Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le: From Heartbreak To Healing

Chapter- 14

Abhimanyu sat down beside her, his eyes locked on hers, his voice gentle. "Sanchi, if you want to share, I can listen. I know I don't look like it, but I can be a good listener."

Sanchi looked up at him, her teary eyes searching his face. She seemed to be seeking reassurance, wondering if she could truly trust him.

Abhimanyu's expression softened further, his eyes filled with compassion. "I'm here for you, Sanchi. I won't judge you, I won't try to fix everything. I'll just listen."

Sanchi sat down beside Abhimanyu, her eyes welling up with tears as she began to speak. "It's my family... I love them so much, but it feels like they don't understand me. Especially my father. Since I was a child, I've tried to get his attention, his love... but it seems like he only sees me as a burden. He's never said it outright, but his actions have always spoken louder than words." Abhimanyu's expression was empathetic, his eyes locked onto hers as he nodded for her to continue.
"I did everything in my power to gain his approval. I worked tirelessly to come first in class, excelled in academics and sports, and even learned household chores, hoping that would make him proud, my mother told me that he had always wanted a son, but since I was born instead, he was disappointed. She said he took it out on her, too, since she couldn't conceive again after me. He was rough on her, and I could sense the tension between them."
Sanchi's voice trembled as she continued, "I thought that if I could just be good enough, he would finally appreciate me. But no matter how hard I tried, it was never enough. He never praised me, never showed me love or affection. It was like I was invisible to him, except when he needed something from me." Abhimanyu's expression was somber, his eyes filled with compassion as he listened to Sanchi's painful words. He nodded slowly, encouraging her to continue sharing her story.
"My mother advised me to obey my father without question, telling me it was the only way to survive in our household. I agreed, hoping it would bring me the approval and love I craved. But despite my obedience, nothing changed.
I had always dreamed of becoming a painter, but when I shared my aspirations with my father, he was dismissive. He refused to support me financially, telling me he would only pay for my college education if I studied something 'practical'. And if I refused, he threatened to marry me off to some man of his choice.I couldn't risk confronting him again, so I kept my dreams hidden and went through the motions of college, trying my best to excel.
But then, one day, I found out that he had arranged my marriage to a man of his choice, and I would have to move to his state after the wedding. The worst part was, they expected me to give up my career and never work again. That's when I realized I couldn't take it anymore."
Sanchi's voice broke as she sobbed uncontrollably, her body shaking with despair. "I don't want that life, Abhimanyu. I can't live like that. For once, I want freedom. I want to make my own choices, to pursue my own dreams. I want to be able to work and support myself. I don't want to be trapped in a loveless marriage, suffocating under the weight of someone else's expectations."

Abhimanyu looked at her with sympathy in his eyes and said "have you ever tried talking with you father? Tried to explain him your ponit of view"

Sanchi's words caught Abhimanyu off guard. "I have tried many times, but he never listens, just like your father," she said, her eyes locked on his.

Abhimanyu's gaze didn't waver, his expression unreadable. "What do you mean, 'just like my father'?" he asked, his voice low and even.

Sanchi seemed taken aback by his reaction. "I saw you with your father the other day, and he was rude to you. But you shouldn't be rude to your mother," she said, her tone gentle.