Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao Part 3

Wajah

"Naina, main tumhe sab kuch bata dunga lekin usse pehle tumhe mujhse ek waada karna hoga." Sameer looked at her eagerly.

"Tum jo bologe main karungi, Sameer... bharosa nahi hai kya mujh pe?" Her eyes showed a hint of hurt.

He couldn't face her gaze, feeling her words touch him much deeper. He had indeed failed her when all those doubts clouded his mind... when he had questioned her priorities.

"Achha baba, waada... ab bolo kya manwana hai tumhe?" She assumed his silence to be a pause for her to give a promise as he asked.

He cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb on the pale skin, "Naina, aaj jab tum behosh hui toh mujhe... mujhe laga tum wapas wohi teen saal pehle wali Naina ho... jo college mein behosh hui thi... jab tumhe utha ke yahan laaya toh laga wohi pal fir se jee raha hun... aur main darr gaya, Naina, bohot zyada darr gaya... ki itna waqt saath rehne ke baad bhi maine tumhe ek din mein wapas wahin dhakel diya."

"Nahi Sameer..." She placed her hand on his, shaking her head but he didn't let her go on.

"Pehle meri poori baat sun lo... uske baad tum jo bologi main sununga." He implored.

She nodded.

"Naina, maine tumhare chehre pe woh laachari dekhi, jo college mein thi... aur mujhe sharm aayi khud pe... tab tumhari wajah jo bhi thi, paise na hona ya kuch aur, lekin abhi tumhari haalat ki wajah main hun... aur jab doctor uncle ne poocha ki tumne kab se khana nahi khaya toh..." His voice faltered.

She patted his hand, silently assuring him.

Swallowing the pain that rose up in his throat, he continued, "Toh mujhe aaj bhi nahi pata tha, uss din ki tarah... ab toh mujhe pata hona chahiye tha na, Naina... ab toh mujhe tumhara khyal rakhna chahiye tha na... ab mujhe aisa hone hi nahi dena chahiye tha."

He couldn't control the tears anymore.

"Sameer, tum khud ko doshi mat maano... yeh meri galti thi... main... woh... mujhe laga tum... tum itne naraaz the... mujhe pata nahi chala... main... " She cried along, consoling him with incoherent words.

He gathered her into his arms gently, letting the guilt flow from his eyes.

"Galti shuru se meri hi hai, Naina... tumhare har dard ka zimmedar main hun." He muttered in a heavy voice after a while, pulling away from her.

With a deep breath, he looked into her eyes, "Waada karo ki kabhi tum khane se ladai nahi karogi... kuch bhi ho jaaye, khana time pe khaogi."

She looked down at her bandaged hand, speaking in a low voice, "Tum bhi saath khaoge toh kha lungi."

He closed his eyes, making a promise to himself that he would never again be the reason of her misery.

"Main agar office mein hun ya kisi meeting mein ya kisi kaam ki wajah se tumhare saath khana nahi kha saka toh bhi tum kha logi... main fir se apni jaan ko aise kabhi nahi dekhna chahta." He insisted lovingly, placing a finger under her chin to see her face.

She dipped her head to the side.

"Lekin ek din tum mujhe khane ko nahi kahoge yeh tum bhi promise karo." She held out her hand.

He was perplexed, "Ek din? Kyon? Aisa kaunsa din hai jab tum yeh promise todne wali ho?"

"Karwachouth... agle mahine hai... main vrat rakhungi na tumhare liye." She smiled shyly.

His eyes softened as he took her hand within his palms, "Main bhi rakhunga... tumhare liye."

She frowned, "Sameer, poora din rehna padta hai bina khaye... paani bhi nahi pina... tum nahi..."