Part 6:
Pragya heard a thud and turned back only to see him falling on the floor. The chair behind him had made him slip. She called for help and the hotel staff came to rescue. She was waiting in the hospital corridor. She got a call. She attended it and it was from a fellow participant in the conference venue. He was very impressed with her presentation so that he had thought of publishing a paper with her. So he had got her number from the conference organizer with much difficulty since she couldn't be seen at the conference. How could she forget about the conference! She scolded herself. She thanked Mr. Arjun and was about to reply when she saw the doctor there. She told him that she will talk to him in a few minutes. The doctor told her that he had just
suffered a minor head injury and there won't be any problem.
She was waiting beside her dad for almost half an hour. He was sleeping. Her phone rang and the hospital staff asked her not to use mobile phone as it will disturb the patients. She cut the call and texted Arjun that she is with her dad in hospital and will be coming late to the conference. After 15 more minutes, he opened his eyes. She said she just wanted to bid goodbye to him and stood up to go. He asked, "You are lying. You couldn't leave me. That's why you accompanied me to the hospital. You wanted to be sure that I am fine. That's why you have been waiting for me wake". She replied, "I am not lying. Yes, I wanted to be sure you are alright because you are a person, not because you are my dad. Infact, I hate you. It's the humanity that my mom taught me that made to wait here. Good Bye" She had silly thoughts. She wanted to forget that day. She even thought that the dark pink saree always brings her bad luck.
When she reached the conference venue, it was past lunch. She no longer felt curious about her dad. She focused herself on the conference. She didn't know when she returned to the hotel and slept. The next morning was a fresh start. She took her phone only to get terrified. She didn't send the text to Arjun but Sarla Maa. She checked the delivery status and it was delivered. Her fingers stumbled to call Sarla Maa. Maa didn't pick up. She called her Daadi. Daadi picked up the phone. She asked about Maa with a shivering voice. Daadi said she went to the market and asked "What happened to you? Why is your voice shaking?". She replied, "Nothing Daadi. Woke up from a bad dream". Daadi murmured, "What happened to both mother and daughter? Both are behaving weird." Pragya was quick to ask "What did Maa do?". Daadi said, "She is not talking properly. She must have been worrying about you. Does she want a reason to worry? She always gets some reason. Leave that. How is your conference going on?"
"It is going well. I have to go now, Daadi. Bye", she said as she ended the call.
Maa is behaving weird. What did she think after seeing the message? What will she think about me now? Why is she not attending my calls? Pragya couldn't think anything beside these questions. She couldn't stay in London anymore. She decided that she should see Maa as soon as possible.
Now
Abhi assured Pragya, "I know Maa very well. She would not be angry on you if you tell her what happened. She would be proud of you. Don't be a cry baby. Let's go home now". Pragya wanted to go home, but she didn't want to. Abhi asked her in a teasing tone, "If you don't want to go home,
may be we could go on a night date." She went and sat in his car. Abhi dropped her at her house. Maa was sitting near the door lost in thoughts. She didn't see them. Pragya went near her and shooked her. Maa was shocked to see her. "How are you here? When did you come? When did you start from London? Why didn't you talk to me?" she went on asking and hugged her.
She was angry on Pragya like a kid. Pragya said she tried talking to her, but she didn't pick up her calls. Maa said that her phone got repaired yesterday and she went to the market today to give it for repair. Pragya looked at Abhi who was standing near his car. Abhi and Pragyed smiled like maniacs. Pragya kissed her Maa and said, "Thank you so much". Sarla Maa was puzzled. But she was happy to see her daughter back that she didn't think about Pragya's behaviour. She saw Abhi standing and welcomed him inside. It was indeed a happy dinner.
The next day, as soon as she sat on her table in the staff room, the clerk came and told her
that the Principal wanted to see her immediately.
Part 7 Edited by nive_kb - 9 years ago
Udne Ki Aasha
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