XXVII

Time flew as Sunita found company in Shiela. She didn't feel alone or miserable any more, nor she missed the presence of a kid in her life so much. They used to go shopping together, go for evening walks. Even everybody at Sunita's school now knew Shiela.

One day, Shiela invited Sunita and Rakesh for dinner. Sunita kept on asking her what was the occasion, but she just laughed and said she would tell her at dinner itself. Sunita asked Rakesh what should they do, as going empty handed didn't look good but they were not aware of the occasion to buy any suitable gift. Rakesh suggested they could buy a bouquet, as it is apt for every occasion and also as just a thank-you-for-dinner gift.

Sunita and Rakesh reached Shiela's house for dinner. Tarun opened the main door and welcomed them inside the house. " Shiela you are glowing!" exclaimed Sunita, as she met her. Shiela just blushed in response. Tarun took rakesh to the drawing room and they sat and waited for the ladies. Sunita helped Shiela with glasses and snacks as they moved to the living room. Tarun and Rakesh were discussing politics.

As Tarun paused on Shiela's insistence for taking some snacks, Sunita popped up the big question, " now...now, what is the suspense? I mean what is the occasion...tell me now...." Shiela blushed again. : Come on guys, I'm loosing patience now!!!" Tarun smiled and said, "Okay, okay...Shiela??" Shiela smiled and rose from her seat and stood next to Varun and they said together.." we are pregnant!!" Sunita was stunned. She kept the smile on her face but her mind was blank inside.

Shiela came to her and they hugged. Shiela looked towards Sunita, happily and Sunita murmured the very obvious words, "I'm so happy for your dear" but neither her expressions changed nor her voice had any modulations. No body in the room noticed it except Rakesh. He knew Sunita was smiling only from on the outside. They had dinner, Sunita and Rakesh could barely eat and came back home.

VI

A few years passed, Rakesh was back on his feet. Depression ate up most of his past few years as well as his health. Rakesh who had a radiant face now looked dull, with baggy eyes. Age and stress had taken toll on Sunita's health too.

Although Rakesh now had a decent job, Sunita continued her work as she felt at peace with kids at the school. The silence at their home and the society had begun to haunt her. She felt very restless entire day at home alone, with Rakesh at work.

Sunita loved kids, she and Rakesh had again started trying but luck hadn't favoured them yet. There had been increase in visits by moms and every visit had the hidden agenda of a lecture about raising family, as if Sunita and Rakesh didn't already want that or weren't trying enough.

The neighborhood had become even more deserted. Some of the senior members were no more with them. Some new tenants came, but left in few months, blaming the dead air of the society. One strange thing was that none of the new families had kids. There were already no kids in the existing households, and no new owners or tenants brought kids with them. Was it just a coincidence or did she only found it strange because she loved so much, thought Sunita.



Meanwhile the students at school loved her, she felt the teaching job was more than just a job for her. She found it a blessing, and thought she would bring her kids to the same school. A smile lightened her face dreaming of her walking her kids to her school.

Sunita missed Rakesh cheerfulness and his blithesome attitude. Since they had lost their dream home, Rakesh didn't speak much, he kept his thoughts to himself, and when Sunita pressurized him then only he used to share with her. She was worried that his attitude towards life had changed. It had become more negative, he didn't have big dreams like before, small things in life didn't make him happy now like before. She was although, positive that when they have kids, Rakesh will learn to live again.