My Mr. Artist

Chapter 38

Kiyah

"Why do you need to go so urgently, huh?" I was puzzled, I had never seen my mother so eager to rush to her in-laws' house.

"Kiyu, listen!" She almost ran toward me. I was sitting on her bed, helping her pack, while Ansh was left to handle my brother. It was later in the day; after lunch, Ansh and I had planned to go out for a stroll, but then my father called, and suddenly my mother declared she had to leave for her in-laws' place. She was so eager, she was even abandoning her daughter who had come home after half a year.

"Your Dadu has decided to split the property among his children this Diwali. He called your father, and now your aunts are creating a scene. You know how your father is—if I don't go, we'll get nothing. So I must go." I could almost see fire in my mother's eyes. I knew how cruelly my aunts had treated her over the years, how much she had suffered at their hands. No wonder the thought of losing her rightful share filled her with rage.

"Do you want me to come?" I asked. I couldn't do much among adults, but at least I could be her support.

"No, I'll handle them. I'm just uneasy about leaving you alone... and also, Ansh is here. I may not come back in a day or two." Guilt clouded her face.

"I came to meet you and Dad. Now that I know you're both in good health and busy with your own lives, it's okay. We'll leave tomorrow. I can come back another time, or you all can visit us." I reassured her, side-hugging her gently.

"Yes, you two must have your jobs too. It's not easy to get leave. Next time we'll come to you. I still have to see your apartment and your projects."

Her words made me freeze. For a moment, I wanted to confess about my job situation, but I decided against it. Why stress her now? I could always tell her next time.

"Kiyah."

I instantly looked up. Her face had that serious look, the one that usually preceded one of her long lectures. But instead of being irritated, I found myself smiling.

"Yes," I straightened my back, mirroring her seriousness.

"I know how much you love Ansh, and I can see he's a good man who loves you too. But still... think carefully before you get too deep in this relationship. Life is not just about love. His family will always exist—even if he says they disowned him or that he left them. And I still want to meet them, especially his mother. I want your marriage built on a foundation where, if not joyful, at least no one is openly against it. You are my everything, and I won't let anyone say otherwise. Try to be civil with his family. Make them understand that you were always with him first, that you never interfered when he married someone else, that you were never the third party. And even if, after everything, they still don't accept you two—come back here. We will take our son-in-law into this family."

Her voice softened, but her eyes stayed firm. "As for intimacy... I trust you'll protect yourself and not let yourself suffer."

"Maa!!" I hugged her tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. I was sure the entire living room could hear me, but I didn't care. I just loved this woman so damn much.

"Maa, I love you. Thank God He gave you to me!" I kissed her a thousand times before she pushed me away irritably, muttering about why this silly girl had to be her daughter. But I caught the unshed tears shimmering in her eyes.

_

At almost dusk, we stood at the community gate. My mother still hesitated before stepping into the car.

"Go now. I promise I'll visit more often," I said.

"Are you sure about staying in a hotel? Otherwise, take the house keys and leave them with the neighbors when you go," Megha confirmed one last time, glancing between Ansh and me—unsure, but still suggesting.