Rab Rakha

Chapter 63

4 Months later:

Shehnaaz and Sidharth moved into the house carrying boxes in their hands as they began to set up the space for their stay while Madhu carried a photo frame in her hand, trying to find a place to fix it. It was Jagjit's first death anniversary, they were back in Chandigarh to pay their respects to the departed soul.

As she stood in her father’s room on his barsi, a rush of emotions overwhelmed her. The room, filled with the comforting scent of old books and polished wood, was like a time capsule from her past. Everything in this space reminded her of Jagjit, her father. His gentle smile, his quiet strength and his unwavering support. He had always been her rock, tirelessly working to give her the best education and opportunities, making sure she could stand strong on her own.

A lot changed over the past year. She had moved to a new city, found a new job and discovered a love that seemed like a dream come true. Sidharth. The pace of life had been relentless and in the midst of all these changes, it felt like a part of her had left with her father. She wondered if, in her new routines and successes, she had somehow forgotten him.

In the quiet of his room, surrounded by his belongings, she felt a profound sense of loss. The old armchair where he used to sit, the framed photos on the walls and the desk where he spent countless hours working. All of it was a poignant reminder of his absence. She remembered the difficult days leading up to his death, wishing desperately that she had been able to find the right treatment for him in time. The thought of what could have been, of him witnessing her achievements and being a part of her new life, was almost unbearable.

Jagjit was instructed to be very still during the scan so that the images aren't blurred. The scary part was that it was going to take about 30 minutes to complete the entire procedure.

"Nahi, itni der andar nahi reh sakta mai." Jagjit announced, getting up.

"Aisi dil ke kamzor hain, rehne de Sana. Andar aur ghabra jayenge tere Papa. Upar se kal se bukhar ho gaya hai." Even Madhu didn't know what to do now.

"Mummy, scan karwana zaruri hai. Please aap mat daro abhi." Shehnaaz told her mother.

"Papa, dekhiye jitni jaldi doctor reports dekhega, utni jaldi aapki dawai chalu hogi. Scan hi nahi karwaoge toh kaise chalega?! Please yaar." She held her father's hand, wanting him to understand the point.

"Kaisa treatment? Uske liye bimar bhi hona padta hai." He scoffed arrogantly.

"Ab jab tak aapki report nahi bolti, kisne maan na hai?!" She was his daughter, if he was going to be stubborn then so was she.

"Thik hai. Sirf 20 minutes!" He replied, giving in and laying down nervously.

As tears welled in her eyes, she struggled with regret. She wished he could have seen her thriving in her career and finding happiness in her personal life. She longed for one more chance to share her successes with him, to hear his voice telling her how proud he was.

Before boarding their train for Delhi, the family had taken a short trip to the Golden temple in Amritsar. Even though Shehnaaz wanted to take her father to the hospital as soon as possible, she still agreed to this so that she could pray for his better health. But she wasn't talking to him properly because he had transferred all his properties in her name.

"Baat nahi karegi?" Jagjit asked her, as they sat down after the temple visit near the fish pond and watched the waves dance on the water surface.

"Acha mai sach batau, teri Mummy ke liye bhi maine kuch paise alag rakhe hain. Kuch properties uski bhi hain, jo meri Maa ka tha wohi tujhe diya." He told her.