Part 3
Khalid stepped out of the room. Kabir and Ananya stared at each other. A few minutes later Kabir had jumped out of bed and held Ananya in a bone-crushing hug.
Kabir was frantic and excited.
Kabir: Where have you been? I have spent every living moment looking for you. But it doesn't matter. You are back. I knew you'd come back. Our love is strong. We can conquer everything. We can start over.
Ananya was overcome with emotion and could feel herself breaking down. But she gathered herself and gently but firmly pushed Kabir away.
Ananya: Kabir I am not here as your wife. I am just here as your co-editor. We can discuss a basic handover for the period you go to rehab. Once you are back we can have more detailed convsersations about splitting responsibilities etc.
Let's keep it strictly professional. There's nothing personal between us.
Kabir: Nothing personal between us?! We have been married for 9 years 6 months and 3 days. We built this home together. The design of this room, the color scheme, these pictures... everything we put together.
Ananya: Yes, but the person who's laughter used to brighten this house died 4 years ago. And like i had told you then, our relationship died that day.
We have no relation. Except of being co-editors.
Kabir became stiff.
Kabir: In that case we'll meet in office Madam Co-editor.
Ananya: No. You have to go to rehab tomorrow and i need to be able to manage things in your absence...
Kabir: I have already told Khalid that I am not going to rehab. I have always managed to keep control of my professinal life. It was a minor slip last week..
Ananya: Minor slip? You were coughing blood!! Do you know what I felt when I saw you like that?! I was so scared for you.
Kabir looked at Ananya. In her anger, she had lost her facade of aloofness. Kabir realized that beneath all the anger she still cared for him, she still loved him. There was still a chance. Hope for their relationship.
Ananya: I meant what Ma felt seeing you like that. She has been so worried about you.
Kabir: Ma? Aah. Got it. And would it make "Ma" happy if I went to rehab?
Ananya: Yes.. of course.
Kabir: Well then I'll go. You want to discuss the handover. fine. Let's do that.
Kabir explained to her how she could handle things in his absence in the next one month. He kept giving her meaningful stared. Ananya had to do her best to control herself.
Kabir: That's all. We can discuss the rest once I am back.
Ananya: I should get going.
Kabir: Tell "Ma" that she doesn't need to worry. I am only going to rehab for her. I can do anything to keep her happy.
Over the next one month Kabir had to go through one of the most difficult challenges of his life. His body was so dependent on alcohol that he was facing physical and psychological trauma giving it up. He kept hoping against hope that Ananya would come to meet him. But she never came to meet him. She used to come everyday to check on him. But she never came in front of him.
After a particularly hard day, Kabir was lying in his room thinking that he should quit, he heard a voice.
Kabir Beta
He knew it was Anita and immediately turned around to see her. She had tears in her eyes and she came close and hugged him.
Anita: Beta, I just landed from Mumbai. I knew I had to come and see you first.
Kabir: Ma!!! Why did you go away as well? First Kunal, then Ananya and you. Didn't you ever feel like contacting me in all these years?
Anita: I am really sorry beta. Ananya was crushed by Kunal's death and the fact that you weren't there in his last moments. She needed to go away and I had to stand by her. I know I have wronged you. Please forgive me.
She joined her hands and Kabir immediately stopped her from apologizing.
Anita: How did you let alcohol take ovver your life? But I am really glad that you are trying to start over?
Kabir: Ma, I am tired. I am thinking of quitting. What's the point? Ananya has made it abundantly clear that she has no personal relation with me
Anita: You cannot quit. You have so many reasons to live. Give yourself a chance. in time those reasons will become clear to you.
Kabir: Ma, but...
Anita: i know that I haven't been a good mpther to you. But you have always been a perfect son. Won't you listen to me once more?
Kabir nodded. He couldn't let the woman who had grown to be his mother down
Kabir came back to KKN at the end of the month. The cover-up of the lung infection worked well. And no one other than Ananya and khalid knew about his rehab,
Kabir noticed that ANanya had changed dramatically. She had become a thorough professional and had quickly cemented her place as the co-editor of KKN. But she had a lingering sadness in her eyes. She'd laugh but her laughter rarely reached her eyes. He sometimes saw snatches of the old Ananya when she was around Ronnie and Richa. But she was completely detached from him. They'd figured out a good working partnership, but she never let him say a word about their personal lives.
Kabir got up one morning with a dull ache in his heart. It had been 2 months since he had gotten back to KKN. THere was no change in Ananya's behaviour. Her aloofness was killing him. His first instinct was to numb his pain with alcohol. But he knew he couldn't do that. He went out for a run instead. He found his feet taking him to the park where they used to bring Kunal.
Kunal had always been brave and free-spirited like Ananya. He used to love playing on the swings. his favourite of course was the jungle gym. He used to love swinging around like a monkey. His equally free-spirited mother would enjoy his antics and cheer him on. Kabir on the other hand used to feel very nervous and keep hovering around him. One day he had was hanging from a very high bar and his hand slipped. he was headed towards a nasty fall. But Kabir who was nearby lunged forward and caught him
Kabir: Kunnu how many times have I told you to be more careful!
Kunal: PA, i know dat you'll alwaysh be der to protect me. You aal my shuperman!
And then he had flashed his mother's mischievous smile.
Kabir came out of his day dream
Kabir (thinks) I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most.
Unknown to him tears had started streaming down his face. Also unknown to him a small chubby toddler had noticed him crying. With much difficulty she had climbed onto the bench where Kabir was sitting. She placed her chubby hands on his shoulder and said
Girl: Uncle aap lo kyun lahe ho?
Kabir turned to look at the girl standing on the bench so that she could reach his face. Her chubby cheeks were flushed from all the effort she had made to climb the bench. He wiped away his tears and said.
Kabir: Beta, I was missing my son.
Girl: Whell ish he? Hash he gone somewhell?
Kabir: Far away.
Girl: Aul aap lo lahe ho because you have no one to play with? Don't cly! Pia will play with you!
Kabir: Has anyone told you that you are the sweetest baby in the whole worlld?
Girl: my mumma shays that evelyday.
Kabir was touched by her innocence.
Girl: I come to this palk evely moning with Nani! We'll play togethel.
A graceful, middle aged woman called Pia.
Pia: I have to go. Pal aapka naam kya hai?
Kabir: Kabir.
Pia: Kabil? Kabil uncle aap kal ishi time pe aana. Hum saath mein khelenge.
Kabir nodded. He helped pia get down from bench. Before going she asked him to get down on his knees so that he was at his level. She surprised him with a kiss before running away.
Kabir smiled as she ran away. Kabir smiled with his heart after 4 years.
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