FF:My Pratigya(Updt pt5,pg6; 22/06) - Page 4

Part Four

"Oh, first let me get free and then I'll show..." Komal stopped at mid sentence as the sounds of car was heard. They dropped their mock fight and leaned over the railing to see below. Down, in front of main door, Sajjan Singh was standing with two guards.

.............................

Pratigya was helping her mom in the kitchen when someone rattled the front door. Both of them were startled at the sudden noise. "Who can it be?" Nainaji wondered. "Why are they rattling the door instead of ringing the bell?"

Pratigya shrugged and was about to go towards the door when Komal came running, Adarsh following her quietly.

"It's Bauji." Komal declared as she rushed to open the door. Adarsh and Pratigya exchanged a dark glance. Meanwhile, Komal was taking blessing from her father. "Bauji, have you come to take Pratigya back?"

"Yes, why else would I come here? To take education from your professor father in law?"

Komal blinked for a moment then suddenly said, "Bauji, please don't insult Papaji, that too in his own house, he's a good man."

Sajjan Singh almost tripped hearing this coming from Komal. The Saxenas were equally surprised at her words. And it was the first time she was referring Shyamji as 'Papaji'. It was always "Sasurji" before. However, he controlled himself quickly coming back with the retort, "The whole family is black-magic experts! First Baba and now you. And why are you standing there making faces? Get your things and come. We'll leave in fifteen minutes."

Pratigya opened her mouth and closed again. She was unable to believe it. She didn't want to go back. She was counting on the fact that SS would never come to get her back. She looked at her mother who nodded encouragingly.

"Papa is not here. You can't take Didi away just like that." said Arushi as she entered the room. SS rolled his eyes, "Now I've to learn from you what I can do and what I can not do? Get out of my eyesight. Your sister & brother, I can tolerate; your mother is ok and though it's hard to digest I can tolerate your father's lectures as well. But your 'behoodapan' is my limit, makes my blood boil."

Arushi, deeply offended, wanted to argue but kept quiet after receiving a warning signal from Nainaji. "Pratigya go and pack your bags." Nainaji said softly.

.....................

Pratigya threw her stuff on the suitcase haphazardly. Her head was spinning. She's to go back to that hell hole once again? Tears welled up in her eyes but she roughly brushed them away. Why, she thought furiously, Why do I have to face this fate? Why do I have to live like this? All the moments tensed that my mother in law would plot something new against me. All the moments worried that my father in law might say something so low about me that nothing would ever heal the pain. All the moments anxious that some harm would come to my family's way by one of them. All the moments scared that my husband might pounce on me to claim his rights once again......

Tears now flowed freely and blinded her view as shut the suitcase with a thud. She was shocked momentarily to find Arushi standing next to her. "What is it Arushi?" she asked in a croaked voice. Arushi stood silent for a second then hugged her tightly. "Didi don't go back. Don't go back Didi. Make any excuse but don't go back there. They're monsters."

"Arushi, Papa has given his word that if Krishna's father came, I'd go back. I've to go to keep Papa's words."

"Papa is not here. He won't know if you break his words." Arushi said.

"Arushi! How can you say something like this?" Pratigya exclaimed.

"I know it sounds horrible Didi. But still Didi..." Arushi pleaded.

"No, Arushi. It's my life and let me deal with it." Pratigya replied, trying to calm herself down.

"I hate Krishna." Arushi said in a last desperate action.

"It doesn't matter Arushi. He's not your husband." Pratigya replied and calmly walked out of the room.

It was later when she was sitting on the back seat of the car wondering what would be waiting for her in the Thakur house that she murmured to herself. I hate you too, Krishna. I hate you too.

.....................

It was after bearing Ammaji's countless taunts that Pratigya finally entered her room. She was surprised to find Krishna there, struggling with his shirt. He turned hearing her footsteps and almost dropped the shirt from his hand. Almost immediately he winced as he stretched his wound in the process. Pratigya gasped seeing his condition. "What..How?"

He ignored her question and kept staring at her as if she might vanish in a blink. "Pratigya..is it really you?"

Suddenly he came back to his sense and turned away and tried to wear the shirt once again which was proving to be a tough job. Pratigya quietly observed him and counted up the bandages, one in his right arm, one in the right palm and one in the left shoulder – God! What's he been upto?

Unable to do such a simple task, Krishna got frustrated and snapped at her. "Why are you standing there like a statue? Can't you come and help me a bit?"

Pratigya looked heavenwards and sighed. Slowly approaching him she asked in an exasperated voice, "What have you done to yourself this time?"

She took the shirt from his hand and threw it on the bed. Ignoring his glare she opened the cupboard and took out a simple cotton shirt from the pile of colourful shirts. "The satin will make you uncomfortable with all these wounds." she stated simply as she helped him with the shirt. Her hand brushed against his shoulder and he shuddered and closed his eyes.

"Did I hurt you?" asked a concerned Pratigya. "Yes." he replied. "But, the wound is on the other shoulder...." Pratigya said, confused. He opened his eyes and looked intently in her eyes. "You won't understand Pratigya, you won't understand......"

Preview for Next Part -

"Don't touch my food, I'm not taking anything from your hand." snapped Krishna at Pratigya who withdrew her hand from the plate at once. While Dadi, Shakti and Kesar was confused, SS looked thoughtfully at his son; Amma gloated openly and said, "Come on Baba, let me help you a bit."

Pratigya didn't know why but she wanted him to refuse Amma as well. But he didn't seem to have any problem about Amma touching his food...