Echoes of MaAn: Love beyond Separation

||79|| Crossroads of Choices

Anupama and Anuj sat together in the living room, both feeling the weight of uncertainty in the air. They needed to figure out what to do next, but they also knew that they had to give Aadhya space to express her feelings. After the long, heavy silence that had settled between them, Anupama finally spoke, looking gently at her daughter.

"Aadhya," she began, "we want to know what you want to do. This is your choice, and we'll support you no matter what. But you need to be honest with yourself. How do you feel?"

Aadhya, sitting cross-legged on the floor, stared blankly at the wall. Her heart was racing, and fear gripped her tightly. "I... I don't know, Mom," she admitted softly. "I'm scared."

"We're not going to pressure you, sweetheart," Anupama said, her voice calm and reassuring. "Take your time. This is a huge decision."

Aadhya chewed her lip, lost in thought. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on her, and she felt utterly alone. "Can... can I call Aarav and ask him what he thinks?" she asked tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper.

The room fell silent as everyone exchanged glances. Sushma and Madhav, Anupama's parents, nodded in agreement. Malvika, Anuj's sister, piped up, "It's her decision. Maybe he can help her think it through."

Anuj's expression darkened. "No," he said firmly. "That boy has caused enough trouble already. What makes you think he will support you in this?"

"Anuj," Anupama interjected gently, trying to ease the tension. "Let her talk to him. She deserves to get his perspective too."

"Fine," Anuj replied, his voice laced with frustration. "But he doesn't deserve her trust. He showed his true face when this happened."

Aadhya, sensing the growing tension, took a deep breath. "I just want to hear what he has to say," she pleaded. "Please?"

With a reluctant sigh, Anuj nodded, albeit begrudgingly. Anupama squeezed his hand, grateful for his willingness to compromise. "Okay, Aadhya, you can call him. But remember, you don't have to listen to him if he's rude or disrespectful."

"Thanks, Mom," Aadhya said, relief washing over her. She picked up her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Aarav's number. The phone rang a few times before he picked up.

"Hello?" Aarav's voice came through, but it lacked the warmth she had hoped for.

"Aarav, it's me, Aadhya," she said, her heart racing. "I need to talk to you about something important."

There was a pause on the other end before he replied, "Uh, okay. What is it?"

Aadhya hesitated, unsure of how to phrase her thoughts. "It's about... the baby," she finally said, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach.

Aarav's voice shifted to one of annoyance. "Look, Aadhya, I don't know what to say. My parents are mad, and I'm scared to talk to you after what your dad said to me the other day."

Aadhya felt her heart sink. "I know. But I just want your opinion on what I should do."

"Honestly? I don't know," Aarav replied, his tone flat. "You put us in this situation. I can't deal with this right now. It's too much."

The hurt in Aadhya's chest grew sharper. "So you're just going to blame me for everything?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly.

"I'm not blaming you. I'm just saying it's complicated," he snapped. "Maybe you should talk to your parents about it. I don't want to get involved anymore."

Aadhya felt tears welling up in her eyes as she hung up the phone. She had hoped for support and understanding, but instead, she felt even more isolated and broken. Anuj, noticing her distress, approached her with concern.

"What did he say?" he asked gently.

"He was rude and blamed me," Aadhya replied, her voice trembling. "He said he's scared and that I should talk to you guys."

Anuj's expression hardened. "See? He's not the right person for you. He only cares about himself."

"Dad, please," Aadhya pleaded. "I thought he might help, but I guess I was wrong."

"Let yourself think, Aadhya. This is your life. You have to make the right choice for yourself," Anupama said gently. "We'll support you no matter what you decide, but you have to understand the consequences."

Aadhya nodded, wiping her tears away. "I just feel so lost."

"We all do," Malvika chimed in. "It's okay to be scared. Just take your time and think about what you truly want."

After a long pause, Aadhya spoke up. "I think... I think I want to terminate it."

Anupama's heart ached for her daughter, but she also felt a wave of relief. "Okay, sweetheart. Let's talk to the doctor about the next steps."

Anuj, still reeling from the anger he felt towards Aarav, stepped back, giving Aadhya some space. He didn't say anything, but the look in his eyes was a mixture of sadness and concern.

"We'll do this together, Aadhya," Anupama said softly, wrapping her arms around her daughter. "You're not alone in this. Whatever you choose, we're here for you."

With her family rallying around her, Aadhya felt a glimmer of strength. She still had a long road ahead, but at least she wouldn't have to walk it alone.