First the update n then I shall give individual replies ...I am deeply touched by your patience..at my end, with ageing parents things are not too bright..but then the show must go on ...should it not??keeps me digressed as well...a kind of relaxation when I m with all of u n ashu nidhi...
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Guddi was irritable for the whole evening as nidhi n ashutosh cuddled her at home and nidhi put an ice pack on the bum of the baby...making her squeal in cold ...but it did reduce the pain quotient and by 8 she was fast asleep..suckling nidhi ...hard...as nidhi seemed to gasp ..and ashutosh quietly got up and got a formula feed that they had begun to give her at night for now nidhi wasnt lactating enough...he returned and sat by nidhi...slowly withdrawing guddi from nidhi and inserting the bottle 's nipple...the baby seemed to move but ashutosh patted her n she began to suckle from the bottle...nidhi n ashutosh got up after they settled her in her bed with her teddy n came into the hall...to nishu n baba "so gayi guddi"?? Asked baba ...as nidhi noded n said"jee baba...aaj to poore din dr ashutosh ne sambhala usse...gode me leke file ka kaam kiya"!! And baba smiled looking at ashutosh proudly"are beti uski hai to sambhalega kaun"!!! And then contd."haan armaan ko ek din pehle jana pada...ab 31 ko aayega waapas..party ko keh ke gaya hai..ghar pe bon fire ..31 ki raat ko...colone aur samdhanji ko bhi bula lena..kyun"?? Ashutosh smiled"jee baba...per armaan ke bina ghar ghar nahiI lagta.."!! Nishu poutpouted"i miss chacha...ab 7days main sad rahoonga..."!! Ashutosh pulled his son into his lap nssaid"kyun sad hoga...kal christmas hai..hum log ek christmas tree decorate karenge...aur who knows santa claus bhi aa jaaye"!! Nishu clapped "wow papa...santa claus gets gifts...aur tree pe we d put stars...per papa..."nishu paused"hum to christians nahi hain..."!! Ashutosh smiled n said"beta festivals sab ke hote hain...aur jaise tum aur gudfi different nature ke ho ..different kapade pehante ho per ho to humaare babies na..usi tarah se..hum temples jaayein ya mosque ya church ..we r all children of god"!! And kissed his forehead...as nishu seemed excited running to nidhi and asking.."mujhe guddi ke liye gift lena hoga...she s younger to me...sab apne se youngers ko gift dete hain...main kya doonga...ab to chacha bhi nahi hain..."!! Ashutosh smiled n hugged nishu saying"we d buy her favourite barbie,..ok"?? N nishu jumped in excitement "yes papa...tab yo woh muhe pucca THANK YOU BHAIYYA bolegi"!! As kaka came n said"theek hai..per bhaiyya ji chalke khana kha lo"!! And nishu hugged kakaji!!
"Mamma..ek din kheer banao na phir se...n corn paalak plz"!! These two dishes were nishu's favourites as he was growing up and his tastes were evolving...nidhi nodded "cake , corn paalk, naan n aloo methi on christmas..kheer new years pe.."baba intervened "beta new years pe catering karwa lenge ..nidhi kitna karegi..."?? Ashutosh nodded"jee baba..thak jaati hai .."but nidhi vetoed"kuch nahi thakti...aur mere ghar ka new years hai..to khana bhi mere haath ka hona chahiye na"!! And baba n ashu did not seem to have an answer!!
As dr ashutosh fitted the new oil heater in baba's room , baba said"kyun pareshaan ho raha hai ashu...mera purana wala he theek tha...itna kyin pareshan hota hai mere liye"?? Ashutosh switched on the heater n said"main nahi pareshaan hoonga to kya padosi honge...baba ? Main sab kuch bardaasht ker sakta hoon..per aapki taqleef nahi..never..."baba smiled n held ashu's hand..."jaanta hoon ..tujhe pareshaan kiya hai maine..ghar chode ke...beemar hoke...per ab chinta na ker...ab to nishu ke bachchon ko bhi khilaonga main"!!! And ashutosh closed his eyes for a moment...wishing the wish to come true...and as baba lay down, ashutosh sat by his bedside ..discussing hospital matters and cases...the clock struck 12 n baba sneered"ashu aadhi raat ho gayi..jaa beta nidhi bechari wait ker rahi hogi..waise hi tu kahaan usse time de paata hai..."ashu smiled a lil shyly...as he got up , he smiled shyly n said"aapko yaad hai humaari shaadi..."?? Baba laughed"arre koi baap bhool sakta hai kya apne bete ki shaadi...aur phir teri shaadi ka to khaas armaan tha ..."ashu laughed"armaan se yaad aaya..aap dono kitna hanse the uss sherwani ko dekh ke..."!!and baba laughed n added "aur jab tu ne buddhu ki tarah do single rajaai order ker di thi"!!! Ashutosh turned beet root ...as he got up n said"chalta hoon baba good night"!! And baba waved"jao dr ashutosh...MD , MS , DM, FRCS to sab aasaani se ker liya...per zindagi aur mohabbat me thode fisaddi rahe...but anyway woh kya kehte hain der aaye durust aaye...so jao maaf kiya..."!!and a blushing ashutosh entered his bedroom...he had been expecting nidhi to be fast asleep...but instead was surprised to find her sitting on the ground on the carpet n cutting crape paper n silver stars..."yeh kya..sona nahi hai"? N nidhi smild"bus Christmas ki taiyyari ker rahi thi...aur phir aap bhi to nahi the ..neend kaise aati..."ashutosh helped her get up n keep the stuff away ..as he looked at her arching her back..."main nahi tha to kaise soti thi..."?? Nidhi blushed"tab to aap the hi nahi..meri life mei..lekin ab its impossible..."ashutosh held her nose n said"woh teddy mamgwa loon col verma ke ghar se"?? N nidhi pouted restingbher head on ashu's chest..."nahi muhhe yeh teddy hi chahiye"!! As ashu put hisarms around her ...
"Nidhi ...ek baat poochoo..."??
"Ek kyun huzaar poochiye"!!
"Tum baba ko itna pyaar karti ho...apne nana samajh ke..ya mere baba"??
Nidhi paused ..then answered"jaante hain dr ashutosh...mere nana to woh bus khoon se hain...mere bachpan me to woh the hi nahi mere paas...aur jab , ain unse mili..jeevan sandhya mei...to pehle woh mere liye ek enigmatic..kabhi problematic patient the...phir ek guide..ek dost jo meri uljhan suljhane ki koshish karte the...aur phir ...jab woh mere ghar..I mean baba ke ghar aaye ..humaari shaadi ke liye kitti minnatein ki unhone...haath jode...buss uss din se woh mere liye aapke baba ho gaye...ek aisa vishal bargad ka ped..jisme hum dono ka ghonska bana...baba nahi to humaara koi astitva nahi...main unhe aapke jitna to shaayad nahi..per bahut pyaar karti hoon..."ashutosh caressed her hair...and said"jaanta hoon...dikhta hai..tumhari aankhon mei"!and nidhi n ashutosh both looked at the photo of baba...smiling at ashutosh's study table...ad both hearts seemed to pray for the eternal life of their father figure..their protector..their benefactor.
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"Dekho mamma christmas tree aa gaya..."said nishu as dr ashutosh emerged holding the tree ..n maxi carried guddi squealing with joy..."baba..."?? Guddi looked around..n nidhi held her"abhi so rahe hain..ninni "!! And involved the kids n maxi in decorating the tree ...as chote sarkar put balloon n stars, crepe all around and nidhi set the cake ...and just as dr ashutosh was going to call the kids for cutting the cake, out came santa claus ...woth his white beard...and a bell...singing "gingle bells gingle bells..gingle all the way"and guddi n nishu ran after him as a train..followed by cs n maxitill he halted and pulled out gifts for each n every one...a big chocolate box for gudfi n nishu, a crayon box for gudfi, acricket bat for nishu ...and a lovely photo frame for maxi n cs ,..and a shining crystal bowl for ashu n nidhi ...and as nidhi helped the kids cut the cake ..n nishu gave the cake around...gudfi looked at the santa munching the cake as his beard fell off and gudfi scscreamed"babaaa"!! And nishu clapped n laughed...and the party glowed with fun n frolick...as after dinner , nishu said"papa..chalo na drive pe plz..."and could dr ashutosh refuse?? As baba retired and maxi n cs left with cake for dadi bua n col verma, ashutosh drove his nidhi n kids around the well lit lucknow...the church at hazrat ganj glowing with lights, the ig statue of mary n infant jesus...and the kids seemed mesmerised...as they drove back ...with both of them fast asleep and ashutosh carried both kids in his strong arms ...and settled them...as nidhi stood n observed the joy in his eyes ...the satisfaction..the glow of happiness of fatherhood...yes life had indeed given its blessings to dr ashutosh...
As nidhi lay, she felt his strong arm pulling her to him...and she turned around ...and he gave a tiny box to nidhi "merry Christmas"nidhi 's eyes gleamed with excitement as she opened the gift...a lovely heart shaped pendent ...n aahutosh pressed a tiny pin and it opened to show photis of ashutosh n nidhi...and the music played"tumhi dekho na ...tumhara hoon mai aur tum meri"!! Nidhi seemed speechless as ashutosh raised his eyebrow n she hid her face in his blue tees...as dr ashutosh put the pendent in a chain around her neck...and then kissed her neck...as nidhi cuddled up to him...before freezing ...as guddi stood there looking at the two n then asking"papa...kaa kal le ho...mamma "?? Ashutosh looked at nidhi...as nidhi pacified him and opened her arms for guddi..."dekh mera gift..."and she showed the pendent..n gudfi's deft fingers opened the heart...n the music filled thecroom as she kissed the photos n said"pappa mammma loveuu"and ashutosh sighed as he hugged guddi n looked at nidhi...how the arrival of kids had changed their life...!!!
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"Dont worry sab pack ker liya hai ..extra clothes, baba ki cap, shawl ...bachchon ke sandwich...bus ab chaliye teen baj gaye...aradhanaji ko puck karna hai...venue tak ke drive mei bhi ek ghanta lagega..."said nidhi as they stood ready for the party n picnic of drs..ashutosh in a dark blue sweater n jeans and nidhi in a blue salwar kameez with a white sweater...ashutosh took a jacket n put it around her shoulders .."raat mei tumhe thand lagegi...take this"and as nidhi put the jacket ..and recalled how dr ashutosh had bought it for her when she had been "discovered to be pregnant "in u.k. !! As she put a hand on her belly, ashutosh looked sharply"kya hua..does it hurt"?? Nidhi laughed n said"oh doctor ashutosh..just come "!!
Baba in his steel grey pathan suit sat in front while nidhi n kids at the back...as aradhanaii joined them in a pink n green salwar kameez with a green shawl n loads of stuff that ashutosh put in the dickie!! As she sat , she looked at baba n commented "mathur...agar ashutosh nidhi bura na maane to main bhi kahoongi..ki hum me bhi generation gap lag raha hai..tum lag rahe ho black n white era je..aur main colour ki"!! And the whole car burst with laughter ...as aradhanaji pulled guddi to her lap n began chatting with nishu ..talking about the passing the parcel that she hadmade...ashutosh looked back at nidhi...his eyes had a strange playfiullness in them...
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At the venue, there were about 50 chairs in the lush green lawns...a canopy for dinner ..slides n jumping jack for kids ...and as ashutosh took nishu n guddi to the games , he could hear khushi screech"ashutosh uncle...me too"and ashutosh opened his arms for khushi...soon 4 kids of other young drs joined and dr ashutosh moved back as guddi seemed to be hapy with kids and nishu whispered"aap jaao...dont worry ..I am here"!!
As snacks n cofee was served the drs began to warm up...dr deepak n his young wife, dr chandra dr sudhir n nanda , dr gandhi n his wife , dr sunil singh n his wife...n james who sat alone ...looking at a distant ahaana who sat with dr jyothika...nidhi observed ..n sighed as dr ranganath n anji played the music inviting drs for musical chairs ...as kids controlled the music , the drs moved around...and when the music stopped , eliminations were cruel..nidhi being the first to be shunted out...followed by deepak ranganath...n finally only baba , aradhanaji n dr chandra were left...with the one coveted chair...and as the music stopped...and the men were slow to react..aradhanaji sat on the chair...n all cheered!!! As a crown was put on her head...she called khushi n guddi n held them in her arms...
Dinner was served...tomato soup followed by veg al cream , baked beans , potato chili n palak corn with various breads...as nidhi got food gor the kids...aradhanaji took the plates n said"aaj mujhe karne de beta...plz"and the "plz"almost got tears into nidhi's eyes as she smiled n handed over the kids ...and stood eating with anji...but looking at baba n aradhanaji...laughing n joking...n then her eyes traveled to james n ahana...distant...n quiet...it seemed the two couples defined past tense n future tense...her thoughts were cut short as baba announced"now lets play pasding the parcel...jo chit jispe aayegi...aur prescription me jo hoga woh karna hoga..ok"?? And there was a loud ok...as the music started n the parcel was passed...stopping at dr chandra "TELL A JOKE THATS FUNNY" dr chandra stood gor a moment n then spoke "ONCE DR NAGPAL LAUGHED ON A JOKE"!!! And all drs laughed as the serious dr nagpal smiled ...n the parcel moved on...the next stop being nidhi"SING A SONG THAT REFLECTS YOUR LIFE"!! Nidhi looked at ashutosh...holding gudfi in his arms...and nishu sat by his side...as he raised his eyebrow..as if a cue..nidhi began shakily n then her throat smoothened"RAJNI GANDHA PHOOL TUMHARE MEHKE YUN HI JEEVAN ME..
YUN HI MEHKE PREET PIYA KI..MERE ARUNAYI MAN ME,,
ADHIKAAR YEH JAB SE SAAJAN KA HER DHADKAN PER PAAYA MAINE ..
MAIN JAB SE UNKE SAATH BANDHI
YEH BHED TABHI JAANA MAINE
KITNA SUKH HAI BNDHAN MEIN..."N she added ..."this is all about my life with dr ashutosh..."and as dr ashutosh smiled ..they could feel ahaana n james watching them...as like the wheel of life the parcel moved on...stopping at aradhanaji..A COUPLET...n aradhanaji looked at baba...as she knew their incomplete lovestory was now an open secret...she said
ZINDAGI EK HASEEN KHWAAB HAI
PER HER HASEEN KHWAAB KO TAABEER NAHI MILTI HAI
WAQT KE SAAHIL PE TOOT GIRTE HAIN..
WOH RISHTE JINHE ZANJEER NAHI MILTI HAI
and as all clapped...n baba s8ghed...ahaana looked at james...with pathos and pain...from baba to ashutosh...it was just a difference of decision making...could they...n the parcel stopped at jamesDO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO THE MOST...
james sighed...looked around at nanda n sudhir...n then walked to ahaana ...going down on his bended knee he asked...in front of all "WILL YOU MARRY ME"?? And ahana stood up...looked at ashutosh nidhi...n then baba aradhanaji...n held james hand ...n said"YES JAMES...YES ...CHALO APNE RISHTEY KO BAANDH LEIN...ISSE PEHLE KI WAQT USSE KHOL DE"!! And rest was lost in claps...nidhi n ashutosh looking at nanda n sudhir...n then at baba n aradhanaji...baba raising his finger to eipe the tears in her eyes...but aradhanaji wiping with her shawl...
Yes ...there were all seasons of love...union..separation...hesitation...n culmination...and as ashutosh put an arm around nidhi ...baba n aradhanaji smiled ...their misty eyes blessing them...n james ahana...as james quietly pushed a gold band on ahana's finger...n said"no temple..no church..just a plain civil wedding ..ok"?? Ahana nodded...but then winked n said"lekin mehndi sangeet to honge hi"!!! And now every one clapped!!! Ashutosh looked at nidhi remembering his own sangeet...n the feel of nidhi dancing in his arms to the words of main waari jaaoon ...reverberated still!!!!
Shiv Shakti
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
CID
