Behind the rigidity

Aadat se majboor

It was near the night when the preparation for dinner was going on in the Chaturvedi household.The couple were helping each other organise the things.

"Ved didn't get up till now ?" Asked Samarth.
"No I checked upon him sometime back,he was still sleeping so I didn't wake him up."
"But we have to feed him,he shouldn't sleep on an empty stomach"
"Hmm,mera bachche ne chot lagwali,it must have hurt him so much !"
"Don't worry Bhavani, he'll be okay,khelte khelte it happens,but we mustn't appear tensed in front of him,okay?warna he'll be frightened too"
"Yeah,you wait I'll bring him here"

Bhavani went inside Ved's room and sat beside him.The innocence his face radiated would have compelled anybody to refrain themself from breaking the peaceful sleep,but she knew he needed to eat for him well being.

She put her hand upon his head and a frown immediately made its way to her was feeling the unnaturally warm temperature that covered his body as her fingers brushed through his forehead.

"Ved,bachcha" she called,making Vedant snuggle with her in sleep.
"Open your eyes,Ved .Beta ."
She tensed more looking at his red lips, which always as an indicator that whenever he had fever.

"Samarth,Samarth,jaldi aiye"
Samarth came as soon as he heard his wife's strained voice,
"What happened? "
"Ved is having fever"
Samarth checked his boy in concern
"Fever ? He was fine till sometime back, isn't it?"
"Han,dekhiye na!He hurt his head now ye bukhar,Samarth I ain't getting a good feeling.Do something" Bhavani said with a choked voice.
"Please calm down Bhavani.But what shall we do now,all the doctors' chamber must have been closed till now" Samarth felt so helpless!
"Shall we call Mahir Bhai?He just stays a few lanes away "
"Yes, he's the best we can get at this time.You stay with him I'll visit his house,he must have returned from his chamber by now"
Samarth left immediately in search of their neighbour, who was their only hope in the situation.

"Bachcha,look at Mumma, please.You are absolutely safe,and you will be fine very soon" as she bent down to kiss his forehead,Ved stared at his mother with his weak little eyes.His dazed state could only recognise the safety of her mother and he reached for her more
"Mumma?"
"Han bachcha,Mumma yahin hai, where are you feeling the pain beta,mumma ko bata na" the tears she was holding escaped as she pleaded a response in his fit innocent voice,but once assured Ved just buried himself more into the warmth of his mother.And,Bhavani sat with her child cocooned under her affectionate pallu
"Papa will come just now bachcha, you're safe" she whispered soothingly.

Sometime later Samarth entered with Dr.Dutta following him.
"Mahir bhai, you're here ! Please check Ved,why is he suddenly having fever ?He will be alright na" Bhavani wanted assurances about her child.
"Bhavani,let Bhai check him please" Samarth gently guided her aside so that Ved could be examined.

"Relax, he must be fine" Dr.Dutta answered understanding the parents' concern and sat down to  assess Vedant.

Bhavani and Samarth waited with bated breath as Mahir re band aided the wound,dreading the doctor's words.
"There's nothing much to worry.As far as it appears the wound is superficial.And, talking about the fever,it might be some viral infection or because he must have been scared due to the fall."

"Vedant thik ho jayega na?"

"Han, Continue the regular ointment for his forehead and  I've prescribed some medicine, make him have it from time to time.If the temperature increases give him a warm sponging.Aur Bhavani saath mein tumhari aur Pihu ki wo special wali recipe."

"Aare baapre,Ved would recognise and make a fuss out of it even in sleep.Itna sab kuch daal ke wo doodh.In sickness also he would say,eww Mumma so yuckkyy" Samarth imitated Ved as he felt relief rush through him after hearing that his child his fine.