Falling for my guiding star

Chapter 3

Anu was making breakfast but her mind was lost in the conversation of previous night.

She was shocked to discover that Ridhu felt the slight distance she maintained but in retrospect she should not. After all, he is the only one in the whole wide world who could understand her without any words.

"One.....Two.....Three....Four....."

A movement behind her suddenly jerked her out of her thoughts. She was surprised to find Ridhu and most of all astounded by his actions.

He was doing situps in front of her.

"....forty four....forty five....how much more , Anu? My leg is paining" a 13 year old Ridhaan grumbled

" Good....then you will remember your mistake and wont repeat it the next time"

"What mistake?"

"What mistake? You are asking what mistake?....You beat up a boy , Ridhu , that too very badly. What were you thinking?"

" First of all, I am not apologetic for beating him. He was teasing you for crying out loud but I agree that I may have hurt you by my actions for which I am ready to bear any punishment " he said ruefully

Saying this he again started,
" Fourty six.....forty seven...."

" You did not need to beat him for me. He does not matter. Remember, barking dogs seldom bites"

"But prevention is better than cure" he replied cheekily but then in a serious manner continued

"Nobody messes with my Anu. I will always make those rue the day for  tears you shed"

"How long should I continue....Annnuuu"  the whining brought her out from her past.

Anu herself was perplexed how in a matter of few hours, Ridhaan was able to pierce the armour which she had strictly put in place.

Maybe it is the proximity which was creating havoc with her emotions and she knew she couldnt afford any lapse. One mistake and everything will come down crumbling.

"Annnuuuu"

"Stop it , Ridhu. You are not 13"

"What does age have to do with anything? We are as we are by heart. Haven't you heart the saying age is just a number and..."

" Now are you going to write an essay on age"

"Then give me what I want.....or I can even do a phD on the same"

I stared wide eyed at his childishness but still it brought a smile on my face which I tried so hard to hide.

"Oh....oh....what am I seeing.....am I hallucinating...."

I rolled my eyes on his theatrics while my face broke out into a smile

"Yes finally a smile.."

"And you are still the same dramebaaz" I said as I punched him playfully on the shoulder.

" Did he come?...did he come..?"

A child's high pitched scream suddenly echoed around the house.

Ridhaan turned to see a boy of 5 clashing with his mother.

"Raunak....Be careful....Bachaa"

"Did he come, Dadi?"

Ridhaan could sense the excitement in his voice but more than that the twinkle in his eye and the innocent smile endeared him to the kid.

"Hi, champ"

Hearing a new voice, the kid turned towards Ridhaan but surprised them was his reaction.

He looked at Ridhaan google-eyed , then immediately hid behind Priya.

"Arree....you only wanted to meet him. What happened now?"

To Priya's question , the only answer was a shake of his head as he dug himself further into Priya's saree folds.

Chuckling at his cute antics, Ridhaan moved towards him.

"Hmmmm....someone is too shy to come to me....so how will I give all the toys that I brought"

Ridhaan said while crunching closer to him.

Hearing the word toy, Raunak looked up and with great trepidation asked,

"For me..."

All this time a small smile was playing on Anu's face but the moment she heard the disbelief in her son's voice , something broke in her.

But realizing this was not the time and place, she gathered herself.

While unknown to all the emotions flowing, a new relationship was taking root.

"Of course for you...Do you see any other kid here....but there is a condition?"

"Condition?" Raunak asked confused

"Yes....you have to become my friend...what say? Friends?"

"Friends"

Saying that they both hified each other after which Ridhaan pulled him towards himself for a hug and this time Raunak  did not hesitate at all.

"  So champ, I am...."

"I know who you are...Popeye "

"Popeye..?" This time it was Ridhaan's turn to be confused

"That is my fault" and Priya elaborated,

"One day he was really fussing over food so I told him my son is as strong as Popeye because he don't waste food"

"But Popeye,  Ma....Didn't you get anybody else?"

"You don't like Popeye but he is my favorite " said Raunak while pouting sadly.

Seeing Raunak's crestfallen face, Ridhaan rushed to control the situation

"Who said that? I love Popeye....I never thought I will find somebody who will like him just like me " he said as if it was the biggest secret of his life bringing a brilliant smile on Raunak's face.

"Yay.....Mamma look....we are same same"

His enthusiasm was so contagious that every one broke out in chuckles.

What was truly amazing for Anu was despite knowing each other from just a few moments earlier , they had become joined at hips.

She was staring at them with wonder when she heard Priya's voice.

"He deserves to know the truth" 

She immediately stiffened at the reminder but still adamantly replied,

"They are happy, Ma....Raunak is happy" she further justified

"Like you pray for your child's happiness,  I wish for mine. Yesterday I saw the dejected look on his face, the helplessness of not being able to help you. He knows you better than yourself. You were always his mirror so was he yours. Show him , Anu. I promise he won't judge instead will heal you"

"You are right ,Ma. He knows me better than myself but I too know him better than himself. There is no point of truth if it brings only pain and I can never hurt my Ridhu even unknowingly.....See there, the smile on their faces. Let it be our present and future"