After four days.....
Mahi's flight landed in Ranchi. A small smile crept onto his face as he looked around. It felt good to be back, to be among his family and away from the hustle of his cricket commitments.
Soon, he spotted his father, waiting outside in the car. PS gave a slight nod, the faintest smile tugging at his lips. For him, this was a big show of affection, and mahi felt his heart warm at the sight....
Mahi : Namaste, Papa...
PS : (smile & nod) chalo..ghar chalte hain, sab tumhara intezaar kar rahe hain...
The drive home was filled with comfortable silence, with PS occasionally glancing over at mahi, as if trying to say something but choosing not to. Finally, they pulled into the familiar driveway and mahi stepped out, feeling a surge of excitement as he saw the home he'd missed for so long....
As they entered, DD came rushing out of the house with a huge smile on her face, arms open wide.
DD : Aree, mahi beta ! Aakhir aa hi gaya tu ghar...
Mahi grinned as she hugged him tightly. Her warmth, everything about her made him feel like he'd never been away....
Mahi : Kaise ho,maa ??
DD : Hum toh bas intezaar hi karte hain tujhe dekhne ka, aur tu hai ki bas ghoomta rehta hai...(She playfully pinched his cheek) Achha, jayanti ko bulaati hoon...
Just as she called out, jayanti didi came down the stairs, a mischievous smile already forming.
Jayanti : Mahi ! Meri chhutti ho gayi, ab tu kaam mein wapas jo aa gaya hai...
Mahi : Kya didi tum bhi na...!
Before anyone could say further, DD interrupted...
DD : Arre chalo, chalo! Mahi ko kuch khilaate hain pehle. Itna din ho gaya ghar ka khaana khaye hue....
As they moved to the dining area, the table was filled with all of mahi's favorite dishes. Butter chicken, paratha and few other healthy food treats awaited him. PS took his usual seat, quietly observing his family's chatter.
Mahi (grinning) : Maa...waise toh aap mujhe butter chicken unhealthy hai bolke khane nhi deti...aur jaab mai ghar aata hu toh meri favourite cheezein banati hai...
DD : Haan haan, waise iitne time baad ghar aaya hai toh tere pasand ka toh kuch banaungi he na.... phir dusra healthy khana bhi hai...
After lunch, mahi finally settled down in his room. Everything looked the same-the trophies on the shelf, the photos on the wall. He felt a wave of nostalgia, realizing how much this place grounded him....
Suddenly, his phone buzzed and he noticed a message from sakshi....
Sakshi : Finally reached home? 😊
Mahi : Haan, pohoch gaya....and guess what...mummy ne khane mein kya banaya hoga...!?
Sakshi : Ugh... Butter chicken?!
Mahi : Yesss 😁
.
....
..
..
Mahi leaned back, feeling content. It felt good to have someone like sakshi to talk to, someone who understood him even in these small moments. He felt at ease, surrounded by his family's love and warmth, and somehow, the presence of friends like yuvi and sakshi made him feel a little more complete....
Ganguly residence 🏠
Sourav spent some quality time at home with his wife and their daughter-Sana. Away from the noise of the stadiums and the spotlight of the cricket world, Sourav was just a doting husband and a loving father....
