Samaina FF : Pyaar Hua, Chupke Se

Part-9 (The Reliable One)

The sun was gradually dropping in the western sky, spreading a warmth orange tinge.. Looking at that direction, Naina was thinking about her developing bond with Sameer.. It had been nearly one month after their official friendship.. During these days they became more comfortable with each other.. Even though there was no proper communication like last time, the interaction between them was not ceased.. Little talk, delivering smiles to each other, exchanging small gestures, etc became a regular affair.. During this period, Sameer sent three more chits to Naina expressing his desire to meet her again, but Naina couldn't manage her time for her continuous exam.. Finally, her exam ended yesterday.. Now, she should make plan for their second meetup, she thought and a smile crept up on her lips realising her own alacrity for spending time with him..

Soon it grew dark.. The street lights flicked on, so was in Naina's house except one room.. Peeping in, she frowned once, then stepped inside her mother's room and switched on the light.. Bela was laying on her bed facing her back to Naina..

Approaching near her, she sat down on the edge of the bed.. Being worried, she started stroking Bela's forehead and asked, "Aapki tabyaat kharab hai kya? Iss waqt so rahi hai.."

"Jyada kuch nahi hai beta, thoda sa sar dukh raha hai.." Bela replied in a weary voice..

"Aap na uthke kuch kha lijiye phir dawai lena hai.." Naina's voice cut abruptly as preeti came behind her asking worriedly, "Kaunsa dawai? kya hua mummy ko?"

"Sardard ho raha hai mummy ko.. Tu idhar hi beith mein jaake khana aur medicine le aati hun.."Naina was about to leave the room when Bela said in a weak voice, "Maine dawa li hai kuch der pehle.. Tum dono chinta mat karo.. Thodi der so jaungi toh thik ho jaungi.."

"Pakka aapne dawai liya hai na? aur khana?" Preeti inquired for confirmation..

"Haan baba le liya hai.. aur khana bhi toh khaya tha na dopeher ko.. Aab tum dono jao aur mujhe sone do.." Bela replied..

"Accha aap so jaiye.. Aagar aapko kuch chahiye ho toh bula lena.." looking at her mother, Naina stated but didn't get any reply from Bela as slumber filled her sense by then..

"Yaar papa ko aaj hi kyun jaana tha.. Mummy ke liye tension ho rahi hai mujhe.." Preeti spoke up in a tensed voice after stepping out from the room.. Anand and Rakesh left for Ahmedabad that afternoon on an argent call from their elder brother.. The sisters were already displeased on their father's sudden departure, now, their mother's ill health made them tensed..

"Tu tension maat le.. Mummy ki neend puri ho jaayegi toh dekhna woh ekdum thik ho jaayegi.." Naina tried to ease her sister's tension though she herself couldn't trail off her anxiety.. They spent some more time doing nothing specific.. The evening seems extremely calm as there was no hustle bustle in kitchen for Bela's sudden illness.. Even the two sisters were doing their works silently.. however, the calmness broke by the shrill sound of door bell.. Preeti found Shefali standing outside as soon as she opened the door..

"Bhabhi aap iss waqt!!" Preeti's eyes shone bright at the sight of her bhabhi.. Hearing Preeti's excited voice Naina came to the door to see the visitor and welcomed her with a bright smile..

"Kyun, main nahi aa sakti kya?" Shefali smilingly said once she sat down..

"uski kehneka matlab hai ki aap ne pehle kabhi isi waqt aayi nahi na.. issi liye.." Naina reasoned on behalf of Preeti..

"Hua yeh hai ki chachaji ne toh pehle hi hume kehke gaya tha aaj raat tumhare yahan pe rukne ko.. aur Arjun ko bhi aaj wapas aane mein bohot late ho jayega toh maine socha ke kyun na abhi se hi chali aaun.." Shefali explained..

"Bohot accha kiya aapne bhabhi.. aaj na hum jaam ke gappe ladayenge.." Preeti exclaimed in a chirpy tone..

"Wo toh hai.. par chachiji kaha pe hai?" Shefali queried, searching for Bela..