𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

𝟎𝟑| 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬

It's been seven years. Seven years since that incident. I work in Hyderabad now and live with Aanya, who manages Kapoor Inc. here. I have unearthed new secrets within myself, ones that continue to haunt me. I am a mother now. The news had proven true, and I am the mother of a daughter, Yamika Kapoor.

“Didi!” I exclaim as I rush towards my sister, who is packing her bags. “I thought you weren’t going to come at all.”

“How could I not? It’s my sister’s wedding,” she replies, pulling me into a warm embrace. “Where is my sunshine?”

“With Tarush,” I answer. “Oh, I see. So, how is everything going?”

“Good. Yami stays with Vanita Aunty while I’m at work. Aanya is always around.”

“Yuvi?” she asks gently.

“Hm?” I turn to her.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I ask, still smiling.

“For ruining your life,” she murmurs, her voice barely audible.

“What?”

“Nothing, just forget it,” she says and walks toward the washroom.

“Anyway, I will feed the devil.”

“Meri betu ko devil mat bulana samjhi na!” Ruhika shouts from inside. I laugh and leave.

(Don't call my baby a devil, understood!)

“Yami! Lunch is ready!” I call out to my daughter, who is playing with her uncle outside the kitchen, while I set the plates on the island. Soon, Yamika comes running in and starts tickling me.

“Hey! Hey!” I laugh, trying to fend her off. After a bit of effort, I finally catch her.

“Aha!” I start tickling her back, and our laughter fills the room.

“Mumma, stop!” Yamika giggles. “Why? Were you not tickling me just now?” We sit down and begin eating.

“Isn’t she adorable?” Tarush comments, sitting beside me.

“She is my sunshine. Naturally, she would be,” I reply.

“But she’d be even more happy if she had a father, don’t you think?” My mother interjects, entering the room. My smile falters.

“Meera, don’t. My princess has just arrived. She didn’t even attend the Haldi ceremony. Today is Ruhi’s wedding. Let’s not spoil her mood,” My father says, holding my mother’s hand.

“Fine,” My mother sighs.

“Beta, we need to reach the hotel by 1. We’ll get ready there,” My mother informs me.

“Okay, Ma,” I reply with a smile.

“And the Kapoors are always punctual. They’ll arrive five minutes early, but never late.”

“Ma, this girl has made me so conscious about everything that I’ve developed a strict punctuality.”

Suddenly, Yamika speaks up, “Mumma, when will I meet Papa? We also want someone like Nanu; Bua has Dadu.”

“Bua? Dadu?” My parents and Tarush exclaim in surprise.

“She calls Aanya Bua and her father Dadu,” I explain awkwardly, scratching my head.

“Tell me, Mumma! Do I have a Papa like Nanu, Dadu?”

“Sweetheart, how about we get you into those princess clothes I bought for you?” I suggest, trying to maintain my composure, but my eyes are teary, and my voice cracks.

“Sorry, Mumma. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Yamika says, her eyes welling up with tears and her lips trembling.

“It’s okay, my little one!” I say, taking my daughter into my arms and showering her with kisses. Our laughter fills the room, and the family looks on, admiring the bond between mother and child. Ruhika leaves the room after receiving a call. “Now, let’s take a nap.”

“No! I want to play,” Yamika protests.

“No! If you’re a good girl, like Riya Miss says, and take a proper nap, we’ll play later,” I say, placing a finger on my chin as if thinking deeply. Yamika nods and agrees.

As we head to our room, I hear Ruhika speaking to someone. Though I don’t intend to eavesdrop, I am drawn to the conversation because I hear my own name. I crouch down and tell Yamika to head to the room quietly. She complies and leaves.

“I know I’m doing wrong by Yuvi. She’s already taking care of Yami alone. If I do this, Mumma and Papa will force her to replace me, causing her even more pain. If this marriage ruins her life permanently, I won’t be able to face her.”

I stand perplexed. For a brief moment, the thought Ruhika planning to run away crosses my mind, but I dismiss the idea, believing she can never do something like that.

Then I hear more, “What if he doesn’t love her? She’s already broken after the breakup with him. If he doesn’t accept Yami, where will she go?”

A tear rolls down my cheek at the thought of Kush. I walk away, wiping my tears, which continue to flow. Yamika, playing alone, enters the room and notices my tears. “Mum—” Just then, my phone rings. I go into the bathroom, wash my face with water, and answer the call.

“Yuvi! You arrived safely, right? Did my baby eat? Did you eat anything? You’re not hungry, are you?” Aanya’s voice comes through. “Yes. We ate.”

“What’s wrong? You seem down.” Aanya’s voice is filled with concern. “Nothing.” I try to speak smoothly, but my voice cracks.

“Yuvi, Bhai still loves you. You’ve heard him talk on the phone. He always asks about you first. He still loves you. When he hears Yami’s voice, he asks about her. When I came home after two years, he first asked about her. He fears you’ve forgotten him. You’re that chapter in his life he doesn’t want to close. He still loves you.”

“Then why did Kush, my Kush, the father of my child, agree to marry someone else?” I ask, my voice breaking. Aanya sighs.

“For the nth time, Yuvi, he’s being forced into it! He doesn’t want to marry anyone. Ma says he should move on now,” Aanya pauses for a moment and then continues, “Yuvi, what about you? When will you marry someone? My sunshine need someone too.”

“Nothing about me. I won’t marry anyone. I’ll take care of them as I have for the past seven years. Let him marry whoever he wants.” I wipe my tears. Before Aanya can respond, I end the call and hug my knees, sobbing.

“Kush, you were my star, my light. If only Krishak hadn’t hurt you, we would have been together, raising our sunshine. You were the sacred grass that shielded a young girl from the snakes.”