A Web of Love and Deceit

Broken souls

We all dream of fairy-tale endings-a dashing prince or a radiant princess who will hold our hand, standing beside us as we conquer every obstacle. We cling to the hope of miracles, just like in the stories we cherish, where love defies fate and happily-ever-afters are inevitable. Perhaps that's why we lose ourselves in fiction, in legendary love stories that offer an escape from the cruel indifference of reality.

Maybe that's why, when life crumbles before our eyes, we still wait. We wait for a miracle-someone we love returning with an apology, the dead waking with a heartbeat, time reversing to undo the pain. And when reality refuses to bend, we bargain with the heavens, offering prayers, making desperate promises, even swearing off the things we love most in exchange for one impossible wish.

But when even the gods remain silent, when every plea is met with the same unbearable void, that is when a person truly breaks. That is when the madness sets in.

Padma felt her world shattering right before her eyes. Her eldest son knelt on the floor, wailing, his hands stained with blood-Ram's blood. Her youngest son stood motionless, his face pale, tears slipping silently down his cheeks.

She looked around, her vision blurring. The guests stood frozen, their expressions a mix of shock, horror, and-worst of all-disgust. The whispers had already begun, hushed murmurs rippling through the crowd like a spreading wildfire.

No. She couldn't afford to crumble. Not here. Not in front of them.

With a swift motion, she wiped away her tears, squared her shoulders, and forced her voice to remain steady. "I apologize for the unfortunate incident. I request you all to retire for the evening. I will update you tomorrow."

A heavy silence hung in the air before the guests hesitantly began to leave, casting lingering glances filled with judgment and curiosity.

As Padma watched them go, she caught sight of Aadhi, his face void of any emotion, quietly slipping away to his room without a word.

Padma slowly lowered herself in front of Shiva, her hands trembling as she reached out to touch his shoulder. The moment her fingers brushed against him, Shiva broke.

With a choked sob, he lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her tightly, burying his face in her lap like a child seeking refuge. His body shook with the force of his cries.

"I'm sorry, Amma... I'm so sorry... Please don't hate me... I'm begging you... please..."

His voice cracked with desperation, his grip tightening as if afraid she would push him away. His tears soaked through her saree, but she didn't move, didn't flinch.

Padma cupped Shiva's tear-streaked face gently, her heart aching at the raw pain in his eyes.

"Why are you apologizing to me, dear?" she asked, her voice softer than it had ever been.

Shiva let out a shuddering breath, his fingers clutching her saree as if holding on for dear life.

"I know you must feel disgusted by me now," he whispered, his voice cracking. "I can't help it, Amma... I never wanted this... I even tried to change, but I couldn't. I can't change who I am. I was born like this. I've never been attracted to women. The only person I've ever truly loved is Ram. It wasn't in my control, Amma... I just-" He sucked in a sharp breath. "I just started falling in love with him."

Padma inhaled deeply, her hands tightening on his. "Hmm... well, that is love, dear. It comes for us in the most unexpected ways."

Shiva blinked at her, his lips parting in surprise.