FF: MIRAGE part 41pg53Updated 20/04 - Page 3

Awesome updates.
liked it.
plz cont. soon

Hey Ezther,
I read all the parts in one go.Its brilliant.
Why did Carlos die. He was so sweet.

continue soon,

Bye
Ranjana

Thank you ranjana,i'm actually happy that you read my FF. 😳 😳 well someone hs to go for another to come na?Glad you enjoyed it.will update later on today.thanks again!!!

THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS GUYS.HERE IS THE NEXT PART....ENJOY!!!




AMERICA


The following day,it was not surprising that they all woke up late and rather than have breakfast,had brunch.Grandpa Carlos would not let Kiran in the kitchen,telling her she had been taken care of these two rascals and it was time for her to be taken care of.He had cooked a sumptious meal and it was almost like a buffet layout.So many little dishes and it was a noise-fest inthe back garden of the Arseniegas.It was either speak up or be talked over.They were a loud family when it came to family gatherings and if you didn't hold your own they could chew you up.
Their granparents were only here until the weekend so they packed in as muchas they could in the three days that they were going to be there.They had cleaned up and were sitting in the back patio just talking.
"What do you intend to do now Kiran?"Grandpa Carlos asked,"Both the kids are going to school in a few months."
"Well,I...ah...haven't thought about it yet."
"It can get really lonely my child,"her mother in law said with a knowing look in her eyes,"Trust me on that one."
"I could live with that,"she shrugged.
"You don't have to,"Grandpa Carlos said,causing her to sit straight.
"Tarun,aao meri saat,"Bani said to her brother and they excused themselves.
"I don't....I don't understand,"she said,a frown of confusion creasing her forehead.
"Look,"her mother in law took her hands in hers and looked her in the eye,"You're lonely my child,and you're too young to live like this."
"Is something wrong?"she asked,fear creeping into her voice.
"No...no,mi amora,"Grandpa Carlos said,and saw the instant flash of pain in his daughter in law's eyes.
That was the nickname his son had called her.His love.
"Its just that Carlos wanted us to take good care of you but...we haven't been able to do that.Maybe because we were selfish and...your children...they were the only link we had to our son."
"But I never thought you were selfish,"Kiran was shocked that they would think that.
"Not that way my child,"he mother in law shook her head,"Remember the time you went to see your father when he got sick?"
She nodded,not knowing exactly what to expect.
"Carlos told us about how happy you were when you came back.You were positively glowing.You were singing,you were smiling...you were happy about having gone home and been around the people you love..."
"I am around the people I love,"she said,wondering why they were talking like this.
They exchanged a look,thenher father in law said,"We want you to go home."
She was speechless.Her eyes darted from one to the other,wondering what the hell was going on.Were they trying to get rid of her?What had she done wrong?
"Don't misunderstand Kiran.Its just that...we promised Carlos before he...."she swallowed at the lump that formed in her throat,"He wanted you to go back home...with the kids if possible.Kiran,we have waited long enough to do this."
"But I don't want to go,"she said,tears forming in her eyes,"You can't ask me to go back to India,my life is here!"
"Is it really?"
"Kiran,we love you too much to see you like this.Even your children are worried about you."
That surprised her.
"They would never say it but they are.I know its going to be weird at first,but maybe you could start by going away while they are in school and...then see how you feel."
"I'll....I'll have to think about this,"she said,not knowing if this was a good thing or a bad thing.
Her children worrying about her,Carlos asking his parents to make sure she went back to India...this was all too much to take in at once.And why now?She couldn't understand any of it.
"Just take your time honey,take your time."
So saying,Grandpa Carlos and his wife stood up and left her to think,hoping they could get her to fulfill her husband's last wish.

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Later that night,she called her kids into the room and satthem down.
"I ah...had an interesting conversation with your grandparents this afternoon.They tell me you're worried about me?"
She looked from one to the other,wanting to understand a little of what had happened this afternoon.
"Well mom,"Bani began,"I have to admit I have been worrying."
"Why?"
"Mama,you have become a shadow of yourself and frankly,I hate to see you that way."
"I'm fine,"she said to them.
"No mom,you're not,"Tarun said flatly,"You've been missing Dad a lot more and soon,we're not going to be here to be with you in those moments.You're going to need people who care around you and what better people than your own.Besides mama,you know you want to go home."
"How can you say that?"she was astound.
"You always want to be in the company of those who have just returned from India,you buy up Indian stuff you neer use,you're always sad after you talk to Dadi and Dada,needI go on?"
'Tarun,there is explanations for all that..."
"You shouldn't have to mama.You deserve to be happy,you deserve to have to live a little and that is exactly what papa would want.You know this,"Bani said almost pleading with her mom,"It would kill him to see you suffer like this."
She shut her eyes in pain,confusion...she was a little lost right now.
"I would feel better if you went to India for a while mama,stayed with the family."
"I'm to beleive you spoke to them about this?"she looked at them.
"I thought it would be better coming from them,"Bani said,going to sit by her mom onthe bed,"Just promise you'll think about it."
She looked at Tarun,then at Bani,"Okay.Now off you go."
Satisfied,they left her alone in the room to come to her own conclusions,hoping she would take their advice.


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IN MUMBAI....


"Jai,where have you been?"
"Where else mama?Office."
"This late at night?"she asked,glancing at the wall clock that showed fifteen minutes to midnight.
He plopped down on the sofa in the living room,"Mama,I thought wehad been through this when I was a teenager.Do you still question my goings and comings?"
"Its not that beta,but..."
"But nothing ma,"he said,regarding her through tired eyes,"I have just had a gruelling day at work and I don't need you to make it more tiring by getting on my case."
"We arejust worried about you my child,"she said sadly.
"Ma,I'm fine,"he said,coming to stand in front of her,"Please don't worry about me anymore."
"You're my son,"she said,touching his face,tears forming in her eyes for the son she had lost to darkness,"It's my job to wory about you."
"Well don't.Its not going to do either one of us any good."
"Pagal,"she said,her smile very sad.
"Always,"he said,hugging his mother,"Now go to sleep.Your son is safe and sound.Ok?"
Turning her around he shooed her off to bed.She went into her room where her husband sat,shuffling through papers.
"Is he home?"
"Yes,just now."
Sighing he took his glasses off and looked at his wife,"I don't know what else to do with that boy.He's lost in his own world of darkness and what bothers me the most is that he wants to stay in it."
"He won't let anyone close enough to help him Uday.He's locked himself up inside and will only come out on his own...when he wants to."
"For how long Krishna?My son is only twenty eight and already..."
"No Uday,hemat rakho.There is till hope that he will come out of this."
"Kaisa Krishna?"heasked bitterly,"If people who fall stayed down then there would be no hope for humanity.But he...he has just refused to beleive he is still hurt by all that has happened."
"Its of no use going into all of that now,"Krishna took the file fom his hands,"Come to bed now.You have another day head of you tomorrow."
He smiled at his wife,"I'm glad I have you with me Krishna."
"I'm glad too,"she smiled warmly at him,"Now come to bed."


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GUYS,I KNOW ITS SHORT BUT BEAR WITH ME, I JUST GOTTA STOP HERE FOR NOW.PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS IF YOU CAN,WHEN YOU CAN.CIAO!! 😉

I just read all the parts, a very nice ff, you write very well.

I feel bad that Carlos passed away, and I have to say you described the relationship between Bani's parents very well. The night at the beach was really sweet. He kept his promise to her mother, and its sad that she still misses him so dearly.
Tarun and Bani seem great, it was real nice of Bani to be concerned about her mom.
I am curious to know why Jai turned out this way.

Please do continue soon.

BD

Waiting for the story to unfold.. very different and interesting.. Please continue soon.. Loving it so far......

Amazing fanfic
sounds really intresting
👏

THANKS SO MUCH GUYS,LOVE THE RESPONSE SO FAR.WELL THEN,HERE IS THE NEXT PART AND I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!!



Kiran had laid awake most of the night,tossing and turning,trying to think what to do.She had never been put in this situation before and it was one that was difficult to push under the carpet because the whole family wanted an answer to this question.It was weird really,I mean the thought of going home should make her happy,but for some reason it didn't feel that way.She felt like she would be doing wrong...to whom,she had no idea but the thought of leaving the home where she had lived with her husband,raised their kids,had so many lovely memories...the house she had done up with so much love in every corner...leaving it just didn't seem right.
She turned to look at the bedside clock...three in the morning.She flung back the bed covers and walked to the hallway.She laid her hand on his photo.
"I need your help Carlos,"she whispered,"I don't know what to do.We made a life for ourselves here...here in this land,in this country...right here in this house.All the memories of you I have are linked to this house.They want me to leave...said you wanted me to leave too."
She took a deep breath and laid her cheek against the cool glass of the frame,"I don't know what to think.I need you to give me a sign of some sort..something to help me make up my mind.I really don't want to go...but if that's what you wanted,I'll go."
So saying,she kissed the glass,turned and walked up the stairs.When she got to the landing,she paused and said quietly,"Go to sleep Bani.I'm alright."
After a pause,"Yes mama."

MORNIN G..........

"Come on Grandpa,its almost ten!"Tarun said in exasperation.
"I'm coming lad,hold your horses,"he said gruffly,shuffling through the door and down the three-step to where his grandson held the door open for him,"Its not like we're going to get left behind,we've got a whole hour to spare."
"Yeah,yeah,"Tarun said.
"Don't get fresh with me young man.I cant still kick your butt."
Bani giggled,"That would be a sight to behold.I'd like to be the referee to that match up."
"Don't egg him on,"Tarun said,getting behind the wheel of the Previa which sat them all comfortably.
Kiran watched all this from the rear of the car and thought,this is still where I belong.
The drive to the airport was hair raising as Tarun just wouldn't let up.Micheal was already there at the curb to greet them.Loading the bags on a trolley,they began to head towards the departure terminal to check the bags in.As they settled in the lounge,Kiran knew the question would come up and there was no escaping it.
"So Kiran..."Grandpa Carlos began,only to be cut off by her cell ringing.
She took it out of her bag and on checking the screen,gasped in excitement,"Oh my goodness!Ma!"she jumped to her feetand picked the call,"Mama...aap kaisa hai?...bilkul theeku..."
They all looked at each other and at her retreating form as she absentmindedly walked away,chatted to her mother.It was obvious when her father came on the line as she was more subdued but something had shocked her,for by the time she handed the phone to Bani and Tarun to talk to their grandfather,she was lost in thought.
After about fifteen minutes of chatting back and forth,they finally cut the phone.It was huge smiles all round.
Her mother-in-law looked at her and said softly,"Need I say more?"
Tears in her eyes,she smiled and shook her head.She had her sign now.It would be difficult but...it was not impossible.
"Then it is settled,"Grandpa Carlos said with an air of finality.
Micheal leaned towards Tarun and whispered,"What's settled?"
"Mama."
"What about her?"he asked still confused.
"Later."
"Now...if you don't tell I'll ask her right..."
"Ssshhh,"Tarun hissed,"Mama is going to go back to India.Mostly while we're in school...the details haven't been worked out yet but that's the word."
"What happens to you guys?"he frowned.
"Sshh!"Tarun hissed again,"Details haven't been figured out now shut it!!"
"Hey,I could still kick your butt,"Micheal said loud enough for everyone to hear.
"That's what I said,"Grandpa Carlos added.
"I'd like to see you try,"Tarun snorted.
"You wanna take this outside?"
"Lead the way,"Micheal made to rise.
"Sit!"Kiran said to both of them,"You two are way too old for that nonsense."
Micheal made a grumpy face and Bani just laughed at these two.The flight to Texas was announced.
"Yep,that's us,"Grandpa Carlos said getting to his feet,"So my dear,it is always a pleasure to see you."
"Thank you,"Kiran said,hugging him,"For everything."
"Honey,we didn't tell you anything you weren't thinking about.You just needed a little nudge in the right direction,"her mother in law said.Turning to her grandkids,"Now you two behave.I don't want to hear nothing about you two causing trouble."
"Yes grandma,"they said in unison and hugged her.
"Micheal,I would like to think you can keep these two in check..."
"You can bet I will Grandma,"he said,hugging her and shaking her husband,"It's always a pleasure to see you Pops."
"Take care of them now."
"With my life,"he assured the old man,knowing he favored these rascals among his other grandchildren.
Amidst goodbye calls and take care warnings,the Arseniegas went to board their plane.The plane finally took off,releasing them to go home.Kiran stayed in her room most of the day and even dozed off for a few hours.Shewoke to the aroma of pot roast.
"Mmmmm,something smells good,"she stretched,as she walked into the kitchen.
"It does huh?"Tarun said,pride in his culinary skills written all over his face.
Bani who was listening to music on her MP3 took the earphones out and looked pointedly at her mom,"Sleep okay?"
"Bani,I slept wonderful."
She fidgeted,not knowing how to ask the question that she most wanted answer to.Kiran knew she wanted to ask her what had made her zone out at the airport but she waited still,wanting Bani to ask.
"Mom,...eh...when you...when..."
"What did Grandpa say to you ma?"Tarun cut her off,as he too wanted to know,"You seemed rather out of it earlier on in the airport."
She smiled-a real,genuine smile-and said,"Inquisitive aren't you?"
She poured herself a glass of water then climbed up unto the bar stool and said,"I spoke to your Grandfather as you already know.And he made the strangest request."
"Which was?"Bani asked.
She looked from one to the other,"He asked me to come home."
That hit them hard.They knew the story of how their parents got married and all that had ensued,all the anger,bitterness,all of it.So for him to ask her to come home was a really huge deal.
"He said that?He actually asked you to come home?"Tarun said,still in disbelief.
"He actually asked me to come home,"she said.
"That's great mama,"Bani came around the counter and hugged her mother,"That's really great."
"I know.It wasn't easy for him but,he does want me with him at this time...and I had asked your father for a sign so..."
"What better sign do you need?"Tarun said,more a statement than a question.
They looked at each other and knew exactly what the other was thinking.For the first time in a really long time,she had spoken about their father without the attendant pain flashing in her eyes or deep sorrow reflected on her face.They had been right.She needed her home...a place where she could be taken care of.
"Tarun?"
"Ma?"
"The pot roast."
"Woah!"cursing,he snatched the pot off of the fire,burning his fingers in the process,shaking his hands in an effort to get them to cool and eventually placing it under the cool running water,while his mother and sister laughed at his acrobatics.
"Sorry darling,"his mother said,taking his hands in hers to inspect the damage,"Its just a slight burn.A little balm will do the trick.Be right back."
Bani was smiling from ear to ear as she watched her mother leave,"Tarun..."
"I know didi,"he said,a small smile playing on his face too."Half the problem is solved."


************************************ *********************

They had taken the next few days to iron out the issues concerning her leaving.It was pretty much settled that she would leave for India while they were in school and they could also come stay with her while they were on holidays.They could then come whenever they pleased to see their Grandparents here in the US.When they had told their Grandparents,the Arseniegas were more than pleased.
"That's wonderful Kiran!We got to keep them the last eighteen years.Let them really experience what it is to be Indian,"Grandpa Carlos had boomed over the phone as he usually did when he got excited about an idea.
Preparations were now underway.Micheal was the anchor of their arrangements as it was a bother as to who would take care of the restaurant as they would all be away.He had offered to check up on it as much as his job would allow which it pretty much would as he ran his own micro-finance company.He would check to make sure that the house was always taken care of and would take care of the financial holdings of the family,seeing as he himself was practically a member of the family,they had no trust issues about that.
They had at least six weeks before they had to report to campus so they both chose to go with her to help her settle in.They were scheduled to leave at the end of March which by the time they had finished tying up loose ends was already here.
"Make sure the bags are kept safely by the door..."
"Mama,"Tarun said in frustration,"It's been there for two days!"
"Well I'm sorry if I want to make sure we don't forget anything,"she retorted.
"Calm down you two.It's a question of only a day.We leave tomorrow and this will all be over.Comprende?"
That night,Kiran couldn't sleep due to excitement and in the morning,had dark circles round her eyes.
"You didn't sleep at all did you?"Bani asked,shaking her head at her mother in amusement.
"Well can you blame me?"she said defensively.
"Its fine ma,whatever floats your boat,"she said,"Tea?"
"Please."
What Kiran didn't see was Bani putting herbs in the tea that would put her to sleep for a few hours while she and Tarun took care of whatever else was left.And sleep she did,for a solid five hours.She was wakened at two in the afternoon by Bani,telling her she needed to take a bath as they had to be at the airport in two hours,seeing as their flight was later that evening.
As she showered and dressed,her heart kept racing.She was going home...her own home.It was a dream she had refused to let herself see for fear of it never happening,yet here she was...on her way home...........


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MUMBAI,MAHARASHTRA....

A sudden wave of nostalgia hit her as she stood looking round the airport she had not set foot in for over twelve years.A lot had changed since then.She felt like she was till in he US,save for the thousands of Indians milling around the airport-women in saris and salwaars and the men in suits,dhoti kurta's...-this was different.This was her India.
"Ready mama?"Tarun asked,as he had returned from retrieving their luggage.
She smiled contentedly,"Yes.I'm ready."
They made their way outside the airport and got a cab.They hadn't told her parents they were coming as they wanted to surprise them.As they drove along the streets of Mumbai,she began to have flashes of Carlos and herself.Young and in love without a care in the world.They got the stoplight before they got to her house and she looked up at the street sign.She began to giggle.
"Is everything alright?"Bani asked,surprised at her mother's action.
"Mmhhmm,"she nodded,her eyes watering from trying to hold herself back from outright laughter.She had just remembered the first night Carlos had taken her home after they met.He had pronounced the name Walia as 'Waaleeyah.'
Again,she went off into another fit of giggles,startling both Bani and Tarun.
"I'm starting to think coming to India was the best thing to happen to you,"he said,thoroughly amused,yet glad to see his mother in a much lighter and care free mood.
They moved on to Park road,and again,her heart beats quickened.They pulled up to the front of the house.As if expecting them,her mother threw open the doors of the house almost immediately.
"Dadi!!"both Bani and Tarun ran to envelope their Grandmother in a bear hug.
The poor woman was overwhelmed and couldn't speak.She just kept looking from one to the other,turning them around so she could see all of them and make sure that they were really there in front of her,tears now freely flowing down her cheeks.
Kiran watched her mother with tears in her own eyes.Then slowly,she walked up the nine steps to where her mother stood with her kids.She bent to touch her feet but her mother stopped her and hugged her.
"I'm home ma,"was all she said,hugging her mother tight,"I'm home."



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I'LL STOP HERE GUYS.SORYY THERE WAS NOTHING ABOUT THE WALIAS TODAY,BUT THE STORY BEGINS TO PICK UP IN THE NEXT TWO PARTS!!CIAO!!