Just Ten Days

T'was my own heart that told me so

He was surprised to see Riddhima’s eyes just softened. “So you realised that after all” she spoke gently. “Realised what?” he asked perplexed. “Realised that you belong there and not here. Realised that your family actually needs a family. You know Omkara after all these years growing up has always been a learning experience. And when we learn about ourselves; we learn about the people around us too. You know what I have learned?” she questioned and he shook his head “that you have something with her that you never had with me or anyone else for that matter. The care that you have; the concern about her being in any kind of pain is only for her, it was never for me. You need her: Riddhima smiled.

“But she deserves the Om that I had met years ago. The loving and caring version of you. I know you will make a wonderful husband but only if you try to take that bitterness of you. All I will say is that” Riddhima neared him “try the best for her. She deserves it”.

“Wait, you aren’t anger? Sad? Nothing?” he asked. “And what will happen if I was?” Riddhima asked him. “You won’t feel the same way for me that you feel for her would you?” he spoke nothing. “There is no need for me to feel anything because there was never that spark between you and me Om that I always saw between you and her when you two would confront each other somehow. You two are like two broken pieces who can join each other like no other. So no; I would never feel bad about seeing you two happy” she smiled again.

He came in the house with a heavy hear and was leaving with a content one. Finally he was able to do something that was to be done; well at least the first step to get his family back.

“So you did break up with her?” Rudra asked. “It wasn’t a breakup actually; Om was already married and there was no relationship in between both him and Riddhima as such. His family has Gauri and it is the best the way it is; no one else is needed” Shivaay stated. “Well thank God that it was not that difficult” he commented. “I think time changes everyone; and so it did Riddhima” Rudra said. “Yeah; it changes everyone; except you” Shivaay said rolling his eyes.

“Yaar; this isn’t cool; first bring O’s inspiration back and now Chulbhul Bhabhi’s reason to live. Ek mein paas nahi hue hote toh chal bhi jaata... doosre mein na...” he cuts Rudra “don’t even complete that understand. We have no other choice but to do it anyway”. “Any plans?” Shivaay asked. “When it’s Gauri; it is never without a plan. But I cannot get the right way” he sighed. Shivaay puts his glass of juice down “you know you have tried your ways for just everything... Why not this time... try her way Om... just her way and know what it is”.

“Love” came out of his lips; because after all this; he understood what she wanted for always. Gauri has always wanted nothing but love from him. She had never asked for anything; never complained about anything except for the fact that she needed love... and that too to the tape recorder and not anyone. And this time he has to be sure that he gives his family all that he had. “Shivaay; I need your help”

She came after being discharged and hearing a earful from her sister about not caring at all about herself. She had been hearing ever since she had taken the medicine form and now too as because she requested Annika to go home and work on her upcoming project. This house was a normal 2bhk and not the mansion that they resided in; but that was okay for her because anyway she had thought to leave the mansion and if it isn’t home; any place is okay to live. There was no television but somehow Annika managed to get air-conditioners fixed if in case they needed it. This place was okay and since even after whinning Annika left Saahil and he agreed to be with his Gauri didi; she was okay here.

She was in her thoughts when suddenly the doorbell rang and she rushed to open it. “Maaa” came a chirpy voice and instantly hugged her feet. “Maasi” came a voice and hugged her second feet. “Anay.... Anaya...” she spoke softly and bent down on her knees and hugged both of them. “How are you kids” she kissed their foreheads “how are you here; come in” and took them inside. “Maa... Dada brought us here” Anaya chirped making her turn her head and look at the opened door again when he saw him locking the car.

“Hii” he simply said; not knowing what to speak. “What are you doing here?” she asked; hands folded over her chest. “I just... the kids wanted to sleep beside you hearing your lullaby so I brought them” and before she could say anything “everyone else was busy and I cannot leave the kids with the driver at this time of time of the night.... so” she nodded and he huffed. “Ummm can I come inside?” he asked. “Come... I was just going to put the kids in bed. Its night already” she left the door opened and walked off.

“Maa not without dadaa” Anaya whined. “I want Bade papa to be here too” Anay did the same. “Kids sleep today okay... I can’t call him here” she said hoping that they would understand. “No... we want him here maa... Here please! Please! Please!” Anaya requested with her joined together. She sighed “go call him” and the kids jumped off the bed and ran to him.

“Maa the Cinderella song today” Anaya said. “I don’t like Cinderella” Anay whined. “No bhai; Cinderella is good... Cinderella please bhai please” Anaya made a puppy face and Anay agreed making Omkara chuckle on how his little daughter can make anyone agree on anything.

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,
Lavender's green
When you are king, dilly dilly,
I shall be queen
Who told you so, dilly dilly,
Who told you so?
'Twas my own heart, dilly dilly,
That told me so

Gauri gently brushed Anaya’s hairs while Anay hugged Omkara almost sleeping to which he wrapped his arms back around his nephews little body.

Call up your friends, dilly, dilly
Set them to work
Some to the plough, dilly dilly,
Some to the fork
Some to the hay, dilly dilly,
Some to thresh corn
Whilst you and I, dilly dilly,
Keep ourselves warm

“Now dadaa” Anaya interrupted making Gauri  look at her and then at him. He sighed but started

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,
Lavender's green

He looked at Gauri

When I’m king, dilly dilly,
You shall be queen

Gauri started softly

Who told you so, dilly dilly,
Who told you so?

He shrugged

'Twas my own heart, dilly dilly,
That told me so.

She gently slipped Anaya’s head on the pillow beside her and stood up “where are you going?” he asked not getting up as it will lead to disturbing Anay’s sleep. “To sleep. This place isn’t mine” she answered. “Then whose is it?” he gently freed himself from the kid’s hold. “You belong here Gauri... you belong only here” he stated truthfully. “ Good night” she left making him close his eyes “I was here to talk not to stay away”

Silent readers do HIT the LIKE tab