◍•𝑨𝑵𝑼𝑩𝑯𝑨𝑽'𝑺 𝑷𝑶𝑽•◍
Today, the alarm marked the beginning of a new day. I tiptoed into Aarush's room, ensuring his peaceful sleep before retreating to get ready. As I headed towards the kitchen to prepare breakfast for him, Dadi intercepted me with a plate of Prasad.
"Ye le Prasad," she said, and I took it, partaking in the morning ritual by accepting aarti from her plate. Dadi, however, had other thoughts. "Isliye mein kehti hun ek biwi le aa apne liye, itni subha roz uthkar nasta nahi banana hoga."
I replied with a smile, "Dadi, aap to jaanti hai na Aarush ko roz subah humare haath ka bana breakfast pasand hai."
She responded, "Jaanti hun lekin teri biwi hogi to vo sirf Aarush ke liye nahi balki sabke liye khana banayegi."
I retorted, "Dadi, khana banane ke liye chef hai ghar mein, aur aapko koi aur chahiye."
She attempted emotional blackmail, "Koi aur thodi teri biwi, mujhe to lagta hai bina teri biwi dekhe hi mujhe yaha se jaana hoga."
I replied, "Dadi, abhi to aap bahut young ho, meri biwi kya aap to Aarush ki biwi bhi dekhoge."
In a sad tone, she uttered, "Kab jab bhagwan mujhe apne pass bula lega tab."
Angrily, I responded, "Bilkul bhi nahi, aur aap kya baar baar upar jaane ki baat karte rehti ho, aap janti ho na mujhe bilkul acha nahi lagta."
She acknowledged, "Jaanti hun, lekin zindagi ka kya bharosa is pal hun aur agle pal nahi."
I said in an annoyed tone, "Kya Dadi, subha subha koi aese baat karta. Acha, aap vo sab choro, aap batao kya khayengi, hum bana dete hai."
She concluded, "Jo Aarush ke liye bana Raha hai wahi kha lungi." After this playful banter, I swiftly proceeded to prepare breakfast.
After breakfast, Aarush and I went to the office together. You might be wondering why he comes with me instead of staying at home. Well, it goes back to a time when my mom wanted to send Aarush to an orphanage.
Flashback
The air in the living room hung heavy with grief as Mom and I grappled with the loss of my brother Rudransh and Neha Bhabhi. Aarush, my nephew, played innocently nearby, blissfully unaware of the emotional tempest brewing in the hearts of the adults.
The confrontation that ensued between my mother and me was charged with raw emotion. My voice, laden with anger and disbelief, cut through the somber atmosphere as I questioned her decision to send Aarush to an orphanage.
Her response reverberated with bitterness, slicing through the air like a sharp blade.
"Aarush, Neha ka beta hain, aur mere hisab se, Neha ne is parivar mein bad luck layaa. Rudransh ne Neha se shaadi karke apne aap ko mujhse door kar liya, aur Neha ke wajah se Rudransh chale gaya."
My attempts to rationalize fell on deaf ears.
"Toh Aarush ko orphanage kyun bhejna chahti ho aap? Neha bhabhi ko Rudransh Bhai ki maut ka ilzaam dena sahi nahi hai. Yeh ek haadsa tha, uske liye hum use zimmedaar nahi thahra sakte. Aur usme sirf bhaiya hi nahi bhabhi ki bhi maut hui hai"
I argued, seeking reason in the midst of our collective sorrow.
But my mother remained steadfast, anchored in her beliefs. "Main is feeling ko nahi nikal sakti. Neha ne bad luck laaya, aur Aarush mujhe hamesha uski yaad dilata hai."
The aftermath of that confrontation marked a profound shift in our relationship. I found myself distancing from my mother.
Flashback End
When Rudransh Bhai and I were young, Mom never had much time for us, busy with her kitty parties. But now, after what she did to Aarush, I couldn't bear to be around her. To make sure Mom didn't repeat this with Aarush, I officially adopted him as my son. So, he comes with me to the office every day, away from the memories that could hurt him.
There's Another reason why he accompany me, after Bhaiya and Bhabhi's unfortunate departure, Aarush changed. He stopped talking to anyone, creating a silence that echoed our grief. We tried several babysitters, hoping to find someone he'd connect with, but Aarush didn't welcome anyone. His reaction was consistent - hiding or seeking refuge with Dadi.
Every new face triggered his tears, as if he didn't want people around him. It became clear that he felt comfortable and happy with me. Even with Dadi, his mischievous nature made it challenging for her to manage him. Leaving Aarush with her would be difficult for both of them.
So, my little champ and I became inseparable. Aarush found solace in my company, and together, we navigated the challenges life had thrown our way.
After wrapping up some office work, Aarush and I decided to head to the same cafe for lunch, the place where we encountered that lady. The plan was simple - wait for her, apologize for yesterday's mishap, and perhaps confirm if she played a role in Aarush speaking again.
I'm aware of the slim chances of her showing up. We don't know if she lives nearby, works in the vicinity, or if her visit yesterday was entirely coincidental. But one thing I've learned - if it's meant to be, it will happen.
Anubhav, with a sense of hope and anticipation, enters the cafe with Aarush by his side.
With a sense of relief, she finally walked into the cafe after what felt like an eternity of anticipation. Aarush and I approached her, and I introduced myself with a sheepish smile, "Hey, I'm Anubhav, Aarush's dad. Kal jiske karan aapka khana waste ho gaya."
Haseena, her gaze shifting from Aarush to me, responded with a friendly acknowledgment, "Well, hello Mein Haseena, and it's okay isme aarush ki koi galati nahi thi."
Anubhav, trying to ease the situation, extended a gesture of goodwill, saying " Aaj ka aapka lunch humari taraf se, kal aarush ne jo bhi kiya uske liye"
Haseena, after a brief pause, accepted the gesture with a nod, and we proceeded to make amends over a meal.
I asked Haseena to wait at the table with Aarush while I placed the order. At the counter, my gaze kept drifting back to them, observing the rare sight of Aarush smiling, something reserved for very few.
As I approached the table with the food, I couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Haseena connected with Aarush. Throughout the meal, she entertained him, making it seem like an art form only she had mastered. It struck me-she was different, unlike any other person I had seen with Aarush.
After the meal, as Haseena prepared to leave, Aarush, who was usually reserved, made a crying face. She leaned in, planting a kiss on his cheek, and bid her farewell. As she left, Aarush uttered, "Wo chali gayi," and this time, I heard him. Happiness flooded over me; it was the first time Aarush had spoken, a breakthrough I hadn't thought possible until that very moment.
After that I really wanted to hear aarush again so I again asked him, "Aarush abhi tumne kya bola, kon chali gayi."
I couldn't believe my ears when Aarush responded to my question. "Haseena," he uttered, and a surge of emotions ran through me. It was like a tiny victory, a step towards unlocking his world.
Eager to explore this newfound communication, I prodded further, "Aarush, ek baar aap papa bol sakte ho?" But this time, Aarush fell silent, leaving me to contemplate the significance of that one word.
As I observed him, a realization dawned upon me - there was a connection between Aarush and Haseena, something that went beyond mere words. Making a mental note to delve deeper into this mystery, I reassured myself, "No matter what it takes, I'll make Aarush speak again."
But in the present moment, my focus shifted to bringing joy back to Aarush, who seemed a bit sad about Haseena's absence.
In an effort to cheer up Aarush, I knelt down to his eye level and gently spoke, "Aarush, udas mat ho. Hum Haseena se phir milenge, aur is baar Haseena tumhare saath aur bhi time spend karegi." A small, hopeful smile graced Aarush's face as he nodded in acknowledgment. It was a heartening sight, witnessing a glimmer of joy returning to his eyes.
As I reassured him about the prospect of meeting Haseena again, There was something special about her presence that resonated with Aarush, a key to unlocking the barriers that held back his words.
I instructed one of my trusted associates,
"Haseena ke baare mein aur jaankari nikalo - voh kahan rehti hai, kaam kya karti hai, jo bhi mil sake. Aarush ke liye voh bahut important hai "It was a quest fueled by a desire to bring back the sound of Aarush's voice.
______________________________
Hope you like this part, please do hit the star 🌟 button and add this story to your reading list.
See you in the next chapter.
Love you all pretty people ♡.