Blessing in Disguise

Chapter 126: Yearning

By the time mid-May arrived, the summer's heat had become unyielding. The hot winds were persistent, the sun was blistering, and Seher felt her unease growing. Her health had declined recently, yet her main worry was her daughter, Meher. The usually cheerful girl had turned irritable, resisting meals, and playtime, and was prone to outbursts. Her standard reply to any request was, "I do with Papa." Each time she said this, it shattered Seher's heart, especially since it had been nearly a month without any word from Maximilian. Meher's restlessness in her father's absence spoke volumes of her longing for him.

Seher's tears had become a daily occurrence, twice over, and without Rajdeep's support, she felt she might fall apart. He had a unique way with Meher, whether it was his imposing presence or his gruff demeanor, reminiscent of Maximilian, that did the trick. Meher, who was usually so resistant, seemed to only open up around him.

Yet, this was a temporary solace. With Rajdeep's departure looming, Seher was at a loss. How would she cope? Her heart was already frayed, and Meher's rebelliousness threatened to unravel completely. The thought of enduring this alone was unbearable.

As morning came, Seher tucked the quilt around Meher, who had once again discarded it in her sleep. She turned off the air conditioning and left the bed, moving quickly as nausea overwhelmed her. Moments later, she was retching, expelling not just her dinner but also her sorrow. The absence of Maximilian, who should have been there to comfort her, intensified her misery.

Afterward, she mechanically went about her routine, brushing her teeth and selecting her attire from the wardrobe. A cold shower helped to calm her frayed nerves. Dressed in a light cotton kurta and trousers, she found a modicum of relief in the cool fabric amidst the oppressive heat.

Hours after a heated argument over Meher's reluctance to shower and eat breakfast, Sitara burst in full of vigor, declaring, "Seher, we're going shopping."

Caught off guard, Seher protested, "Tara, bahar toh itni garmi hai. Abhi kyun jaana hai?"
(Tara, it's scorching outside. Why would you want to go now?)

"It's fine," Sitara reassured her. "We'll drive there, and the mall is air-conditioned. What's there to worry about? We'll shop and make it a girls' day out. Plus, there's something I need to discuss with you." 

The seriousness of Sitara's tone was unmistakable. Seher's breath hitched as she sat next to her in the living room. Was Sitara about to ask her to leave? And why shouldn't she? What purpose did she have, remaining in their home? These thoughts swirled in Seher's mind as she awaited Sitara's following words.

Gently taking Seher's hand, Sitara began, "Sweetheart......."

At that word, Seher's eyes welled up with tears. Concerned, Sitara inquired, "Kya hua?"
(What's wrong?)

Seher shook her head, dabbing away the tears, and confessed, "It's nothing... It's just that Maximilian used to call me that. Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha ki mujhe kya ho gaya hai, Tara", Seher admitted. "Lately, I've been so crushed with sadness. Everything makes me want to cry, and seeing Meher unhappy... I feel so powerless to help her."
(I can't figure out what's wrong with me, Tara,)

Sitara nodded in understanding and stated, "That's exactly what I wanted to discuss with you."

Seher returned the nod, and Sitara, making eye contact, continued, "Seher, when was your last period?"

Seher's frown deepened in confusion before she began to ponder. As minutes ticked by, her eyes gradually widened in realization, prompting a smile from Sitara. With a gentle, playful tap on Seher's head, Sitara spoke, "Tu bhi na tubelight hi hai, pagli!"
(In Hindi, a playful expression for someone who takes too much time to understand what's happening around them.)