41) - moving out

ARMAAN

Mausam looked shocked to her core.

It was too much to take in , I know , but it seemed like a right decision for us.

Mausam and I have responsibility of our children. We hold their happiness , health in our hands .

So naturally I can't let Mausam become unhappy either , I can't give her love but I can give her safety and a home where no one hates her.

And about mom, I will deal with it later , I would have to , what was happening in this house that I never knew this? Since when did mom hate Masuam ?

If I had thought that mom was speaking harshly about Masuam because of her behaviour .

what happened today was totally different just like Mausma said if mom cared about our relationship , or about Mausma betraying me then she wouldn't have declared it to the world. She would have come to me.

What mom did today shifts everything I believe about her!

" Mausam , we are going to move out , okay? It's going to be fine." I assured her.

"But everyone knows about my affair " she whispered , looking scared.

I squeezed her into my arms, patting her hair ," I will take care of it. I promise."

" You don't understand, everyone knows." She said frantically, her hands gripping my shirt tightly.

" Mausam " I said firmly." They are our relatives , I will talk to them , it's all a misunderstanding , no one has any proof , people talk for a few days and then move on, okay?" I looked into her eyes .

I tried to hide my turmoil from her , I was the one she was supposed to depend , I cannot fail her , not again.

" I won't let anything happen , I promise." I said , meaning it.

Her eyes blazed." Don't say things like that. You have no right to say things like that."

I gulped.

I know she has not forgiven me.

Ignoring the stab to my heart , I said ," I think should we head to bed , the kids must be waiting."

She narrowed her eyes.

" I don't understand you. Why do you keep doing this. You keep confusing me! You say you don't love me! You say you don't want to have a relationship with me! You ignore my affair! But then you , then you do this , you speak so softly and act like a perfect partner ! And I feel like I am the bipolar bitch." She whispered , looking at me with wide eyes.

" who is the real you? Why do you keep doing this to me? You threaten me to act like a good mother but won't divorce me! What is the matter with you?" She asked me , her eyes inquisitive.

" Now , you should be throeing me out of your house , your life then why, why are you being like this? Taking me side? Telling me everything will be fine" she questioned me , her palm fisting on my shirt , shaking me slightly.

I hardened my heart.

" I have always been clear Mausam , I expect you to be the perfect mother , I told you , I would never love you , I don't need a loving wife , but I never said I won't respect you or support you , I have always supported you, respected you ." I said trying to sound as compassionate as possible.

She stared at me .

" Tell me something honestly , okay?" She looked at me intensely.

" What is it?" I felt uneasy.

" Why did you , why did you never objected to my affair? You never even once asked me to break it off! Or blamed me!" She asked me , staring into my eyes .

My fists clenched.

" Our relationship is of convince and political not of feelings or ramance , if you wanted love , I could not deny you." I told her , trying to grasp her emotions , her feelings but she kept a blank face.

And she nodded , I could see something shifting in her , something slipping within her , it felt important but I could not name it.

" Mausam." I touched her palm.

" You know what , Armaan . I think I .. I am ready now , I am ready to accept whatever you are giving me." She smiled at me .

Her smile twisted something in my heart , alarm bells ring in my head.

" Mausam" I utter her name.

She smiled ," I think you are right, I should focus on our children."

I felt something was amiss with her but I smiled at her , because she was finally agreeing to what I wanted .

I should feel happy , should not I?

Updated on -12/1/25