Arshad sat in his car waiting for the phone call. It has been an hour and there was no sign of Kanika. He got out and occupied his seat at the park bench. It was here Arshad and Kanika used to meet for the past fifteen years. Every year, this day is reserved for each other. And for Milee. The day of mystery for the teen.
Arshad had been trying to call Kanika and texting her, none of which got a response.
She would not turn up today, he thought.
All of a sudden his cell phone rang. His wife.
"Arshad, can you come home now? Please. Now."
"What happened?"
She was crying. "Please."
"Ok. Relax."
******
Milee is the only person in St.Philomina's orphanage who has regular visitors every year. She believed that Arshad and Kanika are her parents and wondered why she was housed in an orphanage. She called them Mom and Dad but knew nothing about them. She had no contact addresses, no phone numbers. They visited her every year on the 1st of June. And Milee waited. Someday they might tell her.
******
Arshad drove home to find that he has a new visitor. A complete stranger. He saw his wife at the door. Her face was lined with tears. And the man was furious. He looked grave.
"May I know what is happening here?"
The guest cleared his throat to speak. He began.
"Every year my wife comes to meet you. Without my knowledge. And she died two days ago. You would not have any more secret meetings with your ex, and no more family get together with your illegitimate child from your premarital affair."
Arshad froze. If not he was shocked by Kanika's death, if not he was shocked by the words illegitimate and premarital affair, he would have suffocated this man to death. Her husband threw at him an envelope and walked away.
Arshad opened the envelope.
Dear Arshad
It is high time we let our families know about our kid. She is growing up and needs a family. I am running short of time. And I pass the responsibility to you. I know, you will be an amazing dad. I regret we will have no more meetings, coffee and our little shopping for our girl. And I am leaving half of my property to her. She is our first, she always will be.
I trust you.
Love
Kanika
Tears filled his eyes. His lips trembled. His wife stood weeping. He felt terribly sad and equally angry at her. He assumed that she had misunderstood him. After how Kanika was portrayed by her husband. He walked to his car in haste.
******
Arshad tried to remember Kanika as he drove. He thought of how they had gone to St.Philomina's Orphanage one day. They were younger. Happier. He thought of the day they had finally decided to sponsor a kid. How excited they were, when Sister Margaret had allowed them to fill in their names in parents' column in Milee's school records. How they had met ever year. How wonderful it was when she called them mom and dad. And how awesome were those first of June, these fifteen years?
The episode at home haunted him more.
Idiot. She is your wife. And dare you to speak so ill of her. Premarital affair? Illegitimate kid? If she were alive, she would have burnt you live.
******
Arshad put a sudden brake on the old metallic plate that read "St. Philomena's".
Milee came running. Out of excitement, she hugged her dad. And peeped into the car.
"Where's mom?"
"She couldn't come."
"Will she come tomorrow then?"
"No darling. ehm.. Will tell you later. Why don't you check these things I have brought to you?"
"Sure Dad. But Mom. "
He kept his fingers on her lips.
He handed over the envelope.
This is for you. The last of your mom's memories.
