Achanak aunty nein uncle ki taraf palattey huey kaha theekhai jee jaisa tum theek samjho lekin ye saari batein Sanjay, Lalita aur Sarojke saamney to n...hi sakti naa haan tum kah to waise theek hi rahi ho uncle sochmein pad gaye. Idhar Saroj ye saari baatey khidki ke baahar khadey ho sun rahithee. Achanak uncle usi awastha mein uth kar tehelney lage phir achanak auntyke paas aakar baith gaye aur kehney lage ki kyon naa Sanju, Lalitha, Saroj aursaath mein Ranjan aur Shweta bitiya ko kaheen bhej. “Dan does it too. And you. I always feel better. Dan says a good hug chases away bad dreams.”I smiled into Angie’s chest. Angie’s not the only one he’s said that to.“I say it because it’s true,” said Dan. His voice sounded a bit strange.I pulled my head part of the way out of Angie’s embrace. I peered around Angie’s arms and across the room to where Dan leaned back in Dad’s chair. He was wearing a pair of Dad’s long flannel pyjamas and Dad’s English-style dressing-gown. His voice sounded funny. The thought that I could give that up and choose a woman was something I never wanted to consider. It was easier after leaving school to let our connection slowly fade. Like the memories we shared. To be truthful, those memories never faded. I just tucked them away in a safe corner of my mind.I take a deep breath and push play again on the machine. Her message continues."I know it's been a long time and I just wanted to say hi and catch up. I am going to be in DC for business this week and. "I'm sor...I mean...Please tell me about tonight. Please." I said it carefully. She wanted me to beg. But she hated it when I whined or wheedled.She nodded slightly. She waved her hand to signal that I that I could sit. I kneeled at her feet. She reached over and stroked my head and my face. I could feel myself flushing. It was the first time she'd touched me in days. When it was clear I had her permission, I nuzzled her hand and kissed the palm. "Thank you," I whispered.***Had it really only.