Chapter 4
"I am really sorry for updating after so long. However, I promise I'll try to update as soon as possible now. Please give me your views and reviews about the chapter so that I can continue. Thanks a lot for reading and liking the story. Even if you don't like the story, feel free to tell me. Have a nice day ahead.^^"
"You pervert!" Rukia kicked him so hard that it took quite some time for Ichigo to comprehend what had happened.
" I really deserved that, Rukia." Ichigo said getting up.
"Yeah, yeah… I know." Rukia said scornfully.
"Hey! How do you know my name?" Rukia looked astounded.
"What are you talking about Rukia?" Ichigo said coming closer.
"Keep some distance young man." Rukia said.
"How can a man forget his soul mate's name?" Ichigo continued ignoring what Rukia said.
"Oh I see. So I'm your soul mate?" Rukia said tauntingly.
"Do you say this to every beautiful woman you encounter?"
"What kind of joke is this, Rukia? I know whatever I did before was wrong but I have already suffered a lot because of that… Not only me but our daughter, too." Ichigo said pointing towards Hikari. "Please don't punish me more." Ichigo was desperate.
"Did I kick him so hard that he lost his mind?" Rukia thought.
"Look! I don't know what you are talking about. I just know one thing that I just don't know you." Rukia said.
"Don't say this Rukia. It really hurts." Ichigo felt as if someone had stabbed his heart.
"Mom!" Hikari who hadn't been a part of the conversation till now suddenly rushed towards Rukia and hugged her.
"For God's sake! I'm not your mom." Rukia almost yelled. She was frustrated now.
Hikari stepped back and looked towards Rukia. Rukia could clearly see the tears in those pretty eyes.
She really felt bad for Hikari but couldn't think of any other way to get out of the situation.
"I am going and don't try to follow me." Rukia said firmly.
"Wait!" Ichigo said as Rukia began to walk away.
Rukia frowned.
"Now what?" she said.
"Before leaving, at least say that you remember me…" Ichigo said in a low voice.
"Oh man! How am I supposed to remember you when I have met you for the first time today? You guys have misunderstood something." Rukia said turning to face him.
"I don't believe you." Ichigo said looking into her eyes.
Rukia couldn't meet the gaze. There really was something in his eyes that made Rukia feel that she knew him.
"Please don't make me repeat myself that I don't know you." Rukia said looking away.
Ichigo stepped back. He could say no more. Rukia walked away with heavy steps.
Something in her heart kept telling her that something had gone wrong….
"This town is full of problems." Rukia mumbled as she got back into her gigai.
She had just finished off a stupid hollow and was totally exhausted.
A week in the Karakura town had been a disaster for her. Day by day, workload on her was increasing.
The sun was about to set. She was going back to Urahara's place. The street she was passing through was not a crowded street. There were lanes of houses on either side of the street. The streetlights had been switched on and it was getting colder moment after moment.
She put her hands into the pockets of her jacket as she looked here and there at the houses. Suddenly one of the houses caught her attention. It was not very huge but somehow it looked attractive. She unintentionally walked towards it.
There was a glass window and the folded curtains allowed her to see what she was shocked to see. Up on the wall was a huge picture in which there was the man with orange hair she encountered that day. But the fact that shocked her was that the woman standing beside him in the picture strikingly resembled Rukia!
Rukia felt a current running through her body. She didn't know what reaction to show.
Just then someone put a hand over her shoulder. She came out of the trance and turned.
Standing behind her was Ichigo.
Rukia felt as if she had forgotten how to speak. Ichigo also stood silent.
There remained silence for a painful minute. Then Rukia finally spoke out.
"I .. I am rrrealy sorry. I mean… You were right. Your wife does resemble me." Rukia struggled with the words.
" I know." Ichigo smiled.
"Please forgive me for being harsh that day." Rukia said.
"You were not harsh… but its not a good thing to peek into other's house." Ichigo forced a smile.
"I…I am sorry. But can you please tell me about all this? I mean where is your wife now?" Rukia asked with concern.
"It's a personal matter." Ichigo said flatly.
"But I really want to know and besides…" Rukia left her sentence incomplete.
"Besides?" Ichigo said.
"I feel like being a part of it now…" Rukia said in a low voice.
"Fine, I'll tell you but at one cost." Ichigo said meaningfully.
Rukia looked at him inquisitively.
"You'll have to come inside for some tea." Ichigo said.
Author's note;
I am thankful to all of the readers and especially to the following who reviewed the last chapter…
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