Ten minutes later, outside the house…
Dipika was locking the door when she stopped and said….
Dipika: Oh... Main to gaadi ki chaabi lena bhool gayi... (Looking behind where Aryan and Sri were already near the gate) Ek minute… I'll get the care keys…
Aryan: (Looking back opening gate) Dipika… We are going in my car!
Saying Aryan went out the gate as Sri waited near the gate…. Puzzled Dipika walked down the path, wondering where Aryan's car was…
She came out the gate and looked both sides… From the left side street a car came and halted in front of the house…. Dipika recognized it as Aryan's car….
Aryan rolled down his window and said…
Aryan: Come on in!
Dipika got in the front with Sri on her lap… Before Aryan could start the car, she asked…
Dipika: Aryan! Ghar ke andar aur saamne itni jagah hai… Phir gaadi ko side street me park kyun ki?
Aryan looked at Dipika who was glaring at him suspiciously…. He glanced at Sri once who was also looking at him cheekily…
Sri: Uffo Mamma... How much questins you ask?!?!
Dipika: (Surprised) Main bahut sawaal poochti hoon?!!? Phir ye gaadi nahi chupaya tum logon ne?
Aryan: Vo er... Tumhe naa pata chale ki main aaya hoon, maine hi gaadi ko side street me park ki.... You know surprise!
Dipika: Tum dono naa... Uff... One meeting and me, my house are a goner... Saath rahe to pata nahi kya ho….
Dipika stopped saying further realzing the meaning of her sentence…. Aryan was just about to start the car when Dipika's words stopped him… Her jerked to look sideways at Dipika, who immediately turned her head away to look out…
Smiling a little Aryan started to car!
Few Hours Later…
Aryan stopped the car out as Dipika and Sri got down…. Aryan got down as Sri came up to him, as he knelt down…
Sri: (Hugging him) Uncle nice din din…. Thank you! Good night! Sweet night!
Kissing him she ran inside the house as Dipika opened the gate…
Dipika looked back at Aryan who was watching her….
Dipika: Thanks! That was the best dinner I have had till date!
Aryan: Dipika! Thanks ki kya zaroorat? Mere liye bhi ye dinner bahut special tha… (Giving a glance towards the house, Dipika understood his indication towards Sri)
After a hesistation…
Dipika: Aryan! (As Aryan looked back at her) Thanks…. For everything!
Aryan: (Puzzled) Dipika?!?
Dipika: Sri ke liye itna sab kuch.... I…
Aryan: Dipika! Maine pehle hi kaha tha.... Isme mera bhi selfishness hai…. Sri is a sweet girl… Use koi dekhe bins kaise reh sakta hai…. (Pausing) I just need a permission from you!
Dipika: (Smiling) Tum jab chaho Sri se baat kar sakte ho, mil bhi sakte ho… You want to take her anywhere… You can very well do so!
Aryan looked at her surprised that Dipika understood what he wanted to ask without him putting them in words….
Aryan: (Smiling) Thank you! (Looking at his watch) It's late… Good night!
Dipika: Good Night!
Aryan got into the car and looked at the gate where Dipika was still standing…. Sighing he started the car and drove off…. Dipika stood at the gate till the tail lights faded from sight….
She closed the gate and walked into the house, thinking about the dinner…
Aryan had done everything for Sri… He had taken her to a restaurant very famous especially for kids…. He had made sure Sri got everything she wanted… He had taken into her happiness….
Sri was sitting on the door step waiting for Dipika… Smiling at her she opened the door and Sri ran hopped upstairs…
As she climbed the stairs to her room , she thought of him… Somewhere she knew Sri was reminding him of Pallavi… The wound was opening up again she knew… She felt guilty thinking this… But she also knew that Sri was also the medicine for it!
She changed to her night dress and went in to see Sri… Sri had already changed and was digging into some bag beside her bed…
She stopped surprised at the door and called out….
Dipika: Sri! Ye sab kya hai?
Dipika came in and saw that they were comic books, lots of chocolates, coloring books, a big doll….
Sri: Mamma, look Aryan uncle got it!
Dipika: (Shaking her head) Sri! Maine kitni baar kaha hai kisi se kuch nahi maangte…. Sri kuch chahiye to Mamma hai naa? Phir…
Sri: (Face down) Maine nahi poocha… Uncle only bringing…. Maine kaha, lekin uncle ne yahan rakh di… Ma…
Just then Dipika's cell rang… She looked at the number surprised at the late night call and saw that it was Aryan!
Dipika: Hello!
…………………….
Dipika: (Smiling) Haan dekha…. Lekin Aryan...
...............................
Dipika: Alright…. No problem…
…………………..
Dipika: Good night!
Smiling Dipika knelt beside Sri and picked her up….
Dipika: Ye sab kal dekh lena… Now time to sleep!
Sri: (Smiling) Aap not angry?!?
Dipika: (Putting her on the bed) Nai… Aapke uncle ne hi abhi phone kiya…. Kaha ki aapne mana ki thi, lekin unhone hi force kiya…
Covering Sri with the bedsheet and sitting beside her…
Sri: Ha… Maine kaha naa…. Uncle is very sweet… Hai naa Mamma!?
Dipika: (Smiling) Haan… Unse achcha koi nahi… (Kissing her forehead) Now go to sleep! (Then thinking) Sri lekin aapko Aryan uncle ka number kaise pata?
Sri: Vo… That was er… Simple! (As Dipika looked on puzzled) Vo Mamma…. I tell aunty ki mujhe coloring books leni hai… Aapne aunty ko keys di thi naa, to vo mere saath aayi… Diary me uncle ka number hai naa, to maine unhe ghar ki tring tring se call kar di!
Dipika: (Smiling surprised) Badmaash! Too clever hunh?
Sri: Your little naa Mamma!?!?
Dipika: (Chuckling) Haan… My little… My Princess! Now sleep… Good Night!
Dipika waited till Sri went off to sleep and switching off the lights went to her room!
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
Jodha Akbar
