Rohit stood in front of the closed door for what seemed like hours. He hadn’t entered this room, especially at this hour in years. He hesitantly picked up his hand and knocked. Praying that only the person he wanted to see would open the door, he held his breath as he heard shuffling on the other side. But luck seemed to evade him these days as the door opened and he came face to face with his father.
“Rohit, is everything okay?” Rohit ignored what appeared to be genuine concern on his father’s face. “Mom... where is mom?”
“She is inside the washroom. What’s wrong?”
“I need to talk to mom.” Rohit didn’t know how much longer he could hold his composure and he would rather be dead than be caught in a weak moment in front of his father.
“Do you want to come inside?” Naren was getting more worried by the second. His eldest son stood there looking disoriented and as a father he wanted to reach out and help. But he knew he couldn’t and it was all his own fault.
Rohit just stood there for a few seconds and slowly turned to leave until a voice stopped him.
“Rohit? What’s wrong?”
Rohit turned to face his mother and pleaded with his eyes. “Can we talk, please?”
“Sure,” she reached out and touched his arm gently.
“Not here, can you please come to my room.”
“You go ahead, I’ll be there in one minute.” Rohit nodded and walked away leaving both his parents with a strange fear. Naren looked at his wife and she silently assured him that she could handle the situation.
Rohit got to his room and sat on the bed. After a long time he felt so afraid and alone. A strange restlessness made its way into his heart as he thought about her. Why was she acting so strange around him? Was something going on that he was unaware of? Despite her denying it, he knew something was very wrong. What he didn’t know was how to make it right. Sonakshi, please talk to me! I can’t stand your silence! Please Sonakshi!
A soft knock followed by the sound of his door opening interrupted his thoughts. He looked up as his mom walked towards the bed. She came and sat next to him, waiting for him to say something. Rohit just sat there in silence until even that became unbearable.
“I’m sorry I bothered you so late at night.”
“Rohit, beta I’m always here for you. You know that very well.” Veena touched her son’s cheek affectionately. Rohit closed his eyes, trying to gather the courage to talk about what happened earlier that day.
“Mom, I feel so tired and drained. So much happened these past few days, I feel like my entire life changed once again at the blink of an eye. Nothing seems to be going right. Why can’t things be like how they were before?” Rohit looked at his mom for answers. Veena was reminded of all those moments of Rohit as a child. He was so stubborn but extremely soft hearted. He would act as if nothing bothered him but when they were alone, he would share all his fears and pain with her.
“I know that these past few days have not been easy. But you have been really strong through it all! You just have to give it time Rohit and be patient. Everything will work out for the best. Like you always say, jo bhi hota hai achhe ke liye hota hai!” She smiled at her son lovingly.
Rohit nodded his head. “Not this time Mom. Aaj usne mujhe bohut hurt kiya. Mujhe yeh tak pata nahin ki maine kya galat kiya. She doesn’t even want to look at me!”
“You have to give her some time. She’s gone through a lot herself and needs time to heal.”
“I always tell her how I feel. I share all my feelings with her but she won’t tell me why she is so upset at me. I went to see her today and she told me to stop visiting her.”
“Rohit, she has every right to feel confused right now. Don’t stop visiting her, she still needs you. Just don’t put any pressure on her, beta.”
“Mom, she said people will gossip if I go there. I don’t want to risk her career, I would never want that.”
Veena looked surprised as she thought about what her son just said. “Rohit, tum kis ki baat kar rahe ho?”
“Sonakshi. She is really angry with me and I don’t know why.” Rohit allowed the tears he held back to fall freely down his cheeks.
“I don’t want her to be upset Mom. What did I do that was so wrong? Why does she not want to talk to me? She won’t even pick up my calls. I have every right to know why! She can’t just remove herself from me like this. She means so much to me! She has to know that! I... I care for her!”
Veena looked at her son and realized that what she suspected a while back was indeed true. Her son was madly in love with Sonakshi. Raima was his past and could never be his present or future.
She wrapped her arms around Rohit who hugged her. She shushed him and rubbed his back gently as he cried.
“Bas beta.”
“Why is she so angry with me? I can’t stay without seeing her. She told me to not visit her on set. We spent so many evenings there, I thought it meant something to her! She basically kicked me out Mom! It’s like I don’t mean anything to her!” Veena held her son as he cried tears of pain and frustration. Veena waited until Rohit calmed down before speaking.
“Rohit, ek baat puchu?”
Once her son nodded, Veena continued, “Tum Raima se pyaar toh karte ho na?” She knew that if she asked about Sonakshi, her son would just give her the usual excuse about them being very good friends. Of course they were friends, but she knew there was something more. Something Sonakshi was able to realize. Something her budhu of a son didn’t.
Rohit pulled away from his mom and gave her a confused look. “Why are we discussing Raima?”
“Rohit, beta just answer my question.”
“I— I am concerned about Raima. I want her to recover as soon as possible.”
“But you don’t love her, right?” Rohit opened and then closed his mouth, unable to form an answer.
“It’s okay if you don’t Rohit. It’s been 4 years and you have always kept Raima in the highest regard and have given her the respect she deserves. Moving on is not a crime beta nor is it something to be ashamed of. Take care of one relationship at a time and trust me everything will work out. Talk to Raima and clear things out. You will feel much lighter.” Rohit gave his mom a teary smile.
“Aap ko sab pata kaise chal jata hai, Mom?” Somewhere inside Rohit already knew he had moved on from Raima. But he was scared to face the truth. He was scared to accept that maybe he had feeling for someone else. Someone who perhaps will never feel the same way for him.
Veena sighed. “Now I have to say a filmy dialogue all thanks to you. Maa hoon na, we know everything. Ek sixth sense hai that works when it comes to our children.” Veena smiled and gave her son another hug.
“Beta, don’t give up on her. She is one amazing woman and she cares deeply for you. Show her that you are worth it! That you will give her the love and respect she deserves. And I’m sure you know who I’m talking about.” Veena patted Rohit’s cheeks and he smiled at the most adorable woman whom he was blessed to have in his life. Maybe there was hope after all.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Udne Ki Aasha
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