Night of 25TH

CHAP 57: Road to Redemption

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The house fell into a hushed stillness once more, echoing the quietude of the past seven years since Chucky's departure, following days of fleeting happiness. As Keart Gill sliced through the bhindi, a favourite of the kids and Shubman for the evening lunch, her gaze lingered on the twins. They furiously assembled blocks, each piece clashing with the other, a silent manifestation of their frustration since Shubman had chosen to withhold the continuation of the story.

Shubman, burdened by guilt, had sought refuge in his room. Since the previous night, he performed his morning rituals and chores without a word, avoiding troubling his parents with the consequences of his mistakes. Seated near the bedpost, he tenderly caressed the husky soft toy that once brought comfort and belonged to Chucky. To Shubman, it still carried her scent, distinct from the natural fragrances depicted in films – not roses, lilies, or jasmines, but rather the rich aroma of her Zara perfumes. A laugh escaped him as he recalled her apprehension at the airport customs department during their return from the USA, a memory of her suitcase brimming with perfumes that consumed half its space. However, the laughter quickly morphed into a sombre sob, realizing that the only tangible connection he had with her was her lingering scent.

Meanwhile, after lunch the twins quietly packed their bags upon Shahneel's call, signifying their imminent pickup. Keart Gill assisted the children, helping them stow away the gifts bestowed upon them by Mamu for Christmas. Her eyes reflected a poignant sadness as they prepared to leave on a sombre note, departing without the usual warmth of hugs and kisses exchanged during their farewells.

The doorbell chimed, and Lakhwinder Gill opened the door to his daughter and son-in-law, greeted by their big smiles. Shahneel embraced her father, while the son-in-law respectfully touched Lakhwinder's feet. Pulling them both into a warm hug, Lakhwinder invited them inside, marking a momentary infusion of warmth into the house.

The living room was hushed as the twins, adorned with Doraemon backpacks, entered quietly, accompanied by Keart Gill carrying a bag of gifts. Shahneel, donning a smile, looked at her twins inquisitively.

"Haww, yeah, itna sab kya hai?" Shahneel asked, her curiosity evident.

"Shubman gifted them all these on Christmas," Keart Gill replied with a soft smile.

"Tumhare Mamu ko mana kia tha fir bhi," Shahneel huffed, a laugh escaping her lips.

The twins couldn't help but break into smiles, eagerly hugging their parents and burying their little faces in their shoulders, overjoyed to reunite after a long time.

"Chale fir, but wait, where is Shubi, the one who handled these naughty ones?" Sid inquired, looking around at his in-laws.

"Yes, Mum, where is he?" Shahneel questioned.

Keart Gill and Lakhwinder Gill's faces turned serious, while the twins' expressions shifted to stoic.

"Mum, where is bubs?" Shahneel asked, a hint of fear in her voice.

"He is in the room, don't worry," Keart reassured her daughter, sensing her concern.

"But why is he there? What happened? Please tell me. It's scary. I mean, look at your reactions. Something is going on," Shahneel pressed, anxiety evident. She knew that after Chucky, Shubman's mental health had never been stable.

Sighing, Lakhwinder narrated the entire story, and as he spoke, the twins looked down, their faces reflecting shame thinking that Mamu was sad because of them.

Shahneel took a deep breath, anticipating that this moment would eventually come. It was the reason she had entrusted her curious twins with the task of unravelling Shubman's emotions and offering him the closure he needed. She gazed at her twins, who were looking down in shame, and gently lifted their chins.

"Don't worry, it's not your fault. He has to open up, but right now, give him some time, okay?" she reassured her twins, who were on the verge of tears.

Sid wiped their little faces with his sleeves, and both parents held their little hands, bidding farewell to the elder ones. Keart Gill called out to Shubman, urging him to say goodbye to the twins.

"Shubman, come down. See, the twins are leaving," Keart Gill called out, the plea echoing through the quiet house. However, there was no response, and Shubman's figure remained elusive, hidden within the confines of his room.

"Shubman," Keart Gill called out once more, but the only reply was the heavy silence that enveloped the space. Shubman, secluded in his room, continued to cry. The desire to go downstairs, embrace the twins, and never let go battled with the knowledge that he couldn't be selfish. If he ventured down, he wouldn't be able to contain his emotions. So, he opted to stay in his room, grappling with his inner turmoil as he waited for them to leave.

Keart Gill, sensing the distress, was on the verge of ascending the stairs to Shubman's room when Ahaana gently held her hand. "Don't, Nani. If he doesn't want to talk to us, it's fine. We'll leave," she said, managing a smile that couldn't conceal the tears shimmering in her eyes – a reflection of the pain Chucky had experienced all those years ago.

"Let's go, Mum, Dad," Ahaan declared, turning away and walking out.

The twins settled into the car, stealing glances at the threshold where their Nanu and Nani stood. They harboured a silent wish to catch a glimpse of Mamu one last time before they left. As the car started, Shubman, from within the house, could sense their departure. Something within him stirred, urging him not to let them go as he had with Chucky. His gaze fell on the photo at the end of the diary, and he muttered, "Not this time."

Without a second thought, Shubman bolted out of his room, down the stairs, and out of the house, disregarding the absence of his shoes. He paid no heed to the hot ground or the sharp stones underfoot. His voice echoed through the air as he shouted for the twins, a desperation evident in his cries.

As the car started to pull away from the lane, the kids, catching a glimpse of their Mamu through the rearview mirror, urgently conveyed to their dad, "Dad, stoppp!" Sid applied the brakes suddenly, causing everyone to lurch forward. Swiftly unbuckling their seatbelts, the twins tumbled out of the car, rushing into Shubman's open arms. The trio embraced, tears streaming down their faces.

Quickly wiping away their tears, Shubman managed a smile and said, "Perform well in school, cause less mischief, and don't trouble your mother. If you do all that, I promise I'll take you to the World Cup with me this year."

Both twins nodded, still sniffling, and Shubman added with a playful grin, "Well, maybe trouble your mother just a little bit," eliciting giggles from the pair.

Pecking their foreheads, Shubman embraced them once more. The twins reciprocated with kisses on his cheeks, sealing the promise of their reunion at the World Cup with a bittersweet touch of affection.

As the twins climbed into the car, they waved to Shubman before blowing him a kiss, a gesture he happily returned. Watching the car move out of the driveway, a sense of relief washed over him. This time, he hadn't let the kids go away as he had let go of Chucky. Instead, he corrected his mistakes and sent them off on a positive note. Now, all he had to do was wait for his little ones to cheer him on in the World Cup.