The Truth He Never Told -I-

22. Returns with a change

"Keep this money, it's my gift," Grandpa gave a large sum of money in my hands which I felt afraid to take it.

"Sorry, grandpa I can't,"

"You must take it and buy whatever you want," he compelled me.
"No, Vijay might scold me,"

"He won't, take it for my happiness. After all, this money and everything is for him and for you. So don't hesitate."

I didn't think much and accepted the money from him. It must be twenty thousand or maybe more than that.

"Just call me when you want to come here and I will send the driver," he said and I nodded with a smile before walking to the car.

We talked about a lot of things yesterday. How he managed to start his business and how he got rich through his hard work. I love to listen when people say their inspiring story. But if we take a closer look, not everyone gets everything they need in their life, especially when people are being so selfish they often lose something important. Vijay's grandpa was an example of that. Now he's seventy-five and has appointed servants to look after him.

There I realized that money can't buy certain feelings which family can only provide

He lost his first wife early when he actually needed her the most. And at the age of sixty when he finds it difficult to manage his life on his own, he decides to marry a widow who was working in his store. Everyone has insulted him for doing that, but I can understand how difficult for a man, especially an old man to live without a companion. My dad is suffering now and he must have suffered the same.

Sadly, his second wife also died two years back, He said, Vijay came to this house only after her death as he resented her ever since she punished him for wasting food. In fact, he despised his whole family for bringing that shame in his life.

"We all were selfish for our needs and we turned a blind eye for what Vijay has gone through that time alone," Grandpa said at the end.

It's no wonder why he hidden everything and why Vijay doesn't want kids, coming out from this type of household is traumatizing and he must have feared about having a family.

I just wish, Vijay should not end up like the rest of his family members –life with only regrets. I thought and looked at the passing buildings while going to my house.

As I reached the gates, I got a call from Vijay and I stopped in the middle. I have been avoiding talking to him since yesterday, I just can't able to gather words to speak to him. Something is pulling me back, and I can't able to get a grip at this moment.

I attend the call and sat on the steps to talk to him before going inside.

"Where are you?" he asked and his voice is calm.
"Just now I came home,"

"Oh,"

"How was your work?"
"It's fine and I am in the hotel room now,"
"Oh,

"Then... how was your stay in my grandpa's house?"

"Good, it's a new experience for me,"

"I know, you will never get bored around my grandpa,"

I smiled. Though I want to ask when he's returning back, I hesitated.

"Don't you have anything to ask me?" he asked.

"..."

"Don't you ask when I am returning home?"

I bite my lower lip feeling bad.

"I thought you will come in one or two days," I said.
"You thought?" he sounded in disappointment.