Next morning. Roli filled her hairline with vermillion as she stared at her image in the mirror. Though it is so long since Siddhant and she wasn't in good terms, she couldn't stop herself from doing this. Her parents had scolded and criticized her for the same, but she never gave an ear to them on this matter. It almost felt like a part of her, which she couldn't remove that easily, no matter how strained their relationship is.
Today is the second hearing of their divorce case. The very thought that she's gonna meet Siddhant created a sense of unknown happiness inside her. The purpose of the meeting may be negative, but it is insignificant to her heart, which is craving for his presence. She doesn't know what is gonna happen in the court, or how she's gonna respond, however she's very much sure that she still loves him and that too a lot.
At the family court. Roli stepped out of the car to the yard of the court with her parents accompanying her. They walked up to the family court building in the shade of large mahogany trees while Roli's mind is all filled with puzzles. Just then, she looks up, only to see Siddhant looking at her. His sad and sunken face with traces of shabby beard and swollen eyes with dark circles around broke her in to pieces. Why is he looking so sad when he signed her divorce papers himself, she thought as she stared in to his dark eyes which has always attracted her. Sid's state is no different. He's too lost in her eyes reminiscing all the lovely moments they had once shared.
Like, hypnotized, Roli left her mother's hand that was holding hers and walked up to Siddhant, still staring at him.
"Roli!!! What are you doing???' her Mom yelled, but she continued walking up to him surprising her parents and at the most, Siddhant. Yet, he walked forward involuntarily so as to reach her. There is something in her face that makes him worried is it the weakness in her movements?
"Roli?' he began as she came closer to her, her eyes half closed and her body going out of balance. Yet, she tried to call him and almost extended her hands to his face, but ended up losing her consciousness and balance. A baffled and panic stricken Siddhant quickly wraps his hand around her waist stopping her from falling.
"Roli!!!' he shouted aloud as she fell in to his arms like a weak fowl, her eyes closed, her face pale. Roli's parents are also shocked and rushed to her. But Siddhant who's very much worried by her state is in no mood to pay heeds to them and sits with her on the ground, trying to awaken her.
"Roli! Roli! What happened to you? Roli! Open your eyes Roli! Roli!!!' he cried as he tapped her cheeks slightly, his eyes getting moist. no matter, how much differences they share, no matter how many misunderstandings they have, his heart can't tolerate to see her so, weak and broken.
"Roli, beta, what happened to you?' Meena too cried, rubbing her palms.
"Driver! driver!' Jamnalal shouted, making the guy run out of the car and reach them. He just looked at Jamnalal confused and then at Roli.
"What are you looking at? Pick her up! We should rush her to the hospital!' Meena shouted. The guy nodded and almost reached Roli who's in Siddhant's lap.
"Not needed!' Sid yelled making Roli's parents shocked. His words and gaze sharp alike. He then stood up with Roli in arms and looked at her parents.
"Hey what are you...' Jamnalal began, only to be cut by him at the mid.
"She's my wife! I don't need anyone's favor to take her to the hospital.' he said, looking angry and worried.
"You can't do this. She's our daughter...' Meena opposed, only to earn another burning glance from Sid.
"Till this day, I haven't been impulsive to you though you have caused a lot of destruction in my life. That wasn't because I was afraid of you and your pomp and luxury; it was just because you're my Roli's mom. But now, if you continue to come in my way even when my Roli is lying unconscious, I would rather forget that you're her mother. And then probably, you'll have to see a different face of Siddhant. So moveee!!!' he shouted, making Roli's parents shudder. His red eyes and grave face almost made Roli's parents stop in their tracks while Sid rushed with Roli to his car. He placed her gently in the car and drove away to the hospital without waiting for her parents.
Much later.
Siddhant sat by Roli on her bed, his one hand on her belly and other caressing her hairs. She's still unconscious, but the doctor has revealed it to him. The fact that she's carrying their child. The very realization shocked and broke him at the same time. Not that he is happy with the news. Yes, he's! In fact it is one of the greatest news of his life. He had also dreamed of the day when he'd get to know of this news but what kills him from inside is the fact that Roli hid it from him. A while before when the doctor asked him if he doesn't know that his wife is pregnant, he felt absolutely numb and powerless. Of course, he must have been the first person to know it after her, but she didn't say it to him. Why did she do that, he wondered. But strangely, he isn't feeling angry at her, in fact he himself doesn't know what he's feeling. There's a weight chocking his chest, making it uncomfortable even to breathe. Lying before him is that girl who he loves the most, who's carrying a part of him inside, but is reluctant to even spell the happy news to him. What should he do, let her decide or make a decision himself? Will she agree if he make a decision for them, their baby? he didn't have a clue either. He just sits by her, staring at her, not knowing what to do.
"Excuse me sir,' Sid heard a voice calling him and turned to see a nurse at the door. He got up quickly and nodded as she made her way in.
"Sir, these are couple of medicines that are stock out in the block right now. Please can you get it from the medical shop?' she asked while Sid simply nodded getting the prescription from her.
"I'll come in a minute. Please take care of her.' Sid said as he stepped out, looking at Roli once before leaving.
44