It was the day after the night of consummation and confession of love. Akshay was struggling to discuss the topic regarding Akshita with Smita. Its a touchy subject but he need to address this. He finally gets the courage
"Smita, I want to discuss something with you?" Akshay said to Smita who is busy in combing her hairs.
"Speak what you want to?"
"Please, leave this fashion mania." Akshay said firmly
"but...
" Its negatively affecting Akshita "Akshay dropped the bomb on her.
" What are you saying? "She looked in his eyes, trying to analyse things.
" Last Friday she came to office. Her mood was very low. I asked her so many times but she refused to tell me anything. I took her to park to cheer her mood. We spent almost two hours there. When we were returning she said she missed you. Its third consecutive day when you forget to take her park. She said, I wants my loving mother back. She hates this avtar of you. "
" Give me few minutes. "she said in low voice. Smita recalled everything and she remembered Akshita's sad face. Her cribbing to play with her mother . Her insistence on helping with her homework. Now she understands why she broke that glass plate. She thought bad company is influencing her daughter but its her behaviour. Her ignorance is forcing Akshita to do intense things. She went to Akshita's room and looked her angel. Akshita is sleeping peacefully. She caressed her face.
"Shona wake up." she said to wake her up just like everyday . Instead of waking up she clutches her blanket more tightly.
"Shona, wake up otherwise you will be late for school" she threatens but Akshita doesn't budge from her place. "Shona, wake up otherwise..." Smita sprinkled water on her face and Akshita get up. She is yawning and still has desire to sleep again.
"Don't you dare.. Smita said." Common hurry up. "Smita took her in arms and take to the toilet." Shona, you have only fifty minutes. Come hurry up. "Smita push her in and move towards kitchen. She remembered something and ran towards bedroom. Akshay is looking, quest against time of mother daughter duo. He laughed on the situation which is quite messy right now.
" What are you waiting? Check her schedule and place her books in bag according to it. "She handed him the schedule . Akshay is clueless about his job. He didn't know what to do. It took him ten minutes to find her school bag which is right in front of him.
" Akshay what are you doing? Hurry up "Smita shouted on him from kitchen.
" I am trying my best. "his annoyed voice came.
" Smita, where is rhymes book. "
" second shelf. "
" Kids, this days has so many books. " he sighed after completing the task.
" You don't have all this. "that angelic voice came from behind.
" No, we only had books of Math, Hindi and English. "
"only three" Akshita rose three fingers.
"Yes, only three books." Akshay lift her from ground and made her stand on bed. He asked her about friends and other things while fixing her tie. He make her wear her socks. He combed her hairs. She ran towards kitchen to bring her tiffin.
"Mumma, what are you doing. I'll be late." she was agitated
"Relax shona, we have ten minutes. Come finish this glass of milk." Smita handed over her. She finished it hurriedly.
After listening horn of school bus, Akshita ran towards it. She waved towards Smita and Akshay. They returned to home. After early morning rush, they fall on the sofa with a sigh of relief. Akshay leaned back his head so does Smita.
"What you want to eat?" Smita asked after few minutes.
"Sandwich and coffee."
"okay" Smita move towards kitchen. She brings bread, tomato, onion, cheese slice from the refrigerator. She is struggling to keep everything, Akshay took few things from her hand.
"Let's do it together." he smiled
" You and cooking." she is surprised.
"Yes, I can cook better than you." he winked
"Listen mister, I am excellent cook...
" Self acclaimed excellent cook. "he chuckled
" Shut up Akshay. "he stopped for a second and then again start laughing.
" You, you are laughing on me, wait a minute"she tickled his belly.
"Smita... She tickled again
" Okay, I am sorry .. "she stopped for a minute and he picked her from behind a tickled her. Her eyes start watering due to constant laugh. Exhausted with hunger and little adventure, they ordered the food.
" I love all this"
"What?" She asked, mouth full of food.
"Us"
Her attention shift from food to him.
"My father and mother never behave like a team. I can't remember them preparing me for school. There was always a maid. Today when I did it with you for Akshita . I loved it. I loved the feeling. I want to do that again and again till she doesn't grew up. "
Smita can't resist herself to hug this wonderful man. She did what her heart wanted and after landing in his arms, many more things started.
" Come home with me. "he again start the same topic.
" I can't "
" Why? "
" Because that house reminds me of many broken dreams. I miss Anuj and Avni, our banter. Dreams of my baby shower for our first born. Dreams of Anuj's first date and how we planned to tease him. Dreams of Avni's wedding. Dreams of ... "her voice chocked and he hugged her tightly
" why you don't tell me about this earlier? "he asked and there is more sobs.
" What you think if we shift to somewhere else or construction of a new house.? "he suggested
" but...
"We can shift." he said firmly and she nodded .
They shifted to a small flat initially. Akshay constructed a mansion for them. Smita only expressed her wish to live in a house with lots of lights and garden. He incorporated her wishes with his. Akshita is too small to decide this things. She requested one two things and he fulfilled that too.
On the inauguration of house, they called a priest to perform the rituals. They didn't know what to do nor have any elders to guide them. They did what was asked to do them. After that Smita and Akshita ran to explore each corner of house. He chuckled with their antics. Akshita is a kid But sometimes Smita behaved like a school kid. At the end of the house tour, Akshita became busy to explore her room. Smita came to their room. He was sitting comfortably on the bed.
"what kind of boring person are you? You have zero interest in exploring our new home"
"My woman, I was the one who is inspecting this house all this time."
"but you can atleast pretend.."
"I can't pretend but we can explore something else." he winked
"Let's go than." she exclaimed. He lifts her in his arms and land to bed.
"Smita....
" Akshay, just shut up and let me sleep some more. I won't go for jogging today. "she covered her face with quilt.
" Its not about that. I want to promise you something. "
" Don't tell me, you have life threatening disease and you are going to die in few days. "
" Who fed you this kind of nonsense? I think I should stop recharging television connection."
"but...
" Anyways, It's not about that.
"then...
" woman , let me complete. "Smita put a finger on her lips after his warning glare.
" I want to say that, you gave me so much happiness in life. I want to give you something. "her eyes widened but she did not say anything." You will be my first priority from now on. I don't understand the promises at the time of our marriage but today I do. I promise to protect you. I'll take care of you. I'll not let anyone insult you. I'll keep enough supply in home so you didn't have to worry about it. Top of it, I'll be faithful to you for life. "
" I know. "just two words reply came from her with that bright smile.
Author Note - Many readers wrote that epilogue made them cry. It was a happy ending most of us dreams, spending a whole life with that one person. Here leads get that. What made you cry?