The Stigma Called Love - Epilogue

Nishant and Aparna got married in a small ceremony attended by close friends and family. Among all the people, Prakriti was the happiest and yes the most adored one. By the time the ceremony finished, she was already dozing off in Shefanjali’s lap.

Aparna smiled as she saw Meera Naik picking Prakriti in her arms. She had never thought Nishant’s family would accept her so warmly after what happened but they had and each one now was her family too.

Family!

The moment this word came in her mind, her eyes misted. It had been more than 10 years she had seen her own and now she had lost all hope of seeing them again. Her gaze settled on the man standing proudly next to her mother-in-law and caressing Prakriti’s sleepy face. As she saw her daughter trustingly encircling her arms around the man, Aparna’s heart swelled with something more than love.

He had been nothing but a pillar of strength and love for her since the time he had entered her life. Overwhelmed by all the emotions in her, she closed the distance between them and placed her hand on his shoulder.

Nishant turned and looked at her lovingly and then said in a low voice, “She is asleep. I’ll take her inside.”

“No, I’ll take her,” his mother offered and took the sleeping child in her arms.

As she walked inside, Aparna kept looking at her and again her eyes misted over.

His eyes narrowed as soon as he saw her and slowly he pulled her into his arms.

That night as she slept he kept looking at her face. He knew she was happy but still, there was one part of her that was missing. He picked up his phone and sent a message to Dhruv.

******************

A month later, Nishant stood right at the corner and watched as she accepted the birthday gifts and wishes in the office. The actual d-day was two days later and he had a special surprise for her. As the office party finished and she sat down next to him in the car, she looked at him.

“What are you hiding?”

“Me? Hiding? What would I hide from you, sweetheart?” he asked in return taking her in his arms.

“What is the surprise?”

“Patience, my darling, patience.”

Aparna paced downstairs as she waited for Nishant. Everyone, even Prakriti had already left for the party.

It’s her birthday and she will be late.

Dammit, Nishant.

She was about to go upstairs when he bounded down and took her in his arms.

As he kissed her forehead, her anger just melted away.

Clasping her hand in his, Nishant guided her towards the car.

As he sat down on the driver’s seat, he opened the glove compartment and pulled out a blindfold.

“What’s this?” Aparna asked looking at him with narrowed eyes.

“It’s a blindfold and you are going to wear it.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to make love to you while you’re blindfolded,” he replied smiling mischievously as he tied it around her eyes.

“Hahaha! You have done that before, so, what’s the surprise?”

Nishant checked the blindfold and made sure her eyes were completely covered. Then, he pulled the seat belt in place and held her hands in his.

“Do you trust me?”

“Nishant!” Aparna exclaimed in a warning tone.

“Then, don’t ask any questions.”

They reached the venue in no time and Aparna was ready to be welcomed by a host of people but there was complete silence. Nishant helped her get down from the car and guided her inside.

Not able to see anything, she just followed his lead, her stomach bubbling with excitement.

What’s the suspense?

Just as she was about to rile him about the blindfold, she heard him whisper in her ear.

“I am taking it off, but don’t open your eyes till I tell you to.”

She nodded and he took it off.

Nishant quickly gestured someone to come and stand in front of her.

“Now, open your eyes.”

Slowly, Aparna opened them and saw her mother and father standing in front.

For a second her brain did not register anything but then when it did, she started to shiver like crazy. Long-held tears rolled down her eyes as her mother came and hugged her.

Nishant moved away from them and watched her happily crying as her family hugged her one by one. After so many years, the empty space in her was filled.

Now, his world was finally complete.

*********************

After 2 hours, Aparna wiped away her tears and clasped her mother’s hand. The cake cutting was done and everybody was scattered here and there.

But where was he?

Excusing herself, she looked around the room but did not find him anywhere. She walked out on the balcony and searched but still no Nishant. She was about to go inside to ask Dhruv when her phone vibrated in her hand.

‘I am in you.’

Aparna closed her eyes the moment she read the message.

“I am here,” she heard him whisper in her ear.

She turned and hugged him hard.

“Where did you……” she started to ask but stopped as her voice choked with emotion.

“I contacted your brother and your parents came willingly; seems they were missing you more than you think.”

“Nishant, I……”

“Don’t say a word. You are a part of me as I am. Just believe that I love you and always will, no matter what.”

Aparna looked into his eyes and saw the words echoing in them.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Nishant lowered his lips and she met him halfway.

As their lips became one, the night reverberated with promises of love and a happy future to come.  

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