After Sarvesh and Mayank left and Bhawani and Parul retired to their respective rooms post dinner, Prabir asked his father," Baba, can't you ask Maa not to leave?"

"When is she leaving? And with whose permission?" Mr. Banerjee roared.

"Tomorrow morning," Bhargavi supplied helpfully. Mr. Banerjee angrily left for upstairs. Having eaten too much, he had been unable to move a while ago and was now moving at an incredibly fast speed.

"I'll get caught Prabir," Bhargavi pointed at her anklets. "You go," she said pushing him. Following, Mr. Banerjee upstairs secretly, Prabir heard the conversation leaning his back against the wall just outside his father's room.

"So you're leaving tomorrow?" Mr. Banerjee asked in a stern voice, noticing a large bag place in a corner.

Nodding her head, Ms. Nalini might have agreed silently, Prabir thought to himself as he could hear no sound. "You've taken your own decision and perhaps thought it was unnecessary to let me know. And of course who am I to...to ask you to stay any longer?"

"Mr. Banerjee, you already went through a lot because of me,but now that I have recovered from the injury, it's time for me to leave. I had decided to leave once their exams are over. I don't want to trouble you anymore."

Listening to her words, all the wrath had disappeared and a different feeling had set in. Mr. Banerjee wanted to say something, but decided the better of it.

"Thank you Madam, for letting me be of some use to you. What more can I say, when you've already made up your mind?"Mr. Banerjee said, and turned around to leave. His voice, and facial features reflected how hurt he felt. Softly, he closed the door and walked away to his room without noticing Prabir.

Gently tapping on the door, Prabir walked in to speak to Ms. Nalini when his father had walked in his room and slammed the door shut.

"Maa. Please don't leave tomorrow," he urged softly holding her hands and sitting beside her.

"I can't stay here any longer Prabir," Ms. Nalini started but was intervened.
"But why? Why can't you stay here? Maa, I need you. Please don't leave." When Ms. Nalini saw tears rolling down Prabir's cheek, she couldn't find anything to say that could comfort him. He had lost his mother at a very tender age, and deeply missed her. It was an earnest request, that she couldn't let down. Prabir was still a ten years old little kid, asking his mother...to not leave him alone.

"Okay! I'll stay for two more days," she said wiping his tears delicately.

"Maa. Can't you stay here with me forever?" Prabir started an unreasonable bargain. "I call you Maa, so if I am your child...this is your home too Maa."

"This isn't possible Prabir."

"Why is this not possible Maa? Because I'm not your son? If you've ever loved me Maa, you'll not think about leaving."

"You are my son Prabir and I love you."

"You're not leaving then?" Prabir snapped. Having no choice, Ms. Nalini said,"Okay! I won't." The warm smile on Prabir's face, made her want to never leave the Banerjee residence.

No one had ever given Ms. Nalini so much significance in their lives as Prabir did, she realized. There was no doubt that both Bhargavi and Bhawani loved her but none of them had led a life without a mother...to be able to truly value her presence in their lives. Prabir's fingers softly lingered on her face, wiping off her tears, before he embraced her whispering," Look what you've done Maa...You've hurt Baba. Now go and make up for it. He's really sad and doesn't want you to leave. Go and tell him that you're not leaving."

"Now?" Ms. Nalini asked.

"Yes! Now," Prabir smiled back. He himself ushered Ms. Nalini to his father's room and knocked on the door. "Baba," he called out. Upset about everything, Mr. Banerjee yelled," Not now Prabir. I'm not in a mood to talk."

"Baba. Maa is here. There's something she wants to tell you," Prabir stated and stopped Ms. Nalini from turning around to flee.

"Ah! I see. Now she even needs a spokesperson to speak on her behalf," Mr. Banerjee said agitated, as he threw the door open for them. Mischeviously smiling, Prabir pushed Ms. Nalini forward, where she landed in Mr. Banerjee's arms. Winking at his father, he left closing the door behind.

Running downstairs, Prabir saw Bhargavi feeding Bhawani with great difficulty. Feeling still sleepy, she didn't want to eat at all. "Di. Please. I'm full. I don't want to eat anymore," she kept insisting, but Bhargavi managed to say," Okay, once more please. Please Bhawani," and she munched on quickly.

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

Never been this close before, Ms. Nalini shyly fixed her gaze on the floor. Mr. Banerjee lovingly held her in his arms. Letting go, all his thoughts of never calling her Nalini again and Madam instead, he spoke softly," Nalini. What is it? What did you want to talk about?"

"Umm...ah..I...I am not leaving tomorrow," she replied hesitantly.

"So now you've decided that you want to trouble me again? Until when are you willing to stay...may I ask?" Mr. Banerjee quizzed calmly, observing her closely.

"I wish I could leave right now," she replied back sharply.

"Why not? Who's stopping you?"Mr. Banerjee said smiling. He pulled her in his arms again, when she started to leave.

"I want you to keep troubling me for the rest of my life," he whispered in her ears. She could feel his hot breath on her cheeks. As his grip tightened around her, she shot him a dreadful glance,"Let me go," Ms. Nalini said tearing up.

Softening his voice, he said," Nalini. Please tell me the next time...as soon as you decide to leave me...at least give me some clear hints before directly throwing it on my face, so that I'll be prepared."

"I shouldn't be here and... I wouldn't be here had I not been pushed down the stairs. You know I can't stay here forever," Ms. Nalini bluntly stated.

Dropping his hands by her side, Mr. Banerjee turned away,"Fine! You don't have to let me know when you decide anything. Do you have anything more to say? I am tired," he added.

"Yes! Prabir is not letting me leave. He clearly told me that if I think of him as my son...then I can't leave. He wants me to stay here forever but that's not possible....can you...," Ms. Nalini's sentence wasn't even complete when she was interrupted.

"I can't help you with this. This isn't my problem," Mr. Banerjee retorted angrily.

"Mr. Banerjee. He'll listen to you. Please try to explain him once," Ms. Nalini insisted.

Calling up Prabir, Mr. Banerjee said,
"Come here right now."

"Prabir. Do I have to remind you that your mother's dead? She died years ago? This lady here, isn't your mother. She doesn't want to stay here and there's absolutely no reason why you should force her to stay here," Mr. Banerjee bursted out with anger.

"That's enough! Mr. Banerjee," Ms. Nalini screamed.

"Prabir. I...I..." Ms. Nalini started to say but Prabir left mutely without saying a word. Blind with tears, he bumped into Bhargavi, a little distance away from his father's room.

"I too have had enough Madam. I hope your problem is resolved now. You came to me complaining that my child is bothering you, and not letting you leave. So I had to ensure that he doesn't expect anyone walking on the streets to act like his mother." Mr. Banerjee's words were enough to explain Prabir's condition. Prabir knelt on the floor. "It's okay! I'm here. I've got you," Bhargavi mumbled, sitting down beside him and embraced him.

The loud voice of Mr. Banerjee had woken up Parul and she had come running. "Bhaiya? Di? What's wrong? What happened?" Parul asked anxious, observing, Prabir and Bhargavi seated on the floor.

They could see Mr. Banerjee walk out of the room at a very rapid pace. "Paru. Stop him," Bhargavi instructed. Nodding at her, Parul ran after his father.

"Baba.Where are you going? Wait for me. I'll come with you," Parul said. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Mr. Banerjee said in a loud voice," I'm going for a walk and I'll be taking her with me. There's nothing to worry."

When Mr. Banerjee had left, Ms. Nalini slowly approached Prabir. "Prabir," she said softly placing a hand on his shoulder. Prabir instantly jerked his shoulder. "Prabir. Your father misunderstood me."

"You mean to say that he was lying? You've never told him...that I urged you to not leave," Prabir quizzed. Ms. Nalini's silence confirmed why Mr. Banerjee had been so outraged.

Standing up slowly, Ms. Nalini started to walk away. "Where are you going now?" Bhargavi asked surprised.

"I don't know. I don't know Bhargavi. Even if we leave tomorrow morning, we'll be shifting right to the next door. Prabir can meet me anytime he wants to. How does me leaving this house, affect or change my identity as his mother? I insisted that Mr. Banerjee tried to explain this to my crazy boy.

And what was he blabbering...that I am acting like his mother? Why will I have to act? Now, even he's mad at me," Ms. Nalini sighed looking at Prabir. "I still don't understand, if I really deserved this behavior but I can't even roam around on empty streets scowling till my temper comes down."

Smiling, Prabir stood up and embraced Ms. Nalini. "Maa. You deserve this. You know me well.
You know that I did not want to listen to your reasonings and arguments, and thus I told you clearly that...if you really love me, and if I am your son,you'll not even think about leaving.

How did you think Baba would react? After all he's my Baba. He'll do whatever he can to prevent you from leaving.

And Maa what's the harm if we all stay together like a family, just like we have been...for the last couple of days?" Prabir asked.

"What will people say Prabir? I had a surgery and needed treatment and care for some days, and you had...but now there's no need..." Ms. Nalini started and paused observing Bhargavi's angry stare fixed on her.

"What? Why are you staring at me like that?" Ms. Nalini asked.

"Maa don't you ever get tired of thinking what other people will think about you?" Bhargavi replied back rolling her eyes. "When you fell down the stairs, it was Mayank, Uncle and Prabir who have helped you the most. The people who stand with you,help and support you, when you're in need...they are the only people you should care about.

I don't know what you've told uncle but he's too upset and angry and... you're acting like you don't care. You took a decision to leave tomorrow in the morning but never once considered confiding in him."

"If I told him earlier, would he agree to let me go Bhargavi? Does it really matter, if I leave tomorrow or day after tomorrow or after a week? No! What matters is I can't stay here forever. I can't keep troubling him throughout the rest of his life as he wants me to. I refused to...and that's why he's so mad," Ms. Nalini blurted out thoughtlessly, and blushed rosy pink.

"Maa, not everyone is going to be thrilled about your union but believe me all of us - Prabir, Bhawani, Parul,and me...we are all grown up now,and you won't have to convince anyone...Things won't be sensitive or stressful,rather we'll all be happy for you both," Bhargavi said softly. "Please carefully reconsider your decision Maa. Don't suffocate your self by killing all your happiness with your own hands. And...it's not only about you Maa, you know the mental state Bhawani has. She has found a father in him. If uncle and you, don't make up fast, soon it will adversely impact her health."

"Impressive!" Prabir commented once they were downstairs, after Prabir had carried Bhawani to her bed.

"What?"

"You, Bhargu. You're really impressive," Prabir stated.

"Why isn't Uncle coming back? How long will he be roaming outside on the streets, it's one o'clock already. Both of them will catch a cold. Thankfully, he has taken Paru with him," Bhargavi said concerned.

Dissolved in a fit of giggles,they heard Parul's voice instantly, as both Mr. Banerjee and Parul returned from their small tour. Mr. Banerjee too seemed jovial, unlike the way he'd left.

When he returned to his room, before going to bed, Mr. Banerjee found a note lying on the table beside Prabir's laptop which read.

I am sorry for everything. I should have informed you that I would be leaving. I'm writing this letter to only let you know what I felt or rather feel.

You are the most amazing person I've ever seen in my life. Raising up two kids all on your own, is hard I know.

I know I've never been a good mother but Prabir wasn't bothering me, and I've never acted like his mother. I only wanted you to explain to him that it doesn't matter if I stay in this house or the house next door, he can always call me Maa and come to me if he needs me, till I'm alive. I wasn't complaining about anything.

Giving a deep thought to something said by Bhargavi, I think that I can keep troubling you throughout the rest of your life, that's only if you want me to. Yes! I was really worried about what people might think or say, but now all that concerns me is this family. Both of us together can ensure that our kids have a bright and secure future.

I know you might be having trouble reading this, my handwriting is pretty nasty and I don't remember the last time I held a pen to note anything other than the sizes of the girls and women to make their salwar suits or blouses, or note down the list of the groceries to be purchased and their prices.

Nalini.

Author's note:

Please let me know if you find some errors. This hasn't been edited properly. I promise I'll edit this soon.

Hope you enjoy reading!