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The weeks following Kavya’s encounter with Vikram passed by smoothly. She felt a new sense of clarity, like a fog had lifted from her mind. She and Arjun were in sync, their relationship thriving with newfound strength. The discomfort of the past had been replaced by an optimistic outlook for their future. Kavya had fully immersed herself in her writing, and with each day, her novel came closer to completion.
One afternoon, as Kavya was deeply engrossed in her work, the doorbell rang. She glanced at the clock—it was early afternoon, and she wasn’t expecting anyone. Arjun was at work, and they hadn’t made any plans for visitors. Slightly puzzled, Kavya got up and walked to the door.
When she opened it, she found a woman standing there—a middle-aged lady with a kind face, her eyes filled with a mix of emotions that Kavya couldn’t quite place. The woman was dressed modestly, but there was an air of grace and dignity about her.
“Namaste,” the woman greeted with a soft smile. “Are you Kavya?”
“Yes, I am,” Kavya replied, unsure of who this woman was or why she was here. “How can I help you?”
The woman hesitated for a moment, as if gathering the courage to say what she had come to say. “My name is Meera. I… I’m Arjun’s mother.”
Kavya was taken aback. Arjun had spoken very little about his parents, and she knew that his relationship with them was strained. He had mentioned that they had different views on many things, particularly on matters of tradition and modernity. But Kavya had never expected his mother to show up at their door unannounced.
“Please, come in,” Kavya offered, stepping aside to let Meera into the house. Her mind raced with questions, but she knew it was best to wait and let the woman speak first.
Meera entered the living room and looked around, taking in the details of the home that Kavya and Arjun had created together. There was a warmth in her gaze, but also a hint of sadness.
Kavya offered her a seat, and they both sat down, the silence between them thick with unspoken words.
“Kavya,” Meera began, her voice soft yet steady, “I know this must come as a surprise. I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time, but… well, things have been complicated.”
Kavya nodded, sensing that there was a lot beneath the surface. “I understand. Arjun has mentioned that there were some… differences between you and him.”
Meera sighed, a weary look crossing her face. “Yes, we’ve had our disagreements. Arjun has always been strong-willed, and we didn’t always see eye to eye on how he should live his life. But I never stopped caring about him, even when we were apart.”
Kavya listened intently, her heart going out to this woman who was clearly struggling with her emotions. “He cares about you too, Meera ji. He doesn’t talk about it much, but I know he misses you.”
Meera looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I know, Kavya. And I’ve missed him every single day. But that’s why I’m here now. I want to make things right, for both of us.”
Kavya felt a surge of compassion for Meera. It couldn’t have been easy for her to come here, to reach out after so much time had passed. “I’m sure Arjun will be happy to hear that. He’s always wanted to have a better relationship with you.”
Meera nodded, her expression softening. “I hope so. But there’s something else I need to say, Kavya. Something that’s been weighing on my heart ever since I learned about you and Arjun.”
Kavya felt a slight tension in the air, sensing that whatever Meera was about to say would be significant.
“When Arjun told us that he was marrying you,” Meera began, her voice trembling slightly, “I wasn’t happy. It wasn’t because of who you are, Kavya, but because of my own fears and prejudices. I was worried that you wouldn’t be accepted by our family, by our community. I feared that you would face the same judgments that I did as a young woman. And in my fear, I pushed Arjun away, thinking I was protecting him.”
Kavya’s heart sank at Meera’s words, but she remained silent, allowing her to continue.
“But now, after seeing how much Arjun loves you, and how happy you’ve made him… I realize that I was wrong. I let my own insecurities and outdated beliefs cloud my judgment. And for that, I’m deeply sorry, Kavya.”
Kavya felt a lump in her throat as she listened to Meera’s heartfelt apology. She had never imagined that Arjun’s mother would express such remorse, and it touched her deeply.
“Meera ji,” Kavya said softly, “I can’t pretend that it hasn’t been difficult, knowing that you and Arjun have been estranged. But I also understand that we all have our own struggles, our own fears. I’m just glad that you’re here now, and that we can try to move forward together.”
Meera’s eyes filled with tears, and she reached out to take Kavya’s hand. “Thank you, Kavya. You’re a good person, and I’m so grateful that Arjun found you. I hope we can build a relationship too, one based on understanding and mutual respect.”
Kavya squeezed Meera’s hand, feeling a sense of hope. “I would like that very much.”
They sat together for a while, talking about their lives, their hopes for the future, and their shared love for Arjun. By the time Meera left, Kavya felt a sense of peace, knowing that this was the beginning of a new chapter—not just for her and Arjun, but for their entire family.
When Arjun came home that evening, Kavya told him about Meera’s visit. He listened in silence, his expression unreadable. But when she finished, he pulled her into a tight embrace, holding her as if he never wanted to let go.
“Thank you, Kavya,” he whispered into her hair. “Thank you for giving us a chance.”
Kavya held him close, feeling his love and gratitude wash over her. “We’re in this together, Arjun. No matter what happens, we’ll face it side by side.”
And with that, they took the first step toward healing the rift that had kept their family apart for so long. It wouldn’t be easy, and there would be challenges ahead, but Kavya knew that they were stronger together—and that they would find a way to create the life they both dreamed of, one chapter at a time.
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Tears Of Pain
Short Story--- **Tears of Pain** In the vibrant and bustling streets of Delhi, a young girl named Kavya navigates the challenges of growing up with darker skin in a society that often values fairness. Despite her kind heart and bright spirit, Kavya faces ridic...
