Sid pressed the bell of his home as he reached. Zalak came and opened the door.

Zalak: Hii

Sid: Hii di

Zalak: You okk right?

Sid nodded.

Sid: I guess

Zalak: Chalo come inside

Sid: Hmm

He parked the bike and took his office bag and went inside. Zalak locked the door and followed him.

Zalak: Sid came

She told her parents who were sitting in living room. Sid took bath and came there and sat on sofa. Zalak brought him water.

Sid: Thanks di

He said taking the glass from her. Everyone waited for his to finish.

Vibha: Kaise ho gya ye sab? Aur tune call bhi itna late kia. Pehle kar deta hum bhi funeral ke lie chale jaate

Sid shrugged his shoulders.

Sid: Ma sab kuch itna unexpectedly hua ki kuch samaj hi nhi aaya. Honestly mein khud ko hi nhi sambhaal paya itni tragic news thi. Fir Avneet aur Hazel ko bhi sambhalna tha. It was extremely shocking ma

Ram: Hua kya?

Sid: Accident. Subah Avneet ko drop kia air Hazel ko kindergarten drop karke office jaane wale the. We met. Baat wagea ki. But never even thought ki ek ghanta bhi nhi niklega. Avneet ko call aa gya. I to got to know later. Office mein nhi thi to I called her. Uski bhabhi to hospital hi nhi pohonchi. She died on the way only. Aur bass hospital jaate hi I got to know ki Abhishek ko bhi bachana is not possible

Vibha: Bohot bura hua. Parents bhi nhi the na inke to?

Sid shooked his head.

Sid: Vahi dono the and they are also gone now. Parents ki death ko to kaafi time ho chuka hai

Ram: Beti bhi hai na ek unki? Kitne saal ki hai

Sid: Teen saal ki

Vibha: Haaye bechare bache. Soch kar hi dar lag raha hai. Bhagwaan kisike saath na aese kare. Hum log kal subah jaakar milkar aate hai. Ab jo hona tha wo to ho gya. Usko to hum nhi badal sakte. Hamre haath mein kuch hai nhi. Sanskaar bhi ho gya. Pata hi baad mein chala. Par chalo milkar to aana chahie. Bacho ko thodi himmat hi mil jayegi aur kuch nhi

Ram: Hnn kal subah jaa aayenge. Kal half day le lena beta

Zalak: Hnji papa. Mein call karke inform kar doongi office mein

Ram: Hmm

Zalak: Kuch khaana hai Sid. Bhookh lagi hai?

Sid: Nhi di. Bilkul mann nhi kar raha

Zalak: Pakka?

Sid: Hnji

Vibha: Chal tu soja abhi fir. Thak gya hoga tu. Saara din idhar udar bhaag dor kar rahe the

Sid: Hnji. Aap log bhi sojaiega jaldi

Ram: Hnn tu chinta matt kar. Aur apna dhyaan rakh

Sid: Good night

Sid went in his room and laid down on bed. He put alarm for early morning as he wanted to go check on both the girls as early as possible. But sleep was far away from his eyes. Sometimes Abhinavi's death was haunting him, the other time he was worried about Avu and Hazel. He was continously changing sides trying to sleep.  He slept after long time. Alarm rang. He got ready in sometime. He was leaving when Zalak stopped him.

Zalak: Kaha subah subah?

Sid: Kuch nhi wo bass Avneet ke ghar jaa raha tha. I thought they might need something so

Zalak: Theek hai. Par kuch khaale pehle. Kalse tune kuch nhi khaaya hai

Sid: Di mera bilkul mann nhi hai

Zalak: Dekh bina kuch khaaye to mein tujhe waise bhi nhi jaane doongi. Chal aaja mere saath

She held his hand and dragged him into kitchen. She made him eat some fruits and drink milk.

Zalak: Chal ab jaa

Sid: Okk

Sid quickly took his bike keys and helmet and left. Zalak got busy with her daily routine. Sid reached Avu's home. A few people who were still there were sitting in veranda. He went in Avu's room and saw her sitting beside Hazel who was sleeping. Avu was caressing her hair unconsciously but she was lost in her own thoughts. Sid went near her and kept a hand on her shoulder. Avu looked up at him and then again looked down.

Sid: You alright? Raat ko kuch zaroorat to nhi padi

Avu shooked her head.

Sid: Tum aese karo jaakar fresh ho jaoo. Mein Hazel ka dhyaan rakhta hu tab tak

Avu: Okk

She said without any argument. She took out clothes from her almirah and went inside the washroom. Sid sat beside Hazel. After sometime Akshit also reached.

Akshit: Hii

Sid: Hello. Avneet washroom mein hai. Aati hogi

Akshit nodded.

Akshit: Was she like alright?

Sid: Theek thi. But you know kya hua hai to

Akshit nodded understanding.

Hazel: Mumma

Sid looked at Hazel rubbing her eyes and mumbling. Sid sighed.

Akshit: Tu dekhle isko. I will see Avu. Aati hogi wo bhi

Sid: Hnn okk

Akshit left.

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter