A Family We Could Have

Prem's Past

"Prem!!!!'' Anurag's harsh voice echoed in the big hall room of Basu House. ''Prem.''

Prerna came running behind him.

''Anurag, kya hua?/ Aise kyu react kar rahein ho?''

''Prerna please tum room mein jao.''

''Nahi.. Tum baat baat pe prem pe etna gussa kyu karte ho? Or sketch book pe etna react karne ka kya hain? Tell me.'' Prerna said stubbornly.

''Kya hua AB?'' Sampada joined them.

Without answering Prerna's question Anurag showed Sampada the sketch book. Sampada was totally taken aback.

''AB ye toh...''

''Koi mujhe bataiga ki kya ho raha hain?''

''Prem!!!!'' Anurag called again.

Prem came out of his room with slow lazy steps as if he was totally expecting the situation and hence he wasn't scared a bit with high pitch voice of Anurag which Anurag used seldom.

''Sam, tum Prerna ko room mein le jaogi please.''

''Anurag tum..''

''Prerna please. Tum room mein jao.. main tumhe baad mei batata hu.. please, behes maat karna.''

''Anurag...'' Prerna kept looking alternatively in between Anurag and Prem as Sampada leaded her towards her room pretty much forcefully.

All the family members were present in hall room including Kasak and Sneha.

Anurag showed Prem the sketch book and asked as calmly as possible,

''Yesab kya hain?''

Prem scratched his forhead showing his unwillingness to answer.

''Prem maine pucha yesab kya hain?'' Anurag asked again.

''Aapko nahi pata?'' Prem said looking straight into his father's eyes.

''Prem..'' Anurag suddenly became soft hearing his son's stubborn retort.

''Main janta hu dad.''

''Phir bhi kyu?''

''I can't help it dad. You know it.''

''You have to Prem. This is just illusion. It's just a dream. This is not our world Prem.''

''But it could have. And,'' Prem paused, ''it still can be.''

''Prem.'' Anurag warned him. ''Tumhe pata bhi hain tum kya keh rahein ho!''

''I know dad.''

''Tum ab bache nahi rahein Prem ki mujhe tumhe har baat samjhana pare.''

''Toh maat samjhaiye mujhe na dad. Let me just handle my emotions. Main apse help bhi kaha mang raha hu?''

''You are going back to London... kal hi.. and that's final.'' Anurag turned to leave.

''Maine nahi kaha tha ki mujhe ana hain. Aphi ne bolaya... aphi ne mujhe is dream mein laya... main nahi chahta tha ye illusion. Apne diya mujhe ye dad..'' Prem shouted.

Anurag stopped and turned to face his son.

''Toh maine tumhe kaha bhi toh tha ki ye bas sapna hain... live it just like a dream.''

''I can't dad.. I can't'' Prem shouted. ''Alag huye ap dono apne galti ke waja se.... apdono ne ek dusre se upar kisi tisre ko chuna.. apdono ne mujhe janm bhi bas Sneha ke liye diya... phir mera nam Prem kyu rakha? Kyu aplogo ki galti ki saja main bhugtu.. kyu mujhe apko chunna para Mother india se upar... kyu mujhe door rehna para apne maa se... Kyu main bara hua maa ke payar ke bina.. kyu dad?/''