Whispers of Spring.....Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

Raj took Adi’s hands and pulled him up to stand between his legs. He wiped his eyes with his thumbs and held him firmly by his thin shoulders, “Adi, first of all calm yourself. It will upset your mother if you look so agitated. She is a wonderful, strong lady, son…She can take care of herself. But between you and me we shall make sure no one harasses her. We won’t let anything happen to her. OK? So, yes…I’ll teach you a few moves.’

Adi sniffed and smiled shakily through moist eyes, “Thank you, Uncle.”

“However, the most important thing for you to know is that if a dangerous situation arises, you have to first think with your head. That bad man is a big person, and you are still a little boy.”

“Not little.” A stubborn look spread across Adi’s face as he shook his head vigorously.

“Nope. Not little. My mistake. A young man…that’s who you are. Brave and loving young man.”

Raj was rewarded with a beaming smile. He ruffled Adi’s head and continued, “You do understand that you cannot physically fight the big man, don’t you Adi?”

Adi looked into Raj’s eyes and then after a beat nodded reluctantly, “Yes Uncle.”

“But you can think with your head,” he tapped on Adi’s temple, “and you can buy time to get out of sticky situations.”

“How?”

“By getting help. Like you did now by telling me…without worrying your mumma. If you find yourself or your mumma in danger, be calm, and then at the earliest opportunity, get help from someone you can trust. OK?”

Adi nodded…this time a little more enthusiastically, as he understood that he could be of some help if the occasion demands. He had felt so helpless and inadequate when he had seen that man trying to hurt his mother. Beeji told everyone proudly how he was the man of the house. Yet when it came down to it, he was torn between rushing out to hit the man and obeying ma’s orders about not stepping out of the gates till she came back for him. He felt that he had somehow failed ma and beeji. That’s when he had remembered Raj uncle, and he knew for sure that he could go to him for help.

Now, he looked at Raj with veneration as the older man got up and looked down at him, “Come Adi. I want to give you something.”

“What uncle?”

“Patience Adi. Let’s go to my study.”

Inside the study, Raj left Adi’s hand and went behind his desk. He pulled the second drawer and took out a package. Adi ambled closer and saw that it was the packing of a cell phone.

“A phone?” His eyes went wide. “You are giving me a phone? Wow! Awesome.”

Raj chuckled at Adi’s excitement, “Yes Adi. This is for you. Come here.” Raj picked up Adi and sat him on the desk. He sat down in the chair and punched in a few numbers in the phone. He had got it to give to nanisa who was looking for a second phone for her use. Good thing that it was delivered earlier in the day. He gave it to Adi, “Here son. It’s a small phone and will fit into your pockets. I have punched in your mother’s, beeji’s, badima’s, and my number. You will get me if you press on 1. But remember, there’s only one reason I am giving it to you. You will use it if there is an emergency and you want help. This is not for chatting with friends.”

“OK uncle. Can I play the games in it?”

“Sure.” Raj smiled. “But don’t forget to charge it regularly. Here’s the charger.”

Adi took the phone and tried the functions as Raj watched. Suddenly he slid down the desk and threw his arms around Raj’s neck, “Thank you…thank you Raj uncle. You are the best.”

Raj pressed the little body against him and dropped a kiss on his head, “My pleasure Adi. I know you will take good care of it.”

Adi stepped back, “May I show it to mumma now?”

“Show me what Adi?”

******************************

Raj and Adi looked toward the door as Naina stepped in with Tanu. “We have been looking for you Adi. Tanu was waiting for you to come and play with her.”

“Oops! Sorry Tanu. Mumma, look…Uncle has gifted me a phone. Isn’t it super?”

Naina stared at Raj and then at her son’s beaming face. “Yes, it is. Did you thank Uncle?”

“Yes, mumma…I did.”

“Show me bhaiya.” Tanu craned her neck to look at the phone. Adi took her hand and put it there, “See. It’s tiny…like you.” Tanu giggled. Adi pulled her along, “Come we’ll show it to beeji and badima, and then I’ll show you the games that are in it.” He tossed back a glowing smile at Raj before striding out with Tanu.

Naina stared at the man who had captured her heart in a way no one ever had. Through the evening she had avoided him. She was sure that if she looked at him long enough, he would know her secret. She resisted the urge to step toward the magnificent aura that emanated from him. Instead, she gestured toward the door from where Adi had just left, “What were you thinking Raj? You shouldn’t have given him such an expensive gift. In any case he is too young to own a phone.”

“I am sorry Naina. I should have asked you first. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing.” Raj stood up and stepped closer, before stopping.

“But…a phone Raj! At his age, he shouldn’t be expecting to receive such gifts. I don’t want him to be spoilt.”

“C’mon Naina. Adi is a responsible child. With you as his mother, he is never going to go astray. However, you may not have noticed that he is taking his role as the only man in the family too seriously. I just handed him a reason to shift his sense of responsibility toward a thing. That’s all.”

“Raj!”

“Naina…take it easy. Haven’t you heard that the greatest gifts you can give your child are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence?” Raj tried to alleviate her mood.

Raj’s words transported Naina to another day, another time. She felt her head go fuzzy, her hands felt cold and clammy, and she found it difficult to breathe. The memories came rushing in, unsettling her, as she felt the start of a panic attack.

“Naina!” She felt her heart pound inside her ribcage as she struggled to focus on the voice that was her lifeline at that moment.

“Naina, are you OK? What happened?” She swayed on her feet before he caught her. “Dear God! It’s OK love. I am here.” She felt strong arms gather her and walk her to the sofa. “Breathe Naina. Take deep breaths. That’s it…Good. Here, have some water.” He kept on talking to her. She heard him through the haze and concentrated on slowing her breathing. A few minutes later she felt herself calm down, and her mind and heart found their way back to normalcy. She found herself held against Raj’s chest, and he was mumbling soothing words.

She tilted her head. He was looking at her with tortuous eyes, “I am fine Raj.” She shifted back, and he let her go, but reached down to hold her hands, “I did it again, didn’t I? I caused this. I am sorry that I gave Adi…”

“No, Raj. It’s not you. You didn’t say or do anything wrong. I am not upset about the phone. It’s just that this whole situation and what you said brought back memories….and I wasn’t prepared.” She hated to see him feel guilty of what was clearly her shortcoming. She had always known that healing process of her mental scars would be long and complicated. She had learnt to internalize the healing…for Adi’s and beeji’s sakes, and also because she wanted to honor the words of advice of her father. He would always say: “Sing the song of Spring Naina…even when the chips are down. In your smile will lie the secret of the happiness of all those who love you. Try to be happy always…against all odds.”

****************************

“Naina, I understand that no one likes to revisit painful memories. But if you turn your back on them completely, you are only letting them fester and allowing them to cause harm to not only you but also to Adi.” She looked up at Raj in shock. What is he saying? She looked and found only honesty and concern in his eyes. He continued in a gentle voice, “Adi is a sensitive kid Naina. He is more attuned to your emotions and reactions than you credit him for. You cannot hide yourself from him for long. Remember you told me once that I hide behind my handicap? You were right. I was doing exactly that. What if I say that you have closed the door to the happy memories of your family and are hiding behind it? Hurting alone. You don’t need to, you know. Just try opening the door Naina. Think of them. Feel them. Hear them. See them…..See them Naina….See them as freely as you did once. They are there. Alive. In your heart.”

He squeezed her hands and rubbed his thumbs over her inner wrists in circles. Her heart fluttering with love and each nerve responding to his touch and his voice, Naina stared at Raj for long…till their gazes seemed to melt together and they couldn’t look away. As if they were floating aimlessly in a bubble of their own. In the warmth of his essence, Naina felt all her inhibitions wash away. In his courage, she found her strength. He was right. She had spent too much time looking back and dreading the past. She wanted her life back…a life that was ripped from her so violently…not once, but twice over. Running away was never the solution.

“Talk to me Naina. Tell me…. I am sure that the more you reminisce and talk about your family, the easier it will be for you to remember them.”

“You think so? Beeji tells me that one day I’ll remember and smile and the grief would have gone. But it doesn’t go Raj…Every time someone or something triggers a memory, it’s as if…as if I am thrust into the middle of a twister. It is not easy.”

“I know it isn’t. But talking about it will help. Believe me. Trust me on this Naina. We’ll deal with it together…OK?”

Naina looked down at his large, strong hands holding her small ones. He made it sound simple. Should she dare? Should she believe? She felt she was having an out-of body-experience and heard herself whisper, “I should have been with them in the car.”

Raj understood. He had heard whispered words akin to that so many times…among his fellow officers, friends, and soldiers…when they survived an ambush or an armed skirmish or a blast. The doctors called it survivor’s guilt….the guilt of remaining alive when others died.

“Do you really think that Naina? Would that have made your family happy? Wherever they are today, they must be very proud of the life you have made for yourself. You fought your way through all the ups and downs…like a warrior queen.”

Naina’s eyes widened at that. Raj’s lips formed a half smile, “What?”

“Sometimes you speak just like papa. It’s amazing. He used to call me his warrior princess because I would get into arguments with everyone.” She smiled.

“Tell me about your parents.”

And it flowed…as easy as the flow of stream down the mountain and through the valleys.

“My father was a musician. A wonderful singer, he played many instruments. He used to be part of this group and would travel a lot to sing and play in concerts. My mother was in university when she met him during a concert. She went to interview him for the university magazine, and they fell in love. They were polar opposites in many ways, yet so alike. My father never took anything seriously. He was a happy man and always laughing and cracking jokes. He always knew how to make us smile. Their fights were a treat to watch…My mother would be seriously scolding him, and papa would stand in front of her making faces and then suddenly bursting into a song.”

“I would have loved to meet him.”

“He would have liked you Raj. For all his superfluous behavior, he was a very wise man. We would spend hours talking to each other.”

“Awhile back…what did I say that got you in a tizzy?”

Naina extricated her hands and arose, walking to the window to look out. Raj followed and leant against the wall, waiting. After a few moments she spoke softly, “It was Milli’s fourth birthday.” She glanced at him, “Milli is…was my baby sister.”

“I know Naina.”

Her brows furrowed but she didn’t ask him how he knew. In her mind, she was in their sunny living room in Nainital, with Milli clinging to her legs, listening to her arguing with their mother. “I had bought this fancy, glittering pink-colored digital watch for Milli. One of her classmates was given a watch by an aunt visiting from US. Milli was full of admiration for it. I had sensed her envy. I saved my pocket money and gifted it to her on her birthday. She was thrilled, but ma….,” she took a deep breath as a tremor passed through her at how she only had to close her eyes to recall the scene, “…ma was not happy. She thought I was spoiling her…that she was too small to be given a costly watch. I argued back and told her that…”

Naina stopped and stood still as Raj completed for her, “…that the greatest gifts you can give your child are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence. Right?” She nodded.

“What about your father? What did he say?”

He was enchanted at the smile that flashed across her face, “Nothing. He listened to us for a few minutes and then stood up and winked at me. I knew what was coming. He went and hugged ma from behind, turned her in his arms and began dancing a waltz, not to forget singing a romantic song. Within a few seconds, ma smiled and her anger vanished.”

“He sang and danced? When she was so upset?”

Naina grinned, “He always did that when ma got angry. My father had no angry bone in his body. He kept us all laughing and giggling all the time.”

Before Raj could say anything further, his phone rang. He looked at the number and smiled, “Hello Adi!”

“Hello uncle! I just called to say we are hungry. Tanu says she wants ma to feed her, otherwise she won’t eat. Err…that’s an emergency…isn’t it uncle?”

Raj laughed out silently at Adi’s ploy to use the phone, “Sure it is son. We’ll be there in a moment.”

He looked up at a smiling Naina, “I love that boy.”

“What did he say?”

“Come, let’s go to the dining hall. I’ll tell you on the way.”

Just before he opened the door to the dining hall, Naina halted him by holding his arm, “Raj, what happened earlier…”

He kept his hand on hers, “Don’t worry Naina. I won’t tell anyone. We can’t have beeji and nanisa all tied up in knots over this.” He saw her hesitate, “Did you want to say something?”

She stared at him. Her eyes darkened, and something seemed to shift deeply inside Raj.

“Naina,” he whispered and his hand rose to cup her cheek. She curled into it inadvertently not breaking her gaze, and in that innocent moment Raj was lost. It was as if a path was lighting up all the way in those deep orbs that contained another universe.

Suddenly the kids shrieked in delight, probably because of the game they were playing on the phone….but the moment was broken. With an audible gasp Naina moved away and rushed inside in one fluid movement, leaving Raj’s hand hanging in the air.

*********************************

After Naina, beeji, and Adi left, Raj put Tanu to sleep and then waited for a few more minutes to text Naina.

“Don’t get alarmed. I have posted a couple of guards around the house.”

“Why?”

“Adi told me about the man outside the cricket academy.”

There was a long silence and then Raj’s phone rang.

“Raj….thanks. But we are good. This was unnecessary.”

“Like I have said earlier…for my peace of mind. OK? A little precaution will harm no one.”

“OK. I’ll tell beeji.”

“Naina!”

“Hmm.”

“Who was he?”

“No one. Just someone who saw a lone woman and thought he could get away with badgering her.”

“OK. If you say so.”

“Raj…”

“Yes Naina.”

“You don’t believe me, do you?”

“Do I have an option?”

“I am sorry Raj.”

“It’s OK. I have ample patience. You take as much time as you need.”

“Thanks Raj. You are a good man. Goodnight!”

“Goodnight Naina. Dream sweet.”

Raj looked up to find nanisa looking at him with an affectionate smile playing on her lips.

“Nanisa, I didn’t see you. Come in please.”

She came and sat beside him on the sofa. She had changed into a nightie and gown. Raj was still in his formals.

“Raju, may I ask you something?” Raj smiled. She always called him that when she had some information to extricate from him.

“Anything nanisa.”

“You love her, don’t you?”

Raj looked down at his hands. He could still feel the warmth of Naina’s dainty little hands in them, “You are talking of Naina?”

“Who else? The way you stick by her is like you would forget to breathe if she is not in the same room as you.”

“Is it so evident?”

“It is to me, Raju. After a long long time I finally see a spark of life in you….a glow that can be only because you are in love.”

“Nanisa, it’s an amazing feeling. When I see her, I feel happy…and not only my happiness, but I feel everyone else’s happiness. I see inside me, and I see a better man. It is exhilarating…as well as humbling. If this is love, then yes I love her…yet what I feel cannot be confined to that one word.” He looked at his grandmother, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, giving a glimpse of the depth of his feelings, “Will it sound strange if I say I feel I belong to her?”

****************************************

To be continued……..

Whispers of Spring.....Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The car came to a halt in front of the Asha complex. Raj unhooked his seat belt and turned to Naina. She was fast asleep huddled up in her seat with her feet tucked under her… holding the flowers tightly to herself. She had fallen asleep a few minutes after they had resumed their journey after having breakfast. Obviously she hadn’t yet recovered fully from the previous night’s ordeal. Raj wondered again what urgency had made her come here. They had conversed on various topics, but through it all Raj had sensed a veiled edginess in her. A few times she had looked at him as if she wanted to tell him something but then held back.

He was about to wake her when he noticed the file she was holding on to had slid down. He bent to pick it up along with the papers that had slipped out. Raj saw they were all related to Adi…his birth certificate, his admission form from Happy Hours school where he started his schooling, his passport-sized photographs. Raj paused for a few seconds and then returned the papers to the file before turning toward her. He touched her shoulder, “Naina…Naina…Wake up. We have reached.”

Her eyes flickered open slightly and gazed at him unfocused; reaching up she took his hand and held it to her cheek. She then smiled sleepily through hooded eyes, “Hi! You look beautiful.” He smiled as she went back to dreamland still holding his hand. Raj knew the sedatives of last night hadn’t worn off completely. Left to him, he would have just sat there staring at her …but this was neither the place nor the time. But then how will a few a more seconds matter? Just a few more…. Suddenly a voice called out loudly, “Naina Ma’am…Naina Ma’am…you are here. Good morning! Welcome.”

Naina jerked awake and looked out where Baldev was rushing down the steps and then at Raj, blinking, “Did you just growl Raj?”

“Of course not,” Raj denied hotly knowing fully well that some such sound had indeed escaped his throat. He would have happily throttled Mr Kalra for breaking the moment. Naina noticed the hand clasp and wrenched hers away in embarrassment…looking up to find Raj’s brooding eyes on her. 

Baldev saved the moment for her by greeting her overenthusistically once again. She wished him back and stepped out as he opened the door for her. Raj got out as well, returning Baldev’s greetings and looking at Naina, “I’ll be back in an hour. Is that OK with you?”

She nodded, “Yes. I should be done by then.” She took a few steps after Baldev, who had run up the stairs to open the office, and then paused to call Raj who was about to get back in the car, “Raj!”

“Yes Naina.”

“Just before I awoke, did I…umm…did I say something in my sleep?”

“Yes. You did.” Raj kept his elbows on the roof of the car and looked at her, his eyes twinkling.

“Err…may I know what?”

“Yes…you may.”

“And??”

“And!”

“Raj!!”

“Naina.”

“Are you being funny?”

“No. But I cannot repeat what you said. It’d be highly inappropriate.” He enjoyed the wave of emotions crossing her face.

“Raj!”

“Alright…You said something that’s in your heart.” He saw her eyes widen even as her face turned red.

“Raj!” She twisted her fingers, “Please.”

Raj would have loved to rib her further but he sensed a vulnerability in her stance, as she looked at him fearfully, “C’mon Naina. I was teasing you. You need not take everything seriously. You must have been dreaming of flowers because all you said was that the flowers were beautiful. OK? Now go…I can hear the puppy yelp. He is going to come back sniffing if you delay anymore.”

“Raj, you are incorrigible,” she laughed. He winked and chuckled before getting into the car and driving away.

Naina entered the office and shut the door. She sat in front of Baldev across his desk and kept the file between them, “Baldevji, before we proceed, I want you to promise me that whatever I say will remain between us. It is a matter of great importance.”

All the casualness left Baldev as he promised solemnly, “Of course Ma’am. You don’t have to mention again. Nothing will go past me. You can rest assured. What is this all about?”

“It’s about my son Aditya. What I suggest might seem very strange to you, but I have to do this. I need your help. His entire life is at stake here. There are people who are going to try to take him away from me.”

“Who are they, Ma’am?”

 For the next twenty minutes Baldev listened with rapt attention what Naina told him…not once interjecting. Only his expressions reflected the horror he felt. When Naina halted and looked at him, he said gravely, “Tell me what I have to do Ma’am.”

**************************

“Raj, please stop at the Holy Cross Hospital for a few minutes. I need to speak to the matron there.”

Naina had just sat down in the car after waving at Baldev. Raj turned, “Is everything OK? You are not feeling ill, are you?”

“No. I am fine. I need to talk to the matron regarding the health check up of the Asha Deep children. Their annual medical is next month.”

“OK. If you say so.” He nodded slowly, giving her a speculative look.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Naina,” he sighed as he started the car. “The kids had their check up two months back, and you know that. I am aware of it because that bit of info was part of Kalra’s briefing when we came here last. I don’t mind you keeping things from me…that’s your prerogative. You have your reasons. But Naina…you cannot shut yourself in like that. If there’s a problem, you have to let others care for you and help you.”

She stared out of the window. When he had given up that she would say anything, he heard her, “I don’t expect you to understand Raj. It’s very difficult for me to let anyone in.”

“Accept it or not Naina…but I am already in. Nothing can make me go away.” He glanced at her and found her eyes on him, “And I mean nothing.”

Adi and Tanu were waiting for them on the palace lawns. The rest of the day was spent in fun and laughter visiting the Gopalpur zoo. Beeji stayed back with Ranima to discuss about a party Ranima wanted to throw for Raj and Tanu. Altaf chacha would drive her back home.

While Raj parked the car and got the kids, Naina had joined the queue for tickets. The man behind her was trying to be too close. Twice she told him to maintain distance…The third time she turned to give him a piece of her mind, only to find him being dragged away by the scruff of his collar by Raj toward the gate. When he came back, Raj didn’t say anything, but took the kids’ hands in his and guided them inside the zoo. That’s when she noticed his reddened knuckles. After the incident, she found herself taking in his profile and sneaking a glance at him when she thought he wasn’t looking. She felt Raj’s eyes on her many times. She accepted that Raj being the kind of person he was, he felt protective toward her. He was an honorable man and a good friend. 

What boggled her was her own reaction to him. She had barred away her emotions for so long that this deluge of feelings for this man felt alien…yet they were as familiar as the warmth of the sunrise. She had never felt this acutely attracted toward any man…ever…neither in her past life nor now. He made her feel happy and belonged. Something about how he looked at her tugged her heartstrings in a way she couldn’t recall before. She had no right to feel this way…she had nothing to give him; yet she felt drawn to him, wanting to be with him, wanting to talk to him, wanting him to smile and grin in that inimitable endearing manner of his. She was treading on uncharted territories…this ache, this strange need, this yearning could only take her to a darker place than she already was. Nothing could come out of this wanting.

Naina was startled out of her thoughts as she heard him laugh at something Adi said. The duo were sticking out their heads between them from the back seat of the car and were narrating him something, as they drove back home. Adi said something again and Raj laughed harder with Tanu falling backward shaking with giggles. Naina found herself joining in. God, she adored these three. Out of nowhere one word flashed; “Mine.” She broke off her thought as the rational part of her mind sounded the alarm. Oh my God! There was no denying now. This was it.…She was falling in love. Her brain choked on the thought as she shook her head as if the strange idea would fly out of her mind. And when it didn’t, she stared at Raj like a doe caught in headlights. He sensed the change in her and raised his brow in query after stopping the car in front of her house. He was about to say something when she scampered out. Beeji came out to greet them and asked Raj to come in for a cup of tea. He declined saying Tanu was tired and left. Naina refused to look at him when he wished them goodbye and stayed back near the gate.

In her room, Naina sat on the bed with a thump…feeling shell-shocked. Why now? Why should this beautiful gift come to her now? She never imagined she could ever fall in love and certainly not this way…so indelibly…so fast…so deep. She had thought her barriers were strong enough, but Raj had stormed his way in, breaking all the walls….leaving her exposed to heartbreak. For one weak moment she wished he loved her back…because it didn’t seem possible that she could feel this much love and not have him feel the same. But then it was not fair for her to expect that he come down to her world. His and her worlds were different. She can never have her happily ever after…Her marriage in that family had tainted her soul and seen to the demise of her dreams.

 Yet the question kept coming back to her…Why now? Is this a sign? A gift of few moments of happiness and love to be carried to the empty days of exile? Because leave she must…if they come looking. She bent and picked up a picture of beeji and Adi kept on the bedside table. She couldn’t let their lives be in peril. Tears streamed down her face as she cried over all the love she was going to leave behind. If only there was another way. How will she live without Adi? Without beeji? Without Raj and Tanu? Just then her phone beeped. It was a message from Raj.

“Are you alright?”

She wiped her tears and texted back: “Yes. Thanks for today.”

“Are you upset with me?”

“No Raj. Why do you ask?”

“You didn’t say goodbye.”

“Sorry. Can I ask you something?”

“Sure…And don’t apologize.”

“If I don’t say goodbye and leave, will it matter to you?”

“Of course it would. So don’t ever do that. Promise me.”

“Good night Raj.”

She pressed the Send button and set the phone aside. It rang within seconds.

“Naina, you didn’t promise.”

“Raj, how can I promise such a thing? What if I have to leave somewhere on an emergency?”

“Naina….for my peace of mind. OK?”

“OK Raj. I promise I’d do my best if ever such a situation arises.”

“Thanks Naina. Sleep well. Goodnight!”

“Goodnight Raj!”

***************************

Next few days passed peacefully. However, Naina was jumpy. Beeji noticed her tension. She came to Naina’s room on Friday night. Naina was working on her laptop. She shut it off and crawled toward beeji and then hugged her, “You are worried about me, aren’t you beeji? Sorry for bothering you”

“Stop worrying about me my child. Tell me what’s up. You are not yourself.”

Naina disengaged herself and stared at beeji for a moment, “I thought I could delay this, but I can’t anymore. Beeji, they suspect I am here…they will find me soon.” She told her about the phone call from the police station.

Beeji was shocked, “But how? I don’t understand.”

“Remember that journalist? He recognized me and passed on the word. He was attached with a local newspaper in Balrampur around that time.”

“Oh my God! Naina, we must go to the police.”

“No beeji. We can’t. What will we say? There isn’t any crime yet. But I have to keep Adi from falling into their hands. Beeji…” Naina paused and then continued, “If anyone enquires, you will tell them that Adi is adopted.”

“What? But….”

“It’s the only way beeji,” Naina interrupted. “I have been making arrangements to make it authentic. Baldevji and Paula aunty, the matron in the hospital Adi was born in, have helped me with the documentation. For all legal purposes, Adi is my adopted son. His age will be documented as being almost 8 years and not 6.”

Naina and beeji talked late into the night, making plans. The next day Naina was about to get into her jeep after dropping Adi in front of his Cricket Academy, when a man stepped in front of her. Just by looking at him, she knew he was not from these parts, and her blood froze.

She tried to skirt around him. But he stepped between her and the jeep, “Mrs Dhariwal your family is looking for you.” He had a faded passport-sized picture of hers in his hand.

“Step aside mister. You have the wrong person.”

She tried to get into the jeep, but the man held her by the arm and pulled her back, “Oh no! I do believe I have the right person. You have to come with me.” He twisted her arm behind her when she struggled to get free.

Naina gave him a hard push with her free hand and stepped back, “Don’t touch me. It won’t take me two seconds to have you arrested if you don’t leave.” Seeing a few people walk their way, the man let her go, but not without issuing a threat, “You have one week to call your family. Here’s the number.” He threw a card inside the jeep and walked away. She sneaked a look toward the academy gate to ensure Adi had gone inside, and then got on the jeep and drove away. She knew she had little time now.

***********************************

Adi had watched the entire scene of his mother getting harassed from behind the gates. He had forgotten his gloves in the jeep and was coming back for them. That evening they went to the mahal. Ranima had called them over so that they could plan the party. She wanted it in a large scale and call everyone she knew in and around Palampur….a sort of a Welcome party for Raj. She wanted to introduce her grandson to all the Who’s Who of the state.

While Naina was busy discussing the layout with Ranima and beeji, Adi went to Raj who was sitting on a barstool in the corner, “Uncle, will you take me to the Armory? I want to ask you something about that sword you showed me last time.”

Raj had a couple of phone calls to make so he said, “Adi can we do this after a few minutes?”

Adi looked around and saw his mother was busy. He had to do this before she got up. He bent down and told Tanu, who was hovering around, “Tanu, please go to your room and get the Ludo. We’ll play here, on that carpet.”

She ran away with an “OK bhaiya.”

Adi turned and slipped his hand into Raj’s hand and whispered, “Uncle…please. It’s urgent.”

Raj looked down and saw the stress on the little boy’s face. He cut off the call and walked with Adi to the Armory. Once there, he turned, “What is it Adi? Is something wrong?”

Adi raked his fingers through his hair and looked up at Raj, “Uncle, will you teach me how to fight?”

Raj was taken aback. He hadn’t expected this. Adi may be fascinated with soldiers and wars and battles, but he was the most peace-loving boy he had seen. He sat Adi next to him on the settee and asked him, “Why this sudden wish Adi? Has something happened?”

Adi looked down and kept quiet.

Raj tried again, “Adi, I have to know. How can I teach you if I don’t know why exactly you need to fight? And with whom? Did someone threaten you in school?”

Adi kept his head down but shook it once.

“Then, is it your mother?”

After a few seconds, there was a nod…and then a whisper, “Yes.”

“Who was he Adi?”

Finally, he looked up, his eyes brimming with tears, “I don’t know. But he was shouting at ma and even pulled her down from the jeep so badly that ma almost fell. Then he twisted her arm. If I see him again, I’ll beat him to pulp.” He fisted his hands on his lap and looked at Raj, “You will teach me, won’t you?”

***************************

To be continued……….