Once upon a time in the quaint little town of Kasauli, where the air smelled like pine trees and the Wi-Fi signal was as elusive as a unicorn, lived our quirky Sharma Family. 🌲📶
Prerna, the feisty yet perpetually frazzled housewife, had a secret...
The next morning, Prerna stirred from her sleep to find Rishav already up and about, dressed for work. She blinked away the remnants of her sleep, realizing she had overslept.
"Rishav Ji, wait," she called out, her voice laced with urgency. "I'll make you some jam bread for breakfast. You can't go without eating. You have already skipped dinner last night. Just give me five minutes!"
Rishav paused at the door, his hand hovering over the knob, his eyes filled with unshed tears as he was once again reminded of Nayan's outburst, the tears in her eyes and hurt in her little voice, the day before. He felt guilty at being unable to give Nayan what she wants, what she deserves and making her upset.
"I.. I am already running late," he replied, his tone rushed. "I've got.. got to pick up a.. yeah.. yes.. yes.. um.. a.. a tourist.. yes.. a tourist, Ji."
Prerna furrowed her brows, knowing well enough that Rishav rarely left without sharing his schedule with her. But she couldn't muster the courage to confront him, not after the tension that had simmered in their otherwise Happy family since Nayan's outburst the day before. With a heavy heart, she watched him leave, unable to meet his gaze as he hurried out the door.
Left alone in the silence of the morning, Prerna made her way to the washroom, to freshen up and start her day, determined to mend the strained relationship between father and daughter.
"Nayan, sweetheart," she began gently, kneeling beside her daughter's bed. "What you said to your papa yesterday wasn't fair."
Nayan's eyes, still heavy with sleep, met Prerna's gaze with a mixture of defiance and confusion. Ignoring what Prerna said, she accepted the offered ice cream from her mother, her lips curling into a small smile at the unexpected treat.
Prerna settled herself beside Nayan, the warmth of their bond enveloping them like a comforting blanket.
"Let me tell you a story," she said, her voice soft yet resolute. "It's about a superhero Papa, just like yours."
Nayan's interest piqued, her skepticism momentarily forgotten as she leaned in closer, eager for her mother's tale.
"This superhero Papa may not have abs like the ones you see in movies," Prerna began, her words weaving a tapestry of love and admiration.
"But he's strong in ways that matter. He works tirelessly to provide for us, to make sure we have everything we need. And most importantly, he loves you more than anything in this world." Nayan listened intently, her eyes wide with wonder as she hung on to every word of her mother's story.
Prerna's eyes softened at the sight of her daughter listening intently while taking small bites of her ice cream as she continued, her voice carrying a weight of emotion that transcended mere words. "He's more than a superhero, Nayan. Do you know, when you were about to come into this world, we were faced with a challenge?"
As Prerna spoke, the scene around them shifted, transporting them both into a vivid flashback. Prerna's heart raced as she relived the frantic moments of that fateful day.
---
In the flashback, Prerna clutched her swollen belly, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as pain seared through her body. Rishav's eyes were wide with panic as he frantically scanned the deserted street for any sign of a taxi.
"Prerna Ji, we need to get you to the hospital." He urged, his voice tinged with desperation. The town, usually alive with the sounds of nightlife, lay eerily silent beneath the blanket of darkness. Not a single taxi prowled the empty streets, their absence a stark reminder of the isolation that surrounded them. But Rishav refused to be deterred. With determination burning in his veins, he flagged down passing cars, his pleas for help echoing into the night.
Rishav's attempts to hail a lift were met with indifference at best and hostility at worst. Some passersby even hurled abusive words at him, their lack of empathy cutting through him like a knife.
Prerna's grip tightened on Rishav's shirt as she looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination.
"Rishav Ji, promise me," she pleaded, her voice barely a whisper amidst the chaos. "Promise me you'll save my child, no matter what."
Rishav's heart constricted at the raw vulnerability in Prerna's eyes, but without hesitation, he clasped her hand firmly in his own.
"I promise," he vowed, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging within him. "I'll get you to the hospital, and I'll bring both you and your child back safely."
Just when he thought all hope was lost, a familiar figure emerged from the shadows. It was Nitin Bhai, the auto driver they knew from their neighborhood, his weathered face illuminated by the soft glow of the streetlights. Rishav's heart soared at the sight of him, relief flooding his senses like a tidal wave.
"Nitin Bhai Ji," he called out, his voice hoarse with emotion.
"Please, you have to help us. Prerna Ji, she's in labor." Nitin Bhai's eyes widened in concern as he took in the scene before him. Without a moment's hesitation, he nodded, his expression a portrait of unwavering resolve.
"Of course, Rishav Bhai," he said, his voice a steady beacon of hope in the darkness.
"I'll get you to the hospital, Ji." With a silent prayer on his lips, Rishav helped Prerna into the waiting auto, his touch a source of strength amidst the chaos of the night.
As Nitin Bhai revved the engine, the sound a symphony of urgency in the stillness of the night, Rishav's gaze met Prerna's, a silent promise passing between them. He took Prerna's hand in his own and hesitantly hugged her sideways, while she unknowingly put her head on his shoulder leaning towards him for support and comfort.
"You'll be okay," He whispered, his voice a whispered vow against the backdrop of the city's silence.
"I'll bring you both back safely, I promise." And as the auto pulled away from the curb, leaving behind the empty streets and the shadows of their fear, Rishav clung to that promise with every fiber of his being.
---
As the flashback faded away, Prerna's gaze lingered on Nayan, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"That's the kind of man your Papa is," She said softly, her voice filled with love and admiration for her husband, her best friend.
"He may not wear a cape or have superpowers, but he's a hero in every sense of the word."
---
(Note : The parts written in only italics are flashbacks from the past.)
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