The Twisted Knots

18.

Yash and I found a quiet spot on the sea shore, the rhythmic sounds of waves creating a serene melody. The moon cast its gentle glow on the water, turning the waves into shimmering silver threads that danced along the shore.

We sat side by side, our feet sinking into the soft sand, and watched as the waves rolled in gracefully. There was something enchanting about the night, about the way the moonlight painted the ocean in ethereal hues. The beauty of the sea under the night sky seemed to mirror the enchantment we felt in each other's company. In that peaceful moment, the world faded away, leaving only the soothing sounds of the waves and the quiet exchange of glances between us.

The prospect of spending the future with him felt like a dream come true, but amidst the waves' soothing melody, a realization dawned on me.

I knew I needed to share my past with Yash, the intricate details of my life that shaped who I am. He deserved to know, and I didn't want him to discover any part of it from someone else.

The trust we were building was a delicate tapestry, and for our future together to be genuine, I needed to unravel the layers of my past, exposing both the shadows and the light. It was a daunting step, but a necessary one to ensure the foundation of our relationship was built on honesty and understanding.

Under the gentle moonlight by the sea, I took a deep breath, the waves providing a soothing backdrop to a conversation I knew needed to happen.

"Yash," I began, looking into his eyes, "there's something I need to tell you. As we're about to get married, I want you to know everything about me. Mr. Sharma, the man I call my father, is not my biological father. He's my stepfather."

A pensive expression crossed Yash's face, his gaze urging me to continue.

"I don't even know what my real father looks like," I continued. "My mom described him as a hardworking and honest man, but he passed away when I was very young. When my parents' love marriage was rejected by my maternal grandparents, they had no other option than to elope and get married. My mother lost all contact with her family and when we lost our father, she had no other option. Mr. Singhania, my current father, stepped in and proposed to my mother. He was a widower, having lost his wife and child during childbirth. My mother, left with no other option, agreed to the marriage."

I took a moment, the sea breeze carrying the weight of my words. "My mother knew about Mr. Singhania's bad reputation, but she couldn't let me go hungry. She compromised her life for mine. I've tried to build a relationship with him, but he never really cared for me. His focus was solely on his son, the child he had with my mother."

As the words hung in the air, I awaited Yash's response, hoping the honesty would strengthen the foundation of understanding between us.

Yash listened attentively to my revelation, and as the waves whispered their support, he reached for my hand.

"Tara," he said gently, "thank you for sharing this with me. I appreciate your honesty. Your past doesn't define you, and I'm grateful that you trust me with your story. We're building our own future together, and I'm here for you every step of the way. I love you, and nothing from your past changes that."

His reassuring words, filled with understanding and love, melted away any lingering fears. In that moment, by the sea under the moonlit sky, Yash's acceptance became an anchor, grounding us in the strength of our connection and the promise of a shared future.

As Yash's understanding words lingered in the air, a profound sense of gratitude and certainty settled within me. Watching the moonlit waves, I couldn't help but think that in choosing Yash, I had found the right guy to embark on this journey of marriage.

His acceptance, devoid of judgment or hesitation, spoke volumes about the depth of our connection. With every passing moment, it became clear that Yash was not just a choice; he was the right choice, the one with whom I was ready to build a life filled with love, understanding, and unwavering support.

"Yash," I began, "I want to continue my education after we get married. I have just one semester left to finish my bachelor's, but I'm planning to pursue a master's and eventually a Ph.D."

Yash's response was understanding and supportive. "Tara, there's no need to explain. It's entirely up to you," he said, a reassuring smile on his face. He went on to share that he had already discussed this with his father, and they both agreed that the decision was mine to make.

He added with a touch of humor, "We won't proceed with the marriage until you're ready. However, I'd like us to get engaged. It's a way for my father to announce that his youngest son is off-limits for proposal".

He continued, with a darker tone "Plus, it's a way for everyone to know that you belong to me and only me. No one dares to make a move on you."