'We leave something of ourselves behind when we leave a place, we stay there, even though we go away. And there are things in us that we can find again only by going back there.'

-Pascal Mercier, Night Train to Lisbon
***

16 years later,
Somewhere in the land of Hindostan;

Brandon held on to the frail hand, trying to blink back his tears.

He had known this day would come; had even prepared himself for it. But now that he was finally facing the dreaded moment, he felt himself unable to let go.

“Bran…”

Geoffrey’s weak whisper caused him to compose himself.
He had promised his uncle that he would be strong in the face of all difficulties. He was never going to let himself go weak again; not when he had so much to live for now.

“Yes, Uncle Geoffrey?”

He leaned nearer to the ailing man; noticing for the umpteenth time, the lines etched on his taunt face.
His forehead was slick with sweat and his skin flushed with fever. But even through all that, Brandon could not miss the glaring lucidity of his eyes.

Geoffrey looked affectionately at the man in front of him- a man who had once been a scared, troubled boy, struggling to cope with the trials and tribulations that life had thrown in his way. However, now, that boy had grown into one of the most courageous and kind men he had ever know.

He was proud of him, and was sure that his mother would be too.
For, it was only human to err.

Brandon had made mistakes- ones which had almost ruined his, as well as others' life.
But he had had the courage to own those mistakes and repent for them. And in doing so, he had changed himself into someone wiser.

Geoffrey was content with knowing that he had been able to find his happiness. Brandon had not been reduced to a man wallowing in regret.
He had learnt to live again, to love again.

And now, it was time for him to go back to where he belonged- where he had his family, awaiting his return.

“It is time for you to leave, my son.”

Geoffrey saw the slight hesitation in his eyes; but that was soon replaced with acceptance.
He knew Brandon was prudent enough to decipher the reason behind his request.

As for him, Geoffrey knew the moment he had first set his feet on this land, that this would be his final resting place.

Over the last sixteen years, this beautiful land had given them everything- their unparalleled hospitality, warmth and camaraderie; and in case of Brandon- a chance to have a family.

Geoffrey knew he would forever be indebted to its people.
Even now, as he lay in this hut, he knew that the people outside prayed for his recovery.
They would have to face disappointment though, for his time here was over.

He felt his breath shorten, and looked at Brandon with urgency,

“Tell Maya that I love her.”

Brandon nodded his head, choking back a sob when he saw his eyes cloud over.

Geoffrey found his vision blurring.
The only light remaining, came from above him, in the form of a blinding beam.

He could hear Brandon’s muffled cries, but no longer paid any attention to them; not when Saya’s face swam before his eyes.

He saw her, face alight with affection, as she extended a hand to him.
She looked so peaceful.

He placed his hand in hers, marvelling at the sight of her smile, when he heard her angelic voice,

“I have been waiting for you.”

At that moment, he knew he must have reached heaven…
__________________________________

Brandon stood facing the horizon, thinking about his uncle’s last words.
That was all that had been on his mind since he had performed his last rites.

He knew why Geoffrey had said that; even knew that he was right. He had given his word to his sister, as well as to his daughter. He had to go back, no matter how much he wanted to stay.

Brandon's thoughts took a sudden halt when he felt a hand wrap around his forearm. His lips curved up in a soft smile, as he turned to face his wife.

“Chitra.”

Her name rolled off his tongue with familiar ease.

Suchitra’s eyes were full of perusal, taking in the worry on her husband’s face.

“What have you decided?”

Brandon felt his uncertainty grow as he pondered over his answer.

What indeed, had he decided?
Will she be able to accept his answer?

And as he thought of their years together, he knew she will.
She will support him in all his decisions- just like she had through the years.

She had been the one who reaffirmed his belief in love. She taught him how to love again; made him have faith in his worthiness.

He could still remember the first time he had laid his eyes upon her.

The village head had assigned his son, Virbhadra, to teach them the local language and customs. He had often spotted Chitra, who had been the man’s sister, considering them from a distance.

Brandon had not thought much of their encounter then.
He had considered her one of the many people who had been curious by their sudden arrival.

It had been better for Brandon, since he shared his mother’s complexion; but the rest of their crew, including Geoffrey, had been subjected to the scrutiny of the locals, who marvelled at their pale complexions and bizarre eye colours; not to mention their sun-kissed hair.

If this had been their reaction on seeing them after spending months at the sea, subjected to the brutal heat, Brandon could only imagine their shock if they witnessed those back home- secure in the confines of their manors.

He had hence, dismissed Chitra’s shyness and hesitation in his company, as a cause of her unfamiliarity.

After months of practice and efforts, Brandon had finally begun to understand their language, managing a few words on his own.
He even made sure to teach Vir some of their own words.

It had been during that time, that he had begun noticing Chitra more and more.
She was not much different from the other girls- with similar waist-length dark locks and wide, almond shaped eyes. Her skin was the colour of sand, shining with just as much brilliance.

The thing that had stood out to him however, was the wisdom in her eyes.

She had seen past his outer appearance, into the loss that had become a part of his soul; she had seen that, and made it her mission to prove him wrong.

It had been a long and arduous process.
He had been too scared to feel again. It had been terrifying to realise that he was still capable of having those feelings.

Old doubts and fears had reared their head back into his life; but Suchitra had made him believe in his strength to annihilate them.
With her encouragement and faith, Brandon had been able to overcome them.

He had vowed not to disappoint her.
Lord had given him a second chance, and he intended to make the most of it.

He would not be repeating his mistakes.
He would never take her love for granted; and would spend his life cherishing it.

Over the course of time, Brandon had given up on the idea of ever falling in love again; thinking that it was probably not written in his fate.

He had thought that his life would be spent in solitude; that it was the least he could bear to repent for what he had done to Emma and his daughter.
And he had always managed to make himself believe that he would be content with that. As long as they were happy, he would be too.

But after coming here, he soon realised that all he had convinced himself of, had been a lie.
There was a part of him that craved to have someone love him the way Emma had loved him once; the way she loved his brother now.

He craved to have a family and raise his children as his own- and not be just a spectator in their life.
He had craved that for so long; but had buried those hopes beneath his guilt.

However, now, there was this remarkable woman, who was willing to give him that, even after knowing about all his flaws.

He had laid bare before her, all his sins. He had told her everything; knowing that hiding even a single detail, would be akin to tricking her affections.

Her unconditional acceptance had won over his heart.

He soon found himself craving for glimpses of her face. They conversed in broken words, each trying to express their feelings with their eyes.

Soon, he had found himself irrevocably in love with her, and had wasted no time in asking her father for her hand.

It had not been an easy task.
The elders of the village had been most opposed to their union. But after much persuasion from uncle Geoffrey, and Vir, who had become a dear friend, he had been able to convince them.

They were married according to the local customs. They had taken their vows with the Holy pyre as their witness.

Not long after, he was blessed with his son.
It had been a bittersweet moment for him, as he was soon reminded of the daughter he had left back home.

A flash of guilt had engulfed him then, for what he had done in his past.
How could he love this child, when he had abandoned his firstborn?
How could he do this injustice to her?

But Geoffrey had been there to support him in those moments, persuading him to be happy for his present. He had made him realise that he could love both of his children equally, without fostering any guilt.

It had been a tough time, but it had passed just as quickly.
By the time of his daughter’s birth, he had finally managed to rid himself of the negativity.

Throughout that time, he received letters from back home, and cherished each and every one of them; revelling in the news of his sister and daughter.

All of those letters ended with the same question- the inquiry about his arrival.
He had managed to avoid the answer in all his replies. But now, he knew the time to finally leave, had come.

“What do you think about leaving? I know it is too much to ask of you, my love…But would you be willing to accompany me back home?”

His doubtful words, were met with her trusting smile, causing him to marvel at his fortune to have her as his wife.

“I will accompany you to the ends of the world…”
__________________________________

The Palace;

Maya rushed through the hallways, holding her skirts in her hands.

She saw Edward exiting the throne room, and beamed at his approaching figure.

“He is here!”

Edward chuckled at his wife’s enthusiasm; nearing her, with their son trailing behind.

“Who are you talking about, Mother?”

Maya looked at her firstborn with a radiant smile.

“Your Uncle Bran, my love!”

Robert’s face broke out in an exuberant grin at his mother’s words.

“Uncle Brandon? Is he finally here?”

After hearing his mother recount his uncle’s various antics, and reading his letters, Robert had been awaiting this moment for years.

“Yes, Rob. He is here. The maid just announced his arrival.”

Edward held her shoulders, trying to calm her excitement, his own face eloquent of his delight.

“Alright, my love. Why the wait then? Let us see what my dear brother-in-law has been up to…”
__________________________________

Brandon's heart lurched with delight as soon as he spotted his sister’s approaching figure.

She looked absolutely radiant; her semblance befitting that of a queen.

“Your Highness.”

Maya chuckled with mirth, seeing his exaggerated bow.

“Welcome home, Bran.”

Her brother straightened from his position, fixing her with an affectionate gaze.
In another moment, he had her in his embrace.

“I missed you.”

Brandon pulled back, grinning with adoration,

“So did I, Maya.”

His sister had grown into a beautiful woman.
Gone was the girl he had said his farewells to.
She was a mother and a Queen now; and Brandon couldn’t be more proud of her.

He turned to his brother-in-law and bowed again,

“My King.”

Edward pulled him up by his shoulders,

“There is no place for such formalities between family, Brandon.”

Brandon nodded his head appreciatively, before looking at the beaming boy standing behind them.

“And who must this young man be?”

Maya looked back at her son. She knew her brother was well aware of his identity, and his question was just a means of pulling his leg.

“This is Robert, your nephew. Your niece meanwhile, is somewhere in the Palace. Wait until you meet her. She will be ecstatic to know you are here.”

Brandon ruffled Robert’s hair with affection, grinning all the while. His nephew chuckled at his action.

“Of course. I remember all about them from the letters.”

Maya’s eyes widen with sudden realisation,

“Oh, right! The letters! Where is my sister-in-law and the children? I cannot believe you did not bring them here!”

Brandon looked at her with a soft smile,

“I did, Maya. She is here; they all are. I simply did not think she was ready to visit the Palace yet.”

Maya nodded her head in understanding. She could only imagine how unfamiliar this place must be for her.

“I cannot wait to meet her, though. She must really love you, brother; to come here with you, leaving behind all that she had ever known, must have been difficult.”

She saw her brother’s eyes fill with adoration as he replied,

“Yes, she does.”

Maya’s heart flipped with emotion, thinking about the letter she had received from Geoffrey, years ago.

He had mentioned her brother being smitten by a wonderful girl, and had stated his hope for Brandon’s future; assuring her that he would do everything in his power to secure Brandon’s faith in himself.

She had known it must not have been easy for him to convince Brandon to pursue his own happiness, after what had happened here; but he had managed to do that.

He had been the light guiding her brother’s path at a time when he had been alone and uncertain about his very worth; and for that, she would forever be grateful to him.

Her only regret remained knowing that she would never be able to see him again.

It had been a huge blow to her entire family when they were informed of his death, months ago.

But Maya had felt a loss like no other.
She knew that his demise had robbed her of the only man she had looked up to since she was a little girl.

“I wish Uncle Geoffrey was here with us.”

His sister’s sudden forlorn smile, caused Brandon to sigh heavily; knowing that his was a loss that would forever be felt in their lives.

“I know, Maya. Trust me, I know…”
__________________________________

Seaborne Estate;

Minerva held the parchment to her son, biting her lip in nervousness.
Will smiled as he scanned its contents.

“It is alright, ma.”

Minerva sighed with relief.

“Are you sure, Will?”

Her son’s nod, dispelled some of her apprehension.

“Alright then, let us get this to your father, shall we?”
__________________________________

Richard sat in his chambers, preparing himself for a meeting with the merchants of the Estate, when his wife entered with a hesitant face.

“Are you ready to leave?”

He stood up before answering her, fixing the last straps of his boot.

“I am. Why do you ask?”

He made his way to her with an affectionate gaze.

“You seem nervous, my love. It is just a meeting in the town centre. I won’t be long.”

Minerva shook her head, looking at him with a tentative gaze,

“No, that is not what I- I just came to give you this.”

Richard frowned with confusion when she brought forth her hand from behind her back, and extended a folded piece of parchment towards him.
He took it with curiosity, turning it over.

“What is it?”

Minerva shrugged innocently at his question, her uncertainty palpable on her face.

Richard’s confusion however, soon turned to amazement when he unfolded the parchment.

There were just three words on it- written in a crooked handwriting; but those words were enough to set his heart racing.

He whispered them, trying to contain his pride,

“I love you…”

Three simple words, not even the toughest part of the alphabets; but he knew they meant the world to Minerva.

He gazed back at the anticipation on her face. It had been years since she learnt how to read and write.

It had been a tenuous process, taking a better part of the last decade. The reading part had been easier for her; but the writing had given her a lot of difficulties.

It had been made more difficult with the other tasks that usually occupied her attention. Her responsibilities as the Lady of the Estate gave her very little time to be able to pursue her goal.

There were weeks when she could not even have enough time to sit in front of a book.
There had been days when she had almost given up. But then, she had continued with renewed will the very next day.

Finally, after years of practice, she had learnt to read well enough. After some more years, she had been writing him small notes, simple enough in their contents.

But Richard knew that this particular note was more valuable than all of the others.

He felt his throat clog with emotion upon seeing her eyes glisten with unshed tears.

“Oh, Minerva…”

He crushed his wife to his chest, never letting go of the note clutched in his hand.

He felt her shoulders relax and smiled against her hair.

“That was indeed the most comprehensive letter I have ever received.”

Minerva acknowledged the mirth in his tone and chuckled, feeling her doubts flee at the same moment.

“What is your answer then, husband dearest?”

Richard pulled back and looked at her with a fervent expression.

“It is shame you even have to ask.”
__________________________________

Hayworth Estate;

Averey’s heart thudded with anticipation when he saw the carriage pull up at the gate of the manor.

His entire family stood behind him, waiting with bated breaths for his brother's arrival.

He had waited for this moment, for years.

The circumstances in their past had forced them to separate; but now, they were finally having the chance of putting it all behind them.

“Brother.”

Averey found himself rushing towards Brandon, as soon as he stepped out of the carriage.

Brandon grinned upon seeing him, wasting no time in engulfing him in a tight embrace.

“It is good to see you again, Bran.”

Brandon held Averey by his shoulders,

“Time did fly by, didn’t it? I don’t remember you being this old.”

Averey wasted no time in the playful retort,

“Well, the same goes for you brother.”

“Alright, Averey! Do not sabotage our time. Our patience is running out.”

Robert’s words caused Averey to pull back and let Brandon make his way to his other brothers.

“Philip is on one of his spontaneous trips, enjoying his life while he still can, before he is tied in marriage like the rest of us. So, you have to excuse his absence, brother.
Though, I am sure that had he been aware of your arrival, he would have not chosen to leave.”

Brandon nodded his head at Edmund’s words, knowing that he will have all the time to meet his little brother.
__________________________________

From the carriage, Chitra witnessed her husband reuniting with his family, with tears of happiness in her eyes.

She had noticed the sense of longing Brandon had carried in his heart.

She knew the day she married him, that he would not be spending his life in her village; that when the time comes, he would be leaving for his home- and that she would willingly follow him there.

It had seemed like a trivial sacrifice to make for the one you loved.

“Shall we go out, ma?”

She looked at the expectant faces of her children and shook her head.

“Soon, my son.”
__________________________________

Brandon looked at the shy girl before him and felt his heart constrict with a myriad of emotions- love being the foremost of them.

“Anne had been impatient for your visit. She could not wait to meet her Uncle Brandon.”

Emma’s voice, was hardly audible to Brandon.
All his attention was directed at his daughter- the daughter he was meeting after sixteen long years.

All those years of yearning, pain and regret- he knew he would relive through all of that, if it meant getting to see her at this very moment.

She was just as he had imagined. His little girl- all grown up now.

He could still remember the moment he had first held her in his arms, marvelling at her innocence. Through all these years, his only reprieve had been reading and rereading the letters from home, treasuring any information it contained about his child.

But now, he did not need that anymore. Not when she was standing before him in the flesh.
He would be content with hiding the reality of their relation, if that meant protecting her from any sort of pain.

He would be her Uncle Brandon, if that was what she considered him to be.

“She is beautiful.”

Anne raised her face to him with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with bashfulness.

Emma felt her heart soar with elation as she witnessed them together.
She had always wondered about their meeting, fearing that day would never come. But now it was here, and she couldn’t be happier.

They had managed to put the past behind them.
There was no more regret or anger. All that remained was the kind acceptance of each other’s happiness.

She knew she would always have their memories.
He had been her first love; and though their time together was filled with bittersweet moments, she could not regret it; for, he had given her the best miracle of all- her daughter.

Over the years, she had been plagued by her worry for him. Averey himself, had been fearing for his lack of faith in his own happiness.
They knew that he was punishing himself for what had happened.

Emma wanted him to find someone to love him, just like she had found Averey.
Whatever had happened, had been the equal responsibility of both of them. They had both been young and naïve.

He had been battling his own demons, while she had foolishly surrendered her everything to him when he wasn’t even ready for such a commitment.

They had sinned, and had both paid a huge price for it.

With the Lord’s merciful grace though, she had been able to find a happiness and contentment that she had never had before.
She had a husband who cherished her, and loved her daughter as his own. She had children whom she loved more than her own life. She had a loving family.

What had been painful however, was knowing that while she had found her own happiness, Brandon had been denied of the same. It seemed unfair.

Hence, when they received the letter informing them of his wedding, she had been elated. Relief had flooded all of their hearts to know that Brandon had finally been able to love someone again.

“Where have you hidden your beautiful wife?”

Emma noticed the affectionate smile that adorned Brandon’s face as soon as she mentioned his wife.

She herself couldn’t have felt more grateful towards the woman who had finally breached the wall that he had built around his heart.

“Of course, she is here.”

She saw him escort his family out of the carriage, and gasped when she noticed the sheer ease and tenderness that seemed to surround them.

Brandon led his wife and children to them.

Emma marvelled at the beauty of the woman who had managed to claim Brandon’s heart.
She was unlike any other lady she had ever seen, and carried an air of grace around her.

Her kind eyes met Emma’s with a soft smile.

“This is my wife, Suchitra.”

Emma held his wife’s hand in hers, smiling warmly,

“The letters had not done enough justice to your beauty.”

Suchitra smiled shyly, before replying,

“Thank you.”

Suchitra knew the moment she had laid her eyes upon Emma, that she was the woman who had once held her husband’s heart.
She found herself looking at the young girl who stood behind Emma, regarding her with an open appreciation.

This had to be Annie.
She had indeed inherited her father’s eyes.

There was a time when she had been envious of Brandon’s first love.
She had envied her hold on his heart. But as she got to understand him better, she realised that she had no need to feel that way.

Emma would always be a part of his heart, for she was the mother of his child, and a part of his family. But that was all.

Through his love and faithfulness, Brandon had dispelled all of her doubts. He had asserted his love for her time and again, till she had been left with no uncertainty regarding his affection for her.

Hence, when she held Emma’s hand, all she felt was amiability.

Her answer however, was met with a look of surprise from Emma.

Brandon soon gauged the reason behind this. Emma had probably not expected the form of his wife's answer.

“Chitra has learnt quite a few of our words over the years.”

Emma nodded her head in understanding as she heard Brandon’s words. She then turned to face his children, who had lost most of their curiosity, and now stood uncertainly behind their father.

“And who might this dashing man and stunning lady be?”

Brandon gave a gentle, yet encouraging tap at his children’s head, coaxing them to comfort.

“This is my son, Dhruv, and my younge-"

He stopped himself before casting a quick look at Anne, who stood with an expressive curiosity on her face.

Brandon corrected himself just in time,

“This is my daughter, Saya.”

He saw their eyes widen upon hearing his daughter’s name.
They all looked at him with sad smiles, understanding the essence behind his words.

In his own mind, there had never been a doubt about it. The moment his younger daughter was born, he had known what he would name her.

“She is just as beautiful as her mother.”

Emma smiled cordially, stroking his Saya's cheek.

“Now, brother. Let us get inside. We have a lot to discuss.”

Averey’s voice soon interrupted their meeting.

“And I hope you are not planning on leaving again. The Bradford Estate has been awaiting its Lord’s return.”

Brandon stopped in his tracks as memories of the place floated through his mind.
He looked at Averey with a questioning gaze.

His brother’s face turned sombre.

“Father left it under you, brother. I have been looking after it for all these years; but it is rightfully yours, Brandon.”

Brandon sighed heavily, pondering upon his brother’s words.

After his father’s funeral, he had left the Kingdom, not bothering to accept anything from the man. But the memories of Bradford Estate, had always accompanied him, for it had held the last remains of his mother.

After Lady Scarlet’s death, Averey had written to him, imploring him to come back.
But Brandon had his family and Geoffrey to consider.

However, now, he knew he had no reason to refute his brother’s request.

He glanced around at his family and found what he had been missing; deciding that perhaps the time had come.

“Do not dwell much on this, Bran. Return back to your rightful home…your family.”

As Brandon saw his brother’s beseeching expression, he knew he couldn’t refuse him even if he wanted to.
For he had everything he could want- right there, right at the moment.

"Alright, brother."
__________________________________

Author's Note-

Hello to all my wonderful readers!

So, we have finally reached the end!

What do you think of it?

I hope you are satisfied with the end.

Geoffrey is with Saya!😇

Brandon has achieved his rightful happiness.
(*The dialogues with Chitra in italics are supposed to be spoken in Hindi*)

Minerva has finally achieved her goal!

And Maya is the Queen!👸

I had promised to end this book on a happily ever after note, and I hope I was able to do that.

I decided for Brandon and Geoffrey to spend their time in a simple Indian village rather than a princely state or something of the sort.
Why? Well, it is a long answer!
You can say that it was a better way for them to connect to Saya.

I know many of you would be curious about Suchitra's identity. I am not going to limit your imagination by stating the region she belongs to. As every region of India, has unique features and complexions (with regard to the people, of course.)

But still, here is the woman I imagined as her as-

As for little Saya-

(Isn't she so cute!😍)

Again, I know you might have a LOT of questions.
I will answer each one of them.
It could be anything- like what did Geoffrey and Bran do in India for 16 years. Or how many children Averey and Emma have. Or about the other Hayworth Brothers...or Scarlet, or Eleanor....etc.
It could also be about the characters (anything really-their perks, kinks, something that always fascinated you etc.)

So, please ask your questions in the comments-

HERE️👈

And I will try answering all of them.

P.S. DO READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AFTER THIS. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT!❤️

Till the next time 👋