Part 17 -
Hasina let Panchi rest for sometime before she sprinkled water on her face.
" Heart... Vampire... No..." she started murmuring.
Hasina sighed, deciding it was time to reveal the truths, well some of them, to her.
Panchi gained full consciousness finally. The moment she saw Hasina, she started questioning her. " Why is his heart beating? How did he return? Why is he here? Don't you know he is a vampire? Aren't you afraid for your lives? How can you tolerate a murderer in your house? Is he forcing you to keep him? "
Hasina waited patiently for her to stop. " Take a deep breathe first." she asked Panchi. She obeyed. " Now listen carefully what I'm going to tell you. I'll clear all your doubts, but one at a time."
Panchi nodded fast, eager for her answers.
" He came back because of you. Remember the night you had an accident? I found you in the middle of the jungle, unconscious at the exact spot he was killed. Your blood and tears fell on his ashes on that full moon night. Even then, his return would 've been impossible if you were not still in love with him. Him being alive again is the biggest proof that you love him even now." Hasina waited for her reaction.
Panchi blinked. Again and again. That was all she could do. ' I gave him life ?! I still love him ?! '
" Panchi ? " Hasina called out, shaking her gently.
" Eh ? "
" Are you alright ? "
Panchi shook her head.
Hasina could now imagine Panchi's state after getting all her answers. She decided to give her some time before the next truth. " I'll be back in a minute." and left to check on her sons.
Abhay was pacing the hall, upset at the latest incident. Hasina stood in his way, understanding the reason.
" This is so unfair !! He don't deserve it !! "
" I agree. But maybe its the only chance for his redemption." Hasina tried to reason. " He was being punished in the purgatory for his crimes. Yet, he is back only because of Panchi's love. Don't you think it means something? Maybe its his last chance to be good. I know he hurt you a lot, did a lot of bad things to others. But don't you want him to change? "
" No !! He deserves to be punished."
" He IS being punished now too. Can't you see his discomfort on being at the mercy of the girl he betrayed? His half vampire state, losing his earlier powers? And most important, the realisation that Maithili never loved him after all the things he did to win her love? Can't you see he has already lost everything he thought he had? Maithili destroyed both your lives. You started living again because of Piya. Do you think he too doesn't deserve a second chance in true love? "
Abhay knew she was right but his hatred refused to accept it. " I don't care !! I don't care what he is going through. But I'll never forgive him now."
Abhay spoke like a stubborn kid and stormed out.
Hasina shook her head. ' He'll come around, I know it. He just need some time.'
She was glad Chand missed all the action. He would've given his pessimistic comment on Sidharth's state, which was the last thing she wanted to hear now. She moved to check on her other son.
Sidharth almost jumped out of his chair when Hasina's voice disturbed his thinking wheels.
" What are you going to do now ? " She came straight to the point.
" I don't know. I don't even know what is happening to me."
" Oh really ?! You 've no idea ?! " Hasina couldn't help her irritation. ' Is he that dumb ?! '
He started to fumble, hearing her tone. " I mean... I know... I know that my heart is beating again, that I'm half human now, but..."
Hasina raised one eyebrow.
" but... I don't know... what I can do and what I can't do...whether... I'll live as a vampire or die as human...how to...correct my mistakes...how to...live."
Hasina's irritation melted away seeing him so vulnerable. She had never seen him so weak, so unlike his usual confident self. " I know its confusing. But don't worry, I'm with you. Always."
Sidharth looked up in surprise, eyes full of gratitude for being with him.
" You are my son, evenif I didn't give birth to you. And no matter how bad a child may turn out to be, his mother will always support him if he TRULY wants to change."
Sidharth's head bowed down in shame, thinking of the time he had fooled her into believing that he was repenting.
" Let's take one step at a time. Your first priority should be Panchi. Show her that you 've really changed. Prove to her what she means to you. I'm sure you'll figure out her place in your life. Think about this for now. We'll deal with the others later. "
" Yes Mom. I'll do as you say. "
Hasina smiled at her vulnerable son and ruffled his hair lightly before leaving.
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