Epilogue
One Month Later...
"One final question Ma'am?"
"Please go ahead."
"Smita, the protagonist in Samarpan, went through a number of negative relationships in her life before meeting Varun. Do you think it is really possible in real life to come away unscathed if someone has suffered such negativity in the beginning of their lives?"
"Of course it is possible. It's just a matter of perspective. Each and every person who has been part of our lives helps in broadening our horizon of consciousness...and that involves all the so-called negative relationships too. Once you come to terms with the realization of Why the negative relationships were in your life, you have learnt to pave way for a future sans such negativity. Life has it's own way of teaching us lessons and to decide for ourselves which direction to take. Don't you think so?"
"But Ma'am, in reality will someone like Smita ever achieve peace of mind after such traumatic experiences?"
"Aha!..."Someone like Smita"...By saying that you are making her seem like a model victim of sorts, whereas by the end she ceased to think herself as one. In fact, if you ask me, after she met Varun, she met the warrior side of her own self. As far as achieving "peace of mind" (making finger quotes gesture) is concerned ...it's a phrase that is just so subjective. Well, I am no philosopher, but I can safely say that acceptance brings peace...peace that was always there within you, waiting for your acceptance. Simply put, you have your peace of mind when you surrender to what's on your mind. Letting go is acceptance, and not denial of what happened. What you see as the end of the road is actually not...there's always a bend...and there's always someone or something to guide you to it. (pausing for a fraction of a second) Hmm! To be more clear, I would like to read the last two paragraphs of the final chapter?:
Varun held her gaze and said, "Smita, when I wasn't even aware of it, you showed me how lonely I was; then you smiled and suddenly I felt whole. You made me feel again and showed me that there was someone who loved me and needed my love. Now, I say the same thing to you, darling, that there is someone who needs you and who wants to take your loneliness away. I need you...and know that you need me. Will you marry me?"
Smita looked back at him for what seemed an eternity, and then she smiled, nodding. As he pulled her into his arms, happiness radiating from his smile, she couldn't help thinking, "Varun is right. I can feel it...I can feel the peace in this surrender. There's no place I'd rather be than here...in this moment...emotionally and physically. No memory of past and no worry of future can spoil what is now."
The reporter looked up as understanding dawned. Aarti smiled at him, and he smiled back, "You are right. I have my answer. Thanks Ma'am."
As the press conference concluded, Yash stood up holding Aarti's hand and announced, "Thank you very much for gracing the launch party of my wife's book. Our family is much obliged. Please move to the Banquet hall for some music and dinner." He looked around proudly at the elite gathering at Aarti's book launch party. Mr Swami had done a wonderful job with the prelaunch publicity. He had pulled all the stops...press releases, online events, tagging the book bloggers, the literary circles, the reading clubs, and so on. Initially he had passed on the book discreetly to a few known critics who owed him favors for a behind-the-scene feedback. The verdict was unanimous; each one of them had come back with a thumping review: This will be a winner all the way.
As the rest of the family moved in to congratulate Aarti, she turned to Yash, "Did I do OK?" spoken softly with a slight quiver in her voice, noted only by him. He threw his arm around her and smiled, "You did much more than OK...You did fantastic."
The children came and embraced her. Payal was all agog with excitement and pride, "Mumma! You were enchanting. You speak so well. I am so...so proud of you. My friends are waiting for you back there. Should I get them?
"Sure angel...and thanks."
As Payal rushed to the group of youngsters standing at the end of the hall, Aayu whispered, "Err...mumma!"
"What's it Aayu?"
"Actually, I couldn't understand half the thing you said...all grown-up stuff. But I clapped the loudest...so did Karan and Rohan. They have gone to get something to eat. They'll meet you later. OK if I join them?"
Aarti smiled and gave him a final squeeze, "Go...The dessert table is on the left." Grinning from ear to ear he ran off.
The evening at Scindia Shereton stretched longer than expected. The buzz about the book had attracted many out-of-town media people and litterateurs as well. All of them wanted to have a personal word with the new writer on the block. Aarti found herself surrounded by a throng of people all the time. Yash never left her side.
************************************************
Payal checked her phone for her social network messages before turning in for the night. Aayu had gone to his room after bouncing around her room for quite a few merry minutes, chatting with her about the party, and feeling mighty proud of their mumma...till Yash had come and directed him to go to his room after the Goodnights. It was much past his regular bedtime, and he had to get up early next day for his Tennis lessons.
Payal yawned and checked her mail for a last look. She almost leapt up with joy and ran to Aayu's room.
He was already asleep. However, Payal couldn't wait to share the news, "Wake up Aayu! C'mon...wake up."
Aayu stirred and sat up, rubbing his eyes, "Di...what happened?"
Payal hugged him with a laugh, "I couldn't wait. I had to congratulate you now."
"Congratulate me? What did I do?" Aayu was wide awake now. He just couldn't recall what he had done that got her so excited.
Payal sat cross-legged on his bed and beamed, "You won the Runner-up prize in the International Photo Contest for Kids conducted by National Geographic."
"WHAT???...But I didn't..."
"You didn't. But I did. On your behalf."
"Really Di."
"Yup...A friend of mine had mentioned about the contest. So I sent a few of those Nainital pictures you clicked. I wanted it to be a surprise. I saw the mail confirming the prize just now."
Aayu jumped on her lap and hugged her tight, "Oh..thank you...thank you...thank you Di. My wonderful, wonderful Di." The next moment he was on the floor pulling her down, "Come...come...Let's go and tell papa, mumma."
"What? No...no...not now, Aayu. We shouldn't disturb them now."
"Why not?"
"You have to understand...They have had a hectic day. They must be very tired. Tell you what...we'll wake them tomorrow with the Great news...OK?"
"OK Di. If you say so." He felt low for exactly half a second and then looked up with a twinkle in the eyes, "But both of us can celebrate, right?"
"Aayu...what do you have in mind?"
"They sent home the remainder of the chocolate cake. C'mon Di...let's raid the fridge. And Di..."
"Yes?"
"May I sleep with you tonight? I'll be too excited to fall asleep alone."
She laughed and ruffled his hair, "Of course! As your Fairy Godmother, I grant you your wish...You are the champ."
And giggling softly they sneaked toward the kitchen.
********************************************
Yash entered the moonlit room to find Aarti standing near the French windows...looking out. He closed the door and walked up to her, hugging her from behind. She let her head fall back on his chest. Together they gazed at the moon-bathed garden in a companionable silence, drawing comfort from each other's presence. Swayed by the flower-tinged fragrance of her hair and the warmth of her soft body, he shifted her into his arms. At that moment, all he wanted to do was to feel her next to him, to revel in her success, and to dazzle in the spark of her being...a spark that brightened his entire universe. There was nothing more he wanted...there was nothing more he wished.
"Yash."
"Hmm!!"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For everything...For being you. You know I am the luckiest woman in the whole wide world...cause I have my very own genie."
"Really? So, does my lady wish for anything in this moment?"
"Only one thing."
"What, my love?"
"An eternity with you...and beyond."
"You got it."
*************The End*************
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