Am nervous. Same like at the time I published my other book's 1st chapter.

Hope you will like it.

Happy Reading.

Main Lead's POV.

The chanting of the priest is echoing in the lonely and calm atmosphere. The morning breeze is fanning my face so softly like Maa is caressing my face.

I stood by the lake with my hands folded as my younger brother is performing the first memorial rites of my Mom's. It's still like it was yesterday we admitted mom in hospital after she had met with with the accident and she talked to me on the deathbed.

His back is facing me, which is covered with a plain white kanduva pairing with a plain dhoti as he is placing flowers on Mom's photo. Even though I can't see his face I can sense that he is on the verge of bursting into tears as his voice is crackling after uttering every word. Of course, one will feel like there is no tomorrow when they don't have their mother, who carried him for 9 months, bought him up for 15 years and left him suddenly.

I wish I had spent more time with her.

I was brought out from my thoughts when I saw my brother and the priest going to the lake to leave the rice balls (pindas) in the water. ( Pindas are balls of cooked rice and/or mixed with and black sesame seeds offered to ancestors during Hindu funeral rites). I hope and pray Mom is at peace where ever she is.

Finally, the ceremony got completed and the priest left soon after he received his fee. Nani sat on the grass near the lake, watching the sunrise. He is finally letting out the tears which he kept blocked all this while.

I sat beside him in silence as he continued to sob while his face turned all red. I placed my hand on his shoulder to soothe him as he poured his heart out.

"Will mom be happy if you cry like this? Huh?" I asked him softly and pacified him. To an extent, he is also like me, keeps things to himself, but faces the world with a big smile which I can't do.

I have learned to keep all my feelings and emotions in control as none cares. Even if some people care it's just sympathy for us and not understand us. And am tired of people's pity and sympathy.

There will be only a few moments when we would come out from the wall we built around ourselves and again go back to them unable to be truthful to oneself and others and unable to face reality.

He nodded his head at my question and closed his eyes to stop his tears. We sat there in silence for few more moments and decided to leave.

Finally, we reached our home. Though I don't think I have the right to call it our home and as mine because it solely belongs to Nani, but mom gave me that right and forced me to call it our and made me get adapted to it.

Nani restored mom's photo at its original spot as soon as we reached home. He kept staring at it for a while and I brought him out of his asking him to get freshen up to which he immediately obliged and went into his room.

Now it's my turn to stare at Mom's photo. She is smiling vibrantly in the photo and God has taken it away before taking her life. Actually, he had taken that happiness from me, Nani, mom, and maa too. We just get some materialistic happiness, which doesn't stay for a long time.

"I miss you too mom," I muttered slowly to myself so that even the walls couldn't hear what I am saying. I forced a small smile on my face and touched her photo and took her blessings and went into the kitchen to make some food for us as we didn't eat anything and to divert myself.

I simply toasted few bread slices for us and waited for him to come while chopping potatoes to make lunch. In past one year I learnt how to cook so that we could eat something it is good or bad, home food is better than relying on orders. I failed terribly in my initial attempts and then with help from Nani and youtube learnt something to feed our stomachs.

My phone started ringing when I was deeply immersed in my work. The name showed 'Lawyer'. I furrowed my brows wondering why he is calling me all of a sudden. Last time he is the one who said that we can't do anything and get my maa out of jail.

Why is he calling now? I wondered and answered the call.

"Hey, Chowdary! How are you?" he asked very excitedly as though he has no worries in the world at all. I don't care how happy he is, but what made me lose my ease is the way he called me with my last name which I so badly want to wipe off.

"I know it's been a long time since we last talked, but let me remind you once again, dare to call me with that name again and you won't like the consequences," I replied coldly, gritting my teeth to control my rage. He went numb for a moment and began to say something but I cut him off and said, "I don't have time for all your nonsense. Just come to the point."

"Well, I have good news for you," he said. What could possibly be a piece of good news in my dark life, I thought and hummed for him to proceed further.

"Your mother will be out of jail in few days,"

The world around me stopped moving. My eyes threatened to blink and my whole body started to sweat. Is this real or am I imagining? I wanted to hear this news and awaited for this day every day, prayed for this to happen every minute and even lost my faith in the supreme power.

"You there?" the lawyer voice bought me back to reality. My grip on the phone tightened as my sweaty hand is losing its hold.

"How is it happening? La-Last time you said it's not possible any time soon? And now this?" I asked stuttering a bit. A huge lump formed in my throat and am trying hard to suppress it.

"Well, I guess you lost hope, but I fought it. We applied on basis of ill health remember? And we got an early release with that clause. And this time the defence lawyer and judge couldn't overrule this on humanitarian grounds. Therefore she is out.

She can mostly come out soon and for now, I submitted some fake reports and it worked. You take new tests for her after she is out. Let's have them as a safety.

Are you listening?" the lawyer asked putting a halt to his big explanation. I want to reply to him but words are not coming out from me. The words died down in my throat.

I could barely whisper yes and listening to that he continued, "So, where was I?... Haa so you take those tests and keep them with you. And make sure she does some good things for society and all as she will be under observation for few months. We call it parole.

I will confirm the date and let you know soon. Ok?" he asked again and I hummed to his question.

I slumped down the chair near the table as soon as the call ended. The warm feeling clouded my heart with the newfound news. Maa is coming to me. She is coming home. She will be here soon, with me, with.....us?

Then I remembered Nani. Nani.......What about him? Will he accept Maa? It's his home even am staying in and will he be comfortable? What will be his reaction? How should I make him understand?

"Don't overthink," came a voice from behind. I don't need to look back to see who it is so I waited for him to come forward.

He sat in the opposite chair to me. He changed to casual wear and looking much younger to me, like a small boy I met 6 years ago.

"You heard?" I whispered slowly. He nodded.

"When will she come here?" Nani asked with a small, but genuine smile.

"Are you ok? With Ma... her coming and staying here?" we both were asking each other different questions without getting any answers.

"Anna. She is your mother and mine too, same like Mom is for you and a mother would stay with her sons right?" he assured me.

I couldn't ask or say more than this. This is everything I ever wanted. Family. My family to stay together and happily, but God didn't give me that bliss. Though my Maa is coming to me, my mom has left me already which doesn't make it a complete family but must find my own happiness.

So how's the chapter?

Must be confusing and weird right? Or you might have understood the central idea already.

What opinion did you form about it as of now?

Reveal all you thoughts and imaginations here. I am more than ready to read them.

And I will try to create chapter title and post them. How's the title of today's chapter? Even of the book? And the cover? Do tell me.

And one more thing. I haven't thought about characters names apart from their pet names. And for more clarity, the story will be seen in main lead's POV i.e Kanha's POV only.  So remember him for now.

And if it is so necessary I will give mention their names later.

Hope you liked the chapter.

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Thankyou.

Stay Safe.