Strings that Connect Us

|Chapter - 4: Sunday|

“Mumma! Aap chinta mat karo. Main na! Main Anu ka pura dhyan rakhungi. Big sisters toh chotu sisters ka dhyan rakhengi na! ” She says maturely.

“Han! Mujhe pata hain. Meri guriya toh bahut hoshiyar hai hi.” Ragini says, kissing Ruhana’s head softly.

Ragini is touched that, though being 6 year old, she has a sense of responsibility towards her sister. Ruhana smiles and Ragini asks her to take a nap. The girl agrees and climbs the bed beside her sister. Covering them with the duvet, Neil and Ragini move to their room. They also change into casuals and decide to relax.

Ragini sits on the bed and is lost in thoughts. Neil pats her shoulder.

"Ab toh sab thik hain, Ragini. Ab aap kya sochne lagi?" he asks.

"Kuch nahi, Neil. Bas ye soch rahi thi ki agar bhagwan ek raasta band karta hai toh dusra raasta wo khud khol dete hai. Dekhiye na! Humne kuch nahi kia fir bhi hume Anamika mili! Ye toh bhagwan ka hi chamatkar hai." Ragini says, remembering an incident of the past.

"Han Ragini! Jo humne khoya tha, wo wapas mil gaya hume, Anu ke roop mein." Neil says.

Ragini nods affirmatively. She remembers that she was pregnant with her second child but she suffered a miscarriage due to some issues. They were longing for a second child and they found Anamika. They immediately took her into their family, taking her as the blessing sent by god.

"Jo hota hai, ache ke liye hota hai, Ragini. Chalo abhi aaram karlo." Neil says breaking her trance and they lay down to take some rest.

*****

In the evening, Ruhana and Anamika are the ones to wake up. Ruhana helps Anamika to change her dress and they run into the garden. There's a swing and it's their daily ritual to sit on the swing. Anamika climbs the swing first and Ruhana pushes it. The little girl chuckles and as the two girls are giggling, Neil and Ragini come out into the garden.

"Arey! Tum dono apna promise bhul gayi?" Neil eyes his girls.

"Noo!" the two girls shout in unison.

"Hum kuch bhi nahi bhulte, papa!" Anamika says as she jumps down the swing and they run toward their parents.

"Toh why playing on the swing? Hum toh carom khelne vaale they naa!" Neil asks.

"Yes papa! Pal aap so rahe they!" Ruhana begins to speak but Anamika barges in between telling him that they didn't disturb him.

Neil smiles and in the meantime, Ragini comes out with tea for her husband and herself and fruits for her daughters. The girls grab their bowls and begin eating the fruits. More than eating the fruits they begin to poke each other with the fork.

“Ana! Ruhana! Ye kya hain? Lag jayegi na! Nahi karo aise!” Ragini scolds them.

“Di ne kiya!” Anamika points towards Ruhana.

“Noo! She started. “ Ruhana says instantly and the two girls start poking each other.

“Bas bas! Nahi karo na aise! Lag jayegi toh fir dono rone nahi baithna!” Ragini eyes the two girls.

“Humko chot nahi lagti,mumma!” Ruhana and Anamika say in unison.

“Han bilkul! Meri bachiyan bahut brave hain.” Neil says with a smile.

“Han han! Dikhta hain mujhe! Brave se zyada na shaitan hain, aapki laadliyan!” Ragini says.

“Ab betiyan toh apne papa pe hi jaati hai na!"Neil smiled at his wife at which the lady could not help but smile.

Whilst Anamika and Ruhana hug Ronit and Ragini smiles seeing them happy. These three are the reasons of her beautiful life and the reasons for her to live.

Meanwhile, Neil's phone rings. He descends Anamika on the floor and attends the call. He's tense at the moment hearing the caller and later convinces the person that he will manage the thing.

To Be Continued.

Whose call did Neil receive?

Stay tuned.