Truly, Madly, Deeply- a Devakshi story.

The thunder strikes home

Dev stared at Sona uncomprehendingly.

Dev: "What did you say? "

Sona : " You and I have a daughter, Dev."

Dev frowned as if unable to understand.

Dev: " Are you okay Sona? You just said you and I have a daughter! Ye sach nahin ho sakta, right?"

Sona: "No it is true. I was pregnant by the time I left you and Suhana our daughter was born on 1st oct 20.. ."

Dev: "We have a daughter? We....actually ....have a baby together? But how is that possible? All your tests ...?? " Dev was stunned

Sona: " All the test reports said there was low likelihood of my conceiving, not no likelihood. I didn't know it but I was already pregnant when I left Delhi."

The first reaction of Dev while he sat stunned trying to digest this news – a slow tremulous smile while he grabbed Sona by the shoulders

Dev: " Sona, you wanted to be a mother so bad...Thank God you did it. We did it. Oh my God. I cant believe it...I and you have a daughter .

He was excited, crying and laughing at the same time.

Sona smiled seeing his delight and hated what was coming. "Yes Dev you have a daughter and her name is Suhana. She is 4 years old and is in Delhi."

Dev(anger quickly rising):" 4 years old and I come to know now? Why Sona why did you hide her from me for so long? You didn't let me know this for so long...Do you even know what you have done ??"

He put his head in his hands as he tried to understand what was going on.

Sona sat quietly, knowing that matters were out of her control now and there was no knowing what Dev's rage would lead to.

Dev:" Oh now I know why the divorce.. I thought hard and if you don't want to marry Jatin, what is the reason for the divorce. What is it Sona? You wanted a clean break from me so you can start life afresh without the threat of your child's father ever staking a claim? Dammit Sona, why did you do this?"

Dev: (Getting up and pacing the floor in his agitation)," Oh God, you were not planning to tell me at all about her ? You were planning to get me to agree to an amicable divorce and then leave, weren't you?"

Sona: " No Dev it isn't like this at all."

Dev: " Then tell me what it is like Ms. Sonakshi Bose? Tell me when were you going to tell me? After the divorce? And where is ...Suhana ...did you say?"

Sona :" Suhana is in Delhi with my parents at Jatin's house. And I had wanted this meeting tobe able to tell you. You remember I wanted to meet you in Delhi much earlier. But you wouldn't give me an appointment. I would have told you earlier."

Dev: " I cant believe it Sonakshi . Hell I cant even bring myself to look at you.What have you done Sonakshi?Ye tumne kya kar diya? I spent these five years cursing myself that you thought I let you go because you could not bear a child. I kept thinking that you left because you knew my mother would not let us live in peace if we were childless. I blamed myself for not being your shield for something you could not help. And you did not even let me know we had a child. This is criminal Sonakshi... and I don't have to tell you this, you know it too."

Sona: " I am sorry Dev but please listen to me."

Dev: " You know Sona, somehow after everything was said and done, I had some faith in your sense of justice. I always thought that some day you would realise the injustice that had happened with us . Because that was the girl I had fallen in love with. A very sensible and honest girl. But this... this ...I don't even know what made you hide this."

Sona: " Dev thats not true. I did come back to you when Soha was 6 months old but you sent us away. You refused to meet us. You can ask at your home.I thought this was known to you but it looks like you were not informed."

Dev: " Sona, I will ask everyone at home believe me and I will make sure they are sorry for wht they did. But right now I am asking you, why didn't you let me know? Me, Sona. Me, your husband, your child's father.?"

Sona: " I thought you didn't want to have anything to do with us."

Dev: " Do you really believe that Sona?"

Sona (getting angry): " Yes I do believe that Mr Dixit. You sent me away, then you never cared to find out whether I was dead or alive. And when I come back and try to meet you , your family tells me you don't want to meet me. What was I supposed to believe? If you had your pride so did I. Tell me that you tried even for a second to find out where I was. You were happy to have me out of your life and you gave me no reason to believe otherwise."

Dev was quiet. "I know that I did wrong by you. But you do understand this wasn't you NOT telling me about your new job or a car you bought. This is about a baby we together produced. Do you mean to say I have no rights over my child? Just because you gave birth to her, does this mean I have no rights and duties towards my child? I don't think legally or morally you have a hope in hell defending yourself."

Sona: " Dev I am not defending myself here. I have been upset with you for abandoning me. And I made a vow to myself that my child will not grow up as an abandoned child. And she hasn't Dev. Soha is a delightful child happy, smart and loving."

She took out her mobile and flipped through Soha's images to show to Dev. Dev impassively watched as she scrolled through the images. A small girl, her curly bouncy hair all clipped up, the exact replica of Dev, similar eyes but with an animated expression like her mother. He truly looked as if he didn't know what had hit him. He again put his head in his hands .

She went up to him and tentatively put her hand on his shoulder. He immediately jerked her hand away and said, " Dont touch me. I can't bear it." Then he got up and said," You can go back. This is over." And walked out.

Sona dissolved in tears, all her self control now completely vanished. To have come so near him and then be thrust away. It all seemed like he was again throwing her out of his life for the third time. Why cant you understand me ever Dev? Why cant you forgive me? Why did I not tell him about Soha earlier? Was it really as wrong? Why didn't someone tell me it was so wrong?  So many why's, so many regrets.  

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