Drafts Of Her Heartbeat

Brewing Dramas

"So how are you, beta?" He asked getting settled. This is going to be long hour.
"I'm fine, uncle. What about you?" I asked politely.
"What do you think? How am I? Or should I be? Knowing you are alive, when we believed you were dead for two years?" He said, his eyes scrutinizing me, but never judging me. He never judges anyone, especially me. I was his little sweet pie, his daughter.
"Uncle I am sorry. I never meant to hurt you." I started, but he stopped me in between, "but you actually did. Very much. I am happy that you are alive, but keeping it a secret for so long? Keeping it a secret from me? Your chocolate uncle?" He asked. I smiled at the nickname, I gave him in my childhood days, when he always used to send me or bring me loads of chocolates. And it was the first time ever in all these years, that I ever heard disappointment in his voice and it made me guilty. I should have told him, I never wanted to hurt him or be cause of his grief, but I had my own obligations.
I swallowed my saliva, "uncle I am sorry, truely and deeply, even you know that. I should have told you but there are things you don't know, and I never wanted to hurt you by disclosing them to you. So when I came to know that you all think I am dead, I thought it was for best to let you all think that and let myself get a new beginning for myself."
"So that accident was a drama, to make us all think..." His voice dropping.
"No uncle. I would never do that. Yes, I left that night but not for a fake accident or anything. I took the car and left that night, going for a new start, but then the weather started getting ugly, I was not in a clear state of mind, I lost the control over the car and entered into the accident." I could never do anything like this, to disappoint him. I cannot afford to loose his trust. He was a very important part of my life, Lord knows how I kept myself from crying after seeing him at the inauguration.
"Then ECI? How did it happen?" He asked.
"The accident was quite bad one, almost taking my life away. Had it not been for Vidyut sir and Kashish Ma'am, I wouldn't be here, sitting infront of you alive." I said shifting in my seat. I will always be grateful to God for numerous angels he had sent for me in different occasions.
"They found me, bleeding and dieing. As you know Kashish Ma'am is a doctor, so they immediately took me to hospital, where she operated me, treated me. I was unconscious for three ling days. Once I opened my eyes, they asked me for a number to contact my family. I panicked and asked them not to call. I told them my history and how I ended up in the car. Vidyut sir saw a potential in me, a fire to learn more. They took me in and after I had recovered completely, he got me in ECI, thus I resumed my studies. I saw it as a new beginning and decided to let go off the past. And now here I am." I confessed everything.
"History? What history? And what do you mean by resumed mmyour studies? Weren't you already studying?" He asked, confusion etched on his face.
Taking a long and deep breath, I said "uncle as I said, there are things you don't know. Atleast it is not my place to tell you all that happened. They are questions for your son to answer. It will be better if you ask him for the history."
"Let me guess, Ashok and Anjum knew about you being alive?" He asked.
I just nodded simply, not knowing how or what to answer.
"Am I the only one who has been kept in the dark?" He asked again.
"It's best if you stay in dark uncle. Things have already happened and buried down in past. There is no need or use of digging the grave or bringing back the dead. Think it like that, I have been dead for you all, think I am still dead. People have moved on, let them move on, don't ask or do something that will hurt you in the end." I said.
"You know I can't and I won't stay in dark. I need to know the truth, and if it is Dhruv who can provide me with one, then let it be so. And you are no more dead, you are alive, breathing and infront of me. If the truth causes pain then let it be, because as they say no pain, no gain." He said, stating his decision, he is not going to let it go so easily.
Another drama in my life is awaiting me! I just hope it doesn't tarnish it again.
Taking it as a clue for me to leave, I got up, picking my bag, "I should go now. I have a meeting with Vidyut sir and the team. It was nice to meet you again uncle. And I promise to stay connected. You can call your sweet pie anytime." I said folding ny hands and leaving him sitting therewith his thoughts.
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Today after meeting Arohi one things is sure that there has been something in the past, something big enough to make her leave the house willingly, or she would never had taken such a drastic step. I still remember the day when I went to her house.
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"Arohi beta." The girl in her early twenties looked at me with her small, beautiful eyes, a twinkle in them and lustre in her smile.
"Chocolate uncle" she got up hurriedly, referring me with a name she gave me in her childhood.
"Here chocolates from me. Now where are your parents?"
"You sit, I'll call them." Ashok and Anjum were my old friends. Though Ashok was a head accountant in my company, but our relation went beyond that of boss and employee. His hard-work, loyalty and faithfulness had made us close friends, over the years. After exchanging pleasantries, I asked the question with which I intended to come here.
"Ashok, Anjum bhabhi, we have known each other for so long. It's like we are a family itself. I am here to ask for a favour. I wish to marry your Arohi to my Dhruv. I know Dhruv has been staying in the US for past sixteen years, but I am calling him back now. I think it is time for me to laid him down with responsibilities and get him settled. I have seen Arohi growing up and she is just the perfect match for my son. I know you haven't met him in years but you have seen his picture, and you can meet him once he is back, then you can take your decision. I can assure you that Arohi will be able to study after marriage. See Dhruv is already 28-years old, I want to see him settled before I die, I know Arohi is just 22-years old, but I also know that she is the apt bride for my son. She can build a career after the marriage also, we will support her. Just please give your consent to it." They had happily agreed to the proposal. They had trust in me, and so they agreed to maarg off our children. Just a month after that they were married off, making Arohi my daughter-in-law. The happiness on her face, and the way she managed it all after the marriage assured me of my decision. And then I was off on a tour of India, something i always dreamed of, but never had time to do. Now in my retirement period I planned to see all the beauty of my country. Leaving behind the business in Dhruv's hands and house under Arohi's care, I took off.
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Coming back home, I awaited for my son's arrival. Some questions do need answers, and that too today itself. I have been kept in dark for too long.