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Too little too late
She sobbed as her father's words replayed in her mind, as she walked along the shores the next morning at 11 AM. Aanu was at the restaurant...
It was raining moderately, the winds lashed and spiky jets stung her cheeks, as she tried to walk briskly
Prakash had after a lot of deliberation and thought, and staying up all night, told her in the morning when they chatted by the mandap
She had brought in the coral jasmine from outside, he was making his wick and rubbing the sandal log on the stone surface
Trisha would never forget this morning the rest of her life
Just like he always was, he displayed tremendous character and maturity and did not insult or blame Ashvin entirely though he could have
His words replayed in her mind
"Sanchet running away is not any of the boys' fault, if I was a good father, one slap could not have ended that relationship
If those 7 boys were bad, so was Sanchet
His greed has destoyed our family. Your mother passed away pining for her first born
This boy has not injured you... but... he may have hurt you.
No other boy in that group held their anger this way... if they had and had all plotted something like this I dont know what I could have done.
He has not physically harmed you (tears flowing freely) (swallowing with difficulty)
"I have not been a good parent in two cases, Sanchet and yours...
I will tell Paresh what all has happened in the last two months.
Trisha had broken down and cried at that point
"His grandfather said I did the right thing in calling the cops. But those are too little too late words, the damage has been done"
Placing a kind hand on her head
"I am stunned you went into this without asking questions. The restaurant is like a... umm... I dont know if there is any comparison with you even.
You are way more precious. How did this all happen to our family Trishu?"
She had been crushing a flower between her fingers through all this, it had turned into a pale orange pulp, mixing with her tears
"You asked me last night what I was saying to the old man. He is not my friend... I was saying, he should let go. I was telling him his grandson married with a purpose... a purpose other than love so he should not be paying any importance to
sewing this fabric back again" "I never want you to put your life in danger like this"
Trisha had never been threatened by Ashvin's presence or his actions. Her Aanu's words felt like a red hot spear twisting inside her gut
it was hurtful and blunt
Trisha spent the next hour walking in rain cursing herself asking why she didnt ask him why he married her or tried to dig more or ask any question
Why she assumed it was a harmless purpose
Why she believed he would not hurt her
Too many questions too late...
~~~~
"Its not your place to intervene. You have no business going there. What happened 10 years ago is my act of recklessness, please dont try to hijack it from me"
"I did not tell her anything" Sharanbir argued
"I dont trust you. You should mind your own business"
"I know her. I will meet her if I want"
"You will not meet her to blunt the effect of my wrong doing. You will not make excuses on my behalf. You will not try to defend me" Ashvin was cold and firm
Sharanbir lowered his gaze
"I havent given you the right to interfere. Its too little too late."
"Oh I am not intervening I am making it better for her because.."
"Because you can come out as a hero? You can have her following you like a puppy dog?" Ashvin's red hot anger singed Sharan's form
"I dont have to tell you anything"
"Well... then... walk away and let me handle it. I will ask for your help when I need it"
He turned and stomped away
Sharanbir stared at his handsome grandson's departing form
Ashvin got in his car and began to drive...
When he reached Ullal it was past 11 PM
She had just helped Aanu to bed, she bend down to pick up his horlicks tumbler
A car parked outside... and a tall man got down
She didnt have to see his face to know who it was
She dropped the tumbler whimpering audibly clamping her hand on her open mouth
She leaned on the shiny red painted concrete pillar with the green trim, her belly churning into a tight knot, as she heart the gate open
And sobbed "Ooo"
He had driven as fast as he could to tell her himself, hoping he would get there before his grandpa, without realizing someone else in Ullal had already revealed it all
"I am sorry" he said with his head bent
"Why did you do it?" she asked
He had no answer...
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