Anamika is stupefied by Suhanika’s choice of words. As she glances at her sister after a long time, she finds a lot of hurt and pain reflected in her eyes. Both of them can feel the distance that lies between them. However, as Suhanika peers into Anamika’s eyes, there’s a certain coldness in her gaze as she faces her sister.

“Aaj main tujhe kuch nahi samjhaaungi, Anu. Kyunki tu kuch samajhna hi nahi chahti, tune bas ye maan liya hai ki jo kuch bhi hua hai wo sab meri wajah se hua hai, lekin aisa nahi hai. Agar hum ruk bhi jaate toh ghar mein hi haadsa ho jaata. Tab bhi tu mujhe hi blame karti?”

“Kuch din pehle tujhe thallium effect hua tha, main bhi keh sakti thi ki tu crime scene pe na jaati, toh nai hota, lekin uske baad bhi humari life mein kitna risk hain naa! Aaj dekh, Nikhil ko bhi chot lagi, but he’s not blaming anyone for it, but, it’s okay! Agar tujhe lagta hai ki main galat hoon aur meri galti hai, toh I am sorry, mujhe maaf karna! Vaise bhi Mumma papa ko toh tune khoya hai, maine kahan! Main toh teri nafrat ke baad bhi tera khayal hi rakh rahi thi, but okay! I understand, bas iss envelope mein kuch hai, vo padh lena, uske baad bhi agar tujhe lage ki main galat hoon, toh thik hai, I will accept it. Main soch lungi ki main akeli hoon, meri family mein koi bhi nahi hai, kyunki tu toh mujhe family maanne se hi inkaar kar rahi hai,” Suhanika says, every word feeling heavy as it escapes her lips, and she begins to feel lighter.

She turns to leave as she hears Vineet calling her, while Anamika stands rooted in her place. She never thought her sister would say something like this. Of course, she’s upset with her, but she never disowned her. Though, she now feels that everything is wrong. She quickly runs into the guest room and opens the envelope. A letter slips out of the envelope, and attached to it are a few pictures of their childhood. A faint smile makes its way to her lips seeing the pictures. She begins to read the letter and feels a surge of goosebumps hitting her deeply.

*****
On the way home, Suhanika is silent, yet feeling a little lighter. There’s a faint smile playing on her lips, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by Vineet. He tries to break the ice, his gaze gentle at the girl sitting beside him.

“Aaj itni shant kyun ho?” he asks, his tone concerned.

“Aaj mujhe achcha lag raha hai. Aapko pata hai jab hum chhote they na toh kabhi kabhi Mumma Papa letters exchange karte they, aaj maine wahi kiya hai. Kaash main ye pehle kar deti,” Suhanika says, her tone laced with gratitude.

“Matlab tum Anamika ko ek letter deke aai ho?” he asks, his curiosity piqued.

“Haan, jo kuch mere mann mein tha, vo sab maine uss letter mein likh diya hai, ab bhi agar wo samajhna nahi chahti toh main usey uski marzi se rehne dungi, I won’t coax her,” Suhanika says, her tone soft.

“Main samajh sakta hoon, Suhani, tum par kya beet rahi hai, lekin please, tum khud ko akela mat samajhna, main hoon na, tumhare liye,” Vineet says, his tone honest and soft.

“I know, isliye toh main aapko bhai kehti hoon, Ruu Di ke alawa ek aap hi ho jisne meri feelings samajhne ki koshish ki hai, thank you,” she says, her heart filled with gratitude.

Vineet stops the car, and that’s when Suhanika realizes that they have reached her home. He pecks a small kiss on her forehead, while she smiles, feeling the warmth he’s exuding. He asks her not to overthink and to take care. She assures him and heads back into the house while Vineet drives away to his home.

Entering the house, Suhanika locks the door and heads into her room, freshens up, and changes into a comfortable nightdress. As she looks at her reflection in the mirror, there’s a calmness etched on her face. She’s feeling light after giving that letter to her younger sister. A faint smile appears on her lips again, and as she walks into the room, her gaze settles on the photoframe adorned with her picture with Anamika. She kisses Anamika’s picture and adores it, as if she’s talking to her sister in person.

“Anu, I hope tu meri baat samjhe aur sab kuch pehle jaisa ho jaaye, after all, Mumma Papa ke baad ab hum dono hi ek dusre ki family hai, aur main apni family phir se khona nahi chahti hoon,” she says, visibly to herself.

She takes a deep breath and lies on the bed comfortably, hoping that the new morning will be a new beginning for her and Anamika.

*****
Anamika is in her room and deep in thought while reading the letter that her sister has given her. Truly, Suhanika has poured out all her emotions and pain in the letter - the pain of losing their parents and of Anamika’s anger too. Her emotions constantly revolve around the lost bond between them. She has also tried to clarify that she never wanted that accident to happen, but it was destined. She also reveals that the accident happened at their Alibaug home; she clearly says that they could have lost something or might have lost their lives too if they had stayed back. Isn’t it enough that they are alive and can lead a life with each other?

As Anamika finishes reading the letter, she’s in shock. She realizes that her sister has been enduring the same intensity of pain as her. Of course, the blame game didn’t help in soothing her pain. Moments flash in Anamika’s mind where Suhanika tried to initiate conversations and explain things to her, but she didn’t listen in her ego. Even Ruhana tried to do so.

In the heat of the moment, Anamika feels that both Ruhana and Suhanika are right; she can’t abandon her sister for the sake of her pain. Of course, they share the same pain, and they can endure it together. The pain won’t fully subside, but at least they can be together and let things heal. Silent tears trickle down her face, and finally, Anamika breaks into tears, realizing the pain and trauma that her sister had carried alone. She picks up her phone to call Suhanika but can’t bring herself to make the call.

“Anu, tu thik hai?” Ruhana’s voice rings in the room, and Anamika tries to wipe off her tears.

“I– I am fine, Di,” Anamika says, her tone thick with emotion.

“Are you sure? Tere aansu bata rahe hain ki baat kuch aur hai,” Ruhana says, fully aware of the letter that got Anamika to this state.

Anamika wastes no time and hugs Ruhana, crying bitterly. She has finally realized the mistake that she has made.

“I am sorry, Di! Maine sirf apne baare mein socha, Suhaani Di ke baare mein nahi. Iss letter se mujhe sab pata chala, aap thik keh rahi thi, maine apne dard ko halka karne ke liye Di ka dard samjha hi nahi, main bahut buri hoon,” Anamika says, her tone heavy and voice teary.

“Nahi, Anu, aisa nahi hai. Koi bhi aise react kar sakta hai. Lekin haan, tujhe Suhani ki baatein sunni chahiye thi aur samajhni bhi chahiye thi. Tum dono ne parents ko khoya tha, Anu, agar tum dono hi ek duje ko nahi samajhti toh iss sisterhood ka kya matlab,” Ruhana explains, her tone calm as ever.

“Ab main Di ko kya hi kahun? Maine unko bahut hurt kiya hai, vo mujhe maaf bhi nahi karegi,” Anamika says in between the sobs.

“Jab tu Suhani se baat karegi na, dekhna kaise wo tujhe pyar se apne gale laga legi, bahut pyar karti hai wo tujhse, bas kal savere tu Suhani se baat kar lena, hmm..” Ruhana says, and Anamika nods. She knows it will be hard, but she will do everything to mend her bond with her elder sister, her only family.

*****
A new morning brings a lot of hope. Suhanika wakes up at her usual time, feeling a little lighter. She freshens up and walks into the kitchen to brew some coffee for herself, as she likes to start her day with a cup of coffee. It’s her father’s trait that she has taken over, while her little sister is a tea person just like their mother. She puts the milk to warm and simultaneously, she reflects on the incidents of the past day, she silently prayed that her sister returns to her.

Her trail breaks with the ring of the doorbell. Suhanika is amused, but she turns off the gas and walks toward the door. As she opens the door, she is stunned to find Anamika standing at the door, a small smile playing on her lips. She turns aside allowing Anamika to enter their home. Suhanika also smiles, but hides it and begins to walk again into the kitchen, but Anamika’s voice urges her to stop.

“I am sorry, Di,” Anamika says, her tone soft.

“Sorry? Kisliye?” Suhanika asks, trying to be unknown about the turn of events.

“Pichhle 5 salon ke liye, Di. Main jaanti hoon maine aapko bahut hurt kiya hai lekin ab main samajh gai hoon ki main galat thi,” Anamika says, her eyes teary.

Suhanika doesn’t speak, letting her explain. She understands the storm that’s churning beneath Anamika and she want it to calm down.

“Mujhe lagta tha ki Alibaug wale ghar ki baat ek kahani hai jisey aapne banaya hai. Aapne thik kaha tha agar hum wahan rukte toh bhi hum mein se kisi ko chot aa sakti thi, aur vaise bhi accident hua tha hamara. Pata nahi maine aapse kya kya keh diya Di, I am really sorry,”

“Shayad mujhe laga ki isse mera dard kam ho jayega, par aisa nahi hua, Di. Aapko jo saza deni hai do, par mujhe apne aap se door mat karo, aap akeli nahi ho, main hoon na aapke saath,” Anamika says, her voice thick with emotion and tears are trickling down her eyes.

Suhanika stares at Anamika for a few seconds and then pulls her into a hug – the one that’s much needed. With a warm touch enveloping her, both the sisters break into tears that each of them have been holding since a long time. Anamika continually asks for forgiveness. After a while they part the hug and SUhanika kisses Anamika’s forehead.

“Tujhe ehsaas ho gaya, tu mere paas wapas aa gai, aur kuch nahi chahiye mujhe, Anu. Dekhna ab humari zindagi aasan ho jayegi, kyunki ab hum dono mil kar isey jeeyenge, mumma papa ki yaadon ke sath,” Suhanika says, her own eyes glistening with tears.

“Di, mujhe toh aana hi tha, realization derr se hua aur isme Ruhana Di ka bhi haath raha, par sach mein I found my way Back To You, Di, and it matters, hai na?” Anamika asks.

Suhanika nods and pulls her sister in another warm embrace, while Anamika actually feels at peace now, being in her own space with her sister. In that moment, they realise that love always finds it way, even if it’s to find a new love or to get back to the person you already love. The sisters smile, basking into the warmth of their love, eager to start the new chapter of their life, this time, together.

****THE END****

Rinki_99 I Hope you like it. Thank you for sticking on it. ❤️❤️❤️

Anamika_anu ❤️❤️thank you for reading all that i write. I love ya❤️