~*Dreamgirl~* FF* COMPLETE.. * THANK YOU*** - Page 32

Part 155: Dev and Radhika & his dreams

It was past midnight and surrender was still sitting in that chair outside, in that veranda silently looking into the darkness, imagining those silent moments of seeing his son's tears as he saw them in front of his eyes. They didn't talk much but the silence spoke much volumes at that moment.

Suchi: aren't you sleeping?

Surender: no I am fine Suchi, you go take rest

Suchi: no I am also fine, I can sit with you too

Surender: no suchi, you may be tired, go to bed

Suchi: you too right?

Surender with a smile: have you ever seen me tired, all these days you were questioning me asking why I am behaving this way or that way. I felt everyone was blaming me all of a sudden, what did I do wrong Suchi? I only tried to tell him that he cannot jump from one to another without even making any connection. That is it, and I don't know how to bring so much in words Suchi, so I prefered that silence. you know me well. Sometimes I want you to understand my silence too, instead of blaming it on me

Suchi : I never tried to blame it on you? But tried to get it out, as I felt like you really don't feel like coming back to chandenpur. I told you that, it is Dev's plan to stay back in chandenpur that made you go silent and cold. ...

Suchi: and that time it was just you and me, but now we have a family and we need to look at each one, it is easy to lose them, but difficult to gain them back. maybe it is the mom in me overpowered than the wife to question you, becasue i want them near me too...

Suchi: but then why this silence

Surender: sometimes that help me to accept the facts better

Suchi: maybe, but now no more silence at least for the comfort of this situation, for our son, all he wants to see is your smile, your words, your approval

Surrender :um , I know

Their little talk went on in that darkness

***

Dev was resting his head with closed eyes in Radhika's lap and she was strolling her fingers down thru his hair in a linear motion. Finally she broke the silence

Radhika: I am sorry, it was all because of me

Radhika: I know what you wished for, but I was unable to hold back, and

Dev raising his hand up and holding her hand in his: No Radhika, its fine

Radhika: but

Dev felt her heavy throat

Radhika: but you missed it na

Dev: what, didn't you see me playing with her whole morning yesterday, then

Radhika: but still

Dev placing a small peck on her palm: no Radhika, she had great time with them, that's all I wanted and it happened, and then the rest,... tell you frankly Radhika ...many times I thought to call you back. Now only I am realizing how much I am depending on you and without you nearby I feel like my right hand is missing. Otherwise whatever I looked for, you were standing with it, and I just needed to grab and go, not to worry about anything around..

Radhika: mom and papa

Dev: ha, however we try one day they will come to know about it somehow, so early is the best, that's what dadaji also told me, so no worries, they will be fine soon. For me all I need you nearby, please don't leave me alone even if I ask you to.

Radhika just wrapped her arms around his neck and moved her head near to his face and rested her face in his: how can I? so only I came back

Time ticked by

Dev: Radhika

"um"

Dev: can you tell me a story?

Radhika: what!!!!

Dev with a smile: ha, any story that you heard from granny

Radhika making a serious face: what?

Dev: please , I am not feeling sleepy at all?

Radhika: but I am feeling very tired now

Dev: oops, I never thought of that, that medication bhi na, ok , you sleep now, I will just wacth you.

Radhika: Dev

Dev: what? What else I do? Wish Ruhi was awake..

Radhika: ha, everyone wants her to sleep and you want her to be awake!!

Dev: will she be ok with buva?

Radhika: she is fine, you don't worry, or if she needs anything, I am here na

Dev: but you are going to sleep, right?

Radhika: Dev

Dev: what, there is nothing I can do, I am feeling bored, maybe after getting involved with all these in past months and taking rest like this now...

Radhika: tell me what is your real plan, I mean than this planting things

Dev: really Radhika, maybe I am getting clear on it. Each day as I step out from here I am seeing so many possibilities, and you know, then to get there, I want to fly, sometimes I feel why couldn't I just move on, but now I know I need to be patient, everything needs its time to grow, when I saw the plowed land, I wanted to plant all those new ones in quick, and as I watered them, I wanted them to show its growth each day and you know what I am dreaming so much Radhika, this land has so much potential, no one ever tried to explore it. Even babuji also went with all the traditional route, I think there is much possibility here.

Radhika just listened as Dev continued : you know what, one day all these little plants will grow and tie its wings to the support and one fine morning when we walk out, it will show off all that flowers , and then soon the little ones will appear, and as the time pass the ripe bunches will smile at us with its sweetness, and then I will pluck the first one, and give to our Ruhi, what she may do?

Radhika smiled

Dev: why you are smiling?

Radhika: nothing, I was imagining as you plucking and giving to her, and last time Sudev told me not to bring Ruhi there at all!

Dev: did he!!! Why?

Radhika: he said, none of those little plants are going to get settled with its roots there as she tried to pull it out and showed him with raising her hand up with a smile.

Dev: when did she do that? She is very small

Radhika: never underestimate her, she is on her move already

Dev: um, so you are saying if any of that plant escape from her hold and grow big to give those honey bunches, then she may pluck the first one and give me

Radhika: maye, but not the sweet ones, maybe the little ones, I mean the sore ones

Dev: no way, so I need to keep an eye on her

Radhika : probably

Dev: ha, ok now you listen, maybe then we got so much of it, that ...maybe we can start a vinery here, but then what will be the name of it.

Radhika: what?

Dev: you sleep, let me find a nice name ,um, um. And I will wake you up when I find one ok

Radhika: Dev, I think the medication is showing some sideeffect on you, you better try to sleep

Dev: no, I am fine, you sleep, I will think of it

Radhika saw his eyes moving up to the ceiling and she tried to settle herself near his chest, wrapping her arms around his chest, she closed her eyes.

***

Sammy and Lechu left the other day itself...Suchi , and Surender spend next two days back in chandenpur, and

Suchi walking near to Dev: so how are you feeling now

Dev: perfect mom

Suchi: is it so painful

Dev: how come, when you all are here near me, only thing I wished to show you the land, but

Surender: that's ok Dev, we went and saw all your hardwork, goodluck son, I am sure it all will come out well.

Dev; ha dad, and later I may need your help I need to plan on something and need a e business expert's advice

Surender: at any time my son

Dev: thanks dad, what I am thinking is

"nga nga, not now, you can think only after you get better, ok" suchi interfered

Dev: Mom, I know, but did you really like it

Suchi: um, it is lovely and feel like coming back often to see its growth

Dev: then come mom, it will be really fun

Suchi looked at Surender

Surender: sure beta, but for now we need to go

Dev trying to reach the crutches

Radhika broght them near and gave to him, Dev tried to stand

Surender went near Radhika: beta, I didn't mean to hurt you, but I want you to be strong too, look at Suchi if she was like you so emotional, then I won't be able to reach what I am right now. Some times you need to tell what you really need, some times you need to get it out in words. Ok.

Radhika tried to give that smile

Surender: see if we have known this, we won't even let you come there, we all should have celebrated Ruhi's birthday here along with Dev: It is difficult to accept the fact when kids hide things from their parents, why can't they say it straight and openly, it may hurt the parents , but it will surely bring a solution too. Keeping it inside will add an extra step to get it harder, so why to get it worse when we can solve it all with a small slap. ok

Radhika: ji papa

As they were walking out , Surender secretly: he didn't shout at you for bringing us here, right?

Radhika controlling her smile, nodded her head in disagreement

Surender: um, I know he is not that bad, after all he is my son, right.

Radhika again smiled

Surender and Suchi left soon to Delhi.

***

Days and weeks and months passed quick. Dev took his each step slowly, along with the growth of the little plants, so did RUhi , her voice started filling the haweli and then to the field. She made her trips to Delhi, but more than her it is her grandparents made their trips to chandenpur, because now when they get back here they have something to cherish, to work on, or to dream about.

So the journey is coming to the end 😭 love today's part 🤗 poor dev, missed his princess birthday. All the family interaction moments are great ... thanks for the PM dear..

Part 156: Ruhi & the yukky milk

Dev got ready in the morning to get to the field.

"papa, rukona, Ruhi coming with you too"

Dev stopped near the Jeep, waiting for his little one to get near

As she neared , he bend down, and grabbed her in his arms: what is it beta?

"Radhika not good, Ruhi coming with papa"

Dev: really! Why?

"How many times I told you Ruhi, she is your mom, not radhika?"

Ruhi looked at Sushma with her playful eyes

Sushma with a satisfied smile: ha, mom

"NO, Radhika" little Ruhi mumbled sitting in her papa's arms

Sushma in a serious tone: Ruhi, not Radhika, she is your mamma

Ruhi: papa

Sushma: ha, papa but then realizing the change, sushma looked at Ruhi with widening her eyes: not papa beta, mamma, I know you want only your papa, mere ache bechi, ab tho ma bolo

Ruhi with a smile: ha chuchuma

Sushma's face went in an uneven way: don't call me chuchuma, arre baba, my name is very cute, you can call me simply 'Sushma

Ruhi: chu chu ma...

Sushma looking at Dev: you better take her too, when her dadi comes, there is no problem, she calls her daaadi, and have you seen her how she clings to Suchi, and with everyone else she knows how to call them by name., including Mohan bhayya. How easy for her to say nana, but now, when bhayya comes here, Ruhi becomes babuji, and when she needs to call her nani, she says "roniii, mon calling you, she cannot even say mohan correctly or Rohini correctly, but still the word comes out very easily

Dev enjoying the little argument: Ruhi beta, you should not call your nana or nani by names ok

Ruhi: nana

Sushma keeping the hand over her chest: oh I wish Mohan bhayya be here now, he might have fainted by now.

"Sushma"

Here she go again

Dev with a smile: buva, its dadaji

Ruhi: dadaji

Sushma: ummm dadaji, while turning and walking Sushma mumbled:um, she knows whom to apply soap well to get her things on time.

Ruhi: chuchuma

Sushma: oh, let me go and then looking at RUhi: um , come after the chandenpur trip, I will give you nicely.

Ruhi: chuchuma

Sushma went away

Dev: RUhi, don't call buva by name, good princess won't do that.

Ruhi smiled saying: chuchuma

Dev: so where is our Radhika?

Ruhi bringing her soft lips near his ears, very secretly: papa let's go, radhika looking for me

Dev very seriously, secretly what happened?

Ruhi nearing his ears again: Radhika searching for Ruhi

Dev: kyum?

Ruhi again nearing his ears: Ruhi didn't drink milk, Ruhi don't want milk, bad radhika,

Dev: that is not good beta, you need to drink milk

Ruhi: milk is yukky

Dev: no beta, first finish the milk, then papa will take you

Ruhi: no, when I go in, you will drive away

Dev trying to pacify her: no beta, have milk, then papa will take u

Ruhi: no papa, no taste

Dev: can papa give it

Ruhi after a thought: um,

Dev: sure

Ruhi:um

"so you are eating your papa's ears, I was searching you inside our bedroom, that's where you disappeared right, then how you reached here!!!!!" Radhika came in with glass of milk

RUhi tried to cling to Dev's neck and nearing his ears: papa, yukky milk

Dev trying to control his smile, seriously: Radhika, why you are forcing my princess to drink this yukky milk

Radhika tightening her forehead: what?, so you also joined with her now

Dev: Radhika when you make milk, you need to add little bit of sugar in it,... right beta? He looked at Ruhi

Ruhi tried to give a winning smile

Radhika: who said that, you taste and see , did she say I didn't put sugar in it, taste it

Ruhi: taste it papa, it is all yakky

Dev: give me let me try

He took the milk from Radhika and acted as if he is trying to taste it, and said: yummy

And then looked at Ruhi: it is really yummy

Ruhi: no it is yukky

Dev: it is yummy

Ruhi: ruhi don't want milk

Dev: if you want to come with papa, then you need to drink the milk

Ruhi: papa, ummmaaa

Seeing her action RAdhika: oh, now even if you don't drink it, papa will drink it for you

Dev: ruhi beta, if you need to grow big like mamma then you need to drink milk.

Ruhi: no, ruhi want to grow like papa

Dev gave a winning smile to Radhika and then keeping that smile he looked at Ruhi: Beta, if you want to grow big like papa, then you need to drink milk

Ruhi: no papa, ruhi's papa won't drink milk

Dev: heina,

Ruhi: yukky

The fight went on, finally they all went in and Dev pretend that he is making new glass of milk for her and gave to Ruhi, she finished it in three go and gulping the last drop , she said: ruhi 's papa the best

Radhika just looked at Dev, who is sitting with pride in front of the little one.

Dev: now let me go , ok

Ruhi: papa, Rhi coming too

Radhika with a smile took the empty glass away.

RUhi made her exit with her papa: chuchmaaa tata, dadaji she gave a flying kiss : tata

Sushma just smiled seeing her action.

*****

Dadaji inaugurated the new society building near the market place. It was Dev's idea , the villagers hard work to get equal pay back, by forming a society with the village representatives and purchasing all the harvested products by the society , so instead of walking miles to get to the next place, the society can buy it in bulk value and pay off the villagers with reasonable amount and then the society will take the charge to sell it outside. there was clear cut explanation on how the ystem works how it will be benefitted tot he villagers.

*******

The weekend was noice filled in haweli. Sammy and Lehcu were playing around with Ruhi with the new toys they brought from Australia. That was Lechu's demand after completing her course, she wished to go out for a break. Sammy took the advantage of completion of their project work with Bhatt company. His new assignment is expected to be at their main company site, so they decided to come and spend some free time in chandenpur, before their move.

Sushma: so now Suchi will feel all bored, right?

Suchi: me, no way, sushma, actually now I am trying to work without any break, so that I can take that long stretch together and be here with my Ruhi, and if i get free time there, i have one or the other thing to do, or i go out with Sarada...

Sushma: you are missing Ruhi, right?

Suchi in a normal tone: ha, I do, but now I got used to it. I think now I am more closer to her, she talks to me on phone and tells me about you all, nice to hear her voice thru phone you know

Sushma: but still, why don't you talk to Dev

Suchi: no Sushma, I don't know how to say this, when he was working back in Delhi, he was mostly serious, and was mostly in front of that computer all the time, late meetings and this weekend work, everything... and I know the life of a business man, he runs all the time, never get enough time to sit with his family, unless otherwise he is so lucky, then also this phone calls.

Suchi continued in trance: I never felt anything lacking in my life, and I was and I am happy for whatever Surender is, but

Suchma: what is it Suchi

Suchi looking at Sushma: when I see Dev now, I think this is good for him, radhika, and ruhi . I know he is busy, but he is in and out with family, he is loving what he is doing, many times I sensed his enthusiasm to show me the growth , or change, maybe it is those tiny grape bunches, but he was so curious and very happy to share that moment with us. And I can enjoy it too, he doesn't need to give me lot of explantion for me to understand it. But when it comes to business, there is always an uncertainty of things, at what point one should rejoice no one knows, and maybe they celebrate the victory for one day and then the next tension begins. But with this, ha there maybe loss, but still the nectar of your hard work last longer, or the ups and downs mingle with so many and can be shared easily.

Sushma: but then , business?

Suchi: I don't know, it is just my wish, but if surrender wish to stay back, then I will continue there only, then with a smile she added: after all, I am happy now, at least now a days I can see my husband in front of eyes mostly ,it is him who is taking that initiative to get to chandenpur. You know what while coming we were saying now we don't have any responsibility now to worry about, we are free. I know i get calls after we leave for spoiling Ruhi, but that is our right, to spoil our grandkid by being with them, we are enjoying it to the fullest .. ha ha, let the parents struggle and learn how hard it is like we did for them, but with Ruhi, we love to spoil her how much ever we can.

Sushma with a smile: for me it's all seems like a dream only

Suchi: for me too, sometimes it surprise me , thinking from where it all began and now thinking where it all will take us? Will Dev change his decision again? Or will surrender say that he wants to settle back in chandenpur! But then what about his business, Many people are depending on it, and I know it is the result of his hard work and it won't be easy for him to leave everything behind and come as Dev did.

Sushma: Suchi...

Suchi suddenly changing her tone: whatever, why we should worry about tomorrow right, like the wise said :

I don't want to worry about yesterday, and I don't want to feel tensed thinking about unknown tomorrow but I should be prepared, for now all I want is to live in this time, where I am with my family, where I can see my family moving with a smile on their face in whatever state they are. If everything goes as I we dreamed then that is a dream, but facing the facts as it comes to us, and overcoming it with whatever consequnces it brings is life's experience, a lesson,,,,,,,, and I have been thru it Sushma, few times, I don't know what is right , what is wrong, but if the present is bringing all of us more closer, then I prefer this over anything else.