Page 176 of One Hellish Desire

I swallow painfully. Ever since Vikram left, we’ve started realizing how Maa must have felt in our absence for nine years. And Meera has taken it very seriously. We haven’t spoken about this yet, but I know it’s pricking her heart. I still have my work to divert me from such thoughts, but Meera is constantly thinking about it.

“She thinks I snatched you from her,” Meera sobs. “You go back to her. Maybe that will bring my son back to me.”

I feel her pain deeply.

“Meera,” I pull her close. “You didn’t snatch me from Maa.”

“I did, Vanraj,” she snaps. “Don’t you see? This is karma.”

She pushes me away and stumbles. Alcohol is consuming her.

“Karma bites. What you sow, so shall you reap.” She laughs. “I remember teaching this to Vikram when he was hardly eight. Seems like he memorized that too well.”

She laughs as if she’s lost her mind.

“Meera, enough,” I shake her to make her stop laughing like that.

“VIKRAM...” she mumbles our son’s name in pain, her eyes closing, and the next instant, she passes out. I carry her in my arms and take her back to our room.

VIKRAM

I jolt as the car stops. After breakfast, Maahi and I took another hour to get ready before driving to the temple.

“Vikram? You okay?” Maahi touches my arm, a little worried by my expression.

I give her an assuring nod. “Yeah, just felt like Mom called me.”

Maahi wipes the sweat beads from my face and leans closer.

“I know you are missing her too much. Do you wish to go back? Trust me, I won’t mind. I know how much you love your parents and…”

“Ssh,” I shut her up. “It’s not about how much I love them or you. It’s about bringing a revolutionary change in our family. I want us all to stay united, not in bits and pieces like we have lived in the last few years.”

“What if our plan doesn’t work? I don’t want to be responsible for breaking you and your mom’s connection. I am worried for her too, Vikram. I hope she is doing fine.”

That’s what I am worried about too. I check my watch. It’s too late to call home and check on her.

“I will speak to Dad when they wake up,” I mention.

We get out of the car and head to the ropeway cable car that will take us to the temple. I don’t want Maahi to feel disconnected from me, so for now, I leave all my worries behind and focus on her. At the temple, I notice Maahi takes a bit longer to pray, and I’m certain she is asking the Goddess to grant my wish of having a united family. She covers her head with her dupatta while taking the prasad from the priest, and I’m mesmerized by her again. She feeds me the prasad right there, not caring about the people around us. I scoop her into my arms and lead her out, a smile finally returning to my face.

We spend the next hour sightseeing and then grab a quick lunch at a nearby restaurant. We’ve just finished our meals when Daadi video calls. Maahi hops beside me and answers the call.

“Hey, Daadi,” Maahi waves at her on the wide screen of her iPad.

“Did I disturb you two?” she asks, stirring something in a vessel. Daadi is in the kitchen.

“Not at all. But seeing you cooking and not resting is making us restless here,” I reply.

“That’s kheer, Vikram. I thought I’d make some for my friends. They are so happy to spend time here with me. Anyway, how are you two? How was Preet’s wedding? I tried calling you last night, but Maahi’s phone was switched off. Maybe you slept early.”

We didn’t sleep last night at all. I want to say that aloud, but Maahi grips my hand below the table.

“And wait a minute…” Daadi turns off the gas stove and hands over to the chef. She moves away, staring at us. “You both look different. Is it the weather there or…”

“Love, Daadi,” I reply, pulling my wife closer by her waist. Maahi elbows me in the chest to stop teasing her, but I don’t. “Love is glowing us.”

Daadi chuckles as if she reads between the lines, and Maahi shies all the more.

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