Starting Of An Ending

First Step

Maha knew how sadness felt like. But this was different. This was nothing like she ever experienced before. But yet, she did not go through a situation where she was an orphan before this. She was back at home, yes. But the snarky comments and side looks she received from her bademaa did not make her life easier.

"Leave that paratha for Radhika. Just because you are back, that does not mean you get to have everything." Parineetha had said one day out of everyones ear shot. Ever since then, Maha did her best to avoid family meals  with the excuse of assignments.

"Maha, jhooth mat bolo. Did anyone tell you something? Why are you not eating with everyone?" Radhika had asked one day storming into their room.

"Aisa kuch bhi nahin. Too much work, so I just want some quiet time." Maha said as Radhika eyed her unconvinced.

"But you tell me. Tum kisee se baat kyon nahin kar rahe hain?" Maha diverted the topic.

"Don't tell me you don't know."

"I know Radhika. But, I think whatever the truth is, there is a solace in the fact that you are still a part of this family. Tum abhee bhee ek Maheswari. Don't you think you owe them to at least hear the explanation?" Maha pointed the obvious fact.

"You are trying to make me speak to them. Main taiyaar nahin hoon. Why don't anyone understand that?"

"I think there is a clear difference in being not ready and being adamant. You know what you are. I am just telling you. It really is your choice." Maha said as she went out of the room to prepare herself for an afternoon class.

But her usual ride was not there.

"Ramu kaka is on leave." Laksh Maheswari appeared beside Maha locking his cufflinks.

"I'll send you. Chalo."

"It's ok. I can ask someone else." Laksh noticed how the girl was not even looking at him.

"Chalo, I want to. It's been so long." Laksh persuaded.

The girl did not argue back as she got in  the car. They began the journey quietly and as the car came to a stop, the girl lifted her eyes to see that it was nowhere near her instituition.

"Ham lucky park kyon aae hain?" the girl asked puzzled.

"Get down. I will tell you."

The duo sat on a bench as Maha shifted her foot side to side anxiously.

"You and Radhika have always asked why is this place lucky. I think I can tell you now." Maha waited for the man to continue.

"It was early morning. It would have been Wednesday. We had lost our Maha and Radhika had just been borned. She was ours legally. Your mumma did not want her to grow without a father."

"On that early morning, your maa and I wanted to go to that temple over there. So we parked the car and we walked." he said while showing the direction.

"But before we reached the temple, I heard a beautiful cry. It was as if I was meant to hear that. This bench that we are sitting on now, is the exact spot I saw an angel. She was small, not much older than Radhika." Maha made eye contact for the first time since they arrived at the park.

"Ragini carried the angel and she stopped crying and gave us this pretty smile. We carried her home, to feed and care for her before making a legal report."

"But as I went home and put her beside Radhika, it was complete. I still remember, Ragini carried your sister and when the new baby started crying, I carried her, the first time I carried that angel. Ever since then, she has been my Gudiyan."

Laksh was teary eyed as he completed the story.

"I never wanted you to know. Not like this. But, you are always my Gudiyan. Hamesha."

As the sobs she held together for the past few days broke apart, Laksh was there to hug his daughter tightly to his chest. It was a step to mend the relationship. It will be fine soon.

"I am sorry paa. Main bahut selfish. You took me in and I did not think about all that after finding out."

"You are not selfish. Kabhi kabhi sach hamen badal sakate hain. But rather than giving in to that, we can start by adapting them. Because no matter how long you take to adapt, you have all of us waiting for you." Laksh said brushing her stranded hair.

"Do you have anything to ask me?" Laksh asked preparing himself for any type of question.

"Haan."

"What's that?"

"Kya mujhe aaj college jaana hai? I want to go home." Maha said with a wet laugh and it earned a chuckle from the older man as well.

"Permission granted Gudiyan. But ice cream first."

As they ate their ice cream and went back to the car, Maha smiled genuinely
thinking about something.

"This is a very lucky park paa."