Dor Jo Na Toote (Sloth Updates)

14

Next morning, Sirat woke up to her alarm. Turned it off before Kartik could wake up. She was also able to convince him to give her the sofa last night. Freshening up, she fixed up breakfast before turning to wake up Kairav and hurry him along his morning routine. Back in their room, Kartik drowsily fed Akshu. For a moment, her feet stuttered on the doorway at the sight. Something about his unguarded sleepy smile warmed her chest, that along with a happy gurgling Akshu and a smiling Kairav was enough. Leaving Kartik to it, Sirat returned to help arrange the dining table and prepare a fresh cup of tea for Dadi. 

Seeing off Kairav and Vatsal, Sirat rushed to change into the tracksuits. But just as she held her kit, Akshu coughed and gagged and threw up. Her priorities reorganized themselves, dropping off the kit she rushed to Akshu. Just then Kartik entered their room with his lips pressed thin, but looking at the sight instead walked over to sit at the other side of Akshu. 

Sirat (frowning)- Akshu ko ek aur baar doctor ke yahan dikha lena chahiye?

Kartik (hums)- Main Akshu ko doctor ke yahan le jata hoon, tum nikalo, Sarang tumhara neeche wait kar raha hai.

Sirat- Aaj to aapko meeting ke liye-

Kartik (nods)- Haan, bahar jana tha. Uski tum chinta mat karo main Papa se baat kar loonga.

Sirat (stands up and walks over to but stops just before picking up the kit)- Par aap-

Kartik (looking at the floor)- Tumhare coach ka mujhe message aaya tha, aaj Nationals ke form release honge. Haan, last date aane mein abhi waqt hai par tum aaj club jaogi, practice karogi, form bhaorgi, uske baad Udaipur boxing team se milne mere saath chalogi.

Before Sirat could enquire further, she's shooed off. Kartik changed Akshu out of her ruined clothes and did the same for those in her pram. Getting her ready for another visit to the hospital, Kartik informed his father and uncle of the same. The doctor slightly changed her prescription, and took few tests which all turned out to be negative, fortunately. However, it took half a day to get the test reports till then he entertained a slightly fussy Akshu in hospital garden. Once the reports were out, he messaged Sirat everything was fine, and wished her all the best for the practice. Back home, everyone sighed collectively, relieved when they came to know everything was fine with Akshu. Feeding her and giving the medicines, Kartik put Akshu to sleep. It's as he's turning the file for the next meeting that someone knocks on his door.

Kartik (looking up smiles at Gayu with a plate)- Iski kya zaroorat thi? Mujhe bula leti.

Gayu- Hum tumhein bulane wale the, par fir hum sabko laga tum aaram kar rahe hoge par tum to yahan fir kaam mein hi lage huye the. Khair koi baat nahi (placing the plate on the table before him) ab main khana le aayi hoon to tum yahin kha lo.

Kartik (hums putting away the files)- Vaise khane ke alawa aur kya baat karni thi tumhein?

Gayu (smiles, sitting beside him)- Mere chehre par likha hai kya ki mujhe tumse koi baat karni hai?

Kartik- Aisa hi kuchh. 

Gayu (nods)- Baat to karni hai... Tere aur Sirat ke beech sab thik to hai na?

Kartik (swallows the morsel)- Haan Gayu, hamare beech to sab thik hi hai par...

Gayu- Par tumhein bhi kuchh alag lag raha hai na? (At Kartik's nod) Tayiji aur Dadi ko bhi aisa hi lagta hai, jabse tum donon ki shaadi huyi hai vo kuchh band si ho gayi hai. Par fir humein laga ye shayad jaan pe khatra hone se itni pareshan hai... Aur aise mein to-

Kartik (remembers something)- Mujhe bhi is baare mein Sirat se kuchh baat karni hai. (turns to face Gayu) Tum bhi karke dekh lena, ho sakta hai koi aisi baat ho jo vo mujhe na bata paye par shayad tumhein bata de.