Update 06
Subah ka waqt tha, lekin breakfast table ka maahol ek ajeeb si awkwardness se bhara hua tha. Sab log fresh ho kar table par aa gaye the, lekin Riti aur Rajat ke beech ek anjaani khamoshi thi. Naina ne turant yeh notice kar liya.
Naina ne casual tone mein tease karte hue kaha, “Arey, yeh dono itne chup kyun hain? Kal tak toh beach pe ek dusre ka peecha nahi chhod rahe the. Kya raat ko kuch secret baatein ho gayi jo hume nahi pata?”
Riti ne apni aankhon ko neeche kar liya, aur uska chehra ekdum laal ho gaya. Uska dimaag ab bhi raat ke us moment mein atka hua tha. Woh guilt aur confusion ke beech phasi hui thi. *"Maine kya kar diya? Yeh sab kaise ho gaya? Yeh galat hai, lekin us moment mein sab kuch itna sahi kyun lag raha tha?"* usne apne mann mein socha.
Dusri taraf, Rajat ne bhi Naina ke tease ko suna, lekin uska dimaag Riti ke behavior ko analyze kar raha tha. Riti aaj ekdum different behave kar rahi thi. Woh usse aankhon mein aankhein mila ke baat bhi nahi kar rahi thi. Rajat ko laga shayad yeh is wajah se ho raha hai kyunki usne apne boyfriend Aryan ko cheat kiya. *"Shayad Riti guilty feel kar rahi hai kyunki usne Aryan ke saath hone ke bawajood mere saath woh sab hone diya,"* Rajat ne socha.
Lekin uske andar ek ajeeb si feeling bhi thi. *"Mujhe uska guilt nahi chahiye. Mujhe chahiye ki woh accept kare ki jo kuch bhi hua, woh sirf ek galti nahi tha... usme feelings thi,"* Rajat ne apne aap se kaha.
Rohan ne bhi notice kiya ki dono ke expressions thode ajeeb hain, toh usne casually kaha, "Tum dono theek ho na? Kya hua?"
Riti ne turant composed hote hue kaha, "Haan, bas thoda thakaan hai."
Naina ne ek teasing smile ke saath kaha, "Haan, haan, thakaan toh zaroor hogi. Kal raat toh kafi interesting rahi hogi, hai na?"
Riti ne zor se paani ka glass uthaya aur sip le liya, jaise kuch ignore kar rahi ho. Rajat ne ek halki si smile di, lekin uska dimaag ab bhi Riti ke reaction ko analyze kar raha tha.
Sabne jaldi-jaldi breakfast complete kiya aur wapas ghar jaane ke liye tayar ho gaye. Car ka atmosphere bhi thoda awkward tha. Rajat aur Riti dono ek dusre se door baithe the, lekin dono ek dusre ko chhupke chhupke dekh rahe the.
Naina ne music on kar diya aur casually bola, "Riti, ghar jaake kya plan hai? Ya ab bhi trip ka mood bana hua hai?"
Riti ne ek halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Nahi, ghar jaake relax karna hai."
Naina ne mazaak mein tease karte hue kaha, "Aur Rajat ka kya plan hai? Mujhe lagta hai ki koi special thoughts chal rahe hain uske dimaag mein."
Rajat ne ek halki si smile ke saath kaha, "Kuch nahi didi, bas relax karna hai."
Lekin uska dimaag ab bhi Riti par atka hua tha. Woh uska yeh distance feel kar raha tha aur usse clear answers chahiye the.
Jaise hi sab ghar pahunche, Riti ne turant apne room ki taraf jaane ka socha, lekin Rajat ne uska haath pakad liya aur dheere se bola, "Hume baat karni chahiye."
Riti ne ek second ke liye uski aankhon mein dekha, lekin phir jaldi se apna haath chhudake room ki taraf chal padi.
Rajat uska yeh reaction dekh ke aur confuse ho gaya. *"Woh mujhse bach rahi hai? Kya woh sach mein guilty hai? Ya phir uske dil mein bhi kuch hai jo woh accept nahi karna chahti?"* usne socha.
Riti apne room mein jaakar bed pe gir gayi. Uska dil ab bhi fast dhadak raha tha. Woh ab bhi samajhne ki koshish kar rahi thi ki uska future kya hoga. Rajat ko lekar jo attraction uske andar hai, kya woh ignore kar sakti hai? Ya yeh ek naya chapter hai jo uski life ko completely change kar dega?
college ka din shuru ho chuka tha, lekin Riti ka dimaag ab bhi uljhanon se bhara tha. Usne Aryan se door rehne ka decide kar liya tha. Kal raat jo kuch bhi hua tha, uske baad uska Aryan ke saath ka connection dheere-dheere fade ho raha tha. Lekin Aryan aaj subah se uske aas-paas ghoom raha tha, usse baat karne ki koshish kar raha tha.
"Riti, please ek baar baat sun lo," Aryan ne uske locker ke paas aakar kaha.
Riti ne bina uski taraf dekhe kaha, "Mujhe tumse baat nahi karni, Aryan."
Aryan thoda desperate lag raha tha. "Mujhe pata hai ki kal raat jo fight hui thi, usme main thoda possessive behave kar raha tha, but tumhe samajhna hoga... main tumse pyaar karta hoon."
Riti ne ek pal ke liye Aryan ki taraf dekha, lekin uske andar koi bhi waise emotions nahi aaye jaise pehle hua karte the. *"Main pehle isse kitna pasand karti thi, lekin ab... ab sab kuch change ho gaya hai,"* usne apne mann mein socha.
"Main late ho rahi hoon, Aryan. Please mujhe jaane do," Riti ne finally kaha aur classroom ki taraf chal padi, leaving Aryan standing there with a confused and helpless look.
### **Evening: Rajat Comes to Pick Riti**
college ka din khatam ho chuka tha, aur sab apne ghar ja rahe the. Riti ne Naina ko message kiya tha ki usse koi pick karne aaye, lekin Naina busy thi, isliye usne Rajat se pick karne ko kaha.
Rajat college ke gate ke samne apni car se aaya aur casually ek taraf khada ho gaya, Riti ka intezaar karte hue. Jaise hi Riti bahar aayi, uski nazar pehle Aryan par padhi, jo ab bhi uska wait kar raha tha.
Jaise hi Aryan ne Rajat ko dekha, uska expression turant badal gaya. Usne Riti se directly poocha, "Yeh kaun hai? Tum iske saath kahan ja rahi ho?"
Riti ne calmly kaha, "Aryan, main ghar ja rahi hoon. Yeh Rajat hai."
Aryan ka face gusse se laal ho gaya. "Tum ekdum badal gayi ho, Riti! Pehle tum mujhe avoid kar rahi thi, aur ab kisi aur ladke ke saath ja rahi ho? Tum mujhe explain toh kar sakti ho na?"
Aryan ka possessive behavior Rajat ko pasand nahi aaya. Usne turant aage badh kar Aryan ka collar pakad liya aur ek gusse bhari awaaz mein bola, "Usse apni life jeene do, samjha? Tum kaun hote ho uske decisions par question karne wale?"
Aryan ekdum stiff ho gaya. Uske chehre pe darr tha, kyunki Rajat usse umar aur body dono mein bada tha.
"Rajat, chhodo use!" Riti ne turant intervene kiya.
Aryan ne gusse se kaha, "Tum mujhe chod rahi ho sirf iske liye?"
Riti ne ek deep breath li aur Aryan ki aankhon mein dekha, "Haan, Aryan. Tumhare aur mere beech jo tha, woh khatam ho chuka hai. Tumhe accept karna hoga."
Aryan ka chehra ekdam disappointed ho gaya, lekin uske paas koi choice nahi thi. Rajat ne ab bhi uska collar pakad rakha tha, lekin Riti ne Rajat ka haath gently kheench liya aur usse chalne ka signal diya.
Rajat ne ek last warning di Aryan ko, "Stay away from her."
Riti aur Rajat car ki taraf chale gaye, leaving Aryan standing there, helpless aur defeated. Uska face ek mixture tha shock, heartbreak, aur gusse ka, lekin uske paas ab koi option nahi tha.
Car ke andar, Riti ne ek deep breath li. Rajat ne uski taraf dekha aur softly kaha, "Tum theek ho?"
Riti ne thoda nervous expression ke saath uski taraf dekha, "Haan... bas thoda ajeeb feel ho raha hai."
Rajat ne ek halki si smile di, "Ajeeb kyun? Tumne ek achha decision liya."
Riti ne uske taraf dekha, lekin kuch nahi kaha. Uska dil ab bhi fast dhadak raha tha. Jo kuch bhi hua, usne ek aur cheez clear kar di thi—uska Aryan ke saath jo bhi tha, woh ab sirf ek past tha. Aur Rajat... Rajat ke saath jo connection develop ho raha tha, woh ab aur strong ho chuka tha.
Car ke andar ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi. Riti window ke bahar dekh rahi thi, aur Rajat steering par apna dhyan laga raha tha, lekin uska mann uske expressions observe kar raha tha. **"Yeh thoda upset lag rahi hai, shayad Aryan aur jo fight hui uski wajah se,"** Rajat ne socha.
Thodi der baad, usne atmosphere halka karne ke liye casually baat ched di, "Toh madam, college kaisa chal raha hai? Exams ki tayari ho rahi hai ya sirf masti ho rahi hai?"
Riti ne halka sa hansi suppress karte hue kaha, "Padhai toh ho rahi hai, lekin ab college mein distractions zyada lagne lage hain."
Rajat ne ek teasing smile ke saath bola, "Haan, distractions toh mujhe bhi dikh rahe hain. Ek ladka jo bechara maara-maari tak aa gaya."
Riti ne uski taraf dekha aur has padhi, "Tumne unnecessary fight ki Rajat, Aryan bas possessive ho raha tha."
Rajat ne uska cone face banate hue kaha, "Ohh madam, toh possessiveness allow hai? Koi bhi aake tumhe roke, tumse chipakne ki koshish kare, aur main chup chap dekhun?"
Riti hasne lagi, "Tum bhi na, ekdum filmy ho!"
Rajat ne hans kar bola, "Filmy nahi, protective hoon. Tum ab meri responsibility ho."
Riti ne uski taraf dekha, **"Meri responsibility? Yeh alag hi tareeke se keh raha hai,"** usne mann mein socha, lekin uski baatein sunke achha lag raha tha.
Rajat ne ek idea socha aur bola, "Achha suno, tum thodi off lag rahi ho, ek kaam karte hain, ek special treat lete hain."
Usne car ek ice cream parlor ke samne roki aur bola, "Aao, kuch meetha ho jaye."
Riti ne surprise hoke uski taraf dekha, "Sach mein? Mujhe laga tumhe sirf gym aur diet ka shauk hai."
Rajat ne has kar bola, "Haan, lekin jab tumhare jaise cute log saath ho toh ice cream chalti hai!"
Dono andar gaye aur ek-ek ice cream cone liya. Riti ne chocolate flavor liya aur Rajat ne butterscotch. Car ke bonnet ke paas khade hoke dono enjoy kar rahe the.
Rajat ne casually kaha, "Ek baar tumhara cone taste karna hai."
Riti ne bina soche apni ice cream uske taraf badha di, aur Rajat ne ek bite li. Phir usne apna cone Riti ke taraf kiya, "Lo, tum bhi try karo."
Riti ne uska cone taste kiya aur hasne lagi, "Yeh toh ek tarah se indirect kissing ho gayi na?"
Rajat ne uski baat sunke mischievous smile di, "Agar indirect ho gayi hai, toh direct bhi try kar lein?"
Riti ekdum blush kar gayi aur surprise hoke uski taraf dekha. Uske sochne se pehle, Rajat ne apna cone ek taraf rakha aur dheere se Riti ke paas aaya. Usne softly uske lips par ek gentle kiss diya.
Riti ek pal ke liye shock mein thi, lekin jab Rajat ne uske lips ko aur thoda softly press kiya, toh woh resist nahi kar pai. Uske lips ab bhi thande the ice cream ki wajah se, aur uski tongue ka halka sa chocolate aur butterscotch mix flavor Riti ko feel ho raha tha.
Uska dil tez dhadak raha tha, lekin woh moment itna soothing aur comforting tha ki usne resist karna band kar diya. Rajat ne dheere se kiss aur deepen kiya, uski tongue softly explore karne lagi. Riti ke andar ek warmth feel hone lagi, jo usne kabhi experience nahi ki thi.
Jab woh dono breathless hue, Rajat ne softly uski aankhon mein dekha aur bola, "Ab toh officially couple ho gaye na?"
Riti ne sharmate hue ek halki si smile di aur dheere se nodded kar diya. Uska face ekdum laal ho gaya tha, lekin andar hi andar woh bohot khush thi. Rajat uska haath pakad ke bola, "Bas itna bata do, enjoy kiya ya nahi?"
Riti ne dheere se kaha, "Haan..."
Rajat ne hans kar uske nose ko softly pinch kiya, "Mujhe pata tha."
Dono car mein wapas baithe aur ghar ki taraf chal diye. Ab car ka atmosphere bilkul different tha, jo pehle awkwardness thi woh ab ek sweet comfort mein badal chuki thi. Riti ek naye journey ki taraf badh rahi thi, jo shayad uske liye unexpected thi, lekin ekdum sahi feel ho rahi thi.
Jaise hi Reeti aur Rajat ghar ke andar aaye, dono ke chehre pe ek ajeeb si sharmaahat thi. Reeti ke gaal gulabi pad chuke the, aur uske hothon pe ab bhi Rajat ke choomne ka ehsaas baaki tha. Uska dil zor se dhadak raha tha, jaise koi naya raaz chhupa ho. Dusri taraf Rajat bina ek shabd kahe seedha apne kamre ki taraf chala gaya, jaise koi bhaag raha ho.
Naina, jo sofa pe relax kar rahi thi, dono ki body language ko dekhte hi muskura di. Uski tez aankhon se kuch bhi chhupa nahi tha. Usne apne haath fold kiye aur ek shaitaani smile ke saath boli,
"Aree wah, kya baat hai! Tum dono itne sharma kyun rahe ho? Aise expressions toh tab hote hain jab… kuch khaas hota hai!”
Rajat bina kuch kahe seedha apne kamre mein ghus gaya. Reeti wahi khadi rahi, apne dupatte ke kone se khelti huyi, jaise kuch bolna chahti ho par sharam rok rahi ho.
Naina ne uski haalat dekhkar aur bhi maza lene ka socha. Usne sofa pe thoda adjust karte hue bola,
"Reeti, idhar baitho. Mujhe bhi batao, kya chhupa rahi ho?"
Reeti dheere se aayi, lekin uski saansein tez chal rahi thi. Woh jitna chup rehna chahti thi, Naina utna hi zyada jaan'ne ko betaab thi.
Naina ne uske haath pakad liye aur aankh maar ke boli,
"Sach bata, yeh Rajat ke saath beach resort jaane ke baad yeh naya sharmaapan kyun?"
Reeti ne apni aankhein neeche karli aur dheere se bola,
"Woh… Rajat ne mujhe propose kiya."
Naina ke chehre pe ek second ke liye surprise ka expression aaya, phir usne excitedly tali bajayi.
"Oh my God! Matlab ab tum officially uski girlfriend ho?"
Reeti ne sharmaate hue haan mein sir hila diya.
Naina ne apne haath jod liye aur drama karte hue boli,
"Bas itna hi? Matlab tum dono ek romantic trip pe gaye, propose bhi ho gaya, aur bas?"
Reeti ne halki si muskurahat ke saath apni aankhon mein ek alag si chamak laayi aur dheere se boli,
"Nahi… sirf propose nahi kiya, usne mujhe kiss bhi kiya."
Naina ek second ke liye shock mein chali gayi, phir hasi rok nahi pai.
"Oh ho! Toh baat yahan tak pahunch gayi!"
Reeti aur bhi sharma gayi, usne apna chehra dono haathon se chhupa liya.
Naina ne uske haath kheench liye aur bola,
"Mujhe sab bata, kitna intense tha?"
Reeti ne dheere se bola,
"Bohot… sirf ek ya do baar nahi, baar-baar."
Naina excitement se chhup nahi pai,
"Matlab proper romance ho gaya! Tum toh full girlfriend mode mein aa gayi!"
Reeti ne halki si hasi di, lekin abhi bhi uski aankhon mein woh pyaar aur nayi mohabbat ka ehsaas chamak raha tha.
Naina ne ek aur bomb gira diya,
"Arre sun, ek aur baat! Ab meri maa meri bhabhi ban gayi!"
Reeti ne jhat se uske kandhe pe maar diya aur boli,
"Naina! Aise mat bol, mujhe sharam aa rahi hai!"
Naina hans padi aur uske gale lag gayi.
"Mujhe toh sirf maza aa raha hai, aur waise bhi, tum ab meri official bhabhi ho, toh expect karna ki aur bhi mazaak udaya jayega!"
Reeti ne ek nayi sharm bhari muskurahat di, usse samajh aa raha tha ki uski life ab ek naye mod pe aa chuki hai, jahan mohabbat, sharmaahat aur excitement sab ek saath hai.
Raat ka waqt tha, chandni balkoni se seedhe Naina aur Rajat par padh rahi thi. Samundar ki halki-halki hawa chal rahi thi, aur aasman mein taaron ki chamak bhi kuch alag lag rahi thi.
Naina balcony ki railing se tik kar khadi thi, haath mein coffee ka cup liye, jab Rajat uske paas aaya. Dono ke beech kuch der tak sirf khamoshi rahi. Phir Naina ne seedha point pe aate hue kaha,
"Rajat, ek baat poochu?"
Rajat ne apni coffee ka sip lete hue bola,
"Hmm, pooch na."
Naina thoda serious ho gayi aur uski taraf dekhti hui boli,
"Reeti ke saath jo chal raha hai, uske baare mein kitna serious hai tu?"
Rajat thoda chok gaya, lekin usne casually jawab diya,
"Matlab?"
Naina ne ek gehri saans li aur balcony se bahar dekhte hue kaha,
"Tu jaanta hai na, Reeti ka background kya hai? Woh ek sanskaari ladki hai, gaon ki hai. Uske liye yeh sab mazaak nahi hai. Woh kisi ke saath bas timepass ke liye nahi judegi. Agar tu sirf ek casual fling chahta hai, toh abhi bata de."
Rajat thoda uneasy ho gaya, usne apni coffee ka cup railing pe rakha aur Naina ki taraf ghoorte hue bola,
"Toh tu kya samajhti hai? Main sirf timepass kar raha hoon?"
Naina ne seedhe uski aankhon mein dekha aur calmly bola,
"Main yeh nahi keh rahi, par main tujhe samjhane ki koshish kar rahi hoon. Reeti sirf ek ladki nahi hai, uski life pehle se hi kaafi complicated rahi hai. Usne bahut kuch dekha hai. Agar tu uske saath sirf ek phase ke liye hai, toh please abhi hi rukh jaa. Kyunki agar tu beech mein use chhod dega, toh woh toot jayegi."
Rajat thoda serious ho gaya, uske chehre pe pehli baar ek alag hi soch dikh rahi thi. Usne apne baal jhatakte hue kaha,
"Mujhe pata hai, Naina. Main Reeti ko samajhta hoon. Aur main sirf ek casual relation ke liye uske paas nahi gaya. Mujhe usse sach mein pyaar ho gaya hai."
Naina ne thoda surprise expression diya,
"Sach?"
Rajat thoda muskuraya, lekin uske chehre pe honesty dikh rahi thi.
"Haan, sach. Main jaanta hoon ki woh alag hai, special hai. Uske saath jo bhi ho raha hai, woh mere liye ek naya experience hai, lekin main use bas waqt guzarne ke liye apne saath nahi rakha."
Naina ne thoda relax feel kiya, uske chehre pe ek halka smile aaya.
"Acha hai agar tu serious hai. Kyunki Reeti jab kisi pe bharosa karti hai, toh poora karti hai. Bas tu uska bharosa tod mat dena, Rajat."
Rajat ne gambhir awaz mein kaha,
"Main usse kabhi hurt nahi karunga, Naina. Ye mera waada hai."
Naina ne uske kandhe pe haath rakha aur ek pyaari si smile di,
"Bas itna yaad rakh, agar tu usse hurt karega, toh main tujhe pehle maar daalungi!"
Dono hans pade, lekin andar se Rajat ab aur bhi sure ho gaya tha ki Reeti uske liye sirf ek waqt ka connection nahi, balki uski zindagi ka ek important hissa ban chuki hai.
Naina ne casual tone mein tease karte hue kaha, “Arey, yeh dono itne chup kyun hain? Kal tak toh beach pe ek dusre ka peecha nahi chhod rahe the. Kya raat ko kuch secret baatein ho gayi jo hume nahi pata?”
Riti ne apni aankhon ko neeche kar liya, aur uska chehra ekdum laal ho gaya. Uska dimaag ab bhi raat ke us moment mein atka hua tha. Woh guilt aur confusion ke beech phasi hui thi. *"Maine kya kar diya? Yeh sab kaise ho gaya? Yeh galat hai, lekin us moment mein sab kuch itna sahi kyun lag raha tha?"* usne apne mann mein socha.
Dusri taraf, Rajat ne bhi Naina ke tease ko suna, lekin uska dimaag Riti ke behavior ko analyze kar raha tha. Riti aaj ekdum different behave kar rahi thi. Woh usse aankhon mein aankhein mila ke baat bhi nahi kar rahi thi. Rajat ko laga shayad yeh is wajah se ho raha hai kyunki usne apne boyfriend Aryan ko cheat kiya. *"Shayad Riti guilty feel kar rahi hai kyunki usne Aryan ke saath hone ke bawajood mere saath woh sab hone diya,"* Rajat ne socha.
Lekin uske andar ek ajeeb si feeling bhi thi. *"Mujhe uska guilt nahi chahiye. Mujhe chahiye ki woh accept kare ki jo kuch bhi hua, woh sirf ek galti nahi tha... usme feelings thi,"* Rajat ne apne aap se kaha.
Rohan ne bhi notice kiya ki dono ke expressions thode ajeeb hain, toh usne casually kaha, "Tum dono theek ho na? Kya hua?"
Riti ne turant composed hote hue kaha, "Haan, bas thoda thakaan hai."
Naina ne ek teasing smile ke saath kaha, "Haan, haan, thakaan toh zaroor hogi. Kal raat toh kafi interesting rahi hogi, hai na?"
Riti ne zor se paani ka glass uthaya aur sip le liya, jaise kuch ignore kar rahi ho. Rajat ne ek halki si smile di, lekin uska dimaag ab bhi Riti ke reaction ko analyze kar raha tha.
Sabne jaldi-jaldi breakfast complete kiya aur wapas ghar jaane ke liye tayar ho gaye. Car ka atmosphere bhi thoda awkward tha. Rajat aur Riti dono ek dusre se door baithe the, lekin dono ek dusre ko chhupke chhupke dekh rahe the.
Naina ne music on kar diya aur casually bola, "Riti, ghar jaake kya plan hai? Ya ab bhi trip ka mood bana hua hai?"
Riti ne ek halki si muskurahat ke saath kaha, "Nahi, ghar jaake relax karna hai."
Naina ne mazaak mein tease karte hue kaha, "Aur Rajat ka kya plan hai? Mujhe lagta hai ki koi special thoughts chal rahe hain uske dimaag mein."
Rajat ne ek halki si smile ke saath kaha, "Kuch nahi didi, bas relax karna hai."
Lekin uska dimaag ab bhi Riti par atka hua tha. Woh uska yeh distance feel kar raha tha aur usse clear answers chahiye the.
Jaise hi sab ghar pahunche, Riti ne turant apne room ki taraf jaane ka socha, lekin Rajat ne uska haath pakad liya aur dheere se bola, "Hume baat karni chahiye."
Riti ne ek second ke liye uski aankhon mein dekha, lekin phir jaldi se apna haath chhudake room ki taraf chal padi.
Rajat uska yeh reaction dekh ke aur confuse ho gaya. *"Woh mujhse bach rahi hai? Kya woh sach mein guilty hai? Ya phir uske dil mein bhi kuch hai jo woh accept nahi karna chahti?"* usne socha.
Riti apne room mein jaakar bed pe gir gayi. Uska dil ab bhi fast dhadak raha tha. Woh ab bhi samajhne ki koshish kar rahi thi ki uska future kya hoga. Rajat ko lekar jo attraction uske andar hai, kya woh ignore kar sakti hai? Ya yeh ek naya chapter hai jo uski life ko completely change kar dega?
college ka din shuru ho chuka tha, lekin Riti ka dimaag ab bhi uljhanon se bhara tha. Usne Aryan se door rehne ka decide kar liya tha. Kal raat jo kuch bhi hua tha, uske baad uska Aryan ke saath ka connection dheere-dheere fade ho raha tha. Lekin Aryan aaj subah se uske aas-paas ghoom raha tha, usse baat karne ki koshish kar raha tha.
"Riti, please ek baar baat sun lo," Aryan ne uske locker ke paas aakar kaha.
Riti ne bina uski taraf dekhe kaha, "Mujhe tumse baat nahi karni, Aryan."
Aryan thoda desperate lag raha tha. "Mujhe pata hai ki kal raat jo fight hui thi, usme main thoda possessive behave kar raha tha, but tumhe samajhna hoga... main tumse pyaar karta hoon."
Riti ne ek pal ke liye Aryan ki taraf dekha, lekin uske andar koi bhi waise emotions nahi aaye jaise pehle hua karte the. *"Main pehle isse kitna pasand karti thi, lekin ab... ab sab kuch change ho gaya hai,"* usne apne mann mein socha.
"Main late ho rahi hoon, Aryan. Please mujhe jaane do," Riti ne finally kaha aur classroom ki taraf chal padi, leaving Aryan standing there with a confused and helpless look.
### **Evening: Rajat Comes to Pick Riti**
college ka din khatam ho chuka tha, aur sab apne ghar ja rahe the. Riti ne Naina ko message kiya tha ki usse koi pick karne aaye, lekin Naina busy thi, isliye usne Rajat se pick karne ko kaha.
Rajat college ke gate ke samne apni car se aaya aur casually ek taraf khada ho gaya, Riti ka intezaar karte hue. Jaise hi Riti bahar aayi, uski nazar pehle Aryan par padhi, jo ab bhi uska wait kar raha tha.
Jaise hi Aryan ne Rajat ko dekha, uska expression turant badal gaya. Usne Riti se directly poocha, "Yeh kaun hai? Tum iske saath kahan ja rahi ho?"
Riti ne calmly kaha, "Aryan, main ghar ja rahi hoon. Yeh Rajat hai."
Aryan ka face gusse se laal ho gaya. "Tum ekdum badal gayi ho, Riti! Pehle tum mujhe avoid kar rahi thi, aur ab kisi aur ladke ke saath ja rahi ho? Tum mujhe explain toh kar sakti ho na?"
Aryan ka possessive behavior Rajat ko pasand nahi aaya. Usne turant aage badh kar Aryan ka collar pakad liya aur ek gusse bhari awaaz mein bola, "Usse apni life jeene do, samjha? Tum kaun hote ho uske decisions par question karne wale?"
Aryan ekdum stiff ho gaya. Uske chehre pe darr tha, kyunki Rajat usse umar aur body dono mein bada tha.
"Rajat, chhodo use!" Riti ne turant intervene kiya.
Aryan ne gusse se kaha, "Tum mujhe chod rahi ho sirf iske liye?"
Riti ne ek deep breath li aur Aryan ki aankhon mein dekha, "Haan, Aryan. Tumhare aur mere beech jo tha, woh khatam ho chuka hai. Tumhe accept karna hoga."
Aryan ka chehra ekdam disappointed ho gaya, lekin uske paas koi choice nahi thi. Rajat ne ab bhi uska collar pakad rakha tha, lekin Riti ne Rajat ka haath gently kheench liya aur usse chalne ka signal diya.
Rajat ne ek last warning di Aryan ko, "Stay away from her."
Riti aur Rajat car ki taraf chale gaye, leaving Aryan standing there, helpless aur defeated. Uska face ek mixture tha shock, heartbreak, aur gusse ka, lekin uske paas ab koi option nahi tha.
Car ke andar, Riti ne ek deep breath li. Rajat ne uski taraf dekha aur softly kaha, "Tum theek ho?"
Riti ne thoda nervous expression ke saath uski taraf dekha, "Haan... bas thoda ajeeb feel ho raha hai."
Rajat ne ek halki si smile di, "Ajeeb kyun? Tumne ek achha decision liya."
Riti ne uske taraf dekha, lekin kuch nahi kaha. Uska dil ab bhi fast dhadak raha tha. Jo kuch bhi hua, usne ek aur cheez clear kar di thi—uska Aryan ke saath jo bhi tha, woh ab sirf ek past tha. Aur Rajat... Rajat ke saath jo connection develop ho raha tha, woh ab aur strong ho chuka tha.
Car ke andar ek ajeeb si khamoshi thi. Riti window ke bahar dekh rahi thi, aur Rajat steering par apna dhyan laga raha tha, lekin uska mann uske expressions observe kar raha tha. **"Yeh thoda upset lag rahi hai, shayad Aryan aur jo fight hui uski wajah se,"** Rajat ne socha.
Thodi der baad, usne atmosphere halka karne ke liye casually baat ched di, "Toh madam, college kaisa chal raha hai? Exams ki tayari ho rahi hai ya sirf masti ho rahi hai?"
Riti ne halka sa hansi suppress karte hue kaha, "Padhai toh ho rahi hai, lekin ab college mein distractions zyada lagne lage hain."
Rajat ne ek teasing smile ke saath bola, "Haan, distractions toh mujhe bhi dikh rahe hain. Ek ladka jo bechara maara-maari tak aa gaya."
Riti ne uski taraf dekha aur has padhi, "Tumne unnecessary fight ki Rajat, Aryan bas possessive ho raha tha."
Rajat ne uska cone face banate hue kaha, "Ohh madam, toh possessiveness allow hai? Koi bhi aake tumhe roke, tumse chipakne ki koshish kare, aur main chup chap dekhun?"
Riti hasne lagi, "Tum bhi na, ekdum filmy ho!"
Rajat ne hans kar bola, "Filmy nahi, protective hoon. Tum ab meri responsibility ho."
Riti ne uski taraf dekha, **"Meri responsibility? Yeh alag hi tareeke se keh raha hai,"** usne mann mein socha, lekin uski baatein sunke achha lag raha tha.
Rajat ne ek idea socha aur bola, "Achha suno, tum thodi off lag rahi ho, ek kaam karte hain, ek special treat lete hain."
Usne car ek ice cream parlor ke samne roki aur bola, "Aao, kuch meetha ho jaye."
Riti ne surprise hoke uski taraf dekha, "Sach mein? Mujhe laga tumhe sirf gym aur diet ka shauk hai."
Rajat ne has kar bola, "Haan, lekin jab tumhare jaise cute log saath ho toh ice cream chalti hai!"
Dono andar gaye aur ek-ek ice cream cone liya. Riti ne chocolate flavor liya aur Rajat ne butterscotch. Car ke bonnet ke paas khade hoke dono enjoy kar rahe the.
Rajat ne casually kaha, "Ek baar tumhara cone taste karna hai."
Riti ne bina soche apni ice cream uske taraf badha di, aur Rajat ne ek bite li. Phir usne apna cone Riti ke taraf kiya, "Lo, tum bhi try karo."
Riti ne uska cone taste kiya aur hasne lagi, "Yeh toh ek tarah se indirect kissing ho gayi na?"
Rajat ne uski baat sunke mischievous smile di, "Agar indirect ho gayi hai, toh direct bhi try kar lein?"
Riti ekdum blush kar gayi aur surprise hoke uski taraf dekha. Uske sochne se pehle, Rajat ne apna cone ek taraf rakha aur dheere se Riti ke paas aaya. Usne softly uske lips par ek gentle kiss diya.
Riti ek pal ke liye shock mein thi, lekin jab Rajat ne uske lips ko aur thoda softly press kiya, toh woh resist nahi kar pai. Uske lips ab bhi thande the ice cream ki wajah se, aur uski tongue ka halka sa chocolate aur butterscotch mix flavor Riti ko feel ho raha tha.
Uska dil tez dhadak raha tha, lekin woh moment itna soothing aur comforting tha ki usne resist karna band kar diya. Rajat ne dheere se kiss aur deepen kiya, uski tongue softly explore karne lagi. Riti ke andar ek warmth feel hone lagi, jo usne kabhi experience nahi ki thi.
Jab woh dono breathless hue, Rajat ne softly uski aankhon mein dekha aur bola, "Ab toh officially couple ho gaye na?"
Riti ne sharmate hue ek halki si smile di aur dheere se nodded kar diya. Uska face ekdum laal ho gaya tha, lekin andar hi andar woh bohot khush thi. Rajat uska haath pakad ke bola, "Bas itna bata do, enjoy kiya ya nahi?"
Riti ne dheere se kaha, "Haan..."
Rajat ne hans kar uske nose ko softly pinch kiya, "Mujhe pata tha."
Dono car mein wapas baithe aur ghar ki taraf chal diye. Ab car ka atmosphere bilkul different tha, jo pehle awkwardness thi woh ab ek sweet comfort mein badal chuki thi. Riti ek naye journey ki taraf badh rahi thi, jo shayad uske liye unexpected thi, lekin ekdum sahi feel ho rahi thi.
Jaise hi Reeti aur Rajat ghar ke andar aaye, dono ke chehre pe ek ajeeb si sharmaahat thi. Reeti ke gaal gulabi pad chuke the, aur uske hothon pe ab bhi Rajat ke choomne ka ehsaas baaki tha. Uska dil zor se dhadak raha tha, jaise koi naya raaz chhupa ho. Dusri taraf Rajat bina ek shabd kahe seedha apne kamre ki taraf chala gaya, jaise koi bhaag raha ho.
Naina, jo sofa pe relax kar rahi thi, dono ki body language ko dekhte hi muskura di. Uski tez aankhon se kuch bhi chhupa nahi tha. Usne apne haath fold kiye aur ek shaitaani smile ke saath boli,
"Aree wah, kya baat hai! Tum dono itne sharma kyun rahe ho? Aise expressions toh tab hote hain jab… kuch khaas hota hai!”
Rajat bina kuch kahe seedha apne kamre mein ghus gaya. Reeti wahi khadi rahi, apne dupatte ke kone se khelti huyi, jaise kuch bolna chahti ho par sharam rok rahi ho.
Naina ne uski haalat dekhkar aur bhi maza lene ka socha. Usne sofa pe thoda adjust karte hue bola,
"Reeti, idhar baitho. Mujhe bhi batao, kya chhupa rahi ho?"
Reeti dheere se aayi, lekin uski saansein tez chal rahi thi. Woh jitna chup rehna chahti thi, Naina utna hi zyada jaan'ne ko betaab thi.
Naina ne uske haath pakad liye aur aankh maar ke boli,
"Sach bata, yeh Rajat ke saath beach resort jaane ke baad yeh naya sharmaapan kyun?"
Reeti ne apni aankhein neeche karli aur dheere se bola,
"Woh… Rajat ne mujhe propose kiya."
Naina ke chehre pe ek second ke liye surprise ka expression aaya, phir usne excitedly tali bajayi.
"Oh my God! Matlab ab tum officially uski girlfriend ho?"
Reeti ne sharmaate hue haan mein sir hila diya.
Naina ne apne haath jod liye aur drama karte hue boli,
"Bas itna hi? Matlab tum dono ek romantic trip pe gaye, propose bhi ho gaya, aur bas?"
Reeti ne halki si muskurahat ke saath apni aankhon mein ek alag si chamak laayi aur dheere se boli,
"Nahi… sirf propose nahi kiya, usne mujhe kiss bhi kiya."
Naina ek second ke liye shock mein chali gayi, phir hasi rok nahi pai.
"Oh ho! Toh baat yahan tak pahunch gayi!"
Reeti aur bhi sharma gayi, usne apna chehra dono haathon se chhupa liya.
Naina ne uske haath kheench liye aur bola,
"Mujhe sab bata, kitna intense tha?"
Reeti ne dheere se bola,
"Bohot… sirf ek ya do baar nahi, baar-baar."
Naina excitement se chhup nahi pai,
"Matlab proper romance ho gaya! Tum toh full girlfriend mode mein aa gayi!"
Reeti ne halki si hasi di, lekin abhi bhi uski aankhon mein woh pyaar aur nayi mohabbat ka ehsaas chamak raha tha.
Naina ne ek aur bomb gira diya,
"Arre sun, ek aur baat! Ab meri maa meri bhabhi ban gayi!"
Reeti ne jhat se uske kandhe pe maar diya aur boli,
"Naina! Aise mat bol, mujhe sharam aa rahi hai!"
Naina hans padi aur uske gale lag gayi.
"Mujhe toh sirf maza aa raha hai, aur waise bhi, tum ab meri official bhabhi ho, toh expect karna ki aur bhi mazaak udaya jayega!"
Reeti ne ek nayi sharm bhari muskurahat di, usse samajh aa raha tha ki uski life ab ek naye mod pe aa chuki hai, jahan mohabbat, sharmaahat aur excitement sab ek saath hai.
Raat ka waqt tha, chandni balkoni se seedhe Naina aur Rajat par padh rahi thi. Samundar ki halki-halki hawa chal rahi thi, aur aasman mein taaron ki chamak bhi kuch alag lag rahi thi.
Naina balcony ki railing se tik kar khadi thi, haath mein coffee ka cup liye, jab Rajat uske paas aaya. Dono ke beech kuch der tak sirf khamoshi rahi. Phir Naina ne seedha point pe aate hue kaha,
"Rajat, ek baat poochu?"
Rajat ne apni coffee ka sip lete hue bola,
"Hmm, pooch na."
Naina thoda serious ho gayi aur uski taraf dekhti hui boli,
"Reeti ke saath jo chal raha hai, uske baare mein kitna serious hai tu?"
Rajat thoda chok gaya, lekin usne casually jawab diya,
"Matlab?"
Naina ne ek gehri saans li aur balcony se bahar dekhte hue kaha,
"Tu jaanta hai na, Reeti ka background kya hai? Woh ek sanskaari ladki hai, gaon ki hai. Uske liye yeh sab mazaak nahi hai. Woh kisi ke saath bas timepass ke liye nahi judegi. Agar tu sirf ek casual fling chahta hai, toh abhi bata de."
Rajat thoda uneasy ho gaya, usne apni coffee ka cup railing pe rakha aur Naina ki taraf ghoorte hue bola,
"Toh tu kya samajhti hai? Main sirf timepass kar raha hoon?"
Naina ne seedhe uski aankhon mein dekha aur calmly bola,
"Main yeh nahi keh rahi, par main tujhe samjhane ki koshish kar rahi hoon. Reeti sirf ek ladki nahi hai, uski life pehle se hi kaafi complicated rahi hai. Usne bahut kuch dekha hai. Agar tu uske saath sirf ek phase ke liye hai, toh please abhi hi rukh jaa. Kyunki agar tu beech mein use chhod dega, toh woh toot jayegi."
Rajat thoda serious ho gaya, uske chehre pe pehli baar ek alag hi soch dikh rahi thi. Usne apne baal jhatakte hue kaha,
"Mujhe pata hai, Naina. Main Reeti ko samajhta hoon. Aur main sirf ek casual relation ke liye uske paas nahi gaya. Mujhe usse sach mein pyaar ho gaya hai."
Naina ne thoda surprise expression diya,
"Sach?"
Rajat thoda muskuraya, lekin uske chehre pe honesty dikh rahi thi.
"Haan, sach. Main jaanta hoon ki woh alag hai, special hai. Uske saath jo bhi ho raha hai, woh mere liye ek naya experience hai, lekin main use bas waqt guzarne ke liye apne saath nahi rakha."
Naina ne thoda relax feel kiya, uske chehre pe ek halka smile aaya.
"Acha hai agar tu serious hai. Kyunki Reeti jab kisi pe bharosa karti hai, toh poora karti hai. Bas tu uska bharosa tod mat dena, Rajat."
Rajat ne gambhir awaz mein kaha,
"Main usse kabhi hurt nahi karunga, Naina. Ye mera waada hai."
Naina ne uske kandhe pe haath rakha aur ek pyaari si smile di,
"Bas itna yaad rakh, agar tu usse hurt karega, toh main tujhe pehle maar daalungi!"
Dono hans pade, lekin andar se Rajat ab aur bhi sure ho gaya tha ki Reeti uske liye sirf ek waqt ka connection nahi, balki uski zindagi ka ek important hissa ban chuki hai.
