19 Dates

Chapter 27

Evening dinner arrangements were a complete surprise for the father son duo. Rajat had done an amazing job, in fact like every year they did not let the morning incident have any set back in celebrating Dev's birthday. Every year it was a family affair, this year the addition was Mr. Sinha to the celebration. Sangeeta was all fine to celebrate her son's birthday. Everything had fallen in place for a perfect family dinner.

Mr. Sinha was very happy to see Sangeeta happy & cheerful, his sprite was lifted up for sure and he did not restrain himself from going overboard with a few extra pegs of fine scotch. Dev was keeping a close eye on his father to ensure he would be all OK. Rajat was asking Dev about his life & his plans of getting married, as he did always. More than Sangeeta, it was Rajat who wanted to see Dev marry a fine lady and give up on his thought of staying single forever but as always Dev kept putting up with the situation & did not make anyone on the table feel that he wanted all of this to get over soon so that he could get back to his life again. After some very good conversation when Dev noticed that his dad was about to lose himself to the scotch, he excused himself, telling them that it was time for Mr. Sinha to go to bed. Sangeeta & Rajat agreed to it but Sangeeta requested Dev to come back because she wanted to talk to him. Dev agreed & after putting his dad to bed, he returned to have a conversation with his mother.

Dev, "yeah mom, tell me. I hope you are feeling all fine now. Morning I was kind of worried but then the doctor told me that there was nothing to worry about, just a sprain in your left leg."

Sangeeta, "I am fine Dev & so happy to see you. When will you give up on this stubbornness of not meeting me Dev? (she had tears in her eyes)

Dev, "mom, please, I don't think it is a good time to talk about this."

Sangeeta, "I know it is your life decision & I have no right to ask you to give me any place in it but Dev as a mother I feel so helpless, in spite of knowing the truth, how you feel about me, I can't keep myself from asking you to give me some place in your life."

Dev, "in no ways I am disconnected with you. I answer your calls, I come & see you every year on my birthday. I try mom but I don't find in my heart the courage may be to give you any more place then this. Please don't make me talk anything further mom."

Sangeeta was crying & Dev felt bad for speaking all that he did, he stood up & left the room. Rajat walked into the room where Sangeeta was & immediately rushed to console her. She did not tell him a word but then he knew what must have happened.