"Did I kill mom?", Riya asked.
Dhruv and her father were astounded by the question. Dhruv couldn't believe his own ears. Killed her mom? Why?
"You remember?", Riya's father asked knowingly.
Dhruv regarded them for a second. It made sense why she wanted to meet her father alone because he couldn't understand anything.
Riya silently nodded. He should've told her everything and cleared it up when he had the chance. Now, it was too late, and she was already glaring at him.
"Why didn't you tell me? Whenever I asked you about my scars, nightmares or phobia, why did you deny it, dad?"
His face stooped low, ashamed. He couldn't bring himself to answer.
"Tell me, dad. What the hell happened back then? I want to know.", Riya pestered him further.
It was all foreign to Dhruv. What were they discussing about?
"I'm extremely sorry, daughter. I apologize for what I did. I thought I was protecting you…", he spoke softly still glancing down. "You did not kill mom."
He raised his head to see her face, "But you did hurt her."
Dhurv scanned Riya's face for any expression but she was listening intently to her father giving away nothing.
"I'm very sorry for hiding it from you. When you called me that day, about your mother becoming senile, I didn't believe you. Because she was sweet to me every time we spoke, I was fooled. But in any case, I booked ticket from Paris and came to check up on you. As soon as I reached, I came to your room first and couldn't believe my own eyes!"
"Your mother was covered in blood while you quietly watched over her", he tapped his mouth with a handkerchief.
"And when I asked you what happened, you said you killed her staring bluntly at her limp body. I was scared. And then, you suddenly fell unconscious."
"I soon detected that your mother was still breathing but it was very feeble. So, I called an ambulance and saved you both."
"Initially, I was angry on you. I thought you turned psychotic over a small thing. But I saw your body and understood it was she, who had become psychotic. But when you woke up again, you had no memory of a mother. You screamed and thrashed at anyone who tried to touch you. I couldn't do anything. I failed you, Riya!"
"Where is she now?", Riya asked.
He looked at his knotted hands, "She went into shock after the incident and could never speak again. I admitted her in a mental asylum. She's still there. I sometimes see her without you kid's knowledge."
"Riya, it's all my mistake. I should've known. I can't begin to understand what you went through. She broke you, and I was always troubled that I'll never get my daughter back as whole. I'm very sorry!"
He had tears in his eyes.
"Can't agree more, dad. It's your mistake. You shouldn't have left us alone. Not with her!"
Riya exhaled sharply, "She's still alive, huh? Can't say I'm very happy about that! I hoped the b**ch would die.", her proclamation scared the wits out of him, but she didn't mean it. She only told that to hurt him.
She might utter painful words, but Dhruv knew she was kind inside. He felt sad that she went through all this. Which mother would do this!
"I'll get going then. I'll rejoin work tomorrow!", she quickly said and started walking.
"Riya…. Why are you in a hospital wear? Are you okay?", her dad asked concerned.
"I had a... minor accident. I'm fine now", she said and continued walking.
"Wait…. Will you forgive me?"
"It's too soon, dad. All in good time!", she left the house before he could stop her again.
Dhruv did not dare utter a word throughout and drove in silence.
Riya spoke first, "I know what you are thinking…. "Oh my god! She's a monster"", she mimicked his voice when he was grumpy.
"No…"
"Then what are you thinking?"
"I forgot to replace your strawberry ice cream. So, was wondering what you would do to me.", he smiled sheepishly.
"That's a mortal sin, thou shall be punished!", she smirked.
**Awkward silence**
"Honestly, don't you think I'm a monster? I almost killed that beggar guy yesterday.", Riya said.
"Mmm… You were the victim…. In both occasions…I don't think you're the monster", he answered without taking his eyes off the road.
"Is that pity I hear?", she looked down annoyed. She never wanted anyone's pity!
"Why would I pity you? You were a victim, but not a pathetic one. You did teach them a literal life altering lesson, didn't you!", Dhruv said coolly like it was so obvious.
Her face split into a smile at his remark but she immediately straightened it out not to give away.
"But I have to admit! You did a pretty good number on Dipankar.", he changed the topic.
She broke and chuckled.
"So…. Um…. Do you want to talk about it?", he hesitantly asked.
"About what?"
"Your mom"
"There's nothing to talk!"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Fine, grandma.", Riya rolled her eyes. "What do you want to know?"
"Everything… I think you should let it out in order to move on…"
"Hmm…. I'll tell you but you should promise to keep it to yourself... Not even my dad should know!"
"Okay! I promise.. We can make an Addendum to the contract after going home.", he said sarcastically.
She made a funny face at him and then sighed deeply, "So, it all happened long time ago as you know. It might sound ridiculous. But she was actually a beautiful, smart and kind woman, more like Tanya. I loved her and wanted to be like her. I copied everything she did and followed her around everywhere."
"We were not rich initially. So, when dad got transferred, she took over the burden of our family. She was always smiling but I knew something was wrong.", she paused but Dhruv didn't ask anything.
"One day I caught her trying to slice herself. I was flabbergasted and ran to her rescue. That was the biggest mistake of my life."