Adithya was not able to see Pallavi lying unconscious on the bed. She was chirpy and a talkative person but looking at her like this was no less than a punishment to anyone. Specially to the family members. Aditya came out of the ward in full force. He had changed his shirt and now in an oversized black t-shirt.
"Where are you going, child??" asked the butler. He was 80+ and everyone at home addresses him as uncle including Jai. Anjali calls him grandpa. He was the only one who could say no to Jai's words or scold him. Adithya stopped on hearing his words but didn't turn back to see the butler. He wasn't looking at the butler as Jai was beside him.
"I'm going to Anjali," replied Adithya.
"Which driver is coming along with you?" asked the butler again.
"Alone"
"Take the guards and the driver along," said Jai. Adithya walked away.
"Make it a point to listen to your dad at least once in a blue moon" shouted Jai.
Adithya didn't care. He reached the ground floor. The car was waiting for him and the driver was holding the door of the passenger seat open. Adithya ignored the driver, sat in the driver seat and made the driver sit beside him. The guards also got into their cars to follow him. "Sir, Jai sir told you to" said the driver. He wasn't able to finish his sentence while Adithya interrupted, "take you along. Not let you drive."
The driver was silent. The cars moved away. The butler reported this to Jai. "He will keep punishing himself until Pallavi stops him. After my dad, she is the only person he listens to. We are helpless, uncle," said Jai, holding his head.
On the other hand, at Meera's home.
Meera had told Anjali that her mom and other family members are stuck at some family function and they both will be spending time together.
They both reached home and Meera had brought a few more snacks and groceries on the way. Meera had changed her dress. She had utilized the extra dress that was always put in her bag. They cooked together and finally had their lunch. Meera made Anjali finish her homework and then made her sleep. She went on to complete her daily chores. By the time she was done with it, Anjali was up. She was staring at an empty photo frame put near the TV.
"Anjali dear, do you wanna play something??" asked Meera.
"I was looking at the frame… why is it empty??" asked little Anjali.
"I liked the frame and I bought it home. But, I didn't get a photo that would fit in. Shall we do one thing? We will click a photo together, take a print and put it in the frame. How is the idea?"
"Wow…. Nice ma'am"
"You can call me Meeru at home"
"I wanna call you Chachi"
** Chachi refers to paternal uncle's wife
"You can do it when I marry your Chachu. Till then, I'm Meeru… right… say cheese ...."
Meera hadn't taken Anjali's words seriously. They both clicked a picture in Meera's phone. Meera went into the bedroom and got her laptop. Her mobile was connected to the laptop. So, she didn't have to transfer the photograph. She cropped the picture and gave it a print. The printer was Wi-Fi connected and hence she didn't have to go to the printer.
"Anjali baby, the picture is in the printer. Please go get it…" said Meera opening her mailbox. Anjali went into the study room.
"Wow Anjali. You are such a lucky charm for me. You stepped into my home and I've got a huge order" said Meera writing a reply to the mail.
"What order?" asked Anjali from that room.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Meera got up and looked through the eye hole to see Vikram at the door. She instantly opened the door and said, "Vikram sir, please come in. How is Pallavi? Your brother called me up and told me about the incident."
Vikram i.e., Adithya stared at her to make Meera realize that she blocked the door. She still didn't realize. He then says, "she is fine. Will be conscious after an hour or two."
Meera then calls Anjali and says, "Anjali, see your dad's here" and moves away from the door.
"Thank God, she moved away from the door," said Adithya to himself.
Meera tells Adithya to sit and asks him, "tea or coffee??"
Aadi replies, "None."
"I guess you need strong ginger tea. Your voice has completely changed in a day…."
"Day?" Thought Adithya.
Meera went into the kitchen and Anjali came out of the study room.
"Chachu..." said Anjali running and sitting on Adithya's lap.
"What is in your hand cutie?" asked Adithya adjusting Anjali's position such that it wouldn't hurt his arm.
"Me and Meeru just clicked a picture," said Anjali.
"Kiddo, you must say Meeru and I" said Adithya.
"Why?"
"When you are speaking about you and another person, you should say about the other person first."
"Okay.."
"Show me the picture"
"Here it is…" said Anjali, giving the picture into his hand.
"My Dolly looks like a princess" said Adithya
"Meeru?" Asked Anjali.
"What Meeru??" asked Adithya.
"It's 'who' Meeru, Mr. Vikram. It's obviously me. I'm also a part of the photograph. Can't believe you've forgotten a face overnight…" said Meera coming out of the kitchen with a tray in her hands.
"Meeru, this is not Dadda.. this is Chachu… My favorite Chachu" said Anjali.
"But," said Meera.
"Daddy and chachu look the same. Chachu is taller than Daddy" said Anjali.
"Oh… sorry. I've mistaken you to be her father" said Meera.
"I am no less…." said Adithya.
"I've understood this by your bonding," said Meera.
"She told mumma about you yesterday…." said Anjali innocently. She wholeheartedly wanted Meera to become her aunt and was working for it.
"What did she say??" asked Adithya looking at Meera.
"She said you take care of her. She said you are brave" said Anjali.
"Ah?" said Adithya. "I'm confused.."
"Anjali… I was speaking about the new DCP dear…." corrected Meera.
"That's my Chachu, DCP Adithya Kapoor" said Anjali.
"Oh…. I haven't said anything wrong" and after saying this, Meera tells Adithya about the conversation between her and Vikram.
"Why am I smelling something fishy between this meeting and today's meeting with Pallavi bhabi… something is definitely wrong…." said Adithya to himself.
"Ms. Meera, you will have to take care of her for two or three days more. Please…." said Adithya.
"You need not plead. I will take care of the little champ. Don't worry" said Meera.
"Meeru calls me her lucky charm too" said Anjali.
"Why?" asked Aaditya.
"To support a lady in my neighborhood, I started a home made craft business along with her. As soon as Anjali stepped into my home, our business received its biggest order till date of about 75 pieces" said Meera.
"Congratulations….! I will come to see her everyday. I know she is a bit naughty but please handle her gently. I will come back to take her home" said Adithya.
"Sir. Please don't worry. Meera and Anjali are best friends. They'll eat, sleep, study and play together. I'll treat her like my daughter" said Meera. Adithya smiled with great difficulty.
"Shall we three click a picture together?" asked Anjali.
"Yeah…" said Aadi. Pallavi was running in Adithya's mind and he was not properly able to comprehend what Meera was saying. Meera initially hesitated but agreed as it was Anjali's wish.
They all click a picture in Meera's mobile. Anjali instantly forwarded the photo to Adithya's phone without Meera's knowledge.
Adithya told Meera that Anjali's clothes would reach her place early in the morning of the coming day and left the place.