Do overs...
It was Aanu
He looked utterly shocked when he saw Ashvin looking at his daughter.
"Trishu, what happened, how is he here? Are you OK?"
Trisha quickly hid the keychain in her fist
She nodded
"Mr Shanbag can I please talk to you?"
"Trishu tell him, there is nothing left to talk. He needs to go. How many times will he come asking about you? Rao told me you have a visitor. I mean, in the kitchen?
Why didnt he come home and talk to me first?" Aanu was not happy, he rattled out breathless sentences in Konkani.
Ashvin looked confused..
"Aanu wants you to go" Trisha was heart broken
"You have to tell him... I cant..." Ashvin exhaled... "Not without you anyway"
Trisha gasped audibly
Aanu looked at her furiously
"what does he want now?"
"Me" Trisha said inaudibly
"No... how can that be? After everything? You will be here, we are going to be here" Aanu said in a shaky voice emotion palpable
"Trish"
Her insides thudded painfully to hear him say her name like that in front of her father
"the grandfather comes in through the front door, like a polite diner, the grandson comes in through the back door like a cook's helper. What is this?" Aanu asked her accusingly
If the man that had just kissed her senseless wasnt standing by her father.. she refused to translate what he had just said
For the first time in her life she felt the need to defend Ashvin
"He cant have any business with you. I cannot imagine that" Aanu looked very confused and sad
"He had an accident... so he came"
"If you did not cause the accident Trishu he should not be here" Aanu spoke calmly refusing to meet his daughter's gaze stoically
He knew he would see something that was terrifying him the last month or so
"Aanu"
"Please leave Mr Shanbag, I will let your grandfather know I was polite and respectful, though you may not deserve it"
"Can you please let me say something?"
"We have been through a lot. My daughter was caught in the cross fire of something she didnt do a thing to cause" Aanu broke down
"I am so so sorry Mr Shanbag" Ashvin looked sad too
"Please leave. I want her to be normal and happy, you grandfather and grandson both are making it impossible for her to recover. She did nothing wrong. Please let her live in peace"
"I love her Mr Shanbag" he said looking at Aanu directly
He was unprepared for that declaration, he became flustered immediately.
Trisha staggered back hitting the counter
"What does that even mean?" "hurting loved one?. You protect them" Prakash waved a finger choked up, he spoke haltingly in English
"I agree. I am guilty of doing that. I apologize. I want her to give me a chance"
"Life is not about chances. Its not a game. You dont get do overs. How can you get a second chance?" Prakash said in Konkani
Ashvin understood the word game, and the term second chance.
"You have to look at me differently" he begged softly
"I dont know" Aanu shook his head, shutting his eyes, hoping he would not feel compassion for the young man that sounded just so sincere are honest.
"I wont hurt you Trish" he said softly
She swallowed a golf ball size lump, as tears flowed freely
She sniffled and grabbed a tissue and wiped her eyes off... the onion scent in her hands stinging her eyes.
Ashvin wished Prakash would ask his daughter if she loved him too
Trisha wished Prakash would give in and accept Ashvin's apology
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