Together Forever

Chapter 33

Anika's POV

There they stood-Masi, Nitya, and Pranav.

My heart sank.

By now, Mom must have told them everything. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, heavy with questions, disappointment, or perhaps even anger.

I didn't have the courage to face them, so I immediately lowered my head, my hands trembling slightly. My throat felt tight, and my chest ached with the guilt I had been carrying.

I heard the faint shuffle of footsteps nearing me, and before I could process anything, I sensed someone close.

Slowly, I lifted my head to find Masi standing right in front of me, her expression unreadable.

"So, you had the courage to get married, but now you can't even meet our eyes?" she asked.

The words hit me like a wave, and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes before I could stop them. I lowered my head again, the tears spilling down my cheeks silently. My body felt heavy with emotion, and I was too overwhelmed to respond.

"Anika," Masi said gently, her tone softening as she closed the distance between us and wrapped me in a warm embrace. "Shhh, stop crying, beta," she whispered, her hand gently patting my back.

But her kindness only made me cry harder. I clutched onto her tightly, unable to hold back the sobs that wracked my body. It felt like I was releasing all the fear, guilt, and sadness I had been holding inside for so long.

"Stop it, beta," she said firmly, pulling back slightly to look at me. She cupped my face in her hands, her thumbs wiping away my tears. Her eyes were soft, concerned. "Look at me. Enough crying now."

I tried to speak, but the lump in my throat threatened to choke me. Finally, after gathering all the courage I had left, I managed to whisper, "I... I know you all must be angry with me. I'm so sorry, Masi. I didn't have any other option."

Masi's brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't interrupt me, letting me say what I needed to.

"I swear we tried to convince Mom and Dad," I continued, my voice breaking with every word. "We really did. But they wouldn't agree, no matter how much we tried. This... this was the last thing we could do."

Her expression softened further as she let out a long, heavy sigh. Without saying a word, she pulled me into another hug, her arms wrapping around me tightly. Her embrace felt like a shield, protecting me from all the fear and guilt I had been holding onto.

"Oh, beta," she murmured softly, her voice carrying the warmth I desperately needed. "You don't need to explain anything to me. Do you think I don't know you? I know how much you must have struggled before taking this step. And I can see you're happy now. That's what matters to me."

Her words broke through the dam of guilt inside me, and I couldn't hold back anymore. I cried harder, burying my face in her shoulder as sobs wracked my body. It felt as though a heavy weight was being lifted, little by little, and I could finally breathe again.

"You're not angry with me?" I asked, my voice trembling, as I pulled back slightly to look at her face.

"Angry?" she repeated, her tone sharp but not directed at me. Angry? I'm angry with your parents. Your mom told me everything-how could they refuse to accept you as their daughter? I'll deal with them!")