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CHAPTER 2 :
"Ruqaiya" Jalal uttered surprised.
"Hello Dr. Jalal... how are you" she said in a sugary voice.
"Ruqaiya why are you here? What do want now?" He asked controlling his anger so as not to create a drama in the hospital premises.
"Oh Jalal... aisi bhi bhala kya naraazgi mujhse... anyways let's talk in your cabin on a cup of coffee" she aging said in a honey coated voice.
"I don't even want to see your face... lest I want to talk to you... and the last thing I would ever want is to have coffee with you. I have warned you for umpteen times to stay away from me and..."
"Yeah... stay away from you and ... never interfere in your lives... leave you alone... blah blah blah" He was cut off by Ruqaiya's words.
"Exactly... jab tumhe sab kuch yaad hai to phir kyu aayi ho yaha?" He asked gritting his teeth supressing his urge to break her head.
"Dekho Jalal main tumse shaanti se baat karne aayi thi... but ok let me make this very clear... main khud tumse koi naata nahi rakhna chahti hoon... but I am here for Jiya..."
"Jiya se tumhara koi rishta nahi hai samjhi tum... don't you dare say her name from your polluted tongue"
"Aise kaise rishta nahi hai Jalal... tum bhool rahe ho main..."
"Tum kuch nahi ho uski... kuch bhi nahi. You mean nothing to me or Jiya... you better understand that as soon as possible."
"Jal..." she stopped and silenced as she saw Dr. Rohan approaching them.
"Dr. Jalal your signatures are needed on these discharge papers..." He looked at Ruqaiya as he saw her standing beside Jalal. No one in the hospital here knew about her relationship with him.
"Dr. Rohan here...these papers are signed... anything else?" Jalal uttered in a tone that made Rohan understand that he needs to leave immediately.
"No sir...thank you" He said and left the next moment.
"Ruqaiya yeh hospital hai court nahi... is baar mein main ab seedhe court main baat karunga" and he turned and left the hospital without a backward glance at her.
Ruqaiya fumed looking at Jalal's retreating back. She felt as if her pride was trampled under his feet. She gritted her teeth helplessly as Jalal sat in his white Audi and drove off. Ruqaiya too left the hospital after a few minutes with her eyes seething in angst.
Jalal wanted a change. Whole of last fortnight has taken a toll on his mind. He felt he would go nuts if he didn't go away from all the chaos in his life. He took a swift turn to go to the place which never failed to provide him with the much needed solace whenever he felt low... He felt frustrated and drained... whenever he wanted to calm his inner turmoil... He halted the car and came out of the car. The beautiful Juhu beach drowned in the darkness of the night but glowing in the light of the moon and stars. The place, the never ending sea, the trees and rocks present there were the only witness to the vulnerable Jalal masked with the facade of the rough and tough Dr. Jalaluddin Mohammed .
"Why? Why was his life so screwed up? Why is fate throwing problems in his life like that of a stone thrown in a calm still oceans... disturbing the so called tranquillity of his life. Why is Ruqaiya doing all this?... What does she want... why can't she leave me alone in my life..." Jalal's brain throbbed with all these questions as his head split in a mind numbing ache... He took off his shoes and sat on the sands after rolling his pants up. He had been relieved if not very happy when 4 years back his request to the board to be transferred to Sanjeevani, Mumbai branch had been assented. He just wanted to leave lucknow and leave the painful past... wanted to bury at somewhere and just fly away to some other place. When the board agreed he felt as if god answered his prayers. After that he and Jiya had shifted to Mumbai within a fortnight with the help of Armaan, his colleague and best buddy since school time. A beautiful 3 BHK house in a city like Mumbai, respect in the society, the post of HOD in a renowned organisation like Sanjeevani, also having the aura and persona to be the first choice of any young girl was the cherry on top. Jalal had everything man could want in his life but still a void always persisted there... an emptiness that never left his side. The last few years had been sort of a roller coaster ride in his life. The lively happy man in him has been completely converted into an introvert and harsh person he is today over these years.
He was jolted out of his thoughts by the buzzing of his phone. He frowned seeing the caller ID to be of his land line number. He quickly took the call,
"Hello Rachel, all good?" He asked his maid who was on the other side of the call.
"Sir... Jiyu baby is not eating anything and she has locked herself in her room. She is not even listening or responding to my pleas to open the door. I am feeling scared sir" Rachel explained him in a single breath with panic dripping from her voice. Jalal was scared at Rachel's words which added to the tension to his as already stressed mind. He immediately started his car and drove to his house.
Rachel heard the doorbell ring exactly 15 minutes after she had finished her call with Jalal. He hurriedly barged in the house and moved towards Jiya's room.
"Jiyu baby... darwaza kholiye bete... Dekhiye papa aaye hai... papa ki princess unki baat maanegi naa" Jalal tenderly said trying to cajole his daughter into opening the door. A few minutes later, after much cajoling, the door opened and a beautiful girl of about 5 and a half year emerged out. Her face was tear stained and her nose red. Jalal bent down and pulled her in a bone crushing hug to assure himself that she was okay.
"Baby aapne khud ko room mein lock kyu kar liya tha... Daddy was very scared you know..." He said as he cupped her face and kissed her forehead. Jiya started sobbing again as she clutched his shirt and cried hard. He caressed her hair and asked her again why was she crying and why she had locked herself up.
"Papa... Jiyu has no friends... Jiyu feel bad... so she lock the room and cry" the little girl said in her baby tone.
"Why no friends... papa is your friend... Rachel is your friend... my special baby has special friends naa." Jalal tried to explain.
"Papa...my friend... sachhi"
"Yes baby... We are your friends... We love you so much"
A small smile appeared on Jiya's face and she went in her daddy's warm embrace. She then replied "Jiya loves papa and Rachel... but papa-Jiyu... khelte nahi"
Jalal hugged his baby close as he dropped a kiss on her head. He then lifted her in his arms and sat on the couch with her in his lap. He then said "Oho... my baby wants to play... Chalo aaj papa aur Jiyu khoob khelenge...What should we play" He asked her lovingly.
"Sachhi" she innocently asked.
"muchhi"
"Jiyu and papa... play hide and seek"
"ok... what do we do in it?" Jalal asked as if didn't know what game she is talking about.
"Jiyu hide... papa find me" she said.
The next hour passed in Jalal and Jiya playing and running around the house cheerfully.
"Baby now I am tired... bohot zor ki bhook bhi lagi hai. Let's have dinner" Jalal said as rubbed his tummy pretending to be very hungry. He knew she had not eaten anything since evening.
Jiyu after initial relents gave in to her daddy's blackmailing and Jalal gestured Rachel to serve the food on the table. He moved in his room to freshen up.
Jalal's mind wandered back to the day's happenings and Jiya's behaviour. She was feeling rejected... kind of neglected. The tender heart of a 5 year old baby was not able to accept that she is not like other children of her age. Although Jalal and Rachel had never any stone unturned to make her feel special and normal but still not being able to communicate with children of her age, not being able to play with them... create the needed bond with them was affecting her mind badly.
Jalal had somewhere known much before that this was goto come. One day she will try to mingle with people and then problems will surface up... and that will hurt his baby. But knowing and experiencing are two different things... seeing his sweetheart suffering and hurt broke his heart. He felt helpless not being able to eradicate her pain... her big doe like eyes had asked him that 'why only she?' and he wasn't even able to answer her. It had been a couple of months since Rachel has started taking Jiya out to play with the children in their colony. She hadn't even paid heed to his disapproval of taking Jiyu for mingling with people. He had reasoned that she still needs time to communicate with people. Her mind and her tongue are not that developed to be able to understand and talk with people other than those very close to her.
In these two months he had got to hear more than ten complaints from Jiyu's mouth like 'no one play with me' or 'no one talks to me' etc etc. But still Rachel tried her best to befriend Jiya with people.
Rachel had been a mother figure to him. Ruqaiya had brought her with them to help them settle down after their wedding. Rachel had instantly developed a liking towards Jalal and she sometimes took his side even when he was the one at fault during any conflicts between him and Ruqaiya.
Jalal moved a hand on his face.
"Jalal baba... dinner lag gaya hai... You know na when you're at home Jiyu never eats without you." Rachel said from outside Jalal's room. On hearing Rachel's voice he realised he had been weeping silently. He wiped his tears and quickly finished his shower and after wearing a loose pair of tees and trousers he moved out of the room. He masked his expressions to cheerful ones as he took his seat on the dining table.
"So aaj kya banaya hai aapne khaane mein" He asked sweetly.
"Jalal baba and Jiyu baby ka favourite... kadhi chawal aur pyaaz ke pakode " Rachel replied.
"Kadhi chawal... yay! " Jiyu beamed.
Jalal smiled at his sweetheart. He pulled her in his lap lovingly and said while he stuffed her mouth with a spoon of food, "Aaj papa Jiyu ko apne lap pe baitha ke khilayenge" She giggled and chewed the food. That brought a smile on his lips. His daughter was his life... his world. She meant everything to him. His heart glowed whenever she flashed her sweet smile.
The father daughter duo had their dinner while Jalal fed her as he took his morsels too in between. He saw she was yawning as he ate his last bite. He quickly cleaned his hands and lifted her in his arms and took her in her room. He laid her on the bed as he switched off the side lamps and covered her with the comforter.
"Baby... now sleep... kal school bhi jaana hai na aapko" He said as he tried to put her to sleep.
"No papa... first story"
"Story! baby your papa is weak at this.. you know na. When Rachel puts you to sleep she tells you a story... aaj papa sula rahe hai toh ek din please sleep without a story."
"Noo... Jiyu no sleep without story"
"Achha... papa story nahi par lori sunayenge... ok"
She pondered a bit before she smilingly agreed.
"Aa chal ke tujhe
Main leke chalu
Ik aise gagan ke tale
Jaha gham bhi na ho
Aasoo bhi naa ho
Bas pyaar hi pyaar pale"
he sang in a melodious voice. He looked at her and realised that her eyelids were drooping. He slowly patted her to sleep and when he confirmed that she was asleep he tiptoed out if the room.
Jala was standing near the window of his room. His thoughts drifted to some 5 and half years back. He had been so happy to know that he was going to be a father. His joy had known no bounds and he was literally jumping in ecstasy. Though Ruqaiya had been doubtful and her face didnt show the happiness of a would be mother. She doubted about how she would cope up with her pregnancy and career but Jalal had reassured that they would together take care of everything.
Jiya's arrival had been like a beautiful dream come true for him. Ruqaiya had not been happy with that but still she delivered the baby and then after a month left them and their life... left their month old baby and went away. He had tried so much to stop her... even pleaded to her... begged her but in vain. He had tried a lot to talk to her...to clear the misunderstandings between them and also to make her understand that Jiya was their baby... their creation... their own blood. She cannot leave her at least but Ruqaiya was adamant and she just walked out of his life not paying any heed to his explanations.
Since the young and cheerful man in him was locked somewhere deep in his heart giving birth to a ruthless Jalal. Jiyu and Armaan were only one of those very few people for whom he smiled. His life had become mechanical since the day; His day only consisted of working like a machine in the hospital and taking care of his little autistic child. The centre of his attention... his world.
Jiya was diagnosed as a highly functioning child with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD) when she was three. Although the doctor had already told that his baby may have some neurological abnormality itself in the seventh month of pregnancy. But when Jiya turned about two she started having much difficulty in pronouncing words clearly and in sustaining attention. Because of the very reason, it became difficult for an outsider to clearly decipher that what the child is saying.
Armaan and Jiya were very fond of each other. Although she had problems in her daily life but he saw to it that one of them is always there with her to help her deal with them. Jalal had admitted her in Mumbai's best school and had also talked to the principal that no one teases Jiya and she should be treated like an ordinary student.
Armaan worked in KGH, Lucknow and visited them on regular intervals. He being a neurosurgeon knew how to tackle her. He understood her and loved her like his own baby. Jalal had understood that even if Jiya is an autistic child, she is commendably intelligent. She had many times proved the same unconsciously. She could instantly solve puzzles and riddles and cubes too at such a young age.She was too good at maths. She could calculate and solve sums that no other kid in her class was able to do. Jalal was always proud of that. He sensed she had difficulty in languages and he helped her with that. Although he knew there is no known cure, but there have been reported cases of children who recovered.
Jala had tried to research and gain information as much as possible for him. His field was cardio but still he with Armaan and Suhani's help learnt a lot about the differences between a normal human psychology and psychology of an autistic person.
He suddenly recalled he had to go to meet Suhani. 'She must be ready by now. Her flight is at 12.30 am and it's already close to 11', he thought as he looked at the clock. He immediately got hold of his car keys and hurried after locking the door. He saw his phone was still in the car and wondered why hasn't suhani called him when he saw that his mobile was dead and he had also forgot to take his phone charger. He sped up the car and turned across the turning which went towards her house.
He rang the doorbell and the door opened immediately. A fuming a suhani with her hands on her hips stood in front of him. He smiled sheepishly and that triggered her anger.
"Oh... Mr. Busybee Jalal free ho hi gaye aakhirkar..." she said as she moved in and Jalal followed her. He saw that the atmosphere in was really cheesed up as he saw that Suhani's 7 year old naughty and hyperactive son Aarav was sitting quietly on the couch.
"Jalal uncle... aaj to mummy aapki band bajane wali hai... bohot gusse mein hai" he whispered as Jalal sat beside him.
"Haa beta... tumhari mummy ka dimaag kafi garam lag raha hai... I will try to talk to her" he said while Suhani offered him a glass of water.
"Sorry Suhani... it slipped out of my mind that I had to drop you to the airport and take Aarav with me. It was an emergency too..." he replied as he sipped at the water.
"Jhooth toh bolna mat... I called your secretary and he told me that you left the hospital in the evening itself as there
was no medical emergency today"
"Yeah... you are right... there wasn't any medical emergency but I had some emergency at home. Jiya ne gusse mein apne aap ko room mein lock kar liya tha..."
"What? Is she fine... hua kya tha jo usne aise..."
"Relax...She is fine... voh apne hum umr bachho se bond nahi bana pa rahi hai and she is upset for that. Maine jaake usse baat ki aur samjhaya to vo kisi tarah maan gayi... par pata nahi aage..." he trailed off.
"Awww... my poor baby... Koi baat nahi Jalal... ab tum Aarav ko leke jaa rahe ho naa... School mein toh Aarav hota hi hai uske saath... ab kuch din ghar par bhi uske saath rahegi toh sab theek jo jaayega. You don't worry..." she tried to console him as she kept a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Hmn... Chalo... I will drop you aur phir Aarav ko leke ghar jaata hoon... kal school jaana hai na Aarav... you have to sleep as soon as we reach home."
"Haa chalo... meri flight ka time ho gaya hai"
Jalal helped her with her bag and they drove off.
In the car he asked,
"Suhani...I heard your paper on neurodevelopmental disorders has been selected for the conference... vaise yeh conference toh 3 din mein khatm jo jaayegi... Phir tum vapas Mumbai aa rahi ho na"
"Ofcourse aa rahi hoo... par tum kyu pooch rahe ho?"
"Haan vo tum aa jao phir tumse Jiyu ke regarding kuch baat karni hai... Abhi mat poochna please... tum aaogi phir bataunga..."
She nodded and he continued driving.
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"Ruqaiya" Jalal uttered surprised.
"Hello Dr. Jalal... how are you" she said in a sugary voice.
"Ruqaiya why are you here? What do want now?" He asked controlling his anger so as not to create a drama in the hospital premises.
"Oh Jalal... aisi bhi bhala kya naraazgi mujhse... anyways let's talk in your cabin on a cup of coffee" she aging said in a honey coated voice.
"I don't even want to see your face... lest I want to talk to you... and the last thing I would ever want is to have coffee with you. I have warned you for umpteen times to stay away from me and..."
"Yeah... stay away from you and ... never interfere in your lives... leave you alone... blah blah blah" He was cut off by Ruqaiya's words.
"Exactly... jab tumhe sab kuch yaad hai to phir kyu aayi ho yaha?" He asked gritting his teeth supressing his urge to break her head.
"Dekho Jalal main tumse shaanti se baat karne aayi thi... but ok let me make this very clear... main khud tumse koi naata nahi rakhna chahti hoon... but I am here for Jiya..."
"Jiya se tumhara koi rishta nahi hai samjhi tum... don't you dare say her name from your polluted tongue"
"Aise kaise rishta nahi hai Jalal... tum bhool rahe ho main..."
"Tum kuch nahi ho uski... kuch bhi nahi. You mean nothing to me or Jiya... you better understand that as soon as possible."
"Jal..." she stopped and silenced as she saw Dr. Rohan approaching them.
"Dr. Jalal your signatures are needed on these discharge papers..." He looked at Ruqaiya as he saw her standing beside Jalal. No one in the hospital here knew about her relationship with him.
"Dr. Rohan here...these papers are signed... anything else?" Jalal uttered in a tone that made Rohan understand that he needs to leave immediately.
"No sir...thank you" He said and left the next moment.
"Ruqaiya yeh hospital hai court nahi... is baar mein main ab seedhe court main baat karunga" and he turned and left the hospital without a backward glance at her.
Ruqaiya fumed looking at Jalal's retreating back. She felt as if her pride was trampled under his feet. She gritted her teeth helplessly as Jalal sat in his white Audi and drove off. Ruqaiya too left the hospital after a few minutes with her eyes seething in angst.
Jalal wanted a change. Whole of last fortnight has taken a toll on his mind. He felt he would go nuts if he didn't go away from all the chaos in his life. He took a swift turn to go to the place which never failed to provide him with the much needed solace whenever he felt low... He felt frustrated and drained... whenever he wanted to calm his inner turmoil... He halted the car and came out of the car. The beautiful Juhu beach drowned in the darkness of the night but glowing in the light of the moon and stars. The place, the never ending sea, the trees and rocks present there were the only witness to the vulnerable Jalal masked with the facade of the rough and tough Dr. Jalaluddin Mohammed .
"Why? Why was his life so screwed up? Why is fate throwing problems in his life like that of a stone thrown in a calm still oceans... disturbing the so called tranquillity of his life. Why is Ruqaiya doing all this?... What does she want... why can't she leave me alone in my life..." Jalal's brain throbbed with all these questions as his head split in a mind numbing ache... He took off his shoes and sat on the sands after rolling his pants up. He had been relieved if not very happy when 4 years back his request to the board to be transferred to Sanjeevani, Mumbai branch had been assented. He just wanted to leave lucknow and leave the painful past... wanted to bury at somewhere and just fly away to some other place. When the board agreed he felt as if god answered his prayers. After that he and Jiya had shifted to Mumbai within a fortnight with the help of Armaan, his colleague and best buddy since school time. A beautiful 3 BHK house in a city like Mumbai, respect in the society, the post of HOD in a renowned organisation like Sanjeevani, also having the aura and persona to be the first choice of any young girl was the cherry on top. Jalal had everything man could want in his life but still a void always persisted there... an emptiness that never left his side. The last few years had been sort of a roller coaster ride in his life. The lively happy man in him has been completely converted into an introvert and harsh person he is today over these years.
He was jolted out of his thoughts by the buzzing of his phone. He frowned seeing the caller ID to be of his land line number. He quickly took the call,
"Hello Rachel, all good?" He asked his maid who was on the other side of the call.
"Sir... Jiyu baby is not eating anything and she has locked herself in her room. She is not even listening or responding to my pleas to open the door. I am feeling scared sir" Rachel explained him in a single breath with panic dripping from her voice. Jalal was scared at Rachel's words which added to the tension to his as already stressed mind. He immediately started his car and drove to his house.
Rachel heard the doorbell ring exactly 15 minutes after she had finished her call with Jalal. He hurriedly barged in the house and moved towards Jiya's room.
"Jiyu baby... darwaza kholiye bete... Dekhiye papa aaye hai... papa ki princess unki baat maanegi naa" Jalal tenderly said trying to cajole his daughter into opening the door. A few minutes later, after much cajoling, the door opened and a beautiful girl of about 5 and a half year emerged out. Her face was tear stained and her nose red. Jalal bent down and pulled her in a bone crushing hug to assure himself that she was okay.
"Baby aapne khud ko room mein lock kyu kar liya tha... Daddy was very scared you know..." He said as he cupped her face and kissed her forehead. Jiya started sobbing again as she clutched his shirt and cried hard. He caressed her hair and asked her again why was she crying and why she had locked herself up.
"Papa... Jiyu has no friends... Jiyu feel bad... so she lock the room and cry" the little girl said in her baby tone.
"Why no friends... papa is your friend... Rachel is your friend... my special baby has special friends naa." Jalal tried to explain.
"Papa...my friend... sachhi"
"Yes baby... We are your friends... We love you so much"
A small smile appeared on Jiya's face and she went in her daddy's warm embrace. She then replied "Jiya loves papa and Rachel... but papa-Jiyu... khelte nahi"
Jalal hugged his baby close as he dropped a kiss on her head. He then lifted her in his arms and sat on the couch with her in his lap. He then said "Oho... my baby wants to play... Chalo aaj papa aur Jiyu khoob khelenge...What should we play" He asked her lovingly.
"Sachhi" she innocently asked.
"muchhi"
"Jiyu and papa... play hide and seek"
"ok... what do we do in it?" Jalal asked as if didn't know what game she is talking about.
"Jiyu hide... papa find me" she said.
The next hour passed in Jalal and Jiya playing and running around the house cheerfully.
"Baby now I am tired... bohot zor ki bhook bhi lagi hai. Let's have dinner" Jalal said as rubbed his tummy pretending to be very hungry. He knew she had not eaten anything since evening.
Jiyu after initial relents gave in to her daddy's blackmailing and Jalal gestured Rachel to serve the food on the table. He moved in his room to freshen up.
Jalal's mind wandered back to the day's happenings and Jiya's behaviour. She was feeling rejected... kind of neglected. The tender heart of a 5 year old baby was not able to accept that she is not like other children of her age. Although Jalal and Rachel had never any stone unturned to make her feel special and normal but still not being able to communicate with children of her age, not being able to play with them... create the needed bond with them was affecting her mind badly.
Jalal had somewhere known much before that this was goto come. One day she will try to mingle with people and then problems will surface up... and that will hurt his baby. But knowing and experiencing are two different things... seeing his sweetheart suffering and hurt broke his heart. He felt helpless not being able to eradicate her pain... her big doe like eyes had asked him that 'why only she?' and he wasn't even able to answer her. It had been a couple of months since Rachel has started taking Jiya out to play with the children in their colony. She hadn't even paid heed to his disapproval of taking Jiyu for mingling with people. He had reasoned that she still needs time to communicate with people. Her mind and her tongue are not that developed to be able to understand and talk with people other than those very close to her.
In these two months he had got to hear more than ten complaints from Jiyu's mouth like 'no one play with me' or 'no one talks to me' etc etc. But still Rachel tried her best to befriend Jiya with people.
Rachel had been a mother figure to him. Ruqaiya had brought her with them to help them settle down after their wedding. Rachel had instantly developed a liking towards Jalal and she sometimes took his side even when he was the one at fault during any conflicts between him and Ruqaiya.
Jalal moved a hand on his face.
"Jalal baba... dinner lag gaya hai... You know na when you're at home Jiyu never eats without you." Rachel said from outside Jalal's room. On hearing Rachel's voice he realised he had been weeping silently. He wiped his tears and quickly finished his shower and after wearing a loose pair of tees and trousers he moved out of the room. He masked his expressions to cheerful ones as he took his seat on the dining table.
"So aaj kya banaya hai aapne khaane mein" He asked sweetly.
"Jalal baba and Jiyu baby ka favourite... kadhi chawal aur pyaaz ke pakode " Rachel replied.
"Kadhi chawal... yay! " Jiyu beamed.
Jalal smiled at his sweetheart. He pulled her in his lap lovingly and said while he stuffed her mouth with a spoon of food, "Aaj papa Jiyu ko apne lap pe baitha ke khilayenge" She giggled and chewed the food. That brought a smile on his lips. His daughter was his life... his world. She meant everything to him. His heart glowed whenever she flashed her sweet smile.
The father daughter duo had their dinner while Jalal fed her as he took his morsels too in between. He saw she was yawning as he ate his last bite. He quickly cleaned his hands and lifted her in his arms and took her in her room. He laid her on the bed as he switched off the side lamps and covered her with the comforter.
"Baby... now sleep... kal school bhi jaana hai na aapko" He said as he tried to put her to sleep.
"No papa... first story"
"Story! baby your papa is weak at this.. you know na. When Rachel puts you to sleep she tells you a story... aaj papa sula rahe hai toh ek din please sleep without a story."
"Noo... Jiyu no sleep without story"
"Achha... papa story nahi par lori sunayenge... ok"
She pondered a bit before she smilingly agreed.
"Aa chal ke tujhe
Main leke chalu
Ik aise gagan ke tale
Jaha gham bhi na ho
Aasoo bhi naa ho
Bas pyaar hi pyaar pale"
he sang in a melodious voice. He looked at her and realised that her eyelids were drooping. He slowly patted her to sleep and when he confirmed that she was asleep he tiptoed out if the room.
Jala was standing near the window of his room. His thoughts drifted to some 5 and half years back. He had been so happy to know that he was going to be a father. His joy had known no bounds and he was literally jumping in ecstasy. Though Ruqaiya had been doubtful and her face didnt show the happiness of a would be mother. She doubted about how she would cope up with her pregnancy and career but Jalal had reassured that they would together take care of everything.
Jiya's arrival had been like a beautiful dream come true for him. Ruqaiya had not been happy with that but still she delivered the baby and then after a month left them and their life... left their month old baby and went away. He had tried so much to stop her... even pleaded to her... begged her but in vain. He had tried a lot to talk to her...to clear the misunderstandings between them and also to make her understand that Jiya was their baby... their creation... their own blood. She cannot leave her at least but Ruqaiya was adamant and she just walked out of his life not paying any heed to his explanations.
Since the young and cheerful man in him was locked somewhere deep in his heart giving birth to a ruthless Jalal. Jiyu and Armaan were only one of those very few people for whom he smiled. His life had become mechanical since the day; His day only consisted of working like a machine in the hospital and taking care of his little autistic child. The centre of his attention... his world.
Jiya was diagnosed as a highly functioning child with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome (ADHD) when she was three. Although the doctor had already told that his baby may have some neurological abnormality itself in the seventh month of pregnancy. But when Jiya turned about two she started having much difficulty in pronouncing words clearly and in sustaining attention. Because of the very reason, it became difficult for an outsider to clearly decipher that what the child is saying.
Armaan and Jiya were very fond of each other. Although she had problems in her daily life but he saw to it that one of them is always there with her to help her deal with them. Jalal had admitted her in Mumbai's best school and had also talked to the principal that no one teases Jiya and she should be treated like an ordinary student.
Armaan worked in KGH, Lucknow and visited them on regular intervals. He being a neurosurgeon knew how to tackle her. He understood her and loved her like his own baby. Jalal had understood that even if Jiya is an autistic child, she is commendably intelligent. She had many times proved the same unconsciously. She could instantly solve puzzles and riddles and cubes too at such a young age.She was too good at maths. She could calculate and solve sums that no other kid in her class was able to do. Jalal was always proud of that. He sensed she had difficulty in languages and he helped her with that. Although he knew there is no known cure, but there have been reported cases of children who recovered.
Jala had tried to research and gain information as much as possible for him. His field was cardio but still he with Armaan and Suhani's help learnt a lot about the differences between a normal human psychology and psychology of an autistic person.
He suddenly recalled he had to go to meet Suhani. 'She must be ready by now. Her flight is at 12.30 am and it's already close to 11', he thought as he looked at the clock. He immediately got hold of his car keys and hurried after locking the door. He saw his phone was still in the car and wondered why hasn't suhani called him when he saw that his mobile was dead and he had also forgot to take his phone charger. He sped up the car and turned across the turning which went towards her house.
He rang the doorbell and the door opened immediately. A fuming a suhani with her hands on her hips stood in front of him. He smiled sheepishly and that triggered her anger.
"Oh... Mr. Busybee Jalal free ho hi gaye aakhirkar..." she said as she moved in and Jalal followed her. He saw that the atmosphere in was really cheesed up as he saw that Suhani's 7 year old naughty and hyperactive son Aarav was sitting quietly on the couch.
"Jalal uncle... aaj to mummy aapki band bajane wali hai... bohot gusse mein hai" he whispered as Jalal sat beside him.
"Haa beta... tumhari mummy ka dimaag kafi garam lag raha hai... I will try to talk to her" he said while Suhani offered him a glass of water.
"Sorry Suhani... it slipped out of my mind that I had to drop you to the airport and take Aarav with me. It was an emergency too..." he replied as he sipped at the water.
"Jhooth toh bolna mat... I called your secretary and he told me that you left the hospital in the evening itself as there
was no medical emergency today"
"Yeah... you are right... there wasn't any medical emergency but I had some emergency at home. Jiya ne gusse mein apne aap ko room mein lock kar liya tha..."
"What? Is she fine... hua kya tha jo usne aise..."
"Relax...She is fine... voh apne hum umr bachho se bond nahi bana pa rahi hai and she is upset for that. Maine jaake usse baat ki aur samjhaya to vo kisi tarah maan gayi... par pata nahi aage..." he trailed off.
"Awww... my poor baby... Koi baat nahi Jalal... ab tum Aarav ko leke jaa rahe ho naa... School mein toh Aarav hota hi hai uske saath... ab kuch din ghar par bhi uske saath rahegi toh sab theek jo jaayega. You don't worry..." she tried to console him as she kept a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Hmn... Chalo... I will drop you aur phir Aarav ko leke ghar jaata hoon... kal school jaana hai na Aarav... you have to sleep as soon as we reach home."
"Haa chalo... meri flight ka time ho gaya hai"
Jalal helped her with her bag and they drove off.
In the car he asked,
"Suhani...I heard your paper on neurodevelopmental disorders has been selected for the conference... vaise yeh conference toh 3 din mein khatm jo jaayegi... Phir tum vapas Mumbai aa rahi ho na"
"Ofcourse aa rahi hoo... par tum kyu pooch rahe ho?"
"Haan vo tum aa jao phir tumse Jiyu ke regarding kuch baat karni hai... Abhi mat poochna please... tum aaogi phir bataunga..."
She nodded and he continued driving.
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CID
53