Cold winter days, Warm Stories.
As she waited for Akhil, Aditi couldnt help but look at his recent photograph from the medical college convocation and feel proud. Just like his father, he had recently been accepted into a prestigious residency program in Mayo Clinic and she was sure he would have a successful career.
She found her thoughts wandering to many years in the past when she had just completed her own medical studies. Rahul had been her classmate in medical college and they had been in love with each other for a few years. Marriage and specialization in their chosen fields of medicine were to follow, and preparations for both had been in full swing, when life had thrown a curveball
She often wondered how things would have turned out if Rahul had confessed about the affair he had with Astha, who had been a few years senior to them. She hadnt suspected even when Astha took the bold step of being a single mother. Later, however, Astha had tried to pressure Rahul into marriage. Torn and consumed with guilt, he had committed suicide.
The events had left her lost and directionless for months, and it seemed like she would never heal. Gradually, she had summoned the courage to move forwards, even if it meant living a life she would never have imagined possible.
Today, as she thought about her family, she felt grateful for the second chance that life had offered her, at a time when the questions kept out numbering the answers; and the pain had seemed to envelope her.
The doorbell rang, bringing her back to the present. It was Akhil, just in time for dinner. He gave her a quick hug before washing up for dinner. Joining her at the table, his face brightened on seeing that she had prepared his favourite dish, chicken curry. As always, his smile made her heart skip a beat.
Even now, so many years later, she would always see Rahuls smile and twinkling eyes on Akhils face.
Yes, she thought, they had been good for each other, completing parts of the whole. She had nurtured him with unconditional love along with memories and stories of the father he had never known. For her, he was a reflection of Rahul whom she had loved dearly, and the only way she could feel Rahuls presence in her life forever.
Struggling with her loss and emptiness, Aditi had learnt that Astha was moving abroad, giving up the baby for adoption. That was how she and Akhil had become family for each other. In all the insanity of those troubled times, it had been the only decision that had made her feel at peace with the universe.
She couldnt know what would have happened if Rahul had chosen life, chosen to give himself a second chance. But she did know that she had to take the chance life was offering her; and make sense of the choices that circumstances were bringing. Today, she was glad she had chosen forgiveness, hope and conviction, as she watched Akhil enjoy his meal.