Samarpan (An FF) Part 11 (Thread 1/Page 139) - Page 12

Originally posted by: 123mitul

its beautiful😊

Samarpan

If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass,
you live more richly those moments.

"When did you first meet mumma?"

"On the day she was born."

"Really papa?" Payal was wonderstruck, as her father nodded. "But that's awesome papa? How did that happen?"

"Well….Your naanima and daadi were college friends. Your nanaji had shifted to Bhopal owing to job transfer when maaji, your naani, was carrying mumma. Your nanaji and dadu too became good friends because of their wives. All four used to spend a lot of time together. I was five then. That day we had gone to Bhimbetka for a picnic….Aarti's birth was still a few days away, and since maaji wanted to see the caves badly, her husband bowed to her wishes. Your nanaji loved his wife a lot and could never refuse her anything."

"Just like you can't refuse mumma anything…right papa?"

"Yes Payal…I can't. Whatever I offer will always fall short of what she has actually given me." His eyes glistened as he looked yonder.

"Papa?" Payal kept a hand on his arm, concerned.

"I am fine, princess," he patted her hand and smiled assuringly at her.

"What happened that day?"

"While walking the caves, maaji developed pains. They rushed her to the nearest hospital. Your mumma came into this world after an operation, but maaji died due to complications. I was with daadima when the nurse brought mumma out in the room, wrapped in a sheet. Ma told me to wait in the room with the nurse as she rushed out with dadu to be with your nanaji who had gone into a shock," Yash looked gravely at Payal, who was listening attentively to each word, and decided not to divulge more. It was Aarti's decision to make as to how much to tell Payal. Both of them had noticed Payal's growing fascination to learn more and more about their past lives. She was also keenly observant of his and Aarti's interactions. She was at an impressionable age…an age when the romance factor affects deeply; for her, her parents' love affair had no parallel. He didn't want to dent her fairy tale notions. When he had expressed his concern over Payal's naive yet rigid ideas about love and romance, given what she sees of her parents, Aarti had told him to leave it to her to deal with their daughter.

"Oh my God!! Naanima died while giving birth? That's so tragic papa. Nanaji must have been shattered. Thank God he had mumma," Yash looked away from her, not wanting her to see his face. She thought for awhile and then asked the obvious question, "Did you see her then?"

He nodded, "Yes…the nurse was called out for an emergency as soon as she had placed Aarti in the crib. For a while we were alone. It's strange…I was so small yet that moment is imprinted in my mind. I heard this gurgling sound. I slowly approached the crib, and there she was, staring right at me. She had somehow freed her right hand. I reached out to put it back inside the sheet, and she grabbed my finger. All I remember is that I stood there like that till ma came back. Aarti had fallen asleep holding my finger."

"Then…," Payal prodded.

"Then…nothing. I went home."

"And mumma?"

"She was taken away the next day to her dadaji's house in Hoshangabad, where the rest of the family lived."

"But papa…."

"Not now princess. We have to get back to the house. Our exile is over….mumma must be waiting."

"More like you are waiting to get back to her," She murmured cheekily, glancing affectionately at her father as she got up. Yash only grinned back as he steadied her, brushing away a couple of grass strands from her hair, shouting to Aayu to get back from the inlet he had disappeared into.

Aayu came out holding a polythene bag by its neck. Inside one could see a couple of tadpoles swimming around in the collected water.

"Eww….Aayu! Don't tell me you are planning to dissect them."

"No Di…I have an awesome plan. I am going to toss them into badi-naani's aquarium and then study how the fishes react to them in a closed area. I'll shoot their interactions…and then send the pics to National Geographic. Cool, na!!!...Papa!!" His eyes shining with excitement, he turned to Yash, asking very seriously, "Do you think they will mate with the fishes?"…making his father spit out the water he was drinking and his sister to roll her eyes as she extracted the ringing cell phone from her jeans pocket. Yash walked ahead after shaking his head to Aayu, talking into his own phone, telling Aarti they were on their way back. Payal saw the name flashing and passed the phone to her brother.

"It's yours….Didn't you give Karan the landline number?"

"No. Di, do me a favor please…..tell him I am not around."

"I am not going to lie for you, Aayu…and neither should you. Papa will be very angry if he learns about this."

"But I don't want to talk to Karan, Di"

"Why not?" They turned to see their father looking at them quizzically, "The last I knew you were best friends."

"We were…I mean we are, papa…but Rohan says…," Aayu paused looking confusedly at his father.

"Go on…what does Rohan say?" Yash asked crossing his arms across his chest.

"He says Karan wants to be my friend only because I have…I mean we are…," and as Yash raised a brow, he spluttered meekly, "…rich."

Yash dropped his hands in shock….years flashed by as the past closed in. He closed his eyes in consternation for a second and then took a deep breath before walking toward his son, whose eyes bore to the ground as he made circles with his right toe.

Yash held Aayu by the shoulders and said, "Aayu, look at me!" And when he wouldn't, he held his face between his hands and turned it up to him, "Aayu, the very fact that you found it difficult to tell me the reason and the very fact that you can't look me in the eyes should be enough for you to realize that what you have been made to believe is wrong. You know your friend, son…why are you letting someone else judge your friendship? What Karan is to you is felt here (he poked a finger into his son's chest)….Ask yourself what you believe, and your heart will give you the answer….Hmm!!"

Payal rescued the polythene bag as Aayu flung his arms around his father and wept, "I am sorry papa….That was very mean of me. I will never listen to that Rohan again. He keeps causing trouble anyways."

"It's OK, son…as long as you know that in friendship or any other relationship the main ingredient is trust. If you cannot trust, you cannot find love, joy, and peace. Got it?" He rubbed his son's back as Aayu nodded, his head buried into his father's chest.

Payal wiped away a tear as the three of them turned toward home, with Yash wondering aloud what their mother had planned for the evening. "She hasn't yet given me my gift, you know."

***********************************************

As Payal opened the gate they heard familiar voices coming from the lawn. She and Aayu looked at each other and then ran.

"Chachu!!!…Chachi!!!" They shouted as they flung themselves in their uncle/aunt's arms. Prateek and Pari laughed as they gathered the kids to them. They loved Payal and Aayu as their own. They had had their son Ansh after eight years of marriage...But the presence of Yash bhaiya and Aarti bhabhi's kids had never made them feel the lack. They were away in Europe visiting Pari's family for the past couple of months and had returned just four days back.

"Happy Birthday, bhaiya!!" They wished Yash who embraced them one by one and looked mighty pleased and happy to have them in front of him.

"What are you two doing here?"

"Aarti bhabhi's orders bhaiya. How could we refuse?" Prateek grinned. "She wanted to surprise you."

"Chachu, where's Ansh?"

"We had to leave him with daadi, Payal. The weather change affected him…he's running a fever. We'll go back tomorrow."

Just then naanimaasi came out with a tray of juice glasses and snacks. She was Aarti's grandmother's twin sister……petite, pretty, plump, and very fair. Having not being blessed with any children of her own, she had always considered Aarti' mother Shobha her own child. Both the sisters had lived together after they were widowed and led a simple life in Nainital. They simply doted on Shobha. This house was a monument of love for naanimaasi. Her late husband had built it for her and had willed it to her before passing away.

Aarti's grandmother had taken her daughter's sudden death badly and had passed away a few months after Shobha's death. Naanimaasi, as Aarti called her, had then withdrawn into herself and had become a recluse of sorts, with only a couple of friends with whom she communicated on a personal level…a scenario that lasted tillAarti came into her life…much later.

Pari and Payal rushed to take the tray from her. She turned to Prateek requesting him to help out with the preparation of the bonfire. The kids and Pari too jumped up to help. Yash approached the dear old lady. He loved her to bits…and called her his girlfriend…making her dimple deeper each time he did that. To her, Yash was the angel sent by God for her and Aarti.

"Naanimaasi, where's Aarti?"

"She is in the kitchen, Yash….doing some last-minute things. You know her…everything has to be perfect for you." She dimpled as Yash hugged her and whispered, "Hold them away for a few minutes, please….(aloud) You all carry on. I'll be right back."

Aarti was writing the birthday message on the big chocolate cake with an icing cone and had just started with "Y" of "Yash" when she sensed him behind her. She smiled and continued with the "a" as she felt him close in and then his left arm encircled her waist, tucking her to him….the other hand covered the hand holding the cone, his chest pressed to her back as he rested his chin on her shoulder. Together they finished the last two letters.

"Mmm! You smell deliciously of chocolate and vanilla. I guess I have my birthday cake in my arms. Only one thing is missing." As she grinned anticipating his move, he reached across and scooped a fingertipful of icing and lightly rubbed her cheeks and lips with it. He then turned her toward him, "Aha…it's complete now. I only have to light it up." With that he proceeded to lick her cheeks, going on to capture her lips in a long, drugging kiss, feeding from the sweetness of her mouth rather than the icing. He lifted his head to look at her flushed face and eyes, "There…the flames are all burning bright now…and the icing on my cake was so mouthwatering that I could again…."

As he dipped his head, Aarti pushed him away lightly, laughing, "That has to be the cheesiest pick-up line, Yash….even for a birthday boy."

"Oh yeah! I'll show you tonight how cheesy I can be Mrs Scindia."

"Thanks for the tip off, Mr Scindia."

"I warn you, Aarti…no hanky-panky…I want my just desserts before midnight…before my birthday gets over officially."

"Shsssh, Yash! Not so loud…the kids are around, and Prateek/Pari too. Anyone can walk in any moment."

"They won't….my girlfriend has them busy. She will keep them away for awhile."

"That doesn't mean you romance in public….now go and get ready. It's almost dark."

"It's not fair, Aarti….at least on my birthday I should get to romance my wife anywhere I like."

Aarti chuckled, "You are worse than Aayu at times with your tantrums."

"Yeah right….even his tadpoles get to mate out of their habitat…but I don't." He pouted as he pulled her closer.

"What?...What's the imp up to now?" Aarti was suddenly wary. The last time they were here, all their towels had gone missing one day….only to be found near the lake on which sat a bunch of kittens freshly bathed with Payal's shampoo and purring protestingly as Aayu dried them one by one.

"You can ask him yourself…here he comes now," as they heard the running patter of feet and Aayu barged into the kitchen unceremoniously, the polybag in his hands.

"Mumma….guess what?"

"That's cue for me to leave…till tonight then," saying Yash winked at his wife, ruffling his son's hair as he walked out.

***********************************************

They had fun around the fire, singing songs, playing games, and Prateek telling them about their trip. The cake was brought out and cut amid loud chanting and hugs all over. Yash got little gifts from everyone….a smart jacket from Pari and Prateek, a sweater from naanimaasi, a charcoal portrait of his side profile by Payal, and a small picture album from Aayu with his pictures taken at moments he wasn't aware of. Yash was overwhelmed by the love of his family. Now only one was left…He looked at Aarti, who was having some kind of eye conversation with Pari.

"Mumma, where's papa's gift?" Payal was curious. The oversight was very unlike her, who usually started planning for their birthdays weeks in advance.

"What? Oh…the gift…I…." She shrugged, as Yash gave her a dubious look. "Err…I didn't get time so I just…."

"Bhabhi! I told you it's fine...It's in fact very nice….so what you if got it last winters. I mean it's the thought that matters. I even wrapped it up for you." Pari tried to console a crestfallen Aarti.

"Aarti, don't feel bad love…I am sure I'll like it, whatever it is. Where is it Pari?" Yash hated seeing Aarti's fallen face.

"In the room…on your bed."

Yash rushed up, in a hurry to get the gift, appreciate it, and put Aarti out of her misery. Silly Aarti…as if something like this will matter to him. However, what affected her mattered to him. The kids too ran after him…None of them noticed Pari, naanimaasi, and Aarti give each other a high five, as Prateek looked on quizzically.

*******************************************

It was a small, neatly wrapped-up packet. Yash tore it open. There was a red-and-black check Golf cap inside.

"A cap? Mumma got you a cap?" Even Aayu was flummoxed, as Yash stared at the thing. "She knows you hate wearing caps."

"Papa, there's something sticking out from it." Payal felt a familiar tingle. She had remembered her twelfth birthday…Mumma had set the kids on a treasure hunt by planting notes. She almost grabbed the cap from her father and turned it. Sure enough there was a note:

Put your thinking cap on Yashwardhan Scindia…I dare you to match this brilliant idea!
Warm that brain, light that flame…if you want your gift, get to the end of the game.

"What is it Di?"

"A treasure hunt, Aayu... Papa, mumma's making you hunt for your gift," Payal giggled.

They heard a clearing of throat and turned to find Aarti leaning against the door, arms crossed, eyebrows rising up in amusement, a slight smile tugging at her lips, and eyes glinting with mischief…a la Aayu.

"Children…you better help your father. He seems rather lost."

"Come on, Aayu…I think I know. Where are your board games?" saying Payal yanked her brother off to their room.

"What about you Mr Scindia? If you want your just desserts, you better hurry up…otherwise…ahem…you'll miss it. Oh well…I better go. I have to set up the dinner." She turned with a smile and was immediately held by her wrist and jerked back, as her back went and crashed into Yash's chest. He brought his mouth near her ear and whispered seductively, "The game is on Mrs Scindia, but beware, now I won't be satisfied only with just desserts. I shall collect my winnings through the night." And then turning her he gave her a hard, hungry kiss before striding off, shouting, "Kids, come to the kitchen." Aarti was left standing with blissful anticipation…She pressed her hands against her heart. It was amazing how even after so many years of marriage he could still make her heart beat this fast and make her feel all wobbly and expectant as she was on their first night. Aarti knew she will never be able to gauge the depth of her love for him till she died. She had not known the sun till he had brought her out from the dark prison she was in….and now he was the reason her sun rose each morning.

To be continued………

Originally posted by: saf24

Gosh Indu this was so beautiful. A perfect start to my morning. I love the little background of the past to show that not everything should be taken at face value. Yash and Aarti were not always the way the are now and that is the reality and beauty of relationships as with time things change. Superbly written as usual and I can't wait to see what is in store.

Originally posted by: sara1990

awesome update

please update soon

Originally posted by: lulujjj

Indu nice update dear, wow superbly written ... Insha Allah waiting for the next part.