Falling for my guiding star

Chapter 6

It has been two weeks to the day, Anu could feel the tension in the air even when Priya and Ridhaan pretended otherwise.

But she was not prepared for the truth when she confronted Priya.

Anu was shattered to know she played a role in Ridhaan's anguish.

"Ridhaan is broken, Anu. We broke him..... Not only once, twice I failed as a mother. Why couldn't I see through his pain all these years?" Priya broke down into tears

Anu's eyes also filled up both at Priya's state as well as for Ridhaan.

"I thought I was doing him a favor by sending him away but.......Anu.....his eyes....they are screaming out his loneliness..." she said in between sobs

" Ma.....please...." Anu tried to pacify but failed.

Suddenly, wiping away her tears she clunched on to Anu's hand

"Tell him the truth, Anu...Please tell him the truth.....my Bachha deserves the truth.....he deserves it" Priya was becoming hyper with each words.

"Ma....Ma...."

Anu's call were falling on deaf ears.

"MA...."

Anu had to shook her to bring her out of the haze

Priya stared at her for a while before her eyes welled up again.

Anu hugged her tightly, seeing her condition, her own tears making their way down her cheeks.

" Please tell him, Anu. How much we try to hide the truth, it has a nature to come out at the wrong time at the wrong place.....if so..... we will loose him....forever...." Priya whispered, her eyes full of fear

Anu was in a dilemma. One way or the other, she was sure that the truth will break him.

*****

"May I join?"

Anu felt a deja vu . Ridhaan chuckled as he made space for her, maybe thinking the same thing.

"I know, Ma would have told you everything but I am fine Anu"

"Then why is not your words matching with your eyes" Anu asked without beating around the bush.

Ridhaan closed his eyes and took a deep breathe. He should not have opened the pandora's box. Now he was not able to keep his emotions in check.

For Anu, Ridhu always have been an open book and today was no different.
She could see the various emotions flited across his face....sadness, hurt , pain but the one that crushed her soul......loneliness.

Never in her wildest imagination did she think she would be responsible for the same which she have experienced throughout her life.

"Marriage can be a blessing or a curse but it depends on the individuals bond in it."

Ridhaan glanced at Anu impassively at her statement and she continued not really expecting an answer.

"What your mother experienced in marriage was the worst any spouse could go through.....It was your father's failure....not hers....not yours....My mar..riage was my cho..ice....It was m..my ch...oice to st..ep back......It is my fail..ure.....not yours.......Ne..ver you.rs, Ridhu.....nev...er...yo...urs...." Anu stammered

"Why?"

The simple word uttered had a wealth of pain behind it and Anu was overwhelmed over hurting him all over again.

Yes, she had finally decided to heed to Priya's words. She needed to let her Ridhu know the truth. Even if she can't tell him the whole truth, he needs to know she didn't leave him on her own will.

It can't take away the agony of the past years but somewhere he will get the answer to his Why.

Maybe a closure is what we all need to move on.

"When Mom, Aman's mother came to my house for the alliance...." Anu started, her face a picture of stoic calm but only she knew the storm she was trying to contain within.

She could feel Ridhaan's gaze on her but she resisted the urge to look at him.

"....I was not ready for the marriage. I have just started on my job and my family depended on me. But she put such a bargain before my family that they didn't think twice before saying yes"

Still, remembering those days brought disgust to her.

"What...kind...of....bargain?" Ridhaan asked with trepidation

"My family will be looked after for life....They won't ever have to worry about expenses, my father's medical bills, my sister's education , her marriage.....everything will be taken care of and in return....." she trailed off .

"In return for what....?"

Anu could sense the agitation and as there was no way to block the hurt, she closed her eyes and spoke plainly the words that could turn his life 180 degrees.

"Marrying her GAY son."

Ps: Whatever is being written is just a story and the author is not against any individual or their choice. She does not support any discrimination and if by any chance she has hurt the sentiments of any person, she profusely apologize.