Back to You

#11. Moments

While narrating the incident to Ruhana, Anamika becomes teary-eyed. She still feels that everything that happened was because of her sister, Suhanika. But that's not the case. You never know what turn your life might take and change things for you, do you? Can you truly say that a particular thing will change your life in the way you have manifested? The answer is NO. However, Anamika isn't ready to understand.

"Sab kuch Suhani Di ki wajah se hua hai, aap chahe kuch bhi kaho, galti unki hi hai," Anamika says, her tone firm.

"Lekin sirf ek cheez galat hone se tum Suhaani ko aise blame kaise kar sakti ho?" A familiar voice echoes in the room, and as the ladies look up, they find Vineet and Suhanika at the door, with Vineet posing a question.

"Sirf ek galti nahi hai unki. Jab Mumma ne kaha ki ruk jaate hain, toh bhi inhone insist kiya ki hum ghar ke liye nikal jaaye, aur Dad bhi inki baaton mein aa gaye," Anamika says, her tone accusatory and firm.

"Jab Dad ne deny kia toh isme meri galti kaise ho gai, Anu? Dad toh humse zyada experienced they, toh jab unhone choose kia toh usme kya galat hai?" Suhanika says, her tone soft yet firm.

"Nahi, it was your idea to leave Alibaug. Agar ek din ruk jaate toh Mumma aur Papa hamare paas, hamare sath hote, Di," Anamika says, her tone louder this time.

"Anu, maine kaha na you're going the wrong way, ye bilkul thik nahi hai," Ruhana interrupts, but Suhani interjects.

"Rehne dijiye, Di, ye ladki meri baat samajhna hi nahi chahti hai. Toh agar isey lagta hai ki meri galti hai, toh thik hai, isey iss galatfehmi mein hi rehne do, par haan, ye zaroor kahungi, ki kahin aisa na ho ki jab tak realise ho bahut derr ho jaye," Suhanika says and leaves the house, without waiting for a response.

Vineet turns to say something to Anamika, but Ruhana shushes him, instead requesting him to take care of Suhanika. He agrees, knowing that Ruhana will handle Anamika. As they leave, Ruhana turns to Anamika, clearly overwhelmed by the negativity the girl holds for her sister. Anamika is checking her phone, anger etched over her face. Ruhana calls to her softly.

"Anu, meri baat sun," Ruhana says.

"Di, mujhe kuch nahi sunna. Aap phir se yahi kahoge ki main Suhani Di ko galat samajh rahi hoon, par aisa nahi hai, wo bhi utni hi zimmedar hai," Anamika says, her tone firm.

"Lekin...." Ruhana begins to speak, but Anamika rushes into the guest room, unwilling to talk anymore.

Ruhana sighs deeply. She then receives a call, and as she answers, it's Dr. Shikha Awasthi, a psychologist and therapist. She's Ruhana's friend, and the other day, Ruhana had discussed this situation with her. Ruhana trails back in memory.

After a tiring day at the bureau, when Ruhana got home, her friend Shikha followed her. Elated by her presence, Ruhana quickly ordered some food, and the two friends settled in to talk. Shikha explained that she had opened her clinic and came to invite Ruhana to the opening. Ruhana shared her achievements as well. These two friends aren't jealous of each other; instead, they take pride in each other's accomplishments. However, Shikha noticed that Ruhana seemed weary and reached out to hold her hands.

"Ruhana, kya hua? Kuch pareshan ho? Kisi case ka tension hai?" she asked, her tone concerned.

"Nahi, Shikha, bas wo meri ek dost hai, uske baare mein soch rahi thi," Ruhana said, her tone barely a whisper.

"Kya hua usey? Main kuch madad kar sakti hoon?" Shikha asked gently, causing Ruhana to look at her.

Ruhana hesitated; she didn't know if she should tell her everything about Suhanika and Anamika or not. Shikha didn't know them, but perhaps she might help with a solution. It was the same day when Anamika and Suhanika had argued in the bureau. Ruhana explained the situation, and Shikha had asked for time to evaluate it.

Ruhana comes out of her trance, focusing on Shikha's words over the phone. Although Shikha hasn't met the two girls, she is experienced enough to understand the solution from the problem itself.

"Ruhana, losing a parent is difficult. Aur jis situation mein Anamika aur Suhani ne apne parents ko khoya hai, unhe shock laga hoga. It's shocking for anyone, and these two are young. Tumse toh chhoti hai, toh tum samajh sakti ho, unpe kya beet rahi hogi," Shikha says over the phone.

"Jaanti hoon, Shikha. Mujhe pata hai ye problem psychological hai, aur isliye maine tumhe sab kuch bataya tha. I don't know why, lekin mujhe aisa lagta hai ki Anamika is doing it just like that," Ruhana says, her tone quivering.

"Nahi, Ruu! It's like wo khud ko parents khone ke dukh se bahar nikaalne ke liye shayad Suhanika ko blame kar rahi hai. It's like usey lagta hai ki it might lessen her pain," Shikha says.

"Aisa ho sakta hai?" Ruhana asks, equally surprised.

"Haan, Ruu, ho sakta hai. Mujhe lagta hai ki ghar laut aane ki jaldi dono behenon ki thi. Aur agar uss din baarish na hoti toh sab thik hota. Lekin hum jaante hai na, Ruu, ki zindagi mein kabhi bhi kuch bhi ho sakta hai, aur unke saath wahi hua jo unhone expect nahi kia tha. Kahin na kahin Anamika bhi shayad chahti thi ki baarish na ho, lekin cheezein badal gai. Aur usko kam karne ke liye she started blaming her sister," Shikha explains, her tone soft.

"You're right, Shikha. Main in dono se phir se baat karungi. Mujhe ye matter solve karna hi hai," Ruhana says, her tone soft.

Shikha nods, and then they disconnect the call. Ruhana remains thoughtful-it all makes sense now. In the process of coping with her grief, Anamika is blaming her sister, leading to endless arguments between them. Ruhana sighs deeply; she needs to find a solution.

To Be Continued.