Na Jaane Kyon...

Laayi re humein zindgani ki kahani kaise mod pe

Title is the song 'Kalank' from movie of same name

Ayush and Monty, had been playing in the garden for sometime when Bhalla aunty called them inside to have fresh juice. After gulping down tall glasses, they decided to play with Lego blocks. Simi was resting in the room when they went there.

Monty pointed at his toys cabinet, "Mummy main aur Ayush yahan race tracks bana lein?"

She nodded, smiling, "Khel lo. Juice piya tum dono ne?"

They bobbed their heads and scrambled to get the large box out before settling in the corner which was designed for Monty's games. A mat on the floor, few shelves and a large drawing board were set up so he could play while his mom could keep a watch on him. Since his grandparents were here, this area was rarely used, but today they seemed to be busy with Ayush's parents to finalise the details of the event which was just days away.

Few minutes later, Bhalla aunty entered with juice for Simi. Ayush noticed how she helped Simi aunty to get up, put a pillow behind her back to sit comfortably, then dabbed her forehead with dupatta. Looking at Monty, he asked in a concerned voice, "Teri mumma ko fever hua?"

"Nahi." Monty stated with a shake of his head.

Ayush looked back at Bhalla aunty urging her to finish the juice when she made a face after having just half of it, then asked in confusion, "Phir woh apne aap kyon nahi uthi?"

Monty glanced back at his mom, "Meri mummy jabse fat hui hain, unse utha hi nahi jaata. Lekin papa ne bola hai jab hospital se meri new sister ko le aynege tab mummy wapas pehle jaisi ho jayengi."

Ayush was confounded, "Hospital toh tab jaate hain jab fever hota hai. Wahan baby bhi milti hai kya?"

Monty fiercely nodded, "Mere papa ke hospital mein sab auntiyon ko baby milta hai... kisi ko boy kisi ko girl. Maine kaha mujhe sister chahiye toh papa ne kaha hum sister layenge."

Ayush beamed, "Mere paas bhi sister hai, Riddhi." He hunched his shoulders and snickered, "Jab hum unke ghar gaye the toh mujhe Ashu bulati thi... abhi choti hai na."

Monty shook his head intelligently, "Nahi, cousin wali nahi, mere papa real wali sister leke denge. Woh hamesha hamare ghar mein rahegi. Phir mere mummy papa uske bhi mummy papa ban jayenge."

Ayush pondered over this news before speaking, "Main papa ko bolunga tere papa ke hospital se mujhe bhi sister laake dein."

Monty chortled at his naivety,"Oye buddhu, teri mummy ko bhi jaana padega. Jaise meri jayengi. Tab hi baby milta hai."

Before Ayush could ask more questions, Monty prodded him to make a new setup with their Lego blocks, and his interest was soon into arranging the little pieces to form a structure.

Late in the evening, while the kids were engrossed in watching a movie in other corner of living room and elders discussed the impending party, Harmeet walked in with slumped shoulders.

Sinking on the sofa besides his wife, he rubbed his forehead tiredly, "Madhav, ek kadak si chai pila de yaar."

Bhalla aunty looked at him, "Aaj zyada thak gaya kya puttar? Koi surgery thi?"

"Aaj Elena ki emergency surgery karni padi. Kuch complications aa gayi thi." Harmeet informed.

Simi asked in concern, "Sab theek hai na? Vibhor aur Shikha ko bataya?"

When Harmeet nodded, she panicked, "Unki haalat toh kharab ho gayi hogi. Itni mushkil se doosri baar surrogate mili hai. Baby theek hai?"

Harmeet rubbed his face, "Shikha toh khud hi faint ho gayi thi. Thankfully Elena ka blood pressure control mein aa gaya aur surgery kar paaye. Baby premature hai lekin utna weak nahi hai."