Chapter 13: Regret

He got up and slowly moved to the drawer at his left and opened it. There's a photo of her which he took secretly in the kitchen.

He printed it out poster size so that he can put it in his room, but didn't find a proper frame that can behold her beauty.

He hugged it to his heart imagining that he is hugging her, sleeping peacefully smiling.

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Stanley's house

In the morning

He was awake but still lay with closed eyes not wanting to get away from the feeling of hugging her.

He jerked himself when he sensed that someone just snatched the picture. He opened his eye wide at the intruder and took it back carefully and quickly so that it should not be damaged in the course.

The person standing in front was also shocked and stammered saying

"You... you... and her... when did this happen. Rita you, wait for me"

Before the intruder could match out from the room with rage he held the hand and said

"Wait!!! Where are you going?"

He was scared that this little sister of his might spoil his plan. He was thinking about pursuing her as a gentleman. If his sister spilled the beans. Then it would be awkward for him to show his face to her.

Miya was raging from inside, she thought that Rita has kept her in dark about being together with Stanley. They are close friends who never kept any secrets from each other but now.....

Stanley sighed seeing her rage and said

"I love her but she doesn't know. Help me to pursue her"

Hearing this her rage dissipated, and she turned towards her brother crossing her hands in front of the chest. She raised an eyebrow and said

"Is that so, then you have to give me fees for helping you"

Stanley never thought of taking others' help to get his love but now with his sister's knowledge, he thought of using her wisely with not indulging her too much.

He knew his sister and her way of handling things. He just wanted to be himself and nothing else which is impossible now in her presence.

Stanley said sternly

"Ok but promise me that you'll help only when I ask you. Don't indulge more than what I ask for, Understood"

She made an 'ok' gesture and stormed out of the room hoping happily.

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Rita's house

Rita woke up early than her regular time. With her grandma at home, she didn't any kind of scolding for neglecting things here and there. Earlier even though being careful still had a bashing with grandma in a way where she lowered her head throughout the session which lasted for more than an hour.

Today she didn't want anything like that for a change, as she felt the love of her grandma which is very rare and didn't want it to be short-lived. She wanted to live with that feeling every day.

She was happily dancing while brushing and bathing. She doesn't know whether this happiness is due to the little bit of love that she got from grandma or dreaming of Stanley where he packed her in his arms with their children playing in the background.

She came out of the room and saw her grandma near the shoe cabin ready to go to walk. Rita went near her and bent down to get her shoes from the rack. Placing it near the feet of grandma she said in a jovial mood but meekly with her head lowered

"Good morning grandma, hope you have a lovely day."

Hearing this the grandmother had tears in her eyes, her son always used to wish her the same every morning with the same mood. Even if he was angry and doesn't want to speak with her, never ever has he missed his morning wishes.

Knowing what she had done with her son was wrong but what she did seemed to be right at that moment. She never regretted her decision till the last breath of her only child.

She had cursed herself countless times for keeping away Rita from him. She still remembered her son's face after knowing the truth.

Rita sensed something and got worried did she spoil the day before it even started? She carefully moved towards her grandma, took the shoes in her hand, and made her (grandma) wear them.

The grandmother came out of the trance and looked at her granddaughter with mixed emotions.

She wanted to thank Rita but as soon as she met her (Rita's) gaze she became stiff and moved out without any word.

Rita was used to this behavior and didn't mind it, she knew well that her grandma never showed her feelings in front of but with Reema it was different. She always wondered why this partiality, she thought that her grandma hated and despised her.

But since the day she heard the conversations Reema had with Grandma, she came to know that was not the case. She heard them saying to keep her safe from all the evil.

If Rita had not heard this in her teenage days she would have run away from the house, actually the other day she was planning it. She felt ashamed of herself after hearing their conversation.

One thing she became aware of was that her grandma loved her too, but didn't show it and she never dare to ask it either.

By their conversation, one thing is clear Grandma regretted something that she (grandma) had done and it is related to herself (Rita).

After Grandma went out by closing the door behind her, Rita sighed and moved towards the kitchen to make tea.

Grandma has a regular timetable for eating and drinking. After her walk, she usually sits for 6min and later have her tea which is prepared by Rita only.

Reema came out of her room as soon as Rita entered the kitchen and smiled. She sat on the sofa to watch TV.

As soon as the TV was on there was news about Stanley holding a press conference the other day regarding a new project.

Rita rushed out of the kitchen as soon as she heard his voice. Reema was shocked by her sudden rushing and thought something might have happened in the kitchen and rushed in to check