The Foster child

Chapter -33.

Mr. Goswami walked to Maya's room and knocked the door lightly. Dharani and Maya went back to the room. They engaged themselves in their girl talk. Maya is sure in her mind. She is  clear with what she wants. She trusts this family with the decision she made. So, she was not bothered with the conversation in the living room. So, she dragged her sister to her room. Initially Dharani wanted to participate in the conversation. But, Prithvi signaled her to go to the room with Maya.

When Dharani opened the door, she gave a little smile to Mr. Goswami and walked out to give them privacy. She left the door ajar.

Maya hugged her uncle tightly. He was the only relative she had and she missed him so much. Unknowingly she started to cry hard remembering her parents. This happens to everyone who lost their parents and you see the only relative left after a long time. You get emotional and cry your heart out seeing them. This happened to Maya also.
Kasturi and Dharani were tensed hearing Maya's wailing loudly. They tried to reach her but Prithvi and Vikram stopped them. They can understand Maya's situation. She needs to vent that sorrow out of her heart.
After some time Maya composed herself . Her uncle wiped  his eyes. He had tears seeing Maya getting emotional. He regretted not being by her side when she needed him the most. He wiped her tears and patted her head lovely.

Mr. Goswami:
“ How are you, chotu?. Did you  miss me?”.

Maya:
“ I am fine, chacha. How about you and Chachi?. How are Tinku and Pinky?. How are they doing?”.

Mr. Goswami:
“ We are good. They miss their elder sister. I am sorry, chotu. I was not there by your side when you needed me the most. I tried to come but you know my situation. I was helpless at that time.
I am happy that you were taken care of by a good family. “

Maya:
“ Even I am grateful to them, chacha. They are like my grandparents. Did you see Didi? She is my Dharani didi. My best friend here. I share everything with her. She is my support system. She is the one who made me comfortable in my initial stay. She helped me alot. And not to forget Grandma. She is a lioness and she teaches you the same. To fight and not to run away from a problem “.

Mr.Goswami:
“ I see you are comfortable staying here. You seem to like these people a lot”.

Maya:
“ No, I love them. They took me under their care when they knew nothing about me. They became my guardian. They took care of my every need. They never treated me as an outsider”.

Mr. Goswami felt guilty .He felt a pinch in his heart. He should be the one who should take care of her after her parents' dismissal but he was nowhere to be seen in that situation.
He regretted listening to his wife. Now, he want to make  up for his irresponsibility and take care of his niece

Mr. Goswami :
“ Maya, I want you to come with me to the States. I am financially stable now. You can study whatever you wish for. What do you say?”.

Maya:
“ Chacha, I am happy to see you. I am used to these people and I will miss them a lot if I move with you. Sorry to say this, I am not comfortable with the living conditions there.
You also know that Chachi doesn't like me and my parents. I don't want you to face trouble. Please let me stay here”.

Mr. Goswami:
“ Chotu, your Chachi, all you need is money. I am earning well. I am capable of handling her problems along with  you being my responsibility. That is the reason why it took time for me to come back to you.
I am sorry that I couldn't come early “.

Maya is finding it hard to convince her uncle. He is a good human and is genuinely worried about her. Why not he is her blood relation. So, she tried convincing him more

Maya:
“ Chacha, I can't stay with you guys. I feel scared living with you people. I am safe here. I am well protected and was taken proper care by these people. Please don't force me to come. I can't. Understand me”

Mr. Goswami was confused with her pleadings. He got scared that something might have happened to Maya which he is unaware of. So he asked her

Mr. Goswami:
“ What are you saying, chotu. Did Chachi bother you? Did someone bully you? What happened ma. You are  scaring me,"

Maya told him how her aunt was jealous of her mother and Maya. How she used to taunt them. She told him how her aunt's brother tried to abuse her. She encountered the incident where she was tried getting molested by her aunt's brother.

After listening to this Mr. Goswami was fuming with anger. He wanted to kill his brother -in- law for his sinful acts. He was blinded by love. So, he trusted his wife. Maya could understand his uncle's condition. She doesn't want him to feel guilty. So she pleaded with him.

Maya:
“ Chacha. Don't get angry. Chachi is good to my cousins. She is a good mother and a good wife. She doesn't like us and was jealous of us as my parents are doctors. They are earning well and are well recognised in our city. She felt insecure and she insisted on moving to the States. Don't question her with anything. Please.”

Mr. Goswami :
“ I can't let it go. She should be responsible for your safety. She should have taken care of you when you were bothered by her brother. I will not leave that bastard. I will like him. How dare he touch you. He is not less than a monster. He deserves to die for having such sinful thoughts for a child. “

Maya:
“ Chacha, calm down. Think of Pinky and Tinku. If you do something unlawful out of anger, then what about your children's future? What about chachi?. She loves  you so much and if something happens to you she can't survive. Don't  do anything in haste.
I lost my parents but I was blessed to have a great family. Don't let your kids become orphans. “

Mr. Goswami :
“ I will not let that monster stay with us. I will kick him out of my house. I will talk to your aunt. I will make sure that you stay comfortable with us. I will not let your aunt bother you. Please come with me, Chotu.”

Maya felt sorry for her uncle. He is trying so hard to take her with him but love and affection can't be projected for name sake. They are emotions which cannot be hidden.

Maya:
“Chacha, you can't force someone to love and take care. You can't stay by my side all the time. I can't act as if nothing happened in front of Chachi and it is the same with her. I don't want to become a trouble in your happy life.
Don't try to convince me. I made up my mind. I am not going anywhere with you. You are welcome to come here and see me whenever you feel like. We can have a phone conversation regularly. Ok”.

Mr. Goswami was very disappointed with this decision. He was very happy when he started from the US. He was confident that he could bring his niece and take care of her. He loved his brother and respected his sister in law like his mother. So, he was very fond of Maya.
But, here Maya is not willing to come with him. He can't see Maya sad. He wished for her happiness and if her happiness is with this family then he is ok with it. He hugged Maya affectionately and walked out of the room.

He walked to the living room where Vikram and his family were waiting. He conveyed the same to them. Maya will be staying with them and he will come once in a while to see her. After listening to him, Prithvi is the first to speak,

Prithvi:
“ Mr. Goswami, I am sorry. I know you care for Maya alot and  you were sad that Maya wants to stay back with us. We can understand your feelings. Please trust us. We  can take care of Maya well. She is safe and protected with my parents. “

Mr.Goswami:
“ Prithvi, I can see that. Meeting you people is the best thing that happened to Maya. I can  be rest assured under your care. I trust you people”.

Prithvi gave a little smile and said,

Prithvi:
“ Mr. Goswami, I was the one who fostered Maya from the foster care but now I want to adopt her with your willingness,if you don't mind ....”

Bye. Take care.
Stay safe and stay healthy always.

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