Bound by Fate: A Journey of Hearts

CHAPTER 10

After what felt like an eternity, Ananya wiped her face with the back of her hand, her fingers trembling. The storm of emotions inside her had quieted, but the weight of the situation hadn't lessened. She knew what she had to do next, even though the very thought of it filled her with dread. She couldn't hide from this-her parents had to know.

Taking a deep breath, Ananya mustered the strength to stand up. Her legs felt weak beneath her, but she steadied herself, leaning against the door for a moment. Her parents had always been her anchor, and though telling them would be painful, she knew she couldn't keep this from them. They deserved to know the truth about what had happened.

The walk to their hotel room felt longer than usual, each step heavy with the weight of what she was about to say. Her heart pounded in her chest as she approached their door, her mind racing with how she would explain everything-the betrayal, the confrontation, the break-up. A part of her dreaded the look on their faces, the concern and the hurt they would feel on her behalf. But she needed their support more than ever now.

When she reached the door, Ananya hesitated, her hand hovering over the handle. For a brief moment, the urge to turn around and retreat back to the safety of her room gripped her. But no-she couldn't run from this. Gathering her resolve, she knocked softly before pushing the door open.

Her parents were sitting on the bed, flipping through a photo album with smiles that faded the moment they saw her standing there.

"Ananya?" her mother's voice was filled with concern, immediately sensing that something was wrong. Her father stood up, his eyes scanning her face, trying to understand what had happened.

Without saying a word, Ananya stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She swallowed hard, her throat tight, before finally speaking, her voice quiet but steady.

"I need to tell you something," she began, her voice cracking slightly. "Ritwik...he's not who we thought he was."

Ananya's words hung in the air, heavy and thick with emotion. Her mother's face paled, and her father's brows furrowed with concern, taking a step closer to her.

"What happened, beta?" her father asked softly, his voice gentle but edged with worry.

Ananya's hands trembled as she clasped them together, struggling to find the right words. She had been preparing herself for this moment, but now, standing in front of them, it was even harder than she had anticipated. Her heart pounded as she replayed the painful events in her mind.

"I...I caught Ritwik with another woman," she finally said, the words tumbling out as if saying them aloud would make them more real. Her mother gasped, covering her mouth, while her father's expression shifted from confusion to anger in a matter of seconds.

"I confronted him," Ananya continued, her voice steady but laced with hurt, "and instead of apologizing, he blamed me for everything. He said it was because I wasn't...attentive enough. That it was my fault."

Her father clenched his fists, his face darkening with rage. "How dare he!" he muttered under his breath, pacing the room.

Her mother, still shocked, slowly rose from the bed and walked over to her, placing a gentle hand on Ananya's arm. "You've done nothing wrong, Ananya," she whispered. "This isn't your fault. Don't you dare think that for a second."

Ananya felt tears well up in her eyes again but blinked them away. "I don't know what to feel anymore. I had doubts about this marriage from the beginning. I wasn't sure if Ritwik was the right person, but I trusted him. I thought that with time, things would settle...that I would feel more certain."

Her voice faltered, and she took a deep breath before continuing, "But now, I don't know if I ignored the signs. Maybe I was too focused on my work, too focused on my own uncertainty, and I missed what was happening right in front of me. Maybe I pushed him away without realizing it."

Her father stopped pacing and came to stand in front of her, his expression softening. "Ananya, none of this is on you. If Ritwik did this, it's because of his own weakness, his own dishonesty. You've been nothing but honest and patient throughout this engagement. You don't deserve to carry the blame for his actions."

Ananya nodded, but doubt still gnawed at her. "I just... I thought I could make this work. That somehow, everything would fall into place. And now..." she trailed off, her voice breaking as the weight of everything came crashing down on her. She continues and says, "I broke off my marriage with him".

Her mother pulled her into a tight embrace, and for a moment, Ananya allowed herself to be comforted, resting her head on her mother's shoulder.

"You did the right thing," her mother murmured. "Walking away from someone who doesn't respect you takes strength. We're here for you, every step of the way."

Ananya exhaled shakily, her body relaxing slightly in the warmth of her mother's embrace. Her father stepped closer, placing a firm but gentle hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to face this alone," he said. "We'll handle whatever comes next, together."

Ananya nodded, her heart heavy but steadied by the presence of her parents. She didn't have all the answers yet, but for the first time in hours, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She wasn't alone in this, and she wouldn't be blamed for someone else's mistakes.

Ananya's father, still visibly angry, straightened his posture and said, "We need to confront Ritwik's parents. They deserve to know what their son has done." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Her mother, still holding Ananya's hand, nodded in agreement. "Yes, they should hear this from us," she added, her voice quiet but resolute. Ananya, though emotionally drained, knew this confrontation had to happen, and she silently agreed. With a heavy heart, she followed her parents as they made their way toward Ritwik's parents' room.