Chapter 42 - An Effort to Understand
Away from their parents, Panchi found Misha standing in the opposite corner of drinks.
"Where's Piya?" Panchi asked eagerly, she had hoped to find her with Piya.
"What are you planning?" Misha narrowed her eyes, somewhere aware of her family tactics.
Panchi gave her incredulous look like she was a fool.
"We have to talk to her. The apologize is long overdue." Panchi said as a matter of fact.
Misha looked at her thoughtfully as if considering the opportunity and event.
"No need."
Siddharth joined them, earning their attention as he looked at Panchi defiantly. His cheery attitude gone and replaced by a person who was the CEO of a best company.
"Just fot the of your formal apologize, you shouldn't disturb her happiness tonight." Siddharth said.
"But Sid, she deserve our apologies. What will she think if we keep on delaying it like this?" Panchi reasoned.
"Am pretty sure she is aware of your efforts but she is avoiding it for her peace of mind. Its a happy night. So just to soothe your conscience don't spoil her happiness by reminding her the nightmare she went through." Siddharth said blatantly.
"But..." Panchi tried to reason, not ready to give up as her heart wished to be free of the guilt that was residing from quite some time.
"Sis, she'll be coming at our party fully prepared of your apologize parade. Spare her the surprise tonight." Siddharth said dryly. He had enough of their adamant nature that did not seem to consider the happiness of Piya.
They weren't wrong, he knew that. But that didn't mean they were right even if they feel so.
Panchi pursued her lips and lowered her head. Nodding in understanding, she walked away without turning back.
Siddharth turned to Misha.
"Misha," Piya came hastily but stopped looking at Siddharth whose eyes turned to her too.
"Hi," Piya forced a smile.
Siddharth couldn't understand the reason behind her detached behaviour but somewhere he knew she must've reasons. He smiled back.
"You're looking beautiful." Siddharth gave her a charming smile, his seriousness gone and his cheeriness back for people to witness.
Piya faltered but came up with a faint smile. "Thank you."
"So what's it? I hope my sister isn't troubling you." Siddharth continued with his grin.
"Hey you monkey. She's my friend." Misha stood in front of Piya shielding her from Siddharth.
"So what did I do?" Siddharth asked with a frown.
"Behave, Sid, else I'll kill you right here." Misha gritted, her eyes afixed somewhere far.
Siddharth noticed their mother staring them from other corner and he knew what Misha was indicating.
He shrugged not caring that their mother may dislike their actions, not that he did anything wrong other than being a good guy.
"What happened, Piya?" Misha had turned to Piya now, completely ignoring Siddharth.
"Can you please drop me at hostel?" Piya asked.
"You already want to leave? Party has just started." Siddharth asked, observing her carefully as he recalled her being happy with Abhay some moments ago.
Piya looked at him, her eyes turned to his left where Abhay stood talking with guests. Their eyes met and a solemn look came over their faces. Siddharth narrowed his eyes at the exchange.
"Am tired and this party was a mistake anyway." Piya grumbled.
Abhay did hear it, Siddharth was sure of it, the way Abhay looked down. His frown deepened as he was sure the two were happy together.
"Won't Abhay mind?" Misha asked skeptically, her eyes widened as she confirmed Siddharth speculation of the two being great friends.
"Please Misha, if you're busy then say it. What's the purpose of talking rubbish?" Piya said angrily.
Siddharth looked at Abhay who walked to them. Piya looked away from Abhay as if he didn't exist, confusing Siddharth further.
"Nice to meet you, Siddharth Dobriyal." Abhay said extending his hand avoiding Piya who stood beside him.
Confused Siddharth shook hand with Abhay as he observed the two.
"Misha?" Piya looked at Misha for answer in not so polite manner.
"Shall I drop you, Piya? I think Misha has some work to look after." Siddharth offered, ignoring Abhay.
Piya jerked to him in shock and became nervous. Siddharth couldn't understand her reaction again.
"I won't bore you, don't worry." Siddharth grinned.
"Stay where you're loser. I'll drop her. Come Piya." Misha said holding her hand.
"You didn't come on your bike, Mishi. And you can't drop her in car without accident." Siddharth reminded her with a smirk.
Abhay and Piya kept on exchanging awkward glances, Siddharth noticed but said nothing.
"Shit." Misha cursed.
"Piya, if you're not uncomfortable?" Misha asked apologetically.
Siddharth observed as Piya looked at Abhay.
"Excuse me," Abhay said giving a look to Piya while Siddharth nodded silently.
"I don't have any problem." Piya said looking at Siddharth.
Siddharth smiled and nodded.
"Then what are we waiting for. Let's leave this old woman." Siddharth said pointing at Misha.
"You.." Misha stepped forward.
"Mother is watching Mishy." Siddharth pointed.
Misha stepped back, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth.
Siddharth grinned.
"Let's go, sissy." Siddharth said to Piya who nodded awkwardly as they made their way outside.
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Piya played with her fingers and chewed on her lips while staring the blurring trees passing by. No Dobriyal effected her the way Siddharth did. It was maybe the truth that her memory was buried deep in him and she was scared of it to resurface. Or maybe because she had beautiful memories with him and didn't wish them to be tainted by the shit surrounding their names.
"So you're here on scholarship. I must admit its impressive." Siddharth said with a smile as he drove.
Why can't he be quick? Piya thought miserably.
"What was the name of the city by the way?" Siddharth asked ignoring that she was trying to be distant.
Piya straightened, feeling weird about his question as sweats started to form on her forehead despite the winter night.
"I want to visit some cities and it'll be great to hear about yours" Siddharth flashed her a smile.
Was she being paranoid? The question was harmless until or unless Siddharth was up to something and remembered about her.
What should she answer then?
"You should try some better cities, the village doesn't suite you." Piya said avoiding looking at him.
"Isn't your village beautiful and sunny?" Siddharth asked with a smile but a frown, a weird combination.
"Its dark and not really pretty to visit." Piya said with far off look, her talk directed to entirely different subject.
"Darkness and light, ah. I love this combination." Siddharth passed her a cheery smile instead of pressing on the issue. "They compliment each other. Look at yourself and your dress. Look at the day and night. There's no beauty without darkness."
A light smile came on Piya face. She was glad he was sensible enough to give up on the topic.
His words also reminded her of Abhay. But the way night shaped up for her, she couldn't help but feel the nagging in her heart. Abhay told her nothing about the matter and this indicated they were back to keeping secrets. She didn't like it one bit.
Why couldn't he just tell her what the matter was? Or he was pushing her away again?
"You're coming at my weird party, right?" Siddharth fired another question as she ignored him while he played a soft music on radio.
"Sure." Piya passed a formal smile.
Siddharth waited for a beat, hesitant to speak. - "My family will be meeting you."
Piya smile dropped but she came up with a fake one as Siddharth glanced towards her, her smile falling the test.
"They want to apologise. They really did wrong with you and I myself apologize for their behaviour though I were not here at that time. I know you expect this but I want you to be prepared for whatever you desire." Siddharth said at last.
"I..." Piya gulped the lump. "Its not their fault anyway. Who were I, for them to trust me over their own?" A bitter smile came on her face.
A daughter forgotten.
"Trust is a weird subject, no? Everything about it said in words is not true. Its difficult and complicated in its nature." Siddharth said as if lost somewhere else.
"I believe in trust but confirm without hurting feelings. You can't trust anyone in this world anyway."
"Nowadays no one is trustworthy anyway. Not even family." Siddharth smiled. "So forgive them if you can and ignore if you can't bear."
Piya smiled freely for the first time with him. She was glad not to be judged on her behaviour, questioned about her choices and forced to do something she didn't want to.
That did not mean she was suddenly comfortable with Siddharth. She couldn't trust him on the basis of a small conversation and a little understanding shown by him.
Words could be deceptive and people could be fake, she learned it hard way.
Resting her head on seat, she closed her eyes letting the music soothe her bruised and battered heart while closing the doors for any kind of conservative with Siddharth.
She always thought life would've been better if his father had not done what he did, but now she knew better.
She did not know where future would take her, but she knew she would try her best to survive this conspiracy of fate. Even if fate was going to play the same game of past where she...
The car stopped putting a brake to her thoughts that were going in dark direction suddenly.
Sighing, Piya unbuckled the seatbelt and got down from the car without looking at Siddharth. As she was about to shut the door, Siddharth called her.
"Piya," Siddharth had this strange expression in his eyes that confused Piya as she stood holding the door and leaning in. "I want you to know that I respect you. After everything you went through, your strength is admirable and am glad you stood fot yourself in front of my family injustice. You're really brave to face all this alone and still be standing. Never change for anyone or anything."
Piya stared him in disbelief for a long minute. His expressions seemed genuine and she could actually see respect in them along with another emotion she could not understand. She blinked and felt her throat closing in.
It was like his words touched a depth of her heart and gave it the strength that she did not know she needed. He surprised and touched her at different level, something that she only felt with Abhay.
Siddharth passed her a smile and a smile lightened her face too.
"Thank you." Piya said softly.
Exchanging good bye, Piya walked in her hostel with a small smile.
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