Chain of parts here :
The Wait
" I know you are waiting to hear from me. Thanks for your support " Before Shalu could return his words, Nitin continued, " I don't know, I mean I know what is going in your mind " At this Shalu wondered even if he really knew, coz the circumstances had coiled itself so much that she didn't understood her own colourful pattern of thoughts.
Nitin turned mute, his eyes gazing at the horizon that had no boundaries, no end. Shalu so much wanted this silence to be broken, she was tired of it, to be apt : sick of it, as her curiosity was jumping on bed of patience. Yet she kept quiet and forcefully zipped her lips. Except for the playful waves that occasionally wet their sand dripped feet, leaving their slippers salty, the only other sound they could hear was of their mixed breaths.
" I am an orphan" Shalu turned her head right away at 90 degree angle, to look into his eyes, but Nitin continued to gaze at the peaceful sea, while his eye glands secreted salty water. " They are my parents, but I am not their child, biologically ". Shalu felt as if she already knew this.
Maybe instinct ? All along she was framing words as to what to say for anything that came out of his mouth, but now she preferred to keep mum.
" I didn't knew for all these years, until last year. And it did hurt, a lot." Shalu squeezed her palms into his. Nitin almost choked but continued," I don't remember celebrating my birthday all these years, despite being the only son. I wanted to ask them why, while friends used to envy me for being pampered and spoilt, for having no siblings to eat heads. I laughed off, building stories of what a wonderful time I had, enjoying the sole attention. Nobody knew how that lie pricked me, except Subhash. Subhash was my best buddy, and I am thankful to his friendship, will always be, till I am alive." Nitin seemed to drown in flashback, and there was no stopping him. The waves continued to splash, and the salty water refused to dry.
" I could fool the world by decorating beautiful stories, lecture them of advantages of being the single child, the privileges and shower of gifts and pampering and what not, but all that was fake, a mask that I had to shield myself from breaking down with reality, which was planets away from spiced stories. Dad never spoke to me unless and until there was a need. In fact I never remember I asked, let alone speak anything from dad, not even a pencil. My needs were met, and if at all they weren't Subhash was there. I tried everything, by topping my class, by participating almost all the competitions of the world, which might trigger little smile, a kind gesture, a proud pat from dad, but that never happened. Everyday I questioned myself, but last year it gave me all answers. And the answers made me feel why did I wanted the answer at all ?"
" Maybe your father didn't want to adopt. It reminded of .." Shalu blurted out, " I mean sorry. I didn't intend to .."
But Nitin didn't react. It was as if he had seen a tragic movie, and he was telling its story live, his mind filled with stills of picture. " Hmmm. Yes, he never wanted to adopt, because he didn't knew whose blood the child carried .. dirty blood ... " Shalu understood. She understood from his tone, his expressions. There was a mix of hatred and hurt, and a lot of helplessness dipped in unanswered questions. Shalu diverted, " But your mom loves you a lot na? Otherwise you wouldn't talk to her hours on phone .."
" Yeah, I love her, and she loves me most, equal to her husband if not less. But with him beside, she is his wife rather than my mother." That said all. Shalu didn't dig deep. But she wondered about their one year deal. " One year? " she couldn't lock her questions.
( To be contd ..)
PS : Krishnapriya, thank youuu so much for the comments ! Would take your advice, and yeah, I know the story is little dragging, and frequent breaks irritate its flow. Due to lack of time, I have to snap it short. Next part will be the final :)
PPS : Compared to the last part, this part wasn't much satisfying, IMO. But I have to finish of this story in a day or two, after which I might not blog, and
The Wait has been waiting for long, can't make it wait more :P