Chapter 99

Moolan’s Horror

“He is dating my best friend now… but he was never faithful to my mother, my Mum hates me and blames me” she whispered her eyes filling up with giant pools

He approached her

“Promise u wont tell anyone?”

He just gathered her in his arms hugged her

“I am sorry” he whispered in her ear

“Its not YOUR fault” she tried to pull away

He held a little more firmly

“Don’t… no platitudes”

She sighed and let herself relax

When she pulled away and leaned against the sink

He leaned on the side wall arms crossed across his chest

“You probably have no comprehension of the size of trauma this can bring” she chuckled between sobs

Dhru peeked

“Aaaiii he ran up to hug her”

She had to explain to him, she was not angry with him or about him, and she was just feeling sad

He turned to Atty and demanded

“Did u hurt my mother?”

He burst out laughing “Good Q bud, but nope, or I hope not” he bend down and stared into the innocent blue eyes

“my Aaii is the best” he warned Atty

“I can see that” Aatreya winked

“Can I play like ONE more game of Mario Kart? I actually read for two hours?” Dhru begged

Mrunal was seeing good changes, she let him play and stare out the window for hours there was no rules or discipline

But now he was actually asking for permission

Aatreya stood up and raised his eyesbrows and asked Mrunalini

“What do u think Aaai? Can you please let him?”

She was shocked he did not usurp her authority in HER house

“Umm.. yes… I think that will be OK” she nodded

“U are the best” he hugged Mrunal instead of Atty and ran out

Came back in and asked Aatreya “Are you going to stay?”

He shook his head slowly I have to go to Delhi in the morning, that’s why I kicked Ajji Thatha out” he laughed

“You loveeeee them u did not kick them out” he giggled covering his mouth

“Nope I said no one can be in my house when I am not here I don’t want Jaidrith’s toys to be broken”

The kid laughed heartily

“U say Jaidrith Aai calls me Dhru”

“Yes do u recall what Thatha said?

“Full name has magic powers?”

“That’s right, give me five”

Thwack!

“Is that why you call Aai Mrunalini?” he giggled

“Aai thinks its too old fashioned

“Does she?” he laughed and winked at a red faced Mrunal

“He used to call me MOOLAN” Mrunal laughed

The joy in her eyes when she spoke about Dhru was unmistakeable

“That’s a very cool name” Atty nodded

“SEEEEEEEEE” Dhru fel encouraged

Mrunal hugged him as he escaped from her clutches

The adults leaned on their respective supports and continued the conversation

“Don’t tell ur parents” she whispered

He nodded

He had no idea how he could hide such a thing

“My Dad started dating my friend when I was pregnant” “They didn’t tell me,”

All color left his face

He wondered how traumatic that might have been

Instead of being dramatic and exclaiming he nodded quietly

“Amru and my Dad… umm.. this is gross… u know… I heard were in bed and caught by my Mum”

“Hmm”

He sucked his breath in audibly

“You can walk out of here and not come back ever I wont blame you” she said somberly

“And why would I do that?”

“Because your kids maternal grandparents are freakish”

He sighed and didn’t respond

“My Dad is a serial cheater I don’t think he has ever been faithful to my Mum, she announced it to me when I was 8? I think” Mrunal swallowed painfully

“Hmm”

“Him hooking up with my best friend caused them to walk away from the marriage”

“Oh?”

“Everytime my Mum looked at me she was reminded of what my Dad did” she chuckled derisively, even though I came out of HER”

“Oh”

“I am told she never put me by her side at night when I was a baby”

That haunted her like it was yesterday

“Who would even tell u that?” he was visibly upset

“My Dai and the two maids” “I would sit in the kitchen and watch them cook, umm.. when I got my period… they were my first advisors” she chuckled and wiped away tears

“Umm”

“My Mum remarried and has a 7 year old now, and I heard she is trying for another one”

He was shook

He was not prepared for this in his wildest dreams

“U are free to go” she laughed

“Want to get rid of me?” his eyes twinkled

“U don’t have to pretend to be brave for this horror movie u can hide behind the curtains or run away

“U stayed!!”

“I guess” she broke down and whimpered