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"