New Beginnings
“Crunch, crunch, crunch” The sound of leaves under Karan’s feet was the only sound Sarab heard as he waited with bated breath for Karan’s reaction. “Yayyyyyyy” Karan yelled happily. Hearing Karan’s joyful glee Sarab opened his eyes which he closed instinctively while praying to God, only to be met with Karan jumping at Sarab happily. Grabbing Karan the impact had Sarab fall on his back with Karan hugging him happily yelling. “Yayyy Papa, I’m the only Koyal, this is just like my fairytales, I always wanted to have a special event like this in my life. It’s just like how it happens in my books Papa, I can’t wait to go home and tell Param and Seher. Wait, will they be sad to hear this Papa, I don’t want them to think their not special too” asked Karan suddenly quiet? Sarab held Karan close and closed his eyes to thank God, tears fell from his eyes and he could finally breath again. Sarab was grateful that the truth he just revealed to Karan didnt deviate him from the family. Sarab believed his and Meher’s upbringing but he was still nervous of a small child’s reaction to this matter. And thankfully Karan had not been any different now than he was before, he still ran to Sarab hugging him tight and he still thought of his siblings getting hurt instead of being hurt himself. Many people had told Sarab that Karan is a reflection of him and it was times like these that Sarab saw that and was prouder than ever. “They won’t be sad” said Sarab kissing Karan, “just like how your happy in their happiness, they will be more happier than you. You, Param, and Seher are all very special for Meher mama and me, never forget that Karan, Mama and Papa love you three very very much, more than themselves”. Karan nodded as Sarab stood up and held his hand to continue walking. As Sarab and Karan walked through the woods, Sarab explained to Karan slowly about Manav and their relationship. Sarab explained to Karan that Manav was who Meher mama had first met and both of them had moved on in their lives. Sarab wanted Karan to know that’s some relationships don’t work out the first time and that’s okay. He didnt want Karan to have any sort of bitterness towards anyone and as he grows up Sarab wanted Karan to embrace different relationships. As Sarab was explaining Karan slowly lost interest, Sarab was his father and that’s all that mattered to him, bored from Sarab’s talks Karan was now more intrigued by the small candy shop at the corner of the street and pointed at it as he pulled Sarab towards the shop. They had walked out past the woods and now walked in the sun as it shined down on the father and son.
Meher glanced at her watch and waited for Sarabjeetji and Karan. Param and Seher ran around the farm happily picking fruit and running to Meher to place in the basket she held. “Meher mama look we got such red strawberries” Param smiled as he showed Meher proudly. “Good job puttarji” Meher replied half lost. “Now when Papa and Karan come we can go pick the apples” said Param. “Karan will pick the apples, that too sitting on Papa’s shoulder. Right mama” asked Seher as she and Param laughed. “Right” said Meher. Meher smiled as she remembered Karan sitting on Sarab’s shoulder. Karan really was Sarab’s bandru, while Sarab held Param and Seher, Karan always liked sitting on Sarab’s shoulder Karan claimed he could see the world from up there and Sarab also enjoyed it. Meher had asked Sarab to not keep Karan there because he was getting older and heavier and the weight on Sarab’s shoulder could hurt him only to be told “Meherji, this Jatt can always carry his kids no matter how old or heavy they get. They will never be too old or too heavy for me, and Karan is my Bandru, where else is a Bandru suppose to sit. In fact Bandriji, I will always be happy to carry you too” hearing Param and Seher laughing brought Meher out of her thoughts. “Mama” yelled Karan as he and Sarab ran towards them. Meher turned around and was relieved to see the two. Karan was clearly happy as he ran to Meher first then to Param and Seher. Hugging the two he excitedly shared what Sarab had told him. Meher smiled as she heard Karan happily telling his siblings without being the slightest affected. Meher thanked God and hugged Sarab. Both Meher and Sarab could breath a sigh of relief, now there was nothing that could affect their family or their bond. The family spent the rest of the morning picking fruit and eating breakfast at the farm before they headed into town.