Main Character's POV:

PAST

One can never predict or imagine how the next day is going to be. We can't even predict the next minute. 

And that's what is happening in my life right now. Currently, I am in an auto with my.... With HER. Both of us were lost in our thoughts as the journey progressed. She lives quite far from my grandparents house so it's a long journey to her place. 

Though I didn't want to go with her I didn't have much of a choice left for me. Because she even convinced my MAA. 

Two Days ago  

There were few people along with me in the large hallway who are waiting to meet their family in the jail. Some are old people and some are family with kids too. I can see myself in them too. Though I was not that young but I had my own trauma and bad memories. 

Then one police member opened the door on the other side and soon many women started coming out. I stood out and reached out to the limit set by the officials there. MAA came out taking small steps.

Over the years I have seen how much her health and appearance are deteriorating. It's been 5 years and still she couldn't come out. Women who committed far more gruesome crimes are released but not my Maa. 

And over the years even our relationship got strained. The visiting was less so as the talks. I could count the number of times we visited in the past few years. But our dependency and love on each other was never ending. Not a day passed for me without missing her and I know she goes through the same. 

And despite all the barriers we have we face each other with a smile whenever we see each other, like we did just now. 

"How are you?" she asks me every time and I just nod my head.

"She came to me," I said and there was a pause for a moment. I know she knew whom I was referring to but she didn't respond to my question. 

So I continued, "She came to me and said many things, many things which I am unable to comprehend and is asking me to stay with her..."

Before I could continue more Maa cut me off and said, "She met me too."

I widened my eyes at the newly found fact about her. After all these years why is doing all this? What is her motive?

"What? When?" I questioned Maa.

"Quite a few times. After I went to jail she came and apologized to me many times. Though I never responded to her. Initially I used to feel much anger and hate towards her but over the years it subsided. I understood that she is not the only one at fault your father is more guilty. 

Still I didn't like her. But in grandma's last days she called me up once and said this idea to me. She also knows that I cannot come out of jail any time soon because my bail petition is rejected yet again. So even I am ok if you stay with her."

By the time she finished her sentence I understood that the decision has been already taken. She knows that not many options are left for me. 

And I know that there is only one thing to be done at the moment.

Present

The ride finally came to a halt and we stopped before a small individual home. The whole locality was full of houses positioned side by side and this house is the only one which is isolated from the rest. 

I got down from the car and stared at the house in front of me. This is my place of stay for the next one year. 

Yes, only one year. I have clearly stated this fact to 'HER' also that once I turn major I will leave the place and will live on my own and I don't want any kind of interference from her.  And she agreed with me.

The driver put the luggage down from the car. I took my baggage and turned around to see HER looking at me with a small smile. 

"Welcome," she said with a smile and took my other luggage in hand and walked forward and I followed her. 

The door opened wide with a creaking sound. It's a small house, but sufficient for two with some furnishings and fittings. I could see there are two bedrooms and at the moment I want nothing but go into my room and take rest. 

"Nani! Once come out here," she called out someone. And that's when it hit me, I have a brother.

Step Brother would be a suitable word, I wondered.

Then came out a short boy from a bedroom. He is lean and fair like me  and anyone would believe that we siblings with same parents. But only we know we are not. 

I have masked my face without much emotions on seeing him but he visibly stood a bit tensed. He came closer to his mother without blinking a eye on me.  

"Say Hello to your brother," she said with a smile. 

He looked as though he is contemplating whether to say hello or not. And to save mine and his time I asked, "No need. Where is my room?"

The boy visibly felt hurt and bowed his down as though trying to shrink himself too small. The woman felt the tension in the air and to avoid more awkwardness showed me my room. 

I immediately closed the room and settled on the chair in the room and clamed myself. I know they might be thinking about me as a jerk and in order to avoid their hurt faces I am hiding myself. 

Just one year I have to be with them. So I don't think there is any reason to develop any kinds of emotions and feelings towards them, I declared to myself. 

Only one year to go and then I will be on my own. 

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