T2: Ek Aur Zindagi..(Epilogue:page 130) - Page 24

PART 37:

Its been few days that she had left the home. Ever since she went he was feeling the extension of the hollowness that he was feeling for a long time now.

She hadn't said a word when he asked Arjun to go out of the home. Her sobs and tears never asked him why.

When Arjun came to invite them from the marriage, when he slapped him hard on his face... still she didn't question him. A deep gasp, a sigh, sobs and tears were her friends yet.

When the news came that they were grandparents, she didn't ask anything. Except for the longing face and pleading eyes. He kept ignorant of all these, and again tears joined her soul.

The blow was when the news came of Roshni's death. It did shake him to the core. But still he couldn't pull himself out. For the first time she voiced. She wanted to be with her son. For the first time he felt lonely. After Arjun's leaving the home, now if she goes, then he would be left alone. He didn't want that. Maybe inside the stern Rawte was a frightened heart that didn't want to be alone. To win over his fear, he exciled himself with her. He thought he won over his fear, only to know that he was defeated by a great margin.

Once abroad, she never voiced anything. She was a dutiful wife who looked after his daily routine even without a second's lag. He made sure he was good in health. She went with him to all the parties of buissness or other, not to let others point question on their relation. She did everything, except for one thing.

She forgot to live. She was breathing, but was not alive yet. She was smiling but nothing reached her heart. When she spoke, she just what was needed at that moment. She never mentioned what she felt. Never complained. Never wished anything.

After years, there was a chance to come back to Mumbai. Even without asking he knew she would like to come with him. He had seen her withdrawing sometimes. And she did too, once she reached Mumbai on the day when he won the award.

Soon her air was changed. The days when she met Adi. He didn't try to stop her, believing she would return home. He knew he was selfish. But then he couldn't help himself.

But then when she stayed back for Adi's birthday, he saw himself crumpling. He said words that he should not have even thought about. But then he did. And then she took it silent again, and was hospitalized.

There he saw the fury of his son again. And then the mirror image of his childhood in the form of Adi. He couldn't keep longer and then let her go with Arjun. He had already failed. It was another step down.

And she went and to be honest he didn't miss her. Because he had already missed her long back. Now he missed her presence too.

But he knew that she spoke to Chacha every morning. She did give daily updates of what to do and not, even though Chacha knew everything by heart. He never asked anything about it. But Chacha never hide too. In between his talks it will be out. And he knew how to act ignorant too.

And as such came Chacha's talks that morning. That was almost routine. While setting breakfast for him, chacha will give any news. Though Rawte acted as if he didn't care, Chacha knew he was always eager to know it.

"aaj Adi baba ka koi exam hai... aaj 10 baje... kissi school keliye. Agar jeetha tho wo yahi rukh sakthi hai. akhir kab thak Arjun aise akele rahega? Wo Gandhi road ke paas ke school tho bohot bade hai. aur mujhe yakeen hai, hamare bete ko waha admission zaroor milega." Chacha was speaking as if to none particular. But he knew Rawte waited to hear it too. After breakfast, Rawte went to his office. He was silent as usual. After daily check in of the information and files, he found himself looking at the clock many times. It was 9: 15 am. He was restless. After a tug of war with himself, he decided to go out of the office. He told his PA that he will be back after a while and to call back if urgent. He said that he would drive himself and went direct to the mentioned school. He knew well that the big school in Ganghi road is Summerdale. A good choice by Arjun.

He reached by 9: 45 and parked in a side. Soon they came in a cab. She paid the driver and asked him to leave.

He could see the older Gayatri now. The one whom he had missed for a long time. Maybe ever since Arjun left home. They walked hand in hand, smiling and admiring the school. She spoke to authority and then wished Adi luck and sent him for exam. She stood till he was away from her vision. After when she turned back, she saw him. There was surprise all over. "aap? Yaha?"

Obviously she might have not expected him here. He moved closer to her and nodded yes. He was silent still and her eyes were full of questions. He justered to the nearby bench and moved to it. He sat and after sometime she joined him. She was not looking at him anymore. But he could feel she was watching over every movement.

"School acha hai"he tried to start the conversation. She nodded.

"wo exam keliye prepared tho hai na?" she felt it funny. "haan, kafi din se prepare kar raha hai. Use wapas hostel me nahi jaana. So he wants to pass this exam."

He heard it silently. She went on. "Adi bohot smart hai. Padhayi me bhi tez hai. Bohot bath bhi karthe hai. Bilkul Arjun ke pachpana hai usme"

He heard it with whole concentration. There were a lot of silent moments in between.

"tablets lethe ho?"he heard her concern. "hm... Chacha sab sambhal rahe hai"he replied.

She didn't reply for that. Again silence prevailed.

"Office se call tha. Rehan ne kuch zaroori meetings schedule ki hai. Agle hafte wapas jaana hai"

That did take her concern. She turned to him. He could see her unasked questions. how was he going to do it alone back there? Chacha won't be joining... means... all alone?'

Even he was thinking of it for a while these days. But he knew well, he would never ask her to join him, unless she comes forward with it. But now he didn't have any hope for that too.

How time went away, none knew. 45 minutes was over and Adi rushed out of the hall.

The silence between them was broken by "DADI..."call from Adi. She stood and went forward to him. He hugged tight on her waist. "exam bohot easy tha. I am sure I'll be first."

She smiled and bent down to kiss his forehead. "mujhe patha tha ke aap iss exam me bohot ache hi karoge. My good boy."

Rawte was watching all these from his seat. He had missed Arjun's childhood days in his business trips. But Gayathri was always there for Arjun. He always scored well and topped in his class. But his father was never there to share that happiness. Rawte was proud of his son's success. But he never knew how to express it. Maybe that made a distance between Arjun and himself.

He had loads of dreams for Arjun. He dreamt Arjun to take over his business empire. He knew that his company would flourish with his son. But Arjun had different wishes. At first he thought it as his childish dreams. But later he knew how strong he was in that decision. It made the walls between them stronger than ever. At last he had to crack the relation between them.

And now Adi was just a replica of Arjun. Same naughty eyes, hard jaw that he had inherted well, wavy hair, sturdy and well built. He could see that Adi would grow up to be another Arjun soon.

He saw Adi looking at him. He might have recognized him from the hospital memory.

Adi after leaving Dadi, looked ahead and saw the man to whom she was speaking earlier. He remembered his face from the hospital day. He maybe his Dada.

Dadi saw Adi looking at his Dada. Adi looked up at her enquiringly. She took his hand and walked towards the bench. They both stood infront of Rawte.

Adi could feel Dadi's hesitation. And the man infront of him sat watching over him silently. He was looking all over Adi's face. Adi felt it weird when none spoke anything.

"aap Dadaji hai na?" he took the first step by himself.

Rawte felt a feel of happiness in his inner core. He blinked for a few seconds and then nodded yes.

Adi gave a small cute smile. Then gave his hand forward for a shake hand. "hi... I'm Adi. Aditya Rawte"

There was a proud feel in him to hear the whole name from him. He took a moment and then shook hands with Adi. Dadi looked away to wipe her tears. Adi never saw it as his full attention was on his Dada.

"aap mujhe all the best'wish karne aya tha na? par exam tho khatam hogayi. But easy tha."

"that's good."Adi heard him for the first time. Adi sat by his side while Dadi stood by them. Still dadaji didn't ask anything other than looking at him. He felt it bit off too.

He didn't know what next so turned to Dadi. "chale?"

She nodded. Rawte also stood up. "mein ghar drop kar detha hu"

He walked ahead. Adi stood there itself holding Dadi's hands.

"ye kuch kehtha kyu nahi? Kuch puchthe bhi nai? Na mere bare me, na Dad ke bare me?" Adi was analyzing himself silently.Dadi tugged at his fingers and they walked to the car. Rawte was at the passenger side. He opened the front door and at the same time Dadi opened the back door. It was again awkward. Adi did not like it. When none moved, he himself sat in the front seat and started putting on the seat belt. Dadi at the same time sat behind. Rawte went to the driving seat. He started the car and moved forward. Again silence.

Adi leaned forward and on the radio. The cricket comentry was going on. "oh no..."he exclaimed. Rawte looked startled. "kya hua?"

"dad ke car me bhi hamesha yahi chalthe hai. Its boring..."he switch it off.

Rawte felt himself smiling at that. He pressed another channel and some song played. Adi smiled and thanked him. He turned back to Dadi. She enquired the reason. "you promised..."

She winked and mouthed later. He sighed and turned to front.

"kuch chahiye aapko?" Rawte felt he missed something.

"no..."Adi nodded negative.

"agar hai tho bolo... its ok"

"hm... dadi ice cream promised kiya tha... but its ok. Hum baadme khalenge."

Rawte drove silently again. But soon it slowed and stopped near the icecream cart. Adi was already beamimg with joy. Rawte lowered the window for Adi. "aapke favorite kaunse hai?"

"chocolate cone."

"excuse me. Ek chocolate cone aur ek vanilla"

He got both of it and gave to Adi and her. She was silently watching all these. Never before he had stopped his car in front of icecream cart. It was always Arjun and herself. Never him.

Adi noticed Dada had bought Dadi's favorite flavor without asking her. "aapko Dadi ke pasand patha hai?" it was a statement more than a question. He ignored it, payed the man and started the car. Adi was licking on to his cone all the way. In between he talked randomly though he got minimum response.

"mujhe bhi police banna hai..."

Now Rawte could hear his son's words when for the first time he said his wish. Unknown to him his eyes blurred. Adi kept on talking for a while. In between Dadi's phone rang.

"hello... haan Arjun... haan exam khatam hua hai... nai koi problem nai tha...ok ek minute..."she extends the phone to Adi. "Adi, dad ka call"

He takes it. "yes dad... haan bohot easy tha... yup.. nahi abhi ghar jarahe hai. Sham ko park me chalega. Aaj jaldi aaoge? Oh... meating hain... ok no problem... bye..."

He gave back the phone and by that time they reached the home. Adi waited for a while, but Rawte was helping him to unbuckle the seat belt. Adi noticed that Dada's seat belt was still on. "aap andher nahi aaoge?"

No reply. "fir kab milenge?"

Rawte wished he could answer that. He rubbed his hair and patted his cheeks. "apna khayal rakhna..."

Adi waited for a little bit more time and heard Dadi opening the door. He took it as his cue. He smiled at Rawte and went down the car and stood by Dadi.

She looked at him briefly and then he drove away. She sighed and walked in opening the door and settling.

Adi came after fresh up and changing. Lunch was almost ready.

"dadi... dad ko patha hai...? ke dadaji aya hai...?"

She nodded no.

"unhe bathau?"

She turned to him and smiled. Adi was so innocent that he worried if his dad would approve the visit or not. Dadi patted his cheeks. "aapke dad se kuch bhi chupane ke zaroorath nahi hai, Adi"

He relaxed. It was tough to hide something from dad.

In the evening they went to the nearby park, where he enjoyed.

The whole day, Rawte was thinking about Adi, his smile, his talks and making faces. He wondered how much he had missed all these years. And how much more he was going to miss. There was no going back. Or was thereany chance for it? He didn't know.

Late night, Arjun was late after the meeting and sudden case. Adi was already asleep in Dadi's bed when he reached. He had a quick dinner, kissed Adi's forehead and then went to hisown room to sleep.

In the morning, he felt Adi curling by his side. He turned and saw Adi wide awake.

"good morning dad..."

"morning Adi. Aap kab aye?"

"bas 5 minute pehle. aap kal rath mujhe bulaya kyu nahi?"

"kyunki aap sorahe the. Socha disturb na karu. So bolo how was your day? Kal maza aya? School kaisa laga?"

"School tho bohot bade hai. Maza aya. Aur sham ko park bhi gaye the..."

"that's great. I wish I could come too. Par ek zaroori kaam agaya."

"its ok. Hum baadme chalenge..."

Adi snuggled closer to Arjun's chest. Something told him Adi wanted to say something and was preparing himself for that. He gave him that time.

"dad... ek bath bolu..."

"hm..."

"kal school me wo bhi tha..."

"kaun?"

Adi took his face up from the chest and faced him. "dadaji..."