HWGA Chapter 23: I Died A Little Bit

Thank you everybody who liked and commented on the last chapter. The bits in bold are flashback/memories. Check out what the characters look like: here. Enjoy :)

 

Chapter 23: I Died  A Little Bit

 

“I didn’t want to take Nik seriously but once a seed is planted it begins to grow. So the next morning I asked my mother about my real father.”

 

 

 

Karan was busy preparing a portfolio and Nik had left early to go to school with his friends. Amba and Khushi were in the kitchen eating breakfast.

 

“Mum?” Amba began nervously.

 

“Yes?”

 

“Who’s my real father?” she said in one go.

 

Khushi paused for a second before continuing with her breakfast. “Why do you want to know?”

 

“I was just wondering. I mean I never asked before but I just want to know now.”

 

“Do you have single mums in your school?”

 

“Yeah and some of the kids don’t know who their father is either so I never felt like an outcast but I’d still like to know.”

 

Khushi stopped eating and took a deep breath. “When I first came to London I was very sad and I did a lot of silly things. I went clubbing a lot, I drank a lot, and I slept with a lot of random strangers. Never do what I did. It’s not healthy. One of the strangers I slept with was your dad. I can’t really remember what he looked like, I was really drunk.”

 

Khushi looked at Amba who looked impassive. “Is that it?”

 

“Yes, that’s what happened.”

 

“Ok cool.”

 

And they continued on with their breakfast as if nothing happened.

 

 

 

“I didn’t really know what I was expecting but the story did correlate with what I heard Nik’s grandmother say sometimes. However it wasn’t the whole truth. Nik wasn’t lying because when I found out, I died a little bit.”

 

Arnav’s fisted clenched. “Are you trying to tell me that Khushi has slept with a lot of men?” he gritted out.

 

“Probably.” Amba replied nonchalantly. “Hasn’t everyone? I mean, even after I was born mum went out on a lot of dates with a lot of guys. Of course dad’s friend Matt, he’s in the police, did background checks on them to make sure they weren’t psychos. Mum’s boyfriends were all really nice, caring and polite. I never met one that dad and I didn’t like.”

 

“Boyfriends?” Arnav growled.

 

“In case you haven’t noticed, what am I saying of course you’ve noticed, mum is a very attractive woman. She always turns heads. Her relationships always lasted a really long time until they pop the question. Then mum always breaks it off. Mum stays away from marriage like it’s a disease. I never understood why, especially as she gets a dreamy look in her eyes every time someone mentions weddings. It’s probably because her first marriage didn’t go so well.”

 

“Her first marriage?” He felt really guilty that he was the cause of Khushi’s dislike in marriage but also happy that she had never gotten remarried.

 

“Yeah, Dad once told me that mum doesn’t like men because her first marriage was horrible. That’s the main reason that she came to London. Hey you used to know her when she was in India, do you know who her husband was?”

 

“Umm not really.” Arnav lied nervously. “Anyway, continue with your story.”

 

“Well, dad did manage to get a job with LL and when mum finished her education, she worked there too. We were doing fine for a while but then Logan’s mum died. His dad became very distant and he often had to stay in our house because his dad couldn’t look after him.”

 

 

 

“No no no no and no.”

 

Karan was following Khushi around the house.

 

“Oh come on Khushi.”

 

“No.”

 

“Be reasonable.”

 

“I AM being reasonable.”

 

“No you’re not.”

 

“Yes I am.” She said stubbornly. “If anyone is moving out, it’s going to be me and Amba.”

 

“That’s not being reasonable. There’s now 5 people living in a 2 bedroom house and I’m sick and tired of sleeping on the couch.”

 

“Then convert your studio into a bedroom.” She suggested.

 

Karan’s face twisted in horror. “How could you say that?!”

 

Khushi rolled her eyes. “Convert the attic.”

 

“Too much work. Khushi, I need to move out, the kids are growing up and they need their own room. If Nik and I can get a 3 bedroom house, then you can convert my studio and there will be enough room for you, Amba and Logan. And don’t worry, the house I found is just 5 minutes away.”

 

“Karan!”

 

“Khushi! This is going to happen. Besides, we’re doing well; I already managed to pay off the mortgage for this house so I can take out another for the other one.”

 

“Karan it’s a waste of money. Look, just move all your photography stuff into your room and give Nik the studio.”

 

“No.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“No.”

 

 

 

“They argued for ages but dad won. Thanks to his work at LL, he was finally being recognised. He was the hottest photographer around so, affording the house was no problem. I got Nik’s room and we converted dad’s studio into a guest room where Logan Jr stayed.”

 

“Is that why he calls her mum?” asked Arnav.

 

Amba looked confused before she burst out laughing. “No. It’s used as a codeword when someone gets hurt. Mum’s seriously clumsy and she’s always injuring herself and that’s why we use the codeword mum.”

 

“That makes sense. Khushi has always been really clumsy.”

 

“Anyway, dad moving out wasn’t a total waste. Mum, being the genius she is, managed to convince Logan to come out of the dark place that he was in because his son needed him. Unfortunately, the damage was done and LJ never forgave him no matter how hard Logan tried. I mean, he’d be civil with his father but that was it. LJ went back to living with his dad and we were left with an empty guest room. Or so it seemed.”

 

 

 

It was 10 o’clock at night and Khushi hadn’t returned from her date yet. Amba wasn’t too worried. All the door and windows were locked and she was trained in mixed martial arts. She heard the front door open and went to see who it could be. Only a few people had keys to their house.

 

“Mum?” she called.

 

“No it’s me.” Replied Nik.

 

“Oh hi Nik. What are you doing here?”

 

“This was my house before you guys kicked me out you know.”

 

Amba had learned to ignore Nik’s hateful words by now. “Of course but it’s kind of late. Isn’t dad going to worry about you?”

 

“He doesn’t care.” He said as he descended up the stairs.

 

Amba followed him. “What do you mean he doesn’t care, of course he cares. Did you fight with him again?”

 

“Maybe. Hey is your guest room free?”

 

“Yeah, why?”

 

“Do you think Khushi auntie would mind me crashing here for tonight?”

 

“As long as it’s just you.”

 

“For God’s sake, I only brought a girl here once and now I’m labelled for life. No it’s just me, satisfied?”

 

“Yeah, I’ll let mum know.”

 

“Ok.”

 

He slammed the door in her face and Amba took it as a sign to leave. She picked up her phone and saw that there were several messages from her dad. She decided to call him.

 

“Hey dad.”

 

“Am is Nik with you?”

 

“Yes, he’s crashing in our guestroom. Do you want to talk to him?”

 

“Oh thank God. No it’s fine, I was just worried because he wasn’t picking up his phone. I’ll let him cool down for tonight. He’ll probably come home in the morning. Thanks Am.”

 

“No problem dad.”

 

She ended the call and texted her mum to let her know that Nik was staying with them.

 

 

 

“Sometimes it was Nik and sometimes it was LJ so our guestroom was hardly ever empty. Nik was a teenager then and he seemed to always get into fights with his dad and LJ, well he was just being difficult. The years rolled on and I actually started getting along with Nik. Mum got promotions and so did dad. I eventually started summer internships in LL with LJ. Everything seemed to be ok until my 18^th birthday. Nik was back from medical school for a while and he was having a bad day especially since he’d just broken up with his long term girlfriend.”

 

 

 

5 years ago

 

Amba’s 18^th birthday party was in full swing. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Well nearly everybody.

 

“Amba have you seen Nik?” asked her father.

 

“I think I saw him go upstairs. I’ll go get him.”

 

“If he doesn’t want to come down leave him.”

 

“Ok.”

 

Amba climbed up the stairs and headed towards the guestroom. As she had predicted, Nik was in the room holding a bottle of beer.

 

“Nik, if you’re not having a good time, you can go home.” She suggested.

 

“And why would I want to do that?” slurred Nik.

 

Amba could tell that Nik was wasted. “How much have you had?”

 

“I don’t know. I’m having fun, chill.”

 

“Nik, why don’t you lie down and sleep it off?”

 

“I don’t want to sleep it off!” Nik lashed out.

 

Amba’s eyes widened in fear and she took a step back. “Ok, you stay here and I’ll call dad.”

 

Nik smirked. “I am so stupid! I forgot to get you a birthday present.”

 

Amba smiled nervously. “It’s ok, you didn’t have to.”

 

“No I have to. Come inside and sit down. I will tell you the truth about your father. That will be my present to you. Trust me, you’re gonna wanna sit down.”

 

“I already know, mum told me.”

 

“Really? What did she say?”

 

“That she partied a lot and she slept with a lot of guys when she got here and any one of them could be my father.”

 

Nik burst out in to hysterical laughter. “It’s all lies!”

 

“Nik-”

 

“She was raped!”

 

Amba froze. “That’s not funny Nik.”

 

“I’m not laughing Am.” He said with a smirk. “It’s true, she used to go partying a lot but when it came to do it, she couldn’t go through with it. Well one day, a guy had enough of her teasing. He drugged her and raped her. Someone found her and called an ambulance and the hospital contacted us. A week later she found out that she was pregnant and when you were born, they tested your DNA with the sperm that they found on her, it matched.”

 

Amba felt light-headed. She couldn’t breath. It was as if she had walked into a nightmare. She was praying that any minute now her alarm clock would wake her up because she was going to be sick.

 

“Nik!” an engaged voice came from the doorway.

 

Amba looked up and saw her parents standing there.

 

“Tell me it’s not true.” She begged them.

 

But the look on their faces just confirmed what Nik had told her. Her whole life was a lie. She was a walking reminder of the most horrible thing that had ever happened to her mother. She wondered how her mother had ever showed her immense love all these years knowing who her father was and what he had done to her. She couldn’t take it anymore, she ran from the room with her mum chasing her. She ran out the front door and she didn’t look back.

 

 

 

Arnav’s face resembled one of pure disgust and horror. “She was raped.” He whispered.

 

“Yes.” She said gravely.

 

“No one told me.” He said to himself.

 

“What?”

 

“Nothing. I never knew that she went through all of that. She’s been suffering alone all this time.”

 

“No she hasn’t. We’ve been supporting her all the way. Apparently, Giya auntie, Akash uncle and NK uncle paid for therapy so it wasn’t so bad. Mum said because she was knocked out and has no memories of it, it was easier for her to get over it. But I didn’t believe her. I knew that I was a constant reminder of that night. I tried going away and living with Giya auntie but mum wouldn’t let me. After that night, I tried to be as invisible as possible so I wouldn’t hassle mum too much.”

 

“Wait, NK and Akash knew?”

 

“Of course Akash uncle knew because of Payal mausi and NK uncle was a family friend who supported mum through everything. Well now you know but you can’t tell mum anything. She has to remember on her own.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“And Mr Raizada, I wouldn’t get too close too her.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Just.”

 

“That’s not a good enough reason.”

 

“You’re both going to get hurt when she gets her memory back.”

 

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Arnav was getting frustrated.

 

“Because it’s true. Now if we’re done here, I need to make some important calls.”

 

“Yes, go.”

 

Amba left Arnav with his thoughts. Soon there was a knock on his door.

 

“Come in.” Aarav came in and sat down. “It’s good that you’re here, I was actually going to call for you.”

 

“Dad, I have something to tell you.”

 

“Is it about the reports?”

 

“No. Dad…umm…I…um. This is really hard to say.”

 

Arnav sighed and rolled his eyes. “If you’re trying to tell me that you’re gay, I already know and so does the entire family. Now can we get back to business?”

 

Aarav gawked at him. “How… how did you know?”

 

Arnav laughed. “The signs were everywhere, we’ve known for years.”

 

“And you don’t mind?” he asked nervously.

 

“At first I did but then I realised that you were my son and I loved you and I don’t care about your sexuality.”

 

“Thanks Dad, I love you too.” The two men hugged and broke away. There was an awkward pause. “Here are the reports you wanted.”

 

Arnav sighed with relief that things were back to business. “Great. Here are the proposals, go through them and add changes where you see fit.”

 

After Aarav left, Arnav made two calls; one to Anjili and one to Payal.