Hours, days & weeks passed with fear & tension. There was not a single news on the missing aircraft & the crew. It was indeed a hard phase for the families of the Air force officers who went missing along with the flight. The army forces started their mission on finding the missing aircraft but there wasn't a single clue. They assumed that it may have crashed in to the Himalayas as the airplane had lost contacts with the controllers after 45 minutes of take off & the last area it showed on the radars was around the Himalaya mountain range. There were low chances of the aircraft facing a mechanical error or running out of fuel as the aircraft was on good condition, & it was controlled by two well experienced pilots. Rishabh was the co-pilot of the aircraft.
Investigations continued on the route of the plane but they could not find anything about it. With much effort, armed troupes were sent to Himalayas to check if there was any debris of the plane, but nothing found. There were a few areas that they couldn't clear but it was impossible that the plane would crash there. The navy forces checked around the territorial waters around India & assuming that it would have crashed in to the sea, but there were no sign of it. They came in to a conclusion that if there were not any signs of a crash, terrorists might have hijacked it since it was one significant air craft carrying a total of 90 Air force officers. It might have been a target of the terrorists.
It was more than a month, Rishabh went missing. Madhu was dying inside every second, with fear. The fear of loosing her husband. She didn't give up her hopes. She had faith on god that Rishabh will return back to her safe & sound but what was happening around drowned her in misery. There wasn't a single clue that could made her relieve. She always believed that her husband is still alive.
In the other hand, the twins were curious about the things happening around. They were not mature enough to understand about the missing flight but they were missing their dad so much. Rishabh used to send voice messages to the twins whenever possible. Since their dad hasn't sent anything for the past month, they were much worried. Madhu tried her best to conceal her sorrow from the kids but she eventually failed. The kids were worried about their mother. The grandparents tried to pacify the kids but they were saddened by the fact that their dad is not in touch with them anymore. They assumed that their mom is sad because of dad.
One morning Madhu felt a little giddy. She was suffering from a severe headache too. She hasn't eaten properly for the past month. She could not simply make up her mind to eat, how could she? Without knowing how is her husband doing. She just had to take meals as Rishabh's parents were forcing her to eat. They tried their best to console Madhu.
Madhu felt faintish & she sat on the bed massaging her forehead. The twins stormed in to the room splashing water each other playing with water guns. They almost jumped on to the bed giggling. They bounced on the bed & it made Madhu more uncomfortable. Suddenly Arjun was about to fall from the bed & he held his mom tightly from her back. He put his arms around her mom's neck & it made Madhu feel even worse.
'Ah.. Arjun! be careful!'
'Mommy!' 'Arnav pushed me!' Arjun complained.
'No I didn't!' Arnav shouted.
'No you did!'
'No way!'
'Mommy see!'
'No mommy I didn't push him!'
The boys kept arguing. Their loud noises made Madhu increase her headache. She felt suffocated & dizzy. In the next few seconds, she didn't know what's happening around, her vision blurred.
'Mommy!!!' The twins screamed with fear as they saw their mom collapsed on the bed. They almost pulled her hand trying to wake her up but she didn't respond. They cried out for help.
After sometime Madhu gained her consciousness. She felt that a thousand pounds on her eye lids, so difficult to open at once. She kept trying. Finally she could open her eyes slowly. Her vision was blurred. She rubbed her eyes & blinked twice to adjust her vision. She looked around & saw a lady sitting beside her. It took a while to recognize that it was their family doctor.
'Madhu?' 'How are you feeling now?' The doctor inquired.
'Um.. I.. I am okay.' She replied. She looked around again to see if her Rishu has returned. But there was no sign of him. She clearly knew that in a situation like this how would her husband behave. Tensed & worried for her, he would almost scream, irritating the doctor. No matter how much brave he is, he couldn't keep calm when something goes wrong with his wife. Madhu missed his reactions, when she gets ill. A smile crept on her face remembering her overprotective husband.
'Madhu... I have a good news for you.' The doctor smiled.
'A good news?' Madhu was confused. Has her Rishu returned back?
'You are going to be a mom, once again.' The doctor broke the news of Madhu's pregnancy.
Madhu couldn't believe what she heard. She is going to be a mom once again. She simply couldn't express her happiness.
'Congratulations Madhu.' The doctor congratulated.
Madhu couldn't utter a word. She was extremely happy. Tears of happiness formed in her eyes.
'I have prescribed some medicine. Come for a check up in another week & take care of yourself okay?'
'Thank you so much doctor.' Mohan & Radha thanked the doctor. The doctor left the room.
'Madhu!' Radha hugged her. She too was crying out of happiness. She placed a kiss on Madhu's forehead & cupped her face.
'Congratulations Madhu.' She smiled brightly.
Suddenly Madhu's smile faded away. She felt Rishabh's absence more than anything else. She remembered how he reacted to the pregnancy news of Madhu last time, when she was pregnant with the twins. He was away from home, & later she got to know about from his colleagues how he danced & jumped around sharing the good news with everyone. He came home as soon as he got a small break. Then once again he was delighted when they found out that they are going to have twins.
The twins were making their life difficult. They were mischievous little munchkins. They were hyperactive & kept Madhu on toes 24*7. Poor Madhu had to handle everything alone most of the time. Rishabh always dreamed of adding a daughter to their family whom can make everything peaceful. He demanded for another baby from Madhu but she was quite hesitant that how would she take care of another baby when the twins are already giving her a hard time. But she too had second thoughts that a daughter would make their lives more beautiful. Due to Rishabh's busy working schedules they could hardly spend time together so they had to postpone their plans of having another baby for many times.
Madhu re called the romantic night she spent with him just before he left for work. The pre-marriage anniversary gift from her husband. After craving for love for many months, they became one soul. They indulged in a romantic love making session & the result is this. A little life is forming inside her. It was her Rishu's baby, his blood. And today, he is not here to share the happiness. She imagined how it would have been if Rishabh was around. He will surely go crazy with extreme joy.
The tears of happiness turned in to tears of sadness. She cried hard hugging her mother in law. Radha understood her feelings. She knew that before everyone else her son has the right to know about this good news. Unfortunately he is missing since a month.
'Madhu.' She cupped her face. 'Madhu please..' Radha placed her index finger on Madhu's lips, signaling not to cry.
'Maa..' 'Maa.. how could I?' She spoke with tears.
'How could I genuinely be happy without Rishu?'
'Madhu, calm down. He will return soon.' Radha tried to pacify her hiding her tears. As a mother, Radha suffered every second without her son.
'But when?' 'How long will it take? huh?'
Radha wiped her tears.
'Madhu trust me, he will return safe & sound. He will be back for you, your sons & for this little life inside you.' She caressed her belly.
'I'm sure Rishu would be the happiest of all. Have faith on god Madhu. He will return soon. She consoled Madhu. Mohan too assured that nothing will happen to Rishabh & he would come back soon. They asked Madhu to take care of herself well.
The twins stormed in to the room with excitement.
'Mommy!!' They jumped on the bed & hugged their mother tightly. Madhu hugged them back.
'Arrey! Arjun, Arnav. Let mommy rest for a while. Radha ordered her naughty little grandsons.
'Mommy! doctor aunty told that you are going to bring a baby!' Arjun spoke with excitement almost bouncing on the bed.
'Yeah mommy! is that true?' 'Where is the baby?' Arnav was curious.
'It is right here.' Madhu slowly placed her son's tiny hands on her belly.
'Really?' the twins widened their eyes.
'By the way, whom do you want? A baby sister or a brother?' Mohan inquired from his grandsons.
'A sister!!!' The twins screamed top of their lungs. They were giggling.
'Really?' Mohan smiled.
'Why not Mohan? they are brothers! I guess both of them want a baby sister now!'Radha smiled.
'Mommy! it is a baby sister inside your tummy?' Arjun questioned with excitement.
'Umm.. I still don't know. But I am sure it is a little sister as you wished!' Madhu caressed Arjun's hair.
'When will she come?' It was Arnav.
'You have to wait for sometime.'
'How long mommy? I can't wait! Arjun clapped with excitement.
'She will come soon Arjun. So are you ready to take care of your little sister?' Radha took her grandson on her lap.
'Yeah daadi! can't wait till she comes!' Arjun smiled brightly.
'Mommy! when will daddy come home? Does he know about our sister?' Arnav inquired. It brought tears in Madhu's eyes. She kept numb.
'Not yet dear. But he will come soon!' Radha replied. She clearly understood Madhu's situation.
'Daddy is bad! why he is not talking to us anymore?' Arjun inquired in a dull tone.
'Yeah! we've got lots of things to tell him' Arnav added.
'Arjun, Arnav' Mohan called his grandsons. ' Daddy is really busy these days. He is missing all of us.'
'No daddy is not missing us even a bit!' Arjun made a face.
'Yeah! he is not talking to us anymore! so how can you say he is missing us? I think daddy has forgotten us' Arnav replied. Madhu was running out of tears.
'See! daddy makes mommy cry everyday!'Arjun spoke in an aggressive manner.
'Arjun listen' Mohan took him on his arms. 'Daddy is your hero right?'
'Yes'
'Heroes are always busy helping the people in need.' 'When he finishes his work, he will come.'
'But daada! when will he come?'
'Trust me! he will come soon.' Mohan tried to console the little boys. The elders were trying their best to pacify the kids. These two innocent souls were longing to spend time with their dad.
Madhu's pregnancy news brought back happiness to Kundra family. It could fade away the sadness around. But the family members were still worried about Rishabh.
Later at night Madhu stood up near the opened window in her room. The sheer curtains were dancing with the wind. The cool breeze soothed her mind. The twins were sleeping peacefully. They used to sleep with their mom while their dad was away.
She looked outside. The night sky was freckled with stars, yet it couldn't beat the moon light. It clearly symbolized Madhu's situation. She was like a night sky. Lonely & sadness engulfed her completely. There were many reasons to smile but she couldn't do it genuinely. Rishabh is the moon whom brightens up her at dark. Only he could wash away her sorrows. But what an irony? Rishabh himself is the reason behind Madhu's sadness now.
She talked to the moon pretending that it was Rishabh. The moon played an important role in both of their lives. They used to communicate with the moon when they were lonely without each other. It was like the moon knew their story from the beginning, yet supporting them.
She caressed her belly, which is yet flat. She felt something special. A fresh feeling. A new life is forming inside her. It was her & Rishabh's symbol of love. Rishabh had gifted her something special before he left. She wished that she could run to him soon & break the good news.
'Thank you Rishu. But I simply cannot celebrate this happiness without you!'
'Where are you huh?' ' You know that I cannot live without you!'
'Please come back soon! Arjun & Arnav are questioning about you everyday. How can I tell them the truth? I am tired of lying! I am tired of being lonely without you. I know I cannot keep you by my side all the time, but at least I wish I could hear your voice, that you are safe.'
'I am right here Biwi!' She heard a familiar voice. She turned back. She couldn't believe her eyes. He was standing at the door.
'Rishu?'
To be continued...
PS- I initially planned this as a two shot but in order to keep the suspense I'm adding another part.😉 So the next part will be the last!😆
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