Eternally Yours

Chapter 26: Birthday of my Prince (I)

Do vote and comment!
Happy reading!

♡

My postgraduate days were passing quickly but it was way harder than my undergraduate days and also my internship days both in terms of academics as well as handling complex cases. In the midst of it was Abhi's birthday. This year, I arranged a surprise date for us at Honeybloom on the account of his birthday.

♢

Till date, whenever I wore a saree, I always needed help. It was always Sana during my college days, who came to my rescue in these difficult moments. This time too it wasn't an exception. When I took a decision to buy a saree for Abhi's birthday, Sana personally accompanied me to the nearest mall for shopping. Though I chose a soft shaded saree for me, she advised to opt a red one. I never had any inclination to dark colors, as light colors and pastel shades had always been my colors and my wardrobe was filled with clothes of these shades.

But she told me, "You are dumb Esha, just like my brother. Don't you know how to spice things up in a relationship? These bold colors make men go weak by their knees, okay? This saree is just a weapon Esha, grab it."

I was reluctant in buying it at first, but Sana's words were successful in convincing me to buy it.

Why not give Abhi a surprise with this bold choice? I mentally smirked thinking about it.

With this thought in my mind, I agreed to her words. She even bought accessories and heels matching to my outfit. Every moment since I bought my saree and I touched its fabric, I kept imagining me in that saree and then Abhi's reaction seeing me in that. Red tint spread across my cheeks, ears and neck while feeling the soft fabric with my fingers.

♢

Birthdays have always been those days which are meant to spend with our parents. Abhi and I- both of us share this idea in common. Never have we ever spent our birthdays away from our parents.

This year too, we planned a trip back home in the early morning of Abhi's birthday. It was Sunday so we didn't have to bother about college. Sana accompanied us too. I informed my parents about our visit and told them to come to Abhi's house to have the birthday celebration altogether there.

The morning was totally fun filled with our laughter echoing in the backyard of Abhi's house. We talked, laughed, enjoyed and loved the warmth of staying with our parents. I knew Abhi was tired because of his all-nighter the night before, but that bright smile on his face while celebrating his birthday among his close ones and getting the golden opportunity to taste his mother's hand-made dishes only once a year was very precious to me.

We had lunch in his home and even though I offered help, Abhi's mom didn't allow me to do so. She lovingly caressed my cheeks and told me to go enjoy with my parents, Sana and Abhi. She also added, "It has been 2 years already that Abhi doesn't even stay here. I know how much my little son misses his parents. He is still that little boy to me who loves to stay under his mom's care. Tell you a secret, Esha."

She had tears in her eyes by now; she seemed emotional to talk about the incidents she was going to mention later. But all that I could see in her was her unwavering motherly love, care and support for Abhi.

"Yes Aunty. Tell me what is it? I'm a good secret-keeper." I rubbed her shoulders, and she made me sit on the kitchen floor with her.

I noticed some of the grey hairs peeking through the sides, as she spoke, "When Sana was born, Abhi himself was a very little boy. They are just 2 years apart. But Sana was born a little early-she was a premature baby. So, naturally, we had most of our times occupied for taking care of baby Sana. But never ever did we want to neglect Abhi. We cared for him to our utmost. We thought we were taking best care of both of our children, and just like that a few years passed. One day, during the dinner time, we were all set for our dinner. But Abhi still didn't come down for dinner. We got worried thinking why he didn't come down even when it was quite late for having supper. We went up and knocked on the door of his room, but he didn't respond. I got extremely worried as all the worst scenarios started flashing in my mind. I almost broke down when almost five minutes passed like that, and he didn't respond. Just when I was about to call him by his name in my crying voice, he unlocked his door, and his tear-stricken face was the first thing that came to my view. I got up in a hurry and took him into a bone-crashing hug, but my son didn't hug me back. I looked at him in astonishment, but he kept looking at me emotionlessly. His father came forward from my back and held his little hands in his palms, but he jerked away his father's hands and took his own hands back. I sensed something was wrong because tears were brimming in the corner of his eyes and even before they could fall, I wiped them off. Just then he cried out, 'MOM!' and hugged me tightly. I rubbed his back and his tears kept falling without any pause. Even I and his father were crying thinking what could possibly hurt our little boy. When he calmed down, we asked him about it and he mentioned those times when we unintentionally neglected him and he was hurt for he felt left behind, by his own parents. It was a matter of shame for us as parents that our son was deprived of our care so many times and we didn't even have an idea. But we still had chance and we didn't at all want to waste any time. We were determined to be the best parents to both of our children. Since then, we worked hard to build a proper bridge of communication with both of our children, especially Abhi, even before they reached their adolescence. When Abhi grew up much more, he forgot about his grievances which he had about us in his early childhood. To him, then we were the best parents, and he loved his sister more than anyone. And he is still that same boy. My little boy. Esha, it's his birthday today. I want to prepare all of his favourite dishes and feed him by my own hands if possible."