Ek tha raja..ek thi titli pg112 khwaab... - Page 9

Ashutosh came to baba's room at night ..n baba looked up from the book "Geeta Rahasya"that he was reading..Ashu sighed as he just sat at his feet and baba smiled calmly.."ashu..kal se nidhi ka aspataal.."??ashu nodded "jee baba she joins from tomorrow. .in a way its good shed be busy but i am a lil nervous..i mean jitni sensitive ho gayi hai..pata nahi kis situation mei kaise react karegi..darta hoon..kahi usse kisi baat se thes na pahunche "!

Baba lept the book but said"beta geeta mei bhagwaan krishna kehte hain...ki karm ker..kyunki wahi hai buss tere haath mein..to buss Ashu ..do your best and leave the rest to God"!

Ashu nodded..as he got up n said "dr Pooja se touch me hoon..lets see..i have kept nidhi also in the loop..but its a long drawn battle baba..u are a dr.."

Baba soghed n said"beta main sab samajhta hoon..aur let me be honest..intezaar mujhe bhi bahut tha apne pote ya poti ka..per beta asal mei iss ghar ki khushi tu aur nidhi ho..tum sath raho..bachche ho ya na ho..kya farq padta hai..yeh ghar to mudhi ki hansi se aabaad hai..aur rahega..mujhe aur kuch nahi chahiye..bus woh bechari bachchi iss sadme se nikal aaye baahar..dekh KGH me busy rahegi..kuch doston se milegi.."Ashutosh nodded as he got up..stopping at the door and clearing his throat as baba had restarted his book..baba looked up"kuch kehna chahta hai aur"??Ashutosh smiled with an effort n said"babameri himmat..meri taquat aap hain."!baba laughed n then turning serious added"ashu jab main tujhe laaya tha na to teri aankhein tere hont udaas they..honton pe to dheere dheere muskarahat aa gayi..per aankhon me chamak to woh shokh chanchal intern hi layi..kyun dr Hardstone"??and Ashutosh almost laughed as he shut the door!

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Nidhi was arranging her clothes for the next day..a pale sari n a co trast jade blouseand then took out dr Ashutosh's suit n shirt..and tie..as she stood in front of the open wardrobe lost in thoughts..dr Ashutosh kept standing behind her till finally he held her by the shoulders n asked.."kya soch rahi ho..aur sari khareedni hain"??nidhi smiled n shook her head "nahi..buss yaad kar rahi thi..shaadi se pehle jab jabhi aapki wardrobe arrange karti thi..i think 3 baar.."ashutosh held her .."yaad hai..ek baar shirt mei button bhi kagaaya tha..pehne pehne.."!n nidhi blushed..as Ashutosh added "kaka bahut khush rehte hain tumse..kyunki tum itna dhyaan ..itna khayal rakhti ho mera.."

Nidhi looked away.."aur kuch to de nahi saki apko..is ghar ko..kum se kum.kuch kaam to kar hi sakti hoon.."!Dr Ashutosh tightened both his jaw n his grip on his wife's shoulder n said"nidhi..i want to say something..i really want to..suno meri baat ..kyunki main basr baar nahi keh paaoonga..i am not good at words..

NIDHI..TUM MERI PATNI HO..ISS GHAR KI BAHU HO..PER USS SAB SE ZYAADA..TUM EK AURAT HO..EK EDUCATED DOCTOR HO..TUM APNA POORA ASTITVA ..POORA LOCUS OF EXISTENCE SIRF MOTHERHOOD PE KYUN RAKHTI HO??ISS GHAR KO..SOCIETY KO KGH KO..TUMSE AUR EXPECTATIONS HAIN..JUNHE TUM BAKHOOBI NIBHA RAHI HO..AUR RAHI BAAT MERI..TO NIDHI..MAIN TUMSE PYAAR KARTA HOON..TUMSE SHAADI KI..POORE SAMAJ SE JHAGAD KE..KYUNKI MAIN JEE NAHI SAKTA TUMHAARE BINA..SAAN BHI NAHI LE SAKTA..HUMAARA RISHTA EK BABY PE NAHI TIKA HAI..MAIN JAANTA HOON TUM SAPNE DEKHTI HO USKE..MAIN BHI BHOOLA NAHI HOON USS TOOTE KHWAAB KO..PER NIDHI WAHI WAJOOD NAHI HAI HUMAARE RISHTE KA..HUMARI ZINDAGI KA..KYA HUM DONO BACHCHE KE BAGAIR KHUSH NAHI REH SAKTE..KYA MAIN TUMHE PYAAR NAHI KARTA..KYA YEH QUAAFI NAHI HAI NIDHI??MERE LIYE ...SACH MEIN..SUBAH UTH KE TUMHE APNI BAGAL MEI DEKHNA..YEH EHSAAS KARNA KI AB TUM HUMESHA MERE KAMRE..MERE GHAR..MERI ZINDAGI ME RAHOGI QUAAFI HAI."!!Nidhi couldn't answer she just held on to her husband's torso..and put her head against his chest..no more words were required...

PART 2 AT NIGHT

"Nidhi..i have to rush..there is an emergency..u have to reach at 10..Priyanka se mil lena..u have already joined..ok"??said dr Ashutosh knocking at the toilet door as nidhi was bathing..she almost rushed out with a towel around her.."tab..whom do i report to..?"as her towel almost fell..Ashutosh smiled as he wrapped it around her bust n patted her cheek.."kahaa na ..Priyanka se mil lena..i have fixed everything. .jaaoon ab"?and nidhi smiled..blushed n twinkled at the same time..as she ran back n dr Ashutosh left with a sigh in his heart..but a smile on his lips..n yes hope in his eyes...Dr Nidhi..now his nidhi..was returning to KGH..it was sunshine time at KGH..and dr Ashutosh drove off.recalling how he had met with an accident a few years ago..n met his love of life..

He hummed after a long time..

Zindagi ek safar hai suhana..

Yahaan kal kya ho kisne jaana..

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Nidhi knocked at Dr Priyanka 's cabin and as she entered n said "hi...ma'm"!priyanka laughed n got up..hugging her "achcha to main MAM ho gayi..hut buddhu..we are friends..yaad rakhna"!!and nidhi warmed up..nervousness disappeared..as nidhi was taken to her cabin n Priyanka explained that shed be the paediatrician will be in charge of the children's ward..and d oversee the opd twice a week.

Nidhi sat on her chair n took a deep breath..the cabin smelt of dr Ashutosh's care..it had his impression everywhere..and nidhi kept her purse..wore her white coat with the badge "DR NIDHI ASHUTOSH.

PAEDIATRICIAN

KGH"

she walked for her first round with a stetho around her neck..she listened to the cases from the intern Poonam who followed her and the second door that dr nidhi knocked n entered was the one where her best friend Anji lay..rather sat crooning to her baby boy..kissing his chubby cheeks.She looked up as nidhi smiled n asked"how r both of u.."and anji smiled as Dr Poonam updated her about the vaccines ..n nidhi told ger to get the measles vaccine..and as Anji looked nervously ..nidhi deftly vaccinated the baby..n then caressed his hair..a faint flicker of emotion in her eyes..but then she patted anji n got up.."shaam ko miloongi..abhi round pe hoon"!!

And then walked out briskly ..on her job..it was after the pvt.wards that she entered the children's ward..the ward that housed underprivileged kids ..many of them suffering from TB or Hepatitis..n it was due to Dr Ashutosh's commitment that the ward had been working..and kids who would otherwise have died on the roads were now on the road to recovery...

Nidhi entered..as memories of dr Ashutosh n her initial days flooded her...

The kids were looking up at her..and most of them were new patients..12 of them..as nidhi smiled n introduced herself.."i am your dr NIDHI..aur tum sab ho mere best friends...ho na"??and the kids reciprocates..some smiled.

Some cheered n two younger ones ran n held nidhi's palloo...n nidhi smiled...her heart feeling the warmth of sunshine after a long time...

A muddle aged dr stood by the door and watched the scene..it was a sense of deja vu..he knew she was would strike a new relationship of love n warmth with these kids..he knew she would fill the world of kgh with smiles..all he wanted to affirm was that atleast a wisp of those smiles should reach her eyes too...he would do anything to see that twinkle in her eyes again...Dr Ashutosh stood silently..reminiscent of how years ago..this very girl..then a young vivacious intern had taught him..a lonely bitter Dr to smile...now life had indeed come a full circle..he had to bring a smile on thise lips..a colour in those eyes...

Part 3 late nite

'Arre aunty aap..."she was hugged by Shyama .."nidhi...kaisi hai beta..ab tu bata jaisa hai Anji ka beta"??nidhi smiled as she looked at the baby..sleeping blissfully "he s fine aunty..healthy hai...aur ..aur dimag se bhi theek hai..anji pe nahi gaya hai"!!😉😛..and Shyama laughed and opened the laddo box .."le laddoo kha"!and nidhi took one as Anji interrupted "moti ho jaayegi...watch ur calories.."nidhi laughed n said"aur tu..tu nahi hogi moti..."??Anji reparted"woh main to feed kar rahi hoon na baby ko...per tu..."and the moment seemed to freeze as nidhi kept the laddoo...and stood up..saying.."chalti hoon...ghar me bhi kaam hoga..."!Anji smiled as she added "jhoot to bol mat..jeejaji ek dum queen ki tarah rakhte hain tujhe..aur best part hai ki teri saas nahi hai..how lucky nidhi..."nidhi smiled as she waved bye..n was followed by Shtama aunty..who just held ger n said"beta..anji ki baat ka..."nidhi stopped her mid way n said"aunty..chalti hoon...aap chinta nahi kariye..i am ok..."!

Dr Ranganath entered the cabin..and looked at his son..with joy n pride..n then was about to eat the half laddoo..thinking it to be Anji's leftover but Anji stopped him"woh nidhi ka jootha hai..."Dr Ranganath listened in silence as anji narrated the incident..and ended .."i was not wrong..was i"??dr Ranganath stood up n smirked "anji...kya tum kabhi galat hoti ho??mujhe..maa ko..aur ab apni best friend ko chot pahuncha ke u ask ..if u are wrong??i am ashamed "and Anji seemed to lose her temper as she threw the file that was on the side table and Shyama aunty raised her voice"Anji..."At this juncture Dr Ashutosh entered.."hi anji..kaisi ho..n hows this lil one "??Anji was in a huff as she replied "jeejaji..sab mujhe hi gussa hote hain..aap bataiye ..."n Ashu listened..not saying anything..he got up n patted Anji n then walked out sighing...with Dr Ranga n Shyama following him.."sorry sir..."Ashu stopped n took a moment n then said"dont be silly dr Ranganath. ..aur aap Anji ka khayal rakhiye..motherhood us never easy...nidhi ko mai sambhaal loonga.."and then as Shyama aunty stood by him...he said"Anji aur Nidhi ke khwaab jaise aapas mein takra gaye hain...daur hai..guzar jaayega..bus hum bade hain..mature hain..hume dekhna hai ki..unke rishte mein daraar na aa jaye.."as Shyama folded her hands in front of dr Ashutosh. .he smiled"plz ..aap nidhi ki maa jaisi hain..umr me na sahi per rishte me aapse chota hoon main..plz haath nahi jodiye..aur sach maniye to..mujhe khushi hai ki Anji mein motherhood sprout kar rahi hai...its good.."Shyama interrupted "aur Nidhi..."??Dr Ashutosh shook his head and replied"dheere dheere sab zakhm bhar jaate hain..ya hum unke saath jeena seekh lete hain...nidhi ko bhi seekhna hoga...aur phir main hoon nidhi ke saath..humesha.."and he walked off...as Shtama stood tooted to the dpot wondering why had the world taken so long to recognise the love of this middle aged man for his bubbly intern...it was not an infatuation. .it was a love as strong as an oak..n as evergreen as a deodar..it was beyond reasons..it was beyond seasons...

PART 4 COMING UP

Thank, Induji for giving more... You see... Yeah dil manage more... So in advance thanks for part 4

It was at 9.40 that she entered the bedroom in her pink cotton nightie and sat on the sofa...As dr Ashutosh looked up from his study table.."baal nahi ponchogi.."??and she didn't reply..probably hadn't heard...ashutosh stood up..closed his book n got a towel...as he tenderly dried her long tresses..tresses under which he had felt the flaming of unbridled passion..but tresses which needed his tending tonight..he got a comb...n tried to smoothen them...as nidhi closed her eyes...the events of Anji's room ..the way the tiny kids of the ward had held on to her pallo..all tugging at her heart...but what echoed the loudest was the silence of the man who was holding her silently..protectively..tenderly..Nidhi dropped a kiss on his warm hand..playing with his fingers..with the band she had given him..n he always wore that..she smiled n turned "jaante hain..sochti hoon apni first salary se aapke liye ek diamond ring khareedoon.."and he laughed"aur phir mujhse return gift maangogi..."??and nidhi stood still...looking into those deep eyes..calm like the ocean..ready to abdorb all her agony her pain n sorrow...

Ashutosh hugged her n said.."mujhe to mera evershining diamond mil gaya..haan suit khateed dena is gareeb neurosurgeon ko"!!and she laughed "aap aur gareeb"??n he caressed her "haan nidhi tumhare bina..itte baras ek tarah se gareeb..ya mahroom hi tha main..tumne sab diya. .pyaar saath..aur ..aur..bhindi masala"!and they laughed...

It was much later as nidhi slept..in deep slumber..and dr Ashutosh kept gazing at her..his emotions for her..a rainbow of varied colours..yes he admired her..was attracted to her vivaciousness,had no shame in admitting he desired her...but more than that he wanted to protect her..to cocoon her from all or any barb that could hit her..he could give away all that he possessed to bring a smile on that face..

She was his student..his intern..his responsibility. .n most of all his love n his life..

The difference if 18 long years ..gave a texture to their relationship. .his caution n her gay abandon..his maturity n her spontaneity. .his calm n her bubbliness..yes they were not an ordinary couple..their love had many strands..many threads..many colours but one thing was certain ..the interwoven strands were so strong..so deeply intricately woven that nothing..age gap..time..or loss could undo or erode them..they were truly together..forever..

Ashutosh sighed n smiled n then dropping a kiss on her forehead lay down ..facing the lamp..looking at her pic by his side...only to feel her arms around him ...n he turned n she settled as always upon his chest...her haven of refuge from all travails...of life n time..their live would heal all wounds...sooner or later...

THATS ALL TODAY

NEXT EP.ASHNI ANNIVERSARY ..