Hello everyone!
Yes I am back with the next part. Thank god for a holiday that gave me time to thank each and everyone of you personally, but once again Thank you all for the anniversary wishes and for always motivating me. Love you all.
To all my BBs as always, love you all the most because I wouldn't be here if it were for you.
Part 39
In the early hours of the morning, once Arjun was sure that Priya was sleeping peacefully, he released her hand. When he was sure she wouldn't wake, he kissed her on the forehead lightly then moved away from her.
He walked to the only window in her room and stood gazing down at the city. He gripped the frame of the window tightly to control his rage and frustration. He had sat by her side thru the night and witnessed the consequences of the horror she had endured.
Each of her whimper, cry of pain, the tears that had rolled down her cheeks, even in sleep, had pierced his heart like a sharp arrow.
After watching her struggle to push back the horror to gain just a small amount of peace to rest, he knew he would need help from his and her loved ones to start the healing process.
It was time for her to let out the bottled up emotions and suppressed feelings. He was sure she had kept everything within in for his sake only, but no more.
The guilt he is feeling is unavoidable but he would make sure it doesn't affect her in any way. He needs to make her realize that she is not responsible for what happened to her and also that it is not her job to shield him from his own feelings.
Arjun glanced at his watch then thought it was late enough to call Sameer and Swati over. He was sure Priya would need them now more than ever and he also needed them to get her past the awkwardness she was bound to feel when she wakes up and remembers what happened the night before.
He stopped at her side to check on her one more time before walking out of her room quietly. As much as he wanted to sit and wait for her to wake up he was sure she would need time to come to terms with her feelings regarding her breakdown and his confession of love. He dialed Sameer's number knowing his friend would be up and about already.
Priya woke up with a scream lodged in her throat. She panted as she looked around at the familiar surroundings. She placed her hand on her rapidly beating heart to calm it. For a moment she thought she was back in that dark, dungy room, half out of her senses as Vikram advanced towards her with his evil intentions.
She had fought him to the bitter end until he had hit her hard enough to render her helpless. After that she withdrew completely as he shredded her pride and dignity and stripped her of her honor. There was no pain or awareness of what was happening to her as she retreated to altered state of consciousness.
Priya ran her hand over her face to push back the horrifying memories and looked around again. The last thing she remembered was clinging to Arjun as she cried. She recalled feeling restlessness at times during the night but a soothing voice near her ear and someone caressing her head gently had lulled her back to sleep. She felt her heart flutter at the thought of Arjun sitting by her side all night so she could rest without being disturbed by the nightmares.
Priya sat up and wrapped her arms around her bent knees as she recalled Arjun's confession of love. She wanted to scream and rant at the injustice of it all. Why had fate played such a cruel joke with her life?
She didn't know whether to believe him or not. If he had loved her then why had he pulled away from her at the end of their training? Why had he married Roshni? Does it really matter now? She was not ready to face him let alone question him.
As she was struggling with the questions in her mind, the door to her room opened suddenly. Priya's head snapped up, but she visibly relaxed when she saw Swati standing at her door with a worried expression on her face. Priya immediately realized that Arjun must have called her.
Priya didn't think she had any tears left after her emotional outburst of night before but she found herself breaking down once again as Swati rushed to her and hugged her. "He knows everything Swati." She said in a broken voice as she hugged her best friend.
Swati was not at all surprised that Priya was more hurt because Arjun knows everything rather than the memories of the incident itself. Perhaps it was because Priya still hasn't voiced to anyone about exactly what happened on that day. She had consciously accepted what had happened to her but the memories of that time was buried deep in her subconscious and they only came out when she lets her guards down completely.
Swati ran her hand up and down Priya's back soothingly, "And he looks like he is handling it well Priya, he is more worried for you than himself." That only made Priya feel worse and she cried harder into Swati's arms. "I can't face him Swati."
"Why not?" Swati snapped back impatiently as she pulled back, "You didn't do anything wrong Priya and you will hurt him more if you don't face him."
Priya shook her head in denial, "That's just it Swati. I don't want to hurt him, he says he loves me that he has always loved me but I am not the same anymore. The girl he fell in love with is no more."
Swati was surprised that Arjun confessed his feelings, no wonder he had looked haggard and at loss of what to do when she and Sameer had arrived at Priya's door after he called them.
"Did he tell you that after or before he found out about the assault?" Swati asked gently. Priya' eyes snapped to Swati and she frowned. She recalled the conversation she and Arjun had when they went for a drive and realized he had been hinting to her of his feelings then but he had started to show her his feelings long before he voiced them.
"It wasn't a spur of the moment confession Priya. Everyone who has eyes can see that the guy cares great deal for you and I know even you have noticed it but refused to admit it to yourself. It is now up to you to decide whether you want to grab at the chance of love that life has given you or continue to live as you have been for last two years." Swati knew that it was not going to be easy for Priya to let go of her fears and doubts but she is sure, in time, Arjun will be able to knock down each and every one of Priya's misgivings about their relationship.
As much as Priya wanted to listen to her friend and grab at the chance she knew she couldn't do it. How she wished it were easy as Swati is making it sound but the reality of it is that it would be lot harder to deal with her shortcomings.
Sameer ran his hands over his face as he watched Arjun brooding. The moment he had been afraid of since he decided to bring Priya to Mumbai has arrived and he didn't know whom to console first, his best friend from childhood or the friend who has made a special place for herself in his heart, who was more like a sister to him.
Just the tone of Arjun's voice had alerted him to the fact that something big had happened for Arjun, to call him so early in the morning, to tell him to come over to Priya's apartment as soon as possible and to bring Swati with him.
When Sameer and Swati had arrived, thirty minutes later, at Priya's apartment, all Arjun had said was he knows the truth and for Swati to check on Priya. Neither Swati not Sameer had wasted time in asking Arjun what truth he was referring to. One look at his face and they both knew things had come to head between Priya and Arjun.
And now Sameer waited with bated breath for Arjun to yell at him or ask him questions. He couldn't read what was going on in Arjun's mind from the expression on his face. He finally stood up and joined his friend at the window. "Arjun?"
"Why didn't you tell me Sam?" Arjun finally turned to Sameer. "I know I wasn't approachable in the beginning but why didn't you tell me when things started getting better between us?"
Sameer took a deep breath, "I didn't keep the truth from you to hurt you or to even make you feel bad now, but I was bound by a promise to Priya, we all were. The first thing she did when she finally recovered was made us promise to not say anything to you, ever. I couldn't break my promise to her."
Arjun nodded his head slowly. He couldn't blame Sam for not telling him, not only because he had been bound by promise to Priya but also may be because he hadn't deserved to know the truth, or may be because he would have reacted much different in the past.
"I want to find Sikandar as soon as possible Sam," Arjun said with clenched teeth. Arjun had been caught between helplessness at seeing Priya in pain because of what she had been thru and rage at Sikandar and his brother for what they had put her through. Vikram was already dead, but he promised himself that Sikandar would die a painful death.
Sameer knew there was no use telling Arjun to stay calm, even he has been waiting for two years to find Sikandar and punish him for what he did but for the moment they still haven't been able to locate him and they had more pressing issues for now. "We are actively working on tracking and locating Sikandar, but for now we have a more pressing problem."
Arjun gave him a questioning look, "Shukla is in town for some kind of rally for elections. He aspires to join a political party here in Mumbai." The hair on back of Ajrun's neck rose in alarm, he was sure Shukla was not here for political reasons.
"What should we do?" Arjun asked which alerted Sameer that Arjun was not in a state of mind to deal with anything else for the moment. "We make sure Priya is never left alone." Sameer said softly as he looked at Arjun thoughtfully. May be it was time Arjun knows about the conversation he had with Priya on that fateful day.
"Arjun, what do you plan to do about Priya now that you know everything?" Sameer asked with hesitation. Arjun turned to him in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"I mean whatever you decide to do, you know it won't be an easy path. She had concerns regarding her feelings for you even before all this happened to her." Sameer paused and rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. "The day you saw us having a discussion I was encouraging her to give you and her feelings a chance."
Arjun finally understood Sameer's concerns. "Don't worry Sam, I have no intentions of backing off this time."
Sameer was relieved, "I was sure you are not going to back off but it would help if you understand that Priya has always had a low self-esteem when it came to you and that is why she had started avoiding you first. She has always felt that she was not good enough for you and your family."
"I know it won't be easy Sam but one way or another I will convince her that we belong together and that is going to start from this very moment." Arjun smiled when Sam raised an eyebrow in question. "I mean I am not leaving her side and that requires for me to move in with her. What do you think?"
"Does it matter what I think? It looks as if you have thought things thru already and anyway it is not me you have to convince." Sameer was not at all surprised by Arjun's determination.
"Good then you might want to prepare her while I go get my things from the lodge," Arjun said as he walked towards the front door. "Don't leave until I come back."
Sameer just shook his head and was about to go to Priya's room but a phone call held him back and by the time he finished he saw Swati and Priya step out of her room. One look at Priya's tear streaked face and Sameer's heart melted. He walked to her and hugged her wordlessly then took her hand and made her seat beside him on the sofa.
Priya was relieved to see Sameer alone. She was not yet ready to face Arjun. She looked up when Sameer squeezed her hand in reassurance. "He is gone for the moment, but he said he will be back shortly."
Priya nodded her head, although the thought of facing Arjun was terrifying, she was also aware that her fears were baseless. "Sam what if he starts taking risks with his life again?"
"He won't, not again. He knows that you would not like it." Sameer made her look at him. "Do you remember the conversation we had back at the academy?" Sameer waited for to recall the conversation, "Well I am going to encourage you again to give him a chance."
Priya shook her head, "It was different then Sam."
"Nothing has changed Priya. Besides Arjun is more determined now." Sameer glanced at Swati then turned back to Priya. "He went to get his things from the lodge, he decided he is going to make up for the lost time, starting now."
Swati raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Well, well he is lot smarter than I gave him credit for." Priya gave her a confused look, "He is moving in with you my dear friend."
Priya's eyes widened in shock, "He can't, what will people think and what will his family think?"
Swati joined Sam and Priya on the sofa then wrapped an arm around Priya's shoulder, "I don't think he cares about what anyone thinks at this point and that's the way it should be."
Priya scowled at Swati, "That's not funny Swati," She turned to Sameer, "Sam you have to talk Arjun out of this crazy idea of him moving in with me.
Sameer shook his head before Priya even finished talking, "You know that no one can change his mind once he decides what he wants, and beside from now on you are going to need his protection."
Priya stood up in frustration, "Not again Sameer, how many times do I have to tell you that I can take care of myself?" Priya rubbed her forehead as she realized how fast things were moving. She turned back to her two closest friend and gave them a pleading look, but both were unaffected by it.
"I never thought you two would take his side over me." She said with a pout. Sameer and Swati exchanged a look then turned back to Priya. They both stood up and went to Priya. "We are on your side Priya, and that is why we are supporting Arjun. Not only do you need protection, you need him period." Sameer hugged her to his side.
Swati took Priya's hand in hers, "Priya I know it is hard to forget what happened to you but life is giving you another chance to be with Arjun, the man you have loved for a long time, and he loves you too and with his help you can get past all the issues."
Priya's shoulders slumped in defeat, "I am going to get ready for work." She walked out of the room without telling Sameer or Swati if she was okay with Arjun moving in with her. They knew her well enough to know that she would make one last attempt to talk Arjun out of the idea.
Sameer hugged worried looking Swati, "Don't worry, Arjun will take care of everything." Swati hugged him back, "He better be prepared for a fight of his life, this is just the begging."
Sameer had full faith in his friend. He kissed Swati's forehead gently, "He is well aware of this Swati."
When Priya stepped out of her room after taking a shower and changing into work clothes, Sameer and Swati were gone and Arjun was standing in the balcony, sipping his cutting chai. He turned towards her when he heard her step into the room and took in her attire of gray slacks, white shirt and her work shoes. "We are not going to ETF today." He said casually as he joined her.
"I am fine Arjun, there is no reason to stay home." Priya said as she fiddled with her wristwatch to avoid looking at him. Arjun set aside his tea glass then placed a finger under her chin to make her look at him. "Then why are you avoiding me?" Priya opened her mouth to deny it but he placed his finger on her lips to keep her from saying anything, "We need to talk."
Priya stepped away from him, "What is there left to talk about, it looks like you have already decided what you want and be damned about what I think." She had forgotten all about her fear of facing him. Now she was angry and frustrated because no one wanted to see things from her point of view.
Arjun was glad to see her angry instead of sad and hurt, at least she was focusing on something other than the fact that he knows the truth. She was concentrating on herself instead of him and his guilt. "I don't want to talk about us living together, I am not going to change my mind, but I do want to discuss something else with you."
Priya stiffened at that but stayed silent. He took her hand in his and walked her to the sofa. Priya found herself sitting next to him as he gathered his thoughts. "Do you remember the conversation we had on the night of Sameer and Swati's wedding?"
Priya nodded her head slowly, "Arjun you don't have to explain anything to me." Arjun placed his hand on top of hers to stop her, "Yes I do. I know you are confused about what I said to you last night. You are wondering why I didn't say anything about my feelings, why I pulled away from you and Sam both and why I married Roshni."
Ajun looked down at their joined hands, "Pulling away from you and Sam was the biggest mistake I have ever made. And now I realized I hurt you even more by marrying Roshni, but at the time I thought I was doing the right thing."
Priya closed her eyes to hold the tears at bay as she remembered that painful moment again. "Why did you do it Arjun? Why did you shun me and Sameer like that?"
"I thought you and Sam were in love with each other." Priya's eyes opened in shock. She gasped and stared at Arjun, stunned at what he just said, "What gave you the idea that Sam and I had feelings for each other?"
Arjun stood up and turned away as he felt the shame again for misunderstanding the two most important people in his life. "When you started avoiding me I came to look for you and I saw you and Sam deep in conversation in your favorite spot and then I saw you two hug."
Arjun turned back to shell shocked Priya and looked at her apologetically, "I am sorry Priya, my misunderstanding cost you the most." Priya shook her head, "It doesn't matter now Arjun. We can't undo what happened. Fate had something else in mind for our lives."
Arjun came back to sit next to her and took her hand in his again. "I am not telling you this to remind you of those painful days or of what happened to you. I am telling you this to explain to you that my feelings for you are not new. I fell in love with you five years ago and that hasn't changed. I want you to understand that I want to be with you because I love you not because I feel guilty for what happened to you."
Priya cupped his face with her free hand. "Arjun please don't love me like that, you need to understand that I may never be able to give you what you want." Arjun took her hand and kissed her palm gently, "I will take whatever you can give me." There was so much more he wanted to explain to Priya but for now it was enough for her to know that his feelings for her are not new or spontaneous.
Priya tried to argue the point but Arjun shook his head back and forth and pulled her into his arms. "You are not alone now Priya and the sooner you understand this the better."
Priya didn't argue further but prayed that she is able to release him when the time is right, for the moment she gave into the need to be held by him again.
*~+~*
That's it for now friends. I am sorry but next update will be bit delayed because I have a wedding to attend next weekend, but I will be back with update as soon as I can.
Once again thank you so much everyone.
Edited by ll-Shilpa-ll - 12 years ago
Mahadev And Sons
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