Going to City C:

With hesitation and lots of overthinking Ms. Malhotra took the paper and looked at the butler with a questioning gaze. Understanding what she meant, He took a deep breath and asked her to open the paper. Seeing she was opening it, the butler said, “Miss left this letter before leaving.”

Ms. Malhotra’s hand froze for a moment after hearing the word, “leaving”. But she still opened it with her trembling hands. The letter… it was written for her. Her daughter wrote a letter for her before she left the house. Ms. Malhotra did not know whether to be happy thinking how her daughter thought of her even before leaving from there or be sad thinking how her daughter left her without a single word. After thinning for a while and taking a few deep breath, Ms. Malhotra started reading the letter.

“Dear Mom,

Hey Mom! How are you? It’s been a long time since we had a chat, ate together or even spent time together. I am writing this letter only and only for you, but please tell my cousins that I love them too.

First of all I am sorry mom. I know when you will get this letter I will be long gone from here. I am sorry I did not mean to hurt you at all. It’s just that I am tired now. Tired of everything. I do not want to inherit the company. All I wanted was to stay with you but it seems like I am disturbing you. You are a very successful business woman. It is right for you to be busy all the time. But I keep meddling with everything and I think that is the reason you always push me away from you and are not even willing to meet me. Do not think I have taken this decision in anger. I stayed awake the whole night and thought a lot about it. And you know what it is true that I am the child of that person who ruined your whole life. So, naturally, you have to and you should keep your distance from me. I am such an auspicious child just for me you always have to suffer. I kept putting you in trouble. I am really sorry. But do not worry from now onwards I am never going to disturb you at all. I am leaving from here. Please don’t think that I am angry at you and that's why I am taking this decision. No it’s absolutely not. I am taking this decision because now I feel like it is my time to know my worth, feel my own feelings, and most importantly stay peacefully. So, I am requesting you, please I beg you not to try to find me. If I feel like I cannot live alone, I am worthless, or if I feel guilty for my actions. Then I promise you, I will come back here and I will handle your company without throwing any tantrums. But for the time being, do not try to find me.

Please mom, don’t be sad because I don’t deserve that and take care of yourself. Goodbye.

Yours lovingly,

Mahikaa.”

As soon as Ms. Malhotra read that letter, she went numb, her legs got frozen. She was unable to move. She was about to fall when Ms. Naina caught her on time as she was the nearest to her, and made her sit down on the couch.

“Please bring a glass of water”, Vincent asked the butler. Mr. Smith just nodded his head and looked at the other maid. She immediately understood and went to bring the glass of water. Ms. Nandini made Ms. Malhotra drank the water and patted her back to calm her down.

After consoling for a few minutes they Ms. Malhotra calmed down a little. Just as the butler was about to speak about the housekeeper, Ms. Malhotra said, “I want to go to Mahikaa’s room”. The butler in the end did not say anything about the housekeeper and led the way for Ms. Malhotra to Mahikaa’s room, “This way Mistress.” She went inside the room and saw how terrible the room was looking. She came into the room because she knew how her daughter was. Her writing could sound immature and did not make sense but she also knew how her daughter had suffered from childhood. She always tried to not to show her vulnerable side and smiled superficially but deep down she was very hurt. She was hurt to the point where she… Ms. Malhotra took a deep breath. She went out of the room after taking the photo frame which was left unbroken by Mahikaa, with her. She came to the living room and ordered, “Vincent, cancel all of my meetings for a week and if there is some important issue then ask Mr. Jaiswal to handle it. And Ms. Nandini, arrange for the private jet.”

The worried butler asked, “Mistress, are you going somewhere? Then what about Miss Mahikaa?”.

“I am going back to City C”, replied Ms. Malhotra.