My Past or Present!

Chapter 16

*Jhanvi Pov*

I stared at Ali in shock when he gave a teddy bear and a chocolate for Lakshmi the moment we walked inside the restaurant.

"What is the need for this?" I asked him, frowning after we sat down.

"I unnecessarily shouted at her last time." He replied and I kind of smiled, looking at his face which is still a little bruised near the cheek.

"Was it a nice punch?" I asked and he frowned before nodding.

I couldn't help but chuckle to which he frowned more, but I ignored it. I continued to smile more looking at the way Harsha trying to talk to Lakshmi.

"Like this." He said teaching her how to place the napkin.

"Don't you think she needs a brother like him and a complete family?" Ali asked promptly and I glanced away from them to stare at him.

As Harsha wished, he is sitting beside Lakshmi which made me sit beside Ali for the first time.

"And how do you know what a kid needs?" I asked, knowing well it was an intentional dig at him.

"You are right! I do not know anything and I missed so much in life. But we can mend all that." He replied.

"I stupidly left this city with you not asking a single question about your absence for all those years and got something else in return. Do you really think I want to walk that path again?" I asked him really wishing to know.

What does he think of himself? That he can do anything he wishes to and I would go along with it.

"It was for your own good that the divorce happened." He calmly said in a low tone.

"And I have to believe that?" I asked feeling the anger.

"Yes! It was really for your own good and Harsha's. I have many regrets in my life, Jhanvi. I didn't care for your innocence and just dragged you with me all those years back. Then left you alone and then dragged you back without making sure of some arrangements. And in the end had to go through another way for your sake, which I know hurt you." He replied, giving a regret look and I suddenly laughed hearing all that.

I shook my head at his confused head still laughing and turned to look around only to feel the laugh slip out of my face.

Because there standing near the entrance is Jay with a lady standing close to him. They both were talking to each other, ignorant of everything around.

He smiled at her and she smiled even more making me see her features. She is beautiful which is like more than beautiful.

"Ah! See, this is not the actual family from the start. I know you are worried about Lakshmi but I will treat her good." Ali said following my gaze.

"You will treat her good?" I asked, frowning still staring at Jay before glancing at Ali.

"Yes! I will relive whatever I missed with Harsha." He replied and then moved across to kiss on her forehead to which she frowned at him.

"That's very nice of you Ali but she will not accept it." I mumbled, looking at the away Lakshmi moving away from him.

"She will get used to me. I promise you will make everything right." He said, assuring me.

"And didn't you see we are always here whenever there is no work at my place?" he asked as if that should be obvious for my acceptance to return.

I ignored him and glanced at Harsha and Lakshmi. I couldn't help but smile at them and glanced up to see the place empty where Jay was standing with his date.