SS-Our Life Epilogue Pg 13 -Complete - Page 7

The Bose house was quiet, or at least quieter than it had ever been since Sona was born. She wasn't used to feeling so helpless and scared, unable to depend on anyone but herself. The worst part was that it wasn't a choice that she chose to make It was one that destiny made for her.

She spent her days mostly alone, thinking about what her future had in store for her. Her parents and her siblings tried their hardest to cheer her up, and although she appreciated it. She seriously needed some alone time. She instructed them to not disturb her so naturally was a little surprised when she heard a knock on her door.

She sighed frustrated at having to get up and shut down any other plan her family might have made in their mission to get her out of the house. She had her "I need more time" speech ready until she came face to face with the last person she expected to see gracing her door step.

"Can i come in" Ishwari asked after Sona continued to stare at her without saying anything. Sona nodded and gestured for her to enter not really knowing what to say or why Ishwari was there in the first place.

Ishwari walked around the room looking at photos and memories that were a part of her past. Sona felt vulnerable and open all at once. She didn't want to be judged but more than that she didn't want to argue. So she therefore chose to remain silent.

She was half expecting Ishwari to give her another lecture and was in fact prepared for it. She sat down on her bed and waited for Ishwari to finish the tour of her room so that they could get this over with.

Ishwari picked up a baby picture of Sona, while looking at it she finally spoke "When Dev's Dad died everyone told me to remarry... I was still young, a lot of people pursued me. It was so intense to the point that I felt so much pressure I almost gave in.

My parents gave me this long story about how everyone needed a partner and how my new husband would be just that. He would look after me and Dev like we were his own, but somehow every time I looked into his eyes I couldn't stomach the fact that i would be cheating on my husband. He might have been gone but our relationship was very much alive, still is to this day.

However I couldn't say no to my parents.I was weak... but suddenly a 5 year old Dev walks up to my Dad, the scariest man I have ever known and tells him without an ounce of fear that he would be my partner and that i didn't need anyone else. He might not have understood the gravity of his words at that time but from then on he became my whole world.

From the moment I gave birth to him to whatever you see of him today, he has been my everything.

You might see his defensive,masculine and protective side but all I see, all ill ever see, is the boy who cried for 3 days straight when he had to go to school for the first time. The boy who stole flowers from the neighbours yard just to see me smile. Then suddenly one day everything changes.

He wont wear the shirt I bought him because you don't like Blue. He .. he forgets to tell me he isn't coming home because he's taking you to dinner. From being in every aspect of his life from what he should wear to what time he would be coming home, I was suddenly part of none of it." Ishwari trailed off relieved almost, as if she had gotten this big load off her chest.

sona's jaw dropped in shock, never had she heard her mother in law express herself to this extent. She could do nothing but continue to listen and hope that this was leading to something better.

"It all started out innocently enough" she began again. "He introduced me to this beautiful girl that I'm supposed to love at first sight, and I try. I really do. That is until he started to protect you from all things me, from my judgement... from my comments. Then suddenly you were everywhere in his words, in his thoughts and in his actions.

I felt like I had lost a part of me, and no matter how sweet, how amazing and how perfect you were I had no one to blame but you."

Sonakshi moved to speak but Ishwari silenced her. "Let me speak today, I don't know if ill ever be able to again."

"Today I had a moment of realisation, Many years ago when i was about your age I too was responsible for another mothers pain. I, according to her stole her son away from her and no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried nothing was ever good enough. My food was never tasty enough, my clothes were never clean enough.I vowed that i would never do the same to my daughter in law and look at where we are now. I am now the woman I've never understood. Im not telling you this because i need your sympathy. I just want you to understand how I've been feeling this past year because she never gave me that courtesy.

I always thought she was playing this game with me. How could I win with a game that was rigged and more importantly why am I forcing you to play the same game now. I always believed that my husband was made just for me. That also means that Dev must have been made just for you... and its time i accept that.

That doesn't mean I have to like it, not immediately at least. I see how much you love my son and how much you make him happy. I know you must feel like he is your everything right now but trust me when I tell you everything will change when you have kids of your own, and you will understand how difficult it is to let go."

Ishwari finally walked up to Sona and looked her right in the eyes. Whatever she was saying came right from the heart. It might not have been perfect or what Sona had always wanted but she was sincere and it was all Sona could ever ask for.

"So be patient with me, I might always not always do or say the right things but i mean well. This is hard for me as I'm sure it is hard for you." Ishwari paused looking nervous for the first time.

"So please come back Sona if not for me, come back for the man we both love. You say he doesn't try hard enough but I haven't been too easy to deal with either. I promise to try for you and for your child. Ill see you soon Beta" Ishwari finished calling her beta for the first time. She kissed Sona on the forehead and made her way out of the house.

Epilogue