I woke up to sweet fragrance of roses.

When I opened my eyes, I was a bit disappointed to see Jay's side empty.

But there was a bunch of my favourite yellow roses on the side table. I looked at the clock to see it was 11am. God I overslept!

You can't blame me we reached home at 2am and hit the bed straight away.

I sat up and took the bunch of flowers.

There was a note with the roses,

Good Morning sleepy head,

It was a bit tough to choose work over you as my sleeping beauty was attracting me towards her arms. Now rise and shine, don't eat too much ice cream.

- A

Ps: Miss me and don't smile too much it's scary.

I laughed at the last line, indeed I was smiling. That was a quite good note. He sure knows one or two things to make my heart flutter.

I send him a small message restraining myself from the call button, since I knew he would be in a meeting.

So once, there was this one meeting I attended on Dad's behalf here in Mumbai, I forgot to put my phone in silent mode, and it soon started blaring with 'Monster by Justin Bieber

and Shawn Mendes'(song selection courtesy Leah and Ananya), that was an experience.

I quickly got up remembering about the work I gave Roger pushing away that memory.

I got ready for the day. The thing is when I came to this Mansion two years back I liked the interior design, even now I love it but it misses something.

Something like a homely touch, It was a Mansion, a big one at that sure.

But a Home??

No it was not.

And after taking the decision to give Jay a complete family, our own family, I think it's time to change it from Mansion to Home. Our home.

So we got to the interior shop to buy some items

You know what??

It was really hard, I mean this house has almost 3 sitting areas. But unlike the Mansion in Gujarat, it's not that big. I mean it doesn't give away entirely the richy-rich vibe. It is big but not too much.

I bought something else too, my heart was beating a new high note of beat each time I set them up.

I don't know how exactly will Jay react to me doing this. After setting up those I took a seat in the couch staring at my work.

It was almost 9pm Jay will be here any moment. I was starting to regret my idea as each minute passed.

"I'm not sure about these Aaru. Abhimanyu Sir have never.... You know..." I saw Roger gulping down.

"Will you stop freaking me out? Get out of my house! Get out!" I shouted.

Of course who am I kidding he sat on the couch near me.

"I was just telling you know, He won't do anything to you. I mean he will kill himself before hurting you." Bhai tried to reassure me.

I knew that but....

"But I feel maybe I'm misusing the power he gave me. I mean, I didn't even ask him before getting those."

I'm officially regretting this now.

Suddenly out of curiosity I asked Roger " Have you met Abhimanyu's Mom?"

Roger gave me a rare smile, a smile which we give remembering some lovely moment in the past memories of times when life was far better than a dream.

"She was the one who brought me here. Just 2 months before she left. She made me join school, took all my expenditures from the beginning. And mainly she gave me love and of course a brother. You know I really feel sometimes I see her in you. The same compassion, kindness, love. Maybe that's why Abhimanyu loves you this much."

I could literally feel the respect he had for Abhimanyu's Mom in his words.

I didn't ponder much on the part I had similarities to her, it's not the first time.

Can I ever be as strong as she was?

Maybe I can.

I heard Abimanyu's car entering the driveway. I didn't realise Roger left.

I went and opened the door.

As soon as I opened the door I hugged him. He swayed a bit backwards, then steadied himself, his hands coming around me extending the warmth, the smell his cologne and sweat invading my senses. This was good.

"Hey, I know you act like a monkey, but why are you jumping over me like that? Are you okay?" He laughed.

Can this guy ever live without mocking me??

"Say you love me." I pleaded still hugging him.

"I love you, but what happened?" This time quite serious. I think he understood I was panicking.

"Jay it's our home right?"

I verified, I knew I sound dumb.

"Yes" He asked pulling away from the hug so that he can see my face.

"Whatever I do, it's for us. You know that right?" He frowned at that.

"Yes, Adi you are making me anxious now. What's it babes?" He enquired cupping my face with his palm.

"Come with me." I said taking hold of his hands and pulling him.

And I showed him all of it.

(Mama, Dad, Abhimanyu, Ananya.)

(Me, Anna, Rits, Dan)

(Me, Ananya,Leah)

(Me, Ma, Pa, Rits, Dan, Anna, Leah)

A collage of our moments.

And another one. Seriously now only I get it why those photographers were behind us and torturing us like that.

"They are really awesome, don't tell me you were panicking for hanging these." Jay laughed pulling me to his side still staring at the pictures.

"I think you should turn that corner." I said pointing to the way to the main sitting area.

He went in without a word.

And then

.

.

.

.

.

.

Silence......

.

.

.

.

.

.

Moments passed without a word Jay moved back and sat on the sofa still staring at his Mom. I didn't dare break the silence. I too went and sat beside him.

Finally even after 5 minutes he was not saying a word. So I spoke rather very precautionarily.

"I.. I found them on your side of the closet. She is also a part of the family so I...."

I didn't complete it, actually I really didn't know what to say.

Again silence. But this time it was rather less tensed. If you consider a spoon of water taken away from a bucket of water as a change.

Hey! There is hope.

Right??

Abhimanyu cut my mental debate on which direction to run if he starts to throw things or go all hulk mode.

"She always used to wear those big earrings. I still remember hiding them whenever I didn't want her to go for work. Everytime she use to play dumb even though she knew where I hid them. Because for a 6 year old the space under the pillow was the most safest place to hide things." He let out a bitter laugh, a laugh which quenched my heart.

"Those earings were more like her own..... You know... fashion statement. Yes! Fashion statement. You know, It was always like that for her anything and everything had a certain position, job, meaning. You know, she would have loved you.. she always loved people who stood up for themselves. "

I knew with each word, each memory he was breaking down. But I let him, it's about time he faced his devils. He can't start all over when he is still having problems in the past.

"Do you think she would hate me for leaving her in a corner of a drawer?"

I felt my eyes welling up hearing the desperation, sadness, regret and above all hope in his voice.

Hope that a Mother won't hate his son.

"No she won't because she know you were alone." I choked out, my voice thick with emotions.

Suddenly Jay started smiling, his eyes with no trace of former emotions or sadness or regret, his eyes were shining with happiness and love.

For me, for us.

"I'm not alone." It was as if he was telling it to himself.

Oh God!

Under all those tough exterior how broken are you my love?

"No you are not alone."

I let my tears fall. Jay moved near me and kissed away the tears.

And on that night once again we became one this time more deeper,

This time no more past hindering us, it was finally two souls completely intervening. Threading together.

Hey,

So how was that?

I really didn't know how to write this chapter, you know all I do with my Mom fight 24*7, so it was hard for me to find some special thing or something.

Hope I did justice.

Was it too rushed or something?

So tomorrow Morning 11.00am and 9pm I'll be updating two chapters.

I'm not setting any vote goals since they are the last chapters of this journey, so it's up to you guys to decide whether to vote, I guess it was not that bad since you guys have been travelling with Jay and Adi for 5 months(1.50 months offline)

So it's up to you guys to decide whether you love the big fat family and your very very very sweet and beautiful Author.

STAY HEALTHY

Love

Leah😉