Hello all...
Here comes the next OS in the series... the one that has been waiting in the wings for ever... and I couldn't make myself wait till tomorrow to post it...
And I have realised that it is my OSs that you guys love more than FFs like HRN... but am not sure I understand why... care to explain? Anyone?
Well, hope you enjoy...and please do leave your comments...and please scroll down if you want to read the English version...
23. Mera BetaThe swaying motion of the train turning into a soothing hum as it pulled farther away from the station, the middle-aged man sitting in A1/7 leaned back, looking out over the landscape rushing by, tuning out the bustle of the young couple who had joined him in the cabin.
Looking down at his watch, he realised that as expected, the rains of last night had made the train a couple of hours behind schedule. He sighed as he realised that he would have to call and let them know that they needn't come to pick him up, afterall, who knew if they fell further behind schedule? No point in making them come and wait indefinitely.
Just then, he was jostled out of his reverie as the young man who was trying to fit in his wife's heavy suitcase in the overhead rack lost his balance and fell over him. His breath leaving him in an "oomph" as the fellow's elbow rammed into his stomach, he struggled to get them both back on their feet even as the fellow muttered, "Oh, crap!", and his wife let out a worried, "Hey, Devi Maa!"
Finally settling down, the shamefaced young man said, "I'm really sorry, uncle. Maine aapko zyada hurt toh nahin kiya?"
Grimacing slightly as he sat up straight, his victim replied, "Koi baat nahin, bitwa. Ho jaata hain."
The ice-breaking thus done, albeit in a pain-filled manner, the girl asked, "Uncle aap kahan tak jaa rahe ho?"
"Hum toh Dilli jaa rahe hain, bitiya. Aur aap log?"
"Hum bhi Dilli jaa rahe hai. Inki naukri wahan hain naah. Kuch rishtedaaron se milne vaaste gaon gaye the, do din ke liye. Waise uncle, aapka naam toh poocha hi nahin..."
"Shashi... Shashikant Gupta. Hum toh Lucknow se aa rahe hain. Humari bhi choti si dookaan hai wahan, aur ek shaakha Dilli mein bhi shuroo kiya hai. Toh hum aksar Lucknow-Dilli yatra karte rehte hain."
Smiling now, the young man replied, "Main hoon Puneet aur yeh meri patni NIsha. Hum bhi nayi-nayi Dilli shift hue hain, aur abhi-abhi ek achchi ghar mil gayi, toh samaan lene gaye the, ghar basaana jo hain. Sab kuch Dilli se naya khareedna toh humari bus mein nahi...", he trailed off as his phone rang, and excusing himself, he turned to attend the call, with his wife paying close attention, as it became clear that it was a relative on the phone, updating about someone who had been hospitalised.
The break in the conversation letting Shashi go back to his quiet contemplation, he leaned back in his seat, head turned towards the window, staring out blindly at the green fields rushing by, even as his mind flew back over the past couple of years, when it had been him in the hospital, with another young couple standing watch over him.
The cruel smirk on the angelic face as he ruthlessly tried to snuff the life out of his prospective father-in-law...
The gasps for breath as he tried to fight for his life, only to be pushed under again...
The vague memories of his wife's, his daughters', his sister's and even his attacker's faces as he slipped in and out of consciousness over the days...
The inexplicable sensation of peace and strength wafting off of Khushi the day after she had run out sobbing from his room... which he now knew was just because of Arnav's silent presence by her side during those terrible times...
The days, weeks, months, that he was trapped helplessly in a wheelchair while his family went through hell, his beloved younger daughter went through hellfire, tortured emotionally by the love of her life, accused for crimes that she had never even dreamt of...
And all the while, he could see that Arnav was dying inside from what he was doing to his wife, from what he believed his wife had done, the constant war happening between his brain and heart, his experience and his gut instinct making him turn further away from the girl he loved above all else...
And then, somehow, everything started coming together, his daughter's innocence proven, the unshakable love and faith in eachother that got Arnav and Khushi over every obstacle that was thrown at them, right from Arnav kidnapping to Anjali's accident and Arnav's Dadi's machinations against Garima and Khushi...
With Shyam thrown out of Shantivan and life settling down to a peaceful glow after all the storms they had weathered, Arnav had come home to meet him one day... to have a talk with his parents-in-law, without even informing his wife... the day that had started the three of them on a new journey...
"Uncle, aap kuch khaayenge?", Nisha's voice interrupted his reverie. Lookig up blankly, he stared at the plate held out to him, trying to get his bearings. Finally, shaking his head, he replied, "Nahi, bitiya, dhanyavad. Hum khaa chuke hain. Aap log khaayiye."
Smiling and nodding, she turned back to serve her husband and herself, leaving Shashi once again to recollect the happenings over the past year that had gotten him back on his feet.
Seeing the white SUV coming to a stop outside the house, Garima called out, "Jiji, dekho naah, Arnav Bitwa aur Khusi aayi hui hain", before running out to receive her children.
Lying on his bed, Shashi could hear the conversation from the living room.
"Aao bitwa... Arre, Khusi kahaan reh gayi?"
"Namaste, Aunty. Nahi, Khushi nahi hai, bus main hi hoon."
"Hai re Nandkisore! Kaa hua Parmeshwari ko? Tabeeyat theek nahi hai kaa?"
"Arre, nahi, nahi Buaji! Bus mujhe Uncle aur Aunty se kuch baat karna tha, akele mein. Toh Khushi ko bataaye bina hi chala aaya. She doen't know that I'm here, aur please aap bbhi usse kuch mat kahiyeega."
"Theek hai, Nandkisore. Tum Saas, Sasur aur Daamad hi baatcheeth kar liyo. Hum toh bazaar ja rahe hain. Arre, Garima, iyaan kaa kar rahi ho? Bitwa ke liye kuch khane-peene ko le aao! Daamad hai, humra!"
After his Didi left and hearing Arnav vehemently denying his wife's offer of refreshments, the precise clicking of Arnav's shoes could be heard as he walked across to his room. Coming inside, he nodded in respect and said, "I hope aapki tabeeyat theek hai, Uncle."
At his nod, Arnav went on, "Mujhe aapse kuch baat karna tha...", and went ahead to explain how he had been on the search for appropriate treatments for his condition ever since the doctors in Delhi and Mumbai, to whom Arnav had taken them as soon as the events at his house had settled down, had refused to confirm his recovery. Apparently, he had now found someone in Singapore who specialised in a mix of Eastern wisdom and Western medicine to treat paralysis and upon sending Shashi's case files, had agreed to come down on a special consultancy visit. Arnav had further made them promise not to divulge any of this to Khushi as he plainly said that he couldn't take it if he had to see his wife crumpling under grief once again as she had after the Mumbai consultation.
The next few days passed in a blur of tests and re-tests and consultations before the Doctor gave a verdict that brought the biggest of smiles on his son-in-law's face and made his gentle wife collapse in a heap, weeping with joy, while his sister hugged him tight. Shashi could only stare in gratitude at the young man standing by him, the young man, who was slowly but surely taking the place of the elder son of the house. So what if they still were 'Uncle' and 'Aunty', the emotions and affections were all there...
The very next day brought bright sunshine and happy tears all over again as Arnav updated the news to Khushi, Payal and Akash when he brought them over for a quick visit. With his two daughters hugging him tight, Shashi watched Arnav holding Garima close as she succumbed to tears of joy and gratitude all over again. Thinking back to how Arnav had defended his mother-in-law against his Dadi's accusations, and had stood by Garima and Khushi with unflinching faith and love, Shashi too could only silently weep with thanks to the higher power which had brought this damaged, severe, undemonstrative, yet gentle young man who held an ocean of love in his heart into their lives.
The treatment starting the following week, there came a stage where water therapy was needed as well was use of a deep pool for the physiotherapy sessions and without a second thought, Arnav had ordered the Guptas to shift to his farmhouse where the quiet ambience and unpolluted air had done wonders in hastening his progress. With a band of dedicated servants and medical professionals appointed to assist in the treatments, there really had been no need for Arnav or Akash to take the effort. But it was with pride and joy and boundless gratitude that he let them take his two arms as they helped him take his first steps in the water, their firm grips letting him know that they wouldn't let him falter.
It took close to six months, but the steady progress kept him heartened and one morning, as his wife and daughter kept up their usual verbal exchange at the breakfast table while serving Shashi and Arnav, he noted that they had missed to serve the young man his tea. The table lapsed into stunned silence as the first faltering words sounded, "Arnav Bitwa ko bhi..."
The rejoicing and tearful laughs that followed all fell short of overwhelmed expression that dawned on Arnav's face on hearing those words. In a rare display of emotion, he bent down to touch Shashi's feet and straightened, wiping away the one silent tear that had threatened to spill down his cheek. Looking over at his sobbing wife, held in a bear-hug in her mother's arms, he said with a heart-breakingly glorious smile, "Dekha Khushi, maine kaha tha naah, Babuji ko main theek karrake tumhare saame khada kar doonga?"
And it was the first time that Arnav, without even realising it, had called him 'Babuji', and caught up in the moment, neither he, nor Garima had realised it. Shashi's joy on hearing it was no match for the tearful smile that lit up Khushi's face. Squirming out of her mother's arms, she had run to her husband, her arms coming around him in a grip so tight, it looked as if she wanted to melt into him. Given how close Arnav was standing next to him, their whispered exchange didnot escape Shashi's ears.
"Tum khush ho?"
"*sniffle*..Ji"
"Tumhein promise kiya tha naah?"
"Humein bharosa tha... Arnavji, hum aapse..."
"Jaanta hoon... main bhi..."
Over the next few weeks, the recovery went on faster and soon, the physiotherapy sessions slowed down to daily exercises and the focus shifted to a controlled diet. During one of their daily visits, Akash told Garima, "Amma, agar aapko yeh sab prepare karne mein madad chaahiye toh hum kisi trained chef ko laayein?", only to have his elder brother respond, "Nope, not going to happen, Akash. Tum nahi jaante maine ab tak kitni baar Amma se yeh keh chuka hai ki we'll get a dietician or medical food practitioner, but no, inko Babuji ka khaana khud apne haathon se banana hai."
And just like that, 'Aunty' became 'Amma'. If Arnav noticed his slip, or whether he saw the beatific smile on both Akash and Garima's faces, it was anybody's guess. Knowing how he detested anyone giving him special attention or making a big deal over something he said, everyone proceeded quietly with the conversation. It was only Khushi's gentle squeeze on his arm and his responding smile that clued Shashi in on the fact that it hadn't been a slip. Shashi and Garima had become 'Babuji' and 'Amma' to Arnav Singh Raizada.
"Uncle, aapko chai chaahiye?"
Looking up at Puneet standing by the door with the tea-vendor looking on in anticipation, Shashi nodded, "Ji, dhanyavad."
As he turned to get his purse, the young man interrupted, "Arre, nahi, Uncle. Ek chai ke liye aap apni purse mat nikaaliye."
Brushing Shashi's protests aside, he got him his tea and settling down once again next to his wife, smiled at him, "Toh Uncle, aapne kaha ki aapki dookaan hai, Dilli mein aur Lucknow mein. Kya business karte ho?"
Taking a moment to swallow the tea he had sipped, Shashi replied, "Mithaayi ka dookaan hai, bitwa. Lucknowi mithaayiyaan bechte hai hum."
"Arre waah, toh humein ghar ki yaad aa gayi toh hum aapke dookaan se mithaayi lene aayenge. Kahan hai, Dilli mein, aapki dookaan?"
"Lakshmi Nagar mein, bitwa, Gupta Sweets."
It was received with stunned silence by the young couple. Having heard him describe his shop as a 'choti si dookaan', they hadn't expected him to be the owner of the fastest growing sweet-shop in Delhi. The quality and customer service having won over anyone and everyone who had visited the shop even once, it had grown to being an enterprise that now emplyed over fifty people, with new branches coming up all over the NCR.
Looking at their faces with a smile, Shashi went back to sipping his tea, his thoughts flying back again...
A few weeks after he got back on his feet and his speech steadily improving, he had updated his wife on how he had lost mobility in the first place and her shock, grief and anger not going unnoticed by her children, the story of Shyam's doings had reached the Raizada's swiftly. It was an emotion-filled visit indeed when Arnav and Anjali came over to meet him to apologize for the deeds of someone who had snatched much more from their lives. But the truth finally coming out in the open at given them all the closure that they needed, with the knowledge that Shaym was paying the price for his misdeeds with attempted murder added to his charge-sheet while he languished in jail, awaiting a chance for appeal.
It had been a month later, when Shashi mentioned his desire to go back to Lucknow and start his mithaayi business once again that Arnav noticed how his wife's face fell at the thought of her parents moving so far away from her, and suggested that he help in expanding the business. Taking monetary help from his damad going against his principles, Shashi had protested, which Arnav, now in total ASR-mode had over-ridden with the argument that it was Khushi's money that would be invested and in return, Khushi may be made into a partner. At which, Khushi being Khushi, had insisted a five-way partnership between Shashi, Garima, Madhumati, Payal and Khushi, which was welcomed and approved by the family conclave.
With Payal suggesting that a branch be opened in Delhi under Buaji's guidance, so that Shashi and Garima would be forced to spend a better part of their time in Delhi with them, it was decided to open up two branches, one in Lucknow and one at lakshmi Nagar. The business had taken off beyond their wildest dreams, and the AR connection ensuring bulk orders and repeat business as well as providing excellent references, it had been their genuineness, warmth, and honesty that had propelled their growth. The growth had been such that Shashi and Garima had resorted to taking turns in spending atleast a week a month in Delhi, with the other three holding fort during their absence. And thus this trip Delhi...
Smiling gently at how Arnav and Akash had huffed when he declined their offer of sending their chopper to pick him up, Shashi shook his head to himself. Finishing his tea, Shashi got up to throw the cuo in the wastebin and freshen up before the train reached New Delhi. While coming back, he paused at the door as he overheard the young couple talking about him.
"Nisha, maine suna hai ki Gupta Sweets ke maalik ki do betiyan hain, aur woh Raizada khaandaan ki bahuen hai. Zara socho, hum itni der Raizada pariwaar ke samdhi se baat kar rahe the!"
"Aur itna simple sa aadmi... kaun kahe ga ki yeh aisa koi hai!"
Pushing the door open, Shashi walked in, "Lagta hai, bus thodi der mein hi hum Dilli pahoonchenge..."
Still a little star-struck, Puneet asked, "Toh Guptaji, aap kaise jaayenge? Koi aayega, aapko pick karne?"
"Waise toh bitwa humne kaha hai ki gaadi late chal rahi hai aur hum khud chale aayenge, lekin pata nahi ki humre bachche maanenge ya nahi... station jaake hi pata chalega..."
And half-an-hour later, when the train had finally chugged into New Delhi, Puneet got his last bag down and handed over to his wife before helping Shashi get down. Setting his bag down near his feet, Puneet straightened up and asked, "Guptaji, aapko kahin chodna hai toh hum...", only to trail off as he spotted the fond smile on Shashi's face as he looked over at someone in the crowd.
Turning his head to follow his gaze, Puneet murmured, "Lagta hai koi aa hi gaya...", finally spotting the handsome, Armani-clad form striding briskly through the crowd, apparently oblivious to the fact that the crowd had recognised him and was moving to the sides making way for him.
Even as he whispered in awestruck tones to his wife, "Arnav Singh Raizada!", Shashi held out a hand to the smiling young man now jogging up to him , "Haan, kaha tha naah, nahi maanega...Mera Beta..."
Author's Note:
This is one of my personal favourites and I hope you find it the same...
As Maya and stg1 said in their wonderful comments, I do put in a lot of love and care in my writing... and this one takes the cake when it comes to my recent OSs...
So please, please do let me know your thoughts... a hundred comments would be a good thing to see :-D
P.S: Aruni, I hope I confused you this time too... did the beginning make you think that the young couple are Arnav and Khushi? :-P
P. P. S : To those who're waiting for the English Translations, please hang on a little longer, I'll get around to it shortly...
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