Passion & Dilemma

15. Why me?

Prerna's POV

The day I never wanted to see, has finally come. I am going to get engaged, even if I do not want to. But it does not matter if my father wants it.

He always got what he wanted, by hook or by crook. He won a game against me. A game where I was not even allowed to play.

I wore my bangles and the sound of jingles echoed in the big silent room.

The ceremony was in a resort. The whole place was decorated with bright, warm lights and beautiful flowers. It looked like a festival, rather than a ceremony.

All the Business associates, Ministers and Politicians were invited. Some selected media channels were here to cover the celebration.

I heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," the door opened with a sound and I looked at the person through the mirror.

"Hey," Ashish asked in a gentle tone, standing at the threshold. "How are you?"

I nodded, curling my lips into a smile.

He walked toward me and gestured me to be seated when I tried to stand. He stood behind me and passed me a sympathetic smile.

He knew I was not completely ready to get married, but I somehow made him believe that I was just nervous and unsure about the future.

I did not know how much he believed the lie but he never stirred that topic again and I was grateful for it.

"You look beautiful," he said placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Don't be nervous, okay? Everything will be fine."

"Not yet. But I will make it fine." Sarthak's words echoed in my head.

He has messed up with my brain so bad that everytime someone congratulates me for stepping into the new phase of the life, his face flashes before my eyes.

He will be here too. And I cannot help but think what would he be doing now.

"Yes," I nodded and placed my hand over his.

"Uhem, uhem." We looked at the door, only to find my mother standing there.

I stood up and took a step away from Ashish. She came towards us and looked at us with soft gaze.

Ashish bent down to touch her feet and take her blessings, "Namaste, aunty."

"Namaste beta," she smiled, she does not think of Ashish as a drug addict and womanizer, anymore, after I told her the truth. She actually found him to be a great man. "You both look so good together. May God always keep you happy." She took our balaiyaan and smiled.

Yesternight, she came to my room and sat with me. It was surprising as she does not come to my room for anything other than to scold me or ask me to do a chore.

She told me, that she was relieved I can finally go away from father. She apologised for being so rude with me and cried holding onto my hands.

It set a whole different level of warmth in my icy chest. It was the first time in two decades when I felt the love of family. I always craved for it and when it happened, it was too much for my heart to handle.

After feeling like a burden for years, yesternight was like a soft embrace of comfort and safety I always needed.

I had completely forgotten that my mother could love me this way. She had been angry and detached with me for many years, but after last night, I feel like she has accepted me again.

I don't need anything more than this now. I have my mother back, and nothing else matters to me. She has endured a lot in life from a very young age because of me, because of my father, and because of our families who no longer talk to us.