A Bit yours A Bit Ours
Sumit and Julia were deeply in love. They dreamed of marrying and building their own new world soon. One evening, they were sitting on a park bench, holding hands and talking sweetly. It started to rain. At first, it was gentle, but quickly became a downpour. They ran and hid in a hut a short distance away. It was dark, but the rain refused to stop. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed across the sky. Both of their clothes were drenched. Once the thunder and lightning struck so hard that Julia was so frightened that she clung to Sumit's chest. Sumit too embraced her, holding her tightly in his arms. Then on that dark evening, they lost their composure and lost themselves in each other. What shouldn’t have happened , happened .
"Sumit, this isn't good. Our marriage isn't finalized yet and this is wrong before the wedding ." Julia said calmly.
"Julia, don't worry. I've told Mom about my love. I'm sure she'll agree and convince Dad too."
“And if they don't agree?”
"Why are you thinking negatively right off the bat? I'll go home today and talk to them. They'll definitely agree . After all, I'm their only child."
When Sumit went home and discussed about Julia with his mother, she said, "I sent you to study at the English Missionary College against your father's wishes not to learn the lesson of love from that unrighteous girl. I don't have the courage to recommend Julia to your dad. Now you go and talk to him yourself."
“Mom, even dad had a love marriage with you.”
"But our caste and religion were the same, that's why we could get married, otherwise your grandfather was ready to sacrifice his son with a gun in his hand."
"Mom, times were different then, and much has changed now. And love doesn't happen based on religion or caste."
"There's no point in arguing. If you can convince your father, I have no objection. Now let your fate be yours."
Sumit Sinha and Julia Ekka both studied at Xavier's College in Ranchi. They fell in love there. After graduation, Sumit wanted to go to America for further studies. Sumit came from a well-to-do family, and Julia came from a middle-class tribal Christian family. Both were very good at studies .
When Sumit whispered about Julia to his father, Vinod Babu, he became furious at the mention of her name. He said, "Stop dreaming about this while I'm alive. Aren't you worried about your future? I've already arranged for you to go to America."
Then his father told about his friend's daughter whom he liked to be his daughter in law .
"But Dad, I love Julia," Sumit said.
"You're still kids, that's why I'm explaining. Julia's father is always drunk and has left his daughter free to trap you. You've even received a call from an American university. Go to Delhi and finalize your visa with the embassy, and then think about marriage to the girl I told you about ."
Within a few days of this incident, Sumit went to Delhi with his parents. There, his business friend spared no effort to welcome them. Their home was equipped with all the five-star amenities. Anjani was their only child. Anjani had been given a luxury car with a driver. She dismissed the driver and took Sumit on car trips to malls, clubs, movies, and hotels. Anjani was a college dropout, yet Sumit was very impressed with her. She was also quite beautiful compared to Julia.
Both families had already been discussing their marriage. Anjani's father asked, "Vinod, what are your plans? Will Sumit settle down in America or return to India?"
"Now Sumit and Anjani will decide this together."
"You know, Anjani is my only child. I have only one condition: Sumit should return to India after completing his management degree and take over my business. Anjani, by the way, has learned a lot about business strategies by living with me. She can help Sumit establish himself initially."
Anjani, sitting there listening, said, "Don't worry unnecessarily, Dad. I won't let Sumit stay in America for long ."
Sumit's parents returned to their hometown, leaving him in Delhi. About a month later, Julia missed her period, and she became worried. Julia had an older sister, Angela, who was married and pursuing an internship in Delhi after completing her medical studies. When she learned about her sister's condition, she came home. She even advised Julia not to trust Sumit. She had somehow learned that Sumit's father had already decided about the daughter of a wealthy businessman friend in Delhi. The girl's family was offering a huge gift as dowry that would fulfill Sumit's dream of going to America.
Without informing her parents, Angela took Julia to Sumit's house and informed him about Sumit and her sister's relationship. Vinod Babu scolded and humiliated both sisters and threw them out of the house. Vinod Babu called Sumit in Delhi and informed him that Julia's marriage had suddenly been arranged. She will be married and moving to another city in a few days. Angela returned to Delhi with her sister.
Within a few weeks, Sumit and Anjani were hastily married. They began preparing to leave for America.
Meanwhile, Angela said to Julia, "It's good that you're with me. It's okay, nothing's wrong yet. The abortion will be done hassle free."
At first, Julia was reluctant, but after much reprimanding and persuasion from Angela, she agreed. She had an abortion. Two months later, Angela noticed a swelling in her abdomen. She sometimes had stomach pains and even some bleeding. Angela took her to the doctor. The doctor prescribed medication and said it would provide relief. But a month later, Julia experienced severe abdominal pain again. This time, she was taken to a good hospital in Delhi. An ultrasound revealed that a baby was still growing in her womb. The baby was completely safe. Everyone was surprised. The doctor explained that this could sometimes happen due to a mistake during the abortion of twins. If desired, another abortion could be performed, but serious complications could arise. The baby was perfectly healthy, so it's best to let Julia deliver the baby.
Julia also decided to give birth to the child. Fortunately, a widower senior to Angela agreed to marry her. They were married. Julia was now in Nainital with her husband.
In due course, Julia gave birth to a daughter. Meanwhile, Sumit was unaware of all that was happening here .
The wheel of time continued to move at its own pace. After about three years, Sumit returned to India. He began managing his father-in-law's business in Delhi. Meanwhile, Sumit and Anjani had a son. Julia's daughter, Simi, and Sumit's son, Kailash, were both studying at a renowned school in Nainital. Sumit and Anjani would visit Nainital for a few days during the summer, but they hadn't met Julia. Yes, they had seen Kailash and Simi together a couple of times.
Soon, Simi and Kailash both went to study at an engineering college in Roorkee. Simi was a year senior to Kailash. Whenever Sumit visited his son, he saw him with Simi. Julia had also seen them together a few times, but Sumit and Julia had never met face to face.
There is a saying - once bitten twice shy meaning thereby that a person who has been burnt by milk blows on buttermilk before drinking it. Julia had warned Simi that she could befriend a boy from a different religion, but not to get too close. Simi was seriously committed to her mom’s words . However neither Simi nor Kailash knew the true nature of their relationship, nor did Sumit or Anjani know about Simi's parents.
Simi kept her relationship with Kailash confined to friendship. One day, Kailash took Simi's hand and said, "I have something to tell you."
Releasing her hand, Simi said to Kailash, "Whatever you have to say, think carefully before saying it. Remember one thing: my mother cannot marry me into another religion under any circumstances. I am deeply committed to her decision. I don't want our friendship to end. If you agree to our friendship, you can continue to meet, otherwise I am helpless."
Kailash wasn't expecting such a blunt reply. He relaxed a little and said, "Okay, I understand. I accept your friendship; I don't have anything else to tell you, just be friend . "
Meanwhile, Julia's husband died of a heart attack. Simi joined a factory near Nainital. Sumit also set up a new food processing plant in Nainital. His son, Kailash, was the plant's managing director.
A few years later, Sumit's wife developed jaundice. Despite extensive treatment, Anjani could not be saved. Kailash joined his father in managing the business. Sumit had a special fondness for Nainital. He would come here for at least two to three weeks during the summer, spending his holidays at his cottage.
There was a cemetery a short distance from his cottage. He often noticed a girl visiting the cemetery, offering flowers and lighting candles on a grave. The girl seemed familiar to him. This continued for a few years.
Once Sumit approached the girl, he had no trouble recognizing her. She was Kailash's friend, Simi. Simi explained that she often visits her father's grave to remember him and pay her respects. When he asked Simi about her mother, she replied, " Uncle, my mother's leg was damaged in an accident; she now uses a wheelchair. She wants to come here, but I somehow convince her not to."
Sumit and Julia were both around 55 years old. This summer, when Sumit visited Nainital, he saw Simi and a woman in a wheelchair get out of the car. Simi pushed the wheelchair to her father's grave, where they both paid their respects.
Sumit slowly left his cottage and approached them. He stared at the woman for a long time. She too stared back at him. Tears welled up in the eyes of both of them . Simi was astonished by this sight. The woman was none other than Julia. Simi still couldn't understand what was happening.
Julia said, "Simi, this is my old friend, your Sumit uncle."
Simi greeted them. Julia said to Sumit, "Today is Simi's father's death anniversary. How come you're here? Where is your family these days?"
"My family has only one son, Kailash . After graduating in engineering from Roorkee, he's so busy with his business that he rarely travels anywhere.
. “
Simi said, "Is Kailash your son? I don't see him."
"He's coming here in two days."
When Simi tried to push the wheelchair, Sumit pushed her away and said, “Let me do this work today.”
Simi looked at him questioningly for a long time. Sumit said, "Come to my cottage for a while. We'll have some tea or coffee. You can relax for a while and we'll talk about our old times."
Simi dropped Julia at Sumit's cottage and said, "Mom, I'll go and visit a friend for a while, till then you can talk to your friend."
Sumit asked Julia, “Is Simi your daughter?”
"A little of yours and a little of mine."
" What do you mean ? "
"Simi is our daughter," she said, crying.
Julia then told him her entire story and said, "Sorry, I killed the second child before giving birth."
"Why didn't you tell me all this earlier? If I had known the truth, I wouldn't have let this situation arise. I was told you were already married and settled down."
"And I was told you got married and went to America."
"Does Simi know the truth?" Sumit asked.
"No, I didn't think it was necessary," Julia said.
"No, I should tell him now."
Simi arrived shortly after, and Julia left with her. Sumit personally helped her into the car in her wheelchair and saw her off.
That very night, Sumit suffered a heart attack. He was in the I C U. Timely treatment averted the danger. When Sumit opened his eyes in the morning, he saw Julia in a wheelchair next to his bed. Kailash and Simi were sitting on the sofa on the other side. Julia had told them the truth.
Sumit said to Julia, "You shouldn't have come here. You're in so much trouble yourself. Kailash is there to take care ."
"Yes, Kailash is there and his elder sister Simi is also there with him."
Sumit was silently watching everyone with wide eyes. After a while, he said, "So, you've told our story to the kids."
"Yes, Dad, Aunty told us everything. And we know that you are both the hero and the villain of this story." Kailash said this, and Simi nodded in agreement.
"But was your father solely to blame?" Sumit asked his son.
"No, neither ours nor yours. The fault lies with fate," Julia interrupted.
“Now forget the past and start the second innings of life and we will keep watching you like extra players on the boundary.”
Sumit was discharged from the hospital two days later. The doctor told Kailash, "Don't let Papa get stressed out. Stress could be fatal for him."
"We won't let this happen to our father," Simi and Kailash said together.
Xxxxx
Note – This story is completely fictional.
