It had been two months since Jagrav went to Bangalore. He returned last night but didn't inform Diya. He wanted to surprise her.
He was jogging in the locality park when he saw Divay's grandmother. He knew her well by now. But he didn't see Divay anywhere. That's when his gaze fell on the kids where Divay was playing happily among the other kids.
He went to sit beside the old lady.
"Namaste aunty."
"Arre namaste beta. Kaise ho?"
"Thik hu aunty. Aaj ye inn ke saath kaise?"
She smiled and said.
"Khud aaye bulane. Ki ek player kam pad rha hai. Kitna khush lag rha hai aaj."
Jagrav smiled. It was true. And he was happy that Divay was mingling with kids of his own age.
He sat there with his grandmother for some time before getting up and continuing his jogging again.
When he came back to the same place she wasn't there. He thought that maybe she went back but then her gaze fell on both her and Divay where he was earlier playing.
That's not what got his attention. It was the yelling of the other kids' moms. He didn't have to go much closer to hear what they were saying.
"Tum logo ko kaha hai na ki iss ladke ke saath nhi khelna. Phir kyu khel rhe the?"
One of the moms was scolding the kids. Jagrav frowned. He was about to interfere when he heard the voice he had fallen in love with. What was Diya doing here?
"Kya ho rha hai yaha?"
She asked coming towards them. Jagrav's eyes widened when he saw Divay run to her and launch himself in her arms sobbing. He could see his body shaking even from a distance. His heart ached seeing the little boy like that.
"Apne bete ko samjha lo hamare bacho ke saath na rehne ko. Hum nhi chahte unki sangat kharab ho."
Diya frowned holding Divay close to her rubbing his back trying to calm him. He was scared. Jagrav on the other hand went blank. Son? Divay was her son? Why did she never tell him she had a son?
"Kyu? Kya problem hai Divay mai jo aapke bacho ki sangat kharab kr ske?"
"Ab maa aisi hai toh bacha bhi aisa hi hoga na. Characterless!"
Diya felt her breath stuck in her throat. She knew they gossiped about her being not married and having a baby but this!
"Wh-what did you say?"
"Wahi jo sach hai. Baap kaha hai iss ka? Hum kaise kisi aise ko apne bacho ke saath khelne de jiske baap ka kuch ata pata hi nhi hai. Kya pata kiska khoon ho? Ab bache mai apne khoon ke gunn toh aate hai na."
The woman didn't know logic. But Diya had to take care of Divay first. He put him in her mother's arms and asked her to take him home.
"Aap mere bete ko rokengi apne bacho ke saath khelne se? Mai hi Divay ko inke saath nhi khelne dungi. Mai nhi chahti mere bete ki sangat aise bacho ke saath reh kr kharab ho jinhe ghar mai ye sab sikhaya jaa rha hai."
She said and turned to leave when she heard another woman speak.
"Waise hai kaun iska baap? Ya tumhe bhi nhi pata? Aise kitne ke saath muh maara tha?"
Tears formed in her eyes. How can someone think so low of anyone?
She let a tear fall but before she could turn and answer back she heard a voice that made her blood run cold. No! He couldn't be here.
"Diya?"
Jagrav jogged towards her and stood in front of her hiding her from the ladies. He wanted to smash their heads in the wall but he had to handle his woman first.
"Jagrav?"
She whispered and looked at him as if he was a ghost.
"What are you doing here? Ghar chalo!"
He said and she looked at him frowning. He then turned to the shocked ladies pretending to notice them just now.
"Oh I am sorry! I have to take Diya away. You must be thinking who I am. I was actually out of town since some time. Recently wapas aaya hu. Hi! I am Divay's father."
Diya looked at him wide eyed. Did he just claim himself as Divay's father? No questions asked? No conditions applied? Just like that?
He turned to her and whispered softly only for her to hear.
"Let's go! Divay needs you right now."
He held her hand and she just followed him while directing him towards her home.
They were on her floor in the corridor when she held his hand tighter coming to a stop and called him. He without any word crashed his lips on hers.
She kissed him back with tears flowing down her eyes. She clutched his hair pulling him impossibly closer.
"I missed you so much. We'll make up for it later. Divay comes first."
He said and again started moving forward and she called him again. He smiled at her and cupped her face.
"I am with you!"
That's all she needed. For him to be with her. For him to trust her.
Divay ran to hug her as soon as Diya entered. Her mother noticed Jagrav behind her but didn't comment for the time being.
"Mumma! Koi kyu mere saath nhi khelta? Kyu mujhse baat nhi krta?"
"Kyunki sab bad babies hai. Mera Divay good baby hai na? Aur good babies aise nhi rote. Good babies brave hote hai."
She said wiping his tears and he looked at her with his big teary eyes.
"Mere papa kaha hai? School mai bhi sab babies ke papa unke saath rehte hai. Nanu aapke papa hai aur wo bhi aapke saath rehte hai. Mere papa mere saath kyu nhi rehte?"
Diya didn't know what to answer. She took a deep breath before looking at him and smiling softly.
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