The Journey from Ms. Sharma to Mrs. Who [✓]

Chapter 50.

Megha's POV: 

The familiar roads once again visioned right in front of my eyes as my troubled and traumatized flashback also merged with the reality. Yes, the Sharmas' and me were visiting our parents today to get conscent for my marriage. I have always been extremely personal about the horrors of my past and maybe one of the reasons why I could blend with Chinnu, Charan and their family was due to the warmth I experienced because of the rays of family love. To be honest, I was derived of it; I was that that thirsty nomad in a parched desert. 

In recent times, I started opening up to Charan, trying to explain the complexities of my pain, as he always sat there, right in front of me, ever so compassionate and full of love. I did not see a flinch of judgement for why I was constructed this way and the confessions made me even more closer to the man I loved. 

The car suddenly stopped as I recognised the house in the corner. My heart thumped as it almost echoed in my throat. My palms started perspiring profusely as I let out a gentle prayer hoping that my parents don't behave anything more barbaric. The Sharmas' do not deserve my parents' tantrums. But alas, I am a typical girl; I always believed and imagined that on my wedding day, I would have my parents by my side as I have been unified with my soulmate. Therefore, this has to be done and the Sharmas are there with me, no matter what! 

To prove this point, like almost immediately, I felt a strong masculine hand reaching out to mine. Charan looked at me with assurance even though his eyes deflected with a sense of tension and anxiety about the outcome of the family meeting. Nevertheless, he stood there, with me, in good times and bad. That was a huge solace. 

Dhadhi and Dhadhaji led us to the doorway as their sons and daughters-in-law follwed them. The cousins surrounded Charan and me to showcase their support. A gentle knock was followed by my mother opening the door. 

Maa... How have you been?

Unspoken emotions pooled within me as I saw her fragile being meekly peeking at all of us standing at her doorstep. 

"Who is it?", asked a dense voice from inside, which was ofcourse, my father. 

My dumbfounded mother stood rooted to her spot which was followed by the thumping footsteps.

My father too was shocked to see all of us waiting to drop in, but immediately broke into a smile and warmly welcomed us into the house. 

"Sharma ji, please come in. What a pleasant surprise!" 

The change in his behaviour took me by surprise as I held Charan's hand even more tightly. 

My eyes wandered back to my mother as I slowly entered my home. She approached me, as timidly as possible and gathered the courage to stand in front of me. There she was, with her arms open to encompass me into a much needed motherly hug. 

I caved in as quickly as possible as tears befriended me immediately. My mother was a helpless woman but that never made me question my love for her. She hugged me as tightly as she could, almost asking for forgiveness for whatever happened in the past years, especially with my wedding. This was an open confrontation, this was overbearing for my mother, but both of us knew that we had to do this. 

Radha Ma came to soothe me while Daadhi tried to calm my mother down. 

The aura was filled with too many emotions. Chinmayi ran to get us both a glass of water while Charan lent me his handkerchief. Daadhi smiled at the both of us and nodded with happiness. 

"Sastry ji-" , interrupted Dhadhaji addressing my father. 

But even before my dad could respond to it, my mother took a sharp breath and spoke. 

"Sharmaji, I understand why you're all here. My daughter has nevr had a happy childhood; I know that even after being in your house for all these days, she would have told this to all of you. But, as her mother, I have to be truthful. I could never protect her, I could never comfort her, I could never be her confidence. She grew up to be a fine woman all by herself. She could have been arrogant with the success that followed her, but she always sought our permission before doing anything. She always felt the need of our consent, which till date, we have never given her. It is my fault too, I should have stood up to everything, but I didn't. 

The nature of the heart is such that it doesn't abide by any rules. If it finds love, it gets attracted to it. That is why love is so pure. For once, in the name of love, my daughter found a life that she deserves. And yet, here she stands tearfully in front of me, even after undergoing all of this, she wants us, who gave her such a terrible life to be a part of her most beautiful day. 

I have known you all and Charan since Megha's childhood. I am so proud of my daughter for choosing such a well-mannered and loving boy as her life partner. I will definitely be there for the wedding. You have my complete blessings."

Ma's words left us all speechless. 

All eyes now aimed at my father. He was as shocked as anybody else. It is not that he purposely put my mother and me through all this, it's just, he didn't know better. Guilt conquered him vividly as sadness of the truth struck him. We were all witnesses of it. This had to be a personal moment, but in front of his family and friends, he was being enlightened with realisation. 

He immediately folded his palms to all the Sharma men as helpless tears stood by his side. 

"Please forgive me Sharma ji-"

"Sastry ji, please don't make us strangers by seeking forgiveness from us-", said Krishna Papaji. 

Dhadhaji patted my dad's back to calm him down. 

"Shall we talk about the proceedings of the wedding?", he asked. 

A genuine smile, something that I have never seen in my father's face, danced on his lips. 

"Yes, before that I have to do something." 

My father slowly walked towards me, as more tears conquered him. He then tightly hugged me saying the following words, " Meghu, I am so sorry! Please forgive me, my dear child." 

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