Chapter 26
JIYA
In the weeks following my biological mother’s visit, I kept myself busy.
I made a deliberate effort not to talk about what had happened and, more importantly, not to think about it.
If I allowed my mind to dwell there for too long, the ache returned like a bruise pressed too hard.
I was upset, hurt, and angry, though I rarely admitted those emotions out loud.
Did I really think it was going to be perfect?
Did I expect her to fall on her knees and beg for forgiveness?
Did I imagine she would cry and embrace me, asking me to forgive her?
The questions circled in my mind often, and every time they did, I felt a mixture of embarrassment and sadness at my own na?veté.
A golden opportunity soon presented itself as a distraction.
One morning, while reading the newspaper at the kitchen table, I came across an article announcing that a famous Canadian fast-food restaurant chain was offering investors a chance to own two new franchises.
The opportunity immediately caught my attention.
Candidates had to pass interviews, create a business plan, and demonstrate that they had sufficient funds and financial stability. I decided to make that my next goal.
Throwing myself into something productive felt like exactly what I needed.
I began getting back into shape, going for runs and burning off nervous energy while thinking through ideas for the business plan.
At night, I researched franchise owners and studied interviews to understand how they had built successful locations.
Over the following weeks, I worked tirelessly, drafting and revising my business proposal until I finally had something I felt confident about.
Still, no matter how busy I tried to keep myself, the painful memory of my meeting with my mother would creep back in now and then.
I tried to block it out, but it never stayed buried for long.
Watching Cole reconnect with his brother had given me hope that maybe something similar could happen for me.
I had seen how their relationship had slowly healed, and I had allowed myself to believe that my own story might unfold the same way.
I had been wrong.
“Didi, dinner is ready,” Geeta called out to me from the kitchen.
“I’ll be right there,” I replied, pushing my chair back and heading toward her to help.
I was deeply grateful for Geeta’s presence in my life. After I hired a lawyer to sort out her immigration paperwork, a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. Between cooking shows, Skyping with her brothers back home, and caring for the children, she always found ways to keep the house lively.
She began receiving a monthly allowance, which she accepted reluctantly, saving most of it and occasionally sending some to her brothers.
During quiet hours, she read to improve her English, while Lucas proudly took on the role of her personal technology instructor, teaching her how to use the computer.
“No, Geeta,” Lucas corrected her one afternoon with the confidence only a child could possess. “The internet is for searching. Microsoft Word is used to type documents.”
“Okay, let me write down so I no forget,” Geeta said seriously, grabbing a notepad.
Moments like those brought laughter into the house and made the difficult days easier.
One evening, however, I walked through the front door feeling as though my heart had shrunk to half its size. Earlier that day, after successfully passing the first round of interviews for the franchise investment, I had gone to the bank to secure funding. That was where everything had gone wrong.
“Hi, Didi!” Geeta said, immediately noticing the expression on my face as she walked toward me. “How was your meeting? Did you get it?”
With a heavy sigh, I dropped my bag onto the table and rubbed my forehead.
“Not good,” I admitted. “I wasn’t able to convince the bank manager. He said I already have a line of credit for the restaurant, so I can’t increase it until a year passes.”
The conversation replayed in my mind with frustrating clarity. I had tried to explain that the opportunity existed now and might not be there months later, that the business plan was strong and the franchise could significantly increase revenue. But he had remained unmoved. Rules were rules.
I spent the rest of the afternoon visiting other banks, hoping someone might consider the proposal, but every one of them turned me away. Since they were not my primary bank, they refused to entertain the request.
By the time I returned home, exhaustion and disappointment weighed on me like a heavy coat I could not take off.
That night, I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, turning every possibility over in my mind like stones, searching for hidden answers.
Eventually, the thoughts blurred together, and sleep finally claimed me.
Cole came over to my house before heading into the city to see his brother.
“Hi guys, how are you?” he called out cheerfully.
Lucas didn’t even give him time to take off his jacket. He ran across the room and jumped straight into his arms, wrapping himself around Cole.
Cole laughed and lifted him easily, hugging him back.
Emma, sitting in her high chair, immediately lit up when she saw him. Her little face glowed with excitement, her tiny hands waving in the air as if she knew one of her favourite people had just walked in.
“Grab a plate!” I called out from the kitchen. “Geeta has made pancakes and bacon.”
“Bhaiya!” Geeta greeted him as she moved around the counter. “Coffee for you?”
“Please,” Cole replied.
He sat down at the table and helped himself to the breakfast spread while Lucas continued talking animatedly beside him. As he began eating, he glanced toward me. “So how’s everything going with the franchise opportunity?”
My shoulders drooped before I could stop myself. “Not good.”
His chewing slowed immediately, and his eyes focused on me with concern. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Well,” I began slowly, shaking my head as the frustration returned. “The interview actually went well. I passed the first round. However, I don’t think I will get it.”
“Why?”
I explained what the bank manager had told me, recounting the entire frustrating meeting and how he had refused to extend the credit line.
Cole listened carefully.
“How much do you need?” he asked once I finished.
“I need to show about four hundred thousand dollars in the account.”
I had told him how excited I had been about the opportunity. He had seen firsthand how many late nights I had spent drafting the business plan and studying everything I could find about running a franchise.
Without hesitation, he said, “I’ll loan it to you.”
My mouth dropped open.
“Are you crazy?” I blurted out. “That’s a lot of money, Cole. Thank you, but no, thank you. No!”
“Why? Do you think I don’t have—”
“No, that’s not what I meant,” I interrupted quickly, lowering my eyes. “I just can’t take it from you.”
“Why not?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. “I’ll even draw up a contract if that makes you feel better.”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, fumbling for the right words. “I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
The idea of taking such a huge amount from him made my stomach tighten.
“Just pretend I’m a bank loaning you the money,” he said lightly. “You can even pay me back with interest if that makes you feel more comfortable.” He laughed softly.
I could see he meant every word. My eyes wandered around the room as I tried to process the offer. I bit my lip, still uncertain.
“Are you sure?” I finally asked.
“I’m positive,” he said confidently, sitting up a little straighter, his shoulders back and his chest out.
Slowly, relief began to replace the worry that had weighed on me for days.
The tight knot in my chest finally loosened, and before I could stop myself, the words burst out.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I exclaimed.
The next moment happened without thought. I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him in a spontaneous hug.
Cole froze, surprised, but then his arms came around me. The scent of his cologne, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the reassurance of his touch against my back wrapped around me in comfort.
For a fleeting second, the hug lingered longer than it should have. I pulled back slowly, my heart beating a little faster, a soft flutter stirring in my chest.
Relief had drawn me into his arms.
But something else made it harder to let go, like my heart had recognized something before my mind was ready to admit it.