I have to leave her behind—the girl who thought survival was enough.
Because I wantmore.
And for once... I believe I might be able to build it.
Even if it means walking away from the only man who ever understood all of me.
Just before my eyes flutter shut, I whisper. Against my will. Crashing down the walls.
Not knowing if he heard my last words. Because this time—this time—I had agency over my life. My closure.
“I love you, too, Advik.”
FORTY-SIX
Advik
ONE YEAR LATER
“Oh, Advik! You didn’t have to,” Meena chuckles as she reluctantly takes the three boxes of sweets from my hand.
I smile at her hesitation. It’s been like this since Dev died. The wound of her husband’s passing, Gauri and Madhav’s father, is slowly healing. Not because of me. But because she nowknowswhat he did. The details of the operation were privately disclosed to her.
About the heroic part Dev played in bringing down an international child trafficking organization.
How hesacrificedhimself and protected the kids—not just his own.
I’ve visited Dev’s family during every major festival and holiday for the past year. And witnessing Meena’s transformation from a grieving widow to a proud wife was inspiring.
Even though the dull ache in her eyes remains, I know she believes that her family will be able to carry him with them.
It’s almost Diwali in a few days. And today, I wanted to make sure I visit her and the kids before I’m summoned by my own parents.
Ishika, Vikram, and my ten month old niece—Lavanya—have been hounding me for weeks. The little menace is the best part of my day. Whether in person or via video calls.
The relationship with my family has somewhat improved. But a lot of it was thanks to my therapist. He taught me how to fit into my family after everything that had happened.
The reveal about me remembering Khushi—my sister. The Mehul Bedi takedown. The gain and loss of Greesha. Dev’s sacrifice. All of it had beenpressinglypainful.
But I think I’m in a place where I know that the only person I can save ismyself. The only responsibility I have is to make myself happy enough that my presence is sufficient to support others.
I’ve stopped assuming other’s failures as my own personal defeat. I’ve learned the difference between blame and responsibility.
How I may hold myselfresponsiblefor certain things in my life, but I’m not toblameeverytime. Thatintentmatters.
“Fine. But... okay just—two boxes are enough.” Meena starts to shove one of the boxes back into my hands.
“ArreyMeena Ji. C’mon! Gauri loveskaaju barfi.There’s two boxes of them. Take it, please.”
Her eyes glisten with remembered memories. The fact that I know her teenage daughter loveskaaju barfiis a testament that I listened when Dev talked.
I felt guilty—initially—when I realized that I’d never properly met his family before he died. We’d been working together foryears, and I’d only met them in passing during company events.
But I guess I was still listening when Dev talked about them. Because suddenly, I remembered a lot more than I imagined.
She gives me a watery giggle, her hand gently patting my cheek. We say our goodbyes and promise to meet again soon.
On my drive back to my parents place—which undoubtedly would be a chaotic mess of relatives tonight—my mind wanders. To Greesha.
