ENTWINED BY FAITH PART 24…

@PART 24

FLASHBACK CONTINUED……

@NET DAY
@MORNING

@NEW YORK
@SHIVAAY’S HOUSE
@SHIVAAY’S ROOM
Atharv wakes up and feels some heaviness on his stomach and rubbing his eyes he sees a hand kept on his stomach, he smiles as realisation strikes him so he looks at the alter side to see the owner of the hand and smiles seeing Shivaay sleeping peacefully. He removes Shivaay’s hand carefully and then walks to bathroom to get freshen up.
After a while he comes out, freshening up wearing his t-shirt & jeans and hops on Shivaay’s stomach.

Shivaay sleepily: Hye Atharv what are you doing?
Atharv: Wake up papa.
Shivaay opens his drowsy eyes and looks at his son who is giving an ear to ear smile to him and then shifts his gaze to the watch kept on side table and lays down with a bang.
Shivaay: Atharv have you seen the time.
Atharv: Yes, it’s 6:30.
Shivaay: Right and may I know for what are you waking me up this early.
Atharv excitedly: Papa it’s our day.
Shivaay nods and pulls the duvet to his face giving a swing to Atharv.
Atharv pulls the duvet back: Papa wake up.
Shivaay: Please Atharv let me sleep it’s Saturday.
Atharv: No ways papa get up.
Shivaay: Please few minutes more.
Atharv: Urgh… Get up papa. If you don’t wake up then I am going you keep sleeping and… And… And I won’t talk to you.
Shivaay looks at Atharv drowsily to find him pretty serious so he wakes up lazily removing his duvet.
Shivaay lazily: Good morning.
Atharv: Come on papa, be energetic. Good morning.
Shivaay nods: Good morning.
Atharv kisses his cheeks and wishes him good morning, for which Shivaay smiles and pecks his forehead and leaves to freshen up.
As soon as Shivaay leaves, Atharv picks up Shivaay’s phone and calls Omkara.
Shivaay after coming from bathroom: Whom are you talking with, Atharv?
Atharv: Chote papa, choti ma, chachu, chachi, Adu, Amy and Anya.
Shivaay smiles and Atharv puts phone on speaker.
Advik, Amanat and Anya: Good morning bade papa.
Shivaay: Good morning everyone. You guys woke up.
Om: Shivaay we were about to sleep.
Shivaay: Ya ya ya. So how was the day.
Om: Good. You say both of you are up so early.
Atharv: Chote papa, it’s papa and mine day.
Everybody smiles at his excitement.
Gauri: Bade bhaiya.
Shivaay: Haan kaho Gauri.
(Say Gauri.)
Gauri: Bade bhaiya, how can you send Atharv alone to Columbia. Vo bechara wahan akela Ho jayega. Aapko usse nahi bhejna chahiye wahan. Uska khayaal kon rakhe Ga. Upar se vahan par Atharv kisi ko bhi nahi janta. Itne chote bacche ko akela bhejna thik nahi hoga.
(Bade bhaiya, how can you send Atharv alone to Columbia. He will be alone there. You should not send him there. Who will take care of him? Above all Atharv doesn’t knows anybody over there. It won’t be right to send such a young kid there.)

Shivaay sighs seeing Gauri’s motherly concern while Atharv looks at Shivaay, who nods implying that he will handle.

Shivaay: Gauri don’t worry. Atharv will stay in school where teachers would be present for his help and he will be accompanying many kids of his age group. This is a great opportunity for him. He will grow both physically and mentally. These activities will make him confident. And not only him even Advik, Amanat and Anya will also go to tours like this. Trust me Atharv will be safe.
Gauri: Nahi nahi nahi ye bacche kahin nahi jayenga. Aur Atharv toh bilkul hi nahi jayega usse hum aise kaise ajnaabiyon ke beech bhej dainge bilkul nahi. Vo bichara itna bhola bhala hai koi usse chakma de gaya toh.
(No no no. These kids won’t go anywhere especially Atharv we can’t leave him in between strangers. He is so innocent, what if somebody bluffed him.)

All sigh seeing the level till which Gauri thinks. While Atharv makes a puppy face and Shivaay rubs his temples so that he can handle a mother calmly.

Shivaay: Relax Gauri he isn’t even that innocent nor is he so small that something wrong will happen.
Om: Above that what’s the need to think negative.
Rudra: Yes Bhabhi don’t worry Atharv is extra strong, extra handsome and extra brave like his chachu. Right Atharv.
Atharv: Yes chachu. Of course if somebody will say a word I will punch that person or if still he will irritate I will show your photo to him.
Bhavya: Right Atharv don’t let anyone put you down. If somebody touches you then kick him left and right. Remember our fighting lessons.
Atharv: Of course chachi. I will kick him left, right and middle as well.
He says chuckling and receives a spat on his head from Shivaay.
Anya: Bhaiya after kicking him click a selfie.
Atharv: Done I will click his selfie and post it.
Amanat: Anyways bhaiya go safe and take care of yourself.
Atharv: Okay Amy, you don’t worry.
Advik: Bhai take care and have fun.
Atharv: Done bro.
Now please choti ma agree.
He says with extra cuteness for which Gauri certainly melts and gives her consent but not before handling him with 40 pages of instruction leaflet.
After a while of talking they drop the calls

Shivaay: So now tell me why you woke me up so early and where are we going.
Atharv: I woke you up early so that we can spend more time and we are going to park. Simple.
Shivaay: High voltage planning dude.
Atharv chuckles: Don’t worry papa, next part is also set.
Shivaay: Oh really then brief me about that too.
Atharv: Sure sir but first let’s walk.
Shivaay nods and both move out of their house and walk towards the park.
Atharv: So Mr. Papa after coming from garden we will cook together, then we will go for shopping (Shivaay makes a grumpy face for which Atharv giggles) followed by lunch with Maria and Miss. Jenny, then long drive followed by ice cream maybe or…
Shivaay: Espresso.
Atharv: Not bad but I will have hot chocolate. (Shivaay nods) then a horror movie at night.
Shivaay: Wooh! Okay done.
And here we reach your favourite park.

Atharv smiles as they enter the park.

@NIGHT
@INDIA
Suk: No no no mumma there I go.
Anika: Bakwaas. (Useless)
Squeals Anika as she looses the third round in the video game while playing with her daughter who begins to laugh.
Anika: Now sleep.
Suk: No way mumma, it’s just 12. Let’s rock.
Anika shouts: On the road.
Suk nods excitedly both get of the bed and taking their coat walk out of the house.
Suk while giggling: It feels as if we are thieves.
Anika: Chup kar agar Meher ne dekh liya toh adhi raat ko class le legi.
(Keep quite, if Meher saw us then she will take our class in middle of night.)
Suk: No worries buddy is there.
Anika: Vo kya karega uski toh Meher ke naam se hi jeeb ladkhadane lagti hai.
(What will he do his tongue begins to stumble on Meher’s name.)
Both the girls chuckle at the thought.

They soon start covering the distance down the road although it was midnight still few shops were open and many tourist were either walking back to their hotels or enjoying the scenic beauty of Dehradun.
Suk: Mumma ice cream.
Suk says pointing at the shop by the roadside.
Anika nods and both go to shop.
Anika & Suk together: Choco chip ice cream.
Both smile looking at each other and then take their ice creams and relish it in middle of night while walking a little further. They finally end up near a lake and sit their seeing the moon as Suk leans on Anika’s lap, while Anika creases her hair.
Suk: Mumma, moon, it’s so beautiful.
Anika: Ya it’s lovely. You know Suk when I am afraid of dark I use to find light in this moon but then your papa came in my life (Suk smiles hearing about her father) and he shone my life like a sun and when he left I was again engulfed in darkness (Suk’s smile vanishes in thin air) but then I got you who is light of my life. You know best part about you (Suk nods in no and then Anika continues) you are neither sun nor moon, because when sun sets moon rises and when moon sets sun rises but at times both hide behind the cloud. The best part about you is you are neither of them as you never hide you are my light which shines even in the clouds.
Suk smiles as Anika ends kissing her hair. Suk gets up from Anika’s lap.
Suk: Mumma I hate your emotional version above that I can’t understand philosophy so don’t wasteofy (waste) it on me.
Anika chuckles and nods.
Suk: Then you will say I speak many pj’s.
Anika: No don’t even you dear.
Suk makes a grumpy face.
Anika hugs her tightly and Suk smiles being in her mother’s warmth that’s the best thing for her. Her mother’s embrace is her heaven.
Anika: Come on let’s go back.
Suk lazily: Not in a mood to walk mumma.
Anika: And I am not going to pick you up Suk, you are too heavy.
Suk gets up and looks at her mother angrily: Did you just call me fat by any chance.
Anika making a thinking face: Did I do that. (patting her back) great job Anika you should get price for saying truth.
Suk narrowing her eyes: Oh really.

Anika nods and starts running. After reaching more then half a way back home both Anika and Suk stop while huffing.
Suk: What mumma you made me chase you for so long.
Anika: Look we have almost reached.
Suk looks up to see her house at quite a short distance from the place where they were standing and looks at Anika.
Suk to Anika in full attitude: Smart move Miss. Ank.

Anika nods her head in pride and smiles at her victory. Can’t help at the end of the day Anika is Anika none of the SSO’s can be saved from her she knows how to make them abide her words whether that be Senior SSO or Junior SSO one word that hurts their ego and they will all over be driven in their self consciousness pool and then the reverse therapy works without fail on the duo. Finally, both enter the house as clock strikes 1 as they silently enter the house the lights get switched on and both look at the person who caught them in middle of the night and soon sigh on finding Sahil being the one and not anyone else. Suk smiles and hops in Sahil’s arms. While he glares the duo.

Suk: Why becoming angry young man, mamu?
Sahil: Where were two of you?
Anika nervously: Just went for a walk.
Sahil: Walk at 1. You both aren’t that fitness freak.
Suk yarning: Mamu feeling sleepy.
Sahil: Oh really you didn’t feel sleepy while going out.
Suk: Please mamu don’t scoldofy (scold) us right now I will be leaving in 2 days that’s why mumma and I were spending time together.
Sahil looks at Anika who nods like an innocent child putting her head down, he nods in disbelief seeing the two drama queens.
Sahil: Fine go and sleep.
He is about to put Suk down who nods in no.
Suk: Please don’t.
Sahil smiles and takes her to her room and tucks her in bed and after wishing her leaves from there.

@NEXT MORNING
Both the sleeping beauties are sleeping as the clock strikes 10.
Sahil: Get up di & Suk. First you two stay up at night for so long and then even don’t wake up early.
Both the girls pull duvet over their face.
Sahil: Am I speaking rubbish that you two aren’t listening.
He says pulling the duvet down.
Sahil: Get up you two. I have to go to embassy also. Wake up.
Both snuggle into each other more making Sahil pat his head. Being left with no option he takes a jar full of water and throws it on mother-daughter duo. Both wake up with a jerk.
Suk: Mummy…
Anika: Suk…
Both look at each other and then at Sahil who is smiling at the duo.
Suk: What mamu?
Sahil: Now quickly freshen up. It’s 10.
Suk: And it’s holiday.
Sahil sternly: Get going
Anika & Suk mocking a salute: Yes sir.
Suk: Left right left, left right left, left right left.
Sahil: Sukanya.
Suk: Run run run.
Sahil and Anika start laughing seeing her antics as she rushes in bathroom.

@DINING TABLE
Anika: So what’s up for the day Suk.
Suk: Nothing much mumma. Let’s go out somewhere. What’s say?
Anika: Good let’s go for shopping.
Suk making a horror struck face: NNNNOOOO.
Anika: Come on Suk we can buy clothes for you as well.
Suk: Please mumma.
Anika: Please Suk.
Suk: Do whatever you want but late night horror movie is confirmed.
Anika: Of course.

Like this both the days pass away and finally comes the day when both Shivaay & Anika see off their kids to Columbia with heavy heart and lots of instructions.

@COLUMBIA
@ X SCHOOL
Students from different nations get settled at there places.

@BOYS ROOM
Manik: Pani ki bottle pass karna please. (he bits his tongue) sorry I mean can you please pass the water bottle.
A boy takes the bottle and gives him.
Boy: Ye lo.
(Take it.)
Manik: O Teri aapko Hindi aati hai, aap kya India se ho.
(Oh goodness you know Hindi, are you from India.)
The boy forwards his hand: Hi i am Atharv Singh Oberoi, born in India, brought up in New York.
Manik shakes the hand: Hi Manik Malhotra born and brought up both in India.
Atharv: Nice meeting you.
Manik: Trust me I am more glad than you.
Atharv: And why so.
Manik: Finding someone Indian and being able to speak in Hindi in abroad is no less then a finding a gold egg.
Atharv chuckles: Well pardon me I know Hindi but I don’t speak it often and I am not really good in Hindi.
Manik: No issues you can understand Hindi that’s enough for me.
Atharv nods: So lunch.
Manik: Ya I am dying of hunger.

@GROUND
Few children are playing football in the ground. When one of the boy kicks the ball that knocks on someone’s face but… But… But… Somebody holds the ball before it hits somebody else.
Two girls were passing from the corridor just adjacent to the ground between the two girls one is Sukanya and another is the girl with whom Sukanya is sharing room. Both were walking upto hall for lunch when the ball is about hit the other girl but Sukanya catches it at the nick of the moment.

Boy: Hye give the ball back.
Suk holds the ball while her face clearly depicts anger.
Boy: Are you deaf pass the ball.

Sukanya looks at them and drops the ball and soon kicks it making the ball to knock the boy who threw it.

Boy 2: What the hell have you done?
Suk: Didn’t you see it or do you want me to repeat it for your clarity and that too on you.
Boy3: Excuse me, what the hell do you think of yourself.
Suk: I don’t feel it necessary to answer you people.
Boy 1 getting up with others help: But you have hit me and you will have to pay for it, I have seen many like you.
Suk: You would have seen many but not me.
Boy 1: Say sorry.
Suk: My foot.
The girl with Suk: Leave it Sukanya, let’s go.
Suk: Not that easily. He should apologise from both of us.
Boy1: Oh really you think you will say and I will apologise.
Suk: If you don’t then I will show you what’s worse.
Boy1: So you are challenging me.
Suk: Think whatever you want to.
Boy1: Oh really so let me show you.

He smirks and throws the ball at her and she catches it again but this time her eyes spit fire at the boy her anger reaches the notch and she glares the boy who trembles under her gaze, she walks towards the boy and slaps him hard across his face. This event is noticed by both Atharv and Manik and as soon as Suk slaps the boy Manik rushes to her.

Manik: Sukanya, what are you doing?
Suk: Just teaching manners to these manner less kids.
Boy1: You are calling me manner less, you first threw the ball at me and then you slapped me and I am manner less.
Suk: The person who doesn’t knows to talk with others and takes advantage of others sweetness is manner less only. And for a reminder you threw the ball at us twice and this is the reward for messing with me. Never I repeat never show me your face again otherwise you will regret it for your entire life.
Saying that she throws the ball that hits the boy’s feet and leaves doing the SSO hair move. She marches away stamping her feet showing her anger clearly.
Manik glares the boys and then follows her so is the case with Atharv.

@HALL
Atharv: Who is she dude?
Atharv questions Manik while placing salad in his plate being completely astonished by what Suk did a while ago.
Manik: Sukanya, my bestie.
Atharv nods: She is brave to answer those idiots.
Manik making an irritated face: Doubtlessly.
Atharv: What happened to you?
Manik: Nothing, it’s just that this girl gets on my nerves at times.

Voice: Oh really.

Both turn to see an angry Sukanya glaring Manik.
Manik: Yes, why can’t you just stay out of the mess.
Suk with anger + irritation: I really don’t need your advice Manik Malhotra.
Manik: Ya of course you don’t need anyone. Let it be it’s useless to talk to you. You just know how to hit people uselessly.
Suk’s anger multiplies and she almost shouts at Manik but controls her voice level unwilling to get unnecessary attention.
Suk: Do you even know what he did? Actually no because for you jumping at conclusions is more necessary. So better stay in your illusions.
Saying this she walks out without even taking a single morsel of food.

The girl who was with Suk from start hears them as even now she was with Sukanya so she speaks up.
Girl: Hi I am Samantha.
Manik and Atharv look at each other confused.
Manik: Hi.
Samantha: I know you both don’t know me, but I guess you to be Sukanya’s friend.
Manik nods.
Samantha: Actually the stunt that Sukanya pulled out outside was because of me. Those boys had thrown the ball at me and that would have knocked me off my senses but Suk saved me at the nick of the moment. Maybe that shot was a mistake but those boys were too rude to her and the next time they knowingly aimed the ball at Sukanya that’s why she slapped him. She is innocent. Sorry because of me you both messed up your friendship.
As soon as Samantha puts a full stop, Manik rushes cursing himself for being rude to Sukanya. He is followed by both Samantha and Atharv.

@CORRIDOR
Same boys stop Sukanya by coming in her way but she calms herself down and turning other side starts to walk away. By this time even Manik, Atharv and Samantha reach there.
Boy1: Hye! You Indians are too fond of running away isn’t it.
Sukanya turns towards him and glares him while he continues.
Boy1: You people are such jerks. You are cowards, you guys simply know nothing. Indian are good for nothing. Useless country you belong to.

By this time quite a good number if children had crowded around them as they all had ended their lunch.

Manik: How dear…
Suk holds his hand and nods in no.
Suk: Let’s go guys.
Manik looks at her with narrowed eyes.
Manik: How can you, he is badmouthing about our country.
Suk calmer then before: Leave him, we have lots more to do. Let’s go.
Manik doesn’t moves a step but glare Sukanya with anger.
A teacher comes forwards being astonished of Sukanya’s behaviour: You didn’t feel bad about him speaking like this about your nation.
Suk: Sorry sir, but I am doing what’s right. MY NATION NEVER TAUGHT ME TO BADMOUTH ABOUT OTHER’S NATION. I AS AN INDIAN BELIEVE THAT EVERY LIVING BEING IN AND AROUND THE WORLD IS EQUAL, MY NATION NEVER TAUGHT ME TO SPEAK ILL ABOUT OTHERS I TAKE PRIDE IN BEING AN INDIAN AND THAT’S THE REASON I DIDN’T REPLY BECAUSE BY MY WORDS HIS MOUTH WON’T SHUT AND IF WE TALK ABOUT INDIA, IN MY NATION WE TREAT ALL AS EQUAL IRRESPECTIVE OF CASTE, CREED, COLOUR OR NATIONALITY. BY ONE PERSON’S WRONG WORD MY NATION WON’T TURN WRONG I KNOW MY COUNTRY AND I NEED NOT TO JUSTIFY ABOUT IT TO ANYONE AT LEAST NOT TO RUMOUR MONGERS (she says glaring at the boys). AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED I HAVEN’T BEEN TAUGHT TO INSULT OTHERS BUT AS FAR AS THESE BOYS ARE CONCERNED THEY ARE DOING WHAT EVER THEY HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO DO. IT’S JUST THAT THESE BOYS DON’T KNOW THAT BY THROWING STONES ON SKY THEY CAN’T DESTROY IT RATHER STONES WILL FALL BACK AT THEM ONLY. MY COUNTRY IS SKY AND OUT OF THEIR REACH. (she says pointing at the boys).

Saying this she walks away making everyone shocked by her words.

Atharv whispers to Manik in disbelief: Who is she?
Manik: You will never understand.
He sighs and goes to lower the temperature of Sukanya which is at the peak right now.

Manik: Suk listen to me.

Suk without turning walks in her room that she shares with Samantha. As it’s girls room and Manik can’t enter like that so he looks at Samantha who nods giving him permission to go in so he enters the room while Atharv and Samantha wait at the door itself.

Manik: Sukanya.
Suk looks at him: What the hell are you doing here? This is girls room.
Manik: Ya yours and Samantha’s room I know and I have taken her permission.
Sukanya: Speak what you want to and leave.
Manik rolls his eyes: Suk I am sorry. I just didn’t want you to be in any mess. You know how much tensed babes is always for you so just because of that I became so rude.

Sukanya looks at him while removing her shoes and finds genuineness in his words her eyes soften up, giving a yellow signal to Manik as green is yet to be achieved, Manik sits besides her.

Manik: Suk I promise I will try not to be rude to you.
Suk glares him.
Manik: What? Don’t see me like that you know how difficult it is for me to even try.
Finally Suk smiles hearing his pj that he shoots without sensing when and where he is saying that and because of his puppy face too.
Manik: Ok let’s go and eat lunch.
Suk turning back to her shoes disagrees: Kl…
Manik: Look don’t show me tantrums I am not going to entertain them, so come have lunch silently and above that even I haven’t eaten it and because of you even Samantha and Atharv are hungry.
Sukanya looking at him curtly: Atharv?
Manik: Ya, my room mate.
Suk nods.
Manik: So you are coming na.
Suk refuses again: Kl.
Manik: Fine die hungry.
Suk looks at him with disbelief as he walks out and she quickly ties her shoes as he isn’t more important then food to her at any cost.

Atharv: What did you go to calm her down or enrage her?
Manik: Chill let’s move, she will come running.
Samantha: Are you sure.
Manik nods.
Three of them start walking while Atharv and Samantha look behind at the room.
Atharv: Dude she isn’t coming.
Manik: Chill Atharv she will come, and above that when Sukanya’s anger flies away she can’t control her hunger. She will come running.

Both Atharv and Samantha look at each other and nod in disbelief but soon smile seeing Sukanya coming running towards them, while Manik smirks.
Manik: Look I said.
Both Atharv and Samantha nod.
Sukanya reaches them as they enter the hall.
Sukanya: Don’t forget Manik Malhotra I am still angry with you and it’s just that mumma says we shouldn’t take out our anger on food that’s why I am here.
Manik gives her “as if care” look.
Manik: Anyways, meet him he is Atharv, from New York yet a die hard Indian.
He says pointing towards Atharv.
Sukanya forwarding her hand: Hi! Sukanya.
Atharv shakes his hand with her: Hye! Atharv Singh Oberoi. Nice meeting you and I must say you are impressive, the way you slapped that boy and then the way you answered him, I must admit I am impressed.
Suk: Good for you.
Atharv: Tadibaaz.
Manik & Suk being shocked: What?
Atharv: No nothing.
Both Atharv and Sukanya look at each other with mixed emotions.
Samantha: Guys if you are done lets eat.
All nod.
Suk: Btw she is Samantha Oliver, from U.S.A.
Manik flaunting his 32 teeth: Ya we met.
Sukanya hiring her elbow on Manik’s arm: Don’t even think.
Manik: What?
Suk: I know till where your thinking is limited.
Manik shrugs with raised eye brows, while Suk sighs.

Four of them together have their lunch with mostly Sukanya and Samantha talking to each other and Manik and Atharv with each other.

PRE RECAP:
WALK ALONG…

So guys here is the end of the next part, don’t forget to review it and THANK YOU to all the readers and commenters.

Keep smiling
Stay blessed
&
For now signing off
SHIVIKA ?…