Chapter Six
https://mouthshut.com/diary/bcgfnnmlr/The-Evening-Star5
“Mona, you are a magician” Meghna quipped. “This is so refreshing, we are happy and kids are also enjoying”.
“Thank you madam, this is a perfect season for picnics, so why not?” Mona said, “Meghna, time is flying, I am so surprised to see Raghav running, speaking and yes he is very naughty too. It seems, he was just born yesterday”
“He has turned two last month.” Meghna updated Mona.
“Hmmm”
They both sat quietly, looking at those fallen leaves, kids running and playing hide and seek behind those big trees. Snigdha and Jackie were inseparable as always. Raghav was trying to catch up with them but he was not getting much attention from them.
“Babu, let Raghav join you both” Meghna said. Snigdha looked at her and then again was busy with Jackie. It appeared she didn’t pay much attention to what Meghna said.
“It’s so weird, when our kids want to talk to us, we are busy, and when we want to hear them speak, they are busy” Meghna didn’t expect this coming from mona. She looked at her, who was looking in a different direction, at her teenage daughter sitting at a distance, busy with her phone.
She faintly smiled.
Those words echoed in Meghna’s mind. She was not able to sleep that night. Why are they troubling her, making her feel guilty.
The chain of her endless thoughts was broken by a loud sound and loud cries of Raghav. She ran, thinking he slipped or hurt himself somewhere.
She was shocked to see him sitting outside Snigdha’s room. The door was closed and he was crying badly. She took him in lap and asked what happened?
“didi ne maara, bola…. jao yahan se” Raghav sobbed.
Meghna was furious; she banged open the door and saw Snigdha and Jackie sitting together. She was busy doing something on a paper.
“What is this Snigdha, why did you hurt him?”
“Ma, I did nothing, I told him to go to his room. This is my and Jackie’s room. He should go to his room and your room”
Meghna was shocked. She could not believe this. She was trembling with anger; she wanted to hit her for being so rude and cold with Raghav and her. But beyond that, she indirectly said something so big, cruel! She has created a boundary, an invisible border, which has widened enough and today she saw a glimpse of it.
“Snigdha, this is Raghav’s room as well, and that is your room also. There is no division in the house.”
Snigdha looked at Meghna, and then looked away.
“Are you listening Snigdha?”
“Yes ma”, she replied without looking up.
Meghna left, but she was infuriated. The unspoken words, the looks, scratched her soul. She never expected this from Snigdha. She was so gentle and caring. How protective she was for Raghav. She was the one who never liked people taking little Raghav and kissing him, for the plain logic, they made her brother dirty. This side of Snigdha shook Meghna from inside.
Snigdha, effortlessly made her point clear, mom, if you think, anyone can replace you or can get in your shoes ever, you are absolutely wrong. I may love anyone, adore anyone, show my affection for anyone, but you are my first love. You are irreplaceable. But if you think, I don’t need you or someone can get in your shoes, then you are wrong. And it is going to affect me a lot. I don’t know how I will show it to you, but whenever I will, it will not be good for you. Her guilt pangs almost killed her. Tears crept all night.
https://mouthshut.com/diary/ahjhqnmlr/The-Evening-Star6-B
