The Second Chance
My first attempt at writing something which is purely fictional. Not related to me or any person known to me.
Aranya was busy getting her house all cleaned and ready for her precious grandchildren –Anvi and Anvesh . They had now grown up to be wonderful teenagers and were visiting the grandparents after a long spell of time. Her husband, Kunal was not keeping well since past few months. Old age had taken its toll. And all he desired was spending leisure amount of time with his grandchildren. Aranya and Kunal’s children – Akkriti and Aditya were also visiting but after a couple of days. For the time being it was only the grandparents and the grandchildren. Aranya had decided to gather all the stuff belonging to the grandchildren as, well as what belonged to the parents when they were kids and give it to the kids and parents and to discard the stuff which was useless. She was in the attic getting all this done when her maid came across a small trunk. After all the things and toys were sorted Aranya asked her maid to place the trunk in her room and to wind up the work.
She lovingly and gently caressed the trunk with her hands. And then she opened it. It contained old albums, certain junk stuff, a picture of handsome couple heads over heels in love and a paper cutting dated 1-12-08. She was overwhelmed with emotions. Even after so many decades the memories of this date sent shiver down her spine. Her eyes welled up. She read it again and was lost, lost in the era and time when she was a beautiful , carefree, happy young girl……………………………………..
Aranya and Sandeep were so called school sweethearts. Their love for each other had blossomed since the time they could not even speak each other’ name. It was first day of school for both. They instantly became friends and went inside holding hands, and the hands were held forever. They grew up to be teenagers crazy in love and their love continued to bloom through thick and thin. They did their graduation together and both were software engineers working for multi-national companies in Mumbai. There was not a single person who did not know about this unconditional love of theirs. Their parents knew that eventually at the right time they would definitely tie the knot and were happy with their decision.
Finally the day came when they decided to get married. It was happiest moment in their life and not only theirs,even the families were overjoyed. The wedding functions and the wedding itself took place on a grand scale. No less than that of Royal families. And later when actual life happened they dealt with it happily and lovingly. Over a span of couple of years they were blessed with two beautiful twins – A sweet bubbly girl named Akkriti and a cherubic boy named Aditya. The duo felt their family was complete. But then ,who knew,what fate actually had in store for them.
It was 24th November 2008 when Sandeep returned from office at regular time and informed Aaranya of a certain conference which he had to attend. It was scheduled on 26th of November in The Taj hotel, Gateway of India, Mumbai. Aaranya was used to Sandeep being away for conferences and was absolutely okay with it.But little did she know that the day of conference would be marked as black day in history. It was 27th when Aaranya came to know of terror attack in various parts of Bombay and she was terrified. She started panicking. She tried calling Sandeep on his cell phone but it was switched off. She waited with bated breath for some news about Sandeep but the wait seemed never ending. Till she received that newspaper on the morning of 1st December. It had a list of people who were killed in the attack and there it was “Sandeep Ahuja” amongst the other names.
Aaranya’s world was shattered in fraction of a second. She felt numb. She just sat there holding the newspaper as if she was frozen in time. She could not get herself to believe what she had read. But that was what it was. Life had just played a big bad game on her. And then she shrieked and screamed and cried like she had never cried before. As the days passed she somehow managed to get done with all the painful rituals. She was broken, yet she stayed strong for her only lifeline,her children. Slowly and painfully she started getting on with the routine. Children with their school and studies and Aaranya with office and children. Her parents wanted her to shift back with them. But she adamantly refused for if not Sandeep,she had his memories in their house,and they were a huge comfort to her in these tough times.
Soon an year had already passed since Sandeep’s demise when she got a call from one of her and Sandeep’s common friend- Kunal. A call that changed her life. Kunal had been their friend since a long time. Aaranya and Sandeep were like a family to Kunal and they also considered him the same. They were his pillar of support when his love of long time left him for another guy and his life was shattered. They were somebody who would not question him or bug him and just be there for him unconditionally.
That day Kunal called her up, not to know how she was coping, but he proposed her for marriage. Aaranya was furious,she said “Kunal are you out of your mind?? This is insane” but before she could say anything more Kunal said “ Listen Aaru, I am not showing either sympathy towards you neither am I seeing you as an opportunity that should be grasped. Before judging me or my this sudden proposal ,I want to meet you and discuss these thing face to face.” Aaranya being familiar with Kunal agreed to meet. Meanwhile she came to know that before calling her, Kunal had had a talk about getting married to her with her parents,as well as Sandeep’s parents and after lengthy and thoughtful discussion they had given their consent to Kunal. Aaranya was furious that how could they, her parents and moreover Sandeep’s parents agree to it. She did not need any financial support. She was raising kids absolutely perfectly and neither did she need any sympathy. She now looked forward to meet Kunal and know the reason behind this out of the blue behaviour of his.
They met at the coffee shop where they all used to hang out in earlier days. After exchanging the pleasantries Kunal directly came to the point of marriage. He said “Aaru, Just as I told you before neither am I taking advantage of this situation nor am I showing sympathy towards you. As you know I have tremendous love and respect for you as well as Sandeep. You must be wondering, then why this sudden, out of the blue proposal?” Aaranya said”Most definitely Kunal,I do want to know why, why this? And why me? What the hell are you even thinking?”. Kunal continued,” Aaru, I gave a lot of thought to this marriage proposal. And it is not just about you it is about kids too. It is not that you cannot manage alone, you can and you are in fact doing a great job managing them and bringing them up beautifully. But knowing you, tell me Aaru has there not been a single moment after Sandeep when for a second you wished you had somebody to look after kids for sometime, just half an hour or so, for that much needed break?” “Tell me Aaru after kids are off to bed, don’t you ever think of having someone to share your day, your fears, your dreams and ambitions with. When you are watching your favourite movie on weekend don’t you ever feel the lack of someone to share that popcorn or that glass of wine with. Be it just a friend” “ That is the exact sort of loneliness that I too face. And who but you, and me understand each other and our past loves. Not expecting anything else from the relationship except a good understanding friendship and company, to share our joys and sorrows together, not just now, but at later stages too when kids have grown up, busy with their lives, at that time won’t it be nice to have someone’s company.” “Like I said before Aaru, there’s no hurry and no compulsion. Take your time and think and whatever be your answer, I will happily accept.”
Aaranya went home in a daze as deep inside she knew whatever Kunal had told her was right. And she finally took the decision and said yes to Kunal. They had a simple court marriage as neither of them wanted the extravaganza. Aaranya and kids shifted to Kunal’s house. She finally, with a heavy heart sold of her and Kunal’s house. Kids did not take much time to adjust and over span of time started referring to Kunal as dad and slowly, for them, memories of Sandeep faded. And Kunal too showered them with immense love just like a father. He never dodged his duty as a father. And neither as a friend. But as time would have it,slowly he fell in love with Aaranya. Though he never told her so or demanded anything from her, for him love just happened. Again. However Aaranya was still immersed in Sandeep’s thoughts to realise that. There were times when physical needs surfaced but even in those moments she visualised Sandeep in place of Kunal. Kunal was aware of it and accepted it. Otherwise for any outsider they had a perfect family and perfect life.
Once Kunal’s ma came to spend a few days with them. And she realised what the situation was. One day Aaranya was home, Kunal in office and kids in school, when Kunal’s ma went to her. “Aaranya, she said. If you are not busy child, may we talk for sometime?” Aaranyasaid “Sure ma, please come.” Kunal’s ma said “Aaranya, you are very lucky that life has given you a second chance. Another chance to get loved and to love again. I was very young and Kunal was hardly three when his dad was martyred at war front. I missed him a lot. I still do. There were and there still are times when I want to share my life, my love and everything with someone. But like you, I never got any “Kunal” in my life. It is so evident that he has fallen in love with you, but child don’t be harsh on yourself, don’t restrict yourself from falling in love again.” Aaranya was speechless. “Please don’t take it as a talk from Kunal’s ma to you, but from somebody who has seen life and experienced it and somebody who adores you like a daughter. “ Said Kunal’s ma. She continued ,“ Aaranya, I know, you must be feeling that if you allow yourself to fall in love with somebody it would wrong Sandeep. But think about it,quiet a long time has passed since that incident and loving Kunal won’t diminish your love for Sandeep in anyway. Wherever he is, if he is watching you, think what would he have wanted.” “Don’t be so harsh on yourself child, life is too small for that.” Saying this she left as she heard kids return from the school. Aaranya was sitting there baffled. It was like somebody had told her that what she was refraining herself to even think about. She thought about it for hours and finally,accepted the realty.
Coming week was their anniversary, and this time Aaranya had it all planned. She gave an envelope to Kunal, which contained holiday tickets for two. She had planned a holiday, just for two of them, leaving kids with Kunal’s ma. After the talk with Kunal’s ma, she thought and took this decision. For she felt that she needed to spend time with Kunal, to know him, and finally allow herself to fall in love with him with no regrets attached. And she did. They came back happy and full of love for each other. But neither did Kunal nor Aaranya let memories of Sandeep fade nor hamper their relation.
She was immersed in all these thoughts when she heard contagious laughter of her grandchildren and saw Kunal standing in the door was, gazing lovingly at her. He just went, sat beside her, and caressed the photo lovingly and gave Aarany a big tight hug. That is when she said,” Life is nearly coming to an end, Kunal and I never ever thanked you enough for this lovely second chance that you gave. Second chance to fall in love and be loved, to live life and have absolutely no regrets whatsoever.” “You don’t need to Aaru” said Kunal “In turn a second chance was given to me as well.” And just then Anvi and Anvesh came rushing into the room demanding the scrumptious lunch awaiting them. And they all proceed towards the dining room, joking merrily and laughing, while the photograph and newpaper went back into the trunk, to be taken care of along with Aaranya’s and Sandeep’s stuff after them.
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