Piya was crying uncontrollably. She had just left Abhay. She was angry, on him, on herself. After all that she gave to her marriage, after loving him for so many years he still doubted her love for him? He thought of her love for him to be so weak that he would think she would give her heart away to someone else so easily? Piya was walking on lonely road with her luggage. She couldn't go back to her apartment for she had already sold it a month ago. She had been ready to start her life afresh but her happiness was short lived. She couldn't bear to go to her parent's place. All she could think was her best friend. She didn't want to be alone.
Maya was walking lazily in her apartment when she heard bell ring. She yawning pushed herself to the door only to see Piya standing with her luggage.
"Piya?"
That was all which took Piya to break down. She burst into tears hugging Maya tightly," how could he do this to me? how could he?"
Maya soothed her," what happened? Piya first stop crying"
Karan heard the commotion and rushed outside his room to find Piya crying. "what happened? why are you crying?" he asked
Maya held her and lead her to the sofa. She handed her a glass of water," drink this and tell me what happened? where is Abhay? what did he do?"
Tears rolled down her eyes. She wanted to talk her heart out but she couldn't find her voice. "its ok Piya, calm down and tell me what happened" Maya said. After some time, Piya had stopped crying. Maya and Karan were still waiting to know what happened.
Piya sighed," I am sorry but I couldn't help myself. I didn't want you both to bother this way but…" Maya interrupted," why are even saying that? We are friends. Don't hurt our friendship this way and now cut out this sorry business and tell me what happened"
"Abhay..he..he signed the papers", Piya said
"what?" Karan yelled
"but why? what happened?" Maya asked
Piya explained everything that happened today. How she wanted to surprise him, how Aditya came, what Abhay saw, everything. "he is a moron Piya" Karan said
"I know" Maya agreed
"he needs a good piece of mind. Maya take Piya to guestroom. Stay with her tonight and I am going to see him" Karan said
"Karan no need", Piya tried to stop but in vain. "shut up Piya! I am not taking your permission. I will be back soon"
Abhay sat in the dark. His ocean blue eyes were cringed in pain. He held Piya's letter in one hand and kept drinking with the other. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Did he just lose Piya? Why didn't he give her a chance to explain? Why did he just have to assume things? Abhay kept drinking. Today no one could stop him. He had hurt Piya once again; he hurt her trust. He threw the glass on the floor breaking it into pieces. He caressed the letter and kissed it. Tears didn't stop from his eyes.
"I am sorry Piya…so sorry. I wish time could go back. I don't deserve your love but don't punish me like this. I'll die!! I love you Piya. I love you soo much! Just come back"
Karan reached Abhay's house. he rang the bell but no one responded. He realized that the door was open. He entered the house which was pitch black. He searched the lights and switched it on.
"Abhay?"
But no one responded. Where was he? He walked further only to find glass broken into pieces and then saw Abhay passed out on the floor. He rushed towards him. Abhay was murmuring Piya's name. He had a letter held tightly clutched to his heart. He helped Abhay up and placed him on the couch.
"Piya, I love you. I am sorry. Come back. Piya..pi..ya..Piya" Karan couldn't help but feel pity at Abhay's condition. He decided not to tell Piya about this. She doesn't need to suffer more.
Piya stayed in bed all day. She couldn't find the strength to get up. There was over a 100 missed calls from Abhay but she didn't pick up although she craved to hear his voice. Maya occasionally came and tried to bring Piya out of the room and take her out just to get Piya's mind off things for a while. But Piya refused to go anywhere.
'Maya, I know I am mess right now and its hard for you to see me this way. But I have to get out of this on my own. You have already done so much for me. You let me stay here. I couldn't even think of going home and facing mom and dad'.
Maya shook her head. 'Piya, Shut up! You are always welcome here. I am glad you came over. I was really missing my best friend'.
Piya smiled but it flickered away as soon as it came. ' I wish I could just get rid of all this. I cant stay with him, I cant stay without him. Its just never easy for me. I took a decision and left but I cant seem to survive it Maya. What do I do?'
'Piya, you'll figure it out what you have to do. I cant make that decision for you'.
Piya sighed. 'I don't know Maya. No matter what I decide, whether I stay with him or I leave, either ways I always end up getting hurt. Sometimes I wonder if my life would have been better off if Abhay hadnt come…' She couldn't bear to say it as her voice caught up in a lump. Although all the pain followed after her marriage to Abhay but she knew no matter how much he hurts her, thinking the alternative of how her life would be without Abhay somehow seemed even more painful. No matter what he does, she can never imagine herself without him. Being without him makes her feel lost and insecure. Despite everything, she still craved to be with him. 'Maya, I just want all this to be over. I want him to be gone'.
Piya burst into tears. Maya rushed forward and hugged her comfortingly. 'Piya, please don't cry. Everything will be alright soon enough. Just have faith'. Maya stroked her back till she calmed down. There was a knock on the door. Piya turned to see Karan standing at the door. Maya brushed Piya's tears away and got up to leave. 'I'll make you coffee'. She eyed Karan to stay with Piya and left the room.
Karan came and sat beside Piya. 'Are you fine?' Piya nodded ever so slightly. 'Piya, you know you want to return to him then why are you giving yourself this unnecessary heartache?'
'Karan I cant take any more of this. What's to stop Abhay from doing this again? How could he misunderstand me like that?'
Karan tried to defend Abhay. 'Piya he made an honest mistake. He didn't mean to hurt you. He only did this because he thought this is what you want. He only wanted your happiness'.
'Do you think I left because he misunderstood me? That is not what hurt me Karan. What hurt me is that he didn't fight for me. He made his assumptions and he was ready to leave me so easily. He didn't put up a fight. If he loves me so much then why did he end everything without thinking twice? He ended it Karan not me. I just walked away'.
Karan felt helpless. Piya was right in her place but Abhay's love for her was unquestionable. He didn't deserve this pain and neither did Piya. He wished there could be a way of fixing this dilemma. Piya's cell rang yet again. Piya looked at the screen flashing Abhay's name on the caller ID. Piya turned her head away and just stared at the walls. Karan deliberated and then picked up the phone. 'Abhay, this is not a good time…' Karan stopped hearing a voice different from that of Abhay's.
'Hello? Oh thankGod someone picked up. I have been trying to reach this number for a long while. Do you know the guy who this phone belongs to?'
Karan felt a jolt of panic. Was Abhay alright? 'Ya, I know him. What happened? Is he okay?'. Piya jerked her head towards Karan and anxiously listened in.
'I guess. He's not hurt or anything. He came to my bar a few hours ago and he had far too many drinks I reckon. He passed out on the counter. He doesn't seem to be in very good shape. Can you come and take him? He seems to be a bit out of commission'.
'Sure, I'll come and get him. Can you please tell me the address'. Karan quickly noted down the address and put the phone down. Piya caught his hand in a tight grip. 'What's wrong Karan? What happened to Abhay?'
'Piya, he passed out drunk in some bar. I have to go get him'.
Piya got up from the bed, her body clenched in agitation. 'I'll come with you'.
Karan wavered for a second and then nodded.
Piya and Karan entered the bar and rushed to the counter finding Abhay lying face down with a glass of Whiskey clutched in his hand. Piya rushed towards him and lifted his face. Abhay faintly opened his eyes and saw Piya standing before him, tears dripping from her eyes. He lifted his hand and touched her face as if to convince himself he wasn't dreaming. He closed his eyes and smiled. 'Piya..You are here. I must be dreaming. You look so beautiful'. Piya closed her eyes too, relief washed through her seeing Abhay was okay. He called her name again trying to gather as much of his dream as he could. He stroked her cheeks lovingly brushing away her tears. 'Piya, don't cry. You have to be happy. I have to make you happy. I will kill whoever makes you sad, and if I make you sad, then I'll kill myself'. Piya put her hand on his mouth. He caught her hand and kissed it desperately. Piya bent forward and kissed his forehead.
'Um..Piya, we have to get him home'. Karan's voice brought her back. She moved back and let Karan help Abhay up and helped him walk by supporting his shoulder. Abhay didn't let go of Piya's hand and held it tightly in his.
They reached Abhay's house in a matter of minutes. The bar was mercifully close. Karan helped Abhay reach the bedroom and helped him onto the bed. Piya entered the house against her own better judgement and followed Karan. She took out Abhay's shoes and pulled the covers over him. She looked at his face pained by his condition. She was about to move away when Abhay caught her hand again. He muttered faintly,'Stay. Don't go! Please don't leave me'.
Piya's heart yearned at her to stay with him. She couldn't see him like this. She couldn't bear to leave him. 'Just this one night', she told herself trying to pacify the lover in her.
'I presume you'll be staying'. Karan stated seeing the torn look on Piya's face. Piya looked up at him and nodded. Karan smiled understandingly and left from there. Piya sat down beside Abhay on the bed. He placed his head on Piya's lap clutching her hand. Piya stroked his head trying to get him to sleep. She felt his forehead and found it burning hot. She jerked into attention. How did she not notice it before. Abhay was running a fever. She got up and searched for the medicine box. She shook Abhay trying to wake him.
'Abhay, you have to take this medicine'. She lifted his head and helped him take the medicine. She couldn't understand the reason for the fever. 'Abhay, did you eat anything?' Abhay shook his head. 'No, you left…All my fault…Didn't want to eat…Punishment'. Abhay's eyes grew sad with emotion even though his mind was dazed. Piya was appalled. 'Didn't you eat anything since I left?' Abhay shook his head. Guilt washed through Piya. Abhay was punishing himself like this. Tears gathered in her eyes. 'What will I do with you Abhay?' Abhay cupped her face and raised his head to kiss her tears away. He brought her face closer and planted small kisses all over face. Piya closed her eyes in satisfaction loving the feel of his lips. She made Abhay lie down and made him close his eyes. She sighed. She was willing to give anything to not let this night end.
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