O Saathi Rey

Chapter 20

4 years later

Apni maa ka carbon copy hai ye bilkul.

That's what everyone said, the moment they saw Rudra. He had those same big, doe-like eyes and nose like his mom, not to forget the small spot he had near his chin and cheek.

Even his behaviour was like his mom. Cheery, bubbly, always running around and zabardasti making others smile; anyone would say that he's literally her son.

But his smile. He had his dad's smile. The kind that could sparkle up someone's entire world. And he definitely got his brains from his dad, he's a bright child, something Shiva would always tease Raavi about.

The same Raavi who right now-

"RUDRA SHIVA PANDYA!" Raavi yelled from her room, hearing the laughter and running from the living room.

Both, Rudra Pandya and Shiva Pandya stood in front of her, one scared and one giving a side look to the little dhamaka who was making him run everywhere.

"Agar tumne papa ko aur bhagaya, aur ye pant nahi pehni, toh ghar pe chod ke chali jaaungi, okay?!" She fumed, throwing the pin on the dressing table, followed by her earrings.

Rudra tugged at Shiva's pant lightly, beckoning for him to come closer, like he wanted to tell him a secret.

"Chipkali toh naraaz ho gayi." Rudra whispered.

"Ae, aise nahi bolte."

"Sorry. Mumma toh naraaz ho gayi. Ab kya?"

"Ab teri iss mumma ko manata hu. Ye le, pant pehen, aur mujhe zara kam pareshaan kiya kar. Samjha? Go."

Rudra scuttled away with his pant, while Shiva prayed to god that he came back alive.

"Pin nahi lag raha toh bacche pe gussa nikaalegi kya?" He gently asked her, pinning her saree pallu to her blouse.

"It's not that. Mai irritated hoon, mujhe aur irritate mat kar." She sighed, wearing her earrings again.

Shiva turned her around, so that she was facing him. "Ye aaj ke diwali party ke baare mein hai, na?"

Raavi looked down, and then away, before answering, "Mai bas Maasi ka mann rakhne ke liye jaa rahi hu. 4 saal baad hum Mumbai se Somnath aaye, Diwali ki chutti ke liye. Aur Maasi chahti thi ki hum saath mein celebrate kare. Which is fine, lekin ye saal Diwali ki celebrations ke host-"

"Gaumbi aur Dhara bhabhi hai. Jaanta hu." He replied, looking at her. "Tujhe nahi jaana, toh hum nahi jaayenge. Diwali pe I can drive us to mere dost ka restaurant, aur hum dinner ke liye jaa sakte hai. Hume waha jaane ki zaroorat nahi hai."

"Zaroorat hai, Shiva."

"Abhi toh irritate ho rahi thi, lekin tujhe jaana bhi hai. If I remember correctly, kal se tu hi zidd kar rahi thi, ki sabko party mein jaana hi hoga. Baat kya hai?" Shiva asked, holding her hands.

"You haven't seen them in years, Shiva. Tujhe bhi mann kar raha hai unse milne ka, toh mil lenge na. Waise bhi-" Raavi began, but was interrupted.

"Maine kab kaha mera mann hai?" He cocked an eyebrow at her statement.

"Nahi hai mann?"

He nodded no.

"Toh uss din, jab Rudra ne pucha ki 'papa ki family nahi hai kya?' aur tune usse humari family photo dikhayi, toh tere aankh se aansu kyu aa rahe the?" She folded her arms, expecting an explanation.

Shiva closed his eyes, and sighed. "Dekh, it's normal for me to get emotional, theek hai? Doesn't mean I want to see them."

"Kabhi toh selfish ho jaa, yaar, Shiva!" Raavi stomped her foot in anger. "Bohot mushkil se apne aap ko manaya hai, ki hum waha jaaye. Tune toh inn 6 saalon mein unse apni shikaayat bhi nahi ki hai, Shiva."