Khushi Kumari GuptaK

Khushi Gupta

A sweet moment with the Shergill's...

The alarm buzzed...Time to get up...thought GUNJAN...but, where was SAMRAT ?? She looked around...Samrat was nowhere...then she smiled...where else could he be, but in SUR's room... she walked towards SUR's room to hear her gurgling and SAMRAT talking gibberish...SAMRAT had been a hands on dad...making it easier for GUNJAN to recover... Mom had to leave almost immediately after the party. Important work was pending. It was then that SAMRAT decided to stay at home, to help his CHASHMISH take care of their little bundle of joy. He would be working from home...attending office only when absolutely necessary. Till SUR turned 1 month old, SAMRAT did just that. Then the routine started...SAMRAT would however be back from office earlier...to spend time with his new family...his CHASHMISH and his little doll SUR. 

GUNJAN looked at the father-daughter duo...this was the same SAMRAT who would hate getting up early...now, God alone knows since what time he was here, playing with his daughter. SUR would be 3 months old today...

SAMRAT felt his CHASHMISH's presence...he always did...he turned around...and smiled...GUNJAN returned the warm smile. She walked in and joined the duo...SUR gave her Mom a toothless grin...GUNJAN wanted to pick her up, but SAMRAT was faster...big deal...he was always faster...

G - SAMRAT tum kab utthe...?

S - Time kisne dekha hai... woh toh baby monitor sprang to life and  SUR was crying...

G - You should have woken me... 

S - No...you were fast asleep...and rightly so...yesterday uss meeting ki wajah se I had to leave you alone with baby...must have been tiring for you...

G - But Samrat...har roz toh manage karti hoon... 

S - Yes, but yesterday was a saturday...the day you take rest and I am with SUR...but I had to go for that meeting...so...now I want to enjoy every minute with my little one... and zyada kuchh nahin hua tha...she just needed a change... hain naa baby...Aaj toh SUR sirf apne PAPA ke saath hi rahegi...aur sirf unke saath hi khelegi ( talking to SUR cutely)

And he continued playing with SUR. GUNJAN felt so proud of her husband. She was really lucky to have SAMRAT in her life. She kept staring at him..lost in her thoughts. Suddenly arms circled her waist and pulled her close...breaking her chain of thoughts...SAMRAT had kept SUR in her cradle and started her crib mobile... he wanted to irritate CHASHMISH...he loved it when she got irritated by his behaviour...

S - Kya soch rahi ho, CHASHMISH?? Apni baby mein itni kho gayee, ki yaad hi nahin ke ...

G - Mujhe pata tha...too good to be true. But, tumhen toh apne baby ke saath time spend karna tha naa?? 

S - haan...woh toh kab se kar raha hoon...but baby ki mummy ko bhi ignore nahin kar sakta na... 

G - Really...??

S - Of Course Yes...Agar Baby ki Mummy ko ignore kiya...toh Baby ke liye sweet aur cute sa bhai kaise aayega ? (he winked n smiled) so what say now that our princess is taking her nap...we spend some time together...

He said, pulling her closer...GUNJAN, as usual...blushed...

Some things never change...

G - SAMRAT...SUR abhi jaag rahi hai ...uski feeding ka time ho gaya hai...

she said freeing herself from SAMRAT's arms...

S - Oh ! Aur mujhe guilty feel ho raha tha ki I am not spending enough time with my CHASHMISH...

G - SAMRAT...never ever think that I do not have time for you, that I am ignoring you... (she spoke seriously)

SAMRAT looked at her...with naughtiness in his eyes...caught perfectly well by GUNJAN... she played along...

G - Bas ab priorities change ho gayee hain...

She said teasingly...SAMRAT looked amazed... he tried to hold her back, but this time GUNJAN was faster...laughing she moved towards the crib. She gently lifted her precious baby.

SUR was about to cry...She curled her lips to do just that when GUNJAN held her close...enabling her to hear those familiar heartbeats...calming her down.

SAMRAT left mother-daughter alone, as GUNJAN settled in the glider chair to feed her baby...this time was only for them ...GUNJAN and SUR were best left alone.

As he came out of his room sometime later, he heard GUNJAN humming...a smile escaped his lips... though a long time ago...these memories were still so fresh in his mind...GUNJAN humming in the music room at college... 

He slowly opened the door...GUNJAN was cradling SUR and humming so she would sleep. SUR was rubbing her eyes but refusing to sleep. GUNJAN was patiently rocking her . Finally, sleep overtook their little one...and  GUNJAN tried to get up...SUR moved a little...GUNJAN stopped because she did not want to wake up her baby ...SAMRAT went in and gently took his daughter in his arms. Cradling her so she does not wake up, he put her in the crib and covered her with her blanket. Gently patting her, he waited till he was sure now she was fast asleep.

 

GUNJAN looked at this sight...feeling on top of the world. Everything was just so perfect... SAMRAT looked at his beautiful wife...flashing his smile...he said softly

S - CHASHMISH... go and freshen up. I am waiting for you downstairs.

GUNJAN nodded and did as SAMRAT asked her to...she went to their room. SAMRAT gently shut the door of his baby's  room and went downstairs. The maid had kept breakfast ready. He asked the maid to set the table.

After breakfast, SAMRAT quickly checked on SUR. She was asleep. He came downstairs to see GUNJAN instructing the maid about lunch.

S - CHASHMISH...(he took GUNJAN aside) maid ko half day leave dete hain.

G - But SAMRAT...abhi lunch prepare karna hai...aur bhi kaam hain..

S - Yes...woh main karoonga...

G - (widening her eyes in surprise).Tum??  Really, tum lunch  banaoge? Rehne do SAMRAT...really aaj mere paas time nahin hai

 

S - Haan toh tumhen kya karna hai..? Main Hoon Naa...sab kuchh sambhal loonga...

 

G - SAMRAT rehne do...Tum kya sambhaloge...Kya bigadoge...main achhi tarah se jaanti hoon...

 

S - CHASHMISH ab tum meri aur mere Talent ki insult kar rahi ho..Tumhen meri kadar hi nahin (Said n made a Puppy face)

 

G - Ok...Fine...if you want to cook on a sunday...Please do...aaj 1 baar phir main aur SUR dekhenge...ki,SUR ke Papa kitne talented hain...(she smiled)

GUNJAN asked the maid to leave. She had no idea, SAMRAT had no intentions of cooking.

 GUNJAN went to SUR's room as SAMRAT started his cooking. SUR had woken up and needed to be given a bath...as GUNJAN powdered her little one...baby kept cooing...like she wanted to tell her something. GUNJAN was busy playing with her baby...when SAMRAT called out for her...

Keeping SUR in her crib, GUNJAN went to the kitchen...

S - CHASHMISH...woh salt kahan hai ?

G - Jahan hota hai...in the container meant for it...

GUNJAN giggled as SAMRAT glared at her...she went and handed him the container...SAMRAT held her hand and pulled her closer...

S - Kahan jaane ki jaldi hai, CHASHMISH ?? (said naughtily) Lunch toh main cook kar raha hoon, but maine socha tha ki tum bhi help kar hi dogi...Help nahin kar sakti...at least mere saamne toh raho...

Before GUNJAN could reply... they were interrupted by a shrill cry...and GUNJAN had freed herself and rushed upstairs. SUR was crying. Gently lifting her, GUNJAN shushed her.

But SAMRAT being SAMRAT was not the one to give up so easily...

Half a dozen times, SAMRAT called GUNJAN into the kitchen...asking her for help...finally, GUNJAN decided she would wait there itself...she brought SUR downstairs.

SUR was comfortable in her baby Moses basket...her wrist rattle making a soft noise every time she moved her hand...sending her into peals of gurgles... her colourful mobile keeping her busy.

GUNJAN started cutting veggies for the salad, as she felt SAMRAT's hand on her hand...

S - Main bhi help karta hoon na CHASHMISH tumhen...

G - Pata hai...your idea of helping me...Tumne jitni help ki...woh kaafi hai aaj ke liye aur waise, lunch tum bana ne wale the na ?? Kya hua tumhaare 'Talent' ko ??

S - Lunch hi bana raha hoon na...tumhen lunch bana ne main hi help kar raha hoon...yeh SAMRAT ka style hain...to make lunch.

G - Hmm ... SAMRAT ka style...which means that aaj lunch order karna hoga...

SAMRAT tightened his grip on her hand... not that GUNJAN was not loving all this attention...

Suddenly...

SUR protested loudly...this time SAMRAT had to quieten  her, which he did gladly.

GUNJAN was busy with her cooking...after promising that he would cook, SAMRAT had conveniently forgotten this...now he was busy with his daughter...and he says he feels guilty that he is ignoring me...

GUNJAN looked at SAMRAT who was busy playing with his daughter...she smiled... she could never be really angry with SAMRAT...but cooking...on a sunday. Slightly upset with her husband, she continued cooking...being disturbed occasionally by laughs from the duo.

Lunch was ready well in time. But now, SUR needed her Mom...she was hungry and was throwing tantrums. GUNJAN lifted her from her basket and went to her room...SAMRAT too followed them and while GUNJAN fed her baby, SAMRAT cleared up the room. Toys went back in the cupboard and soiled clothes in the laundry basket. SUR had dozed off during the feed. GUNJAN gently put her in the crib and started sorting SUR's clothes...putting nappies in the bag meant for them and her small little dresses separately in another bag. SAMRAT just kept staring at his wife...the glow of motherhood was making her look all the more beautiful.

 

Slowly he walked towards her...GUNJAN was engrossed in her work...so typical, thought SAMRAT. CHASHMISH had not changed at all...whatever she did...she did with total dedication... if anything had changed, it was their life...earlier they had just each other to think of...but now...this beautiful new addition to their family had taken over... she was their priority now...

S - CHASHMISH...sab kuch kitna badal gaya naa,after our baby's birth...

GUNJAN looked at him and smiled. Then a thought crossed her mind...

G - Haan...bahot kuchh badal gaya...ab tumhen hi dekh lo..subah jaldi utth jaate ho..toh apni daughter ke liye...office se ghar jaldi aate ho toh apni daughter ke liye...wife toh jaise invisible ho gayee hai...kaash ki meri life main bhi RAHUL jaisa koi hota.

At first, SAMRAT was shocked..what was CHASHMISH saying?? He never ignored her...but then he saw that mischievous smile on her face..and he realised, CHASHMISH was teasing him...but,he felt jealous...

S - RAHUL !!!!! Who is RAHUL...?? 

 

G - GUNJAN ka RAHUL...

 

S - What rubbish...CHASHMISH tum mazaak kar rahi ho naa...? Tum kisi RAHUL ko nahin jaanti...Tum sirf mujhe tease kar rahi ho...(said seriously)

 

G - No...main jaanti hoon...GUNJAN ko bhi aur uske RAHUL ko bhi... ( GUNJAN was enjoying SAMRAT's reaction)

 

S - Where is he...? Main uski taange tod doonga...Tum sirf meri ho...kisi RAHUL-WAHUL ki nahin...  He said very angrily...GUNJAN was feeling his jealousy...she was actually loving this possessiveness...She smiled a bit.

 

G - SAMRAT...jab tum mere liye iss tarah possessive hote ho...bahot cute lagte ho...aur sach kahoon...mujhe tumse aur bhi pyar ho jaata hai (she winked)

 

S - CHASHMISH...mujhe iss tarah ke mazaak pasand nahin...Tum mere saamne kisi aur ka naam lo usse appreciate karo...mujh se yeh bardasht nahin hota... ( SAMRAT was now pretty upset.How could CHASHMISH...His CHASHMISH  speak something like this)

 

G - Sorry Baba! ( she smiled at SAMRAT...SAMRAT melted then and there...GUNJAN's smile...always took his breath away) Par main apni nahin...main dusri GUNJAN* ki baat kar rahi thi...jo mujh se bhi zyada cute hai...

Khushi Gupta

 

S - No way... (He had moved closer to Gunjan) Tum se zyada koi cute nahin ho sakta...Aur agar woh GUNJAN hai toh uske liye bhi koi SAMRAT* hoga...Jo usse mujh se bhi zyada Pyar karega...

. 

G - Well...SAMRAT toh hai...but,tumhaare jaisa nahin...woh toh LOVE par believe hi nahin karta...

 

S - Toh..? Main bhi toh pahle kitna alag tha..phir,tum meri zindagi mein aayi...aur phir meri life badal gayi...hamesha ke liye...I M sure...jab GUNJAN uski life mein aayegi...woh bhi badal jaayega... bilkul meri tarah...

Samrat spoke confidently... it was the same with him...he also did not believe in love...did not know what love was...till his CHASHMISH entered his life...

 

G - I hope so...par shayad usse MONISH ko choose karna padega...

 

S - What nonsense...Pahle RAHUL...n now MONISH...? Kaun hain yeh donon...?

Samrat was astonished...he had to deal with only Neil...but this other Samrat...whoever he was, had to deal with Monish and Rahul...Poor Guy...he thought...

 

G -  RAHUL* uss ka dost hai...jaise tum ho...Woh uss se bahot Pyar karta hai...Jaise tum mujh se karte ho...He is very caring n sweet person...Bilkul tumhaari tarah...

S - Impossible... (now this was getting too much...no one could be like him...) Mujh sa koi ho hi nahin sakta...Jitna main tumhen pyar karta hoon...utna koi kisi se nahin kar sakta..so,comparison...not allowed... (he said strictly)

 

G - Ok...Sorry ! Par woh bahot pyar karta hai GUNJAN se...She is everything for him...

 

S - N MONISH..? Who is he...?

 

G - I don't know...main MONISH* ke baare mein zyada toh nahin jaanti...but,woh GUNJAN se shaadi karna chahta hai...He loves him a lot...Pure 2 saal se dhoondh raha hai usse...

S - No way...GUNJAN sirf SAMRAT ki hai...kisi RAHUL yaa MONISH ki nahin...

 

G - Yeh tum kaise keh sakte ho...Kahaan likha hai...GUNJAN sirf SAMRAT ki ho sakti hai aur kisi ki nahin...! tumhen pata hai woh SAMRAT kaisa hai...? Sirf naam 1 hone se kya hoga...woh toh kisi aur se marriage karne ja raha hai... Usse GUNJAN uss ki CLASS ki nahin lagti...phir,woh kyun GUNJAN ko choose karega..?Woh uss se pyar nahin karta...woh kabhi uss ke saath khush nahin reh paayegi...

As GUNJAN spoke...her eyes hinted that she was angry. SAMRAT saw that...he held her hand...and said in a low tone...

S - AisA kaise ho sakta hai, CHASHMISH ?? Ki,Gunjan Samrat ke saath khush nahin rehegi...impossible hai... GUNJAN ki khushi sirf Samrat hai...SAMRAT nahin reh paayega uske bina...

G - Par...yeh waisa nahin hai jaisa tumhe lagta hain...woh arrogant hai... all he thinks about is his business...his ambitions... he is getting married to the other girl for this reason...Woh toh RICHA* ko hi apne liye perfect maanta hai. GUNJAN ko woh samajh...

S - Woh sab main nahin jaanta... (Samrat cut her off) agar woh GUNJAN hai toh..usse SAMRAT ko hi choose karna hoga..and this is Final...

 

G - Koi zabardasti hai kya...? RAHUL is bestest option for her...Kya kuchh nahin karta woh GUNJAN ke liye...Kitna caring hai woh...Kitna understanding...aur kitna...

 

S - Hoga...but,I M not interested...b'coz,I know...SAMRAT jaisa bhi ho...GUNJAN usse badal degi...aur phir woh donon hamesha khush rahenge...hamari tarah...(He smiled n hugged GUNJAN )

waise...Hum unke liye Fight kyun kar rahe hain...? Tum uss GUNJAN se hi kyun nahin pooch leti...? What she wants?

 

G - SAMRAT...main uss se Direct nahin pooch sakti...She is too innocent...Woh B4 marriage...LOVE par believe hi nahin karti...uske dreams bahot chhote hain...usse toh pata bhi nahin ki,usne 3 different persons ki life mein entry le li hai...Aur jo yeh bata sakta tha...woh toh 2-3 months ke liye apni Study n Exams mein busy hai...so uss se bhi nahin pooch sakte...

 

S - Who..?

 

G - JOSEPH...!

 

S - Oh...he is busy with his exams...But,Exam ki kya tension...Mere bhi toh exam hote the... See, kya maine kabhi tension li...? (said proudly)

 

G - No...tumne nahin li...Tumhaare Exams ki tension toh main leti thi naa...aur waise bhi woh hamari tarah EXCEL mein nahin padhta.

 

S - Well...Ok..phir tum unn '3 IDIOTS' se kyun nahin pooch leti...Unhen toh pata hoga...

 

G - Who...??

 

S - Arre wohi...kya name hai unka...arre! wo... yes 'S3'...

 

G - SAMRAT...they R not Idiots... Tum unhen S3 keh sakte the...

 

S - (said with Fake anger) Yaa Keh sakta tha...But,nahin kahoonga...Woh 3 IDIOTS hain...aur hamesha rahenge...I hate them...

 

G - Why...? Aisa kya kiya unhone ?

 

S - Kya kiya...? Tumhen nahin pata...? Arre! Kitni saari problems la di hamari smooth ja rahi life mein...Tumhen pata bhi hai kitna Disturbed tha main unn dinon...?

The thought of those days...and Samrat shuddered... Gunjan knew Samrat hated the thought of those days...she hugged him... as she rested her head on his shoulder...Samrat held her close.

 

G - Par SAMRAT...unhone hamari help bhi toh ki ...hamein dobara 1 karne mein...hamari life se unn Problems ko door karne mein...Tum sirf Negative side hi kyun dekhte ho...

 

S - I think...U R right...Help toh ki...But, Main unhen 3 IDIOTS hi kahoonga...Ok...?

 

G - Ok...No more arguments...If U want...say...main bhi '3 IDIOTS' hi kahoongi...magar pyar se.. I hope...Woh GUNJAN ke liye...1 Perfect n Ideal Partner select karne mein uss ki bhi help kare...

 

S - Yaa...I really wish...GUNJAN ko uska real partner mil jaaye...1 aisa partner jo usse Pyar kare...usse understand kare...usse Khush rakhe...aur jo uski life ko complete kare...

G - Jaise tumne meri life complete ki hain, Samrat...

She hugged him even tightly. SAMRAT too held her. Just then they heard a tiny voice...cooing. SaJan broke their hug and looked towards their little bundle of joy...She was looking at them and smiling...waving her hands and feet. Samrat lifted her.She seemed excited...

S - And you, my little one have completed us...thank you for coming into our life, SUR...

 

G - (Smiled softly) Waise SAMRAT...ek S3 toh hamare paas bhi hai...SUR SAMRAT SHERGILL !

 

S - Woh toh hai...n I love my S3...issiliye toh keh raha hoon...let us call those three 3 IDIOTS...because ab S3 ka copyright hamare baby ke paas hain...

SAMRAT was making funny faces while looking at SUR, making her laugh...

GUNJAN smiled when she saw SAMRAT playing with SUR.

But she wanted to cuddle her baby...

So she took SUR in her arms and held her close... SAMRAT let GUNJAN hold their precious little one... his arms round GUNJAN's waist... GUNJAN kissed her precious baby's forehead with tears of happiness in her eyes... SAMRAT's lips touched GUNJAN's cheek... He was indebted to her for life... Thank God! for that day, when GUNJAN entered Excel and his life.