Hello everyone. Pragya is here with some answers. I hope it's okay and you enjoy it. Do read and leave a comment if you can. Take care!
__________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 6 It was another day in Mumbai. A miserable one, but I had gotten used to it. I was waiting in the coffee shop near my home to meet someone. I got a call yesterday, an important one regarding him. The person on the other end was the voice of a girl. Aashi.
I didn't want to meet her, afraid that I'd have to revisit my past, as I had accustomed to my fate. But, her desperation to meet me, her pleadings to speak with me, just once, melted me. I agreed, much to her delight and told her to meet me at a coffee shop around 11am.
So here I was, waiting for her. I didn't know what her relation was to him or what she wanted to talk about. Over the years, I heard less of him, because Purab spent more of his time in Delhi. Our relationship had soured and I couldn't blame him. He loved his brother very much.
I looked at my watch showing sharp 11am and suddenly heard a voice.
"Hello Pragya. I'm Aashi.", she said standing in front of me.
She looked beautiful, simple and sweet. Her face was pale and she had a small frame. The big brown eyes gazed at me softly and I saw her long hair, carefully clipped to the side. She smiled at me, and I couldn't help but smile in return.
"Hi Aashi. Nice to meet you. Please, sit down.", I said to her.
"Thank you. I am sorry for bothering you Pragya, but it was important to meet you.", she said placing her bag next to mine on the table.
"I sensed that from the way you spoke Aashi. I couldn't refuse. Would you like something to drink?", I said sipping on my coffee.
"No Pragya. It's all right.", she said putting her phone in her bag.
"So, Aashi, tell me. Why did you want to meet me?", I asked her in a serious tone.
"I am here on his behalf. Abhishek's sake. He doesn't know I came to see you, but he needs you Pragya.", she said and her voice nearly cracked.
Slowly, but carefully, she began explaining the situation back in Delhi. Aashi was Abhishek's college mate and had moved to Chennai, losing contact soon after. But Daadi had hunted for her and sent a letter, painfully describing the disaster at home.
I had turned away from Daadi's pleas, because I was tired and exhausted, from all the fighting, the misunderstandings and the betrayals. Probably that's why, she found Aashi, in the hopes of saving the situation.
"Why did you leave him Pragya?", she asked me.
"I understand the hurt and betrayal you were going through. But why punish him for three years? You didn't see him, you didn't speak to him and you didn't even call him. What happened?", she said directly looking at my eyes.
"I know where you are coming from Aashi. I understand you. But, I had an unexpected disaster of my own which I couldn't turn away from.", I told her as tears brimmed behind my chashma.
"What is it Pragya? Please, I am begging you. Please tell me.", she said lightly grabbing my hand.
I saw the genuine concern and desperation in her lovely brown eyes. She was trying with every ounce of energy she had to fix this. I knew. At that moment, I saw a confide in her and spilled the beans which I had been keeping to myself.
True, I had left and asked for a divorce, because I had had enough. My spirit and soul was shattered and destroyed. He didn't understand me and instead turned against me, almost collapsing my plans to weed out the enemies. He hurt me, again. But I couldn't blame him.
However, blinded by my anger and turning a deaf ear to everyone, I told the truth about my marriage to him and that I wanted a divorce. I knew it broke him, but he willingly signed the papers. I was free after that, not bound by anything. I could live my life the way I imagined to.
But, all was not as it seemed. Ma. She was devastated at my state, my life was in a whirlpool. For a year, she deteriorated. We initially thought that it was nothing serious, just heartache and worry. How wrong we were. Ma started coughing up blood and she hid the fact from all of us.
Bulbul caught her one day in the bathroom. She was breathless and the sink was full with dark red blood. We panicked and rushed her to the hospital. A series of tests and investigations followed, finally culminating into a heart wrenching news. Ma had cancer, second stage colon cancer. Our world crumbled beneath our feet.
The doctors wanted her to go for surgery. Ma refused, but we begged for the life of us. I couldn't lose her, she was my pillar, our family's pillar. She succumbed and the operation was done. But, it didn't stop there. Months and months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed, coupled by frequent visits to the hospital, both by appointment and emergencies.
I resigned from my job and took care of her at home. Bulbul kept working and had refused to marry. Purab understood, but he wanted to tell Abhishek what was going on. I stopped him and made him swear, not to utter a word. It wasn't easy, but I didn't want Abhishek to be dragged into this, another added pain and burden.
I wanted to deal with this, as I deemed myself more than capable. I didn't want any help from anyone. I didn't want sympathy. My relationship soured even more at that point of time with Purab. He was already upset with me that I left his brother. This only made things worse and he started paying less visits.
However, he frequently called Bulbul and kept a watchful eye. Ma recovered and we thought the worse was over, but fate is cruel. Recently, her reports showed that the cancer had returned. Surgery was out of the option, her body didn't allow it. The doctors couldn't recommend anything else, it was the end of the road.
"I am sorry Pragya. Really sorry about your mother.", Aashi said tightening the hold on my hand.
"Aashi, my hands were tied. Now, do you understand why I stayed away. I couldn't think of anything or anyone else but Ma. My world was thrown upside down. Every day, every hour, every second was filled with anxiety and fear of finding Ma dead.", I said with tears falling over.
She left her seat and came to sit next to me. I hugged her and rested my head on her shoulder. She embraced me and I cried my heart out.
"Do you know what happened to him?", she quietly asked patting my hair.
"Aashi?", I asked gazing up at her.
"He cocooned himself in depression. Alcohol consumed him, and he forgot everyone around him. He ceased to live Pragya. Living a life of misery and wallowing in sorrow and betrayal, he lived like a corpse. That's how I saw him when I went to Delhi. He slit his wrist Pragya. He tried to end his life.", she said in a pain stricken voice.
"What?!!", I gasped.
"He is fine. I was there with him.", she said bringing a small relief.
"How is he now?", I asked still clinging to Aashi.
"He is better, I managed to get through the thick walls he built around himself. I made him realize how his sufferings were affecting people around him. So, I took a promise from him Pragya.", she said rubbing my shoulder.
"What promise?", I asked her curiosity nagging my brain.
"I asked him to promise me to change. Become how he used to be. Start living. Prove that he had learned whom to trust, when to listen and how to think. He is starting on his new album.", she told me.
"Aashi? He agreed? He's going to sing again?", I asked her couldn't believing my ears.
"Yes Pragya, it was hard, but I had Daadi's and everyone's help in this as well. Purab and I called in some producers yesterday and the comeback as everyone says in the music industry is confirmed. Abhishek Mehra was back with Rockstar Abhi.", she finished with a small smile.
"We haven't made an official announcement yet, but I am giving you the latest.", she said resting her cheek on my head.
"Aashi, you have no idea how happy I am to hear this. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You made him live again.", I told her.
"But he is not happy Pragya. I can only do so much. He still needs you. He wants you to be there with him. Even though, he didn't tell me, I know. So, I am begging you, please come back with me.", she said and started to cry.
I released from her embrace and cupped her small round face. Her eyes were bloodshot and tired, I never knew this girl before, but she was trying to help him and me.
"Aashi, how can I leave my mother? She means the world to me, it's because of her I am who I am today. Her cancer is back and we don't know what to do. She is dying Aashi. I can't leave her and I don't want to bring her with me to Delhi.", I told her intently looking at her eyes.
"Can I give you a suggestion?", she asked me.
"I have a colleague in the U.S. She is an oncologist, meaning she is an expert in the field of cancer. She is the top in her area of speciality. As you know, U.S has the state of the art facilities and top of the range latest technology available. I'll call her and tell her about your mother. Why don't you bring her there for treatment?", she asked shocking me into silence.
"America?", I asked her quietly.
"Yes Pragya. Your mother has a chance of recovering, may be not fully but good enough. My friend will know what and how to treat your mother. I'll make all the necessary arrangements for you and her.", she said wiping her tears.
"Aashi, I can't afford it. We have forked out so much for her treatment here.", I told her worried about my dwindling bank balance.
"Pragya, don't worry about the money. That's my problem. I'll arrange it. I would have done the same for my mother, if she was alive.", she said in a whisper towards the end.
"How long will it take Aashi?", I asked her grabbing her fingers.
"From what I know, about ten to twelve months.", she said sniffing like a child.
"I am still not sure about this Aashi. How can I leave everything here and go?", I said still with uncertainty.
"Your sister can take care of your family here. I'll make sure she has no problems. You and your mother can leave for U.S. Don't worry about accommodation Pragya, you can stay with my friend. She will be happy to have you with her. Trust me. Please Pragya. I can't see Abhi suffer in pain any longer, he needs you. Please, I am pleading to you. Please Pragya. Please.", she said before sobbing uncontrollably putting her hands together.
"Aashi, please don't cry.", I said hugging her tightly.
"Okay, I will go. I'll accept all that you said.", I told her rubbing her back.
"But can you promise me something?", I asked her holding her cheeks.
"Anything Pragya.", she said hiccuping.
"For the next one year, I need you to continue taking care of him and the family. I know I have no right to ask that since I abandoned him for three years. But, still, can you do that for me?", I asked her.
"Yes.", she said and I hugged her, caressing her soft hair.
Aashi, an angel, sent by God. That was what I thought of her. I had no blood relations with her, yet I felt a strong connection. A sisterhood. The way she pleaded and cried rattled my soul. She was fighting for us. If not for anyone, I would go to the U.S. with Ma for her.
I sent her off with some solace in my heart. She would be there to watch over him, she pulled him out of Death's clutches and the darkness of depression and self destruction. I completely trusted her. She had come for him, for his happiness, his life. Something told me that maybe, just maybe, she loved him. I didn't know.
I returned home and told everyone of my plan to bring Ma to the U.S. I didn't reveal the true identity of Aashi, I just said she was a dear friend. No one opposed me and so I started packing and making arrangements for our visas. By night fall, I received a call from Aashi and subsequently her friend in the U.S. The ball had started rolling.
______________________________________________________________________________
It was night, everyone had gone to sleep. But I couldn't. Purab was with the producers and busied himself with meetings and the subsequent media coverage. He turned in without even having dinner, completely exhausted.
I was in my music studio, composing songs which reflected how I felt and what I thought. The whole day, I didn't see Aashi. Purab didn't know as well, or did he? I couldn't tell because he hurried off before I could probe him for more.
Her phone was not reachable and I was worried. Really worried. She is a big girl, Daadi and Daasi calmed me down, but I wasn't having any of it. Where did she disappear off to without telling anyone?
Just then I heard footsteps. I looked up to see Aashi walking into the dimly lit living hall. She stopped in her tracks when she saw me siting on the sofa.
"Abhi? Why aren't you asleep? Look at the time na!", she said walking towards me.
"Where were you?", I asked her bluntly.
"I was out Abhi. I went to meet a few friends.", she said and I saw that she looked tired.
"And you couldn't even tell any of us where you went to?", I asked her.
"It was a sudden arrangement Abhi. Why are you getting so worked up?", she asked casually.
"Worked up? Do you know how worried I was? You left before anyone woke up and you are coming back this late. On top of all this, your phone was either unreachable or switched off.", I growled at her.
"Abhi, just listen. I am back na. Come on, go and sleep.", she said coming to pull my hand.
"No! Why didn't you tell me? Why leave so early? Where did you go Aashi? I know you are hiding things from me.", I spoke to her harshly while grabbing her shoulders.
"Abhi, calm down na.", she said wincing in pain over the grip I had, fingers digging into her skin.
"Calm down?!! You are known for disappearing! What if you left me again without saying a word?! What would happen to me? To Daadi? Everyone?", I yelled at her couldn't quite believing why I asked her that.
"Abhi! Stop it na! Have you ever worried about Pragya?!! About what was going on in her life?!! What she was doing?!!", she snapped back at me.
"Pragya?", I gasped in shock releasing her.
"Haan Pragya!", she yelled walking away from me.
I went still for a moment, my mind replaying her words. Aashi was crying and she looked like she was about to collapse, but yet, she was glaring at me.
"What kind of a question is that Aashi? Of course, I worried about her!! Even though, Purab wanted to stay permanently with us in Delhi, I told him to stay in Mumbai. He was mad at her and their relationship hit the rocks, but I insisted because I needed to know she was alright! Yes! He told me she moved on!! Yet, every other day, I would call him and he would relay on about her through Bulbul! Although, since recently Purab shifted back to Delhi and I don't know for a fact what was happening, I still worry about her!! But I never went back because I wanted her to be happy!! I didn't want to give her more misery by showing her my face!! I couldn't give her any happiness, so the least I could do was not stand in her way!!", I shouted at Aashi.
She went quiet as if realizing something and her expression darkened. Wiping her tears and drawing in a breath, she spoke in a trembling voice.
"I'm sorry Abhi. I'm sorry about accusing you. I'm sorry about disappearing. I'm sorry about not contacting. I'm sorry for everything.", she said as fresh tears fell from her eyes.
"Aashi, look, I didn't mean to hurt you. I was just worried about you. You are the reason I am in the light, you are the reason why I am composing again, you are the reason I am doing an album, you are the reason I am back Aashi.", I said walking towards her.
"I am only a reason. A cause. A tool for you to use to get back up. A stick.", she muttered under her breath.
"Aashi, what are you mumbling about?", I asked reaching out.
But before, I could react, she collapsed and I caught her frail body. I shook her relentlessly and cursed for what she was doing to herself.
"Aashi! Come on! Open your eyes! Aashi!! Can you hear me!! Open your eyes Aashi!!!", I screamed and patted her face.
"Purab!! Daadi!!! Rachna!!!", I shouted for help.
_______________________________________________________________________________
12