Part 107
When Riddhima reached the hospital Devi's chemotheraphy was just about to begin. She was very happy to see her and thanked her for dropping by. She sat chatting with her. After half an hour there was a call from Armaan saying that the flight was an hour late. He was getting bored at the airport. He wanted to join her but Riddhima firmly said "no". Firstly, because Devi might not feel comfortable in his presence and secondly, she didn't want him travelling to and forth. She asked him to buy a ticket and go and sit in the visitor's lounge.
Devi was in a nostalgic mood. She told Riddhima about herself and Bashir. She came from a Namboodri family, priest community, of Kerala. She and Bashir were classmates and benchmates from class I. As he came from an orphange his lunch would have rice with some curry, while she always carried different snacks like idli, dosa, puttu, uthappam, etc. and often even sweets like neyappam or sweet dosa. It all began with his oggling at her lunch, especially when she brought some sweet dish. As they were benchmates she shared it with him and could see the joy in his eyes as he devoured it. Later, she started carrying extra for him.
Their friendship grew stronger as years passed by. She was very good in studies while he was mediocre. She would help him with his difficulties during lunch break. At first her parents thought they were kids and didn't mind her mingling with him. When they came to class VII, they started restricting her and later shifted her to a girls' school. But by then they had bonded so much that they started meeting clandestinely. She did teacher training after XII and he took up draftsman course, as he was good in drawing.
Their meetings continued unknown to her family, but they never crossed their limits. In all these years he had never touched her. She said that with great pride in her voice. She got a job in a government run school with a handsome pay package. Her parent started looking for a suitable groom for her. She somehow managed to put off one alliance after another, till he got a good job. Then they sought her parent's permission to marry. Of course they refused point blank, he was a muslim, it was unthinkable. So they eloped from home and got married, thinking once the marriage took place her parents would accept him. But they didn't. They broke off all ties with them.
They were quite content by themselves for a couple of years. Both earned well, they bought a house and were awaiting for God to bless them with children. But unfortunately the doctors said due to some uterine malformation, Devi could never bear a child. That's when they missed having a family to console them. Her parents refused to even speak to her on the phone. So they got themselves jobs in Dubai and shifted there 15 years ago.
There they made many friends and had a good life. With the money they earned there they had bought this house in Munnar, 5 years ago, hoping to spend their retired life here. Unfortunately Devi started with health problems. At first it was thought to be menopause but further investigations revealed cervical cancer. She had no unfulfilled desires, but she couldn't leave her Bashir alone in this world and go in peace. He was her baby and she his.
Tears welled in Riddhima's eyes listening to her story. Armaan had called a couple of times in between and now he called to say that the flight had landed. So they should be there in less than an hour. Riddhima informed Devi that she would have to leave when Armaan arrived. Devi thanked for being there for her, a person she had met only a couple of days ago. For having left her kids, coming all the way here and spending time with her. Riddhima assured her that it was nothing and she was happy to be of some help to her.
Soon Armaan was there. The gang was waiting in the van. When he came to the hospital, Bashir met him in the corridor. He hugged Armaan and broke into tears. Armaan consoled him and warned him of the possible problems Devi might have because of the chemotheraphy. He said the doctors had explained about it to him. Then they both went and met the oncologist and understood that Devi would be discharged the following day.
Armaan told Bashir to bring Devi to Munnar after she was discharged. By then Riddhima also joined them and agreed that Armaan's suggestion was the best. But Bashir didn't want to impose on them, especially because they had guests. They explained that their friends were also doctors so it wouldn't be a problem. They left only after Devi and Bashir agreed to fall in with their plans.
When Riddhima and Armaan walked to the vehicle, Muskaan who had been standing out, ran to hug her. They exchanged pleasantaries and then Riddhima said "Hi" to Rahul, Nikki and Abhi. Riddhima had a peek at Akshita who was fast asleep in her crib and so was Rohan in the middle seat. All of them huddled into the vehicle. But there was only one seat vacant, beside the driver, for Armaan and Riddhima. When Nikki tried to make place for Riddhima by adjusting Akshita's crib, Muskaan said "rehne dey Nikki, Armaan ussey apne godh mein bita lega" and all of them started laughing. Riddhima gave her a stare, but finally had to squash in with Armaan in the front seat almost on his lap.
Armaan's hand caressing her waist, were doing things to her. There was no space to put any distance between them either. When she turned towards him and gave him a glare, he looked at her innocently raising his eyebrows in a question. This didn't go unnoticed by Muskaan who was waiting for a chance to tease them. So she said aloud "Armaan, Ridzi ko kuske pakhadna, kahin who gir na jaaye." Riddhima was toatally embarassed especially because Abhi was there. So Riddhima turned to glare at her saying, "Tu ghar chal, dekh main teri kaise khaatir karti hoon."
They reached home in time for tea. Akshat was also back from school. As soon as they entered he came running to meet them all. He was so happy to see Rohan, his maasi and chachu. He hugged them in turn. Only then he noticed Abhi with the crib and hesitated a bit. Abhi called out to him "Kaise ho bachcha?" and held out his free hand to him. Then Akshat went and hugged him saying "Main theek hoon, aap kaise ho?" then taking a peek into the crib remarked "Baby kitni cute hai."
Kaka went to help Rahul and Shafi with the luggage, Armaan was not allowed to pick up anything. Akka served water to all when they were seated. The whirlwind came crawling at top speed, following akka, but stopped seeing so many people. Then quietly moved towards Riddhima, clutched her saree and stood up uttering "mamamama". When she picked him and crushed him and kissed him, he enjoyed it, laughing out loudly. He too expressed his love for her by licking and biting her. All of them were amused to see his antics. When Muskaan came forward and tried to pull him saying "Ay hero ke bachche aa, maasi ke paas," he turned away and hugged Riddhima tightly by her neck.
Kaka asked them to wash up and come for snacks and tea. Akshat took them all upstairs. In one room the Grewals and in the other room the Modis. They came down after a few minutes to see the table laid with so many different snacks prepared by both Akka and Kaka. All of them were hungry so they ate well. Muskaan managed to lure Ani by offering him some eatables. Finally when he settled on her lap and started asking for more Armaan called "Ay bukkhad". He turned towards him and shook his head so fast, as if to say "Don't disturb me, I don't want to come to you now." His antics were amusing to all.
When all of them went and sat in the hall, the princess slowly opened her eyes and let out a faint wail.The boys were playing on the quilt on the floor. Ani immediately went towards the cot to see what the sound was. When Nikki picked up the baby, he kept looking at it surprised. Riddhima took Nikki to Akshat's room for the feed and the little one followed them. When Riddhima turned around closing the door, she nearly fell over him. "Pagal mere peeche peeche kyon ghoom raha hai? Main tumpar gir jaati to?" she asked picking him up.
When he started his typical cry for feed pulling at her pallu, she moved with him to their room, calling out to Muskaan, so that both of them could catch up with their gossip while the men had their talks. As she started feeding Ani, Riddhima said "Dekh Muskaan tum Abhi ke saamne mujhe aur Armaanko tease mat kar. Accha nahi lagta."
M: Tu bhi na buddhu ke buddhu hi rahegi. Main jaan bhujkar aisey kar rahi hoon, taaki woh tum logon se kuch to sikhe. Kabhi kabhi Nikki ussey baat karne se bhi darrti hai. Woh bahut short tempered hai.
R: Jaanti hoon. Theek hai par jyaada nahi haan. Mujhe bahut sharam aati hai.
Nikki had finished feeding the baby and came into the hall. She hesitated not findingg Riddhima and Muskaan there. Armaan noticed her discomfort and said "Riddhima aur Muskaan bagalwale room mein. Go ahead join them." As she turned to go he called out "Nikki, gudiya ko to mere paas deti jao." When she wondered how he would hold her in one arm, he said "Don't worry, main aap ki beti giraaunga nahi. Main Ani ko bhi ek haath mein utha leta hoon." He kept his left arm folded for her to lay the baby. Then taking her close, kissed her cheek and introduced himself. "Hello baby, main aapka Almaan uncle hoon. Aap to bahut cute ho."
By that time Riddhima had also finished feeding Ani, so she came out with Muskaan. The minute Ani saw his dad with the baby in his arms, he couldn't bear it. So he climbed down from Riddhima's arms and crawled quickly to his dad and stood holding his trousers. Then raising both his hands started his "dadadadada" jaap.
A: Buddhu mujhe theek se pakado warna ghir jaoge.
Then he engulfed him between his legs and purposely showered the baby with kisses to make him jealous. Rahul felt sorry for him and said "Tu chachu ke paas aaja beta," and picked him up but he started kicking his feet and wanted his dad to pick him up. To tease him Armaan lifted Akshita towards Riddhima saying, "Riddhima, lo tum baby ko lelo, main Ani ko utha leta hoon." When his mama came near he started pushing her away and started crying loudly.
Hearing that the baby also started crying. So she ended up in her mama's arms. Quickly Ani tried to climb on his father's lap. Riddhima picked him and put him there. He immediately started biting Armaan and putting his mouth to his cheeks said "pa". His new way of kissing. Armaan also cuddled him and kissed him making him laugh a lot. Abhi just sat looking at them, speechless. And Muskaan smiled to herself noticing that.
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