A Tale of Guilty

Chapter 32

Mehek grabbed onto Shaurya's hand as they waited for their baby to arrive. Past couple of days were excruciating for her. Her condition was delicate once she gained conscious. Yet her stubbornness made Shaurya wheel her to the neonatal ICU where their baby was kept in protected care. Her fingers were eager to touch her child. But despite watching him from afar, she couldn't. Her yearn turned to agony and spilled as tears. Her family consoled her that it was for the betterment of her son and he will be soon in her arms. Still she wept against her husband who watched her helplessly. He was also equally sad but he hid it to manage Mehek. So today is a big day for them. Finally their angel will be discharged from ICU and brought to them.

One of the aged nurses, walked into their room holding their baby carefully in her arms. She tenderly kept the tiny human in the arms of the young mother. Mehek was overwhelmed when her baby moved towards warmth of her bosom. Her eyes were puffy owing totorment of separation from him but today she her tears were of joy. Shaurya stood close behind her. He wished to caress his son but he refrained. His wife who risked her life to bring their son into this world has more rights than him. He patiently waited while their son's innocence brought smile as well as tears to him.

"Shaurya", Mehek turned her head to beckon him, "Hold your son". He was thrilled as well as nervous. She kept him carefully in his arms with repetitive warnings to be careful. "My son", he called him softly. She laughed looking at them while tears made way through his pale cheeks. She wiped his tears while smiling through her tears. He pecked her forehead affectionately. They both enjoyed the moment with their baby. "I promise you, my son", she spoke holding Shaurya closer and keep a hand over her baby, "that I will always protect you". He looked at her with love while she continued with her promise, "I will always Love you and take care of you. Any harm has to deal with me before reaching you". Shaurya chuckled and added, "Don't worry son. Nothing will reach your mother as I will be there to shield her", Shauyra spoke to her. She smiled still went on, "I will always be there for you, my Son". He nudged her softly and corrected, "WE will be always there for you"

"Wifey, show me some love too", Shaurya acted to whine to lighten the mood. "You always have had your mother, Shaurya", she sighed, "but Veer never did", her words were simple but it confused him. Was she referring to his childhood ?  Does she know my truth? . But she didn't care to explain, just turned to her baby, "I will ensure that my Veer will never lack his mother's Love". "Veer??", he was still confused. Mehek held his arms, "I want to name our son as Veer". She pled with her tearful eyes, "I will thrive to give everything to my son that Veer lacked in his childhood. This could mend the mistakes I made to Veer". He wanted to reason but she didn't allow him, "Please Shaurya. I don't want to live a tale of Guilty. This my twisted way of redemption. Please let me name him as Veer". He gave up and nodded his head. 

"Where is my grandson?", Karuna's gleeful voice caught their attention. She entered enthusiastically with Vanraj in tow. The grandparents seemed to extremely excited and acted as children with baby. Soon Mehek's Baba and brother arrived. They all enjoyed their time with the new addition to their family.

Karuna watched Mehek from afar. She observed how protectively and carefully Mehek was taking care of her son. "He is so lucky to have Mehek as his mother", she spoke softly when Shaurya came beside her. "True. She reminds me of someone", Shaurya said thoughtfully. "Whom?", she asked being curious. He acted to look around and suddenly faced her, "You". She slapped his arms playfully. He acted to be hurt and then hugged her, "Seriously, you are the best Ma in the entire world. I am blessed to have you as my mother". His words made her tearful.

 "C'mon, Karuna", Vanraj's voice beamed beside them, "don't be a typical woman and cry. This calls for a celebration. I thought you would have ordered champagne. Our Veer is so lucky to have such a terrific Granny". "And a nice GrandPa, too", Shaurya added. His words surprised both Karuna and Vanraj. "I mean it, Pa", Shaurya smiled at him. It felt like heaven for Vanraj when Shaurya addressed him as his fahter. "Now you don't start to cry", Karuna teased Vanraj who swiftly blinked away his tears.

The room was full of laughter and fun. Shaurya gazed at his entire family who were blissfully welcoming the arrival of Veer, his Veer; their Veer. He was taking a moment to absorb the infectious joy. Then out of his peripheral view, he caught a familiar figure. As soon as she sensed his acknowledgement, she withdrew away quickly. He was quick to follow her and corner her at the corridor. 

"Hello, Mr. Khanna", Sunaina wished him formally, "I heard the good news. Congrats". She may have expected a curt thanks from him but simply looked at her. "Can I meet your son?", she asked quickly. "You can but not today. Once my son is back home, we will throw a party to introduce him to outer world. Along with the invited Guests, you can see him", he tried hard not to spat her. "Why not now? Visiting hours are still going on", her voice wavered a bit. It was clear that she was eager to meet his son. "Because you are not MY family", his words seemed to hit her hard. The mask of sophistication worn off as she is quivered a little and tears brimmed on her eyes.

Shaurya had to try hard, pretending to be unaffected. Yet he failed. No matter how many years passed, she still affected him. He was afraid that he will say more hurtful words to the Sunaina Sahay so he chose to walk away. "I am sorry", her words stalled him. He looked at her with disappointment but she went on, "Yet I don't regret my action. You have to agree that all worked well for you. Look at you now. Happy and Hale". She tried to prove her point but it was making him furious. 

As if sensing his anger, she tried to explain, "I owe you an apology. It was unjust from my part, to punish you for a sin that you never committed. But if you once think from my side, you may understand me", she explained herself. A myriad of memories passed through his mind but he chose to compose himself. Not once but many times, he had tried to understand her part. She was a victim but she had no right to act as his judge. Forgiving her may be doable but forgetting her deeds were impossible for him. He was just a child; her child. The more he recalled, the more it made him uncomfortable, "You owe me nothing, Madam. Just like your son Vicky, you have mistaken me for someone else".

Sunaina tried to stop him. Before the name Veer was voiced from her mouth, they heard Karuna's voice. "Shaurya". Karuna called him affectionately and walked towards him. Once Shaurya saw her, his mind was clear and he felt at peace. "Ma", he trotted to her and held her hands, just like a boy who had lost his way. "What happened my Dear?", she asked him anxiously. "Nothing", he smiled at her, "I missed you. Now that you are with me, I am okay", he looked at Sunaina and taunted her with his words, "I love you, Ma". "Oh! my cutie pie", Karuna pulled his cheeks softly, "my adorable son". "True", he spoke loud enough for Sunaina to hear, "I will always be your son. Only yours".