chapter 13

“It was all my fault…” Sam’s face became dark, “I was the one who turned the happiest day of my life into the most unfortunate one.”“Tell me, Sam?” Chetana’s heart sank. “What happened to them?”“It was the day when I learnt that I was about to become a father. We went on a drive to celebrate the day. I was so mad with ecstasy that I oversped my car and it collided head-on with a truck approaching from the opposite direction. I lost my wife and our unborn child in the accident. In a second, my world came crashing down.”Sam sat silently staring at the far horizon with his stony eyes.“Why didn’t you marry again?” Chetana finally asked when she could muster enough courage to do so.“I couldn’t forgive myself for the sin I committed.”“But it was not your fault, Sam.” Chetana felt sorry for him. “It was fate and you can’t change it.”“Don’t worry,” the warm smile was back on his face, “now I have an even bigger family.”“What?” Chetana was surprised, “but how?”“I started living for people around me, my friends, colleagues, neighbours and relatives. It’s their happiness that makes me happy. And once a person learns to find happiness in other’s glees, his own glooms don’t bother him ever after.”Chetana was filled with admiration towards the man who had unveiled the secret of eternal happiness to her.“I have decided to devote the rest of my life to a good cause and lend a helping hand to those who are really in need of my help.” The placid glow of the setting sun reflected perfectly on Sam’s face as he said those words. A little ahead of them, the sea was waiting to embrace its’ beloved sun into a million arms that were the waves.  *   *    * Day - 2      After having breakfast the next morning, Chetana opened the windows of her room and looked out. A cool wind was blowing outside and making the waves dance to it’s tune. The wind and the waves allured her to come out of her confinement and she decided to take a stroll on the beach. The sun was hidden under the blanket of clouds and the walk was a pleasant one.“Hey, would you like to join me?”Somebody called out from behind her and she ceased her steps midway. She turned back to see Sam walking towards her.“Do you want to come along?” he said as he approached her.“Where?” She blinked as the sun emerged from between the clouds.“To the real world.”“What do you mean, Sam?”“My dear, Mademoiselle,” he took off his huge hat, “beyond the limits of the luxurious world you have been living, there is a real world. You have not been lucky enough to see it ever. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance and I suggest that you shouldn’t miss it.”“Sam…Sam!” Chetana threw her hands up in the air, “I am not getting anything. What are you trying to say?”“Relax, Chetana,” Sam couldn’t help but smile mischievously at her bewildered face, “there is a small colony near this extravagant resort where many families are leading their lives in utter poverty. I visit them every day and help them in all possible ways.       You saw those children I was teaching the other day? They live there. I was about to go there by myself but then I thought of asking you. There are some ladies in the colony who aren’t willing to open up to me. So, it would be of help if you came along. They would readily share their problems with someone who can understand them better.”Chetana couldn’t make up her mind whether she should go or not. The cause was good and she was willing to join him but then a thought made her doubt her decision. ‘Was it right to go out with a man she hardly knew?’“Hey, what happened?” Sam asked after watching her silently struggling with herself.“Nothing.” She looked at him for a brief moment and then turned her gaze away. “I would love to join you but on some other day.”“What’s wrong with today?” Sam frowned thoughtfully as her reply puzzled him and then smirked as the reason dawned upon him. “Oh, I see! You don’t feel it safe to accompany a man you’ve met only yesterday!”“It’s not that, Sam,” Chetana said with downcast eyes as embarrassment coloured her cheeks.“Well, then I have a remedy for that.” Sam chuckled as he saw her face flush. “Why don’t you take some robust security guards from the resort along or is a packet of red chilli powder enough?” “Let’s go, Sam,” Chetana realized that it was better to oblige to his wish rather than brave his sarcastic remarks.“I can lend you my pistol if you want, Chetana,” Sam kept bullying her as he led her towards his car. He was not among those who would let go of their prey that easily.Chetana slapped her forehead as she realized that she had locked horns with the wrong guy.“I am going to murder you without a pistol if you don’t get in the car right now,” Chetana couldn’t help laughing. *    *       Chetana looked nervously at her mobile phone and then dragged her eyes away after staring at it for a while. The evening sun looked like an ‘orange candy’ as Richa used to say in her childhood whenever they took her to the beach. The waves were moving to and fro like little Richa used to run hither and thither on the sandy beach. Everything about the beach reminded her of her daughter.“Richa!” Chetana sighed as her eyes turned back to her phone.It’d been two days since she had talked to her daughter. Chetana was really worried about the way she mingled with her male friends. She regretted allowing Richa so much liberty. She should have acted strictly with her. Chetana knew she would have no peace of mind till Richa returned safe and sound from her study tour.     The only solace she had was that Richa used to call her father regularly. Chetana craved to listen to her daughter’s voice. She sat cross-legged on the beach chair and dialled Richa’s number on her phone. She was not sure whether Richa would talk to her but she decided to try her luck. Her heartbeat rocketed from the anxiety as Richa’s phone started ringing