Finding True Love

Risha POV “Risha, why is your room's light still on!!” my mom yelled from downstairs. I was watching my favorite ‘romantic movie.’ I love romance and hope that someday I will also have my own love story. I haven’t found my Mr. Perfect yet, who is made for me. But now I can’t tell my mom what I was watching, because she is not a romantic person. “I am going to bed, mom!” I yelled. Now I have to go to bed. I can’t miss tomorrow’s journey, can I? I am going to meet my mum-mum after seven long months. She is the most important person in my life, more important than my parents. Mum-mum is my dad’s sister, Shimla Mehta. Well, you could say she raised me. She lives in London. During my vacation, I always went there and spent the entire break with her. As always, I went there last summer, which was the most horrible summer for us. Mum-mum lost the love of her life, her husband. I still remember the day as it was yesterday. Flashback…. “Risu, take care of your mum-mum. I will be back in 2 days”, Akash uncle, mum-mum’s husband, told me via the phone. He was on a business tour. “Ok, uncle. It would be best if you also took care of yourself”, I reassured him and then cut the call. “When will he come?” mum-mum asked as soon as I entered the kitchen. “In 2 days”, I replied. “Why? You missed him already?” Mum-mum and I always have this special relationship. We share everything. “Of course, I miss him. Don’t you know how much I love him?” she replied smilingly. I know. They love each other like crazy. “Yeah, I know. I also know that you love me more than him”, I stated, hugging mum-mum from behind. Mum-mum loves me like her own daughter. They don’t have any children, and since the day I was born, I have become their only child. “Isn’t it obvious that I love my daughter? I love you, baby, more than you will ever realize,” she confessed, kissing my forehead. “I love you too, mum-mum.” Mum-mum made my favorite food, Italian pasta. God, it’s the most amazing food ever, and from mum-mum’s hand, it tastes heavenly. We finished our lunch by teasing each other, mainly me teasing mum-mum over Akash uncle. After that, we walked around the garden, played badminton and I WIN. Then we returned to the drawing-room and started watching our favorite Korean drama series. I love these Korean actors; they are like Greek Gods... “Agghh, not now,” we were watching drama, and then the most annoying telephone rang. “I got this, sweetie,” mum-mum stood up and went to answer the call. Then I heard a sound, and when I raised my head, I saw the receiver fall from mum-mum’s hand. I quickly went there and took the call. But when I heard from the other side of the phone, it was like everything stopped; as if the ground beneath me had been taken from me. Akash uncle’s car had an accident and those who were in the car all of them died on the spot. I told my uncle’s business partner to confirm his death and send his body here. I was scattered from this information, but I have to stay strong for mum-mum. Then I cut the call and looked at mum-mum. She was devastated and broken. I saw her eyelids start to drop and she fainted on me. With the help of the maid, I took her to her bedroom. It had been 24 hours, she was still unconscious, and I hadn’t any idea what I should do or not. I called my parents and told them everything. They told me they would be here tomorrow. The following day, they brought their uncle’s body. My parents came early in the morning. I was sitting beside mum-mum, she still didn’t get conscious. I was worried sick. Suddenly, I felt movement and mum-mum opened her eyes. She sat up slowly. “Ria, baby, tell me he is alright. He will come back to me safe and sound. Tell me he is alive; the phone call was a joke,” she cried, sounding broken. I hadn’t any word to tell her. I wish I could tell her uncle was alright. After mum-mum calmed down a bit, I took her downstairs towards the crowd where uncle was lying. She ran towards him and cried like a manic, holding uncle’s body. It took everything to calm her down. She nearly fainted again. The rituals were completed, Akash uncle’s body was buried in a graveyard. I was standing beside mum-mum the whole time, holding her. She saw the love of her life was buried; she was standing like a lifeless body, leaning her head on my shoulder. I couldn’t see my mum-mum like that. It’s been 7 days since my uncle died. Mum-mum hadn’t uttered a word since then, she didn’t eat properly, she went unconscious several times. She had asthma attack a few times due to crying continuously. I have tried every now and then only to feed her. My parents went back home, and the relatives who came also left. Now mum-mum and I are the only ones in this house. I sat beside mum-mum and tried to feed her. “Mum-mum, please eat something, you have to take your medicine. Your blood pressure is low. You have to eat. Please mum-mum, talk to me, please.” She didn’t answer, just looked at me with broken eyes. “Mum-mum, please cry. Cry your heart out; it will help you. Mum-mum, you have to do it, at least for your daughter.” And then she broke down in my arms. Hours later, she calmed down and stopped crying. “Feeling better,” I asked her; she just nodded and mouthed a thank you. After she broke down, she ate a little and fell asleep. Mum-mum woke up 1 hour later. “You ok?” I asked her while she sat up. “A little better,” her voice sounded harsh. I asked her to go and freshen up, and she did as I said. Then I took her downstairs; it was days since she went out of her room. She was in her bedroom the whole week. We went to the garden and sat there silently. After a while, mum-mum suddenly hugged me, and I hugged her as well. She pulled apart and said, “Thank you. Thank you for being here with me. Don’t worry, I will try to get over it. I will be ok for you.” And then she kissed my cheek and said, “I love you.” “I love you too, mum-mum,” and then I hugged her. It’s been a month, mum-mum is doing ok now. During the month, I was with her the whole time. Didn’t leave her alone for a single moment. “Is it necessary for me to go?” I asked her for the hundredth time. My summer vacation was over long ago, but mum-mum needed me, that’s why I was here. And I didn’t want to go back. “Yes, you have to go. You have exams in a month. You can come back after your exams. Your mom called me and asked me to send you back. You know you can come here any time. It’s your home after all.” ‘Agghh, mom. Not again ’. I don’t understand why mom didn’t want me to stay here. “Ok. I am going, but you have to promise me you will take your medicine timely. And I will call you every day. Bye. Love you.” “Love you too, sweetie. See you soon and take care.” …….End Flashback Since then, I call her every day, and we have talked for hours. And I am going to meet her tomorrow. I am so excited. Beep beep beep….agghh the alarm. When I remembered I had a flight to catch, I sat up instantly. I quickly got up from bed, finished my morning business, took a shower, and got ready for the airport. I wore white tops and black jeans, not too casual, not too fancy, put on some makeup, and am ready. I took my purse and luggage and went downstairs. Finished my breakfast. Mom and dad weren’t home. They were in the office, not surprising for me. Hell, I am going to meet my mum-mum, and that’s all matters. From now, I am going to stay with my mum-mum and join at the nearby hospital. Yep, I am a doctor. I have just completed my graduation, and for my internship, I am going to St Thomas’ hospital in London. I haven’t told my parents yet. Mum-mum will be the first one to know. And here I am entering the house, calling for mum-mum. But I haven’t found her. “Hey Bella, how are you? Where is mum-mum?” I asked the maid, who was in her mid-forties. She takes care of mum-mum when I amn't around. “I am good. She is in her bedroom. And how are you?” she asked me lovingly. “I am cool,” I told her and went upstairs to find mum-mum. She was in her bed. I called her, and she opened her eyes and sat up, a loving smile on her face. Mum-mum has a fever. She fainted in the kitchen while cooking 2 days ago, and she didn’t even bother to tell me. I was damn angry with her; then again, I couldn’t stay mad at her for long. “Why didn’t you tell me mum-mum?” “I didn’t want you to worry, and I am fine now. Don’t stay mad at me, baby. I love you,” she replied while kissing me. “Now tell me, how are you? Have you eaten yet” and there goes mum-mum, always thinking about everyone before her. “You tell me how I should be after seeing you like this. And I am not the one who is sick; it’s you. I should have asked you all this,” I yelled at her. I am still mad at her a little for not telling me before. I was gossiping with mum-mum. At that moment, someone enters the room. He was handsome. His brown hair fell on his ears in a smooth cascade, framing his diamond-shaped face, reaching just below his jaw, while his deep brown eyes reminded me of melted chocolate. What are you doing, Risha? Checking out a stranger. Then I remembered what he was doing here. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?”