Chapter 94: chapter 94

The soft pink glow of early morning peeks through the curtains. A faint breeze flutters a corner of her diary on the desk. Kajal, hair loosely tied, sits cross-legged on her bed, holding a warm cup of ginger tea. Her eyes look calmer than the previous night,  the kind of calm that follows tears and a long night of reflection.Her phone buzzes beside her. Caller ID: "Ratim Singh" She blinks in surprise. Kajal in her soft voice in suprised tone and with doubt calls “Mr. Singh?” why is he calling me? Still with the wavering mind she answers. Ratim “Good morning, Dr. Kajal.” Kajal curious and surprised “Mr. Singh? This is unexpected. Everything alright?". She could also find the difference in the way he calls her. Till their last consultation he used to call her Mrs. Jagdeesh but now.... Dr. Kajal... On the other side of the call, Ratim paused for a while and says “I should be the one asking that.” Kajal straightens slightly and asks where are you? Calling me this early. Ratim " In my  home office, dressed in a hoodie, looking out at my garden while holding my coffee in one hand. And mobile is put to speaker. Kajal laughs aloud at his description for a simple question she posted. Ratim feels good hearing her laugh. Kajal “How did you… know something was wrong?” Ratim quietly mentions “Adi uncle" with that he stopped from saying anything. He didn’t say much. He didn’t have to.”She looks away, emotion pricking behind her eyes.Ratim pauses and says “I’m not calling as your patient. I’m calling because... I know what betrayal tastes like.” “And I also know the silence that comes after- when people don’t know whether to ask or pretend nothing happened.” Kajal closes her eyes for a second. No pity in his voice but only understanding.Kajal in her soft tone “I didn’t expect this call… but I’m… grateful.” Ratim finds it glad, “I won’t take time. Just… if you ever want to talk, or not talk at all and just hear  your silence I’m around.”  Kajal smiles faintly “You still speak in half-sentences.”  Ratim let's a  small chuckle “And you still finish them in your head.” Kajal laughs gently, the first real laugh in a long while. Kajal  “How’s Ajinkya?”Ratim “He’s drawing giraffes all over the wall. I tried stopping him, and finally gave up.” Kajal fondly says “He thinks they’re lucky charms.” Ratim “Maybe they are. For him… and for us...”A moment of silence lingers -not awkward, but deeply comforting. Ratim was clueless why he said For Us.... But he didn't regret or feel a thing bad. Ratim “Take care, Dr. Kajal. And not just the version of you that takes care of everyone else.” kajal "sure..." And Me. Singh can you please pass your phone to Aju, I would like to talk to him for a while. Ratim " Sure Dr. Kajal". Ratim covering the mouth piece calls Aju... Kajal aunty is calling. Ajinkya throws his crayons aside and runs shouting yeh... Kajal aunty ... Ratim " slow, my boy. Your kajal aunty isn't going anywhere". But Ajinkya paid no attention and pulls the phone from him. Ratim sits like a crying baby. When Ajinkya snatched the Phone. This is not usual Ratim but he couldn't control himself, doing all these wierd things. Looking at his dad's puppy face, Aju puts out his tongue and crack a conversation with Kajal. Ajinkya “Auntyyyy! It’s meee! You're Aju... Kajal chuckles, instantly brighter. “I knew it was you the moment I heard the sunshine.”Ajinkya giggling“You say that every time!” kajal “Because it’s always true. So, Mr. Magic Zoo King, what’s the occasion?” Aju“Nothing! I just missed you. I asked dad to take me to you. But he said you're busy as bee. So when can I come to mee you anuty? Kajal’s heart softens. Kajal " Anytime, you can come to me. All my time is reserved for my Aju.... Ajinkya giggles ... Anuty I forgot to say something “Also! I drew you again! This time you have superhero glasses and a stethoscope and a magic cape. You want me to send picture?” Kajal “I’d love that. But only if I get to be called Doctor Kajal Thunderstorm.” Ajinkya “Okay! But I’m your sidekick. I’ll be Moon Boy!” Kajal “Perfect. Moon Boy and Dr. Thunderstorm -saving the world, one crayon at a time.”A pause. Then his voice softens slightly. Aunty I always want to be with you... Kajal takes a slow breath. Surprised again at his emotional radar.Ajinkya with his cute voice says "You should talk to me every day! Even when you're grumpy." Kajal “Even especially when I’m grumpy. Deal?” Ajinkya “Deal! Okay, I have to go brush now. and get ready to school".  “Love you, Aunty!” Kajal “Love you too, my little star.”The call ends. Kajal stares at the screen for a few moments. Then she leans back against the couch, a rare, full smile spreading across her face — quiet, healed, human.The line ends gently.Kajal holds the phone to her chest for a second, closes her eyes, and takes a deep breath. She looks out the window- the city is waking up, and so is something inside her.A Revenge...