I don't remember how I ate the dinner. It was momos, sel roti , aloo achar, thukpa and kheer... Massi's husband had returned from the local business meeting. They ran a successful homestay. I was searching all my answers in the cup of Darjeeling tea which Massi had served.

Then Massi started saying, " Your mother was so happy when she conceived you. But the martyrdom of your father devastated her.

She was a strong woman. She wrote me a letter," I will complete my degree and raise my daughter. There is a full family to support me, in the heart of India, our country for whom my husband has fought and laid his life." The family hadn't initially known about the pregnancy. They wanted to announce the pregnancy together. But at the funeral your mother had fainted and was checked by a doctor then they had come to know about it.

After the various ceremonies were completed and the guests had left, your Dadi said the most hurtful thing. She completely refused to own up that the child is her son's as they had been together for just two days after marriage. She reasoned with them but somehow they didn't relent. Didi was now totally lost and broken.

And so didi came here and stayed in the room you are presently staying at. She used to spend the time staring at the mountains and searching why it all happened. She started knitting a beautiful scarf for her child who she wanted to name with letter "M". On Rakhi day, two weeks later, your Buaji came to visit with her husband. She told your mom that she wanted to adopt the child and raise as her own. Your mom was furious and started fighting, but Baba and maa intervened and settled things. It was decided that you will be given to your Buaji soon after your birth. It will be shown as her natural pregnancy.

... to be continued


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