Ananya's p.o.v.
"Ouch," the sunlight attacked my eyes as soon as they got a chance two enter once I opened my eyes. I closed them to adjust my vision slowly and opened them. It was getting tough for me to raise my head. The whiteness of the room through my blurred vision was questioning me about my whereabouts. Am I in heaven? oh god, am I not alive? My heart skipped at my terrible thought. After covering the room again I cursed myself inwardly and felt relieved that I'm not dead at least.
But where the hell I am? Butut noticing myself in some aristocratic stranger's aristocratic room a slight fear again escaped my heart. Oh no, am I kidnapped? My virginity! I hurriedly checked myself under the quilt. No, I'm still in the gown I wore last night. Last ni.
My eyes got stuck on a photo frame of a kid sitting in the lap of a beautiful woman. Both of them were smiling joyfully. Adorable! A smile automatically escaped my lips. Pills were being kept by.. by? I see my kidnapper is caring. Without wasting no time I gulped the pill with water. I felt I'm getting back to my sense. I got up. A glass door caught my attention getting me to reach up to it.
With lazy steps when I opened it a gust of fresh air consumed me. I got glued experiencing the view in front of me. God, it's heavenly! The morning sun has bloomed over the sea. The water seems to catch fire as the sun's rays danced over the stream. Cool breeze caressing nature perfectly. I wish I could wake up with this every morning.
Suddenly I realize that it's not my house. I was at that party, right? And memories came crashing down making me get into the real world.
Party... anniversary...Dib...
The more I started turning those memories my ears started burning. I got frozen. What could be worse can happen in a day. Firstly a bitter past came standing right in front of me and to add to that I ended up in Police Station. How ridiculous I can be! I fall to the ground in frustration.
How could I spit such words on him? My bloody mouth. I covered my mouth with my both palm in shock. I didn't even wanna talk to him and here I said those in front of everyone. My mind was not ready to see him like that but...
And the police station! Not in my whole life I could think of myself like that. A mixed emotion of anger, pain, and embarrassment engulfed me. I hugged my both knees when I felt a pain in my legs. As I searched I found a bandage. Now who did this? Arjun. I banged my head with my palm. I even troubled him for my purposes. And slowly all the after-party incidents came running to me. Don't know what he is thinking of me. How irresponsible, the spoilt child I am. He not only saved me but let me stay here. Though I can't remember how I came into this room, I just can memorize that I came into this house, he took care of me, no nothing more. Everything was so hazy for me.
I jerked up to leave but I stopped and looked back in the balcony. Did I come to this balcony yesterday? Don't know. I got out of the room and came downstairs.
I saw Arjun sleeping on the couch and there are some broken stuff stuffed in the corner. Now who did this? Wow, this man is messy.
I got close to him. He was sleeping soundly making an innocent face. I smiled at myself. My mind was filled up with heavy emotions still I don't know how his innocent sleeping face made me smile. He just looked like the child in that photo frame. But who was that lady, his mother? I never realized when I have kept one of my palms on his forward. I got up. I should leave. But it would be bad if I left without telling him. But I need to leave.
I took a pad and a pen from the central table.
Dear Arjun, I am so sorry for the last night. I know I troubled you so much. Please forgive this friend. Words are not enough to say thank you for the way you took care of me last night. I have to leave now. Dadi will be worried.
Bye
See you soon
As soon as I get in my flat I made my way straight to my room avoiding everyone. I heard Dadi taunting me.
"Finally Maharani(queen) got time to come home. Why you came so soon? You can stay the whole day today there."
I know she's angry with me for last night. Neither I didn't come back home nor I informed her properly though I know Neha must have told her that I got stuck in my friend's house or something like that.
But right now I am not in a state to face her. I slammed the door and sat down leaning by it hugging my knees. And here I lose control of myself. I broke down in tears which I was holding back for the past some hours. My body was shaking out of my inner turmoil. It's so suffocating to realize that I can't even tell anyone what's going on in my life, literally no one. But wait I guess I haven't spilled any beans to Arjun. My palms started sweating along with my body.
No the truth which I never wanted to be true or happen in my life, the memory which I want to erase can't come out.
I heard Dadi banging on the door. Her voice tone has changed now. She is concerned.
"Anu, my baby, is everything ok? Are you ok? Are you feeling sick?"
"Dadi I'm fine. I will come out after some time. Just tired. Don't worry." I said in between sobbing trying hard to keep my voice steady.
"But..."
"Please..."
I think she left. I took a long shower. It's Sunday. So it's a good thing that I don't have to go out. And I don't think I can be also.
"Anu..." I heard Neha screaming my name.
"Why are you screaming? I am not deaf."
"Yeah, that's why the fifth time I thought it's better to scream."
"I'm sorry."
"Now tell me what happened last night?"
She asked holding me by my shoulder.
I kept quiet.
"Are you angry with me that I didn't go to take you from the police station?"
"It's nothing like that."
"But how do you reach there?"
"Come on Neha it's not a big thing," I said casually.
"Wh.. what! Are you kidding me? Anu, you fucking reached the police station." She said.
"Ok, I know it's a big thing," I said realizing what I said before.
"And please tell me the reason."
Oh God can't this girl just stop?
"Because I am a very very important person. So they just wanted me to visit their marvelously beautiful Police Station' and as a good human being I kept their invitation." I snapped losing my temper.
She glared at me.
"Common yaar. I'm not in a mood of talking."
"Ok, just take care." She left leaving me alone with my thoughts again.
Arjun's p.o.v.
I discovered myself on the couch.
Why am I sleeping on the couch? And then I realized the reason. Last night I came to the hall after making her lie on the bed and cleared the whole mess as I don't like things like this. It was late and I got tired so just slept here. But the next thing that came to my mind, is She? How is she? Is she still sleeping? I checked my watch. It was 9:10. I went upstairs but couldn't find her there. And I get scared thinking about her condition last night.
I started searching for her. But when I didn't find her upstairs I came back to the hall. I was about to call her but saw a note beside my mobile.
Dear Arjun, I am so sorry for the last night. I know I troubled you so much. Please forgive this friend. Words are not enough to say thank you for the way you took care of me last night. I have to leave now. Dadi will be worried.
Bye
See you soon
Love! I have to see you soon. It's tough for me to stay away from you further not at least after the last night. You are making me impatient. I want you. I love you. I need you. And I know you also want me.
A smile automatically plastered on my lips remembering our first kiss.
Third man's p.o.v.
After thinking a lot about what to do Ananya finally dialed Arjun's number. He picked up.
"How are you?"
Ananya's heart skipped hearing his deep intense voice from the other side. She sensed there was something different in his voice today which at the same time made her feel special as well as nervous.
"I. I'm fine. And you?"
"Same as how you left me last night. I mean I'm fine."
"I'm so sorry for the last night. Because of me, you had to face a lot of problems last night."
"You think it's so easy for you to get me into a problem. It was not a problem for me but yeah I was worried for you when Neha told me that you got yourself stuck in the Police station. But don't worry. It was as easy for me as snapping a finger."
Didn't she remember about last night?
"You wanna say something to me?" He asked.
"Umm.no. I mean yes. I want to say sorry to you for something else."
"Something else?"
"I didn't mean to behave like that at the party. I was drunk you know?"
"It's ok. I know you couldn't say. But how did you get to know about his first marriage?"
" I heard someone say about it at the party. So just spat them without thinking anything. Actually, my mind was not working because of drinking. I think I should stop drinking again."
"It's ok, it's ok. You don't need to give me an explanation. I was just surprised by how you said them. But at least you said it in front of everyone, think of those people who at the same come to the party with a fake smile and also gossip badly behind them without knowing anything properly. I'm sure if you get to know them more you are also gonna love them. Me and Dad know them for a long time, I mean I know them from that time when I didn't even know who I am. And Nibha Aunty you know such a nice, sweet, warm person. She has always given motherly affection to me in the absence of my mother. When my mom was not there I was alone, dad was alone. They were with us for mental support. They are such important people in my life and I'm sure they are going to be the same in your.."
"Sir, It's good to hear that your two families are so close to each other. And I'm sorry. You must be felt bad that I hurt your close people." Ananya interrupted. It was getting hard for her to hear further. She gripped the hem of her Kurti.
"Sir?" Arjun asked with a confused tone. Her sudden calling him Sir made him suspicious. He loves hearing 'Arjun' in her soft voice.
"I think Dadi is calling me. I'll talk to you later." She cut the call. She was getting more restless. Once again she felt like an outsider. Pain and anger hit her from the inside. And she was getting more irritated to think why Arjun's words affecting her so much. Obviously, his family will be close to them. The dads are friends, the kids are also friends. Who is she? For how long she knew him? Not even for a year. Let them be happy with their togetherness.
After Ananya cut the call abruptly Arjun's mind again gave him Siren of something. The moment he thought everything was ok, she again behaved weirdly. And in all of these, he even forgot to ask her about the kiss. He raked through his hair leaning back on the sofa.
What's going on there actually or am I just overthinking? What are you hiding from me Ananya?
*****
Ananya's p.o.v.
I didn't go to the office the next day. I called Avinash Sir and asked him for leave. He agreed. Neha has gone to her work. Nimri is yet to come. So I was sitting alone as Dadi went temple. But isn't she too late to come? The doorbell rang. As I opened I saw Rahul standing at my door.
"Rahul.." He was holding Dadi with him.
"Dadi, what happened to you?"
"Nothing, I just slipped down the stairs of the temple."
"What? You slipped and you said nothing? Why are you so careless?" I got very much worried.
Both me and Rahul hold her and took her in. Once she sat down I went inside in search of some medicine.
"Anu, the doctor has given her medicine. Thankfully no fracture took place as I hold her from back in time."
"You?"
"I went into the temple to drop my Mom. So..."
"Thank you, Rahul."
"Now you can go." I heard Dadi's stiff voice.
"Take care, Dadi." He said with a sad face and was about to leave but I stopped him.
"Rahul at least one of.."
"No thanks Ananya, I am in hurry. Office, you know?"
"Ok. Please visit some day."
"Anu, I want to talk to you about something." He looked serious.
"But it's ok. We can talk later. Now take care of her." Saying this he rushed out. After he left I came back to Dadi.
"Dadi you are still rude to him, why?"
"I should be. You are still in touch with him, why?" Dadi fired back.
"Umm.no there is nothing like that." I lied.
"Don't lie to me, Anu. I know you still talk to him." Her voice tone was raising.
"Why are you getting hyper if I even remain in touch with him also? Isn't he saved you today otherwise you could have hurt yourself more."
"Save? Anyone would have done the same thing in his place. How could you Anu after what he did to you? " She said while gritting her teeth.
"What he has done to me, ha? He rejected me, at least he had the guts to say the truth. He never betrayed anyone unlike your cheater son. At least he is a better person than your coward son," I shouted at the top of my voice.
I saw her eyes widen in shock and pain. She was hurt and teary-eyed. And then I realized what I just said. Oh no, God! I shouldn't. How could I? I covered my mouth with my palms. My bad temper caused a blunder again.
I sat down beside her. She said nothing. Just then Nimri entered. She just asked her to take her room. I tried to hold her but she sighed me to not. I felt numb seeing her going to her room from behind with my eyes filled up with tears.
The whole we didn't talk. I cooked lunch but none of us ate. Her silence is killing me. She didn't even take her medicine. I was feeling so guilty. Finally, I gathered some strength and made my way to her room. The light in her room was switched off. I could feel she is crying. I went with my body shaking. I sat down on the floor beside her and touched her feet.
"Dadi beat me, curse me, slap me, do whatever you want but talk to me." My voice was breaking.
Still no response.
"Dadi" I shook her a little.
"You again proved that I am none to you." She finally spoke up.
"You again showed me how bad a mother I am who couldn't raise her son properly. Maybe to run away from that fact I started considering him dead. But no one can escape the truth that I'm indeed a bad mother." Her voice cracked. I can feel how broken she is from the inside.
"I started thinking that I only have one daughter, your mother. But maybe I don't deserve that. She was a pure soul and here I'm the mother of a cheater son."
"I'm sorry Dadi." I broke down completely. Tears started falling uncontrollably. I know she is in the same condition.
"When he left us, me and your mom started taking care of each other. We thought we are enough for each other. Your mom was pregnant then. We were counting the days to welcome you. And finally, you came with a lot of happiness and lightness in our ladies' life. We became three. Day by day we became the strength of each other. But one day she also left us breaking my heart once again. Still, I am living because of you. You are my everything."
"I'm sorry." I just repeated those three words again and again hugging her legs."
"If something happens to you I may not survive. But see I am still not able to get you rid of your pains. I'm a very bad dadi na?"
"Noo.. you are not bad but I'm a very bad poti( granddaughter)," I replied sobbing again and again. My top was already wet with my tears.
"Please don't be angry with me?" I pleaded again.
"I'm not angry." Her voice was holding care.
I looked up. She kept her palm on my forehead.
"I know you didn't say those intentionally. You were disturbed from yesterday, I know." I stopped sobbing hearing her words.
"But I won't force you to tell me. I know you will tell me at the right time." I lowered my head. I was not being able to look at her.
"And one more thing I have no problem if you continue to be in touch with Rahul." I looked up in confusion.
"But dadi..."
"No buts. Now let's go. Both of us need to eat something. I'm starving so much."
I smiled a little. We both ladies wiped off each other's tears. Then we eat together. And I felt a little peace in my left chest.
*****
"Nooo! It's not possible." I woke up shocked, surprised, puzzled. My heart was beating like a hammer.
I kissed him. My first kiss, that's too with someone I have nothing to do with. He is not even my love.
The unknown thing that was bothering me for the last whole two days was this. Which I was not being able to remember. I sat on my bed holding my head. I was on the verge of getting panicked. What more to come? I felt like I have created a whole movie in one evening. Didn't know what more surprises were on the way!