Dooriyan, Dosti Aur Dil Ki Dastaan.. | by Sourabh Nagori | Sep, 2025
Chapter 1: Rishabh — The Funny Serious Ladka
Indore ke Vijay Nagar area mein ek chhoti si balcony se shaam ka suraj dheere-dheere chhup raha tha. Ek cup chai haath mein leke Rishabh Sharma apni laptop screen pe zoom call wrap kar raha tha.
“Guys target achieve ho gaya, ab presentation kal revise kar lenge. Baaki ka kaam mai handle kar lunga. Tum log relax karo,” usne confident tone mein team ko bola.
Call disconnect hote hi mummy awaaz deti hai:
“Rishu, chai thandi ho gayi! Kitni der se laptop mein ghuse ho?”
“Arey mummy, aapko pata hai client London wala hai… time zone ki band baji rehti hai. Lekin dekho chai still warm hai, mai hun na hot and happening.”
Mummy hans ke bolti hain, “Bass tu apni shadi bhi hot and happening kar le.”
Ye daily chhed-chhad thi. Rishabh ek perfect “good boy” type ladka tha — kaam mein serious, ghar walon ke liye responsible, aur doston ke sath funny.
Lekin andar se ek khali pan tha. Uske college time ki girlfriends sirf passing phase thi. Uski soch alag thi:
“Mujhe ek aisi partner chahiye jo sirf Insta filter wali na ho… jo apni reality ke sath khadi ho.”
Ye thought uske mind mein baar-baar aata tha. Aur shayad kismat khud uska test lene wali thi.
Chapter 2: The Instagram Encounter
Us raat Rishabh apne phone pe reels scroll kar raha tha. Normal funny cats, dance reels, aur Indore food bloggers pass karte samay ek reel ruk gayi.
Ek ladki ek Indori style reel bana rahi thi — “pani puri khate hue trending audio pe lip-sync”. Caption tha, “Indore ke golgappe > world tour.”
Rishabh chuckle karte hue comment karta hai:
“Indori vibe + sardi ka swag = perfect combo”
Thodi der baad notification ping hui.
Rashmi Jain replied to your comment:
“Haha true! Tum bhi lagta hai Sarafa regular ho?” Rishabh smile karte hue DM open karta hai.
“Arrey, guilty as charged! Jalebi + gulabjamun = meri weakness. Tum bhi foodie lagti ho?”
Dusre taraf se reply aaya: “Foodie bhi hu aur thodi artist bhi. Freelance karti hu design ka. Tum?”
“IT professional. Matlab din bhar laptop aur meetings. Zindagi boring hoti agar Indore ka khaana na hota.”
Itna hi nahi, agle ek ghante tak dono ki baat chalti rahi. Career, hobbies, random jokes. Har reply se Rashmi ka ek quirky side samne aata — thodi sarcastic, thodi sweet. Aur har baat se Rishabh ka charm phailta rehta.
Agli subah Rashmi ki ek aur reel story pe Rishabh react karta hai. Dheere dheere ye daily routine ban gaya. Har din kuch na kuch baatein.
Ek din Rashmi casually likh deti hai: “Yaar project ke liye ek client ne technical cheez maangi hai jo mujhe samajh nahi aa rahi. Thoda help karoge?”
Rishabh instantly type karta hai: “Bas yehi wait kar raha tha. IT ka Raja hu main. Send kar details, I’ll fix it.”
Aur yahin se unke dosti ka ek naya chapter start hua.
Chapter 3: Unexpected Help
Shaam ke 8 baje the. Rashmi apne 2BHK rented flat ke ek kone mein baith kar Photoshop file ke layers dekh rahi thi. Laptop screen par ek complicated website layout khula tha. Uska client deadline ka pressure de raha tha.
“Uff yeh grid system aur responsive design… meri toh waat lag gayi,” usne zor se sigh kiya. Phone uthaya aur Rishabh ko message kar diya:
“Hey Mr. IT Raja… ek sawaal hai. Tum free ho kya?”
Rishabh us waqt apni mummy ke saath dining table pe khaana kha raha tha.
“Mummy aap shuru kijiye, mai abhi join karta hu,” bolkar usne phone uthaya.
Rashmi ka message dekh ke smile karta hai aur reply deta hai:
“Madam ji, aapke liye toh hum hamesha free hain. Problem kya hai?”
Within 5 minutes dono video call pe aa gaye.
Rashmi screen share karke samjhati hai, “Dekho mujhe samajh nahi aa raha yeh responsive menu mobile pe fold hi nahi ho raha. Baraabar grid toot jaa raha hai.”
Rishabh concentrate karke kehta hai, “Arrey yeh toh simple hai. Bas media query mein ek line missing hai. Tumhe code editor kholna hai… dekh main batata hoon.”
Aage ke 30 minutes mein Rishabh ne usko pura samjhaya, har step patiently repeat kiya. Rashmi impressed thi — koi irritate nahi hua, balki detail mein samjhane mein interested tha.
“Wow Rishabh, tum toh literally mere project saver nikle!”
“Kaha tha na IT Raja. Waise bhi freelancing designing ho ya coding — expert guidance free hai agar conversation mein thoda sarcasm aur hasi bhi ho,” usne wink kiya.
Rashmi hans padi. “Thank you yaar. Tum sach mein reliable ho… unlike baaki insaan jo bas bolte zyada hain, help kam karte hain.”
Us din ke baad Rashmi ke mind mein ek chhota sa corner Rishabh ke liye permanently reserve ho gaya tha.
Chapter 4: Activa Breakdown
Do hafte baad ek Sunday morning. Rashmi apni favourite grey activa leke Palasia road se Sarafa ki taraf ja rahi thi, ek client material deliver karne. Suddenly activa dhadh se ruk gayi. Kick maaro toh bhi start na ho.
“Arrey yaar, abhi hi marni thi tujhe?” usne activa se complain kiya.
Garmi aur road ki bheed dekh kar usne phone uthaya aur Rishabh ko call kar diya.
“Hello Rishu… ek problem hai. Meri Activa road pe band ho gayi hai. Mujhe kaise manage karna hai samajh nahi aa raha.”
Rishabh turant serious ho gaya.
“Kahan ho tum?”
“Palasia, Café Bake & Shake ke paas.”
“Bas 15 minute mein aa raha hu. Tum wahi khadi rehna.”
Exactly 15 minutes baad ek silver WagonR achanak uske saamne rukti hai. Car se Rishabh utar ke aata hai, t-shirt aur casual cap mein.
“Madam ji, aapka rescue team aa gaya hai. Pehle toh relax karo.”
Rashmi nervously hasta hai. “Tumhe pareshaan kar diya, sorry.”
“Arey pagal ho? Tum mujhe bulati nahi toh bura maanta. Chalo, mechanic dhoondhte hain.”
Kuch hi der mein paas ke ek chhote workshop se mechanic le aaya. Rishabh khud wahaan khada ho ke ensure karta raha ki activa properly check ho. Mechanic ne battery aur spark plug issue bataya. Us din repair karne mein 2 ghante lag gaye.
Us time ke beech Rashmi aur Rishabh footpath pe chhota sa tapri waala chai nashta karne lag gaye.
Chai wale uncle bolte hain, “Bhaiya-bhabhi kaisi jodi hai, lagta hai purani friends ho.”
Rashmi awkward ho jati hai, “Nahi nahi uncle, sirf dost hain.”
Rishabh muskura ke kehta hai, “Sirf dost zaroor hain abhi… lekin destiny kaunsi route lega pata nahi.”
Rashmi pal bhar ke liye uske aankhon mein dekhti hai… and quickly look down. Dil mein ek ajeeb sa tug feel hota hai.
Repair ke baad Rishabh usse ghar drop karne aata hai. Us din se Rashmi ke mann mein Rishabh ke liye ek aur layer add ho gayi thi — a caring protector.
Chapter 5: First Coffee Date — Oye Pape Café, Indore
Rashmi aur Rishabh ki Insta chats ab roz ki aadat ban gayi thi. Lekin ab tak dono sirf screen ke kinare milte the. Finally ek din Rashmi ne casually bol diya:
“Waise humne itna baat kar liya Insta pe… face-to-face milna chahiye na? Chat se zyada real meet toh better lagta hai.”
Rishabh ke dil mein halki si spark hui par tone casual rakha:
“Baat toh sahi hai. Oye Pape Café chalein Sunday ko? Indore ka ek popular spot hai, street food ke liye famous.”
Rashmi: “Done. Bas overdress mat karna. Simple raho.”
Sunday Afternoon — Oye Pape Café, Indore
Café ke andar old wooden tables the, deewar par colorful graffiti art, aur street food ki khushboo poore corner ko bhar rahi thi. Jagah thodi chhoti lekin cozy feel deti. Bahar garden seating bhi thi jahan log chole bhature aur masaledar chai enjoy karte the.
Rishabh pehle se hi wahi garden seating mein baitha tha, white shirt aur navy jeans mein. Thodi nervous si smile uske chehre par thi.
5 minute baad Rashmi lavender kurti mein chole bhature ke thali ke saath aayi. Uske bal halka khule the, aur nazar mein ek confident chamak thi.
“Hey,” Rashmi ne smile dete hue kaha.
“Hi… tum real life mein Insta se zyada acchi lagti ho,” Rishabh blurtt out kar gaya.
Rashmi ne aankhein ghooma kar bola, “Tum sabko aise lines dete ho ya mujhe special treatment?”
Dono hass pade.
Order mein chole bhature ke masaledar pieces aur extra pyaaz-chutney the. Jab dono ne pehli bite li, Rishabh ne kaha,
“Indore ka asli swaad tu yahi hai. Coffee se zyada chole bhature ka swag hai.”
Rashmi ne haan mein haan milayi:
“Haan bhai, yeh Oye Pape ka chole toh legendary hai.”
Baat cheet chalti rahi childhood memories, Indore ke bazaars, family anecdotes, aur kaam ki tension ke baare mein. Har ek baat mein Rishabh Rashmi ko tease karta, toh wo sarcastic jawab deti.
“Tumhare sarcasm ka level toh Hollywood ki heroine jaisa hai. Par acha laga… challenge pasand hai mujhe,” Rishabh ne bola.
“Good for you. Mujhe tolerant banda chahiye tha. Meri life mein toxic ex tha jo do din bhi nahi sambhal pate,” Rashmi ne casual tone mein bola, par uski aankhon mein thoda dard tha.
Rishabh ne softly bola,
“Jo bhi hua hoga, tumhe aaj yahan tak lekar aaya hai. I think tumhe ab wo banda mil gaya jo tumhari zoning out bhi handle kar lega.”
Rashmi ne ek halka sa smile diya.
Ye pehli date unke bond ko Insta DMs se Oye Pape ki real chole bhature tak le aayi thi.
Chapter 6: Rashmi’s Past — The Toxic Bond
Coffee date ke ek hafte baad, Rishabh ko raat ke 11 baje Rashmi ka call aaya. Uski awaaz mein tension thi. “Tum free ho? Mujhe baat karni hai…”
“Bolo Rashmi, sab thik hai?”
Ek gehri khamoshi ke baad Rashmi boli:
“Rishu… main ek cheez chhupa rahi thi tumse. Actually meri life mein ek ladka hai… not exactly boyfriend, not exactly friend. Hum kabhi judte hain kabhi alag ho jaate hain. It’s… messy. Toxic. Par main usse completely chod bhi nahi pati.”
Rishabh ne calmly suna.
“Hmm. Rashmi, tumhe lagta hai tum usse khush ho?”
“Nahi. Bas… aadat ban gayi hai. Uske bina lagta hai empty, lekin uske saath lagta hai suffocated.”
Rishabh thoda der chup raha. Uska mann to kehta tha abhi bol de ki “main hoon na tumhari life mein”… lekin usne apna dil daba liya.
Softly bola: “Dekho, tumhare secrets tumhari marzi. Mujhe sirf tumhari smile important lagti hai. Agar kabhi lage ki tumhe chhodna hai, ya bas ro kar chillana hai, main hoon.”
Phone ke us paar Rashmi ki aankhon se aansu nikal aaye.
“Tum itne perfect kyun ho Rishu? Matlab seriously… koi banda aisa patience kaise rakh sakta hai.”
Rishabh muskura kar bolta hai: “Galti meri hai, mere mummy papa ne sanskaar thoda zyada hi de diye hain.”
Us raat dono ne lambi baatein ki. Rashmi apne ex-type toxic FWB relation ki stories share karti rahi, aur Rishabh bina judge kiye bas sunta raha.
Rashmi ko ek nayi wajah mili — kisi insaan ka sath sirf pyaar mein nahi, samajhne mein bhi hota hai.
Rishabh ko pehli baar laga — usne apna dil Rashmi ko de diya hai, bina kehne ke.
Chapter 7: Garba Night — Navratri Ka Josh
Indore ki galiyon mein Navratri ki roshniyon ka jadoo cha gaya tha. Har kone pe dandiya sticks ki thap-thap, mandal ke colours, aur garba ki thumke ki awaaz.
Rashmi apne gehu rang ke lehenga mein tiyar thi. Uske baal ghane ornaments se sajaye gaye the, aur haathon mein mehndi ki mehkaati laali thi.
Rishabh ko Rashmi ne insist kiya tha garba attend karne ke liye. Normally wo shy aur introvert banda tha, lekin Rashmi ke liye wo apne comfort zone se bahar nikal aaya.
Rajwada Mandal ke ground par dono ne ek dusre ko dekha. Rishabh ne apne traditional ivory kurta pajama pehna tha, thoda anjaana sa lag raha tha dance floor pe.
“Ready for humiliation?” Rashmi ne tease kiya.
“Bas tumhara haath thamma ho, fir dance mera hobby hai,” Rishabh muskura ke bola.
Garba music start hua, dholak, dandiya sticks ki takkar, aur rang birangi saariyon ke saath ladkiyon ka josh charam par tha.
Rishabh first thumka lagate hue awkward tha, lekin jaise-jaise usne Rashmi ke saath sync karna shuru kiya, uska confidence badhne laga.
Rashmi ne hass ke kaha, “Arey arey sahi sync hai! Matlab tum taqdeer wale ho aaj.”
Dono ne aise thumke lagaye jaise saari duniya ka tension unse door ho gaya ho. Logon ke cheers, dholak ki dhun mein unki chemistry chamak rahi thi.
Wo ek dusre ke kadmon ke sath-ghat se match karte, has kar baatein karte, powerful garba night ko yaadgar bana diya.
Rishabh ne socha, Yeh shaam hamesha yaad rahegi. Shaayad hi kabhi milte dono aise naturally khush ek saath.
Chapter 8: New Car Celebration + Khajrana Ganesh Ji Darshan
Kuch mahine baad, Rishabh apni pehli car kharidta hai — ek shining black sedan. Uski khushi dekhne layak thi.
Us din usne decide kiya ki pehle din us car ko Khajrana Ganesh Mandir le jaake blessings lega. Sab ghar wale excited the — mummy, papa, dadi sab saath the.
Khajrana Ganesh ji ke samne jab Rishabh ne car khadi ki, toh Rashmi bhi wahan thi, invite mila tha. Wo traditional red-green saree mein thi, jo uski simplicity ko highlight kar rahi thi.
Pooja mein pandit ji ki aarti aur shlok sunte waqt, Rashmi Rishabh ke side mein baithi thi. Pandit ji muskura ke bolte hain,
“Bete, tum dono ki jodi achhi hai, aaj ghar ki mohrat mein milke pooja karna shubh hoga.”
Rishabh aur Rashmi ek dusre ko dekhe, aankhon mein halka sa spark chamk raha tha.
Darshan ke baad, sabne car ke aas-paas supari phodi, aur phool chhode. Rishabh ne muskura ke kaha, “Ganesh ji ka ashirwad hamare naye safar mein rahe.”
Rashmi ne softly kaha, “Is safar mein tumhare saath chalna mere liye khushi ki baat hai.”
Car ki official pehli drive par dono ne tapri chaye ke saath ride ka anand liya. Us ride mein Indore ki sadkon ka hustle, full nostalgic feel, aur dosti se kuch zyada hi bhara hua tha.
Chapter 9: Ghar Ka Grihpravesh — Nayi Zindagi Ka Aarambh
Indore ke Vijay Nagar mein ek naya din shuru ho raha tha, lekin Rishabh ke liye ye din kisi tyohar se kam nahi tha. Aaj uska naya flat finally ghar ban raha tha.
Flat ek modern 3BHK apartment tha, jisme bade bade glass windows se subah ki roshni anmol si filhal se gir rahi thi. Ghar ki safai khoobsurat thi, rang birangi phoolon se sajayi gayi thi aur total environment mein ek sacred energy thi.
Rishabh ki mummy ji kitchen mein pooja ki saman arrange kar rahi thi. Baba ji mandir ki saaf safai kar rahe the aur dadi sabko prarthana karte-dekh kar motivate karti thi.
Rashmi thodi shy lagi, par pooja ke samaan sambhalte hue natural beauty aur grace se woh kamar garam kar rahi thi. Usne traditional yellow kurta aur dupatta pehna tha, simple par elegant.
“Mummy, mujhe pooja mein saath baithna hoga na?” Rashmi ne thoda shrunk karte hue poocha.
Mummy ji hansi, “Bilkul beta, par pooja ke samay shanti rakhna.”
Rishabh ko apne dil mein khushi thi ki Rashmi pooja mein actively participate kar rahi thi, ye dosti se zyada kuch dikh raha tha.
Pooja Shuru — Mandal Ki Mohrat
Pandit ji padhe, “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah…” ke jaap ke sath havan shuru hua. Ghar ki shubh mohrat ke liye jal, daal, aur basmati chawal havan kund mein daale ja rahe the.
Rashmi ne bhi apna haath uthakar phool aur akshat mandal mein dal diye. Us din wo ek alag shanti se bhari hui lag rahi thi.
Pooja ke beech pandit ji ne hasa kar kaha,
“Boys and girls, ghar ki mohrat tabhi poori hoti hai jab dono milke pooja mein baithte hain. Yeh ladki sirf dost nahi, tumhare pariwar ki ek hissa ban chuki hai.”
Rishabh aur Rashmi ke beech ek chhupi hui muskaan chalti hai. Dono jaante the ke yeh dosti ab uss had tak pahunch chuki thi jahan kisi anjaani si ummeed ki kiran dikhti hai.
Ghar Mein Mohabbat Ke Beej
Pooja ke baad, ghar mein chai samose aur poha serve kiya gaya. Family wala mahaul tha — mummy-papa, dadi, bhai Rahul, sab ek dusre ke sath khush the.
Rahul ne Rashmi ke kapdon ki tareef karte hue tease kiya,
“Bhaiya, dikh raha hai tumhari bhabhi ready hai kal wali shadi ke liye.”
Sab hans pade. Rashmi halka sa shy hui magar uski aankhon mein chhupa hua pyaar seedha Rishabh ke dil tak jaa pahucha.
Rishabh ne dheere se Rashmi ke haath mein chhota sa gift diya,
“Yeh tumhare liye… ghar ke liye ek chhota sa shubh pratik.”
Rashmi ne woh gift khol kar dekha — ek beautiful silver pendant jisme Ganesha ji bana hua tha. Uska dil dhadakne laga.
“Thank you, Rishabh. Yeh mera liye special hai.”
Dono ki nazar ek dusre ko mili aur us pal mein saari duniya ruk gayi.
Grihpravesh Ka Naya Safar
Wo din sirf ek naya makan milne ka din nahi tha, balki ek naye rishtay ke liye, naye sapno ke liye, naye armano ke liye tha.
Rishabh ko andheron se ladte hue bhi ek hausla mila ki shayad Rashmi uski life mein bas ek dost nahi, balki ek saath chalne wali saathi ban jayegi.
Aur Rashmi ko bhi laga ki uske dil ke zakhmon ki wo roshni hai, jo uske jeewan mein rang bhar dega.
Chapter 10: Slowly into Love — Date Ka Safar Aur Proposal
Grihpravesh ke baad, Rishabh aur Rashmi ki dosti mein ek nayi mithaas aane lagi thi. Wo roz ke casual milne wale dosti se badhkar kuch hona start ho gaya tha — magar dono apne emotions ko openly accept karne se dare ja rahe the.
Indore ke Sarafa Bazaar mein, ek raat ki stitching. Sarson ki garmi aur hing ki khushboo, pani puri waalon ki cheekh-pukaar, log apne apne groups mein maze kar rahe the.
Rishabh ne Rashmi ko call kiya, “Chalo aaj Sarafa chalte hain, fresh pani puri aur gupshup karenge.”
“Perfect” Rashmi ne excited reply kiya.
Unki meet thi ek chhoti si juice corner ke paas, jahaan log pani puri khate aur apni zindagi ki baatein share karte.
“Yeh pani puri toh legendary hai, Rishu. Aur tum?” Rashmi ne muskurate hue pucha.
“Main? Bas tumhari company ka maza leta hoon.”
Rishabh ke shabdon mein ek naya jazbaa tha, lekin wo lazmi tha thoda shy.
Dheere dheere dates badhne lage. Coffee ho ya street food, har jagah dono saath the. Retry baatein, hasi, kabhi kabhi chhote chhote jhagra bhi, magar wo kabhi zyada serious nahi hote the.
Ek din Rishabh ne dil ki baat ke liye planning shuru ki. Usne socha ki rooftop cafe mein lights decorate karvaye, guitar wala dost Rohit bulaaye aur ek perfect atmosphere banaye.
Wo din aaya.
Lights chamak rahi thi, hawa halki si thandi thi, aur chandni raat sabko magic feel ho raha tha.
Rishabh, knee down hoke, aankhon mein aansu le ke Rashmi ko propose karta hai,
“Rashmi, tum meri har khushi ka reason ho. Kya tum meri zindagi ka hissa banogi?”
Rashmi ke aankhon mein apni feelings ka tufaan tha. Par wo sach bolti hai,
“Rishabh, tum mere sabse achhe dost ho. Par pyaar nahi karti main tumse. Hamesha tumhari dosti meri sabse badi daulat rahegi.”
Rishabh ke dil ka tukda toot gaya. Lekin usne tazgi se kaha,
“Thik hai Rashmi. Dost banke bhi tumhara saath chahiye.”
Rashmi emotional thi par usne muskurakar kaha,
“Tum hamesha mera support banoge, hai na?”
Us raat dono ka rishta ek naye mod par aaya — ek dosti jo kabhi pyaar nahi bani, lekin dil se gehri thi.
Chapter 11: The Distance — Dooriyan Aur Dard
Rashmi ne jab Rishabh ke saamne apne dil ki sachchai rakhi, toh uski awaaz mein ek aisi raw honesty thi jo Rishabh ke dil se takra gayi.
“Rishabh, main tumse dosti se zyada kuch nahi kar sakti. Mere dil mein tumhari jagah hamesha meri ek bahut achhi dost ki hai. Pyaar mere liye abhi possible nahi.”
Us pal, Rishabh ki duniya jaisey ruk si gayi. Wo apna dil uss pal ki baton ke neeche daba ke rakhna chahta tha, lekin har ek dhaadkan uske liye ek chhota sa zehar ban gayi thi.
“Thik hai, Rashmi. Dost banke bhi tumhara saath chahiye,” usne kaha, apni aawaz mein dard chupate hue.
Par dosti ka rang uske liye ab kalaya nahin rakhta tha. Usne apni zindagi mein Rashmi ke liye ek jagah door kar di — social media par uske posts dekhna band kar diya, unke beech ki chats ritihal se kam ho gayi, aur jab bhi samne aaye toh ek ajeeb si doori mehsoos karane laga.
Rashmi bhi andaze se samajhti thi ki shayad is doriyan mein hi dono ke liye behtar raah hai. Par uske dil ka ek Tukda Rishabh ke bina adhura sa reh gaya.
Rishabh ke man mein dard ke alawa har roz chalti ek chhupi hui kahani thi — wo raat jab wo usse aankhon mein aansu chhupakar dekhta tha, apne dard ko chhupate hue likhta tha “shayari” type lines jo kabhi kisi ko nahi dikhata tha.
Har lamha wo chinta karta tha — shayad aane wale kal mein uski yaad aur dosti dono hi uske jeevan ka ek kathin hissa ban jaye.
Dono ke beech dooriyan badhne lagi, fir bhi dil haar nahi maanta tha. Yeh dooriyan zubaan pe kabhi na aa sakne wali baatein ban gayi… ek aise dard ki kahani jo chup-chaap dil ko roti thi.
Chapter 12: Ten Years Later — Milna Phir Kabhi
Das saal baad. Indore ki Mithakhali gali ke ek shaam ki party mein…
Rishabh ab ek business owner tha, neatly dressed in a casual blazer aur apni matured personality ke saath. Uska smile ab pyar aur dard dono ko chhupa leta tha.
Rashmi bhi apni life mein settled thi, ek sanjida aur khud-mukhtaar mahila, jise apni shaadi aur family ka sukoon tha.
Ek mutual friend ki Diwali party mein dono ki takrahat hui. Rishabh thoda sa hesitant, lekin apni purani yaadon ko apne chehre se dabane ki koshish karta.
Rashmi ki aankhon mein kuch aisi khwaishein thein jo wo kabhi pehle chhupa leti thi. Usne Rishabh ke saamne baithkar kaha,
“Rishabh, main tumhe miss karti hoon… shayad woh waqt humare liye zyada acha hota agar uss waqt hum saath hote.”
Rishabh ne halki muskaan ke saath reply diya,
“Miss? Maine toh kabhi miss karna chhoda hi nahi. Jo kuch hona tha, woh hua. Maine tumhe propose kara tha, tumne mana kiya. Phir bhi mujhe tarsa lena hi pada.”
Rashmi ki aankhon mein aansu thode se chamak rahe the,
“Shayad agar hum wo din kuch aur zyada samay ek saath bitaate, toh aaj yeh regret nahi hota.”
Rishabh ne nazar uski taraf phir se jhuka ke socha,
“Zindagi ki yahi kahani hai, jo hum chahte hain, wo kabhi kabhi humse door chali jaati hai.”
Dono ne kuch der tak chup rehkar ek dusre ki aankhon mein apni purani dard bhari yaadein mehsoos ki.
Rashmi ne halka sa muskaraate hue kaha,
“Tum meri life mein ek adhoora sa hissa ho, jo kabhi poora nahi ho saka. Par main khush hoon ke tum meri zindagi mein aaye.”
Rishabh ne bhi dheere se jawab diya,
“Waise main bhi… tumhare bina zindagi sukhad toh nahi thi, par tumhare saath hona hamesha ek sapne jaisa tha.”
Shaam dheere dheere khatam ho rahi thi, par unke beech ki baatein abhi bhi adhuri kahani ke jaise chal rahi thi.
Un dono ki muskaan thi woh baat jo shabdon se zyada gehri thi — ek closure bhi, ek shanti bhi, aur ek aasha bhi future ke liye.