Tarika got shocked and ran towards her. Abhijit too ran behind her.
Both of them caught Adu before she could fall down.
Tarika sighed relieved and scolded Adu.
Tarika: ADU! Kitni baar kaha hai ki don't run... That too especially on the stairs! Chot lag jaati to.
Adu(Immediately): Aap roti! Aur kya.
Tarika looked at her sternly as Abhijit looked at Adu amused. Looking at him Adu said..
Adu: Aapko pata hai uncle? Jab bhi mujhe chot lagti hai, to mamma becomes. Er… Vo… (Looking at Tarika) Mamma what is that?
Tarika(Rolling her eyes): What is what? Sawaal hi nahi poocha to jawaab kaise doongi?
Adu(Hitting her head): Mamma! Wahi... Jo aapko hota hai. Jab main chot lagti hoon, to I don't cry. But.
Tarika(Understanding): Upset!
Adu: (Grinning) Hmm... (Looking at Abhijit) Haan uncle... Me not crying. Mamma becomes upset very much.
Abhijit looked at Tarika smiling and said.
Abhijit: Jab kisi ko chot lagti hai to unse zyada unke apnon ko bahut dard hota hai!
Tarika looked at Abhijit sideways understanding the double meaning in it. Both of them kept looking at each other unaware of the surrounding.
Adu tried to free her herself from their grip, but found that she was held tightly by both of them. Shaking her head she looked up at Tarika to free her, when she saw her looking at Abhijit. Slowly Adu shifted her eyes to look at Abhijit and saw him too looking at Tarika.
Tapping her chin she thought hard. Then…
Adu: Ello... Exkiss me... Mujhe please free karo naa aap dono!
Abhijit and Tarika came back to their senses. Both of them looked at Adu looking up at them and immediately released their grips. Only then did both of them realize that their hands had been interlocked in the process of catching Adu!
Tarika shied a bit and smiled feebly. Abhijit too gave a mild smile.
After an awkward silence, Abhijit said looking at his watch.
Abhijit: Ab... Ab mujhe chalna chahiye... Bahut der ho gayi!
Tarika looked at him and nodded for sake. But she knew she didn't want to leave his company so soon!
Hearing an exclamation Abhijit and Tarika looked down at Adu, who had her hands on her hips and was looking up at Abhijit sternly.
Adu: Uncle you promised! Ki hum baatein karenge, after my home work!
Tarika(Keeping a hand over her shoulder): Lekin beta. Uncle ko der ho rahi hai naa. Phir.
Adu jerked off Tarika's hands and walked away.. Pouting her lips, arms folded she sat down hard on the sofa, obviously very angry.
Abhijit looked at her angry and looked back at Tarika who was in turn looking at him to understand his reaction.
Abhijit(Hesitantly): Tarika!
Tarika(Smiling): Agar tumhe der nahi ho rahi ho to Abhijit, you can definitely stay on... Agar der ho rahi hai to its okay. Adu ko main sambhaal loongi!
Abhijit: No no no no... Der nahi ho rahi... Bas tumhe...
Tarika(Shaking her head): I don't have any issues!
Abhijit nodded smiling. He looked back at Adu who was actually watching them and had heard them too. Seeing him watch her, she immediately turned her head away as if still angry.
Abhijit(Smiling, looking at Adu): Hmm. Promise kiya hai to nibhana padega. Lekin koi bahut gussa hai to main kya karoon. Shayad mujhe chalna chahiye!
Immediately Adu got up and went and stood in front of him..
Adu: No no no no no no... No angry... (Grinning) Main to joke kar rahi thi naa uncle... Tchch. Aap bhi naa!
Tarika smiled and ruffled her hair as irritated Adu looked up at Tarika and said..
Adu: Mamma you know I hate it!
Tarika(Bent her and hugged her): But you know I love it!
Adu looked at Abhijit and rolling her eyes to heaven said..
Adu: Oh mommas!
Abhijit chuckled at Adu's sweet expression.. He really liked her. More than that. He loved her!
He looked at Tarika and wondered how lucky she was to have a daughter like Adu. And immediately as a prelude Adu's father's thought came into his mind.. Tarika had never mentioned about her husband or about Adu? He wondered whether it was any bitter experience which Tarika didn't want to share ? Because a sweet family such as this, no one would want to hide?
Immediately Abhijit chided himself for thinking rubbish.. What was he doing? It was her life and she had full rights to divulge what was needed and what was not! Why should he bother?
Immediately he knew he had to bother. These many days where he had a confusion about his feelings towards Tarika, clear now, but yet again he was not sure whether this would happen with the turn of events!
He came out of his reverie as he heard Adu say.
Adu: Mamma... Hunger!
Tarika smiled and said...
Tarika: Oh... My baby! Ten minutes... Abi sirf roti belne hain naa?
She then paused realizing Abhijit was there.
Tarika: Aap ek kaam kyun nahi karti? Uncle ko humara ghar dikhao. Baat karo. Tab tak dinner will be ready. Right?
Tarika extended her hand to Adu who hit her hand and showed thumbs up.. She gave a glance towards Abhijit and went off to the kitchen to prepare the dinner.
Abhijit looked at her go and the next second felt a tug of his hand. He looked down and saw that Adu was trying to drag him somewhere.. He let himself to be led by Adu, as she took him around a guided tour of the house
After a guided tour of the ground floor, Adu dragged Abhijit upstairs to her room… Seeing the room door he instantly understood it was Adu's room…
The door was painted in bright colours and a hanging Micky Mouse carrying a tray of food hung on the door…
Adu: Uncle one nimit!
Obediently Abhijit stood at the entrance and looked amusingly at what she was doing…
Adu opened the door wide and entered it…. She went over and switched on the hanging switch beside the switch board….
Then standing at the entrance she spread her hands wide and said smiling broadly….
Adu: Welcome to my room!
Abhijit bowed slightly and entered the room saying…
Abhijit: My pleasure!
He looked around appreciatively at the room… It was a perfect kid's room… Tarika had made sure everything was according to Adu's taste…. The walls were painted not with colors, but with different cartoon character… Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Cinderella, Snow White, Genie from the lamp, Alladin and Jasmine…. All four walls were filled with cartoons!
He looked on the roof of the room and saw that there was something different there…. Then he remembered seeing them in advertisements… Stickers of stars and blue black sky which glowed in the night….
He saw a small bed with kid's bed sheet and covers… A pink cupboard for Adu's clothes… And there was a big shelf which held many toys…. Lots of Teddies and Barbies to mention!
Smiling Abhijit looked down at Adu and saw looking up at him expectantly… Abhijit knew she was waiting for his comment on her room…. He made a serious face and said…
Abhijit: Hmm... It's not nice! I didn't like it!
Immediately Adu's face fell down and she hung her head upset… She slowly turned around to go when Abhijit said, smiling…
Abhijit: I don't like it…. I love it! (Stressing) Bahut bahut bahut bahut bahut achcha hai!
Adu turned around smiling broadly and asked enthusiastically…
Adu: Such uncle? You like my room?
Abhijit(Kneeling down in front of her): Bahut hi khoobsurat hai… Kisne sajaya?
Adu: Mamma ne... Achcha hai naa? All my… Vo er…
As Adu paused for the right word, Abhijit suggested….
Abhijit: Selection?
Adu: Haan... I select! (Pulling his hands) Uncle come… Main aapko apne doston se milvaati hoon!
Saying Adu dragged him to the toy shelf… She took down a big teddy and hugging it said…
Adu: Ye naa Baloo bear hai... Mamma got this today for me… Ab mera best friend hai! Aapko nice laga?
Abhijit then remembered Vivek telling that he had seen Tarika at the mall last week days before… So Adu was with her at that time!
Abhijit looked on as Adu started to introduce him to all her remaining toy friends… All the bears, Barbies also giving information on when and how she had got them… For her birthday's, for coming first in competitions, to console her whenever she was upset and also when she was angry, during holiday shopping! And more such occasions and some without occasions when Tarika visited her!
After few minutes when all introductions were over, Adu said….
Adu: Uncle… Now last room…. Mamma's!
Saying Adu dragged him outside her room to the room next to hers….
Abhijit hesitated at the door and said…
Abhijit: Beta it's okay... Maine dekh liya...
Adu: Uncle! Come na pleej... Main aapko photos dikhana chahati hoon!
Adu dragged in a really hesitant Abhijit, who had second thoughts in entering a woman's room without her permission….
It was dark inside….
Adu: Uncle vo chwitch behind door!
Abhijit groped behind the door for the switch and switched on the light….
Tarika's room was simple and decorated a little with flower vases and some special articles….
He looked around the room liking its decor… Hearing Adu's voice he turned around…
He was surprised a moment seeing the wall by the room door… He slowly walked over to it, amused….
The whole wall was covered with framed photographs of Adu and Tarika… From the various photographs it was clearly a story of six years… There were photographs of Tarika posing with infant Adu in her hands, Tarika hugging baby Adu, kissing her, all six birthday photographs of Adu, Tarika carrying Adu on her back…. Each of them teasing each other, hands on their temple, tongues out…. Adu's fancy dress photographs….. She was an angel one time, a police once, one photograph like Indira Gandhi…. And many more such sweet moments!
In the center of all photographs there was one photograph with Tarika, Adu and another elder lady in it…. And Abhijit needn't even guess, he knew for sure that it was Tarika's mother!
Abhijit slowly walked over it and smoothed his hand over the photographs… All this proved very much that Tarika loved Adu more than herself…. And they both shared an intense mother and daughter relationship!
Again he noticed that there was no man's photograph in them… Adu's father was missing! What could be the reason that Adu's father was not mentioned at all!
Abhijit's attention was dragged to Adu as she started to explain about the various photographs….
Adu(Enthused pointing to one photograph): Vo naa uncle tab liya tha, jab main school first aayi thi… Naani ne li thi aur baad me mamma ko dikhaya tha… Mamma was very happy you know…
And she started telling the history of all the photographs and Abhijit looked at her more than the phorographs… Adu was very sweet and loving talking in her mumbling kiddish language…. Her sentences were not always fully framed, and she groped for some difficult English words which Abhijit helped out with… But he loved it all the same!
After a while Adu said…
Adu: Uncle… Issse bhi many photos hain… Mamma use vo… Er…
Abhijit: Kya hua? Ab koun sa word chahiye Adu ko?
Adu: Wahi naa uncle, in which there are many photos… Back me bhi hota hai!
Abhijit(Getting it): Oh album?
Adu: Haaan…. Album! One nimit!
Adu stopped, tapping her temple, thinking… She then went over to a small table and opened a drawer in it…. She opened the top one and searched it… But not getting it, opened the next one and rummaged in it… Not finding it there too, she opened the third one but Abhijit called out to her...
Abhijit: Koi baat nahi beta… Main un sabko baad me dekh loonga…. Pehle aap yahan aayiye…
Saying Abhijit went over to Adu, knelt down and pulled her closer to him and asked….
Abhijit: Pehle aap ye baat batayiye ki aapka naam kya hai?
Adu shrunk her eye brows and looked at him doubtfully…. Then shaking her head, she hit her forehead and said…
Adu: Uncle aap itni jaldi bhool gaye… Mamma to mujhe bulati hai naa… Aur aapne bhi bulaya naa? Adu! Aur kya?
Abhijit(Smiling): Mujhe pata hai…. Lekin aapka poora naam hi Adu hai kya?
Adu(Understanding): Oh… Vo… So you want me into…
As Abhijit looked at her confused Adu said….
Adu: Wahi uncle… You want to know about me naa?
Abhijit(Now Abhijit understanding): Oh introduction… Mera matlab… Intro! Haan… Hum aapka intro chahate hain… Jaan sakte hain naa?
Adu nodded grinning… She then dragged him up and took him to the single couch beside the bed…
Adu: Uncle sit!
Obediently Abhijit sat down as Adu took position in front of him and started with cute little actions…
Adu: Hello! (Extending her hand for Abhijit to shake which he shook twice and Adu continued) My name is Adisha… Pyaar se sab mujhe Adu bulate hain… I am studying in class first… Riverdale International Boarding School, Delhi… My mother's name is Tarika… Working in CID, Mumbai…. My grandmother's name is Pratima… She is the principal of my school… My house address is 25, Second High Street, Juhu, Mumbai…. I love (Dragging a little) my mother and grandmother very much!
Adu halted hands on her hips and looked at him heads tilted… Abhijit smiled hearing the full introduction and clapped…
Abhijit: Wonderful! Aap to bahut achchi bolti ho…
Adu: Thanku! Mamma ne sikhaya hai… Kehti hai mujhe self intro janana hai!
Abhijit nodded appreciatively as this was the precaution every parent had to take in today's world… And he was also impressed with the way Tarika handled Adu!
Just then there was a call from downstairs…
Tarika: Adu beta! Yahan aana zaraa!
Adu looked at the door and back at Abhijit...
Adu: Ek nimit uncle… Mamma calling… Jaldi nahi gayi to gussa ho jaati… Bahut gussa karti hain mamma!
Smiling she turned around and ran to the entrance when Abhijit called out to her and said...
Abhijit: Adu! (She turned around) Mamma ne kaha naa… Don't run! Please beta… You shouldn't hurt yourself naa?
Adu: Offo uncle… Aap bhi mamma ki tarah baat karte ho… Mujhe kuch nahi hoga!
Coming up to her and kneeling down in front of her…
Abhijit: Phir bhi beta…. Mamma jo kuch bhi karti hain, aapke liye karti hain… Aur jo kuch bhi kehti hain aap hi ke liye kehti hain naa? (Adu nodded) Aap to mamma ki jaan ho naa?
Eyes wide Adu nodded more and said….
Adu: Haan… Mamma bhi kehti hai ki she loves me veryyyyyyyy much aur main unki jaan hoon! Mujhe kuch ho gaya to vo bahut sad hogi!
Abhijit: Haan… (Taking her little hands) Mamma ki baat manogi to mamma bhi khush ho jayegi naa? Mere liye at least beta… No running!
Adu looked at him thoughtfully again and then said slowly…
Adu: Okies! Uncle ne kaha Adu ne maana….
Abhijit(Kissing on her forehead): That's like my little girl!
There was another call from down…
Tarika: Adu!
Adu(Replying back): Coming mamma!
Adu nodded to Abhijit and ran to the door again, where she stopped and turned around…
Catching her ears she looked at him apologetically and said…
Adu: Chorry!
Abhijit shook his head indicating he understands and told her to go on…
Smiling Adu winked her both eyes at him and hurried off downstairs…
Abhijit got up on his feet and looked around the room….. He turned around to switch off the lights and leave the room when his eyes fell on the table drawer which Adu had opened, which was still open… He decided to close it and leave the room… He walked over to the table and was about to close it when he received a pleasant but shocking surprise…. It was his and Tarika's photographs…. Dancing! Looked like taken on Valentine's Day… Surprised he looked at the photograph closely…..
He remembered his first dance with Tarika and smiled… She was looking gorgeous in it and he knew that, that day he couldn't even take his eyes off her. Although he knew and said to Daya that he will love Tarika no matter what during their talk last week, he yet again was puzzled now with Tarika's feelings and Adu!
But he knew… Even if Tarika had a bitter past and he was truly her first love, as Daya said… Except Tarika herself, nothing and no one could stop him from her… Smiling he put back the photograph inside the drawer and closed it….
Going out he stopped a moment and looked at the wall of photographs smiling… He then switched off the lights and started off… Stopping he went back again to the room and closed the door…
Just as he turned he bumped into a tiny figure and started….
Abhijit: Oh Adu beta! Sorry maine aapko dekha nahi!
Adu: Offo uncle… Mujhe chorry kehena chahiye naa? I only came back of you… (Catching his hand) Chaliye…. Mamma calling for dinner!
Smiling Abhijit took hold of her hand and went downstairs.…
Adu took him to the dining table which was already laid with roti and called out to Tarika….
Adu: Mamma… Uncle ko bula laayi! (Turning to Abhijit) Uncle sit!
Saying she slowly dragged out a chair which was heavy…. Smiling Abhijit helped her to pull it out when Tarika came out carrying a bowl….
Tarika: Good girl! Chalo ab aapko kya karna hai?
Adu: Plates laana hai!
Tarika nodded to her smiling and Adu skipped inside to get the plates…
Placing the bowl on the table Tarika looked at Abhijit standing and asked…
Tarika: Abhijit, khade kyun ho? Baitho naa!
Abhijit shook his head and said…
Abhijit: Nai… It's okay… Main ab chalta hoon… I'll eat at home! Tarika looked at him hands folded and said…
Tarika: Ghar jaake? Aur tum! Abhijit…. Pehle ghar jaate to nahi ho aaj kal, aur waise bhi gaye to theek se nahi khaate… Ab to itna time bhi ho gaya… Kahan se khaoge? Mujhe paap lagegi… Bhookhe so jaoge kyunki tum mujhse milne aaye the….
Tarika stopped realizing the words she had said….
Tarika(thinking): He did come to see her… And only now did she wonder why? To ask her those questions ? Abhijit looked at her smiling.
Abhijit(thinking): Man ki baat zuban tak aate aate ruk gayi! Aur isse meri aaj kal ki hark at ke baremein sab jaankari hai. Hmm… Daya se ugalawaya hoga.
Just then Adu came back and said….
Adu: Mamma plates…. (Tarika took the plates thanking Adu inwards for diverting the situation) Uncle aap khade kyun ho? Baithiye naa… Mamma daantegi agar khade hoke khaate to!
Tarika kept the plate in front of the place Abhijit was standing and looked up at him meaningfully… She knew he could make excuses to her, but with Adu!
Abhijit looked back at her understanding her look and sat down… Tarika too sat down and served thinking "CID ke Senior Inspector, Abhijit… Ek bachchi se muh nahi lada sakte!" She served him some roti and rajma….
Then she bent over and tore the roti in Adu's plate into pieces and put it in her plate… Taking piece by piece, Adu ate as Abhijit mesmerized in the tiny's actions forgot to eat himself… After tearing the pieces Tarika looked at him, watching Adu… Smiling she looked back at Adu eating sincerely and looking back at him asked…
Tarika: Abhijit! Tumne kuch khaaya nahi?
Abhijit: Nai… Haan… I mean… Haan khaana hai….
Saying Abhijit started on his dinner… The dinner was a pleasant one… Adu tried to ask Abhijit lots of questions but Tarika would stop her saying no talks during dinner… A little talk here and there that's all! After dinner… Tarika led Adu outside the kitchen who was carrying a plate of fruits to the table… Just as Tarika sat down to cut the apple, Abhijit came back wiping his hands…
Adu (Looking at him): Uncle! Foots! Aapko kya pasand hai! Bananas? Apples?
Abhijit looked at her smiling and said….
Abhijit: Baap re… Abhi to khaana khaya hai… Phir se?
Adu: Offo uncle… Vo food tha… Ye foots hai… Mamma kehti hai, ki foots are good for health!
Abhijit: Haan… Ab mera pet full hai… Mujhe drive karke ghar jaana hai naa beta. Aap kao...
Saying Abhijit took an apple piece from the plate and tried to feed her, but Adu made an upset face at him and turned away her face… Smiling Abhijit said...
Abhijit(Looking at Tarika): Aapko bhi gussa apni mamma ki tarah hi bahut aata…. (At this Tarika looked at him glaring and he immediately turned his attention to Adu) Achcha… Aap kehti hain to, main thoda sa le loonga…
Saying Abhijit popped the apple piece into his mouth…Adu's face immediately broke into a smile… He took another piece and fed her, which she ate this time… Smiling he hugged her and said….
Abhijit: (Looking behind at Tarika who shied a bit) Aur aapka gussa bhi apni mamma ki tarah bahut jaldi chu mantar ho jaati hai!
Shaking her head Tarika said with mock anger…
Tarika: Blackmailer! Aise hi karti hai…. Kuch karvana ho to, so sad bechari ki tarah chehera banana…Baaki sab waqt to… Duniya ko hi chakra de… My God! Naughty girl!
Grinning Adu parted from Abhijit and hugging Tarika said…
Adu: Nah! Mamma's girl! Hugging her back Tarika smiled and gave her a banana and said…
Tarika: Okay mamma's girl…. It's time for bed… Ab aap jaake so jayiye… Mamma abhi aayi!
Adu nodded obediently… She turned around to Abhijit and pulled him down…. Abhijit bent and Adu kissing him on his cheeks said….
Adu: Uncle aap kal bhi aaoge naa? Abhijit kissed her back on her cheeks and said….
Abhijit: Dekhoonga… Time milega to zaroor aaoonga… Ab ke liye… Good night!
Adu: Good night uncle! Chweet dreams!
Saying Adu bade him bye and skipped off upstairs…
Abhijit couldn't take his eyes off her and felt upset that the day had come to an end so soon… Sighing he turned around and saw Tarika watching him….
Abhijit: Dinner was really nice…. Thanks… Ab to bahut der ho gayi… I should leave!
Tarika looked at the wall clock and saw it indeed was too late… It was 9.30!
At the door…. Abhijit went out and looked behind again…. Giving a nod he walked down the stairs when Tarika called out to him….
Tarika: Abhijit!
Abhijit stopped and looked back….Tarika came down the stairs and asked…
Tarika: Thanks! (As Abhijit looked on puzzled) Adu ne kaha tha ki you told her not to run… Aur vo maan bhi gayi…..
Abhijit: Isme kya hai? Mujhe laga maine bataya bas!
Tarika: Waise, tumne bataya nahi ki yahan kyun aaye the? I mean koi important….
Abhijit shook his head and said….
Abhijit: Vo… Nothing important…. Bas yahan se guzar raha tha, to socha ki tumse…
Abhijit stopped and both of them looked at each other for a while… Man ki baat zuban taka ate aate ruk kyun jaati hai? They came out of their reverie as a soft wind blew just then…
Abhijit: It's getting late! Bye!
Tarika(Softly): Bye!
Saying Abhijit turned around and walked off towards the gates… Tarika too turned and walked to the house! Just as Tarika reached the door she looked behind and saw that Abhijit was walking towards the gate….
She expected something, but… She turned around… Just then Abhijit turned around and saw Tarika go inside the house…. He paused for a second… He had expected something… But…. Turning around he opened the gate… From outside he turned around to close the gate…
At the door Tarika came forward to close the door…. Both of them paused this time seeing each other… Both of their faces split into a smile immediately but a small suppressed one… Simultaneously both of them lifted their hands and bade each bye… Tarika closed the door… Abhijit closed the gate and walked back to his car!
Leaning against the closed door Tarika smiled thinking about Abhijit's visit… He had come to her home for no specific reason! Somehow his presence had made her very happy and ecstatic… It was true that she did miss seeing him for 15 days… She had gone to Delhi to pick up Adu... She would be spending her remaining holidays here in Mumbai with her! Just then from upstairs there was a call….
Adu: Mamma!
Immediately Tarika straightened and replied back….
Tarika: Aayi beta!
She switched off the lights and fans downstairs and hurried upstairs!
In his car….. Abhijit sat inside and put the key in the ignition… He paused before starting it and smiled… He was so relieved to see Tarika again… Yes relived! He had felt lost for the past 15 days and he felt as if happiness had doubled seeing Adu too… Whoever she might be in Tarika's life… However she might have come…. He loved her…. And her mother! Smiling he started the car and drove off!
Inside the house…. Tarika put Adu to sleep and went to her room… Changing to her night dress, switched on the bedside lamp and switched off the other lights….. She went to the table drawer and took out the framed photograph… Walking back to the bed lied down… Smiling she looked at the photograph and thought about Abhijit's presence… He had been angry with her for not telling him about the house… Looking around the room she thought about how she had got this house… Especially for Adu!
A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review. Dedicated to foreveknights28