When the stars align! Part(15)



*Click here for the previous part(14)*


 Gupta uncle saw Tara and hung up his phone. "We need to take Agarwal Mam to the hospital Tara", he said.

Tara was startled. 

"What happened to nani?", she sounded worried. 

"Don't worry Tara beti, she is just feeling uneasy. I've talked to her family doctor. He has asked to bring her to the hospital", uncle said.

They both went to nani's cabin. She was sitting with her head down on the desk.

Tara had never seen her nani like this. "Do I really bring bad luck to the people around? People beside me seem to suffer", Tara felt dejected about herself. 

She held her nani's hand tightly as they got seated in the car. "I won't let anything happen to you nani", she murmured. 

Nani leaned on Tara's shoulder and tightened the grip of her hand. Tara looked at nani and tears rolled down her eyes. She had felt this warmth after a very long time. 

They reached the hospital. The doctor checked nani and told uncle and Tara that she just had some acidity. Nani said that she hadn't slept well for few days, so maybe that was the reason. 

Doctor prescribed some medicines and asked her to start the dose then and there. Nani felt better after popping the tablets. 

Gupta uncle was completing the hospital formalities while Tara and nani perched in the lobby.

"Are you okay nani?", Tara asked caressing her hand.

"Yes beta!", nani said, her voice sounded somewhat weak.

"Beta!", Tara had longed to hear such loving words from her nani, since ages. "Nani please take rest don't overwork yourself. We will talk when we reach home", Tara said. 

"No beta let me speak. I'm sorry beta. All these years I've been consumed by anger and futile ego. I attained nothing, rather lost my daughter in the process. I don't want to lose you too, Tara. I missed the chance of seeing you grow up. I missed the chance of carrying tiny Tara in my arms, singing lullaby, playing peekaboo with you. But I don't want to miss anything anymore. I immersed myself in work to hide my guilt, all my life. However, now, I want to be happy with you by my side. Stay with me Tara, please, I need you atleast in this last phase of my life", nani had tears in her eyes.

"Nani please don't cry" Tara wiped her tears. "I'm here with you", she comforted her.

"Tara, do you like Akash?", nani suddenly asked.

Tara wasn't prepared for this. "How do you know that I know Akash, nani? We just met at the airport. We.....", Tara wanted to cover up, fearing Akash might get caught up in unnecessary trouble. 

"Beta, don't get me wrong. I had asked Mr. Gupta to keep an eye on. I didn't want anything to go wrong with you. He told me that Akash and you are acquainted with each other. He saw both of you chatting in the college campus. Akash seems like a decent man. He is hardworking too. His presentation was the best amongst all the contenders. I've accepted his business proposal already and I guess, now, it's your turn to accept his confession", nani said with a subtle smile.

"Nani!", Tara was shocked to hear her words. "I really don't know what to do. People who get close to me, don't stay with me for long. I feel like I'm unfortunate and I don't want my people to endure grief because of me", Tara's eyes welled up.

Nani hugged Tara and caressed her head. "Beta I don't want to repeat my mistakes. You are such a loving girl, who wouldn't like you? How could you say that you are unfortunate? You are beautiful just like your mom and kind hearted just like your dad. You are brave and intelligent just like me".

Tara smiled after listening to nani.

 "Good to see a smile on your face beta. Keep smiling my dear, always. God bless you", nani put her hand over Tara's head.

Tara felt happy to seek nani's blessings. Gupta uncle smiled looking at this grandma - granddaughter duo sitting close to each other and having a warm conversation. "Should we head back home", he said.

Nani and Tara reached home. 

Tara brought a glass of water and handed over to nani.

"So what are you wearing tomorrow?", nani asked Tara, sipping the water.

"Tomorrow?", Tara wasn't sure of what nani was saying. 

"It's your first day of college. You should dress up nicely", nani said with a smirk.

"Yes nani I will", Tara said.

"Let's go for some shopping Tara. Chalo", nani said excitedly and gulped the water down hastily. 

"Careful nani. And shopping? I've decent clothes, no need of new ones", Tara said humbly.

"But I want to go shopping with my granddaughter. So get ready", nani ordered. 

"You are just back from the hospital and you want to....", Tara was trying to say but nani interrupted. "Are you nagging me? Just go and get ready that's my order".

Tara had to accept defeat and they went out to have some good time together, for the first time. 


*Click here for Part 16 - The Epilogue*


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