Village meets city love

chapter 18 - Bound by Mistake

Arun's face was pale, his eyes wide with fear and shame. Varun, seething with anger, had just slapped him. The family gathered around, demanding answers.

"Why, Arun? Why did you get married so young and without telling us?" Varun's voice was a mix of anger and disbelief.

"Aarti is pregnant," Arun revealed, his voice trembling.

Meena, trying to hold back her tears, asked, "How did this happen, Arun? Why didn't you come to us?"

Arun swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. He found himself in an unexpected situation.

Seeing Arun's tough situation Aarti came forward holding his hand stood together, Arun took a deep breath and began to explain.

Flashback

A month ago, during a party, he got Aarti pregnant. Now, she was one and a half months pregnant. Concerned about her continuous vomiting, Aarti's mother suggested they visit the hospital. After a series of tests, the doctor confirmed Aarti's pregnancy, leaving her mother shocked.

On their way back home, Aarti tried to speak, but she stopped herself, tears filling her eyes as she noticed her mother's stern glare.

Once they reached home, Geetha, Aarti's mother, had called her husband and son after their visit to the hospital. The doctor had confirmed Aarti's pregnancy, and Geetha was furious.

Once everyone was present, Geetha slapped Aarti hard. "How could you do this to us?" she yelled, her voice filled with anger and disappointment. Aarti's father, Muthu, looked heartbroken, while her brother stood silently, his face a mask of shame.After a moment of silence, Geetha asked, "Who is the father? When did this happen?"

With a heavy heart, Aarti began to speak. "Arun and I studied in the same school. I was in the 10th standard, and he was in the 12th. I had a huge crush on him. He was so down-to-earth, knowledgeable, and always topped in academics and sports. I admired him from afar, seeing him sometimes with his family at the temple and how great their bond . Made me wanted to be his partner, to share my life with him. So, I studied hard, scored good marks, and followed him to the same college."

Aarti paused, tears streaming down her face. "I never told anyone about my crush, not even Arun. During my first year of college, I would see him around the campus. It was a big relief to see him after missing him for two years.

Then, one day, I heard a rumor that he had a girlfriend. I was heartbroken and skipped classes, sobbing in a quiet place."

"My friends noticed and made me confess my feelings. They assured me it was just a rumor and promised to help me get close to Arun. They convinced me to attend a senior's birthday party where Arun would be present. I hesitantly agreed."

Aarti took a deep breath and continued, "At a birthday party, where Arun was expected to attend, I went their, with my friends' support, approached him, I saw Arun talking with his friends. I also saw the girl from the rumors, Priya, approaching him. I was heartbroken. But then, Arun dumped his drink on her, making her a laughing stock. It was then I decided to make my move with my friends' support."

"We started talking, and an instant rapport was created between us as we began dancing and drinking coke, not realizing it was spiked. The next morning, when they regained consciousness, they were shocked by what had transpired. We quickly dressed and went home.

Later

Arun, furious and seeking answers, checked the CCTV footage to identify the culprit who had spiked their drinks. Despite his anger, he was willing to take responsibility for me.

However,we found out that my friends had spiked our drinks. He was furious and warned them never to do such a thing again. He even looked at me with disgust, thinking I was part of the plan. I tried to explain, but he wouldn't listen."

Aarti's voice broke as she said, "I stopped talking to my friends and tried to approach Arun a few times to prove my innocence, but he only insulted me. Then, semester exams came, and we focused on our studies. After the exams, we had a two-month break."

Since then, Aarti had been ostracized by Arun and isolated from her friends. As their semester exams approached, they focused on their studies, and after the exams, they were granted a two-month break.

"In the present, my parents wanted me to abort the baby. They were afraid of society's judgment. But I refused. I told them I was capable of raising my child. They locked me in a room, but I managed to make a secret call to my friends. They informed Arun, and we decided to elope and get married."

This ultimately led to their secret elopementand now, they stood before Arun's family.

Standing in front of Arun's family, Aarti concluded, "We are both victims of a mistake. But I believe we can make it right."

The family listened in stunned silence, processing Aarti's story. Arun stood by her side, ready to take responsibility. Despite the shock and anger, there was a glimmer of hope.