Sorry for the delay. The holidays kicked my butt.
Some Days Last Forever, Part 4
Abhi and Pragya pause at the entrance of the living room to take in the unfolding scene. The room is a confusion of faces -- all of Abhi's relatives as well as Bulbul, Purab, and Tanu.
"Bas!" says Daadi, she makes a cutting gesture with her hand. "Who do you think you are to talk this way? What is wrong with middle class? Our family didn't even start there! It is only due to your brother's hard work that we have anything. Not my hard work. Not your hard work. Only your brother's."
Aaliya growls as she gathers hair into her fists and pulls. Daadi defending Pragya is almost too much to bear. She is confused. The only thing Aaliya knows for sure is that she loves Purab. She has to have Purab.
Bulbul catches sight of her sister and grimaces, "Di, I'm so-"
Aaliyah turns and jams her fist into Bulbul's shoulder, sending her staggering back.
"Kutiya," she hisses through gritted teeth. "You don't talk here. You are nothing here."
Purab steps forward to steady Bulbul, resting his hands on her shoulders.
Aaliya's face contorts with rage as she steps towards the couple with her hands raised in claws. Purab turns away, curling over Bulbul protectively. Aakash steps into Aaliya's path, pulling her wrists together then over her head.
"Stop!" Abhi roars as he crosses the room. He pulls Aaliya away from Aakash by her upper arm and shakes her.
"Look around! Look at what you're doing, Aaliya!"
Her eyes dart frantically around the room until they reach her grandmother's face. Daadi's hand is over her mouth but her expression isn't angry or fearful. Instead Aaliya sees worry and she can't stand it.
Aaliya starts towards Bulbul and Purab again, jerking to a halt as Abhi takes a firmer grip on her arm.
"I don't know what it will take to make you realize that Purab is not yours. He never was and he never will be yours."
Aaliya looks at Abhi, not seeing him for a long moment. Finally her face clears and her knees buckle as she sobs.
Abhi scoops her into his arms and strides up the stairs towards his sister's room.
"Aakash, please call the doctor," Abhi shouts over his shoulder
Later that evening
Abhi sighs and rubs the back of his neck as he sees the doctor to his car. It had been a long couple of hours. The doctor gave Aaliya a light sedative that relaxed her enough to sleep then he and Abhi had a serious conversation as to Aaliya's future treatment. Abhi -- or rather Aaliya -- would need to get the opinion of a psychiatrist but it would be healthier for Aaliya to live in a residential setting for a while. She needs help that her family can't provide in order to regain her mental health.
"It's time to make things right in this family," Abhi thinks. In the morning, he would give Aakash the money to post Raj's bail and work with Sarla Maa to arrange Bulbul's and Purab's marriage.
He steps eagerly into the house, looking forward to being alone with Pragya.
He is surprised to see Tanu still in the living room. While still hysterical, Aaliya revealed information about Tanu's role in the MMS and other schemes designed to make Pragya look bad.
"This is the last thing I will say to you," He looks at Tanu and jerks his thumb towards the front door. "Out."
Epilogue
Pragya jerks awake with a gasp. Her heart races as she thinks about how close she came to never finding proof of her innocence.
And then didn't need it anyway.
Pragya rolls onto her back and sighs.
"Why the goosebumps, Chashmish? Do you need me to keep you warm?" Abhi's husky voice came out of the dark. Pragya giggles as he pulls her close then falls silent as his lips cover hers.
~fin~
Financial markets and global economy
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Pyaar Kii Ye Ek Kahaani
621