Journeys : Episode 15

Tara

I try to grasp what Shravya says, transfixed and unable to shoot further questions. There will be a lot of time to get answers because now is not the time. I need to talk to Kathir. Of all of us affected by the last weeks, Kathir is the most affected one. We all wave goodbye to KP and Shravya and get back inside our home. Somehow our home feels different today. Did we get more closer, or did we all move farther apart? Only time will tell. I grab Kathir and we sit down to talk. "Amma, Adi told me he is sorry" and tears begin to roll down his eyes. "That he jumped from the esclator. Why Amma, did he not think of me?" "Kathir, sometimes we dont think, we decide too soon, and when we realise we want to correct it, it is too late. Adi was going through a bad time, he should've spoken to you, you would've made him feel better" "I know Amma, it is Aarnav's mom. She never liked Adi. She said bad things to him" "Kathir, its over. Forget it. You are Adi's only hope. Only you can help Adi recover and bring him back to normal. Let's not bother him with the past, do you understand?" "Amma, I understand everything Amma. Everything. And I will stand by Adi, because thats what I always do." I look at my little one with pride. Sometimes they grow up too soon, dont they?

As days pass, our home turns more amicable, all of us are warm towards each other, the uncomfortable air around us is gone, we have conversations over dinner, from somewhere laughter starts making its way inside, we start looking at each other's eyes. Soon it will be our home again. Hridhay Kathir and I are getting ready to go to the airport, Adi will stay with Kannamma. We reach the airport, Geetha KP and Shravya are already there. Shravya is holding KP tight, as she sees Kathir, she runs to hug him. We make normal conversation with Geetha & KP and move away so they can talk.

"Will you and Adi email me Kathir?" Kathir nods. Somehow at such situations, Adi is much better. Geetha and KP are talking, and I realize I am no longer qualified to make a wish for anyone, because most of the times, what I want for them, or rather what looks nice, is not what they want. I just hope they find peace in whatever decisions they take. After goodbyes, Geetha and Shravya walk towards immigration. KP wipes his tears and Hridhay holds him trying to offer comfort. We walk outside, Kathir holding my hands, and that second, what KP announced a week back at the dinner table flashed across my mind and my heart started to beat faster. Is KP leaving soon too?