Prerish

One Shot

The media was buzzing with the news of the sudden hostile takeover of Guzral Enterprises. The multi million business was turned to dust in mere weeks. The world was in a great shock.
Who was powerful enough to do this? Guzral Enterprises in its 50 years of incorporation was suddenly turned into yet another acquisition. It was the biggest fish in the Indian market in textile industry. But now, a bigger fish or one could say the biggest shark had entered Indian waters. Who was this shark? News were full of comments from big industrialists, trade analysts but none could say who was the new entry. Speculations were being made about 4-5 major conglomerates around the world but nothing was in concrete.

Here in the sanctity of his home, a certain man of around 30 years could be seen. He was leaning against the French windows and was looking at the beautiful sight in front of him.
A lady dressed in a beautiful saree was walking in the garden infront of him bare footed with a little girl huddled in her arms covered with a shawl.

It was nearly 7 in the morning and the child was too restless. The entire previous night she had been sick and now had stubbornly asked to be taken outside. Her weak body, trembling voice, quivering lips had forced her mother to heed to her baby's plea.

Prerna was tired. She felt exhausted. But she also knew that being outside was making her baby feel better. The little girl had been kept cooped inside her room for long enough. Since past 2 days they hadn't allowed Kukie to leave her bed. In fact Kukie hadn't allowed her mother to part away even for a single moment. The child had turned too clingy, always demanding her mother's presence.

The man kept his hawk like sight on the mother daughter duo. He knew it was only a matter of time when he will be taking care of the lady. He had tried his best to argue with her, wanting her to take rest but could not win against a mother, specially a mother whose child was sick and in need of her. He could see signs of fatigue on his wife's face. Yet he did not move.
It was only when he saw the woman swaying slightly did he froze and suddenly sprinted towards them.
He ran towards them and steadied his wife. He quickly took the child in his protective arm and kept one around his wife. Her tired and startled eyes met his blazing ones. She was surprised when suddenly she felt faint. She had a little panick moment and was about to sit down to avoid a terrible fall with her child when suddenly she felt her baby being taken away and a warm, protective arm around her supporting her weight.

"Rishabh.., " She whispered faintly. Rishabh Bajaj looked at his wife in anger. She was about to fall. Not only was that dangerous to their child, Prerna too could have been hurted. His wife was unnecessarily exhausting herself, burning herself to the brink.

"Ander chaliye chup chap Prerna, " He ordered in a barely restrained fury. Prerna knew it was best to keep mum. She was silently guided back to the home and soon they entered their own bed room.

Rishabh laid his sleeping daughter in the middle of the bed and guided his wife to lay down next to her. He caressed her long hairs in worry and pecked her forehead. Next he bought a glass of water for her to drink. When Prerna refused, he showed her his stern face. Feeling intimated, Prerna silently had few sips. He kept the glass back and held his wife against his chest. Prerna too let out a breathe in his embrace.

"Sorry, " Came a short whisper after sometimes. Not getting any reaction, Prerna tried to raise her head from her previous position. She looked at her husband and he gazed down at her in anger. She felt reprimanded without words.

Prerna looked down feeling his disappointment and anger with her. "Sorry, " She said again against his shirt holding him. Rishabh refused to speak a word. He had again and again asked her to eat properly and have rest. He had offered to take care of their kid last night after coming back from London after a long meeting session but Prerna had banished him out of the room citing how he himself was tired due to all day work and long travels. She made him go to sleep only to stay awake the entire night herself.