Guddan and Akshat - Made for Each Other

Chapter 35 - The Festival of Harvest - Part 1

It's afternoon. Akshat has still not returned back, since he hurried out of the house, early morning, without informing anyone. Savitri Devi is worried sick. It was a day of festivities - Makar Sankranti - the festival of harvest, and her beloved son was nowhere to be found.

Savitri Devi (thinking) - Aaj tyohar ke din, bina bataye, kahan chala gaya mera lalla. Kabhi bina bataye toh kahin jaata nahin. Phone bhi nahi utha raha.

Just then, some people enter carrying a lot of boxes, followed by Akshat. Savitri Devi sighs in relief at the sight of her son.

Savitri Devi (angrily) - Kahan thha lalla, aur phone kyun nahi utha raha tha?

Akshat (pacifying tone) - Restaurant gaya tha Maa. Aur phone, bhul gaya tha, room mein hoga.

Savitri Devi is surprised, his son forgot something, how could that be, it was not in his nature to misplace or forget things. Before she could enquire about it, Akshat's words got her even more worried.

Akshat (looking at Durga) - Durga Bahu, aap baki sabko bulaake laayiye.

Savitri Devi knew that it was a bad sign whenever her son called everyone to gather together. What had happened now? Were there going to be any new problems in the house, that too, on the auspicious occasion of this festival.

When everyone gathers in the hall, Akshat opens the boxes. Everyone look at him, and the contents of the boxes, surprised. Everyone is looking at others, confused. Colorful kites of different shapes and sizes, were packed inside the largest box, and rest of the boxes contained a variety of sweets and snacks.

Anshu (excitedly, breaking the silence) - Wow, Gajak. Meri favourite sweet hai yeh, gulabjamun se bhi zyaada. (hugging Akshat) Thank you.

Akshat (handing Anshu the box, smiling) - Haan, apki bhi favourite hai aur aapke Papa ki bhi. (handing another box to Vikram) Lo bhai, batao kaisa bana hai. (handing the box to Savitri Devi, smiling) Aur Maa, yeh aapke tiil waale Gajak, sugar-free. Jitni marzi khaiye.

Tears found their way out of Savitri Devi's eyes as soon as she tasted the sweet.

Savitri Devi (chocked voice) - Lalla! Yeh toh tere haath ka banaa hai...........

Akshat (smiling) - Haan Maa. Aur aise kya dekh rahi hain aap? Pehle bhi toh har Sankraant pe main hi banata tha na yeh sab. Aap sab kitne mann se khate thhe. (handing a box towards Rahul) Aur Rahul, yeh teri favourite, Chocolate Gajak.

Rahul looked at Vardhaan, who looked at Kishore, three brothers were emotional, nostalgic and confused at the same time.

Akshat (teasing voice) - Aise dekhte hi rahe toh ek bhi nahi bachega. Main aur Anshu saara kha jaayenge. Kyun Anshu?

Anshu giggled, nodding in "yes".

Akshat - Aur yeh................

Suddenly, the smile on Akshat's face disappeared as he picked up the next box. His voice chocked instantly.

Savitri Devi (emotional voice) - Yeh Antara ki pasand ki dry fruits waali Gajak.

All of a sudden, an eerie silence prevails in the hall. Vikram stays silent for a while, but in the next moment, snatches the box from Akshat's hand.

Vikram (teasing smile) - Aur har baar ki tarah, Antara ka saara hissa, hum hi kha jayenge. (Akshat smiles sadly) Aur kya kya hai? (opens the other boxes, excitedly) Palak ke Pakode, Moong dal ke Pakode............

Meera (teasing Vikram, snatching the box from him) - Moong dal ke pakode, mere favourite, idhar layiye, warna aapke haath mein raha toh abhi ke abhi khatam ho jayega.