RAINBOWS AT THE END OF A DARK NIGHT- A Devakshi SS - Last Chap updated - Page 10

RAINBOWS AT THE END OF A DARK NIGHT

Chapter 7

The next day dawned bright and clear. Sona had spent a sleepless night and was tired. Dev was waiting for a reply from Sona. He was tempted to pick up his phone and talk to her several times during the night but restrained himself.

Sona decided not to go to the hospital that day. She called up her assistant and asked her to reschedule her appointments for the day. She helped Shreya prepare for her school and saw her off at the bus stand, a chore usually done by her father in law. She came back home and found him reading the newspaper. She called out to him "Baba will you have tea? I am making some for myself". "Haan Sona- please make a cup for me too!"Sona came back with two cups of steaming tea after a few minutes and sat down on the sofa opposite to him. She picked up another newspaper, but Baba noticed that after a while she was quiet and not reading anything at all. He picked up his cup of tea and went across and sat next to her. He ran his hand over her head in a loving gesture and said "What happened Sona beta - why are you so worried - won't you tell me?" Sona's eyes filled with tears when he heard his kind words and she replied "Baba there is something bothering me. Can I discuss the matter with you?" "Of course Sona, what is there is ask? Am I not your father?" Baba replied.

Sona started speaking "Baba, last night Dev proposed to me. He wants to marry me. He wants me and Shreya to be part of his life". Baba gently asked "What is it that you want Beta?" "I don't know Baba. I am confused." Sona said. Baba said "I knew that he loves you and now Shreya a lot. I could make out from his eyes. He is an honest man beta. He will look after both of you well. See I don't know how long I will live and your parents are also getting old. How long will you be alone with your daughter. I would feel a lot more happy and relieved to see you settled down. You need the love and companionship. You are not my daughter in law anymore but my daughter and I would want my daughter to be always safe and happy". Hearing his words Sona broke down and cried a lot and said "What if the decision is wrong Baba and Dev is not able to accept Shreya with his heart. So may years back his mother did not accept me and now would she accept me with a five year old daughter?" Baba told her soothingly "That will not happen as he really cares for both of you".

Sona was quiet for a while, thinking. Baba said "I think you should accept this proposal. At least meet him and explain your concerns to him. Am sure that he will understand".

Sona nodded her head. She went in for a shower and freshened up. She sent a text message to Dev stating that she wanted to meet him. Dev saw the message and replied immediately and they agreed to meet in an hour's time at the coffee shop next to her hospital.

As soon as Sona entered the coffee shop, she noticed Dev sitting at a corner table by the window, overlooking the busy street. The coffee shop was relatively empty because it was late afternoon. Dev got up and said "Hi Sona". Sona smiled nervously and said "Thanks for coming Dev". Both of them sat down. Dev looked at Sona and did not say anything as he wanted her to speak first. He signaled for the waiter and asked him to get two hazelnut lattes. After the coffees were placed on their table, Sona looked up finally and cleared her throat and started speaking "Dev, I thought a lot about what you told me last night. I was shocked initially. In order for you to understand my response, I want to take you back ten years when we broke up that fateful night at the hospital. I was devastated Dev as I was hopelessly in love with you then and I couldn't get over the fact that you walked out of my life so unceremoniously. I agree that married Ritwik on a rebound and initially our married life was like two strangers and then two friends living together. It took me more than two years to get close to him. We were just settling down in our lives like a normal couple when I lost him in an accident. I was shattered as he had been my support system. I found out a few weeks after he died that I was pregnant. I didn't know what was happening to my life as it was going out of control. I could have gone back to Delhi but didn't want to burden my parents. So I stayed back here with Baba and Shreya was born".

"I set up the NGO sometime when Shreya was about six months old. And now that has become an important part of my very existence. Over the years, I have stopped thinking about myself... my priorities in life are Shreya, Asha Deep and Baba and my Maa Baba. So I am not sure if I will be able to give you any happiness if I were to get married to you Dev. I am not sure if you understand what I am trying to say".

Dev was satisfied that at least she spoke to him on what was disturbing her. He took her hands in his and said "I understand completely Sona. I cannot even explain how I have regretted my decision to part ways with you so many years back. Now life has given us a second chance at happiness and love, please don't shut the door on this chance. I know you need time - I am willing to wait. More importantly, don't you think that Shreya needs a father in her life. I really love her ... She is such a loving child. Don't you think she deserves the best. I will be the best father for her. Moreover, I need you in my life for love, happiness and stability. I promise I will never let anything happen to you or Shreya".

Sona was listening quietly to Dev and realized her eyes were moist. She then looked at him in his eyes and said "You must know something else also Dev. I am not sure whether we would be able to have any children together. I am thirty six and there were many complications during Sona's birth. I am telling you this because its important and relevant for our future together". "Sona I don't need another child we have Shreya isn't it" Dev said earnestly.

"Then my answer is a yes Dev" Sona said. Dev's hear skipped a beat and he couldn't trust himself to speak for a few minutes. He held on to her hand tightly and said "I don't know how to thank you Sona for this. I love you so much!"

Dev went back to Delhi the next day morning. Sona spoke to her parents and Mr. Sen supported her decision to marry Dev. Sona and Dev decided that she would go to Delhi the next weekend with Shreya and meet both sets of parents.

The next few weeks passed off in a blur. Ishwari was initially shocked when Dev came back from Delhi and the first thing he told her was "Maa I need to speak to you. I have decided to get married". Ishwari was elated and said "That's wonderful beta, who is the girl?" Dev told her "Please sit down Maa". Ishwari sat down and asked again "Tell me about the girl you have chosen." Dev cleared this throat and said "Maa its Sona". "what ...how is that possible Dev beta. She is married". Dev replied "Maa she was married. Ritwik died in an accident five years back. I met her in Mumbai this time unexpectedly and realized that I cannot live without her. We have decided to give our relationship another chance and want to get married". Ishwari was surprised and was about to protest, when she noted the happiness in Dev's face after so many years and the shine in his eyes and she simply said "Of course beta. I am with you on this decision". Dev said "There is something else you need to know, she has a five year old daughter also." Ishwari said "Your happiness is all that matters to me Dev so shall I call panditji for a date before we speak to Sona's family?" Dev nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile Sona spoke to her parents from Mumbai about Dev. Much happy as Bijoy was happy about Sona deciding to remarry, he was unhappy and unsure about her choice in Dev. But as he and Asha were seeing Sona so happy and sure after many years they agreed.

When Sona and Shreya landed in Delhi ten days later, Sona's family was there at the airport to meet her. She hugged them tearfully. As she hugged her mother, Asha said "I am happy for you and Shreya. I am sure that Dev will keep both of you very happy". Sona and Dev had decided that Dev wouldn't come to the airport. Once they reached home, Sona went upto her old room and called up Dev. He picked up at the first ring and said "I was just waiting for your call impatiently. Did u and Shreya have a comfortable flight? Did her ears hurt? I have heard that most children under the age of eight suffer from ear aches during flight take- off and landing." Sona smiled and said "No she is fine. What time are you coming here in the evening?" Dev said "I will be there at 5 PM. Hope that's alright".

At 5 PM an unusually nervous Dev Dixit rang the doorbell of the Bose residence after many years. The he heard running feet and the door was opened by none other than Shreya. She looked at him and shrieked "Dev Uncle! How are you? What are you doing here?" and gave him a tight hug. He was so happy to see her that he picked her up in his arms and gave her a kiss on her forehead and asked "How is my princess". Bijoy and Asha came upto him by then, he put Shreya down and he touched Asha and Bijoy's feet and took their blessings. They all then went and sat down on the sofas. There was a bit of an awkward silence when Shreya walked upto him and quietly sat down on Dev's lap, oh so naturally. Dev immediately, for some inexplicable reason, felt so much more assured. He said "Baba, Maa. I know all this is very sudden but I really love Sona and Shreya and I promise I will look after them till my last breath. Please give me one last chance". Bijoy and Asha looked at each other and Bijoy said "we believe you Dev as this is a question of their future. However don't forget that I will be watching every move you make". Dev was so relieved. He gently turned Shreya's face around and said "You know beta that you should now start called me Papa". Shreya looked confused and everyone around her smiled.

Sona came down the stairs then dressed in a simple elegant yellow salwar suit and Dev noticed that she was still not wearing any jewellery. After having tea and snacks, Dev, Sona and Shreya went to Dixit House. When they sat in the car, Dev handed over a small box to Sona and said "This is for you". "What is it Dev?" asked Sona as she opened the box. She saw there was a par of twinkling solitaire diamonds in the box. The solitaires were big and must have cost a small fortune. She said "I cannot accept these Dev. Its too expensive". Dev retorted "Don't think about the price tag please. Please wear it I feel it symbolizes a new beginning." Sona looked at him and decided to wear the earrings immediately.

When they were on their way, Ishwari was nervous. She was pacing in her room when MAmaji came and asked her "What happended Ishwari? Why are u so nervous?". "Bhaiyaa I am happy on one hand that Dev is getting married and on the other hand I am worried whether Sona will be able to forgive me after so many years and also whether I will be able to accept her daughter as my own granddaughter?" Ishwari explained.

Mamaji said "Don't think about these things now. Just meet them cordially and with love and see everything will work out ok". Just then they heard the sound of Dev's car coming in and the sound the car doors opening. Ishwari went down quickly and took the arti ki thaal which Nikki had prepared and kept on the side table near the door. She reached the door and saw Dev and Sona standing there. Sona and Dev bent and touched her feet and took her blessings. Then Dev moved and she saw the most sweet and cute little girl standing there. She looked at her and the girl clutching Dev's hand smiled shyly back. Shreya came forward and touched Ishwari's feet and said "Namaste Dadi". Ishwari's heart immediately melted and all her doubts and apprehensions seemed to disappear. She completed the arti and hugged Sonakshi and said "Welcome back to the house beta". She immediately picked up Shreya and said "I was waiting for you for so long you know?" Dev and Sona looked at each other and smiled.

Dev took Sona upstairs and said "I have a surprise for you" and opened the door next to his. It was Shreya's new room fully decorated and furnished complete with a pink bed and dolls and teddy bears. Sona opened the cupboard and found it fully stacked with new clothes and shoes. She was overwhelmed and turned around as said "Dev you shouldn't have spent so much money". "Please let me decide how much to spend for my daughter!. Moreover, the new wardrobe and clothes are a gift from her buas".

When they went back downstairs, they found Shreya talking nineteen to a dozen, sitting at the dining table, and Ishwari lovingly feeding her halwa. "Looks like I have already lost the priority of importance in Maa's list. I have to thank you for this Sona" Dev said softly.

The next month passed off in a whirl. Dev and Sona got married in a simple court marriage and a reception for close friends and family. Tired after the reception, Ishwari and Nikki took Sona to a decorated room and said "Wait here for Dev. Don't worry about Shreya she will sleep with me tonight" said Ishwari. Nikki and Rhea gave Sona a hug and left the room. Dev came in after sometime and found Sona standing near the window. He went upto her and said "I cant believe that this is actually happening. Thanks for coming into my life again Sona".

Sona said "I need to tell you something Dev. I hope you understand that all this is very sudden for me. I need some time before you know..." And blushed. Dev was charmed that she was still so shy about somethings and said "I understand Sona and I promise I will wait for you to make the first move when you are ready. Now lets go to bed. You must be also tired".

The next two or three weeks passed off quickly and Sona and Shreya settled down to their new routine in Delhi and Sona helped Baba also settle again in Delhi in a flat which Dev located close to Dixit House so that she could visit him everyday. Dev was very clear that Shreya should spend time with her biological grandfather.

About three weeks after marriage, Dev came back with some papers from office and told Sona "Please go through these forms carefully. These are the admission forms for the best IB school in Delhi. You can check out the website as well. I will also do some research tonight. So that we can ensure that it's the best for Shreya's future". Sona said "Why IB Dev - isn't it so much more expensive?" Dev smiled and said "Nothing is too expensive or good for my daughter. But seriously, studying in an IB school will give her better chances if she wants to study abroad in the future. Also there is one more thing." Sona looked up and said "What?". Dev handed over an affidavit which Sona read and said "Are you sure?". As per the affidavit, Dev officially became Shreya's father and he retained Ritwik as his daughter's middle name and shreya's name officially became Shreya Ritwik Dixit. Sona's eyes filled with tears as Dev said "She is my daughter but I think it is important that she retain a part of Ritwik's memories as well as he was her biological father after all. When she is an adult she will understand". Sona did not say anything and just came forward and gave Dev a bone crushing hug and Dev surprised, hugged her back.

<<End of Chapter 7>>

Originally posted by: Chandniyati

Wow..

What a simple yet heart touching proposal...

I can understand the conflict between Sona's mind n heart...

It's really tough to decide at such point of time... as we have gone through the same situation... that is mom's remarriage... n that too when we were grown up enough...

It's really a breakdown...

N u have penned so sensitively...

Thank you for such an update dear...

Eagerly waiting for the update...

Plz update asap...

Originally posted by: asha2012

Hi

Sorry for the delay in updating the next chapter... was a little tied up in the real world.

Cheers

Asha