SS: Peehu Ram Kapoor last part on Pg 5 - Page 2

Very touching story!!!!

Part 2

When Ram reaches home Rishabh, Soumya, KK and Dadi are anxiously waiting for him. They all ask him about Peehu, and he says she had a pretty disturbed night but was alright this morning and she was playing with Nuts when he left. Ayesha is listening to all this from a distance and when Ram goes to his room, she follows him there.

Ram sees Ayesha: What do you want now?

Ayesha with tears in her eyes: I was so worried about Peehu all night. Even though she is my own sister's daughter, I am feeling so bad that I am not able to connect with her. The poor child is going through a lot of trouble and I am unable to help.

Ram: It's okay Ayesha. I will handle Peehu, if she is not comfortable with you, then you need to back off and stay away from her. She is a small child and will slowly adjust to her surroundings. You don't have to get all hyper about it now. Anyway what is Kush doing today?

Ayesha thinks for a minute: Ah well, nothing much Ram.

Ram: Then I will take him with me to play with Peehu. That way, both of them will keep each other occupied and it will be better for Peehu too. She is going to stay at Priya's this weekend and on Monday we will bring her back here after school.

Ayesha: Actually Ram, it completely slipped my mind, ever since Peehu has come here Kush has not been able to play with his friends. He is going to Aditya's for a play date today and they were planning a sleep over.

Ram: Sleep over? At his age? I don't think that is advisable. He can have a play date if he wants but I am not comfortable with a sleep over at his age.

Ayesha: Well, if you want I can cancel the play date and he can go with you, but Kush really wanted to go to Aditya's house. He will be disappointed, but I will convince him. After all he is only a child.

Ram: If he wants to go to his friend's house I have no problem. I can tell Peehu that he will come and play with her tomorrow.

Ayesha rolls her eyes and then turns and gives Ram a sickly sweet smile: Okay Ram, anything you say, after all Kush is your son too.

Ram looks suspiciously at Ayesha and shuts his eyes as he shakes his head and walks away. He goes in for a shower and is all ready to leave for Priya's place when he sees Kush peeping into his room.

Ram: Good morning Kush, do you want something?

Kush comes running into the room and keeps looking at the door as if he is expecting someone to walk in at any time: Papa, where are you going? Where is Peehu?

Ram: Peehu is with her Mamma and I am also going there. Peehu wants to spend time with her Mamma and Papa so I am going there. If you are free tomorrow I will come by and pick you up.

Kush: Can I come with you now?

Ram: But your Mom said that you are going to a friend's place to play.

Kush: She did? I don't want to go anywhere to play. I want to play only with Peehu. She is my sister and I like playing with her and Bua.

Ram: Well, let me talk to your Mom and then if she is alright, then I will take you with me.

Kush bends his head down and frowns and mumbles in a very soft tone: Well, if Mom has told you that I am going to someone's house then she won't let me come with you anyway.

Ram is not sure if he heard him right: Kush, what were you saying?

Kush: Nothing Papa. It's okay, I will go for a play date with my friend. Never mind. He looks very disappointed.

Ram: Okay then bye Kush.

Ram goes back to Priya's flat. Actually Ram is very happy that he is spending the weekend with Peehu and Priya, something that he doesn't get to do normally and lately, he looks forward for any excuse to meet up with Priya in the pretext of taking Peehu to see her. He is very happy that Peehu is living with him, but doesn't want to take her away entirely from Priya.

The weekend goes by and Peehu is happy. She is having a great time with both Mamma and Papa, something she doesn't get to see too often, but makes the most of the time together. In the evening Ram is getting ready to go back to KM with Peehu, when he notices her get very quiet and withdrawn. She begins to bite her nails and keeps looking at the clock and then out of the window. Ram is not too sure why she is behaving in that manner so he goes up to her and asks her.

Ram: Peehu, why are you so quiet all of a sudden? Is something bothering you? You know you can tell both Mamma and Papa and if possible we will help you.

Peehu looks very hesitantly at Ram: Where is Mamma? I want Mamma.

Ram: Mamma went to Nanu's house to bring something from there. She will be back in a minute.

Peehu begins to get restless and breaks out into a sweat: Papa can we stay with Mamma?

Ram: Rockstar, you have to go to school tomorrow and all your books, uniform, shoes everything is in KM.

Peehu: I want to stay here. She begins to cry and almost as if Priya heard her, she enters the flat and sees Peehu crying. She goes to her and sits down on her knees and draws Peehu into a hug.

Priya: Bachcha, what is the matter with you? Why are you crying? She holds Peehu close to her bosom and gestures to Ram asking him what went wrong.

Ram: I was talking about going back to KM for the night because she has to go to school tomorrow and all of a sudden she started crying saying she wanted you.

Priya carries Peehu into the bedroom and sits her on the bed while she also gets onto the bed and talks to her: Baby what is troubling you? You can tell Papa and Mamma. You know that we will help you if there is something worrying you. Remember you always talk to me when you have any problems.

Peehu buries her face into Priyas chest and sobs: I want to stay here with you. I don't want to go to Papa's house. Why can't Papa stay here with us?

Priya: Baby, that is Papa's house and this is Mamma's house. That is why Papa stays there and Mamma stays here.

Peehu: Then which is Peehu's house?

Priya is in a dilemma and doesn't know what to say to that.

Ram: Peehu, you have two houses – Mamma's house and Papa's house. Both are your houses.

Peehu: Then why can't I stay in Mamma's house?

Priya: Remember what I told you bachcha? Papa wants you to stay with him because all these years he did not know that you were living with me in Dubai. That is why he wants you to stay with him. You can come here after school tomorrow and spend some time with me.

Ram: It's alright Peehu, you can stay in Mamma's house tonight. Tomorrow you can come back home with Kush after school. I will be waiting for you.

Peehu: Papa, can you also come and lay down next to me till I go to sleep?

Ram: Sure Rockstar! I would love to.

All of a sudden her mood changes and she is smiling and chattering. Ram and Priya are very disturbed seeing her behavior. Priya is almost certain as to why Peehu is behaving so strangely, but is hesitating to say it to Ram.

All three of them go into the living room. Ram and Peehu settle down to play a game of Candyland while Priya is cooking dinner. Once dinner is ready she sets the table and all of them eat together. After dinner they all go into the bedroom and Priya tells Peehu a story and soon she is fast asleep. Priya doesn't know how to tell Ram what is on her mind. Every time she tries to leave Peehu's side and go to the living room, Peehu stirs and clutches on to her. Soon, all three of them are fast asleep.

Next morning, Ram and Priya wake up before Peehu and they sit at the dining table sipping their tea.

Priya: I think we need to get to the bottom of this before it gets worse Mr. Kapoor. I cannot bear to see Peehu so withdrawn and quiet. It is not like her at all.

Ram: I think you are over reacting Priya. Let us see what happens today when she goes to school.

(Now we all know what happened on her way to school and at school, so I am not going to write about that)

When Peehu is going to the rest room, she sees Ram shouting at Priya telling her to back off. She gets very agitated on hearing this and runs away from there. She goes back to her classroom and is sitting very quietly. All the children in her class are getting ready to leave at the end of the day. Peehu is deep in thought and is sitting in her place. Kush walks up to her.

Kush: Peehu, the car is waiting outside, let us go.

Peehu: I don't want to come with you Kush. I want to go to my Mamma's house.

Kush: I don't know the way to her house. How will you go?

Peehu: Mamma always keeps her address in my bag, so I will find out how to go there and go on my own.

Kush: Aren't you scared of going alone?

Peehu: I am, but I have to go alone because my Mamma is not here and if I tell Papa he will take me to his house. I never want to go there again.

Kush: Okay Peehu, I will come with you. Papa said I must protect you, so I will take you to your Mamma's house. Please don't worry, I will take care of you.

Peehu: Thank you Kush. But won't your Mamma get angry with you if you don't go home?

Kush: Yes, she will be angry and beat me also, but never mind, I will tell Papa why I didn't come home and he will not be angry.

Both Peehu and Kush leave the school and walk outside the building not knowing which direction to go. They go to a store next to the school and ask them for directions to go home. The owner of the store looks at them suspiciously and asks them why they want directions.

Kush: Our driver did not come to pick us up, so we want to go home. Our Mamma will be worried so we have to go.

Shop owner: This address is not close by. How will you go?

Kush: We have to walk as we don't have money to take an auto rickshaw.

The shop owner gives them a glass of water, but both of them refuse. He tries calling Priya's number from the paper with the address, but there is no response. He is not sure if he should let them go on their own.

Peehu and Kush become restless and when the shop owner is busy they slowly slip out of the shop and start walking along the side of the street.

In the mean time, Priya is at Ram's office: Mr. Kapoor, I really need to talk to you.

As she is talking Ram's phone rings and he picks it up. It is from the driver: Sir, I just wanted to check if you picked up the children from school.

Ram: No, why do you ask?

Driver: Sir, they are not in the school. I checked everywhere, even on the playground and in the classrooms. They are nowhere to be found.

Ram: Okay let me check with Ayesha madam if she has picked them up and I will call you right back.

He hangs up and calls Ayesha who is out at a Kitty Party with her friends. There is so much noise and loud music that she doesn't hear the phone. After trying a couple of times, he calls the driver again.

Ram: Any news about the children?

Driver: No sir. They are nowhere here. I went and checked outside the school also, there is no signs of them.

Ram: Okay,then, just drive slowly back home, in case they decided to walk home because they did not see you there. If you see them on the way, please call me.

Priya hears the conversation from Ram's side: What is the matter Ram? What happened to the children? Are they together or is it only Peehu?

Ram: Please calm down Priya, both the children did not go to the car so the driver was worried. I am going to the school now do you want to come with me?

Priya: Of course I do. What a silly question!

Ram glares at her and they both leave together. Both of them are sitting in the back seat looking on either side of the street in case they spot the two children. Priya is shedding silent tears and Ram is also very worried. He keeps trying Ayesha on and off and there is still no response. He calls his mother and explains to her the situation and asks her to call him in case they come home.

KK is very worried but tries to give courage to Ram: Don't worry beta. Did you check if they went to Priya's place?

Ram: Ma, Priya is with me and she has called Nuts to check if they are there. I will call if I have any information and you please let me know if you have anything to tell me.

Ram holds Priya's hand: Priya, please calm down. I am sure they are fine. Please don't cry.

Priya: Peehu is my life Mr. Kapoor, how can I not be upset? I cannot bear it when she falls and scrapes her knees. Now when she is missing, you think I can stop worrying?

Ram: I understand you are worried. I am too, but please stay calm.

Priya stares into Ram's face for a brief second and turns to look out of the window again. Soon they reach the school and they ask the watchman at the gate, if they saw the children walk out of the gate. The watchman says that so many children walk out of the gate that he cannot say if these two were also among them. They go back inside the classroom and check if they are there.

Priya spots Peehu's lunch box: Mr. Kapoor, this is Peehu's. She opens it and sees that she has not eaten anything.

Priya: Poor children, God, please be with them and take them home safely. They are alone and hungry. I know how irritated and tired Peehu gets when she is hungry. I don't know where they are and what they are up to.

Ram in the mean time calls the police commissioner and explains the situation: I will send you a photograph of both the children as soon as I am done talking with you. Please do the needful and we need immediate action.

The police commissioner promises prompt action and disconnects the phone. Ram and Priya come out of the school and go to the shop next door. They ask the owner of the shop if he saw two children and he says he did. He tells them all that transpired between them and says he even called the number on the paper with the address, but could not reach her.

Priya immediately calls up Neha and Nuts and tells them that the two children were heading towards her flat, so she asked them to keep an eye.

Sudhir takes the phone from Nuts: Beta, please don't worry, we will find the children. Nuts will go with me and Shipra will wait at home in case they show up here. I hope you have informed the police?

Priya: Yes, Papa. Mr. Kapoor just spoke with the commissioner and has sent them pictures of the children. Oh God, please be with the two of them and bring them back safely.

Ram asks the driver to take them in the direction of Priya's flat so they keep looking out for the children. They are nowhere to be seen and both Ram and Priya are panicking. Ram calls the commissioner for an update, but there is no good news from him as well.

In a few minutes Nuts calls: Priya, I have found them and I don't have very good news for you. Peehu fainted on the road and I have taken her to the hospital. Papaji is with me, so he has Kush with him. Please come to City Hospital right away. Once you come there, I can send Papaji and Kush home in your car.

Priya takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. Tears pour out of them as if the flood gates of a dam were opened. Ram looks at her anxiously waiting for an answer from her.

Ram: Where are they Priya? What happened? Are they alright? Who called you just now?

Priya is barely audible. Her tears are choking her and she is not able to talk very coherently: Ram, ..Nuts took them.. City hospital. Peehu fainted.

Ram: Driver, please take us to City Hospital immediately.

Within no time they are in the hospital. They see Sudhir with Kush. As soon as he sees them Kush runs to Ram and hugs him: Papa, will Peehu be alright? She fell down on the road and did not open her eyes. Papa will she be fine?

Ram picks up Kush and holds him close to his chest: Papaji, please take Kush home with you and keep him there till I come there to get him. He must be hungry, thirsty whatever, please take care of him. Then he turns to Kush: Yes, Champ, she is going to be fine. The doctors will take very good care of her. Please don't be worried. What made you walk home? Was the driver not there on time?

Kush: Peehu did not want to go home. She wanted to go only to her Mamma's house and said she was going to walk there. I am her brother and you told me that I have to take care of her, so I went with her. On the way, she was feeling very thirsty and all the water we had was over. Then she fell down and I asked one uncle who was close by to help her. Then Bua came and picked us up. Papa, will Peehu be alright.

Ram holds him tightly and gives him a kiss on his cheek: You are a very brave boy. Thank you for taking care of Peehu, Kush. I love you very much.

He puts him down and sends him to Sharma house with Sudhir. He gives instructions to the driver and goes back to the waiting area and looks through the glass shutter at Peehu and Priya who are inside with the doctors. He looks at Peehu's limp body on the bed and keeps a close watch on her chest as it heaves up and down. He sees all the wires hooked on to the tiny arms and the oxygen mask across her face. He wipes the sweat from his forehead and looks inside again, his vision blurred by the tears which are flowing incessantly from his eyes.. After a little while, the doctor comes out of the room.

Ram: Doctor, Peehu is my daughter, how is she doing? What happened to her?

Doctor: I cannot say anything at this moment Mr. Kapoor. She is not conscious, has a fever and is dehydrated, so we are hydrating her and working on bringing her fever down. Hopefully it is just a heat stroke and she will come out of it soon.

Ram: Can I go in and be with her and my wife doctor?

Doctor: I understand your anxiety Mr. Kapoor. I said it was alright for the child's mother to be with her, so I guess I should allow you as well. But please maintain absolute silence and we need you to wash up and go inside. We don't want you to take any germs inside.

Ram cleans up and is asked to remove his shoes in the waiting room before he goes into Peehu's room. He walks up behind Priya and puts his hand on her shoulder. She briefly glances behind her and sees him. She is holding Peehu's hand and gently rubbing it. There is a drip line pumping IV fluids into her tiny fragile body. Both Ram and Peehu are in a state of extreme shock and anxiety. They cannot bear to see their tiny little princess, lying so still and silent in bed with a whole bunch of needles, wires and tubes running all over her. They cannot even start to understand the gravity of the situation. They are just numb with pain seeing her in this state. Priya's eyes are filled with tears just ready and waiting to flow out of her beautiful lotus eyes. She is holding Peehu's hand in hers and whispering a prayer continuously. She drops down on her knees still holding Peehu's hand, still whispering the prayer, just a little closer to her.

Priya to herself: Open your eyes my Princess, look at Mamma this one time. God give you all my happiness and give me all your sorrows and troubles. My baby, I can't tell you how much I love you. You mean the whole world to me Bachcha. You are my very life darling. Just once, baby, open your eyes and look at me. Everything will be fine. All your troubles will be mine, sweetheart, just this one time, please look at your Mamma – just this one time.

A nurse brings a stool for her to sit on, but she refuses to take it. She continues to sit on her knees on the floor staring into Peehu's face, waiting for a movement, a sign, something to say that she will be fine.

Ram is standing behind Priya and staring at his Rockstar, looking at the calm face void of any expression, just sleeping peacefully. He keeps a close watch on her chest to see it heave at regular intervals to show that she is breathing.

Ram to himself: Dear God, I don't know what to say and how to say, please make her alright. Five years ago, you gave my life back to me when you cleared Priya from the cancer scare, I didn't know how to say thank you and I didn't say it. A few months ago, again you gave me my life back in the form of Priya and this angel Peehu. Again, I didn't know how to so didn't thank you. this time, please please give Priya back her life and I promise I will thank you for this in whatever way you want. Take my life if a life is what you want, give Peehu back to her mother. They deserve to be together dear God. I don't know how to pray and don't know what to say. Just make Peehu alright.