But this time the photos slipped Dipika's hand not because she couldn't bear them but because she couldn't bear the contents of the photographs….
She sat down fully trying to observe the shock that had just hit her… 😲 Not convinced she once again picked the photographs and went through them…. On an impulse she took out the album from the suitcase and went through them…
After turning five pages in the album her worst fears were confirmed… Automatically she went through the remaining album…. 😕
Closing the album she sat in stunned silence thinking about what she had just seen….
Was it good or bad for someone? But what she knew was it was bad for her! 😭
Just then a lady came in mumbling....
Lady: Aate hain to theek se sambhaalke check nahi kar sakte.... Sab bikheer diya, ab kya unke office se aake...
The lady stopped her tirade seeing Dipika in the room and frowned... Dipika slowly looked up at her still not out the shock... 😳
The lady came up to her and asked....
Lady: Ab tumhe kya chahiye? Yahan sab to check kar diya un logon ne.. To(Just then her eyes fell on the photographs on Dipika's lap and the suitcase) Ye... Ise kyun bahar nikala tumne? 😡
Angry the lady grabbed the photographs and started to assemble things in the suitcase... She was about to close it when she saw that Dipika was still holding one photograps... The lady tried taking it from her, but Dipika was holding on to it strong without her realising it! 😔
The lady then looked at Dipika's face and saw that she was not well... She looked shocked... 🤔
Slowly looking at the photograph and then up at the lady Dipika asked in a dull subdued voice, weighted...
Dipika: Ji is photograph me jo hai, vo koun hai? 😒
Dipika asked the question automatically even though she knew the answer for it!
The lady too now sat down fully on the floor and taking the photograph from Dipika smoothed her hand over it... Then with tears in her voice she said sadly...
Lady: Mera beta... Vidhyant! Bahut hi seedha saadha, bhola tha... 😭
Dipika: Ji... Aap Mrs. Vindya Sameer Chopra hain? ❓
The lady just nodded and Dipika felt that nod shook her world even more!
Composing herself she asked...
Dipika: Aapne kaha 'tha'! Matlab aapka beta!?!
Dipika noticed that tears had started to flow down Mrs.Chopra's cheeks... Not knowing why but automatically she wiped the tears of her cheeks...
Surprised by the gesture Mrs.Chopra looked at Dipika and said.... 😔
Mrs.Chopra: Haan... Vo ab humare saath nahi reheta.... Mera beta Vidhyant tab college pad raha tha... Use ek ladki se pyaar ho gaya, lekin uske pita ko vo middle class ladki achchi nahi lagi... Zabardasti uski shaadi kisi aur se karne ka faisla kar diya unhone, isliye Vidhyant ghar chodkar chala gaya.... Cheh saal ho gaye! Pata nahi kahan hoga mera beta... Kaisa hai...
Saying Mrs.Chopra hugged the photograph and started to whimper... Dipika just put her hand on Mrs.Chopra's shoulder... She didn't know what to say! 😭
Something squeezed in Dipika's heart... First time in months tears flowed down her cheeks and she didn't take any effort to wipe it away... She let it flow! 😭
She thought about whether to tell her or not..... But before she could decide on anything! 😵
Francis: Dipika!
Dipika hastily removed her hand from Mrs.Chopra's shoulder and wiped her tears.... Just as she closed the suitcase Francis came in…
Francis: You are still her? Finished checking? ❓
He came and stood near her and extended his hand to help her up…
Dipika slowly got up trying to normalize her breath which had increased its pace seeing the photographs…. 😒
Francis indicated Mrs.Chopra who was still sitting down and raised his eyebrows... Dipika just shook her head and managing a smile said….
Dipika: Ha… Haan…. Bilkul… Noth… Nothing worth our use! 😳
Francis took a look at Dipika and asked concerned…
Francis: Are you alright? Tumhara chehera achanak pheekha kyuun pad gaya? ❓
Dipika shook her head hesistantly and said…
Dipika: Nai bas… Vo…. I am feeling suffocated…. (Looking at him pleading) Francis chalein? I mean yahan ka kaam khatam ho gaya naa? 😔
Francis took hold of Dipika's arms and said….
Francis: You definitely are not okay! (Giving a glance at Mrs.Chopra) Phir bhi… Haan… Hume bhi kuch nahi mila aur IT department waalon ko bhi… So let's go!
They started to leave the room…
Dipika indicated him to wait for a second and went over to Mrs.Chopra who had now got up, smiling feebly she said...
Dipika: Aapka beta jahan bhi hoga, aapko dekh raha hoga! Main chalti hoon...
Francis looked on confused as Dipika left the room, and looking at Mrs.Chopra once followed her....
Just before going out Dipika glanced back at the suitcase, at Mrs.Chopra who was looking at her puzzled and how much Dipika wished she didn't see what she did! 🥺
The casual glance had cost her her life! 🤢
Edited by maha_prakrti - 17 years ago