India, Singhaniya House

Anamika freshens up and rushes out of her room. She hasn't taken a shower yet, she can do it later. After all, she is  on leave and she wants to relax and party, before she chooses something for her future. She has to meet her father and grandfather before they leave for office. Post that she can relax more. She greets her elders and pulls her chair near to her grandfather and takes her seat. He caresses her head lovingly and her mom serves the breakfast.

"Ache se neend aayi?? You're here after 3 years. " her grandfather asks her.

" Haha, Daduu!!! Yes, it's weird. But I'm home now. Aur neend se zyada iski khushi hain ki mujhe koi bhi kaam khud se nahi karne. Vahan toh karne hi padte they na." Anamika makes a cute face.

"Acha Chalo! Ab khao. Ab toh main hoon na." Naina says smearing her head.

"Yes mom! I love you!!" Anamika hugs her mother.

Naina kisses her daughter's head, and cups her face. She stares at her daughter's face. It seems like she's looking at her foreseeing some future storm. A mother's concern is clearly visible on her face. Anamika notices her mother, she kisses her cheek softly. The two men are adoring the ladies. Naina composes herself and asks her daughter to eat. Everyone begin eating while Rajveer tells his dad about the meeting that they have to attend.

Anamika finds the chance and looks at her grandfather and parents.

"Main aapse kuch puchun?" She asks.

The three elders look at her and her grandfather asks her to speak. Anamika takes a close look at her elders, before speaking.

"Aap log mujhse kuch chhupa toh nahi rahe na??" She asks softly, looking at all the three.

She finds Raj and Naina glancing at each other. It seems like Naina was already expecting such a question from her daughter, while the two men didn't see it coming. Anamika is looking at them and repeats the question.

"Batao na! Koi baat hai kya?" she asks while sipping her coffee.

"Nahi Princess! Aisi koi baat nahi hai." Rajveer says.

"Haan beta! Tumhe aisa kyun laga??" Kamaldeep asks.

Anamika casts a look at her parents. She has heard their conversation last night and she knows something is really hidden from her. Also, she's keen to know the person about whom her mom was talking last night. Also, yesternight, while talking with Vineet, he shared that his mom is stopping him from coming to India. She also feels that she should know the reason behind the silence of her and his parents. Her trance is broken with her mom's voice.

"Tum ye kyun puch rahi ho, Ana??" Naina asks.

"Aap naraaz thi naa, mumma??" Anamika asks remembering the incident of the other day.

Naina is lost in her thoughts. She remembers that the other day, she had an argument with Rajveer, when they both went to wake their daughter, and last night too. She looks at Anamika worriedly. Maybe, she heard them talking, and is asking this question.

"Arey, aap log chup kyun ho?? Batao na. Maine kuch galat pucha?" she asks, reading their expressions.

"Nahi beta! Par abhi tumhe is sab mein nahi padna chahiye." Raj says.

"Fir aap aur mumma jhagda kyun kar rahe they? Aisa kya hai jo mujhe nahi pata." Anamika asks.

"Bache, ye sab aapko nahi sochna hain. Mumma papa hain na!" Naina says.

"Aap naraaz nahi ho na??" Anamika asks.

"Naa! Aisa karte hain aaj hum dono shopping pe chalte hain. What say?" Naina suggests.

"Great! Toh aaj Mumma aur Ana maze karenge! Papa aur Daadu kaam karenge." Anamika chuckles.

The other three laugh at her, while Anamika smiles. She's mature enough to understand that if her parents aren't willing to tell her anything, then she should not coax them. She should leave them, if it's something of her interest, they will tell her. She smiles and the family of four have breakfast with light chit chats and then the men disperse for their work, while Anamika behind to relax for a little while.

*****

New York

It's night in the city, Devika is sitting in the balcony of her room, savoring the beautiful night views. Vineet enters the room with two cups of coffee and sit beside his mom.

"Mom! What are you thinking?" he asks.

"Nothing! Bas ye soch rahi thi ki agar tum mere sath nahi hote toh kya hota!!" she says smiling at her son.

"What's it, mom?  I mean aisa kya hain jo aap chhupa rahi ho. I know mom, aap kuch toh chupa rahe ho. There is something for sure." Vineet says while sipping his coffee.

"Hain na! Ek kahani. Par is kahani mein Raja apni Rani ko akela chhod gaya. And all of this is done by her family." Devika says, as a teardrop escapes her eyes.

"Which family?" Vineet asks curiously.

"There were some people, Vineet. Jinhe main apna samajhti thi, unhone mujhe hurt kiya." she says reminiscing the past.

She looks at her son and cups his face. For her, he's the replica of his late father and she didn't want to lose him. She'd have kept him close to herself, but it is not possible, she knows.

"Yahi toh wajah hain ki main tujhe wahan jaane se rokti hun. Main nahi chahti wo tumhe galat samjhe." Ruhana says.

"Par ab itne saal ho gaye, Ma. It won't be like this." He says.

"Vineet! I already told you everything. You will not go to India, did you get it. I've lost my love there, I can't lose you. You're the only precious thing that your father left me with." Ruhana says, her voice teary.

Vineet takes a deep breath as he watches Devika go in, and he can't hurt her. He can't be the reason of her pain, and neither  he can hurt Anamika, who wants him to visit India once. He doesn't know what to do. He follows his mom in the room and lies on the bed. Devika smiles, he's going to accompany her tonight. She eases on the bed, and begins to smear Vineet's head. Meanwhile, his phone buzzes, and there's a mail. A smile forms on his lips as he reads the mail. He casts a look at Devika, she's asleep. But, worry overpowers the joy, and Vineet is thoughtful for some reason.

To Be Continued.

What leaves Vineet thoughtful??

Stay tuned.