| 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕀𝕟 𝕄𝕪 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕖 |

15 : She Is Happy, He Could Feel It

Dhruv's eyes widened when he realized whom he was seeing,  with a tiny ponytail and a beard, buying groceries.

Dhruv excused to his wife as he walked to him and touched his shoulder,

Ashwin?

Ashwin turned around and his eyes widened in surprise,

Hey Dhruv!

The two friends hugged each other, they haven't met in years ever since Ashwin moved to the States

After Diya...

Yepdhi irukae? Ale vera madhiri aitae?

( How have you been? You look so different.)

Dhruv asked Ashwin, who shrugged,

Ama nee yenna ingae?

( What are you doing here?)

Appa amma'vae paarka vandhen

( We came to visit my parents.)

Ohh..

Appa?

Ashwin turned around, his ten years old son, Abhi approached him with a questioning look on his face.

Abhi, this is Dhruv uncle. Amma'oda friend.

( Abhi, this is Dhruv uncle, Your mom's friend.)

Abhi politely smiled and approached Dhruv and shook hands with him,

Naanum oruthavangala introduce pananum

( I have someone to introduce as well)

Dhruv cast a fleeting glance over his shoulder, and there, a young girl, scarcely a handful of years younger than Abhi, cautiously revealed her visage. An air of astonishment swept through Ashwin as his gaze locked onto her—those eyes, an uncanny reflection of the very eyes he had cherished, the eyes that had once been his morning companions.

Ashwin, Abhi, this is Diya. En ponnu

( Ashwin, Abhi, this is Diya. My daughter)

Diya embraced her father's legs, her gaze lifting to meet the bewildered man's eyes, a curious innocence reflecting in her blinking gaze.

Ashwin's disbelief turned into astonishment, and he instinctively shifted his attention to Dhruv, whose reassuring blink conveyed his comprehension of Ashwin's whirlwind of feelings.

Kneeling to be at eye level with Diya, Ashwin found her peeking from behind Dhruv's legs, a sight that brought forth a chuckle from him. A pang of recognition struck Ashwin—she was indeed just like her, he mused.

Hi

Diya blinks at Ashwin.

Bayapadhadha, en appa onnum panna maataru

( Don't be scared my dad won't do anything)

Abhi's encouragement sparked a radiant smile on the little girl's face. She glanced up at her father, his affectionate smile giving her some warm.

Slightly tossing her long pigtails over her shoulder, she dusted her bright pink outfit that had a Minnie mouse picture. She shyly stepped forward and waved at Ashwin, a gesture that warmed his heart.

Hi

She replied.

I'm Ashwin

He extended his hands, Diya slowly stretched her tiny hand out to shake hands with Ashwin bit then he asked,

Na en per'ah sonnen, nee un per'ah sollave illaye?

( I've told you my name, you haven't told me yours? )

Diya's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Hadn't her father just done this for her? She tilted her head, a puzzled expression on her face. Then, it hit her - this man was trying to befriend her. A warm, affectionate smile broke across her face as she extended her hand to him. Her small fingers disappeared within his larger ones as she introduced herself, 

Diya.

Ashwin's heart swelled upon hearing her speak. His breath caught in his throat, and a radiant smile graced his lips as he looked at her.

En amma perum Diya dhan!

( That's my moms name too!)

Abhi poked his head into the conversation making Diya smile in surprise at him. Ashwin let go of Diya's hand and ruffled his son's. Abhi spoke about himself and his school to Diya who politely listened. Ashwin straightened himself, 

Abhi oda amma?

( Abhi's mother..?)

Dhruv quietly asked Ashwin without disturbing the kids, Ashwin shook his head,

There's no one else

Adoption?

Ashwin nods. Adopting Abhi had been the best decision next to Diya that he had ever done. His son, had become his anchor, the beacon of light that kept him afloat amidst the sea of memories. Abhi's presence had played a significant role in helping Ashwin cope with Diya's passing.

As the time came for Dhruv and Diya to leave, Dhruv instructed Diya to bid goodbye to Abhi and Ashwin. Diya waved at Abhi and said her farewell in her quiet manner. Her interactions were brief, and she spoke only a few words, which Ashwin observed.

When she turned to Ashwin, he anticipated a similar gesture. However, to his astonishment, Diya tugged at his hand, signaling for him to crouch down. Confused yet intrigued, Ashwin complied, lowering himself to her height. In a surprising and heartwarming move, Diya placed a kiss on his cheek. Her small hands held his bearded face gently as she did so. 

When she pulled away, Ashwin looked at her with wide eyes, her gaze shining brightly at him, reminiscent of the way it used to be. It might have been his memories playing tricks on his mind, but Ashwin felt as if Diya, his Diya, was smiling at him once more as she softly uttered,

Goodbye, Ashwin.

Ashwin's eyes misted over with tears of both joy and sadness, a mixture of emotions that only deepened as he smiled back at Diya. She affectionately wiped away the tears before they could fall, her gesture causing a chuckle to escape him. Diya's smile was returned with equal warmth, and she turned to her father, taking his hand in hers.

After the exchange of goodbyes, Dhruv scooped her up in a swift motion, showering her with boisterous kisses that set off her laughter. Together, they made their way to the exit, where Diya's mother awaited them.

Holding Abhi in his arms, Ashwin observed Diya and Dhruv's departure. His heart swelled with a mixture of feelings, but above all, he found himself smiling at the sight. As he stepped out of the store and gazed up at the bright sky, a serene smile crossed his lips.

She is happy, he could feel it.