Cross Roads of Life

The Reconciliation

                              TUSHAR

"So you have kept distance to protect me?" I asked looking into her eyes.

She fell crumbing down on the floor clutching her stomach, crying her heart out.

"Not for once did I forget you Tushar, I have tried my best to come in contact with you. But my father's people had their watch on me and they have observed my every move. I knew every detail about you, I even knew your wedding date, but I couldn't do anything about it. One move from my side, my Father could have done worse," she cried grabbing my collar.

"Are you safe now?" I asked immediately.

"Yes, after ten years of my marriage with Bijoy, when I have never tried doing one thing against them, they have finally started trusting me, and now according to them, I am having a vacation in the Maldives. I am here as anonymous, one of my assistants is covering up for me," she informed.

"Does he love you?" my fist clenched.

"Who?" she asked surprised.

"Your husband... whoever he is" I was surprised at the possessiveness I felt.

"You still have that" she giggled.

"What?"

"Possessiveness" she pinched my nose.

"Didn't you feel that, looking at Aparna?" I asked.

We are transparent to one another just like water.

"I shouldn't be... yet I just couldn't stop. I know it's soo wrong but I wanted to be in her place"

"That place is always yours, even in your absence. Aparna never had any happiness" I stated the fact.

"That's totally visible on her face. How much of arseholes are we Tushar? We put others through suffering" she looked at me, tears still dancing in her eyes.

"I know you would have a question, if there's no bonding how did Tulika happen"

"Noo Tushar, you don't have to explain me anything. I know what can forcing make people do, I know you were always mine, if not for that I would have died by now" she deeply kissed my cheek.

"How was it with him?" I hesitated to ask.

"Bijoy?"

I hummed.

"For him it was a business proposal, with the help of Baba's contacts he extended trade all over the place and I too was put to use my brain in making the business number one and we barely had communication. He satisfied his lust and as a result, I got pregnant after four years of marriage" a sob escaped her lips.

"Then?" I asked her to continue further.

"You know how much I loved children and though I never felt anything for Bijoy I was on the moon after getting the news. However, he regretted that as he believed kids would be a hindrance to growth. I begged him, promised him that I would never let kids be an obstacle but like always they won and that day caused death of two people, one my child and the second is the Ruchika that existed. He hasn't ended there, went a step ahead and permanently taken away the chance from me of being a mother" she turned inconsolable.

I couldn't control anymore hearing what she had gone through, my hands refused to leave her, only if we are able to turn back the clock!!

"Looks like life enjoys playing with our emotions" I cried wrapping her in my arms.

"Neither does Bijoy stays at peace nor I and the story is the same with you too," she whispered between sobs.

We lost count of time and stayed in the same position. Even the silence felt soo soothing, with our hands wrapped against one another.

It took the knock on the door to get us back to our senses.

Aparna walked in with Tulika.

"She already has a lot of questions, just beware" there was not a single expression on Aparna's face as she spoke.

"I can understand how angry you would be at me..."

"Who am I to be angry at you? What relation do we even share?" her brave smile killed me more.