If you have not read my other works, please read it and tell me
how it is.
SS: A Place In My Heart, Always...
Chapter 1: Nachiket
Son, you outgrew my lap, but never my heart.
Dad, I am going to do business.
Dad, I need your help.
Dad understands me and respects my feelings.
Dad, I am scared.
For nine months, Nachiket had tried to erase the thoughts of his son from his mind. Every time he felt he had succeeded, something happened to remind him of Aarav. Just like today. He had accidently come across a photo of Aarav while cleaning up his room and the memories had come flooding into his mind. He tried to push them off just like he usually did but somehow, today he couldn't. He had been in India for over a month and had not visited his son once. True, he had come for Nishi, but that didn't mean he couldn't visit his son. There had been plenty of time to visit him. Ragini forbade you' said his mind, but his heart told a different story. He knew deep inside that the reason he did not visit Aarav was not Ragini but it was himself. Even after knowing that Aarav was in trouble, he wasn't able to save him. He had failed to protect him as a father and now, all because of him, his son was in jail. He had felt so guilty that he had been unable to face him. He had tried and tried for nine months not to feel guilty but had failed miserably. Today, as he sat in his messy room, his heart ached for his son. He wanted to see him but he knew he was a coward.
Beta, you are braver than you think. Brave people are not the ones who do not make any mistakes but are the ones who have the courage to face their mistakes and rectify them.
The words of his Daddaji came to him. His Daddaji had always been a father figure to him and his words had always given him strength; just like that, the memory of his words brought a change in him today. Nachiket knew that he had made a grave mistake and now he must face it and rectify. He needed to apologize to a lot of people for hurting them. To start with he needed to apologize, to the one person who had been affected the most. His son, Aarav.
...
The juvenile prison looked so gloomy and Nachiket who knew that his son shared his love for open and cheery places felt broken.
He is a very well behaved boy, not like the ones we usually have. I really cannot believe that he committed a murder. This is Aarav's cell. Aarav, someone is here to meet you.
The jail warden tapped the cell door. Aarav came to the door. Nachiket tried hard to hold his tears as he saw Aarav's pale and haggard face with eyes filled with sorrow.
I'll leave you alone. But, please remember sir, you must leave after 10 minutes.
The jail warden left. Nachiket stared at his son trying to digest what he saw. Aarav turned his back not wanting to face him.
Aarav...
Why are you here?
Aarav... Beta, look at me.
I don't want to. Did you ever look at me during these past nine months?
It's not like you think, Beta, I...
I... What? You are ashamed of me and so is mom, right? I know that and there is no need for you to search for words to tell that to me. Aman uncle told me that, the day I came in.
Dr. Aman? Did he come to meet you?
He came in only on that day. Anyway what does it matter? None of you care about me. Please leave, I don't want to talk to you.
Please don't say that, Aarav. I don't know what Dr. Aman told you but I do know that we are not ashamed of you, neither me nor your mom.
The why didn't you come to see me?
Because, I was ashamed of myself. I couldn't face you, Aarav. You came to me when you were in trouble and I couldn't get you out of it. Instead, I put you into greater trouble and now because of me you are in this situation. How could I face you, Aarav? Tell me how could I?
What about Ma?
I have not been with your Ma for the past nine months, but I know she misses you so much and did not meet you because she doesn't have the courage to face you. Every time we talk as a family, she cries remembering you. Many a time, over the last month, I have seen her going to bed without eating. Every morning, her eyes are puffy and red and I know that it is because she has cried herself to sleep. Sometimes I see her staring at the phone and I know that she is aching to talk with you but then she keeps it down and runs to her room to cry. She is your mother, Aarav, she can never stop loving you... and neither can I. You will always be in my heart, no matter what the world says about you.
Aarav slowly turned to see his father on the floor broken and in tears.
Papa...
That one word from his son's mouth made Nachiket feel forgiven and he looked up at his son with gratitude.
Papa... Please get up; I cannot see you like this.
Nachiket got up and wiped his son's wet face. He kept his hand on his cheek.
Aarav, please forgive me. When you needed me the most, I was not with you just because I couldn't face you. I am sorry, Beta.
It is okay, Papa, I understand. Please let us put the past behind us. You are not the only one at fault here; I was wrong too, to trust the wrong person.
The jail warden came in.
Only two minutes more, sir. Please say your good bye.
But, I just came in now.
No sir, you have been with him for 8 minutes. Rules are rules and they must be followed. Please sir, you can visit him next week.
Papa, don't worry. I feel much better already. I'll be waiting for you next week. You will come, won't you?
Nachiket thought of his plan of leaving the country. His Daddaji's words came to him again. He made up his mind not to. He would stay as long as Aarav needed him. He would try his best to rectify his mistakes.
Yes, son, I will.
...
P.S: I would like to continue this story with Ragini and Nachiket coming together to meet Aarav. Please tell me if you would like me to continue. If not, this is also good as a standalone OS.
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