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Papa Do You Love Me?
Yash's event planning business had taken off big time in Mumbai. Within a year he was called to plan Bollywood's biggest function the Filmfare Award Nite.
For the last 2 weeks Yash had been working practically round the clock. However he had to admit, since moving to Mumbai he was working round the clock practically every day. Aarti had been chiding him for not spending enough time with the kids, particularly PayPal and Ansh. Aayu was just over a year and Aarti still had him sleeping in their bedroom - and Yash invariably took care of Aayu while Aarti was fixing breakfast and lunch boxes for the kids.
Yash grimaced as he recollected Ansh's accusation - "Papa you never spend time with me only with Aayu". But it was not intentional and Yash had asked Aarti to sit down and have a chat with Ansh. And that was when he and Aarti had their major tiff - Aarti had retorted that he should make time to talk to Ansh! Aarti had been so upset with him that she refused to let him touch her or talk to her. This morning he had left his Mumbai beach house with a heavy heart.
Yash had to admit, Aarti was right. He needed to spend more time with PayPal and Ansh. Most importantly he needed to have a chat with Ansh... Just then Yash's cell phone rang. Yash reached into his pocket and took out his cell.
Yash: Yash Scindhia
... ...: Yashji it's me
The tone of Aarti's voice made a shiver of concern trickle down Yash's spine. He gripped the phone hard, as his throat ran dry.
Yash (in dry voice): Is everything OK, Aartiji?
Aarti: Ansh has been summoned to the principal's office.
Yash: What did he do?
Aarti: He got into a fight with one of his classmates.
Yash (sensing the distress and panic in Aarti's voice): I suppose you want me to go?
Aarti: Yes, Yashji will you please go. And...
Yash: Yes, Aartiji?
Aarti: Yashji, this morning I did tell the kids that you.. that you.. are busy with a special project.. ..
Yash heard Aarti let out a sob. He felt contrite and lowly for neglecting the kids and her..
Yash (softly): Aartiji every thing will be alright, I promise... and haan Aartiji I love you.
Yash heard another sob before Aarti whispered almost inaudibly: "I love you Yashji".
Yash spoke to his asistants and made sure they were fully aware of what needed to be done that day. Yash then left for Ansh's school. When Yash arrived at the school he went straight to the principal's office and knocked on the door.
Principal: Enter
Yash pushed the door and entered, Ansh was sitting on a chair across the principal, he had a black eye.
Principal: Namaste Scindiaji
Yash: Namaste Principal ji.
Both of them greeted each other with folded hands. The principal pointed towards a chair and Yash sat beside Ansh.
Principal: As you know Ansh is summoned for the third time here, and always for the same reason.
Yash shook his head silently.
Principal: You understand we cannot let this go... ... Not the third time...
Yash: Of course.
Principal: Ansh, so could you tell us why you fought?
Ansh was staring at his shoes, the principal sighed ... ... The first two times Ansh was summoned he had exactly the same reaction and had never explained the reason for getting into a fight.
Yash: Ansh beta, what happened?
Yash was slightly turned towards Ansh, but his son continued to look at his shoes, which he found more interesting than his papa.
Yash could see that the principal was beginning to get impatient and he knew that if he did not salvage the situation immediately, things would get worse for Ansh.
Yash
: Ansh beta, you know you can tell me anything.Ansh looked up at his papa, his beautiful eyes were filled with tears and the tip of his nose was red.
Ansh: Papa. Girish said that you did not love me.
Yash felt his heart clench at Ansh's words.
Yash: But you know Girish is wrong?
Ansh: He said if you really loved me, well... .., you would spend more time with me than Aayu... ...
Yash: Ansh beta, I love you even if I do not spend much time with you, I love you, you're my little boy and nothing will ever change that ... nothing, you understand?
Ansh: Really?
Yash: Of course
The principal had watched the exchange and decided not to punish Ansh, given the circumstances. In exchange Ansh had to promise not to get into fights, which he did.
They came out of the office into the playground where all the kids were playing. Yash saw that his son was torn between staying with him and playing with his friends.
Yash: Ansh beta, go playAnsh took a step forward and then turned.
Ansh: Papa?
Yash: Haan beta.
Ansh: Do you love me?
Yash: Very much. Ansh beta I love you very much.
Ansh smiled and ran off to the playground.
Yash smiled at Ansh's retreating figure and then went straight home to Aarti. He wanted Aarti and his children to know that he loved them more than anything else in this world and he promised himself that despite the demands of his work he would make time for them everyday!
Taara
Indian Premier League
Anupamaa
