Tum Kaafi Ho ✓

f o r t y s e v e n. 084/12C/PM - 2012

f o r t y  s e v e n. 084/12C/PM - 2012

Reyansh was being an idiot, but this time he'd rather be an idiot than a sinner.

This was not fair, he knew that, but it wasn't fair on Pranati either. For a mistake he did, she had to suffer for eight long years. Not just she, their kid had to live in misery for her whole life. 

So did it hurt when he let Pranati go? Yes it did.

But he could not see her in pain. He could not let her go through those miserable years again. If she wanted to leave, then he was not going to stop her. For once, just once, Pranati needed to live for herself.

When they arrived back to the house, Pranati headed straight to their room while Reyansh poured himself a glass of cold water. He needed to resume his medications if he wanted to meet his kid at intervals. Jugnu deserved a father who can take care of her, and not a triggered man. 

He was going to be the best for her.

"Rey bhai, all okay?" 

Reyansh was a bit surprised to see Maan, his youngest cousin loitering in the hallway. He nodded at the boy and asked him why he was up so late at night.

"Well... it was supposed to be a surprise, but..." Maan cheekily smiled, showing Reyansh the little canvas he had in his hand. "I wanted to gift Jugnu something for her birthday and thought this was the best thing."

Reyansh smiled, eyeing the canvas which Maan had painted. It was a little Jugnu with jugnus all around her. It was a perfect blend of the starry night with Jugnu smiling brightly with the cute fireflies around her. 

She really was the firefly of their lives.

"You did this?" Reyansh had no clue Maan could paint so well. "I love it."

"Do you think she'll like it?"

Reyansh chuckled, so proud of his brother. "Of course, you'd paint a line and she'll still love it." 

"She just a cute kid, I am going to miss her around."

Reyansh's smiled vanished at that line.

"She is the best." 

"Can't we ask Prabhi to stay with us?" Maan pouted, holding the canvas in his hand. "This months was so good, I have never seen Vardhan bhai and Anisha bhabhi so cheerful and happy. Daadi has been more vocal and takes all her medications on time - she says she wants to live longer now, spend her days with Jugnu. And Armaan! You know him, Rey bhai, he wants to bake the cake for tomorrow..."

It was true. The Khuranas' were a happy family. But with Jugnu and Pranati - they felt complete. 

"I am going to miss Prabhi and my reading sessions." Maan sighed, shaking his head. "She is so intellectual, I could listen to her for hours on end." 

"I am going to miss them too." 

Maan smiled, meeting Reyansh's teary eyes. "You know what I am going to miss the most?" 

"What?"

"You." 

Reyansh tilted his head, "what?"

"Come on Rey bhai, you really thought we can't see through your pain." Maan held Reyansh's hand, a sad smile on his face. "We never confronted you because daadi said to let you be. But we can all see how much you tried to mask your fears and your pain behind that happy smile you used to share with us. I used to worry for you, pray that one day you'd stop smiling for the sake of us and just smile because life is good."