QSS thread #2, part 99 posted on pg 149 on 8/9/10 - Page 11

Originally posted by: tanu.tulsi

heya!

I have finally finished reading all parts of ur ff

n i must say it was simply marvellous n brilliant👏

totally loved it

plz do continue soon and add me to ur pm list

This was the most beautiful karva chuath part i have ever read....beautiful....continue soon

Part 52

With one festival following the other, the Mallik household seemed like a 'shaadiwala ghar', with everyone busy all the time. These days Padma, Akka and kaka were busy making sweets for Diwali in addition to their usual duties. Once Armaan joined duties he was again back to his hectic schedule. If Riddhima managed to get little respite from Ani, she was busy with Akshat's studies. Though he had scored well in the quarterly exams, it was less than his usual marks because they were held at the time when she had just delivered. More than her, Akshat wanted to improve his scores in the half yearly exams and make up for the earlier defecit.

During the weekend Armaan and Akshat had purchased some fireworks. Riddhima wasn't fond of them so had never encouraged Akshat also. Now with Armaan at his side Akshat was eager to try them.

Akka had told them that according to the Tamilians, the first Diwali after marriage, called 'Talai Deepavali' was very special for the son-in-law. He was invited over to his in-laws' place and showered with lavish gifts. And also that to them the pre-dawn bath on the first day of Diwali, was the most important. As usual the Malliks complied with all her wishes.

So on the Diwali day all of them woke up at 5 o'clock and had bath, wore the new clothes gifted to them by Shashank and Padma, and then took their blessings. Armaan had also purchased new clothes for all which they decided to wear the next day, for Lakshmi pooja.

Then all of them went outside to light the fireworks. Riddhima watched it through the window, so that she could keep a watch on Ani as well. Armaan had as usual bought the most colorful ones, immaterial of their cost. It was a feast to watch as they lighted up the dark sky, bursting into an array of colors. Besides these there were some noisy ones which Akshat didn't like much.

When they came back into the house, Armaan said "Let's go to the temple. Maa can we take Riddhima and Ani also?"

P: That's a good idea. Today is an auspicious day, let us take Ani on his first outing, to the temple.

S: I'm expecting an important phone call, so let's go a little later.

In the meantime, they decided to have the hot idlis and sambhar that akka had prepared. After breakfast, Armaan and Akshat were watching Akka masssage and bathe Ani. When Riddhima put on the new dress that his nanu and nani had bought for him, it was very loose. So it was looking very comical. Akshat was finding it very amusing and laughing a lot. They clicked photos of him and finally Ani fell asleep after his feed.

When the doorbell rang Shashank went to answer it and signed some papers. Then he called out to Armaan and Riddhima. (Of course Akshat also came along with them.) Shashank and Padma were standing smiling near the open door of the house. When the three of them went there they saw a brand new, red Fiat Linea parked outside.

Shashank held out the keys to Armaan saying, "Our diwali gift to you."

A: Lekin Papa'..

P: Please mana mat karna beta.

S: We never gave you anything at the time of your wedding because it took place so suddenly.

Armaan turned to look at Riddhima. She smiled and nodded her head. So Armaan accepted the keys and took the blessings of his in-laws.

Ak: Wow nanu, kya mast car hai! Dad kya hum naye gaadi mein mandir jaa sakte hain?

A: Zaroor.

Then he went out and met the driver who had brought the car from it's Kochi showroom and took a test drive with that person.

Then he sent him away with a nice tip. Soon all of them piled into the car. Riddhima was hesitant to sit with the baby in the front seat. So she asked her papa to sit in the front, but Padma offered to keep Ani with her and asked her to sit in the front. At the temple, they had pooja done for the car and also had Ani blessed.

As they were doing 'pradakshina' around the temple, crackers were being burst in the backyard. A long chain of crackers was lit and the sudden noise scared Ani. He started crying loudly. Armaan immediately carried him as far away from there as possible, but the noise could still be heard. And Ani's crying continued.

They got into the car and shut the doors and windows hoping to keep out the noise. Riddhima was trying to pacify him, but he was crying non-stop.

A: Kya hua? Aisey kyon ro raha hai?

R: I think the sound of crackers scared him. I had put cotton in his ears but'.

Armaan drove back home as fast as he could with Riddhima cooing and holding the baby close to her. But he wouldn't let up. As soon as they reached home Akka, came hearing the baby's wails. She too tried her best to silence him but in vain. Then she said it must be 'buri nazar' and did some rituals to 'uthrav' it, but Ani contnued crying. Now Riddhima was in tears. He wouldn't even take feed. Shashank wisely took Akshat away from there.

Armaan took the baby from her and holding him close to his chest, kissed him and started talking to him. When that didn't work he asked Riddhima to get some water and a napkin. He completely undressed the baby. He then gave him a sponge bath while Riddhima wiped him with a dry towel simultaneously. Then he powdered him and put on his normal clothes. Padma and akka were silently watching them. The crying was somewhat reduced in volume. Then he picked him up and put him on his shoulder. Suddenly he felt hot water trickling down his stomach. Inspite of the grave situation, all of them burst laughing.

When Riddhima came forward to take the baby from him, he motioned that it was ok. He just placed a soft cloth on his wet shirt. Now with his cheek against his dad's Ani finally fell asleep. Padma was surprised to see Armaan handle the situation like an experienced dad. When in fact, it was the first time he faced such a situation. After rocking him in his arms for some more time, he handed him to Riddhima for changing his nappy and feeding him.

Padma gave Armaan a pat on his back and asked "How did you know that sponging him would relieve him?"

A: It was only a try. I thought it would cool him a bit and freshen him up.

Then he went to the washroom to wash and change. Riddhima put Ani in the cradle after the feed, and as all of them were hungry they proceeded to have lunch. Kaka had just started serving them when they heard Ani's cry. When Riddhima stood up, Armaan pushed her back in her seat saying "Main dekhta hoon." When he went and picked him up, he was quiet again. Armaan came back to the table with Ani fast asleep in his arms. He had to eat carefully so that nothing falls on the baby, in his arms. He was finding that difficult, so he said "Riddhima you eat and take him, then I'll eat."

R: No, it's already quite late. Sit down, I'll feed you.

How could Akshat tolerate that?

Ak: Mama mujhe bhi aaphi khilao na.

He was thrilled when his mama pulled him onto her lap because he was burning with jealousy seeing his dad holding Ani so cosily. He had mentally accepted the fact that his mama had to take care of his brother, but dad also'..

Riddhima put the first morsel in Armaan's mouth taking care not to spill anything on Ani. The second one went into Akshat's mouth and then it was her turn. Her parents smiled to themselves, seeing the antics of this family.

After lunch Akshat pulled Armaan by his hand asking him to put the baby in the cradle and come to play some game with him. Armaan handed Ani to Riddhima and went to play with Akshat.

That evening Ani and Riddhima were imprisoned within closed doors and windows so that the sound of the crackers didn't reach them.

The next day thankfully there was not much of crackers. Muskaan and Anjie called to wish them "Happy Diwali". Riddhima and Padma did Lakshmi pooja in the evening.

One day Kunjmon came to their house with his father to take their blessings, as he was giving his SSC exam in a few days. Armaan was glad to see that he seemed to have become more confident and had his father had brought some flowering plant which he planted in the open space in front of their house. He promised some more plants soon. Armaan asked kaka to pack some sweets for kunjmon and his family.

The next few days flew by as usual. Ani had started recognising his mama and smiled at her whenever she picked him up. Akshat's half yearly exams were approaching. So in the evenings when Riddhima was busy taking his lessons, Armaan spent time with the younger fellow. Now Ani started smiling whenever his dad came near his cradle also. He knew he would pick him up and cuddle him, which he liked very much.

The Guptas started discussing about going back to Mumbai. Though Armaan and Riddhima tried to persuade them to stay longer, they argued that it was nearly two months since they were here.

P: Armaan, tum log bhi hamare saath kuch dinon ke liye Mumbai chalo na. Akshat ko bhi exams ke baad 10 days chutti hai'

A: Nahi maa mujhe abhi chutti nahi milegi.

S: Then let Riddhima and kids come with us. You come later for a few days and bring them back.

Armaan looked at Riddhima, but she immediately said "Nahi maa, not now. Let Ani grow up a bit then we'll come. Maybe during Akshat's summer vacation." After her experience when she went there the previous time, she had decided not to go anywhere without Armaan.

The following week the Guptas left for Mumbai.