Chapter 10 Getting Forward

Six Years Later...

I wandered all my life like no one could ever walk before. The scars that left me dazed were still stinging me. The troubles I went through were still there. The abuse I suffered that brought so many tears had not yet quit my soul. But in a strange way, I had learned to overcome them. Today, I closed that chapter of my life and left it behind me. All those worries, all those resentments, were now transformed into a new light of hope. I closed the doors of history and opened one of a new beginning and a captivating a new life of possibilities

The prison gate opened and I stepped out with a hurricane of emotions whirling within me. After being held captive in that small room for six years, the winds of freedom felt like a blessing. I stretched out my arms and lived the moment to the fullest. After such a long time, I got to re-live the feeling of a cold breeze touching my face and my nose becoming cold as ice. How liberating it felt to be back again to a normal life.

My family was there to receive me. My father had fully recovered from his paralysis and was back to his feet again. I saw him waving at me and calling out my name.

“Welcome back, Son.”

I touched his feet. He jolted with happiness and hugged me tightly. I was sure from this gesture of his that he had forgiven me for my past deeds. Standing along with him was my little sister who was now grown up and married.

“Welcome back, Bhai,” She beamed in excitement, tousling my hair.

We got a new addition to our family. Aparna got married last year to Pratham Sapra whom she loved. When she had told dad about her relationship and her decision to marry him, he didn’t refuse her wish and I too had given them my approval because all I wanted was her happiness.

“It feels like a lifetime since I last saw the two of you.” I said, with tears in my eyes.

“Don’t be upset, brother. Forget the past and live in your present. Let’s go home. Utkarsh is waiting for us there,” Aparna said.

We reached home and as I came out of the car and looked at my house, I thought of the days I spent in the lockup and how badly I wanted to come back home. Everything was going to be okay now. I wasn’t going back. I just wanted to be here. After so many years, I was finally feeling relaxed.

Utkarsh came running towards me from the main entrance came and cried out in utter joy,

“My brother is back! My brother Avinash is back.” He wrapped me in his arms and spun me around.

“Thanks, brother. Look at you! You have become so handsome,” I said.

We all gathered in the living room and Aparna made a butterscotch cake to celebrate my homecoming. We cut the cake and it felt like I was celebrating my birthday. This day was indeed special and though the moments were fleeting, they were still to rejoice and remember. It felt like the wilderness that existed around me had suddenly disappeared. . I was as happy as a baboon in a banana tree. Aparna headed to the kitchen for a cup of tea. And the rest of us begun to talk. I was the first one to break the ice.

“So Pratham, tell me little about yourself,” I asked him. I knew about his profession, but I had no idea about his work and family.

“Sir, I am a Civil Engineer from NIT Gurgaon, currently working as a Senior Software Assistant in Infosys. As well as an active member of the Lokshakti Party. It is like second family to me, “ he told me.

“Sir sounds too formal man. I am your brother-in-law, from now so no sir, just Avinash is fine.” I told him, he still felt a little uncomfortable. But, he slowly felt at ease.

“Aparna had told me about your family, but I hardly forgot,” I said.

“I will tell you Avinash, there are a total of four members in my family. My mom, my dad, me, and my elder brother who is also into politics. He is an MLA from the Lokshakti Party only,” He told me.

“That’s good; Aparna also has an interest in politics, she told me once.” I articulated her thoughts, and she showed her acceptance from the kitchen.

“Yeah, she also told me once,” Utkarsh said.

“Huh, she never told me anything about it, “ Pratham said in doubt as he glanced to her while she was serving us the hot tea.

“Pratham, I told already told you about it. That’s why I started working with a NGO. I wanted to start my own political party. But it was not possible, so instead I joined a NGO, as I didn’t want to be left alone and in the same time I could be proud of myself for doing something for my country and my countrymen,” Aparna said as she nudged Pratham by hitting him on his leg. I could feel the love between the both of them. There was an enduring love by these actions only, I felt so satisfied that my sister was happy. To see that spark of love, I immediately remembered the times when Chhavi and I had shared those intimate moments, but that memory faded away the very next second.

“Avinash,” said Dad, who was calling out my name as I had dropped the tea on my shirt. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even feel that tea got drop on my shirt. I rushed towards the washroom to change my shirt.

...

I changed my clothes and wore something a little more comfortable. I changed my old shirt with a T-shirt that Chhavi had given me. I was washing my hands on the basin, and Utkarsh passed me the towel.

“What happened there bro, how could you not notice the hot tea,” Utkarsh asked.

“I don’t know what happened, something came up in my mind, a memory,” I replied.

“Oh, don’t worry, you are a good man”, he patted his hands on my shoulder and went towards the living room.

“Hey buddy, how is Chhavi? Where is she nowadays?” I curiously asked him.

He was quiet for a moment, but when I asked him again.

He replied.

“She lives in Vikroli brother, with her husband and in- laws”, He said in a low voice.

“Husband?” I questioned.

“Yeah buddy, she moved on after that incident. She got married just three months back.”, Utkarsh told me. I was not surprised, I already knew a little about it as she was still in touch with Aparna. But Aparna didn’t tell me about her marriage, but I expected it anyway. But somewhere deep in my heart I felt hurt.

“I wanted to meet her, Can I?” I asked him.

“ Of course, you can, buddy. I just hope her husband doesn’t mind.”

...

The next morning I woke around 9 a.m. I got ready. Aparna didn’t go to her in-laws; she was staying here with us. Dad came up to my room with breakfast. He made my favorite avocado toast with black coffee. He seemed to be in good health, and all of it is mostly thanks to Utkarsh who supported them while I was in jail. I was happy that Dad recovered from the paralysis, his left hand was still uncontrollable, but it didn’t stop him from restarting his Physics tuition.

“Dad, you made all this,” I was surprised to see his cooking skills.

“Yes beta, I was taking classes from six a.m., it had just ended about thirty minutes ago. So, I thought to make some breakfast for us.”, He said.

“Thanks, Dad,”

“Are you going somewhere, Beta?” he asked.

“Yes, Dad. I wanted to meet Chhavi”, I replied. He didn’t stop me but warned me a little as Utkarsh had yesterday.

Then, I got ready and asked Aparna about her address. She wanted to accompany me, but I wanted to meet her alone. So, I took my bike and left for Chhavi’s house, it took about forty five minutes for me to travel from Andheri to Sunview Apartments, Vikroli. I asked the security guard about the flat, he told me about Mehta Family on the 7th floor. I went upstairs via the lift. As I reached the floor, I spotted a few security guards there, they were standing right next to the flat where I was going. One of them came towards me. He looked like a wrestler, with tattoos on his neck splitting down to his chest. His heavy weight like body was really huge. I felt a little uncomfortable, when he was coming towards me.

“Yes, are you here to meet with someone?” “Chhavi Basu”, I replied in a grim voice. “May I know the reason for the visit?”.

“She was my old school friend.”, I told him. He looked bit satisfied with the answer, he took out his phone and dialed inside the flat,” He talked with someone. I think it was a girl, who I think told him to let me through. He told me, I can go inside. I took a deep breath, when he allowed me. With my heart pumping, I rang the doorbell, Chhavi opened the door. She seemed so happy to see me.

“Hi, Chhavi.” I greeted her

“Avi, when had you come back? “ she questioned me “Yesterday” I replied.

“Great,” She seemed delighted, but from her sudden pale face, I could see that she got a bit anxious too. She quickly tried to close the door, so that no one could see from inside the apartment.

“I really wanted to meet you Chhavi, I hope you are doing well. Can I come in?”

“Who is it Chhavi?” a voice came from the back