Chapter 53: Chapter 53

Years had passed since the day Leila came to my home. But I remember that day as if it is yesterday. I knew my love was not going to go easy. But many twists had happened and some of them were not even foreseen by me. Leila is not with us. I lost her on the same day I got the twins. My children they call me mother and it brings me so much pleasure. They hadn't seen their mother. But I made sure that they know their mother loved them. I told them how she had withstood the pressure from her parents to give birth to them.

I hadn't seen or heard from all these years. But Rita says Raja came to see her to make sure that I got the letter. I had made her promise and she kept it. She said I had decided to go through with the marriage.

The marriage didn't happen. He didn't wake up on the day of wedding. We took him to the hospital but he was already dead. How could things change?

I was praying that I become free of him. This was not how I imagined it. I had an option to go home. But I didn't go. I had settled my father's debt. I had no reason to keep any contact with him other than to pay him off. He had sold me off earlier. I would never welcome him back to my life. No matter what happens.

I had paid enough money to Ramu kaka. He was my old servant. He still take care of my father out of his own goodness of heart.

As for me I'm living a life I never thought possible. I never imagined living for some one other than you could bring this much pleasure. I play with the twins and read them stories. They are elated to discover more stories and myths. They look so much like their father that I hardly miss Raja.

He comes to my mind some times. I let him stay there. He used to be a king now he was replaced by two little demons who I call my lives.

I have told them they have a great father. They know that one day their father will return. I don't know why? But Leila always believed it. They believe that too. In five years I had read on a news paper about how successful he was becoming. There is hardly a person in college who doesn't boast that Raja had once served them tea. He is a multimillionaire now. He is as rich as he dreamt. But I on the other hand preferred him penniless because only then he was reachable to me.

I had heard that he dates super models now. I knew he was happy. I only wished that he knew about his children. How proud he was going to be after Recovering from initial shock of course. I watch them play. I watched Rita coming towards us. I waved at her.

"How is your health? Did the fever passed?", asked Rita.

"I'm fine fit as a horse", I told her with a smile. She shook her head at me.

"What is it?", I asked her.

"I met him today. He said he will come to see you today", said Rita.

I took a heavy breath. I never expected that he will come to see me. I was surprised. I never believed Leila when she said that he will come home one day.

"Good. I want to meet him as well", I told her.

"You should stop lying to him when he comes", said Rita.

"OK", I told her nodding at the children. Both of them came running back to me.

"Today some one special is going to come and see you guys", I told them.

"Who?", they asked.

"Someone who is pretty special to us", I told them. They nodded their head. I gave them both kisses and sent them off.

"Will you stay?", I asked her.

"Of course even if he kills me", said Rita.

I was worried I had asked twins to stay inside and get dressed. I think they have a small idea that this visit was somehow important.

I was sitting on the sofa with the children. My cough had stopped yesterday thankfully. I saw the door open to reveal Raja. He looked as handsome as ever. He took my breath away.

He looked at children confused. I introduced them. Now was the time for talking I asked them to go and play.

"It is a surprise", I told them.

"Why? I have told you that I will work my best to help you give greatest comforts of life", he said.

"Oh", I told them.

"I want you back Asha. I have a massed huge fortune and it is of no use unless I spend it over you", he said in heavy voice.

"I want to thank you. But it would be better if you spent it on your children", I told him.

"What?", he asked shocked.

"You just met them. They are your children. Yours and Leila's", I said to him.

"She didn't tell me", he said.

"She was afraid you will force her to abort. She passed away giving birth", I told him.

"I don't know what to say. When did she came to you?", he asked.

"On the day you were leaving", I told him.

"That is why you didn't come", he asked.

"Yes", I confessed.

"You raised them?", he asked me.

"Yes. I have promised their mother that I won't let them go", I told him.

"I don't know how to thank you Asha", he said.

"I prefer it when you call me brat",i said breaking into a cough.

He held me gently. He peered into my face.

"Are you OK?", he asked me.

"I'm now. But I have cancer but the last chemo was successful and doctor declared me as cancer free. But you never know it could come back", I said. He hugged me tightly.

"You fought all these battles alone. I don't think I even deserve to stand in front of you", he said his voice breaking. I kissed him hard. I felt the rain falling outside. Thank you for giving me back Raja I whispered.

"Wait a second. Children come here please", I called them again. They came rushing back to us. I knew they had heard our conversation.

"Rocky Leila meet your father Raja", I introduced them but Rocky never let me go instead put a hand out for them which they rushed into.

I saw Rita wiping her tears and smiling at the same time.