Chapter 56
*****
Isha was nervous. It was a court hearing day.
Months of work finally was going to come to a head.
She paced in her room getting impatient by the minute.
Ashok was supposed to be back that morning but he called early that morning and told her he got delayed and that he would meet her at the court for the very first hearing.
She was nervous about facing the man who she knew in her heart of hearts was the sole reason for all the trauma in her life. But even more than that she wanted to win the case. Make the man pay for whatever he did.
“Ma’am, the flight is ready to take off.” One of the local airport staff came to take her.
“I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.” Isha wanted to see the twins before she went to the court hearing. She was told they would be back on the island that evening but she still wanted to see the little ones before she left.
She made her way to Sasikala’s wing and could hear laughter and excited squeals as she got closer. Her heart swelled with joy that the kids had gotten close to the family as Ashok and she had hoped. It would allow Ashok to conduct his business and travel as needed. And for her, she could go home.
Home.
She paused for a moment as she processed her confusion. San Francisco did not feel like home anymore although all her loved ones were there. She made a mental note to talk to Chandini. It had been weeks since she had their typical long conversations.
“Hi Isha, are you ready to go?” Sasikala looked up from a game she was playing with the kids.
“Yes. Ashok is meeting me at the courthouse.” She kept her eyes on the kids as they continued to play the game even after Sasikala walked over to stand by her. “Looks like they are enjoying the game.”
Sasikala laughed looking at them. “They are so much fun. Vish reminds me so much of Sami.”
Isha nodded. “Yeah, they both have traits of Ravi and Sami.”
Sasikala nodded looking at the little ones. “I’m so glad you and Ashok are back.” She smiled at Isha and stepped closer, taking her hand. “Thank you for bringing Ashok back home.”
Isha was taken aback. “Why are you thanking me? This is his home.”
Sasikala shook her head. “He swore he would never step foot on the island and knowing how adamant he is, he would not have come if someone had not convinced him. It had to be you.”
Isha felt uncomfortable. “Ashok gives family first priority. He just needed the time because he was upset that Sami and Ravi weren’t welcomed after they got married.” She could only speak to what she knew and somewhere she felt guilty about how the charade was what brought Ashok back.
Not wanting to prolong the conversation anymore, she hugged Sasikala and was about to step out of the room when she heard an unhappy cry. She turned to look behind her and the sight in front of her brought her to her knees.
The twins were running to her looking upset. They clung to her like they didn’t want her to leave, when only a few minutes ago they were engrossed in a game, laughing.
“I’ll see you in the evening. Sasi athee is here.” Sasikala tried to take one of the twins into her arms but they wouldn’t let go of Isha.
“Guys, why are you so sad?” Isha found herself smiling at the kids looking unhappy about her leaving.
How psychotic was it that it gave her immense joy that they wanted her when all along she had been secretly jealous of how much time they were spending with their aunts and cousins?
The court summons, the awaiting plane, nothing mattered in that moment. She couldn’t leave when they were so upset. “Okay, why don’t you two come with me to the air strip?”
Sasikala laughed. “I could benefit from a little trip around town.”
With that Isha held one twin Sasikala handled the other and they hopped on the golf cart sized vehicle that would take them to the private air strip. Isha was glad to see the kids were distracted enough with the little cart ride and was sure they would not be as upset to see her leave.
As if to be on the safe side, Sasikala decided to distract them both with the fishes in an aquarium at the airport. Isha walked away, a heavy feeling in the pit of her stomach.
Why was she feeling so emotional?
She got on the plane and kept looking at the kids banging their tiny palms on the glass wall of the large aquarium. She was no longer nervous about the case and the court hearing. She didn’t want to go.
But she had to just like she would have to return to San Francisco. There was no other option. Her life, career and most of all her family was all in America. She suppressed the voice that told her she did have all of that where she was too but she was not ready to acknowledge it.