When the tide turned .MithviFF-Part 17 updt Pg32 - Page 5

She saw Prithvi lead the doctor out. Then she looked around for some water to take her pills.

Damn, the jug was empty, painfully she lifted herself off the bed and picked up the jug.

She yearned for her mother's gentle and loving touch. Tears filled her eyes and she cursed Prithvi again, he was the cause for all her suffering, she'd never ever forgive him.

Just as she reached the door, she heard voices. She stopped and listened. It was Lakhan, he was laughing uproariously at Prithvi, who was standing there with a thunderous glare.

"I can't believe I conned the great and faithful Prithvi ! I replaced Datha's note with a note of my own ordering you to kill that girl and you really tried to". He laughed wildly once again.

Prithvi lunged at him and grabbed his collar and thrust him against the wall," Thank your stars she is alive, if anything had happened to her, I would have killed you with my bare hands".

Lakhan freed himself and said," I must say, you are not a quitter, you went back for her and got her home safe and sound. And the result ??? Now she HATES you !" That set him off into peals of laughter again and he walked away.

Prithvi ran his fingers through his hair and closed his eyes. He looked extremely tired and defeated.

Meera stood at the door stunned, so it was Lakhan's evil plot to get rid of her. He knew Prithvi would unquestioningly carry out his Datha's orders and he had fooled Prithvi into trying to kill her.

And Prithvi had come back for her, just as she had known he would. She was beginning to realize just how devastated Prithvi must be. She knew he was unflinchingly loyal to his Datha.

But he was also basically a fair person. She had seen him fight for justice and defend the weak. He would never kill an innocent person. The very fact that he tried to kill her proved how far he was willing to go for his Datha.

She was beginning to understand how remorseful he must be feeling now. His conscience would bear the burden of this guilt forever, she realized. She almost felt sorry for him !

She walked out of the door. "I heard all that", she said stiffly. Relief spread over Prithvi's face.

"But, that doesn't let you off the hook" she continued."If it was indeed your Datha's note you still would have killed me and felt no remorse".

Prithvi looked at her, anguish writ large on his face, " I'm sorry", he whispered. "I have never ever tried to kill an innocent person before."

He walked over to her, and looking her in the eye, he said "And I won't, ever again, even if it's Datha's orders". She looked back at him stunned; that was some confession, coming from a man who had worshipped Datha all his life.

"Give me the jug", he said and took it out of her grasp, turning around on his heel he walked into the house.

She stood there looking at him. She was no longer angry with him. Try as she might she couldn't fathom why. She had hated him from the day she came to this village. Now, he had tried to kill her and she was no longer angry with him ! Why ?

Suddenly she felt dizzy, better get back to bed she thought and turned. She felt the ground give way beneath her feet.

Just as she swayed, Prithvi reached her. He steadied her with his arm around her waist.

"Let go of me", she mumbled, as she grasped his kurtha tightly. Prithvi placed the jug down and carefully lifted her off her feet. He strode to her bed and placed her gingerly on it. As he tried to straighten up, he realized she had his kurtha bunched in her fist. Slowly he unclasped her fingers and straightened up. He brought the jug inside and sprinkled some water on her face, She stirred and opened her eyes.

Prithvi poured some water in a glass and took out her pills, "Here have this and try to get some sleep", he said. Wordlessly she took the pills and popped them in her mouth. He bent down and put the glass to her lips; she drank some water and swallowed the pills. All the time she kept looking into his eyes unwaveringly and she saw concern and care in his eyes. She lay back confused & exhausted. He covered her with her shawl.

"Prithvi ' " she began, "Sshh, .." he said putting a finger on her lips, "Not now, you need to sleep, I'll be just outside, call if you need anything".

She watched him stride out and close the door behind him. She suddenly felt cold and alone, she wanted him to stay ! "He could have waited till I was asleep" she mumbled and closed her eyes.

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Well ... you must have guessed I'm not going to let the hatred continue for long ... 😆 . Hope you liked it !