Raat Akeli Hai | 𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒋

XXXVI. redemption

This chapter was half way written with Hindi dialogues and then I had forgotten and shifted to English dialogues.
Since the dialogues were so well scripted, I let it be.

So bear on with the language shift *embarrassed looks*

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anupamaa :

Next morning Mister Busy Prime Minister of Gadhedo-Land had to leave for office early.

He had slipped into my bedroom quietly and placed a note saying
"Leaving early for meeting. Jaldi aa jaunga. Khyal rakhna aur zyada kaam mat karna."
In his hasty handwriting.

I had sighed the moment I had seen it on the desk beside my bed.

Now I sat back on a sofa, holding my head.
I was somehow still sleepy.
Yesterday I didn't dance much, yet managed to get absolutely tired.
Mister Shah had showed up to pick me from the Academy and I had happily sat back in his car.

My phone buzzed.

Sumedh.

I immediately picked the call.

"Sab theek hai wahan..", He paused for a moment and then said, "Maa."

Everytime he said 'Maa' it made my heart swell.
We had not spend too much time together, yet - even then I knew how much devotion and love he had for me.

"Hmm.. sab theek hai. Wahan America mein sab kaisa hai?"

"Sahi chal raha hai. Toshu Bhai aur Pakhi, for a change, theek se kaam kar rahe hai. Titu ne Gurukul join kar li, aacha dance karta hai toh as a trainer join kar lia. Bas sab theek hai.", He said sighing.

I could tell he was sitting back on his office recliner, toying with a pen between his fingers.
Probably a cup of tea before him and the laptop open.
Even though I didn't know much about him, yet I seemed to know almost everything.

"Aur Dimpy?", I asked softly.
I heard him draw in a deep breath.
"Woh bhi theek hai. Titu hai na uske liye.", I heard his jealousy in his voice.
I drew in a deep breath.
I could have given him some advice but somehow it did not feel right.

"Apna khyal rakhna, beta.", I said softly.
There was a pause.
He absorbed the 'beta'.
"Aap bhi, Maa. Aur Papa theek hai? Woh toh zid karke India chale gaye..", He said sighing.
"Ha woh bhi theek hai. Unki aadat hi hai. Ekdum ziddi bacche hai.", I said sighing with a smile.

"Aap unki sabse pasandita zid zaroor hai.", He said.

My heart skipped a beat.

"Sorry, I know mujhe iss sab mein kuch nehi bolna chahiye.. but it's what I observed.", He said warmly.
I drew in a deep breath.
"Hmm.", I said, holding back my urge to say I had already jumped into the forbidden ditch.

After moments of silence, we said bye and he hung up.

So today, was my holiday.
And I was absolutely alone at home.
So what should I do?

I glanced at Mister Shah's bedroom.

Obviously.

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