A Chance At Happiness {COMPLETED}

Last Rites

It's been a month since Kruthika's death and it's been hectic as i had to take care of Karthik for a few days. I don't know how people manage it. The next day of Kruthika's death her last rites were performed by her son. As Karan was an absolute mess my parents and Kruthika's parents convinced me to take care of Karthik for a few days as we had grown closer even though we met few months ago.

We were currently in my flat it was a weekday and i picked him up from his school and came home directly and we were in my balcony playing snakes and ladders.

"Maasi" he called.

"Yes" i replied.

"When are you dropping me home" he asked.

"Probably at 8:30 karthi" i said kneeling in front of him.

"What does proba.. pro.. mean?" he said unable to pronounce it.

"You mean probably" i asked.

"Yessss" he said he said relieved that i understood what he was saying. 

"It means almost around 8:30" i said smiling.

"Why, Do you want to go home early today?" i asked.

"No, I wanted to stay here with you for a some more days i don't want to go home" he said.

"Why Karthi, Is everything okay?" i asked worriedly

"Everyone is sad at home and dad cries all the time and i feel sad at home i miss mum more there but here you make me forget about that. Please maasi i want to stay here i will be good boy" he said hysterically.

I almost cried at the small boy's fate he was begging not to go to his own house because everyone there were sad and he missed his mum.

"Okay champ, You can stay here" i said impulsively "How about we go home today collect some of your day and night clothes, books and some holiday wear then you can stay here as long as you want" i said.

"Thank you maasi, You are the best" he said happily.

"It's Okay, Get ready we will go home and get your belongings" i said. 

I got ready and helped karthik with his shoes we got in to my car and started driving to Ranawat mansion we reached in 30 minutes.

We entered the mansion and saw all of them sitting in the living room talking. "I asked karthik to go inside and start packing and that i will join him in 15 minutes to help him pack".

"Hi" i said to everyone. "I actually wanted to ask if i could keep karthik with me continuously for few more days". 

"Why, There is no need for that anymore, I can look after my kid" Karan said rudely.

"Yeah, I can see how well you looked after him for the nights that i dropped him here" i said sarcastically.

"What does that supposed to mean" he shouted "I love my son and can look after him better than anyone can".

"Oh.. then please do tell me why your son just begged to stay with me and not return here even if it's only for the nights. What did you people do him that he is so scared and misses his mother that much when he is here and not with me" i ranted. 

"I will tell you what you did, You wallowed yourself in grief so much that you forgot it is not only you who lost his wife but your son lost his mother too" i said.

"I looked after him and put him to bed and got him ready for school and dropped him there myself" he said.

"Yes you did all those, Tell me when was the last time you told him that you loved him, When was the last time you hugged him with love, When was the last time you kissed him on the forehead and said it's okay son dad's here for you" i exploded.

"What happened to you Maanav i thought you were the sensible one you didn't even see your nephew so down that he is asking a person he met a month ago whether he could stay with her".

"What happened to you aunt, uncle your were his grand parents at least you should have looked at his condition i am very disappointed in you guys. This is not the family Kruthika boasted to me about. You have changed". 

"I know its hard time for you guys but you cannot neglect each other you are a family if want to stay together then you need to work together to get over the grief".

"I am taking karthik with me, Don't bother arguing with me, When all of you have come out of your grieving stage, You Karan will come stay at my house for a week if i decide that you are well enough i will send your son with you" i said.

They were looking ashamed of themselves. 

"You are right i neglected my son I prioritized myself over my son which shouldn't have happened. Yes i will get over the grief and come to your place to take my son" Karan said.

"Good, I am happy to see you realized your mistake" i said "I will bring him here every Friday night and if by any chance any of you want to see him, Please drop by my home" i said.

I went to Karthik's room to help him pack and we packed everything he owns in to 3 suitcases and his school bag we went down i asked karthi to say bye to everyone.

He hugged everyone and said "Bye".

"I am sorry karthi remember Dada loves you more than anything but Dada needs some time to arrange everything in order so stay with maasi for a few days okay". Karan said.

"Okay papa, I will stay with maasi and i will be a good boy too" he said cutely.

"Why don't you go sit in the car champ, I will talk to your dad and come" i said and indicated maanav to take him outside and giving him my car keys.

"Okay... then, Look I am sorry i know i went over the line but he was very distraught and i couldn't see him like that" i said.

"I..Know, I am sorry, It's my fault too and thank you for doing this" he said.

"It's okay, What's family for" i said reassuringly.

"I am sorry aunt and uncle, It's not my place to say all things which i said and i sincerely apologize for being rude. I know you love your grandson. I am really sorry".

"No Child, Your are right we in a sense put ourselves in front of Karthik which shouldn't have happened and thank you for reminding us" uncle said.

"How ever rude it may be" aunt added jokingly

We all laughed and i said "I will see you soon i guess, Good night". 

I came outside hugged maanav and told him to take care of himself and left from there.   

Author's Note:

Please leave a comment and don't feel shy to like it if you actually liked the story thus far. Thank you so much. I will try updating as regularly as possible. If possible recommend it to you friend's in the community.