Na Jaane Kyon...

Kuch toh hai tujhse raabta

Ayush was thrilled to see Sameer at the reception. With his bag swinging on his back, he came running, and jumped into Sameer's open arms.

"Happy birthday, Ayush." Holding him tight, Sameer kissed both his cheeks.

"Correct wish kiya na? Jaise tumne mujhe kiya tha." He grinned.

"Ekdum same. Thank you. Aap mujhe surprise dene ke liye aaye ho? Naina ne bola? Kyonki main aapko miss kar raha tha?" Though Ayush was always cheerful, today his exuberance was at another level.

"Main bhi aapko miss kar raha tha isliye aaya hun." Sameer pinched his cheek, filled up with affection for the little boy who, like sunshine, exuded warmth every time he met.

After securing the seat belt once they were seated in the car, Sameer brought out a gift, "Yeh tumhare liye."

"Gift! Wow. Abhi toh meri party start bhi nahi hui aur aapne pehle hi gift de diya. Thank you. Main open kar lun?" Ayush carefully held the wrapped packet.

Getting the approval from Sameer, he quickly tore off the cover, and squealed to see a huge chocolate, "Itna big wala! Yeh toh bohot saare days tak khatam nahi hoga. Thank you, Naina ke sir."

"Achha yeh batao sabse pehle kisne wish kiya tumhe?" Sameer asked as they drove towards home.

"Naina ne. Jab mujhe subah uthaya toh first wish kiya. Uske baad, jab main neeche aaya tha, yahan aane ke liye, toh Bhalla uncle aur aunty ne wish kiya. Phir aapka phone aaya. Aur yahan aake toh sabne happy bday sing kiya mere liye, Smita ma'am ne bhi. Aur dekho, Smita ma'am ne new colour box diya, book ke saath." Ayush quickly opened his bag to show the gifts he had received.

"Very good. Ab toh tumhare paas bohot saare colours ho gaye. Abhi aur gifts bhi milenge." Sameer smiled.

"Haan. Shaam ko mere friends layenge na. Bada mazaa ayega. Aap bhi aaoge na party mein?" Ayush looked at him.

"Main toh abhi hi chal raha hun tumhare saath... aur ghar pe hi rahunga." Sameer flicked his brows at him.

"Sachiiiii. Kitna mazaa ayega. Isliye mujhe bday achha lagta hai. Sab aate hain." Ayush clapped in excitement.

"Achha yeh batao, jahan tum pehle rehte the... Agra mein... wahan se kisi ka phone nahi aaya?" Sameer asked casually.

Ayush narrowed his eyes, as if in deep thought, then gave him a puzzled look, "Wahan kiske paas hamara number hai?"

Sameer glanced at him, "Koi uncle aunty, ya cousins, koi chacha, mama, bua... sab honge na wahan."

"Nahi. Aise logon ko main nahi jaanta. Hamare ghar ke paas jo uncle aunty rehte the unka phone toh kabhi bhi nahi aata." Ayush stated.

Sameer was a little surprised. Maybe the relatives lived in other cities. But they could still call up... at least on birthdays. He asked again, "Wahan tumhare ghar koi toh aata hoga na... uh... tumhare mummy papa ke jaane ke baad."

Ayush thought for a while, then widened his eyes, "Kuch log aate the. Pehle toh woh hamare ghar mein hi rahe the thode din jab mumma papa gaye the... phir kabhi kabhi aate the. Old wale, Bhalla uncle jaise. Lekin woh good nahi the."

"Kyon? Tumhe kuch kaha kya unhone?" Sameer frowned.

Ayush made a disgruntled expression, "Mujhe nahi. Sab log bas Naina se baat karte the. Lekin unke jaane ke baad Naina roti thi. Mujhe bilkul achhe nahi lagte the woh log. Mujhko bhi gusse se dekhte the."

Sameer was filled with rage at whoever those people were. Relatives or acquaintances, they were the reason of Naina's tears... maybe her bitterness too. And how could they be annoyed with Ayush...