With Love, xxxx. by Varshitha Kancharla (best adventure books to read .txt) 📗

“Kat!” Her mother spoke in a tone which was barely audible. But Kathleen heard her mom calling her name. 

It’s been nearly months since her mother talked to her. Kathleen tried many times to calm her down and talk to her but she didn’t listen. Hearing her name after many months made Kathleen engulfed with happiness. 

She ran towards her mother and hugged her, crying. Kathleen’s father’s as well as Nina’s eyes were filled with tears. 

“Mom! You talked to me.” Kathleen said while crying. 

Her mother stood straight withdrawing the hug. She then cupped her daughter’s face and said “I’m sorry, Kat. I shouldn’t have behaved that way.” 

“What? No mom. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have shouted at you. Please forgive me.” Kathleen pleaded holding her mother’s hands. 

“Kat! You did a correct thing. You chose a correct option. If you hadn’t shouted at me, then this thing might not happen ever in your life. I’m so proud of you. Proud of my daughter.” She said stroking Kathleen’s cheek. 

“She is my daughter.” Kathleen’s father said wrapping his arm over her shoulder. 

Kathleen let out a small laugh listening to him. 

“And my friend.” Nina ran towards Kathleen and held her hand. 

They all started laughing. Kathleen’s mother and father sat on the couches and began talking to Kathleen about many things. They both looked so proud of their daughter. Their eyes gleam a kind of proud ness and happiness while looking at Kathleen. 

Kathleen strolled to the kitchen to get juice for them. She started pouring the juice in the glasses with a bright smile on her face. She heard footsteps approaching her and she turned back. She saw her mother in the kitchen looking at her. 

“Mom! Just a minute. I’ll get you juice to drink.” Kathleen said filling the glasses with juice. 

“You look like you’ve grown up, Kat.” Her mother said smiling. 

“I had already grown up, mom. But you always saw me as a little girl.” Kathleen said smiling. 

Kathleen’s mother’s face turned sad all of a sudden and she became quiet. Kathleen stopped doing her work when she noticed her mother’s face. She turned to her mother and asked holding her hand “Mom! What happened?” 

Her mother held Kathleen’s hands and looked at her with apologetic eyes. Kathleen couldn’t understand her mother’s feeling. 

“Mom?” Kathleen called her looking into her eyes. 

“Kat! I’m sorry that I stopped talking to you. When you shouted at me, I got so angry and felt so sad. I didn’t mean to discourage you in any aspect. I was just angry at you. Angry because I was so afraid of your future. I thought you took  a wrong step so... so I thought if I stop talking to you, you would stop everything and go in a correct way.” 

“Mom! I can understand. You don’t need to explain everything.” While Kathleen was saying, she was interrupted by her mother. 

“No Kat. Let me tell.” She then continued saying “I thought you were wrong but no. I was wrong. You proved me I was wrong. You chose a correct path, Kat. Don’t ever step back. Focus on what you really love and what makes you feel alive.” 

Listening to her, Kathleen became emotional and hugged her saying “Thank you, mom. Thank you so much.” 

Kathleen’s mother cupped her face and kissed her on her forehead. She then said “All the best, Kat.” 

Then they both strolled out of the kitchen with the tray of glasses in Kathleen’s hand. They sat with Nina and Kathleen’s father and started talking, cracking jokes and laughing. 

Everything looked so perfect. The room was filled with the sounds of their laughs and happiness. But they didn’t notice the sadness that was covered by a thin layer of Kathleen’s laugh. She heard love always comes with pain but she never believed it till she fell in love with a person whom she never met, whom she never knew. Till she fell in love with her stranger.