Raat Akeli Hai

𝐈𝐕. fight yet lose

❝
Saari duniya se jeetke
Mai aaya hu idhar
Tere aage hi mai haara
Kiya tune kya asar?

❞

vanraj :

And I was back on my feet within a day or two.
Sitting at the breakfast table, beside Pari, munching on boring sandwiches.

Neither of us liked it, but obviously, we did not have much of a choice.

After forcefully stuffing sandwiches in our mouths, we decided to go out for a walk.

"Dadu.. aapko sandwiches aachi lagti hai?", Pari asked candidly as we walked down the alley.
"Sandwiches? Arrey bilkul bhi nehi. Mujhe toh wahi purana desi khaana aacha lagta hai..", I said, remembering even the Desi food back at home wasn't half as good.
"Aapko pata hai.. Dadi na bohot aacha khaana banati hai!", Pari chirped in excitement.

I drew in a cold breath.
It was cold, that is why.
I wasn't regretting or missing anyone, haha.

"Woh.. unka restaurant yehi thodi dur pe hai.. chaliye na wahi se kuch kha lenge.", Pari said pouting.
She had an uncanny resemblance with Kinjal for sure, but her eyes were exactly like Anupamaa's. Kind and full of love.

I nodded with a subtle smile.
We walked down to Spice & Chutney. Pari immediately jogged down to the door of the restaurant. I paused noticing a girl stand at the glass windows of the cafe, looking in, wearing a school uniform.

"Dadu!"
"Aap andar jao.. mai aata hu.", I shouted back. Pari nodded beaming, and jogged inside.

I adjusted my coat and spectacles as I walked down to the girl.
I recognised her, Choti Anu it was.

I walked down to her and stood behind her momentarily.

"Ofcourse.. ab poti bhi mil gayi hai..", Pari was running to hug Anu into the restaurant's kitchen.
"Kabhi bhi mere aur mere Pops ke liye time hi nehi tha iss aurat ke pass. Humesha apne ex khandaan ke peeche mere Pops ke paise lutati rehti thi—"

I cleared my throat.

She paused, and then turned.

She stared at me, startled. It took her a few moments.
"Mooch wale uncle..?", She asked awkwardly. I looked down even more awkward now.
"I mean mooch less uncle.."
"Just uncle please.", I said immediately.

"Hmm.", She said looking down.
"Choti Anu—"
"Aadhya! Aadhya naam hai mera.", She snapped immediately.
I drew in a sharp breath.
"Aadhya.", I paused looking at her, her agitated form.

"See I know Anupamaa is not perfect.. I mean who even know better.", I said with a dry smile, "I spent my whole life pulling out the flaws she had. But you know there's one thing, I've known for sure.."

I took a step towards Aadhya, who looked nervous.
"Anupamaa is not a bad mother."

She looked up almost enraged.
"Tumhare liye ek baar Hindi mein translate kar deta hu.. Anupamaa ek buri maa nehi hai."
I noticed her clenching her fists.
"Yeh baat tum samajh lo aur apne Pops ko bhi samjha dena."

"Aap bhi iss aurat ke bhakt hai—"
I broke into a dry laughter, half amused.
"Bhakt? Mai? Arrey nehi nehi.. mujhe koi shauk nehi hai tumhari iss aurat ka advocate banne ka.. arrey mai toh nafrat karta hu usse. Aur use mere jeene marne tak farq nehi padhta.. lekin kya hai na beta..", I took a step back.
She glared at me.
The audacity was immense.