Sixteen years later, Miss Arundhati Debbarman has returned to India — a successful CEO of an international perfume brand. In the world of fragrances, she is a legend. Yet deep in her heart lies an emptiness, an unfulfilled longing that could only be filled by seeing her son's face once more. Every day since leaving him behind had felt like another blow from a guillotine to her heart. She may now be the owner of crores of rupees, but no one in this world suffers more than she does.
---
Upon receiving news of Anurag Sir, Miss Arundhati arrived at his flat in Pratapnagar, overwhelmed with intense anxiety. She could no longer hold herself back after hearing about her son.
As soon as she knocked on the door, a young, handsome man opened it. Tall, broad-shouldered yet slim, his face showed a hint of surprise.
Arundhati (in a slightly trembling voice):
"I… I am Arundhati Debbarman. Anurag's mother. Is he… is he at home?"
Anirban (startled, responding quickly):
"You! Oh… I mean, please come inside. Anurag is at school right now. He left just a little while ago. He won't be too late."
Anirban invited her to sit and offered her a glass of cold water. He could never have imagined something like this happening. He kept thinking over and over: how would Anurag Sir react upon seeing his own mother after all these years?
Arundhati looked around — the simple yet neatly arranged flat clearly bore the imprint of her son's life.
Arundhati (looking at Anirban with affection):
"Who are you, dear? Are you his friend?"
Anirban (a little nervously):
"Yes, Miss Debbarman."
Arundhati (with deep emotion):
"You seem like a very good boy to me. Please look after my son, dear. He is my only child. I love him so much. I know I've been a very selfish mother. But still, I'm telling you — I love him immensely."
Her words touched Anirban emotionally. He himself had never received parental love.
Arundhati (becoming emotional):
"His face… I haven't seen it in so long. You know, believe it or not, even while living in America, I thought of him every single day. But his father used to say, 'If you come to see your son, I'll disown him.' In my mind, I thought, how could I keep him with me? How would the boy manage alone! That's why I never came to see him. Not even once. But today, I've left that man who kept my child away from me.
(She took a deep breath)
Yet I was never told — not once in New York — that Anurag himself had left his father."
Anirban Sir listened quietly to everything else she said.
Miss Arundhati (anxiously):
"Tell me, dear, is he still angry with me?"
Anirban (cautiously):
"He loves you very much. But… some resentment, some hurt still lingers in his heart."
---
A little while later, the doorbell rang suddenly.
Anirban Sir opened the door with a mix of apprehension and fear.
Anurag:
"Anirban… you won't believe what happened today…"
His eyes met his mother's directly. His face turned pale, as if struck by lightning in his heart.
Anurag (in a stunned voice):
"You… you're here?"
Arundhati (eyes filling with tears):
"Yes, my child, I… I came to see you. Just one look…"
Anurag stood frozen like a statue.
Arundhati (in a trembling voice):
"I made a mistake, Anurag… But believe me, I love you so much, my son."
Anurag (harshly):
"Love! Do you remember the condition in which you left me?"
Arundhati lowered her eyes in deep pain and remorse.
Anurag Sir continued emotionally:
"If I had died that day, I wouldn't have had to endure so much pain today… When a small child was suffering from depression, nearly dying because of your toxic relationship with your husband… where were you? You ran away with that stranger — the one you loved more than your own child.
(Anurag's eyes welled up with tears)
Please leave this place… just go… there's no need for you here."
Hearing his words, Miss Arundhati felt immense pain. Tears streamed down her face.
Anirban (gently intervening):
"Anurag, what are you saying! Listen to Miss Debbarman. She's your mother — how can anyone speak to their mother like this?"
Arundhati:
"Let it be, dear. Don't say anything to him. His behavior is completely justified. The fault is mine."
Anurag (in a cold voice, looking away to hide his tears):
"I don't want her here. Anirban, please ask her to leave."
Seeing Anurag and his mother in this state, Anirban Sir felt deep sorrow.
Arundhati (suppressing the tremor in her voice):
"My child… you won't understand how much I've suffered… I slept with your photo every night… Every morning began with the worry of whether you had eaten the night before…"
No more words came from Anurag's mouth. He was holding back his tears with great effort.
Arundhati wanted to say more but stopped. Her eyes were wet, yet her lips held firm restraint.
Arundhati:
"I'm leaving, Anurag. But remember, one day… one day you will forgive me. You will come back to your mother again."
---
Anirban Sir escorted Miss Arundhati out of the flat.
Downstairs, she stood silently facing the direction of Anurag Sir's flat. No words on her lips, only rivers of tears in her eyes.
Miss Arundhati:
"Dear, give me your number."
Anirban hesitated for a moment, then gave her his number.
Arundhati (softly):
"Dear, please look after my son. Keep me updated on everything about him. Don't tell him I asked."
Anirban Sir nodded. He only wished, somehow, to reunite this mother and son. Having never received parental love himself, he understood its true value.
---
When Anirban Sir returned to the flat, he found Anurag Sir already broken down, crying. Anirban had so much to say, but he couldn't muster the courage.
Anurag Sir's chest ached terribly. A deep wail rose within him — the guilt of not being able to call out "Ma," of not being able to embrace her.
Anurag (with tears in his eyes):
"Why did I get so angry with her… why did I hurt her so much?"
Anirban (gently):
"Because you were in pain. But you shouldn't have been so harsh. She is your mother…"
Anurag (whispering):
"I'll leave this flat. I won't stay here anymore. She knows our address now. We have to move."
Anirban (surprised):
"What?"
Anurag (in a choked voice):
"I don't want to see her. Seeing her face brings back my childhood — it hurts so much. And she wanted to stay away from me anyway."
Anirban Sir (hesitating):
"But…"
Anurag (firmly):
"No buts, Anirban. Do what I said. Start looking for a new place."
To be continued...