CHHOTI SI ASHA

HEARTBEATS

"DHAK... DHAK... DHAK... DHAK...." the tune of melodious morning had lost somewhere in loud thumps of their heart inside ribcage.  Calm morning breeze seemed inadequate to fill their lungs as with accelerated heartbeats their breaths too accelerated as if heart had overloaded with some extra blood to pump from veins. Their fingers clasped tightly with eachother's as if never wanted to separated. And all this was happening coz a nurse came to them and took his Naina away from him. He looked at her trying to assure her but she clutched her fingers tighter on his hand. Her nails seemed to dig in his skin. He knew that she didn't want to leave his hand, she didn't want to go alone in that room and felt immensely helpless at the moment. It's not only her but he too never wanted to leave her hand, but even after prodding and requesting, doctor didn't allow him in the room as this was against the rules of maternity home and he left disappointed.

"Naina...",he whispered her name as a gesture to make her understand and went for scanning leaving his hand, coz she didn't deter from her place even after nurse asked her to come repeatedly. But still she didn't move an inch, just looked at him for a moment before lowering her eyes and in that one moment he could very well see that storm hidden behind glassy layer of moisture. He closed his eyes for one moment tried to make himself strong and then said to nurse,"two minutes sister.. hum abhi aate hai..."

"Thik hai, lekin thoda jaldi... Bhut lamba line hai naa scanning ka vaaste...", thinking for a second, the nurse left with a clear instruction and unclear blabberings.

"Kya hua Naina... Jao aur jaldi se achi si smile ke saath bahar aao...", controlling his shivering voice, he took her in a side hug and said softly to assure her.

"Nhi... Tumhare bina... Sameer, please tum bhi chalo naa, mujhe akele dar lag rha hai...",she whined like a grumpy kiddo, though he smiled seeing her sweetness, but his heart leapt with pain sensing the mist in her voice. Slowly he tightened his hold around her arms and said,"nainu... Mai yhi hu naa jaan... Aur fr..."

"Uhuh... Mujhe tum chahiye ho Sameer...", without letting him complete she again whimpered.

Like every other time he adored her incredible innocence and thinking something start moving slowly towards scanning room with her saying lovingly,"hmm... Thik hai.. chalta hu mai tumhare saath... Aur fr aise hi hamari angel bhi zid karegi naa toh, uske saath bhi jaunga... Uske saath uske school, uski class attend karunga... Tum naa ek kaam karna mera bhi admission karwa dena... Acha hai revision ho jayegi...thik hai naa... "

She furrowed her brows trying to understand that what actually he was doing and an instant smile curved her lips imagining the future scenario he tried to show her and she said hiding the smile and pursing her lips,"acha... Bade ache plans bna rakhe hai aapne Mr Maheshwari... Aisa kuch kiya naa to apki angel ke kaan to khichenge hi, aapko bhi daat padegi... Aayi baat samajh me..."

"Haa... Aayi baat samajh me...",he replied and stopped as they had reached to their destination i.e. scanning room. It didn't take another moment to her to understand that what he was actually doing and she looked at him with puffed mouth as even after understanding her heart was not fully convinced. He looked at her adorably puffed cheeks and said smiling,"Naina.. sweetheart... Rules to follow karne hi padte hai naa.... Tumne dekha naa, maine doctor se baat ki naa, lekin ab wo bhi sirf hamare liye rules change to nhi kar sakti naa... Chalo jao ab, doctor ne kha tha bladder full hona chahiye but jyada der hold nhi karna.. so...",he shrugged his shoulders and ended cupping her face and kissing her forehead softly.

This time she nodded though with a slump sigh and stepped ahead to went inside the room.

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"Doctor.. ek minute please...",she said holding hands of the doctor.

It was just 5 or 10 minutes after entering in the room, when after laying her properly the doctor pulled her kurti up with her permission, bared her belly and said,"don't worry Mrs Maheshwari.. bhut chhota sa process hai, abhi ho jayega..."