Abhimanyu ka nayaa Jahaan

(+3)

A short chapter as I'm writing after months 💟
_________________________

After some awkward exchange, Abhinav excused himself to inform Akshara, leaving Abhir with Abhimanyu. Making him sigh. Aarohi who came fresh out of shower was filled in about the visit. Abhimanyu took the day off, while Aarohi left for the hospital after having breakfast. Abhinav joined the trio for breakfast. Abhimanyu asked Abhir to take a nap, who refused and wanted to go out on his Dada's day off. That's when Abhinav spoke up.

Abhinav: Arrey nikkiji! If you don't rest now, then you won't be able to enjoy your day. Remember the Zoo trip? Oh wait! You won't! *Smiling* Because you slept the whole time we were there!

Abhir childishly stomped his foot on the floor, but agreed to take a nap. Abhimanyu was watching the exchange with a pinch of hurt in his heart. Well he was not the one who roamed the whole day at the zoo with his sleepy son. Seeing Abhimanyu's lost expression, Abhinav cleared his throat.

Abhinav: That happened when Abhir was 3. He started kindergarten and one of his classmates....

Abhimanyu didn't know what took over him, but he interjected Abhinav in a tired voice.

Abhimanyu: I understand, Sharmaji! Kids can get adamant to match up with their peers. Roohi was also the same.

Abhinav, who didn't catch onto Abhimanyu's unease nodded along. Abhimanyu asked Abhinav also to take rest for sometime. So the latter took his leave. As soon as Abhinav left Abhimanyu slid down after closing the main door. His chest felt tightened. He closed his eyes and banged his head on the door. Was he happily supposed to soak his son's missed childhood through stories? Tears pricked his eyes and threatened to fall. He did not feel angry, but just empty.

Abhimanyu composed himself and stood up to go check upon Abhir, who was out in his dreamland. Abhimanyu looked at his son's face who looked too young for his age while sleeping, Abhimanyu felt suffocated with the thoughts of not being there to hold his son first. Missing his first word. Missing his first steps and many more missed milestones. he thought he was over this but turns out he was not.

Abhimanyu decided to take a short walk on the corridor, he'll still be near if Abhir wakes up and calls for him. After plugging his phone on the charger he left the room door open.

Meanwhile, Abhinav who decided to rest for sometime decided to check upon his daughter. Abhinav usually takes her with him for work, just like he did with Abhir. 6 years ago, Akshara was busy in her jam preparation and law studies. They rarely bothered Neelama with babysitting duties, just in any unforeseen circumstances like today. Abhinav knew that Akshara must have left for office half an hour ago. So he phone called Neelama and met with a disappointed tone. Not because of the babysitting duties at last minute. But because of Akshnav enabling Abhir's tantrums. Abhinav understood Neelama's point of view very well, but he just did what both his son and wife wanted. he couldn't hold his ground strong enough last night. Just like that his will to rest vanished and converted into worry about their parenting. Abhinav also decided to go for a walk and saw a pissed off Abhimanyu trying to walk past a well built man in his 30s, who was obstructing Abhimanyu's path. Abhinav has seen this man around, but was not aware of his pestering nature.

That someone was actually an annoying bachelor neighbour, who knows about the Birla-Sharma family dynamics, by plenty of Eavesdroping.

But Abhimanyu considered him as a creepy guy, because many times this man voluntarily offered to babysit Roohi even though Abhirohi did not require that and politely rejected it all the time. This man continues to offer. At present, as soon as Abhimanyu exited the flat after locking it, took a couple of steps away from his flat for a short walk in the corridor, this annoying neighbour cornered him, questioning why his son visited him today instead of the weekend. Alarm bells rang inside Abhimanyu's head as this man is noting down their schedule. Abhimanyu simply asked the man to mind his own business and decided to walk on the opposite direction, but that man started obstructing his path.