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PART 54
Kripa hardly noticed the gleaming skyscrapers, wide roads, swaying palms and sandstone buildings of Dubai as their Limo rushed past them. She was lost in her own thoughts, anxious to meet her son after 4 days of separation , worried about what she would tell him about Josh, how she would introduce Angad as Dad.
Angad sensed her tension and anxiety…..he took her hand and pressed it reassuringly in his strong one. Kripa turned to look at him, their eyes met, she smiled slightly and relaxed a little. As long as Angad was with her, she could meet any challenges. Angad himself was tense and excited about meeting Prateek as his Dad for the first time.
Javed and Raghu had come to receive them at the airport as usual. Godfather asked them if everything was under control. They affirmed it with hearty smiles, glad to see their benefactor back safe and sound . Kripa had no problem with immigration as Godfather had already arranged for a tourist visa for her. She had changed into her new clothes on the plane and felt refreshed, energized and excited.
Kripa was rather surprised as the limo left the bright city lights behind and traversed deserted roads with houses scattered few and far between. Soon they were completely on the outskirts, on a long, dark stretch of road that seemed to pass an oasis of some kind. It was hard to tell in the dark but she could see a large stretch of water and palm trees. And then a huge iron gate appeared ahead, out of nowhere. The driver punched in the code, the gate opened slowly. the Limo went in, driving up a long, winding road amidst landscaped gardens to a huge, sprawling Villa. They had reached their destination.
Godfather sent up a silent prayer of Thanks to the Heavens for being able to bring his charges safely home to the security of his Castle-like abode.
Kripa got down, gawking at the bright lights streaming from oblong doors and windows of the sandstone villa. Bright green ferns in carved urns flanked the main door, two sandstone lion statues guarding the steps leading up to the door. She held Angad's hand and went up the steps, feeling like a new bride going to her husband's home for the first time.
The front door flung open as soon as they reached it…….a little bundle of excited joy flew into his mother's arms:
MAMAAAA….MOMMYYY…MUMMMYY…..Prateek cried out with utter happiness, wishing to call his mother in all dialects known to a child.
Kripa flung her arms around him and scooped him up from the floor into her arms. She kissed his cheeks, his forehead…repeatedly, laughing, half-crying with utter relief and bliss. Prateek circled her neck with his hands and kissed her back. MAMAAA, I MISSED YOU"
I MISSED YOU TOO, BABY! She kissed him again…..Angad and Godfather hung back in the shadows, watching them with moist eyes.
Kalyani Auntie advanced towards them, smiling towards Kripa: Aao Beti, andar aao…..Prateek kabsey tumhara intezaar kar raha hai….raat ke barah baj gaye phir bhi soney nahin gaya. Buss Mama-Mama kar raha hai…..
Kripa extended her free hand towards Kalyani and warmly clasped her hand: Auntie Jee, main kaisey aapka shukriya adaa karoon, samajh mein nahin aata. Aapney Prateek ko ek Nani ka pyaar diya, usey itni achhi tarah se sambhala.
Kalyani smiled at Kripa: Zaroor, main uski Naani Masi jo hoon ! Hai na Beta?
Prateek nodded sheepishly and hid his face in his mother's neck, loathe to let her go.
Kripa walked inside holding him, while Kalyani greeted the others : Aayiye Bhaisaab! Ummeed hai safar achha raha (Godfather smiled and nodded his head)….Aao Zaib Beta, arey Waah, tumney apni dadhi saaf kar lee?… bahut achhey lag rahey ho (Angad grinned and thanked her) . Aao Kartik Beta…..thakey huey dikhtey ho. Chaliye sab, thoda kuchh khaa leejiye, phir aaram kar lena"
Mr. Mittal greeted his wife affectionately and they all walked into a spacious drawing-room, decorated in Middle-Eastern style.
Kripa sat down on a plush couch with Prateek in her arms. He suddenly looked up and saw Angad beside them : MONSTER UNCLE! He gasped out in surprise!
He didn't expect to see Monster Uncle there!
Angad chuckled with amusement and sat down beside them: Hello, Prateek Beta!
Kripa took a deep breath and held Prateek's chubby cheeks in her palms: Beta, inhey Monster Uncle mat kaho….inka naam Angad hai."
Angad Uncle ? Prateek looked curiously at Angad's clean-shaved face. Lekin aapka naam toh Zaib Uncle tha?….Aapki dadhi-moochh kahan gayi? He asked with round eyes.
Wo tumhari Mama ko pasand nahin the….isiliye mainey kaat diye" Angad winked at Kripa….she frowned at him in mock anger.
Kripa spoke seriously to Prateek: Beta, Angad Uncle nahin, aaj se tum inhey Dad kehkar bulana….okay?
DAD? Lekin merey Dad toh Josh Papa hain? Yeh merey Dad nahin hain! Prateek pouted and hid his face in her neck again.
Kripa was going to say something more, Angad stopped her: Aaj rehney do, Kripa. Abhi hum aaye hain, let him get used to me…..phir usey samjha dengey.
Angad longed to take his son in his arms, but he knew it wasn't going to be easy. He would have to win his son's trust, his love, his acceptance. He looked longingly at Prateek's round head hidden in Kripa's neck…..he reached out and stroked the silky hair that was so much like his mother's. Angad swallowed a lump in his throat, and heaved out a sigh. His eyes met Kripa's …..Prateek felt the hand on his hair and jerked his head, turning around to look rather angrily at Angad's bemused face.
He turned abruptly to Kripa: Papa kahan hai? Mujhey Papa ke paas jaana hai! I WANT MY PAPA! He sensed something was wrong, either by his child's instinct or by the expression on Angad's face.
Kripa's heart sank, she was dreading this, having to build a bridge of lies to spare her child the shock of his Papa's death. She swallowed painfully, holding back her tears : Sunny, beta, Papa toh Hongkong mein hain….mainey kaha na wo busy hain?…. Do mahiney baad ayengey"
Prateek's face crumpled on hearing it would be two months: Nahiiiinn, mujhey abhi Papa ke paas jaana hai. Papa kyun nahin aaye?
Beta, issey pehley bhi toh Papa gaye the na kitney mahinon ke liye? (Kripa remined him of the various times when Josh had left for assignments abroad, sometimes for 4-6 months at a stretch)……Tab toh tum itna nahin rotey the ? Chalo, achhey bachchey zidd nahin kartey…..Main aa gayi hoon na tumharey paas….Chalo, ab jaakar so jaatey hain…raat bahut ho gayi"
She got up with Prateek in her arms….she mouthed a silent Goodnight to Angad. He nodded and blinked in understanding. They would have to handle Prateek with great care…..a single wrong move could scar him for life.
Meanwhile, Godfather, Mittal and Kartik had proceeded to the lavish dining-room to partake of a light late-night meal and dessert. Kalyani served them food with great care and affection, asking them about Hongkong, Bangkok, about their journey.
Zaib aur Kripa dinner nahin karengey? She asked in surprise when they didn't show up.
Godfather explained the whole situation to her, about Zaib being actually Angad, Kripa his estranged wife, Prateek his son.
Kalyani was amazed : Yeh toh badi achhi baat hai! Angad betey ko apna khoya hua Parivaar wapas mil gaya! Sab Ishwar ki kripa hai!
Mittal and Kartik also agreed, its very rare that a person gets a second chance in life to be happy, to be with lost loved ones again. Angad and Kripa were very lucky indeed!.
************************ ******************************
Angad led her to the bedroom where her luggage had been kept. She carried a sleepy Prateek inside, set him down on the bed. He still clung to her neck: Sunny, zara thehro, main change karkey aati hoon" but he wouldn't let go of her: Nahin, Mama, mujhey aapkey paas sona hai" ….. their separation was still too fresh in his mind…he was scared she would disappear again.
Theek hai, Beta, main kahin nahin jaa rahi……..she sighed and gently kissed his head, lying down beside him. She looked ruefully at Angad…..he smiled tenderly at the adorable sight of his wife and son. He signalled he will be back later and left the room.
Kripa cuddled Prateek to her chest…….she hummed his favorite lullaby and stroked his head and back till he fell asleep, clinging to her in his sleep, afraid to let go!
Finally, he relaxed his hold in deep slumber. Kripa slithered out of bed noiselessly and tiptoed to her luggage. She took out her new scarlet silk Pajama set and went to the bathroom. When she emerged, she brushed out her hair in front of the ornate mirror. The whole bedroom was done in a peach and yellow color scheme with French-style furniture. There was a soft knock at the door….she knew it was Angad. She hurried and opened it……he stood there, holding a tray of food, smiling ever so tenderly at her.
She was going to say something, he placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. He walked past her to the long French doors at one end of the bedroom and opened them. They led out to a terrace, overlooking the landscaped gardens and the dark ocean in the distance. He took her hand and led her to the wrought-iron chairs on the terrace. Placing the tray on the iron table in the middle, he pulled her onto his lap. Kripa didn't protest….she circled her arms around his neck, content to be in his arms again. Cheek to cheek, they stared at the half-moon in the clear desert sky. They felt blessed to be together again, to be alive and breathing, to feel each other's heartbeat so close.
--MALE--
Kuch na kaho, kuch bhi na kaho - 2
Kya kehna hai, kya sunna hai
Mujhko pata hai, tumko pata hai
Samay ka yeh pal tham sa gaya hai
Aur is pal mein koi nahin hai
Bas ek main hoon, bas ek tum ho
Kuch na kaho, kuch bhi na kaho
(Kitne gehre halke, shyaam ke rang hai chhalke
Parvat se yun utre baadal jaise aanchal dhalke) - 2
Aur is pal mein koi nahin hai
Bas ek main hoon, bas ek tum ho
Kuch na kaho, kuch bhi na kaho
(Sulgi sulgi saansein, baheki baheki dhadkan
Maheke maheke shyaam ke saaye, pighle pighle tan mann) - 2
Aur is pal mein koi nahin hai
Bas ek main hoon, bas ek tum ho
Kuch na kaho, kuch bhi na kaho
Kya kehna hai, kya sunna hai
Mujhko pata hai, tumko pata hai
Samay ka yeh pal tham sa gaya hai
Aur is pal mein koi nahin hai
Bas ek main hoon, bas ek tum ho
Kuch na kaho, kuch bhi na kaho
They turned towards each other, Angad looked deeply into her eyes: Welcome Home, Sweetheart! Aaj se yeh tumhara Ghar hai….Humara Ghar!"
She stroked his cheek, gazing into his eyes, staring at his beloved face….she had almost lost him that day. the fear still shook her inside, how close he had been to certain death.
"Angad, aaj lag raha hai, main sahi mainey mein ek suhaagan hoon. Aaj main apney ghar aayi hoon. Paanch saal pehley jo sapney barbaadi mein jalkar raakh ho gaye the , aaj wo sapney poorey huey. Aaj main bahut khush hoon……bahut khush! "
He lowered his lips on hers and kissed her for a long time. Their lips clung together, loathe to separate, both eager and hungry for each other!
His hand crept up under her silk top, stroking the soft skin of her belly, moving up to cup her full softness. She moaned into his mouth, arching sensuously in his hand. Her peaks jutted into his palms, swollen with sudden need. He groaned with satisfaction, stroking, rubbing, circling with his thumb, till she was shivering in mindless delight. He nibbled on her lips, breathing words of love and desire into her mouth. He arched her over his arm, till she was bending backwards, and captured her peaks through the silk top. His tongue brushed roughly, wetting the silk with its motion, suckling her through the cloth. She gasped and moaned, clutching handfuls of his wavy hair, feeling dizzy with pleasure. His hands slid the silk pajama off her hips, baring her for his touch. He aroused her to fever pitch with his fingers and lips, till she was moaning eagerly for his possession. Then he bared himself and lowered her onto him, she took him in her passionate heat, rising and falling, their lips clinging, hearts pounding in sweet harmony, till both shattered and reached the stars.
They clung together for a long time, just relishing the intimacy, the feeling of being one. Then he adjusted their clothes but she still sat on his lap. He fed her little morsels of food, kissing her intermittently, she fed him little pieces too. They fed each other, laughing softly, kissing, cuddling.
He buried his face in her open hair, inhaling the fragrance, whispering: "Kaash main aaj raat in zulfon mein so sakta " …..but they knew he couldn't share her bed till Prateek accepted him as his Dad and Kripa's husband.
Suddenly, she heard Prateek crying from the bedroom. She jumped up and ran into the room through the French doors. Prateek was tossing around restlessly, groaning and crying in a nightmare……she hurried back into bed beside him…… hugging him, she crooned softly, cuddling him, rocking him gently back to sleep.
Angad watched them quietly from the terrace door, then he slipped past with the tray, whispering goodnight to Kripa, he went out of the bedroom.
He put the tray back in the kitchen, then made his way to his room. On the way, he passed Godfather's Study/Library . He was astonished to see the light was still on in the Study. It was almost 3 A.M……. sab kuchh khairiyat toh hai na? Itni raat ko Bajaj Uncle Study mein kya kar rahey hain?
Angad knocked on the door softly.
A muffled voice came through: Kaun hai?
Uncle, Main Angad…..he replied hesitantly.
Andar aa jaao…….Angad went in…..closed the door.
Godfather was standing in front of the fireplace, staring up at a huge oil painting….the portrait of a beautiful young woman, wearing bridal dress.
Angad's jaw fell open….he was thunderstruck, staring at the Portrait!
Now he remembered where he had seen the photo of Kripa's mother…….why the photo in Kripa's purse had seemed so familiar.
HE COULDN'T BELIEVE HIS OWN EYES! KRIPA'S MOTHER'S PHOTO IN GODFATHER'S STUDY?
He had seen it once before a long time ago, when he had come in to talk to Godfather 2 years ago…..in this Study.
He had guessed it was Godfather's dead wife but had hesitated to ask him about her. He figured if Godfather wanted to tell him, he would.
THIS MEANT…..DID IT MEAN…..KRIPA WAS RELATED TO GODFATHER????
Mr. Bajaj turned, quickly wiping his eyes with his sleeves. He saw Angad staring open-mouthed at the portrait.
He looked up and smiled: Yeh tumhari Auntie ki tasveer hai….my wife, Anuradha….24 saal pehley yeh ek durghatna mein chal basi…..us din se main iss duniya mein akela hoon, bahut akela……he sighed, suddenly looking older than his 48 years.
Without moving his eyes from the painting , Angad muttered in a hypnotized daze: Haan, Mussorie aur Kathgodam ke beech ek train accident mein Auntie ki maut huyi thi. Tab wo Maa banney wali thi……
Godfather did a double take: KYA KAHA? Tumhey kaisey pata Kathgodam ke paas Train accident mein……? Kisney bataya tumhey?
Angad's eyes sparkled with tremendous excitement : Aapki Beti ne……
Godfather's jaw dropped, he was shocked: YEH KYA BAK RAHEY HO, ANGAD? TUM HOSH MEIN TOH HO? MERI BETI TOH…..JANAM LETEY HI….she died (he ended in a tearful whisper)
NAHIN, UNCLE, AAPKI BETI ZINDA HAI" Angad laughed like a joyful madman! WO ZINDA HAI!!
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pallavi
Edited by pallavi25 - 17 years ago
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