You Complete Me! [COMPLETED]

9. I know, I do.

Yashaswini awoke to the realization that her forehead was scrunched up tightly, as if it had been for hours. Despite her efforts to relax her facial muscles and smooth out the wrinkles, they stubbornly remained. She reached for her phone, the cool satin of her bed sheets feeling foreign against her warm fingers. As she unlocked her phone, the time staring back at her from the New York skyline wallpaper sent a groan escaping her lips.

Her throat was parched, a result of breathing through her mouth all night. Her nose was clogged, and she cursed herself for thinking that a fleece sweatshirt would be sufficient protection against the chill of Mumbai. She sat up and lowered her feet to the floor, the cold tiles sending shivers up her legs. She quickly pulled her legs back up and tucked them under her for warmth.

As she sat there, trying to orient herself to time and place, she struggled to catch her breath. Once she felt steady enough, she tentatively pulled one foot from under her, and then the other. Slowly, she stood up and made her way to the window. She gratefully downed the water from the bottle sitting on the windowsill, feeling her nostrils finally open to take in air.

Dressing herself in her old bathrobe, the one adorned with the cartoon character of her childhood, The Oswald. She had never seen the show, but begged her mother to buy the robe for her, captivated by the character's large eyes.

As she walked out of the bathroom, her mother was waiting for her at the door, concern etched on her face. "I thought I heard you moving around," her mother said, peeking into her bedroom. "Is everything okay? Why are your eyes so swollen? Have you been crying?" she asked, holding her daughter by the shoulders and examining her eyes closely.

Yashaswini forced a smile, "No, my migraine is giving me trouble. And I think there's some smell that's bothering me here, did you use any perfume here?" She tried to open her eyes wide, hoping to smooth out the wrinkles on her forehead.

Yashaswini's heart was pounding in her chest as her mother's words hung in the air. She could sense the weight of her mother's expectations, the longing for her presence, and the fear of losing her again. She knew her mother wanted to hear her say that she was here to stay, that she would never leave again, but the truth was that she didn't know what the future held for her.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Mai, I know you and dad are happy that I'm here. And I'm happy to be home too."

As Yashaswini sat across from her mother, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease creeping up on her. It had been a long time since she had seen her family, and she knew her mother could sense something was off. The way her mother's eyes examined her with a mixture of concern and curiosity made Yashaswini feel like a bug under a microscope.

She struggled to keep her composure as her mother spoke, "What I am trying to ask you is . . . is everything okay with you? I do not know what to think any more. I have not seen you in so long, I cannot tell if this is how you are now, or if something is bothering you. Whatever it is, you can always tell me . . ."

Yashaswini knew she couldn't avoid the question any longer. She took a deep breath and looked her mother in the eyes, "Relax, Mom. Nothing is wrong. I know you're probably wondering why I am here . . . I am asking myself that too, trust me. I ask myself that every day. I guess I just missed everyone so much. It had been too long . . ."

Her mother nodded solemnly, "Yes, it has."

"But I am here now. Please don't be sad. I know I should have come sooner . . . but I i did not know how to, I mean, it was not easy for me to do. And I was trying to concentrate on my studies. Harvard Law is no joke. I came so close to giving up so many times." Yashaswini admitted, feeling guilty for not being there for her mother.

"Oh, you are a brilliant student. I am sure it wasn't anything you couldn't handle." Her mother said, her voice filled with pride.

"It was too much sometimes, Mom. I had to give it everything I had to get through." Yashaswini added, feeling a lump form in her throat.

"I can understand that. I am not blaming you. I only wished that you would call more often. I have missed you." Her mother said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

As Yashaswini looked at her mother, she couldn't help but notice the signs of aging that she had never noticed before. The brown spots on her cheeks, the deep wrinkles around her eyes and lips. Her mother looked older and tired, and Yashaswini felt guilty for leaving her alone for so long. She knew she needed to make it up to her and make sure she was there for her mother from now on.

As Yashaswini sat across from her mother, the weight of her guilt pressed down on her like a heavy burden. She missed her family dearly and felt terrible for not being there for them, for not being there for her mother as she grew older.

"I missed you too, Mai." Yashaswini said, her voice barely above a whisper. She could see the unshed tears shining in her mother's eyes and it made her ache inside knowing that she was the cause of her mother's pain. But she didn't have a choice, she had to leave, to get away from this place and everything that had happened. Even if it meant causing her mother pain.

Mrs. Thakur blinked away the tears and asked, "What are your plans, Yashu? How long are you here for? We want you to stay with us for as long as you can, but of course, you have a job and a life to get back to. I would like to be prepared for your departure this time."

"I, uh... I am here till the end of the month. Or maybe forever? I'm not sure about my plans yet." Yashaswini replied, feeling uncertain. "Have you taken leave from work?"

Yashaswini thought back to the last time she was at Allen Clifford offices and the nasty exchange she had with her boss. "Sort of."

"Okay. I hope your boss lets you extend your leave." Her mother said, concern etched on her face.

"Me too." Yashaswini replied, feeling a knot form in her stomach.

Mrs. Thakur opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again, as if deciding against whatever she was planning to say.

"Please don't worry so much," Yashaswini said, trying to ease her mother's worry, "I am perfectly fine."

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