TPQ (Aru Shah) One Shots

True Happiness ~ Malini Acharya

Malini had been through a lot in her life.

She had once been a celebrated Apsara with a voice powerful enough to summon a tsunami. She was happy, living with her mother and sisters in the heavens.

But she met a man.

And that man changed her whole life. Forever.

He was gorgeous, with sparkling eyes, sandy skin and glossy curly hair that sat nicely over his eyes. He carried a camera everywhere and Malini couldn't help but become helplessly drawn to him. He was sweet and treated her with respect, as if she deserved all the worlds. He was all Malini wanted and she did everything to be with him.

Including giving up her spot in the heavens.

For a time, she was happy and didn't regret her decision. She missed her mother and her sisters, yes, but she loved him more. Eventually, she was blessed with a child. A child that shared the same blood as the one she loved most in the world.

Malini named him Aiden.

Now, she had two important people in her life whom she loved dearly. Her husband was training to become a successful lawyer and her son was happy.

She was wonderful.

Until she wasn't.

Years went past and as her son aged 8 years old, she started to feel her husband getting more and more distant by the day and started arguing with her more. A few years later, what Malini thought was just stress, was something more.

He was cheating on her.

With another woman.

The day she found out, Malini couldn't handle it anymore. She screamed at her husband, who in return, insulted her like she was a stranger.

"How dare you!" Malini exclaimed, hot tears running down her face. "I left my family to be with you. I gave up immortality to marry you. And this is what you do to me?"

He scowled, "Maybe you should go back. Beg the celestials for your spot back, like you've always wanted, because I don't want you anymore, Malini!"

He picked up the vase next to him and threw it in her direction, missing by half an inch, shattering against a photo of the family they built together.

She couldn't handle it and broke down sobbing, completely forgetting about her son who had watched everything.

Suddenly, her life which had been picture perfect was ruined.

She spent her days crying, unable to fathom how the man she'd loved so much was able to do this to her.

Malini wondered where he went. Where did the man who claimed to love her so much go?

"Mom?"

Malini turned to see her son.

Aiden had flourished into a well-natured young boy, but seeing him brought Malini unbearable grief.

She took a look at him.

Aiden's curly hair sat nicely on his head, tipping over his eyes, just like his, and his lips were pursed together tightly, just like his when he was concerned. The dimples at the corners of his mouth flashed, just like his, and the camera he had given Aiden was slung over his right shoulder.

He was still his father's son.

In rage, Malini hastily took her gaze away, unable to look at him anymore.

"Mom," he said again.

Malini faced him again, tears pricking at her eyes.

Why? Why did he do this to me?