Chapter 20 - Scandalous Day
And so the night passed.
The faint sunray filtered through closed window and dark curtains, caressing her face tenderly and waking her up from the deep slumber of threatening night.
Her eyes were too heavy to open and her tired body wanted to drift back into the calmness of sleep. But her habit wasn't willing to sleep back and so her wide awake mind.
Rubbing her eyes, she sat leaning on the headboard. Stifling a yawn, she forced her eyes open.
Her eyes met with his grey ones. The pain and longing in his eyes layered with an unknown feelings squeezed her heart and she forgot to breath in the moment captured by their eyes.
She didn't know what were his fears, behind the masks of his arrogance and she didn't know who he really was, behind the visible hatred, but he was there always for her. And he would be always there for her. It was enough for her. She maybe confuse of everything and everyone but one thing she was sure was, that he would never hurt her.
And after what happened in last twenty four hours, no one could persuade her in believing that Abhay meant her any harm, not even Abhay could persuade her otherwise.
"You didn't sleep?" Even before she knew the words were out of her mouth as their eyes remained lock in each other
She saw his hesitation and the way he broke the eye contact, coming out of his trance of watching her, she was sure that there was some matter.
"Just.... Woke up" he answered, stepping down from the recliner and picking up his coat.
He wasn't honest and she knew it. But it didn't hurt her and neither she persuaded him to tell her the truth. Instead, she let the silence comfort him when she knew she couldn't help him with her words.
"We must leave now" Abhay said wearing the coat.
Piya nodded in agreement. They must get out, early and immediately. Before anyone could get whiff of the situation and misunderstood the whole matter.
As if scared of something or someone, Abhay held her hand once again and guided her out of his room, down the stairs and out of the mansion. While her eyes remained lock on his cautious and attentive yet emotionless face.
The sun was rising from the horizon of clouds yet was half hidden behind them. The morning breeze was crisp. The atmosphere was heavied with eery coldness.
Piya rubbed her bare shoulders as biting coldness freeze her blood. Her teeth clattered and her hair flew into her face as the snowy wind blew around her. She raised her head to watch the amassed clouds. Snowfall seemed to be inevitable.
Her escape last night was in a haze and she didn't get chance to fetch her shawl. Besides, the night wasn't as cold as the morning. Her worn out pants with half sleeves shirt weren't ideal clothing for the snowy-cold morning.
The warmth engulfed him with his vivid scent hitting her nostrils. She looked at his coat resting around her shoulders with the sleeves dangling and her eyes moved to Abhay. He was walking nonchalantly but seemed to be aware of her every feeling.
A smile came on her face as she slipped her hands in sleeves and pulled the coat tighter around her. The warmth was welcoming and so was his distinct scent.
There was this strange feeling of being blessed when everything around her was darkness. His presence and his actions, made her feel as if she didn't want anyone or anything else. As if, he was all, her heart desired.
Maybe it was all due to her broken life, suddenly getting light.
Or maybe it was Abhay.
Her gaze turned to him and her breath hitched. Always under the pile of coverings, he looked absolutely charming without his stuffy coat. The black t-shirt sticking to his well-toned body gave a sight too difficult to look away.
Their steps kept on moving while she drooled over him.
As they sat in his car, she blushed in embarrassment on realising the way she was checking him out. She avoided looking at him and tried to look out of the window even when her feelings were telling her to turn and look at him.
I am getting too much attracted to Abhay, Piya thought as her eyes ran on passing trees, I wonder why? Why he effects me so much? Is it because he is honest? or is it because he is helping me when no one is there for me?
The car stopped, halting her thoughts too. She sat straight and peeked a glance towards him. With unsteady breathing due to his irresistible aura, she stepped down from the car.
"Um...Abhay..." She called through the closed window before going to her hostel
Abhay turned to her silently. His face betraying nothing. He was as emotionless as he could be. He rolled the window down of passenger seat.
"Your coat" Piya said taking off the coat while Abhay looked away unable to watch her without feeling something strange.
"You can keep it, for now" Abhay said avoiding looking at her, he felt something looking at her. Something, he didn't wish to feel.
"It won't be nice" Piya said slowly "to wear it in hostel"
Abhay looked at her and realized her words. The embarrassment was clear on her lowered eyelashes and heated cheeks. She was shy to wear his coat early in morning in front of whole hostel. It was something Piya would never do.
Sighing, he nodded and took the coat from her. His eyes unable to waver off her and her eyes, too, locked into his.
Piya wanted to say something. Something trivial like a thanks or maybe bye. But she couldn't form words. She was hesitant to talk to him. Hesitant to break the blissful silence.
Finally, all Piya could do was nod at him to which Abhay nodded back. And an unknown, unspeakable feelings passed between them.
Piya turned away and made her way inside the hostel without looking up to face the guard or anyone from hostel in that matter.
Sudden nervousness engulfed her as she hurried up the stairs with her head lowered. How was she going to face everyone, was scary. She wondered if someone realised her disappearance from hostel which increases her worries.
She stopped at the foot of stairs when her eyes fell on the open window and the flashes of last night freeze her at her place.
He had held her closer. As if, he was assuring her that everything would be fine. That he would be there for her. Always.
A smile came on her face knowing he was there for her and she walked to her room with his thoughts in her mind and everything else forgotten. His touch and his actions were creating havoc in her and she herself wasn't aware of the change they were stirring in her.
Her steps halted and nervousness engulfed her once again. She had completely forgot about Misha and now seeing her standing in her room, she had no idea what was she going to tell Misha. Of course, not truth.
"Misha" the name escaped from her mouth and she wondered over every possible excuse she was going to fed to Misha.
She was glad, though, that she returned Abhay his jacket. Else this wasn't going to end well. As if it was going to end already.
Misha turned to her and gave her a look which made her lower her eyes in shame and that's when, the mess of her room caught her eyes and she forgot to breath.
She walked in the room with heavy steps, with sudden apprehensions and shivering fears. Her eyes were clouded by dark cloud of horror as she took in the state of her room.
Her blanket was thrown in a corner, the bed was toppled up, clothes were spread on the floor, papers were scattered and books were forced open. It was a complete mess.
"This...." Piya muttered, looking around with shock as she stood in front of Misha
"What's this?" Misha questioned too, observing her keenly.
"I.... I don't know" Piya whispered, her eyes were moving without fixed destination and a despair was clutching her heart. What would've happen if Abhay hadn't came?
Misha was surprised but she didn't question. Instead, she came up with a question, for what, she had came at first place.
"Where were you?" Misha asked crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at Piya.
Piya snapped towards her. She realised her situation. She wasn't just trapped in the fear of her mess up room, most probably done by Kabir, but she also had to give a few explanations to Misha, her bestfriend... and her sister.
"I was....." She thought over the question trying to find the lie that would be believable. In her whole journey from yesterday to now, she didn't ponder on what she was going to tell Misha.
Misha was getting confused now. Piya was making her feel weird by her actions, expressions and lost words.
"Where were you, Piya? And what's this with your room?" Misha questioned once again with an additional question
"I was here only" Piya blurted and soon realised her mistake when Misha raised her eyebrow, at which Piya looked away.
She fumbled with her hands and kept on looking around.
"I was just.... trying to find.... Yeah.... Trying to find some important documents. That's it." Piya said forcing a smile and nodding meaninglessly with her hands moving in air without any purpose, hinting her lie and nervousness.
Misha narrowed her eyes and studied her for a second. She nodded and giving a final look to room made her way outside. But not before telling Piya that she would be waiting for her at college.
Piya sighed and her shoulders slumped in defeat as her eyes roamed around the room with a pained look on her face.
"Kabir" she whispered, running a desperate hand in her hair.
She didn't know how was it going to end but she knew it wasn't going to end well for her.
.
Piya was taking her first class when the bomb was dropped on her. Principal came with a teacher and announced in not so eloquent manner, the disappearance of Piyashree Jaiswal from her hostel room with a boy, that too, at the middle of night.
Piya was torn in helplessness and shame. Her head was lowered but she could hear all types of gossip-whisperings around her. The names that were being given to her, made her cringe in disgust and she wanted her eardrums to bursts at the laughter and words that were echoing around her.
Her eyes welled up with tears and her heart constricted in her chest. Only she knew what she went through last night and in what conditions. Only she knew her state on seeing the shadow lurking in her window. And only she knew the fear that clutched her when she saw her room in disaster.
And yet, she was being laughed and taunted, was being called names and being gossip about something utterly shameful that she couldn't even dream in her nights.
She pressed her sobs behind the veils of her hair as she trailed behind the Principal in his office. She could see her fate already. Her career was destroyed. Her reputation was tarnished. Her life was destroyed.
It was all over. Over for her. OVER.
"So who is the guy?" Principal questioned after seating down on his chair across the desk. He looked directly at her but her head didn't raise.
Piya pursued her lips. She knew she was going to be thrown out of the hostel and maybe out of the college too. But she wasn't going to tell about Abhay. Not at any cost.
He helped her. He saved her life and provided her with every type of support she needed. Even if it was silent support. But he was there for her. Everytime.
And she wasn't going to destroy his life, too, for her.
Besides, she wasn't at fault and telling about Abhay would be like admitting something they didn't do.
But who will listen to her?
"According to reports and some eyewitnesses, its Abhay Raichand" Principal said in a rather soft tone after his harsh accusations and harsher tone.
Piya head snapped towards him. She didn't understand how they got to know so much and so soon. Her heart came into her throat and her pulse raced in a maddening way.
Both of them be ruined!!
Without any reason!!
If only she could tell about her situation. Why was her life so cursed?
"What do you think you were doing by all this, Miss Jaiswal?" Principal posed the question as he leaned over the table.
"I..." Piya opened and closed her mouth unable to find words to defend herself even when she had a big reason behind all of it.
But she knew telling it would be fruitless. In fact, saying anything or whatsoever would be fruitless. Her hands shook with fear.
"You cannot blame her without proofs, Mr Mehra" came the voice as the door opened and came inside the man in three piece.
Piya eyes widened but she kept her head lowered. Her fingers curled into fist and a strange fury mixed with pain shot in her throbbing heart.
All the wrong men in her life.
Except Abhay, of course.
"Its Abhay right? Then call him too so he can get punishment. But let me tell you Mr Mehra that your favourite boy is not so favourite for my daughter. So she won't go out with him unless he forced her to" Arnab Dobriyal said with his usual arrogance and sharp tone that shouted he-knows-it-all despite his deepest ignorance.
Piya flinched at his discourse. It was an acid for her heart, shredding it slowly and painfully. She wasn't his daughter, then how dare he call her, his daughter. Does he even know the meaning the word hold for her?
And how dare he talk against Abhay? The guy who is so so better than any Arnab Dobriyal in the world.
She bit her lips not wanting to burst in her pain and fury, at the person who called himself as her father, but didn't know the depth and reality of the word.
"Look Mr Dobriyal..." Sunil started to talk but was cut off by Arnab.
"No Mr Mehra, you look and call for that Raichand. Question him first and then we'll see what he is going to answer." Arnab said furiously
Sweat started to form at the forehead of Sunil. The whole matter was controversial from the start but he was forced to act on it. He had thought he would corner Piya, dispell her from hostel and it would be all over for him. But the interference of Dobriyal was a call of trouble.
He can't drag Raichands in this matter. If he will, then he have to say goodbye to his job. Raichand will not forgive him for dragging them in a mess.
With a shivering hand, he fidgeted not daring to look at anyone. He had to find a way out of this dire situation.
"You cannot say... Its Abhay Raichand. Only Miss Jaiswal can answer with whom she left." Finally, Sunil came with a comeback
Arnab raised his eyebrow. Misha had informed him that it was Abhay only and that even Principal implied same, in hints, now Sunil reluctance confirmed that Misha was right. Abhay was involved somehow but Sunil wasn't ready to bring his name out in open. Of course, he was Raichand puppet so why would he?
"If we can't say that its Abhay, then you can't even say that she went out at first place." Arnab said leaning over the desk and looking directly in Sunil's eyes.
Piya watched everything with confused state and mixed emotions. She was suddenly not sure what might happen.
"We have proof" Sunil said with his raised chest.
"What proof? Can I see them?" Arnab said narrowing his eyes
"She..... Wasn't in her room in the middle of night and some students saw her leaving with...." Sunil hesitated, he couldn't bring Abhay name "...with someone"
"Can I meet these students?" Arnab asked almost immediately
"Why don't you ask your daughter rather than questioning the students. Am sure she will have interesting story to narrate." Sunil countered, he couldn't tell the name of eyewitnesses either because they would surely bring Raichand name
Arnab looked at Piya who stood beside him forgotten, witnessing everything silently.
"I trust her and I know she can't do such thing. I want to know about your eyewitnesses and proofs so I can contemplate how much half cooked your story is." Arnab retorted with confidence while Piya sighed painfully. This was going nowhere.
And then came the twist.
"She was with me" came the shocking announcement and entered Abhay Raichand with his usual attitude and demanding aura.
Arnab fumed looking at him and Sunil had no idea what was going to happen now.
Sunil was regretting that he listened to unknown caller and interrogated students which forced him to finally take action. If he had ignored the call as a prank then he wouldn't have been trapped so much.
Piya looked at Abhay with yearning and fear. She knew he would help her but she wasn't sure what he was going to do. His ways were twisted but she wouldn't doubt them ever.
"Piya was with me." Abhay repeated looking directly at Arnab as if challenging him about something in silence.
A strange tension transpired between Arnab and Abhay as they glared each other in silence.
"But," Abhay said turning his head to Sunil who shivered under his glare "not at night time."
Piya sighed in relief. Maybe this was going to help her somehow. Even if it was a lie. It would help her. Abhay would help her out of this situation like always.
"She didn't spent night with any guy. Not even me." Abhay said "because she was with my mother who wanted to talk something with her. So they spent the night together doing don't know what."
Piya head snapped towards Abhay. A shock reel down her head. She couldn't understand what was Abhay trying to do. Abhay's mother knows nothing, then how will this help her?
Even Arnab looked at surprise with Abhay. His eyes oscillated between Abhay and Piya, trying to understand their equation.
"You can confirm it from my mother. I'm sure no mother will protect her son over spending a night scandal." Abhay said so confidently that no one could doubt his authenticity at the moment.
"call her" Abhay ordered looking at numb principal
"No... No Abhay, its fine. I trust you." Sunil said with a nervous smile "we shouldn't disturb your mother over such petty issue" Sunil tried to wave off the topic as a petty even when it was serious a moment ago and still was.
All of money charm, Piya sighed painfully.
"But everyone must know. Call her now." Abhay said in an authoritative tone.
Piya looked at Abhay and then her eyes moved from Principal to Arnab Dobriyal. The frustration and confusion were clear in the air. She even caught glimpse of students gathered outside the window eavesdropping over the whole scenario.
A tight knot formed in her stomach. Such a drama over her one night. She felt so awful. Dropping her head, she wondered what would Haseena say over the whole matter.
With trembling fingers, Sunil took the receiver of his telephone.
"With your mobile. And on speaker." Abhay said in dangerously low tone
Sunil gulped in fear and nodded. He pulled out his phone while Arnab stood watching with confusion.
Arnab didn't know whether to interrupt Abhay or support him. Abhay was helping Piya but he couldn't understand why. He couldn't even understand that why did Haseena call Piya at the middle of night. Or whether she did it or not
"Yes, Piya was with me. I had something to discuss with her that I can't share. I think its completely fine and I hope you won't trouble her over this." A crisp voice of Haseena came after Sunil question, a hint of warning lingered in her voice.
Piya closed her eyes, letting her shoulders slump with weariness. At least this part was over. At least, she wouldn't be thrown out of college or anything of such sort.
But why did Haseena lie?
She didn't even know Piya was there with her, or did she?
It seemed odd. In fact, a lot of things were odd and for a moment Piya wondered that if she was trusting Abhay a bit more than she should.
After winding up the whole matter, Piya came out with Arnab by his side. Her mind whirled on the whole matter as Misha came to her but her eyes fell on Kabir standing at afar and watching them with coolness.
She realised he was behind all this. If not completely then at least partially. His smirk was proof.
She wanted to confront him but she was scared of him. The fear after seeing his evilness still lingered in her heart.
She hesitated, turned around to look at Abhay who was observing her and nodded at her in encouragement while looking around at students.
She got his hint. He got her back and with students around them Kabir wouldn't hurt her. She was safe by all means.
Gulping her fears and gathering her strength, she walked towards Kabir who stood at a little distance from students, hence safe for her to confront him without fears.
"So how was it like being saved by your illegitimate father and secret lover?" Kabir said with his widening smirk even before Piya could open her mouth to lash at him.
His words drained her blood and she stared him in disbelief. Yeah, she knew he was aware of her past but hearing him say it out was another kind of torture.
Besides, the word illegitimate was enough to burn away all of her happiness and confidence.
"You... You did it!!" Piya gritted, breathing unevenly under his evil gaze with the burden of venomous words he spat.
"Was a trailer, it will effect your life so easily and deeply that even you will not understand." Kabir said leaning at her while she took a step backward in fear.
"You failed last night and now. You'll fail forever." Piya said in shivering voice, unable to think anything else.
"I failed last night but what I did now, will surely bring its consequences." Kabir said in dangerously low tone with an evil glint in his eyes. He surely got better results and he was going to use them against her.
"Just.. wait and watch." Kabir said leaning back and winking at her with an eery smirk.
Piya felt a tight knot in her stomach as if something really worst was about to happen. She whirled around unable to stand him anymore and quickly walked away from him.
Abhay turned his head away from her when she walked away from smirking Kabir. He calculated that it didn't go well. That Kabir had many plans hidden under his sleeves. The plans, he wasn't aware of. And the plan that were dangerous.
He had saved Piya from the disgrace but he knew this incident would've its effects. Some gossip students would still taunt and laugh at Piya. But that was secondary to his worries.
The foremost issue was, Piya protection. He had to work over it. Piya wouldn't come to his home and neither he could hide her there. She wouldn't be safe and neither he would be able to find the proofs Kabir was hiding. He had to do something.
That's when he saw Misha throwing daggers towards him and he knew what he had to do. Even though he was aware that Piya wouldn't be really glad of it but he couldn't help due to her safety.
"You can't eat me, how much you try to look at me with your hungry stares." Abhay said in his arrogant deep voice
Misha glared at him and fisted her hand, ready to punch him.
"I want to kill you" Misha said taking a step towards him and looking directly in his eyes but his figure was still more intimidating than her fragile anger.
"Even then you need something more sharper than your slimy eyeballs." Abhay said coolly
"You moron..." Misha gritted and raised her fist to hit him, that Abhay held almost immediately, stopping just an inch away from his face.
"And much faster plus stronger than your hands." Abhay said sympathetically which irked Misha.
"What the hell do you want?" Misha growled, she couldn't understand his connection with Piya and the way two run into each other even when running away from each other.
"Just take your friend at your home. I don't want that she creates another scene. I don't have time for her pretty attention seeking campaign." Abhay said arrogantly even when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Piya was effecting him, deeper than he had calculated.
Misha gazed him confusedly. He walked away without further elaboration and she stood wondering the connection between him and Piya.
Abhay quickly texted Piya, informing, scratch that, ordering her to live in Dobriyal mansion. He watched as she looked at him with lost look standing beyond the sea of students and he knew she didn't want to do it. But he gave her a firm nod making her lower her head in pain.
"Time to destroy the proofs" Abhay thought as he walked out of the campus
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
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