84. Anand!

Anika’s PoV

The house was in pindrop silence and no one was ready yet to take it in. I heard the sniffs of Dhanam Perima but she didn't dare to look Anand in the face. My dad gestured to my mom to go and talk to Dhanam perima. I think they need more time to sink in the information and understand their feelings over it. I am truly glad that Sivaprakasam Perippa stayed quiet instead of talking thick words that would hurt Anand out of overwhelming feelings. His silence is a good sign, he is thinking about it and I agree that this society has made up some rules that are ridiculous and he needs a huge courage to accept the truth against the society.

As we parked the car, Anand got down from the other car that came towards us. He was waiting for our arrival. When we went in along with Anand, my mom, dad, Aunt, Priya and Rajesh were already in the house, talking to Perippa and Perima. The house was lively and they were surprised to see us coming in. Anand was super scared and he was struggling to stay put. After a formal hospitality, Arjun started talking.

“We are here today for a reason. What if I say your daughter is still alive?” He asked Anand’s parents. I was actually scared of the outcome.

“What are you saying, Maapillai? Is Anamika really alive? Do you know where she is?” Sivaprakasam asked Arjun as I watched his face lose color.

“He is Anand. He is your son, uncle. Sorry, Anamika is no more.” Arjun said.

Everyone was clearly confused about what Arjun just said. My mom and aunt looked at eachother and my uncle was the one that caught that spark. He patted Anand’s back with a little nod expressing his understanding and happiness.

“I… uh… I don't understand.” Sivaprakasam said while taking a closer look at Anand. Though Anand has changed a lot and even has got facial hair, his eyes stay the same. I mean it is not so hard to figure out that Anamika is Anand.

“You will understand. Anamika was never real, uncle. Anand was suffocating inside Anamika all his life. I helped him break out of Anamika. You never had a daughter, uncle. Anand is your son.” Arjun explained it in a very beautiful way without using any words that would hurt Anand and his parents.

“Don't rush, Sivaprakasam. Take time, think well before you say anything.” My uncle told Sivaprakasam Perippa.

Everyone eventually realized what had happened and they all extended their support and love to Anand with a few kind gestures except for his parents. Anand never said a word to anyone but his eyes kept pouring. Dhanam did nothing but to cry in silence standing near the door of the kitchen. I imagined this situation to have a totally different outcome. I thought they would be grateful to see their child in flesh and bones after years of sorrow. I thought they would just hug Anand in overwhelming joy and cry their hearts out. I thought they would be happy to know that their child is alive and well. But neither of it happened. Everyone stayed quiet to an extent that the silence was getting uncomfortable.

“Appa, amma, this is me. I am feeling like breathing freedom and liberty for the first time in my 25 years of life. I can sense your dilemma and I respect it. I know you are very orthodox and fear for the reputation and approval of this society we live in. I was too. I buried myself under a skin that was alien to me just to hold up the orthodox way of living, for the reputation of our family and for the approval of this damn society. That was why I agreed to marry this man. It was hell for both of us for the whole year I was with him. I was already fighting my nature and the guilty feeling added oil to the burning fire, I could not take it anymore, I ran away. Arjun found me three months back. He understood why I did what I did. He helped me to break all the barriers and taught me to live my life the way I wanted it to be. This is me and I am not afraid to admit it anymore. I understand if you don't want to accept me as I am. I wanted to see you all badly, now I am content to know that you are fine. I wanted to give you closure, I have not vanished, I am here but as a different person. I have nothing else to say.” Anand spoke, breaking that awful silence.

When he finished his speech, Dhanam made a huge cry and came to the hall where we were all seated. She stayed a step back from Anand and looked at him closely. Arjun stood up and gave a pat on Anand’s shoulder and motioned us to leave the house. We all left giving them the privacy they very much needed at the moment.

“What do you think is going to happen, Arjun?” I asked him in a husky voice as we walked out of the house.

“I wish they would take him in. But I don't know what is going to happen.”

We all sat on the front porch while Uncle and aunty sat on the stairs that were on the side of the house that leads up to the terrace. Arjun and Rajesh were standing near the gate.

“I am so proud of you, Arjun. When Anika said Anamika was alive and is in your custody, I know there must be more to it. I was waiting for Anamika’s reasons but I never expected this. I am so happy for him, he had you to back him up. What are you now? A god mother?” Uncle laughed trying to ease the situation.

“Haha yes uncle, he was the one that named him ‘Anand’. He became a mother and father both at the same time.” I joined in and everyone laughed at my comment. Even Arjun chuckled and pulled me into his arms. I saw a satisfactory smile on my mom and dad.

“We must let everyone know about this, Ajju. We must make everyone who spoke behind our backs feel ashamed of themselves. They must know all the goodness in you. I couldn't digest all those words that were thrown on you.” My aunty said looking at Rajesh.

“It is not just about me anymore, ma. It is also about Anand. We don't know yet how he would feel about any of this. I had let it all go a long time ago. I am happy right now. Isn't that what we all want? I have promised my wife that I would keep my anger in check. So let it go,ma.” Arjun replied in a light note that made my aunt smile.

“I am so sorry, Arjun. I never had that courage to patch up with you by accepting my mistake. You are a great man, Arjun. I could never be able to help someone like you helped Anand. I just wish you could forgive me.”Rajesh said after being quiet for a long time.

“It’s fine, really.” Arjun said but was cut off by Priya.

“No, Ajju. It is not fine. What he did was a grave mistake and I would never forgive him even if you do. I made a mistake when I decided to stay with you all when I married him. I soon realized my mistake but was scared to do the right thing. Now I am ready. Ma, appa, We are moving out of our home. We have made arrangements already. We are going to live with Rajesh’s parents. Rajesh will continue to work for our factory. Pay him his salary, pa.” Priya talked which earned a lovely caress from her dad and a whimper from her mom.

No one said anything. It was like they all knew this was coming. Just my aunt's little sniffs told differently. I went to Priya and she stood up from the chair and came to me. We went to the stairs where uncle and aunty were sitting and climbed past them to terrace.

“I am so happy for you, Priya. But I think you should reconsider forgiving your husband. It looks like he really is sorry. Don't make it hard, Priya. Sometimes overdoing things can push a relationship at stake. Rajesh loves you and that is why he took your punishment in. Don't test his love for you more, especially after he had courageously accepted his mistake in front of all of our family members and apologized for it.”

“I don't know, Anu. It really makes me so mad when I think of it.”

“I know, but try to look past it. He has even agreed to go back to his parents place, just because you said it. What else do you want him to do to make it even for you? You do realize that the essence of a relationship lies in mutual love and respect, right?”

“I do!” She agreed.

“So, are you going to forgive him? Can we expect a brother or sister to Tarun?” I asked, tickling her.

“Haha, stop, Anu. Guess I should eventually let it all go and embrace him and his love. So yes, Tarun will have a sibling.” She said and we hugged. Well, that ended on a happy note.