BhaiPapa

Motherś Promise

As the police and Reynash's bodyguards located them, the tension in Edward's home escalated to a breaking point. Fear gripped Annama and John as they saw the security and law enforcement officers draw near their house. Their fear and bewilderment were evident. "Aisi aphavaahen hai ki Anna Kuruvilla is kshetr mein hai. Aapke bete Edward Kattadi ke baare mein aphavaahen bhi hum tak pahunchi hai. Hame andar dekhana hoga(There are rumors that Anna Kuruvilla is in this area. Rumors regarding your son Edward Kattadi have also reached us. We have to look inside.)" After taking a big breath and coming out of hiding, Anna showed herself to everyone in the room. The tension in the police station increased as Edward, his parents, Anna, and the other police stood together. Sunny and Agnes, who had come with Anna, shattered the quiet with their shocking admission. "Aap kya jaanate hai, officers? Vah Edward ke saath shaadi se bach gai(What do you know, officers? She escaped the wedding with Edward!)" There were many gasps and astonished looks in the room. John and Annama were unable to contain their shock. All of a sudden, Annama also speaks up. "Agnes,hamaare beech ek ateet hai. Haalaanki, isase aapako mere bete par jhootha aarop lagaane ka adhikaar nahi mil jaata. Kya hoga agar yah aapki beti thi jisane use soochit kiya tha(there is a past between us. However, that does not give you the right to falsely accuse my son. What if it was your daughter who informed him?)" 

Edward and Anna were perplexed, and Agnes became irate. "Aap log ek doosare ko kaise jaanate hai(How do you guys know each other?)" Sunny was the first to respond, speaking rapidly. "Aage chalakar tum log seekh jaoge. Abhi nahi. Lekin Annamma, Agnes Edward ke baare mein sahi hai. Please vishay na badale(Later on, you guys will learn. Not right now. But Annama, Agnes is correct about Edward. Do not, please, change the subject.)" John is confused. "Edward,ithu shariyaaneaa(is this true?)" Edward felt compelled to reveal the truth. "Appa, njaan...um... athe, sathyamaanu(Dad, I...uh... yes, it's true.)" The policemen looked at each other, trying to figure out the circumstances. They addressed Anna with their inquiries. "Kya yah sach hai? Aapako shaadi ke liye majaboor kiya gaya(Is this true? You were forced into getting married?)" 

(Surprise! Surprise! Who knows him)

Anna was going to tell something, no matter what. "Vaastav mein, main tha. Mujhe Edward se pyaar hai(Indeed, I was. I love Edward.)" The police officers, clearly taken aback by the change of events, took note of her testimony. The police officers, clearly taken aback by the change of events, took note of her testimony. "Kya yah aapaka bhi kaboolanaama hai(Is that your confession as well?)" Edward gave up. "Haan, main Anna se pyaar bahut karata hoon. Main usaki khushi ke liye kuch bhi karane ko taiyaar hoon. Vah meri duniya ki Roshani hai(Yes, I love Anna. I am ready to do anything for her happiness. She is the light of my world.)" Sensing the mounting tension in the room, Anna whispered something to Edward in an effort to calm the chaos and overreaction. She speaks to him in hushed tones. "Please, Edward, stop. Jyaada acting mat karo.Mera iraada Rahul ki raksha karana tha. Aap unaki prasiddhi se avagat hain, hai na(Don't act too much. My intention was to protect Rahul. You are aware of his fame, correct?)" 

With a mixture of grief and understanding in his gaze, Edward's heart fell at her words. There was still a lingering sense of shock and anxiety as they exited the police station. Although her son was trying to hide it, Annama could see the despair in his tone. "Main dekh raha hoon ki tum dard mein ho, Edward. Mujhe ise aapase chhipa kar dekhane ki jaroorat nahi hai. Main tumhaari maan hoon aur main tumhe kisi se bhi behatar jaanati hoon. Hum ise suljhane ke liye kaam karenge(I see that you're in pain, Edward. I don't need to see it hidden from you. I am your mother and I know you better than anyone. We'll work to resolve this.)" The day's revelations hanging heavy on their shoulders, they continued their chat as they went into the kitchen in the evening. Edward's heart was clearly breaking as love, loyalty, and the nuances of their relationships were all falling apart in unexpected ways. With a sincere tone in his words, he turned to face Annama, eager to share what he was feeling. "Anna ente aathmasuhruthaanu; aval njaan snehikkunna oralalla Amma. Aval ente lokathinte velichamaanu, aval sandoshavaanaanennu urapakkam njaan onnum cheyyilla. Avalillathe enikku ente jeevitham chithrikarikkan kazhiyilla. Avalodulla ente vikaarangale kurichu avalkkonnum ariyilla ennathaanu prashnam(Anna is my soulmate; she's not simply someone I love, Mom. She is my world's light, and I will stop at nothing to make sure she is happy. Without her, I can't picture my life. The problem is that she does not know anything about my feelings for her.)" Touched by her son's words, Annama offered him a shoulder squeeze and a comforting smile. "Edward,namukku oru vazhi kandupidikkam. Ettavum dushkaramaaya saahacharyangalilppolum, allam pravarthikkanulla oru maargam snehathinund(let's figure out a way. Love has a way of making everything work out, even in the most difficult circumstances.)" As they scrubbed the dishes, their conversation resumed, the events of the evening were still very much in the background. They had reached a turning point in their relationship, and Edward's heart was obviously hurting from the complexity of love, loyalty, and the complicated web of emotions.