Grandpa

Two months later#

"Grandfather!"

"Ajay!"

***

"Emmett... Mr. Mallaya got admitted today."

"His condition?"

"Hard to say."

"... What did the doctors say?"

"It will be hard this time... Or they can't."

***

"Master Sen! Mr. Mallaya got hospitalised."

"What!!!"

***

After a week#

Taking her hands in his, he tried to squeeze them to give her comfort, but evidently he couldn't bring himself to do it.m. Looking at her soft face, he wanted to pat her, but again... he couldn't. There was nothing left in his body to carry on any physical moment any more.

"Pearl, take care of your grandmother and the company for me."

"Hmm. I'll do it."

"My time is already done, and I can't accompany you anymore. I have only one regret left, that I can't see you accomplishing all those dreams which I had wished for you. I can't see you getting married to the best man in the world. My child, please try to stay happy for me. Can you do that for me?"

Pearl couldn't put much attention to his words or what promises he wanted from her. All she could hear or see was her grandfather leaving her forever.

Mr. Mallaya isn't her real grandfather, they don't even have the same blood, but to her, he is her only family.

Earlier according to doctor reports her grandfather still had another half year to live, but suddenly his condition started to deteriorate and had to be hospitalised at midnight. And before they knew within a week doctors gave up.

The thought of him leaving her behind scares her. And it's the first time that she is scared. Squeezing those hands full of emotions, Pearl looked at her grandfather.

"Grandfather, please sleep peacefully. You have done more than you needed to. I am very thankful to you for what you have done for me. Now just take a rest."

Grandmother, Saba, also nodded. Wiping away tears from her cheeks, she said while sobbing. "Yes, my dear. Sleep peacefully, don't torcher yourself with those thoughts. I can't see you in pain. Please."

Ajay indulgently looked at his wife. He isn't just grateful to her but also feels sorry towards her. He knew he wasn't the best husband to her. But just like others he only realises his mistakes when he is counting down his breath every second.

"These pains don't hurt me as much as your tears do. Dear, please stop crying."

"How... how... sob... I can't."

"I have lived my whole life with you. I don't dare to expect anything more than this. You shouldn't do that either dear. Please stop crying or you will get sick."

Ajay Mallaya couldn't see his wife in pain. He turned to the other side to face his child. He overwhelmingly smiled at Pearl and said. "Knowing that you will take care of everything behind me, I can die in peace."

Leaving Pearl behind with his wife, he felt the tranquillity with his one worry. But there is still another worry left. His child Pearl.

Pearl will take care of his whole world for him, but when it comes to taking care of herself, she acts worst in that. He feared the most after his wife was about Pearl. He knows that saying 'take care of yourself' is fruitless in her case, and that's why he asked his disciple, Emmett to take care of her.

"Pearl your grandmother never shows but she is very weak physically and mentally both. You have to make sure her safety and health is taken care of properly."

"I'll do the best."

"Dear talk less. You are panting heavily. It must be hurting you." Mrs. Mallaya held his hand and said.

"I would rather feel the pain than talk less on my deathbed. Dear, I have loved you all my life, but I can't accompany you after this. Forgive me for leaving you behind. Forgive me for not giving you my all. You always compromised with my work. I can't tell you how grateful I am to you.Q Pearl will take care of you. Please don't be stubborn and take care of yourself too."

Hearing that Saba started sobbing again. They both loved each other dearly. She never thought that he would leave her first and she would be all alone.

"Pearl, we never had a child. But having you in our last days of life was enough for us. Those shareholders would come for the company, and properties, be careful and take over the company peacefully. I believe that you are trained enough to take over my company now." Mr. Mallaya said.

"That's your and Mrs. Grandmother's company...?" Pearl hesitated a little.

Whatever was coming down to her by her grandfather, was nothing related to her. She has a whole different family and surname. Totally unrelated to Mr. Mallaya. Though she knew this day would come, it's still too soon. Moreover at the wrong time.

"Don't be stupid Pearl. Since the day I took you under my care I have been training you to take over my company."

To the world and everyone, she is his only heir. Their blood isn't the same, but not for once he ever thought of her as someone else's.

He loved her as his only child. His dream was to see her sitting on his chair, but... his last wish can't be fulfilled anymore. On his will, he only wrote her name on it. His properties, company, shares everything that belongs to him will be her's.

His wife desired none of it and personally asked to make Pearl as a sole owner. At first he was shocked but Saba consistently asked him to leave nothing for her, and trust Pearl on everything. That shocked him more. But he always knew that his wife has a soft corner for Pearl and she also trusts Pearl as he do.

"Pearl do me another favour."

"Tell me Grandpa."

"Never stop celebrating this day because of me. Even if it's today, my funeral day, next year, you must celebrate this day like other years. Promise me."

"Grandpa-"

"Please."

"... I'll do it."

Seeing his wife's swollen eyes he felt distressed and sad. All his life he did his best to make sure that his wife should not lack anything, and won't have to cry because of anything. He loved her with all his heart. But the only thing he lacked her was his time for her. Now when he has to leave her behind, he wants his last second to be solely her's only her's.

Looking back to Pearl he said. "Pearl, go outside. Let me save my last breath only for my wife."

Pearl instantly stood up. Her eyes had those little mist. She didn't know how to bid goodbye to her grandfather. Whatever she would say now will be her last words to him. But all she could think to say was. "I... I... love you, grandpa." 'And I will miss you.' Saying that she right away walked out of the room.

Her grandfather couldn't help but cry with happiness. Seeing the closed door he helplessly said. "This child. This is the first and will be the last time she would say that to me. All her life she had her trust issues. She would rather prefer to be called a cold hearted witch than open her heart to someone. This is the first time and…" 'would it be the last?'

The sobbing sound of his wife brings him back to his wife. Holding her hand with all his might he gently said. "Dear, stop crying. Please don't see me off with those teary eyes. Look at me. Talk to me. I want to hear your voice. Call me Saba."