XXI

"It's actually a very caring act on her part " Rakesh nudged Sunita bringing her back to the present time, " coming all the way down here, after how we treated her last time and how she had left the house in anger"

"I know that Rakesh, she is my mother, but I don't want to listen all that superstitious talk again, especially not now" Sunita replied, stirring sugar in the freshly prepared tea.

Sunita and Rakesh went back to the living room, carrying tea for Mrs Devi. "So Rakesh, how is your work?" "It's fine maa"  all three of them didn't know exactly what to talk about.

"Let's go to that new Chinese eatery nearby, that opened 2 months back" Rakesh suggested, a little excited. He thought it would be a good change for Sunita, and three of them might be able to get rid of the awkward silence also, for some time at least.

"Yes, let's try something new, I haven't had Chinese since years, it feels!" Mrs Devi agreed immediately giving Rakesh a wink, she had understood his plan.

"I'm not sure.....lets just stay indoors" Sunita tried to withdraw, she feared doing anything new. "Com'on Sunita, let me treat you both for the new hairstyle I got!!" Mrs Devi chuckled, "doesn't it look fabulous on me" Rakesh and Sunita both had smiles in their faces, and Sunita gave a little nod. Rakesh gave a sigh of relief.

VIII

"I'm sorry, I had no idea!" Sunita said nodding disapprovingly. "It's fine dear, neither did I" Rakesh said consoling Sunita. The couple had visited a nearby Doctor's clinic to gather details about IVF, but after the discussion with the doctor, they were both a little disappointed.

According to the doctor, each trial would cost them a huge sum of money. Sunita was worried if they weren't successful the first time, they couldn't afford another trial. She was startled at the pricing of an individual trail, leave aside multiple trails. She was disappointed as the whole case solely dependent on her womb, on which she had obviously no control.

Rakesh tried to instill positivity in her, "Maybe we won't need another trial!" patting her head friendly. But Sunita was worried, "All our money will go waste if the trial is unsuccessful". " So what, I had never thought you would be such a great lifepartner before marrying you, we all have to take risks, haha!". "Huh!! Rakesh" Sunita swirled a pillow at Rakesh and smiled. Rakesh laughed at his success of making Sunita smile.

Sunita smiled seeing Rakesh laugh, after many days had she seen him laugh carefree. She somehow sensed positive vibes from his laugh. She felt maybe things things will turn positive now.

Sunita wasn't sure if she wanted to go for IVF, walking back from the clinic, after she had heard the doctor's conditions. But now, she thought they should give it a try, maybe this was the last struggle, maybe the outcome would be positive enough to make them forget all negativity in the world.