Its Always Been For Us - 1

Boston, United States

Few more hours.. 5 hrs and 20 mins to be precise... Arnav is going to be back in his Motherland... Shouting like no one's around, boasting of one's own hard work or conveying an honoured speech, selecting d venue to celebrate the success with friends is what any normal person who is sitting in d hall of convocation, going to receive masters in merit from Harvard's would normally do...

For Arnav, it was the only thing stopping him from going to his Maa and stay with her forever... His speech held just a thank you to his Maa, his professors and his buddies and good luck to all his fellow mates and juniors...

4 hrs... 4 more hrs to start for home... just 4 hrs to start a new life.. to bring back the genuine smiles... to find out the real answers... to claim back the lost beats of his heart...

With these thoughts set determined, Arnav Mallik raced back to his dorm after bidding farewells to his buddies...

Lucknow, India

Muskaan Mallik knew it was time... How she wished to make it one more day... If only.. If only her Chotey would have been here... No, no more, no longer.. The truth had to come out.. Her son needed to know.. He deserved to know... He would be shattered... Behind all the manly toughness he had the most tender heart.. a heart as pure as gold, as rare as elixir... But shes made the arrangement, hasn't she? The angel is out there, prepared, determined.. Yes, that's it.. Her angel would handle her bundles of love, she would prepare them to face the world, she would be with them to fight for if needed...

With that came a smile of joy and satisfaction. She called out for Ramu kaaka... An old man, much older than Muskaan entered her room..

"Mem Saab?"

"Kaaka, its time."

It was a statement but for Ramu, it was a warning.

"Bitiya! No.. not now.. Chote Saaheb will be here by tomorrow night. nothing is going to happen !!!"

Muskaan gave her hearty smile.. the one Arnav calls as a genuine one...

"Kaaka.. am I in a situation where I would assume Its the truth... I need to talk to my Angel.. but before that, get Anjali to me.."

Ramu sighed in defeat...

"Talk to bitiya first and then to Choti.."

"Jee, call her."

Ramu dialed a number and handed the phone to Muskaan..

"Its ringing."

"Titliya?"

...

" Bitiya, you are my only hope.. your every tear will take my peace away... Bitiya, the time has come.. be brave.. this is what we've been preparing for.. trust him bitiya.. tell him the truth.. the entire truth.. let him break down but be by his side.. help him pick up the shattered pieces.. heal him.. lead him to create himself anew.. he should no more be Arnav Mallk... He must be Arnav Singh Raizada.. Promise me titli..."

...

" I know bitiya.. Its not just Arnav but Anjali too that I'm handling to you.. be her mother.. Arnav has always been her father.. Titli promise me one more thing.. I know you and your love.. never leave Him.. never! and tell him why you had to leave the last time... Let him heal you too... Garima wil be very proud of you just as I am.. Hamesha khush raho.. Sada suhagan raho.."

She handed the phone to Ramu with a smile of pride of success, peace and contentment..

"Kaaka, Anjali."

Ramu left the room only to be back in a few moments later accompanied by a beautiful girl, an exact younger version of Muskaan...

"Maa... Bhayya is going to be back.. He'll make everything fine as it was before.."

Muskaan smiled at her daughter as she signaled her to sit by her side.. Anjali kissed her mother's hand as she lovingly caressed her daughter's hair..

" Choti.. always trust Bhayya.. No matter what people say, I want you to trust him, love him and be with him.. Never speak a word against him Choti.. He is not just your Bhai but also your Papa.. Whatever he does it will always be for your good.. His every action will have 1000's of reasons hidden beneath.. Never leave Him Choti.. Never be sad with him or angry at him... Promise me Choti!"

Anjali stared at her Amma through her teared but shocked eyes.. She would never go against her Bhai.. Not even in her weirdest dreams.. He is her fort of love and comfort...

"Maa, I don't know why you are asking me but you do know that I would never go against Bhayya!!! I love him! But if this is going to make you happy, then you have my word Maa.."

Muskaan was proud of her little child but she wasn't finished yet... she gave a quick hug and spoke again..

" One more thing Choti.. do you remember your Titali jiji? Shes your Bhabhi.. Though she isn't now, she will one day be.. I want you to trust her, love her and respect her as much as you do me... Never leave her side, never doubt her doings.. If Bhai is your Papa, Bhabhi is your Amma... You will see her within a short time and till then do not speak to any one about our discussion.. not even your Bhai.. You will call her Bhabhi and if questioned, tell that it was a promise you made to me.."

After a very confused, highly disturbed, depressed weeping Anjali slept by her mother hugging her, Muskaan turned to Ramu

"Kaaka, I know you and you know very well what I want to say.. take care of yourself as well Kaaka.. the kids need you... You'l be their only elder... Correct them when you feel they are straying away.. Watch over them.. Thank you for everything Kaaka.. All my life, you've always been there.. you bitiya loves you Kaaka.."

Ramu hugged Muskaan with his heart bleeding.. Pleading her to stay strong but he knew his Bitiya...

Within an hour, a pale and red eyed Ramu made a call to his Beta...

Boston, United States

Arnav is on his way to the airport.. He practically should be jumping with joy at that thought.. But something kept nagging him ever since this morning.. As if something worse is going to happen.. As if he is deserted and empty.. He tried brushing the feeling away but it only grew as the time passed..

Just as he was about to enter the airport, his mobile rang.. The caller id displayed his home number.. ironically, instead of joy, fear gripped his heart.. Slowly but steadily he attended the call...

"Maa?"

"Chote Saaheb..."