Alfaaz

Chapter 4: Mayassar

"Papa!" Exclaimed Shravan, his excitement clearly interpreted over the phone.

"Beta, bohot khush sound kar rahe ho? Topped class?" Asked Ramnath keen to know what made his son incandescently happy after all these months.

"Arey result toh next week hai, top toh mai kar loonga, abhi baat kuch aur hai!" He grinned ear to ear. 

"Toh phir batao na kya baat hai?" Ramnath couldn't control his rising inquesitivness. 

"Aap bhool gaye na!" His happiness a wee bit dampened.

"Match! Aj match tha tera basket ball ka!" Exclaimed Ramnath, he should be more active when it came to Shravan's life. Making a mental note of remembering each of Shravan's events he asked, "I take it your team won?"

"Haan! By a huge margin too! I slammed 13 baskets and saved I can't remember how many.." He went on to tell his father all about the match.

"Ek baat bata Shravan, itna accha khelta hai tu, fans toh bane honge na tere?" Asked his father proudly. 

Shravan blushed in response, "Kuch bhi Papa.." Knowing all well how popular he'd gotten in the past few weeks. He had aced all tests, won them an elusive basketball title and his role as Hamlet in the play last week had won him many accolades. He had started to believe more each passing day in his capabilities and Eric's statements from a while back now seemed more plausible than ever. "Accha Papa, hum log celebrate karne pizzas and ice-cream ke liye ja rahe hai, mai aapko baad mai call karta hoon .." He informed.

Ramnath was now at peace. His son had finally moved on and was happy in life. His sole purpose was to see Shravan content and successful. He always knew his son's talents would be wasted if he lived here. For the development of confidence it was necessary to send Shravan away. Sometimes a child must learn to run before he can walk. And now as his vision was reaping benefits, Ramnath couldn't be more pleased. Although it hurt to see Shravan away, but it had to be done. Had he lived here, his mother's betrayal would never have let him live in peace.

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

"Kya baat hai Suman?" Asked Nanu worried. Suman sat on her bed, hugging a pillow staring into nothingness.

"Kuch bhi toh nahi Nanu..." She lied. 

"Shravan ki yaad aa rahi hai?" Nanu knew by her state what this was about.

It had been 4 complete weeks since she had sent that mail. Shravan clearly was in no mood for forgiveness she thought, "Nahi Nanu, nahi soch rahi thi uske baare mai.."

"Jhoot bolegi mujhse?" Smiled Nanu, placing his palm on her head. 

"Nahi bol rahi jhoot" She affirmed.

"Phir kya baat hui hai?" He asked.

"Mamiji mujhe zyada pasand nahi karti na?" She spoke earnestly. 

The old man was taken aback by this statement, "Aaisa kyun keh rahi ho beta?"

"Nahi karti woh mujhe pasand, I know.." Saying she began tugging at the threads of the cushion she was hugging. 

"Suman?" Nanu couldn't quite understand where this was coming from. 

"Suna tha maine, woh Mamaji par chilla rahi thi, keh rahi thi ke uss Suman ke Nakhre kam nahi hote, uska sara kharcha humare sar, uske Maa Baap itne paise udhar utha kar khud uth gaye, woh bhi sab hum par. Humko bhi sochna padta hai, do bacche hai humare... Aaise sab keh rahi thi woh Mamaji ko.. Suna tha maine.." Her voice trailing off with the magnitude of those statements.