Chapter 17 : The Moment of Truth
Abhay woke early the next morning. He looked at Piya, who was sleeping peacefully, her dark hair spread over her shoulders. He savoured the sight for several minutes, before getting up and dressing, pulling the curtains closed so the sunlight wouldn't wake her up.
He loved her.
The realization sent a thrill of excitement and fear through him. He knew Piya loved him, too...she would never have come to him otherwise...and after last night, he was almost sure that the ghosts of the past were finally exorcised.
Seeing her sleep so peacefully in front of him... Abhay wanted a proper relationship with her now, without any secrets...without all the insecurities..and especially now Piya was finally out of it.
He had to speak to Misha about this. Ironically, he realised that if Misha had never contacted him that day, he might never have known...
Flashback:
'My parents- our parents,' amended Misha, 'desperately wanted a boy, but Piya was born. I was five that time, and I never realised, really...till Nikhil was born, ten years later...'
She stopped, drawing an unsteady breath. 'It's okay, Mrs Khurana,' said Abhay quietly. 'What happened then?'
'I was older,' said Misha, and 'wiser. I saw how things changed at home.'
'Piya used to seem happy, those days. She was one of those people who you could hurt over and over again and she would still smile at you and forget it all. And my parents hurt her...they hurt her very badly...they scarred her for life.'
'When Nikhil-my brother- was four, there was...an accident. Piya and Nikhil were playing on the roof- I don't know the details. I don't think anyone knows the details, apart from Piya- but anyway-' she took in a deep breath, 'he fell to his death. Piya was horribly affected by the accident- and my parents went crazy. They accused her of wanting to kill him. They abused her- physically, mentally... I could do almost nothing. I don't even know half of what they did to her, since after that I had to leave for my hostel. And when I came back... Piya was no longer the Piya I knew. There were shadows behind her eyes... She was no longer innocent, no longer naive, no longer trusting. I lost my temper-'
'I blew up at my parents. I think I went slightly mad, myself. They were killing her off, I couldn't help it. I'm sure she tried several times to commit suicide-'
Abhay paled and repressed a shudder.
'I caught her only once, though. After that- I forced my parents to take her to a psychiatrist. That was a mistake- my mistake- and it was all my fault.'
She broke down them, sobbing.
Abhay poured her a glass of water. 'Please,' he said. 'I understand, of course, that you may feel-overwhelmed- by the memories, but you do need to tell me-'
'Ye-Yes, of course,' said Misha, hiccupping. 'That man- he was horrible. Piya used to cry about it to me- he would make her relive the thing, over and over again. And then... That day...'
What colour remained in Misha's face drained away.
'I was due to pick her up from her therapy sessions. Piya was late- I walked in the room-'
She dissolved in a fresh round of tears.
This time, Abhay couldn't speak. A sick horror was spreading through him, accompanied by a blinding anger.
'He-he-he was-' she began.
'No,' he said tightly. 'Please tell me he didn't-'
'He didn't rape her, ' said Misha. 'But he was touching-'
The ornate paperweight on Abhay's desk fell down on the floor with a bang. Misha looked up to see Abhay standing, his hands clenched in fists.
Taking a deep breath, she continued.
'Piya lost all memories of her brother after that. It was horrifying- terrifying, really, when she had no idea of Nikhil, or anything related to him...she didn't even know why she was in that room...'
Misha shivered, no doubt reliving the memory.
'I took her home,' she said softly. 'I made sure to tell my parents that if ever they mentioned Nikhil, I would drag them to court for child abuse. They didn't mention him I guess... But they found ways to taunt Piya all the same. And Piya changed too. She became moody...picky...unfriendly...and oh god, so cold...'
'She was like a wild animal that had been locked up. She wouldn't let anyone in. What was worse was that our relatives believed my parents. Piya has always been...frightened, I guess, of people after that. I read all the books I could find so I could help her...and then, after she finished school- I had got married by then- I brought her to live with me.'
'You never took her for therapy again?' said Abhay, shocked.
'No,' said Misha. 'Call me a coward- but I was the one who had to hear her crying every night. I didn't have the guts to- take a chance to make everything even worse. I couldn't- I didn't trust anyone.'
'I see,' said Abhay quietly, his voice carefully neutral.
'We had to be really careful not to force her for anything,' said Misha softly. 'We may have pampered her a bit, but she deserved it.'
She looked up, daring him to contradict her. He said nothing.
'And now?' said Abhay.
'She was rather upset when she came back,' said Misha. 'But strangely, she was better...happier...more content. But even so...'
'She was staying over for a while at our flat,' said Misha. 'You see, her flat was being done up- so that was when I realized the nightmares were back...and I couldn't do a thing... I heard about you from my sister in law, and from Piya, and I felt that if staying with you helped her, then...' she trailed off, looking at him helplessly.
'I will make sure your fees will be paid,' she said. 'Just...please, help her.'
'I don't want money,' said Abhay automatically. 'Piya is my-my friend. I- I will do it- I will make sure the nightmares stop.'
Misha looked fit to cry again, so he handed her a tissue. 'And one more thing,' he said. 'Piya doesn't know anything about this, right?'
'Yes,' she said. 'Piya doesn't know anything about this. She doesn't even know I'm in Kolkata-'
'Very well,' said Abhay finally.
'I will come to Delhi- I will have to talk to her personally to treat her. But you must not ever tell her why- I don't want her to have her guard up around me. You understand, right? This is extremely risky, because even I cannot predict how long it will take...but I will do my best.'
-End flashback-
Abhay looked down at the sleeping figure on the bed. Accepting his feelings to Piya that particular time had been a huge mistake in hindsight, but then, he hadn't thought the past coming back to haunt her would be suddenly accelerated. He cursed himself under his breath.
Why, why did he have to fall in love with her? Why was she so...
He couldn't even describe her in a word. She scared him in ways he would never admit to anyone except himself.
She made him hope...she made him feel...she made him lose all his carefully cultivated control...
Although, what should have been a disaster had made a U-Turn. Piya had become quite well now... It spared him of the guilt he felt. Getting involved with a patient was definitely on the bottom list of priorities. Or on the top of the list of things to avoid.
But then again... Piya was never a patient for him...right?
He needed to tell her what she meant to him. Last night had told him she was terribly lacking in the security department. He had to remedy that...and not by keeping secrets from her.
He sighed, making his decision.
He didn't lock the door as he went out. After all, Misha's flat was on the same floor...and it would take only a few minutes.
Misha opened the door almost at once, her face rather flushed. He remembered that her son was probably getting ready for school.
'If this is a bad time...' he began.
'Oh no,' said Misha, ushering him in. 'You can come in.'
Rather flustered, she offered him a seat, which he declined, then went to comb her son's hair and straighten the tie of his uniform.
Her husband, Jeh Khurana, looked up at Abhay in surprise. 'What is it?' he said. 'Is Piya all right?'
'Piya is fine,' said Abhay. Nikhil began to bemoan the time. He was getting late. 'Well, see you later,' said Jeh cordially, as he and Nikhil made their way downstairs so he could drop him off at school.
Once they were gone, Misha relaxed.
'Is Piya fine?' she asked.
'Yes,' said Abhay. 'She is- but you must remember that the old Piya will never come back. She may be better than before, but something like this?' he waved a hand. 'It has impacted her psyche. I can't change it- and frankly, I don't even want to try.'
'That's all right,' said Misha, looking ecstatic. 'I had complete faith in you- I knew it wouldn't be long, once you coaxed that memory out of her...'
'There is something else I wanted to discuss with you.'
Misha must have picked up on his tone, for she looked confused.
'Yeah?'
'I'm in love with her.'
As expected, Misha looked confused...then as understanding dawned on her, her eyes went wide in shock. 'With- with Piya?' she asked, as though wanting to confirm.
He nodded. 'Yes,' he said. 'I'm in love with Piya- have been for quite a while, actually.'
An understanding smile began to grow on Misha's face. 'That's it!' she said. 'That's why you wouldn't take anything... You were in love with her! Oh gosh... Even then?'
He dipped his head. Misha smiled warmly. 'I'm so happy,' she said.
Abhay felt himself smile too. 'We-were-are- in a relationship,' he said. 'A mistake on my part, but that time, I just wasn't thinking... Anyway, I wanted to say... I'm going to tell her everything.'
'Everything?' said Misha in surprise.
'But Abhay, she must be fragile now. We can't-'
'I have to,' said Abhay. 'I can't- I can't do this pretense any more. I need to tell Piya that my original motive of coming here was to help her-'
Misha shook her head frantically. 'No, Abhay. You can't! You don't- do you know how angry she can get?'
'She won't,' said Abhay, much more hopefully than he felt. 'I thought of, you know, letting you know beforehand-'
'Yes,' said Misha. 'It's better she knows the truth, really.'
'I know,' said Abhay. 'I'm sick of lying to her and keeping up this facade. This whole relationship was a mistake in the way it happened-'
He heard a sudden whimper behind him.
Piya's POV
I don't know how I woke up. It doesn't seem morning. Let me check my phone- Oh damn,it's eight! Why didn't my mobile alarm ring?
And...oh god. Oh god oh god oh god...what exactly was I thinking last night.
No. Focus, Piya...focus! I can't have dreams of him now, it's morning, and- where is Abhay?
My clothes are here. I better get dressed and find him. Oh God, is he regretting last night? Please don't make him regret last night.
I have to find him.
He isn't in here. Not in the bathrooms, not in the balcony. Oh, wait. The door's open. Maybe I should ask Misha? Hmm, yes. I think I will. He might have gone to meet her.
Nikhil will probably have gone to school. Oh, God, I hope Abhay is fine. I hope- wait. I can hear his voice. Misha's living room.
I have to get closer so I can hear him. I hear him soon, quite clearly.
'-can't do this pretense anymore. I need to tell Piya that my original motive of coming here was to help her.'
I can't think. I can't feel. But my ears still seem to be working.
Misha interrupts him. 'No, Abhay! You can't. You don't- do you know how angry she can get?'
So it is me they are talking about. No. It can't be. Abhay- he couldn't have been pretending-
'She won't,' he replies. 'I thought of, you know, letting you know beforehand.'
I am covering my mouth to stop screaming. I cannot believe this. Was I really that blind? Of course! Misha would try to get the best option to treat me. But Abhay? How could he- how?
'Yes, it's better she knows the truth, really,' says Misha.
No, no. Please, Abhay, deny this. Say this isn't fake.
'I know,' he replies.'I'm sick of lying to her and keeping up this facade. This whole relationship was a mistake in the way it happened.'
There, there, Piya. He doesn't want to have a relationship with you at all. It was a mistake- a farce.
God, how blind have I been? It was so obvious! He isn't really interested in me- why didn't I see it?
Inspite of the fact that I am covering my mouth, a choked sob escapes me- giving me away to them.
They turn around and see me in the flat. But I can't look at Misha. I can only look at Abhay. Those eyes... I thought I had seen love in them. Well, I can see only shock and fear on his face.
I stumble backwards. I think I want to speak...say something. The words won't come.
I don't want to cry. But the tears just won't listen. They come out anyway.
And then I realise I hate Abhay. I loathe him, not for hiding things from me, but for leading me on to believe I could have a fairytale. For breaking my heart into tiny little pieces.
And then I turn around and go back to my apartment. To my room. I don't glance back.
Yes, I hate Abhay Raichand. Why do I hate him? I hate him for the way I loved him.
PS. This SS is ending in two updates or maybe three.😳 I'm not happy with the Piya's POV parts though
Edited by bookworm-ALS-- - 12 years ago
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