Night Changes

EPILOGUE

          "Baby! Get up,please! You're getting late for school!"

          "5 more minutes Momma pleeeeaase??"

       Definitely an everyday scene. At last after a long struggle of 20 minutes, I could finally wake her up.

       Kissing her goodbye, I dropped my daughter to school and kept looking till she went out of sight.

       Returning home, I grabbed my burger that I bought on the way to home for breakfast and turned on the telly for some news. 5 minutes into the news and I almost choked at what I was seeing. My eyes widened with horror. My mouth went dry. I couldn't believe the sight before my eyes. Could this actually be true?

  Jassi has been dropped out of the squad for New Zealand tour because of his knee injury? But isn't his injury cured? Why didn't he tell me before?

  I called Jassi as fast as I could.

  "Jassi! Why didn't you tell me you were dropped out of the squad? Why did I need to know it from the News? You know I hate it when you keep things from me!"

  "Relax, Aly. Breathe, girl! I got to know it before what, like 15 minutes,"

  "Why didn't the selectors tell you beforehand?"

  "I don't know,neither do I want to. I really am tired and I want to come back home. I'm already on my way,"

  "Wait.. you're already on your way? So soon?"

  "Yeah. What business do I have here now?"

  "Jassi, I know you. You applied for a vacation, didn't you? Because you didn't want to cancel the England trip we planned on Samaira's 6th birthday?"

   "Uh..yeah you got me. Cool, no? 6 months after our wedding and you already know me so well,"

   "Don't try to change the topic Mr. Jasprit Jasbir Singh Bumrah. You didn't have to do this! We could always go later, I would've pacified Sam,"

  "You saw how Sam got upset when we had to cancel the trip, didn't you? Sam's my daughter, and you know I can't bear to see her upset,"

  I smiled.

  "Yes, I know. If that's what makes you happy, go for it. I'll be waiting for you,"

  As I hung up, my eyes fell on our family photo.

  An excited me, a smiling Jassi and a not-sleeping, cute Sam.

  Our perfect family.

Sam was only an year old when Ritz and Ro left us all. She was just like me. An orphan, all alone in this cruel world.

  But I wasn't alone. My aunt was there for me. She was the one to take me in, she was the one who sacrificed everything for me. She was my Godmother.

And now was my chance. To be the Godmother for Sam.

  And so I did. Yes. I gave up cricket. I took Sam with me and we've been living as mother daughter ever since.

  Not many welcomed my decision. They tagged me as impractical. But, I knew better. I knew how lives change when someone gives you the love you deserve.

  I always used to ask my aunt when I grew up- "why did you do that? Why leave everything you love for the sake of someone who isn't even your own daughter?" She always replied, "Because only a life lived for others is the real life, and not many have the courage to do it,"

  Me and Jassi were always together, and he soon became a father figure for Sam.

  We married six months ago. Needless to say, I love my life.

  My chain of thoughts were broken as the door rang and I went up to open it.

"Jassi you're here..wait, Sam?"

Jassi and Sam, with her school uniform and bag, and her hair tied into two cute little ponytails, stood there.

  "Momma!" Sam giggled and ran into my arms.

  "Baby why are you home? Is everything alright? How did you come home? You were supposed to be at school!"

  "Dad made me get an early leave. Cool, no?" She giggled again.

  Jassi winked and I glared at him.

  "Jassi, it's the 3rd time this month that you're taking an early leave for Sam! You can't keep doing this, she has her exams next month!"

  "Ahh.. .typical Indian mothers!" Jassi playfully shook his head and walked inside.

  I swat his arm playfully and scooped Sam in my arms.

  "Sam, don't forget your exams are next month,"

  "Eww, who cares about school? My daughter will be a cricketer like her dad, won't you baby?" Jassi took Sam from me and she nodded quickly.

  "No way! Don't you dare influence my daughter like that! Sam, you have to study hard dear,"

"Your mom talks too much, forget her, want some ice cream?" Jassi winked at Sam.

"Yes, yes!" She giggled again and gave Jassi a huge high five.

I playfully shook my head as in concern and instructed Sam to go in and have her clothes changed.

I went in the kitchen to cook lunch and Jassi draped his arms around my waist.

  "This strawberry shampoo of yours is just so great!" He said as he sniffed at my hair.

  "From that I remembered, I threw your shampoo,"

  "What! Why? It was herbal!"
 
  "Nope, it wasn't herbal it was horrible! I can't bear that smell, yuck!" I sticked out my tounge.

  "As you say, Mrs. Bumrah," he playfully kissed my cheeck.

  "I love you so much, Aly. I just keep thinking how my life is so good, thanks to you and Sam. You guys are a gift of God,"

  "Everything happens for our good, Jassi. Yes, we miss Ro and  Ritz, but they were destined to leave us. And we, were destined to live with Sam as our purpose,"

  "Yes. And this, is our happy ever after. I love you, Aly. For every reason why, you were my because."

"Ahh..you and your song lyrics," I playfully shook my head.

"Of course! C'mon I'm a musical guy!" He winked.

  "I love you too, Jassi," I smiled at the most beautiful hazel eyes that held all the love in the world.

  I'm really happy to announce the end of my book! Though I initially planned on showing that Ritz dies and Aly moves away with Sam, leaving Jassi behind. Then they have a reunion 6 years later, after a series of events. But then I decided on cutting it short, because 1) I didn't stretch it unnecessarily, 2) I realised I'm not very good with emotions so no love stories for me *nervous laugh*. However, I'm gonna miss my characters :(

  Thanks for sticking to the last!