Part 12
Premlata had been shocked to see her battered and bruised chiding her for her carelessness she had burst into tears herself. "Maa kuch nahin hua mujhey main theek huun" Maa nothing's happened to me I'm fine she had tried consoling her mother "Kuch ehsaas nahin hai tumhain mera, kiya haal banaya hai apna pehley hii main itni pareshaan huun or tum ho keh...." You have no care for my feelings, what have you done to yourself as it is I'm worried and you just... she could see her mother was deeply hurt by her injuries and it was not something she could hide to ease her pain. "Kiya huaa maa aap kyun pareshaan hain?" What happened Maa why are you so worried? she had asked squeezing her mother's hands gently.And Premlata had informed her about her Daadi's ill health.
It had started after Inder's death her Daadi would lie quietly in her room initially she had refused to eat or drink Inder was her only child and she had never imagined his demise before her ownself. It had taken a lot of patience and effort on both Prachi and Premlata's part to convince her to eat and drink. She had finally consented to eating a few morsels each day and then the fever had overtaken her frail body. Inder's loss had torn her apart and weakened her strong spirits Alaap's behaviour was no help and her body now became a haven to fatal diseases. She was severely sick that was known by Prachi but to such an extent was a blow to both her and Premlata. Her mother had shown a long list of costly lab tests the doctor had jotted down that day the total expense of which was far beyond their wildest imagination. Holding the paper in her hands Prachi had been grieved at her helplessness.
That night as Milind lay in his darkened bedroom his thoughts had wandered to the afternoon's events, he shuddered to think of what would've happened if Prachi hadn't saved Preeti. He placed his hand on Preeti's small chest feeling it heave and sink as she slept beside him, pulling her closer to him he felt her turn in her sleep her leg draped on his waist and her small hand found solace on his chest. He kissed her hair softly winding his hand around her patting her gently, she was everything he had, his reason to live.
He remembered the day he had found out Kaajal was pregnant. Closing his eyes he saw the scene flash in his memory as if it were just yesterday that it had happened. "Kiya hai yeh?" What is this? he had yelled waving the creased envelope in front of her. Her hands had stopped momentarily "Meri reports hain" my reports she had replied calmly resuming the practise of applying lotion on her smooth pink face. She was beautiful a combination of angelic features, thick auburn hair that cascaded down her back and the most deepest set of pitch black eyes."Kab huey yeh tests? Or mujhey kyun nahin bataya?" when were they taken and why didn't you inform me? his anger was crossing all limits now.
She knew perfectly well how he longed for a child of his own and now when he was being blessed with one she had not bothered to inform him. He felt cheated, "Bataney ki zarurat nahin samjhi mainey" I didn't find it necessary to inform you she had stated in the same calm tone, she could see it was getting hard for him to control his rapidly increasing rage."Yeh bacha mera bhi hai Mrs Kaajal Mishra or mujhey haq hai isskey baarey main jaanney ka" This is my child too Mrs Kaajal Mishra and I have a right to know about it he had managed in a low tone indicating his aggravated ire "Aapka baccha..." You'r child... she had chuckled
"Haan yeh to main bhool hii gayi thii, pati hain aap merey ....." Oh yes I forgot you are afterall my husband... she had smiled wickedly. He looked at her stunned at her audacity she had with held crucial information about their child from him and now taunted him about their failed relationship. Kneeling down beside her he had clasped her soft hand in his "Kyun ker rahi hai aisa Kaajal. Mat cheen yeh khushi mujh sey, main saath huun na terey I promise tujhey terey hissey kii saari khushiaan duunga.Hum milkar iss khushi ka swagat ker saktey hain" Why are you doing this Kaajal? Don't snatch this happiness from me, I'm with you I promise I'll give you all the happiness you deserve. We can live this moment and happiness together he had pleaded as he gazed at her face for an approval. He noticed her eyes shine from unshed tears, her expression had softened it was as if she was in a trance he saw her lift her hand to his face touching it lovingly.But then the moment was gone she had quickly composed herself twisting her hand free of his she had left the room.
Later he had found out she had not wanted to have the baby at all and it was nine months of pure torment for Milind pleading, imploring, crying even begging her to have the baby.He vividly remembered the day Preeti had been born it had been a landmark in his life, he could feel his heart brim with love for her as he held her tiny blanketed form in his arms. She had smiled in her sleep her toothless mouth agape as she yawned and then settled in his strong but gentle hold. And he had thanked God a million times for blessing him with her at that very moment.
He had expected her to return after a week's rest but she had resumed her duties the third day and secretly he was happy she had returned it had been hard for him juggling between Preeti, Baba and the office. She had not mentioned the accident neither had he brought it up he assumed she had condoned him for his impulsive reaction that day and had carried on with his work.
The truth was that Prachi had never been more clueless in her entire life she had spent countless hours during her stay home fruitlessly trying to understand him.She knew he was impulsive, rash too at times but his outburst at the hospital had her reeling and then the fact that he had come over to simply hand over her purse was just too much. He could've waited till she returned to the office why follow her home for such a trivial cause, tired she had eventually given up on it altogether.
He noticed she had benifitted from her time off her bruises were now vague traces of their former selves, the colour had returned to her cheeks and she had smiled at him, all was well according to him. He saw she was trying to teach Preeti to walk she held her small palms in her hands walking backwards slowly while Preeti tottered on steadily. But seconds later they were both lying in a heap on the floor laughing uncontrollably.He had looked on amused wishing he had the chance to enjoy his time with Preeti as she did. Sighing he had averted his eyes from the scene concentrating on the open file spread on his table.
He was expecting Mr Mehra that evening he needed to have his details in order before he attended the meeting, he had been working hard since the past three days and had found little time on his hands for his own self. He closed his eyes tiredly resting his head back on the head rest of his swivel chair he pressed his temples with his thumb and forefinger, his head had started aching inseccantly how he wished he could head home and sip on a piping hot cup of tea.But he knew he couldn't he had wearily opened his eyes to see Prachi stand near his table perturbed, she played with her dupatta probably deciding to talk to him about something.
He raised his eyebrows in question as his eyes met hers. "Woh ....aap chai piyengey?" "Will you have tea?" she had finally asked and she had felt his eyes twinkle at the prospect "Haan" Yes he had replied promptly. He watched as she poured two cups of tea from the flask and hand him one of them.Sipping on it he saw Preeti crawl over to Prachi and she had stooped down to pick her up, he watched her nuzzle the child with love and get an equally loving response. Prachi sensed the silence and returned her gaze to him she had suggested he had tea because she knew it had been a hard week for him. Her talk with Madhu earlier that day had explained her a great deal about his behaviour towards her in the hospital. She knew Preeti was his only child but the fact that he had to beg his wife to stop getting her aborted was news to her. She realized the pain he must've felt on the very thought of losing her.
She hadn't expected an apology neither had he supplied her with one atleast she'd got a week off and that was all that mattered to her. She knew men like Milind gave a damn to the world but somehow she had felt his tender gaze on her that afternoon as he handed her back her purse and her heart had forgiven him. As she watched him from the confines of her office she understood his craving for a cigarette she knew too that if he hadn't got the tea he certainly would've started smoking like a train engine which wasn't a very alluring option to her.
She didn't know why but she didn't like him smoking that much she wished there was some way he'd give up the cursed habit for good. His response to her question about the habit in the resturaunt rang clear in her mind and she wondered what connection was there between the cigarette stick and his life. He looked up to see her watch him closely he suddenly remembered her ornaments he had stashed in his drawer pulling the drawer he took them out, circling the desk he stood facing her.
"Teri cheezain" "Your ornaments" he had stated opening his palm to reveal the contents he noticed her eyes glisten on their sight he understood they meant a lot to her. "Aapko kahaan sey mili?" Where did you find them? she had asked astonished "Doctor ney dii hain" The doctor gave them to me he had replied Prachi had extended her hand to retrieve them when all at once Preeti lurched forward in an attempt to get hold of the ring. Milind's hand had involuntarily gone around Prachi to keep Preeti from falling. Prachi had grasped Preeti avoiding her fall and in her attempt to save Preeti had ended up falling flat against Milind's broad chest. As her eyes met his she saw time stop nothing existed beyond him for her. His had probably stalled for the moment and neither had realized that they were both intermingled in a strange embrace.
Part 13 page 58
😊 Yes Reems I'm competing with you for the smilies. 😆
Edited by blind horizon - 16 years ago
