MG FF: Quantum of Solace Thread 2 - Page 89

Originally posted by: Newdime

The author of Quantum of Solace is tied up with classes and some personal time. We have to be patient folks. 😔

😃 But that does not mean we can stop bugging her can we? 😉

Carry On...

Part 31

Standing at the top of the chartered plane's staircase he deliberated about this impulsive decision to come unannounced. While the cowardice voice told him to step back and pretend he never came, there was a voice of reason ringing within also. It told him to step down and regain some of what he had lost. Thinking back on the past the realization nagged that all he had lost was all because of this cowardice voice. Was he willing to hide behind it and live as he had been for so long?

No, he couldn't do that any longer. He couldn't waste anymore time idly waiting for others. Now, it was up to him to see things came together again, like the way they were before. He took a deep hopeful breath of the expensive and exclusive sea air while gazing at the unforgettable horizon. With his resolve fortified, he thanked the pilot, sparked a dazzling smile to the rather attentive stewardess and walked to his awaiting car.

As they rolled through familiar roads wild memories conjured within his mind. He remembered the nights where he would be ready for bed and the sun would just be cracking. There was no doubt in his mind that his family would be angry if he ever found out about his youthful days.

Their intention of buying the Hamptons vacation home was the fact it was a good investment. So finding out it served as support to his partying lifestyle during college summers would not please them one bit. Thankfully for everyone, he wasn't here to revive those long gone days. This time he was here for his family or what was left of it at least.

To too many in the outside world it appeared growing up exceedingly wealthy had only privileges and warranted happiness. It was not only a false presumption but also a very ridiculous one he thought. Closer scrutiny of his family would reveal deep layers of hurt, resentment and even hate were present. Although he had not been subjected directly to them all, they still affected him despite pretending they had not. But none of it had brought him down as did the loss of Armaan and his brother almost half a decade ago.

Maan was his best friend and anchor through the rough years after their parents' death. Unfortunately, the fatal accident took away both from him and nothing stayed the same since. That one day he lost not only half his family but half of himself too. He understood Maan was going through difficult times and gave him space in hopes he would come back one day. But one day became years and he couldn't take the distance anymore. At this point, he just wanted a small piece of his family back because he knew the whole of it wasn't possible.

As the car halted to a stop he took another deep breath readying himself for the overdue admonishment. Stepping out his eyes wandered to movement of a figure in the right. Taking off his glasses to get a better view, he wondered if that could be her, the description fit he thought. I'll find out sooner or later he told himself then strode to his own house.

He walked through the house surprised by the silence. It was an indication his darling niece wasn't around. How he had missed that little munchkin. After scouring the whole he found everything to be in place but its people. Finally venturing to the patio, he saw his beloved Dadima sitting under the shade of an umbrella with a book.

"Well it seems Maan Bro finally got his way, otherwise you wouldn't be sitting here reading a book when your favorite dramas are on TV right now."

She blinked rapidly to making sure her old eyes weren't playing a cruel trick with her. With his figure walking closer though she knew he was real and standing before her. He smirked as she threw her book down and immediately hugged him. "Vicky! Where have you been? I missed you…we all missed you so much."

Just the reception he was expecting from his grandmother, warm, comforting and homey. Only then did he know how dearly he missed this feeling. "Oh I've been around…you know what it's like…"

That reply changed her demeanor in a split second, for it reminded her of his actions or lack thereof. Pulling away she scolded him. "Don't even say that Vicky Khurana. What reason could there possibly be to run off like that right before we were to come here?"

He walked past her to get a better view of the ocean and stretched his arms as they ached of the exhausting hours in the plane. "Oh Dadima, you are being too dramatic…I left the letter."

She quickly made her way over and twisted his ear as if he were the little Vicky she chased around the house for misbehaving. And to a degree it appeared he still was. "A letter? You think that makes it all okay? You children are such a handful even at this age!"

"Ouch...Dadi you seriously have to stop doing that. I'm a full grown adult now." He finished with a grin.

Dadima crossed her hands. "Yet you still act like a teenager!"

Vicky knew she wasn't as angry as she wanted him to think she was. He placed his hands on her shoulders grinning wide. "Admit it Dadima, you wouldn't have it any other way." She eased a small crooked smile. "You like us kids keeping up on your toes. Life stays interesting that way, don't you think?"

"Of course it does beta." She smiled bright at her youngest grandson. He was the most easygoing of the three but also the most sensitive. Although he wouldn't speak much about it she knew their interesting life, which was interesting for all the wrong reasons, had taken a toll on him too.

Water rose in her eyes recalling how her grandchildren ran from each other thinking solitude and silence would solve everything between them. It was a delusion all three equally suffered and needed remedied quickly. With each passing minute being unfavorable to her age and health the desire to see them all together grew stronger every single day. She wanted them to stop running away and face things head on.

For aiding Maan in that path she felt indebted to Geet but recognized the disheartening truth that reconciliation wasn't unilateral. While there was not a doubt in her mind that Maan and Vicky would confide in each other as they did in the past, if not more once their issues were settled, Dev was an entirely different case.

Between the three, he was the most difficult and obstinate factor in resuming relations but it did not mean giving up was an option. It was her responsibility to see her family was happy and together and although so far she hadn't succeeded, she was going to try and try again until she did. With those daunting thoughts now circulating in her mind she exhaled a deep sigh in an effort to calm her nerves.

"Uh-oh...that's not a good sound, has Bro been working you too hard?" Vicky knew that wasn't remotely possible but hoped to get other insight without directly having to ask. But all he achieved was an eye roll.

"Has he ever let me lift a finger? That child has always looked after me as if I was his responsibility instead of the other way around."

Vicky smiled knowing it was nothing short of the truth. His brother had indeed taken on the duty of taking care of them wordlessly without any discontent. The most evident of that was his acceptance of Piyu. "You're absolutely right Dadima. So tell me, where is my favorite niece?"

Dadima shook her head at him, "Your only niece you mean, she's out with Meera. They should be home any minute now."

"You never know Dadima, Dev hasn't visited us in years. He could very well..." Vicky arched an eyebrow.

She narrowed her eyes and sternly spoke. "That's enough Vicky. He's still your brother."

He shrugged his shoulders then diverted his attention to the woman Dadima mentioned. Was she the same one Sam told him about? "Fine, but tell me who's Meera? I think you have some explaining to do Dadima."

Indeed I do, she thought as he'd missed out on so much these past few months. Before she could utter a word about any of it the phone rang, "Hold on Vicky, its Maan."

Vicky grabbed her hand that held the phone. "Don't tell him I'm here. I want to surprise him." She shook her head thinking he should know by now that surprises and Maan don't go well together but agreed to keep silence. As the conversation passed along, her face gradually lost its easiness with the wrinkles creasing in concern. "I understand Maan, we will discuss it once you get home…yes I'll call him over too…alright…bye."

Vicky grew concerned seeing her clutching the phone tightly still lost in her thoughts. "What's wrong Dadima? Is everything alright?"

She placed her hand on his shoulder and nodded meekly. "It's complicated Vicky, I'll explain it..." Before she could continue another interruption appeared, this time in the form of a panting Meera who came crashing in through the patio door. "Dadi….the TV…turn it on…"

"Meera, why are you running, you'll hurt yourself. And where is Piyu?" Dadima questioned moving towards her.

"Don't worry...she's sleeping...Nancy is with her." Meera gasped while frantically running back into the house with a concerned Dadima and a confused Vicky in tow. She didn't wait for either of them to turn it on to the channel that caused her to run around like a maniac.

Dadima stood frozen watching the images flicker one after the other. It was clear to her then that Maan understated what he meant by saying we have a few problems as she read the outrageous headlines. She glanced over to Vicky, her eyebrows furrowing in greater concern as she thought we have a lot of problems.

The few questions that whirled within Vicky's mind multiplied drastically as he stared in pure disbelief at the screen. What happened to his family? How did everything turn into...into this while he was gone for only a few months? And who were all these people he asked looking around at Meera and then returning his gaze to the screen which flashed a picture of Geet in Maan's arms. He turned to Dadima to begin his litany of inquires only to find her gaping at him absolutely terrified.

His face mirrored her concerned one while grasping her shoulder afraid she'd faint. "What is it Dadima?"

She placed a hand on her forehead in an attempt to deflect the beginnings of an intense headache, "You have unbelievable timing my son...unbelievably bad timing…"

Alright readers I understand it has been an extremely long and unfortunate wait for you all and my apologies for it. Life has been a little bit more than hectic lately. I have a stressful class going on now, and then had to cope with a sudden passing away of a friend. All of this has been a bit difficult, I'm sure you all can understand. It's going to be a few more weeks until my schedule goes back to normal so updates on a weekly basis like previous won't be possible yet. So until then I ask you to bear with me and thank you in advance.