~Chapter 5: From the Ashes~

4 years ago

TiaMaaaaa

@TianaWrites

…Chapter 5…

…From the Ashes…

Emptiness was what he felt. The world around him was bleak ever since she left him… scratch that… ever since he let her go to pursue his stupid revenge. He had got his revenge just as he had planned. The Kapoors lost their company and their home but in the process, he had lost his life. He still remembered the day he broke her.

He had found Gauri lying senseless on the road and had taken her to the hospital. He had recognized her as his mom. Once she had come back to her senses, the doctor had told him that she had lost her memory long back. He had told her some of his childhood events and she had then recognized him as her son. When he had asked her why she left him, she had told him how the Kapoors had got her in an accident and left her to die. Just then Kalpi had entered the room. Raghav had looked shocked. Gauri had then said how Kalpi’s father saved her and how Kalpi had taken care of her. He had then declared that he was going to get his revenge on the Kapoors for spoiling his life.

Raghav clicked his tongue. That was the stupidest decision he had ever made in his life. He still remembered her pleading eyes.

“Raghav, please leave this revenge. Let us start our life afresh. You, me and Maa. You have everything money, fame and a well-furnished house. Now you have a family. You know how wild you were at first. You know revenge makes you do crazy stuff.”

“They hurt my family.”

“You have a new one.”

“I am not going to leave them alone. I need justice.”

“We can get that. Maa is still alive. She has regained her memory. We can file a police complaint and make sure justice is served. Why do you want to make their life any more miserable?”

“Because they made my life miserable.”

“Raghav, I think Kalpi is right. Why do you want to stain your hands?” 

“Oh, shut up. I am going to have my revenge whether you like it or not. Kalpana, I don’t care if you are with me or not. My revenge is more important.”

“What are you saying, Raghav?”

“I am saying. You are not as important as my revenge. So, if you don’t want to support me, you can go wherever you like. I don’t care.”

“Raghav….”

“What are you saying, Raghav? Are you in your senses? Are you choosing revenge over a girl who is willing to give everything for you?”

“Yes… Now are you coming with me? I can take you to my home. After all, you are my mother.”

“Oh really? A man who is willing to break the heart of a girl who loves him truly cannot be my son.”

“Suit yourself.”

That was the last he saw or heard of either of them. He had been so blinded by his anger that he had let them go without giving a second thought. Now he regretted.it with every fibre of his being. As he sat with his head in his hands drowning himself with torturous thoughts, he heard a knock at his door.

“Come in”

“Sir, we have received a mail from AR Designs. They want us to present our plan for their renovation.”

“Oh… When do they want it?”

“A week from now sir. They want it at their office in Delhi.”

“All right. Book my tickets. Let’s get the deal sealed.”

****

“Can I come in?”

“Anjali? Yes, yes…”

“Are you busy?”

“No, it’s lunch time, unless there is some emergency, I am free.”

“Oh…”

Dr. Sam looked at her. She looked definitely distracted.

“What is it? And you didn’t bring baby along with you?”

“No. Payal is looking after her”

“Ok… What’s the matter Anjali?”

“Why do you care?”

Dr. Sam looked confused.

“What do you mean?”

“Why do you care so much about baby?”

“I am a doctor, Anjali and it’s my duty to care. So, I do care about my patient’s wellbeing.”

“Then, why do you care about me?”

“Huh?”

“Come on, Sam. I know you do care about me. I have seen you under my window countless times and I know you want the best not only for baby but also for me. I just want to know why? Is it because you pity me?”

Dr. Sam took a deep breath.

“I don’t pity you Anjali. I admire you.”

Anjali looked taken aback.

“Yes, difficult to believe but that’s the truth. I was attracted to you because of your courage. When I see you, I feel a silent strength flowing through my veins. Every time tragedy struck you, I stood beneath your window admiring the strength you had. When I saw you picking up the pieces and fighting life bravely, I found courage to move on in my life. You have been the source of my strength, Anjali.”

“Source of strength?”

“Yes… So, that is why I care about you. To be honest, I more than care about you. Anjali… I… I have fallen for you. I love you.”

Anjali shook her head. This was nothing compared to the grand proposal Shyam had given her. This was a simple man quietly opening his heart in front of her. Unable to take in what he had just confessed, she got up.

“I will bring baby tomorrow.”

“Anjali?”

And without saying another word, she left. Dr. Sam sat down deeply pained. He had expected her to react in some way. Shout at him, reject him or tell him he was just her friend. He had not been prepared for this silence. Just then, his pager flashed. There was an emergency. He slowly walked towards the Casualty Ward.

****

“So, you think a bunch of roses and a sorry card makes it all okay?”

Arnav looked up from his work to see a furious Khushi.

“Khushi?”

“Listen, Mr. Raizada. Just because you got me a bunch of roses, I am not going to fall at your feet and say you are my child’s father.”

“Khushi… no I didn’t mean that. I…”

“Then what else could be the meaning of this?”

“It means I am sorry.”

“For? Not able to be my child’s father?”

“No… I am sorry I failed to be your husband. A husband worthy of your love.”

Khushi looked stunned. Something had definitely changed in this man yet she didn’t know if she could completely trust him.

“I don’t love you, Mr. Raizada. Don’t build castles in the air.”

As she left the room, Arnav sunk his head in his arms. He had hoped that she would accept his apology.

“It sure isn’t going to be easy, sir.”

“Kalpana… I… I thought…”

“I understand… but you have to allow time to heal. There are some wounds that you have inflicted on her that are so deep.”

“I agree… but will she let me?”

“She came here demanding an explanation, didn’t she? I stand by what I say… there is still hope, provided you don’t give up”

“Give up? I will never give up on her till my last breath.”

“Good to hear that, sir.”

She turned to leave when Arnav called her.

“I saw that you have sent invite to Singhania Constructions for presenting their renovation plan. Isn’t that the company you worked at before? I heard from someone that you left the company because you had some issue with the boss.”

Kalpi shut her eyes to push back the memories.

“Yes… How did you...?”

“I personally make it a point to do background checks for all members in my financial team. We once lost a huge deal because of an ex-member in the finance team. I have been a bit too cautious from then.”

“Oh…”

“Kalpana… if you are not comfortable with the company, then we can see other offers too. You can cancel their invite.”

“No sir, they are the best in the field.”

“But…”

“I think I can handle my personal and professional life quite well.”

Arnav gave a small smile. She was so like him in her determination and fearlessness.

“You know, Kalpana. I am forever in your debt for what you did for me. If you ever need anything, just think of me as your big brother.”

Kalpi smiled back at him.

“Thank you.”

****

“Aakash… oh sorry Payal I thought Aakash was here…”

“He left a few minutes back, Aunty…”

“Oh… I thought he was back from office… Where did he go?”

“Uh… I… uh… don’t know”

Gauri shook her head slightly. She turned to leave and then stopped and turned around.

“Payal, I know it’s none of my business to interfere in your family life but Aakash has been extremely kind to me and Kalpi, so it’s only fair that I return his kindness. I know you married Aakash to take revenge on Arnav. I know you don’t truly love him. He is a nice man Payal. Can you consider giving him a chance?”

“A chance? Aunty… I am the one who needs a chance…”

“So why don’t you go get it?”

Payal looked taken aback.

“I… I don’t deserve him aunty. He deserves someone much better.”

“Don’t you think it’s for him to decide?”

“Huh?”

“Payal, you are losing a diamond because you don’t want to let go of clay.”

“What do you mean?”

“Simply this, Payal. I know the circumstances you met and got married were not right but that doesn’t mean you cannot have a better life now. You have married a good man who wants to stay with you and spend his life with you. Why don’t you throw away the stupid wall you have built around yourself and give this life a chance?”

“But… Khushi…”

“Khushi needs to look after herself, Payal. You can support her. I don’t say that’s wrong. I am just saying don’t mess up your life trying to make hers right.”

“Aakash… will he…”

“My dear child, you can stand here doubting every moment and keep blaming yourself and the circumstances or you can go face the fact the you did wrong and pick up from the pieces. It’s still in your hands. What I am saying is don’t lose your present because of what you did in the past.”

Saying so, Gauri left a Payal whose eyes were slowly beginning to show a little bit of life.

****

The night was eerily silent today. Anjali looked out the window a multitude of thoughts flooding her mind. Dr. Sam was not below the window today and she knew why. She knew she had been right in not accepting his proposal yet in her heart of hearts she longed for him. Strangely, his proposal had not felt a surprise to her. In fact, she had been expecting this for a long time. What shocked her was the response she herself had given. She had mentally prepared a two-page long speech wherein she had clearly mentioned why she couldn’t accept his proposal yet when he proposed her, she had been dumbstruck. Her lips had failed to respond and words just refused to come out. She had run out the room to hide her confusion. 

As she stood contemplating her decision, a shrill wail broke her thoughts. Baby had woken. She had just gone to sleep after a full bottle of milk 10 minutes back. She sighed and wished that she had not been so emotional on the day Shyam died. It was her stupid emotions that made her bring baby home. She did everything that baby needed, fed her, clothed her, bathed her and took her out for early morning walks yet could not find it in her heart to love the child. Slowly she made her way to the cradle. Slowly she rocked the cradle hoping the child would stop crying but Baby kept wailing. Mildly irritated she bent over the cradle and gently rubbed her stomach thinking she would go back to sleep but she didn’t. Not wanting to wake Khushi or Payal up, she slowly picked her up. As soon as she brought her close to her chest, and the warmth of her body touched the child’s, she stopped crying. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked at Anjali and gave a smile. It was the first smile the baby had given when awake.

That innocent smile captured Anjali’s heart and she was no longer the Anjali she was before. She was now a mother.

****

Author’s note:

There is always hope. For Raghav and Kalpi, their love life was almost over yet a hope remains as their hearts long for each other. For Arnav and Khushi, even though everything seems to be over, a hope remains as long as Arnav is willing to try. For Aakash and Payal, Aakash’s goodness acts as a hope that can steer their life from storms. For Anjali her baby and Dr. Sam are beacons of hope if she lets them in her life. There is hope in all around us. Even when everything in sight is ashes, a fire can be kindled if we don’t lose hope.