Aakash and Meenakshi held Mithran’s hands on either side as he took wobbly steps. Every three steps, he would stop and flash a bright smile at the guests, who waved back at him. Vishnu and a photographer stood at the entrance, capturing the grand entry of the little hero of the day.
Aakash and Meenakshi had organized a small party with close friends and family to celebrate Mithran’s first birthday. Aakash was dressed in a blue shirt and white pants, while Meenakshi wore a blue gown that matched her boys.
Mithran suddenly stopped walking and looked up at his father. Aakash scooped him into his arms and with his other arm wrapped around Meenakshi, he made his way to the stage, which was decorated in Mithran’s favorite Mickey theme. A cake was placed at the center and the couple stood together holding their son.
Their family stood below the stage with a wide smile. Aakash and Meenakshi smiled back at their fathers but completely ignored their mothers and Lavanya. Sharmi and Rajesh waved at Mithran, but he shyly buried his face in his father’s neck before peeking out again and smiled at Sharmi.
Little Riya waved at her brother and Mithran happily waved back.
Aakash and Meenakshi guided Mithran’s tiny hands as they cut the cake. The guests began singing for the little star and Hema asked one of the catering assistants to serve cake to everyone.
Guests came forward with gifts and Mithran was delighted, his eyes wandered between the colorful decorations and the toys arranged on the stage. He pinched Aakash’s moustache and tried to bite his father’s cheek. Aakash gently stopped him and pointed toward the gifts being handed over.
Meenakshi chuckled when Mithran tried to grab a gift but dropped it, unable to hold its weight.
After the gift-giving and photo session, Aakash asked Meenakshi to take Mithran to the room to feed him while he attended to the guests.
As people began to leave, Hema and Sarala distributed return gifts. Finally, Aakash and Meenakshi sat down for dinner with Hema, Vishnu and Sarala, while Balaram held Mithran.
“Maa,” Mithran called out and Meenakshi smiled warmly at her son. It had been a month since he had started calling them “maa” and “paa.”
They returned home after the party, and Sarala warded off the evil eye before staying back for the night, as it was already late.
At Balaram’s house, Lavanya sat on the bed, staring at the divorce papers she had received a couple of days earlier. Her mind replayed the scenes from the party, how happy Aakash and Meenakshi looked with Mithran, how complete they seemed as a family. She thought of Sharmi and Rajesh with Riya, now content and settled, unlike before.
Everyone seemed to have found happiness and stability in their lives, everyone except her.
She was alone, with no one and nothing. Food had become scarce, her mother cooked only minimal meals to manage expenses, as Aakash provided money only for their parents. Padma strictly refused to spend on Lavanya’s personal needs, even recharging her phone had become difficult.
There were no new clothes, no cosmetics, no outings, no food from her favorite restaurants. Her friends had completely distanced themselves. Her husband had made it clear he was done with her, sent the divorce papers, and blocked her number.
Aakash hadn’t invited her to Mithran’s birthday party. Padma had forced her to attend, hoping she would mend things. But no one spoke to her. When she tried to go up on stage to wish Mithran, Aakash had immediately walked away with his son.
The weight of everything she had brought upon herself crushed her. She cried through the night, unable to sleep. The next morning, she walked out of her room and saw her mother serving coffee to her father.
“Amma, please give me a coffee,” she said, sitting down on the sofa.
“What were you doing all this while? Why don’t you wake up early and help with the housework? You just sit and eat all day. I took you to the party yesterday so you could talk to your brother and Meenakshi, but all you did was eat cake and dinner,” Padma scoffed, walking back into the kitchen.
Lavanya clenched her teeth, hurt by the constant insults.
“I went up to the stage to wish Mithran, but Aakash anna immediately walked away with him. How do you expect me to fix things if he’s not even willing to talk to me? He doesn’t even let me go near Mithran,” Lavanya said, her eyes filling with tears.
Padma walked out with a ladle in her hand and gave Lavanya a mocking smile.
“You expect him to let you go near Mithran? Stupid girl. He hasn’t even allowed me near him yet. My own grandson is growing up with that Sarala as if she is his grandmother. This wouldn’t have happened if I had gone to the hospital the day he was born but I stayed back for you. And what did you do? You were greedy. You lost the life you had. You lost the man who left everything for you. I don’t even know if I’ll get to carry Mithran in my arms before I die,” Padma said, wiping her tears with her pallu.
“Why am I seeing all this drama first thing in the morning? Can’t I have my tea in peace?” Balaram said, glaring at both his wife and daughter.
“You are the reason behind all this!” Padma snapped.
“Everything would have been fine if you had taken care of this family. He would have forgiven me if you had spoken to him. He would support Lavanya if you asked him but you never care about me or this family. You were always worried about Aakash. Now he is doing well and we’re left all alone. I’ve lost my son forever ” she cried.
“Stop blaming me for your mistakes. No…not mistakes, your greed,” Balaram said firmly.
“You are the reason for everything. I couldn’t find work after I fell sick, but Aakash stood up for this family. He sacrificed his happiness and worked for all of us. When he was going through trauma, we thought he had become mature but you only saw him as an ATM. You never cared about his pain. You never stopped Rajesh and Lavanya from disrespecting him. When he married Meenakshi, you should have changed but instead, you started tormenting them. You abused that girl and now you expect me to support you? He will never forgive you and I will never speak to him on your behalf,” he said, his tone was unwavering.
“Are you out of your mind? Rajesh and Sharmi are settled now and Sharmi is returning tomorrow. Aakash is happy with his family. But what about Lavanya? She will be left all alone. She is our daughter, we can’t abandon her. Please talk to Aakash. Let’s go and speak to her husband and his family. They must take her back,” Padma pleaded.
Balaram looked at her in irritation.
“Which era are you living in? These days, women build their own lives. Married or not, they become independent and live with dignity. Aakash gave her an education and we didn’t even know she had arrears until her husband told us. Why didn’t she clear them and find a job? At least Rajesh and Sharmi learned their lesson and fixed their life,” he said before walking out.
Padma turned to Lavanya, who stood there silently, staring at the floor.
“Lavanya, your father is right. Find a job and start living for yourself. Speak to your husband and ask for some time before the divorce. Time can heal things and maybe you’ll get a chance to fix everything,” Padma said, then returned to the kitchen.
The next day, Rajesh and Sharmi arrived with Riya. Padma welcomed them warmly and carried Riya in her arms and kissed her cheek. Sharmi sat down on the sofa and just then Lavanya walked out of her room.
“How are you, Sharmi?” Lavanya asked, sitting beside her.
“I’m fine, Lavanya. I have come back after a long time. Before making this decision, I made certain things clear with aunty. She will take care of Riya at home, while Rajesh and I go to work. Also… Rajesh has informed Aakash mama to stop giving money to uncle and aunty,” Sharmi said and Padma gasped in shock.
“Rajesh, why did you do that? He has been taking care of this family for years,” Padma said, still in shock.
“Maa, he has done more than enough. Let him live for himself and his family. From now on, I will take care of all of you. I want to follow my brother’s path and I hope that one day he will forgive me. But let me make one thing clear, I won’t stay silent and endure everything like Aakash anna did. If you try to create problems again, I won’t hesitate to leave with my family. Still, I will continue to support you and Appa,” Rajesh said firmly.
“Lavanya, there was a time when I was a burden to Aakash mama and Meenu akka. When I realized that, I felt ashamed. So I’m warning you now. You can stay here as long as you want because you are the daughter of this house, but you are also an adult. You should earn for yourself. Let’s all respect each other,” Sharmi said, then turned to Balaram.
“Am I right, Mama?” she asked and Balaram smiled and clapped his hands lightly.
“Aakash and Meenakshi would never be wrong. You and Rajesh are following their path, so you won’t go wrong either. I’m happy to see these changes. I only hope everyone else realizes this too,” he said, lifting Riya from Padma’s arms.
“You don’t have to worry about Riya. She will be fine at home. I’ll take her to the park, teach her good habits and values. She will be safe and happy. You both go and build a better future for your family,” he said, kissing his grand daughter’s cheek.
Rajesh and Sharmi smiled at his words and went to their room.
Nine months later…
Aakash and Meenakshi sat in front of a laptop, with Mithran perched on Meenakshi’s lap.
“Appa, enna aachu? ( Appa, what happened ? ) ” Mithran asked, looking at the screen.
“Iru pa, innum rendu nimisham irukku…( hold on, just two more minutes) ,” Aakash said, refreshing the page anxiously.
Meenakshi closed her eyes and silently prayed for him. He had been working tirelessly, managing the coaching centre, taking care of the family and studying day and night. He had given everything to this exam and she wished only success for him.
“Yes… I passed!” Aakash exclaimed and Meenakshi squealed with joy and hugged him tightly, sandwiching Mithran between them. Aakash pulled back, lifted Mithran into his arms and kissed his cheek.
“Appa passed the exam, Mithu” he said.
Mithran shouted, “Yes ” and planted a kiss on his father’s cheek.
“Appa, ice cream ” Mithran demanded his treat.
Aakash immediately nodded and Mithran ran to his room to pick out his clothes. Aakash pulled Meenakshi close and they shared a quick, heartfelt kiss.
“Congrats, CA sir. Just two more years for your articleship,” Meenakshi said, kissing his cheek.
“Nothing would have been possible without you, Meena. You planned our future, you made this happen,” Aakash said, leaning in to kiss her again but Mithran came running back with his shoes and handed them to Aakash.
Aakash laughed pulling him onto his lap and helped him wear them.
“Appa, I want two ice creams,” Mithran declared and Aakash tickled his stomach playfully.
They stepped out together and Mithran sat in front while Meenakshi hugged Aakash from behind on the bike. The family reached a restaurant and enjoyed lunch.
Mithran happily finished his ice cream… and then continued eating from both his father’s and mother’s cups, leaving them smiling at his little mischief.
*****************
A/N:
See you all in Epilogue
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