Shruti And Anuj

3 - Birthday (2)

Shruti opened Aadhya's bedroom door. There had been no response to her knocking but sounds of loud sobs were echoing in the corridor.
'Aadhya, baby, please stop crying. Share your feelings with me'.
Aadhya rose from her lying position and Shruti wiped away her tears.
'Anupama Joshi always does this. Always. I am telling you that she won't be a part of my evening birthday celebrations. I have seen this happening over and over, Shru! She will pretend as though she really, really wants to be a part of Pop's and my life. But then some emergency will happen with her adult, married kids who have their own kids and she will go racing to them. Never mind that they have an army of Shahs behind them anyway but Miss Anupama Joshi always has to be present to sort their 1001 problems. There are no exceptions. You know what happened on Pop's birthday 6 years ago? Pakhi...'

Shruti interrupted, 'I don't want to know. I don't want to discuss about anyone other than my daughter and my to-be- husband. None of them matter to me. Enough with all this negativity.
I am pulling in a few favours, stating about my wheelchair injury just this once and getting your birthday venue changed to your favourite restaurant. I will personally supervise the decorations and the menu and the return presents and everything. All your friends will be there.
I just want you to get ready and be there for the evening cake cutting. Okay?'.
'Better than okay! Thanks Shru! You are the best!'.

'No, Aadhya. Your Pops is the best and you have really hurt him on this very special day. You know Anuj looks forward to your birthday more than his own, more than any festivals or celebrations. And you told him that he couldn't do one thing for you.
He left India, started and successfully set up a new business here, looked after your health, got the best school's admission for you, got things for you only from the best brands. Do you know he patched up with Ankush and Barkha only for you inspite of them back stabbing him multiple times in the past? So that you can have a family? A family that will keep you on your toes no doubt but a family nonetheless?
You shouted at that person, humiliated him in front of a stranger - Anna - and destroyed his efforts. How can your hate for anyone be more than your love for your Pops?'.

Aadhya was ashamed. She was so used to screaming out in anger that the words just spilled out of her mouth. She didn't connect the words with how much hurt they could cause.
'I am sorry, Shru. You know I didn't really mean that'.
'I am not the one you should be apologising to'.

Aadhya nodded and walked down the corridor to Anuj's room.
'Come in', called out Anuj, surprised.
'Aadhya, from when have you started knocking on my door?'.
'Since when I have started becoming a stranger instead of your daughter. I am really very sorry, Pops. I was wrong to say all those things to you. Those things that I said were wrong too. Please forgive me'.
'Come here'. Aadhya moved into his arms and hugged him. Her Pop's arms were the safest place in the World.
'Sorry, Pops, so sorry..'.
'Enough. That's enough, Aadhya. I don't want you feeling bad on any day and especially on your birthday. Apology accepted and.. let's just forget about all this! Let's... Umm... let's celebrate only among us today and on Sunday, we will hold a grand celebration for your friends. What say?'.
Anuj looked in trepidation. Aadhya had agreed to a celebration after so long and he was asking her to postpone it.
Why did Anna have to comment? Why couldn't he say no to Anu?

'Pops, Shru has already covered everything. She is getting reservations done in Pizza Palace and calling my friends there and all.. I will have a great birthday today itself. Now, I need time to get ready and Pops.. please dress up. My friend's dads are very handsome and cool'.
Anuj raised an eyebrow, 'Do I look less than a Greek God myself?'.
Aadhya nodded and ran away.
'Aadhya ki bachchi', called out Anuj after her.
Thank God, everything is okay. Aadhya is okay.. Thanks to Shruti.

Anuj went downstairs to clean up the mess and remove every piece of decor so that Aadhya's mood wouldn't spoil again.
How to make Aadhya realise? Her Maa gave up her sleeping hours for this decor that Aadhya destroyed in minutes. Anu is finally prioritising both her work and Aadhya but in her anger, Aadhya is pushing Anu away from her. Sigh!

After the room looked just like before, Anuj went to Shruti's room. Anna opened the door as Shruti was talking agitatedly on the phone.
'No, No, Mr. Derek. My daughter doesn't like pink hearts. What do you mean she is a girl and all girls like pink hearts? I know my daughter. No hearts of any colour please. No, not even the cake. I need K-Pop decorations and a normal chocolate cake. No, not a K-Pop cake. A normal, decent... Forget it, I will arrange the cake from a bakery, you get the rest of the work done. Thank you'.
Shruti kept the phone, feeling tired and drowsy already. Side effects of the medicines.
'Anna, please can you.. AK? How long have you been standing there? I..I am sorry..I was..'.
'I haven't received so many sorrys in a day! Seriously, thank you, Shruti. You are a star! You saved Aadhya's birthday'.

'Why didn't you tell me that Anupama ji was going to do the decorations with you?'.
Anuj felt a familiar irritation rise in him.
Shruti was again bringing up Anu in a negative way when Anu hadn't done anything wrong at all.
'Do I need your permission for that?', said Anuj, sharply. He regretted his words the moment they came out and even more when he saw Shruti flinch.
'No.. I would have liked to know.. that's all', said Shruti, her hopelessness rising on a daily basis.
'Shruti, I didn't mean it that way. The words came out.. Look.. I am sorr..'.
'I need to sleep, Anuj. I don't want to miss Aadhya's birthday celebrations. See you later'.
Shruti moved to her bed, ignoring Anuj and covered herself with the bedsheet. Anuj stared quietly for a minute, wanting to apologise but then walked out silently.