Naina: Meer, dekhiye aapka bahut hogaya! Do ghante hogaye hai aapko yeh drama karte huye! 24 ghante hai iska matlab yeh thodi hai ki aap janbujhkar acting continue karte rahenge!!

After the conversation with Abhimanyu, Naina had to wait for 15 minutes for Sameer to get shifted to the cabin. His right arm was plastered, and his forehead had a bandage towards the right. His left palm was hooked to the IV drop. His pale face and closed eyes sucked the air out of her system. She didn't budge and kept sitting next to him till Akshara came with an extra pair of clothes for her.

Naina: Meer! Uthiye na! Aapke bina bhookh pyaas kuch nahi lag rahi hai. Maine last lunch mein do parathe khaye the. Uske baad se kuch bhi nahi khaya hai. 7 baj rahe hai! Aap hi bolte ho na Naina kuch kha lo, nahi toh acidity ho jayegi! Aap nahi ho toh aapki Sameer ki jaan ko bhookh nahi lag rahi hai. Uth jao na Sameer ki jaan ki jaan.

Naina kept her head on his chest, and sobbed. Now his heartbeat didn't fasten when she hugged him or kept her head close to his heart. His hand didn't come to weave through her hair, or his head didn't rest on hers. She sobbed again.

Through the glass window, Akshara and Abhimanyu were able to see Naina and her painful state.

Akshara: Abhi! Mujhse Naina ki yeh halat dekhi nahi ja rahi hai. Please kuch karo! Dekho na woh toot rahi hai.

Abhimanyu: Akshu, mujhse jo ban paata maine woh sab kuch kar liya hai. Ab Sameer ke hosh mein aane se hi kuch hoga. Aur Naina jitna unse baat karegi, utna accha hoga unke liye aur unko hosh mein laane ke liye.

Akshara: Abhi mujhe samjh nahi aa raha main Naina ko kaise sambhalun. Woh baat bhi nahi kar rahi hai dhang se. Bas Sameer ko dekhe ja rahi hai, aur unko kuch na kuch kahe ja rahi hai.

Abhimanyu wounded his arm around Akshara's shoulder and let her lean on him.

Naina was still sobbing when a knock disturbed her. She rose up and found a nurse standing near the door.

Nurse: Ma'am ek choti bacchi aur ek aadmi aaye hai. Aapse aur Sir se milne. Bhej dun andar?

Naina: Haan unhe andar bhej dijiye. Aur please doctor ko inform kar dijiyega ki mere husband ki drip half hogayi hai. Unhone kaha tha ki jab second drip half ho jaaye toh bata dun.

Nurse: Okay ma'am.

Naina wiped her face with the pallu of her saree and combed her fingers through her hair to look presentable as Pari would be coming in. And being so small, she wouldn't understand what an accident is and what coma is. She plastered a smile on her face, and looked towards the door when she heard it opening.
And there walked cute little Pari wearing light blue frock and her hair tied in two cute side ponytails. She was holding a lollipop in one hand and with the other she held her father's hand.

Pari: Pretty chachi!

Pari ran to Naina and hugged her tightly. The softness of the small girl and her fruity smell got a sense of peace to Naina and her restless heart. Suddenly she felt a motherly love towards Pari. She lifted her in her arms, and made her sit on her lap.

Pari: Oh! Pretty chachi, Sameer chachu ko kya hua? Woh yahan kyun sleep kar rahe hai? Aur itni deep sleep kar rahe hai ki main aayi aur woh uthe nahi.

Pari pouted and looked towards unconscious Sameer. Naina and Devang chuckled. That was when Naina realised she didn't greet Devang. She immediately folded her hands and did a Namaste to him. And Devang passed a small smile.

Pari: Batao na Pretty chachi! Sameer chachu ko kya hua?

Naina: Beta, aapke chachu na bahut naughty hai. Aapki chachi ke baat nahi maante. Maine maana kiya tha tez daudne ko, aur mujhse dur bhagne ko. Par unhone wohi kiya. Aur gir gaye. Chot aagayi. Isiliye so rahe hai beta. Aur deep sleep medicines ke wajah se.

Pari: Oh, main bhi aissa karti hun! Papa mujhe bolte hai tez maat bhago, toh main aur tez bhagti hun.

She signalled Naina to come closer and show her ears. Naina followed and Pari whispered.

Pari: Mujhe doodh pasand nahi hai na. Aur Papa humesha doodh pilate rehte hai. Maana karne par sunte bhi nahi hai.

Naina: Hmm, waise doodh mujhe bhi nahi pasand tha bachpan mein. Par mere Papa ne mujhe bataya ki agar main doodh nahi pungi toh main bimaar pad jaungi aur main school mein sports aur games mein part nahi le paungi.

Pari: Kya!? Sach mein? Matlab agar main doodh finish nahi karungi toh main school mein apne friends ke saath play nahi kar paungi?

Naina: Nahi, aap bahut jaldi thak jaoge aur win karti huyi game lose kar loge. Aap chahte ho aissa ho? Aur aapke friends aapko boo kare?

Pari: Nahi nahi Pretty chachi! Mujhe lose nahi karna. Mujhe win karna hai. Mujhe mere friends se wow hear karna hai na ki boo boo.

Naina: Uske liye aapko doodh finish karna hoga, fruits aur veggies khana hoga. Aur Papa ki baat manni hogi.

Pari looked at her father who was smiling at her. She showed him her broken teeth smile and nodded to Naina.

Pari: Main sab baat sunungi Papa ki.

Naina: Good girl.

Devang: Naina, Sameer ke doctor ne kya kaha hai? Kab tak hosh aayega isse?

Naina: Bhaiya, 24 ghante ke andar aa jaana chahiye warna yeh coma mein ja sakte hai.

Devang staggered hearing this. He never dreamt in his wildest dreams that he would see his baby brother in this condition. For him Sameer would always be the 10 year old Sameer who looked at him with his innocence filled eyes and would flash a bright smile if he would get some sort of gift from anyone who adores him.

Devang stepped forward and caressed Sameer's face. A single tear rolled down but Devang was quick to wipe it.

Devang: Tum chinta maat karo. Humara Sameer fighter hai. Usne na jaane kitni ladhai ladhi hai, aur jeeti bhi hai.

Naina nodded her head and looked at her unconscious husband. For one moment the obnoxious thoughts of her presence being ominous had crossed her mind, but she put an end to them quickly. As she knew, nothing is more powerful than the power of love, and she had faith on her love.

Naina: Bhaiya, apne aur Pari ne kuch khaya hai? Dinner time hone aaya hai....

Devang: Hum nikal hi rahe hai Naina. Pari zyada time tak hospital mein na rahe toh accha. Infection lag sakta hai na usse kahin se bhi. Tum bhi aaram karo. Aur Sameer ko hosh aate hi mujhe batana.

Naina: Ji bhaiya. Aap aaye mujhe accha laga. Bas itni si iccha hai ki jis tarah aap yahan aaye hum dono ke paas, ussi tarah humare saath teen din baad Mumbai bhi chalenge.

Devang: Pari, baby chalo. Pretty chachi aur Sameer chachu ko rest karne dete hai. Hum inse milne phir aayenge.

Pari: Okay Papa. Bye Pretty chachi. Aap worry maat karna. Sameer chachu thik ho jayenge. Aur jab woh thik honge na aap unhe khoob dantna. Phir woh masti nahi karenge zyada.

Naina caressed Pari's soft cheeks and nodded. She planted a forehead kiss on her head and let her go with her father.

Naina: Meer, Pari kitni pyaari bacchi hai na. Agar woh humare saath Mumbai chalegi toh pure ghar ko roshan kar degi. Aapko kya lagta hai, Bhaiya manenge chalne ke liye? Mujhe toh lagta hai maan jayenge shayad.
Accha yeh sab chodiye. Aap yeh bataiye ki aap apni nautanki kab chod rahe hai? 4 baje se chal rahi hai. Ab toh aankhein khol dijiye. Mujhe aapki aankhon mere chehre ko dekhna hai, aapki muskaan dekhni hai, aapke baahon ko mehsoos karna hai, aapki dil ki dhadkan ko tez hote sunna hai! Meer, please aankhein kholiye na. Meri jaan nikli ja rahi hai. Aapko bas kuch ghante aisse nahi dekh pa rahi, agar aap coma mein chale jayenge toh main jee nahi paungi.

Meer.........

Naina started crying loudly with her head on his torso. She was shaking and her heart was aching with pain. She was feeling like someone is trying to snatch it away from her ribcage. She didn't know what to do, and what not to do. She was in an alien city with a bunch of known people. She didn't have her family around and she felt very weak at the moment. She couldn't tell anyone of the family about this as well as Dadaji and Papaji would get worried and their health would deteriorate and due to Preeti's encounter with Ruhaan's true face, she is upset and family is on a mission to cheer her, without knowing why she is upset.

Naina was still crying when she heard her stomach grumbling. She realised that it was half past nine and the last meal she had was indeed the two aloo parathe at 1'o clock. She dinged the bell and asked the nurse who came in to keep attention on Sameer and if he comes to consciousness in her absence, then she should inform her immediately along with Abhimanyu.

Naina was passing through the lobby to the cafeteria when she overhead a conversation with the mention of her name.

Nurse1: Haan, maine apne kaano se suna tha Mrs. Maheshwari ka naam.

Nurse2: Par Mahima ma'am ne aissa kiya hi kyun? Mr. and Mrs. Maheshwari Akshara ma'am ke friends hai.

Nurse1: Maine abhi bataya na, Mahima ma'am suddenly insecure feel karne lagi. Mr. Maheshwari kahin Abhimanyu sir ki jagah na le le Akshara ma'am ke gharwalon ke dil mein. Iss tayesh mein aake unhone ek masoom bacche se Mr. Maheshwari ki yeh halaat kar di.

Nurse2: Gusse mein!? Unki yeh harkat kisi ki jaan le sakti thi. Woh doctor hai. She knows ki yeh kitna risky hai.

Naina couldn't hear more. She took steps back and re-entered the cabin of Sameer. The nurse saw her and went out. Naina sat next to her husband and held his hand.

Naina: Meer, aapki acchai se jal ke Mahima aunty ne aapke saath yeh sab kiya! Hey bhagwaan! Woh ek doctor hai, ek Maa hai, aur ek aurat hai. Unhe pata hona chahiye ki jab ek insaan seedhi se girta hai tab uske saath kuch bhi ho sakta hai. Medically kya consequences honge, unhe pata tha phir bhi. Aap kisi ke bete ho, aapke accident ki baat agar main ghar par bata dun toh kya halat hogi unki, iska andaza laga sakti thi woh. Aap kisi ke husband ho, aapko aisse dekh mujh par kya bitt rahi hogi, iska andaza woh laga sakti thi. Phir bhi unhone aissa kiya!
Meer, accha hua hum Goenka Villa mein rahenge. Aaj aapko usse bacche se dhakka marwa diya, kal pata nahi kya kar dengi. Hum unke hospital mein hai, I don't know aapki treatment mein agar woh apna grudge nikal dengi toh? Nahi nahi. I can't take any risk.

Naina called Akshara and asked her to come to Sameer's room along with everyone. She wants to talk to them.

Naina: Abhimanyu, ek baar Meer ko hosh aa jaaye. Phir main inko kisi aur hospital mein shift karna chahungi. So, Meer ke doctor hone ke naate aap please transfer ke formalities puri kar dena.

Akshara: Yeh kaisi baatein kar rahi hai? Sameer kisi aur hospital mein kyun jayenge? Yahan unhe best treatment milega. Iss baat ki guarantee main leti hun.

Naina: I am sure aapka hospital best hai. Best facilities provide karta hai, best doctors hai, tabhi yahan itne patients admit hai. Par yeh hospital woh cheez nahi de sakti jo mujhe aur mere husband ko chahiye.

Abhimanyu: Aissa kya hai Naina?

Naina: Security! Mere husband ki security. Jis wajah se ya aissa kahun jiske wajah se inki yeh halat hai, woh yahin maujud hai. Aisse mein main kaise apne husband ko yahan rakhun?

Akshara: Naina tu kya bol rahi hai? Mujhe kuch samjh nahi aa raha hai!

Naina: Iss hospital ke senior doctor ya apni Taiji se puch! Mere husband ki aissi halat kaise huyi hai aur kyun huyi hai.

Mahima: Naina, dekho beta jo hua uske peeche reason hai. Aur woh......

Naina: Firstly Mrs. Birla, mujhe beta maat kahiye. Mujhse rishta jodne ki koshish na kare toh hi behtar hoga. And secondly, koi bhi wajah itni badi nahi ho sakti ki aapko kisi ke jaan ke saath khelne ka haq de de! Koi bhi wajah kisi ki jaan se badhkar nahi ho sakti. Aapki jo bhi koi wajah thi ya hai, aap mujhse ya mere husband se baat kar sakti thi, hume keh sakti thi ki humari iss baat se aapko problem hai. Hum try karte aage waisa na karne ki. Par aap! Aapne toh mere pati ko jaan se marne ki koshish kar li!

Abhimanyu: Taiji aapne aissa kiya! Kyun?

Mahima: Abhimanyu, main insecure hogayi thi, tumhare aur Akshara ke liye.

Naina: Maana Birla family aur Birla hospital ka naam pure Udaipur mein hai. Par aapko log sirf yahan jaante hai! Sameer Maheshwari ka naam pura desh jaanta hai. Aissi koi jagah nahi jahan Sameer Maheshwari koun hai kisiko pata nahi. Shukr maanayiye maine abhi tak complaint nahi ki hai, aur aapko publicly expose nahi kiya. Warna aapka medical license aur aapka career seize hogaya hota!

Anand: Naina, Mahima ki ore se I am sorry. And please Sameer ka treatment adhe mein chod ke yahan se maat jao.

Naina: Nahi Mr. Birla, aaj aapki biwi ko gussa aaya toh unhone ke chote bacche ko lalach de kar unhe seedhi se gira diya. Kal ko phir agar kuch hogaya, toh woh mere husband ko medical usage karke harm kar dengi. I am not a doctor, mujhe pata bhi nahi chalega ki unhone kya kiya hai inke saath. I can't take risk!

Abhimanyu: Naina, main bharosa deta hun. Sameer ke treatment mein koi kami nahi rahegi.

Akshara: Naina, Abhi apne professional life mein personal life mix nahi karta. I assure you, Sameer ko best treatment milega aur woh bhi unbiased. Plus, Abhi ke mann mein Sameer ke liye kuch nahi hai. He really adores him and you. Please maat ja. Please.

Naina: Thik hai. Main inhe shift nahi karungi. Par meri ek shart hai.

Abhimanyu: Kaisi shart?

Naina: Mere husband ke aas paas rehne wale nurse, ward boy aur junior doctors Abhimanyu aapke team ke honge. Aapke bharosemand honge. Aur yahan Birla family se bas aap aur Akshara aa sakte hai. Aur koi nahi.

Abhimanyu: Done!

Naina gave a look when none of the Birlas made a move, which gave an indication for them leave. Only Abhimanyu and Akshara were present in the room along with Naina.

Akshara: Naina, main Taiji ki taraf se ek aur baar maafi mang rahi hun. I am really sorry.

Abhimanyu: Haan Naina. Taiji ke wajah se tumhe aur Sameer ko taklif pahunchi hai, aur pahunch rahi hai, usko khatam toh nahi kar sakte. Par kam karne mein madad zaroor kar sakte hai.

Naina: Akshara! Abhimanyu! Aap dono ko maafi mangne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai. Main naraz hun, par usse zyada hairaan hun. Khair. Ab usse baare mein mujhe baat nahi karni. Raat bahut hogayi hai. Ab aap dono ko ghar jaana chahiye.

Abhimanyu: Aapko bhi Naina, chaliye humare saath. Main yahan mere trainee ko appoint kar dunga. Woh Sameer ka khayal rakhega aur unhe hosh aaya toh inform bhi karega.

Naina: Nahi Abhimanyu, mera mann nahi lagega ghar par. Isliye main yahin hun. Meer ke paas rahungi toh dil ko sukoon milega. Aap dono jao. Kal rasmein hai. Sagai aur jamai pujan.
Akshu, please dadiji aur badi dadiji ko bolna kal ki rasmein jaise planned the waise kare. Mujhe aur Meer dono ko accha nahi lagega agar humari wajah se plans change huye toh.

Akshara: Par..

Naina: Koi par war nahi! Jo kaha hai woh kar. Ghar ja, aaram kar, aur ghar par bata rasmein waise hi honge jaise hone the.

Akshara nodded and after more insistence left with Abhimanyu. Naina took a deep breath and sat next to Sameer. She held his hand and kissed the back of his palm.

Naina: Meer, maine thik kiya na? Mrs. Birla ko confront karke aur unki complaint na karke. Ya mujhe complaint kar deni chahiye thi? Aapko pata hai main tab bhi dilemma mein thi aur ab bhi hun. Unhone mere saath galat kiya, aapko chot pahunchaane ki koshish kari. Par main unke saath galat kar dun toh unke aur mere beech fark kya reh jayega. Par unhone galati nahi gunah kiya hai. Aur gunah ki sazza milni chahiye. Hai na? Toh kya mujhe complaint karni chahiye? Mujhe samjh nahi aa raha hai!

Naina held her face with her palm and became silent. For her, the situation and things took a turn in a millisecond. Few hours ago, she was spending happy time with her husband, spreading joy among needy people and now she was sitting in a hospital room with her husband lying lifelessly on a hospital bed with bandages. She was alone in an unknown city before also, infact since the past six days, she was in an unknown city. But now she could feel the loneliness more as Sameer is lying unconscious and she hasn't informed any of the family members about this.

Naina: Meer, maine ghar par kisiko bataya nahi hai. Kisiko nahi pata ki aapke aur mere saath kya hua hai. Main kya jawab dungi sabko? Main kuch nahi kahungi. Bol dungi apne Sameer se puchiye! Aap jawab de dena sabko!

Naina joined her forehead with his, and shred some tears. She was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. So to seek peace and serenity, she decided to squeeze next to Sameer. She placed herself in the whatever space available next to him, and kept her head on his chest, where his heart was beating softly, and his breathing was even and soft. She wrapped her arm around his torso, and mumbled an I love you before dozing off.

It was somewhere during the wee hours of the day, when he felt a weight released from his eyes. The faint brightness started getting stronger, his right arm was hurting, and his left arm had a weight. He slowly opened his eyes but closed immediately due to the sudden brightness. But he squinted his eyes and opened them, slowly adjusting to the brightness of the room. When he opened his eyes completely, he noticed he was in a hospital room. He felt a stir on his left, and his gaze fell on the most beautiful lady on the planet, his wife, who looked exhausted. He slowly moved his left arm, and weaved his fingers through her hair. Even though he was unconscious, he could hear her pleas, her sobs, her vulnerability, and he wanted to wake up and comfort her immediately. But sometimes, things aren't under our control. And these few hours were the same phase for him. He tried moving his right arm, but couldn't and noticed it was plastered.

Sameer: Naina, tum chinta maat karo. Mujhe hosh aagaya hai. Ab tumhe kisi se kuch chupana nahi padega, aur na hi tumhare aankhon mein aansu aayenge.

He leaned on her, and planted a long kiss on her forehead and on top of her head. He tightened his grip on her, and made sure she was very close to him and he could feel her warmth and inhale her fragrance.

Due to the movement around her, Naina's slumber broke. And when she looked at her husband, she squealed in happiness. Seeing him gain his color and consciousness, Naina's happiness unfolded into many folds. She immediately sat straight and touched his face, to assure herself that he was for real.

Sameer whispered: Sameer ki jaan, mujhe sach mein hosh aa gaya hai.

Naina's eyes pooled up with tears of joy. She hugged him and kept her head on his chest, listening to his quickened heartbeats and feeling his warmth enveloping her.

Naina: Aapko nahi pata, yeh 14 ghante maine kaise bitaye hai. Na mujhe bhookh lagi na pyaas. Mujhe bas aap seedhiyon se girte nazar aa rahe the. Aapko bandage aur hospital room mein dekh kar mera dil hazar maut marra hai.

Sameer weaved his fingers in her hair, and planted a kiss on her head.

Sameer: Janta hun meri jaan. Aur I am sorry, tumhe yeh sab dekhna pada.

Naina: Aap mujhse waada kijiye! Aage se aissa kuch mujhe dekhne nahi denge. Aap apna extra khayal rakhenge. Agar main Sameer ki jaan hun, toh aap Sameer ki jaan ki jaan hai!

Sameer: Okay your highness! Jaisa aap kahe.

Naina: Meer, I really missed you! Aapki awaaz bina sune, aapko muskurata na dekh, aapki gol gol baatein na sune, maine yeh 14 ghante kaise bitaye hai, mujhe hi pata hai. Please aage se aissa maat kijiyega.

And she broke down. She started crying. Sameer extended his arm and signalled her to come to his arms once again. He tightened the grip, and planted a long kiss on top of her head.

Sameer: Naina, tum ro maat. Dekho, main thik hun. Aur ab se main dhyaan rakhunga. Tum janti ho, main khud tumse dur nahi reh sakta. Mujhe humesha tum mere aas paas chahiye ho. Toh main ab kuch aissa hone nahi dunga jis wajah se mujhe meri jaan se dur hona pade.

Naina blushed and played with the hospital uniform he was wearing. She cleared her throat and then looked at Sameer.

Naina: Main Abhimanyu ko call kar leti hun. Unhe inform kar deti hun ki aapko hosh aagaya hai. Aake aapko check kar le.

Abhimanyu: Uski zaroorat nahi hai. Main aagaya hun.

Abhimanyu and Akshara stood at the threshold of the room, with a broad smile on their faces. Abhimanyu stepped in, and did check up of Sameer. After it was done, he passed a smile and gave an indication that everything is fine.

At that moment the door bursted open, and revealed a disheveled Vivek, huffing and puffing.

Sameer: Papa!

He tried getting up, but Vivek showed his palm and asked him to lay down quietly. Naina quickly went to him, and tried touching his feet, but he stopped and hugged her tightly. He left his daughter in-law after a minute with a loving smile, and turned towards his son.

Vivek: Aisse hi main tujhe nalayak nahi bulata! Yeh kya haal bana rakha hai apna? Tune haath pair tudwa liya. Aur sar bhi phod diya hai!

Sameer: Chasme ka number badh gaya hai shayad. Isliye thik se dikh nahi raha hai. Mera sirf haath toota hai. Infact toota bhi nahi hai, minor fracture hai.

Vivek: Baap ko maat sikha! Ghar se dur hua nahi ki hospital mein bharti hogaya. Agar hona hi tha, toh meri beti ko mere paas chodke hospital mein bharti hota! Usko kyun pareshaan kiya?

Sameer: Arre! Beta hospital bed mein hai, yeh nahi ki uska haal puch le. Par Mr. Maheshwari ko toh pehle dant lagani hai.

Vivek: Tune kaam hi aisse kiye hai!

Vivek's stern demeanor switched to soft and caring demeanor, and he sat next to Sameer. He caressed his son's head and with moist eyes and choked voice he spoke.

Vivek: Tujhe pata hai na, aisse hi ek hospital mein maine teri Mumma ko khoya tha. Jab jab mujhe hospital se call aata hai na, tab tab dil ghabra jaata hai. Mere paas teri Mumma ki akhri nishani Tu hi hai bacche. Tujhe kho dunga, toh khud ko bhi kho dunga. Apna dhyaan rakha karna beta. Ab iss umar mein mujhe jhatke nahi chahiye. Tujhe ya Naina ko ya Papa ko kuch hogaya toh main jeete jee marr jaunga beta. Jeete jee marr jaunga.

Sameer kept his left palm on his father's palm, and said: Papa, itni jaldi main aapka peecha nahi chodunga! Na main kahin jaunga aur na aapko kahin jaane dunga. Aur na humare parivaar se kisi aur ko jaane dunga.

Vivek: Main toh kahin nahi jaane wala jab tak main tere bacchon ko tere khilaaf aur meri side na kar dun. Tu aur Papa milke mujhe bahut pareshaan karte ho. Pura badla lunga main!

Sameer: Haan haan le lena!

Naina: Papaji, aapko bataya kisne ki yeh yahan hospital mein hai.

Vivek: Beta kal shaam ko dil ghabrane laga tha. Aissa lag raha tha ki kuch accha nahi hua hai. Toh maine Sameer ko call kiya. 3-4 baar ke baad kisi Shefali ne call pick kiya aur usne bataya ki Sameer seedhiyon se phisal gaya. Aur hum nikal gaye!

Sameer: Hum? Aur koun aaya hai aapke saath?

Naina: Aapne dada ji ko bata diya hai kya Papaji? Ya mere mayke walon ko?

Vivek: Nahi beta, jaise maine suna main flight dhundhne mein lag gaya. Koi bhi flight yahan ko dopahar 12 baje se pehle ka nahi tha. Toh main Papa se business trip bolke by road aagaya. Vikram ke saath. Usse Nagpur mein drop kar diya. Uske parents rehte hai wahan.

Sameer: Accha.

Vivek: Accha ke bacche, tu dhyan se nahi reh sakta? Humesha girta padta rehta hai. 28 ka hogaya hai! Par akal se ab bhi 10 ka hai! Bachpana gaya nahi hai! Tab bhi phone call par tere girne padne ki baat aati thi, aur phir se woh hi hua!

Sameer: Bachpan mein bachpana raha kahan tha? Ab aap aur aapki attention mil rahi hai. Toh abhi hi bachpana dikha raha hun. Woh din abhi jee raha hun.

Vivek got silent. Even though he and his father weren't the direct reason of Sameer's early maturity and introverted nature, but somewhere or the other, they were the reason. The thought of working tirelessly so that he can make his son's future secure, made Sameer grow distant from them, and their unavailability during the his growing age had matured him.

Sameer: Aap Abhimanyu aur Akshara se nahi mile na. Yeh hai Akshara, Naina ki bachpan ki friend, aur uske husband Dr. Abhimanyu Birla. Inhone hi mujhe treat kiya hai.

Vivek: Oh, thank you so much Beta! Tumne mere bete ko treat karke mujhe wapas marne se bacha liya.

Abhimanyu: Thank you bolke mujhe sharminda maat kijiye Uncle. Yeh meri duty hai.

Akshara: Waise Uncle, aapko dekhke lagta nahi hai ki aap Sameer ke Papa ho. Mujhe toh Sameer ke bhai jaise lag rahe hai aap.

Vivek: Haha, thank you beta for the compliment.

Naina: Papaji, aapka samaan? Aur aapne breakfast kar liya tha na? Aapki subah medicine hoti hai na, inhone bataya tha.

Vivek: Samaan maine humare workshop bhej diya hai. Wahan ek guestroom hai, wahin rahunga main. Aur beta Sameer ko dekhne ki iccha ne meri bhookh mar di thi. So, I am sorry bacche, par main medicine aur breakfast dono nahi kiya hun.

Sameer: Inhi harkaton ke wajah se main chidhta hun aap par. Main 28 ka hun, khud ka khayal rakh lunga, par aap! Aap 65 ke ho! Apna khayal nahi rakhte, tabhi phone pe reminder set kiya hai. Par woh bhi nahi sunna aapko!

Vivek: Beta, aaj ek din hi aissa hua hai. Aur tu apna khoon maat jaala. Abhi bhi hospital mein hai, aur teri halat sudhri nahi hai.

Naina: Haan, aur aap chinta maat karo. Main Papaji ka khayal rakhungi ab se. Unko kuch miss nahi karne dungi. Na meals, na medicine, na meditation aur na rest.

Sameer: Papa! Meri baat sunte nahi ho, par apni bahu ki maat sunna bhi aur manna bhi!!

Vivek: Haan baba!

Abhimanyu: Naina, aap kal shaam se yahin hai. Ab Sameer ko hosh aagaya hai. Aap jaake freshen up hoke wapas aa jao. Aur Uncle, aap itna long journey travel karke aaye, aap rest kar lijiye. Sameer bilkul thik hai.

Vivek: Par beta.....

Sameer: Abhimanyu is right Papa! Meri wajah se aap apne health ko nazarandaaz maat karo.

Vivek: Accha baba, thik hai! Naina, tum mujhe jahan thehri ho, wahan ka address bhej dena. Main return trip pe tumhe pick kar lunga.

Akshara: Uncle, if you don't mind, aap humare saath hi rehiye na. Sameer aur Naina bhi wahin reh rahe hai. Aap aa jayenge toh ladke walon ke team mein ek aur member jud jayega.

Vivek: Par beta, aisse kaise? Mujhe koi nahi janta wahan.

Akshara: Kya aisse kaise Uncle? Aur nahi janta toh ab jaan lenge.

Abhimanyu: Uncle aap chinta maat kijiye, Akshu ki family bahut mixing hai. Aapko time nahi lagega sabke saath ghul mil jaane mein.

Akshara: Uncle, aap wahan Sameer aur Naina ke paas bhi rahenge. Aur aapke aane se shaadi mein aur mazze aayenge. Aaj sagaai aur jamai pujan hai!

Abhimanyu: Akshu, aaj Sameer rasmon mein shaamil nahi ho sakenge. Unke kuch test run karne hai, unhe monitor par rakhna hai.

Naina: Akshu, waise bhi jamai pujan mein bas Kairav bhaiya ko jaana hai, aur saath mein Aarohi aur Badi dadi ja rahi hai. Aur rahi baat sagaai ki, toh har agar hum aaj hote nahi Udaipur mein, toh bhi sagaai ho paati na.....

Sameer: Naina thik keh rahi hai. Aap sab rasmein continue kijiye.

Akshara nodded reluctantly, and Abhimanyu felt guilty as due to his aunt, Sameer was hospitalized and couldn't attend today's functions. Abhimanyu excused himself and went to check upon the other patients, and Akshara went for her music therapy sessions.

Naina: Papaji, workshop yahan se kitna dur hai?

Vivek: Zyada dur nahi hai beta. 20 min mein pahunch jayenge.

Naina: Thik hai toh phir. Main aapke saath chalti hun. Saath mein Goenka House chalenge.

Vivek: Okay beta.

Naina (To Sameer): Aap apna dhyaan rakhiyega. Main aur Papaji yun gaye aur yun aaye.

Sameer: Tum bhi, kuch kha lena. Bhookhi ho kal shaam se. Jaake acche se kha lena. Aur thoda rest bhi kar lena, phir aana dono.

Nodding to Sameer's instructions, Naina and Vivek left the hospital. For the initial 3-4 minutes, both were silent. But then suddenly Vivek started expressing his emotions.

Vivek: Naina, main ek accha Papa nahi ban paaya na? Jab Sameer ko zaroorat hoti hai, tab woh mujhe approach nahi karta. Mujhse nafrat nahi karta, pyaar karta hai. Par, humare rishte mein hichkichahat bahut hai.

Naina: Papaji, aapse aissa kisne kaha ki aap acche Papa nahi hai. Aap bahut acche Papa hai. Aur rahi baat unke zaroorat ke waqt na hone ki, uss samay ke halat aur waqt kuch aisse honge jis wajah se aap unke paas pahunch nahi paaye honge.

Vivek: Yeh baat 28 saal ka Sameer samjh gaya hai, par mera 11 saal ka Sameer, woh nahi samjh paaya hoga na. Usko laga hoga ki Papa waqt nahi de rahe hai. Baat nahi kar rahe hai, khel nahi rahe hai mere saath, aur mujhse pyaar nahi karte hai.

Naina: Papaji, aapko pata hai. Jab Maa thi, tab Papa mere itne close nahi the. Raat ko mere sone ke baad aate the, aur subah unke uthne se pehle main school chali jaati thi. Par jab Maa chali gayi, tab Papa ne mere saath waqt guzarna shuru kiya. Efforts daale. Aur aaj aap dekh rahe hai humara rishta. Waise hi Papaji, aap aur yeh dono efforts daal rahe hai. Par waqt ya yun kahun aapke saath reh rahe logon ke wajah se aap ek dusre ko zyada time nahi de pa rahe. Par iska matlab yeh thodi hai ki aap ek acche Papa nahi hai. Aap bahut acche Papa hai. Agar nahi hote toh apni health ki parwah na karte huye, 16 ghante gaadi mein baithke aate nahi. Chahe 10 saal ka Sameer ho ya 28 saal ka. Unke liye unke Papa humesha best Papa rahe hai.

Vivek: Naina, tum ek dum Vaishali ki parchayi ho. Bilkul uski tarah baatein karti ho. Ussi ki tarah optimistic ho. Jab jab main low feel karta tha, toh woh bhi mere saath aisse baatein karti thi. Mera mann halka karti thi. Papa aur Bua Dadi ke baad, tum mili mujhe jisse maine apni dil ki baat share ki.

Naina: Papaji, aapko jab bhi mann kare, aap mujhse baat kar sakte hai. Maana zindagi ka jitna tajurba aapko hai, mujhe nahi hai. Par aissi baatein kar hi sakti hun jisse aapko sukoon mile.

Vivek kept his palm over her head, and caressed her head.

Vivek: Bhagwaan ne soch samjh kar tumhe bheja hai humare paas. Tum mein mujhe woh beti mil gayi jo mujhe humesha se chahiye thi.

Naina smiled at her father in-law. After picking his things, Naina and Vivek headed towards Goenka House. When they entered Goenka House, Suhasini and Swarna were sitting in the hall and discussing something. Seeing Naina and Vivek enter, they stood up and smiled at them.

Naina: Papaji, yeh Akshara ki Dadi aur Badi Dadi hai.
Aur yeh mere Papaji hai, matlab inke Papa.

Vivek: Namaste.

Suhasini: Namaste beta. Kaise ho? Yatra kaisi rahi?

Vivek: Beta hospital mein hai, kaisa hi hunga. Par beti paas hai, toh thodi rahat hai. Aur safar khatam hi nahi ho raha jaisa lag raha tha, jab tak maine Sameer aur Naina ko dekh nahi liya.

Swarna: Aap thak gaye honge, muh haath dhoke fresh ho jayiye. Thoda aaram kar lijiye. Thodi der mein lunch time ho jayega. Hum aapko bula lenge.

Vivek: Amm, pehle toh I am really sorry. Shaadi wale ghar mein impose kar raha hun. Ek aur guest badh gaya aapka. Mujhe accha nahi lag raha aisse.....bin bulaye aa jaana......

Swarna: Arre nahi nahi! Kaisi baatein kar rahe hai aap!? Shaadi mein jitne zyada log ho utna accha hota hai.

Suhasini: Swarna bilkul sahi keh rahi hai. Aur aap Naina ke sasur hai, iss parivaar ka ek hissa. Parivaar walon ko amantrana thodi dete hai, woh log khud ba khud aa jaate hai.

Manish: Maa bilkul sahi keh rahi hai.

Manish entered the hall from the right side, and greeted Vivek.

Manish: Main, Manish Goenka, Akshara ka Dada hun, par woh mujhe Bade Papa bulati hai.

Vivek: Bulayegi kyun nahi, aap aur aapki wife uske Dada Dadi jaise lagte kahan ho. Mujhse aapko Mata ji aur Babu ji bulana ho hi nahi raha hai.

Manish: Maat bulayiye bhi! Waise bhi umar jitni kam dikhe utni acchi hai 😂

Vivek: Sahi kaha aapne 😂
Main Vivek Maheshwari, Naina ka Papaji aur Sameer ka Papa. Waise main aap sabka shukraguzar hun. Aapne mere bacchon ka khayal rakha, meri gairmaujuudagi mein. Mumbai se Udaipur ka safar kaise beeta hai, bas main jaanta hun. Sameer ki halat main imagine nahi kar sakta tha, infact main karna nahi chahta tha. Aur usko dekh iss bacchi ki kya halat hogi, yeh main imagine karke bhi karna nahi chahta tha. Ek bechaini si ho rahi thi.

Manish: Baap ka dil aissa hi hota hai Vivek Ji. Har pal bas apne bacchon ke baare mein sochta hai. Hum apne jazbaat khulke bayan nahi kar sakte, par dard toh hota hai na.

Vivek: Bilkul! Aur jab apne bacche ki parvarish aur dekh bhal akele karna ho, toh protectiveness badh jaati hai.

Swarna: Vivek Ji, aap bahut lamba safar karke aaye hai. Jaake fresh ho jayiye, aur aaram kar lijiye. Ab aapke dono bacche aapke pass hai aur sahi salamat hai.

Naina: Haan Papaji. Aap thik se soye bhi nahi hai. Chaliye aaram kar lijiye. Main aapke liye chai leke aati hun. Aur kuch khane ko bhi, medicine bhi khani hai aapko.

Vivek: Thik hai beta. Bahut dino baad tumhare haath ki chai peene ko milegi.

Naina smiled and walked Vivek till the room next to her's and Sameer's. She asked Vivek to sit on the bed, and took out a pair of clothes for him. When Vivek went to change his clothes, Naina went to make tea.

Vivek was out in 10 minutes and sat on the chair kept near the window of the room. He took out a photograph from his pocket and smiled at it.

Vivek: Vaishali! Sameer thik hai. Bilkul thik hai. Bas bewakoof ne apna haath fracture karwa liya hai. Vaishali! Janti ho humari Naina bilkul tumhari jaisi hai. Waise hi baatein karti hai, tumhare jaise hi khayal rakhti hai sabka. Yahan aagayi thi, par roz phone karti thi. Baat karti thi. Aur toh aur Ramdhari ko yahin se recipe batati thi kya banana hai aur kya nahi 😂 Parade laga rakhi thi uski.

Kash tum yahan hoti humare saath. Toh Papa, Tum, Main, Sameer aur Naina, sab saath main hasi khushi se rehte. 18 saal hogaye hai tumhe gaye, par roz aissa lagta hai ki aaj mera phone bajega aur saamne se tumhari awaaz aayegi aur tum kahogi, "Vivek, tum kab aa rahe ho mujhe lene. Main itne time se tumhara wait kar rahi hun ", aur main jhat se gaadi leke aa jaunga tumhe lene. Tumhe gale se laga lunga aur tumhe chat khilake ghar wapas le jaunga. Aur agar uske baad bhi tum naraz rehti toh tumhe sabke so jaane ke baad, drive par le jaata. Par yeh ho nahi sakta......
I miss you Vaishali. And I love you the most ❤ Jald hi wapas milenge. Tab tak apne Vivek ka intezaar karna hai, thik hai?