Side Story: Lifeboats Matured

Note: OK... you can all get super mad at me. Throw whatever you want. I was stuck in writer's block, and somehow, instead of continuing to the next chapter, I wrote this. I had never written this kind of character before, so I was also interested to see if I could actually write properly.

I will continue the chapter. I know... I am the worst for stretching out the cliffhanger climax of the last one. But please bear with me. I will update the next chapter soon. 

Side Story: Lifeboat

"I don't care, Jack. They have exceeded the deadline by one month." Kairav said as he parked the car in the garage.

"Kairav, they had a strike," Jack replied. Kairav could hear the coffee machine whirring from Jack's side. Jack's coffee addiction was getting out of hand. After taking his bag and files from the passenger's seat, He stepped out of the car.

"That is not our problem. We need things to move fast. The African NGO will be visiting next month. We need at least three weeks to assemble our prototype and at least one week for testing." He said as he walked towards the main door.

"Tell you what. We'll have a meeting set up with Mr. Murthy tomorrow at noon. Let's urge to work faster." Jack said as he sipped the coffee.

"Hmm... Maybe we can start our sub-assembly process. Let us meet with engineers and technicians to figure out a way to streamline our process. Maybe we can have individual parts testing done first."

"Sure, Oh... Before I forget, Langton wants to talk to you."

Kairav sighed.

"Yeah... Langton's estimates are way too high. We can't deal with those numbers. Anyways arrange the meeting day after tomorrow. Let's see if we can find a middle ground."

"Day after tomorrow... Yeah, I think we can manage that. I'll mail his secretary. Now stop working. You have reached home. Forget everything. Just go and celebrate. It's a big day for both of you." Jack chided.

"You too. Cut the damn coffee." Kairav smiled.

He opened the door, and the smell of freshly baked bread surrounded him almost immediately.

"Someone is in a good mood." He announced.

He placed his bag and other stuff on the side table. Ignored the "Remove your shoes" note stuck on the kitchen door as usual.

"Choco-chip cookies, Lasagna, and apple mint cooler," He said as he counted off the dishes on the counter. "You didn't make Kachori? I thought Akshara gave you the recipe."

"Nope." came a small reply from the person bent over the counter with heavy concentration while decorating freshly baked cupcakes with ganache.

"Why not?" As he took one of the cookies. It was sugar-free.

"Kachoris are unhealthy. And from now on, we will concentrate on healthy food choices." Mizhuto said as he turned to face Kairav. 

Kairav could tell Mizhuto wanted to look stern, but his eyes, filled with pure happiness and joy, betrayed him. His happy face illuminated the whole kitchen. Kairav smiled. He knew Mizhuto wanted this. He also wanted this.

"That Lasagna..." Kairav started while pointing at the delicious-looking dish. 

"Vegan and made with Greek yogurt." Pat came the reply.

"Here, I thought we would go to Wendy's and, after that, have a few drinks at Calista's..." Kairav said as he went closer. 

"And maybe... after that... Oh, I don't know..." Kairav whispered. Their nose touched. Mizhuto smiled and teased, "After that?" 

They both kissed for a long time. Mizhuto pulled him closer as Kairav's hand crawled upwards in his backside. Kairav loved how Mizhoto's hands moved from his collar to the back of his head, slightly lingering on his ear lobes.

When they separated, Kairav touched his forehead with Mizhuto's forehead while holding his face. 

"Congratulations Mr. Mizhuto Akiyama. You will finally be a father."

He spoke as he closed his eyes. Mizhuto nodded happily, rubbing his forehead up and down. Kairav's words broke the feeling of surrealism he had since he received the mail. Those words just made this a reality. Yes, They could finally be a complete family. They both got selected for the adoption interview.

"Congratulations, Mr. Kairav Goenka...We are becoming parents." Said Mizhuto with tears threatening to spill out from those deep eyes. Kairav kissed him again.

"I know... I know that this is just a call for an interview. But I can't help it. I am just so..." Mizhuto said as he smiled through his tears.

"I know... " Kairav nodded. "I feel the same. We are going to become parents."

"Kairav, We will give the child all the love and all the care it deserves."

"Yes. We will be great parents."

They stayed in that position for some time, whispering their promises to their bright future. 

They had their dinner peacefully. Kairav smiled as he saw Mizhuto excitedly talking about their preparations for the interview.

"Do we have to do it now?" Kairav complained as he saw the small baskets Mizhuto brought from the store.

"Yes, Now don't forget. It is five cookies and three cupcakes in each basket. Hurry! Before they lose their freshness."

Kairav packed the things slowly, following the instructions given to him. Afterward, he and his more sociable partner, Mizhuto, went to share their happy news with their neighbors with those mini baskets. Despite already being the more outgoing of the two, Mizhuto was especially radiant today. After distributing sweets to their neighbors, they returned home, slightly drunk. Amanda and Kevin did not let them go without celebrating it with a bottle of champagne.

They made love that night with deep passion and desire as their future looked more hopeful and peaceful.

Kairav stepped outside for a smoke, but couldn't help thinking he should quit now that he and Mizhuto were about to become parents. As he exhaled a smoke ring, he gazed at Mizhuto - the one who completed him. Kairav had always felt a sense of longing and incompleteness throughout his life. First, he longed for his father, then for a family, and later his mother left him. Sirat Maa later came into his life as a blessing - though he still missed his mother, he felt loved by Sirat Maa.

After the death of his parents, he was left to manage his family business while also taking care of his sisters, Akshara and Arohi. Although they both looked up to him, he struggled to handle the immense responsibility of helping them overcome the toxicity in their relationship. Being inexperienced, he was unsure of how to assist them and ultimately decided to let them work things out on their own. However, instead of resolving their issues, their relationship continued to deteriorate each day, and he felt powerless to intervene and make things better.

Maybe it was because his personal life was a total mess, he did not have much time to explore his sexuality. And by the the time, Anisha came into his life. He felt it, but could not bring himself to accept it. 

He exhaled another smoke ring, lost in thought. Occasionally, he pondered whether Anisha had accepted his mental state before he did. Had she concocted her absurd justification for the affair because she knew about his state of mind before he did? Or was it simply a random occurrence?

His PTSD...

The memories of that dark past still haunt him. Kairav promised himself that he would protect his children from that, and even if he could not, he would support them until they healed.

It was during his treatment for PTSD that he came to terms with his true self. He accepted him truly and wholly. His life was much less stressful after his acceptation. He decided to live for his family as he knew they would never accept him the way he was. He acted like a rebellious teenager, fought with anyone and everyone, and went out on many 'late night dates' to avoid the marriage topic. Only Vansh Bhaiyya figured it out. 

The truth finally came out when his family wanted Muskaan to be their daughter-in-law after, Abhinav's death. Mimi couldn't handle it. He saw a shade of shame in the eyes of the elders. His siblings, though, supportive in their way, couldn't influence the elders. He left the house that day and never returned. He did not even attend Mimi's funeral.

"Thinking about your family?" Mizhuto came from behind.

"Hmm..."

"Figured... " Mizhuto leaned onto the railing.

"Your family may still accept you... but mine..." Mizhuto murmered. He took the cigarette from Kairav. Slightly raised his eyebrows at the high tar brand and proceeded to smoke.

Kairav couldn't even imagine Mizhuto's pain. He was born in an orthodox Japanese family, where the parents refused to accept the truth and forced him to be 'normal' by physically and emotionally abusing him. And then made him marry a woman to make him 'normal'. The woman, Sachiko was a sweet, naive woman who fell in love with her husband without knowing the truth. Mizhuto decided to live a 'normal' life for the sake of everyone's happiness. They had a peaceful life which made Mizhuto gradually shallow day by day. But he endured. Because he should.

Mizhuto's perseverance was rewarded. Sachiko became pregnant. He didn't know why, but knowing that he could give the care and affection he did not receive while growing up to a precious life, rejuvenated him. He felt whole again. 

Life could not see him happy. 

Mizhuto let out a smoke cloud as he looked at the starry night, which reminded him of that horrible night. He still vividly remembers everything.

A small get-together with both his colleagues and their neighbors. A small liquor party to celebrate the six-month pregnancy anniversary. An informal baby shower. Mizhuto, the astrophysicist, decided to do it on their rooftop for stargazing. Sachiko looked divine in her off-white gown. He dramatically cried to everyone that she had already thought of the name. For both genders, she wanted to be surprised. He joked in front of everyone about how he often caught her baby talking to tummy.

Sachiko was embarrassed but then laughed along with everyone.

That was the last time he saw her laugh that openly.

He should have stopped there. He should have been with Sachiko and continued to enjoy with her talking about their future. He should not have left her for more drinks. He saw her nodding her affirmation as she gently stroked her belly. Sachiko was a great friend.

 A few extra large shots of the strongest alcohol and he started expressing his overwhelming happiness to everyone. He looked at Sachiko. Her eyes glimmering with joy. His overwhelming happiness transformed into overwhelming guilt. Sachiko didn't deserve this deceitful life. He apologized to Sachiko, in front of everyone, for betraying her all these years, for lying to her, for not loving her, for not being able to be the person everyone wanted him to be, for being himself.  

"Stop!!!!" Sachiko screamed bringing him back to his senses. She was covering her ears with her hands. Her eyes flowed with tears.

Mizhuto looked around. Everyone was shocked but poor Sachiko was a mess. She was shocked, hurt, embarrassed, and felt stupid to live a life full of lies. 

"Sachiko...I..."

She backed away from him and his apologies as though in a deep slumber.  She subconsciously moved back when he came to hold her. Still deep in shock, amidst all the mutterings of everyone, she inched back from him. Somehow, both, aware and unaware of her surroundings, she moved away from everyone's eyes. Mizhuto saw her eyes when she slipped down the railing. Those eyes only reflected her pain.

Three months later when Sachiko woke up in hospital, she already lost many things. Her husband, her trust, her innocence, and her Yuichi. The son, who would have brought her deep joy. The stillborn baby whom she couldn't even see before being buried. The baby with whom she connected for six months without knowing anything about it. She wailed and wailed until she fell unconscious again. 

Mizhuto and Sachiko divorced after she was discharged from the hospital. Sachiko did not forgive him. And Mizhuto did not think he deserved her forgiveness.  Mizhuto's parents ousted him from his house. He moved to the US and started his life afresh. He dated a few men. Almost married an abusive jerk but somehow destiny brought him to Kairav. The two broken idiots somehow managed to make sense of everything.

Kairav and he somehow managed to keep each other afloat in the tumultuous sea of life. Mizhuto smiled. Like one another's Lifeboat.

After a few years, Mizhuto returned to Japan one last time. He apologized to Yuichi in front of his tombstone and informed Yuichi about a nice person in his father's life. Sachiko also came there. She changed a lot but Mizhuto could still see her kind nature behind her pretense. Sachiko forgave her husband, but she needed some more time to forgive her friend. Mizhuto gracefully accepted it.

After returning to the US, He proposed to Kairav who happily accepted it. They had a spring wedding with the help of their friends. Kairav's grandmother, Suvarna,  came to give her blessing without letting any other family members know about it. Their life was not perfect, but was peaceful and joyous. 

"We should quit smoking," Kairav said staring at the sky. 

"Yep, it would not be good for the kid."

"I'll buy some nicotine patches from the drugstore tomorrow."

Mizhuto looked at Kairav. 

"Thank you, Kairav... For being here with me."

"Don't you dare steal my line, Mizhuto?"

They touch their foreheads.

"Hey! I have got an idea. If it is a boy... why not name him Kaito. 'kai' from my name and 'to' from your name."

Kairav said as they reached the bedroom. Mizhuto rolled his eyes. 

"Nope... We are not doing that weird thing which your parents and grandparents did. "

"Oh come on!!"

"No"

"Why not?"

"Our kids will call us lame if we do that!"

"No, they won't..."

"Sure they will..."

"Let's bet on..."

"Not on our kid's name.."

And bickering about names, they fell asleep.

Kairav was woken up from his sleep when his phone rang. He saw the name of the caller and was surprised. He picked up the call and said, "Hey, what happened? You never call me...."

Next chapter... coming soon.