9 - First meeting

Writer's pov

Abhi's eyes were so immersed in sorrow thinking about his past. He never thought about this moment when he will have to explain to Siya about his past. She was always there in his youth but in his childhood he was so alone. Nobody was there besides him to teach how beautiful life actually is. How can his life be beautiful being born to a poor unmarried woman who was abandoned by her lover? But for him his mother was the most strong lady who taught him to not lose hope in life. Even when they were facing the extreme torments of poverty, she was his source of light. His mother!

In his childhood there was no work he had not done. From polishing shoes to working in sites. Now the world knows him as the great Abhishek Varma, the great business tycoon who built his own business empire without taking a penny from the Varma groups. This year his own company crossed the turnover of the Varmas. Being one of the board of directors of Varma groups and also the CEO cum owner of the AV enterprise, there is no luxury that he can't afford now but who knew there was a time when he had to starve for days. He can never forget the struggle that he and his mother went through.

Now he worked day and night for his company. He never compromised on profits in his business as he knew a wrong step can bring him back to the dark days of poverty. He hated those days which he himself claims as his darkest days.

The only thing that kept him move on in his life after that fight with siya was his work. He worked day and night to get his head out of thoughts about her. But how can he forget her? She gave him the biggest hope in his most sorrowful days. She was like a dream for him that brought him to a magical land without worries. Even if for these years she was far away from him, she was always his, atleast in his dreams. But when the news of her marrying Anujith came it was the biggest shock. No! He couldn't accept it. But now being her husband he felt like he conquered the world. For him his never ending love for her was enough for them. Maybe he hoped she will love him one day too. He was ready to wait. But first she should know his past to accept him.

Siya's pov

Finally he was ready to talk everything about him. His birthsecret came as a big shocker for me. For all these years I thought Anusha aunty was his mother.

"My dad left my mom before my birth. Both my dad and mom were lovers back then but as my mother was from a poor family, his family was not okey with my mom marrying dad. So he left mom. Later mom knew that she was pregnant with me. She thought about informing dad but he was already married to someone. My mom never wished to broke someone else home.

It was very hard for my mom to raise me single handedly. She did all the work to feed me. All those days I wondered where my dad was. But she consoled me by saying that he was far away doing some job. I always waited for him. Finally a day came when he came.

But that was the saddest day in my life. Because he wanted me as his child but not my mother. I felt how can someone be so rockhearted. My mother forced me to go with dad because she never wanted me to suffer more. But I was not ready to leave her.

Thats when I met Rajiv Khurana. He was like a protector for us. He treasured my mom a lot. He wanted to give us both the happiness of our lives by being a part of our lives. He was not this rich back then but I saw a trustworthy man in him.

I first met him when he saved me from being a thief. That day I starved to death that I intented to steal some food from a shop. I was nearly caught. He saved me that day and scolded me for my wrongdoings. That was the first time that I felt how pleasant it feels to get scolded by someone who care for you. The sense of security that I never got from my dad I got from that man. He wanted to marry my mom and was happy to become my dad. I knew my mom was the best in the world and she deserved the best. That man proved to be a best husband and a best dad.

But my dad Mr. Varma was damn adament on getting my custody. Finally I chosed to go with them. He introduced me to his new family which was far distant from me and also admitted me to one of the best schools. I hated him for abandoning my mother but still he was my dad. When I grew up he started allowing me to visit here. But I never felt like leaving this place. This is my real home. But still my dad needs me. I know without him I wouldn't have gotten this good education and reached this path. But I am happy that both my mom and dad are happy with their lives. ", he told his story in one stretch without any emotions.

But I knew how much hurt he was thinking about his past. I have to curse myself for bringing back his painful memories. " How can you be his strenght siya when you can't wipe away his sorrows from his life? " , I thought to myself.

"Siya, I am an illegitimate child of my dad out of wedlock. I know I shouldn't have hidden this from you but I never got a chance to explain. And also I never wanted to explain my painful past to you", he said looking straight towards my eyes.

"I don't care who you are Abhi. So what you have two families? Thats nice na. Actually this family is quite cool. Not to mention your mom. She have that swag style. Who would not wish to get such a cool mother in law? And as you mentioned for what all she suffered she deserve all this love from you ,your siblings and your dad.", I said. One seasing his mom won't thknk that she went through these struggles. She was such a pleasant lady.

He gazed at me with those eyes. If I am not wrong his eyes do show some emotions like back then. But was that just an illusion or my misconception? I don't know. His every moves made me think that he was somewhere in love with me but. But eventually all my thoughts were tagged as misjudgment due to his other actions. But he assured that he will give this marriage a chance. Is he really accepting me?

Soon he gave me a tight hug all of a sudden. I didn't expect that coming. I was startled. His lips moved to my ears giving me a tickling sensation. I don't know whether I should reciprocate this hug...This is what I longed for all these years. Finally, as I am getting it why am I dumbstruck? He whispered something in my ears. "Thankyou Siya. Thankyou so much", those were his words. By saying those words he broke the hug and fastly took his strides downstairs.

How can you broke the hug so fastly? I expected more....

Oh siya don't be a pervert. He just wanted to thank you. Thats it. But still it feels good to hug you after these long years. I think his body changed a lot. He has become more of a macho man than that lean boy. However his handsomeness haven't reduced even by one percent. Maybe it increased. My handsome hubby! I can't believe he is completely mine now. "Oh when did you become this shameless", I asked to myself. This man is driving me crazy.

Abhi's pov

I never thought that Siya would react so cool after knowing my past but she said that she don't care. Yeah she won't care these things. She is my girl and I know her more than anything. Her smile is enough to light up my mood. Today I couldn't hold myself to hug her. I wanted a hug at that moment. I don't know how she felt by my sudden action. She must have felt uncomfortable. But how can I resist her smile. Anyway one day she have to accept me truly. Why not I take the first step?. I wish nothing forces her away from me. I can't now lose her to anyone. I won't allow that.

When I went to my room after completing some business calls, she was fast asleep at the other corner of the bed. She didn't even keep any pillows in the middle. Does that mean that she trust me?

I could see her lightly smiling in her sleep. Maybe she is dreaming something. I always wanted this smile on your face. It was this smile that made my life this prosperous. When I first met you the same innocence attracted me.

My thoughts drifted towards our first meeting.

I was around 10 years when I first met her. That was the time when I was living with my mom. That day I was out in search of works. Even I went to a govt school, I had to skip a lot of classes for helping mom. Mom was struggling hard to get fees for my school. That day I saw my mom getting scolded in her workplace. I knew all her stuggles were for my upbringing. She was becoming weak day by day. She suffered from a number of diseases including astma. I really felt like a burden to my mom. That day I was doing shoe polishing job but still couldn't get enough money for mom's medicines. Thats when a weird idea popped in my head.

I thought about jumping infront of a moving car and ask compensation as money from the driver. I didn't even care that injury will be big or not, all I needed at that moment was money.

I was about to jump infront of a slowmoving vehicle, suddenly a pair of small hands with little fingers pulled me backwards. She was a cute little girl. Her eyes showed tint of anger. Was she angry at me? But why? What did I do to her?

"What are you doing bhayya? It's dangerous bayya. ", those were the first words that came from that angels mouth.

"Huh.. Who are you? ", I asked confused. She just messed up the whole plan.

"I am Siya. Studying in 2B. Roll no 3. You are big bhayya but still you don't know to cross the road. Even I know to carefully cross the road. Should I help you to cross the road bhayya? ", the little girl asked as if she was ready to make me cross the road. How foolish girl.

"Where are your parents? Why are you alone? ", I was worried.

"I don't know bhayya. I came to buy shoes with dadda. I followed an ice cream vehicle. But I can't find it now. ", she was perplexed.

That's when I noticed a pair of shoe in her hand. That time realisation struck her that she was somewhere else away from her parents.

"Bhayya my mommy dadda is missing. Find them bhayya.? ", she said with a tensed face and was about to cry.

Seriously! She thinks that it's her father and mother are missing but in actual she is the one thats missing. Such a foolish girl.

"Ok ok we can find them. Don't cry ok let's look that side. ", I assured that little girl.

After looking the place around there was no footwear shops found. This kid must have travelled a long way. How will I find her parents?...These thoughts were worrying me.

I looked for some other placed too. But no signs of her parents were found.

"Bhayya, I am hungry. Please buy me something. ", she asked innocently. Her eyes had an innocent charm that made me feel pity for her. I only had few money with me. I took her to nearby shop and bought her Samosa. I could only afford two. When she saw the samosa, she was happy and hungrily started taking bites. She suddenly stopped eating and looked at me and asked, "Why are you not eating bhayya, eat it, you look so tired. "she forwarded the half bitten piece of samosa towards me.

"Bhayya, its tasty. Can we buy one more"

"I don't have much money little girl", you eat this piece too. I forwarded it back to her.

"Its ok bhayya. You eat. I will buy it later when I come with my dadda", she said. It was clear that she was hungry. But still she wanted me to eat being too caring and sensible kid unlike kids of her age.

We sat there on a bench near to the place where I first saw her. Maybe her parents are searching for her.

"Where are your parents bayya? ", she asked curiously.

"My mom is at the hospital. ", I replied.

"Then what are you doing here bayya? ", she asked again.

"I am searching for money to buy medicines for her", I answered.

"Then did you get money bhayya?", she asked.

"No."

"Don't worry bhayya. I will give you something. ", removed her gold payal(anklet) from her legs. And forwarded it to me.

"You sell this. You can get money to treat your mom. You bought me food na Bhayya. So I give this to you. ", she said innocent ly with shiny eyes.

"No I can't take this. You parents will claim me as a thief. ", I said. What the hell was this little girl telling? How can she give a stranger such a valuable thing to a stranger? A robber can easily fool her.

"Oh bhayya. You can return it to me when we meet again. You can become rich and buy it back na bhayya. So don't worry. And I will tell my parents that its missing from last week.. Hehe... they will believe me. ", she said with a wide grin on her face. I could only see the purity and innocence in her eyes.

I was hesitant to take it at first. But at that moment I could only think about my mother. Buying medicines for mom is the priority now. Maybe this girl was an angel sent from heaven to save mom.

"Siyaa......Siyaa, my princess where are you? Siyaa..." I could hear screams of some unknown people coming from far. They must be her parents searching for her. I must leave her now. Otherwise they might suspect that I have some other motives.

" Thankyou for this little girl. Your parents are here. I will surely return your payal when we meet again. Don't forget me ok? I am going now. " by saying that I went to hide at nearby shops side. I wanted to assure that they were her parents itself.

"Mummy, pappa... . I was lost", that little girl suddenly hugged her dad grabbing his collar.

"You just took the soul out of me. Why did you scare us like this siya? ", her mom started scolding her.

"Its ok princess.. We are here.. Don't worry. Don't ever run away like now. Ok? ", they warned her.

"Ok now lets go home", they went away from there.

I could see her eyes searching for me.

When they went away from that place I came to the scene from hiding. She left her shoes there. Oh what a dumb girl!