THE MISTRESS ✔️ (COMPLETED)

72~ What He Left Behind

Next day, Eshaan woke up to the ringing sound of his phone. He groaned and shifted in his place. He felt Monica shift under his arm and quickly moved his hand. He turned his head and found Monica was still asleep. He smiled and leaned. He kissed her cheek and saw her smile in her sleep. Then, he shifted and propped up on his palms. He picked up his phone from the bedside table. He blinked at the screen and frowned on seeing Karishma's name flash on screen. He wondered what she wanted to say.

'Hello.' He said groggily. He frowned and sat up straight when he heard her crying on the phone. He glanced at Monica.

She is pregnant, I shouldn't trouble her – he thought and quickly climbed down the bed. He walked out of the room.

'Karishma, what happened? Why are you crying?' Eshaan panicked little.

'Esh-Esh-aan, Kabir sir, sir, is no more.' She informed.

'What?' Eshaan was shocked. Kabir died? How, when?

'Last night, only Kavita Maam was with him. One night before, he had a severe accident. Since then he was hospitalized that is why he hadn't come to the office yesterday.' Karishma managed to say in between her sobs. Eshaan held his hair and exhaled loudly. That night, last, he had seen Kabir. He was with Monica, all fit, and fine and then... Life surely is unpredictable, and it has its own rude way to remind that.

*********************

Monica yawned and shifted, she threw her arm on Eshaan's side and frowned feeling the side empty. She opened her eyes and blinked, then she sat up straight and looked around. The whole room was empty. She got worried and removed the duvet from her. Quickly, she climbed down and wore her slippers.

She opened the door of the room and entered the living room, looking around she found Eshaan sitting on the couch. He was holding his head in his palms. Monica got worried and walked up to him. She sat next to him and Eshaan sighed but doesn't look up. She looked at him for a while before wrapping her arms around him.

'What happened, darling?' She asked sweetly. Eshaan shifted and looked at her. She looked back. He held her hand. He didn't know how to break the news to her. It was shocking to him, but for Monica, it would be even more shocking as she was the one who was with him last.

'Monica,' – He squeezed her palm, - 'Kabir'- She stiffened, - 'Kabir is dead.' He informed. She gasped and covered her open mouth with both her palms. Eshaan nodded.

'I am going to his mansion for the last rites.' Eshaan said and got up. He was about to go inside the room when Monica interrupted him.

'I am coming too.' She said. Eshaan turned around and shook his head.

'No, you are pregnant. The atmosphere there will affect your mind and the baby.' He said seriously. Monica looked agitated but doesn't argue with him.

**********************

Eshaan stepped down his car and looked down. He adjusted the collar of his white Kurtha and walked towards the house. He noticed not many people were there, it was mostly women.

He assumed the body was taken. He gulped and entered the mansion. A butler guided him to the living room. There he found a woman sitting at the front. She was wearing a white saree and a veil covering her head. Eshaan felt his feet heavy as he dragged himself towards her. From her back, he recognized her to be Kavita. He gulped and kneeled beside her.

He called her, - 'Kavita Maam.'

Slowly, she looked at him. Eshaan felt his heart drop upon seeing her. Her eyes were dark and baggy, red nose, swollen lips, tear-stained cheeks. He moved his gaze up and noticed her parting was completely empty, unlike always. Then, his gaze moved down, and he noted there was no Mangalsutra, her wrists were empty as well. He looked back into her eyes.

'Maam.' He managed to say. That was all he could say. Kavita looked away and at the Kabir's photo frame, it was covered with few garlands.

'You knew about his affairs.' She said softly. Stunned, Eshaan looked at her. She turned her head and looked back. Her eyes were dry and emotionless.

Eshaan gulped but doesn't reply, he couldn't. Kavita smiled sarcastically and looked away.

'It doesn't matter now,' – She sighed and looked at him, - 'I wish Kabir hadn't confessed.' She looked down at her fingers.

Eshaan shook his head and hesitated before placing his palm on her shoulder. She gasped softly. He squeezed her shoulder.

'No, Maam. It is good that he did, at least some burden was lifted off him.' He said softly.

Just then, Eshaan heard a small voice call him. He turned around and found Naren coming towards him. He was dressed in white Kurtha Pajama too. Eshaan noted he had tear stained cheeks as well and fresh tears in his eyes.

'Eshaan,' – He stood in front of him and Eshaan held his waist, - 'Ma is telling Papa is dead. Tell me is not true.' He cried shaking his head. Kavita closed her eyes and covered her quivering lips with the hem of her saree. Eshaan was surprised that Kavita so bluntly told the little boy about his father's death.

'Eshaan, Eshaan.' Naren shook his shoulder with his little palm. Eshaan looked at him and held his small face in between his palms.

'Naren, your father is-- he--it is true.' Eshaan felt a tight lump in his throat. Naren shook his head and took a step back.

'No, you are lying. You are a LIAR.' Naren shouted. Kavita looked sharply at him. Angrily, Naren wiped his tears with the back of his palms and turned around.

'Naren, don't run...Naren.' Kavita called but the kid doesn't listen. She sighed and got up but before she could go, Eshaan held her hand. She turned to look at him. Eshaan looked up at her and stood up.

'Kavita, please forgive Kabir. I know it will be tough but-' He stopped speaking as Kavita moved her hand from his grip.

'I love Kabir very much, Eshaan. But what he did to me is unacceptable. I want to forget everything he confessed and pretend like there was nothing, but I can't.' – She smiled sadly, - 'and now, it doesn't matter if I forgive him or not.' She looked back at Eshaan and then turned and walked away. Eshaan sighed sadly.

************************

This is heart-breaking, right, guys? Kabir has left, and he left behind a void in Kavita and Naren's life.

What are your thoughts on the Chapter, guys? Drop your comments, please *smiles*