It was past midnight when Abhay woke up suddenly hearing Piya's screams. He rushed to her bedroom and saw Piya writhering in pain on the bed. Her eyes were closed while she screaming in her sleep. 'Don't take her away from me. Please. You got what you wanted, don't hurt my baby'. Abhay shook her gently holding her shoulders to wake her up. Piya opened her eyes and saw Abhay leaning over her. She threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder. She was shaking with fear. Abhay's heart wrenched seeing Piya in so much pain. He encircled her in his arms and slid in next to her. He stroked her hair till she calmed down. 'Abhay where were you? Why didn't you save me from my pain? Why did you abandon me?'. The tears flowed down once again. Abhay tightened his hold around her and pulled her closer. 'I am sorry Piya. I never wanted to hurt you. I became selfish and I dumped my guilt on you because I couldn't bear to keep it with me. It was the biggest mistake of my life that nearly cost me your love. I promise I'll make it up to you. Your pain is mine now'. Abhay's heartfelt words soothed Piya's pain a little. She didn't realize when she drifted to sleep in his arms.
Piya was getting better day by day. The wall Piya had created around herself was easing away. Abhay was doing everything he could for just one smile from her. And he was succeeding. Piya had started smiling. She still had fear in her heart but finally she was letting the cause of her fear to ease it away.
Days were passing by. She still had nightmares but she would always find Abhay next to her. He would hold her, soothe her, care for her. Today after a long time she was smiling alone all by herself thinking about him. Life was again changing for her but this time for good.
''''
Abhay decided to take a new step. Piya had started smiling but she wasn't talking to him much. He had to make her open up. He wanted to know what was going on in her mind. He decided to take her out for dinner at the same place where they had their first date. Abhay saw Piya folding her clothes in the bedroom. She looked at him but didn't say anything. Abhay sighed, "Piya get ready. We are going out for dinner"
Piya didn't look at him," I don't want to go. And I have almost have dinner ready"
Abhay looked at her. Her face was agitated. He started walking towards her and stood a foot away from her. He knelt down and took her one hand in his," Piya please let's go out today. You haven't left the house since long. You aren't working now days. Please?"
Before Piya could reply, she started sniffing. She pushed Abhay and rushed to the kitchen. Abhay followed her few minutes later. He saw Piya who was having helplessness written over her face. She sighed," its burnt. Let's go out"
Abhay and Piya had occupied a corner seat just like on their first date. They were waiting for food to arrive. Piya was remembering the place. The same place where she sat 5 years ago and with the same person. She found Abhay looking at her. Finally she decided to break the ice," why are you doing this suddenly? Taking me out. Caring for me. Looking after me. Trying to make me smile. Why?"
Abhay smiled," you already know why?"
"no I don't!", she snapped
Abhay looked into her eyes," because I love you. I know I was a jerk to you. I blamed you for something you didn't do. But I couldn't help myself. I am not justifying myself but I just want you to know the reason. Piya its very easy for woman to cry and let out all your pain. But what about me? I couldn't cry. I was regretting the day, the time when I told you that I wont be able to join you and Sneha... when I told you to take her with you alone. It was haunting me. It still haunts me. I had to ease my pain and I did that by being cold and put the blame on someone who was so precious and close to my heart. And it was you! I am sorry Piya for everything I did. I am repenting it every minute. Forgiveness is a small thing but I still ask for and will continue it till my last breath. I want to heal you Piya. I want to heal myself. I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy."
Piya had tears in her eyes. She didn't speak a single word. The food arrived. They ate it in silence. Abhay kept looking at Piya while eating but Piya was just staring at her food.
That night Piya wasn't able to sleep. Abhay's words were haunting her. She knew he was repenting. But should she give him a chance? What if he breaks her heart again? But for how long will this keep going on? She had decided. With that she went to sleep.
Next evening Piya was waiting for Abhay in living area. Abhay was surprised to see her waiting all dressed. He asked," are you going somewhere?"
"yes, WE are going out", she said
"we?", abhay was confused
Piya didn't look at him," I want to go out for dinner. You will come with me right?"
Abhay was stunned. It was like life was giving him a second chance all over again. He was back to the time when Piya had surprised him by asking him about their second date. She was asking him out today. He was elated. He wouldn't let this chance go," ofcourse we are going. Give me sometime. I will just freshen up"
Piya nodded.
That night abhay kept speaking. He was filling her in whatever happened in his life. how much he missed her. how much he wanted her everytime. Piya just smiled. She didn't know what she did was right or wrong but after a long time she listened to her heart.
Days passed by. They went on many dinner dates. Piya had finally started to speak up. She talked about her job, her life, whatever she could think of. When Abhay held her hand, she didn't protest. He was drawing circles with his thumb. She smiled. She felt good. Things were getting slightly better between them.
'''''
Piya had started working again. Her health had improved. Today Piya was late due to work. She was tired and hungry. She thought she would warm up something from last day. Piya used her spare key and entered the house. She stunned to look at the house. the house was dark with just candle light illuminating the place. She saw rose petals spread on the floor making a pathway. It was beautiful.
"abhay? abhay? where are you?', she called him following the path which led her to the terrace.
She reached the terrace door and twisted the knob to enter. The whole terrace was decorated with candles. Every wall was covered with her favourite purple orchids. Rose petals were spread on the floor. There was a table in the centre which was decorated with fairy lights. She smiled. She wasn't tired anymore.
Abhay slowly tiptoed and stood behind her. piya knew he was standing behind her. before abhay could react, piya turned and hugged him tightly," abhay this is beautiful. thank you"
Abhay hugged her back kissing her hair and led her to the table. They had they dinner, they talked, and laughed together after a long time.
''''''..
One night Piya was wandering in the kitchen. She was in a very irritating mood. Her cramps were increasing and medicines weren't helping her too much. Her whole body was in pain. She wanted to eat ice cream. It was her routine. Whenever she had similar problem, she would go to the kitchen and have bowl of ice cream. But to her luck, there was no ice cream.
Abhay came downstairs searching for piya. he knew where to find her. it was one of those ice cream days when she would be irritated and would snap at anyone or everything. He saw piya sitting at the kitchen counter pouting muttering something. He went closer to hear what the problem was.
"stupid, idiot pain. I don't even have ice cream to eat. But I so want to have it. I would feel so much better. Its 10 at night. I cant even go out alone. I want to have ice cream now"
Abhay was smiling listening to her ramblings. It had been too long since he had heard piya doing so. After a long time he saw a glimpse of old Piya. He stood in front of her smiling looking at her. Piya saw him doing so," stop smiling. If you cant help me then get lost"
"You want to eat ice cream?", he asked
Piya nodded. Abhay pulled her hand and started walking towards his car. She didn't protest. She was in no mood today. She knew abhay would be taking her to ice parlor. Once they reached, piya immediately rushed inside ordering every possible flavor she could order. Abhay parked the car and followed her. he chuckled looking at her. that was piya! his piya! always a child.
Piya was trying every flavor alternately while abhay was just looking at her. she didn't offer him once and he was also in no mood. Abhay kept admiring her. piya was feeling much better now. by the time she finished her ice cream, she found herself alone with abhay. she didn't realize when everyone had left.
Piya had her lips slightly covered with ice cream. She picked up tissue paper to clean but before she could do it, abhay brushed her lip with his finger. Piya just looked at him shyly. When abhay's eyes met hers, she looked away smiling. Abhay heart swelled with love. She was smiling once again.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Mangal Lakshmi
