Posted:
Chapter 28
Piya woke up, sweating and shaking.
Now awake, she realized she was in her hostel room...on her bed. The moonlight filtered inside, falling on her arm.
A nightmare, thought Piya. It was just a nightmare...calm down, she told herself. Abhay is absolutely fine, it was a dream and nothing else...
Unbidden, the terrifying image of Abhay's blank face swam in her mind's eye, and her heart stopped beating for a second. She could not get rid of the image, it had been too real...
She glanced at the time on her phone. 2:03 am. Would it be too late to call him up?
Vampires don't need sleep, idiot, her mind reprimanded her.
She dialled Abhay's number. Voicemail. Her trepidation increased. Who could she call for information? Reina would have been the best choice, but she didn't exactly know how to contact her now, did she?
Alina. She could call Alina.
Her palms sweaty, she dialled Alina's number.
Alina's phone rang. And rang. And rang.
After the fourth try, Piya gave up and dropped the phone on the bed.
What if- what if, something had gone wrong? What if Abhay had been hurt? She couldn't stand this awful suspense, not knowing what had happened.
She took a deep breath and counted till ten. Slightly calmer, she made her decision.
A very hurried fifteen minutes later, Piya was creeping out of her hostel, a shawl over her face and upper body, careful not to wake the sleeping guard.
She knew the way to the Raichands' house. It wasn't that near, which meant that she would have to walk very fast...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Siddharth didn't have to wait long. The door opened almost instantly, and the pretty teacher he had met at the party stared at him, looking almost angry...? 'Oh, it's you,' she said. As if she had expected someone else. 'Well, what is it? Do you need something?'
'No, I-' Sid didn't know how to tell her. 'Your friend needs you- she asked me to take her to you. She's...not in a good condition.'
The effect was immediate. Dishu's eyes widened and her face paled in horror. 'Alina?' she said. 'Where? How did you find her?'
'In my car, and on the road,' said Sid. 'I don't think she can walk...'
But Dishu was pushing him away, almost running down to the car. He followed her, unlocking the door, and Dishu let out a soft gasp when she opened the door and saw Alina lying motionless.
Then, she turned to him, her expression so masked it was almost cold. 'Bring her in, please,' she said.
'Yes, Ma'am,' muttered Sid mutinously, as he leaned in, and carrying Alina in his arms, he followed Dishu inside her house and then into a room.
'Please put her on the bed,' said Dishu , still in the same quiet, calm voice. Sid awkwardly helped her down. Dishu hurried over, adjusting Alina on the pillows with shaking hands, and Sid wondered if the woman was way more terrified than she was letting on.
Dishu took her pulse, checking it. Normal. She sighed in relief. That meant Alina was just passed out.
'Umm...' said Sid tentatively, 'She was carrying some things with her...'
'What are you waiting for, then?' snapped Dishu, sounding quite surprised. 'Bring them in.'
Sid scowled at her. If it weren't for Alina, he would have told Ms Gupta that he didn't like being treated as if he were a chauffeur.
He walked out, conscious of her eyes boring holes into him.
As soon he was gone, Dishu shifted Alina more towards the center of the bed, covering her with the blankets.
'Alina, please, please wake up,' she pleaded.
Alina woke up to something wet being splashed lightly over her face. Her vision cleared and she saw a very anxious Dishu looking down at her, holding a jug in her hand.
'Dishu,' she murmured weakly. 'Sorry for worrying you...'
Sid cleared his throat and both of them started. He felt a flash of indignation that they had forgotten he was even there. 'Well, I'm glad you woke up,' he said irritably. 'I'll just go then, shall I? I've kept your things in the drawing room.'
Alina smiled slightly. 'Thank you... Sir,' she murmured. Then she looked around. 'My phone...it dropped...'
'Forget the phone,' said Dishu. 'I'll get you another one. Oh, gosh, I tried calling you so many times, but you just wouldn't answer back- I was so scared.'
Then, as if realizing Sid was still there, she raised her head to him. 'Thank you, Mr Malik,' she said.
'Pleasure,' he said, mockingly bowing to her. He decided he didn't like Miss Gupta, friend of Alina or not.
He turned and left, not bothering to glance back.
It was as if the wound had never been there.
'Are you telling me anything of what is going on?' said Chand, suddenly appearing next to her. 'Please don't tell me you got her to give her blood- she is bound to start making enquiries again-'
'Chand, can you keep a secret?' said Haseena quietly. He merely raised his eyebrows.
'She knows.'
It wasn't often she had seen such surprise in Chand's face. The last time was when Abhay had returned. 'I can't tell you the details,' she murmured,'but she knows.'
Piya was walking. She knew she was walking, but her surroundings were hazy, as though they did not matter very much more. But she was still walking, determined to reach her goal...but what was it?
The air around her cleared and she was standing a beautiful meadow...flowers dotted the ground and the sunlight washed over her...and then she saw him.
Right in front of her, bleeding, fallen on the ground. Unmoving and unconscious. His blue-gray eyes stared blankly upwards...
'ABHAY!'
The air around her cleared and she was standing a beautiful meadow...flowers dotted the ground and the sunlight washed over her...and then she saw him.
Right in front of her, bleeding, fallen on the ground. Unmoving and unconscious. His blue-gray eyes stared blankly upwards...
'ABHAY!'
Piya woke up, sweating and shaking.
Now awake, she realized she was in her hostel room...on her bed. The moonlight filtered inside, falling on her arm.
A nightmare, thought Piya. It was just a nightmare...calm down, she told herself. Abhay is absolutely fine, it was a dream and nothing else...
Unbidden, the terrifying image of Abhay's blank face swam in her mind's eye, and her heart stopped beating for a second. She could not get rid of the image, it had been too real...
She glanced at the time on her phone. 2:03 am. Would it be too late to call him up?
Vampires don't need sleep, idiot, her mind reprimanded her.
She dialled Abhay's number. Voicemail. Her trepidation increased. Who could she call for information? Reina would have been the best choice, but she didn't exactly know how to contact her now, did she?
Alina. She could call Alina.
Her palms sweaty, she dialled Alina's number.
Alina's phone rang. And rang. And rang.
After the fourth try, Piya gave up and dropped the phone on the bed.
What if- what if, something had gone wrong? What if Abhay had been hurt? She couldn't stand this awful suspense, not knowing what had happened.
She took a deep breath and counted till ten. Slightly calmer, she made her decision.
A very hurried fifteen minutes later, Piya was creeping out of her hostel, a shawl over her face and upper body, careful not to wake the sleeping guard.
She knew the way to the Raichands' house. It wasn't that near, which meant that she would have to walk very fast...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Siddharth didn't have to wait long. The door opened almost instantly, and the pretty teacher he had met at the party stared at him, looking almost angry...? 'Oh, it's you,' she said. As if she had expected someone else. 'Well, what is it? Do you need something?'
'No, I-' Sid didn't know how to tell her. 'Your friend needs you- she asked me to take her to you. She's...not in a good condition.'
The effect was immediate. Dishu's eyes widened and her face paled in horror. 'Alina?' she said. 'Where? How did you find her?'
'In my car, and on the road,' said Sid. 'I don't think she can walk...'
But Dishu was pushing him away, almost running down to the car. He followed her, unlocking the door, and Dishu let out a soft gasp when she opened the door and saw Alina lying motionless.
Then, she turned to him, her expression so masked it was almost cold. 'Bring her in, please,' she said.
'Yes, Ma'am,' muttered Sid mutinously, as he leaned in, and carrying Alina in his arms, he followed Dishu inside her house and then into a room.
'Please put her on the bed,' said Dishu , still in the same quiet, calm voice. Sid awkwardly helped her down. Dishu hurried over, adjusting Alina on the pillows with shaking hands, and Sid wondered if the woman was way more terrified than she was letting on.
Dishu took her pulse, checking it. Normal. She sighed in relief. That meant Alina was just passed out.
'Umm...' said Sid tentatively, 'She was carrying some things with her...'
'What are you waiting for, then?' snapped Dishu, sounding quite surprised. 'Bring them in.'
Sid scowled at her. If it weren't for Alina, he would have told Ms Gupta that he didn't like being treated as if he were a chauffeur.
He walked out, conscious of her eyes boring holes into him.
As soon he was gone, Dishu shifted Alina more towards the center of the bed, covering her with the blankets.
'Alina, please, please wake up,' she pleaded.
Alina woke up to something wet being splashed lightly over her face. Her vision cleared and she saw a very anxious Dishu looking down at her, holding a jug in her hand.
'Dishu,' she murmured weakly. 'Sorry for worrying you...'
Sid cleared his throat and both of them started. He felt a flash of indignation that they had forgotten he was even there. 'Well, I'm glad you woke up,' he said irritably. 'I'll just go then, shall I? I've kept your things in the drawing room.'
Alina smiled slightly. 'Thank you... Sir,' she murmured. Then she looked around. 'My phone...it dropped...'
'Forget the phone,' said Dishu. 'I'll get you another one. Oh, gosh, I tried calling you so many times, but you just wouldn't answer back- I was so scared.'
Then, as if realizing Sid was still there, she raised her head to him. 'Thank you, Mr Malik,' she said.
'Pleasure,' he said, mockingly bowing to her. He decided he didn't like Miss Gupta, friend of Alina or not.
He turned and left, not bothering to glance back.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Haseena stared down at her son, lying on his bed. His eyes were closed, as if for all the world he was simply sleeping. For now, she could only wait till their remedies showed signs of working on him.
'We should never have let him go,' said a quiet voice beside her. She looked up to see Chand beside her, his eyes fixated on Abhay.
'It was my arrogance and anger...'
Flashback
'He says he wants to go,' said Haseena, sounding frustrated. 'Chand, we have to go with him. We can't- I don't trust her!'
'No, Haseena,' said Chand in a final tone. 'If he is obstinate enough to wish himself ill, I will not babysit him like a toddler. It is high time Abhay learns the consequences of being reckless and foolhardy.'
Anger flickered over his face.
Haseena sighed, letting the matter drop.
End flashback
She placed a hand over his. 'It wasn't your fault,' she said softly. 'I know these days you have been running low on patience-'
'I don't know how you can approve of Piya,' said Chand. 'I cannot hate her, but she is a human... How can this happen?'
'Can we not talk about her?' said Haseena. 'You and I will never agree on the matter.'
A hissing noise erupted from Abhay's still form. A second later, bright green smoke coiled up.
Haseena felt her hopes dash...it wasn't working.
'Human blood,' said Chand, confirming her thoughts. 'He needs human blood.'
'I guess we need to go to the blood bank then,' said Haseena, turning to go.
The bell rang. Both Chand and Haseena turned to each other.
Haseena opened the door to see a very flushed Piya, in a dark shawl and wearing flowery pyjamas. She was panting slightly.
'So-sorry, Ha-Haseena aunty,' she panted. 'I- actually- I just wanted to know-'
Haseena glanced at Chand. He gave a terse nod and left. Haseena ushered the girl in.
'Please, sit,' she said.
'No, that's okay,' said Piya automatically. 'I just- wanted to know if- if- is Abhay all right?'
Haseena's eyebrows flew up in apparent surprise.
'No,' said Piya, fumbling in her speech, 'I just- got a bad dream, and I couldn't talk to anyone, and he-he was de-dea-' Her voice shook and died.
Haseena fought herself to remain calm and control her excitement.
'No,Piya,' she said. 'Unfortunately, Abhay had a run-in with some wolves...he is desperately in need of human blood.'
'Not to drink it,' she added hastily, seeing Piya's eyes widen- she didn't want to scare the girl.
'But just to- apply on his wounds-'
Piya legs gave way. 'You-you mean- I was right? I- Aunty- my blood could help?'
'It's one of the quickest things we can do, especially considering the range of his injuries,' said Haseena. 'If- if you don't want to-'
She knew her answer before Piya said. 'No! I'll- I'll do it, please- he will wake up, right?'
Haseena smiled, something she did rarely. 'Most probably,' she said. 'And especially since it's YOU who consented to give her blood. Your blood is special...'
Piya tuned her out. Her mind was reeling with the information she had recieved- that Abhay could die, and she could save him...
'His room is this way,' said Haseena, jerking her from her reverie.
Piya followed Haseena upstairs, into Abhay's room.
Then Haseena handed her a stone-cut knife.
Piya's eyes widened as she saw Abhay on the bed. Unbidden, a soft scream escaped her lips.
'Be calm, please, Piya,' said Haseena, looking ruffled herself. She walked over to Abhay, pushing back the covers a bit to reveal a deep slash across the side of his upper torso.
Piya bit back the vomit that rose in her threat.
'What do I- I have to do?' she said, trying to sound normal.
'You need to cut yourself, and place the injured part on the wound,' said Haseena, maintaining a neutral expression.
Piya moved closer. She flinched as she looked at it, knowing what she would have to do. The idea that she would have to cut herself was repellant...
'I'll...just leave you alone for a while then,' said Haseena, and Piya heard the soft snap of the door closing.
She sat gingerly on the side of the bed and stared at the weapon in her hand.
Steeling herself, she grimaced and drew the knife across her palm.
She hissed in pain as it made a clear diagonal line of scarlet across her skin.
Blood began to gush out of it.
She gingerly placed her hand over the wound, letting her blood flow over the dark wound. Tears began to form in her eyes when nothing happened.
But Haseena aunty had said her blood was special...so it had to work...right?
She pressed it more firmly over the gash, wishing and hoping desperately that something...anything..could happen...
And then, before, her eyes, the skin began to mend. Bit by bit, the gash began to close, followed by slightly pinkish skin which took its place, immediately attaining his normal texture and blending in with his normal complexion.she stared at it in wonder.
'We should never have let him go,' said a quiet voice beside her. She looked up to see Chand beside her, his eyes fixated on Abhay.
'It was my arrogance and anger...'
Flashback
'He says he wants to go,' said Haseena, sounding frustrated. 'Chand, we have to go with him. We can't- I don't trust her!'
'No, Haseena,' said Chand in a final tone. 'If he is obstinate enough to wish himself ill, I will not babysit him like a toddler. It is high time Abhay learns the consequences of being reckless and foolhardy.'
Anger flickered over his face.
Haseena sighed, letting the matter drop.
End flashback
She placed a hand over his. 'It wasn't your fault,' she said softly. 'I know these days you have been running low on patience-'
'I don't know how you can approve of Piya,' said Chand. 'I cannot hate her, but she is a human... How can this happen?'
'Can we not talk about her?' said Haseena. 'You and I will never agree on the matter.'
A hissing noise erupted from Abhay's still form. A second later, bright green smoke coiled up.
Haseena felt her hopes dash...it wasn't working.
'Human blood,' said Chand, confirming her thoughts. 'He needs human blood.'
'I guess we need to go to the blood bank then,' said Haseena, turning to go.
The bell rang. Both Chand and Haseena turned to each other.
Haseena opened the door to see a very flushed Piya, in a dark shawl and wearing flowery pyjamas. She was panting slightly.
'So-sorry, Ha-Haseena aunty,' she panted. 'I- actually- I just wanted to know-'
Haseena glanced at Chand. He gave a terse nod and left. Haseena ushered the girl in.
'Please, sit,' she said.
'No, that's okay,' said Piya automatically. 'I just- wanted to know if- if- is Abhay all right?'
Haseena's eyebrows flew up in apparent surprise.
'No,' said Piya, fumbling in her speech, 'I just- got a bad dream, and I couldn't talk to anyone, and he-he was de-dea-' Her voice shook and died.
Haseena fought herself to remain calm and control her excitement.
'No,Piya,' she said. 'Unfortunately, Abhay had a run-in with some wolves...he is desperately in need of human blood.'
'Not to drink it,' she added hastily, seeing Piya's eyes widen- she didn't want to scare the girl.
'But just to- apply on his wounds-'
Piya legs gave way. 'You-you mean- I was right? I- Aunty- my blood could help?'
'It's one of the quickest things we can do, especially considering the range of his injuries,' said Haseena. 'If- if you don't want to-'
She knew her answer before Piya said. 'No! I'll- I'll do it, please- he will wake up, right?'
Haseena smiled, something she did rarely. 'Most probably,' she said. 'And especially since it's YOU who consented to give her blood. Your blood is special...'
Piya tuned her out. Her mind was reeling with the information she had recieved- that Abhay could die, and she could save him...
'His room is this way,' said Haseena, jerking her from her reverie.
Piya followed Haseena upstairs, into Abhay's room.
Then Haseena handed her a stone-cut knife.
Piya's eyes widened as she saw Abhay on the bed. Unbidden, a soft scream escaped her lips.
'Be calm, please, Piya,' said Haseena, looking ruffled herself. She walked over to Abhay, pushing back the covers a bit to reveal a deep slash across the side of his upper torso.
Piya bit back the vomit that rose in her threat.
'What do I- I have to do?' she said, trying to sound normal.
'You need to cut yourself, and place the injured part on the wound,' said Haseena, maintaining a neutral expression.
Piya moved closer. She flinched as she looked at it, knowing what she would have to do. The idea that she would have to cut herself was repellant...
'I'll...just leave you alone for a while then,' said Haseena, and Piya heard the soft snap of the door closing.
She sat gingerly on the side of the bed and stared at the weapon in her hand.
Steeling herself, she grimaced and drew the knife across her palm.
She hissed in pain as it made a clear diagonal line of scarlet across her skin.
Blood began to gush out of it.
She gingerly placed her hand over the wound, letting her blood flow over the dark wound. Tears began to form in her eyes when nothing happened.
But Haseena aunty had said her blood was special...so it had to work...right?
She pressed it more firmly over the gash, wishing and hoping desperately that something...anything..could happen...
And then, before, her eyes, the skin began to mend. Bit by bit, the gash began to close, followed by slightly pinkish skin which took its place, immediately attaining his normal texture and blending in with his normal complexion.she stared at it in wonder.
It was as if the wound had never been there.
Piya stared at the place where Abhay had be so grievously injured. There was nothing there now, except for her own blood, which still dripped onto the wound...
His eyes flew open, and the next moment, Piya found herself somehow flung on the bed, her arms pinned to the sides.
A heated flush rose up in her face as she registered that it was now Abhay on top of her...still not wearing a shirt.
Recognition dawned on Abhay almost instantly. He had smelt human blood, and his first instinct had been to kill...
But this was Piya.
'Piya!' he said. 'What are you doing here?'
Piya stared at him. Her hair was tumbled and untidy, and her mouth was slightly open. Deep brown eyes raked his face.
'Hi,' she said, slightly breathlessly.
He let go of her, moving away so she could sit up. What he didn't understand was what was actually going on here...
'What on earth are you doing here?' he said. He hadn't meant to sound irritable, only curious, but Piya winced anyway.
'Oh,' she said, her voice higher than normal. 'I- I was just- I was paying you a visit.'
'In the middle of the night?' he enquired sceptically. Anyone could tell she was lying blatantly.
Piya swallowed. Subconsciously, her hand went to pat down her hair and Abhay's senses were once again assaulted by the very tempting smell of her blood.
'You...you're injured,' he murmured.
'Let me see your hand.'
Piya mutely held out her hand. She had a strange feeling as though she were a marionette- a puppet controlled by strings. More appropriately, controlled by Abhay.
Abhay's eyes were drawn, inspite of himself, to the blood on her palm. Taking her softer hand in his own, pulling it closer, he asked, 'How...did this happen?'
'Cut myself by mistake,' answered Piya almost too quickly.
Abhay forced himself to look at her eyes as he bent his head over the cut, trying to control the temptation.
Piya's eyes were locked onto his : she seemed as if in a trance, unable to tear away her gaze from his, even as he let go of her hand.
'You still haven't told me why you came here,' he whispered, his fingers drawing down the side of her face.
It came rushing back to Piya, in a moment of sudden realization, that somehow- she could not tell which of them had moved- they were inches away from each other. And she wanted to move away, but she couldn't...not when he looked at her like that.
He tilted her chin, still holding her gaze. 'Tell me, Piya.'
The old defiance rose up within her. 'I told you.'
He smiled slightly, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek. 'Liar.'
'No...I wasn't...' Piya began to protest, but he simply angled her head and brushed his lips over the corner of her mouth.
'Tell me, Piya,' he said again. 'Why did you come here to visit me now?'
Piya stared at him through half-closed eyes. She couldn't understand what he was saying. She moved closer, closing her eyes and offering herself to him.
The door opened and in the next second Abhay was on the other corner of the corner. Piya looked up at Haseena, who was looking at Abhay with something like pride...and regret?
Sudden awareness of what she had been about to do- how she had nearly jeorpardised her entire secret coursed through Piya, and hot tears pricked her eyes.
Abhay hadn't played fair- but she should have seen this coming. She had faced it before, so why was she so weak?
Without a word, she got off the bed, picking up the shawl which had fallen on the floor and wrapping it around herself.
'I have to go,' she said thickly, to no one in particular.
'Piya-' she heard Abhay call out, but she was already hurrying out of the room, running down the staircase.
'Piya.'
Haseena was standing in front of her. It took her a moment to remember their super speed.
'Piya,' she said, gripping her by the shoulders, 'You are one of the bravest humans I have ever had the good fortune of knowing.'
'Don't tell him what I did,' begged Piya. 'Please, please don't tell him- or else he will know my memory has returned, and he can take it again. Please-'
'I'm sorry I interrupted,' murmured Haseena. 'I didn't mean to-'
'You didn't interrupt anything,' said Piya, her voice almost harsh, despite her unshed tears.
'I will go back now.'
'Wait,' said Haseena. 'Let me call the driver- he can drive you back.'
Piya nodded mutely, and tried to smile as she got into the car. 'Thank you,' she said.
'No, thank you,' said Haseena. 'Sleep well.'
Haseena watched her go.
His eyes flew open, and the next moment, Piya found herself somehow flung on the bed, her arms pinned to the sides.
A heated flush rose up in her face as she registered that it was now Abhay on top of her...still not wearing a shirt.
Recognition dawned on Abhay almost instantly. He had smelt human blood, and his first instinct had been to kill...
But this was Piya.
'Piya!' he said. 'What are you doing here?'
Piya stared at him. Her hair was tumbled and untidy, and her mouth was slightly open. Deep brown eyes raked his face.
'Hi,' she said, slightly breathlessly.
He let go of her, moving away so she could sit up. What he didn't understand was what was actually going on here...
'What on earth are you doing here?' he said. He hadn't meant to sound irritable, only curious, but Piya winced anyway.
'Oh,' she said, her voice higher than normal. 'I- I was just- I was paying you a visit.'
'In the middle of the night?' he enquired sceptically. Anyone could tell she was lying blatantly.
Piya swallowed. Subconsciously, her hand went to pat down her hair and Abhay's senses were once again assaulted by the very tempting smell of her blood.
'You...you're injured,' he murmured.
'Let me see your hand.'
Piya mutely held out her hand. She had a strange feeling as though she were a marionette- a puppet controlled by strings. More appropriately, controlled by Abhay.
Abhay's eyes were drawn, inspite of himself, to the blood on her palm. Taking her softer hand in his own, pulling it closer, he asked, 'How...did this happen?'
'Cut myself by mistake,' answered Piya almost too quickly.
Abhay forced himself to look at her eyes as he bent his head over the cut, trying to control the temptation.
Piya's eyes were locked onto his : she seemed as if in a trance, unable to tear away her gaze from his, even as he let go of her hand.
'You still haven't told me why you came here,' he whispered, his fingers drawing down the side of her face.
It came rushing back to Piya, in a moment of sudden realization, that somehow- she could not tell which of them had moved- they were inches away from each other. And she wanted to move away, but she couldn't...not when he looked at her like that.
He tilted her chin, still holding her gaze. 'Tell me, Piya.'
The old defiance rose up within her. 'I told you.'
He smiled slightly, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek. 'Liar.'
'No...I wasn't...' Piya began to protest, but he simply angled her head and brushed his lips over the corner of her mouth.
'Tell me, Piya,' he said again. 'Why did you come here to visit me now?'
Piya stared at him through half-closed eyes. She couldn't understand what he was saying. She moved closer, closing her eyes and offering herself to him.
The door opened and in the next second Abhay was on the other corner of the corner. Piya looked up at Haseena, who was looking at Abhay with something like pride...and regret?
Sudden awareness of what she had been about to do- how she had nearly jeorpardised her entire secret coursed through Piya, and hot tears pricked her eyes.
Abhay hadn't played fair- but she should have seen this coming. She had faced it before, so why was she so weak?
Without a word, she got off the bed, picking up the shawl which had fallen on the floor and wrapping it around herself.
'I have to go,' she said thickly, to no one in particular.
'Piya-' she heard Abhay call out, but she was already hurrying out of the room, running down the staircase.
'Piya.'
Haseena was standing in front of her. It took her a moment to remember their super speed.
'Piya,' she said, gripping her by the shoulders, 'You are one of the bravest humans I have ever had the good fortune of knowing.'
'Don't tell him what I did,' begged Piya. 'Please, please don't tell him- or else he will know my memory has returned, and he can take it again. Please-'
'I'm sorry I interrupted,' murmured Haseena. 'I didn't mean to-'
'You didn't interrupt anything,' said Piya, her voice almost harsh, despite her unshed tears.
'I will go back now.'
'Wait,' said Haseena. 'Let me call the driver- he can drive you back.'
Piya nodded mutely, and tried to smile as she got into the car. 'Thank you,' she said.
'No, thank you,' said Haseena. 'Sleep well.'
Haseena watched her go.
'Are you telling me anything of what is going on?' said Chand, suddenly appearing next to her. 'Please don't tell me you got her to give her blood- she is bound to start making enquiries again-'
'Chand, can you keep a secret?' said Haseena quietly. He merely raised his eyebrows.
'She knows.'
It wasn't often she had seen such surprise in Chand's face. The last time was when Abhay had returned. 'I can't tell you the details,' she murmured,'but she knows.'
'And...she has no problem with that?' said Chand.
'No,' murmured Haseena. 'And Abhay cannot know this. Please, Chand.'
'Two times now,' said Chand, shaking his head. 'I wonder if I shall have to like the human out of pure indebtedness.'
Haseena swirled around and kissed him. Drawing away, she whispered, 'I knew you would see sense.'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abhay felt like cursing himself all the way to hell and back. What was wrong with him? The last thing he remembered was coming home, to his room, and then his mother's voice,'We'll set it right, Abhay.'
And then he had woken up to the smell of blood. Piya's blood.
God, someday she would make him break his head in frustration. Why had she come to meet him? Did she have a problem? Why was she not telling him? He closed his eyes.
A flash of black and blue... Piya was now in her hostel room, wiping away her tears as she snuggled back into bed.
He closed the connection, respecting her privacy. He had so far resisted the temptation to follow her around like a stalker, because that would be wrong on so many levels...
Plus, he'd made her cry again. God, how insanely had he wanted to kiss her-and more. He felt a twinge of irritation directed towards his mother. Then he remembered the horrified look on Piya's face , and the moisture in her eyes, and realized he should probably feel grateful towards her. He needed to be careful around Piya. Goodness knew she needed him around, whatever she was doing...she could not hope to carry that problem all on her own.
'But maybe,' said a sly voice in his head, 'This is what you wanted, right? That Piya learn to tackle situations on her own?'
Not if it was troubling her, he argued with himself...and then realised that he had just rendered his own argument invalid.
Well, he had so got to make up for tonight. Only he would be such a doofus as to make her cry, he reasoned, as he glanced at the clock. That too, on her birthday!
'No,' murmured Haseena. 'And Abhay cannot know this. Please, Chand.'
'Two times now,' said Chand, shaking his head. 'I wonder if I shall have to like the human out of pure indebtedness.'
Haseena swirled around and kissed him. Drawing away, she whispered, 'I knew you would see sense.'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abhay felt like cursing himself all the way to hell and back. What was wrong with him? The last thing he remembered was coming home, to his room, and then his mother's voice,'We'll set it right, Abhay.'
And then he had woken up to the smell of blood. Piya's blood.
God, someday she would make him break his head in frustration. Why had she come to meet him? Did she have a problem? Why was she not telling him? He closed his eyes.
A flash of black and blue... Piya was now in her hostel room, wiping away her tears as she snuggled back into bed.
He closed the connection, respecting her privacy. He had so far resisted the temptation to follow her around like a stalker, because that would be wrong on so many levels...
Plus, he'd made her cry again. God, how insanely had he wanted to kiss her-and more. He felt a twinge of irritation directed towards his mother. Then he remembered the horrified look on Piya's face , and the moisture in her eyes, and realized he should probably feel grateful towards her. He needed to be careful around Piya. Goodness knew she needed him around, whatever she was doing...she could not hope to carry that problem all on her own.
'But maybe,' said a sly voice in his head, 'This is what you wanted, right? That Piya learn to tackle situations on her own?'
Not if it was troubling her, he argued with himself...and then realised that he had just rendered his own argument invalid.
Well, he had so got to make up for tonight. Only he would be such a doofus as to make her cry, he reasoned, as he glanced at the clock. That too, on her birthday!
PS. See, I'm not THAT bad. I did put an AbhIya scene, didn't I? (Never mind how poorly it was written😆)
2