Anupama was arranging the files at Anuj's office and suddenly a piece of paper caught her eye. Tears poured down her cheeks, and she did not believe her eyes. It was time for Anuj to return from his meeting, so she quickly hid the piece of paper between his files and wiped her tears.
Anuj: Let's go, Anu.
Anupama: Yeah, how did your meeting go?
Anuj: It went well, but why do you look so dull?
Anupama: (Putting on a fake smile) I am fine.
There was an eerie silence between them in the car as they drove home.
Anuj: Anu, Anu, Anu..
Anupama: Yeah, yeah tell me, what happened?
Anuj: We reached home. Is everything okay? Are you okay? Where are you lost?
Anupama: No where. I am just tired.
Anupama got out of the car and went inside. Anuj looked uneasy and wondered if she had seen that.
After dinner, as usual, Anuj was busy at work. Anupama called Kinjal to ask how Toshu was doing. It has been two months since that incident. Toshu can carry on with his life but is confined to a wheelchair. His lower body is completely crippled. It was almost 2 am when Anuj wrapped up his work. As he entered his bedroom, he saw that the lights are ON.
Anuj: You did not sleep yet?
Anupama: I was not getting sleep and I wanted to talk to you.
Anuj: You saw that? Right?
Anupama: (Nodding her head) I did not know that you were considering divorce.
Anuj: After I lost Choti, getting on with life was extremely difficult for me. If I did not consider divorce I don't think I could have remained sane. You have your kids and you moved on easily but I don't have anyone.
Anupama: Don't you have me?
Anuj: You tell me, do I? Since we lost the custody case, you have been busy with your family and I feel like an outsider. It feels as if I came in between you and your kids and family. I thought that after marriage you can move on. But I was wrong. People don't change easily. Even after your Baa abused you, you consider her your mother. I know I have said that I won't ask you to change and I will keep my promise. I don't expect anything from you anymore and you also shouldn't expect anything from me. The most I can do for you is wait until you say you don't need me. That's my way of taking responsibility for choosing you as my wife. However, I won't go beyond that.
Anupama: What was my fault that we lost choti's custody? What did I do?
Anuj: That's the point, that you did not do anything. You did not do anything that a mother should do for choti.
Anupama: Anuj, give me a chance, I will do better. We can start over.
Anuj: Start over? Is there anything left between us to start over? Just know that you are free to do whatever you want. You don't have to do anything for me or this house, just let me know when you dont need me anymore. We can end this formality.
Anuj's Voiceover:
Kaisa ye waqt hai..
Beete na sard hai..
Kaha naa maine kabhi..
Par kishto mein chubhte hai ye khaare raste..
PS: Suggestions/criticism are welcome. Bas chappal mat maarna koi.
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