XXVIII

" Sunita, are you okay?! " Rakesh nugged Sunita who hadn't spoken a word since they had returned home, she had just got into bed. Rakesh made get turn and she stared blank onto Rakesh's eyes. Rakesh stroked her hair lovingly and said, "say something.... Please"

Sunita closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and opened her eyes again to look into her husband's, and said, " I'm not sure if being jealous of your own friend's happiness counts as being normal Rakesh. " She finished the whole sentence in one breath.  Rakesh hugged her tightly.

"Sunita! ... Sunita....! "Sunita turned on hearing her name being called, to find Shiela in her garden shouting and waving to her.

Sunita skipped a heart beat but smiled and waved her back. Shiela rushed towards her. She wanted to know when Sunita could join her for some baby shopping. Often one becomes blind in one's happiness. She didn't even once think about Sunita's feelings. Sunita had decided to be strong. Rakesh had also councelled her to not be emotional and wear a smile and be happy for Shiela. She told Shiela she was always ready for going shopping.

Months passed, Sunita had found peace for herself. She had almost forgotten her past, and was more engaged in Shiela's future. Sunita had also planned for throwing baby shower for Shiela. She had no other friends in the colony so she took it as a chance for extending relations as well. Unfortunetly no neighbours turned up for the event and only a few close friends of Shiela and Sunita's were present.

Time flew and Shiela's delivery time was near. One day Sunita got a call at 2 am in the night. It was Shiela's husband on the call. He was crying badly, Sunita couldn't make out exactly what he was saying. Rakesh and Sunita rushed to the nursing home, Shiela was admitted to. Apparently she had slipped in the bathroom and had to be taken immediately to the hospital. Now doctors were 50-50 on baby's survival chances!

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.

XXVI

Sunita sat staring outside from the window when Rakesh came home. Rakesh said "Hi dear" and went upstairs. He didn't notice that he hadn't received any reply to his greeting. He went to his room and changed. Then thinking Sunita was resting, he went and made tea for her and himself. He came to Sunita, still sitting at the window and staring, holding two cups of hot brewed tea in his hands. He placed the cups on the small side table and sat down. "Sunita..." Sunita didn't answer, she was still sitting still. "Sunita..." Rakesh gently touched her by her shoulder.

"Huh??!!....Rakesh....when did you get home?" Sunita got startled by Rakesh's sudden touch. "Hey, it has been almost 20 minutes, dear....are you okay? how are you so lost?" "Oh God, I have no idea since how long I have been sitting here....." she dug her face in her hands. Rakesh lifted her face by her chin, "what happened, what's on your mind? Is something wrong?" Sunita told Rakesh about her conversation with Shiela, and how she is feeling empty since that.

Rakesh took a deep sip of the pipping hot tea and nodded listening to her. He had his own set of thinking clouds hovered over him. "Sunita, frankly speaking, now i'm really scared to even think about having children!" Rakesh shuddered. Sunita stared at him blank, deep inside she empathized with him. She knew he was right. "Rakesh," Sunita placed her hand on his right knee, "I know dear." she nodded, looking in his eyes. Rakesh felt confident by Sunita's touch, he smiled and nodded.

"Sunita!!" Shiela exclaimed, opening the front door to its full swing, " Oh I'm sorry,.....I should have knocked!" she stopped abruptly, seeing Sunita removing her hand from Rakesh's thigh. Sunita got up and welcomed Shiela. " No silly! its absolutely fine! Shiela nodded to greet Rakesh. Rakesh also smiled back and got up with the excuse to find the day's newspaper.

"I'm sorry Sunita, I didn't think Bhaisaheb would be here..." "Shhh...its okay." Sunita said, " so what's up?" Shiela regained her excitement, " I came up with a plan to organise a drawing competition in your school on the upcoming Republic day! So I came running to you, to tell you this" Sunita laughed, " You looked so excited for this?!.....okay okay, i'll talk to my principal Sir"