Chapter 44 A Deep Secret

We were returning to my home after our training, cherishing the beautiful moments we shared. Being with Jonathan brought me pure bliss. I was sitting beside him in the car.

The ecstasy I felt at finally being able to control my powers was beyond words.

It was amazing how energetic I felt ever since the day God blessed me with these powers!

I decided to share everything with my mother, hoping she might shed some light on my powers.

I broke the comfortable silence and turned to Jonathan before expressing my thoughts. “Jonathan, I think it’s time to tell Mom everything.” I said, my voice filled with determination.

He glanced at me, his eyes reflecting curiosity. “Why the sudden urge to disclose it all to her?” He inquired before focusing his attention back on the road.

“I have a feeling that she might know something about my powers and Pari. Maybe there’s a link to my real father.” I explained, my mind racing with possibilities.

“You’re right, we should talk to her about this,” He agreed, nodding.

As we arrived at my home, anticipation and nervousness welled up inside me. Before we stepped out of the car, our lips met in a passionate kiss, a reflection of the deep love we shared. Hand in hand, we approached the door, our smiles filled with contentment and happiness.

I pressed the doorbell, and we awaited my mother’s arrival.

Mom opened the door. As the door swung open, a wide smile spread across her face, but her eyes darted between Jonathan and me, filled with suspicion. She then noticed our entwined hands and redirected her gaze to me, silently urging me to explain.

“Mum, I’ve been staying with Jonathan for the past two weeks. He’s my boyfriend.” As I revealed the truth, my mother’s eyes widened in surprise at my confession.

Her gaze shifted to Jonathan, her voice laced with concern. “Do you love my daughter?” She asked, seeking assurance.

Jonathan met her gaze with unwavering sincerity and replied, “I love her so much that I want to spend the rest of my life with her and marry her.” The shock of his marriage proposal in front of my mother left me speechless, my eyes widening in disbelief.

Jonathan looked at me with an affectionate smile, and I blushed, lowering my gaze.

“Come inside, lovebirds.” My mother chuckled, calling us by an endearing term, and we stared at her in shock. “What? You both really look like love birds. Now come inside.” We exchanged surprised glances before stepping into the house as my mother closed the door behind us.

We settled down in the hall. My mother brought snacks and took a seat beside me, while Jonathan sat on my other side.

I took a deep breath and mustered the courage to broach the subject that had been weighing heavily on my mind.

“Mom, there’s something I need to tell you, and I want to ask you about my real father.” I observed her face pale as I mentioned him.

“Why-why?” She stammered, her words laced with a sense of apprehension. Jonathan and I exchanged concerned glances, sensing that she was hiding something.

“Mom, if there’s something you’re hiding, please tell us. I want to know everything.” I implored, gently clasping her hand.

She confessed with a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry, Mia, but I lied to you. Your real father is still alive.” I released her hand and stared at her in shock and disbelief, a solitary tear rolling down my cheek.

“Why did you lie to me, Mom?” I asked, my words filled with a mix of confusion and sadness.

“Because I never wanted you to meet your father.” She replied, her tone filled with dejection.

“Why?” I asked, my heart aching with confusion and sadness.

Her dejected tone revealed her pain as she explained, “Because he doesn’t know that you’re his daughter.”

Her response only deepened my confusion.

Desperate for answers and understanding, I pressed on. “Mom, I need to know everything. Why didn’t you tell me about my real father? Why did you keep us apart?” Tears streamed down her cheeks as I questioned her motives.

“It was for my best friend.” She began, her voice filled with regret.

“Your father and I fell in love during our college days, but he was in a relationship with my best friend, and she was deeply in love with him. We had planned to tell her everything, but I couldn’t bear the thought of snatching her love away, breaking her heart, and losing her friendship. Your father wasn’t ready for the consequences either, as he was torn between his love for me and his loyalty to her. So I made the painful choice to marry someone chosen by my parents.”

Listening to her confession, I felt a mix of anger and confusion. My mother continued her heart-wrenching tale, revealing a truth that had been hidden for so long.

“After our marriage, I discovered I was pregnant with you, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. He was about to marry my best friend, and if he had found out about you, he would have left everything behind. I’m sorry, Mia. I know I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve unintentionally disrupted all our lives.” She explained, her voice trembling with remorse.

As I sat there, I was stunned by the revelation, trying to process my mother’s actions. Her decisions had impacted not only her life but also mine and my father’s. A mix of anguish and comprehension washed over me as I realized the sacrifices she had made, even if they were misguided.

My heart ached for the pain she had endured, and despite her actions, I couldn’t bring myself to lay blame upon her. She had already suffered the consequences of her decisions, and no amount of accusation could alter the past.

But now, I yearned to know more about my father, to meet him and understand the complex relationships that had shaped my life.

“Mom, I want to know about my father. Please tell me everything. Who is he?” I pleaded, hoping she would provide the missing pieces of the puzzle.

She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and acceptance. “His name is David Barden.” She revealed, causing my jaw to drop in disbelief.

‘David Barden—the father of my best friend, Amir. It meant that Amir and I weren’t just friends; we are siblings.’

I sat there, my mind racing with a mix of emotions—shock, confusion, and an overwhelming sense of curiosity. The revelation had shaken me to my core, and I couldn’t help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden beneath the surface of my life.

I looked at my mother, tears were still streaming down her face, I saw the pain etched deep within her eyes. She had made immense sacrifices for the sake of friendship, sacrificing her happiness.

I reached out and gently clasped my mother’s trembling hand, offering her reassurance. “Mom, I can see the pain you’ve carried all these years. I know you did what you thought was right, even though it had unintended consequences. We can’t change the past, but we can choose how to move forward from here.”

Jonathan, who had been silently observing the unfolding drama, spoke up with empathy in his voice. “Mia is right, Mom. We understand that you were trying to protect your best friend and protect the relationships you held dear. We may never fully comprehend the complexity of those emotions, but we can choose to support one another and strive for healing.”

I turned to Jonathan and then to my mother with profound determination. “We can’t change the past, but we can choose to embrace the present and build a better future together. I want to meet my father, to understand his side of the story.”

My mother nodded, a mix of emotions crossing her face. “You’re right, Mia. It’s time for you to meet your father. I don’t want to keep you both separated anymore. He deserved to know that he had a daughter, and you both deserved to meet each other.”

Overwhelmed by a surge of emotions, I hugged my mother tightly, feeling relieved.

Jonathan joined the embrace, his presence providing strength and support. We passed a smile to each other.