Destiny or Coincidence?

Athira Patel

I was just standing there like a robot, not knowing what to do because I was still in shock that my dad reacted that way. 

He never shouted at me until now. Not even when he was upset or angry at me. So, him behaving like that all of a sudden is not digesting and it's not even helpful that I am unable to stop my crying. 

He forcefully closed the door of the main entrance while leaving out that it made a large sound behind it by making me come to current circumstances. 

I then realized how true it was and how real the situation is. I was hoping that it was all a dream but it's not. It's all real and my father really said those words with his loud tone. 

I gasped while stumbling down due to the truth that hit me like a tornado. Immediately Dev came running towards to catch me from falling down but it was too late because I already fell down and started crying out loud. 

"Choti please don't cry. I think uncle is angry or upset because of something. I am sure that he will be fine by morning and will take back his words" he started assuring me and sat down beside me by hugging me to him. 

I clutched his shirt for dearly while hiccupping and crying at the same time. I hope that he is right but somewhere in my heart it's not accepting that and my brain is continuously telling me that it's not just because of anger or upset but it's entirely for a different reason. 

And I am scared to find out that reason because I feel like it will change all of our lives in an instant. 

Dev doesn't know my dad as I do. Sure that they always used to come to our house for spending time with us but they never saw his anger or any other side except for the happiest dad. They only saw the dad who always behaves like a teenager among our gang or being friendly. But I know how he will be if he gets upset or angry. And for sure I know that this is not both and something else entirely. 

But I stayed silent because I don't want him to take tension because of this. I will talk to him tomorrow when he cools down. That too if he cools down hopefully. Otherwise, I don't know what I am going to do and I don't want to think about the consequences of leaving with dad without informing Abhi and Aunty. But I don't even know how I am going to convince my dad to cancel this plan. 

"Common. Let's get you to the bed" he said standing and taking me with him in the process. All the way to the bedroom I stayed silent with small hiccups from the after the cry but was thinking non-stop in my brain. 

To say frankly, I am scared out of hell but I am just stopping myself from feeling that way and assuring that everything will be fine. 

I really wanted to be in Abhi's arms at present but I know that I can't. I don't want him to feel tense because of this unknown reason of my father. I need to get clarity on this first before I talk to someone. 

"Come let's sleep," he said dragging me towards the bed with him. 

Thinking about all the events that occurred today, I drifted off to sleep with Dev hugging me to him so that I won't cry again. 

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I woke up to the sound of ringing. Not quite understanding what it is, I just sat on the bed looking at the wall to see if I listen to it again. 

As if listening to my thoughts it rang again making me realize that it's my mobile. I immediately took it from the nightstand to see that it is from none other than Abhi. And if I am not wrong he will be asking me about yesterday where I didn't call him at night. 

"Hello" I answered with a gruff voice of mine after lifting the call. 

"Hey baby," he said with a sweet voice from the other side that I inwardly smiled listening to him. Him and his flirting ways. 

"Hmm" I replied, still closing my eyes. 

"You sound so sexy when you just wake up from sleep darling," he said with a teasing tone that I hummed again as a response. 

"Babe, care to explain why you didn't call me yesterday night?" He asked acting strict but I know him well, to know that he is just trying to act serious but failing miserably. 

But the moment I realized his question, all the memories from last night came back with a force that I took a deep breath to compose myself from letting him know about the situation. Because he can easily read me like an open book if I tried to hide something from him or if he feels like something is not okay with me.

"I just slept early and forgot to ring you," I said managing my tone to sound it normal so that he won't get suspicious of it. 

"Ok. But I terribly miss my cutie pie and can't wait to meet you today evening" he said, making me sigh in defeat. I don't know if my dad is doing fine or if he is in the same mood. I don't know if he still wants us to go back to Hyderabad or change his decision and stay back for dinner. I really don't know anything except for hoping that everything will be fine. 

"Abhi, I need to use the restroom. I will call you back later ok" I said disconnecting the call using a reason because I don't know how to answer his questions which I don't have the answer myself. 

I feel so helpless and scared of losing Abhi again. But what I fear most is that I might even lose my favorite dad in this process. 

He never behaved this way and it's frightening me a lot to think that he might do it again. 

I just sat there crying on the bed folding my legs and resting my chin on it by hugging myself. I don't want to think negatively but I can't help it. All the negative thoughts are surfacing in my mind without leaving me alone. 

What should I do to make my dad convenience from canceling this trip to Hyderabad? 

Somewhere at the back of my mind, a question started to arise but I was not encouraging it. What if dad never wants us to come back to Bangalore and wants me to resign to this job? Is it that serious of an issue? Will I lose everything that I had gained after coming here? Will I lose everything who became dear to me in this short period of time.

I don't need to think twice about my answer because I know the answer to that question. Hell, every fiber of my body knows this answer. I cannot be without him even for a day then how come I can leave him permanently. No way in hell that I am going to Hyderabad without knowing the exact reason from my father. If he wants to drag my ass from here then he got to do one hell of a fight with me. Because this time, I am not ready to leave the love of my life like a frightened little girl. I am gonna fight my dad if it comes to that extent. 

I was in my own thoughts when the door to my bedroom opened revealing Aunty from the other end. I immediately got up surprised seeing her here at this odd time. 

"Hi, Aunty. What are you doing here?" I asked looking surprised and confused at the same time. But the moment I asked the question, I realized how odd it sounded. 

"Sorry. I mean… No. I didn't mean to sound rude. It's just surprising to see you here at this hour" I said scratching the back of my neck with an awkward and nervous smile on my face. 

Idiot. Don't even know how to talk with elders. I need to start making filters to my mouth. 

Sounds pretty good to me. Stated my brain. But I ignored her and concentrated on her. 

"It's ok. Don't worry. I didn't feel" she said, giving me her signature warm smile that all of my worries from last night eased a bit and relaxed under her presence. I don't know what is so special about her, but I always find myself getting warm and relaxed with her. 

"So I got a call from your boyfriend stating that he is worried about you because you didn't talk to him properly this morning," she said taking a seat at the edge of my bed and looking at me with a look of teasing in her eyes and a slight smile on her face. I gulped inwardly thinking how he got to know that I was not talking to him properly. I thought I had managed it correctly but perhaps he was too keen of an observer than I gave him credit. 

It melted my heart for him, even more, knowing that he loves me to an extent where he can observe the slightest of things about me that are going wrong even without saying anything. He became very precious to me in the span of a short time then how can I leave this precious thing in my life and leave with dad without saying anything.

I am sorry dad. I would have agreed with you if the circumstances were different but now that's not the case. All the loved ones are here with me, whom I can't leave in a blink of an eye and come with you like nothing happened in these past months. 

"Sorry about that. I was still in a sleepy mode at that time and wanted to use the restroom urgently that I disconnected the call hastily" I explained not looking into her eyes in fear of her catching my lie and instead acted like I was looking into my mobile to see if he has called or messaged me.  

"You can't lie to me you know" she stated simply looking at me that I immediately looked at her in shock. 

Am I that transparent? How come both mother and son can read me like an open book? I was looking at her in shock when she continued.

"You are easy to read Athira," she said clearing her throat in-between. Maybe she needs some water. I looked over to the bedside table to see that the bottle was empty. So I walked over there and took the bottle in my hands to refill it from the kitchen.

"Will get you some water," I said getting out of the room quickly to get some alone time for grasping onto everything that happened just seconds ago. I was on the verge of breaking my acting skills and about to tell her everything. 

What was I thinking? How will they be able to handle everything? First I need to get clarity on this situation before I involve someone else and especially aunty and Abhi. 

When I returned back after filling the bottle, Aunty was looking at my family photo where mom was holding the infant girl with dad holding my mother. I was just months baby when this photo was taken and is my favorite of all of them.

I slowly walked towards her while watching her silently because she was observing that photo very keenly like she cannot believe her eyes. There was happiness, sadness, hurt, regret and everything on her face which was so confusing because it felt like she knew them or something. But it cannot be possible, right? Tears were rolling down her face but I think she doesn't even realize that fact. 

I slowly came and stood in front of her to see if she noticed me and stopped whatever she was doing but none of that happened. So I cleared my throat before calling her back from wherever she is at present.

"Aunty" I called slowly but there was no response. Furrowing, I called her again.

"Aunty" I called her a little louder this time so that she can hear me. I was right because the moment she listened to my voice her body jerked as if she was in a trance all this time. It again confused me. 

"Are you alright?" I asked looking concerned because tears were rolling down her face as if they are not stoppable and it's scaring me a little. She looked at me as if I was some alien who came from another world without answering anything.

"Aunty… Are you ok?" I asked again, shaking her shoulders to get her attention.

"This….." she said indicating her left finger in the direction of the photo which she is holding in her right hand. I think she wants to know who they are. 

"They are my parents Aunty," I said, taking the picture from her hand and showing it to her. "This is my mother and this is my father," I said placing my finger to show them to her. "And this little baby is me when I was just months old," I said with a warm smile remembering about my mother and looked at her when the door to my door opened again revealing my dad who was holding breakfast in his hand. I suppose it's for me and I think his mood is back because he would have not prepared it if he was like last night.  

"Princess, look I made breakfast for you. And I am sorry…." He stopped in mid-sentence when he saw who was with me in the room. He immediately dropped the plate he was holding after recognizing the person who was standing beside me with a look of horror in his face. 

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Hello everyone,

Here is your awaiting chapter. I hope that you like it.

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Will update the next chapter now itself. See you...

Love....

Sprinkle....