𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 [𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡]

ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ 120

"It only took him a few weeks to break the cycle of expecting Mumma to come back home in the evening or for her to wake him up." Alia explained. " he became a little bit more independent. I replaced Mumma and his life a little bit."

"It may not have been the right thing to do, but it brought me the results. I did not even know I needed it. If you stayed in the same house, it was going to be an everyday cycle of crying and remembering her. I never wanted to hurt you, mummy. I would have absolutely loved the two of you to meet and bond.."

"It's okay, baby." Laksha wrapped her arm around her. "You don't have to tell me anything anymore. I knew I had to talk to you about it, about how I felt someday and I understand that you feel bad. I also understand that you had to do it for the sake of yourself and your brother. I'm very happy you had your grandparents to guide you through, and I'm very sorry you lost them too but we are going to stay with you, do you understand that? I am not going anywhere, your Papa is not going anywhere, your brother is not going away and Armaan, especially, he's going to be a ghost who is going to cling to you till the end."

It was only for a few seconds that Alia could control herself, but in the end, the sobs escaped, and Laksha turned around to pull her head to her chest. She slowly rubbed her shoulders while her hand gently patted Alia's head.

"You are such a brave child, aren't you?" Laksha cooed. "Hm? You took care of your brother, of your grandparents and yourself all by yourself. You even sent your brother to an entirely different country all on your own. That was very brave of you, my darling. I'm proud of you."

Those were exactly the world knew her mother would say. Sure, the hug would have lasted for a few seconds, but that was exactly what her mother would have said.

"Why is Didi crying?" Advik asked slowly, coming to stand beside Laksha. "Did she hurt herself?"

"No," Laksha answered him. "the topic of your mother came up. Do you mind getting her a few tissues?"

She did not hear what her brother said, but did hear his footsteps. By the time he returned, it was clear that he had been running around to get them. He handed them directly to Arya, and she took a few before wiping her eyes, and slowly blowing out her nose, conscious of the presence of the two people.

"There you go." Laksha whispered before returning her attention to the younger boy. Advik had dragged up a chair closer to them.

"I was telling your sister how proud I am of her and I did tell her how hurt I felt when you left without telling me and my son where you were going. But when I see the two of you and how well you both have done for yourself, it seems that she may have made the right decision in hindsight."

Alia remained silent, but kept a close watch on how her brother's expressions changed quickly. They went from slightly angry, to confused, to understanding. Then she noticed how he was on the verge of tearing up too.

"She did a great job. Even Nana ji said that Alia had done an exceptional job with all of us. He never expected her to be so responsible but she had done such a job that he felt that even he was not worthy enough to tell her what to do." He revealed, his voice slightly raspy. (Maternal grandfather.)

"She had suddenly become so good at budgeting with nani, bringing the groceries, the vegetables, making sure every payment was made on time, making sure that I had the best and also making sure that no one noticed her doing
everything behind ours backs." (maternal grandmother)

Advik took Alia's hand and kneeled in front of her. "I honestly cannot care enough for any decision you made because all of them have been great for me. If you have not been there for me, Didi, I know for sure that I would not even be dreaming of going to a different country to study. I don't even think I would have made it to college."

Alia chuckled and ripped her hand away from him. "I know I am good. Great, even. But I'm not God. Get away." Alia got up but before she could take a step away, she was bundled into the arms of someone.

"I love you!" Advik groaned and kissed her cheek with so much force that Alia yelled in annoyance. He continued to do with 3 to 4 times before Laksha separated them.

"Ma'am," Mahesh stepped into the backyard, interrupting all of them, "it is time for dinner."

"And kheer." Advik added and licked his lips. "I'm going to eat all of it."

"Don't you dare." Alia warned before getting away from him and walking inside to make sure that the desert was safe from her brother. Thankfully, Mahesh had not brought it out.

Everyone took their seats and she noticed that Armaan had arrived Five minutes later.

He nodded at his father, winked at his mother, hi-fied her brother before coming to his side, where his day was, and placing a kiss on the top of her head.

Alia blushed like a tomato instantly. In front of his parents and her brother?!

The food was finished quite quickly, and the key was placed in front of everyone in individual bowls before it was placed in a larger one in the middle of the table. Just like Laksha had said, they had been topped off with the leftover dry fruits.

"Now," Laksha said the moment the bowls were placed, "before anyone eats, I would like to tell you that this has been made by my daughter-in-law for the first time. Please, enjoy yourself thoroughly."

"I will." Siddharth said, scooping some of it in his spoon. "If it's good, I will give you a very good amount of Shagun. otherwise my beta, it's going to be the standard amount." (Money given for an auspicious occasion)

Alia challenged him. "Then, I suppose you should get your pockets ready Papa because I'm taking a hefty amount."

In his challenge, Siddharth took the first bite, and immediately nodded his head with a wow expression on his face.

"Alright, you win. Absolutely amazing. I shall transfer you the amount tomorrow morning."

Advik perked up. "Fifty- fify?"

"Why?" Alia frowned. "What did you even do?"

Arman chuckled from beside her and when everyone was busy talking, he leaned in, "I can think of a tastier desert I'm going to eat tonight."

For the rest of the dinner, Alia sat with her cheeks red and her thighs clamped shut.