Hi all..Happy Sunday! Thank you for the responses and love.Will reply to each comment on previous parts soon.Without much ado,here is the next update as promised. :)

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Nirmal Jyoti Society,Ahmedabad

"Naina se baat hui?'' Bela Chachi asked after she completed knitting few more squares on the knitting needle.

"Nahin uski phone band hai aur landphone koi utha nahin raha hai.'' Chachaji sat dejectedly to take breakfast.

"Bhagwan jhooth na bulaye mujhe kuch anhoni ka andaza ho raha hai.Pata nahin kaisi hogi hamari Naina?'' Bela Chachi grumbled and served the breakfast.

"Bela! ''Taiji yelled.

" Kitni baar boli hun ki uss besharam ladki ka naam ghar mein mat lena.Bhari mohalla mein naak kata di Agarwal khandan ki.Ab bhi tujhe aur devar ji ko uske upar pyar aa raha hai. ''Taiji scolded as Chachi made faces behind the pallu.

"Par Bhabiji jo bhi hua akhir humari bachi hi hai na.Aur aap to us se kab se muh mod liya hai.Ab apko uski fikar karne ki zimmedari bhi nahin hai.Isliye aap uski ache-bure haal se dur rahiye.'' Chachaji clarified and left for office.

"Haan bhabiji.Aap agar elaichi lene aayi hein to bata dun ki elaichi khatam ho gayi hai.Aap Pralay ko bhejkar kharid lijiye.'' Bela said and went to her room.

"Neva! Yahan to sabke jawan chalne lagi hai.'' Taiji soliloqued and left with a cringe face.

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"Hello Sameer! Wo agle week Malhotra Sahab aa rahe hein scholarship ka function mein.Tu bhi aaja.Tujhe bhi to present rehna hai.Main saara intezaam kar liya hun tu bas kuch cheques sign karna baki hai.Tu thoda jaldi aata to acha hota.'' Munna informed.

" Okay okay fine.Main 2-3 din mein pahunch jaunga.Namrata ko bolna ki mujhe call kare.Kuch jaroori chizein batana hai use. '' Sameer replied.

" Yeh apna Namrata badi khubsurat hai na.Behen na hoti to bhabhi bana leta'' Munna asked with a tease.

"Munna! Kitni baar bol chuka hoon ki wo sirf mera P.A. hai.Aur mera student bhi hai.'' Sameer chided and hung off.

"Nanu! Main thoda walk se ata hoon.Aap nashta kar lijiyega.Mera wait mat karna.'' Sameer said and left much to amazement of Nanaji.

"Good morning Uncle!'' Rishav wished as he spotted Sameer jogging by.

"Good Morning Rishav! Good morning Nisha.'' Sameer halted and wished.

"Mumma! Yeh wohi uncle hain jinke bare mein bata raha tha.'' Rishav introduced his mother to Sameer.

"Oh.Namaste.'' Nirupama greeted.

"Hi! I am Sameer..Sameer Maheshwari.'' Sameer said in reply.

"Sameer Maheshwari! Aap Music Research Foundation ke Dean hain ?'' Nirupama asked in doubt.

"Haan''. Sameer said smilingly.

"Main padhi thi paper mein.Aapka interview bhi padha tha.Aap ka Western Acoustics mein research ka thought bahut hi interesting hai.Aapse aise mulakat hogi umeed nahin tha.'' Nirupama was elated to meet him.

"Thank you.Waise Rishav ka kaafi achi awaaz hai.Aap use music school kyun nahin bhejte?'' Sameer asked.

"Main to chahti hoon lekin uske papa nahin maan rahe hein.Samjha samjha ke thak gayi hoon.'' Nirupama sounded really unhappy.

"Koi baat nahin.Unse mulakat hogi to main samjha dunga.Anyways yeh mera card hai.Agar kabhi zaroorat pade to call kar lena.'' Sameer passed over his visiting card.

"Aunty! Bus aagaya.'' Nisha called seeing the school bus approaching from far.

"Sambhal ke jana.Kisise koi shaitani mat karna.Rishav samjhe na.Nisha beta ache se jaana.'' Nirupama gave tips since they were going in school-bus for first time.

"Bye Mumma,Bye Aunty,Bye Uncle'' Both the kids waved back as the bus started moving.

"Acha Nirupama Ji main chalta hoon.Namaste.'' Sameer smilingly took leave.

"Ji Namaste. ''Nirupama said and left to pick up some vegetables from the vendor.

In the evening

"Mo..Nisha!'' Rishav called Nisha spotting Sameer in the confectionary shop.

"Rishav! Meri naam Nisha hai Monisha nahin.'' Nisha was pissed since it was the fifth time in the day Rishav was addressing her Monisha.

"Sorry sorry Moti! Sorry Nisha.Wo uncle puchenge to bata dena ki tujhe aur moti nahin bulata.'' Rishav begged.

"Par wo kyun puchenge? ''Nisha asked confusedly.

"Tu wo sab chod.Bas itna bata dena ki main sudhar gaya hun.'' Rishav convinced her and searched for cookies.

"Arey! Tum dono yahan.Kya kharid rahe ho?'' Sameer was surely elated to see both the kids.

"Hello Uncle! Wo aise hi kuch chocolates aur cookies kharid ne aaye the''. Rishav clarified.

"Acha acha.Saath mein koun hai?'' Sameer asked not finding Nirupama in the store.

"Papa aaye hein.Wo udhar khade hein. ''Rishav pointed out to Raunak.

"Okay " Sameer said and showed his thumbs up sign.

"Uncle! Suniye ! ''Rishav called Sameer seeing him leave the shop.

"Kya baat hai beta? ''Sameer asked turning back.

"E Mo..Nisha!'' Both Sameer and Nisha looked at Rishav with a look,the look which could burn Rishav.

''Acha Sorry Sorry.Moti mera matlab Nisha tu thoda Papa se iss cookie ka price puch ke lana.''Rishav pushed Nisha towards Raunak.

"Kya hua Rishav? Kya secret batana hai? ''Sameer had sensed something cooking in Rishav's tiny head.

"Kal na Nisha ki birthday hai.Problem yeh hai ki us se mandir jana hai wo bhi subah ke 6 baje.Mumma ko kuch kaam hai aur Papa to waise bhi ghar mein nahin rehte.To aap agar use mandir le jate to wo bahut khus ho jayegi.Har baar to Aunty le jaati hai lekin ab wo to book likhne kahin pe chali gayi hai.To aap help karlenge plz. ''Rishav let the secret spill.

"Koi problem nahin hai.Main aajaunga.Lekin is se pehle mujhe tumhari Mumma ka permission bhi lena hoga.Tum apna phone number aur address mujhe bata do.Baaki mein sambhal lunga.'' Sameer said much to delight of Rishav.

Who are your best friends? The people who make you laugh when you don't even want to smile.

"Bye Uncle.'' Rishav waved and prodded Nisha to wave to which Nisha obliged.

In the dark hours of night

Naina smiled. Naina smiled through the frame holding her bundle of joy in arms.

"Mumma! Aap kahan chale gaye ho? Aap kal bhi apni Nisha ki birthday mein nahin aaogi?

Mandir kaise jaungi?Akele acha nahin lagta.

Mumma! Dar lag raha hai.Aap thik to ho na? Aap mujhse naaraz ho? Main jala paneer kha lungi,lekin aap bas jaldi wapas aa jao.Aapke pass wish kite pahunch to gaya hai na?

Aap ko Nisha ki yaad nahin aati?Jaldi aa jao na.''

Two tear drops fell on the photo frame. Nisha wiped it and wiped the flowing tears threatening to flow down her eyes.

Chhod ke gayi Maa

Jaane tu kahaan ab laut aa

Tukda main tere dil ka

Aye Maa tu aake mil jaa

Her mother had taught her everything, except how to live without her.

In the morning

"Good morning Nisha! ''Sameer wished and Naina gave a dull smile.

"Good morning Uncle.'' Nisha wished back.Though she felt strange in Sameer's company but she knew manners.

"Happy Birthday'' Sameer wished again and presented her with a big teddy and chocolates.

"Thank you Uncle.'' Nisha thanked and went inside to keep the presents.

"Acha hua aap aa gaye.Main to sochke pareshan thi ki kya karun.Uski Mummy ke pass hospital mein bhi jana hai.Acha yeh 400 rupaye mandir ke donation register mein daal dijiyega.Har saal Nai..meri matlab Nisha ki Mummy Nisha ke naam se donate karti hai. ''Nirupama said as she handed over the notes.

"Uncle chalen? Mujhe ghar laut kar homework bhi khatam karni hai aur test ke liye padhna hai''.Nisha called Sameer seeing both of them talking and taking too much of time.

"Haan beta chalo.Aapko rashta pata hai na? Main yahan naya hoon na mujhe nahin pata. ''Sameer asked as he started the bike.

"Yes.Yes. Mujhe pata hai.Aap bas bike chalaiye''. Nisha said as Sameer made her sit on the fuel tank.

"Yeh aage ka handle pakad lo ache se.Chodna mat.'' Sameer instructed her realising her ignorance of sitting on a motor bike.

"Very good.Chalein? ''Sameer asked and drove.

"Nisha! Tum kounsi class mein padhti ho? ''Sameer asked to break the silence.

"Class-1 ''Nisha replied to the point.

"Yahan se left''. She informed seeing two turns from far.

"Okay.Haan to tum Class 1 mein ho.Acha aaj ka birthday plan kya hai?'' Sameer asked trying to cheer her up.

"Pata nahin.'' Nisha answered matter-of-factly.She didn't know what each day had in store for her.

"Okay.To...'' Sameer trailed.

"To yahan se right lena hai.'' Nisha completed the statement.

"Acha yeh batao tumhari class ka topper koun hai?'' Sameer asked trying to initiate a conversation.

"Mein. ''Nisha replied.

"Wow! Yeh to bahut achi baat hai.Acha yeh batao ki humara National Bird koun hai? ''Sameer asked not knowing why he was trying to talk to her when she was least interested.

"Our National bird is Peacock.Tiger is national animal,Lotus is national flower and National anthem is Jana Gana Mana by Rabidanath Tagore. ''Nisha spoke with perfect facts and figures much to surprise of Sameer.This girl was really intelligent.

"Excellent!'' Sameer could only mouth this word amazed by her knowledge.''But Nisha! Wo Rabidanath Tagore nahin Rabindranath Tagore hain.Samajh gayi na? ''Sameer asked looking in her eyes.

She nodded in affirmation and gave a toothed smile.

"Acha ab yeh batao ki yahan se kis direction mein jaana hai? ''Sameer asked seeing two turns.

"Yahaan se right aur phir aajayega Mandir.'' Nisha informed.

"Lo pahunch gaye.'' Sameer informed as he saw the temple flag.

"Aa jao.'' Sameer lifted her off the fuel tank as he parked the bike.

"Uncle! Aap bhi chalenge na.?'' Nisha asked in apprehension.

"Haan haan.Chalo.'' Sameer said and held her tiny fingers.

"Ab hume yahan se phool aur diya lena hai. ''Nisha showed the shop from where her mother takes the needful things.

"Bhaiya! Yeh phool aur diya pack kar lijiye.Kitna hua? ''Sameer instructed the vendor.

"Uncle aap diya nahin jalaoge?''Nisha asked Sameer seeing only one diya in the plate.

"Nahin beta.Tum jalao. ''Sameer said remembering the last time he had visited a temple.

If it was not for Nisha he would not have ever come to a temple in this lifetime after that life-changing moment .

"Uncle! Chaliye na.'' Nisha pulled Sameer's blazer to bring him back to the reality.

"Arey joote to utariye.'' Nisha reminded Sameer seeing him ascending the stairs with his boots on.

"Oh! Sorry beta.'' Sameer apologised realising his folly.

"Aap mandir nahin aate kya? " Nisha asked seeing Sameer acting as if it was his first time.

"Aadat nahin hai.'' Sameer sighed as he ascended the stairs.

"Uncle! Aap thoda mujhe utha lenge? ''Nisha asked as she reached inside the temple premises.

"Kyun? ''Sameer asked surprised at the sudden demand.

"Wo mujhe ghanti bajani thi.Meri haath nahin pahunchega.'' Nisha said frowning at her short-height.

"Oh..koi baat nahin.Aa jao.Bajalo ghanti.'' Sameer smilingly lifted her to the bell's height..

Nisha rang the bell twice and signalled Sameer to put her down.

The two temple rings flooded his mind with bitter-sweet memories of gruesome past.

"Uncle! Chaliye.Ho gaya.Ab yeh phool chadana hai.Aap bhi aaiye.'' Nisha pulled him holding his hand.

"Pandit ji! Yeh phool chadha dijiye.'' Nisha said in imitation to how her mother says.

"Uncle aap hath jod ke ab bhagwan se jo chahe maang lijiye.'' She said as she folded her hands and closed her eyes.

"Chalein?'' Nisha asked completing her prayers.

"Tum chalo.Main thodi der main aata hoon.Tum wo bench pe jake baitho. ''Sameer said showing her the bench.

"Pandit ji.Suniye.Yeh 400 rupaye Nisha ke naam register kar lijiye.Aur yeh rahe 2000 rupaye se aap mandir mein muft mein Prasad baant dijiyega.Wo Nisha ki Maa hospital mein hein to unki shehad aur Nisha ki birthday ki khushi mein yeh Prasad bant dijiyega.'' Sameer said thoughtfully.

Signing the register and keeping the receipt in pocket he went out to look for Nisha.

"Nisha beta! Tum ro kyun rahi ho?'' Sameer saw tears rolling down her cheeks as she looked at something distant.

"Mumma... ab... nahin aayegi wapas.'' Nisha's words twitched something in his heart.

"Kyun nahin ayegi wapas?'' Sameer enquired wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Kyunki...''

(To be continued)

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Song Credits:Tukda Main Tere Dil Ka Maa (Movie-Maahir)

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