Of Lies & Love | weekly updates

6 | RIHAN

Don't disappoint the people who love you. I have tried to keep the promise, but somehow, I always manage to veer off course. With unwavering faith, my parents arranged my marriage with Mira, and it didn't take long for me to shatter their joy. I want to tell them the truth, but I can't bear to see them question their decision and blame themselves. It's not their fault.

As I pack my belongings into the suitcase, Ma hands me the laptop charger.

I give her a weak smile. "I am sorry, Ma."

"What for?" Her eyes meet mine, swirling with understanding. "It's your life, and marriage isn't a child's play. You can take your time."

Her words provide a semblance of solace, a fleeting moment of calm amidst the storm of guilt raging inside me. I glance towards the dining room, where Dad has been fidgeting with the phone for a while now, his eyebrows furrowed in deep concern. "Is Papa okay?"

"He's struggling to find the right words to inform our relatives."

"Should I make an announcement on Facebook?" I joke to break the tension.

"Not a bad idea." She grins, ruffling my hair. After a beat of silence, she asks, "Do you have to take Mira with you?"

I hesitate for a moment, aware of the implications of my decision. "Yes. Her family is returning to Canada tomorrow."

"She can stay with us," she insists.

"We have had this conversation, Ma," I reply, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. "I don't want the neighbours to gossip about us." The truth is that I don't want Mira anywhere near my family. Right now, they think too highly of her, so seeing her in the state I did will only hurt them.

"Fine. But for how long is she going to stay with you?"

"I haven't decided," I admit, uncertainty gripping my thoughts. I just hope I'm not making another mistake.

"You haven't decided?" Her shock is palpable as she repeats my words.

Placing the suitcase on the carpeted floor, I give her my undivided attention. I know that my indecision is only adding to her worries, but I can't bring myself to make promises I may not be able to keep. "You and Papa got married after being in a relationship for five years."

"All right," she concedes, her shoulders relaxing. The familiar warm smile returns to her face. "But isn't your generation supposed to be impatient?"

I chuckle and wrap my arm around her shoulder. Ma is a simple woman. She always tries to find a reason in everything. I don't know if I should call it her strength or weakness. "You are the best, you know?"

"Quite the cool parents you've got, huh?" she says in a light tone, but I can see the worry lurking behind her eyes.

"And the coolest brother," Ryan, my younger brother, chimes in from the doorway. "Veer is here to drive you to the airport."

We make our way to the drawing room, where my best friend is inquiring about me from my dad. I had sent him a text early this morning, but clearly, he is still baffled by my abrupt decision. I can't blame him though as even I can't digest it.

"Thanks for coming, man," I say, breaking their conversation.

"Anytime, bro," He claps me on the back before picking up my suitcase. "I'll wait for you outside."

Once he leaves, I turn to face my dad, who is already looking at me, eyes filled with the kind of wisdom that comes from own experience. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah. Don't worry."

"Okay then." He pats my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. I can tell he is struggling to come to terms with my decision, but I can't back down now. "Call us after reaching."