Reunion - Second Chance

"Welcome home Mumma" shouted Rohan excitedly as Maya stepped into the house. Maya did not know how to react. Sensing her discomfort, Rohit said "Rohan, Mumma is tired now. Let her have some rest". Maya looked at him thankfully. Then she gave a good look around the room.

Everything was perfect and in its place. Maya's eyes got stuck at the wall with photos. There were so many photos of the three of them. All smiling and looking so happy. There was one photo probably captured on Rohan's birthday as there was a Spiderman cake in the photo. Then there was another one probably of some hillstation. And another one in what looked like Goa. Or maybe it was Kerala. As Maya was looking so intently at the photos Rohit kept all her stuff from the hospital in place. "It will all be fine Maya, please don't overstress yourself" Rohit placed his hand on her shoulder. Maya felt like crying in his arms but she couldn't. After all, he was a stranger for her. And so was Rohan.

Yes, the 5 year old boy that everyone said was her son, was a total stranger to her. The next few days were really difficult. Though she had a full-time house help, Maya just could not think from where to begin. Rohit said taking care of the house and Rohan would keep her busy and make her recover quickly. Rohan was a real adorable boy. Maya tried playing with him, getting him dressed and doing other things for him. She even asked him what all games they used to play before she went to the hospital. Rohan thought for a while and then said "You never played with me Mumma, you were always busy." The obviousness and innocence in that sentence made her hug Rohan. "Mumma loves to play with you Rohan, I will always play with you from now on". "Really ? Yayy !!" he said cheerfully and then went around his business.

Rohit was really happy that Maya was bonding well with Rohan. To lose one's memory and not recognizing one's own child can be really traumatizing for anyone. He was also missing his wife but he was in no hurry. He wanted to give Maya her time and space. He was grateful that she had recovered completely, even if it was with a memory loss. Six months ago, their life had come to a complete halt with Maya's accident. Maya had been hit by an overspeeding car as she was going to get Rohan from his school. She had suffered major head injuries. and also fractured her leg. After being in coma for two months, she finally regained consciousness. The fractured leg was healed but Maya was not the same person anymore. She had physically fully recovered but with major memory loss. After being in the hospital for six months she had finally come home. When her mother felt Maya was taking care of her home and Rohan well, she too left Maya with her nest.

Rohit was a really nice man. He would come home from work and play with Rohan while Maya prepared the dinner. He was longing to hav

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e his wife in his arms but didn't know how she would react. It was strange to live with your wife who didn't remember anything of her past. Sometimes he thought it was better that she didn't remember anything.

Rohit and Maya were college friends and madly in love with each other. They had dated for about six years and then were married for another six years. Two years after their marriage Rohan was born. Maya 's career had a slight break but she joined back again with even more enthusiasm and desire to excel. Rohit too was doing well in his career. But the strict deadlines took a toll on their marriage and their relationship. They would argue over petty trivial matters. Majority of the time issues surrounding Rohan. And then they would also say sorry to each other with their silly antics. Soon, the need to say sorry for one's harsh words was also gone. With time their conversations kept getting shorter. Once lovebirds who used to chat sweet nothings for hours used to talk in monosyllables and only when absolutely required. Both were usually seen on their laptops or on phones.

That day too Maya had left the house in a fit of rage. Her hand was on the steering but her mind was elsewhere. Was he the same Rohit that had once travelled across the city at 2AM in the night just to see her once. Did her love fade away so quickly? Her tears were blurring her vision and she overlooked the car coming from the other side.

The last six months had been very difficult for Rohit. Between his home, office and hospital he also had Rohan to look after. Maya's mother helped with Rohan and home. But Rohit could not bear to see Maya like this unconscious on the hospital bed. This was Maya, his love, his wife. He could do anything to get her back. He just prayed everyday that she survives. And his prayers were answered. He had cried inconsolably when Maya came out of coma. But his happiness lasted shortly as Maya couldn't recognise him. She couldn't recognise Rohan as well, not even her mother. The doctor's said she doesn't remember anything of her past.

He tried to help her with all the daily chores whenever he could. They would talk about everything and anything under the sun. She liked being in his company and so did he. They had become good friends from being total strangers. Maya now smiled and laughed with him and Rohan. They were falling in love...again !

"Sometimes whatever happens, happens for good. If I had told Rohit that my memory came back the next day after coming home, the moment I saw that college pic of ours in his diary while cleaning his cupboard, we would have never fallen in love, again. Thanks for taking care of Rohan today." said Maya to her mom and kept the phone.

Afterall, life doesn't give everyone second chances. She picked up her best dress for the date night with Rohit.