Woh bhadak kar bola.

Aage se Mom ne peeche mud kar hamari taraf dekha aur shayad hamari ladayi rokne ke liye topic change karne ki koshish kari, "Beta Ishita ko bata diya ki hum shift ho rahe hai aaj?"

"Haan." Vishal ne ek shabd mein jawaab diya. "Woh keh rahi thi ki kal ya parso aayegi."

Dad chup chaap baithe they, ekdam annoy ho kar bole, "Itni jaldi kya hai aane ki."

"Mujhse milne nahi aa rahi hai." Usne meri taraf annoy ho kar dekha. "Use toh bas ab isse hi milne aana hota hai."

"Toh mana kar de use. Na main use invite karti hoon aur na hi mujhe uski annoying baatein tolerate karne ka shauk hai."

Meri aawaz nikli toh woh aaj kuch jyada hi feminine lag rahi thi. Ek pal ke liye Vishal bhi meri shakal dekhta reh gaya tha aur phir usne turant doosri taraf muh kar liya.

Maine apna muh neeche kiya toh Vishal ki tshirt se aa rahi smell mujhe irritate kar rahi thi. Main bas naye ghar pahunchne ka intezaar kar rahi thi taaki is t-shirt ko utaar kar uske muh par maar sakun taaki uski is smell se aazad ho jayu.

Gadi jaise hi Greater Kailash ki un gehri aur shaant sadkon par rudi, mujhe ehsas hua ki hum ab ek bilkul alag duniya mein they. Purani building ki woh bheed aur shor peeche chhoot chuka tha, yahan har taraf ghane ped aur ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi.

Lift se 10th floor par upar pahuch kar flat mein ghuse toh phir se realize hua ki woh sach mein kafi alag tha. Teen kamare, bada sa living area, modern kitchen. Hamare poore purane ghar se jyada jagah. Poore ghar mein kafi classy sa furniture aur decorations thi, unhe dekh kar pata chal raha tha ki woh Raj ki pasand thi.

Mera kamra toh kuch jyada hi achhe se decorated tha. Soft pastel pink color ka bed aur matching colour mein wardrobe aur dresser. Aur jab maine un dressers ko khola toh main hairaan reh gayi. 



Woh khaali nahi they, unme pehle se kuch kapde rakhe hue they. Female kapde, ek dam new, tags abhi bhi lage hue. Kafi expensive brands ki dresses, skirts, tops. 

Raj ne kab yeh sab mere liye arrange kiya mujhe toh kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha. Mere size ke hisaab se, mere rang ke hisaab se. Bina pooche, jaise woh jaante they main kya chahungi, mere jaanne se pehle. Woh kapde dekh kar ek ajeeb si feeling thi - grateful, par uncomfortable bhi. 

Maine unhe call karke thank you bolna chahti thi, par hichkichahat si ho rahi thi. Shayad kal, jab Dad aur Bhai ghar par nahi honge, tab better hoga call karna. 

Chahe ghar aur kamra naya tha, par problems abhi bhi wohi thi. Bed thoda aur naram tha, par neend aani abhi bhi mushkil si lag rahi thi. Meri thighs mein itna dard sa tha ki maine bas sikud kar ek ball banke sone ki koshish kari.

Agle din mujhe call karne ki zaroorat hi nahi padi. Raj ka khud hi call aa gaya. Maine kuch second rukte hue phone uthaya.



"Hello?"

"Kanika." Unki awaaz mein woh familiar warmth thi. "Pahunch gayi thi safely?"

"Haan."

"Kaisa laga flat?"

"Theek hai." Maine khidki se bahar dekhte hue kaha. Actually mein view kafi jyada achha tha.

"Sirf theek?" Unhone halke se hasa.

"Achha hai," maine correct kiya. "Spacious hai."

Kuch pal chuppi, mujhe laga abhi woh kapdon ka bhi jiqr karenge par unhone nahi kiya.

"Kanika... kaisi ho sach mein? Medication se... kuch problem toh nahi aa rahi?"

Main kuch pal chup rahi. Kya batati. Ki meri awaaz squeaky ho gayi hai aur college mein log hanse the? Ki raat ko dard se neend nahi aati? Ki ab main kisi ki bhi nazron mein aane se darti thi? Ki Dad ne unka flat isliye le liya kyunki unhe mujhe kahin chhupana tha?

"Thodi tired hoon," maine kaha. "Adjust ho rahi hoon."

"Hmm." Woh jaante the ki main poora nahi bol rahi. Par unhone press nahi kiya. "Theek hai. Rest karo. Next appointment mein doctor se sab discuss kar lenge."

"Haan."

"Aur Kanika, maine tumhare Dad se baat kar li hai. College mat jaao abhi kuch din. I know thoda restrictive feel hoga, but it's for a little bit of time. Is beech agar kuch bhi chahiye toh main bhijwa dunga - books, movies, games, kuch bhi."

"Aisa lag raha main ab kabhi college nahi jaa payungi" Maine thoda udaas hote hue apni mann ki baat share ki unse.

"Absolutely not. Main two weeks mein aata hoon, aur wahan rahunga kuch din. Besides the Doctor, main tumhe college le chalunga, tumhari principal se bhi baat karni hai."

"Principal se? Kis baare mein?" maine chaunkte hue poocha.

"Is sudden change ke baad tumhare liye Kanak banke college attend karna impossible hai." Unki baat sunkar mujhe laga mere saare fears sach hone wali they, par unhone aage continue kiya. "But this is a special case. And it deserves a special solution. Mere mind mein kuch hai, discuss karte hai jab main aata hoon."

Main kafi curious thi aur poochna chahti thi ki kya special solution tha unke mind mein. Par pooch nahi paayi.

"Ok... sure."

"Good. Main jald hi milta hoon. Tab tak apna khayal rakhna."

Unse phone par baat karke thoda better sa mehsoos ho raha tha. Jaise pain aur mann dono thoda halke ho gaye they. 

Maine apne aap ko is naye mirror mein dekha. Mujhe jo yeh nayi figure mili thi, woh bhi bina kisi push up bra ke, use dekh kar yakeen hi nahi ho raha tha. Mujhe ab shayad kisi wig ki zaroorat nahi padne wali thi. Meri skin aur bhi jyada shine kar rahi thi. Sab kuch shayad itna bhi bura nahi tha jitna mujhe pichhle do-teen hafton se lag raha tha.

[Celebrorn]

Mind blowing update dear..

Apki story sabse hatke aur wonderful hai.

Keep updates more.

Haanji par comments aur likes nahi aate. Story is about to get very interesting and erotic, but due to the lack of interest I get discouraged to write.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 9

Maine aakhri baar mirror mein khud ko dekha. Wohi same grey t-shirt - jo maine kai baar pehni thi aur uske saath jeans, thodi si faded. Yehi kapde ek ded mahine pehle tak mujhe kafi loosely fit aate they. Par aaj mujhse poori tarah chipke hue mere body ki ek curvy outline bana rahe they. Tshirt ke andar se mere tank top ki clear outline ban rahi thi.

Maine apne arms cross karte hue apne chest par rakhe, apne boobs se just neeche. Phir jaldi se unhe uncross kar diya. Kitna ajeeb lag raha tha, cross-armed karne se toh woh aur bhi jyada obvious ho rahe they. 

Mere boobs... koi push-up bra nahi thi, bilkul natural. Waist pehle se patli, hips wider, aur jeans ke andar ek rounded curve leti hui meri ass clearly dikh rahi thi. Yeh sab mere kapdon ke through visible tha chahe main kitna bhi chhupane ki koshish karti. 

Maine ek jacket dhoondne ke baare mein socha, par na toh mere paas koi jacket thi jo is body par fit aati aur na yeh mausam tha jacket pehenne ka.

Maine apne baalon ko dekha - ab woh mere kandhe se thoda sa neeche tak pahuch gaye they. Kafi jyada messy aur uneven lag rahe they, mujhe lambe hairs sambhalne aate hi nahi they. Pichle ek hafte mein main unhe alag alag tarah se baandhne ka try kar chuki thi, par kuch bhi work nahi kar raha tha. Aaj phir peeche se unhe apne haath mein pakadte hue baandha, par fir naak sikodte hue chhod diya. 

Jo bhi tha ab yehi tha. Aaj main aise hi apne kamre se bahar jaane wali thi, aur bahar Raj baithe hue they! Sochte hi mere pet mein ek tight knot si bandh gayi.

Phir ek gehri saans lete hue maine khud se kaha, "Main yeh kar sakti hoon."

Is naye ghar mein move kiye hue 2 hafte se thoda jyada ho chuke they aur Raj bhi yahan aane mein thoda late ho gaye they. 

Maine dheere se apne kamre ka darwaza khola aur ek kadam liya hi tha ki Dad ki aawaz mere kaano mein padi.

"Dekho Raj, aage se jo bhi medical treatment hon, humein informed rakha karo. Aakhir hum uske parents hain." Dad Raj se aise bol rahe they jaise kuch hafte pehle unhone hi nahi kaha tha ki 'woh jo marzi kare uske saath.'

Raj ne koi behas nahi ki. "I apologize, Vijay. Mujhe tumhe aur Sudha ko bhi loop mein rakhna chahiye tha."

Maine dheere se ek-do kadam aur aage liye taaki main un logo ki shakal dekh payu. Dad ke face par ek victorious si smile thi, aakhir unhone abhi Raj ko sorry bolne par mazboor kar diya tha.

"Raj iss sab ka koi side effect toh nahi hai na?" Mom ki aawaz mein pareshaani saaf jhalak rahi thi.

"Nahi Sudha. Trust me, main Kanika ko koi harm nahi hone dunga. I..." Raj kuch kehne hi wale they ki unki nazar mujh par padi.

Maine jaldi se ek kadam peeche le liye par tab tak der ho chuki thi.

Living room se Raj ki aawaz aayi, "Kanika... Good morning."

Main awkwardly unke saamne aayi, sar jhukaye hue jaise meri chori pakdi gayi ho. Dad aur mom dono meri taraf dekh rahe they, shayad ye sochte hue ki main kabse wahan khadi thi.

"Hum bas Raj se baat hi kar rahe they ki tum kitni pareshaan thi pichhle kuch hafton se." Mom ne chuppi todte hue kaha.

Unki baat sunkar kafi embarrassing sa lag raha tha, jaise main koi teenager hoon aur Mom ne meri koi personal baat publicly share kar di ho.

"Main... main theek hoon ab," maine dheere se kaha, abhi bhi nazar neeche rakhe hue.

"So paa rahi ho ab tum?" Raj ne bina kisi hichak ke poocha. 

Shayad maine hi unhe ek call par bataya tha ki dard ki wajah se main so bhi nahi paa rahi thi. Specifically kahan kyun dard tha, obviously woh mention nahi kiya tha. Par ab jab woh saamne they toh mujhe dekh kar woh shayad guess kar paa rahe honge. Yeh sochte hi aur sharam aane lagi.

"Haan... pichhle kuch dino se better hai."

Raj ki nazrein mere messy baalon par thami hui thi. "Baal kafi jaldi bade ho gaye. Lagta hai medicines ka asar itna fast hua hai ki tumhein adjust karne ka waqt hi nahi mila. I take full responsibility for this."


Maine apne haath nervously apne baalon tak le gaye. "Haan, woh kafi messy ho gaye hain... main theek se sambhal nahi pa rahi..."

"Agar aapki permission ho," Raj ne Mom aur Dad ki taraf dekha, "toh main Kanika ko ek salon le jaa sakta hoon? I think uske hairs ko ek proper trimming aur styling ki zaroorat hai."

Dad ne meri taraf ek nazar daali, woh mere bikhre hue baal aur badalti hui body se kafi uncomfortable lag rahe they. Unhone Raj ki taraf dekhte hue halke se haan mein sar hila diya. 

Mom ne thodi chinta ke saath mujhse poocha, "Kanika, tum comfortable ho jaane mein?"

"Haan," maine bina soche samjhe turant kaha. "Main... chali jaungi."

Mere dimaag mein bas yeh dhun sawaar thi ki mujhe apne baal theek karwane they. Yeh bhi nahi socha ki uske liye mujhe ghar se bahar jaana padega, ya log mujhe is halat mein dekhenge. Par jaise hi woh words mere muh se nikle, mujhe apni galti ka ehsas hua aur mere pet mein ek ajeeb si halchal hone lagi.

"Main change karke aayu kya?" maine apni t-shirt ko thoda sa adjust karte hue poocha.

"Nahi nahi," Raj ne khade hote hue mera haath gently pakad liya. "Tum bilkul theek lag rahi ho. Aise hi chalte hain."

Raj ne jab mera haath pakda mere poore shareer mein ek bijli si daud gayi. Unka haath garam tha, pakad bahut mazboot nahi thi, par fir bhi aisi jise main aaram se chhuda na payu.

Maine apne shoes pehente hue Mom ki taraf ek aakhri baar dekha. Unki aankhon mein ek halka sa concern dikh raha tha, ya phir shayad ek guilt. Kehna mushkil tha.

Shoes pehente hi main Raj ke saath ghar se nikal gayi. Maine andar bra nahi pehni hui thi toh chalte hue aisa mehsoos ho raha tha jaise mere chest kuch jyada hi upar neeche ho rahi ho.

Lift mein jaate hue maine apne arms apne chest ke upar cross kar liye, par phir lift ke door par apni reflection ko dekhte hi jaldi se sar neeche kar liya. Raj ne shayad notice kiya par kuch bole nahi.

Building se bahar nikalte hi dhoop tez lagi. Maine apni aankhein halki si meenchte hue Raj ki car ki taraf aa gayi. Wohi us din wali sleek stylish car. 

Jab main seat belt laga rahi thi, tab unka dhyaan meri ungliyon par gaya jahan aaj ek chamakti hui ring thi.

"Tumne pehni hai aaj," unhone smile karte hue kaha.

Maine apna haath dekha. Shit. Kal raat aise hi pehen li thi aur main utaarna bhool gayi.

"Haan... woh... aise hi pehen li thi," maine awkwardly safai dete hue kaha.

"Achhi lag rahi hai," Raj ke chehre par ek satisfaction bhari smile thi. Jaise unhone koi small victory achieve ki ho.

Road par nikalte hi maine window ke bahar dekhna shuru kar diya. Apne arms apni godi mein tight pakde rakhe. Har speed breaker par, har turn par - mujhe apne body ka ehsaas ho raha tha. Bina bra ke kafi uncomfortable mehsoos ho raha tha, par mere paar koi proper bra bhi toh nahi thi.

"Dard ab better hai?" Raj ne achanak se poocha.

"Haan," maine bahar dekhte hue kaha.

"Sorry woh Doctor ki appointment thodi move karni padi, later this week. Main thoda busy ho gaya tha."

"Koi baat nahi," maine dheere se kaha.

"Woh kapde jo maine rakhe they... try kiye?"

"Abhi nahi."

"Kyun? Achhe nahi lage?"

"Nahi... aisa nahi hai. Kafi achhe hain, bas abhi comfortable nahi laga unhe pehenna." Maine seat par shift hote hue apne haath apni thighs ke neeche rakh liye.

"Kanika, woh tumhare hi hain ab. Tum unhe try kar sakti ho. Karogi na?"

"Haan..."

Maine gaadi se bahar dekha toh hum log South Ex ki market mein they. Raj ne ek bheed bhare area mein gaadi roki aur ek posh se dikhne wale salon ki taraf mujhe le jaane lage.

Salon ke andar ki air conditioning ki thandi hawa mere chehre par lagi, par mera sharir ghabrahat se garam ho raha tha. Har taraf sheeshe lage they aur har sheeshe mein mujhe apni wahi tight t-shirt aur bikhre hue baal dikh rahe they.


Raj ne stylist se kuch baat ki aur phir meri taraf mud kar bole, "Kanika, main bas 15-20 minute mein aata hoon. Tab tak tum relax karo, okay?"

Maine bas dheere se sar hila diya. Raj ke jaate hi mujhe aisa laga jaise mera sahara chala gaya ho. Stylist ne mujhe chair par baithaya aur mere baalon ke saath khelna shuru kiya. "Don't worry, ma'am. Hair kafi healthy hain, bas halki si trimming aur deep conditioning ki zaroorat hai," usne smile karte hue kaha.

Stylist ke muh se ma'am sunna hi itna ajeeb lag raha tha. Aaj tak mujhe shayad kisi ne ma'am nahi bulaya tha. Kya main sach mein sab ko ladki hi lag rahi thi.

Usne mere baalon ko thande paani se wash kiya aur apni fingers se massage karne lagi. Bahut hi jyada relaxing lag raha tha yeh sab. Phir usne mere baalon ko neeche se halka sa trim kiya taaki woh even lage aur phir blow dry karte hue unhe ek wavy sa look de diya. 

Stylist ne meri taraf ek nazar daali aur phir gaalon par halka sa blush laga diya, "Haan ab perfect hai, you are so pretty ma'am!"

Main mirror mein dekhte hue believe nahi kar paa rahi thi yeh main hi thi. Is naye haircut mein mera face ke curves aur bhi soft lag rahe they, cheekbones pichhle kuch hafton mein sarak kar upar ki taraf ho gayi thi. Honth thode aur patle aur gulaabi ho gaye they. Wow... main ek hot ladki lag rahi thi.



Main apne aap ko mirror mein dekh hi rahi thi ki salon ka darwaza khula aur Raj andar aaye. Mujhe mirror se dekhte hue kuch second ke liye woh wahin ruk gaye. Unki aankhen badi ho gayi aur ek pal ke liye unke face par wahi shock tha jo shayad mere khud ke face par tha.

Unki nazrein mere naye haircut se hote hue mere blush lage gaalon par ruki. Unke chehre par ek aisi satisfaction wali smile aayi jaise unka koi bahut bada sapna poora ho raha ho. Woh dheere se chalte hue mere peeche khade ho gaye. Sheeshe mein hamari nazrein mili.

"Maine kaha tha na," Raj ne dheere se kaha, unki aawaz thodi bhari ho gayi thi. "Tumhe bas thoda sa touch-up ki zaroorat thi. Now you look exactly how you should."

Unhone stylist ko kafi achhi tip di aur phir mera haath thama. Salon se nikalte hi mujhe asliyat ka ehsas hua. Bahar aisa lag raha tha jaise har nazar mujh par aakar ruk rahi ho, ek dam chubhti hui si. Hum log jaldi se car mein baith kar paas ke ek maal ki taraf chal pade, Raj abhi mujhe kapdon ki shopping karana chahte they.

Mall ke entrance par pahunchte hi meri dhak-dhak aur badh gayi. Raj ne gaadi park ki aur hum jaise hi andar enter hue, mujhe aisa laga jaise main kisi stadium mein aa gayi hoon jahan saari spotlight mujh par hai.

Main abhi bhi wahi tight white t-shirt aur jeans mein thi, aur naye haircut ke saath main shayad itni pretty lag rahi thi ki log mud mud kar mujhe dekh rahe they.

Saamne se ek young couple aa raha tha. Ladke ne mujhe dekha aur dekhta hi reh gaya. Ladki ne bhi mujhe aur uski nazar ko notice kar liya tha. Saamne se nikalte hi uski smile ekdam se gayab ho gayi aur usne ladke ka haath kas ke pakad liya, jaise main use usse chheen na lu.

Do-teen ladke side mein khade they. Ek ne apne friend ko elbow maari. Unhone meri taraf dekh kar aapas mein kuch whisper kiya aur ek ki aawaz mere kaan mein saaf aakar padi, "Bhai dekh... kya lag rahi hai!"

Maine sharam se sar neeche kar liya aur tez chalte hue Raj ke aur kareeb ho gayi. Upar jaate hue Escalator par bhi kuch aisa hi haal tha, saamne se neeche jaate hue esclator par ladke meri taraf lalchayi nazron se dekh rahe they aur ladkiyan bhi ek alag jalan bhari nazar se mujhe dekh rahi thi.

Mujhe bahut ajeeb lag raha tha. Ek taraf toh darr tha ki kahin koi mujhe pehchaan na le, par doosri taraf ek ajeeb sa, naya sa power mehsoos ho raha tha. Kya main sach mein itni 'hot' lag rahi thi ki ladke apna hosh kho rahe they aur ladkiyan mujhse jal rahi thi?

"Chalo, idhar," Raj mujhe bheed se door ek corner mein le gaye jahan kafi classy aur shaant sa ek Indian boutique tha. Mall ki bheed ka shor yahan achanak kam ho gaya.

Boutique ke andar ki fragrance kafi premium thi aur har cheez bahut organized thi. Saleswoman turant hamari taraf aayi aur smile karte hue boli, "Welcome Ma'am, Welcome Sir. Aap kis tarah ka collection dekhna chahenge?"

'Ma'am'... phir wahi word. Par ab mujhe yeh sunkar itna ajeeb nahi lag raha tha, aadat si padti jaa rahi thi.

Raj ne sidhe ek rack ki taraf ishara kiya jahan Indian dresses thi. Unhone kafi saari dresses scan ki aur phir ek peach-colored kurti aur churidar set uthaya. Fabric kafi soft, silky aur thoda translucent sa lag raha tha jo body-hugging hone wala tha.

"Yeh try karo," Raj ne mujhe woh kurti aur churidar set pakdate hue kaha. Maine hichkichate hue kapdo ko pakda.

Saleswoman mujhe ek fitting room ki taraf le gayi. Main door close karke us silky si dress ko pakde rahi. Kafi ajeeb sa lag raha tha yahan yeh dress try karna, par shayad utna nahi jitna us din doctor ke office mein laga tha.

Maine apni purani t-shirt aur jeans utari aur us silky peach kurti ko apne badan par sarkate hue pehna. Kapda itna soft aur mehanga tha ki meri skin ko chhu kar mere andar ek ajeeb si siharan hone lagi.

Jab maine mirror mein khud ko dekha, toh meri saans atak gayi. Woh kurti mere naye curves par jaise chipak gayi thi, meri patli waist aur wide hote hips ko itne khoobsurat tareeke se dikha rahi thi ki mujhe yakeen nahi aaya ki ye main hoon. Peach colour mere naye soft complexion par khil kar aa raha tha. Maine dheere se apne baalon ko jhatka aur trial room se bahar nikli.

Raj wahan wait kar rahe they. Jaise hi unki nazar mujh par padi, woh sofa se khade ho gaye. Unki aankhon mein ek aisi chamak thi jaise unhone koi taj-mahal dekh liya ho. "Stunning," unhone bas ek word kaha, par unki nazron ne poori kahani bayaan kar di.

Main jaldi se kaanpti hui wapas change room mein ghus gayi aur apni tshirt aur jeans pehen li. Bahar aakar unhone mere haath se woh dress lete hue use bill karwa liya aur saath hi 2-3 aur kurti bhi.

Shopping ke baad mujhe zor se bathroom jaane ki zaroorat mehsoos hui. Ghabrahat aur excitement mein mera dimaag jaise sunn ho gaya tha. Maine tezi se bathroom ki taraf kadam badhaye aur bina upar dekhe ek darwaze ke andar enter ho gayi.

Andar kadam rakhte hi thanda sannata chha gaya. Maine sar uthaya toh dekha ki saamne row mein teen-chaar aadmi aur ladke khade hokar urinate kar rahe they. Sab ke sab ek saath mude aur woh hairaan aankhon se meri taraf dekhne lage. Ek ladka jo haath dho raha tha woh behte paani ko bhool kar meri taraf ghoorne laga.

Mera chehra tam-tama gaya. Mujhe ehsas hua ki main galti se Men’s Toilet mein aa gayi hoon. Main bina kuch bole, wahan se palat kar itni tezi se bhagi ki mere pair ladkhada rahe they. Bahar nikal kar maine ek lambi saans li, mera dil aise dhadak raha tha jaise bahar nikal aayega. Kitni sharam aa rahi thi mujhe is tarah men's toilet mein jaane mein jab tak ab tak main hamesha men's toilet mein hi gayi thi.

Jab aakhir kaar main female toilet se aayi toh Raj muskura rahe they, pata nahi unhe meri embarrassment ka andaza tha ya nahi. 

"Chalo, ek aakhri stop baaki hai," unhone kaha aur mujhe ek exclusive Lingerie shop ke samne le gaye.

"Main bahar wait karta hoon. Tum andar jaakar apne liye kuch zaroori cheezein le lo," Raj ne mujhe akela chhodte hue kaha.

Main darrte-darrte andar gayi. Charon taraf lace, silk aur satin ke bras aur panties tangi hui thi. Ek shop girl mere paas aayi. "How can I help you, Ma'am? Specific size ya style?"

Maine nervously apni ungliyan counter par feri. "Actually... main pehli baar lingerie khareed rahi hoon."

Woh ladki mujhe dekh kar thoda surprise hui, itni pretty ladki aur pehli baar? Par usne turant apne aap ko sambhala aur smile karte hue mujhe options dikhane lagi. Maine kafi hichkichate hue kuch cotton aur lace bras aur matching panties select ki. Billing ke waqt mera sar sharam se jhuka hua tha.

Ghar drop karte waqt Raj ne car roki aur meri taraf mud kar dekha. "Kal tumhara college ka pehla din hoga is naye look mein. Main tumhe apne saath lekar chalunga."

"Raj, main ab is tarah college kaise jaa sakti hoon?" maine ghabra kar pucha.

"Itna ghabra kyun rahi ho, tum itni badli hui lag rahi ho ki shayad hi koi tumhe pehchaan paaye." Unhone steering se ek haath chhodte hue mere haath pakda.

"Par kisi ne pehchaan liya toh... sab wahan mujhe jaante hai."

"Trust me," unhone kaha, meri aankhon mein dekhte hue. "Tum ready ho. Aaj tumne dekha na, salon mein, mall mein, stores mein. Sab ne tumhe ek normal ladki ki tarah dekha. Kyunki tum ek normal ladki hi ho."

Mera haath abhi bhi unke haath mein tha aur meri himmat nahi ho rahi thi use chhudane ki. Main window se bahar dekhte hue kal ke baare mein soch rahi thi aur meri ghabrahat badti jaa rahi thi.

Kal... main... Kanika ban ke... college jaane wali thi.

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 10

Subah ki roshni aaj thodi zyada chubhti hui lag rahi thi. Maine aaine mein dekha, par wahan Kanak nahi tha. Ek naye blue kurti aur jeans mein, aur baalon ko ek neat pony tail mein baandhe hue, main kisi South Delhi ki cute college girl se kam nahi lag rahi thi. Par mere andar? Mere andar wahi purani ghabrahat thi.

Apne aap ko mirror mein dekha, aur bahut hi halka sa makeup kiya. Main bilkul standout nahi hona chahti thi aaj.



Neeche pahuchi toh Raj gaadi mein mera wait kar rahe they. Unhone meri taraf ek ajeeb si nazar daali, jaise soch ke baithe ho ki main wohi peach wali dress pehen kar aayungi. 

Mere andar itni himmat bhi nahi hui thi ki main Raj ki pasand ki peach color wali dress pehen lu. Is blue wali kurti mein bhi kafi ajeeb sa lag raha tha, par kam se kam yeh thoda safe option lag raha tha. Aaj andar ek bra pehni hui thi, jo mere boobs ko achhe se thame hui thi. Aisa lag raha tha jaise woh dress ke aar paar meri bra ko dekh paa rahe hain. Kya sabhi girls ko aisa hi mehsoos hota tha har samay?

"Ghabrao mat," Raj ne thodi der baad kaha. "Main Principal se milkar sab handle kar lunga. Hum unhe tumhare exceptional medical circumstances samjhayenge. Basically, tum ek new student ki tarah enroll hogi. Par technically Kanak ke saare grades tumhe transfer ho jayenge. Fresh identity, par continuation of education."

"Hmmm...." maine dheere se kaha.

Maine in sab technicalities ke baare mein socha hi kahan tha. Main toh bas apni looks aur logo ke reactions tak hi atki hui thi.

College jaise-jaise paas aa raha tha, mera dam ghutne laga. Woh gate, wahi bheed... main nahi kar sakti thi. Yeh bilkul galat decision lag raha tha.

Jaise hi Raj ne gaadi roki, maine turant kaha, "Raj, please... main nahi jaungi. Main wapas ghar ja rahi hoon."

"Kanika... humne baat ki toh thi iss baare mein," Raj ne thoda frustrated hote hue kaha, "Koi tumhe pehchaan nahi paayega. Shayad tumhari friend Riya bhi nahi."

"Par fir phi... main nahi jaa sakti. Mere stomach mein kafi ajeeb sa mehsoos ho raha hai." Maine yeh kehte hue unki taraf nahi dekh paayi. Aaj woh pehle se thoda jyada frustrated lag rahe they.

"Fine." Unhone apni ghadi ki taraf dekha, shayad appointment ka time fixed tha, "Yahin ruko. Main akela ja kar baat karta hoon." Woh gaadi se nikle aur gate ke andar chale gaye.

Main muh latkaye gaadi mein hi baithi rahi, kafi bura lag raha tha, khaaskar Raj mujhse aise naraaz ho kar chale gaye isliye. 

Kuch der baad gaadi mein baithe hue garmi mehsoos hone lagi aur main gaadi ke theek bahar khadi ho gayi. Tabhi mujhe side se ek aawaz aayi.

"Arre yaar dekh!" ek awaaz aayi. Excited. Loud enough ki doosre bhi sun saken.

Maine us taraf dekha toh paay ki bikes ke paas khade do-teen ladke mujhe ajeeb nazron se ghoor rahe hain.

"Bhai bhai bhai... nazar toh daal!" Doosre ki awaaz nikli, pehle ladke se aur bhi zyada enthusiastic.

Ek ladke ne doosre ko kohni maari aur meri taraf dekh kar hasne lage. Mere haath pasine se geele ho gaye. Woh kyun has rahe they, kya unhe dikh raha tha ki main ek ladki nahi ladka hoon. Maine darr ke maare mein apni kurti thodi adjust kari.

"New hai kya? Pehli baar dekh raha hoon isse."

Maine apna muh doosri taraf kar liya, par meri backside unki taraf ho gayi thi.

"Bhai, backside dekh... jeans kya fit baith rahi hai." 

"Kiska wait kar rahi hai?"

"Tu jaakar puch le na princess se." Unmein se ek ki gandi hasi mere kaano mein padi.

Maine palat kar unki taraf gusse mein dekha toh unme se ek excited ho kar bola, "Dekh dekh dekh palat gayi. Oh bhai, kya cute face hai!"

Mera poora shareer kaanpne laga. Sharam aur darr ke maare mujhe samajh nahi aa raha tha ki gaadi ke andar wapas ghusu ya wahan se bhaag jaun. Un ladkon ki nazrein mere badan par kisi garam lohe ki tarah chub rahi thi. 

Mujhe laga agar main yahin khadi rahi toh woh aise hi kuch kuch bolte rahenge. Bina kuch soche-samjhe, main college gate ki taraf chalne lagi. Mera dil itni zor se dhadak raha tha ki mujhe apni hi saansein sunayi de rahi thi.

"Oye suno toh! Itna attitude lekar kahan ja rahi ho? Naam toh bata do," woh teeno bhi mere peeche aane lage.

"Yaar maan kafi pretty ho, par itna attitude kis baat ka." Ek ladka thodi zor se bola. 

Mere kadam aur tez ho gaye aur main college ke andar ghus chuki thi.

"Oye hotness, kahan bhag rahi ho?" unmein se ek chillaya.

Main jaldi se college ki building mein ghus gayi thi, aisa lag raha tha har nazar meri taraf hi dekh rahi ho. Unconsciously main stairs se upar chadhte hue apni class tak pahuchi aur ek-do kadam class ke andar liye. 

"Yes... Who are you? Are you in the right class?" Saamne teacher pada rahi thi, aur unhone apna chashma adjust karte hue meri taraf ghoorte hue kaha.

Meri nazrein teacher se hote hue poori class ko scan karne lagi. Poori class mujhe curious nazron se dekh rahi thi. Front mein hi Riya bhi baithi thi, jo meri shakal mein kisi jaane pehchaane ko dhoondne ki koshish kar rahi thi.

"Sorry... sorry ma'am," maine ladkhadati aawaz mein kaha aur palat kar wapas main corridor mein aa gayi. Thodi door se kuch ladkon ki hasi sunayi di, shayad wohi ladke jo mera peecha kar rahe they.

Main jaldi se ek doosri taraf badi, par peeche se ek aawaz aayi, "Aree woh rahi!"

Maine peeche mud kar unki taraf dekha, aur jaldi se library ki taraf bhaagi. Pata nahi main bhaag bhi kyun rahi thi.

"Aree itna darr kyun rahi ho, hame toh bas baat karni hai... naam bata do... instagram id..."

Main bina peeche dekhe tezi se bhaagte hue library ke pichle hisse mein ghusi. Tez kadmon se chalte hue maine peeche palat kar dekha aur ek corner mein mudi. Tabhi main zor se kisi cheez se takrayi aur zameen par gir gayi. Dar ke maare meri aankhein band ho gayi thi, par mujhe mehsoos hua ki kisi ne mujhe sahara dete hue mere kandhon ko kas ke pakad liya tha.

"Aaram se... kahan bhaag rahi ho." Ek gehri si aawaz ne kaha.

Maine aankhen kholte hue dekha toh saamne Ayaan tha. 3rd year ka ek handsome sa ladka, balki college ka sabse handsome ladka jis par ladkiyan marti thi.

Woh bhi zameen par neeche jhuka hua tha aur uske haath mere kandhon par they. Usne dheere se mere kandhon se haat hathaya aur meri taraf dekha.

Tabhi peeche se kuch aur kadmo ki aawaz aayi aur woh teeno ladke mere peeche peeche wahan pahuch gaye they. Unhone meri taraf dekha aur phir Aayan ki taraf.

"Oye... yahan kya kar rahe ho." Ayaan ne unki taraf sar hilate hue dekha.

"Kuch nahi bhai... sorry." Woh teeno jaldi se peeche mudte hue wahan se jaldi se chale gaye.

Unke jaate hi maine ek gehri saans li, pichhle 10-15 minute se meri saans hi atak gayi thi. 

Maine unhe dheere dheere utha kar stack karne lagi aur Ayaan bhi mere saath wahi karne laga. Par ab... ab ek nayi musibat thi. Ayaan theek mere saamne tha aur meri taraf gaur se dekh raha tha.

Hum dono ke chehre ek doosre ke behad kareeb they. Meri baal ki ek latt peeche se loose ho kar mere chehre par aa gayi thi aur maine use side karte hue apne kaan ke peeche tuck kiya. Jaise hi maine ek book uthayi, hamari ungliyan ek-doosre se touch hui. Ek pal ke liye hum dono wahi ruk gaye, bas ek-doosre ki aankhon mein dekhte hue.

"Tum theek ho? Inse bhaag rahi thi tum?" Ayaan ne meri aankhon mein dekhte hue pucha.

"Hmmm... pata nahi..." Main jaldi se bolte hue books ko wahin chhodte hue khadi ho gayi aur jaldi se ek doosri aisle mein aa gayi. 

Maine book shelf se ek book nikali. Book hatane se beech mein ek gap ban gaya, aur us gap se doosri taraf Ayaan khada mujhe dekh raha tha. Woh wahin se bola "2nd year mein hain woh chooze. Tumhe pareshaan kar rahe hain toh mujhe bata sakti ho."

Library ki shaanti mein Ayaan ki aawaz goonj rahi thi, aur maine us par dhyaan na dete hue apna focus wapas book par kiya. Par mujhe feel ho raha tha ki Ayaan bas meri taraf hi dekh raha hai.

"Searching for something?" Ayaan ne achanak doosri taraf se aakar pucha.

"N-nahi... bas dekh rahi thi," maine nazrein churayi, par mera dil itni zor se dhadak raha tha ki mujhe laga shayad library mein sabko sunayi de raha hoga. Maine mehsoos kiya ki main abhi bhi wahi blue kurti aur jeans pehni hoon jise subah safe samajh rahi thi, par Ayaan ki nazron ke saamne mujhe khud par ek ajeeb si sharam mehsoos hone lagi.

Main side ways chalte hue ek book shelf se doosre book shelf jaane lagi.

"Naam kya hai tumhara? Pehle kabhi nahi dekha tumhe," usne mera peecha karte hue pucha. Maine koi jawab nahi diya, bas apna dhyaan book par hi rakha. 

Woh theek mere saamne aa kar khada ho gaya. Jaise hi maine ek book lene ke liye haath badaya, woh mere upar se lean hua aur shelf se wahi book utha kar meri taraf badhayi.

"Business Case Studies. Tum B.Com Hons mein ho kya? First year?"

"Nahi... third year..." maine whisper karte hue kaha.

"Achha... par tumhe pehle toh dekha nahi." Uska haath abhi bhi mere sar se thoda upar tha, mujhe uske cologne ki smell aa rahi thi.

"Haan... abhi... new admission. I mean transfer." 

Main jaldi se woh book lete hue ek table par jaa kar baith gayi. Par woh bhi mere peeche peeche aate hue theek mere bagal mein aakar baith gaya. Main thoda sa sarak kar usse door hui, par woh bhi halke se sarak kar mere aur nazdeek ho gaya.

Maine use teekhi nazron se dekhte hue kaha, "Yeh Library hai, aur main book padh rahi hoon. Can you please...."

Door se Librarian ne hum dono ki taraf dekhte hue aawaz ki, "Shhhhhhhh...."

Ayaan ne bhi use copy karte hue apne honth par ungli rakhte hue kaha, "Shhhh.... library hai."

Usne muskurate hue meri book par apna haath rakh diya aur use thoda apni taraf kheencha. Book hum dono ke theek beech mein aa gayi thi, aur mujhe realize hua ki mera kandha theek usse sata hua tha.

"I know already..." Maine whisper mein gussa hote hue uski taraf dekha.

Par andar kafi ghabrahat ho rahi thi. Jis Ayaan ne aaj se pehle kabhi meri taraf gaur bhi nahi kiya hoga, aaj woh theek mere saath baitha tha aur mujhse flirt karne ki koshish kar raha tha.

Ayaan ne thoda niche jhukkar apna chehra mere itne paas laya ki main uski saansein apni skin par feel kar sakti thi. "Tumne abhi tak apna naam nahi bataya," usne whisper kiya.

Usne dheere se apna haath badhaya aur meri baalon ki woh lat, jo ek baar phir mere chehre par aa gayi thi, use mere kaan ke peeche tuck kar diya. Uska touch itna soft tha jaise koi feather meri skin ko chhu raha ho, par usne mere poore badan mein ek current sa dauda diya, aur maine kaanpte hue apne shoulders usse thoda peeche kar liye. 

Mere chehre par phir se ek darr sa aa gaya tha. Par ye darr Ayaan se nahi tha, shayad is baat ka tha ki kahin woh mujhe pehchaan na le.

"Kya hua? Kabhi kisi ladke se baat nahi ki hai kya life mein?" Usne meri aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha kya.

Maine kuch nahi kaha bas uski taraf dekhti rahi.

"Kisi ne bataya hai tumhe ki tumhari aankhen kitni... kitni... pretty hai."

Usne apna haath meri taraf sarkate hue apni sabse chhoti ungli se meri kalai ko halke se touch kiya, jaise mere bracelet ko chhone ki koshish kar raha ho, ya woh koi bahana ho. Uska touch mere shareer mein ek nayi tarah ki bijli paida kar raha tha, Raj ke touch se bilkul alag.

Tabhi sannate ko chirte hue mera phone baj utha, Raj ka call tha. Library mein ab sabki annoyed nazrein meri taraf thi. Main jaldi se khadi hui aur tezi se bhaagte hue library se bahar aa gayi.

Maine bahar aate hi phone uthaya, aur doosri taraf se Raj ki aawaz aayi, "Kanika... kahan ho tum?"

"Main... main bas... college mein aa gayi thi." Maine chalte chalte kaha.

"Achha... good. Main aata hu wapas."

Maine phone rakhte hue ek gehri saans li. Peeche dekha toh Ayaan bhi library se bahar aa gaya tha.

"Hey... suno toh."

Par main use totally ignore karte hue neeche ki taraf bhaagi. Mera dil kafi tezi se dhadak raha tha. Baar baar Ayaan ka woh softly mujhe touch karna yaad aa raha tha.

College ki building se bahar nikalte hi Raj mujhe apni aur aate hue dikh gaye. Main unki taraf tezi se badi. 

"Kanika... I am glad tumne decide kiya yahan andar aane ka." Unhone paas pahuchte hi mujhse kaha.

Maine peeche palat kar dekha toh Ayaan bhi bahar aa gaya tha aur meri aur Raj ki taraf dekh raha tha. Maine jaldi hi usse nazrein fer li aur Raj ki taraf dekhne lagi.

"Haan... woh... bahar garmi lag rahi thi."

"Meri principal se baat ho gayi hai, chalo, tumhe raaste mein sab batata hoon." Raj ne mera haath pakadte hue kaha. Unka haath sakht aur hamesha ki tarah protective tha, jaise woh mujhe duniya se safe rakhna chahte hon.

Maine ek aakhri baar peeche mudkar dekha. Ayaan wahi khada tha, uske chehre par ab muskurahat nahi balki ek ajeeb sa sawal tha. Usne Raj ko dekha, phir mere pakde hue haath ko, aur phir meri aankhon mein dekha.

Main aage dekhte hue Raj ke saath chalne lagi.

Raj ka touch ab mujhe feel nahi ho raha tha... unka haath ek grown up jaisa haath lag raha tha. Par Ayaan ka woh softly meri wrist ko touch karna? Wahan ki skin abhi bhi jaise tharthara rahi thi. Mujhe darr lagne laga tha apne aap se. Kya ye naya shareer sirf dikhne mein badla tha, ya meri pasand aur mere ehsas bhi ab badal rahe they?

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 11

Us Shaam ko main apne kamre mein bed par leti hui thi, ceiling ko dekh rahi thi. Par dimaag mein aaj ka poora din ghoom raha tha.

Woh ladke aur unki awaazein baar baar yaad aa rahi thi. "Bhai dekh..." "Kitni hot hai..." "Number de do na..."

Maine smile karte hue apni aankhein band ki. Par tab Ayaan ka chehra mere saamne aa gaya. Uska mere wrist par softly touch karna. Uski cologne ki smell. Uska woh kehna - "Tumhari aankhen kitni pretty hain..."

Mere pet mein phir se woh butterflies hone lagi. Maine palang par karwat li. Yeh kya ho raha tha mujhe?

Aisa kaise possible tha ki kisi ne bhi mujhe pehchaan nahi liya? Riya - meri best friend - usne bhi nahi pehchana. Teacher ne bhi nahi. Class ke bacche bhi nahi.

Aisa lag raha tha jaise Kanak poori tarah se gayab ho gaya tha aur uski jagah... Kanika ne le li thi.

Maine apna haath apni wrist par rakha, jahan Ayaan ne chhua tha. Woh feeling abhi bhi thi, jaise uski ungli ka nishaan meri skin par ban gaya ho. Maine jaldi se haath hata liya. Kya soch rahi thi main?


Tabhi mera phone bajne laga, Riya phone kar rahi thi. Maine phone ko dekha. Do missed calls already the uski. Par main uthana nahi chah rahi thi. Usse baat kiye hue kuch din ho gaye they, aur jaane kyun par pehle jitna comfortable nahi lag raha tha. 

Par main usse baat bhi karna chahti thi, janna chahti thi ki kahin log college mein mere baare mein baat toh nahi kar rahe they.

Phone phir se baja aur maine ek gehri saans lete hue uthaya.

"Hello..." meri aawaz dheere se nikli.

Doosri taraf ek second ka silence tha.

"Hello... sorry... yeh number..." Riya ki awaaz confused thi  "Kaun hai?" Usne mujhe... meri awaaz se shayad nahi pehchana.

Main atakte hue boli, "Riya... main hi toh hoon. Kanika." 

"KANIKA?!" Woh chillaayi. "Teri awaaz?! Kya hua? Yeh... yeh toh bilkul..."

"Ladki jaisi hai?" Mere chehre par ek muskurahat aa gayi, "Maine bataya tha na... woh nayi wali medicines le rahi hoon."

"Oh my god!" Riya ne dheere se kaha."Itna asar ho gaya un medicines ka? Mujhe ek second ke liye laga ki maine wrong number toh nahi laga diya."

"Haan... woh..."

"Achha yeh bata," Riya ne topic change karte hue sawalon ki baarish kar di, "Mera call kyun nahi utha rahi thi? Tu aaj college aayi thi kya? Sach bata mujhe."

Mere haath ne phone ko tightly pakad liya. "Ummm.... kyun?"

"Arrey bata na! Woh ladki jo hamari class mein enter hui thi aur phir jaldi se bahar nikal gayi - woh tu hi thi na?"


Maine apni aankhein band ki. "Ummm... kyun? Kisi ne kuch kaha?"

"Matlab tu hi thi!" Riya excited ho gayi. "Oh my god! Maine socha tha shayad... par confirm nahi thi. Maine tujhe tere bag se pehchana tha!"

"MERE BAG SE?!" Main ekdam seedhi baith gayi. "Shit yaar! Kisi aur ne bhi notice kiya kya?"

"Relax!" Riya hasi. "Tujhe lagta hai koi tere bag par dhyan deta tha. Par haan..." usne pause liya, mischievous tone mein, "jo hot ladki college mein aayi thi, uski baatein toh zaroor chal rahi thi."

""Shut up!" Mere gaal ekdam se garam ho gaye aur maine apni tshirt upar karte hue apna face usme ghusa liya, bilkul kisi turtle ki tarah.

"Shut up kya? Especially Ayaan, us par toh tune pata nahi kya magic kar diya. Poore college mein sabse pooch raha tha tere baare mein."

Mere dil ki dhadkan tez ho gayi. "Mere... mere baare mein? Par kyun?"

"Mujhe kya pata!" Riya hasi. "Tu zaroor mili hogi usse kahin. Deewana ho gaya hai tera. Hot hai woh, par sunna hai ek number ka flirt bhi hai. Thoda soch samajh kar aage badhiyo uske saath."

Maine unconsciously apni wrist ko touch kiya. "Pagal hai kya, kuch bhi bolti hai. Main abhi bhi... abhi bhi... waisi hi hoon na. Woh mujh mein interested kyun hoga."

"Kanika," Riya ki awaaz serious ho gayi, "tu waisi hi nahi rahi. Samajh jaa ab."

Main bilkul chup ho gayi, samajh nahi aa raha tha Riya ko kya jawaab du.

"Usko chhod, pehle yeh bata, mujhe kyun bataya ki tu aaj college aa rahi hai? Jabse yeh sab shuru hua hai, tune mujhse baat karni hi band kar di hai."

"Yaar... sorry. Main har time itni tired aur drowzy feel karti hoon na, aur... thoda awkward bhi lagta tha tujhe call karna. Aaj bhi college aane ka koi plan nahi tha, woh bas... accident tha ek."

"Hamare beech kya awkward!" Riya sochte hue boli, "Chal koi nahi, ab aage? College aayegi ya?"

"Haan shayad... Raj ne principal se baat karke mera new admission kara diya hai."

"New admission?"

"Haan... Kanika ke naam se."

"Oh! Acha..."

"Par Riya," maine nervous hokar kaha, "agar kisi ne pehchaan liya toh?"

"Koi nahi pehchanega," Riya ne confidently kaha. "Sach mein. Maine bhi bas bag se... woh bhi ek guess tha. Chehre se toh bilkul nahi."

Maine ek lambi saans li. Thoda relief lag raha tha aur saath hi kuch aur bhi. Sadness shayad? Ki main itni easily erase ho gayi thi.

"Main aana chahti hoon tujhse milne," Riya ne kaha. "I miss you yaar. A lot!"

"Me too," maine whisper mein kaha. "Par... kal doctor ki appointment hai. Uske baad milte hain?"

"Theek hai. Par promise kar. Kal ke baad no more avoiding me."

"Promise."

Phone rakhne ke baad ajeeb sa lag raha tha. Main Riya ko miss toh kar rahi thi par saath hi... usse milne ka ya baat karne ka mann nahi tha. Kyun? Kyunki woh mujhe pehle se jaanti thi... Kanak ko jaanti thi. Aur ab main poori tarah se Kanika ban gayi thi. Kanika... jo shayad uske liye bhi ek ajnabi thi.

Kitna confused feel kar rahi thi main. Maine isi confusion mein apna muh takiye mein chhupa liya.

Raat ka khana ab main apne kamre mein hi karna pasand karti thi. Bhai aur Dad ke saamne aana kafi ajeeb sa lagta tha. Khaskaar bhai, use toh maine kayi baar apni aur ek alag tarah se dekhte hue notice kiya tha. Jaise woh mujhe... mujhe bahut dhyaan se dekh raha ho. Shayad ye sab bas mera hallucination tha.

Khane ke baad main laptop par kaam kar rahi thi, college ke assignments jo itne time se pending they unhe bhi poora karna hi tha. Par mera kisi bhi cheez mein mann hi nahi lag raha tha. Kuch ajeeb sa lag raha tha, aur raat ko kafi late bhi ho gaya tha. Medicines ki thakawat fir se meri body par bhaari pad rahi thi.

Maine laptop utha kar side mein rakha aur light band karke sone ki koshish karne lagi. Par aankhen band karte hi phir se Ayaan ka chehra mere dimaag mein aaya. Uska mere kareeb baithna, woh softly touch karna, mere baalon ko mere kaan ke peeche tuck karna. Meri poori body mein ek ajeeb si sensation hone lagi thi. 

Aisa lag raha tha jaise meri poori body halke halke kaanp rahi ho. Thighs ke beech mein ek anjaani si sensation ho rahi thi. Maine apne legs adjust karke ek doosri position mein let gayi, par woh sensation gayi nahi. Balki ab woh badh rahi thi.

Main is feeling ko jaanti thi... yeh arousal tha. Par is baar bilkul alag sa mehsoos ho raha tha. Kuch der ki resistance ke baad main apna haath dheere se neeche le gayi, hesitate karte hue. Mujhe wahan apne penis par chhoona bahut acha nahi lagta tha, par main kabhi kabhi karti thi, apne body mein jama stress ko relieve karne ke liye.

Maine neeche ek girly sa pyjama pehna hua tha aur uske andar apne usual boxers. Mera haath pyjama mein ghuste hue underwear ke andar chala gaya. Aur wahan touch karne par... barely kuch feel hua.

Mera penis... jo pehle thoda sa chhune par khada ho jaata tha, aaj... ek dam chhota sa... soft sa tha, jaise kuch ho hi na. Maine use halke se touch kiya... stimulate karne ki koshish kari. Par neeche wahan se koi response nahi aaya.

Maine use apni fingers se gently pakda aur thoda rub kiya, thoda pressure daala. Par abhi bhi koi response nahi aa raha tha.



Aisa feel ho raha tha ki uska size pehle se kafi jyada chhota ho gaya ho. Shayad aaj se pehle main iss baat se bahut hi khush hoti. Par aaj... aaj meri frustration badh rahi thi.

Meri feelings pleasure thoond rahi thi par wahan chhoone se koi pleasure mil nahi raha tha. Par meri body ke baaki parts poori awareness se mujhse pleasure maang rahe they. 

Mere breasts... meri tshirt ke soft fabric ko chhute hue ekdam se kafi bade mehsoos ho rahe they. Aur nipple ekdam hard ho kar dard karne laga tha. Maine tshirt ke upar se apni breasts par ek haath rakha. Haath rakhte hi meri ek soft moan nikal gayi aur poora shareer jal utha.

Maine wahan thoda sa press kiya... nipple ke area ke paas. Ek sharp si feeling aayi... almost pleasure jaisi... par neeche abhi bhi ek chhupi. Samajh nahi aa raha tha main apne aap ko kaise satisfy karu.

Maine frustrate ho kar apna haath wahan se hata liya aur apni thighs ke beech fasate hue aankhen band kar li. Purana tareeka kaam nahi kar raha tha aur naya tareeka shayad mujhe aata nahi tha.

Mann mein doctor ki baat yaad aane lagi. Usne kaha tha ki mera Penis bas urination ke liye reh jayega... main apne aap ko usse jaldi se pleasure nahi kar payungi. Tab maine sharam ke maare uski baat poori nahi suni thi aur use chhup kara diya tha.

Maine apne sar se pillow neeche kheechte hue use tighly hug kar liya. Sab kuch kitna confusing sa lag raha tha. Itne mahino se maine is sab ke baare mein socha bhi nahi tha. Par aaj Ayaan ke zara se touch ne mera bura haal kar diya tha. Uska chehra, uski smell, uska touch mujhe pagal sa kar raha tha.

Maine apne haath legs ke beech mein se nikalte hue apne legs ko ek doosre se alag kiya. Bechaini phir bhi nahi gayi aur phir se unhe jaldi se ek doosre ke paas kiya.

Jhunjhulat aur garmi mein maine apne upar se t-shirt utaar fenki aur apne breasts ko chhua. Breasts abhi bhi kafi sensitive they. Maine apne haath halke se un par rakhe aur phir dheere se squeeze kiya. Uffff.... yeh achha lag raha tha. Kaash koi inhe... kas ke daba de... ahhhhh....



Neeche ek feeling aane lagi, par size abhi bhi chhota raha. Bas thoda thoda sa hi sab mehsoos ho raha tha. Meri frustration badti jaa rahi thi.

Maine apne aap ko har jagah chhuu kar dekha. Apni patli silky kamar par haath ferte hue, apni chikni ass ko dabate hue. Kuch asar nahi kar raha tha.

Finally, thak kar, frustrated hokar, maine try karna chhod diya. Bas leti rahi, ceiling ki taraf dekhte hue. Body mein abhi bhi ek jhanjhanat si ho rahi thi.

Yeh nayi body Ayaan ke naam se respond toh kar rahi thi par satisfaction nahi de paa rahi thi. Pata nahi main kab tak jagi rahi aur kab jaakar mujhe neend aayi. Par jab subah uthi toh ek chidchida pan sa tha, poore shareer mein ek frustration si badti jaa rahi thi.

Main aise nahi reh sakti thi. Aaj jab us doctor se milungi tab usse shayad mujhe is sab ke baare mein baat karni hi padegi kisi tarah. Aur koi raasta nahi tha.

[Celebrorn]

Story with very unique concept great keep it up
Raj aur kanika ke. Beech kissing to karwao at least

Thank you! Sahi time par unke beech sab hoga!

[Celebrorn]

Chapter 12

Agle din, main Doctor Bhargava ke clinic ke room mein baithi hui thi, apne haathon ko apni godi rakh kar tightly pakde hue. Is baar toh shayad pichhli baar se bhi jyada anxiety ho rahi thi. Sab kuch itna shaant tha andar ki mujhe apni saans lene ki aawaz bhi aa rahi thi. Aur shayad meri saansein kuch jyada tez bhi chal rahi thi.

Wahan baithe baithe pichhli baar ki visit detail mein yaad aane lagi. Agar yeh visit bhi pichhli baar jaisi hui toh? Yeh khayal aate hi mere haath buri tarah kaanpne lage. 

Us din ka poora scene meri aankhon ke saamne ghoomne laga. Woh gown jisme slits thi - covered par phir bhi poori tarah exposed. Doctor ke bare hands meri skin par. Kaise woh as a doctor mere muscle tissues feel kar rahe they. Par jaane kyun, feeling... andar se feeling kuch aur hi aa rahi thi.

Unhone kahan nahi touch kiya tha mujhe. Meri thighs, back... ass... ufff... mere boobs, jo tab isse kaafi chhote they... aur wahan bhi neeche... mere scrotum par. Sochte hi mere chehre ka rang us din ki tarah udd gaya. Kitna royi thi main us din baad mein akele mein. Kabhi pehle aisa nahi mehsoos hua tha.

Socha tha ab kabhi yahan wapis nahi aayunga. Aur laga bhi tha ki yeh medicine kaun sa aisa jaadu kar degi jo ab tak li medicines ne nahi kiya hai.

Pichhli baar jab main yahan aayi thi, tab shayad physically main Kanika kam aur Kanak jyada thi. Par pichhle ek mahine mein hi sab kuch ekdam se badal gaya tha. Main soch bhi nahi sakti thi ki sab kuch itna jaldi ho jayega. Woh medicine sach mein kisi magic pill se kam nahi thi. Par saath hi side-effects, ufff... ab main har raat itni horny kyun feel karti thi. Kisi se iss sab ke baare mein baat bhi nahi kar sakti thi.

Achanak se mere kaanpte hue haath ko ek haath ne thaama. Raj ka haath. Woh mere saath hi baithe they. Unke bina toh main yahan aane ki himmat hi nahi kar sakti thi.

"Kanika," unki aawaz mein kafi softness thi, "Tum theek ho?"

Maine unki taraf dekha toh paaya ki unki aankhon mein ek kafi genuine sa concern tha mere liye. Maine dheere se haan mein sar hilaya par haath abhi bhi kaanp raha tha. Shayad unhone yeh mehsoos karte hue mera haath aur kas ke pakad liya.

Tabhi ek darwaza khulne ki aawaz aayi aur Doctor Bhargava tez kadmon se chalte hue aakar hamare saamne baith gaye. Maine turant hi apna haath Raj ki pakad se chhudate hue apni godi mein rakh liya. 

Us din shayad maine unhe itni gaur se nahi dekha tha, par Doctor Bhargava, sach mein doctor kam aur ek scientist jyada lagte they. Woh kafi lambe aur patle insaan they. Apne upar ek lamba sa white coat daale, jo kisi lab coat jaisa lag raha tha. Unke chehre par ek halki si smile thi par phir bhi unke expressions padna kafi mushkil tha.

Woh meri taraf intensely dekhne lage. Unki teekhi nazrein jaise mujhe scan kar rahi ho, mere har badlav ko bin kahe note kar rahi ho. Saath hi mein room ka silence mujhe aur jyada uncomfortable kar raha tha. Main chair mein halke se shift hui aur mere muh se halke se ek aawaz nikli.

"So... how have you been Miss Kanika.... Kanika Malhotra," Doctor ne apne saamne rakhe ipad par ek nazar daalte hue kaha.

"It's actually Kanika Sareen... not Malhotra," maine dheere se bolte hue unhe correct kiya.

"Oh sorry, I thought you and..." Doctor ki nazrein ek pal ke liye Raj par thehri aur phir jaldi se wapas mujhe par aa gayi, "Anyway... I must say this is just remarkable." 

Doctor Bhargava ne apne ipad par click kiya aur ek badi screen par ek insaan ki outline aa gayi. Woh shayad... shayad nahi pakka pichhli baar ki main tha. Ek flat si chhati, ek ladke ka dhancha jisme badlav ki bas shuruaat thi. Maine apni nazrein jhuka li. Mujhe us purane saaye ko dekh kar ek ajeeb si bechaini hone lagi. 

"Jitni progress aapne ek mahine mein ki hai, I have never seen this before," Doctor Bhargava ki awaaz mein wahi scientist wali excitement thi. "It's just incredible. Your voice is... beautiful now. Kaafi feminine aur soft. How are you feeling about this quick change?"

"Ummm.... good I guess," maine hichkichate hue kaha. Meri apni nayi awaaz mere kaano mein kisi ajnabi ki tarah lag rahi thi.

"Why guess? Why not know?" Unki nazrein screen se hatt kar seedha mujh par aa gayi.

"No... I mean... it's good actually. Sab kuch itna jaldi ho raha hai ki kabhi kabhi lagta hai jaise main koi sapna dekh rahi hoon," maine sach kaha. Par us sapne mein jo bechaini thi, woh main unhe kaise batati.

"Yes... exactly. You will be like a case study for this medicine," Doctor ne kaha, unki ungliyan ipad par tezi se chal rahi thi.

"No Doctor, I don't think we want to make Kanika a case study for anything," Raj ki gehri awaaz room mein goonji. Unhone mera haath nahi pakda tha, par unka kehne ka lehza hi kaafi tha Doctor ko apni hadd yaad dilaane ke liye.

"Ofcourse. I was just... uhmmmm. I apologize." Doctor ne apne aap ko recompose kiya. "So... Miss Sareen... any side effects? Any unusual concerns? Medicines lene ke baad body mein koi aisi sensation jo pehle nahi thi?"

Mera dil zor se dhadakne laga. Mere dimaag mein raat ka woh manzar ghoom gaya, Ayaan ka khayal, meri tharr-tharrati body, aur woh nakamyab koshish khud ko satisfy karne ki. Mere gaal garam hone lage. Kya main unhe bataun ki meri body ab control se bahar ho rahi hai? Ya yeh ki neeche ab sab kuch numb sa lagta hai?

Maine Raj ki taraf dekha. Woh meri taraf hi dekh rahe they, jaise mere jawab ka intezar kar rahe hon.

"Doctor woh... nahi... koi khaas concerns nahi... bas thoda pain aur sensitivity... tiredness."

"Yes... that is expected. I think given the progress hume dosage thodi kam karni hogi. Also, with this rapid change, I need to see you more frequently, maybe every other week. Mr. Raj, is that ok?"

Raj ne halke se haan mein sar hilaya. Unka chehra shant tha, par meri dhadkan tez ho gayi. Har do hafte mein yahan aana? Is clinical room mein, Doctor Bhargava ki un scanning nazron ke saamne?

"Doctor," maine hichkichate hue kaha, "Kya yeh zaroori hai? I mean... har doosre hafte yahan aana?"

"Miss Sareen," Doctor Bhargava ne apne ipad par kuch final notes likhte hue kaha, unka tone ab thoda aur clinical ho gaya tha, "Aapki body jis tezi se respond kar rahi hai, use closely monitor karna ek medical necessity hai. This is after all an experimental drug, and we all need to be careful. Don't worry, I will waive the fees for these extra visits."

"No, it's not about the..." maine pareshaan hote hue Raj ki taraf dekha, main kaise unhe samjhaati ki mere mann mein kya ghabhrahat thi.

Raj ne meri taraf dekhte hue gently nod kiya, "It's ok Doctor... we understand and will be here. You don't need to waive the fees."

"Great! Toh medicine adjustment karne se pehle, lets have another round of scans and examinations for the charts, so we can all keep track."

Unki yeh baat sunte hi mere aankhen ekdam se badi ho gayi aur pet ko anxiety ne jakad liya.

"Examination... aaj phir se."

Doctor ne meri bechaini dekhi par unke chehre par wahi sapat expression tha. "Nahi, it will be quick today. Nurse Deepa will manage everything. I am running a bit behind right now, but I can have a look at the scans and adjust the medication."

Doctor Bhargava halke se nod karte hue, apne ipad ko samet-te hue, tez kadmon se bahar nikal gaye. Woh chale bhi gaye they aur main unse apne sawaal bhi nahi pooch paayi thi. Shit... socha tha ek baar phir end mein try karungi bolna ka par yeh meeting abruptly hi khatam ho gayi. Kamre mein bas main aur Raj reh gaye they aur hamare beech ek silence. 

Tabhi kamre mein ek nurse aayi, "Miss Kanika, aap mere saath aaiye. Aapke scans karne hai."

Maine Raj ki taraf ek bebas nazar dali. Unhone mera haath halke se thapthapaya. "Jao, main bahar hi wait kar raha hoon. It’s okay."

Nurse mujhe ek chote se, thande room mein le gayi jahan ki safed lights meri aankhon ko chubh rahi thi. "Aap yeh gown pehen lijiye. Make sure body par koi metal na ho," nurse ne badi mechanical awaaz mein kaha, jaise woh rozana hazaron logo ko yahi kehti ho.

Jab main us curtain ke peeche apne kapde utaar rahi thi, toh meri ungliyan kaanp rahi thi. Maine aaine mein ek pal ke liye khud ko dekha. Ek mahine pehle ke muqable meri body mein ab aur bhi curves aa gaye they. Meri skin pehle se kahin zyada soft... aur shayad zyada sensitive lag rahi thi.


Nurse ne curtain ke bahar se awaaz di, "Ho gaya? Hume jaldi karna hoga, machine ready hai."

Maine jaldi se woh thanda gown pehna aur bahar aayi. Unhone mujhe ek metallic table par letne ko kaha. "Aapko bilkul hila nahi hai. Yeh machine aapki body ko scan karegi. Thoda shor hoga, par ghabrana nahi."

Jaise hi main us table par leti, mujhe pichhli baar ka woh touch yaad aane laga. Bhale hi ab doctor wahan nahi they, par woh machine ki scanning lights jaise meri body ke har naye hisse ko nanga kar rahi thi. Woh scanner ki roshni meri band aankhon ke peeche se bhi dikh rahi thi, mere naye ubharon ko, meri thighs ko... meri har us change ko record kar rahi thi jise main abhi khud bhi puri tarah samajh nahi paayi thi.

Ufff... kab khatam hoga yeh sab, maine yeh sochte hue aankhen band kar li.

Machine ki ghar-gharati aawaz aur wo thandi roshni mere jism ko baar-baar chhoo rahi thi. Maine aankhen kas ke band kar li thi, par mere dimaag mein bahut kuch chal raha tha. Dheere-dheere, mujhe apne aas-paas ki aawazein dhundli lagne lagi aur main bilkul sunn padd gayi. Na dar, na ghabrahat... bas ek gehri khamoshi. Shayad pata bhi nahi chala ki machine bhi band ho chuki thi.

"Miss Kanika? Ho gaya hai. Aap uth sakti hain." Nurse ki mechanical aawaz ne jaise mujhe kisi gehri neend se jagaya.

Main dhire se uthi, mere jism mein ek ajeeb si thakaan thi. Kapde pehente waqt mere haath ab bhi thode sust they. Jab main wapas us kamre mein pahuchi, toh Raj wahi corridor mein baithe mera intezar kar rahe they. Mujhe dekhte hi wo khade ho gaye, unki aankhon mein shayad kuch sawaal they, par maine bas nazrein jhuka li.

Hume thodi der aur wait karna pada. Phir nurse ne aakar hume ek bag thama diya.

"Ismein nayi medication hai, dosage adjust kar di gayi hai," nurse ne samjhate hue kaha, "Saath hi pain aur sensitivity ke liye bhi kuch medicines di hain."

Maine us bag ko thama toh wo halka tha, par phir bhi pakda nahi jaa raha tha. Raj ne meri halat ko samajhte hue bag ko mere haathon se le liya aur mera haath halke se pakad kar mujhe clinic se bahar le aaye.

Clinic se bahar nikalte hi Delhi ki us garam hawa ne mere chehre ko chhua, par mere dimaag mein ab bhi wahi ghutan thi. Main na toh apna koi sawaal pooch paayi thi, aur na hi apni bechaini bayan kar saki thi. Ab shayad har doosre hafte mujhe isi darr aur isi exposure se guzarna hoga.

Raj ne car ka darwaza khola aur main bina kuch kahe andar baith gayi. Maine khidki se bahar dekhte hue ek gehri saans li. Samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kya better tha - meri pehli wali life jahan main Kanika na ho kar bhi Kanika thi, ya phir yeh nayi waali jahan main Kanika toh ban gayi thi par saath yeh aisa lag raha tha jaise kuch kho diya ho.

Ufff... shayad Riya sahi kehti hai, main kuch jyada hi melodramatic ho jaati hoon. Maine khud ko mann hi maan jhaadte hue socha.

Raj ne car start ki aur meri khamoshi ko bhaamp liya. Unhone ek side-glance diya aur phir ek gehri saans lekar bole, "Waise Kanika, ek baat toh maanni padegi..."

Unki aawaz sunkar mera dhyan unki taraf gaya, main toh bhool bhi gayi thi ki woh abhi bhi mere saath hi they.

"Kya baat?"

"Doctor Bhargava ke clinic jaakar aisa lagta hai jaise kisi doctor ke yahan nahi, balki kisi Mad Scientist ki secret lab mein aa gaye ho. Bas ek bijli kadakne ki der hai, aur andhere mein unki zor zor ki villain wali hasi!"

Meri hichki jaisi ek hansi nikal gayi. "Itne bhi bure nahi hain woh."

Raj ne halka sa sir jhatka, unke hothon par ek sharaarat-bhari muskurahat thi. "Haan par... mujhe kya pata tha. Mujhe laga ek doctor ki tarah hi honge. Par aaj toh woh tumhe ek specimen banane ke baare mein soch chuke they. Bach ke rehna, kahin tumhara DNA lekar experiment hi na karne lage."

Unka yeh achanak mazaakiya andaaz itna unexpected tha ki meri saari anxiety jaise dhuein mein udd gayi. Raj hamesha itne serious aur protective rehte hain, par unhe is tarah Doctor Bhargava ki khichai karte dekh kar mera mann ekdam halka ho gaya.

"Woh bure ho ya na ho... aap bahut bure ho." Maine haste hue kaha aur pehli baar clinic se nikalne ke baad sach mein relax mehsoos kiya.

Ekdam se unke dono haath steering se uth gaye, "Kyun? Maine kya kiya?"

Maine darr ke maare ek halki si cheekh maari aur turant unka ek baazu pakad liya. "Raj! Haath wapas steering par rakhiye! Aap accident karwa denge!"


Maine ekdam se realize kiya ki main unki baazu ko kas ke pakde hue hoon. Maine dheere se apna haath peeche kheecha, par mere gaal ab garmi se tap rahe they. Raj ne zor se thahaka lagaya, unki hansi car ke cabin mein goonj uthi. Unhone steering wapas thaam li thi, par unke chehre par abhi bhi woh shararat barkarar thi.

"Darr gayi? Mujhe laga tumhe adventures pasand hain," unhone wink karte hue kaha.

"Aise adventures nahi!" maine tez aawaz mein unhe jaldi se jawaab diya. Mera dil abhi bhi tezi se dhadak raha tha, par is baar yeh anxiety ki wajah se nahi, balki is achanak se hui excitement ki wajah se tha.

Car tezi se chale jaa rahi thi aur mere dimaag mein ek nayi pareshaani ghar banane lagi. Pichhle ek mahine mein jo kuch hua tha, usme main shayad yeh bhool gayi thi ki Raj aur meri engagement ho chuki thi. Chahe jhoothi hi sahi, par woh mere fiance they. Oh god, sochte hi kitna ajeeb sa lag raha tha.

Woh kitna effort kar rahe they mere liye - jaldi jaldi Mumbai se Delhi aana, mujhe Doctor ke paas le jaana, mere college jaakar principal se baat karna, mujhe shopping karana, ek nayi look dilwana. Hamari family literally unke ghar mein reh rahi thi, jahan unhone mera kamre specially mere liye arrange karwaya tha.

Kya yeh sab sirf us deal ka hissa tha?

Woh jaante they na ki sab nakli tha... matlab meri side se unke liye koi aisi waisi feeling nahi thi. Unhone hi toh agree kiya tha sab kuch start mein. Ab jaane kyun itna guilty sa feel ho raha tha unki madad lena is sab mein. 

Shit... pata nahi unke mann mein chal raha hai. Kya woh is sab ko ek zimmedaari ki tarah dekh rahe hai, ya phir meri is nayi body ko dekh kar unka mann badal gaya hai. Nahi... nahi... main galat soch rahi thi. Woh toh mujhe aise hi accept karne ke liye tayyar they, jab main bilkul alag lagti thi. Par kyun? Aaj tak nahi samajh aaya tha. 

"Kya hua? Phir se kaun si zone mein chali gayi?" Raj ki narm awaaz ne mujhe hosh mein laya.

Maine unki taraf dekh kar bas ek halki si muskurahat di. "Nahi... kuch nahi. Bas aise hi."

Maine khidki se nazrein hata kar unhe bade gaur se dekha. Raj... unhe dekh kar koi keh nahi sakta tha ki woh 40 plus hain. Unka sharp jawline, woh gehri aankhein jo abhi bhi thodi der pehle ki shararat se chamak rahi thi, aur unka fit hona, woh sach mein bahut handsome aur smart lagte hain.

Sirf dikhne mein hi nahi, woh dil ke bhi bahut saaf hain. Jitna woh mera khayal rakhte hain, meri har choti bechaini ko bin kahe samajh lete hain, aur jis tarah unhone aaj mera mood light kiya. Woh sach mein bahut kind aur funny hain.

Achanak ne mann me ek aur ajeeb sa khayal aaya. Agar mujhe sach mein unse shaadi karni padi, toh shayad... It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to marry him.

Par yeh main kya soch rahi hoon? Mera dil ek pal ke liye dhak se reh gaya. Kyun mere dimaag mein aise sawal aa rahe hain? Kya yeh clinic ki thakaan thi, ya phir bas meri overthinking?

"Kanika," Raj aage ki taraf dekhte hue dheere se bole, "Main aaj shaam wapas jaa raha hoon. I think college mein ab sab set hona chahiye, you can start going next week. Just call me immediately agar koi bhi issue ho toh."

"Hmmm... aap aaj hi jaa rahe hai?"

"Haan... kuch kaam hai. And then shayad main ek mahine tak nahi aa payunga, Ananya US se aa rahi hai."

"Ananya... aapki daughter," maine sochte hue kaha. Aaj shayad kafi dino baad hi Ananya ka jikr hua tha, woh uske baare mein baat nahi karte they, aur na main kuch poochti thi. Mujhe toh pata bhi nahi tha ki woh dikhti kaisi thi. 

"Par... agar aap yahan nahi hue toh Doctor Bhargava ki visit?" Yeh sawaal muh se nikalte hi meri anxiety phir se badne lagi.


Raj ne car ki speed thodi kam ki aur ek gehri saans li. "Hmm... I am sure you can manage. Par agar lage toh Riya ko saath le jaana?"

"Nahi! Riya nahi," maine jaldi se kaha, phir apni aawaz ko sambhalte hue bola, "I mean... woh kafi busy rehti hai, main use disturb nahi karna chahti. Main manage kar loongi."

Main Riya ke saath wahan bilkul nahi jaana chahti thi. Uske saamne Doctor ke personal sawaal, aur scans aur baaki sab, nahi. Kabhi nahi.

Raj ne mujhe ek gehri nazar se dekha, jaise woh meri ghabrahat ko padhne ki koshish kar rahe hon. "Okay, jaisa tumhe sahi lage. But promise me, agar koi bhi baat ho, chahe woh doctor ka clinic ho ya college, tum mujhe call karogi."

"Promise," maine dheere se kaha.

Gadi building ke neeche ruki. Raj ne engine band kiya aur unka dhyan ek pal ke liye mere chehre par thehar gaya. Unka aaj shaam chale jaana mujhe achanak se bahut khaali mehsoos karwa raha tha. Is baar shayad humne kafi jyada time spend kiya tha saath mein. Abhi toh mujhe unki aadat honi shuru hui thi, unka mazaak, unka protectiveness... aur ab ek mahine tak woh mere paas nahi honge.

"Raj," maine kafi softly kaha, "I just want to say..."

"It's okay Kanika. Thank you ki zaroorat nahi hai," unhone turant kaha, jaise woh pehle se hi jaante hon ki main kya bolungi.

"Nahi, sirf thank you nahi kehna tha," maine thoda ruk kar, unki aankhon mein dekhte hue kaha. "Aap sach mein bahut achhe ho... I will miss you."

Meri baat sunkar Raj ke chehre par ek aisi muskurahat aayi jo maine pehle kabhi nahi dekhi thi, thodi hairani, thoda sukoon. Unhone kuch pal tak kuch nahi kaha, bas mujhe dekhte rahe.

"I’ll miss you too, Kanika," unhone kafi naram aawaz mein jawaab diya. "Apna dhyan rakhna. Sirf ek call ki der hai, and I will be here for you."

Hum dono ek muskurahat liye, car se utare aur lift ki taraf chal pade. Aaj Raj ke saath chalna itna ajeeb sa bhi nahi lag raha tha.

[Celebrorn]

I am looking to complete the Shreya story first and then will come back to this after that.