"Mumma?"
"Haan, beta?"
"Why don't I have a daddy?"
Amit's innocent question brings the pang of guilt back. I should tell him.
"Well, beta, you'll get one very soon."
"Does that mean that you will get married?"
"Well, yes."
"And I'll have to change my last name?"
"Yeah…but only if you want to."
"What is my last name gonna be?"
"Mo- I mean, Saxena."
God, I think. Did I really almost say MODI?
"Hmmmmm…Amit Saxena. Mumma, doesn't that sound like a hero's name?"
"Of course it does! Because you ARE my hero!"
Amit giggles. "Mumma!"
"What?! I was just saying the truth! Mera beta aaj se bees (20) saal baad, hero banega! Yeh ek maa ka dil kehta hain!" I proclaim.
Amit laughs so hard that his milk comes out of his nose.
"Mumma, you're so funny!"
We both laugh and eat silently, overlooking the beautiful view of the city from our balcony.
Amit suddenly becomes serious.
"Mumma, who is my daddy?"
"Kya?"
"Mumma, who is my daddy? I want to know! Please tell me."
"Beta, not right now; maybe later."
Amit can understand the tone of my voice.
"Go get ready for bed. I'll come later."
He leaves, and I clean the table. Why do kids have to be so curious all the time?
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The next day is a big day for me. Mr. Dhruv Saxena is coming to meet me.
All of a sudden, I remember something.
Oh, shit. I'm dead.
Amit doesn't have school today. It's a holiday.
Okay, let me think. I can take Amit to the hospital and let Atul take care of him— oops! Atul has a surgery. Umm, I can take Amit anyways and let him stay with me until Atul's out of surgery and make sure Abhi doesn't see him. Perfect!
But how do I see to it that Abhi doesn't see him?
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Next part on Monday!
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