"We have a lot to talk about, Aiden," said Urvashi, looking at her nephew in concern.
"I heard about the exchange with the Reddys. I'm so sorry, beta," she said, her eyes shining with tears.
"It's fine," said Aiden uneasily.
Aiden trusted his aunt.
Malini Acharya's family was heavily disapproving of her marrying someone who didn't come from wealth, so they cut off all relations with her. The only family members that his mom is still in contact with is Urvashi, her younger sister, and her cousin, Nagini, Rudy's mom.
Even though Aiden's dad's law firm grew, Malini's family still considered her a traitor because she went against the rules of their family.
His grandmother, Menaka, was the most disapproving of Aditya and Malini's relationship, and was also the one who banished his mom and refused any of the family members to contact her.
Urvashi and Nagini have been contacting Malini in secret and they were the only people who supported his mom after finding out about Aditya's infidelity.
"Have you taken a liking to Arielle?" asked his aunt slowly.
"Not at all," said Aiden. "She's bratty and unreasonable. I don't want to be stuck with a person like that for the rest of my life."
Urvashi sighed, "I can't help but feel guilty. What did your mother say about this?"
"She supported dad, as always. She said that it's for the best." said Aiden, frowning.
No matter what Aditya has done to his mom, Malini refuses to leave him and supports his every decision, in hopes that he'd come back to her, but Aiden knows he won't. He wished that his mom would stand up for herself. He wished that his mom would stand up for him.
"Beta," said Urvashi, setting a hand on his shoulder. "I know how you feel, but your mother is not in her best state right now. After finding out about that woman," his aunt clamped her mouth shut with rage.
"She's been acting off." finished Aiden.
His aunt closed her eyes in acceptance, "Yes she has. I'm worried for her, Aiden." said Urvashi. "Me and Nagini suggested that she go to therapy, but she wouldn't listen. Didi still believes that if she does everything he asks, he will come back to her."
"And that's why she can't even stand up for a decision imposed against her son," said Aiden wistfully.
His aunt's lips pressed into a thin line, "Let's move on. I know this is hard on you but you must stay strong for her. You must stay strong for yourself."
Their conversation moved on to Urvashi's wedding planning and such.
"By the way," said Urvashi. "You know the party celebrating your engagement?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow, "What about it?"
"Didi has asked me to enrol a dancer from my class to perform at the party," she said. "I think I found just the right person."
"Really?" asked Aiden.
"Yes. She will also be performing at my wedding," said Urvashi, pride shining on her face.
"Who is it?" asked Aiden, curiosity getting the best of him.
His aunt smiled, "You'll find out soon."
That night when Aiden went home, it was 10:30.
He had to drop something off at Rudy's and then he hung out at Brynne's. He had a chat with Gunky and Funky then enjoyed Brynne's oh-so-good lasagna.
The house was dark when he got in, lights switched off.
He heard the dramatic cries of a Hindi drama from the living room and made his way to the den where he found his mother.
Malini Acharya was sleeping on the couch, her face stained with dried tears. A bottle of wine was perched on the floor next to her, nearly empty, along with a blanket that was hanging on to the couch for dear life. A tissue box lay empty on the coffee table, the tissues that once occupied it scattered across the room.
Aiden sighed, picking up the blanket and placing it around his mother, turning off the T.V. He stared at his mother's tear-streaked face, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear. Aiden sighed again, picking up the bottle of wine.
He was about to leave until a hand clasped his own.
He turned around to see Malini, looking up at him desperately, "Stay."
Aiden knitted his eyebrows together, "Ma-" "Please." she begged.
He set down the bottle of wine and sat next to his mother.
Malini looked at him and opened her arms. Aiden climbed in the covers with his mother and wrapped his arms around him, just like when he was younger.
Malini ran a hand through her son's hair and kissed his forehead gently.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Aiden inhaled his mother's scent. She smelled of wine and sindoor.
"It's okay," Aiden whispered back.
He was just glad to be with his mom.
That night when Aditya Acharya got home from meeting Annette, he witnessed a sight he thought he'd never see again.
His son had curled up on the couch with his wife, both caught in a deep sleep.
A pang of guilt hit him as he walked towards his family that didn't seem like a family anymore.
The living room was littered with tissues and a bottle of wine was left open on the hardwood floor, Aiden's camera perched on the coffee table.
Aditya lightly ruffled his son's hair before pulling away and walking to his office.
For the first time in years, the man seemed to regret the decisions he made thus far, but pushed away the feeling and continued on with his night.
YOU ARE READING
Teenage Dream
FanfictionAiden Acharya was not up for getting engaged. He was graduating high school, his whole life ahead of him, and it was all getting burned down in one day. Or was it? **PICTURES ON COVER ARE NOT MINE**
