|| Carefree For The Moment. ||

|| Part 25. ||

"Mish-" Abeer watched as the colour drained from Mehul's face, his eyes widening as if he was surprised to see her as she joined the two of them.

"Baba? Are you okay?" Abeer asked him, skeptical
"Yes, Mehul Uncle. What's the matter?" She asked, standing beside Abeer. "You don't look very well"
"N-nothing" he feigned a smile, running a hand over his mouth. "I'm fine"
"Are you sure?" Mishti asked & Mehul nodded. "Okay. Good" She said then turned to Abeer. "Abeer, I found something interesting whilst I was at Baba's home"
"Oh?" He said, noticing out of the corner of his eye as his father's eyes darted to the phone in his hand, the anger visible on his face. He wasn't paying attention. "What was it that you found at Baba's house Mishti?" He asked purposefully & Mehul stopped what he was doing.
"This photo" She said showing Abeer a photograph so Abeer took it from her as Mehul's head shot up at once. His attention returning to them.
"But Mishti, this is a photograph of Parul Maasi-" He said observing the candid photograph of Parul laughing as she tried to bat the photographer away.
"What!?" Mehul exclaimed, his voice suddenly very high, then cleared his throat when both Mishti & Abeer turned to look at him.
"Yes Baba. Why would a photograph of Maasi be at your home?" He asked, confused.
"Yes, Mehul Uncle" Mishti added "Why would that be?"
"I-" He shook his head, slowly walking forward to snatch the photograph from Abeer's hand, to look at it. "I-I'm not sure." he said, as if studying it.
"It's a strange coincidence though, right Baba?" He said & Mehul looked up, smiling.
"These kind of coincidences happen all the time, beta. It's not that big of a deal."
"Really?" Mishti asked & Mehul's attention turned to her. "Because I spoke to someone earlier who said that she knows you-" She told him, tilting her head as a smirk appeared on her face, seeing his state.
"Mishti, Baba said that the woman must have gotten him confused with someone else"
"Oh" Mishti shrugged. "Possible" She added. "But why would Parul Maasi's sister mistake him for someone else, Abeer?"
"S-s-sister?" Mehul asked slowly, the fear returning to his face.
"Yeah, that's true" Abeer agreed. "I forgot to say that Baba, it was Maasi's sister who we met. She's the one who said that she knows you" Abeer said then added slowly. "That you were Parul Maasi's husband" He said & Mehul's eyes widened, he looked like he was going to collapse.
"Hu-" He managed, putting his hand to his chest. "Beta-"

"Mishti, get baba some water! Quick!" Abeer feigned panic & Mishti nodded."I'll be right back!" Mishti said rushing into the mandir, taking the photograph from Mehul's hand before doing so as he opened his mouth to protest, but she was already gone.
"Beta-" Mehul began & took the piece of paper out from his pocket. "Beta, listen to me""Yes Baba?" He knelt down in front of his father so that they were eye-contact level. "I'm listening."
"Beta, I don't know what all this is" he sighed, glancing to make sure Mishti wasn't on her way back yet. "But I don't think I'll be around much longer"
"Baba, why are you talking like that? You're going to live a long, long time" He assured him. "Trust me. There's so much for you to see!"
"Beta- I don't know" he sighed then shoved the piece of paper towards him. "Look, why don't you sign this piece of paper then at least I'll be able to die in peace"
"Baba" He said in a sing-song voice. "Don't talk like that. You're not going anywhere" He vowed.
"Beta, please-" He began & glanced behind him as Mishti rushed back over. "God!" He muttered to himself.
"Here you go, Abeer" Mishti handed him the bottle of water.
"Thanks Mishti" He said taking it from her & opening it. "Here Baba. Have some"
"Thank you beta" he sighed, taking big gulps of the water as Abeer looked up to exchange glances with Mishti. She closed her eyes in reassurance & he nodded.

"Baba, let me sign that paper" Abeer said & Mehul took the bottle away at once, his eyes widening as a big grin came on his face.
"Really!?" He chuckled. "Really, beta!? You'll do that?""Of course Baba. If that's what makes you happy"
"What paper, Abeer?" Mishti asked, skeptical.
"Here you go" He said, giving the paper. "Pen!" he said checking his pocket. "Where's my pen gone?"
"Abeer?" Mishti asked, "What paper is this?" She asked & it was Abeer's turn to look up & nod in reassurance.
"I'll go & ask if someone has a pen, mm?" He said getting up at once. "Excuse me!" He said, not going too far as a worshiper passed him, he glanced over at Abeer, who sat down where he had been sat as Mishti stood in front of him. "Bhai Saab, can I borrow a pen? Please!?" He begged & the confused man took one out from his pocket. "Here""Thank you Bhai Saab, I'll give it right back, okay!?" He said then rushed back to Abeer & Mishti, who were waiting for him.

"Beta, you don't know how happy you've made me by doing this" Mehul assured him & Abeer nodded.
"I think I can imagine" he smiled then as he went to put the pen to the paper, he saw the glee on his father's face as he closed his eyes in relief. Abeer stopped.
"Beta? What happened? What's the matter?"
"I just remembered something Baba" Abeer said shaking his head then turned to Mishti. "Mishti, didn't you say that you met Baba's friend?"
"Oh, yes!" She recalled. "They're on their way"
"My friend-?" Mehul asked, confused. "which friend?"
"One second Baba" Abeer smiled. "Let them come" He said then the heard the distant sound of sirens as a smile appeared on both Abeer & Mishti's face.

Mehul's eyes burrowed as the realisation slowly appeared on his face. His eyes widening in fear when Abeer grabbed hold of his father's arm. "Beta, what are you doing?" He asked, his voice's pitch raising a little
"Nothing Baba. I'm just supporting you, that's all" He said as a police car pulled into the Mandir's quarters.
"Mehul Kapadia!" The senior police officer addressed him, getting out of the front passenger seat. "You're under arrest"
"M-?" He began. "For what!?" He feigned shock. "What are you-?"
"Thank you Mr. Rajvansh, we'll take it from here" he said & he took Mehul's arm, nodding at another officer to take out a pair of handcuffs as Abeer let go.
"Handcuffs!?" Mehul exclaimed. "Abeer, beta. What is all this?"
"Here's the paperwork, Officer" he said, & Mehul's eyes widened as the paper went from Abeer's hands to the officer's.
"Thank you. We'll make sure he's punished for the fraud he's done in the past & this too."
"Officer," Mishti said & both Abeer & the officer turned to face her. "Also add kidnap to that charge" Mishti said, meeting Mehul's gaze fiercly as Abeer's eyes widened, his eyes darting from Mehul to Mishti.

"Mishti-" he began, taking her face & she took his hand in hers.
"I'm fine, Abeer" She assured him, then turned to Mehul who had been kept hold of by the two officers as he tried to wriggle free.
"Mehul Kapadia!" Abeer seethed, about to lunge at him, causing Mehul to cower.
"Abeer!" Mishti placed her hand on his arm. "Abeer, relax"
"Mishti, I won't leave him!" He said, going for him again, & this time Mehul tried to cower behind the Senior Officer.
"Abeer, please!" She exclaimed. "Don't stoop to his level. Let the police handle it"
"Don't worry Mr. Rajvansh. We'll make sure he's given the strictest of punishments."

Abeer wasn't done, he stepped up to Mehul. "I swear, you come anywhere near her, or my family again-"
"Abeer" Mishti took his arm & he turned to her as she shook her head, gesturing to the policemen that were around him.
"Yes, Mr. Rajvansh. Don't get yourself into any trouble because of him. Please" He told him. "Rest assured, we won't leave him this time. He's not going anywhere but jail."
"Thank you officer" Mishti nodded.
"You'll need to come down to the station at some point to give your statement"
"Can we do that another day, please?" She asked, gesturing to Abeer, who had suddenly gone silent. The shock of the whole situation finlly reaching him as his face had fallen. His eyes beginning to water & his whole demeanour changing.
"Of course" The officer nodded, understanding. "I'll be in touch"
"Thank you" She said & waited for the officers to get Mehul into the back of the car as he tried to hurl all sorts of threats at the two of them but Abeer had zoned out completely & Mishti's attention was focused on Abeer as she took his arm, leading him to sit down beside her.

He took a deep breath, resting his elbows on his knees as his head sunk into his hands. Mishti placed her hand on his back & tried to fight the tears that were threatening to fall as she tried to comfort him."Abeer" she said softly.
"All these years" he began. "all these years I had this image of my baba in my mind. Serving Ganpatti Bappa. Instilling values within me at a young age. All that, a lie" He said, looking up to meet Mishti's gaze & her heart sank when she saw the forlorn look in his eyes. She rested her chin on his shoulder & he rested his head against hers. "Mishti" he began. "Maa would always tell me that Baba left us. That I should never expect him to return because he didn't care about us." He sighed. "I always fought her! I always told her she was wrong! I always told her that Baba loved us but he had to leave us because of her! It was her fault!" He exclaimed & Mishti took his hand in hers.
"I know Abeer. But you didn't know"
"& she didn't tell me!" He exclaimed in frustration. "Every single time I'd ask her. What happened!? Why did Baba leave me!?" He cried. "But she'd never answer! She'd always turn it around. Always!" He repeated.
"She didn't want to hurt you"
"You're saying this!?" he asked & she sighed. "She's done nothing but hurt me, Mishti"
"Okay, but that was the past, Abeer" she tried to assure him, taking his cheek.

"No" he shook his head & she placed her hand around his arm. "She could've told me all this recently. But she didn't!" He exclaimed, looking to Mishti for an answer. But she didn't have any. How could she argue with that? "That's why Nanko was the way he was! That's why she corrupted his mind at such a young age! She got into his head! What kind of a mother does that!?" He exclaimed & Mishti paused.

"Abeer" Mishti sighed, building up the courage. "I need to tell you something" She said & he looked up at her.
"What is it?" he asked, wiping his eyes from the tears that had fallen unbeknownst to him. She helped wipe the remnants of the tears."It's about Kunal"
"Nanko? What about him?" He asked worriedly & Mishti sighed.
"I didn't know whether I should tell you. I don't know if it's my place or not. But- " she paused.
"What is it Mishti?" he pressed & just as she opened her mouth to speak, his phone rang. "Hold on" he said checking the caller ID. "It's Nanko." He said then answered it. "Hello? Nanko? Yeah. We're fine. We're on our way back" He said & Mishti sighed. "No, I'll tell you everything when we get back. Yeah. I'll meet you at home. Okay. Bye"
"Shall we go?""You were saying something"
"It can wait. Let's get home. Everyone will be wondering where we are"
"Yeah, good point" He smiled faintly & took her hand to kiss it. "Thank you Mishti" he said & she tilted her head at him. "For always being by my side"

"Ek kaam karo monthly pass banwalo" She told him & a smile came to his lips as he feigned knowledge.
"Kis liye?"
"Thanks k liye, har time month end main bol liya karna" She said & he chuckled, shaking his head at her.

"Let's go" She said getting up & he joined her as the two of them began to make their way back to his car.

Mishti couldn't tell him. At least not until she spoke to Meenakshi Aunty first.