Bittersweet

Bonus Chapter

Sathya prayed to the god for Raghu, Sanjay, and to their daughter Malar. As Raghu wished they have adopted Malar, an eight-year-old girl from an orphanage near Ooty. They have waited for a long time to bring Malar home. Raghu was happy and so Sathya and Sanjay, this is something they have planned at the beginning of their marriage but they never happened to do it. Though many disastrous things have occurred in their life, Raghu still had that idea and asked Sathya whether she's willing to look after another one child. She gladly accepted it without any other thoughts. Because she thought it's difficult for her to have another child, as she's physically not ready for it but she's so happy to have a kid after their reunion.

At times, life will provide us what we wished, but it won't be at the right time. Maybe it knows better when we needed it, Sathya thought and instead of feeling bitter about their past, she accepted this is what her life is. Now she's happy more than ever.

"Amma, I am getting late!" Sanjay's voice bought her back from her thoughts.

"Wait, wait," she told and came out of the Pooja room with Vibhuti after placing Vermilion on her forehead.

"Here, lean down," she said and reached out her hand to his forehead as he's tall like his dad.

He smiled and Sathya touched Vibhuti on his forehead.

"My lunch?" he questioned.

"It's in the kitchen, you haven't seen?" Sathya frowned and walked to the kitchen. Sanjay followed her.

"Why you're having classes on Saturday too?" she complained. Sanjay is now in his second-year aeronautical engineering in IIT madras.

"It's just a workshop, I will return home in the evening,"
"I won't be in the home, did you forgot what day is today?" Sathya told.

"Okay, I will come to the shop before Appa arrives," Sanjay smiled.

That time, "Amma," Malar's voice got their attention. They both looked at that small girl standing before them with a comb in her hands.

"Amma can you braid my hair?" she asked.

"Umm... Malar. Just wait a moment," Sathya smiled and stuffed the box into Sanjay's bag.

"Anna you're going college?" she asked Sanjay.

"Yes, lucky you. You don't have school today," Sanjay smiled and Malar smiled showing her missing teeth.

"Bye, Amma," he told walking out of the kitchen.

"Tata Malar," he smiled putting his shoes.

Malar and Sathya watched him leaving the house in his bike and Sathya turned her attention to Malar. It's been a year since they bought her home, first it was difficult for Malar to adapt with this family, she won't ask anything, and won't talk unnecessarily and she's scared if she will be scolded by them. But Sathya has changed that with her love. She considers Malar no less than Sanjay and showed that little girl love and compassion just like Raghu. Now everything is normal between them and Malar is getting along so well with everyone.

"Come let's get you ready," Sathya told and braided Malar's long hair with a smile.

Sathya came to know form the orphanage staff that Malar's entire family died in a car accident. Sathya felt sorry for that poor child and never talk any hard words to her even if she's tired or frustrated.

"Amma, when Appa will come back?" Malar questioned when they came out of the house.

"Today evening he will be in the shop," Sathya smiled and locked the door of their new home which Raghu bought after their reconciliation.