Epilogue (iv)
Note: I am sorry I will not be completing the fic with this update. There is one more to go. As usual I have over stretched myself.
Prachi woke up the next morning at the crack of dawn and gazed lovingly at her handsome husband who was still fast asleep. In sleep he looked innocent and childlike despite the few grey hairs on his temples. Milind proudly called them the silver strands of wisdom and teased her that she does not have any grey hairs yet because she hasn't developed any wisdom. Barring these few grey strands, his unlined youngish looking face belied his forty-five years of age. She trained her gaze on his full well-shaped lips which must have kissed her atleast a million times by now, she thought shyly. Her eyes then moved up and rested on the moustache that lined his beautifully sculpted upper lip. To her surprise she noticed a couple of grey hairs there and gently ran her fingers on them. Her touch awoke him and before she could remove her hand, Milind caught her by the wrist and seeing her bemused expression he raised his eyebrow quizzically.
"Your moush has started to grey!" she teased.
"So what? My desire for you is still evergreen!" he retorted and pulled her against his chest. He wrapped his other arm around her waist and pressed her against him, making her aware of his growing arousal.
"Milind! We have a teenage daughter in the house who is turning sixteen today. We cannot be fooling around like teenagers ourselves, that too in broad daylight!" she admonished him. Wriggling out of his hold, she rushed to the bathroom and banged the door shut.
Milind turned on his stomach and smilingly took the photo frame on the side table. It was a picture of his wife. He traced her lips with his finger tips and kissed it.
Back in the bathroom, Prachi brushed her teeth and later got into the tub for a bath. As she soaped herself she was lost in thought. Today was the day they were to tell Sahana the truth about her birth. Prachi was very nervous about how she will react. Her thoughts flew back to that fateful day when she realised there was no escaping her past.
Prachi's flashback
A month back Prachi had overheard Milind speaking to someone over the phone.
"OK. I'll arrange for the money but please do not take any hasty steps, Alaap. I don't want my two precious girls hurt by your vindictiveness."
Prachi's eyes widened in surprise. How does Milind know Alaap? And why was he paying him money? It suddenly struck her that Alaap was blackmailing him. There was only one thing that he could blackmail him about and that was her past. She confronted Milind who, at first, was reluctant to reveal the truth but finally admitted that Alaap had called him up the previous week demanding a huge sum of money to keep his mouth shut about Sahana's paternity.
It seems that Alaap had seen a picture of their family in the newspapers which covered a business party they had attended together. As Milind was a successful businessman he easily traced him and came to Pune. He befriended someone in Milind's office and found out that Prachi had married Milind within a month of absconding from her home town. He also came to know that they had a sixteen-year old daughter. On a hunch he tracked Sahana's school records to check her date of birth. As he suspected, she seemed to have been born prematurely. His suspicions were confirmed when his source mentioned that Milind met Prachi in London where they were studying in the same college. As he knew for a fact that Prachi was very much in India at the time, he put two and two together and realised that Prachi was already pregnant with Sahana and Milind seemed to be aware of the truth, going by the story he floated about their meeting in London. He couldn't understand how a man can readily accept a 'fallen' woman like Prachi and also lie for her. He came to know then that Prachi and Sahana were Milind's greatest weaknesses. His criminal mind then hit upon the idea of blackmailing Milind for money by threatening to reveal the truth to Sahana. He claimed to have photographs and letters to prove Prachi's relationship with Neev which he planned to show Sahana. As he expected Milind seemed anxious to keep things under wraps.
Hearing what Milind said about Alaap, Prachi's eyes filled up with tears. She knew how much Milind detested being taken advantage of but the guy was willing to give in to her brother's demands for her sake. She cannot let him do that. He has already done enough for her. She told him that Alaap was an insatiable snake and the blackmailing would not stop if he paid up. He would forever hold their secret over their heads and keep demanding for more and more money. She hated to see Milind cave in to that scoundrel's blackmailing. She said that it would be better if she herself comes clean with her daughter.
Deep down Milind too wanted to tell Sahana about her real father when she was old enough to understand, for he felt she had the right to know about her antecedents. He did not fear that she would love him any less if she knew the truth because he was very secure in her love. But telling her the truth about her father would also mean admitting the truth about her mother. He was not sure how Sahana would take that. He also knew how much it would hurt Prachi if she fell in the eyes of her daughter. As they say, 'Why mend something which ain't broken?' so he thought it was best to keep quiet about the whole issue. But hearing Prachi's apprehensions about Alaap, he was not sure silence would help. It may in fact make it worse if she hears the truth from Alaap or someone else. There was no knowing how many people Alaap has already confided in. They still did not know what became of Prachi's step-mother who seemed untraceable. What if she too knows about the truth and starts threatening next.
Milind hesitated, wondering what to do but Prachi insisted in telling the truth for all their peace of mind. Milind assured her that both of them will tell the truth to Sahana on her sixteenth birthday which was to be celebrated shortly. He wanted to invite Neev over although he did not let him know that they were planning to reveal the truth to his daughter. She agreed although she was apprehensive about the whole thing. He kept assuring her that he will make sure everything went well and his daughter comes out of this as a stronger individual.
To shut Alaap up, Milind promised to give him the money but had also informed the police about his extortion attempts. So the police wound him up just as he was about to take the money from Milind's hands and was locked up in prison. He also engaged a private detective to find out more about Alaap's life in the past fifteen years so as to unravel any secrets of his own which could ensure that he spent a longer time in prison.
Suddenly Prachi was brought back to the present by the loud banging at the door.
"Prachi! What are you doing in there for so long? Have you fallen asleep?" Milind was yelling out.
Prachi hurriedly stepped out of the tub and wrapped herself in a large towel. When she opened the latch, Milind who was leaning on the door fell on her. Before she went crashing to the floor, he held her tightly around her waist and pulled her to him. The wet drops of water on her shoulders and arms dampened his kurta. For a minute the two of them froze still, absorbed in each other.
"Come on boys wake up, wake up. Don't you want to wish Sahana di on her birthday? " Neha's shrill voice from the next room broke their trance. Milind ran his fingers through his hair in embarrassment and went into the bathroom to complete his morning routine while Prachi hastily changed into her clothes before going to help Ramu kaka prepare Sahana her favourite breakfast and wish her darling daughter.
That evening a grand party was arranged for Sahana. Baba and Bua who had returned from Mumbai by lunch time, helped in welcoming the guests. Ayesha and Varun arrived with their daughters, Ananya and Sukanya, aged twelve and seven. Ayesha had never stopped thanking Milind for saving their marriage which was on the rocks more than 15 years ago. It was Milind who had finally worked out a compromise between the couple. Varun was to let her start the boutique and she was to fulfil his wish of having a baby as soon as she had settled in her business. They agreed, for both of them were still very much in love with each other. Milind then advised them that in marriage there was no place for ego. Whatever problems they faced in future they needed to communicate openly and treat each other as equals in this life partnership. Those pearls of wisdom stood them in good stead and they were a happily married couple.
With the grown-ups engaged in conversation, the children had their own fun together. Ishan took a fancy for pretty little Sukanya or Suki as she was called. He faced some stiff competition from Sanjay though, for he too wanted to impress the little girl. Noticing the boys' blatant attempts to win her over, Sahana and Sanaya teased their brothers endlessly, prompting the boys to chase them around the house. In the meantime Abhay befriended Suki and they ended up playing together. Ananya remained aloof from all this tamasha. Being a quiet child, she was more interested in music. So she walked up to Neev who was managing the juke box and asked him to play the song of her choice. When he obliged, she sat down in a corner, closed her eyes and got immersed in it.
Soon it was time for the party to commence and Milind called all the children back. Once the birthday song was sung and the cake cut, Sahana offered the first piece to Milind. Neev blinked back the tears in his eyes. She then offered the second piece to Prachi. When she took the third piece, Milind prompted her to offer it to Neev. Looking at him puzzled, she nodded and took the piece to Neev's mouth. Neev held her hand and pushed the cake into his mouth, his teary eyes silently thanking Milind who blinked his eyes in acknowledgement. She then distributed the cake to her Dada, Bua Dadi and the rest of the guests.
The guests were served refreshments and later there were games organised by Ayesha and Neha. Buffet dinner was served after that and by the time the guests, including Ayesha's family left, it was close to ten o'clock. Baba and Bua retired to bed. The children assembled to open the gifts that the birthday girl had got. Ishan said that he would do the honours, for Sahana was his sister. He looked possessively at Sahana who gave the nod. Soon the kids got engrossed in the gifts which were being unravelled by Ishan. Milind took Prachi to their room inorder to discuss with her the manner in which they will break the truth to Sahana. They planned to call her in after the gift unwrapping was over and slowly break it to her. Neev and Neha watched the kids for some time and suddenly Neev got emotional and abruptly got up and left with Neha following him.
Sitting with the kids, Sahana's eyes suddenly fell on a long envelope which was marked "For Sahana's eyes only." She took the envelope curiously and ripped it open. Inside was a crisp sheet of paper, a couple of old letters and a photograph. She eyed the photograph and her eyes widened in shock to see her mother with Neev uncle. Both looked much younger, maybe in their late teens. Neev had his arm around Prachi's shoulder and she had hers around his waist. She wondered what her mother was doing with Neev uncle for she was under the impression that he was her father's friend and her mother came to know him through her father. She quickly skimmed through the old letters. To her horror she realised that they were old love letters written by Neev uncle to her mother. She turned and saw that her brother and Neev uncle's kids were still engrossed in the gifts and had not noticed Sahana and her letters. She hurriedly got up from there and went to her room with the envelope and its contents. She shut the door and read through the crisp letter.
Dear Sahana,
This is your uncle Alaap writing to you. You may not know me because your mother would not have uttered a word about her family. Why would she? After all now she is the wife of a wealthy businessman. She would be too ashamed to acknowledge her humble relatives. She admitted as much to me herself. She forbade me from seeing you and when I insisted in doing so, she has got me locked up in prison for a crime I did not commit. You may wonder why was she adamant in preventing me from seeing you. Do you know why? She was scared. She was scared that I will reveal the truth about her lack of character and avarice for money.
Yes, Sahana, your mother, after sleeping with her boyfriend of eight years, ditched him on their wedding day, in order to elope with your father because he was rich. Are you shocked? I bet you are. Wait, there is more. The man you are calling your father is not your real father. You are Neev's daughter. Milind accepted to father you because he lusted after your mother.
For their own gains your parents have ruined your life, Sahana. They have ruined it. They deprived you of being raised with love in a normal family, by your own father and mother. Instead you are being raised by a mother who lusts after money and a father who lusts after her. You may biologically be her kid, but my sister Prachi loves your brother more than she loves you because he is Milind's son. Your father pretends to love you but how can any man love another man's child more than his own? So you see, neither of them care for you or love you. They are just keeping up the pretences for the sake of that old man, your grandfather who still thinks you are his own flesh and blood. Once he is gone, I shudder to think what would be your status in this family. That is why I wanted to warn you in advance so that you are not shocked when they throw you out of the house in future.
You ever loving and caring uncle,
Alaap.
Sahana was horror stricken reading this letter. She dropped it and made a dash out of the door. As she ran out into the corridor she overheard voices coming out of the guest room in which Neev and Neha stayed. She stopped and listened.
"Neha, it is so hard to hear Sahana call me Neev uncle. I know I cannot expect anything more but I so want her to call me Dad, atleast once."
"You know that is not possible, Neev......"
Sahana did not wait to hear more. With tears streaming from her eyes, she blindly ran out of the house. Just as she opened the door to rush out, Ishan caught sight of her as he ripped the wrapping of the last gift to be opened.
"Didi, where are you going?" he yelled out in alarm. Neev's kids looked towards the door but she was gone by then.
Hearing Ishan's shout, Milind, Prachi, Neev and Neha came rushing out of their respective rooms. Seeing that Sahana was missing Milind asked his son where was she.
"I don't know Papa. She ran out of the door without turning around," said a confused Ishan.
"Uncle, I saw her running out of her room before she ran out," said Abhay.
Milind rushed to Sahana's room with Prachi, Neev and Neha behind him. He found the letters and photo strewn around. A quick look at the letter told him the reason for Sahana's strange behaviour.
"That rogue, Alaap. If ever I get my hands around his neck, I will throttle him!" he gnashed his teeth.
"What happened?" asked Neev.
"She knows only half truths and lies," whispered Milind angrily handing the letter to him.
Neev was horrified to read it. "Now what do we do?"
"I'll find her."
"I'll come with you," Neev volunteered.
"No Neev. It is better that Prachi and I confront her and explain the truth to her."
Neha nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Neev. Let them handle their daughter. They know best. Moreover, we need to calm the rest of the children. Somebody needs to be with Ishan and assure him all is well with his sister."
Neev had to agree that she was right. By now the children came trickling into the room. Milind quickly shoved the envelope into his pocket lest they see it and asked Ishan to be with Neev uncle and Neha aunty while they go to bring back his sister.
"Why did Didi run away like that?" asked Ishan innocently. "Was she angry that I opened her gifts?"
"No darling. She is not angry with you. She loves you," said Neha patting his cheek. "It's very late. You need to catch up on your sleep." She took the kids to their guest room and made them all lie on the bed. She stretched out between them and tried to envelope them all with her arms asking them if they wanted to hear a story. The children enthusiastically nodded their heads. She then narrated a long fairy tale. Soon the children's eyes felt droopy and they fell asleep.
All the while Neev stood by the window and chewed his nails in nervousness, wondering where his daughter was and what was going on in her mind.
(The next update will definitely be the final one for this FF)
Edited by Opti - 16 years ago
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