ANOTHER TIME
One Shot
[ Mere pyare PreRish lovers sorry in Advance.]
The sun was still penetrating through the leaves, growing up from horizon. Birds chirping up in the blue sky spreading an early chorus. She leaned back her neck over the bench smiling at the nature's gifts. Gifts of nourishing life, gifts of cherishing life.
Her trance broke as she heard commotion in the backyard garden,a pretty girl in her white frock came rushing behind a little puppy.
"Leo..." she cried as she chased little Pomeranian.
She sat there watching her girl play merrily with her dog, a serene smile crossing her face. Being a mother was an experience that carried myriad of emotions. She was trying to experience something she wanted to so badly.
The little girl, Sneha who stole her mother's long hair, her father's sweetest features looked happier than ever. She was learning new words these days. Prerna remembered hearing her faint learning of words, how badly she wanted to help her. But as Sneha would hear the door squeak she would turn silent and start playing with her toys.
Prerna caressed her flattened belly, still cherishing the feeling of her being there a few years back. She would still feel her being there.
"She's an early birdie just like you" Prerna turned to see him sitting next to her.
"But she loves dogs just like you." she told her husband who noticed her hand still in her lap.
"She is growing up, isn't she?" he told her softly.
"I saw her learning words last night" she smiled still cherishing the sight in front.
"Last night?"
"Yes, she was practicing on mother and asking about apostrophes"Prerna told Rishabh with excitement spreading across her cheeks, "She's a good learner just like you"
"But she's naughty like you" Rishabh chuckled back showing her how Sneha filled her pup Leo's bowl than drinking it herself.
"Aww.... my baby" Prerna felt tears stinking her eyes as Sneha was afar doing all this in their backyard
"You miss her don't you" Rishabh moved closer to Prerna trying to comfort her as they sat over the concrete bench under the peach tree.
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The Peach tree they both planted exactly 7 years back when they brought this property. As newly married back then they were busy exploring each other's interests. Being arranged by their parents they were together exploring a new phase of their life. Each day was a new story, she would cherish his sweetness while he would admire her dedication.
Later when they both became pregnant, Rishabh remembered how she would never stop craving for peaches.
"Rishabh, let's grab a peach pie." she told him pouting caressing her newly forming belly bump.
"Prerna, If I know baking that doesn't mean you would keep persuading me with those puppy pouts" Rishabh encircled his arms around her neck as she hopped on the granite shelf.
"Please please please...." she told him again trying her luck.
"Priyu...." He pecked her cheek softly, massaging her head with his fingers.
"No... don't do that. I'll sleep again" she told him like a kid.
"Fine...but last one" He told her.
"For today" she winked as he sieved the flour and passed her a glare, "How bout we plant a peach tree right in the backyard?"
"Yeah right! With you eating so many of them. Our baby will only grow up with that taste" he chuckled while she scratched her temple thoughtfully.
From next day on wards all the peach cores ended right into the pit in backyard. To their surprise a month later a sapling grew out surprising them both.
"Rishu..."she yawned over the call feeling tired.
"I'm so sorry.... Sorrryyyy" he told her the moment he picked up her call.
"It's okay just check your email..." He could hear her smile, that's what he loved the most about her. She would understand him without a word. She would love without expectations.
"I'm sorry..." he still repeated
"You know there's always second time" she chuckled on the other end, "My darling husband...please stop apologizing... I know work is important..."The next moment she heard him cursing himself a lil.
, "Aww...listen baby daddy's crying."
Rishabh knew she must have put her phone on speaker for that, how he just wished to gather her in his arms, "Thank you" was all he whispered looking at the first image of their baby on sonogram video.
"I love you...and thank you!" she told him back making him wipe his tears.
"Love you more" he ended the call.
Their pregnant months were the times that brought the couple closer, Rishabh cherished pampering his wife in her new phase. A new journey of parenthood they were excited to begin.
"The due date's coming Rishabh" Prerna shouted checking on the calendar while wearing her Mangalsutra.
"Really?" Rishabh came out after taking shower,"Aww I can't wait to pick our baby in hands... And for you to rest..." Rishabh told Prerna crushing her in a bear hug from behind.
"Ehh... I feel so heavy..."
"Don't worry... I will carry her once she out" Rishabh chuckled.
"Hey...." she swatted his arm, "Our baby is not a burden on me"
"I know " he pecked her temple cuddling her more in his loving embrace.
"Just a week more."
"And my Sneha will be in my arms." He hushed in her ears.
Prerna was feeling uneasy as they settled for dinner, she gulped down the whole glass of water. Rishabh caressed her hand over the table noticing her uneasiness.
"Prerna...are you okay?"
"I don't know Rishabh... I' m feeling uneasy" she told him apprehensively.
"Let's go!" he told her holding Prerna's hand in hurry.
"Where?" she panicked
"Hospital of course. Sneha ki amma. We can't risk this!" he told her with concern.
"No, I think it's just the hormones"
"Please Prerna don't be stubborn. Maybe you will run into early labor" Rishabh told her looking at the red mark on calendar which was not far.
"Okay!" she didn't deny and grabbed her blazer, clasping her tummy. Rishabh grabbed the car keys, not trusting any drivers and wore his coat as a servant unlatched their main door.
Prerna took to the passenger seat and belted as Rishabh pulled towards the hospital. Roads were scantier as clock showed 11 in the night.
"Is it paining?" Rishabh asked taking her hand in his free one.
"Rishu please be careful" Prerna told him fearing of unknown.
The signal turned green and Rishabh pulled into motion on the lone crossing.
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"Mom..." Sneha's words broke their trance, Prerna saw her leaping into Sonali's arms, Anurag approached right behind her.
"Baby..." she caressed her little Sneha's hair and then settled her on the chair and pulled her hair into braid while Anurag clicked their picture.
"You know she's pregnant" Prerna told Rishabh with a smile amidst her tears, while Rishabh knew what was running across her mind.
"Anurag told me yesterday" Rishabh smiled.
"He told us yesterday na but I knew it before that. "she smirked.
"They will make lovely parents" He told her softly as Prerna saw his faint tears again.
"Prerna..." She heard his agony filled voice; She knew, it wasn't easy for him.
"It was not your fault. So Just shut up"
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That night a truck lost its balance as it's axel broke. It crashed right over the car crossing the road. The brakes couldn't hold the momentum, car was shoved under the truck. Couple inside died on the spot but as the bodies were recovered but the pregnant woman didn't lose her child. The baby girl was lucky to survive as her mother covered her by curling up, reducing the impact on her child to minimum.
Prerna couldn't ever feel the pain of delivering her baby. Rishabh could never feel the joy of catching his baby into his arms. Rishabh and Prerna died but their baby girl survived. Anurag and Sonali, their closest friends took baby Sneha next day with them. They named her as per Rishabh and Prerna's wish 'SNEHA'.
Sneha was their last memoir to them.
"Happy mother's day" Prerna heard her baby saying, This time Prerna's eyes were filled with tears. She couldn't hold it more. Till now she tried and consoled him but deep down only they knew how destiny snatched something so precious.
Prerna wished if she could only hug Rishabh right now, but spirits couldn't hold onto.
"Rishu.... I'm happy. She is seeing the world. Our baby is happy!" he heard her say, Prerna's eyes were transfixed on the family in front of her.
She saw how Sonali took the colourful card from her and kissed Sneha lovingly. Anurag then picked up Sneha and offered her to go out for Sunday Ice-cream while Sonali looked carefully at the card. Before moving inside Anurag stood at the porch looking at the bench right under the peach tree.
"Dad" Sneha poked Anurag's cheek breaking his trance
"Come Sneha...Let's meet someone" he told her while Sneha looked confused
"Do you know what is this?" he asked as he reached
"It's a tree, Dad"
"It's just not a tree it's a very special tree" Anurag told her kneeling down and putting Sneha to the ground
"Why dad?"
"Because..." They both tuned to see Sonali standing behind them, "Sneha if you ever feel alone, sad, happy or bad... you can always come here and this tree will listen to you."
"Really? Mom" she asked astonished.
“ Yes! you can try...come here!" Sonali pulled Sneha and whispered in her ear.
Rishabh and Prerna witnessed the whole exchange, Sneha came near the bench sat on it. She was right between them; she then folded her palms and closed her chocolate brown eyes.
Rishabh almost felt like crushing her into a hug, he leaned over her and placed a faint kiss. Prerna tried encircling her arm around her daughter. As they leaned in, they heard their Sneha's faint whisper.
"I love you and Thank you!"
Faint smiles spread across their faces; a longing dream fulfilled.
"Let's go dad" Sneha then got up and jumped back to Anurag's arms.
"Felt good baby"
"Yes dad... Thank you"
As they went away Sonali came to the bench and kept Sneha's card over it, "I know you both are here and I know I can't be Prerna to her or Anurag be Rishabh to Sneha but I assure you We won't disappoint you. You both have a beautiful daughter because of you guys!" she wiped her tears and went back in.
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After that incident Sonali and Anurag decided to raise Sneha in the Prerna and Rishabh's home. Feeling this would only make her feel at home,the loss that occurred that night couldn't be ever fulfilled.
But as a vow and promise they wanted Rishabh and Prerna to see their baby grow. The walls still held their touch. The yard still held the garden's they planted together. Even their pictures were never removed from the walls, just an addition of Sneha's pictures were added. Their fragrance still lingered around.
"Prerna..." she heard his faint whisper, as she looked at him he stood up and looked above. Birds were flowing back home...It was time they went back... back to where they belong!
"hmm..." he nodded... "I'm sorry." he told her getting up and stood next to her,
"Why?"
"I'm sorry. I couldn't give you another chance. " his eyes looked into hers.
"Don't be...there's always another time." she told him softly walking into oblivion.
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Chalo phenko tamatars.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
