It was all over the newspapers, albeit on second or third pages, a small column which read out something like this,
“Rajesh Saxena, 35, a property dealer by profession and a resident of Sahayak Colony committed suicide, by jumping off from third floor of his house. He was taken to the nearby government hospital, early morning yesterday, where he struggled for nearly 15 hours before being declared dead. The deceased didn’t leave a suicide note but financial and family problems are suspected to be the main reasons. Police have registered a case and are carrying on investigations. The deceased is survived by a wife, a son and a daughter.”
There was jubilation on Anik’s face, when he read all this, but when he went home from office, he found Abhita, gloomy and upset. “Hey, party time. We got half the justice we wanted, that guy suffered well.” He called out to her. When she didn’t responded, he asked, “What’s the matter? You all right?” She looked up blankly at him, “I was thinking about Swati. Her two children. We all need fathers Anik, however they are.” The excitement disappeared from his face. He sat down besides her, “They didn’t deserve this.” He said, holding her hand. “Anik, you will go over to their house, to offer condolence.” Anik was startled; he began to protest, when she held her another hand on his, “For me.” Her eyes were wet and pleading, Anik couldn’t refuse her.
So Saturday afternoon, he went to see Mrs. Saxena, fearing that the people there would recognize him, but surprisingly no one spoke a word, except Swati, who asked him to wait for her in the balcony. Few minutes later, she came, a glass of water in her hand, “Sorry, there were others to be attended too.” She said as she took a chair in front of him. He didn’t know what to say, just wished his father would have been here, he could have handled the situation so well.
“We are sorry for what all that happened.” He began, but was cut short by the lady in front of him. “My husband got what he deserved. Don’t keep any guilt in your heart. Apologize to that girl on my behalf.” She spoke as she got up and went away. Anik remained seated for another few minutes, thinking about what Swati had just said. When he finally got up to leave, he saw Rohit seated in a far corner in the living room. His face was distraught; there were dark bags under his red eyes, indicating lack of sleep and heavy influence of liquor. The tough guy was cracking it seemed.
Anik felt depressed and stressed out, so called up Abhita to inform her about the meeting and went to meet his friend who lived nearby. It was late in the evening when he came back; the main door was open so he went straight in. From the living room he saw Abhita and his father engrossed in deep conversation, oblivious of the fact that he was home.
“Tell me, why did you break up with Anik?” His father was asking her. She stared at the curry she was preparing and said. “He acted too desperate sometimes. You know, trying to get physical kinds.” She replied with upright honesty. His father tasted the curry, gave a thumb up and continued, “He ever tried to force you or something, and you know what I mean.” She looked up at him, “that’s the most admirable thing I feel about Anik. He creates space for himself and a greater one for you. He always respected those boundaries.” She smiled at the man, whom she now saw as a pal, even better then Anik. The smile was reciprocated, “Why don’t you marry my son, Abhita?” Anik was surprised and shocked at his father’s sudden approach of the topic.
“Dad is just saying this because he wants someone to clean his room everyday.” He called out in an attempt to deviate the conversation. Both the people in the kitchen, looked behind, to find Anik grinning, a wicked grin to convey that he had overheard the conversation. His father, replied in the same wit, “Your room is a greater mess then mine. So keep quite.” Abhita closed down the gas, put a lid on the curry she was making and all three of them, sat down in the living room. Anik’s father had waited this moment for so many weeks now.
“Look children, one man is dead here, I don’t care about the other, as Anik had told me on the phone, he may die with that amount of liquor any day. Stop all that you were trying till now, and tie the knot.” He said an excitement in his eyes. Abhita looked at Anik then at his father. “
Uncle why would anyone marry me? No, No one can marry me.” She sobbed as she said that. Anik knew now it was his call. He had thought about the consequences of marrying Abhita. Without a physical relationship or even say a normal touch, the marriage will never survive, he had concluded. But there were instances in the past week, where she had hugged him, slept on his lap, somethings which she had never allowed to happen when they were seeing each other. There was hope for him.
Then he thought about Abhita. She was right. She won’t be able to marry anyone, especially after what Nishant had done to her, she needed someone and till date she was living in this house as his responsibility. His thoughts also went for his father. The one man that would be the happiest person to see this couple getting married. The going would be tough, but he was a brave man, like his father was, when he raised a motherless child all alone.
He placed his both hands on Abhita’s either cheeks, his eyes piercing into those pained black eyes. “I don’t have prepared any lines for this special occasion. Still will ask you. Will you marry me Abhita?” He said, not at all prepared for this moment. She smiled, brushed off her tears, and replied. “That was a kind effort, still my answer would be no.” Fresh tears rolled on to her eyes as she said that. He didn’t let go her face, “Just tell me that you declining because of me. Just say once that Anik; you aren’t the one for me.” He said, emotions choking up his throat. “Anik, try to understand, this wont work, I will be leaving this city, will go somewhere, not
“Done. If Abhita wants she can have a full week to chart out her future plans, and tell us if we feature anywhere in her future.” Anik smiled as he said that and seeing Abhita nod her head, in approval, he continued, “Now, I am feeling hungry. If you don’t marry me, I am going to employ you as my cook Abhita.” The three of them shared a laugh. It was difficult for Abhita but she had joined in instantly.
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