Plot and Writing credits: priyaxsidneet

A couple was sitting admiring their two kids or I should say their lifelines in front of them.

Lady: You know what Shiv sometimes I feel how lucky I am to have you as my husband and these angels in my life

She said with a small smile on her lips admiring her small family.

Man: Kya Ani? Lucky to mein hu jo meri tum jaisi patni hai. Jo mera itna khayaal rakti hai. Tumhe pata hai aaj mein jo bhi hu sirf aur sirf tumhare kaaran hu

(A/n: The couple is none other than Shivaay Nigam and Anika Nigam.)

He said intervening her fingers with him. Both were smiling at each other. Shiv leaned forward but Ani pushed him away and chuckled.

Shiv: Ani

He said frowning.

Ani: Do bacho ke baap ban gaye abhi bhi nhi sudhre. Har time romance chahie pati dev jii. Aur wo bhi bacho ke saamne

Shiv: To kya hua apni biwi se to romance kar hi sakte hai na. Kya galat hai?

Ani: Aap na rehne dijie. Mein khana lagane ja rhi hu. Mere bache bhookhe honge

Ani left ignoring him. He shooked his head smiling.

After 10 minutes

Ani: Siddoo, Jaan. Beta aa jaoo. Khana lag gia hai. Shiv tum bhi aa jaoo

(A/n: The kids are Siddharth Nigam and Jannat Nigam. Sid is 7 years old and Jaan is 5 years old.)

Shiv: Chalo bacho tumhari mumma bula rahi hai

Sidjaan came running. Three of them sat down. Ani was about to sit when door bell rang.

Ani: Mein dekhti hu

She opened the door. There was a bit old and poor man holding a small child of about 4 years old.

Ani: Ji?

Man: Namaste

Ani joined her hands.

Ani: Namaste. Aap? Maine aapko pehchana nhi

Ani said politely.

Man: Kya Shivaay jii ka ghar yahi hai?

Ani: Jii hnn par aap kon?

Man: Aap unhe bula dijie. Badi meharbani hogi

Ani nodded and went to call Shiv. Shiv came out and got shocked seeing them. He gulped because of fear.

Ani: Shiv ye tumse milna chahte hai. Tum jaante ho kya inhe?

Shiv: T....tum andar jaoo bacho ke paas. Mein aata hu

Ani felt his behavior weird but anyways obeyed.

Shiv: Kaka aap yaha kya kar rahe ho?

Man: Shivaay babu Rohini beti ne aapke lie ye khat bheja hai. Padlijie

(A/n: Rohini is a random name.)

Shiv nodded and felt the letter from old man with shivering hands.

Hii Shivaay. I hope you are alright. I know maine tumhe wada kia tha ki iss bache ka dhyaan achhe se rakhoongi. Aur kabhi tumhari life mein na khud aaoongi na hi iss bache ko aane doongi. Par I am sorry mein wo wada poora nhi kar paaoongi. Meri family ne iss bache ko kabhi accept nhi kia. Mom dad ne mujhe ghar se nikal dia tha. Jab mene unhe iss bache ke baare mein bataya. Mein ek chhotse ghar mein kiraye par reh rhi thi. Jaise ki tumhe pata hai ki Shyaam kaka mujhe apni beti ki tarah maante the unse dekha nhi gia aur wo kbhi kbhi mujhse milne aa jaate the. But recently hamari company mein bohot loss chal rha tha aur kuch reasons ki wajah se unhe kuch employees ko nikalna pada. Unme se ek mein bhi aa gyi. Chhota mota kaam hai. But itna nhi ki iss bache ko achha future de sakoo. I am really sorry Shivaay. Mere paas aur koi choice nahi hai. Tumahra address mere paas tha aur islie mein Shyaam kaka ko bhej rhi hu tumhari amaanat tum tak pohonchade. I know tumhare lie bohot mushkil hai. But wo mere saath saath tumhara bhi bacha hai. Koi bhi step lene se pehle ek baar ye zaroor soch lena. Aur please mujhe doondne ki koshish matt karna.

Shiv was numb. He didn't know what to do.

Man: Shivaay babu

Shiv came back in his senses. He sighed.

Man: Dekhie Rohini iss bache se bohot pyaar karti hai. Usne itne saal isse bohot laad se pala. Chahe kitni bhi pareshaaniya kyo na sehni padi ho. Ab aap par hai

Shiv: Aap chinta matt kijie. Mein iska poora dhyaan rakhoonga

Man smiled through tears and made the boy stand. Shiv bend down to his knees.

Shiv: Tumhara naam kya hai beta?

Boy: Abhishek. Abhishek Nigam papa

Shiv: Tum jaante ho mein tumhara papa hu?

Abhi: Hnji. Mumma ne apki photo dikhai thi

Shiv smiled and kissed his forehead and stood up.

Shiv: Aayie kaka andar aayie

Man joined his hands.

Man: Nahi Shivaay babu. Ab ijazat dijie

Shiv tried to stop him but he left. He gathered some courage and took Abhi inside holding his hand. Ani was confused.

Ani: Shiv ye bacha kon hai? Aur jiske saath aaya tha wo kaha gaye

Shiv left Abhi and made Ani sit on sofa.

Shiv: Dekho mein achhe se jaanta hu ki tumhare mann mein bohot se sawaal hai aur mein sabka jawaab doonga. Par tum yaha aaram se betho

He took her hands in his. He took a deep breath.

Shiv: Dekho Ani. Pehle meri poori baat sun lena. Phir react karna. Agar tumhe yaad ho to mein kuch saal pehle Bangalore gaya tha kuch kaam ke silsile mein. Meri jis company ke saath meeting thi baad mein un logo ne mujhe club night ke lie invite kia tha. Unmese ek ladki Rohini thi. Aur uss raat ham dono drinks pata nhi kaise badal gayi and we ended up doing a grave mistake. Hum dono ko bohot regret hua. But we parted ways and decided to forget about it par kismat ko manzoor nhi tha. Islie kuch din baad Rohini mere paas roti hui aayi aur usne mujhe bataya ki wo pregnant hai. Maine usse apni family ke baare mein bataya. To usne mujhe promise kia ki wo iss bache ko khud paalegi, kbhi na khud mere saamne aayegi na hi iss bache ko laegi. Mera ghar nhi tootne degi. Hamare beech koi problems nhi aane degi. Mein waha se aa gia aur wo sab bulane ki koshish kar raha tha aaj tak. Par aaj uske ghar ka naukar iss bache ke saath uska ek letter lekar aa gia. Jisme likha hai ki uski family ne usse ghar se nikal dia tha aur recently uski job chali gyi hai. To wo iss bache ko nhi paal sakti

Shiv ended here and looked at Ani.

Ani: To kya ho gia? Hum paal lete hai iss bache ko. Konsi badi baat hai?

Tears started rolling down her eyes.

Ani: Aur bache paida karlo. Mein sambhal loongi tumhare saare bacho ko. Mazzak samaj rakha hai kya? Shivaay you played with my feelings. Kya laga tumhe? Tum aake mujhe ye apni dukh bhari kahani sunaoge aur mein chup chap bol doongi. It's ok Shiv. Koi baat nhi. To kya ho gia? Ho jata hai? Ek baar. Ek baar mere baare mein soch lete. Meri feelings ke baare mein. Achha nhi atleast apne bacho ke baare mein soch lete. Lekin nhi. Tum to uss raat ko shayad bhool bhi gaye hoge. Lekin jo ghao tumne mujhe dia hai na mein kabhi nhi bhooloongi. Aur agar tumhe lagta hai ki iss bache ko mein accept kar loongi. Apna bacha bana loongi. To nhi. Aesa kabhi nhi hoga. Ye galti se sapne mein bhi nhi sochna

She bursted out on him. Abhi was shivering because of her crying and screaming. Sidjaan didn't get much but they understood that this new boy in the house is reason for their mom dad's fight.

Shiv: Ani mein jaanta hu maine galati ki hai. Par ab mein kya kroo? Mein usse theek nhi kar skta. Please try to understand

Ani: Theek hai. Wo galati ko tum theek to nhi kar skte par hnn ek kaam zaroor kar skte ho. Mein tumhe ek mauka deti hu tumhari galti sudharne ka. Bhool to nhi paaoongi tumhara dhokkha par tumhe maaf zaroor kar doongi

Shiv: Tum jo bologi mein wo karne ke lie tyaar hu

Ani: Theek hai. Iss bache ko ghar se bahar nikalo. Abhi issi waqt. Mein isse ek pal ghar mein bardasht nhi karoongi

Shiv was shocked.

Shiv: Ani wo kaha jaega?

Ani: Wo mera problem nhi hai. Tum usse nikalo bass

Shiv: Ani please shaant ho jaoo. Aur thande dimaag se socho. Mein maanta hu meri galti thi. Par uss masoom ki kya galti hai? Uske saath aesa matt karo Ani mein hasth jodta hu tumhare aage

He said joining his hands in front of her.

Ani: Aur wo meri aankhon ke saamne rahega to mujhe tumhara wo dhokha yaad dilata rahega. Islie nikalo usse ghar se

Shiv:(shouted) You have lost it Anika. Mein apni galti ke lie uss masoom ki zindagi barbaad nhi kar skta. Har ghis nhi

Ani: (shouted) Mujhpar kyu chilla rahe ho hnn? Galti tumhari hai

Shiv: And I fucking accept it. Par mein usse nhi nikaloonga tum jo chahe karo

Ani left in anger. Abhi was in tears looking at them. Shiv sighed and caressed his hair and hugged him. Sidjaan were quitely looking at them.

14 years passed away

In these years many things happened. After Abhi came in their lives, everything changed. Shivika became cold to each other. Ani shifted in another room. She was just staying there for her children. She clearly hated Abhi and Shiv. But after few years, Shiv met with a serious accident and passed away. Ani called Abhi a bad omen and he was the one responsible for destroying her happy family. She kept him at home and used to give two times meal. He was given a small dirty room where no one used to enter. He studied from money Shiv deposited on his name and some money he earned from part time job.

Today was Sid's 21st birthday. Sid got ready in his new clothes. Ani made cake and his favorite dishes. Abhi was not allowed in their family celebrations. Ani called Sidjaan to cut cake. They came down and celebrated his birthday. Ani gave him blessings and Jaan gave him gift. He opened it eagerly. It was the new edition watch he wanted from long time. He smiled happily and hugged her. Ani smiled at her children. There was one more pair of eyes secretly admiring them and smiling through tears. Yes, it was Abhi. He was looking at them together and wishing he could be a part of them.

After their celebrations got over, Abhi went out. Ani made a disgusting face. Sidjaan frowned seeing him. Abhi bent down to touch Ani's feet but she stepped back and left. Abhi smiled sadly and touched the ground where she was standing and took the blessings.

Abhi: Happy birthday bhayia

He said with a bright smile.

Sid: Thanks

He said with least interest.

Abhi: Wo bhayia mein aapke lie gift laaya tha

Sid: Mere lie? Paise kahase aaye tere paas?

Abhi's smile vanished but he soon smiled again.

Abhi: Zyada paise to nhi hai mere paas par mein gift bohot dil se laaya hu aapke lie

Sid rolled his eyes.

Jaan: Dekh lo bhayia kya laaya hai

Abhi forwarded his gift. Sid opened it. It was a t-shirt. Abhi was looking at him with hopeful eyes. Sid kept it on table.

Sid: Well ye mere style ka nhi hai

Abhi felt bad but covered up.

Abhi: It's okk bhayia mein exchange karwa laaoonga

Jaan: Ek kaam kar ye na tuhi pehn le. Mere bhayia ke paas bohot hai. Okk? Chlo bhayia

Sidjaan left. Abhi sighed sadly. He picked up the t-shirt and went in his room. He kept it on bed and decided to study to change his mind.

Days passed like this. Months passed. Years passed. But their cold behavior towards Abhi never changed. Sid got married with Avneet, a girl from his college. Jaan also found her love in one of her colleagues and got married. Sid had a transfer and had to shift from the city.

Abhi was yet studying. He used to live in hostel. But in his final year, he got a job and went there. He took a small flat on rent and started living there. Ani wasn't concerned about him. She used to live in her home on her own. But soon she started feeling alone. She decided to go and live with her son and daughter-in-law.

So she packed her bags and sold out her home to some close friends of hers and went to Sidneet's home. She was so happy to surprise them. She wanted to see their expressions. She reached their by evening because she knew they will be at work in daytime. She came their first time and was really happy to see such a big home. She was proud of her son's achievements. She ranged the bell. She hoped Sid or Avu will open the door and will be extremely happy. Avu opened the door but was not very happy to see her. But Ani ignored thinking might be some work stress.

Avu: Maa jii. Aap yaha?

She frowned more looking at the luggage.

Ani: Hnn wo beta maine socha ki ab pata nhi mere paas kitna samay hai. Apne bacho ke saath bitaloo

Sid came from inside.

Sid: Avu kon hai sweetheart?

He came and saw Ani with same expressions as Avu.

Avu: Maa jii aayi hai

She said with more emphasize on maa jii. Sid touched her feet.

Sid: Maa aap yaha kaise?

Ani: Bass mann kia. Bacho ke saath kich sama bita loo

Sid: Umm aayie

He said unwillingly. Sidneet went inside. She picked up her luggage and came in. She was admiring the house and smiling. Sid brought water for her.

At night

Ani made dinner for them.

Ani: Ye lo aaj maine apne haath se khana banaya hai

Avu: Maa jii mein ye sab tala hua nhi khati aur Sid ke lie bhi achha nhi hai. So please aap kha lijie

Ani's smile dropped. They silently had dinner. Ani tried initiate a conversation but no one took interest.

In the middle of night, Ani felt thirsty so she woke up to go in kitchen. But she saw Sidneet sitting in hall.

Avu: Kya hai ye sab hnn? Muhh uthaya aur chali aayi. Hamari apni life nhi hai kya? Pehle saara din kaam par dhakke khao aue phir ghar par aakar inki sewa karo

Sid: Tum do minute chup karogi. Mujhe bata kar aayi ya maine bulaya hai unhe. Ya mujhe bohot khushi ho rhi hai unke aane se? Mere sar kyo chad rhi ho?

Avu: Dekho Siddharth wo sab mein nhi janti par ek baat mein saaf saaf bata deti hu. Mere se tumhari maa ki sewa nhi hoti

Sid: Tum chinta matt kro. Chalkar sote hai. Subah uthke dekh lenge. Tum apna dhyaan rakho. Unki zyada chinta matt karo

Avu: Iss problem ka jald se jald hal karo

Sid: Mein dekhta hu na. Tum chalo to sahi

Sid held her hand and took her in room. Here Ani was in tears. She never thought her own blood will do this. She couldn't sleep whole night.

Next morning

Sidneet came out and got shocked. Ani was standing with her luggage.

Sid: Maa aap kahi jaa rahe ho?

Ani: Hnn wo kal raat neend hi nhi aayi. Mujhe lagta hai apne bistar ki aadat lag gyi hai. Aur shayad uss ghar mein yaado ke saath hi reh paaoongi. Mujhse yaha nhi raha jaega. Aur tum dono bhi saara din itna busy rehte ho. To faaltu mein tumhara burden kyo badana? To bass maine socha mein wapis hi chali jaoo

Ani picked her luggage and walked.

Avu: Wahh. Achanak se aajaoo aur achanak se chale jaoo. Par chalo hume kya? Musibat khud hi tal gyi

They were mumering but she heard it. She sat in her taxi and left.

Ani's P.O.V.

Ghar to bech dia. Ab kaha jaoongi? Jannat ke paas. Nhi nhi. Beti ke ghar thodi reh skti hu. Par aur koi chara bhi to nhi hai.

P.O.V. ends

Ani went to Jaan's home. Jaan was outiside talking on phone.

Jaan: Kya mom waha aayi?

.....

Jaan: Oh God. Obviously yrr yaha apni watt lagi padi hori hai. Unko kaha se sambhale. Itna burden kaha se le

.....

Jaan: Obvio bhayia. Bhabhi gussa hogi hi

.....

Jaan: Chalo jo bhi hai. Atleast she left. Aur kya chahie?

Ani left listening all this. She decided to go back to her old home for few days. New owners allowed her to live for few days as they were close friends of hers earlier.

One day, suddenly sm1 came there. No one was at home except Ani.

Ani: Abhi tum yaha?

Abhi: Maa...umm I am sorry mujhe pata hai aap mujhe apna beta nhi maanti. Na hi aapko achha lagta tha ki mein aapko maa kahoo Sid bhayia aur Jaan didi ke jaise. Par meri maa mein jaanta nhi wo kon hai, kha hai. Aur dad wo duniya mein nhi hai. To aap hi meri maa hai. Maine aapko hi bachpan se maa mana hai. Chahe aap mujhe apna beta maane ya na maane. Aaj aapse aakhri baar kuch maangne aaya hu. Maanta hu aap mujhse nafrat karti hai. Par shayad mein ye deserve bhi krta hu. Par mein aaj aapse kuch maangna chahta hu ho sake to de dijiega

Ani: Mujhse kya maangne aaye ho? Mere paas kuch nhi bacha

Abhi: Mein samjha nhi

Ani: Chhodo mera dukh jaanke kya kroge? Tum btao kya maangne aaye ho

Abhi: Maine apna naya ghar lia hai. Aur mujhe ek ladki pasand hai. Usse shaadi karna chahta hu. Agar ho sake to humari nayi zindagi ke lie aashirwaad dene aur naye ghar ke greh pravesh ke lie mere saath chalie

Ani was quite.

Abhi: Agar aap nhi aana chahti to apna aashirwaad hi de dijie. Mein jaanta hu mein aapko bhayia aur didi jitna pyaara to nhi par phir bhi ho sake to

Ani's eyes filled with tears.

Ani: Tumhare unn bhayia didi ne to mujhe praya kar dia

Abhi: Maa

Ani nodded. Abhi sat on his knees and held her hands in his.

Abhi: Maa ye aap kya bol rhe ho?

Ani broke down and told him everything. Abhi hugged her and she cried in his embrace.

Ani: Mein to un dono ke sahare aaj tak jee rhi thi par unhone to itna sa bhi aadar nhi kia mera

She calmed down after sometime.

Abhi: Maa aap mere saath chalo

Ani: Abhi

Abhi: Hnn maa. Aap chalo

Ani: Lekin kaha?

Abhi: Mere ghar mein. Mere matlab aapke ghar mein. Wo jo ghar hai aapka apna hai. Aap mere aur meri hone wali patni ke saath waha rahie. Hum bhi aapke aashirwaad ke saath rhenge. Mujhe lgega mujhe mere maa aur papa dono mil gye. Aap bass chalie mere saath. Abhi issi waqt. Maanta hu wo ghar bhayia didi jitna bada nhi hoga par aapko hum poora pyaar aur aadar denge

Ani: Abhi mein kaise?

Abhi: Kaise matlab? Aapke bete ke saath nhi reh skti?

Before she could answer, he dragged her to her room to pack her luggage.

Ani: Abhi tu ye sab kyo kar rha hai? Maine tujhe itna dard dia. To tu ye sab kyo kar rha hai?

Abhi: Maa jo bhi aapne kia wo aapke dard ki wajah se kia. Mujhe pata hai aapko kitna dukh hua hoga mere baare mein jaankar. Par phir bhi iske bawjood aapne mujhe iss ghar mein rehne dia. Na sirf rehne do waqt ka khana bhi. Jitni marzi nafrat karti thi mujhse par kabhi bhookhe pet sone nhi dia. Aap hum teeno ke khane ke baad khati thi. Chahe pyaar se saath nhi bithaya par kabhi gussa bhi to nhi kia. Aaj yaha hu to aapki wajah se. Chahti to papa ke baad nikal deti ghar se sadko pe rulne ko. Par nhi aapne issi ghar mein rakha. Chahe jo ho jae mujhpar kbhi koi problem nhi aane di. Mujhe padne se, job karne se kabhi nhi roka. Aur mujhe aapse kbhi gussa ya nafrat nhi thi

Ani was in tears. She hugged him tightly and cried badly and apologized from him. She was too shameful for whatever happened in past. Abhi consoled her and they both left. Abhi got married with the love of his life, Vaishnavi Rao. Ani gave them blessings. They three lived in small home brought by Abhi for the rest of their life.

THE END

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WEDNESDAY 28TH DECEMBER, 2022

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