FUEL FOR LIVING - LAST PART‏

“Anand, I need to talk to you. Can you please come out for a minute?” said Vidya appearing at the door.

Sindhuja was sitting on Anand’s lap clapping her hands with joy, engrossed in the movie. Anand placed Sindhuja on the mattress and walked out. Vidya’ in laws continued to watch the movie with Sindhuja.

Vidya and Anand walked out to the garden. Vidya stood a step ahead of Anand with her back facing him.

“Anand….I….Well…..” she hesitated.

“Vidya, is something wrong? Does your mother in law have a problem with me moving so close with you and Sindhuja? I can talk to her…and tell her that my intentions are just to make you happy.” said Anand with a worried look on his face.

Vidya looked at him over her shoulder and smiled. “She already has a fair idea about that, Anand. I want to speak you about something else.”

“Oh, then what is it Vidya?” asked Anand raising his eyebrows.

Vidya debated within herself trying to choose the best way to put across her decision to him. At the end, she started with what seemed to be appropriate.

“Anand, I don’t know if this is all right or wrong, but the idea of me being away from you has made me restless and so unhappy. When you are around I am happy, Sindhuja is happy, it’s like….you…you complete our family. We have spent only few days with each other, but I have got so much used to your presence, Anand. Your love, your care, your affection, it has given me a new strength to move on. You have given a new meaning to my life.” She said.

Anand was struggling to figure out where this could be leading to.

“When I heard of Venkat’s death, I wanted to die too. I felt like someone had taken my heart away and that I would never be able to love anyone again. I felt there was no love left in me to shower on any man. I felt I will forever lead an incomplete life. It was only for Sindhuja that I continued to live.” she said in a low voice.

“Vidya…” he interrupted her.

She turned her body towards him, looked into his eyes and continued “Let me finish this Anand. And then you came, showering love on me all over again, awakening the feelings in me that I believed had died long back. Your unconditional love for me left me puzzled and astonished. You made me smile and laugh, you made my daughter happy; you gave us everything that we had lost hope of ever getting.”

“Anand I want you to realize that Venkat will forever be a part of my memories.” Vidya said folding her hands across her chest. Anand gave her a puzzled look and let her continue. “And I know you don’t have a problem with that.”

“And now, I am so addicted to you and your love Anand. I want to live with you forever. I love you Anand, I love you so much. I thought it was wrong, wrong for me to love someone other than Venkat. But now I realize that it would be wrong only if I let my past ruin my future. I want to marry you Anand. I don’t want to live without you.” said Vidya wiping her tears.

Anand stood there in astonishment, not knowing what to say. Hearing these words from Vidya’s mouth had left him speechless. All these days, he loved Vidya, never expecting her to love him in return. And now when she did, it overwhelmed his senses. Vidya looked at him with a shy smile. He reached for her chin, lifted it and planted a kiss on her lips. She blushed.

“I love you Vidya.” He said and hugged her.

Vidya let his strong arms wrap around her and felt his strength seep into her body. She wondered how easily she fit into his arms. Back in the kitchen, she had fought her inner demons, killed the doubts, and had decided to confess her love to Anand. In her heart, she thanked the God above, her in laws and Venkat, as she rested her head against Anand’s chest and sighed deeply in contentment.

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“Excuse me, can I join in too?” Sindhuja asked running towards Anand.

“Of course, you can darling.” Anand replied, letting go off Vidya and lifting Sindhuja in his arms.

“Sindhu, Anand has planned to move in with us and be your daddy from now on. He will live with us. How does that sound to you?” Vidya asked her daughter unsure what Sindhu’s reaction would be.

On hearing this, Sindhu’s eyes brightened up and she smiled broadly. “Wow! Really? So can I call you daddy?” asked Sindhuja looking at Anand.

“Yes sweetheart.” Anand replied kissing her.

“So, you will not need to go back to your home everyday?”

“No”

“Will you read bedtime stories to me every night?”

“Yes baby”

“You will come to India with us?”

“Yes!”

“Wow!” Sindhuja clapped her hands with enthusiasm and kissed Anand on his cheek. Anand kissed her back gently.

“Daddy, now can we go back and continue watching the movie? I have put the movie in pause.” said Sindhuja eagerly.

They walked into the home; Anand carrying his daughter in his right arm and Vidya holding Anand’s left arm. As they walked, Vidya slid her hand into Anand’s and intertwined her fingers with his. Anand gave her hand a delicate squeeze and she responded by smiling at him. Vidya realized this is right; Anand being his husband and Sindhuja’s father is right; Anand being a part of their life, their family is right.

Once inside, Vidya ran up to her mother in law. “Mom, thanks for helping me decide.” She turned to her father in law who was now smiling. “Dad, thank you so much.” Vidya said hugging them both.

“Your happiness means a lot to us Vidya. We have lost our son, and its only Sindhuja and you who are our family. Stay happy!” her mother in law said with tearful eyes.

----- The End ------