Part 28

That evening

"I am sorry Saroja" Sunitha said, as Saroja flitted around the kitchen, trying to help Shobha Amma out. They were all now at Shobha Amma's place, with Aaru sleeping on Vedant's shoulder, her drool wetting his shirt.

Saroja looked at her wistfully. Much as she tried, the past was indeed too painful for her to process everything so quickly. She would probably have to learn to forgive and move on. But not forget.

Sunitha had offered to help Saroja, but Saroja had politely refused. She was at home in Shobha Amma's kitchen and loved being there. This was one kitchen after all that had accepted her for who she was.

But then again, Shobha Amma's family still did not know about the truth. Saroja wondered if they would be as accepting of her if they knew her background.

She sighed deeply, and carried on. After all, there were guests to feed. Shobha Amma had invited Sunitha and the child to camp with her for the night. Her family would be arriving the next day from the wedding in the other village.

"I should have supported you both" Sunitha continued, picking on her nails, her body language reeking of embarrassment.

"I know Vedant all my life. He has always been a kind, compassionate, sensitive person. How could I have been so wrong about you? About the person he loved? My daughter loved? The most innocent of all relationships ..."

Saroja put the kitchen knife away and looked at Sunitha

"He is in love with you, I know you know. And I know that probably you love him even more. Give him a chance ..."

Saroja was eloquent in her silence, as Sunitha tried to conserve some more.

...

That night

Sunitha had retired for the night, with a sleepy yet reluctant Aaru in her arms. Vedant and Saroja stayed back with Shobha Amma for some time more, who was now happily chatting away.

"What's the deal with Dayal? Vedant asked suddenly. "He seems to keep a continuous watch over Saroja, which I appreciate. But he unnerves me sometimes with his intensity"

Shobha Amma smiled sadly

"To Dayal, Saroja fills in the void left by his own sister, my grand daughter. Preethi was ten years old when Dayal was born. She was very ecstatic when Dayal was born, and since then, those two had been inseparable. There were other kids in the family, but these two were as thick as thieves.

And then Preethi turned twenty. She fell in love with a boy from another village. She was the apple of our eyes, and after initial skirmishes, we accepted the relationship. The boy was a professor in Mumbai. It was decided that after marriage, Preethi would stay with her in-laws for a few months, Nirmal would make necessary arrangements over there and then only take Preethi with him.

We were all very happy, except for Dayal. Preethi spent as much time as possible with him before the marriage, but soon she got caught up in the rituals and preparations. Dayal moped around once Preethi left for her in laws house in another village. After a few days, Nirmal returned to Mumbai.

Everything was going on perfectly fine, everybody was happy. Preethi used to call us every week.

And then ... one day. We received a call from her In Laws that she had been hospitalised. We rushed to her village but it was too late by then. She had slipped and fallen down, hitting her head on the way down. Preethi had slipped into coma even before she had reached the Hospital. She never woke up."

Shobha Amma's voice faltered as her expressive eyes clouded over. Saroja scooted over to her and wrapped her arms around him. The pain from a loss was nothing alien to her and she felt bad for Shobha Amma. All these months, and she had never let the tragedy affect her external self.

Vedant sat beside them, staring at the inky darkness outside the perimeter of the house.

...

Sometime later

They walked together in silent companionship, their hearts weighed down by the sad revelation about Preethi's demise. Saroja thought about how Dayal, from day one, had stepped in as her saviour. If it had not been for him, she probably would have never found Amma. He represented the goodness of the universe that was so kindly bestowed on her that fateful day.

She looked towards Vedant, he was unnaturally quiet tonight. His gaze fixed ahead, his hands tucked inside his trouser pockets, his mind was definitely somewhere else. And she missed him.

"Vedant" his name was a whisper on her lips

He looked back at her, his steps faltering for a second.

"Saroja" he snuck his right hand into her left, and wove their fingers through. Pulling her gently towards himself, he smiled finally.

They continued their walk back home.

...

Once inside, Vedant pulled Saroja into his arms and hid his face on her shoulder. Saroja could feel him shaking; her hands moved up to his back as she gently patted him. And then she could feel it; the wetness of his tears seeping in through the cotton of her dress.

"Vedant .." she called him again and again, as his arms tightened around her, with every passing second.

And then it was all over. They stood like that, in each other's arms, for some time more

"I wonder what would have happened if you had not found Dayal" his voice was now heavy with emotions

Her fingers reached up to wipe away the tears

"I ... You would still have found a way back to me ..."

Saroja knew that without Dayal and Shobha Amma, she would have had flitted away much earlier. The very thought sent shivers down her spine, but she had to calm down Vedant first. Something had triggered him off; this was not the calm, composed Vedant that she had known for so long. And loved.

...

End of Part 28