CHAPTER 7

Aarav's POV

It just so felt wrong when I yelled at Dia. I was feeling very guilty about it and I decided to call her. But every time I called her it went to her voice mail. I guess she really didn't liked it. I decided that I will call her tomorrow and then went to sleep. I woke up to my alarm and then decided to call her. But still she was not picking up. I then thought of sending some mails. As I opened my mail I saw a mail from Dia.

To: CEO of Rai Industry

From: Dia Patil

Subject: Resignation

And then I froze. I really didn't saw that coming. Was she really so affected by my yesterday's behaviour that she decided to resign. I never thought that she will be a girl who will get upset due to small small things. Or was there some other reason.

I would like to inform you sir that due to some personal crisis I am resigning from the post of Human Resource Manger of your company. Sorry for being a disappointment I apologise.

Yours truly

Dia Patil

I read her mail again and again but no use it was not going to change. She just left the company for such a small incident. I quickly called James and asked him to go to Dia's house and check whether she was there or not. He called me after one hour and said that she had already surrendered the house keys to the landlord. Great Just Great.

Now I had only one option left to call my private investigator.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"Hey man how are you" Sam said.

"I need your assistance" I said.

"Assistance or help" I could feel him smirking.

"Just shut up and give me all the background detail on Dia Patil. Family education last few days records. Whatever you find you have only one hour so do it now" I then hung up.

Waiting for the information for like hell I was just not able to concentrate on anything I tried my best not to show my worry but all I was able to think was where Dia is. At the very moment I got a mail from Sam. I quickly opened it and read everything.

Name: Dia Patil

Father's Name: Squadron Leader Dheeraj Patil

Mother's Name: Dr. Shonali Bose

Been living with maternal grandparents from very beginning. Father was a martyr. Mother a senior surgeon in the City Hospital Kolkata. Met with an accident and is in comma for past nine years. Recently went back to her home town Kolkata.

I read the whole report and I was shocked I just didn't know what to say.

Dia's POV

"Om please listen to me we need to go to the hospital first" I had just landed and for past ten minutes I am trying to convince him that we need to go to the hospital first. But all he is doing is driving and crying. I know that she's gone although he is not telling me anything but I need to meet her for the last time.

"Dia you won't be able to take it" he said.

"You have no right to decide for me, so let's go to the hospital" I said firmly.

"Fine" with that he turned the car. It took us fifteen minutes to reach the hospital. The hospital where mom used to work before the accident. Early she was the one to cure others but now, it's just the opposite.

"Dia I am going to park the car" Om said and I got off the car. At the entrance itself there was Dadu, all shattered and a complete mess. There was Roy uncle Om's father beside him, consoling him. I just went away from there I wanted to see mom. After asking the receptionist I straight away went to mom's room. When I arrived at the floor I saw Dida and Swaroopa aunty Om's mother and they were talking to the doctor. Somehow that doctors face was very familiar but I was not able to recall him. I quickly made my way towards them.

"Dia so glad to see you" the doctor abruptly said. Dida was shocked to see me but hugged me and cried her heart out. Dida was always the strong one. I always saw her as the Rani Lakshmi Bai types woman but today she was all shattered and a mess. Swaroopa aunty kept her hand on my shoulder and hugged me.

"I'll make the arrangements to take the body away" with that the doctor went away. I was just so stunned as to what he had just said. Dida was crying even more loudly. Swaroopa aunty was rubbing my back. Tears had started flowing freely from my eyes. I pushed Dida towards aunty and made my way towards the doctor.

"Excuse me doctor" I called out.

"Dia" he said. He knew me. "I know it's traumatising but we are helpless. Shonali was strong but I guess it was not enough to fight this illness off" he said.

"I un-under-understand....ca-can can I meet her" my voice was trembling. My whole body was trembling.

"Ummm..... okay. Follow me" I followed him. He took me to the ICU. And then left. No machines were beeping the nurse was just cleaning and talking all the medications away. And there laid the great Shonali Bose who once told me to never cry for her. She was all pale her lips were blue. I even wonder what was the last time she ate a proper meal. Her body was very thin and the hospital gown seemed like it was just hanging on her. I quietly sat on the stool beside her bed and I was just looking at her. I had never ever expected that she would leave me so soon. As I was looking at her all the old memories came flooding by. I always missed dad but today he was the one whom I was really missing and thinking that would have it been any different he was still alive. Maybe.

I don't for how long I sat there just looking at her until the doctor came and said it was time to criminate the body. Few people took the body away. My expression was blank. I was just looking at her and thinking how beautiful she was. I still remember those days when she used to get ready for work and I used to sit on the dressing table and used to admire her in this illusion that I will also become like my mom one day.

"Dia the crimination will take place in few hours till then is you want you can go back home and change" he said that and stroked my hair.

"Is mom's cabin still there" I asked suddenly.

"Yes you wanna go there let me get the kyes" he said and went away. He returned with the shortly after.

"Here I have a little work so I hope you can go there" he said sweetly.

"That won't be a problem" I tried to sound okay although I was not okay. I surprisingly remembered the way to the cabin. It still had that board on the door which read.

Dr. Shonali Bose Patil

Senior Cardiologist and consultant

After reading that I had a smile on my face I opened the door and switched the lights on and to my surprise the room was spike and span. Maybe someone was getting it cleaned. The room was just like I had thought. It had a book shelf which was empty obviously the other side there were few cupboards and in the centre there was a desk and a chair with two visitors chair. I went towards the desk and saw I picture of me dad and mom. We were like one happy family. I was so small in the picture. I looked so cute and adorable. Dad was in his uniform and was holding me in his arms he was looking really handsome. He was looking at mom but mom was looking towards the camera with her head resting on his shoulders. She looked so flawless in the picture the ideal woman and mother. Somehow just looking at the picture I was feeling so happy it felt like they were back I was just so engrossed in it. I went through the cupboard and found mom's sketeskopes and her doctor's coat it was having her name on it. There were not much things in the room. I decided to take the photo and the coat with me. As I was coming out I saw Dadu coming towards me.

"I thought you won't even meet me" he said with a pained smile and hugged me.

"How could have I done that" I hugged him back. "Are you going back home" I asked as we made our towards the exit.

"No but I think Pakhu you should not come for the crimination" he said.

"Why" I asked arching my eyebrows.

"I don't think you will be able to take it" he said.

"You are right I'll just go back home" I said with a smile.

"Om will be coming with you. We will be back before dinner" with that he went away.

I called Om and asked him to come.

We were now driving back home. The silence that hung in the air was very uncomfortable.

"Will you be going back for the funeral" I decided to break the ice.

"No" it was just a dry answer.

"Come on Om you can't be so cold. You are acting as in she was your mother I-I mean she was like one but still..... do you know in how much pain she was, its better that she's gone" I said. I expected him to say that how insensitive and how irrational I was but when he said those words I was completely surprised.

"You are right there is no need to cry over her. I know she is in a much better place. You are right" he said with with a genuine smile. As we reached home all those old memories came rushing down the lane. It was so good to be back in your home town. Dida and Dadu and Om's parents used to live away from the main city. There were like small farm houses of three storey building. There were not many people living around maybe not more than 100 families it was good though. It seemed that it had rained as the earth was all wet and was also windy maybe it will rain again in the night. We entered the house and the aroma made me feel so good. It was just like I had last seen the house. All my musical and academic trophies were in the showcase. Photos of me and others were adorning the walls. At this time actually felt why did I even leave this place. I was in my deep thoughts when Om said.

"Dia freshen up and then maybe we can something for everyone" with that he left. Did he forgot that we both can't cook.

I then quickly took a bath. By the time I was done Om had come back.

"What are you doing" I said while coming down.

"Trying to cook something" he was really frustrated. I quickly made my way towards him and circled my arms around his neck with all my weight on him. "Om just accept it you can't cook" I said with a giggle.

"Yeah Yeah" he tried to move with all my weight on him. I let go off him.

"Can't we just order or something" I said. "And I know Dida will be more angry if we will make a mess of her kitchen than he ordered food" I still remember how Dida used to scold me not to eat from outside.

"Yea you are right it's better to order something" we then quickly ordered for everyone and also a sweet because you know..... how we bengalis like to end our day.

Soon everyone returned and finally I met everyone properly. We were all having dinner with Dadu sitting at the head of the table he stood up and said which was a shock for me.

"Okay now everyone" everyone looked up to him which included me, Om, Dida, Swaroopa aunty and Roy uncle "Shonali's gone, and I don't want anyone means anyone to cry over her. For past ten years she was in so much pain but now she is in a much happier place. Swaroopa" he turned to her "I don't want you see you crying I know she was your best friend but still she is always there with you" he said with a smile. "Om it's really fine with her you don't have be sad okay she is happy" everyone was listening to him quietly he then finally turned to Dida "Swagata I know you are hurt but think about it this way your daughter was in a pain a lot of pain but now she is happy really happy so don't you think you should also be happy" he said while creasing her hand. Dida was really sad but this action of Dadu made her smile can someone make me feel like that. Suddenly Aarav's thought crossed my mind. What the hell are you thinking Dia.

".....right Dia" suddenly Dadu said snapping me out of my stupid irrelevant thought.

"What" I asked.

"Look I told you she will be in her own world" Dadu he said while taking a bite of his food.

"It's nothing Dia" Roy uncle said. "He was saying that you might not get that much affected also" he said with a smile.

"No Dadu I know ma is in a better place now and she has done so many good things like saving many peoples life and li-" Om cut me off.

"-like scolding you and making me happy by doing that" he said playfully making everyone laugh.

"Thank you for adding that" I said while giving him a glare. "And yes I won't be regretting on anything" I said. Will all had our food with little conversations in between it was all going well when suddenly Roy uncle asked "So Dia did you made any boyfriend or not" I literally chocked on my food. I started coughing vigorously. Swaroopa aunty gave me a glass of water and started rubbing my back.

"Dad why are you asking her let me tell you that the company where she was working there she had a bos-" I quickly kicked Om under the table.

"Ouch" he flinched.

"Dia" Dadu warned me. "Come on Om what were you telling" he encouraged him to tell him. I gave Om a warning look but he ignored me.

"Yes so as I was saying the company where Dia was working the CEO of the company was very nice and he was in Indian" he said. "You know where Dia lives it's a little away from the main city so of any weather crisis takes place there then it is impossible for her to come back to her apartment" he said with a unique curiosity and everyone was listening to him with great interest. "So recently it was raining very heavily there in New York you people must have heard about it" he said to which everyone replied with a yes "Yeah so during that time only she was not able to go back home and her boss was so generous that he made her stay at his house till the time every thing was alright" he said in such a dreamy way that I felt like smacking him.

"Wow was is his name" Dida asked.

"Aarav Rai right Dia" I just glared at him.

"Well this boy seems to be nice" Swaroopa aunty "we should definitely thank him for taking for taking care of our Pakhu" she said.

"Yeah why not" I said in a annoyed tone. I was trying my best to forget about him but somehow his topic would come up and directly or indirectly I was forced to think about him.

"It's okay Dia you don't have to be embarrassed you didn't do anything wrong" Roy uncle took my side. I gave him a smile.

"Okay now let's get back to work there will be a prayer meeting tomorrow in the evening so Ashutosh make necessary arrangements" Dida asked Rou uncle.

I quickly collected all the utensils and went to my room. My room finally. It was sweet room with wall painted with purple and white a double bed with lots of cushions a night stand where mom and dad's photo was there and wall hanging everywhere it was just so me. The study table was in one corner where all my books laid neatly. I quickly went towards it picked a random book and smelt it. It was so good it still smelt new. I then kept the book back and went to sleep.

Tomorrow will going to be a long day.