A Tale Of Schemes... #1,#2,#3

Chapter 32

*Vikranth Pov*

"Hello, Dad? Is something wrong?" I asked picking up his call while staring at my packed bag.

"Wanted to check whether you took leave or not." He replied and I closed my eyes wishing he doesn't remember this day every year.

"I am going to leave soon." I mumbled and he checked whether I packed everything.

After that he cut the call while I covered my face wishing I need not go today but I have to go as I need to fulfill my duty as their son. That doesn't mean I am going with complete heart and mind.

When Kanika left, I walked out of the house and set off for the place where I go every year but every time I can't drive normally no matter how much I try to.

It feels like I am driving for the first time with the way my whole body is stiff and my hands reluctant to turn the steering wheel in proper directions.

Within two hours I was able to reach the place but sat outside for another hour before stepping into the graveyard.

Without pausing, I continued to walk for half an hour and I need not even look around before reaching the exact place.

I stared at one of two joined slabs before sitting down and started cleaning just that part. After cleaning up, I placed the flowers and put the fruits on the slab before lighting an incense.

"Mom! I am here!" I whispered staring at the slab in silence while ignoring the other side.

However, I placed a few more fruits on the other one while following the same procedure just like every year but didn't say anything.

As I continued to stare at my Mom, I closed my eyes remembering all the good memories and the memories of our struggles.

I shook my head to not think about them because in each one of them he is there and I don't want to think about them.

"Mom! I want to have a drink with you today. I can, right?" saying that I took out the bottle I brought with me.

After pouring for both of them, I pour the whole glass and gulped all of it before smiling and chuckled.

"Recently, because of someone, I suddenly thought, I am not part of whatever he did. So, I thought I need not feel guilty but... but how can I do that, Mom? When I am still alive?" I asked tapping my chest.

"I don't want to think that I am not at fault. If I stop thinking like that, then how can I continue to live? If I don't feel debted to them, what else can I do? I don't know what to do with my life except for these things, Mom. So, I shouldn't stop thinking like this, right?" I asked drinking two more glasses.

"But for a few seconds, it felt good to know that I need not feel guilty about all these things." I whispered and leaned over the slab feeling sleepy.

I wish I could feel like that forever and just live my life with that feeling. I smiled at that thought and drifted off into sleep.

*Kanika Pov*

When I reached the graveyard, I stepped out of the car but made sure to bring out the umbrella as it didn't stop raining at all.

Why is he here? But from the words of Jay, he comes here every year which means this is to pay respect to someone. Could it be his Mom?

Does that mean, even his Dad is here to visit her? Will they still be here in this rain? I thought and paused before I could step towards the gate.