PROMISE

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ANAYA

All of sudden, anger burst through my veins. "Such a selfish person you are, mom. I can't believe that I waited for you for such a long. You gave a little child, a false hope. Fine, I'll not interfere with your so-called new life but please just for once, answer my question, honestly. Why did you take a promise for me to not fall for anyone? Why did you made me believe that love is the scariest thing in the world? Why? Why did you do that to me?"

She sighed. "Don't tell me that you took my words seriously. I never meant them. I was just angry and frustrated at your father then I must've said that. Truth to be told I don't even remember telling you that." She replied.

I parted my lips in disbelief and realized that my whole life was nothing but lie. I always avoided boys so that I don't fall for them only because of the promise I gave to my mother. Fuck! I never went back to the woods to search Arnav when I was in high school because I started having feelings for him which were hard to describe. I thought that if I go back and meet him then I might break my promise. Whole of my twenty four years of life, I never had a boyfriend because of the promise. Does she has any idea that how much damage she has done to me? The promise I gave her, snatched my youth from me. When the girls of my age were having crushes and boyfriends, I was trying to stay away from them. All of my life, I hated love because she told me so. And now she's saying that she doesn't even remember telling me that?

All my life, I stayed away from everyone; worrying that I might develop feelings for them. I never interacted to any other boy except Manik. All because of her promise. I thought that she meant her words. I fucking thought that the promise I gave her is not meant to be broken. I've always wanted to know the answer that why did she ask me that but now she's saying that she doesn't even remember that?

She wasn't the kind of person I should've always tried to find. She wasn't someone who wanted to be my mother. She left me. She left me giving me hope to return but she wasn't going to return anyway.

Why it always happens with me? Born in a dysfunctional family was one thing but this pain? How am I going to cope up with this pain.

I married Arnav only because of her. I thought that my father will then tell me about her whereabouts. I suffered everything that Arnav put me through only for her. In the end, all I ever wanted to get my mother back.

Was it too much to ask?

How come one person be this unlucky? Why always me?

And if only it wasn't for her promise, I would've gone to meet Arnav. I would've accepted my feelings for him. I would've loved him.

"Live a happy life, you won't hear of me ever again." I said and held Arnav's hand. "By the way mom, I don't regret waiting for you for whole of my life after all if it wasn't for you than most probably, I would have never married the man who loves me more than anyone. And guess what, after meeting you, I realise that I love him too. I loved him from so long but wasn't able to name my feelings. Thankyou for doing this to me, Thankyou for being the stranger to me." I said with a brave smile and stood up to leave.

"Wait, let me cook something for you." She said, smiling.

I looked at Arnav and he nodded. I sat back and she went to the kitchen.

Her son came to sit across us and looked at both of us. "So, you're my half-sister, huh?"

"Seems so." I said in a sarcastic tone.

He let out a hearty laugh. "Look, there's no need to be bitter with me. Mum may have decided to not be the part of your life but let me be your little brother. I've always wished for a sibling and I'm glad to know that I have a sister."

My anger melted and I couldn't help but smile. "Now this family thing doesn't sound good to my ear but nice to meet you."

He smiled and gave me a thumbs up.

"By the way, meet Arnav, he's my husband." I said, introducing him.

"I've seen you somewhere in news, I'm not sure where? Oh, I forget to introduce myself. My name is Jason."

"Pleasure to meet you, Jason." Arnav smiled.

After a while, she came with a tray in her hand and put it on table. I bit on my lips and it became impossible for me to breathe. She has served Ramen and Cranberry juice. She still remembers?

Air cought up in my throat and I tried to stop myself from crying but all in vain. I don't know if they were happy years or not.

"That's my comfort food. She always gives me this when I'm sad or upset." Jason said.

Oh.

But she used to give me these when I was a kid.

Guess, I was wrong. She might not remember that she used to cook this for me.

"Damnit. What the heck I just saw on internet after searching your name. You're Arnav Khurrana? The freaking Billionaire?" Jason's mouth went wide open and he just stared at him in disbelief.

I chuckled. "You know him?"

"Come on. Who doesn't know him? Wait, can I please take a picture with you, I need to upload it on my Instagram, damn my school mates would be jealous." He said and quickly came forward to click few pictures with Arnav.

Wiping my tears, I ate the Ramen and it's taste no longer felt the same. I looked at my mother and all she did was to pass me the cranberry juice. Maybe it wasn't the taste of food that was engraved in my memory but it was her who cooked it when she was in pain yet smiled at me. For a minute, I kept on looking at her and then I realised something. She doesn't want to mess her new life. And maybe she's right, maybe moving on from a brutal past isn't selfish. She knew that nothing will happen to me, she knew that my father won't ever hurt me, she knew that I'd live a comfortable life with my father instead of being with her and struggling, she knew that if she takes me with her then my father will haunt her, she knew that for saving herself, she has to give up on me.

And for that I'm grateful. I would've devastated if she ruined her life just to be with me. Why would I want something like that? She's a human too. She deserves a chance to live a happy life.

"I'm glad that you're now at peace. Please live a happy life." I tried to force a smile.

She nodded. "You too."

After finishing the Ramen, I stood up to leave but I saw Arnav observing the house. Eh?

"Ma'am, you're still the mother of Anaya even if you don't want anything to do with her. I know about your economic condition and the pending loans you have. I would like to repay all the loans and medical bills of your husband. Also, please let me sponsor the education of your son. If he wishes, he can either stay in Japan or India, I'd take care of his every need. And you don't need to stay in this rented home, let me buy you a decent home." Arnav said.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise and did my best to hide my proud smile.

Why this man always finds a way to amuse me. I know he's bitter about my mother yet he's doing this for her.

Dude, I know I'm unlucky when it comes to family, but Arnav, he's the closest thing to word called home.

"I..I.. don't know what to say." She looked at me with a sad face. I passed her an assuring smile to which she nodded. Her expressions told me that she was embarrassed of her situation.

"Will you really help us?" Jason asked to which Arnav nodded, ruffling his hair.

"What are you planning to do after graduating from high school?" Arnav asked.

"I don't know. Never thought about it. I'm barely managing to pay the fee of high school, haven't thought about college or anything." He replied.

"What spikes your interest?"

"I've read about graphic designing but don't know if I can do it or not."

"Here's my number, stay in touch with me. If you need anything, drop me a call and from now on, you don't have to worry about money. Just focus on study and I promise you that I'd get you admitted to one of the best colleges for graphic designing in the world. Also feel free to come any time to India, we'd be more than happy." Arnav said, saving his number on Jason's phone.

A warmth wrapped around my heart and I couldn't help but look at Arnav with a smile on my face.

"Thankyou." He smiled.

I caught a glimpse of my mother for one last time and with that I left her house.


A/N

If you want then you can check out my other two books that I'm currently working on  <3


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