Love is a spontaneous emotion

Chapter6 Dad Is Awake

Naani said, " Goodmorning both of you, you girls seem to be happy, whatever the reason."

Maithili and Naav opened their mouths to say something but Naani beat them to it and said, " I know."

Maithili and Naav chorused, "WHAT???"

Naani was taken back by their reaction. She smirked and said, " If you don't tell me, you think I can't find out?"

Naav asked, "what do you know, Naani?"

Naani with an innocent expression on her face said,"that you both walked to Durga Maa's mandir bare feet,what else?"

Naav and Maithili looked at each other and sighed with relief.

Naani said,"By the way how is Neerav doing? " Both the girls were flabbergasted for the second time in a row, today.

Naani was enjoying this hide and seek drama with her grandkids. She smirked and said," close your mouth both of you before a fly gets in there. Now tell me has Neerav gained consciousness?"

Naav took a moment to process the situation and composing herself she spoke," Naani, H...h...how do you know?"

Naani said," I read newspaper, Maithili. I also know how to use phone ,whom to contact and how to find information.I may be confined to four walls but still capable of doing things that need to be done."

Naav was now tongue tied . She felt so stupid that she underestimated her Naani. What was she even thinking..

Gathering her thoughts Naav said," Naani , we did'nt keep it from you with any bad intentions . We did'nt want to put you through that stress which we thought might affect your health.We would tell everything to you eventually when things settled down a bit."

Naani said," Naav trust me I am not that fragile , I have endured the worst in life. If you had told me before, I could be of some help. I am not that useless. If nothing atleast I could lend moral support to my grandchildren, you did'nt have to go through this alone. Whenever Raghu calls you , let me talk to him . I wanted to call him but I knew he would be busy there taking care of everything all by himself so I thought it would be better to wait for his call."

Naav did'nt know what to say.She just nodded her head in affirmation.

Naani turned to Maithili and said, "Congratulations , Mitto ( nickname for Maithili that Naani usually addressed her with). You secured a seat in medicine in AIIMS . We are so proud of you ,Beta. When is you college going to commence ?"

Maithili said ," thank you, Naani. My college will be commences in the month of August."

Naani said, " I am glad both of you girls achieved whatever you dreamt of in your childhood. Naav will be leaving to Kharagpur soon too, Right Naav?"

Naav had got a seat in computer science at IIT, Kharagpur but was wait listed at IIT Delhi, but luckily she got it in Dellhi but Naani was yet to know. So Naav said, " Naani, I won't be going to Kharagpur as I got it in Delhi itself and yes, Naani, I will be starting my college around the same time as Maithili. "

Naani was delighted to learn that her Grand daughter will be going to college in Delhi. She hugged Naav and said, " I am so happy, Beta, that will be in Delhi and staying at home . What more can I ask for?"

Naav said," Naani, I will be going to college in Delhi but will not be staying at home, I will be joining the hostle. "

Naani was not happy but did'nt express it as she knew that there was no use because her Grand daughter would do what she wanted to do and would one way or the other convince her that her decision was right.

"Savithri? I think the girls are hungry after walking to Durga Mandir. Is the lunch ready,yet?"Naani enquired.

Maithili said," Naani I am not hungry. I will be leaving soon. I will have my lunch later at home "

Naani knew that Maithili did not have breakfast neither did Naav as they normally don't eat before Durga Darshan ( before seeing Goddess Durga). So it was quite clear Maithili was shy to eat and wanted to leave before lunch time. She was always like this ,always hesitant to take anything from anyone. When she was a mere child of 5 ,her stepmother often starved her,she never brought lunch box to school. when we offered her lunch along with Naav she refused to eat. She rather starved than accept food from anyone. Back then my daughter Subhadra was alive and she was very fond of Maithili. At school little Maithili was always withdrawn . She was a quite girl who only spoke when spoken to. Even though she did'nt interact with kids the way other kids of her age did she was always close to Naav which was very surprising. Subhadra too slowly started making friendship with extreamly shy Maithili. She went to their school with hot lunch and fed both the girls. Maithili eventually became very attached to Subhadra. Subhadra doted on Maithili . We were well aware of Maithili's situation. Her Stepmother was very cruel. We used to see cuts and bruises on the little girl's body. We once called the police on Shalini while we remained anonymous . The police warned her which helped a bit but not to the extent we wanted.

Naani was lost in her reverie when Maithili stood up and said, Naav, Naani ? I am leaving now see you soon. Please keep me updated about Neerav Uncle ,Naav?"

Naani said, " wait Mitto, you are not going anywhere without having your lunch."

Maithili could not refuse when Naani was asking her to stay for lunch so lovingly. They all went to have their lunch .

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Raghunandan

I was at the hospital waiting for Papa to wake up . I was wondering how everything turned upside down at a drop of an hat. A happy healthy man couple days ago now lying in the hospital unconscious narrowly escaping death. Life is so unpredictable. Sitting here waiting at hospital brought back the memories of my Mother. I still remember those days when my mother was in the hospital fighting for life. Those says are still so fresh in my memory as if it happened yesterday not 10 years ago. The anguish I was subjected to was unbearable. I have never loved anyone in my life like I loved my mother. I lost everything the day I lost her.Just as I was falling into the abyss of despair ,recalling the worst nightmare of my life the nurse came in and said, "Dr Raghunandan? your Dad is awake" bringing my thoughts to jolting halt.