Secret Admirer

Chapter 24 💕 Amayra's Heartburn

"Hmm. When she opened her eyes, she looked around. I was sitting right in front of her. She didn't even smile when she saw me. Instead, she started asking about Ishita. Why? Because I'm her daughter and Di is her responsibility? She can't be unfair to her, but she can be to me, even in this condition? When I saw her unconscious today, I was very scared. It was her second attack, and the doctor said there's no guarantee she'll recover. At a time when I was so scared that I might not see her again, she was asking about Di, not me. Why? And then you say she's my mom. How? I've been trying to understand this for the past ten years, and still, I fail every time." Amaira said emotionally.

"Ishita... uhh... Ishita isn't her daughter?"

"No. She's not. Surprising, isn't it?" She chuckled at herself.

"But how... I mean, why doesn't anyone know? Mom is their childhood friend, but she wouldn't know either. Are you sure Ishita was adopted?"

"Yes. I heard it myself. I kept this secret to myself for ten years. Before Dad's accident, he told Mom that she should never find out. I heard that. So Mom told me not to disclose this to di or anyone else because it would hurt Di. Because Di has no one else to call family besides us, so we'll never tell her." Amaira revealed the truth, and Kabir was still trying to digest this revelation.

"But why doesn't my mom know all this? How?"

"After Dad passed away, I asked Mom about it, and she told me that she adopted Di shortly after her marriage. Di was the daughter of Dad's friend. Her mother died shortly after giving birth, and her father didn't want to keep her, so Dad brought her home and adopted her. Because they were living in Dubai during the early days of their marriage, no one knew about Di's adoption. And when they returned to India, Mom introduced Di as her own daughter to everyone. Only grandparents knew about this."

"And since then, until now, I've been lying to myself that Di is my sister, and my mom is not biased at all. It's like a bad dream for me that I want to get rid of soon." Amaira hid her face in her hands.

"Amaira. Please calm down. Don't cry." Kabir said, patting Amaira's head. And Amaira lifted her head to look.

"Who's crying? I'm not crying. I was told to be understanding, brave, and strong. And I'm doing all of this very well. And now when I want to cry, I can't." She laughed, but there was moisture in her eyes.

"Today when she's lying in the hospital, I don't know if I'll ever be able to talk to her again or not. I don't know if I'll ever receive the love like Di does. So today, I felt like maybe I misheard that she didn't adopt me. I wish someone would tell me that I'm the child she adopted, then I would be very happy and find peace, then I could say that she's a very good adopted mother. When I see today that she's very good for Di, and not for me, my heart breaks. Every time. Every time."

"I didn't know all this. But I don't think Auntie did all this knowingly. Maybe there's a reason behind it." Kabir was also not thinking properly.

"What could be the reason? What reason could there be for her to ask me to stay silent for ten years and let Di take all her love? What reason could there be for her always choosing clothes for Di first when we went shopping? What reason could there be for Di to get homemade food and me being told to buy whatever I like from outside? And now what was the reason for her not even considering that I might want something else from life than what she was suggesting?" Amaira was pouring out everything that was in her heart, and Kabir was stunned. He knew that Amaira had hidden a lot in her heart, but to hear everything in this way was shocking for him.

"Yes, she gave me the option. She told me I could say no to this marriage. But why didn't she need to ask me? Why couldn't she do this herself? She knew Gaurav had proposed to me, and I hadn't answered. But still, when your proposal came, she told me to say no if I didn't want to. Why? Why me? Couldn't she decide what's best for me? She knew I would sacrifice my happiness for Di's happiness. Because that's what she's always told me." Amaira had emptied her heart, but still, she couldn't find peace.

"I've kept patience all my life. Always been a perfect daughter, yet no result. I did everything that was expected of me. But why doesn't she think about what I expect from her? Why?" Amaira had laid her heart bare, but still, she couldn't find peace.

Kabir sat quietly, shocked. He was feeling sad either because of Amaira's decision regarding her marriage or because of Amaira's pain.

"And that's why I feel like I've been adopted, and I also want to hear this, but my face always proves me wrong. It assures me that I'm her own daughter. I hate how much I resemble her. While I'm unwanted for her."

"Shh... You're not unwanted. Never. " Kabir pulled Amaira into his arms, and Amaira didn't even resist. They both hugged each other for a long time. Now there was no energy left to speak, so Amaira held Kabir tightly, reassuring herself that there's someone with her, for her.

"You need rest. Come on, let's go to sleep now," Kabir had settled her on the bed and lay down beside her. But there was a distance between them that made Kabir restless. Amaira was also restless, but for her own internal turmoil. She tossed and turned several times but couldn't fall asleep. Seeing Amaira's restlessness, Kabir moved closer to her, enveloping her in his arms and placing one hand over hers.

"Go to sleep, Amaira. We'll talk about this tomorrow," Kabir murmured soothingly. Kabir's words sounded like a sweet lullaby to Amaira, and she too placed her hand over Kabir's and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

*****

"Good morning," Kabir entered the room and smiled as he saw Amaira coming out of the bathroom.

"Good morning," Amaira replied, feeling a bit strange.

"I've brought breakfast for us. Let's eat, and then we'll head to the hospital," Kabir said.

"I'm not going there."

"What? Why?" Kabir asked.

"Do you still need another explanation after last night?" Amaira asked.

"Uhh... no. Whatever it is, she's your mother. You should go."

"I've been a good daughter all along. I'll go only when she calls me. Otherwise, I don't need to. Di must have arrived by now, and Jiju will take her directly from the airport to the hospital."

"Amaira, I know you're very angry with them, and you've kept your anger suppressed within you for years. At least for their sake. You know their condition is critical, and they won't be able to handle everything themselves. Don't let your anger overpower your goodness. Stay as you are, Amaira. I'm proud of you," Kabir said, cupping her face in his hands.

"You're proud of me?" Amaira asked, blinking her eyes.

"Yes. I've never met a person as best and perfect as you. Very brave and kind-hearted. Don't let your anger dominate you at this time because you know you don't want that," Kabir said, and Amaira nodded.

"So, are you going to the hospital?"

"Yes."

"Good. That's my girl. Do you want me to come with you inside? If you say yes, I'll come with you."

"No. Please. You said just being there for me is enough. Thank you."

"Okay. Let's have breakfast then. And always remember that I'm with you, always," Kabir said, kissing her forehead lovingly. Kabir hugged her, and Amaira hugged him back, also holding him tightly to gain strength.

****

"I know I don't need to tell you this, but please don't share anything about Di with anyone," Amaira said to Kabir before getting out of the car as they reached the hospital.

"I know, I won't," Kabir said with a smile and drove the car forward.

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