The parent- 2,NEW THREAD-PG153,AUG 9,2013

She looked around to find a single object which did not have "pink" in it.The room which was told to be hers by Maan,appeared more like a "Doll house",with interiors based on "Fairy tale" theme.She gave an amused smile as she saw the "heart shaped", fluffy and pink head board of her bed,the space on which was mostly occupied by a wide range of "Soft toys"."Abhi would have loved this room ,Suta surmised as she suddenly remembered the large number of teddy bears assembled on Abhi's bed in hostel.She had always wondered,how she managed to sleep with their "button and unblinking" eyes always staring at her. She opened her bag to get a change of clothes,when her gaze went to rolled poster of "John Cena" in her bag,waiting for her attention.She took out the poster from her bag very carefully as her eyes roamed at the walls of her room. Walls were already filled with "typical girlish" wall decals having large pink butterfly and Pooh bear.The one she hated most had "I am so pretty" written on it with background having "Lipsticks" and "Nail polish" bottles.

"These walls are not for you,Dude.." Suta spoke in a dejected voice looking at picture of her favourite "wrestler and WWE champion".

She was about to keep the poster back into her bag,when she heard a knock at the door.

"Come in.." She exclaimed as she saw Maan entering with First aid box in his hands.

"You have hurt your hand.." He said on finding her looking at the "First aid box".

Suta had no idea,when he had seen the small wound at her palm.It was barely noticeable.Her wound could be barely noticeable to anyone but It could not escape a father's eyes.

Maan made her sit on the bed as he started applying antiseptic lotion,blowing simultaneously to reduce the burn.

"Why are you blowing???" Suta asked as she giggled.

"It must be burning.." Maan gave the obvious reason.

"Its burning but not that much..Your blowing is tickling me.." Suta exclaimed.

Maan was done cleaning the wound with antiseptic lotion.

"Tell me if it hurts.." He said looking towards her as he started applying the ointment very softly with his index finger. His concerned words got an amused laughter from Suta. He was perplexed with her behaviour.

"Why are you laughing???" He asked.

"Its just a small cut,Sir..It does not need to apply the ointment even..Moreover, My skin is "Pain resistant".." She said with subtle pride in her voice.

"Pain resistant???" Maan asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes..I don't feel pain..I did not cry or scream when I got these stitches on my fore-head"..She said as she removed her hair from her fore head.

It was the first time Maan was seeing a "Kiddish streak" in her otherwise matured demeanour.He smiled little as she looked like a kid who proudly tells that he is not afraid of injection. But his smile vanished instantly as the stitch marks on her fore head grabbed his attention.

"You got a scar here.." Maan said as he touched the scar very softly.

"Scars are the tatoos for the brave.." Suta said in a dramatic voice as she pulled up her trousers above her knees.

An immense pain appeared in Maan's eyes, watching very deep,pigmented and old scars on her knees. They clearly showed,how badly she was hurt when she got them.

His pained eyes had confused Suta as she said,"They don't pain any more.." Words came out of her lips of their own in an effort to lessen the pain in his eyes.

"How did you get them???" He asked suddenly.

"This one I got when I fell from the swing in the garden.."She answered pointing towards her fore head.."and I got most of them during my Basket ball and Hockey practice sessions"..She told further about the scars on her knees.

"You play hockey and Basket ball..??" Maan asked.

"Well I try to but I am not in the school team.." She answered in a sad voice.

"So what??? You enjoy playing them and "Enjoyment" is most important in a "game".." He exclaimed taking her hand in his. The small wound grabbed his attention once again.."and How did you get this???" He asked. His voice reflected same amount of pain and worry,which were present in his eyes,when he had seen severe scars on her knees.

"While pulling the luggage out from under the birth.." She told him as she found him looking intently at the thumb ring.It was the only thing,she was wearing in the name of accessories.

"Do you like this room..???" His sudden question startled her.

"Room is nice,sir.." She lied averting her gaze.It was impossible for her to lie looking straight in his eyes.For once,her brain asked her to say the truth blatantly and in the rudest way possible for the sake of anger that she had for him for snatching only precious possession of hers.But her heart and tongue did not oblige.

"Don't call me sir..Its a request.." He spoke with a wan smile,getting up from her bed.

"What should I call you then???" She asked with her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"Daddy",His heart screamed,"Maan",His tongue produced as he left the room.

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"She did not like her room dadi.." Maan whined like a kid,throwing the "First aid box" on the table."I should not have followed your suggestions.."

"You were the one who had come to me for some tips regarding Teen age girls.."Savitiri devi spoke without moving her eyes from fresh copy of "Cosmopolitan"."and I told you right things.."She said flipping the page.

"You told me that they love pink,flavoured lip glosses,soft toys ,High heels and ear rings.." Maan spoke in a voice full of irritation.

"Yes.." Savitri devi said shrugging her shoulders in nonchalance as she abandoned the magazine she was reading.

"But neither her lips were painted with lip gloss,nor she was wearing any ear rings..There was only a thumb ring in name of accessories,that too with "Born to Kill" written on it in bold and capital letters.."

"That means,Baby had not changed much..She is the same girl with no girlish habits..Remember what she had done to the "Barbie doll" you have brought for her.."

Despite being badly exasperated,Maan could not resist the smile that came to his lips as dadi's words freshened some fond memories for him.

"Yes I remember,Poor doll was found abandoned under my study table with a broken leg..." Maan spoke with a smile.

"And without her pink and glittery party dress.." Savitri devi said controlling her laughter as she remembered the red face of 16 years old maan on seeing a "naked doll"..

"She was trying to make the doll ride on her big "stuffed elephant" and doll's dress was not allowing to spread the legs enough to straddle on a big elephant,thats why she had removed the dress.." Maan told the reason.

" and in her effort of spreading her legs more and more,she had broken one of the leg.." Dadi spoke as she burst in to laughter finally,soon be accompanied by Maan.

They would have continued their hysterical laughters,if a knock at the door had not disturbed them.

"Hey baby,come in beta..Why are you standing at the door??? Savitri devi said coming towards the door as she held Suta's hand to steer her inside.

"Why do both of you call me "Baby"???" Suta asked the question that was bothering her since the night she had received a call from Maan on Hostel's land line phone.

"Because Its your nick name,dear.." Savitri told her ,caressing her cheek.

"Papa had given my that name???" She asked with expectant eyes.."Strangely,He never called me Baby.." She spoke further.

"No..I had named you baby.." Savitri Devi answered.."Because you were a cute chubby baby when you had first come to our house.." She spoke further pinching her cheek lightly.

Maan did not miss the "disappointment" in her eyes on hearing his grandma's words.For the first time in life,He felt slight anger for his mentor,for depriving her from his love..

"Do you need something Suta?? Are you comfortable in your room???" Maan asked to bring a change in conversation.

"Actually,I came here to get the "Envelope" that papa had left with you for me..." Suta told the reason behind her visit to his room.

"Ohk..Its in cup board,Let me get it for you.." Maan exclaimed as he opened his cup board to fetch the envelope.

While Maan got busy in searching the envelope,Suta's eyes roamed around in the room to find the walls adorned with her "childhood" pictures.She was amazed to find them in Maan's room and she was more amazed with the number of pics.She was very sure ,even her real father hadn't this much pictures of hers. Since the moment,she had seen him,His concern and care had confused her badly.She knew,she used to stay in his house,during the time her father was busy with tuitions but she was unable to understand the relationship between them,completely oblivious to the fact that he was the one to raise her like a mother during those three years of their companionship.Softness that her orbs held watching her childhood pictures vanished suddenly as her gaze went to one of the photo frame kept near the bed. It had the smiling faces of Maan and her father.Graduation Cap present on Maan's head told her that it was clicked on his graduation day.The glass frame was not successful to hide the "pride" swimming in her father's eyes on his favourite student's success and she was instantly reminded of Abhi's parents,when Abhi was showing them her picture receiving the first prize. She had craved since forever to see this pride in her father's eyes but It did not happen. May be She hadn't achieved something worthy of his appreciation or May be her achievements were not as important and dear to him,as of his favourite student.. She tried to control the anger as well as hurt,that surged in her blood as she snatched the envelope from Maan's hands with a harsh pull before running out..

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The cold shower eradicated the tiredness of journey as Geet came out of the bathroom.Towel in her hands was busy rubbing her wet hair,whereas her eyes were busy acquainting herself with new city outside,through the window.

"Geet.." Tezi's voice made her turn around."I have kept your luggage in the bedroom,You can rest there.."She heard him say.

"But where would you sleep veerji??" Geet asked with scrunched eyebrows.

"I would sleep in hall Geet.." Tezi spoke settling himself on the sofa.

"No veerji..I would sleep in Hall and you would sleep in your bedroom with Rajji Bhabi.." Geet retorted.

"But there is no AC in hall,Geet..Delhi's heat would burn you alive."

"Like you are non flammable,veer ji.." Geet said as she took her seat beside him.."Its six month of Bhabi's pregnancy and She needs you most at this time.."She spoke further in an attempt to pacify her cousin.

"But geet.." Before Tezi could complete his sentence,Abhi made her chirpy appearance with tray having bowls of "Kheer" in her hands.

"Mumma had sent Kheer for all of you.." She said with a bright smile playing on her lips.

"Thank you so much Abhi.." Tezi thanked her taking the tray from her hands.

"I heard the discussion you were having before my arrival.." Abhi spoke giving one bowl to Geet.."and I have an idea.."

"What idea???" Tezi asked with raised brows.

"She can share my room.." Abhi suggested looking towards Geet,,

"No..I would be fine in hall.." Geet tried to deny.

"My room is not messy GD..You would be comfortable there.."

"GD who???" It was Tezi who stole the question from Geet's tongue.

"GD is abbreviation for 'Geet di'.." Abhi said as she moved towards the bedroom to give one bowl of Kheer to Rajji who was having a nap inside.

"Abhi's suggestion is not that bad,Geet..Moreover,Once she decides something,Its impossible to change her decision.." Tezi told Geet

"But veerji..What would her parents think?? I don't want to bother her or her parents.."

Next Geet saw,Abhi coming out of the room with her luggage.

" You are going to stay in my room,not in my parent's room.,so there is no question of bothering them..and One who is going to bothered between two of us in only "YOU",GD!!!

Abhi's words brought a smile on Geet's lips.

"Common GD..Lets move to our "presidential suite".." Abhi exclaimed with a wink as she held Geet's arm and steered her downstairs.

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Geet arranged her clothes in the upper portion of cupboard that Abhi had cleared for her by removing her dresses and shifting them to lower racks.She smiled as she saw the Abhi's clothes ready to fall out of the cupboard because of the improper way,they were stuffed there. She could not control herself from arranging Abhi's clothes,when one of her tshirt literally fell on her feet,though she was pretty unsure about Abhi's reaction on her task.She might not like someone touching her belongings,without her permission.

"GD..!!!" Geet heard excited voice of Abhi calling her as she entered inside..

"GD..come with me..." She said holding her hand.

"But where Abhi..???"

"To Rajji Bhabi's room..I just felt the kick of the baby.." Abhi told her as both of them moved upstairs.

Geet felt slight movement under her palm as Abhi placed her hand on Rajji's stomach.

"Isn't it awesome,GD???

Geet heard her say with ample excitement in her eyes.Her gaze then went to Rajji whose eyes were equally bright with happiness and contentment.

"You must be feeling proud of yourself Bhabhi.." Abhi said to Rajji.

"Proud??why abhi???" Rajji asked.

"Because you are nurturing an other 'life" inside you.."Abhi answered.

Abhi's matured words surprised Geet to no limits.She did not possess such "maturity",when she was of her age.If she had not been that childish,She might have felt and enjoyed the blessing of motherhood, the way Rajji Bhabhi was enjoying..,Geet thought as some old memories flashed in her mind'

Geet's eyes were fixed outside the window as her soul desparately waited for nine months to get over,so she could step out of her home.Rano had immediately decided for an abortion as soon Chidi's pregnancy was confirmed but Geet's tender age as well as delay of two months did not let her fulfill the decision.Abrotion at this stage could cause various mediacal complications for Chidi to conceive,especially to retain the pregnancy in future.Rano did not want her chidi to go through the same pain ,she herself had endured.Hence She and Mohinder had decided to continue Geet's pregnancy.It was more difficult for them to save Geet from the "Complications of Society" as compared to "troubles of pregnancy".To avoid the wagging tongues and poking eyes of People,Handa couple shifted their home to outer skirts of Amritsar.The area had abundance of " empty plots" where houses had not built still.There were very few houses with considerable distacne from each other. In their new neighbourhood ,no one was aware of Chidi's presence in the house,as Rano had not let her come outside in the daytime.It was only night when she was allowed to take stroll on roof top.

With little trouble,Geet got up from the bed and came out of the room,where Rano was busy talking to Manpreet aunty.She was a trained midwife and Rano's cousin,whom Rano could trust with Geet's secret.

"Your chidi is doing fine..You care had removed her weakness.." Manpreet told Rano in an assured voice,thus bringing a smile at her lips.."But what you and Mohinder veerji have decided about the baby???" She inquiered further.

"Geet's kid would be raised as our Kid, Didi..We would shift to Chandigarh after geet's delivery..No one would come to know about real mother of the kid.." Rano said with determination as she peeled the Roasted Brinjals.

"Hmm..That would be good.." Manpreet exclaimed nodding her head thoughtfully.."Ok,I would leave now Rano..Don't forget to give "Multivitamin tablets"to Chidi" She instructed as she left the house.

Rano turned around after locking the door securely,only to find Chidi sitting on the sofa in the drawing room.

"Chidi..When did you come here?? Look I am making your favorite "Baingan ka bharta".."Rano said with smile as she resumed her task of peeling the brinjals. Since her pregnancy,Geet had started to like her "not so favourite" Brinjals.

"Maasi..This kid would stay with us??" Geet asked,caressing her five months old bump.

"Yes beta.." Rano answered as she understood,Geet had heard her conversation with Manpreet.

Sadness that appear in Geet's eyes told Rano that she was not happy with her decision.

"You don't want him to stay with us??" She asked now chopping the Brinjals.

"No..Maasi..I hate this kid.." Geet said in a teary voice making Knife in Rano's hands still for a while.

"But why beta??" Rano asked astonished with Geet's words.

"Its all because of this kid,I am imprisoned in this house..I can't go to school..I can't play outside..I can't enjoy shopping with you in the market.." Geet gave her innocent reasons.."Moreover,because of him,You have slapped me for the first time in the life..How can I like him maasi???"

Rano did not know what to answer her daughter or how to make her understand.Reasons she gave might be childish but they had surely impacted her life very seriously. She kept on chopping the brinjals when she saw a "Vegetable worm" inside one of the brinjal.She discarded it in the dustbin as she tried to make Chidi understand with her words..

"Don't you feel any attachment for the kid,when it moves in your womb or when you feel its kick??" Rano asked Geet.

"I feel what this Brinjal must have felt when that "worm" revolves inside it.." Geet answerd with her gaze fixed at the discarded vegetable in the dustbin.

"Abhi..Stop disturbing your Bhabhi..Let her rest" Abhi's mother's strict voice from downstairs startled both Abhi and Geet.

"We should go now..Abhi.." Geet said as she settled the pillow behind Rajji's back before wiping her teary hazels.

Her new abode had freshened some old wounds for her..!!!!

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Please give a try to this wonderful story by "Frostedstarlit"..Its worth your time and appreciation...

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