CHAPTER 6
Mommy? No, I must have heard wrong. That cannot be possible!
"Look Mom I won, I won" , said the child jumping with joy, showing the small silver trophy in his hands.
"Yes sweetheart, you won" , replied Manyata proudly bending down on face level with the child. Uday stood there aghast, trying to process the recent events occurring infront of his eyes. The sight before him was enough to leave him petrified for a couple of minutes as he saw the child still clinging to Manyata who according to him was his Mother, and was happily showing her the trophy in his hands, and Manyata was proudly looking at him, caressing his hair and face.
Should I make myself noticed, or should I just head to my car and leave like I was going to?
"Mommy, who's that?" , asked the little boy pointing in Uday's direction. Manyata feebly looked towards Uday and Uday looked back at her trying to read her mind to figure out what she'd do next. But it seemed like she was struggling to find the right words. Before Manyata could speak, Uday chimed in and decided to introduce himself.
"I'm Udayveer" , smiled Uday and moved his hand forward for the little boy as a friendly gesture. The little boy looked towards his outstretched hand and then hesitantly looked towards Manyata as if trying to take permission. Manyata slightly nodded in affirmation and the little boy placed his tiny hand in Uday's,
"I'm Siddharth" , the little boy smiled innocently while shaking Uday's hand.
Children were the only category among the human species that I rarely got along with. I still remember my visit to an old orphanage around 6 years ago when I was 20. My Father had planned on making a donation with a surprisingly huge amount making me think that he was still considerate enough. It was only later that I realized that it was all a show that he had put up infront of the media to set an image of a generous ruler and get the maximum number of votes in the Mahasabha. I had been observing the kids the whole time, dressed in ragged, tattered and shabby clothes from afar as my Father proceeded to get his pictures clicked with them with the fakest smile possible. I had felt sorry for the condition that these children had to live in. I was never good when it came to talking with children and never knew what would be the right thing to say or how to pacify them, and even here I had maintained a distance thinking that children probably repelled me. Though ever since then, I had been consistently and regularly making donations in as many orphanages as I could all over India, be it money, food or clothes, and unlike my Father, I preferred to do it without creating a fuss. But it was only 2 years ago that I could actually empathize with those orphans I had met. Losing my Mother made me feel and realize the pain and turmoil those poor little kids must have been going through every second and every minute of their lives. My Father was dead to me ever since the day he brought another woman in place of my Mother, and after she died, I felt no less than an orphan myself.
"Well hi there Siddharth. It's so nice to meet you" , continued Uday amicably.
"It's nice to meet you too Oodee...Ooder...Oodeer" , Siddharth struggled to pronounce the name correctly but even after several attempts failed to do so and got upset at his defeat. Uday and Manyata keenly observed Siddharth this whole time and couldn't suppress a smile watching his cute antics. Uday then bent down infront of Siddharth to stop him from exhausting himself with his endeavours.
"It's Udayveer. But you can call me Uday" , Uday's suggestion seemed to have lightened his mood a bit and he began giving the new name a try too.
"Ooday?" , asked Siddharth hoping that he got it right this time. Uday chortled when he heard Siddharth pronouncing his name in the most adorable way.
"Pretty much. Try saying U-day" , Uday began teaching him. Siddharth hesitated at first but getting the warm encouragement from Uday, he decided to try again.
"U-u-uday?" , asked Siddharth nervously.
"Yes. Perfect. Wow buddy, you're a fast learner. Much like how I was when I was your age" , said Uday and patted his head lovingly. Siddharth was extremely delighted with his accomplishment. Manyata who had been a silent spectator since a few minutes finally intervened.
"Come on Sid, let's get you inside now and let Uday leave. He must be getting late" , Manyata pulled Siddharth to herself and picked his tiny frame in her arms.
"So, you have a son huh?" , asked Uday woefully but tried to not let his tone give him away.
"Yes" , replied Manyata, her voice wavering.
"He's a cute kid"
"Yeah, he is"
"Are you umm, are you marri..."
"Mom I have to pee" , Siddharth cut Uday in midway. His expressions gave away his uneasiness and it seemed like he couldn't hold it in any longer. Manyata quickly nodded her head and looked towards Uday who understood that it was time for him to go now. They exchanged their goodbyes and Siddharth waved at him as Uday proceeded to leave. He could hear the little boy still babbling behind him.
"Mom when will Daddy come home? I miss him!" , said Siddharth in dismal.
"He'll come soon" , with that said, both the Mother and son stepped back inside their house leaving behind a doleful and bereft Uday who had frozen in his tracks hearing the last few lines of their conversation.
*****
"SHE'S MARRIED??" , came Karan's voice who was practically yelling in disbelief and pacing back and forth in Uday's suite.
"For the hundredth time. YES!" , replied an exasperated Uday.
"And she has A KID??" , continued Karan in the same melodramatic tone.
"What language do you understand? I'll speak in that to make myself more understandable for you" , answered Uday losing his cool.
"Karan enough now. Dada, tell me, did you ask her if she's married, or are you just assuming that she must be married?" , asked Unnati who got filled in with the details by Karan and Uday a while ago for the first time.
"Siddharth asked her when his Dad would come home and Manyata replied saying that he'll come soon. Isn't that proof enough?" , said Uday. His heart had started feeling heavy the moment he recalled that incident.
"But how can she have a kid?" , thought Unnati to herself, without realizing that she had actually said it out loud.
"What do you mean how can she have a kid? She's a girl Unnati. She had sex, and she got pregnant. Simple" , replied Karan sarcastically.
"Keep the details to yourself please" , said Unnati raising a hand showing complete disinterest in the topic that Karan had just started. She knew very well how Karan tends to say things he's not supposed to in the oddest of times.
"Are you going to say the same when it's our time? Because frankly speaking, as much as I find myself hot and charming, I cannot have sex with myself. It's scientifically impossible"
"For God's sake shut up Karan"
"I'm just stating a simple and universal fact. There's nothing to feel awkward about"
"Just zip it you two" , requested Uday weakly, his face buried in the palms of his hands. Karan and Unnati immediately put a stop at their bickering and turned to look at a gloomy Uday. They both looked at each other helplessly, trying to figure out what to do. Karan slightly nodded his head, assuring Unnati that he would try to handle the situation, and walked up to where Uday was sitting, making his place right next to him.
"Talk to me man. What's wrong?" , asked Karan politely, keeping a hand on Uday's shoulder.
"All this seems like a bad dream. I just want it to end soon" , replied a grief-stricken Uday.
"But why? Why is she affecting you so much? I don't understand"
"I don't know Karan. She just does"
"Look Uday. You're going through a rough patch. I mean all that stuff with your family, and then your Mom. This might just be a reaction to that. You're feeling emotions that might not even exist because you're vulnerable right now. So even the smallest of things are affecting you. It's not like she was the first and the last girl you were with. Trust me, time will bring everything back to normal" , Karan tried to pacify his friend.
"You're right. But I just can't seem to stop thinking about her. Considering I saw her again after 5 years just yesterday, and then today, that too with a kid, all this feels weird" , sighed Uday.
"Dada, I think Karan is right. This is probably just a phase. And I'm sure you'll get over it soon" , Unnati bent down infront of Uday, holding his hands in hers.
"And if you're worried about her not remembering that night from 5 years ago, I think it's safe to say that there would be no harm in keeping it that way. She's happily married after all" , said Karan.
"That is exactly the thing that's bothering me Karan. She did not seem happy. The glint in her eyes was missing" , replied Uday thoughtfully.
"You're thinking too much my friend. Time for a distraction" , Karan stood up and looked mischievously towards Uday. Unnati was looking at the duo with confusion.
"Distraction? What distraction?" she asked.
"Don't know yet. Could be tall, short, fair, dark, redhead, brunette, busty or petite" , replied Karan counting on his finger tips.
"Please tell me you didn't just categorize girls in the most vulgar way imaginable" , uttered Unnati in disbelief.
"Now what did I do?" , pouted Karan.
"Why the hell are you forcing Dada to...to...to sleep with women" , said Unnati, speaking the word "sleep" in the most hushed tone possible.
"I'm not forcing him to sleep with anyone. He needs to get laid. It's not a crime" , replied Karan in defense.
"What's wrong with you Karan? You're acting like a freaking pimp" , Unnati was getting irked.
"Unnati you really need to stop criticizing me all the time" , whined Karan.
"First you stop being so immature, then I'll stop my criticism too"
"What's immature about sex?"
"Talking about it. That's what's immature"
"No it's not. Sex is like Math Unnati. Add the bed, subtract the clothes, divide the legs and use protection so that you don't multiply. It's a gift of nature. And I am merely just helping my best friend to achieve that gift. How can that be immature and wrong?" , stated Karan. Unnati slapped her hand on her forehead and Uday sat there bewildered by the current track of the discussion that seemed to have severely gotten off topic.
"You girls are so sensitive when it comes to sex" , scoffed Karan.
"No we're not" , Unnati retaliated.
"Yes you are. You women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place" , replied Karan matter-of-factly.
"I give up" , Unnati threw her arms in the air in surrender.
"No one can win an argument with Karan Kapoor" , boasted Karan raising his collar.
"What are you some sort of a sex Guru?" , asked Unnati sarcastically.
"Not anymore. I fell in love with you remember?" , winked Karan making Unnati blush.
"I am still surprised as to how it happened" , teased Unnati. Karan feigned a pout in return.
"I'm still present in the room guys" , Uday intervened putting an end to Karan and Unnati's non-stop blabbing. All the stress and excessive talking was giving him a headache. He decided he should just go to bed, have a nice sleep, and try to forget that all this ever happened. Karan and Unnati greeted him before leaving, giving him a hug each and asking him to take care of himself. Once they had left, Uday took a nice long shower, had a drink and went to sleep.
*****
A week had passed since that fateful encounter. Uday had buried himself under the load of his work which kept him occupied most of the times and didn't let his thoughts wander off to Manyata and Siddharth, which still occasionally happened no matter how hard he tried to wave them off.
Having finished all of his pending work, Uday decided to go to his Hotel early and maybe later go out with Karan for a few drinks. No matter how busy they both were, they had never missed a day where they hadn't met each other and intended to keep it that way. Vivek, Uday's PA reminded him one last time about his meetings lined up for the next day following him to his car. Once seated, Uday turned on the music system and started driving towards his Hotel. On his way, Uday again got lost in his thoughts when suddenly, a figure appeared just a few feet infront of his car attempting to cross the road. Uday immediately applied the brakes, hoping that his car wouldn't collide with the person walking ahead. To make the coming danger noticed, he honked his car a couple of times alerting the person. Just in time before a massive collision could occur, Uday managed to stop his car with a loud screech just a few feet from the person, who he could now see was infact a girl and had subconsciously fallen to the ground out of fear, scattering what seemed like shopping bags all over the road. Within moments, people started to gather around the place but instead of helping the girl out, they stood there like spectators ready to watch the show. That irritated Uday and he stepped out of the car to help her out as he thought it was his fault.
"I'm so sor..." , Uday had just begun when the girl cut him off.
"Are you blind or what? If you can't drive a car then don't keep one either" , snapped the girl still sitting on the road and trying to untangle her hair that got messed up in the process and covered her face uncomfortably. The initial intention of apologizing got replaced by that of anger that took over Uday.
"Why don't you try watching where you walk. Don't you know this is a busy road?" , retaliated Uday, his voice raising.
"Oh great so now it's my fault" , argued the girl. By now she had managed to untangle her hair, bringing her face into clearer view. She looked up to see who the arrogant man was that had almost run her over with his car but didn't even attempt to make an apology.
"Uday" , her voice was barely a whisper but audible enough to reach Uday's ears who was surprised to hear his name from a stranger's mouth and turned to look at who it was.
"Manyata?" , exclaimed Uday walking towards her. Their anger seemed to have mellowed down upon seeing each other as Uday began to help Manyata get up.
"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" , asked Uday, the care and concern clearly evident in his voice.
"Yes I'm okay" , replied Manyata.
"I am so sorry Manyata"
"No it's not your fault. I was crossing a busy road. I should have been more careful. I'm sorry I yelled at you"
"But are you sure you're not hurt? Can you walk?"
"Yeah I guess"
"Here let me help you out" , Uday bent down and picked up all the scattered shopping bags in his hand while Manyata continued to brush off the dust from her clothes and hair. She got notice of what Uday was doing and felt odd.
"It's okay Uday I'll get it. Please you don't have to do this" , Manyata attempted to walk up to Uday to stop him but as soon as she moved, she felt a sharp pain in her leg stopping her in her tracks. Uday noticed this and hurriedly gathered all the bags.
"What happened?" , asked a worried Uday on reaching Manyata.
"My leg. I can't seem to walk properly" , cringed Manyata.
"Do you need a ride home?"
"I'll get a taxi"
"I'll drop you"
"No it's okay Uday I'll manage. And I have to pick up Sid on the way"
"We'll get him too. Please. I insist" , Manyata finally agreed to take a ride home with him. Uday quickly walked up to his car, placed the shopping bags inside and came back to where Manyata was standing. He slid his hand around her waist and the sudden contact jerked Manyata. But she kept still and let him help her out. Placing his other hand under her knees, Uday swiftly picked her up from the ground and began walking towards his car. Both the beings felt highly uncomfortable in their current situation as people were watching. Upon reaching his car, Uday carefully placed Manyata in the front seat and walked up to the driver's seat and started the car.
"We keep meeting like that" , said Manyata smiling lightly.
"Like how?" , asked Uday.
"Like I'm some damsel in distress, and you're the knight in shining armor who saves me every time" , laughed Manyata. Uday couldn't suppress a chuckle on her statement and couldn't help but ponder over the idea which he seemed to like. But more than that, he was happy to see Manyata who had a genuine smile playing along her lips after what seemed like eternity to him. They picked Siddharth up on their way from his friend's birthday party. Once seated inside the car, Siddharth greeted Uday with his same chirpy voice.
"Hi Ooday. Oops sorry. Uday!" , grinned the small boy.
"Hi buddy. Had fun?" , asked Uday.
"Yes a lot" , Siddharth began to jump up and down on the backseat out of excitement and began filling Manyata and Uday in on the details of the party. Uday couldn't help but admire how adorable the little boy was. He had unknowingly begun to share a liking towards him. In a couple more minutes, the tiny rustic cottage came into view and the car came to a halt infront of the doorstep.
"Come on baby we're home" , said Manyata while removing her seat belt. Siddharth had already jumped out of the car and was walking, more like running towards the door.
"Sid is this the way to behave? Come back here and say thank you" , ordered Manyata sternly as she stepped out of the car.
"Sorry Mommy I forgot. Thank you Uday" , Siddharth flashed a cute smile and walked up to Uday who too was getting out of his car.
"You're welcome" , smiled Uday. Manyata began slowly making her way round the car to walk up to where Siddharth and Uday were standing. Her pain had reduced, but it was still preventing her from walking properly.
"Would you like to come inside for a while? Maybe have dinner with us?" , offered Manyata politely. Uday couldn't believe his ears. He stood there agape thinking it all must be a dream but quickly composed himself and decided not to look too easy on the offer.
"No it's alright. You guys carry on" , replied Uday.
"You've helped me so much. It's the least I can do" , smiled Manyata. Uday nodded his head in approval and that seemed to have made her smile turn wider. A delighted Siddharth held Uday's hand, momentarily surprising him, and began walking him towards the door.
*****
This Chapter is dedicated to my precious Alissa. A Very Happy 18th Birthday my love. I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy this little gift of yours from me.
Sorry guys. This update didn't turn out to be that good. But I still hope that you like it. I have given 2 quick updates within a week as I am going to be busy with studies and stuff from now onwards and won't find much time to update soon. So this is basically to make up for the time that I won't be updating in the future. No no I am not abandoning this SS. I just won't update too soon. Although I'd try m best to whenever I find time. For all those who want PM's for future updates, just send me Buddy requests so that it would be easier for me to add you to the PM list.
Drop in your precious comments and hit the like button! 😊
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