KMKV One Shots

Flash Forward: Forgiveness Part VIII

The Happy Ending

"Please can we talk about this Priya?" She turns to him with a sharp breath. "Before you say anything else, I want to make my feelings clear." Arjun nods. "I'm sorry for leaving for those 6 years. That was a terrible and selfish move and I hurt everyone in the process. I'm sorry for reopening old wounds." "It was a selfish move, but we're all overjoyed you came back!" "No Arjun, let me finish. It would have been better if I didn't come back, and no matter what you say you cannot change my mind about that. After last night..." She takes a shaky breath. "That can't happen again, which means I cannot be near you. I've decided to move further away. I'll still be in Chennai but further." "What about Pooja, Adi, Pallavi and me?" "Pooja and Adi are the only reasons why I'll stay in Chennai," Priya smiles. "I've already put them through so much, it isn't fair to them to go back to Australia. As for Pallavi..." She turns slightly and meets Arjun's eyes. "I'm not going to uproot her whole life. She knows nothing about the truth, nothing about me..." The words catch in her throat. Arjun attempts to speak, but Priya silences him by showing her palm. "Her life will continue as if I never existed. Your life will continue as if I never came back." "But-" "My decision is final." She crosses her arms and looks away. Arjun takes a shaky breath, attempting to calm his anger. "Did you ever love me?" He splutters. "Or was that all fake, which is why you can leave like it's nothing!" Priya smiles softly, stepping closer. "I did love you." She whispers. "But you aren't the Arjun I fell in love with. That Arjun passed away 6 years ago." Arjun stares in disbelief, his face streaked with tears. "You're Vandhana's Arjun now," Priya says, reflecting her thoughts when she first starting falling in love. "My Arjun would have never said those awful things." Arjun takes shallow breaths, his head pounding as he remembers their last moments that fateful night.

"It's all your fault! You never cared about Pooja-" "Pooja is my heart and soul! Of course I cared about her!" Priya sobs. "Well what happened now?! You gave her up just to save your own daughter! Maybe if you actually gave birth to her, this wouldn't have happened!" "You think I wanted this?! For me to be the cause of my Pooja's death?!" "No. She is not, and never was your daughter. Vandhana was a better mother than you." His words cut deep, as she stares in disbelief. "You don't mean that Arjun..." She whispers, her body shaking. He glares at her, his eyes red and full of anger. "Get out of my life maladie." He spits out, beore storming away. Priya breathes heavily, the weight of his words weighing on her frail body. She couldn't do this anymore. The sound of the water beneath them beacons her. Taking a step backwards, she takes in a final glance at her husband's back. A man who had lost all kindness and love, and had stared at her as if she was a disease, burdening his family for eternity.

Arjun stares at Priya, eyes full of tears. "I'm sor-" Priya silences him yet again before picking up her bag. "Goodbye Arjun." "No!" Arjun grabs Priya's arm. "You came back into my life after 6 years of misery. I'm not giving up on us that easily." He huffs, wiping away his tears with his other arm. Priya attempts to pull back her arm, but Arjun pulls her in even closer. "I've made so many stupid mistakes, and you're right. I wasn't myself that night, and I've changed in these past few years. You. Your 'death' changed me, Priya. Made me into a better dad for Pallavi, and made me take this much responsibility for my actions and apologize. You knew the old Arjun. I promise I've changed and lost all the negative aspects." "Well then, Vandhana is lucky." Priya says. "Don't bring up her." "Why not? She's the one who's been by your side these past 6 years. She's Pallavi's Amma now." "I don't care anymore. I've made mistakes and I will fix them with Vandhana and Pallavi. I love you and I will do anything to make you stay." Priya looks away, struggling to speak. "Well... what if I don't love you anymore..." Arjun chuckles, tracing her cheek with his finger. "You still love me, I can see it in your eyes." He moves her chin closer. "It's your ego and pain that's taking over this time." Arjun whispers into her lips. "It's time for you to drop the facade. Last night is proof that neither of us have moved on, and our lives have been miserable for the past few years." He pushes his nose against hers. "It's time for you to choose your future mangamma. Are you going to listen to your heart, or let the pain decide?"

Priya stares into his eyes, letting his words sink in. She couldn't deny her feelings, he could see right through her. She couldn't do this anymore. His lips beaconed her forward, but her heart was conflicted. She shut her eyes closed, letting the memories of the past decade flash through. Yes, there were hard times. Times where she just wanted to disappear. But there were also good times. Amazing times. With him, she felt loved. Valued. Appreciated. But all that disappeared when he hurt her in a way she never expected. How to decide the path she should take? She opens her eyes, and a couple tears fall out. "Well?" Arjun asks, lifting his eyebrow, eyes wide. She leaned forward slowly, letting her heart decide for the first time in 6 years. Her arms crawl around Arjun's neck as he straddles her face with one hand, waist with the other. A sob escapes into the kiss as the pain from the past 6 years breaks open. When they separate, Arjun holds her tight against his chest, letting her tears soak his shirt. "I promise, I will never hurt you again. I promise Priya, I don't ever want to lose you again." Arjun says, holding Priya's face before she falls back into his embrace.

More than a few moments later, Priya stops sobbing and steps out of Arjun's embrace. Arjun wipes away the last tears with his thumb, tracing her cheek before stopping at her lips. "I love you Priya." Priya can't help but let out a soft laugh. "Took you months to confess the first time, and now here you are after one day together." "I've told you, I've changed for the better," Arjun laughs, taking in the happiness in her eyes. "Now will I have to wait months for you to say it back, just like last time?" Priya's smile falters. She loved him, that was clear. But to say it aloud? "I... I need time Arjun." "No rush mangamma, I'll wait forever for you," Arjun flicks her nose, causing her smile to come back.