Love turns ash

Chapter 12: promise of a son

Chapter 12: promise of a son

POV: MANAV

Back to home we are first going at my fathers for picking Arya so that we can spend some family time. And then I will plan on my further how to get Preeti hurt. Now that she knows that I wasn’t the one behind her experience she might be sorry for murdering Diya by her lies. If she thinks I forgave her never. She will be in utter pain and will spend her whole life in the well of darkness with me. A loveless life.

“good evening”, I say in My mother tongue entering my father room. My family lives in the ancestral bungalow built over two centuries back. the exterior to the house had been modernised a few times but the interiors are royal. My father’s room is one of the biggest rooms of the bungalow. With huge chandelier, royal blue colour of walls, huge windows and a lot of antique articles.

My father with a joyous voice says, “my son and daughter in law back from their honeymoon. How was the trip my kids? Come here come here”, he calls both of us for a hug. Preeti touches my father’s feet first then she also joins us in our hug.

“so, when are you giving this old man the opportunity to hold his grandson in his arms?”, he asks amusingly.

“sorry papa, if there will be any grandchild of yours then it shouldn’t matter boy or girl isn’t it?”, Preeti says disturbed by his words.

“I don’t care what you think about me Preeti. I want grandson for our legacy. We are nothing without an heir. What will I answer my ancestor in heaven when they will ask me why have I passed on our tradition to female fleshes”, my father stubbornly asserts?

Preeti searches my eyes as if wanted me to retort. Her eyes red filled with anger and hurt. She always loved my father but she was unfamiliar with the hypocritic Virendra Mangla we lived with.

“father I promise to give a grandchild before your death. But we are married just a month back. We need to understand each other first. We cannot rush into family planning so fast and you being stubborn about it would force me to create barrier between Preeti and you.”, I say.

Then I see Preeti standing in the corner of the room seemed hurt by my words. I know I have hurt by giving this promise to father but she has to understand I cannot risk his health. The doctors have clearly mentioned that a slight stress or pain to father can turn his cancer stage two to three. We have to relax him.

“Manav we have fixed Mani’s marriage with Raghav”, my mother informs me. My eyes blooms with happiness. I never thought father would ever agree for intercaste marriage. Manvi and Raghav are childhood love birds and I always protected their love from the eyes of my father. I am so happy for my little sister.

“where is Manvi”, I ask with my utmost excitement. All these promises, pain and fight can come afterwards. But this time is for my sister and her happiness. I would never allow anybody to hurt my baby.

“she is in her room waiting for you. Preeti Arya is waiting for you desperately go and meet her,”, my says ignoring Preeti’s state. I know she needs my assurance but for now Manvi is more important than anyone. I will see to it once I reach home. I rush towards her room seeing her staring at her phone. I snatch her phone and see she was staring at Raghav’s picture. Seeing me she blushes. My sister she is old enough to get married now to her love.

“a love arrange marriage is not common in Indian society. how did you convince father?”, she asks.

“tu aam kha gutliya mat ginn”, I say in my mother tongue. It means that you enjoy your wedding don’t think about how it happened.

“now what prize he made you pay for my happiness. Be honest with me or else I will refuse to the marriage”, she says sternly and angrily. It’s the time to tell her the truth.

“I married Preeti and promised him a grandchild in return of your marriage”, I say my head down. I know I destroyed Preeti’s life but she deserves it. If she hadn’t come in between I would have been happy Diya and Arya.

“wait. So that was all drama when he called all of us and asked for Preeti’s hand from his father? you know Preeti will never agree to a child.”, she says. She is her friend but her loyalties always lie towards me.

“yeah that was all drama so Sanjay aggarwal betroths his daughter to me. You don’t worry about Preeti she will soon fall in love with me. She did once 7 years ago she will again this time.”

“you know Preeti was innocent. She didn’t do anything against Diya. Don’t punish him please.”, she says making me a hundred times angry. How can she take her side when I’m her bloody brother? No no I have to control it I can’t ruin her happiness.

“you don’t think all that just be happy and contented for your marriage. And I promise you no one can take your happiness. Raghav is a good businessman and a self-made man just like me nothing like our father you only told me, right?”, I say controlling my anger, plastering a smile on my face reassuring her.

“but.” before she could say anything, I interrupt her

“no buts now. You don’t worry about Preeti.” She hugs me and says she loves me. I love her too. That’s why I promised my life to that b***h I never wanted to but I did indeed for her.

I still have no idea how my wife will react on my promise. Hesitantly I say my goodbye to my sister and march towards Aryas room. I see my baby doll in her old room. The room is full of pink colour and barbies. Her king-sized bed and specially designed chandelier for her. Across the bed there was a big frame of mine and Aryas. That has been changed with me, Preeti and Aryas photo. The change is small but a lot different.

Sensing my presence Preeti tenses and Arya rushes towards me and gives me her daddy beti huggy. I give her a fondly kiss and she goes back to packing her stuff. I think it’s the time we should head back to home.

“yeah”, she says, Nothing else. Her eyes full of fury, hurt and pain. It will take a lot to fix. God please save me I need your help.