Part 15(a): Birla's Past part-2: Roohi's pain

Roohi was getting better. She was still in her wheelchair, but she was getting better.

She still felt pain in her legs at night and needed two different ointments. All her medications tasted awful, but she could walk without a walker for more than 15 minutes daily, after which she had to rest. Otherwise, she would get scolded. Despite the pain, she never gave up. Raji Aunty promised to teach her Kathak if she improved by next year, which excited Roohi. Until now, she had been confined to her wheelchair but was now allowed to walk for some time.

Roohi felt that the past few months were different.

Parth Tauji and Shivu Bhaiyya had an accident. Tauji went to the stars just like her Papa. Shivu Bhaiya became weird after the accident. He kept shaking so much while sleeping that everyone got worried. Shivu Bhaiyya was being visited by many doctors a day. Poppy said that Shivu Bhaiyya's head was very hurt in the accident. And all those doctors were trying to cure him. Shivu Bhaiyya keeps crying when he is alone. Roohi asked about Shefali Taiji because Shivu Bhaiyya wanted to meet his mother. But all the adults asked her to never talk about Shefali Taiji again. No one answered her. Shivu Bhaiyya was always silent. He always refused to play whenever she asked. Days went by. Roohi always went for her Physiotherapy sessions. Then, when Abhir came to him for the Diwali holiday, He looked sad.

"Roohi, do you think I am weak?" Roohi did not understand anything.

Abhir did not even wait to listen to her answer. After that, Abhir and Shivu Bhaiyya only talked amongst themselves. They both stopped talking to her like before. She did not like it. She felt lonely. She wanted to cry. Both her brothers stopped playing house with her also. Or play racing cars with her. They never said it, but she knew they saw her as some baby. It was not fair. She got so angry one day that she threw all the stuff toys and pillows she had on them both.

"You both are so stupid! If you do not like to play with me!! Fine!! Then I'll also not play with you both." She was looking forward to playing with her brothers. They both ruined it. She will never talk with them. Ever.

She was still in a bad mood when she reached the Physiotherapy Clinic. She was holding back her tears. She was waiting for her Mathashree. She only does Physiotherapy when Mahtashree, Poppy,or Maasi are there.

"Hi, Roohi."

It was Yash uncle. If it was a normal situation, Roohi would have smiled widely and greeted him loudly. But she was trying to control her tears. She greeted him as slowly as possible. She knew adults didn't like crying, children.

"Hello, Yash Uncle."

Yash smiled. Roohi is so different from her mother. Actually, after meeting many shrewd businessmen, cunning politicians, and calculating criminals, Roohi is such a refreshing change. Her face was like a teleprompter of her mind.

"Are you upset?" Yash started bluntly. Why should he waste tact on an 8-year-old anyway?

"No." Roohi sniffled.

"Ok, Then did you fight with anyone?"

As she denied it, her thick and bushy hair moved back and forth like waves. Yash observed how adorable she looked while doing this action. He realized what made his mom extra happy with the little girl. He couldn't help but think how he was nothing like her at that age. He remembered his past mischiefs, such as fighting in mud and smuggling in street puppies, kittens, and even a goat once (who ended up damaging Mom's new saree by chewing 10% of it). Looking back, those antics didn't seem as cute as the girl's innocent way of shaking her head.

"You fought with Abhir again?"

"And Shivu Bhaiyya." Roohi apparently gave up.

"They both are stupid. I will never talk to them ever."

"Good decision." Yash picked her up and made her sit on his lap. Roohi was used to Yash uncle doing this so she continued to complain.

"They are both always so silent. Then, even if they talk, they talk only with each other. When I went inside their room, they both stopped talking and wouldn't even tell me what they were talking about. They both treat me like I am stupid. But they are truly stupid. They are really stupid."

Yash listened to it patiently while he wiped her nose in between. How sweet is the fact that she knows only one bad word, 'Stupid'? Yash was sure he knew more words when he was that age. Well, boarding school did teach him many things.

"I was waiting for Abhir to comeback. I thought we would all play like old times. But Abhir and Shivu bhaiyya do not like me anymore. Is it because I cannot walk anymore?"

"Of course not. See, those two were stupid just like you said. It is a fact? Did you know girls are much smarter than boys?"

"Really?"

"Of course! Even Peter Pan knew that."

"Who is Peter Pan?"

"You don't know Peter Pan and his adventures in Neverland?" Yash told Roohi about Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and the lost boys. Roohi immediately got immersed in the story. She slowly forgot her anger and frustrations.

Arohi saw this from far away. Herdaughter was smiling so widely. She knew her daughter didn't crave her father'spresence in her life. The whole family took care of that. But sometimes, she wonders if this family could give her the environment she deserves. She saw Yash.

Why did he love her? She really could not understand what he thought of her. But she knew he was sincere. He was genuinely in love with her. She knew what love was. Neil loved her. Accepted her for who she was. Yash also says he would, but she was not just Arohi anymore. She was Roohi's mother. Could Yash love Roohi? The answer was in front of her. She looked out. The sun was setting. That was the day Arohi decided to change her life.

She walked towards them, "Roohi" She called out to her daughter.

"Matoshree!!" Roohi happily exclaimed.

"Yash uncle was telling me stories.. About Wendy and Peter pan. Tinker bell is also there"

Arohi let Roohi say a lot. Her eyes met Yash's. Yash was careful not to make situation any more awkward and held a diplomatic silence.

"Roohi" Arohi started after Roohi completed. "Do you like listening to Yash uncle's stories?"

Roohi nodded her hear enthusiastically. Yash looked confused. 

"How about this? Can we ask Yash uncle to tell you stories? Maybe for a long long time?"

Yash's eyes widened with surprise, but Roohi had a confused expression.

"What do you mean?"

"How about asking Yash uncle to be your papa?"

8 year old Roohi still did not understand. She looked up to see Yash uncle. His face looked like he was scared and happy. He looked at Roohi and smiled. Roohi smiled back and said.

"If Yash uncle becomes my Papa, he will be able to  tell me stories every night right?"

Yash nodded.

Roohi smiled and said, "Ok"

Yash happily hugged her. Roohi thought adults were weird. They took too much time for things like these. Weddings are always fun. 

She would enjoy her Matoshree's and Yash uncle's wedding.

She couldn't wait to tell everyone.

Abhir and Shivu Bhaiyya will finally be happy. Because everyone have to be happy in wedding.  She will ask Poppy and maasi to dance on all nice songs. Dida will be so happy just like she was during Poppy and Maasi's wedding. Roohi couldn't wait to tell everyone. Roohi prayed her Physiotherapy classes to end soon. So that she can announce it t everyone.