FF: Ek Aur Zindagi.. Ch:29 page 137 - Page 45

PART 14:

Arjun was trying his best to keep Adi relaxed by some silly talks. But Arjun knew Adi was far from getting relaxed. The made breakfast together and fed each other. He even opted some games for Adi which he refused silently. Mostly Adi sat close to Arjun, feeling his presence nearby to ensure he was safe. Arjun was in a way confused how to break the shell. Maybe going out was a better plan.

Arj: kya hum bahar chale?

Adi: nahi dad…

Arj: kyu beta? Aap kisse dar rahe ho? mien hu na yaha apke paas?

Adi was silent. Arjun takes Adi to his lap and makes him face him.

Arj: dekho Adi, hum kisise aise chupke nahi rah sakthe. We should be brave enough to face it. patha hai kal rath ke accident se aap bohot dar gaye hai. lekin iss dar se hum chup tho nahi rah sakthe na…

Adi nods. "agar firse kuch hua tho?"

Arj:kuch nahi hoga. I promise. Mien hu apke saath. Tho bolo, bahar chale hum?

He nods again.

Arj: kaha jaana hai apko?

Adi thinks for a while. "apke office"

Arjun was a bit confused. "office kyu?"

Adi: aise hi… sabse milthe hai… Sam uncle… Didi… sab hai na…

Arjun knew better. Adi was looking for a safe place, where he knew his Dad would be there.

Arj:ok hum office chalthe hai. lekin ek sharth pe. Aap aise chup chap nahi, meri Champ banke aoge. Done??"

Adi(smiling): done.

Arj: ok, ab change karthe hai. so may I help you to change?

Adi: no… mien akele change karunga.

Ar: acha… dekthe hai… kaise…

He makes a naughty face. Adi slips form his Dad's lap and runs to his room only to be caught by Arjun. "Dad…chodo…mien akele change karunga. Matron ne kaha hai ke hume akele ready hona chahiye."

Arj: par mien apke Dad hu. Mujhse kya chupana…

Adi: dad please…

The slight pink shy face, the giggle… Adi was coming back. Arjun takes Adi and brings him to Adi's room.

Adi: dad aap bohot naughty ho…

Arj: akhir Dad kiska hai?

Adi: dad…

Arj: ok ok… tum akele hi change karlo. Tho aaj kya pehenne wale ho?

Adi: blue Tshirt and shorts. Aur aap?

Arj:kya pehenu?

Adi: I'll select.

He rushes to the Arjun's room and opens the wardrob. Arjun stands behind Adi.

Adi: bapre… ithne sare shirt!!! Sab colors hai!! hm…. Ye lo… (he touch a shirt) this one.

Arj: maroon?? Wo kuch zyada hi bright hai na?

Adi:koi bath nahi. Aaj yahi peheno. Ab mien apke madad karu?

Arj: no..mein akele hi change karunga. Kisike matron ne kaha hai…

Adi smiles and runs away to get ready. Arjun picks up the maroon shirt. "he is feeling better. Lagtha hai ke bahar jane ka plan acha hai"

They get ready and come out. Once inside the SUV, Arjun notices 2 men in that lane. They were constables in casuals. Sam was doing his part well.

***

Sakshi goes to her old office and to meet Kaka to collect some information. All way along her ride in the taxi, she was busy with the cube. She got a call from her mom.

Sa: hello Maa. Kya hua?

Mom: aaj sham jaldi aasakthe ho?

Sa: kyu? kahi jaana hai?

Mom: nahi, bas ghar pe kuch mehman aane wale hai.

Sa:kaun?

Mom: Mr. Mehta ko yaad hai? aur unke beta, Rishab? Jisse hum ek charity function pe mile the?

Sa:haan..

Mom: unke family arahe hai, dinner keliye. So try to come early.

Sa: can't promise Ma. Kaam se chutti milegi tho zaroor aungi.

Mom: Sakshi it's important.

Sa:aisa kya importance hai? aur ye achanak dinner plan kaha se aya?

Mom: they were in town form yesterday. Kal mile the hum. Tho aise plan hua… mien chahthi hu ke tum dinner se pehle zaroor aye. Speak to your boss please.

Sa: mien actually meri purani office ja rahi hu. Kaka se milne. Aaj kafi time lagegi waha pe. Sameer ne iske permission tho diya hai. ab ek aur permission?? Ok lemme try. But I won't promise.

Mom: ok, try your level best. Agar plan ka kuch change hua tho batha dena.

Sa: ok… waise Ma aap ab kaha ho? camp me?

Mom: ha..

Sa: Adi hai waha?

Mom: nahi wo aaj leave pe hai. uske dad ne call kiya tha.

Sa: ok.. ok I'll try to come. Bye.

After call, "ye mom ko kya hua? Achanak aise kahenge tho… ab ek aur bar Sameer se puchna hoga. I hope he won't get angry. Pehle Kaka se milthe hai. baadme Sameer se bath karthe hai. aise bar bar unhe pareshan karna teekh nahi hai"

She goes to the office.

***

Arjun walks in with Adi.

Adi: ab firse sab mere bal pe khelenge…

Just as he predicted, all ruffled his hair, and pulled his cheeks. He smiled and looked with a pouted face to Arjun, who was hiding his smile behind a smirk.

They walked in to the hall.

Sam: are ye kaun hai? hello Adi…

Adi: hi uncle.

Sam:so how are you? Aaj office kaise agaye?

Adi: aise hi…Dad bohot lazy thi… isliye meine unhe yaha le aye…

All smile.

Sam:bohot acha kiya… good job.

Adi looks at Aisha and all others.

Sam: ok tum sabse bath karo. Mujhe apke Dad se kuch bath karna hai. ok…

He nods and his Dad leaves with Sam to another cabin.

Ais: hai Adi… come here…

He comes closer to Aisha. she hugs him warmly and kiss his hair. "kaise ho aap?"

Adi: teekh hu.

Ais: good… breakfast kiya?

Adi: ha…

Sr: tho bolo Adi camp me sab kaise hai?

Adi:bohot ache. Aaj nahi gaye.

Sr: kyu?

Adi: wo… wo…

Ais(changing topic): its ok.. kabhi kabhi bunk karna acha hai right?

Adi smiles. They continue to talk, and in between, Aisha puts Adi in her lap.

The talk was funny, with all pulling each other's legs. Liza, Chotu, Sree and Aisha were a great company for him.

***

Sam's cabin:

Arjun was looking out through the glass window, watching Adi smiling with the team. He was relaxed now. Sameer was on a call, and even then at the corner of her eyes, he was watching Arjun. After the call, he walks to Arjun.

Sam: Adi seems fine now.

Arj:hm… thode time laga usse bahar lane keliye. Ghar se bahar hi nahi nikalna chathe the. fir aise hi bathein kiya. Kuch masti… aur wo sirf yaha aana chahtha tha.shayad yaha usse safe laga hoga…isliye…

Sam: he is safe here Arjun. there is nothing to worry.

Arj: par kab thak? Usse wapas apne routine me jaana hi hoga. Camp… fun… aur fir ek mahine baad wapas hostel… kab thak chupayenge Adi ko?

Sam: we'll get the person behind it soon. Fikar math karo. Abhi filhal, ye bath ke shukar karo ke, wo thode bohot normal hogaye hai.

Arj:hm…

Aisha was waving Adi's hair to a side. Liza brought a cup of coffee for him. Aisha was using another up to cool it and gave to Adi…

Sam and Arjun were watching this. Both lost in their own thoughts.

Sam woke up first and cleared his throat. "chai loge?"

Arjun takes his eyes off Adi. "hm…"

Both goes to the chair and Sam orders a tea and coffee for them. Silence prevailed.

After some time, Arjun's cutting chai and Sam's coffee arrived. Bith were still silent.

Sam was noticing Arjun. He wished to know what Arjun was thinking. But he knew better, Arjun would never open his shell. So he tried to give it a try.

Sam: Adi seems quite comfortable with Aisha.

Arj: (still sipping his tea) hm…

Sam: kya tumne kabhi bhi Adi ke future ke bare me socha hai?

Arjun looks up.he knew where he was leading this to.

Arj: please don't start over Sam.

Sam: I knew this would be your answer. But trust me Arjun, you must seriously think over it.

Arj: tum kehna kya chahthe ho? ke mujhe firse shaadi karna chahiye? Kisse Sam?mere duniya Adi hai. mien ye nahi chahthe ke mere uss faisle se Adi ko koi thakleef ho.

Sam: meine kab kaha ke Adi ko bhoolke shaadi karo. Adi needs a mom. And you also need someone to share your life.

Arj: I don't think so.

Sam: don't be selfish Arjun!!!

Arj: WTH?? Mien selfish ban raha hu?

Sam: ha… tum Roshni se abhi bhi pyaar karthe ho... well and good… lekin wo ab nahi raha Arjun… Roshni sirf tumhari wife nahi, Adi ke Maa bhi the. you lost your wife… and you are still living with her memories… but Adi ka kya? Usse tho apni Maa ke teekh se yaad bhi nahi hai… he was not even 2 years when he missed her… ab wo kiske yaad me jiyenge?

Arjun was silent.it was true. He was not ready to move ahead. But…

Sam: dekho Arjun. I'm not asking you to take any decision impulsively. Socho… aur sochne ke baad decide karo…wo dekho Arjun… (he points to the hall, Arjun turns to that direction) jiss Adi kal ithne dare hue the… wo smile kar rahe hai. waha ithne sare log hai… firbhi wo Aisha ke paas hai. why? tumhare baad wo Aisha se zyada connected hai? why? socho…

Arjun was silent yet. It was true. Adi was getting more closer to Aisha. but…

Arj: aise nahi hona chahiye…

Sam: what??

Arj: Adi Aisha ke bohot kareeb jarahe hai. aise nahi hona chahiye…

Sam was shocked. "what are you saying? Mien kabse tumhe kuch samjhane ke koshish kar raha hu. Aur tumne kya suna?aur ye kya keh rahe ho?"

Arj( turning to Sam) : wahi jo mujhe karna chahiye. Tumhara ishara mere samajh me araha hai Sam. And I know Aisha is really good lady. Unki Adi ke aur jo pyaar hai wo saaf hai. dil ke bhi bohot ache hai. par… we are no one to decide her future Sam.uske kuch dreams hoge… ek zindagi ke… ek future ke.. aise Adi ko unke khandhe pe dena… matlab mere saath…. No Sam. We are no one to decide her future. Aur aise Adi ko hopes dena… wo bhi ache nahi hai… so I should take Adi away from Aisha.

Sam: I know tum jo kah rahe ho wo sach hai… we should not decide her future. Lekin usse ek bar puch tho lo…

Arj:no…

He tries to go out.

Sam: ek minute. Abhi aise Adi ko Aisha se math cheeno. Ek sadme se bahar aahi rahe hai. give him some time to relax. Tum uske dad ho.you have all right to decide for him. par jo ab Aisha kar rahe hai..wo tum nahi kar sakthe…hope you are getting what I'm meaning.

Arj: I understand. I won't take him now from Aisha.

Sam: aur jo meine kaha apne dil se zaroor puchlena… shayad tumhe tumahara jawab mile..

Arjun turns to Sam. "ek bath puchu Sam? Kya tum ye sab apne dil se puchke mujhse keh rahe ho?"

Sam was now off guard. "matlab?"

Arj:don't play with me Sam. I know you better. So mere saath apne bhi dil se teekh se pucho ke kahi tum jo kar rahe hai,wo sahi hai ke nahi…

They stand silent for a while and then Arjun walks to his cabin. Sam was numb.

Of course Arjun had read his face many times before. He knew Sam was in dileme. And he also knew that what ever Sam had spoken to him where his honest thoughts. But thinking of bringing a new member to his life was still unacceptable for him.

Arjun reached his cabin and sat in his chair. Aisha… she is actually a great lady. Matured and efficient enough to handle a family. But to think her as a family… it was tough… and that too when he knew Sam's condition. Sam has never acknowledged that feeling. Even he hasn't catogorised what he felt for her. May be a good friend… a colleague… or something more… he didn't know… neither did Sam…

And Aisha seemed to be unaware of all these…

He knew one thing well… he should not take a decision in haste… it's a matter of life…

A knock at the door, and Adi walks in with Aisha, hand in hand.

Adi: dad…

Arj: (smiling) yaha agaya..aur apne dad ko bhool gaya? Right?

Adi leaves Aisha's hands and comes to Arjun, who pulls him up to the lap.

Adi: aap uncle ke saath busy the na? isliye disturb nahi kiya.

Arj: ok…

Adi: dad, mien kal camp jaunga.

Arj: ok… par…

Adi:didi ne bathayi mujhe… ke kuch bhi hojaye hume brave hona chahiye.

Arjun looks at Aisha who was watching adoringly at Adi with a smile. Arjun turns back to Adi.

Arj: acha… tho jab meine kaha tho apko yakeen nahi tha. Jab Didi ne bathaya tho aapko yakeen hua… not fair Adi…

Adi hugging Arjun. "uffo Dad… aise kuch nahi hai. bas kal mien camp jaunga.waha Nani hai, sab hai."

Arj: (patting Adi's back) ok… good. Mien tumhe kal camp chod dunga. Khush?

Adi: ha… (breaking the hug) arre bhool gaya… Sree bhaiya se ek bath puchna tha… mien abhi aya…

He slids down from his lap and rushes out.

Arj: Adi sambhalke…

But Adi was already out. Aisha turns to leave the cabin as well.

Arj: Aisha ek minute…

She turns to him.

Arj:wo… thanks again…Adi ko sambhalne keliye…

Ais: not a problem sir. iss bath keliye thanks math kahiye.

Arj: but I mean it. par…

Ais: kya hua Sir? any problem?

Arj: nahi… aise kuch nahi…

Ais: you may share sir. I don't mind. Agar mujhse kuch hopayega tho mien zaroor karungi.

He saw the sincerity in those words and her eyes. He didn't have a heart to say anything. Aisha sensed it.

Ais:aap shayad kal ke incident ke bare me soch rahe hai. aap fikar math kijiye. he'll be safe. par Adi ko aage bhadna hoga. Isliye mien usse camp jaane ko kaha. Hope you don't mind.

Arj: no I don't mind. Actually meine bhi usse samjhane ke koshish kiya tha. Lekin wo kafi dare the.

Ais: hm. But he is fine now. camp ke aas paas ke security ko sambhalne keliye Rathod sir ne order diya hai. so he'll be safe there.

Arj: yeah…

Ais: ok… ab mien chalu?

Arj: sure and thanks once again.

She smiles and walks off. How could he say to go away from Adi? Even he is a human?