Chapter 5
Yash had rented an apartment close to the university and Ansh had been staying with him for the week. He obviously had his work during the day, and in the evening, he enjoyed time with Ansh. Neither of them cooked so it was take-out or restaurants every evening. It was clear that Ansh had underestimated his leaving the fold and venturing out on his own. Although they talked often it was nice to be able to encourage his son and share his own experiences with as he had gone through the same.
Ansh especially missed his mother and Palak. The twin's bond was really strong and there was a time that Ansh even considered staying in India to go the same university as Palak, but she was always the stronger of the two emotionally and she convinced him to follow the dream he always had, to follow in his father's footsteps and study abroad.
He kept the secret of the girls coming to visit very well, but Ansh sensed the tension in him. He put it off to work stress. He did not have the best time of it when before he left for England. When his parents found out that Aarti would be joining him on the trip, a massive argument ensued. Of couse his mother informed Arpita and that which lead to more arguments. He told them the same thing her had told her, that nothing would happen and that this trip was just for their son. But even he had trouble believing himself.
He was nervously excited. It would be the first time all of them would be together. Somehow in his mind his family felt complete. The attraction to her was undeniable. It always was. Yet it was still a real concern to him that they might be projecting what their children wanted. That they might be romanticizing what could have been. But he knew he had not felt this way since he had been with her. But at a deeper level. Then, he's carnal needs were paramount. He still had a very healthy sex drive, and Arpita was quite accommodating, but since she had come back in his life, so to speak, he felt that he did not want to indulge in such activities until he had sorted out the muddle in his head. This obviously was another red flag for Arpita. And he was honest with her about why he was no longer intimate with her. But he also assured her that he was not intimate with anyone else. She of course did not believe him. It seemed like de javu from the time he tried to convince Aarti of the same. Only then he was lying. Then he wanted the best of both worlds. Obviously, he had done some growing up in the last 16 years.
Finally, he was at the airport collecting them. The girls ran to him and jumped on him, hugging him tightly. He was as happy to see them. She held back. She approached slowly.
"Hi, Yash. Thanks again for allowing me to come along.
"Hello. No need for thanks. Ansh's reaction will be all the reward I need.
She nodded. They stood and stared at each other nervously.
She thought that they were not even like this when they were young. But then they did not have this much to lose. They just loved with wild abandon.
"If you are done staring at each other, can we maybe make our way out the airport? Payal asked with a sarcastic smirk.
Palak giggled.
"Yes, please come. We want to make the place nice before Ansh gets to the apartment, daddy please. Palak said.
"Yes, yes, let's go.
The girls chatted excitedly in the car. And when they got there, the girls started putting up banners and Aarti starting cooking Ansh's favourite dishes and they had also brought along his favourite snacks and set up the dinner table beautifully.
Again Aarti could not contain her tears seeing her baby boy face to face for the first time in months. He was super surprised and even a little emotional himself.
"Pops, why didn't you tell me?
"Then it wouldn't have been a surprise would it?
"I suppose. This is such a great surprise. Mom, I missed you so much and this place smells like home today, with your cooking.
"You know, you can come home anytime, honey? Aarti said.
Ansh shared an understanding look with his dad.
"I know mom, but I need to follow through on this. It's not easy, but I am a Scindiya, so I won't quit.
His parents smiled proudly.
Aarti's heart was so full during dinner. Sitting together with her kids and Yash, laughing and chatting. She never achieved the goals that she had set for herself when she was young, but what she had now could not be replaced. This was far superior to a career. Despite the fact that the children grew up in a broken home, they were happy, well adjusted and very close. It made her very happy.
"We did well, didn't we Aarti? Yash said while they were clearing the kitchen while the kids were chatting in her lounge.
"Very well. I'm so proud of who they have become. I love them so much.
"I know. Me too. They are really the best of both of us.
"Yes, they are. No matter happened between us, I can't regret what I got out the relationship.
"I agree.
They stared at each other again.
Suddenly the kids came running into the kitchen.
"Daddy, look at Didi. Palak was chasing Payal for the last piece of cake and Ansh was following shortly after. It became the madhouse that Aarti knew and loved.
The did all the touristy things and did a lot of shopping. Suspiciously the kids disappeared often leaving the two of them alone. Clearly the girls had roped Ansh into their matchmaking too. It would have been amusing if they were not already dealing with all these feelings.
Too soon, it was the last night. Yash had taken them to a nice restaurant for dinner. Aarti couldn't sleep. She was sad to leave Ansh, but even more sad that the family time would come to an end. Nothing happened as he said, and she was embarrassed to admit even to herself that she was disappointed.
They were sitting next to each other on the aeroplane and the girls in front of them.
"it's not going to much longer and then he'll be home for the holiday.
"I know. But I'm already missing him. She said wiping her tears.
"Me too. But you know what I will miss most, is us. Together.
It was as if her read her mind. She looked away. He gently put his hand under her chin and made her face him.
"Aarti, I can't deny my feelings anymore.
"Me too. I can hardly concentrate on anything else. She had to admit.
He placed his hand over hers.
"Do you think we can give each other another chance?
"The children?
"They don't have to know, just yet.
"We can't if Arpita is still in your life. I won't share you again Yash.
"I'm sorry. I won't ever do that to you again. I finally realise what I gave up because of my immaturity. I love you, I've only ever truly loved you. I want to make up for the past.
She smiled at him.
"The past is the past. Please can we just concentrate on making a happy present and future?
He smiled back.
"Most definitely.
"But I can only be with you ...
"I know. After we land in India, I will call you only once I have spoken to Arpita. But for now, can we just cherish the time we have?
"Yes. She said and snuggled into his arms and kissed him on the cheek.
It was a week later and she still had not heard from him. It was his weekend with the girls and she was all alone. Even Amaan was away for the weekend. She very lonely and sorry for herself. She had read, video called Ansh and was now watching a movie but not really paying attention to it. She was thinking about him as usual. Did he change his mind? Did he decide to stay with Arpita? Well the decent thing was at least to let her know. But what did she expect from him anyway. How could she forget all the other times that she waited on him and he never pitched? No, she was not doing it again. She had her answer. She had to move on. But why did it feel like her heart was breaking again.
Her phone rang. It was him. She didn't want to answer but what if something happened to the girls.
"Yes.
"Aarti ...
"Are the girls fine?
"Yes, Aarti I ...
"Then I have nothing to say to you.
She disconnected the call.
A few minutes later her doorbell rang. She knew it would be him so she ignored it. Finally, it stopped. She was sitting up in bed now, crying. Tears of anger that he gave up so easily.
Then she heard a voice.
" Baby.
She jumped up.
"How did you get in.
"I have a key.
"Well I want it back. You let yourself in, you can let yourself out.
He just continued walking towards her.
"I said leave. You think you can just come here after ...
"I love you. I told you that I would contact you after I spoke to Arpita.
"Why did it take you so long.
"Because I wanted to speak to her face to face and I think she was avoiding me. She must have known what was coming.
"I will not go through what I went through with you again. I am not waiting on you ...
"I don't expect you too. From now on I will be with you always. He said as he finally stood in front of her.
She still had tears in her eyes.
"I love you Aarti. More than anything in this world. I am yours now completely and I will be forever.
"Are you sure? she said uncertainly through her tears.
He smiled and wiped her tears.
"Very. So, don't fight with me please. He said as he pulled her close to him.
"I wasn't fighting. She said softly, sniffing.
He chuckled.
"You have never said it you know.
"What?
"You know what I want to hear.
She looked down.
"You know.
"I do but I need to hear it.
She buried her face in his chest.
"I love your she said in a muffled voice.
"Now can you say it while looking at me, honey?
She looked up at him shyly.
"I'm waiting, Aarti.
"I... I love you. I love you so much. I can't even explain how much. I can't stop thinking about you. Do you know how upset I was when I thought you changed your mind? My heart was broken. And I was so angry. And ...
He brought his mouth down on hers and shut her up with a passionate kiss.
When he lifted his mouth off hers, she was shaken and dazed.
"I get it. You love me. He said with a happy heart.
She smiled and hugged him tightly.
"So what happens now love?
"I don't know. I'm not ready for the kids to know yet.
"I will wait then. But only till Ansh come home for the holiday.
"But what if ...
"What if nothing. I know what I want. Do you have any doubrs.
She shook her head.
"Good. So we will tell the kids as soon as Ansh gets home and everyone else after.
"Ok.
"So, do I go home now?
She shook her head again shyly.
"Then what?
"I could make you a snack.
"I'm not hungry?
"Would you like a cup of coffee?
"Too late for coffee.
Mmm, maybe a cold drink?
"Well, I am quite hot right now. The cold drink could come in handy."
She smiled.
"Sooo ... you're sure you are not hungry? she asked with a very naughty expression.
"On second thought ... he said started kissing her and he lifted up in her arms and carried her to the bed..
Edited by B-onesie - 6 years ago
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