Sinners And The Twins

 The express train going towards Bengaluru stopped at Raghavpur station at 7 pm scheduled time. Suddenly, there was darkness  for just a few seconds due to power failure, causing inconvenience to travellers. 

Pravin Sompur, his wife Pratima and their fifteen year old son Supreet along with other passengers were in a hurry and had difficulty boarding the train. As soon as the train arrived everybody occupied their reserved berths. The Sompur family consisting of three members were allotted berth  number 35, 36 and 37 in the S-6 bogie. The family visited Raghavpur two days back after a gap of 15 years to attend the marriage.  The couple were working as teachers at that time in Jyoti memorial higher secondary school. Supreet was born in the Ashwini hospital, Raghavpur.

An old lady, who was in search of her reservation, confronted Pravin. She was confused that the berth allotted to her was  occupied by him. During the conversation, she was shocked to identify them. But they were unable to recognise the old lady at that moment.

Who was the old lady  and why was she shocked? 

Railway officials told her to go S- 9  bogie, berth no. 35.  She went there and occupied the berth. Her tension increased and she was shivering. The memories of one and half a decade before flashed to her mind.

At that time, Damini was working as a nurse in the Ashwini hospital of Dr. Nishikant in Raghavpur.  She had more than ten years experience in the maternity ward of multi speciality hospitals before joining this hospital. Damini was very kind towards the patients, especially women. 

One day, Dr. Nishikant expressed his strange wish before Damini that he loved her and hoped she reciprocated.   She was surprised and thought it was unbelievable. She asked for a week's time. She was in a dilemma and finally gave the green signal. 

Both decided to continue live-in- relationship. Damini resigned from Vikram hospital and joined Ashwini hospital of Dr. Nishikant.  She was fully aware that the hospital was about to close and there was a hearsay in the town that Nishikant was a fake doctor and his MBBS degree was doubtful. Couples were happy for two years. In the beginning the differences cropped up between them mainly on financial issues.  Patients start visiting Ashwini hospital seeing the popularity of Damini. 

 Even after three years,  Damini failed to become a mother. One day in the evening, Damini suggested Nishant adopt a poor boy from the orphanage and give him all the love and affection to become a good citizen. Nishikant rejected this idea and said,

"Damini you have handled more than one hundred maternity cases successfully."

"What do you want me to do?"

Nishikant gave a horrific suggestion. Initially, she refused and started giving lectures on 'sin'. He argued with her to support his idea. She had no other choice except to obey his order.

What was his idea?

One month passed. One day, a pregnant woman, who completed nine months, was admitted to the Ashwini hospital. On the date given she delivered twin baby boys. Nishikant told Damini not to tell the mother about twin baby boys and told her she delivered a baby boy. Damini was feeling guilty and an act of sin. Her conscience warned her not to tell lies. 

Damini told a lie to the woman, who delivered the baby boy is fine and discharged after seven days. The woman was none other than Pratima Sompur. Damini met her a few minutes before in another bogie.

Nishikant's plan to have one of the twins was successful. He did this sinful act because Damini cannot become a mother. Damini brought up the kidnapped baby boy and named him Suryakant. The baby grew up with all the love and affection. Today he is in boarding school, Bengaluru and studying in tenth standard. Just two years back Dr. Nishikant died due to cancer.  He suffered a lot during the ailment. The health of Damini had deteriorated and the doctor had told her she may live a very short period. 

Damini came out of the past, when the ticket examiner asked her to show the ticket. Bengaluru was just ten minutes away. She decided to reveal everything to Pravin and Pratima and was ready to undergo severe punishment including the death penalty. 

The train stopped at Bengaluru city railway station. The time was eight am. The passengers were getting down on the platform. Damini got down with her briefcase and searched for Praveen and Pratima. It was difficult to find out as there was a heavy crowd. She was able to see them at the exit door. Damini followed them  outside. She stopped couples with folded hands and prostrated begging them to forgive.

Praveen was surprised and asked,

"Who are you? Why did you prostrate?"

Damini revealed everything right from the delivery of twin baby boys 15 years ago to this date. On hearing this, Pratima became unconscious and fell down on the ground. Pravin sprinkled water on her face. She regained consciousness after three minutes. Her first question to Damini,

"Where is my son?"

Damini said,

"Please follow me. I will hand over your grown up son."

With great anxiety and pressure they followed her. After half an hour they reached boarding school in Malleshwaram at nine am. He was in the hostel room getting ready for going to class. Damini alone went to his room. Suryakant was happy to see his mother and hugged her out of affection.

"Mom, how are you?"

" Beta, I am fine. Some guests have come here to meet you."

"Mom, who are they?"

"Don't get yourself confused. They want to meet you."

"Okay, let them come."

Damini called them inside.

Everybody was surprised to see both the boys are identical except a scar on the forehead of Suryakant. It was a thrilling occasion. Damini introduced all to Suryakant and narrated to him all the events that happened before. Suryakant was unable to say anything at that point of time. He realised the truth and prostrated the parents and embraced Supreet, who was just one hour older than him. Damini was witnessing the heartbreaking scene and took her last breath due to a massive heart attack. 

God has given punishment to the sinners. Bhagwan ke ghar me der hai andher nahi hai.