I have wanted to post this part on 21 September but things seldom go the way we want them to be.This part especially dedicated to the most beautiful union of two souls our ARSHI.
Part 12
THE FIRST FEAR
The entire family rejoiced the picnic,laughing,playing games enjoying the small moments that makes life worth living the joy increased bu miles due to Aashi's crawling.after the dinner everyone left except Arnav and Khushi who were staying the night at the farmhouse.Arnav has unexpectedly informed everyone about it ,Khushi has been surprised but didn't ask him anything knowing there must be a reason for it.
Arnav led Khushi into the room they both were more than familiar too,his one hand holding hers while he held Aashi protectively with the other.the farmhouse has always been special both of them instantly transported to the time when one similar night they have entered this room together 3 years ago,the night when they have become one soul.After their remarriage farmhouse has become their refuge,both of them making an escape to here whenever they needed a break and needed time off everything.now they stood in the same room with their daughter,bringing her to the part of their world which was only known to both of them. Words that has been from their heart ringing loud in their ears.
"Khushi,mujhse vaada karo,mujhe kabhi chod ke nahi jaogi,main tumhare bina jee nahi paunga".(Promise me Khushi,you would never leave me alone,i wouldn't be able to live without you).
"Humein bharosa hai,aap par,aapke pyaar par".(I have faith in you and your love).
Their trance got broken by the sweetest sound which actually would sound annoying to anyone but not to her parents as both of them looked at Aashi.carefully laying her down on the matress they both lay besides as the ceiling ablove glinted with stars once again,for moments there was silence when finally Khushi scooted close to both of them and then staring above spoke.
(IMAGINE AASHI TOO WITH THEM HERE).
"Mama,Amma,Babuji - Aashi,hamari beti,ab aap Dadi aur Nana-Nani ban gaye hai"..(Mama.Amma Babuji meet Aashi,our daughter,you have become grandparents now).
She caressed Aashi's cheeks,her voice so loving which only a mother was capable of while she spoke to her child as Arnav looked at them adoringly.securing her under the blankets in her pram Khushi took her rightful in her husband's arms,his heart beating shyncronised with hers.Arnav tightened his hold his voice firm by the ladened faith.
"Aaj,Mama bahut khush hongi Khushi".(Today,Mama would be very happy Khushi).
"Aur Amma-Babuji bhi".(And my Mom and Dad too).Khushi answered affirmatively as she continued.
"Jab Aashi thodi si badi ho jayegi,toh who bhi hamari aur aapki tarah inse baatein karegi,haina Arnavji?".(When Aashi will grow up a little,then she will also talk to them like us,right Arnavji?).
"Haan Khushi,hum dono use batayenge aur phir hum teeno inse ek saath baat karenge".(Exactly Khushi,we both will tell her and then we all will talk to them together).Arnav confirmed as they both drifted off to sleep talking about all their childhood memories dreaming of all the beautiful moments in their life ahead.
If a child brings unadulterated joy,liveliness and happiness in the family,then it also brings with it huge responsibilities ,the reason why each member of the raizada mansion was on their toes since Aashi has started crawling.The baby does things according to her wishes and same was with Aashi as she will try to squirm out of the arms of anyone who would be holding her if she felt like roaming around and when she was specially asked to do something,she would still lay still,her eyes twinkling as if she knew everyone anticipated her next move.
From Naniji to Nk everyone made a note that the surroundings were always clean as Aashi roamed all around,keeping a vigil so that she don't get hurt anywhere,everyone checking themselves to not through anything on the floor lest Aashi picks it up and put in her mouth unknowingly.the prakash clan being laid out specific instructions for the same.
It was another evening with Anjali and Arnav being in the office and mamiji out for her beauty appointment it was only nk,Naniji and Khushi at home.they were sitting in the living room sipping their tea while nk narrated them another goof up that he has made on his recent date.they listened to him keeping an eye on Aashi all along.seeing the time Naniji reminded Khushi that it was time for Aashi's oil massage .Khushi went to the kitchen to warm up the oil as Naniji got up to wash her hands telling nk to keep a watch on Aashi as she lay there on the soft cushioned soft mattress of hers surrounded by small pillows from all sided.he was playing with her when his phone rang and he got engrossed in the call missing Aashi moving past the safety of the boundaries of pillows as she slowly crawled up to the extremecorner of the room where laid a handful of electric switches.
Khushi carefully holding the heated oil was making her way from the kitchen when the motherly instincts in her guided her eyes to the empty rug to Aashi who by now was on the threshold of touching the barren switch .the oil dropped from her hands as she ran towards her she was about to shout her name feeling she would look back and step away when Naniji moved past her quickly and held her up from the back before she could touch any of them.
Khushi let out the breath she was holding as she saw a giggling Aashi in Naniji's arms.she held her daughter close showering her face with kisses.as tears flew down mercilessly from her eyes.Naniji kept a loving hand on her head as she explained Khushi that shouting the name of a child in such circumstances immediately as they gets startled and get more prone to danger but Khushi was not in a position to hear or understand anything,she just held Aashi tight ,stll grasped in the fear and shock of seeing her daughter so close to any mishappening.
Nk finished his call as he took notice of the situation,getting to know what happened in such a short time he cursed himself for taking the call,how could he have been so careless,what if Naniji has not used her presence of mind and something would have happened to Aashi.shuddering away from even the thought of it,he forcefullymade Khushi sit on the sofa who looked visibly shocked and scared,seeing her state he immediately went forward to call Arnav knowing it was only himshe needed.
Arnav ran his hands through his hair the umpteenth time as he glanced as his watch again waiting for the presentation to get over,he was feeling very uneasy,at unrest the feeling he has always felt when Khushi needed him,but she was home with Aashi and others he thought trying to sooth his racing heart but no avail,he would call her once this gets done or rather go home to see for himself he decided.
Anjali saw him shifting in his chair and asked him if all was fine ,he was about to tell her to continue with the meeting herself when his phone buzzed in his pocket.seeing home calling he immediately picked it up only to hear Nk's panicked fill voice as he spoke out.
"Nannav who Khushiji".(Nannav,Khushiji--).
His breath caught in his throat as his mind wavered to dangerous territroies but keeping the thoughts aside he asked not letting his voice give away the tension filing his entire being
"Khushi what Nk,tell me!"
"Nannav,Khushiji Aashi". Nk struggled to form words.
His patience giving up as he demanded earnestly "Khushi,Aashi what Nk,speak up right now".
Getting a grip on himself and remembering the reason he has called,Nk narrated the entire happening to him,only to tell at the end that Khushi was miserable since then,not even taking a sip of water,she has called off his name several time since then.Ending the call he sighed,he was right something was wrong but thanks to heaven above Aashi was safe but he needed to be home now.he barged into the conference room only to tell aman that he was going home while Anjali seeing his expression silently followed her brother excusing herself for the day too.
Khushi laid her head on Naniji's lap as she watched Mami dress up Aashi,she hasn't been ready to let her go at all and has only heeded when she was reminded that Aashi need to have her routine massage and drink milk as she might be hungry.The door opened and she sat up immediately sensing his presence,she let out a deep breath seeing Arnav came rushing in closely followed by Anjali ,he was here,her heart has called out to him,she hadn't been in a position to call him but nk has heard her unsaid plea.getting up she moved towards him but before she could she Aashi crawling slowly towards Arnav stopping near his feet ,staring at him wih her big beautiful eyes.
His anxious eyes immediately softened as he cradled her in his arms holding her close Aashi,her seeing for himself she was safe.his eyes darted as he took in the sight of Khushi,her eyes red and puffy with all the crying she must have done ,he led out his hand which she immediately grabbed and went to his eager arms as he held her close soothing her. Knowing she has to let it all out,he made her drink some water first and then encasing her hands in his own asked her the very word that was always her undoing.
"Thik ho tum?".(You are fine?).
As expected she nodded her head in denial as she narrated the whole incident to her husband,time by time seeing Aashi who was lovingly held by Anjali,her eyes tearful as theur gazes met,she could relate to Khushi having suffered the loss of her baby herself.by the time she ended,she looked visbly exhausted and Arnav carried her to their bedroom and laying her down on the bed patted her head as she slowly drifted off to sleep.
He glanced around the whole room while he sat near Khushi,the room which look more of Aashi then theirs,entireyly filled with her things,toys in some corner,her milk bottle at other,the little cupboard filled with her clothes,baby products,the walls adored with her pictures,each picture different from the other s capturing her various expresssions from time to time ,pictures of them together,with the family.
"What would have happened if Khushi has not seen her?,what if Naniji hadn't been there?". The thought of it sending shivers down his spine,that could never be a possibility,he shuddered.
Caressing Khushi's face ,he knew she was still under it, going through the same fear,Aashi has been the biggest blessing bestowed on them,she has made them parents,complete.Closing his eyes he whispered.
"Thankyou for keeping her safe,keep your hand on her always"
That was a father wishing for his child's safety,he would be more careful now he would get all the live wires and sockets covered,even the poolside would now have bounadries lest Aashi reaches there by any chance he decided .she was crawling,she would start walking soon,the thought itself made him smile,how would he feel when Aashi will hold his finger for the first time,he and Khushi trying to teach her ,her first baby steps.both of them walking along the path with Aashi in between he dreamed with open eyes.
The fear melting away as he thought of all that lay ahead of them,his father has never had time for him,always been too busy ,he could hardly remember a time when they have had a proper conversation,when he had been there when he or di needed him.but he was not what his father was,he would be part of anything and everything related to Aashi,he will enjoy and savour every moment with Aashi,Khushi and his family.
Passing Khushi a last glance he moved downstairs to tell everyone about his decision to get going with his decision,he saw nk looking restless,everyone agreed to him as Aashi's safety mattered the most when nk spoke up.
"Nannav,if you don't mind can i look over that all arrangements".His voice was firm.Arnav was about to say something when he continued further "nannav,let me do it,it was all my fault today"
Arnav saw his always jovial brother hugely serious,Aashi has bought such a change in everyone,nk has started growing more responsible he has seen and not wanting him to feel guilty he agreed.
"No Nk there is nothing like that,we all know how much you love Aashi,its not that you did it deliberately and she is safe and healthy,if you wish you can do it but make sure its all properly done with no loopholes".He finished with thefull asr tone in the end that itself said there wasn't any room for discrepancies.
Khushi woke up from a restless sleep,her eyes glancing around,she was in her room,last she remembered she was sitting in the living room her head on Arnavji's shoulders,he must have carried her up here she smiled and then the next moment it was back the fear in which she has dozed off.she rushed towards the stairs only to find Arnav already stroding upwards.
Reaching towards her,he quietly slipped behind her,enclosing her in his hold as he wrapped his arms around her waist,Khushi leaned back on him and she was about to say something but Arnav was too quick for her as he asked.
"Khushi tumhe kya dikh raha hai yahaan se?".(Khushi,what do you see from here?).
She eyed him sideways at the unexpected question but his eyes were focussed down from where they could see everyone and out of her habit answered anyways.
"Humein hamara pariwaar dikh raha hai Arnavji,sab Khushi hai,di Aashi ke saath khel rahi hai aur mamiji Naniji ko Aashi ki nayi dress dikha raha hai,nanheji Aashi ka khilona doondh rahe hai shayad".(I am seeing our family Arnavji,everyone is happy,di is playing with Aashi,mamiji is showing Naniji Aashi's new dress she bought and nanheji is perhaps searching Aashi's toy).She ended her voice filled with love.
Smiling and already aware of what her answer was going to be,he spoke his voice filled with the confidence.
"Yaad hai Khushi tumne mujhse kaha tha ki baat sach yaa jhoot ki nahi baat vishwas ki hai,abhi tumne mujhe bataya ki tum kya dekh rahi ho,ab batao in sab ke beech dark ki koi jagah hai,tumhe pata hai naa ki hum Aashi ko hamesha safe rakhne ke loye sab kuch karengey,tumhari devimaiyya Aashi ka dhyaan rakhengi,hamari famiy jo hamare sabse bada support hai,hamesha hamare saath rahegi".(Remember you have once told me that its not about truth or lies but faith,see you just now told me what you see,now tell me is there any room for fear in all these,you know we will do our best to keep Aashi safe,your devimaiyya will keep her hand on her and our family,our biggest support is always going to be there with us right).
Khushi listened to him,his words sinking deep into hear heart,vanishing all hear fears away as she remembered her own beliefs in fear of tomorrow we should not lose what we have today,she has everything she needed which seriously left no place for any fear or doubts in her heart.she turned in his hold as she spoke a bit teasingly to him.
"Aapko hamesha pata hota hai naa,hamara mood kaisa theek karna hai".(You always know how to make my mood fine).
"Tum bhi to hamesha mere saath aisi hi karti ho".(You always say the same thing to me too).He whispered back huskily.
The family watched on as a very flustered Khushi made her way towards them followed by her smirking husband.They smiled at each other al was back to being how its meant to be.
TRANSLATIONS IN RED.
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Edited by togetherforever - 11 years ago
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