Open Jail:
Sakshi signed on last few columns. She never waited for miracle but blessed with one. As she came out she saw Aarav standing with Arjun and Nidhi.
Aarav ran to his mom, jumping into her arms. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. From last few years this is the first time she felt tears of joy. She ruffled his hair looking at him with a wide smile. Arjun gazed Sakshi and Aarav filling his void. He remembered his mother who never played her role. He is happy hor Aarav. He is happy to see that Aarav will not have troubled childhood.
"I completed all formalities with orphanage but court se papers aana baaki hai." He continued hesitantly, "Tab tak Aarav aapke saath nahi reh sakta."
"Par kyun? Sakshi is his mother and saare cases galat prove hogaye." Nidhi spoke on Sakshi's behalf.
"Nidhi, court se papers aane mein time lagega. Aaj friday hai. Monday tak papers aajayenge." Arjun per0suaded looking at Sakshi's crumpled face.
"Teekhe tab tak Aarav mere saath rahega aur Sakshi bhi." Nidhi decided.
"Teri college tour pe kaun jaayega?" He inquired.
This tour is important for Nidhi. Arjun after a brief thought, "Agar aapko koi problem nahi hai toh aap mere ghar mein reh sakte hai. Tab tak aapki rehne ka intazam bhi karlenge."
"Humne aapko bahot taqleef diya hai aur abb." Before Sakshi could continue Nidhi interrupted.
"Sakshi, Arjun bhai sahi keh raha hai. Sir 2 din ki baat hai. Please." Sakshi nodded yes analysing her own situation. She does not want to take another decision which involves her and Aarav's separation - not even for a minute.
"Mein cab bulake aata hoon." Arjun said.
"Mujhe bhi aana hai." Aarav hopped to Arjun. Sakshi smiled. She wanted a minute alone with Nidhi.
"Thanks Nidhi. Tumne jo kiya woh meri kud ke bhai ne bhi nahi kiya. Meri shukriya bahot choti chees hai." Sakshi simpers hugging Nidhi.
"Mein ne sirf shuruat kiya hai. Arjun bhai nahi hotey toh hum kuch nahi kar patey. Mein bewkoof ki tarah Shivaji ko accha samajh rahi thi. Uss din bhai nahi hotey toh pura plan chopat hojata." Nidhi said.
Nidhi explained how that day while disconnecting call she said her friend is calling and answered Arjun inquiry as that to be Shivaji. Arjun understood that Shivaji is using Nidhi. He explained Nidhi about Shivaji and asked her to give Shivaji information only which they want her to leak. Nidhi executed her simple part to set Sakshi free.
Sakshi saw Arjun waiting in cab front seat. Her face was pleasant then usual. She bid her bye and joined them in cab.
Arjun's House:
Arjun's house is simple with minimal furniture, "Yeh living room, uss taraf kitchen, dinning aur yaha pe bed room. Be comfortable." Arjun guided Sakshi her way. "Waise Aarav ko pura ghar pata hai. Hai na champ?" Arjun turned to Aarav, "Toh aap mamma ko sab kuch dikhao."
"Ok." He nodded.
"Mujhe office mein kaam hai. Agar kuch chahiye toh mujhe call karo. Aarav ko mere number pata hai." Arjun spoke to Sakshi.
He stopped before leaving, hearing Sakshi, "Arjun." He turned, "Thank you. Thank you so much." She paused and continued, "Mein ne Aarav ko phir se dekhne ka umeed bhi chod diya tha. Aap ke wajah se mein Aarav ke saath hoon, humesha ke liye. Thank you once again."
"Mein ne sirf apna kaam kiya hai. Jo galat hai usse sahi kiya hai, Aarav ke liye. Usse aapki zaroorat hai." He said. "Abhi mein chalta hoon."
"Aarav, uncle ko bye bolo." Sakshi suggested.
"Bye." Aarav waved, Arjun pressed his lips waving back. Sakshi suppressed her smile witnessing his expression.
Night:
Sakshi opened door for Arjun and Sameer at bell ring. They entered hesitating to have conversation. Aarav ran to Arjun showing his drawings. Arjun appreciated him and followed Sakshi into kitchen. She juggled on her feet.
"Sam aur mein weekend ko saath mein dinner karte hai. Mein ne usse batana bhul gaya ki tum ghar pe ho." Arjun explained.
"Yeh aap ka ghar hai. Meri wajah se aapko koi problem nahi hona chahiye."
"I thought, you are feeling uncomfortable." He was interrupted by her.
"Nahi." She spelled in suprise. "Mein bass yahi soch rahi thi ki, mein ne khana bana diya hai. Sab ke liye kaafi hoga ya nahi yeh soch rahi thi." She looked worried at covered dishes.
"Aapne khana banaya?" He inquired.
"Woh Aarav ko bhook lagi, uske liye bana rahi toh socha sab ke liye banadu." She said in apologetic tone.
He smiled watching her, "Koi problem nahi. Kaafi hoga."
Flashback:
Suraj's House:
Sakshi shivered in her red saree thinking about her introduction to guests. Her bangles sound vanished among unknown giggles. She is new and he is not beside her. Her tension and wrinkled forehead went unnoticed by Suraj who is excited and busy with plans by his friends. She took deep breath in relief seeing him walking to him. Few other followed him.
"Sakshi. Yeh mere dost hai." He introduced them to her. One of his friends gaze made her uncomfortable. She is wise enough to differentiate good and bad and he does not appear to be good person with crooked smile.
She excused herself from there to kitchen. She gulped glass of water while Suraj walked in.
"Tum aise kyun aagayi?" He questioned.
"Woh aapka dost. Mujhe bahot uncomfortable feel ho raha tha." She confessed.
"Aisa nahi chalega Sakshi. Woh mere dost hai. U should mingle with them. Mein bahar jaata hoon. Tum jaldi aao." He said and left her in shock.
Flashback ends
Arjun's House: Kitchen:
Arjun came back to kitchen to take plates and dishes. He saw her lost in thoughts.
"Sakshi." She didn't move. He called her again, "Sakshi."
She jerked, "Ha."
"Chalo. Sameer wait kar raha hai." Arjun said.
"Nahi Nahi. Aap Khao. Mein baad mein." Before she could say anything he took a step forward to still maintain decent distance.
"Sakshi. I know bahot difficult hoga tumhare liye. But you should start living now. Tumhare liye nahi toh Aarav ke liye," Arjun encouraged her. She nodded agreeing.
Thanks for reading. Please do like and comment.
Veer Hanuman
Anupamaa
38