Almost Love (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER 14

"Maasi Simmi!" Yuv ran towards my cousin and engulfed her in a big hug. "Did you bring any chocolates for me?"

"Of course, how could i forget them?" She ruffled his hair.

"Yuv, Simmi maasi will give you the chocolates after dinner. Please go and finish your homework till then." I tell him.

"Mummy, i have already finished it." He said proudly. He had finished his work without even my help. My son was really growing up so fast.

"Okay, than quickly pack your school bag for tomorrow."

Yuv nodded and went to his room.

I smiled at Simmi. "How was your meeting? Shall I get you something to drink?"

"Oh, I'm so tired. But I think I'll close the deal soon. Yes please, I'm starving. Shall all of us have dinner?" She asked.

"Okay let's have dinner. I'll serve Pawan later when he's back from office."

I called Yuv down and he helped me lay the table like a grown up boy. Pawan didn't like it, but I taught Yuv to do the house work when he wasn't around. Everyone should be able to do the house work irrespective of the gender. My parents hadn't taught Aman, but i sure will teach my son.

Yuv told Simmi about his school and friends and she talked about her daughter, Meeshu.

"Simmi maasi, why didn't you bring Meeshu? I wanted to play with my little sister." Yuv spoke softly.

"Oh Yuv, I made this trip so suddenly. I had so much office work to do that I couldn't get Meeshu. But I promise the next time both of you can play together and i will get her, okay?"

"Okay." He smiled, satisfied with Simmi's answer.

After dinner, Simmi gave the chocolates to Yuv and he hugged her and thanked her.

After I tucked him in bed, i kissed his forehead and walked down.

"Meera, today was such a great day! I'm ninety nine percent sure we'll finalise the deal."

"That's great! That means you can take your much needed break after this and spend time with Meeshu and Vinod." I was happy for my sister.

"But..." she started unsurely.

"What is it? You look worried." I was confused. Wasn't it a good thing that she'd be able to spend more time with her family?

"If— Once i get this deal, the head office will immediately send me to lead the team in Pune."

"That's great!" I looked at her happily but she seemed sad. "What's the problem? Isn't a promotion great?"

"A promotion is great... but I won't be able to take that family trip." She said sadly, "Meeshu was so excited! I don't know what to do now."

"Oh no, come here," i hugged her. "You need to choose what you want to do more, what you think is better for you.

"You're right," she sniffed. "I'm going to bed, maybe tomorrow I'll be able to decide whether to accept the offer or not."

"Okay." I nodded, "Whatever you need. Good night." I hugged her again and then she went to bed.

* * *

"Hello Pawan jeeju, hi my Yuv baby," Simmi bent down to give Yuv a kiss on the head.

"Hello Simmi," Pawan nodded, "how are you?"

"I'm good. I hope your work is going on well," Simmi smiled and proceeded to pour herself a cup of tea.

"Yes yes, thanks for asking. Oh— Meera? Why don't you serve Simmi? She's our guest here," Pawan chided me.

"Of course. Here, let me serve your breakfast." I offer Simmi who shakes her head.

"No problem, I'm very well capable of serving myself." Simmi said and i saw Pawan stiffen. What Simmi said was obviously a dig at him, and i knew that he had realised it.

Pawan stood up and said, "I'm going for golf, Meera. I'll see you both in the evening." And then he walked off.

"Sorry for that," i said and Simmi nodded. "Yuv, why don't you go and watch a movie while mummy talks to maasi?" I suggested.

"Okay mummy. Can you make my favourite chocolate cake today?" He asked with his dimpled smile, his little teeth showing.

"Okay, Yuv." I smiled and nodded. My attention was back to Simmi now. "So? Have you decided between the promotion and that family trip?"

"I have." She nodded.

"You can tell me then."

"Well, i decided to take up the offer. Once i become the head, i can easily take more offs later and then I'll be able to give more time at home."

"If that's what you want, then obviously i support it. And I'm sure Vinod will understand, he supports you so much." I added sadly.

"Hey, why don't you take a stand for yourself at home? It's the 21st century. You should be able to go out and work." She scolded.

"What will i do? Don't forget that while you got married after your education, i was forced to get married at nineteen. Nineteen! I finished my education only after my marriage and that too because Pawan allowed me. Simmi, you and I are not the same. You have been given your freedom since the beginning, I haven't. I made one mistake at sixteen, and that's it for my parents to send me to a girls college and then get me married at such a young age. It was as if they wanted to get rid of me. How am I supposed to take a stand for myself now?"

I was upset now, and so so angry. At my parents for abandoning me, at Simmi for bringing this up, and Pawan, for not being the life partner i hoped he would be, but mostly at Kabir. I was so angry at him, not because of the so called mistake we made. But because he was not here with me now. We were supposed to be together, but we weren't. He had given up on me. And i hated that.

"Meera— I'm sorry. Forgive me for bringing up this topic. I forget at times the circumstances under which you were forced to get married. I wish— i really wish— you were able to take a stand. Because i can see Meera, i can see you're not happy. I see the way Pawan treats you. I wish i could do something about it. But—"

"It's fine. Don't worry. There's nothing for us to do." I cut her off and shake my head.

"Meera I'm not saying you start defying Pawan all of a sudden. I'm just asking you to do something about your happiness. There must be something that you've wanted to do that'll give you happiness."

I shook my head. I couldn't think of anything that made me happy. All my life i did whatever made others happy. Now I couldn't think of anything that I wanted to do.

"Think about it Meera. I'm sure you'll find something that you've wanted to do. Now is the right opportunity to do it, since Yuv is at a age where you don't need to look after him much." Simmi suggested.

"Okay. I'll think about it." I promised.

The next day after Simmi went back, my daily routine had went back to normal, and I didn't find time to think about what she said and soon i forgot my promise to think about it.

Until one week later, i was forced to think about it.

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I hope y'all liked this chapter!