It's worth it....

23

Hey guys!!
Ready for the surprise I told you about?

Well, just wait till you finish reading this chapter.

Happy Reading!
_______________________________________

5 years later.....

Anu groaned as her head throbbed like madness! She switched off her laptop and put her head down staring into space. So much has happened in the past few years. With her and her sister.

A lone tear spilt on the table beneath as her gaze fell on a particular pen on the pen stand. A precious pen gifted to her by her father. So many memories!! And just her weak heart to endure it.
For so many years, just holding this pen gave her immense strength and confidence during her exams. And in her MBBS first year, a new beautiful memory was attached to it. It was the same pen that caused the first meeting between her and him. She tightly closed her eyes as more tears spilt as they do every time she thinks of him.

But, now the tears were not for her immense loss. They were for sheer anger and hatred she felt for him. For leaving her like that, drenched with hurt and wrecked with confusion.  She had put her heart and soul in her relationship with him and he had gifted her with heartbreak and immense agony.

No! She will not go down that lane. She reminded herself that he did not deserve to be even remembered, especially by her. She sat straight and was wiping the remnant of tears as a childish voice called her from the adjacent room.
"Mavshi!!! (Aunt) Where are you?"

And just like that, the voice brought a smile to her face and reminded her why was she still alive.

"I'm in here, sweety!" Anu called out as a 4-year-old girl ran into Anu's arms and squealed!

"Done with shopping?" Anu asked pecking the toddler's cheeks.

"Yes. I bought a doll for my friend, Priya. Do you want to see?" The toddler gave a cheeky smile.

"Ahana! Don't ruin the gift wrap now! And don't you want to get ready for Priya's birthday party?" Janhvi entered the room and picked her daughter in her arms.

"But, Aai! I want to show my gift to mavshi!" Ahana whined.

Anu smiled, "How about you go and get ready first? Then I'll see the gift and again wrap it up for you?"

The cheeky smile was back again,        " Good idea!"

Janhvi let her down and pecked the crown of her head, "Your plate of snacks is kept in the kitchen. Finish it up, then we will get ready, ok?"

"Ok, mamma!" Ahana yelled as she hopped back in the kitchen.

The gaze of both the sisters lingered for a moment longer on the bundle of joy and the centre of their universe.

"You've cried again." Janhvi asked her sister, with a concerned look.
Anu looked at her sister, and blinked, "No. No... It's just... I am tired of the work and the NGO. That's it." Anu mumbled averting her eyes.

"When will you let go of the past, Anu? What's done is done! You remember your promise, don't you?
When we were moving here, you promised me that you will start a completely new life!"

Anu sighed, "Not again, Dii! I'm fine! Don't worry!"

Janhvi shook her head, "This is all my fault. I shouldn't have come with you! I should've stayed in Mumbai." Janhvi whispered.

Anu's anger knew no bounds! "Really, Dii? Don't you remember how Aaji was treating you after Ahana was born? She is still blinded by the social norms and traditions. After that scumbag of your ex-husband left you, she should've stood beside you, but she didn't! She let you live with us only because our father firmly took a stand for you!"