Two Yearning Hearts

6

Parvati just stepped into the front yard, her cheeks stained with tears, and she made her way towards her car. "Driver, give me the key," she said to her chauffeur, her voice trembling with emotion, before getting into the vehicle. The weight of pain pressed heavily on her heart as she reminisced about the moments she had shared with Saahil. Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks, but she swiftly wiped them away, and pondered on where to go. She stepped out of the Agarwal house, pretending she had some work to attend to. However, she had no idea where to go. Going to her mother's place was out of the question, as her mother could instantly read her face and become sad. Parvati never wanted to see her mother sad. Going to the office didn't appeal to her either. She rarely went there past two weeks, only attending meetings with Suyash, while the rest of her time was spent looking after Saahil. Now, it was high time for her to focus on her work, but her aching heart had no desire to step foot in that place.

"What should I do now?" She murmured, her voice laced with frustration. Suddenly, her eyes fell upon the five-year-old Sonu sitting alone on a bench. Parvati's expression shifted from her own turmoil to concern as she noticed the sadness etched on the little girl's face. She quickly got out of her car and approached Sonu.

Sonu glanced up at Parvati and turned her face away. Parvati  settled down beside Sonu and asked, "what's the matter, Sonu, my baby?" Her voice carried a hint of curiosity. "Is Sonu angry with her favorite chachi?"

Sonu turned towards her and nodded her head in yes. "Like everyone else, you only love the baby."

Parvati could sense that Sonu felt ignored ever since Saahil's arrival. "No, beta," Parvati comforted her with a gentle voice, "I love you, your mummy and papa, grandma...everyone loves you."

But Sonu was still upset, saying, "no one spends time with me anymore." Sonu was such a sweet little girl, slim and fair with short, curly locks. Even her frustration was somehow adorable, bringing a smile to Parvati's face. "Even you don't take me to the park anymore, chachi," Sonu pointed out.
 
Parvati felt a pang of guilt as she had unintentionally ignored Sonu. In the past, she used to take Sonu to the park everyday and play with her, but lately, she had been preoccupied with looking after Saahil. She held her ears in a traditional gesture of apology and said, "I am so sorry, beta. Please forgive me."

Sonu's face was still sulky but it lit up with a joyful smile when Parvati asked, "wanna play with me in the park now?" 

Sonu excitedly nodded her head, indicating a definite yes.

Meanwhile, at the Mehra Mansion, Suyash loaded Mrs. Wadhwa's bags into his car. Turning to her, he asked, "shall we leave, mumma?"

Mrs. Wadhwa replied in a humble tone, "yes, but can we stop by Kajal's before heading to the airport?”

In the depths of his soul, Suyash knew that revisiting that place would stir up a whirlwind of emotions. Yet, he decided to put his own pain aside for the sake of his mother-in-law's happiness. He could wait outside while his mother-in-law met with Kajal. Cheerfully masking his reluctance, he agreed, "of course, mumma."

Upon arriving at the Sahni residence, Suyash parked his car. Mrs. Wadhwa, turning towards him, asked, "won't you accompany me inside?"

Suyash hesitated for a moment before responding,"no, mumma. I'll wait for you out here." His tone was confident, but there was a hint of longing in his eyes.  

"You won't stay here. Come along with me," Mrs. Wadhwa said, dragging him into the building.

Kajal's feelings of rage flickered across her face as she saw Suyash walking into her home. Yet, catching sight of her mother, she put on a smile and warmly embraced her. Drawing back from the hug, Kajal said, "I wish you could stay in Mumbai longer, mumma..." Then her voice held the edge of irritation when she asked, "Why is he here?"