XXV Not a Perfect ending

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

XXV Not a Perfect Ending

One Year Later

"What do you think?"

"I think extra and definitely extra, get rid of that bowtie and take this tie."

"You just wanted me to wear that and hence." Rohan removed the bow tie and untied the gift box I had wrapped for him as his birthday present two months before.

He turned twenty-seven last month. I finally know his age.

It was the day when Rohan had finally decided that he loved Riya and he would have to man up and ask her. Actually, that day was done and dusted six months ago, today was the day.

'Meeting her father day'

That man practically knew him so I don't find a reason to worry for his opinion. But given the Raghav fiesta and all that followed, any father would be a little bit protective of his child. Riya knew Rohan was not going to be a mistake but her father wanted to be one hundred percent sure.

"How do I look?"

"Just perfect. Nothing should bring your morale down now."

"It won't because you are coming with me."

He was such a pussy.

"Are you sure Rohan? I mean what will I do between you three?"

"Celebrate your birthday with us, Purvi."

Yes, it was also my 22nd birthday and a lot had changed in this past year. But the one thing that hadn't changed was that I would always love my alone time over anything else.

'I think I'd rather sit home, watch something, maybe pizza, definitely coffee.'

Rohan groaned, rolling his eyes. 'Geez, Purvi. I know your boyfriend and your son are out of town, but that doesn't mean you don't have us.'

'Anirudh isn't my boyfriend, Rohan.'

He laughed, shaking his head, 'You guys aren't official, but for sure, for sure secretly dating.' He raised his brows, 'You can't fool me.'

Anirudh and I weren't official. Although, Rohan was right, not that we were secretly dating but we were kinda. I'm not sure how to tag it, but I knew we were something. I didnt want to rush into another relationship mess with Tittu and my new career, plus he had to finish his degree too. It would just be too much to handle for me if I date him now. But, I guess we were somewhere along the line.

"Anyway, you do not have Tittu with you, and your new semester starts next week so spare your body a little caffeine cancer and join me. Riya will be thrilled to have you with us, plus, Mr. Singhania loves you more than me lately." He took a deep breath, calming himself, "And if I am being a pussy, you can kick my leg."

That I did. He couldn't even give me his crazy woman look because he held his leg, "not now you woman. At the dinner party."

Nodding, I patted the dust off his shoulders and told him to sit while I changed into an evening dress. Rohan waited patiently for me and then together we joined Mr. Singhania and her daughter who were seated at the table.

And we were ten minutes late

Oops

"You are late."

"Sorry Pa, the traffic was nerve breaking."

"Sir" Mr. Singhania chipped sternly, "sir for you."

I suppressed my chuckle and Riya did too because I really liked this jolly old man. There were a lot of occasions in this past year that I had encountered Mr. Singhania and my adoration for him always surpassed the previous tally.

Rohan gulped and shook his hand, walked over and hugged Riya and mumbled something in her ear to which she slapped him on his shoulder and then sat beside her.

"Hi Mr. Singhania"

He stood up for me and greeted me with a hug, "hey Purvi, how are you beta?" He asked after wishing me for my birthday.

"Jammed up, can you believe I am forced to be with some idiot who couldn't do this on his own."

Both of us eyed the twenty-seven-year-old who had hidden behind the menu card now, "some idiot."

"Are you taking care of that heart of yours?"

Krunal Singhania kissed my forehead, a huge smile on his face, "I have two adorable daughters who do it for me. I am glad we have you here, right Riya?"

"Obviously dad, Purvi is my other half."

Rohan cleared his throat, while Riya bit her tongue and changed the topic. It felt really good for once not drinking my coffee at home and moping.

Rohan could be right sometimes.

I giggled on Riya's remarks and she blew me a kiss, as we sat on the lavish VIP table. Riya was still a famous youtuber, as a matter of fact she had just released her own merch last week and even started another youtube channel to post about Tittu and his small videos, openly confronting and tackling with being deaf and mute. The channel was flourishing every day and people were appreciating the videos and the boy.

Rohan on the other hand was a busy businessman as usual, but gladly took time out of his schedule to come home to us, or Riya, if I'm being honest. Riya decided to not leave me and stay with me in our rented apartment and last year, we've been inseparable.

The rest of the evening was a bit silly and a lot fun. Mr. Singhania never acknowledged Rohan in first person and practically bullied that poor chap. No wonder Rohan wanted me by his side. The latter was interviewed like a stranger and though we girls knew Mr. Singhania was just pulling his leg, it was good to have Rohan played with.

"Okay gentleman, tell me your deepest regret?"

There was silence on the table, Rohan looked at Riya with a small smile and their hands which were entwined from under the table were now placed on it for everyone to see.

"It is to not do this earlier, watching her go and being an idiot and letting you lose your daughter. I take full responsibility of my lack of judgment and courage."

Mr. Singhania was now impressed and he couldn't hold this charade anymore. The two reconciled rather well and Rohan found his father back. They were so engrossed that Riya was forgotten; she had to clear her throat to get their attention.

"Don't be jealous Riya; you know I am always the chosen one."

"Yes, Potter. Can we just be done with this and move to dessert?"

"Which is a sign that I should leave!" Mr. Singhania questioned Riya with a look and she nodded in approval, "you kids have fun."

Riya hugged her father and Rohan did the same, they sat on their places with a goofy grin. Mr. Singhania gave me his blessings and with another grin, he told me to take wise decisions.

What?

"Now that Mr. Singhania was gone, shouldn't I leave too? Give you two lovebirds some time?"

"Or." Rohan called the waiter and whispered something in his ear, "shouldn't we have dessert and wrap this night. I am very tired."

The waiter from where he stood clapped twice to someone at a distance. We waited for another minute and two waiters dressed our table with four cups of ice-cream and one cup with triple scoop inclusive of strawberry, chocolate and vanilla.

At first it was absurd because we were only three of us but then it dawned.

"Tittu?"

"There"

There he was. My six year old standing on the stage with a mike in his hand. He looked super cute in his small tuxedo and he was a lot tanner than the last I saw him. When he saw me looking at him, he waved fanatically.

Oh! I missed him so much. All this while I thought I didn't, but watching him up there, I really did miss him.

What was he doing up here?

"What is up guys?"

Riya and Rohan were onto something for sure, for Tittu wasn't supposed to be here.

"Didn't you see the table properly, you blind."

What was on the table? Four cups of ice-cream and one cup with three scoops and alongside were four beers and a coke.

Fuck

He was here.

How?

"Anirudh?"

"Just watch it bro, right there. And if you can't, let us."

The lights dimmed all of a sudden, then it darkened and the only focus was on my kid who stood across in the between. It was his first limelight and he was handling it well. Then there was one on me, the lights were too strong and though I couldn't see much in the dark, the attention was making me quite uncomfortable.

*I don't need this*

He signed with his one hand and tossed the mike down, I really loved how confident he was now, *I don't need words to convey how much I love you*

No one, I highly doubt, would understand the kid but Riya did and she awed.

"I love you, I do. When I was away from you, I was told that you are not my mother and I believed them because you are not. They think I don't remember my mother but I do. She was a brave woman for no one else could do what she did. But when I look at you, I know that this one is braver than my mother. You took me in and loved me like your own. I love you, and you may not show it but I know you do." He was in tears and even though he was signing it, I could hear his voice; I could recognize his feelings and find tears in my eyes too.

"You and you and you." He pointed at us three, "there is nothing I want than you all and ice-cream too. Right now, I am happy to be back here with you. Because I know you missed me and I did, especially when there was no one to shout at me or compel me to study or tuck me in and stay with me for the night." He wiped his tears with the back of his hand, "I love you so much."

Then he did that sign, the sign which meant so much to me.

He touched his chin with his thumb while his palm was open and then he pointed at me with his tiny finger.

*Aai*

I found myself wiping my own tears, "I do too, so much."

Then the most extraordinary thing happened. The background tuned into what sounded like a Bollywood song and Tittu ran from the stage to get someone and I looked at the Riya and Rohan who shrugged at me, he was back soon with a smiling Anirudh. That idiot who was out of town for three months for his internship.

"Happy Birthday Purvi," Anirudh picked the kid, taking the mike in his hand, "this is from us, to you."

"What is up?" I asked

He looked at me with that dimpled smile and shrugged while I stood watching them in complete awe.

The song, Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata koi started and to my absolute surprise, Tittu signed all the words of that song to me, while Anirudh helped him by lip syncing it. My eyes filled with soft tests as Tittu stood up there, signing the entire song while everyone else jammed with the beautiful song. Riya and Rohan were tearful too, as Tittu wiped his big tears and signed the words to me.

Dekho Abhi Khona Nahin,

Kabhi Juda Hona Nahin,

Ab Ke Yuhin Mile Rahenge Dono,

Vaada Raha Ye Is Shaam Ka,

When the song was finally over, Tittu quickly ran up to me, and I hugged him, everyone else in the restaurant cheering for us. I had missed this kiddo for so long now, "I am not leaving you ever."

"Me too" He signed and I picked him in my arms, walking over to our table, Anirudh followed suit.

"Happy Birthday meri Jaan," Riya yelled, squeezing me in a hug. "How was the surprise."

Sniffing, I hugged her back, Tittu giggling at us. "Too good. Thank you."

Anirudh who sat next to me, held my hand, "is it okay, if I tell you something?" He asked, Rohan and Riya intently watching us and Tittu already eating his ice-cream.

I nodded my head with a smile and let him continue, "I am not going to tell you why I love you because you know, and I am not going to tell you till when I am going to love you, because I don't know. What I do know is I find myself in complete happiness when I am with you. There is nothing that can match that solace I get when I sip coffee with you and I did not even like coffee until you offered me that day. I know you're cynical for relationships but, I guess you deserve another chance to be loved and wanted. You, love, have made me a fool and I'd like to be one forever."

I didn't really want him to public propose me; I didn't think I was ready for a simple proposal too. Yet somehow, the heart always warmed up at that thought.

He kissed me on the cheek and Aarav kissed my other one, while I blushed, Riya and Rohan clapping for us.

The lights were back on and everyone proceeded to eat their dinner while our table was gleaming with attention. Anirudh held my hand and sat beside me with Rohan and Riya in front of us and Tittu at the seat centering the table, where Mr. Singhania sat earlier.

"How did you get him here?" I asked Anirudh, kissing Tittu, "I thought his one month was not yet over."

"I know that you missed him dearly and hence thought I'd surprise you with two of your favorite men. So, I headed to your hometown, requested your parents to let Tittu come with me. They didn't want to bid farewell to their grandson a week earlier than they intended to but when I told them the reason, they agreed. Though Mr. Deshmukh had me interrogated really well."

Rohan sympathized with him and Riya laughed, "man up Ro that was nothing. You don't even want to know how Mr. Deshmukh proceeded with Anirudh."

"True story."

I couldn't believe that my father had given his blessings to Anirudh and took an oath from him to take care of me. Maybe the loss of one daughter had really touched his heart and he wasn't going to risk his other one for the same.

"Remind me to never let you go to your grandparents' house again." I signed at Tittu who awed because he wanted to.

"Give it a break. That kid lives with you two girls 24 X 7 let him have his one-month break well. He deserves a time out from you two."

"Rohan, you didn't want to send him initially and even tagged along with me when I dropped him home."

That shut him and Anirudh congratulated the duo for their relationship upgrade and in turn receiving the compliment for us two.

"So?" Anirudh asked as we continued eating our dinner.

"So?"

"Wanna be my girlfriend?" He asked, whispered rather and I looked at him.

"You really want a girl with a six year old kid?" I asked, knowing well enough that he did.

"I'd rather have this girl and her six year old than anyone else in this world."

I laughed, shaking my head, 'cheesy Mr. Sardana."

He laughed too, "I'm gonna take that as a yes."

"Welp," Rohan shrugged, "I told you Purvi loves surprises."

"Hey, I do not like surprises."

"Please" Rohan spoke opening the beer bottles with the opener, "you have had so many surprises that we'd be surprised if you do not like them by now."

"I don't like them as yet." I pressed Anirudh's hand lovingly, "but I can live with them."

Riya took her beer in her hand and we did too, Aarav who was eating his ice-cream took his coke and Anirudh put a straw in it. "To all of us, who didn't know to live life one year back and were complete morons."

"To love, because that son of a bitch always finds a way to interrupt our sadist lives." Rohan earned another blow for that.

"To happiness and to joy, who find a way to appreciate our lives after the darkest storm."

I smiled at Anirudh and looked at the kid, "to the kid, who entered our lives, created a complete mess and is proud of it. Thanks! To Tittu for making us who we are now, because it is not blood but love that connects us."

"Cheers."

Life was getting to its complete circle. Right now, I had Riya with me, a strong comforter and a protector with whom I could share anything I wanted. There was Rohan who was true friend and sometimes, he just knew what I wanted and longed for and of course, there was Anirudh.

The guy, who didn't give up on me, never has and never will.

And then comes, Aarav, aka Tittu whom I kept close by choosing to adopt him and let him live with us girls. He deserved to be happy and get all the attention from his mother, since she couldn't, I would.

This is not a perfect ending to this story, in fact in many ways it isn't happiest either. Aarav will never see his mother again and there is no way we are letting his father be any closer. He will have to live with those horrendous nightmares and strive every day to face the world without any parents.

My parents will never be able to undo what they did to me and my sister since our childhood. No amount of their trying can erase my previous envy and hatred towards them and my sister. They will have to live without meeting their eldest daughter and they sure will regret it forever.

Tai is gone and I can never reconcile with her. No matter how much I want to, I can never replace my bitter memories with her and along with Tittu, I'll have to grow with those.

However, he has me and I have him, and for now, that will work.

He would be showered with her missed attention, my attention and three more who adore him. He'll get those nightmares but he will have me beside. He'll miss his parents, his mother but he will have two mothers and two fathers with him constantly. He may give up on tomorrow but we will never give up on him.

There was only thing my sister taught me and that is to fight till the last breath.

Thanks, Tai, for being that angel to my life and believing in me.

You are my true light.

As I sit here, with the people I'd least expect to share a beer with, I know Tai that you did your best to rectify all our mistakes and suffered much more than I did. Right now, amidst the laughter of my friends, the adoration of my love and the twinkle of your son, I can still feel you with me. As I conclude my story, I just want to hold on to your thoughts and fulfill your promise.

But you are different, you are strong and brave, smart and courageous and moreover, you are humane. A little rusty, sure, but that heart of yours glitters gold.

Someone has to just come and shake it a bit so all the dust and rust will fall off and the gold will outshine all the others.

Thanks for being that someone through your son.

Not the perfect ending, but happy it surely is.

THE END

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net