Chapter 9 –
Next morning Kunal moans bit and slowly opens his eyes. As expected he's the only one in the room. After long time he felt somewhat rested today. He was not sure exactly why? Was it because he slept on his gadda, or somewhere he felt that Siddhi was at peace because and he did something Siddhi liked. He wished he could contemplate on that but he had to go to work. As usual he finished his routine in about 30 minutes. He was about to leave but then Siddhi came in the bedroom with tea. Kunal for few seconds stared at her thinking why? He took few steps to leave but again couldn't walk away knowing Siddhi made and brought that just for him. Here Siddhi too stared at Kunal as he stood by the door. This was her second step to bring Kunal back and she really hoped he would drink tea. To put more force to her effort, Siddhi said, "Kunal…plea…"
Before Siddhi could finish her sentence Kunal came to her and started drinking tea. Seeing this, sly smile crept on Siddhi's face. Kunal finished tea and without looking directly at Siddhi was walking out. Right before he left, from corner of his eye he saw Siddhi's smile. For that one second Kunal forgot everything that took place and felt great sense of peace. How much ever he missed seeing that smile for years but couldn't tell anyone. How long he waited to see Siddhi standing before him, in their bedroom smiling away. But now he knows he is the reason for taking away that smile. For years Siddhi only had tears and he was to be blamed. Before tears emerge in his eyes, he walked out. But before he stars walking away he heard Siddhi calling him. He turned back and saw Siddhi standing there with lunch box. Again sly smile and tiffin in hands, Kunal couldn't say no. Seeing all this Siddhi was truly ascetic as she cold not imagine any better way to start her morning.
Both Kunal-Siddhi remained in same cheer for entire day. Whatever work that came, image of each other stayed in their eyes. Kunal just couldn't let go of Siddhi smiling and Siddhi too loved that Kunal drank her tea. She was taken aback how Kunal would only want her "adrakhwali tea" every morning. Kunal too went back 9 years ago how his day would not start till he drank Siddhi's tea. Both thought, although it was just a tea, but conveyed so much. That one small cup of tea was their first step toward normalcy. Looking back they realize their relation too started out with such small steps. Kunal got into habit of drinking tea that only Siddhi made; how he too would make tea for her. Just a small cup but had so much into it for them.
Same evening Kunal came home around 7:30pm. Today he did not have other job so came home early. Siddhi was waiting for him as he had not informed of his work today and seeing him early only made her happy. Both kids too were happy to see their papa. They insisted having dinner together. After dinner, Kunal even tried to help them with their homework as Siddhi was busy with other household chores. Kids were really happy interact with Kunal like this. BA sure had good memories with Kunal but CA was still building them up and this was on top now. As Siddhi entered she saw her family. Her husband and her kids interacting like anay other family. But for her this moment was not as common as for other people. For few seconds she simply stood by door taking pictures in her mind of almost perfect family moment she use to imagine all the time.
Kunal soon realized Siddhi was standing there so he got up from the bed and went at half-berth with his diary. For another hour or so kids did their homework and then it was time to go to bed. Kunal too had taken out his gadda and was ready to fall asleep. But before he closes his eyes he was disturbed by some noise. He turned back to see what are kids up to but to his surprise it was Siddhi. Siddhi was sitting on bed, his side to be exact, trying to set correct station on radio she bought for him. Kunal was bit confused seeing Siddhi with radio and stared at her for a minute. Siddhi felt Kunal's gaze at her but she pretended as if she doesn't know and continued playing with radio to get to the right station. Finally she got station for Bhule Bisre Geet.
RJ spoke, "the next song sure is one of classic. All those who love oldies, well no one can miss this."
Main kya karu ram mujhe budha mil gaya………
Both Kunal-Siddhi were shocked to hear this song. They looked at each other, thinking is this possible? Unwillingly their eyes met each other and both again went back a decade. Very first time when Kunal tunred on radio after their marriage, this song was played and the way Siddhi had laughed on it. Once again Siddhi couldn't control and started laughing same way. Kunal looking at her once again saw same Siddhi. That moment and this moment, what made them beautiful is Siddhi laughing whole heartedly, without holding anything back. Even after so many years her innocence is untouched, so pure and simple. Her laughter was pure music to his ears and he wished it never stops. Not realizing when but Kunal too had started laughing with Siddhi. Both experiencing very honest moment right now, recollecting their precious memories and enjoying them, together.
Both of them continued laughing that annoyed kids. They were trying to fall asleep but seemed their parents have some other plan. They were sure surprised to see both of them laughing so hard. None of them have ever seen either of their parent laugh like this. Once in a while BA had managed to blackmail Kunal in smiling but even that wasn't as honest as what he was seeing right now. CA had seen Siddhi crying more often than anything else and if she smiled, it hardly lasted 2 seconds.
BA being who is questioned them, "papa, what happened? Why are you laughing so hard and ma you too?"
Seeing BA question him brought Kunal back to present time. Siddhi too stopped laughing and looked at kids. Kunal realized he was actually laughing with Siddhi for some time and that just didn't make sense to him. Without answering anyone, he turned around and put blanket on his head. Siddhi too put radio on side, turned light off and went to sleep. For good amount of time both Kunal-Siddhi didn't fall asleep. They kept thinking about the moment they shared just now. It seem so easy for them to let go of everything that took place till now and enjoy each other's company and laugh together once again. Both laughed the way they use to, how their life was with each other; full of love and joy. Both still love each other more than anything, but what time and destiny had done to them…….
For next week or more Kunal-Siddhi's life seemed getting use to with the specific schedule. Every day Kunal would leave for work and some night would work extra. Siddhi would do everything she use to for Kunal and wait for him to have dinner. Kunal too made sure he did everything that Siddhi wanted. To anyone it may seem things are normal but that was not the case, at least not yet. Family member as usual were oblivious to what had taken place and what was still going on.
One afternoon Siddhi was sitting in her room, not much to do just thinking, "Kunal seems to be getting back to normal. For my sake he spends more time in home and tries to engage with us, but I know he is still very much disturbed. He still is not able to see in mirror. Even today when mistakenly he came in front of mirror he almost jumped away. What I have done so far is good but not enough. What more can I do that he once again walks with the attitude that makes him The Kunal Chopra. My akdoo and uncompromising husband who sacred everyone with his mere presence."
As usual Kunal still went by pawai lake after work every evening. Sitting at his usual spot he too was introspecting. He noticed that each day Siddhi is trying her best to make things as they use to be. Her adrakhwali tea every morning, tiffin box and radio at night. He too somewhere wishes things go back to how they were. He sure once again expects Siddhi to be there every day to interact with him and both of them just can get pass everything that took place. But there was something holding him back. As much as he wanted to go back to time where his life was perfect because of Siddhi's presence, he couldn't. Before he can think of anything more, his cell phone rang. Kunal looked at it and it was Siddhi…….
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