Seven Vows Part 1- Published

The Fight, The Boards

Ruchika came to her room and freshned up. It was a tiring day for her in the day care. With some tantrums from children, then some mothers who were late. Then the meeting with her agents followed by a special meeting with the interview panel they had specifically picked for interviewing Kailash Malhotra and Gautam Sanyal. As she cooked her dinner her thoughts focused on the question by Tushar. " Ruchika are you guilty ". She closed her eyes. Played the events of the fateful night of Apr 2nd once again in her mind. She went back to it again and again. Then she opened her eyes

" No Tushar I am not guilty. Whatever I did that day was in the best interest of national security. But yes there is an ache in me. Reason whatever I say, whatever I do there is one person on this earth in front of whom I cannot go and stand unless I take this fight to the logical end. Even if I have to ask forgiveness I have to do certain things. Ache is to get that forgiveness Tushar. And for once in my 5 years of experience with RAW if I need to move ahead in life I need that forgiveness. Without that forgiveness whatever success I achieve the pain will reside in me" she said to herself and decided she should speak to Tushar when she next meets him so that he doesn't feel burdened thinking she is feeling guilty. She switched off the lights

Poornima got up early. It was the beginning of her boards. English the first paper. She had prepared well. Still there was an uneasy feeling in her. It was boards. 10th boards. She dressed quickly and came down. Entire family was waiting for her. She didn't feel like eating the breakfast. She stared at it for some moments before somehow managing to have one roti and a glass of milk. Then she went to Pooja room. Maheswari was waiting with aarti. She did aarti of Poornima and Renu fed her Dahi Sakkar. Poornima took their blessings. Vindhya and Suman wished her all the best. Aakash gave her a " All the best" card on behalf of three of them.

Poornima looked and didn't see Rajasekhar. She had seen him when she was having breakfast. She didn't know where her dadu went. She went a bit sad as maybe he didn't wanted to bless her so he might have left for office. She went and took Tilak's blessings and got the wishes from both Sudhir and Sreedhar. Then she went and stood in front of her mother's photo ,closed her eyes

" Maa today is the beginning of the most important journey of my life. Bless me Maa so that I can write all my exams well". She felt her mother heard her as she felt an inner peace. She heard Vaishnav's cycle bell and opened the eyes. It was time for her to go. She took her bag as Renu started asking questions " Poorni did you take hall ticket, do you have spare pen, ..." and Poornima nodded in affirmation to Renu's question. As she was about to walk she saw Rajasekhar emerging from his room. She hesitated for a moment not sure what to do. Did Dadu came out thinking she was gone. She looked at Maheswari who asked her to go forward and take the blessings. Poornima kept the bag down went near Rajasekhar and touched his feet to take the blessings. For the first time Rajasekhar held her shoulders and the girl looked up startled. He saw her dadu was holding a brand new Parker pen.

" Poornima I had gifted your Papa and each of your chachu's brand new pen when they started this important milestone in their life. Today I am also giving you a brand new pen. Hope you don't disappoint your dadu"

Tears of happiness were streaming down her cheeks as she said excitedly " No Dadu I will write all exams with this pen. Believe me I will score good marks".Rajasekhar patted the girl's cheek affectionately.

" Vaishnav keep your cycle here. I will drop you both to school " told Sreedhar. As Poornima and Vaishnav walked with Sreedhar, Tilak looked at his father. " Happy beta " asked Rajasekhar.

" I don't know Papa, I don't know what to say. But thank you, thank you for accepting Poornima as your grand child ". Maheswari looked at her husband and elder son. Good days were coming back in her family.

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