HWGA Chapter 20: Mum

As usual, all the purple parts are meant to be Hindi.

Chapter 20: Mum

 

Arnav and Amba were gawking at Khushi, especially as she had just slapped Amba. There was a pregnant pause in the room as the air filled with questions.

 

Finally Arnav broke the silence. “Khushi, what’s going on?”

 

Khushi didn’t even turn towards him. Instead, she crossed the room and gripped Amba’s shoulders. She had tears streaming down her face. “How dare you call me auntie when I am your mother?”

 

The look of surprise on Arnav and Amba’s face was unimaginable. Arnav couldn’t believe that Amba was Khushi’s daughter and Amba couldn’t believe that her mother’s memory was back.

 

Amba flung herself into her mother’s arms. “You remembered.” She sobbed with relief.

 

Khushi hugged her back tightly. “My baby! I can’t believe I forgot you. I am such a bad mother.”

 

“Don’t say that.” Amba hiccupped as she tried to compose herself. “You forgot a lot of things, I don’t blame you or think that you’re a bad mother.”

 

“I don’t remember everything.” Admitted Khushi. “But I do remember you being my daughter. Some events after that are hazy too but I remember singing Aaj Mosum Hai Suhana as a lullaby to you.”

 

“How?”

 

“I was on the phone to Karan and he started humming it. When he told me the name of the tune all the memories just flooded back to me.”

 

“Can someone please tell me what’s going on here?” asked Arnav.

 

Amba and Khushi broke off their hug and looked over at Arnav as if he had just arrived.

 

“Oh Mr Raizada, I am so sorry about this. I just got very excited that my mum’s memory is starting to come back.” Explained Amba.

 

“She’s your mother. I don’t…I can’t....How?”

 

Amba turned back to her mum. “Mum, go home, I’ll explain everything to Mr Raizada. Tell Nana and Nani and Buaji that your memories back. If you really want to, you can tell Payal mausi if you want but no one else. We don’t want to force anything. Ok?”

 

Khushi nodded. “Ok.” She turned to Arnav. “I hope this doesn’t affect our relationship.”

 

Arnav thought for a moment before he answered. “It won’t.” he said honestly.

 

“Now go.” Insisted Amba.

 

Khushi hugged Amba tightly again and then left the office. Amba turned back to Arnav who still looked shocked at the events that had unfolded before his eyes.

 

“I…I…I” he started to say but couldn’t really form a proper sentence.

 

“I know you want an explanation but before I give you one you must promise not to tell anyone else. I mean you can talk to mum’s parents, sister and aunt but no one else. Got it?”

 

Arnav finally gathered himself up and composed himself. “Yes I understand and I promise. Now will you tell me?”

 

“I will but from my perspective, it’s easier for me to remember this way. You may want to lock the door and draw the blinds, I want utter privacy. And when you’re done, sit down because this is a long story.”

 

Arnav got up and drew the blinds so no one from the outside could see in. Then he walked to the door and locked it so they wouldn’t be disturbed. Finally he sat back down and waited for Amba to start her story; secretly hoping that she was his daughter that he never got to know.

Yes I know it's short but I didn't want to cram in Amba's version of the past all into this part. The next part will be up soon hopefully. I'm going to try and update this story more often.