Chapter 16: Chapter 16

Niharika's POV

Yash is indeed a stressbuster. As soon as he came in, he asked me in his kiddish voice making an innocent face. "When will I see mumma? Uncle is not taking me home. Please take me home."

His innocent eyes and puppy face made me feel relaxed. I knew I had to inform his uncle about his whereabouts but before that I wanted to talk to him.

"Hey, what's your name, cutie-pie?" I asked.

"My name is Yash." He answered confidently despite us meeting for the first time.

"How was your day today?" I asked him directly on point. I expected him to reveal details of whatever he suffered today.

"Auntie, I painted a scenery at school. I danced in the class. Our annual function is coming up. Practices are really hectic." He said, making a sad face and I wondered what he has in his store. He continued making a disgusting face, "Then, my friend fought with me over my new pencil. He wanted that but I didn't give him." I wanted to stop his blabber because I wanted to know what happened specifically after school but I didn't. He continued, "Teacher gave me chocolate today. My school got over. Then, you know five mask uncles came and took me to an untidy room." As he spoke, his eyes widened. He said "They gave me chocolates, toffees, cakes and pies. You know they played with me. Then I wanted to go to mumma. I had forgotten about her. She will beat me. You know, then this car uncle came and got me to you. Now, take me to my mumma." He narrated his own experience in his kiddish voice with twinkling eyes. Poor child didn't even know that he was abducted because of me. I felt guilty. A tear crept from my eye.

He came near me and gave me a peck on my cheek. "Don't you cry, auntie. Please take me to mumma."

I was startled at his response. Maintaining my composure, I engulfed him in my arms and said, "I will call your uncle. Don't worry."

I called Arpit.

"Ni-harika, any information?", he asked sobbing. I could hear feeble cries in the background.

"Arpit. Yash is with me. He is safe. He was abducted by five bikers but we have rescued him. Please talk to him." I made the phone on speaker and signalled Yash to talk.

The poor kid said, "Hello, maamu (uncle). Sorry, I am late. Those mask uncles took me with them and played with me. I forgot."

"Kiddoo, you are fine. Thank god. Never go with any strangers. I have told you a thousand times." A female voice said amidst sobs.

"Mumma, I didn't go. They took me. I stopped them. They said you asked them to pick me. I said, okay. Sorry mumma." Yash said innocently.

"Okay, maamu is coming to pick you." She said. I could understand her pain. I wanted to apologize.

Taking the phone, I managed to say, "Sorry, it's all because of me."

"Ms. Sehgal, it's nothing because of you. Rather thanks for saving my child. Plus, take care of yourself too. Bye." Arpit's sister said. She was indeed, mature enough to understand the situation.

*****

Yash had dozed off in my arms. Mr. Bose had left arranging everything properly for tomorrow. Raghav had informed her that Niyati was safe. Vikram was out of town but he agreed to meet me tomorrow. I could sense he used an alibi by being away from the city today. I had changed into my baby pink night suit to relax from the business suit.

I heard a knock on the main door. I checked, it was Arpit. I opened the door to see a tired, helpless figure fighting his tears. I had to console him. He looked terrified.

I asked him to sit on the sofa and went inside to bring a glass of water. He just said a feeble thank you for saving Yash. I had asked him to wait.

"Arpit, please have water!" I passed the glass to him.

His fingers brushed mine as he took the glass.

"Arpit, I am sorry, your family had to face everything because of me." I said.

He placed his hand on mine. He said, "Niharika, thanks for saving him today. Thanks for saving me from the guilt. I had wished the ground would tear apart swallowing me inside if something had happened to him." He said sobbing. He was short of breath because of the sobs. "Thanks for saving Yash. We will face all the challenges together. Don't be sorry. I am sorry for being selfish at the time when you needed me the most. I am sorry, Niharika." He said cupping my face. He was getting hysterical.

I stood up and sat on one of the accent chairs lying beside the sofa maintaining a reasonable distance with him. I am not used to touches and I don't want to fall for him especially when there is too much turmoil in my life.

"It's okay", I said, calming him up, "It's good, they did nothing to him otherwise I would have never forgiven myself. His mother would be waiting to see him. Go and take care."

"Thank you, Niharika. I love you." He said with his eyes down brimming with tears.

His amber-green eyes looked swollen.

"Bye", I said suppressing my emotions. It was not the right time to accept the proposal. Plus, he is also not in the right condition to propose. This 'I love you' was indeed, to assure his gratitude, I realized as he took Yash in his arms and went off.