Vinayak Chawan

Chapter One- Changed Vinayak

"And now is the boy who topped the medical exam across the whole country, Vinayak Chawan", The announcer announced.

Vinayak smiled as he got up. Walking up towards the stage, he stood in front of the mic. "Son of Sai Joshi and Virat Chawan", hearing this Vinayak's smile fell.

"There is a mistake", he said coldly when everyone started applauding. They stopped clapping.

"Vinayak Chawan, son of Pakhi Mohitepatil. Only her. No one else", Vinayak said coldly and everyone gulped at his angered voice.

Virat noticed Sai hiding her unshed tears. He glared at Vinayak.

"Sorry", the man gulped. "Vinayak Chawan, son of Pakhi Mohitepatil", he said further.

Vinayak forwarded his hands taking the medal and certificate. He nodded in acknowledgement towards the audience who clapped for him.

"Thank you everyone", Vinayak said. .

"Please say something about your journey and address the people", the man requested.

Vinayak chuckled. "The one person I owe my success to is my mumma. She was the brightest star of my life. She supported me. She loved me. She was there to cheer me up in my hard times. She made sure I never cried", Vinayak said.

"There was a time I thought fairy tales existed. Until my whole world turned black and white", he said looking with eyes of hatred at Virat breaking his heart immensely.

"My mumma had to leave me because of some people. I never met her again. But those precious pearls that escaped her eyes became the very reason for my motivation to become something and bring pride to her", he said.

"I know you are not here but you still look for me, think about me and pray for me. I miss you mumma. I love you. Thank you for everything you did for me. Thank you for bringing me in this world. Thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for being my angel", Vinayak said. At last his voice cracked.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment controlling his tears and took a deep breath. He opened them again to see everyone's eyes moistened at his words of love for his mother.

"Thank you", he said to the crowd who applauded again and he got down the stage. Giving his medal and certificate to Savi who was smiling brightly at him, he rushed out.

He walked near the fountain in the garden and broke down into sobs.

"Mumma", he whispered. He took out his wallet. There was the photo of his mumma. He didn't keep any other photos with him except, of his mumma and Savi.

He caressed the photo with his hands. "I miss you", he said. "I miss you so much", he said again.

Vinayak isolated himself from his family after his mumma left. He addressed Sai as Aai for he knew she was his biological mother, he respected her a lot and sometimes cooked for her when she was tired.

But he never had that bond which he had with Pakhi. No one was allowed to sleep with him in night. Not even Sai. Like Pakhi slept with him singing lullaby to him. No one dared to make Puran poli and pizza for him afterwards. He stopped eating it when his mumma left for she cooked it for him often.

He grew completely apart from Virat and addressed him as Mr. Virat Chawan. He stopped calling him baba. His eyes never forgot that image of him pushing Pakhi. That day the father son's relationship ruined. He used to cry his pain only to Savi and Ashwini who consoled him.

After Pakhi's frauds at factory, they lost it and everyone hated her except Vinayak. How can a son hate his own mother? He promised to not give them any chance to take her name with hatred and he worked hard for it. He got a scholarship and secretly worked to earn money by participating in various activies. He did bike racings, sports competitions, markets and what not.

The money that none of the Chawans could gather, he collected it. Earlier Savi wanted to help but Vinayak stopped her and urged her to focus on her studies and be successful after all she was giving a tough exam and kaku was against her studies after marriage. He also told her that his mother's name was tainted so he insisted to work to clean it on his own. Savi helped him with taking care of the amount and paying the amounts afterwards.

Sai and Virat were in noble jobs. They couldn't gather that much money because they couldn't afford to be commercial so the children worked hard for it. Harini became a social media influencer contributing to the ruined infrastructure in the house and on the birthday of Bhavani, previous month, they gave the mansion back and left the home in Ramtek to live back in the Nivas.

Sai and Virat were proud of the kids but Vinayak yearned to see that smile that he hadn't seen since years.

"Oh Savi", he quickly wiped his tears as his sister approached him. "I was thinking of gifting a car and a trip to the hill station of Kalpa for the anniversary of Aai and Baba. I have taken care of the costs. If you like it we can proceed further", he said.

Savi hugged him. "You can hide your pain from all others but not from me", she whispered. "Bhai. We will definitely find her one day. You are her son, don't loose hope", she said.

Vinayak cried. "it's been years Savi. It's been years", he said. Savi pulled apart and wiped his tears.

"We will find her one day. You truly love her. God will make you meet her. No one can separate mother from her son", Savi assured. Vinayak nodded.

"Book the trip bhai. To the hill station you chose", Savi said. Vinayak nodded again and paid for the trip for anniversary of Sai and Virat.

He kissed the photo of Pakhi and kept it in his wallet.

"Come. Let's eat something. I am quite hungry. And I will make you meet my friends", Vinayak said. Savi nodded excitedly and both went holding hands.

(Vinayak and Pakhi- sad and nostalgic version of the Lullaby)

If you liked, please vote and comment. Share your views.