FF : Dil Ibaadat

Chapter - 2 | Doubts, Fear, Hesitancy

Rama was setting the table for breakfast when Ramesh came with a newspaper and on seeing the empty chairs, he said, "Nikki abhi tak uthi nhi ?"

Rama looked at the clock and said, "8 baj rhe hai. Aa jayegi thodi der mein... kal to vaise bhi bohot der se soyi thi."

"Aaj to usne Aastha madam se milne bhi jaana haina ?", Ramesh asked.

"Haanji... jaane se pehle aakhri baar ke liye milne jayegi Nikki", Rama replied.

"Kal ke baad ye ghar soona-soona ho jaayega... meri Nikki aur Gulab-jamun chale jaayenge...", Ramesh said being a little bit emotional.

"Dekhiye... bura to mujhe bhi lag rha hai. Lekin aap ye bhi to sochiye, humari Nikki kitni badi ho gyi. Vo apna sapna poora karne akele Delhi jaa rhi hai. Aur is baar uske papaji bhi uske saath hai", Rama said with a faint smile.

Ramesh got reminded of an incident and said expressing displeasure with himself, "Pichli baar to use meri vajah se apne hi ghar se..." 

Before he could complete Rama said calming him, "Ji dekhiye, ab purani baato ko yaad karke koi faayda nhi. Aapko aapki galti ka ehsaas hai, yeh hi bohot badi baat hai aur Nikki ne bhi to aapko maaf kardiya haina."

Ramesh looked towards her and said, "Maine tere saath bhi to bohot bura vyavhaar kiya tha. Mujhe to kabhi-kabhi aisa lagta hai ki maine jo kiya uske baad main maafi ke layak hi nhi hu. Apni hi beti ki shaadi zabardasti...aur...aur doosri b..."

"Bhalla ji... chodiye na in baato ko. Aap ye sochiye ki humari Nikki firse ek nayi shuruat krne jaa rhi hai. Use hum sabka saath chahiye. Aur use Mimi ko bhi to sambhaalna hai. Vo kabhi kisiko samajhne nhi deti pr main jaanti hu... use Mimi ki sabse zyaada chinta hai. Nikki uske liye kuch bhi kr skti hai", Rama said controlling her tears.

"Haan Rama, main...main bhi jaanta hu, Nikki Mimi se bohot pyaar karti hain k...kyunki...", words chocked in his throat.

"Sambhaaliye khud ko Bhalla ji, Nikki abhi aati hi hogi... vo aapko aise dekhegi to uska dil dukhega.", Rama said sopping up her own tears.

"Good molning Naanu-Naani", a voice came from the stairs.

Ramesh wiped off his tears and then composing himself, he looked towards the stairs. There, Mimi was standing with her teddy bear.

"Meri Gulab-jamun uth gayi ?", Ramesh said walking towards her and taking her in his arms.

"Haan meli ninni poori ho gyi, ab mele pet mein choohe daul lahe hain ", Mimi whined.

"Chalo fir jaldi se naashta kar lete hai, fir choohe shaant ho jayenge", Ramesh said settling himself on chair and Mimi on his lap.

Rama smiled seeing them.

"Mumma aaj naashte mein kya bana hai", Anokhi asked while descending down the last stair.

"Aaj to aaloo ke paraanthe banaye hai", Rama replied.

"Alle vaah palaanthe", Mimi clapped gleefully.

"Veerji chale gaye ?", Anokhi asked while sitting on the chair.

"Haan Raja to aaj jaldi chala gya office. Uski meeting haina aaj manager ke saath", Rama replied while serving the paraanthas.