FF: Ek Aur Zindagi.. Ch:29 page 137 - Page 15

Part 5:

Next day Arjun had to go to office. it was not possible for him to take Adi daily to the office. so he didn't have a choice other than making Adi stay at Mrs. Sharma's home, who was an elderly lady who was good with the kids. She was willing to help him as he was a very good neighbor and never gave a chance for complain. Again, she had known the family for years now, when Roshni was alive too. She knew how difficult it was for the single father to handle the family…

She had even asked Arjun to remarry, which he always neglected.

But, Adi was not too happy. He knew the matter, and that his father was helpless now. so he silently accepted the torture to stay with her, whose heart was so big that, that she loved him a lot, and even made him drink milk again and again.

Adi: sab teekh hai, bas wo aunty bohot zyada bathein karthe hai. hamesha…'beta ye khao… wo khao… waha math baito.. gir jayega…' uff..bohot thang karthe hai

Arj( smling) isse pyaar kehthe hai Adi. She is really a good person. Isliye apko ithna pyaar karthe hai.

Adi: par bar bar ye dood pina… wo kuch zyada hi hai.

Arjun ruffles Adi's combed hair.

Adi: Dad… mere baal gharab math karo please…

After breakfast they walk to Mrs. Sharma's home which was in the same lane. She was there at the door to welcome them. "are Adi baba agaye. Kithne bade hogaye hai aap… aap befikar jayiye Arjun. Adi ko yaha koi problem nahi hoge"

Arjun was having a hard time holding his laugh after seeing Adi's irritated face. He bends down to Adi's level. "aunty ko thang math karna. I prominse aaj mien jaldi wapas aunga. Aur hum bahar ghoomne chalege…"

Adi: Dad please don't promise. You always break your promise.

Arj: not this time Adi. Agar late bhi hue, tho bhi hum do aaj rath bahar chalege ok??

Adi happily nods yes. "ok take care Dad."

Arj: you too Adi. Bye.

He kisses his forehead, and leaves soon. He rides to office, while Adi pathetically looks at the aunty who was bringing in a big plate of cut apples. "aao beta… apple khao…"

He looks at his Dad who was riding away. "jaldi aana Dad. Torture shuru hogaye hai…"

***

Sakshi collects the information about the recent sensational drug peddler issue and walks in to her boss's cabin. She waits impatiently while the boss goes through it. she had taken great trouble to collect the information. Many a times she had to mingle with those people to get the story. The boss was absorbed in her file.

After some minutes that looked like ages for her, he kept the file down.

Bo: excellent work Sakshi. You did a great job. That was a perfect report.

Sa(happily): thanks a lot sir. So can I go ahead with the report.

Bo: of course. Give it to Anirudh and I'll make it sure that this one hits the front page soon. Great job.

She was so happy. At last her work was fruitful.

Sakshi is one of the best Crime journalists in one of the leading papers of the city. Mumbai being Mumbai, was never lacking in the number of crimes. And her work was to bring forward the criminal world in front of the common people. To let people know where exactly they are living. What's actually going on?

And she was successful in it till now. her dare devil nature was her companion in this field.

***

Arjun and his team had a case to handle that was leading with the kidnap of a multi millionaire youth. The guy, Rishab Vasisht, was missing for more than 24 hours, and the influence of the Vasisht's placed ETF to solve the case and bring back Rishab.

They were riding to meet the victim's family.

Sam: Adi kaha hai?

Arj: Mrs. Sharma ke ghar. He is not happy. But still no complains.

Sam: hm.

Sr: sir, if you don't mind ek bath bolu?

Arj: bolo.

Sr: Sir, recently ek add dekha tha ke ek summer camp ke bare me. Sunshine summer camp. Aap Adi ko waha kyu nahi bhejthe? Kam se kam usse waha bore tho nahi hoga.

Arj: ek hostel se wapas aye hai wo Sree. Ab usse kahi dur bhekjne ka man nahi hai.

Sr: par Sir, ye camp tho yahi aas paas hai. aur har roz waha se wapas bhi asakthe hai. its just a place were kids can learn to draw, craft, kuch khel khud etc. agar aap kahe tho mien check kar saktha hu.

Arj: ok, check it ok if you can. Else give me the address. I'll look into it. waise ye summer camp chalathe kaun hai?

Sr: one Mrs. Mamta Anand.

Arj: ok. Just give me the address I'll look into it.

They were busy in the work.

Late evening:

Adi was looking at the drive way of the home. It was half past 8. And Dad was still not back from his office.

At last the doorbell rang. Mrs. Sharma answered it. "Adi baba, apke Papa agaye hai."

He rushes to the door. one look at his Dad, he could say that Arjun was not well. He was looking tired but with a smile too. "hai Champ. Sorry I'm late. Chalo bahar chalthe hai"

Arjun bends down to hug Adi with one arm. "Dad, are you alright?"

Arj: ha beta. I'm fine chalo…thank you Mrs. Sharma.

Mrs. Sh: its ok Arjun. bye Adi. Good night.

They walk together to the road, near to the SUV. "Dad, are you really alright?"

Arj: ha Adi. I'm fine.

Adi: Dad, jhoot bolna bad manners hai.

Arj: (smiling) kuch nahi. Ab bolo kaha jaana hai apko.

Adi: aap morning white shirt pehenke gaye the, ab blue shirt kaise?

Junior Rawte in action.

Arj: wo… shirt me kuch lag gaye the… isliye…

Adi: DAD???

Arj: ok baba… wo thode chot lag gaye the. Tho change kar diya.

Adi: chot laga?? Doctor ko dikhaya?

Arj: ha.

Adi: doc ne kya kaha?

Arj: kuch nahi.

Adi: DAD???

Arj: ok… tablets diya. Kaha ke khana khao. Aur rest karo. Ab kuch aur puchne hai? ya hum bahar chale?

Adi: nahi, hum ghar jarahe hai. chalo.he drags Arjun to the SUV and makes him drive home.

Arj: but Adi. Hum aaj bahar jane wale the na? ab kya hua?

Adi: doc ne rest karne ko kaha hai. chalo ghar.

The Rawte was not in a state to argue. So he drove to his home.

Arjun and his team were behind the goons that were behind the kidnap. And in between the case, he was stabbed at his back shoulder. He was in too much pain, that he was under sedation whole evening. It took a while to persuade both Rathod and the Doc, to let him discaharged. Chotu had dropped him at Mrs. Shrama's door, and he asked Chotu to leave as he didn't want to scare Adi. Arjun had promised that he would take Adi out, but Adi being another Rawte at home, forced him to go home.

Adi noticed Arjun was having difficulty in driving. The home was just few blocks away and that too in the same lane. They reached home quick and Arjun sat in the sofa. there was a slight wince on his face.

Adi sits by him. "chot kaha lage hai?"

Arjun could see concern in the little face. He points his right back shoulder.

Adi: dikhao.

He pushes his shirt aside and shows the bandages. "Aww… khana khaya?"

Arjun nods no.

Adi: tho order karo. Hum ek saath hate hai.

Arj: kya khaoge aap?

Adi: kuch bhi…hm..pizza…

Arjun calls in for Adi's favorite pizza and after that he goes in, get fresh up and Adi too changes to the night dress. Arjun was in a loose white shirt and now Adi could see the bandages along his shoulder and chest. "kuch nahi hai Adi, wo stupid doc ne bekar me ithna sara bandages lagaya hai. its ok."

He tried to reliev Adi's tension, but in reality it was hurting like hell. The pizza came and they have it. then Adi askes for Arjun's tablets. Adi examines the tablets. "bapre ithna mota tablets??"

Arjun gulps it with water. Adi stands on the chair. "tablets liya? Open your mouth? (Arjun opens the mouth widely) tongue out…(Arjun put his tongue out) ok fine. good boy."

Arj: ab ye dialoges kaha se aya?

Adi: matron hamesha aise hi check karthe hai, jabhi hume fever hothe hai.

Arjun and Adi go to bed. Adi checks on his Dad when he finds it tough to lie on one side. At last he manages to get a side and pulls Adi close to him

Arj: kya hua? Aise kya dekh rahe ho?

Adi: dad, dard ho raha hai na?

Arj: hm… thoda thoda…

Adi: its ok, morning sab teekh hoge. So jao. Good night Dad.

Arj: (kissing his forehead) good night Adi. And sorry aaj hum bahar nahi japaye.

Adi: its ok. Aap jaldi teekh hojao. Hum fir chalege. Ab so jao

Adi pats Arjun's hair.the father in him felt so proud of his little boy. He takes his hands and kiss it. he hugs Adi close to him, and both slowly drift to sleep.

Arjun had a painful night. The pain killer didn't do much help.

Morning it was Adi who was awake first. Always it was the other way round. He checked his Dad who was sleeping. "dad?"

Arjun didn't stir up. "Dad, aaj jogging pe nahi jana hai?"

Still no reply from Arjun. Adi touches Arjun's face. "dad… apko tho fever hai. dad??"

Arjun slowly tries to ope his eyes. But then he winces in pain and again drifts away. Adi was really frightened now. "ab kya karu? Dad?? Utho…please…" but there was still no progress. Adi knew something about wet towels but he was not sure. The next thing that cought his eyes was Arjun's phone. He slids down the bed and takes the phone.

Adi: (looking at the contact list) Aisha… Chotu…Comm. sir…ETF office… Rathod…. Ha Rathod uncle.

He goes for Rathod's number and waits till he takes the call.

Ra: ha bolo Rawte.

Adi: uncle its me Adi.

Ra: kya hua Adi. Dad kaha hai?

Adi: dad ko fever. Utha nahi. Min kya karu?

Ra: fever? Ok don't worry. Mien araha hu. Ok. Daro math.

After the call Adi sits by Arjun waiting for Rathod. After sometime the door bell rings. Adi goes to the door, but the bolt was too high. he pushes a chair to the door, and climbs up and opens the bolt. Then he gets down, unlocks it with a key and push the chair away. Sam was at the door.

Sam: kaha hai wo?

Adi: room me.

Sam goes in and checks Arjun. he was indeed having high temperature. "koi bath nahi Adi, mein doc ko bulaya hai. Sree usse leke athe hi hoge. Aur Chotu bhi. Ok??

Adi nods yes. Sam goes and brings a wet towel and places it on Arjun's forehead. After a few minutes Sree arrives with a doc. He checks Arjun and gives him some injection. Adi closes his eye at that time. after prescibing the medicine, doc goes away. Adi looked really upset now.Sam knew wht he needed to do. He takes his phone. "hello Aisha. I need some help. Come to Rawte's home now."

Mean while Sree asks Adi to come out for breakfast but Adi refuses.

Aisha arrives after a while. Sam informs everything. She goes to Adi. "hai. app abhi thak kuch khaye nahi ho? kyu? bhoog nahi hai?"

He nods no. "Aise kaise hoga? Ab jab ake Dad uthege tho unhe bhi bhoog lagege na? aap mere help karoge ktchen me khana banane keliye?" he nods yes. "good boy. Ab jaldi jaake brush karke aao. Hum dad keliye khana banathe hai."

Adi reluctantly leaves the room and comes after brushing his teeth. By that time Aisha boils some milk and toast some bread for him. she pulls and place him on the slab and gives him his glass of milk. "ab piyo." He nods no. "Are, agar apke papa ko patha chalega ke aap abhi thak kuch khaya nahi hai, tho unhe bura lagege na? jaldi piyo…"

He drinks the milk and in between she makes him have his toast with butter. And also she prepares soup for Arjun. they come out together.

Sam: good, Aisha can you stay back for a while?

Ais: sure sir.

Sam: ok, jab Rawte uthe tho mujhe call kar dena.

They walk out leaving Adi with Arjun. Adi climbs up Arjun's bed and lies closer to him. Aisha couldn't help it other than smile at the father son.

After some time, she noticed even Adi was asleep by his dad's side. She got up and walked through te house and stopped at the family pic. In it Adi was just a baby. So cute…

She walked back to the room. Adi was awake now. Aisha comes by him. "hai, utho Adi. Chalo nahake athe hai"

He gets up and checks Arjun. the fever was down. He walks out of the room with Aisha.

Adi: wo mere room hai. (pointing another room)mien nahake abhi aaya…

Ais: mien help karu?

Adi NO!!!

Ais: ok, ok… jao nahake aao.

he runs to his room and closes the door. Aisha was laughing at his little antics.

She goes back to Arjun's room and sits on the couch. Sometime later Adi comes out with a wet hair.

Ais: are apke baal abhi bhi gila hai.

she goes to Arjun's washroom and returns with a towel and makes Adi stand in front of her. She gently brushes Adi's hair.

Arjun was getting up slowly. His head and shoulder felt heavy. He tried to feel the bed. Adi was not there. He opens his eyes and adjusts to the light. He turns around and saw a blurry image of a lady who was drying Adi's hair. Roshni was the first name that came in his mind. He blinked again.

It was Aisha. after drying his hair, she combs his hair with her hand and the pulls him to her and kisses the forehead.

It was a beautifull sight…still so painful.