Amaya's Amaranth (Wattys2014)

Chapter 23: The Answer

The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.
                     -Brian Tracy

I sat on my bed, nervousness taking over me. Sky had texted me some fifteen minutes ago that he was going to talk to his mom. About us. One part of me was happy that his parents were going to know about us soon. But the other part of me dreaded their rejection. What if they stopped our meetings? What if they confiscated his phone?

Olivia had been trying to calm me down since then but in vain. Finally she got up to get some food because according to her, food fixes everything. But when I would get scared even a single morsel seemed like a huge stone to eat.

" It's gonna be okay Amaya, " Olivia said for the millionth time, " His mom adores you. "

" Yeah as a tenant or maybe as a daughter but not as his son's girlfriend, " I said shaking my head. The fan was turned on to full speed to prevent me from sweating profusely, which I admit was a very bad thing.

" I think I will take a shower, " I said as I got up and made my way to the bathroom. I took the phone with me just in case Sky decided to ring.

I stood there letting the water roll over my body, my eyes fixed on the phone. Oh God, it's been almost an hour! Were my thoughts coming true? I shuddered at the thought and ran my fingers through my hair. Take a deep breath Amaya, I said to myself. I dried myself and put on a yellow T-shirt with red pants. I towel dried my hair and was combing it when I head the familiar ring of my phone. I rushed to pick it up and saw Sky's number blinking on the screen. My hand went cold and I was about to drop the phone when Olivia caught it and slid to answer it. She held it on my ear and mouthed the word ' talk '. I took a big gulp and answered.

" He-hello? "

" Hey Amaya, " Sky's voice sounded through the phone, " Come on down. Mom wants to talk. "

" O-Okay, " I managed to say before pulling away. Olivia ended the call and I sat down on my bed. Deep breaths Amaya, I chanted.

" I need to go down, " I told Olivia quickly combing my hair and taking a dupatta. She nodded and saw me off to the door. Each step I descended seemed like huge mountains. My legs were shaking and the grip on that railings turned my knuckles white. As I stood in front of their door, I became paralyzed, unable to move or talk. I closed my eyes and crossing my fingers, rang the bell. No sooner had I done that when Sky opened the door. His face showed no emotion whatsoever and he kept his eyes cast down. I was prepared to run back upstairs when I heard Aunty's voice, " Amaya, come in, " she said with a small smile. I managed an awkward smile and followed her into her room. Sky kept trailing behind us and was about to enter the room when his mother raised a hand and said, " Only Amaya. "

I was sure my heart muscles would tear due to the excess pressure on them. And I was sweating. Great. Perfect.

I entered the room and a blast of cool air hit me from the air-conditioner. I closed my eyes in comfort but quickly opened them because it was not the appropriate time to relax.

I kept standing there fidgeting with my dupatta. I knew my lips were going to be swollen for the day given the pressure with which I kept biting them. She did not say anything and kept looking out the window. I was in a nervous wreck and wandered what Sky might e doing. Maybe he was taking care of Annelise since she was not in the room.

" Sit down Amaya dear," she said after what felt like an eternity to me. I took small steps and sat on te corner of the bed. She let out a sigh and sat beside me.

" For how long Amaya? " she asked quietly. I kept my eyes cast down and mumbled, " Four months. "

" Is what you are experiencing love or just an obsession? "

My eyes bolted up to meet her concern laced eyes. Of course she would be concerned. She was his mother. What mother would want her son to go through a heart break?

" I love him, " I said with determination. " I know four months might seem small to you but- but aunty believe me, I- " I stopped taking in a sharp breath. She squeezed my hands and said, " Don't consider me as Sky's mother. Consider me your friend. Now tell me. What should I believe? "

Her calm and soothing voice worked like magic on my nerves. They seemed to calm down and I closed my eyes, " I have wanted him before that, " I completed my sentence. I looked at her as she curled her lips in thought. My heart sank a bit. Did she not believe me?

" Nine months is a long time to get to know each other, especially if you meet daily, " she said with a small smile. I blushed because she knew I met Sky on the roof almost every day. What would she think of me?

" Do you see a future together? " she asked after a few moments.

" I want a future with him and only him, " I said.

" Your wanting and your believing are two different things sweety, " she said, " Maybe you don't know but I am originally from the religion you follow, but I had to bear the burn of rejection from both families so many times. Can you handle that? Can you handle the society shunning you for a long time? Can you handle not caring? Because your mother, her social position is in line amongst many other things. Can you handle hurting her? "

A tear rolled down my eyes in spite of my efforts. My mother. The woman who brought me up. The woman who showed me my steps in every case. The woman who protected me from everything. How could I hurt her?

" I-if she agrees th-then it won't be hu-hurting her, " I said.

She pulled me into a hug and I sat there motionless. Was she rejecting me?

" I will always gladly accept you Amaya, " she said rubbing my back, getting me confused and happy at the same time, " In the span of time I have come to know you, you seemed like such a sweet girl and somehow I feel you are what you seem to be. And this is Sky's first involvement with a girl. It's such a delicate situation. "

She pulled away and cupped my face, " I can never control his heart, but now you have the reigns to it. Just make sure my baby boy is safe. He might show he is tough and all but he is just as soft as a flower. You don't see many guys taking are of potted plants like he does. "

The plants were his? Why did he never tell me?

" The path you have set your foot on can either lead to major heartbreak or infinite love, " she said wiping away my tear, " I pray you get the second one because I know the happiness that follows. "

I nodded and smiled. She agreed. She agreed! Now it was my turn. My family's turn.