October 2019

Udaipur

Mahajan's:

Although it was merely 7 'O' clock in the evening, yet the sky was almost as dark as the night, because it's no more summers and the days in winters are shorter while the night rules a bit longer. But there is a different charm and serenity in this season. It gives a reason to enjoy what one would call as a perfect weather, adorning some light sweaters or shawls with the right chillness in breeze. And festival of lights just sets in perfect, with the warmth that the Diyas bring, along with the perfect chance of family get together.

Taking in the streets of her town, Moanmi's heart was filled with peace and contentment. Though she was sitting in a stiff manner in her cab yet the relaxation could not be missed out from her body language along with some twinkles of happiness in her eyes. It was the day of Dhanteras that she was back in the arms of her home, although some hours late because of some last minute work that held her back. You might ask why didn't her family picked her up, well it was due to certain someone's strict orders to not to bother themselves, because there can be some last minute works on everyone's list that might demand some attention and she for a fact knew that once she is at home, she will get all the undivided attention which she didn't want at the cost of their work.

Monami stepped out of her cab with a medium sized bag-pack hung on her strong shoulders, her hair thrown in a pony, a beautiful glitter in her eyes and smile that could just light up the room. She was wearing a classic denim jeans and a denim shirt with a smart watch settled on her wrist, along with a pair of white sneakers.

She made a move to the gate and pressed the doorbell, it soon opened revealing a pyjama- hoodie clad Vedant whose face depicted like a happy kid who just got his favourite chocolates, seeing his favourite person in the world. He took her in his huge bear hug, feeling her close to him after so long.

"Diiiii. You're finally here. You know it was so difficult waiting for the prolonged hours that were taken by your work. I missed you so so much." By the last sentence, the thickness in Vedant's voice indicated that he was barely controlling his tears that were already on the edge.

Monami ruffled his hairs from his back, still in the hug knew about his situation so she just hugged him a little tighter whispering, "I missed you too Ved. But see now I'm here and it won't make me trouble you any less."

Vedant rolled his eyes and kind of cribbed, "Haan haan, chhota hoon toh mujhe pareshaan karoge he na aap. Phir dekh lena mai bhi kuch kam nahi hoon."

(Yes, yes. I'm bound to get troubled by you since I'm younger. But then brace yourself since I'm no less.)

And before their banter can continued further, Juhi who was admiring the their children along with Deepak standing near the living room sofa, decided to interrupt them.

"Bas karo ab dono jane. Ved tu bhi kya shuru ho gaya, Monu ko andar bhi nahi aane diya. Aur Monu tu, yu nahi ki abhi abhi aayi hai thoda baith jaaye." Juhi reprimanded both her children. "Tum dono ko mauka chaiye bas, kahi bhi shuru ho jaoge." She huffed.

(Enough you guys. Ved what is with this behaviour, at least let Monu enter in. And Monu you, you've come just now and the least you could do was have a seat.)(You two just need a moment and you will start there only.)

Before any of the two bickering people could say anything in defence in front of their mother or in a way to mock the other sibling that would anyway lead to causing more irritation to juhi, Deepak decided to intervene.

Deepak intervened. "Okay. Ab bas hogaya, Juhi shaant ho jao aur Monu bacche tu bhi andar aaja aur Ved tu bhi aaja darwaza band karke."

(No enough. Juhi calm down. And Monu come inside,dear and you too Ved after closing the door.)

When finally Monami came in and settled her luggage near the staircase. She went in the washroom to wash her hands and face as she came back from quite a long travel. Then she went towards the temple at her place to offer her prayers, and then finally took the blessings of her parents before engulfing them in a rib crushing hug. It was something that she followed ever since she first came back after duty.

Juhi cried when she hugged Monami and Deepak's eyes were doing good job at keeping his tears at bay. Of course it was not at all easy to send their daughter on border at such a young age. No matter even if it's been years to Monami's first posting yet every time they see their daughter back in their arms after this long they're filled with the all the emotions and contentment. And for Ved, well the control is only till the time he is in front of his parents because once he is with Monami, there will be no pretentiousness, for he will be with person he is in his most raw and vulnerable for.

If it was difficult for the family members, Monami's condition was not easy at all. She had to be there alone, for months, without her family. Although even at the base camp, the officers are no less than a family. But then too, your people are just irreplaceable. Over the period of time she has grown to be strong and deal with her emotions just right, but in the arms of her family is becomes difficult. Although she is like an open book to her family, but the rawest form her vulnerabilities is known to her father. Perhaps, one reason can be that he is well known to the circumstances that a soldier lives in.

"Mumma bas, shh. Dekho mai aapke paas hoon na ab, bilkul theek vaise he jaise aap sabhi ko promise kiya thha." Monami consoled her mother. And then she said in a playful tone, "Accha ab agar aap chup nahi houge na toh mai phir chali jaaungi."

(Mum, calm down. See I'm here, near you, just like I've promised to all.)(Okay now if you don't stop crying, then I'm leaving.)

Juhi smacked on Monami's upper back lightly while chuckling amidst her tears and pulled back from the hug, wiping her tears and shaking her head in no. She caressed Monami's face with all the love and affection a placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Mera baccha. Bas tujhe itne waqt baad apne gale se lagaya.." Juhi started but she was cut off by Monami.

(My child. It's just that I took you in my arms after so long..)

Monami held her mother close and uttered, "Mumma, mai jaanti hoon. It's okay. Okay?"

(I know, mumma.)

Deepak who was just watching the two most important ladies of his life decided to make his presence also known and cleared his throat before saying, "Ab agar aap dono ki ijazat ho toh mai bhi meri bacchi ko gale laga loon?"

(Now if I have the due permission of you two, may I also hug my daughter?)

Listening to him, both Monami and Juhi shared a small laughter and Monami just nodded while taking a step towards her father.

"You both have your time meanwhile I'll just go with Ved to do some last minute preparations and then we'll have dinner. So that Monu can rest properly today so that she can enjoy her stay to the fullest." Juhi said, knowing her daughter wants some time with her father.

She and Ved made their way towards the kitchen. Well, why Ved? Because Juhi had made sure that both her kids know how to cook, and bot of them did. Both the junior Mahajan's are amazing in their culinary skills.

Just as she was in front of Deepak, she leapt forward placing her arms around her father's strong torso and hugged him tight, closing her eyes. Deepak too followed the actions, pulling her in his warm embrace while patting her head.

"Papa." Monami just sniffed a bit, unable to say anything more.

Monami just basked in the feeling. The feeling of being in the arms of the very first person who made her feel safe and protected. Who made her ready to fight her battles, not only with her physical strength but with mental and emotional intelligence as well. And now, in the warmth of her hero, she finally loosened her uptight self.

"Bas baccha." Deepak's voice was also thick with emotions.

They just stayed in the same position before Deepak finally broke apart and gently wiped the few tears that managed to escape from Monami's eyes and placed a kiss on her forehead. Once Monami basked in the feeling, she too wiped her father's tears and chuckled a bit.

After a bit, when Deepak felt that got control over her emotions, he moved slightly back, keeping his hand on her forehead, settling her hairs that made a little mess with her tears and bear hugs.

"Good now? And we should go and settle on the dining table otherwise your mumma will be jealous that you're spending more time with me." Deepak said dramatically.

Monami nodded and said: "Papa kya aap bhi." She chuckled. "Anyway, haan. Bohot bhook lagi hai mujhe."

(What ya, dad.) (Anyway, yes. I'm famished.)

Once they both settled, Vedant and Juhi came back with the food, which included all the favourites of Monami. They spent time together while having food and talking with each other for some time decided to call it a night.

Vedant and Monami were settled in her room with her back resting against the headrest and Vedant's head resting on her lap. He cried once he felt Monami's rough palm, ruffling his hair and patting his head in comfort. It was natural; Vedant had always been close to his elder sibling. And the tears made their presence because he finally sinked in the feeling of having his sister, with him, after what he would call as eternity. He always looked up to Monami, he too wanted to join defence but he couldn't, due to his weak eyesight. He was not at all happy with this, but it was Monami who made him understood and guided him to take up something that made him happy, because she have seen the way he was so passionate towards coding and programming. And now no one could be more proud than her, and why not? Her little brother was touching the sky of his success with his hardwork.

They talked about everything they could before their eyes could not be kept open anymore and Vedant moved out to his room and they both slept.

This was how Monami was welcomed and needless to say she was extremely happy with her little stay with her family, and away from the daily hustle bustle.

A new day was anticipated for a lot many discussions that would be life changing for not only our Squadron Leader but her family too.. to some extent.

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Much love,
Nehal.