Twenty minutes later Darsh stood next to his car waiting for his wife. His face was flushed; his heart bubbled with excitement. Try as he might, he couldn't hide the stupid grin on his face.

Where would she want to go? Shopping? Yes, that must be it. All girls liked shopping. And Aditi needed to shop desperately. She lived in her cotton dresses that she used for her clinic and for any important functions, she wore her mother's sarees. Maybe a trip to a shopping mall was what she had in mind. Followed by a lovely dinner in some plush restaurant, oh how he would love to show off his knowledge of go-to places in Delhi, not to mention show her off in those happening places, now that would be fun.

Smiling, he shook his head and leaned against his car. It would be their first proper date. His first proper date after... well, let's just say after a very long time.

He snapped up straight as Aditi stepped out a few minutes later and locked the door behind her. Her face was solemn, though he caught a flash of unease before she hid it quickly.

"Let's go."

She dropped her keys in the bag as she came down the steps towards him. A soft breeze blew her dupatta sideways hugging her gentle curves as her hair too ran sideways tickling her face. For a moment his heart stilled. He wondered - or rather hoped - if she would twist her ankle and fall right into his arms like on their engagement night. But to his chagrin, nothing of the sort happened. She stood resolutely upright and waited for him to do his chauffeur duties. Sighing, he moved forward to open the car door for her.

"Where to, madam?"

"To Fortis Hospital." She gave him a cursory glance before getting in. "To Vicki."

*****

Three hours later they had moved Vicki to a private nursing home owned by a Dr. Arindam Chatterjee. He was one of the best neurosurgeons in India - Darsh was told - and looking at the whole setup, he had no doubts. It was not a nursing home but a holistic resort of some sort. Tucked in a leafy suburb of Delhi, it was as remote as possible and hence blissfully quiet. The important thing was that it was not huge. It was a modest size, just large enough to accommodate all its state-of-the-art facilities yet conspicuously small to cater to only a select few.

Darsh watched as four helpers in sharp blue uniforms moved Vicki to a special room. His wife watched over them, looking pale yet composed, instructing them about what went where. Ten minutes later Dr. Chatterjee himself arrived with a slew of his assistants. Along with him was Dr. Asthana - Aditi's dean and the famous neuroscientist who was also her best friend's dad.

He stood by his wife, his rolled fists characteristically stuffed in his pockets, as the coterie of doctors discussed his brother. His breath was uneven, his face was ashen. His wife mirrored his state but held herself much better than him. A couple of times she touched his arm to soothe his nerves. She looked apologetic, he sighed and shook his head. There was nothing to apologize for, at least not for her. His turmoil was of his own making. On one side was the shame that he hadn't thought of visiting his brother himself. On the other side was the anger that he was here at all. This was the man who'd raped his wife. This was the man who'd committed the heinous crime his own father had committed all those years ago. He was repulsed to even be here in the same room as Vicki, and he was repulsed at himself for having such double standards. He himself was no saint. He had lost his moral high ground not too long ago.

Sighing he ran a weary hand through his hair. If this was his state, he couldn't imagine what Aditi was going through. She looked stoic, yet he knew her scars ran deep.

The discussion continued for ages. At some point, Darsh moved away to stare out of the window. His chest was heavy, his throat felt achy. He wasn't as magnanimous as Aditi to forgive his brother, nor could he forget the innocent face of the child they had taken in all those years ago. Something had gone wrong in those growing years. Maybe it was his own mistake or the influence of his unknown father. Or maybe they all had it in them, it only took a moment's lapse to show their real faces.

His fists clenched and unclenched as he stared out with unseeing eyes. Time trickled away without anyone noticing but him. He wished he had the power to undo it all - to go back in time and change the day when he allowed Vicki to go on that accursed holiday. He wished that dreadful night had never happened. He wished he himself hadn't gone on that revenge trip, full of vile prejudices and evil plans. Then he would not have met his wife the way he did.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

He wished he'd met her in different circumstances. Much earlier. Years ago, maybe even before...

...before he could complete the thought, a voice caught him from behind.

"I am sorry this took long, Mr. Rathore." Dr. Chatterjee spoke to him in a pleasant voice. "But it's just a routine procedure when we admit new patients. I hope you found everything to your satisfaction?"

"Everything looks great, doctor. Thank you so much." Darsh smiled as his eyes trailed to his wife. She was talking to Dr. Asthana, he was asking her if he could visit with his daughter. Her eyes raised to him in question and he dipped his in affirmation. Her smile when she turned to Dr. Asthana lit him from within as if after days of murky rain there was a sunny morning.

Dr. Chatterjee talked some more. He didn't give false hopes, but he did not sound gloomy. All they could do was try, he said, the rest was best left to fate.

Darsh agreed wholeheartedly as the doctors bid goodbye. His pulse raised as they were finally left alone and Aditi walked to him, still smiling but a little unsure.

"Are you okay?" They both spoke in unison, then looked abashed. Flustered, she bit her lip and he ran an amused hand in his hair trying to buy some time to adjust his expression.

"I am sorry if I've caused you distress," she ventured eventually. "I know I should have asked you before, but..."

"But you thought I'd never agree," he quirked a lip as he completed her sentence. She shook her head.

"And would you have agreed?"

"Probably not," he shrugged. "But now that we are here, I am happy you didn't ask me."

Her face cleared of the fog and she smiled happily. He knew his face too reflected the same relieved expression.

"So where to next, Princess?" He asked with a mock bow. "Your chauffeur is ready."

"The chauffeur looks tired," she grimaced, then pouted. "And the princess is hungry. Maybe it's time for a lunch break."

Smiling, they walked out. Lunch it was then. It was nearly four in the afternoon and they both were hungry. But they were so far out of his usual area he didn't know any good places to eat here. In the end, they settled for a small roadside dhaba and ordered their 'daily special', whatever it was. As it turned, it was delicious. Dahl-tadka, butter roti, jeera-rice and palak paneer. Lip-smacking, if he judged by his wife who herself looked like a red chili yet couldn't help but slurp the spicy curry and lick her fingers. Her eyes watered, and her nose ran, her chubby cheeks were red like ripe tomatoes. Yet she looked ecstatic as if it was the best food ever. He enjoyed the food as much as he enjoyed watching her. Hot and spicy was the flavor of his day, and maybe the rest of his life.

They ate a lot, talked much more, and smiled a lot more. By the time they were done, it was nearing six.

"What now?" He asked obediently as he paid the bill. "Any other special plans?"

She tapped at her chin thoughtfully, then grinned.

"Nothing special. Just take me home and we'll go for a walk. Then maybe some ice cream?"

*****

He had questions, many questions such as why she was doing this for Vicki. How had she forgiven him, and now that she had forgiven Vicki, did he too have a reason to hope?

But he didn't ask them. A - She was giving him a chance. B - For once it felt like the past did not have a bearing on their present. Vicki didn't matter, that night didn't matter. His own deeds had taken a backseat. For once it felt like they were free, from this moment onward, their story would be written anew.

They walked and talked and chatted with all those who met them along the way. He introduced his wife proudly and she mingled with them with her natural ease. The night that felt so dark and gloomy just a few days ago now sparkled with hope. He didn't know his life would take this turn, or maybe it took this turn long ago, he'd just refused to acknowledge it.

It was nearly eleven when they got back, exhausted, yet happy, their hearts full to the brim. It was time to go to bed, to take a stock of the situation, and where they were heading. Maybe to dream a little, he didn't know. Now that he thought about it, he had been dreaming ever since he met his wife.

Faces flushed, they stood in the dimly lit hallway. The night was suddenly quiet, so quiet they could hear each other's heartbeats.

"Thank you for today," he reached for her hand and pressed his lips on the bare skin. She shivered but didn't take her hand back.

"I hope my performance today was to your satisfaction," his eyes crinkled as he watched her. "Do let me know about tomorrow's task. I am sure I'll excel in it as well."

She flushed harder and pulled her hand back. "Don't be so sure, Mr. Rathore. Tomorrow is another day. And haven't you got to go to the office?"

He shrugged. "Office can wait. I kind of like this job better."

"Well then." She put her nose in the air. "I'll see you tomorrow. And be ready to be surprised, tomorrow's task is going to be a lot harder."

She walked to her room in haughty pride, then turned at the door to give him a look. Eyes twinkling, he cocked his head in mock salute.

"Good night Mrs. Rathore. Sleep well."

She pursed her lips, then shut the door with a thud. He felt a laugh bubbling. Yeah...life was suddenly good, much more worth living than it ever was.

***** *****