Khanna House

Sachin brought Ruhi to his home. He parked the car and glanced at the girl who was now asleep. He hopped out of the car, opened her side of the door, and lifted her carefully in his arms. He placed her head on his shoulder and moved inside.

Angel was sitting in the hall, she sensed him and began speaking.

“Yeh kya hai Sachin? Late ho rahe they, toh call kar dete. Main 2 ghanton se intezar kar rahi hoon. “ she said loudly.

Sachin looked at her..

“Shant! Thoda dheere bol sakti ho? Bachi ki neend khul jayegi. “ he said.

Her gaze then went on the girl in his arms..

“Ye kaun hai? Aur yahan kyun laaye ho? “ she asked.

“isey room mein sula doon, fir batata hoon. “ he said and moved towards the bedroom.

“Wahan kahan ja rahe ho? Isey guest room mein sulao. “ she said.

Sachin glanced at her.. “Arey choti bachi haii. Akele mein darr jayegi. “ he said.

“Wo sab mujhe nahi pata. Lekin ye hamare room mein nhi soyegi. “ she said.

Sachin sighed and moved into the guestroom. He laid her on the bed covered her with the blanket and placed a kiss on her head and then left the room.

Angel went to him.. “Kaun hai ye? Aur yahan kyun hai? “

“Uske maa baap ki maut ho chuki hai. Itni dari hui thi ki bed ke neeche ja chupi thi. “ he said.

“bahut mushkil se sambhala. Ab jab tak ye case khatm nahi ho jata, ye hamare sath hi rahegi. “ he said.

“Aise kaise le aaye tum. Ab iska khayal kaun rakhega, hum toh rahenge nahi ghar mein. “ Angel said angrily.

“Hum dono rakhenge na khayal. Acha hai hamari practice ho jayegi. “he said while hugging her.

She jerked his hands.

“Main kuch nahi karne wali. Tum laaye ho na isey. Tum hi rakhna khayal. Mujhe aur bhi bahut kaam hai. “ she said.

Maybe she didn't like the way Sachin brought Ruhi home. Or maybe she thought that the little girl brought many responsibilities and she wasn't ready for any of it.

She moved into the room and sat on the bed. He followed her in the room and sat beside her…

“Kya hua Angel? Aise kyun react kar rahi ho? “ he asked.

“Tum isey Shreya ya Purvi ke sath chhod sakte they na? Kyun laaye ho yahan? “ she asked.

He sighed..

“Wo choti bachi hai. Mujhse ghulmil gayi. Wo already dari hui hai, aise mein usey akela chhodna mujhe sahi nahi laga. Aur yahan rahegi wo toh tumhe kya problem hai?” he asked, a tinch of anger in his voice.

“Problem hai. Uske sath hi lage rahenge toh hum ek dusre ko time kab denge? “ she asked.

“Aur tum usey yahn le aaye. I told you  mujhe bache nahi chahiye aur aaj hi tum usey le aaye. Mujhse nahi hoga uska kuch bhi kaam. Hamare sar par ek zimmedari? Kyun? “ she said angrily.

“Maine tumse kaha bhi nahi ki tum kuch karo. Main sambhal lunga Ruhi ko. Just go and sleep.“ he said angrily.

“Karte toh tum apne mann ki hi ho. Sambhalo usey jise utha le aaye ho. “ she said angrily and slid in her side of the bed.

He sighed as his wife wasn't willing to understand his reason of bringing the little girl home. He heard some sounds and rushed into the guest room.

Ruhi was sitting and crying. She was scared of the darkness. Sachin entered in, switched on the lights. She immediately clinged on him…

“Aap kahan chale gaye they? Mujhe na darr lag raha tha. “ she said while crying.

“koi nahi aayega yahan. Main  hoon na. “ he said patting her back.

“Wo gande uncle aa jayenge. Andhera hai na… “ she said..

Maybe she was trying to tell him that whatever happened, happened during night. She was highly scared. He made her drink some water and made her lie on the bed.

“Ab aap so jao. Chalo..main yahin hoon.” he said sitting beside her.

She kept her head in his lap held his hand and slept. He smiled at her, but was left in thoughts.

To be continued.