Chapter 20: A Mother's Apology

The days passed quickly, and the wedding week arrived.

Haji Kareem's house in Bikaner was filled with relatives, laughter, and wedding preparations.

According to their family traditions, the pre-wedding rituals began.

Poornima was dressed in a simple outfit, her hands adorned with minimal, elegant mehendi. She wore the purple Kashmiri-design bangles that Veeresh had sent. Every now and then, Ayat would admire them.

Ayat: "Ammi, they're so pretty."

Poornima smiled softly.

Poornima: "They are."

Later that evening, after the guests had gone downstairs, Poornima sat alone in her room.

She looked at her mehendi-covered hands and then at the purple bangles that softly jingled whenever she moved.

A gentle knock came at the door.

Poornima: "Come in."

The door opened.

It was Shabana Begum.

Poornima immediately stood up.

Poornima: "Ammi..."

Shabana slowly walked towards her.

For the first time in years, there was no anger on her face.

Only regret.

She stood before Poornima for a few moments before speaking.

Shabana Begum: "Poornima..."

Her voice trembled.

Shabana Begum: "I want to apologise."

Poornima looked at her in surprise.

Poornima: "Ammi..."

Shabana held Poornima's hands.

Shabana Begum: "For every harsh word... every taunt... every tear I caused you."

Poornima remained silent.

Tears had already begun forming in Shabana's eyes.

Shabana Begum: "Do you know why your father-in-law means everything to me?"

Poornima quietly shook her head.

Shabana smiled sadly.

Shabana Begum: "Your Abbu and I were married for ten years before Allah blessed us with a child."

She lowered her eyes.

Shabana Begum: "For ten years... I couldn't become pregnant."

Her voice broke.

Shabana Begum: "People called me unlucky."

She took a deep breath.

Shabana Begum: "My in-laws told Haji to marry again."

Poornima listened silently.

A faint smile appeared on Shabana's face as she remembered the past.

Shabana Begum: "But your Abbu stood beside me like a rock."

Her eyes filled with tears.

Shabana Begum: "He told everyone, 'She is my wife. There will never be a replacement for her.'"

Poornima's eyes became moist.

Shabana Begum: "Every day, I prayed to Allah."

She smiled through her tears.

Shabana Begum: "And one day, Allah blessed us with our son, Shamir."

Her smile faded.

Shabana Begum: "When Shamir left this family..."

She closed her eyes.

Shabana Begum: "I couldn't bear it."

A tear rolled down her cheek.

Shabana Begum: "Instead of accepting that my own son had made a terrible mistake... I let my love for him blind me."

She looked directly into Poornima's eyes.

Shabana Begum: "I became angry... bitter... broken."

Her voice shook.

Shabana Begum: "I know that isn't an excuse."

She gently squeezed Poornima's hands.

Shabana Begum: "But it is the truth."

Shabana's tears flowed freely now.

Shabana Begum: "Please forgive me, beta."

Poornima could no longer hold back her own tears.

Shabana lovingly touched her face.

Shabana Begum: "Be happy."

She smiled gently.

Shabana Begum: "Embrace this new life with your whole heart."

She looked at the purple bangles.

Shabana Begum: "Forget the pain you suffered in this house."

She kissed Poornima's forehead.

Shabana Begum: "Start your new life without carrying our mistakes with you."

Poornima immediately hugged her.

Poornima: "Ammi..."

She cried softly.

Poornima: "Thank you."

Outside the half-open door, Haji Kareem stood quietly.

He had heard every word.

A gentle smile appeared on his face.

He whispered to himself,

Haji Kareem: "This is the woman I married."

He looked towards the sky with gratitude.

Haji Kareem: "Welcome back, my Begum."

Without disturbing them, he quietly walked away, leaving the two women to heal wounds that had taken years to begin closing.