AshNi Bas AshNi..Story So Far..NO COMMENTS PLEASE - Page 17

Mausam Badhane Lagei

Dr ashutosh came out smiling of the labor room..n addressed col verma..."beti hui hai..col verma...choti nidhi aayi hai..."and the rest was all lost in a hug ..between the father in law n son in law...a moment too profound for words..dadi bua asked "meri bachchi kaisi hai"??ashutosh patted her n said"theek hai dadi bua..bas thaki hui hai bahut..."and as he touched their feet and shyama aunty n solanki sahib also blessed him, he returned to the labor room ,requesting his father in law for informing baba...
Nidhi had been dressed, as dr ashutosh saw her being shifted to her special room,he held her hand, caressing her hair...as her eyes drooped...dr sudhir explained "she s just fagged out...7 hour labour has wrecked her...but she is fine...no panic..."as dr sudhir took charge of shifting nidhi and observing her vital parameters...dr ashutosh moved to the nursery. Where dr khanna, the paediatrician was awaiting him..."sir, your daughter is absolutely normal n healthy ..a lil overweight..10.2 pounds..quite a bit for a girl child..."ashutosh nodded, realising how the big size had brought pain to nidhi during the last trimester...but then he looked around a lil impatiently for his daughter,...and dr khanna smiled at hisimpatience ...as sister brought in the baby wrapped up in the hospital wrap...as dr ashutosh extending his arms took her...he saw ..his lil baby girl...she was not just his child..she was the fulfillment of his desires, completion of his dreams, the smile of his tears...she was the second lady of his life...after his nidhi...she was simply the horizon of all he had desired...ever...ashutosh raised the baby to his lips n kissed it lightly...as she opened her eyes and looked into her father's before yawning...and then pokingbher tiny pink tongue onto her lips...dr ashutosh n dr khanna both smiled...they understood she was hungry...dr khanna asked"how s dr nidhi..would she be able to feed..."??dr ashutosh smiled...n nodded taking his daughter in his arms..on their first journey together...
He met dr sudhir coming out from nidhi's room...n patted ashutosh"go in..you can meet her..N let me see this imp..."and as he caressed the baby's head...she opened her big eyes yet again...dr ashutosh smiled as he took brisk steps towards nidhi...sleeping blissfully...nidhi sensed rather than saw or heard him...she opened her eyes..though still very drowsy..but seeing their bundle of joy in his arms...she smiled...as dr ashutosh walked n stood near her...holding their daughter to her...nidhi was overwhelmed...speechless...as she finally caressed her head...as the cloth fell off and the baby's head with dark curls was uncovered...nidhi looked and smiled at ashutosh...both recalling nishu was almost completely bald...
They were brought back to the present by the fairly strong cry of the 4 hour big baby...and ashutosh smiled"she s hungry...doodh pilaaogi"??nidhi nodded, as she tried to open her gown...ashutosh helped her...and held the baby in position...as nidhi put her lil mouth to the fountain of life...as the yellow milk flowed from her breasts...clear tears flowed seem to flow from her eyes...ashutosh just put her head to his chest...and then wiped her tears...
As the nurse came to take the baby, nidhi kissed her ..before handing her over...she looked at dr ashutosh"suniye...nishu..."dr ashutosh smiled"dont worry...aaj khud lene jaaoonga usse...aur phir yahaan leke aaoonga..aur after all uski choti baby aa gayi hai abto,..."nidhi lay back...as ashutosh put his hand on her forehead...as she said"nishu ka dhyaan rakhiyega...jab tak main hospital mei hoon..."!!ashutosh squeezed her hand..."dont worry...nishu nahi neglect hoga...main hoon na..."The sister returned asking for clothes for the baby...and ashutosh smiled as he took out a 30 year old pink frock ..that had been worn by nidhi...on the first day of her life..."yeh pehnaayenge..."??asked nidhi..dr ashutosh nodded ...he knew that this frock had both blissful memories and also those of pain n loss...he felt time had come ..that the joyous memories should be etched in heart while the painful memories needed a sense of closure,...from today this frock will bring memories of a smiling nidhi with her ..their daughter in her arms...
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Dr ashutosh stepped out into the corridor holding his lil baby in his arms she was dressed in her mother's pink frock...and as he walked out...to the entire family..baba n armaan had also just come in...ashutosh held the baby and moved towards baba and col verma...and held out his daughter...to her grandparents...col verma looked at ashutosh...his silence louder than words...thanking his son in law for giviong a day of joy to the old pink frock...for wiping his sad memories...and then col verma looked at baba...both related thru the labyrinth of emotions..and as baba held the baby...n kissed her...his eyes echoed his words"agar bhagwaan ne chaha to iss aangan me teri beti zuroor khelegi, ashu"!!
"Armaan ..jaa mithaai laa ..sabko khila"as dr ashutosh tried to say it was against the rules...baba waived off his opposition, saying"yeh nahi bhool aahu, mai kgh ka founder trustee hoon...aur chinta na kar...canteen mei serve jaroonga...tu ja ...nidhi ka dhyaan rakh ..."dadi bua n shyama aunty fussed over the baby as finally the lil baby seemed to be losing patience and cried...as the nurse came to take her...and dadi bua declared"chal shyaama..ghar..nidhi ke liye mewa ladoo bhi to bana ne hain...aur samdhiji chati karoge na,..."??baba laughed as he said"samghanji...mathur niwas me zamaane baad bitiyaa aayi hai...poora ghar phoolon se sajwaoonga...dhoom dham se swaagat karenge aoni poti ka...aapki pad naatin ka..."!!
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Dr ashutosh dressed still in his crumpled shirt n trousers..awaited nishu outside his school...and... as nishu's name was announced"ateet mathur"nishu looked ..trying to find who had come to pick him up...as he saw his father...his joy was boundless...and dr ashutosh stood hugging his first born...and as they sat in the car, ashutosh ruffled nishu's hair and exclaimed"aa gayi tumhari choti baby...dekhoge??mamma paas chalna hai"??and as nishu nodded eagerly, ashutosh added"chalo pehle nhai nhaai karte hain...aur lets eat...phir chalenge...smart ban ke chalna..hai na"??and nishu agreed as they reached home ...maxi cuddled nishu"hullo bhaiyya'!!and he retorted"choti baby ka bhaiya hoon..tumhara nahi..."as ashutosh smiled and touched kaka's feet...
Nishu seemed delighted as after bath ashu changed him into a green delhi daredevils shorts tees...the new suit that he had just bought enroute to school..."kaun laaya yeh papa"??ashu smiled and answered"mai laya beta...apne nishu ke liye..."!!and the four and a half year old son came and hugged his father..his dad...a silent thanx...and then a hug that said volumes...
An hour later, nishu smiling in his new IPL suit and dr ashutosh in his grey trousers and a pale shirt..without a tie entered kgh, as they met col verma n baba, nishu was lifted by col verma...as baba added"ja beta..mamma se mil ke aa,..dekh apni choti behan ko..."
Dr ashutosh entered nidhi's room, with lil nishu...as nidhi had just finished feeding the baby and was trying to cuddle her to sleep...nishu looked at the two with a confused expression...and nidhi opened one arm ..calling him to her...holding his sister in the other...nishu walked to her...she kissed him..and showed the lil baby..."dekho..tumhari choti behan..."!!as the baby pouted in sleep..and ashutosh smiled at nidhi...nishu looked mesmerised...dazed...speechless ...n then with his lil hands tried to caress the baby as softly as he could...nidhi held him to her heart...hoding her daughter in her other arm ..with dr ashutosh standing beside her ..firm in support..her constant companion in sorrow as in joy...dr ashutosh put his arms around his family...his wife n kids..his world...
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"Dadi bua ..mai nahi khaaoongi yeh laddoo...bahut mewa hain inme..."!!it was nidhi sitting on her hospital bed..refusing the second laddoo that dadi bua was trying to force down her throat...dr ashutosh entered ...and sensed the environment to be tense...with nidhi pouting ...like her kids and dadi bua mumbling...ashutosh smiled and exclaimed"dadi bua...bachche ka baap nahi khaa sakta yeh laddoo...bade tasty lag rahe hain.."!!and dadi bua smiled in her angst"daaktar..tumhi khaao..nidhi to khaayegi nahi..."dr ashutosh took a bite and said"waah dadi bua kya laddoo hain.."and then putting his arms around dadi bua added"nidhi ko calorie intake ka dhyaan rakhna hai...dr ne bhi kaha hai..."dadi bua remarked"yeh aaj kal ke daaktar..khair chode de..yeh batao chutti kab milegi..asj teen din ho gaye..tum dr to bus patient ko admit kerke bill badhate ho..."dr ashutosh laughed as he replied"kal dadi bua...kal baby bhi 4 din ki ho jasyegi...ghar jaayegi kal..."and a strange excitement seemed to grip dr ashutosh...as he thought of the homecoming...
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Dr ashutosh had got yhe entire mathur niwas decorated with red roses...afyer all nidhi was returning home on her birthday...and wasbringing the biggest gift for him...their daughter...
As dr ashutosh got down and came around to hold the baby and help nidhi out...nishu ran...and held nidhi,..his eyes dancing with joy...dr ashutosh lifted him up...as the four entered the threshold...decorated with flowers,...nidhi looked around...as baba blessed her...and kaka did a small arti..."jaa betaa araam kar abhi...jaa"and nidhi entered into the bedroom...a big hand made card awaited her...WELCOME HOME...MAMMA N BABY...NISHU nishu looked at her as she gave the baby to ashutosh and held her nishu...and nishu said"let me go...choti baby ko settle karna hai ..uske room mei..."and as nidhi saw ashu put the baby in her pink cot...she stood still...as nishu ran out to share his excitement with armaan...n baba...
Nidhi looked at dr ashutosh..."khush hain na aap"??dr ashutosh didnt know how to reply...he kept looking at nidhi ...and then came and stood close to her..."jo sapne...kabhi sapne mei bhi nahi dekhe the...woh sach ker diye tumne...tumhe kitna shukriyaa kahoon...kaise kahoon..kiss kis cheez ke liye kahoon..."there was a deliberate cough...as nishu in excitement was almost dragging baba n armasn inside...to show the lil baby sleeping in her cot..."mamma hum isse kya bulaayenge..."??ashutosh looked at nidhi...n raised his eyebrow...nidhi turned to baba..."baba...aap bataiye"baba smiled as he caressed the cot...n said"iss baar tum rakho...naam..main ghar ka naam doonga..."nidhi looked at ashitosh...who understood what they had thought long back...n spoke"BABA, ASHU NIDHI KI...ASHNI"and nishu clapped..."yes very nice..nishu ki lil sis ashni..."!!baba looked at nidhi and ashu...n then very tentaviely spoke"beta...agar tum dono ko aitraaz na ho to main...isse..woh naam dena chahoonga ..uss nasm se bulaaoonga...jis naam ke saath maine bahut nainsaafi ki...jo naam barrson se kahi dafan ho gaya...jo naam kabhi maine galti se hi sahi per...apni..teri nidhi ko diya tha...iss ghar ki beti kaa naam...meri adhoori khwaaishon ka naam...mere praayishchit ka naam...GUDDI...MERI GUDDI...MAIN ISSE GUDDI BULAAOONGA...THEEK HAI"??nidhi could hardly speak...her throat n eyes full of tears...as dr ashutosh lifted the beautiful baby n handed her to baba..."baba..aapki hi kyun..yeh hum sabki guddi hogi...guddi...guddi..."and as if recognising her name...the baby opened her big eyes and licked her lips...baba laughed...as he handed her to nidhi...andlooking at their sangeet photo remarked"ab poori familyki..chaaron ki photo lagaao..."!!and armaan added"maine kahaa tha na ashu...adhhori kahaaniyaan mujhe pasand nahi...aaj hui yeh kahani poori..."!!and dr ashutosh looked at nidhi...in a joy that was far beyond words...
Long after nishu had slipped into his siesta...ashutosh caressed nidhi from her sleep...n said"ab to lamhe churane honge...apni biwi ko happy birthday wish kerne ko,...happy birthday nidhi..."and nidhi sat up ...hugged by ashutosh...as nidhi remembered ...thhe sad memory of the same day two years back...when it had been a dark gloomy day...but then autumn had been succeeded by spring...pain by joy...tears by smiles...ashutosh could understand her painful memories...but now he wanted to bring an eternal smile on to her face...he held nidhi as he said"nidhi...zindagi ke mausamon ne karwat leli hai...dekho...phir se phool khilein hain...humaare pyaar kei...ab in aakhon mei in hoton pe...sirf khushiyaan..sirf muskuraahtein dekhna chahta hoon..."and nidhi smiled...putting her head quietly on his chest...as he hugged her...wanting to hold her for ever n ever...to give her all the love..all the support...all the cooperation all the understanding ...thatvhe could ...as her birthday gift...and nidhi who seemed to know his silences better than his words...said .."aapko mera return gift pasand aaya"??ashutosh nodded"yess...bahut pasand aayi...meri baby nidhi...mere ghar aayi ek nanhi nidhi...sorry pari"!!!!and both smiled ..looking at their children sleeping ...lost in their dreams...of love n blissful togetherness!!

Mausam Badalne Lage..

It was the morning of the pooja...the baby's chatthi..as nidhi was dressed up in a yellow kota check sari that had a golden border, nishu , like his father wore a spotless white kurta pyjama woth lucknow chikan work.and the lil ashni, guddi as all had begun to call her was in a pretty yellow cotton jhabla with a matching yelllow nappie..she was wearing black n gold bead nazariyas as nidhi rushed to take her from maxi..she had been awakened due to the hulabullo and was in a bad mood...if things were to be predicted, she certainly was more of a dr hardstone's daughter...than poor nishu ever was..nidhi had realised this, one minutes delay in her feed would make her yell her lungs out...and so nidhi knew she had a job at her hands!!!!
Dr ashutosh , nishu n baba had gone to jeevan sandhya in the morning taking sweet packets and nishu had talked about his lil sister to yhe old inmates...but while returning ,he aaked dr ashutosh"papa, baba ke friends apne ghar kyunnahi jaate"??ashutosh had found the question difficult to answer,...n as baba looked at him, he explained"beta...unke bachche bad hain..nahi dekh bhaal karte unki...so they live here..."nishu kept quiet for a moment and then spoke"so bad...main jab big ho jaaoonga ...to ek big house mei ...in sab ko rakhoonga...aur phir hum look after karenge unhe??ok papa"???ashutosh had kissed his son at his thoughtfullness...at his sensitivity..at his love for the elderly...and as baba looked at his son...an idea had been born in the hearts of both..father son..an idea whose seed had germinated in their nishu's heart...ashutosh smiled ..as he recalled nidhi saying"hur idea ka ek time hota hai..."!!
As they sat for pooja, nidhi holding guddi in her lap, n ashutosh holding nishu in his, while baba, col verma, dadi bua, shyama aunty sat behind them...solanki sahib was taking care of the caterers whilw anji ranganath armaan were lookingafter the guests...
Midway during the pooha, guddi was hungry and she opened her lil mouth...not getting her fountain of milk...off she startedEEEand whatever nidhi did was of no avail..dr ashutosh took her in his lap...but the cries became more shrill ...till finally the poor panditji..for the fear of going deaf, tied the sacred thread, did teeka ...and smiled"bachchi guddi ka naam ASHNI rakha gaya...pooja sampann hui..."and dr ashutosh heled nidhi get up as she almost rushed in to open herblouse and start feeding the baby...it was a good 20 mins later that the mother n guddi..now in a good mood stepped out...as baba smiled n took her..in his arms...taking her around to the friends and acquaintances...seeking their blessings...and then as lunch began ..dr ashutosh himself oversaw the arrangements till at about 3 in the afternoon, when the very last guests left, col verma n dadi bua came to bless nidhi once again..as she touched their feet...and ashutosh added"dadi bua ab aa ke sambhaliye guddi ko...gusse waali hai..meri beti...aapki tarah"!!!!and as col laughed , dadi bua admonished"arre jaa bhi daktar...gussa to tujhmebhi kam nahi hai..haan woh to meri nidhi ne kam kar diya ..yeh keh..."!!
As dr ashutosh returned , he served himself lunch...curry, rice , aaloo parwal and paneer the traditional chatthi food, as hetook a bite, nidhi pouted"akele akele...mujhe kaun khilayega bhala"??dr ashutosh looked in surprise"arre tumne khaya nahi..."??nidhi replied"aapke bina kaise khati"???and dr ashutosh gulped as he put a big bite of curry n rice in nidhi's mouth..."i am sorry...per tumhe kha lena chahiye tha...lo yeh aalo khao..aur paneer bhi...papad.lo "and nidhi smiled at being fussed over"arre i am not a glutton...plz kha rahi hoon..."and as ashutosh n nidhi ate from the same plate with lil nishu running in to have a bite...baba , holding guddi in his arms looked at them...as mathur niwas seemed to look resplendent in red roses...baba closed his eyes in a silent thanksgiving ...as the face of nandini...his guddi seemed to smile ...in front of his eyes n say"leejiye baba...ek aur guddi aa gayi aapke paas...ab iski muskarahat ojhal nahi hone deejiyega...buss"!!and baba opened his eyes as he kissed his grand daughter...his new guddi...his chance of salvation...
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"Nidhi , meri tie,..."it was dr ashutosh shouting as nidhi cuddled a three month old guddi...as she looked at him"ufff kab samjhenge dheere boliye so rahi hai...uth gayi to meri aafat kar degi...11 baje tak aapki beti ka sone ka time hai"!!dr ashutosh smiled ...biting his tongue as nidhi placed the baby in her crib and tied dr ashutosh's tie...and his fingers playedwith nidhi's nose...as he said"shaitaan hai yeh..bilkul apni mummy ki tarah,.."and nidhi giggled as she replied"dekhte jaaiye...aapka naak me dum karegi yeh..."and as the tie was done and nidhi tried to draw away...dr ashitosh's firm hands held her and said"ab itni bhi kya jaldi hai...let me atleast feel you..."and as his hands travelled over her breasts and then held her face ...nidhi lowered her eyes,..."kya hua...kya soch rahi ho..."??asked dr ashutosh ...as nidhi replied..."i know..in bachchon ki wajah se aapko time nahi de paati..."and dr ashutosh kissed her ..letting the apology remain incomplete...holding her face in his hands, he said"i should say sorry...ki main utna sab nahi kar paata jitna mujhe karna chahiye...tum akele sab responsibilities poori karti ho...baba, ghar do bachche...at the cost of ur career..."nidhi hated the guilt in his voice...she smiled"dont worry..lautoongi kgh..jaise yeh thodi aur badoi ho jaaye...bus md ka gaana phir nahi gaayiyega,..."and ashutosh laughed as he rubbed his nose against nidhi's and as his louud laughter seemed to stir the baby...he held his years...saying"sorry ..meri princess...abhi so jaao...bye ...see u"and a sweet smile spread over the baby's face as if she was understanding all...
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Dr ashutosh was examining patients as dr deepak took the notes and as he diagnosed a sixty year old man with tumour in the corpus collosum region , he looked up, asking"aapke saath koi aaya hai"??the gentleman went out, wheeling a lady of about the same age, someone who must have been pretty..v pretty i n her youth..though even with grey hair she seemed queenly"my wife...salma"ashutosh smiled...as he seemed a lil confused on how to break the news...,the patient...Ali zaffar , smiled "dr sahib, bataaiye mujhe kya hua hai...main aur meri biwi..hum dono face kar lenge...bachche ..bachche samajhiye ki nahi hain humaare..."ashutosh kept silent...and then he knew he had to share the information yo decide the further course of treatment...explained that mri spectroscopy had shown his seizures were due to a growth...a tumour in the strands connecting cerebrum n cerebellum...at the face of it , it was difficult to say if it was malignant or not...but surgery was urgently required...lest it may cause frequent seizures n even coma...
Ali zafar looked at his wife...who seemed composed...and she asked"dr sahib...kitna expenditure hoga...n kitne din rehna hoga hospital mei..."??dr ashutosh replied"mam..kareeb 3 lakhs..aur 10 days rehna hoga...but agar cost ek factor hai to..."zafar sahib spoke"dr ashutosh, mai retd . Teacher hoon...aur yeh tuition padhati hain...ghar pe...pension aati hai..15000/...ghar apna hai...per itna kharch...aur kya aao guarantee le sakte hain ..ki i d be fine post operation..."??ashutosh seemed a lil dumbstruck...but he answered sensibly"sir, operation table pe kya hoga...yeh to khuda bhi nahi bata sakta...haan i shall try my best...this is a promise.."!zaffar sahib nodded n then said"can i take a few days to think..."??ashutosh nodded'sir decide in a week...and yes...kgh aapko charitably treat kar sakta hai...specially because ...you have no one to look after you..." salma begum raised her hand to stop dr ashutosh midway ...n said"hume charity ki darkhwaast nahi hai dr sahib...koshish karenge ki..khud manage kar lein...kya medicines se..."??dr ashutosh smiled sadly..."nahi mam...i cant lie ,...aap chahein to second opinion le sakti hain...we can wait for 6 to 7 days...infact dr nagpal is a very good neuro surgeon ..chahein to mil lein..."!!Ali zaffar got up...as he thanked dr ashutosh and wheeled his wife out...
Dr ashutosh nibbled with his salad n green tea...in his own cabin...not wanting to go out for lunch to the canteen...he was thinking of the couple...zafar n salma...heregretted that their self respect was becoming an impediment in the treatment...ashutosh closed his eyes ...as he recalled the faces...n their silent admittance of the fact that they had no one to look after them...no children...ashutosh's thoughts went to baba...how would life have been for him had he not adopted ashutosh...how could he have coped up with his tumour???and as ashutosh reflected , he realised"how was life for him without baba...he was orphan...uneducated...helplesss...till hevtook him under his benevolent wing...ashutosh felt satisfied...deeply so that the education given by baba had ultimately helped ashitosh to save his life...it was how the wheel of life moved...and then as his thoughts were broken by his cell ringing, he smiled ..it was nidhi"hullo...leejiye nishu baat karega..he has stood first in the teerm...100%marks hain...i am so so so happy"!!dr aahutosh smiled as he talked to a dazed nishu..confused at seeing his mother happier than he was !!"shaam ko surprise nishu..ok"??and as he disconnected...he seemed to think...what life would have been for him had nidhi not come into his life...how would he have dealt with sickness n old age...but then he smiled...as he looked at the pic of nidhi with nishu n guddi in her arms...now he had a lot to live for...lives to take care of...n also those who could take care of him...
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Dr ashutosh reached home carrying a big chocolate cake with the icingWELL DONE NISHU and pizzas ...as he entered and kissed nishu...lifting him up...as nishu ran to get his report card nidhi indicated...the lil imp guddi all three months and yelling at the sight of her father...as dr ashutosh quickly washed his hands and took her...his hand behind her neck..baby talikng with her while giving an ear to nishu..appreciating his superb performance..and as kaka got him his tea...ashu looked confused..how to have...he was holding both his kids...as nidhi smiled and tried to take guddi...but her yelling made ashu push her away...as he said..."aisa karo ..chai pila fo..thats the best...my hands are literally full now"!!!
As baba n armaan came, nishu cut the cake and everyone had pizzas...though ashutosh ate just a lil...as nishu retired and nidhi patted guddi to her cot , she asked aahutosh"kya hua ...kuch khaya nahi...kuch bana doon kya"??ashutosh smiled fondling her hands and adding"naah...cutting down on calories...afterall fit rehna hai muhhe...apne bach hon ko settle karna hai..."nidhi ruffled his greying hair ...as she cuddled up to him...but he just patted her"sona chahta hoon jaan..i am fagged out..."nidhi understood as she began to massage his hair...and he was slowly in deep sleep...as nidhi kept admiring him...the lines on his forehead...the greying side burns...and the kind look that his face had now...it just added so much to his handsomeness...nidhi settled near him...but even in his sleep, he pulled her over his chest...the softness of her breasts against his rock solid chest...till the symphony of their breaths...the unison of their dreams seemed to fill the room..
Nidhi was rudely awakened as dr ashutosh gotbup to attend to his cell...she understood it was an emergency,...he looked taut n tense...as dr deepak informed"sir, ali zaffar sahib has been brought in...unconscious hain..."ashutosh respinded"get the operation theatre ready...i d be there..."and looking at a drowsy nidhi..he smiled"i have to go jaan...urgent case...old man...handicapped wife hain...and unfortunately no kids...all by themselves..."nidhi got up..as she cleaned his specs...and wished him luck...dr ashutosh looked at the rooms of his children...sleeping in bliss...as he gulped...hoping to bring solace to those who did not have the security and support of a family...who waged their battles alone...well almost...
As dr ashutosh emerged..he saw baba reading in the hall..."woh kuch nahi...bus neend nahi aa rahi thi..tu kahaan ...emergency"??dr ashutosh nodded...as baba patted him"jaa beta...tere haath mei woh shafaa hai...ki kisi ki bhi jaan...kisi ki bhi duniya bacha sakta hai tu...jaa beta..jaa"!!and somehow an emotional ashutosh held on to baba's hand...his eyes seemed to be saying"thank you baba ..mujhe is quaabil banane ke liye...aap nahi hote to mera kya hota..."as baba's eyes seemed to say"ashu...tu nahi hota to main to akelepan se marr jaata..."neither said anything...yet both understood what the other felt...as nidhi watched this divine bond from the doorway...and as dr ashutosh walked to the car...he ruminated how unlucky those people were who did not savour or experience the warmth of a parent child bond...thankfully life had given him fulfillment both as a son n a father...n he could noyt thank baba n nidhi enough...the two eho hsd resurrected his life...as he drove to resurrect somebody elses...

Nahi Honge Juda Hum...

Dr ashutosh's crv came to a screeching halt at kgh as he rushed inside.salma ji was sitting in her wheel chair ..looking stunned but very much in control of her emotions,...dr ashutosh put a hand on her shoulder as he said"aap chinta nahi kariye...sirf dua kriye...bus"and rushed in to the patient..dr priyanka had been on duty but dr deepak n ranganath had rushed in..the mri had been conducted, the tumor was pressing against vital cranial nerves ..disrupting the sensory as well as the motor response..dr ashutosh knew there was not a moment to be wasted..even if it was malignant, its immediate remival could give the patient at least a temporary lease of life..maybe for an year or two...dr ashutosh instructed."get the OT ready...and deepak u d assist me"he came out asking dr ranganath to get the papers..as he asked sulekha bai, the nurse to wheel in salmaji into his cabin.dr ranganath stood woith the papers as dr ashutosh explained"salmaji, zaffar sahab ki jaan ko khatra hai..we have to operate and it has to be done right now..."salmaji put on her specs to read the papers...basically formality that she gave consent and bore all the responsibility for the surgery...salma ji looked at dr ashutosh"but the expenses"??dr ashutosh smiled "i know aap charity quota mei nahi chahti hain...and i respect you for that..but i am personally bearing the expenses...aur issme koi ehsaan ki baat nahi hai..ek doctor hone ke naate yeh mera farz hai ki main pne hur mareez ki jaan bachane ki koshish karoon..aur ..aap plz mujhe rokiye nahi...sign ker deejiye..."and dr ashutosh extended his pen...salmaji smiled as she opened her purse and took out her pen .."teacher hoon...kalam to meri taqdeer hai"!!and she signed with a firm hand...as dr ashutosh looked at sulekha bai n ordered"salmaji ke saath rahogi...tum unki care ke liye...aur dr ranganath, jab bhi ghar jana chahein salmaji , meri car aur driver rahega..."and then looking at the ageing queenly lady , he said softly"aap kisi ko phone karke bulana chahengi..."??salmaji kept quiet and shook her head ..murmuring"koi nahi hai,..jo bulane se aayega...bus hum dono..aur humaara khuda"!!dr ashutosh pressed his lips as he rushed to change for the surgery...he knew the hopes of an old lady depended on the dexterity of his hands...he looked at his fingers...and took a deep sigh..
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Nidhi got up ..carrying an awake guddi...as she took out nishu's sweaters...it was the third week of december and lucknow was very cold already...as she switched on nishu's geyser he awoke...smiling and kissing his sister ...who gurgled with joy..trying to hold his hair...nidhi smiled, she had been observing , how so ever bad guddi's mood might be, the moment she saw nishu...she d smile...nidhi loved their love...the love of siblings...probably one of the most intimate n pure forms of love,..with the shared memories of childhood...as nidhi struggled with the naughty guddi, making her wear woollen socks and cap, she smiled...at the thought of two people who wrre not her siblings n yet their lovefor her..made them as close as siblings...yes anji and armaan...
Nidhi came out, cuddling the baby as she helped kaka fix nishu's tiffin n breakfast and made tea...though kaka almost shouted at her"nidhi beti, tum door hato,.nahi to doctor sahib se shikaayat kar doonga...zara baby hili to jal jaaogi...lo yehnishu ka sandwich..."and nidhi complied...as baba emerged and took his guddi..."good morning..jaisi hai meri poti"???and he baby giggled"dekh nidhi..bilkul teri tarah hansti hai...dekh"!!and nidhi smiled as she put the tiffin in nishu's bag ..and just as she looked at her watch, maxi n cs arrived, chirpy n smiling as usual...and nishu waved "bye mamma..chacha ka phone aayega to poochna kab aayenge waapas..I miss him"and then hugging baba n giving a smooch to guddi he ran to the car with cs..while maxi began her work in the kitchen..and nidhi sat sipping tea with baba.
As nidhi informed baba"aaj isko dpt lagna hai baba...dr ashutosh nahi aaye to mai le jaaoongi 2 baje..dr khanna se appointment hai..."baba caressed the baby and smiled"bechari..royegi ...beta feed ker dena pehle,..."nidhi smiled...she now knew all this afterall shewas an experienced mother...and as she sipped her tea..guddi twisted n yelled ...as baba added"le bhai...teri beti ko pata chal gaya ki tu chaiin se chai pee rahi hai..."nidhi wrinkled her nose at the baby...as she took her n said"nishu kitna shant tha...bachpan se..yeh to badmaash hai...ekdum"baba laughed"arre to woh ashu pe gaya hai...aur yeh tujh per...shokh chanchal..."!!nidhi laughed as she got up to take the baby for feed n bath..."nidhi beta...socks pehan...thand lag jaayegi tujhe"!!.and nidhi rubbed her nose against gudfi's as she baby ralked"mamma ki tarah naughty girl ho!???papa kaise manage karega do do titliyon ko...bechara papa..."and guddi paddled her feet with full zest ...and then pulled at nidhu's hair ..asking her gor the feed...as nidhi took her to the bosom..and as the baby settled to suckle, nidhi was list in the thoughts of the moments with dr ashutosh...the look in his eyes when she had said she wanted to have a baby...the joy was almost divine...she smiled as she recalled how he had played violin for her...and done nearly everything that an expectant dad would do...indeed dr hardstone was a vvv distant memory...now a smiling dr ashutosh hugging her ...rubbing his stubble on her neck...yielding to all her demands...well almost all her demands was a regular phenomenon...nidhi blushed as she looked at her pillow...she hardly used it ever...sleeping every night on the broad chest of her husband...nidhi lost in thoughts , crooned inadvertantly"tere bina jiya jaaye na..tere bin..bin tere sajna...saans nei saans aaye naa"!!and the lil imp smiled...her cheeks showing deep dimples...as nidhi held n kissed her,...savouring each moment ...of the daughter they had craved for...
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Dr ashutosh was staring at the tumor in the centre of corpus collossum strands..the look of ot told ashutosh that it was non malignant...but then biopsy was indeed needed..and as the scalpel moved , ashutosh seemed a lil surprised at his own dexterity...as he carved out the tumour, keeping a vigilant eye on the cranial pressure...as he took off his mask n told dr deepak"can you plz sew it for me..."??and moved out ...to salmaji ..sitting stoically on her wheel chair...dr ashutosh smiled"zaffar sahib is going to be fine...the surgery has been successful...i am sending the sample for biopsy but i am confident it was benign..."salmaji seemed at a loss of words...as dr ashutosh stood in front of her...trying to guess if the information had indeed registered...finally as the lady pushed back her tears and blessed dr ashutosh...a deep satosfaction came into dr ashutosh's eyes as he told sulekha"madam ko canteen me leke jaao...aur salmaji..i know aap hospital me rehma chahengi jab tak..zaffar sahib hain yahaan...so sulekha will be there for you,,..aap kisi cheez ki chinta nahi kariyega...aap dono ko ghar waapas bhejna...recovery ke baad...mera zimma hai"!!salmaji seemed to make a massive effort not to cry...as she said"dr, aapse humaara koi khoon ka rishta to nahi...per...kuch...to hai..zuroor"dr ashutosh stopped ...n bent down to sit close to the old lady...smiling , he said"salmaji..meri zindagi mei...khoon ke rishton se kahin zyaada ahmiyat dil ke rishton ki hai..."saying so..he walked off...to have a cup of tea and munch a sandwich...A deep satisfaction on his face...one of those blissful moments that only a surgeon could experience...snatching life from the jaws of death...as he looked at his fingers...he couldnt help thinking of baba...his baba...who had made it all possible...proving that bonds of love were much stronger than bonds of d.n.a...ashutosh smiled...knowing that he was not baba's blood...but he was much more than thst...he was his heart..his soul...
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Nidhi arrived at kgh carryong lil ashni in her arms...a baby bag hanging on her shoulder..as she walked in, she was greeted by the staff n nurses and she finally knocked at dr ashutosh's cabin..."dr nidhi, sir icu mei patient ko dekh rahe hain..."nidhi turned around to find nandlal..."wahi raat wali emergency..."??"jee...patient stable hai..per dr sahib observe kar rahe hain...bus niklenge abhi..."
Nidhi , looking radiant in her dark pink churidaar kurrta with a bandini dupatta was looking fabulous...as she waited for dr ashutosh outside the icu...as she cuddled ashni, salmaji in her wheel chair smiled at her...n nidhi..smiled back...as a convo started...with salmaji asking"aapko dr aahutosh ko dikhana hai??koi khaas bast..."??seeming worried...n nidhi smiled ...as salma ji contd."mere husband ko examine kar rahe hain...tum jaanti ho dr ashutosh ko..."??nidhi nodded as salmaji went on"insaan nahi maseeha hai...buss aur kya kahoon..."as nidhi seemed moved to tears...kissed lil ashni..asshe rocked her...kissing her hair...hoping dr ashutosh d come out before the vaccination...otherwise managing ashni d be almost impossible...as the nurses wished nidhi, salmaji smiled"tumhe sab jaante hain...yahaan.."??"jee main yahaan kaam karti hoon..dr hoo, aajkal maternity leave pe hoon...beti ko vaccinte karwaana tha"!!"oh!!to ...dr ashutosh denge vaccine...aur tumhare shauhar mahi aaye...akele manage ker logi"??nidhi smiled ...as she added"jee husband busy rehte hain...chah ke bhi nahi aa paate kabhi kabhi...aapko yahaan koi pareshaani to nahi...??"salmaji smiled"nahi..dr ashutosh ne sab intezaam kar diya hai..khuda unpe karam kare..."and the door of icu opened...as dr aahutosh walked out...looking shocked to find nidhi...n then smiled recalling"oh!!vaccination"!!and as salmaji looked on confused, dr ashutosh patted her"zaffar sahib hosh mei hain..aap mil sakti hain...bus dhyaan rakhiyega ..emotionally vulnerable nahi hon...and now dont worry..."as salmaji held his hand,..unable to speak...as dr ashutosh moved away...taking lil ashni in his arms...as salma ji looked on...almost suspiciously...and dr ashutosh smiled"salmaji, yeh hai meri biwi..dr nidhi..aur yeh hai humari bitiya...aahni...aaj iska vaccination hai..."salmaji took just a moment to overcome her surprise as her gaze travelled from the greying dr ashutosh looking a perfect picture of dignity in his suit...n eyes framed with specs and then at the young n exuberant nidhi ...fluttering in her dark pink churidaar kurta...she extended her hand to ashni...and as dr ashutosh showe her the baby...fast asleep..she blessed her..profoundly before being wheeled into the icu...and dr ashutosh proceeded to dr khanna, his daughter in his arms and nidhi by his side...
As dr ashutosh exposed the fat bum of the baby, dr khanna injected the vaccine and the baby almost immiediately shrieked...eee and ashutosh cajoled her...as they thanked the dr and came to dr ashutosh's cabin...dr ashutosh had thought to share about zaffar n salmaji...but ashni..filled all his space...mewling n puckling , as nidhi cleaned her...and tried to hush her but the baby stuck to her father...as dr ashutosh smiled and tried to calm her...as the door opened after a knock ...n dr ranganath stepped in"sorry sir..but an accident case has come...you are required ..."!!dr ashutosh bit his lip as he looked at his baby.before nidhi extended her hands and he handed a crying ashni ...apologetically...""tum jaao ghar...sulaane ki koshish karna...take care..."nidhi smiled ...knowing his feelings...as she said"chinta nahi kariye...concentrate on your patient...main hoon na...nishu aur iss badmash ke liye..."and as nidhi left, cajoling the imp...her cries filling the gallery ...dr ashutosh sighed as he walked to change...almost detesting ..if not hating the profession that he loved...well a surgeon's life is never easy...n who knew it better than he n his nidhi..
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Dr ashutosh went into meet zaffar..now fully conscious in the pvt room, where there was a bed for salma too..sulekha bai n nandlal had been posted by dr ashutosh for their looking after..and as he bade them good nite, zaffar sahib smiled ...the feelings of gratitude coming into his tears...as he silently wiped them...salmaji spoke"bachchi roi kya bahut...aapki nidhi...mera matlab apki biwi bahut achchi hai"as dr ashutosh smiled n left...salmaji began to listen along with zaffar sahib the life story of dr ashutosh...his special relation with his baba...n how nidhi had changed his world forever...as sulekhabai narrated...the story of the evolution of dr hardstone to dr heart throb...
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Dr ashutosh was hurrying into the home when baba stopped him and lil nishu writing his hw on the dining table did a loud shhh!!!dr ashutosh raised his eyebrow...baba replied"guddi bahut ..bahut roi...injection dard ker raha tha shayad...nidhi ne sab kuch kiya, foementation...phir hasr je ice pack,..per kuch asar nahi...aur kisi ki gode mei nahi aa rahi thi,...mujhe to bechari nidhi ki chinta ho rahi hai...ab shayad soyi hai...maine nishu ko yahaan rakha hai...bahut samajhdar pota hai mera...per teri beti bahut shaitaan hai...dekh dheere se jaana...aur nidhi ne kuch khaaya bhi nahi hai..."dr ashutosh ruffled nishu's hair...a silent understanding between the father n son ...like ashu n baba...as dr ashutosh gulped n entered the bedroom...both mother n daughter were missing...he stealthily peeped into the pink nursery...n lo!!the princess was fast asleep in her crib...amd nidhi was asleep on the floor...her fingers still holding the thread to rock the cradle...ashutosh was overwhelmed ...with love ..with guilt...n with thankfullness...his nidhi ...half his age was doing the work of both the parents...all by herself...n without a complaint...
Dr ashutosh veey quietly felt the baby...she did not seem to have fever...and was fast asleep...covered in her punk blanket...her lil toes in green socks jutting out ...he kissed them softly...and turned his attention to nidhi...who needed it most...she was lying in the durret in the cold of december,...he carefully took the thread away...n then lifted her in hus arms and brought her to bed...as he lay her...he covered her with the quilt,and patted her...realising the deep sleep she was in...the fatigue that she was having...he knew she was hungry...but at the moment her primary requirement was sleep...
As nidhi slept...ashutosh lay by her...holding her to his chest...pressing her back ...knowing that it had jyst been 3 months from the delivery...n then nidhi seemed to stir...her lips seemed to open...dr ashutosh smiled...as he kissed her lightly...and she finally opened her eyes...n snuggled closer to him...mumbling"maggi...maggi laa deejiyena plz"!!and dr aahutosh smiled as he caressed his child woman...dreaming of maggi in her sleep...he slowly got up n emerged, calling nishu..."mamma ke liye maggi aur doodh bnwa raha hoon...tum bhi loge"??and nishu nodded...as dr ashutosh put the pan and poured the yellow packet contents...as kaka heated the milk...
Ashu entered with nishu...the boy.mature enough to be silent...as the scent of maggi reached the nose of titli...she seemed to give her sweetest smile n opened her eyes...spreading her arms like wings...and kissing dr ashutosh on his cheek...and as nishu appeared from behind...a lil sheepishly, she cuddled him,...as dr ashutosh said"maggi tabhi milega jab doodh peeyogi...poora.its a package deal.."and the titli seemed to pout...but the raja was firm...
As they sat talking softly...nishu said"poor thing..kitttaaa roi...papa kaise theek hogi meri sister"??dr ashutosh held him n said"beta yeh vaccine to isiliye dete hain ki woh theek rahe...tumko bhi lagte the"nishu seemed shocked"to kya main bhi rota tha"??nidhi laughed"thoda sa...itta nahi"!!dr ashutosh added a lil naughtily"yeh baby mamma jaisi naughty hai...tum to mere haise ho...gentleman"!!and just as nidhi tried to disagree...there was the noise that all seemed to be waiting for...albiet with dread...EEEit was the lil guddi...as dr ashutosh sighed...n nishu ran to soothe her...nidhi looked impishly at dr ashutosh,..n said"chaliye dr ashutosh...ab sambhaliye apni naughty biwi ko...aur usse bhi naughty beti ko..."as dr ashutosh got up , and held guddi afrer changing her diaper...rocking ..cuddling n kissing her...and as he saw her lil pink tongue poking out...he knew it was meal time...as he called nidhi...she was right behind..."laaiye she must be hungry..."ashutosh frowned"tumhe kaise pata"???"mother's instinct dr sahib...yeh md mei nahi padhaya jata..."and as ashutosh's eyes smiled in approval, his hands gave the baby to nidhi, who opened her kurta to feed her...and dr ashutosh stood behind her...pressing those narrow delicate shoulders that were carrying the responsibility of his entire home...his entire world...as the baby suckled...dr ashutosh exclaimed"sach nidhi agar tum meri zindagi ne nahi aayi hoti to mera kya hota"??n nidhi...impish as ever replied"hota kya...dr hardstone ab tak super hardstone ho gaye hote...aur yehi kehteMAI KISI BHI NAYI CHEEZ KE LIYE...PURAANA..."and dr ashutosh put his finger oin nidhi's lips n said"CORRECTION, DR NIDHI...MAIN KISI BHI NAYI CHEEZ KE LIYE PURAANA NAHI HUA HOON..."and he bent to smooch nidhi...as the lil princess cried again...n a seemingly exasperated ashutosh took her in his arms...snuggling her ...as nishu came in n sat close by...dr ashutosh admiring his children...his titli's ultimate gift...when he suddenly realised nidhi wasnt around..."nidhi..nidhi..."he shouted...as even guddi roved her eyes around...and nidhi emerged from the wash room"yehi hoon...mai kahaan jaaoongi.."??and a light of security...of satisfaction glowed on both their faces as their eyes met...and the raja was assured that the titli had broken his foretress...n yet she could not escape...because she didnt want to...raja n titli were bound to each other for life...by the strongest bond of love,...of the two lil wonders that had blossomed in their garden of live...it had to be ...ashutosh nidhi humesha humesha,...and almost impromptu...dr ashutosh began to hum...