Mish' Fiction

“Kya hua hospital mein? Aap aise mujhe bina bataye kyon chale gaye the? Ritesh…” Nidhi was pacing up and down the hall and ran to Ashutosh when he came back.

“Ritesh theek hai. At least jitna theek ho sakta hai… Tum pareshaan kyon ho?”

“Aap… bina bataye… chale… gaye…” Nidhi stammered.

“To tumne mujhe phone kyon nahin kar liya? Aise pareshaan kyon ho rahi thi?”

Nidhi downcast her eyes and bit her lips. She did not say anything.

“Talk to me, Nidhi,” Ashutosh said emphatically.

“Mujhe laga… ki aap… busy… honge…”

“Agar main busy hota to main nahin uthata phone. Aur mera phone silent mode par mere drawer mein pada rahta. Tumhein ye baat pata hai. Phir tumne try kyon nahin kiya? Tumhara koi missed call bhi nahin tha…”

“I was… worried… and embarrassed…”

“Kyon”

“Jo aapke kamre mein hua… Aap pata nahin… kya soch rahe honge… mere baare mein?”

“Kya soch raha hoon main tumhare baare mein? Tumhein kya lagta hai?”

Nidhi was not looking at him and did not notice his amused smile. “Please mujhe aur embarass mat kijiye,” she seemed very close to tears as she started moving away from there.

Ashutosh grabbed her hand and stopped her from leaving. “Mujhe lagta hai Nidhi,” he paused intentionally until she looked up curiously at him, “That you are a healthy, young woman, with some very natural desires. And I am happy to see my own feelings being reciprocated by you.”

Nidhi’s face colored, but at the same time a huge burden was lifted off her shoulder. She could not help smiling a little.

“Papa. Aap kahan chale gaye the?” Suddenly Rahul appeared in the hall. Siddhi was also with him. Nidhi and Ashutosh were startled and Ashutosh hastily let go of Nidhi’s hand. Siddhi noticed that awkward moment. She smiled inwardly. “Rahul. Abhi chalo yahan se. Dr. Ashutosh ko Di se kuchh kaam hai,” she dragged Rahul away surprising both Ashutosh and Nidhi with her perceptiveness.

“Aapko Rahul ke paas jaana chahiye,” Nidhi told Ashutosh, “Siddhi pagal hai…”

“Haan. Main jaunga lekin Siddhi was also right. Pahle mujhe tumhein kuchh important batana hai. Mere kamre mein chalte hain.”

—

“Ritesh ke saath jo hua usmein tumhari koi galti nahin thi.”

Nidhi was relieved, but not surprised. She had checked and rechecked his papers and reports in the hospital while waiting on him. There was no way he had any problem related to blood sugar level, when she had left him. But then what had gone wrong?

“Use insulin ka injection diya gaya tha,” Ashutosh answered her unasked question.

“Insulin ka injection? Kise diya? Koi use randomly insulin ka injection kyon dega?”

“Ranjeeta diabetic hai.”

“To? Ritesh nahin hai.”

“Ranjeeta ne diya tha.”

“What? Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? Kyon karengi woh aisa?”

“Tumhein discredit karne ke liye, apne raaste se hatane ke liye…”

“This is impossible. First this is stupid. She could never get away with it? Fine, she is an idiot. But woh apne bachche ki jaan khatre mein kaise daal sakti hain? Even I can’t believe this, Dr. Ashutosh. Mere Mummy-Papa kayar the. Lekin apne bachchon ki jaan woh bhi nahin le sake…”

“Woh kayar nahin, psychopathic hai Nidhi. Maine pahle casually kaha tha ki uske andar empathy nahin hai. But ab mujhe lagta hai ki that is a clinical fact as well. Humne jab use confront kiya, to pata hai usne kya reasoning di?”

“Kya?”

“Ki Ritesh ki jo halat hai usmein to use waise bhi kuchh feel nahin hota. To uske insulin dene se use kya farq padegga?”

“What the hell!” Nidhi was horrified, “That child is not safe with her Dr. Ashutosh…”

“She is in police custody now. We informed the police…”

“Ritesh ka hoga kya phir? He is so young and in this state…”

“His father has been informed. He is coming and will take care of him…”

“Who is his father? Ab tak kahan the wo?”

“I don’t know him, but he is in Delhi. It seems they had never married, and Ranjeeta was not willing to give up Ritesh’ custody. He did not want to fight her…”

“Poor kid!”

“Poor kid, indeed. Dr. Sinha ne phir kuchh aur cheezein check ki. He has some old injuries and bruises, which indicate physical abuse… Nidhi!” he got worried when he saw her sinking into a chair, “I’m sorry. Main tumhein pareshaan kar raha hoon…”

“Nahin! Aisa kuchh nahin hai… Bas main… Aapko ye shaq kaise hua ki Ranjeeta ji ne…”

“Dr. Sinha ne mujhe phone kiya tha. He had seen his reports. Aur phir injection ke puncture wound notice kiye unhone. An insulin injection was the only possibility.”

“Reports to maine bhi check and recheck kiye the. Lekin insulin injection ke baare mein to maine socha hi nahin. Main koi medical reason dhoondh rahi thi…”

“Yeah. Aur use stabilize karne mein hum sab itna busy the ki humne bhi pahle socha nahin. Lekin jaise hi Dr. Sinha ne insulin injection ki baat ki, mera dhyaan sabse pahle Ranjeeta par hi gaya. Dr. Sinha ne already pharmacy se check kiya tha. All insulin injection issued had been accounted for. To kissi hospital staff ka ye karna unlikely tha… Maine hospital ja kar visitor logs aur camera footage check kiye… Phir Ranjeeta se confront kar ke sach nikalwaana mushkil nahin tha…”

“Rahul aur Siddhi kahan hain?” she asked suddenly.

“Rahul ke kamre mein…”

“Chaliye,” she held his hands and led him to Rahul’s room. She hugged both the kids. They were surprised, but Ashutosh understood her situation. He patted her head.

—

“Papa. Wahan bachchon ke liye kuchh nahin hoga. Main aur Siddhi nahin jaayenge,” Rahul was not willing to accompany them to an overnight stay at the farmhouse resort, where they were finally planning to go.

“Aisa nahin hai Rahul. Hum sab saath rahenge na. Bahut mazaa aayega,” Nidhi tried to convince him.

“Nahin Di. Aur waise bhi Dr. Armaan hain na yahan. Unhone hamein mall le jaane ke liye promise kiya hai Sunday ko. Hum wahan games khelenge, right Rahul?” Siddhi interrupted.

“Nidhi. Phir hum bhi cancel kar dete hain. Agar koi nahin jaana chahta to…” Ashutosh said.

“Rahul,” Nidhi tried to appease him, “Mall to tum kabhi bhi ja sakte ho. Right? Wahan bahut mazaa aayega. Open spaces honge khelne ke liye. Aur hum tumhare games le chalenge…”

“Dr. Ashutosh,” Siddhi interrupted and addressed Ashutosh this time, “Main aur Rahul nahin jaana chahte. Lekin yahan sab log to hain. Rahul ki maid rahegi. Hiraman Kaka hain. Dr. Armaan bhi poore weekend ghar par hi hain. Unhone mujhe bataya hai. Aap log please apna plan cancel mat kijiye. Please…”

Ashutosh looked at Nidhi looking puzzled.

“Rahul. Chalo. Cartoon Network par Ben 10 aa raha hoga. Hum dekhte hain. Di tum log packing kar lo.”

“I can’t believe it,” Ashutosh said after Siddhi and Rahul left, “Rahul mere saath, tumhare saath nahin jaana chah raha?”

“I think ye Siddhi ka kiya-dhara hai. Main usse baat karti hoon.”

“Main bhi chalta hoon. Aakhir chal kya raha hai uske dimaag mein?”

“Aap uske saamne mat jaiye. Main press karungi to shayad zyada aasaani se batayegi.”

Ashutosh nodded.

—

“Siddhi? Kya problem hai tujhe? Kyon nahin jaana chahti tu farmhouse? Aur Rahul ko bhi mana kar rahi hai?”

“Nahin Di…. Problem kuchh nahin hai…” Siddhi didn’t know what to say, “Bas hum log bore ho jayenge…”

“Sach bol Siddhi. Please. Agar tum log nahin jaoge, to main aur Dr. Ashutosh…”

“Di. Lekin tumhein jaana chahiye.”

“Kyon?”

“Kyonki tum log enjoy karoge.”

“Tum log saath rahoge to zyada enjoy karenge.”

“Di, ye to fair nahin hai…”

“Kya matlab?”

“Di. Jaise tum chahti ho na ki mujhe ek normal bachpan mile… Maine bhi chahti hoon ki tumhein ek normal… love life mile. Mari wajah se waise bhi tum bahut si aur cheezon ko time nahin de paati. Kam se kam Dr. Ashutosh…”

“Aise kyon bol rahi hai Siddhi? Tu aaj bhi meri first priority hai aur hamesha rahegi. Dr. Ashutosh bhi ye samajhte hain. In fact, tu aur Rahul – dono…”

“Main jaanti hoon Di. Aur meri bhi first priority tum ho.”

“Tu itni chinta kyon kar rahi hai?”

“Tum mujhe samay se pahle bada nahin karna chahti Di. Lekin tum mujhe samay se zyada bachcha bana kar bhi nahin rakh sakti. Kuchh cheezein samajhne layak, kuchh responsibilities uthane layak main badi ho gayi hoon. Mummy-Papa ke baad agar tum akele mera khayaal rakh sakti thi, to ek weekend ke liye, itne saare logon ke saath, main Rahul ka khayaal rakh sakti hoon. Tum please Dr. Ashutosh ke saath chali jao. Mujhe bahut achchha lagega. Aur ye tumhara… tum dono ka haq hai.”

Nidhi was overwhelmed and could not help her eyes getting moist as she hugged Siddhi.

Siddhi spotted Ashutosh at the door of the room where they had been talking. She became conscious wondering if he had heard them. “Dr. Ashutosh!” she exclaimed drawing Nidhi’s attention also to him. Nidhi had forgotten that Ashutosh was around and had just not come before Siddhi so that she spoke frankly.

“Main chalti hoon Di. Rahul ke kamre mein hoon,” Siddhi said and ran away from there.

Nidhi wiped her tears and smiled at Ashutosh, who was smiling too.

“Ek baat kahun?” Nidhi said.

“Permission ki zaroorat hai tumhein?”

She laughed slightly before speaking, “Jab se aap meri zindagi mein aaye hain, tab se meri life reverse gear mein chali gayi hai jaise…”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“It is very good, kyonki iske pahle jahan bhi meri life thi, ya ja rahi thi, woh bahut painful tha. Ab sab ulta ho gaya hai. Pahle main itni lonely thi… Aur ab I am surrounded by people… And their love… Siddhi meri responsibility hua karti thi. Aur ab? Aapne suni uski baat? Even she is trying to… she has become a support now. Mujhe to bharosa nahin ho raha hai ki ye sab mere saath ho raha hai… Kahin aisa to nahin hai ki meri aankhein khulengi aur ye sab sapna niklega?”

Ashutosh came to her and held her hands, “Nidhi. Is zindagi ne mujhe to ye sikhaya ki hum sabko apne hisse ki khushiyan aur challenges milte hain. Unka order kabhi-kabhi unfathomable hota hai. Tumhein challenges unfairly early mil gaye apni life mein. Lekin you faced them head on. And you won. Jo bhi khushiyan aaj tumhein mil rahi hain, you deserve them and more. Bilkul darne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Things will only be good and better from now on.” He gently wiped the tears that were flowing down her cheeks again.

She smiled; then said, “Siddhi pagal hai waise… Hum Rahul ko chhod kar thode hi na ja sakte hain aise. Main Rahul se baat karti hoon…”

“Nidhi. Aaj jis ladki ko maine tumse baat karte hue dekha, woh sach mein tumhari bahan hai. She knows her responsibilities aur unhein poora karegi woh. Woh Rahul ka khayaal sach mein rakh legi. Lekin haan – it would be unfair on our part agar hum us par itni responsibility daal dein. Lekin usne ye bhi sach kaha ki ghar mein aur log hain. Rahul ki maid bhi ruk jayegi raat mein zaroorat padne par. Waise bhi maine akele nahin paala hai Rahul ko aaj tak. Hiraman Kaka aur uski maid ne hamesha hi uski responsibility li hai, given my work schedule. Phir abhi to Armaan aur Siddhi bhi hain. Hum Rahul ko chhod kar ja sakte hain. ”

Nidhi’s cheeks colored. It meant them going alone. And they had planned to stay overnight! Ashutosh noticed that and quickly added, “Of course. Only if tumhein aitraaz na ho… mere saath chalne mein.”

Even though Nidhi felt extremely shy at the proposal, she spoke bravely, “Agar aapko abhi tak ye baat na pata ho to main bata doon ki… aapke saath mujhe kissi kuen mein koodne mein bhi koi aitraaz nahin hai. I can follow you blindly.”

“Phir to tum safe ho,” Ashutosh joked, “Mujhe kuen mein koodne ka koi shauk nahin hai.” Nidhi laughed. “Packing kar li hai tumne?”

“Ji. Mujhe ghar jaana hai. Kapde yahan nahin hain.”

“Theek hai. Driver ko bol do car nikaal le tumhare liye. Main Rahul ke saath baithta hoon.”

“Ji.”

“Aur Nidhi…”

“Ji?”

“They have a very large and well-maintained swimming pool. Do pack your swimsuit.”

Nidhi blushed heavily and got visible goosebumps as she recalled their last swimsuit encounter. She ran away from there leaving an amused and smiling Ashutosh behind.

—

To be continued

“Nidhi? Tum yahan? Sab theek hai na?” Ashutosh was surprised to find her sitting in Ritesh’ room.

“Haan. Koi problem nahin hai. Lekin nurse ne bataya ki jab se use yahan shift kiya hai, usse koi milne nahin aaya. Maine socha ki thodee der uske saath baith jaun.”

“72 ghanton se tum hospital mein ho. Ab ghar chalo. Situation control mein hai. Regular staff kaam sambhaal lega. Phir Dr. Sinha ne raat mein break liya tha. He is back.”

“Ji. Chaliye.”

Ashutosh stopped near a coffee shop on their way home.

“Yahan kyon roka hai aapne?”

“Tumse baat karni hai. Pichhle teen din itne ajeeb rahe hain. Lekin kaam itna tha ki baat karne ka mauka hi nahin mila. Ghar jaane ke baad bachchon ke saath time bitana hoga. Isliye…”

“Chaliye.”

“Nidhi… I’m sorry… Aise achaanak Ranjeeta ka aana… Maine kabhi tumhein kuchh bataya bhi nahi tha…”

“Aap sorry kyon bol rahe hain? Mujhe kya hua hai unke aane se? Aur mujhe bhala jaanna hi kya hai unke baare mein? Isliye to maine kabhi kuchh poochha bhi nahin.”

“Thank you. For handling everything so well.”

“But I don’t understand her Dr. Ashutosh. Aakhir woh chahti kya hain? Ritesh ki aisi halat ho rakhi hai. Rahul se unhein pichhle 6 saalon mein koi lagaav nahin tha. Abhi kyon woh suddenly Rahul se apne relations revive karna chahti hain, jabki Ritesh ke paas baithne ke liye unke paas paanch minute bhi nahin hain?”

Ashutosh sighed, “Empathy ek cheez hai jo uske andar nahin hai Nidhi. Doosron ka dard, unki feelings, unki khushiyan – ye sab use samajh mein nahin aati hain. Chahe woh uske apne bachche ki kyon na ho? Meri nahin samajhti thi, apne parents ki bhi nahin samajhti thi, yahan tak ki Rahul ki bhi nahin samajhti thi. Ritesh ki bhi nahin samajhti – I am not surprised.”

“Phir itne saalon ke baad achanak Rahul ke liye ye desperation kyon?”

“I don’t know. Aur main kuchh guess bhi nahin kar pa raha hoon. But something just doesn’t feel right. Pata nahin kya chal raha hai uske man mein.”

“Bolne mein horrible lagta hai, lekin jaise woh Ritesh ke saath behave kar rahi hain, aisa lagta hai ki she has decided to ignore his existence in her life. He might as well be dead and forgotten. It is disgusting…” She was interrupted by her mobile ringing. “Hospital se hai,” she explained to Ashutosh and picked up the phone.

“What… Lekin… Main wapas aati hoon…” she was worried by the time she disconnected the call, “Ritesh ki halat kharaab ho gayi hai achanak… Symptoms se brain damage hone ke chances lag rahe hain…”

“Aisa kaise ho sakta hai? Tumne…”

“Maine aane se pahle sab check kiya tha…”

“Let’s go…”

—

It took them two hours to get Ritesh’ situation slightly in control. Low blood sugar. Excessive insulin. How could Nidhi have missed out on noticing something that basic in a patient, when she had declared him to be stable? He was still not out of danger. His vegetative state made things worse. If something happened to him, Nidhi would be answerable to the vigilance committee at the hospital. That won’t be a good situation. Nidhi had watched from afar after Ashutosh had to discharge her from the case as per the standard process in case of negligence by a doctor.

Ashutosh went to his office after Ritesh had been given required medicines and injections. Nothing could be done except to watch him for next four to five hours. He knew where Nidhi would be, but he did not know what to talk to her about. Nidhi was pacing up and down on the terrace. Too may questions were flooding her mind. First of which was how did things go wrong? But more urgent were the implications of things going wrong. Ritesh’ well-being. If something happened to the kid, she would never be able to forgive herself. And if the case goes to the committee all hell will break lose not only in her, but also in Ashutosh’ life. The complicated relationship between her, him and Ranjeeta would come to the fore. Nor only Nidhi, but even he would be accused of the worst!

She checked on Ritesh after she saw Ashutosh going back to his office. Then despite all the awkwadness, she went to him.

“Aap ghar chale jaiye. Main rukoongi uske paas,” she offered. Ashutosh was clearly exhausted. She was too. But she definitely had more energy that Ashutosh did. And she hadn’t been the one struggling for Ritesh’ life for last two hours.

“I can’t do that,” Ashutosh replied trying to balance his authority with his unwillingness to appear to harsh on Nidhi. He couldn’t believe she could have made such a mistake. And yet at that point of time, she was the only culprit.

“You don’t have to hand the case over to me. But you can officially hand it over to another doctor. Probably Dr. Sinha or Dr. Mallika…”

“Nidhi. How could you do something as silly as this?” Ashutosh gave words to his exasperation.

“Aapko lagta hai ki maine jaan-boojh kar kiya?”

“Of course not. Are you mad? But this particular case can…”

“I can never take anyone’s life Dr. Ashutosh. Much less that of a kid. Yet something has gone wrong. I don’t know what it is, but something has. Aur agar the worst happens, I promise you ki committee will never need to dig any dirt on you. I will accept the blame willingly. Aapki reputation ko kuchh nahin hoga.”

“Aur tum?”

“Aap please ghar jaiye…”

“Lekin…”

“Rahul teen dinon se nahin mila hai aapse. Baar-baar aapka phone try kar raha tha. Missed calls honge – aap apna phone nikaal kar dekhiye drawer se…”

Ashutosh sighed. She was right. Rahul would be anxious. And yet… what went wrong? He had to find out… Too much was at stake… He couldn’t abandon Nidhi. Yet supporting her would open a can of worms…

—

Ashutosh had just taken a shower, was in his pajamas and was still looking for a t-shirt to wear, when his room door flung open.

“Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi barged in appearing quite unaware of his state of undress, “Ritesh ki halat stable hai. His blood sugar is in control. Aur koi damage nahin hua.”

Ashutosh was relieved. A huge burden was taken off his shoulders. “Thank God! Agar use kuchh ho jaata to…”

“To main aapko hamesha ke liye kho deti…” Nidhi’s voice quivered.

“Nidhi! Aisa kyon kah rahi ho?” He went closer to her and held her chin, “Tum mere liye bina kissi inquiry ke apne oopar saara ilzaam lene ke liye taiyaar thi, apne career barbaad karne ke liye taiyaar thi. Aur tumhein lagta hai ki main tumhein akela chhod deta? Itna hi bharosa hai mujh par?”

Feeling overwhelmed she hugged him. He gently hugged her back trying to comfort her. But soon he felt her digging her nails into his skin and running her fingers over his spine. She probably didn’t realize that it was one of his most sensitive body parts. “Nidhi,” he hissed, “Stop.” This wasn’t the time to… Nidhi was startled by his voice and came back to her senses. She stepped back from him. Feeling embarrassed she fleed his room.

Unsure about how she interpreted everything, he grabbed the first t-shirt he could and rushed after her. But he found her with Siddhi and Rahul. She was helping Siddhi with her homework. He was about to ask her to come with him, when his phone rang. It was from Dr. Sinha. He had to pick it up.

“What? Are you sure Dr. Sinha? Aisa… Insulin inject hua tha? Ek minute… Injection ke puncture wound… Kissi ne insulin issue nahin karwaya?? Phir… Oh! Oh my God! I think I know kya hua hai… Aap wahin rukiye… And please ensure ki Ritesh ke room se koi cheez bahar na jaye… Kachra bhi nahin… Main pahunch raha hoon… Hiraman Kaka. Main thodee der ke liye wapas hospital ja raha hoon.”

—

To be continued

Ashutosh finished getting briefs from all the doctors in the deparment the next morning. Things were mostly under control. Some kids had permanent injuries and disablement. That could not be helped after such an incident. But no one who had come to the hospital alive died. He gave insructions for extra duties and then dismissed them. Nidhi looked at him before leaving, but did not stop back just then. Their relationship was not known to the people at the hospital yet and they had not yet decided about it.

But she came back after ten minutes. She had brought two cups of tea.

“Thanks,” he smiled, clearly looking tired, “Main tumhein phone karne hi waala tha bulane ke liye.”

“Aap bahut zyada thake hue hain. Chai pee lijiye.”

“Thaki to tum bhi hogi.”

“Mujhe break mila tha. Aapko nahin mila. Aapne Rahul se baat ki?”

“Haan. Woh dono log theek hain. Armaan ghar par hi ruk gaya aaj. Phir maid aur Hiraman Kaka bhi hain.”

They fell silent after that.

“Aapne media se jo kaha…” Nidhi spoke after a while, “Sahi kaha.”

“Mujhe gussa aa gaya tha. Tamasha bana dete hain ye logon ke misfortune ka. Kya milega inmein se kissi bhi parent ko media se baat kar ke. Kiski madad ho jayegi unki mutilated bodies ki photos dikha kar. Aur kissi bhi hospital staff ka time unki jaan bachane mein behtar use ho sakta hai media se baat karne ki bajay. Apni investigation woh road par kyon nahin le jaate. Pahchanne ki koshish kyon nahin karte unhein, jinhone aisa kiya hai.”

“Mere haath lag jayen to gala daba kar maar doom main un logon ko jo aisi harquatein karte hain.”

Ashutosh smiled, “Tumhare haath lag jayen to tumhare gusse se hi mar jayenge woh. Lekin retalliate karna to solution nahin hai. In fact, politicians aur goons wahi karne ki koshish kar rahe hain. Situation bahut tense hai city mein.”

“Haan. Schools bhi band hain.”

Just then they heard a knock on the door. Nidhi got up from the chair and hid her tea cup to make it appear like she was there for some work.

“Come in,” Ashutosh said. It was Ranjeeta.

“Ashu. Mujhe tumse kuchh baat karni hai.”

“Bolo.”

“I mean… personal baat hai Rahul ke baare mein,” she looked at Nidhi apprehensively.

Nidhi noticed Ashutosh stiffen. She didn’t want to put him in an awkward situation. So, she said, “Main baad mein aati hoon, Sir.”

“No. Wait,” Ashutosh said surprising Nidhi as well as Ranjeeta, “Jo baat tum mujhse karna chahti ho Rahul ke baare mein, tum Dr. Nidhi ke saamne kah sakti ho.”

Ranjeeta glared at Nidhi and Nidhi fidgeted uncomfortably.

“Ashu, ye hamare bete ki baat hai.”

“Rahul ke saath jitna main involved hoon, utni hi ab Nidhi bhi hai. Tumhein jo kahna ho kah sakti ho.”

“It’s okay Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi tried to dissipate the tension, “Aap log baat kar lijiye.”

“No Nidhi. You have to be here.”

“Fine!” Ranjeeta gave up irritably, “Main Rahul se milna chahti hoon.”

“Kyon?”

“Kyon? Main Ma hoon uski.”

“Tumne willingly uski custody give up ki thi Ranju.”

“I know lekin…”

“Ranju. Log khilone nahin hote hain, ki ek se bore ho gaye to doosra le liye. Doosre se bore ho gaye to wapas pahle ke paas aa gaye. Mujhe tumse koi shikayat nahin hai, koi dushmani nahin hai. Lekin Rahul ki fikr to mujhe karni hai na. Rahul jaanta hai ki uski Mummy nahin hai uske saath, usne is baat ko maan liya hai aur woh apni zindagi mein khush hai. Abhi tum uske saamne jaogi to… I don’t see any reason ki main aisa hone doon. Main uski feelings ko kyon confuse karoon; ya uski life ko kyon unsettle karoon?”

“Tum ek ajnabi ladki to Rahul ke kareeb aane de sakte ho, uski Ma ko nahin?”

“Tumme aur Dr. Nidhi mein se jo Rahul ke liye ajnabi hai, woh tum ho Ranju. Dr. Nidhi nahin.”

Despite all the awkwardness, Nidhi smiled and felt good at Ashutosh’ confidence in her. She had never felt the belonging in her life that Ashutosh made her feel just then.

“Dr. Ashutosh,” a nurse came running to the office just then, “Bed no. 4 ke bachche ko suddenly respiration mein trouble ho rahi hai. Oxygen mask lagaya hai, but aap please dekh lijiye. Abhi tak aisi koi trouble report nahin hui thi.”

“Chaliye Dr. Nidhi,” Ashutosh told Nidhi and left Ranjeeta behind.

—

“Dr. Nidhi Verma!” Nidhi was interrupted later in the day by Ranjeeta.

“Ji?” Nidhi had not bothered to judge Ranjeeta, until her last encounter where he saw the exchange between her and Ashutosh with regards to Rahul. And now she was very clear in her judgement, and hence curt too.

“To aapne Rahul ko zariya banaya hai Ashutosh tak pahunchne ke liye.”

Nidhi got irritated. She was in the ward when Ranjeeta had walked in. Her talking about Ashutosh was potentially embarassing for Nidhi, “Main abhi duty par hoon. Behtar hoga ki aap personal cheezein yahan na layen. Mere patients ko meri zaroorat hai.”

“Ya ye kaho ki mera saamne karne ki himmat nahin hai.”

Nidhi sighed. Ranjeeta would have to be dealth with. “Lagta hai aapka waham door karna hi padega. Kabir,” she called her colleague, “Can you please cover for me for five minutes?”

“Sure, Nidhi.”

“Thanks. Chaliye Ranjeeta ji.” Even the canteen was crowded; so Nidhi thought for a moment and took her to the terrace. “Bataiye. Kya baat karne ki itni jaldbaazi hai aapko ki aap meri duty khatam hone tak nahin ruk sakti thi?”

“Maine sab pata kiya hai tumhare baare mein. Kaafee zaroorat hai tumhein zindagi mein sahare ki… aur of course paison ki. Jo Ashu poora kar sakta hai. Aur Rahul ko zariya bana kar tum Ashu ke kareeb pahunch gayi ho. Hai na?”

“Mere paas aapke sawaalon ke jawaab hain. Lekin koi bhi aira-gaira aa kar mujhse ulte seedhe sawaal poochhne lage, ya mere oopar ghatiya ilzaam lagane lage, to main use ahmiyat nahin deti. Aapko mujhse sawaal poochhne ka koi haq nahin hai. And I am not answerable to you.”

“Tum bas Rahul aur mere beech mein mat aao. Ashu se Rahul ko mujhse door rakhne ko mat kaho.”

“Agar mujhe Dr. Ashutosh se kuchh kahna hota, to main yahi kahti ki aapka saaya bhi Rahul par na padne dein. Apne bachchon se munh modne waale parents se mujhe koi sympathy nahin hai. Lekin maine unse na kuchh kaha hai, na hi kuchh kahungi is baare mein. Pichhle 6 saalon se Rahul ko maa-baap sab kuchh ban kar Dr. Ashutosh ne paala hai, maine nahin. Main Rahul ki zindagi mein ab aayi hoon. Rahul ke baare mein unka jo bhi faisla hoga, mujhe blindly manzoor hoga. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do,” Nidhi said and started to leave. Then she thought of something and spoke again, “Aur haan. Aage se meri personal life mein dakhal mat dijiyega. Meri life, including my relations with Dr. Ashutosh and Rahul, ke baare mein sawaal poochhne ki koshish mat kijiyega. Mujhe ye sakht napasand hai. Aur mere oopar jaasoosi karne se, ya hospital ki gossip mein participate karne se bhi door rahiyega. Aapka focus meri jagah Ritesh ho to behtar rahega.” After this she left. Ranjeeta appeared speechless and stood rooted to her place for a few minutes.

—

As soon as Nidhi entered the hospital corridor from the terrace, she found Ashutosh waiting for her there. His expressions had a mixture of appreciation and amusement.

“Aap?” she looked around sheepishly, “Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain?”

He indicated to her to walk towards his office. She did that.

“Maine tumhein aur Ranjeeta ko dekha tha saath mein, to mera dimaag thanka. Isliye main tumhare peechhe aaya. Lekin I think meri koi zaroorat nahin thi tumhein is problem se nibatne mein.”

“Ye koi problem nahin thi. Aap bekaar ki baaton par pareshaan mat hua kijiye. Main chalti hoon. Sab kuchh control mein hai, lekin kaam abhi bhi bahut hai ward mein.”

“Ek minute Nidhi…”

“Ji?”

“Ek baat ki chinta mujhe hai. Ye jo tum end mein Ranjeeta ko dhamkar kar aayi ho, ki hospital ki gossip mein participate na kare etc. ye kaise ensure karogi? Agar woh karegi kuchh to tum ya main uska kya kar sakte hain?”

“Kuchh bhi nahin.”

“Phir tumne dhamki kyon di?”

“Bewkoof logon ko confidently dhamki dena hi kaafi hota hai. They assume the worst and more; aur phir chup rahte hain. And she doesn’t come across as particularly intelligent to me.”

“Why so?” Ashutosh was amused again.

“She left you,” Nidhi said with a shrug as if it was very obvious that only an idiot could leave Ashutosh. Then she left, leaving Ashutosh smiling despite his worries about Ranjeeta.

—

“Siddhi!”

“Kya hai?” she was clearly upset.

“Tujhe kya hua hai?”

“Kuchh nahin!”

“Siddhi. Tu itni judgemental kyon ho rahi hai? I am an adult.”

“Tum Dr. Ashutosh se shaadi kar rahi ho?”

“Some day, I guess… Par ismein gussa hone waali kya baat hai?”

“To ab Rahul tumhari first priority ho jayega.”

“Pagal,” Nidhi smiled, “Teri jagah meri zindagi mein koi aur nahin le sakta. Abhi bhi to main Rahul ka khayaal rakhti hoon. Kya tujhe koi shikayat hai?”

“Di, Dr. Ashutosh tumse bahut bade hain. He has an eight-year old son son.”

“And I have a thirteen-year old to take care of. Hisaab baraabar,” Nidhi joked and then added seriously, “Aur Siddhi. Mujhe bhi help ki zaroorat hai, support ki zaroorat hai. Apne liye. Tere liye. Teri achchhi parvarish ke liye.”

“Yahi to problem hai,” Siddhi mumbled.

“Kya?” Nidhi asked anxiously.

“Tum meri wajah se ye kar rahi ho na? Tumhari umra ka koi ladka to meri responsibility nahin uthayega. Isliye ye compromise…”

“Nahin Siddhi…”

“Di. Maine tumse pahle bhi promise kiya tha na? Main tumhein pareshaan nahin karoongi. Bilkul nahin karoongi. Tumhein mere liye ek guardian dhoondhne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Tum apne liye ek sahi husband dhoondho…”

“Shut up Siddhi,” Nidhi said very softly, “Meri baat sun. Bahut dhyaan se sunna. Mummy-Papa ne jo kiya, uski wajah se main hamesha ke liye badal gayi. Ek to samay se pahle bada hona pada mujhe. Aur nahin – iski wajah tu nahin thi. Iski wajah woh the. Main apni umra ke aur logon ki tarah nahin hoon. Ye baat koi badal nahin sakta. Na tu, na main, na hi koi aur. Meri umra ke log mujhe itne immature lagte hain ki shayad main kabhi kissi ki izzat na kar paun, kabhi kissi se pyaar na kar paun. Lekin ye wajah nahin hai ki Dr. Ashutosh meri zindagi mein hain. Main koi faisla kar ke nahin baithi thi ki mujhe khud se bade insaan se shaadi karni hai. Lekin Mummy-Papa ke baad jo doosri bahut badi cheez mere andar badal gayi thi, woh ye ki main kissi par bharosa nahin kar pati thi. Mujhe hamesha aisa lagta the ki jab apne ma-baap par hi bharosa nahin kar sakte, jab woh hi hamein akela chhod kar chale gaye, to phir kissi aur par kaise bharosa kar sakti hoon main. Maine kissi relative ko apni to chhod, teri responsibility bhi nahin uthane di. Jabki mujhe kuchh nahin pata tha ki main tujhe kaise paaloongi. Aur koi bhi mera ye trust jeet nahin paaya aaj tak, siway Dr. Ashutosh ke. Pata nahin kab aur kaise hua, lekin woh meri zindagi ka hissa bante gaye, main unki bahut respect karne lagi, unpar trust karne lagi, aur unhein bahut pyaar karne lagi…”

“Lekin jab bhi mujhe koi shaq hua, ya maine kuchh poochha, to tumne mujhe hamesha chup karwa diya. Kyon? Tum mujhe kyon nahin batana chahti thi.”

“Kyonki woh is rishte ko accept karne ko taiyaar nahin the.”

“Matlab?”

“Jo baat tujhe pareshaan kar rahi hai Siddhi, hamara age-gap, wahi unhein bhi pareshaan karti thi. Unhein lagta tha ki woh mere liye sahi nahin hain. Bahut dinon ki kash-ma-kash ke baad unhone aaj finally accept kiya…”

“To kya unhone tumhein abhi-abhi propose kiya hai?” Siddhi’s eyes widened in surprise and excitement.

Nidhi blushed and nodded.

“To tum mujhse chhipa nahin rahi thi?”

“Nahin pagli. Main tujhse kyon aur kaise chhipaungi? Haan – ye nahin socha tha ki aise pata chalega tujhe.”

“Tum khush ho Di?”

“Main bahut khush hoon. Lekin agar tu khush nahin hogi to…”

“Di,” Siddhi’s eyes became moist, “Mere sar par tumhare alawa kissi ka haath nahin hai. Tum jo bhi faisla logi, woh mere hisaab se kabhi galat nahin ho sakta.”

“Kitni badi-badi baatein kar rahi hai,” Nidhi also got emotional, “Kitni badi ho gayi hai tu? Lekin ab ghabra mat. Tere oopar Dr. Ashutosh ka bhi haath hai. Agar mujhe kuchh ho gaya to bhi…”

“Shut up,” Siddhi started crying and hugged her.

“Siddhi,” Nidhi broke the hug and spoke, “Dr. Ashutosh pareshaan ho rahe honge bahar. Chal kar unhein bhi bol de ki tu gussa nahin hai.”

She nodded and they went out together.

Ashutosh looked at them nervously.

“I am sorry, Dr. Ashutosh,” Siddhi spoke relieving him of the tension, “I over-reacted.”

“Siddhi,” Ashutosh came to her smiling and caressed her head, “Tumhari zindagi se tumhari Di kahin nahin jayegi. Balki aur log tumhari zindagi mein aa jayenge. Thodee tumhari boriyat bhi kam hogi. Har samay apni Di ke saath rah-rah kar bore nahin ho jati tum?”

Siddhi grinned and Ashutosh hugged her. Nidhi watched on happily.

“Aaj to celebration hona chahiye?” Siddhi spoke suddenly.

“Kyon?”

“Are… Kya kahte hain woh – haan. Aaj meri Di ka rishta pakka hua hai.”

Nidhi laughed nervously, “Pagal hai tu Siddhi.”

“Aap bataiye Dr. Ashutosh. Main kuchh galat kah rahi hoon?” Siddhi said.

“Well… Kah to tum sahi rahi ho. Lekin Nidhi ki tabiyat kharaab hai. To aisa karte hain. Aaj uske liye sick food banate hain. Aur hum log pizza kha kar celebrate karte hain.”

“That’s not fair,” Nidhi mock complained.

“Fair to nahin hi hai. Pizza is not enough. But tumhari tabiyat ka khayaal karte hue aaj hum isse hi kaam chala lenge,” Sidhhi teased her, “Main Dr. Armaan aur Rahul ko phone kar ke bula loon?”

“Ruk ja Siddhi,” Nidhi stopped her, “Rahul ko carefully batana hoga…”

“Don’t worry, Nidhi,” Ashutosh assured her, “Use pata chalega ki tum uske saath rahogi, to woh khushi ke maare pagal ho jayega.”

“Phir bhi…”

“Main Armaan ko phone karta hoon.”

—

“Armaan. Tu ghar par hi hai na aaj?”

“Haan. Kyon?”

“Tujhe Nidhi ka ghar pata hai?”

“Nahin. Kyon? Pata hona chahiye tha kya?”

Ashutosh ignored his teasing remark, “Main tujhe address SMS karta hoon. Rahul ko le kar yahan aa ja.”

“Bade hukum chalaye ja rahe hain janaab. Baat kya hai?”

“Abhi tu aayega ki baaraat bhejni padegi tujhe laane ke liye?”

“Bhej hi de baaraat yaar. Aisa mauka phir kahan milega?”

“Armaan!”

“Nahin bhejega? Chal koi nahin. Aa jaata hoon. Bas address bhej de.”

“Rahul ko le aana.”

“Jo hukum mere aaka.”

—

“Nidhi Auntie,” Rahul ran excitedly towards Nidhi and she hugged him.

“Abhi mujhse door hi raho Rahul,” she suddenly remembered her cold, “Warna tumhein bhi zukaam ho jayega.”

“Aap ghar kyon nahin aayi?”

“Tabiyat kharaab thi na Rahul. Isliye to tumhein yahan bula liya.”

“Kya ho gaya aapko?” Armaan got concerned.

“Kuchh nahin Dr. Armaan. Bas zukaam ho gaya hai thoda.”

“To hum sab yahan Dr. Nidhi ke zukaam ko theek karne ke liye ikattha hue hain?” Armaan looked at Ashutosh.

“Nahin,” Ashutosh replied with a meaningful smile, “Hum ye pata karne ke liye ikattha hue hain ki agar Dr. Nidhi Rahul ke saath rahengi to Rahul ko kaisa lagega?”

“Sach?” Rahul was wide-eyed in surprise and excitement, “Nidhi Auntie hamare saath rahengi?”

“Tumhein achchha lagega?” Ashutosh kneeled to face Rahul and asked.

“Bahut mazaa aayega.”

Armaan looked from Ashutosh to Nidhi and back completely surprised by the turn of the events, while Nidhi just blushed and smiled and Siddhi grinned.

“Kya iska matlab wahi hai jo main samajh raha hoon?” he asked.

“Woh to is par depend karta hai Dr. Armaan,” Siddhi replied, “ki aap kya samajh rahe hain?”

Rahul’s question voiced Armaan’s too, “Nidhi Auntie meri Mummy ki tarah hamare saath rahengi?”

Everyone laughed and Nidhi blushed heavily.

“Haan Rahul,” Siddhi replied chirpily, “Aur tumhein mujhe Maasi bulana padega.”

“Main tumhein Maasi nahin bulaunga,” Rahul protested.

“Bulana padega,” Siddhi made a face to tease him and he ran after her to take revenge. Siddhi ran towards her room and Rahul followed her.

Armaan, Ashutosh and Nidhi looked after them and smiled.

“Nidhi,” Armaan turned towards her, “Pahle main tumhein congratulations aur thanks bol doon. For hanging in there. For waiting. And for winning your love.”

“Thank you Dr. Armaan. Lekin aisa nahin hai ki main kuchh aur kar sakti thi. Mujhe to intezaar karna hi tha.”

“God bless you,” Armaan patted her head affectionately, then turned towards Ashutosh, “Aur tu champu. Finally akal aa gayi tujhe.”

“Ab to maine woh kar diya jo tu chahta tha Armaan. Ab kyon taane maar raha hai?”

“Nahin. Ab to tujhe gale lagane ka time aa gaya hai. Aa ja!” They hugged. “Congratulations Ashu. Maine bahut khush hoon.”

“Chalo bhai. Pizza order karte hain,” Ashutosh said after their emotional exchange was over.

“Please poora menu mat order kijiyega Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi said, “Bachchon ko to Cheese pizza hi pasand aata hai. Aap aur Dr. Armaan uske alaawa apni pasand se order kar lijiye.”

“Theek hai. Aur tumhare liye khichdi bana lete hain.”

“Main bana loongi.”

“Main banaungi,” Siddhi came back to the hall and announced.

“Tu aakhiri baar paani lene bhi kab gayi thi kitchen mein Siddhi?” Nidhi laughed.

“To kya hua. Khichdi to main bana sakti hoon.”

“Achchha?”

“Bas ye bata do ki paani kitna daalna hai… Aur masala kaun sa aur kitna daalna hai…”

Everyone laughed and Ashutosh said, “Chalo. Hum dono mil kar banate hain Siddhi. Mujhe aata hai banana.”

“Rahne dijiye…”

“Sit down Nidhi. Tum beemaar ho. Beemaron ki tarah raho,” Ashutosh ordered good humouredly.

“Khaana to mujhe hi padega. Lekin theek hai…” Nidhi shrugged and sat down.

—

“Nidhi. Aaj to aap off-duty hain na?” Ashutosh called Nidhi.

“Yes, Sir.”

“To aap yahan aa jaiye.”

“Koi kaam tha, Sir?”

“Haan. Aapse kuchh baat karni thi.”

“Koi problem hai, Sir?”

“Nahin. Nahin. Aap bas aa jaiye.”

“Ji. Theek hai.”

Ashutosh paced up and down the hall waiting for Nidhi, trying to think of how he would talk to her. He rushed to open the door himself when the doorbell rang.

“Surprise!” he was greeted by Rahul. Nidhi and Siddhi were standing behind him grinning.

“Rahul? Siddhi? Aap log yahan kaise? School…” Ashutosh was flustered.

“School mein aag lag gayi Papa. Isliye hamari chhutti ho gayi.”

“Kya?” Ashutosh got worried.

“Nahin Dr. Ashutosh,” Sidhhi assured him, “Ye aise hi badha-chadha kar bol raha hai. Lekin canteen mein fire alarm baj raha tha. Aur unhein source pata nahin chal raha tha. To safety ke liye unhone chhutti kar di. Maine Di ko inform kar diya aur socha ki Rahul ko ghar la kar aapko surprise karein.”

“Oh. Okay. Sab log darwaaze par kyon khade hain. Andar aaiye.”

Rahul and Siddhi were extremely excited about the unexpected holiday and they kept running around the hall, playing silly games, despite several admonitions from Nidhi and Ashutosh.

“Bachche bahut excited hain. Abhi nahin sunenge,” Nidhi told Ashutosh smiling.

“Haan. Woh to dikh raha hai,” he replied trying to hide his frustration.

“Waise appko kuchh baat karni thi, Sir?”

“Haan?”

“Aapne kaha tha na ki kuchh baat karni hai?”

“Haan. Woh… Mere dhyaan se utar gaya.”

“Aapne mujhe baat karne ke liye hi bulaya tha.”

“Haan. Woh – Rahul…”

“Kya hua Rahul ko?”

“Aapko nahin lagta kuchh problem hai?”

“Mujhe…to… nahin laga… Koi baat hai kya?” Nidhi got worried.

“Nahin. Phir nahin hogi.”

“Ji?”

“Bas aise hi pata nahin kyon – main ghabra gaya tha.”

“Achchha… Agar aapko shaq ho raha hai to hum checkup karwa sakte hain. Main aaj hi use hospital le jaati hoon.”

“Nahin. Nahin… Uski zaroorat nahin hai.”

“Sure?”

“Haan. Zaroorat hogi to main khud hi checkup karwa loonga.”

“Okay…” Nidhi was confused, but Ashutosh was not forthcoming.

—

Nidhi had a tiring day at work.She received a call from Ashutosh as soon as her shift was over.

“Main parking lot mein hoon. Aap yahan aa jaiye,” he told her.

“Sir. Aap yahan kya kar rahe hain. Aap to abhi duty par nahin the?”

“Haan. Mujhe aaj bahar dinner ke liye jaane ka man ho raha tha. Armaan out of station hai. To maine socha ki aap chalengi mere saath…” he explained nervously.

“Rahul aur Siddhi?”

“Siddhi mere ghar par hai. Rahul ki maid aur Hiraman Kaka hain ghar par. Unhein khila denge. Main unhein bol kar aaya hoon.”

“Okay… Kahan chalna hai?”

“Ek jagah hai… Thodee outskirts par hai. Resort hai actually. But in a large farmhouse…”

Nidhi was tired, but she could not refuse him, “Theek hai. Chalte hain. Lekin mere ghar hote hue chalte hain. Main change kar loon.”

“Sure.”

Ashutosh was tense while driving. He wasn’t talking much. He realized after a while that they were not talking at all and turned towards Nidhi. She had fallen asleep. If it weren’t for the seat-belt, she would have fallen from her seat. He smiled seeing her sleep like a baby. His tension went away. He gently woke her up.

“I… I am sorry, Sir. Mujhe pata hi nahin chala ki main kab so gayi.”

“Aap thaki hui hain, phir aap chalne ke liye kyon taiyaar ho gayi? Woh bhi itni door.”

“Nahin Sir. Aisa kuchh nahin hai.”

“Stop it Nidhi. Itna bata sakti ho tum mujhe. Chalo. Kahin yahin aas paas dinner kar lete hain. Wahan kabhi aur jaayenge.”

“I’m really sorry, Sir. Lekin hum ja sakte hain… Main jaana chahti hoon.”

“I know,” Ashutosh said very softly, “Tum har woh cheez karna chahti ho jo main chahta hoon. Lekin we are not running out of time. Abhi yahan paas mein ek restaurant hai, wahin chalte hain. Woh bhi mujhe bahut pasand hai.”

—

Nidhi came out of her house wearing a simple blue saaree. Ashutosh, waiting in his car, could not help staring at her. Gorgeous was the only word that came to his mind. They were going to a party hosted by Armaan for the doctors in the city. It was intended to introduce the doctors to various WHO initiatives and get them to volunteer.

“Pahli baar tumhein saaree mein dekha,” he remarked.

“Siddhi ne kaha ki formal occassion ke liye saaree pahanna best hai.” She did not tell him the real reason. It was her own idea. She had wanted to look mature. For Ashutosh. Even though he did not think he had been successful in conveying his intentions, his frequent attempts to talk to her or meet her in private had given Nidhi hopes. He might just be changing his mind.

“Change is a good thing. Don’t you think so?” Ashutosh said.

“Yes. Assuming things change for better.”

“And how do you know if you are changing for better or for worse.”

“Follow your heart.”

“Is it that simple? Heart may not always be right.”

“What other option do we have?”

“None.”

“Then?”

“So, you always follow your heart?”

“I let my heart and mind fight and see who wins.”

Ashutosh laughed, “Bada hi bloody solution hai ye to.”

“Circumstances hamesha hamein apna fate decide karne ka option nahin dete, Dr. Ashutosh. Jab woh option mile to uska poora istemaal karna chahiye. Dil aur dimaag ki poori exercise karwa deni chahiye.”

“Right! Aur jab dil jeet jaye to dil ki baat maan leni chahiye? Bhale hi dimaag kuchh bhi kah raha ho?”

“Haan.”

“Theek hai. Phir main bhi ab yahi karoonga?”

“Kis cheez ke liye?”

“You will know soon. Hopefully!”

—

“Dr. Rangnath ne bataya ki tum beemaar ho?” Ashutosh was flustered when Nidhi opened the door for him.

“Bas thoda zukaam ho raha tha. Mujhe laga hospital jaana theek nahin hoga. Isliye unhein phone kar diya tha. Aap is waqt kyon aa gaye?”

“Kyon? Mere aane-jaane ka koi waqt decided hai?” he sounded irritated.

“Mera ye matlab nahin tha, Sir. Abhi to aapko hospital mein kaam hoga.”

“Tum akeli ho ghar par. Beemaar ho. Mujhe phone nahin kar sakti thi?”

“Mujhe kuchh hua ho tab to? Aap bekaar mein pareshaan ho rahe hain. Zukaam hai, maine dawai le li hai. Aap baith jaiye please.”

“Tumhari kuchh samajh mein nahin aata hai,” Ashutosh mumbled, but sat down on the sofa.

“Mujhe to aapki tabiyat kharaab lag rahi hai. Chai banaun… Ye kya hai?” she suddenly noticed a package he had kept beside him on the sofa.

“Kuchh karne ki zaroorat nahin hai. Tum baith kyon nahin jaati?”

“Baith gayi. Ab bataiye. Aap itne agitated kyon hain?”

“Ye tumhari liye hai,” he handed her the package.

“Kya hai ye?”

“Khol kar dekh lo.”

Feeling curious, Nidhi opened the package hastily. She stared in surprise as she took its content out.

“Ye kya hai?”

“iPad!”

“Red color mein kahan aata hai?”

“Custom painted hai.”

“Ye kyon mangwaya aapne?”

“Kyonki tumne kaha tha ki red color ki hoti to tumhein pasand aati…”

“Are to… Iska matlab ye thode hi na tha ki aapko aise custom paint kar ke itni mahngi cheez khareedni hi thi…”

“Mujhe tumse kuchh baat karni thi.”

“To uske liye iPad khareedne ki kya zaroorat thi?”

“Tumhari kuchh samajh mein kyon nahin aata?”

“Aap mujhe samjhaana kya chah rahe hain exactly? Aapki baatein, aapka tareeka mujhe to sach mein samajh mein nahin aata. Chal kya raha hai ye?”

“To hell with prudence. Marry me Nidhi.”

“Ji?” Nidhi jumped out of the sofa and stood up.

“Ab is par bhi tum chaunk rahi ho?” Ashutosh also got up and came close to her.

“Actually… haan…” Nidhi stammered looking cutely confused.

“Now answer me.”

“Aapne koi sawaal poochha hi nahin,” she had gotten her wits back.

“Oh God! Will you marry me?”

“God is unlikely to marry you.”

“But you will,” he declared and attacked her lips for a deep, passionate kiss.

“Aapko bhi zukaam ho jayega,” she mumbled after they broke the kiss.

“Seriously Dr. Nidhi Verma? Aapko lagta hai ki I care?”

She smiled. Both their eyes had become moist. Ashutosh gently pulled her close and hugged her. It was a gentle hug of love. There was no urgency of passion. They now had a lifetime to indulge in passion and all kinds of emotions.

“Di!” Nidhi had forgotten to lock the door behind Ashutosh and Siddhi had returned from school. They hastily separated on hearing her voice. Siddhi appeared shocked and disturbed to see them. “Mujhe laga tha ki tumhari tabiyat kharaab hai. Isliye tum ghar par ruki ho,” there was accusation in her tone. Then she turned and walked off to her room.

Nidhi and Ashutosh looked at each other unsure of what to do. They hadn’t had time to discuss about how to tell others. But neither of them had expected anyone, especially Siddhi, to find out like this.

“Main dekhti hoon,” Nidhi said finally.

“Nidhi!” Ashutosh stopped her, “Jab Siddhi se baat karo to ye yaad rakhna ki tumhari saari zimmedaariyan meri bhi hain. Bilkul waise hi, jaise tumhari hain.”

She smiled and nodded; then went after her sister.

—

To be continued

“Theek hai. Main dekhti hoon. Kuchh solution nikal aayega. Tu rona band kar. Aur bahut raat ho gayi hai, so ja,” Ashutosh heard Nidhi talking on the phone when he walked into the common room. They were both on the night duty.

“Kya hua?” he asked after she disconnected the call.

“Sir?” she hadn’t noticed him and was startled. Both of them laughed as the usual incident of her getting startled by Ashutosh repeated.

“Kyon ro rahi hai Siddhi? Usse hi baat kar rahi thi na aap?”

“Haan. Uski Maths ki problem solve nahin ho pa rahi hai. Tuition mein bhi pachaas se zyada students hain ek class mein. Aise mein kaun personal attention de sakta hai kissi par. Woh abhi koi model test paper solve kar rahi thi, aur passing marks ke bhi solve nahin kar payi. To ghabra gayi ki exam mein fail ho jayegi… Ab main kya karoon? Kahan se personal tutor dhoondhoon uske liye?”

“Main try kar sakta hoon. Meri Maths kabhi itni buri nahin thi.”

“Aapki Maths to buri nahin rahi hogi. Lekin aapke paas kahan time hai, Sir?”

“Jab aapke paas time hai sab cheezon ke liye, to mere paas kyon nahin hoga?”

“Mujhe bas ward duties karni hoti hain. Aapke oopar itne saare administrative kaamon ka bhi pressure hai.”

“Ye bahas to hum poore din kar sakte hain. Lekin abhi bottomline ye hai ki main Siddhi ki help kar sakta hoon. Aap bas time coordinate kijiye jisse jab main ghar par houn, woh wahan aa kar padhai kar sake.”

“Theek hai. Jis din aapki shaam mein duty nahin hogi, main use bhej doongi.”

“Waise Siddhi aapko apni saari problems batati hai, nahin?”

“Haan. Aur kise batayegi woh?”

“Mujhe kabhi-kabhi aapki closeness dekh kar jalan hoti hai. Main kabhi kissi ke itna close nahin tha. Mere koi siblings bhi nahin the. Khair. Aap apni problems ka kya karti hain? Siddhi to itni chhoti hai. Aap use to nahin batati hongi?”

“Kuchh dinon pahle tak khud hi joojhti rahti thi. Ab aapko bata deti hoon. Lekin aap kya karte hain apni problems ka?”

“Meri problems aap mere bina bataye hi samajh jaati hain.”

“Maine aapki kaun si problem samjhi hai?”

“Aapne samjhi hi nahin hai, solve bhi kar di hai. Chahe woh Rahul ko school se laana ho, ya uski jaundice ka diagnosis, ya uski zindagi mein ek mother-figure ki kami poori karna. Meri aur koi chinta nahin hai, koi problem nahin hai, siway iske ki Rahul ki parwarish mein koi kami na rah jaye.”

Nidhi sighed and averted her eyes. How was she to respond to those emotions? He found her the perfect mother for Rahul, the perfect companion for himself. But he wouldn’t accept her. Because he worried for her. What was she to do?

“Nidhi,” he spoke again in a solemn voice, “Meri aur Rahul ki bahut saari duayein tumhare saath hain. Tumhein zindagi mein woh sab kuchh milega jo tum deserve karti ho. Kabhi apni nazarein aasmaan se neeche mat rakhna. You deserve the best and you will get it.” In the grips of his emotions, he got up and caressed her head as if blessing her. Then he left immediately. Nidhi looked on and could not stop tears from filling her eyes.

—

“Wow! This is a nice place Dr. Ashutosh!” Siddhi exclaimed when they arrived at the picnic spot. It was a quiet place beside a lake.

“Waise ye picnic ka idea kaise aaya tujhe Ashu?” Armaan asked.

“Siddhi ki zidd thi,” Nidhi offered the answer.

“She did so well in her Maths exams. Maine use promise kiya tha,” Ashutosh defended Siddhi.

“‘So well’ to nahin kiya hai. She managed to pass all right,” Nidhi opposed playfully.

“Not fair Dr. Nidhi. Baaki subjects mein she did so well. Maths problematic hai uske liye. Lekin usne bahut mehnat ki and got well above 60%.”

“Theek hai. Aap use indulge karna chahte hain to yahi sahi.”

“Excuse me,” Siddhi interrupted finally, “Ye saara blame mere sar par kyon aa raha hai. Aap log bhi to enjoy karenge.”

“Of course!” Ashutosh supported her.

“Yahan paani mein jaana allowed hai, Dr. Ashutosh?” Nidhi asked.

“Haan. Kyon?”

“Di ko swimming bahut pasand hai,” Siddhi said.

“Aur tumhein?” Ashutosh asked her.

“Mujhe paani se dar lagta hai.”

“Maine ise sikhane ki kitni koshish ki. Lekin ek number ki darpok hai ye, Dr. Ashutosh,” Nidhi teased her sister.

“Haan meri bahan. Tum ho na Jhansi ki Rani, hum dono ke badle.”

“Koi mere saath kuchh khelega?” Rahul complained.

“Of course,” Armaan volunteered, “Main hoon na. Siddhi. Tum bhi aa jao. Dr. Ashutosh aur Nidhi ko swimming karne do. Chalo. Wahan par thoda khula sa maidaan hai. Wahan chal kar frisbee khelte hain.”

“Aap swimming karenge?” Nidhi asked Ashutosh after others had gone to play.

“Nahin. Aap kijiye. Main thodee der yahan baith kar kuchh padhoonga.”

“Okay.”

Nidhi changed behind a clump and got into the water. Ashutosh watched her swimming for a while, then got engrossed in his book. When he looked up next, he could not see Nidhi anywhere. He panicked.

“Nidhi!” he shouted, but got no response. He rushed towards the lake, took off his shirt and jumped into the water. He looked for her underwater for a couple of minutes, when she suddenly surfaced on her own.

“Kya kar rahi ho tum?” he shouted angrily and swam towards her.

Nidhi was confused. “Kya hua?” she asked as he held her tight.

“Tum theek ho?” His anger suddenly turned into concern, “Niklo yahan se.”

He hugged her tight as soon as they got out of the water, taking her by surprise. Nidhi was conscious of their completely wet bodies, Ashutosh’ bare chest and her wearing only a swimsuit. She was in the arms of the man she loved madly. She could not resist for long. She hugged him back and did it passionately. As if she wanted to get the maximum out of this moment and feel him enough for the rest of her life. Ashutosh wasn’t in control of himself either. His protective embrace also turned passionate. They caressed each other roughly, rubbing their cheeks and necks against each other and pulling each other even closer if that was possible. Suddenly they heard Rahul cry out in excitement. He had apparently won a game. They separated hastily and stayed silent in embarrassment.

“Main change kar ke aati hoon,” Nidhi broke the silence and walked away to the place behind the trees, where she had changed earlier. Ashutosh watched her walk and tried to control his heart-beats. How long will he be able to control himself? He loved her, he wanted her, he needed her. And obviously she did so too. When she had disappeared from his sight for a while, he had felt like life had been drained out of him too… And then this passion he felt… There was no point in fooling himself, denying himself. If she was too young for him, so be it! This must be their destiny.

“Papa. Aap kaise bheeg gaye?” Rahul’s question brought him out of his reverie. Rahul, Siddhi and Armaan had come back.

“Haan bhai. Aur Salmaan Khan bana ghoom raha hai yaar Ashu?” Armaan could not help teasing him.

Nidhi came back after changing out of her swimsuit.

“Nidhi suddenly nazar nahin aa rahi thi lake mein. To main dar gaya tha…”

“Aha! Aur kood gaye paani mein use bachaane,” Armaan whistled.

“Di underwater swimming kar rahi hogi,” Siddhi explained increasing Ashutosh’ embarrassment even further.

“Dr. Ashutosh ko nahin pata tha Siddhi,” Nidhi came to his rescue, “Lekin Sir. Aapke kapde to bheeg gaye. Aap change karne ke liye kuchh laye hain?”

“Haan. Ek pair pada hoga meri car mein. Hospital ki emergencies ke liye rakhta hoon. Main change kar ke aata hoon,” Ashutosh was happy to be out of everyone’s inquisitive eyes.

“Waise kaafi filmy tha Di,” Siddhi grinned, “Unfortunately damsel distress mein thi hi nahin.”

“Shut up Siddhi,” Nidhi glared at her and Siddhi did not say anything more on this.

—

Ashutosh was in a quandary. Having insisted for so long that they were not suitable for each other, how was he now to take an about-turn and propose to her?

“Coffee!” he thought and almost jumped out of his chair. Coffee was the best way to give an hint to her that he had changed his mind. He looked at the clock. It was 5 in the evening. The right time to ask her out for a coffee. He came out of his office and looked for her in the ward and the common room. She was not there. Desperate he went to the canteen. She was having her evening tea with her colleagues. He was about to ask her right there, but came to his senses in time. It would be scnadulous for him to ask her before so many people. He came back disappointed. May be tomorrow. But when he thought about it later, it seemed like a stupid idea. Coffee? As if he was asking a stranger out! They were already too close for that. And for all that mattered, they might already have had too many coffees and lunches together. It was hardly going to give her any hint, even if he asked.

He was browsing Internet for nothing in particular when an ad caught his attention. Some company in the US was providing custom paint job on iPads. He recalled their conversation while she was buying an iPad for Siddhi. “Red would have been nice,” she had said. He clicked on the ad and the company looked genuine. Getting the custom-painted iPad shipped to India would be costly, but he ordered it anyway. And waited for it to come. It would take at least 5 weeks, but he checked his order status everyday.

Meanwhile his efforts continued.

“Rahul aapke liye poochh raha tha. Agar pareshaani na ho to aap aur Siddhi aaj shaam ghar par aa jaiye. Wahin dinner karte hain,” he told her when she came to his office for some work.

“Ji.”

“Aapko movies dekhna pasad hai?”

“Ji?” The topic came from nowhere and Nidhi was surprised.

“Movies? I’m sure aap jaanti hain ki movies kya hoti hain.”

That made her laugh. “Of course. Main aaj-kal zyada dekhti nahin hoon. Siddhi apne friends ke saath jaane lagi hai. Waise bhi jo movies woh dekhti hai, woh mujhe pasand nahin hai.”

“Kya pasand nahin hai aapko?”

“Sugary rom-com. I prefer sci-fi, or action. Main mostly ghar par dekhti hoon.”

“I see.”

A sci-fi or action movie was hardly going to convey his romantic intentions!

—

To be continued

“Sir. Main nikalti hoon. Siddhi ko pick karna hai.”

“Woh to khud aa jaati hai ab.”

“Use tution classes jaana hai. Thoda door hai, woh pahle kabhi gayi nahin.”

“Tuition kyon? Aap to use khud padhati hain na?”

“Use Maths mein problem ho rahi hai. Aur woh meri bhi thodee kamzor thi. Ab higher classes ke liye main nahin padha paati use.”

“Hmm… Theek hai. Aap rahne dijiye. Main driver ko gaadi le kar bhej deta hoon.”

“Nahin Sir. Uski zaroorat nahin hai…”

“Zaroorat to aapko kissi cheez ki nahin hoti. Lekin night duty kar ke aayi hain. Phir subah yahan aa gayin. Ab phir bhaag-daud karengi…”

“Aap to aise describe kar rahe hain jaise main majdoori kar rahi hoon. Mujhe aadat hai, Sir. Aur phir tuition mein fees bhi deni hai, to…”

“Aap driver ke haath bhijwa dijiiye. Bharose ka aadmi hai. Hamare bhi kai kaam karta hai.”

“Aap koi option hi nahin chhod rahe.”

“That was my intent.”

“Ek aur problem hai. Main uske liye lunch le jaane waali thi.”

“Hiraman Kaka se bol dijiye. Woh bhijwa denge.”

Nidhi smiled and gave in.

“Siddhi bura to nahin maanegi, aap nahin gayin to?” Ashutosh asked.

“Nahin. Uski to dili tamanna poori ho jayegi. Car se school se nikalne ki.”

“Phir to badhiya hai.”

“Main use message kar deti hoon.”

“Waise kaafi chhoti umra se phone dila rakha hai aapne use.”

“Convenient rahta hai. Main hamesha uske paas rah nahin sakti. To tasalli rahti hai ki kabhi bhi baat kar sakti hoon. Aur use bhi koi problem ho to call kar sakti hai.”

“Nidhi… Lunch par kahin chalna chahogi?”

“Ji?” Nidhi was caught unawares.

Her reaction made Ashutosh awkward and nervous. “Maine… lunch… ke liye… poochha bas,” He stuttered.

“Haan. Lekin… abhi… aise?” Nidhi was equally awkward.

Ashutosh mentally chided himself. Then tried to do some damage control, “Nahin. It’s okay. Maine to aise hi poochh liya. Agar aap nahin jaana chahti to…”

“Aisa nahin hai Sir,” Nidhi also chided herself for throwing away a chance she should have cherished, “Main to… bas… ye kah rahi thi… Haan… ki Rahul uth jayega to hamein dhoondhega.”

“Hum abhi niklein to early lunch kar ke wapas aa sakte hain, uske jagne tak. Aur main Rahul ki maid aur Armaan ko bol ke jaunga ki mujhe phone kar de woh uth jaye to.”

“Phir… theek hai…”

“Kahan chalein?”

“Mujhe nahin pata…”

“Koi to favourite jagah hogi aapki?”

“Siddhi ko Pizza Hut jaana pasand hai.”

“Pizza Hut?” Ashutosh laughed slightly, “Woh to bahut crowded hogi.”

“Aap hi decide kijiye na, Sir. Main bahar kam hi jaati hoon.”

“Theek hai. Main abhi aata hoon.”

—

“Aapko kya pasand hai khane mein?” Ashutosh asked Nidhi once they were seated in a fancy Indian restaurant.

“Siddhi to apne doston ke saath hamesha chicken tikka kha kar aati hai…”

“Main Siddhi ki nahin, tumhari pasand ki baat kar raha hoon.”

“Meri?”

“Ji haan. Aapki.”

“Mujhe pata nahin.”

“Come on Nidhi. Kucch to pasand hoga. Bhale hi aapne bahut dinon se khaya na ho…”

“Kofte. Malai kofte pasand hain mujhe,” Nidhi spoke suddenly and looked very sad.

“Kya hua Nidhi?” Ashutosh was concerned.

She shook her head, “Kuchh nahin. Bas yaad aa gaya… Mummy banati thi. Jab khush rahti thi… Bas khush rahti hi bahut kam thi…”

“Kyon? Kya problem thi?”

“Mere Mummy-Papa ne apne ghar waalon ki marzi ke khilaaf shaadi ki thi. Papa ke rishtedaaron se to phir bhi baat hone lagi thi baad mein. Kuchh log meri aur Siddhi ki responsibility lene ke liye bhi taiyaar the. Mummy ke yahan ke log to unki death ke baad bhi nahin aaye. Shaadi to unhone apni marzi se ki, lekin unki kabhi bani nahin. Pardon ke color se le kar, khane mein kya banega aur bachche kis school mein jayenge – har cheez par unka jhagda hota tha. Lekin bahar waalon ke saamne accept nahin kar sakte the ki unke beech problem hai. Shaan se ghar waalon se jhagda kar ke shaadi ki thi. Phir alag ho jaate to unki izzat par daag lag jaata. Aur phir gaye tab jab unke sar par do bachchon ki responsibility thi. Hamare baare mein nahin socha unhone. Aur jo izzat alag na ho kar bachane ki koshish kar rahe the, woh kya suicide karne se bach gayi? Unhein nahin jhelna pada, hamein unki izzat ki keemat chukaani padi. Agar alag ho jaate to kam-se-kam…” she choked on her words.

Ashutosh saw the waiter approaching them for taking their order. He gestured him to wait and shifted his chair closer to Nidhi’s. He held her hands and pressed them. “Calm down, Nidhi.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why should you be sorry?”

“Main apni life ke issues mein aapko kyon involve karti ja rahi hoon!”

“Kyonki main involve hona chahta hoon.”

“Kyon? Sirf isliye ki maine kabhi apne hosh kho kar aapse kuchh aisa kah diya tha jo aapko kabhi manzoor nahin hoga…”

“Nidhi…”

“Aap obliged nahin hai mere liye kuchh bhi karne ke liye. Kyon kar rahe hain aap ye sab? Kyon baithe hain hum yahan? Kyon aapne gaadi bheji Siddhi ko lene ke liye. It doesn’t make sense.”

“Kyonki shayad koi connection hai hamara.”

Nidhi looked up at him in surprise.

“Nidhi. Mujhse ye mat poochhna ki main is connection ko kya naam doon. Lekin ye hai, isse main inkaar nahin kar sakta. Kya hum friendship aur trust ka rishta nahin rakh sakte? Ek doosre ki zimmedaariyan share nahin kar sakte? Please!”

Nidhi just nodded.

“Ek kaam karo. Washroom jao aur munh dho kar aao. Tab tak main khaana order karta hoon.”

“Ji.”

When Nidhi came back, she saw a plate of Malai Kofta at the center of the table. She smiled at Ashutosh.

“Aapki favourite dish kya hai, Sir?”

“Meri?”

“Haan. Aapki?”

He smiled, “Woh restaurant mein nahin milegi. Main aapko ghar par khilaunga kabhi.”

Rahul was sitting on a sofa with Armaan in the hall when they came back from lunch.

“Armaan. Tune phone nahin kiya, Rahul jag gaya tha to?” Ashutosh asked him.

“Ab itne bhi bekaar nahin hai hum ki thodee der apne bhateeje ka khayaal na rakh sakein. Rahul bore nahin hua aap logon ki absence mein. Kyon Rahul?”

“Papa. Armaan Uncle ne mujhe ek song sikhaya.”

“Achchha. Kaun sa song?”

“Sunaun?”

“Zaroor.” Ashutosh and Nidhi both said in chorus and sat down on another sofa.

“Na umra ki seema ho,
Na janm ka ho bandhan.
Jab pyaar kare koi,
Tab dekhe kewal man.
Nayi reet chala kar tum,
Meri preet amar kar do.

Hothon se chhoo lo tum
Mera geet amar kar do….
Aage kya tha Armaan Uncle?” Rahul forgot the lines after this.

“Koi baat nahin Rahul. Itna kaafi hai,” Armaan grinned.

Ashutosh was glaring at Armaan. While Nidhi bit her lips and looked nervously from Ashutosh to Armaan. Suddenly she noticed Rahul looking expectantly at them.

“Rahul ne bahut achchha gaaya,” she said and embraced Rahul.

“Haan beta,” Ashutosh also realized that he needed to talk to Rahul, “Aapne bahut achchha gaaya. Bas Armaan Uncle ka song selection thoda kamzor hai.” Ashutosh was obviously angry at Armaan’s prank.

Nidhi decided to let the friends deal with it and took Rahul to his room.

Ashutosh came there after a while with two cups of tea. For himself and her.

“I’m sorry about Armaan,” he said in a low voice, when Rahul was busy with a puzzle.

“Doston ke pranks par itna pareshaan hone ki zaroorat nahin hai. Ab ye baatein mujhe aapko to nahin samjhaani padni chahiye,” she replied with a smile.

Ashutosh also smiled looking relieved.

—

“Main car se school aaungi-jaungi?” Siddhi was surprised.

“Haan!” Nidhi was excited. Her eyes were shining.

“Lekin kaise?”

“Dr. Ashutosh ki car Rahul ke saath-saath tujhe bhi school se pick-up aur drop kar degi.”

“Aur tuitions?”

“Wahan bhi.”

“Lekin kyon Di?”

“Tu aam khane se matlab rakh, ped mat gin. Tujhe car mein school aana-jaana tha na. Dr. Ashutosh ne offer kiya to maine accept kar liya.”

“Lekin Di. Tum to kissi se help lena nahin pasand karti?”

“Dr. Ashutosh ki baat alag hai Siddhi.”

“Aur main tumse kuchh aur poochhongi, to tum gussa jaogi?”

“Haan. Kyonki kuchh aur poochhne ko hai nahin. Bas tu khush rah.”

—

“Dr. Nidhi!”

“Dr. Armaan. Aap? Yahan?” Nidhi was surprised to see Armaan in the hospital.

“Kyon nahin aa sakta kya?” Armaan teased her.

“Aisa kuchh nahin hai. Dr. Ashutosh apne office mein hi honge.”

“Main Ashu se nahin aapse milne aaya hoon.”

“Mujhse?”

“Ji. Thoda time hai aapke paas.”

“Haan. Zaroor. Priyanka. Main thodee der break le rahi hoon. Tu mere liye cover kar lena.”

“Sure.”

“Chaliye Dr. Armaan. Canteen mein chalte hain.”

—

“Main aapse maafi maangna chahta tha. Us din woh song waale prank ke liye…”

“Aap uske liye aaye hain? Iski koi zaroorat nahin hai Dr. Armaan. Maine us baat ka bura nahin maana.”

“I thought so. Aur main jaanta hoon ki aapne bura kyon nahin maana.”

“Ji?”

“Kyonki woh maane-na-maane, aap Ashu se bahut pyaar karti hain. Aur aapke oopar is baat ka farq nahin padta ki woh umra mein aapse kitna bada hai ya woh ek aath saal ke bachche ka baap hai.”

Nidhi’s face flushed, “Main Dr. Ashutosh ki bahut izzat karti hoon. Isse zyada main kuchh nahin kah sakti.”

“Main aapse kuchh kahne ko kah bhi nahin raha. Lekin aapne meri baat ko deny bhi nahin kiya. Isliye main maan kar chalta hoon ki main sach kah raha hoon.”

“Aap mujhse ye kahne aaye the?”

“Nahin. Main aapse ye kahne aaya tha ki Ashu bhi aapki bahut kadr karta hai, aapko bahu pasand karta hai, bhale hi woh umra ke faasle ki wajah se accept na kare, lekin aapse bahut pyaar karta hai. Aur use aapki bahut zaroorat bhi hai. Woh bahut akela hai.”

“Agar ye sab sach bhi hai, tab bhi… Jab woh mujhe accept nahin karte, to main khud ko unpar thop to nahin sakti?”

“Nahin. Lekin ho sake to give up bhi mat kijiyega. Aadmi apni zarooraton se, apni kamzoriyon se kab tak door bhagega? Aaj na kal use accept karna hi padega.”

Nidhi laughed slightly, “Aap to aise kah rahe hain ki unhein haar maanni padegi mujhe accept karne ke liye. Phir to woh bahut bura din hoga unke liye. Main us situation ke liye wish karoon ya na karoon?”

“Nahin. Woh uski zindagi ka sabse achchha din hoga. Aap dil se dua maangiye aur main bhi maangoonga. Abhi main chalta hoon. Aapko duty par wapas jaana hoga.”

—

To be continued

Ashutosh was lost in his thoughts sitting on an arm-chair. He had just come back after finishing his night duty.

“Papa!”

“Rahul. Beta aap kab jage? Aur apne kamre se kyon aa gaye?” He picked up his son and sat down with him on his lap.

“Papa! Nidhi Auntie se baat ki aapne? Woh kab aayengi?”

“Aaj unki bhi night duty thi beta. Aaj ya kal mein woh zaroor aayengi. Aapne brush kiya?”

“Nahin.”

“Chaliye. Main karwaata hoon. Aur aaj hum breakfast bhi saath mein karenge.”

“Okay Papa.”

“Aapko Dr. Nidhi bahut pasand hain?” Ashutosh asked while feeding him his breakfast.

“Haan.”

“Kyon?”

“Kyonki woh bahut achchhi hain.”

Ashutosh sighed. It was so simple with kids. People were either good, or bad. You want good people around and you don’t want bad ones. Only if life was so simple for adults too. What do you do with good people of wrong age?

“Ashu!” Armaan’s voice brought him out of his reverie. Rahul’s breakfast was done.

“Rahul. Beta aap jao apne kamre mein. Auntie ko bolo aapko nahla kar taiyaar karwa dein.”

“Okay Papa,” Rahul went away.

“Armaan. Tu kab utha?”

“Saaf-saaf bata de mere bhai, ye Dr. Nidhi Verma ka chakkar kya hai?”

“What?”

“Ashu, Maana ki kai dinon se hum mile nahin hain. Lekin bachpan se jaanta hoon tujhe. Rahul ne Dr. Nidhi ki kahaaniyan suna suna kar bore kar diya hai mujhe. Kuchh to teri bhi kahaani hogi, mere dost?”

“Aisa kuchh nahin hai Armaan.”

“To phir ye purane zamaane ki filmon ke heroines ki tarah nazarein kyon chura raha hai?”

Ashutosh laughed, “Tu kabhi nahin sudhrega Armaan.”

“Sudhre hue log agar aap jaise hote hain, to bade hi boring hote hain. Sudharna bhi nahin mujhe. Ek baat bata, jo ladki tere bachche ko itna chahti hai, teri itni care karti hai, uske baare mein itna confusion kyon hai tujhe? Rahul se kyon sawaal poochh raha tha?”

Ashutosh sighed and decided to come out clean, “Kyonki woh ladki mujhse solah saal chhoti bhi hai Armaan.”

“Lekin pyaar to woh tujhse karti hai.”

“Use aisa hi lagta hai.”

“Tujhe kaisa lagta hai?”

“Mujhe dar lagta hai. Khud ke liye nahin, uske liye. Marrying me can’t be fair to her Armaan. I am too old for her. Phir Rahul ki zimmedaari uske oopar daalna fair nahin hoga.”

“Lekin mujhe to aisa lagta hai ki woh already zimmedaari utha rahi hai uski.”

“Zimmedaariyan uthana uska second nature ban gaya hai. Khud satrah saal ki thi jab uske ma-baap ne suicide kar liya tha. Uski aankhon ke saamne. Lekin apni chhoti bahan ko khud hi paala hai usne. Apni padhai bhi ki hai…”

“You are obviously very impressed with her.”

“I am.”

“To phir bharosa rakh. Usne apne liye sahi hi faisla liya hoga Ashu.”

“Mera man nahin maanta.”

“Man to khoob maanta hai. Dimaag zyada chala raha hai tu.”

“Rahne de Armaan.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of door-bell.

“Dr. Nidhi aayi hain,” Hiraman Kaka announced after opening the door.

“Dr. Nidhi?” Ashutosh was surprised. Nidhi had entered the hall by then. “Aapki to night duty thi na. Aapko aaraam kar lena chahiye tha,” Ashutosh fussed over her. Armaan had difficulty suppressing his grin.

“Siddhi ko school bhejna tha Sir. To main soyi nahin. Maine socha ki Rahul se mil loon.”

“Breakfast kar lijiye.”

“Ghar par kar liya hai, Siddhi ke saath. Main Rahul ke kamre mein jaati hoon.”

“Apni sister ko ye akele hi paal rahi hain, right?” Armaan asked after Nidhi went away.

“Haan.”

“Aur woh abhi school mein hi hai. To abhi near future mein ye zimmedaari to khatam hone nahin waali. To tu bhi to inki madad kar sakta hai Ashu. Unki sister ki responsibilities uthane mein. Bura mat maanna, lekin even financially. Is zimmedaari ko share karne waale kitne log milenge Dr. Nidhi ko?”

Ashutosh was startled. He had never thought of it from that direction. Wasn’t Armaan right? He should help Nidhi with Siddhi’s responsibilities the way she was taking care of Rahul. This should happen irrespective of whether their relationship went anywhere or not.

—

Ashutosh went to Rahul’s room after freshening up. He saw both of them lying on his bed. Nidhi had fallen asleep with a story book lying on her side. Rahul was also silently lying down. But he wasn’t asleep. Ashutosh went to him and asked silently about what happened. Rahul gestured him to be silent and whispered, “Maine Nidhi Auntie ko sula diya.”

Ashutosh had to try hard to suppress his laughter. Then he whispered back and asked, “Kaise?”

“Story suna ke.”

Ashutosh grinned and hugged his son affectionately. He picked him up and brought him out of his room.

“Hum Dr. Nidhi ko sone dete hain aur mere kamre mein khelte hain. Okay?”

“Okay Papa.”

Nidhi woke up after a while and got nervous to not see Rahul around. She sprang out of the bed. She met Rahul’s maid outside the room and was relieved to know that he was with Ashutosh. She decided to say ‘bye’ to both of them and leave if Ashutosh was going to stay with Rahul. So, she went to Ashutosh’ room.

The door was open and both of them were lying on Ashutosh’ bed. Nidhi went closer and saw that Rahul was not asleep. She whispered, “Kya hua?” Rahul whispered back, “Maine Papa ko sula diya.” Nidhi laughed out loud before she realized that it would wake Ashutosh up.

“Kya hua?” Ashutosh asked still confused after his nap.

“Rahul bol raha tha ki usne aapko sula diya. Sorry. Mujhe hansi aa gayi aur aapki neend khul gayi.”

“Koi baat nahin. Aaj hum sab ki duty Rahul se exchange ho gayi hai. Usne aapko bhi sulane ka daawa kiya tha.”

They all broke into a laughter at this. Nidhi sat down on the bed and affectionately pulled Rahul in an embrace. Ashutosh could not help imagining a happy and complete family right there.

“Ab hum dono mil kar Rahul ko sulayenge, right Nidhi?” Ashutosh said.

Nidhi hesitated for a moment, then smiled.

“Mujhe abhi nahin sona.”

“Subah se aap khel rahe hain na beta. Abhi aaraam ka time ho gaya hai. Phir Auntie aapko khane ke waqt utha dengi. Okay?”

“Lekin mujhe abhi khelna hai.”

“Bas kuchh dinon ki baat hai Rahul,” Nidhi spoke this time, “Phir tum theek ho jaoge aur jitna chaho khel sakte ho. Abhi so jao please.”

“Theek hai,” Rahul was disappointed, but acquisced to Nidhi. He lied down as Nidhi gently patted his head to put him to sleep with Ashutosh lying on the other side of the bed.

—