'Rohit! Come on! Maan jao..'

'But, Mom! Aise kaise, bina Sona ke..'
Rohit wasn't in favour of the idea at all.

Veena had just asked him to celebrate Mishaye's birthday, not on a grand scale, but just a family affair.

'Mishaye ki pehli birthday hai, and you know very well, that Sona hoti to kitna shandaar celebration karti..'

'Han, Sona hoti to..magar woh nahin hai! Woh wahan hospital mein hai..bejaan..or mein..aise mein birthday manaun?'
Rohit's voice was getting gruffier with emotions.

'Rohit! First birthdays to hamesha yaad rehti hai..or Mishaye to tumhari or Sona ki beti hai..I'm not even suggesting ke grand affair ho..just saying ke hum ghar wale uss ke liye cake kaaten..'
Veena cajoled him.

'Beta, tumhara dil agar nahin maanta to rehne do..'
Naren piped in, and Veena turned to him.

'But, Naren..'

'Veena! Agar Rohit ka dil nahin hai, to na sahi. Usse force mat karo..'

'Mein force kahan kar rahi hun, mein to bas itna keh rahi thi..'

'To mat kaho..'

'Stop! Stop it, you two!'
Rohit stepped in, before the argument heated up further.
'Mom! Aap jo karna chahti hain kar sakti hain! Sona bhi to yehi chahti, ke uss ki beti ki first birthday celebrate ho. To aap ghar walon ke saath plan kar len..magar mujhe koi bahar wala nahin chahiye..only family.'

Veena was nodding already at whatever Rohit was saying.
'Han, han..bas family. Thankyou, Rohit!'
She squeezed his hand, gratefully.

'Iss mein thankyou ki kya baat hai, Mom! Aap ki granddaughter hai..aap ka poora haq banta hai.'
Veena looked sad, despite her request being accepted.
'Kya hua? Ab kya problem hai?'

'Woh..mein..Sona..'
Rohit pulled his mother close, and hugged her sideways.

'I know what you mean..'
Rohit could hardly talk about Sonakshi, without his throat getting choked with unshed tears.
'I know just what you mean..'

Mother and son, sat there hugging, sharing each other's pain.

***************************

'Aray! Meri guriya! Kitni pyaari lag rahi hai!'
Veena held out her arms for Mishaye, as Rohit brought her downstairs, dressed in a light pink frock, and matching shoes.
'Happy Birthday, meri jaan!'
Veena kissed her several times.
'Subah subah hi itna tayaar kar diya, shaam tak to yeh kapray kharab kar legi, Rohit!'
Veena made faces, as Mishaye laughed.

'Oohhhh..aaahhh..'

'Yeh shaam ke liye nahin hai..shaam mein doosre pehna dunga..'

'To phir?'
Veena looked at Rohit, as she put Mishaye on the floor. She immediately got up by holding the sofa, and took a few steps with its' support.

'Mishaye, apni Mama se milne ja rahi hai..'
Rohit watched his daughter walk along the sofa, and reach its edge.

'Ohh, acha..'

They both watched, as Mishaye let go of the sofa's edge, and stood upright. Veena and Rohit shared a look, not wanting to shout out lest she got startled and fell.
Heart beating a bit faster, Rohit looked on, as his daughter took one tiny, fumbling step, followed by another.
There was a huge smile on Veena's face, as Rohit kneeled on the floor, and Mishaye started to take baby steps towards him.

'B..b..b..'

'Oh my God!'
Rohit finally spoke, as his daughter reached him. She almost plopped down, but he caught her, taking her in a hug.
'My precious! You walked! You took your first steps today..'
He kissed her, and she giggled.

'B..b..b..b..b..'

'Yes, my sweetheart! I am your Baba!'

Mishaye had started calling him, what sounded like Baba to his ears, since the last couple of days, and he had gotten extremely excited, and emotional.
He had started teaching her the word Mama, but she hadn't spoken that yet.

'Arihaan kahan..'

'Here, ma'am!'
The nanny came down the stairs with a ready for school Arihaan.

'Dadi! Dadi! Aaj Mishaye ka budday hai!'
He looked extremely excited.
'Ihaan cake khana!'

Veena chuckled at his excitement, as he came running over to her.
'Yes! Bilkul cake khaye ga, magar shaam mein. Abhi aap school jao, like a good boy!'

Arihaan had settled well in his playgroup, and looked forward to going everyday now.

'Ihaan bohot fun kare!'

Rohit picked up Mishaye in his arms, and turned to his mother.
'I'll drop Arihaan, then hospital..phir shoot pe jaate hue isse chorr jaunga..'

Veena saw them off, her heart heavy, as they left.
Watching Rohit doing all this alone..it just broke her heart.

'Sona..you would have been proud of my son! Just like I am..'

***************************

Rohit let himself inside Sonakshi's room.
Mishaye had fallen asleep on his shoulder on the way over, and he entered quietly.

Checking the monitor, like he always did upon entering the room, Rohit moved towards the stool next to her bed.

'Good morning, Sona!'
Rohit greeted her, as he sat down, and adjusted Mishaye in his lap.
'Look who's here to meet you! Won't you wish our daughter a happy birthday?'
Rohit looked down at Mishaye, and then back at Sonakshi.
'Last year, aaj ka din kitna khaas tha na? Ajeeb to tha, with us fighting all the way to the Labour room..' He chuckled, 'and inside as well!'
Rohit smiled, as he remembered fainting, and being jealous of the male doctor.
'Lekin uss sab ke badlay mein humain, yeh gift mila..our gift of love..hamari Mishaye..'
The smile disappeared from his face, as memories flooded him.
'Kitna khush thay na hum log..pata nahin kis ki nazar lag gayi..'

He looked down, as Mishaye began to move, waking up from her nap.
'Hello, precious!'
Rohit adjusted her in his lap, as she woke up, looking fresh, and happy.

'I envy you, little one! So innocent, so unaware of the pain...'

'B..b..b..'

Rohit leaned over to kiss her her cheek, and made her sit in his lap, now facing Sonakshi.
'Mishaye! Dekho to kon hai! Ma-ma! Ma-Ma!'

Mishaye looked around, not really comprehending. But she continued to make her baby noises, more interested in the wire of the pulse oxymeter attached to Sonakshi's hand.
She reached over to grab it.

'No, no! You can't touch that!'
Rohit was a bit late, and the device fell off of Sonakshi's index finger.

'B..b..b..'
Mishaye continued to flail her hands, the tiny limbs  unknowingly tapping Sonakshis.

'Mishaye! No! That's Mama!'

'M..m..m..'
She tapped Sonakshi's hand deliberately now, waiting for a response.

'Mishaye! Beta, Mama so rahi hain..'
Rohit caught hold of her hand, lifting it off of Sonakshi's.
She immediately started tapping Rohit's.

'M..m..m..m..'

'Oh, God! Did you say Mama? Sona, suno to! Hamari beti ne tumhe Mama bulaya..Sona!'

'M..m..m..m..'
Mishaye continued, giggling to herself.

Rohit's attention was diverted to his daughter, when out of the corner of his eye, he sensed a movement.
He turned his head to look, and his eyes widened in amazement. For Sonakshi's fingers moved. As in two fingers lifted, and shook, before falling back in place.
'Oh my God! Sona! Sona!'
Rohit's tears began to flow down his cheeks immediately.
He heard the monitor beep louder, and he continued to stare at her, lest he miss something.
Trying to keep Mishaye from jumping onto the bed, he pulled the cord of the bell.
'Sona!'
He saw the movement again.

Tulsi entered the room.
'Yes, sir?'

'Tulsi! Her fingers..they moved! The monitor beeped louder!'

'I'll call Dr. Malhotra right away, sir!'
Tuksi looked as excited as him, as she turned and left.

'M..m..m..'
Mishaye had finally registered Sonakshi, and she struggled in his arms.

'Mishaye! Aap ke aane se Mama ne respond kiya hai! I'm so happy!'
He kissed Mishaye and stood up with her.

Mishaye raised her arms towards Sonakshi, wanting to go to her.
Rohit swallowed through his tears, and lowered her near Sonakshi's face, which was as still as usual.
As he watched, Mishaye put out a little hand, and touched Sonakshi's cheek.
'M..m..m..m..'

His vision was blurred with tears, his pulse racing, as the the monitor beeped louder.
'Yes! Yes! Wake up, Sona! Tumhari beti bula rahi hai!'

There was a knock at the door, and Dr. Malhotra entered with Tulsi in tow.
'Rohit!'
He acknowledged, as he moved to examine her.
'I heard you saw movement..'

Rohit moved Mishaye away from Sonakshi, and she began to cry. He stroked her back, hushing her.
'Bas! Bas! Ji, Dr. Malhotra! We were sitting here, and my daughter..she tapped on Sona's hand. Her fingers moved, and the monitor beeped louder.

'Okay, let me see!'

Rohit moved back further, trying to pacify Mishaye who kept putting her arms out towards Sonakshi.
'Bas, meri jaan! Mama ko check kar rahe hain..please! Chup hojao..'

The doctor and Tulsi gave Sonakshi a thorough check up, checking her pupils, and responses.
But there was no more movement from her side.
Sighing, the doctor turned back to Rohit.
'I'm sorry! What you saw, was probably an involuntary reaction. She hasn't come out of the coma..'

'But..but..'
He handed Mishaye over to Tulsi, who started pacing the room, trying to get her to stop crying.
'Her monitor also beeped louder! I swear! Her pulse jumped!'

'I believe you, Rohit! It's known to happen! But I'm sorry, it was just a false alarm!'
He looked at Rohit's dejected face, and put a hand on his shoulder.
'You have to hang on! She's still going strong. We conduct her tests frequently, and everything is alright. We just have to keep hoping..you are doing a great job!'
Dr. Malhotra knew, that Rohit was making all efforts, to get her to wake up.

'Hmm..'
Rohit wiped the tears from his face, and looked up at him with renwed determination.
'I'm never giving up on her! I know she will come out of this! I know it! Here!'
He tapped his heart.
'Here!'
He tapped his temple.
'She's a fighter!'

'I'm with you on this! You take care..'
Tapping him on his shoulder,  reassuringly, the doctor left.

Rohit, glancing at Sonakshi, quickly moved to take Mishaye from Tulsi. She had stopped crying, only light sobs left.
'Meri precious! Come!'
She lifted her arms for her father, and he immediately kissed her cheeks.
'Thankyou, Tulsi!'

'Sir, thankyou ki koi baat nahin hai. Bas, madam wapas ajayen..mere liye wahi sab hai..'
Nodding, looking sad, she left the room.

Rohit kept Mishaye's head averted from Sonakshi's, and blew Sonakshi a kiss, before leaving with their daughter.

The monitor beeped in reply.

***************************

'Happy Birthday!'

Everyone shouted and sang, as Rohit helped Mishaye in cutting the cake.
Arihaan clapped loudly, excitedly.

'Happy Budday!'
He lifted his face to kiss his sister, and Rohit lowered her to reach his level.

'Good boy!'
Rohit ruffled his son's hair, his heart heavy.

'Ab Ihaan cake khaye?'
His eyes were on the colourful chocolates the cake was decorated with.

'Ek minute, mera monkey! Abhi Masi cut kar ke dengi, okay?'
Everyone came to kiss Mishaye, and shower her with gifts.
'Iss sab ki kya zaroorat thi?'
Rohit had already thought the streamers and balloons were too much. But because everyone else had wanted it to be like that, he didn't complain about it.

There was the sound of laughter, and chatting, as Rohit moved to sit down.

'Jiju! Mein Mishaye ko le lun?'
Pari came to ask  and he handed her over.

He looked at everyone. They had found a reason to be merry, and he didn't have the heart to put a stop to it.

Acha hua maine sab ko aaj hospital wali baat nahin batayi. Sab ki umeed bandh jaati..
Or sab ko udaas dekh ke mujhe acha nahin lagta.
Or mein? Mein to Sona ke khayal se bahar aa hi nahin sakta..

'Rohit! Kya hua?'
Naren spoke from beside him, and he was startled out of his thoughts.

'Papa! Kuch bhi nahin!'
Rohit shook away his sad thoughts.

'Sab theek hojayega! Mujhe yaqeen hai..'
He squeezed Rohit's hand, and Rohit gulped, nodding.

'I pray so..I pray so..'

***************************

Rohit hummed a tune, as he rocked Mishaye in his arms, putting her to sleep.

All the excitement had made Arihaan sleepy, and he had instantly gone out like a light, as soon as his head touched the pillow.
But Mishaye, she seemed restless, and fidgeted.
Rohit didn't know if kids this young suffered from mental trauma, but maybe seeing her mother had something to do with it.

Finally, her eyes closed, and she slept.
Rohit walked over to her crib, and put her in it, patting her a while longer, lest she wake up.
He stood there, watching their daughter, his and Sonakshi's.
She was as beautiful as her mother, and was growing quickly.
He wished Sonakshi was here to see..

Rohit walked across the room to switch off the main lights, leaving the room in the glow of the bed lamp.
He himself was restless today after that response from Sonakshi.
He paced in the room, and then moved out to the terrace.
Taking in the cool night breeze didn't help his thoughts either, which were  all focused on Sonakshi.
He stood there, remembering sharing several moments in this place, just talking, or even just looking out into the horizon.
Sonakshi would lean her head on his shoulder, and he, over the top of her head, and they would be content just like that. He had never thought that he would be here..all alone..

'Rohit! Please! Aise sab mat bola karo..you know nothing is everlasting..tum aise bolte ho, to mujhe bohot darr lagta hai..kabhi kuch bhi ho sakta hai..you have to be strong..even if I'm not with you..'

A sudden chill passed over him, as her words came back to him, and he shivered.

'No! No!'
He said loudly into the silence.
'I will be stronger with you! Please, wapas ajao! Mere paas! I miss you so goddamn much!'
He looked up into the skies.
'Aap mere saath aisa nahin kar sakte! Aap ko meri Sona ko lautana hoga mere paas! Sahi salamat! Suna aap ne? Suna?'
As always, there was no answer to his pleas.

He heard Mishaye cry, and hurried inside.
But it must have been a mistake, because she was asleep. He patted her, to make sure she continued sleeping, and looked down at her.

This is what sleeping like a baby must mean..so innocent..so unaware of the problems in life..I pray..and hope..things will get better..yes..they have to...

To be continued...