Lakshimi stands on the door way as she stare at her mother, she can feel how disappointed her mother is right now because of what happened but she needs her mostly at times like this. Her mother hasn't talk to her since yesterday and it hurts her.... Her mother has always been her best friend or anything she could ever wish for and she regrets keeping her relationship away from her
She needs her mother by her side to be strong because she has always been the one there for her. She needs to explain things to her mother, she is the only one that can understand her
"Mother" she mumble and slowly walk inside, menka didn't turn to spare her a glance. She is still angry at her and most of all disappointed
If only she told her about her relationship, she will be able to fix things and what happened yesterday wouldn't have happened
She can't stay angry with her daughter for long but she wants her to understand that what she did was wrong. Is normal for someone to fall in love besides she is a human but she falled in love at the wrong time
When you still have goals to achieve in life you shouldn't allow anything to distract you and the most thing that lead you unfocused is love because you will forced to lay down a lot because of it even if it is your life and dreams
Lakshimi gently sit on the bed besides her mother as she took her hand into hers
"Mother...., She pause as she sniffs in the tears. If her mother also turn her back on her that means she has no reason to live anymore because her mother is the one that gives her the courage and strength to move forward in life.
"You know, she began, that you are the only one I have, you are the only one that understands and believes me. What do you expect me to do if you turn your back on me
I am sorry mother for not telling you everything, I did wrong and I am sorry" she sniffs in tears and menka couldn't held back the tears as she pull her into a hug. Lakshimi was able to pour down her tears freely, They stayed like that for a while before disengaging
"I can never turn my back on, you are the only reason am still living. No matter how big your mistake are, I will still forgive you because you are my child and I love you so much
I was only angry because you chose to hide your relationship from me but you know that a mother's anger do not last" menka whispers in tears
"I promise I really want to tell you everything but I don't know where or how to start because I don't want you to feel disappointed in me that instead of facing my studies I decided to go into a relationship
Believe me we are not doing anything wrong, Abhijit is a decent guy who will never take advantage of a girl, he loves me so much and he has never touched me even for once
That video didn't simplify anything mother, he only hug and kiss my forehead... Nothing happened between us, I..." Menka cut her off by placing her finger on her lips
"I believe you, you don't need to explain further. I know the daughter I raised, you will never ruin my trust in you. I'm sure that video was all a misunderstanding"
"Someone did that to me mother, someone followed me that day and took that video just to implicate me but I wonder who the person could be and what I've done wrong to the person "
"You are right, the person purposely put it on the women group to disgrace our family. I don't know why this is happening Lakshimi but am sure the almighty will turn it to good for us, just have faith"
"I don't want my future to be ruined mother, please we need to do something to stop this marriage. And to tell you the truth mother, I love Abhijit so much ... I will never live happily with any man if not Abhijit. Help me mother, please do something" Lakshimi mumble in tears and that hurts menka's heart. She is so disappointed that she can't do anything to help her daughter, she can't believe she will just stand and watch her daughter's life ruined
"I really want to help you Lakshimi but there is nothing I can do. Your father has never listened to me before and do you he will try to hear what I want to say in this situation
He is so angry and he is someone that never goes back on his word, no matter what he will not have any second thought of changing his decision. It hurts my heart so much Lakshimi that you are passing through this situation at such early stage in your life
Once you gets married, you will be separated from me and I will never be able to see you again... It hurts Lakshimi and it hurts more that I can't do anything"
"Mother, why is this happening to me ... Why? I don't deserve it at all. I don't even know who father will marry off to or what my life could be over there"
"Just be strong Lakshimi, the almighty is with you... He will make a way for you. Our hands are tied to do anything but almighty's hands are not tie, he will surely see us through this" menka cuts in and pull her into a hug
***
Lakshimi and menka came downstairs as prachi informed then earlier that Mr Kumar wants to see everyone. Lakshimi prays that her father changes his decision but it looks like the prayer is beyond answered
She has always dream big for herself but everything was ruined in one day. She is wishing for a hope that everything will go back to normal and she will pursue her dreams without any problem but the more she wishes for such hope the more scared she becomes
She wonders what her father wants to say to everyone, he only gathers them like this whenever he has an important thing to say out to them
"Do you think father called us all her to tell us that he has find a husband for Lakshimi" prachi whispers to her mother
"Who knows. I will be glad to hear it if it is actually what he called us for" Rivati whispers back
Lakshimi heart was beating steadily and she couldn't explain why, is it because she is expecting her father to say he won't marry her off again but it so stupid of her to think such because her father is someone who never goes back on his word
"I've called you all here to make an announcement and it will be important if you all listen attentively" Mr Kumar speaks up as everyone is eager to hear from him
"I've already find a groom for Lakshimi and he will visit by the end of this week while the marriage will take place next week
I want you all to start making arrangements immediately, I don't want anything to be delayed" Mr Kumar didn't waste time to go to the point, he walks out not minding if anyone has something to say or not... Besides no one questions his decision in the house anyway. Weather the decision favours you or not, you will surely comply
Lakshimi stood dumbfounded and starring blankly as her heart was beating fast, she feels like letting the tears flow down. Why would her father want the marriage to take place so soon and who could be the guy he found for her. Her wish of wanting her father not to marry her off again is nothing but a nightmare
Lakshimi can feel that her life is going to take another turn soon but she won't let it happen, she has to do something... She can't be separated from the man she loves. She will definitely do everything to be with him
Menka could understand how Lakshimi is feeling right now, it hurts her so much that she won't even do anything to help her. Her daughter doesn't deserve all these, she doesn't deserve it all all
"Don't worry menka, I will definitely take care of all the arrangements. I will make the wedding to be a grand one, you won't have to stress yourself I will cover up everything. I can't wait to welcome our in law into our home for the first time" Rivati voice out with a fake smile. Prachi could understand what her mother is trying to do, she is trying to piss menka off the more
"Let's go prachi, there is a lot to do, and listen Lakshimi you should be happy and not sad
I was so scared that after what you did, you won't be able to get married but am happy now that someone agreed to marry you" she add before walking out with prachi
"I don't think nothing will stop father from getting me married, I has to do something... I don't care what the outcome will be. No matter what I will never be separated from Abhijit. I belong only to him and no one else" Lakshimi mind said as she rush upstairs
"Lakshimi!" Menka tried calling her back but she ignores her, she is so much hurt right now
**
She flap the door of her room open and walk in closing the door behind her
Her heart is so much heavy and can't hold back the tears anymore so she pour it down freely
She cried out her heart and when a thought came to her mind, she rush and pick her phone to call Abhijit. He needs to know about what is going on and then she will tell him her plan
She called him severally but he wasn't picking up so she decides to send him message stating everything that happened and ask him to call her back if he receives the message
***
Rivati walk inside the room with a glass of milk. She thought of asking Mr Kumar who the so called guy he is marrying Lakshimi off to is
She wants to know if the guy is responsible or not, she wants Lakshimi to marry into a home that will make her suffer all her life
"Here is your milk" she said with a smile handing him the milk, he collects it a take a sip. Rivati waits for a while before speaking up
"permit me to ask... May I know the guy you want Lakshimi to get married to?" She ask, Mr Kumar glance at her... She is the least person he has in mind that will ask him such question
He is thinking of menka asking him the question and not Rivati, she never cares for Lakshimi and won't either care the kind of home she will be marrying into or what her life could be after marriage
"You will find out once he visits" Mr Kumar replied to menka's disappointment
"Well if you says, I only ask to know... I will be downstairs, I still have something to do" she chip in, well she doesn't need to be sad that she gets an answer she didn't expect. By this weekend she will find out who the guy is once he visits and she is certain Lakshimi will suffer the more once she gets married
**
Lakshimi was waiting patiently for Abhijit to call as she keeps flipping her phone in her hand pacing round the room
Just then her phone ring and she didn't hestitate to pick up as the caller was Abhijit
"Abhijit" she mumble in tears
"Lakshimi are you okay?" Abhijit ask, he couldn't believe the message Lakshimi send to him... He is still trying to digest what she means by she is getting married next week. The last time they met, she was happy sharing the news of going to college very soon
"I'm not okay Abhijit, am sacred"
"I don't understand what you wrote in the message Lakshimi, what do you mean that your father is getting you married next week?, What is going on?" Abhijit ask through the phone
"That's the truth Abhijit, I am so scared.... I am scared that I might be taken away from you. I don't want to get married Abhijit... Father is so determined to marry me off" Lakshimi voice sounds a bit scared
"Don't worry Lakshimi, no one will ever take me away from you... I will never allow that to happen, I promise you" Abhijit tries to sound assured
"Nothing will ever convince father to stop, the only way to stop this wedding is for us to elope
Let's go far away from here Abhijit, far away from all these trouble so we can leave peacefully without anyone disturbing us"
"Are you sure that's what you want Lakshimi, it sounds like a selfish decision... What about your mother, remember you are the only one she has "
"I know is a selfish decision Abhijit but I have no choice. If you want us to be together, this is our only chance.... I will call mother and explain things to her once we left, I believe she will understand besides father has forbid me to step foot in our house once I get married... Father's decisions has totally ruin my life"
"But still Lakshimi you need to think about this first, I believe you are making this decision in a haste. I'm sure we are going to find a way out other than this"
"There is no other way out Abhijit, this is the only way and if you truly love me .. then you should elope with me without having a second thought" Lakshimi cuts in and Abhijit has to think for a while, he is confused but at the same time he don't want to loose Lakshimi to any other man
"Alright, I am ready to elope with you. I can't afford to see another man have you because I love you so much"
"I love you too, I will send you the address of where we will meet tonight. I will try and find a way to sneak out" Lakshimi add
"I'm sorry mother but this is the only way I can think of, if we decide to trust the almighty... He might even disappoint us
I am going to leave with the man I love, this is the most selfish decision I've ever made and I won't regret making it
I believe you will understand me. when you love someone you will do anything to be with that person and I am willing to do anything to be with Abhijit" Lakshimi mind said
**
"Tell me mother, did father mention to you the person he wants Lakshimi to marry?" Prachi ask
"I asked him but he said that I will know who he is the day he will visit... all I know is that this marriage will be Lakshimi's doom.
Am sure the guy she will marry won't be a decent guy at all and she will suffer all her life in the marriage"
"I hope so mother because it won't be good if we push her into marriage and end up pushing her into luck"
"She won't get any luck prachi, just trust me"
"If you says so... She pause before speaking you. I need tell you something mother, you will be shocked to hear it" she add and Rivati draw closer as she whispers something into her ear
Rivati gasp but a smile later escape her lips
"This will be so much fun" she said as they both grin evilly
****
Menka gently flap the door open as she pop in her head
"Lakshimi is time for dinner, you should come downstairs and eat, you haven't eaten enough food since yesterday" she politely said and got no reply, so she walk in fully
Lakshimi was lying on the bed, she thought maybe she is fast asleep so she decides to wake her up but to her amazement Lakshimi wasn't the one on the bed but set of pillows arranged in vertical, She gasp in shock
"Lakshimi! Lakshimi! She call and walk inside her bathroom but she wasn't there. She walk back to the room still calling her name then her eyes caught the wardrobe which was totally empty
"Lakshimi!" She yell not wanting to believe her heart. Is not possible, Lakshimi can never leave her and run away. She pick up the letter inside the wardrobe as her eyes search the words written in it
She gasp loudly, her eyes wide in shock. She never thought this could happen, Lakshimi didn't give a sign that she might elope with Abhijit
She can't believe Lakshimi left her all alone, she wonders what is wrong with her. Her love for Abhijit is making her do crazy things and also take such crazy decision. She is sure she sneak out through the back door
"Lakshimi!!" She scream not knowing when the tears slide down
Her scream got others attention as they rush to her thinking that something bad is happening to her
"What is it menka, why are you disturbing everyone with your scream?" Mr Kumar ask sounding a bit offensive
"La... Lakshimi ... Lakshimi is gone. My only daughter is gone, I won't be able to see her again" she mumble in tears
"What are you trying to say, what do you mean Lakshimi is gone?" Mr Kumar ask once again. Rivati took the letter from menka as she wide her eyes in shock
"I don't think Lakshimi has any shame left in her again. Just when we are dealing with the outregeous act she did not long ago.... She still got the nerve to elope with her lover. She won't cease bringing shame to our family, I wonder what people will think of our family once they finds out about this" Rivati blurts out as Mr Kumar face squeeze in so much anger as he collects the letter from Rivati and go through it
He squeeze as his face looks scary due to anger
This is the most shameful act any girl could display, it destroys the girl's family reputation. Such act is called a taboo
Rivati smirk, this is a very wrong decision made by Lakshimi. Mr Kumar will surely deal with her once he finds her
*****
Lakshimi was pacing round outside the old Temple, everywhere is quite and the breeze is blowing hard
She is impatient as she continues starring at her clock and looking out for Abhijit
She holds tightly unto her bag, her heart is kind of beating but she don't have to be nervous. She believes she is doing the right thing and she won't go back on her decision
She believes running away is the best option, she will get to be with the man she loves and she might also have the chance to fulfil her dreams
Just then Abhijit shows up with his bag as well. Lakshimi smiled relieved, she has nearly given up thinking that he won't show up
She rush up to him and hug him tight which he welcomes the hug as he press her body more closely to his
"I miss you so much, you don't know how scared I was thinking that I will loose you" Lakshimi whimpers
"You will never loose me because am always yours" Abhijit chip in as they gently pull out from the hug and he cup her face
"Are you still sure of your decision Lakshimi... What if you regret it"
"I won't regret it Abhijit, I promise. All I want is to be with you. If I decides to be with my family, I will surely loose you and I don't want that"
"I also want to be with you Lakshimi but not this way. I want your parents to be in support of our relationship and give us their blessings"
" But that won't be possible Abhijit because my father will never go back on his words. He will never allow me to be with you
Come let's start going already we will start our life far away from here and believe me we will be happy" Lakshimi cuts in and Abhijit breaths out
He also wants to spend the rest of his life with Lakshimi, he doesn't want to loose her ... Maybe this is the best decision, they will surely live a happy and peaceful life far away from everyone
Abhijit took Lakshimi hand and they turn to leave but was flabbergasted seeing both Mr Kumar, menka and Rivati standing in front of them
Lakshimi's eyes nearly pop out from it's socket in shock as she wide her mouth in gasp. How did they find out about this place, she can't believe this is happening to her .... Why does it look like her fate is playing a game with her
She can see the so much anger on her father's face and the teary disappointed look on her mother, it means she has been crying
She felt a pang of guilty in her, how could she be so selfish to leave her mother who has only her, it is obvious her mother can never live without her
Mr Kumar directed his eyes to Abhijit as he stare at him with so much disgust, Abhijit bring down his face ... He don't know how look into their eyes, this is exactly what he is scared of, What if they got caught but he is ready to stand up for his love. Rivati was patiently waiting for the drama as a smile crept her lips
Prachi has earlier over head Lakshimi on the call with Abhijit planning on how to elope and she told her mother and it
When they saw the letter and was wondering where to find them, prachi then tell them she overhead Lakshimi telling someone on the phone that they should meet at the old Temple
That was how they were able to locate and find them before they could leave
Note: This story is based on India life and culture. I am not an Indian so I might make mistakes in certain places regarding their culture or the spelling of their names, cities and other minor errors... if you find any fault regarding to the above mentioned criteria or any other aspects please don't take it personally and just bear with me
I am writing this story because of my love for Indians and I hope you cooperate with me