You're Mine

New Life

"Look at her? How can she walk around without having shame?" a few students whispered among themselves when they see Mridula walking towards the Principal room along with her mother Venmathi who is working as a teacher in the same school.

Mridula glared at her mother angrily after hearing their whisper about her and she very well knew that they make sure that she heard them. But her mother didn't even flinch a little and ignored everyone's gaze and rushed towards the Principal room.

"Why do you want to leave?" Principal asked Venmathi while passing a soft look at Mridual who stood like a stone with no expression.

"I got a job in one of the prestigious colleges in Chennai. I have been waiting for this opportunity and I don't want to miss it. And they have been given admission to Ridu in the same college. It will be good for her future too" Venmathi explained her situation to the Principal.

Venamthi looked at the elder person who is looking at her sadly with a lot of hope in her eyes. "Madam, I know that you didn't like this decision but it's good for us to move on in our lives and I don't want to be a burden for you anymore"

"I never thought you and Ridu as a burden, Mathi. You both are my children. I still remember the day when I met you. You were so vulnerable and broken. Having a newborn Ridu in your arms, you were desperately looking for hope to live. When I offered you shelter, you refused it saying you need a job to look after yourself and your kid. You impressed me with the way you have shown me your confidence in life though you were brutally broken by your own loved ones" she paused for a few seconds and continued, "Now, I'll be alone without you both. I don't have any right to stop you but I wish you could stay back with me". Mathi felt tears in her eyes brimming anytime it is ready to show up but controlled herself knowing that Mridula is keep watching her with a stern look.

Mridula feels proud seeing her mom has been praised by her principal but still doesn't show her emotions to anyone, especially to her mom. She interrupted them, "I'll go and meet my friend" with that she left them to continue their discussion.

She walked towards the corridor and stood in front of the classroom once it was hers. She looked at the empty room and all the memories flashed in her mind slowly. On her first day in school, her first friends Anu & Jeeva and smiled recalling her happiest moments with them. And her reaction slowly changed when she heard that a few other teachers insulted her mom and commented on her character, few students humiliated her saying she didn't know who her father is.

Mridula clenched her fist tightly recalling the day when she asked her mom about her father.

"Ma, you have to tell me now. Who is my father?" Mridula glared at her mother who looked shocked hearing her.

"What happened?" she questioned her back trying to divert her.

"Answer me first. I want to know who is my father" Mridula doesn't bulge to anything and she stood stern in front of her mother and makes sure to know the truth of her life.

"I'll tell you when the right time comes" her mom tried to pacify her and took a step away but was stopped abruptly by Mridula who yelled at her, "Now. I want to know now. I cannot tolerate this insult and humiliation anymore. I have been dying each second when they called me a bastard's child. I couldn't bare this torment. I want to know each and every truth of mine. Tell me right now, who is my father?" Mridula looked at her mother who stood like a rock and gazed her back saying, "Just endure everything. I don't want to talk about the person who left us for the money. It's better not to know the man who doesn't deserve to be known." that was the last word spoken by Mathi to Mridula about her father and after that, she tried asking her mom so many times but Mathi refused to tell her anything which in turn created a conflict between the mother and daughter duo. Mridula stopped talking with her mom after that but as her mom said, she kept enduring the humiliation given by society.

Mridula turned to go away from the classroom but stopped seeing her friend Anu who is coming towards her with a broad smile.

"Hey Ridu" she hugged her tightly and whispered, "I'm going to miss you badly, Ridu"

"Me too Anu. I don't know how I'm going to be there without you" Mridula placed a kiss on her cheeks and said, "I'll talk to you daily and even if I miss calling you, you should call me without fail. OK?"

"Done" Anu replied with a smile and sighed, "Life is not going to be easy Ridu. New place, new people, new environment and you will get new friends also. Handle everything and every one carefully. Chennai is not a small town like ours. Take every step with caution and focus on your goal. OK?"

Mridula hugged her again, "I'm really going to miss you badly, Anu" she started crying and continued, "I don't want to go but I don't have any option now"

Anu pacified her and they moved toward the Principal room to meet Ridu's mother.

Mathi came out and met Ridu & Anu with sad looks on their face. Mathi bid bye to Anu and looked at Ridu saying, "We have to leave in another hour. Make sure you reach home soon" with that saying she left both of them alone to spend time with each other.

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"I believe in miracles. I hope it shows me what I have lost in my life so far and what I want to see. I hope this new place gives me a new life." Ridu thought to herself and closed her eyes to rest while leaning on the windows of her seat.

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Here is the first chapter of the book. Please let me know your comments on this chapter.