Nitya and Kabir spend some moments savouring the morning sight from the balcony of their room. Their balcony is sea-facing as it pleases her and he has taken care of everything that makes his wife happy. Kabir tightens his grip on her waist and hides his face in the crook of her neck. Nitya is startled by his move but she knows that something is bothering her beloved hubby. She turns around to face him and cups his face.

“Kabir, what is wrong with you? Is everything okay? Tumhe kahin chot toh nahi lagi hain na?” she asks, gazing keenly at him.

“Nitya, kabhi kabhi mujhe darr lagta hain. Ek toh meri job! Jab main nahi rehta toh tum akeli reh jaati ho. Pata nahi aaj ke samaaj ko kya hua hain? Human trafficking! Kaun kar sakta hai aisa, Nitya? I mean, kya unhe bachon se pyar nahi hota?” he asks, he seems disturbed.

“Kabir, kuch logon ko paison ke aage kuch samajh nahi aata. Unhe sirf paise se matlab hota hain. Isliye ye sab baatein unhe itna effect nahi karti hain.” She says, trying to comfort her husband.

“Sach kaha tumne. Vo aise chote chote bachon ki zindagi barbaad karte hain. Aur na jaane kitne log bachchon ke liye taraste rehte hain.” Kabir says.

“Sach mein, Kabir. Kuch log hain jo bachon ke liye dua karte hain, aur kuch aise log hain jo unhi bachon ka vyapar karte hain. That’s the irony. Lekin hum aisa nahi karenge. Hum ek bache ko zindagi denge, hai na? Tumne socha tha na mere suggestion ke baare mein?” She asks looking at him.

“Haan, Nitya. Maine socha hai aur tumhara faisla ekdum sahi hain. Hum ek bache ko adopt karenge taki usey ek family mil jaye. Shayad bhagwan humse yahi chahte hain, isliye abhi tak unhone hume is khushi se door rakha.” Kabir says, all emotional at the moment.

Nitya sighs. She can’t agree more with her husband. They’ve been married for 6 years now, yet they didn’t have got the opportunity to become parents. They’ve tried for a child many times, but all of it is in vain. They’ve gone through checkups and they come to know that Nitya is unable to conceive due to endometriosis. So forth, they have decided to adopt a child from her friend who owns a childcare home. Kabir is generous enough to go and meet the kids and host parties for them. He also helps the childcare home as much as he could and Nitya contributes to the same. Today, Kabir is a little disturbed and he’s thinking that God has kept them away from this happiness so that they could give life to an orphan.

Nitya gazes at Kabir and makes him sit on the couch. She cups his face and pecks a kiss on his forehead.

“Relax Kabir, sab thik ho jayega. Main khush hoon ki tumne meri baat ko samjha aur ye decision liya. Ab jaldi hi hamari family puri ho jayegi. Tum aise pareshan mat ho, please. Agar tum yun udaas ho jaoge toh main kya karungi. You’re my strength, tum jaante ho na?” she looks at him convincing him.

“You’re right, Nitya. Aaj vo sab baatein mujh par haavi ho gayi thi. I am sorry. Tum bhi toh inhi sab baaton se pareshan ho rahi ho. I am sorry, Nitya.” he says apologising to her, assuming that he has hurt her by talking about kids.

“It’s okay, Kabir. We’re in the same boat. Lekin ab humne jo faisla liya hain wo sahi hain. Ab sab thik ho jayega, trust me, Kabir.” She says softly.

Kabir says nothing but embraces Nitya in his arms and they stay like that for many moments. Nitya is the first one to break the hug and she asks him to freshen up while she moves into the kitchen to prepare coffee and breakfast for her husband. He needs rest while she needs to head to her boutique.

It’s going to be a long day for both Nitya and Kabir.

*****
Anamika and Ruhana board the bus that takes them to the office. The two girls grab a window seat and they begin to discuss work. Anamika is quite excited about Suhana’s birthday. She looks at Ruhana.

“Iss baar hum Suhana ka birthday ache se manayenge. Uski friends ko bula lenge. Vo khush ho jayegi.” Anamika says.

“Haan, Anu. Meri bachi 5 saal ki ho jayegi. Aur ye 6 saal sabse mushkil saal rahe hain.” Ruhana says softly, the pain of the past visible on her face.

“Ruu, vo vaqt bahut mushkil tha, lekin ab sab thik hain. Main hoon na, tumhare sath. Hum dono sab kuch manage kar lenge.” Anamika says softly cheering up her friend.

“Han Ana. Agar tum nahi hoti toh mera na jaane kya hota? Life’s been tough aur main abhi wo sab yaad nahi karna chahti. Isliye Suhana par jitna haq mera hai utna hi tumhara bhi hai.” Ruhana says, taking Anamika’s hand in hers.

“Main jaanti hoon, Ruhana. Ab tum ye sab mat socho, everything will be fine.” Anamika says and Ruhana smiles at her.

Meanwhile, the bus stops outside the office campus. They work in the Spark Multimedia and IT Company. Anamika works in the content management department while Ruhana is working in the IT department. The two friends head into the office and move into their respective departments.

It’s time to work.

*****

It’s almost lunchtime and Anamika and Ruhana meet in the cafeteria. They are accompanied by their friends and they sit to have lunch. Thirty minutes pass by and the girls finish their lunch and are heading to their cabins and desks. Ruhana is heading to her cabin when the peon tells her that the manager is calling for her and Anamika.

Both the girls head into the manager’s cabin and they’re left in a dilemma with the manager’s offer.

To Be Continued.

What did the manager tell the two girls?

What's gonna happen with Nitya and Kabir? Will they be firm on their decision of adopting a child?

Keep guessing 😊

Stay tuned.