Abhi was sitting in the hall patting his leg continuously out of nervousness. Yes, he was sitting in his law's home. He is here just to get his answers. He was waiting when he noticed Vaishu's mom arriving and walking towards him with a smile. He stood up in respect. Vaishu's mom approached him.

Abhi (joining his hands): Namaste Aunty!

Mom (gesturing him to sit): Namaste Beta! Have a seat.

They sat opposite to each other on the couch while Vaishu's mom smiled.

Mom: What would you like to have? Juice or coffee?

Abhi: No, aunty. Today I just came to meet you.

Vaishu's mom sensed seriousness in the environment.

Mom (becoming serious): What is it, beta? Is everything alright?

Abhi (adjusting himself): From the day Sam left from here, she has been really sad these days.

Mom (smiling): When she was here, it felt like a home, but now again, this silent. Sometimes, it's killing.

Abhi (composing himself): But Sam is taking the name of someone whom she used to play with when she was here.

Mom's smile fell, and her eyes tensed as she realized his next words.

Abhi (noticing her behaviour): She is taking a name di. She explains that she used to play with her and sleep with her, and she also resembles Vaishu. Do you know her?

Vaishu's mom wasn't making any eyecontact, while Abhi was still looking at her confusingly, trying to understand her posture and strange behaviour.

Vaishu's mom (stammering): Oh, she is our neighbour and often visits us.

Abhi (looking at her): Are you sure? Why are you lying, Aunty?

Mom (acting confident): I'm not.

Abhi exhaled sharply before speaking.

Abhi (a little furious): I am asking again. Where is Vaishu?

Mom (chuckling humourously): It shouldn't be you to ask this question. It should be me to ask this question.

Abhi frowned as she spoke while Vaishu's mom continued.

Mom: It should be me asking you about my daughter because we had given you her responsibility. It was you who agreed on marrying her and took her responsibility. You promised us to keep her happy. It should be me to ask you where she is?

Abhi (shocked, speechless): But.....

Mom (cutting him): Today, it should be you to have all ears on me.

Abhi kept quiet as he realized that she really was mad at this point.

Mom (tears in her eyes): My daughter doesn't come home for 5 days and just visits us on weekends that, too, for a short period of time. We gave you a piece of our heart, but you couldn't take care of her. I am her mother. You would have seen her the day she acted her murder. She was miserable because her love failed. That day, she wasn't hurt by the world, but you, whom she never expected, would hurt her in such a way. Yes, it was Vaishu only with Sam. Yes, she is alive, but not fine. Her heart cried tears of blood, but unfortunately, you couldn't see her pain. Today also because of you she is suffering separation from her own daughter. What is her fault that she loved you?

Abhi's eyes and mouth were wide open hearing her. No word came out of his mouth. This outburst was so much for him to take in one day.

Abhi (out of words): It was all a play? Does Sam speak the truth?

Vaishu's mom chuckled humorously.

Mom (tears in eyes): I wish I wouldn't have agreed for this marriage. She couldn't find protection but blame by her own husband. She never had any affair with Aarush, nor did she ever love him. It was only you whom she loved.

Abhi was left dumbfounded at everything he just heard now. He gripped the corner of the couch in shock while Vaishu's mom was watching him with tears and anger in her eyes.

Abhi (whispering): Aarush!!

Abhi (looking at Vaishu's mom): Can you give me her number, please? Please!

Vaishu's mom looked away. That's when Vaishu's dad, who wasn't home till now, appeared as he came from outside. Vaishu's mom wiped her tears as she heard footsteps. There, Vaishu's dad became excited seeing Abhi sitting there.

Vaishu's dad (sitting on couch, beside Abhi): When did you come Abhi? How are you?

Abhi (bending down, touching his feet): Namaste Uncle!

Vaishu's dad: God bless you.

Abhi felt lumps formed in his throat as Vaishu's mother glared at him. He again composed himself with a lot of difficulty and stood up.

Abhi (wiping his tears, stammering): I should leave now.

He walked towards the main door and exited Vaishu's home, leaving Vaishu's father confused.

Vaishu's father (looking at her wife, confused): Why did he leave all of a sudden?

Vaishu's mom (looking at him): He was here for a long time. Sam was alone with the maid. That's why he left all of a sudden.

Vaishu's dad nodded, understanding while Vaishu's mom looked away.

Vaishu's mom (in mind): I know I lied to him that she only visits us on weekends, but it was necessary. My daughter has beared a lot, but now it's your turn. You will also suffer the way my daughter did because enough is enough. I can't see my daughter in more pain.

She stood up and left, wiping her tears.

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

Abhi slammed the door behind him as he entered his home. It felt like he lost his soul after knowing that his Vaishu was alive and she herself decided to distance herself from him, also that his brother was right but he didn't listen to him either. He took baby steps till the living room, where Sam noticed him. Yelling in joy, she approached near him and hugged him by his legs, making him come out of his thoughts. He looked down to see Sam hugging his legs, and that's when his mother-in-law's words echoed in his eyes. He exhaled sharply, bending down and kissing her forehead.

Abhi (cracky voice): Papa is tired. Papa is going to sleep, so don't disturb him. Alright?

Sam (in baby voice): Okie! Sleep, papa!

She kissed his cheek while he smiled through tears. Sam, who noticed his tears wiped it off with a dull face.

Sam (sad voice): Why are you crying, Papa?

Abhi just shook his head. Sam jumped all of a sudden as she remembered something. She ran to her room and came back with a paper slip in her hand.

Sam (showing the slip, excited): Papa, can you call this number?

Abhi looked at her confusingly as he glanced at the slip.

Abhi (confused): Whose number is it, Princess?

Sam (excited): My Mumma's.

Abhi froze at his spot.

Abhi (painful voice): You mean your di's?

Sam (shaking his head, angry): No, no, she is not my di. She is my mumma.

Abhi (composing himself): Alright, I will call her in the evening. Is it okay?

Sam (excitedly): Yes, Papa!

Sam went from there to play. Abhi noted the number from slip and sent a voice note to his manager.

Abhi: I want each and every information regarding the user of this number? Who uses it, and on whose name is it?

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To be continued.

BOOMMMM 💥💥💥

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