masoom

When Rita and Animesh married Animesh has asked her before marrying her that there are some parts of his life he does not wants to share with any one, and with Rita’s permission he will keep it under lock and key, that is, Rita will have to promise that she wont ask him any questions about that part, all he wanted to know Rita that he has once loved a woman and some thing has gone awfully wrong, but his intentions were honourable, and if Rita puts her faith on him he will not betray it under any circumstances.

With time they had a small daughter, Mahak, Animesh used to go out of the town atleast one week end of every month, since the very first month of their marriage. Then all of a sudden his frequency of going out became more.

His disappearance started to take toll on their relationship, one day Rita openly told him, that she is silently suffering. Animesh thought for a while and then said ok, pack your and Mahak’s bag. Then they went to a small town 10 or 11 hours journey by train, they rented a room in a hotel, the manager knew Animesh well but was surprised to see Rita and Mahak, Animesh asked Rita and Mahak to just drop the baggage and accompany him.

They went to a picturesque nursing home settled in the laps of a small hill. In a room of that nursing home was a lady in coma, it was quite evident that she was counting her breath. She was very frail, but extremely beautiful. After spending some times looking at her Animesh beckoned them and they slowly went to the garden and sat down.

Animesh told Rita that she is Sumi, his first love, they have lived together for a couple of years, when they were expecting their first child Animesh started to pressurize Sumi to marry him but she rudely refused him and insulted him out of her life. Animesh broke down, he was almost lost his sanity, then Sumi approached him, she consoled him and told him that when she went to the gynae, she told her that she is a patient of leukemia, so she decided to take her problem on her own.

Animesh dropped down on his knees and begged her for days but she coldly distanced herself from him. It was she who has chosen Rita and forced Animesh to marry him, threatening to commit suicide if he doesnot, and she was a stubborn lady, hence Animesh did not dared to refuse her wish.

After his marriage her condition deteriorated very quickly and she is in coma for last 15 days, doctors has already asked Animesh to brace himself.

After a long spell of silence, Rita asked about the child, who was supposed to come. Animesh told that she is also a daughter, masoom, now ten years old, Animesh has placed her in hostel of this town. After Sumi passes away he will place her to a better school.

Rita looked at him directly in his eyes and told him Masoom has lived in hostel for too long, she will go to her home and take admission in Mahak’s school, because Mahak needs a sibling very much.

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When Masoom walked in the visitor’s room of the school Rita was moved beyond words, she could swear that Animesh looked just like her when he was of her age. She stood up and hugged the tiny being to her heart. Masoom smiled and asked her, “Who are you?”

Rita softly replied, “I am your mother, your sister is waiting outside with your father.”

Masoom replied, “You cant be my mother, my mother is in hospital, I go to see her often with father.”

Rita held her close and softly said, “When your mom fell sick she prayed to God to send her sister to take her place so she could take care of you, and God has sent me to take care of you.”

Masoom innocently looked at her and hugged her tightly. They returned that day after clearing the formalities and Masoom was admitted in Mahak’s school.

Mahak took her new friend and sister, who was only one year older than her with love and gratitude. She already knew the deep misfortune of her big sister. She regularly visited Sumi with everyone else and have seen the cold hostel in which her sister lived before she found a family in them.

Under the caring eyes of Animesh and Rita two flowers started to bloom and spread their fragrance.