Shreya recognised her father the moment she saw him. A faint, long-buried memory stirred in her mind. Of the two children, she had always been closer to him, more dearly loved. She did not recognise her elder brother Raja at first glance, yet anyone looking at them could easily tell they were siblings—the same eyes, the same features, the same gentle lines of the face.
She rushed into her father's arms and wept bitterly. The entire house filled with deep emotion. Tears flowed freely."Baba, why did you hand me over to those people?"Shreya asked, her voice trembling.
Madhav Das gently stroked her head.
"I did not hand you over to anyone, daughter. I was sent to jail, and the court separated me from my children. You were hardly three years old then. Your mother took you with her. Her second husband would not let Raja come along with her. At first, no one even took care of Raja. Later, your uncle (taya ji) came and took him with him."As he said this, he let out a deep sigh.
"Forgive me, my children. I could not do anything for you. My honesty and principles could not give you a comfortable childhood or proper care."
Suyash stopped him softly. "Why do you say such things, Baba?
It is because of your good deeds that we did not fall even when the storms of life came. We have carried forward your name and honour with pride."
Today, when I stand in court as a criminal lawyer and save an innocent person, I feel I am giving someone a new life. I make sure no innocent man like Madhav Das suffers punishment on false charges."
Madhav Das smiled through his tears. "My children, always thank the Almighty. He is the real doer. We are merely instruments in His hands."
Shreya then began to tell her whole story."Baba, I have committed no crime. There is no stain on my character for which I needed Raja Bhaiya's help. By God's grace, I have come out safely every time. But I had to hide everything from everyone.
I did not want any harm to come to my adoptive parents because of me. Their safety and mine were most important."I never wanted enemies of the country—like Danish Sheikh's family or other dangerous forces—to reach my loved ones and hurt them. Apart from Arjun's family, I received the love and warmth from my adoptive parents that every person longs for."
Yes, I made one mistake, I did not tell anyone the truth. But that was the condition of the secret mission. Even if I had told, I would have been guilty of breaking the rules.
"Because of all this, Arjun and everyone connected to him suffered greatly. I am responsible for their pain. This house gave me nothing but love and respect, yet because of me it became a centre of entertainment and gossip for the whole neighbourhood."Innocent Arjun had to face harsh imprisonment and cruel torture. People said terrible things. Life in the locality became unbearable for everyone. I was helpless."
Many times I wanted to call the jail authorities and tell them everything. But Shashikant Sahay Sir and Major Shravan had given me strict orders. So I could not help even when I wished to. I was also sad and troubled. I could not sleep at night worrying about all of you. But perhaps no one will believe me now if I say this.
"Even after reaching here, I could not tell you about the operation. I was afraid it might fail. That is why I kept some distance from everyone. If I spoke too much, something might slip out and ruin everything."Captain Raghav was originally chosen for this mission, not you. But Naman and his family made a mistake. They planted me in your life and forced a fake marriage between us. They wanted to push me into a soldier's life. But I was already married to Naman before that."
Soon after the marriage, I discovered his true identity. He was involved in anti-national activities. With the help of my friend Mansi's father, Police Superintendent Shashikant Sahay, I joined the mission. My job was to find out how foreign spies were stealing sensitive data from the army and how some soldiers were helping them.
"Naman's parents brought me into your life because they wanted me to gather information about military bases and activities through you. They planned to use that information for espionage against our own country."During the party given for friends after the wedding, my friend and I learned the truth. Naman was actually a Bangladeshi citizen living in India for twenty-one years under a false Hindu name. That very day I decided to end the marriage."
Luckily, I found out everything before starting a new life with him. My life was saved once again from ruin."You know, Baba, whenever I saw other fathers loving their children and giving them gifts, my heart would break. I cried a lot. My own father tried to kill me twice. He pushed me into the Ganga. The first time Arjun saved me. The second time, in Banaras, Arjun was not there. I do not know how I survived. I floated and reached Ghazipur alive. It was nothing short of a miracle.
"There, my adoptive parents became my protectors. I was their beloved daughter, not an unwanted child. They raised me with so much love that I will remain in their debt forever. I want to repay that debt by fulfilling my responsibilities towards them. Please do not stop me, Baba. Otherwise, I will not be able to stay here peacefully."
Her voice was calm yet filled with deep pain and determination. The room fell silent as everyone absorbed her words. Years of separation, hidden struggles, and quiet sacrifices now lay open. The family that had been torn apart by circumstances was slowly beginning to understand the heavy burdens each member had carried alone.
Shreya's eyes were red but steady. She had spoken the truth that had been locked inside her for so long. Now, the healing could begin—slowly, gently, one honest conversation at a time. The house, once shaken by suspicion and gossip, felt a little lighter as the weight of unspoken secrets started to lift.
© Copyright Pushpa Chaturvedi.
All rights reserved