RAINBOWS AT THE END OF A DARK NIGHT- A Devakshi SS - Last Chap updated - Page 13

Simplicity n beauty is the essence...

Beautiful so dev and sona consummated their marriage and then sona gave birth to a little boy Dev is a gem he consider shreya to be his first born btw I didn't get the PM dear

RAINBOWS AT THE END OF A DARK NIGHT

Chapter 9

The years just flew by and before they realized it was Shreya's eighteenth birthday. She had just appeared for her Board exams as well as the entrance exams for the engineering degree course. Over the years, it became apparent to anyone who knew the Dixits even a little, that Shreya was much more like Dev than Sona. She was a brilliant girl, very serious about her studies and never liked to be second best in anything. She was her Dadi's favourite grandchild. She had taken over from her dad in massaging her dadi's feet before going to bed in the night.

Shreya had a secret dream which she had not disclosed even to her Dad who was her idol. She wanted to be an entrepreneur like him... she wanted to work in his office under her Dad. She was secretly always thinking of business ideas but was unsure and shy to ever show these to Dev. Aarav on the other hand was a dreamer. He was six years younger to Shreya and a happy go lucky child. He was a child who could give away his favourite toy to someone if it made the other person happy. He was like Sona in many respects - gentle and generous and possibly far far away from the cut throat world of business.

On the eve of her birthday, Dev went to Shreya's room in the night and found her reading something in bed. He sat down and gave her a hug and said "Tomorrow my bacha will become an adult. I want to make this birthday memorable beta. So tell me what gift do you want." "She hugged him back and said against his shoulder "I don't want anything Papa I have everything". Dev persisted "What about a new car?" She laughed back "What will I do with a car Papa - what a waste it would be. Anyway now I will be going to the hostel for my engineering degree and there what will I do with the car on the campus". Dev simply said "hmmm. Lets see. I will miss you beta. I don't know why you cant study here in Delhi." Shreya said "Papa you know that IIT Kharagpur is the best and I want to go there". Dev said nothing but simply continued to hug his beloved daughter.

The next day, Shreya took blessings from all the elders including her maternal grand parents who had come for a special brunch at the Dixit House that day. After the brunch, Dev and Sona looked at each other and Dev said "Come with me Shreya - let me show you what we got you for your birthday". Shreya got excited and went with him. The rest of the family also followed, smiling as they all knew what it was.

Dev took his daughter and opened the main door to reveal a brand new while colored BMW parked outside. "This is for you Beta!" Dev said handing over the keys of the car to her." Shreya said "Wow Papa. But how can I drive this car Papa. Its so expensive". Dev just smiled and said "Nothing is too expensive or too good for my daughter." And he engulfed her in a tight hug. Later in the day, when Dev and Sona had a moment alone, she told him "You told me we are gifting Shreya a car - but a BMW Dev? Don't you think it's a little too much. She has just got a driving license. I don't want her to take luxuries for granted". Dev smiled wryly and replied "Like I have always said earlier, Shreya is special Sona - she is my first born. And you also know that the matter of her getting spoilt is out of question - you tell me when has she ever asked me or you for additional pocket money. She is so careful with money that I sometimes worry that she is not enjoying her teenage life like other girls. Which other businessman's daughter in Delhi would willingly take public transport just because her best friends do? My daughter is special and you know it too". Sona came forward and gave him peck of his cheek and Dev said "Wow this is my lucky day. Can we continue this in the night please!" Sona playfully hit him on his arm and said "We will see. Now let me go down and see how the party preparations are going on downstairs!"

Shreya was very nervous the next few days as she waited for her results. When the results were out, it was no surprise that she got into the engineering college of her choice and she also topped Delhi in her Board exams. Dev suddenly realized that in a couple of days, his daughter would be going away to far away Kharagpur to study.

Dev wanted to go to Kharagpur to leave Shreya and also check out the hostel for himself, but unfortunately some very important work came up and he had to travel to Germany. When he was packing he told Sona and Shreya who were watching him "I wanted to go with you both. But this work is urgent... I don't understand why you want to stay in the hostel. We can buy a flat there and you take Kichu bhaiya with you. That way we can be sure you are safe and secure". Shreya rolled her eyes and said "Papa you know that's not possible. The IIT rules don't allow that! Also I need to know the ways of the world isn't it? Don't worry about me please. But there is something I want from you!" Dev stopped arranging his shirts and turned to Shreya and said "Why are you being so formal. Tell me beta what is it that you want?" "Papa I need your permission to buy a two wheeler to get around in the campus. I know you are against it but I promise I will not drive it out and will drive in the campus only. I have also saved some pocket money also for this". Both Sona and Shreya looked at him with hopeful eyes and he just couldn't refuse! Shreya's grandmother gave her a small idol of Goddess Saraswati so that she could place it in her hostel room and pray to it everyday.

Sona and Shreya left for Kharagpur. Sona came back in a few days and the first thing that Ishwari said was "I miss her a lot Sona. The house is not the same without Shreya. I know one day she has to get married and go away from this house. But she is still a child. How will she manage all alone! I hope the hostel rooms are air conditioned. I have heard that Kharagpur is so hot" Sona's eyes filled with tears hearing her mother in law's words. She thought of the hostel room which obviously was not air conditioned! It was basic but clean. Shreya had sensed her mother's discomfort on seeing the hostel room and had said "Don't tell Papa please. He will insist on the apartment and car and the works. He will get permission from the teachers also!" Sona just nodded and kept quiet.

When Dev returned from Germany, Araav and Sona went to the airport to receive him, a tradition they followed for many years because Shreya missed her dad a lot when he went abroad and wanted to go the airport to receive him every single time. Even Dev found it strange that Shreya was not there. He hugged his son and wife.

They also slowly settled down to a routine without Shreya. One day when Nikki came to visit them she said "Sona Bhabhi this house is so quiet and sad without Shreya. When is my sunshine coming back?" Sona smiled and said "Nikki she will come back in five months time for her holidays. Its only one month since she went!"

A couple of months later, Sona's phone rang late at night and she picked it up. She said "Hello. Yes this is Dr. Dixit speaking. What?? When and how is she now? Yes we will be there first thing in the morning, Thanks beta for calling us". Dev looked at her questioningly. Sona said "Shreya has been in a minor accident - she fell down from her Activa early evening today. The doctors are suspecting multiple fractures around her right knee". Dev jumped from the bed and said "This is why I was so against the two wheeler. But my wife and daughter never listen to me. Now see my poor baby is in so much pain. God knows how the hospital is. Let me arrange for flying tomorrow first thing. Can u do the packing? I will do the other travel arrangements." One hour later with packing done and the travel arrangements in place, Sona lay down and noticed that Dev was still pacing the room. "Why don't you come to bed. Don't worry so much, its just a fracture and she is young. It will heal fast." Sona said gently. Dev replied grumpily "She must be in so much pain and there is no one with her now. How can u be so cool! You are her mother after all". "I am also a doctor Dev. Now come to bed. You will only increase your blood pressure at this rate. I caanit handle two patients at the same time."

They reached Kharagpur around noon the next day, after landing in Kolkata and then driving down immediately to the hospital. They went straight to Shreya to find her surrounded by four or five friends, her right leg in a cast and she was laughing at some joke one of her friends made. Dev walked into the room in a hurry and said "Shreya! How are you beta!". Shreya looked up at him and said "Papa you both are here! I am fine." "How can you say you are fine - there must be so much pain" Dev retorted. She just rolled her eyes and said "Meet my friends Papa - Sheetal, NIlam, Raj, Rahul and Advait! We all study together. Where is Maa?". Her friends all respectfully said "Hello uncle!" Rahul said "We will go now and come later!"

Sona walked in that minute with the Doctor and she had the xrays in her hand and she said "How is my brave daughter holding on?" "Hi Maa. I am fine. Please explain to Papa na that this is not serious. He is looking more nervous than me now" Shreya said. Sona turned to Dev and said "It is not so serious. Shreya's leg would be in a cast for the next three weeks and then with some physiotherapy she would be fine". Dev said "Are you sure?" "Dev, of course I am sure!" Sona replied. Sona then reached out into her handbag and brought out a small packet of some Prasad and a small idol of Hanumanji. "This is from your grandmother. Have the Prasad and pray to him everyday and you will be fine in no time" Sona said.

Sona and Dev decided to stay in Kharagpur in a hotel till Shreya was better and spent all the time they could with her. Dev decided to work from Kharagpur for three weeks so that he would ensure for himself that his princess was fine. One afternoon when Rahul and Nilam were sitting with Shreya alone, Rahul said "You are a chupa rustam Shreya - you ever told us that you were the Dev Dixit's daughter! You dad is featured regularly in Forbes magazine for God's sake. " Shreya said "I have learnt this from him actually. He always tells me that a true friend is one who accepts you the way you are and not for your background. In fact his best friends are those from his childhood when he was poor!"

<<End of Chapter 9>>

Hi Friends

This entire hostel episode reminded me of my good old college days..parents are so worried to let their kids stay away from them...especially the first time away from them is so difficult...I never understood it then...but now as a parent , I can just imagine what my parents would have gone thru...when they had to let me go...but that's how life is rt?? Circle of life...

Nicely written...

👏

beaitifully written ..
plz update soon

Such a beautiful chapter Dev is so protective for shreya and shreya is such a sweetheart wonder what will dev do when she will get married humare dev Babu to Bose Baba SE bhi zyada overprotective nikle

Yet another beautiful chapter as usual