ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Anonymous Writer is a quiet soul who finds comfort in books. Though she chooses to stay behind the veil of anonymity, her story speaks louder than any name ever could. She wishes for no spotlight, no recognition and doesn’t want anyone to know anything about her. Her words are all she’s willing to share, and they’re more than enough.

___

Cure 

His innocent eyes blinked twice. 

Was it real? 

He looked towards the one sitting beside him, holding the same innocence in her eyes. 

"Should I tell Mummy?" She asked for approval. 

"No, not now." He shook his head. 

"Then?" She asked while making a face. 

"Come with me!" His little hand grabbed her wrist while stepping out from the boundary their mother made. 

The boundary they were not allowed to cross. 

"Are you mad? Mummy will be angry. Remember the last time she scolded me?” 

"She won't scold you. Come." He literally dragged her along. 

“And what if?”

“Shut up and come.” The three year old scolded his twin like a boss and they both stopped straight in front of a man having noodles.   

"Yes?" The man asked and smiled at the children. "Do you need something?" He asked while learning a bit closer to them and they both looked at each other. Eyes lost the shine of excitement.

"He forgot us?" She whispered to her brother and he shrugged. "Maybe." He whispered back. 

"Are you hungry? Wanna have something?" The man asked politely. Both children gasped and nodded with great enthusiasm. 

"Yes, I want chocolates. A big lot of chocolate because mummy won't buy them for me." The girl demanded happily and then it was the turn of the little boy. "Will you take me to play football? Mummy doesn't know how to play that!" The boy was looking cute as well as innocent so as the girl. 

"Umm... Maybe I'll do both of these things when I come the next time." The man tried to shrug off the topic from his shoulders but it killed those innocent smiles. 

"Will you go back?" The girl asked innocently and the man nodded which brought tears to her eyes. "Don't go back. Please. I wait for you everyday." She cried and hugged his arm tightly. The man with Hazel eyes was shocked to see this scene. 

"Papa please. Don't go. Everyone in our class has their papa but we don't have... Mummy says you will never come but we ask Allah to send you." 

"Beta, I'm not your papa... Where is your mother?" The man asked while caressing the head of that little girl. Though he wanted to separate her from himself, his heart didn't allow him to do so. 

"Aren't you our papa?" The little boy asked innocently and the man shook his head with confusion. 

"No I'm not." The girl broke the hug and both siblings looked at the man. Hopes shattered. 

"Let's go back." The girl muttered but the boy wanted to keep staring at this man. 

“I know you are my papa. Maybe you forget us because you were busy with your work. Just like mummy forgets many things.” he muttered and tip-toed in front of the man, soon his soft lips pressed on the hard stubble.

The little girl repeated her brother's action and the man caressed their head. Eyes soften towards both of them. 

On the other hand, their mother peeped out from the small window which was made only to monitor these two children and she gasped. Leaving the restaurant kitchen she stepped out in a hurry, both of them standing with a customer whose back was facing her.

"Abir, Roshni... How many times have I told you not to come near customers? Why did you both come out of the counter?" Their mother scolded them harshly while standing behind the hazel eyed man. 

"Mummy I wasn't coming, Abir dragged me here." The girl cried out which melted the heart of her mother but she didn't know what her voice did to the man sitting there. 

"Stop crying." She muttered and walked ahead. "Shifa" 

She forgot to take the next breath as well as step and turned behind to see that face. "We came to meet papa." Both children said softly and Shifa pressed her lower lip in between her teeth. Her heart beat loudly and eyes felt the weight of pain as well as pleasant memories. 

"Let's go beta... He's not your papa." Before Shifa could break eye contact with Sameer, he stood up.

"Shifa, wait. Are they my children?" Sameer grabbed her wrist but to his surprise Shifa suddenly turned to him with the speed of light and he got a sharp slap on his left cheek. 

"How dare you touch me?" She grit her teeth. 

"Shifa..." 

"What are you both doing here? Go back to your place." She shouted at the children.

"Shifa, all these—” picking correct words was getting difficult for him. “Are you mad? Why are you shouting at kids?" He turned her with a jolt, she looked at her wrist which was still in his grip. 

"Sameer Shah, I'll sue you for harassment, if you utter my name one more time or try to touch me."  "Don't even utter my name." It was a deadly whisper. 

“Is holding your hand harassment?" 

"Get lost from here." She pushed his hand away, eyes glaring at him. 

"Shifa." 

"Call the police. This man is bothering me." 

"You're my wife." His voice was louder than her 

"I was your wife. Was. You already divorced me!"

"Are you out of your mind? When did I divorce you? I had been searching for you for four years!” 

"Whatever, get lost from here. Go and..." She took a pause while shifting her eyes to his wrist. He was still wearing the same bracelet. “I'm in no need of a husband who lives with me but can't trust me. You may leave right now!" 

"And these kids... Don't they need me? I'm their father." 

"Sameer Shah, don't test my patience! They are Shifa's kids, they should know how to deal with odds of life, they should know how to be strong and determined... They do not need a father who doesn't care about them. I showed them your pic just because I didn't want to tag myself characterless and them as fatherless children, otherwise I would never let them know who the hell you're." 

Sameer understood that this is not the Shifa who loved him once, this Shifa is someone else. Unfortunately, only he was responsible for the personality of this woman. 

°°°°°°°°°

Peak-hours were over so as the drama. Now, she wasn't needed in the kitchen, so it was the time to be a mother instead of a business owner. Sitting on the other side of the wooden counter she fed her children a simple meal— daal-rice, some curry with roti, that she had cooked for them with her hands. 

"Chew properly Abir." Shifa instructed and glanced at a man coming towards the counter, placing the plate aside she stood up, collected cash from him and again sat down on her previous position. After sanitizing her hands she restarted giving morsels to her kids one by one. 

"What do you wanna have for dinner?" She asked and Roshni thought for a moment. "Burger and fries." Looking towards a table where some people were enjoying burgers and fries she demanded innocently but Shifa shook her head. 

"I told you na, food from the restaurant is only for Sundays or if Mumma is sick, otherwise ghar ka achha achha khana." Giving the next portion to her mouth Shifa muttered and turned to see the spot on which her children were fixing their eyes. 

Sameer was standing on the other side of the huge glass window. He was seeing the kids and when Shifa's eyes met with him she noticed two tears rolling out from his eyes. He wiped his eyes as well as forehead which was covered with the sweat drops as he had been standing in the direct sun for the last few hours.

Shifa looked there, a waiter was doing his job by carrying dishes from one place to another. "Raju, draw the curtains." And she looked at her children who were still seeing their father without averting their eyes but when the curtains were closed they glanced at their mother who was glaring at them. 

"Food is for eating, so chew it. It's not candy to enjoy it by placing it in the mouth."  The strict mother scolded both of them. She herself never thought that she would be a strict mother but she was. Her kids feel scared of her if she glares at them, but at the same time she was their best friend too.

°°°°°°°°°

Dear Diary,

I had seen countless pleasant dreams with open eyes regarding making a beautiful world with Sameer. I fought back with everyone including my parents, society and what not— to get married to him. I lost everyone to gain him, unfortunately I lost him too. I never loved a man more than him. The first and maybe the last love of my life.

I hated the idea of flirting, romance and intimacy, but when he took the first step towards me I handed myself over to him without any second thought. 

He was mine, I was his. At least I believe it. 

Even before getting pregnant I imagined a simple yet beautiful life with him and our kids. I wanted to go to the main door to see him off daily and wait for him to come back. I wanted to enjoy the moment our kids rode on his back. I wanted to adore the scene when our kids fall asleep on his chest. Sorting out their silly fights. Taking them on trips. Helping them in studies and— 

Alas, life doesn't go according to our expectations. The beautiful world of my imagination is still beautiful and now I can see it on the canvas of reality. I laugh with my kids, we spend time together, they sleep in my lap, we laugh a lot when they chase me and I intentionally let them catch me. Everything is as beautiful as my imaginary world, but Sameer Shah is missing from the picture. When my kids sleep peacefully I keep caressing their heads for hours and sometimes I suddenly feel like he came behind me and whispered 'Your Highness' while wrapping his arm around my waist. I could still feel his hot breath burning against my skin. 

Yes, I miss him. 

Do I love him? 

I don't think so, but I'm unable to forget him. I'm unable to forget the beautiful days and nights we spent together. But I don't want to go back to him. He's not my home anymore, he made me homeless and I found my new home in these two little ones. Even if I think of going back, I'll not be able to become the Shifa who left him. I'm a different person now, and I'm sure, now we won't be able to paint the canvas of life in a beautiful picture. I'll not be able to forget everything, I'll not be able to see him with the same amount of love and respect I had seen him ever. He'll not be the same Sam. So it's better to close everything. 

Well it's already closed. Better not to reopen.

Life taught me many things including— if you want to rebuild yourself you have to give yourself a second chance. Again and again. Don't lose hope if you find yourself scattered, instead try to find the broken piece of your jigsaw puzzle and make a masterpiece. Unfortunately, my jigsaw puzzle is incomplete and will stay incomplete because some pieces are left with Sameer.

Closing her diary she inhaled. 

A deep breath sank in loudly. A wave of pain rose in silence. Four years. She had been claiming to hate him for the last four years and today when he came in front of her all she could remember was his soul piercing eyes. His deep voice. His tender touch and burning breath. The messy hair. Silly fights over the right side of the bed and fluffy pillow. The late night coffee, cozy cuddles and his Love.

Wiping away her tears she walked towards the window of the room. New tears escaped from her eyes when moonlight mingled with memories. 

Her chest rose and fell. Softly. A wave of pain hit her head. Memories—pleasant and harsh— blended together with tears.

Her chest rose and fell. A bit harder than the last moment. And harder again. She looked everywhere. Her mouth opened wide. Gasping for air. Vision started turning dark. Darker than the last second. She rummaged in the drawer for her inhaler but found nothing. 

Eyes red, mouth dry by now— she picked up the pillow and found the inhaler resting under it.

One pump. Two. And three. 

Breath calm down. She got another life. 

°°°°°°°°°

After a Few Days: 

"Shabash! Make these slant lines and I'll be back in half an hour." Instructing kids to complete their homework she picked up the apron and kissed their heads one by one . "My good kids." And she turned to go to the kitchen with an unnamed emotional burden.

These two little kids were spending seventy per cent of their life in this small space behind the cash counter. When they were too small, two cots were placed here for them. When they started growing up their walkers were being placed in this very space and now two small tables along with chairs were occupying the space. She was guilty for not providing them the happiness they deserve as kids but she had been giving her best by creating a balance between her profession and motherhood. 

"Table number 5, two large veg burgers, 1 mango squash and 1 grilled chicken sandwich with extra cheese, 1 KitKat shake." 

"Table 9, small cheese pizza with corn and mushroom toppings.1 large Peri peri fries and 2 pineapple juice." sticking the notes to the counter a waiter turned back to go and Shifa looked at the boy working beside her. 

"Prepare the order of Table 9, I'm handling table 5." She told the boy and started working with an unmatched speed. Preparing the order as soon as possible she set it on a tray and knocked on the window. A signal for the waiter to collect the order. 

She peeped outside the window which was specially built to give a view of the counter area but her heart stopped beating, kids were no longer present there.

"Mohan, complete this order too." And she ran out of the kitchen with a madly beating heart. Suddenly her legs felt numb, eyes wet and hands turned cold. The kids were missing from their bounded area, but before she could search for them everywhere her eyes dropped two tears when noticed a man sitting on his knees, embracing the kids. Soon the kids broke the hug and kissed their father countless times, in return he also did the same. Sameer removed his specs, cleaned his tears and embraced them again. 

Shifa wanted to pull her kids away from his grip but remembering the longing of her children she didn't disturb them. ‘Shifa, I never liked kids but now I want kids.’ His voice from the past echoed in her head and she walked back to the kitchen. At least these kids are getting a little amount of love from their father. 

"Ma'am. Who is he? I never noticed Abir and Roshni loving anyone." The intern chef who was on leave for the last few days asked.

"He's Sameer Shah." Shifa muttered while giving her eyes to the next order and Mohit looked at Shifa with wide eyes. It wasn't difficult for him to understand the relationship between Roshni Shah, Abir Shah and Sameer Shah.

"Your ex-husband?" Shifa suddenly looked up, the boy in early twenties was looking curious to know everything but a sharp glare from his lady boss stopped him from saying anything else. "Move your hands faster than your tongue." Looking at the vegetables present on the chopping board Shifa scolded him and he resumed his work. 

"Mummy Mummy Mummy~" Abir came inside the kitchen running like anything. "What?" She asked in the same hurry as her son. 

"Papa is here, he asked... Aapki iza..." he stopped and tried to remember something but couldn't. He smacked his forehead with his little hand and ran back to his father, Shifa peeped outside the window and smiled. Sameer was laughing wholeheartedly while saying something to Abir. Roshni was still kissing his cheeks numerous times. 

"Mummy, papa keh rahe hain aapki izajat ho to..." Shifa laughed and corrected, "it's ijazat."

(Mummy, papa is saying—if you abbow)

(It's allow.)

"Wo hi to keh raha hu, aapki izajat ho to aapke bachho ko thodi deyr main apne sath le jaun?" 

(I'm saying the same! He's saying —if you allow, can I take your kids for an outing?)

Shifa thought for a moment she wanted to refuse then noticed the amount of enthusiasm in Abir. When did she see him as happy as today? 

When she brought him a football? No, he wasn't so happy! Maybe when Shifa took them to an adventure park, but no... They weren't so happy at that time either. She did not even remember when the kids were over the moon. And she didn't want to kill this happiness. 

"Tell papa to wait for half an hour, I'll change your clothes. Meanwhile you both complete your homework otherwise I won't let you go." Shifa slowly caressed her son's head but before saying the last part she showed a moderate amount of anger, Abir turned to go back but stopped by a call. "Yeah mummy?" He asked and Shifa leaned forward to kiss his cheek and he ran towards his father at the speed of a bullet train. 

"Papa."

"Ji beta ji."

"Mummy said to wait for half an hour, and she said to complete the homework before going." Told Abir and Sameer picked up his kids in either arm before taking a seat. They were talking about everything happening around them in the school and Sameer was watching the past. Just like Shifa they both also talk too much but he didn't know three of them just talk to him only.

The knock on the glass window and the waiter picked the tray as well as the message.

"Exclusive me sir, ma'am is asking you to leave the table empty for the customers and go there." Sameer nodded while going to the counter and glanced at the window, their eyes met but she was the first to look away immediately.

"It's for you kids." Placing the cute cartoon character mugs half filled with chocolate shake in front of them the waiter looked at Sameer. "It's for you, sir." Saying that he put the cup of tea and a grilled cheese sandwich in front of him. Sameer looked at the window but now she was working like a machine. 

No pause. No distractions. Only work.

Sameer looked at his children who were sipping the chocolate shake and he picked the cup of tea. As soon as that golden brown hot beverage hit his tongue a flash of memories beat his heart differently. 

Shifa, do you know what is the best thing in my life? He had asked, Shifa thought it was she but he added This tea 

Really Sam? Tea? Not me?

How did I get this tea without your hands? And he had kissed those hands.  

He took the next sip. His smile contrasted with pain.

°°°°°°°°°

8 PM.

9 PM

10 PM. Now Shifa's heart was beating unevenly with bad thoughts. Sameer took the kids almost seven hours ago, but he was nowhere yet.

She was cursing herself for sending kids with him. Or at least for not taking Sameer's number.  

Does he use the same number? She thought to give a chance to her destiny by dialling his old number which she remembered till now. 

"Hello." Sameer received the call, it wasn't difficult for her to recognise his voice. 

"Hello" he again said but Shifa didn't know what to say. "Hello??" This time he was frustrated.

"Where are the kids?" She asked in a hushed tone. "Oh, it's you." He muttered. "Open the door, we're coming." She hung up the call and opened the door, in no time she saw kids coming upstairs followed by their father. Three of them looked tired but happy. 

“Wash your hands properly.” Shifa instructed the kids, they ran towards the lobby and she looked at Sameer who showed his both hands occupied with numerous shopping bags. Full of toys and games. 

“Where should I keep them?" He asked. Shifa looked away from his face. 

“Take all these things away. I'm enough for my kids, I can provide them with whatever they need. And please, don't come again soon.” She gestured towards the stairs. An order for him to leave.

“Shifa, they're my kids, you should not separate them from me. Whatever happened in the past was…” 

“Stop right here! Enough!” She glared at him. 

“I wish you were with us to see how happy they were. They need me, Shifa.” 

“First you make someone addicted to you, then you leave them to suffer. Is that a habit of yours?” 

“Shifa at least liste—” 

“No need to come again. I don't want my kids to get trapped in your fake love. They're too innocent to understand the ugly face of your Love.” 

“Give me a damn chance to explain myself.”

“Chance for what? To explain cheating? To distrust me? You may go, Sameer Shah.” No matter how strong she was, she could cry at any moment. However she didn't want to show him her tears.

"Papa, where are my toys?” Abir and Roshni came back running. “Papa, where is my doll? I have to show it to Mummy.” 

Shifa silently watched her kids unpacking the same shopping bags once she wanted Sameer to take back. 

“Abir, Roshni. Stop it. You both are behaving as if you haven't seen toys ever.” Their happiness vanished for a jiffy but Sameer embraced them. 

“Papa will bring you everything you want.” 

“A big doll house too?” 

“Can you build a basketball court for me? And a football ground too?”

“Umm, not here, but yes. I can.” 

“Roshni. Abir. Go inside. Time to sleep.” 

“Mummy, just ten more minutes.” 

“Not a single moment.” She shouted.

"Why are you scolding them?" Sameer asked and Shifa glared at him. The kids were still hugging their father.

"I'm going back." Kissing his children's cheeks he whispered. "Papa loves you both. I'm sorry for not being with you but you both mean the world to me." Shifa was looking at her kids. They were going to cry soon.

"Papa... Don't go. Please stay with us." Abir again hugged Sameer who was still knelt in front of them.

"Not today, Maa must be waiting for me." 

"Your Maa?" Roshni and Abir asked in unison and Sameer nodded. "Does your mother also scold you?" Roshni asked in a whisper and Sameer nodded.

"Would you like to meet my Maa? I haven't told her about you yet!" Roshni and Abir looked at each other then shook their heads. "No. She will scold us too." Roshni was fearful but Sameer laughed. 

“She will love you more than anyone else. You can't even imagine how much she will love you." Sameer one more time embraced his children, he didn't want to go back, he didn't want to separate them from himself.

It seems he was trying to compensate for all those three years in one day. 

Sameer looked at Shifa, she was not as beautiful as before. Four years back she was just a wife but now she was just the mother of his children. 

“Where do you live papa?” 

“In Delhi.” He replied with a small smile.

“Why do we love here in Meerut?”

“Abir, shut up.” Shifa tried her best but her children forgot every rule after meeting their father.

"Take care," Sameer kissed his daughter's cheeks and gave a tight hug to Abir. Their little eyes welled up. “Don't go papa, I promise I'll eat greens everyday. Promise.” 

Separating kids from himself, Sameer stepped towards the door and suddenly the night sky brightened up with a lightning and thunderclap that scared kids. 

The clear sky was covered with clouds and a rain shower started in no time. 

"Papa don't go na, Mummy says it's not safe to go outside while raining.” Another thundercracker and heavy rain proved Roshni correct, it wasn't safe to drive. Sameer looked at Shifa's pale face then again placed his hand on his daughter's head. "You're beautiful, just like your Maa." He whispered but his voice reached those ears who were already dying to hear that for the last few years. A small drop of water came to the corner of her eyes but she cleaned it quickly.

"Papa please." Abir also held Sameer's hand and he looked at Shifa for approval. "Go after the rain stops.” She glared at him and walked back towards the kitchen. 

“Yauyyyyy” the kids hooted loudly. Their voice was accompanied by another thundercracker and the very next moment the house was dark. Another powercut. 

“Don't worry.” He turned on his mobile flashlight, lifted both kids in either arms. and stopped in front of Shifa for a moment "I love you." This wasn't for kids, but for the one who was holding her breath because she knew the next breath would come out with a sob but even after every struggle she was unable to hold the tears back. For a moment Sameer saw the glimpse of his Shifa but the very next moment she looked away and walked towards the kitchen. 

°°°°°°°°°

The home was still dark, only a few candles were the source of light. But they all were extremely happy. The kids were happy because of their father's presence, Shifa was happy to see her kids happy and their smiles were giving peace to Sameer's heart. But the demanding kids of a non-demanding mother asked for one more thing. They wanted Sameer to narrate them a bed time story but they couldn't sleep without hugging their mother.

Shifa was helplessly lying on the bed, both kids were lying down on her right side, her one arm was covering them and her husband was lying just a foot away from her. 

"Once upon a time there was a girl with big brown eyes, and beautiful long hair." Sameer started.

"Rapunzel?" Roshni asked what her brother also wanted to ask but Sameer shook his head. "Cure." He whispered, making Shifa shocked. Cure means healing power and in Arabic Shifa means health and recovery... Was it difficult for her to understand who this princess was? And who had big brown eyes and long hair other than Shifa?

"Then?" Abir asked and his parents realised that they had already forgotten everything other than the emotions present in each other's eyes. 

"So, let's begin… Prince Sam was the only heir of his kingdom. And Cure was a beautiful and caring girl from the kingdom of enemies. They fall in love. Everyone was against this relationship but they fought a huge battle against everyone and got married! It felt like a happy ending but it was the start of chaos. Cure was alone in this new place, she had no one besides Prince Sam, who was busy with his work. In the meantime she found a new friend who wasn't actually a friend but a wizard in disguise. He blew some spells on Cure. Prince tried to take help from his best friend but Cure didn't like it. Cure didn't argue but she started distrusting and hating Prince Sam. One day she asked Prince Sam to break every tie with his best friend but how could he do so? Who would help him to save Cure from the wizard?

One night, Prince Sam was walking in the garden thinking about the weird things happening around when his best friend came to ask for help. This was the first time his best friend needed him, how could he not help his best friend? They both went on a secret mission for the next two days and when Prince Sam came back he found a note instead of Cure. 

Cure left the palace. 

Soon enough the palace started becoming dull, the happy gardens of the palace were converted into barren land. It seems Cure took away the blessings with herself. Soon after she left, Prince Sam asked the Wizard about her but that evil man said nothing. The prince walked out of the palace to search for his wife—his Cure— but she was nowhere to be found! No one knew anything about her. For the next four years he didn't get any clue, but one day when the prince was passing by a road he felt hungry, he never felt hungry in the afternoon but that day he felt! He had nothing to eat but there was a jungle on his right side, he thought of picking some fruits and munching on them but as soon as his horse stepped in the dark jungle he noticed a beam of colorful light in the middle of that darkness. He followed the colorful light and his eyes widened. There was a big garden in the middle of the dark jungle. A garden full of flowers, butterflies, trees, fruits and vegetables. The prince got off his horseback and looked around. It seems like the same garden once his palace had. He plucked a fruit and started having it. In the time being, the owner of the garden came out from the not so big yet not so small house building in the middle of the garden and the prince forgot to blink. She was Cure." Both kids were listening to the bed time story with a hitched breath and their mother was crying silently. 

"But where was Cure? What did she do for four years?" Abir asked and Sameer looked at his wife who sniffled. "Let me tell you the remaining story, when the prince did not trust Cure—”

“But the Prince never distrust Cure.” Sameer said in between and got a glare from Shifa. “Oh, continue.” He muttered.

“Cure cried too much when the prince did not trust her. At midnight when everyone was sleeping peacefully she covered her face and ran away from the palace. She had nothing with herself other than a few clothes, a little amount of money and an idea. Once she had visited a jungle with prince Sam, the dark jungle! She knew no one would come to that place, so she went there and started making a small garden in the middle of it. She was unable to understand how to manage everything, many times she hurt herself while making the garden, many times she became extremely ill but there was no one to look after her and one night an angel came with a gift. She unpacked it and found two little babies. There was a little girl as fragile as a glass doll and a little boy who was so handsome that Cure forgot to blink. Now Cure was determined to build a home for them, when she was alone she was managing somehow but now she had to look after these two little gifts too. After that night Cure did not take rest. From the very next day she started making a garden and everything started changing magically, maybe God hadn't only sent the gifts but happiness too... When Cure planted a small seed in her garden she was hopeful that after a few months that seed would be converted into a plant but the next morning when she saw it, it was already a fruitful tree. She started growing a plant everyday and soon her garden was full of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Cure used to pluck those things and sell them in the market to get money and from that money she used to nurture the babies. She was living happily for years and one day a man plucked some fruits from her garden without her permission, she saw him, he was the Prince Sam, he was also amazed to see Cure, he apologized and asked her to come back to his palace but in these three years she started disliking prince Sam because he never came to help her when she needed." Shifa delivered her part of the story and kids looked at their mother then at their father. 

"Then?" Abir asked.

"Did she go back?" Roshni asked, curious. 

"You tell us, should she go back?" Sameer asked and both kids thought for a moment. "Yes." They both said in unison and Shifa smiled sadly. 

"Cure won't forgive prince Sam." 

"But why? Is she a bad woman?" Abir asked and Sameer shook his head. "She's the best woman."

"Then why will she not forgive prince Sam?" Roshni asked and Shifa looked at her. "Mumma says good people to others for their mistakes." Shifa recalled her lessons but she was not ready to apply them in real life. 

"And I'm sure, Prince Sam is a good man, he was only helping his best friend, it's not his fault.." Roshni said and Sameer laughed. 

"Now I can say my little princess is no less than Cure in intelligence, but trust me." He kissed her cheeks and whispered the next part. "Cure was really silly otherwise she would beat the hell out of the prince instead of leaving the palace." Both kids laughed hard and kept laughing wholeheartedly.

"Now tell me the end. Did she go back?” Abir asked. 

“I'll tell you tomorrow.” 

“Now another story.” Roshni demanded. 

“No, it's too late.” Shifa said strictly but her children did not care. 

“But tomorrow is Sunday. So, we can stay up till late.” 

Another story telling session started, and this Shifa was midway when she noticed Sameer, Abir and Roshni sleeping peacefully. Their father's arm was curled around them, protecting them like a shield. She kissed her children and stepped out of the bed. 

Our life could be beautiful Sameer but you ruined it. Hating him again she walked towards the window. The rain has stopped now but darkness stood tall.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, just when her heart skipped a beat. An arm wrapped around her waist from behind.

“At least talk to me Jaan.” 

“There is no room left. You closed all the doors, now don't try to come back to my life.” She pushed his hand away.

“When did I…?” He turned her towards himself. Her tears shine in the dim light. 

“Where is your wife? Go to her.” She looked away. 

“Wife? Who?” Sameer asked. Confused. 

“How easily you distrust me every time. You pointed out my character. How come?” She looked away but Sameer held her arm. 

“What are you even saying? When did I?” 

“Stop touching me. You're not my husband anymore. So stay away.” 

“Pagal ho gyi ho kya? Divorce. Distrust? Question mark on your character. Kya bole jaa rhi ho? Tumne mujh par bharosa nhi kra. Tumhe mujhse shadi karke pachtawa ho rha tha. Tumne to mujhse ye bhi chhupa ke rakha ki mere do bachhe hain.” 

(Are you mad? When did it happen? You didn't trust me. You were regretting marrying me. You hide the fact that I have two kids.)

“What? I hid? You put a question mark on the father of my unborn kids and now you're behaving all good. Wasn't it you who said you're not the father?”

“Shifa?“

“Sameer, I left everything for you, but…” she cried out helplessly. Maybe for the first time in these four years she was crying in front of this man.

“I never divorced you, I never distrust you, I didn't even know about your pregnancy. You left no hint other than the note. I tried to search you everywhere but…” he pulled her in a tight hug and Shifa just cried. 

“Will you tell me what exactly happened? Because I don't remember anything like you said.” He didn't break the hug. Shifa was crying with hiccups now. He felt her chest rising and falling against him. “Shifa.”

Now she started taking longer breaths. “Are you okay?” Soon she was gasping for air, and needed inhaler. Sameer was shocked to see her condition. 

°°°°°°°°°

“Everything was fine between us until you started doubting me.” She muttered without looking at him. 

“I didn't distrust you, I asked you to stay away from Aman, I never liked him.” This time Shifa looked up and smiled like a sarcasm. 

“You disliked my friendship. Just friendship. But you didn't think about me before getting Sonia pregnant?" 

“What are you saying? Are you mad?” 

“You were becoming a hero in front of kids, Prince Sam helped his best friend in a secret mission. As if I don't know your secret mission. You were with Sonia during abortion process. Now say you were not.” 

“Yes I was there, but to donate blood. She was B-, one of the rarest groups, and I'm O-, I could donate blood to save her life. And I did. The child wasn't mine.” Shifa blinked. Not ready to trust. 

“Stop making up stories, Sameer. Sonia herself told me that you were the father.”

“What? No! No way. I never even touched her. I swear on my kid…”

“Don't dare to take false swearing on my kids.” Shifa was enraged now. 

“Trust me Shifa. I swear on Maa. It wasn't my child. I don't know why Sonia lied. Or maybe I am understanding something.” He muttered the last part for himself.

“Trust? Don't sound good from your tongue. You told Sonia that you regret marrying me? You loved Sonia but when I entered your life you were distracted?”

“Sonia told this?” He asked 

“Of course, your best friend Sonia told me. At least she was better than you, she didn't hide anything from me. She was honest unlike you.” Shifa wiped away her tears while glaring at him.

“Sonia told me that you regretted leaving your family behind and marrying me. You missed your old life.” Sameer put a fact and Shifa furrowed. 

“What? Yes, I missed my family but I didn't regret marrying you. Never.” She shook her head. Confused. But Sameer held his head.

“After you left, Sonia tried different ways to get married to me.” Sameer revealed. 

“You loved Sonia. Didn't you?”

“No, I didn't love anyone besides you. But why did you hide your pregnancy?”

“I was about to tell you but Sonia said…” Shifa gasped. Hand covering the mouth. Eyes flowing tears. “She said she would tell you about my pregnancy whenever your mood was fine.” 

“And?” he asked.

“The next day she said that you are sure that you're not the father.”

“Shifa, why didn't you tell me directly?” 

“I… I was— I.” Shifa cried out. “She said that she could handle you better. She could explain things to you more calmly.”

“You trusted her more than me? Why Shifa?”

“Because you were regretting marrying me. And she was helping me out.” She muttered and Sameer pulled her in a hug. 

“You left your home, your family, your parents and everything for me, how could I leave you?” He placed his lips on her head. 

“And that divorce notice?” she broke the hug 

“Who gave you the notice?” He asked and Shifa cried out while hugging him back, tightly. 

It was Sonia who played a double game. In between the husband and wife she sowed the seed of distrust. Shifa's insecurity watered the seed, and Sameer's silence worked like the sunshine. As a result the plant of destruction was fully grown.

Sonia manipulated Shifa in the form of a well wisher and shared Shifa's statements with Sameer. Statements that Shifa never gave.

“Maa still question me, what I did that you left? But I didn't know. I searched for you everywhere, I went to your parents, but they did not even talk to me.”

“I was still in Sonia’s contact after I left your home. She told me that you and your Maa were literally begging her to get married to you.” 

“You could talk to me Shifa.” Sameer was holding his head. “Nothing like that happened. Maa still misses you. And I…” His eyes pooled up. “I die every day and every night. Bit after bit.” he held her hands. Her eyes fall on the bracelet in his wrist. It was given by her. 

“I love you Jaan.” his lips landed on her cheek.

“I trusted the wrong person. I trusted whatever she told me. No proof. No testimony. Only hollow words and I trusted her. Whenever you asked me about the problem I stayed silent and assumed everything. I can't forgive myself, Sameer. I can't.”

“Honest people trust others easily. That's natural but trusting too much without confronting comes with risk. However I would say…” he paused and broke the hug but placed his forehead on hers. Tears in both eyes flickered against the light of candles. 

“Forgive yourself. Give yourself another chance. Give our marriage a second chance. Because every second chance is a new beginning and our story needs a fresh start.”

°°°°°°°°°

The end.

°°°°°°°°°