Unwanted

Chapter 15

Archit

"Oh, so you are the 'viral boy'."
My eyes widened in shock, my stomach churned due to fear and disgust because I knew what she was talking about.

"Rajjotok." The woman said to my Sasuri Ma.
[Note: idom meaning 'perfect for each other.']
"Your daughter and your son-in-law both deserve each other." The woman said to Sasuri Ma with a smirk. The woman turned to Priyodorshini.
"After killing my son, you got married to this characterless guy." She said to Priyodorshini in a mocking tone.
Her son?
"Please leave us alone." My Sasuri Ma said with teary eyes.
"Daini." The woman said to Priyodorshini.
[Translation: witch.]
Sbe looked at me and then back at Priyodorshini.
"A manwh*re and a sl-"

"Please don't talk about Priyodorshini like that." I cut the woman off before she could say anything else. "You can say anything you want about me but, please don't berate her." I said catching everybody's attention.
The woman checked me out from head to toe and gave me a disgusted look.
"You really know how to talk sweet." She said in an irritated tone. I bowed my head down.
"Aren't you the boy who got his n*des viral two years ago?" The woman said with a smirk. "You are Archit, right?"
I stayed silent, not knowing what to do.
"I remember reading about it." She continued. "Your father, what was his name again? Yeah, Aniruddho Ghosh. Your father was somehow able to take the photos down." She said, disgust visible on her face.

"Everybody knows that you are a manwh*re, a characterless spoiled brat." No, I am not.
"I am sure that even your Mother-in-law knew about it." She turned to my Sasuri Ma. "But, she ignored it. Afterall who wouldn't want a rich son-in-law?"
"Shameless." She turned to Priyodorshini, who had no emotions on her face.
"You really thought you could replace my son with such a guy." Again what's the deal with her son?
She turned to me again. "Lampat." She remarked.
[Translation: lewd.]
"You are not even that good looking." She said, mocking me.
"Charitroheen."
[Translation: characterless.]
After insulting me the woman walked out of the door and left like nothing had happened.

I turned to Priyodorshini. She was standing like a statue, her face was devoid of any emotions. Sasuri Ma on the other hand was shooting glares at me.
"Ma, can you let Priyangshu sleep in your room tonight?" Priyodorshini said in a cold tone. "I need some alone time."
"Yeah sure." Sasuri Ma said.
Priyodorshini and Sasuri Ma went towards Priyangshu and sat beside him. I stayed where I was. Priyodorshini started feeding him the rest of his food while I just stood in my place like a statue.
"Who was that woman, Ma? Why was she here? What was she talking about?" Priyangshu asked innocently, not understanding what had just happened.
"No one special. She came here to talk about 'adult things'." Priyodorshini said. After Priyangshu finished eating, Sasuri Ma helped him wash his mouth and took him with her, to her room.
Soon, Priyodorshini and I were the only ones in the dinning room. I should talk to her.
"A-are you oka-" Before I could ask her if she was okay or not, Priyodorshini got up from her seat and started walking away.
"W-wait." I followed her.

"Priyodorshini wait. Priyodorshini, Priyodorshini." I kept calling her name but, she kept walking. She entered her room. "Priyodorshini listen to me." I followed her but, before I could enter she shut the door. I was now left standing outside her room. "Priyodorshini please open tbe door." I said while knocking on her door. It was of no use. She didn't reply. I sat down on the floor, infront of her door.
God, why me? I closed my eyes and let a tear slip. One after another they escaped my eyes and soon I became a crying mess. No one bothered to hear me out. Priyodorshini didn't even listen to me. I sobbed. Why do I have to take the blame for something that isn't my fault?
I bowed my head down and covered my face with my hands. Why does no one believe me?
I always tried to tell Baba the truth. But he never believed me.
I remember what he said to me when I tried telling him the truth.
"Onnaye kore osshikar korchis. Charitraheen chele, ei sikha diyechi ami toke?"
[Translation: You are denying your mistake after commiting it. Cahracterless boy, is this what I have taught you?]
Nobody believes me. Nobody knows what the truth is. People believe what they want to. Everybody says that I am a manwh*re, a sl*t, a playboy, that I am characterless. But nobody wants to listen to what I have to say.
I remember how it all started.

●●●●●●

"Ouch. That hurts." I said wincing in pain because Mishti had hit me on the head.
"That's what you deserve for teasing me." Mishti said making me stick my tongue out, at her.
"Ouch." She hit me again.
Mishti and I were at my house. She had come over to tutor me for my exams. But, we both were doing everything other than studying.
I held my head and pouted. Mishti laughed at me. I leaned back and lied down on my bed while Mishti did the same and lied beside me.
"You know Archit, you are really sweet." She said making me smile.
"Thanks." I replied with a grin, turning towards her.
"You are helpful, kind, sweet, funny, polite. You are literally husband material."
I blushed upon her remark. I smiled at her.

"Archit, can you do me a favour?" She asked me starry eyed.
"Yes. What do I need to do?" I sat up.
"Can you be my boyfriend?"
I froze in my place.
"I like you Archit."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Will you be my boyfriend?" Mishti asked me.
I sat there in suprise. "Archit?" She called my name. "Will you be my boyfriend?" Mishti repeated herself.
"Yes. Yes. YESSSS." I shouted in joy and hugged Mishti tightly. She hugged me back. She ruffled my hair while I nuzzled my face into the crook of her neck.
I opened my eyes and let a tear slip.
If only I hadn't accepted her proposal that day. Why did I trust her.
God, why was I so stupid?
I cried thinking about the past.
If only, I had acted rationally instead of being naive and letting my emotions get the best of me.
I closed my eyes again. I couldn't help but think about the past.

The past which I wanted to avoid.