My Hopes, Your Dreams

Hi all sorry it’s taken a while to update. 
This ones  been on mind for a very long time now, needed to post it.  Thank you for all the likes and comments. Very blessed  to have you all here after such a long time. 

My Hopes, Your Dreams  

Kuki wanted to hear her bedtime story from her father this evening and she knew just where to find him. 

In his room under the stars and when she thought about it her da and Sneha were same that way. They both liked the stars. 

Rishabh who could  hear  kukis little footsteps approaching refrained from reaching for his cigar box. 

Just as well as before he knew it kuki had jumped into his lap holding up  her storybook to him with a smile. 

…
When Rishabh had turned the last page Kuki looked up at her father not a wink sleepier and when he closed the book Kuki was ready with one of her questions. Surprisingly it was nothing to do with the fairly tale.

“Da, grandpa Mehra says you might not be going to the office tomorrow  does that mean we can go for icecream?“

Rishabh raised an eyebrow.

“Kuki beta, It’s way past your bedtime” They heard Prerna say just in time who was standing at the entrance of the porch.

Kuki kissed her da goodnight and trundled off

“Goodnight Pa”

“Goodnight Ma”

Having watched kuki walk away Rishabh  drew his gaze towards Prerna.

They didn’t need words to know what each  other were thinking. 

They were pleased to see each another,  with Prerna noticing fatigue in him and Rishabh a concern for it in Mrs Bajajs eyes. 

Prerna  walked round to the back of Rishabhs chair and put her hands to his shoulders to massage   away the discomfort that had formed throughout the day. 

Rishabh closed his eyes and even though some relief passed through him his mind still wondered. 

“Aap theekh kar rahe,( you’re doing the right thing) he heard her say. Which no doubt helped. 

“What you want is no longer in that office of yours”

“And what might that be?” he opened his eyes and looked up at her keen to hear what she had to say. 

“Sneha aur Kuki, Your cars… Rest” 

He looked into her eyes with admiration, she knew his heart well.

Only that look in his eyes quickly turned from love to something more flirtatious.

“There is one thing I enjoy about that office” she heard him say

“Hmm” replied prerna innocently until she looked into his eyes and realised he was flirting. She shrug him off with a disapproving  look and walked off into the leaving Rishabh feeling quite triumphant. 

..

As Prerna lay in Mr Bajajs arms, in the quiet of the night knowing that there was just the two of them now she asked..

“Aap ne kiz ko chuna? ..” ( have you decided who it will be?)

Rishabh looked down at Prerna in his arms but avoided the question.

“Who do you think I should choose?”

“Mahesh ya phir Mr Mehra ” replied Prerna.

Hearing her response helped Rishabh Bajaj be certain that he had made the right choice in Prerna. Anyone who was too sure of their skills would be a poor choice.

On the other hand Prerna knew Rishabhs silence meant she didn’t have the privilege of knowing what he had decided on just yet and spoke no further on the matter.

..

The time had come, with his nearest, dearest closest to him all  sat in their best attire around the  dinner table Rishabh called the table to attention.

“As you all know I  have decided to step down as CEO of Bajaj enterprises to focus on other things.” 

His eyes on  Prerna at first but then in particular Sneha in Veenas lap and Kuki beside Mr Mehra. The moment adorable as the girls smile at their father as do all others. 

“I’m sure you will all agree with me that the fitting person to take my place is Prerna. Please join me in raising a toast to Mrs Bajaj.”

With the table cheering and smiling Rishabh watched Prerna be taken by surprise to begin with. When the noise calmed and all eyes move in her direction Prerna struggled to put any words together other than a “Thank you”

Before the table begins to cheer, amongst the celebration Rishabh catches something other than elation in his wife’s eyes and watches her leaving  the table and head for the staircase. 

Veena having noted the same gives Rishabh a reassuring look and leaves to check on her daughter. 

…

With some searching Veena finds Prerna in Snehas room, preparing for Snehas bedtime it seemed but Veena knew better. 

“Kya hua Priyu (What is it Priyu?)

She asked having seen her daughter wipe away tears as she walked into the room

“Kuch nahin ma woh maan bhar aaya bas”  ( it’s nothing, just overwhelmed)

Veena knew it was more than that and insisted Prerna confide in her.

There was silence for sometime before Prerna let on what bothered her. 

“Woh umeed thi ke ham phirse ma bane magar” .. (I was hoping to have another child ..)  When Prerna couldn’t finish her words Veena took her daughter her arms. 

“Toh bol na Rishabh ko” (“You must tell Rishabh”) 

Thinking it was a mistake to have said anything Prerna reassures her mother it was something and nothing and it would pass. It was  the first time  Mr Bajaj was doing something for himself and she didn’t want to ruin a moment he’d worked a life time for.

A min or so later there was a voice at the door.  it was Rishabh.  

Prerna hoped Rishabh hadn’t overheard. 

“Is something the matter ?”He asked at the entrance of the room seeing the two women together here. 

“Ji nahin” (No)  Prerna said quickly drawing a smile on her face. 

Rishabh walked over towards her stopping close “Khush?” He asked,  his eyes examining her closely. 

She didn’t look up at him for her eyes would surely fail her in this moment,

She nodded.

There was a strange silence for a moment as Rishabh stood and watched over her. After a moment he held out his arm  “Shall we”.. which prerna took hold of and they walked back to the dinner table.

…

As soon as they returned to the table Rishabh called everyone to attention. 

“Change of plans everyone, myself  and Mrs Bajaj have decided to delay my retirement so we can add to our family” 

There was understandably surprise at the table, and some murmur after which the cheer continued.  

Prerna unsure she’d heard correctly looked up to find Mr Bajaj  gaze poised firmly on her but those eyes of his were difficult to work out no matter how hard she tried read them.

…