AshNi Bas AshNi..Story So Far..NO COMMENTS PLEASE - Page 6

Nidhi remained in ashutosh's arms for a long time n then slowly as darkness seemed to creep in ..ashutosh walked his family back...nishu in his arms n his other arm around nidhi's waist...feeling that the ice had begun to melt...Suddenly nidhi stopped...stood still ..looking at the sitting area...ashutosh knew what she was thinking...he came close..spreading his fingers firmly around her waist..as if to reaffirm his presence through his touch..nidhi spoke ..in a voice laced with pain n agony..."dr ashutosh..yehin par aap aaye the na apna vaada poora karne..mere baba se mera haath maangne..mujhe yaad hai aapne kaha tha ki aapko meri fikr hai...aur zindagi bhar rahegi...par mai..mai aapka saath nahi de paayee thee...dil dukhaaya tha aapka..vishwaas toda tha...keh kar ki..mere baba ka faisla hi mera faisla bhi hai...kaash..maine himmat ki hoti..kaash pyaar aur vishwaas ki kasauti par mai khari utri hoti...kaash mujh me himmat hoti..zamaane ko chod..aapke saath usi waqt aane ki..."ashutosh caressed nidhi's trembling frame..but she walked...walked towards the glade of coconut trees where...an old wound seemed to have opened up in ashutosh's heart too...but he knew..life was so much like surgery..some wounds had to be bled if they were to heal...he followed nidhi..nishu sleeping across his neck..in his arms..

Nidhi looked around..in a daze..each painful moment of that fateful morning coming back to her mind...she finally spoke..in a quivering voice...very close to tears"yehin par goodbye kaha tha na maine...lekin aapne nahi ...aapne mera saath nahi choda ...par mai haath chuda ke chali gayee thi..yeh keh kar..ki sadke to milti hi hain alag hone ke liye...wahaan se dadibua aur baba aa rahe the...mai unse darr gayee thi...unke emotional blackmail me aakar aapka atoot vishwaas tod diya tha maine...oh dr ashutosh...mai kitni sharminda hoon...apne aap se bhi kabhi kabhi nazre nahi mila paati..uss din jab yahaan se lauti ..to marr si gayee thi mai..saans thi par aas nahi...aankhein thi par dekhne ko kuch nahi tha...aur jaante hain..uss din mujhe mehsoos hua tha ki ek baap..apni jhoothi izzat ke liye..kuch bhi karr sakta hai...aakhir baba maan to gaye..par ..woh dard..woh tadap..woh aansoo ..jo hum dono ne bahaaye..the ..mai bhool nahi paaye kabhi..uss din se darr lagne laga tha mujhe...aur shaayad pehli baar royee thi apni maa ko yaad kar ke...dr ashutosh...mujhe humesha yaad rahegi..mere baba ki paththar dili..aur mera darr..meri kamzori..mai kabhi maaf nahi kar sakti khud ko...aapko akela chodaa tha maine...aapki dawaa banne ke bajaaye aapki taqleef ban gayee thi mai..."n ..the volcano inside nidhi...seemed to vent out...n the lava of guilt,anger n pain flowed...dr ashutosh did not say anything...he just held her..till she finally looked up at him..seeking forgiveness for not having stood by him...finally he spoke"jaanti ho nidhi..mai tumhaare jism ko hi nahi..tumhaare dil..tumhaari rooh ko bhi behtar jaanta hoon tumse..mujhe pata tha ..ki tum darr gayee thi..gussa to mujhe apneaap pe aaya tha..ki itni taaquat nahi thi mere pyaar me ki tumhe himmat de sake...woh subah hum dono ki haar ki subah thi...par nidhi woh humaari aakhiri subah nahi thi...aakhir humaara pyaar jeeta..jo humaare rishte ke khilaaf the ..aaj woh bhi sar jhukaate hain..humaare pyaar ke saamne...nidhi..tumhe woh siyaah subah to yaad rahi..lekin woh sab sunahle savere kyun bhool gayeen...jab tumne mera saath diya...meri dekhbhaal ki...mujh par ..humaare pyaar par vishwaas kiya..jabki saara zamaana mujh par ungliyaan utha raha tha..achcha ...yeh bataao phir se..pyaar karti ho mujhse"??nidhi looked at him..took a deep breath n said.."zindagi se zyaada..."ashutosh asked"aur vishwaas ...vishwaas hai mujh pe..."??nidhi smiled a faint smile...at the questions beong repeated..."aap jaante hain..khud se zyaada..."ashutosh took a quick breath n said"to..chalo kal..subah yahaan aakar dekhenge ek naye sooraj ko nikalte hue..ek nayee subah ko ugte hue...ek savera jo humaara hoga...sirf humaara...jiska sooraj dhalega bhi to..humaara pyaar raaton ko roshan kar dega..aao nidhi..chalo..nayee yaadein sanjoye..."n the three walked into the sunset...


As they entered the suite ,ashutosh told nidhi"tum nishu ko feed karaao...i ll be right back..."he went to the reception n talked to the manager...then dialled somebody n talked for long...when he returned,he put the "DO NOT DISTURB" sign outside..n stepped in..nidhi had fed nishu n was putting him to sleep on the tiny baby cot that had been placed in the adjoining room of the suite..Ashutosh came n put his hand firmly on nidhi's shoulder as she got up.."idhar aao nidhi..."n holding her hand..he took her to the big french window of their suite.."yeh chaand dekh rahee ho...mujhe maaloom hai kitne aansoo bahaaye honge meri nidhi ne...isi jagah..issi chaandni me...kya hum yaadon ke uss dhundhle canvass par kuch naye..kuch khoobsoorat phool nahi khila sakte??kya mai tumhaara dard nahi door kar sakta..."n nidhi put a hand tohis lips.."dr ashutosh..please mujhe maaf kar deejiye...aapka saath chodne ke liye..."n nidhi finally hugged ashutosh...her tears wetting his teeshirt...it must have been quite a while..as ashutosh held nidhi...n the two stood bathed in the silvery moonshine...finally ashutosh put a finger under her chin n asked...not thru words but by his raised eyebrow...n nidhi held him tighter than ever...till he scooped her up n carried her to bed...smoothening away her garments...as she closed her eyes...ashutosh spoke"hey doc!!laankhein kholo...i want you to look at me..make love to you..."n he put his large hand in her bra..cupping her breast...nidhi moved closer...as ashutosh finally removed the remainig clothing...n turned her to him...he began with the forehead...planted a wet passionate kiss there n moved lower...kissing the swell of the breasts..n the dark nipples..then the fair stomach..now nearly flat...he moved to kiss her thighs..her ankles...n then each toe...sucking the little finger...he sat n separated each toe to rub in between...n it seemed to have a magical effect..she had not known..her toes could be so sensitive to his touch...but then right aftrr the initial hesitation on the night on the machaan..he had known her body much better than she could ever have...he scaled the journey up...kissing her ankles...his tongue tantalizing her skin...n his fingers grazed her thighs...he just rested his hand across her thigh...possessively n looked at her...she touched his hair...n he knew she wanted to create beautiful new memories..he moved his fingers again caressing the inner skin of her thighs...n then putting his lips to her abdomen..kissing nearly each stretch mark...n then inserting his finger in her navel...as nidhi groaned..."dr ashutosh..."ashutosh looked at her...n sensing her desire...but before that he kissed her eye lashes..beautifully,tenderly..n tears seem to drop...as nidhi murmured.."i love you..i love you v v much"ashu put a hand on her lips..n said"jaanta hoon..kehne ki zuroorat nahi..."n he moved down...tenderly touching her...n then as her fingers moved in his hair..he quickened..trying to shun all sad gloomy memories of kerala from her mind..and as he pressed her secret..hidden pleasure points...which not even she knew...but which were known only to the long strong fingers of her husband...she gasped..and clutched at the pillow...closing her eyes...but ashu's immediate touch on her cheek...made her open them...she saw him piercing her first with his finger...n then as she began to moan loudly...he pierced her secrets with his firm manhood.."nidhi..."escaped his lips..before he began to move..in a rhythm..that seemed to fill their universe.

Nidhi tried to get up...n asked for her clothes..ashutosh smiled and threw the large towel...she put it around her tugging it tightly around her bosom..as she went to feed nishu...when she returned..ashutosh..clad in a towel around his waist was brewing coffee..he sipped n gave her the cup...he stood looking at the moon...as nidhi came n put his arms around her...both sharing coffee from the same cup...till nidhi said.."i am hungry..."n ashu smiled..."i can satisfy you...but not with food..."n as nidhi blushed...n moved the coffee cup slipped from her hands...on to her towel..drops seeping in..."rukiye...aati hoon"n she went into the shower..as she cleaned the sweet liquid...she almost squealed to feel ashutosh right behind her...sharing the shower,...his hands on her waist...as he took the soap..n began to soap her ..back..her stomach..n her bosom..specially the tits..n then with one finger firmly inher navel,..he pushed her against the wall..soaping her secrets...she bit her lip...n he lifted her...she thought to bed..bit found herself in the bath tub...as the soaping continued..nidhi arched up...shouting his name...as he finally penetrated..bringing her to one tizzy after another...he separated..only to fill her again...n then as they dried themseves n changed into the night wear...ashutosh asked"are you still hungry..mrs nidhi ashutosh"??nidhi smiled n said"yes...par khaana chahiye..."n both laughed...as ashu ordered sandwiches n an upma from the 24 hrs coffee shop..

Next morning nishu was the first to awaken n his cries awoke nidhi n ashu...n as nidhi cleaned n changed him..ashu lazed around in bed...finally when nishu was ready in a lovely black tee n denim shorts...with tiny check booties ..that ashu went to get ready..n as he emerged..tousling his hair..his cell rang..he dashed for it..n there was a short talk ending with a satisfied smile...nidhi could not understand anything..but she was happy..the thought of going out to the beach..to the glade did not scare her...she emerged..in a white n pink churidaar n sat to comb her hair...n finally took a pinch of sindoor n put it in her parting...she felt complete...

The weather was lovely..it had rained in the morning n the grass had pearls of rain ...ashu nidhi walked towards the grove ...where they had parted...as they stood..looking at the waves...ashutosh said.."peeche dekho nidhi..."nidhi looked back..on the sand were their footprints...side by side...he said"dekho..hum ek hi raah se aaye hain..ab koi chauraaha nahi hai..jahaan sadake alag alag hongi...humaaraa pyaar..humaara ghar ...humaara nishu..yehi sach hai..nidhi yehi sach hai..."n nidhi looked up at him...as he bent to kiss her on the forehead..."dr ashutosh...ab yeh nishaan kabhi alag nahi honge...ab mai humesha aapke saath rahoongi..sukh mei dukh mei..har haal mei...mujhe aapse koi alag nahi kar sakta...""BILKUL SAHI NIDHI...TUM DONO KO KABHI KOI ALAG NAHI KAR SAKTA...MAI BHI NAHI..."a shocked nidhi looked around to see..col verma..dadi bua emerge from the grove...followed by armaan n baba...she was surprised"aap sab ...yahaan kaise"??col verma smiled "apne paap ka prayeshchit karne...maine yehin kerala me toda tha tum dono ka dil...ab ek baar phir yehin apni galti ko sudharta hoon...saunpta hoon apni beti ko...uss insaan ko..jisse zyaada koi usse pyaar kar hi nahi sakta..."n taking nidhi's hand..he put it in ashutosh's ..as armaan took nishu...Dadibua spoke"meri bachchi...yeh daaktar ka hi idea tha..ki hum sab aayen yahaan...inhone hee tickets diye the..."nidhi now understood the envelope to armaan..the hushed talks over the phone..she looked at dr ashutosh...sainyaan...Dadi bua spoke"ab bus mujhe karne do apni bhool sudhaar..kal subah sab chalenge us mandir me jahan mai tujhe le jaana chahti thi..par beta iss baar..tere aur daaktar.ke saath ki praarthna karoongi..."baba spoke "aur kya...mere beta bahu..ka bandhan..unka anokha rishta..koi todna to door...kamzor bhi nahi kar sakta...ashutosh nidhi..forever n ever..."n nishu cried loudly..as baba took him n smiled"haan haan tu bhi...dekho to...mere ashutosh nidhi ka ATEET kitna sundar..kitna komal hai,..hai na..."??nidhi smiled at ashutosh..as the sun emerged from behind the clouds...

The next morning ashutosh was awakened by the hotel intercom...it was baba"ashu,tu aur nidhi taiyyar ho jaao nishu ke saath...hum sab ready hain..beta mandir jaana hai na"ashu recalled what dadibua had said..he kissed a sleeping nidhi onher forehead ..n as she opened her eyes ..trying to turn n sleep more in his arms..he had to awaken her "utho nidhi dadi bua mandir le jaana chahti hain..."nidhi opened her eyes sleepily..n then realising she was late ,rushed to get ready..emerging in ...the red churidaar kurta..the first dress that dr ashutosh had ...on the night at the machaan...ashutosh smiled as nidhi said"yaad hai..yeh dress"??ashutosh smiled "iss zindagi mei to nahi bhool sakta..."n backhugged nidhi..planting a kiss at the neck...where he had kissed the first time...nidhi was lost in his touch..his feel...his memory when ashutosh finally pulled away n said"chalo warna punish karengi tumhari dadibua"!!he emerged in a kurta pyjama while nishu wore a purple tee n black shorts.As they met the family in the foyer..dadi bua admonished nidhi"kabhi jaldi uthna nahi seekhegi yeh ladki...daaktar bilkul bigaad diyaa hai isse tumne..kahe deti hoon.."n ashutosh laughed..Theyclimbed 125 steps to the temple..dr ashutosh holding dadibua's hand ..nidhiheld baba while armaan carried nishu..as col verma recounted his days in the army..
As they reached up n caught their breath...dadi bua took them inside..asked for the pooja thaali n said"daaktar ..chalo meri bachchi ki maang bharo phir se..aur yog tu de nidhi ka haath inhe..chal"nidhi blushed as col verma took her hand n handed it to dr ashutosh's large firm hand...a hand nidhi now knew so well...ashutosh took a pinch of sindoor n applied it in nidhi's parting..as baba n armaan showered flowers...n ashu nidhi stood mesmerised looking at the coconut grove down below where they had separated only to unite ..for ever n ever...

At the breakfast ,it was southindian all the way,nidhi n dadibua gorged masala dosa while the rest loved idlis...baba put a tiny morsel of idli in nishu's mouth...n said"chalo nishu ka annapraashan bhi ho gaya...ab kerala kabhi nahi bhool sakte,..."nishu seemed to have loved idli n wanted more..but baba wisely gave him just one morsel more..."nidhi,beta ab cerelac shuru kar de..."After breakfast ,the entire family sauntered to the beach..ashu krpt nishus bouncer n put him in it as dadibua baba sat with him..armaan seemed to be walking into the waves as col verma followed him...ashutosh extended his hand to nidhi..n holding hers ventured into the sea..till knee deep water..nidhi wanted to go infurther but he stopped"sorry...no risks..."n nidhi pouted..just as a high wave came n hit them..drenching both to the bone...as they came out laughing...hand in hand...to sit with dadibua n baba...nidhi said"dr ashutosh saal mei ek baar family ke saath aana chahiye holiday pe..."n ashutosh nodded "done nidhi..ab next destination khojo"!!as ashutosh sat with the elders ,nidhi sauntered to the sand..making a lovely little cave like house n inscribing.."nidhi ashutosh ka ghar..."she looked up to her husband..smiling n talking to the family..nishu kicking in the bouncer...they were a true family indeed...united..n in love..Suddenly armaan called "nidhi ashu...chalo speed boat ride..."nidhi seemed scared"mujhe darr lagta hai..."n armaan mocked at her"e memsahib ..sentry hai na tumhara ..yeh neurosurgeon...expert at speed boats..."nidhi looked at ashu in disbelief..as he smiled...armaan went solo..while nidhi got in with ashu..as ashu started the boat n put his arms firmly on the handles...the boat zoomed..he manouvred with expertise..as sea foam flew around...wetting his tees n shorts..n nidhis churidaar..after a round..as they came back..nidhi hugged him..."once more plz"n ashu was off again..with nidhi laughing in his arms..n bubbles flying around..When they returned..armaan was already back.,n winked"kyun doctor saahib maza aaya"??nidhi complained "armaanji aapne pehle kyun nahi bataaya ki dr ashutosh is so good"..armaan laughed"bata ke kya karta..lucknow mei gomti pe speed boat chalata kya!!!"n all laughed..col verma said..c"chalo..lets change n meet for lunch...nidhi..nishu feed to nahi lega ..kya mai usse le jaaoon..hum sabke paas thodi der..."he looked at nidhi..ashutosh was apprehensive..but nidhi smiled"jee baba..feed nahi lega..le jaayiye..bas dekhiyega..gussa hoga to trouble karega..bilkul apne paoa pe gaya hai.."n ashutosh broke into a sunny smile..as cv took nishu..ashu nidhi walked back to their room..nidhi complained"oh god..how will i take off this suit..its sticking to me..."ashutosh..fully drenched came close..n began to open the buttons...recalling the nite in the forest...nidhi wriggled n ran into the washroom...ashutosh followed..spraying her with the hand shower..till all the sand had been washed away..he eased out her clinging clothes..n then in bare form himself..lifted her"dekhiye slip na karein"n ashu laughed"ab itna bhi boodha nahi hoon main..."nidhi had a naughty glint in her eyes,..n whispered"achcha..to prove kariye.."ashutosh put her on the sofa...n sat close by...almost sqeezing her in the lil space...he raise her arms to kiss her underarms...her fingers,..the two rings ..that she wore..engagement n valentine day gift...n then began to massage her long wet hair...his fingers running thru them...nidhi sat up n said..."let me massage you...baithiye.."n as he played along ,she rubbed his shoulders ..down his back...her fingers moving tantalizingly...ashutosh closed his eyes n pulled her ...her hands moving on his chest..n below...both recalling..how nidhi had massaged his shoulder in their bedroom...only to be interrupted by the door bell...ashutosh groaned as he put nidhi back on the sofa...his hands working in urgency,,..stroking her...as she felt him...firm close to her...his fingers eeaved magic..with their slow circular movements...n then he applied greater pressure..sensing her urgency...n entered her..as she moaned loudly..n both heaved rhythmically...nidhi opened her eyes...n kissed him..passion flamed in his eyes still..as he chose to keep holding her...but then nidhi realized ..it was not physical desire that was flaming...it was a deep emotional thirst...he wanted to tell her..she d always be there...close to his heart...n nidhi lay close...hugging him...as if saying "jaanti hoon..humaara saath koi nahi tod sakta...koi bhi nahi"

Late after dinner...ashutosh nidhi nishu again came to the coconut grove..but now nidhi had security in her eyes...as she held dr ashutosh's hand..n said"yeh..lamhe ..yeh pal hum barson yaad karenge..."ashutosh smiled n added"humaare pyaar ka,humaare saath ka mausam kabhi nahi guzrega..."next morning as the family took the flight back,..armaan carrying nishu exclaimed.."ab kerala yaad rahega..iss ateet ke liye...ashu nidhi ka pyaara sa ateet"...
Nidhi put the old song channel..n inserted the ear piece in ashu's ear too..the song that played was..
GAATA RAHE MERA DIL..TU HI MERI MANZIL
KAHIN BEETEI NA YE RAATEIN,KAHIN BEETE NA YE DIN
GAATA RAHE MERA DIL...
O MERE HUMRAAHI,MERI BAANH THAAME CHALNA,
BADLE DUNIYA SAARI ,TU NA BADALNA
PYAAR HUME BHI SIKHLA DEGA GARDISH ME SAMBHALNA...
N ashutosh smiled as he entwined his fingers with nidhis...n she put her head on his shoulder...as they flew ..to their home..their future..with their lovelyATEET...

It was the end of july ,nishu had begun to sit..have cerelac n banana though he still had nidhi's feed in the afternoon n night..n she was in no mood to wean him even though ashutosh had been insisting..Ashutosh was busier than usual...and got home at about 9 each day..but nishu 's cries n smiles n nidhi's gestures as keeping his coat..laying his night suit on the bed..would help him forget all his fatigue..

As they were having dinner one night,nidhi spoke"baba,dr ashutosh,actually dadibua had phoned..its teej after three days..n she wants me n nishu to come..so i was thinking ..that both of us n maxi could go there for a week..n come back next friday..if its fine with both of you...n armaanji"baba smiled as he looked at ashutosh..they had been waiting for this moment..when nidhi d feel secure enough to visit her maika at her own insistence n stay there for a few days..re establish emotional ties with her father n dadibua...Drashutosh said"nidhi,you dont need my permission..n personally i do feel your visit there is overdue..zuroor jaao..i shall drop you tomorrow morning..n pick you up on friday evening..theek hai.."??...armaan added"aur beech mei mai apne nishu se milne aur paneer mahrani khane ataa rahoonga.."!!!  
Nidhi packed all that she n nishu d need for 7 days..n she also saw to it that baba n armaan's wardrobes werte in order n then she organised dr ashutosh's things,arranging his shirts n ties with suits..his night suits,hankeys..though he had been so independent till he got married..now he depended on nidhi even for the smallest of things..mornings were full of calls as"nidhi ,meri tie kahan hai?nidhi mere socks nahi mil rahe...nidhi..."n armaan d often tease him"beta ashu..bus ab ye poochna baaki hai...nidhi ..mai khud ko nahi mil rahaa...kahaan hoon???"n ashu d laugh...nidhi smiled..she knew he d miss her n nishu terribly..so she put a photo of all three taken in kerala..on his bedside..

Next morning ,nidhi got ready really early,cooked the breakfast..bhindi paraanthe that all loved..n as she was helping kaka while maxi seemed to be dancing with joy at the thought of going to cv place,ashutosh shouted"nidhi..mere hankeys kahaan hai.."??nidhi shouted back"wahin drawer mei hain ..dekhiye".."nahi mil rahe mujhe..."n baba smiled at her..remembering the day when ashutosh had joined the hospital after his leg injury..n a distraught nidhi had called him into the bedroom before he left on the pretext of having forgotten his hankey!!baba had been an understanding witness then as he was today...nidhi blushed as baba raised his eyebrows n rushed in..."kya ek hankey nahi dhoond sakte aap"mumbled nidhi...as dr ashutosh back hugged her.."mai subkuch dhoond saqta hoon...par kyun dhoondoo jab meri biwi hai..."n nidhi turned to be in his arms...as he went on"i will miss you...n nishu...tumhari aadat si ho gayee hai..kaise rahoonga tumhaare bina..itne din..."??nidhi smiled"alaska thode hi jaa rahi hoon,issi sheher mei hoon..aa jaaya kariyega shaam ko..."ashutosh smiled n took her lips...drinking that nectar...that d help him to survive this parched period of separation...as ashutosh kissed nidhi on the forehead...she seemed to waver in her resolve.."manaa kar doo kya"??ashutosh said"no,nidhi..you n nishu must go..you will enjoy..aise bhi this week is gonna be horribly busy for me.."
Nidhi touched kaka n baba's feet..giving last minute instructions to kaka who smiled n said"arre maine hi paala hai iss ashu ko...tu chintaa n kar.."n armaan hugged nidhi...as ashutosh started the car...observing the joy that was evident in maxi's eyes...At col verma's place..nidhi n nishu settled in the room as cv assured ashutosh"aap chinta nahi kariyega dr ashutosh..hum khayal rakhenge nidhi aur nishu kaa"ashutosh smiled as he kissed nishu..n gave a long lingering look to nidhi..before driving off to k.g.h.

Nidhi arranged her n nishu's stuff n then as dadibua played with nishu..she came to col verma's room..quite in order..she was glad..till she opened his almirah..oh god!!a mess!!nidhi realised probably no one had cleaned n organised it ..for long...she started..reflecting..how as far as memory went..her father had doted on her..taken care of her..with the help of dadibua..he had lost nidhi's mother barely two yrs after their wedding...he could have remarroed,..but he never did...probably out of his deep love for his dead wife...or for his concern for his daughter..nidhi could not stop her tears as she sat n put the buttons on various shirts..n kurtas of col verma...recalling the day ..before her wedding when he had been putting the button on his own..n nidhi had come saying"baba..issi sheher mei to hoon..jab bulaayenge,aa jaaoongi..."she wiped her tears...determined to look after her father n dadi bua as much as she could...The relationship needed to be nurtured...as dr ashutosh said..Then she came to the kitchen..told both maxi n chote sarkaar to clean the shelves..as she labelled the containers...as dadibua screeched"meri bachchi aaraam karle...maike me kaam nahi karte..."nidhi smiled..dadi bua d never change!!!in the evening as col verma opened his almirah..he was filled with surprise...he knew nidhi had done it..."nidhi beta..."nidhi ran"jee baba..."n both looked at the almirah..neatly stacked..all broken buttons replaced..cv held nidhi by her shoulders n said.."thanx beta..."nidhi smiled n said"abse har maheene ek din aakar theek kiya karoongi..."col verma..had tears in his eyes as he turned away to look at the photo of his wife..by his bedside...

Dinner was boisterous with cs telling hilarious stories as he brought paranthaas...nidhi injuncted"chote sarkaar...ab kitchen ek dum saaf rakhiyega".."are nidhi beebiji,hum to akele hain..kya kya karein...ek aur helo chahiye iss ghar mei..."maxi came with cold water...as dadi bua examined her with narrowed eyes..n then said"theek hai..teri maa ko bhi bula lete hain gaaon se"as cs made aface n grimaced,.nidhi n col verma laughed...

At about 9,nishu became restless n cranky..."soyega kya"??asked dadi bua.."nahi actually,yeh time dr ashutosh ke aane ka hota hai..miss kar raha hai unhe..."dadibua smiled..even maxi could not quieyen him neither could cs...finally nidhi phoned dr ashitosh.."haan nidhi,kya hua...all well"??asked a concerned ashutosh.."jee,all well but nishu miss kar raha hai aapko..plz baat kariye na.."nidhi put the cell on loudspeaker n took nishu to her room..dr ashutosh's voice filled the space"nishu..papako miss kar raha hai...i love you baby..ab good boy raho..mamma ko trouble nahi karo..ok"??n it worked..nishu gave a gleeful gurgle n "papaaa"nidhi took the phone"aapka lunch bhej doon yahaan se kal"?dr ashutosh turned down saying he had many meetings n d have something in the canteen...n as he hung up..nidhi suddenly felt v lonely.She fed nishu n patted him to sleep..on her bed..n as she settled beside him..she missed dr ashutosh terribly...n then she suddenly remembered..n called kaka"kaka,mai nidhi...unke liye paani zuroor rakh deejiyega room mee...khana khaaya sab ne"??n kaka smiled at her concern...Nidhi closed her eyes...and images of dr ashutosh..sleeping next to her..his hand coming across over her..to take water in the night...his pulling her to his chest...all flashed in her mind...as she drifted into sleep...

Ashutosh too..tried to tutor himself to sleep alone on a bed that seemed so large n empty..he smiled as he looked at the photo placed by nidhi...read medical journal late into the night...a luxury that his sweet wife never allowed him to...he smiled as he recalled how nidhi d either fight if he read till late or would keep twisting n turning till he gave everything up n came next to her..n then with her head on his chest..his arm around her..she d sleep...Ashutosh was not missing the l8vemaking...though he did miss it but more than that..he was yearning for nidhi's presence..her sunny laughter...herinnocent pouting if he wore a shirt she didnt like...her morning alarms...which could never wake her up...n it was normally ashutosh..touching her n saying "utho jaan..subah ho gayee..."that d set her going...though things had changed after nishu...he was her alarm clock...just as she had been his..a long time ago!!Ashutosh sighed as his hand touched nidhi's side of the bed...sainyaaan

Next day asashutosh was having breakfast..nidhi rang up"jee...kal teej hai..dadi bua..dinner pe bula rahi hain sabko...anji aur dr ranganth bhi honge ..khushi ke saath"ashu replied"baba can come...armaan ,i dunno but mujhe aane me der hogi..its a tight schedule"nidhi understood ..as she said"theek hai..mai wait karoongi..."

The next morning nidhi could hear the voice of anji running with lil khushi"hi nidhi ..kaisi hai"!!said anji as she took nishu..n nidhi smiled n made khushi sit in her lap..."tab aaj ka kya programme hai "??nidhi replied"jo dadibua kahen..wahi!!"In the afternoon dadibua gave nidhi the green chunri print chiffon that she had got for her..n green bangles..shyama aunty n anji also came looking sawan queens,..the weather was cloudy n beautiful..gentle cool breeze blew...nidhi had got maxi a green suit though was a lil surprised when maxi asked if she too could wear green bangles...Anji had dressed khushi in a lovely green mirror work lehnga blouse..with tiny green metal bangles n a green bindi...poor nishu was the odd man out ..in denims!!!dadi bua called all for swings..dr ranganath also came ..saying"dr nidhi..french maar ke aaya hoon,plz dr ashutosh ko nahi kahiyega..."nnidhi laughed...shyama aunty narrated the poignant story of shiv parvati n then as she sat on the swing ..solanki uncle pushed the swing gently..n the two seemed lost in each other...anji sat with khushi in her lap as dr ranganath pushed the swing...even standing behind like a teenager...nidhi sat with nishu in her lap..she knew dr ashutosh could not come...she pushed her swing...feeling lonely...as anji teasingly sang"SAAWAN KE JHOOLE PADE HAIN..TUM CHALE AAO...TUM CHALE AAO..." n dr ranganath teased too saying"bhai ab..managing director aur chief neuro surgeon se shaadi ki hai...to keemat to chukaani padegi na..."!!!!n even nidhi smiled..as dr ranganath drove back to the hospital..the mehndiwaali came..n khushi extended her lil hands...wanting lots of henna...nidhi suddenly missed a daughter sooo much..but then she remembered dr ashutosh's warnings...her health...n looked at nishu..as he wanted to be in her lap...she hugged him...Nidhi requested for sparse n quick drying mehndi so that she could hold nishu..soon enough..anji got elaborate one done...

It was 7.30 when baba n armaan arrived n nishu recognised both n almost jumped into baba's lap...baba hugged him.."nishu..mera nishu..."dr ranganath arrived n said "dr ashutosh is in surgery...der lagegi..."nidhi n others understood..though dadibua complained"samdhiji..yeh surgeon ki naukri buri hai...isse to achcha hai daanto ka dr hona"n all roared in laughter...nidhi helped in serving..as nishu played in armaan's lap..while baba gave him tiny bites of poori..col verma said"dr mathur...mai itni dosti nahi kar paaya hoon nishu se...aap pe to ekdum fida hai..."baba smiled as he took nishu"arre col..dada hoon mai iska..koi mazaak hai...mere ghar ka chiraag hai...mera nishu...mere ashutosh nidhi ka..nishu"n nidhi looked spell bound..the unshakeable bond between the three generations...ashutosh's song reverberated "MAI KABSE TARAS RAHA THA MERE AANGAN ME KOI KHELE..
NANHI SI HANSI KE BADLE..MERI SAARI DUNOYA LE LE
TU MILA TO MAINE PAAYA JEENE KA NAYA SAHAARA..."
"Kahaan kho gayee nidhi"it was armaan touching nidhi ,.as she shook her head...armaan understood she d eat only whenashu came...at 10 baba,armaan solank7s,anji ranga all left...as nidhi touched baba's feet he kissed her hair"bus din gin raha hoon tere waapas ane ke..3 din aur..."Dr ashutosh emerged from the surgery...difficult but successful..n it was inhis cabin that he saw armaan's message n remembered teej...driving fast,he reached col verma's home at 11...n looked v hesitant at coming sooo late..as col verma greeted him he said"sorry col verma...actually there was a surgery..."cv shook his head in understanding...as he brought his son in law in..Ashutosh's eyes were looking for nidhi...she emerged ...looking breathtaking in green..carrying a sleepy nishu...who gave a gleeful cry on seeing his papa..n as ashutosh took him...he looked at nidhi...smiling..no complaints as usual...he had silent thankfullness.."operation theek raha...chaai laaon"??.."yes complicated but successful...nahi chai nahi..khana de do..then i d leave..tomorrow is another busy day..."as nidhi got up ,dadi bua came..."tu baith..dr ke saath..main kehti hoon chote sarkaar se..tu ne bhi to nahi khayaa abhi tak..."ashutosh looked at her...his left eyebrow raised...though he knew nidhi d not eat without him...she never did..except during pregnancy...both sat to eat..as nishu played sleepily..in ashu's arms..when dadibua troed to take him he yelled"niii"n after dinner ashutosh carried him to nidhi's bed room...patting him to sleep...as he got up to leave..nidhi came n stood close...ashu asked"kya...kuch chahiye?...money hai??"nidhi nodded n just hugged him...n ashu hugged her back...he said nothing ..just kissed her on the forehead...n she came out n waved as he drove away...nidhi walked back...n lay caressing nishu...dr ashutosh switched on fm in the car...
TUM AA GAYE HO..NOOR AA GAYA HAI..NAHI TO CHIRAAGON SE LAU JAA RAHI THI
JEENE KI TUMSE WAJAH MIL GAYEE HAI,BADI BEWAJAH ZINDAGI JAA RAHI THI..
KAHAN SE CHALE KAHAAN KE LIYE YE KHABAR NAHI THI MAGAR..
KOI BHI SIRAA JAHAAN AA MILA WAHI TUM MILOGE..
KI HUM TAK TUMHAARI SADAA AA RAHI THI...
TUM AA GAYE HO...
Ashutosh got down at mathur niwas..with a smile on his lips...undoubtedly..nidhi had filled his life with..purpose..with desire..with an aim for a better morrow...he looked at their photo...three days more...

The next two days ,nidhi spent relaxing a little..though shetried to have each nook n cranny cleaned...rearranged the albums...feeling lost as she saw her childhood photos...in her baba's lap..with anji..n then there was one when she had entered k.g.h...how life had changed...nidhi smiled..but as she flipped thru the older pics..she saw her mother once again...beautiful...n then the last pic of her mother...leaving for the hospital...for bringing nidhi into this world...nidhi closed the album..but the thought of what life would have been had her mother been alive...how beautiful...how complete it d have been for her father..nidhi thought after a long time...the bleak loneliness of col verma...but then she decided to smile n make her father's life happy...as happy as she could..nidhi dressed nishu n visited shyama...who was delighted to have them..shyama aunty shared with nidhi how blissful anji n ranganath were with khushi...though her in laws had still not come around..but the three seemed complete in their joy..then shyama aunty asked nidhi.."nidhi job kabse join karegibeta"??nidhi smiled "aunty ,nishu ek saal ka ho jaaye...abhi to i want to be just a mom..its more than a full time job"!!when aunty asked how was it bringing up a son..nidhi smiled n said"lagta..hai dr ashutosh ka bachpan dekh rahi hoon..bilkul unke jaisa hai..ditto..but yes beti ke alag pleasures hain..."n nidhi seemed lost in her thoughts..as shyama gently asked "nishu ke baad..dr ashutosh..tujhe...neglect to nahi karte...i mean..you know..."nidhi blushed at her motherly..concern..the fear of age difference weighed on everybody's mind...nidhi smiled"nahi aunty..dr ashutosh is the same..infact pehle se kahin zyaada chahte hain mujhe...delivery ke kuch din baad tak...you know i had an injury...so he didnt...but once the dr allowed..its all normal..pehle jaisa..."n nidhi seemed to turn crimson as she thought of the passionate nights...

At dinner time col verma put nishu in his lap as he tried to make him eat..nidhi watched..it seemed nishu was getting to know his nana..as he sat happily..playing with a spoon n then suddenly tried to pull col verma's glasses away..as cv laughed..as nidhi got up after dinner n took nishu..col verma said"nidhi..isse dekh kar tera bachpan yaad aa jata hai.."nidhi smiled...looking at her father..a man not given to display of emotions..but she knew how he missed her..."baba..ab aati raha karoongi.."n sunshine seemed to spread on col verma's face..

Nidhi settled nishu..n dialled dr ashutosh..but he didnt pick up..maybe he was still in surgery..she rung home"baba..ye nahi aaye abhi tak"??baba replied"nahi beta..keh ke gayaa tha ..surgery hai..11 bajenge..tu bata kaisi hai..mera pota jaisa hai...mai to din..ya ghante gin raha hoon tumhare aane ke.."nidhi smiled"baba,wahi ..unhe yaad dilana tha..ki kal aa jaayenge..hospital ke baad"baba laughed.."tu sochti hai woh bhool jaayega..kabhi nahi..kehta nahi hai..per bahut miss karta hai.."nidhi bit her lip..baba could see everything..As she kept the phone n lay on her bed..she couldnt sleep..she was lost in the innumerable memories that the room held..dadibua oiling her hair..chote sarkaar getting her coffee..she n anji taljing n chaating for late hours...her bleak period when she wept for dr ashutosh..n then the hug...before the engagement...she could never forget that...she had hugged dr ashutosh earlier..but now as she reflected..this hug had kindled a desire in her..for the first time..she had felt herself..soft against his tough..manly chest..n how she had almost yearned for him..when she drew away..nidhi had never shared this with dr ashutosh..but she felt he knew because she still remembered the deep intense look in his eyes...as if he too had realised his desires..latent for so long...Nidhi turned...checked her mobile again..no message..it was 11..maybe he was still in the surgery..nidhi returned to her thoughts...she had missed him so much...had he too missed her..??nidhi wondered..

Dr ashutosh saw the missed call as he sat in his car after another successful surgery..it was 12..so he just sms back"hey doc!!see you..."In his room..ashutosh settled to read his medical journal...a luxury he knew he d not be able to avail once his nidhi returned..he smiled as he recalled her twisting n turning in bed while he tried to read..how she d remain awake..till he d sigh..keep his book n get into the bed..drawing her to his chest...ashutosh smiled..wondering if nidhi was able to sleep..he lloked at her side of the bed..her dressing table..hos room..his home ..his life all seemed empty eithout her..she was the air he breathed...n now there was nishu as well..crying ..fighting for attention...ashu almost yearned to hold him..finally..he switched off the light n retired...waiting for the morrow!!

In the morning ashutosh requested kaka to clean n arrange his bedroom n nursery thoroughly..as nidhi nishu d come..baba smiled from the paper he was reading..and armaan teased as he sang"do sitaaron kaa zamee per hai milan aaj ki raat..."n then nudged ashu in a whisper"bedroom decorate karwa doon..."??ashu gave him an angry look..as armaan laughed..n said"kaka,aaj dinner me poori banayiega..nidhi waapas aa rahi hai.."ashu smiled"aur dum aaloo..usse pasand hain..."kaka smiled.."per ashu beta..tu to aaloo nahi khata..."armaan laughed n said"kaka...yeh achaar se khaa lega.."n ashu blushed...!!It was a busy day at k.g.h. but ashutosh wound up his work n left at 6 ..

The whole day nidhi had been packing..accepting just a pair of clothes for herself n nishu..she said"dadi bua..aap aise karengi to mai nahi aaoongi phir..."that had gorced dadibua to keep back the fat envelope of money..Maxi admitted"madam..yahaan kitna achcha tha..phir kab aayenge"??n nidhi tapped her n said"maxi,kahe to tujhe yaheen bhej doon..baat karoon chote sarkaar se,."!!n maxi blushed n ran!!!
Nidhi had been waiting for dr ashutosh since 5..n when his car entered..she almost ran out..her heart seemed to stop beating..as he emerged ..in his grey suit n pale pink shirt...his tie loosened up...she was seeing him after 3 days...three long days...as he walked towards her..there was lil nishu competing for his attention..and as ashutosh washed his hands n took him..he squealed n yelled"pa..."ashu indulged him..."haan..kya hua..aa gaya papa..Mamma ko trouble to nahi kiya"??n nishu giggled..gleefully...Dadibua insisted 'arre daktar..khaana kha ke jaana..."but nidhi interrupted"nahi dadibua..ab jaane deejiye..sab wait kar rahe honge..."col verma smiled as dadi bua shouted"haan..ab tera mann kahaan lagta hai...anji ko dekh...2 hufte rahi aake.."as ashu looked up..nidhi said"dadi bua..mai to nahi aa sakti..itne din ko..aakhir baba..armaanji..sab hain..unhe zuroorat hai meri"dadi bua gave her a loving pat"mujhe buddhu na bana meri bachchi..sab pata hai..tera mann kyu nahi lagta yahaan.."ashutosh got up,holding dadibua he said"promise dadibua..maheene me ek baar zuroor aaya karenge..aur aap bhi aayiye plz...aapka hi ghar hai woh bhi..."as ashutosh backed the car..nidhi waved lil nishu's hand..to her father n dadibua...as maxi waved..to a seemingly sad chote sarkaar!!
As the car entered mathur niwaas,baba,kaka armaan all rushed out..baba took nishu..as nidhi touched his n kaka's feet..n armaan teased"kitna dubla ho gayaa mera bhateeja..lugta hai dadibua ne kuch nahi khilaaya"!!n nidhi laughed..At dinner,nishu was in baba's godi as he fed him poori n sugar..n nishu banged the table with his lil hands...as they got up..baba said"nidhi..tere bina..ghar ..ghar nahi lagta beta...aaj phir..raunak laut aayee...mera nishu bhi aa gayaa..."
In the bedroom,as ashutosh went to bathe..nishu tugged at nidhi for his night feed..she opened her buttons,,,n began to feed him...Ashu emerged..n stood for a moment..savouring the beautiful sight...as nidhi finished..he took nishu..n changed his diaper..as nidhi went to change..ashutosh brought nishu to the nursey..n he seemed delighted..seeing his bed n familiar toys..he sat n pulled at the teddy..as nidhi emerged..wiping her wet hair..n looked at ashu..nishu..so similar..as she came..ashutosh lifted nishu..humming to lull him to sleep...n then as he tucked him..nidhi fixed the a.c temp at 18..."bahut garmi lagti hai isko..bilkul aapki tarah"As nidhi got into the bed..close to ashu..he put his arm around her...feeling her form..just to reassure himself..that she was back..."dr ashutosh...i missed you..."mumbled nidhi...as ashutosh caressed her wet hair..her back..n as he lay her to kiss her on her lips..she was fast asleep...ashu coul not help smiling..realising..his nidhi had probably not been able to sleep without him..he looked at her..so lovely..so innocent..almost like a child...he kissed her lightly on the forehead..n lay..as nidhi snuggled close to him...he smiled..putting his arms around her ..he too slept...soundly...
In the morning..as nidhi was making sandwiches..ashutosh called out..."nidhi ..meri tie.."n she rushed in mumbling"khud kuch nahi kar sakte.."as baba smiled...Nidhi took out a blue tie with the dark blue suit that she had already taken out in the morning..n just as she was returning...ashu hugged her..."ab ye tie baandhega kaun"??nidhi smiled..she knew their tie sessions...as she put the tie around his collar..his fingers grazed her waist...n then travelled up..undoing the hooks of her blouse..as her aanchal fell..n ashutosh's firm hands..touched her breast...nidhi almost sizzled with desire..as he gave her a squeeze..his other hand exploring for her hidden navel...nidhi almost begged"kya kar rahe hain..der ho jaayegi..hospital..."just as both wanted the moments to go on...they were interrupted as ashu's cell rang..n he had to withdraw..."yes..i m coming..in 20 mins.."then he looked at nidhi..."jaana hai...meeting..."n as nidhi pouted...ashu hugged her n kissed her pout...before rushing thru breakfast n playing with nishu..something that he could never neglect...nidhi n nishu waved to him as he drove off..n nidhi gave nishu to baba..as she went to arrange baba n then armaan's room..she seemed to hum..it was such a wonderful feel..to be back home...her home..dr ashutosh's home...their home..abode of their love...their togetherness...

At k.g.h. dr ashutosh entered his cabin..n daksh was waiting for him..he stood up n shook hands..inspite of divya's sheer madness n vindictiveness..ashutosh n daksh had remained civil..though ashutosh was always wary..specially when it came to nidhi.."yes daksh"??daksh cleared his throat n started"dr ashutosh..you know divya has been acquitted on grounds of ill mental health...so i have decided to migrate to u.s.a. with her..it d be good for her as well as for you all...maa is also coming but she doesnt want to take u.s citizenship..so she d keep visiting.."ashutosh looked up and said"good daksh..sensible..but why are you telling me"??daksh continued"dr ashutosh..because it concerns k.g.h.my father..greedy as he is..has sold his 40%stake in k.g.h. to viren sighania..you know of the singhania airways...now dr ashutosh..i and divya both have 15%each..i have transferred mine to you..but divya is crazy..she is not ready to see any logic..maa has 10%..n she d keep coming..to attend meetings or will authorise someone..now dr ashutosh..you already own 10%stakes..the remaining 10 are with someone..whom no one knows..i could not find any records..but the person has never attended any meeting for the last 25 years.."dr ashutosh interrupted him.."daksh..i know of the mystery surrounding the 10%but let me tell you..for me k.g.h. is a place of work..rather worship..its not a financial investment..n why have you gifted me your shares..plz no..."daksh got up,thrusting his hands in his pockets,he spoke"sir,this is not a gift..this is the key to the stability of kgh.I had never thought i d leave this place..but divya...n unless you have a sizeable share..you d not be able to run this hospital the way you want to..the way it should be run...now you own 25%n maa will always support you ..that makes 35%..but then divya..the mystery 10..n 40%of singhania...its not an easy situation..but yes..the legal documents have you as the lifelong m.d. n you,dr dubey ,mr rai..that is dr aditi's father n maa are in the board..mr singhania can appoint only one more member..so..its not a desperate situation..but yes its a sticky one...specially because divya wants to sell her15%to anyone except you.."ashutosh was silent..ruminating...then he stood up.."dont worry daksh..i d fight for the hospital..even with my 25%n i know aradhana ji will support me...as far as divya is concerned..i really cant forget what she did to nidhi..."daksh couldnt say much..he handed ashutosh the papers n went ..out ..stopping for a second to glance at the cabin of dr nidhi..n then walked off never to return...
The day was busy for ashutosh with many consultations lined up...n when he drove home ,he was sorely tired...as nidhi took his coat..she asked"kya hua..sab theek hai na"??ashutosh nodded..n went into bathe..he needed time to be alone..to grapple with the situation...k.g.h. its values..its welfare schemes were v dear to ashutosh..he had groomed the hospital..in the last 18 years..choosing never to leave it..even though he got the best offers from the world..k.g.h.had been his life his world ..before nidhi came into his life..today..when an unknown stranger seemed to threaten his hold over it...dr ashutosh felt not only his proffessional world..but his existence was at stake...
After dinner..in which ashu hardly ate..he got up n as nishu wanted to be in his arms..he took him..though..he was still distracted..nishu felt neglected n began to cry..as nidhi came n took him..baby talking"kya hua..papa thake hain bete..kal khelenge..."as nidhi settled an irritable nishu n came..ashutosh was lying..looking into oblivion..nidhi touched his hair"thak gaye hain..sir dabaa doon kya"??ashutosh seemed to have been shaken out of his thoughts..as nidhi looked at him..concerned.."kya baat hai..mujhe nahi bataayenge.."??ashu took a deep breath...as he held her hand...n then recounted all that had transpired between him n daksh..sharing his apprehensions of k.g.h. becoming a money spinning venture..his fear of losing his dream...Nidhi held his face in her hands...n said"dont worry..all doctors..respect you..mr rai dr dubey ..aradhanaji ..they will always support you...kabhi akela nahi samajhiyega apne aapko...main hoon na...aapke paas,aapke saath..."ashutosh looked at her with gratefullness..n kissed her.."so jaaiye aap tired hain..laaiye sar dabaa doon...".."ek minute nidhi.."and ashutosh got up to look at nishu ..sleeping soundly..he gulped"sorry baby..papa nahi khea tumhare saath..."n nishu seemed to smile in his sleep...As ashutosh lay n nidhi massahed his forehead...till he drifted into deep sleep..n his nidhi settled on his chest...remembering an old favourite of baba
TUM APNA RANJ O GUM ,APNI PARESHAANI MUJHE DE DO..
SHAME GHUM KI KASAM ,ISS DIL KI VEERANI MUJHE DE DO..
MAI DEKHOON TO SAHI DUNIYA TUMHE KAISE SATAATI HAI..
KOI DIN KE LIYE..APNI NIGEHBAANI MUJHE DE DO..
BURA KYA HAI AGAR..YE DUKH YE HAIRAANI MUJHE DE DO...
nidhi realsed ashutosh needed her support..n she knew she d support him..whatever it may take...

As dr ashutosh entered kgh,dr aditi n dr ahaana ran into him,"morning sir"ashutosh smiled n nodded n looking at their tense faces added"whats the matter..you look tense"??aditi spoke"sir ,everyone is saying the new trustee is going to make life terrible for the junior drs..we r scared..ab to dr nidhi bhi nahi hai..hume help karne ko"ashutosh smiled"dont worry..do your duty..remember ek dr ka farz mareezon ki sewa karna hota hai...dont be tense.."the girls went to the wards as dr ashutosh went to his cabin,saw his engagements for the day n then went for a round..he was assisted by dr jyotika..who kept asking about nidhi n nishu in between..till ashutosh looked at her n said"dr jyotika...aap ghar aakar nishu nidhi se mil lo..best hai..now lets concentrate on the patients...Ashutosh saw the farmer on whom he had operated the previous day,he seemed stable,ashutosh asked the wife if she needed anything..she folded her hands n said"daaktar babu,aap to bhagwaan ho humaare liye.."ashutosh smiled n told the nurse to transfer his medicine bills in his account n also get some canteen coupons for the wife to eat..As he was returning to his cabin,he met dr ranganath,"sir just to remind you..board meeting at 5 ..dr rai n aradhanaji d also be coming.."ashutosh nodded as he went in n disposed the pending files n then studied the case history of the patient on whom he had to operate in the afternoon..During lunch ,as he went into the canteen,he saw dr ranganath n dr priyanka n so joined them..dr priyanka enquitred about nidhi's welfare ,ashutosh replied"she is much better but haemoglobin is still low.."just then the phone rang ,it was nidhi..ashu picked it"bolo nidhi..all well"?.."jee..aapne khana khaaya".."haan bas kha raha hoon dr priyanka aur dr ranganath bhi hain.."..."bus aap tense nahi hona..."ashutosh smiled at her concern as he said bye n put the phone..dr priyanka spoke"waise dr nidhi ke bina hospital..soona lagta hai...nahi sir"??ashutosh smiled n added"haan..shararati brigade ki leader jo hai.."n dr ranganath laughed!!ashutosh returned to his cabin..stopping for a minute outside nidhi's locked cabin...he missed her in the hospital..each moment..the sunshine of her laughter..the colour of her pranks...he smiled to himself as he recalled how she had convinced dr dubey that she was having an extra marital agfair with ashutosh...oh !!nidhi was a live wire...always upto something..but then as a dr..she was matchless in her commitment..how could he forget how she became his hands during c.m surgery..n how she worked non stop to save the injured kids even though she was pregnant...that is what made nidhi sooo special..no wonder she had won over the man who could not even be approached by other women..,she had broken thru his defences ,his complexes with her disarming simplicity...ashutosh smiled as he changed for surgery...

As dr ashutosh emerged from the o.t ,he looked at his watch..4.20 he was in time.he changed n knocked at dr dubey's door"come in ashutosh".."arre sir aapko kaise pata ki mai hoon"??dr dubey smiled.."bhai mere student rahe ho..pehchaan jaata hoon ..aur waise mujhe dr nidhi ne bataayi thi ye secret..ki tum humesha do baar ruk ruk ke knock karte ho"!!!n both laughed..just then dr rai entered..n shook hands "hullo dr ashutosh..bhai thanx for mentoring aditi..aapki bahut taareef karti hai.."as ashutosh smiled ,dr dubey added"bhai,ashutosh to hai hi..great per aapki aditi..offfo!!dimaag kha jaati hai..aur orange apron pehenti hai..dekha hai dr rai"!!dr rai smiled"dr dubey..aap theek keh rahe hain..afiti hai bahut naughty,usse daantiye..sudhaariye..plz"n then the three walked towards the board room,meeting aradhanaji at the corner"arre ashutosh..kaise ho"??"jee theek hoon..,"dr dubey knew quite a bit about the troubles given by daksh n divya to ashu nidhi..but he had never poked his nose..he knew she was a long standing friend of dr mathur..he was a student when they both were doing m.s.dr dubey asked"aap u.s nahi jaa rahin"??.."jaaoongi..2 months ko,bachchon ko settle kar waapas aa jaaoongi..arre haan ashutosh...nishu to bahut pyaara nikla hai..par nidhi abhi bhi weak lagi mujhe...".."jee,she is o.k bus feed kar rahi hai..n haemoglobin low hai..abhi bhi..."As they entered the board room,they saw mr viren singhania already there,being briefed by his secretary..over the laptop.."plz take a seat ladies n gentlemen..or should i say drs"!

"So,lets not waste time in introduction..i know sufficiently about you n i m sure you too know about me...I am from aviation sector...i love flying high...n so my aim for kgh is also high..to make it the best..the most reputed hospital in india..to make it a brand..a brand that sells"!!as dr ashitosh listened..dr dubey n rai looked at each other uncomfortably n finally dr rai spoke"mr singhania..kgh is already v reputed..our drs as drashutosh n dr gandhi are the best in the country..infact dr ashutosh is called to delhi whenever there is a v.i.p. emergency..."singhania raised his hand to cut dr rai short"i agree dr...kgh may be a good hospital..but its not a brand..you maybe treating patients but you are failing to make money..such a business venture will become unviable.."aradhanaji spoke"excuse me mr singhania..kgh has been making decent profits..growing at 20%every year...what more do you want"??.."mam..".."dr ..i am dr aradhana..a dr of 45 years experience..aapki to umr bhi shaayad utni nahi hai jitna mera tajurba hai,.."singhania continued"ok dr..but in my aviation sector..my business is growing at 85%per annum...so i have certain proposals to lay before you...first..lets do away with this useless n wasteful policy of free treatment to the 10%cases..well kgh will not be for the poor..they can go to govt hospitals...or die..for their lives r no better than death..so why should we waste our money..??secondly..lets be strict with the staff n jr drs...no paid leaves..sorry the hospital cant afford this luxuryn yes ..if the hospital begins to make a profit of 50%,we can spend 5%more on drs n staff..whwt do you say??n yes..one more royal waste...this subsidised canteen...why not let out the space to a multinational food chain..gentlemen..never lose an opportunity of making money,.that is the first principle of business...n yes..one more query.."he scanned thru his laptop.."now who is this chick..dr nidhi vermai..who has been on leave for 9 months n the management has sanctioned her a full year of paid leave"???aradhanaji fumed but ashutosh took it upon himself to answer"mr singhania..dr nidhi is a competent jr dr..n i recommended her leave..though the decision on salary was taken by the board..".."but why is she on leave..dammit" growled singhania...ashutosh replied"dr nidhi had a very difficult,high risk pregnancy n an equally painful delivery...she sufferred from..internal tearing of tissues..hence was not in a position...n let me tell you previously she has had a great record..she assisted me in cm surgery n..."singhania walked up n down ..with hands in his pockets n then a dark sense of humour descended upon him as he said..with leacherousness evident in his eyes"it seems..dr ashutosh..you r quite intimate..with this female..huh!!you seem to know her gynaecological details..wow.."the board members shifted in their seats ,expecting ashutosh to explode...but he did not..instead he paused,..cleaned his spechs,wore them again n said"you are right mr singhania..i am very intimate with dr nidhi...because she ..for your information ,happens to be my wife...you need to update your data base..dr nidhi verma became dr nidhi ashutosh mathur nearly three years ago"!!singhania seemed to have lost colour,.he sat,loosened his tie...but then hit back ..surfing in his black berry"oh!!so the 44 year neurosurgeon..is beds...i m sorry weds the 26 year old jr dr...no wonder she gets a fat salary..sitting at home..after all she is the young wife of our m.d.!!"Dr ashutosh was flushed with anfer but chose not to lose his calm..as singhania..spoje ,"so drs,my three proposals to vote...no freeship,no paid leave..not even for specialy gifted young drs...n a disbanning the canteen...strict rules for jr drs... n yes i m apoointing a new board member who will also be a senior dr...dont worry dr ashutosh..aapke under kaam karega"all board members looked at dr ashutosh..with warm regard n then at singhania with contempt...as aradhnaji spoke"WE REJECT ALL YOUR PROPOSALS ,MR SINGHANIA"...now dr ashutosh got up.."mr trustee..you are unfortunately heading a hospital..n remember we drs take an oath to serve the sick...whether rich or poor...death n sickness know no divisiond,they are the greatest equalisers...aur mr singhania...hum sab ne aapke jitni daulat na kamaai ho..par izzat aapse zyaada kamaai hai...rahi baat kgh ke profit ki..to zindagi me kuch cheezen faayde aur nuksaan se pare hoti hain...par afsos ye aap jaise business man nahi samajh sakte..haan ek baat aur..nidhi ..yahaan kaam salary ke liye nahi karti...aur woh join karegi..lekin honrary ..she will not take any salary..you can divert her salary to your profit...mai apni biwi ke liye kaafi kama leta hoon...aur haan..mujhe intezaar rahega apne naye subordinate ka..."ashutosh walked out...he had expected a board room battle..this had turned out to be a war!!

As ashutosh entered home,nidhi could sense his anger..he didnt say anything ,just went into his room..kaka looked questioningly at nidhi..and she smiled at him n followed ashutosh..she didnt ask anything,just kept his jacket n then brought in hot adrak wali chaai.."plz chaai pee leejiye"ashu took the cup n asked"baba aa gaye"??nidhi nodded ..ashu took her hand...n narrated nearly all that had happenedediting out just the insulting parts.."nidhi maine aaj shayad phir tumhaare saath naa insaafi ki ha...""ashu..beta aaja khane"it was baba,nidhi said"chaliye baba aur armaanji wait kar rahe hain.."as they ate..bharwaan bhindi n rajma..ashu's favourite..nidhi asked"kya keh rahe the aap..."ashu looked at baba ..n nidhi n said"baba,aaj maine phir se shaayad nidhi se naa insaafi ki hai..mere paas koi option nahi tha...nidhi job chode,yemai hone nahi doonga...uska career bhi important hai..lekin meeting me..situation kuch aisi ho gayee ki mujhe kehna pada ki nidhi honreary join karegi..salary nahi legi..probably..meri ego..ya self respect hurt kar di thi mr singhania ne...i m sorry nidhi..."nidhi smiled"aapne kuch bhi galat nahi kiya..huq hai aapka...aap mere pati bhi hain..aur mentor bhi...aur phir aapke maan samman se bada mere liye kuch bhi nahi...jahan tak salary ki baat hai..to aap jitna kamaate hain..wohi zaroorat se zyaada hai...join kab karna hai..ye bataaiye"ashutosh seemed lost..mesmerised...once again nidhi had surpassed his expectations..."monday se...par nishu.."??"nishu ki kya chinta hai..subah feed karake jaaya karoongi aur phir raat ko..din me...".."din ki tum chiinta na karo,mai hiraman,maxi sambhal lenge...ab to khata bhi hai...bilkul chinta nahi karo...bhai dr mathur ko phir se emplyment mil gaya ...samjho!!bas nidhi beta kal mai kuch zuroori kaam nibta loon..."ashu added"timings long nahi honge bcoz you r working honrary to..overtime ke liye nahi rok sakte..per emergencies...".."aap chinta nahi kariye...mai sab sambhaal loongi"armaan added"beta ashu..ab to tu apne credit card ki chinta kar..nidhi apna i phone,i oad etc etc usi se to khareedegi..bechari ko salary to milegi nahi"n all roared in laughter...nishu seemed dazed..then as ashu took him in his arms..he too giggled...
That night as nidhi slept in ashu's arms..he kept caressing her hair..thinking about the pitfalls that she d face...but then he d be there..n together ,they could brave any storm...ashu remembered an old number...

JEET HI LENGE BAAZI HUMTUM,KHEL ADHOORA CHOOTE NA..
PYAAR KA BANDHAN,JANM KA BANDHAN TOOTE NA..

The next day was saturday...baba left early...taking solanki saheb's phone no.n returned at about 3 in the afternoon..nidhispent the entire day training maxi to look after nishu..how to manage him if he was irritated..in the afteernoon nishu was crying wanting nidhi to feed him but nidhi had to crush her emotions n make him wait..she had to train him to have her feed in the morning,evening n night..she tried cerelac..but nishu turned away..finally mashed banana worked..lil nishu was loving it..just as armaan came in n saw them,..he said"la nidhi mai khilata hoon isse.."nidhi smiled n said"ho paayega aapse"??armaan ...in one of those rare occassions..that he let his guard down..said wistfully"agar naina zinda hoti..to humaare bachche kitne bade hote..."n then ..almost immediately both he n nidhi fought back tears...nidhi because she could sense his loneliness..his desire for a family that he could never hve..n armaan because..he had let exhibited his grief...something that he hated...both regained composure as armaan joked"arre iske baap ko kitna sambhala hai maine...to ye kya cheez hai bhala..."as armaan began to make nishu eat,nidhi went in to get tea for him...

At k.g.h. the day was busy for ashutosh..mainly administrative work..then dr ranganath came to inform him that nidhi's cabin was ready..dr ashutosh thanked him..n returned to work..The news that dr nidhi was returning to work,spread like wild fire..and there was a loud knock on ashu's door,as he growled"come in"in walked dr ahaana,aditi n jyotika...n bombarded ashu with questions"sir ,nidhi join kar rahi hai monday se??eee!!!we cant waitsir...kitna maza ayeha na sir..."ashutosh sighed.."aditi...dr nidhi work pe aa rahin hai..picnic pe nahi..now if you d plz let me work..."but as the jr drs went out..he smiled...yes the sunshine of kgh was going to be back...Dr ashutosh got up to meet dr dubey..as he entered,dr dubey exclaimed"arre ashutosh ,tumhare paas hi aa raha tha mai..ye kya sun raha hoon mai..nidhi join kar rahi hai..monday se..kaise.??tumhara beta..uski feed??"ashutosh smiled at dr dubey's concern.."sir..maid rakh di hai..uske liye aur baba..kaka sab dhyaan rakhenge..phir nidhi to 6 baje chali hi jaaya karegi..jaa ke feed karaayegi..aur ab to nishu khane bhi laga hai..sir"..."lekin ashutosh ,what about nidhi..uska kya..itni difficult pregnancy..tear in delivery..feed kar rahihai abhi..uske saath zyaadti nahi hogi...yeh??"ashutosh gulped..."sir,mai nahi chahta ki mr singhania ko lage ki nidhi ko preferential treatment milta hai..bcoz woh meri wife hai...aur sir mai nahi chahta ki woh job chode.. remember sir..do board members kisi bhi jr dr ko nikaal sakte hain..on grounds of duty neglect...uska career already kaafi suffer kar chuka hai..mere kaaran...aur isiliye maine usse honorary join karne ko kaha hai..taki staybacks..overtime ki problem na ho,,.."dr duey patted ashutosh"samajhta hoon mai...par nidhi naaraaz to nahi tumse"??..."nahi sor..nidhi..is rishte me humesha zyada mature rahi hai...haan jhagati hai..pizza aur burger ke liye..bus!!"dr dubey laughed"achcha uskiduty..aur report kisko karegi"??.."sir 11 to 2 general o.p.d. aur phir 3 to 6 children's ward..nidhi has always been very good with children..abhi to mujhe hi report karegi phir jab ye naye deputy m.d. aa jaayenge to unhe karegi..haan sir aapko pata hai kaun hai ye mew dr,...n board member"??.."no idea ashutosh..but i m sure koi singhania jaisa hi hoha..commercial mentality ka...tum jaise to laakhon me ek hote hain..."

After completing his final round..as dr ashutosh was walking back..he stopped in front of nidhi's cabin,.smiled n opened the door..dr ranganath hadgot it beautiflly arranged..ashu came to the table n scribbled something on the note pad,..n went out..
As the family sat for dinner,baba seemed very relaxed after 3 days of tension..nishu was playing happily in his lap..n ashu fed him with bits of rice n daal..his own favourite too...armaan talked of his warehouse..n nidhi ..she said nothing..got up to get hot rotis again..n ashu wondered if she was happy...nidhi observed it..she never missed what dr ashutosh was thinking..."chinta nahi kariye..everything is under control..aaj to nishu ne kela khaya afternoon me..mera feed 6.30 me liya...armaanji ne khilaya kela...aur haan dr ashutosh..mai soch rahi thi..ki aap to 9.30 me jaate hain..to c.r.v. le jaaya kariyega..mai 10.45 me city se aa jaaongi..while coming back..agar aapbhi free ho gaye to saath lauta karenge aur driver le aya karega car..nahito mai aa jaya karoongi drive karke..din me baba ko zuroorat hogi car ki to phone karenge..driver to hai hi..."ashu was again mesmerised as how nidhi could think of everything..work out the tiniest of detail..he looked at baba...who smiled..baba had always found nidhi an exceptional girl..right from the times of jeevan sandhya...

In the night nidhi fed nishu..caressing his forehead..controlling her turmoil of emotions..blinking back her tears...she was not joining k.g.h. for the sake of her carreer..she knew her talent ..she could pick up the threads of proffession anytime...but she was joining for the sake of dr ashutosh..for his prestige..his honour..n for being by his side in the most difficult times..she knew what kgh meant to him...she will not let him lose it..she remembered the mythological tales that dadibua used to narrate in her childhood..how brave queens d accompany heroic kings during war..to protect n salvage the honour of the kingdom..of the family...this was also like a war..ethics v/s greed..principles v/s unscruplousness...n she d stand by her principled husband..as she patted nishu...she recalled the vows of marriage"sukh me..dukh me..vipda me..pareshani me..sada saath nibhaaoongi..."how could she ever fail him...nidhi braced for the tough times...determined to be ashutosh's strength not his weakness..she d never show her pain..not even to him...she d not be the chink in ashutosh's armour...she d infact be his steely resolve..Ashutosh came..n took nishu ,settled him in the crib...and as nidhi settled in his arms..touching his sideburns..she looked at him...n ashu could read in her eyes..."sukh me..dukh me..sada saath nibhaaoongi"as ashu held her ..nidhi closed her eyes..recalling an old song that shyama aunty loved..n whose meaning nidhi had appreciated only after becoming ashutosh's wife..
TUMHI MERE MANDIR ,TUMHI MERI POOJA,TUMHI DEVATA HO..
KOI MERI AANKHON SE DEKHE TO SAMJHE KI TUM MERE KYA HO..
JIDHAR DEKHTI HOON UDHAR TUM HI TUM HO..
NA JAANE MAGAR KIN KHAYAALON ME GUM HO..
MUJHE DEKH KAR TO ZARA MUSKURA DO..
NAHI TO MAI SAMJHOONGI ..
MUJHSE KHAFAA HO..."
n ashutosh seemed to know her thoughts as a faint smile came on his lips,..as he held her..in his arms...

Sunday was busy,ashutosh got honda city cleaned ,fuelled ..while nidhi checked the kitchen..making a list of groceries..she wanted her home to be perfect..kaka went to get the stuff..as nidhi organised nishus stuff..his clothes ,diaper,cerelac...every itsy bitsy thing...In thenight as ashu tried to take nishu..nidhi said..."aaj mujhe sulaane deejiye plz"...ashu kept quiet...as nidhi settled nishu..kissing him many times over...before settling in her haven..of ashutosh's arms...neither spoke..there was probably no need for words...In the wee hrs as ashutosh extended his arms to draw nidhi into them..her side of the bed was empty..he wore his spechs..it was 5 a.m. where was nidhi..he checked the nursery..nishu was sleeping peacefully..then he went to the kitchen...nidhi was bathed..though in her gown,she had cooked the breakfast..n was chopping veggies..for lunch..ashu sighed"maxi aur kaka kar lenge..so lo thoda aur.."nidhi smiled..."neend khul gayee..socha thoda kaam hi kar loon..aap jaaiye..aaraam kariye.."ashutosh back hugged her'"ab mai itna bhi bura nahi hoon..ki meri biwi kaam kare aur mai aaraam..kuch kaam bataao..."nidhi wrinkled her nose n said..."to aata goondhiye,kofte banaiye..."ashutosh was perplexed n nidhi laughed"jaaiye aap..chai laati hoon..nishu uthega to dekhiyega plz"...

Ashutosh had his breakfast of poha n sandwich n kissed nishu..before giving him to baba"chalta hoon,city ki chaabhi yahaan hai..aut dheere chalana"...nidhi got ready..in her pink n purple churidaar kurta..took her cell,apron n bag..n then took nishu n kissed him...as baba observed..her fighting back her tears.."maxi isko udhar ghuma de..nahi to royega..."maxi replied"madam..kal se bilkul nahi royega...bye karega..."n she took nishu away as nidhi's eyes seemed to follow them..then she rememberedher resolve..she gave baba the list of important no. N then touched his feet..."jaa beta..jaa,nishu ki chinta na kar..mai hoon na..jaake saath de ashu ka..usse zuroorat hai teri iss dharm yuddh mei.."nidhi realised once again ..she n dr ashutosh were transparent to baba..he was their true..conscience keeper...nidhi touched kaka's feet..as armaan hugged her n she drove off...

As she entered kgh..aditi ahaana n jyotika seemed to be waiting for her"hi nidhi!!yaar tujhe to dekh kei mazaa aa gayaa..tujhe pata hai na naya trustee kaisa hai..."??aditi added "apni wife se separated hai..."jyotika winked"ahana tu bach ke rehna..."n they all laughed before going on respective duties..shouting"lunch mei,.canteen..2 baje"..nidhi stood outside dr ashutosh's cabin..though they had been married ..had shared intimate moments..nights in each others arms...yet whenever nidhi entered his cabin..she felt strange tremors..as if ,..this was their most intimate moment...she knocked.."come in"as nidhi entered..ashutosh smiled...asked"nishu..roya to nahi.."..."jee nahi..maxi ghuma rahi thi..feed kara ke aaye hoon..meri duties"???ashu explained her everything.. as she withdrew..he held her hand..n said"thank you nidhi..."nidhi smiled"kehne ki zuroorat nahi thi...padh sakti hoon aapki aankhon mei"..as nidhi went out..ashutosh ruminated..his titli never failed to surprise him...sainyaan  

Nidhi started the o.p.d. usual cases of jaundice,typhoid,vira...by the time she finished it was 2.10..as she walked..she thought she must meet dr dubey...she could never forget how he had patted her in her worst crisis..n always appreciated her...after the initial mistrust..she smiled as she bent to touch his feet.."arre dr nidhi..beta kaisa hai...dr mathur"??.."jee sab theek hain..aap kaise hain sir"??.."bas chal raha hai..ek tarah se achcha hua tum aa gayee ..ashutosh better feel karega..tum hi to support system ho uska..."as they entered the canteen..dr jyotika n aditi(in her orange apron)caught nidhi"hey!!!!!!!!"dr dubey growled"dr aditi..ye aapke school ki canteen nahi..hospital hai..plz".."sorry sir..plz nidhi ko le jaane deejiye...humaari friend hai,,sir".."haa sab jaanta hoon is badmaash brigade ko main..."As nidhi settled with her friends..ahana got froes n chowmein,ward boy anil came with an orange juice pack"madam dr ashutosh ne bheja hai..aapke liye..woh surgery mei hain"nidhi smiled...how much he cared for her...aditi n jyotika teased nidhi..n sang.."tere waaste..mera ishq sufiyaana..mera ishq sufiyaana"  n dr priyanka came n said"my god!!dr dubey ne sun liya to...ishq quatilaana ho jaayega..."n nidhi got up to hug priyanka...though her senior by one yr,it was during her wedding that nidhi had begun to come close to ashu...As nidhi entered her cabin..she remembered how ashutosh had brought her to it...with pride n joy in his eyes...nidhi sat on her chair n looked at the note pad.."TUM HO TO MAI HOON...TITLI KE BINA RAJA ADHOORA HAI..."it was dr ashutosh's writing ..she kissed the paper n kept it in her bag..n dialled home..kaka picked up"kaka,mai nidhi..nishu kaisa hai..aur baba ne juice piya..fridge me rakh ke aayee thi mai.."kaka smiled as he answered"haan beti,nishu ne dibbe wala khana khaya..ab khel raha hai dr sahib ke saath..aur unhone bhi juice pee liya..khana bhi kha liya...tu ne kuch khaaya beti".."jee kaka.."nidhi saw the time..2.50,she entered the children's ward..checked each child,read the reports,prescribed medicines,..n as she came to the last kod n luxmi bai handed her his reports...a stranger entered..in a fashionable suit..about 30 ..35 years old..as luxmi bai stiffened n said"good afternoon sir"the man did not reply...he looked at nidhi..the whole length of her..as nidhi looked back..almost defiantly..hesaid"so,dr nidhi..kaisa lag raha..hai..ghar ka aaraam chod kar kaam karna hospital mei.."??nidhi smiled n replied"sir,mai ek hindustaani aurat hoon..multi tasking to humaare d. N. A me hoti hai...mai to sirf parivaar aur hospital manage kar rahi hoon..jhansi ki rani ne to bachcha peeth se baandh kar..angrezon se loha liya tha ...do you know of rani luxmi bai...sir"??the stranger laughed saradonically..."loha nahi liya tha..maari gayee thi luxmi bai..angrezon ke haathon..."nidhi shot back.."sir yuddh me marne ko..shaheed hona kehte hain..rani ne veergati praapt ki thi..unka naam aaj bhi amar hai..bachpan me meri favourite poem thi BUNDELE HARBOLON KE MUH HUMNE SUNI KAHAANI THI,KHOOB LADI MARDAANI WOH TO JHANSI WALI RANI THI..us angrez general ko koi nahi yaad karta..."..."so dr nidhi..aap jhansi ki rani samajhti hain..apne aapko..."??.."jee nahi..baat multitasking ki ho rahi thi..aur waise waqt aane pe her hindustani aurat jhansi ki rani ban sakti hai...n by the way,i d like that you address me by my formal name..DR NIDHI ASHUTOSH MATHUR..is that ok..singhania sir...or should i say mr trustee...??n now if you will excuse me..meri duty khatm ho gayi hai..so i m leaving...mera beta mera intezaar kar raha hoga,..."n nidhi walked out..leaving singhania red faced...

Nidhi knocked at ashutosh's cabin..he was in a meeting with dr dubey n dr ranganath..but looked up..raising his characteristic eyebrow"i am sorry to disturb sir,...but i am done for the day..here are all the reports...may i go"??ashutosh took the reports..then looked at his watch..6.20 dr dubey smiled n preceeded ashutosh"offcourse you can go nidhi...its been more than a day's work...jaao ghar"nidhi smiled gratefully,wished everyone n ran to her car..Her driving had always been good...today also ,she drove fast but with care n entered mathur niwas at 6.35..."kaka nishu kahan hai"??she asked n,not being able to spot him.."abhi abhi,,dr sahib aur maxi ghumaane le gaye hain..pram me...chaai logi beti"??..."nahi kaka,mai fresh ho leti hoon jaldi se"nidhi rushed to the washroom..n as she emerged..bathed n chamged in her purple gown..she could hear nishu ..laughing...she just applied sindoor n rushed out into the hall...there he was..her heart..her life..playing gleefully in his baba's lap...n baba too was involved ..as he played with his fingers"ye nishu ke baba ka,ye nishu ke chacha ka..ye papa ka..ye mummy ka...and then looking up ..baba exclaimed"arre ye lo..nishu ki mummy to aa gayee..dekho bhai "!!!n nishu looked up...seeing nidhi,he became restless..curling up to jump into her arms...n baba gave him to her"le beta...sambhaal isse..ab raah dekh raha tha...par din bhar khoob khela...soya bhi..."maxi spoke "yes madam..baby ne half bowl cerelac khaaya,phi kela ..aur..."nidhi was hardly listening,..holding nishu to her self...she had her eyes closed as if trying to erase the memory of the hours that she spent without him...Baba smiled..n said,."jaa..leja..feed kara de"n nidhi got nishu inside...n quickly opened her gown n held him to her bosom...nishu too seemed to have been waiting..n began to savour the nectar...gulping hard...nidhi's back ached..she wanted to have pillows behind her...but then nishu d get disturbed..so she smiled n sat straight...after about 15 mins,she shifted him to the other breast..caressing his chubby cheeks..as he was finally done in about half an hour,nidhi tied her gown n took him ..got up ..n began to baby talk..animating with her eyes n wrinkling her nose"kya kiya aaj mere nishu ne...roya to nahi...??mamma gandi ..baby ko chod ke gayee..."n rocked him ..shaking his shoulders as he laughed..."chalo..diaper change kare...nahi nahi karega phir se??"n she quickly arranged his bath tub..put in his toys n made him sit...as she poured water...lukewarm on his head..talking"dekho to..kitna maza aa raha hai..hai na..."n nishu kicked in the tub splashing water on nidhi...she dried him..changed into his night suit...n was combing his light hair...when dr ashutosh entered...he smiled seeing his son"hullo nishu..mil gayee mamma"??n as he quickly rushed thru his bath n took nishu..he looked at nidhi..almost wet.."nidhi..change kar lo..varna tabiyat kharaab ho jaayegi..jaao"nidhi changed into another gown n the trio came into the hall.ashutosh was throwing up nishu in the air n then catching him...as nishu squealed with joy..while nidhi watched from the dining room...just as armaan entered.."arre bhai..papa ke saath khel raha hai...ab chacha ki chance"The family sat for dinner...aaloo tamatar,dal n parwal with hot rotis as nidhi got up to get them ,kaka exclaimed"beti tu baith..maxi laayegi.."baba added"nidhi..tu to saara lunch banaa ke gayee thi..heeraman keh raha tha ki uske liye koi kaam hi nahi tha...hum sub to bas nishu se khele.."nidhi smiled...as she looked at ashutosh...feeding dal to nishu...n then armaan asked"so nidhi..did you meet mr singhania"?nidhi nodded n ashutosh seemed surprised"tumne bataaya nahi"??.."kab batati...lunch mei to aap o.t mei the..he came when i was ending my round of children's ward..."armaan went on"tab..kya hua..kya kaha usne"??..."kuch khaas nahi..basically he wanted to see if i was coping up or messing around.."baba smiled n asked"tab humaari nidhi ne bataaya nahi ki woh kya hai..."!!nidhi laughed..determined not to burden dr ashutosh by recounting the barbs of singhania...she said"baba..maine to bus ek seedha such bata diya..ki maiDR NIDHI ASHUTOSH MATHUR hoon..thats it"...ashutosh looked at her...with love..with pride...sainyaan...the silent moment was cut short by nishu shouting..."pa..."


Nidhi entered baba's room with his milk..peeled his medicines n gave him..as baba patted her..she leaned on him"kya hua nidhi..".."thank you baba..."n he patted her cheek.."ja so ja...baap beta..dono tera intezaar kar rahe honge"..but then nidhi knocked at armaan's door with his tea.."armaan ji..aapki adrak wali chai.."armaan quickly closed what he was reading..nidhi did not intrude..just smiled as he said"itna kaam mat kar..mai le leta chaai.."she laughed n retorted"kyun..bhabhi jee hoon aapki..bhool gaye"!!!
In the bedroom,nidhi rocked n kissed nishu as ashutosh read his files..n as he went to deep sleep..she kissed him again...on his eyes..and put him in his cradle...returning to lie down...n drift into sleep..she must have either moaned or arched her back...as she was awakened by the familiar strong touch of dr ashutosh's hands..pressing her back..as she smiled n mumbled"i m okay...so jaaiye..."she could feel ashutosh kissing her eyes..though burdened with sleep n fatigue..she could barely open them...n as ashutosh switched off the light n slipped into the bed..she instinctively settled on his chest..as he nestled her close to him...kissing her hair before closing his tired eyes...

Next morning seemed easier for nidhi as she got ready,made idli for breakfast n arvi ,daal n raita for lunch..,finally she came with hot tea to dr ashutosh...her long hair were still wet n so..like long ago..she naughtily sprinkled the droplets on ashu's face..as he stretched his arms..only to gather his treasure in them...holding her..he said"phir 5 baje se kaam kar rahi ho"??nidhi..put his spechs on him "zyaada sawaal nahi...8 baj gaye hain..nahaaiye jaldi.."ashu smiled lazily n said ..mischief twinkling in his eyes..."sponge nahi kar dogi.."n nidhi pushed him away ,blushing beet red!!As ashu sipped tea...giving nidhi sips in between,nishu cried..nidhi rushed..n brought him..as a sleepy nishu put his hand on nidhi's bosom...ashutosh smiled..nidhi opened her buttons n fed nishu..ashu got up n put pillows around her back...when she finished,he said.."iske kapde de do..mai nehla deta hoon aaj..tum phir wet ho jaaogi nahi to"ashu n nishu played along as nidhi knocked"bas kariye..deejiye usse"n ashu handed over a clean wet nishu..wrapped in his tweety towel..as ashu returned to bathe,nidhi applied talcum on nishu..talking "baba ko trouble nahi karna,..aaj daal chawal kana thode se...ab batao kya pehnoge"!!!she dressed nishu in sky blue baby suit n took out ashutosh's shirt n tie...blue again..like son..like father...Ashu emerged,changed n kissed nishu..then extended his arms to nidhi.."hey doc..come here"n kissed her on the lips...light but possessive...;););)    As ashu left after breakfast,nidhi explained everything to maxi..told kaka what she had cooked,gave baba his juice..n then kissed nishu...maxi true to her word stood there ..shaking nishu's hand"mamma ko bye bol nishu"..nidhi felt lighter..better..ready to face all the singhanias of the world...

It was 10.50 and nidhi went straight to the o.p.d...it was a busy day..rainy season always brought so many patients...nidhi examined each..prescribed medicines..n always ended with a smile..which she believed was a great healer...as she was finishing ,she heard an announcement..ALL JUNIOR DOCTORS HAD TO REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES CHAMBER...she wondered why..she knocked at dr ashutosh's chamber only to find it empty..she learnt he was in a complicated surgery...she entered mr singhania's chamber..dr priyanka..dr jyothika,aditi,ahana n all 24 other junior drs were there..they were 29 in all..dr dubey also entered..looking flushed with anger..all stood up..n begore dr dubey could say anything,mr singhania spoke"sit own drs...plz dr NIDHI ASHUTOSH MATHUR..take a seat..you r special to us..after all humaare m,d n chief neuro surgeon ki wife hain..haan yeh baat aur hai..ki aap lagti nahi hain...i mean you are so...young...i think...if i am right aap intern thi unki...is that so...dr nidhi ashutosh mathur"??All eyes were on nidhi..tears seemed to sting her eyes..but she knew if she broke down..it d be victory for singhania...he had deliberately held the meeting when dr ashitosh was in surgry...dr dubey..looked at mr singhania...shocked n angry..but nidhi stood up.."sir ,is this meeting about mine n dr ashutosh's relationship..or some important matter of kgh??you can find about me n dr ashutosh from anyone here...ya kabhi yehi agenda rakhiye..to mai hi bata doongi..hum dono ke baare me...may we proceed now"??mr singhania was shocked..he had aimed to humiliate nidhi..but instead had ended up citting a sorry figure of himself,..he collected himself n said"drs, i have called you to say..that due to various reasons ,my efforts at increasing the profit of kgh have hit a road block..."he looked at dr dubey..n then continued"so,i have decided to increase the no. Of private wards in the hospital...but for that..all of you d have to vacate your chambers...n will now have space only in the two common rooms..i am sorry for the inconvenience..but when the board does not permit me any other way..this is all i can do..."n looking saradonically at dr dubey he contd."not even your m.d or dr dubey should have any objection to that..."The drs were silent...shocked..n before they could retort..singhania continued"so drs ,you can go for lunch..n i really hope you wouldnt mind this loss of privacy...afterall this is for the good of kgh...n some of you ..do have intimate private space in certain other chambers..."he was looking straight at nidhi..as she bristled with rage..but kept quiet...singhania had hit back...

In the canteen ,jyotika screeched"the brute...nidhi..he just wants to demean you..."aditi added"i will tell my dad..."others too expressed their anger...but nidhi said"yaar..uski intentions jo bhi ho..he is garbing them very well...we cant deny ki hospital ko pvt wards se faayda hoga...so lets bear it..."dr dubey was watching all this from another table...n hearing nidhi he smiled...the smile of a proud guru...as nidhi saw him,she excused herself n went to him"sir..aapse ek request thi...dr ashutosh ko nahi bataaiyega..mr singhania ne jo..mujhe...mujhe kaha...unhe gussa aajayega...aap to jaante hain unhe..main chahti hoon..ye ladaai woh hosh se ladein..josh se nahi..plz sir"dr dubey took off his spechs n nodded..unable to say anything...

As ashutosh emerged from the surhery n came to nidhi's chamber..or what used to be her chamber..he was stunned..he entered dr dubey's room"sir ,how did all this happen...why sir.."???.."ashutosh...sab chaal hain singhania ki...par kyunki baat hospital ke faayde ki hai...aur uski power me hai..."he trailed off...ashutosh ..hands in his pockets..looked on...seeming to understand the wily singhania's game...Nidhi finished her children's ward work..it was 6,as she knocked at dr ashutosh's chamber.."come in"nidhi asked"aapko time lagega kya..mera ho gaya.."ashutosh was also thru n said"i am also done..lets go together..."as he instructed the driver to get the city home ,n helped nidhi into the crv.ashutosh glanced at nidhi..he knew she must not have eaten..must be disturbed..he smiled as he stopped at mcdonald's...but nidhilooked at him bewildered.."kya kar rahe hain..."??..."burger khaaogi"??nidhi seemed at the end of her patience..controlling her frustration n tears..she said"dr ashutosh..mujhe kuch nahi khana..plz ghar chaliye..nishu..hungry hoga..plz"ashutosh..gulped...n drove home..as he stopped the car...nidhi almost rushed in...nishu was playing with baba..she quickly washed her hands n face n took him..snuggling him close..."kya hua nidhi..beta..kya baat hai.."??nidhi didnt say anything..just tried to smile..n took nishu inside..by the time ashu entered nishu was suckling nidhi..fast..n hard...he was hungry..n a mother's heart had known it...ashutosh looked at the two...trying to fathom the depth of their love...

In the night ,ashu tried to talk to nidhi..wanting to know if singhania had been singling her..."i feel nidhi..he d try to malign you ..to get square with me.."nidhi kissed his side burns"aapke hote hue,..mujhe koi malign nahi kar sakta...dont eorry"The next morning,as nidhi entered the o.p.d.she told luxmi bai to keep her bag in the common room.."dr ashutosh ke cabin me..."enquired luxmi..nidhi recalled the caustic comments of singhania..n said"nahi..common room..jahaan sab ke hain..wahin..."At lunch..she bumped into dr ashutosh ..as she was entering the canteen.."tumhe hi dhoondh raha tha..chalo lunch karein"..n as she sat ,dr ashutosh served a plate n got..."aur aapki..."??.."kyun..apne saath nahi khane dogi..."??nidhi smiled...as she fed him...n then both began to eat..ashutosh got a chilled juice for her.."chalo khatam karo..."nidhi frowned..i"itna khilaayenge..to so jaaongi..ward me...plz"but then ashutosh was ashutosh ..he put the straw in her mouth...n she sucked...just then..all stood up...ashutosh looked around..it was mr singhania..nidhi stood up..but dr ashutosh kept sitting..As singhania came n said"dr ashutosh..if you are free..id like to introduce you to your new deputy director...but only if you have the time fromDR NIDHI ASHUTOSH MATHUR..n can give a few moments to kgh..."ashutosh looked at nidhi..saw her wince...he took nidhi's hand..kept sitting n said"woh kya hai..mr singhania...nidhi meri jeevan saathi hai...meri taaquat hai..mere kaam me rukaawat nahi...par i dont blame you..aapke liye ye samajhna mushkil..ya yu kahoon naamumkin hai...you see you need to experience love to know it...n yes..plz..lets meet my assistant.."singhania turned to the door n announced..."drs...meet your new deputy dorectir n board member..a dr who has studied in kings college london..."ashutosh frowned..."meet dr omi mehta..."n in walked ashutosh's college coleague...who had reduced nidhi to tears in the alumni...the lecherous dr omi mehta...dr ashutosh stood up...looked hard at singhania n mehta..n then..casting a reassuring look at nidhi..he said"welcome to kgh..dr mehta...i should have known..mr singhania d choose you...welcome to kgh"!!

As dr omi mehta shook hands with dr ashutosh,nidhi looked a little at discomfort..as she looked up..she saw singhania looking straight into her eyes..mocking..Dr ashutosh's hawk eyes observed that...he spoke"come dr mehta,i will introduce you to the jr drs"n moving on he said"dr aditi,dr priyanka,dr jyotika,dr ahaana..."n as dr mehta shook hands with each..he finally came to nidhi"dr nidhi..."as dr mehta shook nidhi's hand...n seemed to give it a gentle squeeze,nidhi spoke firmly"sir ..i am dr nidhi ashutosh mathur..."dr mehta seemed to smile a wicked smile ...as he continued to hold nidhi's hand..finally ashutosh smiled a sarcastic smile n said"dr mehta..i think ..aap bhool gaye hain..ki dr nidhi ka haath mai already pakad chuka hoon..."wincing,mehta let go of nidhi...ashutosh added"come dr mehta,let me introduce you to your duties n you are to report to me..all the jr drs will be under you..but you people can walk in to my cabin directly ..if there is a problem..."said ashutosh ,looking at the jr drs..dr mehta retorted"oh yes!!the doors of your cabin n your heart have always been open to the interns n jr drs..havent they been..dr ashutosh..."??ashutosh..with hands in his trousers pocket finished the verbal duel by saying"you are spot on dr mehta...i am here to teach them..to protect them...n to be their role model..."

At home that night as ashutosh played with nishu..who seemed to be getting more active each day,nidhi emerged from the wash room..n sat on the bed..winding a monkey that she had bought for nishu..as the monkey somersaulted,nishu sqiealed in joy...finally as he began to rub his eyes..ashu began to pat him to sleep...by the time he settled nishu..nidhi was lost in her thoughts...ashu came n sat by her side..."mehta se darr lag raha hai..."??nidhi shook her head"na...jab tak aap saath hain ,mujhe kisi se darr nahi lagta...kisi se nahi..."ashu kissed her on the lips..n slept...but nidhi couldnt sleep..her thoughts kept going to dr mehta n singhania...the way they had looked at her...the memory of mehta's touch made nidhi squirm...she must have shivered...as ashu opened his eyes n looked at her...then probably reading her thoughts,pulled her closer..his hand slipping into her nightie...caressing her ..his touch..gentle but protective seemed to say"hey doc!!mai hoon na"!!

As nidhi left home ,nishu gave her a kiss..as taught by maxi..nidhi hugged him back..n left..some bye byes were always so difficult...as she reached the hospital,it was sharp 11..she rushed to the opd"dr mehta stood looking at her..."dr nidhi..be on time...".."sir ,i am..its just 11..not a minute more.."n leaving an angry mehta looking at the kgh clock,she proceeded to see the patients...There was a knock at ashutosh's door n dr mehta entered..ashu signalled him to sit n then looking up from his files said"dr mehta,i want you to prepare a detailed chart of the patients in the various wards,the medicines,line of treatment ..everything..n yes also give me the details of the 10%cases who have been treated free..this month.thanks,that will be all"dr mehta did not try to get close to ashutosh,he could smell his cut n dry approach...n the hardstone temper did seem to be lurking about...But just outside ashutosh's chamber..he had an evil smile playing on hislips...As nidhi got over with o.p.d n was moving for lunch,she was informed by the wardboy that dr mehta wanted to see her,she sighed n knocked at his cabin"yes sir,.."??"oh!!dr nidhi..plz sit...well i just wanted to know if there was any problem in the o.p.d."??nidhi was a little confused at this unexpected politeness n replied,"no,sir all well...anything else..sir ,or may i go"???"arre dr nidhi..aisi bhi kya jaldi hai jaane ki...kuch humaari suniye..kuch apni kahiye...bhai aisi berukhi bhi achchi nahi..."n he got up...came around to put his warm hand on nidhi's shoulder..n his lecherous fingers seemed to wriggle their way beneath her apron...nidhi was not shocked..she had always feared this...ever after the alumni meet..where dr mehta had tried to make a pass at her..she got up ..n pushed his hand away...n then looking straight in the eyes ,spoke"dr mehta..apni hud me rehna seekhiye...har aurat jo office ,hospital ya party me milti hai...woh available nahi hoti...par shaayad aap jaise mardon ke liye aurat sirf ek cheez..ek object hai...afsos ki aap ek doctor hain..."but mehta was not to be outdone.."oh come on nidhi..dont talk morals..tum apne se dugni umr ke aadmi ke saath soti ho...sirf isliye ki woh behad ameer hai..famous hai...aur mujhe ye lecture de rahi ho...ek chance to deke dekho...ashutosh se behtar saabit karoonga...apne aap ko..in every possible way.."NIDHI WAS INFURIATED,SHE BANGED THE FILES SHE WAS CARRYING ,ON MEHTA'S TABLE N SAID "DR MEHTA,YAAD RAHE..SEXUAL HARRASSMENT AT WORKPLACE IS PUNISHABLE UNDER LAW..N I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE COWARDS..WHO REMAIN SILENT...MAIN AAP JAISE MARDON KO THEEK KARNA JAANTI HOON...BEHTAR HOGA AGAR AAP MUJHE SIRF EK DR KI TARAH DEKHEN..NAHI TO ANJAAM AAPKI SEHAT KE LIYE THEEK NAHI HOGA...AUR RAHI BAAT DR ASHUTOSH KI,TO LET ME TELL YOU..IS JANAM ME TO KYA ..AAP AGLE SAAT JANMO ME BHI UNKA MUQUABLA NAHI KAR SAKTE..YOU JUST DONT KNOW ..WHAT STUFF DR ASHUTOSH IS MADE OF..."just as nidhi was about to wothdraw...singhania entered...n asked what was the matter..mehta smiled n said"kuch nahi sir,mai dr nidhi se yeh case studies karne ke liye keh raha tha..but she is not ready..kehti hain..lunch ke baad..."singhania looked at nidhi..n said severely"dr nidhi..yeh aapki jaaydaad nahi hai...this isa hospital where you r just a junior dr..so plz comply...dr nidhi ashutosh mathur"nidhi took the files ..n in anger banged the door...settling into the common room to work...there was no time to eat...

Dr ashutosh reached the canteen from his surgery..n looked for nidhi..not finding her ,he asked aditi where nidhi was but even she seemed clueless..ashutosh had another surgery coming up,so he munched a sandwich n gulped some tea...but missed nidhi...he had no time to look for her..n returned to change for the o.t.Nidhi took the work as a challenge..she knew dr mehta was trying to break her...but what he did not know was that nidhi had the strength of love...of ashutosh's love..she finished the work n knocked at dr mehta's cabin..as she entered ,he was finishng his lunch"sir ,the files r complete"n walked off without waiting for his reaction...into the children's ward..it was like therapy..the kids had begun to love her so much...the thought of bringing comfort to them made her even forget her nishu for a few moments...There was a new case..a 3 year old child"sanjay"suffering from severe headaches,nidhi referred for investigations to neurology...
As she emerhed,it was 6,n she walked to ashutosh's clinic...only to bump into him in the gallery..as she seemed to lose her footing,ashutosh gathered her in his strong arms...n they seemed frozen for a moment...a moment of live..a moment of togetherness...sainyaan..."tumhe hi dhoond raha tha,...kahaan thi..lunch khaya??"..nidhi evaded..she didnt want ashutosh to fall into the trap of singhania n mehta of making this battle personal...he had to fight n defeat their rotten ideology..he had to fight for the hospital...for the patients...not just for his wife..."chaliye..main jaa rahi hoon"ashutosh caught her by the arm..rightfully"arre mai bhi aa raha hoon..chalo"n together they boarded the car...ashutosh told her about an invitation to indian medical assosiation party at lucknow on sunday...n asked"chalogi..na"??as nidhi didnt reply..he looked at her...she was fast asleep..her head tilting n hitting the door..ashutosh smiled n put his arm around her..as the car entered mathur niwas..Ashu touched nidhi's cheek n she got up...realising they were home..she rushed to wash n take nishu...each day nishu seemed more n more comfortable with maxi kaka n baba..he smiled as nidhi took him...but as soon as he snuggled to her..he wanted his feed...nidhi was herself famished...but she knew her nishu would always come first...she sat on the bed n opened her gown ,that she had worn after bathing...nidhu suckled..as nidhi played ..touching his cheeks..his forehead...just like his father's..seeing her baby suckle ..she forgot her own hunger...n only after nishu had finished did she wish to go n eat...but nishu wanted his bath..now he knew his routine...nidhi kissed him as she took off her gown n in her nightie,took him intothe washroom..as the mother son were playing..ashutosh entered the toilet...n seeing him,nishu almost jumped with delight...ashu took off his jacket n shoes n joined them..soaping nishu..n playing with his toys...nidhi put some bubble bath n there was froth all around...as ashutosh blew the froth around...his eyes settled on nidhi...it was her love,her sacrifices..her deep commitment that had changed his world...her smile ..her vivacity had erased all sad memories..n now with his son..their son..he was enjoyying,savouring all that he had missed in his childhood...it was more than a dream come true!!Ashu got up n pulled out an unwilling nishu from the bath tub..n brought him out..wrapprd sweetly in the towel..."pa...".."haan..beta..kitta nahayega..bus dekho mamma thak gayee hai..chalo i will change you.."n as dr ashutosh made nishu change into his micky mouse night suit..he looked at nidhi..leaning ...he smiled n pulled out her blue nightie n gown.."aao ..tum bhi change karo..."..."shhh nishu dekh raha hai..."n she took her clothes into the wash room..

At dinner,maxi had cooked aaloo pyaaz ke paraanthe..simply delicious..baba smiled n said"maxi,beta tu jis ghar jaayegi..swarg bana degi..."nidhi smiled as she looked at maxi...blushing...i d talk to cs...she thought.nidhi couldnt eat much somehow..she was tired...n as she bade goodnite to baba with his milk..n came in..nishu lay playing on their bed..dr ashutosh was tickling him n the boy was laughing...nidhi seemed lost in the moment...as nidhi came ..nishu caught her hair n pulled at them..bringing tars to her eyes.."nishu..chodo mamma ke baal..nishu.."dr ashutosh was almost severe..as he tried to open nishu's fingers..n as he left nidhi's hair..he cried..realising he had been reprimanded by his father...nidhi looked as a visibly upset ashutosh carried nishu..n lulled him"nahi beta..mamma ko taqleef nahi dete...dekho mamma ki aankhon me aansoo...mai nahi dekh sakta..ok"??as if setting the rules for future...nidhi thought..as she fed nishu..when dr ashutosh couldnot bear his own son bringing pain to her..how will he react if he came to know of what had happened today at the hospital...Ashu took nidhi in his strong arms.."kya baat hai..aaj tum..tum nahi ho...kuch chupa rahi ho kya..ya tabiyat..."?ashutosh narrowed his eyes..."nahi bas...i want to be with you..."n she touched his lips...unleashing his passion..,ashutosh caressed her form...kissing her little toe..her ankle..behind her knees..exploring each square inch..,n then came to his favourite spots..as nidhi restlessly tried to shun the unpleasentness of dr mehta's touch...ashutosh looked at her..."kya baat hai..."?nidhi shook her head..n rubbed his back..turning him on..ashu pressed his lips to her navel..exploring with his tongue ..as his hands got busy..pressing her tits..n then entering her core..making her want him..cry for him,,..she touched his firmness..felt it...n moaned in anticipation..but ashutosh wanted her to experience that later...as his firm fingers..stroked her..putting her on fire...n as she almost dug her fingers into him..imploring him to complete her...he did...entering her moist ..wet core..sending her into shudders of ecstacy..as she moaned..urhging him to push..he came...n both finally lay..in each other's arms...ashutosh's fingers still grazing her navel...his desire still not satiated...as he began to rub her all over again...almost examining her secrets with his fingers ..to be replaced with his manhood...till they seemed to be in another world...where he could only feel nidhi ..n she could know that..she was being claimed by her man...for whom love was much more than this moment...of intimate joy...

In the hospital, for the next two days,dr mehta followed the same torturous policy..making nidhi work even during the lunch..nidhi had virtually no option but to miss her meals...it was tough indeed..more than the hunger it was the anger that hurt her..she knew dr mehta was harassing her for not giving into her advances...but he garbed it so wickedly well in demand for work..that there was no escape..nidhi slogged non stop from 5 a.m to 8 p.m...as she did not want her home also to suffer...on friday night ...as ashutosh felt for her in the middle of the night..she was not there..he looked round to see her emerge from the wash room..."kya hua..."??..."kuch nahi...i am down...my periods.."ashu sighed...he knew they were always painful for her..probably due to her narrow pelvis..."aao...i will press your back...".."nahi..aap so jaaiye..i will have a painkiller"but ashutosh got up n forced her to lie down..as he pressed her back...nidhi kept moaning..n it was only at about 2.30 that she slept...In the morning...ashu looked concerned as her haemoglobin was still low..he told maxi"nidhi ko doodh do maxi"n as nishu suckled nidhi...ashutosh sat rubbing her back...n finally asked"is it..v heavy..."??.."haan..but plz no iron capsules...i am fine...aap itni chinta nahi kariye..."
In the hospital ,nidhi found it difficult to sit but went oon with her duties...n as she got up for lunch...the wardboy arrived with more work from dr mehta..nidhi sighed n sat in the common room..making the notings about each case...but fatigue got the better of her n she must have dozed off...Ashutosh looked for her ..almost everywhere ..carrying a flavoured milk pack in his hand...as he asked the others about her...finally as he looked about..he bumped into dr mehta n singhania..walking towards the trustee cabin..mr singhania spoke"dr ashutosh..why are you carrying this milk..for whom"??mehta added"sir..obviously for dr nidhi..woh doodh peeti bachchi hi to hain...am i wrong...ashutosh sir"??ashutosh..worried about nidhi's welfare seemed irritated at such cheap comments ..he gave a cold hard stare to the duo..n moved on...the milk in his hand...undetterred..he finally saw nidhi curled up in the common room..on a hard chair...work in front of her..n her hand on her tummy..probably it was hurting...dr ashutosh..stood frozen..in pain..in anger..in agony..he went in n gently touched nidhi's hair..she woke up with a start..but immediately realised it was dr ashutosh...he didnt say anything ,just inserted the straw in her mouth n held the packet..then slowly ..he put his palm on her stomach...n raised his left eyebrow..nidhi pushed the straw..n said"jee..abdomen hurt kar rahi hai...cramps..but aapne kaise dhoonda mujhe"??ashutosh said nothing..looked at the files..realised that the work he had given to dr mehta..he was making nidhi sweat it out..."kab se chal raha hai ye sab..mujhe kyu nahi kaha..."he was strict..nidhi looked down "chaar din se...".."to tum chaar din se lunch nahi kha paati ho...aur nishu ko feed karti ho..nidhi..why"???nidhi kept quiet..n just bit her lip...ashutosh understood..her discipline n respected it..she had been obeying her boss..but what about the boss??"chalo abhi 45 mins hai..mere cabin me aaraam karo..come on..."nidhi knew the severity of his voice..as he brought her to the cabin..n she just slumped into the sofa...ashu knew in these days...her toes always felt cold..he looked around n then took of his jacket n covered her feet..thereafter..he texted sudhir.."nidhi down..pain in abdomen"pat came the reply"milk,care n love...hardstone:):)"ashutosh smiled..as he kept gazing at nidhi...sleeping...At 2.50 he woke her up n put the hot burger in front of her..taking a bite..n then forcing her..As nidhi got up..he said"tum jaao..ye file mujhe do..".."par mujhe submit karna hai,,..after all dr mehra is my boss...".."i know..but i am his boss"

"Yes dr ashutosh..aapne mujhe bulaaya"??asked dr mehta.."yes..i want the files i had told you to complete..just now..."dr mehta seemed flustered but came with the work..."sorry..i was busy so..the file of cases 20 to 34 are not ready..."ashutosh scanned thru the files...recognising nidhi's handwriting n her meticulous work...he raised his eyebrow n looked at dr mehta"is it not dr nidhi's writing??".."yes,..woh maine socha..."..ashutosh was icy cold"i am not bothered aapne kya socha..what is important is maine kya socha..so.this work has to be done again by you n only you...after all you are a senior dr..how can dr nidhi be even half as good as you...start now..i want all the files on my table tomorrow..morning..n one more thing no jr dr needs to stay back..i trust only you...after all you are in the good books of the trustee as well...haan ye files yahi chod dejiye..jaaiye aur kaam keejiye...see you in the morning..at 10 a.msharp...aur haan mujhe aapki kaabiliyat pe poora bharosa hai...so kisi se help lene ki koshish nahi kariyega...unless ofcouse mr singhania choses to help...afterall a friend in need is a friend indeed..now you may go..."and dr hardstone showed dr mehta the door.n went on his rounds...As he came to the kids ward..he saw nidhi putting sheets on children..caressing their faces...n even trying to croon to one of them...she was more than a dr..she was an angel...a mother...

As nidhi emerged,dr ashutosh was waiting.."chalo..ghar chalein..."n as they walked..the other drs also went past...observing..smiling the managing director...dr ashutosh with his wife..who managed his home..his son n his life...
K.g.h.was wuiet..with only the night drs..n nurses but one cabin had its light on...dr omi mehta..as he worked to complete the pile of reports...while dr nidhi slept in dr ashutosh's arms...dr mehta clenched his teeth...and at mathur niwas,dr ashutosh kissed dr nidhi's hair...promising himself..he d never let his enemies trouble or insult his wife...he knew the lines had been drawn..the battle had begun...but he d never be a yudhishthir..he d never pawn his nidhi...in this war of wits..between the noble n the evil...He looked at nidhi..sleeping innocently..in complete surrender in his arms..he pulled her closer as he braced for the battle ahead...he thought..
zINDAGI HUR QUADAM EK NAYEE JUNG HAI..
JEET JAAYENGE HUM..JEET JAAYENGE HUM
TU AGAR SUNG HAI...

Dr ashutosh entered the hospital at sharp 9.30 the next day,entered his cabin n called for dr ranganath.As dr ranganath entered,he was a little surprised to gind a stern ..serious looking dr ashutosh..which now was v rare...but today he did seemed to be right out of the hardstone era..."dr ranganath,plz get dr mehta to my cabin...right now"..."yyyes sir!!!"n ranganath rushed out only to enter within minutes with dr mehta."so,dr mehta is the work done"??ashutosh asked...as dr mehta fumbled n answered"sir done,...almost "..."what do you mean by "almost"?its either done or notdone...".."sir ,only a few cases of children's ward remain...plz sir i need just a few more...".."days...weeks..years?"boomed dr ashutosh"you have the noon,i want the complete file on my table at 4 p.m now plz go n get to work..n dr ranganath,get me the duty chart of the jr drs"As a tense dr mehta n a naughty looking dr ranganath left ..ashutosh sat down n opened his appointment file in his laotop...he had no surgeries scheduled for the next few days.As dr ranga entered,ashutosh asked"dr ranganath,is there any emergency surgery for me"??.."no sir...n no scheduled surgeries till tuesday"..."ok.then dr ranganath,i d like to take a detailed round of the wards with dr priyanka,dr nidhi n dr ahaana,can you plz tell dr aditi to do the o.p.d. today"?.."sure sir,no issues"

As dr ranganath addressed the jr drs ,he smiled n winked"it seems dr hardstone is back...so khuda haafiz"  As dr priyanka entered ashutosh's cabin with nidhi n ahaana,dr ashutosh instructed them to be ready to examine the patients in the wards,specially the children 's wards..dr nidhi gulped..had she made a mistake..why did dr ashutosh seem so distant ..so strict..was he angry...???no surely not...just about 3 hrs back..it was the same man who had kissed her most possessively...n caressed her waist...tantalising her with those very fingers in which he now held his stetho...he must surely be joking...but nidhi wasnt sure...n she couldnt read his eyes..as he was glancing thru the files.she just crossed her fingers..as dr proyanka elbowed her...n whispered"naashta jalaaya tha kya"???dr ashutosh looked up n said"so drs..are we ready"?.."yes sirrr"!!

In the wards,the jr drs examined each patoent,gave their diagnosis,dr ashutosh listened silently,occassionaly asking the basis of their diagnosis,n even examined a few cases himself...he seemed quite pleased as he sad "good job done" n then they entered the children's ward.The children seemed delighted to see dr nidhi so early in the day...n started calling"nidhi didi..."just then the nurse on duty came n reported"dr,bed no.5 ka bachcha bahut pareshaan kar raha hai..."the team proceede.It was a 4 year old child suffering from high fever..he wanted his mummy..but since it was allowed only during visiting hrs,he was restless.nidhi immediately cuddled him..n spoke"mera baby...kaisa hai??jaldi se medicine lelo...tab mamma aayegi..hai na"n surprisingly the child complied...as nidhi kissed him.The child on the next bed,an 8 year old recuperating from appendix surgery ,said"didi,kya ye aapki story ke raja hain"??nidhi froze n then ,from behind ashu signalled with a finger on her lips..shhh!!but dr ashutosh looked up n asked the child as he examined his wound"kaun si kahaani"??.."dr uncle,didi hume ek story sunati hain...raja aur titli ki...kaise titli ne raja ke quile me suraakh kiya..."nidhi looked at dr ashutosh..but his features seemed submerged in his beard...Finally nidhi got dr ashutosh to bed no.25 ..the child with headaches,she gave her view..that she suspected a tumor..then priyanka n ahaana examined him n gave a similar diagnosis.dr ashutosh looked at the child's eyes v intently n then said"dr nidhi,why was thus caes not referred to neurology"??.."sir i had done so ,the day he was admitted,3 days back,even recommended a scan sir..."ashutosh remained pensive n then asked...who is with the child,i d like to meet them.The child's mother entered,she was a maid in a school ..n his father had deserted her..she spoke,retaining her composure with great difficulty"dr sahib,mera to koi aur sahara nahi hai...school me safaai karti hoon,wahi per isko bhi padhaati hoon,principal bahut achchi hai..half fees leti hain..shaam ko silaai karti hoon...sahib sab theek tha..per jabse isse ye sir dard shuru hua,pareshaan ho gayee...kitne dr ko dikhaaya...haar ke..thak gayee to kisi ne bataya ki kotnis me le jaao,wahaan koi dr asutos hai..jo bade dayalu hain...dr sahib..mere bete ko kya.hua hai"??nidhi watched dr ashutosh gulp..n say"dekho,jo bhi hai ,uska ilaaj ho sakta hai..tum chinta nahi karo" dr priyanka added "yehi dr ashutosh hain..."the lady fell at his feet"dr sahib,aap hi kuch kar sakte hain..bacha lijiye mere bachche ko ...par dr sahib..mere paas ab sirf 5000 rupai hain..sab kharch ho gaye ..iski bimari me...aap daya kariye..zindagi bhar gulami karenge,hum ma bete aapki..."ashutosh looked at nidhi..as if pleading for help...nidhi lifted the woman..pacified her n said"aap himmat rakhiye...dr ashutosh poori madad karenge..."dr ashutosh looked at nidhi n told her to take the child for a lateral n frontal c.t. scan of the brain...n then he proceeded with dr priyanka n ahaana to his cabin ,threw his jacket on the sofa n called for dr mehta.

"Dr mehta ,are you done??"dr mehta nodded"yes sir..here r the reports"dr ashutosh looked at the files n said"come lets discuss them"ashutosh signalled the drs to sit n started caseby case review.dr mehta,intelligent no doubt,had been quite dismissive in his predictions n prognosis,the indepth analysis seemed to be missing.Dr ashutosh finally asked,"dr mehta,your reports seem like a summary trial..according to you either the patients dont need to be here ..or they are in such a condition that we cant treat them...so dr mehta..fo you suppose we r into the undertaker's business??selling coffins??"dr mehta seemed agitated,but he controlled hos temper n said"sir,i have been realistic...i have taken into mind the patient's socio econo,ic back ground"Dr ashutosh seemed to flare up"plz explain..i am waiting"dr mehta proceeded,"sir ,take this case,bed no,25 of children's ward..headache..nothing else..just simple headache,n the mother insists that we admit the child..n dr nidhi not only admitted him but also referred for a c.t. now tell me isnt that idiotic...??secondly.look at the background of the patient..quite poor..will he be even able to pay for the c.t..n above all ,its not required"Dr ashutosh kept quiet, moving his fingers thoughtfully over his beard..n then asked"so you feel,if the child is poor,he doesnt need a c.t scan...these are your views"??dr mehta answered squarely "yes,i do feel so but more importantly this particular case has simple headache..all he needs is a goddam crocin..why waste time n money on him"??dr ashutosh almost errupted..as ahaana n priyanka witnessed ...almost quivering"dr mehta...aap na sirf ek ghatiya insaan hain..par ek usse bhi ghatiya doctor hain...the poor child is suffering from a cerebral tumor...his pupils are dialatyed...couldnt you see that..dr nidhi was right..he should have been scanned by now ..a delay could mean his death..."dr mehta argued"but how r you so sure of the diagnosis..bcoz dr nidhi says so..."dr ashutosh cut him short"no,not only nidhi,but dr priyanka,dr ahaana..n i myself say so..."there was a knock as nidhi n dr ranganath entered with the scan reprts .ashutosh gave a questioning glance to nidhi..n she nodded back...looking crestfallen.dr ashutosh took the reports n threw them on the table"see..tumor touching the occipital lobe..can you read dr mehta..."??dr mehta stood silently n then looked up n confronted dr ashutosh..."so,the kid has a tumour...so will his life change?can he have an operation?who will pay?what is the purpose of saving such a life that will end in the gutter anyway...?"???Dr ashutosh clenched his hands on the back of his chair..as he stood up..nidhi..understood his tumult of emotions n how strongly he felt about underprevileged kids..."dr ashutosh did not pay any attention to anything ,he looked at dr ranganath..n dr ranga immediately answered"sir..we canut him in the charitable 10%..this months budget could allow it..."dr mehta snarled"dr ranganath,...you are no one to decide that...it needs the trustees'approval...".."okay,mehta,lets meet your cronie...in exactly 20 minutes...n let my team of drs who have examined him be present as well"..dr mehta replied"sure dr ashutosh..right away"...ashitosh reminded him"sir...plz call me sir...i think you have forgotten that i m the chief neuro surgeon n the m.d. of this hospital"  Dr mehta retreated...

Nidhi got two cups of coffee for herself n ashutosh in his cabin..n as he looked up,he realised,it was nearly 4.30 n nidhi too hadnt eaten anything..the thought of her back ache...came to haunt him...he rang the bell n asked for some sandwiches..quickly..Nidhi gulped her coffee n bit into the bread..as ashutosh seemed lost in his thoughts..."khaiye na plz"nidhi nudged him.."haan..tum khao..back kaisi hai ab..n the blee..."nidhi looked into his concerned eyes"theek hoon..meri chinta nahi kariye..."n she slipped her hand onto his...ashutosh looked at her ..reading that quiet ..silent but resolute commitment in her lovely eyes...he put his other hand on her's n closed his eyes...

The song echoed in his heart..
YUN TO AKELA BHI AKSAR GIR KAR SAMBHAL SAKTA HOON MAI
TUM JO PAKAR LO HAATH MERA DUNIYA BADAL SAKTA HOON MAI
MAANGA HAI TUMHE DUNIYA KE LIYE...