Is Love Enough ??

Chapter 7

Kamal stared at the girl who stood before her.

She had been sipping her tea when Suraj had come and told her Kirti was here. It had taken her a full minute to grasp what Suraj had been blabbering about. And then another minute to get over her shock. Kirti was here? Why? Had she returned for good? What was wrong? Was she okay? In that moment numerous questions had chased each other inside her head. Her mother's instincts had taken over and she had risen from her seat in both excitement and anxiousness. Excitement because she hadn't seen or heard from her daughter in two years and anxiousness because she wasn't sure if her daughter was alright. Her sudden return had caused for alarm and that too just a week before Anika's wedding. She had taken a few quick steps towards the door, in her rush to go downstairs and see for herself that all was well when she had suddenly stopped. Kirti...and Kamal recalled all that had taken place before her daughter had left them all for that...good for nothing, immoral and arrogant boy two years ago. The hurt, the anger, the upset at all that had transpired then returned with a vengeance. Kirti hadn't cared for any of them. Not their feelings, not their love, not even their name amongst family and friends forget society. She had forgotten them and all they had done for her before going away with that Khanna boy.

And now she was back. For what? If she had returned thinking she would be forgiven or hoping for a reconcilement then she was going to be sorely disappointed. Kamal was sure she will have her husband's support in this, after disgracing herself and trudging the family name through dirt, she had no place in this house or family. She took in a deep breath and calmed herself pushing traitorous mother's emotions in the back. Then straightened her shoulders and went downstairs. It was a good thing Anoop wasn't home. She could deal with things in a more calm manner. But not Anoop. There would have been pandemonium in the house had he been here right now and Kamal didn't want anything to go wrong with just days to Anika's wedding. What perfect timing? And Kamal narrowed her gaze even as she walked down the lobby. Was that deliberate? How did Kirti know about Anika's wedding? Or was this just a coincidence? Kirti would never jeopardize her sister's wedding. Would she? Kamal tried to keep her thoughts under control. Kirti may have in the past shown she wasn't as trustworthy but Kamal was sure, she wouldn't stoop to that level. But she had lived with that egoistic, selfish man for two years, whispered a hateful voice in her head, who knew how much she had changed. Whatever the reason maybe, Kamal just hoped Kirti wasn't here with the intention of ruining things for Anika, if that came to be true, she will throw her out this time.

But even as she went hastily down the stairs, to be done with Kirti, a tiny part of her stayed anxious to see her older daughter. That was the only part which hoped Kirti was alright and not in some kind of problem. Though what Kamal would have done if that were to be true she had no idea. Keeping her expression contained, lest Kirti assumed her act had been forgiven, she slowed her pace. Then there she was. Kirti had just turned to face her. Must have heard her approach. And despite herself and her solemn resolve she stared at her. Drinking in the sight of her firstborn after two years. Two long years.

She hadn't changed much. A bit here or there but mostly she was still the same. Same big hazel brown eyes in a still very familiar oval face stared back at her . Her long black hair was left open and it still curled naturally. How many times she had oiled Kirti's tresses? How many times she had braided that hair? Countless, came the answer. Her maroon kurta and mustard churidaar complimented her fair skin. She looked radiant. Happy. Despite the slight hesitance Kamal noticed in Kirti's eyes, there was a certain glow on her face. She didn't look distressed or troubled, Kamal's mind registered. She saw Kirti smile faintly, as she approached. Despite the youth and innocence that was still so much a part of Kirti's face, Kamal detected a certain maturity. Kirti looked wiser somehow. Confident too despite the uncertainty that Kamal was sure her daughter felt. The tiny part that had been anxious, was now satisfied. Kirti was fine with whoever she was living with or whatever she was doing with her life. And so Kamal clamped a lid over the satisfied part. It seemed they were both over their intial shock now.

"Hello ma," Kirti said quietly.

"Have you come to your senses then?" Kamal questioned as she raised an eyebrow for effect.

And Kirti suddenly felt at a loss as her mind registered the frosty note in her mother's voice.

Will Maan's prediction come true? Or did destiny have something more interesting in store for her?

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