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Nidhi twisted in discomfort during the flight, eating very little beyond sandwich n orange juice but dr ashutosh did not press as dr sudhir had also advised that travelling light would be better for her..but what perturbed ashutosh was that she seemed to be having pain in not only her back but also her knees n shoulders...though she did not say...he knew...he made he lie down n covered her with the blanket but when she still remained restless, he smiled, took off his jacket n put it over her...he knew his smell...would put her to sleep...and it did...as he helped nishu play games on the play station...his mind constantly with nidhi,...
As they deplaned at delhi, dr ashutosh requested for a wheel chair, n as nidhi satin it, he pushed it himself ..by the time they boarded their lucknow flight, nidhi was completely exhausted...and just crumpled onto the seat and fell asleep...as dr ashutosh loosened the seat belt for her n put it around her waist..while nishu the big boy did it all by himself!!!
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As armaan waited for ashutosh nidhi n nishu at the lucknow airport, his mind involuntarily travelled to his meeting with miss mala mukherjee the previous day!!what a cruel joke life was playing with him!! How was this possible?? Mala being a true copy of naina?? They could not have been related ..he knew that...naina had no sister...this was a twist in his destiny...a bend in the road...something that he had just not been prepared for...according to her fb profile mala was 38 ..years..about 9 years younger to what naina would have been...armaan knew that resemblance of face did not mean naina had come back...n yet...he had fixed a meeting for the next day to discuss the collaboration for fashion houses, a proposal floated by the flambouyant mala...it was mere business ...he repeated to himself...n then smiled a sad smile...His thoughts were cut short by the announcement of flight sg342 from delhi ...and as he walked into the arrival lounge , he saw ashutosh , nishu n a tired nidhi walking out...as he saw nishu, he extended his armsand the lil boy ran into them...as armaan lifted him up ,kissing him a million times...and nishu throwing his arms around him n saying"chaachaa..mai aa gayaa'"!!!...as armaan looked at ashu n nidhi...n smiled"aaja meri jaan"!! n then added"bhai...meri bhateeji kab aa rahi hai"??n nidhi blushed!!!
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"Aajaao mere bachchon ...aajaao"it was baba ,as he welcomed them into their home ..with heeraman kaka offering sweets ...and nishu n ashu bent to touch their feet...but as nidhi tried, baba caught her"kya kar rahi hai...ab yeh sab nahi meri bachchi..you need to take care..aur haan ashu ,maine sudhir se shaam ka appointment le liya hai..bus naashta karo...samdhanji aur colonel bhi aate hi honge"!! Nidhi looked up shyly with a question in her eyes...as baba looked at the two..."baba, dadi bua ko pata hai kya"??before baba could answer , maxi butted in,"nahi sir, nahi pata, humne to cs ko bhi nahi bataya...what a surprise it will be"!!as everyone sat, nidhi said, "main bus fresh hoke aati hoon..."!!
Baba looked at ashutosh ,that worried look in his eyes...ashutosh sighed"yes baba, i fear...the baby is big...again...shaam ko sudhir se milte hain...dekhte hain..." baba talked in a whisper..."ashu..jo bhi ho...iss baar..koi aisa proposal na dena jis se nidhi ko emotional set back lage...nahi to sambhal nahi paayegi woh"...ashutosh nodded"jaanta hoon baba...this baby is vv important for her...uski jaan hai..."!!and dr ashutosh stood up as his father in law n dadi bua came in...he touched their feet n lil nishu hugged them..col verma kissed him..n dadi bua said"chal badmaash, ek baar bhi meri yaad nahi aayi..europe mei...achcha bata kya dekha"??and nishu rattled off as armaan patted his hair n teased dadi bua"dekh leejiye dadi bua, bilkul apne chacha pe gaya hai..."!! and just then nidhi emerged from her bedroom...in her pink churidar kurta...her baby bump conspicuously visible,...col verma looked at her n then at dr ashutosh...as dadi bua seemed too dazed to speak ...and as dr ashutosh broke into a shy smile...she shrieked"daaktar...itni badi khushkhabri...chupaai humse..."!!!!and ashutosh stood n hugged her...held her hands n said,"dadi bua, poochiye apni laadli se,...ki mujhe kab pata chalaa...aur usse to...mere baad..."!!!dadi bua n col verma seemed confused as ashutosh explained how in the rush of work , nidhi had not realised that she was carrying and it was only when they were togetherin london did he realise...n then it dawned on her...dadi bua looked at a coy nidhi n then for once did not screech...but got up n hugged her...blessing her"meri bachchi...tere sab sapne poore hon...is hhar mei...ek...aur..."...and baba interrupted her"na na samdhanji...chota ashu to aa gaya...ab to choti nidhi ka intezaar hai..."!!and col verma hugged ashutosh n nidhi...
As maxi got tea, dadi bua asked "tabiyat kaisi hai...dekh bhaalmkar rahi hai...aur iss baar aspataal gayi to taang tod doongi...haan kahe deti hoon..."as an apprehensive nidhi looked at ashutosh...n he gave her a pacifying look...as col verma said"bua, dr ashutosh hain..aur unse behtar koi nahi jaanta,ki nidhi ke liye kya achcha hai..aur kya nahi...to aap bus meri fiqr kariye..."...and cs added"aur humari bhi"!!dadi bua was going to say"chup manhoos " but refrained on seeing maxi...but asked ashutosh...'achcha yeh to batao..kitne din chadhe..."??ashutosh smiled n answered"4 days mei 3 months complete karegi...e.d.d.september mei hogi..nidhi ke birthday ke aas paas..."!!and he looked at nidhi with a very deep love...as nidhi went in and called ashutosh"suniye, gifts to..."n ashu hurried in"aaya..tum nahi uthaana suit cases..."!!
Ashutosh nidhi came out loaded with gifts...nidhi gave a lambswool shawl to baba n ashu handed over western classical dvd to him...as armaan quipped"baba..plz yeh aap ear phone laga ke sunenge...nahi to mere bhateeje bhateeji bore ho jaayenge" and all roared with laughter...then ashutosh handed the ivory chess set to col verma and the jacket.the bone china dinner set for dadi bua, n then nidhi called nishu..."nishu..chacha ko do plz"and armaan was loaded with sweat shirts,tees,perfumes..as he hugged nishu n said"meri jaan...ab to chacha hero ban jaayega"!! And dadi bua added"ek heroine bhi dhoond le...bechari satoj bala roti hai...kal bhi phonee aaya tha uska..."and ashutosh observed armaan flinch...as he changed the topic n called "kaka...ye aapke liye"and handed a lovely shawl to kaka as nidhi handed over a jacket n goggles to cs and a make up kit to maxi...which made her jump with joy...as kaka laughed..."bus aaj to ho chuka kaam isse"!!
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Nidhi was still yawning as they arroved at dr sudhir's clinic, carrying dr smith's papers...as they entered..sudhir got up and hugged dr ashutosh n patted nidhi...saying'"so...finally"!!!he talked to both of them..as nidhi told that this time she was having a lot of body ache...specially in the knees, shoulder n back...sudhir kept quiet for a moment and then said"we d do some blood tests...lets see..."and then nidhi was taken for the ultra sound...dr ashutosh stood by her, holding her hand , as always..and it was a feeling of deja vu...it waas a third time for her...as she recalled the last time...n tears just flowed...dr ashutosh quietly took out his hankey and wiped them...trying to clear all doubts..all shadows from their life...,thereafter as nidhi gave her blood samples, she asked dr sudhir"sir, do you feel, its going to be fine...this time"?? Sudhir smiled at her with those kind paternal eyes...n said"well...i cant be 100%sure..but would try my best...but yes..i am sure you know..n so does ashutosh, the foetous is big again...so the third trimester is not going to be easy..."dr ashutosh nodded..."i know...but this time we are experienced...we can admit her in the last three months...and go for a casearean in the 8 month..."sudhir laughed"hardstone..thank god you are not a gynaec!!both are lousy suggestions...even though the foetus is big..n pain bouts are bound to occur, you cant make her a handicapped...let her work for another 2 months...proceed on leave from 5 months onwards...move around in the house...and a cesarean ..we should plan..but a week before the edd not in the 8 month..." dr ashitosh argued"but dont you recall, she went into labour the last time..i mean nishu ke waqt..." sudhir nodded"i know...but casearean in 8 month is still not done...and why argue now ..we d cross the bridges when we come to them...and you know the best thng would be you take time off to take care of her...pamper her..."!!as nidhi laughed...and ashutosh looked guilty..knowing the tough routine he had,...finally nidhi cameto his rescue, smiling..."no sir...yeh to bahut khayal rakhte hain...but ...after all jab world ke top neuro surgeon se shaadi ki hai to ...thoda to mujhe bhi adjust kerna hoga...,i dont want his patients to suffer because of me...never" sudhir smiled...n looked at ashutosh who was gazing at nidhi with love and pride...sainyaan...
"Ashutosh, kal subah reports pick ker lena...n now nidhi go n hit the sack..as ahaana says, you are tired..europe mei kaafi masti hui hai lag raha hai"!!and nidhi gave an impish smile as she put a perfume set on the table.."sir for u n mam...ahaana ko to mai hospital me doongi...i am soo excited to meet my friends...n yes europe was fab...just fab..dr ashutosh n i had some memorable moments...excuse me...there is an important call..."n nidhi moved out...as sudhir looked at ashutosh"tab ,how was europe with nidhi...khoob shopping ki..."??ashutosh laughed"not really..,we just went to paris, london..kent..zyaada travel nahi kar sakti thi...kha bhi nahi paati thi...but yes she enjoyed london n paris...london eye pe freak out ki..."sudhir smiled"aahaa"freak out "i like it...aur shopping.."??ashutosh smiled"you know sudhir, she hardly shops for anythin expensive for herself..she has no concern of the wealth i have...woh to meri cheque book bhi nahi dekhti...her range is 50, 000 chips ..n she s delighted...thats all..."n nidhi entered, as ashutosh got up, shaking hands with sudhir...,once in the car he asked , "kiska call tha"??"armaan ji ka..keh rahe the...baahar jaana hai unhe...der se aayenge...so nishu ke liye worried the..maine kaha ki aa rahe hain hum"!!ashu remarked"strange ..aaj shaam ja raha hai...nishu ko chod ke..."!!nidhi smiled"koi meeting hogi..unhe bhi to business dekhna hai apna...afterall"!!...ashutosh kept quiet...
As they reached home, maxi had put nishu to bed, and arranged his stuff, nidhi hugged her n said"maxi, tu chali jaayegi to mai kaise rahoongi..."?? Maxi smiled.."din me aapke paas hi rahoongi...dadi bua ki daant kaun sunega"!!n nidhi laughed loudly and entered the bedroom to keep her purse and then went to the kitchen to see the dinner..aaloo mutter and arhar daal..wow her mouth watered...she arranged the table and calked baba,as the three sat, baba commented"nishu ko khila ke gaya armaan...thoda pareshaan sa hai...kuch hai jo...pareshaan ker raha hai usse...poochna ashu..."n then smiled at nidhi as she ate with relish...looking at baba,she said"you were so right baba, yeh tadka..duniya me kahi aur nahi mil sakta...sach ..baba bahut yaad aati thi..is tadke ki..ghar ki aur aap sab ki...aur doodh peene ke time kaka ki daant ki..."n heeraman smiled in the kitchen recalling the days when the young bubbly nidhi had begun to come each morning..as an alarm clock..and one day he n armaan had found ashu play the violin while she made tea...he knew that she would come to be the bahu of this house..would make it a happy home...n now when nishu called him"kakaji"his eyes fill up with joy n pride...he smiled as he came out with a glass of milk n said"aaj thaki ho, isliye woh kya kehte hain, concession ke taur pekum doodh de raha hoon...kal se wohi nishu ke time wala badaa glass..samjhi"?? n nidhi acquised"jee kaka"as baba n ashutosh smiled...
As dr ashutosh emerged from the washroom in his tracks n tees, he saw nidhi struggling with her bra hook..."kya hua nidhi..."??nidhi moaned"dekhiye na..i cant reach the hook..cant open it..."ashutosh came close n unhooked the clasp...asnidhi changed into her nightie...but ashutosh held her..n tried to feel her shoulder...as he pressed, and tried to pull her arm back..she winced..."nahi kariye..dukhta hai..."ashutosh left it ...but he was worried...as he lay down , making nidhi comfortablem he knew ...even before the reports...that she was either suffering from a terrible joint disorder or a deficiency...and in this condition it could be worrisome,.,he could hear a sleeping nidhi moan softly...in some kind of a pain...he put his arm around her and pulled her to him...pressing her hips...her legs..her back...till she seemed comfortable and turned towards him in his sleep...dr ashutosh looked at her eyes...closed in sleep...probably dreaming of their daughter...of the family together...ashutosh smiled...and bent to kiss those lovely eyes that had made him see dreams and then turned them all into reality...he would never let any pain...any misery come into those eyes again...he smiled as his heart echoed baba's old time favourite..
TERI AANKHON KE SIWA DUNIYA ME RAKKHA KYA HAI
YEH UTHEIN SUBAH CHALE,YEH JHUKE SHAAM DHALE
MERA JEENA,MERA MARNA INHI PALKON KE TALE...
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"Hullo mr armaan...great to see you ..so what have you thought of my offer"??it was mala , sitting at te well appointed table in taj lucknow , dressed in a black n magenta gown with a plunging back...she looked lovely..as armaan sipped wine , he tried hard to concentrate on the business proposal..n answered"well ms mukherjee, i am positively inclined,..its just that i need a lil more time...specially your clause about giving pink slip to about 150 of my workers..."mala smiled...a frozen saxy smile n said"you can take your time...till the end of this month...n till then plz call me mala,...n can we dance..if that does not interfere with your socialist agenda"??and armaan got up...as he held her...his hand around her bare waist...his fingers grazing her flesh...but his mind believing he was touching naina...as they danced...mala throwing up her arms around his neck...armaan moving closer...till suddenly his cell buzzed..."jee kaka, aap so jaaiye...mujhe der hogi..."!!
Mala sat ordering some more white wine n strawberries,as armaan bit into his club sandwich,she asked"where do u live"??he said"actually ,i put up with my child hood buddy dr ashutosh..n his family in gomti nagar..."!!mala seemed to recall.."oh you mean THE DR ASHUTOSH??heard of him...was a bachelor till he..."armaan smiled dreamily"yes ,till he met and married his intern nidhi...a lovely girl...they have a son..nishu..i dote on him...they are family to me...ashutosh's father is like a dad to me..." mala seemed to be listening..."but dont you find it ...kind of asphyxiating...living with kids...family..regular hrs..i ,ean fashion industry is all about freedom"!!armaan smiled"you need to meet them mala..."mama replied"i guess i d have to...if i have to keep meeting you..."!!armaan looked at her..."and do you...do you want to keep meeting me"??mala put her hand on his...n said"see armaan...i am not the typical "bring home to mom"kind of a girl...but i find you interesting...so...well lets give it a try...there is nothing in this world that is for ever...is there???"and mala laughed...she looked so similar to naina...n yet her laughter was so different...naina's laughter had been the flow of a sparkling stream...while mala's ...a streamlined jet...sharp..invasive...shrill...
As armaan bade her a bye..she came close and kissed him ...on the lips...he seemed too frozen to respond...as he drove..his mind was clouded with thoughts of naina...it had been 18 years now...he had not thought of another woman letalone touch one...n yet today...what was happening...was it mala that was attracting him??pulling at his heart strings...or was it naina's indelable impression that he was seeing in a face that mirrored her...
Armaan drove on...not finding an answer to his questions,...and just humming hus favourite ZINDAGI KAISI HAI PAHELI HAI,..
KABHI TO HANSAAYE, KABHI YEH RULAAYE...
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Dr ashutosh awoke from sleep at about 3 in the morning...n his hand instinctively went to geel nidhi...what he felt was the bare bed...he got up in panic...n switched on the bedside lamp...to his relief he found nidhi , sleeping in a semi inclined position on the study chair...her feet propped up on the dressing table stool...he got up...n touched her gingerly...as she opened her eyes..."woh actually...i was uncomfortable...is position mei aaraam milta hai...thodi panting ho rahi thi...bus..."dr ashutosh held her face...n said in a voice of controlled anger n love..."nidhi...yeh bachcha mera bhi hai...so plz mujhse iske liye...tumhare liye...pareshaan hone ka huq mat cheeno...samjhi..."??n nidhi nodded...looking guilty...as ashutosh brought her back to the bed...and propped her in a sitting position...and then lay next to her...caressing her...patting her to the much needed rest...which eventually came...as nidhi drooped to sleep...and dr ashutosh had a long deep lok at her...he knew there were tough days ahead...but this time he would help her make it...for their dream...for their joy..for him..n most importantly for herself...that chubby pink baby..was just too real to remain a mere vision...
As they deplaned at delhi, dr ashutosh requested for a wheel chair, n as nidhi satin it, he pushed it himself ..by the time they boarded their lucknow flight, nidhi was completely exhausted...and just crumpled onto the seat and fell asleep...as dr ashutosh loosened the seat belt for her n put it around her waist..while nishu the big boy did it all by himself!!!
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As armaan waited for ashutosh nidhi n nishu at the lucknow airport, his mind involuntarily travelled to his meeting with miss mala mukherjee the previous day!!what a cruel joke life was playing with him!! How was this possible?? Mala being a true copy of naina?? They could not have been related ..he knew that...naina had no sister...this was a twist in his destiny...a bend in the road...something that he had just not been prepared for...according to her fb profile mala was 38 ..years..about 9 years younger to what naina would have been...armaan knew that resemblance of face did not mean naina had come back...n yet...he had fixed a meeting for the next day to discuss the collaboration for fashion houses, a proposal floated by the flambouyant mala...it was mere business ...he repeated to himself...n then smiled a sad smile...His thoughts were cut short by the announcement of flight sg342 from delhi ...and as he walked into the arrival lounge , he saw ashutosh , nishu n a tired nidhi walking out...as he saw nishu, he extended his armsand the lil boy ran into them...as armaan lifted him up ,kissing him a million times...and nishu throwing his arms around him n saying"chaachaa..mai aa gayaa'"!!!...as armaan looked at ashu n nidhi...n smiled"aaja meri jaan"!! n then added"bhai...meri bhateeji kab aa rahi hai"??n nidhi blushed!!!
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"Aajaao mere bachchon ...aajaao"it was baba ,as he welcomed them into their home ..with heeraman kaka offering sweets ...and nishu n ashu bent to touch their feet...but as nidhi tried, baba caught her"kya kar rahi hai...ab yeh sab nahi meri bachchi..you need to take care..aur haan ashu ,maine sudhir se shaam ka appointment le liya hai..bus naashta karo...samdhanji aur colonel bhi aate hi honge"!! Nidhi looked up shyly with a question in her eyes...as baba looked at the two..."baba, dadi bua ko pata hai kya"??before baba could answer , maxi butted in,"nahi sir, nahi pata, humne to cs ko bhi nahi bataya...what a surprise it will be"!!as everyone sat, nidhi said, "main bus fresh hoke aati hoon..."!!
Baba looked at ashutosh ,that worried look in his eyes...ashutosh sighed"yes baba, i fear...the baby is big...again...shaam ko sudhir se milte hain...dekhte hain..." baba talked in a whisper..."ashu..jo bhi ho...iss baar..koi aisa proposal na dena jis se nidhi ko emotional set back lage...nahi to sambhal nahi paayegi woh"...ashutosh nodded"jaanta hoon baba...this baby is vv important for her...uski jaan hai..."!!and dr ashutosh stood up as his father in law n dadi bua came in...he touched their feet n lil nishu hugged them..col verma kissed him..n dadi bua said"chal badmaash, ek baar bhi meri yaad nahi aayi..europe mei...achcha bata kya dekha"??and nishu rattled off as armaan patted his hair n teased dadi bua"dekh leejiye dadi bua, bilkul apne chacha pe gaya hai..."!! and just then nidhi emerged from her bedroom...in her pink churidar kurta...her baby bump conspicuously visible,...col verma looked at her n then at dr ashutosh...as dadi bua seemed too dazed to speak ...and as dr ashutosh broke into a shy smile...she shrieked"daaktar...itni badi khushkhabri...chupaai humse..."!!!!and ashutosh stood n hugged her...held her hands n said,"dadi bua, poochiye apni laadli se,...ki mujhe kab pata chalaa...aur usse to...mere baad..."!!!dadi bua n col verma seemed confused as ashutosh explained how in the rush of work , nidhi had not realised that she was carrying and it was only when they were togetherin london did he realise...n then it dawned on her...dadi bua looked at a coy nidhi n then for once did not screech...but got up n hugged her...blessing her"meri bachchi...tere sab sapne poore hon...is hhar mei...ek...aur..."...and baba interrupted her"na na samdhanji...chota ashu to aa gaya...ab to choti nidhi ka intezaar hai..."!!and col verma hugged ashutosh n nidhi...
As maxi got tea, dadi bua asked "tabiyat kaisi hai...dekh bhaalmkar rahi hai...aur iss baar aspataal gayi to taang tod doongi...haan kahe deti hoon..."as an apprehensive nidhi looked at ashutosh...n he gave her a pacifying look...as col verma said"bua, dr ashutosh hain..aur unse behtar koi nahi jaanta,ki nidhi ke liye kya achcha hai..aur kya nahi...to aap bus meri fiqr kariye..."...and cs added"aur humari bhi"!!dadi bua was going to say"chup manhoos " but refrained on seeing maxi...but asked ashutosh...'achcha yeh to batao..kitne din chadhe..."??ashutosh smiled n answered"4 days mei 3 months complete karegi...e.d.d.september mei hogi..nidhi ke birthday ke aas paas..."!!and he looked at nidhi with a very deep love...as nidhi went in and called ashutosh"suniye, gifts to..."n ashu hurried in"aaya..tum nahi uthaana suit cases..."!!
Ashutosh nidhi came out loaded with gifts...nidhi gave a lambswool shawl to baba n ashu handed over western classical dvd to him...as armaan quipped"baba..plz yeh aap ear phone laga ke sunenge...nahi to mere bhateeje bhateeji bore ho jaayenge" and all roared with laughter...then ashutosh handed the ivory chess set to col verma and the jacket.the bone china dinner set for dadi bua, n then nidhi called nishu..."nishu..chacha ko do plz"and armaan was loaded with sweat shirts,tees,perfumes..as he hugged nishu n said"meri jaan...ab to chacha hero ban jaayega"!! And dadi bua added"ek heroine bhi dhoond le...bechari satoj bala roti hai...kal bhi phonee aaya tha uska..."and ashutosh observed armaan flinch...as he changed the topic n called "kaka...ye aapke liye"and handed a lovely shawl to kaka as nidhi handed over a jacket n goggles to cs and a make up kit to maxi...which made her jump with joy...as kaka laughed..."bus aaj to ho chuka kaam isse"!!
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Nidhi was still yawning as they arroved at dr sudhir's clinic, carrying dr smith's papers...as they entered..sudhir got up and hugged dr ashutosh n patted nidhi...saying'"so...finally"!!!he talked to both of them..as nidhi told that this time she was having a lot of body ache...specially in the knees, shoulder n back...sudhir kept quiet for a moment and then said"we d do some blood tests...lets see..."and then nidhi was taken for the ultra sound...dr ashutosh stood by her, holding her hand , as always..and it was a feeling of deja vu...it waas a third time for her...as she recalled the last time...n tears just flowed...dr ashutosh quietly took out his hankey and wiped them...trying to clear all doubts..all shadows from their life...,thereafter as nidhi gave her blood samples, she asked dr sudhir"sir, do you feel, its going to be fine...this time"?? Sudhir smiled at her with those kind paternal eyes...n said"well...i cant be 100%sure..but would try my best...but yes..i am sure you know..n so does ashutosh, the foetous is big again...so the third trimester is not going to be easy..."dr ashutosh nodded..."i know...but this time we are experienced...we can admit her in the last three months...and go for a casearean in the 8 month..."sudhir laughed"hardstone..thank god you are not a gynaec!!both are lousy suggestions...even though the foetus is big..n pain bouts are bound to occur, you cant make her a handicapped...let her work for another 2 months...proceed on leave from 5 months onwards...move around in the house...and a cesarean ..we should plan..but a week before the edd not in the 8 month..." dr ashitosh argued"but dont you recall, she went into labour the last time..i mean nishu ke waqt..." sudhir nodded"i know...but casearean in 8 month is still not done...and why argue now ..we d cross the bridges when we come to them...and you know the best thng would be you take time off to take care of her...pamper her..."!!as nidhi laughed...and ashutosh looked guilty..knowing the tough routine he had,...finally nidhi cameto his rescue, smiling..."no sir...yeh to bahut khayal rakhte hain...but ...after all jab world ke top neuro surgeon se shaadi ki hai to ...thoda to mujhe bhi adjust kerna hoga...,i dont want his patients to suffer because of me...never" sudhir smiled...n looked at ashutosh who was gazing at nidhi with love and pride...sainyaan...
"Ashutosh, kal subah reports pick ker lena...n now nidhi go n hit the sack..as ahaana says, you are tired..europe mei kaafi masti hui hai lag raha hai"!!and nidhi gave an impish smile as she put a perfume set on the table.."sir for u n mam...ahaana ko to mai hospital me doongi...i am soo excited to meet my friends...n yes europe was fab...just fab..dr ashutosh n i had some memorable moments...excuse me...there is an important call..."n nidhi moved out...as sudhir looked at ashutosh"tab ,how was europe with nidhi...khoob shopping ki..."??ashutosh laughed"not really..,we just went to paris, london..kent..zyaada travel nahi kar sakti thi...kha bhi nahi paati thi...but yes she enjoyed london n paris...london eye pe freak out ki..."sudhir smiled"aahaa"freak out "i like it...aur shopping.."??ashutosh smiled"you know sudhir, she hardly shops for anythin expensive for herself..she has no concern of the wealth i have...woh to meri cheque book bhi nahi dekhti...her range is 50, 000 chips ..n she s delighted...thats all..."n nidhi entered, as ashutosh got up, shaking hands with sudhir...,once in the car he asked , "kiska call tha"??"armaan ji ka..keh rahe the...baahar jaana hai unhe...der se aayenge...so nishu ke liye worried the..maine kaha ki aa rahe hain hum"!!ashu remarked"strange ..aaj shaam ja raha hai...nishu ko chod ke..."!!nidhi smiled"koi meeting hogi..unhe bhi to business dekhna hai apna...afterall"!!...ashutosh kept quiet...
As they reached home, maxi had put nishu to bed, and arranged his stuff, nidhi hugged her n said"maxi, tu chali jaayegi to mai kaise rahoongi..."?? Maxi smiled.."din me aapke paas hi rahoongi...dadi bua ki daant kaun sunega"!!n nidhi laughed loudly and entered the bedroom to keep her purse and then went to the kitchen to see the dinner..aaloo mutter and arhar daal..wow her mouth watered...she arranged the table and calked baba,as the three sat, baba commented"nishu ko khila ke gaya armaan...thoda pareshaan sa hai...kuch hai jo...pareshaan ker raha hai usse...poochna ashu..."n then smiled at nidhi as she ate with relish...looking at baba,she said"you were so right baba, yeh tadka..duniya me kahi aur nahi mil sakta...sach ..baba bahut yaad aati thi..is tadke ki..ghar ki aur aap sab ki...aur doodh peene ke time kaka ki daant ki..."n heeraman smiled in the kitchen recalling the days when the young bubbly nidhi had begun to come each morning..as an alarm clock..and one day he n armaan had found ashu play the violin while she made tea...he knew that she would come to be the bahu of this house..would make it a happy home...n now when nishu called him"kakaji"his eyes fill up with joy n pride...he smiled as he came out with a glass of milk n said"aaj thaki ho, isliye woh kya kehte hain, concession ke taur pekum doodh de raha hoon...kal se wohi nishu ke time wala badaa glass..samjhi"?? n nidhi acquised"jee kaka"as baba n ashutosh smiled...
As dr ashutosh emerged from the washroom in his tracks n tees, he saw nidhi struggling with her bra hook..."kya hua nidhi..."??nidhi moaned"dekhiye na..i cant reach the hook..cant open it..."ashutosh came close n unhooked the clasp...asnidhi changed into her nightie...but ashutosh held her..n tried to feel her shoulder...as he pressed, and tried to pull her arm back..she winced..."nahi kariye..dukhta hai..."ashutosh left it ...but he was worried...as he lay down , making nidhi comfortablem he knew ...even before the reports...that she was either suffering from a terrible joint disorder or a deficiency...and in this condition it could be worrisome,.,he could hear a sleeping nidhi moan softly...in some kind of a pain...he put his arm around her and pulled her to him...pressing her hips...her legs..her back...till she seemed comfortable and turned towards him in his sleep...dr ashutosh looked at her eyes...closed in sleep...probably dreaming of their daughter...of the family together...ashutosh smiled...and bent to kiss those lovely eyes that had made him see dreams and then turned them all into reality...he would never let any pain...any misery come into those eyes again...he smiled as his heart echoed baba's old time favourite..
TERI AANKHON KE SIWA DUNIYA ME RAKKHA KYA HAI
YEH UTHEIN SUBAH CHALE,YEH JHUKE SHAAM DHALE
MERA JEENA,MERA MARNA INHI PALKON KE TALE...
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"Hullo mr armaan...great to see you ..so what have you thought of my offer"??it was mala , sitting at te well appointed table in taj lucknow , dressed in a black n magenta gown with a plunging back...she looked lovely..as armaan sipped wine , he tried hard to concentrate on the business proposal..n answered"well ms mukherjee, i am positively inclined,..its just that i need a lil more time...specially your clause about giving pink slip to about 150 of my workers..."mala smiled...a frozen saxy smile n said"you can take your time...till the end of this month...n till then plz call me mala,...n can we dance..if that does not interfere with your socialist agenda"??and armaan got up...as he held her...his hand around her bare waist...his fingers grazing her flesh...but his mind believing he was touching naina...as they danced...mala throwing up her arms around his neck...armaan moving closer...till suddenly his cell buzzed..."jee kaka, aap so jaaiye...mujhe der hogi..."!!
Mala sat ordering some more white wine n strawberries,as armaan bit into his club sandwich,she asked"where do u live"??he said"actually ,i put up with my child hood buddy dr ashutosh..n his family in gomti nagar..."!!mala seemed to recall.."oh you mean THE DR ASHUTOSH??heard of him...was a bachelor till he..."armaan smiled dreamily"yes ,till he met and married his intern nidhi...a lovely girl...they have a son..nishu..i dote on him...they are family to me...ashutosh's father is like a dad to me..." mala seemed to be listening..."but dont you find it ...kind of asphyxiating...living with kids...family..regular hrs..i ,ean fashion industry is all about freedom"!!armaan smiled"you need to meet them mala..."mama replied"i guess i d have to...if i have to keep meeting you..."!!armaan looked at her..."and do you...do you want to keep meeting me"??mala put her hand on his...n said"see armaan...i am not the typical "bring home to mom"kind of a girl...but i find you interesting...so...well lets give it a try...there is nothing in this world that is for ever...is there???"and mala laughed...she looked so similar to naina...n yet her laughter was so different...naina's laughter had been the flow of a sparkling stream...while mala's ...a streamlined jet...sharp..invasive...shrill...
As armaan bade her a bye..she came close and kissed him ...on the lips...he seemed too frozen to respond...as he drove..his mind was clouded with thoughts of naina...it had been 18 years now...he had not thought of another woman letalone touch one...n yet today...what was happening...was it mala that was attracting him??pulling at his heart strings...or was it naina's indelable impression that he was seeing in a face that mirrored her...
Armaan drove on...not finding an answer to his questions,...and just humming hus favourite ZINDAGI KAISI HAI PAHELI HAI,..
KABHI TO HANSAAYE, KABHI YEH RULAAYE...
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Dr ashutosh awoke from sleep at about 3 in the morning...n his hand instinctively went to geel nidhi...what he felt was the bare bed...he got up in panic...n switched on the bedside lamp...to his relief he found nidhi , sleeping in a semi inclined position on the study chair...her feet propped up on the dressing table stool...he got up...n touched her gingerly...as she opened her eyes..."woh actually...i was uncomfortable...is position mei aaraam milta hai...thodi panting ho rahi thi...bus..."dr ashutosh held her face...n said in a voice of controlled anger n love..."nidhi...yeh bachcha mera bhi hai...so plz mujhse iske liye...tumhare liye...pareshaan hone ka huq mat cheeno...samjhi..."??n nidhi nodded...looking guilty...as ashutosh brought her back to the bed...and propped her in a sitting position...and then lay next to her...caressing her...patting her to the much needed rest...which eventually came...as nidhi drooped to sleep...and dr ashutosh had a long deep lok at her...he knew there were tough days ahead...but this time he would help her make it...for their dream...for their joy..for him..n most importantly for herself...that chubby pink baby..was just too real to remain a mere vision...
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