I managed to type something up after all. So this is earlier than planned. I used Gashmeer's dislike of cookies in the story cause I thought it was a cute quirk. Enjoy.
Part 15:
Imlie: That's debatable.
Aditya's face crumpled. Imlie felt a tinge of regret, but not enough to make her change course.
Aditya: You haven't had me around all these years, so you have no reason to believe me. That can change.
Imlie: It can't.
Aditya stepped back with his hands behind on the counter: I don't want to fight. That's not my reason for being here.
He shifted his head back and looked at her with a sad face.
Imlie: Stop that! I know exactly what you are doing and it won't work.
Aditya: I am not doing anything.
Imlie: Oh, you think you are so charming, don't you? Move (she pushed him lightly from the side), you are in my way. I have a lot of work to do for tomorrow and I can't sit here and fight with you either. You want to stay here? Then, be useful.
She took out some supplies from the counter top and placed it in front of him.
Imlie: Here, make the cookie dough while I go feed the baby.
Aditya: Ew, no! You know I don't like anything to do with cookies! Mujhe ulti a jata hai.
Imlie smiled triumphantly: Failed at the first task. I need to make at least four batches of cookies for Emmy's birthday tomorrow and you are going to help me. It is either this or the peaceful hospitality of Yang's house where there are no cookies. Make up your mind.
Aditya grumbled: Cookie dough.
Imlie, surprised: Really?
She had hoped that the cookie thing would finally make him give up. She knew how much he hated them.
Aditya: Yes, you have another thing coming if you think I will give up on you over this.
Imlie sighed: Fine then. Look at this recipe and make the cookie dough. You don't have to taste it. I will be back soon.
Imlie left Aditya grumbling in the kitchen.
20 minutes later...
Imlie came into the kitchen with Emmy waddling behind her. She found Aditya mixing the cookie dough with his eyes toward the ceiling. He had flour all over his hands and face; his eyes were squinted shut.
Imlie inspected the dough: That's not even enough to make 12 cookies!
Aditya: Give me something else to do, I can't make more than this!
Imlie mimicked him: I won't give up on you over this...blah blah blah! Go look after Emmy, while I take care of this.
Imilie observed the two most precious people in her life playing in the living room as she made the preparations for the first batch. There was a strange sense of peace in her mind. Like this family setup was somehow right and it was not just a witness protection program from which Aditya would soon have to be released. Funny, there was once a time when all this looked like a possibility, when she fooled herself into thinking that she and Babusahib could have a life like this too. Ever since then, it only existed in her fantasy. Never in her wildest dreams though did she think she would really get to see him again and that too playing with her child.
Aditya sat with the baby on his lap as they both played on the child's piano. There was a nursery rhyme that played in the background as you played the keys. Something about baby sharks. As soon as it started, Emmy started moving her body to the rhythm.
Emmy: Aaaaa aaa aaa ooooo shak tooo doo doo doo doo, shak
Aditya was utterly smitten.
He kissed the top of her head and held her closer.
Emmy turned around and placed her tiny hands on his mouth: Cing. Cing!
Aditya tried following the lyrics that played to the best of his ability. This seemed to cheer Emmy enormously because her face just lit up like a Christmas tree.
Aditya called out to Imlie; Mommy Shark, if you are done with the cookies, I can take over and do something else.
Imlie lost her smile: Don't call me that.
Aditya: But it is the most appropriate name for you.
Imlie glared at him and went back to work. She smiled to herself when she thought he wasn't looking. It made her feel all warm inside to see him behaving like a dad and then refer to her as the mom.
That evening...
Imlie got off the phone with Alex: Be sure to bring your mom. Au revoir!
Aditya had just finished taking out the cake from the oven when Imlie joined him.
Imlie made a face: Looks like a cake, I will give you that.
Aditya: It will taste like a cake too.
Imlie: I am going to order one anyway, I am not taking chances with my girl's first birthday.
Aditya felt a little upset, but didn't say anything.
Aditya: So who is coming tomorrow? Is she old enough to have friends?
Imlie: No, she goes to a daycare, but those kids are too young to attend birthday parties. I invited my friends instead. Alex and his mom are coming. He is her guardian, so Marie takes an interest. And a couple of people from Interpol. That's it.
Aditya, cautiously: Am I allowed to meet your friends?
Imlie: Why would you put it like that? Of course you can meet them. Just don't say anything about the coup. Only Alex and his associate know about the witness protection program.
Aditya turned around with folded arms and sighed: Who am I supposed to be then?
Imlie: Oh...I didn't think of that.
Aditya: I gather you don't want to introduce me as your long lost husband...
Imlie, annoyed: Don't pester me. I told you marriage was not on the table. We can say you are a friend visiting from India.
Aditya smiled but his eyes were bright with hurt: A friend it is.
Imlie looked embarrassed.
Aditya: Well, icing time. You have the frosting?
Imlie in a small voice: Yes, right there.
Aditya busied himself with the cake.
Imlie: I am going to bed. Don't stay up too late doing this. I told you, you really didn't have to bother, I can order one.
Aditya: You will order one anyway, na? Let me just make my attempt. In any case, I have nothing to offer your little girl. I came here empty-handed. I don't even have my luggage.
Imlie: I will arrange for your luggage to be brought here tomorrow. And please, don't say you have nothing to offer. You were very kind of Emmy this evening, spending time playing with her. I can't always give her the attention she deserves.
Aditya: I have no doubt that you are a good mom to her.
Imlie sighed: She's my life now. I just want her to be happy.
Aditya: Perhaps she needs a father too.
Imlie looked straight at him: Not every girl needs a father.
Aditya: But you had a father, Imlie. Sattyakam is your father. He always has been.
Imlie: You are correct. Well, she has Alex, he's very attentive to her.
Aditya's throat tightened: Of course. Lucky little girl she is then. Well, goodnight Imlie. I will just finish this up.
Imlie nodded and walked away awkwardly.
Imlie turned back: Did you miss it, the baby...you know, with...
Aditya: No. (He sighed) I was relieved. No child should be born of those circumstances, I think. I don't know if I could see that child and not be reminded that...
Imlie was quiet for a bit: But...you didn't want to be a father? After that?
Aditya smiled sadly: One needs a wife for that kind of thing, Imlie, and I didn't have my wife around me.
Imlie throat caught: But you could have...married.
Aditya sighed: What do you want to hear, Imlie? You know very well why I didn't remarry.
Imlie scrambled: I don't want you to say anything. I am just asking. I made a life out of whatever was left. Now, I am a mother. It is normal to want these things and you must have wanted it, a family.
Aditya walked up to her, took her hands and pressed her palms gently with his thumbs: No. (He sighed) Look, you have every reason not to believe me, considering that I went ahead with the wedding with Malini. But I only ever pictured you as mother to my children when I thought of children. If it wasn't you, I didn't want it. Not marriage, not children. That is the honest answer.
Imlie snatched her tingling hands back: I can't go back, Aditya. I am not that woman anymore.
Aditya took her hands again: I am not asking you to go back. I am asking you to move forward with me.
Imlie looked away: I can't.
Aditya: You are the same woman. Perhaps, a much more successful one...as you were always meant to be, but still you live your truth. You have not been honoring our marriage alone all these years, Imlie, I have been right here beside you (he placed her hand on his heart, inside his open collar). Can't we give it a real chance, just one more time?
Imlie shook her head as she felt his strong heart thud against his skin: No.
She tried to wiggle away, but he softly held her close.
Aditya traced her jaw with his finger and inclined her head up: Let me.
Imlie, scared: I can't.
Aditya: Have you ever been kissed?
Imlie: No.
Aditya; Why not?
Imlie, softly: Cause, I am married.
Aditya laughed and touched his forehead to hers: Yes, but you are married to me. So...it's allowed.
Imlie looked at him with a wide-eyed alarm.
Aditya whispered: We have been married eleven years and we haven't even kissed. That's a long enough wait, don't you think?
He felt her pulse quicken as he touched her neck and inclined her head up again. It gave him hope to feel that she still felt something for him.
Aditya touched her lips softly with his own, cautiously trying to hold back the years of yearning he felt. He pressed on a little more when she didn't move away. She responded, moaning, kissing back, tugging at his shirt. Encouraged, he kissed her more deeply.
Imlie pushed him back: Stop! Stop. If you have any feelings left for me, don't confuse me.
Aditya blinked to get back to his senses: What are you talking about?
Imlie: I can't, don't you see?
Aditya: No, I don't see! You want to remain my wife, but don't want me to want you. I don't see why you can't. If you need time, I can give you time. God knows we have waited long, but I can give you all my time, if you need it. My lifetime. I am not trying to confuse you about anything. I love you, strongly, steadily, and for forever. But I don't see why you keep saying you can't.
Imlie cried: Because, I won't survive. DON'T YOU SEE!? I won't survive another trial with you. You were getting married a second time right after our wedding 11 years ago, you were having a child with her after we made up 10 years ago, yesterday you hated me when you found the mangal sutra...I don't know what you will feel tomorrow. So (she took a deep breath), my answer is no. We can't try again. Stop asking.
She extricated herself from his embrace and ran off as Aditya stood there, speechless.
Vanshaj
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Udne Ki Aasha
CID
Hindi TV Shows
