chapter 10

I choose to live as someone else and I don't doubt this decision of mine. There were so many flaws with her plan still I choose to give my life to her. Who knows may be I will be able to find what my life actually means in this way.We didn't have many time left in our hand as her condition was getting worse day by day.We started our plan to exchange identities, the first thing we did was live in same cell. Then slowly we got more acquainted with eachother. She felt like a older sister to me. We were of same age but her life experience and hardship she faced made her older to me.Her condition was not good, it was very hard for me to keep it secret from others. But I had to keep her illness secret to carry out our plans. On those days we talked a lot about eachother. She showed me her children's photos and told me everything about them. The boy was seven years old at that time and the girl was four years old. They didn't have seen their mother for nearly eight months. She said the boy's name is Ayush and girl name is Anna. I asked how she end up with those name! She said it was because she always wanted to have a fancy name but she couldn't have as her parents named her as Kamalakanti. This was a good name but very old fashioned that was why many people made fun of her name, that was why she choose these names for her kids after watching television.When she said this,to make fun I said with a sad expression "do I have to live with the name Kamalakanti? Now, I don't want to exchange identities with you"."You don't have to live as Kamalakanti because I already decided to change this name. If my name remained then others would identify my children as criminal's children so I already  decided to change this name and this city. So, don't worry about it" She said."Hey! I was just joking. You don't have to be so serious" I said. "I'm serious because I know you are an educated and kind person, with you my children will have bright futures. Thankyou for fulfilling my wish. Never said to my children that their real mother was me, a weak woman who couldn't protect them" she said."Hey! Why are you saying all this suddenly? We have a lot of time left, let's discuss it slowly" I got emotional and tried to hide my tears."Love my children a lot and don't let them know who their father and mother were" she said."Why don't you live longer and live with us as a complete family. We live happily together. Let's try doctors they might cure you" I said. "If this was possible then I would have tried it, still thankyou. If I will have a next life then I wish to born as your sister. In these last days you took great care of me. Don't just look after my kids if you got someone who can give you your promised land then don't abandon that opportunity. You also deserve a good life" she said."Stop it, don't talk like this. It feels like you are not going to say anything in future" while saying this I looked behind to wipe my tears. When I looked at her again everything was over. She was not breathing. I tried to wake her up but it was all worthless.After many days I got someone who was nice to me but I also lost her. But this time I didn't cry a lot. Because I had to take care of things she left for me. As per instruction I told the attendant who was going to help us with this.After this our identity exchange work started rapidly. She was taken away with my identity. I wrote a suicide letter saying my life has left nothing so I don't blame anyone for my death. I just wish my remains were not given to anyone.I cut my hair like Kamala, due to cancer she had a little hair and I had to do that style. I stayed in that cell for remaining days and missed Kamala a lot but I didn't cried. I have to be strong for the promise I made to her.After a few days the day came when Kamala was going to be released. In place of Kamala I gote released as Kamalakanti and Gauri died in jail by commiting suicide. I learn a lot from this jail and I met an older sister who gave me a new life. I will never disappoint her in this life. Before just getting released that police commissionar came to meet me. "So, you are the one who Kamala choose for her!" He said with a heavy tone. I nodded my head without saying anything."She helped me a lot by taking this blame, this is why I couldn't refuse to accept this request of her. But if I knew you have connection with Birlas, I would have never agreed to this" he said."What do you mean by this,sir?" I asked."That Omm Birla, he is gone crazy after hearing your suicide. Thank God we already sorted out everything otherwise he was going to test that dead body. Due to your will we didn't handover him anything and burn everything related to you and Kamala but this ashes of Kamala, took it with you. This is for her children. I also have children, I can't be heartless. From now on your identity will be Shakti and get away from this city" He said and gave me ashes of Kamala. I took it from him and went with a person, who was waiting for me in a car on behalf of police commissionar. I went to the child care house to get Kamala's children no from now on they are my children.When I saw them for the first time I was delighted. They were looking like Kamala and they were very cute. the boy asked me "are you our mother?" Boy didn't remember her mother's face still could recognise her vibes. That was why they were reluctant to believe me as their mother. I hugged them and said "yes, I'm your mother. Let's go home".After picking them up, we got into a train and travelled to another city. Omm Birla went crazy after hearing my death! People don't cherish the lived ones but go crazy after their death! I don't care about them now. Gauri is dead in jail and from now on I'm Shakti. I have nothing to do with them.My last days in jail ended with some sweet and  sad memories.