“Priya!” Mary hurried into the room, her footsteps echoing with haste, and glanced at the kids and Priya gathered together.
“Mother,” Priya stood up, walking towards her, eager to know if everything had gone well.
Mary sadly smiled as she hugged Priya, her thoughts filled with remorse. ‘I’m sorry, Priya. I never wanted this, but please forgive me someday. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive myself, but I hope you can.’
Her heart ached as she embraced Priya, knowing that what she was doing was no less than a sin. Yet, it was a choice she made to protect Priya from a fate even worse.
‘It’s a marriage. Priyank is rich,’ Mary tried to rationalise her decision, knowing deep down it wasn’t entirely right. But for Priya, he wasn’t half bad; at least he’d be well-off.
“What’s wrong, Mother? Why do you seem so sad?” Priya asked, squeezing Mary tightly in her arms.
“Yeah, why are you sad?” the other kids chimed in, their concern evident.
“I’m not sad, just tired,” Mary replied, attempting to mask her emotions as she broke the hug and gently cupped Priya’s cheeks, kissing her forehead.
Confused, Priya couldn’t understand why her mother was behaving strangely.
“Listen to me, Priya. I want you to meet someone downstairs. Please, behave well, okay? Be on your best behaviour,” Mary guided, knowing this would likely be the last time she saw Priya before Priyank took her away.
“Who? Why do you seem scared?” Priya’s brow furrowed as she tried to piece together what was happening.
“Someone important. Just don’t upset him,” Mary reiterated, gripping Priya’s hand and leading her downstairs.
Her heart raced as Priyank emerged victorious, leaving Mary with nothing. Despite her inner turmoil, she knew she had to prioritise the safety of Priya and the other children.
Sacrificing Priya tore at her soul, but she couldn’t afford to be selfish. With a heavy heart, she resolved to do whatever it took to protect the other nine children, even if it meant sacrificing Priya.
As they descended the stairs, Mary’s mind raced with conflicting emotions. Each step felt heavier than the last, burdened by the weight of her decision. She couldn’t shake the feeling of guilt gnawing at her insides, knowing that she was about to relinquish her daughter to a fate she couldn’t bear to imagine.
Priya’s innocent questions echoed in Mary’s mind, each one stabbing at her heart like a dagger. How could she explain to her daughter that she was being handed over to Priyank, all in the name of security and stability for others?
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, Mary squared her shoulders, steeling herself for what was to come. Priyank stood there, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the room. Mary’s hands trembled slightly as she released Priya’s hand and stepped back, feeling a chasm opening up between them.
“Priyank?” Priya mumbled and glanced at her mother, confusion etched on her face.
Sensing her daughter’s apprehension, Mary forced a smile, trying to convey reassurance amidst her own turmoil. “It’s okay, Priya. Everything will be okay,” she whispered, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her own heart.
“Mother, what are you doing?” Priya tried to snatch her hand back, confusion dawning upon her.
Priyank tightened his grip on her hand, squeezing it until Priya felt like her fingers might fall apart.
“I’m doing what’s important. You’re eighteen now, you can’t live with us anymore,” Mary forced the words out through clenched teeth, holding herself back.
She knew it wouldn’t end well. She wanted Priya to hate her, to see her in a bad light, so that she would never miss her.
“Mother, why are you saying this? I’ll never do anything wrong. I’m sorry I lied before about things, I really am,” Priya cried, struggling to break free from Priyank’s hold.
Priyank stepped forward, wrapping Priya in his arms as she cried. His heart ached at the sight.
“Don’t cry, Angel. It will be fine,” he tried to comfort her, surprised by Mary’s actions. But he was glad she did it; at least Priya wouldn’t entertain the thought of coming back here if she knew she was being cast aside.
Priya’s tears continued to flow, her heart heavy with confusion and sorrow. She couldn’t understand why her mother was pushing her away, why she was being forced to leave the only home she had ever known.
“Mother, please,” Priya pleaded, her voice choking with emotion. “I don’t understand why you’re doing this. I’ll do whatever it takes to make things right. Please don’t send me away.”
Mary’s resolve wavered as she looked into her daughter’s pleading eyes. She wanted to hold Priya close, to tell her that everything would be okay, but she knew deep down that she couldn’t protect her from Priyan.
“I’m sorry, Priya,” Mary whispered, her voice barely audible above the sound of Priya’s sobs.
Priya’s heart shattered at her mother’s words, the realisation sinking in that she was truly being cast out.
“See, Angel, now even your mother doesn’t want you, so how about coming with me? Marry me, and we’ll be happy. You’ll have a home, and my mother will treat you like her own daughter. You’ll be my Queen,” Priyank suggested.
“No!” Priya screamed, pushing him with all her might, breaking free from his grasp.
“Priya?!” Priyank’s startled voice echoed in the room.
“Mother, I’m begging you, please. I never want to leave you. This man is a monster. He’ll hurt me. He’s disgusting, makes me do things I never want to. I don’t want to go. Don’t do this to me,” Priya pleaded, falling at Mary’s feet, clinging to one and begging even harder.
Mary’s heart shattered as she witnessed her daughter’s desperation. She knelt down, pulling Priya into her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry, Priya. I’m so sorry,” Mary whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “I never wanted this for you. I never wanted to see you hurt.”
Priya clung to her mother, her sobs muffled against Mary’s shoulder. “Please, Mother, don’t let him take me. I don’t want to go with him. I don’t want to leave you.”
Mary held Priya tighter. “But you have to go”
As Mary pushed her, Priya stumbled backward. Quick to react, Priyank caught her before she fell, lifting her into his arms as she cried and thrashed in distress.
“Mother!” Priya’s desperate cry echoed through the room, her voice laced with anguish and fear as Priyank carried her out, leaving Mary devastated and powerless to stop them.