"An Unconventional Commitment"

◍⁠•𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕•⁠◍

I was meticulously arranging my belongings in the bedroom when Anubhav entered unexpectedly. "Suno," he stated abruptly.

Looking up from my task, I replied with a casual "Hmm, boliye?"

However, he didn't continue right away, instead falling into an uncharacteristic silence that stretched for nearly two minutes. Sensing no forthcoming elaboration, I shrugged inwardly and turned my attention back to carefully organizing my precious earrings and jewelry - mindful to not repeat the heartache of a broken treasured jhumka.

Just as I had dismissed his strange behavior, a faint mumble reached my ears. "Thank you."

I froze, convinced I must have imagined those softly uttered words from the usually stoic Anubhav's lips. Spinning around slowly, I sought confirmation. "Aapne kuch kaha?"

His response was instantaneous and definitive this time. "Haan, thank you."

I was taken aback - the usually reticent Anubhav was genuinely thanking me? How did this turnaround happen?

"Thank you kis liye?" I couldn't resist asking, needing to understand this unprecedented occasion. 

Anubhav's intense gaze locked with mine as he replied, "Woh tumhare karan hi Aarush ne fir se bolna start kar diya. Aur unse mujhe 'Papa' bhi kaha. Yeh sab kuch tumhare karan hi toh hua hai. Tumne hi suggest kiya tha counselor, aur phir ghar mein bhi..."

His voice tapered off, but the undisguised gratitude and warmth in his eyes spoke volumes my ears could scarcely process. For once, I could see the sincerity in his eyes.

"Woh toh mujhe karna hi tha, kyunki humare beech jo contract sign hua tha..." I heard myself reply automatically, still reeling from his unexpected vulnerability.

The truth was, now that Aarush's traumatic mutism had begun healing, our contractual obligation was nearing its expiry. A part of me understood I should feel relieved, even elated at the prospect of regaining my freedom. Yet, an unsettling heaviness weighed on my heart instead. 

Somehow, through the endless days and nights by Aarush's side, nurturing and caring for him, Staying with Aarush for so long had made me grow attached to the little one as well as the rest of the family, especially chachi ji who treated me like her own daughter. A mother's love that I had yearned for since growing up in the orphanage.

As Anubhav respectfully retreated, burying himself in work once more, I made one last attempt at organization before calling it a night. Just as I was finishing up, a stray thought surfaced.

"Mr. Singh, aapko ek general suggestion doon?" I broached tentatively.

He responded swiftly, "Haan, bolo."

Exhaling slowly, I imparted, "Mann ki baatein mann mein nahi rakhna chahiye, kyunki har kisi ko khamoshiyan padhne nahi aata."

A ghost of a wry smile flickered across his features as he countered, "Uski kya zarurat? Uske liye tum ho na, jaise mere bina bolo hi jaan gayi ki mujhe Aarush ke munh se 'Chachu' se zyada 'Papa' sunna pasand hai." 

I couldn't argue with his point, momentarily stumped until realization dawned. "Lekin aapko yaad hai na, humara contract khatam hone wala hai?"

His response was like a physical blow, whiplash-inducing in its unexpectedness. "Haan, toh contract khatam ho raha hai. Humara rishta nahi."