Let's meet again for the first time.
Her mother shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Who will marry you now, when people get to know you were left by Vikram?" Before I could even process what I was doing, the words left my mouth.
"I wil...
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AARAV'S POV
I sit on the edge of my mother's bed, my heart heavy with guilt. She’s sitting up, her eyes filled with a mixture of disappointment and hurt. Maa looks at me, her expression unreadable. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead.
"Please forgive me, Maa. I am so sorry," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. She studies me for a moment, her eyes narrowing. "You could have at least informed me, called me before you took that decision." She says, Her tone sharp. Her eyes softening just a bit, "You're my son, Aarav. I had so many dreams for your wedding." She adds.
"I know, Maa," I respond, my voice cracking. "I like her, Maa, since childhood. You know that." I murmur. She has always known it, I could never hide anything from her and honestly I didn't want to. She teased me a lot when I finally gave in and accepted my feelings for her, I had to shoo her away every time Anika was visiting in a fear that she would reveal it.
"I still do. I couldn't leave her there. I wanted to, trust me." My voice hardens, "but I couldn't imagine her getting hurt." I look at my mother, pleading with my eyes. "Please, Maa," I say, my voice quiet but firm. "I need your forgiveness. I can't go on living with this guilt. You have to forgive me."
She looks at me for a long moment, her eyes studying my face. Finally, she lets out a sigh, her expression softening. "I hate seeing you sad, especially knowing I caused that sadness. I love you, Maa. I have told you so many times You deserve a better son-" She swats my arm, "oww.." I wince even if it doesn't really hurt. But i know it gives her satisfaction.
"Don't say that," she interrupts, her voice firm but gentle. "I am forgiving you, Aarav. But this hurt me deeply." She adds. I exhale in relief. "I know maa, I apologize again. I will try to make it up for it."
"Will you accept her?" I ask, my heart pounding in my chest. I don't know why I am asking that knowing it's a contractual marriage, but it will still make me feel good.
She pauses for a moment, then nods. "Of course. It wasn't her fault. I was just angry at the situation and you obviously. She was never at fault, idiot." She roams her hand on my head, I sigh in contentment, "I want to apologize to her for being harsh on her. That was wrong on my part. Can you go bring her for me?"
I nod, feeling a rush of relief and gratitude towards my mother. "Thank you, Maa," I murmur, standing up. "I'll go get her."
I walk out of the room, feeling a weight lifted off my shoulders. I make my way to my room, our room, I know maa's approval would make Anika more comfortable. Honestly, a part of me, did it for her too. I know she likes my mother, they were always close, so I don't care how our relationship is but I want them to be cordial. On the other hand, I also don't want them to be close because they'll both be hurt. Because after six months this marriage won't exist. What about me? My feelings? I don't know the answer to that, because all I know is, having her constantly around me would only draw me towards her, and I don't know why I have a feeling I won't let her go after all. I will make her beg for forgiveness and later I will make her mine, keep her next to me, always. If I have to, I will bind her to me so that she won't leave me, I don't care how toxic that is, I don't deserve to miss her anymore. What the hell am I thinking, I chuckle to myself, finding nothing funny, I know if she ever cries in front me, plead me to leave her, I would, I would do anything for her. I open the door, finding her sitting on bed with her laptop on, "Come with me." I say, "where?" She questions, obviously she would never just listen to me, she wants to know everything.
I sigh, "Maa is calling you." Her face twists into confusion, "Me?" I nod. She looks at me, her eyes questioning but she finally gets up. We walk back to my mother's room. She's biting her nails, so that hasn't changed either. She always does that when she's nervous. I shake my head, a small smile makes a way on my lips but I wipe it off not wanting her to notice. As we enter, Anika hesitates, her eyes wide with uncertainty. My mother looks at her and then at me, her expression softening.
"I'm sorry Aunty," Anika begins, her voice trembling. Maa comes forward hugging her, how much I wish to do that. "It wasn't your fault, but I still took out my anger on you. I should be apologizing to you." Maa says kindly, her voice gentle, she has always had a soft corner for Anika, "And it's not Aunty anymore, Anika. It's Maa. You're my daughter officially now." She whispers in Anika's hair. Maa pulls back kissing her temple, her eyes shine with unshed tears, "You've grown up to be so beautiful. I used to tell Aarav that you'd be very pretty, that I would marry him off to you. And see, now you're actually married." Maa looks between us, I can see Anika stiffen, but as Maa pulls her into another hug, her body relaxes, "I am happy for you two. It's just, I wish I could have witnessed your wedding." Maa says looking at me, pulling back again. Anika's eyes fill with tears, and she moves closer, taking my mother's hand. "Thank you, Maa. I am sorry for everything."
"Now stop saying sorry." Maa links her arm with Anika's, "we'll gang up on Aarav like before. Okay?" She chuckles, "and if Aarav ever troubles you," She glares at me, "you tell me, I will fix him!" I smile, my eyes traveling to Anika's, she smiles too, her eyes soft, for the first time in days, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders, I feel at peace.
Author's note: How's the chapter? Finally some good thing is happening 😌 Love:)
