TRAGEDY TO TREASURE (COMPLETED)

Chapter 26

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He took Reem in his arms. She was still sobbing.

Abhishek (holding Vaishnavi's hand): What happened? Reem ko aese kyun bol rahi ho? You are comfortable being her mother?

Vaishnavi (broke down): This is the most beautiful feeling. But... But main deserve nahin karti. Abhishek, I don't even remember the count of how many men I have slept with. It's been years. I was 14 when it was the first time. Since then it's more than 10yrs now.

Abhishek (angrily): Are you in your senses? 14yr old girl was not aware of anything like this. She was forced. Are you getting my word?

Vaishnavi (sobbing): Still we can't change the fact.

Abhishek: You can't change the fact but this is not fact.

He pulled her in a hug. She was sobbing badly. So Reem.

Abhishek (looking at Reem): Shh!! Don't cry, baby.

Reem (patting Vaishnavi): Maa...

Vaishnavi looked at Reem with teary eyes.

Abhishek: Tum kya meri beti ko koi punishment de rahi ho? The first time she spoke maa. Kab se bhula rahi hain tumhe. Tum usko khud se door kiye jaa rahi ho. Khud to ro rahi ho. Usse bhi rula rahi ho.

Vaishnavi was about to say something.

Abhishek: Leave all this. Calm down you both.

He made Vaishnavi sit on the bed. Reem was in his arms only. He passed water to Vaishnavi and went into the kitchen to take water for Reem. After a few minutes, finally, they both calmed. Abhishek sat in front of Vaishnavi with Reem on his lap.

Abhishek (cupping Vaishnavi's face): Kya hua tumhe aaj? Always, I have seen you as a strong girl. Jo apna past chor present me jeeti hain. Aaj kyun phir past yaad kiya?

Vaishnavi: How you are okay with it? I mean question nahin kiya kabhi mere se. Itna bada right dene ko ready ho. Kabhi mera past janna tak nhi chaha.

Abhishek: Mujhe tumhare past se farak nahin padta. Because tumne kuch bhi intentionally nahin kiya. Intentionally choro even unintentionally bhi tumhari koi fault hi nahin thi. You were a victim. Tum yaha safe and secure ho this is what matters to me. About the past, if tum khud batana chaho to I am here for you. Batana chaho as if you want to share your pain, not because mujhe janna hain.

Vaishnavi nodded looking down.

Vaishnavi: Mere words par kaise trust kiya? What if I am lying?

Abhishek: First thing he adopted you. You were not his daughter. He sold you to dad without even caring to know for whom he sold you. Everything like dad ne final kiya and humari shaadi hardly 24 hours the dono ke bech. Tum kaha jane wali ho, kiske sath jane wali ho kuch idea hi nahin thi until hum mandir me mile. Usko khud ko pata nahin tha. According to him, it was dad who was buying. Tabhi hi I had a doubt. Orphanage me I got answers to my question.

Vaishnavi looks down at her lap.

Vaishnavi: Uncle ne kitna pay kiya tha?

Abhishek: Doesn't matter. Let it be...

Vaishnavi: Aunty ne bhi pay karne diya?

Abhishek: After many rejections mom ki fight hui thi matchmaker se. To mom ne kisi ko challenge kiya tha in next 15 days meri shaadi karayegi vo bhi best ladki se jo neither divorced hogi nor widow. In reality, I was a widower but meri maa mera beta sab se best wala attitude leke ladki dhund rahi thi. When that man agreed and asked for an amount. Mom got to know you are single. So, she agreed.

Vaishnavi nodded. Reem was the silent whole time. Neither making noise nor playing. She was looking at Vaishnavi who seems sad.

Abhishek (requesting): Reemi se at least baat to karo. Pure din me she was not here. Itni silent vo aaj tak aese chup nahin baithi kabhi.

He mumbled, looking at Reem. Tears brimmed in his eyes. She too noticed the same and opened her arms to take Reem. She quickly went to Vaishnavi. Vaishnavi took her in her arms and hug her tight. Tears brim in her eyes too.

Abhishek: Aaj ice cream khane chale dinner ke baad?

He asked changing the topic. Reem pouted. Vaishnavi agreed.

Abhishek: Chalo phir dinner banaye?

They prepared dinner and then had it. The atmosphere was not calm like always but neither was too sad.

To be continued...