TRAGEDY TO TREASURE (COMPLETED)

Chapter 24

Goals: 20 comments (important to complete for next chapter)

Soon his parents came. Greeting, talking, spending time and lunch went smoothly. After lunch, his parents went to take a rest.

In the meantime, Vaishnavi and Abhishek were in Abhishek's room. As his parents were in Vaishnavi's room.

Abhishek: I am sorry. Maa and papa are in your room. Actually, vo jab bhi aate hain. Yehi room use karte hain. Even, Siddharth used to do. Like before his marriage. Vo jab bhi aata tha. As it's 2BHK.

Vaishnavi: That's fine. But what if they saw my things?

Abhishek: I told maa that the previous night Mallika and Sumedh were here. So, they used this room. Now, just make excuse and use Mallika's name.

Vaishnavi giggle.

Vaishnavi: By the way, Reemi ko aese kab tak chupayege?

Abhishek: Siddharth ke liye I am waiting. I mean main lad sakta hoon khud bhi but I know main har hi jauga. You know main ek limit tak hi lad sakta hoon. Maa ki blackmailing main avoid nahin kar sakta.

Vaishnavi: Okay...

Abhishek: Pata hain... I know maa galat hain. Har limit cross karti hain but you know main ek sach nahin bhool sakta. She is my mother. Meri and Reem ki shaadi se pehle even shaadi ke baad. Maine dekha hain maa ko bahut sare sacrifice karte hue. You know Siddharth ne bachpan se apne parents ko dekha hain discrimination karte hue. Since childhood, he is fighting with his parents for Reem. Maine kabhi nahin kiya tha. The first time, I fought with my parent's jab mujhe Reem se shaadi karni thi. To be very frank, I cried in front of maa. Vo mujhe rote hue nahin de saki. She agreed. About shifting here, Vo bahut hurt hui thi. Still, she agreed because main stressed tha. Reem ke birth ke time hi maa chahti thi Reem ko orphanage chor aau. But maan gayi with condition ke Reem ko neither she is gonna love nor any hate. I was fine. Meri dusri shaadi ke time every girl rejected me. Mom forced me to leave Reem. That was the first time. I have seen her worst side. Uske baad nahin hui meri himmat.

Vaishnavi nodded, understanding his situation.

They sat for some time. Talking with each other.

In evening.

His parents bid them bye and left. Abhishek went to drop his parents till the car. They were waiting for the driver to come with the car.

Rehana (cupping Abhishek's face): Kyun zid kar raha hain? Baat ko samajh pata hain chote bache ke aane se phir se sab ki life me khushiya aayegi.

Abhishek: Maa jaise aapne meri reem ko mujhse door kiya. Vaise kal ko main aapse door ho jau. Kaisa lagega aapko?

Rehana: Kya bakwaas kar raha hain? Tu mera beta hain, mera khoon hain.

Abhishek: Vaise to reem bhi meri beti hain. Mera khoon hain. Mujhe is baat par seriously nahin karna discussion. Maine kabhi aapko nahin bolna ke aap Reem ki zimedari lo. Aap mujhe saza de  ke khush ho? Be happy then.

Navin (coldly): Abhishek watch your tongue.

Abhishek: Nahin bolta but sach badal to nahin jayega. Anyways, leave please.

Just then the driver came. Abhishek touched his parents' feet. They left without any other word.

Once, his parents left. He took deep breaths to calm his mind. Once, he was calm. He called Vaishnavi.

Abhishek: I am going to pick Reem.

Vaishnavi: Okay...

He left to pick up Reem. Vaishnavi started preparations for dinner.

He reached Sumedh's place. He rang the bell. Sumedh opened the door with Reem in his arms. She seems sleepy.

Sumedh: Lo aa gaye papa...

She giggles looking at him.

Abhishek (taking her in arms): Papa ko miss kiya?

She nodded with a pout.

Sumedh: Or kisko miss kiya Reemi ne?

Reem (giggle): Maa...

Abhishek and Sumedh looked at each other and then at Reem.

Abhishek (shocked): Reemi timi kisko miss kiya?

Reem (giggling): Papa maa...

She said maa for the first time. She called Vaishnavi maa. Abhishek's smile dropped as he understood who she is considering her maa. He knew Vaishnavi is perfect but still he loves Reem. For him, Reem is her mother but She is considering Vaishnavi...

To be continued...