Abhi fluttered his eyes and adjusted his vision. After a few seconds, he realised that the room was unfamiliar.
" You are an awake young man." A voice resonated in the room.
He turned towards the source of the voice. There was a tall, well-built man in his early fifties. He was fair-complexioned.
"Hello sir, how did I arrive here? The last thing that I remember was feeling dizzy and then unconsciousness swept on me." Abhi put his hand on his forehead.
"I'm Dr Sanjay Khanna. I was coming from the cafe when I saw you fall. With the help of some workers in the cafe, I brought you here. That's it. One more thing before you depart I would like to check your vitals. Now tell me about yourself." He came near him and started checking him.
"I'm Abhimanyu Kapoor. At present, I'm a singer. A few of my albums have been released. My mother wants me to join the business of which I'm reluctant." Abhi revealed his identity.
" By any chance, your father's name is Raj Kapoor." Sanjay's forehead creased.
"Yes sir. Do you know my father?" Abhi asked, thrilled over the discovery. His mother prohibited everyone from telling Abhi about his father.
"Please tell me about him." Abhi started begging him to tell more about his father.
"Raj was a great friend. He was like a brother from another mother. You have inherited your love for music from your father. He wanted to become a singer but due to the untimely death of your grandfather, he has to join the business." Sanjay told him about Raj.
Thereupon, he asked, "Is your mother with you?"
"No, she will join after a few days. Simmi bua and Manav are with me." Abhi revealed about the persons who had accompanied him.
"Manav. Who Is he? How is Simmi? Sanjay asked Abhi.
" The answer to your first question is Manav is Naman mama's son, and yes bua is alright," Abhi replied to his question.
Sanjay mouthed an 'o'.
"Why don't you all join us at dinner tonight". He was desperate to see the love of his life.
As they were conversing, they heard a voice that sounded familiar to Abhi.
" Tauji"(father's elder brother)
Both the men twirled towards the source of the voice. Abhi was amazed to see the girl in front of him.
"You," both of them said unanimously. Currently, it was Sanjay who was flabbergasted.
"You both know each other."
"Yes uncle, we were together in junior college," replied Abhi. The first one to recover from the shock.
"Why are you here? You were in Mumbai." Abhi was surprised to see the person he desperately wanted to see, in front of him
"I was supposed to be in Mumbai but my parents have been to the United States, for my mother's treatment as she is suffering from cancer," Pankhuri told him the reason for her presence in Darjeeling.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Abhi felt hurt.
"I couldn't. I was devastated. Now tell me what are you doing here." Pankhuri tried to deviate from him.
"This is my native place. I had come to visit my ancestral home and about your residence, I was brought by your uncle." And he told her everything. Pankhuri was startled after hearing everything.
"Abhi enough of talks. Come with me, I want to check on you." Sanjay gestured to him to follow.
When everything was done Sanjay gave him a thumbs up and instructed him that if it repeats then he should check in with a neurologist.
Although Simmi was reluctant to go, with persistent pressure from both the boys, she finally agrees to go. Simmi didn't want to meet Sanjay, she didn't know how she would endure his accusations.
The evening came and everyone went to Khanna Maison."Hey ", the voice sounded familiar. As soon as he whirled toward the source of the voice, he was fascinated" Pankhuri ". Manav exclaimed and hugged her. He looks toward Abhi with an accusing look. Abhi mouthed a sorry to him as he had not told Manav about Pankhuri.
Later the young generation excused themselves for some chit chat and also Abhi was desperate to spend some time with Pankhuri.
There was a pregnant stillness in the room. Nobody knew what and how to commence a conversation. Sanjay initiated " how are you and your husband? He didn't show up?"
"Naman died from cardiac arrest, two years before." Simmi took hold of her emotions and tried to speak in a straight voice.
"You were married to Naman. If I remember correctly, he was already married." Sanjay was shocked to hear.
"Don't tell me that you don't know to whom I was forced to marry ." Simmi’s tone sounded like an accusation.
"Wait, I'm a little confused. You were forced to marry".This revelation of incidents was too much for him. He never knew that she was forced.
" You heard me right. I loved you only." Tears were threatening to fall but she controlled herself.
With a slow pace, Simmi told everything to Sanjay. He was aghast on hearing everything. The day was full of surprises for him. Gently he squeezed Simmi's hand showing his assurance to be with her. Little did they know that a third person was listening to their conversation, who vowed to himself to bring them together. Out of nowhere, Simmi asks Sanjay for the reason for remaining unmarried. He told her that never in his life, can he love anyone else other than her.
"It hurts me so much that you spoiled your life for someone who is not even worthy of your love.” She hides her face in her palms and tears are brimming from her eyes.
"I can wait for you till eternity. I'm in no position to say this but why don't you quit this loveless marriage. Your husband is not alive and once the boys settle in their lives, you would be deserted. Even now I can marry you. Think about it." Sanjay opened his heart in front of her.
"Please don't trigger the feelings that I have buried for a long time." Simmi folds her hands. Sanjay covers them with his hand insurance to be with her.
Thereupon she went to meet Mrs and Mr Khanna who were confined to their room as they were not well. Subsequently, they called the night off.
It was midnight when Abhi jolted up from his nightmare. What he saw puzzled him. He tossed and turned for some time but sleep was far from his eyes, so he thought of strolling around a bit. He reaches Raj's room. His eyes landed on a masterpiece, his hands were itching to touch it. He runs his hands on the string and abruptly feels like a connection with it. Lifting it he starts playing a tune that he has never played but feels a connection. Abruptly he feels the same throbbing pain in his head, his head spins and he feels bewildered. His mind starts surging with some memories and he is horrified at recollecting them. Everything turns blank and with a thud, he falls on the floor.