T2: Ek Aur Zindagi..(Epilogue:page 130) - Page 27

PART 37:

. She did everything, except for one thing. She forgot to live. She was breathing, but was not alive yet.

And she went and to be honest he didn't miss her. Because he had already missed her long back. Now he missed her presence too.

She nodded no.

"unhe bathau?"

She turned to him and smiled. Adi was so innocent that he worried if his dad would approve the visit or not. Dadi patted his cheeks. "aapke dad se kuch bhi chupane ke zaroorath nahi hai, Adi"

He relaxed. It was tough to hide something from dad.

PART 37:

Adi snuggled closer to Arjun's chest. Something told him Adi wanted to say something and was preparing himself for that. He gave him that time.

"dad... ek bath bolu..."

"hm..."

"kal school me wo bhi tha..."

"kaun?"

Adi took his face up from the chest and faced him. "dadaji..."

Arjun didn't react for a while, but Adi kept on looking at his face. "wo school me tha. Fir hame ghar thak drop kiya. Raste me icecream bhi khilaya..."

"hm..." he hummed back. Adi was confused, he got down from his chest and sat by Arjun's side facing him.

"Problem kya hai Dad? Aap bhi unke bare me nahi pucha aur wo bhi nahi pucha. Kyu?"

"nai koi problem nai hai. Sab teekh hai"

"jhoot... aap hi kehthe ho ke jhoot nai bolna chahiye."

Arjun ruffled Adi's hair back. "haan kuch problem hai. Par aap nai samjhoge. Lekin aap fikar math kijiye. Uthne bhi bade problem nai hai"

"tho fir solve karo na..."

"Adi... aap nai..."

"I know. nai samjhoge...' yehi kehne wale the na? ok... par firbhi try karna..."

"hm... ok ab chal. Der horaha hai. Kal ke case abhi bhi solved nai hai. There uncle abhi gussa horahe hoge."

Adi smiled and moved aside for Arjun who got up and stretched himself. He turned back to Adi. "Adi... kal Dadi teekh tho thi na?"

"haan bilkul teekh thi. Kyu?"

"nai. Bas aise hi... ok fresh hoke aao"

Adi goes to his room while Arjun sits back on his bed. He didn't know why there was such a sudden meeting and why she didn't mention about it last night. Was anything wrong?

He was worried for Adi who had grown fond of her. If she decides something, it would be hard on him.

He fresh up and goes out to the kitchen where she was plating the food.

"Arjun uth gaye tum? Ek bath bathana tha. Kal rath ko bhool gayi thi"

He was worried a bit but she continued. "kal school se patha chala ke result aaj sham thak ajayega. Bas 2-3 students ke hi test tha. Results dene wo log call karega. Aur waha aapke number saved hai. Tho agar koi call aye tho zaroor check karlena."

He relaxed a bit. "so aap... rukh rahe ho na?"

She turned back to him. "aise kyu puch rahe ho Arjun?"

He sighs and goes to her. "dekhiye Aayi. Agar aap kuch decide ki hai... tho please... aap mere aur Adi ke fikar math kijiye... hum samajh sakthe hai... par ... agar..."

He felt it as she held his hands. "agar aap kal ke bare me sunke keh rahe ho... tho math kaho. Mein yahi hu. Unke aane se kuch badla nai hai Arjun. Wo agle hafthe wapas ja rahe hai. Haan akele sab sambhalna hoga. Par unhone mujhe aur koi option choda hi nai. Ithne saal mein bhi sab chup chap seh liya. Ab mujhe bhi Adi ki aadat hogayi hai. Usse dur rahna nai chahthi. Usse zyada mujhe khushi hai ke wo yaha rukh rahi hai. Tho aur kuch math puchiye."

"par wo bhi... akele... unhe aadat nahi hai... hume hai..."

She smiles lightly. "khushi hui ye sunke ke aapko bhi unke fikar hai. Chahe aap jithna bhi chupalu"

He caught his slip and turns away his face. "aaj jaldi jaana hai. Case complete karna hai. Mein Adi ko dekh ke atha hu"

He goes out and she smiles sadly at his retreating figure. "bilkul apne Baba pe gaye hai. Apne dil ki bath kabhi nahi bathaoge. Achi bath ye hai ke Adi iss mamle me Roshni ki tharah hai. Warna ye sab..." she sighs again.

All reached for breakfast.

"dad aaj hum dono camp jarahe hai"

"are wah, waha dadi ki bhi admission hogayi?"

"dad... ye aap kya keh rahe ho? Dadi choti bachi thodi na hai." he is amused as his dad is speaking so stupid.

After breakfast he went off for work. Adi and Dadi went to the camp so that he can be with his friends and she was in good terms with Mamta too.

As Adi went to the kids with Sofia and other incharges, Dadi and Nani went to the office. Talks began with Adi's masti at home to his exam and probability of his staying back. They were happy. Soon talks went to theirown kids.

Dadi noticed that she was upset. She enquired the matter.

"Sakshi ne shaadi keliye na kaha hai. Use thode aur waqt chahiye. Par mere samajh me ye nahi arahi hai ke use time kyu chahiye. Wo keh rahi hai ke uske mann me aise koi ladka nahi hai. Agar hai tho mein bath karne ko thaiyar thi. Par wo tho..."

"Sakshi shayad apne pairon me khud khade hone ke baad haan kahna chahthi hai. Sochu tho ye sahi bath hai. Hamare zamane me tho aise decide karne ka ijaazath tho nahi tha. Par firbhi hum use accept kar lethe the. Par aaj kal waise nahi chalega. Waise bhi Sakshi ke umr uthna bhi tho nahi hai. Use uski time dedo. Wo khud ready hogi."

"hm... shayad aap teekh keh rahi hai. Aur wo kahi aur nahi, mere paas hi tho hai."

They smiled at it and continued to the other talks. In middle came another topic. "tho... aap uss din ke baad wapas gaye nahi?"

Gayatri nods no. "Adi aur Arjun ko bhi mere zaroorath hai. Aur mujhe unke. Aise bath nahi hai ke mein unhe kabhi maaf nahi karunga. Par... mujhe bhi thodi waqt chahiye. Ithne samay se Adi hostel me isliye tha kyunki Arjun ke work time kabhi keh saktha tha. Arjun nahi chahthe the ke uske wajah se Adi ke life me problem ho. Par ab mein hu yaha. Adi ko bhi ghar pe rehne ka chance milega. Jo pyaar ghar pe hai wo koi hostel me thodi na hai..."

Mamta agrees to it. "kya aap kabhi bhi Arjun se..."

"ek bar koshish ki thi. Aur thab mujhe patha chala ke wo Roshni se kithna pyaar kartha tha. Shaya un dono ke nasseb me wo khushi nahi thi. Kash uss waqt mujhe Roshni ko teekh se jaanne ke mauka milthe... par ab koi fayda nai. Arjun ab kisi aur ko uske jagah pe nahi dekh saktha. Agar ho patha tho shayad wo Aisha ko accept karthe. Par nahi. Isliye mein bhi use waise hi jeene derahi hu jaise wo jeena chahthe hai. Adi uske har kami puri kar degi"

"par Adi ko ek Maa ke kami..."

"ithne din me, meine ithna tho jaana hai ke Adi unke kami zyada mehsoos nahi ki hai. Wo accept kar chuki hai iss bath ko. Aur wo apna sabkuch apne dad me hi dekh lethe hai. Wahi uske zindagi hai. Un dono ke beech me tho mein bhi nahi. (smiling) ajeeb si bonding hai"

They agree to it silently as both had witnessed to it. They went to the playroom where all were having fun.

It was evening and Adi and Dadi had a small snack. From somewhere he gets an idea to surprise his dad and asks to dadi. But she didn't want to disturb if they were at work and so calls Arjun. He says its fine and calls them to office.

***

From morning the day was hectic at the office. The pending case was solved.

By evening all were free. Sakshi and Aisha were at Sree's cabin and poking him how stupid he looked in his getup for undercover. Chotu and Liza were soon there not to miss their golden chance.

Arjun had news that Adi and Dadi were coming to office but kept quite. Soon there was disturbance at the hall and he smiled looking out through the glass door. Sam turned back to see whats going on.

Chotu had already pulled Adi from the ground and the kid was hanging in the air in his one hand. Adi had already closed his eyes frightened.

"Chotu use niche rakh. Bechara dar gaya hai."Aisha poked his ribs.

Chotu placed him down. "kyu Junior Rawte, dar gaye?"

"huh?? Nahi tho... bas upar jaake thode ajeeb laga"

"uss ajeeb si feeling ko hi dar kehthe. Samjhe ya samjhau?"Sree was bent in his length. After that dialog Adi caught Sree's ears. "haan? Mere dad ke dialog churathe ho?? Copy cat!! I will tell him"

"nahi mere yaar. Marwaoge tum!!"

All had a great time with his entry. Aisha and Sakshi took care of dadi too were she was reintroduced to the team. Sam and Arjun walked out to meet them. Adi rushed to his dad and he pulled him up too. After a small chit chat they all walked to the hall were Adi went to Sam. Sam pulled him to his lap and Dadi was looking around the hall. "bohot achi jagah hai"

In between the talks, Adi turned back to Sam. "Uncle, problem solved?"

Sam frowned a bit. "kaunsi problems?"

He knew well what he was talking about. Arjun had already started to smile while Dadi was wondering what next. But the whole team was looking amused as of what can be the chief's problem.

"arre... aap bhul gaye?? WO... WO Wali problem..."Adi tried to explain with the facial expressions. All were a bit startled as Arjun coughed to mask his laugh and abruptly drinking water.

"badi hasi arahe ho Rawte?? Kya hua?"

Arjun nodded negative clearly meaning, Don't poke else matter would be worse.'

Sam turned back to Adi. "koi problem nahi hai Adi. Agar hai bhi tho mere sare team hai na yaha"

Arjun couldn't hold on more. He was smirking for which Dadi gave him a warning note. All were just plainly confused.

And Adi was all the more confused. "huh?? Sare team ko patha hai? Tho sabne kya kaha?"

"problem kya hai Sir?" the first one to burst Sam's already about to break bubble was Aisha. Now that was the limit Arjun could hold. All could see him almost in tears by held back laugh.

"no. (in between glaring at Arjun) koi problem nahi hai. Ye Rawte Adi ko kuch keh diya. Koi bhi problem nahi hai. (to Adi) beta... koi problem nahi hai... ok..."

Adi smiled at his effort. "ok fine. Par agar koi help chahiye tho keh dena."

Dadi felt pathetic for Sam who was red in embarrassment. She came to his rescue. "Adi, jo bath hum kehne ayi hai, wo bolo"

Adi remembered it. "haan... wo tho bhool hi gaye. Sablog aaj free ho tho ghar pe dinner keliye ayiye. Dadi will make biriyani. Tho aoge na?"

All look at Sam. "hm... abhi thak koi nayi work nahi hai. So its ok. Hum ajayenge."

Dadi felt good. "ok. 8 baje ke baad jabhi free ho tho ayiyega. Tho chale Adi. Hume bohot kaam hai"

"Haan chalo." They got up and went after a small goodbye. Sam had a small chat with Arjun. "ab ghar pe koi bath ki na..."

"mein kaha kuch kehne wala hu. Agar ithna dar hai tho dinner keliye haan kyu kaha?"

Sam didn't want to be in middle of this again.

Adi had a small shopping with Dadi and was in a cab back to home. After sometime he turns to her. "apke paas Dadaji ke number tho hoga na?"

She turns why he asked it. She didn't reply. So Adi himself probed it. "please call kijiye". As he asked again she dialed his number and gave him the phone.

On the other side Rawte was completing his work. Suddenly when he saw the name flashed on the screen he wondered why. He took it immediately. "hello..."

"hello. Its me Adi. Aap busy ho?"

He smiled when he heard him. "nahi bas kuch kaam khatam kar raha tha. Kya hua?"

"aaj rath kya karne wale ho?"

"hm... ek dost ke ghar jaana hai. Ek meeting hai."

"oh... jaana zaroori hai?"

She held her breath as Adi was talking to him.

"haan Adi. Important meeting hai. Kya hua?"

"agar free hothe tho, ghar bulane wale the. Aaj ghar pe dinner hai. Sab arahe hai. Aap bhi athe tho..."

Rawte was overwhelmed by happiness. He chocked his words. "sorry beta. Aaj nai."

"tho kal aaoge? Please... dinner pe?"

"par Adi..."

"please... Dad ne kaha tha mujhse ke koi bada problem nahi hai. Tho please aoge na?"

Dadi was not getting good vibes from all these. She was worried what would be his answer and its after effects. But then she got it soon.

"Such?? Aap kal aoge? Pakka na? great. Ok. Bye."

Adi cut the call and gave the phone back to her. She even heard him happily saying about it. But she already had started to worry, what will happen tomorrow?

On the other end, Rawte didn't know what made him say yes. But he couldn't say no too. And after cutting the call, he didn't know why that he was feeling relaxed.

***

Night:

All came in for the dinner. Sam didn't know if his mind was playing with him, whenever he looked at Adi, it felt he was going to say out something that would make him embarrassed. So he kept closer to Adi to make sure nothing happened so.

Arjun was full on jovial. It was so ever since Adi was with him. When at work he will be someone else and other times someone very different.

He went to Aayi, who was in kitchen. "aaj Sam ke band baja ke hi rahega."

"Arjun mujhe ek zaroori bath bathani hai."

"haan boliye"

"wo... kal..." and that moment Sakshi and Liza walks in. "Aayi koi madad chahiye?"

Arjun takes his leave. "ok you all carry on. Aayi hum baadme bath karthe hai"

He walks out and saw Sree was with Aisha and Chotu watching Adi's baby pics hung on the wall. "aaj Rathod sir ko kya hua? Adi ke paas hi chipak gaye hai?" Sree was confused.

"why don't you ask him?" they turned back to Arjun who was smiling too. They gulped. Be it another moment he would have fired him.

"oye Specky. Help karna." Liza called peeping out from the kitchen. Sree and Chotu walked to the already crowded kitchen and helped to carry plates. When Aisha tried to move Arjun stopped her.

"tumhe patha hai Sam kis bath se dara hai?"

She looked confused at him and nods no. "teekh se socho. Tumhe patha chal jayega."

He walked to Adi and Sam. Sam was looking as if what might have talked over there.

She too went to help others. Dinner was served soon. All were having it together. After dinner came Dadi special gajar ke halwa. While relaxing Adi broke open the matter.

"dad, patha hai kal dinner pe kaun araha hai?"

He nods no while Dadi sits worried.

"Dadaji..."

He looks shocked for a while and then turns to Aayi who looks down. Adi unkown to the tension goes on. "meine invite ki hai. Aaj busy hai tho kal ajayega. Promise kiya hai"

All were silent as they knew that the tension was brewing in.