AarYa SS 'Shadows Of The Past'. - Chapter - 5, Page- 18 - Page 10

Aarti sat there holding and rocking Ansh in her arms. She had no idea when Yash had left them alone. She didn't want to let go of Ansh as she was still not over from the fear of almost losing him in that accident.

"Mumma, I'm hungry!" Said Ansh as he tried to free himself.

"I have brought you some dinner but before that you need to take your medicine". Said a nurse as she entered the room at that very moment. Yash too had returned with the excuse that he had forgotten to check and update Ansh's medical chart.

"Eww... medicines are yucky. I don't want them". Ansh made a face.

Aarti tried to make him take them. "Yes they are but if you don't take them then you won't get something to eat. If you want to eat then you'll have to do as this nurse asks you to do."

Ansh looked at the tray that had a bowl of soup. "No I don't want soup as I don't like soup. I don't like medicine also. I want to go home". He started crying. Aarti held him and tried to cajole him but he was not listening. The more he cried the more his head hurt and his crying increased.

Yash came forward and looked at Aarti and mouthed "May I?"

Aarti, who was feeling helpless as she was not able to control Ansh, gave him permission.

"Son, you are about to ruin perfect image of all boys and men". He feigned disappointment. When Ansh looked at him, he shook his head disapprovingly.

"What do you mean?" Ansh sniffled.

"Well my daughter Palak, who is of your age, she thinks that only girls and women cry. Like she does and occasionally my mother and my sister does. But I, my father and my brother, we never cry. Palak thinks boys and men are macho, Superman type who never cries. So imagine the shock that she will get if she sees you crying? Won't it ruin our image?" Asked Yash.

"But I don't like soup and medicine also! So how can I have them?" Pointed Ansh,

"You just came out of surgery. If you eat solid items then your stitches will hurt and your pain will increase. So soup is best for you. And if you take your medicines on time, the faster you will recover and sooner you'll get to go home and eat yummy and delicious food cooked by your Mumma!" Yash extended the medicine in front of him.

"How do you know my Mumma cooks yummy food? Have you ever tasted it?" Ansh got confused. "But you don't even know her".

"Ansh! You ask too many questions", Aarti was bit embarrassed.

Yash chuckled softly. "I believe that for every child, no matter what their age is, their Mother is the Best cook in the world. My mother is a fabulous cook, I'm sure your mother is also a good cook. And if I have your permission then I would love to eat food cooked by your mother". Once again he spoke without thinking.

This time he was saved by Pankaj, who entered with his adopted parents. He introduced them first to Ansh and then to Yash and then to Aarti. Aarti touched their feet and they blessed her. Shobha hugged her.

"Momma who are they?" Ansh got curious as he had never seen them before.

"This here is Pankaj, he is my brother whom I had lost when I was a small girl". Explained Aarti. "Today I have found him after so many years".

"Today you have found your brother and a set of parents also". Said Shobha and then she went to Ansh and was about to place her hand on his head, as a gesture of blessing him, but the bandages made her stop. She slightly patted his back instead. "Pankaj is your Mama (mothers brother) and I'm your Nani (mothers mom) and that man is your Nana (mothers Dad). You can call us Nani and Nanu".

Ansh got excited. "Are they really my Mama, Nani and Nanu?"

Aarti wasn't sure what to answer. Shobha smiled at Aarti, "If Pankaj is your brother then won't that make us your parents as we are Pankaj's parents?"

Aarti was shocked to see genuine love and affection in Shobha's eyes. They had hardly met and Shobha was.. Aarti wasn't sure what to think.

"Yes you thought it right". Said Shobha reading her hesitation. "All my life I missed the presence of daughter in my life. Today that void is filled as I have found Pankaj's sister, which makes her my... our daughter. Right Satyendra?"

"Yes you are right. Along with a daughter we have found a cute and adorable grandson also. Let me warn everyone, I'm going to spoil this kid to my hearts content and no one will stop me". He gave a warning which was filled with so much love and affection that Aarti started crying.

Shobha lifted her face. "It will be our honor if you address us a Mom and Dad just like Pankaj does". She wiped her tears, "Will you give us this honor?" She asked with so much love that Aarti could not answer her and hugged her as she cried.

"Ma, you have just met her and see you have already made my sister cry". Pankaj complained.

"She is also meeting her daughter after so many years so some crying is allowed". Satyendra teased at which they all laughed.

"Looks like a family reunion is going on in here". It was Ishita, who had come with Aman . They had come to check on Ansh and had also brought food for Aarti and some soup for Ansh.

Ansh's face lit up as he saw them. "Aman Chachu and Ish Ma". Over the period of time Aarti and Ishita had become more of a sisters than friends. Ansh called Ishita as Ish Ma sort for Ishita Maasi (mothers sister) and Ishita's kids called Aarti as Aaru Ma, short for Aarti Maasi.

"I guess I should leave now as the whole family needs time to catch up with each other". Said Yash. "But Ansh you better take your medicine now and show everyone how brave and strong you are". Yash extended the medicine. Ansh opened his mouth and Yash helped him to take those tablets one by one. After he was done, he extended a small candy to him at which Ansh's face lit up.

"But you will only get to eat this after you finish the soup made by Ishita". Said Aarti.

"And after Ansh finishes his soup, you too will eat!" Reminded Ishita. "I will spend the night here with you so I'll have my eyes on you". She warned Aarti.

"I'll eat but you don't have to stay. Your kids needs you". Aarti reminded her. "I'll be fine".

Before Ishita could protest, Shobha intervened. "I am meeting my daughter for the first time so I'll spend the night with her. I want to get to know her. And no...this is my final decision. No one will interfere with it".

"Okay we won't". Said Aman. "You all need time to get acquainted and we won't interfere".

When the nurse heard this she said, "As per hospitals rules only one person can stay with the patient!"

Yash sensed that none of them wanted to leave Aarti alone. Deep down he too didn't want her to be all alone. He told the nurse, "It's okay. Once in a while we can bend rules. Ms. Dubey had a frightening and emotional day. She needs company. Let someone stay with her!"

Now how could the nurse disobey doctors order, that too her most favorite and most handsome doctor. "I'll arrange for an extra bedding for the extra guest". As she walked towards the door, she gave Yash a smile as bright as was possible for her.

Yash told Aarti that he had to leave for home. "Ms. Dubey, if you need me for anything my number is on the chart beside Ansh's bed. Or you can tell the nurse, she will contact me".

As he reached the door, Aarti called out for him. "Dr. Sindhia...!" When he turned, she said, "Please give a kiss and a hug to Palak from me!"

A smile appeared on his face. "A kiss and a hug is what I also need!".

Shobha and Pankaj exchanged a curious look, while Aarti was dumbstruck, "Huh?..." was her only reaction.

Yash realized what folly he had made when he saw everyone's faces, including the nurses. He shut his eyes in embarrassment, "I'm sorry for giving the wrong impression. What I meant to say is that even I need a hug and a kiss. But not from you". He noticed Aarti's face relaxing as he cleared. Then her face turned red at his last line. He inwardly cursed himself. "I need it from Palak, yes... Palak...after the eventful day that I had I need them more than ever before!"

Aarti understood, "The same way a hug and a kiss from Ansh makes all my tension and tiredness goes away!"

He nodded at her with a smile and left the room. As soon as he closed the door behind him, he literally hit himself in his head for not thinking before speaking.

As soon as he left, Ishita whispered into Aarti's ear, "Ain't this Doc adorably cute and not to mention incredibly hot! I'm sure every nurse and even female patients must be hitting on him daily. I wonder from whom does he exactly needs hugs and kisses!"

Aarti immediately defended him. "Don't read between lines. He needs hugs and kisses from his daughter and no one else".

Ishita laughed, "My my aren't we getting defensive for the Hot Doc!" Instead of answering her, Aarti rolled her eye as she knew Ishita's nature so well. She was flirty by nature and never hesitated to do so in front of Aman also. Aman was never bothered about it as he knew she loved him a lot. To escape from her further innuendos, Aarti forced her to go home making the excuse that her kids needed her. She then sat to feed Ansh and after putting him to sleep, she sat with Shobha, Pankaj and Satyendra to have dinner. They had ordered extra food from hospitals cafeteria so all four of them had a nice meal.

After finishing dinner they all sat to chat as visiting hours were not over. Aarti told them briefly about her life with Prashant.

Satyendra took a good look at Aarti and asked. "Was your husband Prashant Dubey, who worked for X.Y.Z Software Company?"

"Yes he did!" Aarti was surprised. "How do you know? Did you know him?"

He smiled. "This is a small world that we live in. I was his new boss. I joined more than a year back before he was transferred in my department. We worked together for some 7-8 months before he met with that accident!"

"Are you Mr. Satyendra Jaiswal?" Aarti asked at which he gave a small nod. "Prashant used to talk a lot about you. He was fascinated by you and your working skills. But how come I never met you whenever I visited his office after his accident?"

"That is because I had left that company as I have this bad habit of changing jobs after every couple of years. I had changed my job before his accident. That is why we never met".

"Dad, her husband worked for you for so many months and here I was searching for her. If only I had known about him at that time!" Tears filled Pankaj's eyes.

"Son, there are certain things that are not in our hands. It's all destiny". Explained Shobha. "Destiny separates people and destiny unites them. You should consider yourself lucky that you have finally found your sister or else sometimes people keeps on searching for their whole life and still don't find what they are looking for. Now because of you, we too have found a daughter and a grandson".

Surprisingly Shobha had said the same things that Gayatri had said earlier. Thinking about Gayatri made Aarti think of Palak. She wondered if Palak was thinking about her. She wondered what Palak was up to now that Yash must've reached home more than an hour back...

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Yash reached home and found Palak making her Dadu and Chachu dance at her fingertips. Literally they all were dancing with stereo on the top of the volume. Vidhi was showing them dance moves while Gayatri was sitting on the couch with her elbows rested on her knee and palm holding her head. She was chanting, "No one listens to me. He is dancing like a kid at this age and when he will sprain his ankle or back then I'll end up giving him a massage". She was complaining about Suraj, who was busy dancing.

A smile appeared on Yash's face. These kind of scenes were not new to him or to the members of Sindhia family. Neither were Gayatris cribbing. Everyone knew that at first she will complain but once Yash convinces her she too would join in the dance.

Yash smiled and went to her. "You know Ma, with music this loud no one can hear your rants. So why don't you join them and have fun and later when they complain of body pain then you can lecture them to your hearts content".

Gayatri looked up and smiled at him. "You are my most intelligent and most understanding child. You are right, why should I sit here and worry when they all are enjoying? Let's join them".

Taking his hand she took him to the Dance Floor, which was the living room of Sindhia Mansion. "Papa!" Palak beamed as soon as she saw Yash. He picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and covered his face with her sweet kisses. Then Yash too started to dance with Palak still in his arms. Her loud giggles were echoing in the room and Yash forgot all his tiredness as he was surrounded by his family and their love.

Their fun continued at the dinner table where Palak sat on Yash's lap and he fed her with his own hands. Depending on her mood and the person who bribed her the most with chocolates and her other favorite things, Palak sat and eat with them. She was the apple of everyone's eyes and was a stress reliever for everyone. Her innocent smile and her endless questions were enough to make them forget any stress.

"Papa, how is Au...Au.. Aunty?" She asked. "And her son An...". She struggled to say Ansh's name.

"Ansh.." Yash completed for her. "Ansh is fine. He woke up and took his medicine and had some soup also. He is such a good boy who listens to his mother".

"Just like I listen to Dadu, Dadi, Bua, Chachu and You". Said Palak counting everyone's names on her fingers.

"Yes you are. You are the best daughter in the world". Yash said kissing her cheek. "And you are the best father". Palak kissed him back.

"And I'm the best Chachu!" Said Prateek forwarding his cheek to her for a kiss. Palak kissed him. "Now tell me a story". She demanded at which Prateek groaned. "Pari will call soon". He checked his watch.

"You wanted to be the best Chachu now go and prove it". Vidhi teased him. "Besides there is still time for your fiances call".

Prateek picked up Palak and left from there. Vidhi and Gayatri started to wind up kitchen while Yash sat and talked to his father. No matter how busy or tired he was, he made sure that he spent some moments with each and every family members. Most of the times they all sat together but some times he spent alone time with each one of them before retiring to his room.

He talked with Suraj about Ansh's surgery. Suraj too was an famous Physician. Now he had stopped practicing and had become a professor in one of the top medical colleges as he hated to sit idle at home. He occasionally saw few patients but spent most of his time teaching and with his family. They discussed Ansh's case for a while before Yash went to his room.

He showered and changed into his night clothes. He took out Arpitas picture that he had kept in his wardrobe. He sat with it on his chair and got lost in it till he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw it was Vidhi, who was standing with a small bowl in her hand.

"Bhaiya, come let me give you a head massage. I think you need one today".

Yash smiled and got up from his place. Since they were kids, from time to time, Gayatri made each of her children to put their head on her lap while she massaged their head with warm oil. All three children liked it as it relaxed them especially during their exam times. Even Suraj loved those massages.

As they walked to his bed they saw Gayatri standing at the door, with a small bowl in her hand. Vidhi gasped as she realized that Gayatri too had come to massage Yash's head. "I'm sorry Ma. You can do it".

"Don't be silly. Your brother needs a friend tonight and not his mother. Besides your Dad is about to ask for a back massage after dancing with Palak. You take care of your brother while I take care of your father". Gayatri laughed and left them alone.

Vidhi sat on the bed with folding her legs. Yash laid down and rested his head on her lap. She started applying oil on his head and then gently massaging it. They didn't speak for several minutes. Yash had his eyes closed but she knew he was still awake and was thinking about the events of the day.

"I'm sorry Bhaiya". She finally broke the silence.

"For what?"

"For giving that lady the dress that you had gifted me on my birthday". She apologized again. "That was the only new dress that I found in a hurry. I couldn't give her my used dress".

"You did the right thing. I'll buy you another one that also of your choice. Besides that dress looked more beautiful on her than it could have on you". He teased Vidhi but didn't realize that he had ended up praising Aarti's beauty.

"Looks like you have become quite smitten to her! There is something in her, isn't there?" Vidhi teased.

"Yes there is definitely something about her that I end up goofing and blabbering silly things around her". He then told her about all the silly things he did and said around Aarti, including the kiss and hug remark.

Vidhi was laughing by the time he finished. He sat up. She was unable to control herself. "Looks like she has done a number on you".

"Don't you dare laugh at me. Do you have any idea how embarrassed I was every time I messed up?" He made a face.

"Especially when you talked about hugging and kissing". Vidhi's laughter grew louder.

"Yes especially that part". He sulked and then he too laughed.

Vidhi stopped laughing. "But I must admit, she is a nice lady and have a good heart. I was quite impressed the way she bonded with Palak and how Palak opened to her and took care of her".

"That is what took me by surprise. We all know Palak is exact opposite to what she is at home. At home she is the most naughtiest and most talkative girl. But outside, when she is around new people she becomes so quite and so introvert. But she was not like this with Aarti". Once again he didn't realize that he had called Aarti by her name and not as Ms. Dubey.

"Yes ever since Arpita Bhabhi left us, Palak has become introvert around strangers. Losing a parent can leave a huge impact on young kids. They don't know how to express themselves and their grief and they become aloof towards the outside world. You are an adult. You can express whenever you think of or miss Arpita Bhabhi but Palak can't".

"Vids...". That is what Yash lovingly called her. "I saw her today right before the surgery and after I met Aarti". He waited for Vidhi to react. But Vidhi knew that this was not the first time he had seen Arpita.

"Did she say something?" Vidhi never judged him or made fun of him whenever he talked about his visions of Arpita. He narrated her everything including the part where Arpita had mentioned that Aarti was his soulmate. This he had not shared with Gayatri also. But with Vidhi he was more free and more friendly.

Vidhi sat thinking for few seconds. "Is that why you had embraced her?"

Yash was not shocked as he was sure that Gayatri must have told her about it. He shook his head. "No that was not the reason. When I saw her so distraught my heart went out to her as I know what it feels like when your near and dearest ones are fighting for their lives". He remembered Arpitas last moments. "Aarti looked like she will collapse and fall apart any moment. She needed assurance that her son will be okay. And I was the only one who could give her that assurance. In my subconscious mind I didn't realize that I had ended up hugging her".

"Did you really felt something for her or was it only empathy?"

"I don't know what it is that I felt for her. All I know that I was amazed with the ease with which she talked to Palak as if she had known her since her birth. She didn't raise eyebrows or questioned her when Palak stuttered. She looked after Palak as if she was her own daughter". He got lost in praising Aarti. "I won't lie to you that she is beautiful and attractive and warmhearted also".

Vidhi noticed that he was lost as he didn't speak for several minutes. She let him be and sat there patiently for him to speak again. "Vidhi is it wrong to think about having a life partner once again in our lives?"

Vidhi stilled.

Yash went on with the flow. "When I look at Mom and Dad and the way they take care of each other. The way their lives revolves around each other, I feel so lonely. My life feels so empty. Yes I have you all and Palak with me, but I miss having someone with whom I can share my everything. Is it wrong to wish for something that I have lost? Don't you feel lonely the way I do?"

"No it's not wrong to wish for that life". Vidhi's voice trembled as she answered. "But you can dream to move on in your life cause you had a lovely marriage. You had a loving and caring spouse...".

Yash's gaze shot up as he looked at Vidhi and realized his folly. He opened his mouth to speak but Vidhi cut him. "Your spouse was taken away from you by nature, whereas..". Tears started flowing her eyes. "Whereas I was thrown out with no fault of mine".

Yash pulled her to him and embraced her as if trying to protect her. "I'm so sorry for being so insensitive".

"I can still hear all those accusations and allegations and taunts that were thrown at me. I can still feel all those sordid moments that I had spent in that house". Her body convulsed into sobs.

Yash patted her back as he inwardly cursed himself for unintentionally scratching her wounds which were still fresh.

"Whenever I looked at the relationship that you shared with Arpita Bhabhi I felt so jealous that why didn't I get such a loving and caring life partner? Was I so bad a person that I was humiliated and thrown out in the worst possible way? Was I really cursed or a bad omen?"

"No you are not bad or cursed. Bad are those who didn't value such a gem of a person that you are. If I had my way, I would have ripped him apart with my own hands for hurting you to this extent".

"Had it not been you and Mom and Dad and Prateek and Palak, I would have died by now. I still feel like killing myself...".

"No you won't". He moved back angrily. "Do you hear me henceforth you won't talk about killing yourself. You may not be valuable to those lunatics, but you are very valuable to us and so is your life. We have already lost a beloved member of this family we don't want to lose another". He hugged her again and she cried.

"As your elder brother I promise to protect you and every member of this family till my last breath. I love you all and you all are precious to me". He sounded strong but inwardly he was as distraught as Vidhi was.

"That is not true.. Apparently no one loves me in this family". Complained Prateek as he entered the room. He had listened the last part of their conversation. He had stood there quietly as he knew Vidhi needed to pour out her heart and needed consolation from Yash. Vidhi was only two years younger to Yash so they shared a special bond. Prateek was more like a child to both of them. A child who was little older than Palak.

Prateek stood there with a baby face, a baby who was feeling neglected. Yash beckoned him and he joined them in their hug.

"Di, Bhai is right. You are very precious to us so never ever think of leaving us. After losing Arpita Bhabhi we don't want to lose another loved one. So don't you ever talk like this". Prateek reprimanded Vidhi.

"I promise I won't" Vidhi wiped her tears and smiled. "When I have got such loving and protective brothers how can I think about leaving them forever?".

"You are forgetting adjective Handsome". Prateek pointed out. It took Vidhi a second to figure out that he was asking her to call him Handsome. She picked a pillow and hit him. "Handsome and you? Well Yash Bhaiya is handsome but not you".

Prateek feigned to be hurt, "I may not be not be as handsome as him but I'm also handsome. If you don't believe me then ask Pari".

Vidhi laughed. "Paridhi is the only one who finds you handsome. She proves the phrase 'Love Is Blind' as she thinks you are handsome". She teased.

"I told you that no one loves me". Making a sad face he tried to get up only to be pulled down by Vidhi. She hugged him. "Both my brothers and our father are the most handsome men in the world. More than their physical appearance, it's their heart that is more beautiful. Thanks for making me smile and forget my pain".

Yash ruffled her hair. "Enough crying. Now go and make me some nice coffee and let's have it with Ma and Dad. And Prateek where is Palak and don't you have to call Paridhi? She will kill you if you are late".

"Thanks for reminding me. I had come here to tell you that Palak is sound asleep. You all enjoy your coffee while I enjoy my chat with Pari". And he ran followed by Vidhi who went to make coffee. Yash glanced at his watch. It was past Ten. He wondered if Ansh had fallen asleep or not?

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Aarti was lying next to Ansh on his bed as he was not used to sleep on his stomach. She laid there to make sure that he doesn't turn in his sleep and hurt his stitches. Ishita had left a thermos of milk in case Ansh wakes up hungry. Ansh had his arm on Aarti's stomach and was curled into her.

Pankaj and Satyendra had gone to bring some tea from the nearby restaurant for Shobha, as hospital cafeteria was closed for the night. Shobha wanted tea so that she could stay awake to keep Aarti company. She noticed that Aarti was still looking worried. "What are you thinking?" Shobha came and sat on the stool next to her bed.

"Till now he has not asked how and why he his here and why his head is bandaged! What if he wakes up and remembers and gets traumatized?" Aarti shared her fear.

"Then we will make sure to be there for him and help him overcome his trauma". Shobha smiled. "With a mother like you, I'm sure he too is one brave and strong boy who will overcome his trauma. Before coming here, Pankaj told us about you and how you lost your parents and then your husband and yet you are standing tall and strong. I guess God gives us strength when we start to become weak".

"I have lost so much in life. Had I lost him today, I don't think I would have survived". She shivered at the thought. "Why am I born with such an ill fate that all my loved ones leave me when I need them the most? Am I really cursed and a bad omen that everyone whom I love leaves me one by one?"

"If losing loved ones makes us ill fated or cursed or bad omen then everyone in this world is one. Cause one day or the other we all lose our loved ones. I had couple of miscarriages when doctors finally told me that I can't conceive. I too had blamed myself, Cursed myself till one day Satyendra convinced me to go that orphanage. I was not ready but I went for him as my guilt for not giving him an child was weighing on me. One look at Pankaj and I realized that had I given birth to my own child then Pankaj would have never entered our lives. That day I realized that whatever happens happens for a reason".

"But losing someone is not the same". Aarti's voice cracked.

Shobha nodded, "Yes it's not the same. What I am trying to tell you is that everyone is born with their own fate. It's called Kismet. How many hours, days, weeks, months or years a person is going to live is already written in their Kismet. Some live longer and some leave this world early. Nothing is in our hands. So leave everything in God's hands and try to live and cherish whatever moments we get. Had I kept sulking in my sorrow and not gone to that orphanage my life would have remained incomplete. So would Pankaj's and Satyendra's".

"Aarti...". She took Aarti's hand in hers. "Instead of considering yourself ill fated or unlucky, think of yourself as lucky cause life has given you second chance. No one knows what tomorrow holds for us. We are here today, we don't know where we will be tomorrow. Till this morning we didn't know each other, now in last couple of hours we have formed a bond, a bond that will stay with us till our last breath. Those who left you, were destined to leave you as it was their fate, their Kismet. Those who are with you are the ones who are meant to be with you. That is why I said that try to hold on to these moments and cherish them to the fullest. Now don't think too much. You have to be strong for Ansh. For that try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will bring a new day with new hopes and dreams".

"What if...". Aarti tried to say something when Shobha silenced her. "Don't think too much. Think of it as a bad dream and try to forget it. He is safe and sound and is at the place where he belongs. In his mothers warm embrace".

She started gently stroking her hair till Aarti fell asleep. Pankaj, who had come to give tea to Shobha, had heard their conversation. He smiled at the sight that was in front of him.

A mother was putting her daughter to sleep. While the daughter was holding her sleeping son tightly to herself. In their own way both mothers were trying to be with their child who had been through the toughest storms of their lives. He took their picture on his phone as he never wanted to forget the day when he found his sister. Aarti.. his Choti. And his nephew, Ansh.

Shobha sensed his presence and gestured him to not to make noise or else Aarti would wake up. Pankaj placed the small thermos and disposable cup and kissing her forehead, left from there.

As he closed the door, he saw Satyendra standing in one corner, deep in thoughts. He asked him what was the matter.

"Pankaj I know you have resources to do some digging. I want you to dig up on Prashant's professional life. If my hunch is right and if we disclose the things that I know then Aarti's and Ansh's life will change for ever...".