One Shot

Greetings Everyone.

Bada BAKWAS x GARBAGE to the power infinity likha hai maine yea OS. It could have been more flowery and all things nice but i was too lazy to re-read and reframe. So, Dissapointed hone le liye taiyaar ho jao sab ke sab. Jootey 7 size ke aur Tamater ki jagah Onions phekk na. Also Not Proof Read.

Fikar Thi Unhe 

Mr Bajaj meri maa ki help karne ki koshish kar rahe thay , taki mujhe lage ki maa khudh ke bal pe paise kamaa rahi hai aur unhe bhi iss baat pe garv ho ki  unke swabhimaan ko thaais pahunche bina sab kuch theek ho raha hai 

Bina ehsaan jataaye woh meri family ki madat karne ki koshish kar rahe thay aur main unhe galat samaj rahi thi unn par bas ilzaamhi lagaa rahi thi 

Maine sirf unhe galat samjha.. aur woh.. woh mere... family ke baare mein soch rahe the .. meri maa ki fikar thi unhe.

Prerna played with her fingers deep in thought. It baffled her to articulate why she had been so frantic and restless for a few days or maybe she didn't want to acknowledge even after knowing the real reason why. She sighed deeply, the horrendous scene replaying in her head making her view it over and over again;how Mr Bajaj gasped for his breath as his vitals played havoc, her grabbing his hands in order to calm him down and him finally responding to her before being  declared out of danger. That very spine chilling blood freezing scene refused to go out of her memory and every time she closed her eyes she could see it happening in front of her. First it was Baba and then it was Mr Bajaj so close to...No no no.

The very thought scared the intestines out of her and even the even breaths of peacefully sleeping Mr Bajaj beside her, with her fingers on his wrist feeling his steady pulse couldn't calm her down enough. She so badly wanted to erase this spine chilling memory but it was something she knew would take months maybe years to fade away. The whistle from the pressure cooker tore her away from her reverie. She focused on the work at hand trying her best not to think about anything else. Diligently and carefully she saw how her fingers worked.That seemed to work. After that she mentally  made a checklist as she carried a tray laden with food up to her now bedroom and opened the door with her other hand. A small genuine smile formed on her face, seeing the sight that was set out for her and she sighed gratefully feeling reassured. Mr Bajaj was still sleeping in the same way she had adjusted him on the pillow half an hour ago, with one of his hands under his face and other resting on the blanket, and image just like that of Cookie as she slept, now in her room.

But the thick bandage around his head made her heart dip every time she saw it. He was recovering, she told herself over and over again. Placing the food laden tray on the tea table, she sat down beside him, carefully not wake him up. He looked so peaceful, his face so serene and innocent that it left her amazed wondering how he could turn into the ruthless business mogul whom everyone despised, in just a matter of seconds. 

Last three days had been very disastrous especially for both of them, and considering how badly he had hurt his head, it constricted her heart just by looking at him. Unknowingly she cupped his hand in both her hands and made soothing circles on his cool smooth skin. The guilt in her was so strong that her eyes filled with tears every time she saw him. She was at fault. Only if she hadn't been too oblivious to him and actually paid heed to his words, this wouldn't have had happened. Even Mr Bajaj  had scolded her though he himself was in tremendous pain, had asked her not to cry with no fault of hers but how could she not?!

She had formed an opinion of him based on other's wrong perception of his and when proven otherwise it stabbed her heart into millions of pieces. Her heart had always asked her not to hate him, but her mind blinded by sheer misconception and wrong perceptions refused to listen to her heart and made her conclude such ugly judgmental conclusions which now hurt her so badly that she couldn't forgive herself.

If not for Mr Vyas that very night, she wouldn't have known what he had actually done for her and her mother, a matter of fact what he truly was behind the mask of what he portrayed to the world,including her. She by now, very well knew that no one would ever dare to speak a word and risk themselves by going against Mr Bajaj's words but still Mr Vyas chose to reveal her the truth than keeping her in the dark for he knew the intention behind . Mr Bajaj wanted to help her mother financially but not at the cost of her self respect. Which is why he had given Mr Vyas the contract,asking him specifically to include Mrs Sharma. He explained how he didn't like Prerna judging and being angry and scorn at Mr Bajaj for something he didn't intend at all. He said he was instructed not to reveal all this to anyone but he had to Because he was the one who saw how a gesture that needed to be praised and appreciated was actually being labelled wrong and the very man in question accused and misunderstood or something he clearly didn't do.

I would never disrespect anyone's mother.

Oh! How wrong had she thought of him thinking he had done all that because wanted to shame her mother. He had been thinking about her mother all the time, worrying about her and she thought all he wanted to do was to shame her. He wasn't giving her mother money, he was actually putting her on a pedestal above Mr Vyas for he considered her to be his too. Oh! how he has always been right yet she put him under a black mark because she refused to see the truth and put her preconceived prejudices aside. Regret was a word too less for she felt so profound right now. If that wasn't enough to make her more guilty, his gestures next sawed her heart into tiny little pieces that hurt her thinking how wrong she had been and how hurtful she had been towards him all the time.

How had this man who had been tied to various tubes and monitors in ICU fighting for his life for two days, had literally fought with everyone to be on his foot only to save her mother when he regained his senses and came to know that she was wrongly framed in his absence.

The very man whom she thought was only capable of hurting others, himself in extremely excruciating pain had walked down the aisle of the courtroom, in his full glory though weak to bones, only to save her mother, taking back all the charges and freeing her mother at once.

The man whom she thought never respected anyone, though was disoriented and it hurt to be on his feet, folded his hands in front of her mother, apologizing over and over again for the wrong that had happened to her. His voice barely above a whisper but his apologies sincere and heartfelt.

How he swayed weakly under medication but made sure her mother was compensated with respect and monetarily. If Prerna hadn't caught his arm on time he might have had hurt his head again with a fall. Mr Mehra assured his Boss that he would take care of everything but a glare even in that state from Mr Bajaj made him quiet. He personally in that very dizzy disoriented injured state wanted to see everything was done properly as if it was his mother who was wrong.

Though he did so much for her mother, but her mother's cold demeanor and her family's sharp words not only slashed her but she did see how his eyes flickered and his Adam's apple throb though he had his patent stoic mask remained plastered on his face as if nothing affected him. Her Bhabhi demanded for more money, her mother did protest to say no but Mr Bajaj gestured Mr Mehra to do the needful. As the voices got louder, she saw discomfort come over on his face, his eyes closing on their own accord which wasn't unnoticed by Mr Mehra too. He intervened again and requested her literally in a begging tone with his eyes, to take his Boss home for he needed rest and not here in this scene.  

Prerna stepped up, scolded in a soft voice, her heart breaking as she did so, and literally dragged him to the car asking why he was there when he was supposed to be in the hospital resting. He seemed annoyed to be asked such a question but Prerna was glad that he was under the influence of pain medication which made him feel otherwise. He had started to lose the hold he had so far. And it hurt her to see him like this. The doctors had warned the injury was very bad, he had spent the better half of the night with elevated figures of his vitals so high that his breathing had to be assisted with an oxygen mask, until the doctor said her presence had made a lot of difference. In the wee hours of the morning he was declared out of danger again and she promised sleeping under the influence of medicine him that she would be back later when he woke up as the court needed her. She had kept Mr Mehra on guard of him and asked him to update her very 15minx about him. Little did she know, she would see him in a matter of few hours, on his foot, in his Business armor, half conscious due to medication, sporting a huge thick bandage on his head, walking down the aisle with the help of Mr Mehra, fighting for her mother. The thought of him doing so brought tears to her eyes. But now he needed her undivided attention and care,others could wait, even explaining her mother. She wouldn't care at first, but she knew her mother wouldn't misunderstand him either.

 Carefully she put him inside the car where Ram their driver looked so horrified and concerned about him and she helped him relax making him lean back. He was already drifting between consciousness and unconsciousness making her worry more. She quickly sat beside him and wrapped her hand around his head so that he didn't hurt himself due to the jerking of the car. When she asked Ram to take them to the hospital, Ram said Mr Bajaj had himself checked him out. 

"Yea hospital koi hotel hai kya? Har baat pe apni manmani karni hai." She retorted. But looking at his pain etched face, she kept her voice and temper in check. She quickly called back home, informing Tanvi that they were being home in a short while and also called the doctor home. 

How she wanted a conversation with him, fight with him, but his dizzy disoriented state reduced her to tears. The guilt and gratitude she harbored for him was profound and all these new feelings created such a mess in her brain and heart.

"No.. no hospital.. again." Mr Bajaj whisper yelled after a short while, breathless.

"Mr Bajaj hum ghar ja rahe hai.. Cookie ke pass." Prerna coaxed knowing the very mention of Cookie would make him feel better and she could see that it eased him instantly.

"Cookie…thik hai na Prerna?" He asked with concern, all his trust in her, his voice barely above a whisper after a while.

She nodded tongue tied and she was rewarded with a slight smile of his that he always had on his face, in Cookie's presence. He shifted a bit to be comfortable and Prerna let him rest his head on her shoulder. 

"As soft as cloud… puts Cookie to sleep..." Prerna was startled to hear Mr Bajaj murmuring after a while. She smiled thinking, he was dreaming about his daughter singing her lullabies. 

World's best father. 

The ride remained uneventful and with the help of Chandu she was successful in making Mr Bajaj rest on their bed. Maasi wasn't well and Tanvi was with Cookie who came running to her father when she saw Prerna. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged Prerna with full force. Prerna realized that the child was very upset and scared and she quickly took her to her father telling her that he was sleeping and would wake up soon. Prerna felt Cookie's hyperactivity would end up hurting Mr Bajaj in some way or the other which none wanted . But the child didn't relent. She wanted to be with her father and threw her arms out of Prerna's hold trying to reach to her father as tears rolled down her face. Prerna's heart broke and even Chandu looked at her with pleading eyes and Prerna dropped Cookie on the bed letting her reach her father and hold his face in her soft pudgy hands as she kissed his cheeks. Mr Bajaj who Prerna thought had actually fallen asleep, raised his eyebrows and with effort opened his heavy eyes a big smile making an appearance on his face. Cookie hugged him burying her crying face into his neck as she climbed on top of him like a baby monkey hugs it's mother. Prerna was delighted to see how Mr Bajaj wrapped both his arms around her and kissed her on the crown of her head, running his hand up and down her back shushing and comforting the child at the same time. The child gestured him how much she loved him and how strong he was and he would soon beat the hurt away and would be fine. Mr Bajaj, gave out a small chuckle and kissed her cheeks, saying sorry to have ruined her favorite memorable day.The child shook her head and gestured her father with her meant more nothing else. Prerna was amazed to see the baby girl's maturity so much that she had to rub her eyes dry.

It was hard to separate both the daughter and father duo when the doctor came to check on Mr Bajaj. Cookie would momentarily go to Prerna but again would want to be with her father making it impossible for the doctor to do his prognosis. Prerna noticed Tanvi had tried to take Cookie in her arms but she refused to go to her, instead she gestured Chandu to hold her hand and asked for Mr Mehra .Prerna's motherly Instinct picked up and she hugged Cookie assuring her thats he would be with her father. 

Prerna also noticed when Tanvi tried to touch Mr Bajaj or hold his hand Cookie would harshly remove her hand or even not let her touch him and place Prerna's handover his. Something was off which Prerna had to investigate but now Cookie andher father, needed her attention. She told Tanvi to be with ailing Massi and Tanvi had no choice but to leave the trio in comfort of their bedroom.

Oh how much it hurt her, pricked tears in her eyes when she saw him confused by her behaviour towards him when they were back home. He had blankly said he was expecting her to lash out at him for the entire situation and he was actually ready for it. 

"Aap mujhe accuse nahi karne wali? Ya main so gaya tha jab ap mujhe accuse kar rahi thi?" 

His confusion made her cry thinking he thought she would lash out at him, even in that state of his. Why wouldn't he? Because that is what she has been doing since the very day of their marriage. All the times he had tried to help her,but instead she yelled at him misunderstanding his actions and intentions and she didn't even stop to raise a question mark to his character, say hurtful stuff to him yet he still cared for her, pampered her, thought for her family,for herself.

Maine apko sirf ek maa ki nazar se dekha hai..

Apne meri Cookie ko apnaya.. thank you. 

Kisi ne mere liye kabhi kuch kiya nahi. Mujhe iss situation mein apko thank you kehna chahiye. 

Apko maa se baat karni chahiye. 

Koi bhi kaam chota ya bada nahi hota. 

Ap mujhse sawal nahi bus accuse karti hai. 

All you need to do is just ask. 

Har cheez ka sahi waqt hota hai. 

Oh it hurt well. It hurt so well.

Prerna diligently followed the post op care and medication that doctor had directed her to and much to her surprise Mr Bajaj only woke up thrice as said by the doctor, all the times coaxed to eat by Cookie. Mr Mehra came later in the day and handed Prerna some documents saying she should keep them safe till the time Mr Bajaj was fine to read through them. He then told her how Mr Bajaj had started throwing tantrums and how violent he had become when he woke up to know that she was in the court with her mother. It was impossible to control him and he had Himself signed the bond that said that if anything happened to him the hospital wasn't responsible. Prerna sighed loudly but even Mr Mehra asked her to stay aware of the people around her. He later said he wanted to stay with Mr Bajaj until he got better. Prerna was surprised at the proposal but Mr Mehra asserted he would be there, just in case if anything was needed, as  Mr Bajaj had ordered him to be with his family.  At first she couldn't catch it but when she came to know Mr Bajaj had asked Mr Mehra to stay with them, it meant well. The moment Mr Mehra saw Tanvi, she found his otherwise gentle demeanor now changed into an aggressive one. Tanvi without a word, left to her mother's room. Something was off and it surprised her to see Massi so ill that she didn't even come to meet Mr Bajaj even once, nor did she want to see a doctor.At least Nivedita di and Anupam had the courtesy to pay Mr Bajaj a visit. Anupam asked Prerna to be aware and take care as Nivedita di walked ahead of him out of the room. Prerna tried to ask him but it was of no avail yet everything had made the wheels in her head rotate.

Mr Bajaj refused the bed for he wanted her to be comfortable. Even after her assurance that she was fine with him on the bed but he was one stubborn man. That's when Cookie came to rescue. She refused to leave her father and Mr Bajaj was caught in his own game. After Cookie had made her Mama feed her Dad his dinner much to Mr Bajaj's protests, she wanted her Mama to put her Dad to sleep too, just the very way she did to her every day. Mr Bajaj tried to explain but Cookie put her little finger on his lips to keep him quiet. The medication too didn't help, and he anyway laid down on the fluffed up pillow.Cookie gestured her mother to caress his hair but Mr Bajaj pulled Cookie towards him and placed her tiny hand on his head himself. Prerna awwed at the two and in no time Mr Bajaj was asleep. Chandu got both Prerna's and Cookie's dinner to their rooms and Prerna fed the child and wanted to put the child to sleep in her room. But she denied saying she was scared and hugged her and pointed at her sleeping father gesturing to be with him too. She went and laid down beside him hugging his arm and gestured Prerna to come beside her. Prerna obliged the kid and for the first time the parents shared the bed with their daughter.

Mr Mehra had left early in the morning for some errands and had come back sometime ago. Cookie and he played in her room with her new presents much to Prerna's delight. Cookie who wasnt comfortable with strangers was very friendly with Mr Mehra. Mr Mehra explained Mr Bajaj would often bring Cookie to his office and even on official trips so he was the one who babysitted her most of the time since she was 6months, also he was happy to be with the child who was of his granddaughter's age. Cookie was no less than Mr Bajaj and Prerna could see the little child play imitating her father in his office. She would gesture Mr Mehra to get her files and made him make imaginary calls. Oh it was such a delight to see Jr Ms Bajaj wearing her father's shoes behaving just like him. Knowing the child was comfortable with Mr Mehra, she went to get some snacks for Mr Bajaj as it was time for medication and also time to consume some food.

And nowthere, were two of them in the perfect silence of the room.

Get well soon Mr Bajaj...

Cookie needs you..

I need... you too..

A harsh knock got Prerna out of her reverie. Chandu stated her mother had come to meet Mr Bajaj .She nodded asking him to get her upstairs. Prerna proceeded to wake Mr Bajaj up who refused to wake up. Slowly after a while, Mr Bajaj opened his brown expressive eyes, slightly bigger than slits and gestured her slightly asking what the matter was.

"Meri maa ayi hai apse milne." She said cheerfully and she could see how his expressions and body language changed in a fraction of a second. He was trying to sit up which she helped him in and there was a kind of eagerness shining in his eyes. 

In a hoarse sleepy voice he asked, "Kahan hai.. Maa?"

"Idhar.."She happily smiled as she moved from his line of view. Prerna minutely studied his face for some reaction. She found how his eyes lit up and droop down the very instant and then lighten up again. Prerna had seen him do so before... but where? The little light bulb lit up. She had seen him do so when Cookie had gained her consciousness and when she was feeding Cookie for the first time atthe breakfast table. Which meant he was... emotional. He was emotional seeing her mother!

meri maa ki fikar thi unhe

"Priyu, jaldija aur yea hawa daamad ji ke liye paros ke laa." Veena ordered her daughter handing her a huge thermos tiffin box, who looked at her with eyes as round as saucers.

"Gajar ka halwa hai, dher sare kismish ke saath." Veena said looking at Mr Bajaj who now had a smile on his face. Prerna was unable to understand what was happening. Confused at her mother's behaviour, she went downstairs at once.

She scratched her ittu sa chota head thinking what had happened but whatever happened, happened for the best. A little while later she put two and two together as she served a generous amount of hot piping maa ke haath ka banaya huya gajjar ka halwa on a dessert plate. Mr Vyaas and Mr Mehra must have had talked to her too. Mr Vyas was present at the court too.

  Smiling to herself, she climbed upstairs thinking even her mother knew Mr Bajaj's real intentions and no one would think him to be a hardhearted man that he never was. Happily in her thoughts she entered their room but stopped in her track,her mouth dropped down nearly reaching the floor looking at the scene unfolding at her sight.

Mr Bajaj was lying on her mother's lap as he combed his hair asking him if it was hurting him anywhere and if he felt better. He just held one of her hands , and the other directed her hand on his head, the exact way Cookie had done to her the day she had put her to sleep for the first time. She wondered what deal had he cracked with her mother who didnt even spare him a glance before, was now caressing his head, comforting him as if he is her only son. Heck, her mother never did this to her even when she was sick as a child. What on earth was Mr Bajaj, a ruthless shrewd monstrous vile man who loved destroying people or a man who was honest, compassionate,benevolent man who just craved for a mother's love?

World's Greatest  Father

World's Greatest Daamad

She concluded as she put a spoonful of her mom's made delicious but comforting halwa in her mouth.

----End