Not A Simple Engineer Boy!

H' & Thirty Eight: Home Sweet Home (Part 4)

"How'sTai? I don't have her contact details.", Xavier mumbled, eating his favorite meal of soft Phulkas with Bharli Vangi, "Ohh... Aai, khup chaveesht!", he couldn't stop himself from complimenting his Aai for making him a tasty lunch.

"Akanksha's good.", Mukesh replied, eating his last bite of Puran Poli, "Life's good for her in the Netherlands."

"She's coming to India for a vacation after New Year...", Sonali sighed slightly before adding, "...with that woman."

"Not that woman, Aai, her name is Daisy.", Samiksha interjected, "How long are you going to be resentful about it?"

"She left her husband to live with this... Daisy woman."

Krithika knew a bit about the eldest Agnihotri daughter, but she wasn't aware that Aai had held bitterness against her firstborn for so long.

She wanted to put her thoughts out, "Aunty, sorry to interject. I don't know how much is your understanding of the LGBTQ+ community, and I am too young to preach anything to you but...", she sadly shrugged, "Imagine your life being nothing but an act to please everyone in society or worst, scared to be true to yourself. You aren't allowed to love or live the way you want to. That's a terrible life to live, that's how some people have lived and died without acknowledging their true identity for years."

"She has a kid with her ex-husband.", Sonali clicked her tongue, "I am not against her wish to live her life the way she wants, I have supported my kids throughout. Iksha married a Singh boy; I might have resisted initially, but once Krishna proved to be the right man for my baby I didn't hold her back... Xavier had a divorce; I was upset- obviously- but I wasn't sore for the reason that he would be called a divorcee and that's some stupid shameful title in our society. No, not at all. I was worried for his well-being, I have always imagined him leading a happy life.", her vision started to blur, "But as a mother, Akanksha has been nothing but irresponsible. I didn't raise my children to be reckless fools. My lovely child- Amogh- has been suffering because of her decisions."

Krithika had no reply to that confrontation. She could make sense of that; it wasn't about homophobia but the concern for her grandchild that poisoned her love for Akanksha.

An uncomfortable silence followed after the outburst of Aai.

"Tai has divorced Bhauji but she is always there for Amogh.", Samiksha nudged Xavier, "We all are also there for him, even Xav calls and talks to him regularly, right?"

Xavier choked, coughing lightly he added to Samiksha's consoling attempt, "Yeah, I called Bhauji last month and spoke to Amogh too.", he sipped water trying to soothe his burning throat, "He claimed that when he grows up to be a big boy he wants to become a doctor like Iksha.", he gave a doubtful smile, trying his best to cheer up Aai.

"My baby!", Sonali sniffed as Mukesh tried to calm her.

They ate in silence.

--

"What about your siblings?", Aai asked Krithika, her hands busy feeding Dhriti her baby food.

"I have a younger brother, he's studying engineering.", she replied, praying to her Muruga for the conversation to take a diversion to anything and not lead to the road of her lineage.

Aai hummed, "Where do your parents live? Aren't they here today to see you? I heard today is Karthik Deep, it is an important festival for you guys, right?", there were too many questions bombarded at once and Krithika squeaked in acknowledgment.

It became clear to her that on His birthday- Karthikai Deepam, her dear Lord Murugan had refused to bless her with her wishes.

So much for being an ardent follower of Him.

Just when she wanted to lie through the topic of her predicament, she heard a deep voice grumbling beside Aai, "They don't know about the engagement.", And no guesses were required to hit the right option for the owner of that voice.

"What!?", Aai's mouth was agape with incredulity.

Xavier sighed, "I have planned to meet them before Christmas."

"What!?" It was her turn to mimic Aai's expression.

Xavier sat next to Aai and hugged her as she shook her head in what Krithika assumed to be a 'recklessness of her son', or in normal words- disappointment.

"Aai, I'll meet and ask her parents for her hand in marriage.", he mumbled, "Don't be angry."

Krithika fumed, "When were you intending to inform me about this whole strategy of yours?", she saw his mother frowning in wonder. Ignoring her, she continued her speech, "Are you going all alone by yourself?"

"Krishna, Farhan, and Satya will accompany me.", Xavier shrugged, "I don't want to meet your father or your clan alone."

"Why?"

"You know the answer."

She scoffed, "And what about me?"

"What about you?"

Her hands held the edge of the lounge sofette where she sat with much force to tear the cloth covering it, "I want to be there when you go and meet my family."

Sonali blinked her eyes unable to understand the argument between the young couple. She interjected, "Shouldn't Mukesh and I meet them before marriage?"

"No.", Xavier snapped, "You don't know how insulting her father can get."

She was taken aback by his words, "You have met him?"

Dhriti slobbered like a bulldog, excited to listen to various loud voices around her and, perhaps, able to learn more about humans.

"Yes, and that's an unnecessary part to explain.", Xavier shook his head, "I don't want you or Baba to meet him before Krithika and I wed."

She hesitated, her fingers wiping Dhriti's mouth, "But... That's how it should be done, right? We are your guardians."

Krithika was disturbed, her agitation to be kept in the dark by Xavier started to seep out, "Aunty, I am sorry if I sound rude by being upfront to you. I don't think either your son or I am following any cultural values religiously to go through this whole arranged marriage setup.", she heaved, "But it is my reality; that my father, given a chance, would be too happy to reverse the time and kill me in my mother's womb."

"Kanmani..."

"No, Xavier, let her be aware of it, there is nothing to hide about it anyway.", she trembled, her hands waving out, "Not all parents are like Mr. Mukesh Agnihotri or you who pamper their daughters or support them. Heck, my parents haven't even cared to come and meet me for the past four years, it's only my brother who tries to be a peacemaker between me and Amma."

Suddenly, her body was engulfed by soft warmth.

It was Mukesh, her frame enveloped completely by his arms. His fingers swiped over her right cheek and it came off wet. She realized that she was sobbing.

"Sorry, Beta."

That's all.

The two words from Baba made her wail like a baby and hug him back. Until then, not a single man in this world- full of fathers- had ever called her a child, and it made a difference. It fucking made a whole big difference to her as she had craved to be called a child- a Beta, to feel like a child.

Xavier Lucifer Joseph, his parents, his life, his every fucking thing... was her home.

--

A/N

A long chapter before the start of an actual drama...

"Tujhse Naraaz Nahin Zindagi" is such a beautiful ghazal. Obviously, OS is the best but I find Sanam's vocals soothing, particularly in this song.

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