Whispers of Fate

6.

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A N I S H A  M E H T A

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The shrill alarm blared through the silent morning, dragging me out of my restless sleep. With a quick swipe, I silenced it, my mind already buzzing as sunlight filtered through the curtains, entering the room. I stretched, feeling the tension in my muscles, and reluctantly got ready to face another day.

Once I sent Maisha off to school, I began getting ready for work. Combing my hair, I stood before the mirror, my reflection a stark reminder of the restless night.

My eyes were heavy, dark circles beneath them, proving the lack of sleep. It wasn't fatigue that weighed me down; it was the lingering aftermath of that conversation with Maa. Her words—urging me to marry again—had haunted me through the night, keeping me awake, and even now, in the stillness of the morning, they refused to let go.

Love and marriage hadn't ever crossed my mind since Sahil's death; he took away all my love and desires with him.

Being his widow was hard and painful, yet provided me a strange solace, at least I was still connected to him.

But at the same time, being Maisha's mother in Sahil's absence breaks my heart. Time and again, I have witnessed the longing in her eyes for her absent father.

I have watched as the light in her eyes dim each time she sees her friends with their fathers. I vividly remember the look on her face when her school organized a race for students and their fathers on sports day two months ago, and she had no one to participate with.

I, too, grew up harboring a similar yearning. My father showered me with all his love; I was the apple of his eye. My uncle and aunt also treated me well, but the longing for my mother never waned. After my father's passing, that longing deepened. Now, witnessing that very same ache in my daughter's eyes, my heart pains.

She wants and even needs a father figure desperately in her life, but do I want a second marriage?

This question has plagued me since last night, and I still had no answer.

The mere thought of remarriage weighs heavily on my heart, casting a shadow of guilt that I can't seem to escape. I had promised Sahil that I would love him until my very last breath, and I have always wanted to hold onto that commitment with my entire being.

How could I now contemplate the idea of marrying someone else?

Even the thought feels like a betrayal, a breach of the sacred vow I made to him. The memory of our love and the life we built together is a cherished treasure, one that I'm afraid to tarnish by moving on.

Thinking about all this, I found myself ready for the day. I packed my bag and headed downstairs to join Maa and Papa for breakfast.

I was serving my plate when I heard Papa speak, "Anisha, whatever Sujata said to you yesterday, don't let them affect you. We just want you to think about that. Try talking to Atharva. See what he wants, what he thinks. Understand where he stands on this. If you think it's for the betterment of you and Maisha, and if it will bring peace and stability to your lives then go ahead. If not, it's okay. Remember, we are always here for you."

Maa agreed with him as she chimed in, "Exactly, Anisha. The final decision is yours, and we trust you'll make the right one."

I nodded at them, finished my breakfast, and then rushed off to work.

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I strolled through the bustling corridors of the IndiVision Media Network, one of the many organisations under the colossal Raichand Empire. The space buzzed with life—keyboards clattering, phones ringing, employees rushing and conversations overlapping. I greeted my good mornings and hellos, exchanging brief smiles and nods with familiar faces as I passed by.