Taken For Granted

Chapter 29

Payal's POV

I try very hard not to go fast, but my excitement gets the best of me and I start to drive a bit harshly.

Khushi (screaming) - JIJI!!! I am scared ... Drive slowly

Me (apologetically) - Sorry

I almost forgot about Khushi's fear of fast cars, so I start to drive slower.

Me (concerned) - Khushi... where did Pari go to? I almost forgot about her.

Khushi (smiling) - Jiji... she ran off but then I heard her say bade papa... so she must have met him as I couldn't see the guy except Pari hugging him.

I look at Khushi smiling and then start to concentrate on the road and after 15 minutes we reach our destination

I check my watch to see that we are exactly on time. As we rush towards the door, it suddenly opens.

Me and Khushi (screaming) - BUAJIIII (father's sister, aunt)

We immediately take her blessings and then hug her tightly, while getting emotional.

Me: How are you, Buaji? Is everything fine? How are Amma and Bauji (mum & dad)?

Khushi - Yes Buaji. How are you?? Is everything fine?

Buaji: Titaliya and Payaliya, everything is fine, but your Bauji and Amma haven't said a thing. They are still like living zombies. They are alive but dead... they walk but don't talk to anyone... not even to each other.

Me (upset): We know... the doctors told us... that they are in a lot of shock and won't talk.

Khushi (upset) - Jiji... I am going to see them.

I nod at Khushi, who silently goes to see Bauji and Amma while Buaji looks at me, seeking some answers.

Me (worried) - What happened Buaji? Why are you looking at me like that?

Buaji (painfully smiling) - You know, Payaliya, you have grown a lot older... you have forgotten that I am your Buaji... and that I can see your fear behind this fake smile you put on every month. Tell me today, Payaliya.... Why do you only come once a year? And why... what happened to Garima and Shashi?

Me (scared) - Buaji.... I am... going to check on Amma and Bauji

I try to rush towards Amma and Bauji's room, but Buaji blocks the door and looks at me with an angry face. Before I could say anything, she took my hand and put it on her head.

Buaji (angry) - Tume meri kasam (You have my swear).

Me (helplessly): Buaji, the thing is that we can only meet once a year because our real parents are keeping an eye on us. The only time they aren't is this date every month because... I don't know, as they told us that they will always have an eye on us except for this day. Me, Nanheji, Lavanyaji, and Khushi were on the way to go to Mumbai 7 years ago when... (crying) ...we saw... them...about to be hit by a truck. Khushi, thankfully, saw this and pushed Amma off the road while I pushed Bauji off the road. Thankfully, me and Khushi were fine, but Amma and Bauji were not. When we pushed them... their heads hit the rocks nearby... and they became unconscious... we... (crying hard)... rushed them to the hospital, and after a few hours, they said that they were in a state of shock and would not talk. Also, an operation needs to be done. (stopped crying). Not having enough money... we sold our house and that's why you live in Mumbai.... We moved a few weeks after the operation with you, as you know... but then... we met our parents in Mumbai... who told us... that we can't be in contact with you... we told them... no... but... they didn't listen... and so we made a deal... which was that if you guys get a good home and enough money to buy clothes, food, etc... then we won't meet you guys or be in contact with you for the year. My rich parents agreed, so we didn't meet you guys for a whole year...

Buaji (upset): Why couldn't you just contact us in that one year without them knowing? And you are ADOPTED! How is that possible? I am so confused.

Me (upset): We couldn't. They were keeping an eye on us. They love us a lot but are protective of us. Buaji, it's already been an hour and Vi... I mean we have to go... bye.

I go towards where Khushi would be to see her crying and hugging Amma and Bauji. I know that they were just pretending to be our parents, but they fulfilled their duties well. Amma and Bauji always were and are perfect parents even if they were pretending... they didn't fail in their duties. Bauji always came to our parent-teacher interviews and taught us so much about good values. While Amma never failed to show her love to us. She always cooked our favourite dishes whenever one of us topped our tests, and she always read stories and sang lullabies to make us sleep. She never failed to show us that she is a perfect mother, wife, and daughter-in-law, and she influenced us to do that. I have already forgiven them, and so has Khushi, as we couldn't get better parents than them.

Khushi (getting up) - Jiji... let's go.

Should Garima and Shashi be forgiven?

Do you think Khushi and Payal's parents truly love them?

Precap - Vivu and Akash bonding