Sitting on the hard bench of the hospital is the least Rajat ever wanted to experience. Especially after his mother's demise.

He has spent several nights in one such hospital, fear engulfing his heart, tears never fading from eyes with numerous hopes that his mother will be fine one day, that she would wake up and embrace him the next morning, kiss his head and slightly slap his cheek for crying like a baby. He was sure that he still had days to eat the deliciously cooked food by his mother.

But it was all his illusion, she never came breathing from her ward. After eight days of battle, she submitted herself to death, leaving him behind with nothing but tears.

After that incident he never visited a hospital with any relative or friend. The fear that the person may not return to him still hunts him. But today he was left with no choice, his father - in - law is admitted and he can't leave from there leaving the ladies alone to deal with the situation neither he can take his wife with him as it would be really rude.

Rajat let out a deep breath and cast a look at his wife who was staring at him with curious eyes, it seems she wants to ask him something.

''Rajat aapse ek baat puchu?" She asks and waits till he permits her to question him.

''Aap itne paise kahan se laagenge? Na aapki salary itni hai aur na hi koi aisi job ki jhat se paise mil jaaye, fir aap itne paiso ka intezam kahan se karenge? Wo bhi subha tak hi!?" Sony put on her question, as now that she knows her husband doesn't have much money except one and half lakh that he has saved. This made her tense, how will he manage to get the rest of money?

Rajat stares at her for a moment before unfolding his plans.

''Bank mei kuch savings hai aur...'' He pauses and looks away feeling a lump in his throat.

Sony just stared at him and when he turned away she lightly pressed his hand which was resting on the arm of the bench. Rajat clears his throat, composes himself and turns to her.

''Maa..maa ke kuch jewelleries hai locker mei, hum usse girai rakh denge toh ho jaayenge paise. Waise toh wo itne jyada nahi hai par abhi gold bahut mehanga ho gaya hai toh hamare kaam hp jaayega. Tum fikar maat karo, meine bank manager se baat ki hai wo subha hote hi mujhe jewellery aur paise de dega!!" He stated and let out a deep sigh as if trying to breathe.

Sony was taken back with his words, the guy is going to sell his mother's jewellery for her father. And there she was fighting with him when he helped his sister. Sony feels disgusted with herself, how can she be so mean to him? And how can he help her family after the recent incident? They just had a fight, she had accused him, insulted his self respect and still he's standing by her side, why?

''Aap ye kyun kar rahe hai Rajat? Abhi hi toh jhagda hua hai hamara, itne ilzaam lagaye, itna bhala bura kaha meine aapse fir aap meri madad kyun kar rahe hain?" She couldn't stop herself from asking the question.

''Ye mera farz hai!! Tumhare parents ke pratee meri bhi kuch zimmedariyan hai jo mujhe nibhani hongi. Iss se koi fark nahi padta humara jhagda hua hai ya nahi, main apne farz se peeche nahi hatt sakta, at least jab tak ye rishta hai.'' Rajat stated, meaningfully and let out a deep sigh.

A fear engulfed Sony's heart, what does he mean by that?

''Aap kehna kya chahte hai Rajat? Jab tak ye rishta hai ka kya matlab hua?" She questioned, her voice shaking.

''Wahi jo tum samajh rahi ho. Itne dino mei main ye samajh chuka hoon tumne kya soch ke mujh se shadi ki par main wo nahi hoon. Apne zameer ko gira ke, apni imandaari ko bech ke paise nahi kama sakta main. Mere liye meri khuddari, imandaari aur sachai hi sab kuch hai, kyunki mera ek galat kadam mere saath mere desh ka bhi sar jhuka sakta hai jo main hone nahi dunga. Toh iss naam ke rishte mei bandhe rehne se acha hai hum apne rashte badal le, toh dono khush rahenge!!" Rajat clarifies, detailing his thoughts while gazing at the wall blankly.

Whatever he had thought to get from the marriage has vanished, his dreams are shattered so is his heart. He may never express but he has deeply fallen in love with her while she loves someone with money which he clearly does not have, then why to hook her with himself just for his own means. It would be mean, he would be selfish to do that, so he'll free her from the clutches of this unfruitful marriage.

''Rajat! Ye aap kya bol rahe hain?" Sony was horrified with his decision.

''Main sahi keh raha hoon. Hum dono ka saath mei koi future nahi hai, main tumhe wo nahi de sakta jo tum chahti ho kyunki mere pass siwaye pyar aur izzat ke kuch nahi hai tumhe dene ke liye, aur ye tumhare liye kaafi nahi fir kya faida iss rishte mei bandhe rehna ka? Main isse apni wajah se kissi ko ghut-ta nahi dekh sakta, issliye yahi sahi rahega. Bas tumhare pita ki tabiyat thik ho jaaye fir unse baat karenge iss baare mei!!" Rajat avows and takes his leave feeling heavy hearted, a lump forming in his throat.

Sony was spellbound and shocked at his revelation, she tries to stop him but he ignores her calls and moves out. Instant tears built up in her eyes, she though not exactly happy with the environment at home but certainly never thought of leaving him. He may have never gifted her diamond set but the respect he gives her is incomparable. Despite always being taunted of not having adequate facilities in the house he never scolded her for pointing out things to him instead, he had tried every possible means to keep her happy and sound in his house but it was she who refused to compromise or co-operate with him and his efforts. And now, he is all set to give her the fruit of her action.

No, no!! This can't be happening! He can't leave her!! She won't accept this! Never!!

Sony ran out to find him, to confess her mistake, to tell him that she wants to be with him in Whatever condition he affords for her.

When she moved out, she found him standing in the small garden type area of the hospital, cleaning his tears - the tears that she gave him. Not giving it a second thought, she ran to him and crashed in his arms, clinging herself to him. Rajat was taken back by her sudden act.

''Ye…ye tum kya kar rahi ho Sony??'' He tries to separate her but seems stubborn.

''I…i am sorry Rajat. Meri galti ki itni badi saza maat dijiye mujhe please.'' She begged forgiveness.

''Main tumhe koi saza nahi de raha, bas inn bairiyon se azad kar raha hoon taki at least tum khushi se reh sako. Main janta hoon tum mere saath khush nahi ho aur shayad kabhi hogi bhi nahi, main aise nahi jee sakta. Main saalon se akela raha hoon, ek saathi mille issliye shadi ki thi yun har pal ghutne ke liye nahi. I know, mujhe pehle jaan lena chahiye tha ek ladki ki kya requirements hoti hai tab shadi ka faishla karna chahiye tha par aab toh galti kar chuka hoon aur isse shayad aise hi sudhara jaa sakta hai.'' Rajat articulated and separated her from himself, her closeness felt worse to him.

Sony holds his hand,''aisa maat kahiye Rajat Please!!! Aapki koi galti nahi hai, main hi bewajah high expectations liye baithi thi. Aap toh wo sab kar rahe hai jo aapko karna chahiye balki uss se jyada hi, wo toh main hoon jo fir bhi complaint karti hoon. Par aab mujhe kuch nahi chahiye Rajat, please mujhe maaf kar dijiye, please!!" She cried.

''Tum apna waqt zaya kar rahi ho. Mere pass tumhe dene ko kuch bhi nahi hai, apni life barbad maat karo mere piche, you deserve better!" He verbalized but she hugged him again.

''Mujhe aapke saath ke siwa aur kuch nahi chahiye!!" She exclaimed, clutching on his shirt, soaking it with her tears.

''Pachtaogi tum!!" He told her, standing still not daring to even take her in his arms.

Sony looks up to face him, he has tears in his eyes. She raises herself on her toe, snuggling close to him While he tries to maintain distance between them, she gently clutches his shoulder and before he could realize she pressed her lips on his, he felt a bolt out of the blue. He tried to pull back to which she deepened the kiss, he resisted the first few minutes but after a few moments of struggle, he didn't realize when he started to respond and the soft kiss turned into a snog.

Rajat had never thought he would share the first ever kiss in the compound of a hospital in such an unacceptable and unwilling manner, and it would turn out this good but it did happen, it seems that's what destiny had stored for him.

They parted feeling breathless, Sony gaze at him for a moment and the next moment hid herself in his arms.

''I love you Rajat, I really do!!" She confesses, her tears wetting his chest.

Tears roll down his cheek as well, as he embraces her in his arms - fearlessly! Confessing his heart to her, submitting his love to her, wholly!!

…

To be continued…