Dehradoon- 2011:
Dobriyal House :
'Mom, you need to have dinner,' pleaded Misha. 'You have to.'
Madhu looked at her with horribly vacant eyes and it took all of her strength to keep the smile on her face. 'Mom, see na, I made it on my own with a little help from the cook, won't you at least tell me how it is? See even Papa ate.'
Her mother's eyes began to liven a little. 'Arnab...ate?'
'Yes, Mom, I made him eat, and I'll make you eat too,' said Misha, holding on to the cheerful expression. 'And...you?' said Madhu.
Misha faltered for a heartbeat before saying, 'I ate already Mom, do you really think I wouldn't?'
As it had been for the last two days since Panchi had gone missing and was subsequently found dead due to snakebite in the forest, Misha helped her mother eat, then cleared away the dishes and guided her mother to her parents' room where her father sat sitting, holding a framed photograph.
And as usual she went back to her room, blinking back the tears that were beginning to pool in her eyes. She hates her life. Where had her old life gone? Panchi dead, Piya missing, her parents broken- how much more was she going to bear with a forced smile?
She'd never dreamed of being mature, responsible. She'd never thought she was, with Panchi and Piya around, she'd always been the tomboy of the family. Right now, though? She probably resembled a Hindi soap heroine.
She scrubbed viciously at her cheeks, trying to stop the flow altogether, and failing. She flung herself face down on her bed and lost herself in her misery, sure in the knowledge that nobody would see her, given that her parents were themselves trying to put themselves together.
So when she felt a touch on her hair, she bolted upright in shock...
And came face to face with her best friend Kabir.
Her tears stopped at once as she frantically tried to make herself look presentable. 'Hi,' she said, trying to make her voice sound normal. 'Did you- need help, or anything-'
Kabir stared at her without the hint of a smile. 'Cut it out,' he snapped. 'Stop acting like that.'
She stared at him. 'Acting like what?' she asked.
He gripped her chin. 'This,' he said. 'This whole- strong act that you're carrying on. I'm not saying you give it up entirely- I'm saying, stop pretending with me.'
'I'm not pretending!' snapped Misha, blinking furiously to avoid crying.
Kabir raised an eyebrow. 'You could never lie to me, you know,' he said. 'I'm your best friend, not some stranger.'
She turned away from him. 'Go away and leave me alone.'
When she heard the door close, she drew a shuddering breath. In spite of telling him to leave, she hadn't really wanted him to go- did she?
And then she felt him catch her shoulders and turn her around to face him. 'I'm not leaving,' he said, drawing her close, and perhaps it was those very words that broke something in her, and she clenched her fists in his shirt and let herself be held by him as she cried on his chest.
Kabir didn't move, stroking her hair and murmuring words of comfort, letting her vent out her anguish at Panchi's death, her terrible worry that Piya might never return, and the fear that she might break down in front of her parents , causing them more pain.
As her sniffles ceased somewhat, she pulled apart. 'I- I messed up your shirt,' she said in a hoarse voice. 'Don't worry about it, I'll send it to the laundry,' he said, causing her lips to twitch slightly.
He leaned over and pulled closer a brown packet. 'I'm feeling hungry, champ,' he said. 'You won't mind having a burger with me, would you?'
Misha felt a sudden wave of gratitude and happiness wash over her. How he knew she hadn't eaten, she didn't know, but she was grateful for his downplaying it.
He reached into the bag and brought out a cheeseburger- her favourite. 'Thanks,' she whispered, her eyes moist.
Kabir smiled tiredly. 'Anytime, champ. Anytime.'
Next Day :
12:45 pm.
Haseena Raichand pressed the accelerator harder. She was going back home from the office- she was going tired of watching her mate Chand and her younger son sort out issues with the humans. She had no particular liking for humans either- with a few exceptions here and there.
Anyway, they'd be in the office till evening, which gave her time to plot her agenda-
Her train of thought broke as she hit the brake, the tyres screeching to a halt. She leapt out of the car to see an unconscious human lying on the road. The scent was familiar...
She went over to the unconscious woman and turned her over. She then inhaled a breath sharply.
'Piya?' she said.
Piya did not respond. Haseena looked her over- Piya was wearing a long flowy gown , but it was torn in places and her arm was singed and her shoulder was cut. Her hair was in tangles. She looked down at her worriedly, then lifted her easily and carried her to the car, securing Piya next to her with a seatbelt.
Piya's POV :
When the darkness lifted, I realised I was conscious- and moving.
I let my eyes open, and I realised I was in a moving car. A car... Then that must mean... Am I back?
'How are you feeling, Piya?' said a familiar female voice, and I saw Haseena Raichand at the wheel, her normally unruffled face looking worried. 'I'm taking you to the hospital.'
'No!' I blurted out. 'Auntie- please, I don't want to go the hospital- it's important- please auntie, just drop me off at the hostel-'
Mrs. Raichand stopped the car and I saw her perfectly made eyebrows rise. 'May I ask why, in such a state, you refuse medical care? Would you like to be dropped off at your house? Or- or I could take you to our home, if you'd like.'
I panicked. 'No,' I whispered, feeling tears start to form. 'Please. I don't want to meet anyone. Please.'
I didn't want to face my family. How had they lied to me? Misha- my best friend, who would tease me about my relationship with Abhay- she'd actually lied to me, just to keep me away from. What would it have cost her to tell me the truth? Dating Abhay, pretending to kiss him in that car- didn't she realise? Was I really that breakable, that she couldn't have told me the truth? And Panchi too- I wouldn't have expected it from her, ever. Why had they done it to me?
I felt the car jerk as it started again. 'I'm taking you to a farmhouse outside the city, Piya,' said Mrs. Raichand. 'Once there I can arrange for a doctor to come and see you- will that be all right?'
'Yes- I-' my throat swelled at her kindness. Haseena Raichand had always been so sweet to me. 'Auntie- if you don't mind- you could- heal me too,' I said somewhat hesitantly, knowing it was a big thing to ask, since vampires must not be used to healing humans- but I couldn't see anyone, I wasn't ready.
The tyres screeched as the car ground to a halt. Mrs.Raichand was staring at me in shock. 'Heal you- do you mean- ?'
I let myself smile. 'Yes, I recently got my memory back.'
She looked dumbstruck for a moment, then said, 'It can't have been Abhay.. He would have let it slip to me... I would have known... But how?'
'I don't know the details myself,' I told her.
'Are- are you angry with my son?' she asked in a hushed voice. 'I'm sorry- but it seems like you don't want to see him.'
'How did you know that?' I said in mild surprise. 'No, I'm not angry, I just...'
'It's all right,' she said, soothingly. 'Go to sleep, Piya. I'll heal you once we get there, all right?'
Two hours later when I awoke, I found myself on a four-poster bed, covered with a thin quilt. I blinked in confusion before I saw Mrs. Raichand and realised I must be in the farmhouse.
She smiled at me.
'I healed your injuries,' she said, sounding almost apologetic. 'I-er- there wasn't much blood, so it was easier for me- I should have called Abhay, but you said-'
I got up gingerly. My skin was free of blemishes now, and it gave me a surge of gratitude and pleasure. 'Thank you so much Auntie,' I said. 'I can never repay you-'
She waved me away. 'Don't worry about it. Take it as payback for helping Chand in the hospital and well, everything else.'
She frowned. 'I forgot to ask. How are you feeling?'
'Tired,' I told her. 'But better.'
'Good,' she said. After a pause, she said, 'You're lucky they're in office, and they won't return till evening. I'm lucky too, that I found you so soon- I have to check on someone else, too.'
'Oh, I'm really sorry for delaying-' I began. 'No, no, don't apologise,' she replied. 'It's just... I just need to see him just once, check if he's all right... Anyways, I should tell you- someone's outside waiting for you, she's a witch.'
I stared at her in surprise. 'I should be going,' she said, getting up from my bed. 'She wants to talk to you in private, if that's okay?'
'Yeah, I- sure,' I said. I knew it was probably Reina- but why was she here now?
I watched her go from the room, shutting the door softly.
-end Piya POV-
The room was alight with a soft glow as Reina materialised out of thin air, startling Piya.
'So,' she said, coming over to sit at the foot of her bed. 'Want something to eat?'
A plate of sandwiches appeared in her hand.
Pia reached out and took one, nibbling it without much appetite.
'What is it, Reina?' she asked tiredly. 'What more do you want from me?'
Reina frowned. 'Funny, I was about to discuss that with you. Anyways, before we do that- what are you planning now?'
'What do you mean?' said Piya.
'You're not contacting your family, you more or less told Haseena Raichand to keep your return a secret from Abhay- so what's your next step?'
Piya shrugged. 'I don't know. Maybe go back to France. I can't face them again-'
'Running away,are we?' said Reina, smirking. 'Oh no. I can't have that. You see, I need you to do me a favour, a pretty big one, and I hope you won't refuse, since I basically changed dimensions for you-'
Piya sighed tiredly. 'What is it you need?'
Reina grew serious. 'I need you to bring Siddharth back to Abhay. I want you to reunite them.'
Piya stared at her. 'Reina, Abhay killed Sid! I saw him! And why the hell would I betray Abhay like this?'
Reina shook her head. 'Maithali brought him back. Only, there was a flaw in the plan- Sid returned as a human. He does not know yet, but he will be turning back into a vampire soon. Which is where YOU come in.'
Piya felt as if her head was spinning. 'What-'
'I need you to bring back the qualities inside him before he turned to the dark,' Reina continued. 'That is why I sent you- so that as Sid, as human, would have someone who would know him in and out. So you will need to become friendly to him again, pull him to the light. And then, the brothers will be united, as they should have been, and then my work will be done. You will also have to convince Abhay to trust him, and you will need to be close to him.'
'No,' said Piya without thinking. 'I'll do anything- everything- but don't ask me to get close to Abhay. I can't- I've hurt myself enough- I can't.'
Reina's eyebrows rose.
'Can't? Why, if I may ask?'
'Because he doesn't love me!' said Piya desperately, getting to her feet. 'He- I was- I am- nothing more than the face of the woman he loves!'
Reina's eyes frosted over. 'Really? So why has he saved your life- so many times?'
'Don't you see?' said Piya, tears beginning to form. 'I'm a shadow. A shadow of Maithali. I've seen the way he looks at her- he practically worshipped her! And I- and I- I- pestered him to tell me everything, I forced him to- He always said he never wanted a relationship with me.'
'You both were in a relationship, Piya, as I'm sure you remember,' said Reina quietly.
'He was doint it because he bit me,' said Piya. 'Because he was a good person, because he didn't want me in Sid's hands. It was protection, Reina. Protection. Not love.'
Reina had closed her eyes. 'God help her...'
'I can't force myself on him, Reina,' said Piya softly. ' He can never love me. I could never hold a candle to Maithali. It's only my face. I know it now, because all the time I was veiled- he never looked at me the way I wanted him to. Not once. I'm done- done trying to make a place for myself in his heart. I'm done, Reina! I can't live with being a replacement, a shadow, and I can see that- he'd never want me as myself. Without her face.I've hurt myself enough. Abhay never pretended to give me false hopes- he never promised a fairytale. It was my idiocy- and I won't let it happen again.'
Reina was quiet. Then she said, 'But will help with Sid?'
'All right, ' said Pia, softly. 'Anything else?'
'Err... Yes,' said Reina, looking uncomfortable. 'Your sister Panchi is dead by snakebite.'
Piya could not speak. 'No...'
she whispered.
'Yes,' said Reina. 'It's been a pretty tiring week in your house.'
Piya made a decision. 'I want to stay in a hostel from now on,' she told Reina in a colourless voice. 'I can't- I can't face them, not now- please.'
Reina transported Piya and her things to Mount College hostel, leaving her alone in her room as she walked out. As she glanced back, she saw Pia crying, but she knew Pia would probably not want company.
She sighed as she walked on. She'd though Abhay was noble to the point of idiocy- now she knew Piya could well outrank him in terms of foolishness.
Stupid girl. All right, she'd see how long they fought their own feelings. Why were people so blind to their own feelings?
She felt a tear fall down her eyes as she thought of the only one she had loved... And lost, thanks to her own fault. Reina wiped her eyes as she disappeared.
Alone in the hostel, Piya let the tears flow, hating herself more and more. Abhay's memories felt like torture, because now she remembered, she had a sinking feeling she would never be able to love any other as she loved Abhay. His voice echoed in her memories, cold and mocking, 'The kind of man you'll never get.'
She'd done so much to hurt him back, never realising exactly how much he'd been dealing with. How awful for him to face Maithali, as an enemy. How awful to be cursed in ice for a year. How awful, to be tortured by the face of the woman he loved, in another being entirely.
Panchi...dead. And she hadn't even been there... Hadn't even said goodbye... Hadn't even bothered to let them know...
A hot wave of anger washed over her. They'd lied to her! Her own family. She knew she was more alone now than she'd ever been in the eighteenth century.
God, it felt like a minute ago, Abhayendra teaching her to fight, 'Not like that, Piyali, your stance is all wrong!'
Piya felt the warm tears wet the pillow she was lying on now. Abhayendra's helpfulness, Maithali's kindness. Siddharth's sense of fun. She felt suddenly grateful that Siddharth hadn't killed her. Was there a chance for him after all? She needed to see for herself. Of course, she couldn't tell him anything about the past... Not yet... But she needed to see.. If Sid could still have a chance.
Sid glanced over through the glass partition wall and saw Alina furiously typing away. He suddenly felt a surge of something like respect. The girl never took a rest. He felt suddenly guilty for assigning her so many tasks- he'd almost wished she'd snap back at him. He told himself it was because he'd been lacking in entertainment as of late.
He watched furtively as Alina leaned over and recieved a call. Then she got up and strode to his cabin. Siddharth immediately pretended to be busy.
'There's a woman come to see you Sir,' she said in a neutral voice.
'Show her in,' said Sid, not looking up.
A few minutes later, he heard his door open, and he looked up to see Haseena staring at him.
He felt a surge of discomfort. Why was she here?
'You helped Abhay that night,' she said, closing the door. Her face was blank. 'Why?'
Sid rose to defend himself. 'How can you be sure that it was me?'
Haseena smirked. 'I have my sources. Now, why did you do it?'
Sid had been asking himself the same question for a long time.
'Trust me, I don't know, Mom,' he said. 'I'll let you know when I get an answer.'
'Very well,' said Haseena. 'I hope you are well.'
She left swiftly, closing the door softly, not looking back.
Siddharth closed his eyes. Memories of his brother rushed past , especially the night he'd broken all feelings between them. He wished suddenly Piyali could be there just then. She would help him clear his thoughts. But she would be dead by now, wouldn't she?
He felt suddenly guilty. She probably didn't know that he'd caused Abhay to hate her. Sid had done in a fit of anger , wishing to wound his brother.
Flashback :
Fire and smoke. The ruins resembled the tatters of his relationships. Maithali was dead or dying. His brother hated him, and probably his best friend hated him as well. Siddharth looked around, his new senses allowing him to see more clearly. He'd just been converted into the dead. His throat felt parched and he felt as if something was burning him from the inside as well.
He heard a faint movement behind him, and looked back to see his younger brother advancing on him.
'Hello, little brother,' he said callously. 'How's life? Oops... Death?'
Abhay looked more angry than he'd ever seen him, which gave him a sense of satisfaction. He wanted to see him burn in the same agony.
'Don't ever call me that,' he snarled. 'This is what you've done! Just because you were jealous that she chose me, you took her life? You know what? No one would ever choose some one like you, a backstabber, a traitor! You never cared for anyone beyond yourself! That's why Piyali left you too- she knew whose side she was on. You're a coward and a traitor!' he yelled at Siddharth, and Siddharth saw the raw pain in Abhayendra's eyes.
'SHUT UP!' he yelled. 'I was Maithali's best friend! Piyali was my best friend! She never left me!'
Abhayendra smirked, and in that instant, Siddharth knew how he would break Abhayendra.
'Maithali doesn't belong to you, get it? She played with you, she treated you like a pet. And Piyali?' he laughed cruelly. 'Piyali was such a brilliant spy you never guess all along she was on my side all along, did you?'
'Liar,' hissed Abhayendra.
Siddharth smirked. 'She helped me tell the king about both of you. She wanted me and Maithali to be together, you know? She asked me to confess to Maithali I loved her. She came to me right after she saw you and Maithali, you know?'
'Stop.' Abhayendra's breathing was harsh, his eyes haunted. 'Piyali would never-'
'Oh, but she would,' said Siddharth, lips curled in triumph. 'She even got you to come out of the jail so you could see your precious Maithali die before you eyes.'
Abhayendra's hands were on his throat, and if Siddharth hadn't been purposely intending to hurt him, he would have pitied him then. 'Piyali would never betray me,' he hissed. Sid held onto his composure. 'Oh, she did,' he said, smirking. 'Clever, isn't she?'
Using his powers, he projected into Abhayendra's mind the scene long ago- Piyali admiring his painting of Maithali, telling him to confess.
The hand left his throat.
Abhayendra fell to his knees. He couldn't believe it. Sweet, kind, friendly Piyali. The only one who he had thought had helped him, always.. And she'd been a double agent? He couldn't believe it- if only he could see her-
Siddharth walked away from him, into the fire, pulling out Maithali's charred body, and in an impulse, converted her into a vampire...
End flashback.
Sid closed his eyes. He'd overheard the later exchange between Piyali and Abhayendra. The full impact of his betrayal hit him as he realized that Piyali trying to tell Abhayendra about Maithali and Siddharth in the same sentence would be misconstrued as guilt. Oh, poor Piyali, paying the price of love and trust.
He wished so badly he could tell both of them how he'd hurt them.
If he were a vampire, this would have probably affected him less, but now he was a human, he supposed feelings would affect him more.
Hours laters, when Siddharth was preparing to leave,he saw Alina quietly make her way out.
'Hey, AK-47!' he called, trying to bait her into snapping at him.
She stopped and turned to him. 'Yes... Sir?' she asked, her face betraying his dislike for the nickname.
'Come with me, I'll drop you home,' he said, guiding her out.
'You don't have to-' began Alina. Sid waved her off. 'Don't be silly. Get in the car.'
He opened the door and bowed comically to her.
Looking very confused, Alina sat in the car.
Sid got in beside her, and started the car. 'So, which way is your home?'
'Err- you need to take the right turn here,' she said, and for the next ten minutes, there was silence except for Alina's mentioning the turns.
'You should put an ice pack on your head,' said Alina suddenly. 'I'm sure it will help.'
Sid's eyebrow lifted. 'Why would I need an ice pack?'
Alina shrugged. 'Well generally people who get hurt on their head need to put some ice. Left turn, by the way,' she added.
Sid felt his lips twitch. 'Are you implying I'm cracked?'
'No,' she said seriously. 'Are you?'
Sid chuckled. 'Why do you think my head is hurt?'
'Actually, I think you've got brain damage, but I would never say that,' she shot back at once.
'Why do you think my brain is damaged?'
Alina made a vague gesture. 'Oh, I don't know, my boss is driving me home?'
Sid let his hand rest on the wheel as he laughed. 'I'll drive you home everyday if you promise to make a few wisecracks like this,' he offered. 'I didn't hire you to sit like a robot all day long. Tell me when I'm over stressing you, okay?'
'Uh.. You can drop me here,' said Alina, feeling a blush rise on her cheeks. She cursed herself, hoping he didn't see it.
Sid braked. He got out and opened the door for her. 'Thanks,' said Alina walking out. She had to make him stop a little away from her home or she'd have to deal with more questions from her family, and she had no intention of answering them. Gone were the days where she was controlled.
Plus, she needed to check up on someone who needed her.
As she looked back, she saw Sid get back into his car and drive away, and she wondered if the act of kindness had held a bit of flirting. She shook her head. No, he wouldn't...would he?
She shook away his thoughts and walked ahead.
PS. : Abhay and Piya were supposed to meet in this chapter, but I got annoyed 🥱
They meet next chapter😆 and no Abhay has not seen Piyali's face, she was veiled remember😳
Like if you liked and comment... My fingers are hurting bad and I will be very upset if I don't get feedback...and if I am upset I won't make them meet😉😆 Just kidding😛
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