Chapter 2 Sorry For The Mistake

I was trying to get in contact with Chhavi for the last two days, but her phone was switched off. I told her friend to talk to her and clear up the misunderstanding, but to no avail. I was going through a difficult phase; I eagerly wanted to talk to her. Moreover, I made several visits to her house, but her Dad snubbed me away every time.

I couldn’t find any way to talk to her; I prayed to God, to help me meet her. And the very next day, he had fulfilled my prayer.

My mom had sent me to the supermarket to get some grocery items. When I had aligned my trolley towards the billing counter, I saw Chhavi with her mother in the second row. I was delighted to see her and I wanted to clear up all the misunderstanding. It was a golden opportunity for me. Chhavi had also seen me but didn’t entertain me in the presence of her mom. But I fearlessly went towards her and introduced myself to her mom.

“Hello, Mrs. Basu,” I greeted her.

“Hello,” replied her mom,” Do I know you?”

“No, you don’t, but Chhavi does. I am Avinash Sampath, I have been Chhavi’s classmate from school and now also in college.”

“Ohh, that’s great! So, where do you live?”

I replied,” Ghandi Nagar, Andheri East.”

“That’s just 2 kilometers from here, well that’s good to know. “ She was absolutely delighted to have met me. She looked liked she was very comfortable talking to me. I thanked God that uncle didn’t tell them about the incident. She further enquired about my family.

“What does your father do?” She asked

“My mother is a housewife and she is also a tutor,” I slowly replied.

“That’s good, but I had asked you about your father,” she told.

“Actually, aunty, my father is bed-ridden for more than a year now; from the moment he received a paralytic attack. So, my mom runs the house, while try to I help her by doing an online designing business,” I told her.

“Ohh, that’s sad. But also, very brave of you, helping your mother from such an early age I wish you all the best.” she sympathized.

“Aunty, can I talk to Chhavi for a min? It’s very important,” I set up an excuse to talk to Chhavi.

“Why not?” she replied and stepped aside.

“I am sorry Chhavi,” I told her in a very apologetic manner.

“I too am sorry, Avinash.” She said as she held my hand. I felt relived. But as she continued. It quickly turned into despair, “Everything is now over between us.”

“What happened? Tell me” I asked her tensely.

“My father does not want any type of relationship with you.”

“What does your father want? Tell me clearly.”

“He wants me to break up with you,” She lowered her voice so that her mother doesn’t listen to it. Meanwhile, as I was talking to her. Uncle had come up from the back and tried to separate us.

He shouted, “What is going on here?” as he barged towards me. Mrs. Basu said, “What is the matter? Tell me, why are you shouting at the boy?”

Mr. Basu narrated the whole story of what happened that day to Chhavi’s mom. She too came to know about our relationship. Without waiting for a moment longer and even before I could say something, they took her away from me. At that very moment, everything started feeling bleak again. I I started feeling hateful again. I had finally gotten an opportunity to revive our relationship but in the end, it was all in vain. I had finally found a way to clear up all the doubts, but somehow I lost it.

Later, that night I called her multiple times, hoping that she would pick it up. Only one message came from her that read, “It’s over between us. From now, please do not call or message me anymore.” I felt distorted; I could see my love being destroyed.

I returned home after purchasing the groceries. The latest incident with Chhavi and her parents was still boggling my mind. As I opened the door, my sister suddenly spooked me. I got so happy to see her.

“Aparna oh my god When did you come back from boarding?” I told her as I hugged her.

“Today bro, me and mom wanted to surprise you,” She quelled in excitement.

“That’s amazing, Sis I am so happy to see you.” I told her “Me too,” Aparna exclaimed.

When Aparna arrived, “We won’t send you back to boarding, you will stay here with us.” I said.

“Yes, Bhai I’m gonna stay here with you all.” Delighted she replied. Meanwhile, mom got the dinner ready, the three of us sat in my room, and Aparna’s unending gossips started. She then suddenly asked about Chhavi.

“How is she?”

“ Chhavi, she is doing good. But it is not smooth amongst us these days”, I said.

“Why, What happened?”

“It’s a long story, I’ll tell you later.” I replied

‘”So tell me the short one.” She said giggling. Aparna often teased me by making small jokes. I told her to take rest first cause she might be tired after traveling for almost twelve hours from Chennai. But, her questions didn’t stop. So, I articulated the whole story, she understood each and everything in a very sensible manner.

“Don’t worry, bro, it will be all good I am sure of it,” She said as she tried to cheer me up.

“Yaa let’s see what happens,” I responded very lightly. As we continued to converse we had forgotten about the time. It was now 11.30 on the clock, when mom asked Aparna to sleep and take sufficient rest. She quickly winded up her stuff and went off to her room. I said goodnight to my mom, switched off the lights, and closed my eyes. After 10-15 minutes, my lights were suddenly turned on, I thought it might be Aparna, but it was my mother who had entered my room.

“What happened, mom? All good?” I asked.

“Avinash, all is good, but I wanted to talk to you.”, She said

“Yes, mom tell me.”

“See beta, I know Chhavi, and you had a small fight, I don’t want to interfere in your personal life but I wanted to say something... It’s been three days since you have been in your own world of sorrow which you have kept to yourself but I also get upset to see you like this. It is not the end of the world cheer up, there is a full life ahead of you. It is just a phase, and it shall pass, be patient, I hope you understand what I’m trying to say, Avinash.”, she said lovingly and counseled me to the fullest. I felt miserable; the hues of emotions which led down towards repulsion. I was aware of my behavior, and I felt deficient within. My mom was absolutely right.

“Okay, mom, you won’t get any more complaints from my side from now onwards, I promise you,” I assured her. a wide smile ran over her face.

“God bless you, beta, take rest, and wash of the feelings of the past, I wanted to see you full of spirit, as you always are,”

“Done, mom and Thank You. “

“Great, so take rest now, we will talk again tomorrow and get ready by 7 a.m., Utkarsh told me he will be coming to pick you up, you have to accompany him to his music lesson. “

“ Haha, for sure, mom I will get up early, Good night.”