Page 181 of One Hellish Desire

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Had some things to fix here, Son.” He shrugs half-heartedly. I don’t get it, but the sudden thought of Mom alone in New York worries me.

“Dad, how could you leave Mom alone? You know she can’t stay alone in the house. She needs one of us and…” I pause.

Dad looks past me, and I realize he’s not seeing Maahi but someone else.

“Then why did you leave me alone?” The voice from behind clenches my heart. Mom! She’s here too? I turn and see her standing a few feet away. Damn! She’s lost weight, her cheekbones protruding, either from not eating well or insomnia. She looks weak, tired, and very upset.

I stride to her carefully, without breaking my gaze from her angelic face. She’s the first woman I’ve adored so much, and the love I have for her is incomparable. Flashes of all those times when she looked after me, cared for me, pampered and showered her love upon me flood my mind. Now, these few steps between us seem so heavy to cross. Taking two more long strides, I reach Mom and scoop her into my arms. I’ve missed her so much, she wouldn’t understand. She hugs me back with the same warmth.

“I love you, Mom. I love you so much.” I cup her cheeks and wipe her tears. She leans into my touch and nods.

“I know you do. Your messages were very emotional. This place has changed you. My son never shed tears since his school days.”

She wipes my moist eyes and I kiss her forehead. I can’t believe Mom is here and talking to me. I hug her again to believe it, and so does she.

MAAHI

It’s an emotional moment seeing my husband reunited with his parents. He missed them so much, and it showed. Thankfully, their anger didn’t last long. I’m still surprised that they’re here, just like Vikram is. Soon, Meera aunty turns to me, gazing from head to toe. Her assessing look is both scary and embarrassing. She whispers something to Vikram, who rolls his eyes and nods. I want to know what she said.

“Maahi,” Vanraj uncle interrupts my thoughts. “Looks like you’re going to your boutique.”

I shrug. “I was, yeah. But I can stay for a few more hours.”

“Work comes first, Maahi,” he debates.

I smile. “Not every time. And I’ve just realized that by looking at you two.”

When they could skip everything to see their son, can’t I spend some time with them before heading to work? I can. Vikram’s eyes gleam with delight at my reply, and his parents are speechless. I walk to his father first and take his blessings.

“Welcome home, uncle,” I say. He blesses me.

I then turn to Meera aunty who is still talking to her son. Disturbing these two when they’ve missed each other so much isn’t something I want to do. But I need her blessings too. I approach them, and she shifts her gaze from Vikram to me. When I lean down, she stops me.

“I’m not that old. If you need my blessing, hug me. Don’t touch my feet ever. Even Vikram doesn’t. It’s so old-fashioned.”

I want to roll my eyes, but I see Vikram’s face and soften. I give her a hug. I still can’t forget she called me an orphan too many times.

“Wait, where’s Daadi?” Vikram suddenly asks, scanning the room.

“Hariya said she’s gone to the temple. She doesn’t know yet that we’re here. So…” Meera replies.

I then remember Daadi mentioning this. She won’t be back until the afternoon which I inform them.

“In that case, we should take a nap, sweetheart.” Vanraj uncle tells Meera aunty, who nods in agreement. They both look tired after such a long journey.

“Yes,” Aunty brushes Vikram’s hair and pats his cheeks. “We have loads to talk about. Are you going out anywhere?”

“No,” Vikram kisses his mother’s palm, and I swallow nervously seeing the two.

“Great. We’ll have lunch together and talk it out. For now, we’ll go sleep.”

“Sure.”

Vikram and I watch them leave for their room. As soon as they’re out of sight, Vikram slides his arm around my waist and pulls me close.

“Thank you for giving us this extra time.”

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