Chapter Eleven
As days passed by, the trio's routine was well set and the painting too shaped up well. Mohan made time along with his remote working, to do his bit of corrections to the darling' painting.
Megha got down from the terrace and found Mohan involved in the painting. Her lips curved in a satisfied smile, when she saw Nanhi asleep on his lap and he maneuvering his hands on the painting without disturbing the baby
"How is it coming?" She asked
Mohan turned to find Megha adorably pretty from her work and fresh morning air
"Beautiful!" He blurted out unconsciously
"Let me see" She peeped closer to the picture not noticing the brightness in his eyes
They talked about the colors and the highlights, which were faded in the dirt. She liked what he had done to the painting, trying to give a makeover. Her closeness disturbed him not letting him focus on what she was saying. Abruptly she stopped talking realizing their arms brushing each other and she sprang away from him. She wanted to keep her distractions minimum, wanting to keep her life in order with or without Mohan around.
"Have you been sitting like this for long?" She asked hastily
He swallowed hard trying to recover in his own time and didn't reply.
"I thought she would be missing me" Megha looked at her daughter with longing
"Not when her favorite Manny is watching to her needs" Finally Mohan found his words
"So, how do you manage with your job here and there?" She asked
"My job involves multitasking with gadgets. Life is real good!" He traced his finger along the line of baby, laptop, phone and the painting
She pursed her lips and he was gazing at her gesture.
"I don't even own a phone" She blinked at the items scattered around him
"I think we should fix that issue, at once" He said to which she quickly shook her head
"If I let you buy anything for me, then I am not what I want to be" Her response was so abrupt that Mohan found no words in response
Megha couldn't let go of her dignity. She was vulnerable given the circumstances of their meeting. She didn't want to believe that formed an eternal bond between them. She wanted to live her life in her own terms. She didn't want to acknowledge Mohan in her life, thus losing her value for her own. She was too proud to do that and didn't want to entitle her living dependent on a man.
"So, when are you leaving for the art exhibition?" Mohan asked trying to change the atmosphere
"I will be gone after feeding Nanhi" She told and then asked him doubtfully "Do you think you can manage her alone?"
"I and Cookie have plans for the day" He smiled at ease
Just then Nanhi made her call
"Ok! Duty calls" He rushed into the room to heed to Nanhi
"I wonder who the mummy is!" Megha said playfully
"If I can feed her, I don't think she needs you" Mohan said with pride and asked Nanhi "Do you miss Mummy, Cookie?"
Nanhi cooed smiling at him.
"Look, that's her no" He said to Megha
"Oh is it? Let me try"
While Mohan transferred Nanhi to Megha, their hands brushed. He didn't remove his hands wanting to feel her skin. They made a perfect picture holding the baby together in the center. She felt a stir inside her and quickly whisked away. Her hair fell on her face in the process blocking her view and with both her hands busy she didn't bother to clear it. Mohan closed down the space between them, brought his fingers to move the hair away from her face. He put them back behind her ears lingering there for a while. They gazed into their eyes.
"Ooo... Ooo..." Nanhi made her favorite gurgling sound
"You are right! It is a no" Megha stressed on the no and took the baby inside
I know that was a Yes', which you want it to be a No'! He thought but said nothing.
He wasn't annoyed by Megha's lack of trust. In fact he even admired her caution. She had once been interested in marriage, husband-wife relationship and everything about it. But now it was obvious that she'd run in the opposite direction if she sensed him having anything on his mind.
"Don't worry. Just enjoy your day out" He said confidently to Megha before she left for the exhibition
An hour later, Mohan was alone at home, with Nanhi sleeping peacefully in her cradle. He was talking on the phone with his manager, in a low voice not wanting to disturb the baby. Suddenly he heard a sharp cry from Nanhi's room. He was startled and dropped the phone running into her room to carry her.
He tried everything but Nanhi didn't stop crying. He didn't think she was hungry. He talked, played and did whatever he could to cajole her but in vain. Nanhi didn't respond to any of them. He was worried and alarmed as the baby's wail increased. He checked the baby for any hurt or wounds on her body.
"Are you scared, Cookie?" His eyes were wet seeing the baby turning red
He swaddled her in a blanket and carried her close to his chest making her feel secure. It worked. The baby's sob reduced a little and she started giving attention to him. He started swaying in the air as if dancing to which Nanhi responded with a smile.
"Was that just a trick?" A small smile formed around his lips bringing a sigh of relief
"You scared me! Don't do that ever again." He mocked an angry face and she smiled bigger
"So you wanted a dance with me?" And he started moving fast with his dance movements
Nanhi was giggling by then and Mohan was laughing out loud along with her. He swirled around making her giggle more and bumped into Megha who entered the home just in time. He lost his balance but Megha caught him from falling down. He steadied back into position and shrugged his shoulders in apology.
"So, was this your big plan? " Megha enquired
"Partly yes. Want to join us?" Mohan asked her "Do we have room for one more, Cookie?" He asked a giggling Nanhi who responded with a "goo-goo"
"That looks like a no'" Mohan said playfully and continued his dance, ignoring an annoyed Megha
Edited by Senpoo - 12 years ago
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Cricket
