Months had passed by. Abhay and Piya were drawing closer to each other as time passed by. They were beginning to overcome their past by finally letting go. Neither of them realized that only one day was left for 7 month court order to get over.
Abhay was running late for office. Piya was still asleep. It was a custom. Everyday Abhay would wake her up. Abhay was running in the room fumbling with his shirt buttons. He went near Piya and shook her up lightly," Piya, get up. Its late. Have breakfast. You have to take medicines too."
Piya didn't budge. She had a slight smile on her face. Abhay leaned and kissed her forehead,"get up sleepy head" Piya shook her head and mumbled still with her eyes closed," let me sleep." Abhay shook her again," Piya get up! You need to have medicines too" "no!", Piya threw nearby pillow at him.
"I am warning you Piya!", Abhay said. Piya didn't answer. Abhay picked up the water jug nearby and poured on her. Piya was startled and got up straight," what the hell! Can't you let me sleep in peace? And what did you do you moron"
Abhay rolled his eyes," shut up and get up or else I could be worse"
Piya pouted and crossed her arms across her chest and shook her head," no" Abhay knew what he had to do. He immediately scooped Piya in his arms. Piya protested hitting his chest with her hands but he was too strong," Abhay! Put me down"
"I told you to get up. Now bear the consequences"
"Abhay now!", Piya whined like a child but Abhay was already walking down stairs. He placed Piya on chair near dining table. Abhay picked up a toast and brought it near her mouth. "eat!", he commanded. "no!", Piya said stubbornly.
"why?"
"Because you didn't even let me brush my teeth", Piya smiled. Abhay chuckled. Once Piya finished her breakfast, Abhay handed her the medicine. Piya's doctor's appointment was due. Abhay made a mental note to fix the appointment with Dr. Mehra. His eyes fell on the calendar and eyes widened. He realised that 7 month court order would get over tomorrow and they had a hearing in court. Abhay was still staring at the calender. Piya looked in the direction and saw him staring at the calendar and realised what he was thinking. Abhay looked at Piya," Piya, 7 months is about to get over". Piya nodded but didn't say anything. Abhay continued,"Time passed so soon that I didn't even realize it was time. Um, Piya….so what have you decided?"
Piya's heart had answered this question a long time back. Piya knew what she had decided. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with Abhay. She couldn't live without him. But after Abhay's antics in the morning, she was in no mood to give her answer so easily. She wanted to keep him on the hook to have some fun of her own. She wanted to surprise him. She answered him with a grim face,"I need time to think Abhay. I will let you as soon as I decide" Piya said acting all lost. Abhay's face fell. He was so sure of that Piya was ready to be with him again that he hadnt considered the alternative. He reached out for her hand, holding it gently. "I understand, take all the time you need Piya". He smiled at her once and then got up to leave. Piya left bad seeing the sad look on his face but she wanted to do this the right way. She wanted to surprise him well.
………………………..
Piya knew what she had to do. She decided to prepare Abhay's favourite dishes. She decorated the living area with small fairy lights and candles. Mesmerising lilac fragnance filled the air. A table was decorated in the centre. She created a miniature of their first date. She knew Abhay would love it. She was looking forward for Abhay to come because today they would start a new life with each other.
The door bell rang. She was surprised that Abhay had returned home so early. He needed to stall him. She wasn't ready with her surprise just yet. She opened the door but to her surprise it was Aditya with a bouquet in his hand. "Aditya, what are you doing here?" Aditya gave her the orchids and smiled," why? Cant I come here?"
"ofcourse you can. I am being so rude. Come in"
Aditya was surprised to see the living area decorated beautifully. He looked at Piya. She had little blush on her cheeks," Piya, its beautiful. Any spcial occasion?"
"er..erm..", piya stammered.
Before Piya could speak further, she saw Aditya sitting on his one knee. "what are you doing?", Piya asked
"sshhh! Piya the moment is so perfect that I don't want to lose it. I want to tell you something. Piya, from the first day I saw you I was always in love with you. But I never got a chance to confess. You were in love with Abhay. I waited for you hoping I'd get the chance to tell you what I truly feel but it was too late. You and Abhay were married. I was heartbroken. I left town hoping that some distance will help me get over you but fate is a strange indeed. I met you again. But the circumstances were beyond my imagination. I saw how much pain you were in. My heart pained seeing you like that for I had never stopped loving you. Tomorrow 7 months would be over and I know you have taken your decision. But before you say anything, I want to confess, Piya I love you. I will always keep you happy and I'll never ever hurt you the way he did. Will you be mine?"
Piya was shocked. What was he saying? He was just her friend. He knew she loved Abhay. "Aditya, you are my friend and I have never felt for you differently. I love Abhay and I want to spend my life with him. I know he hurt me but that will never have any bearing on the fact that I will always love him as much as I did before. The only person I imagine 40 years later with me is Abhay. I am sorry Aditya"
Aditya's eyes grew sad. He knew somewhere deep down that Piya would chose Abhay but he had to say it today to live his rest of his life knowing that at least he told her. He smiled," its ok Piya. I knew you love him and somewhere I knew your decision but still I didn't want to regret it later. I wish you both all the happiness in the world. Have a great and happy life ahead. But Piya, 1 thing. The next time if he ever hurts you let me know. I will break his legs. Piya before leaving, can I have a last hug from you?"
Piya smiled happily and embraced him.
Abhay stood frozen on the driveway watching Piya and Aditya through the glass window locked in a tight embrace. Piya face was flushed with happiness along with a hint of pity. What was obvious to him was that she had made her decision. Its Aditya who she wants to be with. He looked at the well decorated living room, all the preparations she made for Aditya as he assumed. He grasped everything now. It was after Aditya came back in her life that she decided to divorce him and she spiraled out of her depression quickly. Her grim response to his question in the morning had already given him his answer and now he knew her reasons as well. The hint of pity was for him. He had lost his battle with fate. He had failed to bring Piya back. The pain of losing Piya and her wanting to be with someone else was excruciating. All he wanted was to go back to all the happy times which he shared with Piya. If only he had listened to her, let her explain; if only he had been there for her, he wouldn't have lost her. It was no one's fault but his. He was horrible to her. She saw Sneha die before her eyes, her pain was greater than his. And he elected to blame her, accusing her of killing her own daughter just to lessen his own pain. He tried to convince himself that Piya deserves happiness, and she deserves a person who can make her happy. But he loves her too much to willingly accept that. He knew what had to be done. He got back into his car and left.
Piya pulled away from Aditya still feeling bad for him. He tried hard to mask his disappointment but it was perceptible to Piya. 'Piya, I am really happy for you. You got a chance to work out your marriage and Abhay does love you a lot. I just hope he never repeats his mistakes and hurt you again. I wont leave him if he does'. Piya smiled. 'You are a good friend Aditya. You were there for me at a time when I was drowning in pain. You helped me out of it. I am forever grateful to you. And any girl would be lucky to have you'. He smirked at that thought. 'So if you have any single friends, you know where to find me'. Piya pretended to play along, teasing him. 'And here I was thinking you like me. I am offended'. They laughed at the light moment. Aditya volunteered to help her with making the dinner ready. After he left, Piya went back to finishing her preparations for the date. She quickly changed into the sequined black cocktail dress she had worn on the first date. She was setting up the table when Abhay came entered the house. She thought of playing a little more but she could no longer contain her excitement. Her face glowed with happiness. But her happiness dimmed seeing Abhay's face. He was being unusually quiet and refused to meet her eyes. He had a document in his hand which he kept in front of her on the table. Piya was confused with Abhay's behaviour and looked picked up the papers and the colour drained from her face. Abhay had got the final divorce papers drawn and his signature was already on it. She looked up at him flabbergasted. Abhay maintained a straight face thought his heart lay broken. 'Piya, I am sorry for the way I treated you. You didn't deserve that. You have every right to be angry with me and leave me and I never should have forced these 7 months on you. It wasn't fair to you. I know your happiness can never be with me'. Piya's eyes filled with tears. She didn't realize Abhay still blamed himself. She raised her voice to protest but Abhay's next words silenced her for good. 'Your happiness is with someone else. I was selfish not to see it but you want to be with Aditya. I understand and I respect your decision. You don't have to be part of this marriage anymore. I just wish I could undo my mistakes but I cant. I can only try to rectify them. Tomorrow, the 7 month period ends. You wont have to stay with me'. Piya looked at him pained by all the deductions he made. He broke his promise and hurt her again. This time she wasn't ready to forgive anymore. Abhay moved past her and went to the bedroom to change. Piya headed for her room and took out her clothes from the closet and threw them in a suitcase. She packed everything and then picked up a notepad and a pen and wrote out a note for Abhay as tears of frustration poured down her face.
Abhay,
We are again at the same place we were 7 months ago. Back then also, you broke my heart and today you did it again. You always find a way to hurt me. I don't know what made you think that I was having an affair with Aditya but 1 thing I do know is that you will never even come close to understanding me, let alone be responsible for my happiness. You always go by your presumptions and opinions and you didn't even have the courtesy to ask me first if it was indeed true or not. Just like the last time you didn't ask me what happened in the park. I wont ever forgive you Abhay. I don't want anything to do with you.
These divorce papers are of no use to me. Its just a piece of paper after all. Our marriage had ended a long time back the moment you went back on your vows. You were supposed to protect me and keep me happy. You never did. You abused and insulted my love. I am leaving Abhay so that you cant hurt me anymore.
Piya left the note on the table beside the divorce papers. She picked up her suitcase and left the house.