Joker

50. Epilogue

Nakul took a ragged breath as he flipped through the pages of his little photobook of his husband. He smiled back at a picture of Aki on his fortieth birthday, laughing with Ayu. I miss him... I miss him so much. Nakul was now 75 years old. Long since retired. His husband of 30 years Aki had passed away just two weeks prior at 69. He always wanted to die at age 69 after all. He rolled his eyes at his stupidity. But his heart still ached with longing.

The house felt empty. Not hearing the music Aki constantly played with himself singing along. Not smelling the food while he cooked. Not feeling his arms wrap around Nakul's waist and feel his lips press a kiss to his cheek. He missed Aki so much. This time his death was permanent.

The house wasn't actually empty though. Ayu put a hand on his old father's shoulder "I miss him too dad."

Nakul looked at his son "I know baby."

"Dad I am 51 I have my own babies." Ayu rolled his eyes and pointed to the faint streaks of grey in his messy black hair.

"Still my baby." Nakul ruffled his hair and smiled "Are they okay? Their beloved Aki died after all..."

"They're fine. I think." Ayu sighed "I don't know what to do dad. I miss him so much too... I- I don't know..."

"It's okay. He's- he's at peace now." Nakul put an arm around Ayu who was taller than Nakul now "It's rough being a dad huh?"

"Oh yeah." Ayu nodded "I don't know what I'm doing half the time but they're not dead yet so I guess I'm doing something right."

"Well I had similar mentality going into it." Nakul chuckled "Where are they?"

"Downstairs. Maria's with them." Ayu helped Nakul stand "Come on dad."

Nakul hobbled downstairs with Ayu and smiled at his grandchildren and daughter in law. His oldest granddaughter 15 year old Riya was fighting with her 9 year old brother Akaash while the youngest girl of 6 Maira whined at them. Maria was sighing "Ayu. Make them stop."

"DAD HE SAID AKI'S NOT DEAD! JUST LISTEN TO ME YOU LITTLE TURD HE'S DEAD OKAY! DON'T TRY TO PRETEND HE'S COMING BACK!" Riya yelled, glaring at Akaash.

Akaash glared back "Aki's going to come back! He's just on a vacation!"

"YOU'RE NINE HOW ARE YOU SUCH AN IDIOT-"

"Stop." Nakul raised a hand "Okay kids. Gather around."

Nakul sat on the couch and his grandkids crawled up next to him. Riya looked at him with her big brown eyes, just like Ayu's, full of tears "Gramps... he's gone right? Just... Just tell him to accept it."

"Aw princess. Come here." Nakul held out an arm and Riya buried her face into Nakul's shoulder and sobbed. Nakul rubbed her back comfortingly.

Akaash glared at Nakul too "Gramps. He'll be back right? Aki promised he'll always be there for us."

"Sorry Ashu but... your sister's right. He's gone. Permanently." Nakul felt his own tears build up.

Akaash burst into tears "BUT THEN- THEN- AKI!"

"Come here bud." Nakul patted his lap and Akaash lied down on the couch on his lap and cried too. Maira walked over, sharing her both her older siblings' resemblance to Ayu and narrowed her 'dragon eyes' at Nakul "So... Aki's gone? Forever."

"Physically yes." Nakul nodded, a tear of his own escaping his eyes "But we just need to keep him alive in here." He gently poked her over the heart "Then he'll never die. Not really. Can you do that? Remember him well?"

Maira cried too "Ye-yeah."

"Come here sweetheart." Nakul said and she climbed onto him too, burying her face in Nakul's chest and sniffling.