Part-14
Nalin's presence made Gopi uneasy with guilt. Why did things happen the way it happened? Nalin never accused her of anything but the way he sat with his laptop working late into the night told her many things. She knew that her world is now crumbling around her. Ma was civil with her but the old love between them is gone. She felt as if Yash is now looking at her with accusing glances and Prachi now loves Ma more than her.
Gopi's regular visit to the psychiatrist failed to do her any good. She knew that Anurag is well looked after but she wanted to be there for him. Gopi couldn't live with her secret but she was scared that if her scandalous behavior is revealed then her kids would be stigmatised...what about Prachi's future? Her marriage ?
Nalin no longer laughed and smiled as he used to, his world now comprised of his work, Ma and his kids. Gopi felt excluded in everything, she felt as if she was living in a stranger's house.
One night Gopi cut her veins with a piece of broken glass, Nalin noticed it and put her in his car to rush her to hospital. Gopi resisted that with all her might, she screamed that she deserved to die. Gopi made her confession and came clean, Nalin didn't react much as he knew the facts all along, he placed his hand over her hands for a few seconds and walked out of the ward.
Nalin knew it from a long time but Gopi's confession brought home the truth he long sought to run away from. He thought for days about this and finally made his decision. He went into Gopi's room after she was home and told her
" Gopi, I am setting you free, please don't stay here and torture yourself endlessly. Go were your heart belongs to. We did love each other didn't we? Let us not end up as strangers. We need to split amicably."
Gopi burst into tears as she knew that she had hurt Nalin by breaking his trust. She refused the freedom by voicing concerns over her Yash and Prachi's future. Nalin persisted and told her that kids in homes headed by single parents can lead a normal life if they are well cared for. The kids can sense that something is wrong even if she stays back and that won't help them in any way. Yash and Prachi have their Papa and Granny with them, they won't feel abandoned.
Both Gopi and Nalin knew that no matter what they do the kids would be hurt, what has been done can't be undone. She can't travel back in time and rectify things.
Gopi moved into MM, tongues did wag for a while but they stopped after a few years. Nalin brought up his two kids very well. They excelled in academics and also had a wonderful personality. Gopi would meet the kids every month but she still felt a tinge of sorrow whenever she saw Nalin.
Gopi's marriage to Ahem was scandalous, nevertheless her presence in MM brought the house back to life. Gopi went on to have a daughter with Ahem and time moved on...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The End
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Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
