Bound by Fate: A Journey of Hearts

CHAPTER 11

The walk down the hotel hallway felt long, each step heavier than the last. When they finally reached the door, her father knocked firmly. It wasn’t long before Ritwik’s mother opened the door, her expression warm at first, but quickly shifting to concern when she saw the looks on their faces. “What’s going on?” she asked, stepping aside to let them in.

Once inside, Ananya’s father wasted no time. “We need to talk about Ritwik and what he’s done,” he said bluntly. Ritwik’s parents exchanged confused glances, but the gravity of his tone made them sit down, prepared for whatever storm was about to unfold.

The tension in the room was palpable as Ananya’s father took a seat, his expression hard. Her mother stood close to her, offering silent support. Ritwik’s parents looked between them, still confused, but an unease was beginning to settle over them.

“What do you mean, ‘what he’s done’?” Ritwik’s father finally asked, his brows furrowing.

Ananya’s father didn’t mince words. “Your son has been cheating on Ananya. We caught him in the act with another woman tonight.”

Ritwik’s mother gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, while his father’s face turned red with shock and disbelief. “That can’t be true,” Ritwik’s father said, shaking his head. “There must be some mistake.”

“There’s no mistake,” Ananya’s mother replied, her voice firm but calm. “Ananya saw it with her own eyes. And instead of apologizing, your son had the audacity to blame her for his actions, saying she wasn’t fulfilling his needs.”

Ritwik’s mother looked horrified, her eyes darting to Ananya, who stood there quietly, her eyes red from the tears she had shed earlier. “This can’t be,” she whispered. “Ritwik would never…”

But Ritwik’s father wasn’t as easily swayed. “What exactly are you accusing my son of?” he demanded, his voice rising. “I find it hard to believe that Ritwik would do something like this without a reason. Maybe there’s more to this story.”

Ananya’s father stiffened at the implication. “You’re trying to justify his behavior? There’s no justification for betrayal. Your son’s actions were disgraceful, and we will not tolerate this kind of disrespect toward our daughter.”

The room fell silent, the tension thickening as both families stared at each other. Ritwik’s parents were visibly shaken, but his father remained defensive, unwilling to accept that his son could be in the wrong.

“Ananya has done nothing wrong,” her mother added, her voice quivering slightly but still strong. “She trusted your son, despite her initial doubts, and he broke that trust. This marriage is off. We won’t let her go through with it.”

Ritwik’s mother, now in tears, reached out toward Ananya’s mother, pleading. “Please, there has to be another way. We can talk to Ritwik. Maybe this is a misunderstanding—”

But Ananya’s father cut her off. “There is no misunderstanding. This ends here.” His voice left no room for negotiation.

Ritwik’s father looked as though he was about to argue further, but seeing the resolve in Ananya’s parents' faces, he stopped. Finally, with a sigh of resignation, he leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead. “We’ll speak to Ritwik,” he muttered, defeated.

Without another word, Ananya’s parents stood, their message delivered. Ananya followed behind them, leaving Ritwik’s parents to grapple with the reality of their son’s actions. The door closed behind them, marking the end of an engagement that had never truly begun.