Part 10
"Mr Mishra, we should start soon." said Mrs. Khanna with an apologetic smile. Mrs. Khanna was the principal of the St Patrick's Primary School and Milind was there to award a scholarship to the most promising student to fund their high school education. "Okay" agreed Milind reluctantly. Prachi hadn't arrived as yet. He had kept away from her since the previous week but he still longed to see her. They were about to leave the office when the secretary ushered in Prachi. "Sorry, I'm late." said Prachi with a smile at Mrs Khanna.
Milind felt as if time had stopped still. She was wearing a green sari and her hair was loose, her face was slightly pink after her rush to get there on time. He ached to hold her close. Prachi looked at Milind and quickly looked away. He was looking at her so intently, a look she well understood, one that in spite of everything she could still feel herself responding to. But she had been glad that he had kept away for the last few days. Every time she saw him, things just seemed more complicated.
As they walked out to the assembly area where the children and their parents had already gathered for the annual prize-giving ceremony, Prachi smiled and waved at someone in the crowd. It was Soumya holding Asha wearing a yellow sundress. Holding Asha's hand, Soumya made her wave back. The baby flashed a toothless smile. Milind couldn't stop himself from smiling back. He turned back to see Prachi looking at him softly. No how matter how angry he made her, no matter how much he hurt her, in the end he always found a way through her defenses. But as soon he caught her eye, she quickly turned away.
After all the prizes had been awarded, Mrs Khanna introduced Prachi and Milind as the guests of honor. "And we have one final award to give. Mr and Mrs Mishra are sponsoring a scholarship to the most deserving Grade 7 student to fund their high school education at any school of their choice. This scholarship will pay for their tuition, books and uniforms." explained Mrs Khanna. There was a stir of interest in the crowd. The students mostly came from a working class background. This scholarship would indeed prove to be a boon to one lucky student. "And that's not all, if the recipient completes high school with the required high marks, their tertiary education will also be funded. " added Mrs Khanna with a smile, "So without much ado, I call Mr Mishra to announce the first winner of the Kshama Mishra Scholarship."
"The winner is Amitav Sen.", said Milind. Amitav's proud mother promptly burst into tears. "Well done" said Prachi as she handed the slightly dazed boy a certificate and hugged him. Milind shook his hand. After the ceremony as they tried to make their way through the excited crowd of children, Mrs Sen approached them. "Thank you so much." she whispered, her eyes' still full of tears, "I can not tell you how much this means." Mrs Sen worked as a cashier in a supermarket while her husband worked in construction. It worried them how they will ever be able to give their bright son all the opportunities in life he so deserved. Prachi smiled at her warmly, "I looked at his progress reports. He thoroughly deserves it."
"If you don't mind me asking, who is Kshama?" asked Mrs Sen. She immediately sensed something was wrong when the smile on Prachi's face faded away. "She was our daughter." replied Milind, "She died." Milind was surprised that for the first time, he was able to say those words out aloud with acceptance. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to ..." said Mrs Sen apologetically. "It's okay." said Prachi reassuringly. "How old was she?" asked Amitav. "Nearly six, she would have been in Grade 1 next year.", said Milind. "I'm sorry once again. And thank you so much." said Mrs Sen as she and Amitav took their leave.
Prachi and Milind were silent for a moment. It struck Milind for the first time since Kshama's death, he had been able to talk openly about his daughter. If he could talk to strangers about her, just maybe he would be able to speak to his wife. "My baby would have been starting school." said Prachi with the slightest crack in her voice, still struck by that thought. "Do you think, she would have liked it ?" asked Prachi, seeking his assurance like she would have on Kshama's first day at school. Milind was lost for a second, unable to speak but forced himself to look at Prachi and give her the assurance, she needed "She would have loved it. She would have made so many friends and led them all into trouble. We would have been called to the principal's office within a month." Prachi smiled in agreement "We probably would have."
They realized they were just a few feet away from Soumya and Asha but they weren't alone. "See, it's not so bad." laughed Soumya as Ranvir gingerly held Asha. "Ranvir, what are you doing here?" asked Prachi smiling. "I thought you'll need some support." replied Ranvir. Milind mood instantly blackened. "Watch her neck." he blurted as Asha wriggled in Ranvir's tentative hold. Not noticing everyone's surprised looks, he took the baby in his arms and held onto her firmly. Asha immediately started to gurgle. Prachi felt her heart swell, seeing him holding Asha so protectively. But she knew she had to first sort out another pressing concern.
Turning to Ranvir and Soumya, she said "Do you mind giving me and Milind a few minutes alone. I'll meet your'll back at the car." "Of course" said Ranvir as he and Soumya walked away. As soon as they were left alone, Milind exploded "What's going on with you and him?" As much as Prachi knew she didn't owe him an explanation, she wanted to clear this misunderstanding "He is a friend. He was a friend when I most needed one." "When you most needed one? What's that supposed to mean, Prachi?" asked Milind, knowing he was not going to like the answer. "After Kshama ... I just needed someone to talk to. My family was wonderful but they were so worried about me that every time I spoke to them, I just felt I was worrying them more. But with Ranvir, I didn't feel that way." said Prachi.
"It should have been me." whispered Milind brokenly, "It should have been me, you were talking to." "You weren't there.", said Prachi sadly, "You weren't there. You left. Why did you leave, why did you sleep with that ..." she added bitterly before she was overcome with tears. "I ..." said Milind. "You what?" asked Prachi looking at him curiously. He was looking torn as if he couldn't decide what to tell her. Milind desperately wanted to tell her the truth. She was looking at him with something akin to hope. But then he looked at the baby nestled in his arms and back at her tears. For their sake's he couldn't. He couldn't be a husband or a father again. What if he let Prachi down again, what if he couldn't protect Asha like he couldn't protect Kshama. He couldn't go through that again. They were better off without him. "I signed the divorce papers. Your lawyer will receive them tomorrow." he finally replied dejectedly.
Edited by blackcurrant - 16 years ago
Kumkum Bhagya
Anupamaa
