Chapter 45

Kukki, Prerna and Sneha left the hospital after sometime as Mr Mehra stayed with Mr bajaj. They reached home to find Mr Bose wearing an apron and trying to get another batch of cookies in the oven and he was being helped by Nitya. 

“And that would be the last batch of cookies and I think we are all done Mr Bose” Nitya said and Mr Bose smiled. They both turned around to find Prerna and Kukki looking at them with a shocked expression on their faces. 

“Oh Hello Prerna!! How is Ris…” Nitya asked

“Mr Bajaj ab theek hain. Aap yahan kya kar rahin hain?” Prerna asked not liking her in the kitchen of her house. But nothing compared to what Kukki was feeling she was seriously not expecting this. She had expected smoke from the house because of the cookies that Mr Bose burned but not this wonderful smell. Her only consolation was that they would get the shock of their lives when they enter the school. 

“Woh Mr Bose needed help with Cookies so he called me” Nitya answered and Prerna Smiled. 

“Of Course!!!” Prerna whispered. After sometime they all left them alone as they went on to pack all the cookies. As soon as Kukki entered the room she threw her bag on the bed and Prerna threw her purse on the bed. 

“Yeh Nitya kyun aa jati hain hamare ghar pe baar baar” Prerna blaberred.

“Har bar har bar Mr Bose ko bacha leti hain” Kukki blaberred

“Koi kaam dhaam nahin hain kya ise. Jab dekho tab Rishi Rishi….” Prerna blaberred.

“Mr Bose Mr Bose karti rehti hain. Ise extra time ke paise dete hain kya Mr Bose” Kukki and Prerna blaberred while Sneha kept looking from her mother to her sister while they kept on making stupid faces. After sometime Sneha came and sat between them and started making the same faces as they were making and Kukki and Prerna looked at Sneha and they started laughing and hugged her. 

“Kukki ek baar aur soch lo hum jake bata dete hain. Unhe extra kaam karna padega woh waise bhi hairan hoonge. You can win in the fair” Prerna said

“Aapne aur papa ne ek function miss kiya to unhone itna raita fela diya ab dekho main what he will do. Nothing doing.” Kukki said sternly. 

“Fine!!! okay. Main fresh hoke aati hoon.” Prerna said and went to her room to freshen up. She went to the room and found the open wardrobe and was checking if all is okay when Kukki followed her.

“You are not angry at me because of the hospital thing and now Mr Bose” Kukki said

Prerna just smiled and kissed her forehead.”I just don't like this situation with Mr Bose. You should never hurt yourself in trying to hurt others. That is all” Prerna added.

“Is Wardrobe main aise hain kya jo aap ise locked rakhte hain” Kukki asked, trying to avoid the topic.

“Isme isme meri aur aapke papa ki yaadein hain bahut sari” Prerna said and started showing her the stuff. 

“Yeh mera shaadi ka joda, hamare har function ka kuch special yaad, mere maa baba ki kuch special cheezein jaise ki yeh meri maa ki shaadi ki odhni, yeh mere baba ka pen jo unhone mujhe diya tha. Sab bahut important hain. Yeh Mr Bajaj ki mumma ki kuch yaadein, unki photo album, yeh unka pehla suit ko unhone kharida tha apne paiso se and he had lost for the first and last time wearing this.” Prerna said laughing. 

“Papa and lost? And if lost to rakha kyun hain.” Kukki asked, surprised.

“Yes and isiliye to sambhal ke rakha so always remembers the mistake” Prerna said.

“Will it still fit him?” Kukki asked, looking at it.

“I wish I could say that it won't but the truth is it still will. Woh ab tak waise ke waise hi hain mujhe shayad apna wedding dress alter karwana padega.” Prerna said laughing. “Unki favorite watch he usually doesn’t splurge but these are something he has spent on. Yeh aapke pehle toys kapde Sneha ke, yeh aapka pehle card jo apne papa ke liye banaya tha and stuff like that” Prerna said 

“I didn't know Papa was emmo type of person, '' Kukki said and Prerna shook her head at her 13 going on 8 teenager. 

“It's top secret,” Prerna said, putting a hand on her mouth. Then Kukki saw a black suit and a simple red saree hanging in the corner away from all other things. “Yeh maine nahin dekha kaun se function ka hain” Kukki asked and Prerna smiled and lovingly touched the suit. 

“Aapke papa se pehli baar mili thi us din, apni zindagi ki sabse badi deal ki thi unke saath” Prerna said and Kukki asked “Why?” 

“Because that gave me your father, and you and this Prerna Sharma, first with hurt and then with happiness.” Prerna said. 

“I don't understand you” Kukki said

“You will someday.” Prerna said and locked the door of the cupboard.

School Fair

Kukki was happily sitting in the car waiting to reach the school and see Mr Bose’s face that he lost and it was all of no use. They reached the school and Mr Bose with Chandu and Nityas help was setting up the counter when Kukki’s teacher came to their counter. 

“Kukki yeh kya hain?” Teacher asked

“Mam Chocolate chip cookies, that is what we will sell?” Kukki said innocently

“Kukki yeh galat baat hai maine aapki diary main clearly likha that this is a fun fair but the main theme is giving healthy food. I am sorry you cannot sell these cookies.” Teacher said 

“But mam we have already made 200 cookies. What will I do with them?” Kukki said 

“Kukki I am sorry but we cannot do anything. It will be unfair to the rest of the participants. I am sorry is saal aap fair main participate nahin kar sakti” Teacher replied.

“Aise kaise she cannot sell them. Apni principal ko bulaye mujhe baat karni hain. Call her right now or else I will have to make some phone calls” Mr Bose said in a harsh tone.

“Kise phone call karenge aur aap hain kaun aur yahan kya kar rahin hain. Parent id cards hain aapke paas ya main security ko bulao” Teacher said and Kukki was not liking this and this could get her in trouble. 

“Main iska nana hoon and dont you dare threaten me” Mr Bose said.

“Mr Bose!!! stop it. I am sorry Mam and I won't sell them. I apologize” Kukki said and the teacher walked away.

“Mr Bose please its ok it was a mistake it happens. I already feel bad, please dont make things worse for me” Kukki said and walked over and started closing the boxes.

“Kukki I am really sorry. Kukki aapne diary nahin padhi thi kya” Nitya said

“Maine padhi thi par main bilkul bhul gayi. I am so sorry to you too. Apko aur Nino ko itni mehnat karni padi” Kukki said and made a face.

“Don't be concerned about that and don't worry. Tum chahti hoon na tum jeeto to tum hi jeetogi.” Mr Bose said, taking out his phone.

“What?? ” Kukki said, trying to stop him.

“You will win” Mr Bose said  and went away making some calls. Kukki kept looking at Mr Bose retreating figure and she knew that he will do something which she will definitely not like.After sometime Mr bose came towards the fair with some amazing whole wheat biscuits which were healthy and he had a lot of them. Kukki was surprised.

“Mr Bose aap kaha se laye yeh sab? Did you buy this also?” Kukki said 

“Yes but who cares you will win the prize. It's not like all the parents haven’t done this one way or the another.” Mr Bose said 

“Mr Bose I don't care about other parents. The point was to bring something homemade. This is cheating and I will not do this” Kukki shouted

“Come on Kukki!!! you didn't have any problem with the solar system project then why now? You came first in that one didn't you?” Nitya added as she knew that Kukki had done this deliberately. 

“Nahin diya tha aap dono ka woh cheating wala project nahin diya tha maine. Maine aur mumma ne jo banaya tha woh diya tha and I came first because of that.” Kukki added angrily as she knew she was caught.

“What??Kukki but why maine itni mehnat se arrange karwaya tha. ” Mr Bose

“Mr Bose you paid money for it arrange aur mehnat Miss Tiwari ne ki thi aur agar aap 3 bar erase karwane ke baad thi try karte rehte aur mere saath woh pura project banwate then even if it would have been the worst I would have submitted it.” Kukki said and Mr Bose looked straight at her trying to control his anger. Nitya just looked amused.

“You lied to me?” Mr Bose said.

“Aur aaj bhi jhooth bola tumne you knew didnt you and you lied.” Nitya again added.

“Neither did I use then nor will I use today.” Kukki said getting angry and was about to throw  all the biscuits but Prerna came just in time to stop her.

“Kukki you don’t throw food” Prerna said and stopped her.

“I am not selling this on my counter, this is plain simple cheating” Kukki said again trying to throw them.

“I know but that doesn't mean that you will throw food like this.” Prerna said and calmed her.”You don't want to use them we won't use them.” Prerna said 

“And you say that you are a good mother mujhe insult karne ke liye you let the little girl lose. Isn’t it?” Mr Bose added. “Dekh liya Kukki and you say that they are not partial. I am ready to move tooth and nail to make you win and she let you loose so she can satisfy her jealousy” looking at Nitya and then Prerna. “ and make me look bad.” Mr Bose said

“Come on Prerna just let it be. Kukki can win this let her have it” Nitya added.

“Nitya yeh mere ghar ka matter hain. I can handle” Prerna said sternly.

“Why don't you understand she will lose. Wining to chodo she cant even participate now. SHE WILL LOSE” Mr Bose shouted and everybody turned around to see them.

“Please keep your voice down yeh aapka boardroom nahin school hai and there are small kids' ' Prerna said and then smiled at the parents and shook her head as if saying everything is ok to some concerned parents. “and she will participate.” Prerna said and asked Chandu to bring the boxes from her car. She had some homemade sandwiches made that she usually does for events like this. They were not much but they could use it for the shop. For the whole wheat bread and cookies she distributed it to the staff and the guest for free citing her mother’s birthday and they were for treat. Everybody loved it and Kukki was really ok that she didn't get the prize but the look on Mr Bose’s face every time she looked at him made her a little bit more happy. After a hard day’s work they were sitting in the garden waiting as they wrapped everything up.

“I must say those cookies were incredible. Everybody loved them. Mr Bose you should be very happy everybody loved those Biscuits  and cookies also” Prerna said but Mr Bose went and sat in the car sulking.

“You should have used the biscuits that he bought. She could have won. I know rishi would have done it. Use sirf jitna pasand hain” Nitya said

“Goodbye Nitya I think we are all tired.” Prerna said and left from there. 

“You rocked Mrs Bajaj.”  Kukki said and Prerna bowed. Kuki giggled. “How did you make those Sandwiches?”Kuki said 

“Aapki naani se baat kithi maine unke ssath mil kar” Prerna said 

“Really??” Kukki said and Prerna would get scared every time she said it as she becomes an exact replica of Mr Bajaj.

“Main nahin chahti thi ki Mr Bose ki wajah se aap hare” Prerna said, avoiding her eyes.

“Woh pata hain kaun hain?” Kukki said pointing towards Anuj, a small bespectacled boy who was giving a speech. “He always gives a good speech, amazing in studies and handwriting uff he always asks me for help in spelling bee but this year she took that girls help - Aarti. I didn't like it” Kukki said and Prerna started playing with the grass on which they were sitting.

“She keeps calling him J J all the time and sharing food and all I want to do is dump her face in her plate.” Kukki said and Prerna looked at her aghast.

“Kukki!!!!! I just didn't want you to lose” Prerna said

“Agar aisa tha Mr bose ko bata deti,hamare ghar pe bana leti” Kukki said and Prerna tried to say something but Kukki showed her hand.

“Element of surprise kaise rehta Nitya ki yeh rotli shakal kaise dekhne ko milti. Kya chakkar hai Mrs Bajaj if I can sit on your head for hurting my father I can also sit on my father’s head for doing the same to you.” Kukki said, wiggling her eyebrows and Prerna looked at her.

“Aap na bhut baatein karne lagi hoon aaj kal. We should go as we are late. I also need to prepare food for your father and then go to the hospital.” Prena said and went to look at the stuff while Kukki kept laughing.

“You really are Rishi’s daughter” Nitya said standing behind Kukki as Prerna left.

“R-I-S-H-A-B B-A-J-A-J Mr Rishab Bajaj or Mr Bajaj” Kukki said getting up and Prerna smiled as she heard from her behind as she knew she would never be able to say this to Nitya but her mini Bajaj had done the deed. IF nobody was seeing her she would have even danced.There Mr Bose was sitting in the car when he got a call from someone. 

“Mr Bose Kaise hain aap?” Anurag said

“Good Mr Basu. What about you?” Mr Bose said getting happy that he might get to avenge himself.

“Woh hamare naye project ki kuch details discuss karne the to why don't we meet somewhere” Anurag asked

“Why? Come to Bajaj Mansion and we can discuss?” Mr Bose

“Actually I can’t. I have a restraining order against being near Bajaj’s” Anurag said

“Oh come on it doesn’t matter. And you are coming to meet me. Prerna aur Rishi waise bhi nahin hain you can come. Ok and you are having dinner today.” Mr Bose said and cut the call.

“Restraining order. I must say I underestimated you. Rishi ke saath rah kar kaafi kuch sikh  gayi hoon Prerna lekin abhi bhi bahut kuch baaki hain. You shouldn't have done what you did today. You shouldn’t have.” Mr Bose thought angrily.

Mr Bajaj’s Hospital Room

“Vaibhav kaisa hain?” Mr Bajaj

“Kal raat ko hospital main admit karna pada. Loan sharks ne pakad liya use. Jaise aapne kaha tha. Use laga aap use bacha lenge aur badi badi sekhi maar raha tha when he lost the senses and these people. But ab theek hain.” Mr Mehra replied.

“Aaj phir jitne do aur phir use bachao. Aur kal jab woh phir careless ho jao,Mr Dsouza ko bata do uske bare main” Mr Bajaj said

“Mr Dsouza woh to uske piche haath dho kar pada hain. Usne unki beti ke saath jo kiya uske baad” Mr Mehra

“I know. Use uska pata de do thoda marne pitne do taki hospital pahuch jaaye” Mr Bajaj

“Sir meri kuch nahin samajh aa raha aap kya karna chahte hain?” Mr Mehra

“Coffee pina chahte hoon oh sorry main to pi nahin sakta aur nahin woh, ah yes soup pina chahta hoon uske saath. Ab main to hospital se jaa nahin sakta to woh hi aa jaaye.” Mr Bajaj and then he said something else, hearing which he was even more shocked. Mr Bajaj then nodded and Mr Mehra was about to leave his room when he heard a voice.

“Mrs Bajaj ne kya karne ko kaha hain aapse?” Mr Bajaj said. Mr Mehra turned around and was about to say something when Prerna just came in. 

“Hello Mr.Mehra. Everything okay” Prerna said 

“Yes Mam.Acha hua aap aa gayi main aap dono se baat karna chahta tha.” Mr Mehra said and Prerna and Mr Bajaj were surprised.

“Kya?’ Prerna said and Mr Mehra took out an envelope and forwarded it to Mr Bajaj.

“Yeh?” Prerna and MrBajaj asked together.

“Mera Resignation” Mr Mehra said.

“What?” Prerna and MrBajaj said together.

“I am not your ping pong ball nor I am your owl that you will keep throwing between each other. So either accept my terms that whatever happens between me and Mam and me and Sir stays between us or I quit.” Mr Mehra said and they both looked at each other guilty.

“You cannot do that, I have an iron clad contract” Mr bajaj smirked.

“Yes it is I made the contract but uske hisab se I should retire 1 year before. I am still here. I can just retire now and you cannot stop me” Mr Mehra said a bit scared and wiped sweat with a handkerchief.

“Mehra” Mr bajaj said sternly.

“Mr.. Mr Bajaj” Mr Mehra said, sweating.

“Fine,” Prerna said as she was about to throw the envelope in the trash bin.

“Please don’t do that. I need to post that. It is  an important letter of the company.”Mr Mehra

“What?” Prerna said.

“Good night” Mr Mehra said and quickly picked the envelope and ran out of the door. 

“Aapko pata tha?” Prerna asked and Mr bajaj was like how can you not know. And Mr Bajaj started laughing.

That night Veena had come to meet them. Prerna went to talk to the doctor while Veena sat for sometime near Mr Bajaj.They always were very awkward with each other. Mostly because at first Veena had difficulty accepting the marriage and then accepting her mistake for thinking she was wrong about him and Prerna would be happy with him. But this accident had shown her that sometimes life can be so unpredictable. So she went ahead and started the conversation.

“Main jaanti hoon maine aapse kabhi nahin kaha but Thank you meri priyu ko itna khush rakhne ke liye.” Veena said and Mr Bajaj who had never had such a heart to heart talk or any talk with her was surprised and just listened with a sincere nod.

“Maine kuch nahin … unhone..” Mr bajaj is not able to express himself that nicely.

“Talli ek haat se nahin bajti.” Veena said and Mr bajaj gave a curt nod.

“Yeh mat samajhyega ki Anurag ne jo kiya uske baad hum aisa kar rahin hain. Uski Khamiyon ki zaroorat nahin hain aapki achai dekhne ke liye. Bahut salo se dekh rahin hain. Aaj hum priyu ko dekhte hain to vishwas nahin hota hain. Hamare pati bahut ache insaan the apni puri zindagi unhone Basus ki care ki hume koi sikayat nahin hain unki loyalty pe garv hain hume. Lekin kabhi apne liye kuch nahin kar paye woh chate to dono kar sakte the par mano ek bhawar main khoke reh gaye. Dar tha hume ki Priyu bhi usi bhawar main kahi kho jayegi.Par nahin aapne sambhal liya So Thank you. Thank you” Veena Sharma said with a smile.

“Aapko yeh sab bolne ki zaroorat nahin hain. Aapko kuch nahin hoga” Mr bajaj said and Veena looked at him straight thinking how does he know. But yes he knows he always knows.

“Aapne priyu ko to nahin???” SHe asked

“Sach aapka hain batane ka right bhi aapka hain. Par mujhe acha lagega aap use khud bata de.” Mr Bajaj said 

“Itne sare cheezen chal rahin hain burden karke kya fayda. Waise bhi hum kaun sa kahin aaj ja rahin hain. Time hain bata dungi use” Veena replied and Mr bajaj nodded.

“Main yahin chahunga ki situation worse hone se pehle aap use bata dete warna next tests ke baad mujhe batana padega. I don't like hiding things from her. She can handle it.” Mr Bajaj replied and Veena nodded. 

After sometime gaining some strength he replied “maine Jo kiya apne liye kiya. Businessman ho bina profit ke kuch nahin karta. “ said with a smile.

“Haan aap Priyu se bahut pyaar karte hain lekin uske liye hamari family ki problems solve karne ki zaroorat nahin thi. Sneha ko... aur Basus ne jo kiya use side me rakh kar Prerna ko Moloy bhaisaab se touch main rehne dena zaroorat nahin thi par apne kiya. In aankhon ne duniya dekhi hain itna to samajhti hoon” Veena said and for the first time put a hand on his head and for a moment a shiver ran down Mr Bajaj spine  and he looked away and was about to say something but he just couldn't his throat constricted and he started to cough. Veena gave him some water but he just relaxed and drank some water and smiled.  She didn't notice the lone tear that fell from his eye or she thought it was because of the cough. She left after sometime as she didnt want Kukki and Sneha to be alone for a longtime especially since Anurag’s surprise visit. Only Mr Bajaj and Prerna were left while Perna was taking care of her bed on the couch. 

“Comfortable nahin hain” Mr Bajaj said and Prerna smiled while continuing with his work.

“Aap aur Maa kya baatein kar rahin the” Prerna asked and Mr Bajaj made a face. “Nahin main bas puch rahi hoon” Prerna said.

“Now I know why Mr Mehra did all the drama.Apni Priyu ki burai kar rahin thi mere samne” Mr Bajaj said 

“Kya?” Prerna said standing folding her arms.

“Haan aur nahin to kya bol rahin thi hamari priyu to thodi si pagal hain bachpana hain usme galtiyan karti rehti hain” Mr bajaj said and saw her standing still with a worn down face. 

“Are kya hua? Prerna main to mazak kar raha tha. Mrs Bajaj!!!!” Mr Bajaj moved forward his hand which Prerna reluctantly took. SHe came and sat next to him and hugged him and Mr Bajaj realised she was tense a bit.

“All OK?” Mr Bajaj said and Prerna nodded. 

“Kukki ke school main fair tha. She didn't win. ” Prerna said 

“It's ok, She understands… Waise bhi aapne cookies bahut ache banaye the. I ate a small bit of them with the food. ” Mr bajaj said and Prerna broke the hug.

“Kaun si cookies?” Prerna asked.

“Woh khane ke saath thi. I just had a bite. Too good haan really really...” Mr bajaj was saying when he stopped midway and Prerna seemed to be in the mood to kill him.

“Bad very very bad” Mr bajaj added.

“Nitya ne banaye thi Mr Bose ki help karne ke liya. Kukki ke school fair ke liye. But we needed something healthy so we couldn't use it.” Prerna said again going back and taking care of the couch. 

“Waise Aap aap bhi chahe to mujhe Priyu bula sakte hain you know aur main aapko ek secret hamara secret naam de sakti hoon, “Prerna said fumbling and Mr Bajaj started controlled himself from laughing.

“Acha kya bulana hain aapko mujhe? Woh Miss Choubey bulati hain Mr Basu ko what was that???” Mr Bajaj asked.

“Eeewww EWwww Eeewww.” Prerna said and went with a pillow to hit him. “No need no need at all.” Prerna said and was about to go.

“Ya phir Rishi” Mr Bajaj said, holding her hand and Prerna stopped midway.

“Mujhe neend aa rahin hain. Chodiye!!!” Prerna said and tried to free her hand

“Sneha aaj actions kar rahin thi aapki aur Kukki ki tarah video call pe she was looking real cute” Mr bajaj said and pushed Prerna towards her and Prerna almost fell on Mr Bajaj

“Aap aap theek hain?”  Prerna asked.

“Kya hua Mrs Bajaj?” Mr Bajaj

“Main woh …..” Prerna said and tried to get up but Mr bajaj held her hands and kept her face near to her not letting her go. He removed a strand of hair from her face.

“Kya hua?”Mr Bajaj said 

“Rishab hospital hain, please” Prerna said, struggling to free her hand  and Mr Bajaj smiled.

“Aap mujhe Rishi nahin bula sakti” Mr bajaj saaid and Prerna looked at him hurt.

“Bas nahin bula sakti. Kya karengi aap?” Mr Bajaj asked

“Main….” Prerna said and tried to get up but Mr Bajaj held her  in her place. 

“Prerna hain aap, aapse aaj tak kise ke saath galat kuch hua hain jo aap aaj karengi.” Mr bajaj said 

“Aapke liye main kuch bhi karungi. Sunaa apne Kuch bhi” Prerna said and to her utmost surprise Mr bajaj kissed her and she was lost. Suddenly the phone started ringing and they broke off breathless. Prerna tried to get up but Mr Bajaj stopped her and she kept struggling. After sometime he let her go and she picked up the phone to see Saba’s number.

“Hello!!!!” Prerna says worried. There was some sound from behind and then

“What ANURAG!!!!!” Prerna shouted while Mr Bajaj’s phone rang from Mr Mehra.

“Mehra!!!”  Mr Bajaj said.