oOo
The house was a gold gilded cage & she the hapless prisoner. Advay's cruelty & apathy no longer broke her. She was so numb to his taunts & jibes that sometimes even he seemed taken aback by her strength. He had mumbled a few times that she was not as fragile as she looked. She was strong as a stone just like her stone heart. Though she remained desensitized his hatred continued to confuse her. She was a stranger to him so why he did he hate her. Why did he hold a grudge against her. This question continued to batter her. Every time she retreated to the solitude of her room or rather her prison this single thought assaulted her.
Why, Why, Why...
She felt she was slowly going mad. Nani was the reason she still retained a semblance of sanity. Murli & Shipa she avoided since she felt suspicious of the former & betrayed by the latter. They sensed her withdrawal & acceded to her silent wish by avoiding any unnecessary interaction with her. But she realized that they were not always in line with their master's desire to break her from within. She noticed their silent gestures to help her. Yesterday Shilpa had slipped her a phone so that she could talk to Shika. Murli had secretly offered to get her personal things from the mansion now that she was barred from there post her consent to marry Advay. She did not care for any of her clothes or jewels which lay unheeded in her room. She only wanted her secret box, the treasure trove which held the things closest to her heart like her childhood pictures with her sisters, with... Her breath hitched at the remembrance
With her Dev... & most importantly the stone which had both their names engraved.
She woke up well past dawn & after completing her morning ablutions headed towards the kitchen with legs leaden & lifeless. There was a storm brewing outside. The Allahabad sky was frighteningly dark & tumultuous. Even the weather seemed to echo her mood.
She decided to take a detour to Nani's room since she loved talking to her daily. Nani was like sunshine in her wretched existence. As she neared she heard voices. She hesitated since she did not want to snoop or eavesdrop but she could not help overhear the slightly raised voice of Nani.
Why Cheeku, Why are you torturing Chandni. I have told you many times truth has multiple facets but you simply refuse to listen to me. She was just a child. How can you hold grudge all these 16 years to wreck vengeance on that hapless child. I might be blind but I can sense her spirit & will is completely broken. Why this blood lust. Haven't we suffered enough losses in our life. I have already lost my daughter & son-in-law. Do I need to lose you as well. What will they feel if they see their son hell bent on this path of self-destruction.
Nani it's not self destruction. I am out to destroy those who destroyed my family.
Cheeku the fire of hatred & revenge burns not just the victim but the perpetrator as well. Do you really think your parents will rest in peace due to your actions. Do you think you will finally find peace.
Peace is not what I desire Nani.
But...
Nani you don't understand. You have never understood. I can try to forget what the others did. But Chandni I cant Nani I cant.
His voice broke.
Why...
Kyon Ki Chandni tho apni thee Nani...
His voice broke completely.
Cheeku don't leave. Cheeku listen to me ...
She heard him leave & her heart accelerated.
She rushed back to her room. Her mind was reeling under shock. What did he mean when he said. What did all this mean.
Chandni tho apni thee...
His words kept reverberating in her mind. She felt tantalizingly close to the answer. It teased & tormented her. It was as though her hands were reaching out to grasp the truth but she always fell agonizingly short.
Disjointed phrases kept revolving in her mind. A kaleidoscope of memories all parts of the bigger puzzle.
Look into your heart Chandni. You will find answer to your question.
His words after rescuing her from the pub.
Somehow she seemed to hold the key to this puzzle. Her brain had turned into a mush.
She was just a child. How can you hold grudge all these 16 years to wreck vengeance on that hapless child.
I am out to destroy those who destroyed my family.
Chandni tho apni thee...
16 years, 16 years, 16 years
Her brain was desperately clutching to all those disparate threads of memories.
Chandni tho apni thee...
Chandni tho apni thee...
Again memories which whispered back to her from the past
Badon Ko Tum nahin Aap bolte hain
More memories assaulted her
Advay please help me. I am scared of heights
I know
Badon Ko Tum nahin Aap bolte hain
16 years
I am out to destroy those who destroyed my family.
Chandni tho apni thee...
She gasped! The glass of water she was holding slipped out of her hand & shattered into pieces just like her heart.
Her heart almost stalled. She had to know the truth. She had to. She had to talk to Nani. She rushed to her room & yet again her steps faltered on hearing frantic voices from within.
Murli Cheeko stormed out of the house in fury. He has still not returned. I am worried.
But Nani you know sir & his bouts of temper. Don't worry he will be back.
Murli you don't understand. Do you know what day is tomorrow. Tomorrow is the day of his parents Barsi. It was the day our life collapsed. We lost everything. The day which set off a chain of tragic incidents the aftermath of which we are still reeling under.
Chandni's eyes automatically turned towards the calendar & the date was suddenly imprinted in her brain. She slid down the wall. She thought she had turned numb, that she could no longer feel pain but she was wrong. Pain like never before pierced her being, her heart, her soul. Her eyes were still fixated on the calendar.
That date. Of course she knew that date. How could she ever forget it.
The storm which had been brewing since morning broke outside. Rain battered the windows but her senses were completely deadened. There was an especially terrifyingly chilling clap of thunder & lightening.
Voices penetrated the thick fog surrounding her brain.
Murli we have got to find Cheeku. Look outside. He was not even wearing a jacket. The weather is extremely dangerous outside. Please go & find him Murli.
She heard Murli rush past him not even registering her slumped figure.
Minutes passed. May be even hours but she stayed immovable. It was as if she had lost the will to move, to live to breathe.
Again voices. Why did they keep disturbing her. Why cant they let her die in peace.
Shilpa I don't want to tell Nani but I am really scared now. I cant find Sir anywhere. I have checked everywhere. I just don't know where he is.
A blindingly lucid moment. The moment of truth. The thought shook her out of her stasis.
Look into your heart Chandni. You will find answer to your question.
The truth hit her & she staggered under its impact.
Yes she had the answer. She knew where he was. She knew where he would have gone.
The Treacherous Heart always knows...
oOo
Author's Note
This OS is dedicated to Priya (2Filmy). She wanted me to write an OS where finally Chandni finds out the truth.
Priya, hope this met your expectations 😳
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