Posted:
I know that I have another FF going on but what to do, I am obsessed with Jatin right now. And that smile Dev gave to himself after their little agreement was just👍🏼 I wish he would just come out of his phaila hua raita type world and look out for a friend in him. Or at the very least, concentrate on being a good parent to Soha. If you wish so too, please do give this a read.
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Chapter 1-- The Invitation
"Why again are you not picking up my calls?!" Sonakshi yelled as soon as Jatin picked up, causing his ears to blast. Figuratively, of course.
"I did, this evening only." He coolly replied.
"Aaand cut it after muttering excuses. Do you even know what I found about that man?" Sonakshi asked in a whispering tone.
"No. And I don't wish to know right now either. We can talk about it later. I have work right now." Jatin said.
"What work do you have at ten in the night? Pray tell" Sona asked, annoyance lacing her tone.
"I am making a cake. And before you ask why, I hope you remember what today is." Jatin replied.
"What?.. oh- oh wait! Today is Sakshi's birthday, isn't it?" Sonakshi said, "Shoot! I forgot. I am so sorry."
"Yeah, you did. Go do some more Sherlock, miss. I just want to talk to Soha because I know she would never forget this." Jatin said.
"Okay. I said sorry, alright? Wait, come on video call.." Sonakshi starts the video call. She could now see Jatin in his Pokemon shirt making a cake.
She remembered the time when the Boses and Roys had gathered to wish Sakshi, his wife, at her first birthday after their marriage. Looking at them made her feel that marriage was the most beautiful bond. Hers may not have been that good, but even today Jatin's love for Sakshi validated her feelings about marriage.
He may excuse and deny as much as he wished, but she loved the fact that he still made a cake for her like he did years ago.
"Looks delicious." Sona complimented.
"Stating the obvious, but thanks!" Jatin flaunted, "How is Soha now?"
"She is okay by God's grace. She recovered pretty fast. In four days only. Now, she is fine." Sona said, "We can come at your place."
"I think a video chat would be better. She would get to participate anyway and it would take less time. And Dev won't be annoyed." Jatin suggested.
"Uss din toh bohot tolerance thi tumhare andar. Aur Dev toh reasonable hai na?" Sona remarked sarcastically.
"I don't wanna make a mountain of a molehill. Can I talk to Soha now?" Jatin asked.
"Yes. Just wait." Sona said and started going upstairs.
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Dev came out of Sona's room to bring water for her. A stupid grinning was sticken to his face since the doctor's visit this morning. After four whole days, he could finally spend time with his daughter. See her. Play with her. He was blessed to have this time, truly.
He was walking towards the stairs when he saw a frenzied Sona running upstairs.
"It's done? Then Show me the cake na! Yeah, I am going to Soha. First, show it Jatin!" She was speaking excitedly.
Of course. Dev scowled at the name which had literally echoed in this mansion since Sona had come.
Sona bumped into him.
"Sorry." She muttered in haste.
"Oh, don't worry. Continue your important conversation. Par wahan kahan ja rahi ho?" Dev asked, pointing to his room.
"Jatin wants to video chat with Soha." She clarified and started going when he stopped her.
"They'll get to talk. You don't worry. Fill this jug and come. Till then, I will amuse your bestie. I have a lot to talk to him." He said, handing her the jug.
"Dev, look.." Sona was about to speak when Jatin intervened.
"Sona. Come with the water. It's okay." He says. Sona reluctantly left.
Dev turns to look at the screen, "Now, you mister.."
"Before you speak whatever you wish to, let me clarify." Jatin intervened, "It is just a task of five minutes. I just have to tell Soha that since she can't come to my house we would just video chat during cake cutting."
"I can tell her that too. And whose birthday is it anyway?" Dev asked.
"Sakshi, my late wife." Jatin spoke and added quickly when Dev gave him a weird look, "And no, I am not a sappy hero celebrating Sakshi's birthday in her memory. Sakshi wasn't even fond of such midnight parties. But when Soha was like four years old, she asked me about her Birthday and I told her the date. Then in the same year, on Sakshi's birthday, she came with Sona and woke me up at midnight. Then, she cut the cake and we partied on Sakshi's favourite snacks cooked by Sona. From then, that's how we celebrate her Birthday. And I make the cake."
Jatin had been speaking softly with a faint smile. He wasn't even looking at Dev anymore. Dev smiled at this cute story.
But it made him feel sad at the same time. He was not a part of more than half of Soha' s favourite things. It made him sad somewhere inside and maybe a little guilty too. Also, the fact that he knew so less about Soha. About her childhood and her likes and dislikes. He had been trying to talk to her and know about her ever since he met her. But, there was a lot missing in his relationship with Soha. He knew it was irrational to think that he would know everything about her in a matter of days. But he wanted to. And he felt sad that he couldn't.
"Where are you lost?" Jatin asked.
"Nothing. So, you made the cake?" Dev asked.
"Yeah. Here it is." Jatin adjusted the phone to show him the cake. It was a plain but delicious looking chocolate cake.
"This piece..." He pointed towards a large part, "is of Sakshi. Which generally Soha eats, but today I will have to eat. That is mine, which I am going to too. And if you want, this can be your piece." He said pointing to a corner.
"But, you're gonna eat it anyway." Dev remarked.
"Well, I can't send it through the video chat, can I?" Jatin shrugged.
"About that, there is no need for a video call." Dev said.
Jatin stood silent for a moment, trying to decipher this.
Then in an extremely calm voice, said, "Look, Dev. It would only take a few..."
"No. I mean, you can come over." Dev cut him off.
"What?" Jatin asked, unsure if he had heard correctly.
"Yeah, if you wish. If Soha likes celebrating your wife's birthday, then I have no problem. And I would get to see it too." Dev said and later felt awkward seeing Jatin grin brightly at him.
"I can come? Really?" Jatin asked in delight making Dev even more awkward.
"Thank you so much!" He exclaimed.
"You don't have to thank me. I didn't do it for you. I did it for myself." Dev told Jatin honestly.
Now, he would be a part of Soha' s life. He had wasted enough of his time flaunting his hatred and nonchalance to people. Now, none of it should matter. Now, Soha had become everything. And his love for her would always hold greater priority than his hatred for anyone.
For the sake of Soha, for the sake of giving her the best Dad, Dev knew that he would have to keep his feelings aside and value her happiness. And if, Jatin would help him know Soha from closer, then let it be him. For some reason, Dev wasn't that afraid now.
"Here, take it." Sona's voice took Dev out of his thoughts and he looked up to see her holding a Jug full of water.
Sonakshi continued with disdain in her voice, "Now, if you are done giving your empty threats to my best friend, you might as well take this jug and your crassness and go."
Dev chuckled at her, leaving her confused.
"Very well. You know me so well, Ms. Bose. I shall Take this and leave. And I shall tell my daughter myself that Jatin is coming and we are going to celebrate Sakshi's birthday here, in my house only, at midnight. You don't have to bother. Go chat with your bestie till then." Dev told her and left taking the jug with him.
Sonakshi kept staring at him, even after he had closed the bedroom door, only to come back to reality by the coughing of her friend who had been silently witnessing this.
"Kya Jadoo kiya tumne?" Sonakshi asked.
"Oh, I was thinking along the lines of Dev Dixit becoming soft... but if you insist, I may have casted a spell. I am just that charming." Jatin said with a smug smile.
"Oh, and thoda sa credit Sakshi ko bhi jana chahiye, varna you know, wives ek baar naraaz ho jaye toh, mar ke bhi satati Hain." He said with a chuckle.
"Shut up! Tumi Ekdum Boka!" Sona spoke, smiling inwardly at the unexpected turn of events.
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How was it? 😉
