Que Sera Sera

The jet-lagged sleeper was unaffected by the bright morning Sun & hunger was the only reason to wake up. She dragged herself out of bed, refreshed & slowly walked into the kitchen. She poured herself a pint of filter coffee & walked to the living area. She cosily settled on the sofa with crossed legs & sipped coffee. The coffee had some effect in awakening her senses. She picked up the newspaper from the coffee table & skimmed through the headlines. The silence was interrupted by a loud ring of a famous movie song & which in turn triggered a slight headache. A lady answered the phone & screamed, "What? When? How?" The lady continued in a tense voice, "Oh, okay. I'll be there soon." The coffee lover knew something unfortunate had happened & waited for the full report.

The lady addressed the coffee drinker, "My mother slipped & has injured her ankle. A neighbour is looking after her. I have to rush & take her to a hospital." The coffee drinker stated, "Thank God for the neighbour. Go on, don't keep her waiting." The lady continued, "Yeah, I'm leaving now. I need a favour from you." She drank the last sip of coffee & replied, "Sure, Bhabhi." Bhabhi requested, "Rayansh had a sleepover at Ayra's place & today is his playdate. They are in the same play arena at the mall as last time. Can you please pick him up in an hour?" She leaned back on the sofa & groaned, "What? Bhabhi, come on! I'm sleep-deprived." Bhabhi responded, "Your parents are out for a wedding & your brother is out of town for work. I understand, your sleepy. Please take a cab, pick up & bring him home. That's all."

She thought, 'That's all? If only you knew the background story.' She groaned, "Bhabhi..." Bhabhi interrupted, "Please, I do not have an option. Also, it would be good to meet up with your friend." She snapped, "What?" Bhabhi ran around the house, picking up the purse, car keys & other necessities. Amidst the chaos, Bhabhi managed to reply, "Why didn't you tell us? Ayra's father was your classmate." Only a 'huh' left her lips. Bhabhi continued, "Your brother recognised Ayra's father. Such a small world." She stammered, "It slipped my mind." Bhabhi checked her handbag & declared, "Go meet him, poor guy. I'm sure meeting an old friend will do good." Bhabhi had no time for any of her excuses or whining. Bhabhi gave her a few instructions & hurried her way out. She looked up, 'Why? God, why? What kind of Karma is this?' She restlessly tapped her fingers on the sofa armrest. She dragged herself for a quick shower & dressed up. Once she boarded a cab, leaned back & sat with closed eyes. Her mind raced at possible & probable scenarios of meeting him again.

Entering the mall felt like Deja-vu. The accidental meet-up at the mall a few years ago & the last catastrophic coffee conversation played like a song on repeat mode on her mind. She walked up to the play arena with mixed feelings. She spotted him watching the kids from far. The kids had grown up & were taller; they played & screamed their lungs out. As she walked towards him, he noticed her & smiled at her. She smiled awkwardly at him & he broke the silence, "Hi." She softly uttered, "Hello." He initiated the conversation of pleasantries & enquired about Bhabhi not picking up Rayansh. She politely replied to his queries. He noticed, "You don't look well. Everything alright?" She replied, "I landed early this morning, jet-lagged." He sounded, "Ah, makes sense." He seemed amiable & his calm attitude caused bewilderment. She thought, 'Maybe finally, he got back his senses.' He called, "Ayra, Rayansh, it's time to go." That was the moment, Rayansh spotted his aunt. He ran towards her & hugged her. He inquired, "When did you come? No one told me about it." She replied, "I came in the early morning & we wanted to surprise you." She handed each kid a large Ghirardelli chocolate bar. He said, "Don't spoil her. She gets away with whatever she wants from me. No one to police her." She only smiled at the excited kids.

The 'grown-up' kids were into fast food, followed by ice cream. The kids chatted & walked in the front & the elders behind them. He enquired about family & work, and she replied promptly. As the kids settled in a corner seat, the adults placed an order for pizza, garlic bread & classic French fries. While they waited for pizza, she paid attention to him. His receding hairline had a salt & pepper look, his eyes seemed hollow with dark circles & overall seemed weak. She stated, "You don't look well." He replied, "I'm good, just stressed over work, home & taking care of Ayra." She trod carefully, "I hope everything is alright at the home front?" He crisply responded, "At peace." It seemed like a strange reply, yet she continued, "I'm glad it all worked out well for you." He began to say something, then bit his lower lip & stopped himself.

The adults picked up the trays & walked toward the kids. The jet-lagged brain was functional now & the hunger pang hit her hard. It has been over 36hrs since she last ate, followed by a pint of coffee & skipped breakfast. While the kids & she dived into the pizza, he ate moderately. He admired the trio at the table. The kids were satisfied with the pizza and desired ice cream. At the ice cream counter, she turned down the offer to eat. The kids explored & chose the most colourful ones. The kids happily walked towards their regular table & settled. When she heard him order a Brown Bomb, she swiftly turned towards him. She furiously asked, "What is this?" He innocently asked, "What? Am I not allowed to eat it?" She sternly expressed, "You had switched to Creme de la Caramel." He casually replied, "I like them both & alternate it." She continued, "What's that supposed to mean?" He shrugged, "Nothing."

She snarled, "Don't you slip back into the mode of the last time's meet. I'm warning you, 'I will talk to your wife about it.'" He laughed like a devil with teary eyes & articulated, "Oh really?!" She almost screamed, "You think I won't do it?" He coolly replied, "I'm saying you can't." She enunciated, "Don't vex me. I can get her number from Bhabhi & call her." He shook his head & expressed, "You can't reach her on any number." She questioned, "What's that supposed to mean?" He informed, "She passed away last year." She felt as though someone had hit her hard in the gut. She almost lost balance, he reached out to help her & she steadied herself. He picked up the order tray to walk towards the kids & the shocked herself walked behind him. He placed a tray with kid's ice creams & declared, "You both eat here. We will sit at the next table." The kids paid no attention to him as the colourful ice creams had their attention.

The adults settled at a table close enough to watch the kids & yet out of earshot. He casually picked up the ice cream & dug into it. She dared to enquire, "What happened?" He replied, "Terminal illness." He stated, "After our last meeting, it dawned on me that you were correct." He apologised for his behaviour at the last meeting & she returned an awkward smile accompanied by a nod. He continued, "I worked on myself & marriage. Finally, when the marriage seemed to sail smooth, she fell sick. After a detailed medical checkup, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness with no cure." He knew the routine questions around the topic & to put her to ease, he narrated. He casually took a bite of the ice cream & cited, "The doctors were only able to keep her comfortable. That last year was the most memorable year of our marriage. We made each moment & day count." She uttered, "I'm sorry, I did not know." He responded with a smile, "How would you know? You are not in touch with any of our common friends. I was certain you would avoid enquiring about Ayra or me with your family. Also, I had requested your family not to inform you as you were travelling." She was at a complete loss of words.

He voiced, "The tragedy is, I lost you twice & her forever." The monologue continued about life, marriage, death & aftermath. It was white noise for her & her stomach churned. He yelled, "Ayra, wipe your hands." He expressed, "Ayra is the purpose of my life. She is an obedient kid. Yet sometimes, I don't know what to do. Your family has been very supportive after my wife's passing." It all made sense now, Bhabhi's comments & his statements. An ache stabbed her in the heart continually. The jet lag, stress of meeting him, consuming junk food on an empty stomach & news of his wife's death was all taking a toll. Her stomach lurched & she clutched it. She excused herself, rushed to the restroom & retched until her stomach was empty. She cleaned up & splashed water on her face. She slowly walked back to the trio, who were ready to leave. He looked at her with knotted eyebrows & enquired with concern, "Are you alright? You seem rather pale." She responded softly, "I'm fine; jet lag is getting to me." He offered to drive home & she turned it down.

She hugged & kissed Ayra, and the little girl grinned. The kids & adults said their byes & parted. He stood at the same spot as a few years ago, with tears at the brim of his eyelids & watched her walk away. She slowly walked with Rayansh by her side. Her footsteps came to a sudden stop & so did his breath. She turned towards him with teary eyes & trembling lips. A tear crossed the threshold of his eyelid. She ran towards & he welcomed her with both arms stretched wide open. She hugged him tight & snuggly fit in his arms, where she belonged. While the kids stared at the adults in confusion, the adults cried their hearts out in each other's arms. Amidst her unstoppable tears, she whispered, "I love you. I have always loved you & only you." He sniffed & replied, "I know." She pulled back to look into his eyes & uttered, "Really?" He nodded & replied, "When we last met, not once did you say, 'No. I do not love you.'" She bit her lower lip, more tears flowed & she sank into his arms. He continued to whisper into her ears, "Also, I watched you cry alone inconsolably in the car. Almost an hour later, you bravely wiped your tears & drove away. At that moment, all over again, I fell in love with you with renewed respect."

Take Away: Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.

P.S: The story is a sequel to "A Second Chance?".