Paritosh parked outside Moitras’ house and asked Rupali to go in. “Mr. Moitra is highly embarrassed about his son’s behaviour. My going in will only increase his embarrassment,” he explained.

Rupali was uncomfortable, but she doubted that Paritosh’ presence would reduce her discomfort. So, she nodded and went in. When she came out with a small bag, Sabyasachi was also with her. On seeing him, Paritosh got out of the car.

“Dr. Khanna. I can’t thank you enough… Or apologize enough…”

“Let it be Mr. Moitra. I myself can’t help feeling responsible for this… If I hadn’t brought this house issue up…”

“That’s not true,” Rupali interrupted.

Paritosh and Sabyasachi looked at her questioningly. So, she had to continue, “It isn’t about the house. It is about Rohan. And me. It had to happen someday or the other. You didn’t do anything Dr. Khanna.”

“My guess is,” spoke Sabyasachi, “That she is right. Anyway, Rupa. Please don’t take what your Kakima said to heart. She is just upset and biased.”

Rupali nodded, “I understand Kaku.”

“And I will make arrangements for you soon. Irrespective of what else happens, I need you to know that… I am still your father and I will take care of you.”

“I know Kaku,” Rupali got emotional and her voice choked as she spoke, “And I want you to know that I have not forgotten… I will never forget what all you have done for me… If you hadn’t stepped in then…”

“Hush…” he silenced her and patted her head, “Calm down and don’t cry. It will be all right. Okay?”

She wiped her tears and nodded. Paritosh took out the pistol from his car and handed it over to Sabyasachi.

“Thank you,” he said not to Paritosh, but to Rupali.

Rupali blinked back her tears. They got into Paritosh’ car and drove off.

“Why was he apologizing about Mrs. Moitra?” Paritosh asked during their drive.

“She is angry and upset that Rohan is angry and upset. And like him, her anger is also directed at me.”

“Doesn’t she know…”

“She is a mother, Dr. Khanna. That explains everything.”

Paritosh didn’t reply. Obviously she didn’t want to be ungrateful to her adoptive parents. He didn’t push her.

—

“You haven’t slept well?” Paritosh asked Rupali as they were having breakfast.

“What would you have done Dr. Khanna, if Daar ji had found my mother back then and if she had become a trouble for you?”

Paritosh frowned deliberating over her question. He replied after a few moments, “You know what I would really like, Rupali. That you gave up these unnecessary pretenses. Asking stuff indirectly, with hypothetical questions… I am not sure what problem you mother could have created for me. So, I find it absolutely impossible to give an answer to your question.” Rupali flushed. Paritosh noticed, but he continued, “However, it is not so difficult for me to guess that you are conflicted about your feelings for Dr. Moitra and his parents. Am I right?”

Rupali nodded and didn’t say anything.

“Talk to them Rupali. As far as I have spoken to them, at least to Mr. Moitra, he cares about you. I don’t think they will force anything upon you. But if you don’t talk, how is anyone going to understand what is on your mind?”

Her reaction took Paritosh by surprise. Her eyes filled with tears and she ran away from the breakfast table. What was so distressing in what he said?

—

“Rupali,” she heard a slight knock at the door hardly five minutes after she had come running to her room. Given how she had run away, he had to follow her. He’d probably apologize. How was she to make him understand that he didn’t say anything wrong. It was her messed up life in which nothing could go right.

She took a moment to calm herself down and wipe her tears. She was still rehearsing in her mind what she would tell him when she opened the door, only to be greeted with surprise.

“Kakima?” her voice was hoarse from crying.

“Mrs. Moitra came just now and wanted to talk to you. I thought it could best be done in your room…”

Rupali stepped aside to let Damyanti in. Paritosh made to leave.

“Please stay. Dr. Khanna,” Rupali said surprising both Damyanti and Paritosh.

Paritosh felt awkward. It was like intruding in a family matter. But she hadn’t said it as a formality. Her voice and eyes were pleading. He looked at Damyanti. She had a frown on her face, but it faded away and she nodded to him. “You know everything Dr. Khanna. Nothing is hidden from you,” she explained. Paritosh came in.

“Rupa,” Damyanti spoke, “I have come here to apologize. On Rohan’s behalf as well as mine…”

“Kakima please. You don’t need to…”

“I am his mother, and I was agitated to see him in so much pain. But it didn’t take me long to see that what he did was inexcusable.” Rupali just bit her lips. Seeing no response from her, Damyanti continued, “But Rupa. The long and short of it is that he loves you. That was the reason he overreacted to the idea to you moving away. And even I don’t understand this. Why do you want to go away? After all these years… Are you still not comfortable? Is there something you don’t have at home? If there is, you only need to say it…”

“Please Kakima. You know that’s not the case. I have everything I could ever need and more…”

“If you want more privacy, you know that we have already bought another flat for you and Rohan. You can stay there after marriage. I would never mind that. I just… want… my son’s happiness too…”

Rupali started sobbing and Paritosh watched helplessly.

“Don’t cry my child,” Damyanti patted her, “What Rohan did was the first and the last time….”

“It wasn’t… It wasn’t a first, Kakima,” Rupali managed to say through her sobbing.

“Excuse me?”

“How can I ever explain to you…. It wasn’t a first…”

Damyanti looked at Paritosh as if expecting him to explain it to her. Paritosh was frowning, trying to think.

“Rupali,” he finally spoke, “Calm down and talk. Okay? You are safe here, you know that, right? Just tell us what do you mean?”

But she continued sobbing and buried her face in her hands.

Paritosh knew something about her problems with Rohan. So, he decided to prompt her. “Do… Do you mean that… Dr. Moitra has… forced… himself on you?” He spoke with great hesitation watching for Damyanti’s reaction at every word. Damyanti flushed, but did not react and just looked at Rupali in confused anticipation.

“Speak up Rupali. At least tell us if it is what I said.” he urged her when she did not reply and continued sobbing.

She lifted her head, but did not look them in their eyes as she slowly nodded her head. “And not today…. Ever since… ever since… he first…. met me…”

Paritosh was startled. Damyanti’s first reaction was that of confusion, “What? What do you mean?” Surely she didn’t mean that… “Talk to me, Rupa,” Damyanti became agitated and shook the girl, “Explain what did you mean just now…”

“Mrs. Moitra please… You are scaring her,” Paritosh intervened. Damyanti realized how violent she was being and moved away from Rupali. “What did she just say, Dr. Khanna? What does it even mean?”

“Let’s just step outside please. Please Mrs. Moitra.” Both of them shot a worried glance at crying Rupali and stepped out.

“I don’t know… I have no clue what she said,” Paritosh told her once they were outside, “But right now allow me sometime. As a doctor what I see there is a breakdown. Let me deal with this situation medically first. And then details will come…”

Damyanti was only half-hearing him though. She was talking to herself, “The first time he met her, she was in school… Thirteen probably…. She didn’t mean….”

“I don’t know Mrs. Moitra. But you must pull yourself together. You are the mother to these two youngsters, who seem to be troubled; for whatever reason. If you don’t hold yourself together, it can’t be good for them.”

“What do I do?”

“Go home and let me call you back. Please. I must go back to Rupali.”

Damyanti nodded absent-mindedly and walked away. Paritosh rushed back to Rupali.

—

To be continued