Ma

jagrutid

@jagrutid

Thank you for all the love always especially the last moment was great to see all the comments the ideas the questions just the amount of interest and appreciation I never though this thread would ever get.

Appreciate all the time and love you have these moments.

30. Ma

Veena walked into the kitchen to grab a glass of water around midnight in Sharma house and as she turned to leave the kitchen she couldn’t help but pause to see a little more of Sneha with Mr Bajaj. 

Rishabh lay on his back the small couch in the lounge and Sneha..sat on his chest, picking at the buttons of his shirt and then at his ear..and giggling..she never got bored of him it seemed. 

They had a special bond it seemed which Veena was touched to see.

…

Pa can you pick me up from school today? Asked Kuki over the phone as Prerna looped her rucksack onto her back. 

its okay if you’re tired. She said sensibly at the end as Prerna eyed her. 

“I’d love to” said Rishabh sat back in his seat on the aeroplane with his phone balanced between his shoulder and ear and Sneha held comfortably within his chest. The little one reached for his hair with a mischievous look.

..

As Prerna was passed the phone 

All she wanted to know is if the flight was on time and Mr Bajaj was well. 

The answer was yes and yes.

“Atcha aap ke saath aur koi bhi hai kya..?” (Are there others with you?)

Ma?” Maybe Prerna had heard Veena in the background, there was no harm in telling her about Veena visiting he thought.  “Yes she’s with me too..”

The mention of her mother visiting made Prerna smile wider  as she put the phone down she didn’t know why but she knew she was looking forward to Mr Bajaj’s return more than she had ever on any of his business trips. 

…

That afternoon as Prerna heard Mr Bajajs car park up her heart danced a little, she was looking forward to seeing him and her mother too . 

“Mr Bajaj” Prerna said as she walked out into the lounge and closer to the entrance having dropped what she was doing in the kitchen to prepare for their evening meal.

Rishabh who had lost his blazer and was dressed in a white open collar smiled at his wife.. putting his arm around her back he stepped towards her a that little more to kiss her forehead. 

“I’ve missed you” she whispered knowing her mother would be close.

“Ma !” She said with a smile as she saw Veena follow in on. 

“And Who’s this!?” She said wondering if the baby in her mothers arms was her nephew.

Soon as Prerna got close and lay eyes on Sneha a little part of her knew? 

“Prerna .. Meet Sneha” said Mr Bajaj walking closer “Sneha this is your ma”

Prernas eyes were set on little Sneha she couldn’t believe what she was hearing she looked towards Mr Bajaj.

He looked on at her with reassurance and yet that wasn’t Enough she looked at her mother with now tearful eyes. 

Veena nodded handing Sneha to Prerna soon as the baby was in her arms Prerna knew it was her Sneha. The baby sank into her arms but was looking over at Mr Bajaj. 

Prerna sobbed quietly.. 

both Rishabh and Veena could feel years of hurt melt away in Prerna.

Rishabh..stepped closer and kissed Prerna on the forehead.

There wasn’t anything he could say to stop the tears he knew but a mother would understand another mother and so Veena reassured him silently that she would tend to her daughter.

..

It had been a emotional reunion for mother and daughter but now that Sneha was playing happily and even had tried the word Ma but it came out sounding a lot like da!

Prerna had everything of Mr Bajajs efforts to find Sneha.

Prerna looked up at their room where Mr Bajaj had been for some time.

...

Rishabh had showered, taken a change of clothes and put light to a cigar and dialled Mr Mehras number. There was  a more practical matter surrounding Sneha he needed to give thought to.

“Mehra I need you to work out a way in which Prerna gets the upperhand in custody for Sneha, do what you have to” he  said putting on his wrist watch and finding his shoes. Prerna who was at the entrance of the room admired the father in Rishabh. The husband too. Whilst he worried about one daughter he seemed conscious not to let the other down.

Ending the call he put out his cigar and sank into his chair to put on his shoes but before he could he felt a pair of hands helping him into them

He looked down to see Prerna he was quick to stop her.

“Let me please It’s the least I can do”  She was quieter, meeker and when she finally looked up into his eyes he saw gratitude mixed with feelings she couldn’t convey in any other manner.

He understood her, what this meant, what she was trying to tell him. 

“This is not what I want Mrs Bajaj” he said raising her forearm to take her hand  into his and tightening its grip whilst not taking his eyes off her the once. 

He wiped away a stray tear with his free hand and  heard her near silent “Thank you” 

“I’m off to pick up Kuki, If I see any more tears in these beautiful eyes of yours there will be trouble” he warned  sternly the way  Rishabh Bajaj would before picking up her chin to kiss her lovingly on her lips.  A kiss that both calmed her and comforted her enough to break into a smile.

...

jagrutid2020-09-06 18:08:17