XXIV

Sunita revived gradually with her
mother's care and company. Rakesh was happy that Sunita looked much better now. He was also happy that his mother-in-law did not mention about any ghosts or spirits or shadow creatures or Babas.

Days passed, Sunita had now made peace with her IVF results. She was reliving her childhood with her mother taking due care of her. She resumed her school soon, the kids were really happy to have her back, and she was elated too. She started working enthusiastically and soon it was time for Mrs Devi to go back. Both Mother and daughter were not happy but Mrs Devi was sure that now her daughter had recovered, and will take care of herself. Also, her bond with her son-in-law had now strengthen and she knew he was there to keep her daughter happy.

Sunita and Rakesh bid farewell to Mrs Devi as her train left the station. Sunita was a bit sad, Rakesh hugged her and took her back home. They sat in the garden, laughing about the time Mrs Devi had invited that Baba. Suddenly they heard a friendly voice, "Hello!" Sunita turned back to find a young couple standing at the gate of their garden, "can we come in?" the
woman asked. Sunita got up and welcomed them. "Hi, I'm Shiela and this is my husband, Tarun. We have shifted in the house next to yours." "Oh you must be the new occupants, to whom Mrs Durani sold her house?" asked Sunita. "Yes, she shifted with her brother's family after her husband's death and they had no children" Shiela said. "Please have a seat" Rakesh offered Tarun a seat, and Sunita and Shiela sat next to each other.

"This neighbourhood is so unusually quiet!" exclaimed Tarun, "I appreciate the peace but its too dull" Rakesh nodded. "Have lunch with us, you must have not been able to unpack things yet" said Sunita. "Oh no thanks, but we shifted here a week ago, and now we are almost settled" Shiela said. Sunita remarked, "strange, we didn't come to know!" to which Tarun replied, "exactly what I me

ant, this society is quite lifeless, nobody came to welcome us or offer us help or even tea!" "I'm sorry for that, actually, my mother...." reasoned Sunita, but Shiela stopped her midway, "its okay, please excuse my husband, he has a habit of speaking up his mind, he didn't mean in a bad way". Soon the four of them started chatting and Rakesh and Sunita seemed happy to have found company.

X

"No....no... nobody else is to be blamed Rakesh, it's me, it's my fault.... nobody else...... I'm myself responsible for every damn thing" Sunita wept uncontrollably, "how can you blame yourself Sunita,..... for something which wasn't in our hands" Rakesh consoled her, "it's just..... our luck didn't favor us, it'll soon be alright! Everything will soon be fine" Rakesh pulled her head close his heart, stroking Sunita's head softly, like consoling a sobbing child.

Sunita sat next to window staring out towards the garden, the same place she had imagined her blissful future before the test. A tear rolled down her cheek. "Your coffee is getting cold dear" Rakesh tried taking her mind off the failed IVF procedure, recalling Sunita's face when she tested negative.

He wondered if the stars were playing a dirty game with him and Sunita. Or if he or Sunita weren't trying their best to fulfill their desire of extending their family.

He got up and switched on the TV, on the cartoon channel, Tom was chasing Jerry. " Sunita look our all time favorite!" Sunita turned towards the television screen and gave a weak smile to Rakesh. Rakesh knew it would take some load off the mind for a little while. He himself needed to clear up his mind for sometime.

A few moments passed Sunita had a little smile on her face watching Tom and Jerry's naughtiness. Rakesh smiled looking at Sunita, a little relived. Suddenly Sunita's lips curved towards the darker side, Rakesh turned towards the Tv and saw the commercial break showcasing baby products and a mother and baby cast showcasing their love. Rakesh got up and turned the Tv off and hugged Sunita.

"What could I possibly do to make you feel even a little better......" Rakesh sighed