FF: Ek Aur Zindagi.. Ch:29 page 137 - Page 92

CHAPTER 29:

Adi: ek bath puchu?

Ar: pucho.

Ad: wo... aapke mumma kaha hai?

Arjun was taken aback. He didn't expect such a question. He didn't know how to answer.

Ad: dad, bolo na...

He looked at the innocent face in front of him. To lie to his son was so tough.

Ad: dad, kahi wo bhi, meri Mumma ke tharah...

Ar: nahi beta, wo hai. Aapke dada aur dadi hai. Aur abhi Mumbai me hi hai.

Ad: tho fir hum unse mile kyu nahi?

Arjun thought for a while. "wo... isliye, kyunki wo dono aapke dad se naraz hai"

Ad: kyu?

Ar: um... mujhse ek galthi hogaya tha. Isliye naraaz hu.

Ad: oh... tho aap unse sorry nahi kaha?

To say yes will be a lie. To say no would be disheartening. So he kept his silence.

Adi touched his face, "aap milna nahi chahoge unse?"

That was too much for Arjun. He held Adi's hands in his palms.

Ar: milna chahu, tho bhi nahi mil sakthe Adi.

Ad: kyu? Unse sorry keh dona. Wo maan jayege.

Ar: agar nahi maana tho?

Adi thought for a while. "tho fir teekh hai. Hum sorry kahe tho ache bath hai na?"

Arjun smiled at those innocent thoughts. He pulled Adi back to his chest.

Ar: ye sab unthe asaan nahi hai Adi.

Ad: hm... koi bath nahi. Ab sojathe hai. Good night dad.

Ar: good night beta.

He hugged his son tight and patted his back. It was so easy for his son to say it. And it was right too. If someone does a mistake, one should say sorry. That's what he taught Adi. But what was the mistake that he did? Was it a mistake to follow dreams?

He didn't know the right answer yet.

Next day: 2 days left:

Adi went to his camp as usual and Arjun went to the office. He walked to Sam's cabin to give back the file that he took before. He saw Sam was by the window.

Ar: kya hua?

Sameer looked up and then went to his seat. Arjun also had his seat.

Ar: everything alright?

Sam: hm... Yes and no.

Ar: kyu?

Sam: well tumhare aur Aisha ke confusion khatam tho naya shuru.

Ar: kya?

Sam: well, she said something.but I don't know if she was serious.

Arjun mentally smacked his own head.

Ar: damn!! How can you be so stupid Sam?

Sam: what?

Ar: Aisha took her first step and you didn't know? Are you serious?

Sam: but she didn't say it clear.

Ar: what should she say? That she loves you???

Sam: but that part never came up. She just said that we need to think about us'. And us' can be, she and...

Ar: Osama Bin Ladan!!

Sam: what??

Ar: then what? The girl is taking the first step. It should have been you instead. You liked her. And then you said she don't like you. You pushed her to me. And nothing happened. And now when she knows about you, she is taking the steps. And you are confused?? Damn!! Forget it. Thera kuch nahi hoga. Bye.

Arjun walked out of the room. Sam sat amazed how Arjun had summarized everything so neat.

He looked over to the hall. The 4 people were in a masti mood it seems. They were laughing on unknown jokes. And she looked beautifull when she smiled.

"Maybe Arjun was right. It should have been my turn to take first step." He thought and wondered how to make up the mistake.

***

Rishab called Sakshi that very morning. He still didn't get a straight answer from her, except that she said she won't make him wait long for the reply. Though he never pressed her for the reply, he was still waiting.

It was easy to talk to her now. He was sure that he had brought up her as a friend now. Now the steps ahead were still unkown.

Sakshi though said to answer him quick, didn't say it. She knew that he was a guy whom every girl would wish for a husband.But then she was taking her time given to her.

***

It was afternoon, when Gayathri thought of visiting camp again. She tried her best not to go there. But Adi's face in her mind couldn't stop her. She went to the camp.

All were relaxing after the lunch. Adi saw Dadi walking in with Nani. A smile came up on his lips. He went to her.

Ad: hi.

Da: hi Adi. Kaise ho?

Ad: good.

Da: sweets khaya?

Ad: haan. Aur dad ko bhi bohot pasand aya.

Da: wo... khaya?

Ad: haan. Ek ya do. Baki sab meine hi khaya.

She felt happy to know that.

They talked for a while in Nani's room. Adi was curiously watching Dadi while talking.

Ad: ek bath puchu?

Da: haan.

Ad: aapke bache hai?

Da: haan. Ek beta hai.

Ad: wo ache hai?

Da: haan.bohot ache hai.kyu? kya hua?

Ad: agar unse koi galthi hogaya hai tho... Aap maaf karoge?

Dadi was surprised at the question.was Adi asking about something he knew? Or was it just a simple question?

Ad: bolo na...

Da: haan... maaf karunga. Aap... ye sab kyu puch rahe ho?

Ad: aise hi...

She could say that it was a lie.

Da: aap jhoot bol rahe ho na?

Ad: apko kaise patha?

Da: apke ankhen keh rahe hai.

Ad: dad bhi aise kehthe hai.

Da: acha? Aur kya kya kehthe hai.

Ad: bohot kuch. Hum bohot masti bhi karthe hai.

Da: acha?

She was feeling real happy to know all these. Adi started to tell tales about his and dad's masti. She was listening to it with full heart. It was all those moments she had missed in her life.

Soon she could bear no more. She said she had to leave and then bid good bye to Adi and others. She walked to the car wiping her tears. She got in and her driver drove away.

A few feets away was another car. The man in the driving seat was here for a while now. He saw his wife walking out of a summer camp for kids, wiping her tear.

Mr. Rawte had seen her going out with sweets previous day. She kept to herself after coming back. And it was clear that she was crying. But didn't say a word. When he had called up to home this afternoon, the maid said that she had gone out. A call to the driver and he knew the location. He thought of ingoring his erge to follow her. But failed. He too reached outside the camp. Now he was sure why she came here. But he couldn't walk in to see the real reason. His mind, and older decisions didn't allow him. But when he saw his wife walking away wiping the tears, something struck deep inside the region known as the heart.

***

Day before the birthday:

Arjun was in the ETF hall. He had already thought of the plans.

Ar: everyone... kal Adi ka bday hai.

Sr: we know sir. Infact hum soch rahe the ke kya surprise du.

Ai: did you plan already sir?

Ar: um... Thode bohot socha hai. Kal pura din, mien unke saath bithana chahtha hu. So we will be going out.

Ch: aur hum sab?

Chotu sported a kid who had lost his candy expression.

Sak: don't worry Chotu. We will make it up. Arjun, if you don't mind, Adi keliye ek surprise party arrange karu?

Ar: I don't mind. Par agar koi case aya tho... I don't want you guys to stress up.

Sak:shubh shubh bolo Arjun. Iske beech case ko math lao. At present we don't have any pending case. So lets get it done.

Sam: haan Arjun. jab thak tum dono wapas ajeyage, hum tumhare ghar pe hoge. Aur agar case aya tho we will cancel the party part.

Ai: par please Adi ko kal sabere hum sabse milwayiye.

Ar: sure. Hum jaathe waqt yaha aake hi chalega.

Sak: that's great.

He was happy too as all were excited for Adi's bday.

***

Same night:

Sakshi had a talk with her mom. The matter that she heard from her mom did upset her. She knew she wouldn't be able to sleep with it. She needed to do something about it. She thought for a long time and then decided to call Aisha.

Aisha was going to retire to her bed when her mobile buzzed.

Ai: kya hua Sakshi?

Sak: Aisha... ek bath hai. I think I need your help.

Ai: kya hua?

She explains the matter and Aisha understands it too.

Ai: ok, kal dekthe hai. lets try our level best. Should we speak about it to someone?

Sa: how about Sameer?

Aisha thought for a while.

Ai: you are right. I'll ask him.

She hung up and decided if it would be good to speak to Sameer at this time. She decided to give it a try.

***

Arjun's place:

Adi was asleep in Arjun's bed. He tiptoed to finish his preparations. And the double checked it.

He was satisfied and came back to Adi's side. He hugged his kid tight. Unknown to him, his eyes did get moist.

Years back, on the same day, he had spent a whole evening with Roshni. She was too tired, that he cradled her to sleep as always. She held his hands on her belly as if asking for his warmth for the kid inside her. She looked so calm when slept and soon he too drifted to sleep.

Soon by midnight, he had felt her twitch. He opened his eyes to see her having little bit trouble. A look to her and he knew it was almost time. He helped her up and took her to the car. All the way to the hospital, she showed symptoms of being in pain, though she was reassuring him that she were fine. It was a hard moment when she was wheeled to the labor room. The wait outside a closed door had felt like ages.

He did have Sam by his side. But that didn't cool him off.

It was almost dawn, when a doctor came out with his bundle of joy.

His Aditya. A name long decided by Roshni herself.

He took the baby in his arms as if he was made of crystal. He had never seen such a cute baby. Adi showed distinct features of Roshni and himself.

The baby yawned silently squeezing his eyes tight. Sam was by his side looking at the baby with adoration.

"Roshni?"

"she is fine too" the doctor relaxed him with a smile.

He felt so complete holding Adi in his arms. He is a father now.

And now... Adi was cradling in his arms.

PS:

I am usually late in my updates. But now, I may be more late too. I am taking a new step in my life too. I got my first job offer and will be joining in this Monday. I am glad to share my happiness to the whole lot of my friends in this forum. So until I settle down, I may take some time. But don't think I'll be away for long. I can come in at any moment too. 😉

Please pray for me... as of now, I am used to be lazy. and now everything is gonna change. Will be here and around for sure. How can I miss all those lovely updated of my friends? 😳