PART 189
Siya settled herself in the car seat, her heart thudding against her chest. Holding Lavya and Kshitija close to her, Siya's anxiety increased with each passing moment.
"Where to, Sir?" The driver asked her Sir.
"Suryavanshi Mansion, if youre ready, Siya."
"As ready as Ill ever be," she smiled as the car set off.
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"Pushkar Bhaiyya, why is Subahu taking so much time to get ready?"
Somada and Pushkar sat on the swing in their lawn as the guests began to come in for her party.
"I dont know Somu, but maybe because hes so small, he cant do anything himself, and Chachi has to help him wear his pants."
The two giggled at their own joke as Bharat took a picture of them.
"What are you two laughing about? Teasing your little brother again?"
"No Papa," Pushkar said sweetly. "But why is he taking so long? Ask him to come down fast, na!"
"And you said the brother sister I see singing on TV will be here too, where are they Chote Tau?"
Bharat acted as if he was in deep thought.
"Hmm, youre very right Somu. You two wait here, and I will go and check right now." Bharat ruffled their hair as he walked inside.
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"Here we are, Maam."
Tears and joy, both came rushing to her as the car stopped in front the magnanimous gates.
She was home, finally.
"I..I.. Sir, please take Lavya and Kshitija with you. Ill wait here."
"But Siya, why will you.."
"Sir, I will come inside. I just need a moment. They must be waiting for these two. You take them in. I dont think Ram will be able to recognize you anyway."
She turned to the children, kissing them on their head.
"You remember what Ive taught you, right? If they ask you about me, tell them that your mom will come inside in some time. And if you see Papa, greet him and behave well, okay?"
"Okay Maa," they said and got off. Only a few moments, Siya said to herself.
She watched them walk inside, walking home.
Siya pushed herself against the dried walls, trying to push her sobs away as she calmed her breaths, and waited for catch the perfect moment when her heart would tell her, that she was ready.
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"Yes, just keep the seating ready there and.."
Urmilas eyes shifted from the attendants, to the man at the door entering with two small figures behind him.
"Hi, you must be Urmila Seerdhwaj? I am Valmiki, the head of the NGO you had contacted."
"Oh, yes Sir!" Urmila tried to have a closer look at the children behind him. "We welcome you here. Was your flight alright?"
"Yes it was, thank you."
Urmila nodded.
"Have you come with them only? Or has anyone else come along? We will be more than happy to accomodate them here as well, its my daughter's birthday. She would love to have more people around her to celebrate the occassion."
"She is a very sweet girl, it seems. Yes, the childrens' mother has come along. And she will be visiting you all very soon."
Urmila bent down to meet the faces of the children, still hiding behind Sir's frame.
"Hey, Im your friend! Wont you shake your hands with me?"
The two siblings looked at each other and stepped ahead. They spread a smile at her, and shook her extended hand.
Urmila touched their soft hands, and her eyes were transfixed at Kshitijas face.
She was no more in their living room in Delhi, she was back home. And in front of her, was her Siya di, the Siya di she had grown up with, played with. And in Lavyas face, were those solemn eyes, Ram's calm soft gaze.
The resemblance was uncanny. Was it only her mind missing her Siya di, or was it truly...
"Maam, where are the other children?"
Urmila stood up to look at Sir.
"Yes, they are.. uh, in the backyard. Please come with me. Ill take you."
Sir looked behind, the gates still empty. She would come soon, but meanwhile, he took them inside.
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"This is Pushkar, this little baby is Subahu... and this one is Somada," Urmila happily introduced them all. And the chilren found themselves at joy, having found new partners to spend their time with.
They say that children have hearts pure as glass. They can see through everyone, and mould themselves to adapt to anyone they like.
"Can I call you Didi?" Somada asked innocently walking upto Kshitija.
"Yes, ofcourse!" She smiled as they went to play.
Urmila left the backyard, attending to everyone else who was walking in. All their associates, friends and their children had been called. Ram had made sure, Somada would have her birthday just the way she wanted.
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"Bhaiyya, please come down, Somu's saying she wont cut the cake unless you stand with her."
Ram smiled at Bharat as he went back down, his eyes falling on the picture of him and Siya at their bedside table once again. It was on occassions like these, when his heart broke into even more pieces than he could ever imagine. Each time, it was almost a surprise, his heart reminding him how much he actually missed her, and their little ones.
Putting on his coat, Ram walked down to the backyard.
"Tau! Where were you?!"
"Im so sorry my dear," he said, kissing her head. "Here I am, now dont make anyone wait, and lets cut your chocolate cake quickly."
Somada smiled as Ram held the small knife with her. Somada cut the cake as everyone sang along.
Like a big girl, she cut her own piece and gave a bite to her parents, followed by her brothers.
"Bharat, where are the children? Have they not arrived yet?"
Bharat looked around.
"No Bhaiyya, theyve come, but I went their Sir took them backstage to get ready."
"Oh, they missed the cake cutting. Please ask them to have the cake with dinner then."
Bharat nodded. Everyone began to get seated as the announcer got ready to commence the program.
"Thank you for your presence today ladies and gentlemen," she began. "We are here to celebrate the birthday of our sweet little princess, Somada today as she turns 5! Lets all have a big cheer for her!"
The crowd clapped along, Somada clapping for herself in her innocence.
"For todays evening, we have two special guests all the way from London, who have become an internet sensation with their musical talents and beautiful voice. And mind you, they too are tiny tots themselves! This is their first show in the presence of a gathering, only on the special request of Mr Ram Suryavanshi himself. So we hope both they and we as a audience have a great time together today."
"Without further ado, for the first time, lets welcome our musical talents, the sensational singing duo, Lavya and Kshitija!"
The thunderous claps fell silent to Rams ears as he heard their name for the first time and saw them walking towards the stage.
Kshitija, in her flowery gown and Lavya, in his shirt and pant. The two were so calm, so pure. Only love, and love for miles beyond reflected in their eyes. There was a brief moment when their eyes met Ram's, and he felt a cloth being dusted off over his untouched heart.
Their names, were the names he and Siya had chosen. But no, it could be a mere co - incidence. How could it be? How could he not have known if they were his own, earlier? Wouldnt he have come to know from someone? From somewhere?
You wouldnt, Ram. A voice seemed to speak to him.
You wouldnt, if someone wouldnt want you to.
And the only someone could be... her.
But if it was her, why would she send the children here? Did she not know that they were coming here?
Or did she, and was she here too?
Ram sat frozen in his seat, their sweet voices touching each of their souls as they song a ballad of a mother and her children. He could see everyone's eyes turning watery with emotion, as did his. The song, the turmoil inside, the confusion; everything brought tears and nothing else.
He came out of his senses, only to see everyone clapping loudly for the two. Their performance had ended. The children stepped down, as everyone greeted them.
"You sing so well!"
"You are so talented!"
And the two took all the compliments with gratitude.
Maanvi stepped ahead and blessed them. "You two have been so well brought up. Has anyone come with you, I really want to meet them. You.. you remind me of someone."
Rams ears perked up at her words. So, they all had felt it.
"We have come with our Sir, whos like our Dadu." Lavya said.
"And our mumma has come with us too, but we cant see her now."
"I'm right here, love."
Everyone turned at her voice, but there was one man who did not.
He knew, he knew that voice too well. It was in his mind, his heart, his very being. Even if he wouldnt have heard that voice till the last day of his life, he would remember it as he died.
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Hope you liked it !
Also guys, this is the third last chapter : <3
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