Fighting Guilt

Team: WINGS OF CHANGE

Context - Blogadda is conducting a contest (Game of Blogs) where it chooses 10 random bloggers per team to write fiction based on 5 character description it provided. Each blogger has to continue the story from where the previous team member left off.

Read the previous part of the story here

Chapter 9 - Fighting Guilt

10 years back...

"Two lines!", whispered Tara.

Shekhar rubbed his eyes and snatched the strip from her hand. Both of them looked into each other eyes stunned and confused. They knew they cannot afford to plan a family and had taken the tough decision.

7 months had passed, but Tara and Shekhar, both of them, were not able to come out of the abortion. Shekhar's writing reflected sad and guilty personalities. Popularity of Tara's interviews dropped significantly. Nurturing a life inside another life is the most mesmerizing magic ever. They had broken this magic. Tara did not have the courage to light that lamp again. They were longing to make up for their sin.

One fine morning, shekhar's stopped sipping his tea as Tara was about to leave for her study. The tick-tock sound of her stilettoes did not break his attention thus Tara leaning besides him to read the headlines - "Sushmita Sen adopts a girl child". Shekhar jumped in excitement - "What say?". Tara was skeptical, but finally agreed. Registering to various adoption agencies quickly, they started to wait. Adopting a child can be a long wait, they had heard many times.

After 3 months of wait, tedious background verification, family confrontations and multiple reminders, Shekhar received a call one day.

"Hello"

"Am I taking to Mr. Shekhar Dutta?"

"Yes, who is it?"

"I am calling from 'Little Petals'. Can we have a meeting ASAP?"

"Do we have a kid?"

"Yes sir"

"It's a girl or a boy? How old is it? How does it look? When can we bring him/her home?"

"Yes Sir, I understand your curiosity. Please arrange to visit our office tomorrow 9:00Am."

"Of course".

Shekhar informed Tara about the news instantly and she got complements at her scheduled the whole day about her suddenly glowing face.

To be parents were at the office of 'Little Petals' at 8:30am. They held hands without saying a word to each other and sat impatiently. An aged lady accompanied them to the office and broke the news. "Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Dutta! We have a New born baby girl, in Kerela and want your confirmation if you would like to grant her a home".

"New born baby girl" - the words echoed in their ears and they nodded their head in excitement. The formalities were quickly completed and the bundle of joy was brought by train after a month since flight was not advisable.

"hey baby! I am your mumma", said Tara as she held back her tears. The tiny hands and little toes waved as if to acknowledge. "Papa here Roohi", smiled Shekhar. "Roohi... beautiful name", Tara giggled.

Roohi Dutta was growing up fast. She was plump and more active for her age from day one. Tara's and Shekhar's like changed forever and they were loving very bit of it. Like most excited parents, they had a picture and video of all firsts of their naughty daughter - first smile, first walk, first kiss, first crawl, first dance, first climb, first haircut, first makeup, all firsts.

Soon, the whole neighborhood knew Roohi well. Someone would ring the bell and no one would be found in door. All knew must be Roohi.

Balloons at birthday parties would not last longer - thanks to Roohi.

Lunch boxes in the class would swap each other - Roohi learned that we should share things.

The list was endless.

Today, Roohi was the most intelligent girl in her class. At the same, her diary was also full of complaints from teachers stating his mischievous deeds.

Tara and Shekhar had no clue from where did Roohi got the aim of her life. Whenever someone asked her about what she wants to become when she grows up, she would promptly reply - “Miss Universe”. She even knew the names of past five winner of title and had replica of their gowns in her wardrobe. What a darling she looked when she wore those dresses with her trademark two pony tails.

***

“I would not call you mumma again and never ever kiss you.”,cried Roohi as Tara denied her to go to park as an punishment to her latest note in diary. Roohi had said that numerous times, but today, the words pinched Tara like a needle. She could not get her mind off those innocent words all though the day. She felt holes in her heart. We need ti tell her the truth, she reminded herself.

“Mrs. Dutta, your phone is ringing since 10 minutes”, a voice broke in as Tara sat still in the cafeteria.

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah, I am fine. Just not hungry enough to finish my lunch’,Tara tried to cover up.

Roohi School, the phone read. Tara picked up immediately and said "Ok.".

she quickly dialled the speed dial number -2 and the phone read - Daaarrrrllliiinnnggg

Read the next part of the story here

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