Priyanka TS - Waylaying The Demons Inside (Completed Page 1) 13/4/2017

Priyanka Singh Oberoi had shut herself in her room for about 6 hours now. She hadn't let the family know something was wrong. She had put up a brave and happy face and not broken down and she could not be more proud of herself.

Why was she born in such a powerful family? No, she didn't despise them, she never could. She despised herself. Everyone who she called family were so strong. They were hard to crack on the outside, extremely lovable on the inside never the less.

And she? Who was she? Shivaay, Omkara and Rudra's stuttering, nervous sister. More than anything, she had become their weakness. Wasn't she supposed to be their strength? Here, her problems made them weak. They faced so much all because of her. Her mind flashed to the day where she had requested Om Bhaiya to let her drive the car. What did she do when he trusted her? She ran into someone. And what did she face, nothing. Om Bhaiya drowned into guilt, had to do drugs? Why? Because he wanted to protect her.

She remembered the day she requested Rudra to let her play the extremely expensive video game. She had let one of her friends to play it who had very conveniently broken it by mistake. When Papa had come to know about that, he had shouted so much at Rudra. He had grounded him and Rudra couldn't go for his last school trip. She had taken away his excitement but he did not complain even once.

How she had burnt the cake Shivaay Bhaiya was baking for Choti Maa with so much love because she had forgotten to keep a check on the oven as Shivaay Bhaiya cracked another deal. Choti Maa had been so upset. Bhaiya and she thought no one had listened to the exchange that took place but Priyanka did. Choti Maa had complained how Shivaay Bhaiya won't let anything go wrong if it was something special for his cousins but one time he did something for her, he didn't even bother to make sure if it was edible. Shivaay Bhaiya had been extremely upset with that one taunt. Yes, Choti Maa had still eaten it after showering him with kisses but that one statement made Bhaiya so bitter that his mom couldn't fathom the happiness he got around his brothers and sister.

And now, she had managed to ruin everything. One mistake of hers and everyone was paying heavily. She had managed to tell Shivaay Bhaiya about what had gone between her and Ranveer. She had trusted Ranveer on that. She had trusted him because she had seen him saving her from those guys of her college.

*

When she had seen the media accusing Anika of being Shivaay Bhaiya's mistress she had been fuming. She controlled herself, lest Mrs. Randhawa got upset. She might derail Anika and Shivaay Bhaiya again.

So after the press was gone, she headed towards her room. She had been about to enter her room when she heard Daksh's laughter which, for some reason, was sounding demeaning. She followed it to a room. As she pressed her ears against the door, she heard Shivaay Bhaiya saying something that sounded like "I won't do this."

To which, Daksh had replied, "Think about it Shivaay, if Priyanka's pregnancy does come out, what will you do. Honestly if I would have been in your place, I would have supported Priyanka. Announce it to the world that Anika is your mistress and I swear I'll hand over all proofs of Priyanka's pregnancy. Or else.." and Priyanka could literally feel his devilish grin through his voice. They had talked some more but Priyanka had walked away.

The hurt and fury that raged within her wasn't something she could describe or control. She now understood why everything that had happened actually happened. Shivaay Bhaiya would have announced Anika was his wife, a position and a gift Anika deserved but just for her sake, Shivaay Bhaiya was hurting himself. Enough was enough and she knew what she had to do. If this baby was the root cause of all problems, she had to clear it off. Problems ko unki jadd se ukhadna tha.

Even though this baby was a part of her, it was a big mistake. Never had she imagined she would do something like what she had. She had been her family's pride, yet, once again she had managed to weaken everyone.

Everyone was unaware as Priyanka rode off in the morning to the hospital. She would consult a gynecologist and get done with this baby.

Little did she know what was to come. To her utmost horror, the doctor informed her that there was no baby to abort. Priyanka Singh Oberoi was not pregnant. Ranveer, a man she had trusted for some reason had thrown such a big lie to he face. But then, a lot of things that were unclear were uncovered when the doctor explained that Priyanka had been drugged. As she said this, things became clearer. Yes, she wasn't as smart and cunning as most of her family members but she knew what had happened. And to this, Priyanka pledged that she wasn't letting ACP Ranveer Singh Randhawa go easily. She was going to set things right, in a few hours itself.

*

"Medical science has been advancing since long, it still does. As a man of law, Mr. Randhawa here, should be protecting everyone, not terrorizing them. I am being forced into this marriage by none other than this man." Priyanka took yet another deep breath. Her statements were jumping from one topic to another. She felt herself failing to express herself. Clearing her head, she tried again. Tried again to explain the wrongs that could happen.

"I was told I was pregnant and I quite believed it. Ranveer even showed me proofs. Unfortunately, those were all faux. He, a man serving law, exploited a woman. And by exploited I do not only mean the fake reports that he presented in front of me and Shivaay Bhaiya, but also the drugs that he unknowingly let into my body. He exploited me, physically, mentally. Everyday I spent, thinking how I betrayed my family while this 'man of law'," Priyanka shouted in disgust, her emotions at bay, "enjoyed my trauma. Yes, I admit that I was the one responsible for his sister's accident but I don't really think he gets the rights to make my life so miserable. Destroy my sense of understanding, play with my family's trust and my brother's emotions. As for the complaints lodged in the woman's association, there were quite a few. Against Ex-ACP Mr. Randhawa, for whatever he did, in whatever way he exploited me and my family, against Mrs. Randhawa, for knowingly supporting him in this set up of her son and for ill-treating Anika Bhabhi's brother, Sahil and against Mr. Daksh Khurana for stalking, traumatizing, kidnapping and almost murdering Anika Bhabhi." There was not a single word in her speech that did not leave people shocked. As Shivaay understood and let it in his system what Ranveer had done, he advanced towards him, his fists clenched in fury, followed closely by Om and Rudra. No one, not a single being was allowed to hurt their Prinku, better known as the strong-hearted Prinku pehelwan.

Shivaay caught hold of his collar as his eyes looked at him with disgust. Om caught hold of his hands and tried freeing Ranveer. When Shivaay looked at him in confusion, Om's shaken voice sounded soft, "He deserves punishment but not from us, from the one he wronged and from the law. Leave him Shivaay, he isn't worth it. It is only Prinku that can..." Before he could complete his statement, the piercing noise of hand against cheek resonated through the hall. Ranveer took in a sharp breath, his cheek hissing with pain.

What happened next, happened in blur for Priyanka. She remembered breaking down as the security led everyone out. As she slid to the floor, her brothers came to her and hugged her tightly. The police came and took Ranveer and Kamini with them and Kamini had let out a few words saying that she would avenge her son and herself. The Oberois couldn't care less.

"Prinku..." Shivaay smiled through the tears. "Aaj sabko prove kar diya tu Prinku Pehelwan kyu hai, hai na?"

She nodded and smiled, tears streaming down her cheek. "I did the right things Bhaiya, hai na?" All three of her brothers nodded their heads, Om kissing her forehead. "Priyanka Singh Oberoi kabhi kuch galat nahi hone de sakti. She saves all of us from going to hell." And chuckled.

"Om Bhaiya, aap hi toh kehte ho ki sacchai aur acchai important hoti hai."

"Wah OBros! Prinku had adopted the good traits from all three of us. O's goodness and truthfulness, which I am sure had made him feel proud. Shivaay Bhaiya's smartness, matlab kya plan banaya han? And cherry on the cake, the power that your hands have, kya thappad tha! I am sure Randhawa isn't going to even think of coming in front of you after you have given him such a nice makeover of your five fingers on his face."

"Shut Up Rudra Bhaiya." Prinky grinned through her tears. Her brothers looked at her with raised eyebrows.She shrugged and played innocent. They chuckled and pulled her into a hug too.

"Bhaiya now we'll have 4 OBros in every OBro moment. Afterall, Prinku Pehelwan is here with a bang!"

*7 years later*

Priyanka Singh Oberoi sat in her cabin in her own office. There lay files of different charitable associations that she owned. She had served her own jail period of 2years, against her family's wished. While they were insistent that it wasn't her fault, Priyanka quite needed it. She won't live in as much guilt as before would she? Not that she felt less guilty but if felt as if she had at least served for something wrong she had done.

After she was out, she used the shares in her name and worked really hard to open various charitable organizations. The Oberois owned over 250 associations now, at least more than half of their shares. Anika had worked along with Priyanka to make them better, and Priyanka also had shares of Anika's event managing company.

Over time, Priyanka had met Akash Bhatia, also a social worker. Starting off as business partners, they became acquainted and then friends. Finally, 2 years ago, Akash had proposed her to be his girlfriend much to the delight of the Oberois as well as Bhatias.

As she went through a few files, working on the new fashion house project that she was planning to launch along with Gauri and Anika she received a message from Akash.

Grinning, she sent an 'Okay' and went ahead with her work at a faster rate.

*

Evening came and Priyanka drove to the venue. On arrival, she was lead to a special booth, exclusively decorated for her by Akash.

As she came by, Akash stood in front of her, nervously glancing at her now and then.

Surprised that her ever-so-charming boyfriend was so nervous, she chuckled.

"What's it A?"

"Uh.." he gulped.

"A?"

"Sshhh..." he breathed in and out and walked towards her. Priyanka looked at him with amusement

"Priyanka Singh Oberoi, it's been 3 and a half years since I met you. Since this stormy yet delicate woman came into my life. We started this relationship as a chance, trying ourselves, trying to understand each other. It is now that I want to make it even more obvious. Where do you stand in my life? I only have one question to this answer."

"You mean answer to this question..." Priyanka muttered in nervous excitement.

"Oh god! Could you please just listen?" he glared at her playfully

"Okay okay," she raised her hands in mock surrender, biting back a smile.

He came closer and caught her hand.

"You are the best woman I have come across. Probably more capable than me at half the things. Your tenderness, your moods, your laughter, your family, I love all of it. All I want is to now be a part of this family, part of the people you extremely care for. And I know you'll say I already am part of them but I do not mean this superficially. I want to be the man you come to with all your problems, trust me with everything, believe in me, support me. I want to support you in your hardest times and I want to be your husband." He ended abruptly.

Priyanka grinned and hugged him. "Ye-yes." She stuttered. Stuttered after a long time. It was only when she was emotional did she stutter now.

Akash hugged her with all his might and Priyanka felt safe. Being around him made her happy. She couldn't believe how far she had come. As she stood there in his arms, she felt ecstatic. She had found happiness now. She had found a man who loved her so much.

"By the way, Akash, just so you know, the proposal was beautiful as simple, just the way I would have liked it. But then, you just messed up in the end didn't you?"

"Oh it's okay. My woman said yes so I don't care anymore." Brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder.

"Your woman already?"

"Obviously mine." Saying so, he placed a chaste kiss on her lips. Priyanka was taken by surprise. Looking at him in shock, she raised an eyebrow.

Raising his hands in a submissive manner, he bowed down in front of her. Priyanka chuckled and then stood on her toes and kissed him back.

She knew she deserved this. Past had taught her so much. Whatever and however it was, it only made her with a little bit breaking.

Of course Ex-ACP Ranveer Singh Randhawa had a special place in her memories. After sometime, she had realised how thankful she should be to him. Intentionally or not, he had helped her bring out the best in her. She wasn't afraid of things anymore. She faced them, however harsh should they be.

She had waylaid the demons inside her, around her. For herself and for the best of everyone.

*