"I was never a widow Yash ji……….I am a divorcee." She paused and lifted her eyes apprehensively to look at him. She had expected to find anger in his eyes, instead, there was confusion. " My ex- husband is alive. Ma Bauji lied……to you, and your family. They wanted to give me another life. " This time the confusion in his eyes had given way to shock, which however, lasted only for a few seconds, to be taken over by the former yet again. Aarti could hear her heart thumping against her chest at lightning speed. She feared it would burst any moment. " I….I didn't know at first", she stammered…." But when I knew, I wanted to tell you, but Ma Bauji stopped me……and after the wedding……..I….I did want to tell you ..believe me please" , she begged. She dared not look at him. The hardest part of the truth was still waiting to be revealed.
" I am sorry…I lied. Prashant……the one who saved me in Lalithpur……I was married to him. I didn't know that then, trust me Yash ji..I didn't know it was he who had saved me. I knew later. He didn't stay with Ma Bauji. But….he is ill now…….he has cancer….the doctor said there was only one way to save him…….Ansh would have to give him bone marrow……..that day…..after the vaccination, when you left……I took Ansh to the hospital for the bone marrow transfer. "
She had thought the revelation would be her greatest test, she realized now, that was not so. Yash's silence killed her. She wanted to scream and cry, to tell him how sorry she was…she wanted to assure him that she had no ill intentions……she was dying to tell him that Prashant meant nothing anymore…….hadn't meant anything ever since she fell in love with him. But she could not gather the courage to utter even a syllable. With a pounding heart, she stood rooted to the ground, all the while staring at Yash's feet, unable to meet his eyes in apprehension of the wrath she would find there. She could not stand it again…….after seeing his love, even if it bordered more on respect, friendship and care, she could not tolerate his hate for one moment. She was sure she would die if she ever saw disgust in his eyes for her again.
Finally, her curiosity got the better of her fear, and she looked at him. He had a strange expression. Aarti shuddered, not out of fear…for she didn't find him angry. She could not read his countenance clearly and that terrified her. She had been prepared for fury, disgust and hatred….but she found numbness instead. ….numbness coupled with hurt and pain. He did not speak at all, yet there could hardly be a more eloquent silence. After gazing at her for what seemed like an eternity, he slowly turned around and left the room.
Her feet began to tremble, she felt dizzy . She crumpled down onto the floor and released the sobs she had been forcing away since so long. This was worse than what she had anticipated. Now she wished he had hated her instead. She could endure his abhorrence, but not his ache. Oh what had she done! And how was she going to make it all better?
Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile
Fan Fictions
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
