TRAGEDY TO TREASURE (COMPLETED)

Chapter 18

Next morning.

At the dining table. Abhishek sat for his breakfast. Vaishnavi sat beside him with Reem on her lap.

Abhishek: Dropping plan of fast?

Vaishnavi (shooking her head): No... I am here to feed Reemi.

Abhishek: Don't worry! I will do that. You go and take a rest.

Vaishnavi: No! I am good.

Abhishek stayed quiet. He started having his breakfast. Vaishnavi was feeding Reem. Reem was busy with Vaishnavi's henna. She kept looking at her hands, tracing the henna design, making voices.

Abhishek: Vaishnavi... Umm... Why you are keeping fast and all the stuff?

He asked directly. Vaishnavi looked at him. She stared at him for a few seconds, not knowing what to answer. She, herself isn't aware of the reason.

Vaishnavi: Vo... Uh... Ab...

She tried to say something but nothing came to her mind. She gulped saliva. Abhishek was silent all the time. He was waiting for her answer.

Vaishnavi (sighed): I, myself don't know. It's just I want to do it.

Abhishek nodded, not knowing what to say or how to react but somewhere, he understood her intentions.

Reem (holding Vaishnavi's hand in front of Abhishek): Papapapapapapa...

She sang with a giggle. Abhishek smiled. His eyes fell on Vaishnavi's palm. He saw his name craved on her hand with henna.

Reem (tracing her fingers on henna): Ahhh!!! Eee!!! Aagguuuuu...

Abhishek ruffles her hair. She chuckled. Soon, he had his breakfast. He was about to leave for the office when his phone rang.

Abhishek: Maa ka call. Ab phir se na bole vaha aane ko.

Vaishnavi gave him confused look. He received the call.

Rehana: Abhishek bahu ne fast rakha hain na?

Abhishek: Haan.

Rehana: Theek hain. Tu shaam ko bahu ke sath yaha aana. Pooja kar vo fast complete karegi na.

Abhishek (coldly): Late night tak meri meetings hain. Main nahin aa sakta. Maa ghar par hi rituals follow kar Vaishnavi ko bolta hoon fast complete kare. Bye maa.

Without letting her speak. He hangs up the call. Vaishnavi noticed he is angry.

Vaishnavi: Abhishek calm down. You said no. Now, don't think about it.

Abhishek (nodded): I am leaving for the office. Will try to come soon.

Vaishnavi (nodded): Bye! Take care.

Abhishek: You too take care.

He left for the office

Skips to the afternoon. Vaishnavi and reem were in the living area. Reem was crawling. When the doorbell rang. Vaishnavi opened the door. She saw Mallika standing there.

Mallika (chirped): Hey!

Vaishnavi: Hi... Come in.

They went in.

Mallika: Reemi...

Reem saw her and clapped her hands. Mallika took her in her arms, pecking her cheek.

Mallika: Because of fast, I took leave from the office. I mean I can't work for straight 8 hours without a single drop of water. At home, I was feeling hungry. So, thought to come here and divert my mind. I hope it's fine.

Vaishnavi: Of course it is.

Mallika: Yeah! We can enjoy the day together.

Reem giggle looking at Mallika excitedly.

Mallika: Let's watch a movie then?

Vaishnavi: Reemi is too young. So, I am sorry but no.

Mallika: Hmm... no worries. Shopping? Shopping chale? Reemi ke liye new dress leke aate hain.

Reem (giggle): Abababababab.

Vaishnavi: Okay... main Abhishek ko inform kar doon.

Mallika nodded. Vaishnavi informed Abhishek. The three left for shopping.

Skips to evening.

Abhishek came home to find no one. He got fresh and then prepared dinner.

After some minutes, Vaishnavi and Reem came.

Reem (looking at Abhishek): Papapapapa

Abhishek (pout): Rimi timi ko papa to chaye hi nahin hote.

Reem giggles, pecking his cheek.

Abhishek (looking at Vaishnavi with a smirk): Hungry?

She nodded with a pout.

Abhishek (teasing smile): Maine to pehle hi bola tha skip it. Upar se shopping ke liye bhi gaye.

Vaishnavi: Bas na... mujhe nahin karna skip. Or shopping. Ghar par bahut bore ho raha tha and Mallika bhi aayi to gaye hum.

Abhishek: Acha okay. Moon time 15 minutes mein hain. Fresh ho jao tum.

Vaishnavi nodded. She got fresh and came out to see Reem sleeping peacefully on Abhishek's shoulder.

Vaishnavi: Mujhe lag hi raha tha isko neend aayegi. Mallika ke sath bahut masti ki hain. Afternoon me soyi bhi nahin.

Abhishek (nodded): Main sula kar aaya isko.

Abhishek went into his room to make reem sleep properly. His phone rang. He quickly came out of his room. He noticed it was a video call from his mother. He sighed.

Vaishnavi (confused): Kya hua?

Abhishek: Maa ka video call hain. Pakka fast and rituals ke liye hoga. Acha hua Reem so gayi.

Vaishnavi nodded. Abhishek called his mother.

To be continued...