Updating tomorrow.
Here's a teaser
Bani chuckled a bit, but soon enough her smile faded away. The man was now fully turned around and Bani could see his face clearly. He threw his head back in laughter, kissed the little girls face all over, and then gave her a high five. Bani felt her heart drop, palms getting sweaty, and tears fall down her cheeks now. Her eyes yearned to keep looking at her Veer, and arms ached to wrap them around his body and never let go. V...V...Veeranshu...Bani muttered, tears now falling uncontrollably.
Veer felt the breeze again, this time coupled with a familiar voice. Veeranshu. She whispered. Veer looked up ahead, and right then Bani dropped the arti plate on purpose and bent down to pick it up.
. . .
Mumma...Vani's voice strained in her throat. She looked up at Bani, now trying to push her way through the crowd. Pain seethed through Bani's chest, and she held on once again. It was the same pain she felt when she left her baby girl on the front steps, forsaking a life where she would be able to see her grow up. Vani stepped forward a bit, tears now coating her pink cheeks. She clutched on to Bani's chunnri tight, and then with all her might screamed once more. Mummma!!!!!! Bani stilled in her spot, dropping the aarti plate for the second time now. She had never heard her voice, but knew it well. She had a mother's heart after all. Baago Bani. Run away...you can't see her. She can't see you here. Go! Bani tried to move her feet, but her legs felt like they were rooted in the spot. The crowd has now dispersed, except for a few worshippers still murmuring prayers.
Bani clutched her throat, feeling the manglasutra that was no longer there. My baby...bas ek bhaar...ek bhaar muje dekna hai meri bachi ko. She had lost all control the second she saw her baby in Veer's arms. There was no turning back now. Bani turned around slowly, and their eyes met. Vani stood there, still holding the chunnri, and breathing in and out rapidly. M...m...mumma. She said again, this time her voice desperate. Bani wanted to collapse on the ground. She wanted to spread her arms out, inviting her baby girl for a hug, and scream out. Mumma agaayi. Abh main apni princess ko chodke kabhi nahi jaaongi.
Vani stepped forward, eyes filled with hope of a future with her mom. Bani knew right then and there this wasn't right. She had spent years away from Veer and her daughter to protect them from evil. She had made a promise to Balwant, and in return he would keep Veer safe. No...no Bani what the hell are you thinking?! You can't go back. You can't! Veer...veer aur humaari beti...dono ke dono marjaayenge... nuy. Bani...go back. Bani shook her head in despair, chin and nose all pink from the crying. The folded her hands in front of Vani who just looked on with innocent eyes, then blew her a few kisses and whispered Mumma tumse bauhat pyaar karti hai. I love you so much baby. Vani smiled wide thinking her mumma is back for good.
She saw Bani punch her forehead with her fist a few times, seemingly conflicted, and then began to turn around. Mumma? Mumma! I want to go with you! Please mumma! Vani said defiantly. Bani continued walking, and then put her hands on her ears to shut her daughter's screams out. But it wasn't enough. She could still hear Vani's piercing cries. She tried to hurry her feet along, but it felt like instead of going forward she was going back. With each second she felt closer and closer to her baby.
Veer saw Vani at the top of the steps and yelled out Vani! Hum idhar udhar kahaa dekh rahe hai?! Baby I'm so angry with you right now. You- when he saw Vani just standing there crying and looking ahead he bent down and cupped her cheeks. She didn't even look back at him, and wasn't fazed by him wiping her cheeks and kissing her cold hands. Her eyes were just fixated on something else. Shhh baby I'm sorry. You must be so scared. Baby it's okay. Challo. Abh yeh maata ko chunri chudaate hai. Vani hiccuped and whispered Mumma. My...my mumma. Veer smiled and replied Ha baby mata ji ko chunnri chudaayenge. Lekin sweetheart usko mumma nahi Mata ji bulaate hai. Vani cleared her throat and muttered Mumma again, only this time pointed straight ahead.
Bani stopped and raised her head. Why isn't she calling out for me anymore? She wondered. Her heart raced and mind was filled with negative thoughts. What if she had a anxiety attack? What if she ran off somewhere? It's so crowded too. What if somebody kidnaps her? Bani gasped and turned around. Right when she did, Vani smiled back at her and said Mum...mumma. Veer looked in the direction now...
