“Eighteen years have passed, so I don’t even know where they are now. Your mother kept them so safe. I did know the place too, but I can’t guarantee if they will be there. How about you take a rest? When you get better, we both can go and find them,” Maya supported Priya’s emotions.
There was no way she wanted to see her niece cry so much.
“Really?”
“Yes, Priya. Now stop crying; you look like you will faint from crying so much, which is not good for your health,” she wiped away her tears, smiling.
“Okay, Maya. I think I will recover soon. Now I have a reason to get better,” Priya smiled back.
“That’s my girl. You look pretty smiling; tears don’t suit you. I hate seeing tears in my sweet niece’s eyes,” Maya complimented, chuckling.
“You are gorgeous too, Maya. Now I know that you are a real aunt. Still, I don’t think I will call you ‘aunty’, so don’t get angry with me,” Priya sweetly stated.
“I’m fine with just Maya. I love it when you call me by my name. I don’t feel I am too old, so calling me by my name is perfectly okay with me. As I said before, call me whatever you want, Priya,” Maya ruffled her hair.
“What’s happening here? Why do I feel like my mother is showering all her love on her niece only? What about me, Mom?” Levi entered the room with her arms crossed.
Priya and Maya looked in her direction.
“You’re right. I haven’t seen her in so long. I saw her when she was just a few days old, and you-I’ve been showing love to you for so many years. So don’t you think it’s her time to get love?” Maya teased her.
“I know she’s cute, but that doesn’t mean you will backstab me, Mom. You know I feel jealous, right? Before, I was your only daughter. Now you have one more,” Levi commented, fake glaring.
She didn’t feel any jealousy in reality. She just wanted to lift the mood of Priya and Maya-she had heard enough of their sad talk from outside.
She had thought to disturb them before, but they were talking so seriously, so that’s why she decided to give it time. Now she got an opportunity, and she grabbed it.
To be honest, rather than feeling jealous, Levi felt content that Priya was fine and safe. She already felt like she had a sisterly bond with Priya.
When she was unconscious, her heart was coming out for Priya, just like she might feel for her brother Rish, with whom she grew up. She might have met Priya just three days before, but that didn’t mean she didn’t feel the connection.
“I’m sorry if you are feeling jealous,” Priya felt uncomfortable. She didn’t want Levi to feel jealous at all.
“Cutie, you don’t even understand the joke. I’m just joking. Why would I feel jealous? You are my cousin and, of course, a daughter to my mother too, my younger sister too,” Levi walked towards Priya and smiled at her innocent, apologetic face.
Priya’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
“Thank you, Levi. I appreciate that,” Priya said with a grateful smile.
Levi grinned back and turned to Maya, “And you, Mom, you’re pretty cool too.”
Maya chuckled warmly, “Not cooler than you.”
Priya wiped her eyes, feeling a wave of relief and gratitude. “I’m really glad to have both of you.”
Levi nodded, her smile widening, “Same here, Priya. You’re like the sister I never had.”
Maya put her arm around Priya, bringing her close. “And you’re like the daughter I missed all these years. Of course, I had Levi with me, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you.”
“Mom is right. You are the flesh and blood of her sister, my aunty. I remember seeing her when I was a kid, and she was just ethereal,” Levi nodded her head in agreement with her mom.
“Now I think I have to say I am jealous. You get to see my mother,” Priya laughed.
“I can show you the picture when we get back to my house. Hopefully, pictures of your father and mother will be safe. But it’s not like we can’t find pictures. It’s easy to find, even if mine will be missing,” Maya advised.
“Then I have to take my words back. Can I ask something?”
“Yes, ask, Priya. You don’t have to be so cautious. Just ask.”
“I want to talk to my mother Mary. She might be stressed about everything too, so if you can arrange it, I would love to talk to her on the phone. Before, I was scared of Priyank tracing me, but now he already knows I am here, so I don’t think I should be scared,” Priya’s eyes dropped with expectations.
“I don’t have the phone, but I can arrange it with the help of Jackson. Give me some time, and I will get you the phone.”
Priya sighed in relief.
“Now, let’s focus on getting you better and finding those pictures,” Maya said.
“I can’t wait to see them,” Priya said with a hopeful smile.
“Me neither. It’ll be like meeting your parents through their pictures,” Levi added.
“I’ll make sure we find them. Just rest up for now,” Maya said, patting Priya’s hand.
“I want to eat something. I am hungry. I already had enough rest; I can’t rest more,” Priya rubbed her tummy, feeling famished.
She had talked enough and felt weak too. She had used up so much energy crying, getting angry at Priyank, and talking with Maya, so it would be better if she replenished herself with some good food.
“What do you want to eat?” Levi asked.
“Anything other than fruits or juice,” Priya said, feeling nauseated at the thought of these two.
“I know you hate juice; I didn’t know you hate fruits too. But these things are healthy and good for you, especially since you’re in the hospital now,” Levi remembered how Priya had told her about Priyank making her walk on glass just because she wouldn’t drink juice, so she could easily guess how much Priya hated it.
“Certainly, a cucumber sandwich will do; it’s a healthy and nutritious option.”