Ok... on your insistence, here is the final chapter to this story. Enjoy!
It had been a month since Radhika returned to their home in Mumbai. The bond between her and Arjun had only grown deeper. They had their fun moments and some typical arguments common in every marriage. And recently, they had taken their relationship to the next level. It was all very natural and organic, and Arjun had been a thorough gentleman. He had known since their return that Radhika was not quite ready for physical intimacy and he never once forced himself on her. They waited until she had felt the same desire as he did, and so when it happened, everything felt completely natural.
On the job front, Piyali was ever so grateful to all that Radhika had done for Sam's sake, and made sure her return to Bird Song was seamless. Work was going well for both her and Arjun, as well as for the company. Sam and Neil were back from their impromptu honeymoon, and things were finally getting back to normal. Office rumors had died down considerably, and there was not much drama at the Bird Song office anymore.
Sitting in his cabin, Arjun noticed the new mail window pop up. It was past work hours so he wasn't sure who would be emailing him at this time. He clicked on the email and his eyes widened in realization.
Dear Arjun,
Hope you are doing alright, and married life with Radhika is everything that you had hoped for. I have been meaning to write to you for some time but the simple truth is I was afraid you will ignore me. Honestly, I won't blame you if you never reply or talk to me. I probably deserve your silence after all my misdeeds.
Arjun, I am truly sorry for all the pain I have caused you. I know words aren't enough, but please understand that you were and always will be my younger brother. To me, no other relation in this world is as important as ours. I hope you are able to forgive me in due time.
I moved back to London a month ago, and as per your wish, I am keeping my distance from you. I only emailed to let you know that I am seeking help here, with a psychiatrist. Depression had turned me into this cold woman, and after our last confrontation I realized the path I was on would have led to more destruction and pain. I couldn't see myself in the mirror anymore, Arjun. I am trying to be the same Nandu that had promised to be your sister in life.
It's not an easy path for me, knowing how everyone hates me. More than that how you hate me. But please know for your sake I am trying to be better. I can't take back every awful thing I had planned and done, but do understand that I regret it every day of my life. It made me lose my most precious relation, my brother - you.
As I write this, I hope that you are at least able to forgive me. I promise to abide by your wishes of never meeting you again, as long as I know that you don't harbor any hatred for me. I sincerely wish you and Radhika all the happiness in life. You deserve all the love and happiness this life has to offer, Arjun.
Take Care,
Nandini-Di
-----------------------------------
"Arjun... Arjun..." Radhika stood by his cabin door knocking gently as she noticed her husband in deep thought.
"Yeah, Come in" Arjun motioned her in, closing the email from Nandini-Di.
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing..."
"It has to be something... you look distraught."
Taking in a deep breath, Arjun contemplated whether he should share Nandu's email with Radhika. "It's just that..."
"What?"
Arjun got up from his chair, pointing at Radhika to take his seat as he opened the email from his sister. She did as he asked her, and quickly read over the reason for his distress.
"Hmmm... I think she is speaking the truth."'
"I know that... but after everything... I don't want to tarnish all my better memories of her."
"Do you forgive her?"
Arjun simply nodded at that.
"At least she has realized her errors and is trying to amend things by seeking professional help. All I know is that she holds a very special place in your heart and if anything, you owe it to yourself to at least reply to her email."
"I feel like I will be betraying you and our relation if I reply to her."
"Why?"
"For every awful thing she had planned for you, and your family. Granted, she didn't completely succeed in most of those plans... but I just can't fathom she wanted to destroy you as well in her plot for revenge"
"Arjun..." Radhika cut him off, "Neither of us can change the past ... we need to move forward in life, and we can't move forward completely until your heart truly forgives Nandini-Di. Please remember the reason why most of her plans went awry - it was because of you. You saved me and my family, time and again. Her actions didn't change the kindness that was always there in your heart."
"Are you serious?! I don't know how you can be so forgiving..."
Radhika stood up from the chair and gently held Arjun's hand in hers, "Honestly, it doesn't matter to me anymore. I am finally happy, and I want you to be completely happy... but for that you will have to take a small step of letting go of the past."
"And I understand that... but I am still not ready to meet her."
"Well, you cross that bridge when you feel it in your heart. But, since you have already accepted that you have indeed forgiven her, you could just reply a short note acknowledging that sentiment."
Arjun squeezed her hand and smiled, "Ok... I'll reply to her... tomorrow. It's only fair she gets to wait another day."
"Good. Anyway, are you ready to leave? Everyone has left the office, and I am really hungry."
"Yeah... How about we grab dinner outside? There is a new Thai restaurant I have been meaning to try, if you are willing." Arjun asked as he shut his computer down and grabbed his jacket to leave.
"Of course ... I am always happy to take an evening off from my kitchen duty," replied Radhika with a smile, following her husband out the office door.
---------------------------
"And?!" Radhika asked softly as she noticed Arjun sitting with his laptop in the living room.
"Yeah, I replied."
"What did you say?!"
"Why are you so curious?"
Radhika was stumped at his question - it's not like she wanted to pry into the sibling relationship details but considering he had showed her Nandini-Di's email last evening, she was just curious about everything. "Umm... I am sorry... I didn't mean to..."
Arjun grabbed her hand, gently making her sit beside him "It's ok ... I was going to show you anyway. It doesn't hurt to pull your leg every now and then, you know."
Radhika elbowed him gently as she noticed the boyish smirk on his face.
"Yeah, that's real mature."
"Can I read now?"
"Here you go," Arjun shifted the screen to her view.
Hello Nandini-Di,
Radhika and I are doing well, and yes, marriage is just as I had hoped it would be. I am glad to know that you are seeking proper help, and hope everything works out for you.
Neither of us can change what has already happened, but I still respect you as my sister. For the record, I forgave you the same evening I asked you to leave. So, I hope you find some solace in that. I am not sure if I am ready to meet you as yet, but one day for both our sake, I would like to.
Please know that I am happy, and wish the same for you. After everything, I don't harbor any hate for you or anyone for that matter. We are all humans, and we make mistakes.
Thank you for emailing me.
Regards,
Arjun
"Wow... that was actually quite good."
"Thank you, Biwi-ji... See, you don't always need to write a story to get your point across."
"I don't do that..."
Arjun laughed, as he put his arm around Radhika, "You know, you are very easy to tease."
"Ha - Ha - not funny," she replied with a pout as she crossed her arms.
Arjun put the laptop back on coffee table and turned to his side holding Radhika gently by the shoulders "Actually it is ... and I wasn't completely lying. If I ask you for some paper, you'd tell me an hour's worth story about the time in Rishikesh where Ankush Bhaiyya had given you a scrap book rather than a journal to write in." He noticed her eyes go wide at his statement, and could see she was trying very hard to not say anything. It really was so easy to tease her and he loved every bit of it.
"Fine then... I am sorry... I didn't realize my stories bothered you so much ... from now on I shall not talk as much."
"Well, that's no fun ... as nonsensical as your stories are, they do make life less boring for me" he added with a wink.
Radhika just giggled at that and shook her head "You really are something... Who would have ever thought!?"
Smiling, Arjun added "On a serious note, how do you feel about our trip to Italy next month?! It would be nice to get away, be it only for 10 days."
"Yeah, I spoke to Neil about taking 2 weeks off, and he said it should be ok."
"Perfect! So I will book everything tomorrow then."
Radhika got up from the sofa with a knowing grin on her face, and turned back to look at Arjun, "Sounds like a plan... Sir!"
Arjun frowned at the 'Sir' as he got up, and mischievously added, "Oh, you will pay for that!"
Radhika looked at her husband as he closed in the distance between them, and tried to make a run for it. But Arjun was too quick for her, as he gently grabbed her hand, pulling her close. Tucking her hair behind, he lifted her in his arms with ease, and carried her to the bedroom, closing in the door behind them.
---------------------------
Anupamaa
