Always And Forever

Evidence

Sumedh opened the door and Ridhi came in. Swamini was scared and she couldn't read the expressions on Ridhi's face. Was she angry or was she convinced?

Ridhi stood in front of them and her piercing gaze travelled around the room.

"Hospital me sab thik hai?" Ridhi asked whilst sitting down on chair.

"Haan" Swamini answered.

"Good" Ridhi said "Baitho.. Dono bhi"

Sumedh and Swamini awkwardly sat down on bed.

"Sumedh told me everything" Ridhi said to Swamini "He told me you have a sister.."

Swamini nodded.

"I just have a few questions" Ridhi said.

Sumedh and Swamini looked at each other. Swamini braced herself and said "Okay"

"What if Sumedh and you get divorced? What will happen to your sister and you? Have you ever thought about it?" Ridhi asked.

"Gopika mam assured me that even if we get divorced she'll look after Amruta.. But I don't know about me" Swamini answered.

"You believe her?" Ridhi asked.

Swamini took a pause and then said "I kind of do... If it wasn't for Gopika mam, I don't know what I would've done.. I might not be alive"

"So getting married to a man you didn't know was better than everything else you had in your life?" Ridhi asked.

"It was better than death.." Swamini answered "I was the one deciding to die but my sister was a child.. I did everything to secure her future and nothing else.. Aap mere sath jo karna hai kijiye.. I won't say anything.. Par meri behen.. She's my life.. Uske sath galat nahi hone de sakti"

Ridhi sighed "You love your sister and you're ready to do anything for her.. This is the thing which will make you understand my situation.. Sumedh is my younger brother.. I am similarly protective of him as you are of Amruta.."

"I know.. I understand your situation.. I underestand if you don't want to trust me or don't want me in your brother's life" Swamini said.

Ridhi looked at her "Do you trust me?" She asked.

"Of course I do" Swamini said "Didi aap hi hai jinhone mujhe pyaar diya.. Itna sara jitna kabhi mujhe jindagi me nahi mila tha.. Aap pe bharosa nahi karungi toh kispe karungi?"

Ridhi felt her eyes wet "I wish tumne yeh sab pehle mujhe bola hota vahini.. Bata diya hota ki mummy kya kar rahi hai tumhare sath.."

"I am sorry" Swamini said.

They heard another knock on door.

"Ruturaj hai.." Ridhi said "Aa jao Ruturaj"

Ruturaj came in.

"Khane ki plate laane bheja tha main use.. Baki sabne kha liya par hospital me thi na" Ridhi wiped away her tears.

Swamini was moved by this gesture. Ridhi took the plate and fed crying Swamini a bite.

"Yeh mat samjhna ki tumhare na batane par jo meri narajgi hai wo kam ho gayi hai.. Par I trust you.. I believe your story.. You've been through a lot and you've trusted mummy as your savior.. But now I want you to trust me.." Ridhi said "Jo bhi ho jaye you'll have to trust me.. You're not allowed to join team mummy"

"Woahhh.. There will be a team mummy and team didi?" Sumedh asked.

"Sure there will be.. How dare she do what she did.." Ridhi had anger in her eyes "Unke iss ghar me aane ke pehle se yaha reh rahi hoo main.. Yeh sab planning, plotting wo papa se shaadi karne ke baad sikhi hai.. Main toh papa ki beti hoo.. Main paida hone se pehle hi yeh sab sikh ke aayi ho.. Mummy ko unhi ki bhasha me jawab milega.. I swear I'll turn everything upside-down for her.."