Chapter 41

~41~

"V, that woman came and created a drama today."

"What did she do?"

Kavya related the days events to a fuming Vanraj.

"That woman needs a lesson and I am going to give it to her."

Kavya nodded her head.

"Yes she does... but what about the business V? You promised me that you would get it soon enough... I don't see any progress..."

"The kid sister is behaving too much like an adult nowadays... I am not able to get things done..."

"Do something, V..."

"I would have if I could... I believe that woman has some hand in Mukku behaving so off lately... I will have my revenge."

"But you just said you couldn't..."

"I can't take over the business in any way... but I can take over the woman behind them all... and make the business come to me..."

"But, how..."

He gave a sly smile.

"I know her inside out... I know where exactly to prick to make her fall. She will pay."

***

"I am home...Bhabhiiiii..."

"Hi..."

"You?"

"Yup... me"

"What are you doing here?"

"Coach called me over... said something important...."

Anu had called her and said the same she wondered what it was.

"Mukkudi..."

"Bhabhi..."

"Sit... let me call Kaka... Anuj is bringing dinner here. We wanted to talk to you."

Anuj entered with the dinner tray.

"What is it, Coach?"

"Let GK come..."

"Is it about the box?"

"Yes..."

"What box?"

"I found a leather box addressed to GK in mom's personal belongings. I gave them to him today. What was in it, Coach?"

"The truth..."

"Truth?"

GK walked towards Aarav and sat down beside him.

"Aarav... your mother and I were not just best friends, I learnt to love her over time. I never told her that... not once. After she passed away I buried my love and moved on for these kids... but today... these letters... she loved me too, beta..."

"But... but..."

"Here see..."

He showed him a letter which held her love for him in a few words. It was dated a few days before her death.

###

'My ever dearest Gopi,

The moon is streaming into my room tonight brightening everything it's light is touching. Everything except me because my light is far away from me. You... you are my light Gopi... and you are so far away. I know I have no right... but tonight, I want to see your warm smile one more time... just one more time. The medications make my brain fuzzy. I often end up dreaming you beside my bed whispering that you love me just as much as I do... then I wake up. Today I saw the doctor shake his head when Aarav asked him about my progress. I know my time here is limited... you know what I wish for? I wish when I sleep for the last time, just like always you would come in front of my eyes, tell me how much you love me and take me in your arms. I would never want to wake up for then... I would be

Truly and forever yours as always,

Aditi.'

###

All 5 pairs of eyes were wet as Aarav ended reading the letter. He looked at GK and he nodded. 

"Mom... I never knew..."

"Neither did I... she hid it so well... but I wouldn't blame her, I did it too."

Aarav said nothing. He shivered a little as the memory of his dear mother's face flashed before his eyes. How much pain and longing had she hidden behind her smile? Mukku moved closer to him and took his hand in his and squeezed it tight. GK looked at them and a lone tear made Its way down his cheek. Anuj looked at the trembling figure of the old man and spoke up.

"Aarav... there is something important we want to talk to you..."

"What?"

"What do you know about your father, Aarav?"

"Father?"

GK placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Yes... did Aditi ever mention anything about him to you...?"

"Uh... I never asked because the mention of a father always made her eyes fill up and since everyone around taunted her, I never wanted to add to her pain. But... few days before she passed away, she told me all about him. She said his name was Anil Malik and he was a big businessman from Maharashtra."

"You tried to find him?"

"I did... there is no businessman with a registered business named Anil Malik from Maharashtra... I got the news from a private detective I hired after her death."

"Maybe he lied about his name...."

"Maybe... but Coach, right now... with you people by my side, I really don't want him anymore. I just want you all..."

GK interrupted.

"But... Aarav beta, you would have a family..."

"I already have one... I don't want a new one..."

Anuj looked at his bent head and shook his head. A moment from the past replayed in his head.

^^^^

"Coach... I am afraid that someday someone will come and say he is my father and take me away from here."

"Why Aarav? Don't you want to see your father?"

"No... he didn't come till now. What if he is bad?"

"Maybe he is good..."

"Either way I don't want to see him. You people have been there for me so long and you are enough... I can't bear if he takes me away and breaks this little world we have created for ourselves here... me and mom..."

^^^^

He looked at him and in front of him sat the 12 year old Aarav instead of the 35 year old man and he understood. He understood his fear.

"Aarav..."

"Coach..."

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes... what does that have to do with..."

"Then trust me... we are not going anywhere... neither are you... we will always be together... I promise... let me search for that man. The least we can do to honor your mom's memory."

"What if it tarnishes it?"

"All her life, she searched for him without opening her mouth though she was taunted time again because he was missing. Finding him would finally end her search and give some rest to your troubled mind too. Whatever it is... it is definitely better than this nagging doubt... don't you think so, Aarav?"

He thought for a while before turning around to Mukku.

"What if he turns out to be a criminal? Would I still have you by my side?"

She looked into his eyes and nodded.

"Always..."

"Okay then... Coach... let's find him..."

Anuj nodded and turned to Anu his eyes conveying her the doubt and fear he truly felt. She squeezed her eyes shut and nodded reassuringly. It would be alright.

***

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