AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sure she’ll come soon,” he assures. “Just wondering what are we going to do about Rudra later?”
“I am not letting him come between us, ever.”
“He’s been a part of her life for two years, Aarav. We don’t even know what kind of relationship they presently share. I … I don’t want to hurt your feelings but are you ready to ignore it all and move forward with Jhanvi when she returns to you?”
He’s asked me something which I never pondered upon so far. Now that Aman has raised this doubt, it’s high time I clear my stand over it.
“I love Jhanvi, Aman, and she loves me back. Whatever happened in the last two years in her life, I am going to ignore it because that’s the only way we can connect again.”
As if proud of my reply, Aman pats my back in agreement when Aarvi returns.
“Daddy, one more.”
She stretches another balloon to blow and Aman bursts out laughing.
“Actually, know what Sweetheart?” I pull Aarvi closer. “Aman uncle can blow it better than me. He is in a lot of practice these days.”
That shuts up Aman.
“Aman uncle, blow this balloon for me, please.” Aarvi scoots to him and Aman obliges to her request, throwing a dirty glare at me.
An hour later balloons float on the floor and a few on the ceiling, while the guests crowd the place. The birthday party is in full swing. Amaya is the cutest baby right now in a red frock, taking wishes, kisses and hugs from the guests as she hangs on in her mother’s arms. Sometimes Aman takes her from Jaya to introduce her to the guests and they are really having a good time. I on the other hand, stand next to Daadi who is enjoying speaking to the kids. That’s when I notice Aarvi sitting alone on a small couch whereas all her friends and the other kids are enjoying the rhymes played by the DJ, dancing and playing around while my daughter is sitting alone on a couch, looking down. I march to her, pushing the crowd away and sit next to Aarvi, pulling her on my lap.
“Hey, baby, what happened? Why are you so dull?”
She looks at me with longing in her eyes, the one which she shows off when she misses her mother. I realize when she sees other kids hanging around with their mothers, she feels sad and I regret not giving her that bliss.
I kiss her and then scoop her to my chest. She rests her head there for a few seconds only to exclaim later.
“Mommy.”
What? Aarvi gets down from my lap and runs behind me with full force. I turn around, and air leaves my lungs as I see my wife entering the villa, with her eyes scanning the place, trying to acquaint herself with the people around her. The moment she hears Aarvi’s voice calling her so loudly and running towards her, she halts at the spot clueless of what to do next until Aarvi hugs her feet. For a moment, she freezes unable to bring out any reaction from her body but the moment Aarvi looks up at her face and smiles, she kneels and hugs Aarvi tight. Aarvi clings to her body and cries. For a second, Khushi is tense about how to control her but the very next moment I see the mother in her taking over and she scoops Aarvi harder in her arms.
“Sssh… I am here… stop crying baby…”
“Mommy,” Aarvi’s loud wails tugs my heart and though I want to reach there and soothe her down I can’t help see how Khushi reacts to it. She pulls Aarvi away and wipes her face.
“Mommy is here, baby… Stop crying,” Khushi keeps showering kisses to Aarvi’s face and soon our daughter soothes down, but she doesn't stop bombarding her with innocent queries.
“Mommy… where had you been? I missed you. You won’t go again, right? Mommy? You won’t leave me again, will you?”
Panicked tears flood her eyes and Khushi wipes them again letting her own tears roll down her face constantly.
“I am here baby. Come to me.”
Khushi cuddles Aarvi again and my heart beats faster seeing their reunion though I have no guarantee this is going to last for too long. At least not until Khushi accepts her true identity of being my wife Jhanvi.
But Damn hell! What is she doing here? Though Daadi and Jaya had told me they had invited Khushi Thakur to Amaya’s birthday, she had made it clear to them that attending the party was impossible and she had another one to go. But seeing her here, so openly between me and my family brings hope again that no matter who she believes she is, my wife is definitely trying to cross the roads which will lead her to me someday.
A tense air fills up the space as her gaze meets mine. Seeing her in the middle of a family event like this reminds me of how we were before.Together. Around each other in such events, dying to be together without the worldly interruption again.
“Thanks for coming,” Jaya is the first one to greet her. “It means a lot. We are yet to cut the cake and.. hold on… Let me get Amaya.”
Just when she turns, Aman brings his daughter and Khushi’s eyes gleam in delight.
“She’s beautiful. Just like you,” she says to Jaya and is about to hold Amaya in her arms when Aarvi pulls her arms away. “You are my Mommy. Carrymein your arms.”
That direct demand makes Khushi smile but she does as asked and carries Aarvi in her arms. Our baby is heavy yet Khushi shows no regret carrying her and Aarvi wraps her arms around her neck to cuddle her again.
