My First Story: Part 2

Thanks to Everyone who like the first part and wrote such beautiful comments. Thanks also to those who read it but said nothing...I'll assume you liked it ;)

And for those who haven't read the first part...go and read it!! Please don't read this without reading the first! :)

Here's the rest of the story and I'll wait for your critiques...

And then the unexpected happened.

“I think you should go Kaveri.” Saket called out.

Kaveri and Vikas turned towards him, surprise and bewilderment written large on their faces.
“What?!!” They cried in unison.

“Yes, you should go with Vikas. I know you really want to be with him. You need him as much as he needs you. You are holding yourself back only because of me. But, I don’t mind…I really don’t. I only want to see you happy. I think its time we put all our demons of guilt and insecurities at rest. All of us need to start afresh. Vikas has taken the first step by coming here today, and we should do the same. I know it will be difficult but we’ll always be in touch and visit each other often.”
Saket’s voice heavy and emotional but it was also determined. Kaveri knew he meant what he was saying. She was now completely confused. The two men were tearing her apart once again.

Just then the little girl woke up and started crying. Vikas couldn’t seem to comfort her, so Kaveri took her into her arms. The kid fell silent almost as soon as Kaveri picked her up.

“See…she’s already fond of you. She isn’t comfortable with strangers, but she has warmed up to you so easily,” Vikas coaxed Kaveri.

“You haven’t told us her name yet,” Kaveri said in an effort to stall for time as she decided what to do.

“Kavya – her name is Kavya. I named her after the woman I love, admire, and respect the most in my life – you.” Vikas answered quietly. “I want my daughter to grow up to be like you – caring, unselfish, loving, understanding, independent, and strong. I want her to imbibe all the qualities I failed to imbibe from
you.”

His words touched her immensely and Kaveri hugged him warmly. Vikas pulled back from the embrace and walked up to Saket.

“My Dad passed away when I was very young. Mom would always tell me that he was one of the most understanding and compassionate persons she had known. And today, I know he must’ve been just like you. I now know what I lost when I left you all. But I don’t want it to happen to my daughter. I want you also to come with us.
We can live as one big happy family. Will you come?” Vikas implored in an
emotionally charged voice.

“Calm down Vikas! This is not a decision we can make so easily. There are too many things to be thought about. We have others...my kids to think about. I’m not sure we’ll be able to come there and live with you permanently. But, I assure you we will always be one big happy family. In a family where you live, how close or how far, is not important, but how you live is important. Even if we have to live apart, we’ll always be in close touch with each other. We’ll all be there for you and Kavya…always. Won’t that be enough?”

“Yes…yes...it is much more than what I had wished for. I had come here for Mom and now I have you too! I’m more happy than I could ever be!” Vikas replied, relief and joy filling his voice.

“But, there is one more thing I want to ask from you…” Vikas ventured, nervously.

At Saket’s gentle, encouraging glance, Vikas asked him haltingly, “Can I…can I call you Dad?”

Saket could only hug him for an answer.

Kaveri felt her heart overflowing with joy and love. She had received all the happiness she had wanted all at once. Her husband and her son were finally at peace with each other and she was at peace with herself. She had been torn with grief a few minutes ago and now she had everything she had asked for – her life was finally complete now.

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I hope I have sufficiently shocked and surprised you people...in a nice way of course! :)