CHAPTER 30:
Sameer was in bed tired by a day's work. He was just catching up the sleep when his mobile rang. He silently cursed the caller and looked at the clock. 11 pm. Obviously another case. He was sure of it. He took the mobile and looked at the screen and almost gasped. Sleep was far away now.
"Aisha... iss waqt?" he was confused. Still thinking it was for a duty call, he took it up. "hello..."
His voice said he was up from a sleep. She felt bad for that.
"hello sir... sorry, aap so rahe the?"
She said glancing at the clock. She smacked her head. Of course, rath ke 11 baje koi dance tho nahi kar rahe hoge.
Sam: haan. Bas abhi abhi... khair kya hua? Any new case?
Ai: oh no sir... wo bath ye hai ki...
Sameer felt it odd. It was not duty call then what was the reason of such a late night call? Arjun's glare and questions were right in front of him.
Sam: bath kya hai? Everything alright?
He too smacked his head for that question.
Ai: yes sir. All fine... bath ye hai ki... mujhe... I mean hame... aapke ek help chahiye... I mean... apke suggestion.
Sam: hum? Hum kaun?
Ai: mujhe aur Sakshi ko...
Sam: ohk... bath kya hai?
She speaks about the issue that Sakshi said to her. He sat up in the bed listening to it keenly.
Sam: oh... I see. Par kya Arjun ye sab janthe hai?
Ai: shayad nahi. I am not sure. Sir apko kya lagtha hai? Should we go ahead with it? Arjun sir apne aap kuch karne ke chance nahi hai. Par Adi... uskeliye tho hum ye kar sakthe hai na?
Sam: hm... kar sakthe hai. Lekin ye bath uthna asaan nahi hai Aisha. You don't know the past. But I do. I know them well. Aur jithna mujhe patha hai, this wont work.
Ai: oh...
He could read the dissapoinment in her tone.
Sam: don't worry. Lemme see. Kal dekthe hai.
Ai: thanks sir. And sorry I disturbed your sleep.
Sam: its ok. Ab sojao.
Ai: yes sir... waise aap khana khaya?
He felt it amusing.
Sam: kyu?
Ai: wo... hum sab milke kha liya tha. Arjun sir tho ghar gaye the. par aap...
He smiled at her worries.
Sam: haan khaya tha. I have strict orders from above not to skip meals.
Ai: above?
Sam: my mom of course.
Ai: oh... (She was smiling) mummy ka dulara...(she said in a second and then smacked her head again) sorry sorry. Mien aise hi...
Sam: its ok. Good night. See you tomorrow.
Ai: yeah good night sir.
They cut the call and both were smiling at each ends. Aisha then remembered to call Sakshi and informed about the matter.
While Sameer was thinking how to help the ladies. It was indeed a tough part. But as they said, a much needed step too. He thought of deciding it the next morning.
12 midnight: The birthday:
Arjun was not asleep at all. He saw his Adi turned opposite to him, but cuddling as close to his dad. He pats back the hair from his forehead and kissed Adi's cheeks.
"Happy birthday Adi..."
He whispered it his ears. Adi slowly stirred in his sleep and turned to his dad, smiling, eyes still closed. He rubbed his eyes to open up, still smiling. It was so cute.
"thanks dad..."
Now he was facing his dad, who had a great smile. Arjun ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead.
"So bday boy... What's your bday wish?"
Ad: abhi... Hm...
He kept thinking.
Ad: kuch nahi...
He hugged his dad tight. "chalo sothe hai..."
Ar: cake nahi chahiye?
Adi pulled away from his dad.
Ad: cake hai? aapko yaad tha?
Ar: of course. Mujhe kaise na yaad hothe?
Adi was too happy. Arjun took him up from the bed and went to hall.
It was decorated well. It was not too grand. A few balloons, flowers, and of course some gift wrapped well.
Adi walked around looking at everything, it was clear he was so happy.
Arjun brought in a chocolate cake for him with candles ready. Every year they celebrated the bday together. It was their private party. With just two of them. Adi beamed at the sight of his favorite cake. It looked so awesome.
"Happy birthday Adi..."
It was beautifully written over it.
Arjun kept in on the small table. He sat on his knees beside Adi who looked so happy.
"make a wish..."
Adi closed his eyes and his face said he was making a lamba wala' wish as always. He opened and nodded as he was done wishing. He blew the candles.
Arjun held the knife along with Adi and cut the cake. Adi was smiling all the way as his dad sang happy bday' for him.
Arjun fed a piece to Adi, who fed him back too.
Adi took some more time tasting another piece of cake and also fed Arjun. This was one of the few instances when Arjun liked sweets.
When he was done they kept back he cake in fridge for Sam uncle and team. They were back in the hall after fresh up that included masti in washroom when Adi splashed water on his dad and vice versa as tit for tat. After much splashing, Arjun had to take away Adi from washroom to hall along with a towel to wipe him off. He made Adi change to another night suit and Adi rushed to the hall to see the gifts.
He opened up everything one by one. He was amazed to see all his wish list coming up. He never knew when his dad had found time to collect all these for him.
Adi, though young had inherited Arjun's dress sense. He loved to put on shirts that funky T-shirts. Arjun had made sure his cupboard was almost full this time.
After all the gift opening and trying out some gift with his dad, Arjun pulled him up. "ab bas, baki sab sabere. Chalo sothe hai. We have a long day ahead"
Ad: kyu? hum kahi jarahe hai?
Ar: haan. Bolo kaha jaana chahthe ho?
Adi popped up from the bed as he Arjun lay him there.
Ad: tho kal aap office nahi jaoge?
Ar: nope. Kal pure din... sirf hum do... how about that?
Ad: GREAT!!!
They gave hi5.
Ar: kahi khas jaana chahthe ho? You didn't say you bday wish yet.
Ad: hm... actually aap kuch bhool rahe ho.
Ar: me?? Kya?
Ad: see, I told you. Aap bhool gaye!!
Ar: acha baba, bol, kya bhoola hai?
Ad: mere ek aur wish pending hai! Yaad hai, jab hostel se arahe the, thab meine do wish mangi thi. Ek tho flop ho hi gaya tha. Aap mujhe uss aunty ke paas chodke. For teekh hogaya. Camp ache hai. Par dusri wish baki hai!!
Ar: ok... yaad hai mujhe. Tho bolo, kya kya wishes hai?
Ad: hm... kal hum trecking pe chale?
Ar: trecking? Aur aap??
Ad: haan. Meine tv pe dekha hai... jungle me... bohot log jaathe hai. Please hum bhi chalen?
Arjun thinks for a while. There was a place with good vegetation after some driving distance. It was not so big problem. He thinks while Adi wait.
Ad: chalen??
He asked again.
Ar: hm... ok... par sham se pehle hame wapas aana hoga.
Ad(excited) done!! Yeah...
Adi was now jumping up and down in bed. Arjun caught him and made him lay down again.
Ar: ab dusri wish? Jo pending hai...
Ad: wo ab nahi. Baadme. Firse bhool math jaana.
Ar: yes sir!!
Ad: wow... kal bohot maza ayege na?
Ar: haan. Par pehle... sojathe hai. warne waha jaake neend ayega. Aur uske pehle, hume ek bar office jaana hoga.
Ad: kyu?
Ar: tumhare Sam uncle ko cake dena hai na?
Ad: haan... par uske pehle kuch aur bhi hai! yaad hai?
Arjun pulls Adi closer to his chest. "haan yaad hai... chalo, so jao... waise aap bhi kuch bhoole hai..."
Adi looks up to his dad, and then remembers it. He turns to the portrait ahead. "love you Mumma..." he sends a flying kiss to Roshni and then turns back to his dad.
"good night dad... love you..."
"love you too beta..."
They hugged tight and tried to sleep, while Arjun's eyes were still on the portrait.
He could feel the excitement when he walked to the room. Roshni was in her bed, covered half with a blanket, while little Adi lay beside her, bundled in a soft towel.
She had placed her hand around Adi, protecting him. She looked up as he walked in. Her eyes were tired, but it didn't hide the joy that was held within. He sat by their side tracing Adi's cheeks by his finger and then looked upto her.
Ro: bilkul aap pe gaye hai, Arjun.
Arjun was too happy that even his eyes filled. He leaned forward and kissed Roshni's forehead. And then placed his forehead with hers. "thanks Roshni... mere zindagi me ithne sare khushiyan bharne keliye... thanks a lot..."
Both of them sobbed silently though they had a smile too. They both knew how lonely his life was. And now it was complete.
Little Adi stirred in his sleep and yawned. Arjun looked at his baby. "kya hua? Apke mummy papa ke romance pasand nahi aya? Koi bath nahi... ab hamara sara time, sirf aap keliye. How about that champ?"
Ro: acha? Abhi se papa-beta team ban gaye. Bechari mumma out?
Arjun cupped her face by a hand. "of course. Hamare team bohot strong hai. agar entry chahiye.. tho bohot mehnat karni padegi.. samjhe ya..."
They smiled at his words. And even Adi was smiling in his dreams.
"Hamare team abhi bhi strong hai Roshni. But we miss you..." he said in his mind tightly holding Adi to him. Adi had already drifted to sleep with the excitement of a day out with Arjun.
Next morning Arjun woke up early to pack items for the small trecking. From medical kits, water bottles, spare dress, towels... he was packing a small rucksack for himself and Adi. He made a note to buy snacks and fruits on the way. He had already called a friend of his old time, to enquire about the spot and found it perfect. As it was summer holidays, it was a good spot for people for some fresh air.
He went in to wake up Adi by ruffling the hair. They decided to skip the jogging as they already had another plans. Adi was jumping in excitement all the way long. But before going to the trecking, there was another place to go. They got ready.
From the stock of the dress, Adi selected a white denim shirt completed with suitable shorts for the first visits. Arjun was amused at the choice of Adi. Then the usual masti while bathing... as of hiding behind bed post and tickling sessions. After a breakfast of puri and curry, they left for the day.
First destination... Mandir.
Roshni had made it a note to visit mandir on bdays. And Arjun always followed it. He never preferred going to temples as it brought in more than one piece of memory. But when Roshni was around, he went with her on her's, Adi's and even on his bdays. He could never say no to it on these days. The other days, she never forced him.
And today he walked in with Adi and prayed with the little kid. The poojari noted the kid's name and remembered a lady who had come before for the same kid. As instructed by her, he never said it and gave the kid Prasad that was made after special prayers for his well being.
After the prayer they took off in the SUV.
But in the mandir was his Dadi, who had kept her distance when she saw Arjun and Adi walking in. It was a long time since she had seen Arjun. And to see him all smiling and happy with Adi, was truly bliss. She was happy when Adi had taken the Prasad that she had kept for him. And was again happy when Adi fed a bit to Arjun too. As they walked away, she felt her heart split again. Only she knew how much she wanted to hold her kids in her hand. To give them all the love she has at heart and hold on to it.
Again... she felt a pain as she had to obey her husband's words. She never knew when she would have her turn to be happy again.
***
Adi and Arjun reached the office with sweets and the cake that they had kept for Sam uncle.
Adi was showered with love and hugs all along by all. Especially by Sam, who had a mouthful of cake, Aisha didi who pulled him up and hugged him tight, Aunty aka Sakshi who pulled his cheeks shrieking happy bday Adi...', Chotu who took a major chunk of cake, Sree and Liza who hugged and wished him in between the fight for a cake piece.
They didn't give him any gifts as they had already planned before.
Ai: so aaj kya plan hai?
Ad: mien aur dad trecking pe jarahe hai. join us?
Ai: I wish... par nahi. Kaam hai na?
Ad: ok... dad... chale?
Ar: haan chalo. Rathod... we will be back by evening.
Sam knew what he meant and silently took the key that Arjun gave him. They said bye and went off.
Once they were out, Aisha and Sakshi went to Sameer.
Ai: sir... wo kal rath ke baath...
Sam: I am trying. Will inform you soon.
He went to his cabin and thought how to go ahead. At last he decided to give it a try. He dialed a number hoping that the right person to pick up the call. He didn't want any new issue. And as he hoped, he heard a lady at the other end. "hello..."
Sam: hello... mien Sameer... Arjun ka dost hu...
She knew him well. After all he was her son's best friend.
La: ji, kahiye...
Sam: auntyji... mujhe aapse milna hai... can we meet?
She thought for a while and said yes. They decided the spot too. Sameer went to Aisha and Sakshi.
Sam: she is ready to meet. Tum dono bhi aajao.
They agreed to it and went off.
***
The trecking was fun. The dad-son duo had a great time climbing the rocks and through the forests. They laughed and played all along. They never knew when it was getting late.
After much persuation, Adi said yes to go back, only after his dad promised him to come back again before going back to hostel.
They reached home. Sam had already messaged Arjun that they were home. Adi and Arjun walked in to the home and opened the door with a spare key. As Adi walked in, he jumped in surprise as Sree, Liza, Aisha and Sakshi shrieked SURPRISE!!"
Arjun joined his son and took him in. he looked around and was too happy too. The team has done serious work in decorating the home.
But then he caught a smell of a familiar smell.
And then another surprise came in when Adi cried out, "DADI!!!"
He turned around to see his mother walking in with herown made cake with candles on top.
Arjun stopped his steps as he saw his mother placed the cake on the table and pulled Adi up from the ground to give a tight hug.
The mother and son's eyes met briefly... they both were lost in each other for a while...
Edited by kunchu - 11 years ago
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