Kartik smiled as he listened to Kairav, who was talking about his day at school. Both were sitting on his hospital bed. More than listening he was just smiling at Kairav, lost in the innocent babble of his son.
It's been a week since he was in a hospital. His condition had improved quite a lot, and in 1-2 days, he would be discharged but he would still be required to go to the hospital everyday to get his dressings changed.
It had become an everyday routine for Kairav to come everyday in the evening to meet Kartik. Kartik more then welcomed it, they would play board games, would talk a lot, Kairav more than Kartik, and sometimes Kartik would help Kairav in his homework.
Kartik didn't care whatever activity they were doing as long as Kairav was with him. Kairav's presence was slowly reviving a warmth within him, a warmth in his heart, which had turned cold five years ago and had remained that way, until now. Kairav's presence was the only good thing in the hospital.
Kairav :- papa. Papa. PAPA !!
Kartik came out of his thoughts.
Kartik :- haa baccha ?
Kairav :- kahan kho gaye the aap ? Aapne meri koi baat bhi nahi suni.
Kairav crossed his hands, while glaring cutely at Kartik.
Kartik couldn't help but smile at his son. He looked so endearing like that. Kartik pulled Kairav towards him, kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly.
Kartik :- sorry baccha, ab main kya karta, aap itne jyada cute lag rahe the ki main bas aapko dekhta hi reh gaya.
Kartik pulled back and held his ears with his hands.
Kartik:- please apne papa ko maaf kar do.
Kairav :- it's ok Papa. Mumma bhi kabhi kabhi aise hi karti hai.
For a moment Kartik's eyes hardened before he quickly gained control of himself. Kartik knew the problem between him and Naira hadn't finished but had just started. He didn't know where it would end, if it would even end at all. But no matter what, his problems were his alone, he wasn't going to let even the shadow of them fall on Kairav.
And that's why Kartik made sure not to give any kind of reaction in front of Kairav whenever Kairav spoke about Naira. Kartik might smile a bit, but he never made any other reaction which would make Kairav suspicious.
Kairav :- papa.
Kartik broke from his thoughts.
Kartik :- haa baccha.
Kairav :- apni aankhein band karo.
Kartik :- kyun baccha ?
Kairav :- karo toh. Maine aapke liye kuch laaya hoon.
Kartik smiled and closed his eyes.
Kairav :- aur abhi jab tak main na kahoon ankhein mat kholna.
Kartik :- ok baccha.
Kartik felt Kairav going down from bed and heard some sound. He had no idea what Kairav had brought for him but whatever it would be, Kartik already knew that he was going to love it. After all for a parent to receive any kind of gift from their child was one of the best feelings in the world.
Kartik felt Kairav sitting on the bed once again.
Kairav :- ab aap apni aankhein kholo.
Kartik opened his eyes and was surprised to see Kairav holding a card and rose in front of him.
Kartik :- ye sab kya hai baccha ?
Kairav :- ye meri taraf se aapko father's day ka gift.
Kartik was shocked as he slowly took the gift. He was overwhelmed. He opened the card to see a drawing Kairav had drawn. In the drawing him and Kairav were holding hands with each other and besides them Kairav had written 'happy father's day'.
