Chapter 93: chapter 93

Ram Mehta and Shikha Mehta sit opposite each other on the bed. With just a bed side lamp glowing dimly. A cup of unfinished milk is kept on one side of the table. A spectacles rest atop a worn family album. Shikha gently adjusts the pallu of her saree, in  voice low Shikha says “She was twenty-four when she got married, Ram "We thought we’d given her time. That we had chosen right". Ram runs a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair, sighing. Ram“We saw his degree, his charm, his passion towards his career, his knowledge… his smile. But we missed his soul". Shikha's eyes well up. Shikha “Do you remember how she used to write poems on the terrace, before all this? There was so much light in her... and we gave her a man who dimmed every bit of it." Ram leans forward, elbows on knees, staring at the carpet. Ram “It haunts me... that she was kept under darkness, all these while. She was unsure of what really her husband is. We raised a brave daughter, but we let her suffer in silence.”Shikha quietly says “I just want her to find something... someone... that doesn’t break her again.” Ram reaches for her hand and holds it tightly. Ram “This time... we’ll listen better. Watch closer. And we’ll never let her carry anything alone again.” They sit in silence. The clock ticks softly. The pain has quieted and replaced with quiet resolve.The Tanwar balcony overlooks a quiet street below. A gentle breeze sways the swing where Aditya and Smitha are  sitting putting some gap between them. Still their hands resting upon eachother. A shawl wrapped over both their shoulders.Smitha is looking at the stars. Aditya, legs crossed, holds a thermos of chai. Smitha “She didn’t cry once in court. Not even after. I don't know if that’s her strength or just… just exhaustion.” Aditya nods, eyes fixed far away. Adi “It’s both. She bled silently from the moment she got to know the news. But not anymore.” Smitha " From when did you know of this?". Adi" I haven't paid much attention to Jagdeesh in the beginning but once I happened to meet him in a medical conference arranged in Tanwar Hospital. Ram said he's sending his son in law, so I went in search of him. What I saw shook my ground. He was kissing his secretary deeply behind the stage. I didn't question him instead I started investigating. All the details regarding him. Then one day Amar came in search of me and said regarding Jagdeesh. We both exchanged our investigation reports. Finally we planned to take it to Ram. It took 5 years for us to set things right. Smitha angrily shouts at him. Adi if you know he's wrong why waited for half a decade. Adi " to prove him wrong, we have to prove Kajal right". Kajal was flying here and there. I heard from Ram that Jagdeesh accused Kajal for going abroad and having illicit relationship with strangers and only that triggered him to have multiple affairs. Smitha was jaw dropped. Adi " only so we were planning things very well. I meant the trap.". But all we didn't expect is Rhea would get to know of him. Poor girl she had a huge trouble. Smitha asks looking at him “You’ve been quiet all evening. Thinking something?”Aditya finally turns to her, voice calm but deliberate. Aditya “Yes. I’ve been thinking… Kajal needs more than space. She needs purpose. A new life. A new canvas.” and “I have a plan.” Smitha raises her brows. Smitha “For her career?” Aditya smiles faintly- the kind of smile that carries both mystery and intent. Aditya  “Maybe more than that. Something that reminds her who she was before she was someone's wife.”Smitha looks at him with a mix of curiosity and hope. Smitha “Whatever it is, make sure it comes with warmth… not pressure.”Aditya “Always. She’s not a project. She’s our daughter in every way that counts.”They lean back into the swing. The wind rustles the leaves, and hope hangs softly in the air. The RRR group was bombarding with the messages one after the other. Both text and voice and finally confused to anwer whom? They get connected through conference call. Rhea has left the call after letting them know what happened in the courtroom. Rahul and Rithesh keeps discussing of Kajal issues after Rheas call. Rithesh " Rahul you know something, Kajal didi is so good. She helped my brother to come out of his late wife's memories. She also helped Ajinkya to calm down from his hyper active behaviour. Least expected that she will undergo divorce proceedings. Rahul listens to him patiently and finally says we should be happy that she has been lifted up from the pain which she didn't even know existed. Just think Rithesh, her face glows different when she is around Ajinkya. She would have longed to have babies. But she didn't have one. Maybe God shut her womb to not give birth to such a filthy man. Hope she gets to see a good man and have a beautiful family in the future. Rithesh agrees to it and keeps discussing regarding Rithesh departure which is in two weeks. A Revenge....