Samaina SS : Jeevansathi Hum( note on pg 41) - Page 20

After sending Vishaka and daddhi back home , Sameer finally reached the hospital room. He saw the nurse checking the heart monitor and attached IVs. He looked around the almost claustrophobic,dettol smelling room ,while the nurse was observing Somani . An old TV set hung on the wall, small window giving him the view of the outside world . There were two chairs kept in the corner. It was a typical hospital room ;sparse yet functional. He sat down on the chair next to the patient bed and stared up at the ceiling dejectedly. After 5 minutes of extreme silence he asked the nurse politely "Inko ghar kab lejaa skte hai, 7 din hogye ab toh" to which nursed replied in a blunt tone as she was bugged with such questions frequently from the care takers of the patients " discharge k bare mein baat krni hai toh Dr se karo, yeh humara kaam nahi hai, humko sirf patient ka dhyan rakhna duty hai.. Samjha tum."

Sameer nodded his head in agreement and mumbled to himself "yeh bhi bina baat badak gayi, ghar par biwi ki suno, maa ki suno, daadhi ki suno aur ab is nurse ki bhi, beta Sameer kaha fas gaya tu... kitna acha time tha tu, teri bottle aur teri tanhaai."

"Kuch kaha kya tum" nurse questioned Sameer in a loud tone . He again nodded his head in denial just as a small kid would when summoned by his school principal for some naughty deed. "Doctor ka cabin room se bahar nikal k left mein hai do rooms chod k, wahan baat krlo discharge ki... Chalti hai main ab ," saying so the nurse marched out of the room. "Doctor bhi aurat... tu na Sameer bach nahi paayega inse... hey bhagwan mujhko dahriye dena aur raksha krna inse" mumbling he stood up and walked towards the door but was stopped by a sharp noise of falling something. He turned back to look what's wrong and found Mr Somani struggling to move his hands and say something. Sameer immediately walked up towards his bed and tried to calm him and requested politely "Aap lete rahiye, aap abhi uth nhi skte doctor ne mana kiya h."

Somani didn't pay heed to Sameer's repeated requests to lay down peacefully . Even after repeated attempts to sit up Somani couldn't move due to his paralysed body. Tears rolled down his eyes. Seeing his helpless condition Sameer settled down on the nearby chair, held his palm gently and caressed it. Though Sameer didn't like Somani at all as he was the one who took away his mother when he was barely 4years old,growing up without mother had made Sameer too bitter towards him but at this need of hour he could not leave him like this after all he was his mother's husband, his late brothers father . Sameer tried his very best to talk to him patiently " Jaanta hu main ,aap mujhe pasand nhi krte, na hi main aapko pasand krta hu, pr jitna bura aap samjhte h mujhko utna bura main hu nahi ,aapka beta toh nhi pr beta jaisa toh hu, is ghadi mein aapke sath hu, Rohan ki jagah toh nhi lena chahta pr koshish krunga ki aapke kuch kaam aasaku... mummy aur daddhi k liye hi sahi pr aapko thik hona hoga ... sun rahe h na... Rohan k guzar jane ka dukh toh maa aur daddhi kisi tarah seh gayi pr aapke liye mazbooti se khadi h..aapko kuch hua toh toot jayengi ,aap bhi unke bare mein sochiye," saying so he stood up to leave for doctor's cabin when he felt Somani's finger touch his hand gently. Sameer covered his hand with his own and said with a heavy heart " Rohan sirf aapka beta nahi mera bhai bhi tha, aapki tarah mujhko bhi utna hi dukh hai jitna aapko uske jaane ka... Par maine usko waada kiya hai ki main tootunga nahi... na hi aap sabko tootne dunga...himmat rakhiye..aap aaram kariye main doctor se milkar aapko ghar lejane k bare mein pta krta hu ." saying so he walked out of the room.

Doctor informed Sameer about Somani's health condition and advised him to take the patient home day after tomorrow as they still wanted to monitor the blood pressure of the patient as it was the case of hypertension induced paralytic stroke due to sudden shock caused by the death of his only son.

The door to the small chamber creaked softly as Rohan peered into the darkness . A hiss of butter on the hot tawa and shriek of kettle on the stove awoke Ahaana. Blinking and rubbing her eyes she stared at the two people.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AHAANA

Ripples, dimples and wrinkles of happiness crept onto her tiny face. She was hugged by the two people whom she loved the most. One person the man who was wearing the office formal suit meant the whole universe to her... Her papa and the other person her favourite Shefali didi, the caretaker whom her father had hired to take care of his princess when he was away.

Rohan took Ahana in his arms, he brushed her hair aside which were falling on her tiny eyes and kissed her forehead gently "Birthday k din kon sota h itni der tak sham k 6 baj rahe h , dekho aaj papa aur Shefali didi milkr aapka birthday manayenge, chalo fatfat taiyar hojao" said Rohan excitedly.

"But papa aap aaj bhi late aaye h,mera bday toh khatam hone wala h na "said Ahana dejectedly.

"Aise kaise khatam hojayega, sham ko hi toh start hota h birthday " said Rohan trying to convince his daughter. "Nahi papa didi ne bola night mein 1...2...3... nahi 12 bje start hota h "argued Ahana innocently looking towards her Shefali didi hoping she would support her arguments. Rohan smiled watching her innocent face and held his one ear by his left hand asking for her forgiveness "acha baba papa ko maaf krdo tumhari didi ne mujhe toh btaya hi nhi tha ki birthday 12 bje start hota h... meri maa ab taiyar hojao phir aapko kisi special se bhi milwana h mujhko ."

Hearing about meeting someone new doubled up Ahana's excitement as she hardly met people beside her father ,Shefali didi and few church friends. Rohan asked Shefali to get Ahana ready and bring her for cake cutting.

"Kya hua Ahana bahar nahi aayi, usko mujhse nahi milna kya ? " questioned Naina. "Arey nahi aisa nahi hai Shefali laa rahi hai usko taiyar karke tab tak tum uska favourite halwa kitchen se le aao, tum hi khilana usko... jaldi friendly hojayegi ," said Rohan with a big smile on his face. "Aur haan meetha zyada hai na... usko meetha zyada pasand hai ."

"Haan chinta mat karo jaisa tumne btaya tha bilkul waisa hai aur maine toh aloo k paranthe bhi bnayae hai, tumne btaya tha na usko pasand hai.. Aaj dinner mein vahi khilaungi " replied Naina happily.

Rohan moved forward and encircled his arms around Naina's waist and pulled her towards him with a jerk "Kya baat hai tum toh abhi se perfect biwi aur maa k role mein fit ho rahi ho,shaadi k bd toh aur pta nahi konsa roop dekhne ko mile," said Rohan flirteously.

"Papa dekho main kaisi lag rahi hu," Naina and Rohan drew apart immediately hearing her voice and smiled watching Ahana running down the stairs in a bright red pretty frock. She looked angelic with a pretty little crown marking her as a princess. Rohan caught her mid way to stop her from stumbling. He lifted her and twirled around. Her fits of laughter ringing throughout."

Naina tried to stop him but he was too happy , a he signalled her to let him celebrate. He started singing happily.

Naazuk saa phul hai tu

Kisi aur ke chaman kaa

Naazuk saa phul hai tu

Kisi aur ke chaman kaa

Khushabu se teri mahake

Kyo baag mere man kaa

Meri zindagi me chhaai

Tujhase bahaar kyu hai

O nanhe se farishte

Tujh se ye kaisa nata

Kaise ye dil ke rishte o

Nanhe se farishte

Tu kuchh nahi hai mera

Phir bhi ye tadap kaisi

Tujhe dekhate hi khun me

Uthati hai ik lahar si

Har vakt mujhako rahataa

Tera intazaar kyu hai

O nanhe se farishte

Tujh se ye kaisa nata

Kaise ye dil ke rishte

O nanhe se farishte

Tujh se ye kaisa nata

Kaise ye dil ke rishte o

Nanhe se farishte

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you .

"Arey bas bas ruk jao dono" Naina intervened. "Papa yeh aunty kon h " questioned Ahana pointing towards Naina . Rohan finally settled down on nearby chair with Ahana on his lap " Beta yeh vohi h, jinse mein aapko milwane wala tha, Naina naam h inka... hello bolo inko."

Ahana kept blinking her eyes in confusion and looked towards Rohan seeking answers to her confusion .Rohan understood her dilemma and kissed her cheeks to ease her out " acha aap mujhse puchte they na mumma kaha h... mumma kaha h... toh yehi toh h aapki mumma."

Not satisfied with the answers she buried her head in Rohan's arms not willing to face Naina. Naina sensed her discomfort and tried speaking to her " bache idhar dekho... mujhe pta h aap mera intezar bhut time se kr rahe they aur main sorry bhi hu ,but main kya karu... aapki naani bhut bimar thi toh mujhe unke pass jana pda... kyunki mujhe toh pta tha meri beti strong hai voh toh itni brave h ki Shefali didi k sath akele rehti h... I m sorry bache... "

"Naani kon h "asked Ahana curiously. "mmm... jaise main aapki mumma hu waise hi naani meri... "replied Naina . " toh aapki mummy ka naam naani hai... achhaa" said Ahana innocently. Rohan and Naina both smiled at her innocence. Naina took Ahana in her arms "haan aap aise hi samaj lo " and kissed her forehead gently. "Toh ab aap mere sath hi rahoge na "asked Ahana excitedly. "Abhi nahi, naani ki tbiyat abhi thik nhi hui na," Ahana's face fell dejectedly on hearing another no . Seeing her disappointed, Naina further added "but mumma promise krti h 1 month bd aap main aur papa saath mein rahenge ."

" Sachiii " exclaimed Ahaana. " Haan sachii... but pehle chalo cake cut krlete h," replied Naina. Rohan had happy tears in his eyes seeing his family finally getting complete.

Ahana flashes her dimple smile as she blows three put of four candles on her birthday cake. Rohan cheers up to blow again and finally the flames of remaining candles douse off. Ahana happily fed the cake to her father mother and Shefali didi.

Rohan and Naina happily watched Ahaana playing around with Shefali. Naina asked Shefali to arrange for the evening snacks while Rohan joined Ahana in her games. After running for few minutes Rohan tries to end the game as he was too tired, "Ahana chalo stop... Ab rukh jao... Papa haar gaye... Okay."

"Nahi papa... Cheating cheating... Aise nahi hota hai " yelled Ahana mischievously and ran towards the staircase.

Naina called out for Rohan . In abid to look towards her he lost his balance and stumbled. Naina forwards her hand but could not reach him. She moves closer, stepping carefully on the cemented staircase . Rohan's lace is unfastened and he is trying to fasten it ,failing each time .There is something vulnerable in the way Ahana is running far .Naina tried to help Rohan and sees Ahana. She wants to help Rohan but she can't. She wants to help Ahana but she can't "Mujhe chodo Ahana ko zarurat hai tumhari... jao Naina...jao na " said Rohan in a commanding tone. Ahana trips and falls down the stairs, Naina flinches and runs to hold her .She let goes off Rohan's wrist. She catches Ahana before she hits herself hard and finds herself far away from Rohan ." Dhyaan rakhna meri princess ka " says Rohan smilingly. Naina shakes violently ,cries and her hands stops at an inch from his fingertips . She screams aloud "Rohan"... and violently jerks up when Preeti calls her name repeatedly only to realise that it was a nightmare. She looks all around murmuring Rohan's name but realises he was no where around and finds herself sitting on the sofa chair in the living room of Aggarwal house. She stands up and runs towards the door "Rohan... Ahana...unko meri zarurat h."

Preeti pulls her back with force, seeing her sister terrified, she too gets panicked "Naina... ruk kaha jaa rahi hai,"

"Preeti voh Rohan... voh usey zarurat hai meri jaane de mujhko.. Please.. " stammered Naina.

Preeti held her tightly by her shoulders and jerked her hard to bring her back to reality " Naina... hosh mein aa behen... tune ek bura sapna dekha ."

Naina tried to convince her sister " par main toh birthday party... " before she could complete Preeti interrupted in between "koi birthday party nahi hai...pagphere k liye aaj tu ghar aai hai... dekh idhar mujhe... bura sapna tha... tu yahan baithi thi... thakwat se teri aankh lg gayi.. Rohan ab nahi aayega Naina."

When she realized that what Preeti was saying is actually the truth ,she broke down and hugged her sister tightly and started weeping . Preeti too couldn't control her tears seeing her sister so vulnerable and broken . After few minutes Preeti drew apart and tried to calm her down "Sshhh rona band kar aur yahan baith main paani lekar aati hu," saying so Preeti left to bring water for her. Naina wiped away the sweat beads formed on her forehead due to the nasty dream, she was literally terrified. She glanced at the watch and it was 8 pm. She didn't realise but she slept for more than an hour. Preeti came back with a glass of water and offered it to Naina, after she drank Preeti informed her that Bela had asked her to get ready as Sameer would come anytime soon to take her back to sasural. While the sisters chatted the telephone ring went up in shrills, Preeti asked her to receive the call "Tu dekh kon h main mummy papa ko bulakr laati hu taiji k ghar gaye h puchne ki tere saath kya kya shagun jayega abhi... Jijaji bhi aate honge ."

It was Sameer on the other end , he had called to inform Naina that he wouldn't be able to able to come as Vishaka was little late and he couldn't leave Somani alone in the hospital so he was sending the driver to take her back. Though Naina agreed but she somehow felt a tinge of sadness as her husband was not coming for the pagphera ritual, like every normal bride she expected him but the very next moment she remembered she was not the normal bride , she brushed away those thoughts from her mind. Before disconnecting the call she hesitantly asked Sameer "Voh mujhe aapse kuch puchna tha."

"Haan bolo na... wahan raat ko rukhne ka man hai toh koi baat nahi rukh jao main maa ko bta dunga" replied Sameer.

"Nahi nahi... Aisa kuch nahi hai... Voh... " Naina hesitated a little. This made Sameer more anxious "Arey bolo na... kya baat hai... itna kya dar rahi ho, main bhoot nahi hu ki kha jaunga."

"Voh.. mmm... main keh rahi thi ki Ahana ko," hearing Ahana's name Sameer's tone changed suddenly," yeh waqt aur jagah dono nahi hai yeh baat krne ki , shaadi hui do din bhi nahi hue... mere parivaar k matters mein ghusne ki koshish mat karo... samjhii , " before Naina could reply he disconnected the call angrily.

Naina understood it would not be easy to deal with this man but she was determined to face him and all the odds "Rohan main tumhara farz zarur pura karungi,aaj is sapne se jo tum mujhe kehna chahte they main samaj gayi hu... main Ahana ki maa zarur banaungi... Phir chahe Sameer saath de ya nahi ,"sighed Naina.