Awkward. He had stayed with the boy in the hospital, had even explained the whole situation to the mother, had offered to drop them home and had done so as well. Now what excuse did Rishab have to stay back in their house?!
'I'm sorry, my friend just hyperventilated and is freaking out and is probably breaking all the traffic rules trying to get here and meet you, so, I'm gonna be staying till he comes.'
Like Hell he could tell that. The woman would think he was crazy and throw him out! Godammit Suraj, did you really have to put me in this spot?!
Suraj meanwhile, was doing exactly what Rishab predicted. He was thanking the company a million times over for providing him with a car for personal use, and boy, he was thoroughly using it alright. He had already jumped two signals, and was driving waaay past the speed limit while following his phone's GPS. He grabbed on to the steering wheel for dear life as his phone voiced over, 'In 200 metres, your destination will be on the left.'
Chakor, meanwhile, was gently placing Yuvi down on the couch. It was past his bed time and he was already drowsy, just barely able to open his eyes. Chakor then focused her attention on the man by the door, fidgeting nervously as he kept glancing here and there in search of something interesting.
She was really grateful that he had been responsible and taken Yuvi to the hospital, and had even paid the fee. She would, of course, be repaying it to him. She didn't like owing anybody something.
She softly called out to him to sit down while she prepared some coffee for him. He seemed to relax and nodded at her offer, he hadn't had lunch after all. He sat down on the other side of the couch, and Yuvi suddenly seemed to have become alert, for he quickly sat up and stared at Rishab.
He crawled on the couch, and gently caught hold of Rishab's coat.
"Papa," he mumbled. "Where Papa? Papa promish Papa come back,"
Chakor, who was pouring milk into the glass, abruptly stopped. With hushed steps, she stepped into the main hall, looking quizically at the both of them. "Wha...?" Before she could complete, Yuvi butted in, "Papa's come home Mama! Papa finally come to see Yuvi!"
Chakor was shocked. Who was he talking about? She looked sharply at Rishab, who smiled gingerly, before speaking in a small voice, "He's probably talking about my friend. He was the one who was with him before you arrived." He swallowed at the end.
"That wash Papa!" Yuvi chirped in, unaware of the tension in the room. Rishab had no idea whatsoever about what was going on, but right now he just wanted to kill Suraj for putting him in this predicament. "How do you know it was Papa, Yuvi?" Chakor asked, exasperated. "Cause Papa had Mama photo in hish purshe!" Yuvi said happily, then looked at Rishab with hopeful eyes for any sort of information about Suraj's whereabouts.
Chakor's jaw was wide open at this time. Who was this stranger who Yuvi had proclaimed to be his Dad and most importantly, why and how did he have her picture?! She looked at Rishab for answers, and the poor guy just wanted to run away. He managed to say, "I think it'd be better if you talked to him directly. In fact, Suraj is on his way and..."
SCREEECH.
Perfect timing. "That must be him right now." Rishab had never felt so happy in his life, not even when he had passed his Boards. He looked at Chakor, and she was as pale as marble. "S...Suraj?!" She breathed out. And before she could take in what was happening around her, HE was there.
5 years.
For 5 years she had longed to see him, but never had had enough courage to contact him or speak to him.
For 5 years, in all her tough times, she had longed to be in his embrace, and he would soothe her saying that everything was going to be alright.
For 5 years she had yearned for him to maybe... just maybe find her, and tell her that he loved her, and No, it wasn't her imagination.
And there HE was. In the flesh. Her one true love, standing at her door, panting, gasping for breath, both his hands at either side of the door to keep him up. He looked up sharply, and when his eyes found hers, Chakor felt her knees giving out.
"Papa!" Yuvi ran and hugged his leg. Well, he was only 5, and was barely able to cross Suraj's knee. Suraj's breathing seemed to have come down to normal, for presently he bent down on one knee and hugged the little boy back. But he never broke eye contact with Chakor the entire time.
Now, if there was anything that his line of work had taught Rishab, it was to read the damn mood. It always helped him to analyze what other people thought of a proposal, and right now, it came in handy when he understood that his friend obviously had some kind of past with the woman, I mean, One could literally feel the vibes in the air, and he intended to give his friend some alone time to sort things out.
"Hey Yuvi," he called while kneeling down, "Why don't we get a cake and some chocolates to celebrate?" Celebrate what? He didn't know.
'Lame Rishab. But it's gonna get the job done.' He thought inwardly.
The idea must have really appealed to the little guy, for he looked at Rishab like a Godsend, and Rishab's chest swelled with pride. Nodding to Chakor, not really knowing whether she noticed it though, and patting Suraj, he picked up Yuvi who shouted a 'Bye!' and exited.
The 'thud' of the door brought them both back to reality, and Chakor, embarrassed, looked anywhere but at Suraj. She looked above, around, till she finally found something interesting to look at on the floor.
Suraj meanwhile, took in the sight before him. SHE was here. He was finally near her. She didn't look a day older than when he last saw her. Except maybe she had become more beautiful, if that was possible. Somehow, she looked weak, like she had been exerting herself too much. Suraj released an involuntary groan.
'Of course she looks weak, you imbecile! She's been doing double duty all this while!' He mentally scolded himself.
Unknown to him, his groan had startled her, and she looked at him nervously, finally breathing out, "Suraj."
And their eyes met once again. When she uttered his name, Suraj threw all rationality out the window. He covered the distance between them at inhuman speed, and enveloped her into a bone crushing hug. He lifted her up a bit, for they had a significant height difference, after all.
They stayed like that, Suraj holding on to Chakor, and Chakor at first, not knowing how to react, had placed her hands on his shoulders, till she finally gave in to her desire and embraced him. Suraj kissed her head, and tightened his grip on her. He didn't want to let go, ever. Somewhere in between, she had started sobbing, though she tried to cover it up at first.
He settled her down, still not letting go though, and forced her to look up at him. "Why?" He whispered. "Why did you leave me?"
And that was all it took. Chakor started to cry and he pulled her toward him again. He could feel his shirt getting wet, and it pained him, but he was also happy in a way, since finally, FINALLY, she was back in his arms. Truly, this was Home.
Chakor didn't take a long time putting two and two together. She had misunderstood him that evening. If only she had stayed back that day, her Life would have been completely different. She was sure now, that he felt the same. Why else would he have kept her picture in his wallet all these years? He had come for her, and it felt like all her prayers had been answered.
"Why didn't you tell me about our son?" He asked her, and his voice sounded strained. Chakor suddenly stopped sobbing, and pushed him back a bit. He looked surprised.
"What are you talking about?" She finally managed to speak, her voice hoarse from all the crying.
"Yuvi." He said it like the most obvious thing.
Chakor looked at him wide eyed. Thinking that she was probably scared of his reaction toward the revelation, he smiled warmly and cupped her cheek.
"It's okay. I'm not angry. I'm glad I was finally able to find you, and the son whom I never knew about. I'm... just glad you're... back in my life." He struggled through his last words, trying his best not to cry. Chakor held his hand, the hand that cupped her cheek, and shook her head. "No, no, no, Suraj. You've got it all wrong. Yuvi... isn't your son." She didn't meet his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Suraj asked anxiously, and when she still refused to look up at him, he forcefully held the back of her neck and pulled her forward.
"What do you mean he's not my son?! Why are you lying to me?! He's 5 years old Chakor, and it is obvious that he should be mine since he was born barely 6 months after you left me!" He spat out. "AND I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WOULD BE WITH ANY OTHER MAN, EXCEPT ME." He spoke each word slowly, and they rolled like fire through her body, exciting her that He held her in such high regard, and at the same time saddening her for when he gets to know the truth.
"Answer me, Chakor! How am I not the father your child?! It's not possible!" He screamed, visibly depressed.
"EXACTLY!" she cried. Backing away from his embrace, she said slowly, "You're not Yuvi's father... for I'm not his real mother."
"...WHAT?!"
Vanshaj
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Udne Ki Aasha
CID
