~25~
"Good morning, Kaka..."
"Good morning, Anu... Is Mukku still asleep?"
"Yes... she is tired... so I let her sleep..."
"You could have woken up late too..."
"Uh... no no... I couldn't sleep... old habits..."
"Not wrong to sleep in once in a while you know..."
"Of course, not... let me go and make something for breakfast.."
"No need to make anything, let's order out today..."
"But..?"
"No buts, I know you are tired... let's order..."
"Ok... I will make tea then..."
"You can rest na? I'll make tea..."
"No Kaka... it's just tea let me make it..."
"Ok.. by the way where is Anuj..."
"Oh he left a note saying he has gone to meet Aarav.."
Saying so she left to the kitchen completely missing the change in GK's face.
Half an hour later when she came back, she saw Kaka standing exactly at the same place where she had left him.
"Kaka?"
"He doesn't know about Aditi..."
"Aditi?"
GK looked up at Anu's questioning gaze. He sighed.
"Aarav's mother. She passed away a year ago."
Something in his voice struck Anu.
"You knew her?"
GK nodded.
"She belonged to my village. 18 years back when Aarav came to Mukku's birthday for the first time with his mother, we met again. She remembered me... as I was 18 when I left but it took me some time to recollect my 8 year old neighbor. She was having leukemia and was on treatment for it. Miraculously she survived and over the time we bonded. The kids loved her too... called her Sweetheart... because that was what she was to them. When Mukku and Aarav broke up, she left the city with him. Aarav asked me multiple times to come back or atleast convince Mukku or Anuj... but I refused since Anuj was firm... I kept tabs on Aarav by sending emails to Aditi once in 3 or 4 months... she let me stay in their life without letting Aarav or Anuj know... we didn't let the kids fight spoil what we had... our friendship was the same as ever... until... a year back, her email mentioned that the cancer had returned and she won't be able to write anymore. That was the last email... from her..."
His eyes were focused on the wall behind Anu, not seeing anything apparently but the longing in his eyes made Anu realize he was looking at a memory... maybe of her. A little doubtful, she asked in a soft voice.
"Kaka...? Was she... more than a friend?"
Kaka looked at her and gave a fond smile.
"To me... she became my everything... but she never knew it..."
Anu nodded and took his worn hands in hers.
"I am sorry Kaka..."
"It's ok, beta... somethings are just not meant to be..."
"How did you know... she..."
"Two weeks later Aarav wrote to me saying that Aditi was sinking and if I could, I should come and see her.... then two days later he again wrote that the doctors had given no hope and the end was near... after a week I got a mail saying she was gone and everything is over..."
"Why did you hide it from me?"
Anu and GK turned to look at Anuj entering their house.
"Anuj..."
Anuj ran to GK and pulled him into a tight hug.
"Why?"
GK gently carressed him and said
"Because you were not well...."
Anuj pulled back and looked in surprise.
"Me?"
"Remember a year back you fractured your leg and was in the hospital for 5 days... I got the news by then... how could I leave you and go? You had to be on bed rest for another month... It was too late by then... so I decided to hold my peace."
Anuj shook his head.
"You should have gone... They needed you..."
"You didn't have anyone to take care..."
"Aarav didn't too..."
He sighed.
"I know... but I chose you... and if the clock is reversed, I would still choose you... don't ask me why... You know the answer yourself..."
"I don't deserve your love..."
GK rubbed his head gently.
"No, my son... you deserve more than my love... You were, are and will always be my everything."
Anuj hugged him again and rubbed his back. Anu felt a lone tear roll down her cheek as she finally understood how much this old man had sacrificed for this family. He was their everything and she decided in her heart that come what may, it would never change. As she turned around to leave to her room and wake Mukku up, she couldn't help but wonder if the man she so dearly called father would even consider doing half of what GK had done for the people who were not related to him by law or blood. She shook her head and said to herself.
"You think too much, Anu..."
***
Precap: "I wanted to welcome the new year alone with you..."
A/N: 25 chapters done... we are almost halfway😊 The story will have somewhere between 55 - 57 chapters, I believe... I am currently working on chapter 54... nearing climax😊... I am happy with what it has turned out to be.... Hope you will enjoy the different aspects this story would show🤞.... Since we are almost halfway... I have a request.
1. Can you let me know your favorite chapters/characters till now?
2. Your favorite MaAn scene from this story till now.
3. Your favorite non MaAn scene.
Spare a few moments people and drop your comments please... Since I am writing the climax of the story some encouragement would be awesome 👌
Cricket
