Chapter 23
Kunal and Sidhi were nestled on the bed comfortably in each other's arms. After what they had gone through and the point at which they were, they simply wanted to be with each other, together and close, and no words were required to be said. They were both subconsciously seeking comfort from the fact that their love was actually there in there arms. Perhaps a part of them was scared and insecure that this will disappear again, which only made them hold on to each other tighter. In silence, in warm and happy silence of a beautiful night, both Kunal and Sidhi were convincing their hearts that this was not merely a dream. From time to time they would look at each other and smile, or give a small peck on the other person's cheek. They wanted to drown themselves in the hug, but sleep wouldn't come. Perhaps sleep was also scared of intruding, and ruining a moment that had been awaited for a long long time.
Kunal was rubbing Sidhi's arm, like a mild caress and Sidhi looked at him and giggled.
"Am I your pillow?" Sidhi said naughtily
"No, you are much softer than my pillow." Kunal smiled.
"Ha ha. Really?"
"Yes... Sidhi?"
"What?"
"You're beautiful."
Sidhi blushed, and hid her face in Kunal's chest.
Suddenly she realised something and jerked apart.
"I didn't let him touch me Kunal. He never touched me."
Kunal looked at Sidhi. She looked frightened.
"He didn't even want me. He never touched me. Nobody but you..."
"Don't lie Sidhi. He did touch you."
Kunal said, and sat up on the bed. The expression on his face had changed.
Sidhi looked at the frowning Kunal with fear. Did Kunal not trust her still? Sidhi felt dizzy.
Kunal remembered his ugly confrontation with Abhay.
"you have no rights whatsoever to yell at me about my wife - if I hit her, or if I love her. Or where all did I touch her! I can do whatever I want to her body"
He turned to Sidhi, pointed towards her legs and said.
"He touched you Sidhi, look here..and on your back...that monster dared to put his hands on you and tortured you. I have seen the scars all over your body Sidhi. He put you through hell and you silently suffered it all, for no fault of yours, and I...I did nothing. I should have protected you. My blood boils when I think what he..."
"Kunal, forget about it..."
"No Sidhi, I can't forget. I am sorry I was not there. I should have never let you go to Diwan house alone from Karjat Station that night. I should have been there to protect you. But I will make him pay...that guy will suffer in jail all his life...once I win this case"
"What? Kunal you filed a case against Abhay Diwan. But we don't have any proof and he is very dangerous." Sidhi got up, highly disturbed and agitated.
"Yeah, I filed a case. But not for this. Though I will make sure he gets the toughest punishment ever and pays for this as well..."
"Kunal, tell me, what did you do? You don't know that man. He's a psycho. Why are you going against him?"
"No Sidhi, YOU don't know that man enough. He really is a psycho. You remember the murder case I have been working on, the one you had seen the forensic reports for. It is a 17-yr old case for the murder of Sulekha Diwan's driver, but the case never went to court..."
Kunal filled Sidhi in with all the details of the case.
"I am now convinced that Sulekha Diwan was actually shielding Abhay, who murdered his wife and son, and also Ramnath. The real murderer was Abhay and Sulekhaji went to jail for her son."
Sidhi was shocked. She remembered how Sulekha ji and Abhay used to react differently to a reference to his dead wife. Why sulekha ji was always so scared of Abhay, scared of what he was capable of. How she had understood her sacrifice when they met in jail even when she had said nothing. Several things came back to Sidhi...and what Kunal was saying made so much sense. "Don't underestimate Abhay, just do what he says, don't make him mad" was what Abhay's mother had always told Sidhi while she was agitated at his threats to CA and herself, Sidhi remembered. Yes, Abhay could do anything.
Sidhi was scared.
"Kunal, don't fight this case."
"What? You think I am wrong" Kunal looked back at Sidhi, who looked horrified.
"No that's not the thing. In fact I think you're 100% right. It makes so much more sense, how Sulekhaji behaved...so many things. But now I understand why she's so scared of Abhay. Why she always tried to protect me and warned me to not make him mad, take his threats to CA seriously...Kunal, he is crazy. He can harm you, or kids..."
"Sidhi, don't be scared." Kunal said, holding her.
"I will take care, and nothing will happen."
"No Kunal...I will not let you go to court tomorrow. What if he.."
"Sidhi...relax. Don't panic. Tomorrow he won't even be there. Tomorrow is just the opening hearing. I will present my case to the judge and if he deems fit, he will agree for trial and summons will be sent, else not. Sidhi I know you're worried, but we will, together, protect our children and family. Think about Ramnath's poor family who suffered all their life and got no justice...he died for no reason. Probably because he knew the truth...
Don't worry so much. Abhay deserves to be in jail, and I will make sure he goes there. Come sleep."
Kunal and Sidhi lied down to sleep, but sleep evaded Sidhi's eyes. She trusted Kunal, but couldn't help worrying for her children's safety. Abhay could do anything in vengeance...
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Morning broke and Sidhi and Kunal were waiting at the Mumbai Central platform for the train from Delhi. BA spotted his parents together, looking happy, holding hands from the train window and almost leapt out in happiness. He ran to them as soon as the train stopped and was enveloped in a warm loving embrace. This was everything the little child had ever dreamt of, and this moment meant more to him than the medal he'd won. Together, the three of them dashed to the bus station, where the younger son was soon expected back.
The happy family then headed to a restaurant for a nice celebratory early lunch. Both the children were extremely happy watching their parents so happy together. They didn't ask or say anything, but they just knew that their dreams had come true. They knew both their parents loved them a lot, but they'd never seen them so caring with each other, and together their love just amplified. This was the perfect family.
After lunch, Kunal headed off to the court for his 3pm hearing, while the others went back home to rest. That afternoon, the kids nestled in their mother's arms on either side had the most blissful sleep they could recall.
They were sleeping even when Kunal returned from the court at 6, tired from their trips. Kunal was happy, the case was admitted and all relevant personnel were ordered to be present following week for a trial. Sidhi was still concerned and scared, and decided to not leave her children out of sight till this was through. Veena and Raj came to disturb their coffee chat
Veena: Sidhi, Kunal..
Sidhi: Haan ma. Kuch chaiye?
Veena: Haan. Forgiveness. I am here to forgiveness beta. I can't tell you how sorry I am for everything I did to you
Raj: Yes Sidhi. We brought you in this home and called you our daughter, but we were possibly the worst parents ever. We are so sorry for everything we did and said. We didn't understand you.
Sidhi: It's okay ma. Whatever has happened has happened. Now you all believe in me, that is enough..
Kunal: No, I don't think that is enough...
Sidhi: Kunal, what are you saying?
Kunal: No Sidhi. You have too big a heart. You forgive everything. We've all been very selfish with you and it is not okay. Yesterday you would have killed yourself because of what Ma said had I not come in time. You have suffered so much and you still forgive us. Sidhi, I think you and I should move in a new house alongwith the kids. The farther we stay the less the tension and less misunderstandings. We all could preserve our love better that way I think.
Sidhi: No Kunal, that's not correct. We all made mistakes, but we have to move forward. Let's forget what happened. I want to be with my family. I have lived without their love for far too long...
Having learnt the truth and realized her mistakes thanks to Seema, Veena was most repentant of her behavior and hugged Sidhi, apologizing for her harsh words. For Sidhi, her family had accepted her back again - this was the stuff of dreams.
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Precap:
"I have a surprise for you"
"What?"
"Not what, who"
"Who have you brought Kunal?"
CID
Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain?
Tujhse Hai Raabta
Real Estate
