Ghar Ho To Aisa

Chapter 3

Aarav emerged from the room and found his parents engrossed in a film on the television. He made his way towards them and settled down on the floor in front of them.

Vineet questioned, "Aarav neeche kyu baithe?"

Ruhana smiled and interjected, gently placing her hand in his hair, "Kyuki isko pasand hai."

Aarav nodded in agreement, resting his head on his mother's lap while she affectionately ran her fingers through his hair.

Vineet lightly tapped his shoulder, "Tumhe room mein hona chahiye."

"Manvi so gayi hai, aur subah hi uthegi. Aur mujhe aise hi baithna hai. Aapko dikkat hai to aap jayie sone," Aarav responded, adjusting himself for more comfort.

RuVi exchanged smiles at his words. Aarav's eyes welled up with tears as he confessed, "Aap nahi jaante itne saal maine kitna miss kiya ye sab... US mei paisa toh hai par apno ka sath nahi hai."

"Janta hun Aarav. Jab tum Mumbai aaye they, job lagne ke ek saal ke andar hi... samajh gaya tha main," Vineet replied, his voice filled with understanding.

Looking up at his father, Aarav expressed remorse, "I am sorry jab aapko meri zaroorat thi main nahi tha aap dono ke paas."

"Nahi Aarav. You were always there for us. Agar hum waha nahi jaate toh kaise jaante tum humse kitna pyaar karte ho," Vineet assured, wiping away his tears.

"Kabhi nahi. Tumhare alawa hai hi kaun aur tumhe ab Manvi pe zyada dhyan dena chahiye," Ruhana suggested, her voice tender.

Aarav looked at her earnestly, "Maa aap kya keh rahi ho? Main khayal rakhta hun uska."

"Rakhte ho, par iss waqt uske saath..." Ruhana's words trailed off.

"So rahi hai, aur uthegi toh I will be there for her. Filhal mujhe aap dono ke saath baithna hai," Aarav insisted, resting his head on her lap once more as they continued watching the movie together.

After a while, he drifted off to sleep. Vineet glanced at his son's peaceful face and chuckled, "Lo yahi so gaya."

"To uthake le jao kamre mein," Ruhana teased.

"Janab ab bache nahi hai," Vineet reminded her.

"Acha, par mere liye ab bhi wahi masoom sa Aarav hai. Yaad hai tumhe jab hum ise pehli baar ghar laye they?" Ruhana reminisced, running her fingers through his hair.

"Haa, achi tarah se," Vineet replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

20 years ago, Ruhana and Vineet found themselves at a roadside dhabba. As they placed their order, Ruhana's gaze wandered to a corner where a 5-year-old boy sat, selling bangles alongside an old, torn book.

Vineet followed her gaze and inquired, "Tumhe bangles chahiye?"

Ruhana smiled softly, "Haan, chalo lete hai," though her intention was to help the child.

Approaching the boy, Vineet bent down to his level, noticing the book beside him. "Ye kitab tumhari hai?" he asked.

The boy looked up innocently, "Nahi, wo udhar school mein jo teacher hai unhone mujhe di hai. Dekhna, ek din main bhi school jaunga aur bahut bada aadmi banunga. Lekin koi chudiyan leta hi nahi hai, aap lelo," he said, offering the bangles.

Vineet was touched by his words. "Naam kya hai tumhara?" he inquired.

"Main jahan rehta hun na waha sab mujhe piddi bulate hai. Jab school jaunga toh naam rakhunga," the boy replied with an innocent smile.

Suddenly, a drunk man approached, shouting at the kid. "Kya time pass kar raha hai? Kitni baar kaha hai is kitab ko fek!" he yelled, snatching the book and throwing it away. The boy burst into tears as Vineet confronted the man, "Kya tarika hai ye?"