50: I'm the War

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Naina POV:
Mumbai airport.
It's 7 a.m., and we just landed at the Mumbai airport. I was so, so tired and tense. I'm tired because I haven't eaten anything in the last 24 hours, and am tense about My Dad. How is he? What happened to him?
Additionally, I'm unsure why Maa isn't answering my calls.
"Don't worry, Amore, everything is alright. Don't take this much stress; it's not good for you," I heard Jack saying from behind me.
But I was not looking at him.
The moment I step into the Mumbai airport, I don't know why my feet are not stopping. My heart is beating so fast because of the feeling of coming back. To my country, to my city, to my home.
That's why I am walking so fast, leaving him behind. I just want to see my parents right now.
Jab tak unko sahi salamat nhi dekh lungi, mere gale se na ek bond paani jayega, na mujhe chain aayega.
"AMORE," I heard Jack shout. Before I could understand, I felt him grab my elbow and pull me back.
That's when I saw a trolley trunk pass by me.
"What are you doing??... Where are we lost? You would have gotten hurt yourself now." Saying this, he hugged me.
I feel his warm arms around me. It instantly made my heart calm down.
"Calm down, Amore." Saying this, he kissed my head. I took a deep breath and freed myself from him.
He took my face in his hand and said.
"Now we are going to meet them; I'm sure they must be okay. Alright." Saying this, he held my wrist and started taking me toward the VIP area.
We came there and saw so many cars standing there. Also guards.
They nod at us in respect and the door for me. I was going to sit inside, but Jack held my hand and took me to the other side, then opened the door, and made me sit inside without wasting time. All the time, he was glaring at that man.
That man was looking at us, or I should say him. Then Jack went to the other side and sat beside me. But before that, he said something to him.
A smile came to my face.
Soon, the car was riding on the Mumbai road. I was looking at the whole of Mumbai. In one year, so many things have changed here. So many big buildings.
It was looking like I was not in India but still in New York. Mumbai has two sides. One that everyone knows, like slum areas, and the one that no one shows, warna views kaise aayegy.
(Otherwise, how will they get views?)
The sides are where most of the billionaires of Asia live.
You must be thinking about where I live. So I live in the middle of these two worlds.
It took almost an hour to reach the area where I live. All the time, surprisingly, Jack was sitting silently. It's so rare. Like, he is not touching me, not teasing me. Nothing.
After he told me he can't be a father, it hurt me so much. Yes, it hurt me that I will not be able to see a mini version of Jack. Who doesn't want to see the mini version of the person you love?
But the thing that was hurting me so much was that he was not telling the whole truth. I think he is forgetting that during his drug incident, I was the one who was handling him.
At that time, the doctor didn't say anything about the disease, nor was there any mention of the disease. So yeah, I know he is lying, but why, I don't know.
I should trust him.
In my thoughts, I didn't realise when we reached the front of my colony. I looked at him, who was looking at everything with curiosity.
"Let's go." Saying this, I opened the door and looked at everything.
The colony is changing now. So many houses were not double-floored.
I'm feeling like I've come to a new place. I saw some ladies cleaning the window. Some were running behind their kids with ties, bags, tiffin, and shoes. Old ladies were making winter clothes, and old uncles were reading newspapers. Some men were giving water to flowers, and some were giving water to the sun.
Looking at this, I realise what I missed. This feeling that you are not alone. Everyone is busy with their lifestyle, but still, every person knows the schedule of the whole colony.
I took a breath and stepped inside the colony. Suddenly, everyone stops at their place and looks at me with a shocked expression. Then a smile came on their face, and everyone, like everyone, ran toward me and started hugging me.
You know, now I'm feeling like a celebrity.
I have to meet them properly; otherwise, they are not going to let me go inside.
"Niu aa gai... Kaise hai beta?? Kitni patli ho gai hai."
(Niu Niu has come... how are you, child?)
"Niu didi aap hamare liye chocolate laai?. Niu didi..."
(Niu didi, did you bring chocolates for us??)
Niu, Niu, this was on their lips.
I bent and touched Daada's and Daadi's feet.
"Bete ye monda kon hai?" One of my aunties asked me.
(Child: Who is this guy??)
In my colony, people of every religion live together. In this way,y I got the chance to enjoy every single festival. This is also a reason why I know so many languages.
When she asked me, that's when I remembered Jack. I immediately looked back at where Jack was looking at everyone like he was trying to understand something.
"No, Aunty, ye mere dost hai. Hum India saath me aaye hai," I said. I want my parents to know about us first. That's why I lie to them.
(Aunty, he is my friend. We have come to India together.)
Hearing me, Jack looked at me like he understood what I said.
Hearing me, all of them looked at him and then went to him to meet.
"Hello ji. Mysel,f Mrs Labana, aur ye hai hamare MrLabanaa aur ye hai thowada puttar Uttamsingh ji. Oh, sorry, I mean my SO, Uttamsingh Labana ji. The Labana family welcomes you to India, and we are inviting you to our house, ji," she said and showed him her husband and son.
I wanted to see my family, but seeing all this made me question something. If Dad is in the hospital, then how are they smiling at me? Why are they not sad while looking at me?
Our colony is like a mini Gokuldham. One person gets hurt, and everyone gets worried for them.
So there is no chance they are not sad after what happened to Dad. Also, let me tell you, my dad is also a community member of this society. Kuch toh gadbadh hai daya.
"Aunty ji me baad me isse sabke pass lekar aaugi theek hai baari baari se " I stopped."
(Aunty ji, I will bring him to everyone later, one by one.)
Saying this, I finally freed him from everyone. They all smile at him.
I went to my house, and suddenly all the happiness vanished. With shaking hands, I press the doorbell.
As the door opened, I was ready to see my mom with tears and a worried face. But I saw someone I never expected.
Here is MY DAD standing WITH HIS NEWSPAPER.
Seeing him, I didn't realise when I jumped on him and hugged him tightly.
"Arey meri guddiya aa gai. SHANTI SHANTI DEKHO GUDIYA AAI HAI." He hugged me and started calling Maa.
(Hey, my doll has come. Shanti Shanti, look, my doll has come.
"Arey, kitni baar bolo ki khuli aakho se sapne mat dekha karo. Nahi aai hai tumhari gudiya..." Ma shouted from the kitchen.
(Hey, how many times should I tell you not to dream with open eyes? Your doll has not come...")
"Arey yaha tho aau dekho apni aakho se hamari Niu aai hai," he replied.
(Hey, come here and see with your own eyes our Niu has come.)
"Papa, kaise ho aap??... Aap... Aapko kahi lagi nahi hai na... Doctor ne kya kaha tha, Papa? Bolo na, Papa?" I started asking him questions while looking for any signs of an accident.
(Papa, how are you??... You... you are not hurt anywhere, right? What did the doctor say, Papa? Tell me, Papa."
"My pure ache is theek ho gudiya. Mujhe kya hoga aur tum ro kyu rahi ho, beta? Kya hua hai aur tum aise achanak yaha?" he said with confusion. Then, look behind me.
(I am completely fine, Gudiya. What will happen to me, and why are you crying? What happened, daughter, and why are you suddenly here like this?"
I also looked behind where my Maa was standing while playing with her pallu, the saree.
"Maa, aapne tho kaha tha ki..." I was asking her when she went inside, and after some time, came out with a thali of pooja.
(Mom, you said that...)
I was smiling, looking at this. Okay, if shisbe going to welcome me like this, then I'm okay with it.
She came in front of me, then raised her hand, and with this, she pushed me away lightly.
After pushing me, she smiled and looked at him. He means Jack.
"Arey, finally, mera beta aa gaya." Saying this, she started doing his aarti.
(Finally, my son is here.)
I was looking at her with wide eyes.
Beta??... Beti aai hai, wo nahi dikh rha. Aur aisa kya jaadu kiya hai isne jo apni khudki aulad nhi dikh rahi hai.
(Son??... Daughter has come, and you can't see her and the magic he has done. So she can't see her child.
" Naina Tu adopted hai ab Tu ye samj le" " my subconscious mind said, and I'm sure she is laughing at me.
("Naina, you are adopted; now you should understand this.)
I remember how everyone reacted when they saw me, and here my blood donor, my birth giver, my mom, is not even looking at me.
On one side, I'm feeling happy too that he is getting the love. Which he deserves. I still remember how his so-called mom and dad behaved with him. So if he is getting love from her. Then I'm so happy.
"Aaiye padhariye hamare bete ji, aaiye padhariye hamare bete ji. Hamare ghar me aapka swaagat hai, swaagat hai. Aapke aane se hua hamare ghar aai runak ji runak ji aaiye padhariye hamare bete ji." She started singing.
Did I tell you she is the biggest fan of Daya Bhabi?
"Maa, aapke bete ke saath beti bhi aai hai, uska swagat nahi karugi." I finally said when I saw her applying a tilak on his forehead.
(Mother, your daughter has also come along with your son; won't you welcome her?)
"Tera, tere hi ghar me swagat karo ab." Saying this, she turned and applied a tilak on my forehead and did my aarti.
(Now, should I welcome you to your own home?)
"Maa, aap mujhe btayegi ki aapne ye sab kyu kiya?" I finally asked her.
(Mom, will you tell me why you did all this?)
Hearing my question, she started avoiding my eyes. Dad was looking at me, and then he went to Jack.
"Aau beta, in dono maa beti ka chalata rehta hai. Come." Saying this, Dad took him inside the house and made him sit on the sofa.
(Come on, son, this mother and daughter thing continues.)
"Maa, kya hai ye sab. Aapne tho bola tha..." I was saying when she cut me off in the middle.
"Ha mene juth bola tho aur kya karti. Ek saal se upper hu gaya hai tujhe waha gaye hue aur ek baar bhi tum yaha nahi aai ho. Tere papa tujhe roz yaad karte thy. Inki roz tabyat khrab rehne lagi thi. Inko kitni apne sehat ka khayal hai, wo tho tujhe pata hi hai. Isliye kaafi sochne ke baad mene ye kiya."
(Yes, I lied. What else could I have done? It's been a year since you went there, and you haven't come here even once. Your father used to remember you every day. His health used to deteriorate every day. You know how much he cared about his health. That's why after thinking a lot, I did this.")
"Par maa, aap kuch aur bhi tarike se mujhe yaha bula sakti thi. Aapko pata hai me kitni darr gai thi ye soch soch kar ki papa ko kya hua hoga wo theek honge ki nahi. Pichle 24 ghanto me mere dimag me kitne bure khayal aakar chale gaye aapko pata hai. Pichle 24 ghanto se mene kuch khana tho dur mere gale se ek bond paani bhi nhi gaya hai. Maa, aapko ye nhi karna chaiye tha." Tears started falling.
(But Maa, you could have told me this in some other way. You know how scared I was thinking about what might have happened to Papa and whether he would be alright or not. You know how many bad thoughts came and went in my mind in the last 24 hours. In the last 24 hours, I have not eaten anything; not even a drop of water has gone down my throat. Maa, you should not have done this." Tears started falling.
Seeing my tears, she put the plate on the table and hugged me tightly, then wiped my tears.
"Arey meri niu itni kamzoor ho gai hai. Itni si baat pe ro rahi hai... Mene tho chota sa mazak kiya tha bas taaki Tu yaha bhaagti bhaagti aa jaaye," she said while wiping my tears with her saree pallu.
(Oh my, Niu has become so weak. She is crying over such a small thing... I was just joking so that you would come running here.
"Dekhiye ji, aapki gudiya dusre desh jakar shui mui hu gai hai. Kaha hamari niu thi jo kabhi khud rona tho dur ulta dusro ko rulati thi. Kya khila diya ise un angrezo ne? Dekhiye, mene aapse pehle hi kaha tha isse mat jaane dijiye, lekin meri kon sunta hai?" She said this to Dad and went inside the kitchen.
(Look, your doll has gone to another country and has become silent. Where was our daughter, who never cried but instead made others cry? What did those foreigners feed her? Look, I had already told you not to let her go, but who listens to me? .
I look at her, then shake my head. I know she is never going to accept her mistake. Whose mom accepts that her child is right and she is wrong?
I sigh, then look at Jack and Dad, who are busy talking with each other like everything is a blur.
"Papa," I called him, which made him look at me. Looking at my red face, Dad stood and came to me.
As he came in front of me, I immediately hugged him tightly. He took some steps back because of my force.
"Kya hua gudiya. Ek tho itne waqt baad aai hai aur aate hi bas Ganga Jamna baahe jaa rahi hai." Papa said and kissed my head.
(What happened, Gudiya? Firstly, you have come after such a long time, and as soon as you come, tears are flowing from your eyes.
But in return, I hugged him more tightly. I'm sure he is now facing a problem with breathing. But I am not going to leave him until I am sure that he is fine.
Only I know how much I got after getting to know he is in the hospital. After the attack on me, I thought they attacked him too. The way they beat me, I thought they... No, Naina, Papa abhi theek hai, wo sab mat socho.
"Beta, abhi agar tumne mujhe nhi chhoda, tho me pakka hospital puhuch jaauga." I heard him saying. Hearing this, I immediately left him.
(Son, if you don't leave me now, I will end up in the hospital.)
"Oh, sorry, Papa." Then I heard my mom's voice.
"Arey beta, eat this. Do you know I made this myself, and it's so delicious?" Saying this, she passed him so many Indian dishes. Jack looks at me for help, but I just show him my tongue.
I hugged my dad by the side and said,
"Maa, apki is beti ne bhi kuch nahi khaya hai; mujhse bhi puch lo."
(Mom, this daughter of yours has also not eaten anything; ask me, too.)
Hearing me, she said without looking at me.
" Aaja na yaha par ab kya me tujhe godh me lekar yha bithau"
(Come here now. Should I lift you in my arms and make you sit here?)
I sigh and sit beside Jack.
So, my plate was filled with food.
"Bete ji, inse introduce nhi karaugi," Papa said.
(Will you not introduce us to him?m")
" Ohh me emotions me behkar ye bhul hi gai" I slapped my head and said.
(Ohh, I got carried away by my emotions and forgot this.)
"Khana khana tho nhi bhulti hai," Maa taunts me.
(You don't forget to eat food.)
Now I'm feeling embarrassed. Maa is taunting me again and again. What is Jack thinking about me?
I looked at him and saw him looking at me with a smile. I hope he is not laughing at me.
"Papa, ye jaha me kaam karti hu waha ke boss hai aur mere friend," I said, friend with lots of difficulty.
(Papa, he is the boss where I work and my friend.)
I can feel he is looking at me.
"Aur hum yaha pe ek project ke liye aaye hai, tab tak kya ye...ye hamare saath yaha reh sakte hai??" I asked them. In India, it's not normal for a boy, and that too your daughter's friend, lto livein the house. 
(And we have come here for a project; till then, can he...can he stay here with us?)
Hearing, my Papa's hand stopped, and then he looked at me. I was going to explain when Jack started talking.
"I know it's not normal for you. I know I can stay in any luxurious hotel easily, but I'm not getting all this. All the warmth and kindness, especially this food. I have heard so much about your hospitality; I just wanted to experience it. If it's not okay for you, then it's fine; I will stay in the hotel," he said with a polite tone, which I had never heard.
"Arey, aise kaise. Dekho ji, ye yahi rahega. Aapko tho pata hai ki bahar pehle hi sab jagha language war chal rahi hai; kya pata wo log ise bhi pakad le." Maa said. Which is true.
(Hey, listen, he will stay here. You know that there is already a language war going on everywhere; who knows, they might catch him too.)
Hearing her words, Papa thought for some time and then nodded at us.
"Par beta, ye company ke boss hai, tho ye yaha comfortable tho honge na. Hamare choti si chawl me inke koi dikkat tho nhi hogi?" Papa asked me.
(But beta, he is the boss of the company, so he will be comfortable here??. Will he have any problem with our small house?
Hearing this, I was going to answer when Jack answered him.
"No, Mr. Joshi. Don't think like this. Your house is bigger than so many people's hearts. For me, a person's heart and behaviour matter. So I am not going to face any problem."
Ye kuch jyada hi samjdaar nahi ho gaya hai.
"Ab apne hone wale saas, sasur ko thoda maska lagana padega na. Tu bhi budhu hai ek number ki. Kuch samjti hi nhi hai," my subconscious mind reminded me. That's when I noticed.
(Now he has Butter, soon to be his mother-in-law and father-in-law. You are a stupid girl who doesn't understand anything.
Yes, he is behaving differently. Wait a second, that means he is playing the role of a perfect man. So it could help him in the future.
I shook my head at him.
After some time, we were done with lunch.
I was standing in the hall. That's when something, or I should say someone, pushed me with force, which made me almost fall on my butt. But I immediately saved myself and saw that someone hugged me too tightly.
I was going to hug back when I realised who he was, but my hands froze in the middle when I saw him. He was standing on the stairs and talking to someone. But he was straight looking at me, or I should say at that person's hands, which were on my waist.
I saw his eyes become hard, and he made a fist with his hand.
That's when my maa came and said something that she should not have.
"Arey Ritik beta, tu aa gaya."
(Hey Rithik, son, you have come.)
◦•●◉✿...✿◉●•◦
Do you remember Ritik?? How many of you remember him??
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