Sona's POV:

I have no idea for how long we remained still in that posture.

He cried his heart out again.

He mourned for the loss of his Maa.

As far as I know him...I am sure that he had never cried since he lost his Genie.

While I was holding him strongly he let his emotions and tears flow through his heart.

When I felt him getting relaxed...I pulled him out of me and made him gulp a mouthful of water.

Wiping his tears I asked him whether he is ok?? He nodded and commenced

"After that dreadful incident...on the next day Baba married Saru Maa...and I was told that Saru Maa will be my Maa...I said no...how can she be my Maa...no one can take her place...no one can replace her...

But she didn't give up....she tried hard to be my Maa...not only her but Badimaa and Nani too tried to give me the love that I lost...but my heart couldn't accept anyone's affection..it was already bruised...

Later that what Baba did...it was bruised my heart to the next level...no Sona...not destroyed...he killed my heart...

All the photographs...her sarees...her other belongings...all my memories with her were demolished...all her memories were burnt...

They didn't allow me to catch a glimpse of that hurtful incident but somehow I made it possible and witnessed that too...

With the burning flames of her memories, my heart too was burnt then and there at that moment...

My heart was locked permanently for those two people...

I can not forgive them...

I can not forgive them for snatching away all her memories from me...

Her memories were the only source of giving me the feeling that she is still with me...

But I had lost that too...

I was broken...

Everything that happened around me started eating me ...the flashes of her face...her words...her burning memories were haunting me...

Our little house that was my favourite place on this earth began haunting me to the core...

Then Mama took me with him... and I stayed with Mama and Nana-Nani...

Even though I changed the place those flashes never left me...it kept haunting me...

During all this, I got small happiness...I got Aaru...my little baby was born Sona

I came back to my house to see Aaru...he was so small...this much small"

He gaze was fixed to his extended hands as if he was reliving the moment when he held Aaru for the first time

Placing my palm over his cheek I stroked his cheek with my thumb and he came back to his senses

"But the scars that my heart had were much stronger and deeper...

Staying in that house and seeing those people everything was freshly attacking me...

I couldn't bear staying in that house...

I returned to Mama and never came back...

The bridge between me and Baba went on growing with time...

I completed my schooling staying at Mama's place...

The only aim of my life was to fulfil the promise I gave to Maa...

I began studying hard to fulfil my promise...I began studying as if there was no tomorrow only to get a seat in the best college...

I left Mama's place and joined the hostel...I completed my education and established my firm...

After establishing the business my only focus was money and more money....I went on earning more and more so that I could fulfil my promise...

That phase was the toughest one for me Sona...though I was far away from that place...the memories of that incident never left me...they lived with me like my shadow...

Everyone used to tell me that time will heal all the wounds but no one could tell what I was supposed to do to get rid off of those haunting memories....

I couldn't sleep at night....I could hear her voice while sleeping...I knew she was no more in this world but I could feel her presence with me...I used to wake up in the middle of the night when her blood-stained face hit my eyes....

I would close my eyes and ears to avoid those flashes but nothing helped...

Soon all those memories turned into a nightmare that went on tormenting me every alternate night...

At one point, I was scared to sleep...I  was scared to close my eyes...

Everyone just gave me lectures on time and wound healing but at that moment when I was going through those nightmares, I didn't know what to do right then...

I overcame all those nonstop working days and horrible nights...

And finally, when I became capable of fulfilling my promise Baba came up with the condition of marriage...he said he will give me the legal rights of that place only when I'll get married to you...

A cancer hospital at the place where he had her last breath...It was the only thing that Maa asked me for the first and last time...

I wanted to fulfil the promise I gave to Maa so I married you...

The very next day of our marriage Baba signed the documents and I got the legal rights...

And today at that place a cancer hospital is being built...Just as Maa wanted...

My Genie's wish is coming true"

He smiled and fresh tears rolled down his cheeks.

The proud feeling that he did as his Maa said was reflecting through his voice and teary-eyed smile...

But then suddenly his smile vanished within seconds

"But I am not a good son...Sona"

Moving closer to him I cupped his face "No baby...that's not true and why do you think so??"

While my hands were still on his cheeks he held my wrist

"Because I couldn't look after Baba...I promised Maa that I'll take care of Baba in her absence...but I couldn't do anything...I am a bad Son...a very bad Son"

How can someone be so soft-hearted?...even after bearing everything at such a tender age...he is blaming himself??

"No Arjun...you are a good Son...you

Before I could prove him wrong...he cut me...

"But I am trying to be a good son Sona... I am trying to give them a good life...every month I transfer money to Baba's and Aaru's accounts...I keep an eye on them...I keep discussing with the doctor about their health and regular checkups...I am trying Sona...wait I'll show you the proof"

Brushing off my hands he was about to get up to show me the proof of his innocence but I held his wrist and pulled him back to the bed again held his face between my palms

"I know you Arjun...I know what you are...I trust you...there is no need of any proof...because I know Arjun is a good son of Maa Baba"

"Sacchi??" the child hearted Arjun was not convinced

Kissing his forehead I said "Muchchi"

Getting the assurance he pulled me into a bone-crushing hug and scooping his head into my neck he shed silent tears.

************************************

I was in the kitchen making a strong tea for him.

Because of nonstop crying his head was bursting badly...

At the age of 5, he has gone through so much... I recalled the night when he woke up in the middle of the night because of the same nightmare...

His words echoed my mind

It's the same nightmare which is haunting me all the time...the nightmare because of which I haven't slept for numerous nights...I think something is stuck between my eyelids Sona...it won't allow me to have a peaceful sleep...Whenever I try to have a good sleep...the same nightmare attacks me...it attacks my head...my heart...my body...my  soul everything...it ruins my everything..it is..it just shatters my soul into pieces

That tragic incident has been carved so badly in his heart that even post many years of that incident he is unable is to sleep peacefully...

Tears didn't stop flooding out of my eyes...I palmed my mouth to stifle the sob...

I had to mask my tears in front of him

Wiping my tears I splashed water on my face and carried the tray of teacups to our room.

Post having his tea....I gave him a head massage with lukewarm oil and he felt a bit better.

At night as he was not ready to eat I made him drink a glass of hot milk and finally my baby was sleeping on my lap.

While I was still messaging his temples I heard him whispering my name

"Sona"

"Yes, baby...You need something??"

"Promise me you wo

"I promise no matter what I will never leave your side...I will not go away from you" before he could ask I promised him what he wished for

"Pakka??"

Bending down to his face I kissed his lips lightly "Pakka"

A small smile crinkled his lips when I confessed "Jasmine is always with you My Aladdin"

************************************

While my baby was sleeping peacefully on my lap and I was patting his head I heard a knock on the door.

Gently lifting his head I placed a pillow under his head and strolled to the door

"Bhabhi...Raghav Bhaiya has come to meet you"

Madhavi Didi informed and I wondered why did he come at this time??

The moment when I caught the sight of him my eyes pooled up with tears and I ran to him and cried on his shoulder.

"He doesn't deserve all this Raghav...he has suffered so much"

"Shh...Gudiya that's fine" he said caressing my hairs

"No Raghav...please let me cry...I want to cry for my Arjun...please...don't stop me"

"Ok I won't stop you...cry as much as you want"

I cried to my heart extent while he held me strong in his brotherly embrace.

"Resisting my tears in front of him was so difficult for me...Only I know how I managed to control myself" I sobbed in his embrace

"I know my Gudiya is a strong girl...strong enough to hold my idiot monkey"

"Don't you dare call my husband a monkey" breaking the hug I retorted wiping my tears with the back of my hands.

He smiled at my response and we walked to the room.

Sitting next to my sleeping baby Raghav caressed his head and admitted without looking at me "It's been year's I have seen this monkey sleeping so peacefully"

As he was busy adoring his friend he wasn't looking at me...lifting Arjun's hand he kissed the back of his palm and added further "Thank you Gudiya"

I was awestruck at that moment and couldn't react anything to his words.

************************************

In the study room:

"Every year during these days he isolates himself but I am glad that this time he had you by his side"

"But the incident is still disturbing him Raghav...and this is because of his father...my Arjun life is stuck at that moment...he is unable to get rid of it only because of that man...I am so so angry with him"

"Shut up Sona...how dare to blame his father" he yelled at me

"Because he is the one responsible for my Arjun's condition...Arjun lost his childhood...his innocent childhood was turned into a fearful one...you guys have no idea about him......he can't sleep at nights because of that trauma...he has  suffered from PTSD...you do know what does that mean"

I yelled back at him where he coldly replied  "I know about his PTSD...because I was the one who took him to the consultant"

While I looked at him in surprise he added further

"After that incident, he isolated himself from everyone...he went to his Mama's place... whenever Arun Chachu tried to meet him talk to him Arjun denied doing so...later when Aaru was born he just came to see him and returned immediately...

Every summer when Saru Maasi used to go there with Aaru I used to join them....I have seen him taking care of Aaru...he bathed him...feed him...play with him...make him sleep...he did everything to Aaru as a mother...

The 2 months of summer holidays were pure bliss for him...

Later as time passed he distanced himself from me and Aaru...whenever we asked him to play with us he used to deny saying that he has to study...

After schooling we joined the same college...there too he maintained a safe distance from me...he used to attend classes...study in the library and get back to the hostel...and you know what...college was not so far from his Mama's house then to he insisted to stay in hostel giving the reason he gets disturbed at home...

He began studying about cancer and its hospitals...he began studying everything that contributed to the set-up of the hospital...

He studied hard and got a seat in the best engineering college but my score wasn't enough to get admission to the same college....then Arun Chachu got me the seat by paying an extra donation only because he was scared about his son...he wanted someone to be there with Arjun...

But as your husband is stubborn he behaved like I was nonexistent to him and never allowed me to be with him...

When he was asked to come back home for vacations he never agreed...he used to stay in the hostel itself... sometimes when Aaru would force him so much then only he would come back home but used to spend much of the time in his room..

Post his education he established his firm and started living all alone in this house...

Arun Chachu was always worried as Arjun was slowly killing himself by staying away from his people...all the time he made sure that Arjun has someone by his side...his Mama...your father...me...Aaru...he keeps an eye on your husband through me and Aaru...

When he came to know that Arjun is getting nightmares now and then he ordered me to take your husband to the consultant...he keeps on discussing his mental health with the doctors on regular basis...

But he realised that more than a medicine he needs a companion to complete him...someone who can take care of him...someone who can be with him during his ups and downs and make him live a happy and peaceful life...

At the same time Arjun was trying for a bank loan to start the construction of the hospital and as the half share of the property belonged to Chachu...he couldn't start the proceedings

Grabbing the opportunity Chachu made a plan...to transfer  his share on Arjun's name he asked Arjun to get married

And the girl he chose for him was you

Somewhere he felt that you are the one for him but was scared to execute this...He was scared that he might ruin your life with this marriage so he never confessed and hide the fact that he has chosen you as his healer

I got this information from Saru Maasi and took over the lead...without letting him know that I had the slightest clue of his thought I convinced him for this

It's him because of whom you both got married...because of him Arjun got his love....because of him Arjun is leading a happy life with you"

I was slumped to the couch listening to him...

My eyes were recharged with tears while I heard him 

"Every year he asks me to accompany your husband during these days because he knows about his son...and even today I am here because he sent me to check up on his son"

I was feeling ashamed of myself for judging him...

Sitting next to me on the couch Raghav said "He has been with his son like an invisible shadow"

I was thinking about the father-son duo...both are alike...they will never express their love directly

My thought process broke when Raghav spoke

"I remember the day when Arjun confessed that he wants to start a new life with you"

I gave him a confused look for which he clarified

"The day Arjun was back from his business work after 10 days before getting back to this house he met me

Before that when I met you both on your 6th months anniversary I was happy that our plan of dragging you both in this marriage was on a path of success

But on that day when I met him, he was no more the old Arjun...I saw a desire of having a happy life in his eyes...that day I realised Arun uncle was so right...no one knows Arjun better than Chachu...his choice for his son was proven right"

"What did Arjun say when he met you??"

The question came out of curiosity...I was learning many more things today so I was so curious to know more

Flashback from Raghav's POV

"Abu...vo... it's been more than 6 months na...and nothing happened...everything is fine...nothing happened like before...you are getting na Abu??"

His hands were trembling due to his fear. Resting my hand over his I asked "Are you still scared that whatever happened in the past will repeat??"

Closing his eyes he replied "I don't know"

"How many times I should tell you to see the reality Aaloo??...open your eyes and look what life is offering you"

Whenever he is scared he has a habit of closing his eyes. Opening his eyes he looked at me with his innocence filled eyes

"Look Aaloo...there are two options in front of you... fear and love

When we are scared we are pulled back from life and when we are in love we open our hearts to everything that life offers us

Choose love Aaloo...embrace the happiness that life is giving you...

And one more thing when we feel fear we cannot love...unless and until you release your fearful past you won't experience love

Open the door to your heart Aaloo...and let her heal it with her love...hold all her warmth inside your heart so that the darkness of past won't shatter you"

"But Abu...I...I

"I know you love her and you so want to have a happy life with her"

"But what if it happens aga

"Nothing is going to happen like before because when love walks in our life pain starts to die automatically

Your pain will die soon because your love has already walked in your life...

Love has walked in in the form of Sona....am I right Aaloo??"

Aaloo was blushing like a teenager...never in my life, I have seen him blushing

"So Aaloo has finally got his Jasmine" I pinched his cheeks and he was turning into a red tomato...

Flashback ends

We both had a smile when he recited the last line...

"I knew that he loves you but he was denying the fact because he was scared of his past....he was scared of being hurt"

"But why Raghav??"

"It's natural Gudiya...when a person is hurt in the past he builds up a wall around himself to protect himself from getting hurt again...

Because of his insecurity he was running away from your love...but no one has ever been successful to escape from the fire called love...

No matter how much we push it away or refuse it our heart will always desire for it

And it happened the same with him....he has finally accepted to choose love over fear"

Holding my hands he added "All this happened because of you Gudiya...me and Chachu will always be grateful to you"

And I was looking at him with tears in my eyes...I had no  words to describe what I was feeling...it was an indescribable mixed emotion...

"Ohoo Mrs Aaloo...you are a cry baby" Wiping my tears he teased

"Inspired by you Mr Abu" I replied with a smile and asked him

"Why do you call him Aaloo???"

"Because your husband was a Golu Molu Potato Mrs Aaloo"

"Don't you dare call him that Mr Cry baby....My husband is a hot handsome hunk...do you get that??" Pointing my finger at him I snapped and laughter burst out in the room

Sorry for the late and boring update...I tried to make it sound good 😐😐