Page 185 of One Hellish Wedlock
Aanya
****************
India
Kyle sat motionless on the couch of her rented apartment, a place that had become her reluctant shelter for the past few months. She was still trying to piece together the wreckage of her life when her phone rang. An international number flashed on the screen. Despite her mood, she picked it up.
“Kyle Malhotra,” she answered.
“I’m glad you haven’t dropped your last name yet,” came Aanya’s voice.
Kyle froze. She hadn’t expectedher call.
“Why are you calling?” she asked coldly. “To mock me? Or to blame me like your father did?”
“Do you really believe I hate you, Kyle?” Aanya asked calmly. “Or is that just your assumption?”
Kyle rubbed her temples.
“Spare me the riddles, Aanya. Why did you call?”
“I heard about the divorce. It’s not what I expected from either of you.”
Kyle let out a bitter laugh.
“You expected too much. Add this to your list of disappointments.”
“Kyle,” Aanya said firmly, “I know you love my dad. And I know he loves you. You both made mistakes. He’s owning his part. You’re still running from yours.”
“Why are you saying this to me now?”
“Because I don’t want you two to separate because ofme.”
That stunned Kyle.
“Why?” she whispered. “You should be happy. You’ve got him all to yourself now.”
Aanya let out a soft, bitter laugh.
“That’s your problem. You’ve always been too possessive. Why is it so hard to believe that he can lovebothof us? We can share him, Kyle. Weshould.”
Tears welled in Kyle’s eyes. Aanya’s words cut through the guilt she had buried. All these months apart had taught her one thing. She’d pushed Anand away from his own daughter in trying to keep him for herself.
“I don’t understand… Why are you doing this for me? You have every reason to hate me. You finally have the perfect chance to erase me from your lives. Why throw it away?”
“Because I want Dad to be happy. And his happiness lies in you. I can live with that, Kyle. I have no problem if you continue being his wife, as long as you love him.”
Kyle was speechless. She hadn’t expected this level of grace… or maturity from Aanya.
“I tried convincing Dad to withdraw the divorce,” Aanya continued. “He won’t, unlessyoushow him you want the same. Unless you admit that you hurt him too. This isn’t about ego anymore. It’s about surviving without love, without a partner. I don’t want you both to face the kind of loneliness I did. Please talk to him and stop this.”
Aanya ended the call. There was nothing else to say. She had done her part. Whether it worked or not was no longer in her hands.
******************
Day 210
Wife,
