Duty of Love

Chapter 28

Adidev's POV

" What is it, Adi . What do you want to discuss with us which is so urgent?" Dad asked worriedly

I looked over at Anaant and Mom, I could see the tension on their faces.

" I have come to a decision "

" Is it regarding Bhabhi..." Anaant asked

I simply nodded my head

Instead of worrying  them further , I dropped the bomb

" We are moving out "

There was stunned silence until...

" Mom.." Anaant shouted

I looked over to see Mom stumbling.

I rushed to her side

She looked at me with teary eyes

" Did Meera ask....."  before Mom could complete it I interrupted  her

" No Mom... Never ... You should have realized by now that Meera would never ask me for this" I said vehemently

Mom hung her head in shame but her tears were flowing uncontrollably.

" Why Bhai.... If Bhabhi didn't  ask you of this ,then why take this drastic step"

I was silent . I didn't know how to make them understand

" He was a good son and a brother for 34 years , now he needs to be a good husband" Dad replied for me

I looked at Dad mentally thanking him for making it easier for me.

" Mom, have you noticed that even after the truth came out , she never sits with us or eats with us. When we ask her to join, she makes up all these ridiculous excuses. "

Mom stared at me as if realizing it right now.

" She is trying, Mom but it is not easy for her to forget. She may forgive us but to forget her pain , it will not be possible if she stays in this house" I explained painfully

" Each nook and corner of this house has been witness to her pain. For every good memories, there are hundreds  of bad memories for her in this house. "

" So tell me Mom, how will she forget? " 

No one had the answer to my question. 

I laid my head on Mom's lap and continued, " Mom, till now she was the perfect wife and daughter in law but now it is our turn , if not perfect at least I want to be a good husband and take away her pain. For that I  need your blessings,Mom"

" So you have decided to go away from us " Mom asked

" I am not going  away from you all. I am just shifting houses, that too not far . I will be around the block only. We will always be part of this family"  saying this my eyes also welled up

" But Bhai, you are the pillar of this family. Without you, we all will fall apart"

" No , Anaant. A home cannot survive on a single pillar. Each one plays a role. Even if physically I am not present, I will always be there whenever you need me. "

Anaant was shaking his head no and tears started to fall down from his face.

I got up and hugged him tight. Then holding his face in my hands, I wiped away his tears

" You have grown to be a responsible man Anaant. Now please take care of our family. For now, my priority is and should be Meera. Please allow me this"

Anaant hugged me and wept on my shoulder. Through his tears I could hear him mumbling,

" You don't need anyone's permission,  that is your right"

I turned to Dad. I knew that I don't need to explain anything to him. He understands me without any need of words between  us

" You are shifting to Dad's house" It was not a question but a statement

I smiled at him and nodded yes.

" It is fated, Sarla. Do you remember  when Adi was a kid how he loved to go to Dad's house. He used to say that when he grows up , he will live there with his family. That is the reason why Dad gave that house to him. " Dad consoled Mom

Then looking at me he expressed his concern,

" Is the house ready for living? "

" I have started work on it. It will be ready in 2 weeks. " I said

After my statement, everyone was silent. All were processing the upcoming change in our lives

" Mom..." I started

" You are right, Adi. We again became selfish. This time we can't think of ourselves. It is more important for Meera to have her husband than for me to have my son" her anguish was visible in her eyes . But this time I couldn't do anything  about it.

" Promise me one thing , Adi" Mom continued, " Give everything  you can to  take away her pain. " she smiled at me ruefully

" I promise " I replied  and hugged her tightly and mentally prepared myself for the long journey ahead.