FF: Forgiveness Part12: Pg37: 21/09 - Page 4

yay!! your back and that too with a bang!! :DD I like the sotryline!! very original!!

Originally posted by: panache

BC....Awesome! I love your writing! Which i haven't often said!! But none the less...this is pretty terrific!!!

By the way, did you ever finish the one with the Michi kids and their love story!!!!I am trying to catch up with the ones htat i missed!

Part 3

"Prachi, are you sure about this?", asked Premlata, worriedly. "I am.", replied Prachi, determinedly. "Prachi, this is coming completely out of the blue, you really need to think more about this.", said Neev, frowning. "I have made up my mind.", said Prachi stubbornly. "More likely you're bloody out of your mind!", snapped Ayesha. "Ayesha ...", said Neev warningly. "No Neev, someone has to talk sense into her.", said Ayesha. And then in a much softer tone added, "Prachi, you're can't replace Kshama this way." Prachi was prepared for this accusation, it was something she had questioned herself repeatedly about. "I know she is not Kshama. I know I can't bring back my children!", said Prachi.

There was a moment of silence, before Prachi continued, "I can't explain it. It just feels like the right thing to do. For the first time, in two years, it feels like what I'm doing is making sense. All I know is that I can not let this child go to an orphanage and I know I can provide her with a good home. I can't remember the last time I felt so certain about anything.". "Prachi, I understand you feel strongly about this but I'm not convinced. It's only been a week since you've come to know about this child", said Neev. "Neev, I'm not asking for your permission. I'm asking for your support, all of yours. But whether I get it or not, I'm doing this.", said Prachi decisively, before she walked out the room.

Milind was dosing of, as he sat on the sofa. But he woke up when he felt the first raindrops hit his face. He got up and closed the sliding door to the balcony. The storm that had been threatening for the last hour had finally broken. Milind looked out the glass door as the lightning struck over the Istanbul city landscape. This was the city, he had tried to lose himself in for the last two years. But he couldn't stop it, the storm brought back the memories.

"Okay, I'll be there.", said Milind before cutting off the call. "You'll be where?",asked Prachi sharply, though she already had a fairly good idea. "Mallika has set up an emergency meeting with the contractors.", replied Milind, as he accelerated more. Prachi glared at him, before looking out the window as the rain started to fall even more heavily. "Prachi, I have to be there.", said Milind. He knew she was angry about the long hours he was working but why couldn't she understand that he was doing it for them. They had another baby on the way and he wanted his children to have everything he never had. "Mamma, are we there?", asked Kshama, getting increasingly restless in the back seat. "Sit back, Kshama.", said Prachi sternly.

She was having a difficult pregnancy and Milind constantly being away and working in such close proximity with his new business partner Mallika was not helping the situation. Today was just typical of what had been happening for the past few months. They were already late for Sumit's christening because Milind had got back from work late and now he wasn't even going to attend the function. Prachi couldn't remember the last time he had put his family before his work. "Listen, I'll try to finish up as quickly as I can. I'm sure I'll make it back before the end.", said Milind trying to pacify her. "Why does this meeting have to be now of all times?', asked Prachi unable to hide her irritation any longer. "We are behind schedule, if we don't sort this out immediately, it's going to be a huge loss.", replied Milind, irritated himself now.

"And that's all that matters anymore, isn't it?", asked Prachi angrily. Milind gripped the steering wheel tighter and inadvertently stepped harder on the accelerator, "What's that supposed to mean?", he asked. "When was the last time your family mattered more than a meeting?", asked Prachi bitterly. Milind looked at her angrily, "I'm doing this for you and the kids!". "I'm not asking you to!", said Prachi, her voice raised. "What do me want to do? Tell me because I don't know anymore." yelled back Milind. "Pappa …", said Kshama, scared to see her parents yelling. Immediately both Milind and Prachi came to their senses. They turned around to look at her but in that split second their lives changed forever.

"Thank you for being here.", said Prachi, smiling at Ranvir. Even though her family was sceptical, at least he was being supportive. He had turned out to be a real friend, these past two years. They were about to meet Sarika Gadghil, the social worker assigned to look into Prachi's application for the adoption. Prachi was nervous but she was armed with the conviction of her beliefs. "Sit down.", said Sarika, an attractive thirty something upon them entering the small office in the hospital. "Can I ask you why you're interested in adopting?", asked Sarika. "I believe I can give this child a good home.", said Prachi simply and honestly. "That's good but I got to ask. Are you and your husband unable to have children of your own?", asked Sarika nodding towards Ranvir. "This isn't my husband.", said Prachi quickly. "I'm Ranvir Gupta, Prachi's friend.", said Ranvir.

Sarika frowned, "Mrs Mishra, it's states here on these forms you're married. Can I ask where is your husband? Was he unable to make it today?". "My husband isn't part of this adoption. We have been separated for almost two years now.", said Prachi. "Legally?", asked Sarika. Prachi suddenly felt foolish. Of course her marriage status was going to play a factor in this adoption. And she was also alarmed. She and Milind had never formalized their separation. "We're not legally separated.", admitted Prachi slowly. "Mrs Mishra, I was inclined to look very favorably at your application but this poses a problem. Since you are still legally married, you need your husband's consent for this adoption to go ahead.", said Sarika. "What's the alternative?", asked Prachi, struggling to comprehend this turn of events. Sarika looked at her hesitantly, "Well, if your husband really isn't going to be a part of this adoption and you intend to adopt as a single parent, you need to formalize your separation or an even better option would be to start divorce proceedings. " Prachi looked at her shocked. Was she ready to cast Milind out of her life forever?