CHAPTER 21
MAAHI
I know Daadi is not going to believe me, but I have to try. The door is shut but not locked, so I step inside easily. Daadi is sitting on the bed, lost in thought over our marriage news.
“This is not right,” she says, glaring at me. I start to defend myself, but she cuts me off. “You’re doing this for me, to keep the ownership of Devki Estate so that you can someday fulfill my dreams. When will you start living for yourself, Maahi?”
I sit next to her, holding her shivering hands in mine.
“Do you remember our first meeting, Daadi?” My voice stutters with pain.
I can never forget the day I first saw Daadi at the orphanage. She had come to distribute sweets for Diwali. The moment we met, we knew we were going to bond. When I extended my arm to take the sweets, she gave me two Ladoos’ instead of one, unlike to the others.
“I remember,” she nods, her eyes clouding with tears. I caress her face.
“That’s the moment I started living for both of us,” I reply.
“Marriage is a big decision,” she swallows painfully. “Vikram has told me he has feelings for you, but do you feel anything for him?”
I'm taken aback. Vikram has confessed to Daadi that he feels for me? What kind of feelings are those?
“Is this your final decision?” Daadi breaks into my thoughts. I give her an assuring nod.
“You know I’m always sure when I decide something,” I say, hugging her. “I thought you would be the happiest person to know your grandson and I are getting married. Isn’t that what you always dreamed of?”
The smile on Daadi’s face returns. “A part of me is happy, but I don’t want you to sacrifice your happiness for me.”
“You think Vikram is not the right man for me?”
She gazes at me thoughtfully and then kisses my forehead. “He is the only man I can be assured will keep you happy forever, Maahi. I don’t know how, but I know it. My heart says so. He is my grandson, and though I haven’t raised him, I know he has the traits to love unconditionally, to protect his family, and to keep them safe.” She cups my face. “And you, my dear, you are going to be his better half. He will do anything to keep you happy.”
I refrain from commenting and hug her again.