This is the third chapter of this story. It is best read chapter-wise to follow the characters and events. All characters and events are fictious and any resemblance to anyone living or dead is pure coincidence. All characters are over eighteen years of age
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Once Smita left, Sekhar's life returned to its normal routine of work during the day and lonely nights wherein he rued his ill luck in marriage, his separation from Aruna and life in general. Often, he would think about those two wonderful nights during which his sister provided solace to him.
Sudha noted that her son had slipped back into a kind of depression and she was worried. She spoke about it to Smita during one of their daily telephone calls.
"He looked much better when you were here,Smita! Now he is back to his depression and I am worried." Her mother sounded very concerned.
If only you knew what I did to him, mom, Smita thought warily! No way could she tell her mother that directly! But, Smita knew her mother was an intelligent and caring person. May be she could hint things to her without admitting anything and guide her mother! It was worth a try, she thought.
"Mom, that was because when I was there, I took good care of him. You know he was depressed about his separation and was feeling very lonely. So, I gave him my company."
"I am also trying to talk to him but he doesn't allow any conversation for too long." Her mom replied.
"I am not talking of conversations alone, mom. I thought it best not to allow him to be lonely, even at night and dwell on things," Smita said, hesitantly.
"You mean you asked him to sleep in your bed?" Her mother sounded very surprised.
"Yes, mom, the poor guy was having nightmares and he needed to be comforted." She laid a little emphasis on the word 'comforted'.
She heard the quick intake of her mother's breath. A silence followed.
"Mom, you do realize that you and I are the only women in his life now, don't you? He has no one else to turn to. Sekhar is still like a child in many ways. When a child is unwell we have to take good care of him right?" She kept on.
"Very true" Her mother answered, softly.
"So, I comforted him mom. He slept in my bed and when he had those nightmares I held him in my embrace and comforted him." There it is! At last, she told her mother what was needed.
"You should also try and do the same, mom, whenever possible. We have to take care of him. He has no one else." She finished speaking.
"You are right. He is my child and I will take care of him. I have to." Her mom answered her softly and ended the call.
It was easier said than done. Sudha thought about the problem. She and Kumar always slept together in the Master Bedroom. These days they hardly ever made love. But they shared the bed out of habit and for mutual comfort. She can never go and sleep in Sekhar's bed. Her husband would ridicule her and never allow that.
The solution came in the form of a one week training program for Officers of his bank in Delhi which Kumar was asked to attend. Here was a chance for her to be alone with her son at home and comfort him. But, did she dare to! How could she bring herself to play that role! Sudha was indeed confused.
On their first evening alone, after dinner, they sat in the living room on the sofa and watched the TV. Sekhar watched a news channel for few minutes and then asked his mother. "Do you want to watch anything special mom?
"Let us have some music, Sekhar."
He switched the channels and stopped at a music channel that played Bollywood Hindi songs and adjusted the volume to a low. They sat quietly for a while.
"How is your new job and work?" Sudha asked him.
"It is fine, mom. No problems."
Again quiet reigned for a while.
On the TV a song was playing showing a kid celebrating his birthday with his parents and friends. It brought a smile to her face. Sekhar looked at her, questioningly.
"I am reminded of you and Smita as kids." She laughed.
"Mom, you must have had a tough time with the two of us." He said smiling.
"Indeed! It was pretty tough. It was your father's idea for us to have two kids in quick succession and then stop. He said that though it would be tough for a few years, both of you would grow up together and it would be lot easier later."
"But initially it must have been very tough for you, mom." He said fondly.
"Yes Sekhar. Smita was just one when you were born. It was more like bringing up twins. For example, I had to feed you both and it was a tough job when both of you were hungry at the same time." She smiled as she recollected.
Sekhar felt an excitement as his mother mentioned feeding. Next instant, he felt ashamed at getting excited.
"There were times when your sister wouldn't let go and you cried out loud for milk and I had to manage both of you little devils. Luckily, I had enough milk for both of you." She smiled.
"But, Smita was mostly quick and less demanding. You! You were a regular devil!"
Sekhar felt a strange feeling of love well up for his mother and moved closer to her. She took his hand in hers and caressed it lovingly.
"Yes, you were a little devil and you wouldn't leave me alone even after you had your fill."
Sudha didn't feel uncomfortable telling her grown up son about this. On the contrary, she was a little excited. She pressed his palm gently.
"What did I do mom?" he asked, excited.
"You would finish feeding but sleep in that position and if I moved away, you would wake up and cry." Sudha didn't smile now and her voice shook a little. She held his hand a little tighter.
"I slept like that, mom?" his hand gently squeezed her.
