Page 60 of The Seaside Homecoming
Armaan slowly nodded. “So you came here in her stead?”
“Yes. She did not extract such a promise from me. But when I realized how quickly she was failing, I vowed it. Our littlegirl would be brought up in an English village as her father had been. As Vanita had dreamt about her entire life.
“A few months after the funeral, I received a letter from my contacts detailing your presumed whereabouts. After the quarantine lifted, I resigned my post and began making arrangements to travel here to Sidmouth.”
He ran a weary hand over his face. “I should have been a better husband to her, put her desires before my ambitions. I will not blame you if you despise me.”
Armaan seemed to give this due thought, then said, “I do not despise you. We both disappointed Vanita in our own ways. Perhaps we might help each other make peace with the past.”
When their conversation ended, Mr. Hammond walked with Claire and Armaan back through the passage to the main house.
He asked, “Would you like to see Mira again, now you know?”
“You read my mind, sir.”
“Notsir. William, please.”
“Very well, and you must call me Armaan.”
He nodded. “Come with me, Armaan.”
Mr. Hammond led the way up to the nursery. When they arrived, they found the girl on her own, playing with her dollhouse.
Mr. Hammond said, “Mira, there is someone I would like you to meet.”
As before, Armaan Sagar sank to his haunches to face Mira at her level. This time, however, curiosity had been replaced by something deeper.
“Good day, Mira. Do you know who I am?”
The little girl said softly, “Armaan.”
“And what else?”
Confused, Mira shook her head.
“I am also your uncle. Youramma’s brother. Your ...mamu.”
“Mamu...” the little girl breathed in reverent reply.
“Yes,bhanji.”
“Bhanji?” Mira repeated. “What is that?”
“This meansniece. For that, my dear, is what you are to me. And I thank God for that. And for you.”
For a moment the little girl stared, uncertain. She glanced at Claire, then at her father, and at his reassuring nod, Mira tentatively reached out and touched Armaan’s face. “I never had an uncle before. I am glad you are mine.”
Sonali came in then, returning from the water closet or wherever she had been. She stopped abruptly at discovering others in the nursery. Her gaze flicked from Mr. Hammond to Claire, then latched onto the newcomer with guarded interest.
“I only stepped out for a moment.”
“That’s all right,” Mr. Hammond said. “We have just brought Mr. Sagar to see Mira.”
“Why?”
“He is her uncle. Vanita’s half brother.”
The woman’s mouth fell open, and her eyes brightened. “Armaan? Can it be? Vanita spoke of you often.”
