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“It’s better late than never.”
Her reply aggravates me even more.
“You know what, Maa? You tried to settle the scores between us when I announced my pregnancy and now, because you want me to accept Maahi happily into our family, you’re doing this again. To be honest, it was for your grandson before and now for his wife now. It was never for me.”
“Meera, no. I really mean it.”
“It’s okay, Maa. I don’t care. It’s been too long since we’ve had this bitterness between us, and now that you’re old and need our support, you’re apologizing.”
“Enough, Meera,” she shouts back. “I might be old, but I never asked you and Vanraj to look after me or visit me in India. I can look after myself. My life is coming to an end, and I wish to spend it where I have the best memories with my husband, in Ratna Mahal.”
“Then please do that. Who’s stopping you?” I argue. “I didn’t come here to patch up, Maa. All I wanted to tell you is to put some sense into Maahi and make her agree to shift to the US permanently. Vikram needs her, and I’m sure you want them to be happy as a couple. Long-distance marriages might work for others, but I don’t want my son to suffer. You keep saying you wish for their happiness, but saying that isn’t enough. You need to work for it. Please, I beg you.” I fold my hands. “Convince Maahi to shift as soon as possible.”
Maa stands frozen, but I’ve conveyed what I needed to and hence leave the room.
VIKRAM
I wake up early today, or rather, I couldn’t sleep well last night. Our little vacation is over, and Maahi and Daadi are flying back to India this evening. Yesterday, making out with Maahi and cuddling her through the night made me realize what I truly want in life. I’m willing to do anything to stay with her, but it needs careful planning. I can’t risk our business, considering thousands of families depend on the Grover Group. Whatever decision I make has to be good for all of us.
When I reach the breakfast table, Daadi is already there, serving ‘Ladoo’ she made for us.
“Good morning, Daadi,” I kiss her head and take my seat. “All set?”
“Yes, all set,” she says, passing me a weak smile and turning to Mom, who almost avoids her.
“Good morning, Maa.”
Dad joins us too, giving Daadi a quick hug. He then sits next to Mom and kisses her cheek. “Morning, sweetheart. I heard you cooked breakfast for us today.”
She rolls her eyes and pats Dad’s arm.
“You must be dreaming, Vanraj. I didn’t make any of it. Maa made these Ladoos since it’s her last day here. And obviously, I don’t need to mention how happy she is to return to Ratna Mahal. That’s been her favorite place for years.”
Daadi is about to serve Mom when she stops her.
“I don’t eat sweets in the morning. I’ll have it later, thank you.”
Daadi sighs and asks Dad, “What about you, Vanraj?”
“Oh, I’ll surely have some now. I can’t skip your sweets; it’s so rare I get to savor them.”
“If you miss it so much, you should visit India often. I don’t mind making sweets every day for you, Vanraj.”
Daadi’s reply stuns Dad and scares Mom. I sense a cold war brewing between them again.
“No thanks, Maa,” Mom intervenes. “So much sugar isn’t good for your son. He’s aging.”
“If he’s aging, I suppose the weather in India will suit him more than the weather here,” Daadi argues.
“Excuse me?” Dad groans. “What’s wrong with you two? Don’t remind me of the old days, please. Can we have breakfast without a fight?”
I rise to my feet. “I’ll go see what’s keeping my wife busy.”
Walking to the kitchen, I see Maahi making omelets for me, with extra butter.
“I’m going to miss this,” I say, hugging her and resting my chin on her shoulder before kissing the crook of her neck. She coils instantly to my touch.
“Umm… me too.”
