Trust in Love

Chapter 55

Megha's POV

I stood stupefied staring at the amazing courage of the woman in front. My heart still pinches remembering that one moment when Jeet’s name was joined with another and here she bore this torture for years and still standing.

Her tears were creating a havoc in me and not able to withstand longer, I hugged her tightly .

"Let it out....you don't need to be strong anymore. We all are here to catch you"

Maybe she was just waiting for this one statement of comfort that she broke down helplessly in my arms.

"I am sorry, Megha...so sorry..."

"Why are you sorry instead we should be apologising to you. I have seen on many instances, a glimpse of pain in your eyes but I overlooked it either as my imagination or forgot in the daily routine of life and that is my cross to bear. But believe me,Chettathi,  never once I thought you will be carrying this much of a burden"

"No Megha....there is nothing for you to feel guilty about but I am sure mortified by my acts. I can only plead you to give me the benefit of doubt after hearing my side"

Then with renewed vigour,  she continued,

" It is not an excuse but I am ashamed to accept that Amma was successful in playing with my insecurity. At the start, I let the small things slide and after Ammu, I thought maybe it will get better and it did also until it all came crashing down, on the day you both announced your pregnancies. Trust me, I was happy for both of you but somewhere it's after effects caused me pain. I can ignore anything if it was just about me but not with Ammu...." she trailed off

" What do you mean?" Jeet asked in panic

We could see her difficulty in voicing it loud and I did the only thing I could provide,encouragement.

Giving us a sad smile, she took a deep breathe and proceeded with a troubled voice,

"From that day, Ammu suddenly changed from being the princess to BIG sister. I know it looks petty but I was scared ....scared that she will become another Raj.... " she trailed off as her eyes got fixated on Raj Chettan while we were perplexed.

" I understand that an elder sibling means being more responsible and patient. It also requires many adjustments and sacrifices too but to the extent of forgetting one's life, I condone that. You can give me many names insecure, jealous, petty but I envied both Megha and Meenu who could come and go as they wished. They were allowed to enjoy with their husband and life as it is but I couldn't.  I was not able to understand why they were different rules for us and the terrifying fact was Raj accepted it as his due diligence. So I got scared when the same tag was given to my Ammu . As a mother , I want to put the world at her feet. Day by day Amma's words were increasing my anxiety, but amidst all this, without knowing anything, he sensed my concern and came to offer comfort....You don't know how much your words helped me at that time,Abhi..." Saying this Chettathi  looked at Abhi with immense gratitude,

"Finally, I was ready to shed away all my uncertainty but then nature played it's cruel game and everything started tumbling down with Megha's miscarriage.... "

This time I closed my eyes to the pain those words resurrected.

" I am once again sorry for opening your wounds but just as it had a huge impact on you, so did it in mine too. You were right when you said that I kept Ammu away from you and Meenu especially Meenu after your miscarriage. Want to know why? "

Saying this she stared at each of us as tears made a path down her face but her next words were nothing short of a bombshell

"Amma and Appachi named our Ammu for your accident
They called her bad omen"

"WHAT....!"

There was a  collective shout both in shock and outrage

"What nonsense are you saying,Chettathi? How does she even come into the picture?" Jeet asked with suppressed fury

" Megha slipped on Ammu's toy"

Her bland statement was met with dead silence as dead as her eyes now

"Megha slipped.....MEGHA slipped..If anyone is to be blamed then it should be me as I should have been more careful but never Ammu....never our baby...." I stated with vehemence

I wiped her tears while she looked at me gratefully , then hugged me tightly with multiple thank yous.

Dejection coursed through my body. No mother should be made to feel thankful, for not holding her baby accountable when it was not her mistake in the first place. I also was downhearted knowing she didn't trust us enough, afterall Ammu was our baby too.

" I was terrified, Megha that you both will also blame my baby. I know...I was being judgemental but what to do about this fear. My mind and heart were in constant war. Heart was telling me my Abhi and Megha would never turn their face away but this mind became the workshop of the devil. My previous insecurities also did not help the case and I let myself be swayed by their poisonous words."

She looked at me with so much pain that for a moment  I  could not breathe but I knew she needed this outlet

"Megha, I am ashamed as a woman to think I was part of the vile acts of giving you the same anguish which I had been suffering  but believe me I had no idea at the beginning.  After your mishap, when Amma asked me to keep Ammu away, I did it in fear....out of compulsion. Not once it crossed my mind that she will use my weakness to propagate her agenda but the moment Priya entered our home , I knew it will not be good news....No offence, Priya...."

"None taken" Priya replied with a tinge of sadness

"I never in my wildest dreams thought she was plotting against her Abhi. I followed her to the T fearing retribution but the day I went to the mall, I got wind of what she is actually planning. I wanted to confide and take you away but in my hurry and confusion, instead of taking you away I put you in the line of fire....."

Our eyes clashed as we remembered that fateful day.

With eyes covered in guilt, she continued further,

" I was feeling horrible but you astounded me with your faith and TRUST and that changed me. You reminded me what is the basis of a relationship and of my failings.....So I decided to keep back my insecure self and trust Raj. I thought to explain to him everything and let him be the judge....." Chettathi  stopped then turned to look at Amma but this time instead of agony, her eyes were blazing with anger.

"But She somehow got aware of what I was up to and did her best to thwart me but I was adamant. Then we got to know about Mehul..... I was happy , finally some guilt was leaving me but Amma.....I expected her to oppose and was pleasantly surprised when she accepted. But alas! It was all a smokescreen. You won't believe what extent she went to make sure Mehul never come to this home and for that she had the perfect patsy in me....."

I was appalled and couldn't believe what all was unraveling in front of me.

Were we living under a rock to not notice these happenings in our home?

What did Amma do that Chettathi didn't have any option rather than obey?

My eyes clashed with Jeet and knew that this question is not only just in my head.....