May 26 2022

The time was eleven twenty three p.m, It was another long day at work for Anne as she opened the front door, stepping in and took a deep breath. She took off her shoes and walked to the living room and saw her daughters laughing about a joke until they noticed Anne walking by which made them smile, Winters gave a smile back.

Anne: There's my lovely girls, Sorry if I'm late.

Anya: *Chuckles* It's alright, Mom. We made dinner for you.

Anne: *Eyes widen* What?

Maya: *Smiles* Yup, You heard that right and we made food from the bottom of our heart.

Anya laughed, nudging her sister as Anne continued staring at them with surprise, She didn't expect them to cook dinner for her.

Anne: You both didn't need to do that. . .

Maya: Oh come on, Mom. You're coming home exhausted everyday, We also wanted to help out..

Anya: We just wanted you to have a break. You're always working, always running around, You deserve to sit down and be spoiled for once.

Anne felt her heart skip a beat and walked towards them with a smile on her face, She kissed the top of Maya's forehead and ruffled Anya's hair which made both of them smile.

Anne: Girls, You both know why I do it. I work hard because I want you both to be happy and settled, Everything I do, it's for you two.

Maya: *Eyes softened* Of course and That's why we wanted tonight to be for you.

Anne had a smile on her face before stretching out a little bit, Anya and Maya got up from the couch, wanting to set up the table before Winters said something.

Anne: But you know, if this food is terrible, You both are out of the house.

Anya: Uh oh, Maya, You're definitely out first.

Maya: What!? I just burned the rice, A little bit!

Anne: You. . . Burned the rice?

Anya: I told her to keep an eye on it! Thank god the kitchen wasn't on fire.

Maya: At least I tried!

Winters couldn't help but laugh as the sisters continue bickering before she told them to stop while laughing.

Anne: It's okay, Burned rice or not, I'm still proud of both of you for trying.

Maya: *Giggles* Gordon Ramsay will cry in joy when he sees my dish.

Anya: More like he will cry in fear.

Maya groaned and playfully nudged her as Anne laughed again before telling them that she was going to go upstairs to freshen up, The girls nodded and decided to set the table and food.

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Maya: Presenting. . . our masterpiece!

She opened the lid, revealing a bowl of curry. Anne was sitting by the chair, staring at the curry with wide eyes, It smelled really nice but she decided to tease them a little bit. Anya added some rice on her mother's plate, She sniffed it a little, the scent of burned rice hitting her noise. But it wasn't too bad

Anne: Smells like effort. Which is the rarest spice of all.

Anya: *Laughs* Careful, Mom. If you insult the chef, she might quit.

Maya: *Pouts* Might? Oh, I'll definitely quit.

Anne: Don't worry, I might give you some free points.

They shared a laughs and the food was passed around, The girls took their seat and waited for their mom to take the first bite, anticipating for her reaction. Anne noticed them and smiled a little as She took the first bite, chewing it carefully before nodding.

Anne: Oh wow. . . This is actually good.

Maya: *Gasps* Did you hear that, Anya? Mom said "actually" Like she didn't believe in us.

Anya: *Laughs* She obviously didn't believe you at first.

Anne: Actually, I didn't believe you either.

Anya gasped before pouting to herself before they shared a laugh together and continued eating the food, Deep down, Winters was really proud of the effort they done in their first try, The laughter faded into comfortable silence as Anya took another bite and began speaking about something.

Anya: You know, Maya and I were talking earlier about how fast everything's moving. Like, in just two years, Maya will be finished with high school and will head to the college. I might find a job sooner than later. . . It's kind of scary.

Anne's eyes softened, understanding how she feels, Maya was looking at both of them before taking another bite.

Anne: Life moves fast, sweetheart. But no matter how far you two go, this will always be home. You'll always have a place to come back to.

Maya: *Grins* Even if we burn the kitchen down?

Anne: *Chuckles* Especially if you burn the kitchen down. I'll need you both here to help rebuild it.

They laughed again as Anne sipped water from the glass before looking at them.

Anne: I mean it though, You two are very important to me.

Anya and Maya looked at her, smiling a little as Winters shaked her head.

Anne: I get it that I've been a little bossy then before, I have my moments where I just feel upset, I don't talk as much as I used too. . . But believe me, I don't ever want you to think I'm not proud of you. Or that I'm too caught up in work to see you.

Anya and Maya looked at each other, frowning a little. This was one of the few times Anne would open up to them, It means that Winters has been feeling a bit emotional lately.

Anne: You're not on the sidelines of my life, You are my life

Maya: *Smiles* We know, Mom. . . And we love you so much.

Anya was silently staring at her mom as Winters smiled, taking another bite. Anya seemed hesitant to ask a question but in the end, She wanted to know.

Anya: Can I ask you something, Mom?

Anne: Go ahead.

Anya: Do you ever. . . . you know miss being with someone? Like dating? Falling in love again?

Maya's eyes lit up and was curious to hear her mother's answer, Anne felt her heart beating fast, surprised by the question as she placed her spoon on the table.

Anne: That's a big question, Anya.

Maya: She's right, though. I mean you've been on your own for as long as we can remember. Didn't you ever want to. . . try again?

Anne was quiet for a moment, looking at her daughters before shaking her head.

Anne: Love isn't simple, girls. It's beautiful, yes. But it can also leave scars. Ones that don't always heal the way you expect.

Maya: I understand, But who was it, Mom? It can't be my father, You said he was terrible. . .

Anne: Indeed he was. . .

She looked at Anya, frowning and felt her heart beating faster. . . That's when she started thinking about Charlie. . . Those memories ran through her mind.

Anne: Your father. . . He was a good man in many ways. Kind, strong. . .. but he also made a choice that hurt me.

Anya's eyes lit up and frowned when she said that, She never knew too much about her father. Maya stared at both of them, feeling a bit sad.

Maya: Do you hate him?

Anne: Hate?. . . . No. . . . I just don't want to see him. . . I don't think I'll ever see him again.

Anya and Maya looked at each other, nodding. They didn't want to dwell deep into the conversation, Winters was quietly staring at her plate, She remembered those great moments in New Delhi, Her life with Charlie. . .

( Sometimes. . . I still wonder about the love I left behind, the moments that slipped away. . . )

(Sometimes, I wonder if he's still out there. . . . )

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"Tip tip barsa paani (The water was falling drop by drop)"

"Tip tip barsa paani(The water was falling drop by drop)"

"Paani ne aag lagayi (The water had started a fire)

"Aag lagi dil mein toh(When my heart was on fire)"

Charlie: *Chuckles* Yeah, Of course I'm fine. Just listening to classic 90s music.

The family members laughed, Today, Manushi's family invited a couple of relatives to their house, She invited Alex as well and told him to bring Charlie along. He happily agreed on it, But deep down he also wanted to distract himself from his thoughts. . . Remembering Anne. . .

"Dil ko teri yaad aayi (Then my heart was remembering you)"

"Teri yaad aayi toh (Since I was remembering you)"

"Jal utha mera bheega badan (My whole drenched body was burning)'

"Ab tum hi batao sajan main kya karoon?(Beloved, now you only tell me what should I do?)"

Charlie walked away from the group, smiling to himself as the music continued playing. He sipped his tea and looked around. . . Relatives were laughing and joking around, Some of them were gossiping. Manushi and Alex were talking to each other as he was watching them, She pinched Alex's cheek and gave him a light smack because of a joke he said which made Alex laugh.

Charlie couldn't help but smile at them. . . It reminded him of himself and Anne.

He sighed, sipping his tea while looking at them.

(Oh Anne. . . kyun itna yaad aati ho? (Oh Anne, why do you come to my mind so much?))

He closed his eyes for a moment, the memory of her smile flashing.

(Those little walks. . . Those chai stalls. . . har ek pal mere saath tha. (Every single moment was with me.)

He walked away, sipping his tea again and was outside the house, staring at the sky.

(I really tried to move on. . . but dil ke kone mein ab bhi tum ho. (I really tried to move on, but in the corner of my heart, you're still there.)

Charlie: *Sighs* Why did I go to the event?. . . Was it fate?

Manushi: Charlie, Kya hua? (What happened?)

He immediately turned around and saw Manushi adjusting her saree while looking at him, He blinked before speaking to her.

Charlie: Uhh. . . Are you a ghost?

Manushi: What??

Charlie: *Chuckles* Bad joke. I could have sworn you were in the house talking to Alex.

Manushi: *Laughs* I was, Until I noticed you left so suddenly.

Charlie: Oh no, I'm not leaving. . . Just needed some fresh air. I can't miss the biryani.

Manushi: Of course. . . Charlie, Why are you so quiet?

His smile faltered a little bit as he shook his head, Everyone has been noticing his silence.

Charlie: I'm okay, Manu. I'm just tired.

Manushi: Are you sure? Alex has been worried about you.

Charlie: . . . So did he send you here?

Manushi: Maybe, He doesn't like your silence and you know I don't either.

Singh was quiet as Manushi's eyes softened. Convincing him to speak to her, He sighed and cleared his throat.

Charlie: It's just a lot of old memories of New Delhi. . . I don't know, I didn't think about it for so long but when you and Alex took me to that event, It all changed. . .

Manushi: What happened, Charlie?

Charlie: I saw someone after so many years. . . And she's been in my head.

She looked at him, curiously until her eyes lit up.

Manushi: . . . Is it your sister?

Charlie: No, We don't talk anymore. . .

Manushi: . . . Your Ex?

He looked up at her when she said that, His heart skipped a beat as Charlie shakes his head.

Charlie: I wouldn't call her my ex. . . My wife.

Manushi: I remember you spoke about her once. . . After that, You never did.

Charlie: *Chuckles* That's because when I met Alex, He thought I was single throughout my entire life.

Manushi: Charlie. . . Did you speak to her?

He was quiet as Manushi was curious and shocked by this discovery. She knew very well that he opens up towards her more than anyone else. Unknown to Charlie, Alex was outside, listening to the conversation.

Charlie: No, I didn't have the chance too. . .

Manushi was about to say something until they heard someone panting and groaning, Both of them looked confused as Charlie narrowed his eyes. . . Thinking it was a mugger or some kind of criminal activity, He told Manushi to stay. He even told her not to tell Alex anything since he didn't want him to do his job in the middle of a family gathering.

Charlie left the area and began following the noise before he heard laughter, He raised an eyebrow and noticed a couple walking by, The man was holding three heavy bags as Charlie's face softened, realising it was just a couple.

Charlie: Excuse me, Can I help you two?

They both turned around as Charlie's eyes lit up, recognising one of them.

(Wait. . . I saw her at the event, She was with Anne. . .)

Benjamin: *Smiles* Oh no worries, My car is right over there.

( I recognise him as well. . . .)

Charlie: *Smiles* Are you sure you don't need a forklift, or maybe a small army of delivery boys?

Benjamin and Janhvi looked at each other before laughing a little as Singh smiled, walking towards them.

Janhvi: Not at all, Sir- Oh, Your Indian?

Charlie: Yes, But I'm mistaken for an american if I'm talking in the other room.

Benjamin: Wow, Well. . . I almost mistaken you as one.

Charlie: *Chuckles* It's fine and let me help.

Janhvi: No, No, We have it under control.

Charlie: Too late.

He grabbed one of the bags even though Benjamin and Janhvi kept refusing but he reassured them that it was okay, Soon, Benjamin guided him towards the car and they put all the bags behind the car as Janhvi smiled.

Janhvi: Thank you, Sir. You didn't need to help us.

Benjamin: We really appreciate it.

Charlie: It's okay, Don't worry. . . Also I feel like I've seen you two before.

Benjamin raised an eyebrow in confusion while Janhvi looked at him in confusion.

Benjamin: Really? Uh I don't recall our meeting

Charlie: *Smiles* That's the point, We haven't.

He smiled before walking away as Benjamin and Janhvi looked at each other in confusion.

Janhvi: Uhh what was he talking about?

Benjamin: *Shrugs* Don't know, It's probably nothing.

Janhvi: Right, Let's go home now. I feel tired.

Benjamin nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as She smiled before he walked away to get inside the driver's seat while Janhvi went to the passenger's seat, But they were also curious about what Charlie said to them, However they also didn't want to think too much about it.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)