FF: Ek Aur Zindagi.. Ch:29 page 137 - Page 77

PART 24:

"What did he mean? Did Arjun sir really think so? That I can be Adi's mom? And then that means..."

She closed her eyes and breathed in hard.

How can it all come in so fast? Yes she did love Adi as her own son. Who wouldn't? but she never thought anything more.

She was completely confused. And more confusing was Sameer's words.

Then what was that Sakshi saying long back? Which part was true? She didn't know anything as now. Maybe a night's sleep would help. She went to her bed, though the sleep never came in.

***

Sakshi woke up next morning. She was feeling drained still. She walked upto her window and stood there feeling the sunrise.

Mom walked to her with a cup of coffee. "good morning Sakshi"

Sa: (smiling) morning Maa.

Mo: feeling better?

Sa: yeah.

She was sipping her coffee. Mom gave her some time to compose.

Mo: kal kya hua tha Sakshi? You were real upset.

Sa:kuch nai Maa.

M: Sakshi, don't lie to me.

Sa: nahi Maa. Kal bas bohot tired hogayi thi. Aur kuch nai.

Mo: tum Adi ko leke kafi upset thi.

Sa: yeah, usse bohot thez bukhar tha. Isliye.

Mo: and nothing else?

Sa: matlab?

Mo: Sakshi, kafi samay se mein notice kar rahi hu. You are getting closer to him. jo pehle kabhi nahi hua tha.

Sa: he is so cute Maa. You know him.

Mo: yeah I know, and I know you too. Isliye puch rahi hu. Is it something beyond it?

Sa: aap kehna kya chahthe ho?

Mo: ye pyaar sirf Adi keliye hi hai ya...

Sa: Maa please, I admire Arjun. wo sirf ek kabil officer hi nahi, ek single parent bhi hai. the way he is handling both roles are great. Haan, maana ke aaj kal kuch problems tha, lekin hamesha aise thodi na hoga.

Mo: I know. Mien sirf isliye puch rahi thi, kyunki tum aaj kal sirf Adi ke bare me nai, balke Arjun ke bare me bhi kafi bathein karthi thi. You seemed quite impressed by him.aur mujhe patha nahi kyu aise laga ke tumhare man me kuch aur bhi hai. I just wanted to clear it.

She was silent. She knowingly never thought about it. But she was not sure if she had said or done anything something like that to make such impresseion. Mom noticed her silence.

Mo: waise Rishab ke parents ka call tha...

She knew she have to answer that part soon. It was not forgotten, it was just kept aside due to the busy schedule.

Mo: Rishab tumse bath karna chahthe hai. give him a call when you are free. he didn't want to disturb your work.

Sa:hm...

Mo: its time to think about it seriously Sakshi.

Sa:ji Maa.

Mom went out later. She rested her head on the window pane and waited.

Why is it confusing? Why is she not able to decide about Rishab? What was stopping her?

She thought to give it a rest and go with a wind. And today she will speak to Rishab.

***

Arjun woke up in the sofa with Adi sleeping in his lap, with his face pressed towards Dad's chest. He never got a chance last night to reach the bedroom. Both of them were in such a situation that they just needed their presence. Nothing more... he could remember what his little boy said last night.

Adi had cuddled closer to him before voicing it. "do you miss mom?"

He had to force his voice out. "hm..."

He could feel a slight wetness on his chest. He hugged Adi tight and then kissed his hair.

He slowly pulled Adi to sit up and face him.

Ar:Adi...

He couldn't look up to his dad, showing the tears.

Ar: Adi...

He slowly lifted his face to look at his dad.

Ar: aap bhi mom ko miss kar rahe hai na?

He nods yes, with tears brimming in the eyes. Arjun wiped those away that came down on his cheeks.

Ar:mujhe patha hai, aap mom ko bohot miss kartha hai.aur shayad mujhe bhi...

Adi looked at him with a bit surprise.

Ar: sab bachen ghar pe apne mom-dad ke paas hai, aur aap waha hostel me. Waha bhi sabse milne parents athe hai, aur mien bohot kam atha hu na...

Ad:nahi dad, its ok.

Ar(smiling): I know, apko bura laga tha. I'm sorry beta.

Adi hugged his dad tight.

Ad:nahi dad, I missed you. Par mien aapse naraz nahi hu.

Arjun hugged him tight.

Ad: aap sabse best dad ho. I promise.

Ar: par Adi...

Adi sat up in the lap and looked at him.

Ad: meine mom ko miss kiya hai.par mujhe patha hai, ke aap best dad ho. mujhe aur kuch nai chahiye.

Ar: are you sure Adi?

Adi looked up at him.

Ar: apko mom nahi chahiye?

Adi sat silent for a while. And then hugged his dad again.

Ad: mujhe bas mere dad hi chahiye. Aur kuch nai.

Arjun didn't know what exactly was going on in Adi's mind. He was happy to have him in his arms. They took care of each other's pain. And none can heal them better. They found solace in each other's arms and slept.

Now he looked at the peacefully sleeping Adi in his arms. He felt proud of his son, and kissed him again. But he needed to know Adi's mind set too. He thought to speak about it when time comes.

Adi cuddled closer to him and held on to his shirt. Soon he opened his eyes feeling Arjun's hands on his hair. "good morning beta"

"morning dad..."

Ar: ab kaise ho?

He checks for the fever, which has cleared off.

Ar: lo, bukhar tho chale gaye.

Ad:hm...

Ar: brush kare?

Ad: na...

Ar: ahaan...

They sat there itself for a while and then Adi sat up.

Ad: apko office jaana hai na?

Ar: only if you are feeling well.

Ad: mien teekh hu.

Ar: ok, tho aap mere sath office arahe hai ya..

Ad: camp... aap office jayiye. Mien camp me jaatha hu.

Ar: par aap tired nahi hoge?

Ad: its ok... I'll be fine.

Arjun was not convinced of sending him to the camp as he is just back from the fever.

Ar: ok,pehle hum doctor ko milthe hai, baadme decide karenge.

Ad: firse doc kyu?

Ar: don't worry, iss bar injection nahi hoga.

He helps him in brushing and getting ready. They have toast and jam in breakfast and then go to the clinic. Adi is not happy with going to the doc. He stayed closer to his dad.

Doc: fikar karne ke koi wajah nahi hai. bukhar uthar gaya hai. bas thodi weakness hai, it will be fine soon.

Ar: I was planning to go to office for a while aur isse bhi lejau. Par Adi camp jana chahthe hai.

Doc: Adi camp hi jayiye. You have good friend there right?

Ad: yeah.

Doc: great. Lekin zyada bhag dhod math karna. Kya waha pe khana aur rest sab teekh hai?

Ar: yeah it's a good place.

Doc: then camp it is. Happy, Adi?

Ad: yeah.

Do: ok, Adi, aap sister ke sath jayiye aur height aur weight check karke ayiye.

The sister smiles at him and he leaves with the sister to another room.

Ar: kya hua doc?

Doc: jo stress se wo abhi abhi aye hai, wahi wapas jaana teekh nahi hoga. That's why I stopped him from going to office. Kids ke sath rahenge tho behthar feel karega. Just inform them to take extra care.

Ar: ok.

By then Adi comes back and leaves with dad.

They reach the camp and meet nani. Arjun informs about Adi and promises to be back ASAP, as there were just a few important matters to be taken care of now. He left for office.

In office the air was a bit different. All were happy as everything was clear, still he felt that something was missing.

Sameer was thinking over his words with Aisha and how she would have reacted to it.

Aisha was not sure as of how to face Arjun or Sameer. How much did they think about, and what exactly were they thinking?

Sakshi didn't know why she was not being able to decide over Rishab and what she actually wants.

Oblivious to all their thoughts, Arjun was happier, as he saw a glimpse of Adi's mind. That the kid was not upset with him, but happy to be with his dad...

His words had that effect on him.