Silently...

Part: 28

As soon as Arjun snatched the paper from Riya's hands and turned to go to his room, someone knocked on the door. Arjun and Riya exchanged a glance, and without saying a word, Riya understood that she should hide in her room because Arjun was the only one who knew that Riya was living with him in that house. As Riya was about to head to her room, Arjun went to the door, and as soon as he opened the latch, Riya rushed past her room and entered Arjun's room instead, locking the door behind her. Arjun, who had seen Riya enter his room, couldn't follow her because the main door had swung open, and he was shocked to see who was standing in front of him. Arjun's parents were standing in front of him, at his doorstep, right before his eyes after 5 years. Arjun was frozen in place, unable to believe that his parents were actually standing there. His parents were waiting for Arjun's reaction, hoping that he would still be angry with them for leaving him five years ago and would ask them to leave. But they were surprised to see Arjun standing silently, without saying a word. Arjun's mother gathered some courage and took a step forward, embracing her son tightly. As soon as Arjun hugged his mother back, all the pain and hurt that had been buried in his heart for the past five years came flooding out in the form of tears, and his eyes welled up. On one hand, a family was reuniting after five long years. On the other hand, Riya was searching for a file in Arjun's room, the same file Arjun had brought home the previous night. She found it lying on Arjun's table, quickly opened it, and read its contents. She couldn't hold back her tears as she discovered the truth about the person who had been deceiving her for the past two years. The file revealed the dark secrets of the person she had considered a messiah for the past two years. It exposed all the illegal activities, scams, kidnappings, human trafficking, and murders committed by Sahil and his brother Raj. The information in the file confirmed Riya's suspicions from the previous night, when she had read the papers that fell from the file.

Riya: "This means Sahil is not who he pretends to be. So, was Sahil involved in my parents' death? He knew I was the real Riya, so to keep my true identity a secret, did he... did he kill my parents?"

Riya was lost in thought when she suddenly heard the sound of Arjun and a lady crying from outside. Riya carefully placed the file back in its place and stood quietly by the door, trying not to make a sound so she could listen to the conversation outside.After a few minutes of crying, Arjun looked up at his father, who was also gazing at him with pain-filled eyes.

Arjun's father: "Won't you even invite your mother and me inside the house?"

As Arjun's father spoke, Arjun realized that his parents were still standing at the door. Without saying a word, Arjun took his mother's hand and led them inside the house. His father followed, and all three of them sat down on the sofa in the living room.

Arjun's mother: "How can I take care of myself when my only son has been away from my sight for the past five years? Tell me, how can I take care of myself? Didn't you ever think of your mother, not even once?"

Arjun, feeling his mother's pain, began to cry. 

Arjun: "I thought you both were angry with me. I always disobeyed you and Father, doing as I pleased. I thought you hated me."

Arjun's father: "Yes, I was angry with you, I was upset about all the decisions you made, but Arjun, doesn't a father have the right to be angry with his son? I admit, I made mistakes, couldn't you have forgiven me?"

Saying this, Arjun's father fell to his knees, clasped his hands together, and began to beg Arjun for forgiveness.

Arjun's father: "Forgive me, son. I was wrong. I never understood you, and when you needed us, I left you alone. I didn't stand by you, nor did I let your mother support you. Forgive me."

All the anger Arjun had towards his father vanished in that one moment. Arjun had always thought he would never forgive his father, never look at his face again, but in that instant, all his resentment disappeared. Arjun hugged his father tightly, and both of them sobbed uncontrollably.

Arjun: "Please forgive me, Father. I haven't given you any happiness either. But I've suffered a lot for both of you. I love you both very much. I'm sorry."

Seeing her son and husband reunite, tears of joy welled up in Arjun's mother's eyes. 

Arjun's mother: "Okay, enough crying now. Stop crying, both of you. You both look terrible when you cry."

Upon hearing her words, not only did Arjun and his father's faces light up with a smile, but Riya, who was hiding in the room, also began to smile. Yes, she had been listening to their conversation and seeing the distance between the three members of this small family disappear, she was silently thanking God. But then, a statement from Arjun's lips made Riya's heart skip a beat.

Arjun's father: "It's heartening to see you moving forward in life, son. We too feel the pain of Roshni's loss. Though we never gave her the status of our daughter-in-law, she was a part of you, and thus, a part of us. Wherever she is, she would be happy to see you progressing in life."

Arjun's mother: "Though we didn't give Roshni the respect, honor, and status she deserved in our family, we won't repeat that mistake. We have no issue with your second marriage."

Arjun's father: "Yes, son, whoever she is, it doesn't matter to us. She's your wife, and that's what matters to us."

Arjun (thinking): "Second marriage? What are they talking about? Who are they referring to?"

Arjun: "Father, I haven't...

Arjun's father: "We know you both haven't had an official wedding, but you're living together. That's okay, now I'll arrange a grand wedding for both of you myself.

Hearing "you both live together", Arjun realized his father was referring to Naina. But how did his father find out that Naina lived with him in this house? Arjun was about to ask when his mother spoke up.

Arjun's mother: "Yes, Arjun, before I die, I want to see your home filled with happiness, and I want to see you get married."

Hearing his mother's words, Arjun becomes worried. 

Arjun: "Mom, why are you saying this?" 

Arjun's father: "Because your mother doesn't have much time left. She has cancer, and only a few months are left in her life."

As Arjun's father says this, he starts crying, and Arjun is left stunned, like a statue. He hugs his mother tightly and breaks down into tears without saying a word. Memories of the past days flood his mind, and his heart fills with guilt, thinking about how he has caused his mother pain for the past five years. Despite knowing that his mother loves him immensely, he couldn't put aside his ego and visit her even once. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, Arjun cries, and in the room, Riya, understanding the pain and guilt hidden in Arjun's voice, also breaks down into tears.

 Arjun's mother: "Enough, son, stop crying now and introduce me to my daughter-in-law."

Before Arjun could say anything, Riya opens the door and appears before them. While Arjun's parents are delighted to see Riya, Arjun is surprised that she came out. Arjun's parents stand up, and Riya touches their feet as a sign of respect.

 Arjun's father: "What's your name, daughter?" 

Riya: "Riya Mukherjee."