A Second Chance

•Second

Bags, this is what Malini saw as she entered their room. But those are not the bags she bought with herself last night.

"Aditiya, are you going somewhere." She asked Aditiya.

Aditiya looked up from his phone, listening to her voice. There was a time when his heartbeat would rise, just looking at her, but not anymore. Not with the burden of truth on his heart. Burden of lying to her about his marriage with Imlie. Burden of not loving Malini anymore, of having feelings for Imlie. Burden of cheating on her. And this was the reason he wanted to go away from her.

"Yeah, I got a lead about my new story. So, I need to go. Sorry." He answered, picking up his bag.

This was the first time they were talking after their wedding, and this is what he had to say. Her heart crumbled. Tears appeared in her eyes as she looked at him, leaving the room with his bags. Was his job so important that he could not even manage 2 days off for her. For their most important days of life. He didn't even ask her before leaving. He didn't even ask her if she was ok with him going. She would not have refused him. She understands his work. But he didn't care to ask about her opinion. Does he not care about her anymore.It's their wedding reception tonight, and he is already gone, leaving her alone. What will she say to everyone, especially her parents. That her husband left her alone at their reception night to cover a story. He was not alone anymore. His actions would affect her as well. He didn't even talk to her throughout their wedding, and now he is gone just like that. She sat on the bed, disappointed.

"Malini, did you try your dress for tonight." Aparna asked, entering the room. Her eyes fell Malini. She was crying.

"What happened, beta? Are you missing your family. Tell me. Did Adi say something." Aparna asked worriely.

"He left Maa. For his work. And he did't even care to ask me."

Aparna felt bad for her. She was noticing his behavior from his wedding. He was behaving differently. Not talking to anyone, not taking interest in his wedding rituals. But this was very insensitive of him. He can not leave his bride on the first day after their wedding, that too, when their reception is planned for the night. She felt her angry raising on her son. She ignored everything till now as she didn't want to create a scene but not any more. He needs a good reminder of his responsibilities now.

"I will talk to him, beta. Don't worry. "

Aparna walked out of the room to talk to his son and found him on the entrance of the house.

"Adi, where are you going?" She asked her son angrily.

"Maa, I have very important work to do." He sat in the taxi without giving her any chance to stop him. Aparna turned around and moved inside the house furiously.

Malini looked at her ringing phone. Her mother's name flashed on the screen.

"Good morning, Mom." Malini wished her Mom through the phone.

"What happened to my always chipping daughter?. Why are you sounding so dull?"

"Maa, Aditiya.." Malini narrated everything to her.
This is what Anu was afraid of. Her experienced eyes had already seen their emotional difference. Aditiya is a very insensitive man. He donot like taking others' opinions. But Malini she is a girl with high self-respect. She always puts her side on to others, especially with the matters that concern her. And this always makes Anu tense. Anu liked Aditiya, but he was not the one for her. Even though they look good with each other but something is always missing. The emotional quotient and the financial gap. Malini has always lived her life that others could only dream of. And why not she was the only daughter of The Dev Chaturvadi. The business tycoon of India. But Malini has always put feelings over materialist things, and that's why she married Aditiya. She loves him. And this made Anu agree for their marriage. Her daughter was happy that was enough. The financial gap could be ignored but not the emotional one. And now this emotional difference has started hurting Malini. What if she was wrong to trust Aditiya. She should have been more careful, especially after what happened with her.
Anu shook off those thoughts immediately.

"Don't worry, beta. Everything thing will be alright, hmm."

"Anu, is everything alright? How is Malini." Dev asked, sitting across his wife. He loves his daughter very dearly.

"No, nothing is alright, Dev." Anu replied with a sigh. "I am worried for her Dev. I don't want her to face the same situation I did. " She looked out of the window. The wounds of the past again itched.
Dev looked down in shame. He did not have the courage to look at Anu after what he did to her.
Anu moved her eyes to her husband. Tears pricked her eyes. She moved out of the room hurriedly.

Talking with her mother helped Malini to control her emotions. As she ended the call, she noticed Imlie entering her room with some books.

"Imlie, can you please do me a small favor?" Malini asked.

"Of course, didi. What should I do? And are you alright? You look upset." Concern conqured Imlie's face.

"Hmm, don't worry. I am OK. Please go to Maa and ask her to cancel tonight's party. Imlie was shocked listening to her.
"But why?"

"Nothing. Please do it for me. And you get ready. We are leaving for the college. "

*******************************
Please vote🌟

Do not forget to comment down your opinion below.💬

Thanks for reading❤️