Apnapan

Chapter - 19 : Moments

~Angel~

I reached home, freshened up and laid on my bed. I was thinking about my day with Ruhi and Sachin. At the same time, I received the call from my boss. He has a task for me and I was left in a dilemma. He wanted me to visit Singapore for some official work. He wanted me to do it single-handedly. I cannot ask Sachin to accompany me, as he's working on some other project. Moreover, how will I survive in that city without Sachin or Ruhi. I have grown habitual to
meeting Ruhi once a day. It's usually in the evening when Sachin and I get free from the office. And if I tell them that I am going away for an unknown period of time, the little girl will be angry at me.

I cannot deny the opportunity, since I worked really hard for this project and it's my chance to get my talent exposed. I slept with all the thoughts.

Next morning, I woke up, finished my daily chores and then left for office. I need to discuss the trip with the boss. I need to be early  at the office. As I reached office I found Sachin there too. He is early today. Yeah, it's a Monday, Ruhi must have gone to her school too. I greeted him, he replied back and noticed some files in my hand.

"Badi jaldi mein ho? Kuch hua hai?" he asked.

"pehle boss se mil loon, fir tumhe batati hoon." I said and rushed towards the boss's cabin.

I could hear him laugh. Whenever I am in a hurry, or if I do any mistake and murmur about the same later on, all I get from him is his melodious laugh, a little scolding, but a lot of help. I so wished that he accompany me, but unfortunately, we are working on different projects. I entered the boss's  cabin and we discussed the project and the official work to be done in Singapore. I didn't realise that it took almost an hour and a half. I walked out of the cabin and was sure about the same. I am going on the trip. I gazed at Sachin who seemed to be busy with his colleague, that is, his project partner, so I decided to talk to him during lunch time, or maybe tonight at his home.

The day passed in a blur. I got so indulged in my work that I forgot to tell Sachin about my trip. It was Sachin who tapped on my table.

"Madam, ghar nahi jana?" he asked.

I checked the watch, it's showing 6:30 PM and sachin is still in the office. Since last five years, he is the first one to leave office, and to cope up, he works from home.

"tum abhi tak yahin ho? Ruhi akeli hogi na!" I asked.

He smiled.

"Nahi! Aaj Ruhi ki ek friend ki birthday party hai. Uski mom se subah hi baat hui thi. Jab tak hum ghar pahunchenge, Ruhi bhi aa jayegi." he said.

"But akele? I mean she is still a kid. Wo kaise manage karegi?" I asked.

I was aware that Ruhi needs Sachin by his side always. So how could he leave Her alone relying on someone else. He smiled.

"Angel! Ruhi is now 5 years old. Wo khud ka dhyan rakh sakti hai. Infact wo toh mera bhi dhyan rakh sakti hai. Aur phir uski nanny hai na. Mrs. Gupta said ki wo khud usey chodne aayengi." he said.

I nodded. Yeah, a five year old can get ready by themselves. But seeing him in office worried me. But, it seems fine. He nudged me and then we left the office. As usual, I was going to his home. We'll have dinner together. As we reached home, he began unlocking the door and at the same time, I heard Ruhi's voice. She came running towards me. Sachin turned and thanked the lady who came to drop Ruhi.

I glanced at Ruhi. She was dressed in a white frilled frock. She looked like a little angel.

She chuckled to see me and hugged me,her hands around my waist and her head on my tummy. I smeared and kissed her head.

" Dekho, meri friend ki mumma ne kya diya?" she placed a box on my hand.

"Aapka gift hai. Aap kholo." I said.

Ruhi nodded in disagreement.

"No! Aap kholo." She said.

I smiled and unwrapped the box, there was a stuffed toy, a small doll inside it. Ruhi chuckled on seeing it and embraces it.

"Ye chotu si doll kitni cute hai. Hai na papa?" she asked while looking at Sachin, who nodded with a smile.

I tweaked her nose.

"Ruhi bhi toh chotu si hai na, toh uski doll bhi choti hi hogi." I said.

She giggled and hugged the little toy in her hand. Sachin asked her to change, and she dragged me with her. I helped her to change the dress and made a braid of her hair. All this while, she was talking and I was listening intently. She hugged me once I finished making her braid. She kissed me on the cheek.

"Aap aaj ruhi ke pas ruk jao. Aap roz chale jate ho!" She complained.

I sighed. That's true. I have to leave her and go every day. But, I cannot stay here, just for her. I am not aware of Sachin's feelings for me either. Okay! I agree that I hold feelings for Sachin, but I don't know about him. My trance broke with Ruhi's voice..

"kahan kho jate ho aap, aunty?? Chalo, daddy calling."  ruhi said and we moved out of her room.

Sachin was serving food for me and himself. He is quick with making food. Or I must say, it is after Ruhi that he has become one, fulfilling her demands. We have  light conversations. Meanwhile, Ruhi fell asleep on the couch. After having dinner, I moved in the kitchen to do the dishes while Sachin moved to tuck his little one in the bed. Finishing my task at hand, I moved into the room and found Sachin smearing Ruhi's head. She was asleep but was holding his hand. I called Sachin softly. He freed his hand from his grip and came to me. I told him about my trip to Singapore.

"When are you leaving?" he asked.

"This Saturday." I replied.

"Okay! But you need to be careful. I wish we were on this project together." he said.

"But you have Ruhi to take care of. Main apna khayal rakh sakti hoon." I said with a smile, but I know, I cannot walk a step ahead without them.

Sachin smiled. He knows what's right and so forth, he encouraged me to go ahead. After a little more discussion, I left for my home. I have to prepare for the meeting too.

To Be Continued.

Will Angel and Sachin realise their feelings?

Stay tuned.