15 years later
Author's pov
" Roman, bring the clothes from the terrace," Orni said loudly taking a look at the sky through the kitchen window. " It's going to rain," Orni mumbled noticing the black clouds floating in the sky.
Letting out a sigh she concentrated on her cooking. She was cooking some favourite dishes of her sons and her parents. She was preparing them for Navarati( A Hindu festival ).
" Hmm... this is so tasty," Rion moaned putting a laddu inside his mouth.
Orni slapped his arm," Hey, don't eat it now. It's for the festival night."
" Another one Mumma," Rion giggled before snatching another laddu from the plate. He laughed at his mother's annoyed face.
Fifteen years have passed since Orni's last encounter with her past who is none other than VR. She is in her late 30s and her children are teenagers now. Orni didn't know how the time has flown away so fast. Over time, she has moved on in her life. She was firm in her decision that she will never marry. Her parents tried several times to convince her to marry but she refused every time. Getting tired of her continuous refusal they stopped trying to convince her.
In these fifteen years, no one took VR's name in this house again. Roman and Rion grew up without knowing what happened to their father. They only know that their father was arrested for some crimes. Since then, they kinda developed some hatred for their father though their mother never fueled this hatred. Orni always avoided questions about their father. For Roman and Rion, their father is dead. Whenever someone asked them about their father, they would answer that their father is no more.
" When are Grandpa and grandma returning from Mathura?" Rion questioned his mother munching on his laddoo.
Orni answered grinding some almonds," They will be arriving any moment."
Well, Orni's parents have gone to Mathura for a religious ritual. They will be returning today after finishing the ritual.
Orni jumped a little bit getting scared because of the thunderstorm. Her son Rion grabbed her arms gently," Are you ok, Mamma?"
Orni nodded her head in assurance and looked outside. She noticed that it has started raining heavily. Bolts of Lightning and thunderstorms continued to occur now and then. Orni became anxious about her parents.
" Rion, call your grandpa and ask him where is he?" Orni said which Rion obliged without any delay.
After talking to Sanjay, Rion informed Orni," They are in front of a market. Because of the thunderstorm, they paused for some time."
" I just hope they arrive safely," Orni mumbled before concentrating on her work.
After finishing her work Orni took a shower and changed her clothes. She sat in front of the mirror and started brushing her hair. The noise from the living room was indicating that Roman and Rion were busy watching IPL.
A sudden doorbell startled everyone. Rion said excitedly," Grandma and Grandpa are here." Orni took a breath of relief that her parents are at home finally.
Rion ran to the main door to open it. The smiling expression on his face turned into a confused one after noticing the uninvited guest. Rion took a good look at the man who was shivering in front of him. The man would be in his late 40s. Rion thought the man was a bagger since he was wearing shabby clothes that were drenched in rain.
" Wait here. I will get something for you," Rion said. " You can stay there until the rain stops," Rion pointed his finger at the sheds of their house.
The man kept looking at Rion with some unknown emotions in his eyes. Rion felt awkward by the man's continuous stare.
" Where is Orni?" the man questioned surprising Rion.
Rion frowned confusingly," How do you know my mother?"
By the time Orni also reached in front of the main door. At first, she couldn't recognize the person but when she did she froze in her place. She couldn't even breathe for a few seconds. She felt as if she was struck by a thunderstorm.
Orni mumbled," Vijendra."
" My brother asked you something," Roman came forward.
VR didn't answer anything since his eyes got stuck on Orni. Emotions and tears blurred his vision. He couldn't believe his eyes that finally he was meeting his Angel.
" Roman, Rion return to your room," Orni ordered her sons breaking the silence.
Roman and Rion didn't understand the expression on their mother's face. They were confused about this situation however they obliged their mother silently. Giving VR a weird look they returned to their rooms.
" Come inside," Orni told VR keeping a straight face.
He obliged her silently. She gestured him to the couch," Sit here."
VR took a sit while she brought a towel for him. She handed it to him silently and took a sit in front of him on another couch. For a few seconds, Orni kept observing him while different types of questions started itching her. She didn't know how she felt looking at some burn marks on his wrinkled face.
" I am confused by your sudden appearance. It was 30 years right," Orni questioned.
VR answered with his shaky voice," There was a fire accident in the jail. I saved some higher officials. As a result, the authority pardoned some years."
" I see," Orni sighed. " Anyway, why are you here?" She hardened her voice. " This isn't your home."
VR answered holding her hands," My wife and children are here. How can I go somewhere else."
Orni jerked away his hands," It's pouring outside. Once the rain stops just leave this house and don't show yourself again."
" Angel, isn't my punishments enough? If not then punish me again but don't push me away from you. I beg you," VR tried to grab her hands again but she backed away.
Standing up, she pointed her finger at the door," Just, leave. Don't make my life hell again." Orni's eyes stung with tears.
This time VR kneeled in front of Orni," Punish me. Beat me. Set me on fire. Do whatever you want. I will accept everything silently but please. Don't push me away from you, Angel."
" Only you and our kids' thoughts kept me alive. In that dark cell, only your thoughts gave me hope. Give me a last chance to prove my love for you. A last chance to prove that I can be a good husband for you and a good father for our children," VR cried out helplessly.
He continued," I know I was a monster. But, I swear I realized what I did and I am ashamed of myself. I wish I could go back in time and mend every single wrong decision I took. I swear Angel, in these 15 years there was not a single day that I didn't regret. Every single second was hell for me because my conscience always mocked me about what kind of monster I was. I know that a simple word like sorry isn't enough to prove that I have changed so I request you to give me a last chance to prove that I always loved you. Let me take care of you for the rest of my life."
Orni tried to turn away but he grabbed her legs tightly," Please."
" Leave me," Orni tried to free her legs. As a result, she lost her balance and almost fell to the ground but VR held her in his arms. He pulled her into a tight hug.
Orni cried out," Leave me. I don't want you." She started wriggling in his arms.
" You want me and loved me always. That's why you never agreed to marry someone else. You kept your promise because you loved me. Don't let your anger suppress your feelings," VR said tightening his hold around her.
Orni's struggle dimmed down slowly and she burst into hysterical sobbing. Her hands embraced him slowly making his heart ran a marathon. Breaking the hug he held her face gently.
Before he could say something further a sound echoed through the whole room. His face turned in another direction because of the impact on his cheeks. He touched the area where her hand connected. Having an astonished expression he raised his eyes at her.
" If you forget your promise again then remember this slap," Orni said grabbing his collar.
His shocked expression turned into a happy amazed expression after hearing her words. He pulled her into a tight hug almost crushing her small frame. Orni also hugged him back letting out some happy tears.
" You will always be an Angel in my life," VR whispered in her ear. " I can even take a knife in my heart for you. That was just a slap," VR said making Orni giggle.
Orni raised her emotional eyes," It took a lot of time for me to decide that I will accept you once you return. Don't make me regret my decision."
Holding her face he placed a gentle kiss on her crown. Then he looked into those innocent eyes of hers.
" You won't regret accepting me, Angel," VR whispered pulling her into another bone-crushing hug.