"Then the rabbit fell asleep. And the turtle slowly slowly moved forward.... slowwwwly slowly..."

A bit of bread and palang paneer went into Adorini's throat.

"When the rabbit got up couldn't see the turtle nearby. He ran towards their aimed destination and saw turtle babu was already there!! So...."

Another bit gulped by Shohagini.

"The turtle won!!"

"One more story papa please..."

With a pleasant smile Shalini was watching Adi's storytelling and feeding his daughters, while packing large bags with a lot of clothes, shoes, toys, pencils, ornaments, chocolates, snacks and many more things Adi bought for his 'laadlees' and their mother.

It's been two days Adi is living with his little family. He has informed his friends that he's ready to go India, but he needs four tickets. How he convinced his daughters and clarified all about Shalini - won't be so interesting part. Just he has taken a vow not to leave his angels again.

The girls snuggled with Shalini after finishing their food. The mother carefully combed their hairs and made beautiful braids with elastic rubber bands Adi bought for them.

"Come on angels"

Adi called making their bed in another room, easily visible through transparent curtain from their own room.

"Sleep fast. Tomorrow we have to leave for India"

"What's there in India papa ?" - Adorini asked snuggling with Adi. The doctor father made them covered in warm blanket. "There's a lot of diversity in nature... variety of people, culture, religion, food, attire and language. But everything is strung in a single thread of nationality"

Shohagini asked yawning - "why are we going to India papa ?"

"Because India is our root, our own country"

"Is our country better than USA ?"

"Don't know beta... can only say that our country has it's own individual beauty. That gives us a peaceful space; like mother's lap. Other countries are failed to provide Indian people the same"

The little pairs of eyelids closed soon. Making sure his princess' are went for dream's world Adi walked into kitchen and came out with a plate of food.

"Chalo ab tum bhi kha lo"

Shalini was done with packing. Big small minimum six or seven bags had been required for packing all the belongings.

"Tum bhi naa, kitni saari cheeje kharide ho! Carry karne me tumhe hi taqlif hoga. Itne bags, do badmash bachchi aur main ek handicapped..."

"Haan to ? I was deprived of nurturing my babies for years... shouldn't I fill them with world's bliss ? And who told you handicapped ? It's just lack of proper treatment. Tum dekhna, ek saal ke andar tumhe apne pairon par khada kar dunga. Chalo ab kha lo jaldi jaldi"

They feed eachother from same plate. Adi always dreamed for this very moment, when Shalini will be with him coming back like a miracle. Shalini never wished to show herself Adi but to show his daughters once. She's intelligent enough, didn't took much time to understand how much the doctor regret seeing him that day. When he cried on her paralyzed legs like a child she had no way left except sticking his head with her affectionate lap.

Adi poked her cheek as she was lost in her thoughts and forgot to chew the bread bites. "Kya soch rahi hain Raani saheba ?"
"Umm... nothing. Kitne baje flight hai kal ? I mean kab nikalne hain ?"
"Kal subah 8:00 am yahan se by cab Sun Fransisco then 1:00 pm direct flight to Delhi"
"Oh. Tab to betiyon ko jaldi uthake brush kara deni padegi. Phir cab me jaate jaate kuch khila denge"
"Sab main kara dunga. Un dono ka boiled milk aur humari coffee ka flask mere backpack me le lunga. Phir airport pahunch ke kuch breakfast bhi karayenge. Tum tension mat lo"

Doctor washed their plates when they were done. Shalini placed the luggages aside and made their bed. So many years after she got the comfortable bed. For a long time she had to sleep on thin, half-teared mattress in that hewer's hut. But that old man treated her actually like his daughter. It's acceptable that the almighty isn't much rude on Shalini as getting everything back like getting through sea-wave is not often a regular luck. Adi gave a good amount to that hewer which is enough to live happily the remaining years of life. The old man wiped his eyes when he came to know his granddaughters are going to their own country for lifetime.

Bright lights got turned off and dimmish night lamps on. Adi lifted up Shalini from wheelchair and placed on bed. She felt the known manly hand around waist, doctor's warm breath was hitting her lower neck.

"Ek baat puchhu Shalu ?"

"Puchho naa"

"Jaanta hun main layak nahi hun, phir bhi puchh raha hun..... mujhe maaf kiya na ?"

"Adiii...." Shalini pulled his cheeks closer, "tum itne saalon se akelapan face kiye, lament karte rahe pagalon ki tarah -- Abhi ne sab bataya mujhe kal phone par... aur hum milte hi tum kuch soche bina humari responsibility le liye, betiyon ko apna liya, itna care kar rahe ho....is sabke baad bhagwan bhi nahi keh sakte ke tum maafi ke layak nahi ho. Aur main ? Maine tumhe kabhi blame ki hi nahi, I had just accused my fate and my deeds"

"I don't deserve you baby! Tumhare rehte hue maine tumhara pyaar realise hi nahi kar paya... jab kiya tab bohot der ho chuka tha! I thought I never loved you but when you left..." Adi's voice chocked with velocity of tears.

"Chup mat hona Adi... please continue... I want to hear from you... please"

"When you left it seemed like whole world left me... I looked for you everywhere, every corner like a mad. I missed your all daily actions, your scent, your jewellery's ticklings... every single moment my inner self made me acknowledge the truth --- I love you Shalini! You're my safest zone!"

Tear drops and saliva came to meet together. The same taste wasn't seemed nectar like tasty ten years before to Adi. Today even Abhi's taste seeming faded before Shalini. Her scratches on his back providing sensual bliss. The turbulent night couldn't discriminate who's sea and who's ship....................

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I wished to add Abhiyank moments too and end it in the current chapter. But it could take more time and someone was eager for update.

Koi baat nahi... will write the special last chapter full with loveliest Abhiyank content.😊

Did you see both Abhi and Mayu played well yesterday. Unluckily couldn't win the match but we will hope for their best🧡

Though I'm extremely happy for CSK's first win on 22nd😁💛