Chapter 21

PaRT: 21

Shabd left for Bangalore from office. Mahi felt upset but never stopped to go to work in absence of Shabd at office. She didn't answer Shabd's phone calls. Even Shabd's calls at work were attended by someone else. Mahi kept herself busy whenever Shabd wanted to talk to her. She gave some excuse and made her assistants to reply to his calls. Shabd understood that Mahi was still upset with him and wondered about her anger towards him.

Mahi saw Shabd entering office after his return from Bangalore. She walked out of his cabin without facing him. She left office handing over the rest of work to her assistant. Shabd noticed all work assigned to Mahi was completed by her in time. He appreciated her work and tried to reach her. Deepti updated him about her leaving for home.

Shabd finished his formalities at work and reached home by 4.
He couldn't find her anywhere in the house. "DM! Mahi kahan hai? I don't see her anywhere?"

DM smiled "Kyon ussey kuch kehdiya tha? Bina bataye chali gayi?"

Shabd twisted his eyebrows and flared his nostrils "meiney kuch kaha? Nahin toh! Kyon usney kuch aisi batayi thi?"

DM smiled knowing their sweet fights "wo apni mamma ke paas gayi thi." Shabd felt upset and walked into his room. "Maayka gayi thi? Bina bataye? Wahan sab kuch theek toh hai na? DM was smiling so there was nothing wrong. So, Mahi was still upset with me! Ussey huva kya hai? Kissi ne ussey bhadkaya? Did I give any scope for such suspicions? Phir wo humarey barein mein aisi kaisi sochli? Mein aur Suhani? How disgusting thought was that!!" He tossed on bed. He flipped pages of magazines. He took some whisky. Nothing soothed his pain and disturbed mind. He called Mahi's mobile but got no response. He thought of calling her home again but withdrew "what if they think we had some differences? I don't know what explanation or excuse Mahi gave to them. Let me wait for a day and see if she comes back on her own."

Mahi told that she came there as she was missing them a lot. Mahi waited for

Shabd to call her at home. She switched off her mobile as her parents wouldn't get any suspicion if she doesn't respond. She didn't want to answer his calls. "Bada aya mujhey chodkar Suhani ko lekey gaya tha. How come he neglects me like that? I can understand and manage those conferences too. It's not a big deal. Phir wo Suhani ko kyon importance deta hai? Probably Deepti's observation was true! I should show Shabd what I can do if he goes out of the line." She chanted her decision and anger in her mind umpteenth time.

Mohini noticed some change in Mahi and worried if Shabd and Mahi fought with each other. She thought to wait for another day and ask Mahi, or call DM to find out the problem. Mahi was not happy and lost in her thoughts sitting in a corner or in a swing in backyard.

Next day morning Mahi got up late. Mohini worried as Mahi had been always early bird. "Mahi! Utho. Suraj upar chada hai. Abhi tak sotey rahi? Tumhari tabiyat theek toh haina?" Mahi opened her drowsy eyes and turned other side groaning lazily. Mohini touched her forehead and waist and sighed as felt normal. She walked out thinking something.

Brij gestured enquiring about Mahi. "Pata nahin, ji! Kya huva hoga. Itni deir tak sotey huvey Mahi ko kabhi nahin dekhi thi. Kal sey bechari upset rahi. Deir raat tak nahin soyi hogi. Bahut geheri neend mein hai."

Brij worriedly saw at her and thought something in his mind "Miya biwi ke beech kuch differences aya hoga. Pehley kabhi nahin huva tha aisa. Kuch serious toh nahin hogi na?"

Nani massi approached them and smiled after listening to their conversation "Moni! Kuch baat toh nahin? Aksar ladkiyon ko aisi weird feelings hotey hai."

Mohini and Brij looked excitingly into each other's eyes. "Ussey uthney do maasi! Mein poochoongi. Maata Ji ki aashirwaad ho, sab theek hojaayegi." She prayed and walked into kitchen.

Around 9 Mahi woke up and walked to dining table after freshening herself. Mohini came to her and caressed her head affectionately. "Kaisi ho, Mahi? Achi Neend soyi? Raat bhar jaagi thi kya?"

Mahi smiled at her and circled her waist "nahin, Mumy ji! Mein theek hoon. Bus kuch laziness" She rested her face on her chest. Mohini caressed her waist and shoulders. Brij came and sat besides Mahi. Nani maasi brought hot badam milk with some parathas.

Mahi got water in mouth and took them eagerly. She tried to put the milk glass near mouth but felt like throwing up. She winkled her nose and put the glass back on table.

Mohini and Nani maasi exchanged looks and enquired Mahi "kya huva?"

'Not feeling like having it, mummy ji!" Mohini pinched her chin "hmmm, humey yeh batao ki kuch kush kabhar dena chahti ho?" Mahi shocked and looked into Mohini's eyes thinking about her dates. She lowered her eyes as her cheeks became red "Kya yeh such hai? Issi liye main irritate horahi hoon? Issi liye main Shabd ki nazdeek rehna chahti hoon? Ussey Suhani ki saat nahin dekh pati? Ya Deepti ki batein mujhey such much pareshan kar rakha hai?'

Mohini kissed Mahi's cheeks while she was in thoughts. Nani maasi came and blessed Mahi. Brij went to call DM. Mahi blushed and hugged Mohini and hid her face in her stomach.

"Dayi maa ji! Ek khush kabhri hai. Mahi maa banney wali hai. Haan, hum bhi yahin soch rahey hai ki ussey iss liye maayka aaney ki mann chaha. Aap Sareen saab ko bhi batayiye. Aur Shabd beta ko bhi. Mein ussey baat karney ki koshish karunga."

Mohini sweetly scolded Brij "aap bhi itni jaldi kyon bata diya tha? Humey pehley Mahi ko doctor ke paas lejaana hai. Confirm honey ke baad bata dena chahiye."

Mahi went into her room after forcibly fed by Nani maasi and Mohini. She took her cell and looked at remembering Shabd. "wo kaisa react hongay? Yeh sach hai ki mein maa banney wali hoon? What a great feeling!! DM ki kushiyon ki boundaries nahin hongi. Shall I call Shabd? Nahin, mein kyon phone karoon? Let him know through DM. Wo kya daud kar ajayega?" Mahi fell asleep again while thinking about Shabd and others' excitement about the news.

On the other hand, Shabd got up with hang over headache and irritated with DM "you should have stopped Mahi, DM! Tum ussey kaisey chalney diya tha? Na phone utha rahi hai, na koyi khabar uski taraf sey." He left to work without having breakfast. He got irritated with his colleagues too. Suhani tried to cheer him up but couldn't understand the reason behind his irritation. Deepti smelled some favourable symptoms as she didn't see Mahi around. Suhani forced him to have some lunch. Shabd couldn't spend more time in office and headed home.

Afternoon Mohini took Mahi to her known gynic for check up. The lady doctor confirmed and advised her to come back within two weeks for more check-ups.

Evening Raaji, Soni came to Mohini's house with their husbands and kids. They all congratulated Mahi and ate sweets made by Nani Maasi. Mahi felt Shabd's absence. "khaash wo yahin hota! Wo yeh kush khabar sune toh kya karta!" Mahi's face fleshed imagining Shabd's love. Her heart was yearning for Shabd's presence.

Raji, Soni and Mohini noticed Mahi's fallen face and teased playfully. "Kyon Mahi! Itna satarahi hai Shabd ko, ab usko pehley sunanaey wali khabar last mein bata rahi hai. Hope Shabd khub punishment dey tujhey" Raji boxed Mahi's ears.

Soni moved other side of Mahi and teased "Kahan hai Shabd sahib? Does he know about this or not?"

Mahi shyly shook her head and ran into her room. Her eyes filled with tears thinking about Shabd. She was badly missing him now.

Shabd didn't see DM in the house and wondered as she hardly goes out of the house. His father was also not around in the house. He filled his glass with whisky and lay in the couch but couldn't even have half of it. He decided to call Malhotra house to reach Mahi "kehdoonga ki Mahi ki mobile switched off thi. Kya kehengey? Jo bhi chahey Kehney deejiye, mein to bus Mahi ki awaj sun na chahta hoon." He firmly decided and dialed Malhotra's house number.

"Haan, Shabd beta! Kaisey ho? Mubarak ho. Hum sab tumhara hi intezaar kar rahey hai. Mahi bhi subah sey udaas bhaiti thi. Raaji, Soni, Veer, Jeet sab aachukey they."Mohini affectionately greeted Shabd.

Shabd was confused for Mohini's affectionate enquiries. He wanted to ask about Mahi but again decided to go there in person. "Mummyji! Main abhi nikalney wala tha. Bus ek baar Mahi sey…" he conveniently lied and paused.

Mohini smiled from other end "aaney ke baad Mahi sey baat kar saktey ho. Jaldi aajao hum sab dinner pe tumhara intezaar karengey." Shabd heard Raaji, Soni giggling behind Mohini making him more inquisitive.

He dressed up quickly and left for Malhotra's house. He tried to call DM but he couldn't reach her. His heart was jumping in excitement to see Mahi as if it was first time he will be going to meet her.

Veer, Jeet received him warmly while Raji, and Soni were giggling with happy faces. Shabd was puzzled at their hospitality. He walked inside hesitatingly searching for Mahi. He surprised to see DM there. DM was smiling with a cheer.

Brij came to him and congratulated. Shabd's heart was aching to see Mahi "yeh congrats ki baat kya huva?" Mohini brought sweets to him "Mubarak ho beta!"

DM understood his confusion and caressed his head "Tum baap banney wala hai.
Aaj hi sab ko pata chala. Main tumhay surprise dena chahti thi. Issiliye phone nahin ki. Mujh sey rehnahi payi aur main yahin chali aayi thi. Hum sab tumhey phone karkey yahan bulaney waley they aur tu hi phone kardiya tha."

Shabd's mind became numb with over excitement and his heart skipping beats to see Mahi. His face filled with excitement but his voice was not speaking out.

Everyone surrounded Shabd with their experiences and excited talks. Shabd was responding to them but his heart pining for Mahi as eyes searching for her. Mohini and Nani maasi arranged the table while everyone teasing Shabd.

Mohini called everyone at dining table. "Jao beta, Mahi ko bulakar le aao. Mahi apni kamerey mein hai" Mohini atlast relieved Shabd.