Sorry guys, its a bit long chapter. Please bear with me.
Sahib - Master
Beta - Daughter(in this context)
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After Anu's mother was cremated, her mother in law, Meera, asked Reema and Anu to stay with them for a few days. After all, they lived in the same city. Anu agreed to it and she went with Reema to her place to help her do the packing.
The house was in shambles. It was in her name now, she had confirmed with the lawyers. After much thought, she decided, she was going to sell it. As she moved from room to room, the memories came rushing. Yes, it had been a sad place, but there were many gems of happiness strewn along with it. She remembered her brother when she saw the courtyard. He used to play with her there when she was small. Even then he used to cheat a lot. Till the time her father had been alive, he had been a brat, always picking up fights when at school and teasing them to tears when at home. But he changed so much after his death. As she thought of him, it struck her that he had been almost a second father to her more than her brother.
She also remembered her father. He had been a jovial fellow, always teasing their mother. She had been a lot more bearable when he was alive. He was also the first one who had pushed her to study. And then there was Reema. Who was at a similar crossroad as she had been years ago. With an uncertain future. Her only living family being Anu herself.
As they were leaving the house, Reema wept. Anu however, only threw one final look at the house and entered the cab.
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Meera welcomed them as Anu and Reema entered her home. It was a huge mansion and a lovely one at that, with a big garden. Neel's father had been at a high post in the military, a family tradition among the Rajans. Neel had been the first one in years to have not joined the army. Even his younger brother Dhruv was in the forces. Which could explain their riches to anyone.
During their stay for the next few days, Meera tried to make them feel at home to the best of her ability, specially Reema who was still young and seemed uncomfortable with the change. However, she bonded quickly with Meera, who treated her like a grandchild.
The house was large and other than Meera, only Dhruv's family lived in it. Neel's father had died a decade earlier.
The second day, as she sauntered across the garden of the house, Anu saw an old man watering the plants. He looked happy and content. This was his life and had been for many years.
"There used to be a cherry tree here. Where is it?" Anu asked.
The old gardener gawked at her in amazement, "How do you know, about it madam?" He then pointed to the back of the house. "It used to be there years ago, Madam, and it used to be a beautiful one," he said with pride. "Sadly, it withered away, Sahib ordered to cut it down."
"Which Sahib?Neel?" Anu asked. She hoped it wasn't him.
"No, no madam, Neel Sahib's father" He replied. "I tried to grow some new ones there, but for some strange reason, they wouldn't grow."
Anu gazed at the vacant ground for some time, trying to imagine the young boy and the girl, playing near the cherry tree, happy and peaceful, before she finally headed back to the house.
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There was a knock on Anu's door.
YOU ARE READING
A Heart of Stone with a Coat of Gold
General Fiction"I steal smiles, Anu. That's how I live. I stole the smile of an innocent cherry tree. One who I brought in my life only to then burn it to the ground. You, Reema, my mother all are the same for me. And I am afraid, soon, I will steal it from my son...
