Part 8 (Continued):
His voice had started to shake by the time he was talking about her death. Saakshi could never see him weak and broken. She wanted to comfort him. She slowly held out her hand and squeezed his as if to sooth him and let him know she would be there for him always and forever.
Saakshi: Just try and come out of the shackles of the past and try to lead a normal life. Roshini ji will never be happy to see you ruining your life like this and living each and every minute of your life with the guilt of not able to save her. Jab hum kisse se aapne aap se jaayda pyar karthe hain, unke bina jeena muskil hee nahin na mumkin bi ho jaatha hain. Hum Zindagi jeethe hain beethne lagthe hai. Zindagi ki har pal saaza jaise lagne lagtha hain. Waqt badaltha hain, log badal jaathe hain, duniya bi badal jathi hain par hum wahi ki wahi rehthe hain jahan humare apne hume chodkar gaye the. Par zindagi ka reeth yehi hain koi rahe ya na rahe hume aapni life jeena hi padtha hain. Roshini ji ki mauth ka badla lena tumara zindagi ka makshat zaroor hai par usse apni zindagi math baanavo Arjun. Sikandar sirf tumhara he nahin balki insaniyat ka bhi dushman hain. Trust me usse katam karne mein, poore ETF tumhara saath degi. Beethi bathon ki dard bool javo aur apni zindagi jeeyo. Trust me everything will be fine.
Arjun: kya tum apne past ko bhool payi ho? Aisa kya hua hain jo tume marne se bhi dar nahi lagtha? Aisa kya hain jo tum hum sabse chupa rahi ho? Aisa kya hua tumhare saath jisse chupane ke liye tume itna hasna padtha hain? Tum hi kehthi ho na dard baatne se kam ho jaatha hain tho tum kyun nahi share karthi? Tum hamare har problem mein hamare saath deti ho na tho apni problems share kyun nahi karthi? Please tell me what's bothering you?
Saakshi: There is nothing like that Arjun. You have misunderstood. Now can we leave? I need to go home and rest.
Saying this she got up to leave and in an impulse he held her wrist bit more tightly than he intended in order to stop her.
Arjun (Anger): How many times should I tell you not to leave when I am talking something? Don't you dare lie to me. Tell me what is the truth?
Saakshi ( Mellowing down): Yes as usual you are right. Meri zindagi mein aisa ek haatsa nahi baalki bahot saari hatse hue hain jiske bare mein baat karne ki taakat ab nahi hain mujme. Please don't ask me anything now. This is not the time for all this. When the time comes you will be first person to know about it. Please I am very exhausted now so can we go?
Arjun (Bit shocked): Ok come let's go.
They reached the SUV and he was soon driving her to her destination. In another half an hour they reached Neev's place.
Saakshi: Why have you brought me here?
Arjun: Neev wants you to be with till you are alright. So he asked me drop you here.
Saakshi: No. Please drop me at my place.
Arjun: What's your problem? Why can't you understand that you are hurt and you need someone to take care of you? So better stay at his place.
Saakshi: I don't need anyone. I have been alone all along and will remain like that forever. (Getting Emotional)I can't get close to anyone; they will only be hurt at end.
Arjun: What do you mean?
Saakshi: Nothing. (Bit stern) Are you dropping me at my place or not?
Arjun: No.
Saakshi: Fine. I will go on my own. Saying that she starts to walk away when he grabs her wrists bit harshly to stop her and she winces in pain as there is cut there and he releases his hold quickly.
Before they could argue further, elderly women came towards them. As soon as Saakshi saw her, she touched her feet to get her blessings.
Elderly Women (sternly): What are you doing here? Why didn't you come inside?
Saakshi: No I was about to go to my place.
Elderly Woman: You are not going anywhere. Tonight you will stay here with us. No more talks on this. (Turning to Arjun): Come inside beta.
Arjun: No thanks. But I am leaving now.
Elderly Woman: Come inside. Neev said he wants to talk about something. So you will have to stay till he returns.
Arjun: Ok Madam.
Elderly Woman: You can all me Maasi.
Arjun nods.
Saakshi: Maasi please. I cannot stay here. I need to go.
Maasi: No more discussions. And almost drags Saakshi inside.
Arjun follows them inside. They reach the living room and maasi asks Arjun to sit and calls someone. She comes and hugs Saakshi.
Saakshi: How are you Pratheeksha?
Pratheeksha: I am fine. I was really worried Di. Now come inside. I have to give first aid.
Arjun: No you don't have to. I will call a doctor here. He will do whatever is needed. (Cursing himself) How did I forget it?
Saakshi: There is no need for a doctor.
Arjun (harshly): I am not asking whether you need a doctor or not.
Saying he is about to call when Pratheeksha stops and tells him she herself is a doctor. So she will treat her. Arjun agrees. Pratheeksha takes her inside and starts treating her wounds. He is standing at the far end of the room observing them. Every time she winces, he frowns. That's when Pratheeksha observes that a wound in her left hand is very deep and it does not stop to bleed.
Pratheeksha: Di. I think I need to stitch it so it does not bleed again.
Saakshi just nods. She goes out to take all the requisite things needed to stitch and starts to stitch. When she injects the needle into her skin, Saakshi winces in pain and is about to move her hand, when Arjun in a reflex comes to her side and holds her hands tightly so that she doesn't move. He comes to her side and sits beside her and holds her hand firmly. Pratheeksha starts her work again. It was paining a lot and she closed her eyes as if to bear the pain. She suddenly felt being pulled into an embrace and was shocked to see his hand wrapped around her shoulder. She didn't know what made her do that, she rested her head on his shoulder closing her eyes and felt a unique sense of peace and calmness. She thought he would pull away from her the moment she did that but was surprised when he didn't pull back. He also closed his eyes as if he could not see her in pain and rested his head on headrest. Pratheeksha had a small smile playing on her lips as she continued her work.
(To be continued...)
Precap: More of Arjun and Saakshi. Entire Team at Neev's residence.
Note: Hope I have not let you guys down. Please do let me know your comments and feedback.
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