Kuchh Ankahi Baatein

Fiqr

Nanu entered the house, calling out loudly, "Sameer, Sameer Rohan kahaan ho tum donon"

Hearing their names, Sameer along with Rohan rushed outside and found Nanu standing there, tense and frightened. Nanu quickly stepped forward and pulled them into a tight embrace, tears streaming down his face.

With worry in his voice, Nanu asked, "tu theek toh hai na beta... tujhe kahin lagi toh nahin.... mein khud gaya tha accident wali jagah aur car ki haalat dekhi hai maine.. dil dahal gaya soch kar ki kahin tujhe kuchh ho toh nahin gaya..."

Sameer reassured him gently, "Nanu, relax... mein bilkul theek hun... maine kaha tha na ki mein toh shop ke paas khada tha jab accident hua... voh mein paani lene ke liye car se utara aur pichhe se truck ne takkar maar di"

Nanu seeing them both fine got slightly relaxed, "bhagwan ka laakh laakh shukra hai jo aaj usane mere bachche ko bacha liya... mein toh soch bhi nahin sakta ki tujhe kuchh ho jata toh mera kya hota... mein toh mar hi jaata..."

Sameer making him calm, "kya Nanu, aapko kitni baar kaha hai ki marne ki baat mat kiya karo... aapka aashirwad hai mujhpar, dekho mujhe kuchh nahin hua..."

Nanu hugged Sameer tightly, then turned to Rohan, who was also in tears after witnessing the scene. Overwhelmed, Nanu pulled Rohan close as well, wrapping both of his boys in a protective embrace. 

Holding them together, his heart trembled with relief and fear, as if he never wanted to let them go, "tum donon toh meri jaan ho... mere jeete ji tum donon ko kuchh nahin hone dunga"

Sameer / Rohan said in unison, "aur aap hamari jaan ho"

They remained in that embrace for a long while, overwhelmed with emotion. Meanwhile, Ramdhari quietly served dinner. That day, Nanu lovingly fed both his sons with his own hands, each morsel carrying the depth of his affection and relief.

Just then, Naina arrived home. After a brief exchange of glances, they all silently agreed not to reveal anything about the accident to the rest of the family.

Bela smiled seeing them coming home early, "arey Naina Preeti, achchha hua tum donon jaldi aa gayi... aaj maine sab tere pasand ka khaana banaya hai..." she said eyeing Preeti to pamper her on her birthday.

Preeti replied instantly, "haan Mummy voh aaj birthday hai na mera, toh sab masti ke mood mein the... bas isiliye koi class nahin attend ki... mein abhi change karke aati hun... bohot bhukh bhi lagi hai humein" she dragged Naina inside with her avoiding any doubts to Bela.

Preeti quickly stepped inside the room and shut the door behind her, determined to keep anyone in the house from noticing Naina's condition and raising suspicion. Naina sat motionless on the bed, still trembling with shock and fear as her mind replayed the events of the day...

Preeti said to comfort her, "dekh Naina, tu theek hai ab.. Sameer bhi theek hai, apne ghar par hai.. ab tu bhi bhool ja sab kuchh.. itna kyun darr gayi hai... kuchh hai jo tu mujhse chhupa rahi hai.. bata na please"

Naina controlled her fear, "haan shayad mein kuchh jyada hi darr gayi thi.... sorry aaj tera birthday hai aur maine sab kharaab kar diya... I am sorry Preeti" she pulls her in a tight hug apologizing for spoiling her mood.

Preeti hit slightly on her head lovingly, "paagal hai tu, kuchh kharaab nahin kiya tu ne, balki tu special bazaar gayi aur mere liye yeh gift laayi... isse bada gift toh aaj mujhe mil hi nahin sakta tha... (teasingly) tujhe pata hai aaj accident ke baad se tu pehli baar bazaar gayi voh bhi Sameer ke saath..."

Naina smiled softly, "kya karun voh maana hi nahin, toh mujhe jaana pada uske saath... pata hai voh bhi na teri hi tarah bahut ziddi hai... vaise kehta hai meri har baat maanega lekin jab zid karta hai toh meri ek bhi baat nahin sunta... ziddi kahin ka..." she said complaining on his stubbornness which somehow she always love it.