From cameras to your heart

Chapter 38

The day of inauguration

"Inaya, beta Mrs Singhania is here." Kalpana aunty's voice made its way to inaya who was standing at a distance, talking to one of the guests who was invited.

She looked back and saw her mother in law standing beside some elders as they spoke. Her mother in law has a smile on her face as she looked at inaya and gestured her to come forward.

She instantly moved ahead, not before saying a small excuse me to the person she was talking to. She was meeting her mother in law after a long time, and she instantly felt happiness spreading across her chest as she was engulfed in a hug.

"Mamma, When did you come? Did papa come with you? And-" her mother in law caressed her back softly while cutting her rant. 

"Okay okay inaya, calm down." She chuckled and ran her hand lovingly over inaya's head.

"Your papa did accompany me but he had to immediately go to the hospital, his friend had a heartattack just a few hours back."

Inaya looked at her as she explained, still feeling overwhelmed with her presence here.

"Is uncle alright now?"

"He is good by god's grace. Now any more inquires?"

Inaya smiled at her as she held her hand, walking towards the inaugural building. She could feel her heart bursting with happiness as she met her mother after two weeks.

"How is dadi and dadiji?"

She felt her hand being squeezed as she stared back at her mother in law's face as she let out a soft sigh.

"They both are well beta...."

Inaya knew she wanted to say more but was holding herself back. So she forwarded her and and held her hand gently. She looked into her eyes and smiled.

"Maa, you don't need to stop yourself while speaking to me. I know you wish to tell me something."

She saw her letting out a soft sigh as she looked down, a sad smile adorning her face.

"Inaya, well I don't..... I am aware that you do not wish to come back home right now, and I have not come here to force you in any way. The only thing that concerns me is your grandfather's health."

Inaya felt a pinch in her heart as she looked at her with narrowed eyes.

"What-"

"He has not been told about what happened between you and Aditya. We just couldn't because of his health. Beta it's been weeks since you left home and he misses you both. He's been asking for the both of you and me and your father, we just don't know what to tell him."

"And about your grandmother, she has not been herself lately. She doesn't show it but she is really upset with Aadi."

Inaya took a deep breath to let her words sink in. She looked back into her eyes and saw them glistened with tears. She gulped before asking the question she has been afraid all along.

"Has Aditya not been home since I left?"

She just stayed quite as her mother in law let out a sad chuckle as a tear tricked down her cheek.

"No. I feel as if I have lost my son. He just disappeared after the day you left. I called in his office, and look at my fate, I have to ask my son's employees for his whereabouts. They informed me that he has been in New York since the past weeks.....no calls.....no messages. I don't know what has happened to him."

Hearing her words inaya sucked in a breath. If he was in new york all along, that means kartik was not with him, because he had been in udaipur. So who was with him last night? Did he do something to himself? Her heart raced at all sorts of thoughts as she felt her palms sweating.