Chapter 3: chapter 3

In the middle of the night, the living room lights in the Shekhawat Mansion flickered when the sound of a five-year-old boy’s inconsolable cries echoed.Adhiraj, the eldest grandson of Virender Singh Shekhawat and Devyani Shekhawat, was the one in distress. His parents, Jaidev and Vandana, immediately rushed towards Virender’s room upon hearing their son’s cries.Adhiraj had always shared a special bond with his grandparents, who showered him with care and affection, surpassing even that of his own parents. It was no surprise, therefore, that the young child found solace in sleeping beside his grandparents every night.“Mummy ji, what happened?” Vandana’s concerned tone could be heard as she walked into Virender’s room.“I think he has digestive issues. His stomach feels really tight,” Devyani whispered, her face filled with worry as she gently placed a hand on Adhiraj’s stomach.“I’ll call his doctor,” Jaidev quickly offered, reaching for the landline.“Hold on, Jai,” Virender interjected. “I’ve already done that. Dr. Awasthi is currently attending to an emergency at the hospital. We’re taking him there.”“No need, I can try some remedies....” Devyani’s voice trailed off as Virender picked up a sobbing Adhiraj and declared, “I can’t bear to see him like this,” and hurriedly headed out with Devyani closely following him.“Vandana, take care of Atharv and Samrat. I will look after Raj,” Devyani said, as she hurried to catch up with Virender. Meanwhile, he shouted out orders to prepare the car.Jaidev ran his fingers through his hair and stormed back into his room. Vandana followed him, assuring, “He will be alright, Jai. Papa ji and Mummy ji know how to handle him better than us.”“I know, Vandana. It is just that sometimes I feel jealous of my own son. Papa never showered me with so much love,” Jaidev muttered, earning a soft chuckle from his wife.“Papa ji loves you,” she reassured him.“Now that I am a father myself, I understand his love. But sometimes, their excessive affection towards Raj worries me,” he confessed as he held his wife close in the comfort of their room.Vandana soothingly rubbed his back and reassured, “I’m confident that Raj will grow up to be a remarkable gentleman under their guidance. I believe in them, Jai. You should, too.”With a nod and a deep breath, Jaidev let go of his concerns and held onto his wife even tighter.—————In the hospital, Virender furiously demanded the receptionist to summon the doctor into the emergency room right away while he carried Adhiraj inside.Devyani, being an observant and understanding wife, silently pleaded with the receptionist, acknowledging that her husband’s behaviour may appear unreasonable.Being a perpetually cheerful woman, she was a familiar face to the receptionist. She was the kind of mother-in-law that every girl would hope for. She had always been there for Vandana, accompanying her to every prenatal visit and subsequent check-ups for her three grandsons.Now, as the receptionist observed Devyani’s husband in a furious state, clutching a crying Adhiraj in the dead of night, she could sense that the situation was far from pleasant. Consequently, she dialled the necessary extension to request the doctor’s immediate presence.“Dadu,” Adhiraj’s voice quivered as it resonated in the room. Virender gently placed him on the bed, assuring, “Raj, the doctor will arrive in a moment. You’ll feel better soon.” His tone contrasted sharply with how he had been sternly barking orders at the receptionist.From the other side, Devyani approached and sat beside Adhiraj, tenderly running her hand over his head. Still sobbing while clutching his stomach, Adhiraj glanced at his grandmother, whimpering, “Dadi, it really hurts.”“Just a few more minutes, Raj,” she comforted, just as the doctor entered the room.Virender stepped aside, allowing the doctor to approach and examine the boy's stomach.“It’s just gas,” the doctor murmured, instructing the nurse to fetch the necessary medication. With urgency, the nurse hurried out and returned shortly with the prescribed medicines.Devyani took hold of the medication and helped Adhiraj swallow it, wishing for his pain to subside.“How long until the medicine starts working?” Virender inquired, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of his grandson’s eyes.“In just a few minutes, but I recommend taking him for a short walk too, so the effects last longer,” suggested the doctor, earning nods of agreement from both Virender and Devyani.After a few minutes passed and Adhiraj’s sobs began to subside, Virender held his hand and guided him out of the emergency area for a walk. Devyani walked alongside them, holding Adhiraj’s other hand.During their stroll, Adhiraj’s eyes widened with curiosity as he observed the hospital surroundings and flooded his grandparents with questions. The little boy seemed to have forgotten his tears from earlier, and his boundless curiosity brought smiles to his grandparents’ faces as they patiently answered all his queries.Suddenly, Adhiraj’s attention shifted towards a nurse carrying something carefully in her arms, making her way into a nearby room.“What is that?” Adhiraj inquired with curiosity. “What is the nurse holding?”“It’s a baby!” Devyani answered. “Just like Samrat, a tiny little baby.”Adhiraj’s smile grew wider, and he turned to his grandparents with a hopeful expression, requesting, “Can I see it? Please!”Chuckling, Virender affectionately tousled his hair and replied, “Of course! Let me speak to the baby’s parents first.”As Virender entered the private ward, Devyani remained outside, clutching Adhiraj’s hand, her gaze fixed on him, radiating love.“Come!” Virender called out, gesturing for them to come inside.Adhiraj rushed forward, tugging Devyani along, while she heard her husband ask, “Do you remember Sanjay and Suvika?”Devyani nodded as they entered, whispering, “Yes! The Rathores! Oh my goodness, Suvika was expecting! Is it their child?”With a subtle nod, Virender gestured towards Suvika, who was nestled on the bed with her back against the headboard. Standing beside her was Sanjay, cradling their newborn baby. Devyani stepped closer, gripping Adhiraj’s hands gently, and beamed at the new parents.“Congratulations to both of you!” Devyani exclaimed, her face lighting up with a warm and genuine smile.“Thank you so much, Aunty! This was quite unexpected, to meet you here,” Suvika responded, her face glowing with happiness.Breaking into an elated grin, Sanjay couldn’t contain his excitement as he proudly revealed, “It’s a girl!”Virender, acknowledging the pride in Sanjay’s voice, commented with a touch of admiration, “You’re a lucky man, Sanjay!”Adhiraj, curious and captivated by the mention of a small girl, spoke up with genuine innocence. “I’ve never seen a little girl before.”Sanjay lowered himself closer to the bed, prompting Adhiraj to let go of Devyani’s hand as he eagerly walked towards his subject of curiosity.While Virender was busy explaining the reasons for their presence in the hospital, Adhiraj, wearing a curious expression, laid his eyes upon the delicate newborn. He carefully observed and absorbed every tiny detail, using his innocent five-year-old mind to comprehend it all. He marvelled at her tiny forehead, adorable nose, pouty lips, closed eyes, and the delicate dimple that adorned her left cheek, revealing itself with every sweet smile she displayed in her sleep.In a hushed, awe-struck whisper, Adhiraj proclaimed, “She looks like an angel!” His statement drew the attention of everyone around, breaking them out of their ongoing conversations.Adhiraj reached out to gently touch the baby’s cheeks, his tiny fingers playfully prodding at her endearing dimple. Amused, he giggled as the baby wrinkled her nose in response. Unable to contain his excitement any longer, he pleaded, “Dadi! Can we take this angel home with us?”Sanjay straightened up, clearing his throat. Suvika bit back a smile at Adhiraj’s innocent demand. Devyani’s eyes widened. Reacting swiftly, she gently pulled Adhiraj away from the baby, explaining, “This is their baby, Raj. You have Samrat at home, right?”“But I also want a baby girl!” Adhiraj pleaded, looking at his grandmother. “Let’s take her home.”He pinched the base of his throat, promising, “She will be my little angel. I will always protect and take care of her.”Devyani observed her husband, his laughter resonating through the room as he moved forward and lifted Adhiraj into his loving embrace. He couldn’t help but speak out, “She is so small. She needs her mother, not you.”Adhiraj, his eyes filled with hope, inquired, “So can we bring her home when she is not so small?”“We’ll have to wait and see as you both grow up!” Devyani responded, tenderly taking the baby from Sanjay and asking, “Have you thought of a name?”“Imara!” Suvika promptly replied.“Imara!” Adhiraj whispered, a smile lighting up his face. “Imara! It sounds nice.”“Dadi, please promise that we will take Imara home when she grows up,” Adhiraj pleaded, looking at the little bundle of joy in Devyani’s arms.“What if she doesn’t want to?” Sanjay asked, assuming it was just a wish born out of curiosity from the young boy.“I will say please, and she will agree!” Adhiraj declared, causing Virender and Devyani to chuckle once more.“And if she says no?” Sanjay asked again, curious.“She is so small,” Adhiraj grinned. “I will carry her home!”Virender shook with laughter while Sanjay and Suvika exchanged bemused glances.Devyani, mortified, cleared her throat and handed Imara to Suvika while saying, “Raj, enough!”From the outside, this exchange may have seemed like a simple display of curiosity from a young boy. But for Devyani, it was a glimpse into the potential future for her grandson. She understood the nature of the Rathore family and believed that this little girl would grow up to have a strong moral foundation. In that moment, Devyani couldn’t help but reflect on the future of Adhiraj and Imara. Who knows if that was a sign from the Universe? Who knows if it was written in the stars? Who knows if it was fated?