Wounds of the Heart (दिल के घाव)💔

53

The aroma of sizzling spices and simmering vegetables filled the air, a symphony of scents that tickled Kunj's memories. Tonight, his kitchen was his haven, the rhythmic clanging of pots and pans a comforting melody. He meticulously prepared a traditional Indian meal – his mother's favorite prawn curry, a dish that held a taste of home.

Just as he was plating the food, the sound of the car pulling into the driveway sent a jolt of nervous excitement through him. Leela was back.

The door creaked open, and Leela, her face etched with fatigue, stumbled into the house. But as her eyes fell upon Kunj, her expression transformed. A gasp escaped her lips, followed by a joyous cry that echoed through the mansion.

"Kunj! Beta! You're back!" she exclaimed, rushing towards him and enveloping him in a tight embrace. The warmth of her hug, the familiar scent of her perfume, washed over him, a wave of love and longing erasing the years of separation.

Tears welled up in Leela's eyes as she held him at arm's length, scrutinizing his face. "Oh, Kunj, you've grown so much!" she said, a hint of pride in her voice.

Kunj chuckled softly, returning the gesture. "And you, Ma, you look as radiant as ever."

The tension that had coiled in his stomach began to ease. The reunion, he realized, had simply taken on a different form. He was home, safe in his mother's arms, and that, in itself, was a source of solace.

They settled down at the dining table, the aroma of the meal further whetting their appetites. Between mouthfuls, Leela bombarded Kunj with questions – his life in the US, his work, his friends. He answered her patiently, weaving tales of his successes and challenges, painting a picture of his life abroad.

As they finished dinner, a comfortable silence settled between them. Leela, her gaze fixed on her son, spoke up softly. "Kunj, I heard about the reunion. You should have gone."

Kunj's heart skipped a beat. "It's okay, Ma," he said, forcing a smile. "It's probably over by now."

Leela shook her head. "No, beta. Reunions last for a few days. Why don't you go tomorrow?"

The suggestion hung in the air, a challenge and an opportunity. Kunj hesitated. Facing his past, especially Abhimanyu, was daunting, but the thought of reconnecting with his friends held a certain allure.

He looked at his mother, her eyes filled with a gentle understanding. He knew she longed for him to find happiness, to rebuild the bridges that were broken.

Taking a deep breath, Kunj met his mother's gaze. "Maybe you're right, Ma," he said, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes. "Maybe I should go."

A sigh of relief escaped Leela's lips. A smile, brighter than the moonlight streaming through the window, spread across her face.

Tomorrow, Kunj knew, wouldn't just be about revisiting the past; it would be a chance to rewrite it, to create new memories, and perhaps, to find the closure he so desperately craved.

As he bid his mother goodnight, a newfound determination coursed through him.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
A thousand miles away in Australia, the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon as Rudra emerged from his high-rise office building. Exhaustion clung to him like a second skin after a marathon board meeting. Yet, the fatigue was a welcome distraction from the turmoil within.

The reunion. It had loomed large in his thoughts for weeks, a constant reminder of the past he'd run from. He'd pictured them all – Abhimanyu, the ever-optimistic one; Twinkle, the life of the party; and most importantly, Rohit, whose smile could light up a room.

But Rudra couldn't bring himself to face them. Especially Rohit. The joy Rohit might feel at his absence, the relief – it was a bitter pill to swallow. Yet, Rudra had convinced himself it was the right choice. He wouldn't intrude on Rohit's happiness, wouldn't risk making things awkward. No, Rudra would bear the weight of his mistakes alone, a self-imposed exile from the life he'd once cherished.

As he settled into his car, a glint of golden light caught his eye. Reaching for the picture frame on his dashboard, he allowed a familiar ache to bloom in his chest. It was a picture of Rohit, his smile as bright as the sunrise now painting the sky. Rudra kept it close, a source of strength and a constant reminder of what he'd lost.

He loved Rohit. Loved him with a possessiveness that had turned toxic, driving a wedge between them. Regret, a bitter companion, gnawed at him. If only he'd stayed, if only he'd fought for their love instead of pushing him away… But the past was a stubborn thing, refusing to be rewritten.

"Manik," Rudra whispered, the name a bittersweet melody on his lips. He knew Rohit had moved on, found happiness with Manik. It should have brought him a sense of closure, a comfort in Rohit's well-being. Instead, it felt like a betrayal, a theft of the future he'd envisioned for them.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
He closed his eyes, the picture of Rohit imprinting itself on the backs of his eyelids. Would there ever be a chance at redemption? Could their friendship, fractured beyond recognition, ever be repaired?

The answer, like the future itself, remained shrouded in uncertainty. But one thing was clear – Rudra wouldn't give up hope. He would carry the memory of Rohit, the reminder of his past transgressions, as a constant teacher.

Perhaps, someday, he would be worthy enough to reach out, to apologize, and maybe,

just maybe,

to forge a new bond built on honesty and respect.

_______________________________________

Do you think Rudra deserves a chance?🤔