BOUNDED BY FATE [ ON HOLD ]

CHAPTER - 4

ANISHA POV

" Anu sit down first see don't take stress but Dadu actually.... He is diagnosed with cancer. He is in the 3rd stage " Harsh bhai said and the floor slipped beneath my foot.

Dadu? And cancer ? How is it even possible? Are they joking? No they won't joke about his health.

" And you all didn't bother to even tell me? If I haven't come here then you all would not have told me " I yelled and they were silent.

" H- he didn't want to make you tense about his health so... " Bhabhi explained.

" W-where is he? " I asked while tears welled up in my eyes.

" In his room " Mom said and I turned my heels to reach his room with trembling legs.

I reached his room and standing out of it I was trying to figure out that how will I approach him without shedding tears. A sob left my mouth and I guess he heard it.

" Who is there ? " He asked from inside and I wiped my tears and holding the door knob I entered inside only to find him lying on the bed with pale face and fragile body. I have never seen him this weak. He was always my support system and he never let me feel down. It hurts witnessing him all weak.

" A-anu beta? " He said in his trembling voice extending his hand in order to call me near him.

" Dadu " I said softly and he weakly cupped my cheek with his one hand.

" W-when did y-you come ? They didn't told me " He said.

" I didn't inform them either " I muttered and he nodded.

I was trying my best to not breakdown in front of him but emotions took best over me and a tear rolled down my cheek.

" Why are you crying Anu? " He asked wiping the tear.

" Why? Why you didn't allow them to tell me? Didn't you want me near you? " I whined holding his hand and my eyes were continuosly shedding tears.

" You would have gotten worried instead of focussing on your career " He said.

" But what if I hadn't come? " I asked.

" I was about to tell them to call you my child. I want to discuss something with you all. Can you call them inside? " He said and I nodded.

What does he want to discuss?

I called everyone inside his room and now there is complete silence. No one dared to break it until a sound of Grand pa clearing his throat echoed the room.

" Now when Anisha is also here so I want to tell you all something which I wanted to say for a long time " He uttered and all were confused.

" What is it dad ? " My dad asked him.

" Anu come here " He patted the place beside him and I sat there.

" Anu... You are the most loved one in our family . Our family was craving for a girl child and then you came to brighten our world. Everyone loves you so much and your every wish has always been completed here " He said and I nodded but I couldn't understand his motive behind telling me this.

" Beta... I love you so much and pardon if I am asking so much but I really want to give your hand to someone trusted and want to see you getting settled in your life before I leave this world. I want to make sure that my granddaughter is happy in her life " He dropped the bomb shell and I was so stunned to speak.

" I want you to marry before I die " He completed and again silence took over the place.

He wants me to marry? But how? I have no one in my life and nor I want anyone ever.

" Anu... Will you fulfill my last wish my child? " He said holding my hand and I can clearly see the hope of a yes in his eyes.

" Dadu... What are you saying? She is just 24 " Anuj protested and all family members were also not satisfied with his choice but somewhere I knew that he wants to see me happy before his last breath.

I stayed away from them for 5 years and now he is on death bed so can't I do one thing for him? I will do it.

" I will marry " I whispered but enough for everyone to hear.

" What ? " Anuj yelled.

" I am ready to marry. I am well settled in my career and all that left is getting married and I also want Dadu to witness my wedding so I will marry. Please dont worry I am not saying this in pressure. I am ready to marry whomever you will say " I said.

" Really? " Dad asked.

" Yes dad. " I assured him with a small smile.

All that happened in past I can't give my future husband the place he deserves in my heart but I will make sure that he is treated good and I will tell him everything about me. My only love was him and will forever be him but I can't marry him because what I did with him I don't even deserve to be in his life anymore. I will marry for my family's happiness. I knew someday I had to marry for the sake of my family so why not now?

" Why are you saying that you will marry whomever we will say? You have a boyfriend so of course you will marry him only Anu... I think she has left her brain in Bengaluru " Anuj said making everyone laugh.

But it is not funny for me at all. They think we are still dating. I can't marry him. How would I tell them that we are seperated 5 years ago. How ? They will be disappointed and I can't let them approach him to marry me. I don't want to ruin his life again. I have done enough to him now not anymore. I can't do this . What should I do?