RiKara SS: Redemption [Part 4 - page 11: 17/03/2018] - Page 8

~I love you

For all that you are

All that you have been

And all you're yet to be~

~Anonymous

Omkara was shattered. How much ever normal he tried to be, how much ever he tried to seem unaffected, he wasn't able to do so. He never was able to wipe out that incident from his memory. The incident where he was accused of taking advantage of his father's mistress. The horrible images of the video came back to his mind haunting the hell out of him. He walked not knowing where he was heading to. The agony ran deeper. The wounds which the incident gave him were still raw. He did not talk to his family or as a matter of fact to his brothers either. Hell, he did not even want his wife to know. Neither did he intend to tell her. Because he was scared. He was scared of being judged. He was scared of losing the only person he loves to death. How would she react? Will she leave him? How would he face her? His insecurities started hitting him hard. He rushed out of the house not realising that his wife was still in the hall, all shattered.

Gauri was shattered. What was happening? Why was her fate playing with her? Soon she realised that she was subjected to the stares of all the family members. She can't break down before everyone. That wasn't her. She had this sudden urge to be alone. Urge to walk away. Urge to go and talk to her husband. She excused herself and ran towards their room. She will not judge him before knowing the truth. She will not judge him for she knows what her husband is. She will not let her marriage fall apart by listening to just a few words and will certainly not make conclusions on the same. She wiped the tears which continuously ran down her cheeks. She entered the room only to find an empty room staring at her. "Omkara ji his name came out from her mouth in a small whimper. She went around the room searching for him. "Omkaraji she cried again. "Omkaraji she whispered and finally collapsed on the floor. Where did her husband go? She had questions. Many questions but no answers. She took her mobile out to call him but it went unanswered every single time she tried. That was when she broke down completely. She was scared. Scared for him. She didn't know what to do. Where to search for him. She wailed. Her wails echoed in the room. Where was he? Why wasn't he picking up the calls? Was he safe? Was he alright? What can she do? She did the only thing that can be done. She waited. Waited for him to show up. She rested her head against the wall. She was emotionally drained and she dozed off waiting for him.

On the other end of the city, there was a loner sitting on the bench and staring at the sky. Why was he scared to go home? Why was he afraid to lift the call? Why was he scared to face her? Maybe because he can't bear her hatred? Or the look of accusation? That was when the truth hit him hard. What did he do when she went to English classes for his sake? What did he accuse her of? He accused her of ... he himself wasn't able to complete the sentence in his head and kept his hands on his mouth to control the sobs while tears mercilessly fell from his eyes. He now knew what it was to be on the receiving end of something so downright and disgusting. And his father? What can be even expected from a man like him? How much more can he stoop? Trusting his mistress over his son? Wait! Was he his son? He turned his head in disgust. If there is something which he would want to wipe out from his existence, that would definitely be his so-called father's name from his. He ruined his childhood. His brother's childhood. His relations. His life. His mother's life. He was responsible for every single thing that he had to face. And now, why did he had to bring the topic which was long forgotten. Can't he just see his son happy? Does he have to destroy the relation he has with his wife as well? Why is it happening to him? Why now? Why when everything was going well? And will his wife leave him, and this time forever? The thought alone gave him shudders. He won't be able to take it if she leaves him. What should he do now? Talk to her? Tell what? How will he even justify his actions when he doesn't even have a proof? Was everything falling apart? All over again? He broke down. Amidst the cool breeze, a starless night and a pleasant moonlight, a lonely man broke down.

He entered his room after few hours only to find his wife sleeping with her hands on her knees and her head rested against the wall. His eyes misted a bit looking at her knowing that he was the reason behind her state. He lifted her in his arms and laid her on the bed covering her with a duvet and placing a loving kiss on her forehead. He went to the other end and covered himself with duvet resting his arm on his forehead, getting lost in his thoughts. After some time he felt an arm go round his chest and turned to see his wife snuggle into him like always. A lone tear trickled down his cheek. Some things never change! He thought while drifting off to sleep.

Gauri woke up to find herself on the bed. When did she reach here? The last time she remembered, she was sitting on the floor. She looked around and heaved a sigh of disappointment when she didn't find him around. She felt his behavior kind of weird. He was never like this. What is running in his head? It was evident that he was the one who made her sleep on the bed. Then where was he? Was he ignoring her? If yes, then why? She brushed her thoughts aside for a while and went to get ready for the day.

The whole day, Omkara was busy ignoring her. She couldn't see him at the breakfast table. Neither could she see him in the hall where the whole family was present apart from her FIL. Generally he makes it a point to spend time with each member of the family. But he wasn't seen anywhere today. It was soon evening and she went to room disappointed. Everyone knew how upset and sad Gauri was but none spoke a word giving her time to contemplate. But none saw her leaving. None except one. Annika. Annika could see that Gauri was controlling herself in front of everyone. She went to her room and knocked it while Gauri wiped her tears and opened the door.

"Bhaujaai! Aap? Aayiye na! She said making an attempt to smile.

"Ro rahi thi? She asked her out of concern while Gauri nodded her head in a no. The tears which slightly glided down her eyes told Annika a different story altogether.

She did what any other sister in her place would do. She hugged Gauri tight. She hugged her to calm her down. And Gauri ended up crying in her arms. She was tired of keeping her feelings to herself. She clutched her arms tight and cried while Annika patted her hair soothingly trying to shush her down.

After a while when she withdrew herself wiping her tears she heard her bhaujaai talk.

"Gauri! Uss din Om ne..

"Nahi bhaujaai! Aap uss din ke baare mei hum se kuch mat kahiye! Yeh Omkaraji khud batayenge! Gauri cut her mid way while Annika nodded her head understandingly with a small smile on her face.

"Aur bhaujaai! Hum bilkul theek hai! Aap hamari chintha mat kijiye! Gauri smiled placing her hand on her shoulder.

"Chalo theek hai! Agar kuch chahiye ho toh bata dena Annika said making Gauri nod her head teary eyed.

Once she left, Gauri sat on the bed thinking about him. Last night she slept off but this time she would wait for him. She thought.

It was one in the night when Omkara entered his room and closed the door behind. He was shocked to see his wife wide awake. Wasn't that why he was purposefully late?

"Gauri! Tum? Abhi tak jaage hue ho? He asked maintaining his composure.

"Haan! Aap hi ka intezaar kar rahe the hum she said visibly angry.

"Gauri woh! Mei busy tha

"Jhoot? Aur woh bhi humse? She asked while a single tear rolled down her cheeks making his heart clench in pain.

"kab tak daudenge aap? She asked him exasperated while he widened his eyes in surprise.

"Kyun kar rahe hai aap yeh sab? Do din se hum pagal hothe jaa rahe hain yeh soch kar ki aap kaha honge kis haal mei honge, theek honge ya nahi aur ek aap hai jo humare baare mei ek minute bhi nahi socha she told him off not realising that she was venting out her anger and frustration.

"Gauri! Aisa nahi..

"Aisa hi hai! Agar humse baat nahi karni hai toh theek hai. Kam se kam hume aise pareshaan toh nahi karte she asked him for which he looked down not being able to meet her eyes and his eyes turned misty.

She was so worried for him that all her questions took a back seat. She was hell angry on him to even give him a chance to talk to her.

"Khaana fridge mei hai. Garam karke kha lijiye ga she said adjusting the duvet to sleep.

"Tumne..Khaana khaya? He asked her hesitatingly with a sad tone.

"Kya farak bhi padta hai aapko? She retorted in anger and laid down while he stood there not knowing what to do. He knew she might not have had her dinner and his hunger died with the very thought.He slowly went to his side of bed and laid down after adjusting it. The entire night he was awake staring at the ceiling expecting his wife to snuggle into him which never happened leaving him in nothing but tears.

The next day Gauri woke up to her husband missing like he did for the past three days. She sighed and got ready for the day.

The whole family was aware of Omkara's absence but couldn't really do anything about it knowing how stubborn and reclusive he is. They doubted if Gauri would bring him back because they thought she was too young to deal with his other side. All of them failed to realise that they have come a very long way and what they shared ran deeper than any of his fears or insecurities. Tej was not seen anywhere since then. And what surprised everyone was Jhanvi's reaction. How can she be so cool when her husband is roaming around with his supposed mistress? This was not so her. But everyone decided not to interfere.

That afternoon, when Gauri was busy folding clothes in her room, she heard a knock. She opened the door only to find her mother in law standing outside.

"Arey maaji! Aap? Yahan?

"Haan beta! Mujhe tumse kuch baat karni thi. Kya mein andar aa sakti hoon?

"Haan!Haan! Kyun nahi? Aayiye na! She said making way for her.

Jhanvi started to speak when both of them got seated on the bed.

"Gauri she said taking her hands in hers "Mei yahan aaj tumse ek vinati karne aayi hoon! Aaj tak meine Om ke maa hone ka farz kabhi nahi nibhaya. Par aaj nahi beta! Om ne bahut kuch dekha hai bachpan se! Aur itne aasaani se kisi se share nahi karta. Woh badi badi baatein karta rehta hai par andhar se bilkul bacha hai beta. Saara dard andhar chupake rakhta hai. Ek baar usse jaakar baat kar beta. Mujhe pata hai tum kis haalat mei ho. Par mei karoon bhi toh kya karoon. Tej ko toh kya hogaya yeh mujhe nahi pata. Par mere bete ko sirf tumhari zaroorat hai. Ek baar usse baat kar beta. I know I am being ridiculous but maa ki dil hai. I can't help but be selfish she made a request while Gauri was lost in thoughts.

She knew what her mother in law said. Of course she knew how her husband is. But the only thing that struck her mind was the fact that she didn't know anything about her husband's past. She did not even try to know. Of course she wouldn't judge him. But maybe he was hesitant to tell her. Maybe she shouldn't have shouted at him in the first place. A small sense of regret sat in her chest. Maybe she should have had been a bit more sensible.

She was brought out of her trance when her mother in law shook her slightly by her shoulder.

"Maaji! Aap bilkul chintha mat kijiye. Hum baat karenge unse she said placing her hand on her MIL's in an assuring way.

That night Gauri wondered where her husband could be. She hardly gets to see him these days. And when she does, he either tells that he is busy with work or he has to go out totally avoiding her. That is when she got an inkling of where he could have gone. She remembered him mentioning her about the place once. She decided to try her luck and hoped against all the hopes to find him there.

Omkara sat down in his studio. The more he thought about his wife, the more afraid he became. Every time he thought of talking to her, his fear of losing her overpowered his thoughts. Deep down he knew that his fears were baseless but his mind won over his heart every single time. What if she regrets being his wife? What if she feels burdened? What would she think of him? And what would he tell her? He suddenly felt that she was better off without a wrecked person like one himself. Ishana's words came back haunting him.

"Wakt aane par aap bhi aap ke dad ke tarah nikalenge

Will he stoop down to such a level? It really made no sense as to why he thought about Ishana's words suddenly. Maybe because the past came haunting him with the one incident his so-called father started talking about? Maybe he was born to be a loner? Maybe he never deserved happiness? Maybe his wife deserved a better person? A man with no baggage? And the very thought pained him so much. He didn't know what to do. He did the only thing which he felt like doing. A man who stands by what he says broke the promise he made to his brother. He took out a syringe from the packet he had, filled it with the substance and tapped his fingers on his hand. The moment he almost injected it into his hand was the exact moment when someone caught his hand.

He lifted his eyes in distraught only to get the shock of his life. It was the person who he never expected to see him this way. His wife.

"Gauri...Woh...Woh" he ran out of words. How will he explain his actions now? What will she be thinking about him? How did she know that he was here? He kept looking at her with tears pouring down his eyes while she slowly removed the syringe from his hand and sat beside him throwing it away.

____

Gauri rushed to his studio room and the sight that invited her sent shivers down her body. This would be something which would haunt her the entire life. Her husband and drugs? What is happening? Did she miss such a crucial part of his life? She had many questions but she was never someone who would act in haste. She took a moment to calm down herself and ran towards him. She bent down and took the syringe out from his hand slowly at the right moment ignoring the astonished look on her husband's face. She then threw it and settled down beside him. Both looked at each other with tears rolling down their cheeks continuously while their eyes conveyed what they couldn't word out. All their questions were running through their minds but the fact was that nothing mattered at that moment. Nothing mattered apart from the fact that they found solace. Nothing mattered apart from the fact that they were together at that moment.

Soon Gauri entwined her arm in his and rested her head on his broad shoulder while he slowly and softly rested his head against hers.

"Omkaraji! Let it out. Let all of it out! I am with you. And I will always be. Omkaraji trust me. I will never judge. Please let it out she pleaded him.

It took a moment for him to comprehend. Maybe he didn't realise that he had been waiting for this all along. Her assurance.

Slowly a tear dropped. Then another. And another one. And soon she was able to listen to his cries. He cried. He wailed. He cried for all those years. All those years of lost childhood. He cried for all that he faced. For all those times when people took him for granted. For all those times when people mocked him for being emotional. For all those times when his father tried dictating his life. For all those times when he had to witness his father torturing his mother. For all those days he tried staying strong for his younger brother, hiding him from all the atrocities. For all those times he had been called a coward. For all those times he was mocked for standing up for what is right. For those times when he was deceived by the very person who pretended to know him in and out for five years. For those times when he was badly taken advantage of by a girl whose only intention was to get money out of him. For those times when he had to see his father's mistress roaming in his house in front of his family and do nothing about it. For those times when he saw his own mother trying to commit suicide. Above all, he cried for the accusation thrown his way. How cans someone accuse him of raping a girl? And that too someone he hated with passion? That mark on his character will never fade. Ever. He broke down in his love's arms. Completely. He broke down while she was by his side like a rock as a strong support. She never in her dreams expected him to have so much of pain within himself and act like nothing has happened. She couldn't help but cry along with him. She gently rubbed his arms all along.

He suddenly came out of her hold and took her hands in his.

"Gauri...Gauri meri vishwas karo Gauri. Uss din meine kuch nahi kiya he pleaded "kuch nahi kiya meine he whispered more to himself which she nodded teary eyed assuring him by placing her hand in his.

"Woh sab jhoot hai Gauri! Sab jhoot! Meine sirf Svetlana ke chaal jaanne ke liye uski peecha kiya. Aur tab mujhe...Mujhe behosh banakar faidha utaya usne...Mei jaanta tak nahi hoon ki uss din kya hua...Mei itna gira hua insaan nahi hoon Gauri...Nahi hoon he kept repeating while she gathered him in her arms and hugged him with all her might trying to calm him down, patting his head gently and that was when she felt her dress getting wet with his tears.

"Aur Mr Oberoi, what kind of father he is? The one who believes his mistress over his son? He mumbled in a childlike tone hugging her to his might.

"I was happy. I was so happy with you. Why did he have to come and destroy the peace between us? Can't he see his son happy for once? Gauri... Gauri... Why is it me every single time? Don't I deserve happiness? Kya mei utna bura insaan hoon? he asked her innocently withdrawing himself from the hug while she wiped his tears with her tiny hands nodding her head in a no.

"Toh phir sab log mujhe chod kyun dete hain? Koi mujhe samajte kyun nahi? Maa papa bhi nahi samajte hai he told her in the moment of weakness slightly sniffling and that was when she knew how broken he was. She knew that he never addressed her FIL as dad but his open admittance in front of her was enough proof to know that he loved his dad so much. Every time he told he hated his dad, she knew that his conscience told him something else. It was his hurt which made him utter those words.

"Gauri tujhe pata hai? Mei aur Rudra papa ke pyaar ke liye taras the the. Har din, har ek din taras the the. Jab bhi mujhe bura lagtha tha mei sochta tha ki agle baar kuch acha hoga. Ek na ek din toh papa humse pyaar karenge. Par nahi. Kabhi nahi hua. Bachpan se leke aaj tak unhone aisa koi kaam nahi kiya kisse hum khush ho sake. Pata hai Gauri...Jab bachpan mei sab dost apne mama papa se khelne jaate the, mujhe bhi bahut mann karta tha. Rudra ko bhi kartha tha. Par humare papa ko toh sirf paisa kamana tha aur kuch nahi. Agar sirf paisa kamana tha, toh phir shaadi kyun kiya unhone? Aur maa ko kyun sataya? Ek mauka nahi choda unhone maa se ladne ke liye. Ek ek pal jab maa ko mei tadap the hue dekha tha, mere papa pe gussa badta gaya. Aur unko zindagi mei sirf aur sirf paise aur naam se matlab hai. Aur humare parwaah bilkul bhi nahi. Unko sirf ek beta chahiye jo unke naam aage bada sakta hai. Unhone ek...Ek mauka bhi nahi choda mujhe business join karwane ke liye. Unko bilkul bhi pasand nahi hai ki mei ek artist hoon. Sirf aur sirf business aur deals ki language samajh mei aate hai unhe. Unke decisions mujhpe thopna chahte the. Kyun? Rudra toh chota hai. Aur wo mera bacha hai. Sirf woh aur Shivaay the mere saath. Un logon ko toh sab nahi pata. Ki papa ne kya kiya aur kya nahi. Woh sirf aur sirf mujhe pata hai aur mei nafrat karta hoon uss aadmi se. Kyun hai woh aisa? He asked her gulping the tears while she just sat beside him trying to calm him down and waited for him to let it all out. How much did her husband keep in his heart and for how long? She wondered while silent tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Jab bachpan mei school jata tha, sab log mujhe chidate the, mazak udathe the yeh ...Yeh kehkar ki mein sab ko vishwas kar deta hoon aur mei darpok hoon. Kisise baat nahi karta tha na. Isiliye he said making a lame attempt to wipe his tears.

"Tabhi se mujhe jhoot se nafrat hone laga. Jab sach nahi bata sakte toh log jhoot kyun bolte hai? Mazak kyun udate hai doosron ke? Meine bahut koshish kiya tha Gauri. I tried so much to not get affected. I moved on in my life the same way. I went abroad to complete my studies. That was when I met Ridhimma. I never knew what love was. I thought that love would eventually blossom. When I had no one with me, she came into my life like a ray of hope. I thought she was the one for me and we would eventually be able to work out our differences. And I went into a live-in with her

"Five years. Five years into the relationship and I never knew that all of it was a betrayal. I was practically forced to change into a person I never wanted to be. She tried to boss around me, tried to dictate my life and the fool I was, I thought all this was love. An understanding. But I failed to realise that all of that was a farce. Five years of relationship and all I get is betrayal? All she wanted was fame? And she dared to make a deal with my so-called father to persuade me to join business? Is that what they do in a relationship? I thought she knew me in and out. Liked me for what I was. But why did she have to betray me? What did I ever do to her? He asked. His eyes told her the story altogether. They held all the innocent questions. Questions which had no answers. His tears seemed uncontrollable. He sniffed a little and continued while she kept looking at him with her misty eyes.

"Aur woh kaafi nahi thi meri zindagi barbaad karne ke liye, tab hi Ishana ko aana tha? She came into my life portraying herself to be a victim. She became my friend. She acted as if she was my well wisher, she became my friend. I like a fool again, believed her only to know that her identity was fake. She was fake. She created a fake story, she played the victim, she lied through her teeth, gained my trust and all for what? To get money! She could have had asked me directly. Why did she have to create a rift between me and Ridhimma? Why did she have to mislead me? Why did she have to accuse me that I would turn like my dad? I am not him Gauri...I can never be him...I am not like him he shook her a little gripping her shoulders gently while his voice came out in a painful whisper.

She looked at her man break down little by little while each phase of his life began unfolding before her.

"What was my fault in all these? Was it that I chose to see good in everyone? Was it that I chose to respect women? Was it that I am actually a fool that people can easily take advantage of me? And that Svetlana...She made me lose my sanity. How can she think of destroying someone's family? What kind of a sick mentality that is? Ek bhi kasar nahi choda sab ke zindagi barbaad karne ke liye...Aakhir woh chahti kya hai he gulped the lump screaming in exasperation.

"Gauri...Gauri... Believe me when I say I never wanted to take drugs in my life. Never. But... But all these was taking a toll on me... There was none to whom I could speak out. On one side there was this dad of mine who was hell-bent on ruining my life, on the other side there was my brother Rudra who I wanted to protect by all means from the atrocities in the family... On another side, my mother started getting addicted to alcohol unable to bear my dad's torture...I was losing control over my life and that was when people started name calling me...I couldn't...I just couldn't take all of it Gauri...I did the only thing that came into my mind...I wanted peace...I wanted sanity...All I wanted was to be free... Free from everything... That was why I started taking drugs Gauri... That was the only reason...It gave me comfort...It gave me a peace of mind...And today...Today I really couldn't control...I wasn't intending to take drugs...But...But I was scared Gauri...In the middle of all this mess, I was scared of losing you...I wasn't prepared for another heartbreak... You are the only one I have and I really can't think about a life without you He was turning hysterical.

"I thought you wouldn't believe me...Bolo why should you believe me when I don't have anything to prove my innocence? I thought I was being selfish when I wanted you to be with me even after all these... And I am selfish Gauri...I lost many people in my life but... But the thought of losing you was enough to scare the hell out of me... That is why I never could bring myself to talk to you... I'm sorry Gauri... I'm sorry for what you had to undergo for the past three days because of me ...Darr gaya tha mei...Tujhe khona nahi chahtha tha...Meine kuch nahi kiya hai uss din...kuch nahi kiya he poured his heart out to the only person he loved to death. He cried, he wailed in his wife's embrace placing his head in her bossom while she cocooned him throwing her two arms around him.

Her tears were continuously pouring down. What more was her husband not telling her in the name of fear? She now understood the other side of him. His insecurities ran deeper than what she thought but definitely not more than the love they had for each other. She promised herself to shoo all his insecurities away. Baseless fears away.

After what felt like an eternity, he came out from the hug while Gauri wiped away his tears and took his hands in hers.

"Omkaraji! Hum aapse pyaar karte hai...Aur jis rishte mei vishwas nahi hai, woh rishta kitne bhi chahe Jud nahi sakti aur jis rishte mei vishwas hai, woh koi bhi tod nahi sakte. Uss din kya hua aur kya nahi yeh hum nahi jaante par hume sirf ek baat pata hai ki hume aap pe bharosa hai. Aur ab jab aapne bata hi diya, toh humare mann mei jo bhi sawaal the, woh sab door hogaye

"There was a time when I felt like going away...But I just couldn't do so...There is a thin line of difference between love and marriage Omkaraji...Hum pyaar zaroor kar sakte hai...Lekin woh pyaar nibhane ke liye taakat ki zaroorat padti hai jise hum shaadi kehte hai...Wahi toh shaadi ki khoobsurati hai Omkaraji she said looking at his eyes.

"How many ever problems we face, how much ever situations force us to give up, marriage will hold us together for eternity. Even if we wish to leave, a small voice inside us will ask us to try again. We were united by fate. We have come a long way in our lives. I know you enough to know that you would never harm anyone intentionally. And you know me enough as well. So please baat kijiye Omkaraji...Dard aapke dil mei dabake mat rakhiye. Hum hain yahan aur humesha aapke saath honge...Aap ko darrne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai...Hum kahi nahi jaayenge she tried making him understand while he was lost in his own thoughts.

For a commitment-phobic like one himself, it was too much to take. This was the first time someone made him understand the real meaning of marriage. Does marriage really give strength to withhold the love? Was that the reason why his mother still sticks on to his father in spite of all that she had to face? Was marriage really this beautiful that you just don't wish to give up on the person even if circumstances force you to? And did his wife just promise an eternity with him? That she would be with him despite knowing that he is a flawed person? He kept looking at her not knowing if all this was his dream or real.

"Omkaraji...Humein pata hai ki yeh sab kisi aur ke saath share karna aap ke liye bahut badi baat hai...Aur hume pata hai ki yeh sab kitna mushkil bhi hai...But you don't really have to hesitate to tell anything to me...It's just me Omkaraji...Your wife...The person who loves you with all her heart she said making him all emotional. How did he get so fortunate?

"And this is certainly not the end to the problems. We still have a long way to go. We still have so much to sort in our lives. But I believe when we both are together in this, nothing can happen to us right? She smiled through her tears making him smile.

He finally was with someone with whom he could be himself. Without pretence. Without inhibitions. Without having to worry about what she thinks. And that was all he wanted. All his other problems can take a back seat. The fact that he had someone to call his own filled his heart with happiness.

She knew. She knew that her husband was innocent. She knew that he wouldn't lie. She got all her answers. She was in love with the right man. She loved him for what he is. And she knew she wouldn't regret. He was all she wanted. He was all she loved. He was worth fighting for. And she would be there for him always. Like he would be. Finally, she had someone to call her own. Someone with whom she can be herself. The very thought filled her heart with happiness.

Both looked at each other longingly. Their eyes spoke what their hearts wanted to convey.

"Omkaraji..

"Huh?!

"Aap yeh drugs kabhi nahi lenge na she asked him while a lone tear escaped her eyes.

"Zaroorat kabhi nahi padegi Gauri he said looking at her making her smile.

"You'll be with me right? He suddenly asked her. That was such an innocent question.

She did the only thing she could do to convey how much he meant to her. She raised her head and kissed his forehead gently while he treasured the moment. That was such an innocent gesture which assured him. Told him all the unsaid emotions.

He slowly kept his head on her lap hugging her by the waist while she ran his fingers through his hair gently.

He got the love he lost as a child. And he did not need anything else. His life was complete.

Once he fell asleep, she placed a soft kiss on his forehead. She is yet to know him completely. And she is yet to fix many things. She vowed to do everything to get his life back to normal, come what may.

Marriage is about becoming a team. You're going to spend the rest of your life learning about each other, and every now and then, things blow up. But the beauty of marriage is that if you picked the right person and you both love each other, you'll always figure out a way to get through it ~ Nicholas Sparks

Precap: TejKara

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It took a lot of effort for me to write both sides of POVs. Please do leave your feedback 😊

And the epilogue for And this time...Forever would be up shortly :)