15 years later
Author's pov
Hearing the birds chirping, VR woke up from his sleep. Letting out yawning he looked outside through the window. Sudden excitement clouded his mind remembering something. Tomorrow, the police will release him and he can't wait to meet his family.
When the warden came to check on the prisoners he requested him to let him bathe and cut his long frizzy hair. Though he doesn't look handsome like before he wants to meet Orni in the most suitable look of him.
Getting inside the washroom VR started scrubbing his whole body like a crazy person. He wants to wash away all the filth from his body. He was imagining Orni's reaction and the kids'' reaction. He can't wait to hug the kids who aren't kids anymore. He had seen their photos provided by Akash. He had seen how beautiful and lovely Neela looks while Roman & Rion looks exactly like him when he was young.
He asked for Orni's photo multiple times but due to some unknown reasons Akash never showed Orni's photos to him. He always excused himself saying that he couldn't take pictures of Orni.
VR was still washing his body when he felt a sudden pressure on his urethra. The pain was prominent down there and he couldn't tolerate this pain anymore. Just like every day, he thought this pain would go away but it didn't. It's been a year since he has been feeling this pain. Just like us, he didn't give that much attention to his health but today the situation got out of his hand. Before he could understand anything he fainted in the washroom letting out a scream.
Opening his eyes VR discovered himself in the hospital bed under police surveillance. A nurse notified the doctor after seeing VR getting his senses back.
" What happened to me, doctor?" VR asked the doctor.
The doctor asked back without answering him," You have been facing difficulties while using the washroom, right?"
" Umm......Yeah.....how do you know?" VR asked sounding surprised.
The doctor asked further," Then, why didn't you tell the authority about your problem? Do you have any idea what kind of disease you have developed?"
VR's throat went dry after hearing the doctor. Gathering some courage he asked," What disease? What are you saying?"
" You have prostate cancer," the doctor answered making VR completely clueless for some time.
Overcoming the shock the first thing he asked was " Will I die?"
" Surgery is a must. Otherwise, you will die for sure," The doctor said making VR numb.
No, he doesn't want to die. After suffering for 15 years, waiting for 15 years with the hope of meeting his family and the desperation of Orni's forgiveness he can't die. He wants to live the rest of his life with Orni and the kids.
" Keep in mind that after the surgery you will lose the ability to father children," the doctor spoke.
VR didn't know what to say after this. He was speechless for some time. God is punishing him. He understood it. He didn't complain against God's decision. At least, God had gifted him, Roman and Rion, a long ago. He should be grateful to God for this.
" Tomorrow, the police will release me from jail. I will talk to you about the surgery then," VR told the doctor.
***************************************
It was a normal day in Joshi household. Rudraksh was reading a newspaper sitting in the living room and taking sips from his morning tea. Orni was busy waking up the kids.
" Mom, let me sleep! Why lecturing early in the morning," Raksha whined when Orni gave a morning speech that made Raksha get off bed instantly.
Roman and Rion came out of their room before Orni could deliver her lecture to them. They are already bored by their teacher's lectures so they don't need extras.
" Good morning, Daddy," Roman said letting out a big yawn.
Rion said shortly," Morning."
" Morning, chams. I need to talk to you," Rudraksh told the boys who didn't look that much interested in Rudraksh's words. They knew he will surely start talking about their studies.
Rudraksh asked the boys," Your girlfriends................
Roman spit out the water that he was drinking and Rion gulped down looking at Rudraksh with shocked eyes.
" What? Do you stalk us, Daddy?" Roman inquired.
Rion requested," Don't tell Mumma."
" I heard that you guys aren't serious about your relationship. If you are not then break up. Don't let the girls have false hope. It's not a good thing to break someone's heart," Rudraksh advised the boys who agreed with their father.
Orni heard them and felt uncomfortable by the last sentence. She doesn't know why she was feeling uncomfortable suddenly. It was a normal day like any other day but she doesn't why she was feeling uneasy.
Sitting at the breakfast table everyone started eating though Orni seemed lost. Rudraksh already noticed Orni's pale face and guessed something.
" Today's rotis(breads) are smaller than other days. Was there a shortage of flour, Mumma?" Roman asked his mother.
Rion teased his sister Raksha," She might have put all the flour on her face as her make-up."
" Daddy.....Mumma!!!" Raksha screamed at her parents.
Orni let out angrily," Gosh!! You guys are siblings, not enemies."
Saying that Orni went to the kitchen to bring something. Rudraksh followed her silently. He noticed that Orni stood near the kitchen counter having a lost expression.
" What happened, love?" Rudraksh asked wrapping his hands around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder.
Orni answered sighing," Don't know, love. I was just feeling uncomfortable."
" Why?" He asked softly.
She answered meekly," I don't know."
" You might be stressed about some matter. You need to take proper rest," Rudraksh told kissing her cheeks and Orni smiled a little.
Their moment was interrupted by the kids fighting. When they returned to the dining room Raksha was already running behind her brothers holding a hair brush. Rudrakah laughed out loud seeing them but one glare from Orni was enough for him to stop his laughing.
" Your kids will never grow up!!!" Orni told Rudraksh and then burst out laughing.