CHAPTER 72 BACK ON TRACK
Arvind has always considered the news about unfortunate events in the society in a detached manner; he felt they would never affect them. It was changed when his elder so was caught up in one disaster. Shilpa's incident seemed to have underlined the need to change his outlook.
Arvind recalled how tensed Lokesh had been during one of their meetings a few weeks ago. And just a few days ago, he breezily mentioned that Shilpa had come back, wanting to stay in the house where her mother took her last breath and study in the nearby college. Arvind had found it strange, but let it go, thinking Lokesh would share if the issue ever got beyond his control. Now, he understood the reason. He couldn't blame Lokesh for hiding the truth: what sort of parents wouldn't want to give their child an opportunity to start anew?
Well, I would, wouldn't I? Even now, I blame him for that incident years ago, don't I? Why couldn't I forgive and move on like his mother? I am a bad parent, aren't I?
Megha's voice washed over his senses and he couldn't help rethinking his treatment of his own son. Her words were bringing up the issue in a whole new perspective and it was making him feel uneasy. He was not liking the picture of himself emerging sharper and sharper from the past as her words went on.
Did I give him the chance to explain or did I just refuse to listen when he declared his career choice? Why can't I recall anything except being infuriated by his lack of trust in my decision? Had I ever genuinely tried to understand why he chose different?
However he tried, he couldn't get a reassuring answer for that question.
No, I just kept reassuring myself that he would one day he would recognise his mistake and come back under my wings. I really wanted my son to be defeated in life so that I could prove myself right, didn't I?
Arvind felt horrible.
And now, a stranger had to show me the mirror.
Just then, the girl knelt beside him, forcing him to look into her eyes.
"Your father is a very lucky man." He whispered earnestly and caressed her head tenderly, thanking her inwardly. She smiled and replied:
"So are you, Mr Bhatnagar." She said and directed her gaze in Mohan's direction.
He was a man of few words and seldom let emotions overrule his countenance. But he couldn't help replying to the girl.
"Yes, I know it now." He admitted.
The blissful expression on his son's face as soon as he acknowledged that he was indeed lucky to have him doused the last spark of dissatisfaction in his mind. Arvind felt much lighter after years as a weight which even he didn't know existed, was removed from his conscience.
Megha too had a contented smile on her face, but she was not facing him; she was smiling on seeing happiness in Mohan's face.
Interesting. He noted curiously.
Breaking the magic of the moment, the doctor entered the room. After checking the vitals, he suggested them to sleep as Mohan is in dire need of some rest. Megha insisted she would leave with Nanhi, making room for him on the cot. But he reprimanded her authoritatively, saying he didn't want her driving at such wee hours of morning and insisted that he was comfortable on the chair. Reluctantly, she curled up beside the little girl who was still sleeping soundly and soon drifted off to sleep.
You have done something even Indu has failed to do in all these years. Is this the new chapter in Mohan's life, I wonder...
"Hope you didn't tell Ma yet." Mohan said softly from the bed, breaking his chain of thoughts.
"Not yet." Arvind replied worriedly.
"You don't worry, I'll break the news gently tomorrow." Mohan assured. "She would catch it easily during the video call even if we try to hide the truth."
"Hmm." Arvind agreed and lapsed into silence.
Mohan closed his eyes with a sigh and soon fell asleep. Arvind sat on the chair, drinking in the sight of his son, reacquainting himself after years to his close proximity. At some point of time, his eyelids also began getting heavy and he too surrendered to sleep.
He was woken up by the sound of knocks on the door. His watch showed seven am. Getting up as fast as his age permitted, he opened the door. A nurse walked in, checked the case sheet and handed over a couple of tablets to be given to Mohan when he woke up. As soon as she left, a small voice startled him:
"Who are you?" The little girl, Nanhi, has woken up and was staring at him, looking scared.
As he stood there, trying to formulate a reply, her gaze fell on Mohan and she gasped.
"What happened to Green Uncle?" She crawled out from a sleeping Megha's arms and approached Mohan's bed, eyes tearing up gradually.
"Nothing, my dear. He just fell down the stairs last night. We brought him to hospital so that the doctors can make him better." Arvind was not at all used to talking to little children and he felt silly, hearing his gruff, authoritative voice uttering endearments and baby-talk.
The child approached Mohan and touched the bandage on his left arm gingerly.
"He'll wake up, won't he?" She asked, fear evident in her tone.
"Of course, he will." Arvind was shocked by the girl's genuine affection.
"Let me show you." He said and gently shook Mohan awake.
Opening his tired eyes with a disgruntled sound, Mohan looked blankly at him for a moment. Before he could comprehend anything, Nanhi climbed up the bed with a cry of "Green Uncle!" and hugged him tightly. He let out an involuntary wince of pain, but it was overshadowed by the joy in his face. With his good arm, he hugged her back just as tightly.
Arvind approached the pair with tablets and water.
"Here. Have these."
Mohan broke the hug and obediently took the tablets and gulped them down with water.
"Who are you?" Nanhi repeated, now sounding just inquisitive, safely cocooned in her Green Uncle's arm.
"I'm his Papa." Arvind said with a slight smile.
"Oh!" Nanhi replied. She looked intimidated by him and he had no idea how to make her feel comfortable.
"What's the time?" Mohan asked, breaking his thoughts.
"Seven." Arvind replied. It felt strange to be in talking terms with Mohan again after years of indifference.
"Seven?" Mohan straightened immediately. With a slight groan, he got up.
"Easy." Arvind immediately rushed to his side and caught his uninjured arm.
Mohan took a couple of steps with his assistance and then, gaining confidence, walked to and fro on his own. Initially, there was a slight limp on his left leg, but as he continued walking, it straightened. Arvind sighed.
He no longer needs my support or guidance: He has grown strong enough to stand on his own two legs. And I failed to realise it all these years, not trusting the road he has taken.
As he watched, Mohan walked over to Megha. He stood in front of her cot stationary for a moment and then, stooped down and began shaking her awake gently.
"Let her sleep a bit more." Arvind moved forward and suggested.
By then, Megha had woken up. She sat up bolt upright on seeing Mohan.
"Do you need something Mohan? How are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere?" She hurled queries one after the other, just like Indu would do when she got tensed.
"I'm perfectly fine, Megha. And Papa is here, Guru will be back any minute. You need not worry." Mohan assured, gripping her shoulders.
Papa!
It has been ages since he had addressed him so. It had been just formal conversations between them for years, that too with Indu prompting everything. Arvind felt overwhelmed for a moment and sat down on Mohan's unmade bed near Nanhi. The child didn't shrink away; on the contrary, she approached him on her knees.
"Chachi will take care of Green Uncle just like she did last time and he'll be good soon. Don't worry." She whispered and sat down leaning on his arms, watching the oblivious couple with interest. Arvind smiled down at her angelic face and then, joined her in watching the other two.
"Today is the first day of the semester, remember?" Mohan was telling her.
"Oh, no! I'm in charge of S2 students." Megha exclaimed.
"And you need to be present early." Mohan completed the sentence. Megha nodded in reply.
"That's why I woke you up, Megha. It's just seven. You can still make it if you leave now." Mohan said.
"But-"
"No buts. You are leaving with Nanhi right now." Mohan pulled her up with his good hand and she got up reluctantly.
After making both Mohan and himself promise that they would call her if any need arised, she left with Nanhi.
Mohan walked back and collapsed on his bed as soon as they left.
"Are you okay?" Arvind asked, alarmed by his action.
"Hungry." Mohan replied with eyes closed.
Arvind couldn't help letting out a relaxed chuckle. With that, he set off in search of canteen, to feed his hungry son.
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