We Happened

Epilogue

SIX YEARS LATER

Radhika's pov

It's been four months since my father died and there sat his will and the last letter he ever wrote to me in front of me. His death was kind of sudden. We knew he was sick and getting weaker each day but we didn't know it was that soon.

Even though we weren't close he was still the man I considered my father and dealing with his death wasn't easy. My mom was wreck, she couldn't handle the grief of losing the man he loved so dearly all these years.

It's been four months but it feels like yesterday, how I was called by the hospital to tell me my father couldn't make it, how my mother was a complete mess, how everything seemed so insignificant in that moment. I never thought what will happen if he ever died and now that he's actually dead I'm not sure how I feel.

I opened the will and started reading. My father's lawyer said he wanted me to have it. I've been avoiding it for months imagining there might be something I wouldn't be able to handle but I know I've to. As kept reading I was amused and annoyed, two emotions that don't go together. I was amused because except my mother's share he has left everything he owned for my children and their future. I was so annoyed that I can never thank him for this because I don't have that option anymore.

I finally opened the last letter my Dad wrote me. It's been a while since I read any of his letter. I guess I was just angry and didn't want to know what he wrote every time when I received the letter. But this was his last one and I owe it myself to know what he wanted to say.

Dear Radhika.

Every time I start to write a letter to you I think about all the different ways I could apologize and trust me there are none left. For the first time in years I can feel the time. I can the time slipping away from me and I believe I should say everything I could in the limited time I've left.

I'm not afraid to die, I've had a great life with your mother. I love her so much and I cherish every second of it. I know you're aware of that kind of love, Rishabh loves you that way maybe in ways better than I know. I don't have any regrets except the way I treated you all these years. I wish I could go back in time and undo all of it and create new memories for you and me but I can't.

I'm sorry for giving you such bitter memory of a father. You deserve so much better than I ever was. You tried everything you could to show me how amazing daughter you were and I was so blinded by my pride to see past that. I see how you're raising your daughter and I've never been more proud. She's just like you kind, giving, forgiving, honest, everything you're. I told her how I wasn't the best father to you and she said that 'Mama loves you. She'll never be mad at you'. She's so small and innocent to understand the depth of hurt I've caused you. I'm sorry for all of that but I know it is never going to be enough.

I don't deserve your forgiveness but when I die please hold onto the good memories we once shared. Remember the times we were actually a family. I always wanted a family of my own and even though I already had one I never appreciated it enough. My resentment towards you overtook all the love I had. You may find it hard to believe but you're my daughter and I love you dearly. All I want for you is happiness because I know how much you deserve it.

Also I'm leaving everything I've for your children. It isn't enough but it never is going be enough compared to everything I've done in the past. I want your children to have everything they want, everything they deserve. I want them to feel safe and loved, everything you didn't feel in your life. It breaks my heart that I might not see my grandchildren grow up but tell them that I love them. I think this is my punishment and it serves right.