Paths of Life

Part 9

Neha was having dinner with her family at a well known restaurant and was chatting and laughing and having fun with all when her phone pinged with Namit's message. She hurriedly wiped her hands with the napkin in her lap and read the message

Namit : Hey Neha I am heading to the hospital now. I know you all must be having dinner so didn't called you. Will talk later. Lots of work to do. Bye

Neha : Yes having dinner at the Taj. Have a great day ahead and don't skip your meals admist your work. Bye take care. Will wait for your call.

Namit had a smile on his face reading Neha's message. He was the one to take the first step in their relationship. Though he never imagined seeing Neha as his wife but then he also never imagined the tragedy that happened with Nikhil. Life is uncertain. You never know what will happen next.

Right from making a decision of marrying her till date, Namit was the one who always took all the initiative. Marrying Neha was the requirement of that time but the moment she  became his wife, his perspective changed towards her. She was no longer his sister in law but his life partner. When he married Neha, he decided to make their relationship work and so he took all the required efforts to make their bond comfortable for them both.

He and Neha both knew that it will take sometime for them to accept their relation as husband and wife but he was willing to wait and do the needful to make it happen. But seeing Neha also taking such efforts for their relation made him happy. Somewhere spending time with her made him happy. He knew one day they both will accept each other fully as husband and wife. He knew he didn't gave much choice or time to Neha to come to terms with her second marriage but then he thought the sooner she accepts him and their marriage, the sooner they can move ahead in their lives. Even their both families were also supporting them in the same.

Namit and Nikhil were very close to each other. They were more of best friends rather than brothers. He knew Nikhil and Neha's marriage were not a love one. They were more of best friends for each other and their feelings for each other were more of liking not love. They were still finding their love for each other when Nikhil died. So he knew it was hard for Neha to lose a companion with whom she was very comfortable and use to share everything. She was lonely, sad but not heart broken when Nikhil left this world. Therefore it would not take much time for her to accept their marriage wholeheartedly.

After returning home from an awesome family dinner, Neha called her mother in law. It's been two days she had not talked with them. She thought that they both must be waiting for her call.

Kavita : Hello Neha beta how are you and how is everyone there?

Neha : Hi maa I am fine and so are all here. What about you and papa?

Kavita : We are good dear. Was waiting for your call only.

Neha : Sorry maa to call late but we all had gone out for dinner. Just returned now and then called you.

Kavita : It's ok. I hope you are having a good time with your family.

Neha : Yes maa it's fun. Tomorrow me, Didi and jiju are going for a movie.

Kavita : That's good. You three enjoy. By the way tomorrow evening me and your papa are going to Pune for few days. Your Papa's friend is inviting us to spend some time with them.

Neha : Well that's nice maa. You and papa also need a break. Go and enjoy with your friends. Do you want me to come and help you with your packing?

Kavita : No dear I already did the packing. No need for you to worry. See your papa is pestering me to give the phone to him. He wants to talk to you. Bye beta take care.

Neha : Bye maa you too take care and let me know once you reach Pune.

Kavita : Sure. I will hand over the phone to your papa. Talk to him.

Yash : How is my daughter? Already forgot your papa?

Neha laughed a little at her father in law's antic talk. She knew he would be pouting as she talked with Kavita first : No papa how can I forget my father. How are you my superhero?

Yash(grinning) : Your superhero is mighty fine. Just missing his kids. You know I knew you would call unlike my workoholic son who forgets everything even his family when he is working.

Neha : Papa how can I forget you. Of course I will call you and maa daily alright. You and maa enjoy your mini vacation in Pune with your friends.

Yash : Yes dear we will enjoy. And mind you as soon as we return back to Mumbai you are coming back home ok? It's really lonely after you and Namit left.

Neha : Sure papa I will come back after you and maa get back home.

Yash : Ok beta goodnight and take care of yourself.

Neha : Goodnight papa.

After disconnecting the call, she changed into her nightwear and laid on the bed to sleep but her thoughts again went to Namit. She again read their messages which he had sent earlier. Again she felt emptiness engulfing her. She didn't know when will Namit call her but she wanted to hear his voice and talk to him. She thought to call him but then dropped the idea as she thought he will be busy with his appointments and surgeries. Sighing she went to sleep.