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Yeh lal rang..
As guddi twisted n cried, both dr ashutosh n nidhi were pulled out of their sleep...nidhi rubbed her eyes saying'diaper change..."dr ashutosh held her hand telling her to lie , while he carried his guddi for cleaning n change into the washroom...nidhi could hear him do baby talk with his guddi as he emerged with guddi opening her mouth..nidhi knew what she wanted...she opened her arms and as guddi came into them, she undid the strap of her nightie to feed her...dr ashutosh watched...the one year old suckling her mother...he did not approve of it medically , feeling it was not right for nidhi..but he also knew..for a sick n irritable child this was the best...food..he gulped n put pillows around nidhi...as nidhi touched his fingers indicating him to see his curly haired daughter suckling ...ashutosh looked at guddi..eyes closed n lips suckling at nidhi's breast hard...his hands caressed guddi's hair...but his eyes were fixed at nidhi...nidhi who had taught him what motherhood was all about..as guddi dozed off , nidhi settled her n lay down ..as aahutosh extended his hand across guddi and caressed nidhi...his touch reassuring...his eyes telling her to sleep...which they did...their hands on guddi...
They were awakened by guddi's gurgling n nishu talking "hello guddi...how r you.."?? N guddi wanting to jump into nishu's arms..."arrey tum kab uthey beta?? Aur ready bhi ho gaye...mera smart nishu...the best child in the world..."said nidhi..as nishu came to ashutosh who adjusted his tie , n nishu asked"agar I am the best...to yeh guddi"?? Nidhi rubbed guddi's cheeks n said..."second best"!! And nishu laughed as guddi smiled n clapped, ashutosh seemed relieved...as nidhi got up "chalo guddi.., lets EEE n then breakky"!! Ashutosh knew it meant brush n breakfast...living with nidhi , he had learnt these lingos that the youngsters used..infact the other day after a meeting at city centre hospital, when dr sunilsingh had callex for coffee n sandwiches but dr nagpal had suggested going to cafe coffee day and dr ashutosh had rremarked"WORK HARD, PARTY HARDER"!! And all had laughed..with dr sunil saying.."I can hear dr nidhi say that"!!!!
Ashutosh could hear gudfi do eee in the wash room, while nishu was telling him all about the PLANT LIFE Project that he had made, obviously helped by nidhi...ashutosh smiled...the smile of a man whose world wasat peace...the way nidhi taught the kids..looked after them n even played with them ..he could have only one word to describe all this..BEAUTIFUL!!!
ashutosh got up and just as he was surveying his wardrobe , nidhi emerged with a smiling guddi n said"rukiye abhi nikalti hoon...aap isse leejiye to...aur nishu ..maxi ko bolo to onions chop karne ko...I d ,make namkeen senwaiyi today..u like them dont u"?? And guddi clapped her hands...as dr ashutosh kissed her cheek n said"guddi khaayegi bolo"??...
Nidhi took out his blue suit, light blue shirt n blue silk tie..and a cream n purple churidaar for herself..as she took the kids to the hall, she could hear dr ashutosh in the shower..singing "hum aapki aankhon mein iss dil ko bichaa de to"!! Nidhi blushed ...as she began to fix things on the dining table n kaka took guddi to baba "nidhi beta..ab to isse bukhar nahi hai ...seems fine..dekhoon to iske gums...haan hard hain bahut"!! Nidhi smiled n said"baba aap to complete dr hain..neurosurgeon, gynaec, paed, aur ab dentist bhi...full medical college"and armaan chipped in"nidhi..tere aane se pehle..main aur kaka psychiatrist the...ashu ke..kab kaisa mood hai...khaayega nahi khaayega..."nidhi seemed flooded with memories of the days when she had met him first...n soon become an early morning visitor ..his ALARM CLOCK.. she looked at armaan "aur ab..."??"NIDHI..PLZ TIE BANDH DO,.."yelled dr ashutosh..n armaan winked"ab to ashu ki full n whole sole incharge tu hai...jaa dr heartthrob bula rahein hain"!! And nidhi ran in...her ears turning red..."aap bhi na..embarass ker dete hain..kya sochemge baba...aur sab koi"?? Asdr ashutoshcaught her n she began to tie the tie..he said"tumse kuch poochna chahta tha...whats your gut feel aboit guddi..."? Nidhi knew he reled on her medical diagnosis about kids ...n she answered"i feel...aaj evening tak observe karte hain...duty khatm ker ke..I d tell maxi to get her..aur dr khanna ko dikha doongi..what say"?? Ashutosh nodded as she helped him with his coat..."aap jaaiye conference mai..ek din ki to baat hai...I d manage...aapka mann kyun nahi hai.is it guddi ya dr megha se pareshaan hain"?? Ashutosh lookedat nidhi...he was transparent to her...yesss he was hating going with dr megha..the previous experiences had all left him very wary...he knew when women stooped..they could do anything...and his mind still had some questions...about what had happened to the ambulamce driver...forcing nidhi to go alone to choubey pur...the car mechanic had told him the fuel pipe had been tampered with...now how could that have happened?? Nidhi pulled his nose...as omly she ccould"kyun bechari megha ke peeche pade hain.she cant do much...can she?? Usko crush hai aap pe..aap hai n hi aise"!! Ashutosh did not smile., he just said"i do not like dr megha ...one bit...a very calculating woman...be wary nidhi...woh tumhe kuch ..."!! Nidhi put her head to his chest"aap bila wajah ghabra rahe hain...mujhe kuch nahi hoga...aap hain na humesha mere saath..."ashutosh put his arms around her ...n closed his eyes..trying to push away the memories of a white silent nidhi..lying on the hospital bed ...after the miscarriage. ? NO HE COULD NEVER TRUST MEGHA...HE COULD SMELL HER LUST ..HER DESIRE...N HE HATED IT...
At the dining table guddi seemed quite normal as nidhi fed her namkeen jawe,..a dish invented by kaka n nidhi which now the hole household loved...ashutosh looked up from his paper n said"kaka..nidhi ka doodh.."and then looked at baba to explain.."abhi bhi guddi feed le rahi hai...nidhi needs to take care of herself..."col verma smiled while dadi bua could not help saying"nidhi ..ab dekh tu...apne aap ko..yaad ker..kitta ghabrati thi maa banne se"!! Ashutosh laughed"arre dadi bua..aap bhi..na..aur now I agree with nidhi..bachche der se aaye thodi..to dekhiye kitta dhyaan rakhti hai..woh nahi to aapko paalne padte"!! Baba laughed"haan aur humari guddi ko paalna bahut mushkil kaam hai samdhanji"!! Armaan added"GUDDI KO PAALNA MUSHKIL HI NAHI ..NAMUMKIN HAI..GUDDI DON KA DOOSRA NAAM HAI"!! And nishu got up as maxi was ready to drop him with cs..and nidhi kissed him..as he caressed guddi n said"guddi ..shaam ko khelenge ludo..ok"?? N his sis laughed n said"oookay..."!!
Dr ashutosh checked guddi's fever..98.8 he said"shaam me phir ho jaaye shaayead..dekhiyega baba..maxi aur sarkaar kesaath bhej deejiyega hospital..dr khanna se dikha denge...main bhi rahoonga .."baba nodded as the two left...waving toa smiling guddi...as nidhi closed her eyes in relief n sasaid"bachche theek rehte hain..hans ke bye kehte hain to din kitta aasaan ho jaata hai..nahi to ek ek pal bhari padta hai..."dr ashutosh did not reply...he just held her hand..in silent agreement...n drove on...as the fm played "naa yeh chaand hoga ..naatare rahenge..
Magar hum humesha tumhare rahenge"!! In ashutosh's fav programme PURANI JEANS..
The car entered kgh n nidhi walked in ..as ashutosh held her back for a moment "lunch pe do check me..aur jab guddi aaye to bhi..ok"?? N nidhi nodded..feeling a lil awkward at the way he held her arm in front of all...so rightfully..so naturally...yess dr ashutosh had no reservations in life now...he had accepted nidhi as an inseparable part of his life ...unabashedly.
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Megha had been packing for the most awaited event of her life ..the conference with dr ashutosh..she had picked a sari with a low cut blouse ..yellow ..n blue..she knew he loved blue..nidhi often wore blue..n once she had seen him looking at nidhi in a blue sari..with such deep love in his eyes..that she had almost burnt with jealousy..she had been planning for what to do at the conference ..in the flight n hotel...she was no fool...she knew she could not have him in one go...but yess she would build a close relationship..probably relax with him..maybe they could swim...n who knows if the middle aged dr could feel his heart thudding for another young girl..megha was convinced that if dr ashutosh could fall for nidhi..he could fall for her too..it was just a matter of time..after all she was more qualified..much more pretty n well shaped than the plump nidhi...megha's only nightmare was if dr ashutosh actually married her n wanyed a family with her...megha shuddered to see herself pregnant...or looking after those two kids of nidhi...she hated them...baba d be sorted by life..n armaan..well she could handlee him ..show him the door if necessary...but megha knew many a slip between cup n lips..she had to work to a plan..n without being discovered...to take nidhi's place in his life..to make him experience joys beyond mundane parenthood...she d introduce him to the true ecstacy of surreal pleasures n the power of money...
But her immediate problem was that he MUST come to the conference n not stay back because of that fat baby's sickness...megha found guddi abhorrent n the love that dr ashutosh had for her inexplicable. She almost prayed for guddi to be fine so that she could habe 24 hrs with dr ashutosh..n who knows what may happen in those hours...the world may change for ever...megha may finally lay her hands on all she ever wanted..name fame..endless money ..n to be in bed with the hottest man...she could hardly wait...as she closed her eyes to imagine herself with dr ashutosh...but the picture that emerged was again of dr ashutosh bending to kiss nidhi...nidhi ufff the most hateful of all females...wonder why was she so popular...
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"Yes aap bataiye aap ko kisne kaha ghar jaane ko..dr ranganath ne...tell me"?? It was dr ashutosh shouting at the ambulance driver...but he kept repeating he had to rush because his wife was unwell...the next to be called was laxmi bai..who explained that she was ordered to go in the labor room by dr megha...as no other senior nurse was around..n yess she added that dr megha had not paid heed to nidhi's plan...nand lal entered with a file..n stood...as ashutosh raisedhis eyebrow.."sir..surender ko dekha tha maine...aapki car ke paas...kuch samajh nahi paaya...per .."ashutosh kept quiet...trying to fix the jigsaw puzzle...it was clear that someone had ttamper ed with the fuel pipe..but was it surendra n at whose bidding...megha's??? Ashutosh waved everyone out...n called dr ranganath in...as dr ranga listened attentively to what his boss asked him to do...
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"So megha tu ja rahi hai kal delhi conference mei..."?? Asked dr priyanka as they stood around the coffee machine .."dr ashutosh to bahi jayenge shayad..guddi is unwell..."added dr ahaana..but nidhi contradicted"offcourse jaayenge..main hoon na..I dont want ki unke kaam suffer karein...never.."!! All drs looked at nidhi with admiration ..as megha spitted venom in her heart...yes thats what nidhi could do...give him a family n look after it...nothing more...as nidhi walked back to opd, dr deepak remarked"i tell u, if I get a wife even half as good as dr nidhi..my life is all set...What do u feel dr megha"?? He asked megha deliberately. ?.megha was a lil taken aback...as she replied cautiously"well depends...what you look for ...a partner or a nanny for ur kids..n a aata for ur home"!! And she walked off..as dr ranganath observed carefully from the end of the corridors.
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"Kya canteen mei chalogi..ya "?? Dr ashutosh asked nidhi..as she replied"haan bus ek sandwich khaana hai..I m not hungry..."!! Ashutosh closed the door of his cabin as both walked to the canteen..bumping into dr dubey on the way n when he asked about ashutosh's programme, nidhi answered"sir , he d go.u dont worry"and dr dubey patted nidhi..
As they sat for lunch, dr ashutosh got a sandwich, chow mein n flavoured milk for nidhi ..green tea for himself..
Nidhi smiled at the chowmein..."guddi so rahi hai..feverish hai thodi si..."ashutosh nodded"i know .baba ee baat hui thi meri bhi..4 baje aayegi..lo tum doodh peeyo..I feel she d take ur feed again..."nidhi smiled as he put the strw into her mouth and lightly caressed her hair..dr megha sitting on a table behind him almost turned green with jealousy...
"Aapke kapde pack ker doongi jaa ke..kuch khaas ...le jaana hai"?? Ashutosh shook his head ...n looked into nidhi's eyes...she knew his doubts...there was something ..a gut feel telling him not to go...but then gudfi d be fine..he was sure n so was nidhi...nidhi put her hand on his as his eyes seemed lost...and nidhi suddenly felt choked...as she coughed vioently...shutosh was right behind her..rubbing her back..n forcing her to drink some water...as megha seemed to turn all fire with deep jealousy...she got up with a firm resolve...n a sly smile...
"I am fine..dont worry...jasiye ..aapke rounds honge.."!! Ashutosh gave her a lingering look...and went on...when dr megha appeared from nowhere n bumped into him...her long hair covering his coat ...her bosom hittingbhis hard chest...dr ashutosh withdrew..."dr megha..can you not see where you walk...I am realy appalled...nandlal...mera coat saaf ker ke lao,.."he handed his blue coat yo the peon n walked on...as dr ranganath looked on with a smilw as he xame near an angry megha"waah dr megha...planned takkar bhi kitni casual lag sakti hai,.koi aapse seekhe..."!! Dr megha looked a lil shocked..n then she adjusted her chunni n walked off...
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It was at 4.20 that maxi knocked in at dr nidhi's cabin and gudfi slumped into her arms,..sleepy n a lil flushed with fever..nidhi told maxi to wait..as she walked to dr ashutosh's cabin...n knocked..guddi climbed in to his table...rubbing her eyes..n not keen at the chocolate he offered..."neend mei hai..."!! Ashutosh jept quiet as he took her in his arms...feeling her tummy n then her pulse.."fever to hai..calpol to nahi di.."?? Nidhi replied"na..bus morning mei ulti vitamin ..aur din mei baba ne gripe water diya hai..."!!
They walked to dr khanna, and as ashutosh made gudfi lie on the examination table, she yelled...nidhi had to hold her down as dr khanna examined her...feeling her gums ..n chest too...just as he finished, chanda bai ran in"sir emergency...aapko aana hoga ot mei"dr ashutosh almost banged the table as nidhi took gudfi...and dr ashutosh walked out..trying not yo hear hisbaby wail"papaaa papaaa"
Dr khanna explained "dr nidhi , her gums are tough..so teething is painful.keep giving her calpo twice a day..but not more than 1 tea spoon..and do not give strong analgesics..she s v young...and bonison at night..thst eases teething..in food, give her toast..that will help..she d like cutting it..."and nidhi thanked dr khanna n came out..just when surendra came running "dr nidhi..children ward mei chandu ne nebuliser tode diya,..ro raha hai..aap plz chaliye.."nidhi rushed ..handing the lil guddi to him n strictly instructing him to take her to hercabin..to maxi...
"Aahaa..guddi rani...tumhe fever hai?? Laao I d give u a better medicine..."and dr megha pushed a small pill into gudfi's mouth..followed by water...as the poor child gasped...and cried...and as megha signalled, surender lifted her and ran to nidhi's cabin...where maxi hugged her ...as gudfi was trying to throw up...and signal to her maxi...maxi asked strictly"kya hua baby ko..madam kahaan hai"?? Surender replied"dr nidhi abhi aati hain..unhone diyw mujhe baby ko aap tak pahunchane ko...lo..kuch to nahi hua..ro rahi hai buss..."maxi took the vaby..though a lil suspicious ...was something thematter...??
Nidhi returned ...and told maxi to come along..on the way back..maxi told her that gudfi had been handed ocrr to her distraught...nidhi was a lil confused..but then she looked at guddi...fast asleep...so she pushed all negative thoughts away and kissed her bundle of joy...her guddi..their guddi...
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"Nidhi, calpol diya"?? Asked ashutosh as he took guddi after he had freshened up...n nidhi sshouted"jee...aur bonnison bhi...ab better hai..fever bhi nahi hai..."and ashutosh kissed her...as dadi bua joked"apne papa ka hospital ghoom ke khush ho gayi...dekho badmaash ko"!! And guddi threw her arms around ashutosh's neck..hugging him close..and dr ashutosh could not think of a better feeling..than holding his daughter...in his protective embrace...he d not let any thing trouble her...never ever ...
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"Packing ker dee hai...savere kitte baje ki flight hai"?? It was nidhi applying lotion on her legs as dr ashutosh had gudfi sleeping on his chest...n nishu lying on his side...fast asleep after reciting all the poems..."4.30 ..ghar se raat ko 3.30 pe jasoonga...meet is from 9 a.m "nidhi nodded as she got up n took nishu ..n then guddi...to their rooms..nishu walked but guddi had to be carried in her arms...nidhi returned and set the aarm..another delhi trip...she was a lil scared ..but then fears had to be conquered,..
Dr ashutosh hugged her ..drawing her really close..his stubble grazing her throat...as he said"dont worry doc...iss baar mujhe kuch nahi hoga...bus tum aona aur bachchon ka khayal rakhna"!!and nidhi moved closer to him...closing her eyes...
At 3 am as dr ashutosh awoke, he went and felt gudfi...she seemed fine...he cganged her diaper...surprisingly it was clean n dry...yet he changed it...and then drank a lil tea that nidhi got..."plz phone zaroor kariyega..aur conference me bhi ..I mwan you can glance at whatsapp...plz aap ke bina...I feel..."words could not express what nidhi felt...dr ashutosh hugged her ..his hands caressing her reassuringly...n then he emerged as armaan waited...n teased"sochta hoon shaadi ker loon..kamse kum tera cabbie to nahi rahoonga"!! And both friends laughed...
At the airport..dr ashutosh saw dr megha in a blue yellow sari with a low cut blouse ...walking up to him..."how r u sir...n how s guddi's fever..I m sure she s fine..."? Ashutosh wrinkled his brow..."how do u know dr megha that guddi is fine..."?? Megha gasped..."aap aa gaye..to I presumed...ab chaliye..we r to check in..."!! Ashutosh nodded...as they checked in...
The flight took off and megha tried showing she was nervous...ashutosh aaked caustically"is it your first fligght dr"?? Ashutosh closed his eyes ...while megha relaxed...it was her first travel in business class...n she knew kgh or no kgh...she d always fly business ..shop at the best places...only if she could get this prince charming...so what if he was 50...he exuded an appeal that d make young men falter...megha sighed as she deliberately rested her head on dr ashutosh's shoulder n acted to be asleep...her hand on his arm...
Dr ashutosh opened his eyes almost instantly ..with this alien touch...he was not used to any touch except nidhi's...he saw dr megha...n he tapped her seat arm strictly "dr megha...plz get up n sit straight...my shoulder is not public property...so plz"!!! Dr megha was taken aback..as she sat erect...n tried to control her embarrassment. ?.as dr ashutosh looked out of the window...into the darkness n thougyt of guddi...nishu..n offcourse nidhi,..his nidhi..and the anger slowlt faded...to be replaced by a softness in those eyes...
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Nidhi was awakened by a cry from guddi ...she rushed ..looking at her clock..3.40. What was wrong...she almost tripped as she rushed in...n then stopped dead in her tracks...guddi was vomitting fresh clotted blood...and crying helplessly...nidhi seemed to have lost all control...she hugged the baby..n rushed into the hall...crying "baba...jaldi..dekhiye guddi ko..."and gudfi vomitted again...more blood ...asnidhi stood ..with the whimpering baby in her arms and her own gown n gudfis night suit spattered with blood...baba emerged...n instantly the dr in him took over
Baba dialled kgh emergency ..."paediatric emergency..call dr khanna ..we r rushing with gudfi..ashni mathur...dr ashutosh's daughter...not a moment yo be wasted...
They were awakened by guddi's gurgling n nishu talking "hello guddi...how r you.."?? N guddi wanting to jump into nishu's arms..."arrey tum kab uthey beta?? Aur ready bhi ho gaye...mera smart nishu...the best child in the world..."said nidhi..as nishu came to ashutosh who adjusted his tie , n nishu asked"agar I am the best...to yeh guddi"?? Nidhi rubbed guddi's cheeks n said..."second best"!! And nishu laughed as guddi smiled n clapped, ashutosh seemed relieved...as nidhi got up "chalo guddi.., lets EEE n then breakky"!! Ashutosh knew it meant brush n breakfast...living with nidhi , he had learnt these lingos that the youngsters used..infact the other day after a meeting at city centre hospital, when dr sunilsingh had callex for coffee n sandwiches but dr nagpal had suggested going to cafe coffee day and dr ashutosh had rremarked"WORK HARD, PARTY HARDER"!! And all had laughed..with dr sunil saying.."I can hear dr nidhi say that"!!!!
Ashutosh could hear gudfi do eee in the wash room, while nishu was telling him all about the PLANT LIFE Project that he had made, obviously helped by nidhi...ashutosh smiled...the smile of a man whose world wasat peace...the way nidhi taught the kids..looked after them n even played with them ..he could have only one word to describe all this..BEAUTIFUL!!!
ashutosh got up and just as he was surveying his wardrobe , nidhi emerged with a smiling guddi n said"rukiye abhi nikalti hoon...aap isse leejiye to...aur nishu ..maxi ko bolo to onions chop karne ko...I d ,make namkeen senwaiyi today..u like them dont u"?? And guddi clapped her hands...as dr ashutosh kissed her cheek n said"guddi khaayegi bolo"??...
Nidhi took out his blue suit, light blue shirt n blue silk tie..and a cream n purple churidaar for herself..as she took the kids to the hall, she could hear dr ashutosh in the shower..singing "hum aapki aankhon mein iss dil ko bichaa de to"!! Nidhi blushed ...as she began to fix things on the dining table n kaka took guddi to baba "nidhi beta..ab to isse bukhar nahi hai ...seems fine..dekhoon to iske gums...haan hard hain bahut"!! Nidhi smiled n said"baba aap to complete dr hain..neurosurgeon, gynaec, paed, aur ab dentist bhi...full medical college"and armaan chipped in"nidhi..tere aane se pehle..main aur kaka psychiatrist the...ashu ke..kab kaisa mood hai...khaayega nahi khaayega..."nidhi seemed flooded with memories of the days when she had met him first...n soon become an early morning visitor ..his ALARM CLOCK.. she looked at armaan "aur ab..."??"NIDHI..PLZ TIE BANDH DO,.."yelled dr ashutosh..n armaan winked"ab to ashu ki full n whole sole incharge tu hai...jaa dr heartthrob bula rahein hain"!! And nidhi ran in...her ears turning red..."aap bhi na..embarass ker dete hain..kya sochemge baba...aur sab koi"?? Asdr ashutoshcaught her n she began to tie the tie..he said"tumse kuch poochna chahta tha...whats your gut feel aboit guddi..."? Nidhi knew he reled on her medical diagnosis about kids ...n she answered"i feel...aaj evening tak observe karte hain...duty khatm ker ke..I d tell maxi to get her..aur dr khanna ko dikha doongi..what say"?? Ashutosh nodded as she helped him with his coat..."aap jaaiye conference mai..ek din ki to baat hai...I d manage...aapka mann kyun nahi hai.is it guddi ya dr megha se pareshaan hain"?? Ashutosh lookedat nidhi...he was transparent to her...yesss he was hating going with dr megha..the previous experiences had all left him very wary...he knew when women stooped..they could do anything...and his mind still had some questions...about what had happened to the ambulamce driver...forcing nidhi to go alone to choubey pur...the car mechanic had told him the fuel pipe had been tampered with...now how could that have happened?? Nidhi pulled his nose...as omly she ccould"kyun bechari megha ke peeche pade hain.she cant do much...can she?? Usko crush hai aap pe..aap hai n hi aise"!! Ashutosh did not smile., he just said"i do not like dr megha ...one bit...a very calculating woman...be wary nidhi...woh tumhe kuch ..."!! Nidhi put her head to his chest"aap bila wajah ghabra rahe hain...mujhe kuch nahi hoga...aap hain na humesha mere saath..."ashutosh put his arms around her ...n closed his eyes..trying to push away the memories of a white silent nidhi..lying on the hospital bed ...after the miscarriage. ? NO HE COULD NEVER TRUST MEGHA...HE COULD SMELL HER LUST ..HER DESIRE...N HE HATED IT...
At the dining table guddi seemed quite normal as nidhi fed her namkeen jawe,..a dish invented by kaka n nidhi which now the hole household loved...ashutosh looked up from his paper n said"kaka..nidhi ka doodh.."and then looked at baba to explain.."abhi bhi guddi feed le rahi hai...nidhi needs to take care of herself..."col verma smiled while dadi bua could not help saying"nidhi ..ab dekh tu...apne aap ko..yaad ker..kitta ghabrati thi maa banne se"!! Ashutosh laughed"arre dadi bua..aap bhi..na..aur now I agree with nidhi..bachche der se aaye thodi..to dekhiye kitta dhyaan rakhti hai..woh nahi to aapko paalne padte"!! Baba laughed"haan aur humari guddi ko paalna bahut mushkil kaam hai samdhanji"!! Armaan added"GUDDI KO PAALNA MUSHKIL HI NAHI ..NAMUMKIN HAI..GUDDI DON KA DOOSRA NAAM HAI"!! And nishu got up as maxi was ready to drop him with cs..and nidhi kissed him..as he caressed guddi n said"guddi ..shaam ko khelenge ludo..ok"?? N his sis laughed n said"oookay..."!!
Dr ashutosh checked guddi's fever..98.8 he said"shaam me phir ho jaaye shaayead..dekhiyega baba..maxi aur sarkaar kesaath bhej deejiyega hospital..dr khanna se dikha denge...main bhi rahoonga .."baba nodded as the two left...waving toa smiling guddi...as nidhi closed her eyes in relief n sasaid"bachche theek rehte hain..hans ke bye kehte hain to din kitta aasaan ho jaata hai..nahi to ek ek pal bhari padta hai..."dr ashutosh did not reply...he just held her hand..in silent agreement...n drove on...as the fm played "naa yeh chaand hoga ..naatare rahenge..
Magar hum humesha tumhare rahenge"!! In ashutosh's fav programme PURANI JEANS..
The car entered kgh n nidhi walked in ..as ashutosh held her back for a moment "lunch pe do check me..aur jab guddi aaye to bhi..ok"?? N nidhi nodded..feeling a lil awkward at the way he held her arm in front of all...so rightfully..so naturally...yess dr ashutosh had no reservations in life now...he had accepted nidhi as an inseparable part of his life ...unabashedly.
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Megha had been packing for the most awaited event of her life ..the conference with dr ashutosh..she had picked a sari with a low cut blouse ..yellow ..n blue..she knew he loved blue..nidhi often wore blue..n once she had seen him looking at nidhi in a blue sari..with such deep love in his eyes..that she had almost burnt with jealousy..she had been planning for what to do at the conference ..in the flight n hotel...she was no fool...she knew she could not have him in one go...but yess she would build a close relationship..probably relax with him..maybe they could swim...n who knows if the middle aged dr could feel his heart thudding for another young girl..megha was convinced that if dr ashutosh could fall for nidhi..he could fall for her too..it was just a matter of time..after all she was more qualified..much more pretty n well shaped than the plump nidhi...megha's only nightmare was if dr ashutosh actually married her n wanyed a family with her...megha shuddered to see herself pregnant...or looking after those two kids of nidhi...she hated them...baba d be sorted by life..n armaan..well she could handlee him ..show him the door if necessary...but megha knew many a slip between cup n lips..she had to work to a plan..n without being discovered...to take nidhi's place in his life..to make him experience joys beyond mundane parenthood...she d introduce him to the true ecstacy of surreal pleasures n the power of money...
But her immediate problem was that he MUST come to the conference n not stay back because of that fat baby's sickness...megha found guddi abhorrent n the love that dr ashutosh had for her inexplicable. She almost prayed for guddi to be fine so that she could habe 24 hrs with dr ashutosh..n who knows what may happen in those hours...the world may change for ever...megha may finally lay her hands on all she ever wanted..name fame..endless money ..n to be in bed with the hottest man...she could hardly wait...as she closed her eyes to imagine herself with dr ashutosh...but the picture that emerged was again of dr ashutosh bending to kiss nidhi...nidhi ufff the most hateful of all females...wonder why was she so popular...
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"Yes aap bataiye aap ko kisne kaha ghar jaane ko..dr ranganath ne...tell me"?? It was dr ashutosh shouting at the ambulance driver...but he kept repeating he had to rush because his wife was unwell...the next to be called was laxmi bai..who explained that she was ordered to go in the labor room by dr megha...as no other senior nurse was around..n yess she added that dr megha had not paid heed to nidhi's plan...nand lal entered with a file..n stood...as ashutosh raisedhis eyebrow.."sir..surender ko dekha tha maine...aapki car ke paas...kuch samajh nahi paaya...per .."ashutosh kept quiet...trying to fix the jigsaw puzzle...it was clear that someone had ttamper ed with the fuel pipe..but was it surendra n at whose bidding...megha's??? Ashutosh waved everyone out...n called dr ranganath in...as dr ranga listened attentively to what his boss asked him to do...
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"So megha tu ja rahi hai kal delhi conference mei..."?? Asked dr priyanka as they stood around the coffee machine .."dr ashutosh to bahi jayenge shayad..guddi is unwell..."added dr ahaana..but nidhi contradicted"offcourse jaayenge..main hoon na..I dont want ki unke kaam suffer karein...never.."!! All drs looked at nidhi with admiration ..as megha spitted venom in her heart...yes thats what nidhi could do...give him a family n look after it...nothing more...as nidhi walked back to opd, dr deepak remarked"i tell u, if I get a wife even half as good as dr nidhi..my life is all set...What do u feel dr megha"?? He asked megha deliberately. ?.megha was a lil taken aback...as she replied cautiously"well depends...what you look for ...a partner or a nanny for ur kids..n a aata for ur home"!! And she walked off..as dr ranganath observed carefully from the end of the corridors.
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"Kya canteen mei chalogi..ya "?? Dr ashutosh asked nidhi..as she replied"haan bus ek sandwich khaana hai..I m not hungry..."!! Ashutosh closed the door of his cabin as both walked to the canteen..bumping into dr dubey on the way n when he asked about ashutosh's programme, nidhi answered"sir , he d go.u dont worry"and dr dubey patted nidhi..
As they sat for lunch, dr ashutosh got a sandwich, chow mein n flavoured milk for nidhi ..green tea for himself..
Nidhi smiled at the chowmein..."guddi so rahi hai..feverish hai thodi si..."ashutosh nodded"i know .baba ee baat hui thi meri bhi..4 baje aayegi..lo tum doodh peeyo..I feel she d take ur feed again..."nidhi smiled as he put the strw into her mouth and lightly caressed her hair..dr megha sitting on a table behind him almost turned green with jealousy...
"Aapke kapde pack ker doongi jaa ke..kuch khaas ...le jaana hai"?? Ashutosh shook his head ...n looked into nidhi's eyes...she knew his doubts...there was something ..a gut feel telling him not to go...but then gudfi d be fine..he was sure n so was nidhi...nidhi put her hand on his as his eyes seemed lost...and nidhi suddenly felt choked...as she coughed vioently...shutosh was right behind her..rubbing her back..n forcing her to drink some water...as megha seemed to turn all fire with deep jealousy...she got up with a firm resolve...n a sly smile...
"I am fine..dont worry...jasiye ..aapke rounds honge.."!! Ashutosh gave her a lingering look...and went on...when dr megha appeared from nowhere n bumped into him...her long hair covering his coat ...her bosom hittingbhis hard chest...dr ashutosh withdrew..."dr megha..can you not see where you walk...I am realy appalled...nandlal...mera coat saaf ker ke lao,.."he handed his blue coat yo the peon n walked on...as dr ranganath looked on with a smilw as he xame near an angry megha"waah dr megha...planned takkar bhi kitni casual lag sakti hai,.koi aapse seekhe..."!! Dr megha looked a lil shocked..n then she adjusted her chunni n walked off...
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It was at 4.20 that maxi knocked in at dr nidhi's cabin and gudfi slumped into her arms,..sleepy n a lil flushed with fever..nidhi told maxi to wait..as she walked to dr ashutosh's cabin...n knocked..guddi climbed in to his table...rubbing her eyes..n not keen at the chocolate he offered..."neend mei hai..."!! Ashutosh jept quiet as he took her in his arms...feeling her tummy n then her pulse.."fever to hai..calpol to nahi di.."?? Nidhi replied"na..bus morning mei ulti vitamin ..aur din mei baba ne gripe water diya hai..."!!
They walked to dr khanna, and as ashutosh made gudfi lie on the examination table, she yelled...nidhi had to hold her down as dr khanna examined her...feeling her gums ..n chest too...just as he finished, chanda bai ran in"sir emergency...aapko aana hoga ot mei"dr ashutosh almost banged the table as nidhi took gudfi...and dr ashutosh walked out..trying not yo hear hisbaby wail"papaaa papaaa"
Dr khanna explained "dr nidhi , her gums are tough..so teething is painful.keep giving her calpo twice a day..but not more than 1 tea spoon..and do not give strong analgesics..she s v young...and bonison at night..thst eases teething..in food, give her toast..that will help..she d like cutting it..."and nidhi thanked dr khanna n came out..just when surendra came running "dr nidhi..children ward mei chandu ne nebuliser tode diya,..ro raha hai..aap plz chaliye.."nidhi rushed ..handing the lil guddi to him n strictly instructing him to take her to hercabin..to maxi...
"Aahaa..guddi rani...tumhe fever hai?? Laao I d give u a better medicine..."and dr megha pushed a small pill into gudfi's mouth..followed by water...as the poor child gasped...and cried...and as megha signalled, surender lifted her and ran to nidhi's cabin...where maxi hugged her ...as gudfi was trying to throw up...and signal to her maxi...maxi asked strictly"kya hua baby ko..madam kahaan hai"?? Surender replied"dr nidhi abhi aati hain..unhone diyw mujhe baby ko aap tak pahunchane ko...lo..kuch to nahi hua..ro rahi hai buss..."maxi took the vaby..though a lil suspicious ...was something thematter...??
Nidhi returned ...and told maxi to come along..on the way back..maxi told her that gudfi had been handed ocrr to her distraught...nidhi was a lil confused..but then she looked at guddi...fast asleep...so she pushed all negative thoughts away and kissed her bundle of joy...her guddi..their guddi...
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"Nidhi, calpol diya"?? Asked ashutosh as he took guddi after he had freshened up...n nidhi sshouted"jee...aur bonnison bhi...ab better hai..fever bhi nahi hai..."and ashutosh kissed her...as dadi bua joked"apne papa ka hospital ghoom ke khush ho gayi...dekho badmaash ko"!! And guddi threw her arms around ashutosh's neck..hugging him close..and dr ashutosh could not think of a better feeling..than holding his daughter...in his protective embrace...he d not let any thing trouble her...never ever ...
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"Packing ker dee hai...savere kitte baje ki flight hai"?? It was nidhi applying lotion on her legs as dr ashutosh had gudfi sleeping on his chest...n nishu lying on his side...fast asleep after reciting all the poems..."4.30 ..ghar se raat ko 3.30 pe jasoonga...meet is from 9 a.m "nidhi nodded as she got up n took nishu ..n then guddi...to their rooms..nishu walked but guddi had to be carried in her arms...nidhi returned and set the aarm..another delhi trip...she was a lil scared ..but then fears had to be conquered,..
Dr ashutosh hugged her ..drawing her really close..his stubble grazing her throat...as he said"dont worry doc...iss baar mujhe kuch nahi hoga...bus tum aona aur bachchon ka khayal rakhna"!!and nidhi moved closer to him...closing her eyes...
At 3 am as dr ashutosh awoke, he went and felt gudfi...she seemed fine...he cganged her diaper...surprisingly it was clean n dry...yet he changed it...and then drank a lil tea that nidhi got..."plz phone zaroor kariyega..aur conference me bhi ..I mwan you can glance at whatsapp...plz aap ke bina...I feel..."words could not express what nidhi felt...dr ashutosh hugged her ..his hands caressing her reassuringly...n then he emerged as armaan waited...n teased"sochta hoon shaadi ker loon..kamse kum tera cabbie to nahi rahoonga"!! And both friends laughed...
At the airport..dr ashutosh saw dr megha in a blue yellow sari with a low cut blouse ...walking up to him..."how r u sir...n how s guddi's fever..I m sure she s fine..."? Ashutosh wrinkled his brow..."how do u know dr megha that guddi is fine..."?? Megha gasped..."aap aa gaye..to I presumed...ab chaliye..we r to check in..."!! Ashutosh nodded...as they checked in...
The flight took off and megha tried showing she was nervous...ashutosh aaked caustically"is it your first fligght dr"?? Ashutosh closed his eyes ...while megha relaxed...it was her first travel in business class...n she knew kgh or no kgh...she d always fly business ..shop at the best places...only if she could get this prince charming...so what if he was 50...he exuded an appeal that d make young men falter...megha sighed as she deliberately rested her head on dr ashutosh's shoulder n acted to be asleep...her hand on his arm...
Dr ashutosh opened his eyes almost instantly ..with this alien touch...he was not used to any touch except nidhi's...he saw dr megha...n he tapped her seat arm strictly "dr megha...plz get up n sit straight...my shoulder is not public property...so plz"!!! Dr megha was taken aback..as she sat erect...n tried to control her embarrassment. ?.as dr ashutosh looked out of the window...into the darkness n thougyt of guddi...nishu..n offcourse nidhi,..his nidhi..and the anger slowlt faded...to be replaced by a softness in those eyes...
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Nidhi was awakened by a cry from guddi ...she rushed ..looking at her clock..3.40. What was wrong...she almost tripped as she rushed in...n then stopped dead in her tracks...guddi was vomitting fresh clotted blood...and crying helplessly...nidhi seemed to have lost all control...she hugged the baby..n rushed into the hall...crying "baba...jaldi..dekhiye guddi ko..."and gudfi vomitted again...more blood ...asnidhi stood ..with the whimpering baby in her arms and her own gown n gudfis night suit spattered with blood...baba emerged...n instantly the dr in him took over
Baba dialled kgh emergency ..."paediatric emergency..call dr khanna ..we r rushing with gudfi..ashni mathur...dr ashutosh's daughter...not a moment yo be wasted...
