Broken But Beautiful

  कभी कभी ये कायनात यूँ कुछ अनूठी-सी लगती है कि मानो वो कोई अजनबी शक्स यार हो जाता है कुछ ऐसी ही है हमारे याराना की वो हसीन दस्तान​​​ जो मीलों दूर रहकर भी एक ऐतबार-सा जगा जाता है।   यूँ तो लोग कहते हैं कि खुबियों से होती मोहब्बत सदा लेकिन ऐ दोस्त, तेरी तो खामीयों ने भी इस दिल को लूटा।   किन लफ़्ज़ो में तेरी हर वो अदा बयान करूँ जिन्होनें मेरे इस क़ल्ब के हर किश्त में पनाह लिया किन अल्फ़ज़ो में तेरे उन मासूम शरारतों का ज़िक्र करूँ जिन्होनें ना सिर्फ़ हँसाया, बल्कि एक अनोखे अपनेपन का एहसास भी जताया।   शायद तेरा मिलना है उस रब का इशारा कि ज़िदगी की हर कसौटी का एक तू ही सहारा।   वो बचकानी नोक-झोक और तेरा मनाना फ़िर "मूर्ख हो तुम​" कहकर तेरा मुझे हँसाना वो अफ़्रिकी सिन्धुओं की चर्चा होती बड़ी निराली "तुम्हें अफ़्रिका छोड़ आएँगे हम​" कहकर, तुने तो हद्द ही कर दाली।   यक़िन नहीं होता कि समय गया यूँ इस कदर बीत​ कि दो नावाकिफ़ बन गए इतने पक्के मीत।   यूँ तो न कभी मिलें, न कोइ निस्बत है हमारा फ़िर भी न जाने क्यूँ लगता है कि...

Author's   Note : This is the second part of the story, "Dwindling Ache".  Kindly go through the first part before you read this. T h e  Town Hall was all ornamented with fresh, bright carnations and orchids. The exquisite velvet chairs were occupied by the masses dressed in black. From highly illustrious personalities of television and media which comprised eminent directors, producers, actors and journalists to all the loved near and dear kinfolks, everyone showed their endearment and affection by their presence. It was the first death anniversary of James. I wonder how an year passed by! It seems as if it was only yesterday when I met him for the first time. His charming, gracious smile was something that enraptured my heart the moment my eyes perceived it. We met at Melissa’s birthday bash. After a brief, casual conversation, we exchanged numbers and that’s how it all began. How an unpremeditated encounter led to the development of a passionate relationship ...

A nd then he held me so close that I could feel the tender warmth of his amour, that I could smell the blossoms of his enthralling, prepossessing love which had all these years, thrown a mystic glamour as of a radiant paradise upon my life. Reclining together under the August’s moonlit blue, all I could feel were his deep breaths which were so calm, so soothing after such a hectic day of mine, though treating the ill was my passion since childhood. The perennial wave less serenity that reigned the amber twilight sky, made the moment still and I could cherish each and every bit of it.   Did you like it? Asked James, running his gentle fingers through my hair. What? Said I. The surprise which I planned for you, my sunshine! He said. I smiled. James was always this kind. No matter how much frenetic and busy schedule he had while shooting and filming, he always tried making each day a memorable one for us. He never looked for reasons or occasions. All he did wa...