Apna Bana Le - MsKrishita

16. Prerna ki seekh aur khauf

After Rishav successfully persuaded the tourist couple to purchase the homemade jam bars, Prerna turned around to find Nayan, intending to address the earlier altercation with Golu. However, to her surprise, Nayan was nowhere to be found.

Furrowing her brows in concern, Prerna scanned the vicinity, her eyes darting around in search of her daughter.

"Nayan?"
she called out, her voice tinged with worry.

Neelamma's gentle smile greeted Rishav and Prerna as they hurriedly scanned the garden, their worry etched across their faces. Sensing their concern, Neelamma approached them with a calming presence.

"Raja Ji, Prerna, there's no need to fret,"
Neelamma reassured them, her voice soothing.
"Rajkumari has gone inside the house."

Rishav and Prerna exhaled a collective sigh of relief, their tense shoulders relaxing at Neelamma's words. With grateful smiles, they thanked Neelamma for her reassurance, their gratitude evident in their eyes.

As Prerna made her way inside to check on Nayan, Rishav turned to Neelamma with a grateful nod.

"Thank you, Neelamma,"
he said sincerely.
"This is actually why I love you so much old woman."

Neelamma playfully punched him on his back before returning his nod with a warm smile before turning her attention back to her own tasks, leaving Rishav to escort the tourists back to their hotel.

With a renewed sense of calm, Rishav bid Neelamma farewell and led the tourists to his car, ready to fulfill his role as their guide and chauffeur.

The short drive to the hotel was filled with lively conversation, as Rishav shared anecdotes about the local sights and attractions. The tourists listened intently, their curiosity piqued by Rishav's infectious enthusiasm for his hometown.

Upon arriving at the hotel, Rishav bid farewell to the couple, ensuring they had everything they needed for a comfortable stay. As they expressed their gratitude for his hospitality, Rishav waved them off with a friendly smile before making his way back home.

---

As Prerna stepped inside their home, she found Nayan hunched over her toy, her brow furrowed in concentration as she attempted to fix it. A pang of sympathy tugged at Prerna's heart as she recalled the earlier altercation with Golu over the very same toy.

Approaching her daughter, Prerna knelt beside Nayan and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Sweetheart, let Mama help you with that,"
she offered softly.

Nayan looked up, her eyes brightening at the sight of her mother.
"But Mama, me want wo fix it by self,"
she protested stubbornly.

Prerna smiled warmly at Nayan's determination, proud of her independence.
"I know, darling,"
she replied gently,
"but sometimes it's okay to ask for help when we need it."

With a reluctant nod, Nayan handed the toy over to Prerna, watching intently as her mother examined it with a practiced eye. After a few moments of careful tinkering, Prerna managed to mend the broken piece, restoring the toy to its former glory.

"There you go, all fixed,"
Prerna declared, handing the toy back to Nayan with a smile.

As Nayan accepted the toy from Prerna's outstretched hand, Prerna couldn't help but notice the absence of the usual bright smile on her daughter's face. Concern flickered in Prerna's eyes as she observed Nayan's subdued demeanor.

Determined to lift Nayan's spirits, Prerna decided to employ a familiar tactic – teasing her daughter. With mischievous delight twinkling in her eyes, Prerna reached out to playfully tousle Nayan's hair.