Tainted Love by Maniah (best contemporary novels txt) 📗

Chapter 4.

Vanya pov.

Everything changed in a blur, at 3 in the morning, the train reached Madhya Pradesh. I am returning home after 6 months. Wiping the tears from my eyes I picked my bag and stepped out of the train. Everything is the same here, just as it was at the time I left. 

Yet everything changed in my life. I sighed in grief, I have lost my childlike innocence in that big city. Now, I know what kind of predators exist in this world.

Getting out of the railway station I booked a taxi for myself to take me home. Home...how strange the word sounds on my tongue, where is my home? I thought I would make a home with Mrityunjay and my child. But how erroneous I was. Subconsciously, my hand went to my abdomen and I closed my eyes in anguish.

I was Jarred from the trance when the taxi stopped with a jerk, Breaking my thoughts. "Mam, we have arrived."

I nodded and stepped out of the taxi paying the fair charge. Walking towards my home, I looked at the house. I sold myself to save this House. I sold myself to save this family. 

Swallowing the pain, I rang the doorbell. No one opened it. It's still dark here, everyone might be sleeping. I rang it again and then I heard some voices from inside. I prayed to God that the person would be my mother and not my father. And as if God has answered my prayers. It was my mother. Looking at her face I saw how much she has changed. Only she knows what I sacrificed for them. My mother is looking much older than a 45-year-old woman should look. 

"Vani." She whispered, her eyes widening and mouth opened lightly. She has tears in her eyes and she released a sob. "Vani…" grasping my hand she pulled me inside the house and hugged me tightly. Sobbing in my arms she was apologising again and again. I was standing there. Not saying anything. Numb, just blank.

After a while, she wiped her tears and took me to a room inside. "How is Mihi, mother?" I asked.

"Fine. Vani, please tell me you are alright," she asked resting her hand on mine.

And that was the moment when I couldn't control myself, I hugged my mother tightly and started crying in her arms. "I hate myself, mother. I am so foolish," I sobbed and mother was patting my back to comfort me.

"Vani, tell me what happens?" She asked gravelly.

And I told her everything that happened to me, About Mrityunjay and our baby. She didn't speak a single word for some time and then she looked in my eyes "abort this child Vani." She said closing her eyes, few tears rolling down her cheeks, 

"Mother…" I gasped horrified by her words.

"No." I declared. 

She shook her head "don't be emotional Vani, this decision will destroy your reputation in society. You know what people call a fatherless child. What they call the woman with a child out of the holy bond of marriage," she asked me.

"Yes mother, I know. But why should I care about this society when this society never cared for me. I have seen the double standard of people, mother. I have seen a lot of things in these six months," I touched my belly and looked at mother "I will keep this child. It doesn't need a father. I will be the only one it needs."

She didn't say anything just kept staring at me. And then she nodded and stood up "then leave from her Vani. This house is not for you anymore."

I was stunned. "Mother?"

She lightly held my hand and then kissed my forehead" leave Vani, you did enough for us. You did enough for this family. Go somewhere, where you can start a new life. Forget this pain and humiliation my daughter and start living for yourself," She whispered firmly.

"Mother…" I was surprised by hearing her. 

"Here, no one will understand you Vani, your father will never accept you. People will laugh. Your life will become a nightmare," she murmured and then she went inside leaving me there standing alone. I was completely secluded.

She came back with a small jute bag in her hand "here, these are the jewellery pieces I made for you. And there is some money. It's your Vani. Take this and leave. Your father is not at home, he went to the nearby village for a wedding and Mihi is sleeping. No one will know about you. Go."

"What about your mother?What about Mihi and father?"

"Forget about us. For us, you did enough. Your father is earning well from his grocery store and Mihi is studying in a good private school," she gulped, shaking her head lightly "For people here, you are not less than a hero, Vani. They look up to you. Young girls think of you as their idol and I won't be able to see your image tarnish in their eyes. Go Vani. Leave and start a new life."

I looked at my mother and then at the jute bag and bundle of money in my hand. She kissed my head again and then turned her back from me. I chuckled with tears in my eyes "Go Vani. Please go." She whispered sobbing.

I swallowed the pain I am feeling and then grabbed my bag from the floor and left the place I used to call home.

Shimla, two months later.

"Khush is doing well in his studies currently Mrs Gill," I said while khush was smiling at his mother.

"It's all because of you vani, I have tried so many tuitions but no use. You are the only teacher who was able to help him."  She told and lovingly ruffled his head.

"Mrs Gill, have you talked to Mr Gill about the house I was talking about?"

"Oh yes, he wants to meet you tomorrow in his office. He even asked for a lower price from the seller. Don't worry Vani. You will buy your home before Christmas." 

I nodded at her and thanked her for her help. She left with her son after chatting a little more. Two months ago when I came here, I didn't know what to expect. I was alone and I met the Gill family accidentally. I was searching for a house on rent. 

Mr Gill is a property dealer and he helped me find a low budget house with good surroundings and neighbourhood which happens to be near his house. That's how I met his wife and son. Khush was not good in studies and they were sad about that. 

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