Chapter Twenty Nine

                                    

                                          
Sidharth along with Khushi and Ansh start at 3pm from home to get back Shehnaaz. When they reach her boutique, the kids run in joy looking for Shehnaaz.
                          
Sidharth: Dinu, right?
                          
Dinu nods to confirm.
                          
Sidharth: Dinu, where is Shehnaaz?
                          
Dinu pouts with his lower lips and lifts both his hands to signal that he doesn't know.
                          
Sidharth: What do you mean? Please speak up!
                          
Dinu points at his tongue and signals that he is mute.
                          
Sidharth: I am sorry! We came to take Shehnaaz with us. Do you know where is she and when will she return?
                          
Dinu shows his palm and asks him to wait. He goes and pulls out a drawer and gets some paper. Sidharth observes it from far.
                          
That looks like a stamp paper. Is that a... divorce papers? Does she want to divorce me? Oh no! Dinu is mute and I don't understand his sign language. If at all I could understand her whereabouts, I could go and speak to her.
                          
His heart was pounding and his hands shivered as he took the papers in his hand. He read it, it was the property papers of the boutique, she had gifted it to Dinu. Dinu further handed him an envelope on which Sidharth's name and address was mentioned on it, Dinu signaled him that she had asked him to post/courier it.
                          
Sidharth opened the envelope and found another stamp paper, she had transferred the ownership of her house to Sidharth. There was a letter.
                          
Dear SK,
                          
I have realised how much pain and hate you have for me, which is quiet valid. I will not ask you to forgive me for what I did but I will ask you to forget me so that you don't have any pain remembering me in your life. If I don't deserve the place in your heart, don't give me space in your head as well. 
                          
I have no motive to stay here. I came into this city for you, after we seperated I stayed here for our kids but now I don't have both. I am transferring the house in your name, I know that this small house is just like a drop in a ocean for you but it has memories of our kids in it. I leave it up to you to keep it or sell it. Utilise it for Khushi and Ansh. 
                          
I gave away the boutique as gift to Dinu bhaiyya. His family stays close by and he is the only bread earner in his family. He has protected me and saved me like brother from preying wolves in this society. I could have given them answers but I feared for my kids. I will be forever grateful towards him.
                          
You will always be in my heart. You gave me all the happiness which I as an orphan, longed for a decade. I will cherish the sweet memories forever.
                          
Please take good care of yourself and I know you can look after our kids better than me. They are in the safest hand and the strongest arms.
                          
Shehnaaz
                          
P.S.: There is a big jar of besan ladoo and cookies as I know the one I gave earlier was little and will get over soon.
                          
Sidharth stood there like a statue. He could hear Ansh and Khushi calling Mumma Mumma in and around the boutique to find her. He looked at them.
                          
She thinks I still hate her. Not her fault, I left her with this impression. I left her with no motive to stay. Where did you go sweetheart? I found you only to lose you again. I can't even search you with these kids.
                          
He tries calling her on her phone but it was switched off. He pacifies the crying kids telling that she has gone to see the doctor for treatment and they half heartedly leave the place. They reach their home.