Redemption and Reconciliation

"First of all, thank you for saving my life. But despite my terrible behavior, why did you take that bullet for me? You could have let me take the hit. After all, I deserved it."

Vijay, sitting alone on a sofa in the living room, asks Om. Sharda, holding Om's hand, is seated on the sofa with Riya and Soumya, all listening quietly to Vijay's question.

Om, with a sad smile, replies calmly:

"Uncle, I don't care what you've said to me so far. I've never considered you a stranger. Yes, I could have let you die, but I've already lost so much—my mother, my childhood, and many moments of happiness. I can't afford to lose you as well. No matter what anyone says about me, or what you think of me, I couldn't let you die just for some of these reasons."

Sharda looks at Om with pride, touched by his words.

Vijay, looking down sadly, asks:

"Do you still consider me guilty for everything that has happened? Tell me honestly."

Om, with a heavy heart, looks at his uncle with sorrow and says:

"I wish I could, but I can't. It was my fate that things happened the way they did. You didn't have to take me with you, I understand that. You hated my father, but let me ask you—if what happened to me had happened to your children, what would you have done?"

Hearing this, Vijay is struck with fear. Sweat appears on his forehead as he becomes visibly anxious. Suddenly, he realizes something and, with a faint smile, responds:

"I would have been untroubled if it had happened to my children."

Om asks:

"Why? Uncle, why?"

Vijay, maintaining his gentle smile, answers:

"Because if I were in your father's place, I would have trusted blindly that your father would never leave my children behind. He would have sold everything to take care of my children rather than leave them alone. Whatever you've endured, my children would never have to suffer that. Despite all the hatred I had for him, I always received boundless love in return."

Hearing this from Vijay, Om's eyes well up with tears. He asks:

"Can you imagine if my father hadn't been there and if Riya and Soumya had faced such troubles? What would have happened?"

Vijay's eyes widen as if he's reliving the scene. He becomes fearful and quickly says:

"No, no... I can't imagine."

Vijay, feeling immense shame for his actions and realizing his mistakes, begins to cry:

"I'm sorry... Om, I was so angry with your father that I only thought about surpassing him. I made his life miserable, forcing him into poverty. I wanted to outdo him. I did everything I could without thinking, but still, he found work in that lab and they began to regain their status. I couldn't tolerate that, and when I learned of their success, my anger grew. When I met you, I saw a reflection of him in you, and my hatred consumed me so much that I couldn't even see the innocence of a child. I left you in that state, without a second thought. Forgive me, son. I'm repulsed by myself. You lived in poverty because of me. You lived like an orphan because of me. You can give me any punishment you want, I accept it. I even welcome death if that's what it takes."

Vijay breaks down crying on the sofa.

Om, in shock, struggles to find the words but eventually speaks with anger:

"I came to the hospital for you, uncle. I sat by the door every day waiting for you and auntie. I was a little child, crying every hour, but never giving up hope. Later, I understood that you weren't coming, but I never hated you. Your words from that day still echo in my ears, but I remember how my father protected you from all mistakes from his childhood to his youth. He always took care of you. I thought you might not have recovered from his loss. But you were burning with hatred, I know. Even now, you must still dream of him. You couldn't forgive yourself because you knew you were connected to him. I used to dream of you and auntie coming to take me away and live happily together. At least I had that hope that I wouldn't be alone. But even with family, you left me to live like an orphan. As I grew up, I realized no one was coming. I never wanted anything from you, just a little conversation, encouragement in my sorrow, a bit of love. I would have stayed even if you had offered me a corner to live in. But you never came. Even today, I came just for a few moments of happiness with you. But you're still lost in clouds of hatred. How can I not consider you guilty after hearing all this?"

Vijay is speechless, overwhelmed by regret. Riya and Soumya watch with tearful eyes, looking between Om and Vijay. Sharda wants to console Om but knows that he needs to express his pain. She can only watch and cry.

Om, with unspoken tears, continues:

"Uncle, I wish you had come even once. I had lost hope in life so much that I attempted suicide. When I jumped into the river to end my life, I only saw you and auntie. When I survived, my eyes opened and I came directly to you. But maybe I wasn't meant to. Because even these few moments of pain for you seem to hurt your ego. I'm sorry for causing you distress. I don't want to give you any more trouble. I'm leaving now. Just take care of Riya, Soumya, and auntie."

As Om starts to leave the house, Riya and Soumya cry out:

"Please stop Om Bhaiya, don't leave!"

Sharda looks at Vijay, who is still crying. She knows that only Vijay can stop Om now. Vijay, sobbing, looks at Sharda and says:

"My one mistake drove him to attempt suicide. I can't live without him now."

Om, about to open the main door, feels someone tightly holding his feet. He looks down in shock to see Vijay sitting on the floor, holding his feet.

Om quickly helps Vijay up and, crying, says:

"Uncle, what are you doing?"

Vijay, still crying, holds Om's feet and pleads:

"Forgive me, son. There is no one worse than me in this world. Please, forgive me."

Om, sitting next to his uncle, also begins to cry and says:

"It's alright, uncle. Forget the past. I've received a new life, and so have you. Let's forget the past and start anew. I never considered you guilty, but for your peace of mind, I've forgiven you."

Vijay, tears streaming down his face, embraces Om:

"Give me any punishment you want, but don't leave me. Forgive me, Om, my child."

Om, hugging his uncle back, also cries. Sharda, trying to comfort them, says:

"It's alright. If someone has strayed in the morning but returns by evening, they are not to be blamed. Both of you deserve a new beginning full of love. So, stop crying."

Vijay, wiping Om's tears, says:

"Promise me you won't leave me now. Give me a chance to be like a father to you. Promise me, son."

"Okay, uncle, I promise. I will come to see you from now on."

Om, wiping Vijay's tears, replies.

"No, Om, now you are my son. You will stay here with us. Either you stay with us, or I won't be here."

Vijay, gently caressing Om's face, says. Om, surprised by this, looks at Vijay.

Sharda, Riya, and Soumya's faces light up with joy at Vijay's words.

Om hesitates and says:

"But, uncle—"

Vijay interrupts:

"You said we should forget the past. So now we all start anew and fulfill your dreams. You have to stay here. Either you stay with us, or I won't be here."

Om, with a smile, agrees:

"Okay, uncle, I will stay here."

And with that, a new chapter begins for both Om and Vijay, filled with hope and reconciliation.