Ek Anokha Rishta ( On Hold)

chapter 2

Karan battled through the night, his determination unwavering as he sought to soothe his crying baby girl amidst the relentless climb of her fever.

Karan: "Babu, mera bachaa thodi der shaant hoja na please," he pleaded softly, his voice tinged with worry, while peppering her forehead with tender kisses in a desperate bid to comfort her.

Despite his heartfelt efforts, she remained inconsolable. Karan gently lifted his shirt, offering her his breast. She latched on momentarily, only to unlatch soon after, her cries escalating with restlessness. Undeterred, he tried again, cradling her close to his chest, but she continued to fuss and cry. Karan swayed back and forth, his movements gentle, hoping to calm her with each rhythmic sway.

Karan:"Achaa achaa bas bas... aise nahi rote jaana," he murmured softly, his words a soothing mantra in the dimly lit room.

In the kitchen, Karan prepared a bottle.

Karan (in the kitchen): "Bas abhi papa aapko dudu pilate hain... bhukhi lagri hainaa babu?"

Dadi entered the kitchen upon hearing the persistent cries.

Dadi:"Kya hogya isse... kabse roye jari hai?"

Karan: "Dadi... bahut tej fever hai isse... upar se bhukhi hai. Koshish ki dudh pile but nahi peeri. Samajh nahi aa raha kya karun... dadi... meri bachii."

Dadi: "Beta pareshaan mat ho... thande paani ki pattiyon se iska fever down hojayega. Aur bachche kabhi kabhi pareshaan karte hain jab bhukh lagti hai... dobara try kar peelegi."

Karan: "I hope so dadi."

Returning to his room with the bottle and a bowl of cold water, he continued to comfort her.

Karan: "Babu chalo thoda sa dudu peeyenge... good girl hainaa meri jaan papa ki?"

The baby eagerly drank a significant amount of milk, clearly hungry and finding solace in her father's nurturing presence.

Karan: "Beta aaram se meri jaan," he whispered affectionately, gently kissing her forehead as he cradled her close.

After feeding, he attempted to burp her, but she vomited on his shoulder, her cries echoing loudly in the quiet room.

Karan: "Koi baat ni bachaa... papa hain aapke paas... bas meri jaan."

He comforted her while she cried, then meticulously applied cold compresses to her forehead. Exhausted from her tears, the baby eventually succumbed to sleep. Karan sat upright in bed, holding her tenderly in his arms, but his rest was interrupted by a soft whimper.

Karan:"Kya hogya shona? Haan?"

He noticed her slight tremble.

Karan: "Thand lagi meri jaan ko."

Wrapping her in two thick blankets, she continued to shiver.

Karan:"Accha aao papa huggie karke nini karayenge... phir mere baby ko thand ni lagegi."

He cradled her close to his chest, murmuring comforting words in a tender cadence, yet she remained unsettled.

Karan: "Betu... achaa achaa bas bas... itna pareshaan kyu hogya bachee?"

He kissed her forehead repeatedly, the warmth of his affection filling the room.

Karan: "Babu... kyu rora hai mera bachaa?"
Rocking her gently, he sought to ease her distress."Shhh bachee... nahi rote."

Unable to calm her, Karan removed his shirt, placing her on his chest and humming softly. Gradually, the baby's cries began to subside, replaced by the soothing rhythm of her father's heartbeat.