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!