QSS thread #2, part 99 posted on pg 149 on 8/9/10 - Page 95

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Amazing part 😃

Part 95

Ani was sitting bare bodied on the kitchen floor with pots, pans and spoons around him. Seeing her he gave the sweetest grin and when she beckoned him he just shook his head as if to say "I'm happier playing with these vessels." Akka explained that she didn't want him to trouble Armaan, so she had brought him to the kitchen. This is what she usually did when she was busy in the kitchen. Hence Ani seemed very much at home in the midst of all the kitchenware. And since it was too warm in the kitchen he only had his underwear on. "Theekh hai tum yahin raho, main jaa rahi hoon Akshu aur dad ke paas" she said and went into the bedroom. The sight she saw there was tear jerking.

Armaan was sitting on the bed, holding a bowl in his left hand. A napkin was tucked at his neck and Akshat was kneeling beside him on the bed, feeding him. He would take a spoonful, blow over it and then put it to Armaan's mouth, just like they fed Ani his food. She just went and hugged both of them together taking care not hurt Armaan. Soon she found the other one tugging at her kurta and managing to stand up holding her leg for support. She hadn't noticed him following her into the bedroom.

Ak: Mama, dad, dekho, Ani khada ho gaya.

They all saw him sway, but Riddhima managed to pick him, and again got into a hug with all her favourite males. Seeing the tears in her eyes Akshat asked "Kya hua mama? Aap ro kyon rahi ho? Dad to theek hai. Maine unhe dopehar ko khichdi khilayi thi aur ab soup pila raha hoon. Aap bhi piyogi?"

Riddhima couldn't talk. She just shook her head. Then she kissed him saying "Tuj jaisa beta ho to mama kya tension ho sakta hai? Main abhi aayi" she said putting Ani on the floor and ignoring his crying, she went into the washroom. She rushed out hearing Armaan's scream. Armaan had finished his soup and Akshat had probably gone to put away the bowl and spoon. The little one was trying his new feat of standing up holding on to the bedsheet corner and had Riddhima not reached in time, would have fallen down and hurt his almost bald head.

She picked him up and raised her hand as if to spank him and started pursing his lips saying "dadada" and leaning towards Armaan. "Dekha nautankbaaz ko, maarne se pehle hi rone laga and uske upar dad ka support bhi maang raha hai," she complained to Armaan. Akshat entered just then and very innocently asked, "mama jab main chota tha to kya main bhi aisey hi masti karta ta?"

R: Haan, bilkul.

Ak: to aap mujhe bhi marti thi?

"Haan, mama ki baat nahi mante to" she lied to watch his reaction.

Ak: Tab dad bhi hamare saat nahi the, to mera side leney ke liye koi nahi raha hoga.

R: Lekin tumhari dadi, mera matlab Abhi uncle ki maa thi na, woh tumse bahut pyaar karti thi. Main tujhe daanti bhi thi to woh mujhe bahut daanti thi. Isliye main tujhe daanti ya maarti nahi thi, main sirf tumse baat karna bund kar deti. To tum khud mujse sorry maangne aajate. Pata hai ek baar tumne ball khelte khelte ek vase thod di thi. Maine tumhe kaha tha bahar jaakar khelo par tum ghar ke andar hi khelte rahe. Jab vase tooti to mujhe bahut gussa aaya aur maine tujhe zor se thappad laga di. Mere paanchon ungliyon ke nishaan tere gore chitte chehre par lag gayi thi. Woh bahut, bahut, naaraaz ho gayi thi and tumse kaha "Woh tumhari maa nahi, daayan hai. Ek vase ke liye koi apne bachche ko aisey maarta hai? Tum mere paas aao, uske paas mat jaana.

As she narrated this incident she had a far away look in her eyes. Armaan had read about this incident in her diary and knew how she had tried to physically harm herself, hitting her hand against the wall for having vented her frustration on such a small child. She continued her narration ' "Aur pata hai tab tumne kya kaha? Tumne kaha tha "dadi meri mama ko daayan mat kaho, woh meri achchi aur pyaari mama hai." Aur aakar mere gale lag gaye the." Us din ke baad maine kabhi tumpar haath nahi uthaya. Zaroorat hi nahi padi. Tum mostly har baat maante aur mana bhi karte to mujhe bahut pyaar se samjate. Par kabhi kabhi daant deti thi.

Then she knelt down beside him, holding Ani in one arm she put her other arm around Akshat and showered him with kisses, tears flowing down her cheeks. Armaan didn't interfere at all. He could understand that this was her way of apologising and getting over her guilt. Akshat wiped her eyes saying, "Please mama aap mat royiye. Maine to yoonhi poocha tha. I'm sorry maine aap ko rula diya."

R: nahi beta, tumhari koi galti nahi hai. Achcha chalo tum dono tayyar hokar, athai ke saath park jao. Main dad ko nehane ke liye help karti hoon.

She cleaned and dressed Ani, who was jumping with joy when she put on his shoes. He understood he was going out. She took him near Armaan saying "Dad ko kissey karo aur bye karo." Ani bent forward to bite Armaan's nose and was getting irritated as he was moving his face this side and that and not allowing him to bite. Dad and son played till Akshat and akka got ready. Riddhima went to arrange a chair in the bathroom for Armaan and keep other essentials ready for his bath. When akka came in, in the changed saree, Ani immediately crawled towards her.

Akka left with the boys to the park. Before leaving Akshat asked Riddhima again and again, if she was sure she could manage with Armaan alone. Riddhima and Armaan assured her they were fine. While Riddhima helped Armaan remove his shirt. Trying her best not to hurt him, Armaan kept staring at her.

R: Aisey kya dekh rahe ho?

A: Aaj jo tum Akshat ko bata rahi thi, I know tumhe kitna dard hua hoga woh sab yaad karkar. Maine tumhare diary mein pada tha. He took her hand in his and kissed each finger and then the other hand.

R: But I felt better after talking to him about all that. At least he won't feel that Ani is lucky to get your love right from the time of his birth, which unfortunately he didn't get. Now he won't feel he got less love in his childhood.

Armaan pulled her towards himself and kissing her said "There are so many things in your life which I haven't been a part of, so many hardships which you have borne all alone, when I ought to have been with you. I'll have that regret all through my life."

R: but that was because of my fault only na?

A: Ok ok, let's not get that again. Let's get me bathed before our darlings come and interrupt.

She hit his hand playfully, saying "You are so injured that you can't do any work by yourself but look at the romantic attitude."

A: I have one good hand and a pair of sensuous lips which will serve my purpose for the time being.

"Dr. Armaan Mallik, you are just impossible!" she teased.

Finally the went into the washroom and Armaan had his bath. Riddhima was more wet than when she bathed Ani. Exasperated with Armaan's naughtiness Riddhima exclaimed, "Bachche to bachche, baap re baap. It would have been easier to bathe ten Anis rather than bathe you." Armaan had kept on sprinkling water on her inspite of all her protests, and made her clothes soaking wet. That was the punishment for not accepting to be bathe with him. When he had suggested it she had just said "Armaan I think along with your arm, you brain has also got injured.

A: I knew you would never acede to any of my requests.

R: What can I do if you make such stupid requests.

A: Haan, haan pata hai, tumhe hamesha mere saare requests aisey hi lagte hai. When we were courting, date pe bulata to roz koi na koi bahana banakar mana kar deti thi. Aur galti se agar aayi bhi, to aate hi jaane ki zidd karne lagti. I've always been the last priority in your life.